Stepping out into the Pinkie horde, Wyatt paused for a moment to examine the destruction. Luckily, the citizens had managed to find some form of safety as the horde had limited themselves to destroying market stalls and other inanimate objects. Though with the numerous shattered windows, Wyatt knew it was only a matter of time before a body count started.
Charging forward, he brought his shield up and tackled a cluster of clones. “Come on! I got your fun right here!” Striking forward, he cleaved a clone in half, bashing another in the face. The first clone let out a high pitched squeal before turning into dust while the second grunted and fell into another nearby clone. Wyatt’s stomach turned at the shriek; despite the insectile growths the clones still sounded a lot like the real Pinkie.
Bracing himself, a batta clone kicked against his shield, nearly wrenching it from his hands. “Why do we have to be stuck with nonsense like this? Can’t we just fight some putties or combatmen?”
The only response he got was a chorus of, ‘Fun’ from the clones as they swarmed him. Several of them got attacks in on his back, nearly toppling him over if it weren’t for the other clones surrounding him.
“If you girls want to help out, now's the freaking time!” Wyatt forced the crowd back, stabbing another clone in the chest. “I can’t handle them all myself you know!”
“Alright, I’ve got your back, Decade!” Dash called out, taking to the sky and grabbing a few clouds. She forced the clouds together, forming a massive stormcloud and gave it a kick. A moment later, a bolt of lightning crashed down directly onto a kuwagata clone before it could chomp Wyatt’s head off his neck.
Maud dropped down on a kamakiri clone, forcing it to swipe at its kin. After a few moments, she twisted the clone’s neck and moved onto another.
Twilight joined in as well, lighting her horn up and picking up a few of the clones in her magic. Once the clones were suspended high into the air, she cut off the flow of her magic and let them crash back down to the streets. “Still twenty two by my count!”
“Putting a number on it made it worse!” Wyatt shouted back, clashing blades with a kamakiri clone. Pushing it back, he bashed it in the face with his shield. “Don’t give me the numbers, Twilight, just help me get rid of them!”
Rolling her eyes, Twilight lit her horn up again and started firing blasts of magic at any clones that got too close to her friends, aiming for spots she thought looked vulnerable. The clones stumbled from the hit, letting Wyatt take out a couple of them with a single swing of a sword.
A batta clone tackled Dash out of the air, the pair slamming down through a roof. “Fun!” the clone shrieked, beating on the stunned pegasus.
Wyatt pushed away from the group of clones he was fighting and jumped up to the roof where Dash was being assaulted. While the clone was distracted, he ran it through from behind with his sword. “You okay?” he asked, kneeling down next to Dash.
Dash pushed herself up, spitting out some blood. “Yeah, I’m fine. I could have taken it.” Getting to her hooves, Dash looked up through the hole. “I’m so not paying for that though.”
“Hey, I’m a Guardian of Harmony,” Wyatt said, standing back up. “I can have the bill sent right to the crown.” He chuckled to himself as he imagined the royal treasury after paying for cleanup of several monster attacks and leapt out of the hole to resume fighting.
Maud stumbled, an arm blade swiping across her back. Spinning around, she struck the clone with an open palm strike, staggering it. Ignoring the pain, Maud reached into a nearby alley and grabbed a trash can. Before the clone could recover, she shoved the trash can onto its head and swept its legs out from under it. With a quick motion of her foot, Maud rolled the trapped clone down an incline to bowl over a group of clones that were trying to attack Twilight.
“Thanks, Maud!” Twilight shouted, continuing to fire magic into the crowd of clones. Her body locked up, a silent scream of agony passing her lips as green lightning crashed into her side.
“Twilight!” Wyatt called out, hacking and slashing his way through several clones until he could kneel next to the prone mare. There was a hole burnt into her blouse and a patch of bare, singed skin could be seen. “Can you stand on your own?” He asked, fighting the urge to help her up in fear of disturbing her injury.
“I-I’m fine.” With a weak smile, Twilight began to rise up, only to hiss in pain. “Okay... maybe not as fine as I think...”
