Castle Bahamut

“You are a rowdy youth, probably would have been a great warrior in adulthood.”

“Huh... whazzat you talkin' abou'...?”

“A warrior is a feisty young whelp. They typically grow up to become warrior kings, respected by even their own enemies.”

. . .

-7- EMERGENCY

“The jury will now consult with each other regarding their verdict,” Celestia said, her monotonic voice not changing tone once during the whole trial.

My eyes nervously followed the set of around 20 ponies in the jury stand up before leaving into another room. Once the door closed, silence took over the entire courts to the point where I could hear my own heartbeat. Actually, I could feel it due to how still my body went. I dreaded it, but I turned my head around to look at the ones I've grown to know in the audience. A hundred  eyes were laid upon me with kaleidoscope emotions. The six ponies I've grown attached to all had the same feeling I did: dread. For different reasons, I don't know... but right now, they were suffering in this silence just as much as I did. I pleaded silently that they would have faith in me and that would somehow make the jury's verdict turn in my favour.

. . .

A door opened, making me turn around. My whole body started shaking with anticipation while the jury took their sweet time sitting down in their stupid little jury box, each seemingly holding an air of superiority. None of them I could recognize, but all of them had the same eyes.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” Celestia asked.

I held my breath, feeling the air grow heavy as time slowed down. A short, blue stallion stood up, adjusting a tie.

“Yes we have.”

I clenched my fists, leaning forward with wide eyes. This is it. This is what decides my future. I bit my lip, my whole body ceasing the shudders to let me wallow in silence.

“We find the defendant, Spike, guilty of all charges.”

And then I felt weird. I don't know what it was, but I felt a weird emotion coating my whole body, starting from the base of my spine. An odd chill that felt like it would hurt if it were physical... but it was all in my head. I glanced upward at Princess Celestia, wondering if it was true. For the first time since the trial started, since I was arrested, her expression changed.

. . .

“Spike—”

No.

“Your sentence is relocation to the juvenile dragon prison, Castle Bahamut, located in the centre of the Glucose Ocean until the faculty of the prison deem you fit to reenter Equestrian society,” Princess Celestia said in a stern voice.

A gavel hitting a chunk of wood. That's all it was, right? An old hammer being banged like the God of Thunder ringin' his presence. So why does the sound reduce me to tears? Why am I unable to hear what is clearly shouts coming out of my mouth? Why am I standing up with liquids streaming down my face? Why am I being rushed by several guards? Why are several snare poles being put around my head? Why am I snapping my jaw at guards? Why am I falling to the ground, unable to breathe as a pain builds up in my gut? Why is it a small chunk of wood can do this much to someone in mere seconds?

“MOMMY!” I shouted through a scorched voice as I fought against my captors, seeing a teary-eyed Twilight watching as I'm being hauled away by several guards.

Several shackle-like objects are placed on my wrists and ankles and before I could react, my whole body felt numb and the ability to resist was lost. My body hung over and drool drizzled out of my mouth while my jaw hung limp. The shackles buzzed, and so did the world. I couldn't even wipe the tears off my eyes before I was carelessly tossed into a cell. The guards looked down at me before spitting on my leg, leaving the room we were in. The door slammed and I was in total darkness.

[*][*][*]

I am in total darkness... is this death? Or am I asleep? We don't die in death. Or, I mean, we don't have a conscious mind.

I blinked my eyes before clenching them shut as what had to be the lights of heaven's gates shining down upon my face. Slowly, my eyelids went up as a spotlight above me shone down directly into my eyes. The damn thing was hot so I felt completely uncomfortable. Oh, and I was strapped to a table.

“Am I... a warrior or something?” I muttered, feeling drool drizzling down my cheeks.

“You could have been had you not had the misfortune of being hatched by the Element of Magic, young whelp,” Lockdown's voice echoed like a god booming his voice, echoing it off mountains.

My eyes looked around, away from the spotlight to see total darkness. Somehow, the darkness seemed bright so I squinted my eyes and slowly, they adjusted again. Lockdown loomed over me as did several other dragons, each bearing masks of typical animals. If I were more aware, I would have frowned and contemplated why, but I just drooled like a moron instead.

“Leave us,” Lockdown said.

The other dragons nodded, stepping back before disappearing into the darkness. I mumbled, trying to say something, stopped due to my drowsy mind.

