One night out in the city, Spike was running and jumping some roof tops for some late night exercising. He jumped to another roof before stopping to catch his breath.

“Good workout.” he told himself, before Drakon appeared at his side.

“Gonna call it a night now?”

“May as well. I got in all I needed,” Spike said, but before he could take off he spotted something down near an alley, “Hold on.” Spike moved down the roof while making sure not to give himself away.

When he landed on the ground he hid around a corner before peeking out and saw a group of five guys no older than him were skulking around carrying bags. Spike squinted as he saw one of their exposed shoulders bore a tattoo that looked like a purple equine head with a horn.

“Purple Nightmares.” Spike frowned.

Drakon spoke, “Ah, yes. The most infamous street gang in the city.”

“The cops may not always catch as many members, and those they do never even know the location of where they operate,” Spike explained, “Drakon, I think I'm gonna give these goons a little taste of what happens when you steal in my city.”

“Ooh, I like it. But you remembered to bring your 'disguise'?”

Spike nodded, before reaching into his bag and pulled out a dragon styled kabuki mask, before dawning it, “Let's show them what I'm made of.” he activated the armband that became his gauntlet.

Meanwhile the five members of the Purple Nightmares were still lurking around making sure to stay out of sight of anybody.

“Come on, keep moving.” one whispered to the others as they followed behind.

As they moved around a building they were suddenly face to face with a teenage couple who looked nervous upon seeing the gang.

“Bad timing.” one of the members warned the couple.

The boy gulped, “No kidding.” his girl clung to his arm.

“Get 'em!” one ordered, as the couple tried to make a run for it.

Two of the gang members jumped at the couple knocking them to the ground, “Get away from us!” the girl shouted, before kicking the one member in the face before trying to get up.

Unfortunately for the couple the gang surrounded them, as the head one spoke, “Bad move trying to run. Now you're gonna see what nightmares are made of.”

Before they could make a move they heard clanging and they spun to see a garbage can knocked over with the lid off. Everyone was cautious feeling someone else was around. The air grew tense as they felt something was creeping up around them.

Suddenly in a loud scream, something dropped in from behind kicking one of the members down flat and shocking the other gang members. Spike who had dropped in jumped back onto his feet striking a fighting pose.

“Hah!” Spike grunted.

The other four Nightmares frowned not sure who this intruder was but if he was looking for a fight then it's what they were going to give him. They charged at Spike who dodged their hits and grabbed one throwing him into another before looking at the couple who were still scared, but no longer cornered by the Nightmares.

“Get out of here! Go!” he ordered the couple who bolted.

“You'll pay for that, punk!” one of the Nightmares growled.

“Cash or credit? I'm good either way.” Spike sneered through his mask.

The other two Nightmares still standing attacked Spike head on, but the young man defeated both of them and tossed the five into a pile, before looking inside the bags they had on them. He looked and saw they were filled with wads of cash, which Drakon whistled at.

“That's a lot of green.”

“I know. Luckily it'll be going back to where it came from.” Spike replied, before hearing police sirens approaching.

“And that would be your cue to go.” Drakon said, as Spike nodded, before disappearing into the alley.

Soon he watched from one of the roofs looking down in the alley seeing the cops arresting the five Purple Nightmares and taking their stolen loot to be returned.

“Not bad, Spike. You really showed those losers a thing or two,” Drakon chuckled, “And you saved those other two as well.”

Spike nodded before removing his mask and continued to look down at the scene, “Now that I roughed up members of one of the most infamous gangs in the city this is gonna send some signals that someone's ready to bring justice.” he headed for home.

Elsewhere in the city, a Purple Nightmare member who had a spiked mohawk haircut with his hair colored in a mix of white black and red was hurrying through a hall before knocking on an office door.

“Enter.” came a voice from inside.

The goon entered and stood inside the office seeing someone sitting in a chair facing away from him at a desk, “Boss. There's something you need to hear.” he began.

The chair rotated around to reveal a muscular guy with blonde hair tied in a thin ponytail. He was Night Terror; leader of the Purple Nightmares, “I'm listening, Riff.”

The Nightmares member Riff continued, “Five of our guys have just been picked up tonight.”

Night Terror sighed, “I guess they couldn't pull the heist off.”

“No, sir. The heist went well, but someone got the drop on them.”

“Who?” Night Terror inquired.

“Well, I'm not sure how to describe it.”

“Spit it out, Riff!” Night Terror ordered as he stood up from his desk.

Riff shaken by his boss' tone answered, “It was some guy dressed in a dragon mask. According to sources he took the five of them out.”

“You mean to tell me five of my men were taken out by a single guy in a mask?!” the boss continued to sound angry.

“Don't shoot the messenger.” Riff trembled.