“Get inside,” Wyatt said, letting her use his shoulder to help her onto her hooves. “You’re seeing the doctor once this mess is over.” Sheathing his sword, Wyatt supported her as he led her back into Sugarcube Corner.
“I-I can still help,” Twilight argued, resisting Wyatt’s lead slightly. “You don’t have to worry about me. Just worry about getting rid of those clones...”
“Oh no you don’t,” Wyatt retorted, setting her down behind the counter in as comfortable position as he could. “I’m the one who recklessly puts themselves in danger in this relationship. You’re supposed to be the smart one.” Booping her nose, he turned and ran out the door before she could reply. Wyatt charged out into the streets, unsheathing his sword and clanging it against his shield. “Hey Pinkies, wanna have some fun?!” This got the attention of the crowd and they instantly turned to him. Pulling out a card he added, “Then come and get me!”
The Pinkie hoard let out a battle cry of the only word they seemed capable of saying anymore and jumped at Wyatt from all sides. “Dear god, I hope this works.” He gripped his sword tightly, getting into a stance as he inserted the card into his belt.
“Attack Ride: Spin Attack!” Wyatt’s Master Sword glowed with energy and he rotated his body in a full circle in an attempt to cleave through the crowd. A few more clones popped as his blade slid through them, coating him in pink residue. Ignoring his nausea, Wyatt brought up his shield as his spin attack ended. Not a moment too soon either, as A Kuwagata clone fired green lightning at him and it slammed into the shield.
“More of them came from the forest,” Maud informed, knocking a Batta clone out of the air. “Pinkie and Spike still haven’t cut off the source.”
“Oh good, I was starting to think there weren’t nearly enough monster Pinkies running around!” Wyatt yelled, his heartbeat echoing in his chest. He knew that he’d collapse soon, he just hoped that his adrenaline could keep him standing up long enough to keep himself and the town safe. Raising his sword up, he clashed with a Kamikiri clone, determined to fight until it was done.
Spike treaded carefully on the forest path, using his improved vision to make sure there wasn’t any out of place movement. Worry gripped him, a small part of him wanting to be back in Ponyville to protect people from the clones. But, he knew Wyatt made a good point; he was the best choice to go after the Core Medals. Plus, he had made a promise to his late mother. Clenching his fists at his side, Spike pressed forward with strengthened vigor.
Movement caught Spike’s eyes near one of the bushes and he unfolded his claws ready to strike. The rustling grew for a moment and he crouched down, only to relax when a rabbit hopped out.
“Right, just the wildlife.” Spike stood back up, letting his nerves relax. “Are we almost there, Pinkie?”
“Yeah, we just gotta get off the trail at this point,” Pinkie replied, sticking close to Spike as she watched the rabbit hop away. “I’ll uh, take the lead, okay?” Snickering at him, she skipped ahead, beckoning him to follow her.
“What’s so funny?” Spike asked, retracting his claws. “You seem more energetic than you did a moment ago.”
“Well, I’m gonna help fix one of my mistakes! Why wouldn’t I be happy about that?”
“Good point,” Spike admitted, watching the forest carefully. “Gotta say, I admire how you can stay so positive even when times are tough.” Following after her, he kept Medajalibur drawn in case any clones were lurking near the pool.
Pinkie pressed forward, doing her best to retrace her steps. Glancing at the trees, she found landmarks to point her in the right direction. After a few minutes, she found the hidden hill that led down to the pool.
“This it?” Spike asked, peering down into the hole. “How’d you even find this place, Pinkie?”
“Granny Pie told my sisters and me about it while we were growing up,” Pinkie explained, walking down the incline. “She knew all sorts of magical spots in Equestria. This is the only place I went looking for!”
“Pinkie, look out!” Spike leapt forward, tackling Pinkie just in time to avoid a bolt of green lightning that had nearly struck her in the chest. Reacting quickly, he rotated his body so that his back scraped against the stony ground. “Stay here!” Leaping to his feet, he brandished Medajalibur.
Once he leapt down, he had to bring his sword up to avoid being cleaved in two by a scythe-like blade. The Pinkie clone he was clashing with was different from the others. Instead of one mutated body part, this one had three, leaving it nearly unrecognizable as Pinkie.
