//------------------------------// // L8A // Story: Happily Loopy After // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// “You know what?” Rarity wiped her face, smearing her makeup. Sweetie raised her head, and looked at her sister as she continued. “Let’s go on a trip, just you and me, to Canterlot on Saturday. We’ll go shopping for fabric, go see the latest film, maybe even get you a meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna if we’re lucky. What do you say?” Rarity brought her sister into a bearhug, and Sweetie felt another sad smile dawn upon her face. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much.” “Hrmf...” muttered the cat, tail swishing, watching from the opposite roof. This was not ideal. Not ideal at all. Regardless of certain triangles and magic runes; controlling the three fillies would take a great deal of magic from him each loop. Perhaps in the future he would only manipulate them to feel a draining sensation, unless otherwise needed. “The goal to keep them away from her might be a fallacy. Unbeknownst to me it may be that the future will see certain events play out wherein they do override my anti-friendship matrix.” Oh, such a genius he was, if only he still had his beard to stroke. Or a mouse to eat. He rose, stretching with a yawn. “That mouse should be catch-able soon, it is close to midnight.” Moving into the house through the cat-flap, he moved toward his position, ready to catch the mouse. It was almost poetic, he mused. The mouse in his maze, trying to find the cheese. Only, the cheese could only be received at the end of the maze. A shiver passed over his fur, and he paused, seeing no mouse appear. That was highly paradoxical. Slowly, he peeked his head into Rarity’s room, noting the changed sleeping position. There was no denying it, the loop had ended. The 5% probably had turned out to be true. “Disappointing...” He turned, tail flicking as he ended all spells he’d been currently maintaining. They were pointless now, all now maintained by his duplicate, the lucky one who remained in the loop. Yes, the magic still throbbed through the air. Meandering outside, a soft purr passed his lips in annoyance. “Sweetie, it’s time to wake up.” A hoof gently rocked the small frame, who gave a yawn, stirring, confused. “Nnnn? I know...pancakes. Later...” She turns over, curling up. Giving a soft chuckle, Rarity bit her sister’s ear, gently tugging it. Sweetie’s whines grew louder and louder, until finally she sat up to swipe her away. “What is it Rarity? I was trying to sleep...” She grumbled, rubbing her eyes. “We’re going to Canterlot, remember?” That wasn’t...right. Blinking at Rarity’s words, her eyes widened in shock. “I-What day is it?” Apple Bloom stirred, waking. The past week was a strange fog, but a serious weight forced her to rise. Vague memories of her friend, of all her friends. Sweetie Belle. “SWEETIE BELLE!” Voice raising to a shout, Apple Bloom slammed the door open, rushing straight out of the house. In front of her on a scooter, Scootaloo had seemingly gotten the same idea. Both shared a guilt ridden look. Why had they said those words? What was wrong with them? “Sweetie Belle!” They arrived just in time, the two sisters freezing in front of the house. Sweetie’s expression was one of deep hurt, and pain. Both came to a stop, stumbling over each others words. “Sweetie I-we are so sorry-not sure what-weird feeling-felt like a different-was like something was controlling-everything is blurry-“ Both fell silent, sharing a glance, and then looking down. What sort of friends were they? Bitter tears glinted in their eyes. “Apple Bloom. Scootaloo...” Running toward them, she brought them both into a strong hug, her heart souring, glowing as her magic surrounded them with warmth, triggered by the strong feelings coursing through her. Her friends were trying to apologize! She was out of the loop! They were -alive.- “I love you guys!” She laughed and laughed and laughed, unable to believe this was reality. Everything was too good, almost like a dream. It -had- to be a dream. All three laughed, all three cried. The heavens themselves parted, the sun shining down on them. “We’re sorry!” They finally said, not wanting to let go of their friend. They’d been forgiven, things could be repaired. There was a chance to go crusading once more! “I’m sorry too, for everything,” she spoke softly, giving a sad smile. “You don’t remember it, but...I should have been more careful.” She laughed humorlessly. “I should have been more careful. But...but...” She sniffed, blinking as a hoof gently wiped away her tears. One yellow, one orange. “We shouldn’t have said such things. I don’t even understand -how- my mouth even spoke such words. The very thought of it makes me feel sick to my stomach. WE are the ones who should be sorry,” reasoned Apple Bloom. Scootaloo nodded. “No, it’s me who should be sorry. I should have trusted you. I should have known that you would never say those things.” She sniffed, not noticing her sister smile, nor her head inside to bake some cookies. Looks like the trip could wait. “No it’s our fault! We should be sorry,” rebuffed Scootaloo. “It’s my fault, you wouldn’t have said that if it wasn’t for me.” Sweetie argued right back. “Ya’ll need to stop, we’re all sorry.” Apple Bloom lifted a hoof, and they all paused, giving a heartfelt laugh. "Together?" Asked Sweetie. "Together," nodded the two. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, Apologetic Fillies!” They lifted their hooves into the air, connecting. Starswirl chuckled softly. “Kids.” He ended his spell on the clouds, letting them return to their natural configuration. He nibbled on his mouse contentedly. While not the end he had foreseen for himself, he was satisfied in the knowledge the spell continued, ticking in the background as the weeks rolled by. “And then, immortality will be mine.” He smiled at the thought, beginning to purr. Yes, then immortality would be the world’s. After all, it wasn’t like that magic could just vanish. It would have to go -somewhere-.