//-------------------------------------------------------// Dead fraction Spike -by LordTalon- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// The hunt begins //-------------------------------------------------------// The hunt begins Spike’s eyes slowly opened, only to close them when a bright light entered them. He muttered a swear to Celestia and her bright sun under his breath. Slowly, Spike went to grab his blanket to cover his face. “Hrm?” He muttered as he felt nothing over him, in fact, he couldn't feel any thing under him. No blanket, no bed. Spike felt grass and dirt and the outdoor cool air that made him shiver, His usual immunity to climate has yet to wake up with him. Slowly, Spike opened his eyes. “Twi?” Letting out his first coherent word out, Spike studied his surroundings. There were trees and mountains everywhere. He looked back to see the shore of a beach and an endless amount of water ahead. ```` “TWI?” He said louder and more urgently fearing a number of possibilities that ranged from the unicorn blowing up the house in some magic accident to said unicorn causing the apocalypses (Anything could happen when you live with Twilight) ` Spike stood up on his hind legs to get a better view of the landscape. “TWILIGHT!” He yelled in desperation to find his best friend and roommate. The drake stood a tall seven feet with a tone muscular body that hid within his scales. “TWILIGHT!!!” He tried again but to no avail as his calls were met with silence and the blowing wind. “Where am I?” Spike said to himself. The dragon uncurled his wings that spread an impressive six feet that covered a large portion of his back. Launching into the air and taking flight, Spike flew up several hundred meters giving him the ability to see miles ahead. He was not thrilled of what he saw. Nothing. That what it was, absolutely nothing. Trees, mountains No Ponyville, no Canterlot, not even the Everfree forest! What did the dragon do next? He flew, Spike flew in the distance of the mountains and hoping to find anything recognizable. “TWILIGHT! GIRLS!! ANYPONY!!!!” click! Spike’s enhanced dragon ears flicked in fear as it heard the sound of a gun being loaded. “What th-“ Pain soon followed. Spike blacked out but only for a second as he awoken to the sensation of his neck bending at a irregular angle once he hit the ground face first, then Spike blacked out. -***- Spike’s eyes slowly opened but instead of being greeted with Celestia’s sun he was given Luna’s moon. And pain, there was pain too…in fact. “AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” The draconic screams could be heard from miles…that was not a good thing…there were some hostile beings that followed noise, living or dead. The dragon’s wings burned in pain with the very contact of air. Spike could feel the open flesh and holes that cut through his precious appendages. The dragon layed on the floor in self pity. He stayed like that for a few minutes until the pain of his wings left him. Slowly but surely he got up. “Why me? Why am I always the one who gets hurt?” He gave a experimental flap of his wings but that proved to be a horrendous idea as the pain increased by seven point two. “Whyyy?” He whispered as hot tears slid down his face. After some self grief, Spike remembered that he was in dangerous territory. That had guns. Guns that shot off his wings. “Need to find shelter.” The dragon limped away from his current location, unsure if he was heading away or to the bullets origin point. A few minutes passed when the drake’s draconic sense of smell picked up something most foul. “By the god’s what is that?” He gagged in disgust. He looked ahead and saw some strange lump of read sludge on the ground. He got closer and began to make out the strange object. Flesh. He knew that smell anywhere, the horrid, disgusting, bloody, savory…He smacked him self in the face. “Get a hold on yourself man!” But his nose caught the smell again, that mouth watery smell…SMACK! The dragon began to step back and shake his head rapidly. “No! I got over that stage years ago. I’m not a beast. I’m not a monster!” Having his mind kicked out of it's recent dilemma, Spike came back to look at it. It was fresh, at least an hour ago. “What did this to you?” He couldn't even tell what it was. Some rags that may have once been clothes were scattered all over the figure. Something that resembled a claw clenched something of great value. A sniper rifle. “Whoa…” Spike slowly picked up the weapon and inspected it. The fire arm was in pristine condition as far as he could tell and had many valuable attachments. A 10X scope with one minor crack and a clip that held 8 bullets in it with the addition of a silencer on the end. The chamber at the end was warm, it was shot recently… He looked back at the figure and noticed that it didn't have anything that resembled an upper torso, just the lower waist and a missing arm. “Where is the rest of you?” He looked around trying to find the other half of the body. Spike began to think about the current events. ‘How did I get here? Where is everyone? AND WHY WAS THAT GUY DEAD!?’ He quickly looked back to see the body and snapped his neck in the direction of the night sky, the cold, dark night…The teenage dragon suddenly had an realization. “I’m bucked!” Who killed that guy in such a violent manner and not to long ago either. His wings were barely beginning to heal (which would take at least two months to fully recover) He was holding a gun by the way and who knows what else! The whole process of today had felt like a dream but now it came to hit him in the head with a lead brick. Spike started to shiver out of fear, his teeth began to chatter, his eyes shifted back and fourth and he clenched his gun ever tighter. It became silent… “WWWAAAHHHHH!!!” Spike ran away in the most girly way possible. His arms failed wildly and tears of confusion and fear fell down his face. What a sissy… “MOOOOM!!!” The fearless dragon went like that for several minutes until his draconic stamina left him. “Huff! Puff…cough!” He thought about how stupid he must have looked doing that. “Ahem…” He coughed into his fist. “Glad I got that out of my system.” He sat down on the cool ground and looked up to the sky. “The sun will be out in a few hours at least. “Hrm…” Spike looked at the gun he was holding that he some how didn't drop during his episode. He had gun training awhile back in Canterlot when his mom suggested that he had proper training with weapons to protect himself and the ones he loved. “Good old Celestia.” He muttered, thankful that the sun princess coxed him into to that. “I’d prefer my Katan but this will do.” He didn't know why but he knew danger was all around him, watching, waiting… “hellp” ‘What the buck!’ The dragon turned around with his gun in hand ready to fire away at the intruder. “Hold it!” He shouted. He saw movement on the ground but he could only make out a silhouette. “Go away or I'll shoot!” A new level of stamina flowed through him and…blood lust? He heard grunting and pained moans. The light of the moon hit it and the sight made Spike throw up in his mouth. There, lieing in a pool of blood was some humioid figure. The bottom torso was missing and there were tattered shreds all over its body. The voice was male as far as Spike could tell. His face was hairy with a full mullet and rotting yellow teeth. He was slowly dragging his body closer to the drake. “Please God help meee…” He moaned in agony. “Gods…” Spike muttered, his eyes bulging out of his sockets. ‘Help him you fool’ His inner conscious told him. Spike dashed to the man and knelled down beside him. “…What did this to you?” Was all he could muster out. The man’s face contorted to pain, fear then confusion. “What are you?” He said as blood began to flow out of mouth. “Dragon.” The man looked around in a hazed state as if he was seeing spirits. “walkers.” He answered his question quietly, his own blood began to suffocate him. Spike didn't know what a ‘Walker’ was but he knew it was something horrifying. His mind began to race with spells that could save him but none could heal wounds like these. “I-I sh-ot.” The man said as the blood began to choke him. He settled his eyes on the gun that layed next to him. “M-my gun…” “You shot?” Spike asked in confusion not understanding what he meant. He looked at the rifle “That’s yours?” The man wouldn't answer back as he just began to spasm in quick motions. “So…Cold…” He gurgled. Spike placed his claw over his heart, and plunged it in quickly. “I’m sorry. There is nothing else I could do…” Silence. The mans head latched forward in inhumanly speeds. “Uaaagg..” It moaned. “What the hell!” The man lunged his head at Spike’s right arm and bit down hard! Spike made a very loud roar in pain as he felt his own scales being pushed down on his under skin. The thing tried to bite down harder but the diamond like scales broke the teeth of the creature. “GET THE HELL OF OF ME!” Rage filled Spike as he kicked it off of him. The body flew back but it instantly began to drag itself back at high speed. Spike tried to get up but he couldn't prop himself up with his damaged arm. ‘I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!’ His mind screamed. “bbbwwwwaains” It muttered as it threw itself back at Spike. The dragon held his left arm out to grab it's head. CRACK! He flinched as he herd the sound of the thing’s skull being broken open. In desperation he clawed down harder until blood and red mush began to fall on his lap.Spike kept crushing until he was sure he clawed trough the brain. The body went limp as Spike pushed it off him. “What…was…that!” He questioned as he began to breath again. ‘MOVE FOOL!’ Spike instantly sidestepped out of the way as another one of those things passed by him in a failed attempt to grab him from behind. “Those magic conscious lessons really paid off.” He began to remember the training he had from Celestia that made a part of his conscious sentient, but he had no time to think about that right now. Breathing in deeply, Spike conjured a large sum of super heated plasma from his gullet and exhausted it on the creature. Lava like liquid drenched the creature and trees in flames. It melted instantly. ‘Walkers to your right!’ Spike turned again to see three corpses rushing at him. “Have some of this!” Spike slashed out his left claw and decapitated two of them in one motion. A range of tactical movements began to flow through him. Spike jumped and kicked the Walker in the chest. It flew a long distance away straight into a large rock, it didn't get back up. ‘Behind you!’ Spike turned around to see dozens of Walkers rushing at him. He backed away slowly in fear. ‘Fight or flight, it's your call.’ His subconscious said in monotone. Before he could make a decision the sounds of guns loading filled his ears. “WALKERS! SHOOT EM!” Bullets filled the horde of corpses and they immediately fell limp on the floor. Out of instinct he grabbed for the gun and began looking for something to shoot. ‘Run!’ His mind shouted. ‘Why?’ He questioned. ‘They will kill you if you stay. We are not among this world, they will see you as a monster.Now RUN!’ He ran, but not fast enough. “Look at that big one!” He heard a guy shout and almost instantly he was shot, no Spike was shot maybe hundreds of times. Each bullet impacted his already sensitive wings. IT HURT. It felt like every one of his scales were torn off in a very slow fashion. Spike knew pain that day, and it sucked. Yet, Spike kept running. He didn't know why but he kept running. The pain pulsated through his spine but something in him wouldn't let him stop. ‘We must hide.’  Where? He asked his own mind. ‘Look ahead!’ It shouted. ‘Houses.’ There were houses far ahead and they looked broken down and empty. “Perfect.” 30 Minutes later “What caused that fire?” A guy in the distance asked. “Quiet.” Spike was searching the house for supplies and medical equipment when he heard the group of hunters that shot him. He quickly fell to the floorboards and crawled under the bed. “Hell if I know.” One answered back. “Do you guys really think that was Colhiver?” Another asked “The guy’s head was clawed open and his goddamn legs were ripped off!” The first guy yelled back. “I know that was him…his mullet.” That caused the group to share in a small laugh. “He always did love that piece of crap that was his face.” A female said in slight sadness. The voices began to grow quieter as they walked pass the old house. “What was that big purple thing?” “Could have been anthi-“ The words were cut short as gun fire hailed them. It lasted for several seconds and stopped abruptly. Spike didn't realized that he was holding his breath until he began suffocating. Exhaling and breathing again, Spike crawled from under the bed and crawled to the broken window. “YEEEHAA!” Some guy screamed. The dragon looked over the counter of the window and saw a group of twelve humanoid beings that looked the same as the one who he killed, they matched the description of the things Lyra kept talking about. The group surrounded another group that were either dead or dieing on the floor. One large guy with a very dark face and wearing a Stetson that Applejack would praise went down to the bleeding white man. “I’d told ya’ I’d find yall!” The guy on the floor was about to say something but he was unceremoniously shot right in the head by the black guy. “Heh.” ‘We need to do something!’ Spike said to himself. ‘Why are you asking for my opinion? We are one and the same.’ Spike grunted. ‘Just tell me what do you think!’ He could feel his inner conscious sigh. “Wait! Please DON-“Boom! Another body fell limp on the floor. ‘Let them die.’ “Why would I do something like that?” He whispered. ‘It is out of our control! Don’t be a hero man…it will get you killed.’ Spike knew it was right, but he couldn't help but feel horrible after each gunshot was fired. After several seconds, the entire group was dead. “Round up there spoils and get on home!” The same guy yelled to his group. Spike saw as they took the belongings of the bodies and weapons that layed on the floor. ‘Hope to Celestia they leave something for us.’ Several minutes passed by as the group left. The drake wasn't sure if it was safe to come out yet. ‘Go.’ He didn't know why he trusted that voice but it was him after all. He jumped out the window and quickly dashed to the fallen hunters on all fours. He blocked out the thoughts of death as he searched there bodies for equipment. “Come on…” He muttered. The other hunters did a good job of taking almost everything. Almost everything. He found two cans of peaches (Which he ate instantly) a first aid kit and a handgun. Spike looked over his side and saw a large green backpack on the floor. “This could come in handy.” Inside the First Aid Kit was some gauze and pain pills (Which he swallowed almost all at once) “Alright…let’s do this…” Spike levitated the roll of gauze bandages with his growing magical abilitys and lifted his wings slowly. It hurt but Spike did hid best to ignore it. Very delicately, he rolled the clothe over the ever sensitive wings. It was only a minute but it felt like hours for the young drake, but he did succeed in covering his appendages quite nicely. “That could take years to fully heal…” He said downcast. ‘We must push on.’ “Right.” He inserted his two firearms in the backpack, he slowly rested the pack on his back. His spines softened and curved so the wear would rest easy, his wings covered the rest of it as he let them rest. “Where do we go?” ‘Where ever the wind takes us’  With that, he moved north. //-------------------------------------------------------// Primal side //-------------------------------------------------------// Primal side Spike kept walking north but after a few minutes, he became very board. “Groan! Are we there yet?” ‘NO! Stop being so lazy. We must press on!’ His mind shouted. “Who are you again?” Spike asked as he went to sit down on a tree stump. “I get that you are my conscious but you are not me.” ‘Remember when your mother made you take that lesson?’ “I think so…” The drake dug into the recesses of his brain and began to remember. -Some time ago- Canterlot study hall “Spike!” The medium sized dragon quickly awoke snapped his head up from the table and looked directly at Celestia. “I wasn't sleeping!” He said hurriedly as he rubbed the drool off his face. The sun goddess only chuckled and handed Spike a book. “Huh? What’s this?” “Spike, this next lesson I am about to teach is very important.” Her usual kind aura was lost to her serious gaze. All the boredom in Spike was gone and replaced with inattentive mindset. “Read these words and concentrate hard.” She tilted her horn unto Spike’s head, her magic glowing wildly. “I will help you as much as I can.” Spike read the words carefully, they were in old Draconian and were hard to read. “Shoraa vussee spykor talonious…er…” Spike began to stumble in his words. “Concentrate.” Was all she said. “W-warven froskordean!” Spike’s head began to pulse and throb as he read the next lines. “SENTIENCONIX…FUS KALMALDAIAN…RO DEMRIX DAH!!!” He didn't expect to shout but he did at a growl so low that several windows shattered to the ground. He grabbed onto his head and fell to the floor in a pain stricken position. “AAAUUUURRRGGG!!!” Celestia looked worried but she kept her magic hold over his mind. She smiled as Spike stopped yelling and her aura left his head. “Good…very good.” The drake slowly risen he looked very confused. “What did you do to me?” He asked worriedly. “Did the spell work?” The Sun Goddess lifted the book with her magic and gave it to a royal guard who came running by. “Your highness!” He shouted. “I heard the screams and I-“ The book was shoved into his arms. “Please take this back to the royal archives Sharpshot…and get someone to clean up all the broken glass.” Sharpshot saluted and marched off. She turned back to Spike. “To answer your question my son, yes. The spell worked much better than I ever planned…you are becoming strong in your ways Spikey.” She said with pride in her eyes. “But what did that spell do? I couldn't even understand what I read.” “That was a sentience spell. And you used it on a part of your mind.” Spike discerned what that meant looked very confused. “You made me take a spell that made a part of my alive?” He said but not sure if he was correct. Celestia only nodded. “What dose that even mean?” “It means that you will have a companion in your most troubling of times.” She looked to see Spike’s face still in confusion. “Spike.do you know how dragons live forever without looking the least bit lonely when they go into solitude?” “That’s a question that I've been asking myself for years.” “Most dragons gain mental companions some point in their life times Spike…without them your kin would go mad with depression and insanity for the constant years of solitude.” Spike remembered that dragon he once faced in the caves. “Is that why some of them become greedy and violent all their lives?” Celestia nodded. “Yes, if dragons do not surcome to pre-mature greed like you almost did.” Spike hung his head in shame at the memories of that day. “They will then later try to cope with loneliness by stealing or pillaging…or even killing…” They both shuttered at the thought. “I know you are stronger then most dragon, but it is essential for you to learn this. I cannot see the future but there may be a time when you wish to leave us to find your birth parents…” Spike could tell she was upset at the thought. “Mother, I would never leave you or the girls.” He said certainly. “My home is here and it is where I will stay my whole life.” Celestia was about to say something but he cut her off. “Yes I know there will come a time when the girls are…gone…but I will still be there to look after their legacy.” He let out a smile. “Besides, I would still have you, Luna, Discord and Twilight.” The Sun Goddess smiled as well. “Even with your age, you show more maturity then I see in any of my subjects…” The drake began to change the subject. “Now…how dose this ‘Mind Thing’ work?” “I’m not to sure exactly.” Before Spike could say anything she kept on. “I am not a dragon but I do indeed know a few back centuries ago. One told me that your companion would come at a time when you are either alone or in mortal danger, others have told me it will come at any random occurrence, so I do not know how you will gain yours dear Spike.” Spike thought about it and concluded it will be a cool experience to have some thing to talk to at some point. “Thank you mom. Now...” A grin took his face. “Do you want to go help me prank the nobles?” He was met with her no nonsense gaze. “Spike. I told you it is not becoming for the soon to be Prince of Equestria to troll the nobles who help run this nation.” Spike just looked into her eyes very