Zikel walked out of the lower cells and into the main block, carrying Cadence in his arms. She continued to hold onto him. Shaking from all that just happened. Zikel looked down at her with a weak smile. He was starting to get a bit dizzy, as his had injuries he was keeping hidden from Cadence, and he was losing quite a bit of blood. But once he got out into the light, All would be seen. But for her sake, he remained strong.

"Hey..don't worry. All is well now. She is gone, and you are on your way back to your husband and kingdom."

She simply nodded and remained quiet. As they came to the surface, Zikel had lost more blood, it trailed behind him all the way from the prison to the stairs that lead down. When he got there, Shinning Armor, Twilight, and the others were waiting. They ran over as he laiid Cadence to the ground gently. He smiled again and looked to Shinning.

"She needs medical attention fast, get her to it."

He nodded and ordered the guard to take her to the medical wing, he followed soon after. zikel slowly began to walk away from the group, the sound of blood splattering on the ground as he did. This got Twilight's and everyone's attention. The look of horror on their faces as they turned to see Zikel covered in bite marks, gashes and all sorts of injuries. They ran over to him, crowding around him to help him as he collapsed to his knees. His vision blurred, and sound around him became muffled

"Zikel...hang...there! Somepony....now...bleeding out!"

Was all he could hear from Twilight. He slowly closes his eyes as everything fades around him. He opens his eyes quickly to find himself staring up at a white ceiling and laying in a rather warm and soft bed, looking down and seeing he was covered in bandages. He tries to sit up but grunts in pain, grabbing at his side. He heard a slight moan, he looked to his left to see Twilight laying half way on the bed next to him. He couldn't help but smile to her and reach over, petting her gently.

"Your bedside manner leaves much to be desired Twi."

He said with a weak smile, he then lays back down and sighs. Being confined to this bed with bandages wasn't his idea of a good time, thats for sure. As he laid there, memories of what happened come rushing back to him, the battle between those many changelings, Chrysalis, and returning the princess to her people. He chuckles to himself.

"Sure hope that Cadence is alright."

Zikel looked over as he heard the door open, a pony in a nurse cap and a rather...shiney coat and mane comes in with a tray, though she nearly drops it when she sees that Zikel was now awake. She quickly sets it to the side on a counter and runs to his side.

"Mister Zikel...you are awake!"

She said quietly but excitedly, so as to not disturb Twilight in he slumber. He nods to her in confirmation

"yes ma'am. How long have I been out?"

"J-just over a day and a half...you lost a lot of blood, you had us very very worried. Especially princess Twilight...she hasn't left your bedside since we brought you in here."

""Well, she is a good friend of mine. And I really do appreciate her staying with me."

"Princess Cadence also came by a few times to check on you."

"She is already up and moving around? Well,she is an alicorn, i guess they heal faster."

Zikel heard another set of hooves come closer to the door, they belonged to Shinning Armor, he peeked in, noticing Zikel was awake and approached him with a serious look at first, but then a smile comes across hiss face.

"I must thank you personally Zikel. You saved my wife and brought her back to me. Nearly at the expense of your own life. Twilight wasn't kidding when she said that you were a selfless dragon. She wrote tome a few times about you. Saying you were one of the best friends she has ever made."

"I am not that special Shinning...I just don't want to lose what I had lost awhile back. People...well in this case, ponies I have gotten close to."

"I see. You have my sympathies Zikel. But...I can see you and Twily are extremely close. So can I ask you a favor?"

"And that favor would be?"

"Please look out for her. Even though she is princess now. As her big brother I still worry about her. She gets a thought in her head and runs with it sometimes. And she gets too over eager and stresses about the little things. Could you be there for her when she needs someone like you?"

"You have my word Shinning Armor. I will make sure she is well guarded. Though I am sure she will get tired of me eventually."

Zikel suddenly felt her stirring beside him, she slowly wakes up and opens her eyes to see her brother and Zikel talking, she suddenly gives a huge smile and wraps her forearms around Zikel, nuzzling into him gently.

"You are awake! I am so very glad!"

"Gah, easy Twi...I am still a little sore..but thank you for staying with me like you did. Your brother here said you stayed the whole time. Didn't know you had that kind of affection for me Twi. Are you falling for me?"

A massive blush came across her cheeks, she shook her head rapidly.

"D-dont be silly! I just see you as a close friend is all..!"

Zikel can't help but chuckle, as did Shinning Armor.

"Well Zikel,I leave her in your capable hands. Make sure she doesn't push herself to far or stresses about every little thing. Once you are able to stand and walk, Cadence would like to see you."

