Equestria Handyman

Looking at the brewing storm on the horizon, Mark can only sigh and look down from his balcony in the castle. Memories of early that day still fresh in his mind, as he tried to convince himself of the explanation everyone gave him and how it would be for the best if he remained behind while everyone went to deal with Tirek.

“But I can be of help!” Mark tries to argue “Don’t you see? I don’t have magic and right now I can practically control gravity, if you let me help I’m sure we could stop him”

“Or hand over the final piece he would need to be truly unstoppable.” Celestia argues back “Mark, it is not that we don’t believe you can be of help, because we do, but with the necklace of Anubis in his possession, it would only take one wrong step and trick and the entire world would truly be doomed”

“Please try to understand, sugar cube, as much as we want you there, the princess is right. If he gets a hold of your fancy gloves it's all over.” Applejack tries to reason with him.

“Plus we had a deal with Tirek like that before, if anything the best you can be is serve as bait as you are right now” Dash mentions earning a glare from Twilight

“I mean no offense, but come on it's true! And I don’t want to risk the life of my friends if I can do something about it.” She says in sorrow. “Mark, you did more than enough, you beat Chrysalis by yourself, using only your dick!” She praised him with a giant smile and patted his shoulder. “I will never doubt what you can do in the sack ever again but unfortunately this isn’t what you are good at. It is what WE are.” Rainbow Dash continue

“We got it, you are awesome, so just let us show you how we can be awesome too.”

“Rainbow is right darling” Rarity continues. “Plus we are talking about Tirek here, he is by no means dumb but he isn’t exactly the planning type of guy, and more the brute force his way through his problems. I’m sure he will be easy to find and even easier to trick. The moment we remove that dreadful crown off him it will be all over and he will be back in tartarus where he belongs.”

“And then it will be party time!” Pinkie hugs him with one arm. “So while we go, why don’t you help us out and start preparing the party, you can eat as many cupcakes as you want.” She suggests handing him a to-do list for the party.

“I…suppose that could help me keep my mind distracted from this” He nods, making Pinkie tighten her hug.

“There you go! See? There is a way for you to help us without taking unnecessary risk.”

“Don’t go cheering so fast Pinkie.” Umbral mentions while crossing her arms the same as Milky “Just because we agree, doesn’t mean we are happy with all of this.”

“Please be careful out there” Milky asks Fluttershy while holding her hands. “And if things get too dangerous, come back immediately.”

And just like that both Twilight and Pinkie herd also voice their concern as well as the rest of their friends, who decided to stay behind, sharing Umbral’s feeling, but ultimately decided to use the party as a form of distraction.”

“We will come back, there is nothing for you to be worried over.” Fluttershy calls and one by one they say their goodbyes ending with Mark

“It’s just not fair…this is my mess. Why are you the one having to clean it up?”

“It never was your mess Mark, you were simply the victim in Chrysalis' plan.” Fluttershy reasons, grabbing his hand. “And this is what being an element means. So please, don’t feel responsible for any of this.”

“Just please come back as fast as you can, I don’t want to lose you again.”

She smiles and gives him a kiss. “Don’t worry Mark, your little kitten isn’t without her claws.” She gets closer to his ear “…and I still owe you a lot of things, an orgy, with herd and marked mares, the fruit of our time in the camp and a session with Molly.” She ends by giving him a light lick on his ear sending shivers down his spine as he nods, her actions helping him distract himself from the tense situation. “Thank you.” He smiles at her in gratitude.

“Always my hunter.”

“Still worried about them?” The voice of Milky startled him and when turning around he saw both her and Umbral approaching both holding a glass of orange juice with Milky carrying a second to offer which he accepted as he nodded before looking at the storm with his herd.

“I’m really trying not to think about it girls, I really am but…it has been a week since we last heard from everyone. I know nothing has happened since the day and night are still moving but the idea of how Tirek is making everyone so tense, is really putting me on edge.”

“Me too sweetie.” Milky nods and grabs his hand. “Me too.”

Umbral only sighs and looks forward “This is exactly why I refused being a royal guard, seeing, or going into battle like this? Filling your herd with so much tension? It's simply nerve racking.” She chuckles and looks at them. “Once Fluttershy comes back we will have to think of a way to join the frame because there is no way I’m planning to stay still for long if someone is threatening to hurt her.”

