//------------------------------//
// Torn Town : Part 2 
// Story: Cadence Unbridled (Sections 1 & 2) 
// by Flikaline 
//------------------------------//

Torn Town : Part 2

‘I’m, I’m Cadence,’ Cadence murmured, staring down at the tiny pony, who was staring up at her. 

‘It was a similar situation with her as with you,’ Carnation explained to Cadence, ‘in your case, you got your title early because Prince Dragonfly’s choice for next Crystal Princess died suddenly. Tulip Twinkle’s older sister died suddenly not long after she had been crowned. Tulip Twinkle was the only possible heir left.’

The very little pony’s crown was far too big for her. It was rather lop-sided and covered half of her right eye. Tulip Twinkle turned her small face to the four sky ponies.

‘Has anypony seen my dolly?’ Tulip Twinkle asked, ‘She’s hiding from me again.’

‘Don’t tell me you lost her again?’ came a kindly filly’s voice. A face appeared.

‘So this is where you’ve been, Daffy,’ said Sprout with a smile.

The filly walked over to them.

‘It was Soarin’, wasn’t it?’ Sprout asked him, ‘this is my daughter, Daffodil. Daffy, this is Soarin’. I thought you might be able to take him on a tour.’

Daffodil looked at the pegasus colt with interest. Soarin’’s face went a bit red. Tulip Twinkle turned back to Cadence.

‘Are you a princess like me?’ Tulip Twinkle inquired.

‘Well, yes,’ Cadence replied a little awkwardly.

She knew very well now why these ponies couldn’t sacrifice their princess.

‘Why don’t you have any wings?’ Cadence asked her.

‘I won’t get my wings until I’m a big filly,’ Tulip Twinkle responded.

‘It’s about time you had your nap, isn’t it?’ Faerie Flight commented.

‘No,’ Tulip Twinkle stated sulkily, giving a small yawn.

‘Yes it is!’ Daffodil said with a laugh, ‘come on!’ 

She began to lead the protesting little princess away.

‘I’ll be back in a moment, Soarin’,’ she added.

The other four sky ponies thought this was a good time to continue to lead Cadence to the library. On reaching the building, they were met by a stallion. He did not look impressed.

‘Uh, oh,’ Faerie Flight murmured.

‘What have you four been up to?’ the stallion demanded.

There was not reply. They thought it was better to say nothing than to lie. They looked at him nervously.

‘Shame on you and your cowardly behavior,’ the stallion shouted, ‘it’s pretty obvious how this princess came to be here! Wait until I tell your mother about this!’

‘Oh, no!’ gasped Sprout.

‘Not Mother!’ exclaimed Cosmos.

‘Anything but mother!’ cried Carnation.

‘She’s such a dragon!’ added Sprout desperately.

‘Come on, Dad!’ Faerie Flight pleaded, ‘Have some pity!’

It hadn’t occurred to Cadence before that they were sisters.

‘Um,’ Cadence began uncomfortably, ‘they were only doing what they thought was best, and, well, they did let me go . . .’

The stallion raised an eyebrow.

‘I would certainly have had something to say about it if they hadn’t,’ the stallion replied gruffly, ‘especially with you being the Crystal Princess.’

‘How did you know!’ Cosmos spluttered. 

‘Didn’t you fillies even think to check her cutie mark?’ the stallion sighed, rolling his eyes.

‘She’s going to help us,’ Carnation told him, quickly changing the subject.

‘Well, you’d netter hurry up about it,’ the stallion responded seriously, ‘that thing doesn’t have much patience and it’s already passed his usual meal time.’

Cadence and the four mares hurried inside. The main part of the library was on the next floor. Puffing and panting they finally made it up the stairs. It occurred to them afterwards that they could’ve just flown up instead.

‘Hello Cadence,’ came a familiar voice, ‘Raven Breath hasn’t kept you too busy, I hope?’

Cadence looked up.

‘Nova?’ Cadence gaped, ‘what are you doing here?’

‘Being helpful,’ Nova responded. 

Cadence doubted this was true somehow, but she didn’t really mind that much. Nova seemed to make a habit out of appearing out of no-where. The four sky ponies left them to it.

‘Lost Heart doesn’t tend to say much,’ Nova said after a few moments, ‘not while I’m around anyway.’

Cadence hadn’t noticed Nova’s companion until now. Lost Heart looked about the same age as Nova, but the first thing Cadence noticed about her was her eyes. They were blue and lilac, but they also seemed to be constantly glazed over, as if she were always in deep thought.

‘She’s considered a traitor by Raven Mocker and co.,’ Nova added.

So Lost Heart was one of them, one of what, whatever Raven Mocker was. That explained Lost Heart’s eyes, but also her coat color and that strange, twisted horn which looked so much like Arachne’s.

‘Why are you a traitor?’ Cadence asked Lost Heart.

