//------------------------------// // Kindness and Pride Lost // Story: A Filly's Tale // by Deathsia //------------------------------// KINDNESS AND PRIDE LOST Twilight looked on at Discord who continued to laugh evilly. “Discord! You haven't won yet! As long as me and my sister still breath, you will never rule Equestria!” Celestia's voice boomed snapping Discord out of his laughter. “Still grim as ever, eh Celestia?” Discord said poofing in a flashing of magic from in front of Twilight and her friends and back to in front of Celestia and Luna. “You will not win! My sister and I are unstoppable!” Luna exclaimed glaring at Discord. “Hmm...you know. I had a lot of time to think while I was encased in stone. After all that's all I had but time. And over the course of the last year I realized something very important.” Discord said still looking unfazed. “And what might that be?” Celestia asked still standing firm but ready to strike at a moments notice. “The elements of harmony are the only things that can stop me. And you two are no longer connected to them.” Discord replied still grinning. “I fail to see where you are going with this.” Luna replied in a flat tone however Celestia's face had become slightly nervous. “In other words, you two are powerless against me with them. Oh and one more thing...” Discord said and snapped a finger. At first it seemed as if he had done nothing until Celestia gave a panicked glance at her hooves which began to turn to stone and immediately began to try and dispel the effects of the spell but seemed to only be slowing it's progress. “Sister!” Luna exclaimed in a worried yet panicked tone as she realized what was happening. “Princess!” Twilight's voice erupted from the other side of the room having noticed the same thing and began to rush over only for the army of ponies and stormhooves to stop her in her tracks. “Oh come now Celestia. You can't dispel my magic. After all, it took the elements of harmony to defeat me last time. What possible chance do you have without them?” Discord said as a wicked grin formed on his face. “You....big...dumb....MEANIE!” Fluttershy's voice erupted from behind them as she took off at breakneck speed at Discord barreling her way through Pegasus who attempted to get in her way only to hit a sudden brick wall that Discord made appear mere inches away from him. However moments later Fluttershy's hoof could be soon blasting through it. “Oh for goodness sake! I thought you were the element of kindness?!” Discord exclaimed looking more annoyed than anything as Fluttershy blasted another chunk of the cement wall out of the way. “Oh she is. But you see our sweet little Fluttershy has...a slight problem with controlling her temper to ponies who do very mean things.” Twilight said with a wide grin despite the worry she was feeling for her teacher. “Oh really?” Discord replied dodging a brick that Fluttershy sent sailing past his head and gave a inquiring yet mildly worried look back at Fluttershy who's face could be barely seen now through the brick wall. Celestia's body was half petrified by now still resisting the spell but she knew she couldn't hold out for much longer. “Heh, Ah knew Fluttershy had a temper on her but this right here blows the apple orchard out of the ground.” Applejack said looking apprehensive as she watched Fluttershy bash hoof after hoof into the brick wall. Pinkie Pie just stared,jaw dropped with a completely dumfounded expression on her face unable to utter a word while Rarity looked as if she was ready to vomit. “We just went to the salon yesterday! Oh that hoof polishing she got is going to shame!” Rarity exclaimed looking horrified. “This has gone on long enough!” Discord exclaimed poofing from where he stood and right behind Fluttershy. He then placed a single digit of his claw on her head at which point her friends faces turned to panic. Fluttershy's color soon turned to an all too familiar gray shade of her natural color as she suddenly stopped punching the brick wall and remained stationary in the air until she finally landed on all four hooves. “Oh horseapples! This don't look like it's goin well.” Applejack cursed looking at Fluttershy. “Now then my dear. Why don't you join Scootaloo and STAY STILL!” Discord said in a calm manner but said the final two words of his sentence with a great annoyance. “No.” Fluttershy replied in a snooty tone but flew over next to Scootaloo and stood next to her just the same. “Don't stand next to me Kluztershy.” Scootaloo said in the same loathing tone only to have Fluttershy's hoof stop barely inches from her face causing her to flinch. “Aww, what's wrong. I thought you said you would make me regret it if I stayed too close to you hmm? You nothing but all talk aren't ya? Ha,ha,ha.” Fluttershy said in a jeering tone. Scootaloo looked at Fluttershy for a moment then back to Twilight and her friends who looked horrified by this turn of events then to Discord. While the Pegasus said nothing. Fluttershy suddenly becoming a very cruel and mean version of herself felt very unnerving to mare. With his current problem solved, Discord turned back to look at Celestia who's head was the only thing not turned to stone as