“Spike... you find yourself at the final boss. The end of the game. The final showdown with the one who stole your lunch money. You fumbled it... and now you're here, where the 'bad guy' has won,” he said, slowly circling the whole group.

I felt more feeling coming to my whole body, and with it, I felt the dried blood in my nostrils. Uncomfortable didn't even describe it, and that's not counting the smell. He sighed, seemingly pondering his words.

“I'll give you a novel cliché: Am I really the bad guy, Spike? Or am I simply misjudged?” he asked.

“You're a murderous thug! I know about you, I know you set me up! And I know about what you did!” I shouted, my voice wailing out of control.

“Have you ever had to do something unforgivable to keep yourself sane?” he asked.

No snarky response from me this time. Instead, I opted to contemplate it now that I wasn't drowsy.

“Do you realize... what the fate of all dragons are, Spike?” he asked.

“Fate of all dragons? Don't give me that crap, no one has a fate!” I shouted, tugging on my restraints.

“This isn't the typical 'destiny' stuff you young folk read in novella. This is what has happened to every single dragon in history. There is an inevitable fate of all dragons.” He sat down on presumably a stool, resting his head on his arm while it laid on the table. I stopped tugging on my restraints and looked down at him. “No dragon since the Dragon God Bahamut's grand reign lived to old age.”

What?

“You are going to be one of the major cases, young whelp,” Lockdown said, his voice seeming somber. “Love. All dragons build relations over the years, with the creatures that seem like mere mortals to them such as ponies and griffins as well as other dragons... but as they continue to pass on, through natural means or criminal, they feel more and more lost in soul for their fallen loved ones.”

His fist clenched and his body seemed to shake. “They will grow mad over the years of constant agony and it will come to the point where a dragon rage unlike any other erupts. Others rise to slay the rampant beast, and the dragon is with his loved ones.”

“You mean... Because of my love, I will hurt others?” I asked, my voice meek and quiet.

“I truly wish I could speak better of my own kind, Spike the Dragon. I truly do, but I cannot.” He stood up, putting his back towards me. “When cast into darkness, they would step on the skulls of their own flesh and blood just to stay in the sun. To stay out of pain, even if they cause it. They would do anything to make it stop, even if they caused more in the process. The Great Dragon God, Bahamut, saw fit to start this vicious cycle so no dragon shall go without hatred.”

“Then how is he so great if all he's done is cause pain?” I retorted, feeling my anger rise.

He spun around, facing me with a gallow look. A scowl adorned his face and he shook his head. “Why has God created pain? Why has God given us the ability to hurt, and hurt others? We learn from pain. The Great Dragon God, Bahamut, has given us the ability to grow, and the people shall bow to their God even if they know he is responsible for all of life's suffering.” He walked over and stood above me, glancing down. A small crystal was in his hand, glowing red.

“What's a God to a non-believer? Your Bahamut is nothing but a cold fool,” I responded.

He shook his head. “You speak like a pony, Spike. A shame since you had shown such potential.”

“A real God stands by his people to suffer with them! A stupid fool like that is not worth my time, and if that makes me not a dragon, then I'll gladly live as a pony!” I shouted, feeling nothing but pride for my friends and hometown in Ponyville.

Silence hung as he shook his head, allowing it to hang.

“This is the will us dragons have. I was like you, wanting out of this vicious cycle. It is merely better to stand by your fellow dragon until the bitter end.” He held his hands out before the small crystal floated between them. “And we are together—” The crystal started to shine very brightly as a small red string seemingly went into my body. I felt something tugging on what seems to be my insides and I felt a rush to my head. “—SPIKE THE DRAGON!”

And then pain exploded. My whole body started burning hotter than any flame, hotter than the seal ever could. My muscles felt like they were being torn apart and my scales seemed laced with acid as I felt like my head would explode. It felt like a hand was grasping my heart and trying to yank it out of my chest yet never could. Shouts of agony and pure pain came from my mouth while what looked like a string of violet magic ran up the small string attached to the crystal. The familiar sound of Twilight's magic activating resonated in my skull, tuning out the screams coming from my mouth. Soon I couldn't feel anything except the tugging on my heart.

And then it ended. The pain stopped, the noise stopped, the numbness went away, the tugging went away. The string vanished, my body simply felt exhausted as if I was never in agony. Just a gentle sprint 'round the track.

