Spike's Kingdom

Twilight Sparkle spent two weeks in solitude after Spike revealed the Dragon Egg raidings and the possible theory of Princess Cadance's involvement as the mysterious Princess who led the brigade since Princess Celestia visited her after hatching Spike during the entrance exam. Her friends are concerned with Twilight's silence, even when Starlight Glimmer tries to persuade her to leave the castle for fresh air and fellowship.

Twilight has notes on her walls about the possible spells and enchantments available and attempts to remember her time with Princess Cadance and the reasons for her absence during certain days when she was depressed before going to Celestia's School for the Gifted.

Twilight is unsure about Princess Cadance conjuring a deception spell from the Canterlot Library by Starswirled the Bearded's wing; she crossed out time magic since the scroll for traveling one time and was doable but only lasted a few moments, and it took Starlight to complete the time travel sequence when she used the map in the throne room.

Maybe Princess Cadance used her love spell for hypnotism to bring forth the small army to invade the Dragon Lands?" Twilight thought to herself to prevent anypony from eavesdropping on her spoken theories and likely outcomes to uncover the mystery. "She must have adorned the armor and concealed herself or fell into Queen Chrysalis' grasp the first time, which led her to discover what a Changeling is when Queen Chrysalis came for her a second time?" Twilight groans in frustration, wishing she had the answer about the mysterious Princess and informing Spike and all of Dragon Lands to ensure justice gets established while hoping Princess Cadance is not the culprit but someone else.

Laying on the ground, staring at the ceiling in solitude, Twilight decides to visit Princess Cadance and ask her about any dark secret Princesses may hide from the public or keep to themselves and how to cope. "Deceiving a possible deceiver with a little lie for the truth?" Twilight thought to herself, though she hated the idea of exposing Princess Cadance as the culprit; she loves her as a friend and sister-in-law would.

After an hour of a back-and-forth battle in her mind about going through with the idea, Twilight writes to Princess Cadance about visiting the Crystal Empire and spending time with her family, and hoping there are no calamities in the Crystal Empire since she's a magnet for disasters. She immediately got confirmation from Princess Cadance about the visitation; however, Starlight Glimmer must oblige and travel with her since Sunburst asked for a day to spend with his best friend. Twilight moaned in frustration and accepted the arrangement; she hoped Spike and the Dragons wouldn't come and interrupt her visitation, which would deter her from finding the truth.

The moment Twilight steps out of her room, Pinkie Pie rushes her to the throne room with a party to commemorate the honor of Twilight, seeing her friends after spending two weeks in isolation like solitary confinement. Twilight urges Pinkie to subside the party, for she has royal affairs at the Crystal Empire, and Twilight needs Starlight Glimmer's company for the voyage. Pinkie Pie complies under one condition to have a party when she returns from her trip after spending two weeks in solitary confinement. Twilight accepts Pinkie's requirement and trots to Starlight's room to briefly discuss their line of duty for today's agenda.

Starlight is happy to be with Twilight for the first time in two weeks after hearing nothing from her teacher or reevaluating any friendship lecture for a pop quiz or test; she's excited to be with Sunburst under normal circumstances rather than disaster and conflicts in the midst. The duo are riding the train, watching their friends wave bye as they depart, which gives Twilight time to reflect and perhaps discuss the details Spike mentioned through the memory-link transfer.

"What's on your mind, Twilight?" Starlight notices her teacher's demeanor changing during the trip to the Crystal Empire with much on her mind; she's concerned about Twilight's feelings amid the visitation.

Twilight sighed deeply, knowing she wanted to explain Spike's goals to Starlight and deliver justice to the Dragon Lands while presenting the possibility of Princess Cadance and Queen Chrysalis being the sole culprits of the heinous crime; however, she refrained from having her student jeopardize likely scenarios when the two meet up with Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and Sunburst near the Crystal Heart.

"It's about what happened to Thorax and how I allowed my emotions to spur out of control in the presence of Princess Celestia and Luna," Twilight lies to Starlight, using a clever memory as the highlight of her distress. "I didn't inform Princess Cadance and Shining Armor about the recent Changeling activity in Ponyville due to my outburst; also, I'm seeking guidance from the second youngest Alicorn about upholding her sovereignty. I don't have it in me to ask the Princesses of the Sun and Moon for any advice since I feel guilty about my episode displayed when everyone saw how distraught Thorax was during their company."

