"He's right, Diamond." Spike said, then turned to the Doctor "Don't worry, we're going to help you. I'll make sure we get the antidote in and we'll keep an eye out for your daughter. Do you have any description of her?"

"Thank you, Commander," The Doc replied "Her name is Amethyst Star, she's a mage, has a light magenta dress, and her hair is violet with light purple highlights. She should be in a gasmask, but if it's off, tell her to come right back to me and that you're helping me, got it?"

"And if she has it on?"

"... Tell her to come back anyway."

"Alright. Before I go, there was a Raptor plague victim near the entrance to the neighborhood. Can you send someone to help?"

"Hm... it's risky, with the Wizards and Lycans still battling. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. And, one quick question for you: Have you had any problems at the clinic?"

"Hm... nothing major really. A couple of Wizards came for humans and made threats to me. I was able to kill them before anything escalated quickly."

"Really!? For a Doctor, you're awfully calm about taking out a group of mercs."

"Well, I wasn't always a doctor. I was actually part of a special task group, so I can handled myself. Plus, with my look and, though not to brag, charming personality, no one can see me as a threat at all."

"No kidding. Do you know where I can find your daughter?"

"No." he shook his head. "Heard infected raptors were trapped behind Lycan lines and she went to help. I warned her to not go: it's too dangerous and the patients need us! Yet, she snuck anyway... she really is my girl. I can tell you why, but that'd be too long."

"I see. Well, since you're a doc, what can you tell us about this plague?"

"That? Right! Well, to put it in small words, it's really advanced design type of sickness! I suspected Sombra & the Doppelgangers were behind this: Sombra being almost old as Celestia & Luna themselves with more knowledge in anything & his army being able to infiltrate security in disguise. My best guess is that this is experimental: this plague destroys the respiratory systems with shameful genetic mutations. What I don't really get is why it's not affecting humans, but Mages & Angels? Almost saying the two other species are unnecessary."  

"'Unnecessary mutations'? What are you talking about?"

"It's a theory right now, but they may be testing the viable mutation levels in various species; horrible but feasible for them. Humans, Angels, & Mages all share a truly diverse genetic background with a wider range than other sapient species. Would make sense for them to be a control group. Only guess is that with Angels & Mages being affected is that Angels can fly, of course with their wings, and Mages can use their minds to do special abilities. Humans can't do any of that stuff."

"Interesting. Well, what do you know about the Lycans?"

"Well... I don't want to sound stereotyping, but I'll give you this: they're cowardly, opportunistic, not tactical or aggressive. This scale of attack is unusual, even for them. My best guess is that they're working for Sombra by distributing the plague and, though not unsure, collecting data. There's no proof, but it fits pretty well."

"Thank you for your opinions. Let's head to the environmental plant."

"Yes, but before you go, here!" He walked to a box and pulled his weird device out, pointing & activating it. The box opened and out came an assault rifle & a semi-automatic pistol. "You're going to need all the protection you can get."

"Oh baby!" Spike said almost like how he did as a child, picking up the new assault rifle. "Pretty rifle! Unofficial made M-8 Avenger assault riffle with an automatic 40 bullets per clip & a fire rate of 850 rounds per minute, with enough accuracy & recoil to make an experienced solder proud? Just like the one in my dreams! Where have you been all my life?" He kissed his rifle and holstered it next to his shotgun. Diamond, Big Mac, and the Doctor all gave him an awkward look. "...What? I know my weapons."

"Indeed." Diamond replied, taking the semi-auto pistol.

Spike, Diamond Tiara, and Big Mac exited the clinic's other entrance and walked to the only open door. Inside was dining area, and a bunch of lycans stood around, waiting for someone or something to happen.

"Alright," Diamond Tiara spoke "Looks like we can use the element of surprise with us. Big Mac, I think you can-" Spike entered the room and fired at the Lycans with his assault rifle, laughing almost maniacally as he fired everywhere, not even caring if half of the bullets he fired were hitting something or not. He took cover behind some crates and reloaded. Diamond Tiara ran next to him and took cover as well.

"This is my type of weapon!" Spike commented on his assault rifle.

"You're an idiot!"

"Maybe, but who's the bigger one: the idiot or the one who follows the idiot?" Diamond grunted and fired at the Lycans with her new semi-auto pistol, barely showing enthusiasm as Spike did with his weapon, but none the less, got the job done. The doors opened, and two behemoths came in, firing at the two.

"See what happens!?"

"Alright, I see your point! Where's Big Mac?"

"WHAT THE-!?" One of the behemoths asked. Diamond and Spike peeked from cover, seeing Big Mac twisting one of Behemoth's neck, quickly pulled his shotgun out, and fired at the other one. The room was now silent with all of the enemies dead.

"Eeyup." Big Mac simply said.

"Let's go." Diamond simply said "The environmental plant should be upstairs to the left." Spike nodded and they all went up the stairs.

They were in the hallway that lead to the Environmental plant, but stopped as they heard a faint woman's scream in a door to their left.

"That must be The Doc's daughter!" Spike exclaimed. He opened the door, and sure enough, three raptors were around a teenage woman with all of the Doc's details: a female mage, wearing a light magenta dress, and violet hair with light purple highlights. Two of the raptors stood around while the supposed 'ringleader' held Amethyst by her chin with his claw hands.

"Please," Amethyst begged "I'm telling you the truth: I work for the Doctor at the clinic and I'm here to help you!"

"Bullshit!" The Raptor holding her yelled "You're spreading the plague virus! We saw the vials in your bag!"

"No! Those vials contain the cure! Please... you have to believe me!"

"You can't lie to us! Perhaps I should just cut off your fingers then loosen your-" Spike entered the room, holding his pistol out.

"LOOK OUT!!!" One of the raptors yelled, making the other & himself pull their own pistol out.

"Don't move! One more step, and we'll kill your friend!"

"Look," Spike began "I know you're scared: the Lycans and the Plague are ruining your lives, but this mage isn't to be blamed. If she was spreading the virus, why would she do it in Lycan territory? They're immune, remember?"

"...He's right." The same Raptor that announced their presence said "It doesn't make any sense."

"...Alright," the ringleader admitted "If we release the prisoner, can we go?"

"You have my word." Spike replied The raptors holstered their weapons. Amethyst ran to them & hid in the middle.

"You got what you wanted, Draco. Are we free?"

"We had a deal." Spike holstered his pistol.

"Draco nobility? Have to say, that's an honor to any species."

"Please, call me Commander Spike." The Raptors left the room, but whispered to each other about Spike being alive. Spike turned around and Amethyst hugged him.

"Thank you!" She cried, tears coming down her face. "I-I thought they were g-g-going to... kill me." Spike caressed her hair a bit.

"It's alright, nothing's going to hurt you." she backed away from him, smiling with a sniffle & wiping a tear away.

"...saved by a Draco. Who would've imagined that? Did the Doctor send you to find me?"

"Yes. Your father could use your help your help: too many patients and not enough volunteers can drag you down."

"Yeah... okay. I'll go right away! Thank you, I owe you... well... everything." She ran by them and made her way back to the clinic.

"...Cute kid." Diamond commented.

"Eeyup." Big Mac added.

The three made it into a 2 story room that lead to the Environmental plant. As soon as they stepped out, they saw, across from some pipes, some lycans crawled out with RPG's, aimed at them, and fired!

"GET TO COVER!!!" Spike yelled. They all jumped out of the way, Spike and Diamond just barely avoiding the explosion with Big Mac making himself a shield. Big Mac was down, but he wasn't dead. Diamond pulled out some Medi-Gel and rubbed it Big Mac's back while Spike aimed at the lycans with his pistol, taking them down and avoiding their rockets while using himself as live bait. Below, two more behemoths and more Lycans entered, both using both side's stairs to encounter our the three. Big Mac's wounds quickly healed with the Medi-Gel, and was the first to point & see the lone behemoth and the lycans entering & firing at them! Diamond Tiara pulled out her semi-auto and fired at the Lycans, quickly making short of them. The behemoth came and charged at them, using it's head as a battering ram. Diamond tried to fire, but didn't reload & was out of ammo. Big Mac got up and charged at the Behemoth, causing both to lock hands and push each other with both growling at each other. Diamond would've helped, but more Lycans appeared from right behind and fired at her, causing the human to take cover & take them out. Spike, on the other hand, saw the pack of lycans rushing towards him. He pulled out his assault rifle and quickly shot at them, watching their bodies fall like flies. It wasn't long until the behemoth showed up, stomping it's legs and preparing to charge. Spike switched to his shotgun and barely dodged the behemoth's first charge, watching him crash in the wall, causing a few cracks in it, but also how the behemoth turned to Spike, shaking off the pain as if nothing happened and prepared to charge again. Spike looked behind him and saw Big Mac & the other behemoth pushing each other for dominance.

