Chapter 34

The winter winds were blowing through the cold air as the fleet hovered in the clouds, high in the sky. Draco and the rest of the army had managed to evacuate all the crystal ponies in the city before the fight between Dimitri and Lust got too out of hand. Draco, Lock’s apprentices, Alpha Squad, and the Wonderbolts were all staring at the city in anticipation. Their eyes never left the flaming tower and could only imagine what was happening up there.

“Sir?”

Draco looked over to one of the crew members as he saluted him.

“I’m here to report our losses. About 120 of our forces were cut down during the fighting and over 500 were wounded and are in the medical bay,” the stallion reported.

Draco tapped on his arms as they were folded across his chest. He glanced at the pillar of fire to assess the situation before giving his next order. “Have those who are able and willing to help bring in the injured to the medics. Once they are all accounted for, send them to collect our fallen so we may give them a proper burial.”

The stallion nodded and went to relay his report. Shadow cuddled on Draco’s arm and frowned. “So many dead…” she muttered. “They didn’t deserve to die, not like this.”

Draco moved his arm around her shoulder and tried to comfort her. “I know, none of this should have happened in the first place.” He leaned down to kiss her head and try and calm her down. “But their sacrifice was not in vain, they can rest knowing they are aiding in retaking the Crystal Empire.”

Shadow smiled sadly as Flash, Zephyr, and Maud continued to stare at the inflamed tower and Flash could not stand to watch any longer.

“He’s been up there too long, I’m going up there to help him. Flash, Maud, let’s go.” The apprentices were about to fly off the deck, as Zephyr carried Maud, but Draco raised his arm in front of them.

“Don’t bother, the fight is as good as ours. Just give him time to sort him out. This is but one of seven battles to be won.”

“But Draco, you saw what that crazy stag looked like through the spyglass, didn’t you?” Zephyr protested. “He looked like he could tear anypony up without a care in the world.”

“I agree, and I still owe that bastard for my father,” Maud added.

“First, you guys froze like deers in headlights just looking at him,” He said while glancing at Zephyr and Flash, before turning his attention to Maud Pie. “And if you keep using that excuse I’m gonna let you go, but don’t come crying to us if you get yourself or somepony else killed.” Before they could protest any further, the radio flipped on in Draco’s ear.

“Oi, Draco, ya there mate? It’s Phill.”

Draco moved his hand to cup his ear as he listened in. “Hey Phill, you just missed all the fun.”

“Missed it? Jaysus lad, I could feel all the craziness from here! Where’s Lock, the mad bastard, he still butting heads with that Lust bloke?”

Draco looked back to the pillar before shaking his head. “Nah I think it’s as good as over, he’s just sorting things out with himself.”

“Well shite, guess we better head over there and-”

“Dimitri to The Prometheus, over,” Lock’s voice cut in, startling Phill.

“Lock?! You’re alive!”

“So I take it the deed is done?” Draco asked, sounding less than surprised.

“It was tough, tougher than anticipated, but I did what I said I would and beat him to a bloody pulp. I’m staring at his soul right now, strange as it sounds. Draco, can you radio one of the other ships to go back to Ponyville to pick up the Princesses and the other mares? I want them to be here when we restore the Heart.”

Nodded his head Draco prepared to do as he was asked. “Sure thing Lock, I’ll get right on that.”

“And Draco…thanks.”

“For what?” He asked, a bit confused.

“For being right, get here soon. Discord is waiting,” was all he said before hanging up.

“…son of a bitch.” Without wasting time Draco took off to find Lock.

The ponies called out for Draco to come back but he didn’t bother looking back after he instructed the others to follow Lock’s directions. He flew through the cold winds towards the city and didn’t stop after hearing Discord’s name. He knew this moment would come, he had been waiting for it for months and it was finally here.

“Oi, lad!”

Draco glanced to his right to see Phill fly up alongside him. “Ya hung up outta nowhere lad, what’s on your mind?”

“They found Discord, I’m hoping he’s still alive. How the heck did you get here so damn fast?”

“Me ship is also flying around nearby, I got a whole bunch of former traitors on board, plus a few caribou. I couldn’t stay away since I wanted to see how you’d do. Speaking of which, did ya have to put on such a brutal display with that War Chief character?” Phill questioned.

Draco didn’t bother hiding his smirk as he flapped his webbed pterodactyl wings. “Honestly, I thought I could have gotten some more fun out of it. Hell, I’m wondering if I can get a recording of it. Gonna mount his head over a fireplace when we get back.”

“Bruh, just how are ya gonna explain that to his aunt?” Phill asked, making Draco look to him curiously how he knew. “I asked around back in Sanctuary, some of them ponies were nobles back in Canterlot.”

“Oh like this.” Draco cleared his throat before speaking. “Hey there princesses, I killed your douchebag of a nephew. I’m gonna mount his head over my fireplace and sip tea while I stare at his face. Maybe I’ll make him into one of those singing busts.”

“Dude, you got issues, I swear,” Phill sighed.

“I do, I’m not sure what song I want it to sing.” He chuckled as he flew. “Think I can get a whole soundtrack?”

Phill rolled his eyes as they neared the city and landed on the outskirts. They looked around at the ruble around them as they walked and Phill frowned at the once beautiful city.

“Bloody hell, this place is a mess, I’m surprised it’s still standing after all that destruction.”

Draco looked to the fallen ponies and bowed his head while offering a silent prayer. “I may not be a seasoned veteran like Lock, but even I know this is the ugly side of war.”

“Ya did all ya could, mate,” Phill said, placing a hand on Draco’s shoulder. “Ya can’t save them all, not even during war.”

Draco patted the Phill’s hand and nodded. “I know, and a part of me wishes that I could have saved more. Seeing as I was the one who led them.”

The two smiled sadly at each other and soon saw someone sitting on some rubble with his back turned. They approached the stranger and saw it was Lock as he was cleaning his swords and spear. The first thing they noticed was the many slash wounds all over his body, most noticeably his arm since it looked more cut up than his body. Lock paused his cleaning and looked over his shoulder to see his friends and they saw a cigarette in his mouth.

“Hey,” he said as he took a puff and went back to cleaning.

“Seems like you had a fun time." Draco joked as he found a seat on another pile of rubble.

“Fun…” Lock winced as his arm throbbed a little. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Ya look like hammered shite,” Phill said as he took his own seat.

“You should see the other guy,” Lock said, nodding his head to the crater. Draco and Phill looked to see the lone white orb with a thin wispy tail. “That’s Lust’s soul. I was about to send it off to Hell.”

Draco nodded his head as he glanced at the ominous orb. “One down six more to go.”

“That’s what I said,” Lock chuckled as he took another puff from his cigarette.

“Oi, I thought ya quit smoking?” Phill inquired.

“Eh, I never said that, just sometimes.”

“Got another?”

Lock nodded and pulled out his pack and handed one to Phill and lit it for him with his thumb, allowing Phill to take a puff as Draco just stared at them.

“Pfft, I will never understand people and smoking.”

A small pillar of flames appeared out of nowhere to reveal Satanael himself as he slowly clapped to Dimitri.

“Bravo, my Hand, bravo indeed. I expected nothing less from my agent of darkness.”

“I aim to impress,” Lock shrugged.

“And my compliments to you as well, young Draco, your brutality is most admired.”

“Yeah wasn’t trying to impress you,” Draco said in a less than pleased tone as he stared at the devil.

Satanael chuckled as his eyes fell on Phill.

“That meddlesome fool Michael really doesn’t know how to stay out of one’s business, does he?”

“Say what ya want, fiend, I’m here for me friend and the poor sods mixed up in this mess,” Phill sneered as he pointed his cigarette at the devil.

