Conviction

“It’s pretteh’ obvious how much Spike changed that he would even consider goin’ after Third Epsilon, that dragon is crazy sometimes. He always was a good ol’ boy burnt to the bone after what they did to him. An’ now look at him, ready ta’ rip em’ apart likea’ Ursa Major! The HQ’s weakness was its power supply. Two generators on opposite ends of the buildin’. If just one shut off that place be locked. He had to hit ‘em both, at the same time. It’d be the only way he’d have enough time ta’ slip in before the backup generators were up ‘n runnin’.”

Third Epsilon Headquarters

“This is as far as I can take you Spike, give ‘em hell.” Those were the last words of encouragement given to the dragon before exiting the black SUV. Shining Armor couldn’t waste any time leaving the base. It was hard enough sneaking him in there, but now he had to run back to the Princess in time to keep her safe as well. Captain of the Royal Guard was no cake-walk.

“Spike, do you read me?” Said Twilight.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Good. Shining Armor should have given you some explosives. There are two generators on the parking level with you. You need to take them out if you want to get inside Third Epsilon. No killing either. If they catch even the SLIGHTEST hint you’re there… I won’t even be able to help you then.” Twilight sounded almost sympathetic at the end. Like she actually cared about Spike for more reasons than just ‘National Security’.

Spike knew the tones of empathy were hollow and fake. Nothing more than a façade to boost his morale to complete the mission successfully. He didn’t need her lies though. He only wanted Rarity. That was the only reason he even bothered letting himself be taken so easily back in Tapirus.

The east wall was his best friend right now as he slid his back against it shimmying to the side. A guard booth stood between him and the two generators on the other side. Two ponies were inside chatting about the latest news. Filthy Rich was dead and the prime suspect was none other than Spike, the Dragon. Former resident of Ponyville and ex Third Epsilon operative.

“They say he killed him to send a message to Blueblood. The Director was pissed when he showed up this morning! I think Spike got his point across.” Said one of the earth ponies.

“Yeah, ‘cept now Blueblood has beefed up security and we’re not even allowed to leave our posts! Not even for a piss or cigarette. This is bullshit. Spike wouldn’t come here. This is Third Epsilon. If that dragon has a single ounce of common sense he’ll stay as far away from this place as he can.” Retorted the Pegasus with a smug grin as if he won the debate.

“I don’t know… Spike was the FIRST operative the agency made. Hell, I was just joining up with the Royal Guard when he was in Camelu. I heard what went down there. Fuckin’ massacre. If it wasn’t for Applejack he’d be dead.” The earth pony was firm on his stance of the issue and he made a valid point. If it wasn’t for Applejack Spike may have never left Camelu alive.

“Ah’ fuck it. I need a smoke, you stay here in case ‘SPIKE’ comes for blood.” Said the Pegasus sarcastically.

Spike waited for his opportunity to arise as the Pegasus strolled out of the back door and walked down the empty, underground parking lot lighting up a cigarette in his mouth. The dragon climbed on top of the guard post and pulled off a ventilation duct directly above the earth pony. He leapt down falling onto the pony like a predator pouncing on his prey. He held his pistol to the pony’s neck and leaned down to whisper in his ear, “Boo.”

Tears were welling out of the pony’s eyes as he began to pray to Celestia and Luna for protection against the menacing dragon above him, “shh… don’t make too much noise or I’ll have to kill you.” Cooed the dragon sadistically.

The pony whimpered pathetically like a foal without its mother. Spike poked his head up to see get a visual on the Pegasus. He was still smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. He seemed to be having an enjoyable conversation, laughing and walking back in forth in a small area.

“Y-you’re S-Spike aren’t you?” questioned the terrified pony.

Spike didn’t say a word. The question whether it was rhetorical or not didn’t matter, “I saw an elevator out there by your friend, where’s it lead to?”

“The main lobby,” the earth pony slowly moved his hoof to his neck and pulled off an ID tag. It had a barcode on the back of it, “h-here my card will bring you there, but that’s all I’m authorized for, I swear.”

“Good, now sleep.” The guard lied on the ground unconscious as Spike rose from above him. A sharp blow to the back of the head would only leave him with a bad headache when he wakes up. It was the only ‘merciful’ way Spike could deal with these guards until he got inside Third Epsilon.

He closed the door behind him quietly and latched onto a nearby piping system that cascaded upwards onto the ceiling following the long miles of wiring and further piping that flowed through the establishment like veins that pulsed life throughout the building. He shimmied upwards and clung to the ceiling with a vice-like grip.

