Spike felt like he had been caught by a cockatrice; his feet became solid stone and had merged with the cavern stairs from the question. It was one question a part of him dreaded upon hearing.

Did you enjoy killing them, that’s what Brimstone asked the dragon.

Spike averted the pony’s gaze when he asked him that. That question was something the dragon dreaded hearing; he was hoping that wasn’t going to get asked but here it was, right at his face. Just waiting for an answer the living lie detector was waiting for.

“Spike.” Brimstone grunted.

Spike knew the answer, but he didn’t want to say it. His answer would probably solidify what he had done. Admitting what he had done to Rachel was one thing, this was completely different. He was already feeling sick to even having this conversation, a part of him still couldn’t believe himself that he actually did it.

He could still see how Bounce, Bob and Sticks looked after it was done, even recalled how he ended them all: Bob truly didn’t put up much of a fight, being caught between two boulders - which Spike actually didn’t realize Bob had gotten stuck after he dropped the fat pony till after he came upon him in the gorge.

Stick and Bouncer however...those two were a bit different.

“Spah~”

“I didn’t enjoy it.” Spike said finally. “I didn’t enjoy killing them...but…” he sighed, finally admitting it. “I don’t enjoy killing at all, I’m actually terrified of myself because I did that. I...however, enjoyed one part of it. I’m quite mortified about it myself, which makes my fear of losing control really come into play.”

“And what would that one part be?” Brimstone asked, giving him a hard cold look as he waited for the answer.

“The chase.” Spike admits it. “When I hunt for food, I always like the chase, it’s kinda fun and a bit exhilarating. I-it was the only way I could even get into that kill mentality, it’s why I had them in that gorge..” He scratched the back of neck and continued. “I am sorry that it came down to it, and I do feel sorry for whoever would miss them, but after what they did to Rachel, it...it had to happen.” He looked at the pony then. “Rachel is the best thing that ever happened to me, what happened at the barn, the Empire….I have no excuses, I lost control and she got hurt because of it. From what I’ve heard of her father, she had enough pain to last a damn lifetime and doesn’t need someone like me that can easily break her in half… but here we are. Rachel is willing to put up with what happened to both times or otherwise I’d be in the cells. All I can do is have a better hand on controlling myself.

“I know words don’t mean anything, but I’m going to do all my power...and reason, to keep her safe.”

Brimstone stared at him for a long time he gave him a grunt, “I will tell you this: the next time you decided to go on a murder spree, I will not clean up after your mess. In fact the next time I learn you have committed another atrocity I’m turning you in myself, are we clear?”

Spike nodded, “Yes sir.” He said. “What if the White Mantle makes another attempt on Rachel?”

Brimstone assessed that for a second before responding, “....their fault that they made this personal. They are an exception.” He said and kept on walking down the long winding staircase. “The White Mantle has been a thorn in my side since their arrival. Causing ruckus between both bloody worlds.”

“Their what??” Spike asked, surprised about this news.

“You think this is just some race war some fasciest pony decided to create? This is much deeper than what any of you think. The human race believes that Equestria is turning against them and attacking their kind. And given what we know about the man, it doesn’t take much for them to decide to bare arms.” Brimstone explains. “There are talks with the princesses and their leaders but they are getting impatient on finding who is responsible for this crisis.”

Spike bit his lower lip before asking, “You really think the humans would stooped to that?”

“If I’m not mistaken, humans nearly drove dragons to extinction. That’s the whole reason you migrated to this world.” Brimstone said with a grim tone, you mean dragons as a whole. “If this operative doesn’t give us answers we seek, we just might be looking at a full scale multiversal war.

The girls enjoyed their midmorning meal, even though Rachel felt a little better being inside of AC, she still felt hot and needed some rest.

“Thanks for the meal guys, but I’m really reaching my limit before I pass out here.” Rachel said, trying once again to convince Ruby and Gemcity to do this later.

“We will, we will.” Ruby said, taking a drink of her water.

“But we need to know what happened.” Gemcity said, reaching over the table and booping Rachel on the nose. Both of them decided to stay in their sexling forms, though everyone

“Happened what??” Rachel asked, confused.