“You know, I was wondering what the green combo looked like.” Lifting his foot, he kicked the clone in the knee, earning a scream from the beast. “...I’m going to have nightmares for a long while, aren’t I?”
“I know I will!” Pinkie chirped, poking her head out from behind a nearby boulder behind Spike. “Ooh, should we all have A No-Sleep-Sleepover when this is over?”
“Not now, Pinkie!” Spike hissed, redirecting a blast of electricity with Medajalibur. He didn’t know if she responded, focusing on the clone. Slashing forward with his sword, Spike stabbed at its chest with the claws on his free hand.
The clone blocked both strikes, electricity gathering at its horns before firing at Spike’s face. He cried in pain, agony coursing from his head down to his toes. Taking advantage of his dazed state, it drop kicked him into a tree.
Spike groaned, wrapping his arms around the tree to keep himself upright. “Okay, that really hurt.” Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself away from the tree and used his Batta legs to jump high into the air with his sword ready to strike. “Now, stay still!”
The clone met Spike in the air, crossing blades with him. Its momentum proved superior, carrying Spike high into the air. “Fun!” it shrieked, kicking him back to the ground.
Spike wheezed, the air escaping his lungs as his back struck the ground. After a moment, he gripped his sword tightly and hopped back to his feet. “I’m really tired of this clone.” Pulling three cell medals out of a chain at his side, he slotted them into Medajalibur and ran his scanner over it.
“Scanning Charge!” Spike’s belt called out, his sword starting to glow. With a swift overhead strike, Spike sent out a wave of energy at the Pinkie clone.
“Lupin Slash!”
Another energy wave crashed into Spike’s cancelling it out. Lupin stepped into view, his gunner trained on Spike. “Good day, drake. I do hope you’ve been well; I know I have, though I do believe we have a score to settle.”
“Do you just live to get in my way?” Spike growled, his attention switching between Lupin and the clone. Pulling out the three pink medals, he donned his UniSaPo armor. “I’m sorta busy.”
Lupin chuckled, making the motion of tipping his hat. “It just so happens that we have the same interests. I can tell you, our Great Leader very much want to have a look at these medals of yours.”
Spike lit the horn on his helmet, crouching into a stance with Medajalibur. “Fat chance of that. You should’ve kept climbing those stairs in the empire.”
The stand off lasted a few moments more, before the clone screamed in rage. It’s body spasmed, splitting off into at least a dozen more clones. They swarmed the pair, flailing about in a blind fury. Firing a bolt of magic into the crowd of clones, Spike took to the air and swept down at Lupin.
Lupin sidestepped the slash, grunting. “Can we not put aside our duel to take care of these pests? Surely, even you can reign in your anger for that, yes?”
“If I had focused on the clones, how could I trust you to not attack me?” Spike retorted, lighting his horn and picking up several of the clones.
Lupin scoffed, gracefully evading a clones wild slashes. “I am a gentlecolt! I would never do something so underhanded.” Responding to the attacking clone, he fired into its chest, staggering it towards Spike. “I give you my word, I will not attack you until we are finished with these annoyances.”
“Right because trusting a thief is a good idea,” Spike chided, flying up towards the tree cover but keeping an eye on Lupin. Taking the clones in his magic, he sent them crashing into several more. While the clones were prone, Spike swooped down on them with his sword. His sword cut through one, only for another to wrench the sword out of his hand with a kick. He clicked his tongue, firing a bolt of magic at the troublesome clone’s chest. A quick glance around didn’t prove fruitful in finding his blade.
“Great, looks like it’s hand to hand for me until I find my sword,” Spike grumbled, taking to the air once more and firing a hail of magic blasts into the horde of clones. The horde cried out, some poofing into clouds of dust while most of them simply reeled from the onslaught.
A few of the clones engaged Lupin, who evaded their blades with graceful moves. “Such uncouth creatures. Hardly worth the effort.” Putting a bullet in one’s eyes, he trapped a few more in film strips.
“If this is so beneath you then you can go back to your world you know!” Spike called out, punching a clone in the chest. “I know I won’t miss you! Maybe you could show your aunt of yours your powers.”
