MLP: Air Magic

Chapters

Trick 1-Spike D. Velvet
Trick 2: Air Magic Festival
Trick 3: Road Of Flames(EDITED)
Trick 3.5: Destiny
Trick 5: A Magic Rider's Pride Part 2
Trick 6: The 1% Wall
Trick 6.5: The Eight Queens and their Roads
Trick 4: A Magic Rider's Pride Part 1

Trick 1-Spike D. Velvet

Tuesday in Ponyville. Just an ordinary day for the ordinary person to do ordinary things in their ordinary lives. Walks were taken, Groceries were bought, and people could be seen coming from, or going to, their jobs in equal measure, all with some from of expression on their face that told just how their work day had gone that morning.

The people of this tiny little town all either shielded their eyes or wore visors of some kind on this particular day. And Twilight Sparkle was no exception. In fact, it was probably worse for her.

As she made her way to her castle, she had to lower her umbrella just a bit to keep the glare from the crystals from blinding her.

She heaved a sigh of relief when she finally stepped into the cool, comforting surroundings of her home. She could already feel herself relaxing as she removed her coat and set her umbrella back into it's holder. She was officially in vacation mode. All she needed now was Spike's yummy, delicious, mouthwatering pan-

'Wait. I don't smell anything.' Twilight's brow furrowed in thought. Where could Spike be?

"Spike?" She called. "Spike, where are you?" She made her way down the corridors to his room, putting an ear to the door to make sure everything was alright before coming in."Spike?" Nothing. Just what was he doing in there? "I'm...coming in now, okay?"

With that, she slowly opened the door, dreading what she would see...

'Yes, she's gone!' Spike thought as he lay back on his bed reading his comics. 'Now I can do whatever I want!' He reconsidered that line of thought for a second. 'At least until she gets back, that is.'

Twilight had gone to Princess Celestia's to take care of some royal business, and had left Spike in charge of the castle. He could lounge around all he wanted now.

He could eat all the snacks in the pantry, nap the day away, and go back to reading his comics to his heart's content.

A devious smile crept across his face. 'Or...hehehe...'

Without another word he bounded through the corridors, heading to the castle library. He opened the door and wasted no time in heading straight for the restricted section, chuckling madly to himself as he perused cover after cover of the very obviously 'adult' reading material.

Without checking to find out exactly what book he picked up, he raced back to his room and closed the door, immediately cracking open the cover and beginning his journey into the more sensual arts.

He must have lost track of time in his revelry, because he soon heard a voice on the other side of the door say, "Spike?"

He was ripped from his most 'informative' reading session yet, and forced back into reality with that one question.

'Crap, Twilight's back!' Spike's eyes widened. He could've sworn she said she'd be back a lot later than this. He immediately looked around for a place to hide the book, when he heard her say,

"I'm...coming in, okay?"

Then he heard the door open. Slow as a snail, as if to mock him for thinking he had time to do anything but feel fear in this situation. Sweat began to build up on his forehead, dripping down to his chin and, thankfully, staying there.

He had no time to think as he saw Twilight's head enter into the room, swivel around to check if he was there, and then land squarely on him. Her eyes boring into his as he stared back.

He could only watch as her eyes narrowed dangerously in his direction, no doubt having found the object of his attention at this point.

Slowly she entered the room, like a snake, slithering forward to pounce on its prey. She didn't even turn around as she closed the door and locked it behind her.

Her hands fell to her sides, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and exhaling slowly. When she opened them again, Spike swore he could see death waiting there, counting down the mere seconds to his demise. He gulped audibly, sweat now falling like bullets from his face.

Twilight couldn't believe what she was seeing. She's gone for a couple hours, and Spike goes and sneaks into the restricted section. Again. She had to pinch the bridge of her nose to try and stop the headache that was already forming. It didn't help.

"T-t-twilight, I-"

"I DON'T want to hear it, Spike. Give me. The book."

"B-but-"

"GIVE ME! THE BOOK!"

Spike recoiled as he felt the sting of her anger, even from where he was in the middle of the room. "Y-yes, ma'am."

Slowly, and with shaky legs, he made his way over to her, and placed the book in her hand. He stepped back and waited for the hammer to drop.

"Spike. Draconius. Velvet. Jr. What. Have I told you. About reading these kinds of things?" Twilight said, her anger preventing her from forming a full sentence.

"That...I'm too young to read them?"

"That's right!" She slammed the book down onto the floor, and Spike had to use every once of strength within him to not jump back in terror. "I thought I taught you better than this. Do you want to grow up into a pervert?!"

"I'm sorry, Twi, I-" Spike stumbled over his words as his spoke, only to be cut off by Twilight.

"Oh, you're sorry, is that it? Well, I guess that makes everything just FINE, doesn't it?" She yells.

"Does it?" Spike asks, not even daring to show the hope she had just given him.

"NO!" She yells. Her shoulders shake with barely contained rage, but soon, she simply sighs in frustration. "Spike. You're a growing boy, and I know you're getting to be that age where you're interested in girls, but..."

"But?" Spike says, standing up now that the terror was over.

"But you're just not ready. You're too young. You don't know much about the world yet. If I were to let you do this now, you'd get the wrong idea about girls and start looking for...

"Looking for what, Twi?" Spike asks, genuinely curious.

"Nothing!" She sighs again. "...I just don't want you to get your heart broken. Or break anyone else's, for that matter."

Spike looks over at Twilight. She was his older sister, but because they lived alone, she often had to be his parent as well. Spike understood this, though he sometimes forgot. She really did work hard to give him a good life. Spike looked up at her face, to see that she was crying. He had to say something. "I understand. I won't read them."

Twilight smiles. "Good."

Spike's devious smile returned. "But in exchange you have to teach me about A.M.s"

Twilight wiped her eyes, and her smile turned into an expression of bemusement. "I'm not buying you A.M.s, Spike. You can just forget about it now. It's not happening."

"But-" Spike lifted a finger in protest

"I said no! Now leave me alone! I just got back from Canterlot, and i'm not in the mood to make deals with you." Twilight turns around and walks out the door, Spike following closely behind her.

"That bad, huh?" Spike said, cringing at the thought of just what Twilight had gone through over there..

"You have no idea." Twilight said as she let out a sigh for what had to be the fourth time that day, this one in relief once more. "I just wish the nobles of Canterlot knew the difference between petty squabbles and a real problem! I think I see now why Celestia hates day court so much."

"Yeah, she does hate it." Spike said, folding his arms. But soon, he immediately changed topics. "So can I? Huh? Huh?"

"NO! How many times do I have to tell you! You're not getting a pair of A.M.s, so stop asking!"

"Why not?" Spike expression was one of pleading as he said this.

And so, the fifth sigh came. "Look, Spike. It's like I said with the porn. You're not ready. The world of A.M. is dangerous. You could get seriously hurt!"

Spike scoffed. "Oh, please Twi. It's just a pair of skates! How could I possibly get hurt? Aside from the occasional falling, I see nothing wrong with you teaching me."

"Trust me, Spike. If you knew what went on in that world, you would rethink what you just said. Very hard."

"Oh, fine. If you're so against me doing it. I won't pester you anymore." Spike said, slightly upset.

"Good. Now let's go eat. I want some more of your delicious pancakes." Twilight smiled.

"You got it!" Spike grinned. A grin that turned into a mischievous smirk once Twilight turned around all the way.

"ohhh, that was good." Twilight said as she lay back in her chair, well and truly satisfied with her meal. "How do you do it, Spike?"

"Guess i'm just a good cook." Spike shrugged.

"That's the understatement of the century." Twilight said as she tried to sit up properly but couldn't.

"You flatter me too much." Spike said, a blush forming on his cheeks.

"You deserve it." Twilight said in response. Raising her hand as a weak sign of just how much she meant what she said.

"Aww, thanks."

"You're welcome. Thanks for lunch, by the way. I need a nap. Unfortunately, I don't think I can make it to bed by myself in this condition. Will you help me, Spike?"

"Sure!" He answered. He grinned inwardly. He couldn't believe that she wanted him to take her to her room. This was working out perfectly in his favor, Originally, he had intended to sneak into her room and steal her A.M.s, but now she was practically inviting him in! This was great!

"Oooh, my stomach!" Twilight groaned in slight pain as Spike carried her up the stairs. He had been the one to clean the dishes after they ate because Twilight said she felt like she couldn't move a muscle if she tried. "I think I ate a bit too much."

"Everything in moderation, Twi. Remember what you taught me?" Spike said, getting slightly snarky with his adoptive sister.

"Shut up." twilight pouted in response. Spike laughed at just how cute she was when she was like this. It was almost enough to make him not want to put his plan into action. Almost.

When Twilight was in bed, and Spike had stayed in her room long enough to make sure she was asleep, he set about searching her room.

'Now, where are you?'

He look under her bed first. 'Not there.'

He checked in all of her drawers. 'Not there.'

He checked her closet. 'Not there, either. If it's not in her room, then where is it? Where could it be?' Then he thought about it a little more.

"The storage close-mm!" He quickly caught himself as he said that line out loud. He stared wide-eyed at Twilight's prone form on the bed as she stirred slightly in her sleep, turning over. Despite the situation, he couldn't help but find the display a little hot. Especially when Twilight only slept in a t-shirt and underwear.

He stayed in her room for a little while longer, not daring to move lest he wake her up. Only when he was absolutely sure she was asleep once more, did he move to leave. And when he did, he did so quietly, lest he incur the wrath that was Twilight once more.

He made his way down the stairs to the first level of the castle, and went down the first corridor to the right of the main hall. Once he made it to the fifth right door, he stopped, turned toward it, and opened it.

When he stepped inside, he was greeted with boxes, boxes, and more boxes. 'Guess she hasn't finished moving in yet, haha.'

As he made his way further inside, looking around for anything that resembled a shoe, he saw it. Just out of the corner of his eye, at the very back of the storage closet. There they were.

'Twilight's A.M.s! Score!' With that, he ran over and picked them up, all the while grinning like a fool. He began laughing again. It was a low, giggly laugh that made him a bit embarrassed, but it didn't matter. He had done it. He had A.M.s now! And he was gonna use them. And use them well.

Trick 2: Air Magic Festival

Twilight paced the main hall of her castle over and over again, walking in a perfect circle even as her mind was preoccupied with her continually less and less happy thoughts.

"Spike? Spike, where are you?!" Twilight yelled out as she made her way through the castle corridors. Earlier today- earlier being thirty minutes after she woke up-she had gone to check on Spike, only to find that he wasn't in his room. She'd gone all throughout the castle several times already, thinking he may have decided to play hide and seek with her out of nowhere, and was now doing her last thorough sweep of the place before she really got worried.

"Spike! Please come out! I don't know where you're hiding, but this isn't fun anymore." She lowered her head and sighed heavily. 'Geez. Where did you go? Just up and taking off like that.'

But then something occurred to her. If she didn't know where Spike was, then maybe her friends would. She would go see them and let them know.

She stood up from her position on the floor, which allowed her to finally realize the fact that she hadn't put on any clothes since starting her search for Spike. She quickly made her way up to her room and got an outfit out of her closet, putting it on and grabbing a pair of binoculars to aid in her search. She also grabbed her umbrella, just in case it got hot again.

With that done, she made her way out of her castle and down the dirt path to Sugar Cube Corner. If anyone would know where Spike was, or at least how to find him, it was her.

"So...how do I work these again?" Spike asked out loud to no one in particular. It was a rhetorical question. He had been able to steal Twilight's A.M.s, and get away with them before he was caught, and everything was going good so far. The only thing wrong was that now, he couldn't figure out just what to do with them.

He'd read the manual, and so he at least knew that if he applied just the right amount of pressure, he could get them to move. That was what he was doing at the moment. Just getting used to moving around in them.

'Hmm...It says here, that if I apply more pressure, I should be able to get them to move even faster! Alright! Let's try it!'

And so he bent his knees, preparing for the burst of speed he was sure to receive...only to blast forward at unimaginable speed, catching him off guard and causing him to slip and fall onto his back.

"Ow." He tried to stand up, his legs wobbling slightly as he did so, and set to try again. "Alright. I'll get it right this time."

And so, he tried again, bending his knees and preparing for another burst of speed. This time tensing up to prevent himself from slipping...

Only to fall forward, flat on his face this time. He stood up again and wiped his bloody nose. 'Come on, you silly skates. Help me out here!' He thought as he prepared for a third time...

only to flip over and land on his head. When he got himself upright again, he screamed at the sky in fury, enraged at how hard it was to just skate in a straight line.

'Why...is...this...so...hard! Spike growled out as he practiced over and over again just to do this once thing. He had to make sure he had at least this it down to a T before the end of the day. If not, he really wouldn't be able to be a Magic Rider.

'It would be just like Twilight said. I wasn't ready.' Spike thought, looking down at the A.M.s he stole from his older sister. Then he realized it. What was he doing out here? There was no doubt in his mind that Twilight was currently tearing ponyville apart in her worry, trying to find him. What was he doing out here, putting himself in danger like this when Twilight was out there searching heaven and earth itself, all for his sake.

'...No. I can't stop now. I'll just get better. That way when Twilight finds me, I can show her how wrong she was about me being in any real danger. Yeah, that's it.'

And so he kept practicing, and practicing, and practicing. Until he was sure he could go at any speed on the skates and not fall at all.

