//------------------------------// // Chapter Three- The Day the Elements died Part Two // Story: Hold On Ta This Fer Me, Sugarcube // by DougtheLoremaster //------------------------------// *** 20 minutes ago *** Pumpkin sat in the booth, staring at Applebloom in silence. When she had first sat down, the last surviving member of Sweet Apple Acres had been faded. Her fur had been a dark grayish-yellow, her mane an ashened-strawberry red. The look of her eyes had been cold, while her mannerisms had been non-existent. Now however, the once withered mare, now seemed fully rejuvenated. Applebloom’s fur was shining; now a bright buttery yellow, while her mane boasted the color of a juicy, ripe, strawberry once more. Her eyes seemed full of life, though she still wore a broken smile. How long had she wanted to tell somepony about this? It wasn’t just Pumpkin that noticed these changes, however. Cheerilee, once a proud elementary school teacher, sat in a nearby booth. Her fur a dingy, almost as if tainted, faded color of the brilliant Cerise it used to be. She had been lost in her thoughts. They never came back. Those same thoughts that had plagued her since that day. When Applebloom’s words reached her ears however, she had been wrenched from those thoughts and was now listening with great interest. It can’t be- On the other side of the diner had been sitting Spoiled Rich, the Earthpony staring forlornly at a photograph clenched in her hooves. The picture of Diamond Tiara had a tear in the corner and was worn from the tears that had fallen upon it over the years. She too, had been lost in hopeless despair since that day. Why her? Why take my little girl? Diamond Tiara had been gone for years, yet her memory still preyed upon her remorseful mother’s mind. What would she give, just to hold her for one more hour, to talk to her just one more dinnertime? She found herself thinking of how she had treated her and what she would have changed, a lot. Spoiled Rich’s attitude had changed, since that day she no longer cared about her public status; having been humbled in the worst of ways. Her daughter was gone, and like Cheerilee; her fur was listless, her eyes lifeless. And then much like Cheerille, she heard the voice; the voice of a filly that she hadn’t heard for ten years. Is that really...What’s-Her-Name, oh Diamond would be so annoyed; me not getting her friend’s name...What was it? Appleblim-blom-bloom...Applebloom that was it! Cracklejack’s sister...I think? What’s going on? Was it just her eyes clearing of tears or was the photo in her hooves becoming brighter with color? She continued listening to the tale being told; information that Ponyville’s survivors had never heard, never been told. Officially, all news of the event had faded into the background of every pony’s mind almost as if by magic. Of the bustling population of the quaint farm-fed town, only twelve residents survived that day. Those twelve now sat almost as if ensorceled. Listening to what happened, each was slowly being ripped from their own melancholy. One by one, their eyes shone as they noticed her speaking. To any other bystander, it wouldn’t have mattered; a seemingly normal mare, nopony really knew speaking. For those twelve however, each had the vivid memory of her greeting them every day in the marketplace. From Spoiled Rich to Cheerilee, each of the lost survivors recalled her smile as she offered them juicy apples for sale from the roadside stand. A smile that hadn’t been seen in a decade. “The filly felt cold as she walked beside Chrysalis; her hoofsteps heavy as they entered a large cavern…” *** Ten years ago *** “Why do this to Ponyville? That’s what you’re thinking right now, isn’t it? Surely, we could all co-exist peacefully in Harmony and love, right?” The Queen of the Changelings stood facing Applebloom; who had a leather bound lead around her neck, held by Chrysalis’s magic. The walk from the cell had been uneventful and behind Chrysalis was a pitch-black cavern. The filly stared into those acid-green eyes and nodded silently, gulping in fear. Chrysalis nodded with an almost sympathetic expression on her face. Her words sounded regretful, as though she were filled with remorse. “Perhaps if I were to sit down and discuss my goals and desires with Princess Celestia and her sister; Princess Luna, then the Changelings could be allowed to live amongst the ponies. What do you think, does that sound like a good idea?” The little filly opened her mouth and found the courage to speak. “Ahm sure if ya just told ‘em how ya felt, th’ Princesses would be very supportive to your cause!” Chrysalis nodded again as if in thought and kicked her hind hoof backwards; a signal, as three spotlights showed upon the center of the ceiling. Her next words carried scorn; all pretense of regret was gone. “That’s truly wonderful, young one, because that’s what those fools thought as well.” The eyes of the filly went wide as she beheld the eviscerated and gutted forms of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Discord. Hanging from the ceiling, suspended by hooks, all three bore eternal looks of terror and anger. “W-Ho-Wha-” As the filly stammered in shock, Chrysalis detailed the demise of the three