Iron Fist looked at the test results and sighed. He knew using stamina potions on a daily basis had extreme drawbacks, but this? How was he going to explain this to Iron Will? How would he even begin to explain this to Trixie?

“I’m sorry Iron, I’ve run the tests three times with each result being the same. The stamina potions have been slowly wreaking havoc on your muscle tissue.your heart can only take so much before it gives out.” The doctor said.

“How long do I have doc?” Iron asked.

“Likely only eight months, a year tops.” The doctor said cringing at the devastated look on Irons face.

“Alright, thanks doc. I think i’ll be going now. Have a lot to do you know?” Iron said and got up from his seat. He made his way out of the doctor’s office and walked aimlessly through town. Barely a year left. This was terrible! He either needed to give his smithy to Nick, or somehow find a way to undo his son's banishment so he could come home to claim it.

He knew neither Nick or Trixie had the experience to run his shop, and even though Trixie was his daughter, she wasn’t related by blood, and even if she was, minotaur culture was highly patriarchal and would only allow a blood related son to inherit his business, or Nick if he survived the arena.

Iron Fist walked into the chapel. Thanks to it being a friday there wasn’t really anyone here besides old man stone pages. Iron walked up to the statue of his nation’s ruler and smiled fondly. He had served the deity well in his life. During the war with the reindeer, he had been one of his top generals.

But those days were long behind him now. Now he was just an old bull that had one job left to do by passing on what he knew, and what he had. But how was he going to do that? Iron Will was his only heir to inherit the smithy, and Nick didn’t have the experience needed to run it properly, he barely knew how to forge a sword, and Steel Hands would likely barge in on his birthday to issue his challenge.

“Iron Fist, is everything alright?” Iron heard Stone Pages call from the doorway to his office.

“Hey old man, no, I’m sorry to say some things have thrown a monkey wrench into my plans.” Iron said and took a seat.

“Is there anything I can do help?” Stone asked taking a seat next to his old friend.

“I don’t suppose you know how to undo the effects of daily stamina potion use do you?” Iron asked jokingly.

“Oh Iron, I’m so sorry. I had no idea, but why would you do such a thing?” Stone asked.

“Don’t be sorry, I’d do it again if I had to, and to answer your question, I needed to get the boy in shape to fight Steel hands.” Iron said getting Stone pages undivided attention.

“What has that heretic done this time?” Stone pages asked with venom dripping from his voice at the mere thought of that sorry excuse for a noble.

“He’s using my sons banishment as an excuse to take my smithy, and Trixie.” Iron said.

“That cur! Oh I knew ever since that monster was old enough to mate he was nothing but trouble.” Stone pages said.

“Aye, that’s why I have been training non-stop with Nick so he could finally put that wretch down for good. Hopefully whichever of Steel’s bastard calves that are givin his nobility will be better than their father.” Iron said thinking about the orphanage that he had adopted Trixie from that was now in need of an expansion thanks to all the new additions that Steel hands didn’t even recognize as his.

“As if I would need to choose an heir among the garbage in that eyesore.” an obnoxious voice said from the doorway.

“What are you doing here Steel Will?” Iron said with hatred so thick it was almost tangible.

“I’m here to offer you a deal. Give me you're smithy, and I’ll let your little monkey pet live and let your little whore be.” Steel hands said making both individual’s blood boil.

“You're just afraid to die aren’t you? You know that my apprentice has matched or even surpassed your skills and can’t accept that if you don’t leave me be that you may very well die.” Iron said wiping the smug look off of Steel Hands face.

“Now see here you washed up old hasbeen, I am offering you the deal of a lifetime and you dare to insult me like this?!” Steel Hands sheathed.

“You call threatening to rape my daughter and take my ancestral home is the Deal of a lifetime you monster?!” Iron Fist shouted taking a step forward causing Steel hands to take a step back. He was good, but no legend like Iron Fist.

“This isn’t over old man.” Iron said walking out of the chapel.

“May his soul burn in Tartarus.” Stone Pages growled and walked to his office, “you try to have a nice day Iron. I need some time alone for now.”

“I’ll see what I can do, thanks old man. You’ve done a lot for me in my life, and I hope to see you soon in the great beyond.” Iron said and walked out.

