War of Equestria: Prevail

Chapters

How to protect when you're all alone
Leaving on a good note?
Suppress and repress
Decision of the future

How to protect when you're all alone

Tough to kill

Present Day, 1300 hours.

Spike continued to draw in the dirt, forming a strategic plan for their counterattack. Once in every two minutes, he would glance back at Gilda still wallowing in her misplaced guilt. "The plan is almost done Gilda." Shut up... "Gilda are you listening?" Shut up!..."Gilda if you wan't to talk about this then please don't hesitate."

"Shut up!"

The room remained mute for a moment leaving the two staring in awkward silence. For a second, Spike proceeded to draw again until he remembered how Gilda is. How could I forgot how she acts when she's like this? I remember Dash telling me that she likes to hold in her feelings and sometimes that may get in the way of what she needs to do. If my memory serves me right, Dash said in order to get her to open up, you need to be firm and demanding, don't give her a chance to shut down. Spike concerned expression turned to that of anger, fake of course, as he stomped over to Gilda. He grabbed her by her tail, dragged her to the center of the cave, and turned her towards him. Without hesitation, he said in a stern low tone. "Talk..now!"

She just stared at him with a confused look on her face. When did he get so bossy? "Why should I?"

He angrily snorted making fire puff out. "Do you want to save Griffonstone or what cause we can just sit here."

"I want to save Griffonstone.."

"Sorry what was that?"

"I want to save Griffonstone alright."

"Then tell me what's up so we can get out there."

She slowly sighed, a look of discomfort on her face. She began to speak quickly punching Spike in his arm. "Remember all those people back then?"

"Gilda we've been over this."

"Yea I know dweeb, but something about it just won't go away. As much as I've tried to repress the memory it just won't stay gone. I swear I've accepted what happened but I just can't get over all those deaths."

A single tear began to trickle down the side of her cheek as Spike closed his eyes and shook his head. He stood up and wiped the tear from her eye. "You can't dwindle on the past, it happened and we couldn't stop it. War effects everyone and honestly it is worth crying, just letting out the pain and suffering." Spike himself began to get choked up. "Do...do you know how long it's been since we've seen any of our friends. Rarity,AJ,Flutters,Dash....Iris,Lily....and especially Twilight. I'd give everything to see they're alive. But I still go on..cause I know that once the chance comes, I will find Twilight, She will be alive, and this nightmare of a war will be over. I will be able to see Iris and Lily safe and sound as well as the Princesses. If it's any advice, just find something to keep fighting for, don't let your emotions take over your priorities."

Spike turned around rubbing his eyes as he wasn't taking his own advice. Suddenly he felt claws around his body as he looked up to see Gilda, eyes closed, giving him the warmest of hugs. ".....Thanks, didn't know about all that. I guess it's kinda nice to see someone else going through the same thing have such high spirits, even if he is a dork."

Spike smiled and returned the hug. As they broke the hug, Gilda gave Spike the most sensuous look before walking over to his plan. Spike's face turned an intense shade of red as the blood rushed to his head. He shook any thoughts out his head and joined her. Gilda's eyes traced the plan like a map before she finally nodded. "So basically what you want to do is push their army into that crevice we found the idol in right?"

"Pretty much."

"Then let's make it happen."

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Both of them walked over to the rocks barricading the door. Spike began pulling one rock at a time out of the way until Gilda sighed and put him on her back. She wound her fist up and let it fly. The rocks flew like rockets pelting any ascending soldiers down the side of the mountain. Gilda lifted herself up and let out a piercing yell as Spike spewed fire into the air for effect. Sombra's soldiers coming up the path began taking aim until a rumbling got their attention. Dozens of small rocks, big rocks, and boulders came flowing down like a river pushing any and all soldiers of the mountain and covering the road in uncrushable rocks. Gilda flew her way into Griffonstone where the fighting had already started. Everywhere they looked, a Griffon was in a fight with another one of Sombra's army, some two or more. Spike pointed a griffon just below them that seemed familiar. "Hey Gilda isn't that the griffon you were talking about? With the green around her eyes."

Gilda Gasped as she quickly looked under her. "Greta!"

She dropped out of the sky like a stone, landing in front of Greta's attacker. She quickly popped her palm against the chin of the soldier and smashed her fist into his gut sending him flying into the air. "Greta are you okay?"

Just in case you don't know who Greta is

"I'm fine, where have you been?"

"Well..we got trapped in cave just outside the city."

"Really, was that stud with you?"

"What..what stud?"

Greta pointed over to Spike firing his guns from behind a corner. Gilda's white feathers turned a shade of red as she shook her head. "Yes he was there but why did you call him a stud?"

"No reason, hehe.."

"Whatever, where's the base camp?"

"Well it was the entire city before they got in, now it's the castle."

"Thanks, we should clear out the city first though."

They both nodded and went their separate ways tearing through enemy after enemy. After another hour, they finally pushed them back to the local store where more soldiers showed up to keep them busy. Using tactics from the ten year incident, they were able to build a slightly sturdy wall to contain what they could.

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Gilda, Spike, and Greta returned to the castle to figure out what was going on. As they flew towards the top of the castle, Gilda suddenly remembered that in the midst of the action, she'd completely forgot why she hated reporting in. "Aw man, why didn't you remind me who was charge."

Greta giggled. "It's not that bad, just cause he's a little more responsible doesn't mean.."

She was stopped by a claw in her face. "Not another word about him. Let's just report in and get this over with."

They landed inside the top of the castle slowly moving towards the griffon turned around talking to another soldier. Gilda sighed the biggest sigh she could and tapped him on the back. The Griffon turned a smiled. "Sis, i'm so glad you're ok!"

Spike's eyes widened as he began to compare the two. Gilda was the splitting image of griffon sitting in front of her. "Sup bro.."

"God I thought you were dead."

He softly hugged her which triggered her reflex to throw him off. "Yep still the same old Gilda. Oh and this must be Spike, you've been in the city for about a week now and still we haven't met. My name's Meetil, captain of the griffon guard."

