Spike and Stalwart stared into the obscure horizon from the atop the walls of the fortress. Neither of them had said a single word for almost half an hour while in their silent watch. Behind them, the forces in stationed in the fortress were in a hurry handing armor, polishing and sharpening weapons, preparing oil, stacking arrows in quivers and stationary cases along the wall and the towers, reinforcing the gate, storing and preparing thunder, mist, and snow clouds, and readying themselves for battle.

It had been a month since Thorax’s arrival. And true to his warning, soon came reports of scouts confirming an army was forming somewhere in diamond dog territory. The problem was that, despite countless efforts from scouts and spies alike, the size of the army and their objective was unknown. They did know, however, that the second oldest son of the diamond dog Emperor was leading said army.

Previously that day, they had received a report from an outpost confirming the diamond dog army was on the move, but the destination was unclear. Thanks to Thorax, Spike had received one thousand soldiers as reinforcements, and the rest of the road entrances were on the ready plus receiving reinforcements of their own.

“Sir?” A voice broke the relative silence between them.

“What is it, Comet Star?” Stalwart asked.

“The defences are almost ready, sir. Permission to start taking our posts, sir.”

Stalwart looked at Spike for a moment before replying. “Permission granted.”

Comet Star saluted before jumping down the edge of the wall, using her magic to slow her fall.

Alone once again, Spike gave out a deep sigh.

“This doesn’t look good for us, Stalwart.” Spike said uncrossing his arms.

“Aye. If they decide to attack us we won’t be able to hold for much. Unless they’re trying to attack us with four or five thousand troops like last times.” The earth pony let out a mirthless chuckle. “Which sounds unlikely, since a freaking prince is leading that army. My bet is that he’s commanding at least fifteen thousand troops.”

“Celestia forbids they’re bringing siege equipment.” Spike hummed. “I doubt they’re bringing any if they want to take any of the outposts while they’re unprepared.” Spike sighed, his glare piercing the obscurity of the horizon.

“Are you worried about Thorax, sir?”

“He should’ve been back two days ago, Stalwart. Of course I’m worried.” Spike grunted. “I shouldn’t have sent him to observe their movements.”

“He volunteered, sir. There was nothing you could do.” Stalwart placed a hand over Spike’s shoulder. “Have hope, sir. Thorax is a good soldier and a smart scout.”

“I know, I know.” Spike then rubbed his temples. “Stalwart, I’ll be in my office. If anything happens, inform me immediately.”

“Sir,” Stalwart saluted while Spike turned around and jumped off of the edge of the wall.

Spike made his way back to his office while his soldiers continued their work. He could feel the tension in the air, an almost choking feeling of upcoming dread that tug his heart and everyone else's. He was about to turn the corner of the hallway that lead to his office, when he saw one of the mail ponies handing letters and scrolls to a group of pegasi sharpening their lances.

The mail pony noticed him and walked up to him after handing the letters to the pegasi.

“Goodnight, sir. I have mail for you.” The unicorn stallion clad in leather armor said while he searched for his package.

“I was expecting the caravan until tomorrow morning.” Spike said, patiently waiting for his mail.

“The chief decided to force march us, sir. Said you might need the supplies and some good news for once.”

“Mhmmm, send him my regards and appreciation, will you? Celestia knows the troops are grateful for it.”

“Will do, sir.” The mail stallion said before pulling out six letters folded together. “Here you go, sir.”

Spike took the letters and left, leaving the mail pony free to continue doing his work. Spike made his way back to his office undisturbed, entered it, locked the door behind him, and finally slumped on his seat once he reached it.

Taking a few minutes to enjoy the relative silence and peace his office offered, Spike closed his eyes and let his mind be free of worries and thoughts for the time being. Feeling he had relaxed enough, Spike put the letters on his desk in a pile and grabbed the top one. He discovered it was a letter from Big Macintosh, offering to send him a crate of cider. Spike smiled placing the letter to his left.

He grabbed the next letter and groaned.

“Sweet pony feathers,” he sighed before setting the letter on fire.

Grabbing the third letter he noticed this one was from Twilight. Reading through it, he noticed it lacked the usual questions and familiar greeting Twilight’s letter always began with. She was direct and to the point, begging him to stay alert and be safe.

