Master Thief Dragon

That night in Tirek's office, the mobster sat at his desk patiently until he saw his intercom light blink. He clicked it and heard his secretary say, “Mr. Tirek, Byakko is here."

“Excellent. Send him in,” Tirek instructed. The waited, until the door opened and stepping in was Byakko who scowled at the sight of the man, “Byakko, old boy. So nice of you to make it.”

“Cut the crap, Tirek. My time is valuable.” Byakko replied coldly.

“So is mine,” Tirek replied, as he cut to the chase, “Now I told you I don't tolerate failure. And you failed in eliminating Dragon.”

“Well, your other hired help didn't do much better.” he retorted.

“I know. Those I gave the chance to all failed, and up until recently more of them dropped out,” Tirek explained, “Luckily I had them taken care of. But recently I sent the Maulers to lay waste to the Apple Farm owned by one of the girls who is close to the thief.”

“Yeah. I heard all about that.” Byakko scowled.

“The Maulers had Dragon, but they failed on account they claimed to have been scared away by some forest monster!” Tirek growled, while clenching his fist.

“And those leather wearing dogs claimed to have been the toughest biker gang in the city?” Byakko mocked, “So have you punished them for their failure?”

“Not yet. That is why I called you back for a chance to redeem yourself.”

“I have nothing to prove towards you.” Byakko frowned.

“Maybe not, but how about for yourself?” Tirek tempted, "Dragon didn't defeat you but you couldn't defeat him. Your pride demands that he dies."

“Go on.” Byakko replied, as he listened.

“We're going to catch Dragon by fueling the flames of doubt in the people.”

“And how?”

“Dragon is now infamous for murdering Louie Kaboom. And that has made him a bigger target now,” Tirek explained, “If the public thinks he's still on a murder spree he'll have no place to hide in the city.”

“Where do I fit in all this?” Byakko inquired.

“The Maulers are in hiding, but I have my spies monitoring their every move. I want you go to one of their hideouts and terminate them.”

“And what makes you think people are going to believe Dragon was responsible for it?” the swordsman questioned.

“Because we're going to plant very crucial evidence of his involvement.” Tirek answered, as he reached into his desk drawer, and placed something on it before sliding it closer.

Byakko looked down and saw it was Dragon's calling card, “This is... Where did you get that?”

“Nice, isn't it? Unfortunately, it's fake. The cops recover all of Dragon's calling cards at the scene of every crime. Fortunately, I have friends in high places that replicated it so it'll fool the public and those badge wearing pigs at the station.”

“You want me to plant this once the job is carried out.”

“Very perceptive,” Tirek smirked, “When Dragon learns of this he will find out who caused this, and that is where you will take him down, and bring me his head. So, do we have a deal?”

Byakko pondered, before answering, “Fine. But when this is over, I expect to be paid double.”

“Agreed. Now, get to work.”

“Done.” Byakko answered, as he pocketed the false card and left the office.

Later on at one the Maulers secret lairs located in a condemned building in Downtown Canterlot, Big John, Desertstorm, Candy Girl, and the rest of their top gang members were lounging about looking bored.

Big John looked out a window and growled, “Dammit! Because of our screw up we have to lay low for who knows how long.”

“Oh, it's so horrible!” Candy Girl cried, as she was downing a tub of ice cream.

“Exactly. We're the toughest gang in town and we're hiding like a bunch of rats.” Desertstorm grumbled.

“Not that!” the girl cried, “My beautiful eye!” she showed her new glass eye in replace of the one Apple Bloom shot out. She clung to Desertstorm, “Stormy, am I still pretty to you?” she batted her eyelashes.

“You're a peach.” he answered dryly.

Candy Girl smiled, “You always know what to say.” she sighed lovingly while clinging to him.

One of the maulers spoke to Big John, “Boss, we can't lay low forever. Our supplies are going to run thin.”

“I know that!” Big John snapped as he slugged him, “I need to think!” he tried to calm down, until his cellphone rang. When he saw the I.D was from one of the other maulers from one of the other factions he looked relieved and answered, “Yes?”

“Boss! We're under attack!” came a frantic cry from the other line.

“Easy, man. What's going on?”

“The gang here is dropping like flies. And the killer is...” he was cut off and only the sounds of crying and screaming could be heard.

