A MOTHER'S LOVE
PART 1
“Ya sure this is the place?” Applebloom asked as they walked into a cave deep within the everfree forest.
“Yes. Discord often spoke of this place as a source of power for him. Though I don't know what he meant by that.” Scootaloo replied as they looked around the dark cave.
“I think I do.” Twilight replied in a knowing tone. She had sensed it from the moment they entered the cave. A sinister dark magic was at work here. She however, was unable to pinpoint it's source.
“Why would he be keeping Roseheart here?” Applebloom asked in a worried tone.
To covert her of course.
A voice echoed throughout the cave which could belong to non-other than Discord.
“Discord! Give mah daughter back! Or so help meh-”
You'll do what?! Use your elements of harmony on me? Oh, I’m sooo scared! The elements of harmony ceased to be a threat to me the day dear little Scootaloo helped me gain my release!
“What are you going to do to her?!” Scootaloo asked in a demanding tone.
Dear sweet Roseheart is going to go through the same ritual I did so she can become a god like me. It will be glorious!
It was at this point and time everypony except Fluttershy exchanged confused looks while Fluttershy's expression became horrified. She had neglected to tell Twilight about how he came to be the god of chaos and disharmony. It was the part of that story she would rather forget and thought it was far too scary to tell the others.
But now, now that she heard this, she knew exactly what Discord had planned. “No! You can't! That's too cruel!” Fluttershy shrieked with tear filled eyes now much to everypony's shock.
Oh, I nearly forgot you had overheard my little tale Fluttershy, why don't you tell them how I came to be, how I, Discord, was truly born!
“Let us in on it Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said in a curious tone.
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By the time she was finished explaining everypony in the room had exchanged horrified glances.
“That's simply horrible!” Rarity exclaimed in shock and horror.
“Don't ya worry Applebloom, we'll-Applebloom? Where y'all go little sis?!” Applejack exclaimed looking around.
“Scootaloo? Hey scoots, where did you go?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a worried tone as well.
“Sweetie Belle? Oh goodness! Where have those three gone?!” Rarity exclaimed in a worried tone.
“We need to find them! Lets go!” Twilight exclaimed and the six ponies began to rush off in search of the three fillies.
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Discord paced around Roseheart grinning at her evilly as he looked at her and began to conjure up dark magic.
Discord:
♫ Little Roseheart don't you fear, your time of godhood is near!♫
♫ I will make you like me, all the power in the world you will obtain you see. ♫
♫ Stick me with me and you will never regret♫
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Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom were now running as fast they could throughout the caves looking to each others sides in hopes of finding some sign of Discord's location
Applebloom:
♫ Ah must hurry, Ah must run, hope do not abandon me yet...♫
♫ Celestia guide my hooves, help me find my daughter soon! ♫
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Discord:
♫ A dash of this and a dash of that, an eye of newt and rat. ♫
Am I adding too much or too little, who cares!
♫ Soon you will see...♫
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Applebloom:
♫ Dear Celestia, don't let this fate of my daughter come to beeeee...♫
Sweetie Belle:
♫ We need move fast if we want to save her, or I fear for little Roseheart of the fate that will occur...♫
Scootaloo:
♫ Roseheart hear our call, our love for you I know you can recall...♫
♫ You are strong like your mother, don't give in to him like any other. ♫
Applebloom:
♫ Roseheart don't give in, show that creature the pride of our kin...♫
Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo now arrived at a dead end much to their horror..
♫ This cannot be, no ah won't let happen you see. ♫
Applebloom then turned around and rose her hind legs to the stone wall.
♫ Nothing will stop me this day, nothing will hold me down, nothing will stand in my waaaay...♫
♫ ah lost her once, it won't happen again, no, it will never happen agaaaaaaaaiiin...♫
Applebloom then began to buck hard against the stone wall at first making no progress but she did not stop. Not even as her hooves began to bleed from the sharp edges of the stone wall, she continued to buck with all her might and slowly began to chip away at it and soon revealed a small hole that when looked through a path could be seen.
♫ Hold strong, hold true, Roseheart ah will be with you soooon!♫
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Discord now levitated a book in front of him as Roseheart lay on a stone slab chained down looking horrified.
Discord:
♫ Spirits of disharmony rise for your master, let your evil shine! ♫
♫ Come now, ever faster, give this filly the power of the shadows divine! ♫
♫ Yes that's it, faster now, flow through her body, engulf her soul as you did mine, let her feel the power of godhood sublime...♫
Roseheart's body began to float up now seemingly suspended by dark magic as she cried out in both fear and pain.
♫ Dark magic I call forth, from the deepest reaches of hell and from the north!♫
♫ Fill her heart with hatred and cold, destroy her will so you can take hold!♫
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Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo now were running at top speed and the faint cries of Roseheart's voice told them they were now close to her.
