Earlier
In the middle of nowhere, there were lots of tent that belong to entire armies, more enough to be prepare before marching to the land of Doma when they all are almost there. The only ones that's left is from Canterlot army and Crystal Empire army. The earth pony soldiers were practicing on using spears to strike straight forward at the same time. The unicorn soldiers were shooting their beams from the horns and the others use the magic barrier to be tested how strong it is to be enough. And the pegasi soldiers are doing a flight formations in the air up high.
At the big tent, there were princess Celestia, princess Luna, Shining Armor, and the Pillars. They all looking down at the map of the land of Doma, marking the x and arrow for the plans. "Okay, the first position will right in front of the dark tower there." Shining Armor said in strategizing the battlefield plan when he pointed at it. "That way, if the Empress's army are many as ours, we'll charge right at them head on. But if the enemies are too strong than us, then we'll use magic to create the barrier for defense position and let all the pegasi take flight drop the bomb balls, thanks to Sunburst for making more of those. Any questions?"
"I do have one." Rockhoof answer while he raised his hoof up. "This Empress, how powerful can she be and how do we ever defeat her and her minions?"
"She is very powerful than most of us, including the foes we've ever known and faced before." Princess Luna answered.
"But without the amulet in her grasp, she will be vulnerable." Princess Celestia said. "Starswirl once said to end this reign of evil, the amulet must be destroyed, so that she and her followers will disappear for good."
"So that would means we an advantage we need." Flash Magnus said.
"Hold on, it is too risky to know the Empress has a few tricks on their sleeves." Somnambula said to think. Flash Magnus believes that she has a good point.
"I'm with her on that." Mage Meadowbrook agree.
"So do I." Mistmane also agree.
"You were right, and that is why me and Luna will deal with Empress Ravahna, no matter the cost." Princess Celestia said her sister nodded with a serious face. "Now gets some rest all of you, we have couple of hours before marching to the dark tower." They all nodded and bow while leaving the big tent, except for Shining armor. "Thank you for come to our aid Shining Armor."
"It is my pleasure your highnesses, that's the only reason I'm here to help because they have my little sister and her friends and they're gonna pay for taking them." Shining Armor said when he knows what happens back then, worrying for Twilight and her friends.
"And Starswirl too." Princess Luna added in worry when she and her sister already knew their mentor have been captured.
"I understand you both are worry, but I promise we'll get them back in one piece, no matter what." Princess Celestia. Luna and Shining armor both nodded to agree with a sun Princess while a armored stallion takes his leave the big tent.
A few minutes later, princess Celestia was standing on the plateau, looking at the dark tower very far away with a serious face until her sister princess Luna appeared next to her. "Any sign of words from Spike?" Moon princess asked. But the sun princess shook her head, meaning that she didn't. "I always knew sending him to a dangerous task was a big mistake."
"I do not think so Luna." Princess Celestia said. "I always have faith for Spike and his little friend will succeed their quest. It is true he is young, but he is not afraid to do all the danger, especially he is along side Twilight Sparkle and her friends because he cares for them."
"If you are truly believe in him, then I do too." Princess Luna said to agree with her older sister with a smile and then also looking at the dark tower from very far away. However, they didn't know what really happen to Spike and Sparx back then.
"I can sense Starswirl's presence over there." Princess Celestia said when she felt her mentor's presence through her heart.
"Me too Celestia, I can feel him." Princess Luna said when she also felt him too.
"It is time sister." Princess Celestia said to princess Luna and then she nodded while take flight back to the camp where all Canterlot army and Crystal Empire army takes stands, waiting for the orders to begin their march.
By the way when they all do, the moment of all those armored ponies have never thought they would go out to war they have ever been, but it is the duty and responsibilities to protect for their families and homeland... or die trying.
....
Meanwhile back at Froud Valley where Spike and Sparx are trapped inside the hidden temple. The baby dragon did everything he can to moves these entire rocks away as fast as he can before they can get suffocate, but those rocks are really heavy and hard for the young dragon. He can barely moved and rolled all of it, but there are too many. "I'm gonna... get us out of this, just... hang in there... Sparx." Spike said trying to breathe while he's worried for his little buddy on his hand.
