My Little Pony: The Trials of Spike the Dragon

Chapters

The Arrest
The Trial
The Escape
The Changeling Kingdom
The Dragonlands
The Seamstress
The Portal
The Key
The Crossing of Paths
The Break-In
The Bartender and the Gunslinger

The Arrest

Spike sat alone in his jail cell. His thoughts were moving at a million miles a minute. His trial was tomorrow.

"What am I gonna do?"

Spikes thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a tray being pushed into his cell.

"Dinner time you beast." the guard snarled. Spike immediately dug into the food. It may have tasted like shit but Spike had barely had anything to eat all day. He scarfed down the tiny meal before pushing the tray back out into the hall. Spike laid back down on the bed, somehow hungrier then he had been before the meal. His mind thought back to the beginning of the week when everything was fine.

5 days ago

Spike studied himself in the mirror.

"Don't panic Spike, you're only going on a date with the woman of your dreams,"

Spike had done it, he finally managed to score a date with Rarity.

Spike flew downstairs where his boss/adoptive sister Twilight was waiting.

"Oh my Celestia, look at you," Twilight said in awe.

"How do I look?" Spike asked.

"Like a million bits. Is that cologne I smell?" Twilight asked. Spike embarrassingly rubbed his head.

"Maybe..." Twilight burst into a fit of giggles.

"Man, Rarity sure has changed you, never known you to wear cologne." Twilight teased.

"Yeah well, best get to used to it." Spike said before looking at his watch.

"FUCK, I'M LATE!" Spike shouted as he rushed out the door of the castle.

"Go get her tiger!" Twilight shouted as Spike took off to the coffee shop.

Spike landed right outside the coffee shop and scanned the area for Rarity.

"OVER HERE SPIKEY WIKEY!" An all to familiar voice called. Spike smiled as he looked over to the source of the voice.

"Shall we go inside?" Rarity asked. Spike was starstruck at Rarity's appearance. Spike concluded that she had a wax done at the spa because her skin seemed to glisten in the summer sun. Her lips were as red as the rose, her cheeks flushed pink with blush, and her beautiful hair tied up into a ponytail.

"Uhhhhh,"

"Hello? Ground Control to Major Spike are you on Earth?" Rarity asked snapping her finger snapping Spike out of his trance.

"S-sorry!" Spike cried. Rartiy began to giggle.

"All these years and you're still the same dragon." Rarity said with a smile. Spike began to turn red in embarrassment.

"L-let's just get inside,"

Spike had remembered the day he first laid eyes on Rarity. He was only 14 years old and she was 15. He and Twilight had to come to town on business involving the Summer Sun Celebration and Rarity was in charge of decorations. To say it was love at first sight was an understatement. Spike fell head over hells the moment he first saw her. In the 7 years since the two of them have been through a lot. Between Luna's rise, Discord's return, the Crystal Empire, that time Spike became overcome with greed and turned into a rampaging monster, even getting into some crazy shenanigans with another version of Rarity in an alternate universe populated by humans. As the years would go by Rarity would slowly find herself thinking Spike was cute, cute became handsome, handsome became hot, and hot became really hot. Both figuratively and literally. Rarity was the one who made the first move. She had asked Spike to help her out with measurements so she could make clothes for Ember. While measuring, Rarity's desires overtook her and she kissed Spike on the spot. Of course Spike fainted immediately afterwards but after coming to, a giggling Rarity asked him out on a date.

"What can I do for you?" The barista asked.

"One Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte and once Iced Caffe Mocha with two pumps of caramel and two pumps of Hazelnut." Spike said. The couple paid and got their drinks before sitting outside.

"So I'm working on opening a new shop in the Crystal Empire." Rarity explained.

"Really? That's wonderful! How's it coming along?" Spike asked.

"Well I just got the permits I needed to start construction. I'm hunting for a company that can build. What about you? Anything going on in your life?" Rarity asked.

"Well you know how it is. Same old same old. I haven't gotten used to these things yet though," Spike said gesturing at his wings. Rarity giggled for a bit.

"Would you be willing to fly me around on the next date?" Rarity asked.

"T-the next date?" Spike asked blushing.

"Yeah. Surely you didn't think this would be a one time thing," Rarity said in a teasing tone. Spike began to turn redder and redder.

"I mean well I-" Spike was cut off when Rarity gently held his hand.

"You're to adorable," Rarity said with a warm smile before leaning over and kissing Spike. Unlike the first kiss, Spike didn't faint and this time leaned into the kiss.

"SPIKE THE DRAGON!" A booming voice called taking both Spike and Rarity by surprise. The two looked over and saw a police officer approaching.

"Are you Spike the Dragon?" The officer asked.

"Y-yeah I am. Is there something wrong?" Spike asked.

"Cuff him boys." Spike was immediately slammed onto the table by two more cops who proceeded to cuff him.

"HEY GET OFF HIM!" Rarity cried.

"Spike, you are under arrest for the murder of Fleur De Lis. You have the right to remain silent, anything you do or say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights?"

"THIS IS BULLSHIT I DIDN'T MURDER ANYONE!" Spike cried.

"Tell it to the judge kid." The officer said as Spike was hauled away.

"SPIKE!" Rarity cried.

"GET TWILIGHT!" Spike shouted.

Spike sat in his jail cell alone when the doors to the jail were slammed open.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! WHY IS MY BROTHER IN JAIL?!" Twilight shouted.

"That monster is your brother?" One of the officers sneered.

"MONSTER?! HE'S NO MONSTER! HE WOULDN'T HURT A FLY!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Tell that to the family of Fleur De Lis,"

"SPIKE DIDN'T KILL HER!" Twilight shouted.

"Really? Then explain the multiple eyewitnesses that saw him flee the scene. Explain the threatening note she got in his handwriting. Explain the witness who saw the murder first hand,"

"No, this has to be some kind of mistake!" Fluttershy cried.

"Let me talk to him," Twilight commanded.

"Very well, you got two," The guard said. Twilight and her friends immediately shot for Spike's jail cell.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked.

"My head is throbbing but other then that I'm fine," Spike explained.

"Spike did you kill Fleur?" Twilight asked.

"W-WHAT?! NO! OF COURSE NOT!" Spike cried. Applejack studied Spike's eyes, body language, and voice tone. She sighed.

"He's telling the truth sugarcubes. He didn't kill her," Applejack said.

"How do you know?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hello? Element of Honesty," Applejack explained.

"Well no offense Applejack what good would that do in a Court of Law?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"What are you gonna do? You heard how much evidence there is against me." Spike said.

"Spike we're gonna figure this out. We're gonna get you out of here, I promise," Twilight said.

"Times up," The officer said. The Mane 6 began to file out except Rarity who reached her hands through the stall. Spike gently grabbed them.

"It's gonna be okay," Spike said softly to his crying girlfriend.

"Girlfriend...never thought I'd see the day,"

"Promise me you'll be okay," Rarity whimpered.

"I promise," Spike said kissing Rarity's hands.

"I said times up," The officer said.

"Go," Spike said. Rarity nodded before she and the rest of the Mane 6 left the station leaving Spike alone.

Spike sighed thinking about that day. He looked out into the starry sky above. Tomorrow would be the day that would decide his fate. Either he's let free or he's banished to Tartarus for the rest of his life. He slowly rolled over. His last thought before falling into a dreamless sleep was Rarity's smiling face.

Author's Note

For those of you who've read my stuff before you'll probably see some similarities between this and My Little Pony: Destiny. Maybe this could be considered a rewrite, I never really thought of it as such. I hope you enjoy this story!

The Trial

Author's Note

I don't really know much about actual courtroom proceedings. My only knowledge is from the Ace Attorney series and its probably not the most accurate source. Bare with me y'all :twilightsheepish:

The Trial

“All rise!” The bailiff called as the Judge walked in.

“Be seated,” Everyone sat down.

“The charges brought up against the defendant Spike A. Drake is the rape and murder of Madame Fleur De Lis in the first degree, and assault charges of his majesty Prince Blueblood. The court will now hear the Prosecutors opening statements,” The judge said. The D.A promptly stood up.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. What the defendant will say is that this dragon here is an upstanding citizen. But we know better do we? The mountains of evidence will prove that the monster you see here is a murderer like oh so many of his kind-"

"OBJECTION!" Twilight shouted.

"The D.A is prejudiced against dragonkind!"

"Overruled, continue sir,"

"Thank you, your honor. As I was saying, the mountains of evidence we have will prove that this man raped and murdered Madame Fleur De Lis in front of her fiancé Prince Blueblood in cold blood. I hope that the jury will pass down judgement against this beast. Thank you."

"The court will now hear the Defense's opening statements." The judge said. Twilight promptly stood up.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and personal student to Princess Celestia herself. I know when someone's heart is black and cold. Spike's heart is as bright as the sun itself. He has helped me save Equestria time and time again and personally saved the Crystal Empire itself. I do hope the jury has the ability to not throw an innocent man to the depths of Tartarus for the rest of his life. Thank you," Twilight said.

"The prosecution will now call its first witness,"

"I call Prince Blueblood to the stand." The D.A said. Prince Blueblood rose from his seat and walked to the stand. He put his hand on a Bible.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"May you tell us what happened that night?"

"I was walking Fleur back to her home like the gentleman I am,"

Rarity scoffed at that first sentence.

"We turned down an alley to save time when..that monster attacked us. He..stabbed me in the chest with a knife...he..took Fleur and he held her down and...he did horrible horrible things to her before he slit her throat..I would have died myself if not for a passing citizen.." Blueblood began to cry.

"I would like to present to the court this CCTV footage taken that night," A tv was wheeled in before a tape was placed inside. The footage showed Blueblood and Fleur walking through the alley before being attacked by a dark figure..that had the body of Spike. The court erupted into murmurs.

"No further questions your honor." The D.A said.

"Does the defense have any questions for the witness?"

"I do your honor," Twilight said firmly. She stood up and walked to the stand.

"You said in the police report that the attack occurred at 9:00 at night on October 24th correct?"

"That is correct," Blueblood replied.

"And this CCTV footage confirms that right?"

"Right?"

"Are you positive the attack occurred at that time on that date?"

"What is the defense getting at?"

"It's just funny to me..how could Spike have been in Canterlot when he was hanging out with Big Macintosh and Discord at that exact same time?" The court again erupted into murmurs as Blueblood began to sweat.

"No further questions your honor," Twilight said smugly. Blueblood went and took his seat.

"The defense may call it's first witness."

"I'd like to call Discord as a witness." Twilight said. Discord strolled up from his seat and sat on the stand.

