Titan War

Chapters

Prologue: The Sentence of Grogar
Determination
Where art thou, Hatchling?
[Titan War | Part 1:] Oblivious to Pain

Prologue: The Sentence of Grogar

Unknown Time - Unknown Area Unknown Place...

There was nothing but black clouds and darkness all around. Thousands of miles worth of megaparsecs of darkness that stretched on and on throughout this strange nothingness.

The only visible light was very dim flashes of garnet-red and pitch-black light. There was nothing but empty, vast, and black darkness aside from the flashes of dark light. There were specs of jet-black ash on blood-red fire, as if it was snowing gloom and fire’s wrath, asteroids of mahogany-red and onyx-black crystals and rock, all colliding with one another without end, this pitch-black rocks and garnet-red dust trailing off like unstable tails. Black holes with blood-red and shadow-grey stars swirling around them with Neptune-sized, jet-black pulsar stars that also suck up the stars to feed.

This seemed to be a place of destruction and misery, where all who lived here seemed to either be dead… or cursed.

Something started to come into view. It appeared to be a circle 6 times bigger than the world of Equestria.

Unknown Place - Throne Room...

In the darkness, there were two pairs of legs on each side of these familiar dark blue hooves being dragged along a very wet, dark, and corrupted ground. The owners of the legs throw the owner of the hooves onto the ground.

The owner is Grogar, who knelt before an almighty figure, cowering before the figure's disappointment.

"M-Master, I-I understand why I am s-summoned her, but-" Grogar stammers as he speaks before a being who claims to be his master.

"Enough, Grogar. Where is the Prince?"

The voice that speak was much deeper than Grogar's, it was demonic, reverberative, shallow, and cold.

"I have f-found him, Sindoreth Warking. H-He resides in the l-lands of Equestria..."

"What did you do about?"

"I... tried to minimize... his protection?" Grogar never sounded more terrified than he ever has been of anyone else.

The figure speaking simply looks to his left, awaiting the other figure's orders.

This was the all-sparing or all-killing situation Grogar was put into. His very life - immortal or not, was hanging on the thinnest thread by the only being capable of ending his life with a blink.

Once received the order, the figure speaking nodded and scowled very coldly and mercilessly at the seemingly "All-Powerful" Ram.

"Grogar. Co-Father of Monsters, former Emperor of the First Equestrian Age. By rule the master of the Xor'Zith Empire, Grim Emperor Valunight has sentenced thee... to Celestial Death." The figure snaps his fingers.

Grogar gasps in dread and anxiety, the weight of his life fleeing from his heart on the run to doom.

"No! No, no! Master, I will not fail you again! MASTER!!!" Grogar screams helplessly as the two figures take him away.

"There is no tolerance for a first defeat," Says another figure. The second figure who spoke had a voice just a tad bit lighter than the other's.

Just as Grogar screamed helplessly and tried to break free, a guard walks into the throne room and hastily approaches the figure sitting down known as Grim Emperor Valunight, kneeling in great respect and politeness.

"Emperor, the hour of our release... is nigh," Says the figure.

The figure's voice was dark, reverberative, demonic and brutish.

The two other figures looked at their ruler. After having received the order, they look back at the guard.

"Prepare the Shard of Summons," Says the figure on the left. The guard nods and quickly exits the throne room.

"Our time is nearly at hand, Emperor," Says the figure on the right.

"Good." The middle figure's voice was much deeper and shallower than the voices of the two at his sides combined.

He stares in the distance, waiting for the moment of truth he so longed for over his many years...

Unknown Time - Courtyard...

There were millions of citizens and thousands of soldiers gathered in a massive courtyard to see the execution of the once all-powerful ram of Equestria. They clamored and shouted for his immediate death.

Grogar shouted and screamed ever so helplessly as two soldiers carried him towards the steps to an altar above a dais.

The dais is made of the asteroid and meteor material that crash and zoom throughout the entire void. The spikes on the fencing ports were made of the garnet-red crystals, the stairs had cherry-red flacks and crystal shards and light grains of iron-grey sand on the steps ascending to the altar ground.

The altar had on the sides two imp skulls and a larger demon skull with massive horns and grotesque tusks and spikes. In front were 4 demon skulls and 3 demonic dragon skulls with bigger horns and much sharper teeth. All eyes of the middle skulls were glowing hot, ruby-red with a terrible charcoal-black mist, and this shadow-grey sand with eerie, blood-red, flickering lights pouring out of their angry-eyed sockets.

The altar itself was made of this onyxian-black rock with this garnet-red crystal flicks and shards, and scraps of this very dark-colored metal, and it was roundish on the bottom, floating over a pool of this very black liquid that give off cherry-red mist and flecks of pebble-grey sand with the same, eerie, blood-red lights that flicker like a broken light system.

Grogar was brought before the altar and brought to his knees and joints, his head bound by 3 enchanted straps, stripping the ram of magical use. He grunts and shouts as he tries to get away, but the straps were simply too tight and his enormous horns would block the way even if he tried. His hooves, too, were chained to the floor of the dais.

After a few moments later, a magistrate came up to the front right corner of the dais, holding a burnt, ash-colored scroll. The words were berry-red and glowed very eerily.

"Grogar, Co-Father of Monsters, former Emperor of Equestria of the First Age. For the heinous crime of failure to the Grim Emperor of the Xor'Zith Empire, your are hereby sentenced to the penalty of celestial death."

Grogar struggled even harder, but to no avail. The magistrate continued.

"In addition for the crime of negligence of the Grusarna Bewitching Bell, you are also hereby sentenced to the Ritual of Mysrogana."

"No! NOO!! I cannot stand for this! I CANNOT!!" Grogar shouts as he tried more desperately to break free. But alas, his efforts are in vain as he is strictly bound by straps and chains, and his magic stripped away.

Then, 4 special executioners came out of the crowd and carried kusarigamas.

The blades had iron-grey symbols of demonic, skeletal, serpentine dragons with grotesque horns, spikes, and spines all over its body, and their wings greatly tattered and torn, and they all glowed eerily. The edges of the blades had cherry-red crystal teeth of the sharpest category, cracked and leaking with the same liquid under the altar stone. The crystals gave off this terrible jet-black mist and ghostly pebble-grey sand with flickering, eerie blood-red lights. The bases of the blades were engulfed by very demonic skulls with fangs and large horns and spikes, demonic dragon claws crawling out of the skeletal jaws.

The handles and poles were made of the same asteroid material and the wrappings of the hilts were tattered and jade-black with very much dust.

The chains were made of the same cherry-red crystal and had darkly-rocked teeth, dark metal segment rods between each separated chain.

The 4 executioners dropped the blades to ground level and began to spin them.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!" Grogar wails in despair, just standing their as he prepares for the ritual's purpose.

As the executioners spin their blades, a rune circle glows eerily ruby-red, 8 demon skulls with horns and fangs, eyes burning a lipstick-red fire. There were many more gothic symbols inside the circle, snaking their way towards the ram on the dais.

As Grogar continues to thrash and squirm around, he suddenly feels an immediate change in behavior. He becomes very dull, deadpan, and brain-dead.

The executioners spin the blades faster and faster as Grogar grows more dead than alive.

Grogar begins drooling like a brain-dead zombie, not finding his urge to get out anymore.

The executioners then throw the blades directly at Grogar. However, as they approach his body, they glow very dark red, become very ghostly, and they multiply by 3. Once they touch, they enter his legs, waist, and neck. Then, they pull out Grogar's ethereal red spirit, the chains bind his legs and cut through his waist and neck. Finally, the executioners whip the chains and they shatter the spirit into dust and ashes.

The executioners bring the blades back and catch them, wrapping the chains into loops and bringing them back into their tattered, ghostly black robes.

The body of Grogar then begins to decompose and wither quickly and disturbingly, but the citizens and soldiers don't seem to mind at all as they watch.

Then, the main executioner comes up the dais and brings forth a scythe.

The scythe had a similar design to the blades of the kusarigamas, but the blade was partly encrusted by the same asteroid and meteor material. The base of the blade is engulfed by a bigger and even more demonic skull with fiery ruby-red eyes.

The rod of the scythe was made with dark metal rings that had glowing, berry-red cracks and ruby-red crystal spikes.

The bottom of the scythe had this shape of metal like a slanted, flat-topped 'Y', and it had 6 orbs of this very dark, corruptive, lethal, garnet-red, iron-grey, and onyx-black energy, connected by segments of crystal and rock. Long, crystal spikes are donned on the bottom for a lethal back-defense.

The executioner brought the scythe up, and with mantis speed, it came down at light-speed.

Rock and Crystal came to Flesh and Bone. The scythe had dropped, and the head was severed.

The many citizens and many soldiers gave a thunderous cheer for the death of Equestria's once greatest enemy.

Unknown Area - Throne Room...

Within the throne of this ghostly kingdom, Valunight sat on his thrown, quietly and patiently. To pass the time, he motions a hand for a crystal orb.

