> Fighting unknown > by destroyer-of-pineapples > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was getting dark when the truck was coming back to the base. Two dragons were exhaused after all day of cleaning old graveyard. "Ivar. Stop the car here for a while" said the passenger "I have to pee." "You can wait. We are close." "No I can't. It's urgent." The truck stopped. "Make it fast" said Ivar "Or I will leave you there!" "Okay "mummy"." The dragon dissappeared in the bushes. His friend got out and lighted up a cigarette. He hated this place and was thinking only about coming home. Only about his own bed and little daughter. He hasn't seen her for weeks. "Hurry up" shouted Ivar "Night is coming" The bushes moved. "Finally. What took you so long? Petyr?" Suddenly the shadow fell at him. He had no time to react when the powerful attack broke his jaw."What the hell" he thought before the creature smashed his brain with iron pipe. ----- Gen. Mathyr was walking through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Every time he was there he was felling lost and weak. Comparing to Drakhia's Parlament, royal castle wasn't that big but sculptures and gold ornaments was weighing him down. When he entered the meeting room he paled. "Hello Mathyr" said Celestia with no smile on her face. "My Queen. What are you doing here? I was expecting one of your..." "I think you know the reason." princess put some photos on the table. "What is it?" asked Mathyr. "This picture shows one of your man, or what's left. And this shows what has killed him. Are you still sure you've got things under control?" Mathyr looked at the photos. One of them shows ripped corpse of dragon. The second shows horrible creature. It was pony in equestrian army uniform but there was something wrong. The eyes were more like animal's eyes, cruel and thoughtless. "Is that all?" said Mathyr after minute of silence "I don't believe it's the reason of our meeting. Since the explosion I have lost 2500 men and suddenly you're so nervous after seeing one rotten corpse.Why you came down from your throne.Why 2 years after the disaster you decided to move your royal ass?" "More respect you wrethched dragon!"shouted Celestia. "No.I'm not going to tolerate your encrouching on our sovergnty. Do you really think I don't know about that you had lost two choppers in the zone?" Celestia frozed in terror."How do you know about it?" "Nothing in the zone is unnoticed." "What do you know about them?"asked princess. "We were monitoring them for 30 minutes, then we lost the signal." said Manthyr. "It was you and your man! You shot them down!" "Why would I want to do that?" replied dragon. Celestia seemed to be bewildered."What are you going to do now?" she finally asked. "Your soldiers, your problems." said dragon " I'm just protecting my country and I'm not going to help you with it." "But you know the area and we've got informations about power plant. If we would work together..." "My answer is NO."said Mathyr"Dragons from this part of country still don't trust, ponies, becase of Southern War. I can't do nothing for you."after saying it he stood up and went out the room leaving Celestia with her problems. Later, that day Celestia made her decision. It was risky but she had no choice. Sending ten ponies to Drakhia was stupid but one dragon... > "Somebody like you" > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blinding light. And then just pain. Bodies everywhere... ----- Sun was rising when one-legged dragon arrived Canterlot. He was about stallion height and had two-day beard, huge spikes and green eyes. He went to the bench and sat on it. " Sgt. Rhager?" asked high unicorn with dark brown mane and army uniform. "Just call me Spike, like everybody" replied dragon. "I am cpl.Bulletstorm. Now, follow me." "Can you tell me where are we going and what's going on?" asked spike. "Sorry sgt. but you have to wait until we'll arrive royal palace" In front of castle royal guards were practising drill. When dragon went next to them some of guards started whispering. A dragon with too short prothesis was quite unusual sight. "Maybe I will buy a better one" thought Spike "But not now. First build house,beget a son and plant tree.". Spike smiled. He didn't noticed when they arrived military offices. Cpl. opened the door and showed Spike to enter. The room was small cosy. Behind the desk was sitting well built, yellow pegasus with shawed head. "Please sit down sgt." said pegasus "I'm general John MacTarish." "Pleasure to meet you but can you tell why am I here?" replied Spike quite annoyed. "Of course I can but first I would like to talk. You were born in canterlot. Rhager is strange name." "He was dragon king in the age of Discord and first who raised against him. My step-father loved this story" "Are you a happy person?" asked John unexpectedly. "What?! Why... you're asking..." "Are you a happy person?" "Well, yes..." "No you're not. You quit army after loosing your leg. Your wife is in Wonderbolts and she earns all money for living when you're just a teacher and you hate yourself, aren't you?" "Could you just tell me what's going on!" "We've got job for you. What do you know about the zone?"