//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Reunion // Story: Spellbound Apples // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 6 Reunion Hex and Twilight were inside his carriage library discussing Starswirl’s exploits on time manipulation. Twilight was having a wrestling match in her mind as the two talked. He’s perfect! He’s Applejack’s colt friend! Twilight protested. You heard Cadence. Love is war and there are always casualties in war. I will NOT betray one of my best friends for some stallion! He’s perfect for you! He’s starswirl’s heir for Celestia’s sake. JUST SHUT UP! “Twilight?” The mare silenced her internal war and looked up to see the blue stallion looking at her with an eyebrow cocked. “Looked like you were spacing out for a moment there.” “Sorry, I’m just a bit tired.” She said as she rubbed her eyes. The stallion looked at his pocket watch and blinked. “No wonder we’ve been at it for three hours straight.” He then heard Twilight’s stomach growl. The lavender mare blushed as she let out a small laugh. “Sorry.” “It’s fine. Lunch time is right around the corner anyway. Why don’t we take a break?” He said with a smile. “That sounds nice.” The mare said as she got to her hooves. The two walked out of the library and into the main living area. The lavender mare sat down as Hex trotted over to the fridge. Desperate to break the silence Twilight tried to think of something to say. “So Hex, you and AJ are doing okay?” “Yep we’re-” He was cut off as the door opened to reveal the orange farmer. “Howdy y’all. How’s the studying going?” She asked with a smile. “Good, we’re just taking a snack break. Want some?” “Sure ah just got done with the South field.” She said as she sat down next to the lavender mare. “So what were you two talking about?” “Nothing!” Twilight said with a blush. “She was just wondering how we were holding up.” Hex said as he levitated a class of water over to them. “Thanks for the concern Twi, but we’re doing just fine.” The farmer said with a smile. “I know I’m just concerned this is your first hoof at this.” Twilight whispered to the farmer. “Ah know. We’re taking things slow.” Applejack said getting annoyed. “Plus, from what you’ve told us you’ve never Had a colt friend either.” “Now now, let’s not start arguing.” Hex said as he stepped between the mares. “Your concern is understandable Twilight, this isn’t my first relationship.” He said as he sat down with three bowls of salad. “I’ve made some mistakes. I’m not perfect, nobody is. But, I have no intention of hurting Applejack in anyway.” He said as he started to eat his food. “I’m sorry.” Twilight said as she hung her head in shame. “ I was just concerned if one of your exes showed up and started trouble.” Not to mention more competition. SHUT UP! Twilight thought in frustration. “Relax Twilight. If I see my ex again it’ll be too soon.” He said with a grunt. “That mare put me through hell, was constantly bragging and to top it off, she stole her catchphrase.” The mares looked at one another in confusion. “Stole her catchphrase?” Applejack asked. “Yeah and it didn’t even sound right. I mean, how good does The Great and Powerful Firefly sound anyway?” He said with a groan. “Firefly?” They asked in unison. “Yeah, she was a fire dancer.” He said as he cocked an eyebrow. The carriage door suddenly opened to reveal a familiar startled cyan mare. “Twilight! We’ve got a problem!” She said as she flew up to the lavender mare. “What’s wrong Dash?” Twilight asked. “Just come on!” She said as she flew out the door. The three ponies chased after her. “Good thing you’re here too Hex we may need that amulet of yours.” “Why?” “You are the only one who can use it, duh!” “I never said that.” He said as the mares looked at one another in shock. “There’s one other who can use it.” “Who?” Twilight asked as they made it into town. “My little sister.” The lavender mare was about to question him but soon saw a crowd of ponies close to a food store. As they made their way through the crowd Twilight saw a familiar azure mare in a hat and cape. “P-please. Trixie does not want any trouble.” She said as a pony threw a rock at her. The mare guarded her face with her front left hoof. The magician soon fell to the ground face first. “You’ve got some nerve coming back her after what you did!” Dash yelled as the crowd yelled in agreement. The ponies then let loose a barrage of thrown items. The blue mare closed her eyes and waited for the impact. After several seconds passed, she opened her eyes to see a dark blue stallion standing in front of her with his horn flaring. The blue stallion sent eh collection of items to the ground in front of the mob. “H-Hex?” The blue mare said as he turned towards her. The mob of ponies looked at one another in confusion. “You know this bitch?” Dash asked as she looked at the stallion. Hex slowly turned around as the ponies saw that his eyes were like