The Big Man
An Always Friends, Always More Story
A Humanized Pony Fic By Duke Moon II
Inspired by “The Girls of My Life” by Wildcard25

Chapter 4 – Old Acquaintances Best Forgotten

I once asked Spike to help out with some deliveries one weekend. He didn’t mind the heavy lifting, and I didn’t mind his company. What can I say? I was just happy that I was friends with Spike again. So there we were, delivering some crates to one of the markets in Ponyville when we were jumped by some thugs. No doubt they were just looking for a fight and I was going to give it to them. I then got clubbed from behind while the rest beat up on poor Spike. Recovering quickly, I was about to jump in and save Spike when one of the larger thugs grabbed me. I was forced to watch Spike getting kicked and punched by those varmints. Spike wasn’t a fighter and I almost cried, thinking that those bullies were going to kill him. Then the ringleader picked him up and started taunting Spike, calling him names and slapping him.

The thugs ran when the police chased them off. While I only escaped with a bump on my head, Spike got the worst of it as I saw him clutching his stomach and his head. He tried real hard not to cry in front of me, but I knew Spike was hurting and angry. He kept on cursing to himself, saying that he wished he wasn’t so weak. I assured him that everything was going to be okay.

I knew right then and there what I had to do...

Jacqueline Apple
Honor of the Apples

Spike began to run the past few hours of the day, and it all seemed like a blur. It began with Officer Shinning Sagan giving him a ride to school in his squad car, giving him advice on the brave new world that was high school. Then, in between classes, he ran into Blueblood, the alpha male, and got kissed by one of his best girl friends, which gained some unwanted attention from lots of people, and he was chased by a fan base which was made up of high school jocks and pseudo-religious worshipers. Now it was lunchtime at Golden Oaks Park, and he had to deal with three thugs that were trying to ruin lunchtime for him and his friends.

The situation looked more like a standoff than anything. Spike had noticed that while some of the people at the park were going about their business, others couldn’t help but tense up as they watched the two groups of teens just stare at each other, not saying a word. Spike couldn’t help but shake his head, lamenting the fact that trouble seemed to find him wherever he went, whether at school or at the park.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we have been properly introduced.” Rarity said, narrowing her eyes at the thugs.

“Well, Miss Manners, my name is Garble, of the Dragon Clan.” Garble introduced himself, making another mock bow.

“The Dragon Clan.” Rarity frowned.

“So you have heard of us.” Garble proudly pumped his chest.

“Yes, I have,” said Rarity disdainfully.

“We all have.” Twilight said, earning several nods from the other Harmony Hotties. “Spike told us that he actually joined you bunch of hooligans. All you ever do is terrorize people, cause damage to private property, and being all-around jerks!”

“And being grade A party poopers.” Pinkie Pie put in as she folded her arms with a frown.

“Whatever,” said Garble in a dismissive tone. “Besides, we make better company than the beta male rat you got there.”

“I’ll have you know that Spikey-Wikey is more alpha than any of you hoodlums put together!” defended Rarity.

Garble and his goons laughed uproariously, which caused Spike to grit his teeth.

“Spikey-Wikey!?” said Garble incredulously. “Oh, man. Like being the gang’s decoy and punching bag wasn’t enough! I remember this kid being a sack of tears when we first met him! If it wasn’t for our leader’s daughter, this kid would have just made another notch on my belt!”

“Joining the Dragon Clan was a mistake.” Spike said angrily. “I was at a low point in my life. I lost my friends, my sociopath of a girlfriend dumped me, and yeah, I was just a miserable sack of tears when I ran into you guys. In short, everything that happened to me up to that point was my own damn fault and I wanted you to kill me…to end me so I wouldn’t feel so miserable anymore.”

“And to this day, I don’t know why Ember took pity on you, runt,” growled Garble. “You were just a pit stain and a liability. Need I say again that you’re just a rat in the shadows?”

“You and your goons wanted to burn Mr. Sagan’s bookshop down!” shouted Spike. “Of course I wasn’t going to let that happen!”

“You should’ve left well enough alone!” said Garble angrily. “You weren’t even a Dragon anymore, so why did you care!?”

