The Dragon Ninja

Spike was in the Lin Kuei temple and he was sleeping in the quarters he was given by Sub-Zero. As he slept, he slowly opened his eyes.

Spike began to get up and got off his bed. As soon as he finished his rest, he put his suit on and made his way to the Temple arena to train.

The Grandmaster was meditating and as Spike approached, he opened his eyes and turned his pupils.

"You are awake. Good" Sub-Zero said

Spike bowed to the Grandmaster with respect.

"What is the next part of training master?" Spike said

"Follow me Spike." Sub-Zero said.

(On the Temple Roof)

Spike was once again blindfolded and balancing on the roof. Sub-Zero was behind him and did nothing for a moment.

The air flowed through the atmosphere in the cold temple area and the roof where the two ninja stood as Spike only readied himself of what would come. The blindfolded dragon teen may not have been able to see what was going on, but he had to know how to feel it.

As Spike stood, he heard footsteps sprinting and the air of the world touch his skin as he ducked and evaded a kick from Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero continued to attack Spike, but the young warrior managed to dodge and evade his blows by ducking or moving by the side.

The two continued to train as Spike managed to hone his other senses as Sub-Zero attacked him, putting him on the defensive.

(At Sweet Apple Acres)

It was slowly becoming morning. Applejack was busy changing into her clothes for the day. As she was putting on her shirt and orange button shirt on, she then put on some orange panties with red apples on them and then began to put on bright blue jeans. She had a bit of a struggle putting on her tight jean pants on her because her big, jiggling apples made it a bit hard. After a few seconds, however, she managed to put her jeans on and button them up. She then put on her signature Stetson hat on.

"Ahh come on. Is mah behind this big enough for mah clothes?" Applejack said in annoyance

However, unbeknownst to the apple farm girl, she was being watched by a few unknown figures hiding behind some trees.

"Are the others ready?" A male voice said.

"Yeah. They set the explosives near some of the trees." Another voice said

The first one pulled out a phone and texted something. After a few seconds, the phone had a message. It said.

Good. When they are gone, tell us. We are going to steal any valuables, destroy the farm and kill those Apple lovers. We can't risk them ruining our business. When your done, you will be rewarded.

"Good. And if we have enough time. I wanna plow that apple bitch's apples if ya catch my drift." The second male said with a perverted tone.

"Count me in. With that and the paycheck Flim and Flam promised us. It's a bonus." The first male said

However, they were unaware an figure in blue like attire was watching them and having heard everything, left the area quietly.

(Back at the Lin Kuei Temple)

Spike was continuing his training with Sub-Zero. As he dodged while blindfolded, he managed to knock Sub-Zero down with a kick to his abdomen.

Sub-Zero got up and gave a smile "Very good dragon warrior."

Spike bowed with respect and honor, with Sub-Zero doing the same. As they looked up to each other, a Lin Kuei walked up and said

"Grandmaster, one the boy's friends is in trouble."

Spike and Sub-Zero gave looks of worry as Spike asked

"Who?"

"She has a hat on her head and a blonde hair color." The Lin Kuei soldier said

"That must be Applejack." Spike realized.

"What is the reason for her trouble?" Sub-Zero asked

"A few men were hiding near her farm and set traps. I believe they intend to steal and attack her. One mentioned this Flim and Flam were helping them also." The Lin Kuei soldier said

"Oh no! Flim and Flam are one of the most wanted con artists in Canterlot!" Spike said

"I have heard of them, they even tried to steal some objects from my temple." Sub-Zero said with a clear tone of anger and fury, giving an murderous look.

"Master. I know I don't trust Applejack yet, but I have to stop them." Spike said

"Very well dragon warrior. But remember, only end them if they refuse their depravity and greed. Killing may seem like the solution, but only from how you see it."

Spike nodded and left the temple to get to the home of Applejack: Sweet Apple Acres.

(At Sweet Apple Acres)

Spike managed to successfully reach the barn near the entrance. So far, everything looked intact.

"I better be careful." Spike said.

The young dragon warrior put his mask on and stealthily entered the farm. He neared the barn and climbed using his rope dart to reach the roof. As he stealthily balanced, a familiar voice was heard.

"Hey! Let me go ya jerk!"

"That sounds like Apple Bloom." Spike thought.

Cautiously nearing the barn window, Spike used his rope dart to look and saw what happened through the barn window. The sight gave him a sick look. Inside was Apple Bloom on a chair tied up being watched by two burly guards.

"Alright ya little runt. Tell your granny to hand over your land to us and we'll go peacefully." The first thug said

"Never!" Apple Bloom refused.

"Say that again, and we'll blow your whole farm in BITS!" The second thug said, pulling out a detonator.

Spike, seeing everything, knocked on the window. This drew the thugs' attention.

