A flash from the inside of the library illuminated the place making the alicorn mare and little pegasi appear in the lobby.
Scootaloo shaked her head to dispel the dizziness from her.
“Now then Scootaloo follow me to your home” Twilight wasted no time to take the little filly back to her place, with no delay.
“Wait, wait!” shouted Scootaloo shaking off her hoof from Twilight “There is no need to hurry, Twilight” the little filly was annoyed on how much Twilight wanted to fulfill her order.
“But I was instructed to take you home” replied the lavender alicorn, feeling the urge to fulfill her task.
“You don’t have to take me there already” insisted Scootaloo, sitting in her haunches, looking at her friend.
Twilight was about to say something when the gem of her crown in her head glowed for a moment and faded. The princess of friendship remained quiet.
“Uhm, Twilight? what's wrong?” Scootaloo was a bit worried about the pony in front of her didn’t move an inch from her place.
“I have to obey my new master” droned Twilight with a blank expression and a distant gaze to the other side of the room.
“And who would that be?” asked Scootaloo, curious and worried, tilting her head to have a good hearing upon the answer.
“Scootaloo” stated the alicorn mare without delay and hesitation. Causing the little pegasi to hung her mouth open in surprise.
Scootaloo began to feel anxious upon Twilight's answer.
“No, I said I didn’t want to be part of this, so why should she be obeying me?“ she wondered to herself and then she stop cold from her pacing, “I already told them that I am not going to participate with this and that is what I am going to do” Scootaloo nodded to herself and decided to leave the library to escape from the ghost of temptation.
She reached at the door to leave the library but she then noticed that Twilight didn’t move an inch to stop her. The orange filly felt worried to let Twilight just like that, of course she could just let her stay in that place until somepony could arrive and find her there but that would imply that they might free the alicorn princess from her hypnosis, making her remember what happened to her and her friends back in the chamber bringing serious problems to her and the rest of the crusaders.
“Twilight, where is Spike?” Scootaloo was wondering if she could let her in his capable claws.
“He is sleeping upstairs,” replied Twilight looking at her new mistress, “do you wish to see him?” she then offered looking to see herself useful.
“Uhm, yes?” the little filly replied, feeling very uncomfortable of the fact that Twilight is following her orders.
The lavender alicorn began to walk to the upper level of the tree house while Scootaloo was submerged in her thoughts thinking in a good way to tell the little dragon about Twilight’s condition without revealing everything that is implied.
Telling him half the truth would be good, Making him believe that Twilight has decided to give the little dragon some vacations allowing him to have her as a personal maid even.
Scootaloo nodded to herself at the idea. That way whenever somepony ask Spike about Twilight he would tell them the story she made for him, she just needed to tell Azrael later about this and then everything will be fine.
the two ponies passed the door of Twilight’s room, where Spike sleeps as well, and began to climb the stairs directly to their bed.
From some point in the stairs, Scootaloo thought that something was out of place here, since it was noon, but when she reached at the top to their beds it seemed all clear why would Spike was still sleeping at this time of the day.
There he was, standing in his crib looking to the window, with his mouth open and a dripping of drool forming a puddle in the blankets, in his claws he held firmly a gem that shines with it’s own light.
“I should have known,” Scootaloo groaned, placing her hoof in her forehead as she began to think in a way to free herself of this. “Azrael!” she then shouted hoping that he would appear to solve this.
Nothing happened, and the little filly now had to take care of two entranced slaves by herself.
“I guess that I should take that gem from Spike, but how am I supposed to do it?” looking from any angle, Scootaloo didn’t know how to take it without the possibility of being entranced herself or injuring spike in some way.
“Spike can you hear me?” she kept a look in the little dragon for any response but he didn’t made any,.not even a blink of an eye.
Scootaloo was a bit worried for Spike since he might be starving or with the need to use the bathroom and such.
“Twilight, do you know what that thing is?” Scootaloo raised her head to expect that Twilight might know what the gem could do and how to shut it down.
The princess took a few steps to look at her mistress and to give a look at the gem.
“I’m sorry my mistress, I don’t know about this gem. I found Spike in this way when I woke up this morning” replied Twilight, looking apologetic for not being that much useful to the orange pegasi.
“Twilight, don’t call me like that, I am not your mistress” stated Scootaloo, clearly annoyed by the title, that she didn’t want to carry. “Okay then, Twilight take the gem from his claws, carefully” the little filly instructed, with luck Twilight won’t be enchanted in the same way as Spike.
With the magic from her horn, Twilight levitated the relic from Spike’s claws and placed it in the drawer next to her bed.
Spike still remained dazed without moving a bit from his position, but a reaction from his eyes and claws made the little filly to believe that he regained consciousness.
