THE TIES THAT BIND US
With the ruler of Equestria dead and the elements of harmony gone, Equestria fell into a state of unrest. The ponies of Equestria had always depended on the elements of harmony to protect them in times of need, but now a dark shadow loomed over their once peaceful world.
In a strange turn of events for the first time in Equestria's history, a male ruler assumed the throne. This caused unrest and even hostile feelings within the royal congress of Canterlot. But they had no choice but to accept this as the decree was written out by Twilight herself prior to her death.
Despite this ruling however, dark dealings within the shadows of congress were known, but were never recognized for fear of what may come of calling them out. At the same time, ponies that had known each other from birth seemed to suddenly became bitter enemies or had a falling out with one another. There was no explanation for this, and even more unsettling was the fact many of this ponies whom had a sudden change in personalty were also members of the royal congress. Dark times lay ahead for Equestria...
Darkness looms over us all, yet the chains of fate continue to bind us. What twist of fate has brought us here today? What does fate have in store for us? That I do not know, but what I do know is this. If we continue to act as if nothing is wrong, then Equestria is doomed to the fate it is heading towards. We must break these chains that bind us and forge our own fates. For if we do not...
Then Celestia help us...
A white stallion with a shield cutie mark stood up, put his quill down, and sighed before he turned and left his royal quarters.
At this very moment, there were two very important conversations taking place in. Octavia and scratch bowed and scraped before their master giving a report, and some distance away the cutie mark crusaders gathered to discuss the latest disaster...
“The deed has been done, the elements of harmony are gone.” Octavia said in her same calm tone as she looked on to her master.
All seven elements are dead?
The voice replied in an eerie echo voice.
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“We can't take this sitting down! We have to avenge them!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a determined tone.
“But how? What can we do?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
“Remember what Twilight said all those years ago? She said that me and Sweetie represented the elements of loyalty and generosity! And you represent the element of love, so we have three of the seven already!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she looked on at the others.
“That's right! But that leaves four elements unaccounted for.” Applebloom chimed in with a thoughtful glance.
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“S-Seven?” Octavia asked in her voice stuttering slightly as she spoke at which point her master's eyes flared with a dark green flame.
Find her! Take no prisoners! Kill all who stand in your way!
The voice roared at which point Octavia and Scratch bowed before their master and disappeared in a flash of magic.
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“So it's more than obvious isn't it? We just need to find four other ponies who represent the elements of kindness, laughter, and honesty.” Sweetie Belle pipped up at this point with a smile.
“Don't forget about the element of magic.” Gina chimed in at this point to which the other three nodded.
“Then it's decided! We will be the new elements of harmony!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she reached a hoof out as did the other two, placed them on top of each other, looked at one another and smiled.
CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, ELEMENTS OF HARMONY, YEAH!
These words were shouted by all three mares as they flung their hooves up in unison and stared at one another.
“There's just one problem, aside from Applebloom, we have no idea where the elements of harmony are.” Spike remarked aloud. The dragon may as well have said “We're bucked!” because upon hearing this the lighthearted environment suddenly became heavy and depressing.
“We'll find a way. I made a promise to my mother, and I will not back down from it. I told her I would make her proud, and if that means finding what isn't there, then I'll do it!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a determined smile now after a few moments.
“There she goes again.” Applebloom remarked aloud with a smile and an eye-rolling gesture. “Well, ah reckon ya is out your mind, but ah'm with ya!” Applebloom exclaimed placing a hoof on the Pegasus’s shoulder.
“We need one more thing. With the power these two ponies had, we need all the firepower we can get.” Spike said as he looked at Sweetie Belle now at which point the other two caught on.
“He's right. We need Selena.” Scootaloo said a few moments after Spike's statement.
“But when Pinkie Pie died, didn't Selena go with her?” Gina asked aloud curiously.
“Why is everypony staring at me for? And who is this Selena?” Sweetie Belle asked in a confused tone.
“Not exactly. Ah saw it myself, she was able to become her even without Pinkie Pie. That makes meh think Selena resided within her all along.” Applebloom replied in a matter of fact tone.
“Would somepony please tell me who this Selena is?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in frustration at being the only one in the room who had no idea what everypony was talking about.