The crystal orb was cracked and gave off a very bloody-red light and raven-black mist. Various shapes of demonic, garnet-red souls swirled towards the center of blackness, pebble-grey sand pulsed and swayed inside the orb.

The Grim Emperor lightly waves his hand over the orb. The orb pulses and hums very grimly and darkly.

As Valunight watches the orb closely, everything goes black, and two thin, vertically slit pupils with the color of dark mahogany, glow grimly, a very dark and demonic growl echoing throughout the darkness...

Celestia's head shoots up in cold sweat, breathing shakily of the dream she just had. She was shaking her head in defiance of what she just witnessed.

Those eyes... Those horrid, cruel, and deadpan eyes...

"N-No. Th-That can't be true... He can't be alive," Celestia told herself.

Luna's Bedroom...

"No... I-I am not his servant anymore..." Luna told herself.

Both princesses had just witnessed a dream they thought was too good to be true, but little dey they know, their dreams... are just the beginning.

Author's Note

Hey, everyone. This is my very first chapter of the story. Please let me know what you guys think about Grogar's end-fate, the new villain and his followers I created, and what you think about the chapter in general. Let me know of you have any politely asked questions, please consider leaving some friendly comments, let me know if you find any grammatical errors.

Thank you all so much!🙂

Determination

10:30 pm...

It has been 7 hours and 55 minutes since Twilight went about her business during the day, and she hasn't seen Spike at all. This has been the longest that Spike wasn't here.

Twilight was in her chair with a blanket wrapped around her, and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a pepperminty flavor, next to a warm fireplace.

She brings down a certain picture. It was of her and her five friends, but it was also her personal students, Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer.

She smiled warmly at the picture that her friends and she decided to take one day as an entire team. However, she couldn't help but get the feeling that she forgot about something for this picture. That is until she remembered something Spike wrote in the letter...

2:40 - Earlier Today...

"I'm sorry that I have to leave you, but I'm not going to be your slave anymore. Ever since we came to Ponyville, you just seem to spend more time with your friends and forget about me."

Present...

"Oh... Spike's missing in this picture," Twilight though sadly. Then, she pulls down another picture far older than the one she currently held with her magic. It was her and just her five friends.

"And there's not much of him in this portrait, either."

DAY 3...

Starlight was up bright and early, packing some things for the Crystal Empire to visit Sunburst.

"Twilight, I'm on my way to the Crystal Empire. I'll be back in a few days," The Princess of Friendship's pupil calls out. However, she did not receive an answer from her mentor.

"Twilight?" Still no answer. Starlight decided to check around the castle, and she found Twilight in the Throne Room after a while.

"Hey, Twilight. I was calling you, but you didn't answer me," Starlight says. However, Twilight still doesn't talk.

"Twilight, is something wrong?" Still no answer. Starlight looks down to see a picture frame in Twilight's magic. It was of her and her 7 other friends. "I don't know what's going on, Twilight. But I'm going to get the rest of our friends," Says Starlight, she rushes towards the door and looks back at her mentor. "I'll be right back." And then, she exits.

Seashore...

Not far from the Changeling Kingdom, a young dragon sits on the edge of a cliff, staring out into the horizon. It seemed like there would be a snowstorm, but the sun is what made the horizon more reassuring. Snow gently fell from the skies and softly brushed through the wind.

Spike was wondering what he was going to do from hereon-out with his life. He still cared about his friends and he loved them, but he couldn't bare taking all of the abuse and negligence they put on him. What he did know was that he needed to find a new home where there would not be anypony or anyone else to invade or claim it as their own. But of course that would be impossible as there are many dangerous creatures out there, and not to mention other teenage dragons that could try to beat him out of the place he would call home.

Spike was in a loop, and he needed to out.

He decided to get up and go search for a home. He saw a cave, but he saw a dragon inside before he actually entered, so he snuck by and moved on. He saw another cave, but inside lived vampire fruit buts and Electromytes. He saw a fairly strong and perfectly built tree, but there was already a Phoenix Nest atop the branches.

He was just about to move on, but he thought it was pretty lonely in his surroundings, so...

The two parental phoenixes were simply chirping at one another, until they felt a small knock on the tree below. They looked down to see a small dragon looking up at them with a warm smile.

"Hey, uh... you both mind if I ask you a question? I promise it's a quick one. A long quick one, but I promise you won't have to see me again," Spike said to them.

The phoenixes were a little curios why the dragon would say that they wouldn't see them again, but answering a question wouldn't hurt. The female phoenix came to the ground and waited for the dragon's question.

"Do you know of any places where there's absolutely nothing living inside, and isn't taken by any dangerous plant-life, or any other elemental life?" Spike asked.

The mother phoenix thought long and hard. Remembering a place that was hopefully abandoned and carried no dangerous lifeforms, or any lifeforms for that matter, and pointed north of the tree.

"Somewhere in the north, you said?" The phoenix simply nodded.

"Okay, thank you, Mrs. Phoenix," Spike said as he started walking. The phoenix then returned to her husband and started talking with him again.

Canterlot Castle...

Celestia sat on her throne, with Luna beside her.

"Sister, these dreams I have of this seemingly forgotten evil worries me. What if it is true that it is still alive, but... dead?" Says Luna.

"In truth, sister dearest, I too have been having these nightmares of this shadow, but we cannot let these dreams take hold of us, and I will not believe in such theories that this darkness is still living," Says Celestia.

Luna simply nods, but the word 'nightmares' is what keeps her thinking. On that fateful night that she turned into what her dark side wanted her to be. But then again... was it really her own dark side, or was it this shadow that made her dark thoughts much stronger?

Celestia didn't want to talk about the dreams she has been having, but on the night Starlight had the nightmare of Nightmare Moon and Celestia's alter ego, Daybreaker, were literally trying to kill each other. The disgusting thought of herself turning over to the darkness was revolting... but concerning. She would hear words of Daybreaker and this darkness coming to her, she would always try to block the two, but the darkness' words were far more potent than Daybreaker's.

"If Luna can turn into Nightmare Moon, you can absolutely turn in to me, Daybreaker. The better, prettier, and more powerful version of you."

"As I said, I will never turn into you."

"It is inevitable..."

"He's right. And deep inside, you know how powerful you are. You don't need Luna."

"That's not true. Even when we were apart, I knew I needed her."

"And you believed in the lie. Your sister is a waste of your love for your power."

"My love for my sister will never deplete! Your lies will not make me turn."

"Oh no? When will you realize that you don't anypony, save for the ancient evil himself? You can have the power to do whatever you want. All you have to do is get rid of anypony in your way."

"You are not a part of me, Daybreaker. All you are is a simple nightmare and illusion standing in the way of what is true."

"What?" Asks a voice. Celestia turns over to see her sister looking at her with concern.

"Nothing, sister. I'm simply thinking to myself aloud," Celestia coes.

Luna simply nods as she smiles, looking froward into space.

"Look at how your sister mourns of your verbal slanders. You truly think of her as a nightmare and illusion."

"No I don't."

"And yet, you hide your dreams and thoughts from her. I see these shadows in your mind, but you hide them from your younger sibling. What sister would you be to hide the truth?"

"Get out... of my head."

"So be it, but you will both confess... sooner or later."

"Sister, are you alright?" Asks the younger princess.

"Of course, Luna. I'm fine," Celestia says.

Luna simply nods, but then suddenly, the room's torches and lanterns blew out, and the room darkened as if an eclipse had come.

The guards started to worry about the darkness.

"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..."

"Who dares to intrude the castle?" Says Luna.

"Oh, are you serious? I thought you two would have recognized me by now," Says a dark and creaky voice.

"I do recognize that voice. Sister?"

"Yes Luna. I knew it, too."

"It?"

Then, a black and red orb giving off black electricity appeared in the middle of the throne room. Inside the orb, two pony hybrids began to form.

The first hybrid had ash-grey fur, and blood-red, scaly spots all around his eyes and nose-bridge. He had scarlet-red spines on his back and draconic tail. He had two long horns behind his ears. His mane was charcoal-black, and he had a charcoal-black beard. His eye pupils were very thin and slit, and his irises were crimson-red. He also had a pair of dragon wings with tattered, blood-red feathers. His hooves had apple-red crystal claws. And he wore a tattered, soot-black cloak over himself.

He seemed to be 11,000 years old, older than Celestia! And he was just as big as Luna.

The second hybrid had fossil-grey fur, ruby-red eye-shadow, and crimson-red spots all around her eyes and nose-bridge. She had red spines on her back and half draconic-pony tail. She had horns that were a little smaller behind her ears. Her mane and pony-half tail were berry-red and had very jagged, toothy, iron-grey stripes. Her eye pupils were very thin and slit, and her irises were rosy-red. She too had a pair dragon wings with tattered, scarlet-red feathers. Her hooves had red crystal claws. She wore a tattered, ebony-black cloak around her chest and over her back, darkly-metal boots with the symbols of blood-red demon skulls with their maws agape. Her cutie mark was a very demonic skull with very large horns and breathing onyx-black fire. She wore a crown with beads and a crest with a demonic dragon skull with a ruby-red crystal on its forehead and very large horns.

