Master Thief Dragon

It was Saturday morning at Spike's place. The young professor/thief was sitting in his arm chair watching the news. The talk of the town was Dragon's change from Thief to Murderer. A week had passed since Spike had taken the fall for Fluttershy as Dragon tarnishing the reputation of thief with murder and where once he had a standing fan base of people who worshiped him now saw him as a killer.

He kept his eyes glued to the TV, until Celestia came by with tea on a tray, "Your tea, Master."

"Thank you, Celestia." Spike answered, as he took a cup that Celestia poured tea into.

Luna walked by and saw what her master was watching. She sighed before speaking to her superior, "Master, you really shouldn't be watching this constantly."

"Why not? I took the fall and now I'm witnessing the end results." Spike replied.

"But the more you keep watching these reports the more we fear how it'll affect your confidence or self esteem." Luna warned him.

"It's hardships and pain such as this that makes me stronger." he answered.

"We just don't want you to take this too hard you end up slipping up next time you go out," Celestia noted, "And truth is we don't think you should be going out as Dragon for a while."

"It's been a week, Celly. Tirek hasn't made a move against any of the girls since then. But he won't remain dark forever. So I have to get back out there and monitor the city. Even if Iron Will and the entire Police Force are watching." he squinted his eyes seriously.

Meanwhile at the Sweet Apple Acres Apple farm, Applejack and her family was sitting at their kitchen table enjoying breakfast. They were also watching the news on their little TV inside the kitchen. As the news of Dragon now being labeled a murder kept repeating by the reporters, Applejack frowned knowing she was right about him being untrustworthy all along.

Suddenly the TV was turned off by their grandma, "Hey, Granny Smith, I was watching that!" Applejack argued.

"I'm tired of listening to them folks yammer on about Dragon like that," Granny Smith voiced her disgust, "Honestly, the media these days exaggerate too much."

"Exaggerate?" Applebloom wondered

"Granny, what're you talking about?" Applejack asked in confusion.

"They're all talking about the bad part of what happened instead of looking at the bigger picture."

"Where is there a bigger picture in all this?" Applejack argued.

"Dragon may have murdered that varmint, but he still saved your friends life. That should count for plenty."

"But he still murdered a person. Regardless of his intentions." Applejack continued.

Granny Smith sighed, "Applejack, you've gotta stop living under this belief that the world is black and white. Because whether ya see it or not there's always a gray line."

Applejack turned to her brother, "Big Mac, you can't believe a word Granny is sayin' right?"

"Uh... Actually, A.J, I have to side with her." Big Mac answered.

"What?!"

"While I don't approve of what he did, he did save your friends life after all and you as well." Big Mac reminded her.

"I know, but what if he comes back looking for a favor from Fluttershy or the rest of my friends?" She asked.

"The more you keep second guessing or making these excuses to believe, Applejack, the more you're not gonna be able to trust anybody." Granny Smith warned her.

Applejack thought about what Granny Smith was telling and started getting more conflicted. She got up and spoke, "I need some time to think." she went out the door.

"Will Applejack be alright, Granny?" Applebloom asked in concern.

"Don't you worry non, Applebloom. Applejack's just learning that some people aren't as bad as they seem." Granny Smith assured her.

Applejack had left the farm and headed out to the city. She rode on a red motorcycle that was once owned by her mom. She drove around still deep in thought about what her grandma said, 'I know I said I'd never trust a thief. But he saved me and my friends twice, and took the fall for Fluttershy. Why am I still trying to deny Dragon isn't bad?' she looked and saw the cemetery and decided to go there.

She drove through the cemetery before parking her bike, and walked up a hill before stopping in front of two burial plots. She knelt down and looked at the names reading 'Bright Mac' and 'Pear 'Buttercup' Butter'. She spoke to them, "Ma. Pa. It's good to see ya. I know I haven't been by as of late, but I just had to come today. I got so much on my mind right now it's making me crazy. I always believed that everything was all about right and wrong and that the ends don't always justify the means. But lately I've been having second thoughts about someone I thought I knew everything about. But suddenly I'm starting to think maybe I didn't know as much as I thought I did about him."

