The next day

I slowly blinked awake, I felt very comfortable on the stone table, and I slept in until noon, yawning and getting up to stretch, i realized i was right where I had gone to sleep last night.

I missed having a proper stone bed to sleep on, as I always said, hard surfaces are the best sleeping spots, I felt energized and good, and jumped off the table and looked around the room, there was no one here, all of the soldiers normally guarding the castle, they were nowhere to be seen, I was confused and surprised at this fact.

Walking towards the door and slowly pulling it open in, I poked my head out and looked upon the city, there they were, the soldiers were amassed along the city, there were tents set up, possibly for the injured during the fight.

What was going on out there? I ran out and closed the door behind me, heading towards the exit, on the way I decided to contact my family, I think I had given them enough time for themselves for now, checking up on them would be fine maybe.

'Hey you two, Onyx here, anyone knows what's going on? I just woke up and there are soldiers here, seems like they have set up camps, either of you know what happened?'

'Good to hear from you again my darling son! Yes come out outside the shield and look, the enemy is being routed, they are in talks about surrender, come quick!' momma was the first to answer.

'Hey Onyx... We did have medical tents set up and we had griffons ready in case of a fight breaking out, but things are going smoothly for now, hey... Again I'm sorry about what happened before, we still should talk about that and you can tell me what had you so upset, okay? All of us should, anyways we will wait for you here.' This time Coconut was the one to answer and I agree with him, we need to talk, as a family, because some things I'm concerned about and dont know, i dont want to annoy them.

'Hey you two, I love both of you, remember, I'm sorry too dad I... Overreacted and I insulted you, I was just so angry I couldn't help myself, and I'm sorry, we will talk later, see you outside.'

I trotted down the tree-city and headed towards the lower district, then walked out through the main path down the side of the mountain, I needed to get to the camp the griffons here in, most likely.

Once outside I saw that the griffons truly were in the invaders camp, and there I saw the leaders siting and talking while their armies were sitting in their camps relaxing.

Huh? I wasn't expecting this, not at all.

I equipped my Robes and, using a short range teleportation spell I appeared to the side of the leaders discussing, right next to my parents which I eagerly hugged and nuzzled after pulling the hood off my robes.

"I missed you two, a lot!" I said in a happy yet soft and tender tone, near them, shyly standing a few meters away was Thunder, looking shyly away from us as we hugged.

"It's good to finally be with you again my silver cuddlebug!" Mom exclaimed happily.

"I'm glad you're feeling better son, I missed you and your refreshing hugs" dad said with a smile. "Oh and Thunder here, she's gonna be a trial member of our herd! But we will talk about that later, because everyone is staring at you... Maybe you should talk to them." I turn around and see he is right.

Seems I had everyone's attention, some were glares, others were smiles, I shyly stepped forward.

"Ah, Onyx has finally graced us with his presence, did you have a good night's sleep? When you fell asleep, I didn't want to disturb you so I left you there, you clearly were overtired and I heard somewhere that dragons enjoy sleeping on hard surfaces so... Let you sleep on the table." I approached and offered Steelwing a fistbump, surprisingly, next to him was Treble, who I also fistbumped.

"Heey General Steelwing! I did sleep well, in fact slept until just a few minutes ago!" I chuckled while rubbing the back of my head. "Hey King Treble, how are you friend? Seems I really missed a lot this morning huh?" I ask awkwardly, looking around, the Honor Guard of General Falcon giving me harsh glares, now they are wearing normal, non decorated sets of steel plate armor.

Very awkward to be here after what I told them.

"H-hello you all, I'm Onyx, advisor to King Treble and General Steelwing, I see some... familiar faces here, I just want you all to know, I wanted to protect my friends in Griffonstone, that's all, although... I'm still really upset with some of you, I have been wronged and I won't let it go." Everyone went quiet, until General Steelwing let out a hearty chuckle.

"Hey be nice to them Onyx! This lad here is the reason we are on the negotiating table! He is inexperienced when it comes to fighting but he more than makes up for it when it comes to magic! He volunteered to help us and made this conflict much easier on our nation." He praised me, while I just gave him a small glare.

