Chapter 7: Downfall of a Tyrant

“Why are you even here?” Umbra asked as she sat next to the dragon currently glued to a stack of papers, letters, and other documents describing accusations, sanctions, threats, embargoes, insults, and other such related topics between the nations of Zebrica and Cervidas.

“Because Equestria offered to stand as a neutral third party in these discussions to avoid a very real and potential war between the zebras and the cervids,” Spike explained, his voice reflecting a mild irritation.

Umbra scoffed. “Why do you even care? Why not let them massacre each other? Then, after their little war ends, swoop in and take the prize for yourself?”

“BECAUSE THAT’S NOT THE WILL OF HARMONY, UMBRA!” Spike roared with all his might, scaring the ever-living daylights out of the mare. Spike closed his eyes to control himself. “It’s not what my mother wants! It’s not what anyone wants! It’s not what I want! And it’s not what Harmony wants!”

Umbra stood back on her legs after falling, afraid, of the dragon in front of her. As she sat next to him again, she smirked. “You’re acting more pissy than usual, Bloodless Prince.”

“I’m sick and tired of those idiots refusing to see reason. Of them wanting to go to war just because neither side is willing to see their own faults. Of them blaming each other for their problems!” He snarled. “It doesn’t help that my current company is just as, if not more so, stubborn than they are.”

“If you’re so tired of it, why not leave them be? They are going to have their war and slaughter each other despite anything you say or do. Why are you even trying so hard for them?” Umbra questioned, leaning a little more to see his face.

“Even if my efforts are futile in the end, every day I buy for the innocents that do not want this war to happen is one more day they can live in peace and maybe find a refuge of some sort,” Spike answered, still sounding irritated but determined.

“But WHY!?” Now it was Umbra who raised her voice, stomping a hoof on the desk. “The zebras are isolationists and xenophobic maniacs that believe their species is the greatest to exist! And the cervids are so damn obsessed with their purity that they actively let their young die if they show weakness! Why are you wasting your time with these scumbags!?”

“Harmony wills it, Umbra,” Spike replied. “When we arrived two months ago, what did you see?”

“I saw two encampments ready to die for a vain cause without anyone to take advantage of their weakness and stupidity,” Umbra answered.

“I saw poor rations on the zebra’s side. I saw bucks too young to be soldiers on the cervids’ side. I saw fear and bloodlust in equal measure on both sides,” Spike put down the letter he was reading and grabbed another. “They are blinded by their own simple-mindedness. Thousands. Tens… maybe hundreds of thousands will die if we don’t stop this pointless war. They live without Harmony and Friendship in their hearts, and look at what that has given to them.”

Umbra scoffed again, jumping to her hooves to pace around their ample tent. “‘Harmony this’, ‘Harmony that’. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Bloodless Prince, but Harmony is a lie! Harmony doesn’t bring peace; it brings conflict. Harmony doesn’t let you live freely; it enslaves you to its rule. And Friendship?” She chuckled. “Friendship is an illusion! Friendship will never grant you anything but lies!”

“And that’s where you are wrong, Umbra,” Spike replied calmly.

Umbra stopped and stared at the dragon, expecting him to lash out in anger like he always did when she questioned his ideals and pillars. Instead, he was calm and collected, a far cry of the anger he displayed mere moments ago.

Glancing back, he gifted the mare with a tiny smile. “You’re alive, aren’t you?”

She neighed, lowering her head in anger. “That has nothing to do with your hollow ideals, Bloodless Prince!”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. But thanks to the pity I took on you, you’re alive today,” he then stood up and turned to face her. “You talk about how Harmony is a lie and how it enslaves those that believe in it. Yet here you stand, willing to let a war occur and planning on plundering their riches for yourself. You, the Tyrant Queen, are the least capable creature to be bashing others over slavery and domination.”

Umbra raised her head, now meeting Spike eye to eye. “That… that wasn’t me,” she began. “It was the demon that betrayed me. I never… wanted to do anything I did to the crystal ponies or the Crystal Empire.”