the spell traveled up her neck. “Oh, I see why you turned me to stone Celestia. It is very fun!” Discord said with a cruel grin and began to laugh. “Princess! Hang on! I'll save you!” Twilight exclaimed as she charged forward again only to be stopped once again by Pegasus who stood her in way. “Twilight. While I appreciate your concern this is no longer the place for you to be. Leave now and find Rainbow Dash so you can use the elements of harmony to defeat Discord!” Celestia exclaimed as the spell was now at the base of her head. “But Princess!” Twilight exclaimed as tears began to form in her eyes. “Come on Twi! You heard her.” Applejack exclaimed trying to move Twilight however she seemed unable to. “Hey Girls, what did one Shepard say to the other?” Pinkie Pie asked as she attempted to help Applejack move Twilight. “What?” Applejack replied confused as she continued to try and push Twilight. “Let's get the flock outta here!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she quickly dived under Twilight scooped her up on her back, and ran out of the great hall along with Rarity and Applejack. Twilight however flailed and attempted to jump off of Pinkie Pie's back but was kept in place by Applejack and Rarity as they charged through the halls and towards the exit of the palace. “No! Wait! Stop! I can help her! We can't leave them!” Twilight exclaimed tears flooding from her eyes as she continued to flail and use magic only for Rarity to cancel each of her spells out with her own. “As much as I would love to agree with ya sugarcube the princess is right! We can't defeat Discord without Rainbow Dash!” Applejack exclaimed as she ran along side of Pinkie Pie.                               =============================== “What shall we do with this one? Oh I know! Let's send her back to the moon.” Discord said with a malicious grin staring at Luna who's face turned to panic and fear. “No,no! Anything but that! Please I beg you!” Luna exclaimed as tears of fear and panic flowed down her cheeks. “We still need one Princess to raise and lower the sun.” Scootaloo said speaking up for the first time since Twilight and the others having left as she stared at Celestia who's body was now entirely encased in stone. “Oh come now. Who needs that? The world will get plenty of the sun and moon.” Discord replied with a grin. “Yeah...at random times.” Scootaloo replied sourly. “And what's the big problem with that?” Discord asked looking as if she didn't quite see where she was going with this. “I like to see the sun and moon at their proper times. That's the problem you overgrown featherbrain.” Scootaloo replied looking annoyed. “Very well. I won't send her to the moon. But we can't very well have a princess running amok now can we?” Discord replied and snapped his fingers which caused Luna to suddenly be encased in chains. “Now my dear Luna. You should be grateful that Scootaloo spoke up on your behalf but if you decide at any point that you want to... misbehave...I won't be so kind next time. Are we clear?” Discord said at which Luna simply nodded silently. “Ha, ha! The mighty moon princess is a slave now!” Fluttershy exclaimed in a jeering tone poking at hoof at Luna who didn't do anything as she poked and laughed at her. “Oh how the mighty have fallen.” Stormhooves said with a grin as he stepped up next to Discord along with Bloodbane. “So what now?” Bloodbane asked looking around. “Hmm..well let me see...” Discord said tapping his lion paw on his chin looking deep in thought.                                 =============================== “Ow!” Hoops exclaimed as Rainbow Dash gave him a switch kick to the groin. “Had enough yet?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she barreled down on the light brown Pegasus. “Beating the horsefeathers out of me won't give you Scootaloo back!” Hoops exclaimed as he struggled to get on all four hooves only to get pinned to the wall. “No it won't...” Rainbow Dash said lowering a hoof much to Hoop's relief. “But it's a start!” The cyan blue Pegasus exclaimed as she slugged hoops square in the nose and let him slide to the ground holding his nose as tears of pain began to flow from his eyes. “You're crazy!” Hoops exclaimed as he held his nose. “No...I'm a VERY pissed off mother!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed kicking hoops in the groin once again causing him to double over holding himself in pain only for Rainbow Dash to lift him up and slam him against the wall again. “Now I know you must have overheard something, and you're going to tell me everything you may have overheard those foals say about the ritual.” Rainbow Dash said looking into Hoop's now fearful eyes. “What makes you think I know anything?” Hoops retorted still holding himself even though the cyan blue Pegasus had him pinned against the wall. “Well if you don't...” Rainbow Dash said trailing off before she gave him a swift hit to the gut knocking the wind out of the light brown Pegasus. “Then we are going to be here all night...or until I get tired of beating the horsefeathers outta you. And I think the latter will come first.” Rainbow Dash replied as she let him slide down the wall trying to catch his breath as he heaved and gasped for air. No sooner Hoops seemed to be able to breath normally again Rainbow Dash lifted him up and slammed him against the wall once again. “Now talk!