“Twi…” Spike whispered while he caressed the letter softly. He placed it on top of Big Mac’s letter before moving to the fourth one. He recognized the seal and signature immediately.

Opening the letter, he read through it finding it almost identical in nature as Twilight’s. Though it was of no surprise to him. For all her impeccable poker face and calm, controlled poise, Celestia cared deeply for everyone around her, even more so towards her friends and family.

“I’ll be fine, mom, I promise.” Spike said before kissing the letter and placing it on the other pile.

He knew he couldn’t blame them for being worried. He himself was worried sick for the safety of his troops, for Thorax, for Blueblood, and for everyone fighting in the war, really. Especially after a devastating defeat on the east the zebra armies suffered at the hands of the minotaurs. Prince Blueblood and his army arrived to the battlefield on time to save the zebra generals and what was left of their army from certain death, but not without suffering heavy casualties himself.

Fighting against a minotaur army head on was scary enough. But a minotaur army supported by diamond dogs and pumped with changeling venom? That was the stuff of nightmares.

Luckily for the allied forces, Shining Armor’s efforts on the north had managed to keep the main forces of Chrysalis at bay and cut off from any immediate aid. Meanwhile, the common frontier shared by the Minotaur Monarchy, the Dog Empire, Equestria, and Gryphos had turned into a tug of war. The bulk forces of the Equestrian and Gryphonian armies, led by Princess Luna and King Blood Talons respectively, were fighting meter by bloody meter against the joint armies of the minotaurs and diamond dogs.

That only left the south, it facing skirmishes here and there at best and average assaults at worst. It felt more like a battle of intelligence and espionage most of the time, truth be told. But Spike knew that it was a false tranquillity. The diamond dogs wanted to sneak their way into Equestria, that was no secret. But they couldn’t pull back enough of their forces to form a serious army to attack the south entrances, not without losing the battle against Equestria and Gryphos in the northeast frontier. Plus, the south territories of the diamond dogs had no real strategic value to consider investment on a serious task force without giving them terrain advantage.

It was a double edge sword for both sides.

“But if they manage to takeover any of our outposts, then they’ll have free passage to Equestria for who knows how long before we can kick them out again.” Spike said to himself before grabbing the fifth letter. He took deep, slow breaths to push those nasty thoughts away. Several moments later, the dragon opened the letter.

“They sent me two this time!?” Spike let out a long frustrated groan. He was about to burn the letter to ashes, but then he decided, with a defeated sigh, to open the damn thing and reply them to please stop sending him those bothersome letters once and for all.

Reading through the letter though, Spike’s annoyance shifted to curiosity and then interest once he reached the end of it. It surprised him that it wasn’t so much a petition to subscribe to the magazine. Instead, he found it was a formal request to use his image to promote said magazine and the merchandise they sold.

“Mmmm...the face for our products...special discounts and free products based on sales...a three point five percent of the monthly profit sums as payment...no tying regulations or contracts and I can quit whenever I want if I choose to...same goes if my image loses steam.” Spike said re-reading the letter trying to find any loopholes or ‘small letter clause’ that could be used against him. “A contract of mutual benefit with no legal bindings forcing either to do something they don’t want to? Sounds good to me.” Spike shrugged and signed the letter where it marked it needed to.

Placing the signed letter on the left pile, he then moved to grab the last letter. Spike felt his heart beat faster when he noticed it was from Rarity. Two weeks ago, Rarity didn’t sent him a letter for some reason. He knew it was most likely because she was busy with her own work or something similar.

Licking his lips, Spike opened the letter and pulled out a folded piece of paper and six blank photos.

The nervous and excited dragon put the photos facing down on his desk while he took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself. After a few moments, Spike opened the letter and began to read.

“Dearest Spike,

Hello, darling. I do so ever apologize for not sending you a letter last time, my love. Coloratura and Sapphire Shores recruited my help to fashion an entire new line of costumes for a charity and fund raising concert they gave a week ago. Needless to say, fulfilling their costumes demanded my entire attention! But it was so worth it, darling, for the concert was a complete success. And I’m proud to say I helped those two dears with such a noble cause!

With that said, I fear I cannot express in words how worried I am for you, darling. Of course, all our friends are worried sick for your safety after Celestia, bless her heart, told us about the possible attack the diamond dogs might be planning.

