Mercenaries for life

{Everfree Forest 30 minutes ago}

Zipping through the forest as fast as possible scanning every part of the wooden area for his best pal. “Peewee...Peewee come on this is not safe and you know it!!” Spike screamed as he clicked his tongue lighting a green mystic fire in his mouth to light up his surroundings as he heard cooing in the distance. “Oh no oh no!!” Panicking more and more as he flew towards the noise. As he made his way through to see Peewee dodging a pack of Timberwolves mocking them with his quick movement. “Peewee stop taunting those Timberwolves!” Spike screamed making the pack turn to look at him snarling as they made their way closer. “Ah shit,” Spike said spitting a green flame into his hands as the burning hot fire engulfed around them. “Alright, you pesky mutts bring it on!”

*HOOOOWWWWLLL*

Spike announced charging into the fight as the pack howled doing the same with Peewee continuing to dodge their wooden stake teeth with ease. Spike saw the one Peewee was distracting hitting it in the face knocking it back as hard as he could breaking the wolf apart. As the other Timberwolves clawed at him Spike dodges them just enough to just rip his clothes. “Fuck I just got these,” Spike said as he clasped his burning hands together slamming down on top of the wolf’s head. Hearing the sound of crackling wood the wolf exploded with a shrieking howl. Glaring at the last wolf with an evil smile on his face as he cracked his knuckles and neck. “Well well well, do you wanna keep this going or are you good,” Spike said confidently opening his mouth letting a small green flame out making the final Timberwolf run away.

“Glad that’s over too bad for my new clothes though.” Spike regretfully said looking at his destroyed clothes as Peewee cooed sadly landing on his friend’s shoulder. “Aww, I know you didn’t mean to buddy it’s all good.” Spike scratched under Peewee’s chin as three feathers fell off his body. “Hey, buddy it's your molting season I guess it’s a new beginning for both of us!” Spike said excitedly putting the feathers in his pocket as Peewee perked up as Spike got on all fours and smiled. “But you know a race is still a race,” Spike said sprinting in the air with Peewee going a few seconds later as they zig-zagged through the trees as a trail of fire came off of them. Peewee began to burst into a ball of fire as he soared past Spike by a half a mile. Bursting out of the forest with a huge smile on his face till he saw a group of unknown visitors. Flapping his wings to get away screeching as loudly as possible the mysterious group opened what seemed like a cage. As a powerful gravitational force pulled him into a golden cage as it closed locking itself with multiple magic locks. Flying out of the forest panting heavy as Spike’s green fire was still burning bright as Peewee cooed happily.

Spike’s eyes glared at the group of trespassers who held Peewee captive only for a fraction of time as six purple arrows came shooting at him. Spike moved barely fast enough to dodge two of the speeding arrows only for them to scrape his cheek but ultimately getting pierced by the rest of them. As blood oozed out of his shoulders and chest as he screamed in agonizing pain only to be cut off by the arrow to his windpipe making him fall out of the air and crashing to his knees. *Wheezing* “Who the fuck are these ponies!” Spike thought to himself as he tried to pull the arrows out of his shoulders only to meet the eyes of a smiling pink mare. As she rotated her waist hitting his lower jaw with a giant metal hammer as the force knocked him clean into the sky. “Fuck fuck fuck these ponies are out for blood,” Spike said as more blood spurted out as he ripped the arrow out of his neck as he quickly slammed his hand into his pocket and pulled out Peewee’s feathers.

"Rainbow Dash Rarity cut off any escape he has," The purple mare said as a rainbow-colored pegasus grabbed hold of a snow-white unicorn hand cutting through the cool night air. Stuffing the feathers into his mouth as he swallowed them at the exact time as the two mares dismembered his wings. As the intense burning heat of Peewee’s feathers coursed through Spike’s blood and the agonizing pain from having his wings dismantled from his body. His blood now all over his two killers as his consciousness begins to fade away looking up at Spike falling blood all throughout the night Peewee desperately tried turning into another ball of fire to bust out of the cage but failing to do so as the cage sent an electric current making him faint.

"Make sure this bastard goes straight to Tartarus AJ!!" The mare yelled as she looked at down at her other partner in crime. Spike felt the burning embrace of the whip wrapped around his entire body. As tiny blades began to stab him all over his body was yanked to the ground head first as a cloud of dust filled the air as Spike blacked out.