When he was done. his hair was a mess on his face, matted with sweat and his breathing was quick and shallow. He needed to take a break. And so he sat down on the Canterlot mountain trail where he had gone to practice. The trail led up the mountain to the princess' castle, and he was pretty high up, so he had a good view of the dawn over ponyville from where he was. He took the time to enjoy it before laying back and basking in the cool refreshing feeling of the stone on his back and the wind brushing across his face.

After about five minutes, he finally felt up to the task of trying again, but now there was something different on his mind. As he looked out over the mountain, down at all people of ponyville, he had the sudden urge to jump. He wanted to feel the wind on his face, feel it rushing past his ears, feel it pushing against the fabric of his purple jacket and his black sweatpants.

He wanted...to fly.

He took a deep breath, reveling in the refreshing scent of the air. Then he smiled, backed up to the wall of the mountain, and applied the pressure. He could feel himself being propelled forward. It was like moving in slow motion for him. He could see the edge coming, but it felt so far away, so distant, like the summit to the mountain it was apart of.

He was able to briefly entertain the idea of this being a metaphor for him, something like taking a leap of faith, or a journey into the unknown. It suddenly felt like there were so many opportunities opening before him, and he was excited to find out what they all were.

When he finally reached the edge, he jumped, and was effectively launched across the sky. For a moment he was as happy as could be. The wind was in his hair, he was flying through the air, and there was no Twilight to tell him what he could and couldn't do. He was free.

But...then he realized he was several feet above the ground and there was no one to catch him.

His eyes were as big as saucers as he fell at great speed down to...to...

"The Everfree Forest?! Ahhhhh!" Spike screamed as he fell down towards the trees of the Everfree. Why had he been such an idiot? What exactly made him believe that he was ready for this? He had had enough. Twilight was right. He wasn't ready! He only just wished she was there to save him from his impending doom.

As the trees of the Everfree rushed into view, he squeezed his eyes shut and prepared himself for an impact that would surely kill him...

Only...it didn't. In fact, he didn't feel any pain at all. Had the impact been so strong that he was instantly killed? Was he in heaven now? Or...was he really alive? As impossible as that last one had to be of course.

For a single moment, he dared to open his eyes. Only to see... a girl? Well, whoever she was, she had saved his life. He owed her big time.

The two sailed through the air for a moment before falling into the middle of a clearing, where Spike's savior rested him down on the ground gently.

Spike sat up and took a look at the girl who saved him. She had wild blue hair, and wore a pair of white rimmed sunglasses. She also had a pair of headphones around her neck. She wore a white crop top hoodie and a pair of baggy blue cargo pants. Spike looked down and saw that...

"You're a magic rider?"

The girl nodded her head and lifted up her sunglasses, showing off bright red eyes. "That's right, kid." She winked at him. "The name's Vinyl Scratch. You should be more careful next time you jump. Landing is hard. I should know." She grinned, showing off her perfectly white teeth.

"Uh...okay." Spike blinked. "I'll...be more careful next time. Thanks for saving me."

"No problem!" She turns around and leaves, the sound of her A.M.s motors the only thing she left behind. She looks back over her shoulder and waves. "See ya, dragon boy!"

Spike could only stare in wonder for a moment, thinking, 'So, that's a magic rider, huh? She's great.' Then he realized what she said. 'Dragon boy? What did she mean by that? Was she talking about the dragon design on the back of my jacket? I know Rarity made it for me but, to get a nickname for it...' He watched her retreating form a little bit more before getting up and walking deeper into the Everfree. 'I don't know why, but something is telling me to keep going further.'

"What do you mean you don't know where he is?!" Twilight yelled as she stared down her pink friend. She had long since gotten Rarity to come along with her. All she had to do was mention Spike's name, and Rarity needed no more persuasion. She was a little surprised at how quickly she'd agreed actually. It was a little touching to know that she cared for Spike to such a degree. If she told Spike about this, he'd probably fall even further in love with her.

They were currently questioning Pinkie Pie as to whether or not she knew where Spike was, and Twilight was surprised that for all her abilities, her Pinkie Sense couldn't tell her exactly what she needed to know at a time like this.

"I'm sorry Twi. I wish there was more I could do, but, my pinkie sense can only sense danger and possible unexpected events. it can't locate people. At least not as far as I know. If it helps, my pinkie sense hasn't activated yet, so he must be alright."

Twilight seemed to calm down at her friend's words. "Thank Celestia for that." She sat down at the counter, and accepted the back rub Rarity offered her.

"Darling, it's alright. I'm sure Spike is doing fine out there on his own."

"Do you really think so, Rarity? Because him being on his own is exactly what i'm worried about!" Twilight buried her face in her hands.

"Our little Spikey is a big, strong boy, you know? Have more faith in him, Twilight. I'm sure that if-" Rarity cut herself off at the glare she got from Twilight. "-when we find him, he'll be perfectly alright!"

"I hope you're right about that, Rarity, for everyone's sake." Twilight sighed. It seemed she was becoming very adept at sighing these past couple days. "I'm sorry, girls. I'm just so worried. What if something happens to him?!"

"It won't, darling! He'll be fine. I promise. If he's not, well then, i'll paint my A.M.s green for a week."

"Oh...you don't have to do that. I'm just being paranoid. We'll find him."

"That's the spirit, Twilight. Have faith!" Pinkie said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Twilight couldn't help the grin that formed on her face. She had such good friends.

"Now! I'll call the others. Let's get this search party started!" Pinkie cheered, raising a fist into the air.

Spike looked around the clearing for a moment, taking in everything around him before starting to walk forward. He was glad to have met the magic rider girl, and now something was telling him to keep going.

He poured on the speed, choosing to chase down the feeling rather than let it slip away. he zipped forward, blasting through the path and making his way through the Everfree with surprising ease. He was just glad he hadn't had to jump yet.

After thirty minutes, he could've sworn he heard people talking. Either that, or it was the wind whistling past his ears. He chose to believe it was the former one.

His hopes were proven right as he soon found himself coming upon a small shop. He slowed to a stop and made his way over to it. "H-hello? Is this place open?"

"Yes~! Who is it~!" came a voice that Spike was sure he'd heard somewhere before. He couldn't put his finger on it but...

Soon, a rather large rump entered his vision, followed swiftly by someone's back, and then the person's face when they turned around to face him. "What can I do for ya?"

"M-m-m-Mrs. Cake?! what are you doing here in the Everfree?" Spike said, recoiling in surprise.

"Well, what does it look like, you silly goose? I'm here on business! Welcome to the Swirling Slush" She said, the smile never leaving her lips. That is until she recognized who he was. "Oh my stars! Spike, is that you?! I haven't seen you since you were a baby! How are you doing these days?"

"I'm doing fine, Mrs. Cake. But why are you in the Everfree Forest. Isn't it dangerous?" Spike asked in a worried tone.

"Oh, no, no, no! I'm perfectly safe!" She laughed "At least for right now. The magic riders keep the Everfree creatures from hurting anyone."

"There are other magic riders here?" Spike asked in shock.

"Yep! And there's a lot of 'em. It's the day of the Air Magic Festival after all."

"Air Magic Festival?" Spike asked, genuinely curious now.

"It's a meeting place where magic riders come to talk, test their skills, or just have fun!"

"Well, where is it being held?"

"Oh, it's just a little ways behind me. Why?" Mrs. Cake gasped. "Don't tell me...you're a-"

"Nope, but I wanna be."

"Spike, no! You cant go! The world of A.M. is dangerous. You could get hurt!" Mrs. Cake gestures wildly as she says this.

"Ugh! You sound like Twilight. I'll be fine. Thanks for the directions. See you later!" Spike speeds away again, heading for the meeting.

"Spike! Wait, come back!" Mrs. Cake yells back at him. But he is too far away to hear.

"So, what's this I hear about Spike runnin' off on his own?" Apple Jack asks as she steps into Sugar Cube Corner, panting slightly. After Pinkie had called everyone out there, they had all made a beeline to get here, practically hanging up the phone directly in her ear every time each one of them heard Spike's name

"Apple Jack, darling! Did you run all the way here?" Rarity asks, concern on her face.

"Yes, I did. Now tell me what's going on. What's happened to Spike?"

"He left home and hasn't come back." came Twilight's voice from up at the counter. "We don't know where he is."

"That...sounds bad." Was all Apple Jack could say. How long has he been gone?

"I woke up at 10:00 as usual, so if I remember what Pinkie told me, it's about 12:00 right now" Twilight answered, sniffling slightly.

"Are ya sure?" AJ questioned.

"Did you forget? Pinkie's like a walking clock, AJ. Of course we're sure!" came Rainbow Dash's voice from across the room at a table.

"Right. Hehe. Well, then, now that we're all assembled, what do you say we get started on this search party?"

"We would, but..." Fluttershy spoke up. "We don't know where he is."

Just then, Pinkie let out a loud, "Oooh!" And everyone turned to her. Especially Twilight, who said, "What is it, Pinkie? Do you know where he is, after all?"

"Well, I just learned about it now but I've got it. I guess my pinkie sense can locate people, after all! He's in the Everfree Forest!"

Everyone gasped in shock. "THE EVERFREE FOREST?!"

As Spike made his way through the path, he let out a small chuckle. He was doing it! He was joining the magic riders! After all this time hoping and praying, he was finally doing it.

After a while he finally made it to the meeting point, and when he did, he couldn't believe his eyes. There had to be hundreds of people there! Most of them were normal everyday people, but some of them looked really tough! He had to ball his fists to keep from screaming in excitement.

He strolled through the place while looking around, trying to be as low profile as possible. Too bad that was ruined when he bumped into someone.

"Oh, no! My bad, I'm really sorry!" Spike said, throwing his hands up over his head to show his apology.

"Oh, no, man. That's totally my line. I'm the one who should be-" The person turned around as they spoke, and once they saw who it was, they smiled.

"Dragon boy?"

"Wha-Vinyl Scratch! You were coming here?"

"Yep. That's right! Check it out!" Vinyl spun in place, showing off a bunch of different strange logo looking things that Spike didn't recognize.

"What are those?"

"Aww, you mean you don't know about Emblems, man? Have ya been living under a rock or what?" Vinyl teased.

"Hey, I just got into this sort of thing! I'm a newbie. So sue me!"

"Whoa there, dragon boy." Vinyl said, reaching her arms out in a way that said, "Calm down, calm down."

"My name's Spike." Spike pouted.

"Right, right. Well, Spike, relax! I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings. I was just surprised is all. Listen up." She put an arm around his shoulders and brought him into a hug. This of course caused him to blush like mad.

"Emblems are the things that get your team its rep in the world of A.M. If ya wanna get noticed, you get an emblem. But, be careful. If you bet your emblem and lose, your team, and your cred, is gone. You get me, dragon boy?"

"I said, my name is...aww, whatever. Yeah, I get it." Spike couldn't help but smile. He had a nickname. From a cute girl to boot.

"Good. Now where do you wanna put it?" She asked, grinning.

"What?" Spike asked, confused. "W-what do you mean, 'put it' Put what where?"

"Your emblem, kid. Put it right here on me. Anywhere ya want!" Vinyl spread her arms out in obvious invitation.

Spike nearly fainted. Vinyl was asking him to put one of those...on her...anywhere he wanted? Oh yeah. Best. Day. Ever.

'Oh wait, I don't have one.' But then he remembered who's shoes he was wearing. 'Maybe Twilight has one?' He quickly bent down and checked inside his sister's shoe, finding what felt like a metal object somewhere on the side. 'Huh. How did I not feel that?' He pulled it out and examined it for a moment before looking back at Vinyl.

"Okay...then, how about...here!" He slapped onto her plump backside, eliciting a small yelp from her that sent her into a fit of giggles. "So, tell me. How did you manage to get in with the Elements of Harmony, huh?" Then is she realized where he had put it, and her expression turned to one of shock.

"What...what did I do?" Spike asked, suddenly afraid.

"My dude! You've got some serious balls!" Vinyl picked him up and spun him around with her. "I like that."

"No, seriously, what did I do?" Spike asked, now more afraid than ever.

"Oh, that's right!" Vinyl seemed geuinely surprised about something. "I forgot you were a newbie. I also forgot to tell you. When you put your emblem on someone else's that counts as a challenge. That's what I meant by betting your emblem."

'Oh great. Now I'm gonna get my sister's team disbanded.' "And who did I just accidentally challenge?"

"The Shadow Bolts."

"And who are The Shadowbolts?"

"Them." Vinyl turns him around and points to her left, where five men in purple and black uniforms and helmets were walking up to them.

"I think I heard someone say that this kid just bet his emblem!" The lead one said, as he walked up to Vinyl, examining the emblem on her rear.

"Oh...You're with the elements? We have history with them, you know? Hmm, you don't look like a pro. In fact, you look like a complete newbie. Fresh off the block. Are you sure you wanna do this? We can forget the challenge if you want, you know?" The leader said, looking back at Spike.

Spike considered this. Here he was, about to fight with a magic rider team, all by himself, without his sister or the rest of her teammates. He was, effectively...screwed. But, wait, there was something he said...

"What kind of history do you have with the Elements?" Spike asked, curious as to how these people knew his friends.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It was just a small scuffle some time ago with one of their members. I believe her name was...Rainbow Dash?"

'What? These guys know Rainbow Dash?' "What happened between you?"

"We wanted her to join our team, so we bet on a race. We win, she joins our team. She wins, she can do whatever she wants. We lost, obviously. I'm still jealous that she beat us all by herself."

