Derry Wilhall is now living a rather special new life as Silver, his once stuffed animal pony. "She" has been having a better expectance at life and has made firm friends with Twilight Sparkle and Spike and she is still trying to avoid Rarity's insistance to get her together with Big Mac. Besides this, there are many mysteries still left untold, many revolving around the strange Giga Sparkle. How will they be explained, and what is this about a statue?
Ya, I put "The Empire of Blood" on hiatus to make the part 2 just to please you all. SO WORSHIP ME! MUAHAHAHA *thunder*.
"Mmmmm. A comfy bed...but so fluffy. And why is it re--"
"What's the matter, darlin'?" a masculine voice asked.
I awoke screaming really loudly, my body drenched in a cold sweat. I was staining the bed Twilight had made me a couple months ago, and my yell apparently startled Spike so much that he had shot out of his bed like a bullet and was now clinging to the walls with his teeny lizard claws. I took a quick glance around just to be certain that it really was just a nightmare.
"Damn it, Rarity," I cursed under my breath.
Living with Twilight in this horse body was fine and all, but having Rarity trying to hook me up with Big Mac just because of a simple misunderstanding is REALLY...grating on my nerves. I'll confront her about it. Eventually. In the future. Within the full length of time.
"Y-you okay, Silver?" Spike strained to ask me through his still trembling body. He had landed back onto his bed but was still stiff as a log. Almost looked like a frozen cat, actually.
"Yeaaaaah..." I rubbed the back of my head, already forgetting I had no fingers. "Just one of those...uh...typical-yet-disturbing nightmares." I grinned sheepishly at him.
"W-well, I guess you got me ready for later," he chuckled.
I stared at him with dull eyes. "Ready? Ready for what?"
He blinked at me several times, giving me a weird face. Preeeetty sure it was disgust. "Nightmare Night. You know, the one night in the year where we can around everywhere getting free candy!"
"Oooh. Right. Halloween," I chuckled.
"Hallowhat?"
"Nothing!" I blurted. "You're not going to dress up as a dragon, are you?"
Spiked blushed in embarrassment. Much to my not-surprise he did indeed do this. Ugh. Who could've thought that this world would even have a Halloween. I learned of it from Twilight Sparkle after there was a lot of back-and-forthing concerning the giga-sparkle. She's as rap...rapap... opportunistic as a vulture, so she thought it would be smart to take me to her 'secret lab'...which I would air-quote if I had any fingers. Where did she even get any of these machines? I thought these people were medieval. That unicorn needed to scan my...cutie mark -whose name I despise for being too frufru- to see if she could find my gigasparkle in there, but she could only find traces of it. It really seemed like it was dead, something that...created a pang in my guts, almost like I lost something precious to me. Like someone hacked at my soul with a pickaxe. While the true Silver might've been dead, she at least gave me a second chance, something I wasn't going to waste. I became somewhat familiar with the two giant horses that tried to kill me, but I won't trust them worth a damn after what they tried to do without warning. It felt like the blue one was trying to be friendly, but the white one felt weirder. As far as I know they're both the same, just with different colors!...and one with a giant butt. Being around the blue one felt...wrong somehow. I couldn't quite explain it.
"Silver!" a voice called out. Twilight teleported next to me. "What happened? Why did you scream?" she yelled in a panic.
"Nothing." You weirdo. "Just a nightmare...induced by Rarity," I said through clenched teeth. She gave me a single laugh in response. A laugh! "What?"
"A nightmare on Nightmare Night. Must be a sign of good luck!" she teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Or bad."
Twilight snorted. "Don't be so pessimistic. It's just a night of fun, a night you need to get ready for."
"This early in the morning?" I complained.
"Don't question her ways, Silver," Spike warned. "She'll literally make a list about lists."
"Yo dawg," I thought to myself in olden.
I sighed. "Fine. Gold on." I get out of the bed and started stretching, producing multiple cracks all over my body crowned by a single, long, and very loud crack. "And that's the sign of a good night's rest."
"Stop doing that," Spike complained. He was sticking his tongue out and had a hand on his belly. An opportunity!
"Do you mind if I just do a bit more...stretching?" I asked as I gave him a side glance.
"No wai-" He was interrupted by a loud crack and clamped his hands to the sides of his head. "Gross!"
I stood on my hind legs, threw my fore into the air, and gave the best diabolical laughter that I could. Twilight, meanwhile, had prepared breakfast, although...eugh. To say she wasn't that good would be polite. I think charred wood might've tasted better than this. Spike and I forced the food down our gullets, then when Twilight wasn't looking, dumped everything out of the window above the sink, giving her innocent-but-nervous smiles when she returned. After confirming that we 'loved' her 'delicious' food, we went to Rarity's for the costumes. She had already started them some time ago and we were going to get them. I chose to go as a pony made of blue crystals with emerald green eyes, preferably made to look like the actual rock. That said, I wasn't looking forward to going to that annoying puffball. My heart may be opening better thanks to Aloe and Lotus -whatever that meant- but that didn't mean I was going to accept the white one and her annoying mannerisms.