Nick adjusted the tie on his suit for the tenth time tonight. He had finally worked up the courage, with a little (massive fuck ton) pushing from Iron Fist to ask Trixie out, or rather they asked each other out. Relationships here were weird compared to earth. Evidently each nation had different norms save for a couple that stayed consistent with each race.

Herds and Heat were the only two that persisted throughout the world. He had been shocked to find out that for every male that was born, there were nine females born. What’s more, some races were highly matriarchal meaning that gender roles seemed to be reversed. So when he went to ask out Trixie, she beat him to the punch and asked him out first.

Now he was trying to look good enough for her, meanwhile the mare in question was having her own problems trying to look her absolute best. He had saved up enough to take her to a nice dinner in the sky district after some persuasion from Iron Fist not to discriminate against him for not being a noble.

When he decided his tie was as good as it was going to get he took a deep breath and prepared himself. He made his way out of his room and walked down stairs. He made his way to the living room and found Iron will was sitting by his fireplace having a glass of wine.

“What’s the occasion?” Nick asked jokingly.

“My little girl is finally growing up, and today we are officially finished with your training.” Iron said raising his glass.

“Wait were done already?” Nick asked in shock.

“To be honest we could have been done after five months with that learning ability you have. Steel hands is good, but now you are more than enough to handle that old brute. Which reminds me. I have a gift for you.” Iron said and pulled out something wrapped in a silk sheet similar to the silk in his clothes.

“Thanks, and you really think I’m ready?” Nick asked as he took the object and unbundled it. It was a bastard sword, the hilt was wrapped in black cloth, the blade and pamol was made of highly polished steel with a round ruby in the center. The cross guard was made of steel wings like his when he used them for gliding.

“Enjoy it kid, you earned it.” Iron said standing up and putting a hand on Nick's shoulder.

“Iron, this… I don’t know what to say..” Nick said looking over the craftsmanship of the blade and finding runes etched into the blade.

“Colts and their toys.” Trixie said from the doorway to the kitchen.

“Well at the very least it’s a...well...made… toy…” Nick started but went slack jawed at the sight before him. She was absolutely beautiful!

She had her hair brushed back with one small part partially cover her eye, she wore a ruby red dress that complimented her azure fur very well, and hugged her hourglass figure tightly enough to show off her curves, but not enough to be restricting. She wore lipstick to match her dress on her soft supple lips and just a hint of eyeshadow to accentuate her gorgeous violet eyes.

“Like what you see?” Trixie asked coyly swaying her hips as she approached him. Nick , with his mind derping into left fields came up with the best answer he could.

“You look pretty huhu..” NIck said with a dopey smile.

“I believe you mean “you look amazing Trixie”” Iron Fist chuckled.

“Oh! Ummm… yes. You look absolutely gorgeous Trixie. Ready for our date?” He stammered.

“Yes, I would like that.” Trixie blushed at being called gorgeous.

“Alright you two, remember not to get to freaky at the salad bar!” Iron laughed heartily causing Trixie’s face to light up like a christmas tree with embarrassment.

“I love you too dad.” Trixie sighed.

“Your mothers would be so proud.” Iron said taking on a gentle tone and giving her a warm hug that she returned.

“I hope so.” Trixie said remembering the warm smiles of her herd mothers.

“Now, I believe you have a young bull to attend to, and I have some business that I need to attend to.” Iron said holding up a bottle of wine.

“Never change dad.” Trixie giggled and wrapped her arms around nick's offered one.

“And remember! Just a little freaky!” Iron called after them causing Nick to chuckle and Trixie to groan exasperated.

Everything was going to shit! He was so close, yet so far from the throne. He had trained his entire life to get where he was now only for some stupid ape to come and ruin everything. All he had to do is wait until Iron Fist had turned fifty. He would be able to challenge him or his son to a duel for their property, and since he had so carefully framed him for the theft of a holy artifact, that Steel still had hidden away for later use, he had managed to get Iron Will banished for ten years, he could easily use some less savory tactics to win against the older bull.

It wasn’t as much as Steel hands was hoping for, but since they never actually found the artifact they could only give him a second degree charge thinking that he had possibly sold it. He had been so sure that without Iron Will in his way that he could easily claim the town's primary Smithy. With it he would own 60% of the town!

