When Spike and the Stallions arrived at their destination, Spike set everypony at the mountain slopes in regiments.
“Wait here”, Spike instructed Cascade. “I will go in and try to convince him to leave. If he decides to fight and I can’t stop him you will need to be ready.”
“Father Spike”, Cascade began. “I don’t think”-
“If you all come in with me you will sacrifice any advantage you have by staying out here. If we just charge in we will suffer too many casualties. Wait here and be ready.”
Cascade did as he was told and Spike made his way up the mountain and into the cave. He found the source of the smoke, a winged red dragon in a blissful slumber.
Spike approached his potential enemy and snapped his claws in front of his face. “Wake up, I need to have a word with you.”
The dragon opened his eyes and jolted to an upright position. “Who do you think you are? Entering an other dragon’s lair and waking him up.”
Spike’s eyes narrowed. He recognized this dragon. He had been the ring leader of the teenage dragons with whom Spike had sought acceptance the first and last time he had ever participated in the Great Dragon Migration.
“I could ask you the same question”, Spike retorted. “Do you have any idea where you are? You’re in Equestria. Every time you snore you produce a huge plume of smoke and compromise the health of every creature in the land.”
“Who are you and why do you care about Equestria anyway?”
“My name is Spike. I am here as a representative, and if necessary, a soldier for Equestria. It’s my job to get you to leave.”
“Spike? I remember you. You were that shrimp that tried to join us six hundred years ago. I guess you’re not a shrimp anymore.”
That was a great understatement. Earth dragons, like Spike, were the largest breed of dragons upon maturity. Spike towered over his adversary.
“What if I refuse to leave?” The dragon asked. “I could just kill you right now and go back to sleep.”
Spike replied with an authoritative and fearless voice. “I’m bigger and stronger than you and we’re in closed quarters, which means you can’t use your wings. Which one of us do you think has the upper hand?”
“Hmm…Please, you were too weak to even smash a phoenix egg last time I saw you and I bet you are still a weakling.”
Spike gazed into his opponent’s eyes for several moments before speaking again. “What’s your legacy?”
“Legacy? What use would I have for something as ridiculous as that?”
“Come with me”, Spike said. He turned and walked toward the opening of the cave.
“You do realize that by leading me outside you will be sacrificing your advantage don’t you?” the red dragon asked.
Spike stopped and looked back to respond before exiting the cave. “Not exactly.”
The dragon followed Spike and had to take a moment to let his eyes adjust to the light. When his vision cleared he saw Spike standing on the edge of the cliff, pointing down. He made his way over to stand by Spike and swallowed hard when he saw five hundred dragon-winged alicorns magically levitating spears that were aimed at his heart.
“This is MY legacy”, Spike said.
“You bred with a pony? How is that even possible?”
“I ask myself the same question all the time. At any rate you have two choices, you can gather your things and leave peacefully or we can deliver your head to our Princess as a gift.”
Princess Celestia would never accept such a gift, but Spike needed to be as intimidating as possible.
The dragon took one more look at the Clan and uttered two words. “I’ll leave.” He turned and went back into his cave to gather his things.
Spike made his way down the mountain and told the Clan the good news. They saw the dragon off and then began their journey home.
“Take the others home”, Spike ordered Cascade. “I’m going to stop at Canterlot on the way and personally report to the Princess.”
“Yes Father Spike”, Cascade replied.
~~~~
Spike greeted Princess Celestia on the mountain top outside of Canterlot.
“Its done Princess”, he reported. “We convinced him to leave peacefully.”
He explained how he had done it after she congratulated him and inquired as to how they had managed it.
“Speaking of a one hundred-year slumber yours should be coming up soon now”, Princess Celestia said. When do you think you will start?”
“The ideal time to start would have been ten years ago”, Spike replied. “I’m not going to take it.”
Celestia looked up at him, perplexed. “You do realize that not taking your slumber will shorten your life-expectancy considerably, don’t you?”
“That’s exactly why I’m not taking it. I want go get back to Rarity as soon as possible. I don’t want to spend any more time in this life than I absolutely have to.”
Celestia nodded in understanding. They conversed more and took time to reminisce of their old friends who had passed on over half of a millenium before. Eventually Spike said his goodbye and made his way home.
~~~~
Spike stood at Rarity’s tombstone recounting the day’s events.
“He took one look at the Clan and very nearly wet himself. I hope Rainbow Dash was watching because she would have thought it was hilarious.”
Spike stood in silence before speaking again. “I know you must be disappointed in me for refusing to take my hundred-year sleep. I’m sorry, but the fact that I’ve made it this far without you is a miracle in and of itself. I won’t delay our reunion any longer than I am forced to. I hope you understand my Sweet.”
Spike’s eyes welled up with tears and his voice began to break. “I love you Rarity. I miss you so much.”
Spike bent down and ever so softly, kissed his wife’s tombstone. He turned and walked away. He stopped and looked back and through the tears in his eyes he could see his wife standing next to her tombstone crying tears of her own and melting his heart with one of her bright smiles. The setting sun behind her only made her all the more radiant. Once again Spike blinked and Rarity was gone. He turned and started back to the village, all the more eager for the day when death’s sweet embrace returned him to his beloved Rarity.
The End