Chapter 45

Ember had led Draco to the center of the ruins where the rest of the dragons had gathered. Word of an outsider in the midst of their sacred ruined city spread fast amongst the dragons. None of which were particularly happy about it. Dozens upon dozens of dragons had their eyes fixed on Draco as he was doing stretches on his side of the field. Meanwhile, Spike was sitting on his knees with both swords by his side. The mangled drake kept his eyes focused on Draco behind his goggles while Ember stood next to him.

“Never seen someone as committed as you for someone else’s sake,” Ember said to Draco as he leaned down to touch his toes.

“Is that because dragons don’t need friends?” Draco asked, knowing the personality of the dragons from the show. “You guys aren’t much for sentiment, right?”

“He’s got us there, dear,” Spike said as he stood up with his swords.

“I know what you’re gonna say, but I feel inclined to ask again anyway,” Ember said. “Are you sure you wanna do this?”

Draco bent down stretching one leg out as he bent the other. “To fight a strong opponent has more benefits than simply impressing others. Do you know the other reason?” Draco asked.

“What is it?” Spike wondered.

Draco switched legs and stretched a bit more before jumping onto his feet. “To grow. By facing a strong or even stronger opponent than yourself, you are forced to evolve and adapt, putting your skills to the test.”

“I guess I know how that feels…” Spike said as he slowly unsheathed his swords. “May the best warrior claim victory.”

Orion stood quiet for a moment before glancing back at Spike. “I know your mate said not to kill, and I have no intention of killing you. But…”

“But?” Ember said, walking in between the two fighters to address the crowd.

“I give you permission to try and really kill me,” Orion said in a cold tone.

Both Ember and Spike glanced at each other until Ember took flight and hovered about a meter above the field and the two combatants.

“Dragons! Hear me!” Ember announced. “I, Dragon Lord Ember, have called you all to bear witness to this duel! In case you aren’t aware, yes, who you see is from the surface below. An outsider.”

There were murmurings of disapproval and confusion from Ember’s announcement.

“This outsider has brought us news! The Sin of Lust, the evil stag that conquered most of Equestria, is dead! The rumored Hand of the Devil slayed him!”

There were looks of shock and surprise among the dragons as Ember continued.

“I am also told that the Sin of Gluttony is next on the Hand’s list of targets! But what matters right now is what this outsider offers. Much as I don’t want to admit it, but we unfortunately cannot remain in Dragonvale.”

There were a series of gasps amongst the crowd.

“The outsider spoke to me hours ago, and he brought up some admittedly valid points. We cannot stay here. I am aware of what my father and our fellow dragons did for us in order to escape that monster Dainn and his vicious subordinate, Pride, but if we stay here we’ll be bigger targets than ever before! However, we dragons are not one to just up and leave because an outsider says so just because he makes a good argument. So, I have requested that he prove we will be safer going back down to the surface with him! He will face your protector, Spike, in a duel! The rules are simple. The fight is over if either side yields or is unable to continue fighting.”

Draco turned to face Spike, both hands raised in a defensive stance. His legs widen apart as he prepares for the first attack. “I’m ready.”

“No sword?” Spike asked, holding his swords in front of him.

“Not at this moment, no.” Draco smiled, beneath his clothing, his skin hardened. Applying his strongest scaled armor as well as choosing one dinosaur with powerful muscle.

“Combatants ready?” Ember said and raised her hand and swung it down. “Begin!”

Spike dug his boot into the dirt and sprinted right at Draco. Draco stood his ground and watched Spike charge at him. What he expected to be a frontal attack turned into a fake-out when Spike sidestepped to the right and swiveled his body around. He lifted his leg and aimed a roundhouse kick right at Draco’s face.

Draco swung his arm to block the attack and halt its momentum. When the kick was slowed to a halt Draco twisted his wrist to grab Spike by the ankle and started to swing him around, before throwing him across the floor.

Spike back flipped and landed on his boots while digging into the dirt to stop himself from falling. Spike went in for another charge and jumped over Draco as he twisted his wrists to try and slice at Draco’s neck.

Draco swiveled his head and bit down on the blade, his teeth biting down hard before yanking the blade out of Spike’s hand. Draco spun his body to deliver his own roundhouse kick to his opponent’s gut.

Draco thought he landed a clean hit to Spike’s gut, but Spike managed to block his kick with his hand. Spike then decided to return the favor by twisting Draco’s leg so that he would lose balance. As Draco staggered a little from the unexpected brute strength from his opponent, he felt Spike’s fist collide with his cheek, making him let go of the sword in his teeth.

Quickly recovering from the punch to the face with a shake of his head, Draco took a more offensive stance. Smiling, his feet broke the earth beneath him as he pushed off. Darting faster than a bullet, Draco returned the punch from before with a swift uppercut to Spike’s jaw.

Spike grunted from the impact of the punch and growled at Draco. The two then engaged in close combat, and exchanged blows with each other. Spike went for a diagonal slash with both his swords, to which Draco managed to dodge and punch Spike’s ribs. Spike returned the favor by hitting Draco‘s jaw with the ends of his swords, causing a loud impact sound that made the dragons cringe. The impact made Draco discombobulated as Spike kicked Draco as hard as he could in his chest.

Draco let out a wheeze as the wind was knocked from his lungs, before tumbling back. He coughed hard for a moment before smiling.

“Now this is a battle that gets the blood pumping,” Draco said with a smirk.

“I agree,” Spike said as the crowd cheered for Spike. “Killing stags and traitors just don’t do it for me anymore.”

“They can attack the weak, but when the tables turn on them, they just cry and beg for mercy. Pathetic really.” Draco wiped some blood from his lips and switched his hands into claws.

“Tell me something,” Spike said as Draco noticed his aura became more intense. “Is the Hand stronger than you?”

Draco began to mimic in kind as he stared at the dragon. “It goes without saying that he is far stronger than I am,” Draco commented. “So if you can’t beat me, don't even try to ask him for a fight.”

“Noted.” Draco and Spike charged at each other and their blades and claws impacted with a loud clang. The crowd cheered louder as both fighters pushed against each other as hard as the could.

Each time Spike swung his swords towards Draco, the human blocked with his claws. And in return whenever Draco would try and get a slash at Spike, he'd block and counter.