Spike listened closely to what the man said, taking it all in. 'Rainbow Dash beat an entire magic rider team? All by herself? Awesome!' But then he remembered the situation. And the leader's question to him.

'if I win this fight, Twilight might stop being so nervous, let me become a magic rider. I have to show her that I can take care of myself.'

Spike looked back at the leader of the Shadow Bolts, and, with determination in his eyes, said, "No. I'll take the challenge. Please let me race you."

The leader seemed to consider this for a moment, before crossing his arms. "I like your spirit, kid. Sure! Let's race. I'll let you see how us magic riders fight."

Spike smiled. "Right. Let's go!"

Trick 3: Road Of Flames(EDITED)

"Well, girls, here we are! The Everfree Forest." Twilight and her friends had followed Pinkie's ability all the way here, and were now walking through the middle of a clearing the scariest place in all of Ponyville.

"Yep. H-here we are! Inside the scary, unpredictable forest full of huge terrifying monsters that could swallow us whole!" screamed Fluttershy as she tried to hide behind the hood her butter yellow jacket.

"Calm down, Fluttershy!" came Rainbow Dash's voice. "We're magic riders. There's not a thing here that we can't beat." She smiled and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Rainbow's right, sugar cube. There's no need to worry. At least, not about ourselves." Apple Jack added in, placing a hand on her other shoulder as both girls tried to comfort their friend.

"You're right, girls!" Twilight spoke up, walking at the front of the group, a determined expression on her face. None of us have the time to be scared. Spike is out there. And who knows what kind of danger he could be in right now. The best thing we can do right now is to tough it out and keep moving. For Spike!"

"For Spike!" They all said together.

With that, they continued their trek into the forest, all with renewed faith and determination. They would find Spike. He had to be okay. He just had to be.

"You ready for this, kid?" The Shadow Bolt leader asks, looking over at Spike.

"Yeah. I'm ready." Spike answered. Of course he was ready. He'd been waiting his whole life for something just like this. He wasn't gonna back out now. He would prove to Twilight, Mrs. Cake, and everyone who doubted him that he could take care of himself.

"Alright. The road is from here all the way to that cabin on the outskirts of the forest. I'm not gonna hold back, so be prepared." The man said this one last thing before revving up his A.M.s.

"Got it!" Spike exclaimed, copying the man's movements to rev up his own skates. Then he thought of something. 'Cabin, cabin, cabin. Fluttershy's place?! Why does he want to got there? He doesn't know her does he? No, there's no way. It's just a coincidence. Wait i'm screwed. I don't know where her house is from here!'

Vinyl scratch stood between the two of them, readying her flag. "5...4...3...2...1...go!" She lowered the flag, and watched as the two racers took off, the wind they created blowing up her skirt and giving certain riders a good show. Not that she minded.

Spike poured on the speed, trying to retain the small lead he had on his opponent in this first leg of the race. But he knew that the Everfree forest was unpredictable, and that anything could happen while he was there. As he rushed past tree after tree, swerving and turning every way necessary to not be left behind, he heard his opponent speak.

"I should probably warn you now that the Everfree forest is the Shadow Bolts territory."

"Oh yeah? And what does that mean?" Spike challenged.

"That means I know everything there is to know about this forest." The man smiled behind his helmet.

"What?!" Spike exclaimed in shock. There was no way he knew the forest. No one knew the Everfree forest in it's entirety. Not even Fluttershy, and she lived right next to it!

"I don't believe you! That's impossible!" Spike yelled back.

"Oh yeah? Well why don't I give you an example." He suddenly jumped, landing on a tree and choosing to hop his way through the branches rather than skate along the ground. "Watch your step, Dragon boy!"

Spike looked up. "Hey! Only one person gets to call me tha- wait. 'Watch your step?' What did he mean by that?" Spike whispered the last part in thought, but was too late to ask his opponent about it before he was long gone, lost in the canopy of trees above the Everfree.

"Hey! come back here!" Spike glared as he poured on more speed, going even faster than before. Unfortunately this meant that he wasn't paying attention long enough to realize that he was surrounded by...

'Fog? What? So this is what he meant!' He continued riding, lost in the white fog that was now all he could see. It seemed to stretch for miles and he had no idea where he was turning or what he was dodging. It was only instinct that drove him forward now. 'Shit! I can't see where i'm going!'

Eventually, he was able to burst through the fog to the other side. But he had no idea where he was. He must've been on the right track, though, because when he came out, he locked eyes with the leader of the Shadow Bolts, on the other side of a cliff.

"Bastard!!" Spike bellowed in rage as he came through on the other side.

"Whoa there, kid. no need for foul language. Also, I would suggest you watch where you're going."

'What?' Spike looked down to see that he was about to fall off the edge of the cliff. He flailed around for a bit before launching himself across the gap. Where he promptly landed with his face in the dirt.

"Ooh, that one look like it hurt a little. You've gotta be more careful, kid. Ya can't be me if you're making mistakes like that. Then again you are a newbie, so I guess I can't fault you for making a mistake. It's only your first run, but you'll get there."

Spike glared up at him. "Shut up."

"Fine, fine. I'll get out of your hair. See you later, kid." With that, the leader left, leaving Spike to pick himself up off the ground on his own.

'He could at least have helped me up.' And so, Spike kept going, pouring on the speed in order to catch up as he saw his opponent leaving him in the dust.

But soon, his attention was diverted once more as he caught sight of something moving out of the corner of his eye. He ignored it and kept going, only to receive a knee to his back that made him flip over and land on his bum. He dragged himself off the ground only to come face to face with the other Shadow Bolts. 'So, this guy had his team on standby to ambush me? Talk about dirty.' "Alright." Spike said as he stared down the one he was facing. "You want me? Come and get me!" He rushed at the nearest one, only to get his opponent stolen by...

"Twilight?!"

"Spike!" The older girl exclaimed once she found him. "Oh thank goodness you're alright!" She smiled. But that smile soon turned into a glare. "You are in a lot of trouble mister!"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Twilight. I know i'm gonna be in trouble when I get back to the castle but can we please focus on the situation i'm in right now?"

Twilight took a looked around and saw all the magic riders surrounding them. They all shrank away from her gaze. "We'll take care of these guys for you. You just go and get that guy."

"Okay! Wait, 'we'? You brought the girls?"

"Yep!" came a voice to his right. He looked there and saw Rainbow Dash falling in at his side, the rest of the girls following her.

"Rainbow! Girls!" Spike exclaimed in excitement.

"Go on now, Spike! Go catch that varmint!" came Apple Jack's voice.

Spike stared around for a moment before focusing and saying, "right!" He took off in the direction of the leader.

"Now. Girls!" Everyone joined by Twilight's side and got ready for the fight. Twilight spoke. "All who threaten the peace of our land shall feel the wrath of harmony itself. Elements, move out!"

With that the fight began. The six girls made to attack the group. Rainbow Dash in particular took a fist to one of the six of . "Tell your leader, Rainbow Dash says hello."

Apple Jack took her A.M.s to one of their faces, Rarity slapped one. Twilight brought her knee down on one of their heads, and Fluttershy seemed to change completely. Where she was usually shy, she was now raring to go. If one were to look at her eyes, they would see nothing but red. She kneed one in the stomach, an angry frown on her face. Pinkie knocked one out with a kick to the head. Her long pink hair falling down her face, an angry look on her face, the same as Fluttershy. When the fight was done, they all calmed down and took a deep breath, Pinkie's hair seeming to puff out when she finished.

Twilight: Second generation Elements of harmony leader-Magic/Road: Unknown

Rainbow Dash: Second gen. Elements of Harmony Successor-Loyalty/M. Rising road

Apple Jack: Second gen. Elements of Harmony Successor-Honesty/M. Gaia Road

Fluttershy: Second gen. Elements of Harmony Successor-Kindness/M. Over road

Rarity: Second gen. Elements of Harmony Successor-Generosity/M. Ring Road

Pinkie Pie: Second gen. Elements of Harmony Successor-Laughter/M. Sonia Road(A.K.A-Celebration Road)

The wonderbolts leader looks back over his shoulder, only to see that no one was there. 'Hm. Guess he couldn't make it after all. That ambush I set up must have been too much for him. Sorry, dragon boy.' He turns and looks in front of him, focusing on his next destination. 'Now all I have to do is get past this bridge and-'

"Hey!"

The leader looks back over his shoulder and spots Spike, gaining on him as he himself had slowed down, sure of his victory. 'Uh oh.' He pours on the speed, jumping and grinding on the ropes of the bridge. The heat from the friction burns the ropes and he manages to jump away just before the whole thing collapses. 'There. Now try and get me, dragon boy.'

After the girls showed up, Spike was able to make his way toward the finish line unhindered. He decided to step up his game, putting more pressure on his skates to go faster. 'Damn that guy! He sent his goons to ambush me! He'll pay for that.'

As Spike entered a clearing, he could see the shadow bolts' leader, just ahead of him. "Hey!" He watches as the leader turns his way, looking shocked, before speeding up and jumping onto the ropes of the bridge just ahead. He sees the ropes get burned and fall away, dropping the bridge and cutting off his only route to Fluttershy's cottage.

"Get back here, damn you!" Spike screams out, his hands outstretched as if doing so would make him go faster. It didn't. He watched as his opponent jumped to the other side, looked back, and left, once again leaving him to figure out how to get across on his own.

'How do I get over this? That bastard burned the bridge.' Spike thought as he stood at the edge of the new cliff his opponent had made, looking across it. He dared not look down, lest he throw up, or fall again, and this cliff had a much steeper drop than the last one did. 'There has to be some way.'

He looked back to the entrance of the clearing he'd just entered. 'Guess i'll just have to give it my best shot. Maybe if I go as fast as I can I can launch myself across like last time.'

And so, he moved to the entrance of the clearing and readied himself, revving up his A.M.s as much as he could. 'Here goes nothing!' He took off at a much faster speed than he ever did before. He didn't even have time to revel in this newfound sensation when he had already launched himself into the air. He closed took a moment to enjoy the wind rushing across his face. But, when he opened them again...

He wasn't on the other side of the bridge. He was gliding through some kind of strange red space that seemed to stretch for miles.

'Where is...this?' he looked around in his confused state, and spotted something odd. 'The A.M.s are...on fire!' His skates were on fire, the bright red and orange flames stemming from the back wheel and never seeming to end. He was about to panic, until he looked back up at the strange red space.

'If the A.M.s are on fire then, this must be...a road! A road of flames!' Spike smiled, despite his situation. This was very, very cool. And then, just as soon as his enjoyment began, it ended. The road of flames faded, and Spike looked down. But he wasn't over the bridge anymore.

'Huh? Where am I now?' That was when he looked directly below him, and saw...

"Fluttershy's house? I'm the first one here? Alrigh- whoa!" Soon, he began falling to the ground. If he didn't find a way to stop himself, he was gonna crash right into the door of her cabin! He looked around, but there was nothing and no one to save him. He closed his eyes, remembering the time he almost died. Vinyl had saved him. Maybe....

"Vinyl Scratch!" He yelled out, hoping she would come and save him. And as he rushed closer and closer to the ground, He felt soft hands catch him in mid air. He opened his eyes and...

"Vynil?"

"Nope." the voice giggled. "Just me."

Spike smiled. He would recognize that voice anywhere. "Thanks, Twilight."

The purple haired girl giggled. "You're welcome, Spike. Now let's get you down to the ground okay?"

"Okay!" Spike gave the thumbs up. Twilight just rolled her eyes and let gravity carry her to the ground, where the two landed in front of Fluttershy's house, followed closely by the other five.

"What's up, Spike?" said, Rainbow Dash.

"Ya alright, Sugar Cube?" Apple jack asked.

"You're not hurt anywhere are you?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, darling we were so worried!" Rarity's voice joined in.

"Girls, he's fine! Isn't that right, Spike?" Pinkie appeared in front of Twilight and hugged Spike close to her. She had to hug Twilight as well, give how close they were already.

"Yeah. Pinkie's right, girls. I'm fine. Perfectly fi-" With his adrenaline gone, he finally fell down, exhausted. The skates he wore were sparking and cracking with electricity. They were broken.

Everyone laughed at that, and Twilight picked him up.

"Hey, What happened to the Shadow Bolts leader?" Spike asked, barely able to stay conscious.

"Oh, him?" Rainbow said, punching her palm. "We took care of him. That's the last time he'll mess with us."

"I see." was all Spike could say before he nearly passed out. Just before he entered dream land though, he heard Twilight speak.

"Oh and Spike?" She said, causing him to open his eyes.

"Yes, Twi?"

"No dinner for you."

Spike's eyes widened. "What?! Noooooooo!" At that, everyone laughed some more as they each made their way to their respective homes.

Spike Draconius Velvet: Flame Road.

Author's Note

Hi guys! I'm back! If any of your are confused about some things in this chapter, I made some edits to the end of chapter 2, so go check there for clarification. The picture somewhere near the middle, is what the Elements' Emblem looks like. As always, enjoy!

Trick 3.5: Destiny

Author's Note

Just in case you didn't go back, please read chapter 3 once more for me, will you? I've made two small edits(Particularly in the main 6's roads) that will come in handy for you later. Thanks, and enjoy!

Trick 3.5: Destiny

'Hmm, the flame road...' Spike lay in his bed, thinking over the events of the previous day. 'Compared to that, my life seems so slow now. So tedious and boring. But there's a world out there for me, all my own. I've seen it. And i'll see it again...'

