Mending Souls: What's in My Heart

by atomicpuffin


Chapter Four

*Two years after Sombra's escape*

Discord was laying in the grass his head on the ground as he tried to figure out what he was missing. Two years...two years and he still couldn't find the bastard. Every day that went by with the monster out there made Discord even more worried.

He tried to hide it for the sake of his family, but he was starting to doubt his abilities to protect them. Never had someone avoided his detection for this long? How could Sombra avoid using magic for two years?

"Daddy!" Her shriek brought Discord out of his thoughts and he lifted his head to smile over at his children. They were getting so big and Discord smiled sadly at the fact of how fast they were growing.

"Daddy look at the trick Kibou taught me!" Flitter shouted as she zoomed around her brother. She flew high into the sky then folded her wings and began to fall back to the ground. Discord jumped up to all fours instinctively and was about to take off when Flitterbee opened her wings again. She pulled up and did a flip in the air before landing next to his son. She ran over to Discord and threw her arms around him.

"Did you see? Did you see? Aren't I getting so good at flying daddy?" His daughter beamed up at him and Discord smiled as he ruffled her black locks. She looked so much like her mother, even her mane was growing long, just like Fluttershy.

"Indeed, your brother is teaching you very well...even if he is determined to give your mother and me a heart attack in the process." Discord muttered the last part and looked at his son as the nine-year old trotted over.

Of his two children, Kibou's growth amazed Discord more. Even though he was only nine he was the same height as his mother. Soon the little kiddo would be the same size as his father.

"She's getting better daddy...although she still needs to sit still and focus on the things me and Storm try to teach her." Kibou playfully growled as he nuzzled his younger sister behind her ear. Flitter was hardly in one place for too long always wanting to be flying everywhere.

As a result Discord had encouraged Fluttershy to take a break from the energetic four-year old and to treat herself at the spa.

Besides, with his searches becoming more frantic, Discord needed the break as well. He enjoyed just sitting and spending time with his children.

"Daddy! Can we go swimming?" Kibou asked bouncing around his father. Discord chuckled and fully rose off the ground.

"Alright little ones, come on." They shouted in joy and ran ahead of him to their lake. Discord watched as they both jumped into the water. He curled up on the bank again, content with just watching them play. He remembered teaching them both to swim and it was little memories like that which warmed his heart the most.

He felt her before he saw her and he turned his head to see his beautiful wife walk next to him. She smiled at him and waved at their children when they noticed their mother had returned.

"How was the spa darling?" He whispered as he nuzzled her behind her ear. She sighed and leaned into his touch.

"Very relaxing...thank you honey for taking the kids. Were they any trouble?" She asked as she came around and curled against his side. He wrapped his tail around her out of habit and smiled over to his two children. Flitter was riding on her brother's back as he slithered through the water like a snake. Much the same way his father swam.

"No more than usual. Flit nearly killed her father when she decided to free fall for a few seconds." He groaned and Fluttershy giggled nudging him in the side.

"If I remember right, you quit enjoy that trick and you're the one who taught Kibou…"

He growled at her which made her laugh again then he snorted and said,

"That's different...Flitter is still small. I didn't show Kibou that move until he was six and besides. Kibou was a lot bigger than Flitterbee. She's so small and frail...I just don't want her to get hurt…"

Fluttershy smiled up at him and nuzzled his side. He smiled down at her and leaned down to give her a soft kiss.

"I know...I know...but I can't help it. Celestia, what are all of you doing to me? I've turned into the biggest softie around. I doubt I can even remember how to inflict fear in others." He stopped at his poor joke and his ears flattened as he looked over at Kibou. He still had to tell his son about him...but…

"I know honey...I'm not looking forward to it either...but it won't change the way he looks at you." Fluttershy whispered, stroking her husband's cheek. He leaned into the touch and closed his eyes.