{Underground Cave}

*Plink!* *Plink!* *Plink!*

As tiny drops of cold water began to tap Spike’s face making him begrudgingly open his eyes slightly. Spike immediately found it hard to breathe as blood kept dripping from his throat feeling a burning sensation in his body as the feathers were still healing his wounds as he heard voices coming beside him.

*Hahaha* "I still can’t believe we killed a dragon we are so fucking badass!” Moving his eye just barely to catch a look at who was speaking as he saw a mare sitting with a very colorful mane as she polished her sword wiping his own blood off it.

“Rainbow Dash this mission wasn’t meant to boost our own egos we killed this savage murderous dragon because he pillaged, murdered, and burned down a town and if kept alive he would most likely do it again.” Moving his other eye Spike saw another mare crouched up reading a book as she paraphrased why they killed him.

“What the...Where in Tartarus did these psychos get the idea I killed some ponies let alone pillage a town?” Spike thought to himself as he closed his eyes trying not to make any awkward movements. “Okay...okay think Spike think maybe if I hit them with a surprise attack and find Peewee and fly.” As soon as Spike thought about his wings his brain went into a full-blown panic attack realizing that his wings were still gone. “Fuucckk ok this is very very bad!!! Ok, new plan I'll pretend to still be dead until my wings come back and then I'll escape with Peewee.”

“We were still badass Twilight.”Rainbow Dash said as she twirled her sword placing it back in her sheath.

“And I’m sure the town’s ponies will be so happy that we’ve brought back their precious phoenix.” Spike’s mind immediately went into red alert as he opened his eyes again carefully looking at a mare with a smile on her face as she held Peewee in a cage while he tried to fly around looking for an exit. As she observed him closer her smile became more worried. “Umm girls isn’t it better to let the phoenix breathe?” The other two mares looked at her like she lost her mind. “I mean look at him he must be tired being locked in this cage and look how friendly he is.” As she tried to place her finger in the cage only for Peewee to bite her. “Oh, he must still be wary of us?” As she placed her finger in her mouth to stop the swelling.

“Yeah...sure Fluttershy when’s AJ and the rest of them coming back I’m sooo bored.” Rainbow Dash said in a drained tone.

“Why ya miss me or sumthin'.” Walking into the cave were three more mares as the one talking slammed her hat on Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah right, cowgirl I was more looking forward to Pinkie Pie getting my food.” Rainbow Dash said looking at Pinkie handing her a sack of food and a large cup.

“Here you go Dashie two daisy sandwiches with a large order of hayfries and a large apple cider.” Pinkie Pie said rushing over to Twilight and Fluttershy.

Twilight here you go a combo large hayburger and horseshoe fries with lemonade and I didn't forget you Fluttershy one royal sisters' salad.” Pinkie Pie said as she listed off the girls' meals rummaging in Spike's satchel as she pulled out a red hot cupcake. Just the smell of it alone caused everponies eyes to weep. “And for me a super-duper fire rock salt cupcake with extra burning hot sauce!”

“Pinkie darling that pastry is just screaming death just being near it is causing my makeup to run.” Rarity said holding her handkerchief covering her nose and mouth. “I most hardly advise against putting such dreadful food into your mouth.” Rarity urged Pinkie Pie to get rid of her sizzling cupcake as Pinkie Pie took a huge bite out of it.

“Pinkie nooo come on!!!” The whole team said in unison as they felt their bodies reject the thought of getting closer to stop her from eating the rest.

"Oh, you all are just a bunch fillies." Pinkie teased as she ate the rest of her cupcake licking her fingers as she moved her hand back into the bag. "Besides It's not like I had to use my money on all our food that dragon was loaded!!" Pinkie Pie said jangling Spike's satchel as the sound of bits could still be heard.

"Ah hope ya didn't buy another one of those fire cupcakes?" Applejack said as she tried to wipe away her tears.

"Nope, Pound and Pumpkin could only stand to make one of them so I had to buy the next best thing..." Pinkie Pie was about to continue only for her coat to turn bright red as her mouth spurted fire just like a dragon. Running towards her teammates looking to douse the fire in her mouth.

Rainbow Dash looked right at Pinkie Pie and chugged her cider as fast as possible. "Hehehe whoops." Rainbow Dash said tipping her drink showing no more as Pinkie Pie looked to Twilight for help.

"We told you not to eat that cupcake now you suffer the consequences," Twilight said with a tired expression as she drank her last drop of lemonade. "That's enough of a break let's get a move on *Hnnnggg* We'll reach Canterlot by morning and show the town's ponies that this beast has been killed," Twilight commanded as she lifted Spike with her magic as the rest of the girls followed with Pinkie falling behind with tears in her eyes and panting rapidly.

"Canterlot I don't even know any pony from Canterlot these fucking wackos killed me by mistake!!!" Spike screamed in his head as he felt his body being lifted in the air hearing the sound of footsteps echoed off the walls.

"Applejack and Rarity how are your families doing?" Twilight said trembling at the thought of hitting a still-open wound.

"Yeah well the thing about that is..thair doin' mighty fine better than whe-yn ah done had t' uhp eend leave for Canterlot!" Applejack said giving a confident smile with a thumbs up.

"A little too fine SweetieBelle, AppleBloom, and Scootaloo were out way past their bedtime we wanted to search for them but trying to look all over Ponyville for them would be impossible, but I'm happy that they're all safe." Rarity explained looking at a compact mirror redoing her makeup looking down at Spike as she noticed a shiny ruby glint of light. "Oh my, what's this magnificent gem." Rarity said leaning closer placing her hand across Spike's bloody chest as she pulled out the fire ruby. "My word this is the most beautiful gemstone I have ever seen the cut, the alluring necklace, my word this is absolutely lovely and just look at the exquisite color I've never seen such beauty before!" As Rarity tried to take the gem for herself it started blinking forcing her hand back.

"What the fuck did you do Rarity!" Twilight screamed pushing her aside as she tried to take the necklace off of Spike but not being able to as it began to glow and shoot a beam of light at her sending her against the wall. Causing her concentration on the levitating spell to break as a flash of light resembling a phoenix illuminated out of Spike.

Spike immediately opened his eyes as he felt the rest of his wounds heal landing on his feet before any of the girls could react to what they saw. Spike quickly charged towards Applejack forming a fist as the air formed around it not even having to hit her to send her flying as she slammed into the cavern wall. Turning his eyes towards Rainbow Dash and Rarity inches away from drawing their weapons Spike slammed his foot into the ground kicking up a good amount of pebbles and rocks. Rapidly spitting fire on all of them as he calmed his breathing controlling the flames he sent them flying towards them making sure not to cause any real damage as they surrounded them in a tornado.

"How the fuck can this be possible we...we...we killed him!?" Twilight said stammering seeing the presumably dead dragon standing before her as her mane became crazier. Quickly looking in her grimoire for a spell as she lit up her horn as the area around her turned into chains of rocks commanding the chains to subdue Spike.

Looking around for the rest of the girls Spike notices the chains coming at him along with Pinkie Pie wielding her hammer with a one-track mind of bashing his brains in. Spike gave a mischievous smile as he moved towards her as the chains followed him. Closing the distance between one another Spike pivoted behind Pinkie Pie kicking her right into the rocky chains as they grabbed hold of her. "Hey, thanks for holding onto my satchel you're a peach." Spike said as he flipped open his satchel taking out the objects Pinkie Pie stored inside. "Let's lookie here we have a few receipts which I assume you used my bits, a few party items oh so you all were going to have a party for killing me, and finally what the??" Spike's eyes widened as he pulled out a humongous cake looking at how big it is and looking back at his satchel utterly confused how she was able to put it in there. "How the fu.." Spike was stopped dead in his tracks as he was shot in his side by Fluttershy who was hiding behind a rock with Peewee.

Spike turned to look at Peewee who started cooing happily waving his wing. Spike walked just a few steps closer only to get stopped by a whip as tiny blades began to crawl forward at breakneck speed. "Nice work Fluttershy now then let's make sure this dragon dies for good." Applejack said as she tried to pull him back.

"Not this time bitch," Spike said yanking the whip away from his neck before the blades got to close to him as he quickly unfurled his wings and boosted towards Applejack closing the distance trying to grab hold of the handle.

"Keep your murderous claws to yourself." Applejack said parrying every one of Spike's moves as she quickly jumped back roundhouse kicking him. Spike held his head to stop the ringing as Applejack went back on the offensive jabbing Spike in the gut making him bend over as Applejack went around him and wrapped her arms around his stomach and doing a perfect german suplex on him.