Not far from Applejack, Spike was also in the cemetery kneeling before two burial plots as well. It belonged to his parents 'Simon Lupin' and 'Clarissa Lupin née Templar'.

He prayed and spoke, "Hey, you guys. I know I haven't been around in awhile. Family business is time consuming. Then again you'd already know that," he joked, but quickly dropped the humor, "The family business has been the pride of the Lupin family, but I'm afraid it's taken a bad turn. I took a big fall for a friend of mine and now Dragon is labeled a murderer. I tried so hard to keep it strictly business but I couldn't just let anything happen to my friends. They mean everything to me. Even more than a reputation. I don't know how I'm gonna even be able to carry on the legacy with all that's going on. But I will, for our family, and for the safety of my friends. I hope you can understand that." He got up and saw not far from him was Applejack praying to who he knew was her own family. He decided to walk over and talk to her.

Applejack was so deep in thought about her problems she didn't realize someone was behind her, until her name was called out, "Applejack?"

Applejack snapped out of her thoughts and looked behind her and saw Spike, "Spike? What're you doin' here?"

"Came to pay my respects to my parents. You?"

Applejack smiled, "Same here."

Spike knelt beside Applejack and paid some respect to her parents, "I'm sure your parents would be very proud to see how you've turned out, A.J."

"Thanks. Yours would definitely be proud of you too. A young professor with a degree in history. How many your age can boast about that?" Applejack laughed.

"True." Spike agreed.

The two got up and sat down on a nearby bench to relax. They had been silent for the most part, until Applejack spoke up deciding to get some answers, "Hey, Spike?'

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?" she inquired.

"Of course."

"Do you believe that the ends justify the means?" A.J asked.

Spike was taken aback by her question, but knew it had to do with his latest escapade as Dragon. Going into teacher mode, he answered, "I'd like to believe they do. I mean people do questionable things every day. Sometimes they seem like bad decisions or ideas, but sometimes they can be for the greater good of people and the world," Applejack listened in, "I don't believe the world is just black and white. Sometimes something that looks like it could be a good idea can end up being bad somewhere down the line, but something that looks like it could lead to disastrous results could actually be a lot better than other results. We can't always tell what is right and wrong, and have to trust our guts."

'Trust my gut.' Applejack pondered on in her thoughts.

"I hope this was of some help to you, Applejack." Spike said.

"Actually, it kinda was." Applejack admitted.

"Well, I better get going. I got some things I need to take care of." Spike got off the bench.

"See ya later, Spike," A.J said, as Spike walked off leaving her to herself, "Trust in my guts, huh? Well, I hope my gut instinct is right and Dragon really isn't as bad as I made him out to be." she got up and went back to her motorcycle and rode off.

Meanwhile at Tirek's office, the mobster was at meeting with the Mauler boss Big John, "I hear your big time mercenaries have pulled out of the deal" the biker boss said with a smirk.

"Most of them, unfortunately. But I made sure those who did were dealt with in case they decided to go blabbing about me to the cops." Tirek assured.

"You never leave any trace, do you?" Big John asked.

"It's a talent," Tirek shrugged, "And I bet that you and your lot have been itching to take a crack at catching Dragon."

"Just say the word, boss," the biker boss said as he cracked his knuckles, "Even with that murder rap, Dragon can't hide forever."

"How very true, Big John. You and your gang have proven very loyal to me. Because of that, I've decided that you and your Maulers will be the latest hunters to bring Dragon to me, as well as take prisoner one of the other girls we've yet to go after." Tirek instructed.

"Thank you, Mr. Tirek. We will not let you down."

"For your sake, you better not. As far as everyone is concerned, Dragon is willing to kill. Show him the same courtesy."

