The group huddled in anxiety, different expressions worn on their faces as they waited for the being that created everything to appear before them. Rarity started to pant, fanning herself with a hoof, as Pinkie Pie nervously began to eat cupcakes and other sweets she had taken from her mane, loaning them to Cadence, Luna, and Applejack while Chrysalis tapped her hooves impatiently on the ground, trying to keep a neutral look as she observed around her, seeing Celestia with her wings wrapped tightly around Twilight and Spike, both shaking in fear.

After waiting for over an hour, Spike got bored and lit up a cigarette Pinkie Pie had conveniently in her mane and sighed, the rest of the ponies around them starting to become bored as well with Cadence, Luna, and Celestia talking about something in the past while Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack starting a round of truth or dare with Pinkie Pie curled up on the floor trying to take a nap. Spike finished his nicotine at last and as he exhaled the gray smoke from his mouth, he flicked the butt onto the ground.

“Where is she?!” Chrysalis muttered angrily to herself, about to stand up from where she sat and speak with her sisters when every creature in the room felt an icy shiver run down their spines and all turned to see a creature they had not notice in the room before them.

The being before them was an Alicorn, taller than any of them had ever seen, she had a lavender coat but with an uncounted amount of little white dots that seemed to represent stars all over her body, constantly shifting, while her mane and tail were of the same pattern, but colored black with the stars blue, as they both shined their eternal radiance and waved with no air to move them. Her wings were enormous, even for an Alicorn, which she unfurled and flapped once, causing every creature to be blown back a few inches from the large gust of wind as she looked over them all with pure white eyes, no iris or pupil in them and no Cutie Mark on her form.

“Why have you summoned me, Sun Goddess?” Fate asked, her voice cruel and held no respect for any of her children as Celestia winced.

The Co-ruler of Equestria bowed before her mother, gesturing for all of the others to do the same as they bowed as low as their bodies permitted.

“It is an honor to be before your presence, Mother. I am Celestia, as you know and these are-”

“Do not try to mock my intelligence, Sun Goddess. For it was I who gave you it. I am not here to dabble in pleasures, tell me why you have requested my presence and do so now, I grow wary of insufferable creatures prancing around and telling me of their woes when I care nothing for them, which is why I have created you, immortal... though now it seems that may have been a mistake on my part I might just have to correct.” Fate calmly spoke with a flick of her tail, which accidently touched Cadence’s throne and instantly caused it to crumble into ashes before their eyes.

With a snort, Fate touched the specks of dust with her tail once more which caused the seat of power to be rebuilt automatically and swiftly making the throne appear brand new in seconds, as Pinkie Pie’s jaw dropped to the ground in shock.

“Wow, that was amazing Miss Universe, can you do it again, huh, can you, can you?” Pinkie spoke rapidly bouncing around the Alicorn before being caught firmly in a glow of white magic, Fate raised Pinkie Pie to her eye level, narrowing her eyes she reached a hoof out and touched Pinkie Pie’s snout.

The mare literally saw every event from past, present, and future before her eyes; from her birth to her death, but it flashed by so quickly that Pinkie Pie’s breath had caught in her throat and her eyes shrunk to the smallest of dots her pupils would allow, before she was dropped harshly to the floor.

“Pinkamena Diane Pie, a mortal bearer to the Elements of Harmony and one who is quite adapted to defying the laws of physics, of what reason do you have that I should not erase your entire existence from mortal and immortal mind alike for harassing your creator, mare?” Fate questioned in a monotone voice while Pinkie Pie was left shivering before her, accidently emptying her bladder as she yelped and started to cry.

“I... I meant no disrespect, Madam Fate, I... I just wanted us to be friends, I’m friends with almost any creature and-”

“I am not an Alicorn, this is merely the form I chose to make the creatures near me more suited to their mindset, and I am not your friend, Earth Pony. You have enemies, foal, I would suggest you become more serious of your life in the future.” Fate spoke emotionlessly as Pinkie bowed before the being in her own urine. “Erase this mortal’s memory and get her out of my sight, you disappoint me by wasting my precious time, Sun Goddess.” She spat darkly before Luna instantly teleported Pinkie Pie and her urine out of sight before Luna was gone herself.

Once more, every creature before Fate bowed as low as they were allowed, trying their best to be sincere, Celestia became nervous as she gulped loudly and cleared her throat.

“Mother, I am ashamed that you had to be subjected to that, I swear I will have a firm talk with Pinkie Pie as soon as you make your exit.” She said honestly while the Alicorn merely snorted.

“I am much ashamed myself for having such ill mannered creatures in my universe, perhaps this world is not yet ready for my presence as I had thought. Maybe I should quicken the process of this world’s end and allow the Four Horses of the Apocalypse to create anew as I had once pondered, would you not agree, Sun Goddess?” Fate wondered calmly forcing Celestia to shake her head firmly.

“NO! I... *ahem* I mean, no Mother, the end of the world should not be your concern now just because of a hyperactive pony such as Pinkie, she will be dealt with, I swear. Please, just allow the clock of end time to resume as scheduled, I beg of you.” Celestia pleaded as Fate raised an eyebrow and thought carefully of her daughter’s importune before she blinked, unswayed by the amount of emotion from Celestia.

“Very well, I will not speed up the clock’s process, but my patience wears thin, why have I been summoned?” She growled as Celestia gently pushed Spike forward with her wing.

“Mother, this is my adopted son, Spike, he-”

Not another syllable was allowed to leave Celestia’s lips before Fate touched the reptile’s nose with a hoof and as she had done with Pinkie Pie, Spike’s entire soul was torn from his body and reviewed by Fate causally, only it was of a slower process then she had done with the mare and Spike saw every event in his life, from birth to death on his present path, as Fate removed her hoof, causing Spike’s eyes to roll to the back of his head as he fainted, unceremoniously releasing both his bladder and his bowels on the floor before Twilight dragged him from the ground and tried to awaken him, the other ponies swallowing nervously as Fate snorted.

“Spike the dragon, now dubbed the title of the recent ‘Crystal Savior’ I’m surprised you still play that game among your family, Sun Goddess. I would have thought you would have disregard such a dark nature centuries ago. No matter, it is of no interest to me what the immortals wish to do to pass the time on their... short, meaningless lives. As it is, this drake has my caught attention... what is it that makes him so... ah, now I remember. He is a Demigod, or rather was.” Fate chuckled cruelly causing all the ponies around her to stare in shock, Celestia fuming with rage at the truth brought before her.

“A... a demigod, but... but you had always declared that no demigod should ever walk your earth Mother, you had-”

“I know what I had said, Sun Goddess... that is true of what you speak which is why I had torn the wings from your God of a brother, rendering him mortal and forcing him to fade swiftly into ashes before I had erased the female mortal dragon’s mind of the event. Death dealt with my traitor son as is his duty and I had sapped the hatchling of his Godlike power, all of it. If you or any pony in this room tell the drake of his past I shall wipe your minds so that you have the mind of nothing more than a foal, all of you, is that understood?” Fate threatened darkly as they could do no more than bow in fear and awe of the Alicorn.

“Why did you spare him then, Mother? You once claimed that Demigods could not roam your realm due to their nature of destruction and arrogance, saying that they would all be shunned and feel bitter about their curse as they would ruin your precious land.” Cadence asked softly and squeaked in fear as Fate turned her gaze to the Alicorn.

“That I did, Love Goddess but the reptile was no longer a threat and it will never come to pass of him learning of his abilities so I saw no harm in allowing him to be raised by his mother before Death had her name appear on his list and watched as she perished. Then as you are aware, Sun Goddess I given him to you. He is the first and last of his kind, but he is nothing more than a mere mortal dragon now so I see no harm in preserving his life. There shall never be another like him, I suggest you take that warning seriously, Love Goddess as you have so foolishly chosen to marry a mortal it appears.” Fate said slowly forcing Cadence to bow and swear that she would not have a child with Shining Armor.

“Now, onto the matter of which I’ve been called. The drake wishes to be a God, how very ironic that is. Why should I bestow powers that I had striped of him for you, Magic Goddess?” Fate questioned to Twilight, who swallowed and looked into Creation’s eyes as she began to hyperventilate again.

Using the technique Cadence had once taught her she calmly addressed her creator while passing Spike to Celestia who hugged him gently.

“He wishes to be with me. He would give anything in the world to share eternity with me, Mother,” Twilight paused before breathing deeply to speak again and chose her words carefully “I would give anything to do the same, please... I swear on my soul that not a single word of his past shall leave my lips if you only grant this one request... please.” Twilight wept, sitting on her flank as tears and snot trailed down her furred face.

Fate blinked slowly before allowing a gentle smile to spread across her face as she ordered Twilight to look into her eyes.

“Your story while unappealing and dull to me has given me thought of an idea that I have found of interest, Magic Goddess... very well, I shall grant the reptile temporarily strength to defeat a God, but he must do so in forty eight hours... now wake the dragon.” Fate spoke emotionless as Celestia slowly awoken Spike.

Groggy, and with a major migraine, Spike gripped his ear fins before opening his eyes and noticing Creation still before them.

“It was no dream then.” He whispered sadly before slowly standing up to face the Alicorn.

“It appears your... mate has allowed me to give careful consideration to what you have asked for, reptile. I have looked over your life cycle... heh, you are no hero indeed, despite what the mortals wish to call you now. You shall be given the strength of a God, drake, but you will only have forty eight hours to kill the God of your choice, choose your foe wisely, for my children are very well trained in the art of bloodshed and have eons of experience. In exchange though, my son, the Chaos God must be released from his prison and you are to put on a show that will catch my attention, can you agree to those terms, reptile?” Fate questioned harshly causing Spike to seriously think of his choice of action, he then turned and looked into Twilight’s eyes which were wide and frighten making him turn his head back and nod seriously.

“Yes, Fate….one question though, what if I fail?” He asked hesitantly as Creation gave an emotionless chuckle.

“Then I shall wash my hooves of you, mortal.”

********************************************************************************************************

Once Fate had set her terms that Discord had to be released, as soon as she was gone, she transformed into her true form, forcing Celestia to shout for all of them, even her sisters and niece to avert their eyes before doing so herself as she felt steering hot white pain travel over her entire body which was gone as soon as it had appeared.

All the ponies looked at Spike, disappointed that he had been willing to agree to such a dark deal, but proud for standing up to their creator, and even more worried that they could never tell him of his past, with Fate’s threat looming over them knowing she was very serious about it.

Curling his claws in aspiration, he was determined to do the goals he had promised, walking towards the castle's entrance, he opened the door and was shocked to see Luna and Pinkie Pie, whose mane and tail were completely flat, he had only seen her in such a state once, many years ago, too preoccupied by the gems he had be given to comfort her, but now, he was just outright ashamed of himself.

“Pinkie, I’m sorry that you were traumatized by that experience and was forced to be-” He spoke softly to his friend before being rudely shoved out of the way by her marefriend who hugged her firmly as the earth pony wept into Pinkie Pie’s coat.