“Hello? Hello?!” he hung up, “Maulers! That was Bone Club. Someone's infiltrated the Uptown faction. We got to get over there and help them! Move out!” The Maulers revved up their bikes and rode off for Uptown.

The gang pulled up outside a run down factory. They charged inside and to their horror saw the bodies of the whole faction laying around with blood spilling.

“What the hell?” Big John gasped.

“Who the hell could've done all this?” Desertstorm looked around.

Big John walked past one of the bodies who had his stomach sliced open, and next to the corpse was a cellphone. The boss lifted the body's head up and looked at the fallen member, “Bone Club. Who did this to you?”

“Boss!” one of the maulers called.

Big John got up and went over to one of the members, “What is it?”

“I found this on one of the bodies.” he presented Big John with a card.

Big John took the card and looked at it. When he saw it was the calling card of Dragon, his eyes widened. The cocky image of Dragon giving a peace sign got his blood boiling as if the thief was mocking him.

“What is it, John?” Desertstorm asked.

“Dragon,” he began, before shouting, “DRAGON!”

“What?” Candy Girl asked.

“Dragon murdered everyone here.”

“Are you sure?”a member asked.

“This is his calling card for sure.” Big John showed them the card.

“So he did do this.” another member gasped.

“He killed every single one of our guys here?” Candy Girl asked in fright.

Big John gritted his teeth, “That cocky mask wearing bastard has gone too far! Maulers!” he declared grabbing their full attention, “That thief has declared war on us by murdering our brothers! And if it's a war he wants...It's a war he'll get.”

“What do we do, boss?” Desertstorm asked awaiting instructions.

“Maulers...we lost family today and you know damn well how precious family to us. So we make Dragon feel our pain! We'll take what's precious to him,” Big John explained before announcing, “Tomorrow, we lay waste to Canterlot High!”

The next day around afternoon at Canterlot High, the girls were in the cafeteria enjoying lunch as Rainbow spoke to Twilight, “Have you lost your mind, Twilight?!”

“Rainbow Dash, inside voice.” Twilight cringed while rubbing her ear.

“I can't believe you'd be thinkin' about transferring from CHS to Crystal Prep.” Applejack voiced her disbelief.

“I haven't made my final decision.”

“But the idea you'd even consider it at all is just outrageous.” Rarity said.

“I thought you liked CHS.” Pinkie pouted.

“I do, but Crystal Prep has so much more to offer.”

“Does it offer friends for life?” Rainbow crossed her arms.

“Girls, don't think of this as me walking out on you. We'll still be friends even if I'm at another school.” Twilight promised.

“Um, I can't help but think this whole school transferring is just for you to get away from Ms. Cadenza and Spike.” Fluttershy noted.

“Because it is, darling.” Rarity called it.

“Twilight, what's done is done,” Applejack reminded her, “How long are you going to keep holding onto this grudge?”

“It's not my fault my brother's wife decided to hook up with the boy I’ve had a crush on for years not long after his death.”

“But to do all this out of spite?” Rarity questioned.

“Well, next time someone you looked up to so much decides to go after someone you've had a crush on your whole life come talk to me.” Twilight answered, as she got up and left.

“Well, that didn't go well.” Pinkie said.

“What're we going to do now?” Fluttershy asked.

“Just let her be, Fluttershy,” Applejack suggested, “We really shouldn't force her to do anything.”

Rarity sighed, “It's painful but true. This is her decision to make.”

“I just hope she makes the right one.” Pinkie said looking sad.

Meanwhile, Spike was in the faculty lounge with the rest of the teaching staff. Cadence sat next to him and laid a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, “You did your best, Spike.”

“But it didn't feel like it was enough. If Twilight transfers to another school who knows if she'll ever want to see any of us again.”

“I know. But we must let her make that decision in the end.”

“I'm worried her choice will change the course of everything between all of us.” Spike replied.

Back in the cafeteria, the girls could hear hooting, hollering, and motorcycle engine revving from the open windows. They looked out and saw the Maulers riding onto the school grounds tearing the place up.

“Oh, no.” Applejack paled at the sight of them.

“It's them.” Rainbow gasped.

The Maulers dismounted their cycles and barged right into the building. When a security guard tried to stop them, Big John slugged him in the gut and threw him to the side.

