Princess Celestia and the rest of the ponies just sat there, awestruck and jaws wide open. They have been shocked into silence, not only by Luna’s regression back into Nightmare Moon, but the fact that she just exiled herself.

The only one not surprised was Starlight, who was still crying over this injustice.

‘I won’t let this go,’ she thought as she disappeared in a flash.

The others took no notice into Starlight’s absence, they were more focused on Luna’s transformation. “What have I done?” the sun princess said, breaking the silence that plagued the room. Luna’s words sunk into Celestia, the Mane Six, and Cadance’s heads; she was right. If it wasn’t for Spike, Shining and Cadance wouldn’t have the Crystal Empire. If it wasn’t for Spike, Discord would’ve won...

“You did what had to be done princess,” one mare said, pointing her nose in the air.

“She’s right aunty. Could you imagine that heartless monster, eating our little foals for food?” Blueblood spoke. “Equestria is better off without that pony eating dragon running loose.”

Other than Celestia, Cadance, and the six bearers, the rest of the ponies nodded. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie looked down in shame. Letting Luna’s words hit them harder than anything else.

“You have no idea Blueblood,” the princess sighed. “No idea what will happen.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean aunty?”

“Twilight, do you remember when you asked about Spike’s origin?”

“Of course, princess. You said that Spike’s egg was abandoned.”

“I lied.” Everypony in the court gasped in surprise before Celestia continued. “The egg wasn’t abandoned. I found the dragoness holding his egg in the badlands over twenty years ago. She was about to enter her 100 year hibernation and asked if I could raise it since she wouldn’t be able to care of him. I agreed and took the egg home with me.”

“What happened to his real mother?” asked the lavender alicorn.

“Diamonds Dogs,” Celestia answered ominously. “They dug their way inside her cave, stole her horde, and took her life. When I returned to the cave, her body was already dismantled. That was until her mate flew in to check on her. What he saw horrified him.”

“What did he do?” asked Fluttershy, putting her hoof in front of her muzzle.

“He attacked me,” Celestia replied as she lowered her head. “He thought I had killed his mate and taken their egg. I tried to explain the truth, but he did not hear my pleas and he left me no choice. I aimed and fired a numbing spell to his heart, killing him.” The princess sighed. “I didn’t tell Spike because I feared he’d want revenge on me and the Diamond Dogs.”

“We understand princess,” the crowd of ponies said in unison.

“You may all leave, this court is adjourned.” Those were the last words the princess said before she walked out of the room. ‘I can only hope he can forgive me for what I’ve done to him and his family.’

Applejack tapped Twilight’s shoulder as they exited, “Twi where’s Starlight?”

“Starlight!?” Twilight called out, but her student was nowhere to be found. “Maybe she went back to the castle.”

Nightmare Moon had teleported herself and Spike near a small river outside of Equestria. Despite the scene she had created, Spike was still crying in disbelief that the ones he considered his family, had banished him like that.

Nightmare looked at the broken dragon and felt her heart sink. The poor thing reminded her of herself when she was banished.

“Listen Spike, I know this is hard for you, but I promise you I’ll always be here for you.” Nightmare encased the small dragon in a midnight blue aura and gently placed him on the ground. The black alicorn wrapped her wing around Spike just like she did when she entered his dreams. “It’s alright my sweet dragon, let it out.” With that, Spike cried his heart out.

“I’ll never abandon you. I will always be by your side in times of need. Even when things are at their worst, I will always be there for you, my little dragon.” Nightmare’s words helped, but Spike’s heart was still shattered. Overtime it would heal, but for now, all she could do now was comfort him.

An hour later, Spike had finally calmed down. His eyes were still red and puffy as he looked at Nightmare. Normally, he would’ve been scared, but now, he saw someone that wanted to comfort him and never abandon him. Nightmare looked at the dragon with sorrowful eyes, ashamed that her sister would throw out her own son.

“Spike?” Nightmare spoke, “Do you know what happened to your real family?”

“Mother- I mean Celestia said that my family abandoned my egg.”

“She lied, Spike,” Nightmare said as she began to tell the true story. “During the last great dragon migration, she ordered a squadron of soldiers to capture dragon eggs and eliminate anything that came across them. They teleported the eggs away from their parents’ nesting site, and brought them to Canterlot for experimentation.”

“I don’t get it Luna, what would Celestia want with dragon eggs? For that matter, what does this have to do with me?” Spike asked.

“One of them... was your egg, Spike,” Nightmare answered stroking the purple drake as he took this in. He would have never guessed that he was a part of such immoral experimentation.

“When the ex Dragon Lord Torch found out about the experiments, and the death of his mate, he ordered an all-out war on Equestria. If it wasn’t for one brave filly who not only befriended a baby dragon, but treated it like it was her own, Equestria would’ve been... burned to ashes.”

“Does this mean I would’ve had siblings?” Spike asked, balling up a fists. His sadness was now replaced with anger from the betrayal by his former family along with this new revelation.

“Yes Spike,” Nightmare answered, completely understanding her student’s rage. “At least five of them.”

Spike suddenly held his stomach, Nightmare knew what was to follow. She unwrapped her wing from the dragon and took a step back as Spike burped out a scroll with the royal dragon seal. Spike opened the note and began to read.

Dear Spike

I hope you’re doing well in that lovey-dovey land of Equestria. As always you are welcome into the land my small friend. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be visiting Canterlot three days from now to discuss the peace treaties between the dragons and ponies and I wish no order for you to come greet me when we arrive. See you soon Spike.

Sincerely yours, Dragon Lord Ember

Upon finishing, Spike looked up and asked Nightmare for an ink well. Smiling, Nightmare teleported a feather and a ink well to the dragon. Thanking her, Spike sat down and began to write what happened up to this point. Once he was finished, Spike blew the letter into ashes and sent it back to Ember. Suddenly the two of them heard bushes rustling.

“I know you’re there,” Nightmare called out, not bothering to turn around. “Come out at once.” The bushes shook in reply and revealed that their spy was none other than Starlight Glimmer.

Along with Nightmare, Starlight was one of the few ponies Spike didn’t hate. He ran up to hug the unicorn, he saw how she defended him during the trial. With tears in her eyes, Starlight immediately hugged Spike back, glad that he was okay.

The newly crowned dragon ruler, Dragon Lord Ember, sat on her throne, listening to a certain draconequus’ tale. “...And then the little pansy screamed like a filly,” both the dragon empress and Equestrian representative laughed for a good while, until a trail of emerald ashes floated from the hole used as a window. The two took notice just as he ashes swirled around and materialized into a letter.

