Discord poofed back into his sanctuary, instantly returning into his normal non-pony form. His chest was still pounding with fear as his head was still warped after what he realized moments ago.
She’s the one. Fluttershy’s the element’s missing bearer.
His mind was raveling about the facts that were starting to make sense. She wasn’t taken in by the changelings, she was ponynapped. Why else would Chrysalis accept a race she and her ancestors hated for years and kept her in the dark for all those years? For the reason why she decided to kill her now wasn’t clear to him then, but now he sees that Fluttershy must’ve grown too powerful for Chrysalis’s liking and wanted it gone for good. This has fully understood the serious threat of the situation she is in.
He suddenly felt the urge to protect her, but he stopped after he realizes what he is and what he is risking.
Needing to rest, he lays down onto the branch of his thinking tree and looks up to the starry, clear sky above his pocket world.
20 years.
He had been able to make it this far for 20 years. He’d ached for freedom ever since he had foolishly refused the princesses’ offer for peace and gotten himself trapped in stone. And even more when he kept being returned into stone by the element’s bearers, which became a century long tradition ever since those elements were found.
Generations after generations, after thousands of years, he was finally out of that dark, uncomfortable, unlivable spaced stone. He was as ecstatic as you would expect an all-powerful lord of chaos to react.
He was free to do whatever he wants without anything stopping him, but he knew head on that he is much smarter to do something so recklessly without consequences. That was why he went into hiding. As much as it disappointed him to not take over the entire land with the tip of his claws, it was a much safer alternative. Besides, if the element’s bond is indeed broken, Celestia would’ve found some other way to make his next stay in stone more efficient. Or for worse, permanent. He mentally cringed at the thought of being back there again.
Ever since then, from creating his pocket dimensions for his little creations he made in the real world to pop back in to the occasional enjoyment of scaring and torturing stray ponies and creatures that walked within the Everfree Forest; he never thought things could ever be more perfect.
He can actually stand himself corrected as he had involuntarily found an unexpected and surprisingly pleasant change.
While it had been true that in the past, his relationship with Fluttershy wasn’t all very welcoming and that he had mainly used her as a victim to his magic, he can’t deny that something about him was touched upon from the start. At first, it was starting to annoy him and it grew worse when he had unintentionally saved her from that hydra and even more whenever he had seen or think about her.
It wasn’t until she started to include him as a friend that he welcomed that annoying urge that he felt. And it surprisingly made him a lot happier and more alive than he ever felt before. It was all like that that enjoyment from all the chaos he created felt almost nothing in comparison.
But now that he knows the truth and the fact that Princess Twilight will be expecting him to be found, he was stuck.
He wanted to keep his freedom, to keep on surviving in a world where it stunned him and hated him—but he also wanted to keep that happiness and sense of belonging he felt around Fluttershy. He doesn’t want to lose both of them.
Both the memories of the past and of Fluttershy came flooding in as he is caught within the dilemma.
Why would you care if you would lose her? You would be turned to stone anyway.
His thoughts came back, overlapping his head more with screams in opposing matters.
Maybe it is time to reconsider your opinions here. You’ll only get yourself into more trouble if you let that pesky pony ruin everything else!
Discord groaned in frustration, shut his eyes and covered his ears, as if it was the only thing that can block these inner sensations out.
Forget about her! She is not worth anything in the end! Just let her die on her own!
You’d worked so hard to get this far; DON’T waste it!
You better just throw her away before the princess finds out.
I’ll bet she doesn’t care about you anyway.
What’s more important? That stupid pegasus or your life?!
“SHUT UP!” Discord screamed at the empty space.
The voices and the memories then stopped.
He can finally sense the silence filling in the night. And yet, Discord didn’t find any peace from that.
Sighing exhaustedly, he brought his hands over to his eyes and rubbing them.
There’s got to be a way out of this mess, he thought as he sat there on the branch, doubting that he’ll get any sleep tonight.
A screech was called throughout the training hall and the changelings drones and soldiers scattered in a row of lines forming in front of the general.
