//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4- Tirek: I am no ally to ponies! 
// Story: A Little Hope 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

 I can barely stand, what is this? Where is the grassland? This concrete at my hooves...The prison. Discord! I will smash him, I...This cannot be. My arms are limp, my muscles, gone. This is not how the son of King Vorak should be.
“I am Lord Tirek!”
Do you hear me, father? I am not weak! I am not...weak. If that is true, then why did Cadance, Princess of the Crystal Empire, not even flinch? Is it my feeble voice? This isn’t right! I am a Centaur of Noble birth! Yet she sits there, with that look in her eyes. Mocking me! That same pitying look Scorpan had! How dare she look down on me! I am Lord Tirek, Son of King Vorak, Pride of the Centaur Army! I am not weak! 
“I will devour yo- what?”
Why is she pointing at that brat on the throne...She can’t be serious. Is that tiny little thing her successor? 
“I am Lord Tirek! I have lain waste to thousands! I will not bandy words with such a weak individual...Stronger than you? That child?...Princess Flurry Heart? I could devour her magic in an instant!... You dare challenge me, so be it! Come here, brat!”
Ha! That was easy...Too easy. The guards haven’t moved a muscle and her own mother seems unconcerned. No matter, I’ll steal her magic and...Nothing’s happening. She is just smiling at me almost like she’s happy. What is this? 
“Why can’t I steal your magic?... Not part of the Harmony? Hope?...Grrr. Well, your mother is under no such protection...Urghh!”
That hurt! I flew at least twenty hoof-lengths. How is this possible? She barely kicked me, how could the Princess of Love cause so much pain? I, Lord Tirek, brought to kneel before lowly ponies? How can this be?
“200 years since we last fought?... I see. You’ve made some magical advancements since then. Then why...Your daughter...A room for me?... So be it, Princess. I shall comply, for now.”

***

No doubt, I’ll be locked away in a cage again; like some common criminal. What is this? A feathered bed? A nightstand? Even a radio?... Is this some trick? Am I not a prisoner?
“...Is it to my liking? I...Not bad, though I wonder why...A guest? Do you think me so pathetic?... Yes, strength is important to me...You would set up a special area for me to train? For what purpose?...Because it makes me happy? I...What is this?... If I get hungry, just ring this bell?... You’ve instructed your staff to treat me like a royal guest?... Alright. Tomorrow we can talk. I grow weary, and I am quite tired. Good night, Princess.”
Does she think me a fool? A guest...Clearly an attempt to get me to lower my defenses. I am not so easily distracted, child. I’ll break free and slaughter you all, the second I get a chance. I am Lord Tirek! Not some weak-willed pony. 
No doubt she has guards outside this wooden door. I shall expose this farce...There’s nopony here. No guards, nothing stopping me from leaving...A Maid! I’ll drain her of her magic and...Why aren’t I grabbing her?
“What?...towels? No, I have enough...Am I hungry? I suppose I could...Anything I desire?... The Princess said anything...I-
Grab her! Drain her magic, escape! What am I doing?
“I- One double-decker hayburger with the works and a bowl of strawberries...Thank-that’s all. Begone.”

***

These aren’t so bad and that burger really hit the spot. What’s wrong with me? Why couldn’t I do it? Why didn’t I drain that Earthpony?
This bed feels great, soft and warm, like that child's smile. That child, She didn’t leave any guards...Was that brat serious when she said I was a guest? What if she really isn’t trying to deceive me? I am Lord Tirek! I am no ally to ponies, but then...why couldn’t I do it? 
“Urgh! I am Lord Tirek!”
I’m just tired. That’s all. I care not for these comforts provided by ponies. I’m just using them to recover. Nothing more. This pillow feels nice and cool. Maybe after a little rest, I can think more clearly about my escape. She mentioned a training area.
“I am...Lord...Tirek.”
What kind of training area does she have in mind, I wonder?
“...zzz.”