//------------------------------//
// My Money Is On The Dragon 
// Story: Monopoly Empire Tycoon 
// by LikeaBaws 
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Spike couldn't help but wonder who that pony was. Can't even believe he shrugged it off last night. He got up from his bed, and grabbed his M card. The sun shing on the card, reflecting off gold and silver around the room. "How does this thing even work?" He asked himself. 

He flipped the card to show his balance: 250,000 bits it said on the back. He looked at his 'M.E.' cards and read one.


Just say no!
Play this at anytime to stop another players actions.
 

This sorta seems useful. He put his M Card in his M.E stack and went downstairs. He saw Twilight, heavily reading a book. "Hey Twilight!!" He said with a smile.

Twilight didn't answer, but stared at the book even more. "I...guess you don't mind me leaving out for Rarity's." He said with a calm tone.

"Uh-huh, sure..." Twilight said, sounding like a hypnotic zombie. Spike's smiled and ran out the door. "Thanks, Twi'!" He said, running out and slamming the door. 

When he made it outside, he took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. He felt like he was a millionaire; a rich, and I quote, "Filthy Rich" millionaire. He took a look around. Just the usual ponies. One with golden flower baskets, one with a silver cat, and another with a silver toy robot. "Wait, what?" Spike took a closer at the ponies.

These items were completely silver, and they were alive!! Well, the cat, that is. The rest looked like ordinary to the others, but why ignore it? It's made of gold and silver!! Do these ponies not care?! Or...is it...? "Am I the only one that can see it?" He asked himself.

"Not really." He heard. This scared Spike until he saw the pony from last night. "Huh?! W-wha-?!"

"Calm down. Don't worry. I ain't here to hurt ya." She said, tipping her golden top hat. "What you see around you are Players." 

"P-Players? What? I-I don't under--!!"

"It's alright. I didn't get it at first. Let me explain the best I can." She said, resting on her randomly-popping-out-of-thin-air cane. "Players is what you are now. Who beg for money, who love money, who need money. Some even fight for either one of those choices. They play to win, or to survive." 

"Survive?"

"Eeyup. Some were forced to play like you, randomly selected by The Ruler."

"T-then why am I chosen?"

"Not sure. Your Familiar knows more than I do. But guess what I know more than you know?" She said with a smile.

"What?" Spike asked, not in curiosity, but the incomplete or confusing question she asked. She brought out two large money bags, bigger than Spike, and he couldn't help but stare. "You want this, don'tcha? This will make you the richest dragon in the world, and you want it." She teased.

Spike couldn't help but droll at the big bags. This he could have! All for free!! He wanted it--no...he needed it! He needs to have it! He could get all the gems in the world, he could make a pool of his own money, he even could get Rarity a gift! To make her finally notice him. "But first, you need to earn it." She said, snatching the money from his sights.

"Huh?" He asked, only to make her giggly. "Look, I don't know who you are, and I don't know what's going on, but....all I want to do is go to Rarity's."

"'Fraid you can't, mate." She said with a smile.

"Why not?!" Spike asked, only for his response to be interrupted by a golden hat on his head. All she did was wave him over, and Spike had no choice but to follow. They went into an alleyway, and their was a dark dead end. "First of all, the reason you can't is because you've been challenged."

"CHALLENGED?! BY WHO?!" Spike asked in total fear. The pony ignored his comment and motioned him to tilt his hat forward. Spike hesitated before he titled his golden top hat, and a blue portal opened. "Second, you can call me Reggy. Follow me." She ordered.

Spike slowly followed, to meet a large red place. A large mansion, you would call it. Each pony either having a silver or golden object with them. "All I can do for you, Spike, is inform you who your challenger is. And your challenger is head of the Monopoly Board, McKyle." Reggy said, her happy tone suddenly replaced by a harsh and rashly tone.

"H-Head of the Monopoly Board?! Can you at least tell me what's going on?!" Spike begged. Reggy only looked back, her face in anger. "Ask your Familiar." She said.

Spike decided to keep his mouths shut and bring his hat over his eyes, hearing every pony he passes.


"That's the newbie?! He's not going to last a second in there."

"That puny dragon is going to lose the second he steps in the Auction."