Precious scales. My love. My Spike-Wikey. Do what you must and what you think is the right thing to do, darling. But never forget I’m waiting for you with open arms. Please, I beg of you, come back to me safe and sound. I know it’s a selfish request, my love, but I ask...no, I demand you to do whatever it takes to come back to me at the end of the day.

Darling, I must also ask that you forgive the way I have expressed myself in my previous letters. It’s not my intention to make you feel uncomfortable by worded my desire for you, precious scales. You know that I am a lady first and above all else.

And a lady must be tempted. Seduced. Romanced. Loved. Before she gives herself entirely to the stallion --or dragon-- of her dreams.

I felt awful thinking I was giving you the impression that I was some sort of common whorse. A two-bit lustful mare down the street eager to be plundered by whomever catches her eye.

That is, until I realized you have already won the heart of this lady, Spikey-Wikey. That’s why I can say with confidence those words I said during my first letter. The same words you so warmly told me in each of your letters. Knowing they are true and come from the deepest part of my heart and soul.

I love you.

I love you!

I LOVE YOU!

I love you, Spike.

I want you to hug me at night. I want to be able to kiss you whenever I please. I want to hold hands when we’re out on a date. I want you to touch me, and hug me, and embrace me, and kiss me everyday. I want your sleeping face and your eyes to be the first thing I see each morning. I want us to make love until our bodies go sore.

I want to be with you and spend my life at your side, my sweet prince. To give you myself entirely as you do the same for me.

That’s why I can say this without doubt or shame: I am yours, Spike.

My heart, body, and soul now belong to you, my love.

Precious scales, I await your return with all I can muster. I sincerely hope they are to your pleasing and enjoyment. Remember that I am always next to you in heart and spirit.

Only yours, Rarity Belle Unicorn.”

“I love you too, Rarity. With all of my heart, my fairest lady,” Spike said with a wide, pleasant smile on his face before he closed the letter and kissed her cutie mark-shaped seal. Putting it away on the left pile, he then moved to grab the photos. Spike took a deep breath sensing his heartbeat rising again for a moment.

Turning the photos over, his jaw almost dislodged itself when he saw the first picture.

It was of Rarity standing next to her ample bed using one hand to support herself against one of the wood pillar adorning the corners. The look on her face was sultry and her eyes were half-lidded. She was wearing a see-through deep cherry colored nightgown. With the pose she was standing on, the nightgown has half open, kind of like a cape would look like. She was also wearing a matching set of thong and a bra. The bra had a small screen of see-through hanging from the bottom to cover her slim stomach.

He also noticed her hair was arranged in a more extravagant way with added curls and looking lush and brilliant. He could also tell she was wearing makeup, and although he couldn't see her mouth because it was covered by her hand holding a part of her nightgown, it only served to make her look all the more alluring while adding a sense of sensuality and mystery that made his blood pump faster through his veins.

With a loud gulp, he moved to the next photo. His eyes went wide and his irises turned into paper thin slits.

Rarity was resting on her back, starked naked, with her legs flexed in the air in a resting manner. She was using one arm to rest her head over, while her other hand cupped her left breast and pinched her erect purple nipple. She was looking at the camera with an expression similar to the first photo, only now Spike could see a matching smile and a mild blush. Her pose made her look like a goddess, and the light of the sun coming from a window behind her only served to add to her sexyness.

In her angle, whoever, Spike was able to see her puckered asshole and some of her vulva. Looking closely, he could see a sheen covering her lower lips. It was only then when he noticed Little Spikey almost buried by her tail.

“Oh sweet fucking fuck…” Spike murmured feeling one of his eyes twitch while he moved on to the third photo.

His tail went rigid when he saw Rarity still laying on her bed, but in a different position. Like in the previous image, she was naked; except this time she was wearing a necklace with an all too familiar Fire Ruby resting in the valley of her breasts. She was lying slightly on her right side with her left left resting over her right one in a way that gave free view to her pussy lips and moist clit.

In this pose, her magnificent and shapely waist, thighs, and hips were all the more accentuated and toned than ever before. Half of her face was blocked by a pillow, but the visible half showcased a half-lidded eye and her biting her lower lip ever so softly. Like it was taunting and mocking him for not being there with her in that moment. Spike’s gaze shifted to her tempting and captivating F-cup breasts. They laid there lazily but never sagging. Judging by the lightning in the room and her aroused nipples, Spike deduced with whatever functional part of his brain still left, that she must’ve taken this picture mere moments after the previous one.

