The Dragon Knight of Canterlot City

At Everfree Academy, Spike was walking the halls with Thorax, Button, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and a third girl around their age. She had grayish mulberry with pale, light grayish rose streaks. It was Rarity's little sister Sweetie Belle, and third member of A.B and Scoot's group the CMC or Canterlot Movie Club.

“Boy, lunch sure was good.” Thorax told the others.

“Yeah, I'm stuffed.” Scootaloo agreed.

“Same here.” Sweetie Belle added.

“I never get tired of the food they serve here,” Button put in, “How about you, Spike?”

“Oh, yeah. It was delicious.” Spike agreed, as Drakon floated by and spoke to him.

“Makes me wish I was solid so I could eat too.”

“Hey, guys!”

The group looked and saw Twilight and her friends coming down the hall opposite from them. Seeing this Thorax and Button glanced at Spike, as Thorax spoke, “We'll see you back in class.”

“Later.” Button said, as the two boys left Spike along with the girls.

Spike looked to Twilight and the rest of the older girls, “So how's it going?”

“All good.” Sunset answered.

“And how're you four doing?” Fluttershy inquired.

“We're doing good ourselves.” Apple Bloom answered.

“Glad to hear.” Applejack smiled and nodded.

“And we're glad we ran into you four. Especially you, Spike.” Rarity said.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah. We were all heading to the mall after school. All of us.” Pinkie explained smiling.

“And you're welcomed to join us,” Twilight added, before looking at the CMC, “All of us.”

The CMC's eyes lit up as Spike smiled, “Well, I can spare some time afterward. So I'm game.” he answered.

“So are we!” the CMC answered together.

“Great. So we'll see you all when the day's over.” Sunset said, as the two sides went to their next classes.

Once school let out, Spike swung by the mens locker room to change, “Good thing I made a habit to bring a quick change of casual clothes with me.”

“Especially for getting invited somewhere when classes let out.” Drakon noted.

“Exactly,” Spike confirmed, as he got changed and put his uniform in his bag while noticing his Dragon Knight mask tucked into it, “Hopefully I won't have reason to put it on today.” he closed up his bag and left.

He went outside and rendezvoused with Twilight and the other girls, “There you are, Spike. We were almost planning to leave without you.” Rainbow teased.

“Rainbow's just kidding!” Fluttershy said frantically, “We'd never leave without you, Spike.”

“Yeah, I know.” Spike chuckled.

“Well, come on let's get this wagon moving!” Applejack declared, as they all headed out.

They arrived at the Canterlot Mall where they began roaming around together making sure to hit all the stops they all loved. They stopped by the same clothing shop he and Rarity went to that day he got new clothes, where the girls decided to do a little clothes modeling. As they did Spike took the time to talk with Sassy who was overjoyed to see Spike again. Spike watched each of the girls showing off new clothes they picked out matching their personalities which brought a smile to his face, especially when he also saw the CMC step out all dressed up too.

After that they stopped into the book shop where Twilight was looking to get the next volume of one of her fave book series. While some of the girls stuck back to wait, Spike checked around as well.

As he walked past the mature section Drakon spoke, “Looking for something, spicy, eh?” he raised his brows.

Spike grumbled under his breath, “No! I was not looking for something like that!”

“Spike?”

Spike jumped upon hearing his name and saw Twilight looking at him oddly, “Are you ok? Why were you talking to yourself?”

Realizing Twilight caught him muttering to Drakon who was invisible to all but him had to make a cover, “I was-uh just going over some notes to myself in class today.”

“I see,” Twilight replied before smiling, “Good strategy.”

“Yeah.” Spike chuckled sheepishly, as Twilight walked down another aisle. When she was out of sighed he let out a sigh of relief, “That was too close.”

“Yeah. Nice cover back there. She really bought it.” Drakon chuckled.

“Sometimes having others not see you is a double edged sword for me. Especially when talking to you.” Spike sighed, as he walked on and Drakon pondered on what he said.

They continued to enjoy the mall with them stopping by the sports store where Rainbow Dash had to get some new sweatbands having worn out her last one. Pinkie went into the malls candy shop for some tasty sweets. Fluttershy stopped by the pet shop to peek in all the puppies and kitties in the window. Rainbow and Applejack were able to pull her along despite her pleas to wanna keep looking.

Later the group stopped by the food court for a bite and a rest. As Spike enjoyed a slice of pizza he looked into his bag that came from one of stores and pulled out a figure of a character from Power Princesses.

“Ah, yes. Radiance is mine now,” Spike marveled, “All I need left is Humdrum and my Power Princesses figure collection is complete.”

“You seem really happy to have gotten that, Spike.” Applejack noted.

“Well, yeah. If there's a set of figures from a series I like, then I want them.” he answered.

