Spike's Run With The Mafiaby ZeppelinFan64ChaptersAn Offer He Can't RefuseWelcome To The FamilySpike's First JobThe Search For SpikeAn Offer He Can't RefuseIt was a regular bright, sunny day in Ponyville, as Spike was about to head out to buy Rarity, the mare of his dreams, a gift that could really help his chances with her. After debating with himself on what kind of gift to use, Spike thought it would be easier to just go into town and look around the shops and see what kind of things she would like. "Ok, I think I've got enough bits, so I'm ready." Spike said to himself while he walked downstairs. "Twilight, I'm leaving to go buy a gift for Rarity." Spike said as he was walking out the door. "Hold on Spike, I don't think I want you walking out on your own." She said stopping him at the door. "Oh, come on Twi, what's the worst that could happen?" Spike argued, trying to defend himself. "I don't want to take any chances Spike, I think I should go with you." She said. "Ah, no, that'd be WAY too embarrassing, just please trust me on this Twilight!" Spike started to beg. "Well, ok, I trust you, just promise me not to talk to any strange ponies ok?" She said with a smile. "I promise!" Spike said with cheer as finally Twilight started to trust him being on his own. Spike went out the library door and proceeded to walk into town, so far his search for the perfect gift has been a complete bust. He couldn't find anything that would make Rarity happy, until he saw- "Woah, that gem encrusted hat should make Rarity happy. I just need to know how much it cost." Spike said as he leaned in the window to see that the cost was- "200,000 bits?! Aw man, I'll never get that kind of money!" Spike said with his head hung low as he sat on the street corner near an alley. "So much for my perfect gift idea. Now what'll I do to help my chances with Rarity?" Spike pondered to himself when out of nowhere, a mysterious voice suddenly appeared. "Psst.. Hey kid, c'mere." A strange voice said. "Who said that?" Spike said moving his head around to see. "Over here kid." The voice said again. Spike followed to voice and walked down the alley in the street where he was met by a white coated stallion wearing a pinstriped suit with a matching hat. "Listen kid, I was strolling down this here alley, and I couldn't help but hear over your little predicament." The Stallion said removing his hat. "The name's Shady, and I'm gonna help you out." Shady said "I don't know, I was told never to talk to strange ponies, and you are pretty strange." Spike said staring at Shady. "You know for a little guy, you sure got a big mouth." He said while Spike gave an irritated look. "Listen kid, I just want to help you out." He added "How could you help me out?" He asked curiously. "I'm gonna loan you the money to your friend that gift, and you'll be happy, you're lady will be happy, and everypony's happy." He tried to convince Spike. "Well, I don't know, I mean how can I be sure I can trust you?" Spike asked. "I mean, I haven't even met you for like, five minutes, and what were you doing down this alley anyway?" He asked again. "Personal business kid, I can't give that information away." He said trying to make up a good lie. "So do you want the cash or not?" He asked, starting to grow impatient. "Well, if you really want to help me out that badly, then ok." He said. "Perfect." He added as he grabbed the bag of bits behind him and gave it to Spike. "Here kid, now go get that gift for your friend." He said smiling. As Spike grabbed the bag of bits and went inside the store, another mysterious voice came from behind him. "Hey boss, did it work?" Another mysterious voice appeared. "Yep, we got 'em, and we're gonna make sure he keeps his end of the deal." Shady said. "But boss, he's just a little runt, how's a pipsqueak like him gonna help us with our jobs?" A different voice asked. "Leave that to me boys, just leave that to me." Shady said as he gave an evil smile. Just as Spike walked outside of the store, he tried to find Shady to say thanks for the help, as he looked around the alley, he was suddenly grabbed and pulled in the darkness. "Hey what's going on?! Who are you guys?!" Spike asked as he was pinned to the alley wall. "Alright runt, here's the deal." A voice came from the shadows. "What? What deal?" He asked still pinned to the wall by the goons. "Shut up and I'll tell you." As Spike could finally see through the shadow, he realized it was Shady. "Shady? What's going on, and who are these guys?" He asked still very startled. "Let him go guys." He told his goons. As he introduced his crew he pointed out a rather big, muscular stallion with a black suit and hat. "This here's Big Louie." Then he pointed out to a rather small, odd looking stallion sporting a dark grey suit and hat. "And This here's Sherman." The stallion then got mad at the sound of Shady using his real name. "Sherman?!" Sherman asked, sounding like he was about to lose his temper. "Oh sorry." Shady added. "Uh, this is Fish." He said correcting himself. "That's better!" Fish said. "What's this all about?!" Spike asked. "It's your turn to keep your end of the bargain kid." Shady said. "What are you talking about?" Spike asked. "I gave you what you wanted, now you give us what we want." Shady replied. "Now, by offering the bits I gave you, you have solemnly declared yourself a member of our family." Shady said. "What family?" Spike asked curiously. "The Coltleone family, run buy the Godpony himself, Vito Coltleone." Shady said as he took proudly stated the name of the Godpony. "Wait, so what do you want me for?" Spike asked. "You could be of use to us for our line of work, and we need a new member." Shady explained. "What happened to the last member?" Spike asked. "You wanted to know why I was in this alley?" Shady asked. "Well this is why." He opened up a dumpster that was in the alley to show a dead stallion in the bottom of it. Spike nearly passed out and felt himself getting sick as he saw it. "This was Rosco, he was good, but he couldn't keep his mouth shut and start to let some private business go public, so we had to take him out." Shady said. "But I already have a family, and a job working at Ponyville Library, you can't just take me and expect me to live with a bunch of gangsters!" Spike said. "Funny, 'cause I think we can." Shady said as Fish pulled out a switchblade and held it near Spike's throat. "Now, let's try this again." Shady said. "You're going to quit what you do, and come with us to meet the Don Coltleone, or else." Shady threatened. "Or else what?" Spike regretted asking that question. "I've seen the library, it's a nice place, it would be a shame if something were to happen to it, capisce?" Shady said. Utterly scared of the thought of them doing something not only to the library, what if Twilight was there. The only way to make sure nothing bad happens is to just do what they say. "Ok, you win, I'll go with you." Spike said admitting defeat. "Boys," Shady said, "Let's give our new family member an escort to the Don's office, shall we?" Just then Big Louie and Fish grabbed Spike and carried him away with Shady leading the way. I sure just hope Twilight realizes I'm gone and sends for help. Spike thought to himself Welcome To The FamilyIt's been a while since Spike went out to buy the gift for Rarity, as Twilight kept looking up at the clock, staying aware on the time Spike is gone. "He should have been back by now, unless he went to Rarity's first to give her the gift himself." Twilight said to herself. "I'd better go see her to find out if Spike's there, or if she's seen him at all." Just then, Twilight walked out the door and went on her way to Carousel Boutique. Finally making it there, she knocks on the door, to which Rarity opens it. "Why, hello Twilight, how are you?" Rarity asked. "I'm fine Rarity, I just wanted to know if Spike came by here, he went out buying a gift for you and he hasn't returned, so I just wanted to be