Luna who had been at her laptop in the nurse's office was monitoring the school's security system, and saw the Maulers breaking in and shooting at several security cameras cutting off the connection, “Oh, no. I have to warn Celestia.” she sent an S.O.S message from her phone.

While Celestia was in her office, she saw the S.O.S and immediately alerted everyone through the intercom, “Attention faculty and students! Our school is under attack by a motorcycle gang. This is not a drill!”

In the cafeteria Applejack spoke up, “She's telling the truth, ya'll!”

The students started getting worried, as the country girl continued spoke up, “Everyone, calm down! Everyone head for the school's exit like we've done for drills.”

The students were scared but followed Applejack's instructions and piled out of the cafeteria in a calm but alert fashion heading to the nearest exit.

“What're those ruffians doing here?” Rarity asked.

“Obviously they're here for us,” Applejack reminded her, "Those farm wrecking bastards want to draw out Dragon and they want use us to do it!"

“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked in worry.

“We need to split up and hide.” A.J continued.

“But what about Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Hopefully she's already heading for the exit with the other students.” Applejack answered.

“Then let's break.” Rainbow said, as they scattered.

In the faculty lounge, the teachers left to rendezvous with the students, as Cadence and Spike stuck around. Spike tapped his ear piece, “Celly, Luna, we got to stop these guys before they get to the girls.”

“What do you have in mind, Master?” Celestia asked.

“It's time to put Operation Doppelganger in motion. Celestia, Cadence, you with me?”

“Always.” Cadence confirmed with a nod.

“Luna, keep an eye on the monitors.” Spike ordered.

“Yes, Master.” Luna replied.

Spike dawned his Dragon costume which he had inside his second work bag, and hurried off. Cadence dawned a duplicate version of Spike's Dragon costume, while putting on a wig that matched Spike's. She quickly headed off into the school. Celestia had dawned the same disguise in her office and left to fight off the biker gang.

As Dragon ran through the halls, he was halted by three of the maulers, “You guys decided to finish your high school years?” he joked.

“You've made a big mistake in what you did, Dragon.” one began.

“What did I do?”

“Don't act like you don't know!” one member bellowed.

“No really, I don't.”

“Kill him!” the third shouted, as they ran at dragon while armed with switch blades.

Dragon dodged their swipes, and one by the thief disarmed them and knocked them all out. As he stopped to breathe, a fourth Mauler was running at him from behind, only to slip on an apple that rolled under his foot. When he hit the floor, Dragon spun and saw the biker on his back. When the Mauler tried to get up, Dragon punched him in the face making him fall back down.

The thief looked at the apple on the floor, before looking ahead and saw Applejack hurrying over with a smug smile and said, “You really need to watch your back there, Mr. Thief.”

“I'll admit, an extra pair of eyes is welcomed.” Dragon admitted.

“Those Maulers sure are teed off at you, Spike. ”

“Yeah. They think I did something to warrant this attack.”

“Well, we gotta stop them.” Applejack said.

“I know. Where are the others?”

“We split up to hide, but I'm worried these varmints will find them somehow.”

“Then we have to find them first. Hurry, follow me!” Dragon ran off with Applejack following in tow.

Elsewhere in the theater room, Cadence was doing a clean sweep and found no students left behind, “All clear here, auntie.” she spoke into her ear piece.

“Good,” Luna answered, “The Maulers shot out most of the security cams. But the ones they haven't gotten to yet don't appear to show anyone hiding where they're set up.”

“I'll go rendezvous with Auntie Tia.” Cadence said, but before she could leave two Maulers came out from behind a curtain.

“We got you now, Dragon.” one said.

“You'll pay for what you did to our brothers.” the second added.

“What're you talking about?” Cadence asked with a deep voice.

“Get him!” as they two ran at Cadence a voice called.

“Heads up! The two looked and saw a big sand bag swinging from the ceiling that knocked into the two making them fall and crash into the orchestra pit. Cadence looked down seeing one of them had his head jammed in a tuba horn, and the other was stuck inside a drum.

Cadence looked over and saw Rainbow Dash and Rarity up on the catwalk. The girls came down, as Rarity spoke, “Are you ok?”

“Of course. Thank you, girls.” Cadence answered, as she continued with the charade.

“Guess Dragon got himself some backup.” Rainbow called it.