Spike glanced down and predicted Draco stepping back with his right leg. He intercepted his leg with his left leg and made Draco trip backwards. Draco lost balance and Spike reeled back and punched Draco across his jaw. Spike then followed up with a headbutt right in Draco’s forehead.

However, Draco saw the headbutt coming and changed his head to that of a Pachycephalosaurus. The iron strong skull helped Draco not only absorb the impact but hurt Spike back.

Spike staggered backwards and held his head.

“Gah! The hell’s up with your head?!” Spike said.

Draco smiled as he knocked on his head with his knuckles. “Skull of the Pachycephalosaurus, one of the strongest skulls in the prehistoric world.”

Spike shook his head to regain his senses. “This makes me hate Garble just a little more now because I got no scales to protect me from that head of yours,” Spike grumbled as he took a stance again.

“Yeah, well, when Lock gets back, we’ll see if we can fix that.” Draco charged forward before suddenly shape-shifting into a Triceratops. The newly transformed Draco let out a roar as he lowered his head aiming his horns at Spike.

Instead of jumping out of the way, Spike flipped his swords and was holding them in reverse. Draco could sense his aura was even more intense than before as he crossed his swords together and bent his legs. Draco kept his charge going and rammed his head right into Spike. The impact of Draco’s horns and Spike’s blades made a very loud clanging noise as Draco drove Spike back, but didn’t send him flying. To Draco’s utter shock, Spike dug his feet deep into the ground as he made Draco slow down his charge. Spike gripped his swords as tight as he could as he pushed against Draco until they came to a stop. Draco could see Spike’s arm and legs bulging from underneath his thick leather armor. The red goggles were glowing bright as Spike let out a low growl from underneath his mask.

“Surprised…?” Spike hissed as if he was grinning under his mask. “A little something I discovered during my time in the pit.”

Draco snorted through his nostrils kicking up dirt, as he never stopped pushing. But the dragon wasn’t budging an inch, which told Draco it was time for a new strategy. Making sure Spike was still pushing against him, Draco quickly shifted back to human form, letting Spike dash past him, as he jumped over the dragon.

Spike immediately stopped on a dime and Draco spun around to get a good look at Spike. It looked like the dragon had grown an inch or two and his entire physique was more bulky than before. Spike slowly turned to face Draco with his red goggles still glowing.

“Just so you know,” Spike said, twirling his swords. “This is me trying only a little.”

Draco shrugged and considered his options. “Alright, since we are showing off, maybe I’ll show off too.”

Draco’s body began to crack and snap as his body began to grow, his jaw stretching and back grew spikes along the spine. Draco grew to 50ft and stared down at Spike before letting out an ear-piercing roar as he turned into a giganotosaurus.

“That’s more like it!” Spike grinned and sheathed his swords. “Let’s get wild!”

Spike jumped at Draco and tackled right into Draco’s chest. He managed to knock the giant beast back as he started wailing on Draco like a rabid beast.

Though small, Draco’s arms grabbed Spike by the back and dug his claws in, making the dragon grunt in pain. Once Draco had his claws latched onto Spike, he moved to slam Spike into the ground by using his own body weight. Draco raised his head up so it wouldn't hit the floor as he slammed Spike under him.

For a moment, Draco thought he had won when he didn’t feel anything underneath him. That is until he felt something move and he then began to lift up from the ground. However, Draco’s large dino body wasn’t lifting up on its own. Something was slowly but surely picking Draco up. Everyone soon spotted Spike starting to life Draco up with his arms. From the shadow underneath Draco, everyone could see a pair of bright glowing red eyes. They soon heard a low-sounding roar as Spike tossed Draco off of him and the dinosaur landed on the ground with a heavy thump. Draco shook his head and looked at Spike. The dragon was now even bulkier as his aura was flaring like crazy. Before Draco could blink, Spike stomped on the ground and rocketed right at Draco. Spike reeled his fist back and delivered a hard punch right into Draco’s dino cheek, jerking his head from the punch.

The sudden presence of a stronger opponent made something in the back of Draco’s mind click. He was having fun and wanted to really fight with all his might now. The punch to the jaw only spurred a fire in his heart as he turned to face Spike. Draco bellowed as he charged in and swung his jaws sideways grabbing Spike in his jaws. Draco lifted the dragon in his jaws and shook him around before throwing him away.

Spike managed to land on his feet and jumped at Draco again. With a mighty roar of his own, Spike grabbed Draco’s nostrils and swung him as hard as he could in midair. The dinosaur was sent crashing onto the ground, giving Spike ample time to jump on Draco’s gut and began furiously punching Draco as hard as he could.

Given the position he was forced into, Draco wasn’t going to be able to roll the dragon off his belly, and with every punch Draco winced. But the young human wasn't close to done.

As Spike reeled his arm back to deliver a strong punch, the scaly body underneath him changed. From a thick broad body, to a slender and long body. Draco had changed into a Titanaboa. A large black serpent twelve miles long.

The massive snake slithered from under the dragon before quickly wrapping its coils around Spike pinning his arms to his side. Draco’s grip began to constrict as he squeezed hard around Spike’s body.

“Grrrr…!” Spike tried to withstand the crushing tension from Spike’s coils, but was losing ground as the coils began to squeeze tighter and tighter. Spike’s muscles strained from the sheer pressure Draco was putting onto Spike and just kept trying to squeeze Spike tighter and tighter than before. Just as Spike was on the verge of losing this battle of brute strength, Draco’s danger senses began blaring like an alarm.

“RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!”

Spike screamed at the top of his lungs as he managed to somehow rip Draco’s coils off of him. The dragon’s entire aura now felt like nothing but pure rage and adrenaline. In his frenzied state, Spike grabbed Draco with both hands and began swinging him back and forth on the ground. All the while, Spike kept roaring like a monster as he repeatedly slammed Draco’s body on the ground from one side to the other like a rag doll.

Not wanting to allow himself to be a living rag doll, Draco dropped his transformation, but was sent flying across the dirt from the momentum. His body tumbled and rolled along the dirt ground till he skidded to a halt. Draco was now gasping and panting hard. He was performing too many back-to-back transformations, and felt his energy getting low.