strongest beings in Equestria. She spoke in the gentlest, almost adoring tone. “Those three truly were gifted with incomparable power...That is until they entered my lair. The stone that comprises my throne negates the magic of Non-Changelings, and so dispatching of Celestia and Discord was but child’s play. Those two never were ones to take physical training to heart, only perfecting their spells. Such fools.” The little filly whimpered in fear, shaking uncontrollably, as Chrysalis continued. “Dear Sweet Luna on the other hoof, was never much in the magic department but her agility and strength made short work of my children quickly. Sadly though-” Chrysalis grinned and licked her lips with her serpentine-like tongue. “Every pony bleeds the same shade of death, don’t they?” *** 15 minutes ago *** Pumpkin Cake was at a loss as Applebloom’s now sorrowful tone filled her ears. It sounded insane; the story was so dramatic, so detailed. It couldn’t possibly be true and yet, as Applebloom continued; Pumpkin watched as the scar on her neck seemed to widen. Applebloom were you- “Chrysalis showed the helpless filly her friends, neighbors, and her precious family; all pinned to the cold stone walls; like horrific wall decorations, telling her…” *** Ten Years Ago *** “I know this probably looks rather dreadful to you, doesn’t it? Seeing your friends, family, maybe even neighbors hung on my wall; gutted and dismembered. I’m sure you realize, by now, why you are here and what your fate will be.” The filly trembled, unable to move, she felt numb. All around the young pony were those she had gone to class with, ponies she had passed on the street giving a cheerful hello. All of them now lifeless, their faces frozen forever in fear, metallic rods pinning them to the unforgiving stone walls. “Yes, you are going to die. And I-” Drawing a hoof down the petrified filly’s neck, Chrysalis spoke in an almost teasing tone, though it was clear she wasn’t being humorous. “Am the one who is going to take your precious little life. Though I suppose, if it’s any consolation, I’ll at least tell you why. You see-” The horn of Chrysalis glowed a bright acid green, matching her malicious eyes. The filly found herself tethered and unable to move once more, as a blade appeared out of thin air. “Some creatures just aren’t looking for peace and harmony. Not every creature desires a happy coexistence. For instance I prefer-” Taking the blade in her forehooves, Chrysalis drew a thin line down the filly’s neck, drawing a small bead of crimson red. “A world without your kind; goodness and purity, ugh don’t make me laugh. Oh, I know. It’s unfair, isn’t it? After all you’ve never given me any trouble, by Grogar’s beard, I doubt you even knew I existed. Why would I go to such seemingly-” Leaning close, Chrysalis slowly licked the dripping blood running down the neck of the filly. It stung so much, yet all the child could do was let the tears fall down her face. The whispering voice of Chrysalis continued, tantalizing, yet mockingly. “Extreme lengths to make my position clear? Well you see, it’s rather simple. In all honesty, I would much rather have kept you all as pets. I mean, you are all so docile-” Chrysalis stared into the filly’s terrified eyes and gently nuzzled her. “It’s actually adorable, and you’re all so subservient it would be any Ruler’’s dream. Celestia was one lucky mare. However-” Moving back and raising her blade once more, the Changeling Queen almost lamented. “There are seven of you that would risk their very lives to protect you all. And you see, they possess far greater power than I could ever hope to match. Well fairly I mean. I’ve watched them for quite some time; their pursuits, their battles. Truly remarkable, even left me a little envious, might I say. How could I possibly fight such an unstoppable force of heroes?” Chrysalis’s body stiffened as she tensed the muscles in her foreleg, preparing to strike. “Then it hit me. Just destroy everything they were protecting. By doing that I could completely destroy not only their insufferable spirit, but also the resolve to stop me. And that, my unlucky little fool, is why-” Leaning down, Chrysalis gingerly gave her a kiss on the cheek before finishing her words. “You must die.” *** 10 minutes ago *** “She plunged the blade deep into the unfortunate filly’s throat. The poor child’s body was wracked with immense pain, and her vision began to grow blurry. As the warmth of her own blood flowed down the outside of her throat, her legs gave out. The hat, which she had tied to her head, fell to the ground; the rope severed from it.” Pumpkin’s eyes almost instinctively glanced at the hat upon Applebloom’s head. Her blood turned to ice, and she began to tremble. The front of it now seemed to have some red discoloration. Had that patch of dusty red always been there? “Her eyelids felt heavy and she reached a red-stain hoof out to grab her hat, the one thing she had to cling to; the promise her sister made. She’ll be here, she thought as her eyes closed one last time. Just at that moment, the scream from across the cavern, hit her ears; the last thing she would ever hear. One word, shouted from her sister. Just one word. The filly’s name: Applebloom!”