“Agreed.'' Mark takes a sip of his glass and hopes for the best, when the arrival of a guard startles the entire group, as they turn to see a distressed soldier walking in. “Sir! It’s an emergency!”

“What is it?”

“It’s Tirek he…he just sent a message, come with me, everyone is gathering in the throne room.”

Taking glances at each other, everyone nods and follows the guard as the other two herd gather in the throne room where they find Phantom the Thestral captain of Princess Luna and one of the many guards that went to face Tirek injured and completely drained of magic. Being attended to by the resident medic.

“What happened?” Silver asks her commander.

“Tirek…we underestimated him. We manage to corner him in a quarry and Rainbow Dash succeeds in taking the necklace.” He opens his palm revealing a beautiful obsidian necklace with a purple gem on it being bitten by an Abyssinian lioness.

“But in doing so he took her magic and speed with it, he blindsided us and turned into a storm to absorb our magic. I managed to fool him pretending to toss the necklace into a swamp and escape following the princess orders.” He gasps and looks at Mark.

“We need to regroup immediately and think of another plan, Mark you are at even bigger risk than before, I don’t know how long my trick will work but when it stops he will be heading this way, and take both relics. We need to hide this and hope Princess Twilight’s students know a way to use the elements, they are our only choice now.”

He hands over the necklace to Silver who nods and starts issuing orders. Meanwhile Mark just remains quiet and walks away followed close by Milky.

“Where are you going?”

“To save my friends and mare.”

“Are you insane!?” Milky stops him. “The moment he sees you he will squash you.”

“Never said it was a good plan.”

“Mark, stop, you can’t do this.”

“I don’t want to see more friends suffer!” He finally snapped, grabbing her shoulders before letting go and looking down. “I can’t take it anymore, it might not be my fault but I helped cause it. I would never be able to live with the guilt if he ended up winning because I got captured by literal alluring eyes. I just need to do something.”

“Then why not start with something smart.” Umbral calls and looking at his right he watches her smiling along with Silver who nods and holds the necklace. “We are with you Star, and you are right, we are more than done sitting around doing nothing.”

“Technically speaking you still hold a position of power as an advisor sir.” Silver gathers. “Without the princesses present you can make the call. What is your plan?”

“Girls?” Mark looks at them touched before cleaning his eyes, and nods in determination. “Time is of the essence, we will need to prepare! Tirek might have the power but that is exactly the type of prey a hunter goes after. We are bringing him on to our home turf.”

He starts to walk again. “Gather all the enchanted weapons you can carry, and prepare as many chariots and available soldiers as you can. My herd and I need to pay someone a visit.”

Milky’s eyes widened in realization. “Mark, you are not seriously thinking…”

“There is no time for doing research! And she knows those relics better than anyone, I really don’t want to see her again so soon, but there is no time. I’m gonna ask Chrysalis for help.”

The changeling in question only laughed while reading a book from her cell, luckily her hips were healing nicely enough to remove the cast but she was still far from being able to use her legs, leaving her with no choice but to remain in bed. “And why would I help you? In case you forgot, we are still enemies.”

Mark sighs and sits next to her. “I don’t have time to be persuasive and it's true that I could cut to the chase and tell you that if he wins, it would mean that he stole your idea, your power and humiliated you by using the Queen of the Changelings as his personal pawn.”

That caused her to pause and close the book, one of her eyes twitching in dawning anger. “But more than that, I also wanted to ask you something. While under your control I saw something in your eyes, something that still bothers me. Behind all those airs of pride and thoughts of revenge I saw curiosity…and fear.”

“I’m not afraid of anything!”

“Stop lying to yourself!” Mark yells at her in anger. “Just look at you Chrysalis! Look where you are and in the position YOU placed yourself.”

“That YOU put me in!”

“Enough with the excuses! Is this really how you want the proud Queen of the Changelings to end up? Alone, surrounded by only enemies, reduced to a paranoid mess fearing EVERYONE is out to get her?” Mark pressed on.

Milky only sighs and steps forward “I’m not gonna ask why you are so afraid of the idea of friendship, instead just want to advise you, the more you deny it, the more fear you will have, and with it, control over you.” She mentions with a glare.

“You are so lucky my stallion even now wants to help you and deluded himself thinking you can be saved, if it were up to me. I would just let you rot.”

“Come on Star, we are not getting anything from this bug.” Umbral calls and the 3 prepare to leave.