Spike didn’t waste time to let Draco catch his breath as he jumped high in the air with his fists over his head. He was falling straight down at Draco, ready to crush him into the dirt. Draco quickly rolled out of the way, narrowly dodging the dragon’s attack, and becoming a blood stain on the ground.

“Damn, it’s like I’m fighting the hulk or something,” Draco panted as he saw that his opponent was nowhere near exhausted from his previous attacks. “Getting really hungry now, I probably only have one good transformation left in me.”

Spike wheezed angrily as he whipped his head towards Draco and snarled viciously. His goggles were glowing a deep bloody red hue.

“He may be bulkier but that doesn’t change he still doesn’t have any scales to protect him.” Draco sighed and stood up. “Guess I’ll use that form again, I’ll just let myself go feral for a bit.”

Draco closed his eyes as he focused on his next transformation. Immediately, he howled in pain as his body began to change, his eyes turning yellow with slit pupils. His fingers extended into long claws, as his jaw elongated itself and fangs poked out. His calm tone gave way to a more feral aura as he turned his evolved raptor form.

The two titan-like fighters circled each other as if they were stalking each other. Draco hissed at Spike as he flexed his razor sharp claws and Spike merely beat his chest hard with his fist. Before the spectating dragons could blink, Draco and Spike sprinted at each other with nearly matching speed.

The now feral Draco began to swing his clawed hands with rapid speed, each time cutting into Spike flesh, and drawing blood. Spike returned in kind by slamming his fists and boots right across Draco’s jaw and gut. He managed to grab hold of Draco’s tail and began swinging him around and slamming him into the ground again.

Despite the pain and being thrown around, the feral human wasn’t giving in. He slashed with the claws on his feet across Spike’s chest, making deep cuts that forced the dragon to let go as he grunted in pain. Landing on his feet the feral Draco charged forward and jumped onto Spike’s back. He slashed his claws into Spike’s back to grip on, before biting down on the dragon’s neck.

Spike let out another roar that sounded like a mix of pain and anger. He reached back and grabbed Draco’s jaw and snout and began to slowly pry Draco’s jaws off him. Despite how hard Draco tried to bite back, Spike’s grip made it difficult to keep his fangs sunk into Spike’s flesh. Once Spike managed to pry Draco completely off, Spike whirled around and kept his grip on Draco’s jaws. He started to force his mouth open more and more as he dug his boot into Draco’s neck. Draco tried to slash at Spike’s back, but every time he went for a slash, Spike kicked Draco’s neck again as he continued to force his jaw open.

The pain of having his jaw stretched was almost too much to bear, and if he didn’t act fast Draco was going to die. In a last ditch effort to escape, Draco summoned the last of his remaining strength to morph into a giganotosaurus again. The sudden change in size made Draco’s jaw expand wider than Spike to hold out his arm, making him lose his grip and freeing Draco from his grasp. However, once free, Draco’s body began to change back to a human, and he rolled and tumbled to the ground.

Spike ignored the pain from his wounds, and quickly stomped over to Draco. Draco weakly looked up at Spike but was met with a fist to his gut and another to his face. The pummeling kept going as Draco was helpless against Spike’s beating. The spectating audience was now cheering louder for Spike and Ember kept silent from the sidelines.

“It would seem this is it for you, Draco,” Ember sighed to herself.

“Like…hell.” Draco wheezed as he hacked up blood from his mouth. Weakly, he rolled out from a strike that would have crushed his chest. Draco stood up onto his feet, his body bloody and bruised. “I have an obligation to live, and free this world from the bastard Sins. So like hell I’m gonna die here!” Draco roared.

Spike drove his fist right up into Draco’s jaw, sending him flying. When he hit the ground, he still managed to somehow pick himself up. Spike kept pushing him back with a punch, a kick, and even slamming his head into his knee. Draco was a battered mess, his bones were most likely broken in several areas. Despite this, the human still somehow managed to stand back up. Spike didn’t move and glanced at Ember. Ember merely nodded her head as if giving him permission to put Draco down. Spike nodded back and reeled his fist back and drove it into Draco’s chest, right where his Amber Amulet was.

The impact sent Draco flying across the floor, bouncing and tumbling into a stone. After being knocked nearly ten feet away, Draco’s body hadn’t shown any signs of movement.

“It would seem that’s that,” Ember said.

Spike took a deep breath and slowly reverted back to normal. He staggered a bit but managed to stay standing as he cracked his neck.

“He was the first to make me go all out,” Spike said. “Well, halfway to say the least.”

“You fought well, Spike,” Ember said with a smile as she hugged him. “I’m so-”

Suddenly, a massive pillar of fire erupted from Draco’s body engulfing him. The tower blazed with purple and green flames and singed the earth around it.

“What the?!” Spike shouted as he and the dragons backed away from Draco.

“You little wall lizard.” A demonic voice spoke from within the flames, as a shadowy figure stood within it. “Don’t get cocky on me. If you think I’m dead, then you’re a bigger fool than I thought.” A strong and threatening aura suddenly filled the air as two red glowing eyes formed inside the pillar of fire.

“Draco?” Ember said, sounding a bit nervous.

The outline of a large figure began form within the flames, before slowly stepping out. Standing almost seven feet tall with red and black scales, stood a dragon-like creature. The creature had bright yellow eyes that burned with flames inside.

“Oh shit…” Spike said as he pushed Ember away while taking a stance with his fists. “Something tells me you’re pissed.”

The moment Spike blinked he felt a sudden gust of wind and was shocked to see Draco now standing in front of him, his piercing yellow eyes staring down at the drake. “Pissed? Oh no, my little dragon, I’m not pissed, quite the opposite really.” Draco flashed him a fanged grin as he quickly grabbed Spike by the throat and squeezed as he raised his body off the floor. “I’m ecstatic right now.”

“Gah! D-Draco! Ease up!” Spike gagged and tried kicking Draco’s chest but Draco didn’t seem phased in the slightest.

“This is me eased up. What, is the little wall lizard afraid now?” Draco’s voice remained almost demonic as he tilted his head to the side. “Didn’t you just say, mere moments ago, that I barely got you to go halfway?” Draco’s grip began to tighten as he stared up at the dragon.