‘I don’t really remember too well,’ Lost Heart replied in a slightly logical way, ‘it seems so long ago now, so much has happened. I know I was never loyal to Raven Mocker. I was loyal to somepony else. I don’t remember who she was now, but I still want her back with me even so. Somepony else told me I didn’t belong where I was. I must’ve left after that. I’m under protection now.’

Lost Heart’s voice sounded far too young for her, almost as if it hadn’t changed since the time she was talking about. Nova seemed impressed that Cadence had managed to get Lost Heart to say so much. Nova suddenly gasped and dashed from the room. 

‘She’ll be back,’ Lost Heart commented. 

There was much more to Nova than met the eye that was for sure, Cadence realized. There was a green flash from the corridor. Nova returned a few moments later. She looked rather relieved.

*

Cadence had gone out for a quick walk. She felt depressed. They hadn’t managed to find out anything of much use so far. The streets were more or less deserted. The sky ponies were probably hiding themselves indoors.

‘Hello,’ came a tiny voice.

‘Tulip!’ Cadence gasped, ‘what are you doing out here by yourself!’

‘I found my dolly!’ Tulip Twinkle said brightly, holding it up for Cadence to see, ‘do you like her wings? I like brushing her mane and tail! Would you like a go?’

‘If you can find her brush,’ Cadence replied.

Tulip Twinkle scowled slightly for a moment.

‘I think I left her brush back at the nursery,’ Tulip Twinkle said thoughtfully, ‘let’s go get it!’

They hurried to the nursery, Cadence struggling to keep up. At least the tiny princess was being supervised now.

‘Found it!’ squeaked Tulip Twinkle.

‘Her hair’s very soft, isn’t it?’ Cadence commented as she brushed.

Suddenly, there was a ferocious roar that seemed to shake the building, and caused item to fall and be knocked over. Once it was over, Cadence got to her hooves.

‘Was that an earthquake?’ Cadence asked.

She caught sight of the little princess. She was curled up in a ball in the corner and was trembling terribly. Cadence approached her slowly and carefully, her hooves barely making a sound on the soft carpet. Cadence sat down next to her.

‘It’s okay, Tulip,’ Cadence said soothingly, ‘I’m here.’

‘T-That th-th-thing is a-awake,’ Tulip Twinkle stuttered, ‘I’m scared!’

‘Oh, Tulip!’ Cadence exclaimed kindly, ‘You’ll be alright!’

‘They think I don’t know!’ Tulip Twinkle stammered, ‘But I do! I know that monster wants to eat me!’

Floods of tears were streaming down her tiny face.

‘I don’t want to be eaten!’ Tulip Twinkle cried. 

Cadence put her forelegs around her. She couldn’t bear this. This poor, sweet, little foal was so frightened, so unhappy. There was no point in pretending or trying to hide it from her.

‘Tulip,’ Cadence began, ‘I want you to listen carefully to what I’m about to say. Do you know what I’ve been doing since I met you earlier?’

‘No,’ Tulip Twinkle mumbled tearfully.

‘I’ve been up in the library with two others,’ Cadence explained, ‘we’ve been looking for a way to get rid of that beast once and for all.’

‘Will you be able to find out in time?’ Tulip Twinkle asked in a slightly more hopeful tone.

Cadence didn’t reply immediately. She didn’t know what to say. For one thing, she didn’t know how much time they really had. She hesitated.

‘If I’m honest, I don’t really know,’ Cadence responded, ‘but, well, if it comes to it, the monster didn’t ask for you specifically, and, well, if we can’t find a solution in time, I’ll, I’ll, I’ll take your place. That’s a promise.’

Cadence knew very well it was an emotion driven, and, in some ways, selfish promise, but she knew she couldn’t let this tiny foal be devoured by that monster.

*

Cadence had spent far too long with Tulip Twinkle. She had to get back to the library. As she reached it, she caught sight of Nova and Lost Heart at the door.

‘Have you found anything?’ Cadence puffed.

‘A couple of things,’ Nova replied, ‘types of creatures like this gain more power with every pony they swallow, however, it takes at least a week for the digestion process to complete. During this time none of the creature’s power can be used and it can’t swallow another pony either. The shaking ground thing is just a result of that creature moving.’

‘Anything else?’ Cadence inquired.

‘There was one other thing,’ Nova responded, ‘but I didn’t quite understand it. Creatures like that thing can’t digest certain actions or personality traits.’

Cadence didn’t understand it either. 

Suddenly the ground was shaking, sky ponies were screaming, and the creature was making incomprehensible bellowing. Something was up, Cadence just knew it, then, she knew what.

She galloped off at full speed towards the nursery. How could she have been so stupid? That monster knew what every sky pony was doing while it was awake! Cadence was almost certain it knew perfectly well what she had said to Tulip Twinkle. More than a week had passed, that stallion had virtually told her so.

On reaching the nursery, Cadence knew that her suspicions were correct. Tulip Twinkle was gone. That beast had demanded his meal early and immediately. She had to get there before the sacrifice took place. She had a promise to keep.

