My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season V

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 5: Dragon's Honour

As the sun rose to start a new day in United Equestria, many ponies and other creatures stepped out of their homes, ready to start their daily routines.

A nice song played as even Lightning and the gang sang along as they started their days.

Everyone seemed so happy, or excited that day... however, Spike seemed a little down in the dumps as he sang his own verse to the song.

As Spike walked sadly down the path on his beat, he was being watched from dark places by his enemy; the Black Dragon Knight.

Who knew what sinister plot she was concocting?

Later that day Rarity was hard at work preparing for her wedding. Today she was working on the Flower-Filly dress; one for Sweetie Belle, and one for her each of her friends, The Cutiemark Crusaders.

“Hold still, Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said “Remember, a dress is only as perfect and as still as the one who wears it.”

Sweetie didn’t get that, but she complied “How much longer do I have to? My legs are getting tired.”

“I just have a few more pins to put in.” her sister said, and then a moment later, she was done, and removed the sample fabrics from her little sister.

Sweetie practically flopped off the stool, and rubbed her legs to warm them up. “I think you’re spending too much time on all this.”

Rarity double gasped in shock!

“Sweetie Belle! This is my wedding we’re talking about. The day I have long since dreamed of since I was your age, and I want every bit of it to be as perfect as I imagined it. So much to do and so little time.”

Her sister shrugged, but she was looking forward to the wedding herself. She and her friends would get to be the Flower Fillies again, and having Spike as a brother-in-law, she thought that would be fun, even if Spike was a dragon.

But that all wasn’t for some time, and she had a school project to work on.

The assignment was to figure out the best way to learn about someone and get to know them, and Crusaders decided to learn about others by taking a small census-- asking questions

All four of them went around town asking all their friends, or other ponies they knew a set of simple but official questions as references for their work, and each participate was to sign their questionnaire as proof.

Scootaloo and DD were flying about looking for someone else to interview.

“With all these signatures, we’ll have the best report in class.” said Scootaloo.

“I just hope we can find someone else to talk to.” said DD.

They were about to get their chance when Rainbow Dash zoomed right past them, making them spin like tops and they softly plopped onto the ground a few feet below.

Rainbow zipped right back to them “Whoa! Sorry about that girls. I guess I was going a little too fast.”

“I’ll say you were.” said DD “Getting some training in?”

“Aw, yeah… we Starfleeters and Wonderbolts have to be ready for anything. Plus, I can’t go a day without flying.”

Scootaloo really admired her dearly or such dedication and coolness. “Say, Rainbow Dash, would you participate in our census for our school project.”

“Sure I would.”

The girls smiled and got their clips boards ready “Just some simple questions here…” said Scootaloo “First Question: What is your name?”

Rainbow’s feature changed and she felt a bit awkward “But… you already know my name.

“Well, know that…” said DD “It’s just that in a census all the questions have to be very official. Just play along, okay?”

“Okay…” she cleared her throat “Major Rainbow Dash.”

As she answered the questions, the girls wrote them down on their clipboards, and checked off boxes.

The other questions were… and Rainbow answered them.

Where do you live?
“New Cloudsdale, United Equestria.”

What it your favorite color?
“Is Rainbow a color…? Oh, heck, I’ll just say Blue.”

What is your favorite word?
“Speed.” ‘Cause I got the need for it.”

The final question was a fun one: “Do you know how to dance?”

“You bet I do…” said Rainbow, and suddenly got down into a groovy disco beat as music played and lights flashed from out of nowhere.

The girls even jived with her.

Rainbow was then asked to sign the questionnaire sheet as proof they interviewed her, and the girls were very grateful.

“Thanks, Rainbow.” Said Scootaloo.

“Anything for you kids. Well, gotta fly…!” and she took off like a speeding comet.

“I wonder how the others are making out.” DD wondered.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had collected many signatures from many ponies who were obliged to help out with their project.

“I can hardly wait for your sister’s weddin’ day.” Said Applebloom, which made Sweetie Belle sigh “It’s hard enough to get Rarity to stop talking about it.”

“Well, sorry, but ya know how excited I get, especially since we’re the Flower-Fillies, again.”

That was exciting to think about, for they and their friends had been Flower-Fillies at many prestigious wedding already.

