It’s a good thing that my body was enhanced by the Tree before Fluttershy gave birth otherwise she would have broken my hand. We were in Canterlot hospital with me by her side as the doctor and nurses tend to her. She was holding my hand with a death grip the whole time, but it was during her last push that her death grip intensified. You know, for a pegasus so quiet and meek, she certainly has a set of lungs on her. During her last push, she gave out a passionate yell of determination so loud the nurse had to leave and replaced by another. More than likely because she couldn’t hear temporarily.

Fluttershy still had both my hands in one of hers when I commented about her screech. “Wow, honey! You can rea-”

I got cut off at the sound of our foal crying. Instantly Fluttershy was trying to sit up to look. I helped her to sit up some while my heart seemed to want to burst out of my chest. The cord was still attached as the doctor held up our little bundle of joy. Fluttershy looked soo tired, but her eyes were glowing brightly as she held onto me looking at our foal.

“You have a beautiful and healthy little filly,” the doctor said happily as he and the nurses cut the cord and cleaned her up. “We’ll clean her up, wrap her up in a small blanket, then you can hold her.”

Fluttershy was speechless as she watched our new daughter get cleaned. She looked mostly like a normal pegasus except for a few differences. Her hands had five fur-covered fingers instead of the normal four. Her hooves weren’t normal hooves but elongated in the basic shape of a human foot without toes. We wouldn’t know about her teeth for a while. However, due to Fluttershy’s pregnancy diet, she was bound to be an omnivore. She had a yellow coat like her mother but had my blond hair color for her hair and tail. And on her head were two small pointed ears shaped like the bat Fluttershy had turned into. But to me and Fluttershy, she was the most beautiful filly ever created.

“She’s beautiful, Fluttershy,” I whispered to her with my heart in my voice. Then leaned down giving her a long loving kiss which she returned. She also laid back down as fatigue started kicking in.

“I’m so happy right now,” Fluttershy giggled while looking up at me, still holding my hands. “Exhausted, but so very happy.”

“Here she is, Miss Fluttershy,” the doctor had the biggest smile on his face when he laid down our new daughter in Fluttershy’s waiting arms. “Your new beautiful daughter.”

Fluttershy cooed with a couple of happy tears escaping, “Hi there, sweetie. Meet your mommy and daddy.” With Fluttershy finally letting go of my hand, so she could hold our new daughter, I laid one arm behind her head then very gently laid my hand on our cooing daughter. Our own daughter that we created together. She was laying on her back on Fluttershy’s chest and when she felt my hand, her little hand reached out and wrapped her little fingers around one of my fingers. Or tried to. Her hands were so very tiny in comparison, but she wasn’t letting go. And neither would I, figuratively speaking. I had to keep her safe and there was one way was the best way.

“What are we going to name her?” I asked softly with my heart exploding with our new daughter holding my finger.

“I want to go with the human name,” she whispered while looking happily at our daughter. Then she looked up at me with those beautiful tired eyes. “I want her to have your last name. So, she’ll never forget or regret who her daddy is.”

I know why she said it. In today’s social climate she might be ridiculed for being part human. Moved, I leaned down giving her a long lingering loving kiss. “Thank you, my beautiful butterfly.” Then turned my head and whispered, “And welcome to the world, Lilly Justice.”

“Lilly is such a beautiful name, Fred,” Fluttershy cooed then leaned her head down lightly kissing Lilly’s head. “Lilly’s are such beautiful flowers.”

I kissed Fluttershy’s forehead, “Just like our daughter.”

“Thank you, Fred, but shouldn’t you go and tell the others,” she suggested to me. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be right back then,” I whispered then gently had my daughter let me go, which she fussed a little over, and left the delivery room for the waiting room. On the way down the hall, my thoughts swirled around keeping them safe by finding Discord and Tirek as quickly as possible. One problem was getting to an area quickly after news they were spotted. My thoughts were interrupted as I walked up to the waiting room doors. With a quick shake of my head to clear my thoughts later, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The girls, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence stopped talking when I walked in. “She’s exhausted, of course, but doing fine. As is our new daughter, Lilly Justice.”

Immediately there was a chorus of squealing and giggles. Even as weak as Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence were they somehow got the energy to get up and hug me. All at once, with Cadence hanging onto me just a little longer. “I think it’s alright that everypony comes in the room. There’s room.” With that, I led the way with both Mother and Aunt Luna holding onto me for support. Cadence was holding onto Twilight behind us with the rest of the girls following.

Naturally, when we got to her room, the squealing and cooing continued in spades. So, with Mother and Aunt Luna holding onto the bed, I stepped back and watched them coo, giggle, and fawn over our new daughter. Part of me was enjoying the atmosphere in the room, while the other part of me was worried about Discord and Tirek. Now that our daughter is born, we had to get her to the Tree of Harmony for safety. Philomena, Harmony, Lucy, and probably a lot of animals will be there to guard her. Thinking strategically, of course, this leaves Fluttershy open to now to concentrate on going with the rest of the girls so they can use her Element. Because the faster those two are stopped, the safer our daughter, and the rest of Equestria, will be.

While they were busy with Fluttershy and our daughter, I sneaked away and out the door to speak with the doctor. “Quick question,” he nodded for me to continue, “how soon can she and our daughter be released? The reason I ask is so we can get them to a safe location.”

“Usually, we wait two hours to make sure the mother and foal are in stable condition,” he explained. “If no complications are found, and if they are in stable condition, then they can be released then.”

“Very well, doctor. Thank you.” After thanking him, I walked back into the room.

Aunt Luna noticed me walk back in, and stepped up to me. “Did you go see the doctor, nephew?”

Pulling her aside to whisper, I answered, “Yes. I wanted to know the earliest we could leave, so I could take Lilly to the Tree of Harmony for protection. That way we won’t have to worry about Tirek, or even Discord, harming her. My guess is that Philomena, Angelfeather, Harmony, and Fluttershy’s animal friends will also want to stay there and help protect Lilly. Securing and protecting Lilly is first before we go after Discord and Tirek.”

“Why the Tree of Harmony?”

“Because, Aunt Luna, the Tree has the ability, the same ability she gave me, to temporarily stop Tirek from stealing magic.” It appeared that after a little bit of time she was finally able to stand on her own. Mother too, after taking a glance at her. Therefore, Aunt Luna wasn’t holding onto me as I explained. “However, that temporary amount of time depends on how strong Tirek is. And hopefully, she would be able to keep Discord out as well.”

“Truly?” I nodded to her when she asked. There was a pause before she raised an eyebrow at me, curiosity on her face. “She? Nephew?”

“Yes, she,” I had to chuckle a little at the surprised look on her face. “The Tree takes on the appearance of Twilight but in crystal form. All the girls talked with her first before telling me that she wanted to talk with me.”

“Interesting,” she mused. “I am curious if your Mother and I can go speak to her now?”

“I’m guessing you can,” I shrugged a little. “After all this is over, go and find out.”

“What’s so interesting over here?” AJ asked, not bothering to whisper, as she and Rainbow walked around the bed over to us. That, naturally, stopped any other conversations with everypony else in the room giving us full attention.

“Now that you mention it, Applejack, why are you there, Fred?” Rarity asked with a disapproving frown on her face. “And not over here admiring your dear sweet, and adorably cute, daughter.”

“Because, my dear Rarity, I was explaining to Aunt Luna my plans to keep her safe from Discord and Tirek.” With a patient sigh, I stepped around AJ and Rainbow to stand by Fluttershy, gently putting my hand on Lilly. “What would happen to her now if her magic was taken? Does she, or any other young foal, have the strength to survive without magic?”