The Pegasus finished his cigarette and flicked it onto the ground pressing his hoof onto the tiny ember extinguishing it as he rubbed the burnt tobacco into the asphalt beneath him. With a sigh that sounded dreadful as if he was being lead to his execution the pony slowly trotted towards the post he was stationed to. Spike waited patiently until the guard was directly beneath him.

The familiar sound of bone breaking make even Spike cringe as he snapped the pegasus’ neck and dragged the body into a dark corner. What Twilight didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

The dragon took notice to the metal door to his left. It piqued his interests and he slowly opened the door. The fools didn’t even lock the door. The generator sat in the middle of the room humming noisily. Spike approached it with a smug grin on his face and placed the first shaped charge on the control panel.

The second generator would be a bit harder to get to. The ventilation duct to access it was on the other side of the underground parking lot. The dragon exited the room and latched onto the piping above him.

A few minutes later he stood in front of his last objective before entering Third Epsilon. The remaining generator had a laser grid sensor in front of it almost catching Spike off guard. He stepped carefully over the invisible tripwire and placed the last charge on the generator and climbed back through the steel vent.

Spike stood in the elevator and swiped the card he generously received from the earth pony. A bright red light above him displayed the letter, “L” and the metallic doors closed shut.

He walked out into the vast open lobby. A storm was brewing outside. Thunder struck illuminating the vast expansion between him and the receptionist at the front. The unicorn greeted Spike with a wide grin. She had no idea who he was.

“I’m here to see Director Blueblood.” Said Spike nonchalantly.

“I’m sorry, Sir, Director Blueblood isn’t here right now can I take a message?” asked the mare politely.

The dragon reached behind him pulling out a small detonator, “sure, tell him Spike was here,” faint explosions were heard in the background and the lights that once brightened the room fell dark. Flashing yellow and red lights filled the darkened lobby as Spike leaped over the desk and charged as fast as he could through the main lobby area. Security guards opened fire as they saw the intruder dashing past their office.

The earth pony inside slammed his hoof down on the Emergency Lockdown button. Metal gates above Spike began to descend threatening to capture him before he could infiltrate the building. Spike ducted and rolled under the last gate and now stood face-to-face with the staircase he was eyeing so far away.

He casually strolled upstairs. Patrols rushed in from the opposite direction he was entering. He slid behind a desk and poked his head out. Three guards, fully automatic weapons, soft body armor. They came prepared, but not enough to take on Spike. He was a professional. He wrote the book on stealth operations.

Spike wasn’t going to waste more time dealing with these petty ponies. He scaled a nearby pillar lied down on his belly scooting across the vast ceiling. He could hear the hoofsteps under him frantically looking for him, but coming up fruitless in their efforts.

“Spike, I just got a call from my contact inside Third Epsilon. The guards are looking for him. His name is Doctor Whooves. He has a piece of equipment for you. You must get to him before the guards do he’s on the second floor near the North wall. Look inside the gentlecolts restroom. He’s been hiding in there.” Twilight’s voice came over Spikes comm. giving him a bit of a shock. He wasn’t expecting any transmissions to get through while he was inside such a secure facility.

“Ok, thanks for the update.” Said the dragon flatly.

The dragon slithered his way down the ceiling trying not to make any noise. It was almost impossible, but somehow no pony heard the ruckus above them. He slid off and braced his landing, crouching his knees to absorb the small impact.

Another staircase leading upwards stood before him. He ran up the steps and leaped over the wall hanging onto the side as she paced his way to the right avoiding the guards that searched the area in front of him. They whipped their flashlights and guns in all directions at the slightest noise. A creek in the floorboard or a cough from another guard sent chills up the others’ spines.

An earth pony tapped the shoulder of his fellow comrade sending the other equine into shock as he whipped around blinding the earth pony as he pointed it in his face, “shit! You scared the fuck out of me!”

“Wow… chillax. Spike hasn’t been spotted for fifteen minutes.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s not out there.” Said the pony. He was scared. His eyes darted from left to right constantly looking for the dangerous threat the dragon imposed upon them. Spike smiled coyly and climbed over the wall. The gentlecolts restroom was only a few meters away from where he was told he’d find this ‘Doctor Whooves.’

“What was that?!” The earth pony shouted pointing in Spike’s direction. He’d inadvertently knocked over a paper weight that collided against the hard wooden floor beneath him. The sound echoed throughout the complex.

“It was probably just your imagination, now come on, let’s go before Blueblood gets back and sees us standing around like idiots.” Spike held his breath hoping the guard wouldn’t come any closer.

