You Don't Want to be Rescued?

Spike got himself ready, the sound of the intruder grew with every thud that echoed through the room. His fists clenched as he took a deep breath, waiting for this pony to open the door as the footsteps stopped. If Spike were to guess, the pony was standing right outside the castle’s door, probably planning their next move. It wouldn’t be too far fetched that they thought he was waiting to ambush them, but only cowards did that... well cowards that wanted to kill somepony. He was a coward that just wanted to be left alone.

The doors blew open, he wasn’t expecting that. He was barely able to duck down and avoid getting hit by one of the flying doors. “Holy hell...” the dragon muttered under his breath. That was a rather... forceful entrance. Just how strong was this guy? When he peeked back he saw the perpetrator standing in the door’s busted frame.

It was a... girl in a cowhide bikini? Not really what he was expecting, but if she was confident enough to storm the dragon’s lair unarmoured, unarmed and alone she had to be all sorts of trouble.

It was time him to start the show. “Who dares enter my castle?!” He roared ferociously, sparks spraying from between his dagger-like teeth. “Little girl, are you lost? Or have you come to offer yourself up as my afternoon snack?” A shiver ran down his massive spine. Ponies probably tasted horrible. The orange mare was quiet though, perhaps frozen in fear of the mighty dragon before her. “Well? Are you unable to talk?” The pony started shaking. She must have been REALLY scared. She might turn tail any second now.

“I was a fool...” She finally mumbled.

Hell yeah she was. “Indeed... as are all who-”

“How could I have been so ignorant!” She cried, stomping the ground angrily and leaving a nice dent in the stone tiling. “Dragon, your pride as a warrior is as clear and large as your exposed genitals. I had no idea you were this dedicated to prove your strength as to not wear even a shred of clothing.”

“Uh... come again?”

“As Princess of the Amazons, I cannot allow such an injustice to continue!” With one hand, she grabbed her patchy top and with the other her loincloth. It took only one rip to free herself of what little she was wearing. Her massive orange boobs bounced joyfully, free from their constraints. They rested proudfully, firm and full upon the mare’s chest. She dropped her clothes and placed her hands on her bare hip proudly. “Much better, I reckon this oughta put us on even grounds.

“Oh what the hell?!” Spike gasped, covering his eyes and looking away. This girl was nuts! Why would she think taking her clothes off was a good idea? This just made things a million times more awkward. He didn’t want to fight her and he definitely didn’t want to fight her naked. Still he had to keep appearances. “I mean... it’s rare to meet such a bold mare. Tell me, what is your name, small fry?”

“It’s Applejack,” she said, raising her guard. “As you know I am princess of the proud Amazon race, a group of mare warriors and hunters who seek to correct the injustices in this world, namely mare-snatching degenerates like yourself. Though I respect you as an adversary and my prey I condemn you for your wicked gender. I will put you down like a diseased jackrabbit and claim the Princess Rarity to be my wife.”

Great... she was another pony trying to kill him and rescue Rarity. And apparently she was in love with Rarity? That freaking unicorn really needed to work on her phrasing cause she was putting way to much bait in the water. It also made things harder for him. Love was something worth dying for in the eyes of some, and Applejack had the stoic, cold look of somepony ready to jump into death’s embrace.

“I will give you one more chance, Applejack,” he said, trying to hide the begging in his heart. “Leave now to fight another day. If you fight me, you will die.” Spike’s heart was racing as he kept his cool, intimidating composure and prayed for dear life that she would take the offer.

“Heh... you promise?”

There was a searing pain in Spike’s stomach as he was flung backwards into the wall. Applejack had cleared the distance between them before he had time to react and drove her fist right into his guts. His scales had been modified to the point of being damn near indestructible but they weren’t solid. His body couldn’t be cleaved or cut by normal means but a solid punch still hurt like hell and this mare packed one hell of a left jab.

Her right hook was even nastier, driving right into his jaw and sending him upwards. He was seeing stars as he got a taste of her heel to the side of his head, knocking him onto the ground. This girl just wouldn’t let up.

Applejack looked at her fist, they were already starting to look a little scuffed up. Those scales of his were still sharp even if they seemed soft. The dragon’s body was quite fascinating.

“Well now...” the orange mare muttered. “You gonna take a swing sometime today?”

Groaning, Spike started to pick himself up from off the ground. He knew that the answer to that question was a big, fat no, but there was no way he’d tell her that, he couldn’t. But what was he going to do? He’d never actually met a pony that wasn’t intimidated by this form...

“You know what you have to do, S-4173.”