She seemed to be at lest 8,000 years old a little shorter than Luna.

The male hybrid simply laughed sinisterly, "How long we have waited to see you again, princesses."

"Arkumon! How dare thee show thine face in our sacred home!" Says Luna.

"How have you returned? You were banished over 6,000 years ago," Celestia gives the male hybrid known as Arkumon, a dreadful glare.

"Indeed you have, princesses. But it seems that not all spells keep the darkness away for long," Says Arkumon with a simple smirk.

Celestia and Luna charge their horns and prepare to fire.

The female hybrid charges her crown, and a very jagged and shadowy horn appears with glowing dark red cracks at the base, preparing to fire at the two. However, Arkumon softly pats her left shoulder.

"Settle down, Sylviura," He says softly to the female hybrid. She simply nods and dispels her horn.

"You both should know better than to just fire at the assumingly real us," Says Arkumon.

Celestia and Luna soften their glares and dispel their horns. "So, you are simply an illusion, then?" Says Luna.

"No. But we're not really here, either. This is merely a visionary spell to communicate with you two. You should remember it like the rest of the dark spells we use."

"Yes, but that's beside the point. How have returned, and with this new ally of yours?" Asks Celestia.

"Well first, this 'ally' you have insulted is my partner and friend, Sylviura. Second, my return is quite a story, but I only assume you both just ask me out of kindness."

"Tell us now," Luna demands.

"If you truly wish... After my defeat, I had to rest due to my weak condition. But then I thought, "I can't possibly face the two of you alone, so I will seek for help. I found Sylviura, and we both come to an acceptable agreement of teamwork. Now I have returned with her, and Equestria will soon belong to the master. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha..."

"I'm quite surprised that you've learned not to laugh to hard," Says Celestia.

"Well, as one learns, when you're very old, it simply isn't your best. But no matter, our message has been delivered," Then, a map of the entire Equestrian world appears in front of the two princesses.

"Here is a map that will grant you access to my location."

The two study the map and see a dark spot on the continent of the world. Luna noticed however, that Arkumon only said his location. "Is your partner not with you?"

"You will have to discover that on your own." Arkumon and the female hybrid known as Sylviura, notice that they begin to fade. "It appears the spell is fading, Sylviura. Perhaps we should save the rest to defeat these Slavedrivers," Arkumon says with a smirk at the princesses. Sylviura nods and she dispels the spell, disappearing into nothingness.

"I would keep this one going, but we will need all the magic we can muster to defeat you two," Arkumon then yawns with a hoof to his mouth. "Well, ta ta, princesses... We'll be waiting... Mwa ha ha ha ha ha haa..." And with that, Arkumon disappears and the room returns to normal lighting as the torches and lanterns light up.

The princesses and the guards just stand there in shock.

"Luna?"

"Yes, sister?"

"Send word to Princess Cadence and Dragon Lord Ember. I will send a letter to Twilight Sparkle and her friends."

"Of course, sister," Then Luna teleports away. Celestia makes a quill and paper appear in front of her, and she starts writing.

My faithful student...

Castle of Friendship...

"And she hasn't talked to me no matter I do," Says Starlight. She gathered all of Twilight's other friends.

"Did you try waving a book in front of her?" Asks Rarity.

"I didn't think that would've worked on her like this," Starlight responds.

Applejack waved a book in front of Twilight, but that didn't snap her out. "She's right, doesn't work."

Pinkie came up to Twilight and started looking at her. "Boy, she seems really out of it."

"Yeah, she really does," Says Rainbow Dash.

"And I don't know what else to do," Says Starlight.

Fluttershy looked around and noticed something. "Um, does anypony know where Spike is?" She asks.

Suddenly, Twilight shot up right when she heard that name. She turned to Fluttershy, charged, and tackled her to the ground.

"You saw Spike!? Where is he, TELL ME!!" Twilight demanded.

"I-I-I-I-I um..." Fluttershy kept stuttering as she stared at Twilight's shocked yet demanding eyes.

"Okay, okay, Calm down, Twilight. Just take a breathe and then tell us what's going on," Says Applejack.

Twilight realized that she scared Fluttershy and got off of her. Then she inhaled, and exhaled deeply.

"Okay, now can you tell us what's going that you didn't hear us trying to get you out of whatever trance you were in?" Asks Starlight.

Twilight simply nodded and then started telling her friends what happened last night.

"And then when I got home, he wasn't here. I looked at this picture and realized what he said was true," Twilight says as she holds the picture of her and her 7 friends. She started breathing shakily.

"And I... I also noticed that... there wasn't much of him in this portrait of us as well," Twilight says between breathes, on the verge of tears.

"A-And, and he... wr-wrote a letter before he... l-left," Twilight said before she started sobbing.

Starlight came up to Twilight and put a hoof on her shoulder. She and the others were concerned on why Spike would write a letter to Twilight before he left.

"W-What did it say?" Starlight asked concerningly.

Twilight looked up with very teary eyes. "He left... and he's... not... coming back."

The others' eyes grew wide.

Unknown Time - Unknown Place…

Valunight was looking from his castle and out at the darkness, feeling the magic within his kingdom and himself getting stronger. He then decided to go back inside and walk up to the tallest balcony on the castle. It stood to be tens of thousands of feet high, it was donned with what appeared to be a double helm made of rotten, burnt wood, and the same black rock with garnet-red crystals for handles. On the left side of the balcony was a communication orb device

The glass of the orb surface was blood-red, there were very large, demonic horns, under them were demon skulls with demonic horns and black rock chains underneath, holding the device to the ground. The device had the same design as the execution altar in the courtyard, except there were currant-red crystal shards on the corners surrounding the orb surface. the glass was decorated with very fine details and depictions of skeletal dragon demons circling around the center.

There was another one with the same design on the right side of the balcony, but it was projecting glitching red holograms of the Great Dark Beyond, the Twisting Nether, Equestria, and a few octogintillion others. The device was chained to the ground as well.

Around what appeared to be a planet, there were many Leviathans, but they didn’t look normal at all.

They were many demonic constructs inside of the Leviathans, and they were armed with very massive cannons outside. They had many wine-red bulges in the back, they wore very black armor, their eyes were blood-red, their teeth were made of cherry-red crystals, and they had long necks for their grotesque heads. They had tentacles that were armed with cherry-red crystal spikes all over them and had spikes at the end of their tentacles that were also armed with spikes, that curved backwards. They had 4 ruby-red crystal tusks at the base of their heads in the shape of ribs, and they had long spines on their backs that were also rib-shaped, but curved upward as well.

There were various-sized portions of the leviathans that were missing, their skins were all charred and burnt by this dark maroon and black fire with streaming shadow-grey mist.

About 10 of these leviathans patrolled around other leviathans.

The other leviathans were 6 times bigger and had more defenses. They had 3 heads on the body, which were much longer and had greater and tentacles. There were more demonic construct buildings and much more cannons and devastators. There were also 4 slender arms with tattered sails on the forearms. They also had a very unique tail design with many spikes and spines, and armor with sides spikes for better cutlery.

The Alpha Leviathan had 2 tails, more demonic constructs, more cannons and also devastators, 6 arms, and the spines on its body were much bigger.

There were trillions of each of these leviathans that patrolled around a very massive planet.

The planet that these leviathans were patrolling looked even worse than a planet that missed only one large portion of itself.

The shadows if this planet were the portions of the planet that were black with massive mahogany-red crystals sprouting out of the top and the bottom, roughly near the very core. There were garnet-red solar flares from the core that were being absorbed by the crystals under the portions of the planet. The crystals on the top let off blood-red auras with black mist and shadow-grey solar smoke. There were onyxian-black clouds that surrounded the top of the planet, mahogany-red crystals sprouted out of the clouds, and black lightning was attracted to all of them. Built under the portions were cannon-like structures that shot out beams of jet-black and mahogany-red sparks of charcoal-black fire trailing off of them as they struck at the core of the planet, but they weren’t destroying the core, they were sustaining it.

There were 6 more planets, but they were a little smaller than the planet in the middle, however they looked very different. They all had variously sized portions missing, but they didn't look as bad as the planet they were patrolling. Built around the core of each planet were massive cannons that reached out of the missing portions and pointed away from the planet, but there were 5 smaller ones built on top of them that pointed toward the planet, prepared for any intruders, and more of them for any ships coming toward them. They were heavily armored planets transformed into stations.

But what was truly strange was that under the center of the storm clouds on the largest planet, was that there appeared to be a dark platform, made entirely out of this strange rock with a very dark grey sandy aura, mahogany flecks and onyxian black crust. Parts of the platform also appeared to be armored by variously-sized scraps of a very dark metal that had jet-black sand around it, mahogany-red flecks, and some charcoal-grey astral veins as well. The platform also had enormous, garnet-red crystals growing out of the sides, and more on the bottom as a set of millions of razor, serrated teeth. The platform also appeared to carry an enormous kingdom, roughly a little bigger than Utah, actually, and its tallest tower was 27 times taller than Jeddah Tower. The kingdom was floating in the sky, just under the clouds.