"How do you know? What...what if...what if he hates me…" Discord whispered feeling his heart crack at the thought. Fluttershy simply snuggled closer to him and hushed him.

"He could never hate you anymore than I could. Discord you are that boy's hero. Nothing can change that...trust me, Kibou looks up to you so much and I know he wants to be just like you when he grows up."

Discord sighed and ran his nose along her hair knowing she was right. It didn't take his fears completely away, but it did help.

There was a clap of thunder and a loud splash causing them both to turn to the lake. Storm surfaced spitting water at Kibou.

"Hey squirt! Hi Aunt Fluttershy, hi Uncle Discord!" Storm shouted before Kibou put Flitter on shore and tackled Storm under the water. Discord chuckled and shook his head at the two.

"Think those two will grow up and fall in love?" Fluttershy whispered and Discord looked down at her, horror on his face. Fluttershy laughed and frowned at him.

"What's that face for? Don't you want Kibou to find love?"

Discord shivered and looked at the two foals still chasing each other in the water.

"Of course...but that would mean I'd be related to Rainbow Dash…"


Kibou and Storm finally crawled out of the water and both shook the water off their bodies. Of course they also shook the water onto his parents. Mostly his father who had shielded his mom from the drops.

"Hey Uncle Discord, can Kibou and I go out and play? There's this cool new arcade in the Ponyville mall opening and mom said I could go!" Storm pleaded, using her best begging face making Kibou laugh. His father looked worried for a flash, which confused Kibou. He noticed that his father was more on edge lately. Whenever he came home from his trips to Canterlot, which were more frequent than before, he looked exhausted.

"Of course sweetie, but be careful and make sure you're home before dark." His mother said as she smiled at him. His father nodded and added,

"And remember stay-"

"On the protected path…" Storm and Kibou finished rolling their eyes. Discord narrowed his eyes at the kids who began to laugh. He growled and pounced catching them by surprise, he grabbed them and threw them both back into the lake. They came up to the surface laughing. Once dry again they flew off towards Ponyville.

"Hey Kibou...what's up with Uncle Discord?" Storm asked as they slowed their pace. They only raced once in a while, most of the time sticking to a slower, calmer pace. They would take off only when Storm challenged him.

Kibou frowned and looked back at his home.

"I don't know Storm...he's been worried about something. When I ask what both him and mom avoid my question, telling me that it's just his work."

Storm looked at Kibou then at the castle knowing that wasn't true.

"Mom's been on edge too...I don't think it's his work Kibou. Have you noticed all our aunt's are looking more worried as each day goes by?" Storm whispered as they reached Ponyville and landed. Deciding to walk the rest of the way to the new arcade.

Kibou nodded and frowned.

"They're definitely keeping something from us...but whatever it is, I guess it must be important right?" Kibou asked.

Storm frowned and didn't answer. Instead shook her head and smiled at Kibou again.

"Hey what are we doing worrying? Come on, before all the good games are taken!" She shouted running towards the largest building in Ponyville, which was the new mall.

Kibou smiled and raced after his friend.

Many ponies had learned the hard way that when they saw the pair running to get out of the way. As a result they made it through Ponyville quickly and reached the mall. As they entered they noticed a familiar couple leaving pushing a buggy.

"Aunt Pinkie! Uncle Cheese!" Kibou shouted waving at the pair. He bounced over and looked in on their son. The yellow foal stopped playing with his brown hair and squealed.

"Hello CheesePie!" He smiled at the foal who smiled up at him. His crystal blue eyes shining at his favorite playmate.

He clapped his hooves and shouted,

"Kib!" Same as his sister used to when she was his age. Kibou smiled at the tiny bundle of energy. Little CheesePie was definitely like his parents and when he was older he and Flit would be racing all around town.

"How is my favorite chaos cutie doing?" His Aunt Pinkie ruffled his short mane and he felt himself blush. He didn't know why his aunt called him that, but for some reason it made him blush every time. So maybe that was why she did it?

