The Beauty And The Beast - All Magic Comes With A Price

  Fluttershy felt her skin turn cold and her heart stop before beating rapidly in silent panic as she stared at the guard who just entered, and announced that the ogres were attacking. The ponies in the room had panicked and started running around and asking themselves what they were to do, the only ones who weren't panicking, were a few stallions, Sombra, and Fancy Pants who were trying to calm the crazy crowd down. Star Swirl's fear came true, and the ogres had attacked while they were distracted with the party and other affairs.

  Star Swirl now felt like a fool for not doing something about it earlier, and now he felt bad for the people he had brought into this mess. Even though it wasn't over for them, the ogres had once again took them by surprise, and there was no telling what would happen. Every time they attacked they seemed to get smarter and smarter, and he feared that someday the ogres would win this battle, and he had a feeling that time might be today as a sick feeling entered his stomach at the thought of thousands of lives being taken. It would be his fault for not warning them of the danger or sending them home and not postponing the party next week to make sure things were safe for them. For the first time ever, Star Swirl was beginning to doubt his wisdom.

  "Everyone please calm down!" Sombra's voice boomed over the crowd of ponies, snapping Star Swirl out of his thoughts as the pony stood up to do something. "Now is not the time to panic! Please quiet down, and do as we say! Everything is going to be fine!" He called, the crowd slowly quieting down, but still whispering and whimpering.

  Sombra nodded, satisfied with his work before he turned and went to Star Swirl who was now pacing slightly. "My King, what do you want us to do?" He asked, and Star Swirl glanced at him and felt slight pride for his quick act of taking control and focusing on what needed to be done.

  Star Swirl took in a deep breath and glanced at Fluttershy who was walking towards him and slightly trembling. "Tell my men to form in groups, we need to push the ogres back before they reach the castle." He said lifting his chin, and looking into Sombra's eyes. "We'll send them at all sides, hopefully that will give us some time."

  Sombra nodded and turned to the guard and started repeating the king's words to him and leading the guard out to tell the others. Star Swirl watched as Sombra left but when his eyes caught those of his daughter's, he felt his heart clench in pain at the fear in her eyes. Fluttershy thought he didn't know, but he knew that she still had nightmares about the ogres attacking and her mothers death.

  "Papa...I-I..I'm scared." Fluttershy whimpered as she walked to her father and he quickly held her in his arms and shushed her while petting her mane.

  "It's alright darling, there is nothing to worry about, you'll be safe, me and Sombra will take care of this." He then pulled away and sighed. "Fluttershy, I'm gonna need your help gathering the mares and foals and take them some place safe just in case things go wrong."

  Fluttershy reluctantly nodded her head but she couldn't seem to stop shaking as images of ogres storming through and killing every pony filled her head, making it hard for the mare to focus on the situation.

  "I'll try papa..." She whispered, and tried to relax herself by taking long and deep breaths to calm her nerves.

  Star Swirl smiled and nodded his head before he frowned and turned away. "I will join Sombra in preparing the soldiers, when you're done, I'll meet you in the throne room with Sombra to discuss plans on how to stop the ogres."

  Fluttershy nodded despite that he couldn't see her from being turned away, and gulped down the lump in her throat before she shut her eyes and prayed for strength as she turned and walked over to the mares and stallions who were waiting to know what was going on. She kept asking herself how the ogres got here so quickly, and why they hadn't attacked the villages before the gates.

  Star Swirl had gathered the troops and sent them on their way to meet the ogres, although he was starting to worry as minutes pasted. He was now in the throne room along with Sombra, Fluttershy, and his commanders. He had hoped that this was going to work out okay, and everyone was gonna be alright. But even through the thick walls of the castle, he could hear the sounds of pain and death of his soldiers. One by one he heard them dying, and it had only been an hour since he sent them out.

  Star Swirl was twirling his beard in his hoof as his other arm crossed his stomach. He hummed in thought as he stared down at the map indicating where his soldiers and the ogres were, as well as they're still standing towers. thirty minutes ago, one of his commanders had brought news of the northern tower being destroyed, which was bad news, but at least it could have been worse.

