The Price of Peace

Chapter 2: Make Ready for War

October 16-17, 1489

War is the only game in which it doesn't pay to have the home-court advantage.  ~Dick Motta

Pipsqueak heaved in great gulps of air as he jogged alongside his father and the rest of the stallions from Ponyville. The young stallion had thought he had been in relatively good physical condition at the time of the call to arms. The last few hours, however, had clearly proven otherwise, for both himself and the rest of the male inhabitants of his town.

The fact that the detachment of soldiers who had come with Lieutenant Silent Night were barely winded from the continuous running, only helped the recruits feel inferior to them. Which was not a good feeling. Not many of the recruits running thought much about it though, the pain in their hooves from the non- stop jogging was enough for them to think about at the time.

It was clear that many of them had not done a hard days work in a good long while.

The group of new recruits were covered in sweat that made their fur glisten like diamonds in the evening sun, almost mimicking the shine of the lieutenant and his subordinate's different armor. It was like a descension of brilliance in the shine of the reflection from the sun.

First came Lieutenant Night's gold plated armor that blinded any who dare lay an eye upon him, as if for some unknown retribution to the world. The second were the slightly duller silver plated suits of armor that the rest of the soldier's under Night's command wore. It was of the same design as Silent Night's, with full body protection and the same type of helmet. The third, of course, were the simply the coats of the recruits.

The radiance of the armor and sweat began to recede, however, as dusk lay upon them like a thief in the night. Canterlot was quickly approaching and, even from where they were on the road, you could just make out the city resting almost peacefully on the side of it's mountain.

Though the key word was almost. The city turned military citadel was still many, many miles away.

The contingency of stallions all stared at the beautiful sight of the star in the sky falling behind the mountain, before slowing slipping below the horizon. Night crept into existence and the moon rose and the few unicorns in the group lit their horns to help shed light upon the road.

They continued to run as the stars also began revealing themselves in the night sky, completing the eons old ritual that brought insurmountable beauty to the midnight around them. The light from the sky and the light from the unicorn's horns was the only illumination for the group for quite some time before they began seeing a strange line of bobbing lanterns start to weave their way in the forest to the group's left.

The recruits and the detachment of soldiers were coming over the crest of a hill, so it wasn't difficult for them to see the lanterns. The line of lights continued to grow in length and number until the river-like line was easily over a mile long and a half mile wide, prompting Big Macintosh, who was near the front of the group, to ask the question that had been on everypony's minds.

"Lieutenant sir? What do ya reckon those line of lights down yonder in the forest are? Uh, sir."

Pipsqueak wasn't close enough to Silent Night to see his facial expression as he answered but, by the tone of his voice, he could tell the lieutenant did not want to breech the current subject anytime soon.

"It is a result of one of the princess's new proclamations," he replied steely. "That, gentlemen, is a line of refugees made up of non-ponies headed to a camp about two and a quarter miles from here. I believe the camp's correct designation is Prison Camp 36-Bravo-15-Alpha."

There was silence as the lieutenant's word sunk into the group, partially because some were afraid to ask how he knew the exact designation of the prison. The feelings of the recruits, due to Silent Night's explanation, produced a symphony of mixed feelings among the stallions.

Some felt pity and remorse for those who were being discriminated just because they weren't ponies. Others felt a sense of justice and security at the thought of non-ponies not being given the chance to backstab Equestria when the time came.

So what if a few others were locked away? they thought. Didn't that just help make Equestria safer for them all? Others still didn't have anything to think about the non-ponies. Many were too caught up in the fear of war to think about anything other than self-preservation.

Even if the closest skirmishes was almost four hundred and twenty miles away, at the very borders of the countries.

Lieutenant Night, after he felt the silence had gone on long enough, shouted to the group, "Alright boys, time to learn another cadence! You know the drill, so repeat after me!"

