Fluttershy dodged the massive pillar of red energy that escaped Amon's blade as he raked the sky with his weapon. The clouds overhead were split by the attack, and a vent of air pushed Fluttershy upwards. But she managed to regain her stability, and flew back down the ground to fight Amon head-on. "That was close..."

Amon held back, Fluttershy could see it in his demeanor and posture as he swung his blade at her. But why? Why would he show no mercy to Winslow, then proceed to go easy on her? Was he stalling? Was he analyzing her? No, an experienced knight like Amon would have already fully analyzed his foe. The former seemed the most likely, but what was he stalling for? Fluttershy blocked a downward strike from Amon, using her scaled draconic hands like tough gauntlets. Her demon form was waning, however; a few minutes longer and she would be rendered unconscious from the sheer strain the form put on her body.

"I'm surprised a mortal like yourself can sustain that form for this long without a conducting blade. I expected you to go feral by now." Amon said coldly as Fluttershy deflected his sword swing.

Fluttershy realized something else in the heat of the moment as well. Why was Winslow still alive? If he was not holding back before, surely he would be dead. If he really was serious, he would have no trouble in killing him. Something else was at play here, something that seemed too obvious to ignore. Amon was restraining himself against a pony who he supposedly wished to kill will all his might. He was lying. Amon didn't seem enraged either; he was calm, collected, free. Although he hid it as best as he could, it looked as if he had freed himself from shackles.

"Your sword slashes..." Fluttershy stared down at the ground as she backed off. "They're weaker than they were hyped up to be. But that's not it, is it? What are you trying to do?"

"I'm merely savoring my kill," Amon replied with a wicked grin. "It is what I had done with your parents, and it's what I will do to you."

"You monster!" Fluttershy felt her rage boil over, her animal within clawing at her throat. She charged at Amon with all her might and kicked him back into a fruit stand, smashing it to pieces. "You keep spitting on my parent's memory like it's some sick joke!"

"Why do you defend them, filly? You hardly know them— how your father neglected you," Amon said with a low tone and a blank expression. "They don't deserve your sympathy."

"They do! Like it or not, they were my parents and they were taken away from me! I was taken away from them..." Fluttershy screamed in frustration as she lowered her hands, bowing her head once more. "I just wanted to know why I ended up with my other parents..."

"By dumb luck," Amon scoffed, scowling at Fluttershy. "It was fate spitting on me, denying me of my revenge."

"You're lying!" Fluttershy roared as she slashed at Amon with her claws. "If you were that adamant to kill me, I would've been dead a long time ago!" Fluttershy managed to land a blow on Amon's side, scraping away portions of his metal armor. "Why didn't you kill me?! Why didn't you kill Winslow?! Why are you not blocking my attacks?!" Fluttershy clawed at Amon's arms and legs, wounding him severely. Yet, Amon let Fluttershy vent her rage. And he closed his eyes just before Fluttershy lunged at his neck with her claws outstretched. But Fluttershy stopped dead in her tracks, looking down at Amon, who sat silent, awaiting his death. "Why...?"

"Kill me... you have won..." Amon said, awaiting his fate.

"Why should I?! You just gave up!" Fluttershy lashed out at the cool and collected knight as he sat down before her. "Why should I kill you?!"

"I attacked your friends... wounded your companion..." Amon turned to Winslow, who was laying unconscious on the ground. "I deserve death. Kill me!"

"I don't think anypony deserves to die... even if they killed my parents. But you never really did that, did you?" Fluttershy said as her demon form began to fade away, and she stumbled from the overwhelming pain of the reversion. "You're my real father... aren't you?"

Amon's eyes widened as he looked up at his daughter in her normal state, a gentle angel, without any trace of evil within; peering into her green eyes reminded Amon of her mother. "Yes..."

"Why? Why tell me this way?" Fluttershy grit her teeth in anger as memories of her adolescence began to blur. "Why tell me now?!"

"Please try to understand what I am..." Amon lamented as he recalled his memories one by one, unpacking the ones he locked away. "Your mother, Crocus, she was mortal. A typical demon will be executed for having a child with a mortal, but... I am a Lord of Infernum. If I were to be discovered, I would be given a fate worse than death. Banishment. Outside of Infernum, my powers fade, my immortality wanes, and the demons of Infernum shall hunt me down until the end of time." Amon clenched his fists as an image of Crocus' face flashed before his eyes. "But she was worth the risk..."

