Day of Reckoning

Stars shone brightly in Luna's beautiful night sky. No clouds could be seen for miles in any direction, while time itself seemed to slow for the ponies below as they gazed up into the dark aurora abyss that housed many wonders. Dreams were forged on nights like these, where the full moon cast a shadow over the land, but one of light rather than darkness.

Voices were carried along the back of the gentle night breeze. Laughter hummed in the air as it echoed across the vast boardwalk. Love could be felt in the hearts of every pony and dragon present. There was nothing like this, a night of friendship, a night of memories, a night of wonder. Tonight would be unlike any other they all thought.

Engines hummed as the truck, car, and motorcycle pulled into the gravel parking lot. Beneath them the small rocks could be heard groaning from the weight that was pressed forcefully onto them. As if in a collective sigh, all three engines thrummed in perfect union. All at once, it was over as one by one the engines were turned off, leaving only the sound of the cooling motors.

From the truck emerged a stunning orange mare who sported her usual blue jeans with cowboy boots, stetson, and flannel shirt. For once however, it was untucked. From the other side came a stallion with darker orange fur, garbed in a pair of jeans, converse, and a dark gray t-shirt.

Emerging from the car was Twilight, in her usual purple dress and long boots. Next was Kalin, wearing his usual black sport shorts with his dark gray tank top and bare feet. Following was Rarity, sporting her usual white t-shirt with jet black sparkling jeans, and amethyst dazzled shoes. Last was Spike, wearing nothing more than a simple light purple t-shirt and jet black track pants.

Stepping towards them from the bike were Rainbow Dash and Ryder, both wearing their usual attire of tank tops and jeans.

Together the eight friends looked up towards the boardwalk's most famous attraction, the Heart Thumper, said to be the fastest roller coaster in Equestria. Tonight, they were all on a mission to try it, just to see if any of them could survive its gut wrenching history. More than that though, they were on a mission to have fun, to spend time together, to show Spike that they were indeed the true friends that they had said to be a few weeks ago.

Spike glanced at each of the seven ponies and dragon that was around him in turn, seeing them each smiling back at him when their eyes met. It's odd knowing how much they really care for me. Only a few weeks ago I would have been coming here alone, but now I am coming with my friends. Somewhere deep down he could not help but feel that after tonight things would go back to the way that they were before, where no pony really cared to be with him.

Sighing, he began to follow the group as they headed towards the boardwalk, eagerly awaiting the fun that they were going to have together. Spike's thoughts however, did not include anything fun. Instead his mind drifted towards the mare that was striding beside of him. Memorized by the way that her beautiful violet mane bounced up and down at the ends of her luscious curly locks.

Memories of when they were younger flooded his mind as they often did whenever he was around the mare. When he was in the hospital, all he thought about was her, and he was so happy when she opted to stay by his side almost everyday during his stay in the hospital. Now that he had been released, he had been spending a lot more time with the mare, like they did when they were younger. It was like two best friends getting back together.

Spike knew that Rarity was aware of his affection for her, he had told her himself! Even so, she was still his best friend, and although he knew that getting over his feelings for her was going to be hard, he knew that someday he would. Rarity was just too precious of a jewel to endanger chipping.

With a slight smile at the thought of spending the entire night with the beautiful silvery-white mare, Spike raised his head to look at the rest of his friends as Twilight passed out their wristbands. Tonight, was going to be a wonderful night indeed.

---

Spike yelled at the top of his lungs as the roller coaster twisted and curved around, sending his stomach from his head to his legs and back again. Beside of him, Rainbow Dash had already lost her two helpings of spicy chili hay fries. Some poor pony below had been drenched in the contents of her stomach, much to the dismay of her friends. She was not alone however as Twilight had lost her stomach before the ride even pulled out of the station, with Rain soon following after Dash.

Rarity's laughter could be heard from a little ways back in the coaster. It was music to the drake's ears. Laughing with her, he could not help but yell out once more as the coaster rounded a sharp curve and broke him out of his dream state. Every pony on the coaster shrieked when there was a sudden drop, and the coaster gained enough speed to do a sonic rainboom. Loops helped to slow it down, and with a sudden jolt, they found themselves back on the platform. "Please watch your step as you exit the ride. Thank you and have a wonderful time at Luna Park."