"Up in the morning right be ‘fore dawn

Up in the morning right be ‘fore dawn

Roll out of bed and put my steel boots on

Roll out of bed and put my steel boots on

Eat my breakfast too damn soon

Eat my breakfast too damn soon

Hungry as a hound dog by noon

Hungry as a hound dog by noon

Went to the mess hall on my knees

Went to the mess hall on my knees

"Mess Sergeant, Mess Sergeant feed me please!"

"Mess Sergeant, Mess Sergeant feed me please!"

Mess Sergeant said witha big ol'grin

Mess Sergeant said witha big ol'grin

"If you wanna be quick you gotta be thin"

"If you wanna be quick you gotta be thin"

Up in the morning at the break of day

Up in the morning at the break of day

Working so hard we never play

Working so hard we never play

Running through the jungle where the sun don't shine

Running through the jungle where the sun don't shine

All I do is double time

All I do is double time

They continued to sing this and learn other chants and military cadences as the lieutenant and his recruits jogged through the night. Only twice did the stallions stop to rest, eat, and drink before getting right back up and continuing the run towards the city.

Eventually, at around four hours after midnight, the current road the tired and ragged ponies were on began to merge with other paths and small highways as they got closer and closer to Canterlot. With the coming of the merging of the roads, there also came the emergence of other units such as the one from Ponyville.

At first it was stark silence between the different groups but the feeling of awkwardness passed after only a minute as stallions in between units began calling out to each other. It started with just their name and town but before long, connections were starting to be made.

"Thunderlane; Ponyville!"

"Flat Top; Florence! I got a sister in Ponyville! You know a Carrot Top?!"

"Do I know a Carrot Top? She's my wife! So you're the brother I never got to meet?!"

"Yeah, I am!........Wait, Carrot Top's married?!"

Conversations like this and on other subjects began spreading throughout the masses as more and more units merged with the road to Canterlot. Thankfully, the recruiters and their charges could all fit on the row, due to the fact that the way to Canterlot had been widened into a large highway.

As Pip looked all around him, he saw that the number of recruits in each of the units varied greatly. The largest group that he saw probably had, at least, five thousand recruits in it. The smallest having around fifteen to twenty-five stallions, detachment of soldiers and all.

More and more groups came onto the highway and packed in behind, in front and beside the recruits from Ponyville. Silent Night and the other recruiters saw that each of their units were beginning to crowd each other. They did their best to try and fix the problem by making the different assemblies have at least six feet between them and their comrades.

This caused all the different bands of stallions to form a crude line that stretched almost two miles back.

When the factions had all sorted out again, Pip looked around and began to think. Surely there were many, many more stallions within Equestria. What he saw could not be all there was. Where were the stallions from the cities? Manehatten, St. Ponysburge, Hoofington, Stalliongrad; this couldn't be all they were sending.

Looking towards his left, he saw one of the soldiers for his outfit at the edge of the pack, just barely inside the light of the unicorn lights. Being in the middle of the pack, Pip had to jog forward and sideways in between the other stallions to get within speaking range.

Falling into step beside the armored pegasis, Pip cleared his throat and asked, "Uh, sir?"

The soldier glanced at Pipsqueak before replying, "Yes recruit?"

"I was wondering, where are all of the other stallions? You know, the ones from the big cities? 'Cause I know that Equestria has more stallions then this." Even if the mares do try to make it known otherwise he thought with grim amusement.

The guard didn't miss a beat as he once again replied, "You are right, there are more stallions in Equestria then which are present. You see, the recruiters who first were sent out across the country, did in fact go to the big cities first. There, they collected tens of thousands of stallions for the military. After they returned with their load of recruits, two days were given to process, at minimum, at least half of those stallions before the rest of the recruiters were sent out to the smaller towns and hamlets.

"That was about a day and a half ago. The other half of those recruits from the cities should almost be done with processing and shipping off to each of the three armies that are being formed."