"Discord, is it true that you, Big Mac, and Spike were together on the night of October 24th?"

"Yes it is."

"And what exactly did you do?"

"We played some Ogres and Oubliettes,"

"And what exactly is Ogres and Oubliettes?"

"It's a tabletop roleplaying game."

"So you three didn't leave the castle that night?"

"We went down to the bar for a few drinks but that wasn't until after 9:30."

"No further questions,"

The D.A stood up.

"Mr Discord..are we sure your a proper character witness?"

"What do you mean?"

"If my history is correct you tried to take over Equestria 1000 years ago before being turned to stone by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And then you tried again only to be stopped by the defense and her friends." Discord began to sweat in fear.

"W-well y-yes but-"

"The court would like this witness to be scrubbed from the record. We believe he's not a reliable witness."

"OBJECTION!" Twilight shouted.

"Discord may have had a dark past but he is a changed man now! He's not the man he used to be!"

"Oh come now Princess. He's a mischievous demigod. Are you sure you can trust him?"

"I trust him with my life!" Fluttershy cried standing up.

"The court does not recognize Fluttershy, Element of Kindness," The judge said.

"I can say without hesitation that Discord is a much better man then maybe anyone in this room!"

"Can we really judge your character? After all isn't it true you two are dating?" Gasps erupted from the courtroom as both Discord and Fluttershy turned red.

"You didn't tell me you two were dating!" Rainbow Dash whispered.

"ORDER! ORDER IN THE COURT! Next outburst will be held in contempt!" The judge shouted banging his gavel.

"The court will scrub Discord's words from the record."

"What the hell do we do?" Rarity asked in fear.

"Someone call Big Mac!" Rainbow Dash whispered.

"We can't he's on the other side of the country on business..." Applejack explained.

"Your Honor the Defense would like to call for a delay on the ruling so our next witness will be available!"

"Denied. Justice will be served here and now today." The judge said.

"The prosecution will call it's next witness." The D.A called forth witness after witness that all described the same thing without any change. That they witnessed a man who looked like Spike fleeing the scene of the crime.

"No further witnesses Your Honor."

"Does the Defense have any witnesses they would like to call?" The judge asked.

Twilight sadly shook her head. The tears were already starting to fall.

"Very well, the Jury may now deliberate." The jury proceeded out of the courtroom. The minutes ticked by in silence. Each minute felt like an entire eternity of the Earth. Spike shot a nervous look at his friends and girlfriend. Rarity gave an encouraging nod. Before long the jury walked out and took their seats.

"Has the Jury reached a verdict?"

"We have your Honor. For the crime of assault with a deadly weapon, we the Jury find Spike A Drake, Guilty. For the crime of rape, we the Jury find Spike A Drake, Guilty. For the crime of First Degree Murder, we the Jury find Spike A Drake, Guilty."

"Guilty." That word rang in Spike and the Mane 6's ears.

"No.."

"The court sentences Spike to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole at Tartarus. Court is adjourned." With the slam of a gavel, Spikes life as he knew it...was over.

The Escape

Twilight and Rarity were inconsolable. Twilight was being comforted by her parents, her brother, and sister in law, while Rarity was being comforted by her sister.

"Your highness why haven't you overruled this?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"You don't think I want to?" Celestia asked frustrated.

"HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?" Fluttershy cried.

"Maybe Prince Blueblood bought the judge off? How do we know he didn't kill Fleur and pinned it on Spike?" Applejack asked.

"He didn't. He truly believes he saw Spike kill her," Celestia replied.

"How do you know this?" Shining Armor asked.

"After I heard about the verdict, I took my nephew aside. I cast a spell that would allow me to see into his mind. I saw exactly what he claims." Celestia explained.

"Maybe it's a rogue changeling?" Fluttershy asked.

"Are they even able to transform themselves into dragons?" Rainbow Dask asked.

"I don't believe so but I could be wrong." Princess Cadence said.

"I don't think it's a changeling.." Celestia said somberly.

"I think there's something much deeper going on here..I can feel it in my bones."

"Remind me why can't you override this and just pardon him?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Rainbow you must understand, murder is very frowned upon here. Even getting accused of murder could mess up your life, let alone being convicted. And it's not easy to get someone into a retrial once convicted. It doesn't matter how much evidence we have to prove his innocence, if we want to change his conviction then we'll need to find the actual killer." Celestia explained.

"BULLSHIT!" Rarity cried. She stood up and glared daggers at Celestia, the tears ruining her makeup.

"YOU'RE THE FAUST DAMNED RULER OF THIS SHITHOLE COUNTRY! USE YOUR ALL MIGHTY POWERS AND GET HIM OUT OF THIS!"

"Rarity you must understand. If I went above the law and got Spike pardoned I myself could be arrested, and even if I didn't, word would get out and that would cause riots in the streets. Fleur was well loved by the people of not just Canterlot but also all of Equestria. In their eyes they are seeing their ruler go and pardon the convicted murderer of a well beloved woman. No matter how much I'd try to explain it they would never listen." Celestia explained.

"FUCK THE PEOPLE!" Rarity screamed.

"I'LL JUST BREAK HIM OUT MYSELF!"

"RARITY NO YOU CAN'T!" Applejack shouted trying to grab Rarity.

"DON'T YOU TRY AND STOP ME APPLEJACK!"

"RARITY IF YOUR CAUGHT AND YOU WILL BE CAUGHT, WHO WILL BE THE NEW ELEMENT OF GENOROSITY?" Twilight asked loudly.

"I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T CARE! GIVE IT TO SWEETIE BELLE OR SOMETHING!"

"W-what? Me?" Before Rarity could make it out the door she was hit by a spell that put her to sleep.

"She's really broken up." Celestia explained.

"No shit Sherlock." Rainbow Dash replied.

"Sweetie Belle can you get her to her room? When she wakes up make sure she stays there." Celestia explained.

"Yes your highness." Sweetie Belle said as she hauled Rarity to her room.

"So you said if we can find the real killer and get them to confess then Spike will go free?" Twilight asked wiping her tears away.

"Yes, that is correct." Celestia explained.

"Well then..guess we have a killer to find." Twilight said getting a determined look on her face. Pinkie Pie immediately took off her clothes revealing a Detective style getup complete with hat and magnifying glass.

"The game is afoot!" Pinkie Pie said looking through the magnifying glass.

"Why do you have a Detective style getup under your clothes?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Just in case." Pinkie said with a smile.

"You're so random.."

Spike heard the tray slide under. He got up and walked to the cell door.

"This is your last meal here you beast. You're getting transferred to Tartarus first thing tomorrow." The guard explained.

"Remind me why can't anyone come visit me?"

"Pfft who'd want to visit you?" The guard sneered.

"And don't even try to blow out the walls of your cell with your fire. These are special walls made especially to hold dragons. You could throw it into the sun and it still wouldn't break."

Spike whispered something.

"What was that?" The guard asked getting closer to the cell. Spike whispered something again.

"SPEAK UP MAN!" The guard shouted now right at the cell door.

"That was a bad move to get this close." Spike said before quickly reaching his hands around and smashing the guards head into the cell door, knocking him out. Spike reached through the bars to get the guards keys. He grabbed the keys and unlocked his jail cell before very slowly opening it and running down the hall. He rounded a corner only to come face to face with two more guards.

"HOLY SHIT!" The guard cried opening fire on Spike who quickly dodged and ran the other way.

"CODE RED! CODE RED! WE HAVE AN ESCAPED CONVICT!" The other guard shouted into his radio. Alarms began to blare all around the jail as Spike ran through the hallways trying to find a way out.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" One of the guards shouted from behind him. Spike replied by blowing a small fireball in their direction to slow them down. Spike rounded a corner and found himself at a three way. Guards were coming in each direction. He was trapped. He looked down the hallway towards a wall that not only looked like it was made of regular stone but it would lead outside. Spike took some deep breaths.

"Don't fail me now wings." Spike then began to run down the hallway. The guards rounded the corner and began to fire. Spike blew a fireball to blast them back before blowing another larger fireball to blow a hole through the wall. He leapt through the hole, spread his wings, and flew out over Canterlot.

"WOOOOO!" Spike whooped as he did a loop before flying off into the night...

"So what do you think our first move should be?" Twilight asked.

"Obviously we should go to the scene of the crime. See if there are any clues they missed."

"I can get you access to the evidence lockers in the station. I may not be able to reverse the sentence but I can still aid in the investigation." Celestia said.

"Thank you Princess. Alright. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash you guys head for the scene of the crime and see what you can find there. Applejack and I will head to the station and look at the evidence they already have. Fluttershy, think you can stay here and make sure Rarity is okay?" Twilight asked.

"Yes I will."

"I wish we could help but me and Shining have to get back to the Crystal Empire." Cadence explained.

"Get back to the Empire, your people need you. We can handle things here." Twilight said. Cadence and Shining both hugged Twilight tightly. The moment was interrupted by the sound of doors slamming open. A certain fiery haired girl stood at the entrance panting and looking very pissed off.

"WHO IN THE MARY MOTHER OF FUCK AUTHROIZED THIS?!" Sunset Shimmer shouted.

"S-Sunset? What are you doing here?" Twilight asked in shock.

"I'm here to help what do you think?" Sunset asked.

"What about the others? The school? Your boyfriend?" Twilight asked.

"We're on break anyway and the girls are out with their families. And Flash will survive a few days without me. This is a little bit more important." Sunset explained.

"Didn't even know you were friendly with Spike."

"I happen to really like that dog."

"Dragon."

"Whatever you know what I mean."

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" One of the Royal Guards barged into the room before saluting.

"What is it?"

"We just received reports that Spike has escaped from jail."

"Escaped? How?" Twilight asked quickly.

"He knocked out a guard, blew a hole through the wall, and flew off." The guard explained.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. You may go." Celestia said. The guard saluted before leaving the room. Hugs were immediately distributed all around.

"Thank Faust!" Twilight cried.

"Where do you think he'll go?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"He wouldn't go to Ponyville. That's the first place they'll look. Maybe back to the Dragonlands? Or the Changeling Kingdom? I'm sure Thorax or Ember would give him shelter. And they are outside our jurisdiction so he would be safe there."

"Alright new plan. Fluttershy, you and Rarity get into contact with Thorax and Ember. See if Spike is there. The rest of the plan proceeds as normal." Twilight explained.

"Yes maam!" Pinkie Pie shouted before getting back into detective gear.

"Alright let's split." Twilight said as the the group went to their retrospective areas.

"We're gonna bring you home Spike..I promise."