“So you say, a wasted effort if you ask me.” Satanael then walked towards the orb and glared at the soul. “I warned you, my foolish servant. You seem to have forgotten what that young maiden said long ago to her fellow humans: Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us, but we can't strike them all by ourselves. Not once did you disobey me, but twice? It would appear you are in need of a more proper punishment.” He reached down and grabbed the soul and set it aflame. “For your crime, you shall be smothered in fire and brimstone for the rest of your miserable existence. Not kisses.” The soul burned away in his hand and he looked to the three warriors. “Heed this warning, Lust’s defeat is a trigger. The other Sins will not ignore that one of their own has been smited. Never let your guards down from this point onward.” With that, he disappeared in a puff of flames.

“Finally, I was getting tired of looking after that damn soul,” Lock said as he stood up, only to stumble a little and Phill caught him.

“Ya should take it easy, bro, your wounds are still a tad fresh,” Phill said.

“I’m fine, I just need a minute to recharge and I’ll be able to heal myself,” Lock protested as he grunted in pain. “We need to get to the gardens, he’s waiting for us.”

“Before that.” Draco slipped his hand into his pocket before, pulling it out and tossing part of a metal chain onto the ground. “This is gonna cause you and the others some problems.”

“What’s that?” Phil wondered.

“I’m getting some bad vibes, whatever that is,” Lock narrowed his eyes at the chain.

“That there is a chain made from a material that, according to Blue Balls, is said to weaken those who use devil fruit powers.”

“You serious?” Lock said as he reached down to grab it.

“Wait, don’t-!”

As soon as he grabbed the chain, Lock fell to his knees as he felt like something was sapping all his strength away. The wounds on his body began to bleed again as he grunted loudly in agony from the chain.

“Bloody hell! Get it away from him!” Phill yelped as he tried to stop his wounds from bleeding anymore.

Draco was already one step ahead of Phill, as he snatched the piece of metal away. “Next time, listen.”

“Gah! What the fuck!” Lock gasped as Phill used his Light to stop the bleeding. “It felt like my body was getting dried up! The fuck even is that thing made of?!”

Draco slipped the metal away in his pocket to make sure nothing happened. “It’s a material that Blue Balls had. He was planning on using this on you, and he had enough to make chains to bind my body. I get the feeling the other Sins have more of this stuff.”

“Fuck…” Lock growled as he straightened himself up. He walked over to a wall and smashed his fist against it, making it crumble to the ground. “They were ready for me, how could I not have seen it?”

“Bro, calm down, ya won the battle.”

“THE FUCK DOES THAT MATTER?!” Lock snarled as he stomped on his cigarette. “They were ready for me before I even got here. If Draco wasn’t here, I would’ve been the one bound by those chains. I would’ve been helpless, and that shit stain Blueblood would’ve gotten the drop on me!”

Draco let out a sigh and moved over to place a hand on Lock’s shoulder. “That’s why we need to be careful moving forward in this war. You’ve made yourself known, so expect for them to take you more seriously now.”

Lock didn’t respond as he leaned on the crumbled wall and tried to collect himself. He felt his power was recharged enough to heal his injuries as small embers flickered off his body. As he slowly healed, Phill noticed a strange symbol on the back of his right shoulder. It looked like a ram with long curved horns and had the same sinister appearance as the brands covering his arms.

“Oi, Lock, what’s that on your shoulder?”

Lock and Draco looked to Phill then to the back of his shoulder and gazed at the mark.

“The hell? When did this get there?” Lock wondered.

“Ram’s Sin of Lust,” Draco added as he examined the new marking.

“The what?” Both Lock and Phill asked.

“There’re legends about each of the seven sins of man, and how they can be represented by certain animals.” He stepped back to think to himself. “Like a lion, the king of beasts and leader of their own, could represent pride.”

“Interesting, I recall me pap mentioning something like that when I was a lad,” Phill said, stroking his beard. “I think it went something like a boar is the sin of gluttony, a bear is the sin of sloth, a fox is the sin of greed, a snake is the sin of envy, a lion is the sin of pride, and a dragon is the sin of wrath. Have I got it?”

“More or less, the legend can be different depending on where and who you’re asking. But that seems like the best one so far.”

“Great, so I’m gonna get a mark of a beast on my back for every Sin I beat? I’m not even a fan of tattoos, the freaking brands on my arms were enough as it is,” Lock grumbled.

“At least they look badass,” Phill chuckled.

“Irrelevant.”

“Well now that we have gotten all that settled, let’s go see about freeing Discord.”

The men nodded and were about to set off to the gardens. Lock grabbed his weapons and strapped them on his belt and back and slung his tattered leather jacket over his shoulder. As soon as they were about to go to the gardens, a shadow loomed over them as they looked up to see The Prometheus and the fleet hovering over the city. One of the smaller ships descended to the ground and landed in an open area as the gangplank was lowered. From the ship, Alpha Squad, the apprentices, and finally the Princesses and most of the main six walked down to the ground. As soon as the group saw Lock, they all were shocked to see him and his injuries. None of them really expected to see their human friend to be so badly wounded, Draco especially since he had bandage wrappings tied around his arm and a few bruises on his face.

“Oh damn, are you okay Captain?” Flash asked.

“Been worse,” Lock chuckled.

“You’re littered with cuts and injuries,” Celestia stated.

“I’ll live.”

Cadence stepped forward with a sleeping Flurry wrapped in blankets and looked around to her once beautiful empire. She and the other princesses took notice of the still dead bodies still littering the area and frowned at the state it was in.

“So much…destruction,” Cadence frowned. “If only Shiny was here…”

“I’m sure he would have fought valiantly to help reclaim the kingdom,” Draco added. “He can rest a bit easier knowing his home is under the ponies control once more.”

From the group, Twilight and Nightmare Moon set their eyes on Dimitri. Twilight covered her mouth as tears spilled from her eyes almost immediately as Nightmare Moon tried to hold back her own tears. Twilight reached out for Lock as he responded by taking her hand as the small embers continued to slowly heal him.

“You’re hurt…” Twilight whimpered.

“Not too bad,” Lock smiled comfortingly.

“Your arm is all bloody.”

“It’ll heal, given time.”

“I was…so worried about you,” Twilight sniffled as her body trembled.

“I know, I’m still here though.”

Twilight took another step forward and leaned into Lock's chest. She whimpered and cried as she held her lover as Lock draped one of his wings around to comfort her. Nightmare Moon also decided to speak as she stepped closer to Dimitri.

“I have witnessed much conflict, but this is something even I was not prepared for,” Nightmare frowned as she reached for his other hand and grasped it. “You still standing here sets my mind at ease. I too…was worried about your well-being.”

“I appreciate your concern, Moon, truly I do.”

The rest of the main six, excluding Pinkie Pie, went to check on Draco.

“How’re ya doing partner?” Applejack wondered.

“I saw what that bastard did, he was a spineless coward in the end,” Rainbow spat.

“I always knew that brute was no good,” Rarity said bitterly. “When Rainbow Dash told us about Blueblood, we could hardly believe it.”

Draco’s cheeks flushed a bit as he tried to keep himself composed. “I-I’m okay, I may have gotten a bit punch drunk, but nothing I wasn’t prepared for, you know?”

“Draco,” Celestia spoke up with a serious look. “I was told about your…brutal method to kill my nephew. But I was also told of all he had done before and during this war. I wished, from the bottom of my heart, that there was still some good in him. What a fool I was to believe in such delusions. It was my fault he ended up as the stallion he came to be, and perhaps he did deserve his fate. I only hope that you can forgive me for being the cause of your brief torment by my late nephew’s hands.” She bowed her head a little with remorse.

“Hmmm,” Draco hummed as he considered the idea. “I’ll accept your apology under two conditions, ones that will test your resolve and your ability to be a ruler fit to serve Equestria in these harsh times.”

“Name them, please,” Celestia said as Luna stepped up beside her.

Draco held up one finger. “First, you’re gonna let me keep his head as a prize. Then, once it’s preserved properly, you will show it to the kingdom. You’ve played the role of a nurturing mother so long, that you failed to see the monsters you’ve created amongst your own kind.”

“Y-You want me to present his head?” Celestia asked unnervingly.

“That seems a tad barbaric, Sir Draco,” Luna commented.

“Not to mention, bloody mad,” Phill added.