“Do you think maybe that’s our specialty?” Sweetie Belle asked with excitement, but she and Applebloom looked at their flanks. “Nope… still nothin’.”

They both sighed, and then continued on their way. As they walked through town they suddenly could see Spike walking up the street, and he looked awfully glum. His shoulders were slumped forward and his head was hanging low, and he was softly singing…

With his patrol rounds complete, he sat on a bench by himself, and looked glummer than ever.

The girls hated seeing someone so glume, particularly a good friend.

The others came along with all their signatures, but could see there was a problem already.

“What’s with Spike?” asked DD.

“He looks like he lost his best friend.” said Scootaloo.

“You know what this means, girls…” said Applebloom.

“It’s up to us to try and cheer him up.” added Sweetie Belle.

All four of them joined hands together and declared their name “CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS!!”

Spike was sulking miserably on the bench, and he gazed down into his claws, and then he looked down and saw his reflection in a small puddle. He stared grimly at his face and shook his head in dismay.

“I’ve seen happier faces in a frowning contest.” said Applebloom.

Spike looked up “Oh, hey girls…”

“Why so glum?” asked Scootaloo.

“Oh, it’s nothing really.”

The girls were not convinced. “That sounds like a pretty big nothing.” said DD “Come on, Spike, you can tell us, and we want to help.”

Spike didn’t see any harm, but then again “I don’t think anyone can help me out of this one.” he said.

“Try us…” said Sweetie.

Spike hesitated for a moment and finally let it out “It’s just… after all this time, I still don’t know who am.”

The girls felt confused. “But we know who you are, and so does all of United Equestria.” said Scootaloo.

Spike shook his head “I mean who I really am. Where did I come from? Who were my family? What would I have been if things were different?”

Now the girls understood, and honestly were drawing the same blank as he. Even with all the information ponies now had about dragons, none of it could give Spike the answers he sought.

He was found as an egg by Celestia, and given to Twilight when he hatched. It was she who named him Spike…

Just thinking of that made him really miss Twilight more, even though she was never able to fully help him find the answers.

Nobody he knew had the answer to his past, not even their Royal majesties. Even Celestia, who found him as an egg, could hardly tell him anything.

“Did you talk about this with Rarity?” asked Sweetie, but then she realized “What am I saying? All she wants to talk about is the wedding.”

“No, we talk about it.” Spike said “And of course, I don’t regret what I am today. I know I’m lucky to be who I am, and marrying Rarity soon.” he said “I just really wish I knew more, that’s all.”

He thanked the girls for their concern and then left, still looking a little grim.

“Poor Spike…” said DD “I wish we could help him.”

“Maybe we can.” said Sweetie Belle “We can help him try to find some answers.”

Applebloom didn’t seem so keen about the idea “But you heard him; if no one else could find answers, how can we?”

“Well, we can try…” said Scootaloo “After all, remember our motto: Never to give up.”

Remembering that well, the group agreed to begin their new quest to help Spike, and they did their club cheer again.

“THE CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS!!”

The first place they went was the town library, which was much bigger than the old Golden Oak Library Twilight once had, before it go torn down, but all her old books, tomes and parchments were donated to the library, as well as many books from Unicornicopia, containing stories and many text-books with information all over the galaxy.

The girls looked through many Equestrian history books as they could, but were soon overly exhausted from all that information.

“Find anything yet?” asked Scootaloo.

Sweetie yawned and said “Only how incredibly tiring this is.”

Lightning and Starla came along, having returned some books they borrowed for their studies. Krysta and her adopted son, Prince Twink

“My goodness, look at you girls.” said Lightning.

“I never thought you had to study this much for a project.” added Starla.

They knew about the girls’ little census, having already been interviewed themselves.

“This isn’t for our project.” said DD.

“We’re trying to help Spike.” added Scootaloo.

The girls told them everything, and the gang all understood completely. “I know how he feels.” said Krysta “I remember when I didn’t remember who I was and where I came from.”

This was the first time Twink ever heard of this. “You didn’t remember?”

His mother shook her head, but the story was a bit too long, and Twink was a little too young to understand. “You’ll understand when you get older, dear.”

“As for Spike…” Starla said “It’s nice you girls want to help, but for once, even I don’t think it’ll be so easy to get answers this time.”