  "Are you alright my king? I-is there anything I can get you?" Rarity asked who was by Fluttershy's side.

  Star Swirl glanced at the mare and thought before shaking his head. "No thank you Rarity...I can't have anything right now." He replied and Rarity nodded.

  "How did they get to the tower so easily? wouldn't they have attacked the village first?" Fluttershy asked and Star Swirl grimaced.

  "They did...earlier today..." He murmured, making his daughters eyes widen.

  "Wh-what do you mean papa? are you saying the ogres attacked the villages...and...a-and you didn't tell me?" She asked, feeling slight anger that her father didn't tell her this long ago when it happened.

  "Sweet heart, I didn't tell you as to not cause you panic. It was your birthday and I couldn't have ogres attacking the villages ruin one of the most important days of your life." He replied, trying to keep her from freaking out.

  "But papa! my birthday isn't as important as the lives of those who came here today! Papa! they could have been hurt! wh-what if the ogres had attacked them on their trip here!?" She squealed.

  "But they weren't Fluttershy." Sombra said dropping into the conversation. "So there is nothing to worry about, your father knew that he couldn't send everyone back because if he did, they would have had a bigger chance at being attacked on the road." He explained, surprising Fluttershy and Star Swirl slightly.

  "This isn't important right now my dear, right now we need to focus on what is important...and that's keeping everyone safe." He said, the others nodding at his words.

  Fluttershy gulped and wrapped her arms around herself tightly. She wasn't really mad at her father for not telling her, just terrified, scared that the ogres would win this time, especially with such a surprise as to attack on the night of her ball.

  "My King!" A voice shouted entering the throne room panting.

  "Yes captain Flash." Star Swirl said.

  "The ogres have destroyed the eastern gates....and our army is quickly falling..." He whispered and deep dread filled Star Swirl and the others at his words.

  "They're more stronger, much quicker than ever before, and their numbers are increasing." He panted and glanced out the window as a flame was seen ahead.

  Star Swirl groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Every time he thought things would start to get better, things got worse, and now he was fearing the worst. But he couldn't give up hope, they still had to get through one more gate, and they still had many troops to go out and fight. He didn't like that he was sending so many lives to their death, but it was a sacrifice he had to make. He would go and help fight himself, but he was too old now, his bones were weak and he wasn't the soldier he was so many years ago.

  "Send more soldiers, take them out from the back so we can try to corner the enemy." He ordered and Flash bowed his head before quickly turning and rushing out to report his orders.

  "I have a feeling this isn't going to end well..." Fluttershy shivered as she approached the large glass window to try and peek at what was happening. She felt herself whimper and her ears fall back as she could barely see the ogres heads as they charged after their stallion troops.

  "It will be alright my dear. We still have a strong chance of winning this." He replied and wrapped an arm around her shoulder with a small smile of reassurance.

  "But papa...what if it doesn't? I know we have strong soldiers, and in large numbers...but I have this terrible feeling in my bones that...that something will go wrong and they'll break through." She whimpered and buried her nose into the shoulder of her father and he sighed and held her.

  "Darling...do not lose faith...the battle has only just begun. There is no telling what will happen." He whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

  Fluttershy bit her lip and sighed before pulling away from her father. She thought that maybe she was worrying too much and her father would take care of everything and within tomorrow, they would have pushed the ogres back and won the fight. But no matter how much Fluttershy tried to reassure herself that things would be okay, something would twist in her stomach and she felt that for sure things 'weren't' going to be okay.

  Then a thought came to her as she looked up at her father with a worried look. "Papa...a while ago...I...I heard some mares talking about a powerful sorcerer called the...the dark one?" She started explaining and her fathers eyes widened and he glared.

  "No...." He suddenly said and she looked at him confused. "I know who you speak of...and I will not ever hear you mention that name again."

  "But papa, what if he can stop all of this, he could probably end the ogre wars for good-" She tried to explain but Star Swirl interrupted her and placed his hooves on her shoulders.