"As you wish. So who else are we looking for?"

"This girl here." Tirek dropped a file on Applejack on the desk.

Big John looked the file over and gasped, "Her family makes the famous Apple Cider? That stuff is to die for. Candy Girl once downed half a pack. She was so wasted she went streaking outside... In the rain." he laughed.

Tirek looked disturbed, "I didn't need to know that. You and your gang have your orders. Now go," Big John bowed his head and took his leave. Tirek got up from his seat and looked out his window to view the city, "Dragon, I don't care if you've decided to step over the line because in the end you'll be sorry you did."

Later on at an old building occupied by the Maulers, Big John was standing above Desertstorm, Candy Girl, and the many other members of the gang, "My fellow Maulers! Tirek has finally given us a chance to bring that freak thief Dragon down!"

"Yeah!" the Maulers cheered.

"As you well know, Dragon's crossed the line and killed one of the bosses hired help. You know what I say to that!? So what! We've taken more lives than that glorified thief ever will. Tirek expects us to bring him in and he doesn't care in what condition. But Dragon alone isn't our only target. We are also to bring him the Apple Family girl alive, so let's keep it clean around her. And if she doesn't make it easy...rough her up a little. You know what I'm talking about, right? Got that?!"

"Yeah!" the Maulers cheered.

"Then get your bikes ready. We're going hunting." Big John finished, as the Maulers left to get their cycles ready.

Big John came down to Desertstorm and Candy Girl, "It's about time Tirek gave us a shot." Desertstorm began.

"I know. I was getting uber bored." Candy Girl complained, while eating from a bucket of ice cream.

"This'll be the biggest hit of our lives, you two," Big John began, "We pull this off we'll be getting a big, fat paycheck from the boss. Not only that, we won't be just another biker gang. We'll be known as the army that that broke the Dragon. So let's put our war faces on and clip Dragons wings."

"Can I clip his tail?" Candy Girl asked hopefully.

"You know he doesn't literally have a tail?" Desertstorm reminded her.

"Oh, doesn't he?" Candy Girl asked while motioning below the boys belt lines.

Desertstorm looked disturbed upon realizing what she meant, "Girl, sometimes you're too crazy."

"I love you too." Candy Girl batted her eyes at him.

"Alright you can bang later. Right now we need to get ready." Big John ordered the couple who left to get their rides ready.

That night at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was still out in the city which at that point had her family worried.

"Applejack's been gone a long time, Granny." Applebloom expressed her worry.

"She knows the way, Applebloom. Besides that child needs the alone time what with she and her friends have been going through." the elder woman answered.

"Still it's not safe to be out in the city this late."

"Don't worry, sis. Applejack can take of herself," Big Mac assured her, "Why I'll bet she's on her way home right now," he suddenly heard the sound of a motorcycle in the distance from an open window, "See?"

"Thank goodness." Applebloom said in relief.

Suddenly as the sound got closer they could hear the sounds of more motorcycle engines, and the sounds of hootin' and hollerin', "That don't sound right." Big Mac said, as the three looked out the window and saw in the distance a whole gang of bikers riding in their direction.

"A biker gang!" Applebloom gasped, "Granny, what do we do?"

Granny Smith squinted, "What we Apples always do when some varmints come around our land lookin' to start trouble. Big Mac, bring out the big ones."

"On it." Big Mac went to the living room.

"Applebloom, get that there B.B gun of yours." Granny Smith ordered.

"Sure thing." Applebloom ran for her room.

Big Mac moved the sofa and opened up one of the floorboards like a hidden panel. Hidden underneath the board was a couple of shot guns and ammunition. He tossed one to Granny Smith and asked, "You sure you remember how to use that?"

Granny cocked the gun, "Trust me, Big Mac. I'll never forget how to use this."

The Maulers were riding down the path to Sweet Apple Acres, before pulling up at the entrance. They parked their bikes and got off armed with chains, knives, and guns. They approached the barn and the house, before Big John called out, "Jacqueline Daniels! Come out here!"