“I didn't even need to take it all to get what I need. You are a lucky dragon, Spike,” Lockdown said, walking passed my feet into a patch of darkness.

Once more my eyes adjusted revealing a squared cube slightly taller than Lockdown. It had an engraving showing what appeared to be a divine dragon, at least from what I can see from my poor angle.

“Rise to the skies and take in the natural light of the sun! The blood of Bahamut flows through my veins, heed my wishes during your bask in the eternal sunshine commanded by the Blood Princesses!” Lockdown chanted, raising his arms towards the cube.

A rumbling came from the cave and Lockdown simply turned around and walked out of the room, no haste, no comments at all. Opening the metal door and leaving quickly, Lockdown seemingly forgot me there. The sound of magic resonated with the the rumbling, taking over as the dominant sound and a rainbow-aura surrounded the cube in question. Real magic allows one to control the circumstances given enough training... but a device with one purpose, plus potentially hundreds of years of magic and this guy... his plans are apparently world domination. Does that mean this cube grants wishes? If so, will that make Celestia completely powerless?

During my thoughts, the cube levitated in the air and moved straight up, parting the stone in its way as it ascended through the volcano to 'bask in the sunlight'. After a few seconds, I started wondering how I would get out, cut short as a familiar red liquid came into the room.

“Lava? I could use a lava bath, that'd be pleasant... but I'm tied down,” I commented.

Meaning it'll overflow, and I'll drown... oh.

Suddenly finding energy and motivation to do so, I started tugging as hard as I could, using all of my strength to tug at the leather straps keeping me pinned down. The lava touched the ground and started spreading out over the floor of this mini laboratory. Eventually it reached the door to the room, seemingly leading out into the large room I was just in. Cutting off the guessing, I attempted to reach up with my jaws and bite at the straps, only to realize I can't reach.

Thinking on a whim, I took a deep breath and attempted to use my flame breath. Several embers spat out and hit the leather straps before a severe pain stabbed me in the heart. My whole body went numb as if I were stabbed repeatedly in the torso over and over again, my ability to breath punctured as well.

Unfortunately, that may be true as the lava started spilling onto the table I was strapped to. My flames did nothing to the straps, but hoping the lava would, I watched to the best of my ability as the pain died down, feeling the warm lava approaching my body. Before coming near the straps, the heat of the lava caused the straps to burst into flames, acting as a hot pack on my body. I continued tugging on the straps even as lava encased them, feeling the small lake starting to cover my whole body. The strap I first blew fire onto gave way and I swung my hand over to my other arm and tugged at the strap. There was a keyhole, so unbuckling was null. Quickly, the lava came up to my neck even though I was sitting upright. I tugged until the leather strap came loose on my other wrist and merely had to pull my legs back a little bit to break those straps. I soon found myself treading lava above the table and proceeded to do the forward stroke towards the door Lockdown entered earlier.

I came up to the steel door and reached around for a handle, only to find none. Sighing, I closed my eyes, dived down, and felt around for a handle to find a small iron wheel lower on the right. I gripped it and twisted until a clang sounded, giving way. The lava slowly flowed out of the room, pouring into the massive hanger-like cave beneath the prison, just as I suspected. Some lava entered my mouth and I spit it out, taking childish amusement from the act, something I haven't done since I came in here.

Looking ahead, Lockdown was already far from gone, probably halfway up the stairs by now. I bolted across the room with a blinding fury building up in my chest... or, again, maybe it was something else, such as the seal having to respond to my fire breath. Either way, I have a contingency plan for when I need to use my flame breath in combat.

[*][*][*]

Haruo bolted through hallways towards the guards barracks, the sound of fighting growing ever quieter. After passing through a dressing room block, he came up to a hallway lit by torches and the skies outside. Ahead, Gelid was laid out on her side, back turned to Haruo a gentle breathing acting as the only indication of life. Rushing ahead, Haruo knelt down next to her and rolled her onto her back and held her in his arms, staring down at her face. Her face had numerous cuts and there was some dried blood in her nostrils, but nothing seemed to be fatal... yet he couldn't take that chance.

“Hey... hey girl, Gelid, buddy ol' pal, wake up,” he said, gently slapping her cheeks.