Discord picked it up and began to read it. “Your majesty, I could’ve sworn you’ve sent this letter,” the confused draconequus said, raising an eyebrow.

“Why yes, but what I don’t get is why he sent it back?” Ember replied as Discord turned the letter over.

Discord’s eyes comically popped out of their sockets as he read about today’s trial. “It says Spike was banished.”

Ember dropped her glass of wine, flabbergasted at what she had just heard. “What is the meaning of this!? Spike is the kindest dragon I’ve ever met, I never would have got the throne without his help! For what crime was he exiled?!”

“The murders of some snobby noble family member, and the attempted murder of Princess Flurry Heart,” Discord answered, but Ember wasn’t satisfied.

“That’s utter nonsense!” she yelled digging her talons into her seat.

“I’m inclined to agree, milady,” Discord said as he finished reading, “It says that he was with Luna the night of the murder.”

“It has to be a setup!” Ember shouted, “Go talk to Celestia, NOW!” She ordered.

“Okay, okay! Sheesh! You don’t have to yell.” With a snap of his fingers, the draconequus disappeared.

The ex dragon ruler, Torch, sat beside his daughter as they tried to piece together why Celestia banished Spike. She could have at least imprisoned him until this whole mess was shorted out. Then it dawned on him, maybe he found out about what happened to his real family.

As Ember handed her father the small pieces of paper, Torch used his magic to enlarge it.

“Region, Diamond, Inferno, I wish I was there with you on the migration when you three and your offspring lost your lives.” The former king had lived for so long, he had even failed to recognize Spike when he was summoned to compete for the Gauntlet of Fire. Torch looked up to the stain glass over his throne depicting three dragons. On the far left was green dragon with matching spikes, to the right a light purple dragoness with green spikes. The one in the middle, was Torch’s now deceased mate, and Ember’s mother, a blue dragoness much like Ember: Inferno.

Torch balled up his fist, wishing the treaty between the Dragon Empire and Equestria didn’t exist. But due to his daughter’s friendship with Spike, Torch would help the purple hatchling have his revenge.

The princess of the sun was in her royal chambers, her once regal glaze had gone as she look into the distant sky. She had lowered the sun a few hours ago, but didn’t see her sister’s moon. “Luna must have it on its dark side again. Another moonless night,” the princess sighed, remembering when her sister used to do this out of fun.

“Is it really true? Did your little dragon really murder somepony?” Celestia turned around and saw Discord materializing from the ground.

“I wish it wasn’t, but the evidence doesn’t lie.”

“Fill me in sunshine,” Discord scowled, “What exactly was the evidence?”

Celestia glared at him because of the insult, but answered nonetheless. “Photographs displayed Spike covered in blood, and Flurry Heart was traumatized when she saw him.”

“No eye witnesses? ” Discord crossed his arms. Celestia nodded in shame. “Celestia, I thought he was your child.”

“He is!” she defended, “He was my son!”

“So why did you banish him? You could have at least put him in prison until more evidence came up.”

The princess sighed. “I wish I could’ve, but like Twilight and her friends, Equestria is indebted to Spike as well. And you of all creatures should know what happens when someone commits an act of treason.”

Discord nodded “Death...” he replied in a monotone. “Nevertheless, I will have you know, Dragon Lord Ember is quite close to your so-called ‘son’ and along with her father Torch, is pretty furious. I do hope you have a good reason why you banished him,” Discord disappeared with a flash of light, leaving the white alicorn alone.

Twilight with her five best friends and Trixie were all at the Castle of Friendship. The six mares shared tears for their now banished friend, remembering the abuse, neglect, and teasing they’ve done to him. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and surprisingly Pinkie Pie all sat silently as Princess Luna’s words still ran through her heads.

Fluttershy’s specialty is animal communication, she could understand them, yet she was blinded by her fear that Spike was a predator. She was the element of kindness, yet she ratted him out. She was supposed to listen to Spike on how he was always alone, yet she ignored him and went on about her love for Thunderlane.

Pinkie’s mane flattened, remembering all the times she laugh at Spike and pulled pranks on him. She never considered that he could’ve died with that winter prank she and Dash did. ‘I’ll make it up to you, Spike. I Pinkie Promise!’

Rainbow Dash just sighed while Applejack held her close. Their tears as matted each other’s coats. Normally Dash would be pissed at whoever made her, her friends, and especially her marefriend cry, but she felt guilty for what she did to Spike. In fact, it made her feel worse than a jerk, she felt like a downright bitch. Always making fun of him, laughing at him when he had trouble getting a date to the dance. ‘Some friend I was...’ she thought to herself while holding AJ close.

Rarity and Twilight felt the worst, as they had used Spike for their own selfish needs and never once considered his feelings. He had to stay in while Twilight went out to play with her friends, making him do all of the cooking and cleaning. She rarely talked to him anymore. Hell, she had a date before he did, and what did Twilight do? Rub it in his face, that’s what. She sighed, lowering her head. Trixie patted Twilight seeing how the princess’s ruling devastated her. “Please forgive me, Spike. Wherever you are...” She softly cried onto Trixie’s coat.

Rarity wasn’t faring any differently, as she had used Spike’s crush for her own needs. She also let out a soft sigh and looked out the window, the sun was already setting and she could only wonder what her Spikey-Wikey was doing. ‘I hope you’re safe out there Spike... and I’m sorry.’

Starlight Glimmer had nothing to say to her teacher or the others. From what she had learned from the trial, those six ponies were nothing more than monsters. Starlight dismissed herself as Twilight’s student and left Ponyville. As far as Starlight was concerned, after banishing Spike for something he obviously didn’t commit, Twilight lost the right to teach her or anypony about friendship.

Starlight told the elements she was going to live in the Crystal Empire with Sunburst, which was only partially true.

Three weeks have passed since Spike’s banishment and the dragon had greatly improved as he continued with his training. Right now, Spike was standing by a nearby cliff, staring down a boulder ten times his size. The wind blew wildly as the purple dragon raised his arm. The wind swayed around his hand, creating pressure. With a roar, Spike brought his hand down, sending the pressured air toward the boulder, slicing it to pieces. The small purple dragon was panting after using so much magical energy while a black alicorn stood beside him. He couldn’t help admiring her galactic-styled mane and tail that flowed on a nonexistent wind.