“That’s a good question,” Twilight mused, wondering to herself with a contemplative look.

“Even I don’t know, my sunshine boy,” Mother’s voice was soft with the regret that she didn’t have an answer. “Tirek was stopped before he really got too powerful. And with no reports of him stealing magic from young foals, it is still unknown.”

With a nod, I continued, “And a risk I can’t take.”

“So, what’s your plan?” Cadence asked.

“In about two hours the doctor will release us. We’ll go directly to the Tree of Harmony, so she can protect Lilly while we search for Discord and Tirek. Angelfeather, Philomena, Harmony, and hopefully Fluttershy’s animal friends will all be there as well as backup if needed. Hopefully, it won’t be, but the Tree is the only one, besides me, that can, temporarily at least, stop Tirek from stealing magic.” With concern and worry in my eyes, I looked down at Fluttershy. “And we need to do it sooner rather than later.”

“You’re right, my sunshine boy. Little Lilly needs to be protected.”

“Just the thought of those two harming this sweet little filly gets my blood boiling.”

“Yeah, AJ,” Rainbow echoed while walking around the others to the other side of the bed. “We need to go kick their tail.” She looked down at Fluttershy, “You ready to kick some tail, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy was silent for a few seconds as if thinking something over. When she did finally speak, the tone of her voice was vastly different than before. It was a mother’s voice. “Lilly needs protection while we stop Tirek.” And she didn’t sound happy.

^_^

As soon as they were dismissed from the hospital, the girls and I made a quick dash to Ponyville. Cadence, Mother, and Aunt Luna stayed behind in the throne room. They knew that Tirek would eventually seek them out to drain their magic. Therefore, they wanted to stay and confront them with no magic. That way he wouldn’t be able to get and use their magic. Personally, I thought they were crazy to confront them without any sort of protection, but there wasn’t any way to talk them out of it either.

So, with nothing else to do, we boarded the train to Ponyville. I was happy about finally meeting our foal. Our little beautiful flower. However, right now I was more worried about Tirek or Discord finding us between Canterlot and the Tree of Harmony. Because of Discord’s betrayal, I was willing to bet that he will tell Tirek about not only me but Lilly as well. Right now, as the girls talked and giggled away not too far from me, my mind, and my eyes, were watching out for Tirek and or Discord. As my ears picked up the happy giggles and coos from the girls behind me, the scenery was passing by outside.

It wasn’t until we got to Ponyville that I asked for Rainbow to go find Angelfeather, Harmony, and Philomena and have them meet us at the Tree of Harmony. She saluted and flew off leaving her rainbow trail fading away behind her. Now that I had wings, I wondered if I could leave a trail behind me if I flew fast enough. More than likely it wouldn’t be rainbow-colored like hers. I, being the showoff that I am sometimes, had unfurled my wings during our walk through town. And that was mainly to show them off, plus give them a shock of seeing a human with pegasi wings. It did give ponies some pause seeing me with wings and seeing us as a group walking through town. More seemed to look at us when Angelfeather, Harmony, and Philomena joined us while Fluttershy held Lilly in her arms.

“Thanks, Rainbow,” Rainbow had returned with the other three girls when they walked up to us. The greeting between me and them was postponed when they saw cute little Lilly in Fluttershy’s arms, wrapped up in a little blanket.

“Oh my gosh,” Harmony cooed and giggled over to Fluttershy as we walked by city hall, “isn’t she the cutest little filly?”

“Oh yes,” Angelfeather agreed, then asked, “but where are we going?”

“The Tree of Harmony where Lilly will be safe,” I told them. Then taking a glance back at Angelfeather, Harmony, and Philomena I added, “And while we search for Tirek, you three can look after Lilly.”

After a few seconds of looking at each other in silent thought, Philomena stepped up to my side, walking beside me, and gave me a nod. “We will.” I thanked her by putting my arm around her and leaning down giving her a kiss on her cheek.

“Yes, we’ll be happy to,” Harmony echoed while walking beside Fluttershy.

By this point, we were getting close to the outskirts of Ponyville and nearing Fluttershy’s cottage. Because we would pass by close to it on our way into the Everfree forest. That’s when Lucy saw me and with one long loud screech, she swooped down to land on my outstretched arm. “Hello Lucy,” I greeted with a smile while running a hand down her bird chest. “Would you do me a favor and tell any and all of Fluttershy’s animal friends to meet us at the Tree of Harmony? All that can and want to come that is?” After a short nod and a soft coo, she took off toward Fluttershy’s cottage. The rest of the walk was relatively quiet.

And the animals started arriving just as we started walking down the steps toward the tree. Animals small and large flew, burrowed, or walked toward the tree behind us. Even started gathering around us as Fluttershy and I approached the tree. Since my box was gone, I put my hand on Twilight’s.

I was immediately standing before her again. “I need you to watch over Lilly for me while we search for Tirek and Discord. You’re not going to be alone. I’m leaving Harmony, Angelfeather, and Philomena with you. Along with Fluttershy’s animals. You’re the only one, besides me, that can try and stop Tirek from absorbing magic. And I can’t look for both of them and protect my daughter at the same time.”

“I would be happy to,” she said, happily smiling up at me with a certain glow in her eyes. Her head turned to the side as a window appeared in the air showing her producing a crib for Lilly. It was shaped like a traditional one but made from branches and various sizes of leaves both large and small. Fluttershy laid Lilly inside and Lilly started fussing. She calmed down after small leaves curled around her and started rocking slightly. It had me smiling at how lucky I was. “She does look simply precious.”

“And I’m lucky to have such good friends, pony, human, animals, and you,” said to her, giving her a wide smile.

“And I have been...” she paused as if looking for the right word, “blessed to have Twilight and her friends be the bearers of my elements.” She reached up, putting a hand to my bare chest. “And I’m happy that you are willing to also protect me.”

I kissed her hand after taking hers in mine. “Anytime.” Then it was my turn to pause as a thought hit me. “Is there a way for you to contact me if Discord and Tirek arrive and Tirek starts trying to drain you?”

“If the bearers of my elements are with you yes.”

With a smirk, I told her, “Then there’s one simple message that you can send. An old human distress call. A ‘SOS.’ Three short sounds, a pause, then three long sounds, another pause, and then three short sounds again. It can also be done the same way through light. Three short flashes, three long flashes, and three short flashes.”

“I notify the bearers of my elements of a friendship problem by flashing their cutie marks,” she explained to me. “Now that we are connected, I can do the same to you as well. I am also capable of controlling how their cutie marks flash, so if Tirek comes, I will flash their cutie marks, and yours, in your SOS manner.”

“Good and thank you. I just hope we are successful.” From there everything faded until I was back in reality again and stepping away from Twilight’s chest. And looked toward our daughter laying in her crib made by the Tree of Harmony. She was resting peacefully fully asleep being covered in leaves. And while Fluttershy watched over our daughter as she slept, her animal friends were also watching. A few small birds were sitting on the edge of the crib, chirping softly as if singing a lullaby. While Twilight and the rest of the girls watched on with smiling faces at the adorable scene. A scene that we had to leave. Walking up beside Fluttershy, I put one hand on her shoulder and laid the other gently on our sleeping daughter. “It’s time. We need to go.”

There was a certain look in her eyes when she looked up at me. A firm look of determination. The look of a mother. “Yes, but where do we start looking?”

“Yeah, stud, where do we start?”