“Because I still cared about my friend!” declared Spike. “Turning you and your goons in was the best thing I ever did for myself!”

“That’s right!” Twilight said. “When my brother told me what happened, he convinced me to give Spike another chance. I have my friend back and I’m never letting him go!”

“That goes the same for me!” Rainbow declared.

“Yeah!” Pinkie nodded.

“He’s staying put with us!” Applejack said in a no nonsense manner.

“My puppy will not go astray again!” Fluttershy yelled.

“And since I’m in total agreement with my friends, I think it’s time that you and your… associates leave.” Rarity said haughtily, sticking her nose up. “We were having a very lovely lunch, and you are spoiling it for everyone.”

“And like I told Miss Pinkie here.” Garble smirked as he jabbed his thumb towards Pinkie. “We’re not leaving.”

“Wow, you got my name on the first go!” cheered Pinkie.

Having enough, Spike decided to walk towards Garble and his two underlings, earning worried looks from the Harmony Hotties. As he stood against the trio before him, he couldn’t help but be aware of how big they were compared to them. Spike didn’t really care because, as miserable as he felt running into these three thugs just moments ago, he felt his anger grow, his face contorted in rage.

“I think the ladies want you to leave.” Spike seethed.

“Oh, look who decided to stop hiding under a dress.” Garble scoffed and laughed. Addressing his two lackeys, he said, “Look, boys. The runt wants to show off for the ladies!”

Garble’s taunting and his underlings laughing did nothing but make Spike eyes twitch.

“At least he has something to show off, punk!” shouted Rainbow.

“You want come over here and say that to my face, C-cup!?” challenged Garble.

“How about I introduce my foot to your nuts!” shouted Rainbow. Then she scoffed and said, “Oh, wait. You need to have a pair in order for me to kick them.”

“You try that and you'll be eating carpet way more than usual!” Garble fired back.

"I dare you to say that again, dickless!" shouted Rainbow angrily.

“Garble, your beef is with me!” Spike shouted, gaining Grable’s attention once again.

“You bet I have a beef with you.” Garble growled as he picked Spike by the front of his shirt. “You’re going to pay for ratting us out to the cops! We spent one night in jail because of you!”

“Yeah, Garble didn’t like it when one of prisoners was eyeballing him funny!” piped up the blonde thug.

“Shut up, Fang,” hissed Garble.

“Now see here, you brute!” Rarity exclaimed and intervened. “You keep your meat hooks of-

“Back off!” Garble yelled as he pushed Rarity to the ground. “You don’t want none of me, princAHHH!”

Garble was cut off as Spike bit into his hand, making him release the grip on his shirt. Spike saw Garble back off as he shook his hand wildly as he gritted his teeth in pain. Almost instantly, Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow were at his side, with Rainbow and Applejack cracking their knuckles and Twilight getting into an old style pugilistic stance.

“Really, Twilight?” asked Rainbow with an eyebrow raised.

“I’ve been studying fighting stances.” Twilight reasoned.

“I think Granny used that stance, Twi’.” Applejack commented.

All the while, Pinkie and Fluttershy quickly attended to Rarity, helping her up.

“Rarity, are you okay!?” a worried Fluttershy said.

“Just fine, dear.” Rarity said, straightening out her clothes as she glared angrily at the thugs. “Though this brute will have hell to pay for laying a hand on me, and if he so much as damaged my ensemble, he’ll pay for much more than that!”

“They’re not just party poopers, they’re bullies!” Pinkie growled as she glared at the thugs.

“And we know what we do to bullies, right Applejack?” grinned Rainbow.

“Get in line, Rainbow,” said Applejack angrily. “These rotten apples are just beggin’ to be squashed!”

“Girls… I want to handle Garble myself,” said Spike intently.

“Spike, no.” Twilight said worriedly.

“I’ll be fine.” Spike insisted. Then he looked back at Applejack and said, “I got this, I really do.”

Applejack took notice and reluctantly nodded. She saw Spike walk up to Garble, who was still shaking his bitten hand. Applejack couldn’t help but worry as her best friend faced off against Garble. She knew the rest of his friends were worried about Spike and she, just the rest of the Hotties, was ready to jump if she saw that her friend needed help.

“You’re going to pay for what you did.” Spike said, cracking and loosening his neck.

“Yeah, you’re going to make me pay,” said Garble incredulously. “You forget that you were my personal punching bag back then?”

“That was then, this is now.” Spike said confidently. “I’m through with you and the Dragon Clan!”

“Shut up!” Garble said, punching Spike’s cheek.

“Spike!” the Harmony Hotties, minus Applejack screamed.

The punch didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd. Some of them immediately went to their cell phones to call the police while others watched in fascination. Whatever was happening between the group of girls, the boy and the three thugs, they were sure that they did not want to get involved, at least not themselves.

Spike staggered back and shook his head. He then walked back up to Garble with a confident smirk and said, “Really, that’s all you got? Come on, Garble! I know you can hit harder th-”

Spike was cut off when he was hit once again on the cheek, this time sending him to the ground.

“STOP IT!!” Fluttershy screamed in horror. “LEAVE HIM ALONE!!”

Before Fluttershy could go to Spike, she was caught by Applejack, who had grabbed her by the wrist. Fluttershy gave a questioning to Applejack, who only shook her. This also earned questioning looks from the rest of the Hotties.

“Spike wants to fight him, well let him.” Applejack stated.

“Applejack, you can’t be serious.” Twilight said, disbelievingly.

Spike staggered his way up, shaking his head once again. He sneered at Garble as he approached him once again.

“Garble, old buddy, you really disappoint me.” Spike laughed. “What happened to you? You lost your edge?”

“What the hell is going on?!” Twilight hissed at Applejack.

“Boy’s just getting psyched.” Applejack said simply

“‘Psyched’!? He’s getting his butt handed to him!” Rainbow said as she was about to go to Spike.

“Now hold on, missy,” said Applejack, stopping Rainbow in her tracks. “If Spike’s got this, he does.”

Just as soon those words left Applejack’s lips, Spike got punched repeatedly in the face by Garble. The thug then punched him in the gut and gave him an uppercut that sent Spike staggering back until he fell to the ground. Twilight and the other Hotties were immediately by his side, lifting him back.

“Spike, don’t do this.” Twilight urged in a scared tone.

“You don’t have to prove anything to him, Spikey.” Rarity said, taking out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiping the blood from Spike’s face.

“Oh, this is nothing.” Spike insisted as he began to walk towards Garble, only to be stopped by Twilight.

“You’re not going back out there!” Twilight yelled, who starting to get teary eyed.

“Twilight... I’ve got this.,” Spike smiled.

“You have bruises on your face, Spike!” Twilight said with her voice breaking. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove, but I’m not going let those hooligans hurt you again!”

“Let me take him, Spike!” Rainbow said in determination. “I’ll run rings around that dickless doofus!”

“And I’ll have a very special party cannon surprise for him,” said Pinkie in a scheming tone.

“Don’t fight anymore, Spike,” begged Fluttershy. “There’s no shame in running away.”

“He won’t hit me again,” Spike smiled to Twilight and the other girls. “I promise he won’t.”

“Spike… please, I… after all that’s happened today…” Twilight pleaded.

“He won’t...” Spike assured. “Trust me.”

Twilight couldn’t stop the tears from streaming from her eyes. She didn’t want to let Spike go out there alone with those thugs, much less the one that was beating him to a pulp. But she couldn’t help but look into Spike’s eyes. She almost refused to see it, but Twilight knew that Spike was not the kid brother figure she once knew. That much was certain when the two made out in her library room not too long ago. Reluctantly, she gave Spike a nod and a small smile.

“He punches you again, I’ll give him hell.” Twilight sniffled. “Then I’ll give you hell for being stupid.”

“We’ll be right behind you if need us.” Rainbow smirked as he patted Spike on the back.

“I’ll have my party cannon set to ‘Pie’,” saluted Pinkie

“Well… just dodge, okay?” said Fluttershy, still worried.

“I normally abhor violence Spike, but...” Rarity began as she narrowed her eyes at Garble and said, “That brute dared to shove a lady, and I think he needs to be taught some manners.”

Applejack simply smiled and nodded, as if giving him permission.

Spike, determined not to let the girls down, marched towards Garble again, who had a very amused smile on his face.