He had worked so hard to get where he was and some stupid outsider had to butt in and ruin everything. He had his spies watching them twenty-four seven and they had reported that this creature had several abilities that coupled with its martial prowess would be beyond his capabilities to handle without using obvious illegal methods to give him the advantage.

It’s thick carapus alone would likely be enough to stop his sword if he enchanted it, so the poison to keep his wounds from clothing up would be useless unless he could get past it’s armor. Magic would be out of the question as any spell scroll he might use would be too noticeable, and the creature had rebuffed any and all offers and threats making “diplomacy” impossible.

If he had been facing Iron Fist all he would need to do is make a few decent cuts and wait for him to falter from blood lose before striking the final blow. Steel Hands sat in front of his fire place drinking a fine wine as one of his maids was bouncing on his lap being forced to do one of her… duties when a figure appeared behind him.

“You called, my lord?” The figure said kneeling and looking down and away from the lewd scene of the crying mare on his master's lap.

“Yes. It seems that, pardon the pun, a monkey wrench has been thrown into my plans, so challenging that old oaf Iron Fist is no longer an option. However, if we take a different route, we can work our way around this problem.” Steel Hands said placing a hand on the poor mares breasts and groping her.

“What do you suggest my lord?” The figure asked.

“I want you to deal with Iron quietly and burn the smithy to the ground. Since he has no heir and can’t select that monkey as his champion until his birthday, his property will be up for grabs.” Steel said reaching both arms around the mare and started to thrust up into her while forcing her down like a ragdoll causing her to start sobbing quietly.

“And what of his daughter and the creature?” The figure asked.

“They are away for the night. You shouldn’t have to worry about them. Do not leave any evidence behind either or it’s your head. understood?” Iron said before grunting and defiling the poor mare's womb.

“Yes my lord, It shall be done my lord.” The figure said and retreated into the darkness.

“Alright, now how about round three?” Steel Hands asked the sobbing mare.

“Please just let me go..” She whimpered.

“Do you want that colt of yours to make it through his surgery?” Steel asked. The mare said nothing and resumed her bouncing.

Nick escorted Trixie to the Golden Horn Dinner. He had saved up for several month to take her here, and now they were walking down the cobblestone road on their first date. He couldn’t believe he landed such a beautiful woman er, mare. She had her flaws, nobody was perfect, but they were more endearing than anything.

She was boastful for the most part, saying that her magic was among the strongest in the word. He chuckled when he thought about her seeing what he could really do if he could find a way around this accrued mark so he could make magic.

He thought about assimilating some of her DNA to see if he could gain his own inner mana pool like her, but decided against it for now. He had once asked her if she would mind him taking a genetic sample of her, but she had taken it in a lewd scene and reacted, rather violently. Again making him thankful he could regrow testicles.

They arrived at the restaurant at about seven. The sun had gone down roughly an hour ago and now the moon and stars shimmered above them as they made their way inside. The host looked at them with a sneer, but thanks to Iron Fist’s… persuasion methods, he was not going to do what he would normally do and tell them that their kind was not welcome there. This did not however mean he was going to be polite about it.

“Reservation for Nick and Trixie.” Nick said happily ignoring the host’s glare.

“Do you honestly think you belong here? Ape.” The host asked.

“I do know I have reservations that have been payed for. So yes. I do.” Nick said.

“Right this way, commoner.” The host sighed. They made their way to an empty booth in the back away from prying eyes. Whether this was to give them privacy or to keep them out of site was made obvious by the glares of the other patrons.

“Nick, should we just go? I don’t like the looks were getting.” Trixie whispered to Nick nervously.

“Ignore them. This night is about you and me, not some stuck up nobles with their noses to high to see where they are going.” Nick said rubbing her hand affectionately.

“A waiter will be with you shortly.” The host said curtly and left. Nick sat across from Trixie and looked through the omnivore section of the menu. Luckily he found a dish that suited his tastes for a reasonable price.

“So what are you going to get?” Nick asked his date as he put his menu down.

“I think I’ll go for the broiled lobster tail with a side of rose petal bouquet and some clam chowder.” Trixie said putting down the menu.

“It’s still hard to believe you ponies are omnivorous. Ponies back on my world are strictly herbivores.” Nick chuckled.