“Canterlot,” I said aloud to them after taking another lingering look at our daughter before turning around to face them. “It’s where he was seen last. And I need to make a stop to see a friend in the Canterlot Authority.”

“Who’s that, darling?”

“Eve Delphia. She was the one that won the contest and is responsible for the distribution of the stun guns. Plus, I want her with us as well as those communication orbs, so we can coordinate an attack once they’re found.” Now I looked down at Fluttershy trying to give her some comfort in all of this. “I’ll try and stun Discord first, so maybe, just maybe, he’ll listen to you.”

She gave me an understanding nod, “I appreciate that, Fred. But I also understand that the safety of our daughter comes first.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go kick some flank.”

^_^

Unfortunately, Twilight wasn’t comfortable with transporting us all the way back to Canterlot. Which left us taking the train again. Now that we were actively on the hunt, it was like I couldn’t get there fast enough. But at least now Fluttershy and I could concentrate on finding them without having to worry about our daughter at the same time. So, as the scenery flew by once more my mind was thinking about what those two were doing. Not to mention how I’m going to physically fight Tirek. Or how I’m going to try and give Fluttershy her opportunity to talk with Discord.

And it wasn’t just me that was lost in thought either. It seemed like the rest of them were lost in their own thoughts as well. So, there wasn’t much talking going on during the relatively short trip back to Canterlot. However, once we got to Canterlot, there were two places I needed to visit. And our first stop was Captain Ace.

When we arrived at the police building, I could already tell this was going to be a fun visit. Why? Because thanks to my new and improved hearing, thanks to the Tree, the terrified and worried cries of Equestrian citizens from inside came to my ears. There were only so many that could fit inside therefore the rest were outside also expressing their worry. Just not as loudly. And with them blocking the door, we needed to get inside. Various ponies of all colors, sizes, and sex were standing outside wanting to get in along the ones already inside were all worried and scared. The news was out apparently that Discord was helping Tirek.

“Great, how do we get inside?”

“Easy, Rainbow,” I said taking a few steps forward with a mischievous smirk on my face. After extending my wings wide for all to see, I did my own impression of Mother’s amplified voice. “STAND ASIDE AND MAKE A HOLE!” All of the worried and scared voices stopped instantly just before head after head turned around to stare at me. Voices that were scared at the possibility of what Discord and Tirek would do were almost forgotten. And those voices now started whispering about a human having wings. “I’m Prince Fred Justice, son of Princess Celestia,” I said in my normal voice while walking toward the front door. “You will stand aside so I can see Captain Ace about means of stopping Discord and Tirek.”

It was like Moses parting the Red Sea as the group of ponies in front of the door parted to let us in. As we walked by them, they voiced their concern again. At least this time they were calmer about it.

“Are you really going to stop them?” one terrified-looking pegasus mare asked looking like she just jumped out of bed and flew over here. She looked like she was wearing some sort of nightdress that would only be worn around the house. Looking young, I’d guess early twenties, long hair, and braided tail, she appeared to be of the secretarial career of sorts. She didn’t look athletic that was obvious.

I simply nodded to her in passing, “Yes, ma’am we are. That’s why we’re here.” Even after walking inside the building, we heard murmurs about me having wings, what were the Elements of Harmony doing here, and etcetera. Some even gasping at the sight of a human having wings. I didn’t even bother with the front secretary this time, but went right up to the door and walked right on through. Had to fold my wings in the narrow hallway of course. And made a bee-line to Captain Ace’s office. My ears picked up a conversation that he was having with someone, so I asked the girls to wait outside.

“Now listen here, councilpony,” as I opened the door I saw him quite literally growling, and glaring, into a communication orb, “we aren’t here to be your personal bodyguard. Not when Discord and Tirek are on the loose and draining magic from all ponies in and out of this city. So, you can just sit there, hide, and protect your own sorry hooves while we real ponies try and do something...” He paused when he saw me standing in the open door with the girls behind me. “About it,” he finished softly and deactivated it with a soft tap as his eyes never leaving mine.

What I witnessed had me smirking at him in amusement. “Careful Captain, after what I just heard I could get to like you.”

He gave me a snort with the slightest hint of amusement on his face. “I’m busy.”

“Yeah, I can see that. I just need two things,” I said holding up two fingers. “Stunners for the girls and I, seven in total for us. And your daughter. We’re going after Discord and Tirek. And we will stop them. One way or another.” With a well-practiced calculating eye, he sat back in the chair eyeing me carefully. I waited while flexing my new wings a little, so he could see them clearly.

“Why my daughter?” he asked with obvious fatherly concern in his voice. Understandable.

“I need somepony to coordinate with us in the field. I need somepony that’s good with a stun pistol. Another fighter that’s trained like Rainbow Dash is. And I want the best. That’s your daughter. Simple as that.” I held his gaze with mine. He went silent as he thought it over. Don’t know what he was thinking about because it was a pretty simple request. For a minute, I thought he would tell me no because he wants his daughter safe. While that I could understand, she’s also a public servant that had sworn to serve and protect. And took it seriously, I might add. At a time like this, I doubt that a cage could even hold her.

Without a word, or hardly even a sound, he tapped the communication orb.

“Yes, Captain?” came Eve’s voice as her face appeared in it facing away from me toward her adoptive father.

“Come to the station,” he said calmly, “the Prince is here wanting you to work with him in hunting down Discord and Tirek.”

“I’m across town,” she said, “in the happy district, next to the Opera House.”

I heard Rainbow whisper out a question, “Happy District?”

“It will take about twenty minutes for me to get back to the station,” she finished.

That’s when Twilight stepped up, “I can teleport us there.”

“Very well, Princess,” the Captain gave her a nod before looking back at the orb again. “Prince Fred with Princess Twilight with the rest of the Elements of Harmony will meet you there.”

“Understood,” Eve said before her adoptive father deactivated the orb.

After leaving his office and shutting the door behind me, I turned to Twilight. “You sure you’re up to teleporting all of us?”

She nodded to me with a confident smile. “I’m sure, Fred. I just needed a little time to get used to all this extra power. Now that I have, I’m confident in teleporting us. I also know where the building is.”

“Finally, we’re going to see some action,” Rainbow's statement was a little too gleeful for my liking. Because I knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

I didn’t forget the stun guns before we left. All I had to do was ask where the armory was and we were led right to it then the stun guns were distributed between us. Then in a flash, we were teleported to the Opera House.

^_^

Once there, it was obvious that they have been here, drained the ponies here, and then left. I didn’t know what the outside of the building looked like, but inside it looked nearly exactly like The Metropolitan Opera House in New York. We appeared inside the foyer first and except for the ticket master, there was no other pony there. I didn’t see Eve yet, which meant that more than likely she was inside trying her best to help. We, too, went inside after making sure the earth pony stallion was relatively alright.

Inside was designed with upper and lower sections. And were nearly all filled with drained ponies looking like they were just asleep. Some were and some were sitting there frustrated how weak they were. I heard some grunting and groaning as some tried to move, but couldn’t. Eve was in the front row, kneeling down in front of a unicorn mare while looking like she was struggling to hold onto something. My heart dropped into my stomach when Eve knelt down and picked up a foal from her arms.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy whispered while passing me at a jog to get to the young foal. Their hooves barely made any sound on the thick carpet that lined the isles. Eve finally noticed us when we approached; looking a little surprised to see us. Even more surprised when she saw me.

“Madam Fluttershy,” she said with a little shock in her voice but stopped dead after seeing me. “My Prin-” With a knowing smirk, I ruffled my new wings a little letting her have a look. When her eyes met mine, her face was frozen with wide-eyed surprise mixed with a little bit of arousal, I think, in them as well.