“I don’t know why you’re crying so hard, Jackie. Did you lose a family member or have thoughts of taking your own life again?” Pinkie asked confused, but held her lover close to her while Applejack continued to weep, Spike had forgotten that Fate had ordered her memory wiped.

“She must have forgotten everything since we entered the room.” The dragon thought to himself angrily as he glared at Luna, who could only turn away in shame before trotting up to speak with her sister.

Spike was about to go and give an earful towards the Moon Goddess before his mother stepped in front of him, she lifted a hoof towards the two mares and opened her mouth about to give her a stern speech about respect but Luna intervened and whispered into her sister’s left ear, causing the Alicorn’s ears to drop and her angered expression to vanish.

“Are you quite certain, Luna?” Celestia questioned, making the other Alicorn somberly nod.

“Yes, Mother had ordered all of her memory to be wiped, but I was uncertain of how much to clean, so I erased all of the events after Spike had won his first victory. It pains me to do such, but-”

“I understand, dear sister. We have to do as commanded. We are not allowed to disobey her, you are aware what-” Celestia then nervously glanced over at her son before waving her sister to follow further away, wishing to speak privately.

Confused by their secrets, Spike shrugged and sighed loudly, wishing he had a cigarette after the whole ordeal, questioning how he was to release Discord without the Elements of Harmony fully intact, with two of his friends and former bearers gone from this world.

“What’s wrong, Spike, darling?” Rarity asked softly, trotting towards him as he merely rubbed his snout and sighed.

“How can we release Discord without Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash?” He spoke quietly, causing a shiver to run through the unicorn’s spine as she tried to repress the dark thoughts that started to resurface into her mind, turning away from the reptile.

“I... I don’t know.” She answered honestly, forcing both creatures to remember what King Sombra had done to their lives and once more thankful that he was now suffering in Tartarus for his crimes.

“I might just have an idea to free him.” A voice replied softly, making them look and see Cadence with the other mares approaching.

“And pray tell, what is this clever plan you have in mind, oh little sister?” Chrysalis spat sarcastically at the younger Alicorn who glared at her while the latter rolled her eyes with a smirk.

“It is very dangerous and will not be an easier route than using the Elements of Harmony, but since we do not know who the two new bearers will be, unless we search all over Equestria, in which we have no time, we may have to make do with this plan. All Gods in their country have the ability to summon the remaining to their side by force, it should only be used as a last resort and will take all of us, even Twilight. But... Discord may still be corrupted by his own darkness and that may have a chance of infecting one of us if we tear it from his being, which could force Equestria into another state of peril. If we are able to purge the darkness from his system by force, it might end up killing him, this is why the Elements of Harmony were such a reliable opinion and could fully purge him without killing him, as it had done with Luna, I’m afraid.” She sadly answered causing all the creatures near them, even Chrysalis’s ears to drop.

“So... we either risk one of the Gods to be infected by Discord’s darkness, or risk killing him even if we do release him successfully?” Twilight whispered quietly, making Cadence nod sadly.

“I’m afraid we have no other option at hoof, dear.” Rarity answered with a flick of her tail.

“Can’t we just make a deal with Death and-”

“No, Applejack, we cannot for Discord is not dead and Death will never agree to freeing a God who is alive and not in his realm... Rarity is right, this could be our only option.” Celestia replied softly while Pinkie Pie looked at them all in confusion.

“What about asking Death if he could get Fluttershy and-”

“NO! We will not allow ourselves to meddle in Death’s affairs. It is too much of a gamble, I’m afraid, Rarity.” Celestia spoke firmly before taking a deep breath and sighing, seeing that Rarity was on the brink of tears, forcing the Alicorn to wrap a wing around her in comfort and apologize for being so strict.

“I know that you are still very much haunted with nightmares, Rarity, and want to make amends with your two friends, and I’m sorry they had lost their lives so tragically, but Celestia is right. Even Gods can not make such a deal with Death for two souls to be free from... wherever they had ended up. Mother would never allow it and even if she did, by some miracle, we are not certain if the Elements of Harmony would work with two of the bearers... deceased. I am sorry, but Cadence’s plan is the only one that has any real chance, for we had witness such before.” Luna answered calmly as she looked at the unicorn who began to weep into Celestia’s fur and felt her ears drop at the sight.

“So... how do we begin?” Twilight spoke with seriousness in her tone making Chrysalis, Luna, and Cadence nod in Celestia’s direction, eager to get started as the elder merely sighed loudly with a grim smile on her muzzle.

********************************************************************************************************

It had taken hours for Cadence and Spike to explain to the entire Crystal Empire, the Crystal Phalanx and Shining Armor himself, who was forced to stay one hundred feet from Spike before one of them got into another brawl, why they had to leave the country.

After their speech to both the empire and their army respectfully, Spike nodded that he, Twilight, and Rarity were ready to go with the Alicorns, while Pinkie Pie was forced to stay because of a dreadfully long line that had appeared outside of her shop and needed the assistance of Applejack and many other able bodied workers to fill all the orders, while Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo watched their child, much to everyone’s worry.

Before they had left to free Discord, Spike was surprised to see Derpy, along with her sister and his best friend Dinky, trot towards them, prompting Spike to give them a firm hug.

“I’m glad you are alright, Dinky. It’s great to see you again.” Spike said to the unicorn warmly, who smiled and nuzzled his cheek.

“How could I ignore such a loyal friend who stood by me for so many years. I'm just thankful you remember my name after being so famous, Crystal Savior.” She teased, poking his belly with a hoof, making the drake laugh out loud and her sister to grin.

Derpy trotted towards the four Alicorns, who waited a few feet away from their friends, and bowed before them.

“If you will have me, I wish to join you on your journey, I am forever indebted to the Gods and my friend Spike for all you have done for us over the years.” Derpy spoke sincerely as each glanced at the other before nodding making the mare smile and take a cigarette out from her right ear which Spike happily lit.

Waving good bye to Spike and all the ponies, Dinky was nearly ran over by Pipsqueak as the young, strong, Earth Pony stallion ran straight up to Luna and planted a big, passionate kiss upon her lips giving the Alicorn a large, goofy grin on her face as he wished them luck before disappearing as soon as he had come, true to his title.

“Well this should be an interesting romance to watch over the years, Aunty Luna.” Cadence laughed, causing Luna to blush and punch her shoulder with a hoof softly telling her to shut it.

Without any more delay, Celestia and Luna lit their horns and basked the entire group in a white teleportation spell as they were whisked away to the Canterlot Garden.

Walking towards the statue of who was once their most hated foe, they could not help but feel pity that they were forced to imprisoned the God in such a state as they looked upon the once fallen ruler of Equestria.

“My brother, Discord, the God of Chaos and Disharmony. At one eon, he was a noble, bright and courageous ally to call upon; at another, a lover to share my bed through painful and lonely nights; and now... now he is known as a monster in children's storybooks merely because he grew... bored and became unaccustomed to seeing Equestria being so... peaceful. I’ll admit, even I sometimes have thoughts of the old ages, but the past should stay where it rightfully belongs, as ancient history. Come, Twilight, we will teach you the spell that just might be enough to release him, the rest of you, avert your eyes, mortals are not allowed to witness a spell not meant for them.” Celestia told the three creatures firmly before hugging her child once and kissing his forehead as Twilight gave her mate a passionate kiss, putting all trace of her feelings into what she hoped would not be her last.

Obeying Celestia’s orders, the three turned away, closed their eyes, and covered them with their limbs, fearful of what would happen next and worried that it would not be enough.

After memorizing the spell, Twilight alighted her horn with her signature purple aura and with the aid of the other four, shot a straight beam of magic towards the statue, using every ounce of their magical reservoirs to make the spell a success.

With a loud roar and an enormous multi colored light from each individual’s magic, the monument exploded with a tremendous force, causing high speed debris to rain everywhere and forcing Luna to protect the three who could not defend themselves as the Alicorns merely brushed the pebbles that has lodged themselves into their fur, unaffected and unharmed.

The mix matched creature before them yawned and stretched his limbs tiredly, snapping his eagle talon, lion paw, and even his tail all at once, causing an impressive amount of chaos around them, such as turning Spike into a pony, Derpy into a toaster, and Rarity into a dragon as all three simultaneously screamed, Derpy popping out burnt toast before Celestia ordered them all to be changed back that instant, making the Draconequus chuckle and do as commanded with a roll of his eyes, to which Derpy found herself with two pieces of toast and with a happy gasp ate one, offering the other to Rarity who refused.

“It... was a success, then?” Twilight whispered to herself quietly before running up to her mate and hugging him firmly, screaming into his face with glee that they had succeeded as he smirked.

Turning back to the creature they had freed, as Spike took Derpy’s offer of the other slice of toast and munched on it happily, the other four Alicorns looked over their brother with wary disdain.

“Ah, it is so good to be free. I must thank you all for your kind service and-”

“Spare us the tears, Discord. We did so only because Mother told us to, if you’ll recall she was also the one to first had you turned to stone when you hurt her ears with that awful opera display.” Chrysalis spat coldly with narrowed eyes, making the Spirit seem genuinely hurt by her comment.

“I had thought Mother enjoyed my performance. No matter, it is good to see all of you again my, loving family. Let bygones be bygones, now. Eh? I’m sure we can find some sort of... compromise, now. Can’t we?” He asked innocently at Celestia, who looked him over uncertain, before nodding towards her sisters.

“Yes, I am sure if you still do not have darkness tainting your soul and do not imprison me into the sun itself and my sister, Luna inside the moon as you done when you were free before we can get along as we have in the past, Discord. As I am sure you are aware, this is Twilight Sparkle, Mother has given me permission to make her an Alicorn which in turn makes her your sister, I know you will have a lot of stories to tell her later on. And I would like to introduce you to my son, Spike.” Celestia spoke warmly as she pushed Spike in the God’s direction who glanced him over with both his eyeballs popping out of his head and rolling around the drake’s entire body who laughed, forgetting that he was ticklish.

“Ah, you mated with a dragon God after all these years, Celestia. Well I always knew that you certainly had a ‘bad boy’ type.” Discord giggled, making Celestia fume before him angrily.

“NO! Spike is only my adopted son, not mine by birth. But it is because of him that you are free, so give him your thanks.” Celestia ordered lightly as Discord laughed, floating into the air before seeing the serious expression on Celestia’s face.

“Ah... you mean it, very well. Thank you, dragon for allowing my dear family to get me out of that prison block. And I remember you, Twilight Sparkle, it seems one of these eons we may have to test our wits and strength against each other and see who comes out on top, eh?” Discord sexually spoke to the Alicorn who blushed heavy forcing Spike to get into his face.

“Try anything with her and I’ll rip you in half! Immortal or not!” He threatened, allowing Discord to roll his eyes, create a bottomless hole, wrap Spike up in silver chains, and throw him down the hole before reappearing in front of Twilight with a grin as Celestia chased after her son.

