Central Park: Midnight
Two men were passing by a lake, after robbing a bank.
"What did I tell ya?" one of the thugs asked. "It's like taking candy from a little kid."
"Wah," his partner grunted. "We are number one!"
With that, the two men both broke out into a dance, celebrating their recent robbery. Unknown to the men, they were watched with disapproving glares from the bushes. Before they knew it, they were all in a tangled mess of vines, dangling by the foot, and their bags of money, lying on the grass.
"What just happened?"
"Wah, I don't know."
The two men remained tied up in the trees, until a patrolling police officer arrived, followed by the sound of galloping hoof steps.
Next Day
Spike was at the park, with the boys, playing a game of soccer. The boys were divided into two teams, each of them with three field players and a goalie.
Team 1
Rumble (Kicker)
Button Mash (Kicker)
Tender Taps(Kicker)
Snails (Goalie)
Team 2
Pipsqueak (Kicker)
Featherweight (Kicker)
Snips (Kicker)
Spike (Goalie)
Meanwhile, Thorax played as the referee, and Discord as a bystander. With a blow of the whistle, Pipsqueak was the first to steal the ball from the center, before Rumble could, and quickly dribbled it towards the other goal and kicked it in.
However, Snails, surprisingly, stopped the ball in mere seconds. When it comes to soccer, Snails is surprisingly a natural. It's because of that, the boys considered him to be a secret weapon.
"C'mon kid!" Discord lectured to Pipsqueak, in Edward G. Robinson's voice. "See? Gotta score a goal, see? Gotta past the goalie, gotta get tough, gotta go fast, like a hedgehog, like a cannonball, see?"
After stopping the ball, Snails threw the ball towards Rumble. With that, Rumble dribbles it around some more, with Pipsqueak running after him, trying to steal it back. Just as Pipsqueak sweeps his leg out, Rumble stopped the ball, and himself, in the nick of time, before he passed it to Button Mash, who quickly dribbles, before he passed it to Tender Taps, just as Snips tried to take it.
"Go little warriors!" Discord cheered, doing Tara Strong's voice, while wearing a blonde wig and a strawberry lollipop in his mouth. "Go, go, go! Score us, score us, score us some goals!! YEAH!!!" He yelled in Bulk Biceps voice at the last part, causing Thorax to rub his sore ear.
With some fancy steps in his grooves, Tender Taps skillfully kicked the ball towards the goal, only for Spike to catch the ball with some of his fancy moves of his own. With a loud Bruce Lee-like cry, Spike threw the ball towards Pipsqueak, who quickly dribbles it back and forth with Featherweight and Snips.
"Look at this incredible performance between these teams of players," Discord exclaimed, cladded in a news reporter's attire. "What do you make of this Bill?" He asked, to another conjured up look-a-like of himself, as a really buff wrestler. The counterpart said something really fast, and gibberish, to be properly understood, leading Discord to reply, "Whatever you said, I'm a 100% with ya."
The boys were having their fun, when Spike heard a cry for help.
"Help!" a girl shouted.
With that, Spike ditched the soccer game and raced off to the rescue.
"Yo, Spike!" Rumble called out. "What's the rush?!" With that, the boys all ran after their dragon friend.
Spike was once more using some skills of parkour, as he skillfully jumped from rocky structures, swings from tree branches, and doing some flips, before he arrives at the scene, to see a young teenage girl, running for dear life from a group of thugs.
In appearance, the girl is estimated to be about the same age as the Equestria Girls. She has a long, brilliant scarlet red hair with yellow fiery stripes, and green jaded eyes. For attires, she wears a black leather jacket, with studded jewels at the collar, over a purple top with a red and yellow shimmering symbol of the sun imprinted, orange mini skirt with yellow and purple stripes, and black boots with red flames at the toe.
The girl kept on running, until she tripped and crashed into a tree, and fell to the ground, had Spike not caught her in time.
“You okay?” Spike asked as he helped the girl up.
“Yeah, I’m-Fine!” the girl looked at Spike with widened eyes. "Spike?" the girl gasped. "Is that you?"