“But effective,” Draco stated. “You need to show your ponies that no one is allowed to betray Equestria and get away with it. This goes double for members of royalty. You can’t point to danger and rely on Twilight, and her friends, to defeat the enemy for you anymore.”

“We never meant for any of this to happen though,” Luna argued. “They invaded us, we were a peaceful kingdom and wanted to spread friendship.”

“With all due respect, Luna, but Draco’s right," Lock spoke up. “I don’t mean to reopen old wounds, but think about what happened with Mac. Do you really want more ponies like him and your nephew popping up? Who’s to say that if and when this is all over, it won’t happen again? Things need to change, that includes the two of you growing a spine.”

“Dimitri, I believe that’s a tad excessive,” Cadence said.

“Is it, Cadenza?”

“No, it isn’t,” Draco chimed in as he walked up to the princesses. “You two control celestial bodies, yet I’ve yet to see either of you lift a finger in the time I’ve been around. Why is that?”

“We have witnessed and fought for our kingdom plenty of times,” Celestia retorted.

“Indeed, we always made sure to stand and fight when necessary,” Luna agreed.

“If that were true, then how come neither of you picked up a sword and joined us in battle?” Lock challenged, making them go silent.

“You talk high and mighty, but I’m willing to bet my life if Lock decides to get serious, he could put you two through the ringer. Hell, even I could give you two a run for your money. Yet all you do is sit comfortably on your thrones, moaning and groaning, but haven’t lifted a finger.”

The group looked at Lock and Draco as if they had a screw loose and back to the princesses. Luna had narrowed her eyes and Celestia was faring no better as she glared at them. It was then both Draco and Lock saw a strange glint in Celestia's eye that made them arch a brow slightly. For a moment, it was as if her eye was red and her pupils were orange and slit like a reptile. Although as soon as they blinked, the glint was gone as Celestia and Luna took a breath to calm down.

“Perhaps…you both are right,” Celestia sighed. “We have been doing next to nothing since this war began. Even before the war we did not do much against the threats that had returned to destroy all that we had looked out for. I supposed it was one of the many reasons why the Caribou invaded us, it was because we were overconfident in ourselves.”

“I’m glad you’re starting to get it,” Lock nodded.

“Which is why we would like to request to join your crew, Sir Lock,” Luna said, making everyone do a double take at them.

“Uh…excuse me?”

“Oh no, you two,” Draco jumped in. “You’re not gonna do that just yet. You two may be strong, but strength matters little to someone who can’t use it when it counts.” Draco who seemed unfazed by the idea as he paced around the princesses. “You two are the leaders of your country, if you decide to just follow someone else’s orders, it will make you look worse to your ponies as you already are now.”

“Yeah…I’m also not on board with this little stunt of yours,” Lock said, crossing his arms.

“May we know why?” Celestia questioned.

“Well for one it would be, shall we say, inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate?" Luna repeated. “How?”

“Because you’re both princesses,” Draco was quick to answer. “You have to understand every action you make reflects upon your character. For the princesses to become simple crew members of the Devil’s Hand, you’re showing how you can’t act on your own without someone to tell you what to do.”

“Not to mention, I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving you orders,” Lock added. “I mean, I respect the enthusiasm, but there are other ways to help in this war.”

“How, exactly?” Celestia wondered.

“To put it bluntly, show the world and your citizens you won’t take shit from anyone any longer.”

“Hence why I require you to follow my first condition. It will break the image ponies have of you. They think you’re just a pretty face that no matter how bad they act, you’ll easily forgive them,” Draco said.

“But the ponies might lose faith in us,” Luna argued.

“Then that’s their problem," Lock scoffed. “If they can’t pull their own heads out from their asses and not have the balls to accept the necessary change, especially during a war, well tough shit.”

“You’re asking us to change our nature,” Celestia stated.

“Well then if you can’t do what we ask, then take off the crown,” Lock said, earning gasps from the group.

“Dimitri! You can’t say that!” Twilight yelped.

“Twilight, please stay out of this.”

Both princesses and humans stared at each other for a moment. Celestia looked around the many crumbling buildings of the Crystal Empire as Luna looked to be deep in thought. To act more ruthless and to change who they were would be considered a dramatic step. However, Lock and Draco did have a point, this war had been the cause of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives ruined or lost. It honestly angered the two sisters from what has happened so far and they knew that things needed to change for the better.

“Draco, how soon would you like me to present my late nephew’s head to Canterlot?” Celestia asked, not looking in his direction.

“As soon as we return and tell everypony of the victory of retaking the Crystal Empire.”

“Very well…” Celestia said before taking a deep breath. “Then we shall do as you ask and prove that we are not the pushovers they think we are. From this point onward, we will be leading Equestria a bit more forcefully.”

“I am with my sister, things need to change,” Luna said with a determined look.

“Glad you two saw reason,” Lock nodded.

“And what was your second request, Draco?” Celestia wondered as she looked back to him to see him smirking.

“This second condition is a punishment you will inflict upon yourself. One that will tear you up inside till the day it will be over.”

“Bruh…” Phill deadpanned.

The group began to become anxious at his description. Just what kind of punishment could it be? Both Celestia and Luna swallowed a lump in their throats as they awaited his response.

“And…that would be?” Celestia asked hesitantly.

“For two months you shall…” Draco paused as he looked around to see everyone lean in. “Not eat a single bite of cake.”

There was a brief pause as the wind blew past them. For everyone else, they couldn’t help but let out a few chuckles here and there, Luna included, but for Celestia, she had a face that looked like one would have if they lost that which is most precious to them.

“Draco…can’t you think of anything else?” Celestia requested, trying not to sound desperate.

“Yeah, you're right.” Draco moved his hand to rub his chin.

Oh, thank the makers. I can still taste that new recipe Gustave had prepared, Celestia thought as her face relaxed.

“That isn’t nearly enough time to repent for Blue Balls sins. Better make it four months to be extra sure.”

“FOUR MONTHS?!” Celestia shrieked and clasped her hands together. “Draco please! You have no idea what awaits me back in Canterlot! There’s a new recipe of cake that has just been made! I cannot miss out on it!”

“Oh, well then it will taste four times as good after waiting four months for it.” Draco flashed an evil smirk at the beginning princess.

“B-But I can’t go four months without cake!” Celestia protested. “What else is there to eat for desert?!”

“There’s always fruit,” Lock suggested, making everyone start to laugh.

“And honestly, sister, you have been a little overzealous with your cake eating,” Luna pointed out.

“I have not!” Celestia argued. The rest of the group soon all began to laugh at Celestia as she became all flustered. “Cease this laughing! I demand it!”

“I guess we know where the name Sun Butt came from,” Lock said, which only caused them all to laugh harder.

“Hahahahahaa! Oh man, that’s too funny!” Zephyr laughed.

“Sun Butt, why have I not thought of that?!” Moon giggled.

“Alright, alright already,” Lock waved his hand. “We’ve had enough talking and roasting Celestia for one day. I think it’s time we finally get a move on.”

“To where?” Twilight wondered as she and the others started to calm down.

“To see an old friend.”

The group hastily made their way to the gardens after being told of Discord. The group were all worried for the mad spirit, but none more worried than Fluttershy and Draco. For Fluttershy, she would be able to see her dear friend once again after being apart for so long. For Draco, he would finally meet the being who brought him to this world in the first place. Lock led the group to the more central part of the garden to which they saw the statue of Discord. Fluttershy gasped and ran for the figure and dropped to her knees and began sobbing at the poor condition Discord was in. The rest fared no better as it waned on their hearts to see the damages and obscene writings the Caribou had done to his body. Lock glanced at Draco who slowly walked up to the statue as his fist clenched to the point it was trembling.

“Sweet Jaysus,” Phill sighed. “They went and treated the poor sod like a garden gnome.”

“I wanted to free him, but he insisted I go take care of Lust first,” Lock said as Fluttershy cried into her hands. “Can’t imagine what Draco’s feeling like, seeing Discord like this.”

“Discord…” Fluttershy whimpered. “Oh Discord…what have they done to my friend?!”