"Ooooh," Starlight winces and understands why Twilight would refrain from speaking and reaching out to Princess Celestia and Luna; she believes Twilight is punishing herself for allowing her heated reaction to possess her. "Well, when will you contact Princess Celestia and Luna, Twilight? It's been two weeks since the incident, and I'm sure the duo are eagerly waiting to hear you respond and discuss resolving the issue."

Twilight deeply sighs about embracing her teacher and sister after the Thorax incident; she yearns to communicate with Princess Celestia and Luna about hearing their side rather than jumping to conclusions. She dislikes her actions and still wonders what possessed her to excuse them rather than listen to them the first time. "After the party back in Ponyville, I swore to Pinkie about having a celebration when I remained in solitude."

"So, care to discuss the solitary confinement in your room, Twilight, or was it something only an Alicorn Princess must endure?" Starlight didn't bother Twilight nor spied on her; she wanted to know what was happening to her friend during the time.

"As an Alicorn, I may someday rule Equestria side-by-side with Princess Celestia and Luna or maintain my castle and endure my duties as Princess of Friendship in Ponyville throughout my longevity, and I need some guidance and understanding to uphold my responsibilities for future generations seeking guidance; right now, Spike has his kingdom in control while having it endure a new age of peace and prosperity without our help. I would ask him, but his sovereignty is simple. Follow the leader, whereas Equestria has boundaries, governances, and ordinances everyone must oblige!" Twilight pauses to take a deep breath after explaining so much within a minute; she hates to lie, but the truth is partial about her status as the youngest Alicorn.

Starlight understands wholeheartedly the gravity of sovereignty since she watched the stresses of Princess Celestia and Luna's routine during her friendship quest. "Well, you're different from them; you're the Princess of Friendship, and your help comes from your friends who'll lend a hoof during your time of need, Twilight," Starlight hopes to enlighten Twilight's demeanor with an ensuring statement; she notices her teacher cracking a smile.

Thank you for your kind words, Starlight;" Twilight turns to Starlight; she's glad Sunburst suggested Starlight accompany her for the visitation and receive rightful advice about her dilemma, especially when she just lied to her friend about the true intention of today's visitation.

In the Dragon Lands, Thorax is flying towards Discord's home after spending time with Garble and Smolder near the lava mountain for gorge surfing since he can transform into a Dragon and enjoy swimming in the lava because Discord gave him an added ability in case transformations doesn't uphold the body physique and endurance necessary. He arrives inside the maze labyrinth and enjoys his time eating love tokens like a Pac-Man video game to get towards the center.

At the center, Thorax finds Discord and Spike discussing another trip to Ponyville with more Dragons to create an annual tradition with Mayor Mare to celebrate a new era of peace and prosperity between the two kingdoms.

"Hey, guys," Thorax approaches his friends after hearing an opening invite to Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance for a joined unison celebration with the inclusion of Prince Rutherford and Yaks as an idea, making the tradition more lively with newer nations they can call friend.

"Hey, Thorax, what's on your mind?" Spike turns to Thorax while Discord continues speaking with his clones about the party planning war with Pinkie Pie and possibly Cheese Sandwich to decorate the town.

"Dragon Lord Spike, I've come to inform you that I want to visit the Crystal Empire and be with the Crystal Ponies again, learn more about them, and perhaps spend a day with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor after the whole incident a few weeks ago," Thorax is seeking permission to venture by himself to the Crystal Empire.

"Dude, you can go any time; I'll have Discord send a letter to Princess Cadance, alerting her ahead of time so they know you're coming. You didn't need my permission on that, but send a telepathic message to Discord if things were to go awry again," Spike hopes for no disasters, considering Thorax endured two back-to-back days of heated discussions and malicious reactions from him and Twilight.

"Thanks, and no need to teleport me to the Crystal Empire; I remember the flight path there! See you guys later!" Thorax excitedly leaves the center using a trap door slide, shouting thrillingly and noticing other Dragons having a blast after finding other trap doors leading toward the mountainside near the lava pool. He flaps his wings, watching the Dragons performing cannonballs into the lava pool to see who'll do the biggest one from the group.

