//------------------------------// // 5 - The Thunder Rolls // Story: Single Point of Failure // by TobiasDrake //------------------------------// Dear Princess Celestia, I’ve been thinking about what I said in my last letter regarding the turn of phrase, “just friends”. I’ve thought a lot about the relationship I have with Applejack now, as well as the friendships that I still hold dear to me with Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. If one of them had approached me on that day instead of Applejack, would I have said yes? The more I think about it, the more I believe I would have. I would agree for the same reason I agreed to Applejack. It would be an opportunity to learn more about myself and my relationship with them. The attempt may not have gone as smoothly as it did with her, but then again, it may have been even better. Ultimately, there’s no way to know. But the point I’ve come to realize is that there was nothing uniquely special about our friendship that made me willing to take that chance. When I look back on why I started seeing Applejack and not one of the others, the answer I come to is simply: she asked. Perhaps there could have been a different future for me with one of the others or someone entirely different. But she asked. That was our relationship then. The question, however, is do I believe our relationship now is stronger or more meaningful than the friendships we share? I will say that it’s more complicated, yet for the many ways our relationships has changed, there are also so many ways in which it’s remained the same. There are elements of a romantic relationship that don’t need to be present in a platonic one. Physical attraction, for example. Rarity was absolutely right about that when all this started. If I wasn’t capable of being attracted to Applejack, this would have been a disaster. However, all of the components that make a platonic relationship work are also needed in a romantic one. Elements such as mutual respect, trust, and empathy are vital to making a romantic relationship work. If Applejack and I didn’t respect each other enough to still be great friends even if we’d never started seeing each other, what kind of relationship would we have? Could I have this kind of relationship with one of the others or even someone else entirely? It’s certainly possible. I’m not as certain about it as I am that I would say yes if they had been the ones to ask. Compatibility is complicated and I still don’t fully understand it. But I’m happy in my relationship with Applejack and, again, she receives first consideration because she asked. So, to finally answer the question, I would not say that the relationship I have with Applejack is necessarily better than the friendship we once had or the friendships I have with my other friends. It’s simply a different kind of relationship, one that I could never have been prepared for without all the valuable lessons I’ve learned through my friends. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle As the sun came up, Applejack flopped out of bed. She hadn’t slept a wink last night; her mind just kept replaying her confrontation with Twilight in her head. She still could scarcely believe it was over. Neither could Apple Bloom. The little one had thrown a fit when Applejack broke the news to the family that Twilight wouldn’t be coming back for a while, and not in the same context. Applejack was almost glad she’d be working with Granny Smith again today. Her injury was still gnawing at her and, worse, her connection to the land was recovering slowly as well. She’d never had a sprain weaken her like this before, and it was becoming a subject of concern. Add in the sleep deprivation and even she had to admit she was in no condition to be working the field. As she moved to grab her hat from the bedpost, she was startled to realize it wasn’t there. After a few seconds, she remembered that Twilight probably still had it. She’d need to get that back at some point, but that could wait. She could be without it for a few more days if it meant having the time for her heart to process. She kept hearing Twilight in her head. "I think I might have loved you." Heading downstairs, she found Big Macintosh buzzing around the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the work day ahead. First to rise got first dibs on cooking and she certainly wasn’t feeling up to challenging him to that. “Mornin’,” Applejack greeted her brother. Taking a seat at the table, she rested her head on her hooves and thought back on the events of the previous night. “Do ya think I made a mistake breakin’ things off with Twi like that?” “Eeyup.” “Maybe I let things get too out of control. Let my feelin’s run away with me.” “Eeyup.” “I mean, she’s not…she wouldn’t try somethin’ stupid like that. I know her better than that. I don’t know what happened