Mask

Pissed off.

That was the one phrase that summed up Silver, staring at the blocked off passage. He saw an opening, barely large enough to fit a baby, at the top, making him clench his jaw, before checking his bracer, seeing it only click once in awhile. He set it down, then sighed as he looked back at the group, currently inspecting the walls around them, before tapping his mask, pulling it out and walking backwards a bit, giving a grunt as he made up his mind. "We'll have to blow it."

Meteor and Steel immediately stared at Silver, before glancing towards each other, "Sir...are you sure that is a wise decision?" Meteor asked, walking over to the scarred man.

"Yeah, the whole tunnel could collapse on us." Steel voiced his immediate concern out, before inspecting the walls. "Not to mention that we have no clue what's on the other side."

Bright Flare walked over, peering at the wall, "This is the only way through." Bright Flare pointed out, inspecting the rubble around them. "Unless you guys want to fight that thing whilst backtracking."

Wave quietly mumbled to Stone, "I don't know which is worse; that Lizard or Silver looking for Spike."

"At least the Lizard just wants to eat us..." Stone whispered back, both chuckling as they watched the group talk.

Everyone had failed to notice, however, that the rocks at the top started moving, continuing on with their discussion. They did, however, notice when the rock wall started to crack loudly, boulders falling away, cutting their conversation off. In an instant, the group ran back to some overturned minecarts, taking cover and aiming towards the wall, watching it shift and shake, almost as if it were an animal coming alive. The wall continued shaking as Silver readied his magic, lighting up his hand, sweat pouring down his forehead as he held his hand a bit.

Stone and Meteor shared a look, whilst Wave calmed his shaking hands down, trying to aim straight, Steels eyes narrowing a bit as his wings tucked themselves behind his back. Flare peered down her sights, giving a soft breath out as she stared at the rocks. They keep tumbling down as booms echoed out, the team giving a glare as they watched the rocks tumble down, hearing a roar echo out from the top of the pile.

"That sounds familiar." Silver mumbled out, peering out. "Spike?!" He called out, making the thunderous booms stop, slowly standing up, though not taking his weapon off the rubble. "Kid, if that's you, you better say so!" The magic died in his hand, finally giving the mans body some relief.

Silence.

It unnerved the group, Silver slowly kneeling back down and taking aim.

Suddenly, the rock wall exploded outwards, snow and ice flooding into the tunnel, a boulder the side of Steels torso missing Silvers head by an inch, making the silver haired man flinch. Their bracers started screaming in the clicking language, all of the group panicking and trying to fit on their masks as icy cold wind blasted over them. They were in the middle of drawing their weapons, but alas, the scaly Lizard was upon them in a second. Silvers eyes widened as he readied his magic, seeing the Lizard rush towards him.

It was too late.

Or, it would have been, had it not been for the fact the Lizard, heavily injured and bleeding, ran right past them, a trail of blood following it. Wave was nearly crushed in the escape, had the Lizard not stumbled last second and smashed into a stone wall. It continued down the hall, giving a roar that mimicked Spikes as it scrambled away. The team didn't need to be told anything as they twirled back around to see a group of Diamond Dogs, approximately five of them, running in, weapons raised, the snow and frost hitting them.

Silver raised his weapon, ready to fire, his breath coming out as steam, then yelled, "Drop 'em!"

The Dogs complied. Well, sort of.

The first Diamond Dog started coughing, then choking, falling to its hands and knees as it breathed in the poisonous air from the upper world. The second started coughing, trying not to fall like its friend, only to lean against the wall and start vomiting. The third and fourth shivered from the cold air and fell down, already out of breath, whilst the fifth fired randomly, blinded by the snow and ash, shooting its third friend and instantly killing him, ending his friends suffering. The fifth finally fell, firing a few shots from his rifle, hitting the wall next to Meteor, who took cover immediately as dust fell onto her.

Silver and his team, wearing armor, warm clothing and gas masks, were prepared the moment the Lizard blitzed past them. The Diamond Dogs, being a ground dwelling species and not up to the surface often, were woefully unprepared for the poison that hit their bodies and entered their lungs. Silver looked at Meteor, who was already vaulting over her cover and running towards one of the Diamond Dogs. She tugged the first one by its armored shoulders, Silver jumping over to help her, dragging the beast out of the snow and further down the tunnel.