Moaning, she moved slightly before coughing, attempting to sit upright. Haruo held her down, resting against his right arm.

“Stay down until I'm sure you can get up,” Haruo responded.

Gelid moaned but did as she was told, sighing. Haruo held up his other hand, holding three fingers up.

“How many fingers am I holding up?” Haruo asked.

Fluttering open, Gelid had to adjust to the light from outside before attempting to focus on Haruo.

“Th... three,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. She coughed more violently this time, spitting out some blood. “Ah jeez.”

“Woah, is that from your mouth? If it's not, I'm taking you to solitary. Safes—”

She placed a finger on Haruo's mouth, silencing him. “I'm fine, just bit my cheek earlier,” she said, giggling to emphasize the 'fine' part

Sighing with relief, Haruo nodded his head and placed a hand on Gelid's chest. She flashed a glare at him and he clued in then.

“Woah, s-sorry, I'm just checking for anything broken or bruises,” he said, coughing and averting his gaze.

“I know, just having some fun,” she said, letting a slight groan escape her lips.

He gently poked several areas on her chest before moving down to her belly. Several times she pursed her lips, drawing a sharp breath. Visibly, several spots started to darken on her soft underbelly.

“Nothing is broken, but you're gonna be sensitive in several areas. Can you stand?” Haruo asked.

“Pull me up and we'll find out,” she said, stretching her legs out.

Nodding, Haruo stood up while his right hand came out from under her back, sliding up her arm until they grabbed each others' wrists. With a grunt, Haruo pulled Gelid to her feet, watching her stumble before shaking her head and stretching her arms. She looked around, pulling her hand from Haruo's grip and doing several stretches before nodding.

“I'm set. Did you find the Warden?” she asked. He shrugged his shoulders in response, causing Gelid to flash a look of worry on her face.

“I take it you didn't, since you're asking. So,” he paused. He examined her body, a hand on his chin. “Who beat the snot out of you?”

“A doppelganger, most likely the one that caused Spike to be in here.” She gasped, her eyes going wide. “Wait, Spike!” She grabbed Haruo's arm and yanked him back down the hallway, the same direction the doppelganger from earlier went.

“Woah, what?” Haruo asked as Gelid mercilessly dragged him along like a toddler.

“The Warden has Spike by now! He's in danger,” Gelid responded.

The two dragons darted through hallways, hearing the thunder of chaos occurring outside still. Passing through cell blocks, the cafeteria, passed the entrance to the Warden's tower. They entered the courtyard, spotting that the riot was still going on. Three guards dead, and many more inmates dead while there was still a full-scale war going on. Rather than go through, they once again attempted to flank the entire mob. Traversing under the stone scaffolding, they came up to many of Gelid's stone furniture, finding a lone guard sitting behind it, watching the chaos loom.

“Haruo, go find the entrance, I'll check out what this guy is doing,” Gelid stated.

Haruo shrugged and started running faster than Gelid as she released her grip on his hand. Gelid leaped over a stone couch, landing next to the guard behind the other couch. He let out a shriek and pointed a spear at Gelid. She didn't even blink, instantly swatting her hand at the spear, latching onto it and snapping it with a squeeze.

“Eeyagh, stay back!” he shouted.

“Can't. Riot. I'm supposed to kick your ass.” Gelid peeked her head over the couch, just as another dragon was slammed into a support beam for the scaffolding. It cracked but didn't give way. “Why are you hiding anyway, what're you doing?”

“Gah, this is nuts. I'm not gonna go in there and die. I've been here long enough to know when a cause is lost. Screw honour, I have a life to take care of,” he whispered, keeping his head ducked.

Gelid snorted in response. “Hiding like a coward. And you call yourself a guard.”

He shook his head. “No no, I call myself 'smart'. I've been here eight decades, longer than most guards here. This riot is too large to handle with our own staff, hence why I'm hiding until reinforcements arrive.”

“Whatever, I have a small fool to go rescue,” Gelid said, standing up and leaping over the couch.

The guard shuffled to his feet and placed his hands on the couch, leaning over the back. “Wait, by small fool, you mean Spike!?”

Gelid skid to a halt, turning around. “Wait, how do you know?”

“Well, you're  one of the smallest dragons here, the only one smaller is Spike,” he said, leaping over the couch.