“I…I can’t…breathe!” Spike wheezed.

“Draco! Stop!” Ember yelled. “You proved your point! You’re killing him!”

“Oh, I haven’t even started.” Draco quickly tossed Spike across the battlefield, letting him catch his breath. “Go on, little lizard, transform into your bulkier form, don’t even think about holding back this time.”

“Ugh…” Spike struggled again and stood up. “I…I can’t…”

“Do it, or I will rip out your heart.” Draco’s eyes glowed as his voice made the ground tremble.

“I can’t, damn you!” Spike snapped. “I can only use it once a day! If I use it without rest, I’ll be risking my lifespan!”

“You little piece of shit.” Draco’s voice grew darker as he quickly launched himself toward Spike. “You dare ignite this fire in me, and now tell me you’re done!?”

Draco grabbed Spike by the throat again before slamming his body into the ground, making a small crater from the impact. “You’re not down ‘till I say so, you little wall lizard!”

“Fuck…YOU!” Spike yelled and slammed his fist across Draco’s face.

The impact made Draco step back as Spike screamed at the top of his lungs. His body became bulkier and his voice grew more monstrous. Just when it seemed his body couldn’t get any bulkier, it suddenly slimmed down. Spike slowly walked out of the crater with an aura that made the air around him twist and turn. His red goggles shined even brighter than ever before and he stared at Draco with a look of death.

“No…Spike!” Ember cried out. “I told you never to use that! You idiot! I command this duel to cease at once!”

“Ignore her, come meet your death!” Draco roared, smiling as he got into a stance. “Let us see who shall claim the title of strongest dragon!”

Spike said nothing and took a single step forward. He then disappeared from Draco’s vision as soon as he blinked until he was met with Spike’s fist. Spike punched Draco with as much force as he could, making the transformed human jerk his head back. Spike followed it up with a heavy scissor kick right at Draco’s neck, and then punched him again in the gut.

Despite punching with such brute force, his fist never pushed into his stomach. Draco began to chuckle as he stared Spike in the face.

“That’s it, little lizard, strike me with all you have, it will make your humiliating defeat at my hands all the more sweeter,” Draco hissed maliciously.

Draco swung his elbow into Spike’s jaw and grabbed him by the wrist as he kept swinging his elbow into his face. Spike grunted as blood spurted from his nostrils with every strike to his nose. Spike acted quickly and forced his wrist out of Draco’s grip while almost dislocating it in the process. When Draco swung his elbow for another strike, Spike latched onto his arm and crossed his legs around Draco’s neck. With all the strength he could muster, Spike pulled on Draco’s arm and squeezed his legs around Draco’s neck. Draco could feel his windpipe being crushed a little from the vice grip-like strength that was twice as strong as his giant snake from before.

Draco roared in pain as he felt Spike pulling on his arms, giving the dragon the impression that he was going to win. Yet the roar of pain suddenly turned to laughter as Draco began to place his feet under him, and slowly stand up. Despite the massive and bulky dragon clinging onto him, he stood as though there was nothing on him.

“Good, I’m amused, little wall lizard,” Draco cackled.

The newly transformed Draco raised his arm with Spike still attached, and began to slam it along with opponent onto the ground. This caused Spike’s grip to loosen, however Draco made sure to hold onto him as he raised him back up and slammed him back into the ground repeatedly.

Spike was beginning to get dizzier and dizzier as Draco kept pounding him into the ground. Spike figured he had one last chance to come out victorious in this insane duel, but it would take drastic measures. When Draco raised his arm to slam Spike down once more, Spike quickly grabbed two of his fingers and pulled them apart as hard as he could.

CRACK!

The slamming stopped as Draco’s fingers broke. Yet the human didn’t show any signs of pain. Instead, he raised the dragon to his face. “Did you think breaking two fingers was going to make me stop?” Draco smiled as he grabbed Spike’s wrist and began to squeeze with a grip like no other. “You can break every bone in my body now, and it still still won’t stop me.”

He flashed Spike an evil smile while tilting his head. “But if breaking a few bones is all it will take to make you yield, then let’s see how this will fair.” Draco flexed his grip making it tighter and finally…

CRACK! POP!

Spike’s eyes wide at the sight of his wrist being snapped in two. Draco gently let go of Spike’s wrist as the dragon staggered backward a bit as he stared at his limp appendage.

“Oh no…” Ember said, looking horrified.

“Hmm, still not yielding? Guess a broken wrist isn’t enough.” With a single step, Draco appeared behind the dragon. With a fast swing of his leg, he delivered a strike to the side of Spike’s shin, making another loud cracking sound that echoed.

Spike continued to not make a sound as he fell on his back. His breathing was laboring, yet his eyes remained wide and focused. When he tried to lift himself up, Draco stomped on his chest to prevent him from doing so.

Draco stared down at the heaving dragon and snorted fire from his nostrils. “Now then, little wall lizard.” Draco leaned his head down so he was closer to Spike’s. “Do you yield, or must I break every other bone in your body?”

Spike remained silent and glanced at Ember through his cracked goggles. Ember didn’t hesitate but give Spike an ever so slight nod so that the other dragons wouldn’t notice. A silence hung in the air as all the spectating dragons had their eyes glued to the two combatants. It was a spectacle they didn’t think would be possible, that their champion would be on his back and at the mercy of an outsider. Spike looked back at Draco and nodded, signaling his acceptance of defeat.

Draco slowly removed his foot off Spike’s chest, allowing him to breathe easier. As he stood straight up, Draco turned his attention to the dragons surrounding him.

There was a tense silence amongst the dragons as Draco stared back at him. His eyes narrowed as he gave an assertive grunt through his nostrils, as if daring any of them to try anything. Instead, the dragons all lowered their heads and bowed with respect towards Draco. They knew he was victorious in this duel, and they acknowledged his strength. The newly transformed Draco turned his attention toward Ember, not a look of aggression but one of confirmation, as if asking if he had earned their trust.

Ember stared back at Draco for several minutes until she gave him an approving nod. She walked away from the crowd of dragons until she stood just in front of him.

“You’ve surprised me, this day,” Ember said. “Spike has been through countless hardships, killed countless caribou, yet he wasn’t able to claim victory in this duel. Here you stand, an outsider, now about to become our newly dubbed champion.”