The door to the house was kicked open and out came Granny and Big Mac armed with their shotguns, and Applebloom carrying her B.B gun, "She ain't home right now," Big Mac began, "And you varmints are trespassin' on private property!"

"Ya'll best skidaddle on out of here if ya know what's good for ya!" Granny Smith warned them.

The Maulers didn't look the least bit intimidated, as Candy Girl spoke, "Ooh, big old lady's talkin' tough."

"Too bad we're tougher." Desertstorm said.

"Maulers, take 'em!" Big John shouted, as the Maulers started running for the house with their weapons ready, until Big Mac, Granny, and Applebloom started opening fire at their feet.

Big John pulled out a double barrel shotgun and started opening fire at the three who took cover while firing back. Desertstorm was using a machine gun and ended up breaking the house windows.

Big John called to some of the other Maulers, "Boys, let's show these country folk we mean business!"

Several of the Maulers pulled out molotov cocktails and lit the fabric on fire before throwing them at several apple trees, "No! Our beautiful apple trees!" Applebloom cried, as the trees started going up in flames.

"You'll pay for that!" Big Mac shouted, as he took a shot at one of the molotovs held by one of the bikers. When the bottle shattered the fluid ignited the flames setting the one biker on fire.

"Son of a bitch!" he screamed, as he ran around leaving fiery footprints before dropping to the ground and started rolling to try and put it out.

As Granny and Big Mac tried holding the Maulers off, Applebloom reached for her phone and made a call, "Come on, pick up." she pleaded.

Applejack was currently parked outside a 7/11 heard her phone ring, "Hello? Applebloom? Wait slow down I can't understand ya. Wait, what?! Hang tight I'm on my way!" she hung up and looked in the distance with determination. She revved up her biker and took off ignoring the speed limit.

Meanwhile Spike was still out in the city atop a roof doing some exercises, until his phone rang, "What's up, Lulu?"

"Master, we got trouble!"

"Calm down, and tell me what's wrong?" Spike calmed her.

"I just recorded a call to Applejack from her sister. Bikers have invaded Sweet Apple Acres."

"What?" he gasped.

"And I'm looking at satellite footage of the land now. The trees are up in flames!"

"Get the fire department over there, Lulu," Spike quickly dawned his costume and hurried off, "Whether she likes it or not, Dragon's coming to her rescue."

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, the Maulers continued to trash the farm, "Burn it all to the ground!" Big John shouted, as the Maulers threw more molotovs at the house setting it on fire, and one landed in the barn which set all the bales of hay on fire which spread rapidly.

The Apples were devastated to see their family home and barn were set on fire, but they had to get away from the burning house. They used a wagon as cover as they continued to try and ward off the bikers. Applebloom looked over and saw Candy Girl wielding a mace shaped like a lollipop was busting up all the animal pens letting the animals run wild and scared.

The crazy biker chick laughed wildly, before spotting a pig separated from the others,"Ooh, looks like I'm having ham hocks!"

"Hey, you!" Applebloom screamed.

Candy Girl looked over, and Applebloom aimed her B.B gun at her and took a shot. The B.B nailed Candy Girl directly at her right eye. The biker girl screamed, as she covered her right eye, "She shot my eye! THE LITTLE BRAT SHOT MY EYE OUT!" she growled at the younger girl and pulled out her own gun, "I'm gonna blow your brains all over this farm!"

"Yee-haw!" a lasso suddenly ensnared Candy Girl's shooting arm and pulled away causing her to miss.

They looked seeing Applejack holding the end of the lasso, "No one threatens my family!"

"Boss, it's the girl!" one of the Maulers called.

"I can see that, dumb-ass!" Big John answered.

"You varmints are gonna pay for what you did to our farm!" Applejack warned them in rage.

