Princess Luna and her army were staying at the city of Trottingham. The Grittish Isles were secure and no more griffons tried to attack it ever since the scouting mission was busted, a victory achieved without losses on Equestrian side. Thanks to the undead, no life was spent, necessarily or not. Bodies were buried, weapons and armor collected and on their way to be reforged or to immediate use. While Equestria wasn't experiencing shortage of materials at the moment, Luna knew things could turn fast, leaving them struggling to survive if luck turned its back on them. Salvaging anything that could be used for fighting was a top priority, even if it was morally conflicting.

Fortunately, the undead don't have morals.

The highest buildings were retrofitted into watchtowers, and some living pegasi were clearing the clouds for greater view. Thankfully, griffons weren't seen, and so a short time of peace and quiet reigned above the city and its surroundings.

The alicorn stared off into the distance, the gears in her mind turning as she calculated different possibilities she or the griffons could use to gain advantage for their respective side. The city had practically no defenses suitable for modern warfare. In fact, it played more against the defenders than for them. Complicated underground systems, mazes of buildings, seemingly chaotic layout of the whole city, all of it could greatly help the enemy to sneak in and catch Luna off guard easily. She ordered for regular patrols to be conducted, searching throughout the whole city, covering every centimeter, every corner, every place there was constructed in the city. Since all of the patrols were connected to her and her general, it would be easy to discover if a griffon breached the perimeter.

The sun was high above the land, making it nearly impossible to make a sneak attack from either side of the conflict. Most of Luna's army was searching for unused materials suitable for upgrading the weaponry and armor. Most, however, was sent to Equestria, to lives that needed the materials. The mainland was still in great danger, and it needed as much protection as possible.

The princess sighed deeply, wishing for rest. But there was none and she knew it. She had to stay strong for Equestria and its citizens, help them the best she could and prove them that she was a worthy ruler.

Something she couldn't do a thousand years ago.

Andromalius was walking through his castle, a look of determination on his face. His mane was neatly combed back, a crown sitting atop his head. He walked proudly, his posture straight, his powerful steps clicking against the marble floor.

"May I inquire something, my lord?" a voice came from the side.

"I'm heading to a school, Nebet." Andromalius explained as he glanced at the incubus. "A surprise visit to see what is truly happening with our future generations."

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Nebet agreed, nodding as he followed the Demon Lord. "I was taught what I know by my family, and I've never visited a public education establishment."

"I've been to one when I was younger." the hell stallion said. "I saw it all from the inside, and there were a lot of problems with that system. Not enough focus on life, so to say. Most of what I know came outside the school." he looked at Nebet. "People spend over twelve years studying, and for what? In the end, what they need to know they find by themselves, thus negating the purpose of education." he snorted. "Twelve years..." he paused thoughtfully. "And then the government is surprised why my country had millions of inmates in prison. Some just can't find their purpose, and so they resort to worse things. But spending years upon years only to gain nothing, and sometimes even fall into debt because of it... It is much worse." he sighed, pausing his ranting.

He continued walking for another few minutes, Nebet at his side.

"Stress is what schools give to most." Andromalius continued. "While I agree that people must grow strong, there are limits to the pressure. And..." he paused again, his frown deepening. "It's time to change, Nebet. I won't see young people killing themselves because of that accumulated stress. If I do, I will then become a failure of a ruler, undeserving to bear the crown. I will change things, and I will make sure they will become better."

"I understand, my lord." Nebet nodded. "We've gone through many hardships over the years, and... Frankly, I feel sorry for those who can't find their purpose. You see, we don't have special marks like ponies do. For us, it's difficult to find that purpose, that will to continue living."

"I have no mark either." Andromalius nodded. "I can't say that I had a purpose either... But now, I make one myself. I hope to teach others how to do it as well. I am a being of great power, and most don't have a half of what I do or even a quarter of what I can do. I can't ignore the suffering, for I've witnessed my own friends suffering from m-many different things." sadness flashed in his eyes as his voice cracked slightly. He stopped and sighed, calming down. "That is why I must make changes. There's a saying — one in the field is no warrior. I hope that I won't stand alone.

"I know that people want change, demons want change. But speaking up for it is the hardest part. Have you ever heard of a crab bucket?"

"I'm afraid I haven't, my lord." Nebet shook his head.

"One crab can easily get out of the bucket." the hell stallion explained. "But if there's more than one, those will try to make him stay. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, my lord." the incubus nodded after some consideration.

"Good. That is why I must act, even though no one asked me to do certain things." Andromalius said. "People are afraid to voice their opinions while they're among others. I will give them an opportunity today. The school I'm going to is the largest one in the Union, as far as I'm aware. I will see what students truly think about how they're taught. These young demons are our future, and I want this future to be educated and happy. And I have a plan..."