“You’re lucky I’m a stallion of my word or else I would have shot you for that remark,” Lupin retorted, sweeping the legs out from under a clone and punching her into three others. Once all four were in a heap, Lupin shot them and nothing but a pile of dust remained.
“Like you're some paragon of virtue.” Spike broke a clone’s arm, shoving it into one of its siblings. “You’re just a thief working for a dictator!”
“I have my principles, drake,” Lupin said, firing at the pair of clones that Spike had just dealt with. “And what of you? Do you have something you stand for? Or are you just a subservient pet?”
Spike sucked in a breath, biting down the vicious response that rose up his throat. “I’m not going to discuss my motivations with you, Blue Balls. You’re not the kind of person I want to be around.”
Lupin chuckled, nodding at the drake as he focused on the horde. Flourishing his cape, he fired rapidly in a circle. Several clones were blasted back, turning to dust almost instantly and coating the clones behind them. There was finally room to move in the grotto, the horde shaved down considerably.
“We need to cut off their source!” Spike stepped back, sneaking a glance at the pool. “Keep them off me.” Taking out the pegasus medal, he replaced it with the unagi medal. Activating the medal, he cracked his whips, casting them into the depths. Surprisingly, Lupin honored the request and fired at any clone that dared to approach Spike. Putting that thought aside, he extended the whips out far into the pool, searching for the medals at the bottom. “Come on! They have to be in there!”
“You can fish those out anytime now!” Lupin called out, two clones attempting to tackle him. He didn’t falter, throwing the pair off with a display of acrobatics. “Unless of course, you have no idea what you're doing?”
“Shut up, Lupin!” Spike growled, not turning to look back at the other rider. A few moments later, he felt his whip tap against something. “I got ‘em!” With a quick flick of his wrist, he grabbed the objects and started to retract his whips.
“Fun!”
Something rammed into his back, tackling Spike into the pool. Two red , segmented eyes glared down at him, wrapping its hands around his throat. It let out a muffled shriek, filling the water with an electrical current.
Spike gurgled, unable to cry out in pain with the hands around his throat. Despite the pain, he kept pulling the medals up and delivered a headbutt to the clone’s muzzle. The grip on his neck lessened for a moment, allowing him a quick gulp of air still trapped in his helmet before the clone resumed her iron hold and left him unable to form a sound apart from pitiful squeaks.
Getting his legs up, he kicked as hard as he could, cracking the clone’s chest armor. The sudden rush of air as the clone released him disoriented him, making him question which way was up. Pushing through it, he swam in what he thought was the right direction, a small prayer to Faust on his lips. After a few moments, he surfaced, his whips coiling around his hands until he could feel three objects in his palm.
Dragging himself onto the small shore, Spike allowed himself to collapse. Bringing his hand up to his face, he was greeted by the sight of three medals, each a different shade of green. He was already familiar with the grasshopper medal, but the other two showed a stag beetle and a praying mantis.
“New combo... here I come...” Muttering to himself, Spike laid in the sand, listening to the distorted sounds of combat. Lifting his head, he spied Lupin dispatching the last of the clones. “Come on... gotta get up...”
Grunting in effort, Spike attempted to lift himself up, only for his body to feel like it was made of lead and refuse to move past twitching. Seeing this, Lupin sauntered up to the prone drake casually. “Good work, drake, you took care of the hard part for me. Swimming down to get those would’ve been quite the hassle.”
Lupin flipped a switch on his gunner, cancelling his transformation. “I can wait a few moments for you to catch your breath. Please, take all the time you need.” Stepping away, Lupin took a spot against one of the cave walls. He kept his gunner drawn, a reminder of his intentions.
Gritting his teeth, Spike eventually brought himself to his feet and glared at Lupin from behind his helmet. “You’re not getting these medals off of me. You have no right to them. These are my family’s burden to bear, not something for Dai-Shocker to use against innocent people!”
Clicking his tongue, Lupin made a noise of exasperation. “Listen, drake. The strong will do as they please. They don’t care about your little morals or your ‘burden’. They can blow up a planet for all I care. I’m only here for the thrill.”
