//------------------------------//
// Chapter Five 
// Story: Mending Souls: What's in My Heart 
// by atomicpuffin 
//------------------------------//

*Four years later*

Kibou's ear twitched at a sound entering his room. He slowly opened his eyes and sniffed the air, his body poised for attack. Ever since his father left, he had gone to his Aunt Rainbow and she had trained him how to always be alert.

Sometimes Storm would join in their training sessions, she was usually shooed away by her mother though. Kibou got distracted when Storm was around, the two would start competing instead of focusing.

Kibou heard a small giggle and groaned. This intruder, although annoying was no threat. He burrowed further under his blankets and lightly growled,

"Go away Flit…"

His sister came crashing down on him laughing, knocking the wind out of his lungs.

He sat up and she slid back smiling up at him.

"Ah Kib! You ruined the surprise! I wanted to be the first to wake you up and say…" She got a huge grin on her face then threw her arms around his neck knocking him back again.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIBOU!" She shouted and although it hurt his ears, it still made him smile. He grinned at her then wrapped his arms around her returning her hug.

"Thanks kiddo...is mom awake yet?" Kibou asked and sat Flit down. She shook her head and turned to leave his room.

"No, I don't think so? I didn't check...but...I know she was up late last night. Just like every night since...daddy had to leave…" Flitter's ears drooped and Kibou frowned. In order to distract her, he reached out suddenly grabbing her. She shrieked as he pulled her back and threw the blankets over them. He snuggled her next to him and she giggled.

"Kibou! Kib let me go! Kib! I know you're not asleep silly!"

He let out a loud snore and she elbowed him in his chest making him laugh. She still tried to struggle and he tightened his grip,

"Pillows aren't supposed to talk Flit…"

"I'm not a pillow! Let me-ah, ha Kib no!" She started laughing as he used his tail to tickle her hooves.

"Nice to see you two are awake...and in such good moods." They stuck their heads out from under the blanket and saw their mom standing in the doorway. She was smiling at them and Flitterbee used this distraction to escape. She stuck her tongue out at her brother and he did the same.

Then he turned to his mom as she flew over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy birthday sweetie. Everypony will be over in a bit for the party...and you know how Aunt Pinkie is so I suggest you start getting up."

Kibou nodded and watched his mom leave his room. He frowned slightly. His mom truly was the strongest pony he knew...just as his dad had told him. She always smiled and laughed with the others. Treating everypony with such kindness. However, Kibou could see the pain inside her eyes, ever growing with each passing day.

Kibou looked out the window in his room.

Will today be the day?




"Kibou! You're cheating!" Storm shouted and Kibou grinned down at her tapping his chin in thought.

"Oh? How so?" His grin widened at the look she gave him.

"You know very well how! Using your weight against me is cheating!" She shouted in an attempt to wiggle out from under him. She had tackled him when everyone had arrived and as usual it resulted in a wrestling match.

However now that he was fourteen, he was twice her size and he used it to his advantage. He had simply gone limp and pinned her beneath his stomach. So he laughed as he turned his head and watched her try to move his massive body. He grinned and purred,

"Admitting defeat Stormy?"

She stopped struggling and her face flushed scarlet. The nickname embarrassed her greatly and he thanked Celestia everyday that he had heard Grandpa Rainbow say it.

She glared at him and growled before doubling her efforts. Then she let out a sigh and suddenly grinned. She looked at him and he raised an eyebrow at her sudden smug look.

"I didn't want to do this, but if you're going to cheat I have no choice…" She lifted her nose into the air and he shook his head chuckling.

"Whatcha gonna do St-or-my…" He drawled her nickname and she whistled suddenly and shouted,

"Tickle attack!"

Kibou had no time to react as Flitterbee, CheesePie and Dusks Light tackled him off Storm and began to tickle him all over. He laughed helplessly, he was unable to fight off three at once. Finally he was rescued by his mother's soft laughter as the adults joined them in the living room.