*

A memory played in Amon's mind; the very first time he had met Fluttershy's mother in Everfree Forest. It was the crack of dawn, and Amon had patrolled the forest in the form of a giant white wolf, scouring the thick woods for hunters that might kill his kin— the beasts of the forest. He came to a quiet, tranquil pond with water as clear as a diamond. He stared at his reflection for a moment, then looked up, hearing the soft shuffling of hooves on grass. His teeth gnashed and a low growl escaped his maw as he saw a mare standing on the other side of the pond.

She was a pegasus of below average height, fairly slim, and she exuded this air that ran thick with the scent of blossoms caked in morning dew. Her flowing, wavy purple hair cascaded down her shoulders and down to her hips, and her bright green eyes sparkled like peridot gemstone. Her white face was soft and kind, and she had a curious look on her face as she gazed back at Amon. He could see a notebook in her hand, and she wore common leather armor that a hunter would wear with various bandoliers across her chest.

"I'm sorry for intruding," The mare raised her notebook up and gestured to it the same, childish way one would when they were to speak to a wild animal. "I was just studying the forest creatures is all..."

"You try to speak to a wild beast? What a foolish mare..." Amon said as he calmed down a bit, intrigued by the captivating pegasus.

"A talking wolf?!" The mare gasped as she came to grips with the reality of the situation. "How can you do that?"

"I am Amon, Lord of Infernum, King of Beasts and protector of this forest," Amon grunted through his snout as he sat down on his rump. "Why have you not fled in terror yet, hunter?"

"Hunter? No, no, you misunderstand... I just wanted to explore the forest and go bird-watching is all. I don't like hunting, to be honest. I think it's a waste of time to kill innocent animals merely acting on instinct," The mare explained herself calmly as she closed her notebook. "I didn't mean to startle you, Amon. And why would I flee from an animal who isn't trying to hurt me? I shouldn't fear wolves, or talking ones like you for that matter."

"You do not fear this form...?" Amon tilted his head in confusion as he stared back down at the pond to look at his gigantic form. He reverted back to his regular demon form, causing the mare another shock. "Poachers always flee when they see me!"

"Well, I suppose it's a good thing I'm not a poacher then..." The mare said as she walked around the small pond to meet with the odd demon. "My name is Morning Crocus... it's nice to meet you."

*

"She made me feel alive... and she taught me the true values of life in this world." Amon continued. "I loved her with all my heart."

*

Amon sat beneath a great oak tree with Crocus right next to him, feeling the cool breeze together as they sat atop a hill overlooking a gulch. Amon was impatient back then; brash and prone to fits of frustration. He growled as he sat back up. "Rrraggh! Why must we sit beneath this tree and say nothing? Was this not a romantic event of some sort?"

"It is. We're just enjoying the nice weather is all..." Crocus giggled as she stood up as well. "You're cute when you get all angry like this."

"You infuriate me sometimes..." Amon sighed, noticing a pink butterfly land on his shoulder, gently fluttering its wings. "What is this odd creature?"

"For the 'Protector of The Forest', you don't know too much about your forest do you?" Crocus chuckled as she put her hand out, allowing the butterfly to land on her finger. "This is a butterfly. It helps pollinate flowers and other plants. I especially love these pink ones." Crocus laughed again as she said more of the insects land on Amon's shoulders. "I think they like you."

"I am the King of Beasts... I do not concern myself with the small creatures. I leave that to the dryads." Amon's eye twitched slightly as butterflies continued to land on him, forming a layer of the insects on his armor. "I see no need for these creatures..."

"Nonsense. A butterfly is just as important as a wolf or a bear. They keep balance in the forest. They connect plant to animal, rock to river, the sky to the earth. Though it may seem small and frail, a butterfly protects the forest with benevolent grace," Crocus smiled as the butterflies scattered, flying off into the distance. "No matter how small, every life matters. We mortals are small, but we matter. Demons, beasts, monsters... they all matter as well."

"Crocus, do you take me for a monster...?" Amon inquired in a softer tone of voice.

"You're not a monster. You're just misunderstood," Crocus grinned as she placed her hand on his cheek. "And you're just trying to live like every other creature."

"I want to stay here, Crocus, with you..." Amon closed his eyes as Crocus stroked his face.

"You told me what would happen, Amon. You know the consequences. I can't let you throw your life away for me," Crocus began to cry as she removed her hand from his cheek. "I-..."