A deep rumble escaped Spike’s throat, clenching his fists as he switched out his current medals for his new ones. “I can’t stand people like you. You’re even more selfish than the Blueblood of this world.”
“Don’t compare me to that simpleton!” Lupin snapped, pushing away from the wall. “That spineless buffoon begs at Celestia’s hooves, begging for scraps! I’m everything he wishes to be, if only he had the nerve to take it!”
“I don’t see a difference,” Spike retorted, running the scanner over the new combo.
“Kuwagata! Kamiri! Batta! Ga~ta-Gata-Gata-Kiri, Ba! Gatakiriba!"
Spike’s legs changed back to his default while green pincers extended out from his helmet that rested above red eyes. His arms were green as well with scythes extending out from the wrists. After a moment, a crowd of clones spread out from Spike.
“You cozy up to Dai-Shocker so you can avoid being their target.” His voice came out a chorus with all the clones taking a stance.
Lupin ignored the copies, redonning his armor. “The world is far more nuanced than you could ever understand, drake. Why don’t you go back to dictating your big sister’s notes, like a good little boy?”
“I’m not a little boy anymore,” the crowd replied, several of them jumping at Lupin. “I’m a Kamen Rider!”
Lupin didn’t bother with a comeback, devoting his attention to evading the incoming strikes. He spun away from an arm blade there, leapt over a kick here, caught a copy in the face with his knuckle. Using a copy as a step ladder, Lupin showered the crowd with bullets. The crowd cried out, a couple of them disappearing. The original Spike stared at his surroundings, trying to come up with a battle plan. Inspiration struck him and he sent a couple of his clones to jump after Lupin while he and a few more jumped at the walls. He struck the wall legs first, bouncing off it towards Lupin at an angle with his scythes at the ready.
Lupin blocked the attacks from the two clones but the group ricocheting off the walls caught him by surprise. He fired shots at three of them, successfully knocking way two of them, but Spike caught him across the chest. Lupin hissed in pain, crashing down towards the ground.
Getting to his hooves, Lupin brushed off his armor. “What, can’t fight me by yourself, boy? How pathetic.”
“Are you blind?” The crowd of Spikes asked, the original landing in front of Lupin. “There’s nothing but me fighting you.”
Lowering his weapon, Lupin, chuckled. “You forgot one thing, my dear drake. You didn’t kill the clone in the water.”
One of the Spike clones turned, greeted by a blade to the face. The Pinkie clone barely resembled her progenitor anymore. Without the magic of the pool to sustain it, it had melted into a horrifying amalgamation of insect and pony.
“Well, I’m having nightmares tonight,” The crowd of Spikes deadpanned, gaping in horror at the clone.
The original Spike grunted, Lupin pouncing on his back. “I’m not leaving here without my treasure, best just give it to me.” Slamming his fist into the back of Spike’s head, Lupin popped Spike’s medal case open. Growling, lightning arced around Spike’s horns before having it course through Lupin.
“Touch my medals and I’ll rip your arm off,” Spike rumbled, none of the other clones parroting the threat.
Pushing off of Spike, Lupin breathed heavily. “Unfortunately for you, I’m quick with my hands.” Holding his hand up, he showed off Spike’s original Batta medal along with the hermit crab medal. “I’ll be taking these.”
Spike’s eyes contracted into narrow slits, anger exploding into a raging inferno within him. Grabbing the scanner off his belt, he held it to his medals. “Give those back right now,” he warned, his voice cold.
“Good day, good drake.” Lupin flourished his cape, already making his way back to the surface.
Without a word, Spike ran his scanner along his medals, three green rings projecting out in front of all his clones’ drivers. “Scanning Charge!” He and his clones all jumped up in the air, positioning themselves to kick Lupin in the back of his head. Spike seethed, his foot impacting the ground, glancing back he spotted Lupin fading out.
Undoing his transformation, Spike reared his head back and a jet of flame escaped his maw. “Dammit!” he boomed, flames licking out from between his teeth. “Faust Dammit!”
“Fun!” a familiar cry shouted, causing Spike to narrowly roll out of the way of a scythe-like armblade.
Spike sneered, setting to his feet. “Just shut up already! I already took the medals, just go away!”