“Back for more, I see,” taunted Garble.

“You know... you made feel special today, Garble.” Spike sneered. “After getting harassed by some delusional rich kid, getting put on the spot in class, and finally getting chased around by cultists and football players, you actually took the time off your busy schedule of tagging and peeing on brick walls in the seedy part of Canterlot City just to drop by and see me. Truly, I feel blessed.”

“You think this is some joke to you, runt?” seethed Garble. “You think I didn’t have better things to do than bother with some bratty kid Torch’s daughter took pity on!? I’m next in line to lead the Dragons, and one day all the gangs in Canterlot City will answer to me! But I can’t let the fact that you ratted me out and got me sent to jail hang over my head, now can’t I!?!”

“Then how about taking one last shot at me, ‘oh Lord of the Dragon Clan’?” dared Spike. “Better make it count because it’s the last shot I’m going to give you!”

“GO TO HELL, DRA-

Garble was cut off as Spike punched him directly in the nose. Immediately, Garble was screaming, cursing as he covered his face in agony. His goons were shocked that their leader was caught by surprise.

Meanwhile, Spike, looking pleased with himself, looked back to girls and everyone, minus Applejack, who was smiling a confident smile, looked completely shocked, their mouths hitting the floor in disbelief. He then looked directly at Applejack and mouthed a thank you to her. Applejack responded sternly, mouthing the word ‘focus’ to Spike, to which the boy nodded and faced off against Garble.

“You little piece of shit!” shouted Garble in rage as he uncovered his face, revealing a bloody nose. “You punched me in th-”

Garble was cut off again as Spike punched him in the nose again, causing the thug to cover his face again. He screamed even louder than before.

“Bastard, that really hurt!” screamed Garble once again, uncovering his face. “I’m gonna ki-”

Spike cut off Garble’s rant once again as he punched him in the nose. Garble covered his face in pain, screaming even in louder.

“Hey, cut it out!!” Garble shouted in pain. “This isn’t how it-”

This time, Spike punched Garble’s gut several times, taking the air out of him. Afterwards, Garble clutched his stomach as he glared at Spike with hatred eyes, growling at him.

“Shitty little fuck!” shouted garble. “Wait until I get my ha-”

Spike punched Garble several times in the face without hesitation, causing the thug to stagger, covering his face with one hand and clutching his stomach with the other, groaning.

“Um, boss?...” the thug named Fang piped. “I think you’re supposed to dodge those.”

Garble shot a death glare at Fang, which made the goon cringe. He then lunged at Spike, only to be met by a fist to his face, then several punches to the stomach and finally a hard uppercut to chin, which made Garble stagger backwards before losing his footing, falling on his back.

Garble, eyes wide, couldn’t believe what was happening. Spike had made a fool of him. Worse yet, it was in front of a crowd that was looking at this fight like it was a main event and not a public beat down he wanted to display. Then there was Spike, never taking his eyes of him, no fear in his eyes and a scowl on his face. This only infuriated Garble as he wiped the blood of his nose.

“That was for Rarity, asshole.” Spike stated.

All the while, the Harmony Hotties expressions varied. Twilight was speechless and fascinated by the fighting prowess Spike had displayed. Rarity was actually feeling faint, a blush forming on her cheeks. Rainbow had her arms folded as a smirk formed on her lips. Fluttershy had her hands to her mouth is surprise. Pinkie was actually cheering with pompoms in each hand while Applejack has a prideful smile on her face.

“Spike… when… when did…” Twilight stuttered.

“Did my puppy actually do that?” asked Fluttershy in shock.

“Looks like your puppy is a big bulldog now,” said Rainbow said proudly.

“More like a valiant knight.” Rarity said, swooning.

“You go, Spike!” cheered Pinkie.

“Just like ah taught ‘im.” Applejack said, prideful.

“WHAT!?” the rest of the Harmony Hotties exclaimed.

“I gotta say, not bad for part-time training.” Applejack

“Wait, you taught Spike… our Spike… how to do that?!” said Twilight incredulously. “What were you thinking!? You know how Spike wants to keep out of trouble!”

