"Each day I wake up, I need to remind myself of what's happened so I know it's not a dream. Me and Smolder were abducted by humans. I'm pretty sure they were humans. Smolder thought they were aliens, and I can see why they might seem that way. They've changed us, made us bigger, maybe older."

"But then they left in a hurry when these ghoul things attacked. They only took Smolder and left me behind. I think they did something to Smolder because she started obeying them and didn't recognize me."

"The world here is definitely not the world Sunset lives in. It's...in ruins. I saw a city in the distance today. It reminded me of Albion. There's scorched ruins...bones...the place we are in. It's made of metal...scorched black on one side."

"But people still survive here. Not just the ones who took me and Smolder. After I lost her, others found me. They are...a very strange lot. I'm having trouble understanding them. But then there is their leader who's unlike everyone else."

A knock on the metal door got Spike's attention. He'd moved into the main building at Cynder's insistence, Cynder's voice calling "Spike...you in there?"

"Yeah, not much else to be," called Spike.

Cynder came in at that, smiling. "Spike, you're already up. You still need to get some weapons training, you know," she said in mock scolding.

"Weapons training?" asked Spike skeptically.

"You need to know how to use guns. It's not that hard. There were no guns where I came from and it was easy enough to get the hang on," laughed Cynder in a tone that made Spike get a tingle up his spine.

"Trust me, not everyone's going to come close enough to be hit by your breath attacks," said Cynder.

Spike sighed, "Ok...might as well."

Cynder smiled, "Ok, let's do this."

Mags Black raised an eyebrow as Spike came in. "So you're our second lizard," she said calmly, Spike glaring. He didn't like the Blacks especially...they reminded him a little of the old Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara before they'd given up bullying.

Of course, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon could only hurt people emotionally with their words. Spike was quite sure that the Blacks would be very happy to hurt people physically with their fists.

"Miss Cynder wants me to teach you how to last longer than ten seconds in combat. She has something in mind for you...so I volunteered to give you a crash course," said Mags with a smirk that made Spike a little concerned.

Spike said, "I thought you'd teach me how to shoot?"

Mags chuckled. "Guns are just pieces of metal and wood if your enemy gets into stabbing range. The Mi-one of our enemies taught his men how to disarm people at close range. So..." she said, tossing a pistol over to Spike. "Try and hit me before I can disarm you," sneered Mags. Spike raised an eyebrow. Mags said, "Paintballs. Oh, and no breathing fire or anything. We're working on your basics right now."

Spike rolled his eyes, taking aim and firing, Mags dodging to the right, a black splat appearing on the wall, Spike barely having time to aim again before he was swept off his feet and a knife was pressed to his throat. "You're dead," said Mags calmly, stepping back, spinning the knife in her hand.

"Ok, so now you start giving me pointers," said Spike.

"No...now we do it again until you manage to stop me getting you in a kill position. You're lucky Cynder wants you alive otherwise I'd treat you like any other recruit," said Mags calmly, before stepping back, "Again."

William Black glared at Cynder. "The guy's softer than a week old donut and you want him to come with my men on the Vault 95 operation?" he snapped.

"One of the best ways to learn is by example," said Cynder.

"He'll get my men killed. These aren't settlers. These are Gunners and Minutemen, trained professionals and heavily-armed!" snapped William.

"A perfect source of experience," said Cynder.

"You're starting to think like a video game again," said William, "I dunno what it was like where you came from but here, bullets kill and that rookie will die in about ten seconds vs Gunners. Back when we were based out of Nukaworld, our outfit gave the Gunners a wide berth."

"Has anyone been able to make him bleed yet?" asked Cynder.

William glared, "A knife isn't a bullet."

Cynder smirked, taking William's pistol and shooting herself, her eyes spinning for a second as the bullet bounced off her head. "See, just make sure he's holding an Exp. Share or a Lucky Egg and he'll be leveled up in no time," said Cynder, slightly dizzily.

William chuckled. "Oh lord. That is always worth it," he muttered, retrieving his pistol and walking out. He had an assault team to prepare.

Spike was starting to not like Mags very much. Even the strictest trainers in Equestria would at least try to tell their students where they're getting things wrong. Mags was just attacking him again and again.

"You won't even survive one battle if you can't shoot one knife-wielding warrior." sneered Mags. Spike glowered, that anger he'd felt fighting the ghouls rising again as Mags charged. Her arm was grabbed and she was sent sliding across the floor. "Ok...now that was good." she admitted calmly as Cynder walked in, her eyes crossed. It seemed her brother had tricked the dragoness into dazing herself with the party trick.

