Meanwhile in the castle, the Shadow Army was preparing for its war against the Solar Empire. Every single squadron checked their gear, the battalions listened to the plans they were given, and the soldiers awaited further orders.

“Is everybody ready?” Tirek asked as he watched the army line up.

“The 115th Dragon Squadron has already prepared the giant dragons for flight. The 320th Griffin Battalion has geared up with their crossbows. And the 473th Yak Assault Platoon are ready for full combat with their cannons. Have you any idea where the king is?” Smolder asked while looking at the lined-up army.

“He’s giving his farewells to the queen…” Tirek groaned.

***

In the bedroom, Spike was donning his armor. While he was preparing for his inevitable battle against the alicorns, Ember was outside watching the view, bored out of her mind.

“I don’t understand why I have to stay here. I am just as capable, if not more, of fighting as you.” Ember argued.

“I will not have this, Ember. You know why I can’t let you out into the battlefield.” Spike said while getting his armor on.

“Even so, what if they found a way to kill you? What if they figured out what that creature is vulnerable to? What if they figure out where-” Ember said before being interrupted.

“Ember, they don’t know where he is. He is hidden deep within the cave and even if they felt some form of presence, it would be unlikely they would be unable to undo it.” Spike said while grabbing Ember’s shoulders.

“I’m worried about you, Spike. After everything we worked so hard for, after every genocidal campaign you held against the ponies, and after the past three days when we got married to one another, you are just going to abandon me? Your own queen?” Ember asked, starting to have a meltdown.

Taking a deep breath and deciding to assess the situation, Spike said,

“Ember, I am never going to abandon you. I understand what happened to your father and you have every absolute right to hold me back here, but I have responsibilities to uphold as their king. That doesn’t mean I value you the least. I have grown too attached to see you out there with me. And the last thing I wish to have is a life without you.”

Spike grabbed Ember’s hands and held them close to his chest.

“You have my word that I will come back safely. I promise as your king and as your husband.” Spike promised as he caressed Ember’s face.

“Oh Spike…” Ember said before breaking down and kissing her husband.

The two embraced for two minutes before Avion opened the doors, ruining the moment in the process.

“What do you want…? I’m busy with my wife!” Spike growled.

“Sire, the Army is all but prepared. They require your presence.” Avion apologetically said.

“Duty calls. I will see you after I kill those ponies.” Spike said as he let go of Ember.

“Not if I see you first.” Ember said before giddily waving Spike goodbye as he left.

As Spike was walking through the castle hallways, the creature wrapped itself around his arm and said,

“She is becoming a weakness.”

“Be mindful of your words, cretin. She is my wife and I have no tolerance towards snivelling worms.” Spike insulted.

“You cannot afford to think of her in our war against the ponies. If she winds up in our crossfire, you will-" the creature warned before Spike cut him off.

"She won't. She promised she would stay in the castle. I even instructed most of my guards to keep watch on her and to make she couldn't escape under the circumstances we're in." Spike said as he walked.

The creature growled before enveloping over Spike before they walked out onto the podium. Only silence remained as they bowed before lifting their heads up.

"It has been five days since the day we destroyed the diseased Crystal Empire. And we have burned and crushed every single pony that stood in our wake! Yet we have received the news that three alicorns are still alive and ready to eradicate our hard-earned kingdom!" the Creature shouted as it looked at the soldiers.

The creatures have started to grow angry and unsteady when they heard the news.

"This blood that we spilled! This blood was earned after the sacrifices we made when those dreaded ponies stole everything that rightfully belonged to us! We took their homes, we destroy their lives, and we incinerate them all for their crimes against us! Yet they choose to defy us!"

The crowd starts to feel their rage spent up the more they listened to its rousing speech.

"But today, they will learn that this blood was earned. This blood was spilled with honor. And they will learn that our blood is superior against the filthy ponies who cast us out! The ponies have defied us for the last time and we shall be ignored no more! For this blood will drown them out forever!"

The speech has roused the creatures aggression than it ever has before and they felt more than ready to kill.

"My dear subjects, my brethren, my comrades!!! NOW IS OUR TIME!!!!" the creature roared.

The creatures cheered and roared with joy before the dragons, griffins, and the changelings flew off while the buffalo and yaks charged off into the fields.

"You always had a way with words." Spike said as the creature dissolved back into him.

"It is time we have ended this…" the creature said as Spike sprouted his wings out.

With that, Spike got off the ground and led his army to the field of Equestria. He was uncertain of what would come next in this new war. But one thing for certain was that Spike was ready to end the war. And he was ready to kill anypony who stood in his way. Especially anypony that would attempt to usurp his kingdom.

***

Across the field, the Royal Sisters were waiting with their army as they were prepared to annihilate Spike and his kingdom.

"This is going to be quite the family reunion when we see each other. Do you agree, dear sister?" Nightmare Moon asked as she gleefully watched from afar.

"It will even more emotional once I reduce him and his kingdom to cinders.. " Daybreaker said with a bloodthirsty look on her face.

Author's Note

Quick update: I will be publishing every chapter every three days. I understand your impatience, but it needs buildup. Also, I finished writing this final arc and I'm currently working on a draft with Saber for something special, but that's a different subject entirely. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.