Chapter 30

The wind was blowing against my face as Draco and I flew at top speed. Time after time, it seems that there’s always one big fucking mess that pops up and I gotta clean it up. I glanced over at Draco as we flew and he had the eyes of someone who wanted to rip the head off of anyone who stood in his way, not that I could blame him. I couldn’t help but feel that this could’ve been avoided had I just sent one of my other ships to the Rock Farm to go and pick up Pinkie’s family. But then the King Pony fiasco and me trying to find Draco got in the way, I was just too preoccupied to do anything.

In the distance, we saw the Rock Farm come into view but not just the farm. A few air ships from the Caribou had already landed and the whole area looked as though multiple explosions hit the dirt. There was only one explanation, they tried to carpet bomb the place trying to flush the Pie family out of hiding. We soon landed on the outskirts of the mine and hid behind a large boulder. We both peered out to see many Caribou and traitor stallions standing guard while some others were heading inside the mine. I heard Draco growl and was about to jump in head first, but I managed to grab his shoulder and pull him back before any of the guards saw us.

“Draco, not yet.” I whispered. “We need to be smart about this.”

He pulled his shoulder out of my grasp. “Fuck being smart, we need to act now.” Before I knew it he transformed into his compy form and made his way towards the caribou, ducking and weaving behind rocks that were big enough to hide his body.

“Fucking hell, that kid’s gonna get himself killed.” I grumbled as I stealthy followed him.

One perk from my days in the military is that Joshua always made sure we knew how to stay quiet when stalking enemy forces. I followed Draco behind every rock he hid behind and crawled by as we neared the entrance. One of Draco’s claws clicked against a rock making a noise near where a stag was standing. The stag turned his head and arched a brow as he approached where Draco was hiding. I quickly snuck up behind the stag and grabbed his neck and covered his mouth. With one swift jerk, I snapped his neck as his body went limp. I then dragged his body to where Draco was hiding, then glared at Draco.

“The hell is wrong with you?!” I whispered harshly. “You won’t be able to save Igneous Rock and his family if you recklessly jump head first while being neck deep behind enemy lines!”

Draco snarled as he started to bury his face into the corpse of the Caribou I killed, and started eating. I grabbed him by the neck, interrupting his little meal, and ignited my hand in front of his face with Hellfire.

“You better calm the fuck down, you little pissed off maniac.” I warned venomously.

Draco bit my hand, forcing me to let go and hold back a grunt. He changed back and glared at me. “You should calm down, dumbass, Thanks to your stupid exercise drill, I burned too many calories.” He warned me, leaving me confused.

“The fuck does your diet have to do with anything?” I deadpanned, still trying to keep quiet as I extinguished the flames.

“Everything.” He snarled again before turning his hand into claws and slicing off some of the Caribou’s flesh off and shoving it into his mouth. “In order for me to transform into my different forms, I need to burn a large amount of energy and calories. Why do you think I eat these bastards during my fights?”

“Uh…cause they taste good?” I shrugged.

Now it was his turn to give me a deadpanned look. “Are you fucking slow?”

“No, I get it, but do they not?” I asked.

“Dude, I don't have time for this.” He quickly started tearing into the Caribou, scarfing down hunks of flesh. “You start coming up with a plan while I carbo load.”

“Sure.” I glanced over at the entrance and saw a few more guards standing at the ready and armed with rifles. “Hey Draco.” He paused from his meal to look at me. “Do me a favor? Don’t eat me.” He was about to ask what I meant until I closed my eyes and transformed into my Caribou form. I opened my eyes, only to be met with a very pissed off looking human. “Hey, still me, I said don’t eat me.”

Draco scoffed and went back to his meal, transforming his jaws so he could eat even the bone. I glanced over to the guards once more, still at the entrance and began to brainstorm. I could try to convince them to leave their post, but I didn’t take into account that I was still in my street clothes. I would’ve used the dead Caribou’s uniform, but it was all torn up and bloody, not to mention Draco was still feasting on the poor sod. I then got an idea, which is a gross one, but it might work.

“Draco, help me take off his uniform.” I said as I began to remove his shirt.

Draco glanced at me with a confused look, but after looking at the dead Caribou, then to me, it looked like he got the idea. With no time to waste he started taking off the ravished Caribou’s body.

Once all his clothing was off, I took off my street clothes and put his on. I cringed at the feeling of the blood stained clothes against my skin but it was necessary for my plan.

“Ok, when I give the signal, give me your loudest roar.” I instructed, and he gave me a thumbs up.

After one last check on myself, I exited our hiding place and pretended to limp towards the guards and any other soldier nearby.

“HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!” I cried in fake agony.

“Brother what happened?!” One of the stags asked.

“IT’S HERE! THEY’RE HERE! WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!” I screamed as I collapsed to my knees.

“Who’s here?!” A traitor stallion demanded.

“THE DEVIL OF THE CARIBOU AND THE BEAST!”

“ROOOOOAAAAARRR!!” Right on cue, Draco burst out from his hiding place in his T-rex form and began to charge toward us.

“BY THE GODS!” The stag cried.

“RUN FOR IT!” A stallion panicked.

“IT’S GONNA EAT US!” Another stag yelled.

All the soldiers scattered as Draco chased them away. He managed to bite down on one and shake his head, making his limbs tear off before he swallowed him whole. I reverted back to my human form and snapped my fingers. My Hellfire enveloped me as the bloody clothes burned away and I was now dressed in my armor and my weapons. I shot to the sky and raised my ignited hand and blasted a torrent of flames between Draco and the retreating enemies. I made a ring of fire so that they wouldn’t be able to get through as I landed next to Draco.

“Those flames won’t last long.” I said. “Let’s head into the mines and get those ponies out.”

He snorted before grabbing the remains of the Caribou he caught and scarfed it down. Once he swallowed it he ran over to me slowly changing back into his human form. “Let’s hurry up then.”