Grabbing three medals out of his case, he donned his MuKaChiri form. Wasting no time, he performed a scanning charge and sent out a massive stinger at the clone. The clone screamed as the stinger bore through its torso, cell medals spilling out of the gaping wound. It lurched forward, babbling incoherently. A pang of guilt shot through Spike for a moment, causing him to falter before he could land another attack on the clone.
It came to a stop with a thunk, the tip of Medajalibur jutting from its neck. It gurgled before dissolving into a pile of medals. Pinkie Pie stood behind the pile, still clutching the sword.
“Thanks Pinkie,” Spike said, sighing as he undid his transformation again and turning to the pink mare. “Even with the clone being so corrupted, it was still you in a way.”
“Y-yeah...” Pinkie nodded, taking a shaky breath. Dropping the sword, Pinkie swept him up into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Spike! This is all my fault!” Tightening her grip, she buried her muzzle into his neck.
He returned the hug the best he could and ran a hand between her ears. “It’s not your fault, Pinkie. I’m the one who couldn’t keep my medals out of Lupin’s hands.” Managing a weak smile, he scratched behind one of her ears. “I could never be mad at you. Don’t beat yourself up.”
Sniffling, Pinkie hugged Spike tighter. “You’re a good friend, Spike. I felt so bad when I saw you get so angry.” Pulling her face from his neck, she looked up at him with watery eyes. “Is there any way I can make you feel better?”
“Can you smile for me?” he asked, giving her a smile.
Giggling weakly she managed to smile. “I can do that. Though I was ready to make you a big batch of sapphire cupcakes. Just so you know what you just missed out on~” letting him go, she rubbed at her eyes. “You know, I think I’ll do that anyway.”
Spike’s mouth watered at the thought, and his stomach rumbled loudly. “You’re the best, Pinkie,” he said, licking his lips. “Come on, the others have to be worried about us.” Retrieving his sword, Spike led the way back to town, trying not to dwell on Lupin’s win.
“Okay,” Pinkie replied, her normal cheer slowly returning.
The pair walked out of the grotto, Pinkie occasionally telling a joke or making a random observation in an attempt to keep the drake’s spirits up.
Blud casually tossed the two medals he had pilfered off of the drake while he walked through the halls of the Great Leader’s palace. Combatmen wandered around him in formation while tapestries depicting Somber’s accomplishments lined the crystal walls.
Approaching the throne room, he nodded at the two Shadowbolts on guard. They returned his greeting pushing open the doors open. Slowly, more and more of the throne room was revealed, allowing him to enter. As always, the thing that instantly struck him were the chained figures of the solar and lunar princesses of Dai-Shocker’s home universe chained to either side of the Great Leader’s throne. The two alicorns sat nearly in the nude, their wings tied to their sides; each sporting a restrictor ring around their horn. Their bodies were kept clean and their muscles didn’t seem to have atrophied. Somber always said it was to keep his prizes in perfect condition. The sisters didn’t react to Blud’s entrance, staring at the floor with hollow expressions.
“I do hope you have something for me, Blud,” Somber spoke, lounging on his throne. He ran his hand through Luna’s mane, eyes latching onto Blud’s form. “I’d hate to have to discipline someone of your caliber.”
Blud smiled, holding up the two medals in the gaps between his fingers. “I may have not gotten all the green medals, my liege, but I still have a prize for you. Fear not, I can strike again once the hatchling’s guard is lowered again.”
Somber held up his hand. “In time, Blud.” Shifting slightly, he unchained Celestia’s collar. “Celestia, be a good mare and retrieve my prize from Blud.”
“Yes, Great Leader,” Celestia answered, her tone a blank void. Slowly, she stood up, walked over with her head low and held out her hands for Blud to drop the medals into. Once Blud did so, she returned to the throne and fell to one knee, presenting the medals to Somber.
“Good girl,” Somber praised, plucking the medals from her hand. A grin split his face as he held the medals up to the light. “I can feel the power, crammed into such a small space!” Rising up, he closed his fist around the medals. “You are dismissed, Blud.” Lighting his horn, he sent out spell. It was time the leaders of Dai-Shocker proved their worth.