Spike landed just outside the castle. He quietly slipped the notes into the mailbox before moving on to the Carousel Boutique. He slipped the note into that mailbox before casting one last somber look at the Boutique. Spike's wings were spread out before he flew south away from Ponyville and from Equestria.

Author's Note

And thus the hunt has begun!

The Changeling Kingdom

Spike knocked on the doors of Thorax's home. Thorax opened the door slowly.

"Hello?" Thorax called.

"Thorax?"

"Spike?" Thorax immediately hugged his friend.

"Good lord man you look like hell. Come inside quick." Spike ducked inside Thorax's home.

"I heard what happened. Are you okay?" Thorax asked.

"Doing as good as I can. How did you hear about it?" Spike asked as he slowly drank his coffee.

"Ember. She heard it from Twilight. She's pissed, I had to talk her out of marching straight into Equestria with her army to get you and bring you to the Dragonlands, we couldn't risk getting into a war." Thorax explained.

"Sounds like Ember." Spike said with a light chuckle.

"She'll be overjoyed when she finds out you escaped...why did you come here?" Thorax asked.

"I need access to the archives. Anything they have on the Dragon Changeling War."

"The Dragon Changeling War? Why do you want info on that?" Thorax asked.

"While I was in jail I had this dream.."

Spike awoke in a field aflame. It was deathly silent other then sound of burning.

"HELLO?!" Spike called. There was no reply. Spike wondered through the burning fields before seeing a massive fight on the horizon. Dragons fighting Changelings. Spike got closer to the battle. No one paid him any mind in the fight, if anything it was like he was invisible to them. He wondered through the fight before noticing a hooded figure running away with an egg. Spike's egg. Spike followed the figure through the fields away from the battle. The figure ran into the trees before taking flight. Spike followed the figure into Equestria and right into Canterlot. The figure crash landed right into the throne room.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF FAUST?!" Celestia cried out as the guards surrounded the figure.

"NO! Please..help me." The figure pleaded. It was female.

"GUARDS STAND DOWN!" Celestia commanded as she rushed to the figure. The figure handed the egg to Celestia.

"Take it..take it please." Celestia picked up the egg.

"Please..keep him safe." The figure immediately disappeared in a flash. Celestia watched as the figure darted east. Celestia looked at the egg and felt life stirring inside. Spike reached out to touch the egg before the castle began to shake. Celestia, the egg, and the guards disappeared. The castle began to crumble to pieces. The floor beneath Spike gave out, and Spike fell into a never ending blackness..

"Woah.." Thorax exclaimed.

"Yeah.."

"So you think your mother was the figure?" Thorax asked.

"Possibly, or at the very least someone who knows who she is." Spike explained.

"But Spike why? Why go through all this?" Thorax asked.

"For years I have been wondering where I come from. Who my parents are. I've come close at some points but more often then not it just turns into a dead end or ends up being a con man. This might be how I can truly find my parents..if they are even alive." Spike explained. Thorax sighed.

"Very well, follow me." Thorax led Spike to the library in town and into the archives.

"Here's all the records we have of the war." Thorax said gesturing to multiple scrolls. Spike grabbed each and every scroll and stuffed them into his bag.

"Thank you." Spike said before turning to leave.

"Where will you go?" Thorax asked.

"To the Dragonlands, I'm going to see Ember and get the records they have over there. After that I don't know." Spike explained. Thorax thought for a while before getting a determined look.

"I'm going with you." Thorax said.

"I'm sorry what?" Spike asked.

"I said I'm going with you." Thorax replied determined.

"W-what? Dude what about the Kingdom?" Spike asked.

"It'll last a few days without me. I'll leave the commander of the army in charge. He is more then capable. And besides I kind of know what your going through. You know that." Thorax explained. Spike couldn't forget those days when he first met Thorax and stuck his neck out for him at risk of being tried for treason.

"It's probably gonna get very rough. And if they find out your traveling with me it'll sour relationships between Equestria and the Changeling Kingdom." Spike explained. Thorax shrugged.

"Had larger odds before. Didn't stop us." Thorax said. Spike sighed.

"Are you sure about this?" Spike asked.

"Positive."

"Very well then..welcome aboard." Spike said as he and Thorax high fived.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash searched every nook and cranny of the crime scene.

"Hmmm..have you found anything Watson?" Pinkie Pie asked in a horrible British accent.

"Why are you calling me Watson? This isn't Sherlock Holmes!"

"Can't you let a girl have fun party pooper?" Pinkie said with a pout. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes before continuing her search. She overturned a trashcan before stopping. She reached down and picked up what looked like a USB drive.

"Hello.." Rainbow Dash said studying the drive.

"Looks like someone didn't want you to be found."

Twilight and Applejack entered the evidence locker escorted by one of the officers.

"This is everything we have on the murder of Fleur De Lis." The officer said laying out the evidence.

"We'll just borrow this and we'll bring it right back." Twilight said as she and Applejack grabbed the evidence and starting moving back to base at Ponyville.

A crying Rarity was being comforted by Fluttershy and Sunset.

"Hey I'm sure he'll be okay. He's very resourceful and there's no way Thorax or Ember would let any harm come to him." Fluttershy said softly.

"How can you be sure? In case you didn't realize he's pretty much Equestria's Most Wanted right now. Have you seen the price on his head? How can you be sure someone won't take him down?" Rarity asked worried.

"In case you forgot Spike is a dragon. And dragons are fiercely loyal to their own kind. The Changelings may be questionable but there's no possible chance someone in the Dragonlands would turn him over." Sunset explained. Rarity nodded silently.

"Did you see the note he left?" Rarity asked pulling out the note.

"I only saw the note he left here I didn't see yours." Fluttershy said. Rarity opened the note and began to read.

"My dearest Rarity. From the moment I first saw you I loved you from the beginning. And in those seven years you've stuck by me through thick and thin. Luna's return, Discord, the Crystal Empire, that time I went a little crazy with greed, and that time you turned into Nightmare Rarity-" Rarity shuddered at those last two words.

"-the day you kissed me and asked me out was the best day of my life. In those few short hours before the arrest I felt like I was on top of the world. I can't tell you where I am, please don't try looking for me. Finding out where I am will only put you and the others at risk. But I can promise you that I will come back but there's something I must do first before I return. I love you now and forever.

Forever yours
Spike,"
Rarity wiped her tears away.

"You doing okay honey?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah..I'll be okay." Rarity replied.

"Excuse me Sunset Shimmer, may I ask why your helping Spike?" Fluttershy asked.

"Because I know exactly what he's going through, being blamed for something you never did. I mean in my case it wasn't as severe as murder but same basic idea." Sunset explained.

"What happened?" Fluttershy asked.

"I..don't want to talk about it." Sunset replied. The doors opened and Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie walked in. Rainbow held up the USB Drive.

"We're gonna need to analyze this." Rainbow explained.

Author's Note

And thus a team starts to form

The Dragonlands

Sunset looked through the records of the Fleur case and sighed. Her thoughts began to drift back to the Anon-a-miss fiasco, when a profile was put up on the internet that exposed the darkest secrets of the students of Canterlot High. Nearly everyone believed it was her..even her friends. They all viciously cut ties with her during the ordeal, it wasn't until the true culprits, Applejack and Rarity's sisters, as well as their friend Scootaloo came forward that Sunset's name was cleared. She hadn't been entirely truthful with Twilight when she said her friends were on vacation with their families. Her friends actually were going to go on vacation together and invited Sunset but Sunset was still recovering mentally from the trauma Anon-a-miss caused. She just needed a break away from her friends. Of course Flash tried to talk her out of coming back but her mind was set in stone.

Sunset was the only one still awake. Everyone else had turned in. She pulled out a photo of her and her friends together. She cast a somber look at it before crumbling it up and throwing it away. She was tired of just being behind the scenes while her friends did all the work. She was tired of playing second fiddle. This time she was going on the offensive. Sunset quickly pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, she quickly wrote a note and placed it on the table before teleporting away..

Spike and Thorax landed just outside the home of Ember. Immediately the guards began to swarm them.

"What's a changeling doing in our patch?" One of the guards snarled.

"We must speak with Dragon Lord Ember," Thorax explained.

"Ember has no time for you Changeling," The other guard spat.

"LET THEM THROUGH OR I SWEAR TO THE SUN I'LL BASH YOUR HEAD IN!" Ember shouted storming out of the house.

"Spike oh my god!" Ember cried hugging Spike tightly.

"Ack...Ember...I..can't...breathe.." Spike gagged out. Ember immediately let go.

"S-sorry. I'm just glad your okay. Good to see you Thorax." Ember said hugging Thorax a little more lightly.

"What are you doing here?" Ember asked.

"Ask him," Thorax said pointing at Spike.

"I'm looking for my parents..." Spike explained.

Sunset appeared in the middle of the Changeling Kingdom. She quickly ran up to Thorax's home. The guards immediately raised their spears.

"I need to speak to Thorax!" Sunset explained.

"I'm afraid Thorax isn't here." Another Changeling said who walked out dressed in an Army style get up.

"Do you know where he went?" Sunset asked.

"He said he had to go to the Dragonlands. He didn't say why..I'm in charge while he's away. My name is Frenulum and I'm sure I can help with whatever-" Sunset immediately teleported away before he could finish.

"Well that was jolly rude wasn't it?"

Spike looked through the scrolls of the Dragon Changeling War.

"Who's this?" Spike asked looking at a picture of a dragon who looked remarkably like him.

"That's Rogue. He was General of the Dragon Army at the time of the war. He was a damn war hero but he was slain in the Battle of Volcano Fields." Ember explained. Spike looked at the photo.

"Could this man be.." Spike thought to himself.

"You think it's your father do you?" Ember asked.

"The resemblance is almost uncanny..did he have a wife?" Spike asked.

"He did, her name was Kala, but after he died she disappeared. No one has seen her for 21 years. It's widely thought she died of a broken heart or was also killed in battle." Ember explained. Spike thought for a moment. She hadn't been seen for 21 years..and Spike was 21.

"I wish to see the resting place of Rogue."

Spike, Ember, and Thorax walked through the cemetery.

"Here he is." Ember said. Spike looked at the tombstone solemnly.

Here Lies General Rogue. A hero and a husband. Slain in the Battle of Volcano Fields

Spike gently put his hand on the tombstone.

"Spike are you okay? Are you sure he is your father?" Ember asked.

"I..I'm not entirely sure. All I have is a hunch. I think if I find Kala I can get confirmation. Where was the last place she was seen?" Spike asked.