Lightning nodded “I’ve studied many of these books over, and never found a clue, but and every chance I get I keep looking for something that may help Spike, but I just never found it. I may not ever find it, and maybe neither will Spike.”

The girls felt a little discouraged.

“I’m not trying to be mean girls. It’s just that… sometimes, no matter how hard you try to look; some things are just lost and may never be found. There’s either no proof to back it up, or it just doesn’t exist, but still, if you want to try… that’s good too.”

The girls decided to keep on trying, and Lightning and Co headed for the front-doors.

Meanwhile, Spike headed back to the boutique, and he felt little better now that he was home where he lived with his bride-to-be, but the second he laid his claws on the door, he suddenly smelled that familiar scent.

“It’s her…!” he hissed softly.

Inside, Rarity was coming down stairs when she could see him through the windows just standing on the porch, still as a statute.

She opened the door. “Spike… what are you?”

“Shh…” he said and he continued to sniff the air “It’s Black Dragon Knight. She’s close by, I know it.”

The both looked around and Rarity moved closer to him “You should get inside with me.”

“Except for one problem…” said Spike and he quickly spun round and punched Rarity hard sending her flying hard into a tree “…You’re not Rarity! I can smell the difference!”

The real Rarity came walking down the street, returning from a shopping spree with bags of fabric and stuff to make the wedding outfits with.

“Spike!” she cried “What in United Equestria is going on here?” Then she could see her imposter stand up and she gasped and stammered. “It… it looks like… ME!!”

The imposter Rarity’s eyes glowed red and she ROARED furiously and transformed into the Black Dragon Knight.

Rarity screamed!

“Silence!” shouted Black Dragon Knight “You try my patience with that horrid sound!”

“What do you want here?” cried Rarity.

“From you… nothing… it’s he that I’m after. A matter of Dragon’s Honour, which he has none of.”

Spike extended his claws and snarled furiously.

Rarity walked up to his side, but he held out his arm telling her to stay back “Let me handle this…”

“But Spike…”

“Just do as I say!” he said firmly.

Rarity practically winced at his attitude, having never seen this side of him before.

Spike then walked towards his enemy.

“How horribly disgraceful…” she said “You stand yourself up to defend that ugly rotten creature.”

Rarity’s features hardened “Ugly? UGLY?!” she shouted “You see here you--” but before she could continue, Black Dragon Knight fired a small black flame near her, causing explosions and knocking her in the mud, getting it all over her nice clothes and all over her shopping.

“Rarity!” cried Spike.

“Make that ugly, rotten, and annoying.” hissed Black Dragon Knight.

Rarity was covered from face to toe in mud, and her shopping was all splotched. She burst into tears whining and bawling.

Spike had had his fill now.

“Dragon Power!”

He transformed and drew his sword. “No one pushes Rarity around like that in front of me and gets away with it!”

Black Dragon Knight drew her sword and the two dashed toward each other in a duel.

Rarity, though still feeling really upset about her appearance and ruined shopping, ran to the nearest lamppost by her property, unlocked the big red box, and sounded the general alarm.

Lightning, Starla and Rainbow heard the alarms. “That’s coming from over by Rarity’s place. Let’s move!”

The ponies hustled off, and Twink felt excited to see some action, but Krysta wouldn’t allow him to follow. “Aw, mom…”

“No, Twink… you’re much too little, and this is too dangerous.” said Krysta.

“Ah, gee, I just want to have a little fun.”

“This is not fun.” Krysta said.

Twink, pouted, but then again he just didn’t understand the dangers all that much for a fairy his age.

Spike and Black Dragon Knight were brawling like crazier; more fiercely than when last they had fought. They’re battle even took to the skies as they flew about clashing their blades, and clawing at one another.

Poor Rarity couldn’t bear to watch this, and tried to transform, but could barely find her energizer-insignia under all the mud on her armor. So she flew up as she was.

“I’m coming, Spike!” she called.

Black Dragon Knight saw her, and kicked Spike away hard, then drew in a huge breath “BLACK FIRE!”

The shot barely missed her and caused her to start sailing towards the ground.

“Rarity!” cried Spike. He tried to dash down to save her, but Black Dragon Knight zipped right in front of him and punched him hard sending him higher into the sky.