“Spike?” Scootaloo tried to talk to the dragon once more if he could hear the little pegasi. “Can you hear me now?” she asked leaning her face closer in case he would whisper.
“Yes, I can hear you” replied bluntly Spike, gazing his eye upon the orange pegasi.
Scootaloo released her breath, that had been in her throat, in relief knowing that the purple dragon was able to respond.
Now the thing was to make sure if he had his free will or would he be a slave with no other way out but to obey.
“Do you know who I am?” the little filly needed to know what would Spike think of her.
Spike began to think in his response and smiled to the little filly.
“Well. you’re Scootaloo my friend,” replied Spike, causing the little orange pegasi to smile, “and my new mistress” he added, causing the smile to snap in the moment he mentioned it.
“Uugh!” Shouted Scootaloo frustrated marching down the staircase of the bedroom to be at the dining room.
Spike was confused and decided to follow her, while Twilight just did it in case the little filly would need something from her.
“Mistress Scootaloo, wait” the little dragon rushed to be next to her.
“No!” shouted Scootaloo, trying to flee away from her two servants, which, she didn’t want to have.
Little Scootaloo didn’t hate to be in charge of two servants because of what happened with Rainbow last night but because of the lack of the real attention and care of it and the same would be in this situation.
After all these servants only look for their master’s happiness but never for the happiness and wealth of themselves.
Rushing to cross the door and to leave those two behind was her only solution. Not caring in the slightest if they followed her back home or the possible ponies that would watch the whole commotion.
just as she reached the door a golden light blinded her, causing the orange pegasi to stop in cover her eyes from the blinding light. After a few seconds Scootaloo regained her sight and notice that in front of her was the three horned maroon stallion.
“Why in such a hurry, Scootaloo?”
The little filly knew who it was but she still lifted her head to meet the pony who was in front of her.
Azrael glared at the filly, smiling at her with his wide grin, “are you going to answer me, little one?” he asked again noticing Twilight and Spike from behind the little pegasi, the latter seemed nervous.
Scootaloo smiled with glee to see Azrael, “boy, I sure I'm glad to see you here, now you can take care of these two” she replied, and then glanced to the two that were behind her.
“Sorry Scootaloo but I can’t, I’m only here to find a… Special book, that Twilight possess” Azrael began to trot to Twilight’s personal library from the upper level of the Golden Oak library.
“Can’t you just free them from their trance and then leave them be? After all, my friends don’t need them or any other pony to have them as servants” Scootaloo replied with anguish in her voice wondering what could he be doing here if not to let Twilight and Spike free from their mind prison.
Azrael began to chuckle at Scootaloo’s question and continue to his search for said book, only stopping to notice a glare from Spike.
“You leaved too soon to know what happened back in the chamber, and besides why would you feel bothered having the almighty alicorn princess Twilight and her assistant as loyal slaves?” he then asked back.
Scootaloo was now confused by what the stallion just said and pondered in her mind of what could’ve happened when she left.
“Where is Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo was desperate to hear any other answer that wasn’t in her mind. Anything, from sleeping in the cloud near her favorite lake from gone to her usual training sessions in the Wonderbolt Academy.
Sadly, it was the answer she thought it was.
“She is with Babs Seed, servicing her in whatever she needs and commands,” replied without hesitation the maroon stallion, levitating all the books one by one until he found the book he wanted. “Here it is. Now if you excuse me I need to re-read one of my favorite books” he added as he walked down the stairs once again to the main room of the library.
Scootaloo was frozen for a moment and then rushed towards the stallion.
“What do you mean with that?” she demanded to know of the situation of her idol and friend.
Ignoring the fact that she was still followed by her unwanted servants. Scootaloo needed to hear an explanation of why Babs was having Rainbow as a servant? The little pegasi thought that it would be common sense to all of her friends to let the cyan mare go and not mess with her until all of this would end.
“It’s just as you heard, Babs has placed her relic in the two pegasi to have them do her bidding” explained Azrael, looking at Scootaloo in the eyes.
A thought crossed in Scootaloo’s mind like a sonic rainboom, what if they remain as servants forever? will they be able to continue with their lives like Rainbow joining the Wonderbolts? Or Rarity making dresses? as the same for the other mares that are serving her friends.
“Azrael?” Scootaloo just needed to ask and to know if this will end as the same way it began. “When will you take the relics and free everypony from their control?” she then braced for a possible burst of anger and some shouting, but nothing like that happened.
The three horned stallion grinned widely and looked at the little filly, something in his eyes made Scootaloo shiver through all her body.
“That is not of my concern” he whispered with a small hint of malice in his voice.
Scootaloo was about to ask why of his intentions but the stallion disappear in a flash of gold.