♫ Please don't let meh be too late, to change her fate..♫
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Discord:
♫ The magic I call forth shall obliterate...♫
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Applebloom:
♫ Element of harmony show me the way, help me save my daughter todaaaay!♫
Applebloom then placed a hoof on her element of harmony which began to glow brightly and shot a beam of light strait from itself down the dark cave which lit up a path for them.
♫ Ah'm on my way Roseheart don't you fret, I will save you yeeet!♫
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Discord lifted up a dagger from the small stone slab next to him and walked up to Roseheart's floating body.
♫ The ritual is nearly complete, now all that is left is to still that heartbeat...♫
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Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were now nearing the room where Discord and Roseheart were. They could feel the dark magic grow stronger and stronger now as they drew near.
♫ Element of harmony continue to shine, show us the way so that we can make it in time!♫
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Discord:
♫ And now my little Roseheart, you will be mine!♫
Discord rose the dagger up and prepared to strike down on her when suddenly the stone wall behind him was obliterated with a burst of magic which caused the draconequus to turn and see Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom standing in the wake of the explosion.
“Don't ya even think about it!” Applebloom exclaimed and lunged at the draconequus only for him to blast her to the side with a burst of magic.
“You are a fool to face me here! Don't you know this is where the book of dark magic which gave me my godhood is stored? You have no chance of defeating me here! My power is infinite! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!!!” Discord exclaimed with a maniacal laugh.
“Your power is no where near infinite Discord!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a fierce expression as she took a combat pose, wings spread, preparing to strike or counter any attack by the draconequus.
“With the three of us together! You won't win!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a confident tone as Applebloom recovered from the blow and stood beside her friends. “Hurry Twilight! We can hold him off, but only you can defeat him!” Sweetie Belle thought to herself hoping that even though she didn't have a link with Pinkie Pie anymore it would still reach her.
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It was at this exact moment Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up as if she heard something to which Applejack noticed. “Somethin up sugarcube?” Applejack asked in a curious tone.
“Yeah, I think I know where those three are! Follow me everypony!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and began to run down a path followed closely by the other five.
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(play “DJ Alex S. - Cutie Mark Crusaders Theme dubstep remix” now)
Scootaloo and Applebloom were now upon Discord full throttle thrusting hooves, bucking, and just about anything they could think of to keep the draconequus on his toes and unable to counter while Sweetie Belle used her magic to freeze time at random times for a few moments to help the two keep their edge against him.
It didn't take long for the draconequus to figure out the unicorn filly was behind the time freezing however. “You think your little time freezing spell will help you against me?!” Discord roared as he fired a beam of magic at the unicorn who once again attempted to freeze time only to realize too late the magic was unaffected, was blasted off her hooves through the hole in the wall, and into the cave wall outside, knocking her unconscious.
“Ah won't let you have her! She's mah daughter, and mah love for her will be what's beats you!” Applebloom exclaimed as she charged at the draconequus full speed. What happened next however even caught Discord by surprise as her element of harmony began to glow brightly. So brightly in fact it was blinding. “This has only happened once before...” Discord remarked to himself recalling when she successfully freed Scootaloo from his control.
In the next moment Discord was locked with the farm pony hoof for lions paw and claw for hoof as her element continued to glow blindingly. “How can ya do this to her? Do ya really have no love left in that cold heart of yours?!” Applebloom exclaimed as she struggled against the draconequus's strength who was trying to force her back with all his might.
“My heart was frozen from the day Celestia turned away from me!” Discord exclaimed in a hurt tone yet he had no idea why he was even feeling hurt. Then it occurred to him. It was her element. It was trying to melt his cold heart. In a panicked recoil of fear he expelled a blast of magic which knocked the farm pony back. She however recovered mid-air and landed on her hooves with her element still glowing brightly.
“So that's why. That why ya turned yourself into this monster. Ya wanted to escape the pain of rejection. Merrick, listen to meh. It doesn't have to be this way. Let mah element heal ya. Ah know it can. If you let love into your heart, you will be able to do good with your power. Think bout it, ya can use your powers to help Celestia and Twilight maintain order. Isn't that much better than an eternity in stone?” Applebloom asked in a compassionate tone.
“You would forgive me, even after I attempted to convert your daughter into a being such as myself?” Discord asked in a disbelieving tone.
“Ah don't think this is the real you. Ah think the dark power you acquired is warpin your mind. Ah have sensed it in ya. Deep down ya only want to be loved. Ah know that feelin all too well.” Applebloom replied as she walked up to Discord now cautiously but in a nonthreatening way.
For the first time in Discord's two thousand years of life. He seriously began to question what he was doing right now. This doubt grew stronger and stronger as the farm pony took each step towards him. “Is it truly possibly for a freak of nature like me, the one responsible for turning this world into my own twisted image, to be accepted?” Discord asked in a soft tone as Applebloom now stood in front of him.