I nodded as we quickly ran for the entrance of the mines and I pulled my hood over and put my mask on. Though when I did, Draco eyed my mask curiously as I held my flames up to light the way through the mines.

“Something on your mind?” I asked.

“Yeah, why the hell are you wearing a mask?” He asked, as we moved on. “The world knows who you are, so I doubt you’re really hiding your identity.”

“Correction.” I smirked as we walked. “They know who I am, but they don’t know what I am. They think that I’m a literal demon sent from the pits of Hell to smite all who I go after, which is technically true. I let them imagine what I look like behind the mask and under the hood. Besides, it came with the armor and it’s like a one sided mirror. Not to mention it sorta gives me a mysterious look, don’t you think?”

Draco shook his head and started to pick up the pace. “And you guys say I’m a kid. Look just quit messing around and hurry the hell up, we need to find Pinkie’s family before something happens.”

I shrugged as we walked. About fifteen minutes later, we still hadn’t found the Pie family. There were some patrols along the way, but we dispatched them with no trouble. I was starting to get worried until something caught my eye. A boulder that looked a little out of place made me stop walking and examine it. It looked different from the rest of the interior as I placed a hand on it.

“Hey you find something?” Draco asked and he stopped next to me. I pointed toward the rock and he moved in sniffing it. “You think they’re behind this rock? I can smell something that’s not Caribou.”

I looked down to see the drag marks which meant something or someone had moved it. I nodded and walked beside it and pushed. Damn thing was heavy but I managed to move it out of the way a bit. I then squeezed my way through with Draco following and saw that we were in some kind of secret chamber.

“Foul beast!”

I ducked just in time before something hit my head. When I looked up, I saw it was none other than Igneous Rock and he looked like he was about to try and hit me in the head with the rock he had in his hands.

I was going to try and tell him we aren’t the enemy, but Draco quickly moved in the way and took the hit for me. However rather than Draco’s head being split open like an egg, the rock Igneous was holding shattered.

“How?!” The rock farmer shouted before Draco moved his arms around him and held onto him.

“Unhand me!” Igneous demanded.

“Igneous Rock Pie!” I said, making him freeze. “Please stop, we’re not here to hurt you!”

“How is it you know of my name?!” He demanded. “You come to take my family and spit in my face?!”

Draco slowly released his grip on the rock farmer, and gently patted his shoulders. “No we are not, we are here to help. We're friends of your daughter Pinkie Pie.”

He gasped at the mention of Pinkie and grabbed Draco by the shoulders. “Pinkamena?! Truly?! My daughter is safe and sound?!”

Nodding his head Draco calmly spoke. “Yes we promise you that she is. And we came here to make sure the same is said for all the Pie family.”

As soon as Draco said that, hoofsteps from around the corner were heard and out came Cloudy Quartz, Marble Pie, Limestone Pie, and Maud Pie. Each mare looked at us in either shock or confusion, but were more focused on what was just said.

“I see you’re all still well and accounted for.” I said as I pulled off my hood and took my mask off. “It’s a pleasure to meet the lot of you, I am Dimitri Lockdrom.”

Carefully removing Igneous hands from his shoulders, Draco smiled and gave the rest of the Pie family a bow. “And I’m Draco Saurian, it’s nice to meet you all.”

Limestone scowled at me and marched up to me. She stood just about to the middle of my chest and about half a head taller than Draco.

“So you’re the one Pinkie wouldn’t shut up about on the radio? Just what the buck are you?”

“Limestone! Language!” Cloudy Quartz lectured as Marble hid behind her mother.

“Well I’m what’s known as a human.” I said. “Same with Draco here, it’s a bit of a long story.”

“I’m a tad surprised you be still standing by that strike upon your head, lad.” Igneous said to Draco. “How be that possible?”

Draco smiled as he moved his hand to knock on his shoulder. “I used the skull of a Pachycephalosaurus to shield my head. Those guys have quite literally thick skulls that can take a hit.”

“What’s a Pachycephalosaurus?” Maud asked in her trademark monotone voice.

“It sounds scary…” Marble said quietly.

“Trust me, it’s easier to explain once you see him in action.” I said.

“Mr. Lockdrom, was it?” Maud said and I nodded. “Can we please leave now? Boulder is getting antsy.” She pulled out her pet rock from her pocket.

“Sure, let’s get-”

KA-BOOM!

The room around us shook at the sudden explosion. The walls began to crack and the Pie family started to panic. After another explosion, I gasped as I turned around and smashed the boulder in front of the entrance to pieces.

“WE NEED TO MOVE, NOW! THEY’RE TRYING TO BURY US ALIVE IN THE MINES!” I shouted.

Everyone nodded frantically and we all made a break for it. The walls were coming down around us and I did my best to swat any falling debris away. Maud even helped by smashing any falling rocks to shield her family as we ran.

“Those crazy motherfuckers!” I snapped. “Don’t they realize there’s still some of their own in here?!”

“Doesn’t seem like it!” Draco looked around before turning to the Pie family. “Hey, long shot, but do either you know which would be the safest way to dig a tunnel through?”

“At the rate that this is all collapsing, we would only be sealing our fates!” Igneous said.

“Ah!”

I turned around to see Limestone had tripped. Suddenly, a huge crack formed from the ceiling which meant it was about to collapse on her.

“LIMESTONE!” I shouted as I was about to stretch my arm out to get her. Igneous was faster to act as he dashed back for her and grabbed her arm and tossed her out of the way. Before I knew it, the ceiling caved in and right on top of Igneous.

“NO!!!”

I ran back to the debris and began digging for him.

“Come on, COME ON! IGNEOUS! SPEAK TO ME!”

Draco came rushing over and turned into a Triceratops, he shoved his horns into the rocks and began lifting them up and tossing them aside.

“Wh-what the…?”

