Mask

Roar.

Silver shot upwards, a half eaten bar in his grip, his eyes searching the darkness of the little alcove they ate in, having to rest after their near constant run. Meteor drank from her canteen, before looking at Silver, seeing him look around, the younger earthblood silently pulling her pistol out, watching the darkness with her leader. Steel and Stone were eating together, and Wave was currently taking a leak near some minecarts, whilst Bright stared into the tunnel behind them, her flashlight and weapon aimed towards the direction they last saw The Lizard.

"See something, sir?" Meteor whispered towards Silver, who squinted into the darkness.

Silver took a moment to scan the darkness, before leaning back a bit, sighing, "I didn't see anything. Thought I heard Spike for a second."

"You hear Spike? Is he...talking to you?"

"Nope. Remember when Big Mac got hurt by that bat thing?" Silver mumbled out, taking a bite out of his bar, then taking a swig from his water. Meteor sat for a moment, before nodding, making Silver sigh, "I didn't exactly tell you what happened to him, did I?"

"What happened to Big Mac?"

"No, I mean, Spike." Silver adjusted in his seat, taking a swig from his canteen, before staring off into the tunnel ahead. "When Big Mac was hurt, Spike...changed. He turned scaly, had claws, was roaring instead of talking. Thought I heard the same roar."

Meteor studied Silver for a.moment, before resting her hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze, "Don't worry, Silver, we'll find him." Meteor patted his shoulder

This time, the roar was much louder, making the group shoot up and aim down the tunnel, food forgotten as they stared. Wave zipped himself up, before aiming towards the noise, weapon unsteady for a moment before righting itself. The group sat in silence for a moment, before Silver nodded to Stone, who pulled a flare out. She threw it down the stone hallway, the group waiting whilst the blinding red light sat there.

Stone turned to Silver, giving a grunt, "When is it gonna attack?"

The distant, but still loud, sound of gunfire echoed down the tunnel, Silver standing up, giving a glare against the red. He turned back, looking at the group, "The Tartarus are ya waiting for? An invitation?" He started jogging forward, Meteor and Silver sharing a look, before following the man down the tunnel.

Wave hung back a moment, only to lift his foot, realizing he stepped in his own piss whilst scrambling for cover. "Celestia damn it..." He followed the group after, grumbling to himself about his new boots already being dirty.

The Behemoth flew backwards, the scale covered beast on top of it. It raised its armored bracer, the beast biting into it and dragging the Behemoth along. Its tail thwacked the Queen out of the way, who gave a muffled grunt as she flew back onto a Diamond Dog, multiple people screaming in shock and fear as the two silhouettes fought. The Diamond Dogs around their raised their weapons and fired into the scale covered beast, though, if it noticed the hot lead, it made no movement towards them, dragging the Behemoth along and smashing it into a wall.

Cherry ran over to the beaten Storm, giving a wince as she heard roars and gunfire in the background. "Why'd ya have ta get caught?!"

Storm, one of her eyes swollen shut and through raspy, pained breath, only joked, "What can I say? She looked like Spike's type." She chuckled, only to give an agonized wince, reaching for her ribs. Yup. One of them was definitely broken.

Scratch that, more than one was definitely broken.

"You should really not be making jokes in your condition." The male guard spoke, only to look at the creature that smashed the Behemoth through a wall, screeching in anger. "What's up with the lizard?"

"Tartarus if I know, but it saved our gals life, so it gets an okay in mah book."

"It's Spike." Storm rasped out, making the group look at her.

"What was that? Ah thought you said that thing was sweet, little, ol Spike." Cherry asked, making Storm grasp her hand a bit.

"When Big Mac got hurt by some...thing up there -" Storm coughed up some blood, then spat some out, looking back at Cherry, "- Spike nearly tore the thing apart. Turned into a legit dragon and -"

"Enough of the story, we need to get you out of here, now." The guard said, helping Cherry pick her up.