While Eve was stricken with shock and awe, Fluttershy gently took the weak foal in her arms. “Oh my,” she whispered, dread in her voice, and on her face when I looked over. “This foal needs help right away.” Fluttershy looked over to Twilight as she neared. “Twilight is there any way to replace some magic into the mother and foal? This foal is too weak and needs his mother.”

“Maybe,” Twilight stepped forward and gently put a hand on the foal. I also looked on now worried for the foal while my mind went back to how the tree transferred magic to me. It had me thinking if I could do the same. Without an answer to draw upon, I remembered the Tree saying that we were connected. So, I wondered… Could she help from a distance? “I’m not familiar with any method of a magical transfer outside of what the Tree of Harmony did for Fred.” Closing my eyes, I tried reaching out to the Tree via whatever connection I had with her.

Touch the foal.

With that response echoing in my head, and after opening my eyes again, I stepped forward. Twilight stood aside after seeing the look in my eyes, then gently rested my hand on the foal’s chest. Immediately after touching the foal, I felt a transfer of magic. The girls were silently watching the transfer while the foal started crying again. That was not only music to my ears but the girls also, as well as the mother.

“Oh thank you,” she said weakly, but her voice was that of a happy mother.

“How’d you do that?” Twilight asked with a voice nearly a whisper as she looked up to me in sudden surprise and awe. Similar to the same look she gives Mother from time to time.

“The foal is doing better,” Fluttershy was happy at that and so was I. But the foal needed his mother. Without a word, I turned around and knelt down before the young unicorn mare. Then gently took her hand in mine where once more, I felt the transfer of magic from me into her. Her breathing deepened and quickened. When done, I stayed kneeling in front of her when Fluttershy came up and returned the crying foal into his mother’s arms.

“Oh thank you, so much. Thank you,” she cried, taking her son into her arms again. Because the foal was crying, she immediately started unbuttoning her top. “He’s been hungry and I didn’t have the strength to feed him much less hold him.” After she pulled her shirt aside, the little foal latched onto her nipple like a missile.

“Oh you’re quite welcome,” Fluttershy cooed at the sight as the mother sat back happily holding her son. “We have a newborn as well and we’re so happy that we could help.”

“Perhaps you, or any of you here, could help us?” I asked, looking around. “Do any of you know where Discord and Tirek went off to?”

“Yeah, we’ll stop them no worries,” Rainbow encouraged with a chuckle from behind me.

“Come on, help all of us,” a stallion from within the crowd called out.

With a helpless sigh, I scanned the crowd. “Sorry, but I’ll need all the strength that I can to defeat Discord and Tirek. Transferring magic is only for mares with little foals because there’s a chance that a foal won’t survive. You will, it will just feel like you won’t because you feel so weak. You will be just fine but the foals won’t be.”

“I heard that they were headed toward the castle,” the mother told us, worry in her eyes. “Tirek said that he was going after the princesses.”

“We need to hurry then,” AJ spoke up, worry and concern in her voice.

“Yeah, let’s go get them,” Rainbow seconded that.

“Twilight? Can you teleport us outside of the throne room?”

“Yes, Fred, I can,” she replied with a short nod.

With a nod, I got out my stun gun putting it on the highest setting. “Good. Girls? Put your stunners on the highest setting.” Then turned to look at each of them in turn. “Aim for Discord first. Hopefully, we’ll catch him off guard enough to knock him out. I’m hoping that Tirek doesn’t have the power to teleport, but we’ll see. If we can’t get Discord then just try to take out Tirek at least.”

“Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie’s smile was like some soldier looking forward to a mission. And it wasn’t just her smile either. There seemed to be a wicked look on her face as well. Then took a pose like one of the girls from Charlie’s Angels.

Rainbow even joined her by taking a similar pose, putting her back against Pinkie’s. “Alright, I’m ready.”

Eve took a glance over at me looking slightly offended. However, she took out her stunner and waited to be teleported.

Twilight just rolled her eyes as the mother thanked us one more time just before Twilight teleported us.

^_^

Twilight had teleported us directly outside of the throne room where supposedly Discord and Tirek went. We weren’t far from the two large double doors where two guards were laying back against the wall. Drained of magic. Looking back at the girls, I put a finger to my lips to keep them quiet. Eve immediately, and quietly, went over to the guard on my right, so I tip-toed to the one on my left. My ears were picking up talking from inside which sounded like the two of them. “Are they inside?” I asked in a hushed whisper.

His nod was slow and weak, as was the look in his eyes when he looked at me. “Yes, my Prince,” he whispered back weakly. “They’re inside and I believe they’ve done something to the princesses. Because we heard one of them say something about Tartarus.”

“Sounds like one of them sent the princesses to Tartarus,” Twilight whispered as she knelt down next to me.

“The other guard said the same thing,” Eve confirmed as she came over to us.

“Thank you, sir,” I said to the guard trying to comfort him as best I could. “You’ll be fine, trust me. You’ll just feel weak for a while until your body recovers enough to walk or we get everypony’s magic back. Whichever comes first.” Motioning for Twilight and Eve to stand, I walked back over to the girls. “Alright, the guards said that Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence are probably in Tartarus right now. And I think they’re still inside. I’ll protect us from Tirek as long as I can while the rest of you try and stun them, got it?” One by one they nodded to me.

Once back at the door, I motioned for Twilight to quieten the hinges. That way it could be opened completely silent. After a nod from her, I gripped the door and slowly pulled it open. Their conversation hit my ears making me pause with a raised hand.

“Here take this,” Tirek’s voice came through the crack, “it was from my brother. As a symbol of our partnership in taking over Equestria.” Taking a peek through the door, I watched Discord take some sort of necklace with a pendant on it from Tirek. Discord looked it over then with a smile, put it around his neck.

“Now that I know this is a true partnership,” Discord responded with a wicked evil smile, “there’s something that you need to know.”

“And that is? We already know that the princesses don’t have their magic. And that they gave it to this Princess Twilight you told me about. What more is there?”

I watched a grin spread over Discord’s face. “Sunbutt has a son.”

Tirek’s face showed shock for a second before he shook his head with a laugh. “Impossible.”

“Very possible,” Discord said looking a little agitated. “Not only has the twerp returned to Equestria. Not only has he pushed to free his fellow humans, that I’ve worked so hard to bring here in the first place.” That got my attention. Did he bring them here? “But he’s also befriended Twilight and her friends. And what’s worse, is that Fluttershy has fallen in love with him. She’s even carrying his bastard foal.” That really got my anger boiling.

“I didn’t think it possible,” Tirek mused, then shook his head. “I can deal with him later after I have enough magic.”

“For that, you’ll need to drain the Tree of Harmony,” Discord grinned with an evil glint in his eyes. “It won’t be easy for even my chaos magic is powerless against it. That is the one thing that my magic can’t affect. After you drain the Tree of Harmony, nothing will be able to stop us.”

That made me feel better knowing that the Tree can effectively protect Lilly from them both.

“Then take me to this Tree of Harmony.”

I didn’t hesitate. With a loud war cry, I used my magic to force the doors off their hinges with enough force to toss them across the room. It was a surprise attack that hopefully had enough of a distraction to catch them off guard. With a loud bang, the doors snapped off their hinges and flew across the throne room. “Girls, Now!” I yelled running into the room with the girls running in with me. Having one chance at this, I prepared to unleash a powerful energy ball as fast as I could. Hopefully about the same speed, if not faster, than a bullet going supersonic. Quickly, I turned the palms of my hands close to each other growing the most powerful energy force I could muster.

