//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: Mending Souls: What's in My Heart // by atomicpuffin //------------------------------// Discord was sitting among the council staring at all his friends trying to decide how best to tell them the news. At least now he had his own throne to sit on, next to his beautiful wife of course. He looked over at her and she gave him an encouraging smile, he sighed and looked at Twilight. "I found Sombra...but not the pony that helped him escape..." The girls gasped and frowned then started bombing him with questions. He held up his hands and chuckled. "Girls...if you would let me explain everything. It's not that long a tale I promise." He waited as they all nodded and quieted so he continued, "Well over these last four years I've sensed something that didn't make sense...however every time I got closer it would move and fade. Like whoever I was following knew I was tracking them. "Finally last week I felt such a sudden shift of power, much like when you, Twilight, received all the alicorn power. I instantly teleported to the source. It was near Saddle Arabia, up in the rocky mountains, I found Sombra inside one of the caves. Without a trace of magic inside him." He frowned and knew they were thinking exactly what he had when he had found Sombra in that state. "Tirek…" Fluttershy whispered and started shivering. He reached over and grabbed her hoof giving it a gentle squeeze. "No love it's not…" "But...but he's the only one who can take a pony's magic! Isn't he?" Rarity shouted then lowered her voice remembering all the children were playing somewhere in the castle. Discord frowned and shook his head, "I don't know...but when I took Sombra back to the princess I immediately went to Tartarus. Tirek is still in his cage, and he's not powerful enough to break his chains. It wasn't him…" Discord growled. He had hoped it was Tirek, as strange as that sounded. At least he knew what he was dealing with...this mystery enemy was starting to tear at his patience. "So what information did you get out of Sombra Discord?" Twilight asked, getting over her shock and resuming her role as head of the council. He growled again, "Nothing...whoever did this...not only took his magic, but also his memory. He didn't even recognize me. His shouts of terror were the same as every pony who meets me for the first time." He frowned at this, remember the surprise he had felt at Sombra's face. It wasn't just the look of rage on Discord's face, but his entire appearance. Sombra had shouted for Discord to not hurt him that he was a nobody and he didn't want to be lunch. Discord shook his head and looked down at his wife. She was gripping his paw tightly and slightly shaking again. All his friends were shocked, then Rainbow smacked her hoof against her face and groaned. "So what you're saying is...we're back where we started when Sombra escaped?" Discord nodded and said, "Sort of...I went into his mind trying to make sense of what was left. However anytime I got close to finding a clue a sharp pain would fill my head and I was pushed out of his mind. So...the only other thing I can do now is...well…" He met Fluttershy's gaze, knowing what her reaction would be. As if reading his mind her eyes widened and she whispered, "Discord...no...you can't...he'll…" "I have no choice darling. He's the only other being that may have some clue about who this creature is..." "Ah old friend...come to check on my good health?" He grinned as he sensed the Lord of Chaos standing behind him. "Tirek…" Discord growled. Tirek turned to look at his old foe/friend and smirked. He was still small and frail from the magic being drained from him by those ponies. He had waited for this day, knowing it would come. "Tired of taking orders again Discord? You finally see the error you made in choosing their side?" Tirek said as he chuckled. Discord growled deeper and crossed his arms narrowing his eyes at the creature. He snorted and spoke in a low, menacing voice that gave Tirek pause. "The only mistake I ever made was in betraying the one thing that mattered most in my life…" Tirek frowned at the being of chaos then smirked, and responded. "Ah of course...dear little...what was her name...oh yes Fluttershy? Her magic was quite delicious..." Tirek purred her name and even licked his lips. Tirek noticed how Discord's eyes turned to slits and his fur stood on end. He was enjoying this game, he moved closer to the cage's edge and continued to push the chaotic lord. "Thank you so much for giving her to me old friend. I have to admit it was very entertaining watching her cry over your betrayal. I almost wish I had kept her for a little longer, she may have proven entertaining. How is the delicious, little…" Tirek choked as Discord's claws shot out suddenly and grabbed him by his throat. He was slammed against the bars as Discord's amber eyes narrowed and he snarled at Tirek. "Say one more word about her and I will kill you...to hell with the information you're able to give me...do you understand me friend?" Tirek could only nod, Discord dropped him and he looked up at the creature. He had never seen this side of the draconequus before. He was always the humorous type, making everything a joke. This monster however was truly terrifying, even to someone like Tirek. He rubbed his throat and coughed, the chimera had almost crushed his windpipe with the strength in his grip. Tirek was smart enough to know the threat to end his life was real and if he ever hoped to leave this hell hole again… "Now Tirek...I have come here