He started running alongside Gelid, both of them going in Haruo's direction. None of the rioters payed attention to them, but some of the inmates were starting to be thrown into walls. The scuffle was turning incredibly violent and roars were continuous. At least 300 dragons were brawling in the courtyards at the moment. Gelid entered one of the doors leading into the prison, the guard following her.

“So what's your name?” the guard asked.

“Gelid,” she said as they stampeded down the stairs.

“Apep Ormr,” he responded.

“Alright. We should be heading deep into the volcano, according to Haruo,” Gelid said.

Just as soon as she finished that, they reached the bottom of the stairs that lead into a library. Before moving in, Haruo slammed into the stone just above the entrance of the staircase, causing both Apep and Gelid to duck their heads. Both rolled away to the sides of the door as Haruo hit the ground between them. Ahead, a larger inmate growled, staring down at them. He was easily larger than the trio and more of an obstacle. The library itself was over thirty feet up to the ceiling, more than enough space.

“What the hell are you doing?” Gelid shouted, standing up with her fists at the ready.

“Having fun, and since it's apparent you're a girl, I'm about to have even more,” the large dragon said in a deep voice, chuckling at the end.

“Ugh, boys,” Gelid said, almost starting to sweat out of nervousness.

Instead of indulging in carnal urges, the large inmate found Apep inches from his face as Apep wrapped his arms around the inmate's head, which was easily half of Apep's size. He flapped his wings and flew over the inmate's head, holding onto the inmate's head as he did. He wound up pulling the dragon back, slamming him onto several bookshelves, knocking many others over as he did. The inmate grunted as he slammed into the beaten-down dust rack, many larger tomes falling onto him.

Without missing a beat, Haruo hopped to his feet and darted towards the inmate, Gelid following. Before they could reach the inmate, Apep gave his wings a flap, launching himself into the air. Doing a back flip, he let out a shout as he landed on the dragon's throat just below his jaw. A sickening crunch sounded and the inmate immediately started gasping for air. Apep calmly stepped onto the large belly of the dragon, observing the library for any others. Gelid and Haruo watched with shocked stares.

“Holy Bahamut, what the hell?” Gelid asked.

“Order #5126: During a Level 10 Prison Riot, take down the inmates as fast as possible, even if you have to kill them. Anything to maintain control,” Apep said as he hopped off the body, just as the inmate went limp, no longer breathing. “Plus, nobody threatens a young girl in such a way.”

“Well, thanks,” Gelid said, scratching the back of her head.

Haruo shrugged again and they both ran towards Apep, hopping over several piles of books, wooden planks and the inmate's arm as they proceeded towards another staircase leading down. Instead of going straight down, someone else was coming up. Lockdown was casually walking up the stairs, glancing upward to see us three standing at the top.

“Oh, Warden Lockdown! I was just looking for you,” Apep said, playing off what must have been a rehearsed line.

Lockdown stood in front of the trio. He didn't even pause upon reaching them, his tail shooting from over his shoulder, piercing Apep's chest directly in the centre. He let out a stopped gasp before Lockdown pulled his tail out. Apep fell to the side, leaning against the wall as he struggled to breathe, blood seeping from his mouth. Lockdown continued walking and Gelid's eyes widened when she realized he was far different from the doppelganger she just fought. His two hands darted forward, grabbing Haruo and Gelid by the neck. Tightly squeezing, both found themselves struggling to breathe and clawing at Lockdown's hands. He continued walking, slamming both of their heads into the stairs, shattering the stone. Both let out a groan as Lockdown proceeded up the stairs, entering the library. Gelid and Haruo forced themselves to sit up, finding themselves low on time.

“Wait, that's the Warden... where's Spike!?” Gelid said with a hoarse voice.

. . .

Total darkness surrounded the hallways, but that didn't stop me. Up ahead, a light was visible, the light being blocked out for a second. I ran full stop, a mad drive keeping me on an adrenaline high. The closer I got to the light, the more I could make out figures. A cyan dragon stuck out before I realized who it was.

“GELID! HARUO!” I shouted. They both looked back and I saw them both carrying a dragon... and upon closer inspection... “APEP!”

I reached the top, out of breath but I didn't care. They both set down Apep onto the ground and I finally saw why. A gash in his chest with blood coming out and Apep was struggling to breathe. I ran forward and knelt down, looking at Apep. He focused on me and no emotion was visible.