Spike froze, praying that the last hit just made him dizzy and he was hearing things, but there was no denying the feet that walked up to him. Black slippers, Night Light’s choice of footwear. As the dragon looked up, he saw that smug smile staring back down at him.

“This is a little sad, dragon,” Night Light sighed. “I’ll admit that she got the drop on you but this little spat of yours could end with a single strike. I didn’t give you this form so you could play boogeyman.” Spike didn’t answer him, he was trying to completely ignore him. “Now come on, you can feel it inside you. Everytime she hurts you that little voice inside your head screams to hit back. Why not give up this little charade and defend yourself like a true drake and not some pansy-ass lizard?”

“I am not... a pansy-ass lizard...” Spike growled.

The Amazon princess looked confused. “Uh... don’t reckon I called you that, but get up, I ain’t one for hitting my prey while they’re done. At least not yet.” Spike finally got himself back on his feet and Applejack went in for another attack. This time she aimed for his face, giving a nice windup before driving her fist at him like a bullet. However, this time she didn’t find her mark, her fist drove right into the dragon’s palm.

“Nice try...” Spike said. “But I’m ready for you now. You’re a lot stronger than I expected, I’ll admit that, but I’m stronger.”

“Nah, I just didn’t put my back into it,” Applejack said, winding one of her legs back. “Stop this one if you can!” Her powerful leg snapped up like a whip. Spike went to go catch it, but his hand came into contact with the limb, it buckled over the sheer might behind it. He was helpless to stop the unrelenting power of that kick and he was sent flying again.

This time, Spike went crashing through a door and down a hallway. So Applejack’s kicks were a lot more dangerous than her punches... he’d never thought there’d be somepony strong enough to break through his guard. He tried moving his hand, but even the slightest twitch caused unimaginable pain to shoot through his arm. His wrist was broken. It’d heal up soon, but not soon enough.

“That girl has a kick like a cannon, doesn’t she,” Night Light laughed. “Now I’m actually quite intrigued. Where was she when I was alive? Such a strong body would have been great to experiment on. I probably could have turned her into a true killing machine and unlike you she seems to have a good sense of discipline.”

“Go away...” Spike growled. He needed to focus. He needed a plan, there had to be a way to beat this girl. She had to have some sort of weakness that he could exploit.

“Exploit the fact that she’s mortal,” Night said. “She’s tough but still nothing but flesh and bones. Hell, she’s not even wearing any clothes so just do it already.” Spike could hear Applejack running towards him, the clanging of her footsteps foreshadowing to the pain he was about to feel, and it was delivered with a swift kick to his face.

His snout crunched inwards and his head snapped back, cracking his neck and knocking him back onto his feet, albeit with staggering balance. The beatdown continued as the Amazon unleashed a flurry of kicks against him. Spike managed to get his guard up, although it didn’t do much against the assault.

He could feel his forearms getting bruised, pain upon pain. Even if he wanted to go on the offensive, this girl wasn’t giving him an inch. His back was against the wall, literally. She was fast, she was tough, and she was relentless. Just an unbreakable wall of physical torment. His muscles were beginning to twitch, the natural desire to defend oneself was starting to swell up inside of him. How easy would it be for him to kill her? One slash, maybe two for good measure? All the pain could go away in an instant and he’d feel so much better after doing it. Was this agony worth all his pride?

No, he had to get those thoughts out of his head. If he could just get her to stop hitting him for a second and constrain her... maybe he could use this pain to his advantage. Focus on it, he thought, maybe it could tell him something. The strikes hurt like hell and it only hurt more... because she was hitting the same spots. These strikes weren’t random, there was a rhythm to them. Targeted strikes, something he could work with. All Spike had to do was figure out the pattern and then...

“Huh?” Applejack wondered as her kick caught nothing but air. The dragon had dropped his guard and expertly wrapped his arms around her leg. While she was still surprised, his tail snaked its way across the floor and nudged her ankle, throwing her off balance. She fell to the ground and Spike pounced on top of her, pinning her to the ground and wrangling both of her arms with his good hand, the grip was enough to keep her from going anywhere, but not too tight as to crush her wrists. “Shit...” She growled, trying to wiggle free, but to no avail.

“Well now...” Spike said, leaning closer to her. “Nowhere to run now, is there? Do you give up?”

“An Amazon never gives up!” the orange mare barked, still trying to break free. “This can only end with one of us dead! I’ll accept nothing less, ya hear me?! That’s the Amazon way!”

Spike groaned. Damn this girl was stubborn. “Well let me tell you about the dragon’s way, little Amazon. Strong dragons get whatever they want, especially when they’re victorious. It’s insulting to me that you come into my home, trying to kill me... and yet you go on about your honour? Well I spit at your honor. I will not grant you your death, nor do I wish to die... so I guess that leaves us with only one option...”