They started to walk away, only to be blocked as the Behemoth was thrown into the wall, slumping against it, rocks falling around the fallen warrior. Cherry turned to see the scale covered beast come their way. Cherry gave a soft look as it turned its attention to them, opening up its mouth to hiss threateningly.

"Okay Spike, ya already won the fight. C'mon now, gotta help ya gal." Cherry called to the beast, a hole opening up in her gut as she stared at the beast. "Spike? Ya in there?"

The beast was silent, raising its clawed hand, the female guard taking aim. "Spike! Calm down! You are suffering from adrenaline, just back up and listen!"

The creatures hand came flying downwards, ready to bisect the woman in front of it. In fact, it would have done so, were it not for the fact that the creature was suddenly blasted by green flames, the fire dancing across its chest. It screamed in agony and fell backwards, another blast of green flames hitting its side, the creature twirled around, trying to put out the flames.

The group looked towards the source, seeing Spike, whose hands were now claws and arms scale covered. His face was half covered in scales, his canines much sharper as he inhaled again, his tail whipping around behind him as his chest expanded. He then let loose another stream of flames, the Lizard screeching in agony, before scrambling away on all fours, trying to get away from the threat.

Spike jumped and landed in front of the group as the Lizard finally turned towards the group, putting itself out. Its face, arms, and chest were covered in blackened, burnt scales, its tail was a much brighter color or greys, blacks and whites than the rest of its body. It opened its tegu like face to hiss at Spike, though made not movements to come towards him.

Spike inhaled, then let a roar come from his gut, steam spilling from his mouth as he stood in front of the others, his tail whipping around aggressively as he stood there. The Lizard made no movement towards them, only staring at Spike. Spike took a step towards it, making it stand up and hiss threateningly, though Spike only rumbled back, staring unflinchingly at the Lizard.

A rock clacked, making both of them look, a Diamond Dog lifting its foot up, giving the duo a look. The Lizard roared and ran towards the group of Diamond Dogs, who scrambled and started firing towards the Lizard, who threw one of the Dogs over its shoulder and into a wall, luckily missing the group. The Queen stood up, looking over to Spike and the others, then back to her soldiers, silent as she watched them fight the Lizard.

She slowly pulled her sword out, bringing it up and pointing it to Spike, before slowly pointing it back at the civilians behind her. The threat was clear. She would kill them, unless Spike came to her. Spike glared at her, his scales slowly shifting back into skin, his pupils still slits as he glared at her. He turned to look at Cherry, who gave him a soft gaze, Storm groaning a bit as she closed her eyes, mumbling something incoherent.

"Get Storm to safety." Spikes tone made Cherry stare, though Spike didn't even look back, his eyes filled with a fury she had never seen in the boy before. She watched as the dragonblood walked over to the Queen, who twirled her sword around, before stabbing it into the dirt, her helmet peering at him. "So...you followed me?" The Queen only nodded in reply, making Spike look towards the Diamond Dogs firing at the poor Lizard, it screeching in pain as it crushed another dog underneath its foot, blood flying outwards as it clawed another in half. "Looks like your dogs need help."

The Queen spared them a glance, only to look back at Spike, saying nothing for a moment. She then sighed a bit, then snapped her fingers, the living wall that was Behemoth slowly stood up, shaking to get the rocks off itself, before walking over to the Queen. She looked over at the Behemoth, inspecting her armor, seeing large dents across its body, before giving a sigh, before making a movement with her hand.

The Behemoth nodded, before giving a bark out, the other Diamond Dogs finally joining their pack mates, firing at the Lizard, making the creature walk back, bullets peppering its tough hide.

"My Right Hand here thinks you are too weak. Though, she did not see you like I did all those years ago." Spikes eyebrow raised, resting his hand on his Snapper, ready to draw it at a moments notice. The Queen tilted her head to the side, staring down at Spike, before speaking, "You don't remember? I do. If I recall correctly, it was your...birthday, was it not?"