Rainbow Dash wobbled out towards Ryder, who had opted to not go on the ride, and fell into his arms. He laughed at her awkward state, even more so when she tried to playfully slap him but was too weak to reach that far. Twilight had a little trouble walking after the ride, but with a little help from Kalin, she was able to easily make her way over to the rest of the gathered group.

Together they opted to go out in two separate groups, Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Ryder went towards the game booths, while Twilight, Kalin, Applejack, and Rain went towards the other various rides that were scattered along the boardwalk.

Rarity walked in her bare feet, having opted to leave both her shoes and Spike's shoes in his sister's car. Rarity always loved the sand on the beach, she loved the way that it would slide through her toes with ease, the way that it felt nice and cool at night against the soft flesh beneath her fur. What she loved the most about the beach however, was the sound of the ocean. Waves crashing against the sandy shore along the coast, cascading thunders from the larger waves out in the ocean forming until the reached up to play with the sand.

Hearing the waves out further away from the boardwalk made her smile, and unbeknownst to her, so did Spike. The dragon knew very fondly of Rarity's attraction to the ocean. He knew that she loved the cool, clear waters, the sand that slithered so easily over her feet, and the way that at night, it was cool to the touch. When the moon was full, the reflection that it played off of the almost mirror like water was something to behold. It was something to cherish, and Rarity always did.

The drake sighed as he wished so much that he could be called her own, and in a way, he was, but it was not the same. He wanted to wake up with her cradled in his arms, grow old with her, have children. Not a single girlfriend that he had in the past could ever instill the same thoughts inside of his heart.

With a deep and heavy sigh, Spike stepped up to the first game of the night that they were going to attend. A row of three rifles were standing up upon bi-pods, each one with thirteen exact little metal pellets beside of them, encased in a clear cover. Below of them read a sign, 'Seven dollars for one round.' Across from the rifles was a small wooden bunker, with little holes that would hold something that they were supposed to shoot at.

Both Ryder and Rarity smirked at each other as they stepped forward, paying the golden yellow unicorn running the booth fourteen dollars. "We would like to play two rounds, for us, and for the two behind of us."

The stallion counted out the money, seemingly not hearing what Ryder was saying. Looking up, he said, "Rules are, thirteen shots per person. Aim at the soldiers, and don't hit the civilians. If you manage to hit all of the soldiers, you can claim a prize." Over his head on the ceiling of the booth were various plush animals that he was willing to give away to any winners.

Rarity say one that she really liked, and whens he looked back at Spike, she could see that he had seen the same one. Together, Ryder and Rarity mounted their rifles, awaiting the buzzer. The unicorn coughed, "Alright, shooters on the line. Get ready. Fire." Pulling down a small lever behind him, lights started to swirl above the bunker as little soldiers started to run on a small track. Loading their rifles, the two took aim, each hitting a soldier.

Rarity managed to hit most of her targets, but missed two and had hit a civilian. Ryder on the other hand had managed to nail all of his targets, without hitting any civilians. A sudden brighter flash began to swirl as the unicorn said, "Here comes the General."

Both Rarity and Ryder waited until the General was at full height. When he started to slide back down, each one was quick to jerk the trigger. Rarity's pellet hit the wall with a loud crack, while Ryder's managed to aim for the General's midsection. Just before it made contact, a civilian popped up and was struck instead. Evil laughter was heard as the General slid back into his slit, the lights coming to a stop.

Neither Ryder nor Rarity said anything as they looked back to where the General had been. Rarity was shocked, and felt cheated, while Ryder simply tried to contain his anger. Behind him, he knew what his brother was thinking, This game is rigged. Ryder simply walked back to Rainbow Dash, whispering something in her ear before she nodded in turn.

As Rarity passed by Spike, he said, "Tell him to grab the one you want." Rarity just glanced at Spike as she continued on until she was standing next to Ryder, watching as Rainbow and Spike nodded to each other. "I'll take him out."

Rainbow Dash smirked as she said, "Not if I take him out first." They bumped their fists together before moving to the other two rifles, standing before the other bunker.

"Shooters on the line. Get ready. Fire!" Again the lights began to whirl, again the soldiers began to run across their field of fire. Only this time, with Spike and Rainbow Dash, it was different.