"I don't think telling them that is a good idea, now they'll send assassins after me, you doofus!" I groaned angrily and turned around, my forelegs crossed as I stood on my hind legs. "As if I already hadn't bled enough for your country..." I said in an angry whisper, mostly to myself.

"You may think that, but despite your support for Griffonstone, you will not be targeted, you have returned the Idol, have you not? You have reconciled the griffons with Boreas, many still believe in him, even back home, if our citizens were to find out we had you killed, they would riot." Surprisingly, General Falcon said with a neutral tone.

"What? But I thought that only the griffons here believed in Boreas..." I was answered both generals shaking their heads, while General Falcon groaned as if I was an idiot.

"No, of course not! The Idol was in Griffonstone, but the belief is widespread through all of the Empire, the Empire that Boreas himself founded during his life, and although our nation broke off from the Empire some months ago, the griffons in it still have a belief in the god of wind, the different regions of the empire believe on one or another aspect of Boreas, but all of us believe, well not all, a portion of the population, religion in griffon culture is a private affair shared between close friends or family, we don't have churches like ponies do." I looked dumfounded at him, but Steelwing nodded, confirming his words.

"So... Them why did ya want to even conquer this city? Wouldn't that be kind of blasphemous? Or something..." Ah, I'm starting to see it now.

"No no wait, I think I get it! You wanted to conquer it, so you could have someone find the Idol from your nation and gain his favor, and on top of that have a whole new city under your nations banner, am I right?" I asked, but slowly I started to grow angry, and feel increasingly worse emotionally, all of this for greed, wasn't it? Sure I wanted bits too but I wouldn't invade a nation for it!

"That's the short of it, among other reasons young dragon, yes you are right, the higher ups care more about land and resources, they also want to get the favor of our god to have more legitimacy as a new independent nation, but from what General Steelwing tells me, it's too late for that." The shorter general lets out a defeated sigh.

"You say all this about not having me killed, and yet your damn honor guard almost killed me last night! Even after I purposefully went easy on them, to not hurt them! They gouged out my eyes and cut off fingers, and after I was defeated and trying to escape, back in my natural form you see in front of you, they stabbed and stomped me, trying to kill me, I-i... I just wanted to help my friends.

Why couldn't they just capture me? Why didn't they stop assaulting me when I was on the ground? Do I not get any mercy... Why? I can't let them get away with it, not without payback.

"You asked for it, you lying snake! You attacked our camp and you trampled griffons in their sleep, although no one died or was seriously injured you clearly were intending to kill, and you claim you were maimed? You look fine to me, not begone and let my and General Steelwing formalize this agreement." He dismissed me completely, that was the last straw, before the true negotiations began.

An hour later, back at the Griffonstone Castle

I let my anger and indignation get the best of me today, and I may have threatened the life of both the General and the leader of the Isles, and I shot all of the soldiers who hurt me, just to get even, they couldn't fight back or anything because i paralyzed them first.

I seriously doubt they will try anything after what I did, but I was able to 'negotiate' a deal with them, 10 million bits in reparations paid monthly in 100 thousand bits payments all deposited in the Griffonstone's vaults.

If they do send assassins after me, I will have to install glyphs...

Once in front of the castle, I pushed the door open and headed in, walking towards where I've seen the griffons come with the food. "Come on you three, I think this way is where the kitchen and cafeteria is, but I'm not exactly sure." They shrugged and followed me.

"Don't know to be honest son, but what was that back there? You really got a very scary look about you, and what you did to those griffons... That weapon, what is that? I've never seen anything like that, so small and causing so much damage, although i suppose magic is... Stronger in many aspects." Mom asked me with a thoughtful expression, before I could answer, she asked more.

"Also I didn't know you were so hurt! You should have come to us for help right away, you know, you know that you have to be careful, you promised Onyx! You promised you would ask for help if you were in trouble, yet I didn't hear anything over the mental link you have control over, why didn't you ask for help?" I lowered my ears and looked down in shame, she was right, I... She told me to ask for help when I need it, I was overconfident and it didn't even occur to me to ask for support.