I glanced back to see the mares all with horrified looks and Limestone seemed the worst for ware. I turned back to digging until I saw his hand. Draco then scooped up a large pile of rocks…only we were met with a very disheartening sight. Half of Igneous’ body was completely crushed under the debris and he was in a pool of his own blood. His breathing was laboring and he barely looked at us.

“No…” I said as I fell to my knees. “No…NO! FUCKING DAMNIT!” I smashed my fist into the ground.

“Sir…Dimitri…” Igneous wheezed.

Draco’ eyes had shrunk to pin pricks as he turned back into his human form. Tears started to well up in his eyes as he fell to his knees. “No…please no.”

“DADDY!” Marble cried as she ran over. “DADDY NO! PLEASE NO!”

“D-Dad…come on.” Limestone stuttered as tears poured from her eyes. “G-Get up…p-please get up.”

“Igneous! Oh sweet merciful Celestia!” Cloudy shouted as she ran over to her dying husband. Meanwhile Maud just stood there, unable to process the situation as her own tears dripped from her eyes.

“My…dearest family…” Igneous croaked. “Apologies…I wasn’t…quick enough.”

“Hey don’t give up!” Draco shouted as he moved in to hold onto his hand. “We’ll get you patched up, just hang in there!” Draco turned to me with a look of desperation. “Well can’t you heal him or something!? Don’t you have that kind of power!?"

“…Mortal.” I looked away, gritting my teeth. “His injuries are mortal. Half his body is completely crushed. Even if we somehow managed to get him out, he wouldn’t last long even with my Hellfire.” All of the mares started crying hysterically. “I had to learn that the hard way with Fancy Pants…”

“It’s…alright.” Igneous wheezed. “I cannot…feel my other half…”

Draco was practically shaking as he held the stallion’s hand. “Please…let me grant you peace, ask anything of me and it shall be done.”

“All I ask…please…take care of…my family.”

“NO DADDY!” Marble cried out. “WE DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU!”

“WHY DID YOU SAVE ME?!” Limestone demanded. “IT WAS MY FAULT! I TRIPPED!”

“My darling husband…” Cloudy whimpered. “Don’t leave me…”

“Dad…” Maud finally spoke. “I love you…so much.

“And I love you too…all of you…my beautiful family…” Igneous muttered and looked to Draco and I. “Look after them…and tell Pinkie…her daddy loves her…very much.”

“…You have my word.” I nodded.

The interior began to crumble more and Cloudy had to grab Marble as she and her other daughters backed away. I stood up and Draco was still holding Igneous’ hand and I placed mine on his shoulder.

“We need to go.” I said sadly, but he didn’t move. “Draco…there’s nothing we can do.”

For a moment Draco said nothing. His body unmoving as the room around us shook.

“Lock.” He spoke, but his voice didn't sound like it did before. “I want you to take the girls and escape.” He stood up and turned to face the way we came in.

He paused and looked back at me, which sent a chill down my spine. His eyes were blood red and his pupils were slitted.

“Draco?”

“These lands will be painted red with their blood.” He spoke in a voice that sounded more of a feral monster than as a human. He walked out and I just stood there and watched him go.

I shook my head and looked back down at Igneous. The stallion had already passed away and I looked away as I approached his family.

“We need to leave.” I said.

They nodded and quickly followed me out of the mines. I glanced over my shoulder to see Igneous once more, but the room had already collapsed. As we ran, we heard loud screaming and hard stomping from outside. We managed to make it out before the mines totally collapsed but were unprepared for the carnage we saw and the new dinosaur going on a rampage.

“What the fuck…!” I gasped.

With eyes as red as blood, scales as pale as snow, stood a massive beast.

“RRRRROOOOAAAAAHHHH!!!”

The roar was so powerful that my ears started to ring as the earth beneath our feet rumbled. I’ve never seen or heard of any kind of dinosaur of this caliber. It looked like some kind of T-Rex but it also had other distinct features along its body from other dinosaurs. The Caribou and traitor stallions were trying to foolishly fire at it with their weapons but the massive beast charged head first into the group. It squashed its victims to a bloody pulp and began ripping and tearing everything and everyone in its way. Their screams seemed to echo throughout the area as the monster either devoured or brutalized its prey.

“What in the name of Celestia’s sun…” Cloudy said as Limestone and Marble clung to her.

“I…what…is that?” Maud asked slowly.

“That…is my comrade. But…I think he’s lost his reason.” I answered.

The beast charged through entire battalions of Caribou and traitor stallions. It took their gunshots on as if they were nothing as he snapped his jaws around fleeing caribou, and slashed traitor stallions in half with his massive claws. One of the airships was preparing to take off as some of the enemy tried to climb aboard, to save themselves from the vicious beast. The monster saw this and quickly darted toward the ship's anchor and took hold of it with its teeth and started to drag the airship back down.

We all watched as the large dinosaur pulled with all this might as the ship tried to fly away. Using all the strength in its legs, the beast pulled and actually started to walk backwards. I saw that some of the crew were going haywire and trying desperately to shoot at it but nothing seemed to work. I heard the engines wane from the pressure and the beast refused to let go. The beast seemed to have enough of the game of tug of war and jerked its head down to the ground. The momentum made the ship dip downwards and plummet to the ground in a huge crash. The dinosaur released the anchor and let out another loud roar, making the mares and I cover our ears. We all then heard more screaming and saw some survivors run to the last two ships. I noticed that most of them were brainwashed stallions but the beast didn’t seem to care as it went charging at them again.

“Shit! Stay here!” I told the mares and flew after the beast. I managed to fly right in front of him and held my arms out. “Draco! Please stop! They’re brainwashed! Don’t give in to rage!”

But my pleads fell on deaf ears as he knocked me out of the way, he charged in a blind rage towards the ship. He slammed his head into the side of the ship, roaring loudly, as he dug his claws into the haul of the ship.