Before their conversations could go any further, the thugs finally caught up to the girl and pulled her away by the hair. In retaliation, the girl swung her fist, before bringing it down into a chop on the thug's arm, forcing him to release her. Then, another thug ran after the girl, shoving her into a tree, and tried to drop a kick, had she not rolled out of the way.
Not liking the scene of some punks ganging up on a girl, Spike joined in the fight. Flying towards one of the thug, Spike swung his leg into a flying roundhouse kick, hitting the thug, square in the jaws, knocking some teeth out, before he spins and lands a sidekick to the thug's stomach. Just then, another thug jumped out from behind and grabbed Spike in a death gripping bear hug. Two other thugs came running towards Spike, but the young boy thrusted his legs out, kicking them in the jaws before they could reach him, and bit the thug who was holding him, on the arm, forcing him to release his grip on the boy. With that, Spike jumped towards a tree, before he leaps off, landing a kick to the thug, in the stomach. The thug held his stomach tightly, cringing in pain, before he was met with several rapid punches and chops to the head, before he was knocked out cold.
Just then, the rest of the boys finally arrived at the scene.
"Oh yeah!" Rumble cheered. "Now there's that fighting Spike we saw the other day!"
Snips and Snails, however, had their eyes on the girl Spike was protecting.
"Whoa! What a babe!" Snips exclaimed.
"Yeah," Snails agreed. "She's quite the hottie, eh?"
The boys weren't very pleased with the two boys voicing their opinion, "Yes, gawk at the girl first," Discord muttered. "Watch your friend fighting for dear life later."
"What? Spike's a fighter," Snips brushed it off. "He can take care of himself."
Just then, more thugs started to appear on the scene, riding on motorcycles, and scaring several other pedestrians out of the park.
"Okay," Rumble began. "We're going in for our friend!" With that, Rumble made the first charge, with the boys following. All, except for Snips and Snails, both who simply went to get some hot dogs from a nearby cart to watch the show.
Spike was blocking several punches and kicks from some of the thugs, before he counters with strikes of his own. Then, one of the thugs on motorcycle came and almost ran over him, had he not jumped out of the way in time. The thugs on motorcycle all pulled out some clubs as they circled around Spike, until Rumble and Button both came in and held a single rope at head level, causing the thugs to fall off their motorcycles. The thugs quickly got up, and were met with several punches and kicks. Spike tried to punch one of them, only to recoil in damage, upon hitting the thug's protective helmet.
"Here Spike!" Pipsqueak said, as he jumped on the thug from behind, pulling up his helmet, exposing his face. "Get him now!" With that, Spike punched the thug, right in the nose, before Pipsqueak jumped off, as Featherweight came and used his whole body to trip the thug over, and into a trash can.
The girl meanwhile, was panting heavily as she watched the scenes playing out before her, 'They're all fighting so hard for me,' she thought.
"Hello there," the girl jumped, and out of impulse, kicked Snips and Snails in their stomach, causing them to groan in pain.
"Oh, sorry," the girl quickly apologized.
"Apology accepted," Snips groaned.
After a while of fighting, the thugs were all beaten, and taken into custody by the police, who had just arrived, with Discord and Thorax staying behind to explain everything to the officers.
Meanwhile, Spike and the rest of the boys were getting themselves acquainted with the girl they rescued.
"So, you already know me," Spike began, as he introduces the rest of the boys. "The guys who're talking to the police are Discord and Thorax. The guys here are Button Mash, Rumble, Tender Taps, Pipsqueak, Featherweights, Snips, and Snails." With that, the boys all exchanged greetings to the girl.
"Pleasure to meet you all," the girl smiled. "I'm Sunset Shimmer."
"Sunset Shimmer?" Spike asked, before it dawned on him. "Hey, my friend Twilight once told me about a Sunset Shimmer. You wouldn't happen to be that Sunset Shimmer, would you?"
"Yep," Sunset smiled.
"Omigosh!" Spike exclaimed, as he happily shakes hands with the girl. "I can't believe I'm actually meeting you again, in person, and here in New York of all places!"
Sunset couldn't help but giggle at the boy's enthusiasm, "Feeling's mutual."