"You and dad spent a lot of time with... Thunder here, I thought you wouldn't want to be bothered, who knows what you were doing? I didn't want to get in the way... I already feel like I'm too much of a burden usually, but interrupting your fun? That's going too far."

Before she could complain I answered her other question too.
"And that weapon is something called a P320 Pistol, it's something similar to a crossbow but it has a self propelling cartridge instead of a bolt that uses tension, so it fires smaller metal 'bolts' at much faster speeds, they are very good at making holes in things, including creatures." She was quiet for a minute before answering.

"I see, it looks really powerful for something so small, I'm glad you showed those stupid griffons who hurt you what it's like to be on the receiving end too, they deserved it! You're still so young and those terrible griffons have overlooked that when they hurt you, I mean they could probably tell you're barely out of your hatchling stage, and tried to kill you anyways, they almost succeeded!" The two ponies surprisingly nodded in agreement.

"I say they got off lightly, maiming a foal is punishable by death back where I'm from, but I suppose since you could heal yourself, the sentence would be reduced for the perpetrator, I don't know, still I think you didn't do anything too extreme, a foreleg wound doesn't seem bad compared to what you went through..." Thunder added, surprising me.

"And about you bothering us... Listen Onyx, your life was at risk, you said it yourself, if you say you need help, I don't care what I'm doing, or what someone else is doing to me, no matter how good it feels or how much I want it, I'm going to stop right away, and I'm going to run to help you, understand?" She asks patiently, and I nod meekly. "I know you would do the same for me if I was truly in an emergency, always together remember son?" I approach and we share a loving hug, I knew she means it, her love is unconditional, and mine for her too.

"I should have, I know... I didn't expect to be overwhelmed like that, I was stupid and overconfident, I tried to not hurt them mom, I tried... So hard to just push them away and scare them! They hurt me very badly in return.
I know I looked scary but... Its just so unfair, I don't want everyone to think I'm just some pacifist idiot who let's everyone get away with trying to kill me." I sighed, emotionally exhausted after my outburst with the griffons.

"You've made your point with them clear I believe son, if they were to try anything after that... They know the consequences now." Father is right, I shouldn't worry anymore about them.

"Maybe if they fear me... They won't try again, and if they do, they will have to ho through much much worse. I did enjoy it a bit to be fair, revenge... Its like ice cream, because you know? it's cold and sweet." I chuckled to myself at my stupid pun, that I ruined further by explaining.

Coconut's ears perked at my declaration, he let out a snort at that, I chuckled at his reaction and we both ended up sharing a laugh.

"... Onyx you dork, when did you come up with that? Revenge is like ice cream, really?! Come here dummy!" I was taken by surprise by the sudden squeeze hug around my neck from dad, then he started to tickle me with the hard edge of his hooves, I squirmed and gasped in surprise, before being overwhelmed by uncontrollable laughter at my sides being tickled, he was stronger now and could hold me fairly easily unless I really tried, but I didn't try, I enjoyed every second of the spontaneous and extremely fun 'torture'. I could do with some lighthearted fun now, I still tried to playfully bat away his hooves.

Mom joined in by nibbling my neck softly, it was ticklish as well because I got all sensitive from the previous tickling, and soon we were all on the ground tickling each other and snuggling, laughing uncontrollably and panting for air like a bunch of idiots, I felt so much better now, fuck those griffons, it didn't matter now, I'm sure Treble and Steelwing will take care of the other details.

All the while I could tell Thunder was looking at us with a warm smile, and warmth in her eyes, yet she hasn't joined in, maybe she was unsure about me or she just didn't feel ready for that kinda silly fun games we had together sometimes, or she was shy.

But what worried me the most now was that... Dad was slowly catching up to me in the tickle score of who tickles who the most, I used to be the undisputed champion but now... I'm getting somehow more ticklish as I grow older?! That makes no sense, don't it? I hope it's not some weird puberty thing... Eh who cares I'm still going to enjoy taking both of them by surprise next time, can't let them out do me in my speciality, claws beat hooves or paws!

