With the whole of the gang collected, it was time for the final assault on the Shadows. Spike looked at Zecora, chrysalis, Ember, thorax and Gilda, he wanted their input for who was going to join the assault team. “Ok I want to know who you guys think would be best for the final assault?”

Zecora looked at Spike. “Well, I’m going with you, that is nonnegotiable.” Said Zecora dead set in her statement.

Spike sighed but smiled. “Fine, but just be safe, I don’t want to lose you. Who else do you think would be good?”

Zecora hummed in thought. “Well, most of my guys made it here without anything happening, so we're ready to fight.”

Spike nodded. “Ok. Transfer all your men to clutch 5’s vehicles, you guys leave yours here to act as our operating base since we’re already in a defensive position.” Zecora nodded. Spike looked at Thorax. “T, what about your guys?”

“I’m going in as well, plus I have a few guys that want payback for their brother. Thomas, Steven load up, you’re with us in the final attack.” Both Thomas and Steven ran off to restock on their bullets.

Spike nodded. “Ok, Ember what about you?”

Ember shrugged. “I still want to bust some skulls; Red got my blood pumping. I’ll bring a few of my guys but our cars are pretty trashed.”

Everyone looked at Ember. “Ember who’s Red?” Asked Thorax.

She shrugged again. “Just a guy I met while I was out, I’ll tell you later.”

Spike sighed, they were on a time crunch, and the longer they got distracted, the longer it gave Sombra to gather his forces. "Fine, do that, but what about your forces, who can join in?" Asked Spike.

"Evan, Alex, Jerry. We're moving up." Yelled Ember.

Spike nodded. "Will, Sandra, Nico, restock your gear and load into a SUV." Yelled Spike.

"Yes sir." Said the three members as they went to an SUV to restock. Spike looked at Gilda. "You too, get stocked up." Gilda nodded as she walked away to restock. Spike looked at Chrysalis. "Chrissy, you stay here and hold the rear. Your guys took the most damage and they need a rest."

Chrysalis nodded. "Yeah, I get it." She then pulled Spike into a hug. "Just come back and keep Z and T safe."

Spike nodded. "Don't worry, Chrissy. I'll make sure." Said Spike, he sighed. "Ok, we move out in three minutes, I need to talk to our guest for a few." Everyone nodded as they walked away to get ready to move out again. But Spike walked over to the SUV that was propping up Gladmane. Spike looked at the guards keeping him alive. "Give me a minute." Said Spike, the guards didn't need to know more as they just walked away from the still bleeding Gladmane.

Gladmane looked at Spike. "What do you want?" Asked Gladmane.

"Info, in exchange for not letting you bleed out." Said Spike.

Gladmane scoffed. "And, why would I give you anything?" Asked Gladmane.

Spike laughed. "Wow, I literally hold your life in my hands, and that's how you talk to me?" Asked Spike. He then pulled out his silenced pistol and pointed it at Gladmane. "Give me numbers, codes, locations, or anything of use and I won't send a hunk of metal through your head at 1150 feet per second, don't and... well you get the idea." Said Spike.

Gladmane sneered. "Fine, what do you want to know?"

"Numbers, how many shadows can we expect to face at your base?" Asked Spike.

"We have around 50 at the house right now, the rest were stationed around the city, with the largest group with me at the drug lab."

"Equipment?"

"Guns, what else were you expecting, pillows?"

Spike sighed as he slapped Gladmane. "Equipment! Come on Glad, I know you’re the Shadow's numbers guy, it's your job to know this shit."

Gladmane spat some blood out of his mouth. "Assault rifles, around 300 of them, a few hundred pistols, 6 dozen cars with our heavy stuff inside. A few dozen grenades incase shit gets loud."

Spike nodded. "Security?" Asked Spike.

"Heavy, we have motion sensors, cameras, bullet proof doors and windows, and booby traps, like trip wires that will shoot a shotgun. There's only one safe way in and out."

"And that is where?" Asked Spike.

"We own a building not too far from the house, I hired some contractors to dig a tunnel so we could flank any attacks, but we don't use it at all, so we keep it lightly guarded and it doesn't draw attention."

"Boss, ask if they have Wi-Fi." Said Micro. "I can use it to access their security system and shut it down remotely."

"Do you guys have Wi-Fi at the base?" Asked Spike.

Gladmane was confused but nodded. "Um... Yes, the password is Crystals. With a capital C."

Spike nodded. "Thanks, now all I need is your phone to make sure of a few things." Said Spike as he dug through Gladmane's pocket for the device.

Gladmane sighed. "Hey Dumb Ass, It's not in my pants, it's in my jacket." Said Gladmane, he didn't like getting frisked.

Spike found the phone. "Tracking on." Said Spike. Soon dots started to pop up on his visor. He tossed the phone on the ground and smashed it. Spike looked at Gladmane. "There, was that so hard?" Asked Spike.

Gladmane sighed in relief. "So, you’re not going to kill me?" Asked Gladmane.

Spike shook his head. "Nope, I'm not like Sombra or Tirek, I reward loyalty." Said Spike as he stood up. But then he kicked Gladmane in the face. "But if even one thing you told me is a lie, that's when you die." Said Spike.

Gladmane groaned as Spike just broke his tooth. "You ass hole, I hope you die!" Yelled Gladmane.

Spike laughed. "I die, you die." Said Spike as he walked away.

Gladmane tried to get up and chase after Spike. But this was the wrong move, because the guards that were nearby noticed this and used the butts of their rifles to knock Gladmane out.

Spike sighed as he walked away from the sight of Gladmane getting loaded into the SUV, and he arrived at one of Clutch 3's SUVs so he could restock his gear. 'Ok, so Gilda used two bullets, I used a clip on that van, and I still have two for the under barrel.' Thought Spike as he started to reload his SCAR's magazine with standard 7.62 rounds. He had plenty of everything else, so that's good. Spike sighed. "Micro, give me some good news." Said Spike.

"Well, going from the tracker, he's not lying, I see some dots on the screen, but I'm only counting 30 or so. I need you to be closer to patch into the cell signals and the security system so I can make sure." Said Micro.

"What about back home?" Asked Spike.

"So far nothing, I haven't gotten any reports from G7 about attacks... Boss, Diamond wants to talk to you." Said Micro.

"Dad, how is it going?" Asked Diamond.

Spike sighed. "Diamond, we're doing fine, we've had some losses, but for the most part, we're still on time." Said Spike. "Speaking of time, I got to go Diamond. We're about to move out again." Said Spike.

"Ok Dad, stay safe."

"Will do Sweetie." Said Spike as he ended the call. Spike walked back to the group and noticed that everyone was loaded up and ready to go. Spike nodded as he looked to the rest of the crew. "Everyone, if you die, you don't get payed, so don't die." Said Spike.

"YES SIR." Yelled the crew.

Spike smiled as he got into one of the SUVs that was going on ahead. He then made a call to the group. "Coms check."

