//------------------------------//
// L54 
// Story: A little loopy. 
// by FaelaArts 
//------------------------------//

Sweetie dashed home quickly, diving into her saddlebags. Pulling out the spellbook Celestia gave her, Sweetie turned to the shield spell, and cast it. After a moment, she sighed, melting into her bed.

“Sweet release from headaches, hello.” Sweetie was still having trouble maintaining the spell, and she had been using the lower level one to this point. Sweetie slowly lowered the power of the shield, making sure she could maintain it from now on. Looking to the ceiling, Sweetie folded her arms behind her head, and pursed her lip.

‘Twilight said this spell is infinitely powerful, able to continue to grow well into Alicorn level, possibly even beyond. I hope she’s right.’ Sweetie sat up as a letter appeared above her, and opened it with her magic. Reading it, she smiled. Good, the Princesses were on their way. Sweetie had made sure not to tell Twilight or Rarity she was looping this time. Sweetie had even attended class.

“Alrighty, so now I just wait for midnight. Which is in...six hours.” Sweetie groaned, and flopped back on her bed. Silently, she wondered if there was a time-speed-up spell. Scratching her flank, she used her magic to pull out one of her books, already read, and opened it to read. Soon enough, she began to lose track of time, and it was ‘time for bed’.

“Goodnight Rarity.” Sweetie allowed herself to be tucked in, smiling pleasantly until Rarity closed the door. Flipping open her book, she closed her curtains, and waited. Soon enough, both Celestia and Luna appeared in the room. They were followed by a confused looking Cadance and Twilight.

“Good Evening Sweetie Belle.” Celestia bowed her head, and Sweetie pulled out Twilight’s looping note, handing it to the Alicorn. Soon enough, Cadance was caught more up to speed, thanks to Twilight’s notes. Sweetie looked to the four, and breathed in. There was a building hope in her chest. Would this be it?

“You know the spell right?” Twilight tilted her head, and Sweetie nodded, pulling it out. Spark, a small spell that jolted someone. It could be used to restart hearts. Of course, it would take the four a while to fully recover, but it was the best option they had. Sweetie politely talked with them, watching the clock slowly tick down.

“It is time.” Sweetie opened her window and door, cautious even without Philomena in the room. Watching the four, she gulped as their horns began to glow. After a moment, they all slumped, and the clocked ticked over. Sweetie watched their bodies like a hawk.

12.00

12.01

Sweetie pumped the air, the bodies were still there. Sweetie called upon her magic and cast the spell. Slowly, the four gasped to life, coughing as their bodies slowly uncurled, spasming as they recovered from their brief death. Luna was the first to stand, and she quickly cast a spell, checking to see if there was another version of her.

“There is indeed a second version of me at Canterlot. We are in the next week.” Luna helped Celestia and the others up, and Sweetie felt herself feel something she had been trying to quell. Hope had come true! Sweetie felt tears fall down her face, and didn’t care. She was so happy, now she wouldn’t have to loop alone.

So alone.

“I don’t feel too good,” Cadance groaned, holding a hoof to her forehead. All turned toward her, and Celestia smiled warmly.

“I am sure it will pass. I too feel slightly ill.” Celestia glanced to Twilight, who was looking at them strangely.

“That’s strange, I don’t feel-” Cutting herself off, Twilight’s eyes widened as a bright purple shield materialised around her, paper thin, and shattered. Pivoting, she pointed a hoof at Sweetie, and screamed as she tried to call upon her magic, and failed.

“Sweetie! Get out of the room!” Twilight’s voice called Sweetie into action, and she dived toward the door. One step, Cadance was starting to gray. Two steps, Twilight collapsed to the ground beside Celestia and Luna. Three, all four began to gasp for breath. And five, just one step from the door, they all stopped breathing. Sweetie stopped, and closed her eyes, bowing her head as she heard them collapse into ash. Collapsing, she covered her head with her hooves, and began to sob.

“What was different?” Sobbing, she repeated it over and over again. Eventually, her cries quieted, and she heard a sound in the hallway. Standing up, Sweetie stepped into the hallway, and looked right. Blinking, she immediately recognised Opal but the mouse was something that filled her with instant disgust and revulsion. Opal was tossing it around with her paws as the poor thing squeaked, fear in it’s black eyes.

“Hey!” Sweetie shouted loudly,  running forward to try and stop Opal. Opal glanced toward her, and grabbed the mouse in her mouth, biting down and snapping it’s neck. Sweetie stopped, and bit back her words, shocked by the action. Opal dropped the mouse, licked her paws, and walked away.

Sweetie walked back into her room, closed the door, and broke down crying again.