The Dragon Knight of Canterlot City

On the roof of the academy Twilight and the other girls stared at Spike in shock, for the boy they had grown to love had just revealed to them he was the masked vigilante Dragon Knight.

“Spike?” Fluttershy gasped.

“You're the Dragon Knight?” Rarity asked equally shocked.

“Guilty,” he confessed, “That's why I was avoiding you girls today. I was debating on how to break it to you. And so here we are.”

“How-what-huh?!” Twilight asked trying to process it.

“I-I don't believe it.” Sunset said in disbelief.

“After today nothing will surprise me ever again.” Pinkie told everyone.

“Look I know you're all confused.” Spike began trying to keep them calm.

“That's an understatement.” Rainbow replied.

“So it was you fighting Night Terror, the Purple Nightmares, Chrysalis, and the Scarabs?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yes.”

“My mind's blown.” Scootaloo said.

“Look I'll tell you all everything, but right now let's go back to my place, and keep it quiet.” Spike instructed.

The girls nodded deciding to go along with Spike's instructions, as they headed back down into the school. As they walked for the exit they avoided making eye contact with any of their classmates or faculty that still stuck around before making it outside the school where they continued on for Spike's place.

Once they made it to Spike's house, he brought them inside and locked every door leading to outside and closed the windows and drapes making sure no one could see inside.

Spike sighed in relief as he looked at the girls who were sitting around still unable to take their eyes off of him.

“Ok. Let's start at the beginning. Yes, I am the Dragon Knight.” he began.

“The same Dragon Knight that's been knocking out criminals in the city?” Sweetie Belle asked, as Spike nodded.

“The same one that's been taking on the Purple Nightmares and Night Terror?” Pinkie asked.

“That's right.” he confirmed.

“The same Dragon Knight who fought an ooze man that used to be your worst bully?” Applejack asked.

“Uh-huh.”

“That... is...” Rainbow began before announcing, “AWESOME!!!”

Spike was taken aback by Rainbow's reaction, as Twilight spoke to her, “Rainbow!”

“Well, it is! Spike's more bad-ass than he already was!”

“What Rainbow said,” Pinkie agreed, “And he did save us twice. Or in Sunset's case three times, and four times for you.”

“Even so, let's try and keep an open mind about all this,” Twilight replied, “Spike, how can you do all of the stuff you've done as the Dragon Knight, and why?”

“Well, I-” Spike suddenly stopped and looked to his side, “Not a good time. Wait, what? You're serious?”

The girls looked at Spike oddly as he was taking to thin air, “Is he all right?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I think his head went bye bye.” Pinkie replied.

“Ok then,” Spike finished before looking back at the girls, “Sorry about that. But I know how to clear things up.”

“And how?” Scootaloo asked.

Spike held out his arm showing the dragon band on his wrist, “Touch my wristband.”

“Excuse me?” Sunset asked confused.

“Touch it, and you'll get your answers. And when you do I must ask you all not to scream afterward.”

“Are you for real?” Apple Bloom asked.

“He is, sis,” Applejack answered, “I can tell.”

Taking the words of their honest friend to heart, the girls touched the dragon band together and it glowed a bit much to their surprise. When the glow died down, the girls looked upward and saw Drakon floating above Spike as the spirit looked down at them.

“Hi there! How's it going?” he greeted nonchalant.

Rarity and Fluttershy reacted with shrieks, while the others scooted backwards, “What is that thing?!” Twilight asked in fright.

Spike sighed, “I told you not to scream, and relax. He's my friend.”

“Friend?” Rainbow asked.

“That's right.” Drakon confirmed.

Pinkie lost her shock and smiled, “Well, why didn't ya say so? We love making friends.”

The rest of the girls started calming down and continued to look upon Drakon who sat beside Spike, “Spike, who is this?” Fluttershy asked.

“This is Drakon.” he introduced them.

“Drakon?” Rarity wondered.

“Yeah Drakon the Dragon, I've heard it before.” Drakon replied in annoyance.

“Is he a ghost?” Twilight inquired.

“Spirit, technically,” the guardian replied, “And it's nice to finally talk to you girls face to face.”

“You know about us?” Applejack asked.

“Of course. I've been at Spike's side since the day he got his new makeover courtesy of me, thank you.”

“You did this for Spike?” Twilight asked looking back at Spike remembering how he used to look before he turned into such a stud.

“I sure did.” Drakon boasted.

“I knew I felt like someone else was around Spike when we were with him. So it was you.” Pinkie pointed to Drakon.