"What was that?" The second thug said.

"I dunno. I looked like it was at that window." The first one replied.

"Could be wind or a bird." The second one said.

"I'll check it, you make sure this little runt doesn't try anything." The first thug told his colleague.

Spike patiently waited for the thug to get near the window. As soon as he did, pulled out his sword and stabbed him in the throat through the window.

The dragon ninja jumped through the window and threw two shuriken's at the second thug's arm and left eye. Spike then elbowed him in the chest, grabbed his arm and dislocated it and knocked him out with a chop. He saw the tied up Apple Bloom and helped her up.

"You ok?" Spike asked.

Apple Bloom only hugged Spike and said "Thank you thank you so much! Please! Ah need to help mah Granny Smith and mah siblings! They said they were gonna steal and blow up our home!"

Spike, remembering what the other thug said, went to him and saw the detonator in his shirt pocket. He grabbed it and after putting it in his front pocket, said

"Lead the way."

Apple Bloom nodded and led Spike outside the farm through the trees with apples. As Spike followed her, he only thought.

"Wow. This is the first time I've actually been seeing Applejack's sister like this. I guess they might be worried then I thought."

As Spike followed Apple Bloom, he noticed some screaming coming from the corner.

"What was that?!" Spike asked

"It sounds like it came from there!" Apple Bloom pointed at one of the open corners of the orchard.

The two ran and they saw numerous thugs beaten up and groaning in pain. In front was none other then Granny Smith, who was wielding a shotgun. The elderly matriarch of the Apple family reloaded the weapon with some shells and cocked it.

"Granny Smith! Yer ok!" Apple Bloom said with relief and happiness.

"Of course ah ahm sugar. These no-good, limp dick varmints ain't able to take me down easily!" Granny Smith said, cocking her shotgun with a determined frown.

Spike smiled and said "Now we have to help Applejack and Big Macintosh. Do you know where they are?"

"Sadly no. But ah last saw them near the left side of the farm." Apple Bloom said

"Alright. You two cover the grounds. I'll use the trees to cover the area and look." Spike said

The two nodded and did so. Spike jumped from tree to tree to look for the two missing siblings while Granny Smith held a shivering Apple Bloom close by and looked around on foot.

BANG!

A loud sound was heard.

"What was that noise?!" Apple Bloom said

Spike continued to look and heard the noise also. He jumped to another tree to get a better view. He quickly looked and saw the two Apples in question were fighting off some thugs but having trouble. They were near a far part of the apple orchard and there were 4 pick-up trucks that had their possessions. Big Macintosh was being piled on by some thugs while Applejack was holding out well, but the thugs were overwhelming her.

"I see them! Follow me!" Spike said

The dragon ninja led the two Apples to the area and saw what was happening. They joined the fight as Spike saved Applejack and Big Macintosh while Granny Smith blasted away a large number of thugs away from her shotgun.

The fight lasted as Spike slashed and used his elemental abilities to defeat the thugs. One of them, still beaten and the ground, pulled out a gun and said.

"Dodge this lizard!"

He shot the gun and the bullet flew near Spike. The dragon ninja moved his body back and ducked before the bullet could hit him. The bullet flew directly near Applejack...or more specifically....her posterior. The bullet then hit Applejack's jean-clad butt, causing a small tear in her jeans.

"Ooohhhhh!" Applejack said in slight pleasure and pain at the bullet hitting her buttocks. She gave a look of anger at the thug and said

"So ya like hitting a gal's apples huh?"

She thrust her leg up and then angrily kicked him in the face. The kick was so powerful, his nose looked fractured.

After the thugs were dealt with. Spike helped the Apples retrieve their belongings.

"What happened?" Spike asked.

"While we were getting ready to help Big Macintosh with his date with Sugar Belle. These varmints jumped us out of nowhere." Applejack said

"Who could've done this and sent this many criminals after us?" Big Macintosh.

As they were thinking, there was a ringing sound coming from one of the thugs. Spike looked and pulled out a phone from the thug Applejack kicked and saw a text message.

"Make sure to steal everything. The Flim Flam brothers cannot risk more chances of bankruptcy."

"It says that Flim and Flam are involved in this." Spike said.

"FLIM AND FLAM!?" All the Apples said in shock.

"Are ya sure Spike?" Big Macintosh asked.

Spike showed them the phone and they saw the text message. Applejack and the rest of the Apple family gave looks of acceptance and tied up the surviving thugs.

(A few hours later)

The police had arrived and arrested the thugs that were apprehended. As they did, Captain Shining said.

"Good job. You two may have killed a few of these criminals, but I managed to talk to the officers and tell them of the circumstances based on the evidence and your statements. Thanks to the phone you showed us, we have warrant out for those two douchebags arrests and their assets have been frozen while they are being tracked with the text message you showed."

