"We can hope in one hoof and bleed in the other and see which fills faster."

                                 Nightmare Moon

Spike groaned as he slowly sat up. He hissed in pain as his back flared up. He was in a small bedroom, more than likely a hospital room. His back was covered in bandages. He tried to stretch his wing but instantly regretted the action. Spike carefully got out of bed and walked to the door. On the other side Dr. Whooves was just about open it.

"What are you doing out of bed?" He said, shocked to see the dragon.

"I'm well enough Doctor," Spike said. He tried to leave the room but Whooves stopped him.

"You suffered quite the injury," Whooves said," After all you did suffer from mana exhaustion and to top it all off most of the scales on your back are gone."

"They'll grow back," Spike said, his tone stern," How long have I been out?"

"A day," Whooves saghed," We won the battle but suffered a lot of casualties. Oh and a Shade arrived from Manehatten today."

"Good," Spike said," Then let us see what the message is."

They left and Whooves lead Spike to the Earthborn main house. Inside the shade in question was talking to Snails, Applejack and Granny Smith. Snails saw Spike and went up to him.

"My lord," he said with a bow," It is good to see you up and about."

"Thank you Harbinger."

"Spike what are ya doin' out of bed?" Applejack asked.

"Rest will come when Moon and Stars has fallen," Spike said as he walked up to them," Until then I must continue on. Now then my Shade what news do you bring?"

The unicorns bowed deeply," My lord, Spymaster Moondancer has asked for your presence in Manehatten to begin a treaty talks."

"A treaty with Whitegold?" Applejack hissed through clenched teeth," Are ya outa yer mind? Rarity can't be trusted!"

"Thank you my Shade," Spike said," Send word to Moondancer that I will be making the flight to Manehatten by evening's first star." The Shade bowed and quickly left the room through and open window. Spike looked back at Applejack who looked fit to strangle him," There is a reason I have decided to try this treaty with Whitegold."

"Why?" she spat," So ya cin have a chance ta git yer rocks off?"

Spike looked at Applejack, his expression unreadable," Do you trust me?"

Applejack was taken aback by the sudden question. Everything he ever told her had been truth and he had never lied to her. After a moment she spoke," Yes."

"Then gather your army." Spike turned to Snails," Harbinger bring together a small force and make way to New Ponyville. Gather our forces there then make way to Manehatten."

"Yes my lord," Snails left the room to begin preparrtions.

"What are ya scheming there young un?" Granny Smith asked, finally speaking up.

Spike looked at with a morose expression,"  A precaution in case I'm right and I hope by my Mother's blood I'm wrong."

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Spike took wing to Manehatten that night/. His back was still in pain but less so now that his scales had begun to reform. A small group of Risen flew with him acting as his guard. There idea had been Dr. Whooves'. Spike looked to the moon and sighed he decided to bring out Luna's journal. Given that they were so high up and had a good headwing going he could continue the reading.

Day one hundred twenty seven.

After the attempt to see the skill of the Royal Guard, who I might add are a poultry excuse of what they once were. I have again found myself intrigued by Twilight Sparkle, my foolish sister's favorite pawn. The mare was able to sniff out the Changelings within a matter of hours while the hivemother Chrysalis masqueraded as Cadenza, one of the newer addition to the royal family. I had 'persuaded' Chrysalis to test Twilight Sparkle three days before the Secretariat's Comet and the test was met with surprising results. The power that mare has. She singlehoofedly brought low the bug. With the right matter of coaxing Twilight Sparkle could become on par with myself. I will continue to observe her and the other Elements as well. Now I must figure out this infernal map for it has led me astray. Who am I jesting I am lost.

Day two hundred thirteen

It is almost time. I have secured the Elements failing relations and cultivated that little seed of darkness in Twilight Sparkle. I will now have to secure the Lens and destroy the infernal thing. Then I will deal with my foolish elder sister. I have found the place that has the only records of it and it has been hidden away in the Dragon's Cemetery. A fitting place for it now I...

The text cut off from there and it was the last page. Spike closed the book his expression unreadable. Suddenly with a feral growl he threw the tome in the air and lit it aflame. The tome resisted the flames at first but Spike's rage made his fire all the stronger and eventually the tome turned to ash. The risen around him were startled by the sudden action but stayed silent. They continued on toward Manehatten not daring utter a word.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Moondancer tapped a hoof against the white marble tiles of the Whitegold Council room. Rarity and her Inner Council sat on their perches staring down at her. They had received word that Pyequill was on his way and now they just waited. Moondancer didn't dare take her eyes from Rarity's. Puzzlebox stirred by her side.

"Spymaster he is here," he said.

"Good," Moondancer said not taking her eyes of the unicorn in front of her," It would seem my Lord has arrived."

"Wonderful,' Rarity giggled," I can't wait to meet this stallion."

The doors burst open to reveal Lord Pyequill flanked by three Risen. He was garbed in his black battle armor. His claws clicked against the tile as he walked toward the ponies with an even, but firm gait. His purple scales reflected the glow from the torches that lit the room. The entirety of the Inner Council was speechless at the dragon's arrival. They expected a barbaric stallion thinking he was a dragon.

Moondancer smirked," Presenting Pryequill Lord of House Brightflame."

She and Puzzlebox moved out of the dragon's way. Spike stopped just before the pedestals the Inner Council saw fit to set themselves on. His bright green eyes focused on Rarity. She was still as beautiful as he remembered despite the crystal growths on her body.

"You must forgive our rudeness," Fancy Pants said being the first to speak up," We were not expecting you to be an actual dragon."

"It is forgiven," Spike said," I have come here to ask for your aid and the hope of an alliance between our two houses."

"It can't be," Rarity breathed," Spikey is that really you?"

All eyes turned to the alabaster unicorn. Spike looked her dead in the eye," Yes. It is good to see you again."

"Leave us."

The Inner Council was shocked by this but a single look from Rarity cut off any objections. They quickly left the room and wiith a soft nod from Spike so did Moondancer and Puzzlebox. Rarity stepped off her seat and walked up to the dragon. She carefully placed a hoof against his scaly cheek.

"How?" she asked.

"Does it matter?" Spike said," All that matters is I'm back."

Rarity wrapped her hooves around the dragon and Spike returned the embrace.

'Maybe I am wrong,' Spike thought as a tear of joy slid down his cheek. The two pulled away.

"Darling your crying," Rarity said as she pulled a handkerchief up and dried his eyes.

"Its nothing," Spike said," I was afraid that you had-"

She placed a hoof on his lips and leaned forward," Shhh." Spike's mind melted as he felt her soft lips on his. She pulled away and stared into his eyes. Spike pulled her into his arms and held her, not noticing the dark grin on her muzzle. Next Chapter: Eye to Eye Estimated time remaining: 5 Minutes