Draco stood before the statue staring at it for a while before moving his hand onto it. “I made it Discord, now let’s get you out of there.”

Draco… Discord whispered through his champion's mind. You…have made…me proud.

“I’m glad I could. Don’t worry, we’re gonna bust you out right now.” He gave a reassuring pat to the statue before turning to the others. “We can get him out right?”

“I’ll sure as hell try,” Lock said as he glanced at Phill. “I might need some help with this.”

“Way ahead of ya, bro,” Phill nodded as they both stepped towards the statue.

Draco helped Fluttershy up on her hooves as they moved out of the way. Lock and Phill raised their hands and placed them on the statue and focused their power. Lock’s hand was set aflame while Phill’s shined a bright light. The group never dared to take their eyes off the men as their hands glowed brighter. Suddenly, there were the sounds of cracks as the bottom of the statue creaked and cracked along Discord’s body. The cracks trailed up to his head as both men began to strain from the drawback.

“Almost there…” Lock said.

“Come on…” Phill huffed.

As the flames on Lock’s hand flickered more intensely and the light from Phill’s hand glowed more bright, the stone around Discord began to crumble away. First were his mismatched feet, his dragon claw twitched a little, then his upper body as the color had returned to him, then his eagle talon and lion paw, and finally his head. As the men stepped back, Discord stood there on the pedestal, free, and was littered with cuts and bruises from his torment as a statue. Before anyone could react, Discord fell limp and collapsed to the ground and in a coughing fit.

“Discord!” Fluttershy cried out as she came to his side.

Draco moves to the other side of the lord of chaos to see if he was Alright. “Hey man, you okay?”

“My friends…” Discord wheezed as he was rolled on his back. “You all are here.”

“Welcome back, Discord,” Celestia smiled.

“Oh Discord!” Fluttershy smiled happily. “I was so very worried about you!”

“Fluttershy…so good to see you again, my dear.” He turned to see Draco who had a wide and happy smile. “Young Draco, I just knew you were the right human for the role as my champion.”

Draco, though worried for the condition of his friend, tried to put on a good front and smiled. “Well I’m just glad I could live up to your expectations.”

“More than I ever thought,” Discord smiled. Draco offered a hand, which Discord accepted and was helped to stand. The mad spirit almost stumbled but Draco was there for him to lean on for support. He smiled weakly as he raised his lion paw and snapped his fingers, only for nothing to happen. “Oh dear, those brutes truly did a number on me.”

“You can’t use your magic?” Twilight asked.

“For the time being, it would appear not, which is a shame. I had hoped to retain some of my power to aid you but I’m afraid I shall be out of commission for some time.” He looked down at Draco as he leaned on his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind, my boy, but I seem to have trouble standing at the moment.”

“No worries Discord, I’ll always help a friend in need.” Draco moved an arm Discord to help keep him up.

“Thank you,” Discord nodded.

With Discord revived, the group now began their trek up to the tower. Along the way, they passed by more dead bodies of the enemy, some more brutally slain than the others. One caribou corpse looked as though his antlers were used to shred his stomach open while another had both arms and legs broken and his head turned 160 degrees.

“Sweet Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph,” Phill grimaced. “Way to not hold back, ya mad bastard.”

“But I was holding back,” Lock said innocently. “At least I didn’t eat them, unlike Mr. Caribou Glutton over there. If he had been here, this whole place would look like a Jackson Pollock painting.”

“Not my fault they taste delicious. Their screams add a nice flavor of both fear and regret. Course it would taste better with some fava beans and a nice chianti,” Draco chuckled as he licked his lips

“Babe, you scare me sometimes,” Shadow muttered as some of the group tried their best not to vomit.

“How can you humans eat meat in the first place?” Twilight wondered.

“Humans are omnivores, Twilight, we can eat both veggies and meat,” Lock replied.

“Yep, but I been more of a greeny than a meaty meself,” Phill grinned, making Draco roll his eyes.

“I swear, you guys need to lighten up.” Draco smiled and he pulled his mare in for a kiss. “And babe trust me, you won’t be scared when I decide to eat you. If you know what I mean,” he said while wiggling his brows.

The stallions grinned and chuckled as the mares blushed from his boldness. Shadow, on the other hand, knew just how to push his buttons.

“Really?” She purred as she leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Before we came to regroup with you and the Captain, I took my bra off when no pony was looking~.” Draco’s eyes went wide as Shadow pulled her collar forward a little to give him a peek of her bare breasts. “Like what you see~?” Draco didn’t respond as he went as stiff as a board and fell to the ground, dead as a doornail.

“Aaaand he’s down!” Zephyr laughed as the others laughed as well.

“Draco! Find your sense, man!” Discord snapped. “This is no way to act as a Champion of Chaos!”

A small puddle of blood started to build under Draco’s face, as his nose bled. “Oh for God’s sake,” Phill rolled his eyes and grabbed Draco by his shoulders and hoisted him up. “Boy, wake the fock up! You’re a man, aren’t ya? Snap out of it!” Draco could only mumble incoherently as his eyes were spinning around in circles.

“Just drag him, Phill,” Lock sighed as Draco fell back down on his back. Phill grabbed Draco’s leg and literally dragged him along as he was still in a daze. A little while later, Lock spied the destroyed door from before he faced Lust and walked towards it.

“Where’re you going, Cap?” Big B wondered.

“Keeping another promise,” Lock replied. He entered the room and the group could hear him talking to someone inside. The group then heard footsteps as Lock slowly walked out with a skinny looking stallion wearing tattered clothes, a torn wizards cloak, and nearly crushed glasses.

“Oh stars! Sunburst?!” Cadence yelped.

“P-Princess Cadence? I-Is that you?” Sunburst stuttered.

“What happened to you?! You look like you were mauled by an Ursa Major!”

“The Caribou did this to him,” Lock frowned as he put a comforting hand on Sunburst’s shoulder. “They imprisoned him and made him do research for their sick plans. I found him in there and wanted to help him get out of the Castle, but Lust had trapped him with a cursed slave collar that would’ve killed him had he left the room.”

“And here I thought the Caribou wouldn’t get any more vile,” Ace spat.

“You look quite weak, Sunburst, would you like one of us to take you outside?” Celestia offered.

“N-No, your majesty, Mr. Dimitri used his strange magic to finish healing me and I feel strong enough to walk. B-But I would like to take a bath once the Heart is restored,” Sunburst said as he tried to fix his broken eye-wear. He looked down to see Draco, still with a dumb grin plastered on his face, and tilted his head. “Erm, who’s that?”

“Just some idiot who can’t take what he can dish out,” Lock stated as he patted his back. “Come on, the Heart awaits.”

The group continued their walk up the tower as they passed by more dead bodies. Draco, who was still being dragged, wasn't even fazed by the bits and pieces that dragged along his skin. The others were worried about his well-being, but Lock had insisted to them that he was just being over dramatic about it. Soon, they had finally made it to their destination and entered the throne room. Everyone looked around at the battle damage that littered the area and how there were still patches of fire burning here and there. Some looked up to see the roof completely blown away as the clouds passed by through the sky. They also saw blood stains splattered on the floor and the crumbled wall and looked to Lock as he examined his tattered jacket.

“You really put him through the ringer, didn’t ya mate?” Phill said.

“Yep, but I still came out on top,” Lock said. “Hey Shadow, do me a favor and wake up Draco.”

“You got it, Cap,” Shadow smirked and walked towards her coltfriend. she squatted down to whisper in his ear again, which made his eyes bug out and shot his body straight up.

“Ohayōgozaimasu!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, dude,” Flash teased.

“Who knew the almighty Beast of Chaos would be put in his place by his own marefriend?” Zephyr chortled.

“You want us to comfort you in your plight, little colt?” Big B mocked, causing the stallions to laugh.

Everyone took a step back as a blood vessel could be seen popping out on his forehead. “Nah, by the way how are you nuts holding up?”

“My wha-OOOOFF!!” The large stallion doubled over after Draco slammed his knee into his crotch.