Smiling Draco bowed his head to the blue dragoness. “I only fought as hard, because I knew it was the only way I could save you all,” Draco said.

“I realize that now,” Ember said, then looked at the dragons. “Dragons! Hear me! Today is a day that will be remembered! You all witnessed Spike, our fallen champion, fight valiantly but he has fallen in combat. Now we must welcome and honor our newest champion!” Ember pointed her Bloodstone Scepter at Draco. “I give you your new champion and protector! Draco Saurian!”

As the dragons cheered and roared in approval, Draco turned his head upwards and unleashed a blazing fire of purple and green.

Once the cheering died down, they both heard a subtle grunt and looked down to see Spike had just reverted back to normal and was straining from the pain.

“Are you alright, Spike?” Ember asked out of concern.

“I…hurt…everywhere…” Spike groaned.

“I can fix that.” Draco said as his body reverted back to his human form, along with his clothes returning. Slipping his hand into his coat pocket, Draco pulled out a vial with an emerald green liquid inside. “Drink this and don't ask me why.”

“Wh-mmf!” Spike wasn’t able to ask as Draco pulled up Spike’s mask and jammed the vial into Spike’s mouth before pulling it back down.

Spike drank the green liquid down to the last drop. Draco and Ember waited for about a minute until a green mist emanated from his mouth. Suddenly, Spike’s body began to contort and twitch violently, making the dragon yell out in pain. Ember panicked as to what Draco had given her mate, until she saw all of Spike’s wounds close up. Ember also noticed Spike’s twist back into place and snap straight. Spike kept convulsing a bit more until he laid still and was drenched in sweat. Spike’s body was now back in pristine condition, apart from his disfiguration, almost like he never fought Draco at all.

“His wounds…are all healed?” Ember said in amazement.

“I’m gonna hurl…” Spike groaned.

“Hurl? Doesn’t it taste like green apple?” Draco asked, confused and curious all at the same time. “Did we mess up the recipe?”

“What was that you just gave him?” Ember asked. “He doesn’t look hurt at all anymore.”

“It’s a potion me and my friend Twilight have been working on.” Draco held up the now empty vial. “We wanted to make some that can help heal wounded warriors who desperately needed it.”

“I see…” Ember then noticed the severity of Draco’s injuries, and his two fingers hanging loosely due to Spike breaking them. “What about you?”

“Huh? Oh, I only had the one potion,” Draco said with a smile as he shrugged his shoulders.

“You look like a dragon mauled you,” Spike joked, sitting himself up.

“More like an angry chihuahua with a small dick,” Draco shot back playfully.

“Any chance you can transform again?” Spike challenged while standing up.

“I could but I should warn you that next time I might not stop and end up killing you.” Draco looked at Spike with a sinister glare. “I’m so hungry I might end up eating you alive.”

“I was only joking, man,” Spike sighed.

“Yeah, there’s been enough fighting anyway,” Ember said. “And as per our agreement, we shall honor our word and follow you back to the surface.”

Draco smiled and nodded when suddenly he caught a whiff of something in the air.

“Seems my prediction came true after all,” Draco began to move west, his nose held up as he sniffed. “The caribou are coming.”

“What?!” Ember panicked. “B-But how?! These islands are supposed to be hidden!”

“I think Draco mentioned something about them having new detection tools that aren’t like any magic spells,” Spike growled.

“That, but something else.” Draco sniffed the air again and turned to the two dragons. “I smell other dragons with them.”

“Traitorous bastards…!” Spike snarled. He picked his swords back up and adjusted his mask and goggles. “I’ll rip them all to fucking shreds!”

Spike no!” Ember begged. “You remember those crazy weapons they have?! You’d be torn apart yourself!”

Suddenly a hand was placed on each dragon's shoulders. “You guys move the dragons to the farside of the island for now,” Draco said.

When they looked at Draco they felt a shiver run down their spines. Drool was pouring out of his mouth and his eyes looked like a feral animal on the hunt. “I’ll greet my dinner myself, thanks.”

“But…you’re hurt,” Ember tried to say.

“And fucking hungry, what’s your point?” Draco asked, flashing her look of someone starving to death.

Both Spike and Ember looked at each other before looking back at Draco.

“You sure you don’t want any backup?” Spike asked.

“I’m gonna be real with you both, after all that fighting I’m literally gonna eat everything in sight, so unless you want to become part of my dinner.” Draco turned to look at them one more time as his voice began dark and distorted. “Then stay the fuck out of my way.” Without warning he took off towards the east where the caribou were landing.

Draco ignored the sting of his injuries as he sprinted as fast as he could towards the edge of the island. His nose was constantly sniffing in the air and drool continuously leaked from his mouth. Draco stopped just at the very edge of the island where he saw the surface several hundred miles below. In the distance, beyond the thick clouds and dark of night, caught sight of a fleet of warships heading in his direction.

“That’s it, my yummy food, come to papa.” Draco wiped some drool from his mouth. “There’s room for all of you in my stomach.”

The ships that were making their way towards the islands were filled with dozens upon dozens of caribou, traitors, and even a few dragons. Among the dragons, one of them was part of the old group that used to mess with Spike. Blacktip was a pudgy dragon with dark orange scales and light purple spines. He stood with one of the leading caribou, a stag by the name of Skialg.

“Well, well,” Skialg said with a smirk as he caught sight of the floating islands. “Seems like you weren’t bullshitting me after all, Blacktip.”

“Course I weren’t!” Blacktip snorted. “I heard that stupid old fart Torch wouldn’t shut up about it before you guys did him in. Good thing Garble forced them scholars you got locked up to do some digging. Who knew it was the fabled Dragonvale.”

“I don’t care what it is,” Skialg scoffed. “My lord Dainn will be pleased with me once I bring him the daughter of Torch. I can already see him plowing that scaly cunt and putting strong heirs in her.”

Suddenly the lights of the ship were cut and everything went dark. Though the engines remained active only the lights were shut down. And not long after the lights went out, they heard one caribou scream for a few seconds before suddenly silenced abruptly.

“What the fuck was that?!” Skialg barked.

“Sir! There’s something here-AAAAAGGGHHHH!!”