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Walking through the streets of the town, Sweetie Bell and Rarity took a stroll to the famous bakery of Sugar Cube Corner.
Sweetie really wanted to invite Apple Bloom and Babs to come along, but Babs wanted to spend the time in the sky, since she now had the chance to do so with her new slaves While Apple Bloom decided to return to Sweet Apple Acres to continue with farm labors. Boring.
the two sisters arrived to the sweet shop, which for their luck was empty.
“If it isn’t my two favorite white unicorns,” chimed Pinkie happy with a notepad on her mouth. Who knows how she managed to speak so well with something in her mouth. “What kind of cupcake you want to eat? because, I know, you wanna have one” the pink mare added as she awaited for their response.
“please feel free to choose whatever you wish Sweetie, my treat" Rarity was eager to please her little sister with anything she desired.
“I would like the chocolate with white chocolate chip cupcake” ordered the little filly, smiling innocently.
“Okie-dokie, and for you Rarity? The usual? Or you're feeling with hungry for something special?” Pinkie then look at her friend for her request in sweets.
The fashionista had to look to her little sister for permission since she never heard that Sweetie Bell told her that she could eat.
Sweetie gave a small nod that Rarity took as granted, “yes, Pinkie dear, I would like a strawberry berry cupcake" ordered the fashionista with a smile.
Pinkie smiled pointing down the orders in the notepad and jumping happily she returned back the counter to begin preparing the orders.
After enjoying their delicious treats, Sweetie Bell began to tap the table with her hoof, deciding to use the collar upon the pink mare and last of Rarity’s friends.
“Is something bothering you mistress?” Using the honorific that Sweetie made her to say when they were alone, Rarity was concerned with the scrunched face of her little mistress.
“Wait here” ordered Sweetie Bell as she rose on her four hooves walking to reach the collar on Rarity’s neck and summoned another black collar for her next slave, and moved quietly to the kitchen.
Pinkie Pie was busy organizing the the supplies to notice the little filly’s approach from the public area.
“Guess I should buy more maple syrup, in order to replace all that I drank myself” noted Pinkie with a giggle while she continued to make inventory check.
Slowly but sure, Sweetie made her walk towards Pinkie. Of course there was no need to act like a smuggler, or somepony suspicious, when Pinkie would never thought about being turned in a slave by her.
“Oh, hey there Sweetie, do you want more cupcakes?” asked Pinkie Pie, noticing the white filly approaching her, with a smile of her own, “I can gladly give you more” she offered with interest.
“Actually Pinkie, Rarity wanted to give you this collar for being such a good friend” said Sweetie Bell offering the collar that in some point of the walk to the pink mare changed into a blue collar with one yellow gem in form of a balloon.
“Aww, that is so nice of her,” replied Pinkie as she held it in her own hoof, adjusting it in her neck to get the right size. “How do I look?” asked Pinie making a pose.
Sweetie could barely contain her laughter as she enjoyed how clueless was Pinkie Pie of the situation that was about to happen.
“Pinkie, you will find that obeying all my orders, without hesitation, are very fun and pleasant” ordered Sweetie Bell with a smirk looking at her new acquisition.
Pinkie’s collar emitted a bright glow indicating the order was made input in the pink earth pony, “I sure will enjoy being at your service, Sweetie Bell” Pinkie look at the little unicorn with an eager expression, ready to obey.
“Pinkie, call me mistress” corrected Sweetie, smirking at her new slave and to the thought of the possibility of adding more slaves to her own group.
_______________________________________________
Apple Bloom enjoyed the day, relaxing in a chair from the porch of her house while Applejack and Big Mac where working in the orchard and taking care of the yellow filly’s chores that were always her thing to do in the farm.
The little filly knew how important was to maintain the farm and family business, even if she had all this power to use it upon her family to become her slaves to entertain and serve her with all kinds of things she requested. But priorities came first and she didn’t want to be the member of the family that ruined an Apple farm just because she was being selfish with her own needs.
After a good time of working Applejack arrived towards Apple Bloom and bowed before her, “We finished all the apple bucking, mistress, Big Mac is placing them at the barn ready to pack them up and deliver them” she informed to the little filly.
“Excellent, continue with the usual proceedings and return to service me” ordered the yellow earth pony with a smile.
Applejack nodded and returned to help her brother with the packing and place them in the crates for their deliver for the usual sale and others for the preparing for their always known baking and recipes.
Little Apple Bloom didn’t know much about the business of the apples since she was still too young to know everything about it. but only using the correct words could make the job easier for her to feel relaxed with no problems of the farm, after all, Applejack and Big Mac knew very well what to do.
“would ya’ care fer more apple pie?” Granny Smith offered to the little filly with a bow of her head.
“really appreciated, Granny" replied Apple Bloom, taking the plate with her own hooves.