Meetil

Spike raised a claw to greet him. "Name's Spike, Corporal of Celestia's royal army."

His expression became displeasure as he jerked his hand away. "Celestia's royal guard?"

He grumbled under his breath as he turned to walk away. Spike shrugged and pointed to him as he looked at Gilda. "What's his deal?"

"He takes a little too much pride in being a griffon."

"What do you mean."

Greta held her chin in thought. "Well see, five years after the fall of Hoofington D.C, General Derpy had the idea to unite both Celestia's and the griffon's army. one of our other captains had other plans, and so they kinda got into a little scuffle. There's even a picture up there of their fight."

"Really?"

Spike looked up to a small banner hanging over the area. "Wait so he had it hung up?"

Aerial Skirmish

"Pretty much, says it reminds the soldiers not to work with ponies."

"Oh wow, so can anyone tell me what we're doing exactly?"

Meetil came back to them, twirling his knife around. "Ok so against my better judgement, I'm willing to work with you dragon, you are here to help us after all. So for right now, we have the majority of the city under control except for area near the store. I was also informed before hand that you planned to use that deathtrap of a crevice to our advantage, correct?" All three of them nodded. "So then we will make an effort to do so according to your plan, you are to leave however."

Gilda grunted at his response. "What?! Griffonstone needs us, are you crazy?"

He shook his head and laughed. "Not in the slightest. Actually I received a message foretelling the attack of Sombra's army and that you three be sent to these coordinates."

Spike looked the message over until something clicked. The coordinates seem familiar bit where are these leading to? "Ponyville!"

Gilda cocked her head in confusion. "What does Ponyville have to do with this?"

"The coordinates on this message say to come to Ponyville, but it's behind enemy lines now. How are we supposed to get there?"

Meetil thought to himself for a moment then snapped the idea into his head. "Where are the nearest train tracks?"

All of them shrugged with no answer. A small child walked in between the groups raising his claw high into the air. "Oh that's easy, there's a town south of here about five miles with some tracks."

Meetil patted the child on the head and smiled. "And who might you be young one?"

He turned his beak to the air and stood heroically as best he could "Alex, Alex Ironclaw! Number one traveler in all of Equestria."

Alex Ironclaw

Gilda raised an eyebrow. "Traveler?"

"Yea yea, one day, I hope to explore all of Equestria in one trip."

Spike laughed as he put an arm around him. "Now that's a dream. Seeing all Equestria has to offer, sounds like fun."

Greta put a thumbs up in agreement. "Wait but how are we going to remember how to get there?"

Alex jumped on her back with pure excitement on his face. "I can come with you! Step 1, getting used to traveling."

Gilda instantly shook her head in disagreement. "Uh uh, no way i'm taking some kid with me when we're fighting Sombra's army, he'd be in the way."

Spike grabbed her claw and pleaded. "Oh come on Gilda, It won't be the bad, I mean how else will we be able to find our way there hmm?"

Gilda continued to disagree until her brother chimed in. "I guess you think you're to good to take him with you?"

That hit a nerve as Gilda snatched up the kid without even thinking. "I'm not good, if you think I can't handle this kid then I'm gonna prove you wrong." With that she flew out of the castle in a rage. Everyone began laughing uncontrollably until Gilda's voice trailed back in. "Stop laughing!"

Everyone stopped their snickering and returned to their work. Spike hopped on Greta's back and flew with her to the entrance of the city. Gilda stopped above the entrance as the kid pointed south. "Alright runt, hope you know your stuff."

"Trust me, Alex Ironclaw knows every pebble of this great land."

Spike and Greta finally caught up with the two and now they fly together. Spike closed his eyes imagining the happy and exiting nature of Ponyville only to open his eyes and come back to the harsh reality. Well, time to go back home.

Leaving on a good note?

What a way to go out

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Gilda and Greta flew slow and tirelessly towards their goal, five miles south of Griffonstone lay train tracks they could use to guide themselves to Ponyville. Spike sat up and yawned, stretching his body in the process. As he cricked his neck, he looked around with the hope finding the tracks. "Oh man, are we there yet?"

Greta sighed and continued flying. "No Spike we're not, that's the third time you've asked that."

"Oh..sorry."

Gilda turned to look at Spike. "Quit your whining, we're almost there."

At the same time Alex sat up and yawned as well. "We've been flying for an hour, how much longer?"

"No we've been flying for an hour, you've been sleep. You can fly too you know."

"Yea but not as fast as you."

"Stop being lazy."

"Stop being bossy."

"What did you say?"

"Um..nothing."

"That's what I thought."

Greta and Spike giggled at the bickering child and adult until something caught Greta's attention. "Hey guys, look down there."

Spike, Gilda, and Alex did just that to notice a mare in a brown cloak walking below them. Her pace seemed odd, she stopped as soon as they did to admire some flowers on the side of the path. All four of them shook it off and continued flying until Spike noticed the mare picking up the pace just the same. Spike ordered them to stop as he watched the mare stop again to admire nature. "Something isn't right here..Fly faster."

Greta and Gilda did just that as if they were racing each other. Like clockwork, the pony picked up the pace to a full sprint. Alex focused closely on the mare with one eye. "She's following us!"

Gilda turned to face the pony who then pulled off her cloak. "Hey what's your problem?" The pony just smirked and continued following them. "Hey freak, got a death wish. Who are you?"

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Suddenly the pony stopped atop a large hill and her smirk turned to a frown. "The name's Galaxy, and if you can see me you're in range."

Galaxy

All four of their eyes opened wide to those words as she raised her hoof to the sky. "Fire!"

Thousands of magic bullets and missiles rained up from the ground on cue. Gilda and Greta began quickly dodging as the barrage neared them. "Watch out!" Both of them executed flips and spins like pros but that wouldn't last forever. They moved closer and closer to a nearby mountain range as if they were being pushed there. Gilda stopped dodging to keep track of Galaxy only to have magic pierce her wing. "Ahh!"

Without warning another magic missile exploded shocking Alex into unconsciousness sending him and Gilda into the range with a spiral. Greta desperately tried to catch her while Spike returned fire only to have her wing clipped as well. All four of them fell hard and fast as the barrage stopped. Galaxy pointed to the range and grunted. "Recover and capture."