“Very good, Spike,” the mistress of the night spoke, earning a blush in response to her comment. “But you still have a long way to go if you want to stand a chance against my sister.”

“Understood, Nightmare,” Spike said, still having the sharp air current swirling around his claws.

Nightmare giggled and lifted Spike’s chin with her hoof. “You may call me Luna if you like my dear student,” she said smiling warmly.

Spike couldn’t help blushing at her beauty, “Okay Luna... May I ask you something?” Spike asked. “How do you know so much about dragon magic, anyway?”

Nightmare giggled at the question. “Well, my faithful student,” she began and Spike’s blush had deepened from hearing those words. “The dragon lord at the time of your hatching, had sent Celestia two books on how to take care of baby dragons. One was for the basis, while the other was for magic.”

Spike nodded before his stomach growled. He once again blushed and looked down. The alicorn of the night only giggled, “Go on Spike, I don’t mind.”

“B-But...” He was cut off when Nightmare placed her hoof under his chin.

“Spike sweetheart, if you want to get revenge on the Elements of Harmony, you’re going to need your strength. And unlike your ‘former friends’ neither me or Starlight will abandon you.”

Spike nodded and ran into the bushes to hunt for a meal. Feeling a bit hungry herself, Nightmare returned to the campsite and pulled an apple out of the bag. Dark thoughts played in the goddess’ mind as she chewed on the apple. ‘One day, sister… One day you, as well as the bearers of harmony, will learn to never betray a dragon’s heart!’

Not long after Spike left, the bushes rattled beside her. “Come on out,” Nightmare ordered as she turned around. It was none other than Pinkie Pie.

“I assume you’ve come to apologize?”

“Yes. Please tell me where Spike is,” Pinkie pleaded, dropping herself in front of Nightmare’s hooves.

“Right now, he’s out hunting. If you’re really sorry, then show it to the dragon you nearly got killed.”

Nodding, Pinkie sat beside the tent Nightmare created. She sat there and waited.

Ten minutes passed, yet there was still no sign of the dragon. “Does he always take this long?” the pink mare asked.

“Yes, you rotten excuse for a pony!” Nightmare snarled, causing Pinkie to flinch. “If you’re bored, make yourself useful and help Starlight gather some firewood!” she ordered, gesturing to the purple mare. The pink mare nodded and jetted off into the forest.

‘Starlight is here? I thought she was staying with Sunburst.’ Pinkie thought, but shook her head and took off towards the forest.

After another five minutes, the purple dragon returned with his arms and mouth covered in blood. “Sorry I took so long, the animals here can put up a fi...” Spike never got to finish his sentence, as he eyes were met with light blue ones. As Spike clenched his claws, the campfire changed from its warm orange color to an emerald green.

“WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE, PINKIE?!” Spike growled, causing the pink pony to take a step back.

“I-I came to apologi-” Pinkie never had a chance to finish because Spike fired a green fireball at her, scorching the side of her face. Pinkie put a hoof to her slightly burned cheek.

“BULLSHIT, PINKIE! I WAS JUST SOMETHING FOR YOU WHORES TO PLAY WITH! JUST GET THE BUCK OUT OF HERE! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU OR THOSE BUCKING BITCHES EVER AGAIN!!”

Pinkie trembled, but held her ground. “But Spike-”

Spike blew another fireball toward her, this time the flames burned the side of her right foreleg. Spike began to gather energy, and was about to test his new wind spell on the pink traitor when Nightmare appeared, carrying a log for the fire. Starlight stood alongside her, carrying a log of her own.

“With all due respect, Celestia, Cadance, Shining Armor, Twilight, and her friends all learned where you were from Discord, but only Pinkie came to apologize,” Starlight reasoned. “Maybe she means it.”

“She’s right, Spike,” Nightmare agreed, “Let’s here what this mule has to say.”

Spike obeyed Nightmare’s order, and the aura disappeared. “You’re lucky Nightmare and Starlight are here, otherwise there would be nothing left of you,” Spike growled and crossed his arms. “Well, I’m listening,” he said, impatiently.

Pinkie cleared her throat, “Spike, I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. For making fun of you, pulling all those nasty pranks on you, nearly killing you during Winter Wrap Up, and... for being a lousy friend.”

Spike folded his arms, looking at the party pony unimpressed. “I don’t believe you,” he said flatly.

“Please believe me, Spike!” Pinkie pleaded close to tears.

“Why should I? You just sat there like the others when I was on trial, not saying a single word against those outrageous accusations-” Spike stopped as an idea came to mind.

“Okay, I’ll give you a test. If you pass it, I’ll forgive you and you can help by acting as a spy in that backwater of a town and keep us informed.”

Pinkie wanted to say no, but something told her that it was either comply or be killed right then and there. “Okay,” she replied reluctantly.

“This is the test. I want you to go out there, into the woods, and bring me back a deer. Not alive, dead, with your bare hooves.”

Pinkie raised a brow, confused as to why he wanted a dead deer. She was about to ask why before she remembered that Spike was covered in blood. “I-I-I can’t,” she stuttered.

“You want Spike to forgive you, right?” the black alicorn questioned, sitting by the fire. “Then you must know what it feels like to take a life. For Spike never chose the life he lives, now you must feel the pain along with other carnivores like him feel in order to live.”

Pinkie looked at Starlight who had reluctantly kept silent, but nodded in agreement. She couldn’t change Spike’s mind on this matter, Pinkie would have to earn his trust.

“O-Okay,” Pinkie was unsure, she had never taken a life before. The pink mare ran into the woods. ‘If I k-k-kill this deer then Spike will forgive me. He’ll forgive me, and we can have parties again. Oh, I’ll make sure he’s invited too.’

“Do you think we can trust her?” Spike asked turning to his teacher, “I mean, she did betray me like the others.”

Nightmare acted offended, “Do you not have faith in me Spike?”

“OF COURSE I DO!” Spike covered his mouth before speaking again. “I-I mean, of course I do,” he repeated much calmer than before.

Nightmare dropped the act and giggled. “I’m just joking Spike, I would have understood if you refused. It’s just that something tells me that this mule is... different.” Nightmare then turned her attention to the blood that covered her student’s scales. “Now please be a dear and get yourself cleaned. I hate seeing blood on those beautiful scales of yours,” she said with a playful wink. With a nod and faint blush, the small dragon walked to a nearby pond to clean himself.

‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have said that,’ she thought as she watched him get cleaned. ‘He looks rather cute covered in blood.’ The thoughts soon made Nightmare’s wings shoot up. ‘Oh dear, how naughty of me, thinking of my student like that.’