“Your brother seems very protective of you, hm, Sparkle?” He asked darkly as Twilight smacked him across the face in rage.

“He is not my brother, he is my mate, my dragonfriend, and if you try that again, I’ll rip your wings off and shove them down your throat myself!” She raged as Chrysalis laughed harshly.

“Get in line, newbie. There are many other immortals who want a crack at this abomination first, mainly myself.” She growled as the God winked at her, causing her to hiss in disgust.

“You won’t even be able to get your chance after I am through with him, Chrysalis.” Celestia’s angry tone spoke from the hole before the Alicorn herself flew out with Spike held firmly on her back.

“Oh please, as if you would do any harm to me then what you have already done, Tia. Now do tell... for what true purpose has Mother allowed me to be released?” He questioned with an annoyed tone, making Spike step in front of him, poking his chest with a claw.

“She only had two rules for my term, for you to be released and for me to give her a fight that will catch her attention, fallen king.” Spike spat into Discord’s face angrily, who wiped his face with Spike’s own tail.

“And what, pray tell, is this fight that is supposed to catch the attention of Creation herself by a mere mortal?” He wondered as Spike grinned darkly.

“For me to kill a God in forty eight hours, you mix matched bastard.”

Discord smirked darkly pulling away from Spike “So I suppose that would also be me, correct?”

“No.” Spike said, making Discord raise an eyebrow, honestly confused. “I may be brash and hot heated sometimes, but I’m not stupid, I know facing you would be fruitless, you are far too powerful for me. Heck, you’re probably strong enough to take on the remaining Gods in this garden and win.”

“Well, well, well... it seems your brat of a kid has really taken a few things from you, dear Celly.” Discord smiled at Spike, almost in a proud manner, “but then, who are you going to fight against and how are you going to convince the God you choose to fight you?”

“There is no worry for that,” Luna chimed in. “My dear nephew only has to name the God he wishes to fight and he or she shall come, Mother has made sure of that... after all,” Luna chuckled darkly, “its for her own amusement.”

Discord looked around him and saw no lie or mischief in any of them, not even Chrysalis. He stood there in his spot unmoving for several seconds. “No kidding,” he said to no one. “Alright, if it’s for Mother, then I have no choice but to play along, but I do ask again; who, pray tell, are you going to ‘fight’ against?”

Spike smirked.

********************************************************************************************************

Cadence was growing more and more worried by the second, waiting for Spike’s decision on who to fight against. She was a very young goddess, barely two hundred years old, but that didn't mean she was unaware of the power other Gods had; some were weak but had other traits that made them respectable or not to be played with, others had a special ability or strength that could be their ace or their doom, and others were strong in every way, except in humility.

And then there were the two unique kinds: the ancient, powerful ones and the ancient, merciless ones; Celestia, Chrysalis, and Luna belonged to the the first kind and Discord was a unique case, he was probably the strongest God after ‘The four’, but Spike’s opponent belonged to the second kind.

Cadence shuddered in fear and her worry simply ten folded; Gemini was known as one of the most powerful Gods ever, and one of the oldest, some even said he was older than Discord himself. The stories of the dark times were horrifying and his bloodlust unmatched, his abilities are a mystery to mortals, but from what Discord had told them a few hours after Spike said his name, Gemini’s powers focused on brute force and impeccable defense, not to say he was literally immune to magic.

Seeing her aunts were busy with their fellow Gods, and Twilight was with her friends, she took the chance to talk with the awaiting Spike.

“Spike,” Cadence said in a low voice, “are you really that in love with Twilight?”

“Yes,” Spike said without looking back at her. “I’m surprised you asked that, Cadence. Being the Goddess of Love and all.”

“I can see it, but I still had to ask you,” for a moment silence reigned between the two, until Cadence hugged him. “Please... please, be safe. Fight and win, I... I can’t lose you.”

“Why?”

“Because you have done something that no one thought possible: you made the Crystal Empire believe in you. They no longer fight or live for me, Shining, Chrysalis, or even my aunts, but for you. Because of you, I may be the princess and Chrysalis my co-ruler, but you are the beacon of power and hope for my ponies, our ponies and changelings alike, and most importantly, you are part of my family,” she nuzzled him affectionately. “I love you, Spike, my little cousin.”

“I love you too, Cadence.” Spike finally moved, returning the hug, “but I don’t think I deserve to be held in such a way, I pissed and crapped myself when Fate was before me and Death nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Cadence giggled “From what aunty Luna said to me earlier; you are the first mortal to hold her gaze for so long and not die afterwards, you held your ground proudly against the creator of all, don’t be sorrowful of it, be glad you endured.”

“I am glad, and I promise you, I will not lose. I will win, even if it kills me.”

Spike and Cadence ended their embrace at the same time, smiling at each other before the ground below them began to tremble.

“He’s here.” Discord yelled to all.

Just a few seconds later, the gray God of the diamond dogs, Lord Gemini, emerged from below the earth, strangely enough, not leaving a single crater or mark on the earth.

At least until his landing, which created a small earthquake around the private arena, just in the borders of the Crystal Empire. Gemini stood proudly, small chunks of gladiator armor all over his body, especially over his left chest side and right arm, his gray fur almost shining like a diamond while his powerful muscles promised undiluted pain to anyone stupid enough to make him mad, his fangs sharp and powerful, his claws ready to cut through anything and anyone and his tail, while short, it seemed to be similar to an overpowered war mace, one that could crush bones, gems and granite as if they were simple sugar cubes, his size was that the half of Rex, barely as big as Discord, but the aura around him made any doubt of his power banish and any weak minded mortal tremble just by looking at him.

Gemini scanned the area with his red eyes, his yellow irises narrowing in anger until they landed on his insolent opponent: Spike, the Crystal Savior.

Gemini sighed, “do you realize what you have done, reptile?” He said nonchalantly, “but if I have to guess, I would say no. But I do have to ask, why did you pick me?”

Spike got up from his sitting spot and walked towards the diamond dog God, stopping ten meters from him. “To teach you a lesson,” his answer made all the presents gasp in surprise and some in fear.

“A lesson?” Gemini replied. “You, a mortal, want to teach a God a lesson? I would laugh, I really would, if those words did not carry such insolence and disrespect to those who are superior to you, lizard.” Small chunks of earth levitated around Gemini, his voice was calm but his anger was palpable.

“Lord Gemini, dear brother” Luna called to him “first you must hear the rule-”

“I already know them and why am I here, sister, do not take me for a fool or a weak simpleton like some of our brothers and sisters”

“Such an arrogant beast, like always” Celestia thought.

“And now that I think of it, you should have called the name of one of the weaker ones, maybe then you could have stand a chance of winning.” Gemini smirked as Spike face showed his anger.

“Let’s not waste more time with petty talk, I wish to end this quickly!”

“Very well then,” Discord said as he snapped his fingers, creating a barrier around the arena. “You have one minute, Celestia.”

Celestia nodded and walked towards her son, hugging him with all her might and embracing him with her wings. “Please win, my son. Remember all your training and please don’t forget, you have the power to kill a God, not the strength nor the endurance.”

“I know mom, I love you too,” he embraced her with more force. “If I don’t make it, please take care of Twilight, please”

“Of course.”

“Can you two stop it?” Gemini said, breaking their touching moment, “I can’t believe you have grown so weak Celestia, I remember the good old days when your title was ‘The Tyrant’?”

Celestia’s eyes shined gold with anger, glaring death upon Gemini, he only laughed in return. “But I think I can understand a little, after all, you are about to lose your ‘son’... oh how much I will enjoy it.” Gemini licked his fangs as his paws formed fists, reducing to dust the chunks of earth around him.

“Win.” Celestia whispered to Spike’s ear fin as she departed, leaving a red gleaming helmet in his claws, a perfect match for his chest plate armor, leg plates, and forearm plates with the same color.

Spike turned around, placing the helmet over his head, facing Gemini, who was more than eager to start the fight, as Discord floated above and between the two of them.

“Remember, this is a fight to the death, there are no rules, everything is allowed, your fight nor any of you will be able to leave this barrier and nothing can enter it, the one that survives will be the winner. BEGIN.” Discord shouted as he teleported outside the barrier.

As soon as the shout left Discord’s mouth, Gemini launched himself at blinding speed directly at Spike, caughting him off guard and delivered a devastating punch directly over his abdomen. Spike’s eyes shot up in surprise and pain as he was sent flying back against the barrier, crashing against it and then at the floor.

Spike went on all fours and vomited over the floor, trails of saliva and blood mixing with his breakfast as he gasped for air, looking up he saw Gemini walking calmly towards him, he tried to get up but the stinging pain in his abdomen didn’t allow him to move at all. Just as Gemini was about to reach Spike he got up and shakily stood in an odd fighting position, one that he had never seen before.

“Wha--”

Before Gemini could finish his sentence a mighty hit at the left side of his head sent him flying a few meters to the right and crashing against the ground as yet another equally powerful blow struck him over his chest plate, a curtain of dust emerged around him for a second before using his tail to clear it, revealing the purple dragon over him, with no hesitation Spike began to deliver punch after punch all over his face and chest, hitting randomly all over he could reach.

Gemini’s eyes glowed yellow for a moment, then a great boulder hit the dragon, sending him to the other side of the arena. Gemini got up, attempting to dust himself off when he noticed something warm next to his face. Right on the left side, using his right paw, he touched his left cheek, discovering that it hurt him, quickly pulling away his paw, discovering a small tint of red.

“YOU DARE!?” Gemini shouted at Spike, who was trying to stand up again “YOU... DARE!?” Gemini shouted again, outraged and enraged that this mortal had actually managed to hurt him. “I was planing to make your death quick and painless, but now I will make sure you pay for your insolence!” chunks of earth levitated around him as his eyes shined golden.

Spike got up and spat some saliva mixed with blood to the floor. “This is a fight, remember?” Spike smirked at him.

Gemini grew more outraged than he already was. “This worthless piece of rotten shit is mocking ME?” he thought before launching himself against his opponent. This time whoever, Spike was ready and manage to move away from his trajectory just in time to make him impact against the very same boulder he had hit him before.

Spike covered his face from the hail of stone shards flying everywhere, thanks to his tail he could feel something below him and jumped just in time to avoid a claw made of stone grab him where he was standing. The claw disappeared and a dozen or so of the rocks that were left behind floated for a second before launching themselves at Spike.

Spike managed to avoid most of the rocks, but the last three hit him head on, one on the stomach, another on the head, and the last on his right leg, thankful for a moment he was a dragon and that his scales managed to absorb most of the damage, whoever his happiness ended as something behind him grabbed his left leg.

Before Spike could do anything, Gemini lifted him into the air and began to mercilessly strike the earth with Spike, as if he were nothing more but a warhammer.

