Chapter 6: Umber Crystal and Ascended Twilight

Spike grunted as he peered out the window onto the frozen landscape of the North. Behind him were the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony: Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy Breeze, Rainbow Dash, Rarity Belle, Applejack Apple, and Pinkamena Diane Pie (Aka, Pinkie Pie). While they were chatting, mostly to mask their discomfort at seeing such a nasty weather rage outside, he was more focused on what needed to be done.

He glanced back at Twilight, noticing how nervous and frightened she was. Then again, his mother; her mentor and second mother, practically shoved to her the responsibility to solve the problem regarding the Crystal Empire and Queen Umbra.

“Queen Umbra…,” he muttered, too quietly for anypony to hear him and returned his gaze to the raging storm outside. His knowledge about the Tyrant Queen, the Empress of Dark Crystals, was limited at best, and what little he knew was thanks to Luna. Apparently, Queen Umbra had once been a resident of the Crystal Empire until, somehow, she gained the power to take it for herself in the absence of the ancient Princess Amore. By the time she returned, Amore had to call in Celestia and Luna for their aid against Umbra.

The battle against Umbra was successful, but not without Princess Amore giving her life in order to protect the Empire, locking it away in a pocket dimension for a thousand years. Celestia and Luna, filled with regret at the loss of one of their dearest friends, had cursed Umbra, transforming her into an Umber Pony and sealing her away in the depths of the icy, frozen far north.

But there was something off about that whole story. He couldn’t exactly tell what, but he knew something more was amiss. Above all, what allowed her to achieve enough power to pose a threat to alicorns and why she desired the Crystal Empire were questions left unanswered.

He was brought out of his stupor when he felt the train coming to a halt rather harshly. He allowed the six mares to step outside once the train came to a full stop at the forsaken station. He once more focused on Twilight and narrowed his eyes. He knew it was a test, but for what purpose? He did not know. And while he would never question the wisdom of his mother, he simply could not understand what compelled her to send Twilight and her friends ALONE and without the Elements to the Crystal Empire. He was even more baffled when Luna, of all ponies, begrudgingly agreed to such an insane plan.

He had to beg them both to at least allow him to travel with Twilight and Bearers, just in case they were biting more than they could chew. Damn be his dealings with the Buffalo Tribes; hollow was his diplomatic push with the Minotaurs, and the increasingly growing conflict between Zebrica and Cervidas could bite his tail. He was not going to abandon his best friend and the girls he had come to like and genuinely care for, face on their own such a daunting task.

As he stepped out of the wagon, he felt the freezing bite of the land on his scales. Normally, such weather was nothing to a dragon. Even magically enchanted weather was useless against him. But this was… different. It was as if the weather itself was sick and corrupted.

“Twilight!” A voice called from within the storm.

“Shining Armor?” Twilight suddenly replied.

Spike looked at the figure approaching through the hailing storm and saw Shining Armor wearing cold weather clothing and anti-snow goggles.

“Twily!” Shining Armor called, the two siblings rushing to nuzzle each other. “We have to get moving now! There are things out here in the storm that we really don’t want to cross paths with after dark,” he warned.

“W-What kinds of things?” Fluttershy asked meekly.

“Let’s just say that the Empire isn’t the only thing that has returned,” Shining answered.

Spike narrowed his eyes even further as he looked around the storm. He suspected what Shining Armor was referring to, but didn’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet. The older unicorn then began guiding them back to the Crystal Empire through the storm. After a few minutes, he suddenly halted, looked around for a few seconds, then began moving again.

“Something is out here,” he began. “Something that keeps trying to enter the Crystal Empire! We believe it may be the unicorn mare who originally cursed the place!”

“Queen Umbra,” Spike muttered.

“I don’t understand! Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sent me to help protect the Crystal Empire, but if Queen Umbra can’t get in, doesn’t that mean it's already being protected?” Twilight asked.

Suddenly, a howling, dark wind could be heard from all around the place, the sounds chilling their spines and making their stomachs do summersaults.

“T-That’s one of the things, isn’t it!?” Fluttershy asked fearfully.

“We have to get to the Crystal Empire, now!” He ordered.

As if on cue, a swirling mass of shadows manifested itself behind the group. Two giant crimson-colored eyes with a vomiting green sclera and purple mist flowing out of them appeared on the dark mist as it growled and snarled.

Spike took in a deep breath before unleashing a torrent of green fire against the mist.

“RUN!” Shining commanded.

