//------------------------------// // Armor of Heroes Part 15: The Hunters // Story: Dragonfire 🐲 Enter The Dragon Hero 🐲 // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// -Sirens - Nathan Whitehead- It was a dark and stormy day. Somewhere, in the Undiscovered West of Equestria, in a forest, trouble was stirring. A lone harpy was running through the woods, while clutching to a crippled wing, courtesy of a spiral mark on her shoulder. The harpy kept on running, as multiple beams of lights were shining from behind, as her pursuers continue to give chase. "I just saw it went this way!" one of the chasers said. "Come on!" Eventually, several tall figures in dark uniforms arrived, waving their flashlights around, searching for their prey. "Spread out!" one of the figures ordered to the others. "It's got to be around here, somewhere," With that, the hunters all dispersed into random directions. No sooner did the hunters leave, when the harpy dropped down from the tree she managed to hide in. "I'm glad to be rid of those creeps," the harpy said, as she was quickly on her way. However, just when the harpy thought all her troubles are over, when a pair of lights snapped on, followed by the sound of engines roaring to life, and a loud horn was heard. "Thought you could get away that easy, did you?" One of the hunters grinned. "Not by a long shot, you won't." The harpy stood, frozen with fear, as the hunters both advanced upon her, in their machine. Past "Yak Prince approve of new yak village!" Prince Rutherford smiled, as he, then Dragon Lord Ember, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Mina looked over the reconstruction of the village. "Mina," Twilight began. "Were you really going to side with the dragons?" "Against my own friends?" Mina asked. "No way! But I wasn't sure how else to get Ember to tell Prince Rutherford what happened." "And if it helps, I am willing to relinquish my honorary yak title!" Pinkie Pie chirped. "Yak prince agree with pink pony," Prince Rutherford smiled. "Thanks to you both," Ember smiled. "But that's really not necessary. After all, it's about time we dragons let go of our past and look to the future. Right Mina?" "Right, Hothead," Mina smiled, as both she and Ember fist bumped each other. "Spike would've wanted it." At the mention of the Dragon Prince's name, Ember looked troubled, "Yeah," she replied. 'As long as he doesn't find out, how I almost messed up.' As the day went by, the ponies returned home, leaving the dragons to finish the rest of the work, repairing the yaks' village. Suddenly, a lone, wounded dragon scout arrived in Yakyakistan, panting, "My lord! Dragon hunters.....in the West! A hatchling's been dragonnapped!" "WHAT?!" Ember exclaimed in outrage, together with Mina. -Chinese Battle Music - Xian- The said hunters were driving in a dune buggy, while carrying a little dragon that was crying in a cage, with a muzzle around its mouth, preventing it from breathing fire. The hunters were laughing at their capture, and were driving through the Undiscovered West, only to be stopped by a burst of purple fire. There stood Ember, with some dragon guards at her sides, and Mina. "Alright punks," Ember snarled. "You've had your fun! Now, release the little dragon, and no one gets hurt! That's an order!" "Yeah, well guess what!" one of the hunters began. "We don't care! This little dragon is going to fetch us some hefty price! Now move aside, Bluey!" "You dare defy orders from a Dragon Lord?!!" Ember growled venomously. "I'll grant you one warning! Obey! Or die!" "Big talk lizard," one of the hunters spatted. "But we'd like to see you try and rescue this one. Some of your friends from before weren't so tough. What makes you any better?" "Why don't you come get me, and find out for yourself?" Ember said bitterly, getting into a fighting stance. With that, one of the hunters got out of the vehicle, and opened fire on the sapphire dragon, who quickly zipped off, behind a tree, evading the bullets. "Did you not hear what I said?" Ember snarled, before with a heave of super strength, Ember lifted the tree, off its roots, and hurled the tree at the hunter, who quickly ducked his head, avoiding the thrown tree. "I am Ember, daughter of Torch, winner of the Gauntlet of Fire, and lord of all dragons!" "Sure," the hunter replied, as he puts on a gauntlet, and loads a bullet into a gun. "And I'm Princess Celestia," he said mockingly, before he jumps out, and fired some bullets at the sapphire dragon, who flapped her wings, evading the projectiles. Ember stopped, to breath a burst of purple fire at the hunter, who fired a huge net, made of pure titanium. Ember was unable to get away in time, as the net snares itself around her, tightens her up. Ember struggled to break free, even breathing fire to burn her way out, which