“Then why make a pact with a demon in the first place?” Spike asked, his posture firm.

Umbra eyed him for a moment. “You’ll never understand…”

“And you will never know if anypony can understand you if you don’t talk about it,” Spike countered. They remained silent for another minute or so before Spike broke it with a heavy sigh. “Come on. We’ve wasted enough time as it is. Continue searching for anything we can use to delay this damn war.”

“...Answer me one thing, Bloodless Prince.”

“Can this not wait until we’re done?” Spike replied, annoyed.

“You’re a dragon. And I know of your tale. I also know how you are both loved and despised by ponies and other creatures in equal measure. You managed to make the buffalo tribes bow and integrate into Equestria wholly before coming here. It was thanks to you that regular talks with the Diamond Dog Empire have been achieved. Griffonia for the first time ever opened their borders to Equestria thanks to you,” she chuckled. “Even the stubborn Yaks have agreed to open negotiations with Equestria.”

“That last one is thanks to Blueblood, not me,” he replied. “And… you forgot something, Umbra. It was thanks to you that the Breezies won’t have to depend on Equestria’s or anyone’s else’s generosity to travel in between their villages. I’m actually surprised no one thought about marking their routes as protected ventures and of Breezie sovereign land… or wind in this case.”

“And I was surprised they still existed at all,” Umbra said. “Fixing their traveling routes was something that came to mind in the spur of the moment. I simply took pi--” She stopped herself, eyes widening at what she was about to say. “In any case, Bloodless Prince, why do you care about Equestria? Everything you’ve done, including sparing my life… I’ve never seen a dragon go that far for anyone but themselves.”

“I should let you meet with my friends, Ember and Smolder. Last time they came over you were still bedridden. Ember wishes to return the dragons to their former glory, and Smolder is one of my best and hatchlinghood friends. They’re not your typical dragons,” he chuckled. “And that’s more impressive! Considering they grew up in the Dragon Lands and not in Equestria like me.”

“As for why I do everything I do? Well, Equestria is my home. I’ve seen what Harmony and Friendship can achieve. I was rescued from death by Princess Celestia, raised and loved by the Royal Sisters despite being a dragon. I was given a family, a house, a home. I don’t do it because I owe them. I do it because I love them and my home. And one day, once Equis is united under the banner of Equestria; when Harmony and Friendship hug the world, I will achieve my goal,” he explained.

“...You are either an idealistic fool or a naive daydreamer,” she sighed. “Do you think the world will bow their heads and accept Equestria’s ideals for their own? Have you learned nothing from their cultures? You can’t change everyone, no matter how hard you try. This conflict between zebras and cervids is a perfect example. Zebrica even went to war with Equestria a few hundred years ago,” she sat next to Spike once more. “I don’t see what possible good would come from helping your rivals and old enemies retain their strength. If you truly want to conquer the world, then Equestria could do it quite easily. Celestia and Luna alone could force the world into submission in a week if they wished to.”

“And what good would that bring us?” Spike asked. “Just an endless cycle of war, revenge, death, and misery. Equestria doesn’t want to conquer the world. Harmony seeks to unite it and Friendship to bind it together. That way we can finally progress as one…” His expression suddenly turned sorrowful. “Help me with that pile?”

Umbra stared at his face for a few seconds, not knowing how to feel about it. She had never seen such an expression paint his face before. But she could understand it. It was the face of someone who had seen something sad and tragic; something they’d wish could forget.

Letting out a sigh, she grabbed a scroll with a hoof and began reading. “You know,” she started. “Maybe you should think outside the box for this one.”

“Huh?” Spike glanced at her.

“If you’re really trying to prevent this war… then why not push it?”

“Push it? You mean… instigate it?” Spike asked, dumbfounded.

“No, you idiot. I’ve noticed something strange during our time here.”

“And that is?”

“They look a bit too… eager to fight. Don’t get me wrong, I would let them murder each other quite happily and leave this forsaken place. And something tells me you’re quite eager to leave as well,” Umbra said with a smirk.