“Yeah, it is. All ya have to do is let love into ya heart.” Applebloom said with a soft smile as she stood in front of him now.
In the next split second however Discord's claw shot forth, yanked the element from Applebloom's neck and knocked her away as the dark magic around him glowed fiercely now as the element dimmed and stopped glowing after a few short moments. “You little foal! Did you honestly think I would simply let myself be defeated so easily?!” Discord roared with a malicious grin.
“Applebloom! Are you okay?!” Scootaloo asked as she helped the farm pony to her hooves.
“Yeah, ah thought ah was getting through to him though...” Applebloom remarked in a saddened tone.
“There is no love left in that creatures heart Applebloom, but at least your heart was in the right place.” Scootaloo said with a warm smile then turned to look at the draconequus. “Give Applebloom her element back!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a pissed off tone.
In the next moment however Discord clamped his claw down upon the element followed by a shattering sound as it broke into fragments before their eyes much to Applebloom's horror. “You can have it back now...ha,ha,ha!” Discord said with a cruel sneer as he tossed what was left of the necklace at them which landed with a clinging sound at their hooves.
“You monster!” Scootaloo roared charging forth at the draconequus at full speed now only to get struck down mid flight to the wall which the Pegasus gave a shrill cry of pain as her back hit the stone wall and hit the floor with a thud still conscious but in pain.
“Scootaloo!” Applebloom exclaimed in a panicked yet worried tone as she attempted to rush to her lovers side only to be lifted up by the throat and choked.
“You three thought you could stand a chance against the god of chaos and disharmony?! Don't make me laugh!” Discord exclaimed and laughed manically as Applebloom gagged and choked under the grip of Discords claw hand.
Leave her alone!!!
A voice roared which caused the draconequus to snap his gaze to the hole in the wall which showed Sweetie Belle. She however had a burst of magic erupting from under her hooves.
“And what prey tell are you going to do?” Discord asked in a cocky tone.
As if in response to this question the magic around Sweetie Belle erupted ten fold at which point her form began to change. Her body grew to the size of a full grown mare, her fur color turned bright pink, her horn grew in size, and her and tail grew out into full length and had a bright white streak through her now pink hair.
Discord's jaw dropped in shock at this. “What kind of magic is this?! Your nothing but a filly! Not a full grown mare! How did you do this unicorn?!” Discord exclaimed incredulously.
Sweetie Belle looked at herself and gasped in shock. “My magic stronger than I thought...” Sweetie Belle thought to herself and gave a prideful smile now.
“How did you do this unicorn?!” Discord exclaimed as he tossed Applebloom to the side and into the wall to which the farm pony hit and fell along side of Scootaloo.
“My name is....Selena!” Selena exclaimed channeled magic into her horn and fired a huge beam of magic at the draconequus to which Discord countered with a beam of magic of his own.
For sometime the beams of magic seemed to be at a stalemate until the magic around Selena began to envelope her in a orb of pink magic at which point the strength of her spell increased exponentially which caused the draconequus to lift his lions paw now to try and even out the stalemate again.
“You can't defeat me Discord! My magic is that of a rank S unicorn in this state! And if you know anything of unicorn magic you know what this means!” Selena exclaimed as her eyes glowed with a pink magic now as she stared at him.
“Alicorn class magic...ha! You expect me to believe such dribble?!” Discord roared as he used all his power to attempt to drive her magic back but was failing to do so and was in fact losing this stalemate.
“I don't know how I was able to obtain my old form again and I don't know how long it will last, but I won't let this chance go to waste!” Selena thought to herself dramatically.
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By now the six ponies had managed to follow the same path as the cutie mark crusaders had, but stopped and stared in shock at the sight that beheld them now from afar.
“Are mah eyes playin tricks on meh or is that...” Applejack asked then jolted her gaze in the direction of Pinkie Pie who was staring in just as much shock as the others.
“How is this possible? I thought that Sweetie Belle could only gain that form when she had a link with Pinkie pie.” Rarity said in a shocked tone.
Twilight of course was already trying to get to to the bottom of this until her eyes fell upon the shattered fragments of what could be none other than Applebloom's element of harmony. “Of course! That explains it! She absorbed Applebloom's element of harmony magic!” Twilight exclaimed in realization.
“Run that by meh again sugarcube?” Applejack replied in a confused tone.
“We all know that Sweetie Belle initially came to be due to Selena's magic having s sheer will of it's own to survive right?” Twilight asked waiting for the others to nod before she continued. “Well, even though Sweetie Belle is her own filly now, her body is still composed of magic. So naturally when there is magic nearby she will absorb it when she attempts to use high level magic. And since the elements of harmony supply a seemingly endless source of magic, she was able to temporally regain her original form that she sees herself as in her heart.
“So you mean Applebloom's element was destroyed?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a horrified tone.
“Apparently yes, but I don't think Sweetie Belle realizes this. She's drawing off the remains of the element's magic.” Twilight replied in a matter of fact tone.
“Sweetie Belle! Use the recreation spell while you still have that form to recreate Applebloom's element of harmony before you suck it dry!” Pinkie Pie blurted out which caused Selena's eyes to snap wide in shock.
“I'm drawing off of Applebloom's element of harmony?!” Selena exclaimed in shock though she didn't look behind herself as she was still focusing on trying to stave off Discord.
“Duh! You silly filly! Isn't that what I just said?” Pinkie Pie replied with a grin and a silly face as she said this.
“I nearly forgot that my body was the result of Selena's magic having a will of it's own. It's only natural I would draw off other magical items around me. I was so caught up in having my old body back I forgot this...” Sweetie Belle thought to herself in a depressed tone and disappeared in a flash of magic which caused Discord's beam of magic to sail to through the hole in the wall and hit the wall in the cave which caused a massive explosion and cause the cave to collapse in front of the mane six thankfully leaving them unharmed but unable to get to the three at the moment.
“Gave up huh?” Discord said with a sneer as she noticed Selena appear over the remains of Applebloom's element of harmony.
“No, I didn't.” Sweetie Belle replied and began to focus magic into her horn which made Applebloom's element of harmony float up.
At first nothing happened but then the parts of the gem on the necklace began to all sail to what was left on necklace until they were all in place looking as if it had never been damaged.
“You can't be..it isn't possible!” Discord roared, charged at her without thinking only to hit a invisible barrier Selena had erected moments before.
“Under normal circumstances you would be correct Discord. But I’m not your average filly.” Sweetie Belle replied, closed her eyes and began to glow brightly. As her form began to revert back to that of a filly, magic flowed from her body into the element of harmony, and by the time she was back to her original form as the while filly unicorn the element of harmony radiated brightly with a warm glow. “Applebloom, catch!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as she tossed the element of harmony over to the farm pony which latched around her neck as if by magic when it reached her.
It was at this point the barrier disappeared and just after Sweetie Belle tossed the element over to Applebloom she was slammed against the cave wall by the draconequus. “How did you do that?! I destroyed it!” Discord roared in rage as he held her against the cave wall.
“Weren't you listening? I told that I’m not your average filly.” Sweetie Belle replied in a pained tone with grin despite the pain she was now in.
“It isn't possible you can't-” Discord began to exclaim until his expression changed as if he had just had an epiphany. “Your not really a filly are you?” Discord asked with a cruel sneer.
“I am!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed defensively.
“Oh no your not. It makes sense now. I don't why I couldn't sense it before, but now I see. Your entire body is comprised of magic! Your nothing more than a bundle of magic that took a form of it's own.” Discord said with a cruel sneer knowing he was getting to the filly as her eyes filled with tears.
“No! I am my own filly! I am! I have my own soul now!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a tearful tone as her eyes began to flow with tears.
“Is that what they told you? You poor creature. I am the god of chaos and disharmony. I can see the real you and what I see if a soulless bundle of magic in my claw.” Discord replied with a sneer.
“No..it's not true...it can't be...” Sweetie Belle replied in a saddened tone.
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Twilight and the others were still trying to sort through the cave in ruble when Pinkie Pie gave a sudden gasp in shock and horror.
“What's going on?” Rainbow Dash asked in a worried tone having taken note of the pink mare's sudden change in behavior.
“It's Sweetie Belle. Her soul,it's weakening.” Pinkie Pie said in a scared tone.
“How's that possible? I thought once she accepted herself as her own filly she was good for life?” Twilight asked in a worried tone.
“It's gotta be that meanie pants Discord! He's using his power to weaken her soul by making her doubt her own existence!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a pissed off tone.
It was at this point Rarity gave a horrified gasp. “And if she fully accepts what Discord is saying...” Rarity began to say but trailed off as if she was unable to say the words out loud.
“She will disappear from existence...come on everypony! We have to move quickly! Lets work double time to get through here!” Twilight exclaimed and began to move rocks at a faster rate now only for Rarity to shove her to the side.
“I will not lose her again!” Rarity exclaimed fiercely, charged a beam of magic into her horn, fired it at the pile of ruble which blew a giant hole in it, and proceeded to dash though it.
“Rarity! Wait!” Twilight exclaimed attempting to follow the unicorn only to be cut off by the falling of more ruble which effectively blocked her path.
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“Now do you see? Your nothing more than a bundle of magic. Pity though, if you had used the elements power a little longer you might have defeated me...” Discord said with a sneer as tears flowed freely from the filly now.
“I...i....I am-”
Let my sister go you foul beast!
Sweetie Belle's words were cut off by Rarity's voice as she looked over and saw the unicorn standing in the entrance to the room.
“Oh looky, it's your not real sister.” Discord said with a sneer.
“Don't you dare say another lie you dreadful creature! Nothing but lies come from the foul hole you call a mouth! Unhoof my sister at once or so help me i'll-” “Or you'll what? Last I checked I have the advantage here. My magic is limitless!” Rarity exclaimed in a fierce tone only to be cut off by the draconequus.
“Let her go!” Rarity exclaimed once more preparing to charge at Discord.
“What are you going to do? Make me new dress? Ha,ha,ha!” Discord exclaimed followed by mocking laughter.
Rarity then charged at the draconequus dodging beams of magic he shot her way by moving left and right in the room. “I don't need magic to do this!” Rarity exclaimed as she was up on the draconequus now, turned about face and bucked him hard where it counts!
Upon impact Discord's face went wide in shock then contorted in pain as he let go of Sweetie Belle whom was caught by Rarity and fell to the cave floor holding himself. “I didn't even know I still had those...” Discord said in a high pitched yet pained tone.
“Sweetie Belle, are you okay little sis?” Rarity asked in a soft tone as she held her sister tightly.
“I almost, I almost...I almost believed him!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed and began to sob loudly into Rarity's chest.
“It's okay, don't you worry. Your big sister is here now. Don't you even think on what he said, not one little bit darling. You are your own filly and my little sister.” Rarity said in a soft tone as she held her tightly.
By now Discord was getting back up having recovered from Rarity's low blow. “You...i will end you!” Discord roared at the top of his lungs, lifted both his lions paw and claw hand up, charged magic into them and fired at the two unicorns.
Rarity as if by instinct threw herself over Sweetie Belle to shield her as the beam sailed towards them expecting it to hit her any moment yet after several moments nothing happened. Curious the unicorn opened her eyes and looked behind herself to see Applebloom and Scootaloo holding hooves with the farm pony's element glowing blindingly once again which was acting as a shield.
“Discord, please, ah'm beggin ya! Don't let this happen! Ah know there's love still in ya heart! It's just buried beneath all the hatred and pain! Let meh help ya!” Applebloom exclaimed with a fierce expression as she looked at the draconequus.
“You little foal! I have no love for this world! I wish to see it in eternal chaos! Nothing more!” Discord exclaimed as his gaze turned to Roseheart whom was still suspended by the dark magic from his ritual.
“Heh,heh. Make a choice Applebloom! Your daughter....or your friends!” Discord exclaimed as he rose the dagger up with magic preparing to fire it at Roseheart's heart from a short distance away.
“Discord, don't do it!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she and Applebloom realized what he was going to do.
“Make your choice...” Discord said with a sneer and fired the knife at Roseheart which would connect in a matter of moments.
Tears of fear and horror flowed from Applebloom's eyes now as she saw the knife sailing towards her daughter. She only had a few moments to decide and despite the fact her first instinct was to defend her daughter, her love for her friends managed to override this at first. Inside of Applebloom's heart right now felt like a boat being tipped back and forth between which to choose yet it never stopped swaying back and forth. This feeling tortured her. She didn't know who to choose.
In the next moment however Sweetie Belle had seemingly appeared from no where in front of the knife taking it directly in her side. Rarity saw this and looked under herself and realized her sister was no longer there. Then it occurred to her and once it had her eyes widened in horror.
“Diamond, noooo!!!” Rarity shrieked at the top of her lungs as she stared at Sweetie Belle fall to the ground dagger still in her side bleeding out now but conscious, ran to her side, lifted her up, and held her.
“Y-You called me Diamond again...” Sweetie Belle said weakly with a soft smile.
“Why? Why did you do it? I swore to myself I would never lose you again...” Rarity asked between tears knowing what was happening.
“Discord was forcing Applebloom to choose between us and her daughter...I couldn't bare to see her forced to make a choice like that...so I choose for her.” Sweetie Belle replied in a weak tone along with a grunt of pain and a cough.
Discord stared at Sweetie Belle and Rarity now in confusion until it occurred to him. “That little mule used her time stopping spell to get in the way of my dagger...now the ritual is ruined!” Discord exclaimed in anger and ceased firing magic at the farm pony.
“Ruined? What the hay are ya-” Applebloom began to say until she had an epiphany of her own. “Mah daughter was never the target of this ritual...ah was.” Applebloom said in realization.
“You both were. With the bearing of an element of harmony and her daughter at my side, I would be invincible.” Discord replied staring at them for a few moments longer now.
“Ya mean, ya wouldn't be alone anymore...” Applebloom said in a soft tone as she stared at the draconequus.
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“Pinkie Pie! What's wrong? Talk to me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a panicked tone as the pink mare held her side giving steady short gasps and grunts of pain.
“It's Sweetie Belle...she's dying...I can feel it..” Pinkie Pie managed to say between short gasps and grunts of pain.
“How is that even possible? Ah thought when Pinkie Pie broke this here link between them they no longer felt each other?” Applejack asked in a worried tone.
“The link...was...never fully broken. We may not be able to pear into each others thoughts anymore and have our our souls, but we are still two parts of the same pony and that kind of bond is never broken.” Pinkie Pie replied once again between short gasps and grunts of pain.
“That explains why the two always seem to know where each other are and why they were so close even when they didn't have their memories back. ” Twilight said in a worried tone as she worked even harder now to remove the rocks that stood in their way in a safe manner so they could get to the others.
“Sayin for a moment I understand what's goin on here. How is it that Pinkie Pie is feelin what Sweetie Belle is?” Applejack asked in a confused tone.
“They are like psychically joined twins. They feel each others pain.” Twilight replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
“So is Pinkie Pie going to die?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a panicked tone.
“No, but she will continue to feel what Sweetie Belle is feeling until she..” Twilight began to say only to trail off unable to bring herself to say the words as she continued to move rocks out of the way.
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“You....YOU MONSTER!” Rarity shrieked at the top of her lungs as she laid Sweetie Belle down and stared at the draconequus.
“Why, thank you!” Discord replied with a sneer only for his expression to change to one of shock as Rarity charged at him horn pointed at him, pierced him strait in the chest, and pinned him against the wall followed up by a burst of magic from her horn that exploded which sent the unicorn flying backward only to recover.
Discord immediately put his lions paw hand over the now gaping hole in his lower chest which was bleeding profusely now. “Why...you....uhh...uhh...” Discord managed to say between groans before falling to the floor as blood pooled under him.
Rarity then rushed back to Sweetie Belle who was barely conscious now and held her once again.
“Is he....dead?” Scootaloo asked in a cautious tone as she looked over at the non-moving draconequus on the floor.
“Ah don't know...seems that way though don't it?” Applebloom said then turned to look at Roseheart, ran over to her, used her element to dispel the magic around her, and held her tightly. “It's okay sweetie pie. Mama's here now.” Applebloom said in a soft tone to the filly who was just now regaining consciousness.
It was at this point that Twilight who was carrying Pinkie Pie via magic and the others were now making there way into the room. “Rarity, put Sweetie Belle down! We haven't got much time!” Twilight exclaimed in an urgent tone to which Rarity obeyed without question as Twilight lowered Pinkie Pie down next to her.
“What are you going to do Twilight?” Rarity asked curiously in a half sobbing tone.
“I'm going to try to save her. I read a book a long time ago when I lived in Canterlot about a spell that can use part of one pony's life energy to heal another, but it requires the two ponies to have an unbreakable bond. The problem is this spell has only been said to be done in theory because this has never happened before till now.” Twilight said as she removed the knife from Sweetie Belle's side at which point both Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie gave shrill cries of pain simultaneously.
“Please save her Twilight! I don't know what I would do if I lost her again...” Rarity said between sobs.
“I can't promise anything more than I will use all my power to try and save her life...now stand back.” Twilight said in a serious tone as her horn began to glow brightly and shot forth a cloak of magic which coated both ponies and glowed brightly with a purple light.
“Come on Twi...” Applejack said in a soft tone as she crunched her hat between her hooves nervously.
“Come on Twilight! I know you can do it!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in an enthusiastic yet nervous tone.
Twilight's horn was now radiating a large glow of magic now as sparks spurted from it rapidly now along her strained groans from the Alicorn as she she used all her magic to cast this spell. “Damn it all! It's not enough! I need more magic! No! I won't let myself think like that! Remember what Sweetie Belle told you Twilight! A unicorn's thoughts and emotions are the source of their magic, if they let one overpower the others they can lose control of their magic!” Twilight thought to herself dramatically as she focused harder than ever now to heal Sweetie Belle.
Rarity:
♫ Sweetie Belle don't you fear, you big sister is near.♫
♫ We have always been the best of friends you and I, I have always been there for you though the dark times and the good, so don't you cry..♫
Applejack:
♫ Ah remember when ah first met ya back then, you were so full life and opposed to any sin.♫
♫Ah know this isn't your time to go, you've done far too much good for it to end like so...♫
Rainbow Dash:
♫ Don't you worry Sweetie Belle, Twilight will save you I know.♫
♫You're far to strong to let go of this world today, so believe me when I say..♫
Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack:
♫ You will never give up, you will never give in.♫
♫ We believe you in Sweetie Belle, so don't give up!♫
♫Don't you ever give uuuuuuppp!♫
Tears now flowed freely from the Alicorn's eyes as she realized she could not in fact save her and time was running out now. Sweetie Belle's breathing was beginning to slow which caused Twilight even more grief.
Twilight:
♫ I'm so sorry my little Sweetie Belle, You fought hard and you fought well...♫
♫ Though I may not be able to save you I want you to know this, you will be forever missed...♫
Applebloom then walked over to Twilight with her element of harmony glowing brightly.
♫ Twilight use mah element's power, heal her wounds in her darkest hour.♫
Applebloom's element glowed brighter than ever now as Twilight channeled her element's magic to her horn giving her a burst of magical power.
Sweetie Belle's eyes now shot open wide and alert as the wound in her side was swiftly being healed now and in a few moments time it looked as if she was never hurt in the first place.
“Sweetie Belle! Thank Celestia your okay!” Rarity exclaimed as she hugged her little sister tightly.
“Rarity! Your going to smother me to death!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in an annoyed muffled tone at which point Rarity let go of her immediately and smiled at her with a teary smile.
“Thanks to your element Applebloom, I was able to save her. Your element must be the most powerful of all the elements of harmony.” Twilight remarked with a smile.
THIS IS NOT OVER!!!
A voice roared in a demonic tone which caused everypony's gaze to snap at Discord who was floating up and surrounded by a dark aura of magic which healed the gaping hole in his lower chest.
“Scootaloo, ah want ya to take Sweetie Belle and Roseheart and get the hay outta here.” Applebloom said in an urgent tone.
“But Apple-” “Ah said do it now!” Scootaloo began to say only to be cut off by Applebloom.
“Okay, but be careful!” Scootaloo replied in a concerned tone as she lifted up Sweetie Belle, put her on her back, picked up Roseheart, flew out of the cave room, and was out of sight in mere moments.
“The seven elements of harmony against the god of chaos and disharmony. You don't have a chance!” Discord roared in the same demonic tone.
“Somethin's different bout him now. It's like any love ah felt in him is gone now.” Applebloom said in a cautious tone.
“Then lets be on our guard. This isn't the same Discord anymore everypony!” Twilight exclaimed as the others along with her prepared for battle.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Don't worry. I got you both! We'll get you back to Twilight's house and then i'll head back to Twilight and the others.” Scootaloo said with a smile to Sweetie Belle.
“I'm sorry I'm not of any use now.” Sweetie Belle replied in a weak tone.
“Hey, don't you worry about it. You just went through a near death experience. That takes a lot out of ya! Besides, we wouldn't be the cutie mark crusaders without you.” Scootaloo replied with a smile.
“Heh, thanks.” Sweetie Belle replied with a weak giggle.
Scootaloo was half way to Twilight's house when a purple Pegasus caught her eye. “Hey, it's Gina! Hey Gina, over here!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a smile and to her delight Gina seemed to have heard her and began to fly in her direction.
“Who's Gina?” Sweetie Belle asked in a curious tone.
“She's a friend of mine from flight school before I got nabbed by Discord. She's-What's wrong Roseheart?” Scootaloo began to say but noticed how Roseheart was acting as Gina grew closer and closer.
“What's wrong with Roseheart?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
“Not sure. She's acting like she's scared though. Must be because we are so high up.” Scootaloo replied and attempted to comfort the young foal only for her to go from nervous acting to frantic as Gina grew closer and closer now.
“What the hay is wrong with ya Roseheart? It's just Gina. She won't hurt you.” Scootaloo replied as she continued to attempt to reassure the foal but with little success.
It was then Sweetie Belle sensed it as if a lightning streak through her being. “Discord's magic...” Sweetie Belle remarked thoughtfully to herself and moments later her expression went panicked as she put two and two together. “Scootaloo, I don't think Gina is herself! I'm sensing Discord's magic at work here and it's growing stronger by the second!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a panicked tone.
“Oh come on, your just being over....” Scootaloo began to say only to trail off as Gina came into clear view now even though she was still a good distance away. Her fur coat was a grayed out version of itself and she was flying at them faster than she should. “Oh horseapples...” Scootaloo said after a few moments in a dismayed tone along with a feeling of dread realizing she had just alerted a servant of Discord to her presence rather than a friend and banked sharply to the left barely avoiding Gina as she attempted to spear them.
“Call out to your friend Scootaloo, yeah. She'll help! Oh but guess what? she's actually not your friend right now and wants to kill you! Ugh! Why am I such a lame brain?!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a sarcastic yet annoyed tone as she facehoofed with one hoof while keeping a hold of Roseheart with the other as she flew at top speed evading Gina who was hot in her tail...literally!