"Ok, Spike, ready for your first mission?" asked Cynder a little too giddily.

Mags's smile faded. "No...this guys a worse fighter than those morons in the pack," she snapped.

Cynder said loudly, "No, it's an Ice type so you use Flamethrower!" Mags sighed, walked up and slapped the back of Cynders head, her eyes focussing. "I do want him to get some field experience," said Cynder.

"Then have him go on a milk run," said Mags, "He's way too green for the Vault mission."

Cynder's eyes narrowed before she picked Mags up by the neck. "Who's the leader here?" she growled showing her teeth.

Mags gulped and said, "You are."

"You're going to take Spike on this mission so he can understand the monsters we're fighting against and if he doesn;t come back alive I will be VERY angry. Understood?" Cynder snarled, a red mist engulfing them.

"Ok, ok, I get it!" yelped Mags, trying to wriggle loose.

Cynder huffed before throwing her down. Spike stared before Cynder's anger vanished like it had never happened, Cynder smiling, "Shall we go?"

"Uh, you never did mention who it is we were fighting," said Spike.

"Murderers and killers. They control Boston and enslave their people," said Cynder dramatically, Spike noting a couple of guards trying not to grin.

"You haven't actually given a name," said Spike.

"They are an alliance of groups." said Cynder dramatically, Spike getting a feeling this was an act...and her acting was no patch on Rarity in one of her meltdowns.

"And what do they call themselves?" asked Spike flatly.

"No idea, they've attacked my people for years for no reason," said Cynder.

Now Spike was absolutely sure she was covering something up. And if it weren't for all her minions standing around, he'd refuse to go along at all.

He was about to speak before a radio in the corner, previously on static began playing a crackly classical song, the light also starting to flicker. "Uh, is someone getting ready for a party?" asked Spike.

A second later, there was a blinding flash of light. Spike rubbed his eyes to see some sort of plastic, skeletal human, looking around before aiming a boxy pistol, firing a blue beam that incinerated one of the Blacks' men into ash, a half dozen more beginning to fire the same weapons, sparks flying off them as the guards opened fire.

"Sound the alarm!" yelled Cynder, laser bolts hitting her, yelping from the burns

"What's going on?" asked Spike. However, that outburst only drew the plastic man's attention towards Spike.

A hail of blue beams narrowly missed him at that, before he charged the bot...and was knocked flying. The bot was quite strong.

Spike growled before charging back at the plastic man again, this time with claws bared. The bot aimed its blaster before a slash took its head off, the bot falling sideways.

Spike turned to see some sort of human, wearing a white leather overcoat and shades. It seemed to be directing the attack. "You next." he snarled, charging the human who turned...and had him by the throat, lifting him up with ease.

"New target...hmm...another mutant," the human said, not even looking as it blasted a charging member of the Pack, blowing her head off.

"Let go!" snapped Spike as he tried to grab his arm.

The arm was solid though, the human raising an eyebrow. "Interesting...this changes things," he said, squeezing harder, before Spike managed to cough some flame. The flames burnt the guy's arm, but it burned off a lot more than Spike expected. Enough to see the machinery under the surface.

"Oh...boy..." gagged Spike, yelping as the...thing plucked a scale off of his arm before throwing him into the charging Cynder, taking a step back before "SRS Control IL-14 ready for transit."

The radio kicked off again before the human and the remaining robots vanished in flashes of light, Mags yelling "Get some damn stimpacks in here."

Cynder glared, saying, "The face of one of our enemies."

"What just happened?" asked Spike.

"Those were some of who we're fighting against. They're getting desperate," snapped Cynder angrily.

"I didn't know you guys had teleportation here," said Spike.

"It's new, that's for sure. Miss Black, tell the other clan leaders, triple the guard and issue EMP grenades," Cynder snapped, Mags rolling her eyes before Cynder said, "Now you see what we're up against."

"But why would they attack us?" asked Spike.

"The same reason as anyone: resources," said Cynder, "Everyone wants to get as much as they can, even from someone else."

"They sound like bandits," said Spike, most of the guards getting coughing fits at that.

"Yes, well, greed's a big motivation," said Cynder, looking away from Spike, "Tomorrow, you're going on a mission with some of my men. The enemy has a secure outpost north of us and if we don't take it, we can't liberate the people of Boston."

