//------------------------------// // Whence Evil Comes Pt. 1 // Story: On Call and Battle Ready // by Solum //------------------------------// Spike found his hate for trains has doubled over the years... Mostly due to the fact that he had been riding them a lot lately, and for longer periods of time. He shuddered at all the times the girls traveled to the Crystal Empire, all of which Spike was forced to tag along. The girls were always difficult to keep up with; being Equestria's defenders from the supernatural was nothing less than a stressful traveling job... And even then it's being put simply. The cab shook slightly, spilling coffee on the table in front of him. "Dammit!" Echo cussed as he pulled the papers away from the spill. Spike grabbed the cup and quickly turned it up right, a useless attempt to stop the liquid. The cup had emptied out onto several maps of Prance and strongholds. Echo tugged the maps from under the coffee and held them out above the table, he scowled at Spike from behind the soaked pages. Spike shrunk back from Echo's stare, smiling nervously. "You just had to have your caffeine, didn't you?" He hypothetically asked. "My apologies, sir." Spike took a nearby rag and began cleaning the mess. "I'm not used to being up this late." Echo sighed, decompressing a bit. Once Spike finished wiping, he laid the maps back down. There was a pause in the private room as Echo rubbed his scalp. "In here it's fine, but if mistakes are made out there-" He pointed out the window at nothing. Echo dropped his arm and paused again. Spike could sense the fear and sadness in his voice. The overhead light casted a shadow over his crimson eyes but Spike knew just how much worry the darkness hid. "Lives, families, homes, lost. Understand?" Spike nodded solemnly. "Yes sir." "Please, enough with the formalities." Lightening the mood, Echo chuckled. "I barely outrank you to begin with." He brought his focus back to the map. Spike looked at the paper as well. "You remember our orders, correct?" Echo didn't bother to look up as he spoke. "Uh, yes. Yes I do." Spike reached into his jacket, pulling out a check list. "I even took notes." "Very well." To be honest, Echo couldn't say the same for himself. "Go over them again... out loud... Just in case you missed anything." "Aye..." Spike raised an eyebrow at his partner, but shrugged and cleared his throat. "The train will take us all the way to a small town on the east coast called... Hayward?" He dragged his claw across the map, following the railroad. "From there we're going to have to hoof it to the pier. It's about two klicks east of the train station." Echo followed along on the map and nodded. "Right, right. Then what?" "Once we're at the pier, there should be a small vessel waiting for us. The Windlass under command of one Captain J.P. Jones. The Princess said we'll have another briefing there for updated information." The table was quiet for a while as the two stared at the maps. Echo sat back to think. He had been under pressure before but nothing could compare to the stress of possible war. Was he ready for a mission like this? Certainly Celestia thinks so... but that didn't promise his success. Echo stood from the table and reached for his coat. "Going outside?" Spike guessed with concern. "Uh, yeah." Echo turned into his jacket. He glanced at Spike from the doorway. "I need a cigarette real quick. I'll be back." "You okay?" Spike stopped him. Peeking back through the open door, Echo nodded. "I'm fine... Just need a break, that's all." The door clicked shut, leaving Spike to himself. Now that he thought of it, solitude was and oddity to him. He has been accompanied for a while now by at least the public... But now walls secluded him. The silence was relaxing, while at the same time strange. Spike took this time to look over his supplies. It would be a good idea to know what his inventory was packing. Unzipping the large rucksack, he caught a scroll that fell out. Spike rolled his eyes at Celestia's packing technic's. She was lucky he didn't open his luggage in a crowded station or something... Damn letter would've been swept away in no time. He opened the scroll and read to himself. Dear Spike, Just to help you with organizing, I made a list of the materials this bag contains... Plus I got bored waiting for your arrival. Anyways, before you, you will find: ~ One pair of custom combat boots (the ones you're used to) ~ Your standard stealth uniform (plus a spare) ~ One pair of black gloves ~ Three pairs of skivvies (pairs of black socks included) ~ One survival pack (just in case) ~ One collapsible bow (with fifteen arrows) ~ One dagger ~ And one custom smithed sword "Aww, for real?!" Spike set the scroll down and felt his way through the sack. His claws found their prize, he slid the sword out carefully and gaped at it's beauty. The holster hid the blade from sight. As he unsheathed the sword, Spike flinched. The blade radiated a light green. Wow. When Celestia enchants something, she goes all out. Spike stared in awe for a bit before he laid the sword on the table, picking up the letter once again. I hope these items help you on your mission. I recommend stopping along the way to buy yourself necessary toiletries. Good luck, Spike, and do me a favor... Come back alive. I'd hate to lose a warrior of your potential. P.S. If you're wondering about the sword, it's a gift. From me to you. It was smithed to fit your hands and I added the finishing touch. A spell that detects threats, like a Pinkie sense. (in a sense) Spike looked up from the letter and squinted at the blade. "Odd." It's glows your favorite color when you near evil doers, for your safety. Keep your eyes peeled. ~Princess Celestia. ...Processing... ...Shit... The cool air rushed through Echo's hair. The caboose gave him just enough wind to feel relaxed while also not disturbing his cigarette. He took a drag and puffed it into the steady breeze. His sight drifted into the darkness. Smoking was the only thing keeping him awake right now. Another drag. Echo tried not to focus on anything, to give his mind a rest. But movement on the tracks broke his peace. Behind the train, it looks to be another trailing it... and gaining speed. It worried him that the front light of this train was out, as if it was trying to sneak up on them. Never a good sign. As the dark train approached, Echo could make it out better. Not quite visible, he squinted harder. Echo place his cigarette to his lips, but stopped. Instead, he held it to his side, letting the wind feed the flame. He watched the tip glow. A wisp and the cigarette was gone. An arrow had pegged it to the wall behind him. "I guess the smoke deck is secured then."