Author's Notes:

Okay. Now before you all go and attack me for adding in nazi elements, I will have you all be aware that this salute is called the Roman salute. The nazi salute is where the fingers are folded together and used to represent evil and tyranny. The roman salute is where the fingers are separated, even though it doesn't really make much of a difference. If you want any more information, here's a few links:

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-the-Roman-salute-and-the-Nazi-Fascist-salute

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_salute

No matter what stance anybody takes with this, just know that I strongly condemn any form of oppression or hatred spread out, whether it be nazism, communism, fascism, and so on. Thank you all for listening and I'll see you on the other side.

Everypony stood in shock as they heard the news of Discord's demise. They could never have expected him to die, not even in the slightest. They were all having mixed reactions about his death. They had no idea whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, but they already knew it was a bad omen. But nopony has had it worse than Fluttershy.

"Discord...? He... He's...?" Fluttershy said in a shaky voice.

Twilight and the other alicorn princesses lowered their heads in a shameful sadness.

"N-No. It couldn't be. H-He's just playing a trick. Yes, that's right. He always does. Any moment, he'll pop out of nowhere at random. You'll see, he's... he's..." Fluttershy panicked as she tried to maintain her composure.

Rainbow Dash and Starlight came over to her and comforted her. At that moment, Fluttershy finally broke down and fell to the floor in tears.

"Why? Why? He's Discord! He would never die! He's the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony! There's no way he would be overpowered by some new foe!" Fluttershy wailed.

"It's okay, Fluttershy. Just let it all out." Celestia said as she comforted her.

Fluttershy continued to cry as Twilight started to feel something far more powerful than any foe she has ever fought. It was a presence of evil. Cold, dim, and filled with malice. Further words could not describe the feeling she had as a cold chill ran down her spine. The other princesses felt that as well.

"We need to return to our kingdoms. If we don't have the Elements of Harmony, there will be no telling what agony shall be wrought upon us." Twilight said.

Hearing this, Fluttershy stopped crying and looked towards Twilight along with everypony else.

"I understand that there's nothing we can do about what happened to Discord, but we can do something to keep our kingdom's safe." Twilight said in a firm manner.

"She's right. If we are not back at our kingdoms, death and destruction will be all that awaits us." Celestia concurred.

Everypony else nodded in agreement upon hearing that.

"Then it is settled. We leave right away." Luna said.

Immediately, everypony went towards the train and started heading back to their homes.

***

Back at the Dragon Badlands, Spike was recovering from his battle with Discord. After the energy and the beating he took from fighting the treacherous draconequus, he was tired and started to rest. But he had this feeling that was bothering him. He had no clue what it was, but it was eating away at him like a maulwarf consuming a swarm of changelings. He knew what it was, but he couldn't put his claw on it. Just then, the creature said,

"Someone approaches."

Spike got off his seat and went to see who it was. Just then, he saw Garble.

"What is it?" Spike asked.

"Uh. I received news that Torch's gonna be okay. He has a few bruises, a couple cracked ribs, and maybe a bit of his ego lost, but he'll make it. One more thing." Garble reported.

"Make it fast."

"Ember's back, and she's brought the Elements of Harmony. Also, she's brought friends."

"Friends?"

"Grampa Gruff, Prince Rutherford, Queen Chrysalis, Thorax, and Queen Novo. They are in the throne room."

"When do they wanna meet up?"

"Now would be a good time. At least that's what they said anyway."

"Hmm. Tell them that I will see them shortly."

"Right."

"And Garble?"

Garble turned around to hear what Spike had to say.

"The next time you choose to report to me, bow before you speak." Spike warned.

Garble nodded in a humble manner and left to relay the news to the high figures. Spike sat back down and started recovering a little more.

***

Ten minutes later, Spike made it towards the ruined throne room where the monarchs awaited. When he entered, all five figures were corrupted and twisted. They had no idea what they were in for, but they knew it would have to be important if Spike went to all this trouble of corrupting them.

"Dragon's here! Wait worth time!" Prince Rutherford shouted.

"Yes. It was about time you showed yourself. What was so relevant you called to all of us? Including me?" Chrysalis asked.

Knowing that they have waited long enough, Spike said,

"I have a proposal for all of you. I assume that you have all received my gift?"

"That's right, Spike. We have been given this in regards to being included into a revolution?" Thorax asked.

"Exactly, Thorax. I have a plan to overtake Equestria, but it would require all five species to cooperate."

"Get on with it, dragon! I am very impatient and I would prefer to get home right now!" Grandpa Gruff shouted.

"Hush, baldie. Let the dragon speak." Ember commanded.

Hearing this, Spike started clearing his throat and spoke,

"What if I made a promise that if we all agreed to put aside whatever petty differences we had with each other as a species and work together to overtake Equestria?"

Having heard this, the creatures started to listen further on Spike's plan. A whole hour went by as Spike went over the entire plan of taking over Equestria and driving out the ponies that inhabit it. Little by little, they were intrigued by his idea. After Spike finished explaining his plan, Chrysalis said,

"You have an interesting plan, dragon. But how will we know if those six, pesky ponies are one step ahead of us? Every time we fought each other, it always ends with a humiliating loss from those creatures."

"I have already took care of that." Spike said as Ember brought out the Elements of Harmony.

The creatures were shocked to see this.

"H-How did you-" Thorax asked before being interrupted.

"I had help." Spike said

The creatures were confused as to what Spike was implying, but since he already had them, they felt enough relieved.

"Hmm. Have all of you heard of the Oath of the Horatii and the Tennis Court Oath?" Spike asked.

The creatures were even more confused as to what Spike was talking about, but they decided to listen.

"One time when I was with Twilight in the other world, we stumbled across these pictures where these creatures called humans were raising their arms with their fingers separated. They did it as some sort of promise to their own people. Later on during the years, it was now viewed as a symbol of tyranny and evil. But not us. No. This salute will be used as a symbol of our union as a species. And do you all know what these pictures had in common?"

"Enlighten us." Chrysalis commanded.

"They each contained a promise that their bravery would never wear. Nor would it crumble to the point of treachery. And that is something I do not welcome in our new kingdom."

The feeling that Spike described left an impression on them. Not only could they have a chance in defeating the ponies, but they would expand their territories and take back whatever belonged to them. Just then, Spike grabbed the Bloodstone Scepter and said as he raised it,

"Raise your arms."

They did as he commanded and raised their arms with their fingers and hooves separated. Then Spike said,

"We shall make an oath to never break this union between each other."

Just then, Spike started chanting a dark spell which every creature repeated. The oath went on for a few verses. Minutes went by and they were finished chanting. Ember asked,

"So now what?"

"Arrange your armies. We have a few kingdoms to address." Spike said.

After that, every creature left to arrange the armies that they had.

***

Some time later, Spike was sitting on a rock and he gazed at Ponyville and Canterlot.

"You seem to have everything in control." the creature commented.

"Everything is coming together. Soon, Equestria will feel our wrath." Spike said as he continued to gaze.