The kingdom consisted of 3 outer walls that were very gothic with very large, long and thick spikes and very demonic skulls, and. There were sections of the walls that reached out, they had large Legion Barracks that had the spires of woe above them. The city also consisted of inner walls that looked the exact same as the outer walls, but there were a few more of them and they were surrounded by moats of this dark matter liquefied under mahogany-red mist and black smoke, followed by black fiery sparks rising from the mist. There were catacombs within the state-sized platform, but they were underground cemeteries, graveyards, and temples. The graves were statues of demons and undead dragons, others had demon skulls engulfed in flames, and they also consisted of dark, evil tombs. There were many demonic structures and constructs within the outer walls that were also surrounded by the same moats. Within the inner walls were very large demonic fortresses with walls that each had 8 towers around them, and 4 larger towers that surrounded a much larger one in the middle. On the sides of the largest tower were statues of demonic dragons holding chalices and very gothic axes that spewed black and red fire. Surrounding these fortresses were small floating isles with demonic citadel towers surrounded by floating, demonic spires with massive, currant-red crystals above them that glowed very darkly, and each one had 3 small tower-sized, blood-red crystals chained to them, and they floated above the towers. Within those was an enormous mountain-sized fortress with many of these spires, small and large demonic castles, larger fortresses, floating demonic citadels, very dark portals, and other demonic fortresses. At the very top was an enormous mahogany-red crystal floating above, chained to a massive citadel tower with more chains attached to other large floating isles with the towers. There were also banners to this great kingdom ruin. They were maroon red with black symbols of a demon with four tusks and four massive sickle-shaped horns. But, the entire city was in ruins and was haunted with indescribable monstrosities.

All of these things were taken by this evil mahogany-red, shadow-grey, and jet black magic that didn't seem like magic at all. Around the outer walls and separated by a path to steps that led up to the outer wall gates was a massive city like any other and surrounded by two outer walls of the same design as the others.

The entire kingdom was protected by an army of up to 500 million demonic dragons in the same condition as the master figure of this kingdom, but they had more missing parts and different armor and with very gothic and deathly appearances and forged with the same armor material as the island carrying the kingdom. The same metals occurred to all of their gothic, deathly and magical weapons. Their weapons were similar to Death Knight, Demon Hunter, and Warlock artifact weapons but they were much more gothic and scary.

The skulls on all of them were demonic, the pommels on the swords were demon skulls, the wrapping on the handles of the swords and the scythes were blood-red, the misty magic and the blades were blood-red with misty black magic, the axes had the same designs along with the bladed-batons.

There were also tanks.

The tanks had 8 gyroscopic wheels that took the relative form in treads, all with bullet proof synthetic fibers and alloy composite and all equipped with spikes, and all capable of spinning 360 degrees and mounted on hydraulic arms. They had hybrid power cells with kinetic energy recovery systems, a bhp of 1500, a top speed of 342 mph, 0-80 in 1.3 seconds, and as for transmission, they had continuously variable planetary transmission and hub-mounted atomic motors for highly adaptable power deliveries and maneuverability. The tanks were also equipped with one large and two medium afterburners, with nitromethane fuel, raising maximum speed threshold of 55%, and all together with a temperature of 7700 *C. The cockpits were equipped with an electromagnetic ejector seat, ultra-enhanced intel and recon capabilities, along with AI and remote guidance systems. Their arms were equipped with immobilizer missiles and 2 vulcan guns each on each arm with 360 rotation. The main cannons were larger than an average cannon of a regular tank and were wider mounted with 4 retractable electromagnetic guns, and four large riot suppressor cannons smaller than the main cannons, which were capable of a 360 rotation. They were also mounted with an electroshock defense, and triple-winches at the front with multipurpose grappling claws, each capable of supporting 6.6 tons, along with a range of 140mm. They each also has 2 passenger compartments in the back above the afterburners.

These tanks were bigger than average tanks.

The symbols were the same as the banners of the kingdom.

The platform carrying the kingdom also consisted of large fortresses, great strongholds and armored battle towers, all of which contained these demonic dragon hybrids and heavy assaulting war cannons, tanks, and devastators as well.

There were also these strange ships that float through the vast darkness.

About ⅔ of front of the ship was a triangular nose split in half with a massive cannon down the middle with four smaller ones, on the two separated surfaces were two rows of 14 turrets that curved toward the center, there were four imprints of the same symbol from the ghost castle banners. The rest of the ship was a top and bottom saucer dome which were joined together but 50 stories apart from each other there were 3 Maroon Ion Cannons on each side. There were 4 airplane-shaped wings, two on the top dome at a 35 degree angle, and two on the bottom dome in the same angle downward, all four wings with laser turrets and large laser cannons. Also on the top of the dome were the five sections on top of each other, and there were 3 towers in the back of each section. The ships all had four hangars on each side for other smaller ships.

Inside the halls…

Valunight was walking through very gothic and demonic halls, there were very demonic dragon skulls, the lanterns had skulls around the top and bottom, the tiles had a lot of skull designs with their jaws facing the path, and the fire in the lanterns was black and garnet-red.

Valunight then passed a circle between the halls with 8 guards that blended into the walls.

Then he stopped at a gate with 3 demon skulls. He then walked up to the gate and tapped on a specific spot, then a secret compartment opened, and a keypad came out. The only thing with this keypad, was that it was also added with a facial scanner, a hand scanner, and a voice authorizer.

The dragon-demon hybrid lord put in the number code, let his helmet get scanned, and said the code in the voice authorizer.

The gate opened and revealed a chamber.

The chamber had very demonic leviathan skulls, and the lights were maroon-red with paintings of demons writhing in black fire under Valunight as a shadow with all 4 of his arms raised.

Then Valunight walked up to an altar that held a weapon like no other. It was a sword that had never been seen from the likes of any regular one.

There were 4 warglaives.

All 8 blades had demon skulls with very massive horns, ruby-red eyes with blood-red mist pouring out. The blades on the hilts had crystal teeth around them, but the teeth were wine-red and glowing with coal-black mist, the handle was guarded with the demon skulls that had large, swirling horns, but there were blood-red crystal at the top with black mist as well, the skulls’ heads had a large blade that pointed out of their heads with the same teeth type, and finally they all had blood-red, jagged constellation lines across the blades.

The warglaives all made a black hole shape, and they were floating above an altar.

The altar had a bowl with four demon skulls facing the walls, making an X shape. The large bowl was filled with the same matter as the moats of the castle, and was held by 4 demon skulls with horns on a pillar with ancient demon symbols in blood red. Demon skulls surrounded the pillar and four more were in the matter facing the weapons, breathing out black demon souls that were screaming in agony faintly.

Valunight grabs the warglaives and looks at them.

“Do not fail me,” The symbols on all the warglaives glowed darkly. His voice sounded like it was changed because it was through the helmet. It was haunted, metallic, dark, disharmonic and it reverberated as well as it echoed.

Then he pulled out a black crystal and showed a projection of two alicorns, they were Arkumon and Sylviura. “Prepare the Nether Gate,” He said to the two.

“Yes, Lord Valunight,” The two said with dark voices. Then Valunight put away the crystal and walked out of the chamber, the gate closing behind him.

Castle of Friendship...

"And after I read the letter, I just thought it was a joke. But it was true... it was all true," Twilight said between sobs.

The others felt very guilty about what they've done to Spike, too.

"Gosh. I never knew Spike was so sensitive about these things," Applejack said as she put her hat to her heart.

"I knew he wasn't a lot of parties, but I didn't think it was because I forgot about him," Pinkie said with her head down.

"And we always forgot to bring him on our adventures," Rarity said very guilty.

"But whenever we do, he just gets abused and neglected even more," Fluttershy said as tears streamed down her face.

Starlight couldn't help but feel a little guilty herself. he always helped her just as much as Twilight, but she never thanked him for it.

Starlight walks up to Twilight and puts a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry Twilight, the girls and I will do everything we can to help you find him,"

Twilight sniffled and wiped her nose. "R-Really?"

"Of course, Darling. All of us need to apologize to him as well," Says Rarity.

"Yeah, we'll throw him a huge, "We're sorry for what we did to you" party!" Pinkie said.

"Yes, he deserves it very much," Says Fluttershy.

Twilight slowly got up and wiped the tears from her, smiling at her friends with confidence. "Thanks girls. Okay, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you two search from the air to get some more distance. Applejack and Pinkie Pie, you girls go look around the Apple Farm and Sugarcube Corner. Rarity and I will go look around the Carousel Boutique. If we can't find him today, we'll look for him tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I'll have Owlowiscious send a letter to Princess Celestia and let her know what's going. Everypony clear?"

"Yes ma'am!" They all said.