"Nice of you to join our little family barbecue," Big John mocked, "Now how's about you come with us? I promise we'll treat you real nice." he, Desertstorm, and Candy aimed their guns at her, until three ninja stars nailed their guns and exploded damaging the weapons.

"Where'd that come from?" Applebloom asked in confusion.

The group looked over and saw Dragon standing on a branch of one of the remaining trees that hadn't caught fire.

"Dragon!" The Apple family gasped.

"Huh?" Applejack was shocked.

"You biker pricks are gonna pay for what you did here!" Dragon jumped down and started fighting the Maulers. He dodged several switchblade stabs, and suddenly got both his arms lassoed by two chains held by two bikers. He smirked and tugged the two chains hard bringing the bikers closer so he was able to clonk their heads together.

Desertstorm whipped out a pair of military knives and tried cutting him. Dragon dodged the blades, before grabbing Storm and threw him into the mud puddle of the pigsty.

"No one does that to my man!" Candy Girl swung her mace at Dragon who dodged, and tripped her making her land in the horse trough filled with water.

Big John armed with brass knuckles engaged the thief, "Don't think because you're a killer now you're more dangerous than us."

"I've always been dangerous." Dragon answered, as he caught Bog John's fist and made him punch himself. He looked over seeing there were still too many bikers, and they were all looking to attack Applejack.

"Applejack, there are too many! Run!" Dragon shouted.

"Do as he says, Applejack!" Granny Smith shouted, as she and the others continued to shoot at some bikers.

Applejack listened to her grandma and jumped on her bike before riding off. Big John got up and called to his bikers, "Get her!" Some of the bikers took off after her on their own bikes.

"Applejack!" Applebloom cried. Dragon said nothing as he went after her on his glider.

He flew along side A.J who spoke, "Got any ideas on how we lose these varmints!?"

"Let's head for the Everfree Forest! We'll split up there and meet back in half an hour!" he answered.

"That place is a maze! You'll get lost in there!" Applejack warned him.

"Trust me! I will find you!" Dragon promised. Applejack decided to trust him and rode off deep into the Everfree Forest, while Dragon flew above the place. The Maulers followed on their bikes into the forest to find A.J.

Half an hour later inside the forest, Applejack was laying low under a fallen tree trunk with her bike as the bikers were searching around, "Damn this forest is like a maze." one of the bikers said.

"Everfree has a reputation for being the forest many have gotten lost in." another said.

"We've been in here for half an hour and we haven't seen or heard word of the Apple girl." a third put in.

Dragon had caught up with them and stuck to the trees figuring the Maulers were wandering aimlessly through the forest. Using his knowledge of the layout of the forest to his advantage he jumped from tree to tree making rustling sounds.

The Maulers looked all around hearing the rustling, but due to the darkness couldn't see anything, "Where is it?" one asked.

"I don't know."

"So shoot everything!"

One of the Maulers opened fire at all the trees hoping to hit something. Suddenly Dragon ended up taking a bullet graze to the leg he tripped and fell out of the tree, "It's him!" one called.

"Grab him!" another shouted, as the surrounded Dragon and pulled him up to his feet.

"Once we bring you back to Tirek your heads gonna be hanging in his office." one told him.

"But before we do that we're gonna have some fun."

Applejack acted quick by picking up a stump and threw it at one of the Maulers. Before the bikers could turn around, Dragon dropped a smoke grenade that enveloped them all in smoke. The Maulers coughed and stumbled around in the smoke, while Dragon got himself free and got out of the smoke.

"Applejack, follow me!" he called, as he led Applejack down a path in the forest.

When the smoke cleared, the bikers saw no sign of the thief, "Shit he's gone!"

"Now what?"

"Let's split up and look around." one ordered, as they split up into three groups.

As Applejack followed Dragon, he spoke, "Let's take this path." he motioned down a right path.

"What makes you an expert on where we should go?" A.J asked.

"You wanna argue or get discovered?" Dragon questioned, as he showed her the way.