“Get to the point, Umbra,” Spike ordered.

“The whole conflict started because zebra tribes invaded Cervidas in order to raid a few villages, right?”

“And in retaliation Cervidas sent small contingents to raid zebra tribes back as retribution. Rinse and repeat until this point.”

“But each side has yet to properly muster their forces for a serious fight according to Luna’s spies, right?”

“...Then why are they pushing so damn much to fight this war?” Spike questioned himself, frowning as he did. “Is it possible they are pretending it?”

Umbra shook her head. “No. They will go to war. The problem here is that they show too much eagerness to fight, whilst in reality being unprepared for an actual war between their nations,” Umbra hummed. “Spike… I think this may be a land-grab move that neither side is willing to back down from.”

“A land-grab… but what could each side possibly be after if that’s the case?” Spike asked Umbra, but all he received was a shrug in response. He closed his eyes and thought hard and long for several minutes. With a snap of his fingers, he said. “I think I know what each side is after… but they won’t accept it even if I bring it up on the table.”

“Then force them,” Umbra began. “Force them to make a decision. Push them to go to war if that is what they really want.”

Spike leaned back on his seat using his tail for support. “If I’m wrong and screw this up then all hopes for a diplomatic solution are out the window,” he muttered to himself. Then, he turned his head to Umbra. “Umbra… how would you do it?”

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

“Ah, Prince Spike, you’ve finally arrived,” a young and buff zebra warrior by the name of Zuwil, son of the current Chieftain of the Zebrica Tribes, said with fake amicability. Uncaring how obvious his tone was, he continued. “It is rare for Equestria to be late to leap at a chance of carrion.”

“The same and more can be said about you damnable pillagers,” Princess Dami of Cervidas spat. She was wearing a suit of armor but nothing more, as weapons were forbidden on neutral grounds.

“I apologize for my tardiness, Zuwil, Dami,” Spike sat down on his spot at the head of the small rectangular desk. As always, they met under a small carp to shade them from the sun. Behind each representative, a servant stood behind them, also unarmed and untrained, to serve them water or bring them food. Like the zebra and cervid, Spike wore no weapon nor did Umbra who stood behind him. She was wearing a small set of purple and green colored armor, her flank covered by metal and bearing Spike’s personal Sigil: a green flame with a purple wing inside it. “Shall we start?”

“Only if our demands are met,” Zuwil said. “My father is growing ever tired of these diplomatic meetings. And so am I. Zebrica only wishes for what it deserves after the unjustified attacks--”

“Unjustified!? You striped bastards attacked, unprovoked! Entire villages were looted and many killed! Our attacks were in retaliation for your actions!” Dami shouted.

“Again with this?” Zuwil sighed. “Have we not provided evidence that the tribes responsible were punished? Yet you attacked the wrong tribes in retaliation! Hundreds of innocents were killed without reason!” Zuwil barked. “We demand retribution, nothing more!”

“You wish for folly!” Dami barked back. “We know fully well those tribes acted under orders from your father, the Chieftain. My father will never be content without placing his damnable head on a pike unless our demands are met!”

Spike sighed. “Zuwil, Dami. Please, calm down,” slowly, the two returned to their seats, glaring at each other. “At least wait until I bring out my final proposition before you start jumping at each other’s throats.”

Dami blinked. “Final proposition?”

“Finally,” Zuwil snorted.

“This is Equestria’s final proposition,” he cleared his throat. “ ‘By order and validation of Prince Spike Solaris, in the name of Equestria and wielding all the powers it grants him. I, Prince Spike Solaris, propose a truce be called between the Nations of Zebrica and Cervidas in avoidance of needless armed conflict. Should both parties accept, Equestria will grant adequate monetary and material compensation.’ That is all,” Spike said rolling up the scroll.

“You must be joking,” Zuwil chuckled.