Thousands of soldiers marched their way onto the paths leading into the range. Twenty minutes later, Spike awoke to find himself covered in snow. Slowly and painfully, he arose from his freezing tomb observing his surroundings. "Where's...Greta?" He looked, nothing to his left or right and so he thought, "She must be under the snow." He hastily dug under the snow until a paw caught his attention. "There you..ow!" He held his arm in pain as he dug Greta out. When he looked himself over, there was a small but deep cut going over his left shoulder, a small amount of blood trickling out of it. "Man that fall did more than I thought. Greta..wake up..come on."

Moments later she slowly awoke breathing heavy and in pain. "Spike, spike is that you? Oh my god, my wing, oh my god."

"Greta calm down or you'll go into shock."

"You're right, you're right, but my left wing, it hurts so much."

"Looks like you landed on it wrong. Come on let's get you off of it."

Spike rolled her over to examine the wing. There were no serious injuries besides her landing on the wing itself and the scrape from the bullet. "You're wing's fine Greta, just needs some time to heal." Suddenly the sounds of snow shifting caught Spike's attention. "No time to rest, we have to move."

Greta tried her best to stand up but only got up to her two front claws. "I can't, it's just too much right now."

"Keep trying."

Spike aided her this time and finally they were able to get up that is until the sounds of shifting grew more frequent and closer. "Halt, you two are to surrender under the orders of the Royal elite Galaxy."

Spike set Greta against a rock and turned to face the dozens of soldiers behind him. "And what if we don't?"

"Then we will force you too."

"Not without a fight you're not." Spike reached for both his guns only to feel the sharp pain in his left arm. Instead he reached for right gun and pointed it at them.

"Is that all you're going to defend yourself with...Futile." All the soldiers aimed their guns at him ready to fire. Spike did the same with determination to survive.

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That was until Greta finally made it to her feet and stood in front of him. "Spike.."

"Greta what are you doing?"

"Spike go find Gilda and Alex."

"Ok this heroine bit isn't going to save anyone."

"It'll save you won't it?"

Spike's eyes eyes closed for a moment before opening again. "But.."

"Get going already!"

With that she pushed him down a steep cliff face to lower ground. Spike could only hear the a loud shriek from Greta and the sounds of the soldier's screams as he slid down the face. Moments later, the sound of an electric shock pulsed into his ears as Greta cried out. The soldiers began marching towards the cliff as he reached the bottom. "Take this one to the camp, the rest of you, find that dragon."

Just then another loud shriek echoed in the distance making Spike quickly run out of sight with the soldiers on his tail.

At about the same time, 20 yards away, Spike awoke to find Greta, Alex awoke to find himself laying against a cave wall. Gilda sat in the corner, eyes closed, and observing her wing. "Gilda?"

"Good you're awake runt. Thought I was gonna lose you for a second there."

"What happened?"

"Well I don't know what happened to Spike and Greta, seems we got separated. As for us, we crashed near this cave a couple of minutes ago. I figured that pony would send in troops to capture us so I brought us in here."

"Hey why don't I have any injuries?"

"Well..I shielded your fall with my body so...you're welcome or whatever."

"Thank you, and here I thought you didn't care about me."

"I don't."

"Yes you do."

"If you don't shut your trap i'll....hold up shh." Gilda listened closely to just outside the cave, voices getting more and more curious about the cave. "We have company."

"What? Well can't we fly away or something?"

"Not with this wing."

"Then we have to hide."

"Can't you shoot them in the face with that bow or something?"

"Well yea but i'm not really into killing things or people for that matter."

"Runt, I can only tell you one thing. This is war, some barriers are going to have to be broken to survive."

"I don't think I can do it."

"You have no choice if you want to survive."

Alex looked around for a desperate way to escape noticing a hole on the ceiling. "H..hey we can escape there."

"Kid I don't think...fine." Gilda jumped grabbing onto he edge of the hole and hoisted herself up. "Come on, fly up here."

Alex flew through and landed next to her on top of the cave. She looked over the edge to realize there were way more soldiers than anticipated. "Oh man we're in trouble. Alex listen to me, you have to watch my back on this one. There's too many soldiers to hesitate."

"But.."

"Hey you want to get back to your family in Griffonstone?"

"Well yea but.."

"If we fall here, that will never happen. Cover me alright?"

"....Alright."

Gilda picked up a rock and tossed it hard into the dome of soldier. Without warning she dropped onto a soldier and began fighting, punching, kicking, and flipping. Alex readied his bow aimed at another soldiers head but he drew the bow back. "I can;t possibly kill someone can I? Even if he is the enemy, ending someone's life is below me."

"Hey Alex cover please!"

"Maybe I can knock him out."

"Alex!"

"There's has to be another way."

"Alex please! Ahhh!"

Gilda screamed out in pain as an electric shock sped through her body. Alex eyes widened at the sound, his mind trailing back to distant memories. "My mother...my father...both killed..by....by...Sombra!"

Suddenly his eyes filled with anger, his fearful expression turned to a scowl. He drew the bow back and let the arrow fly. Gilda watched as it pierced straight through the armor of soldier and dropped him to the ground. Alex drew back three arrows and let them fly into the crowd. Three more stallions dropped like rocks allowing Gilda to counterattack. As fast as Alex was able to draw forth a power unknown to him, A group of three Pegasus just that fast dropped him with a shock. As Gilda fought for her life, a loud shriek could be heard from the distance. "Greta?!"

Moments later the sound of her cries echoed into Gilda's eardrums. Gilda drew back a single tear and let out her own terrifying shriek. She continued to take down the soldiers one by one trying to make her way to Alex. She quickly ascended the outside of the cave almost able to reach out to Alex until the Pegasus that subdued him landed in front of her. "Make this easy why don't you."

"You Sombra following freaks. Not without a fight!"

She jumped up to attack only to have the taser stick stuck directly into her stomach. With no warning she dropped grunting in pain. "Take these two back to the camp."