"We're on our way to the new arcade Aunt Pinkie. Did you two see it? Is it…"

"Epic?" Their Uncle Cheese grinned at them and then he nodded and the two took off. They didn't see Cheese Sandwich turn to his wife and frown.

"I thought Fluttershy and Discord said not to call him that honey?"

Pinkie shook her head and continued walking out of the mall.

"It's not going to do any harm...Little hope doesn't know why I call him that anyways...hey aren't you supposed to take my side?" She grinned at her husband and he returned it.


Kibou and Storm stood in awe at the paradise they had found.

"This…" Kibou whispered.

"Is…" Storm gasped.

"AMAZING!" They shouted together as they ran in laughing. Talking over each other on which game they wanted to play first. After an hour of trying many games, both began to relax and enjoy the bliss they found themselves in.

Storm turned to say something to Kibou and a flash of gold and silver made her stop as she groaned. Even after two years of threats, those two refused to leave Kibou alone. Nothing Storm did intimidated the brats and Kibou refused to allow her to pound on them.

Gold caught sight of Kibou and her sitting at one of the booths, sharing a pizza and some chocolate shakes. She nudged her sister and the two grinned before coming over to the pair. Storm gritted her teeth as the twins approached.

"Kibou, Storm, what a pleasant surprise!" Silver said with so much fake sweetness it made Storm sick to her stomach. Kibou however sat down his shake and smiled back at the pair. So determined to find the good in everypony that he always forgave them for the awful things they said.

"Hi girls! This place is great, could you thank you father for us?" He asked, a sweet smile on his face. The smile made Storm blush and she turned away. She always wondered if Kibou knew she had a small crush on him?

"Of course we will...we're SO glad you like it...but...that's makes this...so much more difficult." Gold placed her hoof on her forehead, over dramatizing everything and Storm rolled her eyes and before she could stop him from falling into their trap...

"Make what difficult girls? Is something wrong? Can we help?" Kibou asked, genuine concern on his face.

Gold and Silver snickered and said overly loud together, making sure they got everypony's attention.

"No monsters allowed!"

Kibou's face went scarlet as many of the colts and fillies began to laugh along with the twins. Storm felt her anger growing, she stomped her hoof on the table and glared at the twins.

"Knock it off you two! What did poor Kibou ever do to you two? He's nothing but sweet and kind and…" Storm stopped and blushed further as she realized every pair of eyes were on her. She shook her mane and glared at the twins again, she cast a sideways glance at Kibou, he had his head lowered along with his ears.

She snorted and left the booth,

"Come on Kibou...there's a racing game over there with our names on it!" She shouted and walked away, with Kibou slowly following her. Once they had gotten a few steps away the twins stepped in front of Kibou. Unfortunately the crowd formed around the group and Storm couldn't break through, not even flying.

"Sorry...ponies only. You'll have to leave. After all we wouldn't want you to hurt somepony now would we?" The twins giggled as they circled little Kibou whose ears were lowered and had his tail tucked. He didn't want to fight and he didn't want to cause trouble, knowing his father would be disappointed if he did.

"What's the matter creature? Afraid you'll be just like daddy?" Gold taunted. Kibou's eyes widened as they mentioned his father again.

"Yeah...don't like to hear the truth?" Silver laughed. The two stopped circling and stood in front of him again. They were getting so much encouragement from their fellow classmates and it fueled their confidence.

Gold stuck her nose in the air and said,

"Does it hurt? Knowing the truth? Knowing that you're a freak and a monster just like he is?"

Silver took a step towards Kibou who backed up as well. She sneered down at him,

"Do you even know the full truth? Would you like us to tell you about your dear old daddy?"

"Now that's a tale I'd LOVE to hear…" A deep voice growled.


The crowd instantly parted gasping. Discord was standing behind the group on all fours, however even at that height he towered over all the young foals. Everypony could see the look of rage pass over the draconequus' face as he noticed several older ponies among the group. He turned his glare on the twins and they cowered under the stare, backing away from Kibou.