"Lord Andromalius!" he heard a familiar voice behind him. "I've overheard your talk a little, and... may I go as well?"

Andromalius turned around and saw Twilight Sparkle. A pair of saddlebags on her, a pen behind the ear, and a notebook floating in her magical grasp.

"Well..." the ruler chuckled. "I suppose it won't hurt."

It was a break in one of the schools in the Union. Different kids were running around, playing games and just enjoying themselves. The weather on the outside was nice, and the kids were playing in the front yard of the school, finding amusement in different things, including playing different sports.

Andromalius was just outside the yard, right behind the gates. Twilight Sparkle stood at his side, scribbling in her notebook.

"It looks pretty normal." she commented after she put the pen back behind her ear. "I honestly don't know what I expected." her eyes went from some succubi and incubi foals playing together to some minotaurs. "It doesn't look different from what we have."

"Well, it's just the first glance." the hell stallion replied. "Let's get inside and see it closer."

The gate to the yard opened, and the two walked in. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at their ruler as he walked through the yard with confidence and determination. The students noticed the unicorn beside him as well, and her presence brought them confusion and uncertainty.

"Please, don't mind my presence. You have your break, enjoy it." he said loudly. "But I'd like to ask you to come to the concert hall when the bell rings. I have some very important things to say."

Reluctantly, the kids returned to their activities. Playing with a ball, playing tag or hide-n-seek, or doing other, more intimate things like kissing in the shadows, having their first romantic interests. The life was blooming.

"Still looks the same." Twilight commented again, looking around.

Andromalius immediately noted some lonely kids that tried to stay away, hiding in the corners and pretending to not exist. They shuddered as his gaze passed them, and a frown began to form on his face as he realized that the system might have the same or bigger problems comparing to what he had already expected.

"How c-can I help you, my lord?" one of the teachers addressed the hell stallion. It was a middle-aged succubus who wore a simple sweater and a pair of glasses.

"I've heard that the concert hall can fit every single student. Is it true?" Andromalius inquired. Twilight was watching the teacher with curiosity but kept silent.

"Well, yes, it is." the teacher nodded. "In truth, there are not enough students at the moment... The school is about three-quarters full."

"I'd like to address all the students once the bell rings." the Demon Lord said. "As well as all the teachers, and please, separate them from the students. Announce it and make sure everyone hears it clearly. That is, if someone still hasn't noticed me coming yet." he chuckled lightly.

"Y-yes, my lord, right away." the teacher bowed and hurried into the school.

Then, Andromalius turned to Twilight Sparkle. He tilted his head slightly, some of her thoughts slipping into his own mind.

"Twilight Sparkle... Maybe you can help us right now." he said rather quietly. "Tell me... what is your true talent? What hides behind your special mark? Surely magic is not all..."

"I..." Twilight muttered, her eyes having a dreamy and yet somewhat confused look. "What?"

"The mark is your talent, but no one has just one. Surely there is something else, isn't it?" the hell stallion inquired, leaning a bit closer.

"Well... I love organizing. Lists, schedules, all of them bring me a sense of... Satisfaction." the unicorn explained. "All of them make sense, too."

"I believe you'll be of great help organizing everything. I need you to find that teacher and cooperate with her." Andromalius explained the task.

"Alright, I'll do it." Twilight blinked a few times in confusion, and then went straight to the main school building.

The hell stallion blinked as well, coming to a realization of what had just happened. He frowned slightly. However, he needed more things to get done than just his inner thoughts.

Andromalius looked around once more and noticed kids looking at him with interest and... fear? The hell stallion became better at reading and sensing emotions of others but he was uncertain if what he saw was fear or simply respect. If it was the former, then he needed to fix the situation.

He noticed a couple of kids that were away from others. They tried their hardest to stay unnoticed. However, the Demon Lord saw them clearly and could see their fear. He had never been good with kids but he decided to try.

Slowly, he approached one of them, a scrawny-looking incubus. He had a long, black unkempt mane, and a gray coat of fur. His body looked clean, and so Andromalius assumed that those dark colors were natural to the colt.

"Hello." he greeted the incubus, making him shudder. "Would you please show me the concert hall?"

With a pause of hesitation, the colt nodded and stood up, his hair obstructing his eyes. He kept his head down as he walked up to the Demon Lord.

"Um, yes, my lord. This way." he said quietly and then headed towards the school building.

For a few moments, the two walked silently as Andromalius observed the colt. He looked dead ahead, his steps were careful, his head was low, and his long tail seemed more like a lifeless rope, brushing the ground.

