Met turned her gaze to Frozen. "Thou art a valued ally, however, you forget yourself Frozen; I am Metamorphosis. Queen Metamorphosis. I fear nothing." She glared at Molly once more. "And this one is a traitor. She subverted my children for her own ends. This cannot go unpunished." She picked the mare up in her telekinetic grip, and brought her closer to her, beyond the edge of the tower. Discord was torn and more than a little confused. He felt that Frozen was right; Molly had done what she had out of fear; but she had also caused distress to many, not least the Changeling who had played a big part in saving his life. Something seemed different about Met; this was a side of her he had not seen, but he was still not sure he could stand against her; he owed her too much. He remained silent, but concerned.
"Met," Frozen said, "you are my friend and ally, but I will not allow you to hurt an innocent mare. She did not harm your hive, she wanted protection from those like Arzeroth who would do things to her as he did to you and my Xarame. Would you really have wanted somepony to suffer as you have. Do not forget that it was your own changeling guard that kept you arrested in Arzeroth's bedchambers.."
"You are mistaken if you believe you have any choice in the matter." Met said, in a low dangerous voice. More changelings broke through the crowds around them, their horns glowing menacingly. She turned back to Molly. "What have you to say for yourself?" She demanded. "P-please don't hurt me! I-I'm sorry!" The mare uttered, eyes clenched shut with fear.
Frozen's eyes glowed as a harsh wind whipped around him, "My patience is at an end Mett," he said, "you may be a queen, but I am a demigod. I am winter incarnate. I swear to you that if you foolishly decide to harm this mare, the consequences will be severe. Yield!" A strange change came upon him. His tone changed to an authoritative one, and his eyes flashed dangerously.
Discord chuckled nervously. "Heh. Come on now, this is ridiculous!" He looked at Met. "Frozen and I are responsible for your freedom, we took down Arzeroth together!" "I am aware of that. That is why his attachment to this cretin confounds me so." Met responded, not taking her eyes of Frozen. Discord looked to Frozen in despair. "She saved my life Frozen. And she convinced me to tell you the truth about us. Please don't do anything rash."
"That is what I am trying to accomplish father," said Frozen, "I know in my heart you would want me to do what I felt was right. I am doing what I think is right.."
"Frozen, we cannot hope to take on an entire hive without injury..." Discord said quietly, hoping his son would understand. "You should listen to your father. He has your best interests at heart." Met said, still not taking her eyes off Frozen. Molly had resigned herself to sobbing quietly.
Discord looked at Met and Frozen in despair before sighing and taking his place behind Frozen, facing Met. "I'm so sorry," He said, tears welling in his eyes. He clicked his talons, summoned the paralysis serum he had taken from Arzeroth's collection, and stuck the needle in Frozen's neck. Met nodded sombrely as Discord lowered Frozen gently to the floor, her telekinetic grip on Molly releasing, and the grey mare suddenly disappearing through the clouds. Discord sobbed and held Frozen as Met descended through the clouds and out of sight with her hive.
"Fa..ther.." he whimperes, teary eyed, as he succumbed to the poison. He collapsed as soon as Molly died.
Discord wiped his eyes and picked up his unconscious son, carrying him back down to the throne room. He summoned sheets and made him as comfortable as he could before collapsing on Molly's throne and waiting for the paralysis to wear off. Nopony entered the tower in the hours that followed, leading Discord to believe Met and her Changelings had decided not to stay at the fortress. He was glad of that at least.
A few hours later, Frozen awoke and groaned, rolling over a little. He slowly arose and rubbed his eyes, "Xarame.."
Frozen saw him and immediately jumped at him, hugging him tightly and burying his face in his chest, "She's dead isn't she.."
Discord paused for a second before embracing him comfortingly. "I would imagine so, yes. I'm so sorry Frozen, but I couldn't bear to lose you..." He choked up and hung his head.
Frozen nuzzled him dearly, "I know dad," he said softly. He buried his face into his fur and wept softly.
"I'm proud of what you were trying to do; but there are some battles we cannot win." Discord said sadly, patting Frozen on the back gently.
"I... Of course. Just stay here and rest." Frozen had teleported them here, but obviously he was in no state to be sending Discord back, and with his own teleporting abilities hampered in this realm, he was going to have to find a unicorn with the necessary skills. He headed back down the tower and after a short while found a suitable candidate. Most of the fortresses' inmates were crowded in a circle and cheering. Discord thought he knew what they were gathering around, but had no desire to see for himself. He half coerced, half threatened the the unicorn he had found into helping him collect Xarame, but just under an hour later, she was headed up towards the throne room. Discord stayed back to try and organize the newly freed inmates. "Frozen?" She said softly, entering the darkened room.