As the girls fanned out behind me, the doors reached the two of them but were thrown aside by an upset Tirek. The doors crashed into the walls of the throne room, cracking the stone wall before falling to the floor with a groan of twisted metal. They didn’t hesitate either to use their stunners. Just as the doors went their separate ways, seven arches of electricity and magic dashed between them toward Discord and Tirek. To my surprise, and good cheers, four of the stun blasts hit Discord with the other three stunning Tirek.

Now was my chance. Magic and energy swirled around me like a hurricane as it quickly condensed into a powerful energy ball. It might have been about the size of a tennis ball, but it crackled with enough power and force to crack the stone floor underneath me. With another war cry yell, I sent the energy ball hurtling toward Tirek. It left me at supersonic speeds close to that of a Colt forty-five. It left a trail of cracked scorched stone as it traveled across the throne room. Being supersonic though, it was as if those cracks and burn marks suddenly appeared on the floor. At the same time, Tirek wasn’t prepared for it and therefore it hit Tirek square center in the chest much to my satisfaction. Tirek’s painful cry of surprise was music to my ears as he was lifted off the floor to go crashing through the throne before hitting the back wall. His impact created a small explosion and sent limestone flying in all directions. Tirek groaned as he lay in a small crater at the base of the wall. The wall itself had cracks all along its face with some of the wall partially covering him. Unfortunately, it didn’t kill him, but he was definitely cooked. Most of the fur on his chest was gone, leaving nothing more than a large angry red spot in its place. Down, but not out.

“DISCORD!” Fluttershy stomped past me with her stunner out and aimed directly at Discord. And firing off shot after shot as fast as she could with an angry look that I’ve never seen before in either world. Nor did I think she was even capable of it. But hey, never mess with a mother, right? “DON’T YOU DARE HURT MY FOAL!” As Fluttershy was stepping forward, the rest of the girls had taken up flanking positions on each side of her. Also firing off shots as fast as they could. Meanwhile, Discord was too busy trying to keep himself from getting hit. Both of his hands were flying back and forth trying to fend off the arches of magic and electricity. However, some got through, but it didn’t knock him out. He was starting to stumble as more and more stun blasts hit him. “I TRUSTED YOU. YOU WERE MY FRIEND.”

With the girls keeping Discord busy, I chose to go after Tirek. Running toward the back of the throne room, I send powerful magic ball after ball toward Tirek. However, he was still awake enough to put up a protective force field of his own. And it was more powerful than Shining Armor’s was. “Ittou Shura!” was my cry after jumping over what was left of the throne. The air around me swirled with magical power that sent stone debris rolling away from me across the floor. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get through with just one punch.

“I WANTED YOU TO BABYSIT MY FOAL!” Fluttershy screamed, still firing off shots at him with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Landing on the floor in front of Tirek’s shield, I started pounding on it while putting magic behind every punch. The energy released with each punch echoed with a low rumble through the floor and walls of the throne room. My eyes watched Tirek struggling to keep the shield up as it started cracking. And my ears gleefully picked up the groaning sounds of his struggles.

“Discord, get us out of here,” Tirek groaned out and unfortunately, Discord heard him. While stumbling backward away from the furious Fluttershy while looking resolutely terrified of her, he snapped his fingers. Where Discord and Tirek disappeared in a flash of chaos magic.

“Aww, they got away,” Pinkie whined with her head down.

“Damn.”

“Tarnation, we nearly had them.”

The sound of Fluttershy’s soft crying drew me to her as it did the rest of the girls. When I turned around and started walking over to her, she was still pointing the stunner where Discord was previously standing. Even though she wasn’t pulling the trigger, her hands were shaking. With tears coming down her cheeks there was a strong mix of deep hurt and fury etched on her face. But as the girls started surrounding her, she slowly lowered the stunner. That all gave way to sobbing as the girls pulled her into one big group hug. Of course, Eve was standing off to the side not knowing what to do about it or herself.

After stepping up to her, I laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s ok,” I whispered to her because it was clear she’s uncomfortable with these types of situations. That she doesn’t know what to do. With an acknowledged nod from her, I turned and walked over to the group hug.

“Why?” Fluttershy cried from inside the group hug. “Why is he doing this?”

“I don’t know, Fluttershy,” I said softly, now standing behind Twilight and Rarity that Fluttershy was standing in front of. Both of them were holding onto Fluttershy directly. When Fluttershy heard me, she looked up at me with tear-stained eyes. “It makes logical sense, though, that Tirek said something to him that appealed to Discord. He was on our side first, obviously caught Tirek, then Tirek talked Discord into joining him. Probably promising him something.”

“Makes sense,” Twilight agreed.

“If anything will turn him back around, it’s Fluttershy,” Rainbow chuckled with a smirk on her face while patting Fluttershy on the back. “Especially after meeting an angry Fluttershy. Did you guys see his face? That was a look of pure terror.”

“Yes, I caught it,” I responded to her with a slight smirk of my own. “However, right now we need to concentrate on stopping them.”

“Where do we go?”

“Easy, AJ. Back to the Tree of Harmony,” I told her. “Because Tirek wants to try and drain the Tree. So, we know he’ll show up eventually. And we’ll be waiting.”

^_^

Twilight teleported us back to the tree which she didn’t want to do because of reasons. One of them was the distance. Second was the short time she’s had this much power. But, I simply told her that we were confident that she could do it. Everything was fine when we appeared at the tree again. Lilly was still asleep in the leaf crib being serenaded by softly chirping birds. The larger animals have taken up watch at the top of the stairs. While Philomena, Angelfeather, and Harmony looked bored out of their minds. And no sign of either Discord or Tirek. But when we showed up, Philomena, Angelfeather, and Harmony got up and walked over to us hoping for an update.

“What happened? Did you get them?” Harmony asked while Fluttershy and I made our way around them to Lilly’s leaf crib.

“No, they got away,” Pinkie’s head slumped in disappointment.

“But we got him good though,” Rainbow said sounding happy. “Fred even burned Tirek, but good before they turned around and ran.”

“Unfortunately, those two ruffians are on their way here.”

I stood by Fluttershy while she reached in gently stroking Lilly’s head. Putting an arm around her, I held her to me. She leaned into me as we looked down at our daughter. Fluttershy had stopped crying, but she was still sniffling and still emotional over Discord’s betrayal. “No matter what,” I whispered kissing her cheek, “we’ll keep her safe.”

She tilted her head up, looking up at me with her tear-stained hurt eyes. “I know,” she said softly through a sniffle or two then pulled my head down for a lingering soft kiss. “I just wish...Discord...” As I held her she sniffed once more with tears threatening to fall again. And all was quiet except for Fluttershy’s soft sniffling and the hushed talks of the girls behind me.

Until…

“Did somepony call me?” I didn’t have to turn around to know who that was. The Tree of Harmony immediately took action by putting up a shield between him and us. It wasn’t just any shield, but one that would keep Tirek out.

Fluttershy immediately rounded on him as the girls pulled out their stunners. “Why?! Why are you doing this?! I thought we were friends!”

Discord was standing at the foot of the stairs with a knowing smirk on his face. The animals immediately sprung into action, but he held up his hand, “I wouldn’t do anything if I were you.” With a snap of his fingers, he had Spike, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo held captive within his chaos magic. “Or something might happen to them.” He was serious about it, too. If by the devious evil look on his face was any proof. The animals stopped instantly as the girls held their fire.