"Can you tell me your name?" the hell stallion carefully asked.

"Uh, I'm Nikt, sir." the colt replied rather quietly, not looking at the Demon Lord.

"You don't need to call me 'sir', Nikt." Andromalius replied. "It is not a formal visit. So... can you tell me about the school? What is it like studying here?"

"It's... nice." Nikt replied, but the pause in his answer made the hell stallion frown.

"Is it true?" he inquired.

"Um, yes."

"Please, you don't need to lie to me." Andromalius replied softly. "Truth isn't punished."

"Well, uh..." Nikt stuttered. "I... Er... I don't like it here."

"Why?"

"I... I don't want to talk about it..." the colt trailed off, still looking dead ahead. His eyes were darting around in fear, his ears drooped.

"If you have a problem, you should talk about it. Undiscovered problems only stay and hurt more later." Andromalius replied in a soothing tone. He already knew what type Nikt was, and he already suspected that some bad things happened to him in the school. "Problems must be solved, not hidden."

The two stayed quiet for a few seconds as Andromalius let the words sink in. He waited patiently, noticing how Nikt's ears and tail twitched ever so slightly.

"B-but if I say, that'd m-mean that I'm a coward." the incubus said, his voice cracking as he tried to hide his tears.

"Well, Nikt..." Andromalius let out a long sigh, stopping. "I think I understand your problem. You are bullied, aren't you?"

Nikt nodded, not saying a word.

"And your bullies tell you that you will be a coward if you talk to anyone about it?"

Another nod.

"A-and it's also not... good..." Nikt quickly added. "We must stand up for ourselves. If, if we can't, then, uh, we're bad."

"I wouldn't agree with that." Andromalius' frown deepened. "We can't always be strong. We have emotions. Dreams, hopes, fears, desires. We are all different from each-other, and while one can be strong, the other could be weak. There's nothing shameful about it."

"But... How can I protect the Union if, if I can't protect myself?" the incubus asked.

"Not everyone can be a warrior. Besides, you can protect those you care about in a different way." Andromalius explained. "Now, what is it that you can do? Anything special, something like... a talent?"

"We, uh..." Nikt scratched the back of his head with his wing, a blush appearing on his face. "I... I know how to, um... How to play the piano."

"Oh, that's very good!" the hell stallion smiled.

"Y-yeah... I come to concert hall from time to time to play it." the incubus said, straightening up slightly.

"Good. Would you mind playing during my stay here?" Andromalius asked, his smile spreading positivity to the colt. "And besides, our country needs a hymn. Maybe you can come up with something."

"I, uh... I'll try." Nikt said with great uncertainty. "But I'm not really sure. Uh, a hymn? I... I'm not that good, but, uh, I'll try not to disappoint."

"I believe you won't disappoint me." the hell stallion encouraged him. "Come, we have much to do."

Andromalius was standing on a stage, all the students and teachers of the school before him. Everything was silent completely silent as the Demon Lord observed the crowd.

"Well, students and teachers," he began his speech, his voice amplified by magic. In the background, a quiet piano song started playing. "You are wondering why I gathered you all here." he stated matter-of-factly. "I came here to discuss something very important with all of you. Now, tell me... Students." he turned to the crowd of kids. "Those who don't enjoy studying, please stand up. Be honest as well, please."

At first, there was no one. Reluctantly, the first few stood up. Soon after, more than a half of students stood up.

"I see..." Andromalius frowned. "Now, those who don't want knowledge, sit down."

A moment passed. Two. A few seconds. Five. No one sat down. The piano changed the tone, bringing forward sadness.

"You see, this the problem, my dear subjects." the hell stallion said. "All of us are naturally curious. This curiosity is what drives us forward, makes us want knowledge. Studying is, in fact, getting knowledge. However... it is not done right, not in this school. It's a shame for us all.

"Now, teachers. Those who dislike teaching, please stand up."

Again, no one did. The music was quiet but suspenseful.

"See? This is a problem." Andromalius said. "We want to learn and we want to teach. Now, we need to make a connection between the two. And thus, everyone will be given a piece of paper. Write down how you envision school. Write down all the negative and positive sides that you see now. Don't sign the papers, they're anonymous. I will look into them right here before your eyes.

"It is time to bring the change you all want. We will find a compromise, and it will allow us to move forward, make our country and ourselves greater and stronger. For he who owns knowledge, owns power. He who knows, holds the most valuable thing there is.

"It is time to make sure that its value is not lost."

Author's Notes:

I'm so sorry for the delay. I started writing this chapter as soon as I released the previous one but the circumstances of my life prevented me from finishing it. I'll try to make the next chapter come sooner. I'm sorry for making you wait so long.