deeply. “…Quit trolling me and let’s go!” He rushed out to the halls. Celestia let her facade break and began chasing after him. “Spike wait! Let me go get my water balloon pile!” She laughed. -Now Spike smiled at the memories, he missed talking to her already and its only been one day. Their would come times when Spike would move out from Ponyville and live in the palace for some time but it would be mainly just to let off steam when he ever became to fed up with Twilight’s OCD. Sometimes he would go there to let out his emotions from his mother when ever Rarity had a new boyfriend, but he soon learned to accept it and move on with life. However, Rarity has been acting very clumsy when every Spike is around the boutique as of lately…”No…” He muttered. “It's nothing.” ‘On the contrair, she wants you!’ Spike stumbled backwards on his stump and landed on his back, his wings going numb for sometime now didn't feel anything. He was surprised with the voice’s change of personalty and the fact of the statement it just brought up. “S-shut up!” He yelled as he got back up. The conscious conscious started laughing. ‘You and I both know it! It's only a matter of time before she jumps your scales in.” Spike’s face turned red with embarrassment. “How the hell do we get home then!” He shouted. If you saw him in the corner of a parking lot you would have thouught he was an insane hobo. The statement caused the mind to quiet down and silence. ‘…How should I know?’ it answered scornfully. Spike was about to face palm when the sudden sensation of danger hit him. ‘Behind us!’ The sound of gurgled moans filled the dragon’s ears. “Oh shi-“ Something grabbed on to his top spines and started to pull. “WALKERS!” His head was pulled down at an uneasy manner when he saw the decaying corpses of a woman trying to rip his head out. “RAH!” He harshly pushed his head forward and rushed the body into a tree. Its body was sliced open from the impact from the strong scale. “Is it dead?” ‘…yes…move.’ He pulled his head out of the tree and started to run back on the road he was on. ‘Blood on your head!’ “What?’ ‘Infected blood is on your head!’ It stated urgently. ‘If those ‘Trotting Dead’ comics you read are correct, then if any of that blood gets on your cuts then we are infected as well.’ Spike quickly grabbed for a left over piece of gauze in his pack. “Thanks for the tip man.” He said thankfully. ‘…’ “…hm?” Spike found it weird that he suddenly became quiet but he quickly disregarded it as he wiped off the infected substance of his spines. He ran his claw along his top scales. “What the-!” A small portion of his top spine was chipped off, big enough to be noticeable but small enough to avoid the sensitive layer further in. “My glorious emerald scales, RUINED!” ‘Maybe if you stop yelling so much maybe infected would stop being able to find us!’ Its tone became quick and tempted. ‘whydontihaveaname?’ It was almost unreadable. Spike quirked his eyes in confusion. “Why don’t you have a what?” ‘…a…name?’ Now it was starting to act like a filly who was caught doing something naughty. “You want a name?” He asked in confirmation. “Yeah…?” “Just name yourself if it's that important.” The mind hummed in thought. ‘I want you to name me…’ It asked shyly. Spike didn't feel to comfortable with this. “Er-okay. How about Peewee 2?” ‘Buck no!’ “Um…Encineo?” ‘Do I sound Italian to you?’ “Mudkips, Sky, DiePewPie?” ‘What?’ “I'm not good at names alright…Buck Norris!” ‘WOULD IT HELP TO KNOW THAT I’M A FREAKING CHICK!!??’ It shouted very loudly, which was weird because it was just a thought. That little bout of info was both unexpected and frighting to the drake. “You’re a WHAT!?” ‘What? You didn't expect your life companion to be a female? Are you a sexist!’ Spike could tell she was just messing with him on the last line. “Jeez, calm down alright?” He said calmly as he started going down the trail again. “I just didn't expect to hear that seeing the fact that I'm a guy…” He actual did noticed the voice had some feminine tone but he just ignored it. Spike went back to thinking about names. “Quills?” ‘…no.’ “Jazmin?” He tried again. “Hela no.” Spike was becoming fed up with this. “Barb?” He tried again. ‘…I like it…but it just dosent feel right for me.’ “WELL HOW ABOUT SPINES!?” He quickly covered his mouth. “…ahem, sorry abou-“ ‘I love it!’ Spike stared at the sky flabbergasted “You love Spines?” He could feel her nod in his head. “Well, alright then Spines.” They kept walking. *** “What the hell is that thing?” A small man said with dark skin and brown hair. A small group of scavengers and hunters had the entire place surrounded. They were on a mission to find a run away group of survivor and execute them all. They succeeded of course, but when they began hiking home their leader caught sight of a purple object leaving the area where they killed the runaways. They had a scope locked on his head. “Looks like some freakish lizard thing.” Another group member muttered. “Let’s kill it and get the hell out of here.” He suggested. The group was on top of a hill cover in trees that hid them well. The one holding the weapon just kept aiming at his head. “I’ll call the shots round here boy.” He said angrily. “But