last night but she just ain’t that kind.” “Nope.” “Maybe I should have just talked to her and tried to work things out.” “Eeyup.” Applejack stood up from the table, glancing at the door. “I should just go see her. Thanks Big Macintosh.” She tested her leg; still sprained, but she could live with it. Getting to Twilight was too important to let it hold her back. Twilight woke up in an unfamiliar bed, but in a familiar cottage. She reached up with the side of her hoof and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, but her muscles felt strangely weak. “Applejack?” she asked the dimly lit room, but moments later, the sleep amnesia began to wear off and the events of the previous night came back to her. Her heart sank like a stone as she remembered Applejack’s words to her. "I need time to figure out how to stop lovin’ you." All motivation to get out of bed faded in that moment. She sank under the butterfly-print comforter and tried to blot out the world. She wasn’t sure how long she was under there before Fluttershy came upstairs. “Twilight? Are you awake?” “No,” Twilight answered. “I heard about what happened,” Fluttershy commiserated, sitting next to the bed. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.” Twilight pulled the comforter tighter around herself. “Just tell me the world isn’t ending. I need to hear that right now.” Fluttershy put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “I know things are hard, but I’m sure Applejack will come around. She must have been under--” “She said she needs time to figure out how to stop loving me,” Twilight sobbed at Fluttershy. Fluttershy frowned. “Oh. That sounds pretty final.” Twilight groaned a confirmation, prompting her to step back from the bed. “Is that why you were laying in the road?” “What?” Twilight rolled over to look at Fluttershy. “No, I was…attacked….” The strange unicorn and pegasus she’d encountered came rushing back. She sat up with a start, remembering the deranged look on the creature’s face and the way it flickered. She remembered the brief glimpse of Discord. “I…I have to go….” She stammered. Her heart was still cracked in half and the idea of even moving was agony, but something was horribly wrong in Ponyville and she couldn’t let it sit. Even if she wanted to, the more she thought about it, the more her heart began to burn with the thought of action. The pegasus had ruined her reconciliation with Applejack, had attacked the library, attacked Spike. “Are you sure?” Fluttershy asked her. “You could stay here and rest. I could talk to Applejack for you. Maybe she just--” “I’m sure,” Twilight answered more gruffly than she’d intended. She also didn’t mean to glare, but fury was beginning to claim her heart. Discord was going to regret choosing last night to attack her. Pulling herself off the bed, Twilight stood on shaking legs before her right front leg buckled and sent her careening into the floor. Her muscles felt completely atrophied. Whatever Discord had done to her, it had really taken a toll. “Twilight!” Fluttershy shouted, but Twilight set her hoof and tried again, pushing herself off the ground. “I can do this,” she insisted. “I just might need a little….” Her horn sparked and crackled as she tried to summon a bit of levitation to hold her up, but nothing happened. She tried again, but only got more crackling. She tried teleportation, a barrier, levitating the nearby flowerpot, but nothing worked. Every spell she cast fizzled and broke. “Okay,” she admitted. “Maybe I will need help. I don’t know how, but Discord’s severed my connection to magic.” “Discord?!” Fluttershy gasped. “Discord is back?! Why didn’t you say anything sooner?! Where is he?! We need to get everyone! And the Elements! We need--” Twilight sat down, giving her legs a moment to rest. “We need to know what we’re dealing with first. Last night I was attacked by something. It was a pegasus, but it was also a unicorn and sometimes, very briefly, it was Discord. It’s like it couldn’t decide what it’s supposed to be. And it was rambling these strange things. It kept talking about time. It wasn’t time, or there wasn’t enough time, or it needed more time. “And it stole my magic. Somehow, it was able to drain it from me. I need to go to Canterlot and speak with Princess Celestia. We can’t risk encountering Discord again until we know what we’re actually dealing with. Can you help me get to the train station? After what he did to me, I can barely walk.” “Of course.” Fluttershy put one of Twilight’s legs over her shoulder. “Lean on me. I’ll get you there.” “Thank you.” In a strange way, Twilight felt a little bit grateful to Discord for giving her a reason to get up and go somewhere rather than wallowing in her grief. Despair was a paralytic but rage was a motivator. She could believe that as long as she had this to focus on and keep her