//------------------------------//
// Loathing 
// Story: The Tail of Robin Jack 
// by CartoonNerd12 
//------------------------------//

"…And so I tell him, 'you may have the honor of calling me, Robin Jack'."

Pinkie squealed, "Ooh! You used the name!"

Rainbow commented, "Seriously?"

Applejack shrugged while drinking some more water from her water pouch, and said, "It was the only thing I could think of in the moment."

Rarity voiced, "I must say Applejack; it was quite chivalrous of him to let you go like that."

AJ countered, "Chivalrous, smivalrous, he's just another pawn in the prince's army. Besides, I have a feelin' that the next time I see him, he won't be so gallant…"



Once Spike was back with the group, he gave his report about meeting one of the bandits and how he had to swordfight with him before ending up into a draw.

Twilight was shocked to learn that, and said, "You couldn't best him?!"

Spike replied with bitterest, "Believe me, I tried so hard and I even pulled out all of my signature moves! But he managed to block me every single time!"

Sunset said, "Whoever this bandit is, he certainly had some training."

"He told me he was train by the best."

Soarin' pointed, "Shining Armor was your teacher and he's the best there is, do you think this bandit might have gotten the same training from him?"

Spike crossed his arms, "I doubt it. Shining Armor reserved his training methods for only his knights."

Spitfire voiced, "There has be some explanation as to why you couldn't beat him."

Flash pointed out, "What I don't get is, why did you let him go like that when you know he's a thief?"

Spike countered, "Despite him being a bandit, he did put up a good fight and our Code of Honor demands that we respect our opponent's skills and since he wasn't using any dirty play, I figured he earned the right to run free for now that is."

Twilight beamed and told him, "Your noble heart always does you good, Spike." then slightly frowned, "But I worry that someday you will be taken advantage because of that."

He assured her, "Don't worry, that was my only generous act to him, the next time I see him, I won't stop until he is brought to justice."

Sunset mentioned, "That sounds like you're going to make it your personal mission to find this guy."

Spike scowled, "And what if it is? I got a score to settle with him."

Spitfire interjected, "But sir, you already have a mission. You need to help the needy get feed."

He shook his head, "Twilight can take care of that, in fact, all of you should go on ahead to complete the operation. I'm going to stay here a little longer to see if I can finally catch this guy."

Twilight uttered, "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"

Spike nodded, "I can't have it on my conscience to let this guy get away with whatever he wants to do. This village will never be safe until he and his companions are locked away."

His sister deeply sighed till finally she said, "Alright, Spike, if you feel that strongly then you should fulfill your duty and capture that bandit and if possible his cohorts."

Flash inquired, "But what about the mission?"

Twilight stated, "We're still going to do it." She began instructing, "At this point though we'll have to split into two groups. Spitfire should stay here with Spike in case he could use the help in getting these thieves. Flash, you, Soarin', and Bulk will be with me to finish our mission."

Sunset said, "And I'll stay here to help keep an eye on things."

Twilight gave her a nod of gratitude, she knew the real reason her lady-in-waiting was staying; it was so Spike doesn't find out about Applejack.

Spike smiled and told his sister, "Look at this way, Twilight, with me staying close to the village, I'll be able to find out if all of our friends are still here."

She nervously replied, "Right… of course. When you do see them, tell them that I've missed them so much and I never forgot our friendships."

He held out his arms so she could hug him, "I will."

In no time the groups took their separate ways. Spike, Spitfire, and Sunset decided to make camp at the edge of the Everfree Forest just as Flash took the reins of the carriage to transport Twilight around the village with Soarin' and Bulk walking right behind.

Spike told his friends, "We'll rest up tonight then tomorrow we can begin the search for the one that calls himself: Robin Jack."



Applejack was eating supper with her friends and family, but she was finding it hard to do so. Her thoughts kept drifting to the knight that she fought with that afternoon much to her disgust. She couldn't but help admire his skills, he was an excellent swordsman which made her wonder if he was equally as skilled with a bow and arrow. She shook her head remaining herself that he was working for the prince and that she shouldn't invest too much into this. But then again… now that she was really thinking about it, this knight could be of some use to them. She could learn all his strengths and weaknesses that eventually could lead to the weaknesses of the prince's army and importantly the Diamond Brothers' weaknesses so she can get to Baron Rich and get more money for the village!

She stood up to face her merry band with a smirk, "Girls, I got an idea…"



The next morning, Spike had a quick breakfast and was about to set off when Spitfire came up to him, "Hold on, sir, I'm coming with you."

"Alright Spitfire, you can come but remember, the arrest of Robin Jack belongs to me."

"Understood, sir." She put on her helmet and he did the same before they set out together.

It felt like they were walking around for a long time as Spitfire commented, "Ugh, everything looks the same in these woods!"

Spike pointed, "Which is why it's the ideal hiding place for bandits such Robin Jack. I will admit I admire his bravery for staying in this place."

"Why's that?"

"Because this place is said to be cursed and as someone who grew up around these parts, I was incline to believe in those myths."

"But you're not anymore?" Spitfire questioned.

"Twilight kept telling me that this is just like any other forest. It will have it's dangers but it's not cursed."

"Maid Twilight Sparkle is a wise lady."

"Yes, I'm lucky to have a sister like her."

As they kept walking and talking, they didn't notice two figures watching them from the trees at a distance. Rainbow Dash whispered, "You were right."

