Taking a deep breath, Spoiled Rich took the Swiss made one hundred dollar front and back engraving plates from the wall safe in Impossibly Rich’s office (formerly Flim and Flam’s office), held them in her hands for a moment, and placed them into her black leather handbag.

“Leaving so soon?”

Spoiled jumped, startled by Impossibly Rich’s voice behind her. She hadn’t heard her mother-in-law enter the room, and she felt surprise as she watched her walk down the short flight of steps and across the room towards her.

“I love a good gamble as much as the next woman,” Spoiled Rich replied. “But I’m cutting our deal short.”

Impossibly Rich’s eyes were cold, fierce slits. “And my plates?”

“They stay with me,” Spoiled said as she opened her jacket to reveal the ivory butt of a long-barreled revolver, which protruded from a holster along her waist. “I’m sure you don’t have a problem with that.”

“You know, this reminds me of a story that an old acquaintance once told me. She used to tell it to her little boy all the time... before she died,” Impossibly Rich said. “A thousand years ago, a small, wealthy village hired a young dragon to guard their treasures in a cave. The people of the village started sneaking him extra food, hoping to make him stronger. The dragon grew so big he got stuck, and the treasure was trapped behind him for all eternity.”

She leaned in close to her daughter-in-law and asked, “Do you know the moral of that story?”

“Greed will imprison us all,” Spoiled Rich answered.

Before Spoiled could make another move, a small, jade-handled knife appeared in Impossibly Rich’s right hand, and she stabbed it up to its hilt into Spoiled’s chest. Spoiled had moved too close to her mother-in-law, the blade’s icy tip tore through her shirt and made contact with her breast, and Impossibly felt the dagger push into muscle, felt the warmth of Spoiled’s blood rushing onto her hand. The stinging sensation caused Spoiled to stiffen. Her eyes widened in mute horror as her face turned a deathly shade of white before she looked down at the blood spreading on her white top, and then back up at her mother-in-law.

“I hate that fortune cookie shit!” Impossibly Rich hissed.

She buried the dagger so deep that it caused Spoiled to let go of the bag. She crumpled at Impossibly Rich’s feet without a sound. Her last conscious thought was that she would never get the pleasure to bury that old hag.

Impossibly Rich gazed at her son’s late wife and Spike burst through the doors just in time to watch Spoiled Rich collapse to the floor... dead.

Impossibly smiled almost benignly as she turned upon the young man.

“Just like your mother. I really did try to help her, you know... to share with her, to make your life better. But she was too weak, too afraid of change,”

“It’s over,” Spike stated. “You’re finished. Give me the plates.”

“It’s not over,” Impossibly Rich replied. “There are casinos all over this country. I can make you a very wealthy man, Spike. Don’t make the same mistake your mother did.”

She glanced down at the revolver in Spoiled Rich’s holster.

“If you reach for that gun, I will kill you!” Spike warned her.

“I’m going to do what I should have done twenty years ago! Once I get rid of you, there won’t be anything or anyone standing in my way! Then I’ll be the goddess of this city!”

Impossibly Rich swung the black bag at Spike’s head, and missed. Then she made a play for the revolver, but Spike was too fast. He grabbed the gun and pushed Impossibly Rich against the wall just as his friends burst through the doors.

“Hey, Impossibly, how you doin’?” Vinyl asked.

“Nice to see you’ve got everything under control,” Discord said to Spike.

Coco saw Spoiled Rich’s lifeless body and screamed. A thin, red sash of blood began at the blade and snaked under Spoiled’s left breast and down her waist. Her eyes were wide open, but they were as still and lifeless as glass beads.

“What happened to her?” Coco asked.

“Would you like me to tell you how your mother died?” Impossibly Rich asked Spike.

Spike had the revolver’s barrel pressed to Impossibly Rich’s forehead. He forced his left forearm against her neck as he thumbed back the hammer with his right hand and the white of his eyes started to turn red.

“Such a weak weapon,” he growled. “Too light, no real range... and it’s all I’m gonna need to completely shatter your grip on this world once and for all!!”

“Spike, stop!” Applejack told him. “She ain’t worth it!”

“She’s just trying to make you angry,” Sunset added.

“Don’t do something you’ll regret,” said Fluttershy.