The group immediately broke into a run as fast as their legs allowed them to as the mist emerged through the green flames, completely unscathed. Flying backward was tricky, but Spike managed to do it and it allowed him to spit fireballs at the Tyrant Queen whilst Shining Armor and Twilight shot random magic beams at her. All of their attacks had the precise same effect upon the Queen.

“Almost there!” Shouted Shining as a teal-colored dome in the distance came into view.

Rushing forth, Spike picked Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy up whilst Rainbow Dash picked Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Spike looked back to see Shining supercharge his horn for a massive spell as he stopped and turned to the Queen.

“SHINING!” Spike shouted as they approached the barrier. He then tossed his friends at the barrier before banishing in a curtain of green fire.

Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity landed on the surprisingly springy grass without harm. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack entered safely a moment later. “Spike! Shining!” Twilight shouted. She was about to charge out when Spike and her big brother jumped through the barrier. Shining’s horn was encrusted with dark crystals while the base of Spike’s wings also displayed them.

“Oh no…” Twilight whimpered as she approached the two of them. “Shining Armor, your horn! And Spike, your wings!”

While Shining tried and failed to use his horn, Spike painfully spread his wings and flapped them. While he could hover and fly to a limited extent, Shining shook his head in shame.

Getting back up, the group, minus Shining, was marveled at their first sight of the Crystal Empire. The group walked to the Palace as they admired the sights of the shimmering, beautiful crystal structures that permeated almost the entirety of the landscape. From the flowers, to the grass, to the roads, lamps, spires, houses, and even the trees. All of it was made out of crystals. The one thing they found odd, however, was that they had not seen a single inhabitant yet.

“Where is everypony?” Spike asked Shining.

“Inside their homes for now. Cadance told them she was taking care of things until it was safe, but I don’t know for how long they’ll obey,” he replied.

“This Palace is simply gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! Marvelous! And so pristine!” Rarity exclaimed as they approached the central Palace. “T-There are… no words!”

“Focus, Rarity. We’re here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery,” Applejack said somewhat annoyed.

“Ehhh, I don’t even know what the big deal is. It looks like any other old castle to me,” Rainbow Dash said.

Rarity muttered incomprehensible noises for a couple of seconds, expressing her shock and disbelief. “A-Another old--!? Have you lost your mind!? Look at the exquisite--” Her words died in her mouth as Rainbow and Applejack shared a quick laugh between them. “Very funny,” she said sheepishly.

Whilst the girls admired the view and joked as they entered the palace, Spike approached Shining. Using hand signs and commands, he asked. “How bad is it?”

*Clip* *Clip* Clop* and an eye-roll followed by a flash of his teeth. ‘Really bad. We’re on our limit’ was the unicorn’s reply.

“How much longer do you think the Empire can hold out against her?” Spike asked.

‘A couple of days at best. Hours at worst’. Shining replied with a pause. ‘It all depends on Cadance’.

“Cadance?” Spike muttered. After another minute of travel, the group made it into the Throne Room. There, they saw a tired, weakly, but still, healthy-looking Cadance sitting on the throne. He noticed her horn surrounded by magic and glanced to Shining, the unicorn nodding confirming his suspicion. While Twilight rushed to greet her sister-in-law, Spike remained in the back along with Shining. “That bad, huh?”

“It’s worse than you think. The moment Cadance fails, we’re doomed. Somehow, only her Love and Light magic have been able to keep Umbra and the weather out,” he replied. He rushed to his wife when he saw her flinch and her magic flicker after doing their little dance.

While Shining explained the situation, Spike began to ponder on his mother and aunt’s actions. He’d gotten a taste of how strong Umbra was, but he doubted that she could stand against three alicorns for more than a few seconds. What could be so important or so secret that they couldn’t let even him know? Why didn’t they allow Blueblood to come along and help his sister?

“For Harmony’s sake, what is going on?” Spike asked himself, unable to comprehend the situation.

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

“As it turns out, shit is happening right now!” Spike cursed quietly as he saw the barrier keeping Umbra drop. Then, miraculously, the barrier came back to life. Spike clenched his first, shattering the straw decoration Rarity had just finished making. He knew what it meant. Both that his cousin was on her last burst of energy and that their time was nearly out. Worst of all, they just found out that the Crystal Heart was an actual Crystal Heart, a Relic of the Crystal Empire, and the source of the Empire’s vast power. Having to deal with ponies suffering from a dark magic curse-based amnesia had not been a pleasant thing. Less so after knowing that running this fair would lift their spirits only to break them again once Cadance collapses.