“With the two white mantles that attacked you.” The twins said in unison.

Rachel faceplants the table and an exhausted groan. “Guys, please. I said all there was.” She said sitting up.

“Professor Brimstone was white as a sheet when we asked him, he said he heard your attackers talking but didn’t say what.” Ruby said. “We’re curious about what they said.”

“Believe me, you don’t wanna know. It doesn’t really matter.” Rachel said, rubbing her face.

“Brimstone never gets white in the face before.” Ruby reminded her. “It’s almost hard to get him to crack a smile or a laugh. He was scared.”

“We’re scared.” Gemcity said.

As the girls were having their conversation, across the way on the other side of the restaurant, a middle aged mare by the name of Spoiled Rich was at the counter and she didn’t have a happy look on her face.

“What do you mean you don’t serve it anymore, I bought some just last week.” Spoiled Rich grunted at the cashier.

The stallion behind the counter tried to keep his cool when dealing with this customer. “Ma’am, the Cinnamon Toffee Sticks was a limited time offer. Like our advertisement says, “It’s only here for a certain time.” and that time was up two days ago.”

“This is an outrage!” Spoiled Rich shouted, getting Rachel’s attention.

“What the heck?” the human asked with a mutter, turning her head towards the scene. When she realized who it was, she frowned. “Oh shit.”

“What is it?” Gemcity asked as Rachel turned her head back to them. She and Ruby both looked at the screaming mare.

“Ooh, those kinds of ponies.” Ruby said, sucking air through her teeth. “Who is she?”

“Spoiled Rich, Filthy Rich’s wife.” Rachel explains, scratching the back of her neck as she finished off her milkshake. “She is a real handful.”

“Do you know who I am, or who my husband is? We OWN this bloody backwater town!” Spoiled Rich screeched, causing the human to wince.

“God I didn’t miss the screaming sessions back at the mansion.” Rachel said, rubbing her ears. They were now ringing, more so than usual, calling back to when she did some restoration jobs for her husband. There were always something that set her off, she even went off of Rachel twice.

However, back when she had worked for her husband, Rachel had to bite her tongue on both occasions: One was because somepony didn’t tell Spoiled Rich that Filthy hired a human to work and thought Rachel was stealing it and the second one because Rachel just happened to be in the room and she was in a mood.

That one almost made her drop what she was doing and walk out. She was grateful that she got that restoration done or otherwise: she wouldn’t get paid, and she might’ve end up in jail.

“Sheesh, I think that lady needs a session, or three with us.” Gemcity giggled. Eyeing at the pony with the squished up nose like a light snack, the heart-shaped patch glowed softly.

“Or a better muzzle job.” Ruby said.

Rachel catches the glow before reaching over to Gemcity and grabbing her wrist. “I know what you’re about to do, don’t.” She warned. She was sweating bullets when that glow happened.

Gemcity gave her a serpent-like grin. “Aww, you don’t want to see our other form?” she asked in a teasing tone. “But you enjoy them so much.”

“Please stop.” Rachel quipped quickly.

Ruby grinned. “Oh Rachel, we had fun...does Spike~”

“He doesn’t know and I don’t think I will ever tell him.” Rachel hissed, turning bright red from embarrassment. “He knows about the Playcolt costume.”

“But not what happened after that party.” the twins giggled, causing Rachel to let go of Gemcity.

“Plus we need to eat sometime.” Ruby said.

Chewing inside of her cheeks, Rachel grabbed a napkin, as a waiter walked by, she stopped them. “Scuse me, but can I borrow a pen?” she asked them. The waiter looked at her confused before digging the pen out of their pocket and handed it over to her. “Thanks.” She responded before she began writing down a list on the napkin.

After a few moments, Rachel hands the girls the note.

Who NOT to fuck with:

Filthy Rich

Spoiled Rich

Big Mac

Any colt under age of 22 (that’s a given)

No married pony

SPIKE (OFF FUCKING LIMITS)

“Seriously?” Ruby asked, looking at the list.