“And he don’t like fightin’ neither, Twilight,” said Applejack with an even tone. “You remember when I told you about me and Spike getting’ jumped by some thugs a few months back? I offered to train him every weekend and he said yes. Fact is, trouble always keeps finding our boy anyway, so he might as well be prepared.”

“Why didn’t you tell us!?” demanded Fluttershy.

“I could have helped, you know.” Rainbow said.

“Spike didn’t want y’all to worry,” said Applejack firmly. “As much as I don’t like keepin’ secrets, Spike made me promise I wouldn’t tell anyone about me training him. We even Pinkie Promised each other.”

“Oh, well that changes everything!” Pinkie said cheerfully.

“Spikey is doing well, I admit.” Rarity admitted.

“I’m still keeping an eye on those three.” Twilight said.

“You and all of us,” nodded Applejack firmly.

Meanwhile, Spike kept his focus on Garble, scowling at him. He had the punk down, but he knew he wasn’t just going to run after a few punches. Spike knew Garble wasn’t going to let this slide… at least not in front of his goons.

“I don’t want to fight you, Garbl.” Spike said firmly. “I don’t want to fight anybody, not even your thugs. But I’m not going to stand here and let you push me or my friends around. Like I said, I’m through with you. Get out of here before you lose face… or what’s left of it.”

Garble got up, breathing heavily. His face contorted to rage as he faced off against Spike.

“I’m… I’m not leaving, runt,” growled Garble. “Not until you’re a red smear on the grass.”

“If that’s how it’s going to be then,” said Spike, getting into a boxing stance.

“Haven’t you forgotten, ‘Spikey-Wikey’?” asked Garble, a manic grin forming. “The Dragon Clan never fights alone! Fang! Talon! Teach this half pint some respect!!”

Spike tensed up as Garble’s goons approached him, cracking their knuckles. Unfortunately for them, Applejack and Rainbow were immediately there at Spike’s side, each landing one hard punch to the face of each thug. The thugs fell to the ground, clutching their faces and groaning in pain. Needless to say, Garble eyes went wide in shock.

“Neither does Spike, dickless.” Rainbow said, frowning at Garble.

“I’d git while the gittin’s good, ya varmint,” threatened Applejack.

“Yeah, like I’m going to let a rat and his whores humiliate me like this.” Garble seethed as he took out a brass knuckle from his pocket. “I don’t need any backup to finish you three! All I need is-”

“GARBLE!!”

Spike, the Hotties, Garble and his thugs, along with everyone in the park, turned their attention to the source of the yell. It had a come from a tall, tough-looking light purple-haired young woman, dressed similarly to Garble, except her clothes were a blue cut-off jacket with a white shirt underneath. She wore tight black pants that accentuated her figure along with black boots. She stalked towards Garble, who now had fear adorning his face.

“Ember Fliehr,” said Spike, surprised.

“She’s huge!” Rainbow said in awe.

As soon as Ember reached Garble, she grabbed him by the throat, squeezed and lifted him up. Garble struggled, but to no avail.

“Did Torch give the order to come here, Garble?” asked Ember angrily, squeezing Garble’s throat even tighter. “Did my father give the green light to you three losers to harass people on their lunch break?”

“That’s the boss’s daughter?” Applejack asked Spike in a low tone. “She don’t look like no pitying type.”

“I’m not,” said Ember as he dropped Garble to the ground. Before Garble could say a word, Ember kicked him in the chin, putting him on his back. Then Ember stomped Garble’s balls and kept pressing her foot on them, making Garble scream a high pitch scream, which made everyone watching turn away or wince.

Back with Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy, they couldn’t look away as the woman continued to punish Garble.

“She’s… not very ladylike, is she?” asked Rarity rhetorically.

“She’s scary!” gasped Fluttershy.

“She’s turning that meanie into a weenie!” said Pinkie.

“I’ll say,” agreed Twilight.

Ember twisted her heel, causing Garble to scream even more. This caused Spike, Applejack and Rainbow to cringe.

“I’ll ask again,” said Ember viciously. “Who gave the order!?”

“NO ONE!” sobbed Garble. “NO ONE ORDERED US TO COME HERE! WE CAME HERE ON OUR OWN!”