Rainbow Dash was a loose cannon when she shot, hitting everything that she could, even the civilians. She didn't care who she it, just as long as she hit them. Spike on the other hand steadied his breathing and aimed down the rifle, taking careful aim on each and every target. By the time that he and Rainbow Dash where on their final bullets, each had killed all of their soldiers, but Rainbow Dash had killed all of her civilians while not a one was hit with Spike.

Rainbow smirked when she heard, "Here comes the General." Again the brighter lights flashed, but neither Spike nor Rainbow were deterred in the least. "Only one shot left, take him out before he escapes." Spike could see out of the corner of his eye the stallion smirking with his finger on a small button beside of his leg.

Rainbow Dash was foolish enough to take a shot and hit the civilian that popped up. Spike however took his time, waiting until only the shoulders and head remained before he fired to the left of the General, towards the wall. The civilian popped up, but instead of hitting it, the pellet just missed the human shield and struck the General in the side of the head. Behind him he could hear Rarity cheering while Ryder patted him on the back.

Spike was blinded for a moment when one of the lights flashed off of Rainbow Dash's engagement ring, but he paid it no mind. Staring daggers at the stallion, he motioned for Rarity to go ahead. "I'll take that one please darling." The stallion grumbled something under his breath as he reached up to grab the one that she had indicated, making him snort in anger before he thrust it into her hands. "Thank you darling."

Rarity left the booth with Spike, neither one aware that they were holding hands, nor to the fact that Rainbow Dash and Ryder had dropped a little ways behind them to give them some privacy. Together, the two friends continued to walk until they went passed the game booths and out onto the beach. Ryder and Rainbow Dash went to find more games to play, leaving the two friends to their special alone time.

---

Luna's moon shone brilliantly on the sky, bathing the sandy beach in cool crisp moonlight. Beautiful shades of blue intertwined to create a majestic magical light that was unparalleled by any other. The night life truly had its own desires, its own flair, its own art. Nothing however was as clear as this night. All of Luna's stars could be seen, not a single one brighter than the rest.

Looking out over the open waters of the ocean, Spike could make out the way that the moonlight reflected off of the clear surface. The waves had died down. The world was calm, serene, peaceful tonight. For Spike and Rarity, this was just like any other night. They would talk, dance around their feelings for a while, then return to their homes beat, and wishing to be back with the other.

Spike sat in the sand, gazing out over the ocean as Rarity sat beside of him. With an arm resting on his propped up knee, the drake glanced at the plush that was in his best friend's hands. A teddy bear colored a deep magenta, with two black eyes and a heart held in its paws. "Thank you Spike." Her voice was soft, as if she were in the verge of tears. If he had of looked, he would have seen the two silver lines that were running down her cheeks.

This is it. There is no more running, its now or never. Either you love him as a best friend and brother, or so much more.

But what if he hates me for dragging him along all of this time? What if he thinks that I am just playing with him? If I am just giving him what he wants to that he can be happy?

Listen to yourself Rarity. When he was in the hospital you had said that you loved him. In your heart you knew it to be true, so why does it hurt so much for you to say anything? You know how he feels about you. Just say it...

I can't. I-I'm afraid... Afraid that he will hate me. That he will think I am a monster. I have hurt him for all of these years, and if it didn't work out between us, then I would lose the best friend that I have ever had. I would hurt him so much more than I am now.

What if you were to find something far grander from being with him. What if you found true love with him. You have always compared your past boyfriends with Spike, now you can actually have him. For years he has been waiting for you, there is no doubt that what you feel is real. Trust in you heart Rarity.

Alright...

Rarity looked out over the ocean just as Spike was, trying to gather her thoughts. In her heart she knew what she wanted to say, she was just afraid. "Spike...?"

Without looking, he said, "Ya Rarity?"

"W-Why d-d-do you l-l-love me?"

Spike went wide eyed as he turned to look at Rarity, finally seeing the silver streaks that were running down her cheeks. When she looked into those sparkling emerald eyes, she could see that he was conflicted over what he wanted to say.