“Oooooohhh,” the males cringed.

“Call me a micro midget that you need a microscope to see, and I’ll castrate you.”

“But…I didn’t…!” Big B tried to say as he cupped his crotch.

“You really gotta work on controlling your temper when it comes to your height, Draco,” Lock commented as he walked around the throne.

“Aye, it shouldn’t matter what others say about ya,” Phill added. “You’re more of a man than any bloke who mock ya just cause you’re on the wee side.” There was no warning as Draco slammed his fist into Phill’s crotch. However, Phill was able to block his kick with his hand as he backflipped and just stared at Draco, astonished. “Bugger, I was only trying to help!”

“Then keep your opinions to yourself, before I decide to do the Irish jig on your nuts!!”

“Found it!”

Everyone looked to see Lock come from behind the throne and they all gasped. In his hand was a grotesque looking object that looked like a male’s genitals made of crystal. Cadence looked away in disgust, Celestia and Luna grit their teeth, and the rest of the group all had their mixed feelings of disgust and disdain for the once proud symbol of the Crystal Empire.

“That be it?” Phill said with hate.

“Yeah…this is the Crystal Cock,” Lock said as she placed it on the seat of the throne. “I just hope we can restore it.”

“Can we stop calling it that now, please? I mean seriously, why are we still calling it that?” Draco asked in an annoyed tone.

“Not for long,” Lock said as Phill stood beside him. Lock tossed aside his tattered jacket that hung over his shoulder as both men unfurled their wings out wide. “You ready?”

“Let’s be done with it,” Phill nodded.

Both Lock and Phill raised both their hands up to the relic and activated their power. Both of Lock’s hands were set ablaze as both of Phill’s hands shined a glowing light. The relic on the throne responded to their power by hovering a few inches off the seat and glowed a sickening green. The men felt a resistance from the relic, as if it was trying to reject reverting back into its original form.

“Oh no you don’t!” Lock barked as his hands became more inflamed. “This nightmare has gone on far too long! I have fought my way up to this point, I witnessed the deaths of great and noble stallions, and my comrades all bled and died for this moment! You, Dainn Stonehoof, your curse on this relic will bind it no longer! The true war begins now! All those under the effect of this cursed object will now be set free! Let them come to their senses and rise up against you and your dark forces! I won’t let anyone else suffer under the Caribou! This I pledge…WITH MY VERY SOUL!!”

Suddenly, the flames covering Lock’s hands turned from a red/orange to a pure white fire. Phill glanced at his hands and went wide eyed at the spectacle as the green glow faded away. Slowly but surely, the relic’s shape changed and morphed back into its once proud form that was the Crystal Heart. With one last push of his strength, Lock’s white flame enveloped the relic as it completed its final transformation back to normal. A bright beam of light shot up into the sky and pierced the clouds, sending a massive wave of light across the sky. The group had to cover their eyes from the bright light and Draco was the first to lower his arm. As soon as he did, he saw a strange phenomenon from Lock. It looked as though Lock had two more pairs of wings on his back, including his own. The apparition of the wings were a mix of feathered and webbed wings, which was a strange sight to see before they faded from view completely.

“What in the hell?” Draco asked, trying to understand what he was seeing.

“What’s wrong, Draco?” Shadow asked as the light faded enough for her and the others to see.

“…um, I honestly have no idea.”

Lock relaxed his body as he noticed the white flame covering his hands and arched a brow. “Huh, this is new.”

“Life…Fire.”

Lock turned to his friend to see him gazing at the white flames in astonishment as the flames extinguished themselves.

“What? Life Fire?”

“Uhm…i-it’s nothing,” Phill shook his head.

“You did it,” Cadence said with a content smile as the men stepped to the side and the group gazed at the now reformed Crystal Heart. Something different that they noticed was that it no longer had it's light blue color but was now a pure white, similar to the mysterious white flame Lock had conjured up.

“Hey, how come it’s all white like that?” Rainbow pointed out.

“It looks so much brighter now!” Twilight said.

“Oh my, it looks so marvelous! And look at us! We’re all crystal now!” Rarity beamed as she and everyone else was indeed sparkling like crystal.

“This…feels weird,” Swift said.

“I know, I feel so…pretty,” Zephyr said.

“Psh, my mare is always that pretty,” Draco muttered under his breath.

“I heard that, stud,” Shadow smiled as she pecked him on his cheek.

“The Heart has been restored, and it seems to have gained more power thanks to its reformation,” Celestia said. “Dimitri, Draco, even you Saint Phillip, and the rest of you who fought so bravely. On behalf of all of Equestria, we thank you three from the bottom of our hearts.” The princesses, the main six, and Discord all bowed to the warriors in respect. Alpha Squad smiled and looked at each other with proud smiles, the apprentices chuckled bashfully and even Maud smiled a little, and the three humans had their own smiles of their victory.

“We did it, man,” Lock said to Draco.

“Yeah, we sure did,” Draco smiled proudly and looked to the skies above. “This was for you, Shining Armor.”

“Well go on, tell him!”

Both Lock and Draco looked to see Twilight push Nightmare Moon towards Lock. The midnight princess was all flustered as she tried to resist with a bright blush spread across her muzzle.

“What’s going on?” Lock wondered.

“Nightmare here would like to share something with you, Dimitri,” Twilight smiled.

“E-Erm…w-well,” Nightmare fidgeted in place. Draco arched a brow until he noticed the other mares all have wide smiles, even Celestia and Luna waited with glee at the words Nightmare tried to find.

“You can do it, Nightmare!” Shadow cheered.

Nightmare took a deep breath and composed herself, only to have her cheeks flush red again at the sight of Lock's bare chest since he forgot to put his jacket back on. “Ehem…Dimitri, do you recall when I said I had something to share with you after all the fighting was over and done with?”

“I remember,” Lock nodded. Nightmare then smiled as she reached up and took off her helmet. Lock’s breath hitched in his throat at the sight of the mare’s bare face, for her beauty left Lock in a bit of a dazed state. Her facial features were perfect, her lips were smooth and luscious, and her eyes seemed to twinkle like the night sky.

“Dimitri,” Nightmare said as she set her helmet aside with her magic and reached over and grabbed both his hands with hers. “You have been so very kind to me, kinder than even I thought possible. You helped me see that there was more to life than just seeking vengeance when there was none to search for in the first place. I know that there is still much I must repent for, but you setting me straight was the push in the right direction I needed. I find it very inspiring how you always kept your head held high, no matter what. And…before I knew it, I realized something when you went off to battle and risk your life.”

“And what's that?” Lock managed to ask.

Nightmare smiled as she reached up and cupped his cheek. She then leaned in as she slowly closed her eyes and gently pressed her lips on his. What could only be described as fireworks set off in Lock’s heart and soul as Nightmare kissed him. The group cheered for the display of affection as she pulled away, still smiling at the human man.

“It’s that I have fallen in love with you, Dimitri Lockdrom,” Nightmare said with a soft tone.

“Y-You love me too?” Lock asked and she nodded. “But what about-”

“I am fine with it, Dimitri,” Twilight said, approvingly. “She told me some time ago, we spoke about it, and I would be okay with forming a herd with her.”

“You’re serious?”

“Quite.”

Lock grinned as he pulled Nightmare into a hug and returned the kiss. Nightmare was surprised at first but soon wrapped her arms around his neck and soon separated. “Then I can finally say what’s been on my mind for a while. I love you too, Moon.”

“Really?!” Moon asked excitedly. “Oh Dimitri, I love you!”

“Congratulations,” Draco smiled as he and the rest began to clap their hands for the happy new herd.

“I have a herd,” Lock said with glee as he shot up in the air and began to do somersaults. “Woohoo! I have a herd! I’m in love with two beautiful mares and they love me!”

“Our stallion is quite the spirited one,” Moon giggled.

“You get used to it,” Twilight smiled with joy.

“Hey Draco,” Swift whispered and gestured to him to come over. Draco tilted his head and walked over to the svelte stallion so he could speak with him privately. “Are you gonna tell her?” Draco suddenly began sweating bullets as he moved his hand to his neck, making a cutting motion while shaking his head. “How come? I’m sure she’d feel the same, right?” Swift inquired quietly.