“Yeah. That reminds me are you spiritually aware?”

“Not that I'm aware of.” Pinkie grinned much to Drakon's confusion.

“Ok, Spike, let's start back at the beginning.” Twilight suggested.

“Agreed, well you're aware of how I looked before that day we first met?”

“I do.” she confirmed.

“Well, the next day after I got home from school I looked into one of the cabinets that had a bunch of my parents stuff, and one of them I found was this; the Dragon Band.”

“Well, it does look like a fine accessory.” Rarity admitted.

“Except it's not an ordinary accessory.” Spike replied, as Drakon took the wheel.

“You see, girls, centuries ago I was once a wise and noble dragon that wanted to keep peace in the world by bestowing my powers upon a great knight.”

“How noble of you.” Rarity admired.

“I was one of the noblest dragons in the land,” he answered, “Together we protected the land from all threats. But there were many out there who feared the power we dragons possess.”

“Logical,” Twilight admitted, “People fear what they cannot control or understand.”

Drakon nodded, “Because of their paranoia they attempted to destroy me and my chosen knight. Even though my vessel was killed my spirit lived on inside the Dragon Band. And ever since I have been passed on to other vessels worthy of my power to carry on the legacy of my first vessel.”

“And now Spike is your next chosen one.” Sunset realized.

“Exactly. Of course with Spike in poor physical condition I had to rectify that so I gave him a complete makeover on his appearance.”

“Well, you certainly worked wonders.” Rarity admitted still captivated by Spike's looks.

“I still find it hard to believe to this day myself.” Spike admitted.

“So, Spike, did you just automatically decide to be the Dragon Knight like that?” Twilight asked.

“Well, once Drakon told me about what he did in the past with his other vessels I admired what they did,” Spike explained, “And I also looked at the condition of the city. How it's a rotting mess.”

“No denying that.” Rainbow agreed.

“What happened to you that day we met, Twi,” Spike told her, “That was nothing compared to everything else going on in the city. Criminals getting away with stealing and murdering, mobs and gangs with their illegal activities. No offense to your brother, but he and the police force aren't doing half of what they should be doing. And as their efforts work slow, the crime rate continued to rise. If what Drakon said about his power and his former vessels was true I knew this had to be my destiny. To bring order and justice to the city that the cops cannot deliver alone. I want to make this city a safe place for me. For you. For everyone. So no one has to suffer the same way I did, the way any of you did at the hands of some of the worse gangs in the city.”

“Oh, Spike.” Rarity gasped feeling moved.

“I lost my parents, and I'd hate to think of anyone else losing someone they love all because of the corruptness in the city.”

“You're willing to put yourself in harms way to protect the innocent?” Applejack asked.

“I am.” he nodded.

“Ok, you're even more awesome than I thought you were.” Rainbow said excited.

“You think so?”

“I do. And you're right. The city's gotten so bad over the years it's amazing people are still living here. Me included.”

“Even though it's dangerous work, you have been cleaning up the streets faster than the police have been.” Rarity agreed.

“Thank you, but I'm sad to say I am the one responsible for turning Shadow Storm into the Smooze.” Spike explained in regret.

“You?” the girls asked.

“That night when he attacked me and Twilight, while she was dazed I actually uppercut him harder than anyone knew. Wherever he landed was the result of my hit.” Spike looked down.

“Oh, Spike.” Twilight said concerned.

Fluttershy spoke, “That wasn't your fault, Spike.”

“But it was!”

“You were protecting Twilight. You couldn't have known Shadow Storm was going to land somewhere that would turn into that monster.”

“That's what I told him.” Drakon said.

“Even if he didn't land in whatever turned him into that the impact still would've killed him and I would've been a murderer.” Spike continued.

“Hey, from what you said about him that guy had it coming. Especially if he was willing to kill both you and Twilight.” Rainbow noted.

“Drakon also mentioned that,” Spike admitted, “Even though he's in cold storage now I just hope I don't end up doing something worse to someone.”

“Well, we can't predict outcomes, Spike.” Applejack said.

“And besides you saved Twilight,” Sunset reminded him, “Just like you saved me against that member from the Children of Sanguine.”

“Speaking of, I'm glad you brought that up,” Drakon spoke up, “Turns out that group isn't all a bunch of wannabe vampire cultists.”

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked fearing what the spirit was hinting at.

“According to Drakon, the cult is led by actual vampires.” Spike explained.

“Vampires?!” Fluttershy asked frightened.

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked wanting to be sure.