The soldier removed his communicator and called it in. "Two captured, one female griffon and one smaller child griffon."

The voice returned over the comm. "Partially good on our side. Captured one female griffon, the dragon on the other hand escaped. We've been ordered to regroup at camp, keep an eye out for the dragon on the way back."

"Understood. Men, back to camp, keep an eye for the dragon while you're at it."

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Galaxy impatiently waited for her soldiers inside the camp. Finally another pony announced the return of her soldiers. She exited the tent she commandeered and watched as the three griffons were dragged through the camp and thrown into the cages. "Wait where's the dragon? I want the man responsible for capturing the green griffon."

The soldier nervously walked up to her and saluted. "You wanted to see me mam?"

"Yes, good job capturing the prisoners, I should give you an award."

"Well thank yo.."

"I wasn't finished! I said I should give an award. Where..is the dragon?"

"The dragon mam?"

"Don't act stupid. Yes the dragon, the one riding on that one's back." she pointed to Greta.

"Well mam I can explain."

She sighed. "Can someone bring me my hot chocolate?"

Another soldier without wait sped a cup of chocolate over to here. She started taking small sips waiting for the soldier to continue talking.

"Well see what had happened was."

"Right."

"We kinda.."

"I'm listening."

"Lost him."

she sighed and took another sip of her chocolate. "It's quite alright."

"Wait really?"

"Yes, i'll send search party's to find him later."

"Oh thank you for sparing me mam."

"You are most welcome, now leave my sight."

"Yes mam."

the soldier happily walked off unknown to what was about to happen. As Galaxy took another sip of her chocolate, her expression turned to anger and suddenly the soldier stopped, his mouth wide open. A large pink crystal lay pierced through his body and just as quickly it dissipated as he dropped to the ground dead. Galaxy returned to her calm and elegant manner sipping her chocolate as the many pony's inside her camp surrounded the dead pony. "Not once did I say I would spare you."

Suppress and repress

Spike sat silently next to her as the ground rumbled above them. The cave slowly vibrating as King Sombra’s army marched past their hiding spot. “It’s hell up there. We’re gonna be down here for a while.”

Spike watched as she showed no response to Spike’s comment other than turning around and grunting. Spike began reinforcing the cave entrance with more rocks. “I could use some help here please…..Hey!....Gilda!”

“Shut it dweeb!”

I have enough problems as it is. Spike continued to build the entrance now with more concern for her. It's still affecting her pretty badly huh? After finishing with the rocks he dusted himself off and took a seat next to her. Trying to reach for her claw was his first mistake as she swatted his away and growled at him. “Look Gilda if you want to talk about it then I willing to listen.”

She continued to grunt at the opportunity to speak and each time Spike would try a little harder. “Gilda please, it’s not safe to keep this in, you have to at least say something. Gilda! Please!”

“Will you shut up!.....What’s there to talk about….they're all going to…”

Gilda shed a small tear as she began to think the worst.

“Just complaining about it won’t help.”

“Don’t you get it!”

She said as she grabbed him with a claw.

“They’re all gonna be dead!...Do you hear me...Dead! And it’s my fault.”

“Gilda it’s not your fault, we still have a chance to do something, just have to figure out how.”

“Don’t give me that bull. I had the choice of going back to warn them and instead we're hiding in a hole underground.”

“If only we had a plan but there's to many soldiers.”

“....We have to get out!” Spike stopped her in her tracks as she rushed the entrance. "Are you crazy?! Even someone like you would know some strategics before rushing into battle. What's this really about?"

Gilda averted her eyes to the ground only to shed a tear suddenly. "It......it's.....I just don't want.....our screw up ten years ago!"

"So that's what this is about. Gilda we did what we could."

"No we didn't, we could have stayed, gotten everyone out. Instead we left hundreds of people behind and for what?"

Spike gave her a troubled look and held his arms out for a hug. She closed her eyes, turned, and walked away. "If you're gonna think of plan then do it now dweeb." They sat on opposite sides of the cave as Spike tried to come up with a plan constantly drawing in the dirt.

(Flashback) Time does not continue for the present world.

Ten years ago, 0200 hours.

General derpy hovered valiantly above her troops at the edge of hoofington D.C.

General Derpy

She landed on a small tower and let her voice echo throughout the city. "Troops! Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here to do one thing only! That is to protect our world from the clutches of King Sombra. If you have any doubts or regrets, I suggest you leave now....no objections, then lets set down the plan. We are to assist the remaining civilians in evacuation until it is cleared. No soldier from Sombra's army must pass to the transports. We are still strong ponies, if Sombra want's to fight for our freedom, then I suggest we give him a war for it. We are to prevail, is that understood?!"

Soldiers all across the city responded with a, "yes sir!"

Suddenly the ground just below Derpy crumbled dropping her to the bottom floor. "Ow....I'm okay."

0300 hours.

Chaos ensued inside the city with Sombra's forces easily demolishing the magic barrier around the city. Pushing in from the city's north side, General Derpy's forces are trying to prevent any entrance to the south side where evacuation has begun. At one paticular point is the most gruesome firefight, the center of a plaza just on the northeast of the city. Soldiers relentlessly shoot as the army attempts to push through. Three in paticular are however setting up for a counterattack. "I spot three going around the back of a building, taking them out."

Gilda's voice came through the comms just barley. "Copy that take'em out Sun Sun!"

"All in a day's work."

Sun Sun

Sitting on a large terrace overlooking the the plaza, Sun Sun lined up her shot and fired. Two bullets ate their targets heads making the last one duck behind a wall. "Ah crap, Sergeant Gilda, got one in hiding, I can't get a clear shot."

"Continue covering us, Spike get over to the west side and find that coward."

The soldier slowly stepped out of hiding realizing that the sniper had turned it's sights. He made a break for it until a barrage of fire pelted around him. "Where do you think you're going?!"

Corporal Spike

The soldier ducked behind a wall as the fire chipped off a piece of the building. He quietly proceeded into the building to make his way past but wasn't as silent as he thought. Spike pulled out a small stick with metal box on the end of it. Upon blowing some fire on to the fuse, he tossed it inside a window and waited for the explosion. The blast sent the soldier flying out of the door just adjacent to the window making Spike snicker. "Job done, coming back to the front line."

