Nightfall had hit the sky, and it was the only settling thing that swept through Equestria, even if the moon appeared red in the night. Zecora, Discord, the free ponies, and the freedom fighters all decided to camp in another cave for the whole night, and, like in the first cave, Discord sealed off the entrance with his magic so they wouldn't be discovered by Roseblood's minions

Several fires were built and lit up to keep everyone warm through the nighttime and see in this cave like beacons.

For the dragons, some of them couldn't fit inside this cave, and the largest ones decided to keep watch while outside to look for any enemies or Roseblood. They all didn't mind, for they liked the cool, night air this time of day.

At least some diamond dogs, and some mercenaries would be deathly afraid of the gigantic dragons the size of small skyscrapers.

Ember just relaxed against a fire with Thorax, Zecora and Discord. All in all, she couldn't get her mind off of the best friend she ever made still.

At least that they were almost at Canterlot, and the new dragon lord could not wait to get her claws on Roseblood, and make her bleed so hard that she will look like a dried up grape.

"Are you alright, Ember?" Asked Thorax.

"Eh, you know." The dragon lord sighed. "Just thinking about that cute baby dragon that was my first friend."

"We know." Said Zecora. "But we are almost there, and Roseblood will suffer dearly for what she has done. I want to make sure when we defeat her, her body will become undone."

"I just want her to die in a non-gruesome way." Thorax admitted.

"After what she has done to all of us?" Discord asked him. "She must suffer dearly rhe way we have suffered while she tried to attack us."

"Yeah, I wanna make a rug out of her skin!" Ember added.

"That sounds a little barbaric." Thirax modestly stated. "At least we can save Spike abd our friends from her when we save Equestria. My worry is... what if all our friends are casualties?"

Zecora looked unsure, and she had her thinking face on. "I do not know." She admitted. "But if se all hurt our friends, then we might as well reap what we sow."

"Still, I can't help but think that we might need a little more help in the fight."

All of a sudden, one of the gigantic dragons from outside knocked on the side of the cake. "Hey, guys." He said in a low voice. "We have some animals here."

"Animals?" Said Thorax.

"Hmm. Let's take a look." Said Discord. "Zecora, come with me, the rest of you stay here."

With a snap of his finger, he and the zebra poofed outside and saw a gigantic army of animals of many varieties. They all cheered at seeing Discord. The leader was Angel Bunny, Fluttershy's pet rabbit, Winoma, Opal, Tank, and the rest of the elements of harmony's pets.

There were so many of animals, possibly friends of Fluttershy, considering the fact that angel Bunny was in charge of all these animals in this cavalry. Not only animals but a couple if other creatures like manticores, cockatrice, and many more monsters.

They all looked like they were ready for a fight. "Angel!" Discord recognized the little white rabbit. "It's you and you've brought reinforcements for us."

Angel Bunny nodded his head and made a rather adorable Tarzan yell while holding a carrot spear.

Every one of the animals let out a war cry of many sounds: roaring, chirping, cawing, howling, barking, and other sounds that many animals would make.

Zecora smiled, knowing that they have just received more help in the fight.

"I don't know about this." Discord thought. "They can be killed in the battle yet to come and my dear Fluttershy would he devastated to see a number of dead animals that were killed in battle."

Winona barked a few times and Discord somehow understood what the dog was saying to him, probably because Fluttershy taught him how to communicate with animals.

"Do you know what they are saying?" Asked a dragon.

"Winona stated that she and the other aninaosnwill he just fine, and told us not worry about any casualties. If they die, then they will die freeing all their friends and owners from Roseblood's control."

Zecora had a small look of doubt. She didn't like seeing animals get hurt, especially killed. Alas, she wants to argue that this could be suicide for them all.

Perhaps when this is over, there could be a way to bring dead comrades back fo lice, if struck with mortal blow.

Still, if they do not stop Roseblood, all these animals might die anyway. "Well, very well." Said zecora. "The more help, the merrier."

All the animals cheered in reply, and they were l ready for the upcoming battle that will commence soon when they a reach Canterlot.

"Yeah, we'll now have a greater chance in killing Roseblood." Discord agreed.

"Well, this should he good." Said another one of the large dragons.

"In the meantime, why don't you all get some rest?" Zecora suggested. "Tomorrow, we attack the parasite queen by attacking her nest."

All the animals agreed and went to find a place to sleep close to the cave and rest their energy for tomorrow.

"Well, I am pooped. The master of chaos remarked. "I can really use some shudeye." Then he poofed himself and Zecora back into the cave."

"What just happened out there?" Asked Lyra. "Are we under attack?"

"No, of course not." Discord replied. "A bunch of animals that know Fluttershy. And they all fledge their support for us."

Many ponies and creatures in the cave smiled hearing the news. They all know that they have more support than before. After a little while, every one is the freedom fighters grew tired and went to bed at eleven.

