As Spike was watching Equestria from outside the balcony, he was pondering about Princess Celestia. After having battled against her in Ponyville, he has been thinking about what to do next in his campaign against the Crystal Empire. He couldn’t also help but wonder what the Shadow Creature was doing. But while he was doing that, he suddenly heard a familiar, but raspy voice.

“You must be having the time of your life up here.” a raspy voice said.

Spike turned around and he noticed none other than the rotting corpse of Princess Celestia. She was completely mangled everywhere on her body everywhere with her horn broken, her lips torn apart with her teeth exposed, her mane completely dirtied and ripped, her eyes dilated, and her insides showing. He was shocked to noticed her in her presence after what happened at the Crystal Empire.

“Y-You’re still alive?” Spike asked in a shocked voice.

“No. You would like to think that I’m still alive.” Celestia said as she looked at her former room.

Spike was incredibly spooked as he looked at the former Princess of Light. He would have already ran away if he had noticed her like this in his previous form. But now that he looks at her, he could feel an enraged force from her.

“So this was what you were doing in my castle. Doing nothing but creating carnage and despair across my beloved kingdom. All the while you were staying up here and letting that monster do away with your friends. Especially his own mother.” Celestia said in a hateful tone.

“I didn’t know it was in the Crystal Empire.” Spike said as he backed away from her.

“Oh really? Did you think I didn’t notice when that thing said you survived? Or the fact that you did nothing while you watched me die?” Celestia said as she growled.

Spike was beginning to sweat breathe heavily as the Princess of Life started walking towards him.

“What will everypony think once they find out you were the one behind the attack on Equestria? Once Twilight and her friends know about what you did and what outrage you brought upon Equestria, they will do everything within their power to kill you. I promise that I will not leave you until the day you die! You will never know…”

As Celestia’s voice grew louder and angrier, Spike started to go deaf as he covered his ears and panted really hard while trying to block out her voice. Just then, the hallucination stopped and the creature was in front of him.

“What manner is this?” the creature asked.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what we’re gonna do next.” Spike claimed, wiping his sweat.

“You were muttering about something. Something adhering to the subject of a princess.” the creature growled.

“It was only a hallucination is all. Nothing is bothering me. I promise.”

The creature growled while he sniffed the air for anybody nearby. It said,

“He’s here.” the creature said.

“We shall see him then.” Spike said.

Before Spike could leave, the creature held him down by his throat.

“W-What are you-” Spike said as he was getting choked.

“Remember. You are their king.” the creature warned as it let him go.

After getting up and rubbing his throat, the creature absolved itself back into Spike as he left his bedroom.

***

One half-hour later, Spike was in the throne room as he waited for the guest. Just then, two changelings appeared with Thorax in the middle. Only this time, he was more demonic-like with with eyes on his ears, cheeks, and his shoulders with the muscle tissue on his mouth partially missing. He was taller than his normal height and his horns were so sharp they could be mistaken for spears with his horn completely pointed. His hindwings were even more spanned out as they were covered by his forewings and his tail was more reptilian-like. The scales on his body shined as he walked. He was also accompanied by Pharynx, who bared the same features as well. As he made it closer to the creature, Pharynx and the guards bowed and the former said,

“We have business contending with the King of Equestria along with an intruder.”

“Show me.” the creature commanded.

Hearing that, Thorax clicked his mouth and the changelings threw the prisoner on the ground. Removing his hood, it turned out to be no more than Dr. Caballeron and his goons.

“Ah. So it appears we have a thief in our midst.” the creature said, lightly growling.

“This is an outrage! After everything you did to my home, you will wish that-”

Dr. Caballeron was hit across the face before he could speak any further. Pharynx continued to speak even further.

“We also came across the Flim-Flam Brothers who tried to bribe us. But we took them to gather more information.”

“Were they sent to the dungeon?”

“Yes. They’re being interrogated as we speak.”