“I’m only semi omnivorous. I normally only eat fish or high protein grubs in a pinch.. Besides only unicorns and thestrals are omnivorous. Besides, the only reason unicorns eat meat of any kind is because generating magic takes up a lot of calories.” Trixie said.

“And you smell funny colors.” Nick said booping her on the nose.

“I still have no idea what that even means.” she said scrunching up her nose a bit.

“Well you meant what I knew.” Nick chuckled at her deadpanned expression.

“Aanyway, what are you getting?” Trixie asked changing the subject a bit.

“I’m getting the Ribeye steak dinner with mash potatoes, white rice, broiled broccoli and a side of clam chowder.” Nick said going over his selection.

“Eck, honestly why do they even sell cow meat here? Feels like cannibalism.” Trixie shivered.

“Should i get something else then?” Nick asked not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

“If you wouldn’t mind?” Trixie asked sheepishly.

“Alright, how does the ginger glazed Mahi Mahi with a side of clam chowder.” Nick said picking a new meal.

“That sounds delicious.” Trixie said as the waiter arrived.

“Welcome to the Golden Horn Dinner, what may I get you this evening.” The Slightly friendlier waiter asked.

“I’ll have the broiled lobster tail with a side of rose petal bouquet and some clam chowder” Trixie said handing him their waiter. He began to walk away before Nick said.

“Hey wait, you haven't taken my order yet.” Nick said.

“Sorry, but we don’t serve animals.” the waiter said and walked off.

“Why that little..” Trixie seethed.

“Wait here, I’m going to go have a word with the manager.” Nick said and stormed off. Thirty minutes, two rubber chickens,a turnip, and one terrified turtle later Nick and Trixie were sitting munching happily on their dinner conversing about the past weeks events trying to avoid getting on the topic of Steel Hands trying to butt in where he didn’t belong. Meanwhile the manager was trying to pry a turtle out of their previous waiters rectum, while trying to ignore the rubber chicken that had taken the place of his nose ring.

“Ahhaaahhh!!” the waiter’s scream as the turtle bit down on his intestinal wall that it could be heard by a certain princess with waving pastel mane tending to her comatosed sister.

“Well, I sure do hope that he learns his lesson from this.” Nick said and went back to his meal.

Celestia rubbed her sister’s hand as she watched over her. It had been six agonizing months since she had gone into this coma. Six months that she had been gone. What happened? Her body could sustain itself indefinitely while she dreams walked, that wasn’t the issue. The issue was ever since she had decided to go after the creature in hopes of forcing it to turn itself in, she had not returned.

She wasn’t dead, if she were to ‘die’ in the dreamscape it would just shoot her back into her body. The only way that something like this could happen was if she was either doing it intentionally…. or trapped. It seemed absurd to think anything could best her sister in the dreamscape, but the evidence didn’t leave much room for debate.

She sighed and got up from her seat and kissed her sister on the forehead before making her way out and renewed the protective spells on her sister and her room. She made her way down the halls of the lunar wing passing by many thestral guards. They may have been trained to maintain stoic expressions, but her experience in reading facial expressions revealed their heartbroken undertones.

Many of them looked up to luna, some even looking up to her as a mother as she had protected their dreams as foals. But now that she was in a coma they had started losing hope by the third month. There had even been three ritual suicides that had hoped to bring her back.

Celestia had given an order for them to cease this at once as it was just senseless loss of life, but the ones that did ignored her, some even started accusing her of doing this to Luna herself! Finally she entered central part of the palace and entered the throne room where she found Twilight waiting for her.

“Twilight? Not that this isn’t a pleasant surprise, but what are you doing here?” Celestia asked hugging her student.

“It’s good to see you to Princess, and I think I may have found a way to bring my familiar back.” Twilight said.

“Really? How is this possible? You aren’t linked with it yet.” Celestia said glancing at the unfinished mark on Twilight’s hand.

“That is true, however I was studying the familiar marks and found ours, it's apparently a very rare one that can allow others to link with him, and evidently myself. If he links himself with anypony, I can use them as a sort of bridge between us to pull them here.” Twilight said.

“Twilight let me see that mark.” Celestia asked taking her hand and inspecting it closer. It was impossible… actually considering who the pony this mark belonged to… not so much.