"Hey, Puny dragon! Why don't you go back where your Princess can babysit you and feed your baba? AHAHAHAHAH!!"


Each insult wanted to make Spike yell. He wanted to scream in anger. But he couldn't, because they were right. He's going to lose the second he's in there, he's not going to last even a blink of an eye in this 'Auction', and he did wanted to go home. He titled his hat further down, tears rolling down his eyes. "Don't listen to them." Reggy said, walking further down the hall with her head down as well. "They always do this to the new Player in the game. They even did this to me. Just keep walking." She said.

At the end of the royal hall was the Garden. Players were surrounded by flowers, and in the middle of the garden was a huge orb, showing a red, inhabit city of Ponyville. "Woah...this is huge!" He said with amazement.

"Well, yeah. This is a millionaire version of Canterlot." Reggy said.

"Wait, so the Canterlot I know is poor compared to this?!" Spike asked with even more amazement.

"Yep. But let's not get off task." Reggy said, pulling out an envelope. She handed to Spike, and he opened the letter to be addressed to him.



To Spike,

It seems that word is going around that your are the new...newbie on the board. And, for that, I humbly request that I challenge you to a duel for Ponyville. I know this is sudden for you and your Familiar, but it seems that I want to prove that not even a newbie like you would dare to defeat me. So, Spike, would you like to take this request? Yes, or No?



"I'm guessing this is from the Head of the Monopoly Board?" Spike asked, not even daring to look upset, but to instead stare at the red sky.

"You seem vaguely calm about this." Reggy said.

"I'm not. I just....I'm just so confused! I don't know how to play, or even know how to win!! By my guess, if I lost to him, I lose all my money!"

"Your right on that one."

"Can you at least teach me how to play?!"

"Sorry, but only you or your Familiar has to tell you the rules. Just like everyone else, even I had to learn the rules myself."

Spike only clawed his face in anger as he has no idea what to do. "Can you at least tell me how to summon this, 'Familiar'?" He asked.

"That's the word: Summon." She said. She then reaches into her pockets, and pulls out a black jacket for him. "Wear this. You'll be able to keep your cards in here."

Spike putted his M.E card in his right pockets, and his deck in his left. He gave a sigh, and nodded with his top hat. "I'm ready." He said.

"I'll teleport you there now." Reggy said. She closed her eyes, and Spike disappeared into the Auction. Reggy only sighed and said, "Good luck, kid. Your going to need it." 




Spike appeared in the Auction, all alone. He looked left and right, but wasn't able to find anyone. "Hello?" He called out. He checked in the sky to find a beam of light. That light caught his attention, and he knew the quickest way to get to that light. Moving from one alley to another, he finally reached the light, to see another pony at the other side. "So, your that dragon, huh? The New Player around this Board." He said.

The pony Spike saw wore a black cloak around his entire body. The only thing it showed was his green snout and green hooves. Spike became in shock, and he titled his hat in question. "Who are you?" He asked.

"Me? Well, you should've known. I am Head Master of the Monopoly Board, and you, my good sir, has entered my domain." He said, but he sat right back on the wall. "But before we can get started, any questions?" 

Spike stood motionless, coming up only three questions in his head. "Yeah, what is the beam of light for?" Spike asked.

"...Hmph, forgot you were a newbie for the moment." He said, now looking straight at him, his eyes still not seen, but his smile shows. "That beam of light is the property your fighting for. When you own it, you rule it." He says. 

A giant card came down, hovering from the ground as a golden number floated above it. The card had bold text saying Ponyville, and it had a brown color above it. Spike snarled in anger as he raised another question. "...Are their any more boards out there in Equestria?" He asked.

"Certainly. I may be king of the Monopoly Board, but their are others. For Example, their is the Millionaire Board, World Edition Board, and what your on now, the Empire Board. Any last questions?" He asked.

"...Who are you?"

"....McKyle."

"Alright everypony, the game will begin, and you all know the rules. But since their is a freshie here, I shall remind you. The Rules are simple. Either win the fight, or be the highest bidder in the game. You have 2 minutes to bid or survive. To fight, you will either be assisting your telling your Familiar your money. Each attack on your Familiar costs you 50 each or more, depending on how strong you want your attack to be. To bid, just say it's name and bid the amount you want. Highest bidder wins, or first one to be killed or injured losses. M.E Cards are playable in this match, so the deck you have on you will take affect. To Summon, throw your Bank M.E card down on the ground and say Summon to see your Familiar. And that's it. Oh, and The Head Master has been reduced to newbie amount. So it will be 250,000 each. Ready...?"