"Check." Said Thorax.

"Same." Said Ember.

"Check." Said Chrysalis.

"Check." Said Zecora.

Spike nodded. "Good, when we get there, each of us will make a squad with our clutch. We’re going in through a tunnel all together but once we're inside we split up and clear it. Look out for traps and the Shadows. Micro should be able to get inside their system and help, but don't rely on it."

"Got it." Said the group.

Spike looked at his visor and started counting the number of blips. "I'm showing 30 guys, but that's going off cellphones. There may be more, so check corners."

"Boss, E.T.A. to the house is 30 seconds." Said the driver of the SUV Spike and Gilda were in.

Spike nodded. "Good, we're stopping around by a building nearby to get into that tunnel. So, pull over in an alley now." Said Spike. The driver nodded and turned down an alley a quarter mile from the Shadows location. The assault clutch pulled over and everyone got out.

Spike looked at the group of 20 members. "Ok, we're not too far from the base now, but we don't know how much security they have around the area." Spike looked at Gilda. "Gilda you’re in charge of taking out cameras. With all the commotion we've made their going to be distracted getting ready so they shouldn't notice."

Gilda nodded as she pulled out her sniper. "K, I got my suppressor from the SUV." Said Gilda as she screwed on her suppressor.

Spike nodded. "Good, when we get inside, no rifles, they take too long to aim, only SMGs, shotguns, or pistols." Everyone nodded. "Ok, move up." Said Spike.

After walking down half the alley. Gilda spotted the first camera. "Hold." She said. Everyone stopped.

"What's up?" Asked Spike.

"Camera, second story, 50 feet in front. Everyone hide." Said Gilda as she and the group ducked behind anything. Gilda pulled out her sniper and aimed for the camera. She took the shot and killed it. "Ok, camera down, move up." Said Gilda. They continued to move down the alley.

After taking out 4 more cameras, Micro called Spike to inform him that he was close enough to the Shadows base that he could get into the Wi-Fi system. "Boss, I'm accessing the Shadow's system....And I'm in." Said Micro.

Spike nodded. "Ok, start transferring everything they have on their systems, flag building plans and security codes, and get some eyes on the inside for us." Said Spike.

"Hmm. What'd you say boss? I couldn't hear you over the sound of me already finishing that." Said Micro. "Ok.... Oh shit." Said Micro.

Spike groaned. "Micro that better have been a good 'Oh shit.'" Said Spike.

"Good...Think great, I got eyes on Sombra himself. He's in an office on the second floor talking to a woman, pulling facial rec on her right now... Her name is Radiant Hope, and she has a record. Trafficking, drugs, soliciting, possession, a few murder raps, B&E, and the list goes on, she must be his second in command."

Spike nodded. "Ok, keep an eye on her, might give us some good press if we turn her in or take her out. What about the rest of the place?"

"Ok, the plans show that it was a warehouse for cars back in the early 90's. But what I'm seeing, is nothing like the original plans, they made the place into a fortress. But I'm looking at the camera feeds now...Ok they have a 50 camera system, with keypad doors. I'll give you all instructions when your inside. Swapping over to separate calls... Ok, I'm inside everyone's coms. Proceed into the building to the left, that's where the tunnel is. I got eyes inside and there are two guards with M16's. There's only one way in so you'll have to take them out." Said Micro.

Spike nodded. "Ok, from this point on, it's radio silence except for Micro, hand signs only." Said Spike. Everyone nodded. Spike looked at the building with the tunnel. Spike learned from Shining how to use SWAT hand signs instead of verbal communication, and he taught the crew how to as well, but it was mostly Gleaming Shield who made sure that everyone had it down pat. (AN: Just for reference, I will add a chart for the hand signs at the bottom, also if any of them are wrong, please forgive me.)

'Ok, move up, line formation. Shotgun, breach door.' Signed Spike.

Ember and Spike moved to the door and looked at the group. Spike nodded; Ember nodded. Spike then began to count. '5...4...3...2...1...0...Breach.' signed Spike as he used his USAS 12 to blow the door's lock into pieces. Ember and Spike stayed back, and the rest of the crew flooded the building.

"What the crap?!" Yelled one of the two guards.

"They're coming up right now." Said Micro.

Zecora pulled out Wilhelm and Diamond, she got ready for the Shadows to come up to check what was going on, and when they did, Zecora shot both in the head. "All clear from my prospective." Said Micro. Zecora nodded. 'Move up.' Signed Zecora.

Spike and Ember walked into the building and the group made their way down stairs to the basement and the tunnel. When they got down stairs, Spike looked at the room, it was lightly supplied and was probably build just in case of emergencies. 'Ok, 4 of you will stay here and cover our entry.' Signed Spike. 'Check ammo, and swap to pistols or SMG.'

'Understood.'

Spike nodded as he led the group of 16 down into the tunnel. "Ok, I'm close enough to start picking up some of the signals from the cellphones, patching us in." Said Micro.

"Did you hear, the Riders are attacking?"

"Ha, let them come, this place is a fortress, they'll never get inside, and even if they did, by the time they get here most of them will be half dead. We'll be able to quickly finish them off and boss will give us a raise."

"Man, I hope your right."

'Ass holes.' Thought Spike.

Spike and group reached the end of the tunnel. "Ok, boss, it looks like you'll be popping out near the back half of the base. Going off your signal and the cameras it looks like it’s the main garage. I'm counting 10 guys in there, all of them are armed, and the moment you open fire, it's going to get loud."

Spike nodded. '10 above, using gas.' Signed Spike as he pulled out his Scar and loaded a tear gas grenade. He walked to the door and opened it slightly, just enough to fit the under barrel through. Spike launched the grenade and it hit a barrel or something metal, because it made a clang sound when it hit, catching the attention of the room’s occupants. "Hey what was that?"

"Don't know, let’s go check it out." Half of the group moved over to the grenade as it started to release its gas. "Shit it's tear gas."

'Now!' Signed Spike as all 16 Riders stormed the room. Spike used his SCAR to take out 2 of the Shadows that were blinded by the gas. Ember took out two, both getting a double shot gun blast to the chest. Thorax quickly dealt with one guy using his Uzis. Zecora took out two with Diamond, and another one with Wilhelm. Leaving Stephen and Thomas to deal with the remaining two.

Once the room was clear, Spike dropped the no talking rule, because it wasn't going to be quiet for much longer. Spike looked at the group. "I want Alex and Jerry to hold position and start moving stuff for cover. The rest of us will split up into 2 teams and clear out half of the place. Ember you're with me and Gilda, Evan..." Said Spike as he looked at two members of G8 and one from G1. "Henry, Josh, Ken. Your coming with me." He looked at Zecora. "Zecora, take Thorax, Steven, Thomas, Sandra, Will, and Nico." Zecora nodded.

Zecora looked at her group. "We'll take the west."

