SPIKE UNCHAINED
Chapter III, Flim Flam Fields

It has been at least a week since the Ponyville fiasco. Twilight and Spike have been traveling through the empty plains of Equestria, been to two plantations in search of the Diamond Dogs, and have now set up a camp in the middle of a magnanimous rock formation. Twilight is tying down Susan so he doesn’t run off. Twilight has stripped off most of her uniform. Spike is sitting down on a small rock, it appears he is eating cake.

“After this Diamond Dog charade is over, you’ll be free, with 75 bits to spend, and some nice funnel cake.” Twilight said. “What do you plan to do after that?”

“Find my wife. Then settle down with her, and live out our lives together.” Spike said while drifting off into a day dream.

“Spike, aren't you a little too young to be married?" Twilight asks.

Spike displays a hostile glare.

"Well I had no idea you were married.” Twilight said while putting her uniform back on. “I actually don’t even recall there being female dragons.”

“Oh, she’s not a dragon.” Spike confused Twilight. “She’s a pony like you.”

Twilight goes back to the deer in the headlights face.

“Now hold on now, if she’s a pony, then she’s not a slave, so how did you end up being a slave then?” Twilight asked. “I don't understand since she’s a pony, technically, she would own you."

“Well, it went around like this.” Spike started story time. “She was with me before I was at the Jubilee plantation. I was doing some yard work with her outside, when some group of bandits came along and snatched me up cause they saw that I was a dragon, so I could have been put to “good” use. Before I knew it, I was a slave at Miss Cheery Jubilee’s cheery orchid. Now don't get me started on what happened there."

* * *

Spike remembers back when he was being confronted by Miss Cheery Jubilee, she was wearing these strange looking yellow sunglasses. Right behind her were the Diamond Dogs. Spike was armored down in chains, practically from head to toe.

“Spike.” Miss Jubilee said. “Oh Spike, you’ve got sand. And I ain’t got any use for any dragon with sand.”

The only thing that Spike can do to them is watch, and sigh.

“I want you to engrave an “r” on his cheek for being a runaway.” She points her hoof to her right cheek. “And then I want you to take him to the Appleloosan Slave auction, and sell him. And you shall sell him cheap.”

Spike dropped his head in shame.

* * *

Twilight has gotten her full suit back on. She walks over to sits down next to Spike, and fills up a cup of cider for Spike and herself.

“So you wouldn’t have any idea where she would be now?” Twilight asked.

“No, she’s probably gone.” Spike replied.

“She must have a name, tell me, what was her name?”

“Rarity.”

Twilight spits out her cider which splashes a little in Spike’s face. He’s just left with a frown.

“What?” Twilight asks.

“Rare-it-e.” Spike pronounces.

“Rarity?”

“Yeah.”

“So let me get this straight, your wife, not only is not but of a dragon, but the Unicorn fashion designer Rarity?”

“Yep, you’ve got it.”

Twilight just sits on the rock with her vibe thrown off, and questioning all of reality.

* * *

Twilight and Spike drive into Trottingham during an almost over purple-orange sunset. Just about everything except the sky is in a Slender-ish contrast and barely visible. They settle down in a Motel Six, where they rest until morning.

Sometime after breakfast, Twilight and Spike are in a prop and costume backroom. Twilight is sitting down near a window, while Spike is trying on newer clothes that weren’t stolen off the back of a stallion.

“Once we get to the plantation, we’ll make it seem like we’re going to be making a business deal.” Twilight said. “You shall be acting as assistant.”

Spike picks up a fez and tries it on. He looks at Twilight for her opinion. She just shakes her head. Spike puts the fez back down.

“During the deal, you must never break character. Do you understand?”

“Yeah yeah, don’t break character.” Spike responded. “What’s an assistant?”

“It’s a bigger word for servant, it’s not a slave. It’s like a partner, totally different thing.” Twilight said to break the ice. “We are going to make it seem like we are there to make a deal, and cause no harm. Once we find the Diamond Dogs, if we find them, then we’ll have to take them out and run like hell.”

“Wait, so are we making a deal?” Spike confused.

“No, we’re going to make it seem like we are Twilight corrected. “And now you can choose your costume.”

“I can choose?”

“Of course!” Twilight exclaimed Bison like.

Spike stands idly for a few seconds. And then gets an idea.

* * *

Spike is now wearing a more puffy purple Hamlet inspired outfit, however, the suit looks too tight for him. The duo has entered Flim Flam Fields, and are traveling up a orchid full of apple trees. Most of the trees stand at 9.144 meters (Or 30 feet). There are dragons who are being forced to pick them, and carry the apples to the central hub, in front of the plantation house. Some stallions are also working on the plantation as affiliates/guards, they follow the two in.

Many of the dragons stop working just to stare down Spike. It could be, perhaps, that his suit was too tight. Or it could be that his cap wasn't put on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his ego, was two sizes, too broad.