The two trekked through the forest before finding a cave, "See? Perfect for cover." the thief said.

"Good a place as any." Applejack admitted, as they stopped inside the cave to hide.

"I'll keep watch." Dragon offered.

"What? No way, you've done enough already I don't need you stickin' your neck out anymore so ya can ask me for a favor in return." Applejack argued.

"I'm not doing this for any favors! I'm doing it to keep you alive!" Dragon argued back sternly, making A.J back off.

So Dragon kept watch by the cave entrance while making sure to stay in the shadows so no one would see him. As Applejack waited, she looked around the cave while recalling a memory from when she, Spike, and Rarity got lost in the forest when they were younger

A younger A.J, Rarity, and Spike were trekking through the forest with Rarity keeping close to Applejack and Spike, "Oh, I don't like this forest. Why did we come in here anyway?"

"Because ya wanted to prove ya weren't scared." Applejack reminded her.

"Well, I take it back. I am scared!" Rarity panicked.

"Rarity, keep it down!" Spike shushed her, "I'm trying to concentrate."

"On what?" A.J asked.

"While you two were bickering I've actually been marking this path we've been on with clues to help me remember."

"How come you didn't tell us?" Rarity asked.

"You two never gave me a chance, because you were too busy arguing," Spike answered dryly, as the two girls felt embarrassed. Spike looked ahead and found a cave, "Look, we'll use this as shelter." the three went to the save to rest in. Applejack and Rarity were huddled close to Spike in fear of being lost forever. Spike remained strong for their sake until help arrived.

Applejack recalled how the path to this spot was known only to Spike and he never divulged the secret to her or Rarity. Upon realizing that piece of knowledge she looked over at Dragon in shock, 'No. It can't be. It just can't.' she thought in shock.

Dragon kept close watch of the terrain, until he heard the Maulers bikes revving, "They're getting close. If they find us both we're done. Here's the plan. I'm gonna draw their attention and lead them away."

Applejack looked over at Dragon and spoke, "You what?"

"They want me more than you. So I'm giving them what they want. Don't leave the cave for any reason." Dragon left the entrance to find the Maulers.

As the Maulers rode around looking for their prey, Dragon appeared before them, "Come and get me you brain dead assholes!" he started running.

The Maulers followed Dragon on their bikes, as one member lassoed his leg with a chain link and tripped him. They got off their bikes and surrounded him. One picked him up, and spoke, "Now where were we? Oh, yes. We're gonna beat you so hard no one will recognize you."

Suddenly one of the biker's phones rang, and he answered it, "Yeah, boss?"

"Do you have Dragon or the girl?" Big John's voice came.

"We got the thief, but the girl's nowhere to be found."

"Leave her then. We have our Prize. Do what you wish with him...but keep him alive."

"We're on it." the Mauler said, as they chained Dragon up and rode back the way they came. Applejack watched, as the bikers rode off, and frowned before going after them.

Close to the forest entrance, the Maulers had chained Dragon to a tree in a clear section, as Big John, Desertstorm, and Candy Girl arrived, while the rest of the Maulers stayed behind to deal with the Apple Family.

Big John looked at the captured thief, "My-my, so this is what it's come to? The baddest thief in the city chained up and ready for an ass beatin'."

"Beat me all you want, because I can take far worse than you can throw." Dragon answered.

"Ok, guys, let's see if he can last the night." Big John said, as Storm and Candy Girl smirked eagerly for some payback.

They all began beating the shit out of Dragon, as Applejack watched from behind a bush in horror, "How can he take so many hits?" she asked in disbelief. She knew she had to help him, but didn't know what to do. She suddenly looked at some broken branches with bushes of leaves on them and an idea came to mind.

After taking so many hits from the Maulers, Dragon looked like he was beaten to death, "That felt good." one of the Maulers said.

Big John lifted Dragon's head up, and spoke, "And now let's see who you really are underneath that mask of yours." he was about to rip the mask off, until suddenly the Maulers heard growling and roaring coming from around them.