"Thanks officer." Apple Bloom said gratefully

"An what of them bombs they placed in our farm?" Big Macintosh asked

"We sent the bomb squad to disarm them and so far they're almost done."

This relieved the family as Shining went with the other cops to round up the remaining criminals and the police cars drove off.

Spike, with a nod, seeing things were ok, proceeded to leave.

"Spike! Wait!"

Applejack ran to the dragon teen and managed to catch up with him.

"Ah wanna say thanks." Applejack said with gratitude

"Dōitashimashite (Your welcome)." Spike replied in Japanese

Applejack was confused, until Spike said "Your welcome."

Spike then however, continued to walk away from her.

"Spike! Please! Ah wanna talk!" Applejack pleaded

"And I don't wish to listen." Spike replied, continuing to walk away.

The other Apples saw what she was doing and ran to reach them.

"Spike! Ah know yer mad! An ya have every right! But Ahm seriously sorry for how me an the girls treated ya!" Applejack apologized with a pleading one.

Spike only ignored her further and continued to walk away as she tried to reason with him. While he was far away from Applejack, someone else caught up to him.

However, as he walked away, Granny Smith managed to reach him and said

"Spikey? Ah understand yer upset at Applejack and her friends. An believe me, so am I. But at least talk to her."

'I already told you. I'll do it when I am ready. Friendship has to heal."

"And I agree Spike, but how long do you want that hurt and anger to hurt ya like that? Ah care about you cause yer family to me. Ya helped me and Big Mac on the farm, me when Applejack and Apple Bloom was sick and when we were in trouble of being bankrupt. I know you didn't have it easy with Applejack and her friends in the past. But that don't mean you can be better on in the future." Granny Smith said

"I know Granny Smith. I said she and I are only acquaintances. I said I forgive her for what she did to me, but not for how she betrayed my trust and care about her and the others. When the time comes I will forgive her. Just not now." Spike replied.

Granny Smith, while reluctant at his reason, complied and said "Alright Spike. Thanks again."

Spike nodded with a warm smile and said "Will you all be ok?"

"Well, since you helped us save our home. We should at least give ya something in turn." Granny Smith said

Spike only raised a brow and asked "Such as?"

(Inside the barn)

Spike was eating some food with Apple Family. While he was a little reluctant to accept, he complied to respect their gratitude. As he ate an Apple Pie, his eyes twinkled, remembering how tasty they were.

As Spike ate with the Apples, he noticed Applejack coming over to him again. He readied his sword and almost unsheathed it.

Seeing what Spike doing, Applejack put her hands up saying "Spike, wait!"

"What?" Spike asked

"Ah hope one day, you can forgive me and tha other gals." Applejack said

Spike, with a slow sheath of his sword nodded and said "Me too."

(At night)

After he ate with the Applejack and her family, Spike overlooked the night sky outside the barn and sat near one of the apple trees. As he looked in the sky, the stars twinkled as he only shed a slight tear in his eyes.

"Ya'll ok?"

Spike however, continued to ignore her. Applejack sighed and sat next to him, groaning in pain a bit as she did.

"You ok?" Spike asked.

"Well, the varmint who shot mah dukes hit mah jean pocket and my left cheek. The doctor had to stitch it and put a little medicine for it too. But aside from that, ah'll be ok."

Spike only nodded and looked at the sky again. As he did, Applejack scooted closer to him slowly. Spike only ignored her as she touched him.

"Ah wanna know sugarcube. How did you become like this?" Applejack asked.

"Like what?" Spike replied.

"This whole ninja thing. Ya'll managed to beat me and the girls and other ponies who are either pegasi or unicorns. Some say your basically a legend." Applejack said

"Why would I tell you or your friends of all people?" Spike asked in slight anger.

Applejack backed away in offense, but accepted it and said "Because, ya seem so mature now. More then me and the other students of CHS."

"Why would I tell you something you don't deserve to know?" Spike responded.

Applejack was about to speak but stopped. She knew he had a point and he further said

"You're supposed to be the Element of Honesty. You taught me the meaning of family and home and you used me and threw me life I was some coat you hang every day. I was always there for you and how did you repay me? By attacking me and calling me useless at everything. And now your suddenly asking how I became this?"

Applejack only gave a look of remorse and realized the point in his statement. She only silently accepted it in tears as he got up and walked away. As he walked, Applejack asked

"Do you need a ride home?"

Spike only ignored her and walked away silently back to where he would train: The Lin Kuei temple. Applejack only gave a few silent tears she failed to repress as Spike left in mixed disgust and anger....

"Oh Spike...Ahm sorry....Ah love you.....Ah wish Ah could take things back...." Applejack said in her thoughts.