moving forward, maybe everything would be alright. “She did WHAT?!” Rarity shrieked at the top of her lungs. Everything was not alright and might not ever be again. “What could possibly possess her to do such a thing?!” “Your guess is as good as mine,” Cardinal answered. “I just know what I’ve been hearing around town and word is, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle are now past tense. It must have been some blowout, too; you can see the damage to the farmhouse from the gate.” Rarity was still in shock. “Has she taken complete leave of her senses? What could possibly possess Applejack to…or was Twilight the one who…no, that couldn’t be.” She sat down and plopped her forehead into her hooves. “This sounds completely impossible.” Cardinal shrugged. “I just know what I’ve heard. I’m stayin’ out of it. The last thing this situation needs is a nosy busybody getting into the mix.” Rarity stood up, shaking her head. “No, what it needs is for someone to shake some sense into Applejack.” “You’re not thinking about getting in the middle of this?” “I’m already in the middle of it,” Rarity answered. “Twilight deserves far better than this heartbreak Applejack’s unleashed upon her, and I have half a mind to go make her understand that.” Cardinal shook his head, pleading. “You’d surely just make it worse. What you’re talking about would require a delicate touch and…well, I just don’t think you have the right skillset.” “Don’t I?” Rarity narrowed her eyes. “My friend is in pain. What kind of pony would I be if I didn’t help her?” “I get it, I just think--” “Stop trying to talk me out of this! I am going to help Twilight if it’s the last thing I do. That’s what it means to be a friend.” With those words, Rarity stormed out of the boutique. “Thanks again, Fluttershy.” Twilight stood on her own legs again, carefully stepping onto the train. “I should be able to manage from here. Do me a favor and go tell Spike where I’ve gone. Let him know I should be back before supper.” “I will,” Fluttershy nodded. What she didn’t tell Twilight was that she was also going to go find Applejack. She was sure there must be some miscommunication that occurred. It just didn’t sit right with her that Applejack would dump Twilight like that. “Wait, she did what?!” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “That doesn’t a lick of sense! AJ’s nuts about Twilight. For three weeks, it was all she’d talk about. Three weeks, nothing but ‘Y’ever notice the way her face scrunches when she’s castin’ her spells?’ and ‘Do ya think she was born with that pink and purple streak or is it some kinda magic thing?” Cardinal shrugged. “That’s just what I’ve heard. I thought you might want to know. It sounds like Applejack could use a friend right now.” Rainbow Dash nodded. “I’m on it. Thanks for letting me know. You’re a good friend.” As Rainbow Dash flew off towards the farm, Cardinal grinned. “I certainly try.” “They did WHAT?!” Pinkie’s jaw hit the floor when she heard the news. Literally hit the floor. Cardinal wasn’t at all sure how that was biologically possible, but there it was. On the floor. He made a mental note to figure that out later and returned to business. “Twilight and Applejack broke up last night. Word’s all over town.” Pinkie started hopping around nervously. “NONONONONO They can’t! They’ve been adorable together! I sang them a song!” She skidded on her hind legs, wrapping her hooves around Cardinal’s head and pulling on it. “WHAT ABOUT MY SONG?!” she cried out to an uncaring world. Cardinal carefully extricated himself from Pinkie. “I don’t know, but that’s what I’ve--” “I have to fix this,” Pinkie abruptly exclaimed, suddenly laser-focused. Before Cardinal could get another word out, she was gone, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake. He stared at the cloud for a moment, then shook his head and started heading away. If I live to another thousand, I will never understand her. A royal guard helped Twilight limp into Princess Celestia’s throne room. “Your majesty!” he addressed the princess. “Twilight Sparkle is here to see you.” Celestia’s eyes widened when she saw the miserable state of her student. “What happened?! Are you okay?!” “I don’t know,” Twilight admitted. The guard set down her hoof and she struggled to approach the Princess. “I was attacked by something. It’s cut off my magic and I can barely walk.” “Here,” Celestia stepped forward. Her horn shone with a golden light and Twilight felt the energy beginning to return to her body. “I can restore the harm that’s been done to you. Why don’t you tell me what happened?” Applejack still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do or say as she approached the library. The words just wouldn’t form in her brain. Was she here to apologize? To take back what she’d said last night? Did she want to talk about how to fix the