T: So.
//It's been about five days since Canterlot. Considering how long it took me to get to the Aquinatics before, I've made really good time. Gliding over rivers and obstacles helped with that... as did only stopping to sleep once.
\\How are you still standing again?
//Who knows; maybe I thrive on abuse.
Spike: So?
//Twilight is standing next to me. She started off happier than normal, then noticed where we are.
//The crest of a red, cracked hill conceals the greatest pony stronghold in all of the Aquinatics: the prison and mine known as Gorge Coltiers. I peek over it, watching guards patrol in the midday sun.
T: I did mention the warrant out for your arrest, didn't I?
Spike: It might have come up, yeah.
//A unicorn smartly turns around, scans the area, and continues on his walk. Hidden behind this hill far away, I'm not likely to be seen.
Spike: You said something about wanting me to be caught.
//She brushes her mane away with a hoof.
T: ...I was just angry.
//...But you're still not saying 'sorry'.
T: Of all the places to go when you're wanted by the police, why Gorge Coltiers? I don't get it.
Spike: Maybe, because I'm not a selfish prick and I think about others sometimes?
//Step, step, step, turn... I think I have the pattern down. Must be boring standing guard out here every day; he's developed a pattern. Is that to the beat of 'My Mother Was a Mule'?
T: What do you mean, Spike?
//Is it really that hard to see what I'm doing?
Spike: Twilight, answer me this: what's in the G.C.?
//Galena, imprisoned dragons, and Applejack. All guarded by the Equestrian Cavalry, as I see it.
T: Silver, lead, and people about as dense.
//Step, step, step... I want to time it so he turns around before I start.
Spike: Applejack's there. If I can talk to her, I'm sure we can resolve the Conflict.
//A bit of silence from Twilight. The wind's in my face, I might not run as fast as planned...
T: The Conflict is bigger than just one person, whether it be Applejack or you or me. I'm not sure what you're going to do.
Spike: I have a plan.
//Not just 'a' plan, either; A through F is filled up with contingencies. Applejack's the more difficult person to get through to; Quine should be much more reasonable.
//I FUCKING DOUBT THAT
Spike: Besides, the Conflict drags down you and Applejack, mentally and physically. What kind of person would I be if I didn't at least try to help my friends with their burdens?
//Step, step... here we go, get ready...
T: ...Spike, while that's sweet of--
//I take off running, displacement cape flapping in the wind behind me!
The Drakeling starts to run!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//Step, step, step... come on, don't look at the only cactus on the entire horizon--
The Drakeling leaps over the obstacle!
The Drakeling's displacement cape has been caught on the obstacle!
//My displacement cape snagged on it and I trip!
The Drakeling takes off the displacement cape.
The Drakeling falls over!
//A cloud of dust billows out from where I fell. The patrolling pony turns his head, sees it, and casts a colored mark in the sky.
Spike: Ah. Great.
//Well, technically, this _was_ plan E.
//As the unicorn in armor rushes over, I calmly stand up. Removing the cape from the cactus takes some work but not too much, and I sit down with it folded in my lap. Pegasi come in from different parts of the sky and start swirling overhead.
//When he's fifty feet away from me, the unicorn stops and shouts:
Shouting Unicorn: Stay where you are!
//I shrug. Sitting down like this, what else is there to do?
//He looks at me for a short time. I see other unicorns start to converge on the area, from around the lips of Gorge Coltiers.
SU: This place is off-limits to civilians. Leave immediately!
//I yell back:
Spike: Can you take a message to Lieutenant General Applejack for me?
//He pauses. Is it because he's perplexed, or wants to see if I'll say something more?
SU: No.
//...Huh.
//Continuing anyway, I yell:
Spike: Tell her Spike wants to talk with her. I'm a Hero.
SU: Fine, I will! But first, you need to leave! Now, civilian!
Flying Pegasus: Hold on a minute...
//A pegasus behind me swoops off as I turn my head. She must have had a pretty good look, though...
FP: Comms, this is Filipe, come in, over.
Spike: I'll leave when I hear Applejack's response.
//If she won't meet with me... well, that's worst case scenario. But it's plan F. It's the plan where the most people will be hurt, though...
//The unicorn shakes his head as wind drowns out the flying pegasus's words.
SU: If you don't move I'm cleared to use force to remove you!
//Slowly, deliberately, I stand up.
Spike: ...Fine. But do promise me you'll get the Lieutenant General my message?
//I'll sneak in some later time.
//Fifty feet ahead of me, the unicorn (now flanked by two more Cavalry) puts a hoof in his ear.
Spike: (...Is he trying to be silly?)
//Overhead, the wind dies down as a pegasus speaks:
Other Pegasus: ...double mareslaughter, ignigenic and extremely dangerous...
//I WOULDN'T SAY EXTREMELY, THERE AREN'T ANY FUCKING TREES OR INNOCENTS AROUND THIS SHITHOLE.
SU: ...The Lieutenant General has agreed to see you. Come with me.
//...This is a complete trap. But with three (now five) unicorns ready and pegasi circling overhead, maybe it's best if I start trouble some other time.
Spike: (I'll pass on that.) Where are we going?