“Barbara never begged for her life,” Impossibly Rich told him, “or even tried to make a deal...”

“Put the gun down, Spike,” Trixie said.

“All she asked me, just seconds before I cut her throat, was that I promise not to kill you,” Impossibly Rich went on. “Oh, she was so pathetic!”

“Oh, Tartarus, no, you didn’t!” Rainbow Dash stated. “She went too far. Shoot her, Spike! Shoot HER!!”

“What are you going to do, Spike?” Impossibly Rich scoffed.

“All you have to do is pull the trigger,” Ember said.

“Are you going to spend the rest of your life hiding behind your friends like your mother did?” Impossibly Rich asked.

“Don’t let her talk about Barbara like that!” Chrysalis shouted.

“Come on, Spike,” said Pinkie. “She’s going to jail. You won, now just put the gun down.”

“Shoot her, Spike!” Smolder repeated.

“You can’t do it, can you?” Impossibly Rich mocked him.

“Tartarus, yes, you can, Spike,” Tempest went on. “There’s nobody here but us. You want to do it? Go ahead.”

“If you pull that trigger, you will be no better than her,” Rarity told him.

“Just as I thought,” Impossibly Rich hissed. “You’re a bastard! You’re nothing but a piece of trash, just like Barbara! You don’t have any real power!”

“Spike, if you’re not going to shoot her, at least pistol-whip her and knock her out!” Starlight shouted.

“Spike, it’s over,” Celestia said. “Let go.”

Spike’s finger was on the trigger -- he wanted to pull it, but he couldn’t. He wanted to empty every bullet of that gun into Impossibly Rich’s brain and then watch her bleed... but he didn’t. For a moment he looked as if he would pull the trigger. But only for a moment. Reluctantly, he lowered the revolver.

Impossibly Rich swung the bag at Spike again. This time, the printing plates inside hit him across the face, knocking him down, and knocking the revolver loose. When the shot came, the bullet shattered a priceless Ming vase. Luckily, none of Spike’s women were hurt. They all had moved out of the way just in time.

Impossibly Rich grabbed the gun, pointed it at Celestia, and was about to pull the trigger when Spike flew at her.

“NO!!” he yelled.

Spike kicked Impossibly Rich square in the chest, and she fell backward, smashing through the window. Spike tried to grab Impossibly Rich’s hand. Their fingers touched for a split second, but Impossibly Rich pulled her hand away and she plummeted all thirty-one stories to the street below... and her death. She didn’t scream as she went down and she slammed through the roof of a taxi that was parked out front. Spike and company all looked down at the street, relieved that it was finally over.

“Damn!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Good kick, Spike,” Ember complimented.

A tear trembled at the corner of Spike’s left eye, hesitated, then rolled down his cheek.

“Spike, are you all right?” Fluttershy asked.

He was not. His world was spinning. For a moment it could have gone either way, but then things began to solidify. He hadn’t meant to kick her so hard, really he didn’t, but he had, and he had killed her.

“It was an accident,” he said.

“That’s okay,” Smolder told him as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “If anyone asks, we’ll just tell ‘em she tried to catch a cab.”

Still panting, Spike stood up straight, careful not to move too fast.

They all turned to the door and saw Twilight, bleeding and half-dead, slowly limping toward them, glaring at Spike with wide eyes and holding eight sticks of dynamite—the ones she had taken from Garble, who had taken them from Spike, the same ones that Juniper Montage had given him—in her hands, which she (Twilight) had crafted into a time bomb. When Twilight opened her mouth to speak, blood poured out. Then she hit the switch on the bomb’s timer and started the countdown.

Ten...

“Aw, Tartarus, no!” Rainbow Dash and Smolder stated.

“It’s all over!!” Twilight yelled. “No place left to run!!!”

Nine...

“Twilight, you put that bomb down and turn it off!” Starlight ordered.

Eight...

“See you in Tartarus, you free-loading, rubbernecking...” Twilight screamed.

“We have to jump!” Spike told them.

Seven...

“... name-calling, table-hopping...”

“Are you crazy?” Rarity shouted. “I’m not jumping!”

Six...

“... no-good, dirty-rotten...”

“Grab on to me!!” Spike hollered.

Five...

“... no-account, two-faced...”

Spike and the group ran for the open window.

Four...

“... friend-stealing, party-crashing...”