“He's right. We all have our collections and such.” Sunset agreed.

“And speaking of Power Princesses,” Sweetie Belle spoke up, “The next movie is a month away, Spike.”

“Feeling up for joining the Canterlot Movie Club to see it?” Apple Bloom offered.

“Sure. I'd like that.” Spike admitted.

“Well, why don't we all go when it's released?” Twilight suggested.

“Really? I didn't think any of you would be interested.” Spike said.

“What you think you, Button and Thorax are the only ones who follow the franchise?” Rainbow asked rhetorically.

“It's so fun to watch.” Pinkie smiled.

“And their costumes are so wonderfully designed.” Rarity added.

Spike smiled and nodded before thinking, 'Nice to see how much more I have in common with all these girls. I really am a lucky guy.'

Drakon while enjoying watching Spike and the girls suddenly felt a negative presence close by. He peered into the distance of the mall, and saw coming their way were members of the Purple Nightmares along with their leader Night Terror.

“Hey, Spike. I hate to ruin the moment, but we got Purple Nightmares closing in!”

Spike hearing Drakon knew their presence here would put the girls and everyone else in danger, so he had to do something. He quickly made a groaning sound.

“Spike, what's wrong?” Twilight asked concerned.

“Call of nature, be right back!” Spike got up and ran for the restroom.

“That boy must really gotta go.” Applejack told them.

Scootaloo looked out seeing people panicking and who was causing it, “And I think we should go too!”

“What do you mean, squirt?” Rainbow asked.

“Look!”

They saw the very gang Spike was alerted too, “Oh, no!” Fluttershy gasped.

“Purple Nightmares!” Sunset gasped.

“Here?” Rarity asked confused.

“We better go.” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Not without Spike.” Twilight replied.

“But he's in the mens room.” Fluttershy reminded her.

“Girls, they're coming over.” Apple Bloom panicked.

“Stay calm, sugarcube.” Applejack held her sister close as Night Terror and his group of ten arrived.

“Well, what have we here?” Night Terror asked looking upon the group of girls.

The girls remained still and as calm as possible, as Riff spoke, “We got us a group of cuties, boss.”

“Cute indeed,” Night Terror agreed, “Alright, girls, we're gonna make this simple for you. Hand over all your money and anything valuable and we might just spare you.”

“Tempting offer.” Rarity began.

“But we'll pass.” Applejack finished.

Night Terror frowned, “I don't think you girls know who you're messing with.”

“Actually, we know all about you Purple Nightmares.” Pinkie replied casually.

“Then you know standing up to us is a big mistake. Riff. Switchblade. Show these girls what happens to those who make that mistake.”

The two Purple Nightmares were ready to grab the girls only to be nailed by food court trays flung at them like boomerangs.

“What the?” Night Terror asked as they saw the Dragon Knight approaching.

“Don't you Nightmares know that's not how you treat ladies?” he eyed some of the Purple Nightmares who were girls, “Ones in your company excluded.” the female members scowled.

“Boss, that's the Dragon Knight from the news!” another member told the gang leader.

“The one who took down that blob man.” Riff recalled.

“I call him Smooze,” Spike replied, “Blob man is too cliché.”

Night Terror frowned, “So you're the vigilante that's been causing problems in my gangs operations and many others as well.”

“Guilty.” he confessed making Night Terror's frown increase.

“You should've minded you own business and stayed out of ours,” the gang boss began, “Now we're gonna show you what happens when you mess with us. Slag him!”

The group of Purple Nightmares went to attack the Dragon Knight as the girls got down under the tables they were sitting at. Spike started to dodge the punches of one of the gang members, before grabbing him and threw him over his shoulder, landing in one of the garbage bins.

“He's mine!” a member named Clubs attacked the vigilante with a bat.

Spike dodged the bat swings, before grabbing the bat and tugged it out of the member's grip, “Here's a fly ball for ya!” he punched Clubs sending him upward and crashed onto one of the food court tables.

“He's strong!” Applejack gasped while blushing.

“Yeah.” Apple Bloom agreed with a blush on her face too.

Two of the female members Stryke and Crunch Bar attacked him together, but the Dragon Knight dodged their attacks, before they tried charging at him from both sides. The vigilante seeing them both coming leaped up before he put his hands on their heads to balance himself up and smacked their faces closer causing them to kiss.

Twilight and the rest of the girls gasped at what happened while some of the Purple Nightmares blushed and had a bit of blood dripping out of their nostrils. The two girls broke lips and spat until the Dragon Knight sweep kicked them off their feet and onto the floor.

“I've had it with him mocking us!” Night Terror roared before picking up one of the food court tables and tossing it at Spike.

Spike jumped out of the way before dashing up to Night Terror as the two fought hand to hand, “Gotta say you got some good muscles there. You hitting the gym?”