"That means we're heading east." Said Spike. "Move out." With that the groups split up to take down the Shadows.

While this was all happening, Twilight was sneaking into Spike's room to find some evidence of what he was doing. "Come on, it's a cheap little door knob with a push button lock." Said Twilight as she was trying to use a small screwdriver to pop the lock open. Then she heard a click. "Perfect, that was easy." It took her 10 minutes. Twilight walked into the room; it was the same as when Spike had left. Twilight looked around at the room, she knew three things about Spike, first was that he loved motorcycles, second was that he was secretive about everything he was doing, and third, Spike was a messy person. Clothes were tossed around the room; the bed was left unmade and his desk was covered in junk. Twilight walked over to his bedside lamp, completely unaware that is where Spike has the thumb drive and turned on the light to help illuminate the room. But when she did, the dump known as Spike's room became worse.

Twilight gulped at the sight of Spike's disaster zone. "Ok, finding out his dark secret can wait, this place needs some cleaning, badly." Said Twilight. She started with Spike's bed. "If I make it, I'll have a place to fold his clothes." She started making Spike's bed, that had 300000$ taped to the back of the headboard, but Twilight didn't need to check there. She pulled off the sheets and covers and returned them to the bed. But when Twilight was tucking in the sheets, she felt something underneath the mattress. "What's this?" Asked Twilight as she started feeling around for the item. She found it quickly and smiled. "Ok, I got it."

Twilight pulled it out from under the bed thinking it was a journal, but it was a magazine and it wasn't Cosmo. Twilight blushed as she looked at the cover, it had two naked women on a Harley, their legs were spread open for the camera. She looked at the title. "Bitches, on bitchin rides." Said Twilight. "Maybe he reads them for the articles?" She turned to the first page and started to read. But there wasn't much to read, in fact other than the name of the model and her age, the only thing on the first page was another woman, using a dildo to masturbate. Twilight flipped the page and found another woman using an overly large exhaust as a stripper pole. To the next page, a woman in nothing but a leather jacket, that was only covering her shoulders was laying on a bike. Next page gave Twilight some relief as it was text. She smiled as she started to read it. "Proper maintenance is key to a healthy bike. Make sure that tires are not worn, and the system is clear of any scum that might have formed in the tank or oil pan. If scum enters the system, it is possible for the engine to overheat and catch fire." Twilight smiled at seeing useful information in the magazine, but she was still a little disturbed that Spike had it in the first place.

She kept flipping through the pages, ignoring the many pictures of scantily clad women in very revealing positions, that was until she reached the ever-coveted center fold. But it wasn't what the model was wearing or the bike she was on, but the woman herself that made Twilight stop in her tracks. Laying on the bike, and making her breasts sandwich the fuel tank was someone Twilight remembered seeing with Spike. "She's that other woman in the photo." Said Twilight as she looked at the photo carefully. Then she found a little note on the bottom of the page. "Hope you like the gift, because it’s the only one in the world with me in it. From Chrissy." Read Twilight, now she had a name to put to the faces. "Chrissy." Said Twilight. "You may have just given me my first clue." Twilight then looked at her chest. "Damn, those are huge." Twilight looked at her chest. A modest pair of Bs. She wasn't the smallest of her friends, but she was nowhere the largest either. Rainbow had a pair of A's, Sunset, Twilight and Fluttershy, all had Bs and Rarity, AJ and Pinkie all had Cs bordering on small Ds. But right now, it didn't matter. "Besides, they probably made her boobs looked bigger and she's probably air brushed." Said Twilight as she returned the magazine under Spike's bed. She didn't want him to notice it was missing. But she completely missed the little note on the back of the magazine.

*All images are not enhanced in anyway and all models in this publication are natural to promote their natural beauty.

Back with Spike and company: Spike and his group were walking to one of the last rooms in the place that they needed to clear. So far everything had gone well, Spike did take a round to the chest, but thankfully his armor protected him, and after Ember made ground meat out of his head, Spike was glad for the single bullet.

When they reached the door. Spike stopped the group and waited for Micro's information. "Ok, Zecora just checked in, she has the west side secure, and they have 5 defectors, but Will took a shotgun to the gut, he's alive thanks to the armor, but he's in a lot of pain, and Zecora got grazed, she's fine, and it was small, but she's bleeding."

Spike growled at hearing that Zecora was hurt, but he needed to focus. "Micro, what's inside?" Asked Spike.

"Two rooms, the first doesn't have any cameras, past that is Sombra's office. I'm sorry boss, that's all I got."

Spike groaned as he looked at his tracker. There were no dots in the room meaning they had no idea what's inside. Spike looked at Ember and Gilda, they both shrugged, not having a clue on what to do now. Spike sighed as he was out of ideas as well.

But suddenly the door opened and out walked a tall woman with long artic blue hair, a short Shadow's jacket, and a few guns strapped to her thighs. "I know your here Dragon Lord. Sombra wants to have a word with you."

"Why does he want to talk now?" Asked Spike.

"Because, he just armed the explosives that will blowup this whole place, except for these two rooms."

"And if I refuse to talk with him?"

"You and your little group of dragons get blown into itty bitty pieces. Your choice."

Spike sighed as he looked at his team. "Stand down." Said Spike as he holstered his guns.

Radiant smirked. "Good choice. Leave the guns, armor, and helmet."

"The helmet stays." Said Spike as he removed his vest and guns.

Radiant looked back and noticed her boss and lover nodding his head, showing that it was fine. "Fine, you can keep the helmet." Said Radiant.

Spike nodded as he was escorted into the room, leaving the rest of the group to think of a plan on how to get out of here. Ember looked at Gilda. "What do we do?" Asked Ember.

Gilda shook her head. "I have no clue."

Micro popped up. "Lucky for you both then, I have a little surprise I never told the boss about, mainly because it might kill him, but it might not."

Ember groaned. "Well, we're dead anyways, how long will it take you to get it done?"

"I'm going to need 3 minutes." Said Micro.

Ember sighed. "Get started then."

Inside the office, Spike was sitting in front of the King of Shadows himself. Sombra was an older man probably in his late 50's maybe early 60's. He had a nice suit on that matched his black hair, but it was complemented by a large red cowlick right above his forehead. Sombra looked at Spike. "So, this is the little punk that took down Torch, I must say, I'm impressed that someone so young defeated that old man."

"No, I respect Torch, I took down the idiot that he decided let take over." Said Spike.

Sombra nodded. "Yes, I heard about Garble. I do think that Torch jumped the gun a little there, clearly, he wasn't thinking when he passed over his own daughter. But I'm happy to know that she at least found a good alternative to fall back on."

Spike growled. "How do you know Ember?"

Sombra sighed. "I've known her for most of her life, but I was around long before she was, seeing that me and Torch used to run in the same gang. Tell me, have you ever heard of the Goat's Eye?" Asked Sombra.