“For once, we are in agreement,” Dami replied. “Such a proposal isn’t worth the ink it was used on it! Cervidas will not accept anything less than our stated demands to be met!”

“Zebrica pisses on such an insulting proposal! The lives of our brothers and sisters will never be quenched unless our demands are answered!” Zuwil countered.

“I see,” Spike sighed as he stood up. “If that is your final decision, then I’m afraid Equestria cannot do anything else. Have a good day,” he bowed and turned to leave.

“W-wait a second, you’re leaving just like that?!” Dami blurted out whilst Zuwil could only stare in astonishment.

“Of course,” Spike replied. “To be honest, I’ve grown sick and tired of dealing with all of this,” he used an arm to motion at their encampments and the desk. “For two months. Two bloody months I’ve done everything in my power to try and settle your dispute in a peaceful manner. But despite my best efforts, it seems your hatred is far too great to accept a compromise. So, instead of wasting my time trying to prevent the inevitable, I’ll head back home.”

The two representatives looked at each other for a few seconds until the sound of folding paper was heard.

“Go on. Attack each other,” he said as he packed the scroll inside a satchel. “Start your war,” he pointed at their servant. “You and you, go ahead. I’m not stopping you. Slaughter each other in kind. You want revenge, no? Now that Equestria is out of your way, you can finally maim, and rape, and murder, and bludgeon, and raid each other all you want to your heart’s content.”

“Y-You can’t--” Zuwil started.

“What are you waiting for!?” He roared, making all of them flinch. “Haven’t you been saying all that shit about avenging your fallen!? Have you not made my fins bleed with promises of mutual death and destruction!? That your nations stood unflinching and desiring nothing more than spilling the blood of the other!? EEEHHH?” He slammed the table, shattering the wood upon impact.

“GO ON! Head back home to your fathers! Tell them to gather up the armies! To march forth and conscript the old and the young, the fit and the weak! The battlefield awaits for blood to run like rivers!” Spike snarled. “And once you’re all dead, lying upon the ground and feeding vultures and worms, then you can finally claim the lands you oh so desire with wanton lust and greed!” He then grabbed two scrolls and tossed them to the table.

“It took me a long time to figure out what was wrong or why you two were so adamant about taking those lands,” Spike spat. “Zebrica attacked Cervidas. Cervidas retaliated. Zebrica attacked arable and rich soil land, stealing mostly food and some valuables. Cervidas attacked a rich mining and spice land, stealing back mostly said goods,” Spike looked at them with absolute disdain, disgust, and contempt. “Don’t use the lives of those murdered during those attacks to justify your real motives.”

He said, sitting down and pulling out a set of ink and quills, plus a candle that he lit with a snort of fire.

“Inside those scrolls is a written ceasefire and the establishment of a trade-agreement between Zebrica and Cervidas. The expenses shall be sponsored by Equestria. The construction of the road shall be covered by Equestria. The wagons and carts needed for commerce to start shall be provided by Equestria. We shall also establish mutually beneficial officers in charge of overseeing transactions so that neither side takes advantage or dependence of the other,” Spike crossed his arms.

“Now sign the damn treaties, let your soldiers return to their families in peace, and enjoy your future trading. Unless, of course, you’re willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in a pointless war that will leave you exhausted and weaker than when you started,” he said.

Without uttering a single word or sound, Dami and Zuwil slowly unfolded the scrolls, read them through, and signed them. As a finishing touch, each used a wax seal to make it official and offered a drop of their blood to magically imprint the scrolls.

“Good,” Spike said as the two representatives exchanged scrolls. “As stated in the treaty, if another raid from either party is launched, Equestria shall pull its resources out and will put an effective blockade on both nations for the duration of the treaty. Farewell,” Spike stood up and turned to his tent. With a wave of his hand, the small group of unarmed royal guards began tearing his encampment down. “And have a nice day.”

He and Umbra walked away, not without the unicorn giving the group a cheeky grin.