“I see. We shall deal with them later.” the creature said before it rose up from its throne.

“We also have word that the Shadow Battalion has found the pink pony and are currently transporting her over here as we speak.”

“I see. Has she revealed anything about that weapon yet?”

“No. As far as I know, she is more stubborn than either of us could fathom. It could take hours to make her talk.”

“Leave that to me. My unit has very special methods of getting creatures like her communicate.”

Thorax stood in silence as the creature rose from its throne.

“I have other matters to attend to. Go to Chrysalis and see if she found more food for our soldiers.” the creature commanded.

But before it could leave the throne room, Thorax stopped him and asked,

“May I speak to the king in private?”

Growling but not objecting, the creature said,

“Permission granted. Get those things out of my sight.”

Having said that, the creature absolved itself into Spike and he was back in his real form. The Changelings did as he commanded and took Dr. Caballeron and his goons with them, leaving Thorax and Spike alone.

“It was quite a show you put on for our soldiers.” Thorax said with a crooked smile.

“What can I say? We all need a reason to celebrate.” Spike chuckled as he heard that.

Looking around with nothing else to do, Thorax suggested,

“Would you care to take a walk?”

“Of course.”

As they walked around, they discussed their business ranging from the issues concerning the campaign against the ponies to the talks of possible infiltrators in Equestria.

“What should we do about the stragglers once we destroy the Crystal Empire?” Thorax asked.

“We kill them. If worse were to come to worse, they could potentially overthrow us and destroy everything we worked so hard to achieve.” Spike answer.

“But they could prove to be a good food source. Queen Chrysalis had talks of-”

“We have no need for them. We have the darkness to keep us alive. The very ooze that surrounds us has proven to heal and prolong our lifespan for thousands of moons without the need of food or water. Even if there was a chance that a pony could rise against us, we have the Corruption to reassemble us. I have no idea how this happened, but ever since the day I bonded to the ooze, I've been feeling less of my appetite and my thirst. And if the Darkness were to ever be snuffed out…”

They both paused for a moment as they thought about the consequences of there being a chance the Darkness could be vanquished. Shivering with fear of that happening, Spike decided to change the subject. He said,

“I have news concerning my plans with the Dragon Lord.”

“Really? What plans do you have?” the Changeling King asked.

“I have plans concerning a dinner with her, you, and the other royals of the lands across Equestria.”

Hearing this made Thorax’s mouth open. He enthusiastically asked,

“Are you gonna do it this time? Are you finally going to propose?”

Upon hearing that, Spike reached into his robe pockets and showed a small box to Thorax. The former slowly moved his hand and opened the box, showing the latter what was inside. After opening it, it was revealed to be a ring in the shape of the wedding finger. It had a grandidierite being circled by two demonic dragons in a yin and yang position. The ring glowed with radiance and beauty as Thorax looked at it.

“When will you show it to her?” Thorax asked, looking towards Spike.

“After tomorrow night’s dinner. Everybody has been invited to share this special occasion as we share this special moment together. It will be the royal feast of all.” Spike announced with happiness.

Giddy with excitement and joy, Thorax couldn’t be anymore happy for Spike if he tried. But when he remembered the conflict with the ponies, he said,

“But what about the Crystal Empire? Wouldn’t it be wise to focus on annihilating them than-”

“By that time, their defenses will have already weakened and we would the chance to destroy them once and for all with little effort. Just think of this as a pre-celebration before we win.”

Having heard that and thinking it over, Thorax said with a smile,

“I hope she says yes. After everything you did, she would be a fool to turn you over.”

“You’re a good friend, Thorax. The creature that any friend could ever ask for.”

They both merrily laughed as they thought about the wedding. As they went back to walking again, Spike said in a serious tone,

But right now, we have information concerning the Flim Flam Brothers right now. I will be headed to the dungeons. Would you care to accompany me?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Thorax said.

The two proceeded to walk to the dungeons without a second thought to spare.