Applejack’s eyes widened for a second before letting out a heavy sigh. She rested her head back on the floor and she stopped resisting. “Fine then... just make it quick and keep it out of my hair.”

“Huh?”

“Be as rough as you have to be,” she closed her eyes. “I guess this is why you wanted to fight naked.”

“Hah?” Spiked wondered again. What was she--oh goddess she thought-- The dragon looked down between his legs. Applejack’s thighs were dangerously close to rubbing up against his shaft. He had forgotten for a moment that they were both naked, and when he jumped on top of her... holy, shit this all looked bad! He jumped off of her! “Ah! No, that’s not what I meant! I meant I wanted you to leave!”

“Beg your pardon?” Applejack asked, sitting up, looking a little confused. “You’re just gonna let me walk away?” She got up. “What in the hell is wrong with you?! You were winning and now your just letting me go?”

The dragon slumped to the ground. Could this mare not take a bloody hint? He dragged his hand across his face. “Look, I have zero interest in fighting you. Get that through your head and leave me alone.” He shooed her away, slumping onto the floor. “Go on... get out of here.”

Applejack was stunned. She had never before been in this sort of situation. Her prey had always tried to go in for the kill, even when beaten and bruised they would still do everything in their power to fight back. But this dragon... it wasn’t right. It wasn’t what she was expecting or used to... and it was pissing her off. The orange mare’s breath got heavier. Her fists clenched tightly, vibrating with anger. This was... unacceptable.

“No...”

Spike’s head perked up. “What did you say?”

“I said NO!” She snarled. Her eyes looked like they were burning, and her teeth flashed with murderous intent. “You don’t get to just quit! I don’t get to just walk away! THIS ISN’T HOW IT WORKS!” She started to storm towards the drake. “This doesn’t end-this CAN’T end until one of us is dead! That how it has to be!” She wiped her face a little. “It’s how I need it to be!” The last thing that Spike saw was the mare’s boot rocketing towards his face.

After that... everything went black for the dragon.

*****

“G-gaaah!” Rarity cried out in orgasm for what felt like the fifth time. The unicorn had ripped her clothes off and nestled herself in a little nest of treasure. She had got a good freak on thanks to a large, gold scepter straddled between her legs and a coin dancing in her mouth. She pulled the golden rod from between her legs, it was coated in her own juices. She tossed it to the side and spat out the coin. “Well... that was intense.”

She sat up, looking down at herself. Everything felt right, a normal day in paradise and yet... something was off as well. Something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. But whatever, she shrugged it off as nothing and slid down the pile of gold. When she got to her clothes she realized... she had actually ripped off her clothes. Rarity picked up the ripped up the remains of her dress... something really had come over her.

“Oh for the love of...” the unicorn sighed, balling up the destroyed clothing and heading out of the treasury. “I can’t believe that I did that.” She headed down the hall towards her room. “Well then... I wonder if Spike’s scared off that intruder yet? He must have by now.”

Maybe after she got herself dressed again she would go to the kitchen and get something to eat. She had worked up quite an appetite. Should she get something for Spike while she was at it? He might be hungry after all this... she had gotten a bit better at cooking. It was rather nice of Spike to show her how to do a little bit and what was going on with her?! She stopped dead in her tracks. What was she thinking? That was sounding a little too romantic. Rarity’s heart started to race again, and her desire to run right back into the castle’s treasure chambers was growing.

“Yo, so we’re walking around the halls naked now?”

Good, a snap back to reality. Rainbow walked up behind Rarity without her noticing. The pegasus was gnawing on the remnants of a t-bone, and her face and neck were covered in grease stains.

“My outfit got a little torn,” the unicorn said quickly. “I was just trying to sneak back to my room to get a new one.”

“Ah-huh,” Rainbow shrugged. “If you say so. Hey have you seen the dragon around? I need him to heat up the bath water.”

“Yes, I’m sure...” Rarity groaned, looking over the mess of a mare. “You know, we did show you how to use cutlery and napkins like a civilized pony.”

“Yeah but it’s so much easier to use your hands,” Rainbow said. “And why waste napkins when I have a perfectly good dress to wipe my hands off on.”

“For the last time a towel is not a-” she stopped herself a little short, taking a deep breath. There was no way Rarity was going back down that road. “Be that as it may... it’s still rather barbaric to use your body as a dishrag. Do you not have any sense of pride?”

“No.”

“Well maybe you should invest in some,” Rarity said.

“Invest... oh, like at a bank,” Rainbow said. “Didn’t realize it worked that way.”