“Twilight, this is a sigma level familiar mark. This is the second strongest familiar mark possible, even starswirl and myself have alpha level marks.” Celestia said letting go of her hand.

“I know isn’t it exciting?” Twilight asked enthusiastically.

“Twilight, listen to me carefully. A sigma level familiar is no joke. The only thing more powerful would be a meta level one.” Celestia warned.

“What’s a meta level familiar like?” Twilight asked somewhat afraid of the answer.

“Discord.” Celestia said darkly.

“What?!” Twilight screamed.

“Twilight, a sigma level familiar could be as strong as an alicorn if not stronger, they are highly unpredictable.” Celestia said taking a seat in her thrown.

“Princess if this is true, then why are we trying to capture it? It could be invaluable to Equestria!” Twilight protested, “if we could convince it to just work with us then maybe we cou-”

“Twilight, the first thing this creature did was terrorize my subjects and foalnap you. I will not allow this to go unpunished.” Celestia interrupted her student.

“But if I could convince it to live peacefully with us we could benefit greatly from it.” Twilight begged.

“If you can find a way, I’ll think about giving it a second chance, but the moment it turns hostile again it’s going straight into a cage.” Celestia sighed.

“Thanks princess, I promise to do my best.” Twilight bowed.

“Now then, are there any handsome young stallions you have your eyes on?” Celestia asked coyly and giggled at Twilight's instant full body blush.

Six and a half months. She had been trapped in this nightmare for six agonizing months. In a way, she felt like thanking the creature as much as she wanted to strangle the life out it. Her sense of fear had dulled to the point where she only calculated her enemy rather than letting her fears get the best of her.

She casually walked by and cut down another zombie as it lunged towards her as if it was second nature. In her time here she had found each room to be unique. Some were terrifying, others confusing, and others still just outright annoying.

“Well well well, if it isn’t de tard re, we meet agi-” Luna shot the annoying creature in the head as she walked through the doorway behind it. She walked in to find her least favorite room… again.

“Oh Buck all kinds of duck.” Luna said as she looked the mechanical monstrosity.

“Hi, I'm omochao.” omochao said. Luna ignored it until it had announced every step she took for two minutes before she shot it. She made her way into the door on the opposite side of the room to find herself in a room she did not recognize.

The room was completely white with monitors on the walls depicting every room she had seen. In the center of the room was a yellow Triangle creature wearing a top hat sitting in lotus position.

“About damn time, when Nick said you seemed a bit slow he didn’t say you would take over six damn months to get here.” The creature said.

“And who art thou?” Luna said crossing her arms.

“The names Bill, Bill Cipher, and i believe you and I need to have a little talk.” Bill said.

“We have no interest in talking with some figment of our targets imagination.” Luna said looking around to find the door to the next room, but found that even the one she had entered was gone!

“See, here's the thing, I am no figment of his imagination. I am his teacher.” Bill said bowing by taking off his hat and causing the entire room to shift with it.

“And what sort of monstrosity art though!?” she said giving Bill her undivided attention.

“Sorry, but that’s a bit too far above your pay grade kiddo.” Bill said “however I can tell you why I am here.”

“We art listening.” Luna said.

“You invaded Nick’s, which is the name of the creature you're hunting’s name by the way, mind. He tit punched you out and you wanted to percist. Now I know the dude absolutely hates having his mind entered without permission, and well if this wasn’t my domain then even I might not be able to get in now.” Bill explained.

“He terrorized our subjects and attacked our dear friend Twilight Sparkle!” Luna shouted.

“Really now, him bumping into some flower mare at her stall and her screaming her lungs out and fainting from him simply standin there is terrorizing them?” Bill deadpanned.

“He... What?” Luna asked. Bill pointed to a monitor that depicted nick running through the streets of ponyville in his birthday suit and bumping into the aforementioned mare who proceeded to scream rape and fainted. Not long after the guards came to arrest him thinking he had intended on what the mare had screamed. Nick tried to defend himself, but a guard managed to get the drop on him by piercing a spear through his leg.

It skipped to him chained up on the wall and, to Luna’s disgust, absorbed his limbs into his torso and grew new ones before the guards walked in and he made his escape. Twilight teleported in front of him thinking he would obey her, but to her surprise he jumped over her and took her hostage. It skipped to them in the forest where he let her go unharmed save for some minor scratches on her neck and took off.