"Okay, let's get searching." And with that, they began the search for Spike. But there was something dark brewing ahead of them...

Unknown Time - Unknown Place...

After a few moments, Arkumon finished his spell and walked out of a chamber which appeared to be an observation room. He entered another room and tapped on a black orb with dark red waves of light inside, being sucked into the center. The orb glowed and showed a projection of a pony-dragon hybrid.

It was Sylviura.

"How long until the portal is ready to unbound them?" He asked the female hybrid.

"It will not be long," Sylviura responded. Her voice was a little lighter than Luna's, but it had reverberation.

"Well done, Sylviura," Arkumon says kindly.

Sylviura nods, and the projection ends.

Author's Note

Hey everyone! I am so sorry for the long wait, it's been so busy and I just needed a break to think. Thanks everyone for your patience!

Where art thou, Hatchling?

Unknown Time - Inside a Cave...

Spike was bringing back some firewood to make a campfire.

In his little cave, Spike brought with him a small cauldron, a sleeping bag, his blanket from his basket, a pillow, a back-sack, some snacks, and a bucket of clean water. All of these were carried via wagon.

Using his nature skills, he found flat rocks, sturdy sticks, and very strong vines.

Spike started striking the rocks together above the wood. After a few, the fire started, and he started to give it oxygen. After the fire was fully risen, he sighed in satisfaction, and sat in front of it.

He started thinking about what he was going to do for the rest of his life, and what was going to come to him in the future. It hurt him so much to leave the only home he ever knew, but it was for his own good to stop the pain, the abuse, the neglect, the sorrow and grief.

Suddenly, Spike started to feel funny, and then he belched out a letter with a golden hoof seal. He picked up and opened it. Inside was the penmanship of Princess Celestia.

He began to red the letter.

My faithful student,

A powerful evil has arisen, and all of Equestria is in grave danger. I request that whatever your current activity is, that you postpone immediately and come to Canterlot as this is gravely urgent. I will explain everything once you and your friends have arrived. I must leave now, my sister and I will be waiting for your arrival. Please hurry.

Your friend and Teacher,

Princess Celestia

Spike's eyes widened, and a lot stuff started going through his mind. He couldn't just throw the letter away, this bad guy might win if his friends didn't know about. But he didn't want to let them see him either. He swore to himself that he would never see them again. If he went to go see them again, he would just be abused and forgotten again.

Spike was in a loop, and he needed to escape.

"I can't go back in person, they'll try to look for me and take me back. But if I don't, Equestria will be in danger because I didn't give them this letter. What about if I send a letter back to Celestia explaining that I'm not with Twilight anymore? No, then she might try to send somepony or someone to come get me, and then my life will be ruined again," Spike sighed, "It's almost like I'm gonna just walk to a stranger and say, "Hey! Equestria is in danger and I have this letter that needs to be given to Twilight, but don't tell her where I am." However, right as he said that statement, he got an idea as he gasped.

"That's it! If I give the letter somepony or someone that I actually know, but they don't know what's going on, Twilight won't ever know where I am! And by the time the pony gives her the letter and she asks where I am, I won't be there anymore, and I won't be abused and neglected anymore! YES!!" Spike shouted in triumph. "I think that also means that Princess Celestia won't use me as a mailbox anymore." Then Spike ran out of the cave, flared his wings, and flew off to the Changeling Kingdom.

Little did he know however, two pairs of eyes watched him leave.

2:30 pm - Ponyville...

Snow had finally arrived around the world, but that was not the true celebration of the world. The snow started as soft, but then it grew in size, blanketing the lands all around. However, Ponyville didn't have to time put up the decorations for Hearths Warming Eve.

All around Ponyville, the residents were calling out for Spike. Soon everypony heard about the news, and they too started feeling guilty about Spike's mistreatment. The news came from Pinkie because she's biggy-loud mouther, and Rarity just loves to gossip. Twilight was mad at first, but Rarity and Pinkie thought that it would be faster if the whole town searched for him, and Twilight agreed. After all, Spike was really the only dragon in Ponyville, even Equestria for the matter. Smolder was in the Dragon Lands with her family preparing for the first Global Snow Celebration.

With all of Ponyville on the lookout, Twilight's friends brought her back to the castle to help her relax. All of her friends sat with her in her bedroom, except for Rainbow Dash. She didn't like being cooped up in a room without little to no awesome activity, and she said that she might be able to catch Spike the fastest because she was the fastest flier.

Everypony was silent, and they wanted it that way. Nopony dared to say a single word, worried or scared about how the other would react.

Twilight was thinking not just about Spike, but also about the ponies helping her friends and she finding her number one assistant. If they didn't find him, they might not go to sleep, and she was also worried that they might be mad at her and her friends for what they did to him. All these things rushed through her head until somepony spoke up.

"Twilight? You okay?" Asked Starlight.

"Huh? Y-Yeah, I'm fine," She said, not turning to Starlight.

Applejack, however, didn't accept that answer. "Twilight, just because you're not fine, doesn't mean you can hide what's really goin' on. It's pretty obvious that you're all mopey cause of what's goin' on right now."

Twilight simply sighed, "I don't know, Applejack and Starlight. It's just that Spike's always been there for us- for me, and we never showed him any appreciation for it. When I accidentally switched up of your cutie marks, Spike encouraged me to not give up and fix it. When Discord was evil and turned you all heartless and cruel, Spike kept on burping up letters from Princess Celestia- which I just realized now that he really hated."

"Ah think he might've hated being a "mailbox" from the beginning," Said Applejack.

"I think you're right."

"Aside from that, Spike was also willing to stay in the Dragon Lands to keep all of Equestria safe from all of those teenage dragons. Spike always knew how to keep me going, and he was always willing to put himself at risk to protect others. But instead of thanking him and protecting him, all I did was just leave him without trying to help him, protect him, or even thank him for all the things that he does for me," Twilight explained guiltily.

"Not to mention that we never pay him for all the work he does for us," Says Fluttershy.

"And that we never let him take any breaks from it all," Says Pinkie.

"All I've ever done to him is just use him as pincushion and never pay him any thanks when he tries to help me go through dramatic times," Says Rarity.

"I just can't believe that he did his best to put up with every little joke or insult I said to him. He's one very tough dragon to put up with all of that," Rainbow Dash says with a weak smile.

"And who are we fooling? Spike is just a kid, and we all treated him an adult when he wasn't even there," Starlight stated.

"And when Shining and I told him that he was the little brother that we've always had, we we're just joking around with him. But he thought we were serious and he thought of me as an older sister. It turns out I became the worst," Twilight said as she put her head down with great shame and heavy guilt.

The others also put their heads down in guilt. The too were the "worst big sisters" to Spike, too.

2:47 - Changeling Kingdom...

Spike landed on the ground just a few steps in front of the entry way. He saw two guards in front of the gate and decided to walk up to them.

The two guards were minding their own business until they saw someone up ahead. They both pointed their spears at the trespasser.

"Who goes there?" The left guard asked.

Spike stopped in front of the two. "I'm Spike, Spike the Dragon."

The two guards recognized the baby dragon and put away their spears. "So, what brings you hear?" The right guard asks.

"I wanted to see King Thorax," Spike began. he pulls out the letter that Celestia wrote and showed them to the guards. "It's really important."

The two guards looked each other and then nodded. "We'll let you see our ruler, but I'm afraid the changeling you speak of is no longer king," The guard on the right said.

"He's not?" Spike asked in confusion.

"No, the ruler you speak of is the gracious Queen Chrysalis," The guard on the left said.

"Oh," Spike said in a surprised manner. "Chrysalis is queen again? Why din't Ocellus or Thorax tell me!?" He thought to himself upsetily.

"Um,... You okay?" The guard on the right asked.

"Yeah, it's just that neither Ocellus nor Thorax told me about that."

"That's... weird. You and Advisor Thorax are really good friends," The right guard pointed out.

"W-Wait a minute, Thorax is an Advisor?!" Spike almost shouted. The guards reeled back a little. Spike noticed and cleared his throat. "S-Sorry. So, Thorax is an Advisor now?"

"Yeah," Says the left guard.

"Is there anything else I don't know?" Spike kindly asked.

"Well, Ocellus is also addressed as 'Princess'."

Spike's eyes widened. the guards were a little concerned. "You think we should've told him that?" The left guard asked the right guard.

"No..." The right guard said concerningly.

"N-No, no, it's fine. I just never knew that Ocellus was a princess," Spike said.

"Yep," The right guard said.

There was a lot of stuff going through Spike's mind, but then he remembered the letter. "What am I doing? I almost forgot about the letter!"

"Oh yeah! Queen Chrysalis is just above in the throne room," The guard on the right said.

"I... don't know where that is. Nopony ever gave me directions in the Hive," Spike stated.

"Oh... I-I could show you where it is," The right guard offered. However, Spike then looked at his wings.

"Actually, you know what, I'll just fly up there. thanks for the offer though," He said with a smile.

