//------------------------------// // Chapter 02: The Little Things // Story: Animosity Is Magic // by little-tweenframes //------------------------------// Applejack blinked her eyes open as she felt a gentle touch against her forehead. She sighed through her nose and buried her face into the scratchy white comforter that lined her wife’s bed. Applejack lifted her hoof and placed it within reach so that Rarity could hold it. “Mornin’ Rares.” She leaned forward and kissed Rarity on the hoof. “How’re you feeling?” Applejack gulped, managing to hold back any tears she somehow had left. Rarity, with some help, slowly scooted to a sitting position. Applejack could see she was even thinner, and the wig she was wearing was growing too heavy for her to lift her head on its own. Through it all, she still smiled. “I hope you’re not shirking your farm work for me, darling.” “Heh. Now, y’all know me.” Applejack sniffed. “Ain’t nobody better at finishing her chores on time.” “Of course, dear.” She let out a relaxed sigh as she leaned back in bed. “And Pomme?” Applejack hesitated. --- “No, Applejack, the spell is extremely experimental, and the side effects could go haywire!” A younger Twilight looked up from her scroll. “I understand where you’re coming from, but the risks are too high.” “We’ll be careful Twi, honestly.” Applejack, hair still long and full, took off her hat. “Rarity and I have really thought it over, and you’re the only pony we’d trust to do this. Your magic is beyond comparison to any other; I have faith.“ Twilight scratched at her head. “I don’t know… Messing with reproduction, it seems dangerous. I couldn’t even produce a gender-swapping spell during my duel with Trixie, remember how I faked that?” “Yeah, but, y’all weren’t an Alicorn then. Plus that was at least twenty years ago. Yer stronger now, if…” Applejack gulped. “If anything happens, which it won’t, I’ll take the blame.” Twilight bit her lip. “I… I need some time to think about it…” --- “She’s good as ever. Cheerilee took her home today, I think Big Mac’s gonna help her with her homework tonight.” Applejack couldn’t help but gaze at the mare in front of her, disconnected. It’s my fault. “Oh, I know she’ll do wonderfully. She’ll be the smartest, most fashionable filly in school.” Rarity rolled onto her side and watched Applejack. “I wish I could’ve made something for her…” “Rare, don’t.” The farm pony said sternly. “Y’all can’t beat yourself up.” She closed her eyes. “I’m tired, Applejack…” “Rarity…” Knock! Knock! Knock! Applejack swiveled her head to the door. “Who could that be?” With a swift tap to Rarity’s foreleg, Applejack walked to open the door. She was surprised when she saw Pomme Beau standing in the doorway. “Mmmmf!” A brown bag hung from her mouth. “Pomme Beau, what in the hay’re you doing here?” She narrowed her eyes and stepped aside to let her through. Pomme ran up to Rarity’s bed and placed the bag in front of her. “I got this with ma’ own bits!” Pomme Beau chattered excitedly while she climbed on top of the bed. “We had a fundraiser at school today and Aunt Cheerilee said I could buy some for workin’ so hard!” Despite her condition, Rarity’s eyes shone with pride. “Oh goodness, how kind of you!” She opened her arms and welcomed Pomme into a hug. “My precious itty bitty wittle Pretty! I’m so proud of you, you’re turning into a lovely lady!” She nuzzled her young daughter before falling back down into bed. “Is it alright if I save the sweets for later? I had a very big lunch, and I’d absolutely hate it if I couldn’t finish mine.” Pomme snuggled herself under the crook of Rarity’s foreleg. “That’s all right!” Rarity winced when her daughter leaned heavily into her body, but she said nothing. Applejack could see the pain in her eyes caused by the unwanted force against her fragile bones, despite the small smile on her face. As soon as Applejack opened her mouth in protest, Rarity shot daggers at her, smile fading. The orange mare gritted her teeth and snorted. Y’all can’t keep this facade up forever. She stalked to the window and looked out, hoping to distract herself with the endless gloomy sky that lay ahead of her. Applejack could only imagine how many other families were suffering hardships as of late. With everypony feeling nothing but dread for the future, it wasn’t that hard. ---------- “I can’t thank you enough for coming with me, Copernicus. Making the journey alone, which is of course dangerous, is also a bit too boring.” Princess Twilight Sparkle roamed the skies towards Canterlot Castle, accompanied by her eldest son, Copernicus Dusk. She was on her way to a meeting scheduled with Princess Celestia, and she had decided on a more scenic route rather than simply teleporting. After the scene she’d witnessed inside herself on top of the stress of Rainbow Dash’s delivery, Twilight needed the fresh air. Dusk nodded in agreement. “Of course, Mother.” Twilight couldn’t help but give him a quick once-over. It was hard to believe this magnificent Alicorn beside her was once a weak, skinny little Earth Pony. His coat shone golden against the graying sky, and his dark locks of hair flowed and shimmered ever so slightly on their own. Her thoughts came to a halt when she caught sight of his Cutie Mark. She straightened herself out and looked on ahead, brows furrowing. His Cutie Mark appeared upon his ascension, which was an entire mystery upon itself. Twilight remembered him as an Earth Pony one day, then when she returned home after initiating a trade with Saddle Arabia, he was an Alicorn. On top of that, a five-pointed star was residing on his flank. She’d felt incredible power flowing through him on that day, and