A life stolen for a war unclaimed

In that moment the Spectators about began whispering in awe. There stood two of the Equines greatest warriors. Starlight, Veil and Rainbow looked around in confusion as they heard the names.

"The Shadowed Death." a griffon said in disbelief

"Star's Guardian." a Pegasus said in fear

"Dark Guillotine." A Thestral said in awe

"The Crystal Fire." Another said in reverence.

"Wait like the band?" Rainbow asked confused.

"THEY WERE NAMED AFTER HIM!" some griffon answered angrily.

"BEGIN!" Dredd Declared and almost immediately Spike shot forward after Sheik Using his tail to shift his momentum into a side spin before Kicking Sheik in the face by the left temple, the turn and twist forcing the head to crash into the ground with a sickening Crunch, Gandor responded by moving to Hit Spike with a clenched Talon knocking him off of Sheik. After the hit A hoof wrapped itself around the talon pulling it down as a hoof came up on to the bicep of the arm causing a shatter felt by the crowd followed by screams of Bloody Murder. Sheik having gotten up from his daze heard Gandor’s Screams of pain and watched in horror as Damocles then yanked the arm forward forcing the grif off balance so Damocles can grip the base of the wings forcing them fully out as the flames of two fire balls destroyed the majoritys of the wings feathers causing Gandor to pass out from the pain.

Sheik Gave an ear Piercing screech as he lunged after Damocles only for the pony to dove under the Griffon as he grabbed its tail and pulled it over his shoulder leaning into the pull Causing the griffons flight to be interrupted. Screaming in pain the griffon was essentially thrown backwards into a dragon style drop kick aimed just between the wings. Every winged creature cringed while sucking in air through their grit teeth as the hit connected. The poor Grif squeaked in pain before dropping knocked out.

"Well then, This victory of honor and glory goes to the Corrax and Nuwisha, Damocles and Spike!" Dredd declared.

"Mmmm nope." Spike said as his eyes settled on Damocles. "Hey Damos... How about we show these griffs a real fight between us? Since this one wasn't much of one." Spike said as he got into a fighting stance. Damocles eyes widened as he smiled with mirth.

"You sure you want to do that Spikey?" Damocles said he took on his strange two legged combat stance. His wings tightly closed in.

"Yeah but i wonder what the crowd thinks?" He questioned and almost immediately the crowd started chanting Fight over and over again. The Philodox Shrieked gaining everyone's attention.

"Alright it is my solemn honor and duty to ref this match do either players have any restrictions they wish to impose?"

"Only one." Both said.

"And that would be?"

"Damos's Dark magic.. none of that now ok? Your wings are fair game." He said smiling fully with his fangs.

"I agree to this, As my restriction for you? You can't use Rapid Fire, too many potential collateral targets." Damocles said

"That's fair only if i am down right?" Spike Inquired

"As always." Damocles said

"Very well the, both restrictions have been acknowledged. Ready Begin!" Dredd Declared.

Damocles and spike met each other in the middle as spike jumped to dodge a leg sweep and attempt to claw Damocles. Damocles using the sweep as a feint used his wings to spring board himself into Spike As if he was headbutting the shoulder. Spike responded by grabbing onto Damocles's shoulder and biting down As Damos Swung the two of them back and over before dropping the two of them onto their back like it was a wrestle Mania match. The two rolled away from each other before getting up the cheer roaring with excitement.

"Come one little brother, You can do better than that!" Damos accused laughing as he dodged a pair of flaming claws.

"I'm just warming up. Gotta give the show a little flair after all big bro." Spike challenged with a wide grin licking the blood off his lips. He said before digging his claws into the ground and ripping a chunk of earth out and launching it at the white thestral. Releasing a blast of fire to turn the rock into molten slag forcing Damocles to block with the metal of his wings ripping through it like a ship through a wave.

Upon flicking the stage off his wings he was decked in the center of his chest by Spike who charged him behind the slap. The hit connecting and Spike driving it through further as he shifted most of his kinetic energy into the punch. Forcing Damocles back almost knocking him out of the ring. Spike not about to let up on the advantageous position he's in began to lay into Damocles with more punches and a small stream of fire. As it seemed like Damocles was about to fall off the ring Spike grabbed him by the barrel with his tail before throwing him into the center of the ring. The crowd roaring with approval.

Starlight, and Rainbow looked on with shock. While Veil simply nodded.

"Since when did Spike know how to fight?" Starlight couldn't help but question aloud.

