//------------------------------// // Chapter 57 -The Demon in Sanctuary Pt: 2 // Story: Ark: Friendship is Survival // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// The eyes of the Demon king stare into those of the stunned Survivors within the tribe’s home, the structure quaking as the dinosaur rests a claw on the stone wall.  Suddenly, the beast leans back and, with its other claw, pierces it into the stone barricade before tearing it clean off. Various debris of stone and wood falls to the earth, and the Pterosaur, who rests on the rooftop, flaps its wings frantically.  The Giga then tosses the broken wall in its grasp toward Vanellope, HLN-A, Applejack, Rarity, Spirit, and Granny Pithecus -- the group dodging the incoming projectile as the earth rumbles from the action and collision. “Ya dang asshole!” Granny’s voice roars out from a distance. Fluttershy shoots the dinosaur a disapproving look while floating above her allies. The Demon King laughs lightly and turns his gaze into the structure. “There we are - a lovely skylight to go with your petty shelter.” Twilight growls with flared wings while Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike braced themselves.  “Why are you here?!” The alicorn shouts. “Why are you attacking us when we’ve done nothing to provoke you?!” The dinosaur suddenly exhales through its nostrils, causing them to rear back while trying to hold their breaths. “Dude,” Rainbow Dash starts, using her left wing to fan the general area. “Get a Tic Tac.” “Stiiiinky!” Pinkie Pie exclaims while waving a forehoof to clear away the stench. A set of footsteps rapidly moves on the wooden makeup of the home’s second floor, and Spike places himself between the giant beast and his allies, arms and wings spread out. “Hold it, buddy!” The draconian roars out with narrowed features. “If you want them, you’ll have to go through me!” The beast forms a smirk. “If you insist.” One couldn’t help but commend the surprising speed for a dinosaur of the Giganotosaurus’ size. In one swift and fluent movement, the right claw of the dinosaur crashes through a wall within Spike’s peripheral vision to his left. And as the drake turns his gaze towards it, the force behind it both carries and sends him through the wall to his right. Spike roars out as he’s sent aloft and reeling towards the direction of his other tribe members outside. He then skis on the earth before colliding into a tall yet thin tree, causing it to shatter, and its remains rain down upon him.  “Spiiiiike!” Twilight roars out, her friends shielding themselves from falling debris again. And as the Giga turns away and stomps in Spike’s direction, Twilight makes her way towards the breach in their home, giving her a fine view of the events outside. “No!” She bellows in anger. “Leave him alone!” “Twilight!” Rainbow shouts, draping a wing onto the alicorn. More accurately, her now mended and repaired wing. “We need a plan to deal with that bucking jerk.” “How?!” Twilight inquires helplessly, turning to Rainbow. “What can we even do?!” Rainbow Dash tries to conjure a retort but falters with a downward gaze. “I… I don’t know…” “Ooh!” Pinkie Pie glees, taking in Rainbow’s right wing. “Rainbow, your wing is good as new!” Rainbow’s eyes widen, and now that the rush of the situation has worn off slightly, she observes her former broken wing’s current condition. “W-wow, you’re right!” Her eyes sparkled. “This is awesome! Th-this is…!” The pegasus’s words die in her throat as her gaze rests on Vanellope in the distance. “Th-this is, uh, great,” Rainbow managed hesitantly. “Heh. Y-yeah…” Pinkie tilts her head in confusion while Twilight still looks onward, worry plastered onto her features.   “What’s wrong, Dashie?” The pink mare asks. “Your wing’s fixed. Aren’t you happy?” “Well, yeah - ‘course I am,” Rainbow answers. “But… that means I can’t… ride her.” “Ride who?” Pinkie inquires before following Rainbow’s gaze. She gasps in realization, looking back to Rainbow, towards Vanellope, and back to the rainbow pegasus again. “Awwww-!” “Shhhhhh!” Rainbow interrupts, placing her right wing onto Pinkie’s muzzle. “Zip it! And don’t you dare try to tell her!” “Mmuff phwy phwot, phashie?” “Don’t. Tell. Anyone.” Rainbow asserts, moving her wing’s feathers away from Pinkie’s muzzle. “Especially her.” “O-ok…” Pinkie sits on her haunches and performs the ‘sacred oath.’ “Cross my heart and hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rainbow nods. The rainbow mare turns to one of the nearby beds and bites onto the white fabric. She also placed a forelimb onto it and held it down before tearing off a long strip. The pegasus then wraps the soft white strip around her right wing, a near-perfect imitation of its former condition. “Sorry, Pinkie,” She starts, finishing the final touches to her wrappings. “I’m just not any good with the sappy stuff, ok? I really need you to keep quiet about this - for now.” “Okay…” Pinkie answered unsurely. “But why, Dashie? I mean, you can still ride her even without a broken wing.”   Rainbow Dash sighs. “I know that. I… I like riding her, alright? It makes me feel… even more awesome.” She lets loose another sigh. “I just can’t admit it to her.” Outside, the Giga takes powerful strides towards the pile of wood and leaves that conceals Spike’s form. “Oh, no!” HLN-A shouts, floating alongside Applejack and Vanellope as the group helplessly watches the beast approach the dragon. “We’ve got to help!” “We need a plan first, darling!” Rarity screams - mounted on Spirit. “Ah’m with Stimberry over there,” Granny comments. “We ain’t gonna do noth’n at this rate. We’d just respawn and come back, only to die again. “Then what in tarnation are we go’na do?!” Applejack questions. “We must have faith in him,” Spirit said, causing everyone else to turn to him. “Megan has informed me of you all, as you know. I’m fully aware of your exploits on Equus, but right here, right now… it’s time for Spike, the Brave and Glorious, to live up to his name.” “Well…” HLN-A starts. “He is a dragon, despite being on the small side.” Spirit nods. “I say this with the utmost respect, but you ponies are not nearly as useful as he is without the proper equipment.” Those words honestly caused a slight sting to the ponies present. But as they thought about it, the more Spirit’s words actually had meaning.  On Equus, Spike had always been eclipsed by the Element Bearers’ exploits. He had made several achievements of his own, like the all-time aid in defeating King Sombra. Still, despite his exploits, the small dragon had always been pushed aside - metaphorically and physically - when it came to the Element Bearers. But here, on the Arks, the ponies realized that this was a realm where the dragon eclipsed them.  “You know what?” Granny Pithecus starts. “If that little fella is anyth’n like the one in the Red Obelisk… Unicorn boy is right.” This causes HLN-A to turn to the ape with interest. “Wait, you know about that?”   “Looong story, robot. Very long story…” -One day, Demon King,- Fluttershy states internally, floating above the group with flapping wings. -Whether it is you or another Giga, I will tame one of you.-  ………. “What an interesting creature,” The Giga starts. “I’ve never seen one of your kind be-” The pile of greenery and wood covering Spike is thrown airward as his flying form zips into the sky. The dragon floats in place with flapping wings; anger plastered on his features. All while the Giga stands in place, and the dragon’s tribe mates and allies watch on in awe. “I won’t let you hurt them!” The Giga scoffs and roars at Spike, and its monstrous body stampedes towards him with frightening force, shaking the land.  “Raaaawrrr!” Spike roars out, thrusting his arms forth as he flies towards the dinosaur without hesitation, regardless of the apparent size disadvantage.  The two combatants close the distance in mere moments, and the Demon King lunges forth with an opened maw. But Spike, with gritted teeth, barrel rolls to the right as the giant beast’s head soars past him. Spike readies his left claw and floats closer to the dinosaur’s side. He roars out again while swiping at the monstrosity, holding his claw in place as it scrapes and cuts away at the beast’s scales but draws blood in less defended areas. The two turn around at a distance, Spike performing an aerial U-turn while the Giga halts itself, skiing in the earth, and adjusts its stance to turn back to its opponent. But while Spike is in the process of turning, the Demon King shifts its head back to the side of its body. “Well then,” The beast comments in interest, observing the elongated claw mark that travels on its side - chuckling. “Amazing.” Spike flaps his wings and, again, thrusts himself forward. But, during his approach, the Giga raises its forefront and shouts: “Amazing!” The beast prepares its rendering claws. “Not bad, little one!” -Oh, I’ve got something for you, pal!- Spike threatens internally, a plan in mind. “Yes!” The Giga exclaims, its eyes dilating in pure anticipation. “Come! Face me!” Spike continues his approach, and the Giga remains in place as its claws prepare to retaliate. As the dragon gets closer and within range, the dinosaur swipes with both arms and claws like a Therizinosaurus.  