"Anytime."

Spike flared his wings and was about to fly, but then he thought of something. "So, what are your names?"

"I'm Carapace," The right guard said. Carapace was a female.

"And I'm Telson," The left guard said. Telson was a male.

"Okay. Thanks, Carapace and Telson," Spike said before he flew upward.

"You're welcome!" The guards called. Carapace smiled.

"Such a nice dragon," She said.

"Yeah, he's a really good kid," Telson said.

Changeling Hive - Throne Room...

Chrysalis was simply sitting on her throne with Thorax beside her. Chrysalis looked very different, physically and in personality.

Her eyes were brilliant cyan and circular, her chitin was light fuchsiaish gray with a bit of gold on her neck and 3 pearls as well, the carapace on her back was gradient of banana to daffodil-yellow, her eye-shadow was very light turquoise, her mane and tail were light to dark sky-blue and they were no longer tattered with holes, her mane longer, the under side of her ears were daffodil-yellow, her wings were much longer and slimmer with the color of bright sky-blue and sparkles on the upper edges, and her crown was hot golden-yellow with teal-blue orbs curved downward.

Chrysalis and Thorax were simply talking about interaction with others.

"So, how will I know when to react calmly to a bad situation?" The reformed queen asked her advisor. Her voice was more serene and silvery, and it no longer had the distorted echoed quality. It was no longer deviated and was perfectly in sync as one.

"I think that might be a question Princess Celestia can answer, your highness," Thorax answered.

Chrysalis managed to smile, but then she heard flapping above. She looked up to see a familiar dragon landing softly in front of her throne. It was Spike.

"Um... H-Hi," The baby dragon said nervously. Chrysalis slowly rose and flared her wings with grace.

"Spike, I did not expect to see you hear. Is something wrong?" Chrysalis asked kindly.

"With me? No, but I did bring a letter that... I was hoping you could have one of your messengers take to Twilight?" Spike pulled out the letter and showed it to Chrysalis. Chrysalis took the letter with her magic and opened it to read it. Spike waited, and saw that Chrysalis had a concerned look in her eyes. She rolled up the letter and resealed it with her magic.

"Please have Cornicle take this to the Castle of Friendship," Chrysalis says to Thorax. Thorax nods and flies of to find the messenger. Chrysalis looks over to Spike to see that he was walking away. "W-Wait!" She calls out. Spike stops and turns to Chrysalis, who flies over to him. "If you wouldn't at all mind, why did you ask me to have one of my messengers deliver that letter to Twilight instead of yourself? You are her prized assistant."

"I... was. But not anymore," Spike sadly. Chrysalis could see the sadness and decided to sit in front of him.

"Would it be of to much concern for you to tell me?" She asked sympathetically.

"Uh... I guess not. It started about a few days..." And Spike began to discuss what happened those few days ago.

"And... that's why I'm on my own," Spike finished. Chrysalis had a rather sad look in her own eyes. hearing all of those things that Twilight and all of her friends did to him was heartbreaking. What was even more shocking was that he told her that Celestia turned him into a "living mailbox" when he was finally old enough. Chrysalis was starting to think that Spike and Celestia had very close relationship with each other, and Celestia just abused him by placing a mailing spell on him, and she just abandoned him because of all of her duties, thinking of him nothing more than just a waste of time mentality.

She felt such remorse and empathy for the dragon that a small tear escaped her eye. She wiped it and looked at the baby dragon in the eyes. "I am... so sorry to hear what twilight and her friends did to you. Even I look back on the crimes I committed on you, and now they were the worst things I've ever done to anyone," She said guiltily. Spike simply put a claw on her right leg.

"It's okay. We all do terrible things when we're angry or hurt, but it all works out in the end, right?" He said with a smile. Chrysalis looked at the dragon with a soft smile.

"Yes, that is right," She said. Spike nodded and then retracted his claw.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," He said as he waved goodbye, flaring his wings and taking off to his cave.

Chrysalis waved at him and then walked back to her throne. "I hope you find peace, Spike." She thought to herself.

3:28 - Castle of Friendship...

After an hour searching, Rainbow Dash came back and joined her friends in Twilight's bedroom. Nopony wanted to say anything. All they did was stay silent.

Everypony sat silently, until they heard a knock upon the doors. "Letter for Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Once heard, Twilight rushed down the stairs to see a Changeling Messenger. Then her friends came down to see who was calling.

"Oh, hello. Can I help you?" Asked the Princess of Friendship.

Cornicle pulled out a letter with a golden seal. "I have a letter for you," He said as he gave the letter to Twilight. She had a confused look on her face.

"Um, Cornicle... Where did you get this letter?"

"I got it from Advisor Thorax, who got it from Queen Chrysalis, who got it from... Uh..." Cornicle was trying to remember the name of the dragon.

"Trying to remember?" Asked Applejack.

"Hang on, it's coming... Oh yeah! Now I remember."

"Okay, so who did Chrysalis get the letter from?"

"Spike," Cornicle answered with a smile.

Unknown Time - Unknown Place...

Snow fell through the roofs of the unknown place where the dark magic wielder relaxes.

Arkumon was relaxing on his throne until the orb he used to communicate with Sylviura earlier, started rolling toward him. He noticed and walked towards the orb and levitated it with his magic. Then a projection came on, only showing a large black light in the center of the orb.

“How much longer, Arkumon?” The orb asked. The voice belonged to another hybrid.

“Not long, Supreme Highlord Darkfang. Sylviura is preparing the tome. The release of the Tainter and his people will be absolute.”

“Excellent.”

“We just need a week to prepare. Is our deal still intact?” Armak asked with expectation.

Darkfang was quiet for a moment.

Arkumon instantly regretted asking the question. He could only imagine the expression behind the darkness on his associate's face.

“Do not fail the Tainter, Arkumon,” Darkfang warned dreadfully. Then the projection ended, and Arkumon was left intimidated.

Author's Note

Hey, guys and gals! Done with the fourth chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading it! 😊

[Titan War | Part 1:] Oblivious to Pain

Hearth's Warming Day was just 4 weeks around the corner, and everyone/pony was preparing for a full month of gentle snow and soft blizzards. This was the very first year of a brand new celebration the two sisters believed would benefit the friendship of all species, a celebration for the entire winter known as "Gift of Equestria". This is Equestria's first holiday of snow riding down across the entire world! Snow would go everywhere for the world: The Badlands, the Dragon Lands, Griffonstone, even the Crystal Empire would receive gentle blizzards and friendly snow from the Frozen North this year. And most rarely, the Kingdom of Seaquestria would receive their first snowy weather, and Mount Aris is also included for snowy weather.

Yes, this would be a joyous year for everyone and everypony.

But there was one who did not enjoy this holiday as much as everyone else...

2:00 pm - Castle of Friendship - Dining Room...

Spike the Dragon, Twilight Sparkle's #1 Assistant, just barely came out of the kitchen with a plate of pancakes covered in syrup and two slabs of butter. He sets them down on the table and calls out to Twilight.

"Twilight, you coming down soon?"

Celestia's sun was bright and shining upon the ponies that went about their days in the crisp cool air. It was starting to get chillier when the Pegasi started to bring in the snow clouds.

Twilight Sparkle, once the greatest pupil Celestia has ever taught, now the Princess of Friendship, slept in for literally 12 hours today. Yesterday, she didn't even bother to put away the massive pile of 763 books she read! That was all handed over to Spike for him to clean up when he awakened from his own sleep, having to put away the right books in their respectable places, trying to figure out which genre the books would go into, filing the letters alphabetically, he even had to put them in order from the earliest date to the present!

All that work tuckered the dragon out, but he still had duties to do for Twilight. But to add on top of the mess Twilight left for Spike, she didn't wake up to eat the breakfast he made for her, nor did she come to out with him. These things made Spike grumpy,irritated, and depressed.

After about like 20 minutes later, Spike finally heard steps coming down the stairs.

Spike looked to his left to see Twilight finally coming in, stretching her legs, neck, wings, and turned her waist a bit. All that in the process while she yawned.

"Good morning, Spike. Boy, I just had the greatest dream," Twilight said happily.

"Morning Twilight. I made you some breakfast this morning, but you slept in on that," Spike politely points.

"Oh, sorry about that. I was doing a lot of reading last night."

"Yeah, but do you think maybe... next time... you could clean up the books yourself before you go to bed?" Spike asked, trying his best not to sound grumpy and rather polite.

Twilight just looks at Spike, not upset, not perplexed or confused. just staring at him.

"What?" The baby dragon asks.

"I thought cleaning up books was your job," Says the lavender alicorn.

Spike felt a little hurt by the sentence, but he kept a straight face. "I-I know... but it wouldn't hurt to do it yourself... right?" Spike asks nervously.

Twilight simply turns back to her pancakes. "Hmm... I guess," She says confusedly.

"Is there... something wrong with that?"

"No, I just don't see why I should do it when it's your job," Twilight says obliviously as she takes a bite of her pancakes.