“S-so I g-guess I k-know w... why you we... we... were in solitary,” he said, gulping at the end while forcing a smile.

“What do you mean!?” I asked.

“Hah, you're... you were safe in solitary,” Apep said as his breathing became more erratic.

“No, stop speaking, you need to rest. Don't worry, we'll get help. Are there any doctors here!?” I asked, looking around frantically.

Glancing up, Gelid and Haruo both shook their heads, not in response to my question. I felt entirely hopeless as the situation dawned on me. Looking back down, I felt tears once again staining my face as I saw the life leaving Apep's face.

“No. No no no. Not again, who did this!? Lockdown?” Apep nodded in response. I felt the rage starting up in my body again. “He is unforgivable! He even sacrificed his own son to make some wish, and now he's killing his own guards? No, this isn't fair.”

“It's okay, Spike. I'm one less person you have to worry about,” Apep whispered, his breathing slowing to a halt.

His eyes stopped moving, pulse stopped, and his breathing stopped. He was gone, and I was stuck looking down at someone who was good. An innocent person.

I was prepared for innocent deaths, right...?

Narrowing my eyes, I looked ahead at the staircase leading to the courtyard. Footsteps behind me came closer. A claw was placed on my shoulder and gentle voice addressed me.

“Spike?” Gelid said quietly.

I removed her hand from my shoulder and stood up, wiping away the tears in my eyes. I barred my teeth and my cheeks heated up, causing my tears to evaporate. I started huffing and felt an unbearable rage caress my whole body, urging me to let loose.

“I'll avenge him, and everyone else that died for his stupid scheme.” I dropped to my knees and slammed a fist into the stone next to Apep and I, shattering the floor. I dug my claws in and pushed off, starting a run towards the door. “I'LL AVENGE HIM!”

Gelid and Haruo followed me, both sprinting behind me. I darted up the stairs and it seems the Warden timed his leave perfectly as the cube with the Bahamut decal separated the stone in the courtyard, causing the entire riot to stop. Everyone looked on in confusion but Lockdown calmly proceeded towards it. Seven dragons, all wearing cloaks and masks dropped down from above, barring Lockdown from the rest of the crowd. Each were likely the large breed of dragons, towering over the rest of the group. Gelid, Haruo and I stopped at the entrance to the prison, realizing we were stuck watching. I was no longer needed alive, so charging in would simply end with my death. Lockdown stopped several feet from the cube and sighed once more as if this were all some boring tasks.

“Huh, so that's Bahamut's Sacred Heart,” Haruo said, rubbing his chin.

“Wait, whaddaya mean Bahamut's Sacred Heart?” Gelid asked.

I looked up as well, frowning at the notion that Haruo somehow knew of the legend or scheme Lockdown was in.

“Bahamut's Sacred Heart is said to be the key that Bahamut used to rule the world, correct?” We nodded. “It's actually older than that, but Bahamut was the one to find it. He cut out his own heart, replacing it with the magical gemstone. It gave him glorious power and made him essentially the father of all modern era dragons, but upon his death, he asked his heart be removed and sealed in stone. He was revered as a god, and it was thought that anybody who activated it would get their wish granted, but needed insane magic,” Haruo said, squatting and watching with curious eyes.

Looking back at Lockdown, a mixture of anger, confusion and disbelief took over. A stupid gemstone? All this murder and death over a gemstone? Better be one tasty gemstone, you slimy bastard.

Lockdown raised his hands towards the cube and he took several deep breaths. After those, he breathed fire onto the stone cube and the stone seemingly melted off, revealing a flesh-like oval-shaped object, that was clearly a gem but... somehow alive. An aura emitted from it, obviously Unicorn magic, as it stayed floating above ground.

“Great Sacred Heart of the Dragon God Bahamut, heed the calls of the heir of your eternal bloodline! Grant me one wish in return for the many sacrifices made! One wish for my years of boundless, eternal servitude!” he shouted.

The jewel started to glow brighter and the masked dragons turned towards it, seemingly curious as well. One leaned in closer. “Do it, Lockdown,” he said.

I gulped, watching the scene unfold. Lockdown's arms seemed to be shaking and he barred his teeth, taking in the warmth of the heart and the sun. His head hung low and he seemed to tremble. After a moment of silence, he looked up at the jewel and spoke.