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“I can't believe we missed an element.” Octavia remarked aloud as she looked over her report paper as they neared Ponyville once again.
Scratch on the other hoof seemed to be freaking out. “Wh-What am I doing here? Wh-What have I done?!” Scratch exclaimed in an horrified tone.
Upon hearing this Octavia's eyes flared with a green magic as she placed a hoof on Scratch's shoulder at which point she immediately calmed as the green magic surrounded her body. “Back to normal now?” Octavia asked aloud.
“Yeah, not sure why I spazzed out like that for.” Scratch replied with a relieved expression.
“Humph, don't let it happen again.” Octavia replied as she went back to looking at her report. “It's not in here. Why would her royal highness give us an incomplete version of Selena's memories?” Octavia asked aloud curiously.
“Maybe the mare hid some of them from her?” Scratch suggested.
“Don't be daf-” Octavia began to say only to gasp mid-sentence. “Of course!” Octavia exclaimed as if she had just had an epiphany.
“What is it?” Scratch asked in a confused tone.
“Scratch you delightful mare, you have presented me with an interesting idea. What if Selena didn't trust her as much as she thought she did, and she hid memories from her as if she knew something like this may happen.” Octavia replied in a thoughtful tone before she caused the report to disappear in a flash of magic and began walking.
“So where to?” Scratch asked curiously.
“We have some crusaders to eliminate...” Octavia replied with a malicious grin as she turned about face and began to walk towards Ponyville.
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“Gina, ah want you to take Roseheart and Ruby somewhere safe.” Applebloom said in a stern tone.
“But momma, ah wanna fight too!” Roseheart exclaimed as she stood in front of her mother.
“Nothin doin. Ah almost lost ya once because of all this, and ah refuse to put ya in harms way again, and ah think Sweetie Belle feels the same about Ruby.” Applebloom replied as she turned to look at the unicorn whom nodded.
“I can take them to the dragon kingdom. Thanks to Twilight, my father finally got his head out of his rump and began to accept me. I can't say he exactly likes to have me around, but I know he won't refuse a request from the sister of one of the elements of harmony. Bringing Ruby along should make things go a little more smoothly since she's a half dragon breed like me.” Gina replied with a smile.
“Make sure your dad knows they are to be protected at all costs.” Spike chimed in upon hearing this.
“That won't be a problem.” Gina replied as she placed Roseheart on her back and looked at Ruby who was hugging her mother and father.
“You take care of yourself Ruby. I know your too young to understand what's really going on, but know this is to protect you.” Sweetie Belle said in a soft tone as she hugged her daughter.
“Don't treat like a foal, I know bad stuff is happening. I'm not stupid ya know.” Ruby replied with an annoyed expression at which point Spike chuckled.
“Acts a lot like you at that age.” Spike remarked with a smirk.
“Stuff it.” Sweetie Belle countered with a glare.
“Ah still don't see why ah can't help. Ah'm practically a teenager.” Roseheart remarked pouting.
“Don't beh arguin with-” Applebloom began to say only for an explosion to erupt outside which caused everypony to look through the window and see two ponies standing outside.
“We know the element of love resides in this town, if she comes forward now, you all shall be spared!” Octavia exclaimed as she looked around behind the smoldering ashes that was once a pony's home.
“Discussion is over, get your keister movin! Sweetie Belle put a cloakin spell on them.” Applebloom said in a hurried tone at which point Sweetie Belle did as she was told as a cloud of blue magic radiated from her horn and onto the three and moments later they vanished from sight.
“Wait until after we confront them. Then fly out behind us.” Scootaloo said in a whisper as she opened the door, walked out and stood a few feet in front of it along side of the other two with Gina, Roseheart, and Ruby just behind them.
“So the element of love is willing to let others die? What a pity...” Octavia said aloud with a sneer as her bow appeared in her hoof.
“Ah'm right here!” Applebloom exclaimed as her element of harmony appeared around her neck and stepped forward.
“Smart mare.” Octavia said as she turned to face the three as Gina took off along side of Ruby undetected by the two ponies or so they thought.
“Scratch, we have some ponies attempting to flee. Take care of them if you would.” Octavia said in with a sneer to which Scratch nodded and disappeared in a flash of magic.
