“Did the other trappers escape?” Starswirl asked as he patrolled the room.

“No Starswirl. The other guards are patrolling the grounds as we speak. They won’t get far.” The royal Pegasus guard at his side replied.

“Good. The sooner we find them, Captain Storm Rage, the sooner we can end their illegal trafficking once and for all.”

Storm Rage nodded and he continued his search. Starswirl gazed at the room, taking in what he could see. There were many things that he bore witness in his life. Wars and rebellions, incurable plagues, and destruction of cities; but never in all of his life that he would witness this. The killing and selling of rare creatures. It was by far the vilest acts against nature’s creatures and Starswirl would have none of it.

When he finished his search he turned to leave the room but stopped short when his ears perked up. It shifted toward the back where he heard the smallest of whimpers.

“Did you hear that?” Storm Rage turned his head toward the direction where the sound emanated.

“Indeed.”

Starswirl turned and was fixated onto a broken crate that was on its side; a small pelt covered the top and inside. Starswirl moved forward, his hoof steps silent as he pressed ahead, with Storm Rage close by his side. With the glow of his magic he slowly lifted the pelt off the crate. He eyed Storm Rage who readied his spear. With a quick nod the pelt was removed and Storm Rage lunged his spear at the open crate. Their hearts stopped at what they saw. For inside the crate, were three frightened fillies staring back at them.

Storm Rage was shaken that his spear was mere inches from them, as a result he quickly withdrew his weapon. He could only stare in confusion and shock, however, Starswirl stared in fascination and curiosity at the three. The elder unicorn looked at each of the fillies before him. In the center of the crate was an orange filly with a large curled mane. The filly on her left had a light purple fur with a deep purple mane. The final filly on her right had a light blue fur with a deeper blue mane. As the seconds ticked by his intrigue of them only grew. He lowered himself down to see them, his beard brushing the floor as he moved. The three fillies huddled closer to one another.

“Hello there little ones.” His voice calm and tender.

The orange filly replied by hissing at him.

“Starswirl, this doesn’t make sense,” Storm Rage said as he lowered himself to get a better look of the fillies, “why would the trappers hold ponies, especially fillies this young?

“Appearances can be deceiving Storm Rage.” Starswirl reassured the captain as he moved a hoof toward the three. The three fillies cowered again, closing their eyes shut and began crying. He gently placed his hoof on each of their heads, rubbing tenderly across each of their manes. The fillies opened their eyes to see him give a warm smile.

“Sleep now little ones. You're safe now.” his horn glowed as he spoke and the three fillies began to drift to sleep. He turned to Storm Rage who eyed him curiously.

“Inform the guard that I will be taking my leave. Find any remaining trappers and inform me as soon possible.”

“Yes Starswirl.” Storm Rage turned to leave but stopped when he saw Starswirl reach into the crate and lift the three sleeping fillies into his right hoof, cradling them at his side. His eyes widened at what was before him.

“Starswirl. That’s… they’re not…”

“I know, Captain.”

“Their race… I thought them to be extinct.”

“There is a possibility for more to be found.”

“You know what they are capable of? You be risking our entire kingdom of you let them loose.”

“I will not let that happen.”

“Starswirl! Their Sirens! They’re dangerous!”

Starswirl turned his gaze at Storm Rage.

“Captain. How many children do you have?”

Storm Rage was caught off guard by the question but answered honestly.

“I have two foals, with a third on the way. I love them very dearly.”

“Life is a precious thing Storm Rage. The life of a child is precious. They deserve a better fate than this.”

Starswirl headed for the entrance, carrying them with his hoof.

“Starswirl. Don’t make this something that you will regret.”

"I will not regret caring for the life of a child."