Pipsqueak was silent as he digested the information that he had just been given. At least there aren't so few of us that we're being led to the slaughter. Still, how many ponies have been in any kind of fight like this? Pip was still trying hard to wrap his head around all of this.

Not even his grandfather's grandfather had had to fight in any war of this scale or caliber and yet now, he would... He shook his head. If he kept himself worried like this with all of these thoughts, he'd be an cranky old one before he was twenty. Heck, he wasn't even nineteen yet!

Pip was shaken from his thoughts as he heard the guard next to him got real close to his ear as they jogged and, speaking loudly, tried to get his attention.

"Hey, kid, you alright? You spaced out there for a second."

Pip blinked a couple of times before replying, "Yeah, sorry, just have a lot on my mind right now."

The soldier nodded his head sympathetically. "I know what you mean, we all do. If it's any help, the best way to get your mind off of everything for just a few moments is to dance."

Pipsqueak looked at him and raised and eyebrow.  "Dance?" he asked, somewhat awestruck at the ridiculousness of the suggestion.

The soldier smiled underneath his helmet, the mask of being a soldier coming off for just a minute.

"Yeah, dance. It does wonders, trust me. Why, back when-"

"Private Lightning Strike! You are assigned as an escort to these recruits! That does not mean you have the liberty to speak with them freely!"

Lieutenant Night still seemed to be in a bad mood from hours ago. Pipsqueak would have never guessed a stallion could brood for so long.

"Yes sir!" Lightning called immediately, slipping back into his soldiering routine. "Maybe we can talk later. If not, it was good meeting you." he whispered to Pip.

Pipsqueak nodded and began jogging away from the private. At this point, the different assemblies had come within about a half a mile from the city gates. Unfortunately, this also meant that the line of units had come to almost a complete stand still on the highway.

After seeing that getting through the forcefield and to the city itself would take well over two or three hours, the stallions from Ponyville and most everywhere else collapsed to the ground and were asleep in a matter of seconds. The recruiters didn't really have a problem with this, just as long as they would get their sorry butts up every half hour or so when the line moved a few feet.

When Pipsqueak, his father and the rest of the Ponyville stallions fell to the ground, everything became a blur of motion and time for them all. First they were asleep, than awake, than asleep again, eating around what seemed to be a fire, mumbling something about home.

The list went on and on. At one point, Pip could have sworn that one of the princesses had flown from the city fortress itself just to plant a kiss right on his lips.

When both his fatigue and the ramblings of his mind finally ceased and he was completely rested, he opened his eyes to a surprising sight. A flood of fear, apprehension, adrenalin and a little excitement filled Pip as he saw that the group was halfway through the forcefield.

He himself was about three feet from crossing the threshold, which he saw opened for about a minute at a time. His father, who he saw had already crossed through, called out to him through the protective bubble. Pip could only make out muffles but he rose a hoof in reply anyway.

Waiting for the opportune moment, Pip slipped through the opening in the forcefield and hastily trotted up to where the rest of the stallions were lined up. On the inside of the field, about fifteen feet from the opening, were three tables almost ten feet apart. At each of the tables sat three uniformed stallions with very long sheets of parchment.

Before Pip could say a word to his father, he heard Lieutenant Night call start to give instructions to them all.

"Recruits, listen up! The guards will come by and number you off! You will go to the line that corresponds with the number you are given! When you've been processed, follow the directions of the processor! This will be the last time I see almost all of you! So farewell and Godspeed!"

With his informational concluded, Silent Night and his soldiers promptly began numbering the stallions from Ponyville, the numbers being one through three. Pip clenched his jaw as one of them came over to him and his father and gave them their numbers.

Pointing to Pip first, he said, "One." Then his father with, "Two". The last stallion in line, Mr. Cake, was, of course, given three.

The soldiers continued to number until all was given then they promptly formed off to the side and marched away, Lieutenant Night leading them.