When everything was silent and ready, the general ignited his horn and concentrated carefully. As the leader of the queen’s army, it is his duty to check on every single one of the assessments, including the performances and wellbeing of his comrades. That was the reason why he would always perform a special spell to sense the presence of every single soldier in the kingdom.
After a few moments during this spell, he stopped. Someone is missing.
He stopped his spell, much to the soldiers’ surprise, as he never stops early unless it’s a emergency.
“Where is Gypsum?” The general called out.
The room was silent, and the changelings exchanged confused glances to the general.
When he got no answer, he recalled another important detail and called out again, “Or better yet, where is Nabis? He is to be by her side as an order.”
Again, he received no answers.
He didn’t like the sign of this. She has been serious about the search hunt for Nameless and the concern for the queen and the knowledge that she is persistent enough to possibly deny his commands didn’t bring him any comfort.
He sharply turns to the village guards standing by, “Magna, Viridis. You two go to the colony and bring them here once you found them.”
The two changelings saluted and raced out to the door. The general then turned to the rest, “Anyone of you see any sign of them or have any information of them must report to me immediately.”
The changelings saluted in response and the general lets them go to their business. He was starting to get a little worried, for he hopes that any changeling must be able to find them as soon as possible.
“Woof! Woof!”
Applejack’s dog, Winona, alerted to her owner the arrival of Apple Bloom and Fluttershy at the start of noon. As she clawed of the door to get out, Applejack opened it to her to run around happily at the open space.
“Fluttershy!” Applejack greeted, “You came here just in time.”
Fluttershy nodded almost absentmindedly, “Hello, Applejack. Is that your dog over there?” She asked, pointed to the over-excited canine.
“Sure is,” Applejack then whistled, “Winona! Come here, girl!”
Winona barked and ran over to her owner, wagging her tail while she looked at the visitors.
“Winona has been very antsy lately. She has been running around the house and she often scared our animals by running and barking too much. She’s usually obedient and calm and Granny Smith has been watching her while I work. Apple Bloom told me you have a thing with animals, so can you find out what’s been bothering her?”
Applejack waited for Fluttershy’s response, but she wasn’t paying attention to Applejack. Her mind was unfortunately occupied on some unsettling thoughts.
“Um… Fluttershy?”
She then took notice and snapped out of them, “Oh, Yes! Um, so you said that she’s been…spontaneous lately?”
“That’s basically what it is. Think you can help her?”
“I-I’ll try,” she replied before she kneeled to Winona’s eye level.
“Hello, sweetie,” She reached her hoof out for Winona to sniff at. Sensing that this pony’s friendliness, she rubbed her head against the pony’s hoof, to which Fluttershy petted her back.
“I heard you have been acting strange. Is there anything that’s bothering you?”
Winona barked, enjoying the love and attention she’s gotten from this pony’s touch. Fluttershy took noticed of it and paid attention to her small barks and panting.
“She missed you.” Fluttershy uttered.
“What?” Applejack asked confused.
“She simply misses you. She said that you used to take her on walks but now that you are busy, she feels like she doesn’t have enough attention from you. That’s why she was ecstatic whenever she sees you or lets her help you with your chores. She’s just glad that you’re giving her attention.”
Applejack thought back on her words, “I… I haven’t been taking her on walks during this week. Granny can’t take her because of her legs and since I was helping Twilight….”
“How about if you had a small walk with her at the time you have outside of working?” Fluttershy suggested, “Maybe if she can have that time just for a while, she’ll learn to calm down a bit.”
Applejack thought for a moment, “Well…. I guess I can take her on a walk right now during my break. And maybe I could start taking her during the evening,” She then spoke out to Winona, “Sounds good to you girl?”
Winona yelped happily and wagged her tail wildly. She then jumped on Applejack and licked her face.
“Wow, Fluttershy,” Applejack chuckled, “You really do have a gift for animals.”
“I’m still learning actually,” Fluttershy humbly stated, “Besides, it’s all I can do to help.”
Winona gave her thanks to Fluttershy by licking her cheek repeatedly.
“Well, I should keep up with my promise and take Winona out. Apple Bloom, you have anything to do right now?”
“Not really,” Apple Bloom replied, “Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are wanted at the Boutique and Babs is already helping Big Mac on the watch patrol.”
