//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: Inner Demons // by Azure Sandora //------------------------------// I find it hilarious how many people here want Twilight to win. I will not say anything about the ending. Please, keep guessing how it ends. I enjoy your suffering. Chapter 17: You Can't Have Him! He's Mine! As they sat in the living room talking, Shining Armor paid close attention to how Twilight was acting. Something was just... off about her, but he couldn't put his hoof on it. But it may have had something to do with how Twilight kept looking at him. "So things have been quiet in Ponyville?" Cadence asked, catching Twilight's attention. "Oh, yeah," Twilight answered sounding a little uninterested, "Dead... quiet. It was starting to get to me so I decided to go travel a bit." "That's why you decided to pay us a visit?" Cadence asked her. "Yeah, that's right," somehow Shining Armor thought there was more to Twilight's visit than that, "How are you doing, big bro?" Twilight asked brightly. "I'm good," Shining Armor replied, "Cadence and I have adjusted to life here in Fillydelphia, but we do miss Canterlot and Ponyville." Twilight got up and trotted over to Shining Armor and leaned into him lovingly, "Is it Canterlot you miss, or me?" "Um, well uh..." she was making him a little uncomfortable with how close she was to him, which was weird actually, "I do miss you, Twi, but you know..." "Your brother does have me as a distraction," Cadence said sweetly, "and I can be pretty distracting, if you get my drift," now she was sitting next to Shining Armor nuzzling him, and proving her point. "Oh yeah... I get your drift alright..." Twilight said darkly (but only Shining Armor caught it), "Hey, I've got a great idea!" she said suddenly, catching both their attention, "Since I'm in town for a while-" "Why don't you stay with us?" Shining Armor finished for her, making Twilight really happy apparently. "You took the words right out of my mouth," Twilight stated, "Did you read my mind?" Shining Armor laughed, "No Twilight, I just know you pretty well, that's all. Truth is, I did miss you, so this gives the three of us a chance to catch up," he turned to Cadence, "Are you okay with Twilight staying here?" "Of course," Cadence said, "Just don't try to steal him from me," Cadence joked, both she and Twilight laughing. "Oh Cadence," Twilight said, "You're such a kidder..." as she said that, Shining Armor noticed that her hold on him got a little tighter. He didn't put too much thought into it, but was curious. It felt like she was claiming him for her own. "Are you three sure you can't stay for a little while," Rainbow Dash asked Apple Bloom, Spike, and Lezard as they stood at the train station. "Sorry Rainbow Dash, but we gotta get ta Fillydelphia an' get Cadence ta help us," Apple Bloom explained. "Do you really think her magic can bring the real Twilight back?" Fluttershy asked. "Who knows?" Lezard said with a shrug, "But we'll never know if we don't get there. I'm certain Twilight is already there by now, which means we're running out of time." "It just feels weird," Rainbow Dash said, "I mean, you're right here, and yet you're not even going to stop by and tell Granny Smith that your safe?" "Ah don't wanna complicate things," Apple Bloom said, "She and Macintosh know me as a filly. If they see me as an adult, then Ah gotta explain to 'em why Ah'm all grown up now, an' Ah don't feel like explainin ta them, especially Granny Smith." "I understood what happened," Pinkie Pie said, "So I'm sure Granny Smith can understand it too." "Pinkie Pie, you didn't understand, remember?" Rainbow Dash asked, "I had to explain it to you three times before you got it." "So if you explain it to Granny Smith three times she'll get it too," Pinkie Pie said simply, prompting Rainbow Dash to face hoof. At least she was herself again... "So what do we do now?" Fluttershy asked. "Simple," Lezard said, "You need to find the other two Elements of Harmony. Once you do, try to meet up with us in Fillydelphia." "Are you going to be okay until then?" Fluttershy asked. "Don't worry," Apple Bloom said, "We'll be fine, jus' promise me that ya'll will save Rarity." "That's a promise," Rainbow Dash said, "For you and Spike." "Thanks guys," Spike said looking down. He really wanted Rarity to be safe. "Our train is about to leave," Lezard said, "We better get moving." "Right," Apple Bloom said, "Ya'll take care, an' be careful. Ah don't know whut Twilight left in Canterlot." "We'll be careful," Rainbow Dash stated. "You three be careful too," Fluttershy said, "You're going right to where Twilight is this second." "If you see her, tell her I said hi, okay?" Pinkie Pie said, seemingly oblivious to everything that's been happening so far. "Um, right," Apple Bloom said, "We'll... do that." They turned to get on the train, but Apple Bloom stopped, "If any of ya'll find Silver Spoon, can ya'll apologize ta her for me?" Apple Bloom asked, "Ah don't wanna leave without sayin good-bye, but we are sorta in a hurry." "Right, we understand," Fluttershy said with a nod, "We're probably going to head right out, but if we do see her, we'll let her know." "Thanks guys," Apple Bloom said softly before getting on the train. Immediately the train's door closed and it took off, on it's trip to Fillydelphia. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all looked at the train with heavy hearts. "I feel sort of bad for her," Rainbow Dash said, "I'm used to fighting, but we're the Elements of Harmony, so it's kind of our job to fight, you know?" Fluttershy nodded, "But Apple Bloom is fighting extra hard herself. She's strong, just like her sister." "Guys," Pinkie Pie said, "We are going to save Twilight, right?" "Duh!" Rainbow Dash said, "I don't care what Applejack says, I'm still not going to kill Twilight. She's the whole reason the six of us became such close friends to begin with." "Then we need to protect that friendship," Fluttershy stated, getting nods from both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. The three of them walked out of the train station together, on their way to prepare for the long trip ahead of them. They needed to meet up with Applejack, and work together to save Rarity. Hopefully they had already evolved by the time they reached them. On the train, Apple Bloom was lying down on her seat resting. Lezard had his face glued to a spell book of some sort, and Spike was looking out the window forlorn. "Apple Bloom?" Spike asked, "Why didn't you tell Applejack who you were when you saw her?" Apple Bloom sighed, "Because Ah'm sick of her treatin me like a child, an' the second she finds out that it's me, she's gonna start treatin me jus' like that. Ah gotta show her that Ah can take care of mahself." "You're always striving to be independent, aren't you?" Lezard asked suddenly, shocking both Spike and Apple Bloom as they didn't know he was listening. "Well, yeah Ah guess," Apple Bloom looked down, "See, Ah never knew mah parents. According ta Applejack and Big Macintosh, mah pa left Ponyville shortly after ma got pregnant wit me an' never came back, an' ma died givin birth ta me. As long as Ah've been alive, it's been me, Applejack, Macintosh, and Granny Smith." "So Applejack took on a motherly role for you, no doubt," Lezard said. "That's right," Apple Bloom said nodding, "Ah sometimes would blame mahself fer ma and pa leavin, but Applejack always told me that it wasn't mah fault. She always took care of me, an' Ah do love her lots, it's jus sometimes Ah feel like she fergets that Ah ain't so little anymore. Even before... this... she wus always treatin me like a little kid, even though she wus younger than me when she ventured off ta find her Cutie Mark." "She's probably just afraid," Lezard said as Spike sat down next to him. "Applejack, afraid? Of what?" he asked. "Well think about it," Lezard closed his book, "Apple Bloom's birth coincided with the loss of both of her parents, and it's safe to assume that she was close to both of them if not at least one of them. With them gone right after Apple Bloom was born, she had to step up and make sure that Apple Bloom had a motherly figure in her life. But she knows that she isn't her mother, and is constantly afraid of making a mistake." "Well Ah can get with that," Apple Bloom said looking away, "But it'd be nice ta have a little breathin room, an ta be looked at as more of an equal rather than sum foal she has ta take care of." "Apple Bloom," Spike said sadly. Truth was, that was the first time she shared that much with anyone. Lezard got up and put a hoof on her back. "At least you're an equal here among us," he said. Apple Bloom looked up at him and gave a small smile. A second later she got up. "Ah'm gonna walk around the train a bit, Ah'll see ya'll later," she said walking off. Lezard sat back down and reopened his book. "It's rather easy to treat her like an equal," he said, "I honestly have to keep reminding myself that she is only ten." "That's because you met her after the spell," Spike said turning to the window again, "Truth is, I can still see it." "Maybe what you see isn't maturity level, but personality," Lezard said. Spike, now confused, turned to him again, but he was already glued to his book. He'd have to ask him about that later. As Apple Bloom walked through the train, her thoughts turned to Lezard's words. At first she thought he was cold and overly logical, but as she got to know him