Tears of the Indifferent.

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Spike backed up slowly this new dragon was the second largest he had ever seen, and it was actually able to see him in return. The large black and grey dragon circled the group of teenagers, pausing to sniff each of them as he passed. "A good selection, virgin, healthy."

Spike didn't understand what was going on, but the more this adult sniffed his companions the more protective he began to feel. The crusaders just stood stock still, he wasn't sure if it was from outrage or fear. Sweetie Belle yelped as the large male prodded her flank with his snout. Spike growled and slid between him and the unicorn "I don't know who you are, but back away!" He hissed.

The dragon just laughed at this "Heh defensive, good were you not so small you may actually pose a threat." The larger dragon taunted. He circled them again then snapped his jaws shut just short of Spike. The teenager instinctively leaped back and let loose a jet of flame.

The adult dragon raised his head above the fire, a shocked expression on his face. "How is that possible?" He hissed. He slid his snout along the edge of the small flame, inhaling deeply. "It smells of true flame, that must mean.." The dragon's eyes narrowed to dark red slits.

Sweetie Belle edged next to Spike "I don't like this we're around 5 feet away from a full grown dragon, and your little fire show is starting to wear off." As she finished the large black and grey dragon returned his gaze to them. "Spike now would be a good time to think of something." She whispered through the side of her mouth.

"I know what you are! You're of their blood, the blood that sent me to this place with no flame. Yes, that is why your fire burns, because you have that little bitch!" He hissed looking between Spike and Sweetie Belle. "How could I have not seen it, have I really lost touch with what makes me who I am? No it's her she's doing this! Hahahaha, yes and now you're here in my prison! Hahahahaha!" He began to cackle like an Asylum resident.

"Hey Mr, you talk a lot, and you don't make much sense." Scootaloo interjected as she flapped up to hover in front the large male. "Now I want answers, Now wah-" Applebloom pulled her tail bringing her back to the ground.

"Sugar cube ya all are talkin' down to a full gosh darn grown dragon!" She hissed into her ear "Do ya have a death wish?" She breathed.

The dragon's cackling only increased in volume. Spike's thoughts turned from protective anger, to protective fear. "He's obviously unstable, adding that he's a full grown adult dragon this will probably go south. We need to get out of dodge. He scanned his surroundings, the distant rock formation caught his attention. "Sweetie Belle, get the others to those rocks." He whispered.

The crusaders nodded, and they began galloping towards the far off out crop. Spike then noticed something that frightened him, the laughter had stopped. The teenage dragon turned to find himself snout to snout with the massive adult. The dragons black scaled lips parted as he smiled a wicked grin. Saliva dripped from the enormous fangs as they parted. "So, you die first." The larger hissed barely audible. His eyes glimmered with what could only be described as blood lust. Spike inhaled rapidly, and released a stream of green fire.

The black head reared back, an the dragon screeched in pain lashing out wildly with his tail. The appendage slammed next to Spike sending the small purple dragon sprawling. "Damn your blood! Damn your flame!" The adult screeched. He lunged forward jaws spread wide, suddenly a silver projectile slammed against the black scaled behemoths neck.

Spike got up slowly holding his side peering up at the stunned monstrosity. The black dragon held the side of his neck in what looked to be confusion. "Spike, Spike please we have to go!" Sweetie Belle screamed as she nudged Spike's shoulder.

"Sweetie Belle, but I thought you had- No time Spike, please hurry!" The teenage unicorn yelled pushing him towards the rock formation.

Spike shook himself then nodded "Alright, I'll make sure to chew you out about risking your life later." He growled under his breath. Fire born of fear surged through Spike's veins as he looked back at the adult. The monster was scraping a long black claw along the spot Sweetie Belle's magic projectile had made contact.

The wild feral expression was gone, and he gazed down at the pair with cold calculating eyes. 'Your magic little one has mixed with his flame, but not in a way that is beneficial to you. Now you have allowed me to break free from my blood lust long enough to tell you my name, a name your forgotten blood feared. I am Carnage, may my sane flame devour you before I fall yet again.' The adults voice boomed in their heads. The mental touch caused Scootaloo to crash land inside a cave in the distance. Applebloom stumbled in as well, Sweetie Belle however was completely paralyzed by the draconic presence. Carnage pulled back his head and grey fire licked his fangs as he inhaled.

The world suddenly went in slow motion, Spike leapt onto Sweetie Belle grabbing her around her waist. He unfurled his wings, and beat them once mightily. The force was just enough to get them air born, just as the ground they had been on erupted in flame. "Hahahahahaha! Fly away little Drake fly away with your whore, and hide with your harem! Carnage will catch you, even as the glorious flames abandon him, he will devour you!" The insane glow, and cackle returned in earnest.

Spike pumped his wings as fast as he could, only one thing mattered right now getting Sweetie Belle to safety. He heard the great thump of massive wings, and knew he didn't have much time. His wings burnt at being used for only the second time since he gained them. "Spike... Spike drop me you can make it if you drop me." sweetie Belle whispered.

Spike's lips curled into a snarl "Buck that If it comes to one of us dying it will be me!" He hissed. looking down at the white unicorn. "We're almost there we can make it don't wor- Ack!" Spike felt his grip on Sweetie Belle loosen completely, Sweetie Belle had launched a small spark of magic into his soft belly scales.

Carnage lunged forward mouth agape to intercept the plummeting unicorn. "Yes meat young virgin blood, come allow Carnage a taste!"

Spike turned a complete 180 degrees "No, you will not take her from me!" He roared, a roar of an adult dragon. He shot forward grabbing onto Sweetie Belle pulling her away at blinding speed. It wasn't enough though Carnage's fangs closed the tip tearing a horrid wound into Sweetie Belle's stomach. Carnage tasting the blood stopped mid-flight, and closed his eyes. He didn't see the young pair soar into the cave, he also didn't see the glimmer of teal colored magic shimmer outside the cave. He was lost in the glory of blood, now he could make his brother's pay. Apocalypse, Cataclysm, and Armageddon would pay for not heeding fathers call. He felt the magic infused blood seep down his tongue, and his fire began returning, this time as strong as before he was imprisoned. "If Kaizer's dogs still breath I will kill them as well, Buckshot, Spectrum your precious Commander won't protect you this time." He smiled with malice.