Master Thief Dragon

One night at Tirek's hideout, the mobster was sitting at his desk while Byakko the swordsman stood before him. Tirek was looking over some papers, before speaking to his client, "Well, Mr. Byakko, you have quite the resume and history in the field of assassination and bounty hunting."

"Well, there's no such thing as bad publicity." Byakko reminded him.

"Indeed," Tirek nodded in agreement, "I chose you out of the many other candidates because of your impressive work, whether it be with the blade or hand to hand combat. I just hope you can handle the task of eliminating Dragon."

"I assure you, Mr. Tirek, when it comes to the hunt I always catch my prey," Byakko began ominously, "Dragon will be a challenge, but he will fall before me...like everyone else I have ever faced."

"Confident, I like that," Tirek smirked, "I just hope you'll be able to find the Dragon. He is a slippery devil after all."

"Not to worry. I know how to sniff out my prey."

"Then prepare yourself for tomorrow night. You will find the Dragon and bring his head to me. You can do what you want with the rest of him for all I care."

"Damn," Byakko said in disappointment, "And I was looking forward to preserving Dragon's corpse as a trophy."

"Dragon's head will be a reminder to all those who try to cross me," Tirek explained. "That glorified petty bandit has cost me a fortune and I want him gone. Terminated. But make sure he suffers before ending his misery."

"I understand. Goodnight, sir." Byakko took his leave.

Tirek looked at a newspaper article with an out of focus picture shot of Dragon, "Enjoy what little life you have left, Dragon," he snickered.

The next day at the high school, Spike was sitting on a bench while watching the girls who were in the middle of Phys Ed. He watched as they ran laps, which made their busts shake around. He smiled to himself, until Luna approached, and spoke, "Using your break to spy on the girls, Mr. Drake?"

Spike shifted his gaze from the girls to the school nurse, "Luna, now is not the time to be teasing me." he whispered.

"Sorry, Master," she whispered back, "But really you came here to watch the girls, right?"

"Not in that sense, but yes." Spike said, as he watched Rainbow and Applejack take the lead while neck in neck.

Luna could sense the worry in her master's tone, and spoke, "You're still thinking about that night, aren't you?"

"Yes." he admitted.

"Master, what's done is done. The girls are safe thanks to you."

"Still, what if I hadn't gotten there in time?" Spike asked, "If anything happened to those girls I would never forgive myself. Especially if something happened to Twilight."

"Celly and I understand, Master. Our students are important to us all. Besides, from what you told us of that night, the girls could really handle themselves. Are you sure don't want to consider them as possible servants?"

"For the last time, no," Spike said, shaking his head, "They can offer so much to my quest, but I don't want that for them. I don't even know how the girls would react if they ever saw the man behind Dragon. It's better if I leave them in the dark. Hell, the way Twilight reacted when she found out about me and Cadence...could you imagine what would happened if she found about what I do at night as well as my true relationships with you and Celly?"

"I see your point, Master," nodded Luna as she held Spike close. "Such a bad boy with a caring heart."

"Luna, the girls might see." Spike said while blushing.

"Come on, let's grab a coffee before your next class." Luna offered.

"Yeah." Spike agreed, as they got up and went back inside the school.

Later that day as the evening rolled in, Celestia and Luna were lounging around Spike's living room, until they saw their master enter fully dressed in his thief attire, "Master, has something come up?" Celestia asked in concern.

"I don't recall getting an update on any new artifacts being discovered." Luna tried to remember.

"It's nothing serious, girls," Spike calmed them, "I'm just going out on a nightly exercise run. Even though I get exercise while on a job, I'd like to get it without having to run from the cops all the time."

"You should still tread carefully, Master," Celestia warned him, "It's dangerous out there for you."

"Relax, Celly. I'm just going to go on a night run and be back before midnight," Spike promised, before giving her a kiss. He walked up to Luna and spoke, "Do you still have me bugged?"

"Only as a safety precaution." Luna assured.

"Liar!" Celestia faked a cough, while Luna scowled at her sister.

Spike spoke, "Just only use it to keep track of my location and not to spy on me."

