HIT*.
"COUGH- COUGH-COUGH-COUGH... Cough."
Spike coughed violently at the thick greenish liquid blocking his lungs as he struggled for breath.
"ha ha ha I made it! you're free!"
Spike turned to find the owner of the voice but found nothing.
"Up here silly."
He followed the indication looking at a giant cocoon from which he had just fallen until he found the owner of the voice.
"A spider?"
In front of him was a large spider a little smaller than his head and metallic blue and red in appearance.
"How observant while you're at it why don't you get to the rocks behind you now!"
The strange spider suddenly screamed before backing away and hiding in the rocks of the cave, Spike didn't know what the thing was, but he could hear the buzzing of insect wings which gave him the creeps, so he decided to follow it for now.
With great care, he slipped through a small hole in the rocks just behind the cocoons which, thanks to the poor lighting, was practically undetectable.
"Very well done my lizard friend we are one step closer to our escape."
"Escape from what-?"
He finally remembered why he was in a cocoon and how he got there.
"Oh for Tartarus ZORA"
"Quiet you brat! You're going to get us caught!"
Spike quickly covered his mouth, praying inwardly that no one had heard him.
"That's better now follow me"
Without another word, the spider turned around and continued down the tunnel.
"W-wait, where are we? Where are we going? And what the hell are you?"
"Wow, you don't beat around the bush huh?"
"Sorry."
He said as he was a little embarrassed by his lack of tact.
"Anyway in answer to your questions, I have no idea, let's go to my prison so you can help me escape and as for what I am... you'll see."
"Wait... What do you mean, help you?"
The spider gave a sigh of annoyance.
"What you're seeing is just something I created using parts of my armor, my real body is still trapped that's why I released you I need you to get me out."
"Okay I understand, but wouldn't it be easier to just go out and ask for help?"
He said somewhat doubtfully
"And how do I know you'll come back?"
"I would never abandon anyone!"
The dragon almost screamed with indignation as the spider looked at him, they had finally stopped their march.
"Well independent of that we are in a desert, it would take you days to get anywhere while escaping these bugs and without supplies do you think you could get far? And if by some kind of miracle you did make it this isn't their real hive just a forward base, by the time anyone gets here they'll be gone."
Spike could only be frustrated, he was right.
"The best thing you can do is free me so I can kill all these bugs and get out of here."
Spike rolled his eyes as he remembered a certain cyan pegasus.
"I... I don't think it's a good idea."
"And what makes you say that?"
Spike resisted the urge to punch himself in the face.
"That they have an army perhaps? Plus an insect queen more powerful than any unicorn I've ever seen."
The spider gave an unconcerned snort.
"Who Chrysalis? Don't worry I have something special for her."
"You know her?"
"Of course, thanks to whom do you think I'm here?"
"Well if you're here she had to defeat you first didn't she?"
"Ha! You wish we never fought, we just drove into a pit and threw rocks at me, that doesn't count!"
"Well whatever you say, but I need to find my partner have you seen her?"
The spider seemed to think about it for a few seconds
"My censors detected another life form entering the hive shortly before you arrived, but you don't like to know where it is."
BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG
"Do you love me already?"
"Of course I do, my little bug, how could I not love you?"
Said the fox as if he were talking to a puppy.
"Bullshit! And STOP MOCKING ME!"
"What else do you want me to do, you old fool?!"
BAANG*
The poor fox, unable to gather the strength to stand up, could only look at the giant bug that did not stop whipping it against the ground every two minutes.
"Why isn't it working?"
Said the queen with barely contained rage as she slowly turned to look at one of her drones, the poor thing could only tremble as she prayed she wouldn't kill it.
"I-I don't know my queen are you sure you already use all the mind control spells? "
Chrysalis was beginning to get a twitch in one of her eyes as she resisted the urge to kill another of her drones, this would be her sixth today.
"Do you take me for a fool, of course, I did! By now an adult dragon or even an older bear should have completely submitted!"