Pipsqueak stood rooted in place for a moment, stunned. His father and him would be separated. He turned towards Brawny Hooves, not knowing what to say. Pip's father simply shook his head before, in turn, looking at his son.

He seemed to think for a moment before he spoke both solemnly and with raw emotion showing. "Son," he said, "I want you to remember to write to your mother while you're away. Be safe. Don't take any unnecessary risks, unless it saves a pony's life. I love you son, your mother does to."

Brawn had always tried to be tough, to match his muscular appearance but this one time, when he was parting with his son, he couldn't pretend. As he finished his impromptu speech, Brawn had to look away for fear of Pip seeing the unshed tears in his eyes.

Pip was somewhat speechless. He would have never thought his father would be as emotional as he was being now. Before he could say anything in reply, his father had already parted ways with Pip and was headed to his line. The young stallion almost called out to him but thought better of it.

Trotting over to the processing line, he got at the back and was somewhat surprised to find that the present line he was in was moving exponentially faster than the one he had previously been in. Within ten minutes time, he was at the front, staring into the tired but stoned face officer that managed the table.

Being a unicorn, he immediately shoved a quill into Pip's face and drolled, "Sign your first, and if you have one, your last name in the designated box. Also, put your town or city from which you are from."

Pipsqueak hurriedly complied, taking the quill in his mouth and jotting down what was requested from him. Just as he put the last letter for 'Ponyville, the quill was ripped from his mouth as the processor spoke once again.

"That will do kid. Welcome to The Army of the Everfree. Head to the train station double quick, you and your army will be the first to leave once everypony's been sorted out. Be on your way."

Pip began to leave but was stopped as the officer hastily said, "Buck! I almost forgot."

Motioning to Pipsqueak to come closer, the officer took a stamp and, after dunking it in ink, pressed it the side of the young stallion's neck. Pip was surprised at the action but couldn't ask the meaning of it as the processor pointed and said, "The stations that way. Now go! We're all on a time crunch."

Nodding his head, Pip trotted away and in the direction of the train station. He looked around as he jogged and saw other stallions making their way to the station as well, as it looked like some had been sleeping on the ground, waiting for this moment.

City ponies he thought.

He also saw marks in their neck and assumed that must have been what he had been given as well. The mark was of a white crescent moon, surrounded by a small amount of darkness. This puzzled Pipsqueak. Why make the mark like it was? If he was in The Army of the Everfree, why was it's identifying symbol of a moon?

Deciding that he needed to know, Pip looked to his right and asked the stallion beside him, "Excuse me sir but do you know why the marks on our necks are of the moon? 'Cause I was under the impression that we're in The Army of the Everfree."

The stallion looked at him and replied after a moment, "I was thinking the same thing a few minutes ago. The only thing I can think of that would make any sense is that we're being commanded by Princess Luna. Why else would they put her Cutie Mark to identify us?"

Pip didn't answer the rhetorical question as he thought about the his fellow recruit's explanation. It did seem logical that if they would use the Princess' Cutie Mark as identification if she was leading them. Still though, Pip found it a little odd.

He continued to mull this over in his mind as he and the other stallions entered the station and boarded the train. It was interesting sight to behold. To help add more riding space to the train, box cars from seemingly every depot in Equestria had been added.

Luckily for Pip, he was the third last on the final passenger car before it was blocked off and every other pony was made to fit in the box cars.

Pipsqueak squeezed into a seat near the very back of the his train car, trying not to attract any attention. He didn't bother starting any conversation with the stallions around him, most were already passed out. If he had heard right, The Army of the Everfree would be stationed in Hoofington so it would take at least a day to get to their destination.

Seeing as they all would be in the same seat for quite some time, the young adult laid his head against the back of the seat and closed his eyes as the train whistled and began pulling out from the station.

Hoofington huh? That's really far from here.... and really cold.......

While Pipsqueak and the rest of the stallions of Equestria were shipped to their different armies to train for the rising conflict, a certain purple and green dragon was just landing on the outskirts of New Colteans, inside a certain camp that would be home to him and many others for the foreseeable future.