Just about everyone was snoring when they were in their slumber. Tomorrow may finally be the day they all stop all this madness from spreading like wildfire, and save the whole world.

Meanwhile

Spike was feeling very tired after watching a few free ponies get tortured to near-death. It was agonizing for him to endure, but he knew there was nothing he could have done to stop that suffering from happening.

He tucked himself in bed, and he was waiting for Roseblood to come in and sleep next to him. All in all, Spike just wanted to go to sleep, and hoped that the greatest miracle will come to him tomorrow, if he is very lucky that is.

At last, he heard a faint humming in the hallway, and it was Roseblood’s sweet, beautiful voice. He knew that this night might not go well, for who knows what the evil mare will do to him while he is asleep? Knowing that he could not from doing anything to him, he just learned to live with it.

“Let me tell you, pet.” Said she. “But, I am more tired than a sloth that awoken from his long sleep from the night before.”

Sighing sadly, Spike replied: “Yeah, I can use some sleep myself.” Then he turned to his left side. “Roseblood.... can I ask you something?”

“Hmm? Of course. What is on your little mind?”

“Why are you so evil?” The baby dragon Asked at last. In his head, he was starting to regret asking that kind of question to a dangerous mare like her.

“Why?” Said Roseblood in a quiet voice. “Why?” She was starting to sound louder than before. “WHY?!” It looked like Roseblood was about to blow a large fuse like a bomb, but she suddenly kept her cool and didn’t explode like a volcano. She sounded rather sad when she admitted it, but Roseblood finally replied: “Well... I wasn’t always like this.”

She sighed miserably. “What do you mean, your majesty?”

Roseblood was a little silent at first, but she stated: “I used to be like anypony else in this world l but that all changed when Celestia and Luna came in my life. I had a lot of friends, and they slowly forgot all about me like a third wheel.”

“Third wheel?”

“Yes. And, believe it or not, me and Celestia and Ouna were friends a thousand years ago. Before I turned into beautiful self you see now, me and the princess’ have had good laughs with one another. One day, my own other friends started to forget all about me, and focus their eyes on those two under my control.”

Deep down, Spike couldn’t help but feel sorry for her inside.

“Finally, I came across something intriguing: a demon who granted me this power and immortality in exchange for my soul. At last, with my new powers, I can do whatever I Please, and the first thing I wanted to do it march straight to her in a Canterlot with my new army of demons and monsters. Oh how I wanted to make Celestia and Luna pay for all the pin they have bestowed upon me.”

Spike made a small gulp. “Roseblood, i’m Sorry.” He Said.

“Oh keep your sympathy, Spike.” Roseblood shrugged off. “I need not of anypony’s sympathy, or a dragon like yourself. “I Would shave won against her, but they overpowered me and banished me to the pits of hell!”

Old pain and anger jabbed her like a fresh stab from a knife.

“I was locked away down there ever since. And besides, hell is not a bad place to be in.”

“Well, I have heard of stories about Tartarus and the torture that is so gruesome, I shouldn’t even say the name,”

“Ah, come now. Anyway, it was only a matter of time before I would eventually be brought back from hell to the mortal world. Doing time be,Ow us gives you a lot of time to think and plan a strategy very thoroughly, even if it would take you an eternity to figure it all out by yourself.”

“Did someone bust you out of there?”

“No, I broke myself out of Tartarus, thanks to my profound strength and brains.”

“Did you ever try making friends before?” Asked Spike curiously.

“I have countless times as a matter of fact. No matter how many times i’ve tried, it just simply couldn’t work properly. Therefore, I have decided that friendship is nothing but a load of nonsense. What you need is full power in your body and you can have whatever you want. Just never let anyone stand in your way.”

“But, i’m Happy with my life.”

“I know you are, especially being my new pet, right?” Asked Roseblood with an amused look on her face.

Spike was a little silent for a moment, not really knowing how to lie to her about that question. “Well. I mean...” he didn’t say or mumble anything for a short period of time.

“Hmm, your silence is very reassuring to me and my ears, sweetie.” Then she hugged him close to her like s little girl’s stuffed animal. Spike was feeling a little scared, but when he was clung to her, he felr a nice, ear, sensation in his heart, and he felt a little more calm.

Was this hypnosis or a trick? Or is her body as warm as what Spike feels?

Still, he didn’t want to exactly jump to conclusions,mand continued being held like this. “Well, Anyway, I love being evil. It makes me so happy.” She showed an evil smile to convince the baby dragon if her point. “It feels good to be bad. But anywho,” she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight, Spike. Sweet dreams and do not let the bed bugs bite.”

She tucked herself in and Spike was already fast asleep, but he was crying in his sleep, still worried about how everything will go for the future battle between good and evil tomorrow. Zecora, Discord, and the others have to free him from this nightmare.

If they will not stop here, who will?