"Come here son...it's time to go home. Your mother and I need to talk to you about something important." Discord growled low, barely able to contain the rage boiling inside him. How dare these brats say such things to his son. He had heard every word and it had taken every bone in his body not to react to it. He had wanted to protect his son so badly that only the smallest of voices in his mind had stopped him from lashing out.

"Storm...your mother is also outside waiting to take you home. Come." He barked as Kibou and Storm walked over and followed Discord out of the now silent arcade. Once they were far enough away Discord looked down at his son.

"Kibou...why didn't you tell me...I thought you said they had stopped?" He whispered, trying to gentle his voice not wanting to frighten his son. Kibou wouldn't meet his eyes, just continued to walk next to him, his head lowered.

"Kibou...how long...how long has this been going on?" Discord growled, unable to fully control the anger raging inside him. He had truly believed that Kibou wasn't having problems anymore. Cherilee hadn't said anything and Kibou told them everything was fine.

When Kibou still didn't answer him Discord sighed and stopped. The two children also stopped along with him.

Discord reached down and lifted his son's chin, hating the tears he saw in his son's eyes.

"Kiddo...if you don't tell me when somethings wrong I can't help you fix it." He whispered and gently wiped away the tears. Kibou nodded, but didn't say anything else so Discord sighed again and released his son. He continued walking in silence until they left the building and Storm muttered a quiet goodbye before flying to her mom.

Discord looked down once more at his son then shook his head and snapped his fingers taking them home.

As soon as they walked into the house and before Discord could say anything else, Kibou flew off. He flew right past his mom without a word and slammed himself into his room.

Fluttershy frowned and looked over at her husband.

"Oh dear, did you tell him?" She whispered and Discord sighed walking over and pulling her into a hug.

"I didn't get a chance. When I got there I found...Fluttershy, it's just like I feared. They were mocking him and calling him names...and…and one almost told him about me. Had...h-h-had I not…" His voice completely broke as he held his wife tighter. He had come so close to Kibou finding out about him and it had frightened him. More so than anything else in his life. It had frightened him that Kibou had almost learned the horrible truth at the hands of cruel ponies.

"Oh dear...Discord you know this means…" She whispered as she stroked his mane. Discord shivered and nodded. He released her and gave her a soft kiss.

"I know my love...I have to tell him...at least a small part of it today. Especially now...now that I'll be…" He frowned and she gave him another comforting kiss. She smiled up at him and nodded at him before releasing him. Discord looked over at his son's room and visibly swallowed. Then he stood up to his full height and walked over to the door. He lifted his paw to knock and stopped.

What if I can't do this?

He thought and closed his eyes. He felt a gentle hoof touch his claw and looked down to see his beautiful wife smiling up at him.

"You can my love…" She whispered as if reading his mind before walking away towards their own bedroom. Discord sighed and turned back to the door.

Now or never…


Kibou was curled on his bed trying to forget the things those two had said.

Daddy's not a monster...he's not...why do they say those things…daddy does so much good…

He heard a gentle knock and his father softly call his name.

"Come in…" Kibou whispered and curled further into a ball in the center of his bed. He was staring up at the moving pictures of his parents. They were smiling down at him, always watching over him. He felt the bed shift as his father sat on the edge.

"You okay little hope?" His father whispered and it was all it took for Kibou to break. He turned and threw himself into his father's tight hold.

"Hush now…it's okay...your daddy's here." He whispered stroking Kibou's mane. Kibou sniffled and whispered,

"Daddy...they...they said you…" His father once again hushed him and continued to gently rock him. Then when he had stopped crying his father sighed and looked down at his son.

"Little hope I think it's time you knew the truth...the truth about...me…"

Kibou looked up at his father confused.