The others followed suit, Stone dragging the largest of the group out of the hole and into the tunnel. They kept going until they could no longer feel the biting cold, the Geiger counter on their wrists going quiet, they finally set the four sick, though still living, Dogs down. Silver inspected each other them, only to grumble out something to himself, muffled through his gas mask.

"Sir?"

"Well...I would ask for information, but I believe our friends here already showed us the way."

Steel looked at Meteor, who shrugged, then back towards Silver, "How so, sir?"

"Well, that Lizard over there used another way to get ahead of us." Silver pointed out, before pointing the direction the Lizard ran down. "That is the same beast we fought before, and its tail has already grown back." He then looked back towards the tunnel, seeing snow and ash pile in on the dead Diamond Dog, giving a hum through his mask. "Seeing as we haven't seen these Dogs and they are attacking the Lizard, it is safe to assume they have occupied the next town and may have already found our missing teammates." Silver then looked back at them, barking out, "Which means we gotta quit screwing around and double time it, people!"

The Queen watched dust come out of the wall, waiting a few more moments, before humming out loud. She pulled the child closer, ignoring his sobs as she scanned the building in front of them. The sounds of metal being smashed echoed out, along with the cracking of walls and destruction of furniture. She suddenly turned to Rover, who gave her a glare, which she ignored, and spoke, "Get your pack ready. We might be having meat after all." Rover grinned, turning to his pack mates, opening his mouth to bark an order, only to be stopped by a strange sound.

Metal smashing against rock.

They turned to see the Behemoth trying to get up, its armor smashed in, clawed and dented. Blood was dripping from its arm, its helmet was slightly dented, its right leg armor being an unrecognizable slab of clawed, broken metal, and the right side of its chest piece, already weakened by the Lizard fight before, was ripped damn near to tearing.

The Queen then looked over to see Spike, whose face had some light bruising and scrapes. His right side, which she could wee due to the angle he took whilst stepping out, was clawed into and bloody, though Spike gave no pause to it. Spike only pulled his knife out, blowing a green stream of flame onto it, heating the blade up in front of everyone, then walked towards the Behemoth, who was trying to get back up. He kept blowing his flame onto the blade, the Behemoth seeming to be panicked as it tried, and failed to get up.

The Queen hummed in approval, watching Spike, gently setting the child down, though still holding onto him. Rover gave a sneer, then said, "Looks like Humies were right to cower behind lazy lizard."

Spike looked over at Rover, snorting some smoke, then stood in front of the Behemoth, who sat still, watching Spike. Spike turned to the Behemoth, the orange blade in his hand, glaring down at her, his pupils slits as he inspected his work. He could see the claw marks on her shoulder, arm, and side were bleeding, and he could see icy blue eyes onside of the creatures helmet, though not much else.

"Go on." The Queen called out, making Spike glance at her, before the Queen continued, "Finish her off, and then we can continue on with our deal."

Spike turned back towards the Behemoth, before reaching down, gripping onto his blade a bit more as he inspected her. The Behemoth tried grabbing for a rock, only to stop when it heard a sound from Spike; a deep rumble that made the Behemoths chest vibrate, the noise causing a rock fall down and noisily clank on her helmet, though the Behemoth made no indication it even heard or felt the rock.

"Your name?" The Behemoth blinked up at him, confused, which must have happened for awhile, as Spike held the knife up, though not in a threatening manner, still orange and hot, "What is your name?"

The Behemoth thought for a moment, staring up at the dragon blood, dumbfounded, its mind filled with curiosity and trepidation. It opened its mouth, a weak voice coming out of the armor, a single word that would have shocked most people. Well, it would have shocked them anyway, as the Behemoth never actually spoke to anyone other than the Queen.

"Lily."

If Spike himself was shocked, he made no physical show of it. A female Diamond Dog. Spike can't recall if he ever saw one, much less met one, so, he simply adjusted his seat and inspected her shoulder cut, which was leaking blood.