Brushing them away with his thumb, he said, "I fell in love with your beauty. I fell in love with you generous heart, those sapphire eyes that sometimes think only for self benefit, yet still remain caring of those around them. Your soothing voice, which you could sing to the heavens with. What I love most of all about you Rarity, is that I know deep down you love me. You care for me just as much as my family does, if not more so. You are the most precious sapphire in my collection, and nothing will ever change that."

He sighed as he returned to gaze back out at the ocean, wishing that he had kept his mouth shut. Way to go Spike. Now she will probably hate you forever. "I shouldn't have said that. Just, let's forget about it." His mind just went blank as he gazed at the distant horizon, just waiting to hear her receding footsteps.

A pregnant silence encompassed them, broken only by the sound of the ocean waves crashing into the shore. Sometimes it touched the tips of their toes, as they each thought about what was said. Spike seemed to be thinking over a thousand negative things about what would happen with his relationship with Rarity. Not one thought was about what happened next.

Rarity, seeing that Spike was still lost in his thought, gently began to coil her tail around with his. His expression became more worried as he readied himself for Rarity to begin beating him. Fear gripped him harder than anything else in the world had. In his mind, he thought that he was about to lose Rarity, thus he was shocked beyond belief when Rarity pushed him onto his back in the sand. Not even crawling over to him, she pressed her lips against his. The contact was short, and her words fell silent on him.

Blinking up at the night sky, he could swear that he had just woken up from a good dream. When he sat up, she saw that Rarity was looking up at Spike with a worried expression, their tails coiled together as she pressed her head against his shoulder. "R-R-Rar..."

Said mare giggled at his reaction, hoping that something like this was going to happen. "Yes Spike, it..." She was unable to speak as she soon found herself on her back in the sand, with Spike atop her. Beside of them the bear lied down, staring at the stars. His face was inches mere from hers, and when she saw her begin to close her eye, he knew that he wasn't dreaming. He could feel her warm breath against his lips, and it made him wish to his aunt, never to let the night end.

Testing the waters, he pushed his lips against her own, sliding his arms beneath her to grip the sand. Rarity simply put her hands around his back, pulling his body closer to her own, as she kissed back with a rushing passion that he had never felt before. Sure he had kissed other girls, just as Rarity had kissed other boys, but this felt right. Never in their young lives had a kiss ever felt this right.

As they pulled away, a small string of saliva was connecting them. Normally Rarity would say something about how uncouth it was for a gentle drake to be so disgusting, but with Spike, she could care less. Even if she wasn't drugged by the pure passion that had clouded her eyes after that kiss, she would not have cared. Her mind drew a blank on anything but the drake above her, as the years of suppressed emotions threatened to boil over. In as soft a voice as she could muster, she said, "I love you Spike."

"I love you too Rarity." No other words were spoken, their lips doing the talking. Neither one cared about the time, and neither one really cared what was going on around them. All that mattered, was each other. They were lost, and when they were together, they didn't want to be found. Spike began to get more passionate about his kiss, his forked tongue wiggling between her lips to brush against her teeth. Feeling this, she more than welcomed the appendage as they began to simply grew more deeper into their kiss.

From further down the beach Ryder and Rainbow Dash were walking along, hoping to spot the two friends before they had to go. As they walked, they could not help but steal glances at each other, always their gaze returning to their held hands, where they could see Rainbow Dash's engagement ring. "You have no idea how much I am glad that you said yes."

"I think it's about the same as how glad I am that you asked. If we were to wait another week, I would have proposed to you." They chuckled. "I love you Ryder, as much as this may sound corny, you take my breath away, always have since I first met you."

"Not like that stopped you from dating Soarin though." He sounded a little dejected as he spoke.

"Don't remind me. 'Oh I'm going to date Soarin, supposed to be a Wonderbolt when he graduates from Flight School'. Sheesh, I hated that guy when we broke up. But trust me, he has nothing on you. At least, I don't think that he can do that special trick you do." She whispered softly into his ear, making his face turn a deep shade of red. "I love it when you blush like that."

He spoke softly in her ear, in turn making her blush more than he was. "I love it when you blush too. But if you keep talking like that, I might have to break my promise about waiting until our wedding to claim you."