  "Fluttershy...I will never even consider of asking that scorer for help. He is not only powerful...but he is pure evil...and if there is one thing I learned...is that magic always comes with a price." He said with a firm and somewhat harsh tone causing Fluttershy to flinch.

  "Your father is right Fluttershy." Sombra said, once again supporting her father. "This dark one is nothing but a deal making vermin. He has taken many innocent lives just for the fun of it. He is a beast...a monster, and a murderer."

  Fluttershy frowned as Star Swirl nodded at Sombra. "Yes he is right Fluttershy. This sorcerer is a creature who doesn't care about anyone, and even if he could help us, there is no doubt there will be a big price to pay." He said and hugged Fluttershy again. "Don't lose faith so quickly my dear...we can win this." He murmured and Fluttershy sighed before returning his hug.

  Suddenly they jumped as they heard a loud bang and the castle shook.

  "What was that?" Called Star Swirl and everyone went to look outside and they all paled at the sight before them. Somehow, ogres were attacking the castle doors, and soldiers were desperately trying to push them back but one by one, they were being crushed into nothing but dirt as the ogres smashed them.

  "How did they get to the castle!?" Star Swirl asked aloud, feeling panic rise within him as he watched another stallion die from being attacked.

  "My King!" Called another captain who looked beat up and bruised with blood staining his armor. "The ogres! They broke through the wall!"

  "Wh-what!? how is that possible?" He demanded and began pacing.

  "I don't know, I believe that they attacked at the gates to cause a distraction while others snuck inside!" The light blue pegasus panted while clutching his bleeding stomach and groaning before collapsing to the ground.

  "Get him some help!" Star Swirl called and rushed over to help the downed stallion.

  "My king...." A commander whispered as he continued to look out the window. "Our troops are falling quickly...we're being overrun...and fast! What are we supposed to do?"

  Star Swirl glanced at the commander then at Sombra before sighing and pulling at his hair. "I don't know!" He replied with anger. "I've never seen something like this!...and I...I don't know what to do." He groaned and walked over to the table.

  Fluttershy walked over and pet the fur of his cloak and frowned at him. "Papa...I don't think we'll win this one....I know it's dangerous, and I know you don't think its a good idea...but I think we should send to the dark one..." She said, her voice going quieter with each word till it came out almost as a squeak.

  "Fluttershy! I told you-" Star Swirl shouted but Fluttershy found herself interrupting him.

  "No papa, ponies are dying...the ogres planned this out well....I don't think we have a choice..." She murmured and gasped as screams of pain echoed outside.

  Fluttershy turned and looked into her fathers eyes pleadingly and Star Swirl felt himself biting his lip in thought. They could call for reinforcements, but the ogres were blocking off every point, and a message bird would take too long to get to its destination. The ogres had planned good this time, and he had a feeling that...he wasn't going to win this time. There was still hope though that they could do this, but for the sake of his ponies...

  "Alright...we will send for him..."

Many Years Ago....

  Small fillies and colts played and laughed as they bounced a small ball across the street of a small town. Their parents worked hard by farming and working as smiths and butchers. This town was extremely poor, and it was hard to live in, and their king was not by any means kind or a well caring of them. The houses were simple and made out of wood and the roofs had nothing but straw to cover and protect them from the harsh weather of rain and snow in the winter.

  He watched them silently, and he hid within the shadows just outside of his house. Unlike the little foals that played, this creature sat still and only observed them as they played. He wanted to join them, to laugh with them and enjoy the company of friends. But his appearance scared them all away.

  He sighed and lowered his ears as he continued to watch them play, seeing them smile and jump around in joy made him sadden. No matter how much he wanted to play with them, he knew that he couldn't, for if he did they would run in fear, or he could hurt them....

  His father had abandoned him as a child, and his mother died the day he was born. He had been alone for three years before a mare stumbled upon him and took him in, and since then he saw her as his mom. Everyone rejected him and feared him, so he always had to hide and keep his distance in order to not cause trouble for his mother.

  "Hey you..." A voice whispered causing the colt hidden in his cloak gasp and back away.

