//------------------------------// // My Mentor // Story: My Melody // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// Steam rose from the two teacups sitting on the table. In the small breakfast nook of Carousel Boutique, giggles and gleeful screams came through the open window. The clock in the corner continued its soft rhythmic tics, a plate of small biscuits sitting between the two teacups. "So," Rarity said after she sipped on her tea, "has there been any word?" Twilight shook her head. "We had a sighting in Las Pegasus, but that was it." Twilight sipped on her tea for a brief moment then placed her teacup back onto the saucer, "I hate to say this, yet it's like Queen Chrysalis just disappeared again. There may have been a second sighting. I couldn't ascertain the nature of it because a certain pony, a wannabe wonderbolt, mistook an experimental potion for a container of cider. I'm just glad I had the foresight to make it weak. It only wiped the last two hours from her mind." Rarity's ear perked up. She glanced out the window to see Sweetie Belle playing with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Her eyes gravitated toward her cup of tea, seeing the reflection of a picture on the wall; the wooden framed picture showed Rarity smiling with Sweetie Belle by her side. Twilight levitated several biscuits off the plate, consuming them in one bite. With a gentle nod given to her, she nibbled on another one. She sipped on her tea, cleared her throat, and said, "I don't mean to be rude, but weren't you a bit harsh." "..." Rarity remained silent as she watched Sweetie Belle. "I mean, was it necessary to ground her for two weeks?" Twilight said. "Twilight, Sweetie Belle lied to me. She stood there and lied to me like it was nothing, saying her little 'excursions' were to visit Zecora. Mom and dad leave her in my care." Rarity said. "That was quite the heated conversation between you and Zecora." Twilight said. "I do apologize for what you overheard. I should have been graceful, more 'lady-like' when choosing my words. Sweetie Belle can get me so frustrated at times. I am concerned about her though." Rarity said. A swift hoof brushed against her mane. She emanated a loud huff. "She's been sneaking out for the past three months, disappearing into the Ever Free Forest then coming back like it's nothing." "I think --" Twilight said. A loud thud landed against Carousel Boutique. Rarity peered outside the window near the table, "Eww. What is this? This best be mud! Sweetie Belle, you better not be hurling mud at my house like a little foal. This is disgusting...." Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow, along with her friends, towards Rarity. She stormed off. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo darted behind their fellow Cutie Mark Crusader, all heading into Ponyville. "Grrr. Come clean up your mess!" Rarity said with a shout, finding herself ignored. She trotted outside, hosed off the large brown spatter, cleaned her hooves, and returned to the table. Her frustration relented. Rarity sat down and looked at Twilight with a melancholic expression. "Did she turn you down again?" Twilight stared at her cup. Her ears lowered then resumed a semi-normal position. "I... I 'might' have made things worse." "I heard about the broom." Rarity said. "I can't force her to learn magic." Twilight rubbed a nervous hoof against the other. With a melancholic expression to match Rarity's, she raised her head and said, "It's wrong of me to say this, but, if Sweetie Belle doesn't learn to control her magic, I may be forced to put a dampening spell on her until it matures." Twilight's ears were met with silence where she expected to hear a gasp, "To be blunt, that's the last thing I want to do. A unicorn without magic can be severely ostracized, just like a pegasus who can't fly. To put Sweetie Belle through that kind of ordeal -- again, that's the last thing I would want to do." Carousel Boutique remained quite as Rarity rubbed a semi-nervous hoof along the rim of her teacup. "Indeed. There was a filly I went to school with for a short time that abandoned her lessons, outright hating magic from the rumors...." Twilight's eyes glanced toward the semi-ornate clock that hung on the opposite wall, and then rose to her hooves. "Thank you for the tea." "My pleasure. We should try these little 'get-togethers' more often." Rarity said. "I'm certain things will turn around soon. I'll believe in Princess Celestia's words, how matters will take their own course and all." Twilight said. Rarity gathered the dishes and placed them in the sink. Water trickled down into the cups before flowing into the drain. She turned off the faucet, "I don't like asking this, but do you mind keeping an eye on Sweetie Belle today?" "I don't mind, though I do feel it's wrong to spy on her." Twilight said. "Ordinarily, I wouldn't have a problem, however, I caught her singing to a bunch of candles last night. The way those flames changed color and all, I'm worried they were trick candles from that house of wax shop here in Ponyville. I fear some pony might be playing a harsh prank on my little sister, making Sweetie Belle believe she has control over her magic." Rarity said as she turned to face Twilight. "I'll watch over Sweetie Belle today. I promise." Twilight said. She illuminated her horn and teleported into Ponyville, several ponies trotting along the streets. Her presence ignored, Twilight scanned the area then bolted into the sky and into a cloud. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo made their way through the streets. "I can't believe Pinkie Pie tried to pin that mud ball on me. That was one lame dirty joke." Sweetie Belle said. She chuckled to herself before resuming her pace alongside Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Under a quiet breath she whispered, "Anyways, how's 'it' going with you two?" The three fillies maintained their stride, proceeding down Mane Street. "Ah made it ta four hundred Apples, but twelve of em hit mah poor flank. 'She' won't be happy until ah hit a thousand. Tell mah big sis to prep Granny's fluffy pillow." Apple Bloom said, leaning in close to her friend. Scootaloo whispered, "Felt like my wings would fly off with both of them drilling me. Between that 'grace and elegance' routine and my 'power and strength' training, it ain't easy. Rainbow Dash has been pretty cool though. She helps me to relax after those hard days." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stopped. Sweetie Belle faced her friends, moving backwards a few hoof steps before coming to a complete stop. "By the way," Scootaloo said. "Why ya so cheery?" Apple Bloom said, completing her friend's statement. Sweetie Belle grinned at her friends. She tapped the moon pearl that hung gently against her neck. "Want to know?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came closer. They gave a heavy nod. "I have a mentor too." Sweetie Belle said with a cheery smile, "Please keep it a secret though." "Who is it?" Apple Bloom said. "I can't say. To be honest, I had my doubts at first, but my mentor helped me so much." Sweetie Belle said. With a devious smile flashed towards her friends, she motioned a calm hoof at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The two came closer as Sweetie Belle whispered, "No fortune telling, Apple Bloom. We'll meet up at the club house." Apple Bloom grumbled then chortled at her friend before raising a concerned hoof, "Ok, Sweetie Belle but watch it. I've got a bad feelin' here bout today." "You've been sayin' that for the past week." Scootaloo said. "Can't help it. Somethin' hasn't felt right all week long. Even Princess Luna said things are off for her." Apple Bloom said. The three slammed their hooves together, smiled, and then departed in opposite directions. Twilight, concealed in the cloud above the street, flipped onto her back. She glanced toward the Ever Free Forest, watching several clouds gather around it. "Zecora is the only one who lives in the forest. Discord better not be playing tricks on Sweetie Belle. Still.... " *** *** *** Calm, sweet air met Sweetie Belle while she trotted down the dirt pathway, the faint dirt road lined with several flowering trees. Her ears and eyes were met a silent, empty Cutie Mark Crusader club house. The door closed securely behind her, Sweetie Belle reached into a nearby box, grabbed several candles, and placed them on the table. Her eyes darted about. She closed the curtains. Gaze focused and mind cleared, Sweetie Belle hummed a tune. Flames birthed into existence, their purple flames brightening the darkened club house. "Hello? Apple Bloom? Scootaloo? Are you there?" Sweetie Belle said. Sweetie Belle blew out the candles then calmed her breathing. She emanated a quiet slow sound to herself, almost inaudible. The semi-dark room illuminated itself as she opened her eyes, the unicorn filly's nocturnal gaze staring at every corner of the floor and rafters. She ended her spell, followed by a shrug. "Where are you? I know there's some pony spying on me. Show yourself!" Sweetie Belle's hoof shot up, pointing towards thin air. Wind rustled past the club house. An apple dropped onto the club house's roof, the loud thud resounding throughout the small space. Tense moments passed before Sweetie Belle lowered her hoof to the wooden floor beneath her. "Why am I so jumpy?" She said to herself, shaking her head from side-to-side. Sweetie Belle practiced a few notes, watching the flames rise then fall. "It's not like Cantare asked me to keep my training a secret. Maybe I shouldn't --" Sweetie Belle glanced toward the door. With a melodic "come in," the door opened by itself while her horn glowed. Apple Bloom's eyes fixated on the candles' purple flame while she sat down. Scootaloo shut the door behind her before sitting down on the oval rug near Sweetie Belle. "So, what do you think?" Sweetie Belle said with a cheery grin, "Isn't it neat?" Apple Bloom scratched her head then looked back at the candles. "Purple flame candles? Don't they sell those things at the house of wax shop?" Sweetie Belle, after a quick smirk, cleared her throat. Her voice remained calm while she illuminated her horn, causing the candles' flames to turn red, blue, and then back to purple. "What's up with the voice?" Scootaloo said, receiving a firm jab to her side from Apple Bloom. "Why you little -- I mean, I'm just curious. That's all." "I think my mentor said it's an 'essence based, vocalized magical attribute.'" Sweetie Belle said. Bewildered looks were tossed her way. She tapped a hoof against her chin. "From what I learned, my magic was just part of the problem. My mentor said my voice needed to be in harmony with my magic. Not to mention my talent is a rare one she thought lost some time ago. If I keep at it, I might become even better than her." Sweetie Belle motioned to her friends. She trotted outside with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo behind. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo watched their friend tap a medium sized rock outside the club house before she cleared her throat. "La..." Sweetie Belle said in a soft fluid tone. The three watched the rock fly into a nearby tree, embedding itself halfway into its thick base. "Took me forever to get to where that didn't hurt my voice." "Most impressive," Scootaloo said. "Scoot, what's goin on with ya? Did ya hit your head or somethin'?" Apple Bloom said as she eyed her friend. "Ya been talkin' funny since I met up with ya near Sweet Apple Acres." "What do you mean what's up with me? Whatever..." Scootaloo said. The club house door opened, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stared toward the ramp. Air near the door rippled, much like heat waves off a hot roof. Eyes formed from nothingness. "Twilight?" Sweetie Belle said, watching the mare materialize. "You were spying on me? Why?" "How?" a voice said. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle stood in place; each remained frozen where they sat. Apple Bloom, her eyes flashing for a second, turned to Twilight. Her eyes crept upward, leaving Twilight's almost solid image. "Sweetie Belle? Where did you learn that spell?" Princess Celestia said. The Ruler of Equestria descended to the ground, landing on graceful hooves. Teary eyes guided her to the three fillies. "That was Philomena Cantare's spell." Sweetie Belle's tail curled around her hooves. She stood then bowed to Princess Celestia. Her brow furrowed as she rose up and turned toward Twilight. "Why did you spy on me?!" "Please, I must know. Where did you learn one of Cantare's most powerful spells?" Princess Celestia said. She stifled her teary eyes. Soon, a strict gaze met Sweetie Belle. "..." Sweetie Belle turned away, biting down on her lip. "Sweetie Belle," Princess Celestia said in a firm voice, "I, Princess Celestia, the Guardian and Ruler of Equestria, demand you answer my inquiry." "Princess?!" Twilight Sparkle said before she backed away. Princess Celestia's mane flowed in the calm, windless moment. Apple Bloom let out an audible gulp. Scootaloo looked on with a blank expression. Twilight extended a hoof then promptly retracted it. Sweetie Belle shivered. She placed her hoof on the moon pearl around her neck. With a slow deep breath taken, her eyes shot upward toward Princess Celestia. "I learned it," Sweetie Belle's determined gaze remained firm as she stared at the large mare in front of her, "from Philomena Cantare. Actually, she didn't teach it to me. I imitated it after watching her." Princess Celestia shook her head before she turned away. "No! It's the truth. She's taught me so much. I even saw that 'candelabra' you gave her. There was writing on it. 'Forever my friend. Forever --'" Sweetie Belle said "'in my heart. Thank you for being there.'" Princess Celestia's said. With dilated, widened eyes she faced Sweetie Belle once more. "No, that's. That's not. Show me. Show me where she is right now, Sweetie Belle." "I'm sorry," Twilight said to Sweetie Belle with a saddened tone. "I had to make a report to Princess Celestia. Queen Chrysalis is running rampant right now. Equestria is in danger." Apple Bloom's eyes flashed. She turned to Sweetie Belle then followed behind as Sweetie Belle galloped into the Ever Free Forest, the group finding themselves at the entrance to a medium sized cave. Sweetie Belle hummed. Darkness remained. She hummed louder, but the darkness refused to relent. In frustration, Sweetie Belle grabbed the branch of a nearby tree, groaned while illuminating her horn, and caused it to alight in a brilliant purple flame. "Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle said. "I'm sorry. That's the first clear vision ah had this week." Apple Bloom said, backing away from the group. "Please, Princess Celesta." "Sweetie Belle, how dare you lie to me." Princess Celestia said. Her narrowed vision relented before she turned away from Sweetie Belle, "This is a dire situation, and I do not have time for foalish games. Until I can ascertain things, you are confined at Carousel Boutique. I will notify Rarity and your parents of this deception." Sweetie Belle's back tingled, a cold chill running down her spine. She slammed her hooves into the ground. "I swear I didn't lie. Philomena Cantare helped train me. How can you say I'm lying when I knew her spell." "I don't know. But you can't be trusted." Princess Celestia said. "She was there. I know it." Sweetie Belle darted into forest's darkness. Apple Bloom's eyes flashed, and she rocketed after her friend, letting out a quick and violent "no."