But Spike anticipates this action and dodges downward, landing beneath his larger opponent as their stomach is now exposed to him. The dragon takes a deep breath, his chest pumping outward, and aims his head upward before he lets loose the most significant weapon at his disposal: fire. The green flames bathe the dinosaur’s underside, and the Demon King roared in pain before, shockingly, falling onto its side. The beast then rolls on the ground and douses the flames, but apparent scorch marks and burnt flesh are on full display.  The damage done wasn’t enough to put the Giga’s life at risk, but it was damage, nonetheless. And despite the pain, this made the Demon King momentarily pause while on its stomach. -Amazing,- He says inertly. -This one far outshines the others. He’s fantastic!- As for Spike, several of his allies worried that performing the action would cause him to fall unconscious, just like what happened with the Spino. And yet, he was floating in the air and ready to fight again. Spike rubs his nostrils with a smirk. “How was that, huh?” He places his claws on his sides. “Not bad for a ‘little one,’ right?” ………. A series of footsteps sounds off behind Granny Pithecus, causing her to turn back to an approaching Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash. “Welcome back to the world of the liv’n, ya little turds.” The ape greets.  “Man, Spike is simply awesome,” Rainbow starts. “First he beats an Argentavis, then he tanks blows from Vanellope, and now he made that thing fall over? Ok, I gotta be honest: being a pony sucks in this place.” “Nice way to put it, darling…” Rarity comments with a deadpan expression. “I do have to wonder, though,” Pinkie Pie comments. “Why isn’t Spike falling asleep after spitting fire?” “It’s because of me,” Twilight answers, garnering her allies’ attention. “Wha’ do ya mean, Twi?” Applejack questions. The alicorn takes a breath and sighs sadly. “When that Giga broke into Sanctuary, I was upstairs with Spike before coming outside to join you all. But even before that… I made a decision. One that I fear Spike might hate me for.” “What did you do, darling?” Rarity inquires.   “I… I broke his trust. I… I force-fed him pieces of meat from my inventory while he slept.” Several eyes widened in response, but before anyone could say a word, the Giga began to lift itself up in the distance. ………. “Hmmph. I suppose ‘little one’ does you a disservice,” The Giga comments as it slowly lifts itself up, Spike floating several feet away. “I am impressed. Small, you may be, but you are also a mighty survivor.” “Well, thanks. I guess.” Spike narrows his eyes. “But I won’t just stand by and let you hurt my family and friends.” “It is my purpose. Or one of them, at least.” The Giga responds, now standing at its full stature, looking down at Spike. “I was born to, let’s say, incentivize survivors to progress  further, should I find them lacking.” “Who gave you that right?” “You don’t need to know.” Spike gives the dinosaur a deadpan expression. “Fine. But, regardless, that’s not fair at all. I mean, if that’s genuinely what you’re meant to do, then shouldn’t you give survivors enough time to progress? We’re practically still fresh from Equus!” “‘From Equus,’ you say? I am unfamiliar with this, ‘Equus.’ Aside from the equines that inhabit this island, of course.” “Not important to you. Look, pal. The point is: you have no grounds to come here and-” “You’re wrong on that front,” The Giga interjects. “I’ve seen entire tribes evolve from mere sticks and stones into metal and weapons that crack thunder and fires cold, hardened rock - in mere days. But before we continue, I’d like to know your name and what your kind are called.” This question momentarily stuns Spike, but he manages to recover his composure.  “Alright, then. My name is Spike,” He says while pointing a claw to himself. “Spike, the Brave and Glorious, to be exact. And I’m a dragon from Equus, born and raised in Equestria by Twilight Sparkle.” “Spike, the Brave and Glorious,” The Giga repeats. “I will remember that name for the rest of my life. I promise you this.” “Okay, I’m a little confused…” Spike states after recovering from momentary shock. “Are you trying to kill me or…?” The Giga laughs lightly. “Killing you, to be sure. Do not mistake my words for an invitation to be friends; you’re simply fulfilling my life’s purpose. As such, I find you worthy,” The dinosaur turns its gaze to the nearby tribe, “Unlike those pathetic sacks of flesh.” “Hey!” Spike shouts with a pointed claw. “Watch it, or I’ll-” “You’ll do what? Hmmm? Burn me again?” The beast interjects. “Don’t flatter yourself, for in case you haven’t noticed: I haven’t even used my full ferocity.” “W-what…?” Spike inquires in disbelief. “N-you mean, you aren’t using your full strength?” The Demon King chuckles. “Not even close.” The beast proceeds to lower itself on all fours, crawling around Spike’s current position. “Looking at you, I find myself in disbelief as to why you’re even with those equines.” “I already told you; they’re my family and friends!” “You cannot live among them, fool.” “I’ve been living among them, ‘fool.’ But I don’t expect a monster like you to understand how precious family and friends are! Herbivore, carnivore, it doesn’t matter!” “You are a predator living amongst prey, a Direwolf in Ovis clothing.” The Giga chuckles. “But you will prove me right, one day. One day… you will devour them all and pick your teeth with their charred bones, dragon.” Those words send ripples of pure anger throughout Spike’s body, and the Giga stops crawling around him, taking notice of the dragon’s anger. And the duo prepares for combat once again. But then, at that very moment, a large shadow looms over them. So large, in fact, that it also nearly blocked out the artificial sun from shining down upon all of Sanctuary. All in attendance turn skyward, and several individuals are dumbfounded while others immediately sport recognition.  “Woah…” Rainbow Dash comments in awe.  “Beautiful…” Fluttershy compliments. “No way,” HLN-A comments. “That’s a Quetzalcoatlus!” “It’s the Sky Empress,” Granny Pithecus comments in wonder, taking off her hat and holding it to her chest. “I… it’s an absolute honor.” The large flyer gracefully dives downward with folded wings and opens them again before flying within the bowel of Sanctuary. Its large, orange form circles the entire area a few more times before landing on a nearby cliff outcrop. The Demon King stands nearby as it adjusts its titanic frame to look at the flyer. Everyone, barring the Giga, simply observed in quiet wonder. “You,” The Giga starts, annoyed. “Why are you here?” “You’ve already made your point, King of Blood; Embodiment of Rage,” The Quetzal starts, Twilight comparing the flyer’s voice to being just as motherly and tender as that of Celestia’s.  “Leave them be. Your presence is no longer needed here.” The Giga roars out in anger. “Do NOT order me around, so-called ‘Empress.’” But then, a sinister thought came to the beast. “Actually, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” It taps the ground with its left claw, “Why don’t you land down here? I’m sure we can discuss this peacefully.”  The Quetzal simply shook its head. “True to your name, as always. But I’m not foolish as to engage in close combat with you.” The Quetzal rises onto her legs and spreads her enormous wings. “But you will stop your actions immediately. You’ve done your role greatly, but now you’re just terrorizing these survivors.” “And who’s going to stop me, you?” “No. I don’t stand a chance against you,” The Quetzal answers, but a smirk forms on the edges of their long beak. “But she can.”  The Quetzal suddenly flaps her wings, creating air currents that even manage to flutter the hair, manes, and feathers of the ponies, ape, UNI-CRN, and Raptor present. The action sends the flyer skyward, and after reaching a certain point, she raises her head high while spreading her wings apart. Nothing happens afterward, a paused silence ensuing for a mere moment. But while the tribe and their allies wondered what would transpire next, the Giga immediately became cautious. Specifically, when the Quetzal said: ‘She.’ Then, a powerful rumbling ensues - far beyond the scopes the tribe has ever felt or seen while on this island. It was as if the island’s volcano had erupted, yet it was created not by the land itself but by a living being. The Giga’s eyes widen. “No…” It said in disbelief. Then, it sighs before looking back to the nearby survivors and Spike.  “It seems Mother Earth has spoken for you. Very well.” The dinosaur takes several massive steps towards the exit it had created, much to the shock of those nearby. But the beast stops before the forestation, looking back at them.  “But remember this: I am always watching… survivors.” The Giga’s words send a cold chill down their spines. “Should your progress falter, even Mother Earth will be obliged as to let me devour you all. So what are you all waiting for?” The beast starts its strides again and disappears into the dense jungle, its footsteps slowly fading away as it departs. “GET TO ‘EVOLVING,’ SURVIVORS!!!”  -Maimuță- “And that, your majesty, is the absolute truth about how we managed to survive the Demon King,” Twilight finishes her tale, seated across from the ape. “‘Managed,’ being the operative word. You can even ask Skitters to confirm my story… he was there with us, after all.”