daggers. “Did you just call my sister a bitch?” The ponie's felt the gears in their heads stop as the words left the stallion's lips. “SISTER?” The mob yelled in unison. The stallion looked back to see that the mare was slowly getting to her hooves. The blue stallion trotted over to her and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s good to see you again Trix.” He said with a teary smile. “Trixie is happy to see you as well.” “Still haven’t kicked that habit eh?” He said with a chuckle. The blue mare gulped as she returned her attention to the mob. “I take it you know these ponies.” “Damn right she does!” A mint green unicorn mare yelled. “She practically enslaved the town last time she was here!” “Okay, that’s impossible.” He said as he faced the mob. “Trixie is nowhere near that powerful. Unless...” The stallion turned back to his sister and narrowed his gaze on the mare. “Trixie, you didn’t.” He said in a flat tone. The blue mare hung her head in shame. “You didn’t use the Alicorn Amulet did you?” “She sure as hell did! She took over the whole town and banished Twilight!” A cream colored Earth pony mare added. Hex’s eyes shrank and looked at Trixie who had tears in her eyes. “Damn it Trix! You know what that thing will do to you if you use it for too long.” “I just....” “What? What could possibly possess you use that?” “I just wanted to be like you!” She said as the tears flowed. The blue stallion let out a sigh and looked at the mare. “Trixie. It pains me to say this.” He said as he hung his head in shame. “I’m very disappointed in you.” He said with a sigh. The azure mare cried and held her head low. Hex walked over to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. “However, I have to commend you on that illusion spell.” The mare looked at him with worry. “You managed to fool me for five minutes. That is a feat in itself. Glad to see that you’re still the sister I know.” He said as he put his hoof on her head. Trixie felt her legs give out from exhaustion. Hex caught the mare and helped her stand up. “C’mon let’s get you back to my carriage.” “Ugh, you still go around in that thing?” She said as she let out a heavy sigh. The stallion looked back to hear the sound of somepony cracking their hooves. “What make you think that you’re going anywhere?” A grey Pegasus stallion said as he stepped forward. “I have no intention of hurting you. I suggest you do the smart thing and stand aside.” Hex said as his eyes shifted to a blood red color. The six mares gulped at his eyes. “I don’t care who you are that bitch is going to-” He was cut off as the blue stallion rushed forward and slammed his hoof down on the Pegasus’s head sending his jaw into the ground. The crowd let out a gasp and stared at the stallion. “Call her that one more time!” Hex yelled in anger. He glared back at the ponies who all gulped in fear. “Anyone else want to say something?” The mob kept their mouths shut. “Good.” He said as he helped the mare walk away from the town. The grey stallion got to his hooves and picked up a rock and hurled it at the blue stallion. The light blue mare pushed Hex out of the way and took the hit at the base of her horn. The mare yelled in pain as her body started to flicker. The mob’s eyes shrank as they saw the mare go from her usual physique to have little to stomach and her coat was faded and had multiple injuries. The group of ponies could see her rib cage and signs of malnutrition. The mare collapsed on the ground only to be caught by the blue stallion. Hex glared back at the ponies who were shaking in fear. The blue stallion pulled out a spell book and placed his hoof on a page. As he did a massive cloud of smoke enveloped him and the mare. The smoke cleared to see the large crow from the Hydra incident. “Illusions again? I’m not falling for that!” Thunderlane yelled as he took towards the sky and charged right at the two unicorns. The large bird blocked him with it’s wing and sent him flying towards the ground. Hex’s horn flared and made a large pillow to cushion the stallion. Hex then teleported in front of the mob. “That’s impossible! You said that it was only an illusion!” Twilight yelled. “When I removed it from the Hydra’s mind it became a part of reality. It’s literally a living nightmare.” Hex explained. “Another one of my spells that can come in handy.” The stallion’s horn flared again and ten copies formed around him. “Anyone who want’s to stop me is free to try.” He said in a flat tone. No pony budged an inch. Hex made the large crow vanish and walked back over to the unconscious azure mare and put her on his back. The clones then disappeared as the illusionist walked away from the town and back towards his carriage. The crowd quickly dispersed and went about their day as Applejack and her friends sat frozen at what they just saw. “Didn’t see that coming.” Pinkie said breaking the everlasting silence that hung over the group.