"Thorax! Do one!" Charcoal, Clump, Maar, Fume, and Chad encourage Thorax to stop hovering to do a cannonball before departing the Dragon Lands; he transforms into an aqua-blue chunky dragon from all the love tokens he consumed and matches Clump's cannonball splash. Thorax hears many praises and cheers while Clump calls him a cheater for matching his size. "Sorry, I ate before splashing," Thorax chuckles and flies out of the lava pool. "See you guys later!" He reverts into a Changeling and notices his wings altered during the process into shiny. "Huh?"

"Nice wings, bro!" Charcoal observes Thorax's new wings when he transforms to normal, sort-of-speak while throwing the thumbs up.

"This is new, and I think I'm -" Thorax doesn't understand the slow, steady transition and may have to ask Discord if he knows anything about Changelings he doesn't understand once he returns.

Seven hours ago.

Princess Cadance wakes up after having another unsettling dream about her past, causing Shining Armor to notice his wife's grimaced face, knowing it relates to an awful sin of her past, one she's not fond of speaking about.

"Cadance, how long will you prolong this ongoing nightmare you refuse to speak about?" Shining Armor is livid at Cadance's refusal to admit a personal sin that's been haunting and daunting her even before they were a couple.

Princess Cadance frustratedly groans at Shining Armor; she doesn't desire to speak about a horrid truth for the betterment of Equestria. "As long as it takes, Shining Armor!"

Shining Armor knows two things he should never do under any circumstance whenever Cadance wakes up but somehow ignores it:

1. Never provoke Cadance's feelings whenever she's cranky.
2. Never pressure Cadance into disclosing the sins that persistently torment her unless she's in a drunk state.

"Cadance -" Shining Armor takes a deep breath, hoping to soothe his wife into revealing her troubles calmly while hoping she doesn't make him sleep on the couch again. "this has been going on for years; when will you be ready to discuss this conversation?"

Princess Cadance uses her cranky state as a ruse to elude Shining's question; she points at him, angrily clenching her teeth. "Couch Mister!"

Shining Armor sighs deeply for failing again to have his wife repent the wrongs that continue to infest her dreams; although he still loves her dearly, he hopes Cadance can unleash the pent-up frustrations with someone she trusts more than him. He leaves the bedroom and trots to Flurry Heart's room, intending to sleep beside his daughter with a sleeping bag he keeps under her crib in case Cadance has an episode.

After Shining Armor left the room, Cadance flopped on her bed, releasing an unsatisfying sigh with memories of screams echoing in her mind with demonic laughter in the background of the memory she reminisced. "Why did I allow it to happen, and why did it bring me joy?" She chuckles, reliving the moment as a defense mechanism before sighing and returning to slumber.

It's 10:37 in the morning. Princess Cadance uses a compulsion spell to preclude the memories from returning during the day when she receives a letter from Twilight and smiles, knowing she needs to create newer memories to forget the past. She writes a follow-up letter explaining that Sunburst wants Starlight to come since he asked earlier in the week but couldn't write due to his busy schedule. Princess Cadance trots to her room after giving Flurry Heart to Shining Armor for a diaper change; she views herself in the mirror when it flashes like lightning, revealing an eerie smile with slit jade iris and laughter in the background of the image, causing her to stumble back and fall on her behind.

"?rebmemeR" The reflection mirroring Princess Cadance smiles at her, but her appearance is a darker shade of pink with a slit snake's tongue and razor-sharp teeth when more memories of her past seep through with the horrid screams of agony and death following.

"Stay back! I'm not you!" Princess Cadance watches the mirror image, stepping out of the mirror like a portal has opened from a different dimension; she watches the entity trotting closer.

"!esimed rieht ot meht del dna em otni denrut ouy emit eht fo ouy dnimer ot tsixe I ,htaerb ward ouy gnol sa dna ,elohw era I dna ouY"

Princess Cadance's reflection speaks backward, but she understands the meaning of her reflection's comment and refuses to acknowledge the different shade she once was during the darker days of her life; she refuses to allow her other half to plague her with memories of her sins that led to absolute ruin with the discovery she'd uncovered.

"!noos ,ouy rof gnitiaw eb ll'I" The reflection speaks and returns to the portal before the Shining Armor arrives after hearing his wife speaking in tongues to someone possibly attempting to assassinate her.

"Cadance, are you alright?" Shining Armor led his finest guards to Princess Cadance's room after hearing unrecognized babbling that had his wife shouting across the room.