“Typical,” said Ember, rolling her eyes backward as she took her foot off Garble’s crotch. “I’m really getting sick of disciplining you, Garble. No matter what I do, you just keep running off, settling useless vendettas and generally making a fool of yourself and by extension, the Dragon Clan. Maybe I should let my father handle you personally.”

“No, I’ll be good, I promise!” Garble blubbered fearfully and hysterically.

Before Ember could respond, she heard several police sirens in the distance. She then glared at Garble’s two henchmen, who were just getting up.

“You two!” bellowed Ember, catching the attention of Fang and Talon. “Pick him up! We’re leaving!”

Fang and Talon did as ordered and picked Garble up and ran off as quickly as they could. Ember watched them and shook her head in disgust. She then looked at Spike, Applejack and Rainbow and then to the fast approaching Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy. She couldn’t help but smile fondly at Spike and all the girls by his side.

“Guess you took my advice, Greenfire,” said Ember.

“Greenfire?” asked a confused Rainbow.

“My gang name,” answered Spike. “One I will never use again.”

“You never were cut out for the Clan life,” laughed Ember. “Guess you’ll have to settle for having your own harem, huh?”

Spike blushed at that and so did the rest of the Hotties. Before Spike could answer, Ember was already running off. She ordered the two henchmen dragging Garble to a nearby black car, where they deposited their fallen boss. Ember got into the car and instantly drove off just as soon as the police cars arrived, giving chase. The rest of the lunchtime crowd sighed in relief, glad the whole ordeal was over.

“What a day,” sighed Spike.

“We sure showed them,” said Rainbow confidently.

“More like she showed him,” cringed Applejack.

“I don’t know why that creep was crying,” commented Rainbow. “I mean, he would need to grow a pair in order to feel anything down there, right?”

Spike and the Hotties laughed uproariously. It was a crass comment, but after all that has happened, it was a much needed relief.

“Rainbow… th-...that wasn’t nice,” Fluttershy chided, but continued laughed.

“Really, dear, such humor.” Rarity said, who was still laughing.

“Still, don’t ever worry us like that again, Spike.” Twilight said as she calmed herself. “And for heaven’s sake, tell us everything next time, please.”

“I didn’t want any of you to worry.” Spike said sheepishly.

“We’re always going to worry about you.” Twilight said, smiling warmly as the other girls nodding in agreement. “I don’t care if you become big and strong, we won’t ever stop worrying about you.”

“That’s right,” Fluttershy said firmly.

“Still, Spikey-Wikey, it was very noble of you to stand up for a lady like that,” purred Rarity as she traced a finger on Spike’s chest, causing him to blush.

“And now that I know how you spend your weekends, I might just drop by Sweet Apple Acres and show a few moves of my own.” Rainbow suggested.

“That won’t be necessary,” Spike said nervously.

“Twily!” shouted a voice.

Spike and the Hotties looked to the source of the shout and found that Officer Shinning was coming towards them. Twilight smiled as did the others, relieved to see a familiar face.

“Big brother!” exclaimed Twilight happily.

“Came as soon as I heard,” said Shining as he stopped running. “Are you alright?”

“Never better, Shiny,” said Twilight as she came over to Shining and gave him a big hug.

“I’m glad,” said Shining, hugging Twilight back. He then turned his attention to Spike and the rest of the girls. “Is it true? The Dragon Cult was here?”

“They just ran off, officer,” Rainbow said as she jerked a thumb towards to where the Dragon Cult ran. “Heard the sirens and turned tail.”

“Guess the force will have a full plate chasing those guys back to Canterlot City,” said Shining. He then spotted Spike and saw the bruises on his face. “You okay there, bro? Looks like you had a pretty rough day.”

“It has been a rough ride, officer,” smiled Spike. “But I’m not alone. I have Twilight and the girls looking out for me, and I looking out for them. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

At that, Twilight went over to Spike and gave him a big hug, to which he returned. The rest of the Hotties joined in a massive group hug with Spike in the middle. Spike couldn’t help but smile goofily, thinking that things could only go well from there.

Author's Note

Thanks again to Wilcard25 and F14m3rz for pre-reading and editing. I promise that the next chapter will come soon...hopefully sooner rather than later.