"T- maybe he's immune to mental abilities remember he figured out the infiltrator's disguise as soon as he saw it."
"And what good would a powerful monster do me if I can't control it? I already have one of those!"
"Well too bad, I guess the only option will be to leave me i-"
I couldn't finish speaking when Chrysalis threw another lightning bolt in my direction which sent me flying to the other side of the room, or was it a cave?
Where I was now I couldn't hear their argument, but I couldn't move either, I hadn't eaten anything since we were captured and since I woke up the only thing this damn bug has done is hit me and throw me little rays.
"That guy said something about immunity to mind control didn't he?"
I couldn't help but chuckle a little when I remembered that the sinister types are immune to psychic attacks.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"Oh shit."
"You're welcome, my dear, not at all."
Said the zorua with a playful tone to which the queen responded by shining her horn and sending her against another wall.
BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG* BAANG
While she was on the ground the zorua took the opportunity to review certain aspects of her life like where she got the balls to face this damn bug, before coming to this world she hadn't been in a fight since elementary school, and here she was now taking the beating of her life like a champion she had to admit she felt a little proud of that.
"Now why are you smiling?"
Chrysalis was already preparing another spell when the floor began to shake and there was a slight purring sound that sounded familiar to the zorua.
RUNNNNN* RUNNNNN
From the way Chrysalis' eyes widened, it seemed that she had recognized the sound.
"I- IMPOSSIBLE HOW DO I ESCAPE?"
BOOOONG* BOOOONG* BOOOONG* BOOOONG* BOOOONG* BOOOONG
The zorua had no time to make sense of what she had just heard when the doors to the royal chamber burst open.
"CHRYSALIS!!! "
She shouted a powerful voice which she could immediately recognize who it belonged to, but she refused to believe it until she saw it with her own eyes, in front of them now there was a metal titan almost ten meters tall with red and blue colors.
"Optimus?"
"Okay, you're going right now go right and wait fifteen seconds."
Spike did as he was asked and shortly after another patrol car passed by he continued on his way, until his path closed again.
"Damn! I really thought I had it this time."
"Shhhh, do you want us to get caught?"
He asked as he entered the newly opened tunnel to his left.
"Of course not, but it's frustrating every time I think I find the pattern of these things change again, it just doesn't make sense."
The dragon couldn't help but think of Twilight, he didn't quite understand these patterns and censors that the spider was talking about, but he could imagine her getting frustrated in the same way.
"Now take off that goofy grin and go right in three we're almost there."
After following his directions for another five minutes they finally arrived at their destination.
"How did you fall through there?"
Spike had to stop at the edge of the abyss to contemplate its full size, the end wasn't far below, only about two stories down, but the top layer was nowhere in sight.
"I more or less managed to break my fall by anchoring myself to the walls until Chrysalis came along and shattered the wall causing me to not only fall but be buried alive."
"I don't know if I can help you get out of there, those are too many rocks."
Spike could see into the deepest part of the abyss which was completely covered in rocks of all sizes with a slightly greenish hue, he couldn't even tell how deep his new companion might be.
"The problem isn't the rocks, see that greenish aura? That's the problem I think it's a gravity spell or seal if it wasn't for that thing I'd remove the rocks myself."
"I understand, but what do you want me to do then?"
The spider lifted one of its front legs and pointed at one of the holes which were glowing brightly.
"Since the barrier was activated I've been able to detect a large build-up of energy right in that area plus several life forms, although I haven't been able to tell how many due to the energy causing interference I'm sure if you take out the operators of the magic formation? I'll be able to escape on my own."
Spike took a sharp gulp as he felt the stomach liquid rise in his throat.
"What do you mean, finish them off?"
"Exactly as it sounds kid...I need you to kill them."
Spike stood there for a few seconds unable to say anything, surprisingly the spider didn't interrupt or mock him.
"W-why kill? Can't I just knock them out or something?"
"Do you think I didn't try something similar on my own? I distracted several I even managed to incapacitate one, but the formation was still working even with them unconscious I think it's a matter of energy transfer rather than spell casting the only thing I couldn't try was killing them."