Rushing through the sky came Rainbow Dash and whispered something to Rarity that made her gasp. Then, she was off again leaving a shocked Rarity behind.

“I… eeeehhh...just found out they are offering face painting for the little ones, aha-ha!” She said, which managed to convince the crystal ponies.

“What did Rainbow say?” Spike whispered as he leaned towards Rarity. She wasted no time to inform him of what was transpiring. “Uh-huh… Oh… that’s bad… TWILIGHT’S DOING WHAT!?” He screamed.

Without even thinking about it, Spike rushed to the palaceas fast as his legs allowed him. His search didn’t last long as he saw Twilight walking to the palace. “Twilight!” He hollered and she turned to face him. “Are you insane? There’s no way I’m letting you go by yourself. I’m coming with you.”

“You can’t, Spike. This is my test and I must do it on my own. I must retrieve the Crystal Heart on my own,” she revealed before turning back to the palace and continuing on her quest.

“And that’s why I’m coming with you,” he began, walking at her side. “If it is your test, Grandfather Aurora give me the wisdom to see through Celestia and Luna’s actions, you will need help. So, like it or not, I’m coming with you. But I promise I won’t do anything unless you ask me to or if there’s no way for you to do it alone,” he nudged her flank with his hips. “Besides, the girls will be able to keep things in control without us for some time.”

Twilight smiled. “You’re such a great friend, Spike. Thank you.” With a neigh and a stomp, she was off running like the wind towards the palace.

“So, what’s the plan?” Spike asked as he ran at her side.

“I think I might just know where Queen Umbra hid the Crystal Heart.”

Spike looked ahead. “The Palace? I was going there in hopes of catching you. You think Umbra used the palace itself to hide it?”

“It makes sense when you think about it. The Queen would’ve counted on the fact that nopony would dare approach the palace in the first place. That they’d be too afraid to even try,” she replied in a serious, confident tone.

“It does make sense. I hope you’re right,” Spike confessed as they climbed the stairs.

“You and me both. Not like we have any other clues,” Twilight bit her lower lip and they entered the castle.

The duo searched the castle up and down with frantic speed. However, try as they might, they found nothing that would lead them to any sort of hidden chamber or secret passage. It wasn’t until they entered the throne room once more that Twilight had an epiphany.

“Of course!” She exclaimed.

“What?” Spike asked, putting a vase back on its pedestal. “Did you find it?”

“No. Because this isn’t Queen Umbra’s palace!” She exclaimed happily, trotting to the throne as she did.

“But she lived here when she ruled, didn’t she?” Spike asked. Then his eyes widened. “Right! She stole it from Princess Amore!”

“Exactly! This is how it looked when Princess Amore ruled, not Umbra. If we want to see Umbra’s doing then…” Twilight closed her eyes and exhaled heavily. Focusing on her magic, her lavender aura quickly began to darken. Grunting and sweating, Twilight struggled to accomplish her goal, but she was successful.

With a beam of dark, purple bubbling magic directed at the crystal sitting atop the throne, the crystal reacted and created an ample shadow over the ground in front of the throne, revealing a hidden underground passage.

“Where in the hay did you learn to cast dark magic!?” Spike asked in a panic.

“It’s a little trick Celestia taught me!” Twilight said cheerfully, pleased with her achievement.

“She never taught you anything even remotely close to dark magic!” Spike exclaimed. “The only time she ever used it was back in the… castle… Twilight,” his eyes went wide. “Did you seriously learn how to use dark magic just by seeing mother cast it once!?”

“Eyup!” She replied, equally pleased.

“...I don’t know if I should be amazed or afraid of how good you’re with magic,” he chuckled. “I know your special talent is magic. I just never realized it would be this strong!” He looked down the hole. “Next time you do something amazing with magic you’ll be time traveling or something like that,” with a burst of fire, Spike and Twilight watched his fireball travel down the dark passage until the fire dissipated. Spike whistled, impressed. “But right now, how about we focus on the endless pit of stairs?”

“Lets!” She agreed.

“Ccccrrrryyystals!” A booming voice was heard saying.

Looking out the window, they saw Cadance’s barrier flicker and waver. Outside, they would barely make out the figure of Queen Umbra’s face mixed in the mist, her horn flaring with dark magical energies. Then, from within the barrier, crystals began to reform and reshape into dark, twisted, corrupted versions of themselves.

