//------------------------------// // home again // Story: Trancending love // by shadowwalker //------------------------------// Trancending Love Chapter 9 home again Rays of soft sunlight flitted through a window in Butterscotch’s cabin, landing on closed eyes, waking their owner with a gentle yawn. “Hmm morning already?” Twilight, however much the sun tried to keep her awake laid her head back down. The morning light soon got some much needed assistance in the form of rasping on the door. The unexpected intrusion scared Twilight enough that she tripped over something causing her to crash into the couch behind her. Butterscotch, who she had tripped over earlier, woke with a start at the sudden noise sending the timed stallion strait into a wall out of panic. The night’s events came back in a rush to Twilight causing her to blush violently. A voice snapped her back to reality. “Is everything alright in there?” she called from the other side of the door. ‘She’ determinable from the tone of voice, must be Barbara, at least that was what Twilight thought. Standing up and brushing herself off, she trotted over to the door before it swung open with a resounding thud. “Oh good I thought something bad happened after all that noise.” “Barbara right? Do you need to see Butterscotch, I’m ….” Twilight began. “Twilight Sparkle currently using the alias of Moonletters yeah I know Dusk Shine told me everything. He wants both you and Butterscotch to head to the library immediately.” She said turning away. “I’ve got to get everypony else, he seemed pretty stressed better not keep him waiting.” Barbara turned and left, not particularly caring if they actually were in a rush. Twilight shut the door before wandering over to where Butterscotch was laying. “Come on, Dusk Shine wants us for some reason.” Twilight murmured with a comforting nuzzle. Butterscotch took the offered hoof accepting the help getting to his hooves. “Thanks.” He mumbled. “We should get going.” Twilight suggested with a slight smile. “I have a feeling that whatever it is, it definitely cannot wait.” With Twilight leading the two left Butterscotch’s home making their way towards Dusk Shine, and what was bothering the stallion. The trip from the cottage to the library took about half an hour so it was unsurprising that they were the last ones there. “Finally now I don’t have to constantly repeat myself.” Dusk Shine sighed breaking from his pacing. “I’m sure you understand the whole Eris thing.” When all he got was blank stares from the mares, Dusk Shine started to rub his temples. “The weird looking statue that came to life and caused chaos not too long ago.” “Ahhh you mean that big meanie Discord.” Pinkie Pie chipped in. “Right. Well his, her whatever it is, prison is held together by the Elements of Harmony.” Dusk Shine started his explanation. Twilights eyes bulged almost instantly. “And with us gone Discord might break free again. Oh this is bad we really need to go back.” Twilight nearly went into panic mode beating the ground with her hooves at a furious pace, twitching one way then another. “Ah understand that sugar cube but we don’ exactly ‘ave what we need.” Applejack said placing a hoof on her friends shoulder. “Ya’ll need ta calm down an’ think.” “Ok let’s see here, a vase, the diamond, the feather, and the nectar. I believe that’s all.” Twilight listed off. “Hmm the diamond would probably be the hardest thing to find. If Elusive hasn’t used it yet.” “Use what pray tell?” Elusive asked cocking his head at the mention of his name. “A canary diamond.” Rarity filled in. “I sacrificed my last one for us to come here.” “Ah yes I can give you mine.” Elusive offered. “I’ve been trying to give away some of my vases.” Butterscotch muttered. “That leaves the nectar and a feather. With Rainbow Dash being died we’ll need one from you Blitz.” Twilight informed looking directly at Blitz. “Wait, what uh-uh no way. Nopony is touching my feathers.” Blitz nearly screamed defensively. Rainbow Dash leaned over and plucked one while Blitz was shaking his head. “Here Twilight.” She said spitting out the feather. Rainbow Blitz mad a dive for it and started grumbling seeing it floating in front of his muzzle, encased in Twilights magic. “Thank you now all we need to sort out is the nectar.” Pinkie Pie during the commotion was whispering into Bubble Berry’s ear finishing just as Twilight did. “If you all would be so kind as to gather everything and meet me at the hill at which we arrived. I need to place the runes.” Twilight turned and left followed by everypony in the library. Dusk Shine accompanied Twilight to the hill. “I’m curious on how you found a way here so quickly.” Dusk Shine said as Twilight began scratching lines into the ground with her hooves. “I had spent plenty of time researching methods of travel and came across a spell of mass transportation with reduced strain. When you sent the scroll I tried the frequency. Upon seeing you I figured that all I had to do was