only resulted in a series of painful jolts of electricity. "Ember!" Mina screamed, as she and some guards flew over to help their lord out. "This is a waste of our time," one of the hunters said. "Some Dragon Lord she is. She couldn't even stand for ten seconds or so. Though I'll admit, she's quite a beauty. We'll probably get a more cold hard cash, selling her hide though." "You stay away from her!" Mina growled, standing defensively before her fallen friend. The hunters, however, were undeterred as they advanced upon the dragons, trying to get claim their prize. It wasn't long, before reinforcement came for the hunters, in the form of some huge big trucks. The hunters quickly got out of their trucks, as they engaged battle with the dragons. While this was going on, something snapped inside Ember's mind, as her eyes glowed fiery red. Before long, streams of violet fires erupted form the sapphire dragon's mouth, as she manages to break herself, free from her prison, despite the electricities shocking her and all. "What?!" the hunter exclaimed. "Impossible! No magical creatures can escape our iron net!" "Ember?" Mina asked. "Are you-" Ember, however, wasn't in the right mind for the moment, for all she could think about was kill, destroy, and revenge. Ember flapped her wings, as she spewed streams of purple flames at the hunters, who quickly ducked behind some trees. However, it was only short-lived as the fires broke through the trees, and scorched the hunters. "AAAAAAAH!" the hunters screamed in agony. One of the hunters tried to get away, while making off with the little dragon hatchling, only for Ember to tackle him, grabbing him by the leg, and exerted pressures on it, threatening to break his bone, before she threw him away. Ember then flew up, picked up a truck, and with a loud roar, she tossed it at another, resulting in an explosion. A small pony village was nearby, during the event of the catastrophic event. The ponies took noticed, as the battle was occurring, when one of the trucks came flying, and came crashing down on the village, resulting a fire. The villagers were all panicking and running, as the fire started to grow out of control. "What is going on here?" a voice called, revealing itself to be Shining Armor, clad in a purple armor with gold trimmings, who was accompanied, with some royal guards. The unicorn guard gasped, in shock at the destructions that was unfolding before his eyes, courtesy of the sapphire dragon herself. "Dragon Lord Ember!" Shining Armor commanded. "Stop this at once!" Ember, still in her state of blind fury, snarled at Shining, "Don't give me, ORDERS!" With that, Ember lunged towards Shining Armor, breathing fire. Luckily, Shining was quick enough to teleport away in time, before he reappeared, and blasted a bolt of magic at the sapphire dragon. "Ember!" Shining continued. "Stop this at once! You're causing more damage, as it is!" Still not listening, Ember continued to attack the unicorn stallion, who continued to hold his ground. "You will not hurt anymore of us!" Ember snarled. "We're not trying to hurt any pony, or any dragons!" Shining Armor tried reason, while his guards went over to rescue the hatchling. "We're here to-" "STAY AWAY FROM HER!!" Ember roared, lunging towards the guards, scaring them away from the hatchling, breathing fire on them, as she did so. Whipping out the Bloodstone Scepter, Ember roared, "Dragons! Destroy!!!!" With that, the dragon guards were forced against their own will, as they charged after the stallions, and did battle. "Wait!" one of the guards tried to reason. "We come in peace!!!" It was no use, the pony guards were running and screaming for their life, as the reluctant dragons were forced to attack them. "Ember!" Shining Armor tried to reason again. "龍が我が敵を喰らう!Translation: Let the dragon consume you!" Ember roared, as two purple, fiery, spiritual dragons flew out of her mouth, and straight towards Shining Armor and his guards. Shining tried to block the attack, but he was just no match against an angry, powered dragon. Flames bounced off of the stallion's magic shield, and onto some nearby trucks, as well as the trees. It wasn't long before a series of explosion was set off, destroying the trucks, as well as sending the guards in states of panic. "Let's get out of here!" one of the hunters panicked, bringing out a device in his hand and opened up a portal. "But what about our capture?" the others asked, ducking just as a blast of fire nearly struck him overhead. "Never mind! Getting out is good!" With that, the hunters disappeared out of sight, leaving Ember in her state of blind fury. Mina, meanwhile, was able to rescue the dragon hatchling, who was then more scared of the Dragon Lord, rather than her captors, "EMBER! STOP!" Mina shouted. Ember turned to the ruby