//------------------------------// // secrets & lies // Story: Running With Draconaqui // by Tiaa OwO //------------------------------// It was a while before Jasmine got enough courage to tell Spike what happened when she was with Discord. He looked hurt but decided to brush off the incident anyways. Jasmine was relieved to have it all behind her. Almost everything was perfect. She and Spike were together again and she hadn't heard from her father in weeks. However, Discord hadn't forgotten. Nopony knew about what happened besides Spike. She couldn't talk to Discord, she couldn't make eye contact, she couldn't even be around him. She felt like they had made a connection. It seemed like she had gotten through his shell of chaos and seen his true self. She felt guilty of her feelings for him while with Spike. Spike was her calm, supportive waters while Discord was her dazzling, adventurous blaze. She was encouraged (by Spike of all creatures! He HATES Discord!) to talk to him and it turned out that he felt the same way about her. Their friendship needed alot of work but at least it was being patched up. 6 months later . . . Jasmine yawned and looked up. She could have sworn she heard somepony say something. Spike groaned next to her and turned over. He was quiet for a few minutes but opened one eye sleepily when he realized that Jasmine was up. "Go to sleep, Jazz." he whispered. Jasmine's heart pounded at the sound of her name on his tongue. "Shhh." Jasmine hissed. Spike winced. "What's wrong with you?" "I-I hear something." This alarmed Spike greatly. He sat up and looked around the room, as if trying to spot a burglar. Jasmine told him that it wasn't near by and to stay put in a stern voice. Spike opened his mouth to protest but Jasmine put a claw to his lips and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Stay here and be quiet." she said, her voice as sharp as knives. Spike nodded reluctantly and slumped a little. Jasmine got up from the bed and opened he door. She glanced at Spike again and then set out to look for the source of the voice. She searched the halls silently. She jumped at every sound and glared at every shadow. The voice couldn't be heard anymore. It was either far away or the pony had shut up. Jasmine passed the royal kitchen, then Princess Luna's room, then the training room, then the dining room, then Princes Celestia's room. She paused for a second. Could it be possible that Celestia was in trouble again? It was possible. She hadn't heard from her father in a while. She reached for the doorknob, wondering where all the guards were. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." a female voice said. Jasmine whipped around only to see a red mare with dull red hair. The mare whinnied softly and a timber wolf stepped out of the shadows. "It would be tragic if this wolf lunges at sleeping beauty in there, no?" "Who are you? How did you get a timber wolf in here?" "I am Mind Bender. You may call me Ms. Bender if you wish." "The timber wolf, it will kill you. They are pure instinct. I don't understand how you could have coaxed in to enter this castle." "Well, there's magic . . ." "But how . . . you're not a unicorn . . . but an earth pony." " . . . And there's your father." Jasmine's eyes widened. "No. Don't tell me you've sided with him. What did he offer you? It's a lie, you know." "It wasn't a lie. He speaks only truth. He knows what has happened to your species and he had a plan for you. But you ruined it . . . you and that damn dragon!" "Ms. Bender, please! Think carefully! I've lived with him for many years. Don't you think I would know him better than you? He's lying to you. Leave him before he tries to kill you." Mind Bender thought for a moment. She smiled slyly at the female draconaquus. "Maybe you should call me Mrs. Ronald? It would be more proper since you want to be polite." "Mrs. Ronald? But . . . Martin Armstrong Sterling Timely Erny Ronald . . . Ronald! Omigosh, you did not marry that creep!" "As a matter of fact, I did. It's been a long few months, Jasmine. Let me tell you, your fathers a monster in bed." Jasmine gagged and growled at the mare. The timber wolf growled threateningly. "Calm down. This wolf'll never let you put a claw on me." The door to Celestia's room opened and the sun princess stood there, trying to make sense of the scene before her. "What is going on here? Mind Bender, what are you doing with a timber wolf at your side? Jasmine . . . why are you up?" Jasmine pointed a claw at Mind Bender. "She's working with my father! That timber wolf is his! Where are your guards!?" Celestia laughed. This the female draconaquus off guard. She lowered her claw and gave Celestia a confused look. "What's so funny?" "N-nothing! It's just that you are now noticing the guards disappearance. I thought you were more attentive than that. Serves me right for letting another draconaquus in the country." Jasmine took a step back. Something was wrong. Something was off about her . . . not quite right about her behavior. "Where did they go? Didn't you put up extra guards at your door since the attack?" Another step back. Mind Bender was watching her intensely. The timber wolf was watching something inside Celestia's room. "Don't you worry." Celestia waved her hoof dismissively. Mind Bender looked up at her with a scowl. Another step back. "Their all fine for now. I'll put them to new purposes later on." Another step back. "Ms. Bender is helping my father. He wants to overthrow you." "Not overthrow me . . . rule with me. Isn't that delightful?" Jasmine froze. She searched for words and the next course of action. "Spike!" She bolted down the hall. "Spike! Help me, Spike! Spike, I need your help! Spiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike!"