After noticing the two waltz right into their plantation, the brothers Flim and Flam exit from the main house, and confront Twilight and Spike. The salesponies aren’t wearing barbershop attire, they have on instead, a Sanders white suit and black western string tie. Their hats are just a white version of their original selves, with a black stripe. When Twilight and Spike get up to the house, they stop and lock eyes with the brothers.

“Whoa, now hold on there miss. What is he doing?” Flim pointed at the travelers with his hoof, which isn't a good identifier because of it not being a hand.

Twilight looks at the brothers, and then points to Susan.

“His name is Susan and he wants you to respect his life choices.” Twilight takes it their referring to her griffon.

“Not the griffon!” Flam drawled. “I don’t think you know this, but we don’t allow dragons to ride on vehicles.”

“His name is Spike, and he is a free dragon, which means he can ride whatever he pleases.” Twilight swaggers.

“Not around here he can’t.” The both of the shout.

“Apologies for the deflated introduction, I am Twilight Sparkle, and this is my assistant Spike.” Twilight stood and tipped her hat. “And this is my griffon Susan.”

Susan nods once again.

“Mr. Flim, Mr. Flam, I’ve heard that the two of you are not only gentleponies, but also Businessponies.” Twilight states. “And for that reason, is why Spike and I have traveled through the thin and thick to negotiate with the both of you.”

“Well, what did you have in mind?” Flim asked.

“I have slightly less than 9000 things that I could say, that might change your opinion.” Twilight bargains.

The brothers wink at each other, then open up with hospitality.

“Well why don’t the two of you settle down, and have a drink inside.” Flam insisted.

Twilight smiles, then ties down Susan and the cart to a pole. She walks over to the brothers.

“I believe, it would be better for Spike to have a tour around the place, to get to know everything a little better, while we discuss more inside.” Said Twilight.

“Uh, why yes!” Flim agreed. “Ryu!” Flam called.

A tan semi taller than Spike dragon, with ripped to shreds white clothes walks closer to the conversation.

“Yes Flim sir?” He responded.

“Go take young Spike here, and show him around the fields.”

“Mr. Flim, just for the sake of knowing, Spike isn’t a slave, so he can’t be treated like one.” Twilight reminded.

“Ryu, Spike here isn’t a slave, so just treat him like you’d treat any other pony around here.” Flim instructed. “Except he’s not.”

* * *

Spike is walking around Flim Flam Fields with Ryu. They are starting from the big house in the center.

“Where we were just at is called the big house.” Ryu started. “Only a select few are lucky to live in there.

“What’s that thing?” Spike pointed at an 'I can't believe-able' peculiar mode of transport.

“Flim and Flam call it, their, Speedy Cider, Squeezy, Super Duper 3000.” Ryu tries to remember the name.

“What’s it do?”

“It takes in apples and turns them into cider." He added. "So is that Petty Pony forcing you to wear that?"

Spike is pushing the other dragon near a tree and gets in his face.

"Alright I need to ask you something."

"What?"

"I'm looking for three guys. You may know them as the Diamond Dogs. You do know them?"

Ryu becomes subject to a pause.

"Who?" He asks.

"Spot, Rover, and Fido." Spike replies.

"Nope. Don't know them."

Spike thinks for a few seconds.

"They may have came here about a year ago?" Spike asks.

Ryu is dumbstruck.

"Come on, you've got to know something." Spike intrigues.

"Wait are you talking about them Bowie brothers?" Ryu finally snaps.

"Bowie brothers? Where are they?" Spike double jeopardies.

"Well, I saw one over there prancing around on a griffon." Ryu points out.

Spike opens a satchel he has attached to his person. He reaches in and pulls out binoculars. Upon looking for 4 seconds, Spike spots Spot. Come along one more second and Spike experiences a flashback.

* * *

Over a year ago, Spike had both of his arms tied by rope to a tree. Spot is whipping at him and the others are laughing. After his torture, Spike is on his knees begging to Rover.

"Please, stop, I won't do it again." Spike cried.

Rover lifts up Spikes head and makes eye contact with him.

"I like the way you beg, dragon!" Rover laughs in an annoying squeal.

* * *

Spike lowers his binoculars and stares over at the speck far away with an unpleasant grin.

"Is that who you were looking for?" Ryu asks.

"Oh yeah, it is." Spike answered. "Where's the other two?"

"Somewhere around the fields, I don't know exactly, but they're here alright."

"Thanks. I'll be on my way." Spike dismissed his courier.

Spike treks off to find Rover and Fido. The two are by a secluded area of the fields. Fido is laying back in a hammock, and Rover is draggin' a beaten' to death dragon over two a similar fashioned tree set to where Spike was whipped. The dragon is relentless, and is squirming in pain.

"Oh shut up you damn scaly green lizard!" Rover whips.

The sound of crackling thunder directs Spike over to the Diamond Dogs poaching behind the trees. Spike marches past many workers and dragons, some paying attention to his parade, others going along their business. With each step, Spike becomes more grouchy, and more persistent. The dragon is now tied up, front facing a large tree. He is unable to see behind him.

"After I'm done with you, let's see if you'll ever disobey us again!"

Rover takes a stand, and becomes imminent to strike his whip. Spike finishes his march over to the brutes.