“Well, while I am gone, you can do most of your chores until I get back,” Applejack suggested, “Maybe you can let Fluttershy help you with apple-bucking.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Apple Bloom exclaimed, “What do you think, Fluttershy?”
Once again, Fluttershy didn’t listen as she was back to her previous thoughts.
“Fluttershy?” Apple Bloom asked concern, “Are you okay?”
She blankly looked at the filly and realized she was talking to her, “Oh, yes! Sorry. Um, I would certainly like that.”
“Well, that settles then,” Applejack said positively, as she meant to put the awkward silence in ease, “I can go and get Winona ready. You two have fun now.”
Applejack and Winona disappeared into the house while Fluttershy and Apple Bloom started walking toward the field. Apple Bloom looked concern for Fluttershy, as she was acting this way this morning.
“You alright, Fluttershy? You been acting…. Off this morning.”
Fluttershy paused before she replied back, “I’m probably just tired from… last night.”
“Oh,” Apple Bloom muttered quietly, “Well, nothing like picking apples would likely cheer you up. Come on.”
From then, Fluttershy followed Apple Bloom into the orchard, hoping this will surely take her mind at ease if only for a moment.
Sweetie Belle used her magic to levitate several gems and handed over to Rarity, who was standing near a mannequin. Scootaloo was sitting at a table nearby, pining together patches of fabric along with the thin paper templates.
“Are these the ones you wanted?” Sweetie Belle asked, magically bringing the jewels to her face.
Rarity observes the jewels carefully. “That one here’s the right size.”
With that, Sweetie Belle pulled back the ones her sister didn’t picked back to the chest and bring forth the gems the exact same size as the one she pointed out.
“Perfect!” Rarity said cheerfully as she used her horn to grab the jewels from Sweetie Belle and move them toward the mannequin. “Oh, Sweetie Belle, I don’t have enough words to express how grateful I am getting all these orders for Canterlot ready. And Scootaloo, it is awfully nice of you lending in an extra hoof today.”
“Eh, I don’t have much to do anyway,” Scootaloo replied, “Plus, Sweetie always tells me how much you literally need more than two hooves. You know, kind of like a spider.”
Rarity nearly squirmed at the mention of having legs of a spider, but she swallowed and replied to her a thankfully matter, “Well, I really do appreciate the help.”
The bell rang from downstairs, indicating that a visitor just came in through the shop door. “Oh, a customer!Sweetie Belle, come with me. Scootaloo, you finish pining those fabric samples together. If I need anything upstairs, I’ll call you.”
Scootaloo saluted, “Aye-aye, Ma’am!”
With that, Rarity and Sweetie Belle left Scootaloo alone and made their way down to the main area. The unicorn greeted her customer with the line that she would always say, “Hello and Welcome to Carousel Boutique-- where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique—what can I do for you today?”
When she saw who the customer was, she stopped and looked pleasantly surprised, “Oh! Mrs. Rich, how nice to see you!”
Spoiled Rich was right at the door, looking up to Rarity and Sweetie Belle coming down the stairs. Sweetie notices Diamond Tiara was standing right behind of her mother and became surprised to see her after being absent from the group for weeks.
“Oh, and you brought Diamond Tiara with you,” Rarity said.
“Yes, I thought about having a mother-daughter day just for the two of us--just to keep up with our bonding.”
Diamond Tiara nodded weakly as she can feel her mother’s eye gazing at her with a prideful smile.
Sweetie knew that her mother was oblivious to see her daughter’s expression was far from cheery.She was looking aloofly around the room around her with a slight hint of sadness hidden on her face. At one point when Diamond caught a glance of Sweetie across the room, she showed a bit glimpse of hope in her eyes before she looked away.
“I am here for the order I commissioned,” Spoiled Rich stated to Rarity.
“Oh, yes! Your outdoor cocktail dress. Well, you’ll be happy to know that I am nearly finished with the final touches. But first; I would like to see what you think of it and perhaps do a little fitting?”
“I would be happy to oblige,” Spoiled Rich replied before turning to her daughter, “Diamond, is it alright that I leave you here alone with that….. Friend,” she cringed at the mention of Sweetie Belle, being a blank flank and all, but she decided to name her in a positive light just to not offend her older sister and to hide her honesty.
