//------------------------------// // L7A.1 // Story: Happily Loopy After // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// Sweetie turned toward her friends, and watches as one second they were there, and the next they were gone. Frowning, Sweetie’s ears flopped down, and she sighed, disappointed. Pulling on her blankets, she closed her eyes. It had failed. Her friends hadn’t come with her. But why? It made no sense, it went against everything she’d thought she knew about the loops. The next time she opened her eyes, it was already morning. Rising, she stretches, and trotted downstairs, making herself some toast while Rarity looked at her quizzically. Noticing the look, Sweetie blinked, eyes widening. This was new. Where were her pancakes? “Did your four friends go home early?” Tilting her head, Rarity grew concerned at the look of alarm on Sweetie’s face. Standing up, she forgot about her breakfast for now. “You mean you REMEMBER!?” Sweetie began to backpedal, and she dashed up to her room, slamming it open. It was then she noticed it. All her notes, all her paper planes, all were gone. Everything that had been in the room that normally looped, was gone. Her bed, her vanity unit, and some of her toys remained, but as she scanned her room, it felt...empty. “Sweetie Belle? What’s going on? Where’s your friends?” Rarity was quickly growing concerned, noticing how clean Sweetie’s room was. Where were the signs of a sleepover? Sweetie gulped, turning to look to Rarity. Tears slowly sprung to her eyes, slowly drawing half-baked conclusions Sweetie didn’t understand. “They’re g-gone.” Tears slowly stung Sweetie’s eyes as she had to draw the only conclusion one could make. Somehow her friends had been taken into the loop, but not her. Inadvertently, she had forced her friends into the loops, something she wouldn’t wish on anyone. Biting her lip, she felt Rarity place a hoof on her shoulder, demanding answers. Should she give them? Give Rarity the answers? Would she even be believed? ‘I was stuck in a time look that affected my bedroom, and now my friends are all stuck in that time loop without me.’ That was hardly believable in the slightest. But she couldn’t lie, Applejack would know. If only she had proof! “I-I was stuck in –this magic thing and I-and I was trying to get them in it too but then they got into it but I didn’t and now they’re gone and I don’t know how to get them back and I-“ crying, Sweetie began to sob uncontrollably. Rarity’s confusion only grew, and she bit her lip, looking to the room. No matter how it happened, four fillies had vanished on her watch. Moral support would be needed for what was coming next. Rarity gently stood up, and breathed in. “Don’t worry Sweetie, I’ll protect you. But we’ve got to go get everyone.” Putting on a mask, Rarity stood tall, knowing she was about to become the focal point for a lot of hate. And if Sweetie was ever to recover, she would have to be strong. Nodding, Sweetie rubbed her eyes, and tried to copy the behavior. Despite the situation, Rarity felt a flicker of pride at her sister. “Let’s go.” It had taken time, and effort, to get everypony together without answering questions. The Rich and Spoon family especially. But now, with everyone standing in her boutique, Rarity knew it was time to explain. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie didn’t understand why they were here too, but they trusted Rarity’s judgement. Breathing in, Rarity broke the news. “Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom are gone.” There was a dumbstruck silence around the room, all taking time to absorb the words coming out of Rarity’s mouth. Breathing in, she continued before they could recover. “An accident with magic happened late last night, and they got pulled into something, I don’t know what. And now we have no idea where they are. I am sorry.” Rarity got to her knees, bowing her head. It was important she chose her words carefully, lest they start blaming Sweetie for something that was out of her control. Outrage sprang out, “Just hold on a minute, what!? Where’s my sister!” Applejack was the first to rise, beginning to shake Rarity. Looking to her, Rarity ignored the tears falling down her face, keeping a strong shield up around her own emotions. She had to be strong, for Sweetie’s sake. “Gone, I’m so so sorry Applejack. I should have kept a better eye on them.” The room rocked with thunder as cries of distress and anger spoke out. Rarity remained where she was, staring into the horrified eyes of her best friend, watching as her head turned, eyes clenching shut as she tried to bundle up her emotions deep inside. Once the anger had subsided, panic set in, and her house was searched thoroughly, before unanimous cries of pain and heartache rang out. Covering Sweetie’s ears, Rarity closed her eyes, listening to it. This was all she could do to protect her sister. This was her burden to bear. A sharp pain on her cheek, and she flew across the room, landing in a heap. “Give us back our daughter!” It was Filthy Rich, tears streaming down his face with blind desperation in his eyes. Rarity looked to him sadly, and just shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” The hoof came for her once again, before he was dragged off by the mother, and out of the house. Soon enough, parties began leaving, intent on searching for their lost ones. Only Twilight and Sweetie remained behind. Taking her friends hoof, Rarity tried to smile, but could only manage a grimace. “What happened Rarity?” Her friend was just as distraught, and yet there was just a want to understand. Rising, Rarity shook her head, looking to the already grief-stricken Sweetie Belle. “I’ll tell you later Twilight. Sweetie needs me.” With that said, Rarity walked over to her sister, and brought her into a hug. “It’s going to be alright, you hear me Sweetie?” Stroking a hoof through her sister’s hair, Rarity let her tears finally fall, holding her sister, which she may have almost lost, for dear life.