"SPIKE!" yelled a voice.

Spike nearly jumped through the ceiling with how loud that yell was.

"C-coming, Twi!" Spike jumped out of bed and rushed to get dressed, barreling down the stairs like an enraged manticore all the while. Once he was down stairs he made his way to where he thought the voice had come from. He started with the kitchen only to see...

"Twilight, are you cooking?"

Twilight gave Spike a glance before going back to the meal she was preparing. "Yep! I know I told you couldn't have dinner last night, but I decided that I was maybe being a little too harsh on you. So I decided to make up for it by making you breakfast! Eggs and bacon, and pancakes, oh my!" Twilight giggled at her own joke. "Though my pancakes will never be as good as yours."

Spike had to pinch himself to check if he was dreaming. Twilight was cooking just for him? It was too good to be true.A big grin spread across his face as he imagined scenario after scenario of how this could play out. Twilight feeding him his food as he sat there at the table, a kiss exchange, awkwardly romantic atmosphere leading up to a confession, and then...

"Hey, there, Spike!" The younger sibling was brought out of his thoughts by a push from behind, which made him fall over.

"Ugh..." Spike looked up from his position on the ground only to see... "Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh, that's right! I hope you don't mind, Spike. Since I was making breakfast, I thought i'd invite the rest of the girls so we could spend the morning together."

Spike was left to watch as all five girls flooded into their home. 'I knew it was too good to be true.'

"C'mon, Rainbow, please?" Spike was on his knees, begging and pleading with Rainbow Dash, comical tears coming out of his eyes.

"Nope! Sorry, big guy. You broke Twilight's A.M.s, and you think i'm just gonna let you do the same to mine? I love you, man, but nope!" Rainbow Dash said, reclining back with her hands behind her head and her feet on the table.

"Rainbow Dash, people are eating! Put your feet down, that's bad manners!" Rarity said while giving her friend a disapproving look.

Rainbow immediately complied. "Oh, yeah, um...Sorry, Rares."

Rarity smiled at her."It's quite alright, darling. Just...do try to be more careful, alright?"

"I gotcha. Will do." Rainbow gives a mock salute and a wink.

Rarity sighs and shakes her head, still smiling. "What am I going to do with you?"

Meanwhile, Spike has moved on to ask Apple Jack. "Please, AJ. You have to let me borrow some parts.I promise i'll pay you back."

Apple Jack simply shakes her head. "No, I don't have to let you borrow some. And i'm not going to. Ya can't pay me for 'em either. I'm sorry, Spike, but, ya have ta shoulder the consequences of your actions. Not only did ya go off on your own and not tell Twilight anything, ya went behind her back and stole her A.M.s, using 'em without permission. And then ya broke 'em. And that's not even mentioning the fact that you nearly got yourself killed, jumping off of Canterlot Mountain like that."

"Aww, but-"

"No buts, Spike. A no is a no."

He went over to Fluttershy. "Surely you'll help me right, Flutters?"

"I really am sorry, Spike, but, Apple Jack's right. You need to learn you lesson. So you can't use my parts. I'm sorry."

He looked over to Rarity. She looked away. "Sorry, darling, but I have to agree. We were so worried about you. Maybe a few days without them will help you to learn to take better care of things, especially when those things belong to someone else."

His last hope. Gone. He slumped back in his chair, thinking about all the things he was missing out on. But then he remembered something. There was one more person he could ask.

"Hey, Pinkie Pie-!"

He didn't even get to ask before she cut him off, twirling around like a ballerina across his vision. She spoke in a sing song voice as she said, "Sorry, Charlie!~"

This was it. He was done. His first taste of the world of A.M.s and it was over, just like that. He slowly rose to his feet, his head down, staring at the floor as he walked away, his plate in his hand. He placed it in the sink after raking off all the food particles he had left behind, and proceeded to his room, walking slowly. His dream was dead. And it would remain that way. From now until the end of time.

He made his way upstairs to his room, opened the door, and slowly closed it shut, locking it.

The six friends watched the whole display from the breakfast table. Rainbow spoke up. "Ya know, maybe if we-"

"No, Rainbow. He has to learn not to go doin' stuff like that." Apple Jack said.

Rainbow Dash looked around at all of her friends. They appeared to share AJ's postion on the matter, although Fluttershy was hiding behind her green hoodie. She sighed. "Fine. I'll leave him be." She continued eating her food, her mind stuck on just what Spike would do now that his dream was gone, and how he would see them all, knowing that they were the ones who took it away.

Later that day, Spike still hadn't even left his room. He was too busy curling up into a ball and crying. How could they take his dream away like that? Who were they to steal his wings away from him, the only things that he'd ever wanted?

He wasn't sure how long it had been since he locked that door, but he didn't care. He was now sitting on the balcony, looking out at the night sky. The sky was always so pretty at night. The moon, too, with how it shone down on all those who dared take a single step outside, blessing them and offering it's protection. He felt that Princess Luna was keeping an eye on all her little subjects, just milling about throughout the day, unaware of the dangers they could be in. He could just stay up here and stare at that moon for all eternity. At least, that's what it felt like to him now. He had nowhere to go after all, nothing to do, not dream to chase, so why not stay here forever, and stare at the stars? He had only had just a taste, a single bite of freedom, of the world was like outside Twilight's castle, and then it was ripped away. he felt like a part of him was missing now. A deep, integral part of his being. There was a hole there now, in it's place, and he knew it would likely never be filled, not without-

"Spike?"

What was that? Was someone calling him?

"Spike? Are you there?"

Someone was calling him! But, who was it?

"Spike, open the door! I need to talk to you."

Spike got up, dusted himself off, and walked toward the door. "I'm coming!" He answered back. He put his hand to the doorknob and opened the door, slowly.

Who he saw there, shocked him.

"Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash still couldn't get Spike out of her head. He had been devastated. How could everyone be so cold and unforgiving towards him? How could she have been that way? She thought they were doing the right thing. Making him see the mistake he made in lying to Twilight. But when she saw the look on his face, she was horrified. They had taken away his wings, and she had been a part of it.

They were currently at Sugar Cube Corner, having spent a large part of the day just hanging out and doing things like shopping, and partying, and traveling. They had taken a trip to Manehattan to go sightseeing once again and meet some old friends. No matter how many times they saw it, Manehattan always seemed to amaze them over and over. All except for Rainbow Dash, who had been a little down ever since leaving the castle.

Her friends must have noticed her condition, because soon, Rarity was calling out to her. "Rainbow, darling? Whatever is the matter? You can't still be thinking about Spike, could you?"

Rainbow sighed. "How could I not? We did something terrible to him and called it a 'punishment'. He's probably somewhere in the castle bawling his eyes out."

Rarity gave a small laugh."Rainbow, dearest, you worry too much. I'm sorry but I don't think taking away his toys will make him cry. He's too old for that. He's probably just pouting in his bed, screaming obscenities or throwing his pillow. He'll be fine."

"Rarity, you don't understand..." Rainbow said, her voice going low. Rarity had to strain slightly to hear her. But then, the fashionista mare said something unforgivable.

"Ha! What's there to understand, darling? It's just another case of a child having a tantrum. He'll be right as rain in the morning."

"I wasn't." Rarity had to strain even harder to hear her friend. "I-i'm sorry, dear. I'm afraid I couldn't hear you that time. What was that you said?"

"I SAID I WASN'T, OKAY?" Rainbow yelled, slamming her hands on the table and standing up, causing Rarity to flinch back and all attention to turn to them. Good thing it was only Twilight and her friends in tonight.

Rarity righted herself in her seat, and tried to calm her friend. "Rainbow, please... you're loud."

"I'll be as loud as I want you little-" Rainbow tried to say, but was cut off by Apple Jack.

"Now, hold on, there, Sugar Cube. No one's throwing any names around."

"Aj's right, Rainbow. What's going on with you tonight?" It was Twilight this time. She came over to touch Rainbow, but just before she could lay even a single finger on her friend's shoulder, she was shoved away.

"Don't touch me!" Rainbow yelled. Twilight looked visibly hurt. She stepped back, and looked away.

"Rainbow, please. What's wrong?" She said.

The multicolored girl took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Then she sat down, and looked at all of her friends. This...was gonna be painful. "I'm sorry. It's just that...none of you get it."

"Get what, Dashie?" Pinkie asked, looking worried for her friend.

"None of you understand what Spike is going through. None of you understand what it's like to lose your dream. To have it shattered right in front of you."

"Then make us understand, Rainbow. Show us. Tell us what you mean." Twilight came back in for another try at comforting Rainbow. She held on to her arm, rubbing gently, in soothing circles.

This seemed to help, as Rainbow sighed again, this time looking much more relaxed and calm. When she spoke, it was with an even tone. "Do you guys know the story of Spitfire?"

"Rainbow Dash?" Spike said, shocked.

"That's right. It's me, kiddo." Rainbow said as she stood just outside the door, which Spike promptly closed in her face not a second later.

"Wait! Spike, please!" Rainbow's yell was muffled by the door.

"Go away!" Spike yelled back in anger. He didn't wanna see her right now. He didn't wanna see any of them right now. He had had enough of them to last a lifetime as far as he was concerned.

"I'm not here to make you feel worse! I just wanna talk! I promise, okay?" Rainbow was getting desperate at this point.

There was no way all she wanted to do was talk. She was probably lying, so she could come in and rub it in his face.

"I...I don't believe you," Spike said.

Rainbow sighed once again. She was getting really good at that now. "Look, man. I don't know what to say to make you believe me, so just open the door and i'll show you instead."

He didn't want to believe her. He didn't want to think she could be trusted. He hated her. She was the first one to shoot down his dream, save Twilight herself. But at the same time, he couldn't do it. He couldn't not trust her. He had grown too close to her for that. And so he found himself getting back up, and opening the door again...

Only to be enveloped in a big hug. He didn't say anything, and neither did she. All they did was stand there, basking in each other's warmth. Until finally, she let him go.

"What was that for?" Spike asked. But then he looekd into her eyes. She was crying.

"I'm...sorry, Spike. I'm so, so, sorry. I...we, took away your dream. We ripped apart your world before you could even begin to experience life and threw you out into the cold and we are so, so sorry."

Spike huffed and turned his back to her. "Too late for that now isn't it? I already can't use them anymore."

"I know, Spike, and we are so, so sorry for what we did to you. We just don't know how to make it up to you." Rainbow held her head down in shame.

"You can start by telling me what you're doing here. If all of you are so sorry, then where are the rest of the girls to give their apologies?" Spike challenged.

"I volunteered to be the one to speak for everyone." Rainbow answered, sniffling.

"Oh? And why is that?" Spike asked, wondering why she would volunteer to fix something when she was the first to refuse him his dream.

"Because...because I know what you're going through." she answered.

"Explain." was all Spike said as he crossed his arms.

"Okay, but-" Rainbow was cut off

"But what?" Spike asked, suspicious of her.

"Can I come in first?"

Spike considered this, and then moved out of the way of the door to let her in. He closed the door after her and watched her for a while.

Rainbow made her way over to the balcony, and sat down, looking up at the stars like Spike had been doing. "Back when I first started A.M.s, I was young. Around your age, Spike. I was the same way you are now. Hopeful. excited, full of life."

Spike simply joined her on the balcony, listening to her story.

"I loved my life with everything I had. My parents, my home, my friends. It was all just perfect. Then, came A.M.s I remember the first time I ever saw a pair being used. It was in a performance done by the Wonderbolts, a famous magic rider team lead by the one I would soon know as the current Flame queen, Spitfire. Watching her flames burn the very road she ran on was like watching a magic show with real wizards on the stage."

Spike continued listening.

"From that day forward, A.M.s became my world. I wanted nothing more than to get my hands on a pair of those skates. And when I finally did, I was so excited. 'I can finally be just like Spitfire', I told myself. I practiced day in and day out, over and over, nonstop until I was sure I was good enough. Until I was sure that Spitfire would notice me. But then..."

"But then?" Spike asked, his interest piqued now.

"It was then that it was all taken away from me. On the day I went to meet her, I was one of the fans to get a chance to get her autograph. I went backstage after one of her teams' performances was over. Now that I think about I can still clearly remember I was shaking in my shoes the whole time, I was so excited. She pulled out a picture of herself and grabbed a pen. Then she signed it and handed it over to me. I was so excited I nearly fainted. Then I asked the million dollar question.

'Excuse me, miss Spitfire? C-could I...join your team?' I was so nervous I could barely get a word out. And that's when it all came crashing down around me, because as I asked that question, everything went quiet. There wasn't a sound to be heard anywhere near the Wonderbolts' panel room.

Spitfire looked at me critically, her eyes boring into mine as if searching for something that only she could see. She got out of her chair and stood in front of me. She was glaring at me now, and I was one hundred percent sure she was gonna call security. But then, she did something much, much worse. She looked me dead in the eye, grabbed my shirt to bring me closer to her, put me back down, and said, in a chillingly serious tone I'd never heard her use even once on TV, 'This isn't your road. You can't join us.'

I was crushed. The only thing I had ever wanted had been ripped away from me. After everything I did, everything I trained for, everything I spent my entire life waiting and hoping for, my dream was gone, just like that.

Spike looked absolutely horrified. "So what did you do?"

