The Dragon Knight of Canterlot City

As the students were being let out at Everfree Academy, they were heading home, or heading for their clubs. Spike had just left Principal Celestia's office, and started walking the hall with Drakon at his side.

“I can't believe the principal wanted to check on you.” the dragon spirit sighed.

“Hey, as the newest student here she just wants to make sure I'm getting used to the place.” Spike replied.

“Maybe, but part of me thinks she holds these meetings with you as an excuse to see you more.” Drakon chuckled.

“Drakon!” Spike chided with a blush on his face.

“I'm just saying, with your looks you attract attention from just about anyone.”

Spike rolled his eyes before passing the clubs rooms and looked inside one of them being the art room. And among the students inside doing artwork, one was Sunset Shimmer painting a countryside landscape. Curious about the bacon haired girl, Spike entered while making sure not to startle her or anybody else in the middle of painting.

When Sunset put her brush down, she sighed in relief while marveling over her masterpiece. She suddenly felt someone behind her and looked back seeing Spike.

“Spike?” she asked.

“Hi, Sunset. So this is where you go after school?” he asked.

“For the most.” she answered.

Spike eyed her painting, “And you really painted this?”

“Guilty.” she admitted.

“This is very impressive. I mean I'm no art enthusiast but I do know an amazing piece when I see it.”

Sunset blushed, “Oh, stop.”

“No. Really. This is some impressive work. Especially for a high schooler.” Spike continued to compliment her.

“Well, thank you.” she smiled.

“But I do hope I'm not interrupting anything.” Spike said feeling embarrassed for possibly intruding.

“Not at all. You're more than welcomed to stick around.” she offered.

“Thanks,” he said before sitting down, “Have you always been an artist?”

“Well, not like this,” Sunset confessed while noticing many were focus on their own works to pay attention to her and Spike, “Back then I was more into graffiti art.”

“Graffiti? Well, that's also a good kind of art in its own way.” Spike admitted.

“Yeah, but back then I was more or less a tagger, not caring where I left my art at public or private property,” Sunset continued to explain as Spike listened in, “Before I knew Twilight, Applejack, or any of the others I wasn't exactly a good person. My parents passed away when I was just a child, and I kept getting bounced from one foster home after another because I wasn't the most well behaved kid. Pretty soon it got to the point where no one would take me in, but back then I didn't care.”

Spike listening to Sunset's story thought to himself about how she lost her parents, 'She's just like me.'

“I was proud of my art and cared about nothing else, not even people, especially not those who tried reaching out to me. But one day tagging really got me in trouble. I got caught tagging the school bathrooms and was brought before Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. For the first time I felt legitimately scared as both of them argued on what would be the most appropriate punishment,” Sunset continued, “V.P Luna had suggested expulsion since it was the most logical thing to do and let me be some other school's problem. But Principal Celestia on the other hand thought not. Despite my vandalizing she was actually impressed with my art and felt it would be a waste to send me somewhere else. And despite V.P Luna's reminder that some of my tagging was a direct insult to Celestia herself, the principal still thought I deserved a second chance. She also mentioned that V.P Luna herself was a rebel herself and used to lash out at their parents too.” she giggled.

“Whoa. Vice Principal Luna was a rebel?” Spike asked in surprise.

Drakon chuckled, “Now that's something worth knowing.”

“So then what?” Spike asked Sunset.

“When Principal Celestia brought up how V.P Luna was rebellious she said I reminded her of her sister. But Luna was rebellious for different reasons.”

“What reasons?”

“I don't know. V.P Luna wouldn't let Principal Celestia mention more of that. But she mentioned Luna changed her ways and felt there was hope for me too. So V.P Luna agreed and needless to say I was shocked I wasn't getting expelled. But I did have to serve plenty of detentions, and Principal Celestia suggested I use my art as an outlet for my rebellious nature rather than vandalism. And over time my art became less noise and more meaningful. I started treating my art with more care than I ever did,” Sunset began to smile fondly, “My artwork became so well, Principal Celestia let me hold my own art exhibit here at the school. That was actually were I first met Twilight and the others.”

“Really?” Spike asked.