Just then, Button's phone rang, leading him to check its message, "Oh, gotta go you guys," he said. "I promised Sweetie Belle I'd treat her to some milkshakes at Starbucks." With that, the boy took his leave.
Soon, Rumble's phone rang, as he pulls out to see a text from Scootaloo, "Oh, see you around guys. I've got a date at the skatepark."
Afterwards, Tender Taps, Featherweight, and Pipsqueak all received messages that called them away. Tender Taps was called away for dance class, Featherweight was called by his boss for the photos of the thugs, and Pipsqueak was called by his uncle for some errands. Spike was then left with Sunset, together with Snips and Snails.
"So," Spike began. "You need us to walk you back home or anything?"
Before Sunset could answer, Snips and Snails quickly shoved the boy to the side, as they each got into the girl's face, "Heck yeah!!" they exclaimed. "Let us walk home with ya!"
"We'd certainly not want another bad guy to hurt that pretty face of yours!" Snips smiled.
"So, let us protect you, eh," Snails added.
Sunset, feeling some negative vibes from the boys, cringed in disgust, before she walked over to Spike, "Actually, I'd like to catch up with Spike on some lost times." With that, the sound of glass breaking can be heard from the two, heartbroken, boys.
"Sorry guys," Spike replied. "It's her choice." With that, the two walked away, leaving the two boys in envy.
"How many girlfriends does that guy have anyway?" Snails asked.
"I don't know," Snips replied. "But I'm betting ya he's got so many, it's no wonder why he forgot the other six at school."
"Um, Snips...."
"Don't you start!"
Sunset and Spike were walking their way out of the park, discussing on lost times.
"No way!" Sunset exclaimed, when Spike began telling her about a trip he, with Scorpan. "You went to Japan? Get out! I've always wanted to go to The Land of the Rising Sun!"
"Yep," Spike confirmed. "The birthplace of bushido, karate, and ninjutsu." As Spike recounted all the experiences he had from learning the martial arts of Japan to the festivals he and Scorpan attended to, Sunset listened with interests, nodding her heads whenever he said something enlightening, and laughed at the funny parts.
After he was done telling his part, Spike asked, "So Sunset, how've you been for the last ten years? According to Twilight, you just, kinda, disappeared."
Sunset looked hesitant for a moment, before she answered, "I've been better. I mean, I've got a job here, in New York, I've been going out with some friends, and if you count today, I finally got to see you again for ten years." Spike couldn't help but smile at the last part. "Though, I never thought I would be missed that much, with Twilight that is."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you may not remember Spike, but back when we were kids, I was a lousy friend."
"You? Lousy?" Spike asked in disbelief. "How can you be lousy? We were study partners at my mom's school, in my uncle's class of Self-Defense."
"Yes, but you know about my passion for the Dark Arts?" Spike nodded his head in confirmation. "That's the thing. Whenever we had the chance to practice our offensive and defensive maneuvers, I'd always get a little carried away," the girl then got in close to the boy's ear, "I'm trying to forget, but I once nearly destroyed half the school."
"Yeesh." Spike cringed. "I hope you're just exaggerating."
"You and me both," Sunset muttered, while recalling what the Equestria Daily newspapers said about her.
"Well, we're here," Spike said, once they arrived at the girl's home.
"Thanks for escorting me back home, Spike," Sunset smiled lovingly. "And again, thanks for saving me back there. Still the brave and glorious Dragon Prince, I see."
Spike blushed as he scratched his head, "Oh, I'm just glad to see you're alright." Before Spike knew it, Sunset planted a kiss on his cheek, resulting a bright red blush to appear on his face.
"I'm just glad that after ten years, you haven't lost your charm," Sunset said, brushing herself past him. "See you soon, Spikey-Kun." Spike watched, as the girl walks up the steps to her door, watching as her hips sway, before she disappears.
Shaking his head of any thoughts, Spike turned around and calmly went back home.
Next Day, in school
The next day, in school, Spike was in his first period class: Social Studies, with the Three Stooges and Pipsqueak, and its teacher, Ms. Harshwinny.
Just then, the door opened up, and Spike, along with the boys, all looked in surprise at the arrival of Sunset Shimmer.