“Damnit, he’s completely lost it!” I looked down to the cowering brainwashed stallions.

While Draco was busy demolishing the enemy ship, I flew down and bashed each of the stallions in the head to knock them out. I then heard a loud crash and looked to see Draco had completely destroyed the ship and killed more Caribou and traitors and was already moving on to the last remaining ships and survivors.

“Will he ever snap out of it?” I asked myself. I frowned as I reached back to grab my spear. “Damnit, Draco, don’t make me do something I might regret.”

“Captain!”

I spun around to see my apprentices and Alpha Squad running towards me, my ship was hovering in the air nearby. My crew looked around at the carnage and their faces grew pale. When they saw the rampaging dinosaur, they all went wide eyed.

“Holy Buck! What the hay is that thing?!” Zephyr shouted.

“That’s Draco.” I said.

“What?! Draco?!” Flash said and I nodded. “Why is he going all crazy like that?!”

“Something happened in the mines.” I said as I pointed to the Pie mares. “We went in to get them out. The Caribou caused explosions to try and bury us in. We almost made it out but…Igneous Rock gave his life to save LImestone’s.”

“You mean…?” Ace said with a frown and I nodded somberly.

“He’s still in there, buried and dead.”

“Shit…!” Big B cursed, clenching his fists.

Another ear splitting roar echoed throughout the area and we looked to see Draco surrounded by wreckage and bloody bodies. He just kept roaring and smashing into anything he could, which was a painful sight to see.

“Draco turned into that and is now out of control. We need to evacuate the survivors and the Pie mares before-”

“Wait Shadow! Come back!” Swift cried out.

I looked to see Shadow running frantically towards Draco.

“Shadow Star! Get back here! That’s an order!” I demanded but she ignored me.

“Draco!” She cried as she ran to him. “Please stop! This isn’t you! It’s me, Shadow Star!”

Draco at the time had impaled a Caribou through the chest as he was trying to crawl away. The moment that he saw Shadow he let out a menacing roar at her.

“He’s gonna eat her!” Ace cried.

I was about to fly straight at Draco but Shadow glanced over her shoulder and held out her hand to stop me. I paused at her request as she turned back to look at Draco.

“Draco! I’m your friend! Please listen to me!” She called out as she held her arms out.

Draco roared again moving closer to the mare, his eyes now locked onto her as he approached. However Shadow remained still as Draco trudged towards her, his jaws dripping with blood and gore. Shadow then lowered her arms and turned away. Just as Draco was looming over her, she slowly raised her hand and held it up to the towering dinosaur.

“I trust you, Draco, you’re not a monster.” She said while looking away.

Draco’s jaws were about to come down on her, but at the last second his nostrils flared and his body came to a halt. For a moment he stood there with his jaw wide open, the sense of malice had slowly faded away. His pupils had dilated and he closed his jaws and gently brought the tip of his muzzle to her hand. We all soon relaxed as Draco slowly but surely reverted back to his human form. We all approached the two of them and were met with him hugging Shadow close and burying his face in her shoulder as she tried to console him. They both were on their knees and I knew Draco was crying, but he never dared let us see his tears.

“It’s ok, Draco, I’m here.” Shadow said sadly as she rubbed his back.

Draco just sat there unmoved with his hands around Shadow. I couldn’t blame him though, for this was the many things war could do to a man. Even worse for someone who was never properly trained for this kind of outcome.

I glanced over at the rest of my crew and gestured them to go and get the Pie mares and bring them to the Prometheus. They nodded and left to tend to them as I stood by with Draco and Shadow.

“War.” I said as I looked to the sky. “War never changes. Death is apparent, and always takes those who are unprepared for it.”

“Lock, I think he’s out cold.” Shadow said.

She moved Draco to the side and I saw that his eyes were glazed over and there were dry stains from his tears. I sighed as I unsheathed my spear and made it disappear in a puff of flames. I reached down and picked Draco up and over my back. With him properly secured, I nodded to Shadow and she nodded back with a frown and teleported back to the ship. I just slowly walked through the debris of carnage, not saying a word. A little while later, I felt Draco begin to stir slightly. He looked around at all that was done and as I carried him.

“It’s not your fault.” I said.

“How do you figure?” He asked in a horse voice.

“This isn’t my first rodeo, and I’m not talking about my exploits in this world. I’ve done this kind of thing before a few times during my service in the military. This pain you feel, the pain of seeing someone die, it hurts.” I said as I continued my slow pace. “But you should also use that pain to keep driving to end the suffering of others. Igneous, Fancy…Shining Armor.” I looked to the sky. “They died still holding on to hope, hope that this war will come to an end.”

Draco remained silent as we walked onwards. I couldn’t tell what was going through his mind at the moment, but I knew he needed some time to think. I stopped my walk when we passed by the entrance of the mine. We both stared at it for a moment and I felt Draco’s arms tense up.

“…I’ve had to tell the family of my good friend, Joshua Clay, that he had died in the field. They say that there are many things that a person finds hard to say. But telling someone that their loved one is no longer with them? I’d rather take a bullet to the head and then some rather than tell someone like Pinkie Pie that her father is gone.”

“We failed her.” Was all Draco could say as he looked at the mine entrance.

“I know…” I said as my heart waned. “But we can make up for it by honoring him.”

“I’ll do what I can…and sorry about losing control, man.” He said solemnly.

“It’s fine.” I said as I unfurled my wings. “How’s your body feeling? That form must be pretty taxing if you passed out because of it.” I flapped my wings and flew towards The Prometheus still hovering in the air.

“Yeah it is. That is a form that combines two different dinosaurs, which in of itself is hard to do at that size.” He groaned as he held on. “The black dinosaur you saw back in Manehattan was somewhat similar to it, only on a smaller scale.”

“I see.” I said as we neared the ship. “You also seemed pretty lost in rage, what did it feel like? If you don’t mind me asking.”