The elder mare then stood next to the filly awaiting for her next command while Apple Bloom enjoyed her dessert.
Apple Bloom enjoyed all of this now that she could relax from doing tedious chores and being treated as a mere child from her big sister, Now she can consider herself as a grown up mare that can take care of the farm, with the help of her family of course.
from the time she was eating her slice of pie she considered to have more ponies to help in the farm and to serve her as new slaves, a good idea indeed. Those new ponies would never mind to do it for free. With the power of the lens would made them happy to obey everything she tells them to do.
Winding her eyes and leaving her iris as small as little dots, Apple Bloom realized something.
Did she really thought that? was she really going to enslave more ponies for her own gain and need? those questions fall onto her like a cold water through her back, Apple Bloom pondered her head to know when she was this greedy with power.
Then she felt the revelation inside her mind. It was because of the relics! Azrael have warned them of the need of greed to her and her friends, to make them all go after more ponies to enslave them.
Apple Bloom felt awful and didn’t finished the rest of the pie, realising that what she was doing wasn’t right and that she had to stop it.
The little filly then decided to go with her big sister and brother to release them.
Rushing without delay she reached the barn where the two Apples have just finished packing all the apples for sale and delivery.
Applejack, Big Mac!” shouted the little filly looking at her siblings as the rushed to be in front of her.
the two of them bowed in the presence of the their mistress with the obedience they had, “What do ya’h wish from us, mistress Apple Bloom?” asked Applejack looking at her little sister.
Apple Bloom now had an idea why Scootaloo wanted to be out of this and that was why she was quitting as well, “I want ya’ll to stop following my orders” she demanded.
The two elder siblings stared at each other in confusion and glanced back to Apple Bloom.
“How do we do that?” asked Applejack, unsure how to please her mistress with such request.
Apple Bloom was now confused upon hearing the answer of her sister. Applejack obeyed without hesitation or problems all her previous orders she had made, even those that were pretty vague and not very specific.
“What do ya’h mean? ya’h only have ta’ stop doing everything Ah say, that’s all!” explained Apple Bloom, wondering if they can really do what she said and return to themselves from before of the hypnosis.
“Ah’m afraid to say that Ah can’t obey that, mistress” replied Applejack, feeling uneasy that she couldn’t fulfill her request.
“Enope” added Big Mac, shaking his head to support her sister answer.
Apple Bloom now understood the extent of her relic. Everypony that is commanded to do something they wouldn’t stop until they complete it, no matter how much it cost or how long it will take, and the words that the little filly used, to make them her slaves, were meant to last forever.
“Azrael!” shouted the yellow filly looking in the sky, expecting that the stallion would fall down from it, “mister Azrael?” she now asked but with worry in her tone of voice, the maroon stallion never appeared.
“Oh no" whispered the little filly, feeling that she has been fooled, rushing to her house at her own room to find the glasses. If one order could make them slaves maybe another one could free them from their control.
The two Apple siblings trotted behind, going to the house as well, awaiting for Apple Bloom to hear their, possible, next assignment.
They just felt a bit nervous because they somehow felt that they fail to obey their little sister.
From the first floor Applejack looked to the stairs, “Uhm, Apple Bloom? is everything alright?” Applejack was worried that they had displeased their mistress and decided to talk about it to find a way to carry her orders.
“Here they are!” a shout from the second floor resound through the stairs along with a the galloping of the little filly.
Reaching to where Big Mac and Applejack were, Apple Bloom placed her lens on and stared at her two elder siblings, “from now on you two will act as you always do before being my slaves” instructed the little filly, looking directly at the eyes of Big mac and noticing that nothing happened.
Apple Bloom took off the lens and checked them if they had been damaged but they seemed in perfect condition.
The little filly was about to give it another try when she remembered one of the downsides of the relic. It only works once with each pony.
Frustrated, Apple Bloom, had to think of what to do to release them from their mind prison.
Her options were very limited and they didn’t seemed to solve the problem without serious consequences but for the sake of her family, and for the possible danger of her friends, she needed to do this.
“Big Mac, you and Granny Smith take a rest until I say so,” Apple Bloom knew that with this they both will only attend for themselves with no need to stay still for their next order. “Applejack I need you to take me to Canterlot” she then directed to her big sister.
The two ponies in front of the little filly gave their response accepting her words and commands.
Apple Bloom’s first option was to tell Sweetie Bell and Babs to drop the relics and to never use them again but they might not want to listen, since they were the most eager to have slaves for themselves, and the other possible ending was that things won’t end well, in friendly manners.
Other point was that the slaves would might never return to their normal free will which would still be very bad.
So the only option was the least favorable on; Tell everything to Celestia or Luna and end this madness.