“Yeah. They were all very impressed by my work, especially Rarity and even Pinkie Pie. We all started talking and before I knew it I had six best friends.” she shed a tear, which Spike noticed and quickly caught it much to her surprise.

“You know, Sunset, you and I really are birds of a feather,” he began, as Sunset listened, “I too started off losing my parents, and grew up without a single friend. Although we grew up with different mindsets, you a rebellious troublemaker and me a low self esteem punching bag.” he sighed.

“Oh, Spike.” Sunset said sympathizing.

“And then we both met Twilight, and in turn the rest of the girls and look how we turned out.” Spike said feeling happier.

Sunset smiled and nodded, “Yeah. We're both much better than when we used to be.”

As the two stared happily at each other knowing they found someone who understands them, Drakon watched while sitting on top of another's painting, “Ain't it grand knowing you're not alone?”

Later on as it got dark, Spike and Sunset were walking through the park, “I appreciate you walking me home, Spike. But you didn't really have to.” she started.

“Oh, I know. I just felt like you shouldn't be alone at night,” Spike replied, “I mean a lot's been going on at this hour.”

“I know.” Sunset recalled all the reports of the Dragon Knight rounding up crooks and leaving them for the cops.

“I mean not that something will happen of course.” Spike corrected himself not wanting to ruin the mood of such a beautiful night.

“Right,” Sunset smiled, “It is a nice night after all. And nicer to share it with someone.” she took Spike's hand into his making him blush while she did herself.

Drakon flew above the two enjoy the sight, until he tensed up feeling something vile in the air before speaking down to his vessel.

“Hey, Spike! Look alive! There's someone watching you two. And it reeks of malicious intent.”

Spike listening to Drakon darted his eyes around seeing while they appeared to be alone, everything felt far too quiet and still for comfort confirming the dragon spirit was right.

Sunset seeing a shift in Spike's mood spoke, “Spike, everything ok?”

Spike whispered, “We're being followed.”

Sunset gasped and got nervous, “By who?”

“I don't know. Stay close.” he continued, as they pressed on while keeping an eye out.

Suddenly Spike felt something coming right for them, and pushed Sunset to the ground before a knife impaled a tree close to them.

“What?!” Sunset gasped seeing the knife.

“Damn, my aim must be off tonight.” came a voice.

Spike and Sunset looked up seeing someone standing on a tree branch jump down to their level. Stepping into the moonlight was a boy no older than them with messy black hair, and on his shirt was a vampiric sigil.

Spike noticing the sigil gasped, “That mark. You! You're part of the Children of Sanguine!”

“Guilty as charged.” the attacker confessed with a smirk.

“I heard of you guys,” Spike continued, “You're a bunch of vampire wannabe cultists!”

“Wannabes?” he asked sounding insulted, “You have no idea of what we really are.” Drakon hearing that squinted at the attacker.

“I'm gonna tell you this one time, walk away and we pretend this never happened.” Spike warned him.

“Butt out pal, my beef's not with you. It's with her.” he motioned to Sunset.

Spike looked to his friend confused, “Sunset?”

Sunset bearing a guilty look spoke up, “I never wanted anyone to know about this.”

“Know about what?”

“I'll tell you.” their attacker spoke, “Sunset was once a member of our group, but then she betrayed us.”

“You were part of them, Sunset?” Spike asked her.

“It was back when I was still rebellious. I thought they were cool. But when I learned of the stuff they actually do I couldn't stomach it so I got out before my membership could be permanent.”

Their attacker continued while stepping closer eyeing Sunset Shimmer, “And now I'm gonna earn my keep by eliminating you.”

Sunset looked terrified, until Spike shielded her, “You're not laying a hand on her!”

“I told you to butt out!” the cultist ordered.

“Not happening.” Spike replied standing his ground.

The attacker pulled his knife out of the tree, “Then I'll take you first!” he charged at Spike attempting to stab him.

“Spike!” Sunset cried.

Spike dodged the stab before kicking it out of the cultists hand, “Dammit that fuckin' hurt!” he gripped his hand.

“That was nothing. Don't tempt me with worse.” Spike continued to warn him.

“I'll kill you!” he screamed, as he kept trying to attack Spike, who kept dodging.