“Look like somepony likes the idea of being covered in blood.” Starlight giggled and pointed to Nightmare’s wings that were standing.

“I hope he has enough for a massage when he done,” Nightmare said as she laid by the fire; her thoughts remained on her student.

Starlight laid on the opposite side of Nightmare Moon. “So do you really think Pinkie will go through with the task?” she asked.

“That remains I be seen,” the alicorn replied.

“That reminds me, Sunburst and I discovered something about Flurry Heart.”

This caught Nightmare’s attention. “Do tell,” she urged.

“Apparently, she’s been found to have latent magic influencing her memories, suggesting she was brainwashed by somepony who desperately wanted to frame Spike. Sadly, nopony believed this when Sunburst came with the conclusion. We do have our suspicion as to who would do it, too, but we’re not rolling her out yet.”

“Anything else?”

“Well, along with many other civilians of the Crystal Empire, Thorax caught wind of Spike’s banishment. And, well, let’s just say he’s not a happy changeling. Ever since the Crystal Empire learned of their hero’s banishment, they’ve been questioning their loyalty to the royal family.”

“This could definitely come to our advantage,” Nightmare said looking at the sky.

“I agree. I’ll be sure to keep you up to date while I’m living in the Crystal Empire,” Starlight assured as she bowed her head.

A baby deer was out drinking water from a small stream. It was a beautiful fawn, minding its own business as it drank. Unbeknownst to it, Pinkie Pie laid on top of an overhanging tree branch. How she got up there, only she and Discord knew. She made sure to be very quiet, as deer have a remarkable sense of hearing.

Pinkie’s eyes gazed at the deer, her soul screamed at her not to kill it. Of course, Pinkie knew the deer hadn’t done anything wrong, but she had to make up for the pain she had caused Spike. ‘Okay Pinkie, you can do this. It’s just one deer.’

Unfortunately, as Pinkie scooted closer, the branch broke, sending her crashing to the ground. The fawn’s ears perked up from the crash and went to hide among some nearby bushes. After a few minutes of waiting, Pinkie stood and brushed off the leaves and twigs that stuck to her mane and tail. Once the deer saw she was a pony, it came out from it hiding spot, its legs shaking in fear.

‘I can’t hurt the poor thing.’ she involuntarily took a step back. ‘I-I can’t.’

‘What about Spike? What about all the pain you cause him? Do you want to make up for betraying him?’ the other half of Pinkie’s mind shouted.

‘But it’s innocent! Why kill something that didn’t do anything to you?’

‘Because that’s the rule of nature, everything has to die, that’s what Fluttershy said. That’s what you were taught. That’s how Spike feels. He only kills so he can live.’

‘But it’s wrong.’ At this point, the deer felt less threatened and came closer to Pinkie.

‘Oh, if it’s so wrong then why are we alive then? Why are you even here?’

‘To ask for forgiveness.’ A tear leaked down from Pinkie’s eye to her cheek. The deer noticed and sweetly leaned closer to comfort her.

‘For what? Killing someone? As a carnivore, Spike has to wake up and kill something or he’ll starve to death. As the prey, the deer knows that it has to wake up and run faster than its predators or it’ll be killed. It’s the natural order.’

‘B-But...’

‘But what? It’s not the beautiful fairytale that we like to believe, it’s the truth. Spike is the predator and the deer is his prey.’ The voice in Pinkie’s head grew louder, ‘LUNA AND ZECORA TRAINED SPIKE SO HE WOULDN’T BECOME A MURDEROUS RAMPAGING DRAGON! YET WE ALL FAILED TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE! THIS ISN’T EQUESTRIA DAMNIT! HELL YOU’VE BEEN TO GRIFFONSTONE, YOU HAVE MET A GRIFFON AND YOU DAMN WELL KNOW WHAT THEY EAT. SO WHY IN CELESTIA’S NAME WOULD SPIKE BE DIFFERENT!?’

‘Y-You’re right,’ Pinkie sniffed. With her mind made up, she wrapped her hooves around the baby deer’s neck. It surely would have panicked if it knew her true intentions. Surely Spike would end her life if she come back with nothing. ‘I need to make things up for Spike. He deserves good friends since he’s helped us so many times. But when he needed us, we turned away from him. I won’t let him down again!’

Pinkie’s tears ran across her cheeks, as she finally understood what Spike was feeling. The horrible feeling of being forced to kill in order to survive. She gently kissed the deer’s head, causing it to blink confused. “Please forgive me,” she whimpered before twisting the fawn’s neck, thus ending its life.

“I understand now, Spike,” she said as she picked the dead deer and flung it on her back. She then began her walk back to camp.

Back at camp, Nightmare was moaning in both pleasure and relaxation. Her back legs were stretched before bucking from the soft touch of Spike’s claws going up and down her back. The massage had started with him tending to her wings, softly rubbing them from their stiffness, then moved towards her back. Starlight was waiting for her turn, seeing Nightmare was enjoying herself, and she highly doubted Spike would refuse.

Nightmare turned her head and was about to ask if he could do her hooves when Pinkie returned with both her mane and tail back to it puffiness. Spike raised a brow, while both Nightmare and Starlight groaned, being denied a wonderful massage.

“I understand now, Spike! I understand!” she sang while hopping around the three with the baby deer on her back. “Now if you don’t have anything else for me, I’ve got some spying to do!” Pinkie said, dropping the deer by the fire and disappearing behind a tent.

“I doubt I’ll ever understand that mare,” Spike said, scratching his head.

“Neither will I,” Starlight replied.

Nightmare giggled as she could relate to their confusion. “Well, I’ll never understand Discord. Anyway, my dear, please come back here and massage my hooves,” Nightmare said awaiting her student’s gentle touch.

By this point, Spike didn’t care if the others found him. They had their chance to make up for their mistakes and they threw it away. He turned his attention back to Nightmare’s hooves, filling the rest of the night with moans as Starlight laid down next to them, patiently waiting for her turn.

Spike was now fast asleep under Nightmare’s wing, preparing to call it a night.

“Rest, my dear student. Tomorrow, your training will intensify.”

Nightmare’s ears flickered as she picked up to sound of flapping. Looking up, she saw a bat pony mare dressed in midnight blue armor descending. This was one of Nightmare Moon’s most talented soldiers, Lieutenant Midnight Blossom. “Hello your majesty,” she greeted softly, careful not to wake Spike.