He stayed silent for a moment, I honestly felt like I said something wrong. “It felt like I was lost in a sea of blood and rage. As if no matter how much pain I was in, my body only wanted one thing…revenge.”

“And Shadow?” I wondered.

“I…ugh…I’m not sure really. I remember the sea of rage, but then I heard her voice and felt like I could think properly again.”

“She seems to trust you enough not to eat her.” I half joked. “And it looks like we both now have something inside us we need to watch out for. You with that rampaging beast and me with the unknown black flame.”

“Yeah well mine’s a quick fix to solve, yours will kill before we have a chance to put a stop to it. So don’t push your luck buddy.” Draco commented.

“Sure, sure.” I half laughed.

We finally made it to the ship and I touched down on the deck. My crew were busy with their tasks and we saw Alpha Squad with the Pie mares sitting around an open table. Marble was sitting with her mother still crying her eyes out, Limestone was huddled in a corner not looking at anyone, Cloudy was trying her best to soothe Marble with a frown, and Maud just sat in her chair staring at her hands.

“I should have been fast enough to save him.” Draco said. “If I just pushed him out of the way and used my armor plating he would still be here.”

“He made his choice, Draco.” I said as we made our way to the Pie mares. “He saved his daughter from death. I also would have saved him by stretching out to grab him, but it seems fate had other plans.”

“I fucking hate it.” He hopped off my back and tried to stand on his own.

He stumbled a bit but caught himself and hobbled to the table. I snapped my fingers for some of my crew to grab us some chairs. They nodded and placed two at the table and we both sat down. The Pie mares glanced at me but went back to their thoughts.

“Mrs. Pie?” I said, she looked up at me. “My deepest condolences, he was a good stallion.”

Draco didn’t bother saying anything as he sat at the table with his head hung low.

“We thank you both for doing what you could for us.” Mrs. pie said. “My husband was indeed a noble stallion, and I am glad that my daughters are all safe.”

“If there’s anything any of you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.” I said.

“Can…I have a cup of water?” Marble whimpered.

“Of course, kid.” I said as I gestured to someone to do so.

“Mr. Lockdrom.” Maud said. I looked at her and she was standing right beside me. She had a look in her eye where she wanted to tell me something critical. “You say that you will provide anything for us, right?”

“To the best of my ability, yes.” I nodded.

“Then I want one.” Maud said, holding her hand out.

“Er…one what?”

“A fruit.”

I looked to everyone still unclear what she meant and looked back to Maud.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Are you hungry or-”

“Pinkie told me.” She said. “That you give something to ponies to make them strong.” I flinched, already not liking where this was going. “Over the radio, she told me about Flash Sentry and Zephyr Breeze over there. Even you, with all your power, Pinkie told us about. I believe she called it Devil Fruit.”

Draco slammed his hand against the table and tried to stand up, but almost fell over in the process. “Absolutely not!”

“Maud are you crazy?!” Limestone added, jumping up from her corner.

“Oh shit…” Zephyr said nervously.

“Why are you so mad, Mr. Saurian?” Maud wondered.

“Because I’m against the idea!” He shouted, slamming one of his fists. “If you eat one of those damn things, your soul will end up in Hell! I won’t let another pony be damned to that place, even if they will be seen as a hero there!”

“Another pony?” I questioned.

Before I knew it, I felt Draco slam his fist into my head force my face onto the table. “Are you fucking stupid?!” He pointed over to Zephyr and Flash. “What do you call those two, you dumbass?!”

“Hey, lay off the Captain!” Ace snapped.

“Get off him!” Big B growled.

“Stay out of this!” I barked, halting them in their tracks. “Draco, they’re my apprentices. More than that, they’re my precious comrades in arms, my friends.”

“And because of you, when they die, they will go to Hell!” He snarled. “I get that this war is going to be hard, and we can use all the power houses we can get, but not at the cost of them never seeing their families after death!”

“But Draco, we came to him!” Flash protested. “We knew the risks, but we still ate the fruit regardless!”

“Yeah! I’m now a better stallion than what I was before.” Zephyr said. “I don’t care where I end up when I bite it, so long as I can help those who need it!”

“And I can’t change what you already did, but I won’t let another suffer that fate!” Draco turned to Maud. “I promise that your father’s death won’t be in vain, but if you do this you’ll never see him again. Do you think that’s what he would want?”

“You can’t speak for my father, you don’t have the right.” Maud said sternly. “I also want justice for my father’s death. If it means my soul, then so be it. And frankly, Mr. Saurian.” She stepped forward to look straight into his eyes. “It’s not up to you what I choose to do for myself, same with Flash and Zephyr since they also made their choice.”

“Draco.” I said, still being pinned to the table. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy giving them the fruit. But it’s as they said, it’s their choice.”

Draco kept his grip firmly on my head for a few more moments before letting go. He turned away and started to hobble away from the group. “Do what you want.”

“I’m sorry Draco.” I said as I straightened out my jacket. He kept walking until he was out of sight.

I sighed as I turned to Maud who was waiting patiently. I then looked at my apprentices who just stared back at me.

…Lucifer.

“She’s a bold one.” Lucifer said as he appeared in a puff of flames beside me, making Flash and Zephyr flinch but kept to themselves. “But regardless, she’s made her choice.”

Just give me the damn fruit. I snapped in my head as I held out my hand.

“Very well.”

Lucifer then held out his own hand and ball of flames appeared. From the ball, an orange looking fruit that reminded me of a grapefruit appeared. The same demonic tribal patterns covered it as he placed it in my hand and it appeared in its own flames.

“I look forward to what she can do.” Lucifer chucked as he disappeared.

“Is that it?” Maud asked.

“Yeah, this is it.” I said as I handed her the fruit.

“Maud don’t!” Limestone pleaded.

“Please don’t Maud!” Marble said.