she began to realize that he was also really nice. He seemed to deeply care about her situation, despite not really knowing her too well. As she thought about him more and more, she noticed that her heart was beginning to pick up a bit. Why was that? She couldn't have a crush on him. Boys were... ugh, and she wasn't ready for that anyway. Not to mention SHE. WAS. A. KID! Sure she didn't want to be looked down upon, but she was well aware of her age, and had no intentions of forgetting that. But what if she couldn't return to her proper age. Then she'd have to get used to it anyway. But she didn't like boys! But that was before she grew up... Distracting her train of thought was a knock on the booth door next to her. She stopped for a second, but then shrugged and continued to walk away, until... "Psst!" someone said behind her to catch her attention. That made Apple Bloom suspicious. She turned around and slowly approached the booth, slowly opening the door ready to strike at whoever was inside. But she got a surprise when she opened the door. "Hey Apple Bloom!" Silver Spoon said happily standing on her seat. "S-S-S-Silver Spoon!" Apple Bloom cried out, torn between happiness and horror at seeing her friend. "I HATE HER!" Twilight shouted in her room throwing a pillow at the wall. She had put a sound proof barrier around her room so she could vent without anypony knowing, and good thing too. She was pissed. Who did Cadence think she was? Sure, she supported their marriage last year, but she was under the assumption that Shining Armor would always be hers. Cadence literally stepped right into her spot. She needed a reminder of who was on top here. "Twilight, you need to calm down," Trixie's voice was heard behind Twilight. She turned around and saw Trixie walking out of a shadow in her room (a spell Twilight taught Trixie allowing her to travel through the shadows). "You shouldn't be here," Twilight said, "If anyone sees you now-" "I was concerned," Trixie said, "You seemed so anxious when we were arriving. Also, Sweetie Belle asked me to check on you." "So she was worried about me as well?" Twilight said looking down smiling a bit. She didn't think they actually cared. "Of course. Twilight, we're all sisters now, so whatever happens to one of us affects all of us," Trixie explained, "Now what's wrong?" Twilight sighed. She didn't want to show weakness, but Trixie was more than just a henchmare. She was her student, her second in command, possibly even... "It's my brother," Twilight said, "He spends so much time with her, it's like she thinks she can take my place." "I doubt that she can really take your place," Trixie said. "Damn right she can't!" Twilight shouted looking a Trixie seriously, "He's MINE! I'm the ONLY mare that needs to be in his life." "Twilight," Trixie said looking a little shocked, "What are you planning on doing?" "We need to get rid of her anyway," Twilight said, "Why don't we kill two birds with one stone. Take her out and claim Shining Armor," she turned to Trixie, "I'll need you and Sweetie Belle to help me." "I understand," Trixie said bowing to Twilight, "What must I do?" That made Twilight smile. It looked like Trixie was loyal to Twilight no matter what. It felt good to know that there was somepony she didn't have to charm in order to command. "Tonight, Cadence and I are going to have a little talk," Twilight said lifting Trixie's face to her level, "And I'd like to introduce her to my new friends." "So that's why you're an adult now," Silver Spoon said sitting next to Apple Bloom in the booth. "Yeah," Apple Bloom said with a sigh, "I don't fully understand, but mah friend Lezard said she sped up mah aging process." "Instantly making you an adult," Silver Spoon said, getting a nod from Apple Bloom, "Can he change you back?" "Truth is, Ah don't even know if Ah can be changed back," Apple Bloom stated looking away, "She didn't really do anything ta me, she just messed wit time around me. Ah don't know if time can go backwards. Ah may jus be twenty one now." "Oh... I see," Silver Spoon said looking down. Apple Bloom nuzzled Silver Spoon to comfort her. "But Ah'm still me," Apple Bloom said, "Ah jus look like an adult. Ah don't think that spell affects our minds," as far as she knew. Thing was, she was worried about the thoughts she was having about Lezard, "But now it's mah turn ta ask you a question," she said, noting that Silver Spoon stiffened a bit. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?" she asked. Apple Bloom nodded as a response. They may be the same age mentally (Apple Bloom thought and hoped) but she was older physically. "Why in the world are ya here?