The day finally arrived when Magmus and Cora returned home to Galaton. Even with the fierceness of the Earth Land battles, the other princes of Galaton had been able to defend Magmus’s homeland.

The space pod from the Super Nova, carrying Magmus, Cora and Brighton descended through the atmosphere and slowly arched down to the landing pad outside the Stone Fortress. When the space pod landed softly on the ground, the exit hatch slid open and Magmus helped Cora out of her seat and towards the exit ramp to see her new home for the first time.

She held her baby in her arms as she looked up at the edifice of the Stone Fortress carved out of the side of the great Earth Land mountains.

Magmus watched Cora’s face as she took in the sights of her new world. His most trusted servants, who he had left as stewards of his home and fortress, greeted him and his new family as they descended the exit ramp. The nanny, who had been specifically trained for years on taking care of Draconian-human infants approached Cora and bowed deeply to his new princess.

“Princess Cora,” the nanny said. “It is my honor to offer my services to you in the care of our new Prince Brighton.”

The nanny showed Cora a hovering stroller for baby Brighton. Cora looked up at Magmus and he nodded at her to let her know that he approved of the nanny. Cora put baby Brighton into the stroller and the procession walked across the landing deck through the huge entrance of the Stone Fortress.

Smaller craft could fly all the way through the fortress. To save his bride from walking the whole way, they entered a small hover craft and rode through the entrance and hallways of the Stone Fortress. When they finally arrived at his inner palace’s chambers, Cora and Brighton were able to settle in to the rooms he’d had arranged for them, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He had been on edge for so many years, and now he was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Today, he would speak with the other princes of Galaton and come to the final conclusion on how to proceed in the rule of their home planet.

He left Cora and baby Brighton in his chambers as he strode down the hallway to his private offices. He stepped inside and activated the holocom to call the princes. Their faces came up on the screen across the room. Prince Salvatt of the Fire Lands, with his ruddy red skin. Prince Elait of the Air Lands, with his light blue eyes. Prince Shay of the Water Lands with his blue-green skin. They each appeared before him.

“I have brought down the Mulgor,” Magmus said. “Their home world is all but destroyed. I have produced an heir to the Earth Lands and have brought him and my bride home. It is time to put an end to the suffering of the males of our planet. We have each ensured the throne of our kingdoms and our own family lines. I implore you to open the mating lottery to the rest of the males of Galaton.”

The other princes were silent, considering his words. Finally, Prince Salvatt of the Fire Lands spoke, his black eyes shining in the fire light of his homeland.

“Your suggestion is a valid one,” Salvatt said. “I am in agreement with you now. What do the rest of you say?”

“I agree it is time,” said Prince Shay.

“I concur,” said Prince Elait.

“Then let us make the announcement to the men of all of our lands today in celebration of the arrival of my son and heir, Brighton Murcul.”

“Let it be done,” said the other princes.

Magmus watched the princes’ faces disappear from his screen. He smiled, knowing how much happiness he would bring to the men of his homeland. Magmus flicked his holocom, ready to make an announcement that would contact every dragon in the Earth Lands.

“Greetings, men of the Earth Lands, this is your Prince, Magmus Murcul. I have arrived home from my voyage in space. We have finally defeated the Mulgor. They will not be a threat to the great planet of Galaton any longer. Today my son and heir landed on the planet for the first time. In honor of his arrival, and of our defeat of the Mulgor, I am pleased to announce that the mating lottery will now be opened to all males on Galaton.”

Magmus gave instructions on how to join the lottery and then flicked off his holocom. He had never been more proud than he was right then. He sent Cora a message on his holocom and went out to his balcony. He jumped up on the ledge and shifted, spreading his green dragon wings.

He flew through the Stone Fortress and emerged outside. It was good to feel his dragon wings carry him again, now that he was home in his own lands. The snow had melted and greenery was growing out on the mountainside.

He flew on. Below him in the valley, he saw the men of the village emerging from their homes. They took to the sky in dragon form. Some cheered from below and others flew around him in the sky. They joined him in flight, finally at peace with their prince after so many years of fighting.