“We were friends, Fluttershy. But then two things happened.” He glared down at me, “For one, you joined with that useless bag of water. And Tirek is going to give me something for more valuable than simple friendship.” Another snap of his fingers later, and Tirek appeared laying on the ground next to him. He didn’t look too well either. His chest was still angry red from my handiwork and he was out like a light. “Now then,” he said while still glaring at me, “heal Tirek or they go squish.”

Nothing was said nor any of the animals made a sound save for Fluttershy’s quiet crying. “Twilight?”

She turned her head around with surprise on her face, but after a look at me, she nodded putting down her stunner. Then with a sigh to calm herself with, she stepped out of the Tree’s protective shield making her way over to the unconscious Tirek.

“My sister better not get hurt, Discord.”

“Well my dear, Applejack,” Discord sneered at her, “if Twilight does her job, then she won’t be.”

The tension was through the canopy as every eye was watching Twilight hold up a hand toward Tirek. And started healing him.

“Discord,” Fluttershy sobbed as I held her, “don’t do this.”

Tirek started to groan as he woke up. When Discord didn’t say anything, it was only a couple of seconds later for Tirek to get fully healed. That’s when Twilight walked backward back toward us and through the shield again as Tirek stood up.

“Fine! Tirek is healed, so let our sisters and Spike go,” Rarity was standing there with barely controlled anger. Much like the rest of us.

Discord didn’t answer her directly, nor did he let them go either. But as Tirek got up and stood by his side, Discord said, “Now’s your chance to drain the Tree of Harmony.”

“I’m not powerful enough for that yet,” Tirek retorted back. “However...”

“However, what?” Discord asked, now looking a little confused, not to mention agitated. “What more do you need?”

“Oh, just a little bit of...chaos.” Just when Discord looked at Tirek, he took Discord’s head in his hands immediately started draining him. During a couple of seconds it took for Tirek to drain Discord we were too shocked at what was happening to do anything. So, was Discord. By the time Discord got over his shock to try and do anything, it was too late. Tirek had drained Discord of every bit of his chaos magic. It also freed Discord’s hostages to the ground where the animals were encouraging them away by gently pulling on their clothes. As they ran past Tirek and the now drained and mortal Discord, Tirek laughed at him. “You really thought we were a team? I don’t need anyone.”

“But...but, I forced them to heal you.” He then held up the necklace, “And you gave me this.”

“As useless and meaningless as my traitorous brother,” Tirek laughed again.

This was our chance. While Tirek was busy laughing at Discord, it was our time to strike. “EVERYPONY, NOW!” I quickly put together another powerful orb of magic and shot at Tirek with it through our protective shield. He wasn’t prepared for it and hit him square in the chest again. That’s when all hell broke loose. Philomena was first with a furious and terrifying screech with her whole body engulfing itself in fire. In a move that seemed just as fast as Rainbow, she flew toward and then around Tirek as fast as she could. The end result was surrounding him in a tower of flames.

With Tirek temporarily busy, and probably still being pelted with stun blasts, I looked over to Twilight. “Twilight! Now’s your chance to go after him. We’ll hold the fort.”

She gave me a slow somber nod then pulled a move that would have made Rainbow jealous. It was like she was there one second then sending Tirek into the far rock wall the next. As the flames dissipated, Twilight was standing there looking more than simply angry. She was furious. The impact didn’t knock Tirek out, but it did knock him for a loop. But Twilight didn’t lighten up though because a second later both of them were gone in a flash of magic. Another second later there was a large explosion high above us.

“Yeah! Give it to him, Twilight!” Rainbow shouted, thrusting her hand up into the air.

“Apple Bloom,” AJ nearly screamed, happily running over to give her sister a hug.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity happily did the same, running over giving her own sister a hug.

Scootaloo, meanwhile, walked up beside Rainbow and started cheering Twilight on. “Go, Twilight!”

Fluttershy wasn’t cheering. Instead, she held onto me as she gently started pulling me toward Discord. “Tell me why, Discord,” Fluttershy asked softly. And even though her voice was soft it was mixed with hurt over being betrayed and restrained fury at what he’s done. “Why have you done this? We were friends. I trusted you. I wanted Lilly to get to know you.” Tears started falling again as she glared down at him with deep hurt in her eyes. “WHY?”

He just laid there looking pitiful, not even bothering to look up at her. Personally, I had a strung hunch of why.

“Why?” Fluttershy asked again, softly crying in my arms now burying her head in my chest.

“I was jealous.” He said it so softly, I wasn’t sure I heard him.

“What?” Fluttershy asked again, obviously not hearing him.

“I was jealous, ok? I was jealous. You chose him,” Discord lifted a shaking arm, pointing it toward me. “You chose to love him and have a foal with that useless, disgusting piece of meat...human.”

“Don’t you dare say anything against Fred!” Fluttershy turned her head and glared at Discord in my defense.

“I second that,” Rarity said now walking over to us. “You will not say anything bad about him.”

“So, what’s so special about him?”

“He’s been nothing, but kind and understanding,” Fluttershy said while smiling up at me. “And I love him.”

“He’s more generous than even I am and has earned my own love in return,” Rarity also smiled at me.

“I love him, too,” Pinkie said, walking over. “He makes me happy. And I want to have a foal with him as well.”

Next was AJ and even Rainbow also walked up with Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Spike standing behind them. AJ looked over to me with a nervous smile before taking a breath. “I love him, too.” Then she blushed, “Don’t know about a foal yet though.”

Rainbow’s face looked red as a beet when our eyes met. However, she sheepishly said in a soft voice that was almost a whisper, “I...um…I love him, too.”

“He’s worth leaving Canterlot for,” Harmony said as Philomena and Angelfeather came up to stand on either side of Fluttershy and I.

“He allowed me to chose whether or not to go home,” Angelfeather leaned up and pulled my head down to rub her cheek against mine. “And I’ve seen how he treats others.”

“He’s my mate,” Philomena simply said with a smirk.

Discord was about to say something but didn’t get the chance. Matter of fact, none of the girls had a chance to say anything because they all disappeared. Discord, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity had all disappeared.

“Wait, where did they go?”

I looked down at Spike with a foreboding thought. “I fear that Tirek has taken them for some reason.”

“Why?” Harmony asked as the animals started to get riled.

“If it was Tirek, then more than likely it would be to take them hostage in order to force Twilight into giving him all their magic.” I paused while reasoning it out. “If that is the case then the next stop is right here. With that amount of magical power, he will be able to drain the Tree of Harmony.” I looked around, “Lucy?” After a screech, I turned my head to her and held out an arm for her. She landed on my arm. “Lucy? We’ll need to prepare to do our best to protect Lilly and the Tree of Harmony. When he arrives, you and the other birds must go for the vitals. Eyes first, then the throat. Tell all the other animals to have them do what they can.” She saluted with a wing and took off toward the other birds.

Next, I turned to Philomena, “You’ll be my second distraction. The animals won’t last long against Tirek, so when he throws them aside. You’ll surround him with fire again while I prepare to use the rest of my magic to kill him.” Philomena nodded to me. Then I turned to Sweetie Belle and the other three of them. “Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Spike? Go ahead and get behind the Tree of Harmony’s protective barrier. She and I will protect you until the end. Go.” Reluctantly, they each gave me a nod before walking past me toward the Tree.

“What about us?”

“Harmony? Angelfeather?” I looked over to them with dread in my eyes. “Try and keep them safe for as long as you can.” Walking over to Lilly in the crib, I gently laid a hand on her. Surprisingly, during all this, she was still asleep. More than likely the Tree was keeping her asleep somehow during all of this. “If I fail, then you are the only hope we have to stop him.”