... ----- "No. I don't agree!"said Spike after hearing John's offer. "What's wrong?" "First, your people were following me for a month! Now you want me to find lost soldiers in the center of the Zone." "What's wrong with it? It's good deal." said John. "Maybe you didn't noticed but I lost my leg and... I have family. What if I would die..." "Don't worry about the leg. You will get new prothesis. We know you don't earn much money and after the mission..." "There would be no mission" Spike said angrily. "Your choice. But I have one more question." said John with sth. strange in his eye "Do you know Shining Armor." "Yes, he's my step-brother but why..." "Captain of royal guards, husband of princess Cadence and father of two kids..." "Why are you asking?!" "He was the leader of expedition" said John Spike frozed in terror. "You sent him there?! Are you crazy?!" "Calm down sgt. It was his choice." said John confidently, he got him "Try to see positives. You will earn money and help your brother." He stood up and came to Spike who was shocked "You know dragon's language. You're one of the best sniper in Equestria. We need somebody like you." ----- "What did you get involved in?" asked Rainbow Dash. "It's kind of exchange" Spike tried to hide a lie. "Exchange? Well, I think you are in serious shit!" Rainbow said with anger in her eyes."Why are they sending you to drakhia.Do they need one-legged dragon?" "They want me to train their snipers. I know the lang..." "Of course. You're the only person who know the language." John was right. Spike hated himself but not becase he didn't earn much money. He hated lieing to his wife. "They offered you some money and you want to leave me again" Rainbow seemed really furious. "Dash, listen..." Spike tried to explain himeself but it was too late. His wife left the room and slammed the door. She didn't talk to him for the rest of day. Later in the bed Spike tried one more time. "Dashie, listen. I don't want to leave you but we need money..." Rainbow turned to him. Her eyes were full of tears. "I don't care about the money. I'm afraid for you! Do you remember what was before the war. You promised you will be fine." after hearing that Spike felt as last bastard. "Listen, this time everything would be fine" Spike hugged her. "Spike promise me something. If you are in danger, just run." she kissed him and fell asleep. ----- The same dream. Spike had the same dream every night. He was in drakhia again, during the war. He was running. Fire everywhere. Bodies of his friends. Then he noticed the one he's looking for. Tall, red dragon was still alive but he hadn't much time. "Leave me there...". Every night Spike was trying to save him. Every night he fails... > Welcome to hell > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike woke up just before first sunlight. He looked around. He was in small room only with a bed and table. Then he felt horrible pain. It was hangover, one of the worst he ever had. Spike sat on the bed and tried to remind what happened the day before. ----- Spike got off the plane. He was feeling horrible after farewell with Rainbow Dash. It was first day without his wife and he missed her much more then he thought. He took his things and go to the nearest village. He noticed old female dragon. “Excuse me Mrs, is there any hotel in this town” asked Spike in Drakhish. “Here? In our village we’ve got only few houses along the roadside. You are the first tourist for ages.” “I need a place to stay for a day or two.” “Well, I think you’ve met the right person.” The village consisted of few houses and shop. “So, what are you doing here? Everybody who arrives the airport goes to Hagbard, it is much bigger city” asked woman. “Well I’m not interested in sightseeing” replied Spike. “Only few families left in our village after the disaster. We’re only 20 km, from the Zone.” “I know and that’s the reason I am here” said Spike They arrived small wooden house. The lady opened the door and showed Spike to come in. The ladie’s name was Svetlana and she had daughter named Arya and son named Bodrys. “So, why are you interested in the Zone?” asked Arya but she seemed much more interested in Spike. “Well, I had to leave my home becase...” then he relized that he can’t tell them the whole truth. Most of dragons still blaims Celestia for a disaster “I’m searching for my brother.” “Our father disappeared too. I know how you