“Over my dead body!” Scootaloo exclaimed and took off from the ground.
“So, how do you wish die? I can make this as painful or as painless as possible.” Octavia said as she looked at the two.
“You killed mah sister, Scootaloo's momma, and Sweetie Belle's sister and ya expect meh to sit back and let you kill meh?” Applebloom replied as she narrowed her eyes at the mare, took a four legged combat stance, and prepared for combat as did Sweetie Belle.
“Oh how quaint, you wish to die painfully. Very well.” Octavia replied as she walked up to the two slowly at first.
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Gina continued to fly in the direction of dragon kingdom unaware of the incoming threat, that is until Roseheart began to squirm. “Calm down Roseheart, you don't wanna fall do you?” Gina replied in a hushed tone.
“Gina, look out! One of them is coming for you!” Scootaloo shouted from some distance away.
It was at this point Roseheart stood up on Gina's back, charged magic into her horn and fired a beam if magic directly behind them thus dispelling the invisibility spell around them. At first it seemed as if she was hitting air, until Scratch suddenly appeared in a flash of magic to block the beam of magic.
“How the hay did she know I was right here?!” Scratch exclaimed in annoyance only for Scootaloo to hit her dead on with a mid-air tackle.
“You won't touch her!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she thrust her hooves into the unicorn's skull right and left only for her to disappear in a flash of magic after giving her a switch buck to chest which knocked the Pegasus back only to recover mid-air.
“Sorry, but orders are orders!” Scratch exclaimed as she reappeared above them.
“Gina, look out! Above you!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a panicked tone as Scratch came down on them.
However just as she neared them, a great flame roared right in front of the unicorn causing to to halt mid-air and hover there in her magic, looked to the side and saw Ruby staring at her with a confident look on her face.
“Blasted mutant dragon half breeds!” Scratch exclaimed in annoyance and switched her focus to Ruby much to Scootaloo and Gina's horror.
Scratch began to charge up magic as she stared at Ruby who was now frozen in horror mid-air upon realizing she was targeting her now.
“Ruby, move!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she sped as fast as her wings could carry her yet she wasn't going to make it in time and she knew it as Scratch fired beam of magic green magic which sailed strait at the filly whom was still hovering in place, frozen by fear.
“Ruby, no!” Scootaloo and Gina shrieked simultaneously as the beam grew closer to the filly now.
It was at this exact moment, that the beam was mere seconds from impact, that Roseheart jumped off Gina's back and disappeared in a flash of magic and reappeared in front of Ruby. Scratch’s beam of magic hit Roseheart dead on but instead of hurting the filly, seemed to reflect back at Scratch as if she had fired it herself.
“What the buck?!” Scratch exclaimed as she dodged her own beam of magic frantically.
“Oh Ah'm sorry, were you tryin to harm meh?” Roseheart remarked aloud with a smirk as she continued to hover there yet it wasn't by magic, or at least any magic that could be seen by the naked eye.
“Why,you little...!” Scratch’s insult trailed off as she fired yet another beam of magic at her.
“No chance!” Roseheart exclaimed as she rose a single hoof in the direction of the beam of magic which immediately redirected itself at the white unicorn once again.
“What kind of magic is this?! It defies all the laws of magic! My spells can't be reflected! And how is she floating there without the help of magic?!” Scratch exclaimed as she dodged her beam of magic again.
Gina was wondering the same thing about now, yet Scootaloo stared at Roseheart as if transfixed by her. “It can't be...” Scootaloo said aloud in a stunned tone as Scratch continued to attempt to fight the filly only to end up dodging her own magic.
“Ha,ha! If this is all you have, then ah don't know what the big deal is about!” Roseheart exclaimed with a smirk.
“I'll show you!” Scratch exclaimed as she darted strait at the filly.
Scratch's hoof connected directly with Roseheart's face, however the filly seemed unaffected and Scratch instead recoiled as if her hoof hit her in the face instead. “Ha,ha! Ah must say this is the most fun ah've had in years!” Roseheart exclaimed, followed by a laugh that reminded Scootaloo all too well of a certain foe they had once faced.
“Oh this can't be good!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she darted forward and scooped up Roseheart mid-air.