"What do you mean daddy? I already know that you're not like other ponies, just like me. You already explained to me how you're a draconequus and…" His father placed his finger over Kibou's lips chuckling.

"Little one...I don't mean about what I am...I mean...about...who I am…" Again his father frowned and sighed. Several times he would open his mouth to speak then he'd sigh and turn away. Finally he curled around Kibou on his bed, using his tail to pull his son against his side.

"How about a story son?" His father suddenly asked and Kibou smiled and nodded as he snuggled closer to his father. He always loved his father's tales. Even if most of them weren't true, Kibou still loved them. Discord smiled sadly at him nuzzling his ear whispering,

"Let's begin then…"


"Okay...this one is about a very lonely creature who eventually found the light again…" Discord whispered. He lifted his claws and the pictures faded and new ones appeared. A strange land filled the ceiling, a place Kibou had never seen before.

The ground was checkered in different colors and several homes were floating in the sky.

"Where is this place daddy? It's silly looking."

He felt his father chuckle next to him and he pulled him closer.

"It's Equestria son...many, many years ago. Now let's begin our tale shall we?" He looked down at his son who nodded, Discord took a deep breath and with new determination began his tale.

"This was before the princesses came into power. The land was ruled by a fun-loving, although misbehaving overlord." Suddenly the picture changed and there sitting on his old throne was Discord. He didn't look down not wanting to see his son's reaction, knowing it might make him lose his nerve.

"He played many tricks on the ponies, not all of them kind. You see son, he...he had no one else in his life. He was all alone and it made him very sad and angry, so he took his anger out on those that rejected him. It was wrong, but he didn't know any better.

"Then one day, the being was overthrown by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna…"

Discord hesitated, but decided to omit the part about being turned to stone...

"The lord was banished and Equestria became the land it is today. However, the lord still wanted his throne back. So he spent many years waiting until he could finally take it back. After over a thousand years he found it…" The scene changed again and he heard his son gasp at the picture of his mom and her friends.

Discord chanced a peek at his son then to see how the story was affecting him,

"Daddy...that's mommy and...wait where are Aunt Twilight's wings?" His son tilted his head in confusion and Discord laughed at the look on his face.

"She didn't always have them...but that's a tale for another day son…So back to this one. These six mares were known as the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. The only thing powerful enough to defeat the overlord. It was what the princesses had used in the first place.

"So...so in order to get his power back, the lord decided he had to get rid of these six first…However the lord's biggest flaw was his love of games. Instead of stealing the elements and not telling the ponies, he wanted to play a game of chess."

Kibou watched as his father taunted the six ponies and the princess as a picture from the stained glass. All of it was fascinating, but very confusing still. He wasn't entirely sure what this meant, but he was almost afraid to find out.

His father cleared his throat, turning back to the moving pictures.

"He decided to play a game...to see if he could turn the six into the opposites of their true selves. If they weren't in sync with their element then there was no way they could use them. So he split them up in the labyrinth and one by one tricked them into being the opposite of themselves...however...one gem sparkled brighter than the rest…"

Kibou looked up at his father and noticed the smile on his dad's face. He tilted his head and asked,

"Gem? I thought we were talking about ponies daddy? Ponies and…you…"

Discord looked down at his son and smiled.

"We are...you see son, this isn't just a story about who I am...but also how I met your mother…"

Kibou's eyes widened and he looked back up at the story.

"What happened next then? Where is this gem daddy?" He whispered and Discord chuckled and pointed.

"Here she comes…the most amazing pony in the world son and she was more than the lord could handle…" Discord whispered as a loving smile spread across his face. Kibou looked up and saw him mother walking around the maze looking very frightened. She screamed when she was startled by three butterflies. Then she ran after them before they began to circle her.

"The lord used all the same tricks he had on the others. However this time things were different...instead of getting upset at what he said the mare agreed with everything...she called herself weak and helpless...when the truth was she was the strongest of all of them...you see son it was that strength that first drew me to your mother.

