Not wanting to disturb his comrades, he quietly left the camp after leaving note of his whereabouts and began to travel down the road that headed to the Apple farm. He figured that Applejack and Big Mac were all ready up to start on the chores and giving him the opportunity he needed to confess his feelings to her. But as he about to enter the farmland he saw woodcutters cutting down some of the apple trees!
He shouted out, "Hey! What's going on here?!"
The woodcutters stopped for a moment and one replied, "Orders from Lord Trenderhoof. We have to cut some of these trees down to make room for the jousting arena."
"Jousting arena? Trenderhoof? But this land belongs to the Apple family!"
"Not anymore."
"Wha- but- how?" Spike was stunned by this development.
"You can ask his lordship himself, he's at the house."
Spike shook his head and thank the woodcutter before heading toward the farmhouse.
Lord Trenderhoof was explaining to Spike, "They couldn't pay their taxes so the farm was given to me."
The knight scowled, "So you just took their land without a second thought?!"
"Not so, I did offer marriage to the young maiden," he said dreamily, "Applejack… so that they could stay here."
That made Spike scowl further.
"Alas, she refused and she and her family ran off."
Spike couldn't help but think, Good for them! but then frowned realizing, "So… they're gone?"
Trenderhoof nodded, "That's right, but the Sheriff has a bounty on them so if anyone finds them they will be sent back here and the maiden and I will wed."
No!
"Frankly, Sir Spike, I'm surprised you haven't found out about this until now. It's been over a month since that happen."
Spike gaped at this new information, breathing out, "What?"
"It's true. And during that time, I was able to make this place my own. I had to get rid of some of the trees because they were in the way of building my new jousting arena."
Spike stated hotly, "Those trees were essential to a family's survival… Everything they ever had was riding on those trees being able to produce the best apples in all the land. And you better had not destroyed their sacred tree!"
"Sacred tree? What sacred tree?"
"If you don't know then I'm certainly not going to tell you where to find it. But just so you know, that tree is an important part of the Apple family's history and I'll be damned if you ever did something to it…"
"Really Sir Spike, if it is as sacred as you make it sound I would have no intention of cutting it down."
The knight gritted his teeth, "See that you don't…" and went out.
Spike had gotten into town and was feeling down. The love of his life had disappeared and he had no way of finding her. The only comfort he took from was when he saw children and adults alike were talking excitedly about the mysterious food donations that were left for them. Twilight had no doubt finished last night and was already in the next town. He was glad she wasn't here to learn about their friend. Then that made him worried about their other friends. If Applejack was force off her land then whose to say that Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity weren't force from their homes from lack of payment on taxes.
Before he could look into it he spotted two of the Diamond Brothers causing trouble at the Cakes' bakery.
Rover shouted, "This bread is stale!" throwing the hard loaf to the floor.
Mr. Cake stammered, "O-our apologies, but we don't have enough flour to make fresh loaves!"
Spot declared, "Either you cook fresh bread for us or you're under arrest!"
The Cakes quivered in fear. Spike knew then he had to step in as he put down his visor and quickly passed a blind beggar that was outside the store who ended up watching him in intrigue.
Spike addressed the brothers, "Is there a problem, gentlemen?"
Spot gestured, "Sir! These peasants don't have fresh bread for us!"
Spike slowly said, "Is that so? Well perhaps we should give them some extra incentive…" he surreptitiously drew out a pouch of coins to the bakers and whispered to them, "Go along with what I'll say next…"
The baker and his wife gave confused glances.
He then pounded on the counter and said in a loud voice, "You will make them new loaves of bread! And I don't care how you do it! Now when we come back I expect some new bread on this counter! Do I make myself clear?!"
The bakers nodded feeling very frighten.
The brothers chuckled in triumph as they left the shop. Spike then turned back to the bakers saying, "Sorry about that, but I had to make them think I was acting tough on you. Now, that money is to help you buy whatever ingredients you need to make more bake goods and keep your business afloat.
Mrs. Cake said, "Thank you, kind sir, but why are you doing this? Every other knight that has come in here has demanded for our taxes or something to eat and is very rude about it."
"My fellow knights have forgotten that we have a duty to the people to protect and serve them. But I haven't forgotten and I never will. Use the money in good health especially for your twins." he took his leave and just before he left the store he heard Mr. Cake whispering.
"How did he know we had twins?"
He smile played on his lips but it faltered the moment he collided with someone one and dropped to the ground with them. He looked and saw it was the same blind beggar he saw before going in the bakery.