“No time to waste!” Spike yelled. Grabbing Twilight, he rushed for the hole and dived without thinking twice. Twilight screamed in surprise at his action but was quick to recover; her horn creating an orb of light so they could see in that dark pit. Once Spike saw the bottom nearing fast, he spread his wings and flapped. He winced as the dark crystals encrusted at their base caused him a lot of pain.

Knowing he would not be able to fully come to a safe halt before reaching the bottom, he turned around and threw Twilight up two seconds before he hit the bottom. “AArrrgghh!” He cried in pain as he felt the crystal break and dig past some of his scales. Still, he was able to safeguard Twilight’s fall with his belly, the mare landing on it at a much-reduced speed.

“Are you okay, Spike?” Twilight asked worriedly.

“I’ll be better once the hayburger addict gets off me,” he said with a smirk, earning a jab to the chest. As she moved away, Spike stood up only to feel some of his blood trickling across his back. “I am really starting to hate these crystals.”

“There, a door!” Twilight pointed to said door. Walking up to it proved futile as the door moved to the side. “What the hay?”

“It must be an Anti-Thief door. It moves around on its own until it is given the right command. Luna has a lot of them in her treasury, room, and Night Guard training grounds,” Spike explained. “The problem is, we don’t know what the command is.”

“Is it a word or a phrase?” Twilight asked.

“It can literally be anything the creator programmed into the door.”

“I have an idea,” Twilight closed her eyes again and through a quick focus, she shot the door’s crystal sitting on its top. The door opened and Twilight smiled. “I think I got it!”

Spike watched the door open and… nothing happened. There was only a wall. He then looked at Twilight, sitting in front of the door, eyes wide and glowing with green magic whilst tears began to fall down her eyes. “Twilight! Twilight! Snap out of it! Twilight!” He called, shaking her until she reacted.

“S-Spike? W-Where Princess Celestia? Canterlot? M-My test! I failed my--” She was interrupted by Spike, as he closed her mouth with a hand.

“Twilight, listen to me. I think you were under the influence of a counter-spell. You were staring at the door and then--” his words died in his throat as his eyes began glowing green. Letting go of Twilight’s muzzle, Spike stared into empty space. “No!” He suddenly snarled, jumping back and holding his head. “I-Illusion! M-Mom would never… Luna! I… I will! For Harmony! She promised… m-my wiiiaaaaargggh!” He rambled before Twilight closed the door.

Breathing heavily, he turned to Twilight. “Thank you, Twily,” Spike rubbed his templates. “It must’ve been an illusion. A powerful one at that.”

“Strong enough to make you see your worst nightmare,” Twilight agreed. “But not enough to stop me from fulfilling my test,” she said before casting another spell at the door, this time dispelling it entirely and revealing what laid behind.

“While I agree that your test is important, Twilight. I think stopping Umbra is more important,” he argued. Walking through the door frame, he and Twilight found more stairs. “Oh great, just what we needed.”

“Come on, Spike. Less complaining, more climbing!” Twilight exclaimed.

The two of them climbed up the seemingly infinite stairs for the better part of half an hour, but nothing came out of it.

“Seriously, what’s with Umbra being obsessed with crystals and stairs!?” Spike complained. “Are you sure we’re not under another illusion or trapped in another one of Umbra’s obstacles to make us think we are climbing stairs but instead we’re walking in circles?”

“This is the seventh time you’ve complained, Spike. And for the seventh time, I already cast all the dispelling spells I know! This is the real world,” she looked up. “Mmhhmm,” she mused.

“Oh no. I know that look. What are you thinking, Twi?” Spike asked. The next thing he knew, he was being lifted by a magical aura and placed on Twilight’s back. “...given our sizes… I find this incredibly demeaning for both of us.”

“Good thing there’s only us two here! Now, hold on tight!” She replied before her horn glowed with an intense magical flare and quite suddenly, the gravity went haywire for a moment around them. Landing on the sleek, smooth surface of the understairs, Twilight began to slide quickly and with ease.

Within moments, the two of them reached the end of the stairway and reached the top. With another glow of her horn, the gravity around them was back to normal.

“Quick, get the Crystal Heart, and get this over with!” Spike pointed at the majestic and beautiful Crystal Heart.

Twilight nodded and rushed to the Heart. However, the moment she set hoof on the circle below the Heart, an enraged snarled could be heard coming from all over the place, followed shortly after by a prison of dark crystals, capturing both Twilight and the Heart inside.