Spike, waking from the jolt that came from landing, yawned as he sat up straight. After trying to stretch a little, he rubbed as much sleep from his eyes as he could with his shoulders. His arms had long since fallen asleep from where they were cuffed behind his back.

Spike shook the cold limbs, trying in vain to restore some of the circulation that had been lost. Failing to do so, he looked around the cab as the carriage rolled to a stop. Yep, they were still staring at him. Just like they had for the past five hours or so.

He wondered if the unicorn soldiers who had been sitting in the cab with him were actually staring at him or if they had fallen asleep with their eyes open and their armor was holding them in place. He suppressed a laugh; the mere thought of it had actually lightened his mood a little, considering the circumstances.

Then he really started to think about it again and the one happy thought that had emerged disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.

Sighing, he looked out the window to the left at the lights that made up the prison camp. For such as dark and depressing place at midnight, it was very well lit. Spotlights and what looked like street lamps lit every square foot of the camp, with guards posted throughout it as well. Each guard carried a standard musket and short sword.

The camp was square shaped, so guard towers were set up at each of the corners, with a tower in between the corners also. The towers were equipped with both spotlights and a new invention that had just been introduced that had been named the 'repeater carbine.'

The carbine was a new type of gun that allowed the shooter on the tower to fire off multiple shots before having to reload, using a lever on the side to reload for you. The way this was done was by putting a musket ball in a tube like container, then connecting the tube with a brass igniter that had been filled with just enough gunpowder to fire the steel ball only.

A thin divider was put in between the igniter and the tube when the new bullet was made into one piece. These new bullets would be loaded into a long, vertical piece of brass, which was called a 'magazine'. The guns were normally mounted as they needed to be reinforced in case the weapon backfired, which made it too heavy for infantry to carry.

The guns were still prototypes however and even with the reinforcement of magic and steel, the gun had a nasty tendency to jam, backfire, and explode due to the problem of overheating too quickly.

Spike shook his head. He had learned about the repeaters long before they had been put into testing phase. His girlfriend WAS Twilight Sparkle after all and she had been called in as the local expert on magic for the project to begin with. She eventually quit, not wanting to be involved with the invention of another death machine.

The drake was pulled from his studying as one of the guards called from the open door to the carriage. "Let's go dragon! We haven't got all night!"

Spike looked back around to his right and saw that his escorts had already vacated the carriage and were waiting by the door, glaring at him through the slits in their helmets. Fixing his face into an expression that would have made the sun freeze, Spike said not a word as he exited the cab of the carriage.

Taking up positions in front and behind him, the unicorn in the rear position called back to the two pegasis drivers, "Take a little rest while you can, we won't be long! "

Not waiting for a reply, Spike's guards escorted him across the middle of the compound, where they had landed, over to the building with a sign over it that read 'Commandante' on it. A small set of steps led up to the door the raised, one level building, where a guard was posted.

Looking around groggily, the guard shook his head and stepped forward when he saw the trio. Brandished his musket, he recited in a bored toned, "Halt! Who goes there?"

"New prisoner for you tonight Joe. Just picked him up a few hours ago back in Ponyville." replied the guard in front.

"Ah, I see. Well, you guys know the drill. I'll take him from here and make sure the boss sees him and all that jazz."

"Alright, he's all yours... Hey Joe? Didn't this place still need like half the camp built the last time we were here?" The second escort inquired after he had 'handed' Spike over to the guard.

Spike watched as Joe seemed to shudder a little before replying, "The major made us work all day and night, non-stop, to make sure this place was completed and ready by the time the first batch of prisoners came in."

The two escorts, who were at the bottom of the steps now, made pained expressions before saying empathetically, "Bet that was a field of daisies. Anyway Joe, we'll see you around I guess. The lieutenant will be all over us if we're not back to base before he is."