"Never said that you couldn't." This made Ryder stop dead in his tracks, looking back at the mare that was soon to be his wife with eyes as wide as the moon. "What, you were the one that said you wanted to wait." Now her joking fell to seriousness as she stepped closer to him, putting her arms around his neck. "I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared. But I trust you, and I know that you would never hurt me. I know what the dragon code means when you mate. Sure there are other stallions out there that will catch my eyes, I would be lying if I said otherwise." Slowly, Ryder looked down towards the sand beneath them.

Raising his chin up with her finger, she smiled as she placed a soft kiss against his lips. "But none of them will ever capture my heart like you have done. None of them will ever be able to claim what is rightfully mine to give, and I chose to give it to you. In my heart, I know that there is no one better for me than you."

"Rainbow, we are young. I never want to leave you, but I am worried about others would say about us being so young and getting married."

"You once told me that nothing was going to stop you from loving me. I believed it then, just as I do now. I know you Ryder, and I know your heart as if it was my own." She rested a hand over his beating organ. "I promised to never let anything bad happen to it, and I meant it. Still do." They kissed once more, unaware of a newly formed couple coming up to them. When they broke, all they could see was each other.

"So, you guys ready to go play more games or what?" Both Ryder and Rainbow turned to look at the other couple, both smirking when they saw some of Rarity's lipstick on the drake's own lips. Their hands were together while their tails seemed to be inseparable. "What, do I have something on my face?"

Rarity just giggled as Rainbow nodded. "Guess Rarity was really trying to suck your face." Both mare and drake blushed while Spike used his free hand to wipe away the lipstick. "Let's play some more games, eh." They all nodded as they began to head back to the game booths.

---

Spike smiled as he walked alongside of his friend, neigh, girlfriend Rarity. If even that was what they were now. Sure they had admitted that they loved each other, but they had yet to go on a date. Rarity seemed to know what Spike was thinking, for she said, "Just consider this our first date. I may not be really your girlfriend just yet, but I like to think that I am. Although, we have known each other for years. Call me whatever you like Spikey-Wikey." They shared a light laugh before Spike was led to yet another game, which he thought would likely have been rigged like the last three.

Rarity bounced up and down as she looked at the game, excited for some odd reason. When Spike took a closer look, he could not help but see why. The top prize was a complete beauty kit from one of the best brands in Equestria. Grinning, he kissed her cheek as they headed over. "Welcome one and all to the Connection Ring Toss. Step up, and try to see if you can score seven rings with your best buddy. Come one, come all."

Spike looked over the game with a quizzical eye. "Hello there young drake. I can see you brought your very special lady with you tonight." The drake could detect the distaste that the chocolate earth pony had for him. But money was money, so she was willing to suck it up and deal with him. "Why not try you hand at a game of Connection Ring Toss. Only two dollars for one round."

"What's the catch ma'am?"

"I see you fancy to hear the rules. Well the rules are quite simple. You and your partner will stand one in front of the other, one being blindfolded, with the other being the eyes. The eyes will have their hands tied behind of their partners back, and can only speak to them to tell them the general direction of which to throw. While the blindfolded will throw. Get a ring up to the first row of bottles is ten points. Twenty for the second row, and fifty for the back. You will get four rings to toss. To win our grand prize, you will need to score a perfect two hundred. Are you up for the challenge?"

Rarity smirked as she whispered to Spike, "We got this." The silvery-white mare handed over the two dollars while Spike took the first step, allowing Rarity to blindfold him while he used his hands to tie hers around his chest, close to his ribs. Silence encompassed them as Spike's acute hearing picked up the steady breathing of his best friend. Hearing it made him feel more than confident that they were going to win this 'non-rigged' game.

"Alright. Get ready. Remember, you only have sixty seconds to land all four rings." Silence. Then, "Go!" Grasping three rings in one hand and one in the other, Spike awaited Rarity's direction. Gripping his ribs, she used her forefinger to tap it thrice, meaning that he should aim for the third row, which was only three feet in front of them. Tossing the ring, he waited until he heard Rarity squeal with delight before he allowed himself to smile.

So they went, Rarity tapping his ribs to indicate how far each bottle was, giggling when he hit each one. Following the giggle was a usual kiss to the cheek, which made the drake blush, yet smile nonetheless. When there were no more rings left, the drake untied Rarity's hands, then undid his blindfold.