"Uh...can't I start with a supply run first?" asked Spike.

"NO...I mean, no...I have people already doing that." said Cynder, "Besides, look at you. You're a purple dragon. You can handle those, er, bandits easily."

"So? There's dragons stronger than me." said Spike defensively

"Nonsense, you're just inexperienced," said Cynder.

One of the Pack warriors leaned in. "When the Great One's like this, it's better to just say yes and go with it," he whispered to Spike.

"Uh, ok," said Spike.

William Black chuckled, "You are so dead."

4 hours later...

"Ok, men...we got a rookie with us today. The overboss wants us to make sure he survives the experience." said William calmly, the group of operators, gas masks over their faces all turning to look at Spike.

"So, what if I just watch from the sidelines..." started Spike.

"Sorry, she wants you to be part of the action," said William.

"Aw man…" grumbled Spike, an operator pushing a pistol into his hands.

"We're not up against regular militia here, men. Today we're up against the Gunners. You've heard of them and know we usually give them their space but this time they've got something we want and need," William continued.

"Uh, I haven't heard of them," said Spike.

"Just leave the actual fighting to us," said another operator.

"Remember...surprise." said William, the operators nodded and headed out. Spike gulped...this wasn't going to end well...

"This isn't going to end well, overboss." said Mags in annoyance.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to throw away my best soldier over something risky," said Cynder.

"That's if he is a soldier." said Mags calmly, adding, "He's got no killer instinct."

"I'm sure being in a real fight will bring it out," said Cynder.

"Really? He was useless in that last fight." said Mags pointedly.

Cynder sighed. It was true...this purple dragon had clearly never seen combat. "Well, we can't let him hang around our base all the time," said Cynder, "He has to make himself useful."

"Then make him useful. I can keep my men in line and the new Pack leader is falling over himself to get on his good side...but the disciples' leader, Xander and the other clans...if they decide he's weak..." warned Mags.

"Dragons are not weak," said Cynder. However, there wasn't any frustration or even concern in her voice.

"You've got something in mind?" said Mags.

Cynder smirked. "Just a little pick-me-up I gave to William for spike. Should help him fit in," she sneered.

"We're fighting for a hole in the ground?" whispered Spike in annoyance, a large hole in a dirt cliff seen, abandoned construction equipment and rusty walkways...and armed men covered head to toe in green plate armor and masked helmets, heavy weapons in their hands.

"Lotsa guards...someone warned em again." said one of the operators quietly.

"We'll sweep the base for spies later," said William, "We've got a mission here."

"Is there a back way or something?" asked Spike with concern.

William rolled his eyes, before taking a canteen off his belt, "Oi, lizard boy, take a swig. It's...for luck."

"Uh, I'm not-" started Spike.

"You need to stay hydrated," said William before pushing the canteen to Spike's lips.

Spike rolled his head before taking a swig of the surprisingly sweet-tasting liquid "Huh, tasty," said Spike.

"Ok, don't drink it all at once," said William, taking the canteen back.

Spike twitched at that, his mind...boiling and the operators backing off as he felt...angry...feeling like he when under greed growth and the wonderbolts had attacked his horde. William's voice, echoing, said "The enemy...over there..." pointing at the gunners.

"Then what are we waiting for?" snapped Spike, giving a roar at that, charging the now-very aware and surprised gunner guards, laser bolts and bullets ricocheting off him.

"Not so useless after all," commented an operator.

Another operator gulped as Spike reached the Gunners. "Man, I've seen deathclaws make less mess," he said weakly, another operator tossing up into a bush.

Even William seemed a little...pale. "Ok...looks like this is easier than it seems. We sweep behind him and deal with survivors...and for god's sake, keep out his way," he ordered, the operators nodding weakly, more so as a severed arm flew through the air and landed at their feet...and was on fire.

Spike came to his senses some time later. He felt like he had been on an energy rush...and been through a red haze. What was he just doing?

His head was aching, feeling like it had been broken and put back together again. "Urgh...my head." he grumbled, raising a hand and pausing, seeing his reflection in a window across from him.

He was taller now. Probably taller than Cynder. Maybe taller than some of the other operators. But he wasn't as muscular as he sometimes imagined himself when he was older. His wings had grown a little and looked more capable of flight and his claws seemed...sharper. "Wow..." he muttered, flexing his arm. Despite his somewhat lanky appearance, he didn't feel that weak. In fact, he had a sort of athletic/wiry strength.