The dizziness starts to affect his body and his vision is getting blurry. The baby dragon had to keep on moving rocks with everything he got. Until, he collapse foward after rolling a boulder away, breathing heavily in exhaustion but nearly fainted when he closed his eyes and sweat dripping down his forehead. "Come on Spike... keep it together... just a... few more rocks... I'm almost there." Spike said when he breathe slowly to concentrate. Suddenly, in his mind revealing the images of everypony he care most. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. The images has remind him what he is doing for and why he is here.
The baby dragon's eyes are opened quickly and getting back up on his feet. The courage and hope has giving him strength head on. He moved every few more rocks big and small for almost four minutes, until... there is one last rock to move, but it's a big one. However, Spike has only one chance before he and Sparx could die in this temple with no air. "We're almost... there Sparx, I just had to... move that big rock... and then... were free." Spike barely said in exhaustion, seeing Sparx glowing is starts to faded, meaning the dragonfly is running out of time.
The baby dragon began to placed his arms on the big rock because he is about to lift it at the bottom with his bare hands. Spike uses his strength with everything he got when his face is red and grunting. Until suddenly, the big rock has been lifted a little bit, but Spike has keep going on. By the time when he managed to lifted it up, the entrance hole has finally been revealed while he dropped the big rock to the right side. "YES!" He shouted in happiness.
Spike can now feel the air blows in relief, but now he grab Sparx and then get out of there. "Sparx, were finally out, you can wake up now." He said to his little buddy, but Sparx didn't even move which cause the baby dragon to be worry. "Come on buddy, please wake up. Okay you got me haha, good joke. Sparx, Sparx please you gotta wake up!"
The tears starts to run down from his eyes, witnessing to believe that his dragonfly friend can never gonna opened his eyes, could never say any words. This is the saddest moment than before in his life, sobbing and sniffing. The one drop of tear fall onto the dragonfly, until... Sparx is starting glow a little. It caught Spike attention when he stopped sobbing and eyes widened to see something miracle.
"Sparx?" He said. On that moment on, Sparx has now awaken, taking flight in the air and circling around the baby dragon happily. "Sparx, thank Celestia you're alive, you had worried to death." Spike happily said to his little buddy while wiping tears out of his eyes. The dragonfly feels sorry for making Spike very worry very much, but the baby dragon accepted his apology.
....
Meanwhile at the dark tower, Empress Ravahna is on her throne, awaited for her servants to arrive, until now when the Sorcerer came along with the amulet in his hoof while the Dredoks dragged Starswirl the Bearded in shackles. "My Empress, I have brought to you what's rightfully yours." Nemnok said while raising his hoof and revealing the amulet in front of her. Starswirl the Bearded grasp to see its returned.
"Finally, at long last." Empress Ravahna said with an evil smile while she can feel its power and then let it flows toward her chest to attach. The amulet starts to glow green, giving the Empress of evil the power all over. Ah yes, my magic has been restored, I can feel it within me!"
Empress Ravahna has uses her horn to unleash the biggest beam at the night sky, creating the dark clouds to spread and flows away much quicker, laughing sinister for her glory.
Meanwhile, the marching of all the armies of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire were near to the territorial land of Doma, led by the princesses, Captain Shining Armor, and The Pillars. But suddenly, everypony have stopped because they saw the green light beam in the sky, witnessing by something unholy. Celestia and Luna knows only mean one thing... the power of Ravahna. "So it begins." Princess Celestia said with a serious face.
Another meanwhile at the Froud Valley, Spike and Sparx also got attention by the green light beam shoots at the sky, believing that it's from the land of Doma. "Oh no." Spike in shock.
Back at Empress Ravahna's throne room, she now finished shooting the beam from her horn. "It feels good to have my power in full strength, I thank you Nemnok." Empress Ravahna gratefully said to her sorcerer.
"I do anything for you." Nemnok said while he bow before the Empress of evil. But suddenly, the sorcerer hears the sound of hoof steps the vibration from the floor, he knew that armies of Canterlot and Crystal Empire are here out there. "It would seem we have an invited guest."
"indeed, soon they all will tremble before me, as I bring forth my army of undead, and then the time... the beginning, of the end." Empress Ravahna said while her magic flows to her body and laughing sinister.
And so, the battle has began between good and evil. None of them know is going to happens next, but they all will see soon enough. And will Spike and Sparx find a way to get to the land of Doma in time, but we'll see soon enough. It is as the Empress of evil say, it is time... for the beginning... of the end.
To Be Continued...