Rarity let out an ugly sigh, running her hand through her mane. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” she shrugged. “ But I’m not the one standing in the hall smelling like lady-cum, so bite me.”

Rarity was going to say something, but a horrible scream echoed throughout the castle, interrupting her train of thought. The two mares looked around. It scream sounded familiar to them, and that made them nervous.

“Spike...” Rarity dropped her bundle of shredded clothes and dashed down the hall. Rainbow withdrew her wings, her towel dress popping off as she followed the naked unicorn. The two moved as fast as they could until they reached the main hall and they saw Spike and the state he was in.

It wasn’t pretty.

The dragon looked like he had been thrown to the wolves, covered in scraps and bruises. He was no longer in his giant form, not having enough energy to maintain it anymore. Spike laid limp on the ground, motionless, one might even think that he was dead. Standing above him was the Amazon, her body drenched in sweat. Her fists were red and cut up, and the hide of her boots had fallen apart. Applejack wiped her face, shaking off some of the dew that built up on her. She looked back down to the dragon, she could still hear his breathing. He wasn’t dead... not yet at least. She had a job to do, after all and her honor as a proud warrior of the Amazons was at stake. Slowly, she walked up and around to Spike’s head, raising her foot above it. One good stomp would do it.

“STOP!”

Applejack did just that. The orange mare turned to see the two princesses looking down at her from the railings. She had no idea who the blue pegasus was, but there was no mistaking that white unicorn as anypony else other than the Princess of the Platinum family. She had expected the princess to be locked away somewhere deep in the castle but here she was walking around freely... and naked...

“You’re the princess, aren’t you?” Applejack asked, her foot still hovering over the dragon’s head.

Rainbow frowned. “Hey, princesses! I’m here too you know.”

Applejack squinted, looking and Rainbow. “You sure about that?”

“Yes I’m sure!” Rainbow snapped. “I know what gender I am! I have boobs and everything!”

“Ah-huh, sure,” the orange mare said. “Look mister, I don’t really have time to deal with you, I ha-”

“Did you just call me MISTERS?!” the blue pegasus roared. “I’ll show you a mister!” Her wings popped open and she started to flutter into the air.

“Rainbow, what are you doing?!” Rarity gasped.

“I’m flying over there and showing her my vagina!” She said, turning around and leaning closer to the white mare. “Listen to me,” she whispered. “Spike’s got the shit kicked out of him. I’ll distract this bitch while you get our boy out of here.” Rainbow turned back around and glided down to Applejack, looking furious. “And I speak for all A-cups everywhere when I say we don’t need to have watermelons shoved up our fur to be recognized as women!”

“OK...?”

Rainbow flew right up Applejack, her crotch now mere inches from her face. “Also, do you see a dick up in there? Does this shit look like it could get you pregnant?!”

“I... could you please get your cooter out of my face?”

“Oh, so you admit it, I am a girl!”

“What do you want, an apology?!” Applejack snapped, bringing her foot away from Spike’s face. “Is that it? Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry you look like a stallion. There, you happy?”

“I will be... after this!” Rainbow spun around, whipping her foot around and connecting with Applejack’s face. The pegasi felt a horrible pain in her foot as it connected with the iron-like jaw of the Amazon princess. “Ow! Goddess damnit that hurt!” She clutched her throbbing foot and did somersaults in the air.

“Was that really necessary?” Applejack sighed. She had barely felt anything. “I’ve had buzzer stings that hurt more than that.”

“Well, that’s because you haven’t felt this!” Dash swooped down and drove a fist right into the Amazon’s stomach, which was a lot like punishing a brick wall. “Ah! What the hell are you made of?”

“Right... this is just getting sad,” the orange mare groaned. “As much as I’d think it be funny to watch you hurt yourself all day, I’ve got things to take care of...” she turned around to finish off the dragon, but her scaly opponent had vanished. “What in the hell?”

“Surprise attack!”

Rainbow leapt up from the ground and grabbed Applejack from around the shoulders. She tried dragging the muscular mare down, but to no avail. “Don’t think you can turn your back on me!”

With a little shake, Applejack was easily able to throw the pegasus off. The Amazon sighed again. “Will you just quit it? I ain’t in the damn mood to deal with your shenanigans. Now where did that dragon head off to?” So sooner did she take a step that Rainbow was right back on her. “Oh for... you’re gonna make me hurt you if you keep this up.” this time she gave the blue pegasus a little flick on the forehead, making Rainbow’s head spin.