"What the hell is that?" one biker asked.

"Sounds mean." another said.

"LOOK!" Candy Girl screamed, as they saw approaching them was a monster made of leaves and branches.

"What the hell is that thing?!" one of the bikers panicked, as the monster got closer forcing them to back away from the captured thief.

"I don't wanna wait and find out!" one of the Maulers cried, as he got on his bike and took off making the others follow.

"Hey, get back here, you cowards!" Big John screamed, as Desertstorm spoke.

"Boss, we're just about out of ammo. And the cops are probably on their way to the farm by now!"

"But Dragon's right there!" Big John reminded them.

"Boss, I can't stand wandering around with one eye any longer. We need to go!" Candy girl pleaded.

Big John looked at the monster and Dragon before swallowing his pride and spoke, "We're not finished here." they took off on their bikes and fled.

Once they were gone, the monster stopped growling and revealed itself to be Applejack wearing leaves and holding two branches like they were arms, "That theater class really paid off." she said to herself, before going over to Dragon and freed him.

Dragon groaned, as he held onto the tree for support, "Applejack, I owe you my life," But the thief didn't an answer from her. All he got was an angry expression, "Applejack?"

"It all makes sense now."

"What does?" he asked in confusion.

"All this time ya had me and everyone else fooled. And it was right there in front of us!" she shouted.

"What're you talking about?"

"I know who you are, Dragon. Or should I say... Professor Lupin."

Dragon was shocked at her claim, but tried to keep the farce up, "You sure none of the Maulers hit you in the head, lady?"

"Cut the bullshit...Spike Lupin. I know it's you," Applejack continued, "Only you know the path to the cave. So how is it Dragon would know it too?"

The thief mentally gasped to himself upon realizing. He was so caught up in trying to keep Applejack and himself alive he didn't realize he blew his cover, "Fess up, Spike." Applejack demanded.

Dragon seeing no way to lie out of it and not having the strength to make a quick escape had no other option. He reached for his mask and removed it to reveal his face to her, "Hey, A.J."

"So it is true." Applejack squinted.

"I know this looks bad, but-" Spike tried to explain, until Applejack cut him off.

"How could I have been so stupid? The way you behaved, why you sought to protect each of us from being targeted. How did we not figure it out earlier?"

"I'm just that good?" he tried to joke.

Applejack frowned, "Do I look like I'm in a joking mood?! Do you have any idea what you've done? Because of you, our friends and I are being targeted by hitmen! My family could've gotten killed! Our livelihood...dammit, Spike!"

"I saved your lives, what else was I supposed to do?!" Spike argued back.

"You wouldn't have to if ya weren't a thief to begin with! I thought I knew ya, Spike. I thought we all knew ya. But it looks like we were so far from the truth. You even swooped in and took Ms. Cadenza as soon as Shining Armor died! Have you no shame!? Does she even know what kind of a man you are!?"

"Applejack, there's a lot about me you truly don't understand."

"What is there to understand, Spike?! What else do I need to hear!? From where I'm standing, you're nothing but a lying, two faced snake!" Applejack poured her pent up anger out, tears in her eyes.

Spike was deeply hurt by the bombs Applejack was dropping on him, but knew she was right. He suddenly groaned, as he clutched onto the tree to keep himself standing. Before Applejack could say another word, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence dropped in wearing masks and grabbed their master.

"Hey, where are you taking him?!" Applejack demanded, "I'm not through with him!"

"Our master requires medical attention. And you have someplace else to be." Celestia warned her, as they activated their own gliders and flew off with Spike.

Applejack knowing she was right let go of her new-found hatred of Spike and went back to retrieve her bike and rode back home. When she arrived she saw the cops were around questioning Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applebloom, while the firemen were busy putting out the flames on what was left of the Apple Family house and barn. She looked at the buildings in sadness as if a part of her died within that fire.