//------------------------------// // Blooming // Story: Rise of Zyra // by Rennoc215 //------------------------------// Zyra! Help Me! Rarity cried out into the darkness. She can't hear you. The voice mocked. So the least you could do is to silence yourself. Sweet lord below! Rarity screamed. It wasn't a plea, or something spawned from fear. It was a primal scream, beyond emotion or logic. I can't stand it! She shouted, forcing the other back slightly. I've had enough! I died! I was being judged! I didn't ask to be pulled from heaven, to be stuck in here with YOU! She screamed, forcing it back again. Apparently, the colt who said "There is nothing worse than a mare's scorn," had never met one who was desparate and angry. The voice said, cracking a quick, cruel laugh. Maybe you didn't want to be here. But don't worry. "Zyra" is much weaker than poor old vlad, and as such, soon she will be in here with you, and I will be out there, doing what I should have done. Painting the world red with the blood of my foes! Rarity felt a strange sense of calm wash over her as he spoke, and a quick reassuring nudge. She heard a faint whisper as he spoke, which told her He may be right, but I have a plan. Rarity smiled, and patiently waited for him to finish his tirade, before speaking up. Well, if you're so high and mightly, then why don't you get up and do something? She goaded. You know what I think? I think you're nothing. Just an old, toothless diamond dog with a loud bark! Rarity could feel a pressure. You dare insult ME? The pressure swelled, and Rarity could swear she saw red, even though she couldn't see. You, a petty, worthless, false posh, unicorn harlot am saying that I, the most powerful spirit to have existed since the reign of the elementals, am WEAK? You have not yet witnessed true strength, my little she-devil. Just you wait. I'm practically dying with anticipation. Oh wait, she added, gasping slightly. I already did. Rarity broke into laughter over her own, terrible joke, and she felt the pressure rise again. Enough! I will show you, even though you are obviously goading me. He said, and Rarity could swear she could feel a smirk. With a loud crack, and a flash of light, the voice shattered the darkness, and all was replaced by a blinding white. Rarity could feel a crawling sensation on her legs, as if tens of vines were writhing beneath her projected legs. You wanted control, Red? Zyra said defiantly. Fine! Take it. I hope your mind can comprehend what is happening. Rarity, stay in the white. Those areas are places I still hold. The white became stained a blood red, and the voice laughed as the red began to spread throught the light. So willing, so eager. Let me show you... Wait. Where are the eyes? His laugh was cut short with his realization. Are they within the tiny area you are still holding? He asked, turning his attention to the insignificant point where Rarity was standing. Before either of them realized it, the whiteness became a hole, which Rarity fell into. Taking a moment to realize there may be more to this body, Red dived for the hole, only to have it seal off in front of him. With a scream of frustration, he pounded on the patch, trying his hardest to tear down the door. Meanwhile, Rarity was running as fast as she could down the spiraling tunnel, not quite certain of Zyra's plan. Just keep running. Everything will be fine. Zyra reassured. Just don't look back. Of course, how can one not look back, and as such, Rarity saw that the tunnel was going dark behind her. Zyra! What's happening? Rarity asked in a panic, speeding up to escape the darkness. I cut off the connection as we left. The approaching darkness is the vine slowly dying behind us. Just keep running, we're almost there. Zyra said weakly, the whiteness flickering. Just keep running. Rarity did as she was told, and she rushed ahead, diving into another hole in the path. Where are we going, Zyra? Rarity asked, turning at another bend in the tunnel. Just a little further. Zyra repeated, focused on getting Rarity to her destination. Almost there. Rarity finally found a doorway, which seemed odd, in the tunnel of pure white. The old, oaken door sat on rusting hinges, connecting it to the chisled stone blocks which formed the frame. But what really stood off was the fact that the door, and all attatched, had color. Quick, quick, get inside. With a touch of hesitancy, Rarity opened the door and stepped in, just as the blinding whiteness died. Zyra, where are we? she asked, worried about the blur of colors out here. We are in our new body. One I had to make a few... repairs to. Zyra stated, chuckling lightly. -+-+-+-+-+- The five friends looked at the large, writhing plant with concern. "How do you think Zyra will take the news?" Rainbow asked Fluttershy, who simply shrugged. They returned their attentions to Zyra, before they heard a scream come from within. It is a scream they never expected to hear. Particularly because she didn't have vocal chords. "Was that...?" Applejack asked, and Twilight nodded. "Zyra just screamed." Twilight stated, shocked for a moment. Then, something shook her mind from the binds of shock, and she leapt forward. "Come on, girls! We have a friend in need." She called, using her magic to plow her way to the center. Her friends took a moment, then shook out of their stupor and followed Twilight in. They forced their way to the bulb, rushing past eerily still vines, and smashing into the bulb, trying to push their way inside. They slammed into it again, and again, trying to break inside, when they suddenly felt a pulse of pressure from within. Twilight focused, and formed a blade with her aura. "Stand back!" She called, and sliced into the petals. With a clean swing, the blade carved through the fiberous petals, and sliced some away, providing a nice, simple path. And out stepped... Rarity. But not exactly Rarity. The pony that stepped out was definately once Rarity, but now she looked... Plantlike. Along her spine ran a vine, bustling with leaves and thorns, and growing right between her right ear and her head was a beautiful red rose. She had a more prominent blush, and her sides seemed a little greener, as if she was always under a weak green spotlight. "R...Rarity?" Asked a stunned Twilight, shocked to see her friend on all fours again. The mare looked Twilight up and down, apparently thinking about something, before collapsing to the ground and covering her eyes with her hooves. "Oh Twilight," She said, in a voice oh so much like a certain dark princess, but like said princess was talking through warbling lips. "Make it stop. Please make it stop."