dragon, and hatchling, both who were looking at the sapphire dragon in fright. The very sight made Ember snapped back to reality, as she looked, in horror at the destruction she had caused, around her. "What have I done?" Ember asked herself, looking around to see the trees burning, and Shining Armor, battered, and burned, along with his guards. "Captain.....I'm so-" Before Ember could finish, a great tree crumbled, nearly crushing both Ember and the captain, had the sapphire dragon not shoved both herself, and the captain, out of the way. As she did, however, the Bloodstone Scepter flew out from the back of her armor, and landed a few inches before her, before some burning trees fell upon it. Ember frantically moved the trees out of the way, only to find nothing but ashes. Ember turned around, and watched in horror, as her dragon guards were all turned to stone, frozen where they now stood, with looks of fright on their faces. "No....." Ember said to herself, unable to deny what she had seen. Ember quickly returned to the Frozen North, and the first sight she find made her even more distraught. Her dragon soldiers. Her whole army, were all turned to stone. The sweetness of victory turned to ashes. Present "And you know the rest," Ember finished her story, to the group, consisting of herself, Spike, Fleur, and their travel companions tagging along: Mina, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack. Spike, having heard the story already, had his eyes closed, along with Mina, who was there, obviously. The rest of the girls, however, could hardly believe every words spoken from the sapphire dragon. The heroes arrived at their destination, somewhere in the Undiscovered West, courtesy of the Fucanglong Box. "Well, we're here," Spike said, as he looked around at their surroundings. "Although, it's gonna be hard finding the scepter in this place. I mean, this is the Undiscovered West. Hence it's name, undiscovered." "Uncharted," Applejack noted. "Unexpected," Fluttershy whimpered. "And unexplored!" Rainbow smirked. "My kind of place for adventure!" "Don't get too excited there, Dash," Applejack said, grabbing the pegasus by the tail. "We're not here for some death defying adventure. We're here to help Fluttershy find her missing professor." "That too," Dash replied, before she turned to her fellow pegasus. "So, um, Fluttershy. Care to explain how this Chimera guy just up and left?" Hesitant, Fluttershy began, "Well, Professor Chimera was out here, researching the local harpies. He and I have been writing each other letters, so we could stay in touch," Fluttershy frowned, feeling even more troubled. "Then all of a sudden, the letters just stopped coming. It's like he just disappeared. I just hope he's okay when we find him." "I'm not even sure if we're ever going to find him," Rainbow replied. "I mean, do you even know where his camp is?" "It's right over there," Fluttershy said, pointing at a torn up tent, with a charred up fire pit which Peewee was snuggling in. "Oh," Rainbow said, as she, Applejack, and Fluttershy all set up camp, close to what was left of the professor's old camp. In the meantime, Spike went out with the others, searching for the lost scepter. Ember was holding the Fucanglong Box, as it was glowing in an illuminate glow, when suddenly, the box ceased its magic. "What the?!" Ember exclaimed as she shook the box violently, even trying to turn its puzzles. However, the box wouldn't budge. "So, what's that supposed to mean?" Spike asked. "I'm no expert on magic boxes," Mina began, while Ember struggled to get the box working. "But I think it means, the Bloodstone Scepter's really gone for good." "But it's got to be here!" Ember grunted with the box. "The scepter!" Spike pondered, scratching his chin, "I guess we'll just have to split up and look for the scepter the old fashioned way, then. We'll cover more grounds that way." "Oui," Fleur answered. "But might I suggest we stay close? That way, if we're ever in trouble, we'll be quick enough to assist one another." "Sounds like a plan," Ember replied, stating her approval. With that, the four separated in different directions, searching for the scepter. Little did they know, however, they were being watched themselves. "Check it out," one of the figures said, looking through a binocular. "Two dragons, a boy, and a unicorn!" "Dragons and a unicorn, eh?" another figure asked. "Never thought I 'd see creatures of those two species together in one place. Besides that, they're very valuable!" "Then what'd say we go hunting?" another figure asked, as he readies his weapon. "I thought we were out here hunting for harpies." "You idiot! Use your brain! Just think for a moment! If we capture these dragons, and unicorn. Then their hides, and horns will fetch us a hefty price in the magical black market! Way more valuable than some harpies dirty, smelling feathers!" Meanwhile, back at camp After setting up camp, Fluttershy looked through the ruins of Chimera's campsite, scurrying through his old tents for clue on where he could've gone to. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were close by, looking out for their friend, as well as looking for clues on the whereabouts of the professor. Applejack was looking at the grounds, making mental notes on the ground's current state, seeing as how some dirts were kicked up, forming some strange markings. "So," Rainbow began. "What makes you so sure the harpies didn't do any of this?" Dash asked, gesturing to the whole camp. "I'm certain it wasn't them," Fluttershy replied. "Professor Chimera had been telling me all about them. They'd never attack a pony, unless they're provoked. Besides, why would they ever want to attack him? He's done nothing wrong." "But then, if it wasn't the harpies who did this," Applejack began. "Then who did?" Rainbow finished, while hovering over the camp. However, as she did so, the pegasus noticed something off, "Hey! Check this out!" Meanwhile Spike, in dog form, was sniffing the ground, intending on searching for the Bloodstone Scepter, together with Peewee, who was flying close by for aerial surveillance. "Huh?" Spike said, upon smelling something strange. The little dog looked, to see something he never thought he'd see in Equestria, "Tire tracks?" he said in bewilderment. "What are they doing here?" Peewee flapped his wings, as he came to perch on the dog's shoulder. "They don't look like they were made by any chariots in Equestria. They looked more like tracks from big trucks?" Ember meanwhile, was sniffing the ground, and the air, trying in vain to recover her scepter, when something strong caught her nostril. "Ew, what's that smell?" Ember groaned, following the scent, before she came across a machine she's never seen before. It was a big rig truck, with the head colored red, and covered in rusts, and a black trailer hooked from the back. On the sides of the trailer, was a symbol, consisting of two dogs, and an eagle. On one side there's a blue tic hound holding a chain with a bear trap attached to it, on the other side a blue nose pitbull holding a downed Dragon by the throat, and above them is an eagle holding a cigar in its beak. On one talon it's holding a shotgun and on the other a head of a unicorn. Needless to say, the symbol was a sign for trouble, "Someone's got a 'good' taste in decors," Ember said in sarcasm. The sapphire dragoness walked away, before Mina came from out of the bushes. "Any luck?" Ember asked hopefully. Mina shook her head, sadly, "Sorry Ember," Mina apologized. "But I can't find it anywhere." Ember closed her eyes in frustration, gritting her teeth together, before she breathed and lets out an exhale of smokes from her nostrils, "Then I guess there's one other place it could've gone to," Ember looked around, seeing both herself and Mina were alone, "But first, we better find the others." Meanwhile, with Fleur, the unicorn mare was looking through the trees, when she got the sense she was being followed. "Spike?" Fleur asked. "Is that you, amore?" After awhile of not hearing an answer, Fleur turned around to see no one. Fleur darted her eyes, trying to catch any signs of disturbance. Her ears perked up, when she heard something moving through the grass. But when she turned in the direction of the sound, all she saw was a streak of shadow darting behind some trees. Realizing she wasn't alone, Fleur started to proceed with caution, taking careful steps. Before long, she heard the sound of a gun being cocked, somewhere among the trees. Before long, a hunter jumped out from behind a tree, and shot a gun at her. "AAAAAH!!" Fleur screamed, drawing attentions from the heroes, and some hidden enemies. "Fleur!" Spike called back. "Peewee! Find her, quickly!" With that, the phoenix took flight, eyes glowing gold, as he syncs his vision with Spike. Suddenly, something fast came flying by, and it struck Peewee from behind, nipping a few feathers, taking the phoenix by surprise, "Peewee! What's wrong?" Spike asked the phoenix, as it turned around, trying to get a good look at his attacker. However, neither boys could get a good look, as the thing was flying at a speed that was too fast for the naked eye. It wasn't long, before the phoenix was attacked again, that his focus became disrupted, cutting off his and Spike's vision syncing ability. "Peewee?" Spike panicked, losing touch of his bird. "Peewee!!" Just then his ears perked up, at the sudden sound of a twig snapping, and a he quickly jumped out of the way, rolling to the side, before he got up to see a blue nosed pitbull, standing before him, growling, and cracking its mouth as it drools