“Can you?” Spike asked.

“Fred!” came Philomena’s shout and the screeching of birds. Turning around showed that Tirek had shown up. And he had Twilight and the rest of the girls along with Discord hostage in some type of small spheres. But as the birds attacked he lost concentration and they dropped to the ground. While using my magic to pull the girls into the protective field of the Tree of Harmony, minus Discord, I heard Lucy’s screech. She was dive-bombing Tirek from above with her wings folded tight against her body.

“Thanks, Fred,” Twilight moaned a little after setting her down close to her unopened chest. When she slowly stood up, I noticed that she had something around her neck. Taking a closer quick look, my eyes caught a glimpse of the same necklace that Discord was wearing.

And I was about to wonder why, when Tirek’s sudden painful shout caught my ears. I quickly turned around and started running toward Philomena outside of the Tree’s protective shield. I was soo proud of Lucy. She had plucked one of his eyes right out of his socket. He was screaming in agony while holding his head with streams of blood flowing from the now empty eye socket. “Animals scatter! Philomena, now!”

As the animals scattered, and while I gathered as much magical energy as I could, Philomena sprung into action. With a powerful furious screech of her own, her whole body ignited in fire and flew at Tirek with a speed Rainbow would have been proud of. She didn’t just fly at him. But Tirek was engulfed in flames when Philomena’s clawed talon foot impacted his chest. But she wasn’t done yet because she started clawing at his throat that was already scratched up due to the birds.

While Tirek was busy, I had used most of my magic to produce a similar ball of magic like the one I’ve already used on him. Though thanks to the power upgrade, it was times more powerful than before. It was pulsing brightly between my hands as the air itself seemed electrified. And not a moment too soon, Philomena was thrown aside and the flames dissipated as Tirek used his magic in one powerful blast.

That gave me the perfect opportunity. The orb seemed to burn the air as it flew toward Tirek. The area exploded outward in heat and magic as it impacted his chest sending him back into the far wall behind him for the second time. This time by me. I didn’t waste any time either but snapped my own fingers teleporting both Tirek and myself far up into the air. My face was nothing but fury while his was filled with shock and fear after suddenly realizing where he was. “You won’t ever be a threat to my family or any other family ever again,” I growled to him as he began to fall. He could still use his magic even with his injuries. But I couldn’t let him. Using my new wings, I propelled myself down toward him as fast as I could while putting what power I could into my closed fists. “For my family,” I screamed down at him and pelting him with punch after punch as he fell to the ground. He tried fending me off, but my fury held no bounds as my fist met his face time after time. But it was time that was in short supply as the ground was quickly coming up to meet us. So, I wanted to finish him with another blast. I gathered it quickly and it left my hands just as quickly hitting him hard and fast enough to send him to the ground like a fallen star.

While I used my wings to slow myself down, I watched Tirek hit the ground like a comet. The impact could be heard, and felt, for miles around. Thanks to my new wings, I was able to land and walk up to the crater he left behind. He wasn’t moving, so I used what magic I had left to lift him out of the crater to lay him on the ground in front of me. And he didn’t look so well.

“Go ahead,” he groaned out weakly, looking up to me with only one eye which was black and blue. “Finish...it.”

And I intended to. Even went so far as to take his head within my magic with the intention of snapping it. Until I felt Twilight’s hand on my outstretched arm. All six of them looking infused with magic. And all of them were simply knock-out gorgeous. They each started giggling at me due to the silly goofy look on my face. Every one of them had magic swirling around them of every color of the rainbow. The same rainbow color was in their hair and in their clothes. Twilight simply shook her head at me.

I wanted to kill him. Badly. However, I let go of Tirek’s head, lowered my arm, and stepped away from him. When I was far enough away, my eyes widened in awe to see all six of them get surrounded by rainbow magic. Their eyes went pure white right before a beam of magic from each of them, one of each color, hit Tirek. My eyes shifted back to Tirek to watch the rainbow beam drain him completely of his magic. And leave him looking like an old dried-out husk of what he used to be. After it was done, I looked over to them. “What now?”

Twilight stepped up next to me, “He’ll go back to Tartarus.”

“Then let me take him then. And let me give back my Mother’s, Aunt Luna’s, and Cadence’s magic. Please?” For a second, she looked at me with skepticism. “I promise I won’t kill him.” With a nod, Twilight took my hand, held it up, and after raising her own three magical orbs floated over to my hand then disappearing inside of it. With that, I knew how to get into Tartarus and how to give them their magic back. But one thing was left. “And Discord? He can’t receive his magic ever again. I want him to keep his promise.” Another nod later, and Twilight kept her hand up with another orb appearing. This time, though, the orb shot straight up and kept on going more than likely to the stars above. With Discord’s magic gone, she opened a portal to Tartarus with a wave of her hand.

After that, each of them took to the sky, one per direction. It was over with only one thing left to do. As I looked down at Tirek, he looked over to the portal to Tartarus. “I thought...you would...take care of...me.”

“And I will,” I said while producing a sword made of pure flames with one hand, then raised his head with the other. “I promised not to kill you and I won’t. However, you won’t be able to use your magic ever again.” Two swift slices later, and his horns fell to the ground as the flames immediately cauterized the wound. “Your ability to drain magic lies within your horns, so I took them away from you.” He tried to struggle away from me, but it was of no use. The flaming sword disappeared and in its place, a small claw made of flames. “And now I’ll take your sight. Because I didn’t promise not to maim you.” His eye widened in horror just before I plunged the sharp flame-like claw into his eye. It was sharp enough and hot enough to pull out his eye and cauterize the wound at the same time. Naturally, he screamed in pain.

“Curse you, curse you, you pesky human. Curse you to the most painful death possible.” As he cursed away, I picked him up in my magic and walked through the portal into Tartarus. It was indeed similar to hell, just without the flames. Cerberus stood in front of me just off to one side. After stopping in front of him, I looked up at him and narrowed my eyes. Needless to say, I wasn’t happy with him. “He doesn’t escape again. Understand me?”

All three heads growled directly at me with each one lowering closer to me.

“CERBERUS!” He stopped growling, now looking at me with wide shocked eyes. “SIT! HEEL!” His butt his the ground with all three heads lowering themselves in front of me now looking like a whipped puppy. “Understand, Cerberus?”

He whined and nodded all three heads.

“Good,” I said and started down a long aisle that had cages of all sizes on either side of me. But the one I was going to was the largest one at the end where Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence were held.

When I got close enough, my Mother raised her head and gave me a proud and happy smile. After raising my hand toward them, the three orbs I was given floated out of my hand and back where they belong. Each of them took in a long deep breath in satisfaction before standing up. “I’m so proud of you, my sunshine boy,” Mother said, walking out and passing by Tirek on her way to hug me. As Mother hugged me, which I returned happily, I lifted my hand and floated Tirek into the cage. Then shut it, and locking it, closed.

“Nephew?” was all Aunt Luna had to ask for me to know what she was really asking me.

With a sigh, I pulled away from Mother and looked to Tirek, who was looking the most pitiful I’ve ever seen. “I promised that I wouldn’t kill him. And I didn’t. However, he threatened and stole magic from my family. He can’t be allowed to ever do so again, even if he escaped again. His draining ability lies within his horns, so I took them from him. Even if he escaped and finds some way to take magic once again. He’ll have a hard time of it if he can’t see what he’s doing.” Mother and Aunt Luna seemed to understand. Cadence, however, was another story. “I won’t apologize for it because no one threatens my family. This is why Discord is never going to get his magic back. He made a promise that if he failed to stop Tirek then he would get rid of his magic. The girls did that by sending his chaos magic to the heavens. He’s forever mortal.”