Rainbow smiled at that question. "I did the only thing I could do. I trained. I trained, and trained and trained and trained. I devoted my life to A.M.s. I was determined to make Spitfire reconsider. For two years I trained as hard as I could, going back and showing off to her, desperately hoping for her approval. But every time. I was shot down. And then, one day, when I came back for what would be the last time, she finally told me."

"Told you what? What did she say?!"

Rainbow giggled. "Relax, Spike, i'm getting there." Her gaze returned to the stars. "I believe her exact words were... 'You still don't get it, do you? This is not your road. You are not meant to follow this path. You are letting your A.M.s rule you, instead of the other way around. Air Magic is about more than just skills and cool tricks.' Then she turned around and said, 'You'll never see the flame road by following around in my shadow like a lost puppy. Go find your own road, and come back when you understand.'"

"And did you ever come back?" Spike asked.

"Yep. To tell her thank you."

"Thank you?! For ripping apart your dream?" Spike scoffed.

"To thank her for helping me see the vast expanse of the sky with my own eyes, rather than by following after her."

Spike had heard enough. "So what does all this have to do with me. All i'm hearing is a girl who got her dreams shattered, like I did, only to give up on them."

"Then you're not listening Spike. Sure, she may have told me I couldn't join, but I was able to become my own rider because of her. I had finally learned that I didn't have to follow in someone else's footsteps to be a rider. I could do my own thing and still be seen and acknowledged."

"But still, what does this have to do with me?" Spike asked, curious as to wear she was going with all this.

"You've seen it, haven't you? The flame road."

Spike was shocked. "Wha- How did you-"

"No one begs to see the sky again unless they have tasted the freedom it provides."

Spike was silent, then chuckled. "I guess you're right."

"I know I am. My point is, Spike, I may not have been able to follow the road i wanted, but I found my own all the same. But you aren't like me. You've seen it. You can follow it. In fact, I think it's your destiny to follow it. And we can't stop you from achieving your destiny."

"So you're saying...!" Spike asked in anticipation.

"Yes, Spike." Rainbow giggled. "You can use my parts."

"Awesome!" Spike cheered. Then he had a thought. "Hey, wait. If you follow didn't follow the flame road, what road do you follow?"

Rainbow looked back at him and giggled again, winking and standing up, gesturing to herself in a pose. "I follow the Magical Rising Road!"

"What's so magical about it?" Spike asked.

"You'll find out, kiddo. Just keep on dreaming okay?"

Spike smiled for the first time that night. "Right!"

Trick 5: A Magic Rider's Pride Part 2

"Wh-who are...you?" He asked.

"I am..." He started, trainling off as he noticed Vinyl. He glared at her.

'I don't know what's going on, but it sure doesn't look good.' Spike thought as he stared at the two of them. Something...was wrong with this picture.

The man in the dog helmet cleared his throat, and spoke again. "We are... The Diamond Dogs, and you have something that belongs to us."

The man held out his hand and waited patiently. "Give it here."

Spike looked at the slightly metallic object on his jacket. 'You mean this...is an emblem? So that means that Vinyl...' He looked over to where she was standing, only to see that she was not there. He looked around for her only to see that she was preparing to jump off the mountain. He watched as she looked back and told him,

"Sorry, dragon boy! If you win this, i'll give you your real reward. Don't hate me for this, okay?" she winked at him. While he was sure he could never hate her, he would probably never forget that she did this to him.

"Did you hear me, kid? I said give it back!" The leader commanded before trying to claw him him again. He was able to dodge this time, though, and managed to move out of the way before he got hurt.

Suddenly, Spike got an idea. "I'll give you your emblem back." Spike grinned wickedly and spoke again. "If you can beat me in an A.M.s race."

The leader crossed his arms and let out a bark of a laugh. "Ha! You've got guts, kid! I'll give you that. Fine, have it your way! Just don't cry when we win!"

Spike smirked. "Don't be so sure!" In all honesty he was scared out of his mind. He never expected to have to fight now. Especially not so soon after he just started making his team. But he needed the practice, and it was his fault now, so...

"The course is from here all the way to the top of Canterlot Mountain. If you can take our emblem all the way up to the top and stick it onto the castle doors, It'll be your victory. But, if we catch you before then, well...you know the rest. I'll give you a five second head start." the leader said, holding up three fingers.

"I don't need five seconds to beat you. Three is just fine." Spike whispered that last part.

"You're gonna want those two seconds back, punk!"

Immediately, Spike takes the head start and speeds off, going as fast as he could right from the start to put as much distance between himself and the Diamond Dogs as possible.

He could hear the leader counting from where he was. He looked back to see that he had called the rest of his team as well. "3...2...1...go!"

With that, the leader took off, speeding off in spike's direction and following the path up the mountain as well.

Meanwhile, Spike was still making his way up the mountain. His practice spot was right around the middle of the mountain, but there was still quite a bit of ground to cover before he could get anywhere near the castle. Good thing he still had his lead on them.

'Geez, if I had known it would be this easy, I would've given him the three second head start.'

Suddenly, he got a bad feeling in his gut. 'No...it couldn't be...they couldn't have caught up that quickly, could they?!'

Turns out, they could, for as he was jumping off of another railing and making use of the mountain itself as a foothold, he spotted two of the leader's teammates, one of whom was ducking past him while the other was grabbing his legs to make him drop onto the path. He fell pretty hard and rolled back a few feet before finding his footing once more and speeding off in the direction of the two that got him, jerking his body forward to avoid the leader's claws mere inches from his back.

'Come on, you dogs! Get out of my way!' Spike thought as he sped up, twisting and turning around them in tight form as he quickly over took them.

Soon enough he could just make out the goal over the edge of the mountain. 'There it is! The castle! All I need to do now is stick this thing onto the door and i've got- ugh! Wait! Not again!'

Yes, again. Spike had gotten cut once again, and he had immediately stopped in his tracks, trembling fron the pain as he was forced to watch the diamond dogs get ahead of him once again.

'Come on, there has to be something I can do! I want to win this! Think, Spike, think!' And then he looked up.

'That's it! But, this is a mountain. If I fall again, no one's gonna be there to save me.' He remained in place for all of three seconds before slowly getting to his feet and staring up at the mountain side with new determination.

'Well, guess I just have to be prepared to suffer the consequences. That's what growing up means, doesn't it, Spike?'

With that done, he places his A.M.s on the surface of the mountain and begins to ride up them, as fast as he can in order to avoid falling off thanks to loss of motion. He could see the Diamond Dogs closing in on the goal, and then, all of sudden, he saw it again.

'The flame road. It's back.' He stared into the vast distance of the road as it carried him along his way. When he was out, he found himself on top of the mountain, a little ways ahead of the other team. He quickly made his way over to the castle door and placed the emblem there. The rest of the dogs, came up after him, including the leader.

"You did good kid. You better not waste that talent o' yours. You'll need it the future." He said as he scratched the back of his head.

"Thanks!" Spike had no idea what had suddenly changed in the dogs, but he welcomed any chance to get out of there while he still could. He turned around and managed to sneak his way past them, but he was n't watching where he was going, and tripped and fell from the top of the mountain.

The Dogs' leader followed after him, riding the mountain downwards rather than taking the path. Using his claw attack, he propelled himself downward and caught Spike, taking him all the way down to the bottom of the mountain, where he placed him down to rest.

"Whoa! That...was...awesome!" Spike said, too engrossed in what he had just seem happen to even care that he almost split his head open on the ground despite his breathless condition.

"Aww, that was nothin'!" The leader said, smiling down at him. "Be more careful from now on, ya hear!"

Spike nodded with a smile. He had had so much fun in this battle. But his expression changed to one of confusion when he heard the leader say,

"Well dogs, looks like we're disbanded."

'Wait what?'

"Hey, wait, stop. What do you mean disbanded?" Spie asked, worried that he may have caused something really bad.

"When a magic rider team bets their emblem and loses, they are officially disbanded. Don't worry too much. It's just the fate of the weak."

Spike couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Oh come on! That's bull! If I had known that, I wouldn't have challenged you guys! I if's that big a deal you can have it back, I don't want it."

Suddenly, the leader seemed to get really angry at Spike, because he said, "Have it back, you said? Have it back? Don't insult me, you little punk! When a magic rider bets his pride and loses, it's over! No take backs, you understand?!"

Spike just looked shocked. "No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that...well, i'm a newbie. I don't know much about A.M.s yet, so I was thinking that maybe, when I get stronger, and have my own team, we could do this again properly, and I could send you packing with your tails between your legs all over again."

Spike decided to joke about his skills a bit, just to lighten the mood.

"You've got guts kid, but don't get too cocky. No, I don't think we'll be able to take you up on that. We lost fair and square, so what's done is done." The leader turned his head, taking off his helmet to reveal a head of gray hair that reached down only to the nape of his neck. When he turned back around to face Spike, he could see deep golden eyes staring back at him.

"The name's Silver Claw. I guess we'll be seeing you around then." With that, Silver Claw left, only to stop when he saw Vinyl touching down in front of Spike, snatching away the emblem and taking off again.

"Well, if neither of you want it, I guess I could take it off your hands." She winked and left, and Silver Claw yelled,

"Get back here, you mongrel! Diamond Dogs, form up!" With that, he raced off after her, leaving Spike to laugh at her antics.

'That girl...' He thought, but he was brought out of his thoughts when he saw her coming back to stand in front of him.

"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot to give you your present." She came up to him and kissed his cheek again, making him blush.

"Uh...um..." was all Spike could stutter out.

"Bye now! See ya later, dragon boy!" With that, she left proper, taking off into the sky once again.

Spike watched her for a moment before making his way home, a single thought overtaking all others for a single moment. 'I wonder who else would want to join us?'

Trick 6: The 1% Wall

Spike sighed heavily as he stood behind the Apple Family's vending stand, several carts of apples surrounding him as he stared out at the path that cut through the center of town with a sour look on his face. He could be doing anything, anything else and he would be fine. But no. Instead he had to sit behind an apple stand that was currently getting no customers! He could still remember what Twilight had told him.

"No, Spike. I'm sorry, but you can't go around begging for more parts. And I definitely can't let you keep relying on us. Dash let you use her spare parts and you broke them in a battle. Again. So now, you have to get your own. And that means you have to get a job. No excuses!"

Spike had looked over to Fluttershy at that moment, his eyes begging her to say something, but she rejected him as well.

"I'm sorry, Spike. But Twilight is right. Magic riders don't just buy A.M.s you know? They build them up piece by piece until they've made them their own. You have to learn these things on your own if your ever want to be a good rider, not to mention if you want to be independent from us. Oh! Not that we won't help you when you need it, of course..."

He looked to Dash, the only one who understood him when all of the girls had left him high and dry. The only one to come back for him when he was all alone. Surely she would-...!

"Sorry, big guy. I have to agree with Flutters. Remember what I told you?" Dash put her feet up on the table again, reclining back to relax. "I have plenty of parts to lend you, but you have to find your own road. And sometimes that means making your own wings as well. We can't keep helping you fly for too long. One day you have to leave the nest and fly on your own. And I think you're ready for that."

Somehow, the same rejection coming from Rainbow's mouth didn't hurt as bad as when Twilight had said it. And the fact that Rainbow thought he was ready to fly on his own was good enough for him.

"You're right, Rainbow." He looked to Twilight. "S-sorry, Twilight. I guess that after Rainbow was so kind to me, I started to rely on you a little too much. I'll go find a job. And i'll buy my own parts, too.

Twilight turned to look over at Spike. "I'm glad you understand. I want you to be able to experience what it's like to be a magic rider on your own. The good, and the bad. I'm sorry if i'm a little harsh on you."

Spike smiled. "It's fine. I can't live in you guys' shadow forever, can I? I'll see what I can find."

"If you're lookin' fer a job, how about helping us sell apples in town from now on? We'll give ya ten percent of our earnings every time you help us out. It doesn't matter for how long either, as long as you at least stay for an hour. How's that sound, sugar cube?" Apple Jack asked as she let him consider her offer.

"Really? you'd do that for me?" Spike asked, excited that the offer came his way so quickly.

"Yep! We're having a bit of trouble on the farm right now, so any good pair o' hands would be a big help! We'd welcome ya to work with us, Spike!"

Spike could only stare at her for what felt like minutes, that is until he found his footing and immediately enveloped Apple Jack in a crushing hug . "Thank you so much!"

Apple Jack only laughed. "You're welcome Spike. Work hard now, ya hear?"

Spike looked up at her and smiled. "Right!"

He had smiled and said all that then, but now...he wasn't so sure. It wasn't that he minded the work. He had always been strong for his age and build after all. The only problem he had was that it was so unbelievably boring! They hadn't had any customers since he had shown up. He had no idea what was going on today! Was it him? Did no one want to come because he was manning the stand? Did they all dislike him or something? No, that couldn't be it. Apple jack was here too, and still no one would show. He hung his head in shame at not being able to get any work done after being there for thirty minutes already. He couldn't earn any money if they didn't make any, damnit!

Suddenly, Apple Jack called out to him, and he looked over to her, seeing her bent over, putting a loaded barrel down on the ground next to it's brothers. He tried not to stare at her rear as he listened to her. "Don't be too upset, Spike. It's usually like this at first. It'll get better soon, don't worry."

"At first? What exactly is gonna change? It's been thirty minutes. I don't see things getting better any time soon."

"Don't be so sure, Spike. They still haven't gotten here after all."

The tone of Apple Jack's voice intrigued Spike. Who was it that had her so sure that they would get customers soon. But then he heard her say...

"Ah, here they are now. Get ready for a show, Spike."