“Regardless, he still took our friend hostage. This cannot go unpunished.” Luna said quietly.

“I thought you might say that, which is why I brought fat ass here as well.” Bill said pulling a surprised Celestia from his hat.

“Tia!” Luna shouted joyfully and hugged her older sister.

“Luna!” Celestia shouted and returned the hug. “Where have you been? I was so worried.” Celestia asked her sister.

“We have been trapped in the creature's mind for months.” Luna said.

“I knew that creature was to dangerous to let be.” Celestia seethed.

“To be fair, he did force her out and told her that she entered at her own risk.” Bill said from behind them.

“What the? What are you creature?” Celestia demanded getting a sigh from Bill. One explaination later she was caught up to speed.

“So you see, this is just one big misunderstanding. Now, Celestia here told Twilight if she could find a way to get Nick to be friendly, then she would allow him to stay.” Bill said.

“Sister, is this true?” Luna asked.

“Twilight has been persistent in wanting to give it a second chance.” Celestia sighed and remembered the weekly friendship reports having an addition at the end of each one.

“Nick is currently on a date with a cute little unicorn mare by the name of Trixie, unfortunately some tragic events are going to make things difficult for them to stay where they live now and will have to leave soon.” Bill said.

“And what pray tell, are these events? And why can thee not tell him?” Luna asked.

“Because I asked him not to.” A third powerful yet gentle voice said.

“Mother!” The royal sisters shouted in unison hugging their mother.

“It is good to see you to my children.” Faust chuckled as she hugged her beloved daughters.

“Mother, what is going on, why have you asked him not to warn the creature?” Celestia asked looking up at her.

“I’m afraid I cannot say, but I ask that you give Nick a second chance. He his vital in what is to come.”faust asked them receiving eager nods.

“Remember monster tits, you owe me one.” Bill said to Faust causing her to sigh and the sisters to glare daggers at him.

“Yeah yeah just shut up a get out of here already.” Faust said through gritted teeth.

“Later hot flanks!” Bill said and warped back into the aether.

“Now then, I believe you two have some catching up to do. This door will lead outside this place.” Faust said and began to fade. “It looks like my time is almost up. Be well you two, and remember, no more fighting!” faust said as she faded back into her realm

Nick felt as the entities in his head save for Zangetsu leave his head. He had finished his date with trixie and now they were making their way down to the market district back to the smithy. As they made their way down they started to smell smoke.. They looked over to see that a house somewhere in the market district was ablaze with a tall pilier of smoke trailing off of it.

Without a word Nick picked Trixie up before using cricket DNA to give him enough jumping power to make it down quickly. He jumped high in the air making Trixie hold onto him tightly and scream her head off. They landed in the middle of the market district and made a mad dash to the smithy, each step filling them with greater and greater dread.

“Dad!” Trixie shouted and tried to rush in, but was stopped by a minotaur guard.

“Ma’am I cannot allow you to pass this line.” The Guard said.

“You don’t understand! My father is in there!” Trixie shouted trying to get passed him. Wasting no time Nick jumped over the guards and into a collapsed hole in the roof. He made sure to coat himself in the thickest Chitin he could muster that ended up looking like a power armor suit made of chitin. He charged down stairs and used the last of his mana to cast a life detection spell.

It was faint, but he found a life signature in the middle of the living room. He found Iron Fist passed out on the floor with a wooden beam on his legs. Nick threw the Beam off of him and picked up Iron before charging through the nearest wall out the front of the building. The Guard were quick to get Iron on a stretcher and took him away with Trixie and Nick following close behind.

They entered the hospital but were told to wait out in the waiting room while they tried to help Iron. hours went by, each one filling the two with dread. Nick had reverted to a completely unarmored state to comfort Trixie while she sobbed into his chest. Soon the sun rose signaling the new day when the doctor came out with a smile on his face.

“Well, I have good news and I have bad news.” The doctor said.

“Let’s just get the bad news out of the way first.” Nick said.

“The bad news is that Iron suffered massive damage to his lower extremities. The bones in his legs were crushed and looked like little more than gravel, so we had to amputate. What’s more we found that his Muscles have sustained heavy damage from what appears to be regular Stamina potion usage. So it doesn’t look like he has much more than a year to live.” The doctor said.