Amon lunged forward and planted his lips onto hers, embracing her for what seemed like a lifetime. As they broke the kiss, they both kept their eyes closed as they gently pressed their foreheads against each other's, and Amon whispered to his beloved's ear with heartfelt passion. "You are my life. I am dead without you. You know that."

*

"Then a second love sprung into my life..." Amon grinned as he looked up at Fluttershy. "And I couldn't let anything happen to her..."

*

"She's beautiful, Amon..." Crocus smiled weakly in her bed, cradling an infant pegasus in her arms. "Come see her..."

Amon nervously approached the newborn, hesitating a little as he picked her up. But his worry melted completely as his eyes met with his daughter— bright green eyes and a pink mane. "Hello there, little one..."

"She looks like you..." Crocus said as Amon leaned in closer for them to both meet their new foal. "What shall we name her?"

Amon heard a familiar sound from a nearby window; a butterfly. It sat on the windowsill, watching them from afar and protecting them. "Fluttershy..." Amon grinned as he saw his daughter smile at him. "My butterfly..."

"What a wonderful name..." Crocus laughed lightly as she hummed to her new daughter, lulling her to sleep.

*

"She was slain soon after you were born by a lowly demon. And I couldn't even protect her..." Amon lamented, grasping the handle of his blade that remained in his hand. "I couldn't save her... but I wanted to do what I could for you. So I left you at your parent's doorstep; a kind and honest family that could give you the life you deserved." Amon said as he closed his eyes. "If you are angry with me, I understand. I failed your mother, and I failed you as a father. I wanted you to kill me here, quickly and without a word. It would've been much easier if you had just done it without thinking. I didn't want to do this to you..."

"You wanted me to just kill you like that...?" Fluttershy was rendered speechless for a few moments. "Why? Why did you want me to kill my own father?"

"I am not your father..." Tears fell from Amon's chin as he felt the wounds on his chest. "What kind of a father would say such things to his daughter? Hit his daughter? What father would abandon his daughter? I am no fath-."

"No..." Fluttershy hugged Amon as she began to bawl, embracing him tightly in her arms. "You are my father... you gave me life. You loved my mother and she loved you! That's all that matters! I should be thanking you! For once in my life, I feel like I'm not alone! I feel like I know myself for once in my life!"

"Fluttershy..." Amon's eyes widened as his daughter cried on his shoulder. "You were never alone. Your mother and I were with you, always. We were just too far to reach you."

"Dad..." Fluttershy whimpered. "Dad..." It was then that Fluttershy saw the fingers on her father's left hand begin to disintegrate into a soft, sand like powder that was whisked away by the wind. "Dad, what's happening to you?! What's going on?!"

"My deal with Alptraum has expired..." Amon said as he broke away from Fluttershy, getting back on his hooves and grabbing his sword off the ground with his good hand. "Alptraum's power kept me alive for this long... but my body has surpassed its limit."

"W-what does that mean, dad? W-what are you saying?!" Fluttershy ran to him once again, embracing him tightly. "Dad, what are you saying?!"

"My time has come, my sweet Fluttershy..." Amon smiled as he planted a kiss on his daughter's forehead. "I must go to your mother now."

"But you can't!" Fluttershy cried as she saw butterflies begin to pour from his left forearm, fluttering away in the wind. "You can't leave me now! Not when I just met you! You can't!"

"I must, Fluttershy... it is my time..." Amon removed the sheath from his back and placed his sword inside, leaving it on the ground beside them. "But this is not the end, my butterfly. This is the beginning." Amon backed away, leaving Fluttershy, but keeping her in his sight as his body continued to deteriorate. "Take Droyuz, child. Become strong. Protect those you love with all your might. And do not cry for me..." Amon smiled as a whirlwind of butterflies began to whisk him away. "Know that I am the gentle wind brushing against your cheek..." Fluttershy bawled as she hugged Amon's blade. "Know that your mother is the rustling tree that gives you shelter..."

"We love you, Fluttershy..." Amon and Crocus' voice echoed in her mind as she wept with the blade still in her arms. "We will protect you until the end of time."

Winslow's eyes fluttered for a moment as he heard Fluttershy's cries nearby, and his lips parted slightly as he looked in her direction, watching as she rocked back and forth with Droyuz still in her arms. "Fluttershy...?"

Author's Notes:

That was a punch to the heart... sorry. <--(This face feels more appropriate than ever.)

As always, I hope you enjoyed! See you in the next chapter!