“So only you were able to make it. What is the status of the other Lunar Guards back in Canterlot?”

“Most of the Lunar Guard have been ether relieved of their servers, or arrested by order of Prince Shining Armor for conspiracy. Currently, we have about thirty members of the Lunar Guard on Canterlot grounds,” Midnight replied.

The dark alicorn rubbed her chin. “Are they still loyal?”

“Yes milady and waiting your orders.”

“At the moment, all I can say to you all is to keep me informed as to what’s going on there. As much as I approve of your strength, I can’t risk you attempting to free our imprisoned guards. Also, I have a special task for you, Blossom.” She lifted her wing, revealing her student. “I want you to train Spike here in hoof to hoof... well, claw combat.”

The bat pony stared at the small sleeping dragon. Of course she knew about Spike and his outrageous banishment. While she didn’t know him personally, the things his so-called friends put him through was more than enough of a reason to accept. “Consider it done, your highness.”

It was the next morning that I first met former member of the Lunar Guard Midnight. She had a tough girl behavior like Rain-Bitch, but I warmed up to her, as she never ridiculed me. She even gave me some hunting tips to catch my prey.

Anyway, as Luna said last night, my upcoming training would grow more difficult, but I pushed through it. I would never forgive the ones who tossed me aside, nor the fat bitch who slaughtered my kin.

Alongside Pinkie, Starlight, and Midnight, I resumed my training with Luna and pushed my body far beyond its limits. And to me, even that wasn’t enough.

I told you in the beginning how my name used to be Spike. Wanting to start my life over, I refused to keep the name my hypocrite of a sister gave me. It only served as a painful reminder of the fool I was made out of. So I fashioned a new name that ponies would remember when I returned. A name that will someday make even the mightiest enemies shiver. A name for the one Equestria believes is dead, but will come back alive.

Spike is dead. He died when his ‘family’ abandoned him. From now on, my name is... PHANTOM!!!

Nightmare Moon smiled. “My dear drake, you’ve done well,” she commended, circling around her student and observing his progress. He was now a teenage dragon with a muscular build received through the alicorn’s intense training. He had mastered the four elements of earth, wind, water, and fire, as well as several mystic arts, such as teleportation, chants, and minor matter manipulation. Though he still wasn’t as powerful as Celestia, with his training, he could definitely hold his own against Twilight.

“How many do you want dead?”

Phantom thought back to all those who had used him, ridiculed him, and then banished him. His veins popped out in absolute rage and a green aura of magic radiated off his scales. “Ponies I want dead? Dozens of them, including those six bitches, the love whore, her dick of a husband, and that sun bitch! I want them all dead!”

As Phantom had proposed, upon forgiving Pinkie, he entrusted her with the duty of returning to Ponyville to spy on his former friends. Twilight and the others never questioned Pinkie’s disappearances, thinking it was an act of her just being Pinkie Pie.

In all her service in the Lunar Guard, the only one who could match Midnight Blossom in physical combat was Shining Armor. Over the years, she helped Phantom with his physical training as Nightmare Moon had requested.

What’s more is that specific individuals would join the dragon.

A black dragon named Obsidian acted as an advisor for the Equestrian Dragon Empire. A few months after Phantom’s banishment, Obsidian was elected to assist the drake in his revenge which Dragon Lord Ember happily accepted.

As an emissary for Dragon Lord Ember, Obsidian served as a great asset to Phantom’s team. With Obsidian’s knowledge of the Dragon Empire’s connections to other nations, Phantom became quite influential in foreign business. With Obsidian’s help, Phantom was soon able to begin making secret deals and acquire some forbidden spell books and other items for his training without Celestia or Twilight’s notice.

Over the years, Starlight had been secretly exploiting the Crystal Empire’s dedication to their hero to recruit soldiers. Sunburst knew the system of the Crystal Empire very well due to his positions and helped convince guards to side with Phantom. By this point, about fifty-six percent of the Crystal Guard were secretly working for Nightmare Moon.

Thorax and Sunburst would secretly leave the Crystal Empire to visit and help with Phantom’s training. Sunburst could slip away quite easily, as Shining and Cadance would never suspect the crystaller. He was able to teleport away when his duties were over to train with Starlight without causing any attention.

Thorax, however, wasn’t as fortunate, due to his friendship with Phantom. Shining had ordered guards to keep an annoyingly close watch on the changeling. Unbeknownst to the prince, however, these guards had secretly abandoned their loyalty after Phantom’s banishment and, as such, allowed the changeling to sneak away to train. Neither Shining nor Cadance were able to notice anything.

Many other civilians however, didn’t keep quiet at Phantom’s banishment. Riots have been breaking out in a few areas in the empire. A few of the crystal ponies sided with Shining and Cadance and believed that they would only serve as fuel to the dragon’s hunger. Others believed that Phantom would never do such a thing. Even if he ate meat, he would never hurt anypony, let alone Flurry Heart. They all believed it was a lie and subsided from the empire all together.

Princess Cadance tried to tell them that she was only doing what was best for her ponies. However, they didn’t listen; they believed that something else was at work. Shining, on the other hoof, let go of nearly one third of his offices that were protecting the kingdom, and served as the crystal army.

For a while, Zecora remained in her hut and only came out to gather some plants. When she heard the news of Phantom’s unfair banishment, she didn’t believe it until Pinkie told her that he was framed. Furious, she told the ponies to stay away from her hut, and never ask for medicine again. Not too long afterwards, she had secretly received an invitation into the group from Pinkie. Not that it drew any attention, as the elements broke off contact with Zecora when she stopped providing medicine.

Phantom knew Zecora trained Twilight during Trixie’s takeover of Ponyville. Her knowledge on potions and medicines would serve as a great asset to their future regime.

To all who would look at Equestria, it would seem like a gentle and peaceful place, but this was sadly mistaken. Ever since the baby dragon’s banishment, the treaties Equestria had with both the dragons and the griffons had been at risk.

The Dragon Empire was so close to declaring war with the ponies, only stopped by what Phantom told them. Griffonstone, however, wanted nothing to do with Equestria since their willingness to banish any predator that ponies may think will hurt them. As a result, the soon to be queen Gilda, and Cutie Mark Crusader member Gabby’s friendship with the ponies has become strained.

Each day, civil war in the Crystal Empire grew worse until the two remaining princesses decided to step in and cease the fighting. Though some managed to escape, Celestia placed many who were loyal to their Phantom into prison.

