//------------------------------// // episode 9: Wrath of the Dragons! (Edited) // Story: Dragonball MLP: Buu's Calamity! // by ultrapoknee //------------------------------// heh[Intro.] High over the horizon, a long, serpentine-like dragon, Shenron, soars through skies. Upon his head were the likes of Gohan, Goten, and Trunks enjoying the ride. Moments later, a portal opens. Flying past the dragon, Vegeta, and Piccolo enter the portal first as the trio looks on in awe. Shenron lets out a roar as he follows the two through it. The scenery quickly changes from Earth to Equis. Celestia enjoyed a cup of tea on her balcony with her sister Luna as Shenron exits the portal in the background. Fluttershy was busy tending to the animals in her sanctuary as Angel bunny frantically points to the dragon above. The yellow pegasus looks up and gasps at the sight. Over in Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack hauling in her product before a large gust of wind from Shenron's passing blows her hat off. The farm mare puts down her produce and gives chase. In Ponyville, Pinkie gasps as she hovers in the air while Shenron passes. A moment later, the party mare disappears, leaving behind an outline of smoke. Rarity is struggling on a new line at the carousel boutique, featuring the combat Gi's Spike and Scootaloo wore before Shenron passes by her window. A look of inspiration hit the fashion mare as she quickly stretches something out before running outside. Rainbow Dash was resting on a cloud when she spotted Shenron in the skies. Looking at their destination, Rainbow shot off her perch with her signature sonic rain-boom. The trios of Saiyans leap off the great dragon while landing in front of the castle. There, Twilight is standing at the entrance, waving them over. The rest of the elements of harmony, Piccolo and Vegeta, were there to greet them. Elsewhere, Dragonlord Ember was walking through a hellish landscape. The silhouette of a massive dragon was reaching toward her. She closes her eyes, only to open them again as Spike looks at her with concern. In a coliseum filled with cheering spectators, Scootaloo walks in with the E.A.T belt around her waist. Her opponent was a man in a brown and white Gi that sported an afro. She shoots her opponent a confident grin as the two charge one another. A second later, Scootaloo sends her rival out of bounds as two announcers - one blond human and Earth pony of similar features - declare her the winner. High above the castle of Friendship, the Great Saiyaman floats above the structure as the sun rises. He smirks as he flies off into the rising sun. The sunsets as the moon rising over a statue of Goku. Spike and Scootaloo stood there wearing somber expressions at the loss of their beloved mentor. However, the transparent image of Goku puts a reassuring hand on Scootaloo's and Spike's shoulders. They turn around in shock at his appearance. He smiles at his pupils before he fades away, with the two of them chasing after him. They don't get far as several figures cloaked in shadows appear before them. Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, Trunks, and Goten land beside them as they all take combat stances. There was a staredown between the two factions before they collide in an explosion of light. Finally, the ponies and dragons stand next to the Z fighters in front of the School of Friendship. Goku lands between his wife while draping his arm over Gohan's shoulder. They both share wide grins for their friends and family. [Capsule Corporation -Bulma's lab - Third Person POV.] "Bulma! Please tell me you figured something out!" Yamcha asked. "We're running around out there like headless chickens!" Bulma was furiously typing away at her keyboard. "Almost. We don't have time to make a gadget to track these facilities, but I thought of something else. I'm going to link up the data for the isotope readings and apply them to our satellites. We can use them to triangulate the laboratory positions. It'll take a few minutes," "What about the dragons? Their presence may complicate matters," Tien reminded. "Hey, regardless of what we felt, Spike is on our side!" Scootaloo said firmly. "Do we have any idea what those dragons said?" Chaoztu asked. "As I said, no warning, no announcements, the dragons just came with the whole 'Offical Dragonlands business,' and stormed off. But, by the looks of their faces, I doubt they are here for the scenery," Bulma said. The computer made a series of beeps before a map of the world highlighted five dots. "Here it is, the location of five Red Ribbon facilities. You can split up into groups and head off the teleporter. I will be able to scramble the machine's signal from here - I need a heads up before Chi-Chi and Goten teleport again - we don't want to interfere with the transition process. I'm also betting that one of these locations is the main base. We can end the Red Ribbon