Spike shook his head. "No, I can't say that I have."

Sombra sighed and nodded. "I'm not surprised, not many of the new generation do... Well, right before WW2, there was a man named Grogar, he was a convict that had two choices, join the army or spend the rest of his life in jail. So, he did the smart thing, and was a messenger. They gave him a piece of shit Triumph that didn't look like it could go 5 miles let alone 500 miles. But by god he made it there and he saw the horrors of man, concentration camps, POW camps, destroyed homes, graves of children and dead soldiers left to rot in the sun, and something inside of him was elated at seeing that. But after the war was won, he was given his freedom and took his bike with him. He traveled across the country until he reached a little piss hole of a town called Canterlot. Sun, beaches and a whole new place to start his new life. He worked some crappy jobs and bought a little place right outside of the city limits. A bar named the Goat's Eye. He would get some customers every so often, watch them get drunk, then he would rob them, and blame the fact that they probably lost what he stole on them losing it while drunk. This always worked, until one day, three 20-year-old guys walked into the bar, they just got shipped back from Vietnam. They got drunk, and he tried to steal from them too, but then one of them noticed what he was doing and tried to stop him." Sombra laughed as he continued. "All three got their asses kicked by a 50-year-old man. But he saw something in them, something familiar. So, he returned the stuff and offered them a job, the only condition was that they needed to know how to ride a motorcycle. Two of them already knew how, and it didn't take the third long to figure it out." Sombra sighed.

"So, when they agreed to the job, they started down a long and dark path. First it was simple protection schemes, that Grogar learned watching the mafia in New York, but as more and more talk spread about them, more and more people joined up, giving them more power. They soon started to steal cars which at the time was huge news. So, more and more people learned of the group that the news had dubbed the Goat's Eye. But time is a constant that no one can beat. As time went on, news about the Goat's Eye's leader dropped, he was in his late 60's by the time he was finished, but to show his first three members that he was grateful for their loyalty, he gave each of them control of the city he ruled over for 30 years. Each getting one third. Torch got the west, I got the north, and Tirek got the east. That was the balance of power for the next 25 years. But then we started to feel the same effect of time, Torch was feeling it the worst and started looking for a successor. I was trying to keep up so I could do the same as Grogar, but Tirek was a greedy bastard, he wanted it all for himself, and his sights were on me first. He invaded my turf and in an act of defense I fought back, starting the war. But old man Torch, had just let us be, thinking that he didn't need to deal with this at his age."

"So, you three have run this city since Grogar?"

Sombra nodded. "Yes, that was, until you popped up Dragon Lord, and quite frankly I'm glad that you did." Said Sombra as he pulled out two things from the underside of his desk. The first was a transmitter and the other was a revolver. "That is why I'm giving you the option. You could try and kill me making me drop my transmitter, which is a dead man's switch, or you join me and become my second in command, letting me expand my empire to the west side of town and finally having enough power to follow in Grogar's legacy." Said Sombra.

Spike hummed as he was reading a message from Micro on his visor. "Oh, you're done, sorry I was just reading a message from my tech guy. I'm almost done." Said Spike as he read the last part. "Oh, I'm going to kill you the moment I get back there you idiot genius." Said Spike. Suddenly Spike's helmet started to produce a devastatingly loud buzzing sound. It was so loud that it made both Sombra and Radiant cry in pain along with Spike. "You son of a bitch, you just lost that upgrade." Groaned Spike as he tried to get to his feet to grab the gun and switch. Soon Spike was starting to lose his vision and most of his motor functions. Then a warning popped up on the helmet.

Warning, heart rate and other vital readings at unsafe levels, seek immediate help.

"Three more seconds." Shouted Micro. "2...1...0." Yelled Micro as he turned off the buzzing. "Boss, you still there?"

Spike groaned. "You’re lucky I still need you around." Said Spike as he could feel his teeth in his mind.

"Well it worked, didn't it?" Asked Micro. Spike walked over to where Sombra was lying unconscious, the transmitter was smoking and seeing that the whole place hadn't exploded, Micro’s plan to turn Spike's helmet into a signal jammer, worked.

Spike gave a laugh. "Yeah, it worked." Said Spike as he smashed the transmitter and grabbed the gun from Sombra. "Call the others to move up. The Shadows are finished." Said Spike as he took a seat in Sombra's chair.

Two hours later, Spike was walking back into the crew house with everyone that didn't stay to convert the Shadows base into a second Dragon's base. Meaning that for a while they were going to be light on G8 and G6 members at the main house. But Spike didn't care. They had the three Shadow's leaders dealt with, they had a fuck ton of new resources including almost 2 billion in cash, cars, and bikes, not to mention the guns, with the Shadows new addition to the armory, they had enough guns to make the army scared. Of course, it wasn't without sacrifice, but those who were gone did not die in vain. Spike looked at Zecora, her arm was patched up and she was talking to Chrysalis, no doubt about something they were planning to do. Then he looked at Ember, she was helping Spike around. That shot to the chest and the jamming did a number on him. But right now, he was smiling like an idiot, because right in front of him was his family.

Diamond ran over to Spike and Zecora, she had tears in her eyes when she found out that they got hurt. "Mom, Dad." Cried the girl as she hugged her family.

Zecora smiled at her daughter. "Hey Sweetie, we're home, it's ok, don't cry."

Spike smiled at Diamond. "Yeah, I made a promise to tuck you in, and I'm going to do just that for you."

"Not before you let me check your injuries." Said Red Heart as she looked at Spike and Zecora. She grabbed both and started to drag them to her office.

Once inside the office, Red Heart looked at Zecora's arm. "Ok, I'll give you some antibiotics and some pain killers to help deal with it." Said Red Heart.

Zecora smiled as she got behind Red Heart and gave her a kiss. "Thanks Red."

Red Heart then looked at Spike, he looked a lot worse without his helmet and vest. "And you, have some subdermal bruising, at least one slightly bruised rib, and your left eye is bloodshot. If you didn't have your body armor you would be dead." Said Red Heart in a disappointed tone.

Spike gave her a chuckle. "Wow, you just sounded like I can't have sex for a while."

"Because you can't, not at least for a few days." Said Red Heart.

Spike laughed. "Man, that jammer must have hurt my hearing. I thought I just heard that I can't have sex for a few days."

Zecora sighed as she had to use her Spike in denial plan. She walked over to Spike and pulled his head into her cleavage, Spike was surprised at the sudden amount of boobs around his head, but quickly got used to it. But Zecora pulled Spike out of her chest and looked at him. "Spike, no sex until your all healed up." Said Zecora giving Spike a glare as she said the words.

Spike gulped as he looked at Zecora. He had only seen that face on her once before when he decided to not go through with the foursome the first time, he had a way to get her to drop the glare, but that involved sex, which was not an option now. Having no other options, Spike nodded. "Ok, Zecora." Said Spike in a disappointed tone.