"Iam on it. You here that Twi? I am gonna be your other big brother."

She lets out a sigh of annoyance, but smiles and nuzzles him once more

"Well, considering Spike is like a baby brother to me, I suppose having another dragon as another big brother wouldn't be too bad."

Zikel smiles and ruffles her hair gently, just enjoying the affection that Twilight give him with her nuzzles and hugs.

"Where are the other girls? Off doing their own thing I am sure."

"Yeah, they are just out in the city. Though, Rainbow Dash did want to talk to you about something. Perhaps you should let her speak with you."

"Why should I? After the way she treated me."

"Please Zikel...let her say what she has to say. For me?"

He lets out a groan of annoyance, but nods.

"I will listen to her..just this once."

Twilight nodded and nuzzled closely into him.

"Thank you Zikel."

Zikel was finally discharged from the hospital a little while later, bandages off and wounds sealed. It would seem that Rarity took the liberty of mending his tattered robe for him, it looked brand new. She even added some light blue accents and tribal designs along the arms that resembled the marking on his forehead and arms. He was lead through the castle by two guards, the servants and other staff seemed to look at him with..big smiles and waved to him as he passed by. He would offer a wave back. They continued to walk until they came to the throne room, which had been cleaned up it seems. It would also seem that...the room had been filled up with citizens and guards alike, they all gasped as he entered, each with eyes of awe and shock, but began to cheer loudly as he approached Zikel was half way down the like until he turned on his heel.

"Nope!"

He said as he was about to run off.

"Zikel please wait!"

Shouted Cadence from her throne, the ponies quieted down as she spoke

"I know you don't like this kind of thing...but they all wanted to meet the hero who saved them from the changelings. Will you please stay and at least speak a few words? Please?"

Zikel debated on it, he then let out a sigh and simply gave a nod. He walked up to Cadence and looked to her.

"Only because you asked me Cadence."

She nodded to him. He turned around and looked at all the ponies staring at him.

"First off everyone, do not revere me as a hero. I was just protecting one of my friends who needed my help. Simply because she requested me to come. I did this for selfish reason, not to be a noble hero. I don't like that kind of attention. But, since you all gathered here.I suppose I can leave you with a few words of wisdom I got by. Should you choose to follow them or not is your decision. But I have always believed, that when someone you love is in danger. There is no such thing as crossing the line when it comes to doing so. I murdered in cold blood to make sure princess Cadence here would remain alive. Simply because I see her as a great friend and didn't want to lose her. Now, should you see me as a monster, that is fine. I don't expect gratitude from any of you. If you still see me as a savior,that's also fine. But should something like this happen again. I will return and repeat the process if I have to. That is all I have to say."

Zikel turned to Cadence, she hadt a look of shock at what he had just told them all. The room was quiet. He simply nodded to Cadence and began to walk down the red carpet, avoiding eye contact with any of the ponies. As he walked, they whispered and talked among one another. JHe was half way out of the room until a young colt stepped out in front of him. Zikel stopped and looked down at him. The colt smiled up at Zikel and spoke.

"What you did to the bad guys...it was really scary. But if it hadn't been for you. we would have all been in trouble. I want you to know that I see you as a hero, even though what you did was...not the best way."

Zikel lowered down and patted him on the head.

"Thanks little guy. But do not grow up to be like me. Grow up to be somepony who can help others by means of not taking lives. I have already gone to far, and cannot be redeemed."

Zikel stood back up and walked around the little pony. He exited the throne room and made his way outside. walking down the streets, every pony he ran into gave him a smile and a wave, but he simply walked on. Eventually taking flight and making his way to the outskirts of the city. Finding a large crystal and perching himself on top of it, crouching and resting on his hind legs, placing his hood over his head to shield himself of the sun as well as his scarf.

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be in this world. You killed and mutilated the changelings without any regards for their lives. You are a cruel and dark monster Zikel. How long will it be before you lay your blade into one of your friends hmm?

The dark whispery voice spoke to him in his head

"Don't you even start...I may let you out during my battles, but you will not lay a hand on my friends. You got that?"

You know Zikel, should you lose control. I will be taking your body for myself, and everyone you know and love will be at MY mercy. You know this better than anyone, that shadowmancy is a corruptible magic depending upon the user's heart[. How long before something so bad happens and it shatters? Which will open room for me to move in."/i]

"I won't allow it.Now how about you go back into the dark corners of my mind where you belong?"

"As you wish, master."

Zikellowered his head, his dark side did have a point. But he wasn't going to dwell on it.