"She was last seen in the battle fighting a Changeling. Witnesses say she passed something off to another dragon. After that she was never seen again." Ember explained.

"What dragon?" Spike asked.

"I think her name was Mina. She went off to Manehatten after the war and hasn't come back since. From what I've been told she works as a seamstress." Ember explained.

"Then Manehatten is where I'll go." Spike said determined.

"Are you crazy? That's within their jurisdiction they will find you and throw you into Tartarus. Please stay here where it's safe!" Ember pleaded.

"I'm sorry Ember I must do this! I need to know where I came from and maybe it'll help me figure out the meaning of that dream." Spike said determined.

"Well then I'm coming with you!" Ember replied.

"Should I even bother trying to argue with you on this one?" Spike asked.

"Nope." Ember replied smugly.

"My liege!" One of the guards shouted.

"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Ember asked annoyed.

"We have someone asking for you." The guard replied.

"Who?"

"LET GO OF ME MOTHERFUCKER!" Sunset shouted as she was dragged out.

"What the-Sunset Shimmer?" Spike called rushing to Sunset.

"Hey let go of her man!" Spike said as the guards let go of Sunset.

"What in the mother of Faust are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you idiot." Sunset replied.

"Sunset you need to leave." Spike said sternly.

"Not without you buddy. You're coming home with me!" Sunset demanded.

"NO!" Spike shouted.

"What do you mean no?! Do you have any idea how the girls are feeling right now? How Rarity is feeling? They miss you! They don't know where you are!"

"You don't think I want to go home? Every passing minute I wish I could be home. But where is home? In case you didn't realize there is no home for me anymore! I can't go back to Ponyville to live with the others, it'll put you all at risk for harboring a fugitive and you'll be sent to Tartarus with me! I can't bare that burden!" Spike explained.

"Well then where will you go?" Sunset asked.

"Manehatten. I'm looking for my mother and there's someone there who may know where she is." Spike explained. Sunset thought for a moment. She herself doesn't know where she came from, she was found on the doorstep of Celestia's home when she was only a baby. She couldn't help but sympathize with Spike's plight. She sighed.

"I'm going with you."

"Oh my Faust another one?"

"Look Spike. I absolutely understand what your going through. I don't know who my parents are either. Maybe we can help each other here." Spike sighed.

"Do the others know you're here?" Spike asked.

"I only said I was gonna go looking for you, I never said where I was going." Sunset explained.

"Just to point out the elephant in the room, she can't fly so how are we gonna travel together?" Ember asked. Right on que a train whistle was heard on the horizon.

"Guess we have a train to catch."

Author's Note

Two more members of Spike's little ragtag band. What will the group find in Manehatten? Information? Trouble? Maybe a couple more members in their little band? Guess we'll see :unsuresweetie:

The Seamstress

"Is this the place?" Spike asked.

"Yeah this is it." Breezy replied. The Misfit Six walked into the apartment complex, they didn't notice the man who leaned into a walkie talkie and said something while starring straight at them.

Breezy knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A female voice called from the other side.

"It's Breezy and Storm." Breezy replied.

"I didn't order any liquor." The voice said coming closer to the door.

"We're not here to deliver liquor." Storm explained as the door opened.

"What are you here for the-" The woman was a dragon who had purple skin and a golden chest. Her eyes looked directly at Spike.

"I want to talk to you about Rogue and Kala." Spike explained. Mina immediately slammed the door.

"HEY!" Breezy shouted.

"GET OUT OF HERE AND DON'T COME BACK!"

"I JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS!" Spike shouted knocking the door.

"NO! GO AWAY BEFORE I CALL THE POLICE!"

"You and I both know you won't do it. It's not in our blood." Spike said.

"Maybe, but I still have nothing to say to you!"

"Mina twenty one years ago Kala gave you an egg, you delivered that egg to Celestia at Canterlot and begged her to keep it safe!" There was silence on the other end. The door opened a crack.

"No one is supposed to know that..except for me and Kala."

"If you let us in I'll tell you everything and in exchange for you telling me everything." Spike pleaded. Mina looked around the hall before opening the door all the way.

"Get in quick." Mina said before the six darted inside and the door was closed shut.

"So you saw what happened in a dream?" Mina asked as she took a swig of Jack Daniels.

"Yes, I know it sounds crazy, I can't explain it either. But that is why I'm here. If I find my parents maybe I can figure out what's going on." Spike explained. Mina sighed before taking another drink.

"Mina I must know..are Rogue and Kala my parents?"

"..Yes, they are your parents." Spike leaned back and sighed. He didn't know what to feel. Joyful that he finally knows where he came from, or sad because his father and possibly his mother could very well be dead.

"I want you to know that your father was a very brave man. I'm sure he'd be very proud of everything you've accomplished." Mina said. Spike nodded before getting a determined look on his face.

"And my mother, where is my mother?" Spike asked.

"I don't know kid. Last time I saw her was after your father died and I delivered the egg. The Court had it's last meeting and your mother was there but after that we never saw her again." Mina explained.

"Wait the Court?" Ember asked confused. Mina covered in mouth.

"Shit I should not have said that."

"Wait what's the Court?" Mina sighed again.

"The Court was a secret society led by Dragon Lord Sting. It was made up of delegations of all races and creeds. Dragons, Griffins, Yaks, Changelings, Ponykind. Everyone. It's sole purpose was to unite all the world's races into a happier world. But we always found ourself clashing with...them."

"Them? Who's them?" Thorax asked.

"The Dalmor. Ponykind supremacists. Their purpose was to establish rule over the world with Ponykind at it's center. All races were below them. They have been operating in the shadows trying to keep the races divided for hundreds of years. Almost every war you can think that involved two races fighting each other was started by them. The Pony Dragon War, The Great Griffin War, the Dragon Crusades, the Dragon Changeling War, all of them. All kickstarted by the Dalmor." Mina explained.

"Do you think it's possible that they-" Spike began.

"Murdered Fleur and set you up so you'd take the fall? Absolutely. A dragon killing a well loved Pony celebrity would not bode well for other dragons living in Equestria. And your position in Canterlot as well as your friends puts a massive damper in their plans."

"Are you saying my friends are in danger?" Spike asked fearfully.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. They will go to any length to make sure their plans fall through. They have silenced and killed anyone who poses a threat. Getting on their bad side would only be a death sentence. Want my advice kid? Leave it all behind and just go hide out. The world is doomed as it is anyway." Mina said as she drank again.

"I'm not going to leave the world to die! My friends are out there trying to prove my innocence and I'm not just going to leave while they fight! My girlfriend is out there fighting and I am not going to abandon her!"

"Pfft your dating a pony?"

"Her name is Rarity and she is a unicorn." Spike spat at Mina.

"Well then what do you plan on doing? How do you plan on facing them?" Mina asked.

"Well..I guess I was hoping you'd tell us where you guys had your little meetings and we could brush up on some information." Spike explained.

"Pfft even if I did tell you there's no way in. Only way in is a key and I hate to break it to you kid, the keeper of the key was Kala." Mina explained.

"W-well what did the key look like? Maybe she hid it somewhere." Breezy suggested. Mina pulled out a photo of a golden key that had a fiery shaped end.

"Wait a minute..I'VE SEEN THAT KEY BEFORE!" Sunset shouted.

"What? When?" Ember asked.

"All the time, it was on display in a shop back home.. I almost bought it once but it's still there last I checked and that was about 3 days ago." Sunset explained. Thorax stood up.

"Well then we have a location. We go to Sunset's home. get the key, and we go to the hideout."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple.." Sunset explained solemly.

"What do you mean? What are you, banished from ever going home?" Ember asked. Spike and Sunset both looked at each other.

"Sunset..where is your home?" Breezy asked. Sunset said nothing.

"Sunset, where is your home?" The sound of a door being banged against caused the group to jump.

"MANEHATTEN POLICE OPEN UP!"

"Shit how did they find us?!" Thorax shouted.

"Someone must have seen us gone in." Ember replied.

"You need to leave now! Take the fire escape to the roof." Mina said as she opened a window. The group began to climb out.

"WAIT! Where's the hideout?" Spike asked.

"Pone Italy. Right under the Colosseum. There's a secret entrance in the subway closest to it. Follow the tracks, you'll come to a two way. Take the boarded up path and it'll lead you right to the door."

"Thank you.." Spike said.

"SPIKE COME ON!" Sunset shouted. Spike climbed out the window and up the fire escape right as the police barged in.

"Mina you are under arrest for aiding and harboring a fugitive."

"If I come quietly will you give me beer?" Mina asked.

The Misfit Six climbed to the top of the roof only to see a small squad of police.

"SHIT RUN!" Sunset shouted.

"FREEZE!" One of the police shouted before firing.

"THEY'RE SHOOTING AT US! THEY'RE SHOOTING AT US!"

"GRAB SUNSET AND BREEZY! WE GOTTA FLY!" Spike shouted. Storm grabbed hold of Breezy while Thorax and Ember grabbed Sunset and the six took to the skies followed closely by the police.

"WE HAVE A TAIL!" Thorax shouted.

"Sunset Breezy GET THEM OFF US!" Sunset and Breezy turned to face the police and began firing spell after spell at them.

"HOLD ON TIGHT!" Spike shouted as the group dove down to the streets.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Ember shouted.

"Just follow me!" Spike shouted as he flew into a subway station.

"Oh he's not serious is he?" Storm asked.

"I'm afraid he is." Ember said as she and the others followed.

Spike and the others flew out onto the tracks and through the path.

"ARE THEY STILL ON US?!" Spike asked. His question was answered when a bullet whizzed right past him. Sunset fired a freezing spell which hit one of the cops and caused him to freeze and fall onto the tracks.

A loud train horn was heard on the horizon.

"Uhh Spike?" Ember cried as the group saw a subway train get closer and closer. Spike saw a boarded up construction path just ahead. He began flying faster.

"SPIKE!" Ember shouted. The train got closer and closer and closer. The police broke off the pursuit and began to fall back. Right at the last minute the group flew into the construction right as the train passed.

"Holy shit we are not doing that again." Sunset said as she got back on the ground.

"Come on we better get moving." Spike said as the group ventured through the underground.

"Where to next?" Ember asked.

"I'm going to take you to my home." Sunset replied.

Author's Note

The secrets have been revealed! And now the hunt for the key is on!

The Portal

The Misfit Six snuck through the dimly lit streets of Ponyville.

"I don't get it, if the key you saw really is that key how could it could it have gotten there? Did my mother know about the portal?" Spike asked.

"Apparently she did, or maybe she entrusted the key to someone who did." Sunset replied.