When the doors of hell opened, a familiar chill ran down my spine as I could feel Rarity's evil eyeing me from afar. The ground was plotting against me! And the stairs were the most nefarious of schemers! Little shits! This weird magic world probably works like that. I mean, my plushie came to life, after all. Rarity's shop still looked beautiful though, and I could see her adding the finishing touches to a few outfits. Mine was there and looked just how I wanted to, much to my actual pleasure...which is an odd thing to think. Something I wanted that I actually got. How...fun? There was a costume that looked like the white pony and one that...I don't know. Was it a dog? A dragon? Wolf? Whatever it was, I had my costume and that's what counted. Twilight thanked Rarity who, of course, ha to get them to leave so she could be alone with me.
"Now, about your costume," she started. "I still don't know why you didn't want one to attract Big Mac"s attention."
I lost it. My pupils shrank and I started gritting my teeth. I lifted my forelegs at Rarity and stomped the ground. I hated doing this, but she wouldn't leave me alone, and I had been having to deal with this crap for long enough!
"Okay...I've had it."
"What--"
"You see these hooves, Rarity? I will put them around your neck, and then I will lift you in the air and throw you in an Ursa Major cave. I could also wring your neck, but that wouldn't give me any satisfaction," I growled.
She put a hoof to her neck and gulped. I didn't know how I looked when I was mad, but I always hoped I looked at least a bit intimidating.
"You know...you could have just asked me to stop--" I cut her off.
"I'VE BEEN ASKING YOU FOR TWO MONTHS! LET IT GO! You shouldn't be the one who decides about my personal life." I huffed. "Please, just stop it. Give me my costume. I want to leave," I said.
I tossed the dress over my back and stomped out of the shop. Rarity stayed in place, rubbing her neck. She forced my h...oof. I might've gotten used to this female body and its differently functioning anatomy, but I was still me. I've been feeling strange since the real Silver was...killed, but that doesn't mean I was going to change like that! The way I acted sometimes made others call me a feminine mare, tch. Yeah right! I was sure I was going to regret blowing up at the fashion pony, but she had to learn like that or else she would've never left me alone!
Ugh. The next stop was Pinkie's bakery. Forgot the name. That was fast. I facehoofed. Seeing the town, though, really showed how much they liked this celebration. I saw some teeny weeny itty bitty of white and brown that I could've sworn was a chihuahua for a second, all giddy about Luna coming back. Pfff. Twilight told me she would come back as Nightmare Moon when nobody was expecting it just to scare everyone. I forgot to ask what a 'Nightmare Moon' was and didn't really care to ask later. Opening the bakery door flooded my nostrils with freshly baked scents as we greeted the Cakes while they prepared a batch of holiday treats for tonight. The babies were being put in their costumes by their mother, but they were rather fidgety and fighting it.
"Already getting dressed up this early?" I thought to myself.
We found Pinkie upstairs dressed up as a stereotypical present dousing herself in confetti and stringy things.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"I'm readying for my 'present explosion!" she announced. "And hello!"
"H-hello..." I stammered. "And what present explosion. What for?"
She scoffed at me and rolled her eyes. "When I've gotten tons of candy, and it's the end of Nightmare Night, I'm going to make it all explode into the air as a surprise! A Pinkie ending to this great holiday."
I felt excitement! Rare! "I can't wait to actually see that!"
"I knew you would!" Her smile softened. "And what are your costumes?"
Twilight stepped in. "Wait that we get dressed and you'll see, and sorry if we're kicking you out of your room. We didn't want anypony to see our own costumes yet and--"
"Not at all!" Pinkie interrupted. "Just hurry up. I want to see your costuuuumes!" she said. Sounded like she really needed to go to the bathroom.
She bolted out of the room and slammed the door behind her long after she had disappeared from sight.
"Well then, let's get started!" Twilight said excitedly.
"You really are going to do that," Spike sighed in worry.
Twilight rolled her eyes in a way that I didn't think was possible. Almost looked like they went back into her head. "Of course I am, silly! I've been preparing it for a year! I can't wait to use it in field testing!"
"You what?!" I shouted.
"Let's start with Silver, then."
"Get away from me, you psychopath!"
She teleported the costume onto me, stunning me. It felt slightly leathery and very tight for something that was meant to evoke crystals. Since the weirdo was going to do it anyways, I closed my eyes and got ready for the inevitable. Twilight's horn glowed bright, and I felt the costume starting to tighten around my skin.
I reopened my eyes to see that Twilight was staring at me proudly. 'Look' she had said whilst pointing to a very conveniently placed, tall mirror. It was impressive, to say the least. I really looked like a pony made of crystal. My mane was more crystalline, leaning to the rear and spiking upwards towards the end. My tail looked like a scaled crystal and my body took on a more angular and sharpened look with some sharp, thorn-like protrusions here and there. I jumped to Twilight and gave her a big hug, thanking her for the work, then I let go after realizing what I was doing.
"Oh! Sorry, Twilight. Look at w hat you did, though. I look like a crystal pony!"