"Attention class," Mrs. Harshwinny announced. "This is Sunset Shimmer, the new student to our school, and starting today, your new classmate."
"Um, hello everyone," Sunset greeted quietly.
The classroom all exchanged greetings. Afterwards, Sunset was instructed to take her seat, between Snips and Snails's, on her left and right, respectively, along with Spike's and Zephyr's, from the front and behind, respectively.
"Sunset? So soon?!" Spike smiled, offering his hand. "Guess you weren't kidding then."
"Nope," Sunset smirked, as she shook his hand. "I wasn't."
The two quickly turned their attention back to Mrs. Harshwinny, who continues with her lecture. During class, Sunset couldn't help but feel eyes staring at her. Turning to her left, Snips was smiling at her, with bedroom eyes. Turning to her right, Snails was also smiling, with bedroom eyes, while cocking his eyebrows up and down. Needless to say, Sunset felt, uncomfortable. Luckily, Mrs. Harshwhinny saw this, and with a harsh yell, Snips and Snails quickly turned back to the board, where their eyes were glued to for the remainder of class.
Later, during lunch period, Sunset was walking out with a tray of sushi rolls, some bowls of salads, and a cup of water. A lot of the boys were all crowding around, asking her to join them. However, her mind was already set on one boy, who quickly called out.
“Hey Sunset Shimmer!” Spike called. “Over here!”
Sunset smiled as she walks over, joining Spike and his posse.
"Hi Sunset!" Pipsqueak greeted. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Why didn't you tell us you were a new student to our school?" Rumble asked.
"You boys never asked," Sunset replied.
For the rest of the lunch hours, Sunset bonded with the rest of Spike's posse.
"Really?" Sunset cringed in disgust, when they warned her about the Three Stooges, mainly two in particular. "I knew there was something I didn't like when those two were eyeing me up and down in art class."
"Sorry about that," Spike groaned, shaking his head in shame. "I don't even remember why we ever risked our lives for those two, at Crystal Prep."
"Jeez," Rumble began. "We've rescued them so many times, it must've been lost during the chases."
"What?" Sunset asked, before the boys quickly filled her in. Sunset couldn't help but laugh, "No way! You dressed up like a chicken? You used an ice bucket? And you did the Bugs Bunny?"
"Yeah," Spike chuckled sheepishly. "Same old routine. Distract the angry mob first, sneak in, rescue the two peepers, run like little boys screaming for our mommies later."
"And every time, the girls are only getting scarier," Pipsqueak shuddered.
"Too bad it's never stopped them," Button grumbled.
Later, after classes ended, Spike and Sunset both left Study Halls, with the rest of the students.
“Thanks again for helping me with those math problems, Sunset,” Spike smiled. “You’ve really helped a lot today.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Sunset smiled.
“Hey, I’m going to meet up with the others outside of school. And since you’re an old friend of Twilight and the girls, why don’t you come with me? They’ll be happy to see you again.”
Sunset hesitated, before she answered, “Um, about that Spike, I’m kinda busy with something else right now. So, I’m afraid I can’t make it today.”
“Oh, okay,” Spike replied, disappointed. “Maybe some other times?”
“Yeah,” Sunset replied. “Some other times."
With that, Sunset pulled out a piece of paper and wrote some numbers and a dash, before she hands it back to Spike. “Call me.” With that, she took her leave, hiding a despondent look on her face.
Spike soon walked out of the school, “Spike!” the girls called as they ran up to him.
“How’ve you been, darling?” Rarity asked.
“I’m great,” Spike smiled. “In fact, better than great. I’ve met another old friend of ours.”
“Really? Who?”
“Sunset Shimmer.”
“Sunset Shimmer?!”
“She’s here?” Rainbow asked. “I was wondering why we haven’t heard from her in moons.”
“Where is she now?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t know,” Spike replied. “All she said was that she’s busy and then she just disappeared.”
Central Park
Sunset Shimmer was walking through the park, until she came across some trees. Looking around, seeing no one coming, she quickly dives into the trees. After awhile of navigating through the groves, Sunset finally arrived at a hidden cave.