hungrily at him. "You're rapid!" Spike asked, to which the dog responded as it runs toward him, snapping its jaws. The dog would've got Spike, had he not jumepd out of the way in time. "Either that, or you're just a bad-" the dog didn't listen, as it continues to growl, snapping its jaws at Spike, ramming its huge head into the boy turned dog's side, sending him flying into a tree. "Oh, you want a dog fight, Cujo?" Spike asked, angrily. "I'll give you a dog fight then!" WIth that, the two dogs charged at each other, barking, and growling. -Big Top Bop - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze- The pitbull snapped its jaws, only for Spike to duck his head, as he darted between the massive dog's forelegs, rolled into a ball, thrusting his legs, kicking into the canine's stomach. The pitbull turned around, catching sight of Spike, and grabbed the little dog by the collar, and began to thrash him around like a ragdoll. Thinking fast, in a flash of fire, Spike changed into a wolf, evens up the field as he breaks free from the pit bull's hold on him. The two dogs charged at each other again, biting and clawing at each other's chest, and neck. The pit bull snapped its jaws at Spike's neck, but only managed to rip off a tuft of fur, as the purple wolf darted to the side, and bit his jaws on the pit bull's hindleg. The pit bull yowled in pain, as it twisted its whole body, ramming its head into Spike's side, throwing him off. The two dogs were panting, trying to catch their breath, before the pitbull lets out a howl. Spike watched in confusion, before he quickly took notice the collar around the pitbull's neck, flashing and making a sound. Before long, a strange vehicle appeared from out of the bush, and the pitbull hopped into it. Soon, the machine started changing shapes, as it forms into a mech suit. Spike could hardly believe his eyes, "Now I've seen everything," he said. Back with Fleur -Light 'Em Up - Fall Out Boys- Fleur was quick enough to project a magic shield in time, saving her from the bullet, before she counters with a powerful magic beam from her horn, that blasted the hunter away. "Cowardly move," Fleur muttered, before she finds herself surrounded by more of the hunters. Reacting fast, Fleur quickly morphed into her battle form, unsheathing her rapier, "En garde!" Suddenly, a gunshot was heard, knocking her blade out of her hand. Stepping out from a tree, was a hunter holding a gun. In appearance, the hunter appears to be a man in his mid twenties, a tattoo on his right arm that says "Men Rules," and brown hair. For attires, he wore a blue shirt, light blue jeans, and military boots. "French words make me mad," the brown hair hunter grumbled. Nevertheless, Fleur still went into fighting stance, "Oh, you're gonna fight barehanded?" the man sneered. "That's real cute," With that, the man snapped his fingers, "Let her have it boys." With that, the hunters all whipped out their firearms as they all opened fire on Fleur. Luckily, Fleur's instinct kicked in, as she quickly ducked behind a tree in time. Concentrating her magic, Fleur's eyes glowed, 'Accelero,' With that, Fleur came running out of the trees at the speed of light, zig-zagging across the field, dodging the shots being fired on her, confusing the shooters, as they couldn't get a clear shot on her. One of the hunters pulled a trigger, nearly shooting his comrade between his legs, "Shoot at her, idiot!" the hunter yelled angrily. "Sorry," the other hunter apologized, before he was kicked in the face by Fleur, who zipped off again. Fleur came to a quick stop, before one of the hunters, before she did a flip, kicks him in the chin, sending him flying up in the air, as she jumps again, does another flip, then brought both of her feet down, stomping on his face, rocketing him straight through some trees. "Oooh," the hunter groaned in pain. Another hunter snuck up from behind, and shot Fleur with a bullet that sent a surge of electricity, pulsing through her body. Fleur screamed in agony, at the intensive pain she was feeling. "I got her!" the hunter said joyfully. "I got-" He was cut off, when Fleur made a desperate lunge on him, resulting in him getting shocked as well. The brunette hunter just stood, surprised, as well as annoyed. Fleur was panting heavily to catch her breath, when she noticed her rapier, reflecting the sun's light off of it. With that, Fleur made a tremendous leap for her blade, while the hunters opened fire on her, barely grazing her, courtesy of the protection of her armor. "Don't let her get to her sword!" the brunette hunter yelled. With that, one of the hunters puts on a metal gauntlet, pulsing with electricity. The hunter with the gauntlet made a mad dash towards Fleur, gauntlet in hand, reaching out for her as he did so, only for Fleur to parry him off