mistakes in their relationship? Or about where to go from here now that it had ended? Mercy, how did I let everythin’ get so mixed up? What am I even gonna say to her? Applejack stopped when the library came into view. She stared at it, trying to find the words that wouldn’t come. Twilight, sugar, I’m sorry for everythin’ and I just want to go back to the way things were before. Before what? Before you and I became an us, or just before that stupid fight? We just put all our problems back in the box and…then we’ll never talk about what ya meant when ya said you might have loved me. She started to pace but the pain impulse from her sprain put a stop to that right quick. Limping to the library was one thing, but that leg was not about to tolerate any unnecessary movement. Twilight, sugar, I’ve been thinkin’ about what you said last night and I don’t know if I came here to make us quit being broken up but I guess it will depend on whether ya meant it. I’m holdin’ our relationship hostage to get an answer out of ya! ‘Cause that’s what the kind of pony ya might fall in love with would do, consarnit! Applejack rolled her eyes. Yep, that was the one. That was sure to make Twilight fall swooning into her hooves. Good afternoon, Twi! What? No. Why would I break up with ya? That must have been some other pony. It was dark, that could have been anyone. Fighting? Uh…no, that was some other pony too. I think we might have an imposter runnin’ ‘round Ponyville. Applejack hung her head. She was getting nowhere, and these practices were getting stupider by the minute. Drawing in a deep breath, she resolved herself and started walking towards the library again. Her heart nearly stopped when the door opened when she was halfway there. She fended off a panic instinct, but relaxed when it was Fluttershy coming out. “Oh! Applejack. Wh-wh-what brings you here?” As soon as she’d spotted Applejack, Fluttershy had begun nervously backing towards the door. “Lookin’ for Twilight. Is she here?” Fluttershy shook her head. “No, she’s gone to Canterlot, but she should be back in a few hours.” “Canterlot?!” Fluttershy squealed and covered her head when Applejack shouted. “I’m sorry,” Applejack backpedaled. “I just need to talk to her.” “Yes, you do!” Rarity challenged, approaching the library. “You need to fix this mess you’ve made this instant! Why, Twilight must have been an absolute mess!” Fluttershy nodded in confirmation. “It was dreadful. I don’t want to judge, Applejack, but I think you really hurt her.” “AGAIN!” Rarity shouted. “After I spent the better part of Wednesday holding her up while she cried her heart out for you. I can’t say I expected much from you when Twilight embarked on this doomed endeavor of hers, but this is positively barbaric.” “Hey, BACK OFF!” Rainbow Dash joined the conversation from above. “You have no idea what AJ’s been through. She’s been sticking out her neck left and right and gets nothing but burned for it!” “Now hold on a cotton-pickin’ minute!” Applejack shouted. “That ain’t exactly--” Rarity rolled her eyes. “And what did you think was going to happen? Twilight barely even knew what a friend was when she met us. I don’t know what possessed you to think a pony that sheltered was emotionally ready for a mature relationship, but she certainly does not deserve this grotesque overreaction!” “Hey!” Pinkie Pie called out over the commotion. Nopony knew when she’d arrived, nor were they of a mind to care. “Voices are getting really loud, everypony. We’re all friends here, right Fluttershy?” Fluttershy had pressed herself against the door to the library, but she nodded at Pinkie’s proclamation. “Yeah. Let’s use--” But Rainbow Dash shouted over her. “You want to talk about deserving?! AJ’s been working herself to death just to make time to see Twilight! She busts her rump every day and what’s she got to show for it? Cold shoulder from the ice queen, that’s what!” “That’s not fair!” Applejack insisted. “Would everypony just back off? This ain’t none of y’all’s business!” Pinkie pleaded on deaf ears, “Okay, everyone, let’s turn this conversation around and drive it right back to Friendsville!” “My business?” Rarity took a step back. “It is my business when my friend’s heart is split in half! Fluttershy, you saw Twilight this morning. Tell Applejack how heartbroken she was.” Fluttershy tried to disappear against the door, too anxious to even speak at this point. She didn’t have to, however, because Rainbow Dash quickly filled the silence. “Oh, don’t even start with heartbroken. Poor little Twilight got her feelings hurt? After what she’s put AJ through, I don’t think she gets to start caring now that AJ’s finally moving on to greener pastures!” “Rainbow!” Applejack shouted. “That’s enough!” Rainbow Dash blinked. “What? I’m just trying to--” “Turning on your friends now?