Draco grabbed the stallion by the arm and quickly pulled him away out of earshot. “Look, I told you it couldn’t happen, there are way too many things to consider. Besides I’m with Shadow now, I doubt she’ll be interested in forming a herd.”

“Hmm, well Draco, put it this way,” Swift said as he walked away and looked over his shoulder. “If Cap can do it, you can too. You also deserve the same amount of happiness, as does she.”

“Except you forget that there are still things that could cause her to reject my feelings. Much like you and Big B.”

“True, but you never know, the world is vast and full of unsuspecting surprises. All you need to do is have faith, Draco,” Swift smiled as he rejoined the others, leaving Draco to dwell on his thoughts.

“Yeah…maybe.”

Draco sighed as he too rejoined the group and Lock landed on the ground and hugged his two mares and kissed them on the cheeks. “Alright everyone, listen up. Today is a special day for a number of reasons, but for now we gotta pick up the remaining pieces of Equestria. Just because Lust is dealt with and the Heart is restored, there’s still probably enemy outposts out there that need to be flushed out. Once we’ve made sure that the kingdom is secure, we can focus on our next target: The Sin of Gluttony.”

“Gluttony? Like eating?” Shadow tilted her head.

“Doesn’t that just mean he eats a lot?” Maud wondered.

“I wouldn’t put it past it from meaning something far worse than how it sounds,” Lock shook his head. “Point is, he’s got the Diamond Dog kingdom under his thumb and we need to find it and take him down. Also, I have something else I wanna say. Draco, please step forward.”

“Uh sure.” Doing as he was asked, Draco stepped forward till he was in front of Lock. “Okay, now what?”

“Draco,” Lock said as he pulled his arms away from Twilight and Moon and stood in front of Draco. “When we met, you told me that you would only work with us for a short while before heading off on your own. But instead, you stuck around and proved time and time again that you are a valuable asset to this war and the resistance. Not to mention your exemplary skills in leading our forces against the enemy. So I would like to propose something to you: Draco Saurian, I offer the position as my Lieutenant, along with being the official leader of Alpha Squad.”

“What?!” Everyone cried.

“Holy hay!” Zephyr shouted.

“Draco’s gonna be our leader?!” Cloud asked.

“Excuse you? Did Lust hit you too many times on the head?” Draco joked, somewhat shocked by Lock’s proposal. “Why would I want to be Lieutenant, let alone the leader of Alpha Squad?”

“Because you fit all the necessities of being a great leader and I can personally say, if it came down to it, you’d be the man I could rely on if things ever go too tough. There will come times during this war when I can’t be in two places at once, but with you I wouldn’t have to be. Your speech back in Ponyville was what helped the ponies fight like their lives depended on it. They look to you for leadership as they do me. Besides, you and the members of Alpha Squad have been getting along pretty well as of late. They were in need of a leader anyway, so who else to fill the position? What do you say, be an official member of my crew and the resistance?” Lock offered his hand for a shake.

For a good while Draco stared at Lock’s outstretched hand. He was more than happy to work with the ponies to take back Equestria, but he hadn’t ever considered becoming a leader. He looked to the ponies around him to say what they all thought. “What do you guys think?”

“I think you should go for it,” Flash nodded. “I was the first pony to join the fight against the Caribou, but that’s only because I wanted to be a worthy successor to Shining Armor. You fit the better qualities as the second-in-command since I feel as though I still have a lot to learn.”

“I’m not much of a leader type anyway”" Zephyr chuckled. “But you sure as tartarus do.”

“You deserve to be second-in-command, boulder thinks so too,” Maud said.

“Honestly, it would be pretty awesome if you became our leader,” Big B said.

“Yeah! We always worked together pretty well, but could never really give orders to each other even if we wanted to,” Ace admitted.

“Who else to fill the role? I say,” Cloud said.

“Please be our leader, Draco?” Shadow pleaded.

Letting out a sigh Draco rubbed the back of his neck and considered the offer. “I guess I really have no choice but to accept.”

“YAY!” Shadow cheered as she tackled Draco to the ground and peppered his cheeks and face with kisses as her tail wagged back and forth.

“Shadow come on!!” He shouted in embarrassment as he was kissed by his marefriend. “Everyone is watching!”

“I know!” Shadow giggled as she grasped his cheeks and planted a deep kiss on his lips.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy blushed.

“How unladylike,” Rarity said.

“Is this what it’s gonna be like with our new leader?” Berry wondered.

“Probably…” Ace sighed.

All Draco could do was accept his fate and wrapped his arms around the small of Shadow’s back and return the kiss.

“Ah, young love,” Celestia sighed.

“Love?” Discord spoke up and tapped his chin. Then gasped as he began to look frantic. “LOVE?! OH BY ALL THAT IS CHAOS!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT!! DIMITRI!! DRACO!! SIR PHILLIP!! YOU THREE NEED TO GET TO THE DUNGEONS THIS MOMENT!!”

The three humans looked to each other, perplexed before tuning back to Discord to ask in unison. “Why?”

“BECAUSE!! IN THE INNER SANCTUM, CHRYSALIS AND HER SURVIVING CHANGELINGS HAVE BEEN KEPT IN THERE LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN SEALED IN STONE!!”

“WHAT?!?”

“Bloody Hell!” Phill shouted.

“Draco! Phill! With me!” Lock ordered as the three humans sprinted to the edge of the throne room and jumped off as they quickly glided down. “I thought you said you got all the prisoners out?!”

“Well clearly they were being held some place other than the dungeon!” Draco argued

The three humans landed in front of the dungeon building and made a break for it inside. They ran through the prison halls and came across a flight of stairs that led downwards.

“I should’ve known, how could I have not seen it?!” Lock sneered as they ran down the stairs. “All this time, all this fighting, not ONCE did we run into a single Changeling!”

“I heard about them Changelings, but never met one. They’re supposed to be some of the bad ones, yeah?” Phill asked.

“Well bad is subjective. I don’t want to be that guy, but the changelings aren’t bad but don't go about their business good either. I thought the only reason we haven’t seen them is because they went into hiding,” Draco added.

“I don’t know myself,” Lock shook his head. “I had my own guesses as to what happened with them, but I didn’t expect them to be taken here of all places.”

“I can only imagine what we’ll find,” Phill said grimly. “What do the lot even look like?”
“Changelings have the ability to transform into any creature they like. But their base forms are kinda like the ponies but with more bug-like appearance,” Draco was quick to inform.

Before Phill could comment, they arrived at a door that had a very foreboding presence to it. It was a large door with a chain locking it closed and the three humans could feel the sense of death emanating from it.

“They’re in there,” Lock said as he drew both his swords. “STAND BACK!” Draco and Phill moved out of the way as Lock raised his swords in front of him.

“TWO SWORD STYLE: RHINO REVOLVE!!”

Lock spun towards the chain and slashed and hacked it with all his might. Sparks flew off the chain and soon fell to pieces and Lock sheathed his swords. “Help me pull this open, now!”

Draco enhanced his body with his dino strength and grabbed the door and pulled it open.

As soon as the door opened, they were met with a very grim sight. In the large room filled with darkness, husked and dried out corpses littered the floor as the light shined in. The three men slowly walked in, unable to tear their gaze from their surroundings. No matter where they looked, all they saw was death.

“Oh…sweet merciful lord above,” Phill gasped.

“Th-They’re all…” Lock tried to say.

“Dead,” Draco finished.

“H-help…”

A croaked voice echoed from the back of the room, gaining their attention. The men saw, to their relief, still alive Changelings but only a couple hundred or so. From the group, a lone Changeling limped out, his bones could be seen through his chitin. His red fin and dark purple irises were what allowed Lock and Draco to recognize the thin Changeling.

“Pharynx,” Lock said as they quickly made their way over to him.