Three...

“... back-stabbing, double-dealing...”

Two...

“... corner-cutting, card-counting...”

One...

“... son of a--!!!!”

ZERO!!!!!!

Over 20 women, plus Discord, all grabbed onto Spike as he launched himself out the open picture window. Using the crocodile skin jacket as part of an improvised zip line, he threw it over a cable just as the penthouse exploded. They soared out and a huge ball of fire billowed out with them, riding their backs, its roaring flames filling the penthouse behind them. The fireball shot out as they slid down the wire, and they screamed when the wire broke and they fell hard into the dolphin pool, just short of Las Pegasus Boulevard.

A shower of red-hot fire engulfed the top half of the resort, ravaging it, as smoke bellowed out the windows in an explosive display. Spike’s harem shot to the surface of the pool, and they all looked around for Spike. They stopped when they turned to Applejack and saw that she held Spike’s limp body in her arms.

“Spike! Spike, are you all right?” she asked.

“I can’t believe I rode two thousand miles in a limo for this shit!!!!!”

The women all pumped their fists, jumped on him, and hugged him hard.

No less than half an hour later, the guests, staff, and several onlookers had gathered in front of the burning Rich Towers. Coils of black smoke and orange flames kept pouring out of the penthouse’s open windows and leapt skyward. Glowing sparks and flame drifted down like shooting stars as numerous Las Pegasus police cars, half a dozen ambulances, and a black government vehicle pulled up. Three big red fire engines arrived soon after and the firefighters quickly put out the blaze.

Spike sat on the back of one of the ambulances, where the doors opened. He held the 13 Gate Cards in his hands, which he had recovered from Impossibly Rich’s body. He was beaten and bruised, but he would live. Amid the haze, he could have sworn he saw a woman made of smoke dancing before she drifted away. Torch, Ember and Smolder were the first ones to approach him.

“I was afraid you were dead,” Spike said to his godfather.

“No such luck,” Torch replied.

“Spike, I’m sorry we weren’t completely honest about Garble,” Smolder apologized. “He was supposed to just pose as a traitor to Torch so he could have the run of Rich’s operation in hopes of finding the printing plates.”

“But when Rich found out, he took her bribes and betrayed us,” Ember explained. “Then when we found out you were in town, we knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”

“Whenever you’re on the scene, things have a way of getting out of hand,” Torch smiled.

“Smolder, I’m sorry I--” Spike attempted.

“Spike, I don’t blame you for having to stop Garble,” she said. “You know as well as I do that it was self-defense. In the Dragon Mafia, it’s either kill or be killed. I would have done the same thing. You don’t have to apologize to me.”

Spike embraced his two old loves. Then Shining Armor approached.

“Spike, are you all right?” he asked.

Spike had expected Shining Armor to be angry. In fact, he was almost counting on the man to unleash his full rage on Spike for what happened to his sister. But he had not counted on this—a focused, disciplined calm that led to him to comfort Spike and ask if he was the one who was okay.

Impossibly Rich’s treachery was without direction. It knew no limits and had no scruples. She gained as much as she could from the poor Dragons she paid in exchange for control of them. But Twilight was different.

Spike didn’t want Twilight to die. He wanted to save her. He wanted to beg her forgiveness and ask if they might have a chance to start all over again. If he could bring her back to life, that’s what he would do.

“I’m fine, but Twilight... I’m sorry, Shining Armor. I could have saved her. I should have tried to save her... but I didn’t... I couldn’t save her,”

Shining placed a brotherly hand on Spike’s shoulder.

“I don’t think she wanted to be saved, Spike,” he said. “You can’t blame yourself for what happened to her... because I don’t blame you. I feared that it would be you I would have to fight one day, not her. Vengeance blackens the soul. We all walk the edge of that abyss every day. But you didn’t fall in, and I thank Faust for that.”

Shining got down on one knee to look Spike in the eye.

“But look at me. Twilight fell into that pit years ago. She never believed in fair play. She made her choices and I don’t think anyone, not even I, could have pulled her back. Those who seek to destroy others because of jealousy and greed only destroy themselves,”

Spike bowed his head sadly, but when it was all said and done, there had been no tears, no words of blame. If Shining sorrowed over Twilight he never showed Spike that he did. He may not have blamed him, but Spike still blamed himself. It was like a part of himself had died in that fire. He stood and walked to the water fountain, his soul full of grief. As he held all thirteen Gates in his hands, they started to glow.