"BIG MAC!" Spike yelled. The got his attention and turned, seeing Spike & the other behemoth. They both had the same idea: Spike dodged out of the way and Big Mac released his opponent, causing both behemoths to charge and crash into each other with a loud 'crack' in their necks. Both behemoths fell to the floor, dead from the impact. Diamond reloaded her semi-auto and walked next to the two men.

"Nice idea, Spike." Diamond commented.

"Thanks." Spike replied, then turned to Big Mac, standing upright and placing his right hand on Big Mac's left shoulder. "You alright, big guy?"

"Eeyup." his old friend replied with a warm smile.

"Come on," Diamond interrupted "Let's get to the Environment plant before you two kiss!" Spike placed his hand away from Big Mac and Big Mac stood right up, both wiping their hands away and chuckling awkwardly.

The group made it into the Environmental plant, seeing three lycans around, starting to place explosives around consol of the fan that's giving the oxygen needed & spreading the plague to the citizens. The Lycan leading the packs ran and confronted Spike & his group.

"YOU NO COME HERE!!!" He yelled "We shut down machines: break fans, everyone choke and die! Then, Sombra make us strong!" Spike pulled out his assault rifle & reloaded it.

"What does Sombra want from this!?" Spike asked, growling himself. The lycan snarled at Spike.

"Sombra want plague! You work for doctor, turn on fans, put cure in air! We kill you first!"  

"Not on my watch." Diamond replied, shooting & killing the Lycan with a clean head-shot. Spike and Big Mac shot the other two Lycans and killed them easily. Spike walked to the back wall and placed the cure inside it's port.

"...Is that it?"

"Very unlikely. Fan 1 is on, but the other two need to be on."

"Split up then?"

"My thoughts exactly. I can take care of myself, you two activate the right."

"Got it."

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied.

The group separated into two, as Big Mac & Spike took one while Diamond Tiara took the other, but worked together to get to their entrances, as a whole pack of lycans and behemoths charged at them. Two Lycans were above them and fired at them with RPGs, making them all take cover. They all fired and took down the Lycans above with pistols, but switched to their more powerful ones with the rest on the floor. Spike & Big Mac entered their way and saw some lycans exited the room they needed to enter, some now equipped with flamethrowers. Due to their scrawniness, the tanks were easily seen, and, with a precise shot from Big Mac, the tank exploded and cause the user & it's allies to be set ablaze. A behemoth came from behind and grabbed Big Mac by his back.

"Macintosh!!!" Spike yelled. The behemoth crushed Big Mac hard, all hearing his bones crack. One loud crack from big Mac's spine, but instead of wailing in pain, Big Mac laughed, followed by him reverse headbutting the behemoth, causing it to stammer & release him in confusion. Spike leaped at the behemoth, ripping it's helmet off and began to claw at it's face. The behemoth backed up, then threw Spike to the floor, making the Draco slide on his back. Big Mac helped Spike up and the two, both at the same time, delivered an uppercut to the Behemoth across his face! They both ran inside and activated their fan.

Diamond Tiara grabbed the first Lycan she came across and used him as a human shield, shooting at the other Lycans while they shot at her. Her shield only took a few shot to the chest & arms, but she snapped his neck & killed him as soon as the behemoth came into view. The behemoth charged at her, slowly gaining speed. Diamond focused on her target, as everything around her went in slow motion. She pulled her pistol out and began to quickly fire at the behemoth's legs until one of the bullets went through it's kneecap. The behemoth fell to the ground and rolled, stopping at Diamond's feet.

"What a lousy performance." she mocked the behemoth before executing him. She walked to the control and activated her fan. "Finished!"

"Done here too!" Spike replied

"Good. In a few short seconds, those people should feel just fine."

"Let's head back to the doctor. Hopefully, he's ready to go."

The three made it back to the clinic, seeing the doctor and Amethyst using two of the Doc's strange device, scanning the area.

"The environmental systems are engaged." the Doctor examined

"Airborne viral levels are dropping fast" Amethyst added

"Patients are improving."

"And the lycans are retreating!" The Doctor placed his device away and turned to Spike.

"Thank you so much, Commander Spike! You saved both these people and my daughter!"

"Yeah, those raptors would've killed me if you hadn't arrived. You know, for a second there, I thought you were going to shoot them all down."

"I'm not like that," Spike replied "I may be a Draco, but that doesn't mean I have to act like my kind all the time."

"Very merciful of you," the Doctor commented "very risky. Probably would've killed them myself."

"Dad!" Amethyst said, walking next to her father "You're a Doctor: Doctors believe in helping people, remember?"