“Yes, mother,” Diamond Tiara replied, still looking away from Sweetie Belle and giving her mother a quick glance.
Spoiled Rich then followed Rarity to the large dressing area that became hidden with curtains as Rarity magically unbuttons the curtain robes. It was then that Sweetie and Diamond were all alone.
The two of them sat on the display stage, saying nothing while Diamond kept her distance away from Sweetie.
Hoping to break the silence, Sweetie spoke out, “So…. How are you?”
“Fine, I guess,” Diamond bluntly said, still looking away.
Sweetie Belle was slightly taken back from the cold, unresponsive demeanor that Diamond was giving her.
The last time that they spoke wasn’t a happy time to look back to—- The time when Diamond confessed to the CMC how she felt jealous towards them and how she struggled to show who she is while tagging along with her past victims simply because of her loneliness and her relationship with her over-bearing mother. Still, she and the girls still kept on trying to help her and be there for her like a friend, despite their differences; and Sweetie Belle wanted to make sure that Diamond knows of this.
When Sweetie tried to speak again, Rarity abruptly came out of the curtains, “Oh, goodness! I almost forgot! One moment, if you please.”
She galloped across the room and stopped at the stair, shouting, “Scootaloo! Stop whatever you are doing. Find every color of dye from crimson red, tangerine orange to butterscotch yellow and line them up for me in there! I’ll be up there very soon!” She then galloped back to the curtained room.
“Butterwhat?” the girls can hear Scootaloo’s voice from upstairs and slightly giggled from her confusion. Sweetie can see a little glimpse of delight in Diamond before she quickly turned away seeing the young unicorn right by her.
“Diamond?” Sweetie Belle said, trying to find the right words to say, “About what happened, back at the orchard…. We—"
“It’s okay; I deserved it,” Diamond said, still keeping her glance away from Sweetie, “I should never have said those things and …. I understand if you wanted me out of the club.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened, “What? No, we would never kick you out. Why would you think like that?”
“I was jealous of you guys; I thought that would be reason enough.”
“Diamond… you’re not out of the group. We tried reaching you—“
“I know. I overheard everything you and mother said the day after. But I still think it would be best for the group if you just leave me out. And it’s not going to work if you try reasoning to me again.”
“Why?” Sweetie was starting to a little upset that she was starting to push them away without giving them a chance, “Because of us or because your mother doesn’t approve of us?”
Diamond paused and stood in silence before she whispered, “A little of both…. I don’t want to upset mother, but I doubt that you’ll forgive me after that and for…. the past.”
Sweetie Belle then looked at her with surprised, “The past? You’re apologizing to what everything you did to us for all those years?”
“I had a really long time to think about it, okay? I liked it at first, but now it— “she cringed a little as she paused, “It kind of hurts….And I really can’t stop it.”
Sweetie Belle was caught in awe as Diamond was bizarrely apologizing for everything she had done to them. She knew Diamond was given them a tough time due to their differences and her mother’s expectations but also started to grow and accepting them after Silver Spoon left. At this moment, watching from the anxiety she’d shown, it proved her that she is starting to doubt herself because of everything that is holding her back, physically and mentally. Once she lets go of it for a while, she’ll start to panic and put her walls back up again.
Sweetie tried to scoot closer to Diamond, who also tried to lean away to keep her distance. The unicorn then put her arms around her in comfort, “Look, we’re sorry for what happened back then. We didn’t mean to make you feel jealous or anything like that But you should know that one little outburst isn’t going to change our minds about you. You’re still a part of the group and you will always be no matter what.”
Diamond slowly turned to Sweetie with tears almost verging in her eyes, “Why would you ever still want me in your group? After everything I treated you?”
“Well… we’re friends, aren’t we? And friends always stick together.”
Diamond offered a small, broken smile to Sweetie Belle. Then she heard the mares coming out of the curtain and she quickly scoot a inch away and wiped her tears before her mother can notice. The two fillies watched Spoiled Rich walking in a short, slim, azure blue cocktail dress.