Her own fear seemed to give Cadence speed. She was bearing the edge of the town; the stack was in view. She still had time, but not much. The four sky ponies were starting to chain up the screaming infant. It must be their job. 

Cadence took to her wings. They had finished chaining up their princess. Cadence landed on the stack. The sky ponies were about to take off.

‘Wait!’ Cadence cried.

The four sky ponies turned in surprise.

‘Have you found a solution?’ Cosmos asked hopefully.

‘No,’ Cadence replied, ‘but I can give you more time. Once that thing has eaten, it can’t use its powers for a week. You’ll have the chance to either leave the area, or find another solution.’

‘But that won’t save Tulip Twinkle,’ said Faerie Flight miserably.

‘I’ll be doing that,’ Cadence responded, ‘I’m taking her place. I made a promise to her and I’m going to keep it. Please send my apologies to the crystal ponies.’

The four sky ponies stared, then, slowly, began to release Tulip Twinkle. Once free, the tiny princess rushed over to Cadence.

‘I’ll be alright,’ Cadence told her, ‘you’re safe now.’

Tulip Twinkle clutched one of Cadence back legs, as if she thought she could hold Cadence back. Faerie Flight picked Tulip Twinkle up and the sky ponies moved away. Cadence moved towards the edge of the stack and peered down into the black abyss. She couldn’t help but feel a terrible guilt for all those who cared about her: her friends, Shining Armor, the crystal ponies, her aunt . . . 

She had to do this. As Cadence was looking down, two, huge, red eyes opened and rows of giant, sharp teeth emerged, spiraling down and down and down, looking a bit like a giant machine. Cadence swallowed hard.

‘You’re not the sky pony princess!’ a voice bellowed.

‘There’s been a slight change in the menu!’ Cadence snarled, barely able to believe her own courage, ‘you asked for a princess, so you’re getting one. An alicorn is a lot more royal than a sky pony princess. You should consider yourself lucky!’

‘It’s you,’ the voice continued loudly and furiously, ‘that brat that promised to protect the princess and want to get rid of me. Well, your little trick won’t work! A tough thing like you would only spoil my appetite in any case. I want that tender little foal. If I can’t have her, I’ll destroy everypony and everything they care about!’

Cadence realized she had to think of something quick, and do it fast. She needed to force him to eat her. Cadence backed up a few steps, took a run, and jumped. She curled herself into a ball, closed her eyes, and braced herself for impact. 

Something odd was happening. The creature was moving from side to side, moaning and shrieking. All the sky ponies were staring.

‘That’s what it meant,’ Nova said to herself, ‘it can’t take bravery, courage and selflessness. Cadence has unwittingly destroyed that thing through her willing self-sacrifice.’

As Nova saw Cadence being flung out of the whirlwind, she took to her hooves, made her wings appear, and hurried in the direction Cadence was falling at full speed, and took to her wings.

Nova managed to catch Cadence in mid-air. Slowly, Nova lowered herself to the ground, and lay Cadence down, before making her wings disappear. Nova breathed deeply.

‘Cadence,’ Nova cried, ‘please don’t be dead. Please wake up!’

The creature was now completely destroyed, and it was as if it had never been there. Cadence still lay still. Bitter tears began to trickle down Nova’s face.

‘Oh, Cadence!’ Nova sobbed, ‘If only I had worked out that meaning sooner, or I had known what you were doing! How I wish I had taken your place, just like I would have taken my mother’s place if it had been possible!’

Nova didn’t notice the sky ponies slowly approaching and gathering around.

‘I don’t get it,’ a voice murmured, ‘how am I still alive?’

Nova looked down. Cadence was rubbing her horn. She looked up.

‘Don’t ask me,’ Nova responded, smiling through her tears, ‘I don’t have the faintest clue.’

From some distance below, about twenty sky ponies had just awoken, and were flying upwards, back towards their homes.

*

‘Sorry, Cadence,’ said Faerie Flight, ‘we don’t know anything about souls. You seem to know a lot more than we do.’

Cadence gave a disappointed nod.

‘Do you have to go?’ Tulip Twinkle asked Cadence.

‘Sorry, Tulip, but I do,’ Cadence responded, ‘I’ll come back and see you sometime.’

Tulip Twinkle nodded enthusiastically.

‘Nova,’ Cadence said quietly, ‘is your mother dead? I’m afraid I heard everything you said. I just couldn’t move at first.’

‘She was murdered a long time ago,’ Nova replied sadly.

‘I didn’t realize that cared about me that much,’ Cadence admitted, ‘I thought you weren’t interested in friendship at all . . .’

‘You – you want to be my friend,’ Nova said in a rather shocked tone.

‘Of course,’ Cadence replied.

‘I’ve never had a friend before,’ Nova murmured thoughtfully.

‘Well, now you do!’ Cadence told her with a smile.

For some reason never fully explained to Cadence, Nova was gone from the sky pony town before Cadence and Soarin’ were. When Cadence thought about it, what little she knew about Nova’s life style made very little sense, in fact, she realized, she had never even told Nova her name.