“What’s happening?” Fluttershy asked. “What’s going on?”

“The Gates contain lost technology of ancient civilizations forgotten by time,” Moon Dancer explained. “They’re called OOPArts.”

“What’re those?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“No one in the world knows why they were made, or understands them completely,” Moon Dancer replied. “However, it is theorized, and even believed, that they are the ancient predecessors of tarot and playing cards alike.”

“It is said if a dealer is able to collect all thirteen Gates a rainbow will appear before them,” Trixie added.

“The Gates deem them worthy, and they are awaiting the birth of their new owner,” Discord concluded.

Suddenly, the fountain spewed water high into the sky and bright rays of light shot out from the pool.

“Is that...?” Chrysalis began.

“The Rainbow Gate,” Discord confirmed. “It opens when the Gates are united with the MVCD. Those who pass through are allowed to go beyond human measure... and for a moment gain the power to grant all wishes. In other words, they can use the Ultimate Roll Ruler!”

“It can grant any wish Spike chooses?” Dash asked.

“Go, Spike,” Discord told him. “You’ve more than earned it.”

Spike nodded.

The brilliant illumination washed over his body as he stepped forward. Its intensity grew, enveloping him. Suddenly, everything went white. Then the light receded and Spike found himself in a pure white room that seemed to go on forever. It was the world manifested by Spike’s Roll Ruler.

And that’s where he saw her.

“Hello, Spike,” she said.

“Twilight... I’m sorry,” he said. “I said so many hurtful things...”

“I love you, Spike,” she cut him off.

Spike looked at her.

“I do love you,” she said again. “But the things you did, I can’t forgive.”

She stared at him. Then she turned when she noticed something in the corner of her eye. Someone—several people—were coming toward them.

“Shining Armor?” Twilight breathed.

“As a member of the Equestria Secret Service, and an executive officer of the Casino Guild, it’s my duty to protect everyone,” he said. “I have to root out the evil myself. I have to stop the radical members. I know you’ll be sad, but please look after Mom and Dad. I love you so much, Twily.”

“And Mother... Father...” she said.

“We’ll be lonely without him, but please try not to blame your brother,” Night Light said.

“It’s not his fault. You can think of Spike as your brother for now,” Twilight Velvet added.

And that’s when Twilight finally understood. It wasn’t their fault. She knew her parents, her brother, and Spike were not to blame.

“It was my actions and decisions that led to this,” she said to Spike. “I pushed you away. I closed myself off and put you in that awful situation where I made you feel like you didn’t matter to me. It was all my fault.”

Then Twilight saw a small child, a little girl in a purple top and matching skirt. Her younger self.

“But still, you couldn’t live without winning, could you?” she shouted. “You dreamt of the day you would surpass Barbara and Spike and become the MVCD... and then you’d watch the world that hurt you fall at your feet. That’s what’s been keeping you going! Why do you and Spike keep fighting?”

Finally, Celestia appeared.

“Why, Twilight?” she asked again. “Why do you keep fighting him?”

“We’re both trying to reclaim what we love, all that we’ve lost,” Spike answered. “I want my friend back.” He held out his hand to Twilight. “We’ve both made mistakes, but those are done. We can’t change the past, but we can try to make a better future. Please... Take my hand...”

Twilight smiled. “So, you finally gave it your best. You finally came at me with all you’ve got...”

As soon as their fingers touched, Spike and Twilight rose up and a powerful surge of white light surrounded them and covered the Earth. In every city in every nation, good things were happening. Not only were jackpots going off on slot machines in casinos across the planet, but it started pouring in Califoalnia and the uncontrollable forest fires were put out by the rain. Car crashes involving trucks full of food drew several lost pets out into the open, allowing them to be found by their owners. Long-lost lovers were reunited, with many of them starting over and getting married; fishermen across the oceans were landing the biggest catches they had ever seen, the Neigh York Stock Exchange was going up like crazy, showing huge profits in the markets; people were getting promotions at work, men and women whose hair had been thinning was growing back beautifully, and many eggs that were cracked had double yolks! But probably the biggest miracle of all—besides multitudes of people that had been comatose for years finally waking up—was in the kingdom of Griffonstone where, after three decades of civil war between King Grover and King Guto, the nation was declared to be at peace!