“It was easier to write down those you don’t become cumbuckets to.” Rachel muttered. “Girls, you gotta understand, this town doesn’t get too many foriegn beings here. Much less two sexlings who would go down anyone who is able. Changelings are one thing but they are not around much, you might see one or two at Twilight’s school but they aren’t like you two.”

“Oh we know, hon.” Ruby giggled.

“Are you sure we can’t visit Filthy?” Gemcity asked. After another round of screaming coming from Spoiled Rich, she sighed. “I think it’ll be an improvement.”

“No.” Rachel said. “Anyone else that is not on that list, is fair game.”

“Though marriage isn’t really a deal breaker, it can be...an aphrodisiac.” Gem grinned.

“You two are hopeless.” Rachel groans tiredly.

When Spike and Professor Brimstone finally made it to the dungeon, it quickly became apparent that something was not right.

“AHHHH! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please forgive me!” the male pegasus screamed, pleading on an unknown entity. He kept screaming as if he was in more intense pain.

And Spike knew he wasn’t screaming when Starlight treated what she could.

The two creatures looked at each other in the same puzzling manner before the two took off running towards the cell in the far back of the dungeon. The rest of the cells were used as storage with one that was decked out as his “dragon cave” with all of his creature comforts and his comic book and video game collection.

When they got up to the cell, they could see through the bars that the White Mantel minion was writhing on the ground, his hands gripping on either side of his head. Upon closer inspection, Spike and Brimstone could see that the pegasus was bleeding from his nose, eyes, ears and mouth.

“Ahh make it stop, make it stop!” the pegasus screamed.

Spike quickly got the keys out of his pants pocket and inserted it inside the lock and pulled the cell door open. Brimstone slid his way inside and was quickly to the pegasus.

“What’s the fuck’s wrong with him?” Spike asked as he joined Brimstone.

“I don’t have a clue.” Brimstone responded quickly before trying to get the pegasus’ attention. “What’s happening, what’s going on, we can help you.” He said, trying to get the stallion to stop.

“M-master, please, don’t do this to me!” The pegasus screamed, not at the two beings in front of him.

The pony began thrashing about, shaking his head violently. His blood curdling wail echoed down the dungeon.

Spike’s ears flung back, he covered his ears as the pegasus screamed. So much pain, so much agony. He wanted to make it stop, to make the screaming stop, to put the guy out of his fucking~

Ka-Plesh!

Without any warning, the head exploded inside the cell. Splattering blood and brain matter and shattered pieces of the White Mantle goon’s head went everywhere. Splattering all over Spike and Brimstone, both staring in disbelief and shock. The body slumped to the floor and the screams were no more.

“We….we seem to have a problem.” Brimstone blinked.

At the same time, Spike’s phone begins to go off. The dragon let it ring out for a few moments, just staring at the body before he took it out and answered it. “H-hello?” his voice raised a few octaves.

When he answered, it was from the hospital that housed the unicorn he knocked out. His face fell when he received some news, he didn’t answer the nurse on the line, he hung up on them.

“Oh we got a big fucking problem.” Spike answered.

The unicorn also suffered the same incident with her head…

Both the earth pony and dragon made a run out of the dungeon, making a mad dash up the stairs to tell the others and make what the actual fuck just happened.

Spike went ahead of Brimstone and was the first one coming out of the dungeons and out to the hallway. At the same time, Twilight came from one doorway and Rachel and the twins came from another doorway.

All of them stopped, the girls froze when they saw the blood and gory bits clinging to him.

Twilight dropped her phone.

“What~” Ruby shouted first.

“The~” Gemcity shouted second.

“FUCK!~” Rachel shouted third.

“Spike!?” Twilight shouted lastly, ending that shout.

Spike raised his hands up in defense. “Not what it looks like I fucking swear!” he yelped.

The girls heard the raced clopping of hooves rushing up behind Spike, seeing Brimstone, also covered in the same substance.

“Not his fault I can contest this!” Brimstone called out, putting a hand on Spike and leaning against him, trying to catch his breath.

A knock on the front door startled them.

“Oh no!” Twilight gasped.

“What now??” Spike asked, a little freaking out right now.

“Mom and dad are here!”

Author's Note

Kinda hate to be Spike now.