"T-thank you dad, mom, I feel much better now! You both... I love you so much! But we really need to talk, oh look! That's the cafeteria we've been looking for, it was just right through this door all this time heh." the both of them give me a kiss on each side of my head, making me blush slightly, before we walk in, the pegasus following close behind.

"Come on, here Thunder! Give me a hug too! You're with us now remember?" dad nods at that, I look between them, both of them give me a smile and a nod, so I look at Thunder and nod to her with a small smile, which she returns.

"T-thank you, I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable Onyx, I... I know what I did was wrong, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were... L-lets sit down and talk, what do you all say? I-i mean let's find somewhere to sit before we can talk about what happened." We all agree with her there, the cafeteria was mostly empty, but the cooks we're here.

"Who wants to go first, or should I?" I asked right away, I was in a decently good mood, I sort of...etc out some steam by shooting those guys.

The others all nodded so I just started.

"So the plan was I would go on and trick miss Thunder here to relax and let her guard down in my cat form, and that worked very well, right miss Thunder? You and I... We got along nicely, you even smiled and patted me, I liked that." I started, looking at the pegasus mare with a slight smile, her eyes widened and she gasped lightly.

"Wait... You're saying that you were that cat?! Oh my gosh! You're able to transform into a cat!" She looked very happy and seemingly in her excitement she wrapped me around her wings in a hug, I giggled as she realized and gently pulled back her wings.
"S-sorry hehe I... Got a bit too excited, I just really like cats, my sister has a cat and it's super cute! Sorry to interrupt, keep going Onyx, and yes you are adorable as a cat, we did get along well, I must say now I realize why you looked slightly odd, you were also a bit silver, at the time I thought your hair was just really pretty but maybe you keep a bit of the beautiful shine from your scales even when you transform?"

I giggle and smile at her enthusiasm, it's pretty cute.
"You really like cats huh? Then you and I will get along very well! Yes I can transform into any animal I touch, although it doesn't work on ponies or some other creatures that are highly magical, for that I need a more advanced spell, transforming into animal is an ability not a spell, at least the version I used to become a cat, although there is a spell." She claps her hooves together happily as I explain, feeling more relaxed.

"I wanna see you do that sometime! But... Let's talk about what we have been putting off for now, you said you wanted to start to..." I nod and focus my mind on that.

"Yes, well when dad came in, he was supposed to... Talk you and convince you to join the good side, make you and the ponies side with us, them we would take the supplies back into the city and from there we could wait for the Griffons to surrender." I felt unsure how to continue, but I decided to go with it.

"But when you two talked the conversation started going some other place, then you Thunder started to try to seduce dad and then he tried to resist, not very much effort on his part but I never don't recall you asking for his permission to do that, you simply slid under and started to... Kiss him down there, no warning and no asking either, that bothered me, just like the fact that you were letting her do it without pushing her away, cheating on mom, I thought you didn't love her anymore or you were trying to have sex behind ber back, that's why I was so insistent on telling her what you did... A-and why I wanted to stop you two." I explain my point of view, but I was suddenly hugged tightly by Sylf, who doubled down and nuzzled me, licking the top of my head like a wolf mom would like their puppies, I couldn't help but start giggling at the intense treatment she was giving me.

"Oh you poor sweet angel, you though my relationship with him was so strict? Im so sorry! I never told you very much about us, didn't I? Oh Onyx we are both very sorry... You see son, your dad and I, we are married yes, but both of us have a deal, if we want in the heat of the moment, to have intense and lustful sex with other ponies or other beings, we can and we can even invite them to the relationship as a form of trial member to see if they fit, look Onyx we haven't really formed a herd not because we didn't want to, but because we just don't have anyone who would want to, we also didn't exactly ask around." My eyes widen at this, I had no idea! I thought mum was opposed to the idea of forming a herd.

"B-but you said you didn't want a herd, just a stallion for yourself!" I exclaimed in confusion, sure this was years and years ago... Maybe I just have been left out of the loop?