“And what’s the good news” Trixie asked.

“He lived and is awake now.” The doctor said.

“Can we go see him?” Trixie practically begged.

“You can see me and get me out of this accursed place.” Iron said rolling out of the door in a wheelchair

“Sir you must get some rest, you're wounds haven't fully healed yet.” A nurse said walking out after him.

“And you're not taking me back there with all of your pointy needles!” Iron said locking his chair in place.

“Dad!” Trixie shouted and hugged him.

“Hey there munchkin, are you alright?” Iron asked.

“I was so worried, I thought I had lost you!” She sobbed.

“It’s alright, I’m right here.” Iron said petting her main.

“Iron, are you alright? What happened?” Nick asked walking up to the pair.

“I don’t know, I must have passed out sometime after you left, and then the next thing I know is that I’m here missing my damned legs!” Iron said Glaring at the doctor.

“So you have no idea how the fire started?” Nick asked making Iron pale.

“Fire?! What fire!?” Iron asked panicked.

“When me and Trixie were heading home we found the smithy on fire and I just barely was able to get you out in time. I am so sorry Iron, if I had just stayed home this could have been prevented.” Nick said lowering his head.

“Now I’ll have none of that. For all we know you two could have been hurt in the fire two, then you might not have been able to get me out. The only regret i have now is that I’m stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.” Iron said after digesting what Nick had just said.

“Dad, why didn’t you tell us about the Stamina potion damage!?” Trixie asked hurt.

“So they told you about that eh?” Iron sighed. “In order to get nick in shape for the duel we needed to train non-stop, I couldn’t do that in my old age. So I used stamina potions to keep up.”

“If only i had my magic, I could fix you completely if I could just make some.” Nick said gaining everyone's attention.

“You mean you can use magic, I thought you said you couldn’t?” Iron asked confused.

“No, I said that my abilities that you have seen so far weren’t. For some reason the mark on my hand won’t let me make any magic, if I could then I could easily patch you up.” Nick said.

”Well then, let’s get me patched up then!” Iron said excitedly.

“Like i said this mark-”

“I know of a way around it kid.” Iron said getting Nick’s attention.

“Aye, that there is a Familiar mark, and a very powerful one to. I guess you never finished the contract with your summoner didn’t you?” Iron asked.

“I have no idea what the duck you're talking about.” Nick said getting an exasperated sigh from everyone.

“Alright, since you didn’t finish the contract with the one that brought you here, you're mark is suppressing your ability to make magic as a failsafe against rogue familiars. Now normally the only way to undo this would be to send you home, which none of us know how to do, but since you have this type of mark, we can partially undo it by linking you to somepony. However, you would only be able to cast as much magic as the one you linked with.” Iron explained.

“Than I would at least need to link with two individuals, preferably unicorns or someone with a similarly strong mana pool in order to cast the spells needed.” Nick said.

“Well you have one unicorn down, and I know of somepony else you could link with.” Trixie said nuzzling into the crook of Nick’s neck.

“And who might that be?” Nick asked trying to think of who she might be referring to until it hit him like a sack of hammers. “Nimble Fingers?”

“Yep, you know she likes you, plus me and her go way back so I wouldn’t mind staring a herd with you and her.” Trixie said.

“Alright, let’s go get her!” Nick said pumping his fist into the air.

“Wait here and watch over dad, I’ll go get her.” Trixie said before teleporting away.

“Well, at least if she teleports it will be quick..” Nick said. After about ten minutes or so Trixie Teleported back with the mare in question who had a deep blush on her face.

“Alright, did Trixie already inform you of what’s going on?” Nick asked to which she shyly noded and avoided his gaze.

“Ok then. All you need to do is touch the outer points of the mark and repeat after me.” Iron said.

“Ok.” The two mares said in unison before touching said marks..

“Hail to the powers of creation, eternally bind me to this familiar.” Iron said.

“Hail to the powers of creation, eternally bind me to this familiar.” Trixie and Nimble fingers said in unison before the room was enveloped in a blinding light. When Nick opened his eyes he saw Trixie standing to his left staring at her hand. What Nick did not expect was his would be rapist standing were Nimble fingers had been mere seconds ago.