//...I am very surprised this wasn't a trap.
//Applejack's tent. It's bare, there's only a wooden table and a lamp in here. And the chair I'm sitting in. Does she sleep on the ground?
\\Why are you wondering about the sleeping habits of ponies when you're in the rock bottom of a stronghold of ponies who consider you irreconcilably hostile because of your scales? Pay attention!
//What's there to pay attention to? A few ponies walking briskly outside? The pinholes in my cape? This is basically a perfect execution of plan E.
//THIS IS THE WORST FUCKING IDEA YOU HAVE EVER FUCKING HAD AND HAS EVER EXISTED IN THE HISTORY OF EXTRAORDINARILY SHITTY IDEAS
//I haven't told anyone what I'm doing. You don't know the plan yet.
//WRONG, I DO. I KNOW EVERY SINGLE GODDESS-DAMN THING EVERY ASSHOLE OF A DRAGON HAS EVER THOUGHT IN THE HISTORY OF EXISTENCE, AND OF ALL OF THEM THIS IS THE WORST PLAN I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
//Why, then? Why is trying to find a peaceful solution to this horrible situation the wrong plan?
//BECAUSE YOUR PLAN IS BASED ON THE IDEA THAT QUINE IS REASONABLE
//The tent flap behind me opens a crack. Half a second later, before I can look, it closes again.
//You had only praise for him before. What's changed?
//HE WASN'T THREATENING THE EXISTENCE OF ALL OF DRAGONKIND WITH HIS BULLSHIT
//Outside, ponies mutter something, but I can't hear it clearly.
//That's exactly what I think! The Aquinatic Conflict lessens the welfare of both dragons and ponies and if both Quine and Applejack would--
//AAAGH NO YOU'RE SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT, WHY ARE YOU GOOD AT PATTERN RECOGNITION WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT BITCHY PONY BOUNCED UP AND DOWN ON YOU BUT NOT THINGS THAT MATTER
//The tent flap opens. Applejack, with a general's cape and a map of the Aquinatics in her mouth, steps in and moves to the other side of the table. She gives me a wide berth.
//...Excuse me?
//FUCK IT NEVERMIND JUST DO THIS SHIT SO YOUR PLAN CAN BE STYMIED BY HOW MUCH OF A GREEDY PRICK QUINE IS
//Applejack drops the map on the table, and a saddlebag next to her.
Applejack: Howdy, Spike.
Spike: Hello.
AJ: ...I'm told you came here to turn yourself in. Is that true?
Spike: Not exactly. I came here because you need help.
//Applejack raises an eyebrow.
AJ: Is that a 'you need help', or a 'y'all need help'?
//What the hell is a 'yall'?
Spike: Uh... I'm here to solve the Aquinatic Conflict. That helps everyone.
//Looking at me for quite some time, she sits down.
AJ: Uh-huh.
//Just above the lower edge of hearing, hoofsteps are heard spreading around the tent.
//I lower my head.
Spike: ...You don't trust me.
AJ: 'Course I trust you, Spike.
Spike: Then why them?
AJ: ...Cautionary measures. Y'all hold two Elements of Harmony. I reckon that gets some people right scared.
//I am convinced 'yall' is not an actual word.
AJ: ...And then there's the double murder.
Spike: (Mareslaughter, technically.)
AJ: Y'all threw her out a building!
//I shrug.
Spike: Couldn't be helped.
//...Are they casting something outside? Get ready for plan F, it looks like this may not be working...
AJ: So you should start talkin' about how you bein' here is makin' progress on the war.
//Well, here goes nothing...
//I'LL SAY
Spike: I'm going to help you win the war. In exchange, I want total amnesty and a pegasus to fly me out of the region.
//Spell sounds stop around the tent as Applejack stands up. She looks over me a long time.
AJ: Mind repeatin' that?
Spike: I have information that will win you the war. And I'm selling it for amnesty, and a pegasus ride out of here.
//Applejack fiddles with something in the saddlebag next to her, then gives one glance to the map.
AJ: A Hero of the Land, sellin' out his own kind for... self-interest and transportation? Excuse me if I think it seems a little suspicious.
Spike: This isn't about me. The war needs to end.
AJ: And you're choosin' us to be the victor?
Spike: You're the only ones who can win, Applejack. Dragons can't defeat Princess Hazel.
//Except, you know, me. Considering I have to defeat her to get my memories back, I have to believe that's possible.
//NO, KILL. YOU HAVE TO KILL HER.
//...I don't want to say that about someone who might be Twilight.
AJ: 'Throwin' in my lot with the winnin' side' doesn't sound like any Spike I know. Before or after the, y'know, accident.
//...She's really grilling me. I have to get her to believe I'm telling the truth!
Spike: I'm not! This isn't about me!
//I stand up, knocking the chair over behind me. Several horns glow in a circle around the tent.
AJ: Sudden movements may not be your wisest option.
Spike: This war is a leech on the well-being of pony and dragon kind alike. And the fastest way to end a war is to lose it. I'm willing to do that, if it means the little people -- who have no stake besides not getting their villages torched to the ground, or children sold into sex slavery -- don't suffer!
//Is it better to have an unjust war, or an unjust peace?
\\You're not planning on either; who cares?
//Stone-faced, Applejack cocks her head to the side, and nods once.
AJ: ...Alright. I can respect that. But before I go and agree to anythin', I want to know what this information is you're givin' me.
//I hear a whisper on the air, nothing more than a dream. But the words are meaningless.
T: (Halbrecht's Honesty Triangle, I haven't seen that since undergraduate...)
Spike: I can tell you where Quine's Lair is.
//THIS WON'T WORK, I'M FUCKING TELLING YOU.
//No, it will. It has to.
//Applejack puts a hoof on her chin.
AJ: ...With Quine gone, no dragon will be powerful enough to pose a threat to the Cavalry. That... yeah, I'm willin' to agree to that. Under one condition.
Spike: And that would be?
//She points at me with the same hoof. I can see cracks and chips from heavy running.
AJ: Y'all take your flight out of the Aquinatics, and stay out. Until Quine's defeated, and the war's over. If not, I make no promises about amnesty or forgiveness.
Spike: ...I'm willing to accept that.
//Phrasing things in technically true ways is probably wise, given I don't know what 'Halbrecht's Honesty Triangle' is...
AJ: Alright, then, pony up.
//Applejack is simple, and honest. She will hold herself to her word.
//I spread out the map on the table. Let's see, here's Hole Five, so...
Spike: Here. This mountain. It has a permanent blizzard on top of it, but you'll find the entrance to the lair under the snow on the south side.
//Applejack raises her head, eyes looking nowhere. It seems like she's trying to listen to something.
AJ: Commander!
Spike: (What, he doesn't have a name?)
//Within a tenth of a second, a broad stallion with a brown mane pokes his head into the tent through the tent flap.
Commander Without Name: Yes, General?
//I suppose she's been upgraded to General now. Wait, is it a downgrade from Lieutenant General to General? Or whatever she was?
//DOES IT FUCKING MATTER THIS ENTIRE SHITTY PLAN IS A DEAD END
AJ: Bring me your fastest flying pegasus, Commander. One who can take a rider.
Commander Without Name: Yes, ma'am.
//He leaves quickly. Applejack rolls up the map, and puts it in a saddlebag.
Spike: Okay, so, it's a deal. I'll leave as soon as the pegasus arrives.
//From what I know of Applejack, she'll go alone to Quine so she isn't dragged down by anyone else, and also for stealth. If she does bring a few ponies with her... I'll figure something out.
\\And what if she sends a scouting party?
//...No one else can defeat Quine, and it'd be foolish to risk Quine finding them and moving. And she can't risk letting everyone down when victory could be so close. This is the only thing she can do, with both heart and brain.
\\Quine: The best Strategists hardly play the game as much as they do their opponents. A rare few, who are the best, will create a situation where they win because the opponent made a correct decision.
//She takes a straw hat out of the saddlebag, and roots around in it. She pulls out--
Spike: What the hell?!
//Applejack puts the Element of Honesty on the table.
AJ: You'll have to excuse me for makin' this quick, Spike. I do have a dragon to kill, huh-huh.
//IF KILLING HIM WOULD SOLVE ANYTHING WHY WOULDN'T -- FUCK MY FUCKING FUCK HOW ARE YOUR FRIENDS SO DUMB?
//They're friends with me, for starters.
Spike: Why? I didn't do anything to deserve this.
AJ: I reckon you did. There are times when it's better for yourself or your kin to lie, or deceive others, even though it's always best for everyone if you tell the truth. But y'all didn't lie. Not only were you honest by tellin' me all this, but honest with yourself by even bein' here. 'Cause you admitted this problem is too big for just you alone, even if you are a Hero. And, in my books, that's a mighty hard way to be.
//Except the entirety of this conversation is based around deceit. Will the Element of Honesty reject me? It'd be hard to explain that...
AJ: So, go on. Take it. You earned it.
Spike: Uh, okay...
//I reach out for the Element of Honesty, and...

Spike has acquired The Element of Honesty!
[3/5] Elements acquired!
Congratulations!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//I guess it didn't reject me... I put the Element of Honesty around my neck. It has dirt in the grooves, that looks terrible...
AJ: Now you've got no excuses for bein' in the region anymore, either. One last thing--

Applejack pokes The Drakeling in the upper body with her right front hoof!
A power surges through The Drakeling, like fire through his blood!
[Blood of the Earth] was learned!

//Instinctively, I step back, and end up falling down.
AJ: Huh-huh, see you around, Spike. Thanks for doin' what's right.
//She leaves, galloping with the saddlebag and general's cape on. Seconds later, Commander ??? pokes his head in.
Commander Without Name: I have a bag of gold and a pegasus ready to take you wherever you want to go, dragon. Provided it's not here.
Spike: I have a name, even if you don't. It's 'Spike', not dragon.
//He glares at me.
//...Strangely enough, I think Plan E worked. That spell must detect dishonesty, not general deception. Applejack must be running off into the distance by now.
\\Enter phase two.
//IN WHICH YOU REALIZED HOW FUCKED UP YOU JUST MADE THINGS
//...Shove it.

//Phase two has more wind up here than I thought.
Twilight: Do you realize how messed up you just made things?!
Spike: Yes! I know!
Steed Pegasus: Who are you talking to?!
//A steed pegasus is flying underneath me, high up in the air above the clouds. I have to cling to his back just to avoid being torn off. We're flying out of the Aquinatics. That is, he's flying and I'm holding on for dear life out of the Aquinatics.
T: The death of Quine won't end the conflict! Just postpone it for twenty years!
Spike: I'm agreeing with you, quit yelling at--
SP: Are all Heroes this odd? Or just you?
//He needs to stop interrupting me.
Spike: Listen! I'm having a conversation with the ghost of the dead old Princess! I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt me!
SP: What could you possibly be talking about with a ghost?!
//Telling her to stick her head in a beehive comes to mind.
T: Dragons will be forced to surrender their lands. Ponies, in private and with military and legislative action, will punish far too many dragons for perceived misdeeds and for revenge! Resentment won't decrease between the two, but grow, with dragons as prisoners in their own lands! Don't you see? When dragons are grown who don't remember the horror of war, some spark will ignite conflict again!
//The pegasus must not be able to hear Twilight. I wish I was in the same boat.
Spike: I know, I get it! Quine's death won't end the conflict, just the war!
SP: What do you mean?!
Spike: Quine's not the underlying cause of conflict! It's land disagreements and distrust of Princess Hazel!
SP: How would taking away one side's source of fighting power not end a conflict?
//A violent burst of air causes us to roll sideways. I cling on tight and pray to... pray, but the pegasus rights himself.
Spike: Pay attention!
SP: I am!
Spike: Dragonkind's source of power isn't Quine, it's dragons themselves! Time gives us strength as we grow bigger! But the pony source of strength is very specific people, like -- like the Avatars and Hazel! When time causes them to fade and dragons to grow wings, this will happen all over again!
//There's a difference between a war and a conflict. War is one stage of a conflict, but ponies and dragons are so wrapped up in it that nopony would accept a fair resolution if they were to win. Even with people like Twilight who see that, it's hard to stop the cycle.
T: If you know all that then _why the heck did you tell Applejack where Quine's lair is_?!
SP: Then why are you doing this? If you don't believe in it?
Spike: I have a plan!
//I look up to the sun. It's a few minutes later than I wanted it to be, but chances are Applejack hasn't gone far. We're flying east... we need to be northwest, at the very least.
Spike: I need to talk to Applejack, again! When she's not bound by the chains of command, away from the camp!
T: She's not like that! Applejack's service is her life!
SP: Are you going to fight her?!
Spike: She's a person before she's a solider! It won't come to that!
//IT WILL TOTALLY FUCKING COME TO THAT
Spike: I know both Applejack and Quine! And I'm sure I can get them both to see reason!
T: What would that reason be?
Spike: Any compromise would be better than the current suffering of both sides! And only some sort of agreement could prevent all of this from returning later on, and hurting someone else!
//Twilight rolls her eyes.
T: You think it's going to be that easy? 'Hi, have you considered compromise'?
Spike: If it doesn't work, then, fine! We'll tear each other to shreds having tried!
//The longer this conversation goes on, the further east we go, the less time I have to catch Applejack and talk to her...
SP: And how do you plan on catching up with the General for this meeting with her?
Spike: Uh, yeah! So! Change of flight plans!
//The steed pegasus shakes his head, diving down through the clouds. Beads of water form on my scales and stream backwards.
SP: What am I going to say when they're charging me with _treason_?!
//'I did the right thing'? I don't know if I can get that maternal tone Jebed has...
Spike: Tell them I threatened to kill you! Or that I cast a spell! Whatever!
T: (No one would believe something like that. Well, maybe a fanfiction reader...)
//For several seconds we continue flying in the same direction, at level altitude. I pound my fist weakly against the pegasus.
Spike: We need to turn back! Do you want your children to be fighting this war?!
//He banks sharply, to the right, almost throwing me off as he does a half-circle. I grab on with my hand again and try to look at the sun. West...
SP: If anyone asks, you threatened to kill me!
Spike: Understood!
T: (I'm sure his browser history is interesting.)
SP: I'm not seeing my foals go through what I've gone through...
Spike: A parent should seek a better life for their children! You're doing the right thing!
SP: Where to, Hero?!
//I try to point, but the wind pushes my hand out.
Spike: Uh, northwest! I know a place near Quine's lair you can set me down!
SP: If I can get you there without being torn to shreds!
Spike: Quine told me all of the dragon patrol routes! I can guide you through!
SP: These wings have never let me down before, kid, and... and if the dead Princess Celestia trusts you, then so do I!
//WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE HER, SHE WAS A TOTAL BITCH
SP: Hang on!!
//We speed northwest, as fast as can be.

//Southwest of Quine's Lair. It's not snowing here, but it is cold. We're above the treeline; there's nothing green for miles.
Spike: I hope the pegasus makes it out alive. I hope he's not punished.
Twilight: If he dies, is it your fault?
//I'm hanging behind a craggy boulder overlooking the only trail up to the top of the mountain. It's steep here, so I can see quite far away. Applejack has been climbing the mountain for the last ten minutes.
//Does she ever slow down? Or are her legs made of trains?
Spike: 'Swings, where did that come from?
T: Just asking if you think you're responsible for whatever happens to him.
Spike: Uh, no. Even someone who's ordered to do something makes their own decisions. It's an insult to him if I take responsibility for his actions.
T: ...Sounds like a convenient philosophy.
Spike: I'm not saying I won't make amends or feel bad. But if he dies, wouldn't it be the fault of whoever killed him?
//Applejack's rounding the corner to come up this way... I suppose I should prepare for battle, just in case.

The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Blood of the Earth!
The Drakeling's veins flow like thick mud!

//Wh...
Spike: What? 'Flow like thick mud'?
T: Huh?
Spike: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
//Twilight inspects me once over, lifting up my arm, and then sniffs my head a few times.
Spike: Again with the nose.
T: ...Generation, healing, volume displacement... increased platelet count?
//Uh, meaning?
//Twilight pokes me in the head with her horn!
Spike: Watch it!
T: Yes, that's it! Your blood will clot faster. I'm sure of it.
//Is she serious? Terrae Corpus was a better move in every way! Instead of complete body armor, now cuts are slightly less threatening? Can I have the old move back?
Spike: So it's a watered-down version of the move it replaced?
T: Not exactly. You're at a higher stroke risk.
//As if I weren't worried enough.
//YOU FINALLY WANT TO JOIN ME IN THROTTLING YOUR OWN FUCKING BRAIN HOW SWEET
Spike: (She's coming nearer, I'm gonna step out now.)
T: (And do what?)
//Twilight disappears with a burst of air. I put on the displacement cape and step into the path from behind the boulder.
//Applejack's galloping turns to a trot, and she stops twenty feet in front of me. Orange war paint covers the apples on her flank, and she doesn't have a hat on.
//Also, it looks like she wants to murder me, but why mention that?
Applejack: Name and reason for bein' here.

The Drakeling takes off the displacement cape.
//I throw the cape to the side of the road.

Spike: Spike. Hero.
//I WOULD HAVE GONE WITH 'LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE WORLD'
AJ: Tell me why in the name of Celestia I shouldn't put a hoof in your ass for even bein' here?!
//Uh, consent?
\\Like it's stopped anyone before.
Spike: Yeah, no amnesty and no forgiveness. I got it. But you need to listen to me.
AJ: I don't have _time_ for chit-chat, Spike. Even if you regret your decision, what's done is done.
//Regret? She's not giving me enough credit.
Spike: I'm here because I'm a Hero, not because--
AJ: Then pardon, Hero, but us real folk have a war to end.
//Applejack starts galloping again. She doesn't see me as credible...

The Drakeling breathes fire!
Applejack leaps backwards, away from the flames!

AJ: Whoa nelly!
//She digs her hooves into the dirt and glares at me.

//If I'm not a credible speaker, then at least let me be a credible threat.
AJ: Just what in tarnation do you think you're doin'?!
Spike: I already told you, I'm ending the war. Stop and listen to me.
AJ: Spike, friend of mine or not and Hero or not, if you try to stop me for even one more second I'm gonna have to kill you. Do you understand?
//...I suppose I'll have to talk while fighting. I'm sure I can do that.
//YOU COULD TALK WHILE DOING FUCKING ANYTHING
//I put my fists up and change to a fighting stance. It did come to this.
Spike: I understand.
//I have to convince her to talk to Quine. If she agrees to that, all I need is for him to do the same!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//Applejack stares daggers at me.
AJ: ...You cocky son of a bitch.
Spike: I have the strength of someone who's doing the right thing. If you'd listen--

Applejack charges at The Drakeling!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Lake of Fire! Bouts of flame coat the ground!
Applejack leaps over the flames!
Applejack kicks The Drakeling in the left upper arm with her right front hoof, bruising the scale, bruising the muscle and bruising the bone!
Applejack rushes by The Drakeling!
The Drakeling's bruises begin to heal!

//Gah! Without my Dashing Rogue Punch or Terrae Corpus, I can't last long in a standing fight with someone on Applejack's level!
The Drakeling leaps backwards, into the flames!

Spike: Do you really think killing Quine will end the war? That people's hatred will just _go away_?!
//Applejack looks at me for only a second, then turns and gallops.
Spike: Hey!
//I need to get her to listen!

The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and dismisses the fires!
//I rush towards Applejack as the Walk's silence continues.
The Drakeling breathes fire! The Drakeling breathes fire!
Spike: Rash violent action will solve nothing. I must stop you.
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.

Applejack kicks The Drakeling in the right lower arm with her right rear hoof, bruising the muscle, shattering the bone, jamming the bone through the right wrist and shattering the right wrist's bone!
An artery has been opened by the attack, and a sensory nerve has been severed!
The Drakeling strikes Applejack in the right rear leg with his Fist of Justice, but the attack glances away!
//My hand falls limply against her side!
Applejack leaps away from the dragonfire!
Applejack rolls away from the dragonfire!
//Justice... woo...

//Applejack stands up. She's downhill from me now, which means I'm at the advantage.
\\Oh, hey, my wrist is broken. When did that happen?
AJ: Spike, get out of the way!
Spike: You want an easy way out. You want to feel like the victor. It's blinding you to how stupid this is!
AJ: That's it!

Applejack rears back, then stomps on the ground!
A jagged shelf of microcline breaks up from the ground!
//What the hell?!
The Drakeling dodges away from the flying shelf of microcline!
//I trip and fall on my right arm, hard.
Spike: Ow ow ow damn aaaagghh...
//Strangely enough, it's not bleeding. Even if it hurts so much; the bone under the scales juts out like a frayed knot...
The Drakeling's bruises begin to heal!
AJ: I told you not to do this, Spike!
Spike: You know, I'm not going to ask how this is possible. If just for my sanity's sake.
The Drakeling stands up.
//Although that battle might have been decided a long time ago.
//WHEN YOU CHOSE TO BE A HERO?

Applejack rears back, then stomps on the ground!
A jagged shelf of microcline breaks up from the ground!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
The Drakeling leaps towards Applejack!
The Drakeling breathes fire!
//Maybe if she can't fight, she'll listen to me.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Touch of Grisly Terror!
The Drakeling charges at Applejack!
The Drakeling kicks Applejack in the left front hoof with his right foot, bruising the skin! It becomes limp and useless!

The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.
//Applejack flinches from the burst of motion!
AJ: Whoa!
Applejack is caught in the dragonfire! Applejack's war paint runs!
//Her front hooves hit the ground, and it shakes violently!
Spike: Waa--
AJ: My leg!--
The Drakeling slams into the ground! The Drakeling's left lower leg takes the full force of the impact, tearing apart the scale and bruising the muscle!
Applejack slams into the ground! Applejack's left front leg takes the full force of the impact, tearing apart the skin and bruising the muscle!
//Was that an earthquake? How does she have that type of power?!

Spike: Now would you--
Applejack bites The Drakeling in the tail, tearing apart the scale! Applejack throws The Drakeling by the tail with her mouth!
//Ow, I think I got whiplash! I'll sue!!
The Drakeling's head skids along the ground, tearing apart the scale!
The Drakeling slams into the ground! The Drakeling's tail takes the full force of the impact, bruising the muscle and bruising the bone!
Applejack stands up.
The Drakeling's bruises begin to heal!

//For a second, lying on my back, I can only catch my breath and watch Applejack. It's desperately clear she's just a better fighter.
//She shakes out her left front leg, tutting at it.
AJ: Right freaky, this is. I ain't a fan of mumbo-jumbo, and nothin' like it.
//Okay, what are my options... I don't have any ranged attack because she's able to dodge away from all my flames, and she can throw slabs of sharp rock at me. But if I close in, I can't last long blow for blow because I don't have any of my old moves... how do I stop her from hitting me?
The Drakeling stands up.
Spike: This won't bring peace. It's only revenge at this point.
AJ: 'Revenge'?! This is justice!
//LIKE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.
AJ: I know that killin' Quine won't bring back nobody! But criminals have to be punished to prevent crime from spreading!
\\Well, Jebed said the same thing.
//The -- no! Hazel _killed a bunch of dragons_ to preserve her power over her lands and defend her people in them, while Quine killed a bunch of ponies _to preserve his power over his lands and defend his people in them_! The situations are totally different!
Spike: ...

Applejack rears back, then stomps on the ground!
A jagged shelf of microcline breaks up from the ground!
//I can't even get Walk of the Third in time!
The Drakeling leaps away from the flying shelf of microcline!
The flying shelf of microcline strikes The Drakeling in the right hand, bruising the muscle and shattering the bone!
A sensory nerve has been severed by the attack!
//I stop feeling from the elbow down, and man, am I glad for it.
\\You moron; that's not good! You're dying here!
Spike: Punishment for a crime is to increase its costs! Dragons are willing to take any costs because they think they're fighting for their families' lives! Punishment won't work, because this isn't about self-interest!

Applejack rears back, then stomps on the ground!
//To hell with this!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
A jagged shelf of microcline breaks up from the ground!
//I don't plan on being anywhere near that one.
The Drakeling leaps towards Applejack!
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Lake of Fire! Bouts of flame coat The Drakeling!
//Surprisingly less distracting than I'd imagined.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Touch of Grisly Terror!
//If this doesn't work, there's nothing left for me.
The Drakeling leaps towards Applejack!

Spike: It is a duty of all peoples to resist illegitimate authority.
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.
//Applejack spins around!
The Drakeling strikes at Applejack with his Fist of Justice, but the attack is batted away by Applejack's tail! It becomes limp and useless!
Applejack's tail has been badly singed!
//How does she turn around that fast?!
Applejack kicks The Drakeling in the upper body with her right rear hoof, bruising the muscle, shattering the left true ribs, jamming the left true ribs through the heart and tearing apart the heart!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//Wha...
The Drakeling falls over.
//It hurts, it hurts it hurts it hurts so much...
//NO WAY. SHE ACTUALLY DID IT.
//...You know, very quickly, it stopped hurting so much...
//From behind a rock up the trail, I hear a faint scream.
T: Spike!
//But it fades away. The world around me is receding quickly, fading into grey dust. I'm on one knee and an elbow and it takes all of my concentration just to notice that fact. A dull void is growing in my chest, and in my head.
//I hear words from other worlds.
AJ: ...Damnit, Spike. I didn't want to do this! But you made me.
//THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE ABUSE.
//Even the instinct's bite is less sharp... it's cold, cold, and I'm losing my fire.
The flames are dismissed.
AJ: You did what you thought was right. 'Course, that doesn' mean much when you're wrong.
//My arm fails and I sprawl out on my side. There's not enough left to keep my lips closed. I taste dirt.
AJ: ...Then again, I hate to see such a well-meanin' warrior end up like this. 'Specially a friend of mine. And, I -- reckonin' there's a way to save y'all's life, I figure... with the immortality and whatnot...
//Oh, great, this again. A tiny surge of emotion does come back as a hoof rolls me over.
AJ: 'Swings, I hope this don't get too weird...
//The world consists of a bruised tail at the end of something I can't feel, and a pained orange face in front of me. My last foray into it takes a strange form:
Spike: That's who your family raised you to be? A rapist?
AJ: ...Then again, everyone's time comes sometime. Goodbye, Spike.
//With those last words, the orange face fades, as does the rest of the world.

//FUCKING WHAT DID I FUCKING TELL YOU.
//Blood tears a path through my head, not pumped by anything I can tell.
//YOU DO WHAT I FUCKING SAY WHEN I FUCKING SAY IT BECAUSE YOU ARE MY FUCKING PAWN, UNDERSTAND SHITHEAD? YOU DO NOT FUCKING DIE UNTIL I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO DIE!
//It's not blood, that's... spite. Pure, hateful spite. It still gives me one last breath.
//CLICK.
The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Blood of the Earth!
Snaking through the dirt, streams of magma flow around The Drakeling's scales and into his veins!
//Traveling up from my feet, feeling comes back in waves. Muscles convulse as they start responding again. It's hard to control them; a vibrant energy is inching through my chest, tumultuous but not impulsive. The energy isn't twitchy, it's powerful and domineering, like the confident advance of a glacier. This is the power of the gods. With sheer force of will and time I can only win.
//I open my eyes. Crusted slabs of rock slam back in front of me.

The Drakeling's wounds have healed!
The Drakeling stands up.
//I feel much heavier than normal. Standing up is a task.

//Twilight and Applejack are having a quiet conversation up the path. Were. Now they're just staring at me.
//Twilight disappears.
Spike: What are you waiting for?
//Dark grey clouds advance above us, signaling another snowstorm. Biting winds blow into my eyes, but for some reason I can't feel them.
//Applejack, with no great hurry, asks:
AJ: ...What do you mean?
Spike: You said you'd kill me if I got in the way. And I'm not dead yet.
//'Yet', he says. Real motivational speaker, you are.
//A stream of lava rolls out from between the scales of my right wrist. It drips off my fingers onto the dirt, slowly melting a hole and giving out acrid smoke.
AJ: ...Mind explaining what y'all did to yourself first?
//I shrug. Could if I would. Wait, shit.
Spike: This fight's not over!

The Drakeling draws power from within himself, and casts Walk of the Third!
The Drakeling's Walk of the Third ends.
//What? Am I out already?

//SO THERE ARE JUST A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS MOVE
//Oh, great!
//Applejack takes a few tentative steps towards me.
AJ: Spike... I don't know how you're still kickin' after that, but I don't want to hurt you again. Time to cut your losses, hear what I'm sayin'?
The Drakeling charges at Applejack!
//I take a step forward. A, as in singular one. It requires a titan's effort.
Spike: (What is this?)
//I can hardly move!
//YEAH SHITHEAD BEING MADE OF FUCKING MOLTEN ROCK DOES THAT
//The dirt my foot was just on is packed down, with a small coin-sized pool of lava where my heel was. Applejack still stares at me.
//EVERYTHING FROM THE SCALE IN BECOMES LAVA WITH THIS MOVE. EVEN YOUR HEAD, WHICH WAS ALWAYS FUCKING ROCK IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The Drakeling breathes fire! But nothing comes out!
//AS DEMONSTRATED. SHITASS MORON.
Spike: Why can't I breathe fire?
//WHY WOULD YOU STILL HAVE THE GLANDS FOR THAT?
AJ: Was that what y'all were goin' for?
Spike: What, were you hoping for a mating call?
//EVERYTHING FOR YOU IS A FUCKING DESPERATE MATING CALL, INCLUDING THE HEROISM
//Applejack takes a few more steps forward, eying me.
AJ: Y'know, I don't think blood is supposed to be so bright...
//With tremendous effort I take two more steps forward. Applejack is within spitting distance.

Applejack's mane has been singed!
AJ: Woah nelly!
//She covers her face with a hoof, then leaps away!
Applejack leaps away from The Drakeling!

AJ: Wings of Celestia, Spike! What's happenin' to you?!
Spike: I don't know. But if you can't see why killing Quine is the wrong thing to do, I have to defeat you!
//BLOOD OF THE EARTH IS SHIT. A FUCKING TERRIBLE MOVE USED BY WORTHLESS ASSHOLES WHO CAN'T FIGHT AND PUSSIES WHO DON'T WANT TO. I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE HERE.
//It seems my body really is filled with magma when I use this move... the heat radiating from me made Applejack retreat.
AJ: Sorry if I disagree.
Applejack rears back, then stomps on the ground!
A jagged shelf of microcline breaks up from the ground!

//With my limbs like continents, I can't possibly hope to dodge this!
//TOTALLY OKAY
The flying shelf of microline strikes The Drakeling in the head, but the attack is absorbed by The Drakeling's magma!
//I stumble backwards a few feet, momentum getting the better of me. Stay upright, Spike...
//Behind me, two spinning halves of a microcline shelf tumble down the mountain. Each has a molten side.
Spike: ...Woah. Hahahaha! I am made of lava!
//Applejack's eyes grow a little wider.
//FUCKING INVULNERABLE, RIGHT? WRONG, DICKSNORTER. IT LOCKS UP YOUR METABOLISM AS HARD AS YOU LOCK UP YOUR SEXUALITY. YOU CAN'T USE ANY OTHER MOVE DURING OR AFTER BLOOD OF THE EARTH UNTIL YOU EAT SOME SHIT -- BY WHICH I MEAN A PONY, NOT A PONY'S ASSCUNT -- AND IF IT GOES TOO LONG YOU'LL STARVE YOURSELF TO DEATH.
//What?! That, and the slow movement?! Even if it did heal all my wounds, why would I ever use this move?!
//I GUESS YOU HAVE ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO FIGURE THAT OUT
AJ: ...Guess you're right, Spike. I did say I'd kill you if you got in my way, and now I can't. Congratulations.
//I didn't choose to use it! You did!!
//SO THE REASON SHOULD BE INTELLIGENT
Spike: Why is it that you only stop to talk to someone when it's impossible for you to beat them into submission? This is exactly the mentality that will keep the conflict going even if you kill Quine!
//Shaking her head, Applejack smiles.
AJ: But it looks like now you're not in my way. I don't have to kill you.
//Damnit, she's uphill, I can't reach her, and she's faster than me even when I'm not like this...
AJ: See you 'round, Spike. Reckon I'll put in a good word at your trial, in spite of all this.
//She runs uphill, towards Quine's lair.
//Damn it all! 'Swings, this didn't work out; I've failed as a Hero, what can I do now to fix this... if I tell Quine Applejack's coming with the ankh, the Aquinatic Conflict just continues with the addition of me failing my plan; why oh why am I this slow, if only I could be faster with all this power...
\\...Hold on. Wait.
//Quine: It would behoove you to know Strategy. It is a game with which nobles teach their young and the Cavalry sharpens their officers. I will teach you many of the things you must know through this game.
//Spike: Why a game? Can't you just tell me?
//Quine: Yes. But then you would not learn.
\\...This is exactly like a Strategy game.
//Applejack has rounded a bend already, and is looping back on the path far above me. My only attack from here is harsh language.
Spike: Let's see if you have anything to return to!
//I turn and start trudging down the mountain. The first few steps are slow going, but gravity helps me along.
//Come on, come on...
//Echoing down the mountain, from a cliff above, a shout comes:
AJ: What do y'all mean by that?!
//Success.
//I don't stop walking as I yell back:
Spike: You heard me! If I can defeat you, all of Gorge Coltiers will be no threat! They won't see me coming!
//A smirk, to try to sell this. Destroying Gorge Coltiers wouldn't do anything but make the situation worse, but I can't let her catch on.
Spike: And hey, if you're not quick enough, I could probably hit Detrot before it's fully evacuated. Those stone walls and iron spears won't hold me.
//After just a moment, hooves scrape against rock and dirt, sliding downhill behind me. Applejack's voice comes from an even elevation.
AJ: ...You wouldn't do that.
Spike: I promise to do it if you kill Quine. A Hero is a dragon of his word, Avatar.
//I stop to turn my head. Not dramatically. It actually takes that much effort to look behind me.
AJ: ...You're not the old Spike. The old Spike would never do somethin' like this.
//I speak in as booming a voice I can muster:
Spike: This is how dragons feel, General. A monster of a foe stalks their lands, killing wherever she can find victims. In direct combat they are powerless to stop her. The only recourse is to run around, distract and mislead this titan. Keep her defensive, running about elsewhere, just so their families aren't slaughtered and drakelings and eggs sold off.
//A few moments pass as Applejack digests (and worryingly, so do I). Eventually, she narrows her eyes and says:
AJ: I wasn't here when they started burnin' and killin' first.
Spike: No. But like it or not, General, you are here now. One of the most significant players in the region is you, and you've failed to take into account yourself. This conflict continues because dragons are scared of you, so you can never be allowed breathing room.
//Applejack is totally silent. She looks like she's thinking.
Spike: If you are the one to extend the olive branch... we can at least focus on why the war started. Instead of why it's still going on.
//Thunder comes from the blizzard on top of Quine's lair. It echoes down the mountain, causing waves through the shrubbery further down. My scales stand on end for a second, and a bright orange glow shines out.
//The Avatar of Strength paws the ground with a hoof.
Spike: Listen to me. I have a plan.
//A great knawing digs into my stomach and up my spine. It takes strength from my legs, quickly.
AJ: ...I'll listen. But, just a warnin', I might disagree.

Applejack was defeated!
Spike earned 15000 experience points!
Spike is now level 32!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]
//Finally! Crazy brutish bint!

The Drakeling's Blood of the Earth ends.
//I collapse, falling to one knee as the orange glow fades. A zippiness finds place in my limbs, one I never knew was there until it was gone.
//Applejack coughs politely.
AJ: Y'all alright?
Spike: Hoo... yeah. Fine. Got anything to eat?
AJ: Uh...
//Applejack thinks for a minute, then walks over and empties her saddlebag. It's full of rations.
//I sift through them, disappointed.
Spike: What, no meat?
//She chuckles.
AJ: Here's hopin' this plan of yours is better thought out than that comment.
//I rip open a bag of nuts and shove a fistful in my mouth.
Spike: Okoy, sho, Plan.
AJ: Does the Plan have to include you destroyin' my favorite snack?
Spike: Id doesh include me nod sdarving to deaff, sho yesh. Plan.
//I swallow.
Spike: You give me fifteen minutes' head start. I talk to Quine about ending the conflict -- not telling him you're coming, that is. If he agrees, everything's hunky dory and you come in and it ends. Happy ever after.
//Another handful. These taste like dried dirt and bugs, but I don't care.
AJ: And when he doesn't?
Spike: I fink--
//I give myself a second to eat.
Spike: I think he will, but I've prepared for that. He doesn't, I challenge him as a dragon for the rights to his land and clan. You come in, we both fight him. (And then obviously I can negotiate a peace myself.)
//A cracked hoof points at me.
AJ: So... you're sayin', either the Aquinatic Conflict is ended peacefully, or I get an ally to take down Quine with me?
//That's an accurate summary.
Spike: ...Yeah.
AJ: And why the hell didn't you just tell me that in the first place?!
//Woah! I choke down another handful to stave off her rage.
Spike: Hhe--
//I cough up a shell.
Spike: Here's the kicker: if you're offered peace, take it. No matter what. If it means... Quine getting away, all dragons getting away, ponies leaving the area, whatever. He's not told that, of course. But let go of vengeance and justice if it means we can stop innocent people from dying.
//Applejack stares at me for a long time. She throws another bag of nuts at me, lays down, and watches the sky.
AJ: Fifteen minutes.

//Quine's Lair. The same cave.
Spike: Hello-oo? Anyone home?
//That would be just my luck, for Quine to be somewhere else right now.
T: (You think your plan will work?)
Spike: (It has to. I've prepared for everything.)
//I KEEP FUCKING TELLING YOU YOU HAVEN'T JUST ASK YOUR RIGHT-HOOF COCKHANDLER
Spike: (...Right?)
//Silence.
//I knock on the cave wall.
Spike: Quine! It's Spike! The Hero, remember?
//Something echoes up from below that sounds like a grunt. In a moment, a gigantic silver head emerges from the darkness.
//Quine looks, recognizes me, and then gives a sheepish smile.
Quine: Oh. Hello. Would you mind? I'm in the middle of something.
T: (Not literally, I hope.)
Spike: This is important.
QN: I'm sure, but you have to understand--
//For the love of--
Spike: Applejack's coming to kill you; we don't have time to argue!
T: (So you lied to Applejack about telling him?)
//Quine's neck snakes back and forth in idleness. He looks down for a moment, then back up at me.
Quine: Who is that, again?
Spike: The Avatar of Strength!
//For the briefest moment, Quine raises an eyebrow as large as my arm. He then chuckles and shrugs.
Quine: Don't worry about such things.
//...Huh?
//I stand in the drafty hallway, snow swirling about my feet. How can Quine be dismissive of an Avatar like that? Shouldn't he be flying away or towards her, depending on how strong he thinks he is? My hands are fists and I don't know why.
T: (Spike... this was never going to work.)
//It's like everyone knows something I don't know and no one will tell me.
Spike: ...I don't get it. How can you be so calm about this?
//Quine nods. The winds lessen outside, and the howl coming from behind me is quieter.
Quine: Jebed tells me you met again, near Forlegsandria. She must have given you her famous lecture. 'I would die for any'?
//What does that have to do with the Avatar of Strength?
Quine: You must have heard the list of dragons Hazel defeated. (Unless Jebed's shortened the speech, one can always hope.) You must know of her power.
//Powerful or not she has a lot to answer for... the world's poor maintenance has to be explained.
Quine: I declared war on her kingdom. Ask the obvious question.
Spike: If she's so powerful, why aren't you already dead...?
//A nod. Quine flicks out his tongue, tasting the air with a forked tongue.
Quine: Your friend should tell you why I will not die this day. Tell her to disguise her scent next time as well. Please excuse me.
//He begins to retreat downwards. I can almost feel Twilight blushing next to me.
Spike: Wait! That's not it!
//Frozen in place, the great silver head listens. He mutters a quick apology, and comes back up.
Spike: I didn't come to warn you. I'm here so you'll both see reason!
Quine: ...Is this the self-insert fanfiction wherein by sheer force of will you stop the conflict?
//QUINE IS WAY TOO MUCH A DICK TO LET ANYONE ELSE STEAL THE SHITSHOW
Spike: Dragons are _dying_. Not just because ponies are killing them! They're starving to death in holes in the ground, afraid that if they try to escape the Cavalry _will_ kill them!
Quine: Have I told you how dragon disputes are solved?
Spike: By the two people involved personally ripping each other to shreds, yeah. I got it.
Quine: Anyone who fights this war does so without my blessing or order. I refuse to take responsibility for the actions of another. And yet, I am blamed.
Spike: Blamed? I'm not blaming you. But you have the power to stop this.
//He turns his gaze next to me.
Quine: Mare, reveal yourself. I will not talk to she whose own face is not behind her words.
//The howling increases, echoing down the short tunnel. Snowflakes bounce off Twilight's invisible frame as they stream into the open, bottomless cavern. She fades into view.
Twilight: Can I help you with something?
Quine: Are you bound to this drakeling?
T: Only by friendship.
Spike: Applejack is willing to talk. The continuation of the Aquinatic Conflict means dragons -- dragons under _your_ protection -- get attacked and killed and enslaved wherever ponies can find them here! You can't be ignorant of the effects your actions have on others!
//Quine shakes his head.
Quine: No peace treaty will bring me what I am owed.
//I didn't want to tell him this, but...
Spike: Quine, I've convinced Applejack to take any terms that are demanded of her. You can have _anything_, at the 'cost' of people not dying. Take it! Forget the past! It's a lesson, not a duty!
//A snort of smoke washes over the both of us, pulling my cape back and melting snow.
Quine: War _is_ my terms. I have no reason to pursue anything else.
Spike: How can that be?!
//A toothy grin, and:
Quine: I am a dragon.
//Very well... I suppose, just like the dragon instinct said, it did come to this... if Princess Hazel isn't willing to defeat Quine to end the Aquinatic Conflict, it's up to me and Applejack!
//As I enter a fighting stance, Twilight puts a hoof on my arm.
T: Sorry, Spike.

Twilight Sparkle speaks a word of power, forming symbols in the air! A Force Wall appears before The Silver Wyrm!