Spike froze, before his pupils constricted into slits, he made a move forward, the Behemoth matching it, though the Queens hand started glowing orange, dragging a young boy over. The boy screamed to his father as orange magic enveloped his legs, being dragged towards the Queen, he was brought to the Queens feet, her blade inches from his neck, making Spike bristle at the sight.

"Let him go." Spike slowly ordered, a low growl filling each word, making them drip with venom. Any other man or woman would have instantly obeyed. At least, the sane ones would.

The Queen, however, continued speaking, "I was only a visitor to your town. After all, it was Ponyville! The place where the Elements of Harmony brought back our Goddess, Luna, from the darkness. The town where the God of Chaos was thwarted. The town where heroes seem to be magically grown! I was there, a simple visitor, looking for a new job." The Queen admitted, before giving a soft chuckle. "Now, Spike, tell this young man what you did."

Spike gave a low growl, before snorting out some smoke, "I...I lost control."

The Queen gave a laugh, one that set Spikes instincts ablaze with danger and fear. Spike could just tell she was smiling under that helmet, and it made his skin crawl. "You did much more than that, my dear boy." She took her sword out, resting it against the young childs cheek, hearing sobs come from the boy, tears streaming down the boys face. "You turned into a dragon that day. A real one. Strong, powerful, able to take out some of the best fliers of our time like they were nothing but gnats! And you, my dear Spike, did all of that before you grew your first chest hair." The Queen took a moment to stare at Spike, before humming softly, "Though, you are much younger than I first expected. Still, you must think about it all the time. After all, you, Spike, did more damage to the town than most others did! Even Discord himself kept damage minimal."

"That was -" Spike stopped himself, then gritted his teeth, clenching his hand into a fist. "That was a long time ago."

"No time at all, for a dragon."

Spike stood there, before looking at the child at the Queens foot, orange magic enveloped the boy as he stared up at Spike, eyes wide and filled with tears. "What do you want?"

The Queen spared a glance at the Behemoth, before looking back at Spike, replying as if it were a well known fact, "I want you, Spike."

Cherry watched the exchange happen through a window, giving a grimace as she saw the Queen threatening her people. She left Bright Lights Snapper out there and mentally kicked herself for it, though she did snag that Diamond Dogs weapon from when they were holding him hostage. She looked over to see the Lizard creature retreating behind a building, Diamond Dogs barking and following it, then sighed through her nose.

"Fuckin dogs." The one guard mumbled out as he watched the door, his weapon aimed at it.

"How is she doin?" Cherry asked, looking at the doctor, who was looking over Storms chest. From what Cherry could tell, the bruising definitely was not good.

The doctor gave a sigh, pulling Storms shirt down, "Few broken ribs. Right arm is definitely broken, left arm has some damage, I can't tell what kind but at least some bruising." He looked over Storms legs, rubbing his cheek, brushing through his beard, "Left leg looks alright, but the right ankle seems to be sprained. Pretty lucky, all things considered."

The female guard gave a grunt, "Having the absolute shit beat out of you is considered lucky?"

"Well, she ain't dead." Cherry mumbled out, staring at Spike and the Queen. "I don't like this. We gotta do somethin ta help Spikey."

Bright Light suddenly sat up and screamed, maming everyone jump, before she grabbed her chest knife, looking around at the group. She stopped when she recognized Cherry, sighing a bit, releasing the knife and sliding it back into its sheath, "So...what did I miss?"

"Spike facing a whole damn army." Storm answered out, trying to sit up, though the doctor gently pushed her back down. "Let me up!"

"You are going nowhere." The doctor ordered, before looking at Bright Light. "That dragon kid is talking to their leader."

"Dragon kid?" Bright Light rubbed her head, then gasped, before grunting, gripping onto her ribs. "Goddesses...feels like I was hit by a carriage."