"What the hell was in that drink?" he muttered, noticing his voice sounded more...adult too...deeper, also noticing his tail had a sharp bone point at the end now.

"Huh, I wonder what Smolder will think of this?" asked Spike. He recalled how Smolder looked last and felt a sudden rush of warmth through him.

He shook his head...no, he had to focus. He got up, seeing some new armor set out for him, the same grey suit that Cynder wore, though clearly for a male this time.

As soon as it was on he stomped out into the corridor. William had poisoned him...and one of the guards said "Hey...Spike...nice work with those Gunners." cheerfully, another whistling cheerfully as he went along.

"What the hell did you give me?" snapped Spike.

"Oh, look who's got his big boy pants on," said an operator in a condescending tone.

Spike found himself lifting up the operator, his hand gripping the operator around the chin. "What did you say?" he snarled before he realized what he was doing. Spike hastily put the operator down before turning to William, "That juice is messing with my head."

William shrugged "Orders from on high, little man." before he walked off, Spike growling.

Cynder looked at the faded map. "Ok...we move several squads into vault 95...and that will block overland supplies from Fusion City," she said.

Xander said, "Yeah...except they can just send stuff via that subway."

Cynder smirked, "Spike can easily collapse that tunnel."

"I think you're overestimating him," said Xander.

"You saw the report. He slaughtered those Gunners almost single clawed," said Cynder.

Xander snapped, "That's not the point! You're relying on the Blacks and their stiff collars. I took over the disciples' remnants after Nuka-World cause you promised we'd get to skin the Sole Survivor and our blades haven't even tasted a drop of anyone's blood."

"Have patience, we're going to-" started Cynder.

"I don't think you really get how this is working," said Xander, "The only reason we're all even standing each other is because you promised us the rest of the pie. If you can't deliver, they will all turn against each other and then you."

Cynder's eyes narrowed at that. "That sounds like treason, Xander," she snarled.

Xander smirked. "Just a warning of your shortening future, Overboss." he said, before muffled yells were heard outside before Xander continued "And for all I know this Spike did nothing. Where is he anyway?" before a disciple guard was thrown through the door. Cynder turned to yell and paused, her mouth open.

Spike was at the front of the group, having put on some more height and was wearing the silver jumpsuit she had provided. Small sections of her brain for some reason were going 'woof'. "Er, behold...this proof enough, Xander?" she said a little weakly. Was it suddenly hot in here?

"Ok, so he had one successful raid," said Xander, "That doesn't make him a juggernaut."

Spike just looked angry before he snarled at Xander "Get out."

Xander glared and drew his knife. "Like hell I-" before Spike grabbed him and threw him out the doorway.

"Oh, that's a big improvement," said Cynder.

"What did you do to me?" snapped Spike, advancing on Cynder (though unfortunately all she heard was static over the angelic music behind Spike).

Eventually, Cynder blinked and asked, "Didn't you get a successful raid?"

"You did something to me! Tell me what you did!" snarled Spike.

"I just loosened your inhibitions a bit, just a mix of buffout and psycho." said Cynder, "Surely you saw they were hampering your progress."

"I...killed those people," said Spike, pushing Cynder back.

"And they would have killed you if they had the chance," said Cynder, "The only real difference is who struck first."

"You turned me into a monster!" snapped Spike.

"Then you must have a very narrow margin for monsters," said Cynder. Spike snarled at that, Cynder raising an eyebrow. "So...what element did you use?" she asked.

"What do you mean what element?" asked Spike.

"You did gain access to other elements before, right?" asked Cynder.

"Well...Twilight kinda made me the Element of Loyalty for a little bit, but that didn't work out," said Spike.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Cynder flatly before snapping, "I mean real elements! Did you breathe ice? Did you unlock electricity?"

"No...There's some dragons over the eastern sea who can breathe lightning but I can only breathe flame...and do dragon fire mail." said Spike, Cynder glaring.

"Don't talk nonsense! You're a purple dragon!" snapped Cynder.

"So?" asked Spike.

"'So'? What do you mean 'so'?!" snapped Cynder, "You were born to control all the other elements like the purple dragons that came before!" Spike thought back to the purple dragons he already met before saying, "They didn't seem to have anything special."

Cynder growled, clutching the bridge of her snout before saying, "Lets try again. Where on Avalar are you from?"

"Where's Avalar?" asked Spike.

"Excuse me?" asked Cynder, "You know, Avalar, our world."

"Uh, I don't know about you, but where I'm from, we call it Equestria," said Spike.

Cynder paused before she thought, remembering something. "So they went to other worlds...and they grabbed the one squeamish dragon in the multiverse!" she snapped, advancing on Spike, "Then the only thing you're good for..."

"Hey, wait a minute," said Spike, backing up a step.

As Cynder was readying claws, his eyes went into slits and a single swipe knocked her over, before his eyes went back to normal.

Cynder growled a bit as she sat back up. "So, there is some fight in you for that stuff to enhance," she growled.

"Who are you?" snapped Spike, glowering.

Cynder laughed, "You're just what we need to defeat our enemies after all." before she calmed down, "I'm...sorry...but our enemies will slaughter you unless you know how to fight. That potion just accelerated things."

"If you think I'm going to help you with-" started Spike.

"You don't understand. They'll kill us all," said Cynder.

"Haven't you ever tried to talk it out?" snapped Spike.

Cynder stared before laughing, adding "The Blacks were in charge of a settlement 30 miles east. Our enemy invaded and murdered half her men and ruled it with an iron fist. There's no talking to people like that."

"But-" started Spike.

"I don't know what kind of sugary world Equestria is, but apparently it didn't have real evil on it. Even Avalar had true villains. And villains don't give quarter," said Cynder.

"Hey...we had villains!" snapped Spike.

Cynder laughed her head off at that. "I'm sure...how many wanted to wipe your people out to the last man?" she managed.

Spike paused. "Fine...I help you...then what?" he asked.

Cynder said, "When you were unconscious, you talked about a friend. I can help you find her."

"Can you?" asked Spike skeptically.

"I have someone I need to find too." said Cynder

Part of Spike told him that he shouldn't trust her. But did he really have any other option? "Fine...but if this is a trick…" he growled.

Cynder shrugged, "It's not," she said smoothly, "Now then, you've had an eventful day and I'm sure you could use some rest now."

Spike glared, before walking out, Cynder breathing a sigh of relief. What Spike lacked in elemental powers, he apparently made up for in brute strength.

Xander stomped back in at that, rubbing his head. "He needs to go. He's dangerous and how long before he realizes he's working for raiders?" he snapped.

"All we have to do is keep blinders on that bull and he'll charge where we tell him to," said Cynder.

"We're a week out from the most crucial part of the plan according to the Blacks. if this goes wrong, overboss..." snapped Xander.

Cynder cut him off, "Don't finish that sentence. Your group's managed just fine changing groups before. It'll manage it again."

"You better tie down that loose cannon before he ruins everything," snapped Xander.

Cynder glared as Xander walked out. "One day, you won't be useful." she growled

That night...

The old facility was on the south end of the mire that Boston was north of...a natural barrier of hidden underwater pitfalls and mutations and after a few losses, guards stuck to makeshift watchtowers.

The figure currently there though, a normal-looking raider, was looking around nervously when he saw a figure in the mist. "Who's there?" he snapped, raising a pipe pistol.

The figure said in a British tone, "Easy there...you said you have information...talk."

"First give me the sign," said the raider.

"Is that really necessary?" asked the figure.

"Can't be too careful," replied the raider.

A bag was tossed forward, splashing into the water, the raider picking up the bag of bottle caps. "Fine...the mutant Overboss? Another of her kind turned up...took part in that raid on vault 95," said the raider.

"We were wondering what happened there," said the figure, "Describe this new mutant."

"Same as the Overboss...some kinda humanoid lizard...wings included." said the raider.

"I've heard some people describe her as a dragon. Would you agree?" asked the figure.

"Yeah...fire and everything...like something outta Grognak" said the raider.

"Interesting. And this one's male?" asked the figure.

"Yeah...look. That all? I'll be missed." snapped the raider, making a note to tell the Overboss to change her plans now he had his cash.

"Sure...one more thing." said the figure, a red dot training on the raider's chest before there was a 'fwip fwip' noise and the raider crumpled, the masked figure talking the bag. "I don't think you'll be missed that much," said the figure.

Author's Note

There's the next chapter. It's shorter than the previous one, but I think it does a good job of establishing Cynder's character. Or at least her current character. And while Spike is among bad guys, that's not going to last very long. The next chapter will be longer and it will up tomorrow. Keep an eye out for it and please review.