“What makes you think I'm not the real Dragon?” Cadence challenged.

“We've met the real Dragon, lady,” Rainbow said, as she motioned to the two bulges under Cadence's disguise, “Plus you're not doing a good job hiding those."

“Good point.” the older woman said sheepishly.

“What's happening?” Rarity asked.

Cadence answered, “Dragon is on the case, but we have to find the others.”

“Count on us to help.” Rainbow offered, as Rarity nodded in agreement.

“Then come on.” Cadence said, as they hurried.

Celestia ran down the music hall hearing several maulers up ahead. She stopped and saw to her surprise, was Pinkie Pie who was running circles around the bikers who couldn't even lay a hand on her. Pinkie utilizing her funny cartoon antics made the bikers knock each other out.

“That was fun,” Pinkie grinned, before noticing the disguised Celestia, “Oh, hi, Busty Dragon. I took care of them for you. No biggie.”

Celestia blushed under her mask from the nickname, and answered, “Uh, right. Listen, you're in danger. You have to come with me.”

“Sure thing.” Pinkie answered, as she followed Celestia.

Meanwhile Dragon and Applejack searched the halls for the girls, with the thief getting worried, “No sign of them anywhere.”

They suddenly heard a scream, “That way!” Applejack gasped, as they followed the sound of the scream.

They went inside a classroom to see Fluttershy had one of the Maulers in a headlock and was only tightening her grip.

“Fluttershy, what're you doing?!” Applejack asked in shock.

“This meanie was planning to do so many unspeakable things to one of our girl classmates.” Fluttershy answered, as she growled at the biker.

“I didn't even lay a hand on her!” he cried.

“You were about to!”

“UNCLE! UNCLE!”

“Fluttershy, let him go! He's had enough!” Dragon warned her, before running to her to pry him off, “Killing them won't make anything better. Don't make the same mistake!”

Fluttershy snapped out of her rage and released the guy who panted for air. When he tried to escape, Applejack tackled him by the legs and hogtied his wrists and ankles together like he was a cattle using a lasso she kept on her for emergencies.

“Now that's how ya hogtie a varmint.” she told Dragon and Fluttershy.

Fluttershy gasped, “I can't believe I almost did that again. Dragon, if it weren't for you.”

“Don't worry, Fluttershy. It's over.”

“Not yet it's not.” Celestia answered, as she, Cadence, and the rest of the girls peeked into the classroom.

“What's happened here?” Rainbow asked.

“Fluttershy was almost about to show me how she took care of that one varmint who was after her alone.” Applejack answered.

“What? And we missed it?!” Rainbow asked in disappointment.

“I have no complaints about that.” Rarity replied.

Dragon looked at the girls, “Wait a second, where's Twilight?”

“I thought she got out with the others.” Rarity answered hoping she was right.

“Let's keep covering the school. We need to make sure no other member of the Maulers has anyone else.” Dragon instructed, as they split up again.

Meanwhile, Twilight unfortunately didn't make it out with the students and faculty and was trying to find the closest exit while running down the hall.

As she found one up ahead, she was pulled aside and into a classroom by Candy Girl, “What's the rush, sweetie?” she asked.

Twilight was horrified to see the girl, and even more to see Big John and Desertstorm were in the room as well, “Nice bag, Candy.” Big John commended her.

“This is the groups brainiac.” Desertstorm noted.

“What do you guys want?” Twilight demanded.

“Revenge.” Desertstorm answered.

“What do you mean?”

“Dragon killed our brothers from Uptown, and now we're going to return the gesture.” Big John added.

“Why would Dragon go and kill your gang?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“Because he's a monster!” Candy cried.

“Since we don't have the other girls we'll start with you.” Desertstorm said.

“But before we kill you, we're going to have some fun with you.” Big John smirked.

“Save some for me.” Candy said.

Twilight trembled as the two biker men got closer to her, until a sword pierced right through Big John's heart. The man himself gasped as he fell limp and slid off the sword to reveal Byakko was standing behind him.

“John!” Desertstorm gasped, as he growled and tried to attack the swordsman, only to get his head lopped off.

Candy looked frightened as she saw the head of her man roll across the floor and to her feet. She growled, and looked up at Byakko gritting her teeth, “YOU BASTARD!” she ran to attack Byakko with her mace, only for the swordsman to disarm her and started breaking her arms and legs. With every limb he broke, Candy kept crying in pain.