"Yes, Master."

"Good. I'll see you ladies when I get back." Spike took his leave.

"Stay safe." Celestia said softly.

Meanwhile out in the city, Byakko was standing atop a roof looking out into the city, "The city may be big, but the size cannot hide the Dragon from me," he began running to the edge of the roof and jumped to another roof. As he roof jumped, he acted like a tiger on the hunt, before stopping and sniffed the air around him. He smirked and spoke to himself, "The hunt begins now."

Elsewhere, Dragon was currently running across roof tops before jumping onto others. After jumping from one roof to another, he thought to himself, 'Now this is great. No jobs, no cops, no running for my life. Just me, a beautiful night, and some good old exercise.' he suddenly stopped at the edge of a roof and heard voices down below.

"Come on, load it faster!"

"Keep your shirt on, I only got two hands."

Dragon backed away from the edge and peeked down into the alley between the two buildings. He saw four criminals in ski masks loading stolen goods into the back of a getaway truck. He thought to himself, 'Amateurs. I said this was going to be strictly an exercise night, but I may as well get a workout with these wannabes.' he jumped down and stuck to the shadows.

As one of the crooks came outside the building carrying a box, a hand clamped over his mouth and he was dragged into the shadows. The other three looked back seeing no sign of their comrade, "Boomer?" one asked, only to receive no response.

Another one of them was suddenly dragged into the shadows, as the other two looked around for him, "Butch?" one of them called out.

Suddenly their comrades were thrown into the light. They saw their partners looked beaten up, and started looking all around them, "We're not alone here." one told the other. They continued to keep their eyes peeled, until a large silhouette cast over them. They looked up and saw Dragon standing atop their truck.

"Hey, boys." he waved.

"It's the Dragon!" one shouted.

"Shoot him!" they pulled out their guns and tried to shoot him, but Dragon jumped down and kicked the guns out of their hands.

Once disarmed, Dragon punched one crook in the face, and elbowed the other one in the gut. He grabbed one and threw him into the other knocking them onto the ground next to the other two. Dragon spoke to himself, "Didn't even break a sweat. Oh, well. A fight's a fight." he was about to head out, only for another voice to speak up.

"Amazing that a thief would be willing to take down more thieves. I suppose that even someone like you would eliminate the competition."

The thief turned around and saw Byakko emerge from the shadows of the alley. The two stared at each other, until Dragon spoke, "Well, the night has been a bit dull and I was hoping for a workout. Did you need something?"

"Yes. Your head will do." Byakko answered.

Dragon remained calm, and replied, "Sorry, but I like it where it is."

"I am not making jokes with you, Dragon," Byakko began sounding irate, "You've made yourself a powerful enemy and that enemy has hired me to eliminate you and bring your head to him."

"I've must have really pissed off the wrong man, Mr. Swordsman," Dragon inquired, "Care to tell me who?"

"It's not going to matter in the end, thief," Byakko answered.

"Aw, not even a hint?" Dragon asked almost with childlike curiosity.

"Let's just say that you are going to wish for the safety of a jail cell when I finally end your life," Byakko said bluntl,y as he drew his sword casting a disdainful look on the crooks on the floor, "You'll see that I am much more challenging than these petty crooks."

Dragon squinted his eyes beneath his mask, "Do you have a name?"

"Byakko. And it'll be the last name you ever hear." the swordsman promised.

"We'll see." Dragon accepted his challenge.

The two combatants engaged each other, with Dragon using his quick reflexes and martial arts skilled against Byakko and his sword skill. The thief jumped to the side as Byakko tried to slice him, but ended up slicing a dumpster in half instead. Dragon saw this and gasped, "Holy crap."

Byakko smirked at Dragon, "My sword thirsts for your blood, thief."

"Too bad I'm not a donor." Dragon quipped, as he got up and resumed fighting Byakko. When the thief saw the swordsman leave himself open, he struck and knocked the sword out of his hand. The two watched as the sword slid into the truck.

