Chapter 9:

                                                                                  The Risen  

                             "Like the phoenix we shall rise from the ashes and emerge victorious."

                                                                                            Celestia Evictus

It was sundown by the time New Ponyville had fallen under Spike’s complete control. The dragon himself resided in the city’s counsel building. He had set up his headquarters here, the large stone table before him had stacks of tomes and several maps littered across it. He poured over them but his mind was only partly on the maps before him. He was thinking about the battle not seven hours before and how he was so easily able to kill. That had been the first time he had ever truly taken a pony’s life. It had come so easy almost natural.

‘They are prey of course its natural’

Spike shook the dark thought away, slightly haunted by it. The feeling he had during the battle, a cold calmness the same feeling he got when he hunted was startlingly similar. Most believed dragons to be dumb lumbering brutes but that was not the case. Dragons, even ferals, masking their cunning natures and striking at the right moment. The purple dragon pulled himself from his thoughts as he sensed Moondancer enter the room.

“What’s the casualty report?” he sadi without even looking up.

We lost 254 of our own my lord, most of that number is Brood,” the fuchsia mare said as she gave the dragon a slight bow.

Spike hissed at the number.

‘Could have been worse much worse.’

“How are the citizens responding?”

“Mainly their scared they believe we’re part of Moon and Stars and that we’ve come to enslave them,” the unicorn said with a snort,” but believe it or not Counselmare Swifthoof is helping to abolish that notion.”

Spike nodded,” She believes in truth. I shall have Snails take the Brood out of the city and set up hunting grounds a mile east of here that should help set the citizens’ minds at ease. In any case there is a reason I called you here I have a mission for you and your Shades.”

“We shall do whatever our lord shall ask.”

“Take three hundred of your Shades and make your way to Crossraods Village. Take control of the village quickly and under cover of darkness. I don’t want Applejack to know of presence quite yet. Once its secure send word and I’ll send the Brood to rendezvous with you from there you will take Fillydelphia.”

A dark grin graced the mares muzzle,” It will be done my lord.”

“See to it my friend I have the utmost faith in your ability.”

With that she exited the counsel room to gather her forces. Spike gazed at her retreating form.

‘She is enjoying this war,’ the dragon thought darkly.

Spike had seen a change over the more in the past few years. At first she didn’t enjoy killing only doing it when absolutely necessary but sense she had been blooded he noticed that she had a glint in her eye similar to how he did when he hunted whenever she killed. She now resembled a dragon more in attitude and instinct than a pony these days. It scared him but intrigued him all the same. This change was evident in all the ponies he had blooded only in more subtle ways. It was made them so efficient in battle they didn’t hesitate exuding a dark calm all the while as they slew their enemy. It was this mindset they all shared that had made them his trump card, his ace in the hole. When the battle was underway he noticed that the opposing side were beginning to become almost afraid his Broods unequine ferocity, as a rabbit would in the presence of a wolf.

“Love what you’ve done with place old chap.”

The purple dragon looked up to see Dr. Whooves enter the room. Spike was surprised the Doctor wasn’t scheduled to till tomorrow and to see the epigamic earth pony stray from his schedules was rare.

“Your early Doctor,” Spike said surprise apparent in his voice.

“Yes but I couldn’t wait to show you something amazing,” the stallion gushed,” I have completed my design for the synthwings.”

Spike was shocked the earth pony had been working on that project for the better part of the year.

“Really Doctor that’s wonderful.”

“Indeed it is and now then,” Whooves looked behind him,” well come along lad he’s not going to roast you.”

A red pegasus stallion walked into walked into the room at his sides were a pair steel grey wings. The stallion extended the wings, they appeared to be pieced together by hexagon plates, runes glowed dimly on the underside. The wings were secured to the stumps that had once carried his own wings and appeared to respond as his natural ones would. “They are attached to his wingstumps and are fully connected to his nervous system. As well they run off the magic in his body and allow him to activate his flight aura at will. Also it enhances said flight aura making him much faster and agile in the air but the pies de résistance is the weaponized mode.”

Dr. Whooves gave the pegasus a nod. The red stallion flicked his wings and the runes began to glow as the plates separated. They hung in a red glow still in the shape of a wing.

“When this mode is activated the plates will do whatever the wearer wills them to do.”

The plates began to circle the pagasus  until the stallion flicked the wing bases. The plates went flying into the iron walls embedding themselves deep and returned to their place around the stallion just as quick.

“Well my friend what do you think?” Dr. Whooves said a large grin plastered on his face.

Spike was stunned in all truth by the wings but he didn’t show it. “I wish to see what he’s like in the air.” The dragon said standing up and making his way out of the room. Dr. Whooves and the pegasus followed him outside.

Spike extended his wings and took to the air.

“We shall see how those wings hold up in combat come at me.”

The red stallion’s eyes widened in shock,” My lord are you sure?”

“Are you implying you can best me?” Spike said a hint of mock anger in his voice.

“N-no my lord I-I wasn’t implying…” The stallion stammered shaking his head.

“Then you think me something to be coddled and kept from harm.”

“My lord forgive me I meant no disrespect.”

Dr. Whooves rolled his eyes at the scene before him and smiled at the dragons antics.

“Prove it and attack me.”

The pegasus gulped down the lump that had form in his throat and launched himself toward the hovering dragon. A pair of plates flew ahead at Spike who ducked under them. The red stallion angled himself down to intercept the dragon as he called the plates back. Spike made a swipe at the pegasus only to have his claws stopped ye a plate. Spike quickly barrel rolled to the side just as the returning plates came at him. One clipped his tail almost cutting through his scales. Spike eyed the damage impressed by the sharpness of the metal. He then unleashed a gout of green flame at the pegasus stallion. Seeing his impending doom the stallion willed all the plates to form a wall before him effectively stopping the flames.

“Very good. I must say I’m impressed Doctor.” The dragon said with a laugh.

The red stallion landed with a thud clearly shaken up by his first encounter with dragon fire. The wings glowed red from the heat but quickly cooled as the runes glowed white.

“Geez you didn’t need to scare the poor lad.” Whooves said shaking his head at the trembling stallion.

Spike landed before the Doctor and walked up to the pegasus,” Sorry for the scare but I had to see how resilient those wings were. What’s your name soldier?”

“S-Sunstroke my l-lord.” He stammered.

“Well Sunstroke you’ve proven yourself that’s for sure.”

Spike, Whooves and Sunstroke turned to see Flash Sentry trotting up to them,” Quite the display.”

“Why thank you old chap,” The brown stallion beamed.

“General Sentry sir,” Sunstroke stroke said with a sharp salute.

Flash returned the salute,” You were a Fallen weren’t you?’

The red Pegasus nodded his head shame and anger suddenly alight in his blue eyes,” Yes sir.”

Flash turned to the Doctor,” Do you already have a full unit set up with these wings?”

“Only about ten or so.” The brown stallion said placing a hoof on his chin,” More will go through the process in the coming weeks. I’d say about fifty or so.”

“How about we call this new unit the Risen then?” Flash said turning to Spike.

“Hmmm it holds a semblance of justice if you ask me old chap,” Whooves said with a grin,” I like it.”

Spike nodded and gave the orange pegasus a smile,” The Risen they shall be called then.”

“What do you think of this title?” Flash said turning his gaze at Sunstroke.

The red pegasus saluted the orange stallion pride pouring off him in waves,” It would be an honor to carry it General.”

Next Chapter: Preparations Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes