//------------------------------// // My Friends // Story: My Melody // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// Successive taps came from the crystal clear window of the castle's guest bedroom. Ash colored clouds culminated over Ponyville; they crept toward the Ever Free Forest. The weak hoof Sweetie Belle raised was clutched in a gentle grasp. With a strained voice she said, "He-hello? Where. Am I?" "I'm here." Rarity said. "Apple Bloom! Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said with a bellow, her loud cough echoing in the guest bedroom. Rarity placed a firm hoof on Sweetie Belle's chest and pushed back. Bed covers were rolled over her little sister. "Please, you need to rest. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are safe. They are with Twilight right now. I'm sure both of them will be fine." "No," Sweetie Belle said. She sat up and wiped away her tears. "It's my fault." "What's your fault?" Rarity said. Sweetie Belle placed her front hooves at her sides. Her watery eyes greeted Rarity's concerned gaze. "I have to tell Twilight." Sweetie Belle fell to the floor after pulling herself out of bed, "It's all my fault! Empress Hyaline put a curse on Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They'll lose their memories when they wake up." Rarity's eyebrows raised. Her eyes dilated. She levitated the filly onto her back, bolted down the hallway to the castle's library, and placed her hoof on the door's handle. In a swift motion, she pulled down on it then pushed the door forward in a graceful, gentle manner. Inside, two beds lay side-by-side. Applejack bit down on her lower lip as she stood near Apple Bloom. Rainbow Dash hovered near Scootaloo. The fillies' hooves flailed about. Sweat came from their foreheads, being soaked up by the washcloths. Sweetie Belle placed a hoof over her mouth. "She's gettin worse, Twi. Ya gotta do somethin'!" Applejack shouted. She removed the washcloth and placed a fresh one on Apple Bloom's forehead. "Please Twilight!" Rainbow Dash concealed the tear she shed. Her stern raised hoof targeted Twilight. "You're the 'princess' of magic! Help them." Several tomes floated near Twilight, others scattered about the room. Pages turned at a furious rate. Sparks spewed forth from Twilight's horn before the books were dropped, more being levitated toward her. Twilight turned. Hooves shielded her face and eyes. She buried her head deeper into her hooves. The fresh books in her magical grasp were flung to the sides. Her attention turned toward fifteen fresh books she levitated into the air. "The answer has to be here." "Hurry Twi!" Applejack said in a quivered voice, her hooves trembling. "Ah... ah can't lose her." "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Twilight said, dashing about the room. She levitated a book forward. Its pages almost ripped from the binder, the book was flung to the opposite side of the room. "I'm sorry, but this, this spell -- if it can even be called a spell -- is out of my league. I've never seen or read of vocally linked magical abilities. If I don't get things just right, I could make them worse." On graceful hooves, Princess Celestia stopped Twilight with her wings. She nuzzled her former student before relinquishing the mare from her grasp. Princess Celestia moved toward Rainbow Dash and Applejack, and placed a kind wing over them before she looked at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. With her horn illuminated, she restrained the two fillies with a soft magical embrace. In a saddened tone, melancholic expression to match, Princess Celestia said, "This situation is dire, my little ponies. Frustration will lead to mistakes if we do not calm ourselves. Mistakes will cost us precious time, and that is something we have very little of right now. Let's focus right now, starting at the beginning." The door closed behind Rarity and Sweetie Belle, sounding like a violent thunderbolt. Eyes focused on the two. Rarity backed away, but Sweetie Belle told her to stop. Rainbow Dash flew towards Sweetie Belle then eyed her. "If it isn't the little traitor." "How dare you!" Rarity said. Her furious eyes met Rainbow Dash's glare. "Apologize to Sweetie Belle this instant, Rainbow Dash." "No," Applejack said. She moved toward Rarity. Applejack's hoof adjusted her trademark Stetson. In a firm tone she said, "Rarity, that youngin' on your back may have cost me and Rainbow Dash somethin' more precious to us than any treasure in Equestria. Sweetie Belle betrayed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She betrayed all of us, if ah recall correctly from what Twi tellin' us." Princess Celestia slammed her hoof down, "Enough!" The castle shook. Princess Celestia's eyes glowed in a fierce white light while her mane and tail flowed in the windless room. Rainbow Dash and Applejack turned their backs toward Rarity and Sweetie Belle. All eyes focused on the princess. "Listen well, my subjects. You shall not carry on the actions of misbehaving children in this time of urgency. Do I make myself clear?!" Princess Celestia said. She turned to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Her eyes glanced over the ponies near her hooves. With her tone maintained, she said, "I assume there is a reason for bringing Sweetie Belle here, Rarity?" "Yes, your highness. Sweetie Belle told me about the spell." Rarity said "And?" Princess Celestia said. Sweetie Belle hopped down off her sister's back. Her hooves wobbled. She collapsed to the cold floor before standing up. Two sets of furious eyes glared at her while Rarity stood by her side. Sweetie Belle looked toward the ponies in front of her. "I'm... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened, for what I've done. I felt so angry, so jealous about what Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had." Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity once more then turned back toward the group, "Empress Hyaline , she cursed my friends. When they wake up, they'll forget everything. She said my friends would be 'lucky to remember their own names' when they awoke." The room grew dark. Shadows culminated. Princess Luna materialized. She shook her head at Sweetie Belle. "The problem comes from Empress Hyaline's words. Your friends aren't asleep. They're in a coma." "No." Sweetie Belle said, burying her head into her hooves. "Luna, can you help them?" Princess Celestia said. "I'm sorry sister. They are beyond my reach. I fear we may lose them." Princess Luna said. Twilight resumed her search. Several books were tossed to the side. Sweetie Belle's image reflected off the polished emblem embedded in a book. Twilight glanced at Sweetie Belle, her eyes widening. "The club house. In the swamp. 'You' can undo it." "No," Sweetie Belle said, a loud cough to follow. "Yes, you 'can' do it Sweetie Belle. Even Empress Hyaline commented on your talent." Twilight said. Between intermittent coughs, Sweetie Belle said, "I can't sing. Not anymore." "This will haunt you forever..." a voice said. "Who's there?" Sweetie Belle said. Princess Celestia looked toward her sister. Applejack and Rainbow Dash glared at Rarity and the spot Sweetie Belle was in. Pinkie Pie consoled Fluttershy. Every pony but Sweetie Belle remained frozen in place. Sweetie Belle's gaze searched every corner of the room. "Hello?" She said "I'm your conscience, and I'm here to haunt you." an ethereal pony said. Her hoof stuck through Sweetie Belle's chest. She passed through the filly then floated in front of her. The ethereal pony's eyes glowed in a translucent light. She opened her mouth, hissed, and then emanated a long, ghostly wail. "Boo!" "Gah!" Sweetie Belle said. "Sorry." the ethereal unicorn chuckled. She passed through several ponies before floating near Princess Celestia. "As my dear friend no doubt told you, I can't resist a joke. The timing was 'too' perfect for this one, tee heh." "Philomena Cantare?" Sweetie Belle said with a raise eyebrow. "In the, ehh... ectoplasm I guess. Let's see if I can do this. It's been a while since I stood on my own hooves." She said. Serene light glowed around Cantare's corporeal body. Manifested hooves touched the ground, and she moved toward Sweetie Belle. "I will dispense with the jokes little one. Indeed, as tia's little sister said, your friends are in grave danger." Sweetie Belle trotted toward her sister, poking the mare in the side. She and Cantare laughed as Rarity fell over. Sweetie Belle let out a heavy cough as the sky-blue, ghostly unicorn mare came closer. "What Empress 'bug breath,' as your friend eloquently put her, doesn't realize is your real power." Cantare said. She face Sweetie Belle, "This is your lesson, my dear. A real lesson. Unlike that pretender." The two sat near Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Philomena Cantare looked the two fillies over, nodded, and turned to her protégé. "Imagine a powerful river. Now, think about a lone pony who finds it. The pony dips a bucket into it, sips on the water, and then builds a home near that river. What you see is Empress Hyaline. She can tap into power, but she can't harness its true potential. Your friend Apple Bloom is proof of that." Cantare said. "Wait, how do you know her name?" Sweetie Belle said, looking at Apple Bloom. Philomena Cantare tapped a gentle hoof against the pearl around Sweetie Belle neck. "Moon pearls are sacred not just for their beauty. All of that being beside the point right now, I believe it's time your true power awakened, and the world of Equestria heard your talent. 'Your' real talent. Please tell tia I said hello. Also, please tell her that she shouldn't be harsh on Princess Luna for what she and your friend did." The thread to the moon pearl snapped. Around Sweetie Belle, the world resume its course. Applejack and Rainbow Dash argued with Rarity, despite Princess Celestia's harsh words; Pinkie Pie consoled Fluttershy while Princess Luna conversed with her sister; Twilight Sparkle attended to Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle looked between her front hooves to see the once brilliant moon pearl turn an obsidian color. "Now," Sweetie Belle said. She gulped. After one final deep breath and exhale, she nodded to Twilight. Sweetie Belle inhaled and illuminated her horn, "HUSH NOW! QUIET NOW! IT'S TIME TO LAY YOUR SLEEPY HEAD!" Her melody barely continued before Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's eyes thrust open. "Sweetie Belle, knock it off! We're trying to sleep." Both said in unison. Silence. Applejack and Rainbow Dash's mouths hung open. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna turned toward the beds. The two fillies from the magical embrace, and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo jumped down. Both smiled at their friend. "Why are they starin' at us like that? No, Empress Hyaline!" Apple Bloom said before being grasped in a heavy bear hug. "AJ. AJ stop! Your crushin' me." "Help me!" Scootaloo struggled to say through Rainbow Dash's heavy embrace. Sweetie Belle gave a slight smile to Twilight, receiving one in return. Princess Celestia approached Sweetie Belle. She towered above her. A final tear fell from her cheek before she wiped her teary eyes. "It appears your talent came to fruition at just the right time. You have done a great deed by rescuing your friends, Sweetie Belle. Something I believe none of us could accomplish." Sweetie Belle bowed to Princess Celestia. She faced the princess then titled her head. "If you don't mind me asking, is Philomena always such a prankster? I thought she had come to reap my soul or something, straight out of one of Twilight's scary books. O. Before I forget. Cantare wanted me to tell you she says hello. She also said to not be harsh on Princess Luna and Apple Bloom." "Why would I be harsh on my sister?" Princess Celestia said. Her eyes gravitated toward the floor. She looked at the stone near Sweetie Belle's hooves. "Luna... where did Sweetie Belle get Philomena Cantare's necklace?" Princess Luna emanated a slow, quiet whimper as her ears lowered. Apple Bloom backed away, turning to one side to avoid Princess Celestia's harsh eyes. "You let my sister read those atrocious novels?" Rarity said. Twilight avoided Rarity's stern gaze. "Eh, heh heh... well -- Sweetie Belle, how did you do that?" "Ah knew you weren't a traitor. Ya tried to protect us all. Tell em." Apple Bloom said, winking at her fellow crusader. "I doubt they'll believe me" Sweetie Belle said. Rarity placed a hoof under her sister's chin, smiling at her. Sweetie Belle, a smile given in return, raised her head. "Empress Hyaline whispered to me that she would destroy Ponyville and enslave the ponies of Equestria if I didn't become her student." "The fate of your actions will be decided at a later date and time, my little pony. You three have done exemplary work, however, it is not your place or duty to protect Equestria from such a threat." Princess Celestia said. She glared at Princess Luna. "Little sister, I will remind myself to chat with you about using fillies to assault a foreign place of peril, and, I will also remind myself to teach you the consequences about taking things that don't belong to you." "The things we do for our protégés." Princess Luna thought to herself as the ponies separated. She winked at Apple Bloom, her student nodding back. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo huddled together while the mares discussed their plan for a counter-attack. "Apple Bloom. Scootaloo. I'm sorry about what happened." Sweetie Belle said. "It's in the past." Scootaloo said. "What matters is the future." Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo faced Apple Bloom. In unison, they said, "What now?" "Sweetie Belle, ah think you are the one to stop that bug." Apple Bloom said. She snuck a quick peek, watching Twilight leave the room. Apple Bloom turned to her friends and said, "In mah heart, ah knew that moon pearl was meant for ya. Probably heard the rest where me and Princess Luna kinda 'borrowed' it from Princess Celestia's jewelry box." "Heh, no wonder she told me to tell Princess Celestia not to be harsh on you two. You're lucky I'm in a good mood right now." Sweetie Belle said. She looked up then turned toward the group. "So, what's the plan?" "Right on time." Apple Bloom said, her eyes flashing a few seconds afterwards. She motioned to her friends. The cutie mark crusaders made their to the door, soon being stopped by Applejack as the mare slammed her hoof down in front of them. "Ah just need to hit up the little filly's room. Yesh." Apple Bloom said. *** *** *** The Cutie Mark Crusaders exited the library. Apple Bloom crept down the hallway. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo followed behind. Apple Bloom peered around the corner, grinned, and tackled a mare gazing through a door's keyhole into the library. "You say anythin' and we'll rat ya out, Queen Chrysalis." Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stopped in their tracks. They turned to each other then faced the mare with widened eyes. "Little brats!" the disguised changeling said with a whisper, "I would ask how you knew I was here but it would make little difference. What do you want?" Sweetie Belle moved forward. She nodded at Apple Bloom. "It's time for a deal. Don't laugh at me. I'm serious. QUEEN --" "Hush! Keep your stupid little mouths shut." Queen Chrysalis said. She lowered herself to eye level with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "My hive is in a situation where I can't afford to play games. State your point." A devilish smirk given, Apple Bloom led the group further into the castle where they arrived at an ornate crystal door. She opened the door. "Twilight," Apple Bloom said. The ponies made their way into Twilight's personal study. She glanced at the small door to the bathroom, "Twilight, come on out. We got a plan." Twilight exited the bathroom, sighed, and sat down near the group. "Sweetie Belle is right. You aren't fun in regards to hide and seek. Who's this?" "Twilight, can ya create a shield around us so it looks like we aren't here?" Apple Bloom said. The shield surrounded them. She nodded. "Good, ah have a plan. It's gonna be tricky though. Chrysalis, you're going to return to the hive." "That's a stupid plan," Queen Chrysalis said, materializing her true form. She stood up, "I will not allow myself to be involved in a foal's plot." Twilight stood up and illuminated her horn. She growled at the changeling queen but stopped as Apple Bloom shook her head. Twilight sat down. Apple Bloom smirked then tapped a hoof against her head, "Who's the one with the 'future sight' ability here?" Queen Chrysalis grumbled, sitting back down. "My dear 'grandmother' nullified your ability when I spied on you back at the hive." "Not anymore. Thanks my run-in with her, up close and personal like, ah get what Princess Luna was telling me. Still, this won't be easy." Apple Bloom said. "What ah need ya to do is tell Empress bug breath is that Sweetie Belle will face her in the Ever Free Forest swamp. We're gonna have a showdown with her." "In good conscience, I can't allow you three to do this." Twilight said. Her eyes glanced down the hallway before she closed the door to her personal study. She stared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Rarity and the others may have my flank for this, but I believe you are right, Apple Bloom. You three are the only ones who can save Equestria right now. We've never faced a potent power like Empress Hyaline's, and she could incapacitate us before we can get one hoof off the ground." Time ticked away on the clock near the fireplace. The clouds that culminated over Ponyville moved into the distance over the Ever Free Forest. With a final "ok" given by Apple Bloom, the ponies and Queen Chrysalis dispersed. *** *** *** Sweetie Belle trotted into the swamp. The obsidian colored moon stone secured around her neck, she made her way into the clearing. Off to her left, the indentation left in the ground by Empress Hyaline and Princess Celestia's brief clash remained. Clouds squished against each other in the sky. The light dimmed. Silence came. Sweetie Belle looked up to see a hole form in the clouds. Empress Hyaline descended to the ground on graceful, misshapen hooves. "My, my, my. Have you really come to surrender to me?" Empress Hyaline said. The hole in the clouds closed behind her. "You might as well tell your friends to come out. My granddaughter is such a horrible liar." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo emerged from the darkness. They stood in front of the creature, their gaze unwavering. "Pray tell, do you really think three foalish little fillies can defeat an all powerful changeling empress? I must say, that alicorn amulet my granddaughter spoke of sounded rather impressive. Pity that you aren't wearing it." Empress Hyaline said. "I don't need it." Sweetie Belle said. With a hushed tune to her voice, she said, "La..." Empress Hyaline's eyes widened. Her hooves wobbled. She collapsed to the ground then shook it off. Her pearl white fangs exposed, the empress soon towered above the fillies like a giant. "Stupid foals. If it's a battle you want, then it is a battle you shall have!" Scootaloo winced. Her wings extended. She rocketed into the air as Apple Bloom darted behind Sweetie Belle. The Cutie Mark Crusaders maintained a steady count in their minds. Empress Hyaline's wings buzzed. She tugged on her hooves. Thick mud engulfed them; it wrapped around her hooves, encasing them. Her wings buzzed faster, to no avail. "Now!" Twilight shouted as she bolted from the darkness of the woods. Scootaloo continued her steadfast, rocketing ascent. Sweetie Belle closed her eyes. "Twi, she's getting ready to sing." Apple Bloom said as her eyes flashed. Twilight's horn glowed in a ferocious light. A heavy magical sphere enveloped the changeling empress as she began her song. Cracks formed in the sphere. It bulged. It groaned. The magic bubble burst. "Now," Empress Hyaline extricated herself from the mud and stood in front of the ponies, "I am going to enjoy siphoning all of your power. Wait, where's that pegasus?" Sweetie Belle concentrated her magic. She continued her song while sweat poured from her forehead. "Not yet," Apple Bloom said. She looked at Empress Hyaline, "Can ya please say 'Aiyee' when you go flying?" "You haven't won this battle, and I will do no such thing!" Empress Hyaline said. "Now!" Apple Bloom said. Scootaloo whizzed by. Sweetie Belle sang. The air remained silent for a few brief seconds before Empress Hyaline chuckled. She watched Scootaloo return to the side of her friends. In an arrogant tone, she said, "Was that it? That filly flew by me? Did she place a 'kick me' sign on my back? Maybe some other. Stupid. Little. What is that?" Twilight casted a sphere around her and the cutie mark crusaders. A smaller sphere levitated near the empress. "When we aren't in danger, remind me to tell all of you why compressing a sonic boom and dissolving the magic around it like this is 'extremely' dangerous!" Twilight said, reinforcing the defensive bubble. Sweetie Belle ended her magic and smirked. "Boom" The small sphere cracked. An explosion rocked the area. Empress Hyaline flew into the air, smashing into a solid mountain behind her. She landed with a thud on the dirt near the mountain's base. "It doesn't matter. I can heal myself with my voice." Empress Hyaline said with a shout as her ears continued to ring. She watched the ponies trot up to her. Her eyes followed the necklace Sweetie Belle placed around her neck. The black stone turned dark red, changing into a final amber color. Empress Hyaline prepared to speak but heard her voice crack as her hearing returned. She watched in horror as the stone turned to dust, it's debris floating into the wind. "A gift from Cantare." Sweetie Belle said. "I. Don't need. My voice." Empress Hyaline coughed heavily. She growled. Her hooves struggled to move. Ghostly, amber colored flames surrounded her. With her horn ablaze she said, "I will steal your abilities and make them my own." "No. You. Won't." The Cutie Mark Crusaders said one after another. With a unison voice they said, "We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and we will stop you." Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom witnessed a bright light envelope them. Apple Bloom pointed her hoof. Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and illuminated her horn as Twilight's horn began to glow. Scootaloo flew into the air. Sweetie Belle cleared her throat. "Fillies. I, Empress Hyaline -- one who has fought countless battles and rose supreme as the progenitor of my species -- will be defeated by a group of fillies!" Empress Hyaline thought to herself. Scootaloo whizzed past just as Empress Hyaline rose to her hooves. The changeling's horn snapped at its base from the solid hit Scootaloo landed. Apple Bloom nodded to the friend at her side. Sweetie Belle sang a lullaby, her horn's aura enveloped the remainder of Empress Hyaline's horn. "You brats! Look what you've done! My beautiful horn." Empress Hyaline said. She collapsed to the ground, her eyes fixated on the broken portion of her horn. Twilight, with a slight tune in her voice, illuminated her horn. She glared at the changeling, watching Empress Hyaline quiet down. "I'll have to study this a bit further. Vocalized Magical Abilities -- I mean, this is neat." The Cutie Mark Crusaders stretched their hooves. Apple Bloom smiled. "This is out of the blue, Sweetie Belle, but I'm still willing to take you on. I wouldn't mind learning about this magic myself." Twilight said. Sweetie Belle nodded, receiving a firm hug from Twilight. After being released, she said, "What happened back there?" "Yea, that was awesome." Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom nodded to her friends. "We'll find out later, heh heh." Twilight felt a chill crawl up her spine. She lowered herself to the ground as Princess Celestia entered the swamp with the others behind her and a platoon of soldiers. "What am I going to do with you Twilight? I thought you had better wisdom." Princess Celestia said. She looked behind Twilight, seeing Empress Hyaline asleep. "Be that as it may, thank you for protecting Equestria." "No, it wasn't me." Twilight said. She motioned a gentle hoof, and Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat down in front of her, "It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Through their combined effort, 'they' defeated a powerful foe and protected Equestria. I just provided... some... 'support.'" Apple Bloom's eyes flashed. She pointed a hoof at a unicorn stallion near Princess Celestia. "Hey, don't you go hidin' there. Tell the truth about Sweetie Belle. Right now, Chrysalis." Green flames consumed the stallion's visage, and Queen Chrysalis sighed. She made her way over toward the collapsed empress. "Why should I keep my word?" "Chrysalis!" Apple Bloom said. "Consider me in a good mood." Queen Chrysalis said, turning toward the group in front of her. "Sweetie Belle, the one accused of treason, is innocent. I overheard with my own ears about Empress Hyaline's plot to assault Ponyville in a surprise attack. She would consume the power of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and then proceed to conquer Equestria. As promised, I have upheld my end of the bargain. Also, as per the condition of my," Queen Chrysalis groaned," 'arrangement' with Apple Bloom for the work of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the changeling empire shall leave Equestria alone, for now." Apple Bloom's brow furrowed. She turned to see a green flame dissipate as Queen Chrysalis vanished. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash trotted up to the three fillies. The three mares nodded at each other. "Ya'll might have saved Equestria." Applejack said. "Which is totally awesome." Rainbow Dash said. "But you three are grounded!" Rarity said. The Cutie Mark Crusaders let out a collective sigh, being ushered back to Ponyville. Princess Celestia, a quiet "thank you" given to her departed friend, teleported Empress Hyaline to Canterlot's dungeon.