The sound of something crunching and splattering soon filled the air. Caribou and dragons on the ship all began to scream, and shout as a menacing roar filled the air.

“Enough of this!” Skialg said and grabbed Blacktip. “Light the deck with your flames!”

Blacktip nodded and breathed in deep. He then unleashed a large breath of fire that illuminated the area. What they saw made them instantly regret wanting to see what was going on.

On the floor of the deck, limbs and entrails litter the floor, blood spilled over the side as it flowed from the remains of the crew. At the center of it all was a creature with red and black scales.

The figure had just pulled the heart of one of the dragons out of its chest before shoving it into its mouth and chewing the organ.

“What in blazes is that?!” Skialg asked.

“M-Monster!” Blackthorn yelped.

Skialg narrowed his eyes at the beast and pulled out his radio.

“All ships! Red alert! I have a monster intruder aboard my ship! Everyone circle around!” Skialg put his radio away and boldly stepped forward.

“Are you nuts?! Don’t go near that thing!” Blackthorn yelped.

“Silence!” Skialg hissed at the cowardly dragon before turning his attention back to the beast. “I know what you are, Beast of Chaos. How unexpected to see you all the way out here after the ruckus you caused at Lord Gluttony’s domain.”

The creature said nothing, instead it continued to gorge itself on the remains of the dragon. Ducking its head into the chest cavity as it sunk its teeth in, ripping off chunks of flesh before swallowing them, all while snarling.

“Hmph, ignoring me?” Skialg took off his coat and held out his arms. A thick, wax-like substance oozed from his body as he glared at the creature. “Let’s see how you fair when I tear out your own heart.”

The substance on Skialg’s body oozed even more until it enveloped him from the neck down. Suddenly, the substance morphed and took shape into thick armor. A round shield and longsword morphed in both his hands as he took a position.

“Ugh, can’t I enjoy my meal in peace?” The figure turned to face the wax-armored caribou with glowing eyes. “Burn.”

That was the only thing said as purple and green flames erupted from the beast mouth and engulfed the wax caribou.

“AAAAAAAARRRGGHHH!” Skialg yelled as he tossed and turned to snuff out the flames. The stag was barely able to put out the fire and his armor was already nearly melted. “H-How did you…?!”

“Shut up and die, your screams are aggravating my ears.” Draco spewed out another torrent of hot melting flames, setting the deck on fire.

“AAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!” Skialg thrashed around as Draco kept spewing flames. Just when it seemed like he couldn’t take anymore, the stag collapsed in a pile of melted wax. Blackthorn was utterly helpless as he huddled in the corner. Within the flames, something swirled around atop the wax puddle until it took form.

Draco walked along the fire as he reached down and grabbed the devil fruit. “Poor bastard, didn’t even stand a chance.” He turned his attention towards Blackthorn and pointed a finger. “You, little wall lizard.”

“Y-Yes?!” Blackthorn said, standing up straight. By now, all the ships from the fleet had surrounded the lead ship they were on.

“Fly home and tell your traitor friends to stay where they are. Make sure that Garble knows that Spike is alive, and will come for him, in time.” He smiled before turning his head around and letting out a powerful blaze of fire from his mouth that engulfed the ships around them.

The sounds of screams and panicked enemies were heard from all the ships. From some of the ships, multiple dragons were able to withstand the flames and flew straight towards Draco.

“Well, looks like the rest of my meals have come to feed me.” He looked at Blackthorn and pointed again. “Unless you want to be part of my next main course, I suggest you get flying.”

Blackthorn nodded fervently and took off as fast as he could. Meanwhile, the attacking dragons all raised their claws, ready to slash at Draco with blinding fury.

“I give my humble thanks for this meal.” As the first dragon came within arm’s reach, his claws ready to slice the human’s skin, Draco lunged his head forward and bit down on the dragon’s head, breaking through the skull with little effort.

The other dragons were undeterred as they began trying to claw and slice Draco’s skin. However, Draco’s new scaled skin made his body ten times stronger than any of his previous transformations. Within seconds he slaughtered the dragons and feasted upon their bodies till none were left.

Draco sucked on each finger while glancing around and watched the fleet burn and explode while they fell to the surface.

“Well, I think that’s enough food for now.” Draco smiled as he jumped to his feet, his wounds and injuries healed completely. “I think it’s about time I make good on a promise.”

Draco lurched forward as a set of wings sprouted from his back, each one similar to the dragons. “Now I won’t need to turn my hands into wings anymore.” Jumping off the ship Draco flew off back to the dragons.

The moon had finally set and now the sun had begun to rise from the horizon. The fleet of the resistance had long since arrived back in the growing town of Ponyville and the members of Alpha and Beta Squads, and the DF users were still awaiting the arrival of Draco. No one knew where he went, or why he even left in the first place. All they knew was he went somewhere that was a high priority to him.

“We’ve been up all night…” Zephyr groaned and yawned. “Did we really have to not sleep?”

“Can it, Zephyr, we don’t rest until our leader is back with us,” Flash said as they gazed at the horizon.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon,” Maud said.

“I do hope so,” Rarity said.

Shadow said nothing as she kept her eyes in the horizon. Just then, she caught sight of a large group of flying objects headed towards them. Shadow immediately knew who was flying towards them, which only made her smirk confidently.

“It’s about damn time,” Shadow said.

The flying object flew closer and closer until everyone saw them as a massive group of dragons. Hundreds upon hundreds of dragons neared Ponyville, and leading them was one with black and red scales and large wings while Ember flew beside him. The black and red dragon landed beside the Prometheus with the other Dragons as the ponies quickly approached. They all took on battle stances ready for a fight should it be what the dragons want. Meanwhile, Spike kept his head down as he adjusted his goggles, mask, and headgear to hide his face.

“What the Tartarus?!” Ace yelped.

“Who’s this guy?!” Cloud said, grabbing his rifle.

“He’s huge!” Swift said.

Ember then stepped forward, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Ember!” Rarity said happily as she ran up and hugged her. “Oh darling! It’s been far too long! I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“Uh…yeah, you too, Rarity,” Ember said, gently patting her back.

“But who or what is this thing standing beside you?” Rarity wondered, gazing up at the towering creature. “Is…he friendly?”