Ponyville however, was faring much better than the Crystal Empire. Once news got out that Spike was banished, the ponies cheered, thanking Celestia that the ‘ticking time bomb of a monster’ was gone. There were only three colts who weren’t happy: Pipsqueak, Snips and Snails.

Snips and Snails missed their friend, who was the only one that often talked to them, while Pip missed Princess Luna, who he admired with all his heart. Pinkie was the only one to tell the three were Spike and Luna were, and invited them to join their little spying game. Without anyone noticing, the colts would occasionally visit Spike and undergo his training with Nightmare Moon for the following years.

With Thorax sometimes assisting her, Pinkie was given the responsibility to train the three colts in stealth so they could gather intel without being noticed. Pip excelled at his training, however Snips and Snails initially had a difficult time. However, after several months of intense training, all three colts evolved into experienced spies, taking their jobs very seriously.

Sunburst, Thorax and Zecora on the other hoof received magical training with Though Sunburst was brilliant at explaining spells, he wasn’t able to perform them very well. After a few years training with Starlight that quickly changed.

After completing their training, Pinkie along with Snips, Pip, and Snails were assigned to stay and live in Ponyville and report anything to Phantom.

Starlight, Thorax, and Sunburst were assigned to the Crystal Empire, but most importantly protected, and watch over Flurry Heart as well as to inform either Phantom or Nightmare Moon about changes within the empire.

Midnight was assigned to return to Canterlot and keep Nightmare informed about the status of the Lunar Guard. Right now, it was still too early to free the soldiers that have been imprisoned by Shining Armor.

In due time, another six individuals would pledge themselves to Phantom. Pinkie, Starlight, Midnight, and Obsidian each had three subordinates working alongside them. Adding up to the number of 12, Phantom would later name these subordinates the Zodiacs, and he and Nightmare Moon acted as the supreme leaders.

One afternoon, while writing a full on report to Twilight about the recent events, a letter appeared from out of nowhere. Celestia opened the letter.

Dear Princess Celestia

I’m not going to tell you too much, but I just wanted to say, I know the truth about what happened during the dragon migration. In other words, you heartless bitch, I know that you and your pissant ponies killed the dragons and abducted and their eggs for your experiments!

I’ll have you know that the only reason the Dragon Lord hasn’t ripped your wings off is because I want to do it myself. That’s right, fatso, I’m coming for you. Hell, I might as well tell you what I’m going to do. I’ve grown far more powerful than King Sombra, and I plan to do what he failed to do. I’m going to kill Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor. Then, one by one, take the lives each element bearer. After that, I’ll finally turn my attention to you. Hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, your soon to be killer, Phantom

Celestia was shocked after reading this. First, Discord stopped speaking to her, then the griffons and dragons threatened to end their treaties, now this ‘pony’ knows the truth. Normally, Celestia would just throw it away, deeming it some empty threat, but something about this ‘Phantom’ seemed so familiar. Celestia didn’t want to take the chance of the letter being a bluff. Desperate, she called on her guards and stationed a number of them at the Crystal Empire, and the rest to protect the elements at all cost.

The Crystal Empire was on high alert. Celestia had passed the warning to her niece and Shining Armor that a pony calling himself Phantom was targeting them. What they did not realize, was that their enemies have been planning this for quite some time.

“Are you sure this pony going to come here first?” the princess of love asked as her growing daughter, Flurry Heart, stood beside her. It’s been nearly eight years since Flurry Heart was born, and with the coming of yet another member to the family, she, Cadance, Shining, and Twilight were ecstatic about the news, but now it worried them, since this mysterious individual is coming to kill them all.

Honestly, Flurry didn’t like her parents very much since Sunburst, Thorax, and several of the Crystal Guard have secretly told her about what happened seven years ago. Of course, that means Flurry also learned she was brainwashed into hating Spike, who would often play with her. Even though she was too young to fully remember, she was often told how she enjoyed the dragon’s company as much as she enjoyed that of her aunt, foalsitter, Thorax, and Starlight.

“Yes, princess,” one of the guards said in his stoic tone. “I suggest we move you and your daughter away from the castle.”

“No!” she argued. “I’m not leaving without my husband.”

“With all due respect, your highness, the safety of you and your foals come first. Especially your baby.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Shining Armor assured, placing his hoof on his wife’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I want you to take Flurry and get out of here.”

Later that night, the three guards were standing around the crystal heart, while the others stood outside the royal bedroom of Shining Armor and Cadance. Shining had created a barrier around the whole empire, hoping it would prevent this ‘Phantom’ from fulfilling his threat. The guards reasoned that Phantom was planning on killing them and destroying the Crystal Heart. Shining didn’t take the news lightly, he already saw what happened when the crystal broke during Flurry Heart’s birth, and he wasn’t going to let such a thing happen again.

The clock had just struck midnight, and Shining Armor was standing on the balcony of the castle when he noticed something was wrong. A thick fog was quickly covering the whole empire from within, making it hard to see anything.

“KEEP YOURS EYES OPEN, SOLDERS!” Shining barked before a scream echoed throughout the streets.

“What’s happening?!” Shining barked once again, but there was no response. “SOMEPONY ANSWER!”

“Hello... ex-brother,” a young, yet deep voice rang from the fog.

“S-Spike... is that you?”

The dragon smirked as two soldiers stepped out from behind him, neither had a single scratch. In fact, they were... smiling! Another guard, however, was in the dragon’s claw. His body motionless, with blood dripping down to the floor.

“Correction,” the drake replied, throwing the guard aside. “The Spike you know died long ago. My name is Phantom,” the dragon said as the two guards bowed.

The realization hit Shining Armor like a ton of bricks. This Phantom, who sent Celestia the letter... was Spike! And what’s more is that his own guards were helping him!

“N-no way…” he muttered, “You’ve been on his side all this time?” A buzzing echoed through the thick fog as an all too familiar individual descended to join Phantom’s side, Thorax.

“To be honest, more than half of the Crystal Guard have been on his side for the last few years. Needless to say, going undercover was like second nature the guards of your empire. As well as my experiences with the hive,” the changeling explained.

Infuriated by this betrayal, Shining fired a blast of magic from his horn, but only hit the ground, as the fog covered up the four individuals. “Where are you, Spike? And how did you get past my shield... nopony has ever broken through my shield before!”

“First of all, if you’ve forgotten, which I’m sure a dumbass like yourself has, I’m not a pony. Second, it was thanks to Nightmare’s magic and Sunburst’s knowledge that we made it through, undetected,” Phantom’s voice echoed while a light passed by Shining’s cheek, drawing blood.