"At some point, I did because I didn't know how what it was like, I had never been with any stallion and turns out I was wrong! I can't handle a stallion all on my own, even I, I... Well I really really like to have sexytimes with your dad, but I have a really busy schedule as a commander of the guard, and if not with that I have barely enough time to look over the twins, when do I fit the time to satisfy him? I simply don't have time, sure sometimes we do, but its... Not easy while the twins and you are in the house, no offense I just doubt you want to catch us in the act, nor do we want you to, and specially not the twins!" She scratches the back of her head with a paw, blushing and looking away.

"S-so yeah we kinda need some more mares or... someone who can help with both raising the foals, cooking, washing the dishes, and specially looking after his needs, that's the issue with having only two in a relationship, and why ponies love their herds, when you also are poorer, having more mares to do all the work around the house beats hiring maids, that we can easily do with how much we earn, but..." She gives me a meaningful look, then looks over at Thunder.

"Yeah, I keep a bunch of... Less than legal stuff at home and if the maids were to report us we would get in trouble, the weapons and armor alone would have the guard at our house, even if you're a Commander they would be confused as to why you have so many weapons... None of which are registered, also I would prefer if no strangers have access to my hoard or my room, or the garden or any of that." I nod slowly, I get it now, being in a monogamous relationship was much harder, and it made things a lot more tedious, left some unsatisfied and frustrated, and it meant less sleep.

"I understand now, I... Owe you both and apology, dad, miss Thunder." I now my head and lower my ears, I knew I was being overly rude to them before, I was... I felt betrayed on behalf of Sylf, but it was not my place to be.

"Onyx, you don't have to be sorry, you're right to feel upset at me, I should have had better control over my heat, and I maybe would have not done any of that if I knew you were... his actual son and were there hearing us, I swear I thought you were a cat, I also did... As you say I took advantage of him without ever getting his spoken consent, and for that I apologize to you too, mister Coconut, I should have listened to you when you said you were married, yet... I let my instincts and what your eyes said guide me." Thunder said with her ears lowered and looking slightly ashamed.

"I did want it, I... Sure I was reluctant because I didn't get permission from my wife, but I knew that she would be okay with it, I was more trying to stop you because Onyx was there right next to you, and I'm sorry for that son, I didn't want you to see that... At first I really wanted to stop and not get in 'the mood' in front of you, that I regret you had to see, I could barely think... You don't know yet how heat is, how it messes with your mind and perception, it's as close as mind control you can get in nature without actual illegal magic or alchemy, still I... Didn't meant you to see or hear any of that." Coconut let out a sad sigh, before nuzzling me softly on the neck, giving me a sad smile.

"Either way I was never angry at you over this, I understood from the start why you were angry, at least why you would be, first at seeing me like that and at feeling betrayed and that I messed up the mission on purpose, I... Never meant any of that to happen, but I'm glad you understand now, I'll make it up to you somehow, okay?" He offered softly in almost a whisper, and I could only nod, he would not take a no for an answer, I could tell by the way he spoke.

"Can I... Hug you too Onyx? I-i feel like I owe you a hug at the very least after all the stress and anxiety I put you through, i also feel thankful you brought both of us to your mom, she... Welcomed me much better than I expected." Thunder asked with a blush, looking shyly at me but with a slight smile and hopeful eyes.

I didn't have to think more than a second, before nodding and approaching her, her smile widened and she flew over and enveloped me in her hug, using both front hooves and wings, closing her eyes with a smile on her muzzle, I returned the gesture, hugging her across her barrel as we both stood on our hind legs, I nuzzled her neck and fluffy chest with a content purr.

She was a good hugger, I could see myself trusting her in time. "You're fluffy, warm and your wings are very soft, I am glad you're on our side now." I softly whisper in her ear, which twitches and her eyes open, a large smile firming on her muzzle.

"And you're very refreshing, even cold, like a cloud full of snow in winter, your scales are smooth and soft, but... Is it normal for you to be this cold? I thought dragons were full of fire and hot to the touch." She asks with curiosity, and a slight undertone of concern.