Zecora sighed as she gave Spike a hug. "Don't worry Spike, we can still sleep together."

Spike sighed. "Yeah, that helps." Said Spike.

Red Heart nodded as she was just as disappointed as Spike and Zecora, but Spike's health was more important. "Yeah, now I need to get ready for surgery, so you two go and rest." Said Red Heart as she was scrubbing up for all the bullet extractions she had to do.

Spike nodded as he got his shirt back on. "Ok, I'll go start dinner after I head to my room." Said Spike.

Red Heart nodded. "That should be fine, but nothing more than that." Said Red Heart as she shot Spike a glare.

Spike nodded. "Will do Doc, and thanks for keeping everything in line while we were gone."

Red Heart sighed. "I love you guys; I'd give my own life if it meant I could save anyone's." She walked over to Spike and gave him a kiss. When she pulled back, she smirked. "Besides, my new man still needs to give me a one on one examination." Red Heart looked down at Spike and noticed that something was ready to go at it. "Well at least one bone isn't hurt." Said Red.

Spike looked down at his crotch and blushed when he noticed he had a boner. But he wasn't going to deny it, so he played it as a complement. "Well what do you expect, the thought of us. You’re the doctor, but it doesn't take a medical degree to see that I'm aroused by you."

Red Heart smiled. "Why thank you boss, but your honeyed words are not going to get me in bed, not at least until your healed."

Spike groaned. "Damn it." Said Spike making the two women giggle.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Hey Doc, its Chrysalis, I have Boss's mask."

Spike nodded. "Come in Chrissy, you should know this too."

Chrysalis opened the door and handed Spike his mask. "What's up boss, you sound like we can't have the we won orgy."

"Wait, what orgy?" Asked Spike shocked, this was the first time he had heard about an orgy, he was expecting his three girls tonight, not an orgy.

"Um... I may have talked to a few of the single ladies in the crew, it turns out that we were a lot louder than expected and they kinda want in." Said Chrysalis as she looked sheepish.

Spike shook his head. "NOPE, NO, NA, NEJ, AU, ARA, NIEN, NIE, CHA, not going to happen, I nearly died against you three, and my number is going to have to be cut in half just to add Gilda, Sassy and Fleur. There is no way I could even think about handling anymore women, and I'm sure I don't want to."

Chrysalis smiled. "Well, that's good, because I lied, I just wanted to see if you would greenlight it."

Spike groaned. "Not cool, and for that I'm going to smash the news on you. Chrissy, I'm not allowed to have sex for a while." Said Spike.

Chrysalis dropped to her knees and cried to the heavens. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Zecora sighed as she picked up her girlfriend and started slapping her face repeatedly. She looked at Spike as she kept slapping Chrysalis. "Why am I the normal one in this relationship?" Asked Zecora.

Spike shrugged. "Too smart for his own good."

"I'm new and kinda addicted to him." Said Red as she pointed at Spike.

"Aw, I love it when your rough with me, but maybe next time go for my other cheeks." Said Chrysalis.

Zecora sighed as she released Chrysalis, picked up Spike, and walked out of the office without saying a word.

Red Heart sighed. "I'm guessing she's the one who wears the pants?"

Chrysalis nodded. "Yes, very much so."

Red Heart groaned. "Get out, I still need to help the others."

Chrysalis giggled as she got behind Red and whispered into her ear. "I'm getting out my back-collection tonight, would you like to join me?"

Red Heart gulped and blushed but nodded. Chrysalis smiled at hearing this. "Good, and for doing such a great job, you can use Bruno." Red Heart's eyes went wide as Chrysalis left the office.

When Spike and Zecora made it to his room, they found Diamond sitting on the couch. Spike looked at Diamond, he noticed that in her hands were the gun and letter. Spike sighed. "Zecora, I can walk." Said Spike.

Zecora nodded as she put Spike on the ground, he walked over to Diamond and took a seat next to her. "Hey, thank you for holding on to these for me." Said Spike.

"I hate you." Said Diamond. "I HATE YOU!" Yelled the clearly very upset little girl.

This surprised Spike and Zecora, Diamond never yelled. "Diamond what is this about?" Asked Spike.

She showed the letter, the envelope had been opened. "Why, why would you think I would just accept this?" Asked Diamond as she started to cry.

Spike sighed as he knew the exact part she was talking about. "Because, that is what any good parent would do. Make sure that their kid is safe. Give them a better life whenever possible."

"Well you're wrong, there is no way my life would be better if you two weren't in it."

Zecora sighed as she took a seat on the other side of Diamond. "Sweetie, at first I was just as mad as you when I found out about the letter, but he's right, we have to just roll with the punches and make things better for ourselves, especially after facing hardship. I fear for the day that we can't be with you, but I pray every night that day never comes, but that does not mean it won't, so Spike was prepared just in case it ever does."

Spike sighed. "Diamond, in the eyes of the law, we have no relationship. I say bullshit, I wasn't sure that I wasn't going to be put in foster care when my parents died, The Sparkles could have just said toss him into the system until his relatives get a life. But they didn't, we were not related, they had no legal obligation to take me in, but they took care of me, gave me a roof over my head, and a family to love, and I know they would do anything to make sure I was safe. Sound familiar?"

Diamond sighed. "Have you always been this smug when your right?"

Spike gave a chuckle as he shrugged. "Only since the day I was born, but I have noticed it has gotten worse since I met Zecora."

Zecora sighed. "I called his smug grin cute back when we were dating, his ego ran with that." Said Zecora.

Spike laughed. "Dating? Zecora, You told me that you loved me after having lunch for the second time, which was when you just tagged along, when I was going to pick something up for me, and we had sex that night, we never actually went on a date.... Holy crap. We've never gone on a real date; we have a 14-year-old daughter and I've never taken you on a date."

Zecora giggled. "Shh, it's ok Spike, I don't mind, your busy with school, I'm busy with the crew, I understand."

Spike sighed. "I should have known. I'm an idiot."

Zecora nodded. "Yes, you are, but you’re my idiot, date or not, I am Zecora Drake, you are my loving husband Wilhelm Drake, and we have a beautiful girl named Diamond Tiara. I love you both, I love the life we live, and I really don't have a third one." Said Zecora.

Both Diamond and Spike were laughing at the fact Zecora admitted that she didn't have a third thing. Which made her blush. "Stop that, it's not funny."

Spike sighed as he wiped his eye. "I'm sorry, but it really was." Said Spike as he pulled his loving wife into a hug. "Still doesn't make what you said any less impactful though. I love you Zecora, please forgive your idiot husband for not taking you on a date?"

Zecora smiled as she gave Spike a boop to the nose. "I made plans for the three of us to go camping in three weeks. Then I made reservations at the Royal Canterlot for the presidential suite, for 3 days for 7 in 5 weeks. Since I won, I get my prize."