Spike pulled out his M.E Card, ready to throw it down. McKyle, ready as well. Spike was ready to sweat his skin off, but McKyle smirked it off.

"GO!!"

They both threw down their cards as quickly as possible, and they yelled out one word, "Summon!!" Both of their cards flew white as their supposed Familiars came out. McKyle's was a supposed robot with a facial mustache. It's silver armor  reflected off light, and "Ready At Command." It said, taller than it's owner.

Spike's, however, was more unique. His Familiar was a mare. Her red curly mane and tail with her red eyes. Her freckles showed on her white body, and she had a red robe that only covered her body. "Ready at Command!" She said.

This, somehow, seemed to surprise both the Head and himself, but the Head was able to wipe off the surprise when he said, "Attack for 5k!!"

The robot held out it's arm, and aimed it towards Spike. The white colored pony jumped in front of Spike's way, punishing her with a dangerously blow. She flew right into Spike, both sliding back in pain. Spike couldn't help but groan from the pain, but found that his Familiar was severely hurt. "A-are you okay?!" Spike asked.

She stumbled her way up, blood found on her right rib. "I'm fine. Next time, block the attack." She said sternly.

"So you are her?" asked McKyle, now walking with his silver robot. "The supposedly apprentice of the Mad Hatter?"

"Mad Hatter?" Spike asked. All his Familiar did was growl in response. "Red mane, Red tail, freckles, I think you're her! I didn't think you choose this one after the incident." He said.

"Can someone please fill me in on what's going on?!?!" Spike asked.

"Sure, if you can block the attack for 40k." He said. The Robot held up his arm and swung with great force. His arm went from silver to orange, as if it came down like a meteor.  "Block the attack!!" She yelled.

"I-I...uh...block for 25k!!" Spike yelled in fear. His Familiar glowed, before blocking only part of the robots attack and causing a crater. "Not bad, not bad; but not good enough. Robot, attack again for 5k." He calmly said.

The robot recoiled his other arm, before unleashing his robotic arm towards the Familiar. "Counter-Attack for 5k!" Spike yelled. His Familiar used the blocked arm and send it back, making the robot's arm hit is own face before the other arm could reach her. The Robot stumbled back from the hit, but no damage is found, "You did well for your first attack, Spike. But can you out last the rest of the minute and thirty seconds?" He asked.

"I think I can, I just got to give it all I got!" Spike said with a smirk. McKyle only smirked at his response. "We'll see. Robot, attack for 50k." He said again.

The Robot instead wanted to use both arms and force them upon Spike. He only smiled as he took in a huge amount of air, and blew a gigantic amount of green fire amongst the robot, causing it to overheat. The Robot was denied, and completely want to a stop. "Huh, what the-?!"

"Familiar, attack for 3k!" Spike interrupted. His Familiar smiled as she jumped and sucker punched the robot. The big machine fell over, still overheated. "Robot! Cool for 20k!!" He said.

The Robot cooled down and forced himself back up with his arms. "Jeez, your doing well, new kid. Scared me half to death for my Robot friend here." He said.

"And the sad part is, you only got 30 seconds left of the game." Spike said with a smirk.

"Oh really? Does it really look like you won?" McKyle asked. Spike was confused at this, until he looked at the giant card. Unfortunately, the Head of Monopoly was the highest by 70k showing his name right above it. "No!" Spike knew that he would bid soon, but he didn't think it would this high!

"Your move, Spike. Robot, kill him for 5k." McKyle said with a smirk. The Robot once again charged his hand and swung right at Spike. He jumped out of the way from the attack, and the Robot was hit by the Familiar. "Sorry, Master! 50 for each attack on their own!" She yelled.

She side kicked the Robot on the head, and it stumbled backwards before it caught itself. "20 seconds left. Robot, attack for 20k. Use the Ground Pound, please." McKyle ordered.