“What, you don’t recognize your boyfriend, love?” Draco finally spoke, his voice telling all at attention who he really is.

Rarity blinked and everyone else’s jaw’s hit the floor, even Maud’s.

“DRACO?!” They all yelled.

“Is that you, Alpha?!” Bismuth asked.

Draco’s body was engulfed in flames before slowly changing back. When the flames disappeared his human form was revealed. “Who else do you know as badass as me?” He asked in a playful tone.

“Draco!” Rarity beamed as she tackled him to the ground. “You had me kiss worried smooch sick you smack brute!” Rarity said while peppering his face with kisses as Maud and Shadow stood over them.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Draco laughed as he returned the kisses and buzzed Rarity while slowly getting to his feet. “But I had to keep a promise that I made.”

“And what kind of promise makes you suddenly disappear and fly to who knows where?” Shadow asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“Where’s my kiss?” Maud asked plainly.

Draco leaned in to kiss Maud’s lips and hug her close. “A promise that I swore to keep, the kind that involves reuniting family.” Draco turned to look around and saw that the two ponies he needed to speak to weren’t present. “Where are Moon and Twilight?”

“Sleeping after a night of passion,” Zephyr said, earning a hard elbow to the gut, causing him to buckle over.

“I told you that in confidence, jackass! I was passing by their room by coincidence!” Flash barked.

Giving Shadow a kiss next, Draco nuzzled his marefriend. “Could you go and bring them here, tell them it's urgent.”

Flash nodded and flew towards the castle of friendship.

“Is this really Ponyville?” Ember asked, looking around to see the numerous buildings that surrounded them. “I remember it just being a small town, not a growing city.”

“Since our reclaiming of the pony nation from Lust, we’ve been expanding to take in refugees. As well as expanding our agriculture to help feed those in need.” Draco smiled as he then gestured to the diamond dogs. “With the diamond dogs we've also managed to fortify our defense and weapons.”

“Draco, I wanna show you something real quick,” Maud said. Draco cocked his head as his marefriend led him away from the group for a moment. Maud led Draco to the outskirts of town until they came across a hole in the ground. The ground was also shaped like it had a staircase. Something else Draco noticed was that there were other holes all around the ground, but were just holes that dropped straight down.

“Wanna know what’s down there?” Maid asked.

Draco nodded and gestured for the earth pony to lead the way. “After you, my lady.”

Maud nodded and let Draco down the stairs. It felt like they climbed down about two flights when they arrived at a large corridor. The sounds of voices of disdain were heard and Draco saw rows upon rows of rooms with bars made of earth. Inside each cell was a stag or a stallion, and hanging above them in each cell was a single light crystal.

This shocked the human as he saw the prisoners of war. “I’m surprised you started to keep prisoners, I’d figured you would have killed them on sight as per usual,” Draco said.

“Me too, but Phill kinda insisted on it,” Maud shrugged. “Lock kept most of these guys in the brig on the ships from the fleet, some even in the castle’s cells. But he figured if he was gonna keep taking in POWs, he wanted to find a way to make a place to keep as many as we wanted. So, since Lock’s not around, I solved it myself. There’s no need for keys since I made these cells out of earth.”

Draco walked along the cells. Looking at each prisoner one by one. “So, how long before Phill comes around to take them? I’m sure he wants to try and rehabilitate them or something.”

“Phill hasn’t seen this yet, but I imagine he’ll want to take a handful of them at a time,” Maud said.

“Hey cunt! I’m feeling kinda lonely!” A stag said and grabbed his crotch. “Why don’t ya come make us company?”

“Do you mind if I have this one? The in-flight meal was only peanuts, and didn’t exactly leave me full,” Draco asked as he stood in front of the cell.

“Sure,” Maud shrugged. “Another thing I had in mind. This can be your personal pantry.”

Maud stomped her hoof on the ground and made the bars to the cell open, and Draco stepped inside. “If you’re feeling lonely, then how about I let you join your friends in hell?” Draco’s body ignited as he transformed into his dragon form.

The stags and stallions immediately broke their cocky nature and the one Draco approached cowered away from Draco.

“H-Hey now, I-I was only joking! Let’s be reasonable here!”The stag tried to say, but fell on deaf ears.

“Oh so we're telling jokes? Fine, here’s one.” Draco smiled as he leaned in closer to the stag. “Knock knock,” he said in a menacing tone.

“Wh-Who’s there…?” The stag asked.

“Dead meat,” Draco said, smiling from ear to ear.

“D-Dead…m-meat…wh-who…?” the stag trembled.

Draco’s teeth turned to fangs and his hands into claws. “Dead meat, you.” Without warning Draco bit down on the stag’s head and ripped it off in a single go.

The other prisoners witnessing the series of events all panicked at the gruesome sight. Some prisoners vomited when Draco reached into the stump where the stag’s head used to be and pulled out his heart before chomping down on it.

“Enjoy your snack?” Maud asked with a slight smirk.

Cleaning the blood off his mouth, Draco nuzzled his marefriend’s nose before giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Delicious, a welcoming snack from my beloved.”

“Beast.” Draco’s ears perked up when he heard his name called. He turned around to see a stag sitting in the corner of his cell, looking directly at him. “I have words, if you would listen.”

Draco stared at the stag for a moment before turning to face him. “You may speak, but unless you want to end up as my next meal I suggest you choose your words carefully.”

“What compels you to devour my kind?” The stag asked, never breaking eye contact. "Are we merely food to you, and nothing more?”

There was an uneasy silence as the two stared each other down. “Let me answer your question with another question.” Draco leaned in closer to the stag. “What compelled you to rape and kill the innocent of this kingdom? Are they merely playthings for you to use?”

“Dainn is my king,” the stag said. “I do not question the word of my king. What I did was not out of spite or a sadistic vendetta, it was out of loyalty.” The stag leaned back against the wall of his cell. “Yes, I confess to killing ponies, some griffins, even a couple yaks. I did so because I was ordered to, and what am I without loyalty?”

“You say what you want, but no amount of noble words will erase your sins.” Draco’s hand shot forward grabbing the stags by the shirt, and quickly yanked him towards him, causing the stag to slam on the cell bars. “As for the answer to your question.” Draco flashed the stag a smile of fanged teeth and glowing red eyes. “You are mistaken if you think I only delight in eating your kind alone.”