“And third…” The white stallion’s eyes widened as he looked down at the crystal shard that was embedded in the marble floor behind him. He then turned his head to see the purple and green winged, scaled dragon next to him. His right arm pulled back. “My name is no longer SPIKE!!” That was the last thing Shining heard before he felt a heavy fist punching him right in the cheek, sending him flying through crystal walls, skidding on the floor in the castle’s throne room, coughing up blood and spitting out broken teeth.

As Shining struggled to get up after the surprise attack, Phantom walked into the room. Shining’s vision was blurry, but what he saw wasn’t the baby dragon he knew. Phantom was almost as tall as Celestia, and had such beautiful wings. He lost all his baby fat and was somewhat lean, yet muscular. His scales shined as the moonlight hit him.

Shining shot out another bolt of lightning at Phantom, who swatted it aside before reaching out and grabbing Shining’s horn. Phantom growled before he flung his arm around Shining Armor, and tossed him out of the castle. Shining crashed through the marble, railing and skidding right next to the pillar where the Crystal Heart sat. Phantom flew down and slowly approached him.

Phantom noticed Shining turn his glance to the Crystal Heart behind him. “Rest assured, I’m not going to break the Crystal Heart. So many of the ponies here still love me. And, it that crystal makes it so much easier to handle the weather.”

Shining noticed that the thick fog was clearing. As the drake drew closer, Shining’s horn glowed, creating another barrier, but Phantom released a blast of magic, shattering the barrier. “Don’t even think of apologizing... you had seven fucking years to do that.”

“W-why, Spike? I thought we were brothers... family...” Shining Armor said, looking into Phantom’s eyes, who only saw hatred towards him.

“Enough with the family bullshit! And don’t call me Spike, I threw away that name long ago! My name is Phantom, I’m pretty sure we’ve established that! And how dare you call yourself my family?! What kind of family throws a baby into the forest, left to be eaten by timberwolves!? What of family neglects, teases, and lies about what truly happened!? WHAT KIND OF FAMILY WOULD BANISH A BABY DRAGON WHO DID NO WRONG?!” he shouted.

Phantom was about to scorch the stallion when an idea came to his head. He reached and grabbed Shining’s horn before the stallion could even blink, and he snapped it. The painful scream of the stallion filled the air, waking nearly everypony in the empire, drawing their eyes to the Crystal Heart, but nopony was there.

Cadance was sweating, being woken up by the sounds of explosions. She sat up and looked around. “W-What’s going on? Why am I here?” She then turned her head to the door. Her face became pale as she noticed the black alicorn standing there. Her glazed demonic eyes frightened her, but what was more shocking was the mare standing next to her. Nightmare began to walk, each hoofstep from her dark blue horseshoes echoed throughout the room. While Pinkie hopped over to her. Cadance tried to move, but she was frozen by fear.

“Why Cadance... it’s been awhile.” Nightmare’s tone was that of a loving relative, and that of a malicious ruler. “I see your daughter has grown quite a bit since I last saw her.” She turned toward the Flurry with a smile. Flurry couldn’t explain it, but for some reason, she didn’t feel as intimidated by the black alicorn’s presence as her mother did.

“H-H-How did you...? A-A-And why are you here, Pinkie?” The princess was cut off by Nightmare raising a hoof.

Suddenly, the door opened and Cadance felt relieved to see Sunburst walk in, accompanied by Starlight.

“Sunburst, thank goodness you’re here! I need you and Starlight to take Flurry and get out of here!” To Cadance’s confusion, however, neither Sunburst nor Starlight budged. They just stared at the pink alicorn with blank expressions.

“What are you two doing!? This is a direct order!”

“Sorry princess, but I don’t take orders from you anymore,” Sunburst sighed as he pushed his glasses up. “For the past couple of years, I’ve been training with Starlight. Like her, my allegiance lies with Nightmare Moon and Phantom.”

“Phantom? You mean the one who threatened to kill us?” asked the pink alicorn to which Sunburst slowly nodded.

“W-Why?” asked the terrified princess.

“That’s not important,” Starlight said, placing her hoof on Sunburst’s shoulder. “What is important is the nightmare you just had.”

On cue, the floor erupted as green flames shot from the ground and Phantom appeared, holding Shining Armor by his mane. His pristine white coat was now stained with blood and burn marks, and his horn was missing.

“SHINING!” Cadance screamed in horror, seeing the state her husband was in. Once the flames died down, Phantom threw Shining to the side, right into the wall.

As Cadance got a good look at her husband’s attacker, she instantly recognized him. “S-Spike?!”

“Sorry princess, but you and the rest of the ponies murdered my first friend years ago.” Cadance saw Thorax appear from the newly formed crater.

Cadance thought for a moment, and then it hit her. They knew an individual named Phantom has threatened to attack the Crystal Empire, and if Spike was the one who put Shining in this condition, that means...

“Ph-Phantom…” the princess of love said ominously, receiving a nod from the dragon in response.

“That’s right, Cadance,” he spoke, walking up to the pregnant mare and her daughter. “I’m Phantom.” He then locked his green eyes with Flurry, and with a soft smile, he walked over to the two.

“Oh Flurry,” Phantom said with a loving look. “The last time I saw you, you were just a baby,” he said gently stroking the alicorn filly’s cheek.

“Don’t touch her!” Shining snarled, but Phantom ignored him.

“I’m sure you don’t remember me, you couldn’t even speak when I came to visit and play with you. Despite the grudge I hold against your parents, I could never come to hate you, Flurry.”

Flurry Heart didn’t know what to say, but she felt a soothing feeling from Phantom’s charming words. ‘What is this comforting feeling?’ she thought. “Cousin Spike?” Flurry asked, still mesmerized by the dragon.

Phantom didn’t lose his temper from hearing his old name. No, he couldn’t when Flurry called him that. She would catch on eventually. “I used to be. Seven years ago, you were brainwashed into fearing and hating me so the snobbish geezers in the court would have a reason to punish me for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“I know,” Flurry responded turning to Starlight and Sunburst. “Mr. Sunburst, Mr. Thorax, and Ms. Starlight all told me a year ago.”

“Sunburst! What are they talking about?!” Shining demanded, struggling to stand up after the beating Phantom gave him.

“Well, as I explained the same week Phantom was banished, it is VERY easy to brainwash infants. Unfortunately, most of Canterlot refused to listen to me. Even the two of you.”