“H-hold on, I wanna check this out first.” Spike saw the shining light approaching his position. In a few moments he would be faced with the same dilemma, to kill, or to be killed.

The dragon tumbled from the side and took aim at the guards laying them both out in quick succession. Two rounds flew through the air piercing their throats almost simultaneously. They gagged and squirmed as blood filled their lungs. An agonizing way to die.

Spike opened the door to the restroom and closed it behind him.

“Psst! Hey!” A voice came from the third stall down. An earth pony walked out. He had a dark brown mane and a light brown coat. He bared the cutie mark of an hourglass with sand slipping through.

“You must be Doctor Whooves.” Said Spike.

“Hehe! Oh yeah, that’s me alright. Wow, this is amazing! I’ve been such a fan of yours since you joined Third Epsilon. What you pulled off in Tapirus was so cool!” The earth pony seemed less interested in helping Spike and more interested in admiring him.

The dragon turned his head to the side and pressed his comm. “Twilight, what the fuck is this?”

“Spike, don’t be like that. Just ask him about the goggles. He knows what I mean.” Replied the lavender unicorn.

“Oh Twilight is on the line! Tell her I said hi.” Interjected the earth pony.

Spike glared at him and canceled the transmission, “Twilight says you have some ‘goggles’ for me? Is that correct?” Questioned the irate dragon. He didn’t care for his fanbase at all.

“Oh yeah!” The earth pony pulled out a pair of trifocal goggles and handed them over the dragon willingly, “try them on! They’re the latest upgrade. Much better than the ones you had back in Manehattan. They’re no longer night vision, or thermal, but SONAR! I know! I thought of it myself. You can see through most walls and it picks up any traces of magic or electromagnetism. No more pesky camera you can’t find,” the pony giggled a bit at his work, nonetheless pleased with his creation, “basically, any living thing will show up on those since every creature contains a small amount of magic! It’s brilliant! Oh, and watch out for the lasers. Nasty things, I programmed them personally. A purging spell will incinerate anything inside its radius if the circuit is cut or tampered with. Oh, uh, one more thing, the elite guards around here are packing similar gear so if you can see them, they might be able to see you too. Good luck.”

“Cool toy, this’ll come in handy, and thanks, Doctor.” said Spike as he lowered the goggles down and peered through the neon green lenses. He looked in the opposite direction and saw four armed guards heading his direction sweeping the area, room by room.

“Are you going to be okay here?” Asked the dragon

“Oh don’t worry about me. I’ll have one of the guards escort me out. I’ll just tell ‘em I fell asleep on the can, that’s all.” Spike nodded and exited the room.

The dragon casually walked out into the hallway seeing the guards advance through a think plaster wall beside him. He slid along the wall escaping their presence with ease. Another stairwell leading farther upwards stood before him.

So many lasers… it was like a rave party only he could see. Oscillating beams of light flickered on and off in mere milliseconds. The flew up and down patrolling the area as an enigmatic force of death. If a single invisible ray were to be blocked the whole room with burst into intense flames not even the dragon himself could withstand.

The sheer temperatures would melt his scales and claws. His blood would boil and evaporate through his pours. His predatory eyes would burst like balloons if he were to make even a single mistake inside the area. Not to mention on the other side he could see shadows walking back and forth. More patrols.

The scaly creatures darted and dashed through the death trap. His tail whipping in all directions as he swung from tables to pipes and finally curling up in a ball and smashing through the wooden door that enclosed the laser grid.

He was free from the ominous thought of being char broiled, but he had bigger issues to worry about now. The guards ahead were no ordinary schmucks he could just run past. They were the elite guards. Fully decked in black stealth suits similar to his when Spike was an operative. They had the same trifocal goggles as him too. He only option was to fight, and so he did.

“I’ve got movement on the west side! Everypony open fire on Spike! Shoot to kill!” shouted the commanding officer of the small platoon.

Bullets riddled the pillar Spike stood behind. Chunks of concrete crumbled onto the floor shattering further as shrapnel whizzed by in all directions. Papers flew into the air and were torn into an almost confetti-like state as the fluttered to the ground. The heavy sound of machine gun fire soon silenced. The sound of metal casings hitting the floor had all but stopped.

The familiar sound of a magazine ejecting from a rifle brought Spike back to his sense as he spun out of the cover he was in and opened fired on the merciless ponies that attempted to kill him. Five bodies later and the dragon was back to his old self. The adrenaline was slowly down and his tunnel vision had passed. The innate sense of ‘fight or flight’ dwindled into nothingness and the purple dragon furthered his infiltration.