with her sword. With quick reflexes, the hunter manages to grab the sword with his gauntlet, resulting in a wave of electricity to conduct through Fleur's rapier, and into the girl herself. "Sacrebleu!" Fleur groaned as she endured the pain. With an agonizing struggle, Fleur thrusted her free arm towards the hunter, redirecting some of the electricity back at him, before it resulted in a blast of lightning. Fleur and the hunter were left, lying down on the ground, blackened, and smoking. "What are you waiting for?" the brunette hunter asked the rest of his comrades. "Someone to roast s'mores? Check them out!" With that, the hunters slowly circled around the unconscious bodies of Fleur and their fallen comrade. Snapping one of her eyes open, Fleur grinned as she caught one of the hunters by surprise, grabbing his head into a headlock with her legs, before throwing him across the field, placing him headfirst into the ground. The hunters backed away, and were shocked to see Fleur, not only having more than second wind, but somehow managed to pry one of their comrade's gauntlet off of him, and now wore it on her other hand. With that, Fleur threw several more punches, and kicks at the unfortunate hunters who were too close to her. The other hunters tried to shoot her down, but Fleur was able to repel their bullets with her rapier, together with a shield she magically projected. With the electrical gauntlet in her hand, Fleur was able to shock every hunters, that come her way, out cold. The brunette hunter could hardly believe what he was seeing, "I don't know whats more depressing," he began. "The fact that my guys got owned by a magical creature. OR the fact they got owned by a freaking female!" This didn't go unheard, as Fleur looked at the hunter, scowling in disgusts, watching as he steps towards her, cracking his knuckles as he did so. "To any of you still conscious, pay a attention! THIS is how you 'handle a lady.'" Fleur frowned, as she got into fighting stance, "As mon amour, Spike Draco, would say," Fleur began. "Bring it!" With a smirk, the brunette hunter lunged forward, with Fleur doing the same. Fleur slashed her rapier at the man, who was able to take out a hunting rifle, blocking her sword. Both opponents spun around, putting some distance between each other. Then, the hunter pulled a trigger, blasting Fleur's rapier out of her hands again. Looking back, seeing the hunter was preparing to fire another shot, Fleur quickly blasted a bolt of magic at the hunter, destroying his rifle. With that, Fleur lunged towards the hunter, in a series of fiery kicks. First, she did a low kick that tripped him up, followed by a side kick, before she finished with a high flying roundhouse kick. "Oh, a kung fu fighting type, huh?" the man sneered, fixing his jaw a bit, before he too got into a fighting stance. With that, both Fleur and the man circled around each other, before Fleur made the first move, throwing a punch, which the man was able to counter with a block, before he knees the girl in the stomach. Fleur didn't hesitate to strike back, in retaliation, as both she and the man went at each other's throats. After receiving another kick to the face, the man pulls out, what appears to be, a grenade, pulls the switch off, and tossed it to the ground, resulting an blast of dark energy, which Fleur was not so fortunate enough to get away in time. The dark energy took ahold of Fleur, as it forced her back to her true, unicorn form. The man walked over, lifting Fleur by her horn, as he puts a strange collar, around her neck, "Huh, you manage to last thirteen minutes," the man sneered. "That's not bad.....for a girl." Back with Spike -Killer Instinct S2 OST - Hatchery 09 (Riptor's Theme)- Seeing how dire the situation had grown, along with how the dog means business, Spike quickly assumes his dragon form, ready to do battle with the armored dog. The pit bull projected an energy axe, with which he used to slash at the dragon, only for Spike to jump in the air, spinning his whole body as he did so, before a lunged into a swallow kick, twisting his body, swinging both his legs and tail at the dog's face. Shaking the blow off, the dog got up, before it ran towards Spike, and threw a punch at him, which Spike was able to evade with a side block, following a low block to interfere with an incoming uppercut. Then, placing his leg in between the dog suit's robotic legs, Spike managed to throw him off balance, as he pushed the dog on its back. The dog did a flip, as it got back up on two, and growled angrily at Spike. The next thing Spike knew, it pointed its wrists at him, sprouting pistols, and opened fire on him. Spike quickly took flight, flying circles around the dog, while trying his best to weave through the trees, and their thick branches. Eventually, Spike