The spider could see how the dragon's whole body was shivering even though his censors informed him that the temperature in the cave was high.
"Boy listen to me you're not the first one I've tried to free."
The dragon seemed to react to that and looked at him.
"I tried to get to them I really tried, but I was always too late by the time I managed to infiltrate the cocoon area they were already dry as raisins there were dozens of them mostly soldiers, but there were other simple travelers or merchants and... their foals."
He let the dragon digest the information before continuing.
"I understand this is hard for you, but I need you to be strong and not just me but all the ponies that are destined to be captured and used as simple food for these things we need you to save us and I know you can do it."
Spike took his time looking at the spider not only because of the information she gave him but also because he had never heard those words before, of course, he had heard them many times when he had to do his homework or learn difficult things at school, but he had never heard them with something of real importance, all the ponies just told him to stay out of it, they would always try to distance him because they were afraid he would become a nuisance.
With a final sigh of resignation, he turned to the only part of the hive that doesn't constantly change shape.
"Easy boy I'm right behind you."
That was a lot more reassuring than you'd expect from a big spider chasing him.
Slowly they continued through the tunnel until a curve where he stopped to look, there was a huge magic circle drawn on the ground with four changelings on it which almost looked dead even with the chitin, they looked thin and were losing color, their legs had so many holes that one would think they would break if they tried to walk, he almost felt the need to help them until he felt a tug that made him stop.
"Attentive boy."
Whispered the spider while pointing to the ceiling where you could see countless changelings mostly asleep, once they finished watching they returned to the entrance of the tunnel.
"Alright, I have a plan I'll go first, and if I'm lucky I think I'll get the closest one after that I'll run as fast as I can these guys aren't very smart as soon as they see me most of them will follow me like a swarm and you'll have a clear path do you think you can do it, buddy?"
"S-yes."
"Boy, there will be no time for doubts do you understand? We only have one chance."
He was afraid even if they were these blood-sucking bugs seeing them in that state made him feel very sorry for them.
"Why am I doing this? I shouldn't have come."
His thoughts were interrupted when he felt metal spikes surrounding him.
"Boy I'm scared too I really thought I was going to spend the rest of my life under those rocks, but now I have hope thanks to you and your friend too she needs you."
Spike thought about that and about how he was kidnapped recently and could do nothing but watch as a stranger risked her life to save him despite all the times he told himself he wouldn't get in the way or about Twilight who no matter what he did couldn't get her out of the basement he wanted to prove he wasn't as useless as everyone thought he was, he had to
"All right, let's go."
Seeing the look of conviction in the boy's eyes, he slowly turned away and headed towards the cave, he soon followed him until they were perfectly positioned.
"Very good on three."
They both looked at their targets just waiting for the best moment.
"One."
Spike shook off all distractions to focus as much as he could on his task.
"Two."
He felt his breathing stop, ready to release his flames.
"Wait!"
Spike went face first into the brakes as soon as he started to move for his luck and dignity it looked like no one had seen him.
"And what was that?"
"Look."
He followed the direction I pointed him to see how one of the changelings came down from the roof and went to one of his companions in the circle, when he was close enough mind connected his horn with that of his companion while they began to glow.
"Throw me"
Spike turned to look at his partner, not understanding what was going on.
"THROW ME NOW"
In a second all eyes in the room were on them, but to his luck, Spike reacted to the authoritative tone and didn't hesitate to grab the spider and throw it in the direction of the changeling who had just entered the circle.
The changeling could see how the thrown object approached him, but he could not dodge it, the process to replace another in the magical formation was a delicate process that took all his concentration so he could not do anything when the spider stuck its sharp legs in his neck, it did not kill him, but it was enough to deconcentrate him and cut the connection with the formation.
"DIE"
Spike finally snapped out of his stupor and immediately set off on his way, he could hear the buzzing of the shifters' wings moving, yet he still managed to look to his left to see a spider jump over another of the shifters feeding the formation.