once and for all if we play our card right," "That still leaves the issue of the Equis dragons," Piccolo reminded. "I don't believe in coincidences - we might be after the same culprit," "I don't know. Spike and Ember could be here for any reason. How sure--" Gohan stops mid-sentence as a tremor went off beneath their feet. The same malicious aura flooded the Z warriors' sense again. Once the tremors stop, Videl was the first to speak. "Ok, I know there aren't any fault lines near West City," "Spike's energy is flaring again - and from the looks of it - in the same direction as one of these facilities," Tien stated. "Alright, we'll split up two groups! Scootaloo, Great Saiyaman, and I will head to where the Equis dragon is right now. You five will go to the other facilities to recuse the hostages!" Piccolo commanded. "If Chi-Chi and Goten are not there, then destroy the teleporting device. That will put a stop to this cat and mouse game," Gohan and Piccolo steps near Scootaloo as the rest of the Z fighters rush off to their designations. Scootaloo transports her group to the nearest Ki signature in Spike's direction. When the trio reappeared, a scene of horror greeted them. The once blue sky held a dark orange hue from the blazing fire. Scootaloo felt her nostrils wrinkle at the smell of sulfur and ash. It was almost like standing near an active volcano. But a more potent odor dominated the air - The smell of burning flesh. [Red Ribbon Main Command Center - moments earlier.] General Tao was not having a good day. Several Dragons had not only found their secret command center but reign down unholy fire upon it. The general watches from the command center as the image of dragons played. He watched with a stoic expression as the dragons reigned unholy fire upon his base. The blaring alerts began to grate at the assassin's eardrum. He frowns at this unwelcome turn of events. "How did these bothersome creatures find the base!? Are they seeking this land for new territory?" A thousand questions swarmed through General Tao's head, but in the end, it didn't even matter. "Prepare the anti-air guns. Blow these reptiles out of the sky - Oh, and collect any survivors - We may have use for them," Severals panels slid opened up to reveal twin-barrel, high-caliber cannons. The shower of flames quickly subsided for a hail of bullets. General Tao smiles at the sight. However, that smile faded as a purple dragon destroyed one of the cannons. "Sir! The cannons are not working! The ammunition is bouncing off of them!" "Impossible! Our ballistic should easily rip these lizards to pieces!" General Tao growls. "Switch to the laser rounds--" A tremor went off as the dragons landed on the ground. The fire-breathing monsters focused their attacks on the panels - destroying the anti-air weaponry. Snarling at the sight, the GeneralGeneral spoke. "Prepare the infantry for an assault. Full armaments! I'll be joining on the frontlines as well," Many of the personal stared at the General with disbelief. "Pardon me, sir, but should you be wasting your time on these creatures?" General Tao was already out the door as he spoke. "Nonsense. This opportunity will work wonders for relieving my stress," Outside the base, some of the dragons began digging through the ground. Ember hovers above her follow Drake, relaying orders. "Keep digging! The eggs are right below us! We reclaim our young, then reduce this place to ashes!!!" The dragons roared in agreement as they redoubled their efforts. Smolder hovers in the background with Garble. The young dragon spots another panel rising from the ground. "Hey, there's more of those weapons!" "I got 'em!" Garble stated, charging to the opening. The maroon dragon never got close. "Dodan Ray!!!" "AAAH!!!" An orange beam struck Garble's shoulder - punching a hole it, and his wing - as his scream garners attention. "Garble!!!" Smolder calls out, flying to her fallen brother. The sight of her brother's injury made the color of her scales dull. Blood was pooling around the wound at an alarming rate. A vicious snicker brought the young drake's attention back to the offending party. "Hmm, I was aiming for the head. Perhaps I should've waited for the panels to open all the way, no matter. I am quite pleased with the result. Now, I make this one-time offer: you can come down and join us, or you can die. Choose!" Behind the mercenary, his infantry troops stood ready. Smolder gave her response as she charges forward. "RAAAH!!!" General Tao smiles as he met the young dragon's charge. The rest of the soldiers spread out and began firing upon the remaining dragons. The laser rounds were proving very effective against the dragons' scales. It was the first time any of the dragons from Equis experienced burn wounds. Ember was the only one able to avoid the projectiles' nimbly. She dove toward the ground and plants the bloodstone specter in front of her. "Secret Art: Plasma