Basically, Spike was able to seize control of the Ultimate Roll Ruler and create a well-spring of good luck. From there, that luck was transferred to others, where it spread and amplified, eventually surging into a wave of simultaneous good fortune that encompassed the entire world!

When Spike opened his eyes again, he was standing knee deep in the water of the fountain with Twilight in his arms. He gazed tenderly at her.

“Welcome back,” he said.

“Spike...” she sobbed. “Forgive me... Impossibly Rich used me... I tried to fight her... Please forgive me...”

Spike’s eyes softened as he held her close.

“It’s all right, Twilight,” he said. “You were just a pawn. But can you ever forgive me?”

Twilight nodded tearfully and the crowd stared slack jawed at the couple as they slowly pulled apart.

“I guess that makes us even,” Spike said.

Twilight smiled softly.

“That’s what you wished for?” Dash shouted. “You. Are. So. Awesome!!”

“Everyone, today you have witnessed history!” Discord proclaimed. “A new MVCD has been born! And his name is Spike Drake!”

The people hailed and cheered. The nightmare was finally over. It was now impossible for Filthy Rich’s power and immense wealth to protect him—or to help him beat the charges that Shining Armor listed off.

Fancy Pants pulled out a pair of handcuffs as he approached Abacus Cinch and listed hers: “Destruction of private property, destruction of public property, vandalism, three counts of criminal trespassing, assault, and attempted murder.”

“Oh, I’m finished,” Cinch said as he cuffed her. “I am so finished.”

Shining Armor was about to cuff Filthy Rich when Spike said, “Impossibly Rich forced him to do it. If he hadn’t, she would have killed him and his daughter. So, in your report--”

“I’ll be delicate in saying he was an unwilling participant to the whole thing,” Shining replied.

“So no charges should be filed against him,” Spike added.

“No charges?” Shining asked. “Well, I guess I owe you that much.”

“Thank you,” Filthy Rich told Spike.

“I didn’t do it for you, okay?” Spike replied. “I did it so that your daughter wouldn’t spend the next few decades talking to you through a prison phone.”

“I owe you everything,” Filthy said.

“Only your friendship,”

“Thank you, Spike,” Diamond Tiara said. “Now, close your eyes.”

“What?” he asked.

“Just do it,” she told him.

He did. And she kissed him on the lips.

“A token of my gratitude,” she said.

“I think this belongs to you,” Rarity said to Spike as she opened her hands to reveal Spike’s Fire Ruby.

Spike put it to his heart and a tear fell from his eye.

“Twenty years,” he sobbed. “I have been trapped for almost twenty years! And now... I’m finally free. Thank you. Thank you all.”

Spike’s friends and harem crowded and hugged him.

“We knew you would do the right thing,” Fluttershy said. “I had faith in you. I have faith in you. I always have, and I always will. And I know you’ll always save me, because you’re my hero! I believe in Spike Drake!”

“The casino is here for all to enjoy!” Zecora told them. “The radical members of the International Casino Dealers Guild planned to use the Most Valuable Casino Dealer’s power for their own gain: to take control of the entire world! That’s why Impossibly Rich kept pitting Spike and Twilight against each other! They facilitated the birth of the MVCD so they could kidnap and bend them to their whim!”

The woman with the trademark Mohawk reached down the front of her dress, pulled out a badge from between her breasts, and held it out to them.

“Like Shining Armor, Lyra Heartstrings, Sweetie Drops, Fleur de Lis and Fancy Pants, I am a proud member of the Equestria Secret Service and of the ICDG Police Force!” she shouted to the masses. “We have seen the darkness in your hearts with our own eyes! We have seen the evil you have committed, and we will not stand for it! Go home and tell your friends to abandon their schemes and atone for their selfish ways! The Casino Guild will always protect the righteous dealers! If you mess with us again, we will expose the truth about your whole corrupt operation!”

Slowly, the crowds broke apart and went their separate ways. Spike approached Fleur, who was ushering Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap and several other former Rich employees into the paddy wagon.

“Spike, there’s something...” Indigo began. “The way I betrayed you... it... is unforgivable...”

