A New Journey For A New Prince

With Tender Step unconscious, and Razor Feather soon to die, Bane was left to fight multiple Timberwolves alone and exhausted. Hope was looking bleak as the Timberwolves began to close in on him.

He puts up a barrier around the wounded mares and leaps at the nearest Timberwolf. Bane growled a bit as he got headbutted in the ribs from the side by one of the circling Timberwolves, and rolled to get back to his hooves. This was done just in time to meet with a tackle, followed by a bite to his head. Bane screamed out as he thrashed to get free when another Timberwolf grabbed him by his right rear hoof and started pulling.

Just as Bane was about to collapse from exhaustion before he could get free, a laughter was heard, and this confused the Timberwolves.

"Oh my, what a precarious predicament you've gotten yourself into. Why not just blast them off of you?" The mysterious voice asked.

"Would if I could....I've exhausted all my magic trying to find HER!" Bane said and looked to Tender Step just as the Timberwolves let him go.

"All of this trouble over a gypsy?" The voice asked and Bane scoffed.

Bane tries to get back up, only to collapse to the dirt and gritted his teeth. He had no strength left.

"Does the high and mighty prince need a helping claw?" The voice asked just as the timberwolves were leaping at him again. With no strength left, his magic exhausted and in a really bad situation, Bane called out for help.

A simple snap was heard as the leaping timberwolves were levitated into the air and one was turned into a plant. A second was turned into a lizard, another was turned into a chicken, then another turned into a lit candle, while the last one was turned into a cart.

Another snap was heard as Discord appeared, yawning boredly. "T...thanks.." Bane said.

Bane looked up at him and sighed, barely able to even move anymore. Just as Bane passes out, Discord groaned and snapped his claw again, teleporting himself, Bane and Tender Step to Razor Feather's village. He then teleported away and seconds later, the pegasi villagers swarmed to the injured ponies.

(Three days later)

Bane was first to wake, and was told that Tender Step doesn't have a very good chance of pulling through her injuries. Bane begged the healer of tge village to do everything she could, but the healer simply shook her head at him. "I'm sorry, but not only is she severely wounded, but she managed to contract a rare disease called Hiporia, also known as The Gasping Death. There's nothing more I can do for her."

Refusing to accept another loss, Bane asked if there was a cure, only to find out that there was one, however the ingredients have gone barren. Bane asked what the ingredients were and what they looked like.

Upon being told, he takes off to search the area. Not willing to give up or rest, he frantically searches.

(A few hours later)

Having found five of the six ingredients, he returned to the village and asked where he may find the final ingredient, a Phoenix feather.

The village healer did not know where to find it, and so Bane began to cry.

He began to think hard, trying to think of where a Phoenix might nest and remembered seeing a volcano North of tge village. Instantly he got up and began galloping North. This left the healer confused.

(Two hours later)

Bane arrived at the mountain, looking in the trees. "Ugh...if only Fluttershy was here...I'm sure she'd be able to help me out here.."

It took him a while but he found a phoenix nest. He calls out to see if the parents are there.

Two heads pop up over the nest and Bane smiled.

"Hello there, may I have a feather to cure somepony close to me of a disease?" Bane asked politely.

The larger phoenix nodded and plucked a feather from it's wing and let it float down to Bane. He smiled happily and caught it with his magic and gave a thankful bow.

He used his magic to teleport back to the healers hut. Once there, he smiled with hope at the healer. "I found it!! Can you make the medicine now?!"

The healer snatched the feather and began mixing the several ingredients together. Once it was blended, the healer then began to add water and placed a straw into it. Holding it up to Tender Steps lips, the healer began to urge the mare to drink it all.

It took a few minutes, but the mare did end up drinking it all up. "It is done, now only time will tell if she will recover, or succumb to her illness." The healer explained.

Bane nodded and smiled warmly. "Great! How long before we can tell if she'll be ok?"

The healer thinks for a long moment. "Two or three days at least, a week at most."

Bane sighed in mild disappointment but smiled with hope glinting in his eyes. He went to lay down next to Tender Step, worry apparent in his expression.

(Three days later)

Bane came back into the healers hut from helping clean up the village after a serious storm the previous day. He sat by Tender Step again as he strokes her mane worriedly. He hasn't been able to eat much since the separation.

A few hours pass and Tender Step began to groan herself awake. Bane was the first pony she saw upon waking up.

"B...Bane? Is t..that you?" Tender Step asked with a weak voice.

Bane perked up immediately and leaned in close to her, stroking her mane again, just as he has been each day. "Yes dear, it's me. Take it easy sweetie, you've been sick for the past few days now. The healer said you should be ok in a few more days."

(To be continued)