Twilight tried to teleport, but the moment she was out, dark magic pulled her back inside the prison. “Gah! How could I’ve been so foolish!?” She cried. “I was so eager to get the Crystal Heart and complete my test that I didn’t think about checking for traps!” She muttered.

“Let me try!” Spike rushed to the growing dark crystals. He kicked, tail slammed, punched, clawed, and even bit. But whatever damage he made on them, it was instantly reconstructed. Worse still, was that the crystals, due to being imbued with dark magic, managed to make the experience painful for him.

“Spike…,” Twilight said from the inside. “There’s no time to waste. Here, take the Crystal Heart and give it to Cadance!”

“I have a better idea! I’ll take you both out!” He said. Closing his eyes for a moment, Spike growled before a burst of flames engulfed his body. An instant later, he reappeared inside the prison, grabbed Twilight and the Heart before another burst of green fire engulfed them again, only for the three of them to reappear outside of it. To his horror, sadly, Twilight was pulled back inside, but not the Heart. “Twilight!”

“GO, SPIKE!” Twilight shouted.

Nodding, Spike made it to the edge of the spire. He flexed his wings and found he was far too hurt to even glide. Grunting, he jumped to a nearby dark crystal to begin his descent. As he moved down, he saw Cadance’s remaining strength leave her entirely. With the barrier down, Queen Umbra made her way into the city undisturbed.

“My Crystal Slaaaaaaveeeessssss!” She said with great delight.

Looking down, Spike saw his friends and cousin on the balcony. “Hey, up here! I’ve got the Crystal Heart!”

“That is MINE!” Umbra angrily shouted.

Spike watched as Umbra plunged her body of mist onto the ground and then emerged moments later in the form of several dark crystal stalagmites. She emerged from the biggest and thickest one.

“You will all see! You will all see Amore isn’t the only one that can lead you!” Umbra shouted, her voice as booming and coarse as before.

“Shit!” Spike cursed as the spire he was climbing down snapped, forcing him and the Heart into a freefall. “Damn these crystals!” He complained as he tried, and failed, to move his wings correctly. Suddenly, the Crystal Heart began to shine brightly. He saw as Umbra’s mist body, the curse that was placed on her by Celestia and Luna a millennia ago, was washed away from her; returning her flesh and blood body entirely.

Looking down to the balcony again, he saw Shining Armor… pick Cadance up and over his head? His mouth went agape upon seeing Shining THROW his wife as if she was a javelin. Returning his gaze to Umbra, he saw the desperation in her eyes, the hunger and need to get to the Heart, and the assuredness of her victory.

In a moment of decision, Spike knew what he had to do. With the Crystal Heart still in hand, he threw it at Cadance’s direction whilst he, through a literal bloody flap of his wings, smashed himself against Umbra. Grabbing her by her now very physical neck, Spike began to punch her face whilst she fired beams of dark magic at him, encasing his chest, half his face, wings, and punching arm in a layer of dark crystals.

“Behold, it’s the Crystal Princess!” A random crystal pony shouted as Cadance glided down holding the Crystal Heart with her magic.

“NOOO! It’s my Crystal Heart! I AM THE RULER! QUEEN UMBRA!” Umbra shouted, trying and failing to get rid of Spike. With the Crystal Heart back in its proper place, the crystal ponies, led by Cadance, filled it with renewed energy. The Heart, in turn, filled everything with its energy, and through the Palace, an eruption of purifying energy flowed through.

Spike, in the meantime, using his remaining free eye, glared at Umbra until he saw something deep within her eyes. There was no fear. This monster wasn’t afraid. It was angry as it saw its defeat. But within its eyes… he saw something else. Something familiar.

Whenever he looked into Luna’s eyes, he could see the Nightmare lurking within her, scrapping at the door in a perpetual battle. Now that he saw deeply inside Umbra’s eyes, he could see the same but in reverse. He could see a weak presence; shackled and bound by the monster outside. As the wave of energy hit them, destroying his dark crystal confinements in an instant, he saw the Queen’s body crack and shatter as the purifying energies coursed through her body.

In an act of pity and understanding, for the similarities were too great for him to ignore, Spike embraced the Dark Queen as she shouted in pain and hatred.

“NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Spike fell from the skies, but with his wings healed and back in working order, he glided down to land on the balcony of the Palace.

With a malnourished, sickly, passed out, and near-dying mare in his arms.