Saluting the guard, the two escorts made their way back to the carriage, which took off quicker than expected. Spike and the guard, Joe, looked on as it flew away into the night.

Turning around and grabbing Spikes arm, Joe said, "Come on dragon, the major will probably still be in his office, he usually is at this hour. He'll want you processed and set in one of the barracks before dawn sets in. I've only been under him for a week or so but, I have to say, this guy is vying for general or something. He's starting' to strike me as a nut, I mean...."

Spike tuned to the guard's sleep induced ramblings as he was escorted through the door to the building, into what looked like a secretary's office/sleeping quarters. The room was small, about twenty-four by twenty-four, with two desks, one close to each of the side walls. Filing cabinets were set all round the room.

The desk on the left seemed to be just in case it was needed, nothing but a neat little typewriter sitting on top of a clean surface. The other desk, however, was covered in papers, a used and worn typewriter set up. A fold up cot was set up behind the desk, a mare sound asleep in it.

The dragon was somewhat surprised at the arrangement but had no time to think about it as he was led through the room as quietly as could be before stopping at the door opposite the first but on the other side of the room. Joe lightly knocked on the entry way.

Grabbing and turning the doorknob, the guard quickly opened the door, led Spike inside, and shut it just as quickly and quietly. The room they were in now was an office, specifically for the commanding officer of the camp. The room was decently sized, not overly much but not too small either.

The office was completely bland, except for an extensive desk, two chairs in front of it, and a small filing cabinet with what looked like an equally small liquor set sitting on top of it. On the desk lay only paperwork, a locked cigar box, and a nameplate set front and centered that read: Stomping One.

The major himself sat behind the desk, an icey expression of his own to meet Spike's. He was an earth pony that looked about somewhere in his thirties and could give Big Mac a run for his money in both size and muscle. The stallion was a silver color, with a black mane and tail. His eyes were the color of blood, which seemed to be the dominated thought on his mind.

He must have done something to alter his appearance. No pony's natural look could be this Spike thought as he studied the officer.

Joe walked in front of the desk, snapped a salute and said, "Sir, we have a new prisoner. Two stallions from Lieutenant Night's outfit came by a few minutes ago to drop off this here dragon into our care. I-"

The major held up a hoof to cut Joe off and said, "Thank you private, that will be all for now. Wait outside till I call for you to escort him to his new barracks."

The private seemed to want to say something for a moment before saying, "Yes sir." He saluted the major before turning hoof and walking out of the room, being careful as to not wake the sleeping mare in the other room.

When the door was shut, the major wasted no time in waiting to speak. "Listen, dragon, I'm going to make this short, simple and to the point. You are here because you're not a pony. End of discussion. This means that while you are in here, you are no longer a citizen of this great land that you have corrupted with your filth. It means you have no rights, no liberties, no freedom. You are a prisoner of the highest order and you will be treated as such.

"With that being said, there are rules you will be follow to the letter. First Rule: No speaking to the guards. I do not want you corrupting their minds with your forked speech. Second Rule: Role call will be held every two hours and there will be barack inspections three times a day. I will not give you the time to do or think of trying any escape. Third Rule: Lights out in the barracks by nine 'o'clock sharp. Fourth Rule: I can and will censor your mail or I may just choose not to let you have it all. The Final Rule: If you do anything that displeases me in anyway, you will be thrown into the cooler for thirty days, if not more.

"Now then, do I make myself clear?"

Spike stared into Stomping One's cold eyes with a mixture of anger, loathing and hate. If he knew any better, he'd rip this racist pony's throat out faster then Rainbow Dash could fly. The drake immediately locked those violent, gore filled thoughts into the back of his mind.

He was with the ponies, not against them.

Spike breathed in through his nose then out through his mouth, letting his hate filled thoughts flow out from him, leaving him in a state of complacency. The change of mood did not go unnoticed by the over strict and racist pony. In fact, it only served to anger Stomping One.