Spike rejoined the fighting the plaza running as he flipped and popped shots towards the enemy. "I'm back Gilda."

"It's sergeant to you dweeb."

Sergeant Gilda

"Yeah whatever, we got that plan ready to go yet?"

"No unfortunately, the team I sent around hasn't reported in yet, it's making me worried. Sun Sun can you see anything up there?"

Sun Sun peeked through her scope and replied. "Nothing just more troops. Watch out!"

Their makeshift cover was instantly broken by a dog like beast. A powerful and vicious mechanical hound. Spike slammed the hounds face into the dirt with his foot and fired shots into it's body. It sparked and fell dead but more were on the way. He tried to push forward by kicking another back and firing at it's surrounding allies. Another hound overran him though and it's snapping jaws neared closer and closer. He closed his eyes and waited for death until the sound of sparking caught his attention. The hound sat a few feet away, slash marks across it's chest and a hole painted it's head, a combination from Sun Sun and Gilda. Gilda grabbed him by his tail making him let out a inferno of fire permanently scorching another hound and dragged him off into the house just below Sun Sun. Gilda grabbed a large gun from the corner of the house and brought it over. "Six barrels of instant death hehe, light it up Spike."

Spike opened the chamber which had a small place for holding fire inside. He let his green fire swirl inside and seconds later, the gun magically came to life spewing out mechanical sounds and lights. Spike grabbed the gun by it's two handles and went to the doors leading to the plaza. He put on his goggles and kicked the door down. As his foot hit the dirt, the gun began to fire lighting up the entire north side of the plaza. His allies retreated behind the building as he it the entire plaza up. The soldiers dropped one after another as Spike pushed them back. They finally retreated back into the alleyways and suddenly screams could be heard from the shadows. After another minute, Gilda's team stepped out of the shadow's having a conversation as if nothing was going on. "Oh sergeant Gilda, sorry about the delay, there were some nosy guards that we had to take care of. Oh you must be Spike, we haven't had a chance to officially meet, I'm Jasmine."

Jasmine

"And this is my partner in ninja skills, Wild Fire. We're like a dynamic duo."

Wild Fire

Wild Fire just grunted making Jasmine nervously laugh. "Well anyway back to the mission, we should relay this to General Derpy."

Gilda sat in the house already relaying the information. She nodded and turned off the transmitter. "Hey dweebs we're off to the center of the city to help with evacuation. Jasmine you're with us, Wild Fire set up a checkpoint here and don't let anyone through."

Wild Fire nodded and joined with a few other troops as Gilda motioned Spike and Jasmine to follow her to the middle of the city. Spike walked with a bit of uneasiness. Something doesn't seem right, I mean everything seems ok but I have a feeling that General Derpy said more to her when we were talking, what's she not telling us. What's wrong with you Spike, you're not this easily suspicious but... Jasmine tapped Spike on the shoulder trying to jog his attention. "Spike are you alright?"

"Yeah perfect, just f..fine, why what's up?"

"You ran into like three walls back there."

"Oh.."

"Something wrong?"

"No just thinking, Ill tell you later."

"Alrighty then."

They soon arrived at the Plaza to find a firefight had already broken out there. Gilda tackled a couple behind a corner as whistling of a magic missile zoomed by. "Spike cover fire, Jasmine take'em out!"

Both of them imminently jumped into action shooting and slashing through Sombra's army. Gilda quickly evacuated the citizens she could until she noticed a black shadow jump behind the dozens of buildings leading to the north west checkpoint. "Jasmine fall back and provide cover, Spike, someone's trying to flank, take to the buildings to the northwest and get rid of them." Spike saluted and slowly made his way into the buildings. As he entered he noticed how much of a maze these buildings were, packed together so tightly you could jump from one house to the other. Alright Spike, don't let this get the best of you, just keep your eyes open. Suddenly a shadow jumped across the alley behind him. He turned to follow until the shadow past above him. He once again turned to follow but it passed behind him again and again until the dark figure stood in front of him staring him down. Spike kept his gun pointed at the figure waiting for it to move, it opened it's mouth to speak. "You are one of the....stronger ones..aren't you?"

Spike gripped his gun tightly as he responded with the cliche, "Who are you?"

The figure laughed and floated into the sunlight. "Due to my mastery of magic, I am able to levitate myself and float among you as well as breathe your air, but that is irrelevant. Your name is...Spike correct?"

"How did you know that?! Who are you?!"

"Hehe, Spike my dear, as one of King Sombra's Royal elite, I've sadly been ordered to kill you, to think you were so cute too, oh well. Prepare yourself Spike, I am Myrrina, Mistress of the sea ponies!"

Decision of the future

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Spike took a step back in fear still aiming his gun at her. "A merpony? How did you end up under command of King Sombra?"

She laughed at the question as he scepter started to glow an luminescent pink. "Am I going to have to answer your questions all day or do I have to to force you to fight?"

As she began to spin the scepter in front of her, tiny crystals began to form spinning as fast as physics would allow. She stopped her scepter as the tip pointed directly up, the crystals split apart bit by bit until they were barely visible then they twisted into that of needles so sharp, you could see the small gleam of light shine off them. Spike jumped and began backing up as she pointed the scepter at him. The crystals shot at him like tiny little rockets almost catching off guard. He sidestepped behind a wall and held his head to side as the wall slowly chipped away and dust filled the air. How am I going to get to her, I can't get past these crystals. Maybe I can knock her off balance. Spike took his gun and began taking blind shots around the corner. Spike immediately pulled his right arm back around the corner as a sharp pain ensnared his arm. He gasped as he witnessed four sharp crystals stuck in his arm. A small dot of blood trickled down his arm as he pulled the crystals out and dropped them to the ground. He rubbed the blood out off and looked around the corner. She had completely disappeared or so she thought. Spike sighed as he looked up at her pointing the scepter at him. He took off as the crystals rained down behind him, closing in on his position. He bashed through a door leaping inside barely escaping the sharp onslaught. Spike flipped a switch on his gun and held his gun out the window. Myrrina sat high above the house preparing another onslaught of crystals when something caught her attention. There was a green ball of fire speeding towards in which she simply laughed and dodged. It stopped just at her height and seconds later, exploded, making her jump back a little. She looked down towards the ground to see more of them coming her way. She quickly dodged left and right as the fireballs rushed by her. She thought she had dodged them all until suddenly they stopped all around her. Green lines formed between them and their intensity began rise, glowing brighter and brighter. "What is the meaning of this?!"