The Robot jumped high in the air, and aimed right towards Spike. As it came closer, Spike started to count. "19, 18, 17, 16..." He counted as it came closer. He did the math, and by the time it came to crush him, it was close to the end. "I see you counting the math, but it's no use. You have nothing against me." McKyle said, smiling as it came closer with greater speed.

"You know, you can just block it! What are you waiting for?!" His Familiar said, now in fear. Spike reached in his pocket and pulled out an M.E Card. "12, 11, 10..." Spike continued.

"Master!! What are you doing?! Are you to stupid to block it?!" Spike's Familiar continued.

"I may be a stupid dragon, but I'm Princess Twilight's number one apprentice, so I know how to do my math." He said. He didn't know what he was doing, but his instinct was to throw down his M.E Card as he yelled, "Just Say No!!"

The Robot literally stopped just inches above him, and both his Familiar and McKyle were shocked. "Bid for 80k!!" Spike yelled. The number changed above the Ponyville Card, and the timer hit zero.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this Auction is Spike the Dragon. Having 132 thousand dollars left, he gets a Discount Bonus for less money used. Adding up to a total of 432 thousand bits. The card Spike has won was Ponyville. So he now owns this card."

The Ponyville Card flew right into Spike's pocket, and the Head of the Monopoly Board was quite shocked, as well as his Familiar. "H-how....how did you win?!" McKyle asked, still in shock.

"Honestly...I don't know either." Spike said. Next thing he knew, he was teleported back to Millionaire Canterlot with his Familiar. "Wow, for a squirm like you, you made it pretty far." She said.

"T-thank you. Can't believe I made it." Spike said, a huge sigh of relief was heard from him. "Now...I just want to go home."

"Well, here." She said, handing him a black watch. "This is where I'll be when you want to talk to me."

"Still not understanding what's going on...but sure." He said. He put on the watch and titled his hat forward. The portal reopened and he stepped through it, returning back to Ponyville. It was still morning, and Spike sighed. "Hey...uh...Familiar." Spike called through his watch.

The timer on the watch switched to his Familiar reading a book. She looked at Spike through the watch with a smile. "Yeah?" She asked.

"I, uh, didn't get your name." Spike said sheepishly.

"Right...names Bloody Violet." She says.

"Why do they call you Bloody Violet?"

"Because my mane is so red, it's a blood color. And because whenever theirs a fight around, I get a little violent."

Spike had the most awkward poker face he ever had, hearing her say that so calmly. "Right...but do you know what that was all about?" He asked.

"About what?"

"Why do I have to do this? What is even going on?!" Spike asked, now walking home. Violet sighed as she kept on reading. "Honestly, I think it's because the Monopoly Man wanted to try a different approach." She said.

"Monopoly Man? You know him?"

"Yeah. I didn't know he existed until I fought him with the Mad Hatter."

"Am I the Mad Hatter now?"

"Yeah, I guess. Anyone wearing the golden hat must have a pony Familiar. Most female, rarely men. I'm your servant now. But with the Monopoly Man, I was...sorta..exiled."

"Like, banned?" 

"You could say that, but I was sentence to death for failing the Master's duty. Every Familiar has to keep their Master safe, and if the Familiar fails, the Player can sentence them to death."

"Oh...you were sentenced there?" 

"Yeah, I was. But I had another chance. They said if I fail one more time, then I can't come back."

"One more time?! How many times did you fail?"

"Most of the time, I was the Mad Hatter's servant in the house, or a maid, as you would call it. But...5-6-7 times."

"You seem a little to calm for that."

"Yep." Violet finished, now staring back at the book. Spike notice how she failed more times that should've, yet surprisingly calm about it. Their's just one more question that bothered him. "But, Monopoly Man, who is he?"

"Not sure. He's just a rich man. Rumor goes that, in this 'Human Universe' they fight. They think others cheat, they yell, they even go so far as to lose their minds for this game. Heck, one of the creators of this stupid problem fights for the money." She says with frustration.

"Oh. Then last question please." Spike asked her.

"And that would be...?"

"What does the Ponyville Card do?" Spike asked with a sheepish smile.

"Anypony that's a player, who lives in this town by the way, owes you rent every day, But since you have no Houses, they only have to pay 50 bits." She explained. 

"You said their was a board right. Can I see it?" Spike asked.