"Hey! Rover!" Spike yells.

The dog disables his grip, and then slowly turns around. He recalls hearing that voice before. Before his eyes, he notices the purple dragon he smoked a while ago. Some surronding dragons have already stopped what they were doing to look over at the confrontation. Spike walks closer.

"You again!" The dog says with shock.

After he feels close enough, Spike swipes his claw away from his pocket and pulls out a silver pistol. A dragon's breath round fires into the dog's heart. Rover's jaw drops, and he falls to his knees. Fido gets up and falls out from his hammock, surronding dragons are witnesses something they'd never expect.

"I like the way you die, mutt." Spike regards.

Rover falls face first onto the Earth and dies. Spike is the only living creature not in shock. Fido runs away from the scene to try and not end up with the same fate. Spike launches out after him and tackles him, or tries to. His size proves ineffective. Fido is practically given the upper hand to fend off Spike. He grabs him in a death lock with both of his hands and hammers him onto the ground.

"You fucking son of a bitch!" Fido yells at Spike. "I should have killed you at the Jubilee plantation if I knew you'd do this!"

With a green flame, Spike scorches Fido's face, and leaves a permanent flesh-wound. Fido lets go of Spike to cry in agony over his face. He resumes running once again. After another effort chasing the dog, Spike cannot keep up. Then he got an idea. An awful idea. Spike got a wonderful, awful idea.

Workers and dragon's alike, experience one of the most brutal ways to exterminate a creature. A steam-whistle starts fluctuating, and an engine revs up. Spike out paces Fido in a matter of seconds. After he caught up, Fido becomes sucked up: his body, mangled and torn into devoured pieces. Blood stained inside the tubes, along with organs and bones. Snapping, crackling, and popping are the sounds made from his fractured being. The spectators either were driven away from the sight, or regurgitated by the horrific display. If the violent dismantlement wasn't enough to bare, the remains of Fido that traveled through the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, were mashed into a barrel, and set down onto the ground.

Trotting in fear towards Spike, comes Twilight. She catches her breath and stands hunched over next to Spike.

"Was that them?" She asks.

"Yeah. It was." Spike replies.

"One, two, Spike I only count two, where's the third?"

"Spot's the one who's fleeing on a griffon over there." Spike directed.

Spike points to the area where he saw Spot. Twilight looks over in the general direction with binoculars and notices a dog riding on a griffon.

"Are you sure that's him?"

Spike takes the binoculars and see's Spot.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Twilight takes the rifle off of her back and wields it. She takes note of distance X wind speed and aims ahead of her target. Twilight fires, the bullet goes through the side of Spot's body, and forces him off the griffon. Blood and some tissue spits out onto the trees and grass. His griffon screeches and runs off.

Flim, Flam, and other stallion guards confront the bounty hunting duo. All of them furious with muskets, ready to kill Twilight and Spike. Twilight notices them, then throws her rifle onto the Earth. She then nudges Spike to raise their hoof's in surrender.

"Alright everypony, calm down! We don't mean anypony else any harm!" Said Twilight.

"So you're not the business pony you told us you were." Flim cocks his weapon. "You invite yourself and this dragon into our home, and this is what you do."

"Drop the act, who are you two?" Flam asks and does the same as his brother.

"I am Twilight Sparkle, a representative from the Canterlot legal system. And to my right is Spike, he's my personal assistant." Twilight straightened out. "I possess a warrant in my pocket, issued by Unicorn Prince Blueblood for the arrest and capture, dead or alive, of."

Twilight then turns around to point at all the recently deceased dogs.

"Rover, Fido, and Spot." Twilight finished.

"Ryu told me they were being called Bowie." Spike told Twilight.

"You may of known them as the Bowie bros., but the poachers are actually named the Diamond Dogs. They were wanted for poaching from behind trees, and also kidnapping of little fillies. I'll say it again, the warrant states, dead or alive, so when my assistant and I executed these dogs, we were doing so under legal boundaries. And if you were to take deadly force on us legal representatives, the penalty is, you'll be killed until you are dead." Twilight speeches.

Anypony with their rifle up, lowers it, and then start looking and questioning each other.

"Now, if you what to examine the warrant, you are more than welcome to." Twilight says.

Twilight gives the brothers the paper work. The two scan it on both sides to see if it's the truth. The two then are left with a semi-open jaw and a frown. Flim hands the warrant back to Twilight.

"Get the fuck out of our fields." Flim commands.

Twilight puts the warrant back in her pocket.

"Let's wrap up the bodies, and then get the hell out of here." Twilight says to Spike.

Twilight picks up her rifle and then skips over to get the bodies of the Diamond Dogs, Spike follows.

Author's Note

I am so sorry for this Chapter. But you were already warned by the gore tag.

I see that I seem to be mentioning cider, a lot. Actually, more than a lot. It's like the background message of the story.

If you are wondering about the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 being in the Flim Flam Fields, it's that they have it parked near the center, where apples will be deposited into it and then converted into cider. It doesn't collect apples, because the slaves wouldn't have a purpose.