"Wouldn't be too far off." Cherry mumbled out, before peering out the window. "How's yer aim?"

Bright Light gave a grunt as she stood up, "Better than Storm...wait...why?"

Spike blinked in confusion, staring at the Queen, who stood there patiently, the boy still being held there by her magic, careful not to move as to not cut his own face. The boys father was held back by his friends, tears streaming down his face as he was calling out for his boy to remain calm and that everything would be okay. The distant sound of gunfire echoed in Spikes ears as he stared at the Behemoth and the Queen, his mind quietly snuffling out the flame of his anger as he finally processed those words.

"I-I'm sorry, I must have been hit by some debris when you blew up the gate. Did you just say you want me?" The Queen nodded in reply, making Spike step back a little bit. "Why do you need me?! I'm just...I'm just Spike! I'm not worth all this trouble! I'm not worth all these lives!"

The Queen only lifted a hand up, making the Behemoth chuckle a bit as it cracked its knuckles. The Queen slowly pulled the boy up with her magic, grasping onto the back of his neck, lifting the boy up. The boy cried fresh tears, his dirty cheeks having trails left by the tears, staring at Spike, who held his hands up.

"We don't need to do this. Just put him down and we can walk away from this."

"No." The Queen tightened her grip, making the boy stop squirming. "My Right Hand here is going to test you. If you survive, then you will be mine, Spike."

Spike looked over to see the Behemoth drop its mace, making Spike raise an eyebrow. He sighed, then looked back towards the Queen, "And what if I walk away?"

"We both know you won't do that." The Queen gave a soft hum, before squeezing the boys throat, making Spike growl, a noise loud enough to make ones chest vibrate, "Let's say, hypothetically, you did walk away. I would let you, and so would my pack here." She then lifted her sword up, pointing it towards the group of people behind her, "However, I would let my pack fire on them. After all...they need the meat."

Spike glared at her, before slowly pulling his snapper out, using all of his strength to not snap it in his hand. He tossed it off to the side, before unbuckling his sweeper and boomstick, tossing them off to the side along his snapper. The Behemoth walked over, rolling its shoulders, it made a move to remove its helmet, before Spike held his hand up.

"Keep it on." Spike said, before cracking his knuckles, giving a growl of anger as he stared the Behemoth down. "So I don't break your jaw when I hit it."

Now, about our fighters. Spike himself was a dragonblood, known for digging and eating gems, he has a natural strength advantage over the Behemoth, despite being half of its size. Despite this, Spike knew not to grow cocky, as it was a Diamond Dog, a big one. It may not be as strong as him, but it was still strong, and it definitely had the height advantage over him, not to mention the armor. Spike looked the creature up and down, before taking a stance, the Behemoth doing the same.

Spike inspected the creatures armor, seeing the multiple dents and bite marks, before seeing the Behemoths right arm, seeing exposed flesh in the Lizards bite mark, making Spike snort out smoke. He stopped, as did the Behemoth, both of them staring each other down. The Behemoth made its move, smashing its fist into Spike - or, rather, where he was, as he dodged last moment, then struck into the Behemoths chestplate, making it dent a bit. The Behemoth swung its arm back, Spike dodging under the arm, striking where the armor protected the kidney.

Spike duck under another swing, though didn't expect its other fist to follow it, feeling it smash into his chest. He gave a strangled sound as his breath left his body, being thrown a good few meters away as he rolled. He slowly held himself up, his ears ringing as he coughed, trying to feed his starved lungs. He was smashed by the Behemoths fist once again, being sent into the ground, before he was picked up by the Behemoth. It smashed him into the nearest wall (the same one it was in not even a few moments ago), then threw him across the way into another, cracking the wall and making Spikes head spin.