Moving onto the fourth photo, Spike’s mind became a white haze for a split second. There was no way around to describe what he was seeing. It was Rarity laying on her back, naked, smiling up to the camera while her horn was covered by her luminous magic. Her legs were spread open, her right arm helped to keep her right leg in position while her left arm rested behind her head.

In this position and point of view, Spike could see with detail the slightly spread lips of his love around the middle section of Little Spikey. All the while Rarity smiled in a coquettish manner whilst biting a small trend of her mane in between her teeth.

Spike spent long, uncounted moments staring into the photo while his brain fought to function again. Ultimately achieving success, Spike regained enough self awareness to move towards the fifth photo.

“...” A high pitched whine escaped from his throat and a burst of fire escaped from his nostrils while he gawked at the marvel in front of him.

This time Rarity was laying on her side while she looked back into the camera. Spike didn’t know, or cared, if she was naked, because all he could focus on was on her blushing cheeks, her provocative, tempting smile, her half-lidded eyes that were practically looking right back at him, her plump, firm rear, and the fingers spreading her pussy wide.

He could see the rose colored insides of Rarity’s marehood. He could even see her slickness and wetness, he saw a couple of strands of her juice creating bridges between her tight looking inner walls. He couldn’t see her puckered rear hole, since it was blocked by her hand, while her tail laid to the side undisturbed.

This time, however, Spike was able to catch the Rarity in picture actually wink, lick her lips, spread her pussy further, and blow him a kiss once every couple of seconds.

“Holy Tartarus…” Spike murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from the photo while his heart rate now threatened to make his heart explode at any given moment. Not really wanting to move forward, but knowing one photo still remained, he moved the fifth photo away.

This one caught him off-guard. In it, Rarity was wearing long purple and green stockings and garterbelt, with a matching thong and bra while she wore her usual makeup and purple lipstick. She was standing with her legs a bit spread apart. Upon closer inspection, he saw that her thong wasn’t actually a thong, but some sort of strap on designed to keep Little Spikey buried deep inside her snatch. He knew this much, because he could see the base of said aptly named dildo bulging on the straps of the ‘thong’ Rarity was wearing.

She was looking straight to the camera with an intense blush and a coy, knowing smile. Meanwhile, her hands were busy fondling and playing with her twin set of marshmallowy soft breasts.

What surprised him the most was the little message written in the bottom of the photo’s frame.

‘For Spikey-Wikey, my love. Always your bitch.

Rarity~’

“FUUUCCCKKK!” Spike cursed/roared as he reached his climax. Thick ropes of steaming dragon baby batter came out bursting from the tip of his thick meat spear. Spike leaned back on his chair pumping his dick for all it was worth. It took him almost a minute to finish and regain his breath and consciousness to re-open his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the stains of creamy cum laying over his desk. The puddle in the floor, again. His stained hand, thighs and armor. And the shocked unicorn standing at the other side of the desk.

“...Fuck.” Spike whispered seeing none other than Comet Star looking at him with wide eyes.

Comet Star was talking, or at least trying to, from how fast that she was babbling.

Spike, without any kind of excuse of thought to explain what was happening, simply retracted his now flaccid member back inside his protective scales. Using his fire, the dragon cleansed his own seed from himself, the floor and the table. He then fastened his armor, placed the photo still on his free hand on the left pile, leaned forward to rest his elbow on the desk and cleared his throat.

“Is there something you need to tell me, Comet Star?” Spike asked in the most casual manner he could muster.

Comet Star, still partially in shock, needed a moment to arrange her thoughts.

“M-Major Stalwart s-says T-Thorax has returned, dick. I mean, SIR!” The mare saluted trying to hide her sun hot face.

“I’ll be there in a moment.” Spike said getting up and walking past the trembling unicorn. “Oh, and, Staff Sergeant Comet Star?” The wide eyed mare turned to face her commander. “I would appreciate if you forget what you saw and we never bring the subject up again.” Spike opened the door. “In fact, I would be very, very, very grateful, Major Comet Star.”

