The Imperium

"Keep firing on those APCs! Don't let them through! Incoming dropships men, get ready," ordered Shining Armor. "Captain, we've just lost contact with Alpha Base. Also, we've got some striders pulling in," said Jake Starbright, a Lieutenant of the soldiers.

"Alright, Lieutenant, gather as many ponies as you can! Take them underground and bring them to my sister's base in Ponyville! Tell ask her this, 'When in the face of desolate destruction, you will...' She'll know what it means!"

"Yes sir! Also sir, it's been an honor serving with you."

"Likewise. Now go!"

"Calm Down Rarity, Spike'll be fine." said Rainbow Dash trying to reassure Rarity. "I hope so, I've never been this close to Spike before. I really don't want to lose him."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought of him before as some cute little dragon. But now, it's different.  Ever since he rescued me from the Combine raid, I've always felt of him more deeply."

"Heh heh heh, Rarity likes Spike!"

Rarity remained silent for that time. "Stop teasin' her Rainbow! She's been through a lot already," yelled Applejack.

"Oh yea? Like what?"

"Sweetiebelle!" Yelled Rarity. "Before Spike could make it, the Combine killed her immediately  as they came in..." Tears began to run down her face.

"Rarity... I'm-I'm sorry, I didn't know. I-"

"It's fine Rainbow. You didn't know."

"While we're on the subject, where are Applebloom and Scootaloo?" asked Applejack. "I heard they were taking refuge with some other ponies," said Fluttershy in her quiet voice. "Well what are we just doing sittin' here, we have to go help them!" said Rainbow Dash. "No. Not yet, we need to wait for Twilight to-" said Applejack before being interrupted by Rainbow Dash

"No we don't need to wait! We need to help them now!"

As the argument went on for a bit, Spike slowly opened his eyes. "Spike," yelled Rarity. She ran up to Spike and hugged him. His bandages kept him from being hurt from Rarity's tight hug. Spike blushed. He could feel the sincerity of Rarity's hug. He knew there was something wrong. "Rarity? What's up? I know there's something wrong."

"It's nothing-"

"Yes it is something. Tell me."

Spike had suddenly gotten serious. He really wanted to know.

"Okay... Remember the day you saved me?"

"Yeah."

"And how I told you Sweetiebelle wasn't home at the time?"

"Yes...?"

"I lied. For all these years, I, lied."

Spike already knew the answer. He gripped Rarity's hug even tighter. He knew how she felt. He knew how it hurt. He understood her pain. His conscience was telling him that he should have came sooner. But then, there was a knock on the metal door that lead to the Metro.

A soldier came in with many other ponies. Phillies, colts, mares. All of them were there.

"I am Lieutenant Jake Starbright. Shining Armor has sent me here to drop of these ponies. Where is Twilight? I have a message for her."

"She's still out clearing out a checkpoint. Do you have time to wait?" Asked Applejack.

"I've got all the time in the world."