Byakko could only look at what he had done with a cold, unflinching expression. He let out a sigh as he put his sword back in his scabbard as he looked down at what was left of the Mauler's hierarchy. Byakko shook his head as he used his foot to put Candy Girl on her back, making the girl cry out. He then reached into his pocket, grabbing and envelope and threw it down on the incapacitated Mauler.

Twilight looked horrified at what she witnessed, until Byakko took her hand, “It's not safe here at CHS. Come with me!” he led her off, not giving her a chance to struggle or question him.

Later, Dragon and everyone else met back up in a hallway, “Well, we took out any stragglers of the gang.” Cadence explained.

“But Twilight wasn't with any of them.” Pinkie added.

“In that case we better find her with the others.” Dragon said.

“And we'll have to do it quick,” Celestia added, “By now the police are already on their way.”

They suddenly heard loud crying coming from a room. They entered, and saw the dead bodies of Big John and Desertstorm, which made the girls sick. But they saw Candy Girl on her back crying with her arms and legs broken.

“It's the Mauler slut.” Applejack scowled.

“Who could've done this?” Fluttershy asked, while trying not to look at the dead bodies.

“Look,” Dragon said, as he picked up a message found on Candy. He looked at it and gasped, “Oh, no.”

“Master, what is it?” Cadence asked.

“It's from Byakko.”

“Byakko?” the girls asked in confusion.

“He wants to meet me at Sad Oaks Cemetery tonight, half hour to midnight. He also says Twilight is safe there with him.”

“You mean she was here?” Rainbow asked.

“And she had to witness this?” Rarity asked while motioning to the state of the three maulers.

Dragon answered, “He's wants to settle things. He wants a final duel. But why would he take Twilight?”

“Bastard...both you and that Byakko...both of you bastards,” Candy groaned, as the group looked down at her, “You killed our brothers...he killed Big John and my Stormy....”

"What did you just say?”

“Bet you're all proud of yourself....we burnt down that little farm and you got us back...you might as well kill me, too...that sword boy killed my Stormy and took off with that nerd girl...”

Dragon frowned beneath his mask, ”Now it all makes sense.”

“Master, what'll you do?” Celestia asked.

“I'm going after Byakko and get Twilight back.”

“We're coming with.” Cadence said on behalf of herself and Celestia.

“So are we.” Rainbow added.

“And don't you dare tell us otherwise.” Applejack warned the thief.

“Byakko framed you and took our friend. We're not going to ignore this.” Rarity added.

“Very well.”

“What did they just say?!” Pinkie snapped, “They said we're coming... Wait. Did you agree?”

“I did.”

“Well, there's a surprise.” the party girl said.

“I understand how important Twilight is to you girls. And she needs you now. Let's go to the cemetery.” Dragon said, as he led the way.

Celestia followed behind and spoke to her sister via her ear piece, “Luna, you get all that?”

“Yes, sister. I'll meet up with all of you there.” he collected her laptop and got changed into her own costume before heading off.

Later on it cut to the Sad Oaks cemetery. It was a hillside with hundreds of tombstones that stretched far while in the dead center of it all was a circular clearing.

It was close to the meeting time, as Byakko and Twilight were waiting. Byakko was sharpening his sword, while Twilight sat on the bench confused out of her mind.

“Why bring me here? I don't understand.” she spoke to Byakko.

“You are an extra precaution to ensure Dragon comes.” he answered

“And you really think he will?”

“He came to help your friends, didn't he?” Byakko reminded her.

Twilight couldn't deny it, and spoke, “Still why are you so hung up on Dragon? Does the reward for his capture really mean that much to you?”

“The reward is for his head, Ms. Twilight. Your friend has angered a very powerful man and he wishes to see him dead. Aside from that matter, I wish to finish our match. And this time a winner will be decided.” he promised.

"His head," Twilight trembled, "So what you did to those Maulers-

"Will happen to Dragon, Ms. Twilight. I'll admit it will be a sad moment when he's gone. Not since my father have I had good challenge to my skill. But business is business and I need to carry it out. Can't let the fact that he's a good man get in the way."

"A good man?" wondered Twilight.