  "Wh-what?" He asked in a whimper as he cowered into a corner.

  "Hey relax...I just wanted to ask if you want to play with us?" The filly asked, coming into the light. She was a small filly with an orange coat and green eyes, and her blond hair was braided to the side.

  "U-um....n-no thank you..." He replied quickly when a voice called from behind the mare.

  "Get away from that beast Applejack!" A cracked voice called and from behind the filly, was an orange colt with a brown mane that covered his face.

  "Leave him alone Hoop!" Applejack glared at the colt who just smirked at her and pushed her down into the dirt, getting dust all over her simple clothes.

  Discord flinched forward, wanting to help the pony he pushed down, but he knew he couldn't without causing a scene. All thoughts for the little filly disappeared as the colt came and stood over his cowering form. Hoop laughed at the strange creature who lay beneath him and smirked.

  "What's the matter creature?....are you scared?" He asked in a taunting voice and a couple of other colts joined from behind him and snickered.

  "Please just go away...I don't want to hurt you..." He murmured and grunted as Hoop kicked him in the side, causing him to hit against the wall and onto the floor.

  "Ha! you? hurt me? Alright...then show me what you got?" He said, opening his arms out to the side and the others continued to snicker.

  Discord told himself to just ignore him and walk away, that way he couldn't cause trouble or lose control. As he got up, he made sure to not make eye contact and slowly started to walk away.

  This action caused Hoop to laugh and he threw his head back. "Yeah I knew it!...your just like your father! A pathetic cowered!" He yelled and other foals began to come forward to see what was going on.

  "Hoop I said leave him alone!" Applejack demanded as she stomped over but the two colts that were behind hoop grabbed and held her from going forward.

Discord froze at Hoops words and he felt something within him begin to grow, begin to expand. Coward.....

  Slowly, he turned on all fours and glared up at Hoop, his red orbs glowing with anger, and he said in a calm but menacing tone. "Take.That.Back..." he growled.

  Hoop and the two other colts seemed to be surprised by his tone but they just laughed, causing the creature's anger to grow more. "Oh what's the matter? Don't like that you're just like your father!?" He continued to taunt, and the creature dug his claws into the ground and his body seemed to shake.

  "It's no wonder why your own daddy abandoned you! You're a pathetic monster just like him! A freak!" He smirked with his hooves on his hips as he leaned down to speak.

  "I said...Take it back!" He yelled, gritting his teeth and his eyes were swimming with tears and some falling from their brim and down his cheeks.

  "Aww, are you gonna cry? Do you want your mommy?" He mocked and pursed his lips before laughing and kicking him in the face and back into the dirt.

  "Shut up....." He choked and tried his best not to thrash out.

  "You'll always be a coward you freak! You'll never belong anywhere!" He glared at the figure that rose once more.

  "SHUT UP!!" The creature roared and pounced the colt, a bright yellow wave bursting from within him and blasting the others away.

  "I'M NOT MY FATHER! I HATE HIM! HE LEFT ME TO ROT AND I'LL NEVER! BE LIKE HIM!" The mix matched colt yelled in Hoops face, his eagle claw pinning him down on his chest, and he glared down at him with glowing red eyes. His hood had flown back, revealing his long neck and black hair, as well as the two horns peeking from his head.

  "Get off me! Help! he's trying to kill me!" Hoops whimpered and struggled under the animal. The animal ignored his cries and picked him up from his shirt and slammed him against a post. The colt snarled at hoops, his small canines showing and his eyes continued to glow blood red with anger as he pulled his paw back to strike the pathetic pony.

  "DISCORD!" A mares voice called out, sounding distressed and scared. "Discord stop it!"

  Discord's eyes returned to their normal red and yellow as he heard the familiar voice, and he immediately backed away from the colt that was whimpering in pain as he gripped his neck that now bled. He just realized what he had done and his ears fell back as he realized that everyone in town was watching in complete horror as they stared at him.