This made Spike even more hurt, but he remained strong under his skin. "Oh... O-Okay." Just as he was about to leave though, he was stopped when Twilight spoke again.

"Um, Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"These pancakes are a little cold and soggy. I think you might've added just about 2 more oz of syrup, and I also like just one slab of butter," Twilight explains.

"2 oz of syrup, and an extra slab of butter, seriously!? And you woke up literally 12 hours ago!" Spike thought to himself in irritation.

"Well, I mean... you did wake up kinda late..." The purple dragon says nervously.

Twilight simply looked back at Spike in confusion this time.

"I-I'm just saying..." Spike simply sighs, "I'll just make some sandwiches." Then he takes Twilight's plate and goes back to the kitchen.

Twilight smiles and then makes her way to her Library. Once she sits down, she grabs 326 more books with the 763 estimate and makes a pile once again. She started making even bigger piles of books for Spike to put away later, breaking the record of her previous pile from yesterday night.

2:35 pm...

Twilight was on book #175 on chapter 37, until she heard Spike calling out to her. "Twilight! Your sandwiches are ready!"

"Okay, coming!" She sets the book down, gets up and walks to the kitchen. Once entered, she saw Spike with his apron on and a tray in his claws with a plate of a single sandwich of whole grain bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and some turkey ham, an apple, 3 bananas, an orange, and some peas. On the side was also a glass of water and a small vase with a white daisy. She sits down and waits as Spike brings the tray over and sets it in front of her. She smelled the daisy and exhaled pleasantly. "Mmm, the daisy's a nice touch, Spike," She says nicely.

Spike smiles for the appreciation Twilight gave for the Daisy.

Twilight takes a bit into her sandwich and smiles pleasantly. "The sandwich is really good, Spike. Thanks. And I really appreciate the variety of fruits and vegetable you picked out."

"Well, I know how much you like to be healthy," Spike says.

Twilight chuckles lightly, "You know me well."

Spike sat down beside her, until he noticed the time. "Hey, Twilight?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't you need to get ready to see our friends at Sugarcube Corner right now?" Spike asks. Twilight turns over to the clock and nearly chokes on a chunk of her sandwich is she sees the time.

"Oh no! I'm gonna be late!" Twilight quickly finishes her meal in less than 10 seconds and rushes to her bedroom to pack up some things for the events she and her friends had planned for today. Spike simply watches as Twilight rushes around the castle and then back down to the front door. "Thanks Spike! Can you make sure to clean up the library before I get back, and the kitchen and dining area? Thanks!" She says before she slams the door behind her.

Spike sighs in depression, "The entire Library? Again? Next thing you know-" Spike's thoughts were interrupted when Twilight poked her head through the door.

"Can you also be sure to clean the castle before I get back? Thanks!" Then she retreats and slams the door again.

Spike exhales steam from his nostrils. "She'll do that," He thinks bitterly. Then, with literally no time to lose, the young dragon worked on his daily chores.

Midnight...

Spike was washing the dishes Twilight had left for him, until he heard a faint boom outside the castle. He slowly ceased his washing and listened carefully...

Another faint boom.

Spike sets down the dishes, takes his dish-washing gloves, and makes his way to the balcony of the castle.

Once outside, Spike could see flashes of various colors on the ground. He came outside and looked around, only to see that the sources of flashing were fireworks from Canterlot Castle.

Spike couldn't believe what he saw. There was a celebration of some kind going on, and he wasn't invited... Spike's jaws were slightly agape in shock and disbelief. He slightly shook his head in defiance of some theories that were going through his head, and he ran inside with welled up eyes.

1:32 am...

Before he would continue his daily chores, or in this case nightly chores, Spike decided to go walk around the castle to get his mind off of the fireworks he saw tonight. He walked through the halls, looked into every room, and gazed upon every image of Twilight and some of her friends, old and new. He slid his claws gently on the crystal walls, feeling their rocky yet smooth surfaces.

Then, our baby dragon stops past a certain door. Spike turns around and enters the Throne Room. He gazed at the crystal images of Twilight and her friends, knowing that there were far more pictures of them, and less of Twilight and he. Spike gazed at the enormous roots of the once proud Golden Oaks Library, remembering the memories he had with Twilight and his friends there. Yet... he was sad.

Spike could only think that the memories Twilight and he made together, were only but very few. The baby dragon started to sniffle a little from the pain he felt inside. Then, he gazed upon the only thing that hurt him the most... Spike looked up at the large portrait of her and her friends. All he could do was stare at the small portion of him just as a head.

Without a care about anything in the world, Spike slowly crouches and cries into his knees in a mixture of emotions. Pain. Anger. Grief. Sorrow. Disbelief... Spike has gone for far too long through the tortures and ignorance of Twilight, her friends... even Celestia. Ever since she gave him to Twilight, after placing the Enchantment of Mailing on him, he was nothing more than a communication system for her, Twilight, and anyone else who would use him as a... Mailbox.

All these things that have happened to him, have gone on for far too long, and his heart could bare this pain no longer.

"I know... what I have to do..." He says to himself, a look of determination in his teary eyes.

DAY 2...

It was just an hour from afternoon. All was quiet in the Castle of Friendship, until a noise is heard at the entrance...

"Spike! I'm home!" Twilight calls out. She seemed to have a small basket of food items inside. Twilight and her friends did so much yesterday.

First, they went to Sugarcube Corner for a bite of dessert. Then, they had a picnic in the back of Fluttershy's Cottage and watched their pets race each other for fun. After that, they had meet literally all of Ponyville, and they had a great party in Town Square. And after that, they had a grand party of a uniting between Ponies, Seaponies, and Changelings, in Canterlot. After that, they slept at Canterlot, and in the morning, Twilight and her friends had breakfast with the princesses and their families.

All these are the reasons that Twilight came home at the time of afternoon's coming.

"Boy, those fireworks were sure amazing to watch," Twilight says as she sets down the basket. She walks around the castle to see that Spike had done his chores, cleaned up the Kitchen, Dining Room, and Library. Twilight smiles in appreciation, but then she notices something... It was... quiet.

Too quiet.

"Spike?" She calls out. There was no answer. Feeling a little concerned, Twilight decided to walk around the castle to look for him.

First, she came to the Kitchen, but Spike wasn't there. Next, she went into the Throne Room, but her #1 Assistant wasn't there either. Then, she checked in the Library, no Spike. Finally, she checked in Spike's Bedroom... Still no Spike.

"Spike?" Twilight was starting to get more concerned. She went into her bedroom hoping he was there, but he wasn't. However, she noticed a piece of paper on her bed-sheet. She walked over to her bed and gripped the paper with her magic. Turning it around, she found that it was written on. Twilight began to read the paper.

Dear Twilight,

If you find this letter, then it probably means that I'm not here. I wrote this letter because I finally came to realize that so much has happened to me that you probably didn't care about. Last night I saw fireworks from Canterlot Castle, so I assumed that you and your friends were up there having a big party of some kind.

Twilight, I feel like you don't care at all that I have been neglected and abused. You're probably thinking right now that I don't, but I do, and you don't seem to do anything about. I had plans that day that I wanted to do, but I couldn't because you made me stay here and clean up your messes that day, and every time I don't do something you ask me to do, you always end up getting mad or upset with me. I wasn't able to have any fun because of you.

I know what you're thinking: What in Equestria is Spike talking about? Well, it's like I said, you left me here to clean up the enormous messes that you left for me. I realize that I'm your #1 Assistant, but I don't pick up after you, I assist you with things you need help with. And I shouldn't have to be forced to do these things anyway. I do these things because I love you.

You're probably thinking right about now that this is supposed to my Job, right? Well, I'm guessing that also means that you don't think of me anymore than just some lowly assistant. To tell you the truth, I've always thought of you as my older sister, but that probably doesn't mean anything to you, despite the Sibling Supreme Competition. I found out one day that you guys were just joking with me on that, and I thought you guys were serious. That really hurt me. And this is not supposed to be my job, I'm just kid, or "baby" for that matter. I've lived with you almost my whole life, and I'm supposed to be treated as your equal. I've always done what I can to keep you well and healthy, and I try my best everyday to take care of you. But I came to realize that I'm doing literally all the work, while you guys get to go have fun with each other, the princesses, my own friends, and your families. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but I guess I'm just a slave to you and everypony else.

I've also realized something else: Every time you say sorry, we always come back to me being abused and neglected over and over again. You think I don't get abused? I'll provide the facts to you.

Remember the time on your first Winter Wrap-Up? You didn't know what to do until you found out that you were very talented in organizing, and I was there to help you. After all that time of working and checking off everything that was completed, I fell asleep on a small block of ice. But all you girls did was laugh and leave me there to fall in that freezing water. I thought you of all ponies would've known that I can't survive in a hypothermia-tempatured pond of water. If thought that was a joke, it was not funny at all, in/ any way. I got a very deadly cold that could've been prevented if at least one of you got me off before that happened.