He got up, before ducking under a punch that cracked the wall behind him, smashing his fist into the Behemoths damaged bracer. His body, reacting on fight or flight, hands turning into claws as he pulled his hand back. The result was blood spilled, the Behemoth howling in pain as his claws slides into its arm. Spikes claws didn't stop there, as he gripped onto the armor and tugged the armor off, leaving its bulky, fur covered arm free, blood dripping from from the fresh claw wounds. He kicked into its chest piece, denting it further, before slashing across the Behemoths helmet, icy blue eyes staring at the the boy.

Spike smashed his fist into the creatures helmet, making it stumble, making Spike kick its leg, making the Behemoth fall onto its knee. Spikes claws smashed into its shoulder, the boy giving a roar as he ripped off some armor, his fists becoming scale covered as he smashed his fists into the the downed beast. He punched, clawed, and ripped off bites of armor, before feeling the Behemoth grunt at each strike. He reached up, his claws ready to strike, before he spotted it.

Their eyes. Filled with fear.

Spike paused, seeing those eyes, his claws shifting back to hands, and the Queen gave a whistle, making the Behemoth react. It slashed into Spikes armor, before grabbing him and throwing him through the wall. Spikes body flew through the first wall, into the second, and out the third when he smashed into a dining room table, slowing him down. He finally fell backwards, through the table, giving a cough and a groan in agony

He winced, looking down to see three jagged claw marks across his side. He put his hand there, feeling something wet, then pulled his hand back, seeing his own blood. He blinked, his head spinning as he looked up, seeing a shape walking towards him, his vision blurry, confused as he recognized the shape, "T...Twilight?" He shook his head, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Spike! You're hurt!"

Spike gave a groan, before looking back up, seeing Twilights silhouette against the harsh light. "Yeah." He hissed as he grasped his side. "Fuck."

"Spike, language!"

"Sorry Twi." Spike leaned back as he looked up at her. Rather, he silhouette, then gave a soft smile. "I'm afraid I'm not gonna keep my promise."

"A promise? What promise?" Twilight sat next to him, making Spike sit back up, giving a grunt.

"I...I wanted to find you and the girls. I promised I would find you guys." Spike mumbled out to her, before looking back at her, eyes brimming with tears. "I don't wanna kill anyone...but it seems like I will have to if I have to beat this guy."

"However, if you do, then you won't be Spike anymore." Twilight finished for him, making him nod. She sat there for a moment, before brushing her hand across his cheek. Her touch was cool, but it brought him comfort, making him lean into it. "Do you remember when you had your Greed Growth?"

"Every single day." Spike admitted, cringing as he felt his side flare in pain.

"Do you remember what brought you back?"

Spike thought for a moment, before giving a soft smile, ignoring his aching side, looking at Twilight, "Rarity."

"And what made you save the Crystal Heart?"

"The thought of losing you."

"And what made you save everyone at the Equestria Games?!"

"You guys being hurt!"

"Exactly." Twilight cupped his cheek, then planted a soft kiss on his forehead, giving a smile, "Spike, you have always had a good heart. No matter what happened, what we did to you or each other, you were always there for us. And I know you'll find us without losing yourself."

"Thanks Twi...you always know what to say."

"I sure hope so! It would be bad if I became a princess and I had no clue what I was talking about!" Twilight stood back up, giving a smirk. "Now, this thing just beat on my little brother, so you'll pardon my language, but you better show this son of a bitch how hard you can punch!" Spike stared slack jawed, making Twilight smile and rub the back of her head, embarrassed. "Sorry."

Spike only chuckled, ignoring the pain, then closed his eyes, leaning his head back, "I missed you." He looked up, only to see Twilight was gone, shaking his head. "Man, getting visions now...hope I'm not going crazy."

He heard the loud thumps of boots, looking up to see the Behemoth looking at Spike, making him smile at the clawed up pieces of armor.

"Just so you know..." Spike gave a smile as he walked toward the Behemoth. "I just had a talk with my sister. She told me to, and I am paraphrasing here, knock your bitch ass out."