  "Hoop! a-are you ok?! oh my sweetie!" A mare, a pegasus came rushing to her son and held him tightly while rocking him. "Are you hurt?" She gasped as she saw the blood on his neck that now dripped down his chest.

  "Discord...." A mare of orange came up to Discord and knelt down, and as the other mare had done, she grabbed Discord and held him tightly against her.

  "I-I-I...I'm sorry mom...I....I didn't mean to...." He stuttered and glanced at the colt over his moms shoulder and feeling guilt overwhelm him.

  "It's okay Discord...it's okay....just relax and take deep breaths..." She whispered and lovingly stroked his mane.

  "You little demon!" Hoops mother called and Carrot Top pulled away from Discord to look at her.

  "Please ma'am...he didn't mean no harm-"

  "That little beast hurt my son! He needs to be punished!" She glared at Discord who backed away behind his moms legs.

  "Ma'am please try and understand-" Carrot Top tried to reason but she wasn't having any of it.

  "You need to control that monster of yours Carrot! He could have really hurt hoops!" She accused and held hoops close to her side.

  "I'll take care of it!" Carrot yelled and glared back, not liking how she was being interrupted, and what she called her son.

  "Well you better! Cause if I don't see that...that freak gone by tomorrow? I'm reporting him to the king!" She threatened and quickly grabbed her son and walked away in anger.

  Carrot watched as they walked away and then the other ponies who were glaring and showing looks of fear for the Draconequus that still sat curled behind her legs.

  "Come Discord." She whispered, turning and slowly walking away, making sure to keep an eye on everyone as she went.

  Discord looked up apologetically at the ponies and held back the tears as he took slow and shaky steps following his mother. He could see that everyone feared him, and so did he. He didn't know where it came from, but ever since he could remember, he had a strange magic. He couldn't control it, and he didn't know what type of magic it was, so his adoptive mother Carrot Top had always instructed him to stay away from ponies as to not hurt anyone.

  Apparently he had failed in trying to contain his magic within. He was always good at not being effected by their harsh and cruel words, but whenever they brought up the subject of his father...he seemed to lose control and everything would black out. He never forgave his father for abandoning him to live a life in luxury and peace, not having to take care of his nuisance of a son, who always got in the way of what he wanted.

  Carrot Top stood to the side and waited for Discord to enter before slamming the door shut, making the colt flinch and pull his tail between his legs.

  "Discord..." Carrot Top groaned, rubbing her forehead as it ached. "What have I told you...about talking to other ponies! This is the third time now! I can't afford you doing this! I'll lose everything and the king would have your head for a prize if he learned what you did!" She shouted in anger for him.

  "I...I said I was sorry...they....they said I was a coward-" He tried to explain.

  "It doesn't matter what they said Discord." She groaned. "The point is you keep letting their words get to you! I've told that what they say doesn't matter!"

  Carrot Top left the door and came over to hug Discord tightly in her arms. "I love you Discord...I wouldn't be able to take it if you got hurt..." She whispered and Discord nodded before letting his tears fall.

  "I can't take it anymore mom!....I...I just can't control it....I want it to end..." He choked and snuggled even closer.

  Carrot sighed sadly and stood up with Discord in her arms as she walked over to a small rocking chair and sat in it. "I'm sorry Discord...I didn't mean to yell...I'm not mad...I'm just afraid..." She murmured and kissed his forehead as he quietly cried into her shoulder.

  "A-afraid of me?" He asked biting his lip.

  Carrot Top frowned and gulped. She loved Discord like the son she never had, but she couldn't deny to herself that his magic scared her, and that she was afraid of him as well.

  Carrot Top pulled him back and looked dead in his eye. "No...I'm not afraid of you Discord....I'm afraid someone will hurt you, or you hurt them-" She stopped as she realized she wasn't helping.

  "Mom..." Discord rasped as he looked down at his mix matched hands that lay on her shoulders. "I don't want this anymore...I want it gone!" He growled and buried his face into her shoulder again.

  "You want what gone sweetie?" She asked in confusion.

  "My magic! I-I don't want it!...if I-I'm just gonna keep hurting ponies like this...I don't want it!" He cried, gasping as more tears fell from his eyes.