“Of course.” Night Terror replied as he swatted Spike to the side as he rolled across the floor but got back up.

“Good try, but not good enough!” he continued to fight Night Terror, as some of the other gang members spotted Twilight and the rest of the girls were still vulnerable.

“Get them!” Riff ordered some of them who tried to grab the girls.

“Help!” Pinkie cried.

Spike hearing this realized what was happening, and shoved Night Terror back before dashing over to where the girls were. When one of them grabbed Twilight and Sunset, Spike arrived and clonked the back of his head letting the two go.

“You girls go someplace safer!” he ordered, as the girls ran not even caring about their bags.

Night Terror was ready to attack again, until he saw police and security arriving, “Crap! We gotta go!” he called to his gang as the ones defeated got back up. He squinted at the Dragon Knight, “We'll finish this another time!” he threw a smoke grenade blinding Spike, as the Purple Nightmares escaped out the exit by the food court. When the smoke cleared they were already gone. Spike knowing this was his chance slipped back into the mens room before the smoke cleared.

When it did, the girls and everyone else who had taken cover came out to see their hero and the gang were gone.

“Looks like they got away.” Twilight suspected.

“But where's the Dragon Knight?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Girls!” came Spike's voice, as they saw him running over.

“Spike!” the girls cried.

“Sorry, but when things went crazy everyone else in the mens room didn't wanna step out and I couldn't get through,” he covered up, “Are you all ok? Anyone hurt?”

“We're fine, Spike.” Twilight assured him.

“The Purple Nightmares got their asses kicked by the Dragon Knight.” Rainbow explained.

“I could hear the commotion from the mens room. The Dragon Knight really was here?” he asked.

“Sure was.” Pinkie confirmed.

“I'm just glad you're all ok.” Spike said in relief.

“So are we for you.” Fluttershy added.

“All this excitement has really gotten me jumpy.” Rarity said tired.

“Why don't we grab our stuff and go back to my place?” Spike offered.

“Your place?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah. It'll be safe there.” Spike assured them.

“Sure. Ok.” Sunset replied, as the others agreed.

“Then let's go.” Spike said, as they collected their bags and left the mall.

Spike led the girls back to his place and let them inside, “Welcome to Casa Obsidian.” he joked.

“My what a lovely home, Spike.” Rarity looked around.

“Not bad.” Rainbow admitted.

“Love what you've done to the place.” Pinkie checked the place out.

“Oh, yes. It's very homey.” Fluttershy put in.

“Thanks. Just make yourselves at home.”

“Thank you.” the girls said, as they each got comfortable in the living room.

As Spike went to put his bags away in his room, Drakon spoke, “You just brought ten girls home, Spike.”

“Drakon, please.”

“I'm just saying. And I think you should do something for them what with all they've been through today.”

“You think?” Spike asked.

“Well, it's the gentleman thing to do, am I right?”

“True. And I think I know what to do.”

As the girls relaxed and unwound from what happened at the mall, Spike came back in, “Hey, girls. Would any of you be interested in staying for dinner?” he offered.

“Dinner?” Twilight asked curiously, as the rest of the girls perked up.

“Yeah. I'll cook us up something to eat.”

“You cook?” Rainbow asked with a raised brow.

“Well, yeah. I mean I don't live on microwavable meals or anything.”

“Well, that's good.” Rarity said.

“Yeah. Having those every night aren't always good for you.” Twilight agreed.

“So you girls will stay?” Spike asked hopefully.

The girls looked at each other with smiles, as Twilight answered, “We will take you up on that offer.”

“Great. I'll get started.”

“Want some help?” Pinkie asked.

“Don't worry. I can do this. As my guests you girls just take it easy.” Spike insisted.

So the girls decided to kick back and relax, but every so often they'd peek into the kitchen to watch Spike fix up dinner.

“Look at him go.” Applejack marveled.

“He knows exactly what he's doing.” Scootaloo added.

“Well, after living on his own for awhile he obviously had to.” Sunset reminded them of his living arrangements and knew without his parents he had to provide for himself.

The girls soon decided to pitch in by setting the table, as Spike started bringing out the spread of food placing it all on the table.

“Dinner is served.” Spike declared.

“Wow. It looks so good.” Fluttershy marveled.

“And smells good too.” Pinkie added.

Spike sat down between Twilight and Sunset, “Well, dig in.”

Each of the girls took a bite of the food on their plates and gasped. There was a moment of silence as Spike waited for a response, “Well, how is it? Good? Bad? At this point I'll accept any answer.”

“It's...” the girls began before letting out a cheer, “SO YUMMY!!!” this startled Spike before noticing the happy looks on the girls faces.

“This is so awesome!” Rainbow cheered.

