We currently find ourselves near a dark cave that was several miles away from the crystal empire. A safe place for who was inside. For this pony was safe from the power of the crystal heart that had defeated them.

The one I'm describing sat around a small fire they had created to escape the cold. The pony had the similar appearance to one King Sombra, except this was clearly a mare. The mare let out a sigh and looked at the fire. It had been a few weeks since she had been defeated. That's right folks, this was none other than King Sombra, or we should call her by her true name. Queen Umbra.

You're probably wondering what exactly is going on. Let me explain. Long ago, when Umbra took control over the crystal empire, she thought the crystal ponies wouldn't fear her as much if she was a mare. So, she decided to change her image a little to make sure they would fear her for life.

Now the crystal ponies thought she was gone, but that was far from the truth. In reality, when she was subjected to the power of the crystal heart, a fragment of her horn remained, which just so happened to fall into a carriage that was making its way out of the empire to get more supplies.

It was during the trip that she regained consciousness and made her way into this cave to hide out for the moment. It wouldn't play well in her hooves if she charged in without getting her strength back.

As she let the fire keep her body warm from the harsh elements, she let her mind wonder to a certain individual that plagued her mind. A small purple dragon that was the main cause of her defeat. Spike. From what she learned as her body was restoring itself, he was the assistant to Twilight Sparkle, who happened to be Celestia's student. This made no sense whatsoever.

For one thing, why would a dragon be the assistant to a pony? They were proud and didn't take orders unless it was from someone who they respected. Second, how in the world did he come to be under the care of ponies in the first place? Dragon eggs were heavily looked at.

She didn't know why he seemed to be peak her interest, but he wouldn't leave her mind. As she sat there, she suddenly had a stroke of genius! Later when it gets dark, she could use a spell she learned long ago to peer into the young drake's dreams. The spell allows her to transport anywhere, as long as there is darkness. So all she had to do was wait.

Later that night, Umbra herself stood up from her spot near the fire and closed her eyes as she focused on the spell. Once she opened her eyes, she found herself in what appeared to be a large cave, larger than the one she was in.

She began to make her way deep into the cave to see where it lead. She soon made it to the end where a large figure could be seen moving. As she walked closer, she saw it was a large dragon with the same color scheme as the dragon she had been thinking about.

It seemed the sounds of her hooves were heard by the dragon as it turned its head towards her before turning away with haste. "Leave me! You'll only get hurt." said the dragon with a deep voice.

Umbra grew curious at what was wrong, which seemed like a first for her, so she walked around to face the dragon head on. "I will not leave just because you say so." replied Umbra with strong conviction.

Spike narrowed his eyes as he took a closer look at the female unicorn and noticed something. "You look like King Sombra." replied Spike with suspicious.

"That's because that was my false name. My real name is Queen Umbra." replied Umbra who was satisfied to see the shocked look on Spike's face.

"B-B-But I thought you were destroyed?" questioned Spike.

"I was. But I was able to stay alive with small piece of my horn staying intact." replied Umbra. "Now that you know how I'm still alive, it's your turn to tell me why your sad." offered Umbra wanting to know what was wrong.

Spike let out a sigh and lied down to get relaxed. "This is what I truly am. A monster who will only hurt everypony because of what I am." replied Spike who began to tear up.

Umbra didn't see why the dragon was sad about it in the first place. Dragons were suppose to grow up and be giant, it was just part of their nature.

"What are you talking about? You're suppose to grow. All dragons grown up to be large." replied Umbra.

"Still, everpony would be better without me. After all, I'm not exactly treated like a king anyways." replied Spike who didn't notice a bubble float from his head, which stuck Umbra as surprised.

Umbra brought the bubble down with her magic and put her head inside. Numerous memories began to flash past her. Spike laying on a piece of ice in the middle of pond, being used as a pin cushion by the element of generosity, being called lame by the element of loyalty, not having his feelings returned by the same unicorn who he helps, and several other events that showed him being treated unkindly.

She pulled her head out of the bubble with anger coursing through her veins. She had just seen moments in this dragon's life where he was treated unkindly by his so called 'friends' and they thought it was FUNNY!

Shocking the dragon and even herself a little bit, she walked over to him and gave him a hug on his claw. She may have ruled over the Crystal Empire with an iron hoof, but that didn't mean she was completely heartless. Well, some would disagree, but this was a dragon younger than her who was in pain.

Spike didn't know what to expect from Umbra. Maybe seeing her want revenge, but to see her give his claw a hug was shocking to say the least. He merely brought his head down near her and rubbed his snout against her to return the gesture.