"I'm so sorry!" he quickly got up and helped the beggar up.
She said in a weak tone, "It's okay… but could you spare some alms?"
"I will." he took out another gold pouch and put it in the beggar's hand then he helped her put it in her pocket. "Keep that close to you. I don't want you to lose it especially with the Sheriff's men around who love to get their hands on it."
"Oh, I agree…"
"Do you need me to escort you home?"
"I'll be fine, I may be blind but I'm not dumb."
"Alright. May fortune always come your way."
"And you as well."
He went on and when Applejack was sure it was safe she took off her glasses and smiled.
Spike stoked the fire as he admitted guiltily to Sunset and Spitfire. "She was right… the knights here are acting brutal to the townsfolk. I mean, I knew we had to follow orders but seriously, it's disgraceful of how they're all acting…"
Spitfire inquired, "So does this mean you believe me about the bandits being good?"
"They're still thieves. They may not want to cause harm but they still stole from Baron Rich."
A voice suddenly called out, "Did it ever occur to you that maybe Baron Rich gave that money away?"
Spike, Sunset, and Spitfire got on their feet with Spike putting down his visor and shouting, "Robin Jack! Show yourself!"
"Uh-ah, not yet. First, I would like to call a truce."
His eyes widen and uttered, "A truce? Why would you of all people suggest that?"
"Because, I've been watching you all afternoon and I've seen how you faced those knights with finesse while helping the villagers. It impressed me, especially since you didn't know that a certain blind beggar you were helping was really me in disguise."
He gawked, "That was you?!"
"Yep. And don't worry I gave your coins to the orphanage, they need the funds more than I do."
Spike was tongue-tied giving Sunset a chance to ask, "Miss Robin Jack, you said that Baron Rich gave the money away what do you mean by that?"
"We made a deal with the Baron that we could stage a robbery so we could give his money to the poor as we are outlaws he couldn't be seen giving money to us directly without getting into trouble himself."
Sunset gawked at this before exclaiming, "So that's why he wasn't so concern about losing money!"
Spike looked at her as if she was crazy and shouted, "You don't really believe this bandit's story, do you?!"
Sunset motioned, "I do. When we were in Baron Rich's office the other day, I noticed how nervous he was looking while the guards were watching on the sidelines."
Spike's eyes widen as he recalled that. And the Baron did seem rather cool about losing most of his fortune.
Robin Jack said, "And because of his added protection I can't get the funds I need to help my village…"
Spitfire pointed, "See? These bandits are doing something good for the kingdom just like us when we came here to feed the needy."
It was Robin Jack's turn to be surprise, "Feed the needy?"
Spike sighed and confessed, "It was a secret mission organized by my sister. As we live right in Canterlot castle so we know firsthand how ridiculous these tax laws are to our people. So as you can see, Robin Jack, we may not stand up to Blueblood like we should but we can do something to make things better, my only regret that it's not enough…"
Robin questioned, "Where's your sister now?"
"Probably in the next town by now, since I'm sure she finished delivering the food packages here last night. You can check it out if you like."
"No need, I already know about the mysterious food donations, I just didn't know where they came from until now."
Spitfire asked, "Now that we understand your intentions and you understand ours, won't you show yourself?"
"Gladly." she then swung down from a vine after hiding in the shadows of the treetops to face them though her face was still hidden by her hood and face cover.
Spike commented, "For someone who doesn't act like a bandit you sure look like one."
"The correct term is outlaw. And the only reason I am one is because I couldn't pay my taxes to keep my land."
Spike tried to find a hint of dishonesty in that statement but for some reason he couldn't. The way she said that was heartbreaking. He could hear the pain in her voice of losing the only home she ever had.
He found himself saying, "I'm… sorry…"
She looked at him in surprise. His face was still cover by the visor but she could see his eyes as plain of day and the sadness in them was clear as ever. He was genuine with his apology.
He continued, "I know an old friend of mine lost all she had and was force to flee. I don't know where she is or if she'll ever come back. But I hope she does, because I need to tell her I love her with all my heart…"
She made a tiny smile at him even though her face cover was in the way and said, "I humbly accept your apology, and… I hope you find her, sounds to me that maiden's lucky to have you."
That made him smile back but the visor was covering it too.
"What do you call yourself, sir knight?"
"I would tell you but I think it might be wise if you didn't know much like I shouldn't know your real name. The less said the better."
She nodded, "It's a good idea. Now that I know that we had an ally all along without knowing it I don't want to risk losing that."
He inquired, "How can we be of service to you?"
"You can start by being a courier…"