The Sky princess felt like she she just got whacked with a stick, and dizzily tried to make her way to find Applejack again. Her hand reached out, trying to find something to grab onto to get her balance, and just as she stumbled, she caught something to get her bearings. It felt... coarse, and leathery.

When Rainbow’s vision finally straightened out a little, she saw what she had grabbed. It wasn’t anything embarrassing as what would normally happen in this sort of situation, it was just that little bag the Amazon always kept on her. Even when stripping down to nothing she still wore the sack around her waist. It felt a little bulky, like something rather solid was inside of it and whatever it was, it emitted actual emotions from Applejack.

Normally, the orange mare was stoic and reserved, not even flinching when hit, but Rainbow having grabbed the bag sent Applejack into a full on panic. Her whole face was red and she was trembling. At any moment, it looked like she was about to let out a high pitch, girly scream.

“DON’T TOUCH MY BAG!” Applejack roared as she drove a fist right into the cyan mare’s stomach. Rainbow’s guts caved in from the horrible punch, coughing up a mixture of spit and blood as she finally crumbled onto the ground. She wasn’t going to get up after that. AJ took a second to catch her breath and calmed down. She patted her bag, feeling like it’s contents were still safe. “Now... to end this.” She marched off in the direction where she thought the dragon would have headed. It was a big castle though, and Spike could have been anywhere by now...

Luckily for her... Rarity wasn’t very strong, and had only managed to drag him around the corner.

“Come on...” Rarity grumbled, straining under the dragon’s weight. “We have to get you away from that psycho.”

“Little late for that,” Applejack said. “Now step away from the dragon and let me finish my fight, princess.”

“Why do you care so much?” Rarity asked. “He’s beaten, you won, congratulations! Can’t you just leave him alone?”

“No,” the orange mare said, shaking her head. “That ain’t how it works. Amazons fight to win, and we fight to the death. I’m trying to let him die with a little honour, the way a true warrior goes.”

“Well he’s not a warrior!” the unicorn screamed. “He’s a pacifist!” Applejack gave her a weird look. “Let me ask you this: Did he ever hit you? Are you injured because of something he did?”

“Well he did pin me down at one point.”

“HE WHAT?!” Rarity gasped, dropping the drake. “What do you mean he-- look, that’s not important, what is though... is did he hurt you?”

Applejack thought about that for a second. “I guess not...”

“Because he’s not some brute,” Rarity said. “He just wanted to be left alone. That’s what we all wanted. Him, me and even Rainbow Dash, just want an escape from the outside world. Is that so much to ask?”

There were a few seconds of silence before Applejack spoke. “He... was a pacifist?”

“Yes... he wouldn’t hurt anypony, even if it would kill him. Don’t ask me why he goes to such extremes for this...”

“That’s...” Applejack growled, her fists shaking and a lone tear dripping from her eye. “That’s not fair!”

“Huh?”

“I thought he was just fucking around with me when he told me he didn’t want to fight!” She cried again. “But a pacifist? He doesn’t get to be that! He doesn’t get to just choose to not fight!” the mare gritted her teeth, grinding them like daggers as she pushed passed Rarity and grabbed the dragon. “Wake up and fight me, you overgrown fucking lizard! You need to get up and fight me like you’re trying to kill me! I deserve that much at least!”

“H-Hey! Let go of him,” Rarity said, trying to pull her off. “He’s knocked unconscious! Yelling at him won’t do you any good.”

Applejack sniffled a little, looking at the dead expression of the dragon. He was done, and she had won. Yet, there was a small part of her that knew if this dragon had tried... she would have been torn to shreds, and that pissed her off more than anything. She wanted to drive her foot right through his head like a damn shish kabob for being so weak.

The Amazon let go of him. She had to accept her victory, and Rarity was right. Killing him would be pointless. “Why couldn’t you have just been strong...” she muttered to herself before turning around and started heading towards the exit. “Come on, princess... let’s get you home.”

“I... I don’t want to go home...”

“You think I give a rats ass?” Applejack asked. “Look, you can come quietly, or I can knock your lights out and drag you out of here.”

“But I...” Rarity stopped. There was no way around this. “Fine... let’s go... umm, what was your name again?”

“It’s Applejack,” she said. “But I guess you could also call me your new fiance.”

Rarity drew a blank. “Beg your pardon?”

“Yeah, after this you and I are gonna get married,” Applejack yawned. “Apparently my Granny hates your father and this is her way of giving him the middle finger. And don’t think daddy’s gonna bail you out because I’m a woman.”

“But... I don’t like mares...”

“Well, I don’t give a hoot,” Applejack said. “Life is full of things we don’t like, but we bite our teeth and do what we have to. Now let’s go, I want to get this over with as soon as possible.”