“Scootaloo? What happened? Where's ruby? Is she okay?!” Roseheart asked in a semi-panicked tone.
“She doesn't remember anything, but she was acting just like him...down to the witty banter. What does this mean?” Scootaloo thought to herself in a worried tone then looked up at Gina. “Change of plans Gina, we're keeping Roseheart here, get Ruby to safety!” Scootaloo exclaimed at which point Gina nodded scooped up Ruby and took off as fast as her wings could carry her.
Meanwhile scratch was still recovering from what was seemingly her own hoof to her face. “How did that filly manage that? I know my hoof hit her, so why did it feel as if I punched myself?” Scratch thought to herself in an annoyed tone as she shook her head and stared at her once again.
“Roseheart, you know how to teleport right? Teleport to our house. Now!” Scootaloo said as she exclaimed her final word as she tossed Roseheart up who did as she was told and disappeared in a flash of magic.
“Where did that annoying mule disappear to?!” Scratch exclaimed in a demanding tone as she stared at the Pegaus who's eyes narrowed at her upon hearing these words.
Scootaloo glared at the unicorn, “What did you call her?” she asked in a low tone.
“You heard me! Where is the little mule?” Scratch asked aloud.
“How dare you, call my daughter, A mule! I will end you!!!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she roared her last word at which point her mane and tail began to flail wildly and streaks of magic surged a crossed her body now at random intervals.
“What the buck?! Another one can do that?!” Scratch exclaimed in shock as the orange Pegasus opened her eyes and stared at her with a deep sense of rage in her eyes.
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Octavia rebounded from yet another strike she attempted to make on Applebloom only to be deflected by her element's magical shield. “That shield of her is quite the annoyance.” Octavia remarked aloud only for her attention to be shot skyward upon sensing a great deal of magic erupt from no where.
“Another one has the ability to ascend?” Octavia remarked to herself in shock as she stared at Scootaloo. “She's only at stage one, shouldn't be too much for scratch to handle.” The mare remarked as she reverted her attention back to the battle at hand.
“Applebloom, I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.” Beads of sweat and exhaustion dribbled down each side of Sweetie Belle’s head and down her cheeks.
“This is lookin bad. Ah don't know how much more ah can spam mah elements shield either. It's takin all ah have to conjure it now.” Applebloom thought to herself in a worried tone as she stared at the earth pony who seemed to be no where near the point of exhaustion.
“It seems that even the fabled elements of harmony have their limits. Just give up now, it's pointless.” Octavia remarked aloud with a sneer as she stared at the two.
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“Ha! You were better off letting that mule fight me!” Scratch exclaimed with a malicious grin as she struck the orange Pegasus hard which sent her sailing through the skies only to recover mid-air huffing and puffing.
“Horseapples! I didn't know that this power had such a disadvantage!” Scootaloo thought to herself dramatically as she hovered in place now with beads of sweat dripping down her head now. Every strike she had made so far had caused a surge of pain to jolt through her body and her body was writhing in agony at the moment. The only thing keeping her air-born at the moment was the same power that was hurting her.
“Ready to toss in the towel yet?” Scratch jeered as she sped at the Pegasus and struck at her hard to which Scootaloo used all four hooves as a shield now as she stared into the unicorn's eyes.
“N-Never! I will never abandon my friends! I would die before I would abandon them!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she stared back at her.
“Loyalty, such a pathetic notion. You could have escaped with your life had you allowed me to take care of them from the beginning.” Scratch remarked aloud with a smirk before she struck the Pegasus with a burst of magic causing her to go flying towards a random house and land on top of it with a small bounce which caused the mare to cry out as her body impacted with the rooftop and rolled to the side her mane and tail no longer flailing and moments later Scratch appeared in a flash of magic, looming over her.
“Any last words?” Scratch asked aloud as she retracted her hoof preparing to make the finishing blow.
“Yeah, in the words of my mother, Loyalty is stronger than the mightiest steel!” Scootaloo exclaimed at which point a bright light flashed around her neck.
“It-It can't be!” Scratch exclaimed in shock as she suddenly recoiled from the blinding light.