The balls exploded together sending Myrrina speeding through the roof of the house and into the ground. Spike only inches away held the barrel of his gun directly at Myrrina and smirked. "It's over."

Myrrina chuckled hysterically. "What part of I was sent to kill don't you understand?"

Spike quickly fired his gun which hit nothing but floor as Myrrina slowly faded away and reappeared a few feet away. She stuck the crystal of the scepter into the ground as it shook softly. She pulled it out of the ground to reveal the tip's transformation into a sword. Spike courageously held his guns up to fight until pain rendered his right arm useless. "What's going on with my arm?"

Myrrina grinned as Spike held his arm in shock. "Ah yes, the poison is finally taking effect."

"Poison?"

"Yes my dear, it renders whatever it hits completely useless. A perfect way to accept death isn't it."

She rushed him with the scepter making him jump out of the way. She swung it back around almost cutting Spike from the stomach up. He back flipped out of the way, jumped onto a wall, and kicked off towards her firing pot shots. She leaned left and right as Spike neared her, finally he grabbed hold of her scepter with his one arm usable arm, flipped over her, and threw her to a wall. As she hit the wall, without warning Spike fired more exploding fireballs sending her flying out of the house in a cloud of smoke. She growled and levitated up into the sky holding her scepter as if it were a javelin. It morphed into a long flat blade as she closed one eye to aim. She calmly made small adjustments and tossed it as hard as she could. It impacted through the roof and pierced the ground in front of Spike. A small drop of sweat trickled his head as he let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly a force pushed him to the wall as the blade, on it's own, levitated up, morphed into a long blade less pillar and pinned Spike to the wall. He gasped for air struggling to escape but with no success. Can't breathe.....Gotta get loose...I need to..Losing..consciousness. His body dropped as if it were lifeless. Myrrina giggled at the sight and held her hoof to the sky. "Simply wonderful! But just to make sure."

More flat blades appeared around her as her eyes began to glow like a thousand tiny yellow stars. Spike sat lifeless behind the pillar as Myrinna prepared her attack. Spike's radio began spewing static until Gilda's voice chimed in. "Spike...Spike! Are you ok? I can see the explosions from over there, is everything alright?"

Myrinna's voice echoed into the receiver as she launched the final attack. "Time to die dear Spike!"

Gilda gasped at the comment and suddenly her attitude changed. "Spike if you're hearing the this, don't die. We need you, the line is being broken bit by bit and civilians are in the line of fire. We need you just as much as any other soldier.....I need you more than any other soldier....Don't..die....Dweeb!"

Myrrina launched the blades one by one until the first one crashed through the roof. Suddenly Spike's eyes shot open glowing a ghostly green. "I will not die!"

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Spike unnaturally grew the strength of ten colts that moment as he removed the pillar from his gut, his injuries seemingly disappeared as he kicked the pillar through the roof. Myrrina dodged the incoming pillar only to see the Dragon's eyes glaring at her with the intent to kill. He jumped as the blade pierced the ground in front of him then using it's flat build as a trampoline. He then began jumping from blade to blade as they drove through the air getting him closer and closer. Myrrina started to get nervous, firing the paralyzing crystals more and more as he neared her. He simply flipped over them and landed on another blade. She noticed what he was doing and anxiously stopped firing the blades. This did not stop his advance however as he took one good stance and rocketed off the last blade with impossible speed. She took one last effort to summon forth a ball of pink energy with lightning swirling around it. "You will come no closer boy!"

She fired it and watched as it engulfed Spike only to see him come out the other side with pink lightning swirling around him. He finally reached her, glaring into her eyes like a wild beast. Myrrina shook in fear as he continued to stare. "You..you wouldn't h..hit a lady now would you?"

He rammed a fist into her gut, making her gasp for air then put the barrel of his gun to her face. Myrrina screamed in pain as the Spike pulled the trigger engulfing her in a green energy. "Next time...don't take so long finish off your enemy."

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Spike closed his eyes and dropped to the ground like a rock. The dust cloud dissipated soon after as he sat up. "Ugh..what happened?"

Spike stood up as rain slowly began to fall and looked himself over. "I could've sworn I got hurt a couple of times. Man if only I could remember what just happened....Gilda and the others! I have to get back."

He rushed out the maze like buildings back onto the streets only to find no one there. It was unusually quiet for a war. Spike turned towards the the evacuation point and ran south. The city was like a ghost town as he walked about the deserted buildings and checkpoints. Where is everyone? He removed his radio from his side and flipped it on. "Gilda are you there? Gilda?"

".......We're here dweeb, we were able to hold them off...barely. Where are you?"

"Still near the central checkpoint. Where did you guys move to?"

"Head to the southern evacuation points, there should be a tall building with star on top of it."

"On my way." Spike climbed over fallen rubble and debris as he approached the southern checkpoints. Just seeing all this destruction is kinda scary. I mean it's terrifying to see such a busy and prestige place reduced to such a ghost town. I can't wait for this war to be over. Spike finally spotted the building with star on top. As he neared the southern blockade, he was greeted by Jasmine who began to question him as if he were just in jail. "What happened to you? Who did you see back there that made you take so long? What was his or her name?"

"Jasmine please, these can wait. Let's just go see Gilda."

"Awww fine."

They entered the building to find their nostrils assaulted by the smell of pastries. Spike held his stomach as it growled. "Great now i'm hungry."