turns himself into a monkey, swinging from branches to branches, evading the bullets. The pit bull, having enough, activated some missile launchers on its suit's shoulder, and fired two missiles at Spike. Spike saw the missiles coming, and he quickly turned himself into a dragon, breathing fire, colliding with the two projectiles, exploding upon impact, resulting in a cloud of smokes. The pit bull quickly activated its vizor, switching its vision from normal to heat sensing vision. It wasn't long before it spotted Spike via his heat signature, and quickly opened fire on him. However, Spike quickly jumped out of the way, with the dog locked onto him. Spike retaliated, as he conjured up a fire shrunken and threw it at the pit bull, landing a direct hit to the head, protected by its mechanical helmet. Not letting down, the pit bull charged after Spike again with its energy axe in hands, with Spike doing the same with twin fire katanas. "Boosted Dragon!" Spike roared, eyes flashing green. -Light 'Em Up - Fall Out Boys- Ember and Mina arrive just in time to see the brunette hunter put the collar on Fleur. Just when they're about to jump to save their friend, another man arrives with more hunters. In appearance, the man appears to be in his mid thirties and is bald. His attire is the same with the brunette hunter's, except with the addition of a dark blue over coat, with white highlights "Glad you showed up boss," the brunette hunter panted. "Picking fights with girls again I see," the older hunter grumbled. "I swear 'shooter, it's going to be the death of you." "Hey!!!" Shooter protested. The older hunter suddenly noticed something was missing, as he looked around the area, "Where's Bad Dog?" "What do I look like, his sitter?" Shooter asked. "I have no idea, probably chasing a squirrel." The older hunter rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Just head back to the trucks 'shooter." "Sir, yes sir," Shooter saluted, mockingly, much to the older hunter's annoyance. "Not so fast, there!" Ember shouted, as both she and Ember came from out of the trees. "What?!" one of the hunters exclaimed. "Dragons?! Here?!" "And females?" Shooter exclaimed in outrage. "This day just keeps getting better, and better." "Leave these lizards to me!" the older hunter commanded. "You others, take what you can back to the trucks!" With that, Shooter, and most of his wounded men, left the scene with Fleur in tow, leaving the Dragon girls with older hunter and a couple dozen hunters. The hunters opened fire on the two dragons, who quickly hid behind some trees, before they retaliated, by firing a combo of red and purple fireballs at the hunters. Ember reaches behind her back, and pulls out an arrow. After lighting the tip with her fire, Ember carefully aimed her shot at one of the trees, and fired the arrow, resulting in a explosion that broke the tree branches, as it crushes on top of the hunters. Then Mina notices a weird looking rifle on the ground and picks it up. "What's this?" Mina asked, pulling on the trigger, which lets out a stream of electricity. Unfortunately, the gun was flailing around like an uncontrolled fire hose with the poor dragoness trying to aim the thing at the hunters. "Sorry!" Mina cried, as she rick rocketing all over the forest, crashing into the hunters, in the process. "How do you steer this thing?" While Mina struggles to aim the weapon, Ember went to confront the older hunter. "Ah, I remember you now," the older hunter sneered. "Back for another humiliating defeat, Dragon Lord?" "As if," Ember scowled. "As I recalled, you were the ones retreating, Valork!" "Well, now I'm ready for a rematch," Valork cracked his knuckles, as he and the sapphire dragon engaged each other in a fight. Ember started the fight, with a karate yell, as she sticks her foot out in a flying kick, only for Valork to catch her, before he spins her around, and hurls her into a tree. Valork then pulls out a gun, and fired beams of laser at Ember, who quickly kicked her feet, sprinting away, avoiding the blasts, while firing several shots of her own. Having enough of chasing after his prey, Valork, somehow conjured up an extension cord, and whips it at Ember, watched the dragoness by the tail, and pulls her back, punching her in the face, as he did so, followed by a knee to the gut, and he finishes the currently ex-Dragon Lord with a right uppercut, breaking chunks of her armor off. "Time to put you out of your misery!" Valork sneered, ready to deliver a death blow to the sapphire dragon, when Ember jumped at him, and bit one of his arm. The man didn't flinch, as he turns and looked at the bewildered red dragon, "Pathetic little dragon!" the man growled, as he manages to shake the dragoness off. Looking around, Mina sees a flashbang grenade and chucks it at Valork. Blinded, Valork