Back in the castle, Spike was looking outside into the distance from his balcony with Ember asleep in his bed. Pondering about the times he was in the Crystal Empire, he could only think about how much the ponies over there used to admire and revere him as a hero.

“Does it kill you that they will see you as an enemy once they catch a glimpse of you?”

Spike looked at his right hand out of curiosity and the creature, in snake form, wrapped around his arm.

“After everything you did to save the Crystal Empire from the evil that is King Sombra, you finally decide to throw it in their faces. Do you have seconds thoughts over the invasion we delivered when they left you to die?”

“We have come too far to quit now. Every moment this continues, I am already heading towards something evil than Twilight and her friends could hope to destroy. This is just a stepping point. And after this, they will be nothing more than a footnote in our brilliance.”

“Hmm. Tirek is approaching.”

Spike heard hoofsteps outside his chamber door as the guards opened it and creature disappearing back into him. After entering, Tirek bowed in Spike’s presence.

“Have they been assembled?” Spike asked.

“They are all gathered as ordered. What will you do next?” Tirek asked.

“Tell them their king will be down shortly.” Spike said, looking at Ember in her slumber.

“As you wish, Sire.” Tirek said before leaving Spike’s chambers.

After watching the doors close, Spike walks towards his bed and lays down to get closer to Ember. Moving towards her, he grabbed her hand and kissed her cheeks several times, awakening her.

“Is it almost time?” Ember asked, turning towards Spike with a smile.

“It will be our last conquest. What do you wanna do once we finish the Crystal Empire?” Spike asked, leaning closer to Ember.

“Why not continue the royal lineage? It could use some princes and princesses.”

“To be honest, I was hoping we could get married before the next invasion. I wish we could be like this everyday. Waking up and being next to each other, holding each other’s hands before getting out of bed wondering how our day will turn out.”

Giggling at the aspect, Ember rose up with Spike and she said,

“We will have plenty of time for that after we take the pony trash off our curb.”

“That’s right. And after this, we will have our marriage. It will be my perfect gift to you.”

“You always were a perfectionist. Your love is more than enough to satisfy me.” Ember said, cupping Spike’s hands.

“Even so, I wish we could spend every day like this. I dreamed about this when I fell in love with Rarity.” Spike said, placing his forehead on Ember’s.

“Rarity? I thought you were engaged to me?”

“N-No, what I meant was-”

Ember laughed at the embarrassed expression on Spike’s face when he stuttered.

“You know I’m pulling your leg. You’re every bit the dragon I imagined when you use to fantasize about that marshmallow cunt you call a pony.” Ember said, pinning Spike on the bed.

“Oh Ember…” Spike said in a loving tone.

“Spike…”

Before they could begin embracing, they were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Avion. But when he came in, he noticed Spike and Ember were in an uncompromising position.

“Uh, S-Sire…?” Avion asked in a nervous tone before turning his head away.

“What is it…?” Spike asked in an angry manner.

“The troops have all been gathered, the generals are in their seats, the Shadows at the ready, and the royals are on stage. What should I tell them?” Avion asked, still keeping his head turned.

Hearing all this, Spike said,

“Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”

“R-Right. Carry on.” Avion said before leaving Spike’s quarters.

After hearing his footsteps fade away, Spike and Ember looked right back at each other and embraced each other for a brief moment before heading to the outside of the castle.

***

Like before, every soldier was gathered outside the castle. But each species was wearing a set of armor. The dragons were wearing full suits of armor complete with chainmail, helmets, and were wielding different sets of weapons. The griffins had the same armor, but it had no chainmail and they were carrying crossbows. The hippogriffs wore lighter armor, but they had chainmail and they were carrying swords. The yaks were heavily armored and they wielded maces along with chainballs. The changeling, like the hippogriffs, wore lighter armor, but they had enhanced camouflage and they wielded short-swords. The buffalo, just like the yaks, were heavily armored, but they carried no weapons. Instead, their horns were sharpened to the point and they wore extremely resilient helmets. The manticores and timberwolves were on the sidelines, yawning and licking themselves in casual manners. Just then, they heard footsteps coming from inside the castle hallway. Out came Avion and he said,

“The King approaches.”

Hearing that, everybody silenced themselves and stood at attention. Listening to the footsteps of their approaching king, they could not help but wonder what he would want them to do now. Surely, they must’ve believed he wants them to continue ravaging Equestria, but there had to be something more to it if they were all gathered in the same place at the castle. However, it didn’t matter to them anymore when the Creature came out of the castle hallway with Ember by its side. At that moment, they all bowed before his almighty presence.

“Hello, my dear subjects. For many moons, we were oppressed by those wretched ponies. They have stolen our lands, pillaged our homes… AND ROBBED US OF THE HONOR WE HELD DEAR TO US!!!”

Every creature surrounding the castle started to tense up from hearing his speech.

“But now… our revenge is at hand. The Crystal Empire is all that remains. We shall go there. We will pillage their homes! We will destroy everything they treasure! We will burn whatever little hope remains!!! AND WE WILL DRAG EVERY EVERY LAST FILTHY PONY… TO THE PITS OF TARTARUS!!!!!!!!”

The creatures all saluted at the end of his rousing speech. Tirek ordered every creature to go over plans and prepare for the attack. Every last order they were given, the land creatures boarded the huge dragons which set for takeoff to the Crystal Empire. Marching and saluting everywhere, the dragons, griffons, hippogriffs and changelings flew with the huge dragons. Watching all this, the Creature said to Spike,

“Our revenge is almost here…”

With nothing left to say, Spike let the Creature take over and the two started flying towards the Crystal Empire, ready to take their revenge…