Once they were back in their encampment, they were quick to get on the chariot they had arrived in. With a nod, the four pegasuses spread their wings and departed from the no-creature’s land knowing the others would soon follow. With a glance down, Spike and Umbra noticed that Zuwil and Dami were returning to their respective encampments.

“I can’t believe that actually worked,” Umbra said, smirking.

“Yeah me nei--,” Spike turned his head to Umbra so fast his neck popped a vertebra. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“HA! You should see your face!” Umbra laughed before turning to the front. “It was a throw of the dice, really,” she confessed. “If all they wanted to get their hooves on was the land, then it would work. Which it did. If not, well, not your problem anymore.”

“...” Spike stared at her, dumbfounded, for several seconds. “I am going to focus on the fact that it worked and that a war was, hopefully, avoided.”

“Do you really think they’ll back down after that?”

“It’s a possibility,” Spike sighed before sitting down. “Thank you, Umbra.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m part of your entourage, am I not? Besides, what would you do without my wise council and priceless help?” She flattered herself.

“Probably live without a constant headache,” he replied, earning a glare from the mare. “But while I’m thankful for your aid, I was talking about another thing.”

“What ‘another thing’?” She raised an eyebrow.

Spike smirked. “That was the first time you’ve called me by my name, Umbra. Thank you.”

Umbra glared at him for a few seconds more, then closed her eyes returning her attention forward. “My tongue slipped, that is all, Bloodless Prince.”

“Whatever you say, Umbra,” Spike replied. “Man, I can’t wait to get home after all this time,” he breathed in deeply. “I miss everypony. Once I’m back, I’m going to hug mom and aunt Luna for a whole hour.”

Umbra stifled a laugh. “I seriously don’t get you. How is it possible you can be the scariest thing I’ve ever seen one moment and the next this fresh off the teat colt?”

“I take great offense to that, you know?” Spike said, a smile spreading across his face. “I’m just excited to finally get back home and relax for some time.”

“Equestria is not going anywhere. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? More forgotten vines sprouting and taking over Equestria while we were gone?” She chuckled.

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

Spike and Umbra watched, aghast, at the devastation a gigantic centaur was causing. Throughout the land; leveling mountains, creating new canyons and crevices, obliterating fields and trees with ease. Everywhere they looked, destruction was there to meet them.

“Lord Tirek!” He cursed the name, knowing who the only centaur alive was.

Letting out a roar of anger, Spike spread his wings and flew as fast as they would allow him. He ignored the warning calls from Umbra and the pegasi guards while he accelerated towards the centaur. He was half-way through when he saw a bright sphere emerge from the depths of the Everfree Forest. Tirek shot a beam of corrupted magic at the sphere achieving nothing. After what seemed to be a brief exchange, the sphere shot six magic beams in the form of a rainbow at Tirek.

The giant centaur screamed in pain as he became shorter and shorter, millions of small magical wisps flying in all directions. Five in particular stuck out. Three of them flew towards Tartaturs: a Golden, a Dark Blue, and a Teal wisps. Another Lavender one plus five small ones followed the raising sphere to the skies. And a final chromatic, chaotic one, much bigger than the rest went down.

A sudden explosion of light and Harmonic energy covered the land, restoring the most grievous damage Tirek had done to the land in its wake. Then, a rainbow emerged from the Forest and landed in Ponyville. Seconds later, a castle emerged.

By the time he arrived at the newly formed castle, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Discord appeared.

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

“Hello, Tirek,” Spike said after landing in front of his cage. Getting off of his back, Umbra stepped back. “Umbra, keep Cerberus entertained while I talk with Lord Tirek.”

“...Are you sure you can do this?” Umbra questioned.

“You saw what he did... What he almost caused,” Spike snorted smoke. “I will be done soon. Go to Cerberus.”

“If that’s what you want,” she said, obeying without further reproach.

“Ah! If it isn’t the reptile Prince,” Tirek chuckled. “I actually wondered where you were hiding. Have you come to gloat over my defeat?”

“I’ve come to see a fool trapped inside a cage,” Spike replied. Then, he chuckled.