Night Terror calmed down, before sitting back down, “Whoever this masked person is, clearly has no idea who he's messing with. When you send a member of the Purple Nightmares to the slammer you pretty much declare war. Well, if this vigilante wants a war, then he will get one. Riff!”

“Yeah, boss?” Riff asked standing tall.

“Tell the others to be on the look out for this masked person. And if they see him... Spill his blood.” he said sadistically.

“As you wish, sir.” Riff left the office.

Night Terror got back up and walked over to his office window and looked out it seeing the city, “I've worked far too long to get the respect of many of the big time crime bosses in this city. And I won't let it sink because someone decided to play hero.” he frowned determined to find the one who sent five of his gang members to jail.

The next morning at Everfree Academy, Spike was sitting with Thorax and Button in class, as the gamer boy spoke to the two, “You hear what happened last night?”

“What is it?” Spike asked while pretending to be oblivious. He could already tell what he did last night to those Purple Nightmares members was already spreading to the media.

“I heard someone took on members of the Purple Nightmares.”

“What?!” Thorax gasped, “But those guys are dangerous. Who'd be stupid enough to go messing with them?”

“Someone who obviously knew what they were doing,” Button replied, “Because those guys were arrested.”

“Whoa. Looks like someone's actually doing something.” Thorax said amazed.

Drakon laughed as he sat in an empty seat next to Spike, “And they have no idea the one who kicked their asses is right here!” Spike said nothing as Cheerilee entered the classroom and was ready to begin her lesson.

So the day went by, and soon school was out, and Spike left the academy grounds. As he walked Drakon floated by.

“I got to say kid since your fight last night, your strength really increased. And the more enemies you fight the stronger you get and the more power you'll unlock from the Dragon Band.”

“Which means it'll be more than just a gauntlet when I activate it?” Spike guessed.

“Uh-huh. But until then you'll have to make do with your makeshift outfit and mask.”

“I should look into wearing something bulletproof and yet movable underneath my attire when I go out to fight crime.” Spike noted.

The young man continued wandering around the section of the city Twilight introduced him too before stopping outside a sweets shop, “Sugarcube Corner? Hm, sounds like a good place.” he walked inside.

As Spike entered, he saw many other people were enjoying tasty sugary treats in booths, tables, or even up by the counter. He shrugged and decided to take a stool by the counter. Seeing a new customer, one of the shops heads, Mr. Carrot Cake spoke to him, “Well, what can I getcha, son?”

“Vanilla milkshake mixed with chocolate pieces.” he answered.

“Coming up.” Carrot Cake replied, as he went back to give the order.

Spike waited patiently, while enjoying the sweet smell of sweets in the air of the shop. Even Drakon himself was enjoying it while hovering over some of the customers while eyeing their treats.

“Wow. We had nothing like this during my years. If I were solid I'd enjoy them myself.”

Spike smiled, until a familiar voice announced, “Here ya go!” he looked and saw Pinkie placed his milkshake before him.

“Pinkie?”

“Hiya, Spike!”

“What're you doing here?” the boy asked surprised.

“I work here silly.” she smiled.

“You do?”

“Well, part time.” Pinkie admitted

Carrot Cake approached with his wife Cup Cake, “Oh, Pinkie, you know this boy?” Mrs. Cake asked curiously.

“I sure do,” Pinkie started to introduce them, “This is Spike Obsidian; my newest friend. Just transferred to Everfree Academy. Spike this is Mr and Mrs. Cake, owners of Sugarcube Corner.”

“It's very nice to meet you, dear.” Mrs. Cake greeted him.

“Same to you two. And I love what you did with the place. It feels so welcoming, and I love the smell of freshly made sweets.”

“Yeah, everyone feels that way when they come here.” Mr. Cake admitted.

Spike took a sip of his milkshake and his eyes lit up, “Wow. This is delicious!”

“We're glad you think so.” Mrs. Cake smiled with pride.

“Only the best for our customers.” Pinkie added, “So, Spike, after you finish you wanna hang out with me?”

“But aren't you working?” he asked.

“My shift's almost done.” she replied.

“Well, in that case. Sure.” Spike said, as he enjoyed his milkshake.

When Spike finished his shake, he paid for it and waited for Pinkie Pie. Soon the girl hung up her work apron and met up with Spike before they took their leave.

As Spike and Pinkie walked through the city, many people were enamored by Spike's appearance as always, but many started greeting Pinkie Pie as she passed them and greeted them in return.

Spike noticed much like Rarity, Pinkie herself seemed to be friendly with everyone they met, 'And I thought Rarity was popular. But Pinkie seems to be popular for a different matter.' he thought.

“No kidding. It's like being around her alone is giving people such a positive feeling.” Drakon added.

'Doubt it'd be able to effect Shadow Storm.' Spike replied knowing there's no way someone like him could be effected by Pinkie's happy charm.