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “NO!” Pinkie shouted. “Nopony is turning on anypony! Applejack, tell her we’re all friends and we’re going to fix this like friends.” “Please,” Fluttershy added meekly. “If we could all sit down and talk about this, I’m sure we could figure something out.” But Applejack shouted over Fluttershy. “Like friends?! Comin’ here and attackin’ me, that’s your idea of friendly? I can handle my relationship on my lonesome, Rarity. I don’t need no help from a pushy, know-nothin’ busybody!” Pinkie whipped around to Rarity. “She didn’t mean that, Rarity! You know lots of things.” Rarity began to shake with fury, but then something snapped inside her. It was as if her rage simply broke. She stood straight up, looked Applejack dead in the eyes, and spoke with a quiet tranquility. “If you think a relationship is supposed to be ‘on your lonesome’, then it’s no wonder you keep hurting her. Those are the words of a very selfish partner. Twilight deserves better than you.” Applejack took a step back, reeling from words that struck her heart like a knife. Before she could answer, Rainbow Dash’s voice filled the sky. “What, like Twilight’s perfect?! She’s been a total zombie to AJ for--” “Consarnit, Rainbow, would you BACK OFF?!” Applejack shouted. “I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!!!” Rainbow set down and for a brief moment, she almost looked vulnerable. “I…I was just trying to….” “I don’t care what you’re tryin’ to do,” Applejack snapped. “This is about me, Twilight, and nopony else! Ya ain’t helpin’, ya don’t know a lick of what you’re talkin’ about, and I don’t need you in this!” Rainbow Dash tried to blink away the hurt on her face. She shook her head, processing Applejack’s words before burying them deep under a wall of defensiveness. “Well, fine!” she shouted back. “I don’t need you either! I don’t need ANY of you losers!” “No, she didn’t mean that!” Pinkie shouted, but Rainbow Dash was gone before she could even finish the words. Fluttershy had already slipped away and fled the confrontation. Pinkie began to hyperventilate as she looked towards Applejack and Rarity. Applejack’s heart softened as she watched Rainbow Dash go. She hadn’t meant to be so harsh. The words had just come out. Just like they had with Twilight. Lashing out never made the hurt go away; it just cut deeper from the added sting of regret. “So that’s how it is,” Rarity continued in that alarmingly tranquil voice. “I honestly can’t find the energy to be surprised with you anymore, and I am officially beyond the point of caring. I thought you might see reason, Applejack, but I now realize there is no such thing within you. So congratulations, you get what you wanted: I wash my hooves of this. Twilight will have a far better life now that you are no longer a part of it.” “Rarity, wait.” Applejack called out, but Rarity walked past her. “There is nothing left to discuss.” Slowly, Applejack turned to the only noise left in the plaza. Pinkie Pie was sitting on her haunches with tears streaming down her face. Her hair drooped and her body shook with each sniff. “Pinkie,” Applejack called out to her softly, gently, and took a step towards her. Without even turning to look at her, Pinkie said just five words. “You broke a Pinkie Promise.” Then she picked herself up and walked away. Alone in front of the library, Applejack approached the door and pounded on it with her hoof. She thought about Rarity’s words to her. "Those are the words of a very selfish partner. Twilight deserves better than you." Had she been selfish? Maybe. She certainly hadn’t meant to be. She’d been overjoyed when Twilight had accepted the date. She remembered complimenting her. She remembered surprising her with flowers and fresh produce from the farm. She remembered the way it felt when Twilight smiled and the amazing feeling in her kiss. And then she remembered Celestia. "In her short time in Ponyville, Twilight has become very dedicated to the relationships she’s built. Her life is beginning to revolve around the five of you. But she doesn’t always know how to express herself, because she didn’t spend her formative years building social connections. So please, I would ask that you have a little patience with her." That had gone right in one ear and out the other, now hadn’t it? But no, she had been patient. Rainbow Dash was right about that. Being with Twilight was slow going, but she’d been patient for every kiss, every sappy glance, every reward she could-- Reward. She hadn’t meant to phrase it like that, but the word struck her like a full apple basket. She remembered trying to coax Twilight into instigating kisses and the bitter sting when she wouldn’t. She remembered nights spent waiting for Twilight to ask to do something or take the lead for once, and the dejection she felt every time it never came. She remembered her anticipation