"I do, but there's many ways to help people: we can heal all the patients we want, but we need to execute those that want to stop us. Remember the Daleks?"

"Daleks?" Spike asked

"He means 'Alex'." Amethyst said "it's a long story."

"I can tell. Ready to go, Doctor?"

"You're going somewhere? Dad, I think I can-"

"I'm sorry, Amethyst," The Doctor interrupted "but this is too dangerous, even with your help. I can't afford to lose you! Remember what happened before?"

"I do, but I was young and wanted to see what would happen! Please, I can-"

"No! No... I want you to stay here and check on the patients, there's still work to do. I'll come back as soon as I can, okay?"

"...Alright." She walked away, grumbling to herself.

"She's a good kid: has my intelligence & sense of right, yet has her mother's charm &, well, clumsiness. I'm certain she can handle the clinic now that the lycans & the plague are gone."

"So you're ready to go?" Spike asked

"I am indeed! This is so exciting: Working with the thought-to-be-dead Commander Spike and FIST! More are coming, right?"

"Yeah. We're assembling a team, and you're our first one to join."

"Really!? Oh boy! I can't wait to meet the others that join! Perhaps I can join you on your adventures?"

"You know how to use a gun?" Diamond asked

"Guns? Blech! Never want to, never did! I've always used my Sonic Screwdriver: able to hack through any door & any robot or sentry I need to use. So, sorry, I won't use guns, but expect some metal help. Just let me get some of my stuff & I'll meet you on your ship. I'm looking forward on this adventure!"

"Good to see your enthusiasm," Spike replied "we'll meet you on the Celestia." Spike and the others walked away and headed to the Celestia.

After a while, with Spike helping Big Mac in gaining confidence on how to talk to others, the Doctor arrived inside the Celestia, acting like a child, seeing all the other people inside & inspecting all the control, promptly annoying Spitfire as she sat on the control, trying to take a nap. Big Mac lead the Doctor into where Spike & Diamond stood in the intercom room, Spike in his hoodie outfit & out of armor.

"Welcome to the Celestia, Doc." Big Mac spoke, though still feeling uncomfortable using more than one word. "It's an honor to have you on board."

"Oh yes," the Doctor replied, looking everywhere with a large face while wearing a strange pair of paper glasses with a blue & a red lens. "FIST working with other species, maybe? Hopefully, it's not so human-centric."

"You do know I'm here, right?" Spike asked.

"My apologies, Commander. Now, what are we doing?"

"Sombra and the Doppelgangers have been abducting colonists that are away from Canterlot, The Crystal Empire, or any other major city. No distress signals were sent out, nor were there any signs of attack."

"Nothing strange but every man, woman, and child just gone." Diamond Tiara added.

"Really? What caused it? Gas? Drugged water supply? Ariborne virus? Or maybe it's-"

"You don't have to guess," Spike replied with a chuckle. "FIST operatives have collected samples from one of the colonies and are here. I need you to analyze them & figure out how the Doppelgangers are doing this."

"Yes! Of course! I'm going to need a lab if I'm to analyze... whatever you have."

"It's a pretty large bug from the Doppelgangers." Diamond spoke "Not exactly related, but it's been infused with... something. You can figure it out, right?"

"I can. Please, where's the lab?"

"There's a fully equipped lab on the combat deck, Doctor... who." WOONA answered, startling the man. "If you find anything lacking, please, place a requisition order."

"Who's that!? Spitfire!? No! It can't be... Commander, was that... an A.I.?"

"It is," Spike answered "and her name is WOONA."

"An A.I.? WOONA? Mission must be more desperate than I thought!"

"It is," Diamond replied "Sombra and the Doppelgangers have kidnapped tens of thousands of colonists. We're doing whatever we can to stop them."

"Of course! Don't want any of us to be captured and... well... killed. Lab, please?" Big Mac walked next to the Doctor.

"Follow me, Doc." He simply said. Diamond Tiara turned to Spike

"Well done," Diamond said "We found our first man and our first step to stop Sombra and the Doppelgangers. Who shall we get next? We know the Archangel is here, but we can come back as we get the two others."

I. We still need to fill the list.

A. The Archangel

-Sunset Shimmer

-Gilda

-Other

-An O.C.

B. The convict

-Sonata, Aria, or Adiago

-Garbel

-Other

-An. O.C.

C. The Warmaster

-Strongheart

-Maud Pie

-Other

-An O.C.

Also. almost forgot, which 2 members will go with Spike? This will be explained in the next chapter.

II. I'd like to see Twilight before we continue.