sure if you've seen him." Twilight said. "Actually no, I haven't seen Spike at all today, I hope he's not lost." Rarity began to worry a little. "I hope not either, anyway, we should probably go look for him, just to be sure." Twilight said. "I agree." Rarity replied. Just then, Spike was being escorted to meet the Don Coltleone, who's office was located near out of Ponyville, As he struggled to break free, Big Louie and Fish kept a tight grip on him to make sure he can't get loose. "Come on guys! Can't we talk about this?" Spike pleaded. "Shut your trap, tiny!" Big Louie ordered. "Yeah, shut up!" Fish repeated. "Must you always repeat everything I say?" Big Louie asked. "It gives me a bit of a personality, doesn't it?" Fish asked. "No, it makes you sound like you have no personality at all." Big Louie said. "How 'bout you both shut up?" Shady replied. "Besides we're close to where we need to be, so you won't have to wait long my little friend." Shady said. "My friends will know I'm gone and they'll come to find me, and when they do, you're going to be in so much trouble." Spike said trying to sound threatening. "Didn't I just tell you to shut up?" Big Louie asked. "Yeah, didn't he tell you to shut up?" Fish asked in return. Just then Big Louie slapped Fish across the face. "Ow!" He yelled. "What was that for?!" He asked. "For being an idiot!" Big Louie replied. "Ok." Fish said. "Alright, where here." Shady said, obviously annoyed by the banter between Big Louie and Fish. "Let him go boys, but keep an eye on him." Shady said as he opened the door and went inside. "Now, when the Don comes out here, you show the proper respect, understand?" Big Louie ordered. "Yeah, understan-OW!" Fish tried to repeat again, but got another slap in the face by Big Louie. Great, I'm being kidnapped by the Three Stooges Spike thought to himself. "Gentlemen," Shady said opening the door. "I present to you, Vito Coltleone." Just then a rather husky, aged looking stallion wearing a black tuxedo with a red carnation came out. "What is this you have brought to me, that is so important?" The Don asked. "Your eminence, we come to you with the new addition the Coltleone family." Shady said. Just then the Don looked down and stared at Spike. "Is this some kind of joke?" The Don asked as he grabbed Shady buy the collar of his shirt. "You know how I feel about jokes that aren't funny, right Shady?" The Don asked with a mild irritated tone. "Yeah boss, I know how you feel about jokes that aren't funny." Shady answered. "We all do! Right boys?" He asked. "Yeah, of course we do." Big Louie answered nervously. "Who could forget something like that?" Fish answered while his legs were shaking. Big Louie then nudged Spike to get an answer from him. "What?" Spike asked. "When the Don asks you a question, you better answer if you know what's good for you." Big Louie explained. "Uh, yeah, sure I know how you feel about unfunny jokes." Spike said trying his best not to make him mad. "Good." The Don said. "Now, what's your name friend?" The Don asked. "My name's Spike, and your goons here kidnapped me into working for you, but I still don't know what you want me for." Spike said. "Come with me kid, and I'll show you." The Don said as they all went inside his office. Just as they went inside Spike sat on an old dusty chair while Shady, Big Louie, and Fish stood near the door in case he tired to escape. As Spike waited for an answer, the Don pulled a picture of an old house with a sign that said "Trottaglia." "See this house here?" He asked. "Yeah, what about it?" Spike asked in return. "This house is run by a rival family known as the Trottaglias. The Don explained. "And they've been trying to take over our business and run us out of Ponyville to be the new mafia around here, so we need you to go there, and take 'em out." He explained some more. "No way!" Spike said. "I'm not killing anyone!" "I didn't say you had to kill them, that's there job." He said as he pointed to the Shady and his crew. "You'll just be the one to take out their place of business." "How could I possibly help you with that?" Spike asked. "You're a dragon, you breathe fire, you go to their place, and burn it down." The Don explained. "No way! I'm not doing that, you'll just have to find some other poor sucker!" Spike said as he was trying to get through the door until he was surrounded by Shady and his goons, and then he felt something pointing at him behind his back. It was the Don standing behind him with a Tommy gun. "I don't think you understand." The Don said. "Nobody refuses a job for me." He said still pointing the gun behind Spike's back, as Spike was sweating with fear. "Now, let's hear the right answer." The Don said. "Uh, what I was saying was, there's now way I'd do it without the help of these fine, nice gentlemen standing here." He said pointing to Shady and his crew. "Now that's what I wanted to here." The Don said. "Now go and do whatever it is you need to do." The Don said. "But remember, if you double-cross me..." The Don said with a pause. He then pointed the gun straight at Spike's head. "Get the picture kid?" The Don asked. "Yeah, sure, let's go!" Spike said sweating harder and trying not to break down crying with fear. "Come on kid, we can take my cart." Shady said as they walked outside. Spike got in the cart. "What do you thing you're doing kid?" Shady asked. "What do you mean?" Spike asked. "You're pulling the cart, now get out and start moving." Big Louie ordered. "Fine." Spike said getting out of the cart and started to push. "See how easy it is to cooperate?" Shady asked. Twilight, where are you? Spike asked himself. Meanwhile, Twilight and Rarity are still on the search for Spike, having no luck whatsoever. "We can't find him anywhere." Twilight said. "It's not like Spike to leave without saying anything." "Maybe we should go and ask the others." Rarity suggested. "Maybe they have seen Spike, or they could help us look for him at least." "Good idea Rarity." Twilight said "I'll go ask Applejack and Rainbow Dash." "And I'll go ask Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy." Rarity said. The two then parted ways to go ask the others on the whereabouts of Spike. Spike's First JobIt's been about two hours since Spike has been pulling the cart, and every time he asks for help, they just snap at him to "shut up" and keep pulling. Spike was trying to find a way out of his deal with the Godpony. Just then an idea struck in his head. When the goons aren't looking, I'll write a letter to Princess Celestia to tell Twilight where I am. But in order to have time to write the letter, he'd have to shake off those jerks. "Uh, hey guys, my hands are getting sore from pulling this cart." Spike said, "Can I please take a break to give them a little rest?" He asked. "How dumb do you think we are?" Shady asked. "Yeah, how dumb do you think we-OW!" Fish said until he received another slap in the face, this time by Shady. "Never repeat after me." Shady said. "Will do, boss." Fish said, rubbing his face. "Aw come on, be reasonable." Spike pleaded. "I'm doing this favor for you guys, so cut me a little slack." Spike said. "Alright, you can rest for five minutes, but no more than that, got it?" Shady said. "Sure thing." Spike said as he sat on the ground wishing he had something to write with. "Do any of you guys have a piece of paper and a pen?" Spike asked. "I, uh, want to write to the Godpony on how well the job's going, and that I'm looking forward to being a member of the family." Spike lied. "Sure thing kid, glad you've finally got your priorities straight." Shady said as he gave him the paper and pen. Spike then sat down to write his rescue note to the princess. Dear Princess Celestia: It's me, Spike. If you're reading this, I've been kidnapped by three gangsters who are forcing me to join their mob family. Please let Twilight know so she can help me. I'm located near the outskirts of Ponyville, on my way to some