Blueblood strode out towards the head of his troops, who saluted him with a cheer.

"March out! Destroy the invaders!" he cried. "Do so and you will be greatly rewarded!"

The war-cry was raised, and the mass of soldiers, Griffons, Minotaurs, and a few Dragons marched towards Ponyville, unaware they were being watched.

====

Rainbow Dash watched Blueblood's army march towards Ponyville, her eyes furrowing. Though the human healers and Equestrian medicine had healed her wings and body, she had mental scars that would never heal.

Right now, she was scouting Blueblood's army for more than one reason.

One, being she was asked to by Twilight.

The other being rather simple. Revenge.

Rainbow flew towards Ponyville, unnoticed in the bright blue sky.

====

"Twi!" Rainbow cried, bursting into a war council.

"What's up?" Twilight replied, looking away from the map.

"Blueblood's army is on the move." she said. "They'll be here soon."

"We'll go met them." Cross said, grabbing his Halberd. "Any objections?"

There were none. Cross smiled, motioned to the Warden and Andrew, and they assembled the Legion's Men-at-arms to march. To march head-on to meet their foes face-to-face.

====

As Blueblood's army approached Ponyville field, Cross, Warden, and Andrew stood in front of them. Cross had split his forces into three groups, to attack Blueblood's rear, left, and right flanks. As Blueblood approached, Cross approached.

"Hah!" Blueblood scoffed. "Three of you? Against my army?"

"We've faced worse." Cross said, placing his helmet on his head. "Surrender."

"Never." Blueblood said. "We will kill every last one of you, without mercy."

"Allow us to return the favor, then." Cross retorted, as The Warden and Andrew drew their longswords. The opposing army readied their own weapons, until Cross struck the ground three times with the shaft of his Halberd.

It was the signal to attack.

===

Blueblood barely had time to yell "Prepare yourselves!" as the Legion soldiers stormed into the fray, catching Blueblood's army by surprise. Blueblood drew his rapier and barely had time to dodge a vicious slash from The Warden. He parried and thrusted his blade straight towards the Warden's heart, only for the pierce to barely dent The Warden's armor. Blueblood dodged several more attacks, watching as his forces were cut down like wheat. Then, Blueblood fired a blast of magic at The Warden, who was sent back several feet from the force. Blueblood then saw several of his warriors form a circle around him, as the Legion advanced. Then, Cross held up his hand.

"You were entertaining, I'll give you that." Cross said. "I'll take you on myself."

Blueblood drew a dagger and held it in his other hoof, as Cross readied his Halberd. Blueblood made the first strike, burying his dagger in Cross's chestplate. Cross struck Bluebood with the shaft in response, sending him sprawling.

"Is that all you can muster?" Cross taunted. Blueblood responded with a growl and a massive thrust towards Cross's head…

Only for his rapier's blade to shatter into pieces. Now weaponless, Blueblood tried to muster a Shield for defense, but a smash from Cross placed the Unicorn at the Lawbringer's mercy.

"I dare you. Kill me." Blueblood scowled.

"If you insist."

Cross swung his Halberd into Blueblood's lower muzzle, before lifting him up and over himself. Finally, Cross rammed the shaft of his weapon through Blueblood's head. As Andrew helped The Warden to his feet, the remaining enemy soldiers dropped their weapons and surrendered.

"Take them to Ponyville!" Cross said. "We'll deal with them later!"

As the prisoners were escorted away, Cross looked to a burning mountain in the distance before following.

====

The Dragon Lands
Pyre Mountain

Garble walked into the heart of the volcano, smiling as his prisoners lay bound to two volcanic rocks. Spike and Ember snarled at the dragon, who laughed.

"You dare snarl at the Dragon Lord?" Garble laughed.

"Curse you!" Ember snarled. "You aren't Dragon Lord yet!"

"I will be, once you give me the Scepter's location!" Garble yelled, clutching Ember's throat. "And you're going to give it to me!"

"Never!"

Ember hurled a gout of flame in his face, causing Garble to smack her. He nearly started the...breeding process...then and there, but he decided to wait through his anger.

"You'll break. Sooner or later." Garble snarled as he left. Spike looked at Ember with a concerned expression.

"Spike, don't go on me." Ember said. "We can take it."

"I know." he said. "I just can't keep up."

"You will." was the reply. "Remember, Twilight will come."

"I know she will." Spike said as sweat poured from his brow. "I know."

====

As Garble walked into the Gauntlet of Fire, he smiled, seeing he was the only challenger. Then, he heard footsteps.

"You've lost."

Garble turned to see Torch appear in front of him.

"I have not." Garble replied.

"You do not have the Scepter." Torch said. "You will never be recognized by it."

"I will once I have it." Garble said. "The title will be mine!"

"We'll see." Torch replied, flying away. "We will see."

====

"I know Spike is there." Twilight said, watching the Volcano. "He has to be."

"Twilight, I understand your need to find your friend." Ayu said. "But there are more pressing matters."

"No, there aren't." Twilight growled. "I'm getting him out of there."

"You won't." Cross said, coming forward. "Not alone."

Twilight looked at the Lawbringer with curiosity.

"I need a favor." he said. "The dragon's fire will destroy my armor. Can you prevent that?"

Twilight smiled.

"With pleasure." she said, casting a resistance spell on Cross, and his armor glowed with orange light. "That spell will make you immune to heat and flame of any kind."

"Good." Cross said, grabbing his helmet. "Let's go."

Twilight nodded and teleported them to the entrance to Pyre Mountain.

====

Torch saw the approaching Lawbringer and pony, and bowed to them.

"Torch?" Twilight asked.

"You have arrived just in time." Torch said. "Garble doesn't possess the Bloodstone Scepter, which will give him the right of Dragon Lord. Claim it, and this right will be yours."

"Do you know where it is?" Cross asked.

"I do." Torch said. "I had it removed from the Gauntlet and replaced with a fake. It is hidden under the mountain, in a special chamber."

"Thank you, dragon." Cross said. "I will not fail."

"I wish you luck." Torch replied. "Now, go."

Author's Notes:

Update!