Rarity walked over toward the earth pony, smiling as she was given her beauty kit. As they began to walk away, Spike's hearing was able to pick up, "What a shame. That dragon brainwashed that sweet little girl into doing everything that he wants. What a shame. Guess there is no true justice in the world. Damn dragons, awful creatures each and everyone of them. Can't feel love, take over your mind. What he is doing is against the law. I mean, what pony in the right mind would ever fall in love with a dragon?"

Rarity could only manage to hear the last part of what the chocolate mare had said. Since they were still close enough to catch the glare of the mare, Rarity whispered something into the drakes ear. When he pulled back, his grin, if at all possible, grew wider than his face. With a giggle from Rarity, they leaned in to kiss, letting only a small amount of passion wash over them as they made out in front of every able body, who stopped for a moment to stare at the spectacle.

Although a few of the passing ponies seemed to accept what they were seeing, most did not seem to see it as right. It was wrong to them that the dragon was allowed into the park, let alone be with a mare. Dragon were supposed to be with dragons, not ponies. It was just wrong to think otherwise. And in the shadows of a nearby booth, a pair of golden yellow eyes watched the scene with a burning rage. "That should be my bitch." He muttered under his breath. His teeth ground together from the amount of anger that he was holding back. "Cloud Chaser." He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Yes Zunderlane. Vat do you vant?"

"Get Sunset Shimmer and Lightning Dust to help you, and get that big guy too, Storm Windsor. I want the four of you to meet me in ten minutes at the other end of the booths. We are going to give our two little love birds a surprise that they will never forget, and Rarity will finally be mine."

Spike and Rarity continued away from the chocolate mare feeling giddy at the mixed emotions that surrounded them. No pony really knew about the relationship between Spike's mother and father, so he was not surprised when ponies disproved of their love. It still left a bad taste in his mouth, but he could care less. He was with the mare that he loved, and no pony was going to take that away from him.

Passing by the final game booth and heading over towards the rides to meet up with the rest of their friends, they were so lost in their own world that neither one had the time to react when two mares ran out of the darkness and pinned them down. Rarity dropped her beauty kit in the sand while Spike dropped the teddy bear. Using only a small amount of rope, the two mares tied up their hands, then dragged them back into the darkness.

Spike could easily see, and Rarity, after having been with him for so long, had caught his sight as well, and could easily see what was awaiting them. Thunderlane stood tall and proud, a hand on his belt as he watched the two come closer. Beside of him stood Cloud Chaser and Storm Windsor, both grinning evilly at Rarity. She gulped, knowing full well what was about to happen.

Spike had never felt so powerless in his entire life. Here he was, about to watch the mare that he loved the most be raped right in front of his very eyes. Letting tears come to his eyes, he looked away. Thunderlane was not going to let Spike not watch this. He wanted to hurt the dragon for all that the dragons had done to his family. Storm sat down on Spike as he came to a stop. Using his big, burly hands, he managed to turn Spike's head over towards where Thunderlane was pinning Rarity against the booth's back wall.

Grinning evilly, the stallion said, "Your bitch is now my bitch Spike. How does it feel, to have everything you love taken away from you. You know what, you will never know the pain that I felt. You just watch the show and enjoy" He cackled as he began to run his hands down Rarity's back.

Rarity's expression was calm, collected, as if she was not fearing what was about to happen. In a small whisper that grew steadily louder the more that she talked, she said, "There is a reason that no pony has ever seen me naked. There is a reason that I have not been claimed by any pony. A dragon years ago already claimed my heart, and only he can claim my body!" With a growl, Rarity used her foot to kick at Thunderlane's knee, making the bone bend out in an awkward angle. The stallion's grip of the mare dropped as he did to the ground, gripping his broken bone.

Swiftly, she turned around so that she was facing both Sunset Shimmer and Cloud Chaser, while Lightning Dust moved around behind her. Lunging forward, Cloud Chaser went to swing at the mare, but was instead caught off-guard as Rarity landed a kick to the inside of his leg. Using his momentum against him, she turned the stallion around so that he went flying into Lightning Dust, both falling to the ground with a groan. Now Sunset Shimmer darted forward, knowing fully well what to expect from the silvery-white mare. Raising her own hands up to counter what Rarity was doing, she said, "I see that you have learned some new tricks."