“Please…help…”

Draco wasted no time as he quickly moved over to help keep the changeling stand. “Hey, hold on man, I got you.” Draco moved one of his arms to hold up the weak changeling.

Lock pondered if it could work, but he didn’t have any time to waste at the moment. He snapped his fingers and set his hand ablaze and placed it on Pharynx’s back. The Changeling gasped as his head shot up and his chitin became thicker and more healthy. The holes that littered his arms and legs also began to close up, which was a strange thing to behold for Lock and Draco, even Pharynx. After about a minute, Pharynx looked much more healthy than before as he was able to stand on his own and look at his hands.

“I’m…I’m all better,” he said. “I feel like I just had a full meal in just a minute.”

“Well that was…interesting to see,” Phill said.

“It’s effective, but it will take us too long to do that to the survivors,” Draco deduced before looking to Pharynx. “Is your queen still alive?”

“My Queen…” Pharynx said as he looked back at the survivors. “We knew what we had to do, as her loyal drones. Please follow me.”

Pharynx led the men further into the large cell as Lock and even Phill attempted to heal and restore any Changeling who looked near death.

“Blueblood locked us in here,” Pharynx hissed. “We were brought here after our hive fell, so many of us were killed. Blueblood deemed us as parasites that were not worthy to walk the new world. We’ve been here ever since.”

As Pharynx led the three, Draco gave him a pat on the shoulder to help ease him. “Well if it makes you feel any better I killed the bastard, and plan to mount his head over a fireplace.”

“That does make me feel a little better,” Pharynx half smiled but then frowned. “If only it weren’t for those bucking Caribou and their bucking advanced and unforeseen weaponry. We lost so many when the hive fell.”

“I’m sorry for your losses lad,” Phill said pityingly. “Especially all those ya lost here.”

“Not as sorry as I am…after what I lost personally,” the changeling said solemnly.

The group finally made it to the end of the room to be met with a very unfortunate sight. There, laying against the wall with more dead or near dead changelings around her, was Queen Chrysalis herself. She wore a very tattered green dress and her arms and legs had deep holes in them. Her chitin was dull and her very complexion was near death. The men couldn't believe what they were seeing as she weakly cradled a changeling corpse in her lap.

“Bugger me…” Phill exhaled.

“He gave the last of his energy to sustain her.” Pharynx grit his teeth as tears began to form in his eyes,

“Who?” Lock wondered.

“…my brother.”

“Thorax,” Draco spoke up.

Pharynx looked to Draco with a slight glare. “How the buck did you know his name?”

“You’d be surprised by a lot of things we know,” Draco answered as he placed his hands together and said a prayer for the fallen changelings.

“Whatever, it doesn’t even matter anymore.” Pharynx walked towards the weak Queen and knelt in front of her. “I don’t know what you did to help me get my energy back with that strange magic of yours, but I doubt it would work for my Queen.”

“Why’s that?” Phill wondered.

“She needs pure Love to restore her, at this point, no other source would be effective.”

“Love?” Phill asked.

“I’ll explain later,” Lock waved it off. “There has to be another way, she can’t die like this.”

Draco pondered for a moment to himself as he looked to Chrysalis and then to Lock before hatching a crazy idea.

“Lock, you need to kiss her.”

“Excuse me?!” Lock deadpanned.

“Well blimey that,” Phill said, also a little surprised.

“Look, she needs love to heal, so kiss her and give her some of yours, man,” Draco argued.

“But…why’s it gotta be a kiss?” Lock questioned, making Draco facepalm. “Can’t I just hug her or something?”

“Becuase a kiss will be more potent, and unless you plan to have sex with her this second, than you don’t have any better means of doing so,” Draco pointed out.

“While that might be more effective, I don't think that’s very appropriate," Pharynx growled.

“Alright! Fine!” Lock threw his hands up.

He slowly approached the changeling queen and knelt beside her as Pharynx moved out of the way. Chrysalis weakly looked up to Dimitri and tried to say something but could only whimper as she looked to be in pain. Lock frowned as he looked back around the room to see the many dead changelings that filled the area. He cursed to himself that this had happened to them and that they were maybe now an endangered species because of Dainn and his followers

“I’m sorry that we could not make it here in time, Chrysalis,” Lock muttered as he raised his hands to cup her cheeks and tilt her head upwards. Her chitin felt dry and rough as her hair looked unkempt and dirty. “You didn’t deserve this, none of you did.” He brushed aside a strand of hair as he leaned in. “I’m here to help you, I won’t let you die.”

Lock slowly and gently pressed his lips on Chrysalis’ as her heart skipped a slight beat at the gesture. She had no idea who this man was, yet he was kissing her with such passion. A familiar sensation entered through her as the color in her chitin and eyes were beginning to return to normal. Her body was filling out and its color began to return to its dark green shade. As she was being restored, the surviving changelings felt the love emanating off of Lock as they all reached out to him. Lock’s and Chrysalis’ body began to glow a pink hue as the love energy Lock was giving her shone brightly and lit the room up. One by one, the changelings were beginning to get their strength back.

The holes on their arms and legs had also begun to close up, something that had never happened to them before. Soon, Chrysalis had regained her figure, her E cup breasts were round and perky again along with the shape of her hourglass figure. The queen's vision had soon cleared up to see her savior pull back with a smile.

“What is this?” she asked calmly at first. “Who…are you? Where am I?”

Draco popped his head into view and milled. “This is your new husband, Lock, who has offered his body to you to help repopulate your kind, and you are currently in the dungeon of the Crystal Empire,” he said with an honest evil smile.

WHAM!

Lock slammed his fist into Draco's nose, sending him flying and into Phill, nearly knocking him over. “Shut the fuck up for a second,” Lock hissed as he turned back to Chrysalis, still looking confused.

“Jaysus bugger, Lock! You okay, lad?” Phill wondered.

Draco’s nose was bleeding and he had a slight smile on his face as he laughed a little. “W-worth it, eheheh.”

Chrysalis blinked as she looked around and began to panic. She then started to hyperventilate and Lock tried to calm her down.

“NO! NO! NO NO NO!!” She screamed. She then looked at the corpse that was in her lap and cradled it. “THORAX! THORAX WAKE UP! MY CHILDREN! WAKE UP PLEASE! WHY?! WHY?!? WHY?!?!?”

Lock’s heart broke as she wailed in distress and placed his hand on her back. She then spun around and wrapped her arms around him and cried her heart out into his chest and could only hug her back as they rocked back and forth.

“Why…?”

“I’m…so sorry, Chrysalis, I’m so sorry.”

Draco nudged Phill to get his attention. “Mind helping me give them a proper burial, and maybe say a prayer for them?”

“Of course…” Phill nodded as the changelings all began to cry themselves. Both men placed their hands together as Phill began to say a prayer.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Amen.”

“Amen,” Draco copied. Once the prayer was over he moved down to pick up one corpse with the greatest of care. A lone tear traveling down his cheek.

“Death comes in many ways,” Phill sighed as he picked up a couple corpses. “Sometimes he can be quite cruel but at the same time fair. This…this is just unnatural, what they did.”

"They can rest easy knowing those who have survived are saved, and that those who did this to them now face damnation." Draco added.

Lock slid his arm under Chrysalis' legs and under her back as he lifted her up. She whimpered as he held her close and his head hung over a little. The bangs from his hair shadowed his eyes as he slowly walked forward. The surviving changelings copied Draco and Phill's actions by reluctantly carrying a corpse or two of their fallen changelings and followed the men out. The cell was soon cleared thanks to their efforts and made their way up the steps. The group eventually made it outside where the others were waiting and were surprised to see who was in Lock's arms.

“Chrysalis? Why are-?” Twilight tried to say but she and most of the others gasped in horror as the rest of the group exited the building.

“Oh sweet merciful sun…” Celestia muttered.

“I want…” Lock began to speak. “I want every available resource we can provide to help aid these changelings and get them proper medical attention. I want them to be taken care of by any available hands to give them a proper burial.”

“But, Lock she-” Ace tried to say, but Lock, Draco, and Phill shot him and the rest of the ponies a death glare.