Spike placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I understand,” he said. “The power of deceit runs deep. Even the kindest, most generous heart can be tainted by greed. And don’t worry, I’ll tell them what you did for me. I’m sure they’ll go easy on you. All of you.”

“Well, we were very bad girls,” Sour Sweet admitted.

“But you have to admit, we were very, very good at it,” Sunny Flare added.

Spike gave them a reassuring smile as they entered the truck one by one and the door was closed on them. They would be okay, Spike knew.

Back by the fountain, Firelight spoke to his daughter.

“Starlight, you really showed your colors today,” he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, shining object. “I think you’ve earned this back.”

It was her penthouse key. After everything she had done to get it back, she finally succeeded.

“Thanks, Dad,” Starlight replied, “but I think I’m going to stick it out with the staff for the rest of the summer... if that’s all right.”

“Pumpkin, you’ve really impressed me. I’m proud of you,”

And they hugged each other deeply.

A few minutes later, a group of agents from the city’s banks arrived with a few pieces of paper and boxes upon boxes of currency; a total of twelve point five trillion dollars. And Spike divided it between Filthy Rich and Discord.

“I’m afraid you’ve broken the bank,” Discord said meekly.

“That’s right,” Spike replied. “Ever since I started work, I’ve been systematically spending the money I won from gambling to buy stock and become the majority shareholder. In other words, I now own this place, lock, stock and barrel. And I’m keeping you on as the general manager. Consider it a done deal.”

Nosey News and Inky Quill, the same two reporters that had covered the Las Pegasus Poker Tournament weeks ago, stood before a series of camera crews.

“Breaking News: the Casino Guild is holding an impromptu ceremony in honor of the exciting showdown that just took place between Impossibly Rich and Spike Drake. Drake has just claimed ownership of the property lost to Rich last week--wait, this just in! Flim Skim and Flam Scam, Spike’s former employers and prior owners of the Flimflam Resort, Filthy Rich, current owner of Rich Enterprises Incorporated, and Spike ‘the Lucky Prince’ Drake have all signed the document. I repeat, the contract has been signed!”

And just like that, with a few signatures and a few more handshakes between Spike, Filthy Rich, Discord, Flim and Flam, Spike was the city’s newest, and youngest, casino tycoon.

“This marks the start of a new chapter in our friendship!” Spike proclaimed. “Today will be our true beginning!”

“I love this fella!” Bushel exclaimed. “He’s got style! Let me buy your drinks for the rest of your life!”

“Just continue to enjoy the games,” Spike told him. “And don’t let ‘em change the dice on ya.”

“You got it!” Bushel replied.

Once again, the masses hailed and cheered.

The next morning, Spike, wearing a black trench coat over a black button down shirt and slacks, stood at the newsstand in the Las Pegasus International Airport. The Las Pegasus Journal had led with ROLL RULER BUSTS COUNTERFEIT RING. The Neigh York Post was more succinct. It helped that there were file photos from Spike’s modeling days where he looked not just handsome but smoking hot. They had unearthed the photo of him shirtless and riding the white horse bareback. Next to the handsome man was a shot of Impossibly Rich that was undoubtedly doctored to the point it made her look like an old crone, a witch that ate children. The two pictures made a great contrast. The headline: GAMBIT HERO! The Manehattan Journal disagreed, saying that “hero” was too small to describe him. They called him a legend in his own time. Under the headlines, was written a pretty accurate account of what happened the previous night. The smell of last night’s fire still lingered on the wind and Spike had gotten all the newspaper coverage he wanted. He gave no interviews.

After swiftly reading through them, Spike looked at Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, Fancy Pants, Fleur, Zecora, Lyra and Bon Bon, the latter with her left arm in a sling. They all had pleased looks on their faces. They were obviously proud of him.

Two private jets, laid on by the Equestrian Secret Service, were waiting to fly them back to Canterlot and Manehattan, Neigh York and out of his life.

“Thank you,” Twilight said as she and Spike shared a hug.

“I’m indebted to you,” Shining Armor added. “I’ll see you onboard,” he told his fellow agents.

“Good show,” Fancy Pants said as he and Spike shook hands.

“Thanks for everything, Spike,” Bon Bon said.

“We found you to be a worthy adversary between our sheets,” Lyra added.

“I’m happy to have been the alley to your oop,” he replied.

