//------------------------------// // Chapter XIV (ALT): Regret // Story: Faux Pas of the Heart // by Jet Howitzer //------------------------------// (This is an alternate take on the ending of the last chapter. This is NOT CANON. I am only doing this to explore the possibility that Rarity might’ve said no. It goes exactly like the last chapter did, so I simply copied a bit of the ending text, prior to the end of the flashback.) … As you opened the door, a grey pegasus stood before you, a letter clasped in her mouth. “You’ve got mail!” Without a word to the mare, you snatched away the letter, slamming the door in her face. You didn’t have time to contemplate the rudeness of what you’d done a the time. There were more pressing matters. You quickly opened the letter, and read the first line. That was all it took for you to be filled with joy. Quill, You have my permission to write to Rarity, not that you really needed to ask. You are free to do what you wish so long as you don’t break any of my laws. But, know that if you do, I have more than a few ways to make you know that I am displeased. In fact, here, have a short summary of just a few ways I can make you miserable… //\\//\\//\\ Present //\\//\\//\\ The light in the room shifted once again, a faint light coming through the curtains, signaling the rising sun. The last sun rise you expected to see. With agonizing slowness you moved to the curtains, pulling them aside without any extraneous flourish. It was hard enough to move them already. The magnificent hues of the sky brought a smile to your face, and it was with a massive sigh that you turned to look back into the room. You moved back to the couch you’d been on for the past day, and then you retook your seat. “And… Well, you know what happened next.” You sigh as you finally let your head fall to the couch, the strength needed to hold your cranium up finally deserting your emotionally emaciated form. “For so long I did what I was told to do, only to try and make others happy. Now, though, I do something for myself, and it ends up costing me my life.” As you felt your eyelids grow heavier, you struggled to your hooves, bringing your head up one more time. “I did what I did for the Hive, then for myself, and finally for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t what you wanted, Rarity. But…” “You lied to me for so long, Catalyst. What… What do you expect from me? Do you think I can just pretend that none of that ever happened?” “No, but… Rarity, without your love I’ll die.” “I’m not a tool for you to use, Catalyst. I am more than a font of love.” The mare slowly stood, and she turned to exit the room. Under your breath, you cursed, knowing that you’d failed. But then, a memory returned to you. Chrysalis had planned to take the love of Canterlot by force. Could you… Could you do the same with this mare? Even as weak as you were, you knew that if you could forcibly open a conduit with the mare, you’d be able to finalize the magic. “Rarity.” She stopped at the door, and she turned to look at you, tears in her eyes. “I am the King of the Changelings, and I will not pass into death without a struggle.” You hated what you were doing, but you had little choice. Once again, the actions of others dictated your choices. “My mother worked her magic against the wills of many ponies, and now, you’ve left me with no choice.” A burst of magic from your horn splashed across the mare, and in that moment, you felt the boundless energies that she’d been containing. So much sadness. So much anger. And now, mixed into her emotions, was one of your own. Regret. The mare was paralyzed as your spell worked its magic on her, forcing open the conduits she’d closed to keep her emotions from you. With each broken conduit she twitched, her mind recoiling from the violation. When, at last, her mind was open to you, you allowed your magical influence to fade. Rather than run, or scream, the mare simply fell to the floor, her eyes glazed over. She was no longer really the mare you’d fallen in love with. Your work had been too haphazard. Without the time to really set up the spell, you’d done more damage than good. She’d keep you alive, but only just. Without a sound, you scooped her up, placing her on your back. It took moments to reach her bedroom, and then you put her on her bed. Her eyes followed your motions, but she didn’t really see. When you looked back at her eyes, all you could see was your own reflection, looking back at you from those twin sapphire orbs. But something about your reflection caught your attention, and so you looked a bit closer. All you could see when you looked into her eyes was the face of a monster. You’d become your mother, and you’d die as alone as she had. While she had been surrounded by her children, she hadn’t been close to any of them. She ruled through fear, and control. And now, you would do the same. “I’m sorry.” You turned from the bed, allowing your disguise to come back into place. You’d have to work fast, lest somepony discover what you’d done.