came to the conclusion that her son would follow in her hoofsteps and grow in his abilities with his newfound magic. Twilight blinked back into reality when she saw the highest tips of Canterlot Castle approaching. She pushed the thoughts out of her head; she wasn’t here to discuss her son’s magic – she was here to discuss the future of Equestria with her teacher. She and Copernicus fell silent for the short moments left of their travels, taking in the castle of grandeur before them. The two Alicorns hustled inside the castle, but not without greeting any natives or guards they passed along the way. Almost immediately, Twilight caught sight of the flowing pastel mane of Princess Celestia and saw her at the top of the long, winding staircase that led to the castle foyer. “Hello, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia addressed her equal with a bow, which was met accordingly. She grinned ear to ear, a little too widely. “Early, as always.” Twilight straightened up from her arch, eyes twinkling at the sight of her former teacher. “It’s good to see you, Princess, I hope you’ve been well.” “Indeed. Though, there is much to discuss.” She turned to Dusk, familial warmth dripping from her voice. “Prince Copernicus. I apologize for the curt greeting, but we must be on our way. Eventide is off-duty today, if you’re looking for a friend while your mother and I are meeting.” Twilight felt a twinge as she caught a slight of disappointment in her son. “Oh, of course. I’ll be on my way, then.” He bowed, pausing for a moment, before trotting down the castle hall and vanishing beyond the corner. Even though royalty ran through his blood and gifted him a horn and wings, Copernicus still had a long way to go before he was mature enough to begin his royal duties. “He’ll be alright.” Celestia nudged Twilight sympathetically. “He’ll make a fine prince one day. I know with a mother like you to guide him, he will not stray from his path. Eventide will keep him busy.” Eventide was the – surprisingly – calm and collected daughter of Princess Luna and Discord. Most days she traveled along the sea and works among the Merponies, but she would return home to Canterlot on days of rest. Twilight beamed at the praise, warmth spreading through her hooves. However, Celestia continued immediately. “Come with me, Twilight. We will continue beyond the throne room.” --- “Tell me. When was the last time you saw the sun?” Celestia stared longingly outside through the partially closed curtains. “Or the moon?” She sighed, fully closing the curtains and turning to face her former student. She continued without waiting for an answer. “I can no longer sense them. The sun and moon are gone. Time still passes, yes, but we are powerless. The balance is tipping.” Twilight Sparkle’s mouth suddenly felt dry and cracked from what she was hearing. “The magic I feel is foreign. You’ve felt it too, I assume. It has been causing so much discomfort in the world that I fear for the living. “Twilight, there is another side to the Elements of Harmony. A side that I had hoped would not come to the surface for many more moons.” The purple Alicorn’s eyebrows furrowed. “Another side? I… I don’t understand, there was no mention of anything beyond their power in any of the books I’ve read – and I’ve read all of them.” Racking her brain felt useless and only further built on the stress she had already been dealing with. “What more could there be?” “Everything in the world has a counterpart. The sun and moon, sky and sea, up and down...” She glanced away, pausing, before locking eyes with her peer. “Friendship and Animosity.” Twilight cocked her head slightly. “You’re not saying...” The great white Alicorn sighed. “Everything in the world must retain balance. Every Element of Harmony must also do the same. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. The Sins of Disharmony.” “But, why are they only resurfacing now?” “You and your friends unlocked the true power of the Elements when you re-activated them. However, you six – eight – did not possess the means to unlock the power of the Sins inside of them. The Elements shone because they were the truest part of each of you.” “But we didn’t have anything strong enough inside of us to bring them out.” Twilight gasped, wings fluttering. “But that means somepony else must have! If they’re rising, that has to be the case...right? Can...can we even find who they are? What will we do when we find them? How are we going to stop this if there are living ponies around activating them?!” A soft hoof on her shoulder ceased Twilight’s stammering. There was no light in Celestia’s eyes, and Twilight was afraid she already knew what her next statement would be. “While you and your friends did not awaken the Sins, you were still carriers of them.” Embracing her prized pupil, Celestia continued. “I believe they’ve found their power through your children. I wish it weren’t so, but all we can do now is try and fix this.” Twilight somehow found comfort in the warmth of her clutch. “We’re not going to hurt them are we?” Her voice cracked, which brought wetness to her eyes. “We can’t. We won’t.” “No.” Celestia pulled away, stiffening. “The power of the Sins will keep growing stronger while they are a part of our world. They’re feeding off of them, and the darkness beneath us will rise in time.” She craned her neck to face the ceiling. “But for now, the light above us will keep the darkness at bay. However if we don’t act, that time will come to an end.” “How can we stop it?” “I’m afraid we cannot, my faithful student.” Celestia once again stood up tall, looking more regal than she had in a long time. “But they can.”