Reflection!!!" The laser was flying toward flew into the gem atop the staff instead. It glowed an eerie color of red before beams flew to their new targets-- the soldiers who fired them. The sound of screams and death gurgles filled the air as many soldiers fell. However, Ember could not bask in her small victory for long. The screams of pain became snuffed out by the sound of metal stomping toward her. More soldiers began to arrive, this time welding mechanized suits, as they sent a barrage of missiles at the dragons in the air. However, upon detonation, the shells emitted a high-pitch sound that made many of the dragons fall. One of them recovered enough to launch a counter-attack. The mech suit started another barrage, but the dragon plowed through it and locked arms with it. The dragon had the size advantage, but the mecha suit seemed to be just as strong. Two muzzles sprang from the metal forearms, dosing the dragon with liquid nitrogen, ending the stalemate. Ember shrieks out in horror as the robot suit shatters the frozen drake to pieces. Ember's eyes turned feral as she abandons her specter to engage her kin murder. In her haste, however, her spell canceled out due to her missing presence. Thus, the hail of lethal laser returned - forcing the other drakes on defense. Emeer dashes across the battlefield - dodging laser and missiles alike - and takes a deep breath. She spews out a shower of flames toward the mech suit. The pilot, in response, thrust the suit's arm out and fired the nitrogen again. Sub-zero temperatures met with unrelenting heat as steam billowed from the point of impact. Ember seemed to gain the upper hand, but another mecha shot her in the back. The dragonlord yelp as her back was frozen over - breaking her attack - and allow the previous mecha pilot to freeze her front. There's never been a moment where the dragonlord despised being cold blood as she did now. She struggled against the cold licking at her scales, but her movements were stiffening too quickly. After a solid minute, the two mech pilots halted their assault to find Ember encased in ice. "Hehe, I always liked ice sculptures..." The pilot said, raising his metal fist above Ember's form. "Especially the sound they make when you break 'em!" Just before he could deliver the killing blow, two purple claws stopped the mech in its tracks. Back with General Tao, Smolder was trying desperately to free herself from the assassin's death grip. One eye was black and swollen, while the other was bloodshot. The was a sharp pain on her wing joints from the elbow strike the GeneralGeneral delivered. Her right arm dangled from her side - thanks to General Tao striking a nerve under her armpit. Blood trickled down Smolder's muzzle as she let out a gasp of air. Despite her injuries, General Tao has nary a scratch on him save for one small tear across his chest. "You realize it's hard to find a good tailor when you're a wanted man. I'll have to seek some form of compensation. How about you tell me why you and your kin are wrecking my facility?" Smolder spits a wad of blood onto his cheek. "Aw, a braze one, eh? Very well..." The deadliest assassin hoist Smolder over to Garble despite her meager protest. "Look around you, reptile. What you see is the cost of hubris and arrogance!" General Tao prepared another Dodan Ray. This time, with Garble prone on the ground, there would be no escape. Horror itched its way on both dragon's face as Smolder folded. "Our eggs!!!" General Tao arches a brow at this. "Your eggs?" Smolder manages to send the general a pained glare. "You took our eggs! I don't care if you kill us! Every dragon in the Dragonlands will come for you!!!" "Dragonlands? I've never heard of such a place, nor have I stolen anything worth the effort," "Play dumb all you want, but the sky will burn crimson from Equis to Earth until we get our eggs back!!!" Smolder's struggle renewed as General Tao absorb her words. "Equis, you say. Hmm, I suppose this attack isn't random. But it is a nuisance that I won't tolerate..." General Tao points his attack right at Smolder's face as the dragon pales. "You know, your defiant attitude and color scheme reminds me of someone I loathe. You may not be Son Goku, but I shall enjoy ending your life all the same," "AAAAARGH!!!" All the attention snaps toward Spike, who ripped the arm of the battle suit and plugged it through the glass dome. The inside got a healthy coating of red before the armor fell over. The other mech suit turned its freezing faucets on him. Spike took an aggressive toward it as his aura flares out. The freezing stream stood no chance against Spike's power - pushing back the mech's attack - and freeing Ember in the process. The battle suit's hands froze over while Ember attacks. Her claws puncture the glass dome with ease as she grabs the soldier's face. Any pleas the human had fallen short as a blast destroys most of the torso of