Spike smiled. "A deal is a deal, consider it a date." Said Spike, he looked at Diamond, she still had the letter and revolver. 'Right, that's where we started.' Thought Spike. "Diamond, it looks like we got a little off track, but do you understand why I wrote what I did?" Asked Spike.

Diamond nodded. "I do, but it doesn't make me feel any better."

Spike nodded. "And it shouldn't, the thought of losing your parents is going to be devastating, but the only way to get past it, is to move on and it's best done with help." Said Spike as he took the gun and the letter. Spike walked over to his chair and slid off the arm rest, he released the cylinder and ejected the 6 rounds, returning them to the chair, but there were still 6 missing. "Diamond, where are the other 6 rounds?" Asked Spike.

Diamond looked sheepish as she tried to change the topic. "So, mom, could you help me get ready for my date with Silver?" Asked Diamond.

Zecora smiled. "Of course Sweetie, now tell your father where those bullets are."

Diamond played innocent. "I don't know, hey I think I hear my phone ringing; I should probably go answer it."

Spike looked at the gun, he checked the barrel with his finger, and it was black. "You fired the gun!" Yelled Spike.

Zecora looked at Diamond. "YOU WHAT?"

Diamond gave a weak chuckle. "Um... If it helps, Sassy said it was ok."

Spike growled. "Grounded, one week, no ifs, ands or buts, young lady, I told you not to use this gun unless absolutely necessary. Your date is canceled." Said Spike.

Diamond looked to her mother for help. "No, your ass is in trouble young lady, I whole hardily agree with your father. Silver Spoon will have to wait."

Diamond groaned. She knew she messed up if Zecora was angry. "But... I am a fair man, if you tell me why you fired the gun, no lies, no blaming others, and no excuses, I'll be lenient." Said Spike.

Diamond sighed. "Silver likes guns."

This took the wind out of Spike. "Grounded daughter say what?"

"Silver Spoon's family goes to a country club every weekend, her father, mother, and older brother are all target shooters, and she is as well, she invited me to come and shoot, and I said yes."

Spike groaned. "And you have never held a gun other than that little rust can, when you first tried to shoot, so you tried to learn the basics with the pistol."

Diamond nodded. "Sassy showed me how to breathe, aim, and stand, and I actually did pretty good. I hit the target 5 times, but then I got cocky and missed the 6th."

Spike sighed. "And your telling me the absolute truth, not one letter is a lie?" Diamond nodded. "Your still grounded."

"What, but you said..."

"I know what I said, and I'm not going back on my word, you just didn't let me finish. Your grounded, for 3 days, where you will have 3 jobs, one for each day, starting Monday. You will wash all my and your mother’s bikes after I drop you off Monday. Tuesday you will be going to the range and helping restock all the guns with Thorax and Pharynx and Wednesday you will be helping Capper in G1. When is your date?" Asked Spike.

"Saturday."

"And for the rest of the week, I will be teaching you how to shoot for your date." Said Spike.

"Dear, remember we are meeting your family next week."

Spike nodded. "Right, small change, your punishment starts tomorrow, same order, and you’re going to meet your grandmother and Aunt Wednesday." Said Spike.

"But it's Sunday, I should be relaxing."

Spike nodded. "I'm told that washing cars and bikes can be very relaxing." Said Spike. "That is my final offer."

Diamond groaned. "Fine, I hope your happy with yourself."

Spike smiled. "I am." Said Spike in a smug tone.

Diamond growled as she walked out of the room. Spike sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "That's very sweet of you Spike, but were you really going to make her cancel her date?" Asked Zecora.

Spike shook his head. "No, I just wanted her to know that I value the truth over what I want to hear, If she lied to me, then yes I would cancel the date, and probably take away her birthday present to boot, but since she was truthful, I'm setting an example for her."

"I love you Spike, but I can't wait until she tries to sneak out to a party."

Spike sighed. "Really, you had to bring that up, now I got to get Micro to develop a micro tracker and then I got to get Sassy to tag her with it."

"You are not chipping our daughter."

"It's that or I train Fluffy to track her down from across town."

"Or you have faith in her, knowing that she will make the right decisions."

"Oh, I have faith in her, I don't have faith in teenagers who can't keep it in their pants." Said Spike.

Zecora giggled. "Says the 17-year-old with 6 women in his little harem."

Spike coughed. "It's different, I'm her father."

Zecora smiled. "Sure."

Spike sighed. "Zecora, am I a good father?" Asked Spike.

Zecora sighed. "Honestly, no, but that's ok, your 17, dealing with an emotional teenage girl, who was abused by her mother. No one would be ready for that kind of shift. Normally parents learn how to be parents by being parents, starting with babies, then once that is done, they move on to dealing with toddlers and tantrums, then they get daddies little girl or mommies little boy. By the time the kid is ready for school, that's when all hell breaks loose, yelling, lies, cost, school projects. But as the child grows older, they think they're better than the one who raised them and do reckless things."

Spike sighed. "I'm not feeling better about my situation right now."

"Oh, hush you, but it’s the absolute worse for teenagers. They think they're fully independent, and they think they are the center of the universe. But by this time the parents are smart enough to go with it, but change the flow to guide them in the right direction. But you on the other hand, skipped to the teenager chapter, and are trying to catch up, while trying to get out of that chapter yourself. So, you’re not a good father, what you are is a parent that is trying to do his best."

Spike sighed. "But you’re a great mother to her."

Zecora kissed Spike's cheek. "A wolf would be a better mother than Spoiled was to Diamond. Plus, I've been in her shoes before, I know how to defuse most situations."

Spike sighed. "We're trying our best for her, and that is what she needs."

Zecora nodded. "Yeah."

Suddenly Spike's phone rang. He pulled it out and noticed it was his mother. "Speak of a mother and she will call. Hey mom, what's up?" Asked Spike.

"Nothing, but you owe Twilight for cleaning up your room, you left a pigsty and she made it into a bedroom again." Said Velvet.

'Wait, I thought I locked my door when I left. I must have forgot.' "Fine I'll owe Twi. So, anything big happen?" Asked Spike.

"Wait, you haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"The Shadows have been taken out by the Dragon Riders, it's all over the news. Apparently one of them even saved a group of hostages earlier."

"Really, this is news to me, what happened?"

"I have no clue, no one is saying anything about it, but everyone heard about it."

Spike sighed. "That's cool, but I'm kinda biked out, me and my friends just got a ton of great stuff today, and we're all exhausted."

"Oh, ok Sweetie, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Spike shook his head. "No, not really..." Then he felt a tapping on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Zecora looking at him. "What?"

"Let me talk to her."

"Why?" Asked Spike.

"I want to have some formal communication before I meet her." Said Zecora.

"Spike, Sweetie, you still there?" Asked Velvet.

"Yeah mom, I'm still here, but my friend wants to talk to you for some reason."

Velvet gasped. "Well give them the phone."