alter the frequency. Of course it was just a theory so it could have failed.” Twilight answered never once moving her eyes from her work. “Ah yes I think I remember now. That spell was researched for emergencies allowing a quick transport to Canterlot had it been necessary.” Dusk Shine mumbled. Neither said anything more for some time, the runes were finished and nopony had come yet. “You know whenever I’m talking to you it feels like I’m…” Dusk Shine broke the silence. “Talking to your sister. I feel the same way, like you’re my brother. Do you think that the others feel the same way?” Twilight interrupted. Dusk merely nodded in agreement. The two shared one fear obvious from the look in each other’s eyes. What if they were too late? Hoof steps snapped the two out of their trance as their friends arrived. Each one carrying something that was going with them. Twilight placed the vase in the exact center of the circle before her magic enveloped the other ingredients. “This is definitely going to give me a headache.” She muttered taking inventory of everything. “Well you know the drill let’s go.” “What no time to say good-bye? Really Twilight I thought you would want to as well.” Rainbow Dash asked lobbing a confused look in her direction. “No it will just make things harder on us.” Twilight muttered. Her posture was strong but the tears fell freely. Nopony said anything more as the six mares gathered in position. Depression filled the air; it wasn’t that they wanted to leave but that they had to. “Chances are we won’t be coming back.” Just as before liquid light poured out from the vase upon the chants completion. Growing steadily until blinding, shifting from white to red everything was the same. The same red light sprung out and devoured everything in the runic circle, collapsing on itself causing a deafening explosion. The six stallions were thrown off their hooves from the respondent shockwave. One by one each stood shaking from the effort. “Dusk dude I am never gonna be part of that spell. Ever.” Rainbow Blitz told his friend shaking his head to clear his thoughts. All six stared at the carnage left by the after effects. “Nor do I want to even think about casting it.” Dusk informed them. Blitz couldn’t help but take advantage of this set up. “So you’re saying that, that Twilight Sparkle mare has more guts than you do? That’s just sad.” Blitz mocked him throwing in a snicker. “I’ll let that comment slide this time, but remember that Rainbow Dash had the guts to do that twice.” Dusk countered. “So that’s that.” Solaris said more to himself than anything else. “For us yes. Yet I can’t shake the feeling that Luna was right.” Artemis said chancing a look towards his brother. “Nor can I, nor can I. Discord freed twice in nigh upon a year, harsh to say the least. Their world has seen his mischief thrice now. All we can do is believe that those mares can handle the monster once more.” Solaris directed, focusing his gaze towards the area that a pillar of red light had just been. “I know.” Artemis answered. The royal brothers turned towards the statue in the palace garden. “I just can’t imagine Eris being released again and so soon too. Just how powerful are they. Not three days and they can break free.” “I understand your concern, it is something we share. Trust that while their time here weakened the hold on Discord, Eris’ prison only strengthened.” Solaris spoke in an attempt to comfort his brother. To the wandering stranger the location of such a bright light and resounding noise was peaceful. Six mares lay among scattered assortment of goods blissfully unaware of their surroundings. Blue grass and a green sky were more interesting than the sleeping mares. It was only when one stirred that the rest seemed to show signs of life. Muted groans and occasional grumbles could be heard. “Well that didn’t get any easier.” Rainbow muttered rubbing her temples. “You awake Twilight?” A groan was her response. “I’ll take that as a yes.” “There’s no doubt about it Discord’s free.” Rarity’s usually calm and lady like voice was dripping with malice. “Whatever did I do to earn such a burning hatred?” Discord’s voice rang out. He seemed to appear out of nowhere. With a snap of his claws the pony’s coats returned to their original colors. “Did you honestly think that some coloring would confuse me? Surely you jest.” “Discord!” Twilight’s scream was filled with venom even greater than Rarity’s. “Such malice, did I really give you reason for such?” “YA’LL NEVER WIN YA HEAR ME!!” Applejack’s rage rang loud and clear for anything to hear. “I implore you to try.” Discord challenged before twisting into nothing. “Great now where did he go?” Pinkie inquired. “The one place where chaos reigns the most.” Twilight answered directing everypony’s gaze. “The capital of his evil, Ponyville.” A/N Yes I know it’s short but I really didn’t want to break the battle between the Elements of Harmony and Discord it just wouldn’t be right. Until next time.