released his grip on Ember, as Mina jumps in to rescue the badly beaten Ember, before they disappeared into the woods. Meanwhile Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were rushing through the woods, answering the call to help their friends. Suddenly Fluttershy stepped on something, activated a bear trap, clamping its jaws into her left hoof. "AAAAAAHHH!!!" Fluttershys screamed in pain. Rainbow Dash and Applejack, both screeched to a halt, turning to their friend, with looks of dread. "Flutters!" Rainbow Dash screamed in horror. "Help!" Fluttershy cried, struggling to break free. "I'm stuck!" With that, the two athletic ponies went over to try and pry the trap off. However, no matter how hard they struggled, the thing just digs deeper, and deeper. "Stand back!" Applejack said, as she assumes her anthro, battle form, and with an exertion of her super strength, Applejack was able to pry the trap's jaws wide open, freeing Fluttershy, who quickly embraced Rainbow Dash, crying into the cyan pegasus's shoulder, who held her close. "I may not be a hunter," Applejack panted. "But ah know it ain't bear hunting season yet!" "You're telling me," Dash replied, as she helps bandages Fluttershy's wounds. "Although, do most of them coming with a blinking light?" Dash asked, pointing to a small light that was going off on the trap. Before any of them had time to ponder, more of the hunters showed up, lead by a biker, who appears to be in his early thirties and has reddish blonde hair. For attires, he wears a cap, and a pair of sunglasses, a light blue over coat, a black shirt that reads: "I hate chestnuts," grey pants, and sneakers. As for his bike, it bears a resemblance to that of a Harley Davidson. "Well, look what we've got here, boys," the biker sneered. "More of those little ponies in this world." Applejack quickly took a fighting stance, while Rainbow Dash was preparing to assume her battle form, when the biker threw another grenade at the girls, resulting in a surge of dark energies that reverted them back to their true form. "What the-what?!" Rainbow exclaimed, before she looked up at the hunters. "HEY! What'd you do to us?!" "Whoa," one of the hunters began, as he talks to another. "That pegasus's got an attitude!" "Oh, I'll show you attitude!" Rainbow snarled. "You punks ain't seen nothing, yet!" "Dash! Wa-" Applejack was too late, as Rainbow Dash was already zipping at the speed of light, lunging towards the hunters, who wasted no time to fight back. "Oh you want to do this the hard way?" Rainbow barked. "We'll do this the hard way!" With that, Dash flapped her wings, flying at the hunters, throwing several punches and kicks. Some of the hunters were struggling to hold off on their own against the pegasus, while the biker started his motorcycle and drives around, shooting at the pegasus with a gatling gun as he did so. Dash, was fortunate enough to duck behind some trees, where Applejack and Fluttershy were. It wasn't long, before more hunters were arriving on the scene, "This is real bad!" Applejack began. "Dash! You take Fluttershy, while I hold them off!" "What?!" Fluttershy whimpered. "I will not leave you!" Dash retorted. "This ain't no time for anymore of your loyal mumbo, jumbo!" Applejack said. "Now get!" With that, Applejack kicked her legs at Rainbow Dash, ushering the two reluctant pegasi to take their leave. "Ol' AJ will be fine!" Applejack said, unsure of herself as she suddenly finds herself swarmed by the hunters. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, both took flight in the air, only for one of the hunters to see them flying away, and shoots a bullet, that is in the shape of a spiral, at one of Rainbow's wings. "AAAAAAH!!" Rainbow screamed in pain, before her inflicted wing started to go numb. "Oh no!" With that, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy plummeted, towards a raging river below. The two crashed in the water, as the currents carried them towards a raging waterfall. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" the two pegasi screamed, as they fell, along with the waterfalls, just as the hunters arrived at the scene. "Looks like they're gone!" one of the hunters said to the biker. "Forget about 'em," the biker replied, while turning to Applejack, who was chained, and shackled. "We've got at least, one of them, and she's quite the catch, if I'd say so, myself," With a kick, the biker started up his engine, "C'mon! Let's get back to the trucks! Valork will be waiting!" With that, the hunters took their leave, with Applejack, kicking and screaming. Canterlot In her bed chamber, Princess Celestia woke up with a start, panting heavily, "Spike!" The said dragon was lying, face down on the ground, drenched in bloods. Then, coming from the trees, was a dark apparition of a pony.