"Alright that's enough...Come on kids, it's time for the cake." His mom said in her usual soft tone. However all the little children instantly reacted, they ran over to where Aunt Twilight was lighting candles with her magic.

Kibou lay gasping on the ground, trying to get air back into his system. Then he looked up and Storm was standing over him grinning.

"Told you squirt...don't mess with me. I have my ways of making you suffer."

Kibou growled and grabbed her flipping over so he was once again above her. Then he pressed his nose against hers and grinned,

"Who are you calling squirt? Last time I checked you haven't been taller than me in years."

Storm pushed him off laughing. She was trying desperately to hide the blush being so close to him had caused.

"Doesn't mean I can't still whip you in a fight." She trotted over to the party and noticed her mom and Aunt Fluttershy share a knowing look. What they were silently conveying she didn't know.




Fluttershy smiled as she watched her son blow out his birthday candles, with the help of all the little kids. He always let the smaller kids help him blow out his candles saying he wasn't sure he could do it by himself.

They always laughed and agreed to help and Fluttershy loved how sweet her son was to everypony. He hadn't let the things others said affect who he really was. Now that he was growing larger, more and more ponies were getting nervous around him. Nothing he did could completely change their opinions on him.

However Kibou seemed to accept this and told her to stop worrying so much...that she had enough to worry about…

How true that is…

"So chaos cutie...what did you wish for?" Pinkie asked as she hugged her nephew. Kibou smiled sadly at all the expectant faces. Then he turned to look at Flitterbee, who was sitting on his right and he wrapped his tail around her. The move reminded Fluttershy so much of his father and she felt a small pain in her chest.

"Oh you know...just the usual." He vaguely responded and while the younger kids began to shove presents at him Fluttershy walked away. She headed to the kitchen and felt a soft hoof on her shoulder. She turned to see Twilight and Rainbow smiling sadly at her.

Twilight whispered, so the others wouldn't hear,

"Have you heard anything?"

Fluttershy turned away, hiding the tears threatening to surface. She shook her head and Rainbow came around to her other side.

"How long has it been since...since he last sent word?" Rainbow asked as she wrapped her arm around her best friend.

Fluttershy sighed and looked back at her children who were laughing and smiling. She hadn't told them the truth, saying that Discord sent word almost everyday…

"Five months…" She whispered and both her friends gasped.

"Five...Fluttershy...I…" Twilight was at a total loss for words. Wanting to give some kind of comfort, but finding nothing suitable.

"Please girls...I don't want to worry Kibou...I just need a minute. Can you...can you…"

Rainbow nodded in understanding and nudged Fluttershy towards the kitchen.

"Go...I'll tell them you went to check on the animals."

Fluttershy nodded and trotted into the kitchen, knowing she didn't have long before the flood gates opened. As soon as she entered the room she sat on one of the stools and began to cry softly. She reached up and clutched her wedding rings tightly.

Her husband had been gone for four years...four long years. She used all the inner strength he believed she possessed and used it to take care of their children. When she was alone in their bed however she let the sorrow out. She had found herself crying herself to sleep these last five months, praying that he was okay wherever he was.

Although it was selfish, she no longer cared about some unknown threat. All she wanted was her husband back. She wiped away her tears and took several deep breaths. She had to return to the party, if she was gone for too long Kibou would realize something was wrong. He was very protective of her, doing what his father had requested and watching over their family.

She smiled suddenly at the thought of her little hope...how appropriate his name was now. He truly brought hope and happiness into her heart when she was feeling the most depressed. He was so much like his father, even if neither of them realized it. She remembered two nights ago when she had been sitting in front of the fire looking at an old photo of the four of them. Discord had taken it without them knowing.

He lay in the grass, his long tail curled around Fluttershy and their two children when they were still little babies. It was her favorite photo and as she stared at her smiling husband she felt the tears fall down her cheeks. She hung her head and hugged the photo to her chest. Then she had gasped as a small tuft of fur wiped away her tears.