for the fight that wasn’t ever going to happen and the feeling of rejection when she didn’t need to have it. Every time, all she could think about was what Twilight was or was not doing for her. She stared at her reflection in the mirror next to the door. Have I been selfish? After what seemed like an eternity, Spike answered the door. “Applejack?” he asked. Applejack nodded. She spoke somberly, knowing she had a lot to think about. “I know Twi ain’t here. I got a work day I got to get to quick as I can, but if ya could, do ya think you could write her a letter for me?” “So that’s everything?” Celestia asked. “Everything I remember.” Twilight felt rejuvenated after the spell Celestia had worked on her. She tested her horn and illuminated it with a simple light spell, which she found she could once again cast with ease. Dismissing the magic, she looked up at her mentor. “I can’t be sure whether the unicorn or the pegasus was the creature’s natural state, but I am certain I saw Discord in there a couple times.” “Hmm,” Celestia pondered. “Based on what you’ve told me, I would guess that none of them are real. Probably not even Discord.” “How can that be?” Twilight asked. “Is this some kind of shapeshifter?” “I had considered the possibility of a Changeling, but what you describe sounds different. I believe we are dealing with a very old piece of chaos magic, although I’m reluctant to think even Discord would be so reckless.” “Magic?” Twilight asked. “The creature I encountered in the woods is…a spell?” Celestia nodded. “Almost certainly. When he was free, Discord must have enchanted something as a failsafe in case anything went wrong. Think of it like a piece of Discord, a small chaos shard broken off and embedded in…something. We must assume this shard intends to unleash him upon us once more.” Twilight shook her head, thinking about the ramifications. “A semi-autonomous enchantment powered by chaos. But what did it do to me?” “Think back to your lessons. What happens to a spell over time when left to its own?” “Oh, that’s easy. We can only put a set amount of magic into a spell at any given time. Without periodically refreshing the enchantment, it eventually runs its course. The energy runs dry and the spell fizzles out.” “Exactly. Now Twilight, imagine that you were such a spell. It’s been four months since your caster was imprisoned in stone. Four months with nothing to refresh your enchantment. Every move you make is a drain on your very limited supply. Even simply existing will eventually cause your clock to run out. What would you do?” The answer struck Twilight easily enough. “I’d need to find another way to get the energy I need. That’s how he’s powering himself! The chaos shard can steal magic!” She started pacing. “That makes sense. He was flickering because he was low on power, and he needed a unicorn because of how strong our connection with magic is. He must have been starving when he attacked me.” Then she stopped, looking up at Celestia. “Wait, what did you mean when you said it was reckless?” Celestia huffed. “What Discord has created is a very dangerous piece of magic. This kind of spell tends to behave irrationally. From the moment it’s split off, it is a new lifeform. I have no doubt it remembers being Discord, but it is not Discord. Every memory, every experience it has from the moment of its creation, that is what shapes it. There is no guarantee it will continue to act in Discord’s best interest or anyone’s but its own.” Celestia continued wryly, “And even if it did, Discord was hardly a paragon of emotional stability as it is.” Twilight took a deep breath, taking in everything she’d learned. “I have to get back to Ponyville, but before I go, there’s something I need to check on. When Discord broke out, he stole the Elements of Harmony from your vault. I have to imagine that’s the first place the chaos shard would have gone.” Celestia shook her head. “That would be impossible. Discord was able to access the vault because of his chaos magic, but this shard is only a piece of him. It wouldn’t have the power to puncture so many defensive enchantments unless….” Twilight finished the thought for her. “Unless we were talking about a creature that eats magic.” Without another word, the pair raced to the vault. It seemed shut, but when Celestia pressed her horn into the keyhole and cast the accessing spells, there was no response. Using her magic, the princess tugged on the door and found it slid open with ease. The gem-encrusted box containing the Elements was gone. Celestia turned to look down at Twilight. “He must be trying to ensure you won’t be able to use the Elements against Discord. We need to find them, but that has to be a second priority. Stopping the chaos shard from carrying out its plan comes first. I will remain here and guard Discord. You return to Ponyville and find the shard.” Twilight nodded. “I’m on it. But what do I do when I find it?” “Walk with me,” Celestia answered as she started towards the courtyard. “There is a spell I can teach you that will defend you from any attempt it makes at draining your magic again, but you must learn quickly.” “I’ll practice it on the train! Thank you!” As she followed Celestia, Twilight once again found herself strangely grateful to the chaos shard for giving her something to focus on other than her breakup. She didn’t have the attention span to mourn the loss of what she had with Applejack, not while this thing was loose. Still, something nagged at the back of her mind. When Discord was loose, he’d used his chaos magic to attack her friends, flipping their personalities. He made Fluttershy mean, Rarity greedy, and Applejack a liar. He even caused Pinkie to react negatively to laughter, while Rainbow Dash had abandoned them entirely. He’d come closer to destroying every friendship she had than she’d ever thought possible. But he’d only hidden the Elements, and he’d left a riddle in his place when he stole them. Something about this theft felt different. And why attack the library? “Whoever these ponies were, they could have been alone in the library for hours. That’s more than enough time to trash the library, read something they didn’t want anypony knowing they’d read, and then make off with a few arbitrary books to make this look like a robbery.” As soon as the latch on her door clicked, Rarity began to break down. Everything had gone so wrong. She stumbled into the kitchen and found the door to the parlor, where she collapsed onto her fainting couch and began to cry. How could so much go so wrong in only one week? Where had it all gone so terribly awry? “Rarity?” the familiar voice of Cardinal called from the kitchen. As he entered the parlor, his voice struck her ears with a soft, comforting tone. “What happened?” “You were right,” she bitterly exclaimed. “I should never have gotten involved. Now I fear I’ve made a mess of everything.” Cardinal stepped closer to the couch, keeping his voice low and soft. “You did the best you could, I’m sure. You’ve done so much already. No one could ask any more of you. You even offered me, practically a stranger, a place to stay. This whole town should be indebted to you.” Rarity rolled over to face the cushion, grumpily retorting, “For all the good it’s done me. I…thank you, Cardinal. It’s nice to know at least someone appreciates me.” As he reached the couch, Cardinal whispered, “I got you something. It’s nothing much. Just something to show you how grateful I am. You deserve to have something that matches your beauty.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “I’m not really in the mood to be charmed right now.” “Then forget I said that and just take this as a token of my gratitude.” Rarity could feel the present clicking around her neck. “Thank you….” She looked down at the emblem around her neck and her eyes were immediately assaulted by the familiar purple jewel flanked by golden wings. An alarm went off in the back of her mind. “Wait, this is--” “…for your GENEROSITY.” She looked up, but Cardinal was gone and in his place was a gleaming white unicorn. His horn crackled with energy and she felt herself suddenly plunging down into a deep abyss. She saw Twilight wrapped around Applejack’s hat and crying her little heart out. She heard Applejack screaming at her. “Pushy, know-nothin’ busybody!” She found herself standing in the plaza in front of Golden Oaks Library and felt Rainbow Dash yelling, the force of Rainbow Dash’s anger rippling through her body. She lived through every angry word, every scream and cry and tirade. She watched Applejack tear into Rainbow Dash, caught Fluttershy slinking away and crying out the corner of her eye, saw Pinkie gradually degenerate from the rage being hurled around. And when it was all over, it came right back again and the three of them were screaming at each other once more. Through it all, only one sentiment echoed in the background: her own voice, relaxed and comforted as she spoke the words, “Thank you, Cardinal. It’s nice to know someone appreciates me.” Outside the prison of Rarity’s mind, Cardinal waved his hoof in front of her eyes. They had glossed over from the effect of the chaos magic he’d worked on her. The Element of Generosity sat around her neck, but its jewel had turned as black as coal. “Stand up, Rarity,” Cardinal ordered. Rarity stood as instructed. “Tell me how smart I am.” Without hesitation, Rarity answered. “You are very intelligent, Cardinal.” “More than the other Discord.” Cardinal insisted. “You are far more intelligent than that other Discord ever was.” Cardinal grinned. “Perfect.” He turned towards the door, beckoning her to follow. “Come along, Rarity. It’s time to collect the rest of my friends.”