“Silverblood…” Spike said through his gritted teeth. He was in Blueblood’s office. The dragon walked up the spiral staircase hearing the paranoid and frantic voice of the drug-abusing sociopath begging for Blueblood’s help.

“He’s here! Spike is here at Third Epsilon!” shouted the pony.

“Remember me?” Said the dragon grinning viciously. The pony dropped the phone and backed away slowly from the table stumbling over his own hooves and holding his arms out in a futile desperation to keep the purple dragon away.

“Wait! Spike! Please!” The dragon pulled the pony’s foreleg forward and slammed his forehead into Silverblood’s muzzle. A cry of pain expelled itself from Silverblood’s mouth as blood dripped down from his nose. He fell to his knees and covered his snout cringing in pain. Spike cocked his leg back and launched his foot into Silverblood’s jaw sending him flying backwards and hitting the railing behind him. A few of his teeth lied on the ground and Spike walked towards him as the pony tried to stable himself.

“No pony’s coming to protect you now Silverblood.” Said the dragon cracking his knuckles in each hand, now tell me what the fuck is Blueblood up to! What is he planning?!”

“B-blueblood’s been working with Melchior setting up Megaspells over town. I helped set it up. It was my job.” The pony was wheezing from the from the shock he was put through, but Spike wasn’t even close to being done. He extended his foot into the pony’s gut kicked him off the balcony onto a table below. It snapped in to as the fully grown stallion fell onto it with his full weight.

Spike hopped down and approached the Pegasus. He picked him up by his mane, “what does Blueblood get out of this? Why is he doing all this?”

The pony coughed up some blood, “h-he’s going to take out Celestia. The megaspells will cause so much chaos that it’ll paralyze the city. No pony will know what to do! It’s going down tonight.”

“Why take out Celestia?” he questioned further.

“I-I can’t tell you, Spike.”

The dragon dragged the pony by his mane over to a large tv and proceeded to smash Silverblood’s face into it until the shards of glass protruded out of his face to a point it could be a weapon that the pony could use to wave wildly at Spike.

“C-Celestia won’t play along nicely with their plans, but her Dirty Rich will. Her treasurer is as slimy as Blueblood himself. The prince will get a big shiny medal and nice promotion as Marshall Law be in order. He’ll take over Celestia’s position while Luna is holding up the night sky. She’ll have no idea her sister is in peril.”

“That mother fucker, last question, and don’t you fucking lie to me either,” Spike said shooting a glare of unfathomable hatred into the pony’s eyes, “what do you know about Rarity?”

“You kill me if I tell you!” shouted the fearful pony. Spike jabbed him in the stomach with his claw and a right hook spun the pony around as he hit the table in front of him. Silverblood grabbed a flag pole bearing the cutie mark of Celestia and swung it around to hit the dragon.

Spike dodged the attack and snapped the wooden pole in half grabbing a piece of the splintered wood in mid air and slamming it down into Silverblood’s right shoulder.

“I-I swear Spike I didn’t know anything about her. I’m not lying to you. They gave me a picture and told me to provide a body that’s all. Nothing more. Third Epsilon contracted me to do a lot of jobs like this. I worked with Ms. Sparkle on several occasions to take care of some ponies they wanted dead.” The look of desperation and truth was in his eyes. Spike could tell he wasn’t lying. No pony would lie like this if it meant there life was on the line.

The dragon let go of Silverblood and walked away from beaten and broken pony. The sound of glass breaking caught his attention immediately and he looked up to spot the intruders. Third Epsilon operatives were repelling down. Spike duct to the side behind the tv he used to interrogation Silverblood.

He poked his head out tossing a flashbang grenade in the middle of the group. A blinding white light and deafening explosion later and the ponies lied dead around Silverblood. A sound downstairs caught his attention. More guards. They had breached the door and were swarming in. Another three scoured the room looking for the dragon.

Spike spun around shooting at the guards. Two were knocked down instantly leaving the third to dive under an office booth nearby. The dragon waited for the pony to poke his head out as he waited in silence. Another pony lied dead in the massive complex.

“Twilight, I just talked with Silverblood, again. Blueblood’s sleeping with Melchior in order to kill Celestia and play king. Luna will be holding up the moon all night so she won’t be able to help us.”

“Oh my. This is serious. It’s a perfect cover for them. It’ll be a ‘conveniently’ place terrorist attack they’ll pass off on the Camels or Zebras. Thanks for the update Spike.” Said Twilight.

