//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Bits and Pieces // Story: The Pony Who Embraced The Darkness // by Zurvan //------------------------------// Chapter 17: Bits and Pieces “It’s nice of ya two to invite me over for tea.” Applejack says as she relaxes on one of Rarity’s sofas. “It’s nice to take a break from everything.” “How are you holding up Darling?” SC - 9, disguised as Rarity asks. “I know it must be hard on you losing Greaves like that.” Applejack flinches noticeably. “Yeah, it is, but I got Big Mac to lean on, along with Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara. In fact Diamond’s paying any bills that needs paid and has arranged for a pony named Au Pair to come help when necessary.” "That sounds like it should take a bit of the pressure off of you.” Rarity says. “I haven’t met her yet, but I do think she’ll be a great help.” Applejack admits. “So tell me why the invite to tea?” “Rarity, you might as well tell her.” SC - 12, disguised as Coco says. “I suppose you have a point Coco.” Rarity sighs trying to add a bit of drama to the situation. “I’m telling my friends one at a time that I’ve finally found myself a special somepony.” “Congratulations!” Applejack says then looks at Coco. “I’m bettin’ that’s you, right?” Coco nods. “It is indeed, we’re going to use our collective knowledge of fashion to put all other boutiques out of business, and have a little fun along the way.” She smiles at Rarity. “That’s really great.” Applejack says as she drinks her tea. “I’m happy to hear that.” Rarity nods and pours Applejack another cup of tea. “You’re the first pony I’ve told.” “I’m honored, I didn’t think we were that close.” Applejack admits. “I would have figured you’d tell Twilight or Fluttershy first.” “Since Twilight’s unconscious I can’t exactly tell her anything, can I?” “I suppose not. “ Applejack answers as she drinks more tea. “This is really good tea, what’s in it?” Rarity grins. “Valerian, passionflower, chamomile, and some lavender. To help you sleep.” “Why I Equestria would I want to sleep?” “It’s not a matter of you wanting to sleep.” Rarity says. “It’s a matter of us needing you to sleep.” Coco says. “You’ll be easier to handle that way.” “Easier to handle?” Applejack asks as she jumps to her hooves. “How are you still awake?” Rarity asks. "Earth ponies are highly resistant to herbs.” Applejack answers as she backs away from them towards the exit. “You’re not going anywhere!” Coco says as she hits her with magic. “What in Tarnation is wrong with you two?” Rarity and Coco shed their disguises. “It’s time for you to meet our Master. “SC - 9 says. “Well.” Applejack says as she reaches up and takes off her hat, then as she puts it back on she taps the earring in her right ear. “I suppose it’s time for me to go.” “So you’ll come with us peacefully?” SC - 12 asks. Applejack grins. “Not a chance in Tartarus. I’m going home.” The earring in her right ear glows with a lavender light that quickly expands and encompasses her entire body, then she disappears. “A teleportation spell built into an earring?” SC - 12 looks at SC - 9 in shock. “That infernal alicorn, Princess Twilight must be behind this.” “We must confer with Master immediately.” SC - 9 nods and moves the couch to create pool of shadow, she steps into the shadow. “Lord Umbra, I your humble servant beg you. Come forth, and advise me.” The shadow quickly takes the form of Lord Umbra. “What is it SC - 9?” “We have a problem Master, the one named Applejack got away from us after seeing through our disguises.” “Return to me quickly, before she rallies support.” “Yes Master.” Lord Umbra vanishes. ========== Winter, dressed in an explorer's outfit, takes a drink of water from a canteen. “Hopefully we find fresh water soon, we don’t even have enough to get back at this point.” “We’ve got three more days of water, I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Nymeria says as she walks up to him dressed in a similar outfit.. “Plus whatever we get tonight from those rain collectors you built.” Winter nods. “They’d be more useful if the canopy of this forest wasn’t so dense. Otherwise I’d really love a map right now.” “If there was a map it wouldn’t be the undiscovered west now, would it?” Winter sighs. “I suppose you have a point. Now remind me, what are we doing out here again?” “You missed out on something like 1,000 years of discovery, so I thought maybe we could discover something to make up for it.” Winter smiles. “And the fact that we have one large sleeping bag to share has nothing to do with it?” Nymeria grins. “I don’t hear you complaining.” Winter kisses her lightly and the two of them continue to walk. Nymeria spots a shadowy form off the the side. “Hold up, I’ve got to pee.” Winter stops. “Of course.” He keeps one eye on her as the steps into the heavy bushes to take care of her business. As she vanishes from his sight he mumbles to himself. “Don’t know why you want privacy now, ain’t like you have anything I haven’t seen.” Nymeria undoes her outfit to take care of business when the shadowy form of Lord Umbra approaches her from behind. “How is the plan daughter?” Nymeria jumps slightly then starts peeing as he approaches her. “Didn’t you teach me it was rude to walk up on somepony when they were peeing?” Umbra chuckles slightly. “I see being with the ponies has given you a bit of spirit, but don’t forget that you belong to me!” The shadow grabs at her flanks. Nymeria gasps. “You said I could have Winter if I brought him to you. I thought that meant I could have only him.” “I said you could have him if you brought him and the Princess to me.” Umbra growls. “It’s not that hard, there’s 4 of them now, you only had to get one of them.” “I need more time, once I bring him to you I’ll be able to convince him we should stay with you.” Nymeria says as she feels the shadow mount her and has to bite her lip for a second to not say something she shouldn’t, or make too much noise so that Winter would wonder what was going on. “Then his dear sweet mother will coming running to save him, and that’s when you’ll have her.” “Very well.” Umbra says as he finishes with her. “You may end up belonging to just him, but until then you’re mine.” “Yes Master.” Nymeria says and watches him vanish before fixing her outfit, and wiping the tears from her eyes. Then she walks back to Winter. “Sorry Dear, really had to go.” Winter nods in understanding. “Fair enough, let’s go this way.” He heads into a dark cluster of the woods using his magic to make cold fire to light the way. Nymeria follows him, watching the shadows his magic casts, looking to see Umbra’s face in them. Suddenly they come to a clearing with a brook running through it. “See, told you we’d find water!” She runs towards the water, and stops at the riverbank. She strips off her saddlebags then her outfit and hops in the water. “This feels so good. Come on Winter, join me.” Winter nods and carefully placing their camping equipment next to her saddlebags before stripping down and joining her in the water. “You’re right this is nice.” Nymeria kisses him. “I’m about to make it better.” Meanwhile from the edge of the clearing Lord Umbra watches.