“Oh, Mrs. Rich,” Rarity awed from behind, “You look just lovely. That color fits you just nicely.”
“I must say, Miss Rarity, you’ve done an excellent job,” Spoiled Rich said satisfied, “I think the ladies over at our Elite Club would certainly love to hear about you.”
“Hey, Rarity?”
Everypony turned towards to the voice. Scootaloo walked down the stairs, holding numerous bottles of fabric dye in her arms and struggling to hold them all.
“I found all the red, orange and yellow dyes; but I completely have no idea what order I should have them in--!!”
As she was talking, she didn’t notice that she stepped onto the end trail of the long curtain. She then tripped, spilling the contents out of her arms and fell into the floor. The content of the dye flew onto Spoiled Rich’s new dress, splashes of orange and yellow splattered all over the skirt.
Spoiled Rich gasped dramatically at the mess before her and yelled at the scared filly, “You little imp! You ruined my brand new dress!”
“I-I’m so sorry!” Scootaloo exclaimed apologetically, “L-let me get that off.”
“Don’t you dare touch me!” Spoiled Rich screamed, pushing the little filly out of the way. “I was going to wear this for an elite outing tomorrow, and now I have to wear my old rags because of you!!”
“Mrs. Rich, please!” Rarity intervened, “That was all an innocent accident. I can make you another dress free of charge while I repair this one.”
“No! Don’t even bother. It’s bad enough that your blank flank of a sister and her friends tried to set a bad influence on my daughter. But it’s also worse when you have a group full of troublesome misfits as your assistants; Especially one who can’t even fly to save her life!”
Sweetie Belle ran to Scootaloo to shield her friend from the outraged pony, “It wasn’t her fault, Mrs. Rich!”
“AND ESPECIALLY FOR AN INFECTIOUS BLANK FLANK LIKE YOU!”
“MOTHER!” Diamond Tiara screamed in defiance, having enough of her mother’s behavior towards her friends.
The room went silence and Spoiled Rich peered at Diamond with her cold, glaring eyes, making the once defiant filly cower in fear.
“What?” her mother asked through her gritted teeth.
Diamond glanced between her mother and the two fillies who looked for a plea to help. She is upset about her mother yelling at her friend and wanted to confront her, but she doesn’t want her to get upset either. If she defends them now, there’s a chance that her mother will look at her as a disappointment to the family; And after gaining Sweetie Belle’s forgiveness, there is also a chance she will lose their trust forever if she sided with her mother.
She was walking in a very thin line in which she will fall no matter what path she takes.
“Well? Is there anything you like to say?”
After a long pause she replied in defeat, “Nothing, mother.”
Spoiled Rich stared down at her daughter while her anger gradually slow down.
“Mrs. Rich,” Rarity addresses to her customer, “If you can’t be respectful to my sister and her friends any further, perhaps it is best that you leave.”
Spoiled Rich eyed at the seamstress, “Fine. I’ll find another dress elsewhere. But don’t think this is passed between us.”
Rarity nodded grudgingly as Spoiled Rich marched towards the door.
“Diamond, time to go,” Spoiled Rich called as she was near the door.
Diamond took a couple of steps before she turned to see her friends looking down. Sweetie Belle looked at her as if she was asking her to stay and comfort her poor friend. She was almost attempted to do so until her mother called out again.
“Diamond Tiara!”
Not wanting to suppress her frustration any further, she reluctantly trotted to her mother. She gave Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo a repentant glance before she turned and walked away with her mother, leaving them devastated.
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom and Fluttershy were still out in the orchard, picking apples from the tree.
Fluttershy felt slightly better as she kept picking each perfect red apple into the basket with the filly, but the confusion from last night still haven’t left her.
Discord has left her so abruptly after telling him about her mysteriously glowing chest. Did she say something wrong? Did she said something that offended him? Was there something that he was afraid of and she didn’t realize it? So many questions were running through her mind and she couldn’t stop worrying about him.
She admits her chest glowing almost spontaneous and stuff is very weird, but she didn’t seem to mind it after growing used to it for so long. Did her chest glowing had something to do with his reaction and how she glowed the one time with the book showing the elements of harmony?