In the front stage, Celestia and Twilight watched with horror from the brutal punishment Spike was receiving, everyone there was trying to keep themselves watching as the fight carried on through the screams of pain and the roars of anger echoing throughout the arena. Even Chrysalis was having a hard time watching the battle, a small chuckle at her right side made her tear off her eyes from it and see the one responsible of it. Shining Armor.

“Are you actually enjoying this?” She asked, partially outraged by his behaviour, it was no secret Spike and Shining didn’t get along but she never thought it could be something bad. “How can you enjoy it so?”

Shining looked up at her. “He is getting what he deserves, no point on not enjoying the show while it lasts,” he smiled as a particular loud scream echoed around them, “but why are you judging me? You don’t like him either.”

“I do like him, for your information, granted he isn’t my favorite dragon ever, but I do like him, especially his attitude and loyalness, plus I also respect him.”

“Respect him? Ha!, what could you possibly respect about him?”

“You know it very well, Shining, it was thanks to him that my changelings survived and it was his final vote what allowed us to merge with the Empire. Back then he didn’t trust us, he even hated us, and yet he showed he had a heart, something you seem to lack now, mortal.”

“Why yo---”

“AAARRRGGGHHH!!!”

Both Shining and Chrysalis turned their head back into the fight, the loud scream of pain from Gemini making them forget their dispute, at least for the moment, what they saw was not what they expected.

Spike was biting down as hard as he could on Geminis left forearm, drawing blood from him. Gemini let go of his left leg and tried to shake him off, but after a few second of trying he simply decided to use his other paw to grab his foe by the tail and pulled him with all his might, giving Spike a mouthful of his own blood, fur, and meat before throwing him against the barrier wall, just in front of Celestia and the rest of his family and friends.

The impact against the barrier made a horrible crunching noise, Spike fell to the ground and coughed some of his and Gemini’s blood, looking up he could see the charging God against him. Using his right leg, he managed to put himself together in a crouching position just as Gemini was less than three meters away from him and while using his strength, Spike jumped, barely avoiding the charging God, placing his claws over Gemini’s shoulders and maintained his balance over him.

Looking up, Gemeni was received by the combined knees of Spike over his face with just enough force to send him crashing to the ground again, forcing a muffled scream of pain from him as he collided with the ground before Spike landed on his chest, but unlike last time, he used his dragon fire to enfulge Gemini with it, earning screams of pain as the God rolled over the ground trying to extinguish the fire.

Spike didn’t lose time and connected a mighty combo of a punch, kick, tail swipe, and slash across Gemini’s burning face, his last attack injuring him over his right cheek. Just as he was preparing another combo, the two paws of Gemini grabbed him around his abdomen, giving him an insane amount of pain.

Gemini’s face was no longer on fire and revealed that aside from some burnt marks over his fur, he was fine, except for the cut over his right cheek, that was bleeding lightly. Gemini softened his grip a bit, giving Spike a moment to relax, only to give him a bear hug strong enough to break granite, making Spike almost faint from the tremendous amount of pain and the, undoubtedly, broken ribs it caused.

“I’m going to crush you, like the insolent maggot you are, lizard.” Gemini whispered, smiling sadistically at the symphony of Spike’s screams of pain and his vague attempts to get free, “then I’m going to crush your little Empire.” The force of the hug increased, “and all because of what? Love? You fool!” the hug ended and Gemini let go of Spike, letting him fall to the ground effortlessly. With a loud thud Spike fell, he tried to get up but a paw of the God around his head forbade him, slowly and torturously he dragged his face across the floor for several seconds until he lifted up just enough to allow him open his eyes.

Spike opened his eyes and for the first second all he saw was blur, until his eyes adjusted and he could see his mother and his mate screaming at him, crying for him. He couldn’t hear them, his eyes were focused on Twilight as Gemini spoke. “Look at her, do you think your so called love will last? Think again, she will eventually get bored of you and dump you, she will be eternal, unlike you who shall die this day, all because of a stupid decision, love is an illusion of the weak.” Gemini whispered behind his head, Spike could feel his hot breath against his neck.

Gemini rose Spike from the ground and put him at his eye level. “I don’t know what Mother was thinking when she granted you such power. No matter, I suppose, with this fight, I will show her.” he lifted Spike in the skies as a trophy. “Do you see, Mother!?” Gemini shouted, “I shall win this fight and I hope this shall entertain you enough to see that I, Gemini, God of the Earth, your Third child, am your rightful heir!”

“B-B... Buck you...”

Gemini looked up to Spike as a wicked smile formed on his lips and brought Spike once again to his eye level, his breathing hard and forced, then whispered, “But worry not, Crystal Scum, I will make sure to ‘entertain’ your mate properly after your death.” Gemini opened his maw ready to finish Spike off.

A sudden burst of energy exploded inside of Spike after hearing that last line, with all the strength he had left he delivered the most powerful kick he could muster against the chestplate of the Diamond Dog. The kick was so strong, that it shattered the chestplate, and made said God cough a sudden burst of blood, sending him flying backwards against the other side of the barrier.

Spike landed harshly on the ground, his right leg completely broken as the result of his attack, a curtain of dust emerged from the side Gemini impacted. Spike was almost lost in thought and time. He could hear voices, but didn't know what they were or what they meant, he didn’t know how long he laid there until a paw coiled around his neck and lifted him up. His vision returned to see a serene Gemini, who was huffing and coughing every now and then, as a small trail of blood descended from his mouth with one fang missing.

“I have to give you credit, reptile,” Gemini smiled, “that was the most powerful kick I have received in millenias.” He smiled wickedly at him, “sadly for you, it’s not nearly enough.” The grip around Spike’s neck tightened and Gemini decided to admire the body of his rival, a broken leg, his other leg fairing not far behind thanks to earlier treatment, there were cuts, bruises, and missing scales all over his body, at least everywhere that strange armor was not covering, his left arm was also broken thanks to the bear hug as several of his ribs shared the same destiny, and the horrible bruise in his abdomen promised internal bleeding and several damaged organs.

“I had fun, that much I can say... and also admit that if you had faced a weaker and incompetent brother or sister of mine, you would have, most probably, won the battle.” He opened his maw once again, placing the head of Spike inside it and then bit down.

“MMFFGG??” the diamond dog God released his foe’s head to discover some of his teeth were now chipped off, incredulous he looked at the helm of his foe and found some of his teeth encrusted on it.

“Well, well, well, it seems you get to live a few more seconds,” with his other paw he removed Spike’s helmet, throwing it to the ground. “This does provide me with a chance to ask you something,” the grip around Spike’s neck softened and made him look at him directly in the eyes. “What was the lesson you so wanted to teach me? hhhmmm?”

“...nnnngggghhhh...” Spike mumbled, barely conscious.

“Nothing, huh? Very well. Then die, Spike, The Crystal Fraud.”

Gemini opened his maw once again and brought Spike head inside it, but just as he was about to bite down, he froze in shock. For several seconds he didn't move until he removed the head of his rival out of his maw and saw him smiling cockily at him.

“I said *pant* n-never claim v-victory *pant* until you’ve won.”

Gemini slowly looked down to his chest and saw the tail of his foe......... piercing through his chest, right where his heart was. “W-what?... h-how? his tail should not be sharp enough to----” Gemini grabbed Spike’s tail, letting go of his neck, removing it from his chest. His eyes shot up in surprise as he saw a fine and thin, almost invisible line across the outer lanes of the tip of his tail.

They were red, same as his armor.

A sharp pain assaulted Gemini as he fell to the ground on all fours, letting free the tail of the dragon, his vision getting blurry as his blood dripped below him.

“Y-you bastard.” Gemini snarled followed by a shout of pain. “This was your plan, wasn’t it?”

“No,” Spike said firmly, as firmly as he could in his current state. “L-last second thought”

Gemini was left speechless “I... I lost...... just because of...... luck?” He didn’t know if he should be angry at himself or at destiny for such a cruel joke to his pride and power.

“N-NO!” Gemini shouted. “I will not die, I s-shall not fade into nothingness!” Gemini tried to get up, to move, but it was fruitless. The pain in his chest was spreading all over his body, proving too much to take, even for him. He looked down and saw with horror as his body slowly turned into stone. “MOTHER, SAVE ME!” Gemini cried, scared out of his mind. “I am your third, your most powerful son, I beg of you, save me!”

“Your time has come, Gemini,” a hollowing voice echoed around the arena, making everyone freeze in fear. Gemini on the other paw, was practically shivering in terror, “for long, I have awaited this day to come, brother. You did not lose because of luck, but because of your greatest fault: arrogance,” the voice whispered as dark tendrils surrounded the Diamond Dog God.

“D-death, please, don't ta--”

“I congratulate you, Spike the Crystal Savior,” the voice said. “We shall see each other again, in another time.”

Gemini screamed in terror as the black tendrils swarmed around him for a few seconds, then they disappeared, leaving only a stone figure of the once proud Diamond Dog God, Gemini; his face frozen in eternal terror and fear, his stone tears visible to all present as an invisible wind graced Spike before the stone figure crumbled and shattered into millions of pieces, turning into dust as the wind took it away.

“I won.” Spike said as the barrier began to fall, darkness surrounding him, driving the pain all over his body away. He saw one last thing before his fading eyesight succumb to dimness.

It was the face of Fate, or at least the face of her Alicorn form, it was smiling back at him, but it was a strange smile, it did not show happiness nor anger, sorrow or joy, regret or satisfaction, good or evil; it was, for the lack of a better term to him at the moment, a horrible smile that showed only a hollowed void of nothingness, with no promises or threats, a place that was neither alive nor dead, it was simply, an empty smile.

A smile he knew far too well would fill his nightmares for years. Only then, did shadows embrace him.

--------------------------------------***********************************

Twilight laid at the side of the still resting Spike, almost a month long rest, thankfully the Ursanian Empire had agreed to wait as much as needed until Spike recovered, mainly for three reasons: firstly it was their turn to call forth a battle, and since this was a unique occasion, no other country, kingdom or empire could take their place in line, secondly the Ursanian’s were well known for their battle honor (not to mention their addiction to crystal berries), and thirdly Ushi Gorzo, the God of the Ursas and of the Forests, was aware of the private challenge and decided to wait, mainly because he always hated his older brother, Gemini.

During the fight, Twilight was deadly afraid for her beloved mate; the battle itself was short, but it was brutal, mostly for Spike. A tear still managed to fall from her eye each time she remembered just how close Spike was to death and the way he won.

The three things that saved his life were his special Red Moon Crystal armor, his tail spear, and the arrogance of Gemini. If at any given moment he should had decided to simply end Spike, and not just play with him to ‘make him pay’ for hurting him, Spike would have had no chance against him at all. Thankfully that wasn't the case and Spike emerged victorious, but with a heavy price.

Spike was so beaten up that she tried to use dark magic on him to heal him, surprisingly it was Chrysalis who stopped her from doing so, warning her that while dark magic was powerful to create, destroy, and alter, it couldn’t heal anything. The look on her face and the hint of sadness on her eyes was all she needed to not do it.