"When Dragon and I met for our first fight, I found out how much you and your friends mean to him. Believe me Twilight, he will fight with everything he has."

The two looked across the cemetery and saw Dragon, his servants, and the girls marching over, “Showtime,” Byakko told Twilight, as the thief and his group arrived, “Dragon, right on time.”

“Let Twilight go, Byakko.” Dragon ordered.

“Of course.” Byakko permitted her to go, as she ran to her friends hugging them.

“Are you alright, darling?” Rarity asked in concern.

“You're not hurt are ya?” Applejack asked in worry.

“I'm ok.”

Dragon spoke to the swordsman, “All this just to get to me? You killed half a motorcycle gang just to draw me out?”

“Actually, that was all Tirek's idea. I have to admit it was a clever way to lure you out.” Byakko admitted.

“You framed Dragon for their deaths causing the Maulers to attack our school just so you can kill two of them and lead Dragon to meet you.” Rarity accused.

“I do regret putting you girls in danger. It was never my intention.” Byakko expressed his guilt.

“Well, I'm here now. Just like you wanted.” Dragon presented himself.

“Yes. Which means we can finally settle things,” Byakko answered, as he looked around, “Fitting our final brawl takes place in a cemetery. It will be an honor to bury you here once this is over.”

“We'll see.” Dragon replied.

The two went into the clearing, as Byakko drew his sword, as the ladies took the girls to a safe distance. In an instant, Dragon attacked Byakko head on, while dodging the sword slashes.

“I've waited over a month for this, Dragon. Give me the challenge I desire.”

“You asked for it.” Dragon answered, as he whipped out two ninja stars and threw them close to Byakko's feet.

The stars exploded releasing a smokescreen, and Dragon punched Byakko making him drop his sword. The two engaged hand to hand, as the girls were cheering the thief on.

“Come on, Dragon!” Rainbow cheered.

“Give it all ya got!” Applejack called.

“We know you can do it!” Fluttershy cheered.

“Knock 'em out!” Pinkie declared.

“We believe in you!” Rarity called.

Twilight remained silent, as she watched the two men fight it out. She was still confused by what Byakko said about Dragon. What did he know about the thief that she and her friends didn't know.

As the thief and swordsman continued to exchange blows, Dragon recalled how he fought with Byakko during his tour on Crystal Prep Academy. Utilizing what he learned from their match that day, the thief blocked more of Byakko's strikes, before slugging him in the gut. Byakko recoiled, and dragon grabbed the swordsman and threw him over his shoulder making him crash on the ground.

“Yeah!” Pinkie and Applejack cheered.

“Aw, yeah! Dragon wins, one-nothing!” Rainbow declared.

Dragon walked over to Byakko who was facing away from him, “You fought well, but this match is mine.”

“Not yet!” Byakko rolled over and threw a smoke bomb in Dragon's face. When the bomb released smoke, the thief was distorted and left him wide open to an attack from Byakko. Now it was the swordsman's turn to give the thief a barrage of strikes.

Dragon tried to defend himself, but thanks to the smoke bomb to the face didn't have fast reflexes to block the first couple of strikes and just took blow after blow. Still he wasn't going down so easily. As Byakko got close to Dragon, the thief used the flamethrower in the mouth of his mask to ward the swordsman back. Byakko shook off the heat and fought Dragon again, nailing him in the gut and knocked him to the ground.

“I commend you on your loyalty, Dragon. Not everyone go out of their way to protect six girls like you do. They truly mean the world to you.”

“You have no idea what they are to me.”

“True, I did not. But now I do,” Byakko answered, “After our fight that night, I kept vigil over the rest of the mercs Tirek had hired. I learned a lot by watching you fight, Dragon. But also a lot more by watching the girls you protected.”

The girls hearing this were surprised, “You've been what?” Applejack asked in shock.

“How did we not notice?” Rarity wondered.

“I know a bit about keeping a low profile and disguises,” Byakko answered, and continued, “Anyway, I noticed how each of them interacted with each other and their classmates. But one person who they enjoyed spending time with the most was a young man named Spike Lupin. A young history professor at CHS, who I knew had to keep his relationship with them professional while on school grounds. And yet there were moments I saw how he'd fondly look at them, like he didn't mind the attention the girls were giving him. You might say his dedication to the girls as a teacher and a friend are similar to how much you, Dragon, are willing to go through to keep them safe.”