place called the Trottaglia family house. These guys are dangerous, they work for the Godpony, Vito Coltleone. So please help me. Spike finished writing the letter and sent it to the princess, hoping she'll read it and tell Twilight what happened. Meanwhile, back in Ponyville: "Ah'm sorry Twi, but I haven't seen Spike around here at all, and you're tellin' me he went off without sayin' anything to ya?" Applejack asked. "That just don't seem like Spike at all." She said. "I know, and I really need some help, so could you help me look for him?" Twilight asked. "Ah would be glad to help Twi." Applejack said. "Oh thank you so much Applejack, now I need to go get Rainbow Dash and wait for Rarity to get Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy." Twilight said. "Sorry Rarity, but I haven't seen Spike all day." Pinkie said. "Oh dear, this is terrible, Spike's probably lost somewhere." Rarity said with a dramatic tone. "Don't worry Rarity, I'll help you find him." Pinkie said, trying to cheer up her distressed friend. "Oh, thank you Pinkie, now I need to go find Fluttershy and meet back with Twilight and the others." Rarity left Sugar Cube Corner to be on her way to Fluttershy's cottage. As she made it there, she knocked on the door. "Fluttershy, are you home?" Rarity asked. "Oh, hello Rarity, is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked as she opened the door. "Yes, something is terribly wrong!" She stated. "Spike-Wikey is missing, and I can't find him anywhere, so I really need your help to find him." Rarity said. "Oh my, this is serious, don't worry Rarity, I'll help you." Fluttershy said. "Thank you so much Fluttershy." Rarity said smiling with a few tears in her eye. "Now, we must go see if Twilight informed Rainbow Dash about Spike." She said as Fluttershy went with her to find Twilight. "Sorry Twi, I haven't seen the little guy anywhere around here." Rainbow said. "Oh no, this is bad." Twilight said, starting to worry terribly. "What am I going to do?" She said as tears started to fall. "Don't worry Twilight, I'll help you find him, I'm not the element of loyalty for nothing, you know." Rainbow Dash said as Twilight started to smile a bit. Just then, a scroll was from the princess was sent, as Twilight noticed it, she began to read it, hoping it would have something to do with Spike. Twilight gasped and fainted after reading what the princess had written. "Twilight, are you alright?" Rainbow asked. Still stunned from the letter, Rainbow Dash picked up the scroll to see for herself what made Twilight faint. "Oh man! We've got to find the others quick! Spike's in huge danger!" Rainbow then grabbed Twilight, still too stunned to move as she flew trying to find the others, with luck she found Rarity with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "You guys, we know where Spike is!" Rainbow said. "What?! Where?!" Rarity asked relieved. "Spike's been kidnapped by three gangsters and they're forcing him to do their dirty work." Rainbow said. Upon hearing that, Rarity, just like Twilight, dropped on the ground and fainted. "What do we do? Should we go tell the police?" Fluttershy asked. "That's not good enough Fluttershy, we need someone like-" Rainbow then got an idea. "I've got it!" Rainbow said excitedly. "I'll write a letter to Celestia, and ask her to send some royal guards with us and see if they could help us save Spike." "Good idea Rainbow." Pinkie said. Just as Rainbow and Fluttershy picked up the fairly stunned Twilight and Rarity, they headed back to the library to write a letter to the princess. "But how are we going to send it?" Fluttershy asked. "Without Spike, it's pointless." "Who's the fastest flyer in Ponyville?" Rainbow asked. "Um, you." Fluttershy said. "Exactly, so I'll fly to Canterlot, and deliver this scroll to her myself." Rainbow said as she finished writing and was about to take off. "Now you and Pinkie try to calm down Twilight and Rarity, I'll see you when I get back." Rainbow said as she took off to the sky. Just then Applejack came in the door and saw everypony there and was shocked by the information Pinkie had told her. "Ah sure hope Rainbow makes it back in time." Applejack said. "Guys, are we there yet?" Spike asked getting tired of pulling the cart. "Yep, here we are, Trottaglia headquarters." Shady said as they got out of the cart. "Ok Spike, you go around back and when I give the signal, you start the flame, and then when those jerks come out of there, we'll take care of the rest, got it?" Shady asked after telling Spike the plan. "Uh, I guess so." Spike answered. "Good, now get going." Shady said. "Alright guys, let's bail." Shady said. "What? Bail? But what about the rest of the job?" Big Louie asked. "Who cares, this way, we have a fall back guy, and those guys will never know what hit 'em." Shady said. "I still don't get it boss." Big Louie said. "Think about it lame-brain, if we did it, they'd know who it was, but if it was someone they never saw before, then we'd be in the clear, those goons will go, and we'll be on top of Ponyville once again." Shady said. "But what about the kid?" Fish asked. "Who cares, we can get another sucker to fill his position easily." Shady said. "But didn't the Don want us to take them out, I feel like we'll be letting him down, and you know what happened to the last guy who let down the Don." Big Louie said. "Yeah, you're right." Shady then got an idea "Hey Spike, on second thought, we've decided that you should be the one to do the job, you know, since you're the new guy and all." Shady said to Spike who was still behind the house. "What?! No Way!" Spike said. "That's it pipsqueak, I'm gonna come over there and when I do, I-" Right before he could finish, Shady felt a something hit him. He looked down and someone put a bullet right through him. As he fell over bleeding, the other two looked up and saw three Trottaglias standing on the balcony. "It's Trottaglia's!" Big Louie screamed. "Let's ice 'em!" As they had a shoot out with the Trottaglia family, Spike started to run for it. "Oh man, Twilight, I need you!" was all Spike could say before being knocked unconscious. As Spike up, a little bit dazed, he found himself tied up with a giant light beaming him in the face. He looked around and saw the dead bodies of Shady, Big Louie, and Fish all lying on the floor. Spike started to panic, but one of the Trottaglia's came in and pointed a pistol at him to shut him up. "What do you guys want with me?" Spike asked. "Tell us what we want to know, and you'll live." The stallion said. The Search For Spike"What do you mean tell you what you want to know?!" Spike said afraid of the gun being pointed at him. "What the hell were you doing here?" The Trottaglia stallion asked him. "A Coltleone stepping in on Trottaglia turf is a death warrant just waiting to be signed." He informed him. "I didn't want to be here, I was forced to, I just wanted to buy my friend a gift!" Spike said with a mix of sobbing in his voice. Before he was slapped in the face to get quiet. "Now, if you don't shut up, I'm gonna do a lot more than slap you, understand?" He asked, as Spike nodded. "Look, I'll tell you anything you want to know, just please don't kill me!" Spike begged. "No promises." The stallion said. "Now what I want to know is, what the hell you were doing behind our headquarters, and I want to know now, so start talking." He said as he waved the gun around. "They told me to go around the house and start a fire, but I wasn't going to, I swear!" He said "Don't start pulling this "I swear" or "I wasn't gonna" stuff with me kid, I'm not buying it, understand?!" He snapped at Spike as he nodded his head. "Now what is your business with the Coltleones, as in what is it they wanted you for." He asked. "They just wanted me because I'm a dragon and I can breathe fire." Spike said. "But I could never breath enough fire to burn down a house, well I could, but I wasn't." He added. "I said knock it off with the "I wasn't gonna" crap, alright?!" He again snapped at Spike, who was on the verge of tears. "Look, that's everything I told you, so could you please let me go?" He asked. "You're not getting out of here yet kid, you still look like you're hiding something, so spill it already." He said. "I swear that's all I know, you have to let me go!" Spike said. "That's not happening, you see you were on Trottaglia turf, which in retrospect means, you are now OUR property, and we can do whatever we want with you, and that means even-" He said as he cocked his pistol, as Spike's eyes widened as he got the idea of what he was saying. Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack await on the return of Rainbow Dash. Though they still remained horribly worried as Twilight was crying her eyes out as Fluttershy tried to comfort her. "It's going to be ok Twilight, Rainbow Dash will be back soon with help, and we'll get Spike back from those horrible people. "You bet we will Twi!" Applejack said. "Right Rarity?" She turned to Rarity who was even more of a mess than Twilight. "You alright Rarity?" She asked, but she wouldn't say anything in return, the only thing that would help her make another sound is if they got Spike back. But as luck would have it, Rainbow Dash finally arrived with the help she went after. "Guys, come on!" Rainbow said, as her friends walked out and saw ten royal guards, even along with Celestia herself aiding them. "Princess Celestia?" Applejack asked, "What are you doing here?" "After reading Spike's letter and having Rainbow Dash explain what happened, I feel it is my duty to aid you on your rescue for Spike." Celestia said. "Oh, thank you so much princess." Twilight said as she started to smile again, wiping the tears from her eyes. As Twilight and everyone else climbed aboard Celestia's chariot, Rarity still remained silent, even the news of Celestia helping them didn't seem to snap her out of it. "I'm tired of running around circles with you kid!" The Trottaglia stallion said. "You're hiding something, and you're going to tell us what it is!" He demanded. Spike, covered in bruises, bleeding from hooves to the face, and has a horrible black eye. "I'm telling you, that's all I know!" Spike said breaking down. "Please let me go!" "We're getting nowhere with this kid boss, I think we'd better do him in." Another gangster said. "Not yet." The stallion answered, eyeing Spike in the face. "I don't care if we have to end up beating the life out of you, you are going to tell us exactly what we want to know!" He demanded. "But I don't know any more, I promise!" Spike said. "Just let him go boss, he's had enough." One said in the back. "Are you speaking against me?" He asked. "No, it's just that we've been for an hour, and I just think he's telling the truth." The one in the back said. "Get over here." He said. "What boss?" He asked. Instead of answering, he shot his crew member straight in the head as he fell over. "Anypony else want to add anything?" He asked a silent room. "Good, somepony take this scum out back and get him out of my sight." Another stallion got up and dragged the body out back as Spike watched in even more horror. "How close are we to this Trottaglia place" asked Rainbow Dash. "Pretty close by now, in fact I think we-HERE WE ARE!" One of the guards said. "I"M COMING SPIKE!" Twilight said loud as she could, so loud that everypony inside the house even Spike heard it. "HA!" Spike said. "Those are my friends, so the jig is up!" "Not exactly." The stallion said as he grabbed Spike and went outside, as Celestia's chariot flew to the ground. "Alright, you mobster scum!" Rainbow Dash said. "Give us Spike back!" "Forget it toots, he's with Trottaglia property now." The stallion said as he pulled Spike back from behind him as his friends saw what they've been doing to him, and he was screaming "Twilight! Help!" as he was being carried away with the stallion holding his pistol up to his head. "Now just get back in your little chariot, and go home." The stallion said. "He's ours now, and there's nothing you can do to get him back." As he started to back away still having a hold of Spike, Rarity's rage busted out as she was charging toward the stallion who was drawing his pistol at her, though she didn't care what happened to her, as long as Spike was ok. In a last minute flash of bravery, Spike stomped on the stallion's hoof which caused him to let go of Spike due to the immense pain. Just then Spike grabbed the gun, and shot the gangster right in the leg, as he fell over in even more pain and his friends watched in shock, as they never saw act this courageously. Spike stood over the fallen stallion with the gun still in his hand as he was about to pull the trigger again, then he just dropped it after seeing what he did and a flash of everything that has happened to him and everything he saw, he fell on the ground crying his heart out while the royal guards went to arrest the stallion and everyone in the house. As Spike's friends went over to him, they tried to calm them down. "Spike," Twilight said. "It's going to be ok." "NO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OK!" Spike was screaming. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH?!" He continued "I'VE WAS KIDNAPPED, BEATEN, THEY HAD GUNS AND KNIVES AND THEY WERE GONNA KILL ME, AND, AND AND-" Spike couldn't even finish, he was still screaming, crying, and still afraid after all that's happened to him. His friends tried giving him a hug and they even all cried with him as they felt so bad for Spike after all he's been through, but they were happy they got him back, even Rarity started to smile. "Princess," A royal guard started to inform her. "We have apprehended all the suspects, we've even spotted a few corpses in there as well." "Thank you." Celestia said as she walked toward Spike and his friends. "Spike?" she asked trying to get his attention. "Princess?" He replied as he jumped to hug her. "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" Was all Spike could say because she read his letter, and informed Twilight and everypony else about him. As they were leaving, Spike didn't say a word to anypony, he remained silent until he got home. It took a while, but eventually Twilight and Spike made it back to the library, and Twilight wanted to have a talk with Spike to see if he was ok. As they walked in the door together, and went in the bathroom to get some medicine for Spikes wounds, as Twilight tried to start a conversation with Spike. "Spike I-" "I'M SORRY TWILIGHT!" Spike started to cry. "I'M SORRY I DIDN'T KEEP MY PROMISE!, I JUST DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO YOU!" "Spike, please calm down, what do you mean you didn't want anything to happen to me?" "THEY SAID THAT IF I DIDN'T HELP THEM, THE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO THE LIBRARY, AND I JUST WANTED TO PROTECT YOU, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SO-" Twilight cut Spike off, and began to tear up herself as she hugged Spike "It's ok Spike, it's going to be ok." Spike couldn't even say anything, he just stayed on the floor crying and trying to speak, but he couldn't get a word out because of his sobs. Twilight was crying just as hard as he was after realizing all the pain and trauma Spike was in, and tried her best to calm him down. It was a rough day for not just Spike, but for everypony in general. Spike couldn't sleep as he decided to write another letter to the princess. Dear Princess Celestia: Today, I learned that you shouldn't trust every pony you meet, no matter how nice they seem. Because though they might seem nice at first, they could really be trouble. Sincerely, Spike. After he sent the letter to Celestia, everything just started to play back in Spike's head. He tried to shake it off, but he couldn't, this is something that would take some time to cope with. As he closed his eyes to try to get some sleep, he finally said to himself: "I guess this was a lesson learned the hard way."