Confused, Tirek was taken aback by the sudden shift in emotions. Gone was the anger, replaced by a mocking grin. “Why are you laughing?”

“I’ve come to congratulate you, that’s all. You nearly doomed Equestria and countless others. Absorbing the magic of millions. Tricking Discord by offering something he had come to cherish yet not fully understand. Really, I congratulate you on making Discord see the true meaning of Friendship. He will never embrace Harmony. But he now understands Friendship, and his bond with Fluttershy is stronger than before,” he laughed some more. “But you made one grave mistake, Tirek.”

“Mistake? I do not make mistakes! I am Lord Tirek, you insolent whelp!” He yelled as he opened his mouth. In a flash, a purple-scaled hand shut it close and Tirek whimpered, desperately trying to free himself from the grip of the dragon threatening to break his bones.

Spike squeezed just a little tighter, his claws digging into Tirek’s flesh. “You almost destroyed everything the mares I love above all things have worked and strived to build. You nearly caused ruin and damnation not only to MY home and MY mares; you nearly killed uncounted millions across the world. Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Cadance… even Discord and the girls, Shining, Blueblood… everypony believes the best punishment is for you to stay here, locked away where you won’t cause any more trouble,” he snarled, presenting his fangs. “But I digress.”

“They don’t know I’m here. And they won’t know I was here,” he looked at Umbra as she played with Cerberus. He then returned his gaze to Tirek. “I believe in second chances, for Harmony wills it. But you’ve squandered every chance you’ve gotten. You even led to the extinction of two species in your wicked and damnable pursuit for power,” squeezing his jaw more and moving his hand down he forced Tirek’s mouth to open.

As he stared deeply into Tirek’s terror-filled eyes as tears flowed down his eyes, gurgling pleas for mercy arriving at deaf ears.

“For all the lives lost at your hands and actions. For all the despair and ruination you’ve caused. For all the suffering you’ve caused throughout millennia… I, Spike Solaris, condemn you to death,” Spike proclaimed without an ounce of compassion or mercy.

“Nhhggooo….P...P-Pweeuuseee… f-fhon’t… ghillk meeeee…” Tirek cried.

“You want to eat power? Fine by me. Eat mine.”

With that final declaration, Spike took in a huge breath. Orange fire accumulated in his maw, quickly turning red, then blue, then green, then white. Until it finally turned purple.

One final look of pure horror from Tirek later, Spike unleashed a torrent of purple flames directly into his mouth. He didn’t have time to scream as the fire seared and melted him from the inside out in mere seconds. Purple flames erupted from his nostrils, eye sockets, ears, intestines, back… everywhere.

Ten seconds later, Tirek was gone. Nothing but mere ashes and some waste lying on the floor of his cage remained of the once-mighty centaur. A ‘fwoosh’ of purple fire later, not even that remained. He didn’t have to worry about leaving marks on the cage itself. They had been designed and created by his grandmother, Moonlight, and were virtually indestructible.

“So… it is done,” Umbra said, arriving at Spike’s side. “I thought you were going to back down.”

“He got what he deserved after all the crimes he’d committed,” Spike replied, offering his back.

Umbra climbed on. “You are full of surprises. Aren’t you worried I’ll tell Celestia and Luna what you have done?”

Flapping his wings, he left Tartarus via a short-ranged pyreportation. “I will tell them when the time comes. They won’t approve, I’m sure of it. But Tirek was far too dangerous to let him live and allow him another chance to wreak havoc. We may not be able to stop him again if that were to happen,” he frowned. “I wasn’t willing to take that risk.”

“And if other enemies as dangerous as Tirek show up? Are you going to kill them too?”

“It is the will of Harmony to grant second chances, Umbra. If they squander it… perhaps,” he snarled. “I’m not afraid to stain my hands if it means protecting those I love, my friends, and my home,” he replied.

“...I may have judged you wrongly after all. You’ve earned my respect… Spike. ”

Chapter 7 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!