"The way this tale ends is that his plan backfired. Their friendship proved more powerful than his tricks. Friendship is a powerful magic son...don't ever doubt that...the only thing more powerful than friendship is love…" Discord made the pictures disappear and the usual ones reappeared once again walking along the walls.

Kibou looked up at his father knowing that this story wasn't completely over yet. His father looked down at him and for the first time in his life Kibou noticed tears in his dad's eyes.

"Son...I'm not proud of the things I did in the past...I was a monster then...but it was your mother that brought me out of the darkness and into the light. Had I not met her and fallen in love with her, then things would be very different for me...I need you to understand son...back then I had nothing…

"I was all alone and because of that I did bad things...things that could have hurt ponies. I never realized what I was doing was wrong and that turned me into the monster...into the Lord of Chaos...but...but after I fell in love with your mother everything about me changed…

"I stopped using my magic for destruction and started using it to help others...and son...that feels better than any amount of chaos ever did. I know you must be disappointed to find out that your daddy isn't some kind of hero...I'm far from perfect and you deserved to know why others treat you the way they do…" He curled his neck around and rubbed his cheek against his son's.

"Kibou...you carry my blood...my magic...ponies will be afraid of you because of me...because of who I was. I have tried very hard to prove to others that the monster they once knew is gone, but there are still those that are wary. If I could go back and fix everything so that you didn't have to suffer for my mistakes son I would…all I can do now is watch over you and protect you...but Kibou…

"You have to help yourself too...never let the things they say change who you really are. Don't let their words darken your heart as they did mine...you are a pure soul son. You are kind and pure-hearted just like your mother. Never let them make you think you are anything but good inside...if you can do this...we will truly bury the Lord of Chaos...together."

He lifted his head slightly away and kissed his son's forehead, hoping he had said enough. He sighed and lifted his son's chin to look at him, now he had to tell him the bad news.

"Kibou...there's something else I need to tell you. I...I...your daddy has to go away for a while…" Discord hated the way his son's eyes widened in fear and Kibou threw his arms around his father's neck.

"No! Daddy you don't have to go because of what those fillies said! Please daddy...you can't go…"

Discord once again wrapped his head around his son pressing against the back of Kibou's head. Enjoying the soft scent of his son's mane,

"Yes I do...but not because of what those silly foals said...no, this is much more important. Son do you remember two years ago...when daddy had to go help the princess track an imbalance?"

He felt Kibou nod, but the little one was so upset he couldn't talk.

"Some very bad ponies got away son...and your daddy has to go find them. I have finally found a trace of one...one that before you were born tried to hurt your mommy…"

Discord closed his eyes at little hope's gasp. He didn't want to scare his son, but he deserved to know.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone son...I need you to take care of your mother and sister while I'm gone...Do you remember all the spells I taught you?"

Kibou again nodded and clung to his father tighter.

"Good boy...if somepony tries to come near mommy or Flitter trying to hurt them, I need you to not hesitate...I need you to protect them for me son...I promise I'll be back as soon as I can. Nothing should happen while I'm gone...but I feel better knowing you'll be here to watch over them for me."

Discord pulled away from his son and laid him down gently in his bed. Tucking the covers around little hope who held his arms out for one more hug. Discord felt his heart twist as he leaned down and kissed Kibou on the forehead again. Then as he rested his head next to his son as Kibou clung to his neck again.

Discord whispered one last time in his son's ear,

"Remember son...you are not a monster. I know that you'll make me proud. I love you so much Kibou...you and Flitterbee mean more to me than life. I promise you I'll return to you and your sister as soon as I can…get some sleep little one..." He pulled back and watched as little hope's eyes started to flutter shut. Discord smiled sadly and sighed as he started to rise. He felt a small paw reach out and take his. He looked down and heard Kibou whispering in his sleep.

"You're not a monster either daddy...I love you…"