Pinkie looked seeing Spike deep in thought, “Something on your mind, Spike?”

Spike snapped out of his thoughts from hearing Pinkie answered, “Sorry, Pinkie, was just thinking about something.”

“About what?” she leaned in.

Spike blushed at how close she got, “Well... about you.” he confessed.

Pinkie blushed in response before smiling happily, “Oh, really?” she asked slyly.

“I mean, ever since we left Sugarcube Corner you've been greeting just about everyone we passed by, and they all greeted you in response like you really know them.”

“Well, I do. I know just about everyone in the city. I am a party planner and I love planning parties for others for whatever reason.” Pinkie explained proudly.

“You do it all by yourself?” Spike wondered.

“Most of the time, but sometimes if it's a party that's too much for even me to handle alone Twilight and the others help me out.”

“That's... nice of them.”

“Yuperoonee! That's why they're my bestest friends.” she beamed.

Spike thought to himself, 'It's so easy for someone like her to make friends. Something I never had before in the past before all this.” he started remembering how had his life was and how in school the kids would always make fun of him because of his weight, resulting in him never making any friends and developed low self esteem. And yet this happy-go-lucky girl makes it so easy to make friends and wondered where she was when he needed a friend the most.'

Pinkie started hearing sniffling coming from Spike and looked concerned, “Spike?”

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Huh?”

“Why weren't you there when I could've used you the most?!” Spike's head shot up revealing his tear filled eyes.

Pinkie was taken aback by Spike's outburst, “I never had a friend before in my life before transferring to Everfree!” he started to vent, “And it was all because everyone was repulsed by my physical appearance before all this! They judged me without trying to get to know me! I've been insulted, bullied, and threatened on a daily basis, and there was no one for me to turn to!”

“Oh, Spike.” Pinkie gasped.

“But you make it look so easy,” Spike spoke bitterly, “Everyone wants to be your friend, and you make them all happy. But for me, I was just everyone's punching bag they could take all their frustrations out on.”

Drakon sighed seeing this was just like how he broke down in front of Rarity, only this time it felt more like he was throwing himself a pity party.

“Spike.” Pinkie continued to feel sympathy for him, as he looked away still sounding bitter.

“I wouldn't expect you to understand my pain. It's as you said. You know everyone and love making friends with them. How could you possibly know what it's like to be rejected?” Spike was taken aback and he was suddenly embraced by Pinkie who was sniffling on his shoulder.

Spike snapped out of his pity party and looked at Pinkie noticing her hair looked a little deflated, “Yes, I do love making people happy. But it wasn't always easy. Back then I also wasn't always someone people wanted to be around. When I first decided to start spreading cheer and put smiles on others faces, not a lot of people were appreciative or even returned my happiness. They felt I was too chipper and it made them uncomfortable.”

“Then why continue?” Spike wondered.

Pinkie smiled, “Because I found friends who did appreciate my attempts to bring smiles and laughter.”

Spike nodded realizing, “Twilight and the others?”

“Uh-huh. And since then I made new friends at school and elsewhere. And now I have you, Spike.”

Spike blushed, “But what about those who still don't want to be your friends?”

“Well, some I learn just don't want to be friends. But some I see there's good to them so I try to find a way to bring that side out of them. And I see so much good in you, Spike. Despite however people treated you in the past, you still remained strong and caring. Anyone else would've taken their own life a long time ago. But the fact you're still alive means you're stronger than most. And I would love to have a friend like you.”

Spike smiled more as his tears slowed down, but hugged her, “I wish I had you for a friend sooner.”

“I wish I was there for you when you needed a friend the most.” Pinkie replied.

“Well, you're here now. And I'm glad you are.”

Pinkie's hair poofed back up and smiled, before kissing Spike's cheeks, “Let's be friends forever, Spike.”

“Sounds good to me, Pinkie.” Spike agreed, as he embraced her.

“And don't worry, when the preparations for your official enrollment party is complete, it'll be a party to remember.” she promised.

“Can't wait.”

Pinkie then whispered, “And I hope whoever's watching us will be there too.”

“Watching us?” Spike asked in confusion.

“Yeah. Ever since we met I felt like someone's been following you close behind. But he must be invisible.” she explained.

Spike's eyes widened as he looked over Pinkie at Drakon who shrugged, and answered, “Is she secretly spiritually aware?” Spike himself didn't know how to answer, but knew Pinkie was indeed a very odd girl. And yet he didn't mind it.

Author's Note

The Purple Nightmares are a street gang I made modeled after the Purple Dragons in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

The opening fight between Spike and the Purple Nightmare goons, references the opening scene of April being jumped by punks in the parking lot, and Raphael fighting the Foot Clan in the subway when they jumped April. Both from the first live 90s Ninja Turtles movie.