"Okay, Lily, I need to take off your helmet to see if I injured anything. You are losing a lof of blood, though, so I am going to have to use this knife to close off some of your heavier wounds." Spike spoke as if Twilight herself was possessing him. Lily sat there, slack jawed at Spikes behavior. Spike reached for her helmet, only for Lily to grab Spikes hand, making him stare at her.

"I-if you try anything, lizard -"

"If I wanted to do anything, I would have done it by now." Spike cut her off, staring down at Lily. Lily stared back at Spike, giving his arm a soft squeeze, before letting go, sighing a bit. He was right, and she knew it, though she didn't like it. Spike grasped her helmet and gently tugged it off, seeing the rather...well, beautiful looking face of the Behemoth. As far as Diamond Dogs went, anyway.

Her face reminded Spike of a jackal, though perhaps those depicted on the walls of ancient Egypt. Her face has some scars on it, and her fur was cut short. Luckily, there were no new injuries that Spike could see, making him nod to her, then saying, "This will hurt, but I need to press this knife against your shoulder, you are bleeding far too much." He made a moment, only to stop and look into Lily's eye, "Don't hit me."

Lily nodded, before pulling some sort leather straps out and biting into it, readying herself. Spike waited, then pressed the blade against Lily's shoulder, making her give a muffled whine, gripping her paws into fists. Spike pulled it away, before scooting over, pressing the blade against her shoulder again, making her scream this time, the smell of burnt flesh and fur almost made Spike lose his lunch, though he continued on until the wound was properly sealed.

Whilst the Queen watched, Rovers hackles raised, watching the Queen. He turned to a packmate, giving a quiet bark, making him nod and walk around the Queen, pretending to check over the civilians. Spike and the Queen didn't react to this, though Lily perked an ear up, giving a muffled whine as Spike finished sealing her wound, watching Rover with a wary eye.

"Okay, now I need to remove your chest armor." Spike stopped, before gaining a soft blush, "You are...uh...wearing clothes under this, right?" Lily nodded, making Spike remove her chest armor, before inspecting the claw marks he left in her side, giving a grimace. "Sorry." Lily looked up at him, making Spike sigh, "I didn't want to do this to you."

Spike stood up, his knife now cooling down, before looking at the Queen, finally saying, "I defeated her. You let them go."

The Queen stood there for a moment, before looking at Lily, her icy voice filled with curiosity, "Why did you not kill her?" Her grip kept the boy there, before her helmet turned back towards Spike. "You had the perfect chance to end her life there. Why did you not take it?"

"I'm not like you." Spike crossed his arms, giving a growl as he saw Rover step up behind the Queen, along with the other Dog, their weapons raised towards Spike. "I won't kill her. It's not who I am."

The Queen inspected Spike for a moment, before letting the boy go, who, instead of running towards his father, ran towards Spike and his behind him, holding onto his hip. Spike reacted instantly, gently resting his hand on the boys head, though pushing him back a bit, behind Spike, as if to afford for some sort of protection.

"You are hurt." The Queen pointed towards the cuts on the dragonbloods side, "Why did you not heal yourself the same way?"

"It won't work on me, I'm a dragon."

"Indeed you are."

Spike blinked, giving her a confused look. Was that...a purr in her voice?

"So...you'll let them go?"

The Queen then turned her head to see Rover, "Yes, we had a deal. We will release the prisoners, in exchange for you."

Rover gave her a surprised look, then snarled out a loud, "WHAT?!" The Queen only tilted her head Rovers direction, not quite looking at him. "YOU PROMISED MEAT!"

"No. I didn't." The Queen spoke, gently gripping onto the handle of her sword with both hands, Spike backing up a bit, his tail curling around the boy protectively, pushing him into Spikes armor, so he wouldn't see. "I said you could have them if he didn't meet expectations." The Queen turned back towards Spike, then continued, "And, as far as I am concerned, Spike surpassed them. So, he will join me."

"...Of course, Humie picks little dragon boy." Rover snarled out, raising his weapon, the Dog next to him doing the same, aiming towards the Queen, "Pack will not follow a false leader! Rover will -" Rover snarled out, before an orange glow grasped both him and his packmate.