"I endured a flashback when I was imprisoned by Changelings, Shining," Princess Cadance lied to her husband. Cadance didn't mean to, but she didn't want to disclose the evidence of her darker side revealing itself recently, especially her refusal to admit the problems that have been giving her unsettling nightmares.

"Oooooh," Shining Armor winces while reflecting on the time he came close to marrying Queen Chrysalis when she disguised herself as Cadance and nearly enslaved Equestria. "I know that feeling, especially with Thorax. Although Spike gave us a scornful critique, I can't help myself whenever I see any other Changeling as Queen Chrysalis' soldiers following command to take you, my daughter, our family, and friends away from us! I understand the flashbacks when I saw the destruction of Canterlot before our love overcame their evil."

A scroll appears and drops on the floor, next to Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. Princess Cadance unveils the letter and reads it to herself before addressing what's written for Shining Armor to hear.

"Speak of a devil, and he shall arrive," Princess Cadance says after crumpling the letter, tossing it in the trash rather than writing a following statement.

Shining Armor has a gut-wrenching feeling about who his wife is referring to. He's not thrilled about Thorax's arrival when Twilight and Starlight travel to the Crystal Empire. "Why now?"

A Crystal Guard arrives inside Princess Cadance and Shining Armor's quarters to inform them about a swarm of Changelings coming to the Crystal Empire; he wants to know if they're invading or part of Thorax's core of friends seeking Friendship after departing the Changeling Hive.

In Cadance's mind, she hears her reflection speaking to her: "!lla meht lliK !meht lliK !gnimoc era yehT" She responds to her other half mentally. "No! What if they're like Thorax, trying to seek a better life after learning that ingesting love selfishly is not the answer!? Spike taught us better not to judge other creatures! To give them a chance!" "!etal oot s'ti erofeb eid tsum yehT !draug rieht rewol airtseuqE dluow esle yhW !yps a si xarohT !yps a si xarohT"

Princess Cadance hates speaking to herself and wonders if the Elements of Harmony would suppress her darker self as they subdued Nightmare Moon's personal within Princess Luna's mind, freeing her from a nightmarish burden without explaining she has an evil within her.

"Shining Armor, what are your orders?" The Crystal Guards are eager to obey Shining Armor's command to either welcome or subdue the Changelings, considering one could be Thorax or something abnormal.

"Allow them entry but observe them from a distance; I remember what Spike has told us about allowing Changelings to present themselves, but we cannot be foolish when Queen Chrysalis is engaged with her kin, devising newer schemes to conquer us from the inside out."

"Very well," The Crystal Guards depart their quarters to inform a platoon to keep the visiting Changelings occupied and inspected during their visitation.

Shining Armor takes a deep breath. "When will Twily arrive, Cadance?"

"By noon," Princess Cadance replies, hoping to double her effort on the compulsion spell to seclude her memories and her darker self from those she loves; she takes a deep breath, allowing the love for her husband, daughter, and friends to overtake her mind and prepare for another exciting day.

An hour before arrival.

Thorax is flying next to the railway to the Crystal Empire; he notices a train about to pass him. Twilight and Starlight saw Thorax flying near their train car with ponies on the train screaming in fear. Twilight immediately uses her magic to teleport Thorax inside the train car next to Starlight.

"Hurry up and transform! Not everyone knows you're a good Changeling!" Twilight hoarsely whispers loud enough for Thorax to transform into his Crystal Hoof personal.

"Right, sorry!" Thorax uses his magic to turn into Crystal Hoof before the ponies on the train stare at him.

"So, I'm guessing you're going to the Crystal Empire, Thorax?" Starlight wanted to know his motives, considering he was following the pathway there.

"Yeah," Thorax nods. "I wanted to visit myself and associate with the Crystal Ponies, which includes Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, well, more so with Shining Armor since he kinda doesn't like me due to my appearance," Thorax sighs, hoping not to cause a situation between him and Shining Armor since he's a Changeling.

"Don't worry. My brother is a cool guy; you'll see his good nature once we arrive," Twilight smiles at Thorax, causing him to hiss.

"Oh, gosh, sorry! Sorry, Twilight!" Thorax didn't mean to scare Twilight; he saw her shielding herself with her Alicorn wings as a defense mechanism.

"That is something we have to get used to, Thorax," Starlight admits that a Changeling's behavior can seem scary until it becomes a norm.

