Conviction

“I didn’t think the missile systems would be working around the castle, but I was wrong.”

Canterlot Streets

Fire, it was the one true horror the three individuals had to bear as they flew to castle. The flames seemed to rise so high that they would lick the bottom of the aircraft. The heat was intense. The very air that surrounded them seemed to grow hotter by the second.

Beads of sweat dripped off Spike’s face, but seeing her smile was all he needed to go on. It was that same smile she gave him right before his deployment in Camelu. The look of worry, and joy. It was somewhat contradictory, but it was nonetheless, true.

Rarity fanned her face desperately trying to cool down all the while Appljeajack remained as cool as ice. Relaxing in the cockpit like it was just a fine Spring day in the sun. Not even a single drop of sweat dripped down her face. She must have been used to such extreme heat to survive the sweltering conditions Spike and Rarity were enduring.

“How long until we reach the castle?” asked Spike.

“Ah’d say ‘bout fifteen minutes.” Replied the hic pony.

“Spike…” The unicorn trailed on.

“Yes?” Spike raised a brow.

“I-I lov-“

“Ah’ shit! Everypony hold the fuck on! Incoming missile!” Screamed Appljack.

Spike was thrown to the side and grabbed onto Rarity tightly. The world around them spun faster and faster then it all stopped. Blackness. It was dark. Darker than Spike’s eyes could adjust too properly. He couldn’t move either. It felt like the weight of the world was on top of him pressing down on every inch of his body.

Two voices were panicking, screaming, he could hear the sound of rocks being thrown, but they were bigger. Large clumps of debris were magically lifted to the side. Dust fell on his nose causing the dragon to sneeze. The voices sounded happier, as if they heard him sneeze.

“Spike! Spike! Baby please don’t die, please. Not like this!” those words forced the dragon’s eyes open. Rarity’s tears were pattering on his chest. He squeezed the mare tightly and whispered in her ear, “I love you too Rarity.”

The unicorn embraced the hug fully. Her eyes could no longer contain the emotions they held inside. Tears poured down her face, but she was not frowning. A wide grin spread from ear to ear formed on the pony’s face. The joy of knowing he was still alive made her cry so much more.

She whipped her head around quickly shouting in the distance. Spike couldn’t see who she was yelling at, but he knew who it was, “Spike’s alive!”

“That’s great sugarcube! But ah’m kinda’ busy right now ya’ see!” a few shots were fired as the orange earth pony tried to fend off Blueblood’s personal militia.

Spike stumbled to his feet and rubbed his eyes wiping the dirt out of them. The roof above them was gone. They were inside some sort of theater. Rows of red chairs lined both sides of the auditorium and a narrow pathway lead up to the cowpony whose back was pressed firmly against the wall as she guarded each entrance to her left and right.

She was panting heavily and blood was dripping down her right leg.

“That’s the last of ‘em for now!” she said trying to catch her breath. She slumped down against the wall blood still seeping of her the fresh wound on her leg.

“Applejack!” exclaimed Spike as he ran up to the cowpony, “you’re hurt. Was it a through-n-through or is it still in there?” asked the dragon.

“N-neither, Spike. ‘Piece a shrapnel from the crash. Broke my leg, it’s bleedin’ pretty bad, huh?” She tried to laugh and Spike looked away cringing his teeth.

“I won’t let you die Applejack.” Spike leaned to the pony and gripped her leg firmly. She nodded to him and turned her head back anticipating the worst. A small fiery blast came from the dragon’s mouth. Not enough to kill anypony, but enough to singe the hairs on Applejack’s coat and cauterize the wound.

“Spike,” said Rarity as she threw him the Kevlar vest she was once wearing, “go save Twilight, I’ll take care of Applejack.”

The dragon hesitated for a moment, but realized this was the only option they had. He slipped on the heavy vest and grabbed Applejack’s pistol. Rarity levitated the earth pony onto her back. No words needed to be said. They both understood what they had to do. Putting emotions aside for the greater good of Equestria.

“I’ll see you soon.” Said the dragon.

“Yes you will.” Replied the mare.