Byakko decided to use his fists against Dragon, and the two exchanged blows and blocked each others. Even without his sword, Byakko was still giving Dragon a challenge, almost too much of a challenge. As Dragon blocked his punches, he thought, 'This guy's too much for me right now. If I drag this out any longer I'm gonna wear myself out." he suddenly was swept off his feet by a sweeping kick from his opponent.

Byakko tried to stomp on Dragon, only for the thief to roll away and jump back to his feet, "You got skills, man. Sorry I have to cut this short, but I need to rethink my strategy." he whipped out a smoke bomb and threw it to the ground releasing smokescreen allowing him to escape.

Byakko looked around, but saw that Dragon was gone. He grunted in frustration before calming down, "No matter, he's still out there. And he will show himself again," he walked over to his sword and picked it up, "And when he does, I'll be ready." he turned and left for the hotel he was staying at.

Meanwhile at Spike's place, Celestia and Luna were in the living room watching TV with their hairs wrapped in towels and wearing cream on their faces. They heard the door open, and knew it was their master. Celestia spoke as they turned around, "Master how was..." she trailed off, as they saw Spike looked exhausted, battered, and bruised.

"Master!" Luna cried, as the sisters got up and ran to him.

"Are you ok?" Celestia asked, as they brought him to the couch to sit down.

"I'm fine." Spike answered, while panting.

"What happened out there?" Luna asked in concern.

"I ran into someone on my run." he answered.

"Who?" Celestia asked.

"A guy named Byakko. He's a swordsman. He said someone hired him to deliver me to him."

"You don't think Chief Iron Will dispatched him, do you?" Luna inquired.

"Doubtful," Spike replied, "This sounds like the work of someone bigger. And whoever he is means business."

At Tirek's office, the mob boss was looking over files, until a secretary buzzed him on the intercom, "Yes, what is it?" he asked.

"Big John and his associates to see you, sir." the secretary answered.

"Send them in." the mobster ordered.

Entering his office were three people the first was a big plump guy in his early thirties. He had light gray hair. His outfit was composed of a dark brown long coat with red outlines, a dark gray shirt that says 'F U', brown pants, and black shoes. Following him was another man in his late twenties and looked well built with dark brown hair. He was wearing a sleeveless short coat, a dark green tank top, and light brown military pants and shoes, and a dog tag. Finally the third was a girl in her late twenties who had red hair with blue steaks tied to pigtails. She was wearing a short sleeved brown jacket, a blue shirt that says 'kiss me', light blue short jeans, red & green stockings and red shoes.

Tirek greeted them, "Big John, Desertstorm, Candy Girl."

"Boss." the three answered.

"I assume you three have been taking of care of the Dragon Gang's former territory and collections are being taking care of?" Tirek inquired.

Big John answered, "We have, Mr. Tirek. A few of the shopkeep's offered some resistance, but once I let Desertstorm here loose, they were more than convinced to pay our protection fees."

"Very good," Tirek said, feeling pleased. He noticed Candy Girl was eating from a bucket of ice cream, "What are you doing?"

The girl answered, "I grabbed myself a bucket when Desertstorm was shaking down the owner of the ice cream shop downtown. Tore through the whole shop when the owner couldn't pay his fee. Would you believe this bucket was the only surviving flavor? It's not even my favorite flavor, though." she complained.

"And you're still eating it." Desertstorm noted.

"I wanted cookies and cream, but you had step on the last bucket of that flavor!" Candy Girl snapped.

"I was making a statement!" Desertstorm argued.

"And I wanted cookies and cream!" The girl continued to whine.

"Enough!" Tirek shouted, making the two quiver in fear, "I assume, Big John, that you came here for another reason?"

"Yeah, Mr. Tirek. Me and the rest of the Maulers want a shot at Dragon and collect that bonus you're offering."

Tirek crossed his arms, "I won't deny you and your gang's reputation for being the baddest biker gang in the city. However, I already have someone on the hunt for Dragon for the moment. If I let you go after him now, there's a good chance you all might end up getting in each others way or fight each other just to get to Dragon. And that is what the thief will be hoping for."

"So there's no chance of us going after him at all?" Desertstorm asked, as the three looked outraged.

