//------------------------------// // Splitting up // Story: Running With Draconaqui // by Tiaa OwO //------------------------------// Something was bugging Twilight. She had tried to ignore the sheer idiocy of the past events but it seemed unbearable now. First, she had been challenged by Luna about letting Spike follow his girlfriend after she accused Princess Celestia (very illogical in her book) of working with a mad pony who was bent on destroying the peace in Equestria, ruling, and turning everypony into slaves. Then, she had been led to believe that Discord was being held against his will in Fillydelphia. Finally, she (and her faithful friends) had been taken on a wild goose chase. They had been looking for days. It irritated her even more that her friends didn't seem to mind! "Jasmine." Twilight said. She trotted beside the female draconaquus. Jasmine turned her head slightly to show she heard her. Science gripped Jasmine's silky black hair and watched the lavender unicorn. Twilight gave her an uneasy feeling. "Yea?" "I-I have to talk to you." "No duh, silly, you're talking to me right now." Twilight glared at her. Jasmine's smile faltered. Science stiffened. What exactly do you wish to speak about? "I wish to speak to Jasmine. Not a rat." Twilight snapped. Science hissed. Jasmine snorted apprehensively. Well I never! Science jumped off of Jasmine and on the ground. She scampered to Spike and gripped his left leg. Spike gave the large zebra rat an uneasy smile. Science was never too affectionate towards him. Jasmine gave him an apologetic smile and she and Twilight put some distance between them and the group. Spike narrowed his eyes and watched the two suspiciously. He turned his attention to the rat. "So, uh, Science was it . . ?" he said nervously. Science rolled her eyes and scoffed. Don't start. Twilight gave Jasmine a long, boring lecture about her worries and concerns. Jasmine was wondering how Spike put up with it. She was barely staying awake to listen to the mare nag. How was she even able to nag!? Twilight didn't have foals. Well, she had Spike. Spike was kinda like a foal. Jasmine started to imagine monkeys swimming in cotton candy and eating wood bark. Twilight stomped her hoof. Jasmine blinked. "H-huh? What?" "Were you even listening to me?" "Uh no." "Uge! You're just like Discord! You two never listen!" "Alright. Uh, repeat what you said?" "Fine but I'm only explaining this one more time." "Okay." "I was talking about the stupidity and irresponsibility of going thousands of miles for no reason." "It wasn't for no reason. We're here to find Discord." "We're here to find someone who left to Celestia knows where-" "He disappeared." "Whatever. Plus, he was in Canterlot. How would he get here?" "Some ponies got him. I know their here." "Based off what? A hunch?" "No. A letter." "A letter." "Yes. And a . . . memory. I can show you if you want." Jasmine held out a claw and an orb of energy manifested in it. The orb of energy hummed and swirled. It separated into tendrils of light and reached out to Twilight's horn. Twilight eyed the energy suspiciously and stiffened when she felt the cool, electrifying sensation on her horn. "I'll see you're memories?" "Yes. We'll both be inside my head." Twilight felt numb and weak. She gasped, her eyes rolled back in her head and she hit the ground with a thud. Twilight woke up in a different world. There was grass, flowers, trees and bunnies everywhere. She felt a paw on her shoulder. It was Jasmine. The female draconaquus smiled. "You're in my head now." she looked around. "We both are." "Where are we . . . in the place in your head, I mean?" "It was almost two years ago. Before I met any of you. When I was still shy. When . . . when Josiah was still alive and so was Caleb." "You were teasing Spike about a Josiah before, but who's this 'Caleb' guy?" "He . . . I . . . we . . . just watch." A younger version of Jasmine walked into the two girls' view with a male draconaquus. The male was as young and happy as she. His brown hair was shaggy and he had no snaggle tooth, unlike Discord. He was different, though. All four legs were that of a lions. His body was also proportioned well, like Jasmine's. He laughed at something. Younger Jasmine gave him a strange look. "What is so f-funny?" "Nothing. Nothing." the male waved her question away. "I just feel happy with you." "Y-you do?" "Yes. Happy to the point of laughing." Young Jasmine shoved the male playfully. "So, why are we here, dearest?" "W-well, Josiah, I wanted to t-tell you something important." "Really now?" "Yes. I've been w-waiting for the right t-time to say . . ." "Say what?" "Well . . . " "Now you're getting me worried." "I-it's nothing b-bad . . . I hope." "Okay." "I am p-pregnant." "You're what?" "Pregnant." Younger Jasmine said after a deep