the suit. Spike glances at her with a glare as Ember flinches. She nods as they stood back to back. More mech suits, along with foot infantry, surrounded the two dragons. A look of intrigue appears on General Tao's face. The enemy begins to corner the two drakes. However, Ember brings her specter back to her hand. The two grips the staff, holding it above their heads as the bloodstone glowed. The army unleashed their arsenal, but a barrier of heat protects the Dragonlord and King Consort. "Secert Art: Burning Desolation!" There was a bright flash of orange and red that covered the area. The air around the humans began to distort as the temperature rises. One of the pilots watched on in horror as the suits' arm began to melt. The same effect happened to the weapons in the infantry's hands, causing the men to drop them. That was the least of the Red Ribbon's worries. General Tao's eyes went wide as half his forces instantly immolated from the heat. Smolder chuckles weakly as the General begins to sweat - whether due to the excitement or nervousness, she didn't know - but the young dragon delighted in seeing the human's smugness falter. "What's wrong? Things got too hot for you?" Smolder taunted. In response, General Tao tosses Smolder harshly onto her brother before facing the duo. "Bring out the Skull Armor unit!" He orders while calmly walking to his foes. Two doors split art from the ground as a platform rises from the opening. There, six new adversaries glared at Spike and Ember with piercing red eyes. They were slightly hunched over while standing fifteen feet tall. The head of the machine resembled a skull that curved upwards. The left arm was another rifle, while the right hand held the hilt of a sword. At the base of its back, a tail swings side to side - reflecting in the sunlight. The skull Armor unit all raised their right arm with the hilt. Burning hot plasma erupts from the guard - taking the form of an elongated claymore - as the skull armor unit readies for battle. General Tao felt his smug grin return. "You two lizard seems more capable than the rest of your ilk. Allow me to test you with my skull warriors," Spike snarls as he responds. "It'll be the last test you administer...!" General smirks again before blitzing at the two dragons with incredible velocity. Simultaneously, the Skull Armor unit aimed their left arm and bath the area in flames. Spike and Ember watched on in shock as they saw the human attacked by his forces. Spike never saw the attack coming; instead, he felt it. General Tao emerged with his fist meeting Spike's face. The blow staggered Spike and left Ember dumbfounded. General Tao spins on his heels, elbows Ember to the back of her head. The Dragonlord fell back into the flames as General Tao applied more pressure on Spike. Ember pulls herself from the ground as a shadow looms over her. Through the fire, the red eyes of a skull Armor glare down at her. She barely had enough time to roll out of the way as the hot plasma scars the Earth. She sent a defiant roar as her aura flares out. The skull machine launched its tail to try to impale its tail, but Ember was faster. Ember slams her claws into the eyes and slams it against the ground. Ember prepared to remove its head from its shoulder but never got the chance. A shift in the air told the Dragonlord to dodge - and so she did - thus narrowly avoiding becoming a dragon pincushion. Looking back, the other two Skull Warrior destroyed one of their own. A tail and claymore were jutting out of its torso and headpiece. "What have you done!?" Ember exclaimed. "You slew your kinsmen!!!" "..." "..." The lack of response forms a snarl on Ember's features. "Don't you care when one of yours dies!? What kind of heartless beings are you!?" Silence, once again, was the only answer. Suddenly, both of the Skull's jaws fell open - revealing a hidden barrel. Ember's eyes widen further as the light began to focus within the muzzle. The attack sailed across the battlefield as other dragons scrambled to safety. Ember nimbly maneuvers through the air as the death beams try to end her life. She notices that the Skull units were intent on completing their objective regardless of any consequences. She smirks as an idea begins to form. Ember started flickering from different locations as the beams narrowly missed upon reappearance. However, her actions put the two skulls out of sync, making the next phase of her plan easier. Ember reappears in between the two Skulls with a whistle. The two machines both turned to the drinking. They charged their attack once again before Ember disappears - forcing the two Skull Armor to destroy each other with their offense. Ember flickers back on the battlefield with a satisfied snort - admiring her handiwork - before regaining her specter. Elsewhere, Spike was not having a good time. The fire was all around him, thanks to the three Skull Armor dowsing the area. That