"Since you know why I'm on my way to the Crystal Empire, what are your plans for today?" Thorax is interested in hearing what Twilight and Starlight may say and do for the day to calm the mood since he scared Twilight and Starlight after he hissed.

"I'm seeing Sunburst!" Starlight shifts her mood immediately, hoping to spend the day with Sunburst uninterrupted, maybe on a picnic.

"I'm visiting my family and gaining advice from Princess Cadance since I'm not in the mood to speak with Princess Celestia and Luna after what they pulled with you. I would have asked Spike, but his reign is simple compared to the complexities of Equestria."

"Just -" Thorax says what Twilight and Starlight are thinking. "follow the leader!" Thorax, Starlight, and Twilight say in unison.

"He has it easy," Twilight jealousy admits that Spike's sovereignty is easier to manage than a nation of Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies; she wonders why Spike's reign hasn't been bothersome while facing no complaints, bickerings, conflicts within the kingdom, and troublesome dragons that could bring calamity as Equestrian Ponies had brought.

"Well, to be fair, Spike has Discord helping him nonstop, especially with Discord's clones, and he's been attentive to Spike's desires with the wants from every Dragon in the Dragon Lands, even me when I need love to ingest."

"Why wasn't he like that with us?" Twilight asks Thorax after hearing Discord is responsible for his role as Ambassador of Dragons and aiding Spike nonstop with possible scenarios.

"Well, from what I recalled during my private conversations with Discord as a resident of the Dragon Lands, he was tamed by Princess Celestia to do her bidding ever since a whatdoyoucallit uuuuuh, Lord Tirek incident that broke his trust with Equestria to become more of himself than a restricted deity. There are too many decrees in Equestria that restrict his innermost being, which is being the Lord of Chaos, and in Equestria, there are far too many rules and laws that become boring to him whenever there would be an opportunity to demonstrate his power, also whenever there's a crisis, the job goes to you and your friends to sort the issue to prevent another disaster. Discord could only be himself with Fluttershy as she's the only pony who allowed him to be himself rather than a creature using limitations. Spike allows Discord to be himself while following simple laws; if the Dragons like what he's doing, then continue, and if they don't, stop. Oh, I just remembered Spike gave a piece of land to Discord to spread his glorious chaos, undisturbed unless he invited friends over, which they've welcomed his chaotic nature even more. It's a thrill, a rush inside his home!"

"That simple?" Twilight and Starlight couldn't believe how easy Spike made things for Discord ever since he renounced his citizenship in Equestria to become a full-pledge resident in the Dragon Lands.

"Yeah, Spike saw potential in Discord to become renewed and forgave him of his sins, and gave him a role after he helped him discover what Spike would have become without giving him an initial thought. Spike came close to becoming a Dragon Lord with a mindset of an Equestrian Pony to nearly replicate the Dragon Lands to become more like Ponyville or most parts of Equestria he visited."

"Wow, Discord is enjoying life better in the Dragon Lands than he did in Equestria," Starlight didn't think much of Discord and how his life had gotten better by a friend she knew.

"Good for him," Twilight doesn't have much to say regarding Discord; she's happy that Discord is enjoying a better life away from Equestrian borders, which means less destructiveness from his chaotic behavior, but one thing still drives her insane; the library within his home with books stretching for eons to read and reread in a dozen lifetimes; she wishes to obtain the usage of the library Spike reads.

The train arrives at the station across from the Crystal Empire. Twilight, Starlight, and Thorax stare at green pastures all around the kingdom; crystalized pillars with three rhombus geode crystals floating up and down, representing the gate to the Crystal Empire; a tall white magnificent castle with reflective surfaces of crystals to make itself sparkle and shimmer in radiance.

"First time I've taken the train to view this beautiful, marvelous, glorious Crystal Empire; to take the scenery, giving it a moment to relish the beauty in nature -" Thorax takes a deep breath, allowing the air around him to filter his lungs with the scent of love spreading across the empire. "it's incredible to feel the love shared by the Crystal Ponies."

"See you later, Thorax!" Twilight and Starlight had already trotted to the Crystal Empire, leaving Thorax behind to fulfill his desires of the day. Starlight wants to be with Sunburst as Twilight yearns to be with her family, especially Princess Cadance, to find out if she's the culprit.

"Have fun!" Thorax reverts to normal and flies to Sapphire Joy's home, hoping she and the other Crystal Ponies are ready for an exhilarating day.