"Hang on what portal? Can someone catch me up on something cause I'm lost." Thorax said.

"Okay look, my home is not here..it's not on this world." Sunset explained.

"What do you mean on this world? What are you an alien?" Storm asked.

"Well yes but also no. I was born and raised here in Equestria but I left it years ago for another place..not of this Earth." Sunset explained.

"Sunset where are you taking us?" Breezy asked.

"I'm taking you to the portal..it'll take us to my home." Sunset explained as the castle came into view. Spike stopped right in front of Rarity's home. He looked up at her window.

"She's probably asleep by now,"

"You want to see her do you?" Sunset asked. Spike nodded solemnly.

"My heart aches for her but I know I can't..it'll only put her at risk." Spike whispered. Sunset put her hand on Spike's shoulder.

"I'm sure they are close to cracking it.." Sunset said with a warm supportive smile. Spike nodded before the group continued on.

Spike silently opened the doors to the castle. He poked around each corner to make sure everything was clear.

"Come on, stay quiet." Spike whispered. The group silently snuck through the halls of the castle to get to the room the portal was in. He silently opened the door and lo and behold the portal was there and fully operational.

"Alright, you're gonna feel very weird coming out but I promise you it's normal." Sunset explained.

"How weird?" Breezy asked.

"Ummm..I don't really know how to explain it in words but..I guess you'll see. See you on the other side." Sunset said as she stepped through the portal followed closely by Spike.

"I..really don't know about this." Thorax whimpered.

"Oh come now we can trust Spike and Spike trusts Sunset. I'm sure it'll be fine." Ember said before she too stepped through the portal. Breezy and Storm then also stepped through leaving Thorax alone.

"Am I the only sane one in this little band?" Thorax asked himself before he heard the sound of a doorknob jiggling. He looked behind him to see the door opening. Without thinking he quickly rushed through the portal just as Twilight entered the now empty room.

"Hello?" Twilight called. She heard no reply as she scanned the room for anyone hiding. Twilight sighed before she closed the door.

Spike eyes slowly focused on Sunset's face above him.

"Spike?" Sunset asked curiously. Her face seemed to be surprised.

"Y-yeah it's me why are you looking at me like that? Did the portal malfunction? Am I missing a leg?" Spike asked.

"Ummm...here." Sunset said as she reached into her pocket, pulled out a mirror, and threw it to Spike. Spike instinctively reached out and caught it with his hand.

"Wait a minute? Hand?" Spike looked at the mirror and saw that he had become a human.

"What the fuck?" Spike exclaimed looking at his new body.

"Maybe something happened with the portal?" Sunset said examining the portal. They didn't notice a hooded purple haired girl slip away. Slowly the other four began to come to.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Storm moaned before he vomited into a bush.

"Storm...what happened to your wings?" Breezy asked.

"What do you mean my wings are-" Storm then felt his back and realized he had no wings.

"WHAT THE HELL AM I?!" Ember screamed in horror as she examined her body. She too was a human. The other four began to freak out over their new appearances before Sunset clapped very loudly to get their attention.

"Ok what you became is called a human. They can't fly and they can't do magic. You'll get used to it." Sunset explained.

"I knew I shouldn't have gone through that portal." Thorax mumbled.

Sunset lead the group through the city streets.

"Where are you taking us?" Breezy asked.

"To my apartment. We can get some rest there and move to the shop in the morning."

The group arrived at a dingy looking apartment.

"Don't let the exterior fool you. Much more pleasant on the inside." Sunset said as she opened the door to her apartment. The inside was indeed more pleasant. A small kitchen was present and a bed was perched on a loft that gave a great view of the city.

"I have some sleeping bags in the closet. The mall opens at 9 so it would probably be best to wake up at 8:30 and be the first ones there." Sunset explained.

"Works well for me. Let's all get some rest." Spike said as he opened the closet and pulled out some sleeping bags. Everyone proceeded to crawl into their bags and fall into a deep dreamless sleep.

By 8:35 the next day the group was awake and on the move.

"We can grab breakfast on the way in." Sunset as the group approached Mr and Mrs Cake's shop.

"Ah good morning Sunset, the usual?" Mrs Cake asked.

"Yes please can I also have uhh...what do y'all want?"

"Cappuccino with two pumps caramel and hazelnut with a bagel." Spike said.

"Same as him except with the breakfast sandwich instead of a bagel." Storm said.

"Black Coffee." Ember said.

"Pumpkin Spice Latte." Breezy said.

"Mocha." Thorax said. Mrs Cake handed the group their order as Sunset tossed some cash on the counter along with a nice tip.

"Thank you." Sunset said as the group left the store but their path was blocked by 5 certain human females.

"Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asked surprised.

"Oh..hey guys." Sunset said awkwardly.

"Why haven't you been answering our texts and calls? We've been so worried..who are these guys?" Fluttershy asked.

"Strict Equestrian business." Sunset whispered.

"Hang on.." Rarity said getting close to Spike. Rarity starred deep into Spike's eyes and studied his body.

"Hang on aren't you Twilight's dog?" Rarity asked surprised.

"Wait a minute dog?" Ember asked.

"Yeah last time I came here I was a dog." Spike explained.

"I gotta say..you make a rather handsome human." Rarity said twirling her hair.

"I'm spoken for." Spike said.

"I mean..technically it's still Rarity so would it really be cheating?" Thorax asked.

"I don't think today's the day we find out we gotta move." Sunset as she quickly left the shop.

"Wait Sunset maybe we can help!" Applejack shouted.

"No I don't think you can." Sunset replied back her anger starting to rise.

"Yes we can! Where's Twilight? Is she here?" Fluttershy asked.

"She's not now just drop it." Sunset said her face turning redder and redder.

"What do you mean drop it? You've been acting so weird recently what's gotten into you?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I SAID DROP IT!" Sunset shouted. The windows from the shop broke into pieces causing Mrs Cake to yelp in surprise. The Human 5 recoiled back in shock. Sunset gave the Human 5 an icy glare before turning around and moving along to the mall. The rest of the Misfit 6 looked at each other before following Sunset.

"Hey are you okay?" Spike asked.

"Fine, absolutely fine." Sunset replied.

"Bullshit. That didn't seem "fine" I think you caused the windows to break." Breezy said.

"Look I said I'm fine let's just drop it." Sunset grumbled.

“Sunset-“

“DROP IT!” Sunset shouted her eyes flaring red. The Misfit 6 recoiled back before Sunset sighed.

“I’m sorry, I’ve just been really frustrated recently.” Sunset explained.

“Understatement.” Storm said. Spike hit the back of his head.

“Dude!”

Breezy approached Sunset cautiously.

“Just tell us what’s wrong, you can talk to us.” Breezy said softly. Sunset starred deep into Breezy’s green eyes. They looked warm and full..almost familiar to Sunset.

“Hey uhh..you on Earth?” Breezy asked.

“Y-yeah sorry it’s just your eyes..there’s just something about them that looks so familiar.” Sunset explained. Breezy giggled.

“You’re not the only one who has a fascination with my eyes. But please just tell us what’s bothering you.”

Sunset sighed before she launched into an explanation about the Anon-a-miss incident when the human versions of the CMC made a MyStaple account that exposed all the dirty secrets of Canterlot High and made it look like it was Sunset doing it. Almost everyone turned against her..even her friends. And while she did have a small group that trusted her and stood by her, the pain of her friends abandoning her was just to much to bare.

“They did what?!” Spike shouted.

“Oh bitches gonna die tonight.” Ember growled.

“N-no don’t kill them..that’s the real reason I came to help you Spike. Your situation is so much like mine that I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.” Sunset explained.

“I mean..I mean this is in the nicest possible way but you really didn’t need to. Twilight and the others are sticking their necks out for me, they didn’t abandon me like your friends did.” Spike explained.

“Pfft could you imagine if they did abandon you?” Sunset asked.

“I..don’t want to think about it.” Spike replied nervously.

“Look Sunset, what they did was awful but you can’t shut yourself out like that. You have people who do care about you. You said yourself you had people sticking up for you that’s gotta count for something.” Breezy said warmly. Sunset nodded before getting a determined look.

“We better get to the mall. I hope the key is still there.” Sunset said.

Author's Note

I wonder what’s going on with Sunset :unsuresweetie:

Also I might write a prequel focusing on Sunset’s experience with Anon-a-miss in this AU (no connection to my OTHER Anon-a-miss story) I haven’t decided yet. If y’all would read it let me know :twilightsmile:

The Key

The Misfit Six entered the mall. It was relatively quiet. After all it was only just opening.

"The shop is right up there." Sunset said. The group hurried up the escalator to the shop.

"SUNNY WAIT!" A male voice called out. Sunset stopped in her tracks and cursed under her breath as Flash ran up.

"Hi." Sunset quickly turned around and hugged him.

"I got a text from your friends, are you okay?" Flash asked.

"They aren't my friends..." Sunset said coldly. Flash sighed, he knew exactly what was bothering her.

"Why didn't you text me you were back? What is going on? Who are these people?" Flash asked looking at Spike and the others.

"Look this is official Equestria business. I don't really have much time to hang out right now, I'm really sorry about all that but this is really important. I can't really explain now but I really need a big favor from you." Sunset explained.

"Sure, anything." Flash replied.

"Alright you know that key I was always fascinated with?" Sunset asked.

"You mean the one at Flim and Flam's shop?" Flash asked.

"Yes, that one. I don't have enough money for it, can you please buy it and I promise I'll pay you back." Sunset pleaded.

"I'm sorry but that's not possible." Flash said.

"Why?" Spike asked.

"They sold it two days ago." Flash explained.

"THEY WHAT?!" Sunset shouted.

"DAMN IT! Who did they sell it too?" Spike asked.

"You're not gonna like it..."

A hooded figure walked the streets of the city and into her home. No one else was home at the time.

"Figures," The girl walked to her room where her dog greeted her.

"Hey Spike," The girl said as she pet her dog and walked to her desk where the key was waiting.

"Now let's see what secrets you have.." Twilight said studying the key.

“Well this got needlessly complicated!” Storm grumbled.

“Understatement,” Ember replied.

“We have to get it from her! Do you know where she lives?” Spike asked.

“Yes I followed a random girl home after she bought something from a shop.” Flash replied sarcastically.

“Are there any phone books anywhere? Maybe she’s listed.” Storm suggested.

“Dude this isn’t the 1980s.” Sunset replied.

“Maybe there’s someone who knows.” Spike suggested.

“There is..I just don’t want to talk to her at the moment.” Sunset explained.