  "What are you saying Discord?" She asked as she pulled him back again.

  "I want to get rid of my magic..." He whispered and Carrots eyes widened.

  "Discord...no.....that's not safe, it's impossible to take magic away, and only a very powerful sorcerer can take someone else's magic away-"

  "Then we'll find one..." He murmured, his red eyes catching her green ones.

  Carrot top grimaced and began to protest but his small finger rose and touched her lips.

  "Please....I don't ever want to hurt anyone again..." He whispered in the softest of voices.

  Carrot Top was going to refuse, knowing that even though she did fear his magic, it was a part of him, and it was what made him special. But as she stared at the desperate look in his eyes, the pain in them for needing to hide away, to always run and stay secluded in darkness, made her have second thoughts.

  "Discord...are you sure?" She carefully asked.

  Discord took in a deep breath and closed his eyes before reopening them and with a look of determination he answered. "Yes....."

  Star Swirl collapsed in his throne and let out a shaky breath of exhaustion. For seven long hours, the battle continued to go on, and on. At first the ogres seemed like they had the upper hoof, and he was fearing that they would actually lose this time. But afterwards, his stallions had stood up, and they had met them head on, and slowly they started to fall back, and hope began to rise again that this wasn't a loss.

  Their hope was short lasted when more ogres attacked, there seemed to be over hundreds of ogres. The king was at least grateful that his top captain was able to lead his soldiers to them and they were successful at pushing them back to the eastern gates. If they didn't succeed in killing them, then they would have no other choice.....

  "My Lord....." A Commander whispered as he just left from the doors of the throne room. "News has come from the battlefield....Captain Shining Armor has fallen...." He said in despair.

  "My god..." Star Swirl replied in disbelief. He rose from his throne and for the seventh time he began pacing, his distress clearly written across his face.

  "If only he had come....." Sombra whispered who was standing next to Fluttershy. During the whole time, Fluttershy had been scared and shaking, so Sombra had come over and held her to help calm her.

  "Well he didn't did he!?" He suddenly shouted, making Fluttershy flinch against the arm Sombra had around her.

   Fluttershy looked up at Sombra and slowly moved her way out of his hold as she saw Star Swirl fall back onto the throne and grunt. She frowned and gulped before coming over to his side and sitting down on the floor and holding his hooves in hers.

  "It's okay papa.....he could be on his way right now." She said as she kissed the hoof she held.

  "It's too late my dear....he won't come.....I knew he wouldn't....he only does what helps himself.....he doesn't care about the lives of ponies." He said and stroked Fluttershy's cheek, making her lean into it.

  Just then, the entire room jumped as three loud and spaced knocks were heard against the throne doors. Star Swirl looked up surprised and his daughter seemed to brighten slightly with hope.

  "That could be him...." She mumbled.

  "That's impossible...." He grumbled, sitting up again and walking over to the doors to answer himself. "How in the hell did he get passed the castle walls?"

  As Star Swirl approached the door, he nodded to the commanders and they drew their swords out and pointed them in the direction of the door. Star Swirl stopped and did a slight nod to two guards at the door and they held their breaths as the doors creaked open, and they awaited to see who was behind.

  All their faces suddenly were covered in confusion and surprise as the the doors fully opened. They were expecting to see a dark and menacing stallion, someone who looked like they could kill them in a wave of a hoof, but.......there was no one there.........

  "Well that a was a bit of a let down..." A deep voice chuckled in amusement that came from behind them. Making them all jump and some squeal as they turned around to see who had made that sound, and their eyes widened in complete fear as they looked at the creature before them.

  He was nothing like they have ever seen before. He wasn't a pony for sure, his body was long and slithery like a dragon or a snake. His skin was almost black, except it shimmered like specks of gold. His mane was black where two black horns stuck out from his head. He had a eagle claw on his left, and a lion paw on the right. His right leg was that of a raptors, and the left side was that of what looked like a donkey.

