Three weeks later

Daniel had built a factory with several 3-D printer's producing hundreds of thousands of weapons for the clones and for the ponies. Daniel also checked on Spike and helped him recalibrate his bionic parts and gave him upgrades, such as a multitasking arm, that could perform everything from maintenance to turning into a minigun.

Daniel also finally managed to meet Discord. He felt nervous, but Discord gave him a pleasant welcome. Daniel also meet Mystic Sparkle, Twilight's sister. She instantly became his friend.

Twilight sent a message to Majesty Blueblood, warning her of Professor Felhand's return. As soon as she got the message, Majesty had all of Unicornia on high alert.

--oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

Now, the Clone and Equestrian Armies were fully modernized and were ready for battle. Daniel was in the war room on the Olympia Minsk with a clone with the rank of MTSS-Oberst-Gruppenführer, and with Twilight Sparkle, discussing their next move.

"I think we should strike the South next and cut off any support for the army down there. It would force Darren Jr to make some drastic decisions and perhaps make a critical error," the clone said

"While I have been thinking about that option, there is another area I've been thinking about for a long time," Daniel said

"And what area would that be sir?" The clone said

"The Crystal Empire," Daniel said

Twilight became both surprised and happy. She looked at Daniel

"Really? Why the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked

"Well, the Crystal ponies there can't hold off the humans any longer. Besides, it's about time I met your brother, sister-in-law, your niece, and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna," Daniel said

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were visiting Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire on the day the humans invaded Manehattan. They had stayed in the Empire to help Cadence with the defenses. They had been stuck there for a while.

"I have to agree with you on this one sir," the clone said

"Well then, what are we waiting for, let's go save the Crystal Empire!" Daniel said, as he and Twilight left the room

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

On the outskirts of the Crystal Empire

The GAAP 94th, 108th, 117th, and 471st Infantry unit were waiting on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, with their artillery constantly bombarding its defenses.

In a tent, Gruppenführer Miller was among a group of officer's looking over the plan.

"Gentlemen, we are on the verge of overthrowing an ally of the tyrannical monarchy that has brainwashed our friend Daniel Sr," Miller said

"Sir, I have a question?" A colonel said

"Go ahead," Miller said

"What should we do with the unterleben that we find in the city?" The colonel asked

Miller had a look of uncertainty. For a minute, he didn't say anything, confusing his officers. Finally, he spoke

"Once we take the city, you are to round them up and have them sent to our "Special Holding Center." Miller said

"Yes sir!" The group said, as they left to their post's. Miller sat down and sighed with sadness. He knew the true purpose of the "Special Holding Center," and he was filled with guilt. He looked up to the sky's and prayed:

"Please God, show these innocent lifeforms mercy."

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

At night

The Clone 16th and 19th Infantry, along with hundreds of thousands of ponies, yaks, dragons, and griffons, are marching to the Crystal Empire to provide them with additional support. At the front, Daniel and Twilight were discussing several thing's.

"So let me get this straight just so that I'm clear, the changlings, who were at several times, your enemies, are at the Empire preparing to attack the humans with bows and arrows tipped with poison, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct," Twilight said

Daniel looked surprise

"Huh, I guess friendship really is powerful," Daniel said

"Yes, yes it is," Twilight said

"Sir, how long till we get to the Empire?" A clone asked

"We'll be there in the morning," Daniel said

The group continued to march toward the Empire all night long.

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

Morning, west side of the Crystal Empire

Twilight, Daniel, and their army had arrived. A crystal guard was at point, but when he saw Twilight and Daniel, he let them and their army move past the checkpoint. They soon arrived at the main palace, and Twilight and Daniel enter.

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

In the main throne room

Daniel and Twilight entered, and Shining Armor greeted his sister

"Twily, it's so good to see you. I'm glad to see you alright," Shining said

"Good to see you too BBBFF," Twilight said

Shining then looked behind Twilight and saw Daniel. He went over to him.

"So your the famous Daniel Sr, correct?" Shining asked

"Yes, how'd you know?" Daniel asked

"Twilight mentioned you in her letters for the past three years, and everyone around the Empire has heard about how you liberated Vanhoover," Shining said

"I see," Daniel said

"So Twily, what brings you and Daniel here to the Crystal Empire?" Shining asked

"Well Daniel and I came to help you, we brought our armies with us," Twilight said

Shining looked relieved

"Oh thank Faust, we needed support, come on, I'll take you to Cadance and everypony else," Shining said, as he, Twilight, and Daniel went to see the others

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

In another room

Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Flurry Heart, were sitting at a table when Shining, Twilight, and Daniel came into the room. Cadance and Twilight hugged each other with happiness, the same can be said for Celestia, Luna, and Flurry Heart.

After exchanging greetings and hugs, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance looked at Daniel and smiled

"So you must be the famous Daniel Sr. It's so good to finally meet you at last," Celestia said

"It's good to see you three as well. Too bad the circumstances of our visit is one of dire importance," Daniel said

Flurry Heart looked at Daniel and smiled

"Hello there, you must be Daniel. Your an interesting sort of fellow."

Daniel walked over to Flurry Heart and responded:

"Yes, yes I am" Daniel said

"Well how are you so far and what type of creature are you?" Flurry asked

"I'm fine and I'm a human."