Umbra felt Spike's large snout rub against her and actually smiled as he tried to be gentle, even in his giant form.

This is something that went on for several nights. Spike would have a dream of him becoming all grown up, then Umbra would visit to talk to him. It never even bothered him after that first night that he was beginning to make friends with an evil unicorn who ruled over the Crystal Empire with an iron hoof.

Umbra stood in her cave as the fire crackled in front of her as she was happy. Her full power had returned after a week, plus she had ended up making friends with the dragon who had played a large part in defeating her. Not only that, but she began to feel for the dragon. He showed he was truly kind, loyal, and generous, even to an enemy of Equestria like her.

She walked to the cave' entrance and looked out through the snow. "I'm coming for you Spike, future ruler of the Crystal Empire." replied Umbra who turned into her dark smoke-like form and went out into the cold to head towards Ponyville.

Spike himself was currently looking out the window at the Golden Oaks Library as Twilight decided to leave him alone while she hung out. Big shocker.

While he looked at the moon, he began to think about Umbra. He was shocked that he would talk to her in his dreams, but after awhile, it got really enjoyable. What really shocked him was that he found himself attracted to the queen. She may have been a dark ruler, but she had the elegance, beauty, and strength to lead any nation. All those traits made Spike look at her in a new light. A light much brighter than what he use to have for Rarity now.

What he didn't notice was the smoke figure creep up behind him until a hoof tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around, and was shocked to see the smiling face of Umbra standing there. He was surprised and happy at the same time and couldn't stop himself from latching onto her to give her a hug.

Umbra smiled at Spike and returned the hug. After a few minutes, they pulled apart and Spike still had a big smile on his face. "Umbra, what are you doing here?" asked Spike who was just glad to see her.

"Well, I came here on a mission. To find a king. You." replied Umbra pointing at Spike.

Spike was gobsmacked at what he just heard and finally snapped out of his stupor, only to point a finger at himself. "Me? But why?"

"Spike, you have shown traits that prove you would be a great king. You merely need a push in the right direction." replied Umbra.

"But Umbra, what about Twilight and the others?" asked Spike.

"Spike, what have they done to show they care? They tease you. Use you. And don't think you're a true dragon. If you ask me, I believe you could be the most powerful king in all of Equestria." Umbra draped her red cape over Spike and turned his head to face her. "Spike, I know we have only known each other for a short while, but I do believe you to be my other half. My king. Will you rule with me?" asked Umbra with complete honesty.

Spike looked at the floor as he thought about it. He has been getting tired of not getting respect from Twilight and the others. Sure there have been good moments, but there has also been moments where it hurt more than they think. Plus, Umbra returned affections he thought he only had for Rarity.

Spike looked up at Umbra's face and brought her face closer before capturing her lips. Umbra was surprised, but didn't complain and proceeded to return the wonderful feeling of the kiss.

After pulling apart, Spike said, "I'd love to be your king."

Umbra smiled in delight and held Spike close to her as she became her shadow form again and slipped out of the library with her new king in tow.

It took awhile, but they had finally claimed rule over the Crystal Empire again. When they first tried to take it, they were no match, even with their army from the Everfree Forest. Luckily for them, Spike's growth spurt sprang up in the nick of time. With his large size, they were able to claim the empire as their own.

Twilight and the others were obviously shocked, but couldn't do much as they now controlled the Crystal Empire, which meant that any interference would be recognized as an act of war.

The two princesses wouldn't dare to try anything either as Spike was technically Celestia's son as she had hatched him first and had him raised by Twilight. Both wouldn't do it as they don't want to fight their family.

The crystal ponies didn't do much of a struggle do to two reasons. The first was because they dare not encourage Queen Umbra's wrath. The second was because they actually accepted Spike as their king.

Meanwhile, in the tallest tower in the Crystal Empire, is where we find Queen umbra herself with Spike in his full grown form next to her.

Umbra nuzzled against her husband's maw as she felt like the luckiest unicorn. Not only did she have a kingdom under her rule, but a great husband who was her equal, and something else.

"Hey Spike." Spike turned towards his queen with his narrowed pupils.

"What is it?" asked the dragon.

"I'm pregnant." smiled Umbra.

*Slam*

And just like that, Spike fainted.

Umbra giggled at her husband and rubbed her belly. They would have a beautiful heir to the kingdom.

Next Chapter: spike and diamond tiara Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 57 Minutes