"What? What do you-...!"

All of a sudden, Spike was interrupted by a blast of wind blowing past his face. He looked over to where Apple Jack had set up a small obstacle course using cut wood from the Everfree Forest and a few barrels and hay bales from the barn.

There was a single figure standing at the starting line of the course. their back was facing the course, and they were waving at him.

Spike's jaw dropped like a stone. There, standing before him, was Big Macintosh, the sweat on his toned muscles glistening in the sun.

He gave a salute to the both of them, and turned, speeding his way through the course with an ease that made Spike's skill seem like a joke. He glided over several hurdles at once with tricks that had him in the air for what seemed like minutes at a time, then dominated the twists and turns of the winding pseudo-ramp that Apple Jack had made using the wood from the forest. On top of that, he began to grind up a tree and threw himself right through the hole in the center, having the nerve to finish with a backflip of all things.

Spike simply stared in awed silence, a bit of jealousy present in his system after that little display. As he looked back out at the path, he saw that it had indeed brought in customers. So many, that Spike had a hard time finding where the line ended.

He looked over at Apple Jack only for her to flash him a smile and a wink. "Told ya so."

"Wow! We made so much!" Spike said as he looked at the great stack of bits they had racked in that day. All in all they had made over four hundred bits in one day. And as promised, Spike got his cut of forty.

As he walked back to the Apple's farm with his earning's in his hand, he looked up at the sky. It was getting dark now. Having been so caught up in the excitement of the rush of customers, he had stayed longer than Apple Jack said he had to, but he was okay with it. It was a lot of fun being around the Apples.

closing his hand over the bits and placing them in his pocket, he was about to make his way home when he had a sudden idea. He ran forward to catch up with the group, and slowed down right beside Big Mac.

"Hey, Big Mac. Mind if I ask you a question?" He asked.

"Nope!" Big Mac answered with a smile. "Go right ahead."

"Would you like to join my magic rider team?" Spike asked with a smile of his own.

Big Mac seemed to think for a moment before saying, "Hmm...nope!"

"Aww, why not?" Spike whined.

"I quit A.M.s a long time ago. I've got too much work to do on the farm for that."

"Huh? But what about-?" Spike started before being cut off.

"What you saw earlier was something I only do to attract customers for the family business."

For a moment, Spike noticed that Big Mac was talking more than usual. Apple Jack had told him once that it was because of his old obsession with A.M.s, but he never noticed it until now.

"I see..." Well, looks like he would have to find someone else yet again. Wait. No. He couldn't give up. Not like that. Not after all he had gone through to get this far.

"I really need your help, Big Mac. Isn't there anything that would make you want to join us?"

Big Mac seemed to think for a moment, and then a small smile formed on his face.

"Eyup."

"Oh no..." Spike looked back and forth between Big Mac and the apple orchard before gulping audibly. "Do we really have to..."

"Ya wanted me to join you right? Well I will. But only if ya can beat me in an A.M.s battle."

Spike groaned inwardly as he thought to himself, 'I should've known. How do I always manage to get myself into these situations?'

"But my A.M.s are broken. ...Again. How are we gonna battle?" Spike asked, trying, in whatever small way to get out of this mess. He may have been scared, his opponent being an E rank magic rider after all, but he still needed Big Mac's help.

"Oh, well in that case, I can wait. Get them fixed up and come find me. The only way i'm joining is if you can beat me, so be ready."

'Darnit. I thought that would work. Oh well, looks like I need to fix them up somehow.'

Just then, Zecora and Trixie walked by. Spike seized the opportunity. "Oh, hey! Look! It's my teammates! I'll be right back!"

With that, he made his way over to the two girls and waved at them. "Hi, you two! What are you doing in town?"

Zecora answered first. "Ever since you introduced us, we two have been building our trust. There is no use in having a team, that does not know what harmony means."

Trixie answered next, "Oh hi, Spike! Zecora and I have just been spending the day getting to know each other. You know, teamwork and all that. Is there something you need us for? Or did you just spot us on your way somewhere and decide to check in?" she smiled a sweet smile at him, and if it wasn't for the circumstances, his heart would have melted with how cute she looked.

"Unfortunately, it's the first one. I need a favor. My A.M.s are broken and I need to fix them. Could I borrow some of your parts? Don't worry, I won't ask you to fix them for me too. That part i'll do myself."

Trixie spoke up. "I have spare parts you know? I'd be glad to give them to you to use."

Zecora simply smiled and shook her head. "Nonsense my friend! I also have more than enough parts to lend. If you'll give them to me to fix, i'll have them up and running before six!"

"But it's five thirty." Spike said. "And besides, something is telling me to do this myself. I don't mind if it takes a while for me to learn."

Zecora seemed to think on this for a while, before nodding her head. "I do think I understand. I will make sure not force your hand. One must learn to work alone, before he can do anything on his own."

"Thanks, Zecora."

And with that, Spike went into the barn and took his time learning each and every inch of his A.M.s, from which screw went where, to how each part fit together, all the way down to what he wanted it to look like. When he was finally done, it was right around eight o' clock.

Spike was now ready to start the battle. There was something about knowing his A.M.s were fixed, and that he had done it himself, that gave him more confidence. He had made these A.M.s, and he had used his teammates parts. If he lost this match, not only would he not get Big Mac to join him, but he would be letting both them, and himself down. A lot was riding on this match now. A lot more than he had anticipated, now that he thought about it. He looked over to Big Mac as he explained the course.

"Parts war E class: hurdles. The rules are simple. Go over, around, or through the obstacles, in this case the trees, in your way to reach the goal, the entrance to the orchard. Small warning. The orchard is pretty huge." Big Mac said nothing and led his hand in a sweep, showing Spike the sheer size of the land the Apple Family owned. Spike gulped and shivered.

"You ready?" Big Mac looked down at him, a friendly smile still on his face even as he revved up his A.M.s. That smile seemed to relax Spike enough for him to rev up his own skates.

"Ready!"

And so, they were off. Spike watched as Big Mac immediately took to the trees, jumping from branch to branch with a speed unlike that off a sprinting cheetah.

'He definitely deserves E class.' Spike thought as he watched him in awe for a small moment before pouring on his own burst of speed and zooming through the forest from the ground. Aside from the situation with Canterlot mountain, he had never done wall riding before, so he was not confident in his skills in this setting.

Instead, he stuck with what he knew he could do. Speed, and turns. He made his way through the orchard, swerving and twisting past tree after tree as he tried to catch up with his opponent. Soon enough, he could see Big Mac's back coming up in front of him as he rode on, but he was still too far back to catch up right away.

Meanwhile, there was someone watching the battle from the roof of the barn.

'I heard from Trixie and came to watch the battle, but...' Twilight thought as she watched Spike racing through the trees, Big Mac just ahead of him. 'Can Spike really handle this? I know he has potential but...is it enough to take on Big Mac? He's an E rank magic rider after all.'

Suddenly the sound of roaring flames could be heard right next to her, and she turned around to see...

"Spitfire? What are you doing here? I never thought a queen would be interested in an E rank match."

"I'm not. I actually came to ask you out to dinner." Spitfire said, flashing a smile despite not looking in Twilight's direction.

Twilight blushed and flashed her own nervous smile. "Oh, not this again..."

They continued to watch the match, seeing Spike rush past Big Mac and try to widen the gap between them by pouring on more speed.

Spitfire spoke up again. "The odds of him winning this battle are only about one percent. Do you really believe he can do it?"

Twilight nodded her head. "Yes. He may be out of his depth here, I won't deny. But I still have faith that he'll win. You know why? Because Spike's wings are bigger than anyone else's. I truly believe that."

Back to Spike, he had finally made his way past Big Mac. he didn't necessarily have a plan as much as it was by sheer luck that he even managed to take the lead. But he intended to keep it.He poured on the speed once more, widening the gap between him and his opponent, but even as he did so, he could still feel Big Mac's presence. It felt as if he was being chased down by a several foot tall horse, whose gigantic hoof was inches away from crushing him flat. He looked back for only a moment to see that same gentle smile on Big Mac's face, but his eyes spoke of something different. A burning determination to win this battle. If he wanted to win, he had to think of something to do, and quickly. He looked around and spotted a lasso sitting on top of a tree stump. A plan formed in his head.

He grabbed the lasso and twirled it, turning around and throwing it over the stump, securing it tight. He then through the other end towards one of Big Mac's target tree branches. He tightened that as well and decided to leave and let gravity do it's work. He made his way forward And decided to add another part to his plan while he was at it. He hid himself as well as he could while still moving forward, and tracked Big Mac's movements.

'He has to come up closer. I can't get him if he doesn't move closer.' He continued to watch for a little while, until he heard a branch snap.

'Yes! He got caught in my trap! Now to catch him off guard one more time!'

He heard Big Mac's voice from behind him. "Nice try, Spike! Don't worry! I don't mind your little trap. Keep trying. You might just catch me again!"

Then he saw Big Mac coming up to his position. He jumped toward a tree, bounced off of it and tried to knee his opponent, only to get caught and thrown back, now stuck behind Big Mac in the race.

"Nice one there! But there's one thing you seem to have forgotten. I'm stronger than you!" Big Mac said as he poured on his own speed and rode up a rather large tree.

'Apple Family Special: 1080 backspin wall ride!' With that, he spun his way up the tree, using the momentum from his spinning arms to propel himself up, landing on the top of the tree, which turned out to just be a stump.

Spike had no choice but to watch as this happened, in awe at the fact that his foe/friend could climb such a tall thing. There had to be something he could do to get up there. But by the time he got finished looking around, he had already past the tree.

He stopped his A.M.s and looked up to see Big Mac looking down at him, his eyes closed as he shook his head. When he finally opened them again, he said, "Stop, Spike. You can't do this. We don't have to do this. I know you want me to join you, but I have so much to do at the farm. I just can't. Don't you understand? Let's just forget this whole thing and you can look for someone else. Okay?"

Spike glared back at him, remembering that same look on a certain bully's face from a long time ago. 'It's just like that time...'

"No! It has to be you! You will join me!"

Big Mac simply shook his head again and watched Spike's actions, seeing if he would try to make it up.

Spike was busy trying to look around for places to go, when he suddenly remembered. 'The stump a little ways back! I can use that!'

He started going back down the path in the other direction. Big Mac raised an eyebrow. 'Now just what is he planning on doing now? Don't know when to quit that one.' Big Mac smiled. 'But that's part of why we're friends, ain't it?'

Meanwhile, Spike raced back down the path, finding the stump he had tied the rope to. He stood on top of the stump, tested the rope, grabbed it tight, and revved his A.M.s.

He jumped and rode up the rope for a bit, spinning around it as he held it with his hand, ignoring the slight burn he was feeling from having his hand there like that. He rode faster and faster in one spot, spinning and spinning and spinning until finally, he let go and launched himself off the rope, towards the towering tree. He raced towards it at blinding speeds and did a front flip, Just managing to catch the edge with his hand before pulling himself up.

Big Mac's eyes widened. 'When did he learn a trick like that?!'

Meanwhile, Spitfire and Twilight watched as Spike pulled off the trick.

"No way!" Spitfire said, surprise in her tone. "The kid did it! He pulled it off, A rising whiplash trick! How'd he manage that?"

Twilight simply giggled, causing the fire haired girl to look at her in slight confusion. Twilight looked back, a smile on her face.

"Didn't I tell you? His wings are bigger than anyone else's!"

"Now, Big Mac. This is where the real battle starts!" Spike said, glaring at his friend.

"Wait! How did you manage to pull that off when you're only a beginner?!" Big Mac asked, his voice still full of surprise.

Spike relaxed for only a moment to say, "I don't know. Just popped into my head. Thought i'd give it a try."

Big Mac however, was stunned. 'So all that was just beginner's luck? How much potential does this kid have?'

Then he smiled. "Well, beginner's luck or not, you won't win against me!" Big Mac revved up his A.M.s and rode down the other side of the tree. ' Once more: Apple Family Special: 1080 backspin wall ride!'

Little did he know, Spike was doing the same, following just behind him, his wheels sparking the whole way.

"Is he using four way traction wheels?" Spitfire asked Twilight.

"Nope! I don't think so. His A.M.s are made up of Trixie and Zecora's parts, too, so... But, honestly, I don't even think he knew what he was doing when he put them together."

Spitfire went back to watching the match. "Hmm...so it was just dumb luck then."

There they were, finally, on the last leg of the race, the entrance to the orchard was only a few feet away, and Spike was still just a few feet behind Big Mac, who smiled in anticipation of his victory.

"I'm sorry, Spike. Looks like I won't be joining your team, after all. The goal is only big enough for one person, meaning with me in front, you won't be able to get past me at all. Nice try, though!" Big Mac sped up.

'Damnit! He's right. He's so bulky that I can't fit past him. There has to be a way that I can get past him. Think quickly, the goal is coming up fast!'

Spike racked his brain. There had to be a way! There just had to be! Think, think, think!

And then he remembered. He thought back to what Big Mac said at the start of the race. 'The rules are simple. Go over, around, or though the obstacles in your way, and reach the goal.'

'Well, there's obviously no way I can get around him, ad trying to go through him isn't even an option, so it looks like the only way to go...' He looked up towards the sky. '...is up!'

"Haaaahh!"

'Huh? What he doing now? Doesn't he know it's over?' Big Mac looked back for a second to see what he was doing, only to see him jump completely over him in the span it took him to turn his head back around, all the while appearing as if a green dragon had just flown right over his head.