"Sure." Violet said as she brought a folded map out of her book. She unwrapped the board and laid it flat for him to see.



"This is the board? I expected to be a bit more...complicated." Spike said.

"Hey, this is the board. Sorry if it isn't challenging for you." Violet said sarcastically.

"Sorry! Sorry...I'm just having a hard time processing this, you know?" Spike said.

"Everyone does, even the Empires, but you'll get used to it."

"Do I even have a choice?"

"Nope."

"Figures." Spike said with a chuckle, but his small laugh was interrupted by three fillies. "Who are you talking to?" Applebloom asked.

"Myself. I'm just tired of what I've been through today." Spike said.

"Where have you been? And where did you get that golden hat?" Scoot asked.

"Well--" Spike was ing to answer it, but his mind was interfered when Violet spoke. "Unless you really want to lose your memories and die, I recommend you don't say anything about what happened." she said.

"I-I...went on a crazy adventure. Involving my watch, my golden hat, my fancy black jacket that a pretty mare gave to me, and I'm going on a date." Spike made up.

"A date?! With who?!" Applebloom asked.

"Tell us! Who is she?!" Sweetie Belle asked.

"It's...it's..." Spike frantically looked for a way out, but to no avail, he was force to answer. "Red Violet." He said, tilting his hat forward to cover his eyes.

"Really?! We have to tell. Twilight this!!" Scoot said. They all tried to run off, but was grabbed by the tail forcefully as Spike said, "No! You can't tell Twilight about this!!"

"Why not?" Sweetie asked, now their tails free of torment. 

"Because...I...don't want Twilight to ruin it for me. Please, keep it a secret. Just between us, and no pony else! Not even Pinkie!" Spike begged.

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my--"

"I get it, you promise. Just...keep it low and hidden, okay?" Spike interrupted the Crusaders. They nodded with a smile and ran off giggling. "Really, a date? That's all you can think of?" He heard.

"What do you want me to say? I fought a giant robot squid with laser-shooting tentacles?" Spike asked.

"Right...just summon me." Violet said. Spike brought out his M.E and threw it down as he said, "Summon!!"

Violet came out, her robe in perfect condition, and her body healed. "Just meet me at Sugarcube Corner." She said.

"You know your way around Ponyville?"

"Mad Hatter use to live here. I know Ponyville more well than you do." Before Violet can leave from Spike, he had one more question.

"Wait!!" He called out. Violet stopped and turned. "What?" She asked.

"I overheard that once a pony dies, a new Player comes in. Who was that last Player that died?" Spike asked. Violet looked straight ahead and answered. "Before I was sentenced to death, I fought the Monopoly Man with the Mad Hatter. Lost all his money, and tried to gain his money back for one last fight. I was punished, but I saw his death: a silver beast, ending his life." She said, and then continued to walk away.

Spike stood dumbfounded, but he scratched his head. "And I thought this was just a game. Guess I've been proved wrong." He said. He ran out to Twilight's to get ready for the 'date', but what he didn't know, is that Fluttershy has seen this summoning.

And she is going to find out what's going on.




"Aaaaaand once again, you have lost to a newbie." The Ruler said with a chuckle.

"No!! He CHEATED!! He pulled out an M.E Card!! Y-you saw that, right?!"

"Their were no rules against using an M.E Card, but if he pulled out a Chance Card, you would've won guaranteed." said the Ruler, stroking his thick and luxurious mustache. "But, you lost. Get over it."

"AHAHAHAH!! Woo! Your face was certainly priceless!!"

"Face it, your out of your game, Mc. Leave it to the Millionaires to do the job right."

"You know, theirs something wrong with this Player. I can't quite put my hoof on it."

"The fact that this dragon is the Princesses assistant?" The Ruler asked.

"Something like that. But...I'm just going to let the game continue."

"Right. Monopoly Leaders, from now on, your keeping an eye on the Players, especially the dragon, got it?" The Ruler Asked.

"I speak for everyone, and we say okay. We'll keep an eye on the Players."

"Good. Now, if you excuse me, I need to check on the human world. It's bothering me how I leave them for 20 minutes and people start to think their cheating." The Ruler said. He walked out of the door, leaving the rest of the Leaders to their duties.