“I wish you to return my son to me!” he said, his voice cracking up as tears streamed down his face.

. . . what?

Haruo and Gelid both had nothing to say, Haruo holding a look of sheer confusion and disbelief. The cloaked dragons all spun around in shock, simultaneously shouting “What?” at the Warden.

“I want my son back. I want him back. I want to see my boy! I want to see my boy! Give him back to me! Please, heed my call, Sacred Heart!” Lockdown said, his whole body shivering.

“LOCKDOWN! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!? WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR WISH OF OVERPOWERING THE EQUESTRIAN PRINCESSES!?” one of the cloaked dragons shouted.

“No more. There can be no future, no world to live in for me, without my son. I've always regretted what I have done. I've failed time and time again, and I want to do one good deed in my life time: Give my boy a second chance in this beautiful, beautiful world governed by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!” Lockdown said, his voice sounding sincere and full of emotion and love in contrast to his droll voice that I'm used to.

“He... just wants his son back?” I asked, losing my rage, regardless of those killed for this wish.

“LOCKDOWN, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!” one of the dragon's shouted, dashing in while swinging one of his large arms at Lockdown.

Another dragon zoomed in from above, impacting against the larger dragon's wrist. A crack sounded and the mask dragon let out a cry of pain, shuffling backwards from the hit. The dragon that impacted the masked one's wrist hit the ground and spun around before sliding to a stop next to Lockdown. He was a mirror-match of Lockdown and stood at the same height. He peeled off his face, revealing the doppelganger underneath. He happened to look exactly like me to which I found a well of excitement building up.

“Hey, that's the impostor! He's only slightly taller than me!” I shouted excitedly.

“Calm down, skipper, he's not just gonna admit it. Why not figure out what happens next first,” Haruo said in a serious, slow voice.

I nodded and started breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. Soon, I calmed down and watched the scene. The Heart of Bahamut started to glow and the sound of magic activating resonated with every dragon here. I felt a warm tugging at my chest that was similar to the feeling of magic being ripped out of me. A bright light encased the jewel and shone brighter than the sun. The population of the guards and inmates, as well as myself, stared away while Lockdown kept his gaze on the jewel.

As the light died down, a dragon was in place of the jewel. He was twice Lockdown's size and seemed to have the Heart of Bahamut inside of his body. He looked young enough to be my brother, yet he was obviously born of a large breed dragon. His eyes seemed unfocused and lost before glancing up, centring on Lockdown.

“Dad...?” he asked.

Lockdown's mouth arched into a smile and he found himself stumbling forward, chuckling with pure glee. He stopped moving, probably wanting his son to walk to him.

“Celtok... it has been so long,” Lockdown said.

Celtok looked down at his father, smiling as he stumbled towards him. His right hand reached forward slowly... and his claws grabbed Lockdown's head. Like an enlarged toy, Celtok pulled and Lockdown's head came clean off with a pop, his body falling over. I was far too stunned  to react as were everyone else. The cloaked dragons gasped at this sight, blood starting to coat the ground below him.

“LOCKDOWN!” the Draconic impostor shouted, lunging forward with full-killing intent.

Without batting an eyelash, Celtok swung his left hand towards the right, smacking the impostor with a strong slap, sending him across the massive courtyard and into the stone scaffolding, shattering the entire structure on that side of the courtyard. As the dust cleared, it was very obvious that the impact bisected the impostor, leaving him entirely lifeless. Before the cloaked dragons could retreat, Celtok swung his arm that seemed to grow in size, slamming it into one of the dragons on the end of the line. He slammed them all into each other with enough force to snap several of their necks, evidenced by the several cracks and snaps to come as their bodies were tossed across the yard, completely limp.

His other arm seemed to grow to the same size as his left, discarding the head of the Warden. The entire body changed colour and size, growing twice, three times his size, and continued growing. Soon, he was as large as half the courtyard, wings sprouting from his back. All of the guards and inmates scurried back while Gelid, Haruo and I were too stunned to do anything.

“I have given you your son... but his body belongs to me. And now that I am back, your presence is no longer required. The God King, Bahamut, has returned, my sons,” Bahamut said with a large, deep voice. And a single, mighty roar that carried out over the ocean was all it took to establish his presence.