Spike hugged them goodbye and they both kissed him on the lips. Fleur and Zecora did the same. Then they were gone. Gone to face whatever their futures held for them.

Spike returned to his group of friends, who were all smiling proudly at him.

“I saw that, you sly dog!” Zephyr Breeze said.

“And I like how you played it cool, walking away, not looking back!” Rainbow Dash added. “That was awesome.”

“Where’re they headed?” Soarin asked.

“Canterlot and Neigh York,” Spike said. “That’s your gate down there?”

“Yep,” Dash replied.

“So, I guess this is goodbye,” Spike said.

“I guess so,” Soarin answered.

“Thanks for everything,” Spike told them.

Rainbow Dash hugged Spike tightly and said, “Take care of yourself, Dragon Man. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“It was nice working with you,” Spike replied. “You’ll come back for New Year’s Eve, right?”

“Of course we will!” Soarin said.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Dash added.

Spike was a little uncomfortable being hugged by Tree Hugger, but he firmly shook Zephyr’s hand.

“I’ve got something for you,” Spike told them.

He reached into his pockets, pulled out four black plastic cards with digits on them, and gave one to each of them.

“What are these?” Zeph asked, like he didn’t know.

“They’re debit cards for bank accounts, each with ten billion dollars in them; your cuts,” Spike answered. “And the PIN numbers are on the back. I’m still hot.”

“Spike, we can’t take these,” Soarin replied.

“Don’t worry, the money is all real. Take them, treat yourselves with them,” Spike said. “There’s got to be something you’ve always wanted.”

“Well, I could use a vacation,” Zephyr said.

“Another one?” Spike asked.

“I always wanted to go to Madisoat Mare Garden in Neigh York City,” he elaborated. “See Hock Fetlock hit a grand slam out of the stadium.”

“First Class flight, the honeymoon suite at the Plaza Hotel in Manehattan... maybe a little moo shu?” Spike inquired.

“You know it, brother!” Zeph stated.

“I think you’ve earned it,” Spike said.

Finally, Spike and Zeph hugged and Zeph, Tree Hugger, Soarin and Rainbow Dash bid their final farewells as they boarded their planes. The sky was still blue and the breeze was cool as Spike and his lady friends exited the airport. One minute later, they were back in the parking lot.

The first row was lined with fifteen shiny new cars. They were parked head-in like animals at the trough. There was a purple 2011 Mustang GT, a blue 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392, a green 1969 Camaro RS, a yellow 2010 Camaro SS, a red 1960 Chevrolet Impala, a black 1967 Impala Sedan, an orange 1969 Charger R/T Hemi, three Lamborghinis—a yellow Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, a purple Aventador LP 700-4, and a blue Murciélago LP640—a white 2013 Chrysler 200 SRT-8, a black H1 Alpha Hummer, a white ZR1 Corvette, a red 2010 Viper SRT-10 Coupe, and a cherry red 2015 LaFerrari.

And they were all Spike’s.

“Where did they come from, Spike?” Celestia asked.

“Fifteen slot machines and I won fifteen cars,” he explained. “I put a quarter in, I got a car. I put a quarter in, I got a car. I put a quarter in, I got a car...”

He fished around in his pockets for the keys.

“Okay, AJ gets the Hemi, Sunset, you drive the red Viper; Rarity, you take the white Chrysler; Pinkie and Starlight, the RS; Vinyl and Octavia, the SS Camaro; Moon Dancer and Trixie, the Impala; Tempest, the Sedan; Sassy and Coco, the Convertible; Ember and Smolder, the Challenger; Chrysalis, the Ferrari; Celestia, the shiny Corvette; Adagio, Aria and Sonata, the Lamborghinis; I’m keeping the Mustang, and Discord, you can take that big black thing,” he said.

Spike slid into the driver’s seat of the Mustang while Fluttershy slid in next to him. He started the engine, took his foot off the brake, looped around the parking lot, put on a pair of sunglasses and led his harem back to the city. With a small smile, he raised his face to the sky. As he looked at the city ahead, Twilight Sparkle was the last thing on his mind. Several years later, she was little more to Spike than a scar and a memory.

Don’t think it’s over yet. There’s still one more chapter to go!

P.S.: A photo of Spike in his crocodile skin suit.