In an instant they were flung forward, the Queen raising her sword and twirling on her foot, using both arms and twisting her body to add more force into her swing, then decapitated both Rover and the other Dog in one move. A third Dog, in the crowd, suddenly twirled forward, finger on the trigger, though the back of its skull exploded outward, a hol in its forehead as a crack rang out, making the Queen twirl back around, blade soaked in blood as Rovers body finally fell in front of Spike, who held onto the boy tighter with his tail. A fifth and six Dog fell backwards with cracks echoing out, a seventh taking cover and aiming around, only for the Queen to use her magic to pull the Dog forward, using him as a shield as more cracks echoed out, before the Queen threw the Dog down and twirled her sword around, her emotionless helmet staring where the shots rang out.

Rovers head finally rolled in front of Spike, making him glare at the Queen, who twirled her sword around, blocking another bullet, which ricocheted off of the blade, burying inyo the ground near the boys father, making him back up, Spike looking backwards and putting his fingers in his mouth, a shrill whistle echoing out.

The Queen waited for another shot, though none came, scanning the buildings around her, blood filling her foot prints as she inspected them. She suddenly flung her blade, blood flying off of it as she stared back at Spike, "Friends of yours?"

Bright Light got off the roof she was on, gripping onto her ribs and grunting, handing Cherry back her weapon. "Bitch has moves. Can't get a good shot on her, she's too fast." Bright Light spoke, before leaning on Cherry for support.

"Well, we bought Spike a chance. Hopefully, the kid can use it." Cherry mumbled back, making Bright Light smile.

"So, tell me again how you met Spike."

Spike turned back towards Rovers head, before giving the Queen a glare, "You want me to join you?" Spike then pointed to the dead Diamond Dogs around her. "It seems like your leadership leads to nothing but death and betrayal."

The Queen looked at the dead on the ground, before humming softly, "I suppose you have a point there." She looked back at Spike, before sheathing her sword. "Very well, Spike," A shiver ran down Spikes back as she purred his name out. "I shall clean up my own forces...before I come back for you." She snapped her fingers, Lily coming out of the rock pile that was once a wall, walking over, giving Spike a soft look from her icy blue eyes. "Grab the others, and take the dead. We'll need to meat." Lily put her helmet on, nodding, before giving Spike one last glance, then howling into the air.

"And the prisoners?"

"Free." The Queen answered, Lily giving the Queen a look. "Though, I cannot promise all of them are unharmed."

"I think we can live with a few scrapes and bruises." Spike glared at her, his hand squeezing into a fist. "Leave the bodies of our own. We'll need to bury them."

"Very well. Come, my Right Hand." She started to walk away, only to look back at Spike, saying, "We shall meet again, Spike Sparkle."

"Wait, how do you -"

The sound of howls cut Spike off, Lily grasping Rovers body, and the other traitor that had been beheaded in the one blow, slinging them over one shoulder. Lily then looked back at Spike, her blue eyes staring into his green ones, before giving a motion with her hand - likely one of respect - and then walked away, Spike glaring at the Queen as she walked away.

The child was about to pull himself out to peak, only to be scooped up by Spike, who pressed the childs face into a softer part of his chest, thankfully missing the pockets, and gave a soft sigh. "Trust me, buddy, you really do not want to open your eyes. Just keep them closed until your dad tells you to open them, okay?" Spike peered back at the Queen and Lily, his eyes narrowed at them.

Too many questions, not enough answers. Spike felt like Twilight.

Once Lily and the Queen walked far enough into the tunnel, Lily gave a soft whine as she looked backwards, giving a glance to the broken gates her fellow Dogs were walking down. The Queen gave Lily a look, before giving the hulking lady a gentle squeeze. "Do not worry, my Right Hand, he surpassed even my expectations." The Queen stopped for a moment, then looked back at the Dogs. "Кажется, что Дракон может наслаждаться более чем одним драгоценным камнем." The Queen suddenly said, making Lily smile under her helmet.

Thirty minutes later.

Spike sat inside a medical tent, bandages wrapped around his side, his armor was off and his shirt was off as well. Thankfully, Spike was too busy looking over Storm, who was resting on a bed next to him, not noticing the looks multiple women (and some men) were giving him. He sighed a bit, before looking over at Bright Light, giving a soft smile as he saw her lying there, bandages wrapped around the womans chest and shoulder.