“You betcha!” Applejack agreed, “It's so delicious!”

“Really? It is?” Spike asked.

“It sure is.” Pinkie confirmed.

“So tasty.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Tasty doesn't begin to cover it, darling,” Rarity replied, “I've had plenty of tasty dining before, but this ranks up the highest.”

“Yeah, and the food prepared at the academy for lunch doesn't even match how good your food is.” Sunset put in.

“I could eat this every day,” Apple Bloom smiled, “Not that I should, of course.”

“Is there enough for seconds?” Sweetie Belle hoped.

“Seconds, thirds. I made plenty.” Spike assured them.

“Thanks!” Scootaloo replied, as they continued to eat.

“Spike, you never cease to amaze me.” Twilight marveled.

“Well, thanks,” Spike chuckled sheepishly, and thought to himself while watching his friends eat with him, 'In fact no one but me has ever tried my cooking. But hearing them think so highly of it feels real good.'

Soon everyone was finished, “Ooh, what a meal.” Applejack said rubbing her stomach.

“I couldn't help but eat so much.” Rarity said.

“It really filled me up.” Sweetie Belle added.

“I'm glad you all enjoyed it.” Spike smiled happily.

“Spike,” Twilight spoke up, “Since you've been such a gracious host, why don't we do the dishes for you?”

“Are you sure?” Spike asked concerned.

“It's the least we can do after you've done all this for us.” Sunset replied.

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.” he said gratefully.

And so the girls each pitched in with helping the dishes and cleaning up. Once they were done, they joined Spike in the living room to relax after such a good meal.

“Once again, thanks for making us dinner, Spike.” Twilight thanked him.

“It was my pleasure, Twilight.” he replied.

“Maybe we should get you on the kitchen staff at the academy?” Applejack suggested, “I reckon the whole student body would love to try your cookin'.”

“They sure would.” Rainbow agreed.

“Tempting, but I'm good just being a student.” Spike replied.

Everyone had a good laugh, as Fluttershy noticed the picture of Spike and his parents, “Spike, are those your...”

Spike seeing what Fluttershy was looking at answered with a sigh, “My parents? Yeah that's them.”

The girls got up and looked at with picture with Spike, “Wow, your dad's really handsome.” Sunset admitted.

“And your mother is absolutely beautiful.” Rarity marveled.

Spike nodded with a smile, “They sure were.”

“And this kid right here is...” Scootaloo noticed younger chubbier Spike in the center of them.

“Me.”

“Wow, you used to look like that?” Pinkie asked surprised.

“Yeah. I know I looked disgusting back then.” Spike sighed.

“I wouldn't say that,” Rainbow replied confusing Spike, “Sure you looked a little out of shape, but not that bad.”

Twilight spoke, “Even when I saw what you used to look like that day you saved me, I didn't care what you looked like. Your bravery counted for more than you gave yourself credit for. It didn't matter what you looked like, because I saw you had a heart of gold. And still do.” she smiled.

Spike blushed, as the rest of the girls agreed with her, “Thanks, girls. I really appreciate it.”

“And I'm sure your parents would be very proud to see how you turned out.” Rarity added.

“Yeah. They sure would be.” Spike agreed, as Drakon himself nodded in agreement.

Afterward as it started getting late, Spike showed the girls outside, “Are you sure you don't want me to walk you girls back?”

“Don't worry, Spike, we'll be alright.” Twilight assured him.

“But we appreciate the concern, sugarcube.” Applejack said.

“Well, ok. Just let me know you make it home.”

“We will.” Fluttershy promised.

“And Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Yes?”

Spike was taken aback as Twilight kissed him much to the rest of the girls surprise, “Thanks for such a good day.”

“Uh...” Spike droned.

“Hey, no fair, Twilight!” Rainbow said, before going over to Spike and gave him a kiss, “Thanks for a great meal, Spike.”

The other girls not wanting to be left out each gave Spike a kiss and thanked him for dinner and more, before they started walking for their homes. Spike watched them leave with a blush on his face before waving.

“Bye.” he said, even though they were out of sight, while Drakon chuckled.

“What luck ya have, kid.”

Meanwhile back at the Purple Nightmares HQ, Night Terror was in his office venting over what happened today at the mall.

“Damn that Dragon Knight making a fool out of us!” he pounded his desk, “But I guess I should be glad none of us got arrested. Still, I do not want that masked freak meddling in our business otherwise I'll just look like a laughing stock!” he got up and thought while pacing until he remembered something, “But those girls there at the mall looked very gorgeous, and I know someone who could make use of them.

Night Terror pulled out his phone and made a call, “Hello, Chrysalis. Listen you know how you've been talking about looking for more recruits for your Scarabs? Well, I think I found ten potential individuals that'll really bring in the dough for you.” he smirked.