“If any of you have a problem with my orders, then get the fuck out of here and never come back! I don’t need anyone who is insubordinate!”

Most of the ponies were frozen in place by his order and barely budged an inch. “That was an order!!” Draco roared snapping them out of their daze and began getting to work.

The crew helped gather the changeling corpses and helped the living to the medical ward in the castle, since it could be used now that it was under their control. Lock held Chrysalis close as she continued to whimper in his chest and tightened her grip around his neck.

“I’ve never seen my queen look so distraught,” Pharynx said. “This was such a disaster, we’re an endangered species.”

Draco could only pat the changelings back to trh and comfort him. “I promise things will only get better for you guys, you have my word. For now focus on helping those alive so they may see Tomorrow.”

“I just…wish I could make those buckers pay.” Pharynx’s wings twitched a bit as he grit his teeth. “They killed my brother!”

“I may have a suggestion then,” Draco said, raising a finger. “I’d like you to join my squad.”

“Your squad?”

“Uh, Draco? With all due respect, I don’t think-” Cloud tried to say, until Draco grabbed his shirt and made him look into his now slitted eyes.

“If the next words that come from your mouth involve anything prejudiced, you will be cleaning the castle toilet with your tongue.”

Cloud nodded frantically as Draco released his rip and looked back to Pharynx. “That’s your squad?” Draco nodded. “But I’m a Changeling, before all this, we had a rep for attacking the ponies and trying to take over.”

“Pharynx I’m gonna ask you a question, and I want you to answer truthfully.” Draco’s voice was calm and serious.

“Uh…okay?”

“The main reason changeling attacked the ponies was so they could feed themselves. Because before ponies wouldn’t have given their love freely to any creature that wasn't their own. Correct?”

“Yeah, not our proudest moment, to be honest,” Pharynx admitted.

“Or any moment,” Berry muttered under his breath.

“Berry, drop and give me two hundred push ups,” Draco ordered.

“Wha?”

“I SAID DROP!”

Berry yelped as he got down on the ground and began doing his push ups.

“So what’s your point?” Pharynx wondered.

“My point is that while it’s true your kind didn’t go about your actions the right way, neither did the ponies. I know how xenophobic they can be. Your kind was born to feed on love, something you had no control over. You were just trying to stay alive, and that meant by any means.”

“I…never thought of it that way.”

“He’s right.”

All heads turned to see Chrysalis, still in Lock’s arms, as the Queen spoke but didn’t look back at them. “Before all this conflict, we were barely surviving as it was. My methods to take control were forceful and merciless, but I was only acting out of desperation for my hive. I suppose all of what has happened to me and my precious changelings is karma for all I have done.”

“Chrysalis, you shouldn’t talk like that,” Lock tried to say.

“Why not?” She asked as she looked up at him. “It’s the truth.”

“And the truth does hurt.” All eyes returned to Draco. “But that is in the past. And as someone once said, the past can hurt but the way I see it you can either run from it, or learn from it.”

“Not only that, but you’re all victims of war,” Lock said solemnly. “In more ways than one.”

“So how does me joining your squad help?” Pharynx inquired.

“Well for starters you will be able to get revenge on all the caribou and traitor stallions.”

“I’m in.”

“That was quick,” Swift said.

“Welcome to the squad, I guess,” Ace shrugged.

“I can’t feel my arms!” Berry whined as he stood back up.

“Sirs? We prepared the pyre,” a soldier reported to us.

They all nodded as they followed him to the gardens and just outside the walls. There was a large funeral pyre they managed to make from some of the rubble and had laid all the dead changelings on it. Some of the surviving Changelings who were strong enough to attend were all weeping in sorrow at the loss of their fellow changelings. Chrysalis let Lock set her down as she walked over to the pyre and placed a hand on one of the changelings.

“Thank you, for your sacrifice,” She said sadly. “Rest now, my children.”

She stepped away and Lock took her place and raised his hand. He snapped his fingers and lit the pyre as the flames slowly consumed the whole thing. They all stood there, watching it burn and stood in silence. The victory was a proud one, but the cost might have been too great.

“Draco,” Lock said. “You’re with me till the end, right?”

“Like you really need to ask that.”

“Good.”

Far off from the city, on the edge of a mountain pass, the Devil himself gazed down at the city with an emotionless gaze. The ruler of Hell had witnessed something that was truly baffling that not even he had an answer as to why r how it came to be.

“You still have that foreboding atmosphere about you…Satanael.”

The Devil turned his head to look over his shoulder as a bright flash of light appeared just behind him. Archangel Michael, head of the Archangel Council and High Angel of Heaven, stood with his hands behind his back as the woods blew against his frame.

“And you are still the meddlesome oaf who cannot seem to keep those flashy wings of yours out of where they don’t belong,” Satanael shot back. “And I believe I once told you that I prefer the name Lucifer.”

“Just because you choose to don the name of my fallen brother, does not mean I shall call you as such. No matter how much you wish to besmirch his name,” Michael huffed as he stood side by side with The Devil. The two beings stood there for what seemed like countless minutes until the Archangel decided to speak again. “You saw it, did you not?”

“Saw it? No, I witnessed it,” Satanael corrected. “And before you ask, no, I do not have the slightest idea as to how it is possible.”

“That white flame, Life Fire, he had it covering both his hands when he restored the relic of crystal.”

“I am aware, as if the black flame of Death Fire wasn’t enough,” Satanael sighed.

“If I may, I would like to know why you chose that boy out of the many humans on Earth?” Michael inquired.

“To be perfectly honest, I am not sure myself,” Satanael replied vaguely. “Dimitri was not the only candidate for the role of my Hand.”

“He wasn’t?”

“No, there were others.” The Devil stepped away a little from Michael. “I had my eye on a handful of humans, Dimitri included, who I believed would best fill the role as my Hand. Each one with a troubled past but kept their strong resolve of justice, who would then unleash their inner darkness by fulfilling the task of facing Dainn and the Sins. However, my eye seemed to always return to Dimitri no matter how much I looked the other way. He is brash, somewhat naïve, headstrong, and seems to not treat me as his master but as a, shall we say, his employer. That night, when I was about to make myself known to him and bring him here, I had an opportunity to simply vanish from his presence and search for another. It was a strange occurrence, like a voice within my mind told me to choose him.”

“A sort of conscience of yours, perhaps?” Michael guessed. “Maybe you were compelled to choose him of your own volition?”

“Conscience, unlikely. Compelled, maybe. Unexplainable, most definitely.”

“What exactly do you mean to say?”

“I am saying that there might be more to this boy than even you or I ever anticipated.”

“But how could that be? He is merely a human who partook of your fruit,” Michael argued.

“You recall my previous Hand, do you not?” Satanael said as he turned to face Michael. “He too partook of my fruit but he had no such power as conjuring both Death and Life Fire, in fact, none of my Hands had. Yet somehow, Dimitri is.”

“So what are you implying?”

“You felt it too, did you not? The sensation from those flames? They nearly mirrored him.”

“Satanael, you know as well as I that Ash Blade is the last of his kind, excluding his own children. There is no inconceivable way that anyone had survived that tragic day when Aephoceria fell. Especially the great sacrifice Alga and Ronsihr had done for their child,” Michael reminded the Devil sadly.

“Then how is what I am hypothesizing possible?”

“I…am unsure,” Michael shook his head. “This is all very perplexing.”

“Indeed it is, so I say that we continue to be witnesses of Dimitri’s growth. Perhaps it is just our mistaken thoughts playing tricks on us, who knows?” Satanael and Michael gazed back at the Crystal Empire. “I suppose only time shall tell, and whatever the winds of fate have in store for the boy.”

Author's Note

Dimitri and his friends have done what they have set out to do. Now they set their sights on the second Sin: The Sin of Gluttony. However, what could Michael and Satanael be conversing about? Could there be more to Dimitri that even they are not seeing? As Satanael has said, only time and fate shall answer their perplexing questions.

Side Note: I couldn’t wait another week to post it, so I decided to tweak my schedule just this once!

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…