An Offer He Can't RefuseIt was a regular bright, sunny day in Ponyville, as Spike was about to head out to buy Rarity, the mare of his dreams, a gift that could really help his chances with her. After debating with himself on what kind of gift to use, Spike thought it would be easier to just go into town and look around the shops and see what kind of things she would like. "Ok, I think I've got enough bits, so I'm ready." Spike said to himself while he walked downstairs. "Twilight, I'm leaving to go buy a gift for Rarity." Spike said as he was walking out the door. "Hold on Spike, I don't think I want you walking out on your own." She said stopping him at the door. "Oh, come on Twi, what's the worst that could happen?" Spike argued, trying to defend himself. "I don't want to take any chances Spike, I think I should go with you." She said. "Ah, no, that'd be WAY too embarrassing, just please trust me on this Twilight!" Spike started to beg. "Well, ok, I trust you, just promise me not to talk to any strange ponies ok?" She said with a smile. "I promise!" Spike said with cheer as finally Twilight started to trust him being on his own. Spike went out the library door and proceeded to walk into town, so far his search for the perfect gift has been a complete bust. He couldn't find anything that would make Rarity happy, until he saw- "Woah, that gem encrusted hat should make Rarity happy. I just need to know how much it cost." Spike said as he leaned in the window to see that the cost was- "200,000 bits?! Aw man, I'll never get that kind of money!" Spike said with his head hung low as he sat on the street corner near an alley. "So much for my perfect gift idea. Now what'll I do to help my chances with Rarity?" Spike pondered to himself when out of nowhere, a mysterious voice suddenly appeared. "Psst.. Hey kid, c'mere." A strange voice said. "Who said that?" Spike said moving his head around to see. "Over here kid." The voice said again. Spike followed to voice and walked down the alley in the street where he was met by a white coated stallion wearing a pinstriped suit with a matching hat. "Listen kid, I was strolling down this here alley, and I couldn't help but hear over your little predicament." The Stallion said removing his hat. "The name's Shady, and I'm gonna help you out." Shady said "I don't know, I was told never to talk to strange ponies, and you are pretty strange." Spike said staring at Shady. "You know for a little guy, you sure got a big mouth." He said while Spike gave an irritated look. "Listen kid, I just want to help you out." He added "How could you help me out?" He asked curiously. "I'm gonna loan you the money to your friend that gift, and you'll be happy, you're lady will be happy, and everypony's happy." He tried to convince Spike. "Well, I don't know, I mean how can I be sure I can trust you?" Spike asked. "I mean, I haven't even met you for like, five minutes, and what were you doing down this alley anyway?" He asked again. "Personal business kid, I can't give that information away." He said trying to make up a good lie. "So do you want the cash or not?" He asked, starting to grow impatient. "Well, if you really want to help me out that badly, then ok." He said. "Perfect." He added as he grabbed the bag of bits behind him and gave it to Spike. "Here kid, now go get that gift for your friend." He said smiling. As Spike grabbed the bag of bits and went inside the store, another mysterious voice came from behind him. "Hey boss, did it work?" Another mysterious voice appeared. "Yep, we got 'em, and we're gonna make sure he keeps his end of the deal." Shady said. "But boss, he's just a little runt, how's a pipsqueak like him gonna help us with our jobs?" A different voice asked. "Leave that to me boys, just leave that to me." Shady said as he gave an evil smile. Just as Spike walked outside of the store, he tried to find Shady to say thanks for the help, as he looked around the alley, he was suddenly grabbed and pulled in the darkness. "Hey what's going on?! Who are you guys?!" Spike asked as he was pinned to the alley wall. "Alright runt, here's the deal." A voice came from the shadows. "What? What deal?" He asked still pinned to the wall by the goons. "Shut up and I'll tell you." As Spike could finally see through the shadow, he realized it was Shady. "Shady? What's going on, and who are these guys?" He asked still very startled. "Let him go guys." He told his goons. As he introduced his crew he pointed out a rather big, muscular stallion with a black suit and hat. "This here's Big Louie." Then he pointed out to a rather small, odd looking stallion sporting a dark grey suit and hat. "And This here's Sherman." The stallion then got mad at the sound of Shady using his real name. "Sherman?!" Sherman asked, sounding like he was about to lose his temper. "Oh sorry." Shady added. "Uh, this is Fish." He said correcting himself. "That's better!" Fish said. "What's this all about?!" Spike asked. "It's your turn to keep your end of the bargain kid." Shady said. "What are you talking about?" Spike asked. "I gave you what you wanted, now you give us what we want." Shady replied. "Now, by offering the bits I gave you, you have solemnly declared yourself a member of our family." Shady said. "What family?" Spike asked curiously. "The Coltleone family, run buy the Godpony himself, Vito Coltleone." Shady said as he took proudly stated the name of the Godpony. "Wait, so what do you want me for?" Spike asked. "You could be of use to us for our line of work, and we need a new member." Shady explained. "What happened to the last member?" Spike asked. "You wanted to know why I was in this alley?" Shady asked. "Well this is why." He opened up a dumpster that was in the alley to show a dead stallion in the bottom of it. Spike nearly passed out and felt himself getting sick as he saw it. "This was Rosco, he was good, but he couldn't keep his mouth shut and start to let some private business go public, so we had to take him out." Shady said. "But I already have a family, and a job working at Ponyville Library, you can't just take me and expect me to live with a bunch of gangsters!" Spike said. "Funny, 'cause I think we can." Shady said as Fish pulled out a switchblade and held it near Spike's throat. "Now, let's try this again." Shady said. "You're going to quit what you do, and come with us to meet the Don Coltleone, or else." Shady threatened. "Or else what?" Spike regretted asking that question. "I've seen the library, it's a nice place, it would be a shame if something were to happen to it, capisce?" Shady said. Utterly scared of the thought of them doing something not only to the library, what if Twilight was there. The only way to make sure nothing bad happens is to just do what they say. "Ok, you win, I'll go with you." Spike said admitting defeat. "Boys," Shady said, "Let's give our new family member an escort to the Don's office, shall we?" Just then Big Louie and Fish grabbed Spike and carried him away with Shady leading the way. I sure just hope Twilight realizes I'm gone and sends for help. Spike thought to himself