“Maud…I must ask that you rethink this.” Cloudy requested.

“I already thought about it mom.” Maud said.

Wasting no more time, Maud began eating the fruit in front of all of us. She ate every last morsel of the fruit until there was nothing left. Once she finished she looked up at me.

“Now what?” Maud asked.

“Just prepare for pain.” I said.

She was confused at first but then gasped and cringed and looked at her arms. The tribal brands began burning their way up her arm. Unlike Flash or Zephyr, Maud just stood their and watched the brands burn on her flesh. She winced and yelped a few times but she remained standing. As the brands burned their way up, her body seemed to grow a little and she was a few inches taller now. Soon the brands were finished burning into her arms and the pain along with it. She exhaled and slumped into her chair and panted from the exertion of her transformation.

“Maud Pie.” I said, she looked up at me. “I welcome you to the Prometheus crew, and as my new apprentice.” I held out my hand to her. She took a deep breath to relax herself and stood up. She then grasped my hand and shook it.

“I’m glad to be part of the resistance, Captain.” She said.

3rd POV

In the crew’s quarters, Draco sat by himself at a table, scowling to himself with his arms crossed. Of all the ponies, Maud ate the fruit despite his protests. He already was in a cold mood after the passing of Igneous Rock, now that feeling just made him even more cold and sour at the moment.

“Excuse me.”

Draco looked up to see two ponies walk up to him. One was a unicorn mare with light yellow fur and a violet mane and tail, both done up in a bun. She wore a pair of glasses and had a small mole on the side of her chin and her eyes were a plum purple color. The other doctor was an earth pony stallion. His fur was light grey and his mane and tail were plain black. His eyes were a steel blue and the end of his muzzle was a darker shade of his fur. Both wore white medical coats as they approached Draco.

“Are you perhaps Mr. Saurian?” The mare asked.

“I am. Why do you want to know?” Draco asked with an annoyed tone, still bitter about what happened with Maud.

“Apologies for interrupting your brooding, but we heard from Captain Lock that you were suffering from strained body muscles?” The stallion asked. “I am Dr. Surgical Steel.”

“And I am Dr. Warm Heart, we are the ship’s head medical doctors.”

“Well good for you two.” Draco turned away getting comfortable in his seat.

Dr. Warm Heart stepped behind Draco while Dr. Surgical Steel stepped to his side and put on his stethoscope.

“Deep breathes please.” Surgical Steel said and Draco did so. “So, are there any other ailments you are feeling?”

“Such as fatigue, loss of balance, perhaps feeling faint?” Dr. Warm Heart added as she examined his arms and shoulders.

Draco gently swiped the stethoscope from his body. “Look docs, I’m just exhausted from my fight against the Caribou. I’m fine and just need to rest first is all.”

“But we were only trying to help.” Dr. Surgical Steel said.

“Mr. Saurian…no, Draco.” Dr. Warm Heart sat next to Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I may have skills in the medical field, but I also am a licensed therapist. You are showing all signs of grief and mourning. I just want you to know that I always lend an ear to any who wish to talk.”

Draco signed and looked away for a moment. “Look I’d rather not talk about it. If I let you guys do what you need to, will you then leave me alone?”

“On the contrary, your body is just as you say: exhaustion from battle.” Dr. Surgical Steel said as he pulled out a small potion vial. “Just drink this and you will feel better in no time.”

“My offer still stands, Draco, remember that.” Dr. Warm Heart said as they both walked away.

Draco sighed as he examined the vial the doctor gave him. He pulled the cork off the top and brought the vial to his lips to drink its contents. The potion soon went to work treating his strained body which made him relax much more, but that still didn’t help his mood. He didn’t want to hate Lock, but allowing Maud to eat the fruit was something he couldn’t let go.

“Draco?”

Shadow came into view and saw Draco still scowling which made her frown.

“How’re you feeling?” She asked.

“How do you think I’m feeling?” He ask in a sarcastic tone. “Nothing’s changed and there’s no way it can.”

“Draco…I know it’s hard, seeing somepony die.” Shadow said as she sat beside him. “Before I joined Alpha Squad, before this very crew, I was held up in Appleloosa. I was one of the unfortunate mares who was about to be bred by War Beasts. I once had a friend who stuck with me during my imprisonment, and she always took my place whenever they wanted to…use us. Then Lock came and freed me and I thought my friend and I would be free again. But my friend…was killed during all the commotion. It was the hardest reality to accept, that our once peaceful times were over and are at war with these sick tyrants. It was only after she died that I accepted the different times we lived in.”

Draco’s scowl disappeared for a moment as he looked over to Shadow. “I’m…sorry for your loss, I had no idea.”

“I know, I owe her so much.” Shadow smiled. “And now I fight to honor her memory, for all she had suffered for me. So Draco, you’re wrong when you say nothing has changed. Things are changing, we’ll take back the Crystal Empire and free Equestria.” Shadow placed her hand on Draco’s. “You’ll see, we’ll take it all back and Equestria will be reformed.”

Draco sighed as he felt his mood slowly calming down. “Y-yeah I guess you’re right.” He shook his head and chuckled a bit. “Heh, you must have a cutie mark for calming down others, because this is the second time you’ve helped me out today.”

Shadow smiled as she stood up and turned around. Draco was confused at first but Shadow smirked a shit eating grin and grabbed her waistband and pulled her pants down halfway, making Draco go slack jawed. On her flank was a mark of a grey star with magic sparkles around it. The star looked like it had a bit of a shade which made her name seem to make more sense.

“It’s not, but thanks for the kind words.” She giggled, shaking her tush a little.

“Glrk!” Draco coughed up some blood as he fell over with his face a scarlet red. “What the fuck!”

“Hahahaha!” Shadow laughed as she pulled her pants up. “There’s the Draco I know. Glad you’re feeling better.”