“Silverblood also had some other ‘interesting’ things to say. I’m heading over to your office right now. What am I going to find when I get in there Twilight?” Asked the dragon.

There was a long pause before the unicorn spoke again, “something I should have told you long ago. Patch me through when you’re in. We’ll talk then.” The purple unicorn disconnected the transmission.

Spike stood in front of Twilight’s door. The only obstacle that stood between him and information Twilight had been withholding opened slowly as Spike’s claw gripped the knob tightly with his claw. The cool metallic sensation crept into his arm.

A beige phone on Twilight’s desk began to ring. Spike put the lavender pony on speaker and her face lit up on the screen to his side. She was sitting in a small office. A brick wall as a background undoubtedly fake from the texture Spike could see. She sat cross-legged and rested her hooves on top of her desk.

“Now tell me about Rarity. Why the hell did you lie to me about her?” stated the dragon grimly.

“It was Pinkie’s decision. She thought she was protecting you. She recorded everything he said in her office Spike. Right before she went to Manehattan she gave me the access codes. They can only be played on site. I’ll play the recording she said about Rarity.” The purple pony pressed a button with her hoof and stepped up and away from her desk.

“Rarity. I’ve known her for a long time. I received a genuine report of a threat against her life. One from a spy inside Third Epsilon. The threat against Rarity could have been used against Spike. I could not allow that. He could not be compromised. So, I did the unthinkable. I made up a story about Rarity’s death to get Spike to where I needed him. He had to suffer, but she would be safe. The rest isn’t too interesting. I’ve been working on a new cover for Rarity and I hired that scumbag Silverblood to provide a body just for cover. And then…” Pinkie’s voice cracked a bit as if she was crying while making the recording, “I betrayed my only dragon friend. I told him the love of his life was dead took hold of his pain and used it to better Third Epsilon’s agenda. I… I still never found out who was the spy inside Third Epsilon. He’s still out there… I can only hope they succeeded where I failed for Spike and for Rarity.” Pinkie’s voice stopped.

Spike was erupting with anger. He kicked over the desk and screamed at the top of his lungs. Betrayed by his best friend for a selfish cause. He couldn’t believe what Pinkie Pie did to him. It was unlike her. The Element of Laughter had brought such misery and sorrow to the dragon.

“Spike! Spike! Dammit Spike listen to me!” Shouted the purple unicorn.

“What?!” shouted the dragon.

“Listen to me please. What happened has happened, but I need you now. I need the Spike that took on the impossible every time I needed him to.”

“Have you already forgotten?! He’s dead! Pinkie’s dead just ask Rarity!”

“Spike I’m begging you, please, my analysts have deciphered the information from Black Box. We found out what they’re planning and we can’t stop it.”

“Then why do you need me?”

“They have three Megaspells located inside Canterlot. The blast will kill thousands if not more. We found out where one of the Megaspells is. The old Hoofington Reservoir just a little north of where you are. You need to go there and stop it.”

“Why the fuck should I?”

“Because Spike, that’s the one closest to Rarity’s apartment. I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you don’t stop it.”

“And the other two-“

Spike was cut off short by Twilight, “There’s only enough time to go after one. Go Spike, save Rarity. I was never holding her hostage. I lied to get you in back in the game and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry Spike, I really am.”

“What are your plans then?”

“I’m going to the Canterlot Castle with Prince Blueblood. I need to protect the princess. Maybe… I’ll see you there.”

The dragon walked out of Twilight’s office and ran down the stairs. He could hear hoofsteps of advancing enemies.

“Attention all personal. Protocol Emergency Purge will take effect in two minutes. Please exit the building immediately. All ponies must reach a minimum safe distance from the sit while sterilization is in effect.” Said a robotic voice over the speaker system inside the complex.

Spike was running for his life. Killing ponies left and right as bullets whizzed by him nearly grazing his body every time. They were good shots, but not good enough.

The sounds of explosions echoed through the building. Chunks of the ceiling and walls began to crumble and fall. Ponies ran for the door and some stayed back to fight Spike foolishly.

“Spike get out of there! Blueblood just ordered an emergency self-destruct of Third Epsilon!” exclaimed Twilight through Spike’s earpiece.

A fiery blast scorched several officers as they ran in opposite directions away from the elevator door that would allow Spike to exit the collapsing building. He jumped inside the elevator shaft and slid down the long metal cable to the bottom. He was going to Hoofington Reservoir. Nothing was going to stop him.