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't want to be alone anymore," Silver Spoon said, "When you left, all I had was Diamond Tiara, and she's not a true friend. And then Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo vanished. Now you're back, and you expect me to just let you leave me alone again?" "Silver Spoon..." Apple Bloom said looking away, feeling guilty. "I know that this is dangerous, but I won't get in the way," Silver Spoon said getting up and looking at Apple Bloom intensely, "I can't go back home anyway. This is a one way train right to Fillydelphia." Apple Bloom sighed. She couldn't send Silver Spoon away. Rarity didn't send her away, so she'd come off real hypocritical if she sent Silver Spoon away. "Alright, ya can stay," Apple Bloom said, holding up her hoof before Silver Spoon got to excited, "But, Ah'm expectin ya ta act like an adult on this journey." Silver Spoon laughed, "You are hardly one to talk, Apple Bloom." The two friends laughed together. Even Apple Bloom had to admit, it was nice having her friend with her. Even if she had to look down now to talk to her. A minute later, Apple Bloom and Silver walked back to the booth Lezard and Spike were in, both of them shocked to see the newest member of their party. "Everypony, this here's mah friend Silver Spoon. She's gonna... be taggin along with us." Spike looked at Lezard, who's only response was to shake his head and sigh. Between a baby dragon, a ten year old trapped in a twenty one year old's body, and now an actual filly, it had to be hard being the only real adult in the group. Sorry Lezard, Apple Bloom thought. Cadence was walking through the estate, trying to get rid of the horrible feeling in her heart. She didn't know what it was coming from, but it started after Twilight came over that afternoon. But it couldn't have anything to do with Twilight. Sure, she had been acting a little clingy to Shining Armor today, but that was to be expected. They were really close, and they hadn't seen each other in a while. Was that... singing? It was the most beautiful voice she had ever heard. It sounded like whoever was singing they were trying to lead her somewhere. Cadence was too curious not to investigate. As she followed the voice, she noticed that it was leading her to the main study. This was getting a little scary, but she had to know who that voice belonged to. When she made it to the study, she put her ear to the door, making sure she was right. Sure enough the singer was inside. Cadence opened the door, about to congratulate the singer. But instead noticed two unicorn horns pointed right at her. In her shock she looked around at the two unicorns poised to attack. One she recognized as the fallen star Trixie Lulamoon. The other unicorn she didn't recognize, but she was dressed in a nice but really sexy black dress. "W-what is this?" Cadence asked. "It's the end of your marriage," Cadence heard somepony say in front of her. She looked forward and got the surprise of a lifetime. It was Twilight. "What is the meaning of this?" Cadence asked sternly, "Why do these two have their horns pointed at me?" "It's to make sure that you don't do anything you'd regret," Twilight explained, "But you've already done something along those lines," Twilight's expression became cold and dark. Cadence barely even recognized her. "Twilight, what are you talking about?" she asked, getting a little worried now. "You know damn well what you did!" Twilight shouted, "You think your so special with your wings and your slender body, you've got him wrapped around your horn! Well let me remind you that I'm his little sister, and I'm the most important mare in his life, not you!" "Twilight, what's gotten into you?! Listen you yourself! You sound crazy! I would never try to steal Shining Armor from you, but I'm his wife!" "Whoopty bucking doo!" Twilight said walking over to Cadence, "His wife, fantastic! Did you ever hear the saying blood is thicker than wine? Well, I'm blood, and all you are is a fancy wine." That was when Cadence understood. Twilight was the source of darkness she felt. Worst of all, they let that darkness into their home. "I don't know what's happening to you Twilight," Cadence said standing proudly, "But I won't let darkness invade our home or threaten my family, even that darkness is family!" "You're going to go against me?" Twilight asked, "I don't think so. How can you do that when you don't even have magic?" "What are you talking about?" Cadence asked, "Of course I have-" "NEVER CAST ANOTHER SPELL AGAIN!" Twilight shouted. At the same time a red star appeared on her left eye. Cadence had this feeling that she shouldn't have looked at that star, but it was too late. She felt something invade her mind, like a command she had no choice but to follow. A second