And that's not all that's happened to me. Remember the day when you moved your birthday party to Canterlot because of Rarity not being able to come? You girls went to Canterlot to have it there, but you didn't invite that day, you didn't even let me know about it until you came back and told me personally. How could you not invite me to your own birthday party, Twilight? I'm one of your first and best friends, but you treat it like that's not true. I was very hurt that day, because you, nor any of your friends thought to invite me. And the same thing happened with Pinkie's Birthday, too. And do you remember Pinkie's sister, Maud? You girls didn't even think to introduce me to her.

Rainbow Dash always, and still makes fun of me for not being a 'big, tough, scary' dragon. She never stops unless I'm not around. I've always thought you, my Older Sister , to stand up for me, but she doesn't give a single care in the world about what Rainbow does to me.

And the worst part of my entire life was the Grand Galloping Gala. I thought that we could all spend time with each other together, but you decided to go off and do your own things, instead. And then, you all found out that the best way you could all have fun was by coming together to do all the activities as one. But I thought of that much before any of you girls did. Because of you all, I was very lonely that night, I've always been so lonely from the start of our movement in Ponyville...

Don't think that I can tell you about this, because I've tried, and tried, and tried, but you never listen to me and you don't seem to care at all about it. You and your friends all get to go have fun, face off dangerous creatures or bad guys that want to take over Equestria, and go off to see your new allies and friends, while I'm always left behind like the black sheep of the herd.

If you don't think that I've ever been forgotten, then try to remember the last thing we did together. If you can't, that's what I thought. I'm the only one who remembers what we did together, as kids . We would always play together, we would go out together, and we would sleep together like brother and sister. But now you have these new friends, and I always end being forgotten, neglected, and abused.

I'm very sorry that I have to leave you, but I'm not going to be your slave anymore. I just can't take it, and my heart as shattered like glass from this pain. I've gone somewhere that you won't ever have to worry about finding me.

This is for the best, Twi. I hope you have a better life without me...

Love,

Spike

Twilight was rather perplexed by the letter than shocked. She read the letter over and over again to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

All she simply did was chuckle lightly, "Is this a joke?" She asked herself. "I'm sure he's just going through a mental problem. He'll be back." Twilight sets the letter down, walks out of her bedroom and shuts the door to go sit in her throne room.

Unknown Time - Unknown Area - Ghostly Throne Room...

Inside his throne room, Valunight watched as a certain pony walked out of her bedroom.

"Good..." He says very grimly. Than he steps out into the dim light. After a flash of very dark-red light, you could almost see what he looked like.

His scales were made of this pitch-black stone with mahogany-red flecks, most of his body and face alone remain, and unlike all dragons, he has four arms instead of just two.

His torso was covered by a large tortoise shell that was made of the same asteroid material, donning with straps that mount miniaturized demon skulls with large, curve horns, and a belt that mounts 3 miniaturized skulls of demonic titans that also wield soot-black, burned roots with blood-red crystal shards sticking out of different places.

Valunight donned a helmet with a titanic demon skull that had 4 massive, curved horns with many spikes covering a third of their bases. The eyes of the helmet were hollow and emotionless, and they had small demon skulls with very sinister eyes, giving of the mist and sand from the sides and upward of their very thin, vertical, currant-red pupils. On the sides of the helmet were horns that curved down and upward, partially made of garnet-red crystals and mostly made of the asteroid material. His helmet concealed his entire face and both his ears, but the rest of the head was only seen as onyx-black flames and mahogany-red smoke giving off charcoal-grey embers.

Over Valunight's upper legs were gauld armor that carried 3 rows of spiky dragon spines, and two rows of 2 small demon skulls with medium-sized horns. The spikes were made of garnet-red crystal shards and the skulls were covered in metal plating. Over the bottom half of the leggings was a larger demon skull with larger horns, their eyes ablaze with this jet-black fire that had shadow-grey sand sizzling from the bottom and berry-red stars that also floated towards the sides like abnormal embers, and currant-red mist with flashing onyx-black lights. Covering those were a long, tattered, jet-black skirt with sangria-red crystal spikes in 5 rows, and in the middle was a loincloth that reach the bottom of his knees and had a very demonic, monstrous, abomination symbol with 4 enormously curved horns and 4 grotesquely grown tusks on its chin, massive fangs and slaughterous teeth.

Valunight's shoulder armor had two large, demonic dragon skulls with horns that curved down and upward on each side, and a much bigger skull with another pair of horns. Between the 3 skulls were 2 orbs of this pitch-black energy with a dark grey sandy center that pulsed and swirled around towards the center and gave off a very currant-red misty aura, and they gave off very black electricity on the eyes of the dragon skulls, which also had burning eyes. Above the skulls are 3 garnet crystal chunks that were all cracked and leaked the same liquid as the altar's pool, and all crystals gave off a very black auras and pebble-grey mist.

The horns of all the demon skulls were darkened and donned more spikes, the tips were crystallized in a lipstick-red color with more shards growing out of them. The eyes of all the pupiled demon skulls also gave off very black smoke like any fire, but they also gave off ash-grey embers that swirled upward vigorously.

His tail was in the same armor design as his legs, on the end of his tail was an asteroid-forged tailhook, made with long and sharp, garnet-red crystal spikes with triple hooks in a rhombus formation, they had 2 demon skulls lined along thew topside of the armor and 3 more pierced on each hook, and they gave of the same energy as the orbs on his shoulder armor.

Valunight's massive forearms and feet were trapped in this ancient, dark, rotten, and burnt wood with roots as armor, which were rooted with the decorative plates that had a demon skull looming over 4 smaller ones, and the horns of them were also crystallized in garnet-red shards. The wood also had bulky, currant-red, spiky, curved crystal shards, and shadow-grey tassels lined with garnet-red, crystalline dust that were also lined along the bottom of his shoulder armor. His primary claws were armored by wine-red crystals with darkly-metaled tips, and the tips of the roots on his legs had currant-red crystals growing outward. Garnet-red crystal thorns grew long and out of his arms and legs, shards of the asteroid material sprouted out of his skin and out of the armor, giving off the appearance of horns, glowing constellations in them glowed metal-black.

His horns were made of the asteroid rocks, but the upper stems are also trapped in the same wood, and the tips were much larger and longer mahogany-red crystals with larger crystal spikes as well. The top part of his horns were engulfed by demonic skeleton dragons climbing towards the tip of his horns.

His wings were massive and had huge, bulky, scythe-like, currant-red crystal shards, sharper and serrated, and the fingers on his wings were also bulky, they were very tattered, and the main sails were replaced with these jet-black ethereal ghost wings that were still very tattered and give off charcoal-grey sand and mahogany-red mist.

Hovering in front of his horns, above his head was a circular ring with a smaller, neon, garnet-red ring glowing in the middle of the metal, with six currant-red crystals, all of them shattered, but they give off a very dark black aura, merlot-red mist, and onyx-black smoke with charcoal-grey embers.

Attached, nailed, bolted and chained tormentingly to the back of his tortoise shell was a very gothic coffin, the top corners were penetrated by swords with jagged and toothy blades made of jam-red crystals, the sides of the coffin were penetrated by enormous, garnet-red crystal spines on his back, also trapped in the ancient dark wood that grew garnet-red crystal spines and spikes.

Hovering behind his back, and wings just above his tail, are 3 medium rings similar to the one in front of his head, except they had dark demon skulls with straps punctured in the top and out the bottom with garnet-red crystal spikes crested on the top, and horns that were garnet-red crystals. Inside each ring behind his back were large, garnet-red crystals tucked into cylindrical bands donned with demon skulls, and three more of them above the crests of his forehead.

Valunight wore fully-lengthened braces that had the same design as the armor on his lower legs on the top and each side, strapped to his wooden gauntlets. But underneath all those four gauntlets and cuffs are two tubes each, and a larger tubing between each of the two. Those tubes attached to a connector with multiple ports connecting to 4 of 16 medium-sized canisters attached to his belt, and three more that run under the rest of his armor and into his neck, under what Valunight also seemed wear that is a flexible armor cast around his neck, and 5 of 8 large canisters laid inside the coffin.

Surrounding him were the most demonic of dark-hearted titan skulls with very massive horns and very hollow eyes. Also by his side was a large book with the design of a single-bladed axehead. The cover was made of the same asteroid material, but it had 3 garnet-red eyes with thin, vertical, onyx-black irises and wine-red pupils. The edges of the opening and closing flaps had garnet-red crystal spikes, and encircling the 3 eyes were very ancient and unreadable runes. And in his personal bubble was ash and dust swirling slowly around him.

From the looks of it, Valunight was 23 feet tall and his tail was 11 feet long. He also appeared to be a a kind of dragon-demon hybrid.

Valunight slowly rubbed the orb and it came to see a certain baby dragon on a ledge staring out into the horizon. Valunight could see it: the rejection, the pain, the sorrow... he could even feel it.

Valunight rises from his throne and starts walking out of the throne room while the orb follows him with the same frozen image.