Octavia's attention was once again yanked from her current battle but this time, she stared in disbelief at the light that shined brightly from afar which caused Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to do the same except their expressions were ones of amazement for they knew what that light was.
“Way to go Scooty, leave it up to ya to find what isn't there.” Applebloom remarked aloud with a smirk as the light continued to flash brightly.
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The orange Pegasus suddenly felt a surge of strength return to her body and stood to all fours as the light around her neck slowly faded revealing the element of loyalty around her neck. Scootaloo placed a hoof one her neck and felt the element around her neck at which point a smile appeared on her face.
I feel you mom. Even in death you’re saving my flank.” Scootaloo remarked aloud to herself with a sigh and then snapped her gaze at Scratch whom was still stunned at this turn of events.
“We killed the element of loyalty! How did another pony obtain it?!” Scratch exclaimed in disbelief.
Make me proud...
The voice of her mother seemed to echo around her now, yet the mare didn't know if she was actually speaking to her or if it was her imagination. Regardless, she knew what she had to do now. With yet another mighty cry her mane and tail began to flail wildly now but unlike last time, her element of harmony began to glow with a bright light. This bright light began to surround the mare until it flashed even brighter which caused Scratch to shield her eyes from it.
When the light faded the unicorn could have sworn for a moment she was staring at Rainbow Dash, but only for a moment. The orange Pegasus's mane and tail had adopted her mother's, yet her fur color remained the same. Scootaloo slowly opened her eyes as her mane and tail continued to flail wildly with a look of pure determination in them now.
Scratch managed to regain her composure by now and resumed her grin. “Ha! So you got your mane and tail redone. Big whoop! I'll still knock your flank into next-OW!” Scratch began to say only to be cut off mid-sentence by a hoof to the nose effectively breaking it, the mare seemingly hadn't moved when she looked back at her. She still had the same look of determination in her eyes.
“How did you-OW! Buck!” Scratch exclaimed once again being socked strait in the nose by seemingly nothing. This time however, a cocky grin appeared on the Pegasus's face.
“What. The. BUCK?!” Octavia stared at the battle between Scootaloo and Scratch now in disbelief.
“Is this the true power of the elements of harmony?” Octavia thought to herself realizing that she could just barely track the Pegasus's movements from afar.
“Did ya forget bout us?!” Applebloom exclaimed as she did a mid-air buck against the earth pony whom blocked it barely due to being distracted.
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“You think your such a bad flanked mare huh? Well guess what?!” Scratch exclaimed as she snapped her nose back into place with a loud cracking sound. “You can try to beat me up all ya want but you won't get very far!” Scratch exclaimed with a confident smirk.
“Good.” Scootaloo replied simply which caused the unicorn to stare at her in confusion.
“Say what?” Scratch asked incredulously.
The Pegasus didn't reply this time but instead disappeared seemingly in a blur and began to strike Scratch from all directions in a cascade of strikes which ended with an uppercut which sent the unicorn flying skyward only for Scootaloo to appear just above her as she was flying towards her, reared her hind hooves up, and bucked her hard which sent the unicorn flying to the ground with a loud impact directly in the middle of Octavia's battle with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.
The event literally caused Octavia to jump back in surprise, as did Applebloom and Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo landed next to her two friends.
“Holy horseapples! Scooty, is that really you?” Applebloom asked in shock and awe.
“Yeah, it's me. Don't ask me how, but right now, I can feel my mother's strength, speed, and power flowing through me. It's as if she's right at my side right now.” Scootaloo remarked proudly as Scratch crawled out of the small crater she was in and stared at Scootaloo with a loathing glare.
“I'm gonna mop the floor with-”
“Scratch, we're retreating for now. The situation has changed.” Octavia stated aloud cutting off the unicorn's statement.
“But,but-ugh! Fine...” Scratch replied with a slight stutter only to give a groan of annoyance shortly before the two disappeared in a flash of magic.
Moments later, Scootaloo's mane and tail returned to their normal color and stopped flailing and a dazed look came over her face.
“Wow, what a rush...” Scootaloo remarked aloud in a dazed tone before passing out on the spot only for her lover to catch her.
“Well, That's two elements down, five to go...” Applebloom remarked aloud as she looked at Scootaloo whom looked to be resting soundly in her arms now....