But even with that there was still another problem, Spike won, but had he managed to please Fate? Her answer came when Discord closed his eyes and turned very, very serious, deadly serious even, the moment the barrier collapsed.

“Yes, Mother.” Discord whispered, his voice strange, not entirely his normal voice, but more like a raspy, almost choking voice. “Yes......... of course............... I know Mother, pathetic if I must say so myself,” a moment of silence “......... very well, Mother. I will...... Yes, of course, it shall be done as you say, goodbye.”

“What was that all about?” Luna asked “How could you---”

“I always envied you for that, Discord.” Chrysalis interrupted, “you always seemed to be the closest to Mother of us all”

“Pffff, do you really think Mother allowed me to be free because of something like that? I thought you knew better, Chrysy. The only reason I am free right now was, and is, because I can broadcast events, including the fight, to Mother without her ‘seeing’ it personally,” for a moment the five Gods shivered uncomfortably.

“She has two messages for us all: first, Twilight,” he said gaining her attention, seeing her efforts to heal Spike were in vain, and a little mad that no one, not even Celestia, tried to help her son, even if she was crying for him moments earlier. “This is another part of Mother’s test, Spike must heal by his own accord, the mortal way, we cannot interfere.”

Twilight was the youngest of them all but even she knew that if Fate ordered, declared or demanded something, then it was meant to be done and not questioned, even if that meant leaving her lover in the ground barely alive.

“And the second?” Celestia asked softly.

“Mother is ‘pleased’ with the results, I won’t go into detail, but even though it was far less from what she desired, it was more entertaining than she originally thought it would be. Mother may not be amused or happy with the battle, but she is indeed pleased,” Discord smiled a bit, looking at the almost beaten to death dragon. “Mother will not grant him Godhood, nevertheless if Spike survives and heals up, he will be granted immortality.”

“Rather generous from Mother, don’t you think?” Cadence said, happy and confused at the same time from such a decision.

“I agree,” Celestia said. “Mother does not grant such gifts so easily, and although I’m happy for my son,” Celestia smiled warmly at her son, using one of her wings to caress his unconscious face, “I can’t help but wonder why?”

“Indeed.” Chrysalis and Luna replied at the same time.

Twilight was surprised, almost not believing what she just heard “S-so that means...... Spike, will be with me......... forever?”

“Yes,” was all Discord said.

The celebration that followed, at least for her part, Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack’s, was something she would rather not speak about, it was a bit embarrassing for her to remember it, but what mattered was that Spike managed to live and win, even if not what he desired, he had still won.

“I knew I would find you in here,” a voice said from behind. “You almost never leave his side.”

“I can’t, Cadence. What if he wakes up and I’m not here to be the first thing he sees?” Twilight smiled sweetly at Spike, who mumbled her name in his sleep.

“I know you must,” Cadence sat next to Twilight, seeing her cousin recovering from his injuries greatly, he was almost as good as new, he just needed to wake up now. For what felt like hours the two Princesses just sat there in silence, being vigilant of the dragon in front of them, until Cadence finally spoke. “Did you know the Crystal Empire was, in it’s early years, Chrysalis’s home and that she ruled it?”

“No, I didn’t. But how can that be, she is a Changeling!”

“I talked with her about it some time ago. I believe you noticed the way she acted around you when you tried to use dark magic?”

“Yeah, it was... odd.”

“There is a good reason behind it: In the old days, Chrysalis was known to be one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet; she had suitors everywhere, she was kind and very patient.”

“We are talking about the same Chrysalis, right?” Twilight questioned, “I mean, she is very attractive in her own way, but kind and patient?”

“I know it sounds hard to believe, Twilight, but auntie Celestia confirmed her story.” Cadence sighed sadly, “she was an Alicorn, just like us in those days, but the reason she turned into a Changeling and the reason she is the way she is now was because a mortal betrayed her.” She clenched her teeth and her frown was clear, “a mortal she saved from orphanage, a mortal she trusted with her life, a mortal that she was building to be a prodigy of virtue, justice and righteousness.

“Instead of obtaining what she hoped to achieve, that mortal betrayed her once he was powerful enough; once she had taught him all she knew about dark magic, even though she did not know much of it herself, being so innocent. He cursed her and those loyal to her to turn into Changelings, and in doing so, merging himself into darkness itself, becoming seemingly immortal. Chrysalis was unable to reverse the spell by herself because she did not have the knowledge, and none of her family would heed her pleds. Mother even said that it was fitting for her sins of giving the mortal such control over dark magic.” Her wings flared in anger.

“Chrysalis was forced to leave her country and live in the wilds, away from love, tolerance, and compassion by the one she had came to love as a son. From that day onwards, she promised to never trust a mortal, or anyone else, ever again.”

“Who was it?” Twilight asked, already knowing the answer, but even though her anger was equally matched with Cadence’s, she still needed to hear it.

“Sombra.” A voice in front of them said weakly, making them forget their anger for the moment and stay stunned.

“Now I really am glad I killed that bastard.” Spike chuckled darkly, barely opening his eyes.

“SPIKE!” The two mares shouted, throwing themselves over the drake.

---------------------------------------***************************************************

Just one more week was all it took for Spike to regain his strength and to be put to date with everything that had gone on during his ‘absence’, he was very grateful that his quick recovery was made possible thanks to the medical aid of the Buffalo tribes near Appleloosa, their medicine and remedies proving to be very effective on dragons.

Celestia told him of the results of his battle, and to her surprise, he was beaming with joy, confessing to her that he only wanted to be a God to be able to stay with Twilight for a long, long time. True he could now still die like any other mortal, with some minor differences, but time and illness were nothing to him now and he could take severe damage to his body and still live, along with his natural defences, such as his scales and venom immune system, were slightly better than before. A very welcomed gift on his part.

What really surprised her though, was when Spike kneeled and thanked Fate for her gift and happy that the fight, his pain, and the death of Gemini pleased her. That’s when she remembered another hidden trait of Spike, he didn’t show it often, but it was still inside him, Honor. He had honor, and thinking about it now, this was maybe the most powerful reason as to why Spike had decided to fight Gemini, for during his first fight Gemini had showed no honor whatsoever over the fight, practically saying his adoring subjects were nothing but scum and cannon fodder.

As soon as Spike could travel and fight, just two days later, his fight with the Ursani champion took place. This fight, unlike the last one, was very enjoyable to both parties as both sides were equally matched, where the Ursani champion (and the Ursani in general) had size, brute force, and reflex as their advantage, Spike had agility, control, and speed.

For the most part, it proved to be an even match, but eventually the Ursani champion fell, a last smile on his features as life faded out as Spike, bruised and bloodied, won his second fight, a proper fight fitting of his standards as a warrior.

Sadly, most of his next fights, over the course of two months, proved to be anything but honorable or worthy of a warrior. In fact, almost all of them seemed like a joke, in said fights their champions were clearly under trained and pretty much full of themselves, and in almost every case, leaved the ruling kings, populace and their Gods angry at him, not for the nature of the battle, but because of how easy it was for him, most of the time.

The only exceptions were his fights against the Minotaur champion and the Zebra championess, they proved to be an equal, if not greater, challenge than the Ursani champion, in fact, the Zebra championess almost beheaded him.

Those two fights showed a great and spectacular show for those lucky enough to see it, able to enjoy it even, and had also solidified good terms with those three countries, maybe not as allies, but good terms none the less. The only part he absolutely hated was the part when he had to decapitate his fallen foe and show his/her head as a trophy, it sickened him.

But aside from all that, almost everything was normal, except for his nights with Twilight, the way Shining, of all ponies, tried to be friendly with Spike, influenced by Cadence he was sure, and that Discord was actually behaving himself, proving he was free from his corruption, everything was indeed normal.

“There is no time for that now though,” Spike said to himself. “I must face my opponent for my twelfth battle, the Griffon champion, Metal Claw.”

Rubbing his snout, Spike heaved a loud sigh and closed his eyes, meditating on his inner strength and balance so to stay calm during this fight, shivering slightly from the crisp, autumn breeze that was approaching, breathing lightly into his claws and looking at the clear blue sky with his mother’s sun shining brightly above.

“Shit, are these battles ever going to end before I’m killed?” He questioned himself before taking another drag of his cigarette.
As he blew the gray cloud of smoke from his mouth, he saw his opponent he was to face, surprised to see the griffin was female, not that he was surprised of her gender but because of the fame that surrounded the champion of the griffons he had always believed she was a male.

After all gender didn’t mean anything in this matches, the zebra championess showed him that very thing.

Spike got up and took his cigarette out of his mouth, throwing it to the ground before the gryphoness stopped in front of him.

“Ah, so you are the rumored Crystal Savior, an honor young dragon to meet a challenger worthy of the title, I hope we both give it our best in the eyes of our rulers, eh, dragon?” She asked with a genuine grin, making him chuckle and nod “I have been studying your previous matches and I am truly happy to know you have a high sense of honor, like a true champion should.”

Spike nodded in agreement “Of course, it’s a pleasure to meet such a foe of respect,” he said, holding out a claw for the griffin to look at before firmly gripping it in her eagle talon and shaking slowly. “Though I have to admit I thought you were a male, there is very little information about you out there, hope it doesn’t offend you” Spike said as both released their shaking claws.

“A pleasure to you as well, and yes, my lord has always been very secretive about me, it is a common mistake many other champions have made” She said softly “by the way, Spike the dragon... I had forget to mention that my cousin, Gilda has visited your former town in Equestria, Ponyville I believe it was called years ago. She regrets to hear her former lover, Rainbow Dash’s life was taken in battle, but as a Griffin of birth, she is proud she died honorably. I am also sorry for your lost, though I doubt you’ll much care once we give it our all in battle.”

“Yeah, it was a hard pill to swallow, I always knew there was something between those two and after Rainbow’s death……”

“I know the feeling, Spike the Dragon” Metal Claw said “but I am curious, there are many stories about your deed all those years ago, I wonder what is the real version”

“What do you mean?” Spike asked confused, both of them sitting on the ground for comfort.

“Answer me this first, have you any idea who Sombra was?”

“More than I would like to know” Spike said as hatred for the dead tyrant emerged.

“Then you must know that for some your actions are those of a hero, to others those of another tyrant and to some even see you as the beacon of Fate herself, something like a sword of justice” Metal Claw said with a small smile on her beak.

Spike gave out an empty laugh at that last part “I can assure you that neither of those are true………..especially the last one”
“Then why you did it?”

“Honestly? For love.” Spike sighed and waited a couple of seconds, seeing Metal Claw making no sounds or movement he continued “Sombra was torturing me to get the heart, Twilight came to rescue me but in the end she was defeated by Sombra easily, at that time she was still a unicorn, seeing and hearing her cry out in pain snapped something inside of me, next thing I knew I was beating the ever living shit out of Sombra, but not only for her, I did it for my love of my friends, my family, the crystal ponies and my Twilight.”