“And the magic he stole?” Aunt Luna asked.

“Is being returned to everypony as we speak by the girls. And one other thing.” I paused while they gave me a nod. “It was Discord that brought the humans here. And I’ll bet that it was him that encouraged them to attack the towns as well.”

They were angry to be sure. But all Mother did was take a calm steadying breath and put her arm around me with a prideful smile. “Let’s go home, my sunshine boy.”

^_^

Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence didn’t say anything to anypony else about what I did to Tirek. I was thankful for that because I wasn’t sure if some of them would understand. Twilight would and maybe AJ and Rainbow. The other three, not so much. I also didn’t promise that I wouldn’t kill him if he ever got loose either. If Tirek wanted to survive, then he better stay in his cage where he belonged. Or face me again.

Discord was another matter. The only thing I wanted to do was be with Fluttershy and Lilly with the rest of the girls. And doing nothing, but having some alone time with all of them. The immediate first thing I did was return to the Tree to pick up my daughter while Fluttershy and the girls were busy restoring magic to everypony. Everypony was pleased to hear that Tirek was defeated and even happier to hear that Discord would never get his magic back. As the animals returned to either Fluttershy’s cottage or a forest, I made my heartfelt thanks to Lucy. A testament to what she stands for.

As for Discord, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Spike, Philomena, Angelfeather, and Harmony, we started heading toward Ponyville again. Especially after hearing a loud rumble in the distance then seeing a large crystal castle rising from the ground just outside of town. When we got there, it was nothing short of a party for the whole town.

The whole town was in celebration, including my Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence at Twilight’s new castle. Of course, Fluttershy was still a shy one. So, while the party was going on, we were in a private room as Fluttershy nursed our daughter.

“I know you are sorry, Discord,” Fluttershy said while Lilly suckled on a teat. I stood behind her while she sat in a chair at a table while Discord sat in the other one. “But you did make a promise and my friends all agree that you should keep that promise. That is why we sent your chaos magic to the stars. And if you want to earn my friendship again Discord, then you will go to Canterlot and tell the truth to the Equestrian Council about what you’ve done. Why would brought the humans here and why you tricked them into attacking the towns. And help Fred put an end to human slavery.”

“I will, Fluttershy,” he said with a voice sounding remorseful and a face to match it. He genuinely looked sad with regret. “I had friendship and magic. Now, I don’t have either. But I meant what I said when Twilight received the necklace. I’ll do what I must to earn your friendship again. I never really appreciated what I had when I had it. But I do now after losing it.”

“Good,” Fluttershy gave him a nod then looked down to Lilly. “my aren’t you hungry aren’t you?”

With that short discussion over, all we had to do was wait for the party to either end or if there was a way we could slip out unnoticed.

^_^

Mother, Aunt Luna, Cadence, Discord, and I were able to slip out unobserved by the town while they partied on. During the trip, Discord told us what Tirek said to encourage him to follow Tirek. Then told Mother, Aunt Luna, and Cadence about wanting to earn Fluttershy’s friendship once more. Mother said that for the first time in her long life that this was the first time that Discord looked truly remorseful and in grief about his previous actions. For the moment, I was simply happy that he’ll never have his powers ever again. Mother had already called for an emergency meeting of the Equestrian Council and would convene shortly after our arrival in Canterlot. Which meant that it didn’t take long for the Council to be ready for us after we got there.

About an hour after arriving in Canterlot, we have all dressed up for the occasion minus my shirt. Now that I had wings and the fact that there was trouble putting anything resembling a shirt on, I wanted to show them off and went topless. Cadence walked in with us dressed in her best royal dress, but the gasps from the Council were when they saw me with wings. My large black wings were spread out far and as wide in royal fashion as I followed Mother to the front of the room. With Discord beside me, I stood in front of the raised throne platform facing the Council.

“Thank you all for coming to this emergency meeting,” Mother began using her regal tone of voice. “As you can see, my son has wings and Discord is here with us. A lot has happened in the past few days with a lot of new information. That new information is regarding the humans and how they got here plus why they attacked the Equestrian towns long ago.”

Everypony was quiet as Discord took a few steps forward to stand in the middle of the room. “I no longer have any chaos magic, or any other magic, anymore. It is my punishment for our actions. I’m doing this so I can earn back Fluttershy’s friendship.” He paused for a breath, held his head down, and continued. The whole place was silent while he spoke. “I brought some humans here long ago to amuse me. They are a species ripe with chaos. And as they multiplied, it was clear that more chaos can be done through them if pushed in the right direction. I was the one to push them into attacking those towns years ago. They attacked because I tricked them into believing that an army was going to destroy them.”

Nothing was said for a good few seconds while the council members seemed to take it all in. Until finally, one of them spoke, a mare from the top row. She stood up saying, “So, you’re telling us that the whole situation regarding the humans is because of you?”

“Yes.”

Another one stood up with, “And they only attacked the towns because you tricked them into doing so?”

“Yes.”

“And you stand there with no magic at all?”

He shook his head, “I have no magic anymore.”

“And you’re here telling us this now because you want this Fluttershy to be friends with you again?”

“Yes.”

Another pause before another stallion stood up. It so happens to be the same one that I yelled at from before when I was here last.

“So what if the humans of the past were talked into it? It doesn’t excuse what they’ve done!”

“I’m not saying it does,” I looked over to him with a glare. “The humans of the past that attacked those towns were defeated and punished. Meanwhile, the humans of today and ever since have been continually punished for the crimes of their ancestors. Now that the truth is known, it’s time for slavery to end. And let them live in peace and let those who wish to leave for the human world leave in peace. We are going to vote whether to end slavery or not within Equestrian borders.” Now I grinned while looking around at them. “You have the choice to vote for or against. But it will be known across all of Equestria that it was Discord who was responsible for the humans. And thus responsible indirectly for their continued slavery. Thus every council member who voted to extend slavery even with this new knowledge will also be published in every Equestrian newspaper. We want to be fully transparent about this, thus why the public at large will know who voted for or against ending slavery.”

Some of the members took this in stride. However, there were a good few that looked rather pale when they heard that. The stallion I had argued with before stammered a little before his shocked voice cut through the silence again. “You...you can’t do that. If you publish the full vote count with names, then anypony that voted for slavery won’t have a career in the council anymore. It will be political suicide to continue with slavery after the public found out.”

And that was music to my ears. “Then I think you have a rather big decision to make.”

Discord turned and walked back over to me while Mother called for the vote. I wasn’t worried because there was one thing that was constant between worlds. Political greed. Everypony on the council had status and power which would be taken away if the public ever found out they voted to keep human slavery after hearing what Discord said. And they wanted to keep their power at any cost. So, that meant that not very many members would vote to keep slavery. That much was plain to see as the numbers were visible on the wall behind Mother as they were being counted. And when the numbers were finally totaled, I couldn’t wait to see the morning headline in the newspaper.

And there you have it. A Lost Heir is officially complete. Thank you all for reading, commenting, and putting this story in your favorites. Let me know what you think of these last three chapters. Let me know what you think of the direction, I took with the characters. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

There will be two or three "Extra" chapters regarding The Crystal Empire and Shining Armor, Angelfeather's wedding, and their honeymoon. After those, I'll put a link to the short story about Fred returning to the human world during Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks.