It was still light outside when a knock at my door woke me from fatigue induced slumber. As I opened my eyes I began to drowsily look around my barracks, and they came to rest on the Princess of the night still asleep on my chest. Then, I started to remember the conversation we had and how we'd confessed how felt for each other before succumbing to our exhaustion. That's when I heard another knock at my door so I moved Luna off of my as gentle as I could and got up to answer the who was at the door.

I made it to the door and proceeded to open it. There on the other side was a golden armored guard pony, one of the guards that had been station here before I had come to the outpost. We stood there for about a minute and the he started to relay a message from Celestia.

“Sorry to disturb your rest Golden Eyed Sage, but I have a messages for you and Princess Luna from Princess Celestia.” said the guard pony.

“Aaa. Okay, give me a moment and let me get Princess Luna.” I said with a sigh.

“Yes sir.” agreed the guard.

I then shut the door and walked back to the bed were Luna was still asleep. I put her through emotional hell, so I wasn't surprised she was still able to sleep so soundly. I placed my hand on Luna shoulder and began to gingerly shake her and call to her softly.

“Luna it's time to wake-up. There's a guard here with a message from Tia, but I can guess what it is for the both of us.” I said as she pulled herself up from the bed.

“We suspect it's time to raise the moon.” Luna said with a yawn.

“Yea, I think she wants to see me to come by and see her about what we should be planning as far as the next steps towards the minotaurs.” I said scratching the back of my head.

After she she was comfortable enough to walk we then open the and received the messages from the guard pony and sent him on his way. The messages were just what we had predicted. So we left the barracks and went to our individual locations to perform what was expected of us, but we planned on meeting up by where she, Tia, and Starswirl were staying while here at the outpost. She and Tia wouldn't be long, really they could have moved the sun and moon from here, but the did it in front of the guards to improve their moral.

I made it to their barracks and met up with ole fuzz face and started to discuss Jagged Edge's sword and it properties. Seeing as how Starswirl couldn't even lift the sword with his magic, and that's not saying it was heavy. I mean the old stallion had lifted giant boulders into a catapult to attack me with, and he did this multiple consecutive times to. Upon seeing that not even one of the most powerful ponies couldn't lift this sword lead us to believe the now deceased king was in fact telling the truth about it. Which meant I was right to bring it back with me. This discussion didn't last long as Celestia and Luna walked in to the barracks. Starswirl and I agreed to put the sword on the on the back burner for now.

“Good evening Edward. I must say you're looking much better since our talk this morning.” said the white alicorn with a warm smile.

“Yea, Tia, I'm feeling a lot better since I was able to get my feelings out and some much needed sleep.” I said as blood rushed to my cheeks.

“So, I take you two were able to work out how you felt about each other this morning.” Celestia said looking at her sister and I with a look relief and joy.

“Yes, Celestia, we did, but that's not what we're here to discuss right now, and I would like to now why we can't wait til tomorrow to discuss what we're going to do about the minotaurs.” I said as I leaning against the wall as I crossed my arms.

“Because the pegasus scouts have just come back and given us very disturbing reports.” Celestia said in disheartened tone.

“What has you sounding so worried sister?” Luna asked placing her hand on her sister's shoulder.

“That's because the pegasus have reported a large minotaur army, at least three times the size as the one Edward faced, is marching towards us as we speak.” answered Starswirl.

“That was fast. I expected at least that we'd at least have a few weeks before they'd have a new king. That bastard, Jagged Edge, must've had a successor already lined up, or he left a plan with his right hand steer in case he bit the dust, literally.” I said as I walked across the room to the window with a smile on my face.

“Do you think this is some sort of joke?” Starswirl said in anger.

“LOOK HERE YOU BEARDED BASTARD! I JUST TOOK ON A WHOLE ARMY NOT EVEN TWO DAYS AGO AND NOW I'M GONNA HAVE TO TAKE ON ANOTHER THAT'S THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF THE ONE I JUST FACED! SO YEA I THINK THIS IS ONE BIG F*CKING JOKE!” I yelled at the shrunken beard wizard.

“So much fighting, just because one bastard thought he was entitled.” I continued to talk. “When will they arrive?”

“Tomorrow evening at the earliest.” said Celestia.

“I want you to to be ready to retreat to Everfree if things go badly. I know I can hold them off long enough for you to rally an army of your own to match it, but only if it goes to the point of fighting is the only option.” I said as seriously as I could muster.

“What are you planning lad?” asked Starswirl.

“I'm going to surrender to them, perhaps I can avoid any more bloodshed.” I said with my gaze on the floor.

Then I felt and embrace around me, and I realized I'd caused Luna more pain with this this statement.

“No, we won't let you do this alone, not this time.” said Luna in through tears.

“But-” I began but was interrupted by Celestia.

“I'm with Luna this time Edward. We will be facing this army this time.” demanded the Sun Princess with a scowl.

“Okay, Tia I know a can't stop you once you've made up your mind, and I don't want Luna to cry because of me anymore, but if things get to the point of no return you both have to teleport as far away as you can.” I said returning he seriousness to her via eye contact.

“I promise.” Celestia said placing her hand over here heart.

“Luna you have to promise too, and I promise that no matter what happens I'll come back to you.” I said turning around returning her embrace.

“I promise.” she said softly, but I could tell she was serious about this because of how she said it.

Celestia, Luna, and I decided we should meet with the leaders of the minotaur army face to face to see if we could resolve thing peacefully. We wait far enough from the outpost so it wouldn't be over run if we had to fight. I personally had Starswirl escort the the guards' families out through an underground tunnel I dug with my alchemy that leads to another outpost to the west. I told him to wait in the tunnel until he received word from the sisters or myself and if he didn't then to move on.

The day before I began other preparations for the fight, if there would be one. Celestia's and Luna's armors and weapons had both taken serious damage thanks to their fight with me. So, I took the time to repair and strengthen them using my Alchemagic and they add in some of their own spells as well. It was the first time I got to work with them on this type project and if it hadn't been a rush job I think a the armors could have truly been great.

Celestia's armor was made of gold metal and amber gemstone weave in fused with solar magic. Her weapons were an enchanted single-handed steel long sword with a new golden sun shield, seeing as how I pretty much shattered the last one. Luna's armor was made of a blue steel, silver, and diamond weave infused with lunar magic. While her weapons were an enchanted blue steel khopesh with a moonstone in the pommel and her usual steel chain whip. I wanted to air on the more cautious side as will so I decided to forge a unique armor to. My own armor was made of a red steel and fire ruby weave that was infused lightening and fire, while I used mythril for armor on my automail. As for my weapon I decide to put Jagged Edge's crystal claymore on my back and use two medium length single-handed swords. If I was trying to live up to my reputation as the Crimson Butcher, then I'd say I was doing a fairly decent job.

The minotaur leaders came forward from the army and stood before Celestia, Luna, and myself. They all looked similar to Jagged Edge except that they were smaller in size. I kept my face as serious as I could, as did the alicorn sisters. The minotaurs were trying to look as intimidating as possible, but they just just looked like dumb-asses to me. I swear one was about to piss himself if one of would have said boo. Then the middle minotaur began deliberations.

“Dear Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Crimson Butcher my name is Stone Cutter and this is Cut Threw and the King's brother False Edge.” said the middle minotaur.

“Let’s not beat around the bush here, alright. We want to know why you have come and just know that if it's a fight the we're more the welling to.” I said in my most demanding voice possible.

“Oh no my good sir, we are only came here to retrieve the king nothing more.” said Stone Cutter.

“Well you might wanna go back to where I left that bastard's burning corpse. There should still be a pretty good sized pile of ash.” as I said this I noted that False Edge started to tense up.

“Once again you misunderstand good Butcher.”said Stone Cutter.

False Edge stepped forward and drop down to one knee and the others fowl suite, as did the whole army of minotaurs. I was all but taken back by this scene as were Luna and Celestia. Then False Edge spoke.

“The survivors of you battle sent a messenger bird to the main castle. It detailed your personal fight with my brother and how you warned him of what would happened but how he pressed on for his own greed. That is not our way, and you put an end to it. For this, we thank you, Crimson Butcher.” said False Edge in a somber tone.

“And our way states that if the king falls to another in a one on one fight then the victor is to become the next king, and as proof that you have accepted this you took Jagged Edge's weapon as your own.” said Cut Threw.

“Wait a minute I just took the sword cause it would've been a problem for the Princesses if someone evil got it. I didn't do it to be king.” I said in shock.

“Regardless, you’re are now the King of the Minotaurs and you have more than proven your strength and courage by facing an army and then proceeding to fight the former king to a battle to the death.” said Stone Cutter.

“I need to know first, is this war finished? Because if it's not, then I will end it here and now.” I said raising my voice.

“Yes my lord. The war ended with the previous king fall at your hand, unless you want to continue with it.” said False Edge.

“ Well that's good news at least, but back to this king business. Is there any way I can give to False Edge? I mean it was his brother that I cut down.” I said.

“The only way to do that is if you were to be defeated in true combat my lord, and we have all heard the stories of your feats so there is no one here that can oppose you.” said Stone Cutter.

“Let me discuss this with the Princess, then we'll see what we can do about the situation and once it's all worked out I'll contact you. False Edge you're in charge until I say other why’s.” I said and they complieed without arguing whatsoever.

Well now I was king of the minotaurs not the most luxurious position, but it did come with it perks. I was actually impressed with my kingdom as it wasn't just a society of brutes like everypony thought. Yes, most things were debated on how much power an individual possessed, but things were run in a similar manner to pony society. At my coronation I was officially sworn in as King Edward Elric the Crimson Butcher.

Even after I was sworn in as king I still spent most of my time at in Everfree mostly, because Luna and I had officially started seeing each other. I was able to leave most matters to False Edge as he already had been groomed for this life so I decided to leave his title as crown Princess as is. Thanks to Starswirl's studies on runes I was able to setup a personal teleport got to get me back and forth between the kingdoms quickly as there were still matters only I could attend to as king. This lifestyle was rather enjoyable for me as it came with several perks. One being that Luna and I could see each other without having to face prejudice from other royals. Another, was it allowed me to bridge the gap between ponies and minotaurs. The last would be the royal archives and the knowledge I had access to now.

A few years past and things were progressing nicely for the new kingdom that the sisters and I had created. We even started to establish trade routes with the neighboring kingdom called the Crystal Empire, and it just so happens that this is where the my, now trademark, crystal claymore had originated from. Time continued to move forward and my minotaurs prospered along side the ponies. Things were going do well I'd finally asked Luna if she would marry me and I ended up on the ground again with saying yes over and over again. Tia couldn't have been happier,and Starswirl was really didn't care. I mean he was happy but he seemed to be distancing himself over the past few years, and he'd even taken on a new student named Stygian. Starswirl formed a group of great ponies to help govern the new kingdom a group the we called the Pillars of Equestria. We were excited to have their guidance. I wish I would have paid closer attention to what was going on, but I was drowning in my own happiness before I realized that somepony had stumble on to my old research materials. If I had acted sooner perhaps I could have prevented everything.

Next Chapter: Meeting the Family Estimated time remaining: 55 Hours, 27 Minutes