"You have other duties to perform," Tirek replied, "However, if any of the bounty hunters prove to be unsuccessful, you lot will be my next runner ups."

"So we're last in line!?" Candy Girl complained, "That is so unfair! We can handle that Dragon punk, no problem!"

"Dragon is not your concern, girl!" Tirek shouted, causing Candy Girl to back off. He then addressed the rest of the gang and growled, "If I get word that you lot interfered between my current hitman and Dragon, I'll make sure that you and the rest of the Maulers are nothing but a sad memory. Do any of you understand!?"

"We understand, sir." Big John answered.

"If there's nothing else to discuss, then get out." Tirek dismissed them. The three nodded, and took their leave. Tirek curious about his current employer picked up his cellphone and called him.

"Hello?" came Byakko's voice.

"Hello. Byakko?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I inquire the progress of your hunt. Were you successful?"

"I'm ashamed to admit I was not."

"What?" Tirek asked feeling irate.

"I had him on the ropes, but he managed to slip away."

"You imbecile! I give you one job and you botched it!" Tirek slammed his desk with his fist.

"I assure you, Tirek, the hunt is not over. Now that I know his style I will be better prepared for tomorrow night. If you're willing to give me a second chance."

Tirek grumbled, before answering, "I'm not a man who believes in second chances, but for you I will make an exception. Fail me and I will put out a bounty on you as well. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." Byakko answered, as he hung up. Tirek growled, as he crushed his phone in his bare hand.

The next morning, as Spike was peddling to school, he was deep in thought over what went down last night, 'That Byakko's got skill. Even with all my years of training he was still able to keep up with me, and match me blow for blow. He's no doubt going to come after me tonight if I go out. Celly and the others may try and get me to stay in, but that would be cowardly. And he won't stop coming after me unless he's dealt with. If not then there's no chance I can handle dodging both him and the cops at the same time.'

During lunch period, Spike was having lunch in the teacher's lounge, as Cadence took a seat next to him, "Afternoon, Mr. Lupin."

"Afternoon, Ms. Cadenza." Spike greeted.

Cadence looked around seeing the other faculty members attentions were diverted and spoke to Spike, "I heard from my aunties what happened last night. You're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm ok. You know I'll always bounce back from an ass beating. Not that my ass was beaten." he replied.

Cadence looked at him and spoke, "I can see it in your eyes. You're going out again tonight."

"Perceptive as always." Spike smirked.

Cadence whispered, "Master, are you sure it's wise to be going out again to face him so quickly?"

"I'm not going to stay in and hide like a coward. That's not what Dragon is all about."

"Maybe, but still do you even have a strategy planned for when you face him next?"

"He's a master swordsman. My first objective is to disarm him, but even without his sword he's formidable in hand to hand combat. But I've learned in my training if you're faced with someone that's too tough, you have to be even tougher."

Walking over was Celestia and Luna who had overheard him, "Master don't you think you're letting your pride cloud your mind?" Celestia asked.

"I am not. I am simply laying out my strategy, so I know what to do and what not to do when we meet again." Spike answered.

"Still, he's a formidable foe. You looked at this records, didn't you?" Luna inquired.

"Of course."

"Then you know he's notorious for never missing a bounty," the younger sister continued, "From capturing the international killer Ahuizotl, the criminal Caballeron, even the infamous Mobster Don Gladmane. He literally cut him and let him bleed to death."

"Plus, he said someone put out a bounty on your head," Celestia added, "Who knows how many more hitmen could be out there waiting for you."

"It's a chance I have to take," Spike replied, before checking his watch, "If you'll excuse me, I have a class to get to." Spike got up and left the lounge, as the three ladies looked concerned.

At Byakko's hotel, he watched from his hotel room window seeing the sun was going down. He spoke to himself, "When the sun's down, Dragon will come out. And this time I will make certain he will not escape," he walks over to his bed and picked up his katana, "Tonight you will bathe in the Dragon's blood." he told it, before sheathing it.

At Spike's place, the boy was suiting up, before stepping out of his bedroom only to see Celestia, Luna, and Cadence blocking his way, "Master, are you sure there is nothing we can do to sway you into staying in tonight?" Cadence asked.