Welcome To The FamilyIt's been a while since Spike went out to buy the gift for Rarity, as Twilight kept looking up at the clock, staying aware on the time Spike is gone. "He should have been back by now, unless he went to Rarity's first to give her the gift himself." Twilight said to herself. "I'd better go see her to find out if Spike's there, or if she's seen him at all." Just then, Twilight walked out the door and went on her way to Carousel Boutique. Finally making it there, she knocks on the door, to which Rarity opens it. "Why, hello Twilight, how are you?" Rarity asked. "I'm fine Rarity, I just wanted to know if Spike came by here, he went out buying a gift for you and he hasn't returned, so I just wanted to be sure if you've seen him." Twilight said. "Actually no, I haven't seen Spike at all today, I hope he's not lost." Rarity began to worry a little. "I hope not either, anyway, we should probably go look for him, just to be sure." Twilight said. "I agree." Rarity replied. Just then, Spike was being escorted to meet the Don Coltleone, who's office was located near out of Ponyville, As he struggled to break free, Big Louie and Fish kept a tight grip on him to make sure he can't get loose. "Come on guys! Can't we talk about this?" Spike pleaded. "Shut your trap, tiny!" Big Louie ordered. "Yeah, shut up!" Fish repeated. "Must you always repeat everything I say?" Big Louie asked. "It gives me a bit of a personality, doesn't it?" Fish asked. "No, it makes you sound like you have no personality at all." Big Louie said. "How 'bout you both shut up?" Shady replied. "Besides we're close to where we need to be, so you won't have to wait long my little friend." Shady said. "My friends will know I'm gone and they'll come to find me, and when they do, you're going to be in so much trouble." Spike said trying to sound threatening. "Didn't I just tell you to shut up?" Big Louie asked. "Yeah, didn't he tell you to shut up?" Fish asked in return. Just then Big Louie slapped Fish across the face. "Ow!" He yelled. "What was that for?!" He asked. "For being an idiot!" Big Louie replied. "Ok." Fish said. "Alright, where here." Shady said, obviously annoyed by the banter between Big Louie and Fish. "Let him go boys, but keep an eye on him." Shady said as he opened the door and went inside. "Now, when the Don comes out here, you show the proper respect, understand?" Big Louie ordered. "Yeah, understan-OW!" Fish tried to repeat again, but got another slap in the face by Big Louie. Great, I'm being kidnapped by the Three Stooges Spike thought to himself. "Gentlemen," Shady said opening the door. "I present to you, Vito Coltleone." Just then a rather husky, aged looking stallion wearing a black tuxedo with a red carnation came out. "What is this you have brought to me, that is so important?" The Don asked. "Your eminence, we come to you with the new addition the Coltleone family." Shady said. Just then the Don looked down and stared at Spike. "Is this some kind of joke?" The Don asked as he grabbed Shady buy the collar of his shirt. "You know how I feel about jokes that aren't funny, right Shady?" The Don asked with a mild irritated tone. "Yeah boss, I know how you feel about jokes that aren't funny." Shady answered. "We all do! Right boys?" He asked. "Yeah, of course we do." Big Louie answered nervously. "Who could forget something like that?" Fish answered while his legs were shaking. Big Louie then nudged Spike to get an answer from him. "What?" Spike asked. "When the Don asks you a question, you better answer if you know what's good for you." Big Louie explained. "Uh, yeah, sure I know how you feel about unfunny jokes." Spike said trying his best not to make him mad. "Good." The Don said. "Now, what's your name friend?" The Don asked. "My name's Spike, and your goons here kidnapped me into working for you, but I still don't know what you want me for." Spike said. "Come with me kid, and I'll show you." The Don said as they all went inside his office. Just as they went inside Spike sat on an old dusty chair while Shady, Big Louie, and Fish stood near the door in case he tired to escape. As Spike waited for an answer, the Don pulled a picture of an old house with a sign that said "Trottaglia." "See this house here?" He asked. "Yeah, what about it?" Spike asked in return. "This house is run by a rival family known as the Trottaglias. The Don explained. "And they've been trying to take over our business and run us out of Ponyville to be the new mafia around here, so we need you to go there, and take 'em out." He explained some more. "No way!" Spike said. "I'm not killing anyone!" "I didn't say you had to kill them, that's there job." He said as he pointed to the Shady and his crew. "You'll just be the one to take out their place of business." "How could I possibly help you with that?" Spike asked. "You're a dragon, you breathe fire, you go to their place, and burn it down." The Don explained. "No way! I'm not doing that, you'll just have to find some other poor sucker!" Spike said as he was trying to get through the door until he was surrounded by Shady and his goons, and then he felt something pointing at him behind his back. It was the Don standing behind him with a Tommy gun. "I don't think you understand." The Don said. "Nobody refuses a job for me." He said still pointing the gun behind Spike's back, as Spike was sweating with fear. "Now, let's hear the right answer." The Don said. "Uh, what I was saying was, there's now way I'd do it without the help of these fine, nice gentlemen standing here." He said pointing to Shady and his crew. "Now that's what I wanted to here." The Don said. "Now go and do whatever it is you need to do." The Don said. "But remember, if you double-cross me..." The Don said with a pause. He then pointed the gun straight at Spike's head. "Get the picture kid?" The Don asked. "Yeah, sure, let's go!" Spike said sweating harder and trying not to break down crying with fear. "Come on kid, we can take my cart." Shady said as they walked outside. Spike got in the cart. "What do you thing you're doing kid?" Shady asked. "What do you mean?" Spike asked. "You're pulling the cart, now get out and start moving." Big Louie ordered. "Fine." Spike said getting out of the cart and started to push. "See how easy it is to cooperate?" Shady asked. Twilight, where are you? Spike asked himself. Meanwhile, Twilight and Rarity are still on the search for Spike, having no luck whatsoever. "We can't find him anywhere." Twilight said. "It's not like Spike to leave without saying anything." "Maybe we should go and ask the others." Rarity suggested. "Maybe they have seen Spike, or they could help us look for him at least." "Good idea Rarity." Twilight said "I'll go ask Applejack and Rainbow Dash." "And I'll go ask Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy." Rarity said. The two then parted ways to go ask the others on the whereabouts of Spike.
Spike's First JobIt's been about two hours since Spike has been pulling the cart, and every time he asks for help, they just snap at him to "shut up" and keep pulling. Spike was trying to find a way out of his deal with the Godpony. Just then an idea struck in his head. When the goons aren't looking, I'll write a letter to Princess Celestia to tell Twilight where I am. But in order to have time to write the letter, he'd have to shake off those jerks. "Uh, hey guys, my hands are getting sore from pulling this cart." Spike said, "Can I please take a break to give them a little rest?" He asked. "How dumb do you think we are?" Shady asked. "Yeah, how dumb do you think we-OW!" Fish said until he received another slap in the face, this time by Shady. "Never repeat after me." Shady said. "Will do, boss." Fish said, rubbing his face. "Aw come on, be reasonable." Spike pleaded. "I'm doing this favor for you guys, so cut me a little slack." Spike said. "Alright, you can rest for five minutes, but no more than that, got it?" Shady said. "Sure thing." Spike said as he sat on the ground wishing he had something to write with. "Do any of you guys have a piece of paper and a pen?" Spike asked. "I, uh, want to write to the Godpony on how well the job's going, and that I'm looking forward to being a member of the family." Spike lied. "Sure thing kid, glad you've finally got your priorities straight." Shady said as he gave him the paper and pen. Spike then sat down to write his rescue note to the princess. Dear Princess Celestia: It's me, Spike. If you're reading this, I've been kidnapped by three gangsters who are forcing me to join their mob family. Please let Twilight know so she can help me. I'm located near the outskirts of Ponyville, on my way to some place called the Trottaglia family house. These guys are dangerous, they