feel.” said Arya coming closer to Spike. She had long, blond hair, orange scales and beatiful green eyes. If Applejack was dragon she would look exacly like that. “Our father is dead.” said Bodrys. “Quiet! I think our guest isn’t interested in our family problems.” said his mother with irritation. “Anyway, tell us something about yourself.” Arya sat next to Spike. ----- “... and then I lost my leg.” Spike ended his story. There was no reason to tell them anything more. “Well you are the first guest for ages so it’s good reason to celebrate.” Bodrys put a bottle of vodka on the table “Tell me something Spike. Aren’t you too small to be a sniper?” “When you are short it’s easier to hide.” said Spike and everybody laughed. Later in his room he heard Arya’s whisper “... yes, he’s short but his eyes are...” “I think you didn’t notice the ring on his finger. It seems your Romeo is taken.” luaghed Bodrys. “It seems I still look attractive.” Spike smiled “Look out ladies. Spike’s coming to the Zone. I’ve drunk too much.” Soon he fell asleep ----- Bodrys entered the room. “Are you ready?” “Ready for what?” asked Spike fighting with headache. “Don’t you remember? I offered to take you to the Zone!” They were walking through dark forest and soon arrived tall fence made of iron net. Bodrys took huge scissors out of his bag and cutted a hole in it. “Hurry up Spike. They will soon discover the hole in the fence.” Said Bodrys. “Are there many soldiers in this area?” asked Spike. He had bad feeling. “Here? Only two.” said Bodrys with smile. “Freeze!” shouted soldier coming out of bushes. Spike tried to escape but second soldier blocked his way. “You sold me!” Spike looked at Bodrys but he was only smiling. “You’re just searching for your brother. Tell mme how did you get so much money and Equestrian Army documents? Search him, he has got gun in his bag.” Bodrys said to soldiers. The dragons handcuffed him and took to the small building near roadside. “It seems we’ve got Celestia’s spy.” one of the soldiers took out things from Spike’s bag “Good job Bodrys” “What about him?” Bodrys showed at Spike. “He will stay here until he will tell us everything he...” “Screw you!” murmured Spike. “Good. Few days without food and water will teach you. We’ve got lot of time.” “Good luck bastards!” Spike spent alone about 30 minutes. He heard talking soldiers and laughing Bodrys. Suddenly he heard shooting. Bodrys ran into the room with fear at his face. “What’s going on Bodrys?” “They’re attacking us!” “Who?” “I don’t know! We have to run! There is too many of them!” The bullets crushed the window and hit the wall next to Spike. “Bodrys, set me free! Hurry!” “Are you crazy?” Bodrys looked at Spike “I’m not here to fight with you. I’m sniper. Set me free and maybe we will stay ALIVE!” ----- Spike ran out of building. Flying bullets were everywhere.One of the soldiers was lying in the puddle of blood.Spike took his gun and hide behind the wall. Everything slowed down, adrenaline started to work. Spike slowly came out and took a shot. First enemy felt on the ground, then the second one. Spike was shooting for few minutes before he relized that the enemy is surrounding them. “We have to run!” Spike shouted to the soldier but he panicked. “Don’t shoot! Please! Don’t...” the shot threw him to the ground. “I have to take the Bodrys.” thought Spike but when he entered the room he found Bodrys with the hole in his head. Then he heard voices. He dropped dead and didn’t move. “Are they dead?” asked the voice. “Yes” replied the second one “Two bodies plus another two in the building.” “Okay tell the Preacher we’ve made it.” “Are we leaving?” “Yes. It is just a message. Monolith’s reign is coming.” It was strange. The voices weren’t in Drakhish. It was Equestrian language. And what the hell is Monolith? When Spike was sure the enemies’ve gone he came out. It was getting dark. Spike took his gun, bag and rest of his things. The enemies left bodies of their own men and there were about 15 corpses around. “Valhadal et pherad. Rust in peace brothers.” with this words Spike entered darkness. Suddenly the strange force threw him like a plastic puppet. Spike’s head hit the ground. ----- “Are you okay Dash?” asked Twilight “You aren’t looking good.” “I’ve got some strange feeling. Something like headache.” “You just worry too much about Spike.” “I don’t worry!” murmured Rainbow Dash “I’m here to help you sorting books, not to talk about Spike.” “Okay, okay.” Twilight took one of the books with her magic “You know, I’ve got new Daring Do novel and I’m sure you would like to read it.” “Thank you Twilight but I’m tired and I will go home.” Rainbow dash came out of the library and went to her cloud house. She tried to look confident but she missede Spike. “Where are you Spike when I need you so much?”