Nightmare spoke up next. “Tell me... what does it feel like to lose everything?” Nightmare asked as her horn began to glow and a dark purple aura encased the pregnant alicorn, levitating her from the bed.

“Oh! Oh! I know! I know! Pick me! Pick me!” Pinkie hopped around like an excited school filly.

Nightmare rolled her eyes. “Yes Pinkie?”

“It feels like you failed at everything you did to please the ponies you care for. But you’ll never understand the pain you, your husband, and those five I used to call my best friends put Phantom through when you all deemed him too dangerous to live among us. Nightmare and Zecora were training him so that he wouldn’t get out of control. But no... you no good snobby ponies wouldn’t have that, because it wasn’t Phantom’s choice to take a life in order to live. It was only after I was forced to kill something in order to live that I learned what Phantom felt. Something your deadbeat-of-a-husband should know.” Pinkie pointed a hoof toward a now beaten Shining Armor. “After all, he is the captain of Celestia’s army.”

“Thank you Pinkie,” Nightmare said with a smile, then turned back to Cadance. “Now then, this is your part, Phantom... Would you please show them what it’s like to lose something dear to them?”

The dragon slowly walked over to the five month pregnant Cadance. “Move and you die where you stand,” Phantom warned causing the pink mare to shiver. Once he was near, he looked over at Flurry with sadness in his eyes. “Flurry what I’m about to do isn’t for little foals like you to see.”

Flurry nodded sadly, understanding what the dragon was planning to do.

Sunburst and Starlight walked up and gently led the pink filly out the door. Sunburst smiled and closed the door. Phantom was going to make sure Flurry wasn’t alone in the world, he wanted her to have a someone to look up to.

When the door shut, Cadance readied her horn to blast her imminent assassin. Unfortunately, Phantom, thanks to Nightmare Moon’s teachings, sensed the magical energy and swiftly released an air current strong enough to cut Cadance’s horn clean off.

“Alright since that’s out of the way...” He delivered a soft tap to Cadance’s stomach resulting in the baby kicking. “Kiddy punch.”

“W-What?” asked the now very confused princess.

A wave of silence washed though the room. Cadance just stared at Phantom, wounding what this murderous dragon would do next. The answer shocked both Cadance and Shining. Phantom delivered a hard punch to the princess’s gut, and to her unborn foal. Cadance coughed up blood, and Shining looked on in horror at what Phantom had done. Cadance’s eyes widened as she gasped from the punch and felt something wet running down her legs.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO OUR BABY?!!” Shining and Cadance shouted in unison. The prince roared and charged at the dragon. Phantom stepped to the side and kicked Shining in the side, causing the stallion to fly back a few feet, landing on the crystal floor beside his wife’s dresser. Before he could react, Phantom grab Cadance’s severed horn and flung it toward the stallion’s arm. If Shining had his horn, he would’ve projected a shield, blocking the incoming attack, but without magic, the horn was implanted into his foreleg, causing the stallion to yell in pain.

Phantom had killed their foal, his face calm and collected before letting out a sigh. “Sorry, Cadance, but I have to send a message. Fortunately, it seems you’ve already generously donated a carrier,” he said, causing Cadance to cringe.

“What are you-” her words instantly cut off as a scream resonated throughout the Crystal Empire. Phantom was tearing his claws into Cadance's underbelly. Her swollen stomach instantly flattening as her carriage was sectioned out of her.

“WHAT THE BUCK!?" Shining roared, he instinctively attempted to cast a spell but only received unimaginable pain as he was reminded that his horn had been cut off.

“Quiet Shining, my message is clear! You’ll all suffer the same way I have, the same way my family did.” He slowly sank into a hysteric diatribe. “I’ll make all of you suffer. For your betrayals, your lies, your mockery! ALL OF IT!!” Phantom aimed his head towards the still lump of flesh, Shining’s eyes widened with understanding.

“Don’t-!” he shouted, but it fell on deaf ears. Phantom released a plume of flame. Unlike his regular green mist used for transportation, this flame was created solely for the purpose of incinerating.

“Dark, just like my heart,” Phantom spoke.

“No my dear, your heart is clean and pure, marred by these sycophants and ‘great ponies’. Never forget that,” Nightmare said, her face indifferent to the scene unfolding before her.

“She’s right, Phantom,” Thorax agreed. “We’ll always be with you.”

Pinkie just nodded rapidly.

“Thanks, you guys. Now where was I?” Phantom thought. “Oh yeah, sending my message.” Picking up a nearby piece of parchment, Phantom began to scrawl something out before rolling it up and laying next to the bloody mess he had caused. “Shining, did you know that when I send a message, the immediate area around it burns with it? I discovered that a little over 3 months into my banishment. Now I can send a whole newborn foal with the message, isn’t that convenient?” He was met with grunts of hate. “Well, I’d better send this, you know how Twilight gets when her mail is late. I wonder how she’ll react,” he said, knowing what impact the statement would have on Shining and Cadance’s already crumbling stability.

Neither Cadance nor Shining Armor did anything to stop him. They were mentally shattered at their foal’s death. His form was so tiny... so lifeless, dead before even sucking its first breath.

“Since you’re so preoccupied, how about I send this message and leave with only a few parting words?” Shining and Cadance didn’t respond. Phantom released a plume of smoke with the intention of transporting the foal and scroll to a certain alicorn’s castle.

“I leave you with two options,” Phantom said, approaching a stunned and paralyzed Cadance. He reached down and ripped off both her wings. Cadance released a loud scream, which was quickly snuffed out by a claw to the muzzle.

“I’ll turn around, and for exactly 30 seconds, I won’t move or even look back. You can ‘try’ to escape, and live with whatever you can salvage of your former life for the rest of your days. I know you can feel it, Cadance; we both know you can no longer have another foal, no matter what you do. Your other option is to jump out that window: the impact will kill you instantly, and if you do, try to think of how all this could have been avoided on the fall down.”

“Your choice,” Phantom finished before turning around.

Allowing the situation to set in, Cadance and Shining took a moment to think. They were powerless to stop Phantom, and even if they could, no doubt the others would interfere. Their only daughter walked out on them, and maybe even hated them for what they did. Even if they were able to leave the empire, the two could never have another foal, thanks to Phantom’s actions. They arrived at the same unspoken conclusion.

After 30 seconds passed, Phantom heard a large crash echo behind him. Turning around, he saw that the crystal princess and the captain of the royal guard had disappeared from the room.

“Quite the obvious decision.”