“Seriously what the fuck?!” Draco shouted as he tried to pick himself off the floor to lean against the table. “Have you no shame?! I mean seriously who goes and does that without hesitation?!”

“Eh, who knows?” Shadow shrugged. She then leaned in and got very close to Draco’s face. “Maybe I did it for a reason, maybe not?” Her eyes lidded and she leaned more in to the point her muzzle pressed against his nose. “Would you like to find out?”

"I-I-I uh…” Draco's blush started to deepen as he was frozen stiff under Shadow’s gaze. “I don’t know…do I?”

Shadow giggled and stood back up straight. “That, my flustered friend, is for you to find out.” She turned and walked away with a slight sway in her step. “Come find me when you have your answer.” She called out as she left.

Each sway of Shadow’s hips had the young human gazing, causing him to let out an audible gulp. “That mare’s gonna be the death of me.”

Dimitri 1st POV

It didn’t take long for us to return to Ponyville. I was at the bow of the ship as the castle came closer and closer into view. I heard someone come up from behind me and saw Draco lean on the railing with me.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” He said back, and I noticed that he wasn’t as pissed from when I last saw him.

“You still pissed at me?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, I figured.” I sighed. “You know, she took the brands like a champ and even stood standing. Flash and Zephyr both passed out when they got theirs.”

“Good for her. I’m sure she can brag about that in Hell.” Draco sarcastically replied. “You better not let her die while under your command.”

“Trust me, I don’t plan to. If she can remain standing and barely make a noise as brands burn into her arms, then whatever power she’s got must be a good one.” Draco scoffed as we were just within the outskirts of Ponyville. “You just gotta have faith in me, man, same with the rest of the resistance.”

He rolled his eyes and hopped off the ship landing down on the ground. “For your sake, I hope you’re right Lock.”

I followed him down as the ship landed by the castle. The doors opened and the first of all ponies was Pinkie as she ran up to us.

“Locky! Draky! You’re back!” She said happily. “Did you bring them back? Where’s my mama? My sisters? My papa?”

Draco winced and turned his head away as he tried to not make eye contact with Pinkie Pie.

“What’s wrong Draky?” Pinkie asked and looked at me.

The gangplank lowered behind us. My apprentices and the Pie mares walked down and Pinkie gasped and ran over to hug them.

“Mama! Marble! Limestone! Maud! You’re here! Yay!” She cheered. Her family hugged her back as she pulled away but noticed Maud’s arms. “Hang on, Maud what happened to your arms?”

“I ate a Devil Fruit, Pinkie.” Maud said, making her gasp.

“What?! But…why? Don’t you know those are bad for you?”

“I had to, Pinkie.”

Soon the rest of the mares from the castle walked out and I smiled at the sight of Twilight and Moon, but frowned as Pinkie looked around. I noticed Draco’s hands clenched into fists and was trembling.

“Wait.” Pinkie said, still looking around. “Where’s Daddy?”

“Pinkie Pie…he didn’t make it.” Draco said, walking over to her while moving his hand onto her shoulder. “He sacrificed himself to save Limestone from a falling rock. We tried but we couldn’t save him.”

Everyone from the castle gasped as Pinkie slowly turned to face Draco. Her eyes were wide and she began trembling.

“Th-That’s n-not funny…” Pinkie mumbled. “C-Come on…where’s my Daddy?”

I walked over to Pinkie and frowned as she looked up at me.

“I’m so sorry Pinkie.” I said as I reached into my coat and pulled out something I managed to grab. Igneous’ hat, which was all torn up in places as I gave it to her. “He…he’s gone.”

That was the last nail in the coffin as Pinkie’s mane and tail flattened instantly. She hugged the hat closely as she fell to her knees. She then threw her head up and cried her very eyes out as tears streamed down her face.

“WAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! DADDY!!! DADDY COME HOME!!! WHERE ARE YOU DADDY?!? DON’T LEAVE ME!!!”

Draco kneeled down to hold onto the pink mare as she cried her heart out. “I’m sorry Pinkie, I’m so sorry.”

Pinkie continued to cry as she wrapped her arms around Draco, her tears never ceasing from pouring out. Her sisters and Mother were also crying and they joined Pinkie in the hug. I looked to the ponies from the castle and saw that they were also shedding tears and Applejack took off her hat.

“Lock…?” Twilight said.

“I tried…” I said. “We both did, but we weren’t fast enough.”

I looked down to see Draco had removed himself from the group hug as Pinkie kept on crying.

“Draco?” Cadence said as she walked up to him. Draco had a few small tears dripping from his eyes. “Oh Draco…”

Draco held out his hand and shook his head. “I-I’m fine your majesty, I just need a minute is all.”

Cadence immediately stepped forward and hugged Draco and held him close. “It’s not your fault.” I herd her whisper as tears formed in her eyes. “You did everything you could.”

Draco didn’t move, I could see his hand shaking as he kept his gaze to the sky, tears rolling down his cheeks along with everyone else.

I shook my head a little and started to walk towards the Castle.

“Flash!” He flew up next to me and walked with me. “Send a message to Princess Celestia in Canterlot.”

“What should I tell her?”

“The time has come.” I said clenching my fist, igniting it with Hellfire. “The Crystal Empire is next to liberate. This ends right now.”

“Yes sir!”

3 Hours Later
3rd POV

After Lock’s declaration to take back the Crystal Empire, he ordered that everyone take some time to rest and gather themselves. Pinkie’s family took up residence at Sugarcube Corner and the mares were given sleeping bags or stayed in any guest rooms. It was late at night and all were focused on the first real turning point of the war. The battle against Lust was not going to be an easy one, and everyone knew it.

Meanwhile, Draco was on the deck of the Prometheus and sitting on the railing, looking up at the moon. Cadence managed to console his emotions before returning to the castle and now he was left to his thoughts. He then thought about what Shadow said, about finding his answer.