Spike and Rarity exited the theater. Rarity went the opposite way of the castle heading back to Ponyville. It was the only town that wouldn’t have been hit by the Megaspells. A small town like that wouldn’t make much of a political impact if it was wiped off the face of the world, but as for most of Canterlot, Trottingham, and Manehattan, they were all but wastelands. Barren and dead, devoid of all life.

The stench of burning flesh filled the dragon’s nostrils making him gag and nearly vomit. Scorched carcasses scattered the ground around him. Dead unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi littered the ground. The few ponies that were alive were either wallowing in their own pain or trying to help the survivors. Even in the midst of pure chaos and anarchy ponies still held onto the values of altruism.

A barricade prevented Spike from going any farther he had to take the high ground and took to the scaffolding of a nearby building that wasn’t demolished. Armed unicorns and earth ponies pushed the civilian crowd back. They were not the Royal Canterlot Guard, they were Blueblood’s ponies. Equines in Arms.

“Please remain calm, we’ve been ordered by the Princess to maintain order.” Said the officer. It was a bullshit lie and Spike knew it.

“Ordered by the Princess?!” Shouted a small Pegasus. She had a long purple mane and tale with an orange coat, “you’re not even Royal Canterlot guard! How do we know that! Plus you’re toting around weapons like this place is a war zone!”

“Ma’am, please stay back or we will open fire.” Said the guard. The Pegasus inched forward questioning the guards more and more about their presence. The general crowd around her started to ask the same questions. Scootaloo was a small girl.

“Open fire? You’re going to kill a civilian! HEY EVERYPONY THESE GUYS ARE-“ She was shouting as loud as she could before a pistol pressed against her forehead.

“Ma’am stay back or I will shoot!” screamed the guard. They were outnumbered by the crowd. Five to one easily, but Blueblood’s men had the advantage in all ways. Automatic weapons, body army, hoof-to-hoof combat, ect…

“Hey now… you don’t have to be so serious.” The Pegasus was quivering in fear for her life. The crowd was terrified as well backing up slowly.

“Take that shot mother fucker! I dare you! I will tear your head out of your ass!” A marshmallow colored unicorn in the back hit the ground with her hoof. Steam blew out of her nostrils like a raging bull. Sweetie Belle stood there bracing the ground and preparing for a battle to the death.

“Stand back! Come any closer and we will shoot!” The guards were cornered. Spike could see the fear in their faces. He couldn’t wait around any longer if the crowd got any closer they would kill the civilians.

Panic, ponies ran in all directions. The guards lied dead around their weapons. Scootaloo wiped her forehead and hugged Sweetie Belle. Spike jumped down from his perched position and slithered on by avoiding being spotted by two of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. He couldn’t have them following him to the Royal Castle. He knew full well they’d try to get their cutie marks in urban warfare and he wanted no part of that dangerous escapade.

He could see the castle in the distance. He was approaching it quickly as he ran the streets trying to avoid as many of the guards as he could. He didn’t have time for them.

He stood at the entrance of the palace. The wrought iron gates stood firm, but that was not a problem for Spike. He jumped over the metal fencing with grace and dived into a nearby bush. A pair of guards were coming his way.

He killed them both and dragged their bodies into the bush he was hiding in. Armed guards patrolled the front of the palace. The main door wasn’t going to be of any use now. There’d be way too many ponies for even Spike to handle. He had to find a different way.

“Twilight,” he said over his comm, “Twilight you there?”

“I’m here Spike, but I don’t have long, what do you need?”

“I’m at the royal palace and I need a way in.”

“Wait! You’re here?!” She sounded ecstatic, at least, a lot more enthusiastic than Spike, “go to the West side. There’ll be a door there. It’s unlocked. It’s how I entered. And thanks… for coming Spike.” She was sounding rather sentimental at the point and the dragon was starting to tear up.

“AJ and Rarity wouldn’t let me come back without you, Twi.” He said smugly. He could hear her laugh a bit then revert back to her serious tone, “once you’re inside head to Celestia’s personal chambers. That’s where we’re heading. I’ll see you soon Spike.” Said the mare.

Spike scaled a nearby guard house and ran across the building’s top leaping farther than he imagined he could. The long marble pathway leading to the door Twilight mentioned was now before him. Soon it was all going to end. He opened the door slowly poking his gun inside first and slowly peered through. Empty. He stepped inside and closed the door shut behind him.