Spike headed out of the castle. But when he got outside, he noticed something moving about. He drew his gun, shifting his eyes about slowly.
“Who’s there?” he said with a threatening tone.
Out of the brush swooped a pegasus pony. The same one Spike encountered at the bar in Appleoosa. Spike felt so stupid. He’d been followed this whole time and didn’t realize it. Sly made his way towards the castle.
“No,” yelled Spike.
He pounced at Sly as quick as he could, tackling him to the ground. The two fought and struggled for a long time before Sly kicked Spike right in the jaw. Spike went down, losing some composure. Sly headed to the castle when suddenly he got surrounded by several bunnies.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” said sly with a chuckle. “What are you going to do? Cuddle me to death!?”
The bunnies began to attack, all throwing rapid fire kicks. A timber wolf then appeared and pinned Sly to the ground. It began to growl heavily at Sly, who was now screaming.
“Don’t kill him,” said Spike to the Timber Wolf.
“Do as he says, Thorntooth,” said Fluttershy, coming to help.
Thorntooth stopped growling, but kept Sly pinned to the ground.
“Do you know this pony,” asked Fluttershy.
“You could say that,” said Spike. “Tried to get me to give up Twilight’s location. He might have already informed somepony else of this place.”
“What should we do with him,” asked Fluttershy.
“I have an idea,” said Spike with a smile.
Spike took Sly to the dungeon, located beneath the castle. He chained him and put him in a cell.
“Does anypony else know you’re here,” asked Spike.
Sly said nothing.
“I see you remember my previous threat,” said Spike with a chuckle. “Well, given the circumstances, killing you wouldn’t be the best solution right now. So I’m gonna ask again. Does anypony else know you’re here?”
“What’s it to you,” asked Sly with a sarcastic tone.
“So we’re gonna play it this way, eh,” said Spike. “Ok, I can play this game. You know, despite this castle not being used in centuries, a lot of things still exist here. Like some devices used or punishing prisoners.”
Spike pulled out an ancient looking axe.
“Sure this axe is old,” said Spike. “But I can fix that easily.”
Spike began to breathe fire onto the axe and pound on it with a hammer. Once done, the axe’s blade looked fresh and new.
“There we go,” said Spike, beginning to smile sadistically. “I think this is sharp enough now to hack through your wings cleanly.”
Sly was beginning to show panic in his face. Spike walked over to Sly, who was now trying to get free. Spike grabbed one of Sly’s wings, stretched it out tight, and prepared to drop the axe down onto it.
“STOP!” exclaimed Sly, crying in fear now. “For the love of Celestia please! Nopony else knows you’re here! I haven’t talked to anypony else! I swear to Celestia! I swear on my parent’s grave!”
“I hope you still believe what I’m capable of,” said Spike. “Don’t worry though, I’m not gonna kill you. You’re not worth it. But you’re not going anywhere either. You’re gonna live here now with the rest of us. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“These chains won’t hold me forever,” said Sly. “And I’ll be able to eventually get through those bars! So fuck you!”
“Yeah,” said Spike. “I considered that. And I know how to take care of that.”
“And how might that be,” asked Sly with a sarcastic tone.
Spike flung the axe down, and in one felt swoop Sly’s wing came clean off. Sly began screaming in pain, even more so when Spike used his flame to cauterize the wound. Sly looked at where his wing used to be in shock.
“So much for that supposed reputation,” said Spike. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving the other wing in tact. Don’t need you running off with ease.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are!?” shouted Sly, still in severe pain. “Why not just fucking kill me!?”
“Too easy,” said Spike. “Most ponies would simply resort to that. But this world has lost touch with real punishment. Criminals rarely get any long term sentencing, what with the state of this world. I gave you a warning, you didn’t listen. You thought because I didn’t use a loaded gun, that I was still all talk. Anypony can fire a gun, anypony can kill if pushed far enough. I don’t kill when it’s not needed. You’re gonna stick around here for as long as I see fit. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. Plenty of animals around now, and the Beast Mistress may even talk to you.”
“The Beast Mistress?” said Sly in fear.
“Good, you’re familiar with her,” said Spike. “I guess not everypony knows what she looks like, but that indeed was her. She’s an old, dear friend of mine. I’m heading out now, but I’ll make sure you get food and company when needed. Hope you have a nice day.”
“Fuck you, Six Shooter,” exclaimed Sly. “I’ll get out of here! And when I do, you’ll be fucking sorry! I’ll bring a whole army onto this shithouse castle! That filly bitch won’t stand a chance!”
Spike ignored Sly’s threats as he went back up to the main part of the castle.
“What did you do to him,” asked Fluttershy.
“He’s still alive if that’s what you mean,” said Spike. “He weighs a little less though.”
He threw Sly’s severed wing onto the floor, letting Thorntooth take off with it. Fluttershy couldn’t believe what she saw.
“I told you,” began Spike. “I’m doing what needs to be done to survive. Killing him would be pointless since we have him restrained. So now you got two ponies to keep an eye on. Keep him fed, but don’t spoil him like a pet or anything.”
“I can’t believe this all happened,” said Fluttershy.
“Good thing I went to you when I did,” said Spike. “My guess is he got to the castle just as I was about to leave. If he had gotten here any sooner…he could’ve easily attacked Twilight while we weren’t here.”
“I’m glad you didn’t kill him, Spike,” said Fluttershy.
“Yeah, me too,” said Spike. “Others have killed just because. I’ve never wanted to stoop to that level. He’s in our custody, we took him out pretty quick, no point in killing him…I should start heading out. Might need to change the location of my passageway.”
“Angel and many of the other animals can help with that,” said Fluttershy.
“Great,” said Spike. “We should also set up some traps around the area. Things just got a lot more serious. This could easily happen again.”
“Ok, Spike,” said Fluttershy. “I’ll do my very best.”
Spike and Fluttershy gave each other another hug, before Spike geared up and headed back out.
“Where are you going first” asked Fluttershy.
“Ponyville,” said Spike. “I need to visit Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Now that I have you here, I’m sure I’ll be heading back a lot sooner than usual. Don’t tell Twilight about Sly, I don’t need her worrying about anything else.”
Fluttershy gave Spike a nod in agreement and he headed out.