“Well who?”

“Pinkie…”

“How the hell would she know?”

“Dude….”

“Okay I see your point. Look Sunset put aside whatever differences you have with Pinkie just for a moment so we can get that key.”

Sunset nodded before sighing.

“Alright let’s get over there.”

Celestia walked into Twilight’s Castle.

“Celestia? This is unexpected.” Twilight exclaimed. Celestia threw the USB drive on the table.

“Twilight you need to call everything off.” Celestia said.

“..I’m sorry I must be going deaf, you said to call everything off?” Applejack asked her anger raising.

“I studied the drive, you do not understand what you are involved in.”

“Look I know the drive is a hit list of some kind but what’s the big deal?” Twilight asked.

“It’s a huge deal. It’s not about the list, it’s about who made the damn thing. You do not want to be crossed with these people!” Celestia explained.

“So your saying we should just leave Spike to his demise?!” Rarity screamed.

“I’m sorry but if we continue this it’ll only land all of us at the top of the list and you don’t want to be on top. Not with these people in charge.” Celestia explained. Twilight studied her teachers face. She had never seen so much fear in her eyes.

“Who are they? Why are you so scared?” Twilight asked.

“I can’t tell you. We are dropping this and that’s final!” Celestia turned to leave before her path was blocked by a closing door. The sound of a hammer being pulled back rang out through the chamber. Celestia turned and saw Rarity pointing a gun at Celestia’s head.

“RARITY WHAT THE FUCK?!” Fluttershy shouted in a very uncharacteristic tone.

“RARITY WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!”

“You are going to tell us what you know..” Rarity snarled. No one had ever seen her this crazy looking, not even during the Nightmare Rarity fiasco.

“Rarity you don’t understand. You don’t want to be involved with these people! Just please put down the gun you don’t want to do anything crazy.” Celestia said in a calming tone.

“I became involved when they set up my boyfriend.” Celestia sighed.

“Alright..I’ll tell you everything..just please put down the gun.” Celestia pleaded. Rarity slowly lowered the gun. Discord then flew in through the window.

“Fluttershy I…..did I miss something?” Discord asked as he saw Rarity holding the gun.

“Better prepare some drinks Twilight..we have a lot to discuss.” Celestia said.

Sunset stood at the doors of Pinkie’s home.

“It’s okay we’re here with you.” Breezy said. Sunset nodded before she knocked on the doors.

“Who is it?” Pinkie called from the other side.

“Open the door Pinkie..” Sunset replied. The door was opened almost immediately.

“Sunset are you-“

“This is no time for regular chitchat. You seem to know everyone in this shithole town. Can you tell me where this world’s version of Twilight lives?” Sunset asked.

“What? I-“

“Look this is really important. Now do you know where she lives or not?”

The Misfit 6 and Flash all starred at each other with looks of concern.

“I haven’t seen her like this since I first met her..” Spike explained.

“Is she okay?” Breezy asked.

“She..she lives on the north side of town. Pine Creek Neighborhood, large purple house you can’t miss it.” Pinkie explained.

“Thank you.” Sunset said before she turned tail and began making her way to the north side. The rest of the group followed after.

“W-wait Sunset-“ Pinkie called. But Sunset was already gone. Pinkie closed the door and thought for a moment. She pulled out her phone and began texting her friends.

Girls, Sunset just came by the house

What did she want?

She was asking about where this world's Twilight lived

What? Why?

She didn't say..she was really forceful about it too..I'm kind of worried about her I haven't seen like this since-

Pinkie stopped and began to think.

Pinkie?

Since before the Fall Formal

You aren't alone. I've noticed she's been acting really weird herself

Fluttershy is right, I've noticed it as well

You girls don't think we might be the cause of this do you?

What do you mean sugar cube?

One word: Anon-a-miss

The girls all flinched at the mention of Anon-a-miss.

I...never really thought about it

Well let's look at the facts. Before Anon-a-miss she was all happy go lucky but after Anon-a-miss she's been distant and cold. When's the last time any of us really ever had a proper conversation with her after what happened?

The girls began to think hoping that Fluttershy may have been wrong and that they did have conversations with Sunset..but nothing came up.

Don't lie, you've noticed it too you just didn't want to admit it

I....god just thinking about it makes me feel ashamed

I think Fluttershy is right sugar cubes. I think we really fucked up on that one

Have any of Sunset's other friends noticed anything?

I've talked to Vinyl and Octavia. They both are concerned

Girls we need to make this up to her. We really screwed up

Alright then, all of us meet at the portal. We'll wait for Sunset there and we'll talk

I'll see you all there

Let's make her smile again

Fuck yeah

"Your highness, your saying every war we've had has been initiated by these..Dalmor fellas?" Applejack asked.

"That's exactly what I'm saying." Celestia explained.

"What about The Court? Were you ever a member?" Fluttershy asked.

"No, I went to maybe one or two meetings as a special ambassador but I was never an official member." Celestia explained.

"But Celestia if you know these guys existed why haven't you exiled them? Or imprisoned them?" Twilight asked.

"You really think they walk around announcing who they are? We don't know who's part of it." Celestia explained.

"And you didn't find any info on who could be in it?" Twilight asked.

"No I didn't." Celestia replied. Twilight cursed under her breath.

"What about Spike? You know he was sighted in Manehatten..along with Sunset, Ember, Thorax, and two other people?" Celestia asked.

"Yes I'm aware..Celestia there is one other thing." Twilight said.

"What is it?" Celestia asked.

"Last night I heard noises coming from the room the portal was in. At first I thought it was just the castle settling but now.."

"You think it might have been Spike and his..little band?" Celestia asked.

"Yes I do." Twilight replied.

"But wait why would Spike go to that world?" Fluttershy asked.

"Maybe there's something there that can help? I don't know.." Twilight said solemnly.

"Well if that is him what are we waiting for?" Rarity asked getting up and walking to the portal room.

"Wait Rarity where are you going?" Twilight asked.

"What does it look like? I'm going through the portal." Rarity explained opening the door to the portal room.

"Rarity you can't! You can't go by yourself!"

"I'm not asking you to come with Twilight!"

"Rarity I must advise you to rethink this. We don't even know if that was Spike!"

"It was him..I can feel it in my bones. Now I'm going after him and you are not stopping me! Anyone who wants to join me is welcome!" Rarity then stepped through the portal. The rest of the Mane 6 and Celestia all starred at each other.

"We can't just leave her there alone." Twilight said as she approached the portal.

"We're coming with you." Rainbow Dash said.

"What?" Twilight asked.

"Hey we started this together we are going to see this shit through." Rainbow replied.

"You're stuck with us sugarcube."

"We're ready," Pinkie said with a smile.

"And willing." Fluttershy said.

"Fluttershy are you sure about this?" Discord asked.

"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. Take care of the animals while I'm gone." Fluttershy said before she pulled Discord into a tender kiss.

"I shall accompany you on this journey." Celestia said.

"Your highness are you sure?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm positive.."

"I should warn you all, you're going to feel very weird when you emerge." Twilight explained.

"Yes yes our appearances will change, we know." Rainbow said. The group starred at the portal with a determined look.

"Let's go get our boy." Twilight said as she stepped through the portal followed by the other five.

"Good luck!" Discord shouted. Fluttershy blew Discord a kiss before she stepped through the portal leaving Discord alone.

"Okay..just me to take care of the animals..most of whom hate you...especially the bunny..and you're talking to yourself Discord." Discord sighed before he left the castle and went towards Fluttershy's home.

Author's Note

Now things are really starting to pick up

The Crossing of Paths

Author's Note

Ok to make this simple, whenever two versions are together

Mane 6=Applejack 1, Rarity 1, etc etc
Humane 5=Rarity 2, Applejack 2, etc etc

Everybody got that? Good

Also there's a little bit of NSFW here so be warned

The Crossing of Paths

Rarity emerged from the portal determined. She slowly scanned her surroundings before pulling out a mirror and looking at her new appearance.

"Wow, I don't look that bad." Rarity closed the mirror as the rest of the group also emerged.

"Don't you try and stop me!" Rarity shouted.

"We're not trying to stop you, we're coming with you." Twilight replied. Rarity looked at the rest of the group who gave supportive looks. Rarity looked at Twilight.

"Twilight you know this world better then anyone, where do you think he would go?" Rarity asked.

"Well considering he's travelling with Sunset the first place he'd go is maybe to her apartment. After that I don't know..he came here looking for something but..what exactly?"

"TWILIGHT!" The Humane 5 called. Twilight's look sunk.

"Oh boy.." Twilight groaned.

"Twilight why didn't you tell us you were-" Applejack 2 began before she looked and saw an eyeful of herself.

"What the-" Applejack 2 exclaimed. Fluttershy 1 and Fluttershy 2 both starred at each other.

"Ummmmm....hi?" Fluttershy 1 said awkwardly.

"Hello..." Fluttershy 2 replied.

The awkward moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from a certain group of six.

"Alright we need a plan." Breezy said.

"We could maybe make our move at night when she's asleep? Or wait till tomorrow morning when she's probably out of the house." Spike suggested.

"If we're gonna do this we need to scope out the area and see if there are any possible ways in. Pine Creek is an upscale neighborhood so the residents would most likely have high tech security features. If we could find someone who knows how to hack in and disable it, we can strike." Sunset explained.

"I'm not going to ask how you know this stuff." Thorax said.

"SUNSET!" Applejack 2 called. The group stopped and saw the two versions of their friends before them.

"Spike..." Rarity 1 said looking at Spike.

"Rarity.." Spike and Rarity 1 immediately ran at each other.

"SPIKE!"

"RARITY!" The two of them wrapped each other in a tight embrace. Rarity 1 starred deep into Spike's eyes while cupping his cheeks.

"You're okay.." Rarity 1 said through her tears. Spike pulled Rarity 1 into a deep sensual kiss. Rarity 2 looked at the scene progressively turning redder and redder in embarrassment.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?" Spike asked after he broke the kiss.

"Yeah good to see you too." Rainbow 1 grumbled.

"We came looking for you." Twilight said approaching Spike. Twilight immediately hugged her adoptive brother and struggled to hide her tears.

"Look I really am glad to see you girls but you need to leave." Spike said sternly.

"Like hell we are!" Rainbow 1 shouted.

"You don't understand what your involved in! If they catch us together they will come for you and we'll all be sent to Tartarus!" Spike shouted.

"We know exactly what we're involved in! Celestia told us everything." Applejack 1 explained. Spike starred at Celestia.

"Yes..I know about the Dalmor and the Court." Celestia explained.