wouldn't affect any dragon, least of all himself, but the problem lay with General Tao. Spike couldn't sense his energy, no matter how hard he tried. While he couldn't detect the General's presence, he certainly felt it. The human was striking every part of his body in a span of a few seconds. A chop to the back of the head made Spike stumble forward. A fist buried in his gut nearly knock the wind out of him. Spike tried to counter, but the GeneralGeneral was gone before he made contact. Spike attempted to take out the three Skull armors but found himself thwarted by Tao at every opportunity. The General was ruthless in his assault as he pelted Spike with a series of combinations to his body. Finally, Spike had enough. King consort lowered his guard and allowed General Tao to use him as a punching bag. He focused on his Ki while ignoring the blows on his person. A moment later, Spike thrust his arms outward as a shockwave followed. The flames dispersed as General Tao shields himself. Spike grabs General Tao by his shirt with the fire gone - as he sends an almost wicked smile at the assassin. "I got you!" Spike grins. "Eh!?" General Tao exclaimed. Spike shifts his weight while bringing General Tao's arm over his left shoulder. The assassin grunted as Spike tosses him into one of the Skulls. The machine recoiled from the blow as it caught its master with the left arm. Spike spins on his heels to face the other two robots while the General recovers. Flexing his claws, Spike sent a barrage of Ki blades at them. The weapon passed the skulls by, and for a moment, nothing happened. The two machines glance at each other before turning back to Spike. The mechs brought their claymores up and took a single step forward before promptly falling to pieces. Spike whips back around to the last remaining Skull Armor unit and General Tao. The General had enough time to open his eyes before Spike flew past the Skull warrior. Its head soon followed as it fell over. General Tao kicks off the destroyed robot as he frowns. "Impressive. You handle yourself quite well. However, don't expect a battle with me to go so easily reptile," General Tao said, taking a stance. "I think you're confused about something, human!" Spike spat, taking a stance of his own. "You're not dealing with the average dragon anymore," The tone in Spike's voice grew slightly deeper as his aura distort the air around him. "Oh? So what are you? A Super Dragon? A true freak?" Although the general watches his opponent with amusement, he began to sweat. Instantly, Spike appeared in front of General Tao in a crouching position. He cocks back his right arm before launching an uppercut into Tao's stomach. The mercenary's feet left the ground as his face contorted in pain. His body flew several feet before landing harshly on his back. Grunting in pain, General Tao stares wide-eyed at Spike, who glares back with hatred. "I'm the devil...!" [Secert Lab - Videl POV.] It took longer than I would've liked getting here - then again, I can't fly like the others - I have to learn how these guys did that. Regardless, I was sure that these people were the same ones from the Cell Games. But I can't worry about that now. The lab didn't have any security like the others - that bugged me a little - since I wanted to hit something. It didn't long to find that portal gizmo. I crouched down in front of it, ready to jump at a moment's notice, when I heard something over the comms. "Hey, Yamcha here. I got to the lab and destroyed the portal there. No hostages, though," "Same with Tien and I," "I got here too late. Goten and Chi-Chi were waking up, though," "Then there's only two locations left as I destroyed mine. Videl, you ready?" Ms. Brief asked. I ignored their voices for the most part. The teleporter started humming before glowing brightly. Then, the hostages appeared, and I broke into a sprint. But I stopped when I looked at the boy. He was a dead ringer for Son Goku. He must be his son, which meant that these people were Gohan's family members. There wasn't a single shred of doubt who the Great Saiyaman was under that bucket helmet now. I watched as the boy's eyes start to flutter open and look at me in confusion. It was only when the portal again did I remember my job. "Shoot!!!" I resumed my sprint, but I was too late. They were gone as I jumped into space. "Darn it!!!" I quickly went over to a nearby console and ripped it apart, causing the lab to shut down, along with the teleporter. "This lab is toast, but I lost the hostage..." I clenched my fist as I said that. I let myself get distracted over something stupid, and other people are paying for it. "...It's ok, Videl. At least there's only one place they could be right now," I was starting running for the exit as I leap into my vehicle. "Yeah, the hostages should be right with Gohan!" "Wait, what!?" I switched off the communicator as I rocketed off into the distance.