He and Jasmine made their way into a back room where Gilda sat with General Derpy and a map of the city. Gilda motioned them to come to the table as Derpy made her way around the table and sat down. Without warning, the chair collapsed and Derpy fell to the floor. Spike was about to say something until Derpy held a hood out and shushed him. "Not..a..word. Just give me your report Corporal Spike."

Spike saluted and began. "Yes mam, my mission as backup at the central checkpoint was changed upon Seargent Gilda's request to intercept a rouge enemy soldier. Upon interception, it was revealed to be a high ranking royal elite of King Sombra's army. Her name was Myrrina I believe."

"Myrrina? That's the mistress of the merponys. I assume her capabilities were up to the standards of a royal?"

"You assume right mam, almost ended me up on the KIA list but I took care of her nonetheless. She did however say she was one of the royal elite."

"That's a problem indeed, at ease Corporal."

"Pardon my curiosity but how do you know Mistress Myrrina?"

"From some of my more....unintelligent adventures...Anyway now that you're here, we just finished finalizing the plans for a counterattack."

Spike, Jasmine, and just entering the room, Wild Fire joined Derpy and Gilda at the table. Gilda drew a long red line across a small southern half of the square city. "This is our border..it's a bad thing. King Sombra's army holds almost the entire city and we own only one fourth of it. We need to push them back..hard."

Wild Fire removed her claws and placed them on the table. "What are our options?"

General Derpy instructed Gilda to draw a line around a small complex just a few miles north of the eastern side, western side, and central side of the border. "We have a small plan in place, pretty straight forward, three central points we need to push to and keep. Once we push up those three points and secure them with specially designed blockades, we split the forces at the central blockade, move them a bit apart from each other to the east and the west and garrison them a mile north. After we secure those points once again, we move the two central forces north a mile again as well the far east and west forces. If all goes according to plan we should be able to secure the perimeter of the city by tomorrow morning. Might even end up being the afternoon if the resistance is strong."

General Derpy made her way into a closet rummaging through a pile of military equipment. Suddenly a plume of smoke rushed out of the room as a loud crash filled everyone's eardrums. "I'm ok. Seargent Gilda, here."

She handed over a small circular device with a red crystal in the middle. Gilda examined it over seeing no real use for it. "Look like junk."

Derpy grunted at the comment and snatched it away from her. "You wouldn't be calling it junk if you knew what it did. Listen, all four of you are going to be in command of those three forces. Gilda you the central point, Spike you push to the western, and Jasmine, you and Wild Fire take the eastern."

Derpy pressed a button on the device and split it into four separate parts. "Spike, Jasmine, you are to place one of these at the south west and south east corners of the city before mission start. Once we have successfully pushed Sombra's army back to the northern perimeter, place them at the north east and north west corners. We're going to attempt to establish a force field around the city, long enough for evacuation to finish. Is your mission understood?"

All three responded with a, "Yes mam!"

They all split to meet their respected teams and place the devices. Spike walked through the desolate streets towards the west, watching as the civilians struggle to survive while awaiting evacuation. One filly in paticular came to Spike stopping him in his tracks. "Excuse me mister."

Little Filly

Spike knelt down to meet the young girl eye to eye. "Hello there, my name is Spike, what's yours?"

"Oh..my name is Filly Flye but people just call me Lily Lye."

"That's a very nice nickname."

"Thank you..um..I had a question."

"Ask away."

"Are we really going to be ok? I understand we are in dire straights."

"Whoa, small filly, big vocabulary. You're a very smart girl, aren't you?"

She nodded with excitement. "Oh yes, I hope to grow up and have a great big lab...but thanks to this war.."

Spike picked her up and hugged her as if she were his own. "If you want that lab then you are gonna get that lab, of course you have to study and work for it, but either way your dream shouldn't stay dream because of this war."

A young woman's voice appeared from a couple of feet away. "Filly Flye. Where are you dear?"

"Mommy mommy over here."

"Oh there you are, and who might this be?"

"This is Spike mommy, he's fighting Sombra on the front lines."

"Oh are you, then we appreciate all that you are doing to help us. My name is Iris Fleur, very honored to meet you Spike." Wow she's beautiful.

Iris Fleur

"And very...nice to meet you. What happened to your wing?"

"I kinda got smashed into a wall by someone who was taking the evacuation way too seriously."

"That'll happen. I can't help but notice and sorry to be rude but..um...you guys don't really.."

"Look alike. Yea everyone says that now. I'm actually her aunt, Lily's parents were actually...killed at the start of the war."

Spike rubbed the back of his head in sadness. "I'm sorry I didn't know."

"It's quite alright, I didn't mean to make you sad."

Suddenly Spike's radio went off. "Spike get into position!"

"Oh man I almost forgot. Sorry but I have to go."

Iris stopped Spike almost immediately and handed him something. "Take this with you."

"What is it?"

"A necklace that I like to give to friends. Every pony said I was good luck when I was little so I started making these little charm necklaces since then."

Spike put it on and held it close to his heart. "Thank you Iris."

He turned and took off towards to the west with Lily and Iris waving goodbye. Quickly he placed the device and joined up with his team. All the soldiers went on salute as Spike approached. One particular mare approached back and saluted once they were face to face. "Corporal Spike, Private First class Amethyst Star reporting."

Amethyst Star

Spike's face slowly turned red as he acknowledged the fact the he was the highest ranking officer there. I never thought i'd get the chance to command my own troops, this is awesome. Being a corporal, this should've come sooner but some griffin thinks she deserves all the fame. "At ease, does everyone know the plan?"

They all nodded in agreement. "Then let's make up for lost time, get into position."

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Their position consisted of a long wide street with buildings all the way down both sides. There was little cover crossing the street however so the fight would most likely take place in the buildings. There positions were set, sharpshooters on the buildings covering the street and soldiers in the houses covering the alleyways and flanks. Spike caught slight movement down the street and shushed his fellow soldiers. For a moment, there was nothing but silence, then the sound of Sniper shot pierced the air. Without warning, a firefight ensued, the sound of magic flying and explosions filled the air. The push for the central and eastern points however was relatively easy, almost no resistance whatsoever. Gilda watched as her soldiers secured the surrounding area and set up the barricade. She flipped on her radio and spoke in a concerned voice. "Jasmine we've secured the central point, what's your progress?"

