The thirteen ponies continued on to Ponyville, with the adults up front and the foals behind them, Spike looking at the ground in shame about what had happened. Every time Sweetie Belle looked over at him, he never looked up to her. She knew he was still upset about what happened, but it wasn’t his fault.
‘Blueblood was the one that made that treasure up,’ She thought. Now she knew why Rarity didn’t like him.
Flash looked back at the kids and saw Spike didn’t seem like his normal self after the events a few hours ago. He was a little upset that he disobeyed the rule not to go into the Everfree Forest, but he was happy that when his friend was in danger, Spike went to her rescue. Flash sighed and turned to Twilight.
“You think you and the others can take the foals back home?” he asked. “I need to talk with Spike for a while.”
“Alright, Flash.” Twilight told the others what was going on and went to get the other three foals. “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, you three need to go home. Spike, Flash wants to talk with you.” As Twilight walked away, Rainbow and Applejack arrived to collect their respective siblings. As soon as they were away, Sweetie Belle heard Rarity yell for her.
“Time to go, Sweetie!” Sweetie looked at Spike and gave him a quick hug.
“Thanks for saving me again.” she said. She soon ran off to where Rarity was waiting. As they left, Flash went over to Spike.
“Spike, I’m not mad at you. Yes, you did go where I said you shouldn’t and you put your friends in danger, but I am proud that you rescued Sweetie Belle. Your mom saved my flank a few times.” Flash looked down and saw that Spike was still upset. “Listen, you’re young, which means you have much to learn. Even I’m still learning about being a parent.”
“But you’re not scared of anything!” Spike exclaimed. “You have your cutie mark! You’re basically a king! I’m nothing! I’m a prince with no cutie mark!” It was true. Spike was teased non stop by Diamond Tiara about not having a cutie mark. His friends helped him by letting him join their club, but it mostly turned into disaster whenever they tried to get their marks. This was one of those times.
“It doesn’t matter if you have your mark yet or not. I didn’t have mine when I was your age. I didn't get mine until I joined the Royal Guard. Sometimes age doesn’t matter. You just need to give it time. I did notice that you and your friends have fun trying to earn your marks from time to time, but it’s adventures like this that cause all of us to worry.” Flash explained. His favorite crusade had to be the love poison they gave Big Mac and their teacher one time. Despite the trouble they got into, it had to be their most hilarious one. No one was hurt, but it did almost ruin Fluttershy’s chances with Big Mac. Luckily they fixed everything and everypony was back to normal. “And even I get scared.”
“You do?” Spike asked. Flash nodded. “When?”
“Today was one of those times,” he said. “I was afraid I would lose you.”
“I guess the Diamond Dogs were more afraid,” said Spike. “They were especially afraid of mom more than you.” Spike began laughing at his joke on his dad.
“Why you little-... Come here!” Flash grabbed Spike and began giving him a noogie. Spike was able to break away and chased Flash in the field until he was able to tackle him to the ground, both of them laughing.
“Hey dad, you’ll always be with mom and I, right?” he asked. Flash got serious and spoke.
“Spike, I’m not an Alicorn like the two of you. I’m just a regular pegasus, so I can die more easily, but I will also be with you in your heart.” He explained. The two of them sat down and enjoyed the night sky for a while longer before getting back to the library.
* * *
The town basked in the light of the glorious moon, twinkling stars dotted the night sky, and everything in Ponyville was quiet and serene. Ponies slept peacefully under the ivory light, tucked away in their beds, and blissfully unaware of the dissension that went on under their hooves. Deep beneath the Everfree Forest lay a world untouched by pony hooves; a vast network of chambers and passageways, dimly lit by a sickly green light emanating from several wall-mounted crystals. The home of the diamond dogs was always very noisy, as the clinking of pickaxes and breaking of rocks would echo down the corridors. But tonight the sounds of labor were replaced by the screeching wails from a trio of agitated diamond dogs.
“That no good Twilight Sparkle! She singed the hair off my feet!” Rover cried, gingerly rubbing his aching paws. Fido couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the pink skin now exposed on Rover’s hairless feet, Rover replied with a hateful glare and a powerful slap to the head “That’s not funny punk!”
“Quit your whining, Rover!” Spot said, glaring down at his friends from a higher ledge, he tugged at his ears and gritted his teeth, revealing that a tooth had gone missing from the recent battle. “You’re giving me a headache!”
Rover groaned, “We were this close to nabbing those brats! This close!”