later, she shook it off and tried to fire a love wave at Twilight, but for some reason her horn wouldn't glow. It was like she forgot how to use magic! No, her mind refused to send energy into her horn! "No..." Cadence pleaded forcing her horn to glow, "No! Please glow! Please!" she was getting really upset now, especially when Twilight's partners began charging their magic, "DAMN IT! What's wrong? For the love of God, PLEASE GLOW!" "Good bye, Cadence," Twilight said darkly, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Shining Armor." "Twilight, NO!" Cadence shouted, but it was too late. She saw Trixie and the other unicorn fire something at her, and a second later, all she saw was darkness. It was getting late in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy gathered at the entrance to Ponyville with a few essentials gathered, and were prepared to get moving to Canterlot. "So, any ideas on how we're going to get there?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You and I can fly," Fluttershy said, "but Pinkie Pie is an earth pony. We can't expect her to run the whole way." "And we need to get to Canterlot as fast as possible," Rainbow Dash said looking down. Neither one of them noticed when Pinkie Pie hopped away. "Why don't we use this?" Pinkie Pie asked, catching both pegasi's attention. She was referring to a chariot, sort of like what you'd find in Canterlot but black. "Did they leave this when they invaded?" Fluttershy asked. "Hey, don't look down on a blessing, that's what I say," Rainbow Dash said, "If you ride in this, Pinkie, then Fluttershy and I can fly to Canterlot and pull it." "I don't know, Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy said, "I mean, I'm a lot stronger now, but do you really want to count on me?" "Of course," Rainbow Dash said, "You're a great flyer, Hurricane Fluttershy." "Dash..." Fluttershy said looking away but smiling. Ever since she helped move water to Cloudsdale last year, a lot of the pegasi started nicknaming her Hurricane Fluttershy, since they wouldn't have gotten the water to Cloudsdale without her. She still didn't think she helped that much, but if Rainbow Dash believed in her then she wouldn't let her down. "Fluttershy, wait," a deep voice called out. Fluttershy looked and saw Big Macintosh walking up to them. Oh boy, she still felt flushed when she saw him. But now it was okay, because he was her's now. He belonged to her. "Um, I'll be right back, you two," Fluttershy said trotting over to Macintosh. "Don't take too long," Rainbow Dash called out. Fluttershy met him halfway so they could talk in semi private. "Ya gettin ready ta go?" Macintosh asked Fluttershy. "Mm hm," Fluttershy nodded, "You wanted to see us off?" "Eeeyup," Macintosh said also nodding, "Be careful, Fluttershy. Ah don't want ya ta end up dead before we can start our lives together." That made Fluttershy feel really flushed, "L-lives? Together?" she asked, feeling every possible positive feeling at once. "Well, if ya still want, Ah was thinkin we could begin thinkin of our future together. That is, if ya-" "YES!" Fluttershy cried out, shocking Macintosh, "I've always wanted that. If I could spend the rest of my life with you then-" she caught herself, and looked away sheepishly, "I mean, um... assuming that we are... you know." Macintosh laughed, "Yer still Fluttershy," he said smiling, "But ya gotta find Twilight, else we ain't got a future." "I know," Fluttershy said seriously, "Take care of Angel and the others for me." "Ah will," he said seriously. The two of them held their heads together and nuzzled each other lovingly, "Take care, Fluttershy." "You two, Macintosh," she said before stepping away looking into his eyes, "I love you." "Ah love you too," Macintosh replied. They gave each other one last kiss, and then Fluttershy turned and walked off over to her friends, Rainbow Dash giving her a mischievous smile. "Oh, so you and Macintosh are an item now?" Rainbow Dash taunted. "Rainbow Dash, stop..." Fluttershy groaned looking embarrassed. "So, when is the wedding?" Rainbow Dash asked turning to the chariot. "Wedding?" Pinkie Pie asked poking her head out of the chariot, "Somepony is getting married? Who is it?! WHO IS IT?!!!!" "I-i-i-i-i-it's too soon to think about that!" Fluttershy stuttered, "B-b-besides, we need to get to Canterlot to help Applejack!" she immediately rushed to the front of the chariot and hooked herself to it, "Come on! Chop, chop! Let's GO!" Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked a little taken aback with how eager she was all of a sudden, but Rainbow Dash hooked herself to the other side none the less. Once Pinkie Pie was ready, the two pegasi began galloping out of Ponyville. A few seconds later they took to the sky, flying as fast as they could. As they flew, Fluttershy took one last look at the stallion who saved her life. Thank you Macintosh. Good bye... It was night now in Fillydelphia, and Shining Armor was already asleep, completely unaware of the pony standing by his bed watching him. "Even if I have to use magic," Twilight said darkly, "you will be mine." When Cadence came to, she noticed that she felt weighed down by something, and something cold and hard was wrapped around her waist and legs. She opened her eyes and saw that she was in a dark cave, much like during her wedding, only this time she was in chains that were holding her down to the ground. "Comfortable?" the white unicorn in the black dress asked. "W-where are we?" Cadence asked, trembling in fear. "A secret place made by Twilight and Trixie," the unicorn stated, "No one's going to hear or see you here, but you'll be able to see everything." That scared her. What did she mean she could see everything? A second later, she noticed a bright light in front of her. It took some time for her eyes to adjust, but eventually she could clearly see her bedroom, Shining Armor resting in their bed. "Shining Armor!" Cadence called out, "I'm here! Help me!" "I told you, he can't hear you," the white unicorn said, "He doesn't even know you're gone yet." "How could he not?" Cadence asked, her voice shaking, "Once he wakes up-" she then noticed Twilight come into view, and she was getting on the bed sitting on top of Shining Armor, "What's she doing?" "Exercising her right as his sister," the unicorn said, "Even if she has to use an enchantment to get him tonight." "Enchantment?" Cadence was so scared right now. What was she about to see? Shining Armor was stirred awake by the sweetest scent. He didn't open his eyes yet, just in case he was still dreaming. "Cadence?" he asked. "That's right, it's me," he heard his wife say. Now he opened his eyes and saw her sitting on top of him, her mane flowing freely, and looking into his eyes with such adoration. She looked so radiant. "I love you, Shining Armor," she said before kissing him passionately. Something felt... different, but right now, all he could think about was being with the mare kissing him now. What Cadence saw shook her forever. Twilight was kissing Shining Armor, kissing her husband. Why? What was happening? "Right now he thinks he's kissing you," the white unicorn said, "but in the morning he'll wake up, and realize that you aren't there. After that is up to Twilight and Shining Armor." "He'll want to know where I am!" Cadence cried out, "He'll come looking for me!" The unicorn laughed, "Big Sister already took care of that," she said, "Shining Armor won't miss you." It looked like they were getting more serious. This. Was. So. Wrong! Wake up Shining Armor, she urged. Wake up! She then looked away and cried tears of agony. Once again she tried to use her magic to escape, and once again she saw that her magic would activate. "Why are you doing this?" Cadence asked through her tears, "What did I do to you?" "You didn't do anything to me," the unicorn said simply, "But Big Sis told me that you needed to suffer, and I'll do anything for her." the unicorn turned and walked away, "I'll leave you to your thoughts. Enjoy the show," she said as she left the room. At that moment her fear hit a head. She pulled at the chains, tried to move her wings, forced, in vain, her magic to activate, everything to get free. Unfortunately, the more she tried to get free, the more apparent it became what her predicament was. There literally was no way she was escaping, nor was there a way she could save Shining Armor. It was truly, honestly, hopeless... Applejack finally got to Canterlot. It was night time now, perfect for breaking into the castle. Even better, Twilight wasn't there apparently. She may have a chance. Something seemed wrong though. Everypony seemed... off somehow. They were all going about their regular night, and they all seemed normal, but it looked like there was something else. Like their movements were being guided by something. Like they were following a script. That was silly though, Applejack thought. She shouldn't read too much into it. As she walked towards the castle, she walked past two unicorns leaving the library. As they passed her, they slowly turned to her, and their eyes were wide. "Guards!" one of the students cried out, "It's an Element of Harmony! She's in Canterlot!" A second later, guards ran over to Applejack and surrounded her, all with swords in their mouths and ready to fight. Applejack tipped her hat and looked forward at the castle seriously. "On second thought," she said to herself, "maybe Ah should read a little into it."