"We've secured ours too, almost too easily."

Something's wrong..Spike's in trouble. "Spike come in."

"Spike here..hold up."

Gunshots and heavy breathing could be heard as she waited for Spike's return. "Dave get that right flank covered. Spike here."

Gilda stood on top of the barricade in shock. "Spike are you receiving heavy resistance?"

"Heavy? Are you kidding me, the entire army is over here."

"No! They figured it out. Spike do what you can, we'll try to support you however we can."

"Roger. Ahh crap!"

"Spike?! Spike?! One of you get the mortar cannon ready and get me General Derpy on the line."

General Derpy sat just outside the evacuation point directing people inside the giant blimps. A soldier ran up to her and saluted. "Seargent Gilda on line two."

Derpy nodded and tuned her radio. "Go ahead Gilda."

"Change of plans, they've completely assaulted the western point, permission to commence mortar fire."

"Hmm....Permission granted."

"Thank you mam."

Gilda tuned her radio back to Spike's channel. "Spike if you can hear me, mortars inbound. Commence firing sequence."

Spike jumped over a small wall as he issued the fall back orders. "Crap, can't believe they broke my radio. Wait..what's that?" A blue light traveled slowly through the sky towards their position until it got closer and closer finally demolishing a pack of mechanical hounds as it hit. "Wish they hadn't broke my radio. Friendly Mortars take cover!" Everyone retreated into the safety of the houses still firing out of windows of course. All seemed to be going well until the sound of a loud engine caught their attention. Spike and his troops watched as the enemy that were so hell bent on pushing through backed up and retreated. In the distance, camouflaged by the rain was a very bright light. "What is that?"

Amethyst removed the spyglass from another soldier's back and pointed it in the direction of the light. "....Move....Move now!"

She retreated quickly from the house scaring everyone into doing the same. Spike just stood there in confusion. "Wait what did you see?"

Suddenly half of the house exploded in a fiery explosion. Spike quickly dove out of the back of the house and regrouped with his team. Whatever it was lit up with light once again, the whistling of a projectile could be heard as it hit the building next to them. One soldier cowered in fear behind Amethyst. "What the hell is that thing?"

Amethyst shook the soldier off and looked at Spike. "What now?"

Spike asked for a radio and flipped to Gilda's channel. "Code word..blazing scale, get me Gilda."

"Spike are you ok over there?"

"We have a serious problem."

"Other than the onslaught?"

"It's part of that problem. Gilda the mortar fire really thinned them out, we were about to counterattack but..then they retreated and...oh my god it's a freaking tank, no one said they'd have tanks."

Gilda gasped as she heard that magic word. "Tank?! Oh man..um..We have missiles but not on station, we used them all."

"Then how do we take this thing do..It's firing!"

Spike ducked as the shot passed him and hit the upper part of their house. "Crap we lost rime and pot."

Gilda spoke with concern once again. "General Derpy says to fall back completely, we're to protect the evacuation at all cost."

"Roger that. Fall back! Get that barricade up, maybe we can slow them down."

Everyone retreated back into the southern safe zone and set up the barricade. Made out of one the strongest metals known to pony kind, it would take a couple of shots to bring it down. Spike spoke nervously into the radio. "Gilda can't you guys flank this thing?"

"Not a chance, they brought tanks to the central and eastern points too."

Spike grunted as his chance to retake the city was lost. As he ran back to the evacuation point, he noticed Iris and Lily on the street. "Lily, Iris, this way!"

Lily and Iris galloped beside the retreating forces with worry on their face. Iris tapped Spike to get his attention. "What is happening?"

"Things went bad, real bad. We're getting you all out now."

Lily tugged on his leg. "Are we ever going to see our home again?"

"Of course you are, we're not giving up that easy. All that matters now is your evacuation." Two gigantic blimps pulled into the station returning from a drop. Civilians piled into the balloons like animals on a rampage. The two blimps pulled off and another was on approach. As it pulled into the dock, General Derpy ordered any remaining soldiers and civilians alike to board the blimp. Since they're weren't many of each left there was room. Spike directed Iris and Lily towards the blimp with more civilians behind them. Suddenly magic began flying through the air towards the blimp. General Derpy began pushing people on board as the shots got closer and closer. "Get on now! Lift off!" The blimp began to pull off the station while people were still boarding. Spike, Iris, and Lily were the last ones to board before the blimp completely left the station. All of the citizens still left were enraged as the soldiers closed in.Iris stood by the edge of the boarding ramp and began to walk inside until a rogue shot made the pilot take evasive actions. The blimp tilted and Iris slipped right off the side. "Iris!"

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Spike took hold of her hand as she went over and attempted to pull her up. "Hold on Iris, Fly back up."

"I can't, my wing hurts to much."

Spike felt his grip slipping until and a griffin's claw reassured his grip and pulled her back over. Lily ran over to Iris and hugged with the strength of a god. "I was so worried mommy!"

Both of them thanked Spike and joined the rest of the civilians. Spike turned to thank the Griffin but there was on one there just air. Spike looked out of the small ramp opening, and noticed Gilda flying back towards the city. "Gilda!"

"Shut it dweeb! Tell General Derpy to send a transport back for more evacuation! I'm going to save them all."

"Gilda don't!"

Too late, Gilda was dead set on going back until a dark and eerie green explosion engulfed the entire city. Gilda rushed faster towards the city when two Pegasus held her back. "No! I can still save them! Let me go!" Gilda landed moments later on the ramp and proceeded into the blimp. Spike walked beside her trying to comfort. "Gilda it's okay, there wasn't...anything we could do."

Gilda looked at him with absolute rage and pinned him to a wall. "You didn't do anything to help me, don't you go saying there wasn't anything we could do."

Derpy appeared behind Gilda and tapped her on the shoulder. "Stand..down Gilda." Gilda glared into Spike's eyes for a moment more and finally dropped him. Spike coughed and wheezed as she walked away. Gilda I...