'What? No! How is he able to jump so high! And so precisely at that! He landed directly in front of me, for Celestia's sake!'

The rest of the race was a given, as Spike raced through the goal all of two seconds before Big Mac did, turning and braking as he did so.

"So, looks like you have to join me now, huh?" Spike said as he lifted a hand to offer a handshake.

"Looks like it. You did pretty good, Spike. Ya reminded me of how I used to be about A.M.s. I wanna continue to feel that excitement, so I would be glad to join you on your team." Big Mac said as he accepted the handshake, slightly surprising Spike with his grip strength.

"Whoa!" Spike said as he shook out his hand, trying to ease the slight pain in his hand.

"S-sorry, Spike. Guess I can't control my own strength sometimes."

"It's alright man." Spike said, a smile on his face. "Let's get back, now."

After the big battle, all present met up at the barn for a drink.

"I didn't know you were here, Twilight! So, how was i? Was I good?" Spike asked, genuinely curious as to what his guardian thought of his first real battle.

Twilight giggled at Spike's eagerness. "You did great, Spike. I'm very proud of you."

"Yes!" Spike cried out to the heavens as he heard Twilight's words. He had done a good job. That was all that mattered.

But then, as if out of nowhere, a figure came down from the sky and stood before Spike.

All of a sudden, his body began to move on it's own. He went to punch the figure, wondering just what was going on with his body.

'Wait. I don't want to do this! Why am I moving without my permission! Someone hurry and stop me!' His fist was inches away from the figures face before he...stopped?

Trick 6.5: The Eight Queens and their Roads

Spike couldn't stop himself as his body moved completely on it's own. He watched as his fist raised, poised to strike whoever it was that had come to interrupt them.

'Wait! What's going on...!' Spike thought just as his fist suddenly stopped moving, ceasing its motion just before it could come into contact with someone's face.

Spike had to look up and see who it was. "Uh...Spitfire? What are you doing here?"

She didn't answer, and instead, simply started speaking. "One day, the gods took fire away from humans, to punish them for the disrespect they showed in not leaving offerings for them."

Spike was completely confused by what she was saying. 'What? Fire? Gods? What's this about?'

"Feeling pity for the humans, Prometheus, a rather clever god, stole that fire, and gave it back to the humans. He was eventually punished for his actions by being chained to a mountain and having his organs eaten away by birds until he died. He was forced to keep coming back to life over and over just to receive the same treatment every time."

Spike was completely lost at this point. 'Um...what?'

"So, my question to you, dragon boy, is can you can steal the flames, or will they eat you alive for eternity, just like those birds."

Spike rolled his eyes, lowering his fist. 'Okay, this is getting-'

"The eight roads and their eight queens. Which road will you take I wonder?"

Spike simply stared in wonder. His interest was piqued now. 'What was that about Queens?'

"Look up. I wasn't the only one to watch this battle tonight."

Spike followed the direction Spitfire's finger was pointing to see dozens-no, hundreds-of riders launching themselves off into the sky.

And in the tangle of flying bodies he saw...

"Vinyl?"

He watched as her form retreated into the clouds of the sky.

Spike's attention was brought back to the one sided conversation he was having when he heard Spitfire say, "Make me proud, kid. If you hope to succeed me as the flame king, you're gonna need to get a lot stronger."

With that, she left, leaving Spike to stare at her back as she too, leaped into the sky, fire licking at her heels.

"So, Dash. What're the eight roads and queens?" Spike asked. It had been a while since they had left the Apple Family barn, and Spike, Twilight, Aj and the rest were sitting down to eat dinner.

"I thought ya might ask that, kid. After hearing all of what Spitfire told you, I bet you're curious as to what it could all mean, huh?"

"Darn right I am. So tell me." Spike said, crossing his arms.

"Whoa there, Sugar Cube. Settle down. Don't be too eager now. I promise we'll tell ya. Just...give us a minute." AJ said, trying to calm Spike down before he started yelling.

Spike's eyes followed theirs to stare over at Twilight, who was standing up, her back turned to the group, her food seemingly all but forgotten.

"Are ya gonna tell 'im, Twi?" Aj asked her.

She looked over her shoulder, glaring at Spike before finally sighing. "Ugh...fine. I'll tell him." She turned around and sat down, grabbing her fork before looking up from her plate to stare directly at him.

"Listen closely, Spike, because this is very important."

Spike uncrossed his arms and sat down as well, picking up his own fork. "Right."

"Good. Now, just like Spitfire told you, there are eight roads, and eight queens to rule them. Despite what she said, there are actually as many queens and roads as their are riders, but these queens are...special."

"Special how exactly." Spike asked, giving her his complete undivided attention.

"These eight queens hold the top spot in something known as the Magical Network. Their powers are unlike any other magic rider's, and they are extremely skilled."

Spike eyes were wide as he listened to Twilight talk about all this. "Wow. They sound amazing."

"And they are. They're very amazing, Spike. Their connection to the Magical Network grants them them abilities far beyond most others."

"Do you know who these queens are?" Spike asked, genuinely interested now.

Rainbow stood up and grinned pointing to herself in a flamboyant and showy manner. "You're lookin' at five of 'em!"

Spike's mind was blown. Here he was standing in the presence of such skilled riders, and he never knew anything about them. He just had to know more.

"And what roads do you follow?"

"You already, know mine, Spike." Rainbow piped up.

"The...Magical Rising road, right?"

"You got it!" She gave him a thumbs up.

"I still don't see what's so magical about it." he said. "What about the rest of you? What roads do you follow?"

Apple Jack spoke up. "I follow the Magical Gaia road."

Fluttershy was next. "I follow the Magical Over Road."

Next, it was Rarity turn. Spike watched as she tossed her hair to the side and smiled. "I'm a proud follower of the Magical Ring road!"

"Oooh Ooh, my turn, my turn!" Pinkie shouted as she raised her hand to be next. "I follow the Magical Sonia Road. Or as I like to call it, the 'Celebration Road'!" She showered the whole room with streamers, to the mild annoyance of everyone present.

"Ehehe. Sorry..." Pinkie smiled nervously as she was subjected to her friends glares of disapproval.

Spike removed all the streamers from his hair and crossed his arms again, angry. "I still don't get it. Can someone explain to me what all this magical nonsense means?!"

"It's not nonsense, Spike. Trust me." Twilight said. "Each road in the Magical Network has several different... 'Levels' I guess you could call them. "

"Okay, so what are they?" Spike asked. He was running out of patience.

"Wait a minute i'm getting there. ...Each road has different levels depending on your mastery of the road. There's our roads, the Magical Series. It's basically just a more powerful version of the main road."

Spike nodded his head. Twilight continued. "Then you have the Evolution Series. This series comes about when a road literally transforms into something else. When this happens, a queen has to give up their title, and pass it down to someone else. The last two queens, Celestia and Luna, gave up their status when their roads evolved."

"What were their roads before?" Spike asked, curious.

"Celestia was the previous flame queen before Spitfire, and Luna was the previous sky queen before my dad, Night Light, became the first king of a road."Twilight answered.

"And what are their roads now?" Spike asked

"Celestia follows the Sun road, and Luna follows the Moon Road, both evolved versions of their previous roads.

"There are also unique roads and hybrid roads, but those are self explanatory." Fluttershy cut in, giggling.

"So what's the difference between a Magical Road and an Evolved Road?" Spike asked yet another question.

"We don't know. You'd have to ask Celestia yourself when you get the chance, Spike." Twilight said.

"Alright. Well, if that's all then, i'm going to bed. I'm super tired." Spike let out a yawn.

The others yawned as well, in silent agreement as they all got up.

Suddenly, Spike turned around, "Hey, wait."

"What is it, Spike?" Twilight asked, surprised by his voice.

"You never told me your road, Twilight." Spike said.

Twilight seemed to think about this before looking down at her feet. "I...don't have one, Spike. I...haven't found it yet. Even if I have the skills of a queen, I can't be one without a road, regardless of skill level."

Spike looked at her for a moment, seeing her expression. He went over to her and grasped her hand, smiling up at her.

"Don't worry. You'll find it one day. I'm sure of it!"

This seemed to cheer Twilight up, and she smiled and hugged Spike. "Thank you." She said. She had to hold back happy tears as she walked her way back upstairs. After a while Spike did the same, and went up to this room, laying down on his bed and smiling at the ceiling.

"All this new stuff! I can't wait to find the last member of my team!"

Trick 4: A Magic Rider's Pride Part 1

"Yahoooo!" Spike yelled as he jumped off the roof of the castle, landing on the path and making his way through town. He smiled as he poured on the speed, dodging and weaving past the homes of several people on his way to his destination.

He was planning on going back to the Everfree Forest. He thought he'd pay a visit to Mrs. Cake's shop, just to show her that he wasn't dead. He chuckled at the thought of her shocked face when he showed up at her counter, smiling like nothing was wrong.

'She'll probably faint!' He chuckled to himself again as he made his way back to where he had his first taste of flight.

'I wonder if i'll see it again? The flame road.' Spike whispered as he set his eyes on the entrance to the forest.

Meanwhile, he didn't notice Twilight Sparkle following just behind him.

'I won't let you get away that easily, Spike.'

"Well, that was easy." Spike said as he stood in front of the entrance of one of the most dangerous places in Equestria once more. ' I mean, I know ponyville was never really that big of a town but, come on!'

He took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head. "Oh well. I guess i'll just look for Mrs. Cake now."

He made his way inside the forest, weaving around tree after tree surprisingly well for it being nighttime. 'She should be around here somewhere... Maybe I need to go a little further in first?'

Twilight, still trailing behind him, couldn't believe what she'd just seen. 'He's going back in there? Doesn't he remember what happened when he first went inside?!'

Back with Spike, he was now rushing down a narrow, but thankfully clear, path leading deeper into the forest. 'I guess She won't show up in the same place every time. Last time she was really close. Then again, I was in the middle of the Everfree thanks to being carried by Vinyl, so...'

He poured on more speed. 'Man, Dash's parts are awesome! I'm so fast I can barely see the trees i'm passing!'

He started to laugh out loud, which unfortunately caused him to close his eyes, leaving him open to the root of a tree to his right, where he tripped and landed on his face.

Twilight just face palmed.

"Oh no! Spike are you alright!" came a voice Twilight swore she could recognize, but just couldn't quite put her finger one who it belonged to.

As Spike picked himself up off the ground, he came face to face with Mrs. Cake. Or at least Mrs. Cake's breasts. He blushed a bit before shaking his head to clear his thoughts and looking back up at the older mare.

"Uh...y-yeah, I'm fine. I'm tougher than I look."

"I should hope so, dear. You landed right on your poor face, and it was a pretty hard fall!" Mrs. Cake said, offering her hand to help him up.

He accepted and slowly rose to his feet, saying, "Don't worry about it i'm fine! See!" He pointed to his face and, while it looked perfectly fine, he had a nice long cut across his cheek.

"I see you need first aid! Come with me, young man!" She grabs him by the ear and drags him off. Twilight can only watch and shake her head, a smile forming on her lips.

'He's in good hands as long as he's with her, but i'll tag along just in case.'

"Ah!" Spike jerks back and sucks in a breath sharply as Mrs. Cake sprays the wound with disinfectant and sticks a bandage to his cheek.

"Oh, stop being a baby! You're a big boy now! You can handle a little sting."

"Says the woman making me wear a bandage." Spike retorts.

"Because it would've gotten infected if I hadn't." Mrs. Cake says in response.

"Good point." was all Spike said.

"Good. Now, care to tell me what you're doing back here after what happened in the forest? The same forest that I warned you not to go in just two days ago?" She pinched his unhurt cheek.

"Ow! Actually, I came here to see you. I wanted to show you that I was perfectly fine, and that nothing bad had happened to me."

Mrs. Cake stopped what she was doing and stared at Spike. She stared for so long that it made Spike uncomfortable.

"Uh...Mrs. Cake?"

"You just don't get it, do you?" She suddenly said, starting to sob now.

"Whoa! Mrs. Cake, what-" Spike was cut off when Mrs. Cake started talking.

"It's not about if you're okay or not. We don't want anything to happen to you. I'm sure Twilight has told you this countless times before, but...we worry about you. We want you to be safe and happy, not injured and in pain. Why won't you understand?"

Spike understood what was going on now. "Mrs. Cake, please stop crying. I do understand. Really I do. You guys are my friends and family. I'd be more concerned if you weren't worried. But like I told Rainbow Dash after we had this same discussion. I just want to follow my dreams. I want to fly. This is what makes me happy, and while I appreciate your worry, I would much more appreciate your support. Besides, what is there to be afraid of? I know you guys will always have my back, right?"

Mrs. Cake listened to Spike talk with an awed expression. Soon, she righted herself and said, "Right!"

"Good. I'll be off now. Something is telling me to keep riding, and i'm already here so, why not?"

With that Spike made his way deeper into the forest, leaving behind two women who could only stare at his back as they thought,

"Oh, Spike. Just when did you go and grow up on us..."

"Okay, so where to next."

It had been around ten minutes since Spike had left Twilight and Mrs. Cake behind, and he was now at a loss for what to do.