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed looking into Hoop's fearful eyes. “Alright, alight! I might have overheard something about the ritual!” Hoops exclaimed in a panicked tone as Rainbow Dash arched a hoof back ready to slam it into his face again at which point she lowered it. “I'm listening...” Rainbow Dash replied with a grin yet the rage she felt could still clearly be seen in her eyes.                      ================================ Twilight sat in her home tears still flooding from her eyes but she wasn't sobbing however she wasn't saying anything either. “Come on Twi, Ah know you got a plan of some sorts for us. Let us hear it.” Applejack said with a smile placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “There is no plan.” Twilight replied quietly. “Darling, I know you have some sort of plan. It's not like you to be this sad.” Rarity replied with a sympathetic expression. “We've lost, don't you get it? The elements of harmony were our only shot at beating Discord.” Twilight replied in the same quiet tone. “But all we have to do is convince Rainbow that Scootaloo won't be harmed and then we can go and kick that meanie pant's flank!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a smile. “Rainbow Dash won't lift a hoof to Discord. Not as long as Scootaloo remains the way she is.” Twilight  said and turned around facing away from the group. “But-” Pinkie Pie said in a sad voice placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder only for her to swat it away, turn around and glare at her. “We've lost! Discord rules and Celestia drools! No party in all of Equestria is going to fix this! Get the picture?!” Twilight exclaimed angrily at Pinkie Pie causing her to back away looking as if she was about to cry herself. “That was a might cruel there Twilight. Pinkie Pie was only trying to cheer you up.” Applejack replied placing a hoof around Pinkie Pie and holding her close as the Pink pony began to sniffle a little bit. “Do I look like I care?! We've lost! Harmony is officially damned in Equestria! Get used to it!” Twilight exclaimed switching her glace from Pinkie Pie to Applejack with the same glare. “Darling...i know watching your mentor suffer such a fate is traumatizing but maybe you should be a little more considerate of your friends.” Rarity said after a moment trying her best to use tact as she spoke. “Friends?! Where the hay was Rainbow Dash when we needed her?! Oh right, she decided we weren't important anymore! And You three decided to up and Fillynap me before I could do anything to try and save her! What kind of friends are you?!” Twilight exclaimed at the top of her lungs feeling her temper near it's breaking point. “Now hold your ponies just a consarned minuet there! We only did what the Princess told us to!” Applejack exclaimed defensively feeling her temper rise as well. It was at this point Pinkie Pie and Rarity looked at each other. “Fight?” Rarity said with an inquiring tone. “Fight.” Pinkie pie replied flatly. “Kitchen?” Rarity replied with the same inquiring tone as before. “Kitchen.” Pinkie Pie replied,stood up, and walked towards the kitchen followed closely by Rarity. “Well bravo! You followed them to the letter! Congratulations Applejack! You truly are the most honest pony in Equestria!” Twilight retorted in a sarcastic tone that could clearly be heard. “Yeah, Ah am the most honest pony in all of Equestria! And you want to know what Ah think of you right now?!” Applejack exclaimed feeling her anger nearing it breaking point. “Oh yes! Lets hear what the element of honesty has to say!” Twilight retorted. “Ah think your being a down right foal right now! And not to mention a jack-ass!” Applejack exclaimed with a glare of her own at the purple unicorn. “Oh! So that's what the element of honesty thinks of me huh? I'm just a danged jack-ass foal huh? Well maybe this jack-ass foal will just pack her stuff and leave!” Twilight exclaimed and began to make her way to the door, opened it, and slammed it right behind her. “Go on, and don't come back till you can say you're sorry!” Applejack shouted at her as she slammed the door shut. “Cupcake?” Rarity asked offering Pinkie Pie the cupcake she was holding. “Cupcake!” Pinkie Pie replied shortly after stuffing her mouth with the baked good sputtering bits of it at her as she spoke.                                        ========================== “Well, Hoops. It was nice talking ya. Lets NOT do this again okay? Oh and if I find out you were lying to me...i know where you live.” Rainbow Dash said in a casual tone leaving a bruised and beaten Hoops on the ground quivering as she took off. “So that's it. That's why they needed Scootaloo...” Rainbow Dash said to herself as she flew off from Hoop's cloud mansion. For the first time since Discord's revival the cyan Pegasus's hopes were high as she flew back to Celestia's castle to confront Discord once again. Once there she landed with a prideful grin on her face as she walked in only for it to vanish and be replaced with horror as she looked at what could only be Princess Celestia whom was encased in stone. “Oh no...” Rainbow Dash said in a sad tone as she approached it. “I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you Princess...but i'm going to set things right.” Rainbow Dash said with a bow,turned to face the hallways, and took off with a burst of speed flying her way down the halls. As she flew she gave a look outside which was already beginning to look disoriented and chaotic thanks to Discord's influence. This if anything reenforced the cyan blue Pegasus’s resolve to free her daughter from Discord and use the elements of harmony to defeat him. “Look who's back! It's Rainbow Crash!” Fluttershy exclaimed in jeering tone much to Rainbow Dash's shock. “Fluttershy? Oh no! He got to you too.” Rainbow Dash said in a sad tone then turned to look for Discord whom at the present moment was no where to be found. “Show yourself Discord! I got deal that I know you can't refuse!” Rainbow Dash shouted looking around only for Discord to appear in a flash of magic in front of her along with Scootaloo sporting the same loathing stare she always did with Rainbow Dash present. “Oh pray tell. Though I don't know you would want to come back after all that's happened.” Discord replied with a grin. “Me and you are gonna race! If I win, you free Scootaloo from your spell!”  Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “And what do I get if I win?” Discord replied with a grin. “You get...my wings.” Rainbow Dash replied after a brief silence. “Oh, really? Your willing to risk your pride and joy for Scootaloo eh? Isn't that touching.” Discord replied with a cruel grin. “Gag me with a spoon! She'd never risk such a thing for me. Where are your friends at Rainbow Crash? I bet they are just waiting for Discord to be off guard then blast him with the elements of harmony.” Scootaloo said looking around. “There's no one here but us Scoots.” Rainbow Dash replied then turned to Discord. “So, do we have a deal?” Rainbow Dash asked with a prideful smile. “Hmm...Rainbow Dash's wings...hmm...” Discord said tapping his chin looking deep in thought. “Deal. But on two conditions.” Discord replied his grin becoming even bigger if possible. “Which is?” Rainbow Dash replied not sure what the Hydrocephalus has in mind. “You will race dear little Scootaloo instead of me. And I get to choose the field where you two race.” Discord replied still holding his wide grin. “Fine.” Rainbow Dash replied looking at Scootaloo. “Then let's begin!” Discord replied and with a snap of his finger Scootaloo,Rainbow Dash, and discord were transported to a sky-high racing field. “Alright. Lets do this!” Rainbow Dash said getting ready to take off only for discord to put a single claw on her tail. “One moment.” Discord said with a grin snapping his finger again at which point two sets of stadium bleachers appeared filled with many different ponies and one single seat appeared next to Discord with Twilight who looked as confused as the others having suddenly appeared there. “Fillies and gentlecolts! In a surprising of events Rainbow Dash is going race Scootaloo!” Discord exclaimed however there were no cheers of excitement. “The prize for our young mare's victory is Scootaloo's freedom!” Discord exclaimed earning still no cheers. “But if she loses...I get her wings!” Discord said after a few moments earning a shocked gasp from Twilight. “What's that featherbrain thinking?! She can't honestly think Discord is going to play fair!” Twilight thought to herself dramatically having all the anger she felt earlier suddenly disappear and be replaced with worry. “You're going to lose Rainbow Crash! And when you do you'll be nothing but a pathetic earth pony for the rest of your sorry little life!” Fluttershy exclaimed with a grin. “No Tricks.” Scootaloo said simply much to Discord and Rainbow Dash's shock. “what's that?” Discord replied sounding slightly confused. “I said no tricks. I want to beat her with my skill alone, got that Discord?” Scootaloo replied flashing him a glare. “Yyyeess...” Discord replied dragging out his reply with a clear sense of uncertainty in it. “Heh, she may not be Rainbow's biological daughter but she sure as heck inherited her competitive streak.” Twilight said to herself with a giggle. “The course, is of my own genius design!” Discord exclaimed with a grin snapping his finger which caused a huge labyrinth to appear in the sky. “The first pony to the center wins, good luck everypony!” Discord exclaimed conjuring a checkered flag. “Ready....” Discord began to say trailing off. “May the best flier win.