  He had two wings as well, on his right it looked like a normal pegasus wing, and the other was a golden bat wing on his right. Then he had a long muscular tail that slithered along the ground with a small black tuft of hair hanging off the end. How was it possible for a creature to have so many different body parts? He also wore black tight pants, half leather boots, and a jacket that looked like scales of a dragon, the sleeves reaching down and wrapping around his middle finger, his clothes made him look all the more terrifying,

  What was the most frightening thing about him were his eyes. The part of his eyes that was supposed to be white, was a black darker than night, and his iris was a bright yellow, perhaps gold, and his pupil was almost transparent as it formed into a very thin slit. The terrifying creature grinned at their expressions, showing his few long canines and a large fang that hung out from his mouth.

  "You should really see the looks on your faces right now....it's priceless!" He laughed softly, covering his smile with a paw. "Oh wait...you can." He said and snapped his fingers, causing a mirror to appear in each of their faces, knocking them out of their trance before he snapped again, making them disappear into thin air.

  "Now I believe you called me asking for help? Lets see how was it...hmmm..." He said while tapping his chin with his talon. "Oh yes....um...Help! help! we're dying! can you save us!?" He suddenly called out, showing fake fear and making his voice higher pitched, practically mocking them.

  The menacing and dark creature rolled his eyes at the blank stares he got, but also still felt amusement at the looks they had.

  "Now my answer is...." He said, rising from the throne and walking towards the grey unicorn who was standing in front of a yellow mare, his sword pointing right at him. "Yes..." He smirked as he slapped the tip of sombra's sword away and turned around while putting his hands behind his back as if admiring the castle.

  "pft! really King Star Swirl, for royalty I expected much better from you. I come here to help and the first thing you do is threaten me with sticks?" He asked with a mocking town.

  "Can we get this over with? I can't let more ponies die!" Star Swirl demanded, feeling anger towards the creature.

  "Patience deary...patience..." He turned to face him and waved a talon at him. He smirked at the glares he got and began walking slowly around them. "Yes...I can help you.....at least that is.....for a price." He murmured and halted once he was next to Star Swirl.

  Star Swirl hated how he had to look up at the creature from how tall he was and he shot a look of anger and confusion. "We sent you a promise of gold!" He declared and Discord just began laughing, a deep and dark laugh that caused Fluttershy to gasp.

  "Oh! I'm sorry I...you see um...oh how do I break this to you..." He whispered, faking his worry about telling him. "You see King Star Swirl..." He whispered, coming up to his face and giving him a dumb look. "I...make gold..." He grumbled, smiling as Star Swirl's eyes widened not only in shock, but fear.

  Fluttershy stared at him in horror, she had never seen such a dark and cruel creature. She could feel herself shrinking every time he got close, and for the first time she was grateful for Sombra's protection. He was for sure menacing, and as those amber eyes focused on her for a second as he stood near her father, she felt a deep shiver go down her spine, not only from fear...but something strange as well.

  "No I don't want gold." Discord said, breaking Fluttershy out of her thoughts. "What I want is something a bit more Spec-cial." He said, moving his hands around.

  Star Swirl watched with wary eyes as the creature circled around him once before stopping. "No...what I want...is her.." He said, his finger pointing behind the King and he turned and felt his heart stop in terror as the finger pointed towards his darling daughter.

  Fluttershy gasped and felt herself whimper and Sombra put an arm in front of her. "The young lady is engaged sir....to me." He hissed in a warning tone and Discord laughed once again.

  "I didn't ask if she was engaged deary...in fact it wouldn't matter if she was married either." He said as he walked up to a window and peeked out at the destruction.

  "I'm not looking for l-.....love..." He seemed to struggle with the word as if it disgusted him or angered him to say it. "I'm only looking for a care taker!" he suddenly smiled as he spun around and rose his hands near his head. "For my rather large estate." He said simply and continued to smile casually.

  "Besides it will be fun ordering someone around all day, don't you think so Star Swirl?" He asked making Star Swirl seethe with anger at how he was planning to treat his daughter.

  "No! GET OUT!" Star Swirl shouted, pointing his hoof towards the open doors and the creature bowed.