Still bent over Applejack felt Spike's tail wrap around her torso as Spike smiled spreading his wings out and pushing his entire body up as the two were now at the top of the cave. "You know Earth ponies should stay grounded," Spike said as he kicked off the ceiling getting closer to the ground with Applejack still tangled he body-slammed her into the ground as a huge dust cloud appeared.

*Aaahhh* *Aaaahhh*

Walking out of the dust cloud breathing heavy Spike rotated his elbow with one hand massaging it glaring Fluttershy. "Now then you cunts mind giving back my..." Spike's body stopped dead in its tracks as an icy cold chill ran down his spine. As Fluttershy walked closer the intense chill grew as Spike tried to walk back but couldn't. Fluttershy looked up at him glaring daggers as she put her hand on his shoulder as Spike felt his knees buckle down.

"Let me tell you something I don't like killing, in my opinion, I think everypony has good in them." Fluttershy said moving her hand to Spike's neck as she leaned in. "But hurting my friends and taking innocent animals captive." Gripping harder as she looked at him with disgust as Spike began coughing trying to break free of her grasp but still not being able to move.

Gritting his teeth and breathing slowly "Weeelll I wouldn't have to *Hnng* if you psychos didn't take my p."

Slamming his head to the ground as she toppled on top of him. "See now I know for a fact you didn't think bird knapping a town's precious phoenix made it yours did you." Fluttershy said as Spike's eyes were blinking rapidly as he looked at her and spat on her face.

"I didn't...steal anything...you fucking whackjob!!!" Spike snarled clawing into the ground as he tried to break free.

"Tsk...Tsk...Tsk wrong answer dragon boy I would have so loved to talk to you about your species to bad. Fluttershy said bringing out her bow and arrow as whatever spell she was using releases for just a few seconds but that was more than enough for Spike to throw dirt in her face.

*Cough* *Cough*

Spike grabbed Fluttershy by her dress tossing her off of him as he moved back to the center. Fluttershy side-flipped to her feet seeing that the rest of her team were back in action dropping their weapons as the six mares went to encircle him.

"Ah'll admit you're tougher than we first thought but that doesn't mean you're not gonna die right here right now you cocksucker. Applejack said as she cracked her knuckles spitting blood out of her mouth.

"Yeah, congrats you're not only the first dragon we get to kill!!" Pinkie Pie smiled as she licked her lips giggling too herself. "But the only target who lasted this long."Rainbow Dash said stretching her arms as she walked forward with the rest of the girls.

" I really wish I could take that beautiful ruby for myself darling but I guess it's not my destiny too possesss." Rarity said fixing her singed mane.

" Girls I think we should give this target our full attention?" Twilight said slamming her grimoire close as all of the girls' eyes shined pure white as they began to float in the air. A bright flash of different colored lights surrounded them as the caverns began to shake "Well, any last words?" Twilight's voice sounded thunderous and gentle at the same time as a cyclone of colors shot forward at Spike.

Spike stood there seeing this powerful beam coming straight at him as he glared at the six mares."Listen here all of you I didn't steal anything and I definitely didn't murder anypony you got that!!!" Screaming so loud it echoed all through the cave taking the hit in full.

Grandiose amounts of colors filled the cave with Spike in the front lines of the blast as his body began to morph into stone as he could no longer feel his legs, arms , and then as the light faded away all that was left was a stone statue of Spike. As the six mares descended back down to the ground with a triumphant smile on their faces.

"Well, girls I can once again say that this mission is now com." Twilight was about to ramble into a long speech about how anything could be accomplished with teamwork but as she looked back at the statue she could hear small vibrations coming from it.

"Uhhh Twilight that's not supposed to happen right!?" Rainbow Dash said as all the girls backed up confused as to what was about to happen.

As the vibrating became more and more powerful cracks in the stony structure could be seen going all the way spreading out like branches on a tree. The statue started to break off piece by piece as another burst of light came from it. Stepping out was Spike looking like he just had a refreshing spa day his scales were glistening all the dirt and blood on him was gone.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!! After all that fighting we shot him with the Elements of Harmony what does it take to kill this bastard!!!" Rainbow Dash screamed dragging her fingers to her face and pulling down and groaning. As the sound of clapping could be heard from the other side of the cave all of them looked to see a mare leaning against the cavern wall.

"The Elements of Harmony magic at it's finest, but not listening to the enemy plea you lot are not the brightest." Zecora smiled at the group.

"ZECORA!!!" They all said in unison.