“…One at a time” Chrysalis finally said with a defeated sigh catching their attention. “Each relic requires concentration and focus, that is why he will only be able to use one at a time. When confronting him, keep that on mind, also the crown is the one thing you must focus to take away first, of all the relics the gautlets are the strongest one as it grant the user domain over gravity that is why they are the only one enchanted with a worthy ritual magic, to fight something like that he would had to either used the necklace to umbalance you or the crown to zap and take their power away without repercusions, if you take the crown you can still turn the tables on a fight but only if you make sure that he can't keep focus on anything, Discord magic can grant him victory”

Mark keeps looking at her with neutrality before nodding. “Thanks.”

“Mark…why do you care? I used you, I controlled you, I’m the reason this mess happened, why are you showing me mercy despite all of that?” Chrysalis questions trying to wrap her head around his actions.

“It was a lesson a beautiful yellow pegasus taught me. I’m sure you know the name of it” That is Mark's only reply.

Umbral looks at Chrysalis and then at Milky with worry. “If you truly want it, you will have to work for it.” She proclaims with finality.

“Want what?”

“You know what” That is her only reply as the two mares leave.

The following days were spent preparing for the inevitable as the remaining guards and herd members went to the everfree forest and gathered clouds to produce a deep fog to hide their actions as the animals opened a big space inside, the bigger ones even listening to Mark as he sought help for his plan.

Eventually the fateful day arrived as the giant stomps of Tirek were heard and when reaching the outskirts of Canterlot with the elements and princesses trapped in floating bubbles behind him, so they could have a front seat of his triumph, suddenly he paused in confusion when he saw the necklace of Anubis simply floating in mid air.

Taking some tentative steps he lifts his right arm to grab it only for the jewelry to dash to the right into the distance. Taking the bait, Tirek gave chase ignoring how the necklace was taking him into a very foggy section of the city until it was too late and he lost the article and couldn’t see anything in front of him.

(don’t own the rights of this song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYa2DxVIdgU

Smirking, he started to laugh. “Is this all you can do now? Just cower in fear?! Pathetic” He activated his ring and turned into mist when a flaming arrow was shot, revealing it wasn’t a normal fog where he was but a flammable one.

The resulting explosion reverted him back to his body and sent him flying, only to be intercepted by ice and electrict arrows coming from all directions that keep him air born until he finally reached the edge of the mountain where Mark now in a leather armour, an utility belt a dagger and face painting was waiting and punched him in his chest, ramming both into the bottom and in the middle of the Everfree forest

Startled, he saw the crown stumble near him and was about to pick it, but Mark was faster and grabbed it before disappearing into the fog again. “Not so tough without your toys, are you?!” He taunts him as Tirek looks around in anger at him.

“Let's try that fog again, let’s see how far I can toss you next!”

“Human! You have no idea the mistake you made!” He starts looking around before he appears behind him and chokes him. “Right back at you.” He whispers before jumping away and cutting a rope activating a mechanism that drags the centaur to the ground and deeper into the forest.

“Take it Tirek! You are in my home turf now! And I’m angry!”

Mark kept tossing him around using his gloves, as nearby them the elements and princess were watching the show in surprise.

“He is not actually planning to fight him all alone right?” Applejack asks worriedly.

“No, it will be a group effort.” Celestia smiles as she points at the guards taking position, one of them wearing the necklace.

Getting angry, Tirek used his magic to escape the binds and try to move away from the forest only to find a dome shield trapping him inside.

“What?”

“Oh no Tirek! You are not getting away, coward!” Mark grabs his left rear leg with both arms and lifts him into the air and back down to the forest, restoring half way he summon a tornado and lift Mark into the air and toward him as he punch his entire body sending him flying he retaliate by pulling a chunk of ground at him like a projectile who startle him and then ram him into the ground with force. Shaking his head he looks around only to jump and stand back when he was face to face with a skeleton of himself and then notices he was surrounded by more corpses of him.

“Here lies the fool of a bratty Prince.” Mark calls, hitting the air and punching his face, torso, and back. “Tirek the whinny! Tirek the glutton! Tirek the jerk who would sell his brother if it means a sip of magic! Appropriate don’t you think?! Which one would you like to have on your tombstone!”