to make a deal with you." Discord growled, once again crossing his arms and glaring inside the cage. Tirek raised an eyebrow at the beast and frowned before whispering. "What kind of deal?" Discord looked around his surroundings and for the first time smirked at Tirek. "I'm sure you are getting tired of this little cage...am I right?" Tirek narrowed his eyes, what kind of game was this? Discord continued not needing an answer since it was obvious. "Well I'm here to make a trade. If you tell me everything I need to know...I'll set you free..." "What? Why should I believe you? The princesses would never…" "The princesses know nothing of this deal." Discord cut him off and for the first time in his life Tirek was at a loss for words. "You...you are betraying the ponies again?" Discord growled and he took an involuntary step back at the rage in the chimera's eyes. "No...I will never betray them again, especially not my wife…" Tirek's mouth opened in shock and then he laughed, a full laugh filled with true amusement. "What tricks are you playing at Discord? Even I know you of all creatures would never marry a pony…" Tirek stopped talking as Discord had snapped his fingers and held up a picture for Tirek to see. In the photo was Discord with the yellow pegasus curled next to him. Sitting at the pegasus' feet were two tiny children, one a pegasus and the other a smaller draconequus. Tirek's mouth fell open in shock once more, however this time he knew it was no joke. "This is all that matters to me in life...no matter the cost I will protect them...so Tirek, is it a deal?" Tirek smirked and bowed to the Lord of Chaos. What a fool the draconequus had become, growing soft for such frivolous things as love and family. Tirek could use that to manipulate him once more. "Anything you wish my lord...how can I serve you?" He purred and Discord snorted. Tirek looked up and saw the chimera smiling widely at him. His confidence shook at the look he was receiving from the monster. "Do not think you can fool me twice with sweet words Tirek...when I release you it will be without any source of magic left within you. You will never be able to return and hurt what I hold dear. I will remove your immortality and you can live out the rest of your days how you wish...so long as it is far away from my family." Tirek glared at the chimera and growled, "You can't do that! You don't own such power!" Discord leaned forward and grinned, "Wanna bet? I can do anything I want...I gave my wife immortality...what makes you think I can't take away yours?" Tirek began to shake in fury and balled his fist at the draconequus' words. He turned away and shouted in frustration. Damn this monster for fooling him! He had been so close to freedom and power again... "It's your choice Tirek...live forever in this cage. Or spend a few good years free...I will only make this deal with you once...what will it be?" Tirek turned on the chimera and growled, "Go back to your precious pony Discord...I hope you can keep your family safe without my help...then again I would enjoy watching everything you hold dear ripped away from you…" Tirek laughed and turned away. There was no way he would give up his immortality, not even for a chance at freedom. He froze at the quiet chuckle behind him, this sounded as if it came over his ear. He turned and a strong pair of claws latched around his throat again. He was raised off the floor and made to look into blazing red eyes. The Lord of Chaos grinned at him and hissed. "You should have taken my deal...now I will just take what I need and leave you here to rot…" Tirek shouted in fear as he felt the chimera push into his mind. Kibou crouched down in the bushes watching his chosen prey. He grinned and slithered along the ground. Making as little sound as possible while he watched her. She was sitting in the grass and shielding her eyes as she looked up at the clouds. He grinned and counted to three before leaping out shouting. She turned surprised as his arms latched around her and the two went tumbling across the grass. He came out on top and began to laugh triumphant. "Ha! Now I'm number one pony and...that's makes you the squirt!" He grinned as he pressed his nose against Storm's. She was glaring up at him and she began to wiggle out of his hold. "Kibou! Let me go! Ah, what did I saw about using your weight!" She shouted and then pouted in frustration when she was unsuccessful in moving him. He grinned wider and noticed the blush creeping into her cheeks. He always thought she was cutest when she blushed. "Ah come on Stormy...Don't you-oof!" He felt her back hoof kick him in the stomach and he rolled over to the side laughing. She jumped on his chest and glared down at him. "Don't call me that! Nobody can call me that! Gah, why did Grandpa ever say it around you!" He laughed and wrapped his arms around her hugging her close, surprised when she stilled and didn't struggle. He whispered into her ear, "Ah but it's so adorable! Can't you make an exception for me? Hmm…" He lifted her in his arms, holding her above him. She was so light, even if she was taller than most fillies her age, she was still nothing compared to him. Her blush deepened and he smiled sweetly at her. "What do ya say...Stormy?" He purred slightly knowing she enjoyed the sound. She turned her gaze away and muttered, "Fine...but not in public...I don't want other ponies thinking they can get away with it. But since you're my best friend...I guess it's okay." He laughed and pulled her back to his chest hugging her tightly. He felt her stiffen then she gently nuzzled her nose against his chest fur and his heart skipped a beat. He blushed and quickly set her away from him, he coughed as he turned away from her. Stop it Kibou...she's your best friend...you can't risk ruining what you two have… When he was sure his blush had disappeared he turned his head back and grinned. "Come on squirt...maybe I can convince dad to make us his special cookies." Then he began to walk back to his castle ignoring the pounding of his heart as she trotted up next to him. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes and mentally sighed. She's so adorable...what would she say if she knew...knew how I felt? Stop it Kibou! His ears flattened against his head and he quietly groaned at his own stupidity. His feelings for Storm had begun to change. Slowly he had realized what she meant to him. No longer was she just his best friend, but she was also the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Now when they were close he felt his heart race and his face flush. He knew she would never return his feelings, to her they were just great friends. Although he was happy that they were...he knew he also wanted more...no matter how impossible it may seem...he wanted to be with her...he was falling in love with her... Kibou walked over to the kitchen and heard his parents. It sounded like they were arguing and he hesitated before walking in. He held out his tail and stopped Storm holding a claw to his mouth as they listened. "Discord you promised you wouldn't!" Fluttershy said as she glared at him. He grinned for a second at how cute she was. Then he frowned, "Fluttershy I told you he's the only one who knows about the lands outside of Equestria better than me. It has been far too long for me to possibly remember anything outside of this land. Besides I got the information we needed...at least now I have an idea of who it could be. Twilight's research will only confirm if my suspicions are true." She flew closer to him and put her hoof against his chest as she shouted, "That doesn't change how stupid it was to go alone! You promised all of us that you would go with one of the princesses! What if Tirek had done something to you?" He smiled down at her, knowing that her anger was really to cover her fear. He wrapped his arms around her and she came willingly against him. He buried his nose in her hair and gently stroked her back. "It's okay love...he couldn't have hurt me. He has no power left...It'll be okay my darling. Tirek can't hurt us…" "Whose Tirek?" Came a quiet voice from the doorway and the two of them turned to see Kibou looking at them confused. Discord froze, he hadn't told Kibou about Tirek and his betrayal and he planned to keep it that way. He stammered, "Uh...well...he...he was an old enemy that your mother and your aunts defeated. He was sent to a place that he can't return from." Fluttershy looked up at him curiously and he implored her with his eyes not to say anything. She understood his plea and nodded. Kibou looked up at his father and smiled, "So this Tirek...did you help them defeat him dad?" Discord froze again. Although he didn't want to completely lie to his son, he couldn't bring himself to confess his greatest shame. He was rescued by his wonderful wife who answered their son's question. "Yes...with your father's help Aunt Twilight received the last key that allowed all of us to unlock the chest containing the rainbow power. With that we were able to stop Tirek before he could hurt any other pony. Your father was our hero that day." She smiled up at him and he felt his heart explode at the sincerity in her eyes. He smiled and bent down to give her a deep kiss, forgetting that the kids were standing there. They made gagging motions and then giggled. Discord smiled and pulled away from his tempting wife, whispering into her ear. "Thank you darling…" She smiled up at him and then flew out of his arms. He turned to the two standing in front of them and realized they were smiling up at him expectantly. "What?" He asked and both gave him the biggest begging eyes they could muster and understanding dawned on him. He laughed and snapped his fingers, producing a small pink box tied with a green ribbon. He bowed and held out the box watching their eyes widen in awe. "Bon appetite little ones!" Storm snatched the box and ran out the door laughing with Kibou right on her heels. He stood up and laughed, then he felt her nose run along the back of his neck and he shivered. "You know...you shouldn't give them so many sweets…" She whispered as she rubbed her nose behind his ear. He groaned and swung around wrapping her in his arms. He growled playfully at her and grinned. "It'll keep them busy...and seeing as how Flitterbee is over at the Pie's today...I think this is a perfect opportunity to show you my surprise." He snapped his fingers and they flashed into a new room he had just added. Fluttershy gasped at the bubbling water inside the pool. He smiled as he stepped into the warm water, still holding her against his chest. She let out an appreciative sigh when they both sank fully into the relaxing water. "Discord, have I told you recently that I love your magic?" Kibou and Storm were in the park lying on their backs staring up at the clouds. Storm sighed happily and the sound sent a wave of warmth through his body. He turned his head and grinned at her. "What's up Stormy?" Happy that even though she didn't get annoyed at the name, she still blushed. "This batch had to be Uncle Discord's best! I don't know how he makes them...and honestly I