Spot snarled at the thought, air flowed freely from the hole in his teeth causing an uncontrollable whistle. “This is the last time we deal with ponies! I don’t want to see another one of those filthy animals for as long as I live!” Spot’s breathing began to deepen as he vented the rage from his body, it took him far too long to catch the concerned look in his companions’ eyes. “What?” He didn’t appreciate the way they were looking at him, unless whatever they were looking at was directly behind him. He turned around and came face to face with a pair of menacing blue eyes.
“Oh Spot, why must you always be so negative?” Blueblood said, Spot nearly tumbled over the edge in surprise.
“Blueblood?” Rover began, eying him questioningly “What are you doing here?”
The stallion wore a wounded face “Why Rover, I only wanted to visit my dear friends.” He said with a near theatrical expression. Spot, finally recovering from his shock, locked Blueblood with a nasty glare.
“Well stop sneaking up on us!” he shouted, expressing his anger by stomping his foot into the ground. “We’ve had enough for today!”
Blueblood rolled his eyes, “Yes I know, such a shame you couldn’t catch those detestable foals, I practically giftwrapped them for you.”
“But there was the others, along with that stupid Sentry and Twilight!” Fido said, turning to Rover who nodded in agreement.
“Yeah!” Spot shouted, joining in the argument “What were we supposed to do about the bigger ponies?” He took an aggressive step forward to press his advantage, only to take it back when he saw the glow in the pony’s eyes.
“Oh it’s quite simple,” Blueblood said coldly, his eye piercing deep into Spot’s soul. The diamond dog started backing away, only to find his retreat cut off by the nearby ledge. Blueblood began to loom over him, causing his body to shake tremendously, the words rolled out of the pony’s mouth like venom. “Kill them all!”
The cowering dog looked up at him with terror in his eyes, “K-k-kill the Pony King?” A sinister smile formed on Blueblood’s face.
“Yes, and anyone else who stands in my way.” Blueblood stepped back and assumed a courtly stance, Spot wasted no time in climbing down the ledge, away from Blueblood’s grip. Blueblood looked upon them as a king would to his pawns, “This includes the petty alicorn prince.”
The dogs eyed each other nervously, unsure of what to say. “B-but Blueblood,” Rover finally said, “you’re talking about murder.”
“I am talking about ascension!!” Blueblood erupted, anger flaring up in his eyes. The diamond dogs began to tremble from the outburst, “I am talking about claiming what’s mine!!”
His words echoed deep into the cavern, reverberating endlessly down the narrow channels and throughout the entire network. Blueblood could see the eyes of other diamond dogs peering into the chamber, adorning faces of curiosity and fear. Blueblood regained his composure and smiled.
“And I am talking about us.” Blueblood continued, forcing a voice as sweet as honey, “Our future in a new world order.”
The three diamond dogs stopped shaking, and looked to Blueblood in bewilderment. Other dogs began flooding into the chamber, drawn to Blueblood’s words like moths to a light. Blueblood dawned a wicked smile as his audience grew from three diamond dogs to several hundred.
“What is this world order you’re talking about?” asked Rover, raising his hand in the air. Blueblood was hoping someone would ask, he was nearly beaming with elation.
“A world free from pony oppression!” He declared righteously, “No longer shall we be forced to hide away in the shadows! No longer shall the sun and sky be a luxury just for those who live above us! For tonight is the night of the Diamond Dogs!”
The cavern trembled in response as the joyous dogs threw their fists in the air and let their howls thunder across the stony network. A vengeful flame flickered in their hearts and began to spread through the crowd like wildfire.
With their eyes set on conquest the diamond dogs began their preparations, dusting away the cobwebs from the old armor and spears, and began their march towards the surface world. Line by line and column by column the dogs marched to war, their eyes cast towards their glorious new leader. Blueblood watched with exhilaration in his veins as his army grew in number. In a single night he had given them ambition, a purpose, and now they were his instruments of destruction.
“Follow me,” he began, “and we shall take what is rightfully ours! Follow me and the entire kingdom will tremble at our might!” Blueblood’s horn began to glow and magical energy began to trickle from the crystals around them, the streams of magic snaked through the air and coiled around his enchanted horn. His eyes began to turn a sickly green color as he slowly drained the crystals of their magic. The cavern grew dark until the only light was that of the swirling energies that twisted around Blueblood, he smiled as dark magic coursed through his body. "The dawn of our revolution is at hand, be prepared!”