She had looked up to see Kibou smiling down at her, then without a word he had curled around her. Just as Discord always did when she was upset. She had laid down next to her son, silently crying as he wrapped his tail around her protectively and purred softly. The strength he had displayed that night proved just how much he had grown up...and she couldn't be prouder.

She sighed and began to rise from the chair when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her and one hand went over her mouth muffling her scream.




Rainbow's trained ears heard the soft squeak coming from the kitchen and she swung around. She frowned and decided to check, it was better safe than sorry. She walked to the kitchen, but heard nothing else. She had a strange feeling though and with one last look at the party she burst into the kitchen ready for a fight if need be.

The sight before her made her blush slightly. Discord had Fluttershy in a death grip, bent backwards, his claws buried deep in her mane as he ravished her mouth. Fluttershy was gripping him just as tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Rainbow backed out of the kitchen quietly so as not to interrupt their reunion.

She turned back to the party and smiled brightly for the first time that day. She got a great idea and walked over to the others for their help and to tell them the good news.




Discord groaned in ecstasy at finally having her back in his arms. He had almost forgotten how sweet she tasted. He tightened his hold on her, bending her back further. He had missed her touch more than anything these past four years. He had been sure he would go mad if he couldn't hold her again.

He almost had each night...how many times had he awoken from some deep dream panting and sweating? Now it was no dream...he was home and he was really holding her. Really feeling her soft lips beneath his as she willingly opened for him. He finally had to pull away, drawing in a deep breath as he looked into her beautiful eyes.

"Oh Discord...I'm...I…" She didn't finish, just wrapped her arms around him, drawing his lips back to hers. He moaned as he felt the shiver run through her body. How he longed to take her to their room...however there were two smiling faces he still longed to see.

"Darling...sweetheart…" He chuckled as she kept cutting him off with her lips. He grinned, happy that she had missed him just as greatly as he had her.

"Fluttershy my sweet...as much as I long to…" He was cut off as the two of them were suddenly tackled by a pink blur. Soon other bodies joined the dog pile. He laughed as he wrapped his arms around all his friends. Each trying to talk at once…

"Oh my Celestia! Yer okay! We were starting to worry!" Applejack.

"What happened...why were you gone for so long?" Spike.

"Oh darling never scare us like that again!" Rarity.

"Heck even I missed your sarcasm…kinda…" Twilight.

"Oh Discord! I've missed my partner in crime! Pranks haven't been the same since you left!" Pinkie.

"Yeah...they...we missed you buddy…" Rainbow said, the only one not among the giant pile. Discord grinned at all his friends...they were just as much his family as Fluttershy and his children were.

"I missed all of you so much...but it's time I go see the two faces I've missed seeing each day." He whispered as he looked over at his wife who was wiping away her tears.

"Oh we have everything planned come on!" Pinkie shouted as she ran out of the kitchen.




Kibou smiled at all his aunts and mom who had returned from the kitchen.

"What's this big surprise Aunt Pinkie keeps shouting about mom?" He asked and his mom grinned at him. However it was his Aunt Rarity who responded as she wrapped a blindfold around his eyes.

"Don't worry little hope...this will be the best birthday present...and you'll be sharing it with Flitterbee."

"Me? Hey why are you…" Flit said next to him and he knew they had blindfolded her as well. He smiled and wrapped his tail around her again.

"This must be some surprise if you don't want us to see you bring it in huh?" He teased, but no one responded. In fact the room had grown very quiet and he wondered if this was some sort of trick. Wouldn't be the first time Aunt Pinkie had pranked him...but no...she wouldn't do it to Flit if this was a birthday prank.

"What's going…" He stopped as the blindfolds fell away and standing in front of them, smiling lovingly with tears in his eyes, was their father.