don't care...so long as he keeps dishing them out!" She laughed and Kibou joined in. He got a sudden idea that made him smile wider. He rolled over on his side and slid his body until it was curled around Storm and her head was resting against his stomach like a pillow. Her blush deepened and she frowned at him, she whispered, "Kibou...what...what are you doing?" Kibou turned away and cleared his throat. "It's more comfortable this way...besides I remember you said you like how my fur is softer than any pillow…" He blushed deeper and kept his head turned away to hide it, so he missed the beaming smile Storm was giving him. She covered it up when he started to turn back to her, he frowned. "But...you know...if you're not comfortable…" He started to shift away, realizing how stupid he had been. Storm reached out and stopped him shouting, "NO!" She blushed as other ponies stopped walking and looked over at the pair. She lowered her voice and said again, "I mean...no...you don't have to move...you're right...you're still the best pillow out there…" He grinned and settled back into the grass as she rested against him. He curled his tail around her and brushed the tuft of fur against her forehead. She looked over at him and he felt his eyelids lower. Her eyes widened and her face was flushed. He saw her breathing grow more rapid as she gazed up at him. He loved looking into her deep, green eyes...should he tell her so? "Storm I…" "Well look at this pretty picture…" Storm closed her eyes and groaned as she turned to see the twins walking towards them. Kibou also groaned, but at the fact that he had almost told Storm the truth. He was actually grateful for the twins' interruption. They had saved his from looking like a fool. "What are you two doing here? Didn't you learn your lesson when Uncle Discord found out how you were treating Kibou?" Storm gritted her teeth as she sat up from Kibou's side and stood to face the twins. He sighed at the lost contact, but also rose to his feet, knowing he would have to keep Storm from fighting the other two. "Come on Storm...let's just go…" Kibou whispered into her ear, but the twins cut him off. "We may have been momentarily frightened by the monster...however our dad reminded us that he can't do anything. Not if he doesn't want to be turned back into stone." Gold said as she looked right at Kibou. He stopped and frowned at the two, his father hadn't been turned to stone. He had been banished...hadn't he? "When are you two going to stop this petty game? Can't you go enjoy your fancy life? Why pick on someone who has been nothing but sweet and kind to you two." Storm said as she advanced on the two. Kibou reached out with his claws and pulled her back until she was standing under his chest. She was still growling at the twins, but his strong arm kept her from moving. He placed his claws over her mouth to keep her from shouting again and he said to the twins. "Silver...Gold…" The tone of his voice got all of their attentions. He had never used this tone, and it reminded Storm of her Aunt Fluttershy. "Girls...I have spent all my life trying to understand why you treated me the way you do. I never realized why you were so hard on me. I thought it was because you were secretly sad so I decided to be kind to you as my parents have always taught me. Now that I know the truth...I understand why you don't trust me..." The twins stared at him, mouths hanging open and Storm made a protesting noise against his claws. He took a deep breath and continued, he had to say this if these two girls were ever going to stop. "I know who my father was...he told me everything about his past. About how he tried to take over Equestria and my mom and aunts stopped him from doing so. He told how after he had met my mother he began to understand there were more important things in life than making ponies miserable. "Silver, Gold...I know it doesn't change what he did in the past, but my father has worked hard to change since that day he met my mother in the labyrinth. He is no longer the monster he was and you have nothing to fear from him...or me…" They were standing there stunned silent as Kibou removed his claws from Storm's mouth, even she was staring up at him shocked. He smiled down at her then smiled at the girls as he turned to leave. "I hope we can become friends one day girls...it's all I've wanted since I met you on that first day of school...truly. I know I look like a monster...but that's not who I am at heart...and neither is my father. He saved Equestria from a real monster named Tirek..." He turned back and gave them a slight glare as he picked up the shocked Storm with his tail and set her on his back. "He is no longer the Lord of Chaos and you need to stop treating him as if he is…" He started to walk away and Silver shouted at his back, anger and hatred dripping from her words. "Saved! Is that what he told you! He didn't save Equestria from Tirek! He helped him!" Kibou froze. Storm wrapped her hooves around his neck and whispered into his ear. "Don't Kibou...please...just leave…let's just get out of here..." Kibou glanced to the side at the two twins who were once again grinning at him and he felt his heart sink at the fact that they may be telling the truth. He shook his head and flew into the air away from them. Storm still hanging around his neck and she pressed her face into his fur. Kibou was too distracted to feel any joy in the way she gave him an affectionate nuzzle. He knew what he had to do…there was only one way to bury this feeling. I have to find out the truth…