"So..you knew my parents?" Spike asked, his anger starting to rise due to the fact that Celestia knew everything.

"Well not personally. I maybe said a few words to them in the couple times I was at their meetings..guess that was enough for them to trust me to take care of you."

"Why didn't you tell us anything about this before?!" Spike shouted.

"I didn't think we should worry. From what I've heard after the Dragon Changeling War the Dalmor decided to lay low, I didn't think they would be to much of a threat, I was such a damned fool!"

"Princess you shouldn't blame yourself, no one could have known this would happen." Rainbow 1 said.

"Ok can we slow down here? What in tarnation is going on?" Applejack 2 asked.

"Who are the Dalmor? What does this have to do with us?" Rarity 2 asked.

"Absolutely nothing. The thing I was looking for just happened to be here." Spike explained.

"Why is it always here? Can't the magical item be in Nebraska or something?" Rainbow 2 asked annoyed.

"Alright, we need to find a place to crash. We have a lot of explaining to do."

"I think my place would suffice." Rarity 2 said.

"So you were framed for a crime you didn't commit, pretty much the entire country turned against you, and now your out to find your mother and prove your innocence?" Rainbow 2 asked.

"Pretty much sums it up." Spike replied.

"That's awful..I couldn't imagine having everyone turn against you for something you didn't do," Fluttershy 2 whispered.

"We would have stuck with him right girls?" Rainbow 2 asked.

"Umm bitch," Sunset grumbled. That immediately shot Rainbow 2 down.

"Yeah I actually want to talk to you girls about that but now is probably not a good time. We need to get the key. Pinkie 2 we turn to you," Twilight said.

"Well it's very simple. Her house has some of the best home security on the market. It's almost without flaw...almost. An expert hacker could easily disable the system, we climb up to her room, steal the key, and be off on our way." Pinkie explained.

"Ok who do we know that's a really good hacker?" Twilight asked. Everyone looked at each other oddly before Applejack 2 raised her hand.

"I know someone who could do it,"

The phone at Sweet Apple Acres began to ring. Apple Bloom slowly got out of her bed and walked to the phone.

"Who the hell is calling at this time of night?" Apple Bloom picked up the phone.

"Apple Residence,"

"Hey Apple Bloom?" Applejack 2 asked over the phone.

"S-sis? What's going on why are you calling this late?"

"Do you still have your computer?"

"What? No y'all took it away after Anon-a-miss remember?"

"Oh right, it's in the safe in Granny's room. Combination is 1981,"

Apple Bloom walked to Granny's room, unlocked the safe, and grabbed the laptop.

"Ok I have my laptop what exactly do you need me to do?"

"We need you to hack into a home security system and get it disabled."

"I'm sorry what?"

"I know that sounds weird but trust me this is extremely important. I wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't."

"You know this is extremely illegal right? 5 years jail time minimum."

"We know we know. Just please do this and I promise I will make it worth your while."

"You better..alright who am I hacking?"

"A house in Pine Creek. It's large and purple. I know you, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo spend a lot of time out there do you know what house I'm talking about?"

"I believe I do just give me a minute." Apple Bloom began to hack into the house's internet and managed to find a back door into their security system.

"Ok I got it. They are using a Skylink. I can hack in and disable it but it'll take a little bit." Apple Bloom said.

"How long is a little bit?"

"About an hour."

"Alright call me when your done. And again I promise I will make this worth your while."

"You better." Apple Bloom then hung up the phone and went to work.

"Alright Apple Bloom is working her magic. Should take about an hour," Applejack 2 said.

"Okay..how far away is the house from here?" Spike asked.

"5 minute drive." Pinkie replied.

"Okay good..girls it's best we take a breather, Rarity 2 do you have any showers?" Twilight asked.

"A few upstairs. Have at em." Rarity 2 replied.

"Alright get some R&R, convene outside in 45."

Spike walked out of the shower, tied a towel around him and walked back to the guest bed where he and Rarity placed their clothes. He let out a small gentle sigh as his mind wondered back to his mother.

"You okay sweetie?" Rarity asked. Spike turned around and saw Rarity standing there also only in a towel. Spike immediately turned back around embarrassed.

"Y-yeah I'm fine." Rarity gently wrapped her arms around his chest and held him close. She began to cry.

"I thought I would never see you again.." Rarity whimpered.

"I thought the same thing." Spike turned around, cupped Rarity's cheeks and starred deep into her blue eyes which were flooding with tears.

"Promise me you'll never leave me again.."

"I promise..wherever I go you will go with me." Rarity pulled Spike into a tender kiss. Spike pulled Rarity closer, deepening the kiss. Rarity began to back up before tripping, sending the couple onto the bed, their towels flying off on the way down. Spike looked at Rarity's naked body and froze.

"Oh my Faust is this really happening? I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERINCE IN THIS DEPARTMENT!"

"It's okay..this is new for me too." Rarity said softly. Spike gently lowered his mouth onto Rarity's neck and began to bite it drawing light moans from the woman.

"Ah..Spike.."

Spike went to kiss Rarity again before stopping.

"CRAP I DON'T HAVE A CONDOM!"

"Uhh Spike..look in my pocket," Rarity said gesturing towards her shirt. Spike looked through the shirt and found a condom in her shirt pocket.

"Why do you-"

"Got it after I asked you out..just in case I guess." Spike unwrapped and put on the condom before moving back to the bed and showering Rarity with kisses.

"Wait what about the others? Won't they-" Spike began.

"No I can be quiet.."

The sound of springs and loud moaning rang out throughout the house. The rest of the group was downstairs.

"OH YEAH SPIKE! OH FAUST!" They heard Rarity 1 scream.

"I swear to god I'm going to kill them," Rainbow 2 fumed.

"Oh my.." Rarity 2 said as she fanned herself.

"Should we..say something?" Twilight asked.

"I wouldn't. Whenever a Dragon mates its a...delicate process, it's best we just sit here and suffer in silence." Ember explained, her face beet red. Applejack 2's phone began to ring.

"Hello? Alright great thank you very much..yes I know I promise I'll make it up to you. Ok bye." Applejack 2 hung up the phone.

"That's Apple Bloom, the alarm is disabled."

"Great, Ember how long can a dragon.."

"A while, if we want to do this someone is going to have to go up there and stop them,"

"NOT IT!" Everyone shouted in unison.

The Break-In

The away team which consisted of the Misfit Six, Twilight, and Rarity 1 pulled into Pine Creek.

“Alright large purple house, large purple house,” Sunset said looking through her window.

“There!” Twilight said. Sunset stopped the truck as she and the rest of the passengers hopped out.

Sunset jiggled the door knob.

“Locked,”

“You can’t lockpick it?” Spike asked.

“I’m afraid not. It looks like a Klapco D-29, most impenetrable lock on the market today. Now if the door were still open this would be a different story,”

“Maybe we can try a window?” Rarity suggested.

“They all look closed,” Breezy said.

“There!” Storm said pointing towards a slightly open window on the second floor.

“Perfect good eye Storm,” Sunset said as she noticed a hanging garden that could function as a ladder.

“Don’t wait up,” Sunset said as she began climbing.

“Be careful,” Twilight said.

“Relax I have experience in this sort of thing,” Sunset said as she slowly opened the window the rest of the way and climbed into the house.

Sunset was in a hallway. She heard loud snoring coming from the door closest to her. Sunset slowly opened the door to peak inside. She saw two sleeping people on the bed wrapped in a close embrace.

“Her parents,” She slowly closed the door and continued sneaking down the hall. She came to a door that had a bunch of scientific and smart guy stuff on it.

“That’s it,” Sunset slowly creaked open the door, careful not to wake Twilight 2 who was sound asleep. Sunset began to scan the room to see if she could find the key. Lo and behold there it was, on Twilight 2’s work bench. Sunset tip toed over to the bench, grabbed the key, and began to study it. Immediately she felt Equestrian Magic radiate off it. Sunset shoved the key into her pocket and began to sneak out before stepping on a particularly loud floor board. She tensed up and looked over to Twilight 2 who grunted and shuffled around but still asleep. Sunset breathed a soft sigh of relief before leaving the room and closing the door quietly. Sunset made her way back down the hall, out the window, and down the hanging garden.

“I got it,” Sunset said holding up the key.

“Alright, call the others and tell them to meet at the portal. Let’s get over to Pone,”

Back at Canterlot High, the Mane 6, the Humane 5, the Misfit 6, Flash, and Celestia huddled.

“So why would she send the key here? And how does she even know about this place?” Rainbow 1 asked.

“I wish I knew…” Spike said.

“Are you sure you’re not going to stay?” Flash asked.

“No, I have to see this through. I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Sunset pulled Flash into a soft warm kiss.

“H-hey Sunset,” Pinkie 2 said nervously. Sunset sighed.

“Look me and the girls-“

“I know, I know. Look it’s going to take a long time to heal. Just..please leave me alone for now,” Sunset said cooly. The Humane 5 sighed.

“Okay..we will respect your wishes but..just know we’re here for you if you need us,” Applejack 2 said sadly. Sunset nodded.

“Ready to go?” Spike asked.

“Let’s roll,” Sunset said before she, the rest of the Misfit 6, the Mane 6, and Celestia stepped back through the portal as the Humane 5 and Flash waved goodbye.

As the team emerged from the portal. Princess Luna shot into the room, out of breath.

“Sister? What’s wrong?” Celestia asked concerned.

“We have a problem,”

The Mane 6 and Misfit 6 looked at the news in shock.

“The riots in Manehatten haven’t calmed down as more people are calling for war with the Dragons and the Changelings. For those of us just joining, the riots started after more news of the fugitive Spike broke out. The hunt is still on for the fugitive Spike and his 5 associates, identified as Ember;ruler of the Dragonlands, Thorax; ruler of the Changeling Kingdom, an unknown associate with flaming hair, and locals Breezy Woods and Storm Trailblazer. If anyone sees these people or knows their whereabouts they are encouraged their local police department,” The news showed more footage of the riots as well as photos of the Misfit 6.

Breezy was in the corner crying, being comforted by Storm. Their bar was destroyed in the riots.

“That’s it…we have nothing left now,” Breezy whimpered.

“I am..so sorry that all this-“

“Don’t even start. We knew the risks when we signed on. So don’t go saying “if you want to leave now I won’t blame you” cause it ain’t happening. It’s not like we have anything left to lose after all,” Storm said.

“There’s a crowd gathering outside, you guys better go,” Fluttershy said looking out the window.

“Is the back clear?” Spike asked.