"Well dragon? Do I make myself clear? Or am I speaking to intricately for you to understand? Can you even speak, rock for brains? What about it, bastard born?! Speak up!"

Spike knew that the major was trying to provoke him into attacking, that he couldn't wait to try and get the drake executed for insubordination. He wouldn't bite the bait however, no matter how tempting it was to act. He would hold back for Twilight, Celestia, himself but most importantly, for Adonai.

With this in mind, Spike simply said, "I understand perfectly sir. I will do as you have instructed."

Anger flashed through Stomping One's eyes at the dragon's simple response. Before he could say anything else however, he was interrupted as Private Joe once again entered the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Sir." he said, saluting.

"What do you want private?! Didn't I tell you to only come back in when I called you?!" the major practically shouted.

Private Joe kept a straight and composed face as he replied, "Yes sir, you did but I came to remind the major that role call is in ten minutes. It would be an opportune time to introduce the prisoner into one of the barracks."

Stomping One, still breathing heavily, took a few minutes to think on the private's suggestion. Eventually, his breathing calmed and, composing himself, replied, "Yes, I think that would be acceptable."

Turning to look at Spike again, he said, "You will be assigned to a barracks with griffons and zebras only, I can't have you with other dragons. Otherwise, you'd be plotting within a day of meeting each other. Luckily, we only have four dragons, including yourself, so it won't be a problem on choosing a barracks."

The major stood up from his chair and made his way to and through the door, Joe and Spike following behind him.

"Thanks for the save" Spike mumbled, being sure that Stomping One couldn't hear him.

Private Joe nodded in return and mumbled in return, "Private Donut Joe. If you ever need anything just call me."

Spike also nodded, the name striking a note of vague remembrance in his head from the name being spoken. He was led back through the front of the building and out into the compound, where an assortment of griffons, and zebras were standing in formation. They looked to number around six hundred or so.

Barely visible and scattered throughout the group, were three dragons. Spike couldn't make out their scale color or gender from afar though and was forced to guess on the information. Looking beyond his fellow prisoners, the new arrival glanced at the lay out of the barracks, scolding himself for not taking notice sooner.

The huts were lined up in five rows of three, being spaced about fifteen feet apart for the front, back and sides. Prison guards patrolled all around them constantly, checking inside occasionally for any unusual activity. Each barracks looked to be about twenty meters long and almost eight meters wide.

The accounting of the prisoners was nearing completion when Spike was brought over to stand by the major in front of the assembly, Private Joe standing off to the side.

"All present and accounted for sir!" a unicorn came up and said, saluting to Stomping One.

The major saluted in return and, addressing the formation, shouted, "Prisoners, we have a new arrival tonight! I do not know this dragon's name nor do I care what the buck it is! He will be staying with us for quite some time and I want you all to make his stay as unpleasant and unbearable as possible. That is all; dismissed!"

With that, the formation broke up and began to walk back to their huts. Stomping One turned to the guard that had called role and instructed, "Put the new arrival in barracks number three."

The unicorn nodded and, moving behind him, prodded Spike with the tip of his horn. Taking this as a sign to move, Spike began walking towards the last barracks on the front row, a sign indicating that it was barracks number three. Coming to the door, the unicorn used his magic to remove the bindings from his prisoner's wrists before opening the door itself.

Zebras and griffons were all climbing into their bunks when the door to their hut swing open to reveal a dragon and unicorn standing in the open. Spike was shoved into the building before the door was slammed shut behind him, leaving him in the middle of the room with stares boring into his skull.

The dragon simply looked around and said, "Spike."

He then spotted an empty bunk beneath that of a zebra that looked to be around twenty six. Laying upon the bunk, the zebra looked from her bunk above at the drake for a moment before disappearing again from his sight. Spike shrugged and closed his eyes, not really caring at the present time.

He would have plenty of time to get to know his fellow inmates when he woke up in two hours for roll call.