"Since lord Damocles decided he needed to after getting him proper diet. He took to it with masterful grace and respect." Veil said nonchalantly.

"Twilight doesn't know does she?" Rainbow asked rhetorically

"Not at all, the classes were designed to teach discipline, help grow him properly, as well as under the ruling that he only use it to protect those around him he cared about. And he can only go all out against Damocles." As Veil spoke Damocles had turned the tide having launched Spike into the air as he commenced quick strikes to juggle him.

"COME NOW LITTLE BROTHER I TOLD YOU HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS!" Damocles taunted and reminded spike as he took quick dives and flip kicks before Spike slammed his tail into one of Damos hooves throwing off the attack off balance and forcing him to fall onto the arena followed by Spike falling like a meteor as he wreathed himself in flames.

Damocles took the full brunt of the hit using his hooves and wings to catch Spike. The ground bowed a bit from the impact and Spike took advantage of the instability of Damocles's footing to trip him with his tail. Stumbling onto his back Spike quickly pinned Damocles's legs and wings with legs and knees as he sat on the prince's stomach. Grabbing his Mane with one claw and another going to his throat the fight was all but decided.

"Didn't see that coming did you big bro?" Spike said panting with a smile. "Do you yield?" Damos could only smile and close his eyes.

"Judge Dredd, I yield before Spike the Dragon."

"Acknowledged winner of this bout is Spike Drake." Dredd declared as more than half the spectators erupted into cheers. Rainbow and Starlight where speechless as Veil clapped alongside the the griffs. The crowd taking the two fighters who were on their feet dusting each other off to the nearest Tavern to celebrate.

"You know something," Veil began getting the attention of the other mares. "This makes the first official fight that Spike won. Hes really coming into his own."

"What usually happens?" Rainbows voice was reserved and trying to process everything.

"Spike usually gets beaten into unconsciousness." Veil said as she got up and started to walk to the tavern.

"WHAT!!! WHY WOULD HE KEEP FIGHTING THEN?!" Her voice cracked in shock.

"Didn't you see it Rainbow?" Starlight interrupted her gaze going back to where the fight was taking place her voice was sad almost like she was hurt.

"See what?" Rainbows brows furrowed.

"The look in their eyes, they were having fun... they were enjoying every hit and movement. They were fighting because they liked it." Starlight explained morsely.

"Girls this something each of us of the phantoms had to learn, predators, apex or otherwise, have an innate desire to get stronger, hes still the Spike you knew before Prince Damocles. But he's growing and evolving. For better or worse we won't know but its too late to stop it now the only thing you cannot do is stop him from progressing because he will rebel, and he will follow his heart." Veil explained. "You may not like it but the fact of the matter is that its too late to stop it, and you have to accept it."

"The tartarus i do!" Rainbow challenged "when we get back Im-"

"Not gonna tell Twilight because if she tries to keep me from learning about dragons and my origins then ill walk away." Spike said as came up with 2 mugs one of which was on fire with his green flames. "It will hurt and it will suck but this is something I've needed to know for a very long time. Besides this way I can protect what matters most to me. You girls." He said as he gave the second mug to Rainbow.

"Spike, this is not cool at all!" Rainbow challenged pushing the mug away.

"And what is cool rainbow? Watching all of you risk your lives on nearly every magical catastrophe? Watching you all get hurt and not being able to do anything about it? Rainbow before you judge whats best for me walk a mile in my claws, and see things from my perspective."

"But if anything happened to you we would never be able to forgive ourselves!"

"And you don't think the same applies to me?" This statement made Rainbow physically rear back. "Listen we can talk more on this later but for now we are heading out to have fun at a great festival with good friends. Can we do that?" Spike offered a soft smile with hopeful eyes. Rainbow looked at him pensively before turning her head to the side and rubbing one of her fore limbs.

"Ugh fine only because I don't do sappy stuff well. But this conversation is far from over you understand? We will talk about this more later on." She said as she jabbed a hoof into his chest to make a point before turning around and walking back K.I.T.T.

"You ok with everything Starlight?" Spike asked his overly silent friend.

"No I'm not, but ill speak with Damocles about it." Starlight said mildly upset.

"Talk to me about what?" The prince said as we walked up holding a barrel of ale with his wings.

"About spike sir. And your training methods." Veil said.

"Oh, well let's get going while the goings good then." Damocles said without missing a beat leading the rest of the party back to the car and getting on their way. The next stop the Capital.