“Yeah it’s clear,”

“We’ll go out through there. Come on let’s go!”

“I’m going with you,” Rarity said.

“What? Rarity no,” Spike replied.

“Don’t even try and stop me! I just found you and I’m not going to lose you again!”

“Rarity, please I need you to stay here. There’s already a massive target on our backs. If they find out you’re with us..”

“Rarity he’s right. Going with him would only attract more attention,” Rainbow said.

“BUT HOW WILL I KNOW IF YOU’RE OKAY! I CAN’T GO THROUGH ALL THAT AGAIN!” Spike immediately pulled Rarity into a deep heated kiss.

“Please…just stay,” Spike pleaded. Rarity and Spike locked eyes before she let out a tearful sigh and pulled away.

“Okay…”

“I promise I’ll come back. I love you,”

Spike shot out the back with the rest of the Misfit 6

“Well let’s not just stand here. We still need to look through evidence,” Twilight. Immediately the Mane 6 and Celestia got to work.

Author's Note

Did y’all catch the reference? :unsuresweetie:

The Bartender and the Gunslinger

“Spike wake up,” Thorax said. Spike blinked awake from his sleep.

“We’re here.” Thorax explained. Spike poked his head out of the train car and saw the lights of Manehatten approaching. The train began to slow down.

“We better jump before they pull into the yard.” Ember said.

“Right, come on.” Sunset said as she jumped from the train followed by the others.

“We should probably walk into town. Don’t want to attract attention.” Sunset said.

“One problem with that, how are we going to get across the river?” Thorax asked as the group approached the river.

“I hope your a good swimmer.” Sunset said as she dove into the river.

“Do you know how polluted that river is? You’ll probably come out of there with all the STD’s!” Thorax exclaimed.

“Don’t be a pussy and get in!” Sunset grumbled.

“What she said.” Ember said before she too dove in. Thorax looked at Spike.

“Where’d you dig her up?” Thorax asked pointing at Sunset.

“Long story.” Spike replied before diving in. Thorax sighed.

“Bloody hell.” Thorax then also dove in.

Spike pulled Thorax out of the water.

“First thing we should probably do is find a change of clothes.” Spike said.

“And maybe get tested.” Ember replied. Sunset spotted a clothing store just down the way.

“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Sunset said before walking towards the store.

“What clothing store would be open at this hour?” Spike asked as he watched Sunset approach the door. She kneeled down and began doing something unseen by the other three. The door was then opened and alarms began to blare.

“So much for not attracting attention huh?” Ember asked. The group waited for a couple minutes before they saw Sunset sprint out of the store holding some clothes and towards the group.

“RUN RUN RUN!” Sunset shouted as she kept running. The other three saw the police converge upon them and began to run.

"HURRY IN HERE!" Sunset shouted as the group ducked into an alley and quickly leapt into a dumpster. The pursuing officers went right past them. The group poked their heads out from the dumpster to make sure the coast was clear and climbed out.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Spike asked.

"I did a lot more then just bully people when I was a She-Bitch. Come on we better change clothes." Sunset said as she distributed clothing.

The group walked down the dimly lit streets of the city. All around them, patrons were leaving the now closing bars so they could return to their homes. Ember stopped and looked at a bar just across the road.

"The Lancelot..." Spike looked at the name.

"Maybe once everything is solved and figured out we could come down for a drink but I don't think now is a good time." Spike said to Ember. Ember paid no mind to Spike's words and began marching up to the bar.

"EMBER WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"It's not for drinks. If my memory is correct then Mina frequents this bar. Maybe we can get some info." Ember said as she opened the door and entered.

"Faust damn it." Spike said as he followed. Thorax and Sunset looked at each other before shrugging and they also entered.

Save for a female unicorn and male pegasus who were busy cleaning, the bar was empty. The unicorn had flaming red hair almost identical to Sunset's just without the orange streaks, piercing green eyes, and her skin was a light shade of orange. The pegasus had dark blonde hair, light brown eyes, and skin that was a dark shade of blue. The one odd thing about him was his clothing, the pegasus was dressed in an old west style complete with cowboy hat, almost like a gunslinger.

"Sorry we're closed." The unicorn said as she put away a glass.

"We are..we are not thirsty." Spike explained.

"What can I do you for? Looking for a job? Looking to buy the place?" The unicorn asked.

"Information." Sunset said as she slid a few bits to the bartender. The bartender looked at the bits before sliding them away.

"Your money is no good here. Get out." The bartender said with an icy glare that sent shivers down Spike, Thorax, and Ember's spines, but Sunset didn't back down.

"Not until we get information." Sunset said. The bartender sighed before she quickly drew out a sword, in response Sunset drew a gun, this caused the gunslinger to draw his own gun.

"WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH!" Thorax exclaimed.

"Put down the gun sweetheart." The gunslinger said.

"Not until she puts down the sword." Sunset replied coldly.

"SUNSET WHY DO YOU HAVE A GUN?" Spike shouted.

"Got into a little trouble back home, now I don't travel without one..just in case." Sunset explained as she and the bartender glared daggers at each other.

"How about we all put down our weapons and we discuss this like civilized people?" Ember asked in an almost pleading tone. Sunset, the bartender, and the gunslinger all looked at each other.

"Count of three..one..two..three!" The bartender said and all at once everyone dropped their weapons.

"Thank you, now how about we sit down and talk this out."

"Sunset huh? Sunset what?" The bartender asked.

"Shimmer. Sunset Shimmer."

"Breezy Woods. That's my boyfriend Storm Trailblazer."

"Howdy." Storm said tipping his hat.

"Mina? Yeah I know her. She's one of our best customers." Breezy said as she poured another Margarita.

"What can you tell us about her?" Spike asked.

"She drinks like a motherfucker. She always comes in depressed and when she's drunk she blabbers on about some war." The group all starred at each other.

"Did she ever mention anything about an egg?" Spike asked. Breezy gave Spike a weird look.

"Once or twice." Breezy replied.

"Where does she live?" Spike asked.

"Apartment on Briddleway. Right next to the theatre where they show Hinny and the Hills." Breezy explained.

"Thank you very much." Spike said as he tossed some bits to Breezy as he and the other three began to leave but their path was cut off by a small group of men. Breezy and Storm both sighed.

"I think you know why I'm here." The lead man said.

"I told you Don Raphael you'll get your money soon."

"Soon is not enough. You have to remember I charge interest." Raphael said with an evil grin.

"I know. I did the math we owe you 100,000 bits."

"Oh no no no no. I upped it up..1 million bits."

"A MILLION?!"

"What's the matter? Bit beyond your reach? Either you pay in full within two weeks or this bar of yours is through. Don't you remember what happened to your whore mother when she couldn't pay?"

"YOU MOTHER-" Storm shouted going to attack before he got slammed onto a table by a henchmen.

"STORM!" Breezy cried.

"Your boyfriend does that again and I'll send him to the fishes. Arrivederci." Raphael said before he and his henchmen left. Breezy began to cry silently.

"Are you okay?" Sunset asked softly. Breezy wiped some tears away and nodded.

"I'm fine...this is all me and Storm have left. This bar closes and we're out on the streets." Breezy explained.

"What was that he said..about your mother?" Sunset asked. Breezy looked at Sunset before she sighed.

"18 years ago my family came under hard times. We struggled to pay Raphael what we owed and things were getting really bad. I was only 3 at the time. My mother..she had to make a deal with him to forgive all debt. She..did her part of the deal and he forgave all our debt. But while doing it she contracted a child. She died giving birth to her. My father couldn't afford to take care of both me and her so..he took her somewhere safe. Somewhere where she could have a chance at a better life. I don't know who she was or where she is, I just hope she's doing better. My father died a few years ago from a broken heart. It's just been me and Storm now." Breezy explained.

"I'm sorry..I'm so sorry." Sunset said solemnly as she hugged Breezy.

"Breezy we can help you. I have very powerful friends who can make this all go away." Spike said.

"Yes I know about your friends Spike. A Drake."

Spike recoiled back in shock.

"You know who I am?" Spike asked.

"Pfft, there isn't a soul in this town who doesn't know who you are. You're damn lucky you walked into my bar, anyone else would have sold you out the minute you walked in." Breezy explained.

"Well why haven't you? The price for Spike is what 2 million bits? You'd have enough to pay off your debts and then some!" Thorax said.

"DUDE!" Spike shouted.

"Shit..I'm sorry." Thorax whispered.

"And betray our honor? Condemn an innocent man to die?" Storm asked. Spike looked at Storm and Breezy curiously.

"We have friends at the Crystal Empire. They never forgot what you did for them and their city. You got more friends then you think." Breezy explained. Spike felt like the most powerful man alive.

"Look would you be willing to help us? We fear Equestria may be in considerable danger. We'll make sure your paid handsomely. Enough to pay off all your debts and still have enough left over." Ember explained. Breezy shot a look at Storm who nodded.

"Alright..we're in." Breezy said as she shook Spike's hand.

"Any sign of Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Negative, she's gone." Pinkie Pie said.

"Damn it! We'll have to continue searching later. Twilight's managed to analyze the drive." Rainbow Dash explained. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash rushed back to the castle where Twilight was busy on her computer.

"Alright what did you find?" Applejack asked.

"It's a list of names. There are hundreds of thousands of people on here. My own, Celestia's, Luna's, Spike's, even Gilda is on here." Twilight explained.

"Gilda? What's Gilda got to do with this?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It's a list of people who either aren't ponykind or are to friendly to non ponykind." Twilight explained.

"What is it some kind of hitlist or something?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It appears so..Fleur was on the list and look at what's next to her name." Twilight showed the group Fleur's name. Next to it was one word

TERMINATED

"And look at Spike's," Twilight said showing Spike's name.

Spike A Drake
Status:Unknown
Last known sighting:Escaping Canterlot Detention Facility Twilight disconnected the USB drive and handed it to Rainbow Dash.

"You're the fastest one here. Get this to Celestia immediately." Twilight explained.

"AYE AYE CAPTAIN!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she immediately flew off to Canterlot.

"What the hell is going on? Won't they come after you if your on the list?" Rarity asked.

"I'd wager a million bits on it.." Twilight replied.

"Twilight you need to lay low and maybe hide in the Crystal Empire. Me and the others can handle things here." Rarity said.

"Not an option. I promised Spike that I would clear his name and damn it I'm gonna do it!" Twilight shouted. Rarity sighed. She knew it was hopeless to try and argue.

"Just stay safe okay?" Rarity said as she left the hall.

"Just what the hell are these people planning?" Twilight thought to herself.