"Yes." Spike answered.

"But, sir, you go out there and there's a chance he may get the best of you." Luna warned him.

"If I don't settle this now, then he'll only keep coming back," Spike explained, "And if there's already another bounty on my head then it's inevitable more will take his place."

"Master, please," Celestia pleaded, "Even if you somehow survive your encounter with this swordsman, more bounty hunters will come after you. Whoever put this price on your head..."

"My mind is made up," Spike said harshly, as he walked past the ladies. Before he reached for the door, Spike turned around and faced his servants, in particular, Celestia. He shook his head and said, "You doubt me. After all we've been through...you doubt me? Nothing is going to stop me from going out there. Not the law, not bounty hunters...not even you." The ladies, knowing their efforts were in vain, saw their master leave the front door and into possible danger. Celestia turned to both Luna and Cadence and they all nodded knowingly. The three ladies were devoted to their master and they knew that they had to be there for him.

That night out in the city, Dragon was standing atop one of the building roof tops looking out into the city. Even though he knew he was out looking for the hitman, he could still take the time to stop and appreciate the beauty of things around him. His moment of peace was interrupted by the voice of his predator.

"Beautiful sight, isn't it?" Dragon turned and saw Byakko a few feet away from him, "Canterlot City is a sight to behold, especially at night. I can see why you would stop here at this very building for reprieve after a long night of training. Especially from yesterday."

"This city holds much to a guy like me. Not just as a thief, but a person as well." Dragon answered calmly.

"So you do have a life outside thievery?" Byakko inquired.

"Of course. What person doesn't have a life outside their job?"

"True," Byakko agreed, as he reached for his sword, "Ready to fall by my blade tonight?"

"If I fall I'll only get back up stronger."

The two engaged in combat, with Byakko once again trying to chop and slice Dragon with his sword. The thief like before was using his own reflexes to avoid the fatal cuts, until the sword put a tear in his coat. Dragon jumped away from the hitman, before noticing the cut he put in his coat, "Oh, man! I just got this back from the cleaners! I'm sending you the repair bill!"

"Check's in the mail." Byakko replied, as he once again tried to cut Dragon, but ended up slicing a turbine vent instead.

Dragon reached into his pocket and pulled out smoke bombs, and dropped them all around shrouding the two in smokescreen. Byakko looked around and spoke, "Don't think you can hide from me, Dragon. I've trained to fight in these conditions. I can hear you. I can smell you."

"Can you smell a rock?" Dragon's voice came from all around, as a rock nailed Byakko in the head.

Byakko recoiled from the hit to his head, and was suddenly kicked from behind by Dragon, knocking them both out of the smokescreen. The two got up, as Byakko spoke, "Clever move, but cleverness with not save you." he tried to stab Dragon, who dodged and whipped out an exploding ninja star. He threw it at the ground close to Byakko's feet and detonated. The explosion disoriented Byakko for a moment, allowing Dragon to swing in and knock the sword out of the bounty hunter's hand.

Byakko watched, as his sword rolled across the roof before sliding off the edge. He turned to Dragon looking angry, "You just made a big mistake."

Dragon seeing the enraged look on Byakko's face knew things were about to get serious. Byakko ran at Dragon and started throwing punches and kicks at the thief. Like before Dragon blocked as much of the attacks as he could, but the ones he couldn't shield himself from hit him hard. The thief delivered his own set of pounding blows against Byakko who was equally hurt from the strikes.

When the two met with a grapple, they struggled to overpower each other while glaring at each other. As Byakko looked into Dragon's eyes through the eye holes of his mask, he sensed a feeling in his opponent that felt so familiar to him, "I see, so you have it to."

"Have what?" Dragon asked, as he kept his strength up.

"I sense honor, Dragon. An unusual trait for a thief," Byakko read him like a book. "Then again...it is unusual for a thief to trouble himself in catching petty crooks like you did yesterday. It is also unusual...that someone like yourself to bother with saving the lives of six school girls, is it not?"