Charging magic into a sphere in the middle of his horns he started to shoot wildly until he finally found Mark hiding in the mist. Not wasting time he rushed and grabbed a tree he used as a club and hit him square center, sending him flying. Recovering in mid air he launches at him as he guards with his arms. Spreading Mark was left in mid air in time to receive a hit from his massive fist nailing him to the ground as held with his gravity barely as Tirek tried to crush him. Spinning he launched at his front right leg making him trip and jumping up, grabbing his neck and suplexed Tirek into the ground, before diving into the mist again before the centaur could recover.

“Enough!” Charging his magic he dispels a powerful wave that ends the illusion and pushes the fog and soldiers back.

“There you are!” He charges at Mark and turns into a powerful mist aiming right at him.

Startled, he was pressed into a tree as Tirek began to squash the life out of Mark. “Come on! Human! Try to say anything else! Just try it! I dare you!”

“Fooled…you!” He smirks, ending the act grabbing his hand and trapping both into a bubble “Now!”

Milky appears from behind wearing the crown and sapping the magic he stole.

“What?! No!” Returning to his original buff regular form Mark takes his hand and twists one of his fingers making him scream as he grabs the final relic.

Tossing it back, he launched both into the air.

“Any final words?”

“Just one, Food!” grabbing his shoulders he starts to absorb the magic in the gauntlets and then punch him into the ground with force.

“Thanks for reminding me! I should have started with those annoying gauntlets of yours.” Tirek calls using each step to make those around him float and press against the dome.

Spitting some blood, Mark slowly stands back up to glare at Tirek.

“Just as predictable, only able to be a threat by stealing, you were always pathetic Tirek!”

“Daring until the end, cute final words.” He stands on his rear legs and was prepared to stomp him before freezing in place as he started to choke. Making the human smirk weakly.

“Enchanted armour, funny thing about being deemed worthy of it, if you are not! It’s gonna cost you.”

He looks at the small backpack he was carrying and takes out a piece of a well done steak. “To all the ponies, look away.” He jokingly warns before he eats as fast as he could before growling and dropping the meat.

“What the hay is he doing now?!” Rainbow Dash asks in surprise.

“My hunter.” Fluttershy smiles knowing what happened as she saw how Mark's body started to get buff all of the sudden. “He is getting his fill.”

“You little human are you mocking me!?” Tirek yells completely furious as he comes up with the same idea and absorbs the magic of all the princesses and elements, increasing his sight slightly. And going for the attack only for Mark to meet him and they exchange blows, until he uses a blast of magic and sends him back a couple of meters, scorching his chest and forcing him to remove the metal plate hiding beneath it.

“Eventually you will run out of tricks humans, while my magic is limitless!” Tirek smirks in victory as he charges forward, and then teleports to the right, hitting his side and breaking Mark's arm as he screams.

“NO!” Fluttershy yell in horror as Mark is launch into the air protecting his fall with the push gauntlet

“Enough games! Time to end this!” He teleports widely so Mark can’t pinpoint his location. Taking a deep breath he extend his extended palm forward and then hit the ground suspending Tirek and launching him into the air alongside a ton of debris

“For the Prince, a strike worthy of one. Never mess with my herd!” Standing back he charges as much power into his right arm before jumping and launching himself toward Tirek like a rocket carrying various debris with him to shoot at him .

“No! I can’t lose, I'm Tirek! I’m invincible!” The centaur starts to get desperately igniting the debris and breaking free using the bigger chunks as platforms before rushing at Mark to put an end to this once and for all, until his right forward leg finds a bear trap mid gallop that makes him trip and spin right where Mark wanted him.

“Warrior…NATION!” Hitting point blank in Tirek’s horse's stomach, that ripple as time seems to slow down momentarily before Mark opened a clean hole into the Centaur’s body as well as obliterating the dome and leaving an imprint on the side of the mountain, making him shake as he was illuminated, as the remaining magic in his body goes out of control and makes him shine, and then explode.

Blinking again, Tirek was surprised when he found himself in a familiar place.

“Geez mister” Turning to his left he saw Cozy Glow still in her cage. “What happened to your legs?”

“No.” Looking down he notices indeed, instead of legs he only had a ghost tail. “NOOOOOOO!”

With the bubbles popped and their magic returned the Princesses and elements rushed to Mark, who received the explosion point blank, ramming him into the floor like a meteorite.

“Mark!” Fluttershy rushes to him. “Talk to me, why…why didn’t you hide?!”

“He…hurt my kitten.” He manages to utter and lifts his other arm to hold her cheek. “Nobody does that and gets away scot free” He chuckles before passing out from exhaustion and pain.