I would like that hide of his on mah wall…” He whispered to himself. He grabbed for his prized stetson and placed it firmly on his head. “We’re eating lizard stew tonight.” His mind set he aimed at the back of head and- The lizard dropped to the floor. “What th-“ His figure was already locked with its current objective and fired. The bullet obviously missed. The loud noise resounded all through the woods. “Son of a walker, who is the numskull who forgot to equip my silencer!” Everyone pointed to the only light skinned woman in the group. I’m disappointed in you Sharon…” “B-boss! I’m sorry but we left in a hurry and I-“ She stopped talking as a large machete made contact with her forehead. He looked back down and saw the lizard running up the hill with an angry look on its face. “Oh crap, we pissed it off.” He said sarcastically. “Kill it.” Gunfire was herd. -One minute ago- “-and That’s why I don’t wear clothes…” Spike finished his short story as they continued walking. Spines spoke urgently. ‘Duck!’ “What was that?” “I SAID DUCK!’ Spike did just an instance before a bullet flew by his head. “What the buck was that!?” He shouted as he rolled out of the clearing. ‘Hunters!’ Spines said hatefully. ‘Dammit. We need to get out of here.’ The drake decide it was better to talk to Spines in his thoughts. ‘I’m not sure that’s a smart idea Spike.’ Spines muttered lowly. ‘If we run, they’ll just keep following us until we’re dead.’ Spike grunted in anger. ‘Then what do we do?’ ‘Kill them all…’ Spike didn't know why but he smiled. “RAAAAAHH!!!” Spike dashed to the top of the hill with furry in his eyes as the hunters came into view. He recognized the same black guy who killed those other guys in cold blood. Gunfire was herd. Spike leaped into the air to avoid the projectiles, he flew up six feet and landed on all fours. Blood lust filled his better judgement. He let out a draconic roar and rushed after them. Bullets flew all around and it made it hard to tell if they were horrible shots or Spike was just to dam fast, but either way Spike came out unharmed as he pounced on a middle aged man who was wearing a long sleeve jacket. The man screamed in horror as the dragon ripped out his neck brutally. A large burly man came rushing at the primal beast. “You fucking monster!” He pulled out a very large knife and jabbed it in Spike’s right arm. He didn't feel any of it. Spines growled in fury. ‘Slaughter this fool!’ She yelled. Spike lunged out at him and clawed sharply at his neck but before he could make a deadly insicion, he was knifed in the side. “RRAAAAA!!!” Spike channeled his pain and raged at the man in his griped and popped his head off like a soda can. “NO ONE MESSES WITH ME!” He screamed into the heavens. Gunfire has been impacting him for a while now but thankfully his diamond like scales absorbed the impact. Inhaling deeply, Spike let out a flurry of flames and drenched three men in fire, their cries of agony filled the landscape. “This thing is gonna kill us all!” A girl with a large hat screamed as she began running away. ‘No one runs from us!’ Spines cracked. Spike smiled as he ripped out the rather large knife in his side. ‘Right.’ He threw it with astounding accuracy and hit her directly in the neck. The drake began laughing wildly as he clawed another guys chest in. He caught sight of the stetson wearing guy. “Get over here!” He held out his arm and used magic to pull him into his grasp. Before he could complete his kill, two males came rushing at him with guns. Spike measly spat a small pellet of flame at on of them and round house kicked the other straight in the heart. Both died in an instant. There were only two men left and Spike was about to kill their leader. “YAH!” Spike felt a large sharp object enter his gullet and out the other side of his back. “Oh…shi-“ He fell on his knees as pain began to fill him. “-it” ‘NO!’ He wouldn't fall before them. No…he was going to kill them all! Spike’s eyes glowed yellow and his pupils became purple silts. ‘Channel your rage Spike! Make them pay!’ Spike got back up and punched the guy who knifed him. He flew miles away until you couldn't even see the body over the horizon. SHLK! Spike felt another sharp object enter his chest…through his heart. He looked to see the dark faced man smileing in hatred. “Ya bloody lizard! You fucking kill all of my men so now I'll kill you!” He expected for the beast to cry in pain or at least die right there but he didn't. Instead Spike slowly grabbed for the weapon in his chest and ripped it out. Blood flew everywhere! The drake ripped out the man’s arm quickly with no hesitation. The man feel to his knees and began to scream in terror and pain. “What…the hell…a-are you?” He asked as blood flew down his mouth. ‘Finish him!’ Spike’s body gained a red aura and his eyes became pitch red. “I AM FIRE!” His voice was so low that it echoed miles in every direction. “I…AM…DEATH.” His mouth opened as a beam of plasma blew out of it. The scene only lasted for a second and a second only. There was only a crater and a hat that flew in the breeze. Spike grabbed it and placed it in his backpack, he also ripped out the last knife in his stomach, any lesser being would have died then and there although Spike did know and master the most powerful of healing spells. His body’s yellow glow was replaced with a calm green. Almost instantly his wounds began to heal. ‘Get their stuff and let’s get out of here before the walkers show up.’ Spike nodded in agreement. Spike collected an assortment of weapons that ranges to an UZI to a Desert Eagle, he also had man new melee weapons at his disposal. Know he had a pack full with weapons and what ever food and water he found which was enough to last him for a week. “Later I'm going to resent what I did.” Spike stated as he began moving out. In his claw was a map with a big circle on it. ‘But for now-‘ Spines began. “We press on.” //-------------------------------------------------------// Crawford //-------------------------------------------------------// Crawford Spike slowly placed down a large knife on the ground. He began to study his surroundings. He was at a lake, a large forest surrounded him, it was sunset. He was alone…almost. ‘So where to next stud?’ The living being sighed in annoyance at the choice of words she often chose. ‘Stud, handsome, hunk…sexy. He placed out the map he found off the corps of a hunter and placed it on the soft ground. “Spines…what have we said about using those words?” He said in a teacher like manner. ‘…that it's…’ She paused awkwardly. Spike could feel her pout in his head. In a weird way, Spike got a mental pitcher of what Spines looked like. She had the same figure as him only...girly. Her spines were curved backwards in a blade like manner, she had breast…which was weird since everything Spike read said that dragonesses didn't have mammerly glands of any sort and fed their young only meat or jems, once again the ponies knew nothing on his kin. Just like him she didn’t wear clothes but anything would need a ‘CENSORED’ strip on it was hidden by her scales. The one thing that Spike noticed most was her aura, or her being an aura. She was like a cloud of colors that took the shape of a rather gorgeous figure, and every time she used words such as those made him feel like a narcissist! “That It's what?” He questioned. ‘sigh…that it makes you feel weird and like a narcissist…’ Spike unfurled the map and looked closely at the circled area. “That’s right, and to answer your question, we are going here.” He pointed at the very center of the marked location. Words in red ink spelled ‘CRAWFORD' “There must be a whole town of hunters here. Think of all the weapons and food we can get off here.” Since he gained his first injuries Spike felt, darker. He craved for blood, he wanted more and more weapons to increase his strength and power over the lesser and undead. He smiled at the thought. ‘Are you sure about this man? I mean, I’d love a good slaughter but this can be more than we can handle.’ The dragon disregarded her statement as he started drinking from the crystal clear lake. “Don’t sweat it Spiney. With the powers I have, killing those things will be a breeze.” He said as he took another gulp of water. He chuckled darkly as he stared at his reflection…his eyes were glowing yellow, he was covered in dry blood and he was smiling. And then he wasn't. His eyes turned back to their emerald gleam as they widen in horror. “What…have I done!?” He started dry heaving for his stomach was completely empty. He did this for five minutes until he resorted to shivering to the ground. ‘…are you done yet?’ “……you…” He began as he got up slowly. ‘I what?’ He looked into his reflection. “YOU DID THIS TO ME!” The force of the shout made the water move around. When it came back to focus, Spines face could be seen. ‘What the hell are you talking about!?’ The reflection roared back. ‘Last time I checked you loved killing bastards.’ He leaned in closer to the aberration. “You made me kill. I'm a monster…a murderer…” He whispered to himself. Spines placed her hands on her hips in a know it all manner. ‘Don’t blame me about this. Blame your instincts and your heritage…and you have killed before…’ The dragon’s mood changed as she stated those last words. “…That was different.” Spines quirked her eye. ‘Exactly how different was this?’ Spike grunted as he walked away from the lake. He grabbed the map and knife off the floor. He placed the map in his backpack and kept the weapon in hand. “It was to protect my family…” He stated as he made his way to the road. “This was just a senseless killing. No honor…no reason.” ‘They attacked you.’ She stated slowly. “They could have been reasoned with…” Even Spike knew that was a lie. Spines sighed in desperation. ‘Face it dragon of legend. These ‘Huemans’ are just as ruthless as those jerkish Canterlot ponies. They’ll do anything to kill something different from them.’ Spike kept walking, not wanting to remember those days. ‘We don’t know why there are zombies everywhere and I sure a heck can't tell you how we will ever get back home.’ Spike lowered his head at the thought of never going home. ‘But you need to learn how to live with your aggressive nature. Believe it or not, the only way to live in worlds such as this is to be ruthless, unforgiving, violent…murderous…’ “How would you know living out here is like that?” Spike quickened his pace at the sound of a gurgled moan in the distance sounded. ‘I'm not just some thing you talk to for the soul intent to talk to. I am alive in more ways than one.’ Spike looked confused at the statement. ‘Call me the sister you never had…or the girlfriend you never knew.’ “Dammit Spines!” She giggled at his reaction. ‘Just bucking with ya.’ Spike just groaned. “Your going to be the death of me Spine I just know it…” Even with her playful attitude, Spines was a great friend to have around…all the time…forever……and ever…… “…Celestia kill me know.” That said, the duo headed for Crawford. -Some time later- By the position of the moon it could be midnight…then again, Spike didn't know if the world he was in had the same time balance than Equestria. Than again how were the moon and sun moving? “Spines?” ‘What up drake?’ “Who the hell is moving the moon?” He felt Spines’s interest peak at the topic. ‘That…is a very good question actually…’ He looked up to the stars. They were not as bright or glorious as the ones Luna makes. The sky was smoggy, the moon was far away and small, the smell of death filled the area. For awhile now bodies littered the road he walked on. Many were undead made deader and others were fresh looking bodies that were executed. They were fresh… Some were children. The large dragon looked at the juvenile corpse with remorse and depression. Spines noticed this and felt for him. “Who could do this?” He questioned to himself but Spines answered back. ‘Savages.’ She muttered hatefully. As she said that, Spike’s eyes began to narrow. ‘Monsters.’ She continued. ‘Heartless bastards…’ The drakes eyes regained their yellow tint, his claws grew larger, he licked his teeth in an cannibalistic manner. ‘Murderers.’ Spike had an epiphany moment there. “Murderers…” He growled in hatred. “Murderess who need to be punished…” He accepted the fact he was a killer but he wasn't evil…no. He was going to avenge the innocent lives by hunting down and ripping off the heads who did this. Crawford is a good place to start. Spines smiled at his change of attitude. “Murderess who we need to kill!” The pure judgement he had was gone, replaced with vengeful thoughts. ‘Let’s sift some heads!’ He got on all fours and started running. To Crawford. -Sunrise- It was a hike that’s for sure and some Walkers were killed in the process but know Spike was at the entrance to a very different place. There was a small city out there. Surrounded by a sea of water. He looked to the side of the settlement and saw a train not to far off. He could see hundreds of the undead roaming the streets. If his map was correct, the hunter hideout was next to the shore he was looking at. DING DONG The sound of bells filled his ears. The loud noise made the hordes of undead go to the source of the sound. ‘So they rely on sound…’ Spines thought out loud. ‘That could be useful data.’ The drake reached into his pack and pulled out the Sniper he acquired awhile back. “Let’s see what were dealing with…” Spike looked into the scope and began to spy around. He could see a trench of bodies on a stake. They were moving…they were alive once. “What kind of animals would do such a thing?” ‘The kind that deserve to get there throats ripped out.’ Spike looked further around and saw more undead moving about. ‘Better stay clear of them.’ Spike nodded in agreement. “Need to get higher…” He looked at a nearby tree and began to climb it. Up there he could see over the walls. He could see a school overrun with the undead. “What kind of base are they running here?” His plan was to kill the wicked but it looks like the Walkers got to them first…wait. Gunfire filled his ears. He looked to the right and saw three burly looking men fighting off a undead horde with firearms. They looked like the ones he killed in the fields. ‘Kill.’ “Already on it.” He aimed for the chest. click. The silencer cut out any loud noise as the guy fell to the ground, dead. ’55 points!’ The remaining two looked in confusion at the sudden death of their companion but they disregarded it as they kept shooting the oncoming threat. They should of ran. click. Right through the head. Spike was at least two miles away so this was an impressive feat. ‘100 points!’ Spines cheered sadistically. Spike smiled darkly. The last standing human barley noticed but he was shot right through the left leg, he fell on to the ground hard. ’35 points for spot on accuracy.’ Spike had a choice here. He could kill the man now or leave him to suffer and be eaten alive. He could hear the loud screaming even from his distance. ‘I wouldn't let someone suffer if I could help it could I?’ He thought to himself. Some of the yellow tint left his eyes. He aimed for his head and fired. ‘Mercy kill. Plus 5 karma points for you.’ Even Spines wouldn't let anyone suffer for no good reason. ‘Let’s get closer and see if we can take some down in close combat.’ Spike nodded and jumped off the tree. “This could be great practice for us.” He said as he landed. He began jogging to the city. “Might be good for us to get some exercise.” He pulled out a large dagger while he placed the sniper rifle back. He started running into deadly territory. Spike headed in the direction of a large hotel.