"My babies…" He choked as he held out his arms. Neither one hesitated another second, both flew at their father full speed knocking him to the ground. Kibou didn't care if anyone saw the tears running down his cheeks, he was too happy to care.

"Daddy…" He whispered and he felt his father's arm tighten around him. Kibou glanced at Flitterbee who was smiling, but was also crying.

"Oh my darlings...how I've missed you so much." Their father purred as he stroked both their manes. All the mares in the room had tears in their eyes at the emotional reunion, even Storm was sniffling, so happy for Kibou.

"Daddy…" Flitter squeaked as she reached up and kissed her father on his cheek making him smile wider. He looked down and met eyes so much like his own. Discord kissed her forehead and whispered,

"Oh sweetheart...look at you...you've grown up so much. You look just like your mother...so beautiful. My darling daughter…" Discord's voice broke again. He turned to Kibou and smiled as he stroked his son's cheek.

"My little hope...you're all grown up...son I'm so proud of you. You took great care of them while I was gone. I love you both so much." All three continued to cling to one another as they cried. Then Discord looked at his wife and held out his arm to her. Without hesitation she walked over and snuggled against her husband's side.

"I've missed all of you so much…" Discord whispered as he held his family in a death grip.

"We've missed you daddy...please say you're here to stay…" Kibou whispered as he nuzzled his snout against his father's chest. Discord chuckled and nodded.

"Yes...I'm here to stay little ones...I'm back where I belong. I'm home…"

Kibou smiled and nuzzled his father again. He thanked whatever power had granted his birthday wish this year...




After all the excitement it wasn't a surprise to Discord that his children had collapsed in their beds that night. He went to each and tucked them in giving them a goodnight kiss. How he had missed doing that.

Now all he wanted was to crawl into bed himself, something he had been looking forward to since he had come home. He walked to his bedroom and looked in, smiling when he saw her already laying under the covers. He quietly slipped in and pulled her back against him. He sighed as he buried his nose in her mane, taking deep breaths of the rose scent that clung to her.

He grinned when he felt her shiver. He ran his fingers down her back and heard her let out a soft moan. The sound sent a shiver down his spine and he growled.

"I thought you would be asleep darling…"

She rolled over, that gleam shining in her eyes. She reached out and stroked his cheek, he closed his eyes leaning against her soft hoof.

"I was only waiting for you my love...I've missed you…" She whispered before kissing him softly. That was all it took to set his body on fire. He groaned again and pulled her closer to him. He ran his claws through her mane gently tugging on the beautiful locks. She opened under him and he purred as he ravished her sweet mouth for the second time that day. He never wanted to stop kissing her ever again.

However that wasn't all he needed and he grinned as he rolled over so he was above her.

He stroked her cheek and she blushed, but smiled up at him. He leaned down and trailed soft kisses along her neck. Enjoying the way she was trembling beneath him, his grin widened. How he had missed this wonderful mare, these lonely nights. He was afraid of hurting her though...his need was that great.

"Darling...you'll...you'll have to stop me...if I…" He blushed, amazed that even after years of sharing a marriage bed with her, he could still get embarrassed over silly things. He cleared his throat and met her eyes again, noticing the amusement dancing within their depths. He growled and buried his snout against her neck, he lightly nipped her skin and sighed.

"Sweetheart...if I start being too rough...you'll have to stop me...I need you too much right now...I'm not sure how much control I'll have…" He kept his face buried against her neck hiding the fact that it was completely flushed. He felt like a fool, but at the same time, he really didn't want to hurt his love.

He heard her giggle and felt her hooves stroke his back making him shiver once more. He growled even deeper when he felt her tail brush against him. She knew what that soft touch did to him under normal circumstances...this time it set off an explosion inside him. He crushed her mouth beneath his, answering her soft moan with his own. He grinned and snapped his fingers casting the spell over their room. He chuckled as he thought,

Definitely going to need that tonight…