After asking around Draco found the cabin that Shadow was staying in and knocked on the door. “Shadow it’s me Draco.”

He then heard shuffling from the other side and the door opened, making Draco’s face burn bright red. Shadow seemed to have just gotten out of the shower and was wearing only a towel covering her slight hourglass figure as water dripped a little off her mane.

“Oh hey Draco.” She said nonchalantly.

“Uh…h-hey S-Shadow.” He turned his gaze away while sporting a deep blush. “I’m so-sorry, do you want me to come back later?”

“Oh no, please come in.” Shadow said, stepping to the side. “I’ll just go get some clothes on.”

Nodding his head Draco stepped inside and sat on her bed and waited for the mare to get dressed. He kept his eyes glued to the floor as she did. A little while later, Shadow returned wearing loose fitting clothes, which didn’t help Draco, and she sat down beside him.

“So what’s up?” She asked with a kind smile.

“So, um, r-remember how you said I could find out why you did what you did earlier today back on the ship?” He asked with a blush and kept his eyes averted from her.

“Sure do.” Shadow said, laying on her back and crossing her legs. “And?”

“S-so why did you do that? I mean I get that I was depressed and everything. But wasn’t something like that a bit…much?” The young human asked trying to remain calm around the mare.

“Draco, why do you put up walls?” Shadow asked.

“Begging your pardon?” Draco asked, sounding nervously confused.

“You put up walls.” Shadow said again. “You act tough and talk the talk, but you seem to always shy away and dismiss whenever somepony wants to care for you. Like how I teased you and flirted with you, you got mad at me when it was just a joke.”

“I would hardly call that a joke you know. I mean somepony could have gotten a mixed message from that. I mean, what if I had gotten the wrong idea?”

“Who’s to say it was the wrong idea?” Shadow leaned up to sit up straight. “After all I’ve been through, and seeing your powers in action, I’m guessing you were the one who saved me in Las Pegasus, right?”

Draco started to sweat bullets as he turned his gaze away while gently scratching the back of his head. “Uh you figured out that was me huh?”

“Duh? Who else can turn into a giant monster and literally rip the heads off Caribou? Besides Captain Lock.”

“…Maybe Rarity if one of them got her dress stained.” Draco joked while shrugging his shoulders.

“Ha ha.” Shadow laughed sarcastically. “My point is, I did those things because I wanted to. Call it a way of showing both my thanks and affection for saving me. But I gotta wonder, why not accept them? Or at the very least, acknowledge them? Am I not attractive?”

“N-no you’re very attractive…I mean…shit.” Draco’s blush was in full bloom as he facepalmed. “ahem…What I mean is that yes you are an attractive mare.”

“So…?” Shadow questioned, arching a brow.

Letting out a deep sigh Draco fell back laying on the bed while looking up at the ceiling. “I don’t know anymore. I truly believed that pursuing a relationship here in Equestria was a bad idea. I believed it would be a distraction and that odds are I wouldn’t have to worry about it since I thought no mare would be interested, ya know?”

“How could you think no pony would be interested?” Shadow wondered. “I mean, I think you’re pretty cute.”

“Y-you’re just saying that because I saved your life…right?”

“No, I really mean it. Draco, sometimes a mare just knows. Captain Lock was able to form a relationship with Princess Twilight, and there’s rumors going around that he might have the hots for Nightmare Moon as well. So why, if he can do it, you can’t? What’s stopping you?”

That question threw him for a loop as he stared back at the ceiling. What was stopping him from trying to pursue a relationship? “Maybe it’s my lack of experience with the opposite sex? I spent so much time studying and working to get into my field of study back on Earth, that I never had the chance to try and find a relationship.”

“Hmm, well you do seem kinda nerdy about those dinosaurs you keep going on about.”

“Hey! It’s not nerdy, it’s called being well informed!” Draco argued half seriously.

“I’m joking! I’m joking!” Shadow laughed. She then jumped on Draco and hovered over him. “Draco, what if a mare, like me for example, confessed to you right here and now? How would you react?”

With a face as red as crimson, Draco found himself almost without words to speak of. “Uhh…well I-I-I don’t know. I’d see where it would go, I guess.”

“See? And that’s all a mare could ask of her stallion.” Shadow smiled. “You are the kindest and genuine human I’ve ever met, next to the Captain. If anypony deserves a chance at sharing their heart, it’s you, Draco. So do me a favor ok? Don’t let that little demeaning voice in your head tell you otherwise. If you like a mare, then go for it and see where it takes you. If it doesn’t work out, then just keep on trying.”

Letting her words sink in Draco swallowed and nodded his head. “Alright I can do that. And you said if I see any mare I like that I should go for it?”

“Of course.” Shadow nodded.

Draco took a moment to think to himself as he hummed out loud. “But Mrs. Cake is already married to Mr. Cake, and they have kids too. I mean, I don’t mind kids and I do remember that herding is a thing here.”

“What?!” Shadow yelped. “You’re…into older mares?”

Without warning Draco quickly rolled to his side placing Shadow underneath him as he leaned down to her face. “Just messing with you.” With that he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Shadow yelped at the kiss but her eyes slowly closed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Draco then lifted his head leaving Shadow in a dazed state.

“Wow…that was…something.” Shadow said dreamily. “So, what does this make us?”

“Hmm, not sure yet, but like I said before we’ll just have to see where this goes.” He leaned back in and pressed his lips to her own for another kiss.

Shadow pulled him close as they kissed and he leaned back and stood up from the bed and walked to the door.

“Draco?” Shadow said, making him look over his shoulder. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, okay?”

Draco smirked and nodded as he exited her room. He returned to the castle for the night and went to sleep. Now all that was left to do for him and the rest of the resistance is to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Author's Note

The time has come, Lust’s defeat is eminent.

Hope you enjoyed.

~WurkyWilk has left the building…