“...” Comet Star blinked for the first time since she entered teleported inside the office. “...Forget a-about what, sir?” She replied in a low voice.

“Awesome.” Spike said before stepping out of his office. Closing the door behind him, he silently made his way back to Stalwart.

Upon reaching the yard, Spike noticed his troops were starting to take defensive positions. He sighed, and made his way to the top of the wall where Stalwart and a ragged looking Thorax. Neither of them spoke as Spike saw himself a plethora of torches showing up in the horizon.

“How many, Thorax?” Spike finally asked in a calm, collected manner.

“Almost sixty thousand.” Thorax replied catching his breath. “They didn’t bring any siege equipment other than ladders and a few hand-held rams to speed up their movement.” Thorax explained pulling out a small scroll from his left pouch. Meanwhile, Spike asked Stalwart to hand him his monocular. “Most of the army is made up from mercenaries from other countries. Only the guard of Prince Bulldozer and around two thousand regular soldiers belong to the Dog Empire.”

“The odds aren’t in our favor.” Stalwart said taking the scroll from Thorax.

“I’m afraid not,” Thorax added looking at Spike. “What are we going to do, Spike?”

“...” Spike didn’t reply. Instead he hummed, turned back and handed the monocular back to Stalwart. “Stalwart, what musical instruments have you confiscated?”

The earth pony and the changeling shared a short glance. “The usual, sir. Lutes, lyres, a cello-”

“What?” Thorax said.

“-a few kazoos, a magic powered keyboard, ukuleles, a drum set-”

“How!?” Thorax cried.

“-violins, a set of plates, a wong, magic powered guitars, and a saxophone, sir.”

Spike looked around to see his troops for a few lingering moments before looking at Stalwart and Thorax with a serious expression. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life, sir!”

“Of course I do, Spike!”

Spike then smirked.

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

“What are they planning?” Prince Bulldozer asked looking through his monocular at the Crescent Fortress. “Captain, correct me if I’m wrong, but do you see any guards on the wall because I don’t?”

“No, your grace. I don’t see anyone on the walls or the skies.” The dog captain replied looking through his own monocular. “Perhaps they’re retreating, your grace.”

“I doubt it. The one defending that fortress is Spike the Dragon. He must be aware that if he retreats, then it’s only a matter of time before we catch up to him and his troops. There must be something else going on.”

“I don’t know, you grace.” The captain said while behind them the troops were already setting up the torches and preparing for the upcoming assault. They were a little over a kilometer away from the walls of the fortress. But while it meant their charge would take longer, it also provided a safe distance from their arrows and enough time to warn them of any sneak attacks from the blasted pegasi.

Suddenly, all movement around the prince ceased as a sound reached their ears.

“Is...is that music?” Bulldozer asked, baffled. A few seconds later the noise became louder followed by faint cheers. “It is music. What in the name of Tartarus is going on?”

The army then continued with their work and preparations for almost an hour. All the while they could hear more music, cheering and even laughter coming from the fortress but no visible movement. It confused and irked the prince at the same time.

“My Prince, the gates of the fortress are opening!” The captain yelled while Bulldozer looked through his monocular once more.

The prince saw a lonely figure walk outside the fortress. He noticed it was an archer given that it set something ablaze before letting it loose sky high. Following the flaming missile until it landed a hundred or so meters in front of them. Bulldozer watched the archer return inside the fortress, yet the gates remained wide open. Ordering to retrieve the arrow, a couple of soldiers went out for it returning a minute or so later with a message attached to the arrow.

Prince Bulldozer opened the message and instantly frowned reading what it said.

‘Come on in, we’re having a party.

It’s a blast.

~Spike Solaris the Dragon, Prince of Equestria.’

“What...” Bulldozer mumbled before looking through his monocular at the fortress. This time he saw someone, no, somedragon on what appeared to be the edge of the wall above the entrance. He could see said dragon moving, twirling, and jumping from stone to stone while holding onto something.

“Is he playing a saxophone?” The captain asked to himself while he watched the dragon play said instrument with, judging the way he moved, vigorous enthusiasm. “Your grace, shall we begin the attack?” No response. “Your grace?” The captain called a few seconds later. He looked up to Prince Bulldozer and found him clenching his jaw and sweating slightly.

End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!

Special thanks to Ebony Stallion for proofreading and minor editing!