"Only two left."
His partner had done his part now it was his turn, when he saw that a changeling was pouncing on the jump to his left barely dodging it, he had to continue on all fours for a while which to his surprise had made him faster as if his body knew what to do he found it much easier to dodge the flying bugs.
SHING
A small green ray hit him full-on and knocked him down, his leg was burning and he felt tears coming out of his eyes, but he kept crawling as long as he could until the changelings rushed at him and held him down.
Suddenly he realized that he no longer felt fear, only immense anger.
"I won't even be able to reach one?"
Even a spider that was not even half his size managed to do his part and the one that was a dragon and could not do anything, he was fed up, he began to inhale all the air he could.
BIZZZ
Suddenly some of the bugs began to convulse as a large electric current shot through them and Spike was free.
"GO, DON'T STOP"
Spike could see his friend being surrounded by the shifters as they beat him and ripped his legs off and he swallowed his rage and released it with a roar.
GRAAAAAA*
With the most intense flame that he had done in his life not only burned his target but all those who had tried to protect him with his body, for a second he was shocked he had never released so many flames or so powerful the changers were now nothing more than ashes and the formation was covered with black spots, he never thought he was capable of something like that.
Sadly that second was all it took for the shifters to immobilize him again, but he didn't care so much even if it was the end of him at least he would know that he did everything he could and more, he was proud.
"AHHHH"
A horrible shriek came from the last changeling in the formation as he writhed on the floor.
"I can't!"
BANG
The whole cave shook and dust could be seen falling from the ceiling.
BANG
"ALL RUN"
The bug screamed as its horn glowed like a beacon and exploded along with its head, the formation lost its glow.
BAAAANG
"FREEDOM!"
Part of the room exploded as a huge fist bigger than any in the room smashed through it.
"SPIKE RUNS"
The voice of his friend allowed him to realize that the changelings were no longer holding him with force because of the commotion, he immediately let go and used his fire on those who were closer to him, his surprise was pleasant when he saw that his flames had not lost their power.
As fast as he could he ran towards the exit while the changelings that didn't try to run away or attack the huge arm chased him, one of them tried to block his way.
"What the hell was I so afraid of? These are just bugs and I'm a big dragon."
Spike didn't know what was happening to him, but he liked it, he felt incredible, he felt strong, he felt proud and even though it sounded strange he could feel his pride running through his body, with a strong slap he sent the obstacle flying and finally managed to leave.
"JUMP I'LL CATCH YOU"
Although the idea of jumping from a second floor made him reconsider his doubt was short-lived and he jumped, although not alone, he could see a huge metal hand catching him before being surrounded by the moving metal and ending up in a really comfortable seat.
No one knew what to do Optimus kept staring at the zorua as she stared back at him, surprise was evident in both of them.
SHING
Until they were interrupted by a green lightning bolt.
"I don't know how you escaped, but it doesn't mean anything you just advanced your death!"
He said as he threw another rallo and the rest of the changelings throughout the hive mobilized to confront the invader.
Too bad nothing worked
"I'LL FINISH THEM ALL OFF."
The gigantic robot did not take long to take a bath with the blood of the changelings that piled on him, simply could not do anything the bites and blows resulted in self-inflicted wounds while the magical attacks of the queen only managed to heat the cybertronian metal, in fact, it came to feel pity the giant did nothing more than shake his arms and ended in a massacre.
"ZORA"
She managed to turn around to see her partner approach her and check her out, it was hard to recognize him.
CRACK*
The whole room shook which was worrying as they were underground.
"SPIKE GET HER OUT OF HERE"
Huge cracks opened up in the walls while parts of the ceiling started to fall down.
"BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU?"
"GAAAAAAAA"
Chrysalis cried out in pain as the titan's foot smashed into her shield and filled it with cracks.
"I think I'll be fine."
Spike was quick to put her friend on her back as countless questions ran through her mind about what was going on, but there was one lingering question that kept coming back.
"When did he grow up?"