The Dragon Gamer

Spike, the girls, Celestia, and Luna frowned at Grogar from their side of the computer chat, while the man himself sat with a smug expression.

“You let our families go, Grogar!” Twilight demanded.

“And so I shall, Ms. Twilight. So long as you and the rest of your friends become my new workers in Eden.” he explained.

“Workers?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes. Be my new eyes and ears in the game. Gather for me as much rare items you can find, and defeat any gamer who tries to take my castle in Eden.”

Spike frowned, “First of all, it's not your castle. Second of all, you're insane if you think we're gonna become your new Ravagers.

Grogar frowned at the boy's defiance, “Perhaps I need to remind you, Ddraig. I hold all the cards here,” he motioned to the captives, “So you're in no position to be defying me.”

Celestia spoke, “Is this how far you've stooped to be dominant in Eden, Grogar?”

“Threatening the families of players?” Luna called him out.

“I love strong players. Especially if they work for me. I give them what they want, and those that refuse, well... I have to be extra persuasive.” he smirked.

“You yellow-bellied....” Applejack began only for Sunset to lay her hands on her shoulders calming her.

Spike looked around seeing his friends worried as he was with their families being held hostage and Grogar blackmailing them like this. He tried to think until an idea came to his head.

“Hold it,” he spoke up grabbing everyone's attention, “Blackmailing us into joining you, Grogar, isn't very sportsmanlike. So what do you say we make a deal?”

“A deal?” Grogar asked curiously.

“Spike, what're you doing?” Twilight asked nervously, only for Spike to hush her.

“If you want us to join your Ravager brigade, then you're gonna have to fight us for it.”

“Fight you?” Grogar asked.

“Yes, us against you in Eden. Or at least make it a fair fight. Gather who you want and face us a match. If you win, we'll be your new Ravagers.”

“We will?!” Pinkie and Rarity gasped.

“And should we win,” Spike continued, “You'll release our families, and furthermore... You'll release Micro Software from where you're keeping him contained.”

Grogar pondered on these terms as everyone looked concerned. Finally Grogar answered them, “Very well. I accept your terms.”

“You do?” Sunset asked in confusion.

“Where's the fun if you all just automatically joined me?” Grogar asked, “So it's decided tomorrow we shall have a match in Eden. I'll link the coordinates to where we'll have it. And don't worry I'll make sure your families stay comfortable. Until then.” the chat ended.

Twilight turned to Spike, “Spike, you have any idea what you got us into?”

“I gave us a fighting chance,” Spike reminded her, “At least this way we have a shot to rescue our families.”

“But will Grogar keep his word?” Fluttershy asked.

“That's a risk we'll have to take.” Spike replied.

Rarity sighed, “It still sounds like too big a risk.”

“Well, ain't much we can do about it now.” Applejack noted.

Twilight sighed, “Applejack's right. The terms are set. All we can do now is be prepared for whatever Grogar has planned for us.”

Celestia nodded, “You all must take this time to go through all your stats and stock up on items you'll need for the inevitable fight.”

“Yes, Principal Celestia.” The group said, before retreating to their rooms to go through all their game stats.

When the two sisters were alone, Luna turned to Celestia, “Sister, do you truly think Grogar is going to keep up his end of the deal?”

“I have my doubts he will,” Celestia feared, “Which means now is the time to act, Luna.”

“Right. I have to do some hacking.” Luna confirmed.

“And I got some calls to make.” Celestia agreed. The two nodded, as they went to take care of their own things.

For the rest of the day Spike and the girls were going over their stats making sure they had all the items and power ups they needed to go up against Grogar and whomever he teams up with to fight them. Despite their work and worry for their families safety they remembered to take breaks to satisfy their hunger and such.

When nighttime rolled in, Spike sat on his bed still thinking about all that happened today, “Grogar capturing and threatening my family and the others, trying to force us to become Ravagers. I guess somehow he really did manage to uncover who we really are in person. But it doesn't matter now. Tomorrow we have to fight for the safety of our families. For Ember, Smolder, Uncle Torch. Everyone.”

A knock at the door brought Spike out of his thoughts, “Come in.”

The door opened and the girls entered wearing their sleepwear, “Hi, Spike. How're you doing?” Twilight began.

“Oh, swell,” Spike answered with a hint of sarcasm, before sighing, “Sorry, I'm just on edge, girls.”

“We all are, darling.” Rarity admitted, as they all sat at his side.

“But it's as you said, you gave us a chance to win their freedom.” Twilight reminded him.

“And this could be the closest we're gonna get to stopping Grogar.” Rainbow added.

“So whatever happens we all have to be ready for tomorrow.” Sunset said.

“I know,” Spike agreed, before bringing them closer, “No matter what happens tomorrow remember I love you all.”

“We love you too, Spike.” Fluttershy smiled with tears.

“Always.” Pinkie agreed, as Spike kissed each of them and had a group hug.

The very next day, Spike and the girls were in the room getting ready to link up with their VR equipment, “Ok, we've downloaded the coordinates to where Grogar wanted us to meet up.” Twilight explained to her friends.”

“Right.” they replied.

“All of you be very careful,” Celestia said, as she and Luna stood before them, “Even though Grogar said he agreed to your terms, there's no telling what he might have up his sleeves.”

“We understand.” Spike replied, as the girls nodded in confirmation.

“Then you must hurry. The safety of your families depend on it.” Luna instructed.

Spike and the girls put on their VR goggles and turned them entering the world of Eden. They bypassed the Game Central Station and found themselves standing in wasteland area.

“So this is the place?” Spike asked.

Twilight nodded in confirmation, “Yes. The Valley of Dust.”

“Why bring us all the way out here?” Applejack wondered, as she looked around seeing it was deserted.

“Because he didn't want a captive audience to witness.” Sunset deduced.

Spike nodded, “Yeah. If others saw us fighting him and we lose we'd be forced to become Ravagers and every gamer here would know that. This way if he wins and we become Ravagers they'd think we'd gone rogue and that in turn would destroy our good reputations here.”

“That's vile!” Pinkie crossed her arms.

“That devious tyrant.” Rarity huffed.

“Keep calm, everyone,” Twilight warned them, “Remember why we're doing this.”

“Twilight's right. It's for our families.” Fluttershy agreed.

Everyone, nodded, as they saw Grogar in his own avatar form appear, “Nice of you all to make it. Soon this valley will be the last place you stand as free players.” he snickered, as the group prepared themselves knowing the fight for everything was moments away.