More questions began to flood her mind the more she thinks about it. It wasn’t until she picked another apple into her hooves that Apple Bloom interrupted her thoughts.
“Fluttershy?”
“Yes?”
“I know I may sound like a broken record by now, but—are you sure you’re okay?”
“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I?”
Apple Bloom thought of something she must’ve forgot, “Did Discord tell you why he was a stallion?”
“Yes, he did,” Fluttershy replied.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Yes; I promised him I wouldn’t tell anypony about him.”
“Then why when we leave the party, you looked upset? Did something happen?”
Fluttershy went silent for a moment as she slowly put the apple in the basket, “I think I’d hurt him.”
Apple Bloom’s eyes widen, “What?”
“I really don’t know what happened. He saw something about me and when I told him what it was, he poofed away. I think I might’ve said something wrong to him and I’m really worried—“
“Wait, wait—what did he saw? What did you say?”
Fluttershy looked at Apple Bloom very hesitantly, “You promised you won’t freak out like he did?”
“Of course, I can. I mean how bad can this little secret be?”
“Well… I told him—“
They stopped when they heard rustling in the trees. Then they turned around to see a branch shaking by it before it stopped.
Apple Bloom stared at the branch with a look on her face, “That was weird. So you told him—
She quickly took notice of Fluttershy’s face.She stared at the distance like she has seen a ghost. Confused and concerned for her friend, Apple Bloom turned to the direction she was facing.
Fluttershy had every right to be terrified for those figures were changelings.
“Gypsum.”
Fluttershy grew more terrified by the second and whispered her fears out loud, “Gypsum and Nabis. They helped the general with my execution. Mother must’ve sent her here to— “
“She must’ve sent them out to find ya,” Apple Bloom finished, “Come on, we can’t let them see us.”
She looked around for any possible hiding place before she looked up to the trees, “Can you fly us up there?”
“I’ll try,” Fluttershy squeaked as she grabs the filly and flew up to a branch hidden within the trees.
“Okay, now we need to stay still and be quiet,” Apple Bloom whispered, with Fluttershy nodding her head in response.
Down below the ground, Gypsum and Nabis wandered around the orchards, keeping themselves hidden and quiet. Gypsum looked around the place with determination while her companion trotted slowly and scanned their surroundings in fear.
“I don’t like this, Gypsum,” Nabis whispered, “Why did you ever think of bringing me along?”
Gypsum groaned, getting more irritated and regretting bringing him along, “Because you would’ve ratted me to the general. And the fact that ever since the whole thing started, he has been assigning me to you.”
“But we’re shouldn’t be here. The queen warned us this place is now under watch for any threats.”
“The Queen hasn’t heard any report about Nameless this past month. Since this is the only town with the least feeding activities, there’s a possibility that she’ll be here.”
At this point, the pair are walking right by the tree Apple Bloom and Fluttershy are hiding in. The latter was holding in her breath as they passed nearby.
“But we’re not supposed to be in the opening undisguised. What if the ponies see us?”
Gypsum groaned even more under her breath, “Well, if I were you-- if I see any pony nearby, I just shoot them dead. Especially if it’s Nameless.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“Yes; she is condemned after all. Now stop talking and keep searching before anypony sees us.”
Suddenly, a root of the tree rises up from the ground and the changelings tripped and fell down without noticing it.
“Watch where you’re stepping, you idiot!” Gypsum yelled at her comrade, but not loud enough to alert somepony from the distance.
“It wasn’t me!” Nabis defended nervously, “It was the tree!”
Gypsum rolled her eyes, “Oh, sure. The tree just felt like lifting up its roots just to trip us. How very conven…..”
She stopped in mid-sentence when she saw the root that just tripped them gently lowering itself back to the ground. She quickly looked at Nabis to see if she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Let’s get out of here,” Nabis whispered to Gypsum fearfully.
Gypsum shook off her fear and glared defiantly at him, “One little trick isn’t going to stop me.”
Fluttershy and Apple Bloom overlooked the scene puzzled until they noticed every apple, new and rotten, are now encased in a yellow aura. Then, the apples started firing at changelings, who were caught in surprise!