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile extending a hoof. “I plan to.” Scootaloo replied in the same loathing tone not looking at her as she posed herself in take off position. “Go!” Discord exclaimed swinging the flag down at which point Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash erupted off the starter cloud and down the first two separate halls of the labyrinth. Shortly after Discord snapped a finger causing him and Twilight to be transported above the labyrinth. “Rainbow Dash won't lose. She's the fastest flier in all of Equestria Discord.” Twilight said with a grin as she watched the race from above along side of Discord who clearly looked nervous right now. Rainbow Dash was flying at her top speed down the halls of the labyrinth making tight turns at every corner giving a quick glance ever so often through the bushes to see Scootaloo moving at about the same speed as her on her side of the labyrinth. However unlike Scootaloo she was dodging trees and branches that seemed to pop out of nowhere at her all along the way. “I had feeling he wouldn't play fair...” Rainbow dash said in a sour tone as she dodged yet another branch that nearly impaled her as it ejected from the right wall at her. Despite all these obstacles however Rainbow Dash seemed to be keeping up with Scootaloo just fine still neck and neck with her and slowly moving ahead of the gray shaded orange Pegasus.. Discord and Twilight continued to watch from above both of which smiled, frowned, and gave panicked glances at many different points. “Curse that Pegasus...she's far more agile than I realized...” Discord said in a loathing tone while Twilight grinned from ear to ear. “And what are you smiling at?!” Discord snapped at the purple unicorn. “Oh, I’m just waiting to see the look on your face when Rainbow makes it to the center first.” Twilight replied still grinning from ear to ear. “We'll see about that...” Discord retorted and snapped his finger at which point the path in front of Rainbow Dash suddenly closed up with only a small little cubby hole forcing her to come to a screeching halt and climb through it which allowed Scootaloo to gain a huge lead. “Hey! That's not fair!” Twilight exclaimed angrily. “Not fair? Have we met? I'm Discord, the spirit of Chaos and Disharmony...HEEELLOOO!” Discord replied with a grin. “You said that before...” Twilight replied sourly. “Well I thought you needed a reminder.” Discord replied with a grin. Despite the huge lead Scootaloo had gained she was quickly losing it as Rainbow Dash barreled down the halls of the labyrinth faster than before much to Discord's displeasure and Twilight's delight. “Just a bit of a heads-up Discord. Rainbow wasn't flying at her fastest before.” Twilight said after a short time smiling again. “Oh? And just how fast can she fly?” Discord replied with a raised eyebrow. “Ever heard of a sonic rainboom?” Twilight replied once again grinning from ear to ear. “A what?” Discord replied in a confused tone. It was at this point both Pegasus were neck and and neck once again at the home stretch of the course now on the same path towards the center. “You can't beat me Rainbow Crash!” Scootaloo exclaimed pushing herself to fly even faster picking up a great deal of speed which gave her a decent lead on the cyan blue Pegasus. “I can't lose...if I do...I won't get another chance at this!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed to herself pushing herself to pick even more and more speed until.... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! An eruption of a rainbow colored shock wave erupted from behind Rainbow Dash giving her a extreme boost of speed quickly giving her a major lead on Scootaloo. It was such a great lead that Scootaloo was surely going to lose and she knew it. “That's a Sonic Rainbow.” Twilight said and used her magic to appear floating in front of Discord. “IN YOUR FACE!” Twilight exclaimed with a cocky grin poking Discord in the nose with her hoof. “The race isn't over yet!” Discord retorted and snapped his finger once again much to Twilight's horror at which point Rainbow Dash suddenly was shoved into the wall of the labyrinth head first allowing Scootaloo to fly by her. Rainbow Dash quickly pulled herself out of the labyrinth wall and took off again at breakneck speed however she was too far behind Scootaloo now and she was about to cross the finish line in the next five seconds. “And Scootaloo wins!” Discord exclaimed with a eager and excited grin snapping his finger again making the labyrinth, Bleachers, ponies, and twilight disappear. “You lose Rainbow Crash!” Fluttershy exclaimed with grin. Discord then snapped his fingers making the four of them appear back in Celestia's castle only Rainbow Dash's wings were now missing. “Thanks for the wings!” Discord exclaimed with a grin expecting the Cyan blue Pegasus to look horror struck. However much to Discord, Fluttershy, and Scootaloo's confusion she was beaming with pride just the same. “How can you still be happy? You just lost your pride and joy!” Fluttershy exclaimed in an irritated tone. “You know. I really should be sad right...but I not. I got to see Scoots at her best. And she really is a great flier like I always imaged her being. I can't help but be so proud of her right now.” Rainbow Dash replied still smiling. “Very well. Take your pride elsewhere. I have some excellent chaos to reek.” Discord replied snapping his finger which causing the cyan blue Pegasus to disappear and reappear outside of Celestia's castle. “Goodbye Scoots...I tried but guess I wasn't strong enough to save you.” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments of staring at the castle doors as tears swelled in her eyes and she slowly trotted away...