Rarity continued to fall, but at the last ten feet, she was scooped up by Rainbow Dash. “And the Dash completes another save!” she boasted.

The others arrived just as Rainbow set Rarity down.

“Are you alright?” asked Starla.

“Never mind me!” cried Rarity and she pointed up, and everyone could see Black Dragon Knight.

“Oh, it’s you again.” she scoffed “This does not concern you, so I’ll say it once; stay out of my way.”

“Let’s get her!” shouted Lightning, and all three of them charged up at her.

Three on one, but Black Dragon Knight fought mercilessly; slashing, and kicking them all away from her with ease and such strength.

Rainbow got knocked like a baseball, and was sent soaring through the clouds.

“STARLIGHT ARROW!”

Starla fired her shot, but Black Dragon Knight simply stood and took the direct hit… and nothing happen. She didn’t even flinch. “Pathetic!” she hissed, and zipped forth.

Starla threw her fist forth, but her Black Dragon Knight quickly zipped again, and appeared behind her. Starla turned just in time to get socked right good and hard.

Lightning was furious, and rushed in, furiously punching and kicking, but Black Dragon Knight skillfully swerved and evaded each blow, and managed to grab his fists in her claws with such crushing force.

Lightning struggled and fussed to break free, but it was no good. Black Dragon Knight snickered, and then flexed her neck and head-bashed Lightning hard, sending him skidding along the ground and crashing into a big tree.

Rarity gasped hard! All three of her friends looked really beat after just a short battle, and she still couldn’t seem to wipe the mud away from her energizer-- the more she tried, the more muddy it got, not to mention making her dirtier-- it was no good for her.

Black Dragon Knight gazed pitifully at all the ponies. “Are you about done being foolish yet?”

Rainbow bolted upright “I’ll show you foolish!” she roared.

Black Dragon Knight turned round and saw the angry pony zooming straight at her shouting “SONIC RAINBOOM!”

KAPOW!!

Colored smoke, everywhere! The friends looked forth, and saw Rainbow walking woozily out from the clouds.

“Rainbow!” cried Lightning as he and Starla went up to her.

Rarity, however, realized something odd about how Rainbow looked and was acting, and realized! “Wait!” she cried.

Lightning and Starla skidded to a halt to gaze back at her, and that was when Rainbow attacked them both hard; punching Lightning and kicking Starla into the mud with a splash, splattering more mud onto Rarity. “UGH’LL!!” she groaned.

Lightning and Starla wiped the mud from their visors, and saw the colored smoke had cleared, but there were in fact two Rainbows Dashes, the second one was all weary and exhausted after her attack had obviously failed.

The other Rainbow sneered sinisterly, and then changed into Starla, laughing like a crazy hyena. Then she transformed into Lightning, still laughing.

“She… she can shapeshift!” cried Lightning.

Starla tried to scan the fake Lightning, but her visor was being blocked out by some external force. She then tried to scan her real husband, but the same force prevented her from scanning him as well.

“Your little scouting trick won’t work…” Fake Lightning hissed “Not as long as I’m around here.”

Suddenly, Fake Lightning got pelted by swarms of fireballs raining down from above, and actually damaged her and knocked her off her feet.

The friends all looked up and saw Spike, finally coming down from way up in the sky shouting “Leave my friends alone!”

Fake Lightning clenched her fists and dashed up, changing back into Black Dragon Knight.

The two knights clashed at each other, and the ponies could barely believe it. They were hardly able to scratch the evil creature, and yet Spike was proving to be quite the formidable fighter.

Spike swerved and managed to kick Black Dragon Knight hard in her stomach plate sending her flying backward, but she managed to point her sword at him…

“DARK LIGHTNING!”

…and hit him hard!

Rarity screamed!

The two Knights got back to their feet, both panting softly and glaring each other down.

“Look at you…” hissed Black Dragon Knight “All this might and power, and you choose waste it.”

“I don’t waste anything!” growled Spike.

“Ha! Don’t make me laugh. We are both fearsome dragons, yet I remain loyal to the traditional dragon honour, and you choose nobility.”

“You mean that’s what this is all about? You’re upset that I’m not like other dragons that act scary and cause mayhem and chaos? Who steal from others for their own greed and other things?”