'This guy's crazy. Well, blind fury like this means they lack focus. Unlike me.' Spike thought before finding an opening and punched the attacker so hard he flew back and crashed into a tree before falling to the ground.

“SON OF A BITCH!” he cried and groaned from the impact with the tree.

“Come on, let's go!” Spike ordered, Sunset as he grabbed her hand and ran off with her.

The two ran out of the park and into the city where they stopped to breathe in relief, “I don't think he'll be following us here,” Spike told Sunset who was still processing what happened, “Are you ok?”

Sunset looked to Spike as he look of shock turned into a look of happiness, “You rescued me!” she pulled Spike closer and kissed him on his lips much to his and Drakon's surprise.

When they parted Spike partly in a daze answered, “Well, yeah.”

Sunset thanked him again with another kiss, as an adult couple walked by with the man speaking to his woman, “Young people these days, huh?”

“Indeed.” she agreed, as they laughed.

Spike and Sunset realizing what they did blushed embarrassed, “Still, thank you, Spike. For saving me back there. Twilight was right, you really are brave.”

“I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting you.” he replied.

“Right. Listen about me being part of that weird cult-”

“Your secret's safe.” Spike assured her.

“Really?”

Spike nodded, “You're not that person anymore. So no sense in thinking about it.”

Sunset smiled, “Thank you, Spike.”

“Come on, let's get you home.” Spike said, as they continued on.

Soon they arrived at Sunset's home, “Are you sure you'll be alright now?” Spike asked her.

“I'm sure. No one in that group ever knew where I lived.” she assured him.

“Well, ok. I'll see you around.” Spike said, as he was about to leave.

“Hold it, Spike,” Sunset began, as she pulled him back and kissed his cheek, “Thanks again.”

Spike smiled, “No problem.” And with that, Sunset Shimmer went into her house, as Spike started for home.

As Spike walked, Drakon spoke, “You really nailed that guy there. And you didn't even have to power up to do it.”

“It was just one guy.” Spike replied.

“Yes, but I don't think he was bluffing about them not being wannabe vampires.” Drakon said seriously.

“Wait, you're saying that guy was a vamp?”

“No. But he had the aura of one surrounding him.”

“Meaning?” Spike asked wondering what that meant.

“He's working for real vampires.” Drakon concluded.

“Real vampires?” Spike asked in shock.

“No doubt.”

“But how? I mean aren't... Well, you're proof dragons were real, so I probably shouldn't be surprised. And yet I am.” Spike said.

Drakon nodded, “In my day, vampires were enemies of us dragon folk. And if that guy was in contact with one. Then I have my hunches this group The Children of Sanguine, are being led by actual vampires.”

“Oh jeez.” Spike feared.

“And if real vampires are part of this city's problem, then we're gonna need to step up your training.” Drakon instructed.

“I understand,” Spike replied, “For Sunset. For any of my friends.”

Meanwhile in a rundown power plant, the one who attacked Spike and Sunset was presented before five cloaked figures, with the center one removing their hood to reveal he had blood red eyes, pale skin, long black hair, and fangs.

“You were taken down by a single punk?!” he shouted at the attacker.

“Yes, Count Orlock! But this punk couldn't have been human!” he argued in defense.

“Silence!” the Count ordered shutting him up before turning to two guards, “Take him to the dungeon. We'll decide on his punishment for failure later.”

The guards nodded and grabbed the failed attacker who struggled and pleaded with the group before being dragged off.

One of them spoke to the head, “Count Orlock, do you really believe his claim that the boy who was with the traitor was stronger than he appeared?”

“Please.” the Count spat, “The fool was too cocky and arrogant. And that led to his own defeat. And we shouldn't worry about the traitor now. We got more important things to worry about.”

The other four nodded, as another spoke, “The Dragon Knight.”

“Yes. We all felt Drakon's power emerge some time ago,” Count Orlock explained, “And then this vigilante calling himself the Dragon Knight emerges and starts taking on several gangs in the city. I find it difficult to believe this is mere coincidence. No. Whoever this Dragon Knight is has awaken Drakon's power and the wretched fool himself.”

“So what shall we do?” another of the council asked.

“Make sure if any of our soldiers see him. Bring him to me.” Count Orlock answered while bearing his fangs and hissed.