Spike sighed as he gave the phone to Zecora and left the room to go start dinner. "Hello, it's wonderful to finally get to talk to you." Said Zecora.

"Ok, let’s cut to the chase girly. I'm not an idiot, and it doesn't take more than 2 brain cells to figure out that Spike has a girlfriend that he has been sleeping with. So, I'm going to ask you a few questions, and if you do not answer them all, I will find you and I will never let you see my son again. First have you and Spike had sex?"

"Yes."

"Does he wear a condom?"

"No, only because I am unable to have children. But the first time we did, he insisted on it."

"Do you love him?"

"I do, more than anything else in the world."

Velvet sighed. "I'm giving you one chance to answer this last question, only one. Are you going to break his heart?"

"The day I do, is the day I die, Ms. Velvet. Spike is a wonderful man, he helped me when I moved to this country, he showed me kindness, that I didn't earn, I have told only 7 other people about my condition, Spike being the first. I don't care what you may think of me, knowing that I have slept with him. But I'm willing to bear it all just to be by his side, so long as he will have me, because I love him."

Velvet was silent, she was not expecting that response. "Oh, now I kinda feel like an ass for giving you the third degree, please forgive my rudeness?"

"Do not worry, I have seen many mothers do and say much worse. But I know it in my heart that if Spike wasn't in my life, I wouldn't be here."

"I think Amanda would have loved you."

"Yes, I truly wish I would have gotten the chance to meet his parents, but he still has a loving mother that wants to protect him."

"So, tell me about yourself Ms..."

"Zecora."

"Zecora, please, tell me about yourself, I want to get to know the woman that stole my son's heart."

"Well, I'm from a small village in west Africa, but after I was told that I was unable to have children, I was forced to leave my home."

Velvet gasped. "That's horrible, who would force a child to leave her home at such a young age?"

"Young age? I was 16 when I made it to the big city and started going to school to get my degree."

"Degree?"

"Yes, I have a master’s in accounting, but there were very few jobs for a woman like me, so after saving enough money, I came to the US in search for a better life. That did not go well. No one would hire a woman that at the time couldn't speak English and had a degree from a school in Africa. I was almost out of money when I first ran into Spike, 2 and a half years ago. I was walking out of a flower shop that was looking for a book keeper, and they rejected me, because they couldn't understand what I was saying. But this was nothing new to me, I was in a cheap motel looking for a job. But on that day, everything that I went through in my life made since. Because he somehow noticed how upset I was and offered to buy me a real meal. Me a total stranger, down on her luck, and a young man offers to buy me a meal, where I'm from that was unheard of. But I was sick of eating cheap vending machine food and I really didn't have much of a choice. So, he took me to a little bistro around the corner and offered to buy me anything and everything I wanted until I was full. The only problem was I couldn't read or even order food. Of course, Spike didn't know that at the time, but he figured it out quickly when I spent three minutes trying to say the word pickle in English." Zecora laughed at the memory. "Not my best moment, so he ordered for me, and we took a seat waiting for our order. We just sat there in silence for what felt like forever, and I knew I needed to say something to him for everything he did for me. So, I just told him my name."

(AN: All Zecora's line's will be said in her native language, until Spike gets a translator.)

"Zecora." Said Zecora in her native language.

Spike looked at Zecora. "Hmm, is that your name?"

"Zecora."

Spike sighed. "I have no idea what you’re saying, do you know any English?"

"Zecora."

Spike groaned as he pulled out his phone, he then pulled up a world map and turned it to Zecora. "Home?" Asked Spike.

Zecora was confused but pointed to Africa, Spike smiled and zoomed in on Africa. Zecora nodded as she understood what Spike wanted her to do, so she started looking for Mauritania, her home country. Spike looked at the phone and pulled up a list of known languages spoken in Mauritania. "Tell me when you can understand me." Said Spike. His message started with the most used language, Arabic. Zecora was confuse when she heard it. "Nope, let’s go to the next one."

This continued until he reached Bambara one of the least spoken in Mauritania but one of the most popular in Mali. "Tell me when you can understand me." Said Spike.

Zecora gasped. "There." Cheered Zecora.

Spike smiled at finally breaking the communication wall. Spike started the conversation. "My name is Spike, what is your name?"

"My name is Zecora."

Spike smiled. "Ok, so why were you just saying your name?"

"It is the only thing I know how to say in English."

"Oh. Is that it?"

Zecora nodded. "Yes, I did not plan for such a problem to occur when I let my home to start a new life."

"Oh, what happened?"

"I rather not talk about it."

Spike nodded. "Hey, I understand, we all have secrets, and not everything is meant to be known. Wait, I'm sorry for ordering for you, do you want me to go up there and change your order?" Asked Spike.

Zecora gasped as she shook her head. "No, you don't have to, I'm not worth the trouble."

"Trouble? Why would you say that?" Asked Spike. Zecora remained silent. "Ok, I get it, don't want to talk about it, but trust me, it's no trouble at all." Said Spike.

Zecora blushed as she couldn't believe that someone was going through so much for someone like her. She grabbed Spike's phone and walked over to the counter with him. Spike looked over to Zecora and smiled that she was interested in her order. Spike looked at the menu and told Zecora what it was, and ultimately, she chose a BMT with lettuce. Spike looked to the owner of the shop; an Italian man named Donny. "Yo, Donny, can we add a BMT with lettuce to our order?"

"Fine, I'll ring you up in a minute." Said Donny as he was working in the back cutting two orders of ham for the first two sandwiches.

Spike nodded as he smiled at Zecora. "See, no trouble at all."

Zecora blushed as she couldn't help but smile back at the kindness of Spike. Donny brought out Spike's order and rung up the BMT. "That'll be another 5.95."

Spike nodded and handed him 10$. "Here and keep the rest for working so quick to make the sandwiches."

Donny smiled at Spike. "Sure, have fun on your date kid."

Spike blushed. "Donny, it's not a date, I'm just buying lunch for us."

"So, your buying lunch for a cute young lady, sounds kinda like a date."

"Don't you have something to do in the back?" Asked Spike.

"Yes, but they can wait."

Spike sighed. "Shut up." Said Spike as he walked away with the food in his arms. Zecora followed Spike back.

30 minutes later, Spike was finishing off his sandwich and Zecora was finishing her 5th one. Spike looked at Zecora. "Wow, you have a healthy appetite." Said Spike.

Zecora shook her head. "No, I've only eaten vending machine junk for the last week."

Spike was a little surprised. "Really, but don't you have a job?"

Zecora shook her head. "No, I've been looking for a while, but because of my inability to speak English, no one would hire me, I've been living in a cheap motel for almost a month, and I'm really desperate to find a job or I'll be on the street."

Spike sighed. "Hey, listen, I have a place that I've been fixing up with a few friends of mine, your welcome to stay there, if you want, free of charge. Plus, Ember's a pretty good cook, so she can make you 3 square meals."