Gypsum and Nabis scream at every hit while apple juice and mush crawl around their bodies. Every sound each apple made when hitting on the ground or on the pair seem very much like a ricocheting stream of bullets. They ran around in fear, trying to defend themselves and found themselves trapped as the tree branches started to collide to other branches creating an earthly fence.
Fluttershy and Apple Bloom thought they were getting hit as well until they realized they were encased in the same yellow aura from before, protecting them from the firing apples.
“Run!” Gypsum screamed, “Someone knows we’re here! Hurry!”
Nabis replied back in terror, “But what about Nameless?!” He clumsily fell as another apple hit the back of his head.
Gypsum dragged him off the ground before pushing him away, “Who cares? She gets to live another day!”
The pair quickly ran away from the scene then took off to the skies.
Fluttershy lifted Apple Bloom off the tree and gently floated back on the ground. In a blink of an eye, all of the messy disaster that was left behind was suddenly poofed away, leaving the girls in confusion.
“What just happened?” Apple Bloom said bewildered.
As they looked around, Fluttershy glanced at one of the trees before she saw a familiar figure hidden within the treetops. She lets out a small gasp and the figure disappeared into thin air.
“Did you saw something?” Apple Bloom asked.
Fluttershy looked between her and where she saw the figure, “Nothing. It must’ve been nothing.”
She might’ve lied to her, but at least for now, she had an idea who was responsible for this miracle.
“You’ve really gone too far this time, Gypsum.”
The general stood tall and menacing in front of the two traitorous changelings who are still covered in apple mush and sticky juice.
Queen Chrysalis, who stood by watching, was given the report about their journey to the newly reformed and protected part of Equestria. She was still tired from all the sleep deprivation and had plans with the crystal ball, but she had to be here to give the General her sentence for this reckless crime.
The general continued while Gypsum and Nabis hung their heads in shame, “I have warned you about the consequences. I have given an order not to push this any further than it needs to be. But instead, you failed to show up at drill attendance, trespassed a restricted area and almost endangered your existence and your Queen’s AND OUR RACE BECAUSE YOUR ARRGORANCE!!”
Gypsum shouted back in defiance, “You wanted her dead you know! It only makes sense to look around the area; even it is rebuild and served under Princess Celestia. It’s not irresponsible to investigate lands for our enemy—“
“I don’t care if it’s sense that she could be hiding there, IT IS ALSO IRRESPONSIBLE TO DO THAT IF DEATH IS ON THE LINE! You could’ve been caught—“
“We almost did!” Nabis exclaimed in fear, “We kept ourselves hidden, but we were ambushed by… I don’t know! Someone were shooting apple everywhere—they’d somehow made them explode and they sound like a lot like gunshots-- And it was lifting roots up just to trap us and—and—“
“Hold it.”
The changelings stopped and turned around to Chrysalis as if she wasn’t here before. This piece of information was something that got her off-guard.
“Could you please repeat the event again, but a little slower?”
Nabis was caught in surprise and recalled the events again, “Um… first we tripped on this root. But we saw it being lowered to the ground, so it tripped us on purpose.Then… a-apples started shooting down from the trees. They hit us real hard that it kept exploding on our backs. We tried to get away but the roots build itself into some sort of wall and—“
“Where exactly did you go to again?”
“W-w-we landed on an orchard, not so far from Ponyville.”
Chrysalis stared at her soldier with interest. From that description, she can think of only one creature that is powerful enough to make the trees collide and a ricochet full of apples.This might either be a clue or an opportunity for a tactic, both if she liked—but she had to be sure.
“General. I trust you to look after the castle for a while.”
The General, along with the others, looked at their ruler in surprise, “My Queen?”
“I am going investigate Ponyville for any magical disturbance. I think I know who might’ve caused it but I want to have a closer look to be sure.”
She walked away from her subjects and towards the door that leads to a staircase out of the training hall.
“But my Queen!” The General cried out, “Ponyville is now resigned under Celestia’s hoof. If anypony sees you—! “
“I’ll try to stay hidden—I was called once from the last queen a talented actress. This will only take a day.”
With the dark, determined look on her face, she slammed the door behind her and leaving the bewildered changelings behind.