work for the Godpony, Vito Coltleone. So please help me. Spike finished writing the letter and sent it to the princess, hoping she'll read it and tell Twilight what happened. Meanwhile, back in Ponyville: "Ah'm sorry Twi, but I haven't seen Spike around here at all, and you're tellin' me he went off without sayin' anything to ya?" Applejack asked. "That just don't seem like Spike at all." She said. "I know, and I really need some help, so could you help me look for him?" Twilight asked. "Ah would be glad to help Twi." Applejack said. "Oh thank you so much Applejack, now I need to go get Rainbow Dash and wait for Rarity to get Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy." Twilight said. "Sorry Rarity, but I haven't seen Spike all day." Pinkie said. "Oh dear, this is terrible, Spike's probably lost somewhere." Rarity said with a dramatic tone. "Don't worry Rarity, I'll help you find him." Pinkie said, trying to cheer up her distressed friend. "Oh, thank you Pinkie, now I need to go find Fluttershy and meet back with Twilight and the others." Rarity left Sugar Cube Corner to be on her way to Fluttershy's cottage. As she made it there, she knocked on the door. "Fluttershy, are you home?" Rarity asked. "Oh, hello Rarity, is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked as she opened the door. "Yes, something is terribly wrong!" She stated. "Spike-Wikey is missing, and I can't find him anywhere, so I really need your help to find him." Rarity said. "Oh my, this is serious, don't worry Rarity, I'll help you." Fluttershy said. "Thank you so much Fluttershy." Rarity said smiling with a few tears in her eye. "Now, we must go see if Twilight informed Rainbow Dash about Spike." She said as Fluttershy went with her to find Twilight. "Sorry Twi, I haven't seen the little guy anywhere around here." Rainbow said. "Oh no, this is bad." Twilight said, starting to worry terribly. "What am I going to do?" She said as tears started to fall. "Don't worry Twilight, I'll help you find him, I'm not the element of loyalty for nothing, you know." Rainbow Dash said as Twilight started to smile a bit. Just then, a scroll was from the princess was sent, as Twilight noticed it, she began to read it, hoping it would have something to do with Spike. Twilight gasped and fainted after reading what the princess had written. "Twilight, are you alright?" Rainbow asked. Still stunned from the letter, Rainbow Dash picked up the scroll to see for herself what made Twilight faint. "Oh man! We've got to find the others quick! Spike's in huge danger!" Rainbow then grabbed Twilight, still too stunned to move as she flew trying to find the others, with luck she found Rarity with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "You guys, we know where Spike is!" Rainbow said. "What?! Where?!" Rarity asked relieved. "Spike's been kidnapped by three gangsters and they're forcing him to do their dirty work." Rainbow said. Upon hearing that, Rarity, just like Twilight, dropped on the ground and fainted. "What do we do? Should we go tell the police?" Fluttershy asked. "That's not good enough Fluttershy, we need someone like-" Rainbow then got an idea. "I've got it!" Rainbow said excitedly. "I'll write a letter to Celestia, and ask her to send some royal guards with us and see if they could help us save Spike." "Good idea Rainbow." Pinkie said. Just as Rainbow and Fluttershy picked up the fairly stunned Twilight and Rarity, they headed back to the library to write a letter to the princess. "But how are we going to send it?" Fluttershy asked. "Without Spike, it's pointless." "Who's the fastest flyer in Ponyville?" Rainbow asked. "Um, you." Fluttershy said. "Exactly, so I'll fly to Canterlot, and deliver this scroll to her myself." Rainbow said as she finished writing and was about to take off. "Now you and Pinkie try to calm down Twilight and Rarity, I'll see you when I get back." Rainbow said as she took off to the sky. Just then Applejack came in the door and saw everypony there and was shocked by the information Pinkie had told her. "Ah sure hope Rainbow makes it back in time." Applejack said. "Guys, are we there yet?" Spike asked getting tired of pulling the cart. "Yep, here we are, Trottaglia headquarters." Shady said as they got out of the cart. "Ok Spike, you go around back and when I give the signal, you start the flame, and then when those jerks come out of there, we'll take care of the rest, got it?" Shady asked after telling Spike the plan. "Uh, I guess so." Spike answered. "Good, now get going." Shady said. "Alright guys, let's bail." Shady said. "What? Bail? But what about the rest of the job?" Big Louie asked. "Who cares, this way, we have a fall back guy, and those guys will never know what hit 'em." Shady said. "I still don't get it boss." Big Louie said. "Think about it lame-brain, if we did it, they'd know who it was, but if it was someone they never saw before, then we'd be in the clear, those goons will go, and we'll be on top of Ponyville once again." Shady said. "But what about the kid?" Fish asked. "Who cares, we can get another sucker to fill his position easily." Shady said. "But didn't the Don want us to take them out, I feel like we'll be letting him down, and you know what happened to the last guy who let down the Don." Big Louie said. "Yeah, you're right." Shady then got an idea "Hey Spike, on second thought, we've decided that you should be the one to do the job, you know, since you're the new guy and all." Shady said to Spike who was still behind the house. "What?! No Way!" Spike said. "That's it pipsqueak, I'm gonna come over there and when I do, I-" Right before he could finish, Shady felt a something hit him. He looked down and someone put a bullet right through him. As he fell over bleeding, the other two looked up and saw three Trottaglias standing on the balcony. "It's Trottaglia's!" Big Louie screamed. "Let's ice 'em!" As they had a shoot out with the Trottaglia family, Spike started to run for it. "Oh man, Twilight, I need you!" was all Spike could say before being knocked unconscious. As Spike up, a little bit dazed, he found himself tied up with a giant light beaming him in the face. He looked around and saw the dead bodies of Shady, Big Louie, and Fish all lying on the floor. Spike started to panic, but one of the Trottaglia's came in and pointed a pistol at him to shut him up. "What do you guys want with me?" Spike asked. "Tell us what we want to know, and you'll live." The stallion said.
The Search For Spike"What do you mean tell you what you want to know?!" Spike said afraid of the gun being pointed at him. "What the hell were you doing here?" The Trottaglia stallion asked him. "A Coltleone stepping in on Trottaglia turf is a death warrant just waiting to be signed." He informed him. "I didn't want to be here, I was forced to, I just wanted to buy my friend a gift!" Spike said with a mix of sobbing in his voice. Before he was slapped in the face to get quiet. "Now, if you don't shut up, I'm gonna do a lot more than slap you, understand?" He asked, as Spike nodded. "Look, I'll tell you anything you want to know, just please don't kill me!" Spike begged. "No promises." The stallion said. "Now what I want to know is, what the hell you were doing behind our headquarters, and I want to know now, so start talking." He said as he waved the gun around. "They told me to go around the house and start a fire, but I wasn't going to, I swear!" He said "Don't start pulling this "I swear" or "I wasn't gonna" stuff with me kid, I'm not buying it, understand?!" He snapped at Spike as he nodded his head. "Now what is your business with the Coltleones, as in what is it they wanted you for." He asked. "They just wanted me because I'm a dragon and I can breathe fire." Spike said. "But I could never breath enough fire to burn down a house, well I could, but I wasn't." He added. "I said knock it off with the "I wasn't gonna" crap, alright?!" He again snapped at Spike, who was on the verge of tears. "Look, that's everything I told you, so could you please let me go?" He asked. "You're not getting out of here yet kid, you still look like you're hiding something, so spill it already." He said. "I swear that's all I know, you have to let me go!" Spike said. "That's not happening, you see you were on Trottaglia turf, which in retrospect means, you are now OUR property, and we can do whatever we want with you, and that means even-" He said as he cocked his pistol, as Spike's eyes widened as he got the idea of what he was saying. Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack await on the return of Rainbow Dash. Though they still remained horribly worried as Twilight was crying her eyes out as Fluttershy tried to comfort her. "It's going to be ok Twilight, Rainbow Dash will be back soon with help, and we'll get Spike back from those horrible people. "You bet we will Twi!" Applejack said. "Right Rarity?" She turned to Rarity who was even more of a mess than Twilight. "You alright Rarity?" She asked, but she wouldn't say anything in return, the only thing that would help her make another sound is if they got Spike back. But as luck would have it, Rainbow Dash finally arrived with the help she went after. "Guys, come on!" Rainbow said, as her friends walked out and saw ten royal guards, even along with Celestia herself aiding them. "Princess Celestia?" Applejack asked, "What are you doing here?" "After reading Spike's letter and having Rainbow Dash explain what happened, I feel it is my duty to aid you on your rescue for Spike." Celestia said. "Oh, thank you so much princess." Twilight said as she started to smile again, wiping the tears from her eyes. As Twilight and everyone else climbed aboard Celestia's chariot, Rarity still remained silent, even the news of Celestia helping them didn't seem to snap her out of it. "I'm tired of running around circles with you kid!" The Trottaglia stallion said. "You're hiding something, and you're going to tell us what it is!" He demanded. Spike, covered in bruises, bleeding from hooves to the face, and has a horrible black eye. "I'm telling you, that's all I know!" Spike said breaking down. "Please let me go!" "We're getting nowhere with this kid boss, I think we'd better do him in." Another gangster said. "Not yet." The stallion answered, eyeing Spike in the face. "I don't care if we have to end up beating the life out of you, you are going to tell us exactly what we want to know!" He demanded. "But I don't know any more, I promise!" Spike said. "Just let him go boss, he's had enough." One said in the back. "Are you speaking against me?" He asked. "No, it's just that we've been for an hour, and I just think he's telling the truth." The one in the back said. "Get over here." He said. "What boss?" He asked. Instead of answering, he shot his crew member straight in the head as he fell over. "Anypony else want to add anything?" He asked a silent room. "Good, somepony take this scum out back and get him out of my sight." Another stallion got up and dragged the body out back as Spike watched in even more horror. "How close are we to this Trottaglia place" asked Rainbow Dash. "Pretty close by now, in fact I think we-HERE WE ARE!" One of the guards said. "I"M COMING SPIKE!" Twilight said loud as she could, so loud that everypony inside the house even Spike heard it. "HA!" Spike said. "Those are my friends, so the jig is up!" "Not exactly." The stallion said as he grabbed Spike and went outside, as Celestia's chariot flew to the ground. "Alright, you mobster scum!" Rainbow Dash said. "Give us Spike back!" "Forget it toots, he's with Trottaglia property now." The stallion said as he pulled Spike back from behind him as his friends saw what they've been doing to him, and he was screaming "Twilight! Help!" as he was being carried away with the stallion holding his pistol up to his head. "Now just get back in your little chariot, and go home." The stallion said. "He's ours now, and there's nothing you can do to get him back." As he started to back away still having a hold of Spike, Rarity's rage busted out as she was charging toward the stallion who was drawing his pistol at her, though she didn't care what happened to her, as long as Spike was ok. In a last minute flash of bravery, Spike stomped on the stallion's hoof which caused him to let go of Spike due to the immense pain. Just then Spike grabbed the gun, and shot the gangster right in the leg, as he fell over in even more pain and his friends watched in shock, as they never saw act this courageously. Spike stood over the fallen stallion with the gun still in his hand as he was about to pull the trigger again, then he just dropped it after seeing what he did and a flash of everything that has happened to him and everything he saw, he fell on the ground crying his heart out while the royal guards went to arrest the stallion and everyone in the house. As Spike's friends went over to him, they tried to calm them down. "Spike," Twilight said. "It's going to be ok." "NO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OK!" Spike was screaming. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH?!" He continued "I'VE WAS KIDNAPPED, BEATEN, THEY HAD GUNS AND KNIVES AND THEY WERE GONNA KILL ME, AND, AND AND-" Spike couldn't even finish, he was still screaming, crying, and still afraid after all that's happened to him. His friends tried giving him a hug and they even all cried with him as they felt so bad for Spike after all he's been through, but they were happy they got him back, even Rarity started to smile. "Princess," A royal guard started to inform her. "We have apprehended all the suspects, we've even spotted a few corpses in there as well." "Thank you." Celestia said as she walked toward Spike and his friends. "Spike?" she asked trying to get his attention. "Princess?" He replied as he jumped to hug her. "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" Was all Spike could say because she read his letter, and informed Twilight and everypony else about him. As they were leaving, Spike didn't say a word to anypony, he remained silent until he got home. It took a while, but eventually Twilight and Spike made it back to the library, and Twilight wanted to have a talk with Spike to see if he was ok. As they walked in the door together, and went in the bathroom to get some medicine for Spikes wounds, as Twilight tried to start a conversation with Spike. "Spike I-" "I'M SORRY TWILIGHT!" Spike started to cry. "I'M SORRY I DIDN'T KEEP MY PROMISE!, I JUST DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO YOU!" "Spike, please calm down, what do you mean you didn't want anything to happen to me?" "THEY SAID THAT IF I DIDN'T HELP THEM, THE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO THE LIBRARY, AND I JUST WANTED TO PROTECT YOU, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SO-" Twilight cut Spike off, and began to tear up herself as she hugged Spike "It's ok Spike, it's going to be ok." Spike couldn't even say anything, he just stayed on the floor crying and trying to speak, but he couldn't get a word out because of his sobs. Twilight was crying just as hard as he was after realizing all the pain and trauma Spike was in, and tried her best to calm him down. It was a rough day for not just Spike, but for everypony in general. Spike couldn't sleep as he decided to write another letter to the princess. Dear Princess Celestia: Today, I learned that you shouldn't trust every pony you meet, no matter how nice they seem. Because though they might seem nice at first, they could really be trouble. Sincerely, Spike. After he sent the letter to Celestia, everything just started to play back in Spike's head. He tried to shake it off, but he couldn't, this is something that would take some time to cope with. As he closed his eyes to try to get some sleep, he finally said to himself: "I guess this was a lesson learned the hard way."