Zecora was hesitant, she knew that when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. She didn't know anything about Spike, for all she knew, this was a ploy to kidnap and rape her. Zecora was about to run for her life, looking at the door to the bistro. Spike noticed her actions and figured that she was thinking something. Spike sighed. "I had a feeling this would happen, you’re probably thinking that I'm lying to get you alone, then I'll kidnap or rape you, right?"

Zecora froze in her seat, she was worried that she was going to be killed. "No, why would you think that?" Asked Zecora in a forced tone.

"Because I'm not an idiot, I bought you lunch, offered to take you to a place you don't know, and you don't really know me, if I were in your shoes, I would think I was in trouble." Said Spike as he grabbed a napkin from the dispenser, Spike started to write something on the napkin and handed it to Zecora. "The place is here, if you think I'm someone dangerous call 911 and give them this address, but if you’re interested in having a place to call home, I will happily greet you with open arms." Said Spike as he got out of his seat. Spike walked over to Donny. "Donny, keep my tab open, she's open to anything and everything until she leaves."

Donny nodded. "Will do, your very kind to do this for her Spike."

Spike shrugged. "Life sucks, but it's easier with others around to make it better." Said Spike as he walked out of the bistro.

Zecora looked at the napkin, it had directions and the address on it as well as Spike's phone number if she ever wanted to call Spike. Zecora smiled at the napkin. "Spike." Said Zecora in English.

"And that was how I knew Spike was someone special, and what I would soon figure out was the first instance of my love for him." Said Zecora as she finished her story.

Velvet sighed. "First, trust me, Spike would of never done something like that, I raised him to respect women, second, that is something Spike would have done, I'm surprised he didn't give you the shirt off his back when he heard that."

Zecora giggled. "I know, but back in school, it was dangerous for women, so I wasn't going to take his words at face value, but I know now that those thoughts were just clouding my view of him. And the moment that I brought him to my motel room to help me gather my stuff, he really did offer his shirt to me. I'm not proud of how I was living back then. I had 3 shirts, one pair of pants, one skirt to look professional and that's it."

Velvet sighed. "Zecora, I'm sorry for everything that you had to go through, I wish I had known, I would have offered you a place in my home. Regardless, Spike is sometimes too dense to see something important, and I can tell you do love him, so if you will have him even through those bouts of idiocy, I would be happy to forget that you have been having sex with my son, and the fact that you are older than him by..."

"6 years." Said Zecora.

"6 YEARS?" Yelled Velvet. "Your 6 years older than Spike?"

Zecora gulped. "Um...Yes."

Velvet sighed. "Why is my son in a relationship with a 24-year-old woman?" muttered Velvet.

"Ms. Velvet are you still there?"

"Yes, I am. Zecora, I am shocked to hear that, but I can accept the age difference, just as long as you make him happy."

"I hope every day that I do."

Suddenly Spike walked into his office to tell Zecora that dinner was ready. "Hey, dinner is ready." Said Spike.

Zecora nodded. "Velvet there is one last thing that I forgot to mention. I don't think I could live without Spike's cooking."

Velvet laughed. "He learned that from his mother. She was always a great cook. Tell Spike I love him, treat him right Zecora, and I can't wait to meet you. Have a nice night."

"You too." Said Zecora as she hung up the phone. She looked at Spike. "She seems nice." Said Zecora as she walked over to Spike and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Plus, I think she likes me."

In the Sparkle house, Velvet was going crazy, she was not expecting to like Spike's girlfriend, who as it turns out was 24 years old, and yet she could hear the loving tone in her voice every time she mentioned Spike. The same loving tone that Nightlight lost when he started having his affair. Velvet sighed. "If you hurt him, I will rip out your heart Temple of Doom style and feed it to my pet Pitbull Fluffy." Said Velvet as she started looking for a dress to wear when Zecora and her meet next week.

Spike smiled at Zecora. "You didn't tell her that we've been sleeping together right, because if you did, I'll be dead long before we even go on our little trips." Said Spike.

Zecora gulped. "Of course not, Spike, why would I do something that stupid?"

Spike smiled. "Cool, come on, Ember is pouring those bottles she brought back and she's going to tell us what she did with her clutch."

Zecora smiled as she walked with Spike to the kitchen.

When they got to the kitchen Zecora looked at the meal that Spike had made for the crew. It was a large pot roast in a giant crock pot. Spike smiled at Zecora. "I started it before we left and it starting to fall apart."

Zecora smiled at Spike. "I'm glad to be home."

"Me too." Said Spike. He looked at the line of members. "Ok, there is plenty so grab some, and go eat." Said Spike. The crew didn't need to be told twice as in the first 10 minutes the 14 pound roast was down to 1 pound.

Spike was sitting with Ember and his inner circle. They were all ready to see Spike take his first drink and even Micro was willing to celebrate their victory, but Diamond was not getting any, she got a bottle of cider, the closest thing she was going to get to alcohol until she is 35, Spike's words. Ember brought out 20 shot glasses and the two bottles of once in a life time hooch, worth more than a second hand car. Ember opened both bottles and poured a single of both for everyone. Spike looked at the booze in front of him. "Come on Boss, you just led an attack on a rival gang, booze is the least of your problems." Said Ember.

Spike sighed as he really couldn't argue with her statement. "Another day we live, another day we ride, another day together. We ride like dragons in the sky, until we all see death in our eyes." Said Spike, he had come up with that credo when the Dragon Riders became big. It was also for those who have died with them, to show that one day they will be together again. Spike smiled at his family. "To the Dragon Riders, past and future."

"To those we have seen off, and the ones who will do the same to us." Said Everyone in honor of the bond each member shares. "The Dragon's fire is eternal."

Spike sighed as he took the shot of rum and drank it. He promptly gagged at the taste, but mostly the burn in his throat, Micro and Gilda did the same. Leaving all the legal adults to laugh at the nondrinkers. Spike groaned. "How do you guys drink that crap?" Asked Spike.

Zecora giggled at Spike. "It takes time to get a taste for its Sweetie. Don't worry." Said Zecora as she took a sip of the rum. She started coughing. "Wow, that's like trying to swallow a brick, but damn if it's not great."

Everyone laughed. Spike moved his glass of scotch over to Zecora. "Here have mine." Micro and Gilda moved their drinks over to Ember and Chrysalis, both took the drink without protest.

Zecora smiled. "Don't worry, I still love you." Said Zecora as she gave Spike a hug.

Spike sighed. "Love you too." He looked at Ember. "So, Ember, you mentioned a guy name Red and I saw how pumped up you were, care to explain what happened?" Asked Spike.

Ember smiled. "Yeah, so when I was pinned down in an alley, I decided to break into a shop..."

Author's Notes:

The Story will be told in Rise of the Wolves.

https://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/RealHandSignals.gif

Please note that any description of Zecora's home doesn't reflect the real world actions of anyone in Mauritania.