"That, Thunder is because I'm not a dragon as you know them, I'm an altogether different species of dragon from the ones in the volcano lands, or dragon lands. I hail from the frozen north, far far north where only ice and snow permanently cover the land, and Caribou roam in herds." I thought about going back and visiting, it could be an interesting experience!

"Ah, that makes sense, I heard of the frozen north but no one ever would dare travel so far out, some Trottingham citizens visit Equestria often but usually only the largest cities like Canterlot or Manehattan, I've had an aunt who went to Las Pegasus to play in the casinos and wasted all her money, don't like that city very much..." I nod in agreement at that last.

"Don't much like casinos either, a game where you waste money to give it to the rich? I'll pass, Id rather invest it or buy some tasty confections with that, or something fun at the market, why waste money at the casino when you can play the same games at home with friends and family, and even play for bits if you want, but the money goes to actual friends or family instead to some unknown rich pony living in some tower." I snorted at the stupidity of those fools who wasted their salaries on gambling, and gambling in a rigged casino that basically ensures the client will lose.

Suddenly we interrupted by a group of griffons coming out with trays and placing them on our table, filled with food and water.

"Excuse us, we just couldn't help but look over and we find the heroes of Griffonstone, chatting amicably, we took the liberty of preparing you a selection of omnivore and herbivore dishes with our best ingredients, for the two ponies we made asparagus cream soup and cucumber sandwiches with fresh daffodils, and for the omnivores we have a prepared fish and chips, with garlic and onion mayo dip and a potato leek cream soup, and for desert there is lemon curd with sweet sponge cookies, enjoy!" An older griffon wearing a chef uniform announced politely with a slight french accent, with a small bow of his head.

"Thank you so much, what's your name mister? I've absolutely loved the burger and fries you all made for me the other day." He looked at me with a friendly smile as I spoke.

"My name is Hulbert, the head chef of the castle, we serve the army usually but also foreign dignitaries and officers, your group I consider a step above any of that, we are aware of all that you did for Griffonstone and the Empire as a whole, my most sincere thanks, now I'll leave you to enjoy the food before it goes cold." With another small nod he and the staff leave towards the kitchen and we are left alone and in silence, everyone is slightly shocked at the sudden free meal, even, even when I smelled the food all the way from the kitchen, still didn't expect it was for us.

"Charming old chap, isn't he?" Casually said Thunder, looking at the griffon. She got a round of nods

"Yeah, but let's do like he said, don't want my fish or fries to get cold, now enjoy my dears." I added and dug in, starting to eat with gusto, this fish it was wonderfully cooked, tender and delicious and the batter was spiced up nicely, as well as the fries with the dip, it all completed the meal and made it perfect. "Mmmmh~ sho tasty!" I exclaimed with a mouthful of food, then blushed as dad gave me a gentle telekinetic boop while glaring at me with no real anger.

"Manners colt! Don't speak with your mouth full." He chided before taking a bite of his sandwich, making and all happy moan, he however didn't speak with his mouth full.

We had a wonderful lunch and by the end we were all full and sleepy, we thanked the cooks and I left them a few hundred bits in tips before we all headed back to the orphanage and into my parents room, where we somehow all fit on the bed, the room had been cleaned well thanks to both mom and dad knowing prestidigitation.

I was in the heart of the pile, emanating cold to keep everyone fresh and with the pegasus mare laying on top of me, she was light, much lighter than dad so I barely felt her weight on me, the problem was breathing, with all of them covering me I had little room to breathe so I had to have my head out of the pile.

The scent of my parents always brings me comfort, the pegasus mare while new and different than them, had a nice scent to her too, I could get used to it... She smelled sweet and made me want to hug her more, but I settled for just wrapping my forelegs around her barrel before taking a nap with all of them.

Hopefully nothing bad will happen to any of us after my less than friendly form of negotiation today, but the war was over, and that's for sure.

Author's Note

Hello and thank you for reading this chapter! No sex in this one, just chill vibes, the family is perhaps growing too! Who knows? Also Onyx did not kill anyone, he just shot a few griffons who messed with him, and had them healed after, making them agree to his terms more readily.