"She's a curious one," Cadance replied

"In what way?" Daniel asked

"She tends to ask everypony almost every question she can think of. Sorry about that," Cadance said

"It's no problem, but enough of these, let's get down to business," Daniel said, as he and everypony else went to a table and sat down

"So, what's the situation so far?" Daniel asked

"The humans have bombarded us for a long time. I don't know how long the Empire can endure any of it," Cadance said

"Moral is at its lowest due to the continuous bombardment. What the Crystal Ponies need is a hero they can look up to, and I know just the one to do it," Shining said

"Who?" Twilight asked

"Spike," Cadance

As soon as Cadance said Spike, both Twilight and Daniel had a look of sadness. Luna noticed it

"What's wrong?" Luna asked

"Spike's... he's just not the same," Daniel said

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked

"It's better for to see it yourself," Twilight said

"Spike, you can come in," Daniel said

Soon, the doors open and Spike comes inside, shocking Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Shining Armor as they see him, no longer pure dragon, but a mix of both dragon and mechanical parts

"Oh my Faust, Spike, what happened to you?!" Shining askes

"That lowlife unicorn Felhand, not only is he back, but he did this to me," Spike said, shocking everypony

Cadance then spoke

"Spike, no matter what happens to you, the Crystal Ponies will always look up to you."

Spike smiled, but then had a look of fear

"What will the Crystal Ponies say when they see me? They're expecting "Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious," not "Spike the Cyborg."

"It won't matter. They need someone to look up to, and you're the only one who can do that," Luna said

After thinking for a few seconds, Spike gave his answer

"You know what, I'll do it, I will speak to the Crystal Ponies and rally them to fight," Spike said and he left the room

"Well then, looks like we got work to do," Daniel said, as he left the room

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

Soon, everypony across the empire gathered at the palace. Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight appeared at the balcony.

"Citizens of the Crystal Empire, for two months, we have been under attack by human force's bent on exterminating our way of life. Once they have destroyed our defenses, they will march in and enslave us. I want you all to lead a charge that will destroy the enemy and save the empire," Twilight said

"YEAH!! We're with you, all the way!" The crowd shouted

Cadance then spoke

"Leading the charge are Daniel and the Crystal Empire's brave hero Spike."

As soon as Spike was mentioned, the crowd went wild, with moral soaring up high. Cadance then said

"Before we attack, something of unspeakable horror has happened to Spike. He fears that if he shows himself, you'll all lose faith in him."

Everypony was confused about what their princess had said. Cadance mentioned with a hoof to the balcony, and soon Spike came into view, his cyborg appearance shocking everypony. He began to speak

"I know you're all scared and confused about my appearance. It's all thanks to that no good bastard Professor Felhand. He and Dexter Jr have formed an alliance and are plotting to exterminate all of us. I ask that you join me as we fight for our lives, our homes, our families."

At first, nopony moved. Just as Spike was about to leave, the crowd suddenly began to chant "Death to the Human Invaders."

Spike, Cadence, and Twilight smiled. They now prepared for the main offensive.

---oooOoOoOOOoOoOooo---

At the human base

The artillery continued to fire, creating a fog of smoke. The soldiers were waiting for the word to march into the city. Then, Gruppenführer Miller ordered the artillery to cease firing.

Soon, he gave the order for the march onto the city. The troops begin to move through the fog of smoke, unable to see more then two feet in front of them.

Suddenly, as soon as the fog cleared, the Clone, Equestrian, Changeling, and Crystal Armies came charging right at them. The GAAP troops open fire and the few who didn't have shields fell to gunfire.

The army raised their shields, with the changelings firing their venom bows, their arrows hitting some of the human troops, killing them. Then, the combatants crashed into each other, resulting in close quarters combat. Hundreds were being slain in this brutal combat.

Spike was surrounded by at least seven human soldiers. He changed his hand into a flamethrower and did a 360 spin, engulfing all seven soldiers. He then changed his hand into a grenade launcher and launched a grenade into a group of enemies, obliterating them.

Wave upon wave of combatants continue to clash with each other for a while, with casualties rising. In the ferocity of the battle, Daniel regrouped with Spike. They fought against every enemy soldier.

"Spike!"

"Yes Daniel, what is it?" Spikr asked

"Do you see any sign of an enemy command center?" Daniel asked

Spike looked around and couldn't see anything, until he got a glimpse of a tent in the back.

"I see a tent behind the lines, that must be where the enemy commander is holed up at," Spike said

"Good work Spike, let's move forward and capture the commander," Daniel said, as he and Spike moved forward, taking out anyone who stood in their way.

Soon, after fighting through hundreds of enemy soldiers, Daniel and Spike made it to the tent and entered. Sitting on a chair was Gruppenführer Miller, head down, with a pistol and letter next to him. Daniel came up to Miller and stood in front of him.

"Are you the commander of this strike force?" Daniel asked

Miller looked up at Daniel and replied

"Yes sir, I am sir."

"I am ordering you to surrender and have your units to stand down," Daniel said

For a few seconds, Miller did nothing. Then, he got up, pulled out his pistol and handed it to Daniel, who was surprised

"I accept your terms sir, I've been riddled with guilt since this unnecessary war started," Miller said

Daniel and Spike looked surprised. Miller went outside and ordered his men to stand down and surrender to the Ponies. They obliged and the battle for the Crystal Empire was over.

Daniel and Spike left the tent and talked.

"It's over, we won!" Spike said

"Yes, but there's something I don't understand," Daniel said

"What?" Spike asked

"Why did the Gruppenführer say he was filled with guilt? What does he mean?" Daniel asked

"Maybe we can ask him, get some answers. Until then, let's celebrate this victory," Spike said, as he and Daniel look at the celebrating ponies.

Author's Note

The Crystal Empire is safe. Now Daniel and the other's will ask Miller why he has been filled with guilt. And what did Miller mean when he thought about the "Special Holding Center?" Find out in the next chapter.