"So, how are you feeling?"

Bright Light groaned, then sat up a bit, wincing a bit as she looked over to Spike, "Like I need a drink."

Spike gave a laugh, before hissing, gripping onto his side, "Fuck..."

"Language."

"Sorry."

Spike sat there for a moment, before seeing Bright Light peer at Storm, "Think she'll be okay?"

Spike chuckled, "She's tough. I am more worried about Silver and the others right now."

Bright Light examined Spike for a moment, before smiling, "No, you aren't." Spike looked at her, confused, "You're thinking of Twilight."

Spike sat there, stunned, before giving an embarrassed smile, "That obvious, huh?"

"You seemed...different before the fight. After, you seemed pretty sure of yourself." Bright Light hissed as she adjusted, before giving Spike a knowing smile, "So...you find the truth?"

"In a way." Spike grunted as he stood up, looking at Bright Light as he grasped his shirt, pulling it on. He looked back at Storm, before back at Bright Light, clipping his armor on, then finally his jacket, adjusting his cracked mask onto his chest armor. "I know Twilight is out there."

"So...what are you waiting for?"

Spike looked back at Bright Light, before giving a fanged smile, "Look after her, will you?"

"I'll have her in bed by eight. Pizza on the counter?"

Spike gave a groan, then rubbed his belly, "Don't joke about that, I would kill for some pizza right now." Spike pulled his weaponry back onto his body, clipping his weaponry on. He inspected his knife, before sliding his knife back into his sheath. "Good luck, Bright Light."

"You better find those girls, Spike."

Spike opened the flap, then looked back at Bright Light, giving a soft smile, "You know me. I'm too stubborn to give up." He walked out of the tent to see Cherry Jubilee standing there, giving him a look. "Gonna walk me home?"

"Somethin like that." Cherry started walking with him, looking around the damage caused by the Diamond Dogs. "More so makin sure no more nasty surprises hit ya "

Spike gave her a soft look, before peering back at the gate, currently being repaired by some people, guards pointing their weapons down the tunnel, in case any more surprises started showing up. "Sorry for all this trouble I've caused."

Cherry sighed, before looking at Spike, then sighing softly as they made it up to the gate. "As far as I'm concerned, this is that bitches fault, not yers." Cherry looked at him, before crossing her arms, speaking, "Spike, ya mind if I ask you somethin?" Spike only quirked an eyebrow, about to open his mouth, when Cherry held a hand up, making him stop. "No, I'm not gonna ask ya out. Not exactly mah type."

"Just checking."

"Though, I do hear you have a thing for ladies with cowboy hats."

"I shouldn't have told Bright Light that story."

They both shared a chuckle, though Cherry stopped and sighed a bit, rubbing the back of her neck, "I would ask ya ta stay, maybe relax a bit more, but I see that fire in yer eyes. I won't make ya stay.." Spike shook his said, making her sigh, before she leaned leaned up a bit and gave Spike a kiss on the cheek, making Spike give a surprised blush. "Just make sure ya get back in one piece when ya find those girls."

Cherry started walking away, making Spike quirk an eyebrow, before calling out, "Hey, what is your type?"

Cherry turned back, then gave a smirk, "Come back wit a Stetson and a beard, then we'll talk." She called back, before walking away from Spike and back towards the front gate. After all, they needed all the guns they could spare.

Spike shook his head, before looking back at the opened back gate in front of him, chuckling at the woman, before looking back at the tunnel in front of him, sighing. He started to walk through, only to feel a pinch at the back of his skull, making him shiver. He twirled around, hand on the grip, scanning around him. Seeing nothing, he decided to continue walking, slowly pulling his knife out with his snapper, hitting the door close button with his tail.

As keen as Spikes eyes were, he would not have seen the current watchers; two pure black figures. One watched Spike, before turning to the other, making a motion with its hand, disappearing, whilst the other watched Spike. The figure sighed a bit, peering back at the building where Spike had seen "Twilight", then rubbed its hand with its thumb.

"Мне очень жаль, маленький дракон."