“Drakon said he could feel the aura of real ones around the member that attacked me and Sunset.”

“Real vampires in the city?” Sweetie Belle trembled.

“Dragon spirits and now vampires?” Rainbow asked feeling this was a lot to take in.

“As if gangs and criminals weren't bad enough.” Scootaloo said.

“That's why I've been training myself not just to take on crooks and gangs, but in case more people involved with the Children of Sanguine who are working with actual vampires appear I need to be ready. Especially if more creatures like Smooze emerge” Spike explained.

“So that's why you've been coming to the club a lot to practice.” Applejack realized with Apple Bloom.

“Exactly. Training with you two has helped a lot.”

Twilight went to Spike who blushed as she got so close, “Spike, you are one of the most remarkable and bravest of people I've ever met. The fact you'd put your life on the line not just for us, but for the city as well proves you are a saint.”

“A saint is overstepping it, Twi.” Spike replied humbly.

“But she's not wrong, sugarcube,” Applejack agreed, as she got closer, “I don't think anybody would have half the guts you got to take on the criminals of this city.”

“Part of me dreamed of doing it,” Rainbow confessed before everyone shot her a look before she continued in a sheepish tone, “But even I'm not crazy enough to act on it.”

“Before we met you, Spike, we didn't think anyone but the cops would go out of their way to help people the way you did.” Fluttershy said, as she and the others started getting closer.

“But you showed us there's still a shred of humanity in this city.” Rarity added.

“You changed our lives and opinions, Spike.” Pinkie smiled.

“And we're glad you did.” Apple Bloom put in.

“And we'll always love you for that.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Girls.” Spike gasped, as he suddenly found himself getting kissed all around by all ten of them.

Drakon watching this smirked, “I'll be elsewhere.” he went through the ceiling and waited on the roof.

Sometime later as it got late, the girls were ready to head home. Before they went for the door Spike spoke, “Girls, before you go. I want you to-”

“Promise we will never tell your secret to anyone as long as we shall live?” Pinkie finished at fast pace, “You have our word.”

Twilight nodded, “I won't let my brother or anyone know you're the Dragon Knight.”

“I may hate lying, but in this case it's for a just cause.” Applejack put in as Apple Bloom nodded in agreement.

“And we'll still help you stay in shape.” Apple Bloom offered.

“You can even join me and Scoots for jogs.” Rainbow offered as well, with Scootaloo nodding.

“Thank you, girls. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you all.” Spike said gratefully.

“Just say you're our boyfriend and we'll call it even.” Pinkie said.

“Boyfriend?” Spike blushed.

“Well, we love you, and we know you love us too.” Sunset replied.

“And we'd all be more than willing to share you, Spike.” Rarity added.

“Wow. I-I never thought I'd be in a relationship in my life. Let alone with ten.”

“Always a first time for everything.” Rainbow smirked.

“Ok then. From this moment on, we are together.” Spike declared.

Drakon hovered down, “And I'm the witness to it. And when I'm around with Spike girls, try not to pay me too big a mind when in public. After all only you girls and Spike can see and hear me.

“We understand.” Twilight replied.

“We'll see you soon, Spike.” Sunset said, as the girls gave Spike another kiss before taking their leave.

Spike watched the girls leave, before speaking to Drakon, “Do you think I did the right thing telling them, Drakon?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Sharing my secret with them. I know it feels like a weight off me, but was it truly the right call?”

“Spike, sometimes you just gotta take chances. Even if you didn't tell them, who knows what kind of things will happen that they might get involved in. Even if you're not the cause. At least them knowing who you are gives them a sense you trust them. And now you don't have to make up excuses if you have to slip away and change to deal with something.”

“True.” Spike admitted.

“And personally. I feel you did the right thing. My other vessels always kept this secret to themselves because they were scared of putting those they cared about in harms way. And while it was admirable of them to think of those they cared about that way, you did something even more admirable by not closing them off from you and letting them in on your secret. Because of this you have more support from not just me or random fans.”

“I never thought about that.” Spike realized.

“And thanks to this, you've officially cemented your new relationship with the girls.” Drakon nudged him.

“Yeah. I have.” Spike blushed, as he went back inside.

Meanwhile, Grogar was wandering the labs passing cages where individuals were being kept it. He turned to one of his workers, “Are we ready to begin the experiments?”

“Yes, sir.” he confirmed.

“Good. Radiation X is about to change the world.” Grogar looked at the caged subjects were being ready to be given dosages of the formula that turned Shadow Storm into the Smooze.