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

“Life in Equestria Shimmers. Like in Equestria shiiiiines~” Spike sang softly as he watched the parade of the newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship and Magic.

He smiled, proud as he could be for one of his best friends. When he heard the news he could hardly believe it, even if it had been Blueblood who told him such. From his window, he could see Twilight and the other Bearers singing, trotting slowly, and waving at the gathered inhabitants of Canterlot and Equestria come to see their newest Princess.

It was only after her ascension and subsequent explanations from Celestia and Luna that he understood why they had to keep it a secret. “Princess Twilight Sparkle. That’s going to take some time to get used to.”

“Why are you here with me instead of outside with them?” A weak, trembling yet firm voice asked.

Glancing at the bed in the room, Spike saw a weak mare on the right path to recovery. Her condition was still frail, but she’d soon be able to start walking on her own once again. Her red-blood eyes were locked on his own; a mixture of contempt, confusion, anger, betrayal, sadness, and just a hint of respect was reflected in her ruby eyes. With a smile, he returned his attention to the window and the parade. “I’m responsible for your well-being, Umbra. Do I have to tell you again how much I had to beg mother, Luna, and basically everyone else to spare your life?”

“You should’ve let me die,” she said without hesitation. “I don’t need anyone’s pity.”

“Well, you’re stuck with my pity, whether you like it or not.”

“Trusting me is a mistake. I’ll betray you eventually.”

“The moment you do, I’ll lop off your head myself,” Spike exclaimed calmly. “You’re both my prisoner and responsibility, Umbra. Your life is in my hands. If you really want to die, I’ll do it so when it pleases me and only after you betray me,” he sighed. “Harmony and Friendship demands of me to give you a second chance and… I don’t believe you were entirely evil. The mere fact that I was able to save you as the Crystal Heart destroyed that damn demon that possessed you is proof enough of that.”

Umbra was silent for several moments as the monitor she was hooked beeped. “I will not be your slave. I will not be your breeding whore if that’s what you’re planning. And I will never bow to you willingly, Bloodless Prince.”

“And I hope you one day tell me why you did what you did, Umbra,” Spike turned to Umbra. “As for your worries, well. It’s a good thing I never intended to do any of those things,” he chuckled. “You know, it’s funny now that I think about it. I nearly lost my mind when Celestia told me she wanted to free Discord because he deserved a second chance.”

“She wants his power, nothing more,” Umbra replied.

“Oh please,” Spike scoffed. “Do you really believe we could stop Discord without the Elements? That she can somehow control him?” He smiled. “He may deserve a second chance, and Fluttershy, of all ponies, gave him that chance! Now, while we can’t really call him an ally, he’d at least limit his chaos to his own home, wherever that is, and what little chaos he can safely do here and there,” he remained silent for a solid minute.

“I don’t know what really compelled me to try and save you, Umbra. Was it really pity? Or was it because you and Luna share similar misfortunes? As it stands… I’m not sure. But Fluttershy gave Discord the benefit of the doubt and a second chance. She gave him something he had never experienced,” he sat on her bed, his eyes locked on her missing horn. Without the demon that had possessed her, all her corrupted magic was purged but at the temporal cost of her horn. She’d get it back in a few months or years.

“And that thing is?”

“Kindness,” Spike answered. “Discord had been alone for… I don’t want to even think about it. But once Fluttershy came and gave him her complete trust with open hooves, despite knowing he was most likely going to use and betray her at some point in some way, she still trusted Discord. And when Discord felt the pain of having to be alone again… he knew he had been defeated. All thanks to a shy, innocent mare with a heart of gold that showed him kindness and allowed him to see the beauty of Harmony and Friendship.”

“Spare me the bland exposition, Bloodless Prince,” Umbra groaned. “What does that have to do with me?”

“That I plan on giving you a second chance in full. I will not treat you as a slave, but as a friend. A colleague and a companion,” he pressed his finger on the collar she was wearing. With a flash of golden light, it was gone and Spike removed it, much to the amused astonishment of Umbra. “If you accept my offer, I’ll take you in as a member of my entourage. But only after you’re back to perfect health.”

“...The Princesses won’t approve of your action,” Umbra warned. “You just gave me ample room to escape and betray you at my leisure.”

“It is the will of Harmony and Friendship for me to try. After that, if you betray my trust, you will face dire consequences. At my hands, if at all possible,” Spike countered.

Umbra laughed.

Chapter 6 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!