“I see” Metal Claw said, the smile on her beak increasing “only my lord knows this” she began “but the reason I became a champion was because of something similar to what you went through, Spike the dragon, but in my case it was a trial to see if I was worthy” she stopped for a second “unlike many other kingdoms we griffons see the title of the champion as the greatest honor and service to our country and gods than anything else, the trial was simple, I had to kill my entire family”

Metal Claw smiled broadly “My lord himself gave me the trial…..and I accepted without hesitation, right when I was about to leave to perform my trial my lord hugged me, saying I had passed.”

“Sacrifice” Spike said shocked “the trial was sacrifice?”

“Yes”

A couple of seconds of silence later Spike broke it “I don’t want to fight you”

“You must” Metal Claw said “you fight not for yourself, you fight for your country, your friends, your family, your lover, just like I fight for mine.”

“We could have been very good friends”

“Ha, ha, ha! No doubt!”

Silence fell between again, this time however it was broken by the distant cheers and shouts from the spectators, the fight was about to begin.

“C’mon, Spike the dragon, we must get ready to fight” Metal Claw got up offering a claw to Spike “let’s give our Gods and countries a fight to remember, and if possible, a fight that shall echo in eternity.”

“With honor, with pride, as rivals, as friends” Spike said taking her claw to get up.

Without looking at eachother they turned around and walked away to their respective rooms in the arena.

Neither noticing the tears falling from the eyes of the other.

A large white marble platform was being levitated by forty Changelings as the stands were held in the air by both the remaining members of Chrysalis’s army and the Queen of the Changelings herself, who showed no stress in the spell she was casting, a proper place for her and her fellow gods to watch the match comfortably, once the platform was in place the Changelings holding it flew off and Chrysalis finished her spell to keep it floating.

Meanwhile Discord with a microphone in his lion’s paw was, for some strange reason, announcing the coming battle and, with no surprise, Pinkie Pie was right beside him with a megaphone in her hooves as well, screaming the menu for dinner tonight which only confused most of the griffons, ponies and Changeling waiting eagerly for the match to begin.

Spike was ready on his spot, ready to fight, suddenly a hoof touched his shoulder, whirling around, he saw his mate with a sheepish expression on her face before it morphed to a serious one.

“Nervous, Spike?” She asked softly as he only shook his head, taking Twilight’s hoof in his claw and rubbing it slowly.

“No, just saddened. My enemy is a relative to Gilda” he chuckled, making her ears drop and blink while he continued. “and to make matter worse, she’s... such a creature of respect, I never met anyone like her” Spike sighed sadly “Now I have to fight someone I really don’t want to fight, because she would have made a great friend.” He whispered making Twilight hug him firmly.

“I’m sorry, Spike.” She spoke sincerely as he only hugged her back.

With a kiss on the lips, he turned and stepped out and into the arena, becoming nervous and feeling his breakfast rising back up, instantly causing him to swallow loudly and forcing himself to not look down, he forgot this ‘arena’ was made of clouds and was in the air, just before Pinkie screamed at him the exact same thing, making him glare at her as she only smiled with a hoof rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

Ignoring the sensation of such a very far drop and the height, Spike looked towards his opponent as she glided across from the reptile, turning, she bowed before her ruler and the God of her country, one of four Spike remembered being told, as currently in the stands was Lord Sebastian, the God of Wind and Honor and the ruler of her country, Queen Ariel.

“May the Gods grant their servant blessing on this fight.” Metal Claw addressed them, making Spike glance around nervously, never knowing of a mortal who gave such respect towards her rulers as he only waved awkwardly towards his own, Shining Armor laughing hard before Twilight elbowed him in the ribs.

“Champions, are you ready?” Princess Cadence spoke with authority, making both of them nod, preparing for their fight.

“Get set…” Spike and Metal Claw shared one last look, both of them smiling at eachother “BATTLE!” Cadence screeched, forcing both to propel forward, one with their legs, the other with their wings.

As they raced towards one another, Spike swiped his left claw towards Metal Claw’s face but she maneuvered out of the way at the last second and flew past him, wrapping her tail around his throat and slamming him harshly onto the ground before pummeling him with her eagle talons, forcing him to protect his face before curling his claw and punching her hard in the gut as she wheezed in pain, stumbling a foot away before Spike stood up and headbutted her in the beak, hard.

Gripping her neck, he violently slammed her face into his right knee and punched her in the throat, making her cough blood onto his stomach as he gripped her right wing and twisted it as hard as he could, hearing a loud, sickly crunch as she screamed in pain right before he twisted it and tore her wing off completely, causing her to screech louder.

Before Spike could do anything else she grabbed his own tail and wrapped it around his neck, making his gasp as she tugged it harder, forcing him to drop to his knees, with her free claw she began to hit his face as hard as she could making him cough and spit some of his blood with each hit, a sudden kick right on her stomach forced her to let go and move away from him, panting as he coughed and sputtered on the ground.

Both got up and charged at the other, ignoring all the pain they collided with such force that the sound of the impact made more than a few of the viewers look away, then they started to trade blows, kick and anything they could think off.

“They are making it quick” Queen Ariel said “I don't get it, Metal Claw has never fought like this before.”

“It is because neither of them want to fight the other, but they are, so in honor of a friendship that could have been great they are showing their true strength in battle, no tricks, no plans, no strategies, just force and power, just honor” Lord Sebastian answered, making his fellow gods nod in agreement, as he watched the fight with a small smile on his beak.

A sound similar to thunder echoed all over the arena as the cheers and howling of the viewers, excited about the fight, filled the air “OH MAN! Now that has to hurt!” Discord and Pinkie yelled at the same time just a moment after Spike and Metal Claw made the other fly the other way with a tremendous punch.

Looking up again glaring at one another, Spike roared and swung his left fist hard into her jaw as she was knocked back and back taloned him hard across the face, tearing her beak hard into his stomach.

He had no other choice but to thrust his claws into her stomach and have her shout in pain before she headbutted him right in his nose, making him growl before jamming his claws into her left eye and forcibly tearing it out as she screeched loudly right before he stood up and elbowed her in the chest.

With no more fooling around, he got onto her back and, without hesitation, tore off her left wing, ignoring all the blood that stained his scales before wrapping his own tail around her neck and used the last of his strength to yank as she coughed and tried to speak with him, making him pause before leaning to hear her words.

“It was *cough* an honor to f-fight such a skilled warrior *cough* I am ready, Spike. Take my life, I am not a-ashamed to *cough* to die because of you.” She whispered, causing him to regret his choice before she nodded as he then pierced her heart with his tail, a final breath was the sign of the life that ended for his rival.

He was breathing hard through his nose as he crawled off her body and laid on the ground, panting, before looking into the eyes of his shocked foe, feeling guilt in his heart before he closed her eyes and muttered that he was sorry... he had no other choice. A second later cheers erupted all over the arena, it made him feel sick.

With the corpse of what could have been a friend laying beside him, he coughed out blood before looking up into the eyes of his comrades and his foes, glaring at both the Queen and her God, there was something more he needed to do, he still needed the head.

“I... I’m sorry, I never meant for it to end so violently... I’m sorry.” He whispered as the God turned towards the country’s ruler and nodded with a sad smile, rising his claw into the air, the arena became silent.

“Impressive, Crystal Savior. Now... as much as it pains me, the head of our fallen champion, if you please.” He spoke softly as Spike only shook his head.

“No... she did not deserve this... I... I never meant to take her life like this, I swear.” He uttered as Lord Sebastian frowned for a moment before giving a light chuckle.

“It is not your place to question ancient laws, dragon. Now please, if you will, the head-”

“Go buck yourself and your LAWS!” He screamed angrily, making the God frown before sighing as he looked over at Queen Ariel, who looked nervously at her superior and nodded.

“Spike, it is not your right to deny us of our fallen champion and you of your victory, now please... the head.” Lord Sebastian whispered quietly, Spike looked down to the corpse of the fallen champion, directly at her head and looking at the open beak which he softly closed, he refused once more.

All stood in shock at Spike’s refusal, yelling angrily that he won’t do such a thing to an opponent he came to respect, someone he could have called a friend.

The public cheered in awe at his declaration, the griffons being the loudest of all. The griffon God smiled, before turning his head towards Cadence and Chrysalis.

"Your champion is worthy and honorable, he has defied the ancient tradition just because he respects his fallen enemy and in doing so he insults the offering to the Gods and the nations." Sebastian smirked, "but I value honor more than anything else," the griffon God said softly as he bowed before them. "I would be very honored if you would accept us as your allies, Goddess of Love and Goddess of Illusions"

Cadence and Crysalis look at each other, then down to where Spike, who was walking towards a hot air balloon being sent his way to be taken out of the arena, before he was tackled out of no where by Twilight, crying hard onto his scales, who turned and smiled.

"We accept, God of Honor."

Before another word was spoken between the three, a messenger Changeling fell from the sky, making the three gods jump a little in surprise, the Changeling was breathing heavily as she bowed before her Goddess.

"They *huff* attack! *huff* Diamond *huff* Dogs *huff *near *huff* the *huff* Crystal *huff* Empire! ¨huff* few hours *huff* before *huff* arrival! *huff¨"

"HEAL THE CRYSTAL SAVIOR!" The Griffon Queen shouted to all the arena" AND READY OUR FORCES, WE MARCH FOR THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE AT ONCE, WE SHALL AID OUR NEW ALLIES!"

Cheers, shouts, and movement filled the arena as the Changelings lowered the arena and stands as quickly as they could before the Griffon God turned towards the pair of Goddesses.

"Can your Empire hold until we arrive?"

"Twilight, the Goddess of Magic, can teleport objects between great distances, she is still developing her strengths, but she has enough to send one single object from here to the Empire." Cadence answered as the queen Ariel looked puzzled at her.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Cadence smirked, "How fast can your medics heal Spike?"

"Four or five hours minimum, why do you ask?" She questioned.

"And how long will it take us to arrive to the Empire if we part in one hour?" Chrysalis questioned, making Lord Sebastian answer her in annoyance.

"A day and a half, if we make haste. I fail to see where this is going, little sister."

"Please, heal Spike and then Twilight will send him to the Empire ahead of us," Chrysalis smirked before she growled darkly. "The Diamond Dogs, those filthy backstabbers, will be in for a surprise. I knew we should have never trusted the other Gods of that species to hold to their word," Chrysalis looked to her side “makes me wonder why didn’t our scouts see them until now?” she whispered to herself.

"If we are lucky," Cadence added, "we will arrive just in time to catch as many fleeing Diamond Dogs as we can."

The Griffion God was amazed by the confidence and cockyness his fellow sisters had...... or perhaps it was something else. "Do you believe that he will be able to hold the enemy that long and win the battle on his own?"

"We believe," Chrysalis said, "that the Diamond Dogs will know that Tartarus is a paradise after facing Spike and his army in battle."