Black Dragon Knight nodded “You are a disgrace to all dragons, just as the original one who possessed your power was. I remember all the battles we had.”

Spike gasped when he realized she was referring to the original Dragon Knight, his mentor, the very one who bestowed this power on him. “You fought the original Dragon Knight? But… that was centuries ago! What kind of creature are you?”

Black Dragon Knight refused to answer, and sniggered at him.

“Answer me!” shouted Spike.

“My, my, such temper, and yet you remain noble.” hissed Black Dragon Knight “I could crush you like an egg right here and now, but seeing you in action and what you’re capable of, I will offer you a choice…”

Spike blinked once “What’s that?”

“Renounce your nobility and any ties you have to these worthless creatures…” she referred to the ponies.

“Who’s she calling worthless?” grumbled Rainbow.

“…Forget about them, and join with me. Realize your true place in life. With my powers and your skills, imagine what we could accomplish together. We would be unstoppable, and the world would be ours.”

The ponies felt disgusted.

“No, Spike! You can’t!” cried Rarity.

Spike felt equally as disgusted. “You’re out of your black hearted mind. No deal!”

“Don’t be so hasty, give it some thought.”

“Why should I?”

“Because…” and she leaned in close and whispered into his ear “…I can help you find the answers you seek.”

Spike’s heart skipped a beat and he was at a loss for words.

“Think it over, will you, or you could refuse, and we’ll duel each other, hurting many of your so-called friends, disrupting the peace until neither of us is standing, is that what you want?”

Spike was so confused and at a loss for action, he could hardly find it in himself to move.

Black Dragon Knight began to back away and moved in back behind the shed saying “Think about it… Noble one.” then she was gone.

Spike and the ponies snapped back to their senses and raced round to the back of the shed.

“She’s gone.” said Starla.

Spike clenched his claw in frustration, but his mind was aching with confusion and loss.

“I think we all need to talk.” said Lightning.

A while later, after everyone was cleaned up; Rarity was finally relieved to get all that mud off of her and was wearing her bathrobe and clean clothes underneath.

They all discussed the full seriousness of what they had all witnessed and experienced.

“She can look anyone she chooses.” said Starla “And she blocks out our visors so we can’t scan who’s real and who’s fake.”

“Whoa!” cried Rainbow “This is so not cool. I mean, she could be anywhere. She could be anyone!”

“It’s worse than that…” Lightning said “It means we can’t trust anyone we see, not even each other.”

A soft moment of silence followed, and Rarity stood up “Now, wait. We’re overreacting. I know all of you, and you all of me?”

“Yeah, and I can tell you guys are the real deal.” said Spike, he sniffed the air, and sure enough the scents were perfectly normal.

“Yes, right now we know…” said Lightning “But what about the next time when we see each other? Spike you may be able to smell out who’s who, but we can’t do that, our senses aren’t like yours.”

Nobody could argue with that.

“What are we going to do then?” asked Rainbow.

Lightning hated what he was about to do, but he knew the regulations, and the situation called for it “For starters… Spike, Rarity… I’m sorry, but I’m hereby ordering you to postpone your wedding.”

Spike winced in shock, but Rarity…

She gasped…!

…and overdramatically fainted over the couch.

“Rarity!” cried Spike, and he helped her up.

“The wedding… is off?!” she groaned near tears.

“Rarity, I’m sorry, but we can’t take any chances.” Lightning said.

“He’s right…” Starla said “It’s only going to get worse now that she knows where you both live.”

Spike felt really sick with grief to his stomach. “I understand.” he said sadly.

Rarity couldn’t find her words, and just felt as if her heart had crumpled; after all the work, the plans, and the big day just a few weeks away… it all went up in smoke.

“It’s just for a while…” said Rainbow “How long could this go on for anyway?”

Now Rarity felt like letting out her emotion, but not in front of the others “Please…” she cried softly “I just want to be a lone right now.” and she softly went up the stairs.

A tear ran down Spike’s cheek, feeling bad for her. He then clenched his fists angrily and softly swore on this toward the Black Dragon Knight, wherever she was “…I’ll get you for this. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get you!”

Everyone felt very bad for all this, but there really wasn’t much that could be done now.

…as for Rarity, she was up in her and Spike’s bedroom, lying flat on the bed and softly crying into her pillow.

(Promo)