Gina took a deep breath and exhaled fire at them to which Scootaloo barely evaded the flames. Her tail however wasn't as lucky and caught fire. “My tail is is on fire, My tail is on fire!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a panicked yet comical tone to which Sweetie Belle did her best to conjure up water and put out the flames as she let out a sigh along with an eye-roll.
“Since when did she get the ability to blow fire anyways?!” Scootaloo asked in a panicked tone as they evaded another exhale of flames.
“She's either been given that power by Discord or one of her parents was a dragon.” Sweetie Belle replied in a slightly panicked tone.
“Wait, ponies and dragons can mate?” Scootaloo asked incredulously.
“I saw many offspring of dragons and ponies during the war as Selena. In fact, we even encouraged it so that it gave us more firepower against Nightmare Moon. So yeah, it's uncommon now at days, but not impossible.” Sweetie Belle replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Scootaloo banked right once again avoiding yet another exhale of flames this time singeing Sweetie Belle's mane. “Put us down Scootaloo! You can't fight her while your carrying us!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as Scootaloo barely evaded yet another exhale or flames.
“The ground isn't safe! Discord's zombie ponies still roam around down there or did you forget that? And you are in no condition to fight them off!” Scootaloo replied as she banked right once again evading flames by Gina.
“I may be weak, but I’m not defenseless!” Sweetie Belle countered in an annoyed tone.
“Sweetie Belle, listen to me! I know you have this pride of yours as this once powerful unicorn, but you aren't her anymore! Get that through your thick skull!” Scootaloo retorted in an annoyed tone.
“You don't think I don't know this?! You don't think a day doesn't go by when I think back to who I was and never will be again?! Why the hay do you think I made a deal with the keeper of souls to take my memories of me as Selena when this is all over in exchange for saving Fluttershy's life! I want to forget that life! I want to live my own life!” Sweetie Belle nearly shrieked at which point a awkward silence ensued despite the fact Scootaloo was still evading Gina with all her skills.
“I'm sorry Sweetie Belle...I didn't mean to hit a soft spot.” Scootaloo replied after a few moments in a soft tone.
Upon hearing this Sweetie Belle gave a heavy sigh. “It's not your fault Scootaloo. It's just something I’ve been dealing with everyday of my life since I got my memories back. I want to forget that life I had...it's more painful than you realize.” Sweetie Belle replied in a soft tone.
Sweetie Belle:
(Play “Long ago...” now)
♫ Long ago...♫
♫ I remember...♫
♫ I was somepony grand...♫
Sweetie Belle looked up to the sky at this point despite the action and as if by magic she could see a reflection of herself as Selena from long ago. As she looked on tears flowed from her eyes freely now as she continued to sing now.
♫ Long ago...♫
♫I remember...♫
♫ I was somepony with a purpose...♫
Sweetie Belle reached a hoof out to the sky as she sung now watching her memories play out in the sky like a live action movie of all her achievements as tears continued to flow from her eyes. A few moments later however she retracted her hoof away from the sky, placed it on her chest, turned her gaze away from the sky, and closed her eyes as tears continued to flow from them.
♫ But now I see...♫
♫ That life is no longer apart of me...♫
♫ That life was long ago...♫
♫ Out of reach...♫
♫ Far away...♫
Sweetie Belle then reopened her eyes and looked up at the sky once more but now a different set of memories seemed to be playing in the skies now. Memories of herself as a small unicorn filly playing with her friends Applebloom and Scootaloo.
♫ Long ago...♫
♫I remember...♫
♫I became somepony new...♫
♫ Somepony different...♫
♫I was reborn...♫
♫I was given a second chance...♫
In the skies now Sweetie Belle could see the events of when she first become the young unicorn she is now and how she was so angry.
♫Now I see...♫
♫I was fighting against was came to be...♫
♫I want to live my own life...♫
♫I want to be my own pony no matter the strife...♫
♫ No matter what comes to be...♫
♫I just want to be meeeee!♫
“Sweetie Belle...” Scootaloo replied in an awed tone as a tear streaked down her left cheek.
“I'm sorry...I just had to get that out..” Sweetie Belle replied in a soft tone as she wiped tears from her eyes.
“It's alright, I understand. I'll get you two to the safest spot I can find so you can get to the library safely and then I’ll give Gina some tough love!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a proud smile took a sudden dive as she scanned the ground and quickly found a place she figured was the safest location, landed quickly, handed Roseheart to Sweetie Belle, put a hoof on Roseheart's chin, kissed her forehead, and took off again after saying the words”I love you Roseheart, stay safe.”
“Take care of yourself Scootaloo, and don't do anything rash now...” Sweetie Belle remarked as she watched the Pegasus take a sharp climb up towards Gina, lifted up Roseheart with her magic though still weak, and ran off in the direction of Twilight's library...