"We may be the rulers, the Gods of our kingdom, for crystal ponies and changelings alike," Cadence said. "And if we were to lead the defense, we could still win. But if Spike is the one leading it...... well, lets just say morale won't be a problem for us."
"How can you be so sure?" queen Ariel asked calmly as Chrysalis laughed.

"At first it was hard for me to believe it," Chrysalis said. "But Spike is much more than a hero or a champion; he IS the heart of the Empire. He is the reason the Empire still stands today. Spike is the living hope, love, admiration, pride, and morale of the Empire and with twelve fights won already, including the death of a God, it has only increased by ten-fold."

Lord Sebastian was speechless, if this reptile meant so much for them, then that meant Spike was loved and admired as a GOD, but for what he saw, he was humble and very aware of such admiration and devotion but still he knew his place as a mortal and as a simple figure of hope and strength for his nation.

Lord Sebastian and Queen Ariel smiled proudly as Lord Sebastian laughed before saying.

"HA!, The first mortal to be regarded as a God himself by his subjects but doesn't allow such a thing to get to his head or blind his path and duty, a mortal who knows what his place and duty is, Fate would be proud of such a mortal, if she were sway to such affection that is.” He chuckled before Cadence spoke softly.

“Our empire is very heavy guarded, the question is who it was that allowed the brutes to get past our defenses without our knowledge. It would have to be a creature who knows our plans inside and out, a traitor to the very core... they will pay for what they have done.” She muttered darkly, making the other three nod as they stood to confront their enemy and the traitor hidden within it’s ranks.

As the platform was being lowered Chrysalis and Cadence could already see in the distance the movement of what promised to be a great army of griffons, barely getting ready and suited up for the long travel.

**************--------------------------------

Crystal Empire- Six hours later

In a flash of light Spike appeared in the great hall of the castle, surprising the moving troops around it, in just a couple of minutes he was filled on the situation, the Diamond Dogs were just at his doorstep, being held only by the barrier around the city, which was collapsing fast.

Spike barked orders to his troops and the generals, ordering them to assembly their battle positions, he asked where were his Phalanx units? One of the generals told him they were already in the front, being led by Applejack while the rest of the army secured positions and drive the civilians to safety.

A Changeling general approached for orders, ready to fight the dogs from above, surprisingly Spike ordered him and his troops to do no such thing, Diamond Dogs knew how to counter aerial attacks with deadly accuracy, instead he ordered him and his troops to reinforce the flanks and to send a special task team to infiltrate and capture their commanders.

With that said Spike broke into a run, taking him a couple of minutes to reach his Phalanx units, upon arrival Applejack and the rest of his commanders were already waiting for him, Pipsqueak told him that most of his troops were ready to fight the invaders when they arrived even without him, but when word came that he had arrived they were no longer ready, they were now eager to fight at his side.

Spike gave his orders to his commanders and his troops and the rest of the army who were now arriving to take positions. Looking at the Diamond Dogs at the other side of the barrier he could see they were lusting for blood and death.

Pewee landed on his shoulder, his phoenix pet also armed with Red Moon Crystals on his talons and beak.

“Soldiers of the Crystal Empire, ponies and Changelings, brothers and sisters, the enemy is right in front of us, ready to take our lives, the lives of our families and friends, to burn what we have accomplished in this twenty hard years” Spike pointed at the Diamond Dogs “those filthy backstabbers will fail, their numbers are greater, their purpose clear and they have the aid of three of their gods, but they WILL fail” Spike put on his Red Moon Crystal helmet “They are already gloating, tasting their victory, judging us inferior” low growls, neighs and screeches echoed around him.

“But what they fail to see is that we will make this their last meal, they think victory is theirs just because their gods are with them,” Spike laughed mockingly “little do they know that our goddesses are on their way to help us, our new found griffon allies are coming to aid us, all we have to do is to hold them back, to push them aside and away from the innocent”

“Or should we retreat and leave our duty unfulfilled? Should we let our families, friends and homes to die at their paws? Are we going to let our country fall!?” Spike shouted at the army, who began to hit the ground with their weapons “I say we will not, I say those filthy gem hoarders will regret the day they decided to betray and face us in battle, battle hardy Changelings are on our side, the eight units of the Crystal Phalanx will take the battle to THEM, AND I, YOUR CRYSTAL SAVIOUR, STAND WITH YOU THIS DAY!” cheers and shouts of glory and death filled the air.

Spike took his spear and sword and pointed the spear at the Diamond Dog army, the barrier around them starting to shatter before their eyes, his Crystal Phalanx charging up their shields and his commanders ready to to fight the enemy and lead their troops to victory “Know that they have come for our blood…... but they will drown in their own.”

“Fellow creatures, TONIGHT WE DINE IN TARTARUS!!!” He roared right before the barrier shattered two seconds later.

A hail of crystal arrows poured down on the Diamond Dogs, the Crystal Phalanx marching slowly at the mad charging enemy, Pewee took flight using his fire to turn to ash a dozen of charging Diamond Dogs.

The battle had started.

*******************--------------

Chrysalis, Cadence and Sebastian arrived at the battle field, seeing what could only be described as work of art performed by War himself, the city in front of them, for the sounds coming out of it, was filled with battle on each street, they could easily see Changeling, pony and Diamond Dog corpses all over the field, the Diamond Dogs taking a greater picture of it.

Sebastian shouted to his army to charge and aid their Changeling and pony allies. Taking flight he could see in the distance how the three Diamond Dog gods were performing heresy, they were battling against mortals, filled with rage Sebastian told the news to Cadence and Chrysalis who in return took flight themselves and lead the attack towards the enemy.

Spike and his forces were now scattered around the city and the castle, he had decided to pull back and separate his personal army into his planned units the moment the three Diamond Dog gods decided to join the fight themselves, while he lead the overall defense of the castle.

If there was one thing he was glad about this attack was that it proved the effectiveness of his Crystal Phalanx, for every troop of his units that died ten Diamond Dogs felled. Still it shocked him how easily they pierced their magic barriers, one of the captured enemy officers revealed they knew how to counter them. that only confirmed what he already knew, there was a traitor inside the very castle.

As he was shouting new orders he saw the three enemy gods arrive at the gates of the castle ready to destroy him, some of his guards, Changeling, pony and Crystal Phalanx units charged at the gods only to be slaughtered in seconds by them, only his Crystal Phalanx units standing a bit longer thanks to their special armor but even that was not enough to save them.

The three gods smiled and began to charge against the dragon, but before they were halfway to their objective each one of them was slammed by something equally powerful, Spike gave out a sigh of relief as he saw Sebastian, Cadence and Chrysalis arrive with the griffon army, who showered the streets in aid of the Changelings and ponies.

Looking to the arriving gods he saw them they were now engaged in fierce combat against the Diamond Dog ones, Twilight landed at his side hugging him happily, Spike told her that she needed to check on the civilians, there were no news from them for almost an hour, nodding she parted towards her new destination. All the while Discord simply stood in the air, looking at the battle below.
The battle raged on and Spike was forced to return to it, even though he was already heavily injured after almost a day of full fighting, he still needed to find the traitor, he knew the traitor would be near, limping through all the bodies that were to every side of him, Spike slowly dragged his sword through the massacre, almost being beheaded by a soldier before using his own sword to behead him.

Looking back he could still see Sebastian, Chrysalis and Cadence fighting against the diamond dog Gods, and it seemed they were losing, suddenly a piercing pain erupted from his left leg, sending him to the ground, looking up he saw Shining Armor trot towards him, in full armor with his eyes narrowed seeing his most hated foe before him.

“You are…….walking” Spike said, clenching his fangs “how?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Shining asked cockily “it’s amazing what an earth clone can do to fool somepony, doesn’t it?”

“It was you.” it was not a question “Why?”

“Because you took my rightful place as the champion” Shining snarled back at him “I had so many plans, but you had to come and ruin them, you! A pathetic, orphaned lizard that can’t survive without being baby sat” Shining smiled darkly at him “thankfully Terra, one of the diamond dog Gods restored my legs so that my plan could continue.”

Spike knew that Armor disliked him, hate him even, and the feeling was mutual, but he NEVER had considered him a traitor or that he could go so low, betraying his own kind, his country, his wife, his sister, this was a new low even he couldn’t properly name, Spike was outraged by how Shining Armor could simply betray them like that, out of jealousy and bitterness. How many had died just because of it?

He had always held resentment for the former captain of the Royal Guard but this was cruel, impulsive and made him sick, he knew that his mother would be ashamed to ever be associated with such a monster, Twilight even more so, just imagining the pain it would cause her filled him with rage.

With a roar of a full grown dragon, Spike charged, ignoring the arrow on his left leg and the wounds of his right, his sword wildly being swung to and fro to pierce through the armor but Shining Armor anticipated this and countered with an attack of his own, smashing his hoof directly into Spike’s snout forcing him to take a step back and look with anger at the crimson dripping onto his claw, which only made him tighten his grip on his sword and swing again, the stallion was forced to block the oncoming assault with his horn, eyes ablaze with malice as the two struggled to overtake the other, knowing that slipping or faulting even once could mean death.

“Yield.” Shining Armor command but the reptile only snarled and upper cuted his foe, causing the stallion to stumble as Spike quickly leaned back then with a turn of his wrist and a swung he stabbed Shining Armor’s unprotected left hoof, cleaning it from the muscle and tendon that held it as he dropped to the ground, gritting his teeth he screamed and stabbed at Spike’s face with his horn but the dragon merely slammed the hilt of his sword hard into his nose, a loud crack resonated throughout the area as the stallion dropped, panting as he watched with labored breaths at his foe who raised his sword, for a moment Spike was ready to kill him but in the end decided to not do it, there was someone who deserved that pleasure more than him.

As if calling the very goddess he was thinking of three heavily injured Diamond dog Gods fell near them, moments later the three gods, Sebastian, Chrysalis and Cadence landed next to Spike, all of them breathing heavily and bearing great injuries, but nothing fatal.

Cadence stepped forward, a stern expression was on her face as she alighted to the dirt below, her eyes cold and calculating as she looked over her ‘husband’, even though she was covered in blood, both hers and from her enemies, even though her royal garment were nowhere to be seen, those eyes showed her power, regalia and rage.

“You have dishonored your kingdom,” her voice matched her eyes, it was cold and held no love or compassion “more importantly you have shamed me, your own mate. We have been betrayed and overrun, twenty five thousand of our own lay dead because of your selfishness for the dragon, for Spike....why have you done this Shi--…...mortal.” She asked with a haunting edge to her voice making Spike shiver as he could only step back and watch.

“The Diamond Dogs thirst for revenge, they needed a pony bold and willing to do only what was necessary, I never intended for you or my sister to get hurt my love but I had to see the dragon dead!” He spat, spittle ran down his mouth and a savage rage was seen in his eyes towards Spike.