The girls were confused by where Byakko was going with this, while Applejack got nervous. Even Celestia and Cadence were nervous for their master's secret being exposed.

“What really clinched it was the whole Louie Kaboom incident That really showed how far you would go just to protect these girls.”

“There's no way you could've seen what happened there.” Dragon said.

“True. I didn't witness what truly happened that day, but contrary to what the police say, you don't have it in you to kill,” Byakko said, as Fluttershy got scared, “I recalled at our first meeting about what you said in regarding your connection with the girls. That you would do anything to protect them. And protecting Fluttershy from a murder rap confirmed it all.”

“What is he trying to say?” Rainbow asked not getting it.

“I know who you really are, Dragon.” Byakko said, as he grabbed his sword and aimed it right at Dragon.

The girls were frightened, until Applejack screamed, “NO!” she ran from her friends and shielded Dragon from Byakko.

“Move, Applejack.” Byakko ordered.

“Please! Don't kill him,” she pleaded with tears in her eyes, “He may be a thief, but he's done so much for me and my family! It may have been my family's hard work that got us to where we are today, but Dragon helped us get our start and I will always be thankful for that!” Dragon was confused, but knew it had something to do with one of his ancestors.

Byakko looked at Applejack and saw it in her eyes, “You know who he is too, don't you?”

“Huh?” the girls asked in confusion.

Applejack said nothing, as Byakko continued, “Well, then why don't you tell your friends who he really is?” Applejack remained silent, not wanting to break her promise. The swordsman then leaped over Applejack and with great force, stomped on Dragon's chest. The thief let out a scream, the pain too great for him to bear.

Byakko knelt down and pulled of Dragon's mask, revealing him to the women in attendance

“WHAT?!” the girls gasped when they saw who it was.

Byakko looked down at Dragon with a cold smirk and said, "Can't deny it now, Spike Lupin!”

Spike looked over and realized everyone could see his face, “Spike?” Twilight gasped.

“Spikey-Wikey?” Rarity asked.

“It was you?” Rainbow asked in disbelief.

“I don't believe it.” Fluttershy had her hands to her mouth.

“Wow. For once I did not see that coming.” Pinkie said in shock.

“Girls.” Spike groaned, until they heard the sound of a car door opening and closing.

They looked over and saw walking from a limousine was Tirek, “Tirek?” Byakko asked.

Spike looked over and saw him, 'So that's him.' he thought.

“Well-well. Quite a entourage. Six teenage girls, three lovely ladies, a swordsman, and... an unmasked Dragon.” he smirked.

“I'll give you his head in a moment,” Byakko said, “Have you brought my money?”

“Actually, Byakko, I'm making an alteration to our deal.”

“What?”

“I'll be taking Dragon off your hands now. I have something special in mind for him.” the mobster explained.

Byakko frowned, “Well, what about my money?"

"You'll get your money."

"Get away from him!" Rainbow shouted, as she tried to run at Tirek, only for the mobster to grab a thick branch from a tree and rip it off without even struggling.

"Whoa nelly." Applejack gasped.

“You didn't think I was just some gangster who sat on his ass all day, did you?” he looked over seeing Celestia, Luna, and Cadence approach, “As for you three. I brought in my own personal security to handle you.” appearing all around were multiple goons carrying guns pointed at the ladies and the girls. Rainbow seeing this stood down knowing even she couldn't take them.

“Now then, one move and you're all Swiss cheese,” Tirek ordered, as he grabbed Spike by the back of his jacket and lifted him up, “Dragon and I have business to attend to.”

“Spike!” the girls cried.

“Spike, huh?” Tirek looked at the young man, “Well, Spike. You and I are gonna have a little chat.” he dragged the thief to the limo, as the security followed, making sure to keep their guns on the group. When they entered the limo, it drove off leaving the group shocked and sad.

“I can't believe it.” Fluttershy gasped.

“Did that just happen?” Rainbow asked in disbelief.

“That ruffian just took Spike!” Rarity cried.

“I don't believe this.” Twilight gasped.

“Master.” the ladies cried beneath their masks.

Applejack stood sobbing softly, cursing herself for failing Spike, death be damned. She fell to her knees and screamed to the heavens in tears, which echoed throughout the cemetery.