"Des was like Ace- actually born a female. Except his father wasn't King Spotless, but rather a NightWing. The Queen didn't want anyone to know about this so she had Ace disguise him with an enchantment."

Ace nodded to show that Trick was accurate.

"Since Des was 'useless' anyway, Sugar decided to enchant Des so that whenever she used her animus magic Des would lose part of his soul instead of her. When she saw how close Des and Ace became, she decided to make it so that when Ace used his magic it would affect Des."

"Wh- what?" Ace had a shocked expression and the reality set in. "Yo- you mean whenever I cast a spell I caused Des harm?" He felt tears welling but he pushed them back.

Trick nodded. "When Sugar mat Antag, Fish, and I, she made us animus dragons as well and told us to cast the same enchantment. We didn't know- we didn't understand..." Trick lowered her head. She too felt tears welling.

Ace let out a sob. "It's my fault he's gone insane..."

"Not just you," Trick said, "Not just you..."

Dashie scowled. "Ace, Don't listen to her! She's lied to you before- don't trust her!"

But Ace was too far gone. He shook his head, sobbed, and flew off. He didn't realize where he was until he recognized the ground below.

"The GlitterPerfectWing castle..." he mumbled. He soared down onto the patio of his room, he entered, and he collapsed onto his bed.

"This is a dream... Des is fine... I didn't- I didn't..." He couldn't finish. He didn't believe it. He couldn't. However unintentionally, it was still his fault.

It was still his fault...

- - -

Meanwhile Destruction was perched atop Mt. Foul Cry, the mountain that overlooked the GlitterPerfectWing city. She watched it like a hawk, smiling when she saw the King come out onto the balcony. She wouldn't kill him- or he'd be the last. It wasn't his fault her mother was a liar and a cheater.

She swooped down onto the balcony, smiling wickedly at the fear on his face. "Hello, father," she said venomously, "or rather, not." She let out a cackle, throwing her head back.

"Now," she said slyly, raking her talons across the stone palace floor, "where is mother?"

- - -

Ace only left his room once he was noticed.

"Prince Ace-Zero? Is that you?" A GlitterPerfectWing with beautiful pastel pink scales entered the room.

"Amusing? Is that you?" Ace said, his eyes wide with shock.

"It is you!" Amusing threw her arms around Ace, smiling brightly. "What are you doing back so early?" She teased, "Get kicked out already?" She let out a small laugh.

Ace smiled. He couldn't help himself around Amusing, she was too... Amusing. "Not yet Amu," he teased, "I left because we were being attacked by the insane evil twin of Des that's all."

Amu laughed. But when Ace's smile turned to a frown she said, "You aren't kidding."

"No," Ace said. He chided himself mentally. He just made a JOKE about it. A JOKE!

"Well we're just going to have to stop Des's evil twin, aren't we?"

Ace smiled. "You think we can beat an animus GlitterPerfect/NightWing hybrid? If so be my guest."

Another joke.

"Absolutely."

And that was that.