'Just where am I gonna go? I said I wanted to go for a ride but what exactly was I aiming to do out here? Was I just gonna drift around until I got bored ad decided to go home? No. I need something to do. Something exciting. Something-'

Suddenly, his thoughts were cut off as a shadow passed over his head. He looked up to see a pair of white panties with a musical note design on the back. Sadly he only got to see for a small moment, as soon they were covered by a skirt as their owner front flipped several times in mid-air before landing on their feet and speeding away. However, he was able to get a good look at just who it was based off their hair.

'Vinyl Scratch? What's she doing here?'

Her figure was soon followed by two more figures, all wearing helmets that resembled dog heads.

'And who are those people behind her?'

Suddenly the answer to his question was irrelevant as he heard once of them say, "Come back here, you bitch!"

He knew what he had to do. He immediately sped up, chasing after the dogs. He cranked his speed as fast as he could go without falling, and jumped over the both of them, landing in front of them all at once.

The two didn't stop however, and were just in time to receive a punch to the gut and a roundhouse kick to the side of the head.

Spike took a moment to pose and then switched his attention to Vinyl. "Hey, are you all-huh?"

Before he could finish speaking, Vinyl had gotten in his face, and was now smiling at him. They stayed like that for a while before she suddenly burst out with,

"Man, that was awesome! Nice moves, dragon boy!"

Spike fell over at how loud she was and landed on his bum. She helped him up and scratched her head nervously.

"S-sorry about that. Guess I got a little too excited, huh? Thanks for saving me, kid. I owe you one."

"Oh, it was nothing, I was just-" Spike was cut off when she got back in his face once again.

"And I think i'm gonna pay what I owe right now..." With that said, she kissed him on the cheek. It was something that Spike hadn't expected, and he blushed as red as a cherry tomato when it happened.

"U-um...uh...wow, uh...Y-y-you're welcome, I guess?" Spike stammered.

Vinyl simply turned and left, but before she took off, she looked over her shoulder at him and winked, raising her hands in a peace sign. "Bye-bye, dragon boy. Thanks again for saving me."

Spike could only stand there and watch as she left, rubbing the spot where her lips had just been. Where she had just...kissed...him.

A girl just kissed him! This was officially the greatest day ever! But wait. What was this paper she just slipped into his hand?

The next morning, Spike woke up with a smile on his face. He couldn't believe last night. He got a kiss! And it was from Vinyl Scratch of all people! He'd developed a small attraction toward the crude, lewd, busty girl ever since she first saved his life, but he never thought anything of it until now. Was she into him? Maybe? He didn't know. All he knew was that he had gotten a kiss. And that was all he cared about at the moment. He was celebrating his small accomplishment all the way downstairs and into the castle dining room, where the girls were sitting and eating at the table.

"Oh? And what's this I see? Looks like you had a good night last night. Anything good happen?" Twilight asked, teasing him just a little.

"Good? Try great! I feel so good right now I could dance!" Spike said, doing a little spin.

"Well, instead of dancing, how about you join us for breakfast?" Twilight said, giggling as she watched him. 'I wonder what has him in such a good mood?'

Spike nodded and sat down. "Oh, and by the way. I'm thinking about starting up a magic rider team. The only problem is, I don't know who to ask."

At that, everyone stopped and stared at him. This continued for a while until Apple Jack decided to break the silence and speak.

"Well, it's pretty obvious that none of us can be on your team since we already belong to one."

Spike thought of something at that moment. "That reminds me. Other than that one time in the Everfree Forest, I've never seen you guys use your A.M.s. What exactly are the Elements of Harmony?"

"Unfortunately, that's something we can't tell you, Spike. At least, not yet."

"Aww, come on! This isn't another 'You'll learn when you're older' thing is it?" Spike complained.

"S-something like that..." Twilight looked away sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.

"Look, Spike. The point is, we can't tell you that yet. And this is the one thing you have to listen to us on. We really can't tell you. Now, about this team of yours... I would let you ask Apple Bloom and the others, but they've already formed their own team."

At this, everyone's stares had a new target: Apple Jack.

"What?! You let them register?!" Twilight yelled.

"What can I say? Sweetie Belle can be very convincing when she wants to be. Besides. I'm sure their fine. I mean look at Spike. He's already been in a battle, and not only did he win, but he only got a little scratch." Apple Jack said, using Spike as an example.

"Oh no! Spike's hurt! Oh let me see! I'll make it all better!" Fluttershy said as she rain over to Spike, checking him for injuries. Spike just held up his hand to stop her.

"Relax, Flutters. I didn't get this scratch from the battle. I actually got this scratch from tripping and falling while making a trip back to the Everfree."

This time, Rainbow Dash was the one to get worried. "What did you just say? 'A trip back to the Everfree?'"

"What are you getting angry for Rainbow? You're the one who told him to follow his dreams." Apple Jack said.

"I told him to follow his dreams, not die looking for them! Why were you even there?!"

"I was looking for Mrs. Cake! I wanted to show her that I was okay! A fact you all seem to have conveniently forgotten about!"

At this, everyone was quiet. Spike sighed and continued eating. Twilight spoke up.

"A-anyway, I still think it's dangerous for them to be magic riders, but if that's what they want, then so be it."

"Well said, Twilight, darling. And I believe Spike is correct." Rarity spoke up this time. "He came back okay, so we shouldn't worry so much." She turned to look at Spike. "We're sorry, dear. Please, don't mind us."

"It's fine, Rare." Spike said, smiling. "So, Apple Jack! What's the kids' team name?"

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders. It's just the three of them, along Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon from the school."

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders, huh? Sounds like them. I'm glad they finally get along with those two as well. Hey, maybe I can find someone to join my team if I look around the school!"

"I don't think so, Sugar Cube. I know almost everyone in town has a pair of A.M.s, but do ya really think that that applies to most of the kids as well? Most parents don't want their kids hurt, ya know?" Apple Jack said.

"Well, doesn't hurt to try. I can always pay another visit to the Everfree and look for zecora if taht doesn't work. She doesn't have a team, right?"

"No, she doesn't!" Pinkie exclaimed, popping up beside Rarity out of nowhere. She lives all alone so she doesn't have anyone to team up with.

Twilight looked up at Spike for a moment. "Spike, look at me."

Spike did as he was told. "Yes, Twilight?"

"I know I can't tell you not to go there, but can you at least promise not to go until you are absolutely sure you won't find anyone else? Can you do that? Please?"

Spike sighed and shook his head. "Fine. I promise."

"Don't worry about it kid!" Rainbow Dash interjected. "You'll find someone. I know you will. After all, there are plenty of riders out there for you to choose from."

"I hope you're right, Rainbow. I hope you're right."

"Diamond Dogs! In-po-si-tion!"

The sound of several A.M.s revving up and or braking can be heard in the distance as several riders heed the call.

"Numbers 19 and 32, come forward!"

Two of the riders stepped up and stood in front of their leader, who looked down at them for a moment before taking his gloved right hand and punching them in the head.

"You dogs have gone and embarrassed all of us. How could you go off on your own like that? Not only that, but you didn't even get our emblem back."

The one known as number 19 spoke up. "We're sorry boss. We tried to get it back, but this punk showed up and kicked our asses!"

The leader sighed and shook his head. "No... It's alright. We just need to take it back for sure this time. Listen up, you dogs! Tell that bitch Vinyl, that i'm the big dog!"

"Man, this team stuff is harder than it looks..." Spike sighed as he stood in the center of the town market, looking up at the sky.

"Just what is everyone doing right now? It's like I can't find anyone who wants to join." He was getting tired. He'd already asked Lyra, Bonbon, Roseluck, and even Derpy, but they all had jobs that prevented them from joining a team despite being magic riders themselves. Except for Bonbon and Lyra, who told him they had no interest in doing that sort of thing at all to being with.

He had tried to avoid going to the school because of what Twilight said about most of the kids not being ready for it, but he had to go there now. That is if he wanted to be allowed into the Everfree again.

Then there was that letter Vinyl Scratch gave him. He would take a look around the school, then have one more look around town before checking the forest.

Then he would go and see Vinyl. 'She did say to only show up around eight anyway, and it's only five o' clock.'

And so, with that in mind, he made his way to the school, already knowing the first person he would ask.

"Sorry, Spike. No can do." Ms. Cheerilee said as she stacked her papers, waiting for her students to show up for class.

"Aww, come on! Do you know how many people i've had to ask before coming here?" Spike said.

"Sorry, Spike. I am a magic rider, but I can't be a part of a team any time soon. I have a job to keep up with and students to teach. I'm sorry, but nothing can get in the way of that, and A.M.s teams get into battles too often for me to do my job and be a part of it. I really am sorry, but the answer is still no."

At least she gave a reason why. "It's alright. I understand. You go teach your students. Illuminate those bright young minds. I'll find someone else."

"I'm sure you'll find someone just as good if not better than me." Ms. Cheerilee said, smiling at him.

Spike smiled back and left, waving goodbye. 'Well, I guess the only option now is to go have a look in the Everfree Forest again. I wonder if Trixie would be willing to join up with me?'

"So, you wish to enlist Trixie's services, do you?"

"Yes, I do. I'm just starting out and don't have a full team yet. Please, will you join me?" Spike asked politely. There was no use angering her after all he went through to get to this point.

"And why should the great and powerful Trixie join your team? Trixie has yet to hear a valid reason."

"Aww, come on!" Spike groaned in frustration.

"I'm listening~!" Trixie spoke in a sing song voice that only served to irritate spike further.

Spike took a deep breath, sighed, and calmed himself. "You'd...be able to have fun riding with others?"

"Trixie has enough fun riding on her own, thank you very much."

A comical sweatdrop fell from Spike's head. "Um...You'll be able to spread your magic shows all over Equestria?"

"I travel. That's my job, dingbat."

Spike tried not to get angry, but his patience was thinning. "You could become famous in more than magic you know? A.M.s aren't just about that. You could rise to the top and have everyone admire you as a queen. Your name would be on everyone's lips whenever they talk about the strongest rides in history."

He couldn't believe he was buttering her up like this. It was just a simple question. She didn't have to turn it into an ego fest!

Luckily for Spike however, that seemed to get her attention. "Now you're talking. I'll gladly join your team."

"Yes! Wait. You stopped talking in third person. Why?" Spike gave her a confused look.

"What do you mean, why, silly? I was always going to join your team."

"Okay now i'm really confused. Then why did you act so uppity about it instead of saying yes at first?" Spike asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, you see, the truth is, People see me as a mean, egotistical girl with no respect for others. That's why I live in the Everfree all alone, because no one wants to be around me. But that's not really who I am. I just act that way for the sake of my magic shows. You know what they say. Confidence is key and all that. However, sometimes I get a little carried away, and it comes out like you heard me say just now. I was so happy when you came to ask me to join your team, but I wanted to see if you really wanted me to join, rather than you just asking because I was the only one left."

Spike listened to her talk. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This coming from Trixie of all people was...surprising. She really was a good person.

"Well, believe it or not, you were one of the people I was considering. Long before anyone else. Well, you and Zecora, but I couldn't come until I was done looking through ponyville. You know how twilight is with my safety."

"Stupid Twilight Sparkle. Getting in your way like that." Trixie giggled.

"Hey, now. She's my family. It's only natural she would worry."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Trixie responded. "So, now that you can come up here, do you plan on going to see Zecora to ask about joining your team?"

"Yeah, that's the plan. Wanna come with me?"

"Would I? I'd love to!"

And with that, the two of the made their way over to the local zebra's household.

"Of course I would love to join your team. I am glad your search has led you to me. I will make myself useful at your side. May we rise through the ranks while keeping our pride."

"Really? You'll join us? You mean it?" Trixie asked, stars in her eyes at the easy victory.

"I have not been a part of a team in a while. It gets...rather lonely, out in the wild. I want to see the world with my own eyes, and show them the power of the zebra tribe. I promise to lend you all of my skills, as long as you never lose your will."

"Great! That sounds amazing. Now all we need is two more people, and we'll be set to go." Spike turned around and made his way out of Zecora's home and away from the forest.

"See you two later! I have something I need to do."

With that, he sped back through the forest, looking to finally adhere to the letter Vinyl had given him.

He made his way up the Canterlot mountain, all the way back to the spot where he first started practicing. He had no idea how she knew about his first practice spot, but he just decided to go with it.

"Uh...Vinyl? Are you here? I thought we were supposed to be meeting up for something."

"We were." Spike heard her voice for behind him, so he turned around, crossing his arms. "There you are."

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Vinyl said as she came up to him. "I just wanted to give you a little something extra as a reward for saving my life, ya know?"

"Extra? What do you mean?" Spike asked, curious now.

"Close your eyes." Vinyl said, smiling.

"Okay. Here i go." Spike said, closing his eyes. He leaned in, expecting another kiss when he heard her say,

"Alright. You can open your eyes now."

He opened his eyes. He was a little upset that he didn't get another kiss but any gift from her was bound to be good. He checked himself over, only to feel a slight metallic something on his chest. He looked down at his shirt and saw...

"What is this?"

Vinyl giggled. "It's your lucky charm. Don't go losing it now."

"Hm?" Spike thought for a moment as he stared at the item pinned to his jacket front. "Lucky Charm? But I thought-Ugh!"

All of a sudden, Spike felt a claw strike his back, and he nearly fell unconscious. He caught himself just in time to see a man in a dog helmet looking down at him.

"Wh-who are...you?" He asked.

"I am..." He started, trainling off as he noticed Vinyl. He glared at her.

'I don't know what's going on, but it sure doesn't look good. Spike thought as he stared at the two of them. Something...was wrong with this picture.'