Applejack whispered back, "I knew he would be back… the hatred in his eyes told me he wasn't goin' to stop till I was defeated by his hand."

"Except he's not alone this time, and the plan called for him to be alone."

"I'm surprised at you, Dash, don't you usually enjoy a new challenge?"

She grunted in annoyance, "Fine, I'll draw the other knight away giving you that chance to get into a rematch with the guy and find his weak spots."

"I knew I could count on you." she roughly patted her friend's back almost making her fall from the tree.

"Watch it!"

"Sorry…" she sheepishly said before grabbing a vine and swung onto another tree.

Rainbow put up her hood and face cover and grabbed another vine and swung on down to land on the ground so she could follow the knights on foot all the while hiding behind trees.

Applejack got ready as she also put up her hood and face cover.

RD was close enough now to the knights as she held up her sword and made noise with her foot alerting them of her presence.

Spitfire unsheathed her sword in turn to clash with the bandit's. She remarked, "Let me guess, Robin Jack?"

"Nope." the bandit replied.

Spike stated, "It's not him all right, Robin Jack's eyes are green this one has dark violet."

Spitfire suspiciously asked, "And you would know such a vivid detail, why?"

He countered, "Hey! Eye color is important to describing a criminal!"

The bandit waved his hand, "Uh, hello? I'm still attacking here!" he clashed the sword again to Spitfire's.

"I'll handle this." the knight told Spike before getting into fight mode with the bandit.

Spike drew his own sword at ready, preparing himself for more bandits to show up and lo and behold, one did…

"I figured you would be back." a familiar guff tone said.

The knight turned around to see Robin Jack standing there acting causal which for some reason made his blood boil.

"I have made it my swore duty to bring you to justice…" he lifted his rapier at the ready.

Robin made a mock yawn, "I fail to see how you're goin' to do that… You couldn't defeat me the last time, what makes you think you can do that now?"

Spike gritted his teeth though Robin couldn't see it under the knight's visor. He said, "I suppose you have a better way of me defeating you?"

"Like I would tell you that. Instead, let's talk about you."

"Ha! Nice try, but I'm not giving anything away!"

While Robin and Spike were bantering, Spitfire and Rainbow Dash were in the middle of their swordfight.

"Not bad, you're one heck of a fighter!" Spitfire mentioned while lunging.

"Thanks! You're not so bad yourself!" RD replied back while blocking the lunge.

"It's too bad you're an outlaw, we could use you in the ranks!"

"No thanks! I don't want to be one of those patsies that doesn't have a backbone!"

"You're calling me a patsy?!"

"If the boot fits…" she said in a smug tone.

"Hey! You have no idea how hard it was for me to find boots my size!"

"Yeah, now that I'm getting a good look at you, you are pretty short for a guard…"

"Well my height gives me an advantage just like your female physique has given you an advantage in this fight!"

Rainbow gasped and was stunned for a moment giving Spitfire the chance she needed to disarm her. She pointed her sword's tip at Rainbow's chin and stated, "That's right, I know a girl in man's clothing anywhere. Had you been an actual man in this battle, I would have defeated you five minutes ago."

"But… how? How could you have known?"

"Sorry, that's a trade secret." then she turned to where Spike and Robin are fighting but not with their swords.

Spike yelled out, "You're the most miserable, underhanded, and worst bandit I have ever met in my life!"

"Well you're just as awful a knight with your cowardly ways!" Robin retorted.

"Not this again! I. Am. Not. A. Coward!"

"Are so!"

"Are not!"

"Are so!"

"Are not!"

This continued on with Spitfire and Rainbow Dash watching them going back and fore like it was a badminton match. RD questioned, "Uh, should we stop this?"

Spitfire stated, "Agreed. If this keeps up they'll most likely to kiss."

"Whoa-whoa! You can tell that she's a…"

"A girl too? Yup."

"Who the heck are you?!"

"Well… I suppose since you did put up a good fight, I'm going to follow the Code of Honor and give you a tiny hint." she leaned down to Rainbow's ear and whispered, "I'm not like other knights, you could say I'm one of a kind…" she got up and made a wink.

Rainbow gawked at this revelation as she watched the knight walk up to the bickering duo.

"Oy!" Spitfire shouted getting their attention. "It would seem that we're not getting anywhere, I suggest a parting of ways for the time being." she addressed Robin Jack, "Your fellow bandit and I were force to a draw in our match, by the rules of our Code of Honor, we must settle this another time."

Spike protested, "But Spitfire!"

"No, boss, we'll get these bandits but not today. Come on." she started walking away.

Spike and Robin Jack were utterly speechless until they glared at each other with him saying, "This isn't over, not by a long shot."

"Oh, you can count on it." Robin replied back with crossed arms.

He stomped away following after his comrade.

Rainbow went to Applejack as they pulled their face covers down and said, "She lied."

"What?" AJ lifted a brow in confusion.

"She lied about me and her getting into a draw."

"Wait, you mean to tell me that knight, is a girl?!"

"Yes, but you did not hear me? She lied about being in a draw with me."

"What…? Why would she do that?"

"I have no idea, but she knows about our true sex, Applejack. She was able to recognize a girl in guy's clothing, no doubt because she had to cross dress herself for a long time."

"But if she knows…"

"Then she'll tell that knight and he'll figure some way of capturing us all."

"No! I won't let that happen!" she grabbed Dash's arm and they started running back to camp.