“I never met for you to have to suffer, my love” a moment of silence fell “I only wanted for us to rule, not as princess and prince but as Queen and King, it was my plan to expand and dominate all, we could have ruled all, we must do so to give proper order to th---”

“Your crimes are unforgivable, Shining Armor” Cadence looked disgusted, barely holding back her urge to vomit “What you have done is ruin the very foundation that crowned you their Prince, worse of all you have stained your family's legacy and you have made a mockery of the one you once called your wife….you will never escape the sins you have wrought today, my love.”

Cadence snapped harshly before she with a single thrust of her head impaled her own husband through the chest even through his armor, Spike was forced to watch as Shining’s very life was drained from his eyes, Shining Armor blinked once as he looked into his mate’s eyes and coughed blood before he fell to the side and with one last breath, laid still.

Spike was horrified at what had just transpired before him but he could not tear his eyes away from the body of his former foe, a stallion he had wanted to kill for so long and now that he had the opportunity at claw it was not by his claw that the traitor had been killed but his wife.

He was jolted out of his shock by the Griffon’s voice “You have done well, Spike….for a mortal. I am proud of you. It is best if you relay the news to your mate of her sibling.”

Cadence turned to Spike “Spike, please do leave me out of your words, I think it would be best if tales were written about your victory over the traitor rather than my own...come, there is still much for us to do.” She spoke cruelly, causing Spike to shiver before she flapped her wings twice and sailed into the sky. Spike knew it would take some time before Cadence could return to her cheerful, loving self, all thanks to Shining and his treason.

The Crystal Savior could not even form a contented sentence to the Crystal Princess before he noticed that she had vanished as well as the other two Gods, with his breath caught in his throat, he picked up his sword that had fallen to the dust, reversed its position and pressed forward to end the war swiftly that had been brought on by his claws alone. He didn’t even bother to take out the arrow from his leg.

It had taken at least a full day before Spike’s army could finally push back the invaders and locate their almost endless supply of troops, half of those troops were earth clones, no wonder their numbers were so vast, thanks to the aid by the Griffins and, to his great surprise, Zebra’s and Buffalo’s who arrived just a couple of hours later, it was no small feat that they had hold their ground against the Diamond Dogs by their own accord for so long. But in the end victory was achieved.

Though Twilight had weeped for her brother, she could not be sorry for his death, he had become a traitor and died as one, besides, there were plenty more to weep for. Victory had come to them in a high tax, thirty thousand soldiers died, almost seven thousand changelings and the rest from ponies, thankfully the civilians were safe and sound, their allies had suffered very low casualties, being over five hundred, the most numerous by the griffons.

Spike looked at the reports of the destruction and although it wasn’wasn't as bad for the structures, it did hit heavily on their army, almost half of it was gone, including the entirety of two of his Crystal Phalanx Units, Braeburn and his whole unit wiped out by the Diamond Dogs in a couple of minutes, they fought back valiantly and he would honor their sacrifice.

If that wasn’t bad enough he had also learn that Rarity had perished saving her own unit, Big Macintosh would never be able to go to war again, Spike was silently thankful that while his injuries were high, he would be able to walk again and Applejack had lost one of her eyes protecting one of the civilian bunkers.

Thankfully the rest of his commanders were alright, Scootaloo and Pipsqueak being the most fearsome and Sweetie Belle proving that she was indeed his secret weapon.

As he was walking around the battlefield trying to find any survivor, something behind him made him freeze.

“So much destruction all because of a petty rivalry, such a breath of fresh air from the harsh, stale air of Tartarus or the Nightmare Realm’s harsh light, not bad for a mortal.” A deep, uncaring voice bellowed beside Spike as he turned and saw an enormous red furred stallion whose eyes with as white as a snow though with no pupil or iris and his mane and tail were literally made of red flames, legs made of muscles as large as support beams clopped the ground as his hooves were as large as Spike’s head and he bore no Cutie Mark.

Spike was astonished at the mere sight of the stallion and could utter not a word before the horse turned and snorted flames in his direction. The flames covering him for a second, filling him with energy he didn’t have a second ago.

Spike did not even notice the large silver colored double edged sword strapped to the stallion’s back nestled under a blood red sheath until he had flicked his long tail.

“You are the one Mother had managed to appease, well...it is amusing if anything, I must congratulate you, for my brother, Death has not seemed so relieved to judge souls in eons, you are weak, pathetic and worthless, but then again, all of you mortals are compared to us, even your Gods tremble before our hooves...such a waste of life Mother has allowed.” The horse smiled at him, showing his fangs covered in fresh dripping blood “I await great masterpieces from you, Spike” With those words the stallion then burst into flames, forcing Spike to avert his eyes before the glare of flames blinded him and upon putting his claw down noticed that the stallion was gone.

Just before Spike could begin looking for the mysterious stallion Discord appeared before him out of thin air, his eyes holding excitement then dimmed upon seeing Spike.

“Aw, he’s gone already, he didn’t even say good bye...well, War was never the type for crowds anyway, such a shame. Oh, Spike, I believe Chrysalis wanted to see you, she’s on the edge of the Crystal Tower.” He spoke calmly before he disappeared as quick as he came leaving the reptile to only sigh and pluck a cigarette from his right ear fin, lighting it with his flames as he walked towards the castle amazed that he had met the second horse of the apocalypse, War and survived, even been thanked to a degree.

As the dragon trailed up the stairs lazily, he looked and saw that what Discord had spoken had not been misinformed for the Goddess of Illusions herself stood on her hind legs and looked over the sun set that had just begun to paint the sky.

Spike was horrified as he remembered just how effective his battle plans, strategies, formations, leadership and personal phalanx were in combat that had ensured, but he was also proud of it, he was not sick or angry with himself, but he actually felt……...successful.

Chrysalis’s eyes showed him for her part that she was at a lost for words, seeing such carnage for the first time in centuries, she seemed anguished that this battle had forced her to relive her past but it was still there, her ‘good and innocent’ side was still there...for the moment.

“I must say, I am...surprised such a battle had taken so many lives. Even more so that it was my little sister’s own mate who had allowed them passage into the city, an impressive twist. None the least despite all of it’s flaws and failures you have….done well, Crystal Savior.” She spoke softly as Spike leaned against the railing and with one last inhale of his tobacco, flicked it over the side, rested his arms and blew the gray smoke from his mouth.

“What are you talking about, you fought against the diamond dog Gods, technically you saved our asses” Spike huffed with a light laugh “now that I think of it, what happened to them?”

“They had trespassed a rule, Gods cannot fight against mortals in a war, much less be the power balance in the fight, they can only fight against other Gods, so there were judged by Discord with Mother’s authority” her eyes turned grim for a moment, smiling a bit.

“They were found guilty.”

“I see” Spike said, fearful to think of the judgment implanted “but we lost more ponies than I thought we would have, we never expected them to come from the ground like that, that they could break our shield so easily or that they were using clones and if we did not have reinforcements when you guys arrived….” he shuddered and took a deep breath.

“And what of you, reptile? Are you giving up? Do you think this is your fault? Have I been too hasty to rely on the aid of this kingdom, my kingdom to be exact to leave it in the claws of you?” She questioned to which he looked over to her, his eyes burning with renewed passion for victory and to see his family and friends safe.

“No, my queen, you have not, I shall make our enemies tremble before us in awe if they so much as sneer in revolt at our way, mark my words, Chrysalis….this war will be the first of many.” He answered and growled angrily as he realized that she had disappeared and he not been aware of it.

Spike the dragon looked at the descent of his mother’s sun, he pondered on the seriousness of his words and with a curl of his claws was resolved in the fact that he would not fail in this task, he would make Creation proud of him, or he would die trying.

Spike went and met his fellow allies, bellowing at them that they could not sit idly by and allow their foe to charge at them again, that it was time to go on the offense, with a roar of victory all the allies he had rallied up agreed to his plan and with that the dragon had set into motion the very events that would be branded onto creation for all eternity as he alongside his allies began to conquer everything, included those who had declared war on them, their first targets and then the other nations and Gods that had believed he cheated during his fights, the “Age of Spike, The Conqueror” had been born.

The matches were now forgotten, the treason of Shining Armor had caused a worldwide war, all of them fearing their neighbours and, in most cases, erupting the greed of others, only six nations stood strong as a bastion of alliance, The Crystal Empire, Equestria, Griffonia, Ursania, Zebrica and The Buffalo Tribes, all of them thriving for the same objective, reach true peace and to bring the long awaited justice to those brute and barbaric Gods in other kingdoms.

Spike became true to his word, after the war that had laid siege upon his country he sought to bring the fight to his foes instead of the other way around, laying waste to all who looked upon him, the now full grown dragon, capable to change sizes at will, with his faithful mate by his side and the very brute force of the Equestrian, Crystal Empire, Griffon, Ursa, Zebra and Buffalo Gods themselves ruled over nation, country, city and towns by Spike’s command.

All had come to fear the name of the very reptile who had caused King Sombra and Lord Gimni, one of the six Diamond Dog Gods to perish beneath his claw, he would become a legend written in the very marks of history itself, the Crystal Savior would be hailed forever more as a God among mortals.

A God that wasn’t a God but held such respect, loyalty and love that he stood side by side with true Gods and they in turn followed him, including mate and family, to war and victory, all under his command.

In the area in which five figures stood in which was as dark as night itself and held no sound or signs of life, as one of the creatures stood before a large crystal ball relaying events both past, present and future to which the figure looked upon carefully before looking around her to the millions of others scattered before the five, an unending mass of time was shown through all as the creature before the first ball grinned darkly.

“Well, my sons, I think I may have made the right decision with the dragon,” Fate said looking at the world filled with war, not barbaric like in the old days but an ideal war “I think he may provide me with enough entertainment for a long time” Fate smiled, focusing her sight on the starting battle against his own species “Yes, much enjoyment, I am sorry my sons, but this world is not yet ready for your arrival, it has turned into something worth of my interest.”

“Yes, Mother, we understand.” Four voices behind her spoke slowly, three of the four disappearing as Fate chuckled.

“So much amusement.”

Death stood calmly near Creation as her eyes roamed over all the events that would come to be because of this reptile.

“Are you sure Mother, that this….dragon actually catches your attention, what makes him so worth halting the Clock of end time for a few millennia?” He questioned, shivering as Fate turned towards his direction and blinked, causing him to fade into ashes for a second before he was reformed as Creation merely snorted.

“He is...an unusual soul, my child.” She spoke darkly before Death bowed and returned to his duties, the two never speaking of the drake again as time resumed it’s dark but normal schedule.

“So much amusement, indeed, for a mortal.”

Author's Note

Wait, wait don't leave, don't....DAMN IT! Ok, yes, there are OC's in this, that noted and yes I know I'm not normally one for them but I'll make an exception for this, it's Death and Creation itself, I very much doubt there would need to be a reason to make a background and shit for these two, come on.

Anyway, if this chapter seems a bit hard to read, it's because it was not edited, so we are sorry but the story is over, though we do hope you enjoyed it, very sorry it took so long.