Draco’s gaze could almost pierce the stag’s skull with the look he was giving. “I delight in devouring sinners like you, who believed they were invisible or were void of all consequences. I delight in the screams for mercy when those screaming never gave their victims any.” Soon Draco’s voice began to warp and become dark as his body grew, and he lifted the stag off his feet. “I love the way you act like you’re the noble one here, when in reality you’re nothing more than a sinner destined to go to hell.”

“Guh! You’re right…” the stag grunted, feeling the chill in his spine run up and down as if the fear was paralyzing him. “But I will still have my h-honor as a soldier!”

“You can die with that honor, but let me tell you something.” Draco leaned his mouth to the stag’s ear and whispered. “You are nothing more than a soldier with a number, a foot soldier that wouldn’t be missed or mourned by your superiors.”

Draco leaned back and stared at the stag’s eyes. “Unlike them, I mourn and weep for all those who die on our side. I offer them a proper burial and console their loved ones. Can you say with all your heart your leaders, your king would do the same?”

The stag opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated.

“News flash, you’re not a soldier. You’re a living puppet, a stepping stone to be walked on and left behind. That’s all you ever were, nothing more and nothing less.”

Draco dropped the stag, and let him fall to the floor. He turned around and took Maud’s hand and went to leave the underground prison.

“Draco?” Maud said out of concern.

“Yes, my love, is there something on your mind?” Draco asked calmly.

“Are…you okay?” Maud said. Draco stopped just at the staircase, and turned to look at Maud. “What that stag said. I didn’t think I’d hear such words from a caribou.”

He said nothing at first, she had a point. For all his hatred, for all his anger, Draco couldn’t lie, and say he didn’t sense the stag’s loyalty. “Maud, I have a questions for you now,” he said.

Maud took both of Draco’s hands and held onto them.

“Would you be willing to help me in an experiment?” Draco asked as he looked back at the cells.

“What kind?” Maud asked, rubbing her thumb on Draco’s hand.

“What that stag said, I can’t help but feel something, though I wish I didn’t.” He let her hands go and knelt down as he began to draw in the dirt. “I think I want to try my hand at my own rehabilitation method.”

“What brought this on?” Maud wondered.

“Call it boredom, or maybe hope that I can make a difference.” Draco sighed as he finished his drawing. Draco drew a new layout for the prison as well as extra features such as a field, and a place for the prisoners to walk. “Can you reshape the prison to look like this, and maybe expand upon it?”

“Hmm…might take about a week, what’s it for?” Maud asked while examining the drawing.

“I’m gonna put these guys to work, and see if there isn’t hope for at least a few of them,” Draco sighed.

Draco and Maud made their way back to where they had left the others. Draco could see some dragons flying around, and getting a lay of the land. Once they made it back to the others, Twilight and Moon were also with them and conversing with Ember. However, Spike was standing under a tree away from the group while keeping his head down and arms crossed.

“Hey, get over here now!” Draco called out to Spike without saying his name, as to keep the secret until the last minute.

Spike just looked away from Draco.

“Um…who is that, Draco?” Twilight asked.

“I’ll tell you in a minute, but first this is something I want to show you.” Draco smiled as he began to remove his shirt and reveal his bare chest to both Twilight and Moon.

Rarity purred at the sight of his broad chest and Shadow licked her lips.

“Erm…what exactly am I supposed to look at?” Twilight asked while blushing a little.

“Hmm, impressive abdominals and pectorals, not as much as Lock’s,” Moon said.

“Woohoo! Muscle flex!” Big B said, and tore off his shirt. “Check out these babies!” Big B flexed his arms and chest, making Swift blush like a fool.

Draco shook his head while chuckling. “Don’t you remember the mark I left on my chest? The one I made when I made you a promise?”

Twilight tilted her head and she found herself examining Draco’s chest.

“Wait…it’s not there?” Twilight said.

“That’s right it’s not.” Draco smiled as he moved to put his shirt back on. “And, do you remember why I said I would let that mark heal?”

“If you…found…” Twilight said, her eyes beginning to widen. Slowly but surely, the Princess of Friendship turned her head towards the stranger standing under the tree.

“What is the matter, Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“Indeed, you look as though you’ve seen a ghost,” Moon said.

Slowly, Draco grasped Twilight’s hand and began to lead her to the stranger in black. When they were now standing in front of him, Draco moved to place an arm around the stranger.

“S…S-Spi…ke?” Twilight said, her voice beginning to tremble as tears flowed from her eyes.

The stranger tensed up, and was tempted to leave but Draco gave him a reassuring nudge. The stranger paused as he then reached up to take off his head gear. Once he took off his mask, goggles, and bandanna, Twilight gasped in utter shock. A flurry of emotions swirled around within Twilight when she saw Spike’s face. She felt great concern when she saw how disfigured he was, she felt tremendous sadness when she realized how hurt he was, she felt angry when she imagined who would dare do this to him, and she felt a wave of pure happiness when she realized that he was standing right in front of him.

“Hey…Twilight,” Spike said, almost cracking a smile. “I…I’m home.”

That was the final nail in the coffin for Twilight. She suddenly burst into tears as she wrapped her arms around Spike’s torso. Her wails of relief and happiness filled the air while she squeezed Spike as tight as she could. Spike didn’t know how to react at first until he felt something trickle down his cheek. More of this liquid started running down his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around Twilight and hugged her back. Meanwhile, most of the others from the group, who were also quite flabbergasted from overhearing who the stranger was, began shedding their own tears of joy at the sight. Rarity was worse for wear as she covered her mouth with her hands, and she was crying out loud as well.

“I…I’m home, Twilight…” Spike whimpered. “I’m home…”

Wiping his own tears, Draco smiled as he placed a hand on Spike’s shoulder. “Was I right, or was I right?”

Spike glanced at Draco through his tears. “Thank you…for bringing me home, and reuniting me with my family.”

Author's Note

Reunited at last.

Side Note:
I sound like a broken record at this point when I say I’m sorry for the constant delays with my stories. Not only is it because of school, but also due to a slight writer’s block. I think I’m over it now…hopefully.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…