  "As you wish..." He smirked as he began to walk slowly out.

  Fluttershy was shaking with dread at the creatures offer in order to help save the kingdom. As her father told him to get out, she felt a strange feeling of need, of duty and even though she was scared to death, she knew she needed to do it. She couldn't live with knowing that just because she didn't go with this monster, that the kingdom would fall.

  "W-wait!" Fluttershy called out, and Discord turned around and crossed his arms over his chest and a knowing smile was on his lips, as if he was expecting for her to say that.

  Fluttershy gulped as those eyes dug into her soul and seemed to have felt a strange shaking in her legs at how intense they were. She looked down at the floor and closed her eyes before taking a long and deep breath to help calm herself down, if just slightly. Then she did the unthinkable as she left from Sombra's hold and walked over the the creature that towered over her, only the end of her head was up to his chest.

  "I...I will....I will go w-with you...." She whispered and everyone gasped, Star Swirl and Sombra immediately stepping forward.

  "Fluttershy no!" Star Swirl called and Fluttershy fought back the tears as she turned around and hugged her father tightly, knowing that it would most likely be the last time she ever see him.

  "Fluttershy..I can't allow you to go with..with this...." He paused as he glanced up at the menace who was smiling and Star Swirl glared daggers at him. "This beast..." He hissed and Discord's mouth dropped open in shock and fake hurt as he placed a paw on his chest.

  "I'm sorry papa...but...I-I have to...if it will save you and the kingdom...then I will." She whispered and held him tightly before leaning up and kissing his cheek. "I love you papa.....I won't forget you." She sniffled.

  "Fluttershy don't be ridiculous! you can't-" Sombra shouted in anger but Fluttershy pulled away from her father slightly and silenced Sombra with a hoof on his chest.

  "Papa....Sombra..." She said in a shaky breath. "It's been decided...I'm sorry...but...but if he wants me...then he'll have me." She whispered, wiping a tear and Star Swirl was about to protest but the creature came up next to Fluttershy ear.

  "You know....the mares right." He pointed towards her and Fluttershy shivered as she felt it's breath on her skin.

  Fluttershy turned around and stared at his chest, not being able to stare into those menacing amber eyes. "If I go with you....my friends-" She said glancing at Rarity who was crying. "My family.....they w-will all live?"

    Discord smiled and did a small bow while waving one of his hands elegantly. "You have my word...."

  Fluttershy sighed and rapped her arms around herself. "T-then...you have mine..." She whispered just barely loud enough for them to hear.

  "It is forever deary...are you sure?" He asked, and Fluttershy was slightly surprised that he was asking her if she really wanted it.

  Fluttershy glanced one more time at her father and whimpered quietly as a tear fell down her cheek before she turned and closed her eyes, her ears falling back. "....yes."

  "Deal! ynha!" He chirped and clapped his hands like an excited filly.

  "Fluttershy...please...don't do this...I can't lose you like your mother." He sadly whispered, trying to hold back his tears.

  "Sorry kingy! I'm afraid you already lost her." He laughed and Fluttershy gasped as she felt a paw on her back and push her forward with strong force.

  "Oh! Congratulations on your little war!" He halted suddenly, almost making Fluttershy trip and he glanced behind him. "I hope your happy with the results...." He grinned brightly and pushed Fluttershy forward, almost shoving her.

  "Fluttershy!" Sombra called and Fluttershy peeked behind her. "Don't g-" He tried to say but the creature twisted his claw and the doors seemed to close suddenly, not letting the stallion finish.

  "Gah! I hate watching goodbyes...so mushy and disgusting." He shivered gagging and Fluttershy just stared beyond, not believing that this was happening. Surely this had to be a dream.

  She didn't know why she accepted this beast's offer, but she felt the need to protect her kingdom, her friends, and her family. As she told herself many times, she couldn't be selfish, she had to do what was best.....she had no say in it....she had no choice. She had to be brave just like her mother was, she had to stay strong and work for this creature for as long as she needed to.

God give me strength...