//A shimmering plate splits the air between us and the cavern, allowing nothing through. Snowflakes bounce off it and fall to the rock floor, forming droplets.
Spike: ...What?
//YOU FUCKING IDIOT DID YOU FORGET TO ASK WHY HE WASN'T DEAD YET
//I did, I just... never got an answer.
//Quine keeps smiling, without any eyes in it, just all teeth.
T: ...He's not allowed to die. Not yet.
Spike: Why not?
Quine: Yes, as I told you many months ago. The Thirty will avenge me if I die.
//The Thirty? Who are they?
T: You're not a justice-bringer. You're just an idiot with a suicide vest.
Quine: You speak of justice as if it were different from revenge. This Conflict--
Spike: Thirty, Conflict, Celestia, who cares?! Can't you idiots see what's going on here?!
//They stop and look at me. I swear, you have to yell before you get heard with these people...
T: What do you mean, Spike?
Spike: The Thirty -- or whatever -- are threatening Equestria. The Conflict's going to tear it apart along racial lines. Buffalo are committing terrorist attacks on innocent ponies, cultists are trying to bring about doomsday, kelpies and other monsters are wandering the countryside attacking as they please!
//WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS
//I continue, now that I have their attention:
Spike: It's obvious that Princess Hazel is a poor steward of her lands. If we're going to not only clean them up to protect her people, but ensure better stewardship in the future, we can't be tearing each other's throats out. A paramilitary organization, badged with red helms, tried to abduct me and is recruiting dragons to burn down farms near Canterlot.
//Twilight's eyes widen a little bit, but she says nothing.
Spike: I fought off a terrible monster trying to raise an army of the undead from the Valley. Whatever this red helm stuff is about, I have a feeling in my gut it's stronger than that. It's something we should take care of before arguing with each other.
//I can't fight all of these threats by my own, and Hazel can't be trusted or she would have seen them coming.
Spike: And _she_ had the R--
//STOP. YOU'RE NOT SAYING ANY MORE.
//A bolt of heat strikes through my head, and my mouth goes limp.
//THIS IS A DELICATE FUCKING SITUATION AND YOU NEED TO FUCKING SHUT THE FUCK UP BEFORE YOU GO TOO FAR.
//Silence passes.
T: Spike?
Quine: You were saying something, Hero?
Spike: I'm...
//NOT TALKING RIGHT NOW.
//I stay silent.
//...Twilight speaks first.
T: There are problems in Equestria. You're one of them, Quine. If you would only cooperate, we could do so much! Consider what others--
Quine: _I_ will consider what is rightfully _mine_, little pony, and exactly zero less or more.
Spike: You can't keep death and slavery--
//NO NO NO NO NO WHY DOES NO ONE FUCKING LISTEN TO ME
//I grab my head as a splitting rage washes over me. The dragon instinct is louder than I've ever heard him.
//Quine's eyes flicker.
T: You're going to talk about _right_? When you're threatening all of Equestria in order to continue your land war?
//YOU SHITTING IDIOTS QUINE IS A REAL DRAGON
//Involuntarily, hot words spill out of my mouth:
Spike: Quine is a real dragon--
//HE'S GREEDY AND NASTY AND A FUCKING BLOODY MENACE TO REASON AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
Spike: --he's a prick--
//AND MORE THAN THAT HE'S OLD.
Quine: I am old. I have survived your predecessor, young mage, and I will survive you.
//EVER HEARD OF 'THE GOOD DIE YOUNG'? BRILLIANT FUCKING EXAMPLE HERE.
//I lean against the cavern wall, head pounding with heat. The dragon instinct won't shut up.
Spike: Evil, he can't be...
//HE WON'T CARE ABOUT ANY-FUCKING-THING YOU SAY, OR ANY-FUCKING-ONE BUT HIMSELF
T: I don't know how you're holding back the Thirty from Equestria, but I swear, one day, I'm going to find out. If there's one thing I'm good at it's research.
Quine: I am not evil.
//YOU'RE OLD AND WRETCHED AND YOUR WAYS WILL BE OUR DEATH
//Quine's mouth twitches.
Spike: Stop... you need to stop...
//That was to both the dragon instinct and Quine. My knee has given way because I can't even concentrate on standing, his words are burning through my head--
T: Oh, excuse me. The _Twenty-Nine_.
//I'M THINKING OF TAKING BACK THEIR OFFER OF PROTECTION, QUINE.
//With the greatest burst of sound, Quine shouts:
Quine: Liar!!
//The sound puts me on the ground, and Twilight's mane flies back despite the Force Wall. Did she even blink?
T: Yes. I was there. It was me.
//TELL THAT BITCH TO SHUT HER FUCKING MURDERHOLE. SPIKE, DO IT. I'M TALKING NOW.
Spike: Twilight, the dragon instinct is, uh...
//MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR CUNTITCH OF A CONFLICT IS EVER GOING TO BE
Quine: Subject to me. This is _my_ lair, and this is _my_ land. You are not welcome here.
//WRONG. YOU ARE MY FUCKING PUPPET AND YOU WILL DO AS I FUCKING SAY.
T: Geography-level stretches of land are under collective ownership. You are not sovereign! How can you claim to rule in the interests of those you claim rule over?!
//The knights serve their king, but the king serves his knights...
//DO YOU GET IT? I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU.
//Quine lifts his head up, looking nowhere, and snarls.
Quine: Silence. Begone.
T: I am not leaving.
//It feels like blood is pushing out from behind my eyes, my brain is melting...
//I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU.
Quine: I will not give you what you seek....
//He squeezes his eyes shut and curls his neck down.
//I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU.
//Words spill out like acid, I have to let them out, drop them from my brain before they start to burn:
Spike: I own you, I own you, I own you, I own you...
//Twilight, having noticed Quine's troubled silence, turns to me and mutters:
T: ...Spike? What are you saying?
//I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU.
//The last two chants slip loose from Quine's pursed lips, and then--

The Silver Wyrm breathes fire!
The dragonfire strikes the ceiling in the stone! The stone has melted away!
//Orange, liquid stone falls from the ceiling where Quine torched it. He lets loose a terrible cry.

The Silver Wyrm slams the stone with his head, and the severed parts fly off in arcs!
The Silver Wyrm slams the stone with his head, and the severed parts fly off in arcs!
//I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU. I OWN YOU.
The Silver Wyrm slams the stone with his head, and the severed parts fly off in arcs!
//The words echo through the chamber in time. The source could be me, or Quine, or everything -- only Twilight is silent among the stone shouting back at us.
Spike: I own you, I own you, I own you, I...
//...It fades away, like it never was there. Dead, cold silence fills the chamber and my mind again.
//Clatterings of broken stone descend the cavern walls. I hear a small, feminine gasp, and then the beating of wings.
//Twilight visibly pretends not to have heard it. Quine shakes his head, spilling rubble everywhere.
//DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND
Spike: Hhck!
//We both cringe as the voice returns again.
//Twilight stays silent, watching both of us. The dragon instinct speaks again, a little less harsh.
//YOU'RE AN OLD DRAGON. THAT MEANS YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU. BUT THIS YOUNGLING, HE WON'T.
Spike: I... what do you mean?
Quine: Quiet. Not out loud.
T: Is it the dragon instinct? What is he saying?
//IF YOU TELL HER, OR ANYONE ELSE, ANYTHING I'M ABOUT TO SAY I WILL KILL YOU. THAT'S NOT AN EMPTY THREAT; I WILL TEAR OUT EVERY GODDESS-DAMNED NERVE I CAN GET MY HANDS ON AND YOU WILL BE FUCKING DEAD BEFORE YOU HIT THE FUCKING GROUND, HEAR ME? DEAD!!
Quine: Dead!
Spike: Dead!!
//The last word is so powerful it slips out of both of us. Twilight stands still, trying to puzzle it together.
//THE AQUINATIC CONFLICT ENDS. AS IN, RIGHT FUCKING NOW. BECAUSE I SAY SO.
//...The dragon instinct is an ass, but I sincerely doubt his level of assery is strong enough to solve geopolitical conflicts.
Quine: There is no threat to me--
//AND THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE WRONG, SHITSCALES. LISTEN UP YOUNG CELIDONIUS BECAUSE I'M ONLY SAYING THIS ONCE.
//Crumpled against the wall, I put a hand on my cheek. My entire head is burning like an iron.
//Quine hangs his head in front of the cave opening, looking vaguely towards Twilight.
//IF YOU DON'T END THIS CONFLICT CELESTIA WILL.
//I fall over onto the cavern floor, face down. My head is too hot to comprehend anything now.
//Quine looks up, blinks once, opens his eyes wide and says:
Quine: I'm willing to negotiate a ceasefire between my people and yours.
//...

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

>>LAY THERE
>>LAY THERE IN PAIN

//Twilight, undoubtedly perplexed but not showing it, responds:
T: Uh... great!