"Well you boyfriend had a hand in that. He was the one who gave me a reason to learn martial arts." She quickly side stepped a blow from Sunset Shimmer, and instead used her leg and brought the mare over her body, landing hard on the ground and knocking the wind out of her. Turning around, Rarity saw that both Cloud Chaser and Lightning Dust were back on their feet, heading towards her with a fury that she had seen many times before.

Knowing that they were filled with nothing but pure rage, while she was calm, and collected, she knew that they were just acting without thinking. Taking her stance, she waited until Cloud Chaser was close. Dropping to the ground and spinning around, she tripped the stallion, and when he fell on his back, she placed kick to his ribs. The stallion groaned as he held his chest.

Lightning managed to grasp Rarity's foot and drag her a little ways before she was kicked in the head, making her stumble back. Standing up, Rarity looked around to see that only Sunset and Lightning were getting up. "Leave us alone." Rarity said threateningly.

To that Sunset and Lightning just laughed. "Or what? You going to seriously hurt us? Kill us? Look at you Rarity. It was one thing to be best friends with that filthy creature, but to actually love him too? You are a disgrace to pony kind, I bet Princess Celestia herself wouldn't even dare to look at you as she banished you or worse, killed you, and the dragon boy..." Their insults were interrupted by both Rarity and Spike laughing wildly, both knowing that everything that the two were saying was just simple nonsense.

"You really think that talking bad about me or Spike is going to change anything? I love Spike, and nothing you can say, nothing you can do will ever change that." She paused as she caught sight of Thunderlane trying to grasp her ankle. She kicked toward Thunderlane's face, who put his hands up to his nose as he heard the bone crack. "Princess Celestia would never banish me, not when I am the one that she favors out of all of her children." She smirked as she saw how angry Sunset was getting, while Lightning just shook her head. "After all, her son is in love with me."

Rarity went wide eyed as she looked back towards Spike, seeing that he had the same expression on his face. Lightning ceased her head shaking as she looked first at Rarity, then towards the drake. She wanted to laugh and call it a lie, but with the way that Rarity said that, is sounded more of a fact that just bad mouthing. Not completely believing it, she whispered something to Sunset, who then motioned to Storm. He nodded as he turned Spike over, preparing to lift his shirt up. Knowing what the stallion was doing, the drake released a torrent of flame, which bathed the stallion in a raging hot inferno, and caught the stallion's clothes on fire.

Rarity turned back to her own fight, watching the two girls circle her like sharks. "Well it was a nice little trick that you tried to play with words Rarity. But I am sorry to say that it won't work. Celestia had no children, and even if she did, there is no way that it would ever be her child. If it was, it would be dead." Neither Spike nor Rarity paid any heed to what the mare was saying, both already knowing that she was just spitting acid.

Closing her eyes, Rarity steadied her breath as she simply listened to the world around her. She could hear Spike's ragged breathing, she could hear Thunderlane groaning, and she could even hear the flames flickering on Storm's clothing. The sand shuffled around her in a circle, slowing getting closer and closer until they were well within arms reach. In the blink of an eye, Rarity jumped forward to land on Sunset's chest, using her feet to kick off of her and doing a flip before landing on Lightning's shoulders.

Sunset was on the ground again, and with her new position, Rarity could easily dispatch them. Taking a steady breath, she pushed Lightning forward with a hard kick to her spine, sending the mare toppling over the other. They both groaned while Rarity went over towards Spike. Using one of his claws, she managed to slice away the ropes like a knife through butter. With her nimble hands, she managed to untie the drake, watching as he ran out of the alley with her by his side.

Hand in hand, they made their way over towards their friends' agreed meeting spot. Not once did either of them look back towards the booth where the stallion that had caused them so much pain over the years rested along with his group.

As they ran, all Spike could think about was what Rarity had said when Thunderlane was about to rape her. What she had done after everything that she had said. He never knew that she had taken martial arts before, but he was glad that she did. It made him realize that there were still some things that he didn't know about her. In time though, he would know everything about her...

A/N: Not by far my longest chapter. After rereading my previous works and my previous chapters I realized that I was putting in too much detail and not telling enough story. Hopefully I van get better at putting just the right amount in each chapter.