Dragon gasped, but Byakko continued, "Yes, Dragon. I read about that particular adventure. I even had the honor of meeting them. Beautiful girls, all six of them. Tell me, thief. Those girls you saved...what are they to you? Are they just pretty faces you wanted to win over, to take to your bed and ravish them?"

Under his mask, Dragon glared at Byakko and answered, "That's none of your goddamn business! I will say this: those girls...they're under my protection...and if I see you near them again, you're dead!" he overpowered Byakko, and the two fought to the death.

As they put everything they had into their strikes against each other, they were starting to get tired. Soon they were so exhausted they started fighting like it was slow motion. Suddenly the two panted, before falling down onto their backs. They laid there on opposite ends panting for air. Dragon spoke without even looking at Byakko, "I have never gone all out like that before in a long time."

"Same goes for me," Byakko replied, "You're one of the first to have ever driven me to this level of exhaustion. For that I commend you."

"Thanks." Dragon chuckled, but groaned from a previous strike.

"I don't have the strength to get up right now." Byakko admitted.

"Same here," Dragon agreed, before looking up at the sky to see the stars, "It really is a beautiful night, huh?"

"Absolutely." Byakko agreed, as the two star gazed.

Their time was cut short, as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence dropped in from a helicopter hovering above them. The three came down wearing black catsuits to blend into the night, "Master!" Celestia called, as the three ran to him.

"Are you ok?" Luna asked in concerned.

"Scratch here and there, nothing I can't handle." Dragon answered.

"We got to get you home." Cadence said, as they helped him up.

"What about him?" Celestia motioned to Byakko.

"Leave him. We're done." Dragon replied.

Byakko spoke, "Yeah. For now at least. And as a token of respect I'll tell you who sent me after you."

"Who?" Dragon inquired.

"The Mobster Boss Tirek."

"Tirek?" the ladies gasped.

Dragon frowned beneath his mask, "The most notorious mobster in the city has put out a bounty on my head?"

"Yes. After you roughed up his crew the Dragon Gang, he didn't take kindly to what it cost him," Byakko explained, "And be warned, there are others like me who'll be coming after you...and don't be surprised...if they go after those girls."

"Nothing is going to happen to them," Dragon replied with determination, "Believe me when I say that they are too important to me." and with that the girls took their master off.

Byakko continued to lie on the roof and look up at the stars, before speaking to himself, "It's not over between us, Dragon. Rest up...conserve your strength. We will meet again..."

Back at the Lupin penthouse, Spike was sitting down on the couch, as Cadence and Luna patched him up, "Ooh!" Spike groaned.

"Sorry, Master." Cadence apologized.

"Don't worry about it," Spike replied, before Celestia looked at him blankly, "Celly?" what he received was a slap across his face, much to his, Luna, and Cadence's shock. He groaned, "Ok, I had that coming."

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Celestia shouted, as tears poured down her face, "Do you have some kind of death wish or something?!"

"Celly," Spike gasped. It was rare that that thief would see Celestia this emotional.

"How could you have been reckless?! We could have lost you out there! If anything had happened to you I-I..." she couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence. She could only break down and cry into Spike arms as he held her close, along with Luna and Cadence.

"I'm sorry, Celly," Spike said, the gravity of the situation finally weighing on him. He then gave Luna and Cadence an apologetic look and said, "All of you...I'm really sorry. I acted impulsively and foolish tonight. If I had heeded your warnings, I wouldn't have ended up like this. I won't make that mistake again. Next time and every other time after I will not be so careless."

The ladies sighed in relief, glad that their master was safe. Celestia, tears streaming down from her eyes, had wrapped her arms around Spike's chest, holding him and not wanting to let him go. Luna, who along with Cadence tending to Spike's injuries, had wrapped her arms around her masters neck. Cadence had her hands on Spike's cheeks as she looked at him, tears forming as she kissed him softly on the lips.

When the kiss ended, Spike glanced toward the penthouse window, looking at the stars, deep in thought. He knew that stealing treasures was no longer going to be his only focus. If Byakko's warning was anything to go on, Spike's quest may have to be put on hold in favor of protecting his friends and putting an end to Tirek once and for all.