breath. "I am pregnant with your child." Josiah froze. He tilted his head and stared at Young Jasmine in a confused manner. He opened and closed his mouth, unable to find words to speak. He put his paw on her slightly pudgy belly. "I . . . I can't believe this. I'm going to be a father!" He grinned. "I'm going to be a father!" "Yes, you are. I'm g-glad you're glad." "Babe, we gotta tell Master!" "I-I don't think that's a good idea." "Nonsense. He's very good deep down." "VERY deep down." Young Jasmine mumbled. Twilight stared at the couple in surprise. Jasmine was with another guy before!? There was yet another draconaquus!? Jasmine was pregnant before!? Jasmine rolled her eyes. "It's not that serious. I had a whole life before I met you guys. Not a complete, complete life . . . only complete of love . . . but a life all the same." "I-I never thought . . . a child? What did you name it, if you named it?" "Caleb. Draconaqui normally have litters, though. I never got to think of more names. Nor did I need to. Master b-beat me and I . . . watched him kill Josiah in cold blood. I miscarried." A new picture appeared and played itself. "Master no! Please! I love him!" "How dare you fornicate with this . . . this . . . ABOMINATION while I loved you, cared for you and kept you alive!" "Love me!? You don't love me! Not like Josiah does!" "I gave you my all that night!" "You hurt me! You ruined me! You're nothing but a stain!" "A-a stain!? A stain!? I'll give you a stain!" "Aarge! Jazzy, don't worry, I don't blame you . . . eerge . . . I still love you . . . I just hope you . . . find somepony who can . . . keep you away . . . from . . . danger . . ." There was a scream as Master ripped out Josiah's heart. "JOSIAH! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Young Jasmine cried. Master raised his blade to her. "What are you doing? No! No! AHHH!!!" There was a flash of Master's crazed face. Jasmine waved the scene away with a sob. She collapsed on the white ground as the scene went away. Twilight rubbed her back. She didn't know how anypony could endure such a past. "I know this is hard but I need to see how you know where Discord is. Maybe I can help." Liar!, Jasmine wanted to say. Twilight came only because she questioned Jasmine's accuracy and sanity. She only wanted a reason to go back to her mentor and demand the 'truth'. "I almost forgot the bad and cherished the good. I don't know why it showed all that. I must have little practice." "Is the part coming up next?" "Yes. Or at least it should." "Here's another scene. Brace yourself." Young Jasmine and a black stallion approached two dragons. One yellow with orange spikes while the other was a turquoise color with drooping midnight blue spines. The stallion stopped and whinnied. The yellow dragon looked up first. It readied its breath. The stallion's eyes widened and he cast a worried glance at Young Jasmine. "Cease your breath of fire, dragon. We came here to speak with Barb." The turquoise dragon stood up on all fours and grunted to the duo. It gestured for them to come over to a corner on the bushy field they were in. The yellow dragon raised an eyebrow and watched the three. "What brings you here, travelers?" The yellow dragon asked, its voice revealing that it was female. Barb, the turquoise dragon, glared at her. "Quiet, Ember. They're here for me. Not you." "Ooh, so I'm not invited? Tsk tsk, I expected more of my friend than to leave me out." "Ignore her. What seems to be the problem?" "I-we left Master. I know you met him once. He was ranting. He also said something about Sarswirl the Bearded?" "Ah yes. I was his assistant/project. I was the first dragon to be held in society. I was taught out of my 'savage' ways." "Ha! I'l bet!" Ember snorted. "I said quiet, Ember!" "We're trying to find Master's secret weapon. He hid it where he hides everything. From ponies to treasure to . . . well . . . weapons." "He hides 'em in Fillydelphia. Somewhere in Coltington City. Look for a shop with the title, "Exotic Eccentrics". It looks crazy weird and plenty amazing. It'll sure catch your eye."- Twilight opened her eyes. Her friends and faithful assistant were crowding around her. Jasmine too. the two girls gave each other looks and sighed. "What's wrong guys?" Both asked. "You just collapsed. Both of you. I-I didn't know what to do." Spike said. you nearly gave the both of us heart attacks! "You really were that worried about me? After I called you rat instead of your name?" No. I was actually talking to Jasmine. I don't care about you. "You filthy rodent! How long were we out?" "Uh, about two minutes." Rainbow Dash answered. "Seriously?" Jasmine sighed. "We weren't even out that long." So? I was still worried. So was scaly-back here. "Why do ya hate us so much?" Applejack asked. "Cause you ponies suck.