The unicorn took in a deep breath after getting over the pain she just felt from the spikey protrusions of my new body. " "Well, I'm glad to know that you at least like something." She turned to Spike. "Now it's your turn."
"Awesome!" he shouted.
I admired my new look until I saw some strange ruby grab my hood. It was Spike who had himself turn into a fire ruby dragon.
"Cooooool," I said. I sounded a bit...stoned. Hee.
Spike seemed really excited about something. "I know, right? I bet Rarity is going to love m-yyyyy new costume." He caught himself.
i cast a disinterested face as I patted him on the shoulder. Another flash blinded my peripheral vision, and I got to see a tiny version of Celestia mixed with Twilight.
"So?" she said. Likely expecting a reaction. "Do I look like the princess?"
"Yeah. You do," I grumbled.
Spike rubbed his chin as he walked around her, analyzing every little detail. "Wait, do those wings work?" he asked as he pointed to them.
Twilight chuckled. "Well, I can move them but I can't fly with them. Um, does the rest look okay?"
"It sure does. You look exactly like her." I moaned, something that didn't escape Twilight. She was frustrated at my response but apparently didn't want to fight since she didn't pursue me.
"Don't forget that this spell only lasts for the night," she warned.
"Okay," Spike and I replied.
I opened the door and clenched my chest when I saw Pinkie Pie right there, bouncing up and down in eagerness. I think I might've gasped all the oxygen out of the atmosphere. She seemed to be 'awesomed out' -as she put it- when she saw the spell Twilight had cast on our costumes. Spike was really eager to show his to the marshmallow what he looked like. All that was left was seeing the other three. I'm more curious as to whether or not this Nightmare Night had anything to do with Halloween or not. I wonder what the candy is?
It was finally night, and everyone was roaming about with their costumes on. Rainbow Dash had chosen to dress as a Wonderbolt, and Applejack chose to be -ironically- the apocalypse pony of Famine, like I told her about. She might not have fully liked the idea, but even she had to admit that the costume and the irony of it was a giant pizza covered in awesome sauce. Big Mac, on the other hand, had chose to dress as Death. War would've been more appropriate considering how massive he was...fat ass. I couldn't see Fluttershy anywhere, and Rarity was completely absent. I wanted to say I felt bad about how I yelled at her, but that was only partially true. At least she wouldn't annoy me with Big Mac being around.
The ponies were still setting up a massive stage in front of the town hall while Spike and I decided to wander about, bloating our egos amongst all the ponies with our cool costumes and the spell that Twilight cast on them. Finishing touches were done on the games whilst we -the gem duo- strutted our stuff. Unfortunately, they had yet to finish, and I was mad about that. Wanting to know what was so important, I followed Spike towards the crowd gathering in front of the stage, moving up next to Twilight in the process. Gray smoke erupted from the stage, producing some confused muttering in the crowd.
The zebra from the first day I had arrived here 'magically' popped up on the stage, likely by a trap door. Pfff. They have magic and they're still using parlor tricks. The tiny foals shouted and whined in fear, and I understood. She looked like a charcoal-black zebra-creature with bright, red eyes and incurved fangs. Her mane and tail ebbed and flowed, twitching about randomly like someone was holding them and moving them about manually. I had to admit, I thought that was pretty cool. At least someone else here was using the magic element they were all surrounded by!
She started talking about Nightmare Night whilst explaining why the little ponies had to give her candy. Eating their souls? Smells like a 'trololol' if I didn't know any better. That teeny tiny one...uh...the spotted chihuahua -whatever his name was- still seemed very eager to go to the Everfree Forest to give whatever candy he was going to get. Not sure why he would be eager to lose all his tasty treats for something stupid. Zecora further explained that, at the end of the night, when their bags were full, that they would each give a small portion to Nightmare Moon in return for not being eating, repeating what she had said earlier...in rhymes. She bid everyone a good Nightmare Night and the audience slowly dispersed around. Pinkie Pie was the first to hop around between games with the foals to gather candy as well. I waited next to Twilight and Spike.
"Soooo...what do we start first?" I asked after a moment of awkward silence.
"I don't know." Spike shrugged. "Want to do the water tank?" he suggested.
I raised a brow. "Water tank?" I repeated.
"Yeah! You know: Throw a ball, hit the target, drop the pony into the water," he explained while miming the actions.
I gave him the best 'evil' look and laughter I could muster.
"Um, are you okay, Silver?" Twilight asked me.
"Where the water tank?" I asked her gleefully. I made sure to show her my full row of teeth.
She hesitated to answer at first. "It's over there." Twilight pointed further down the road. "I'm going to go see Applejack and Big Mac while you two have fun," she said.
Spike and I waved her goodbye then ran like crazy people towards the tank as fast as possible. There were lot of banners, floating crystal lights projecting 'spooky' shapes like bats, and temporary chewed-paper statues were all over the place. Made a lot of colors of blues and blacks and oranges. Not many ponies had gotten to this part of the festivities yet, so we had gotten first dibs! Spike missed all three times, and seeing his rage filled me with conviction...and possibly also determination. I mean, after all, I was very good at throwing things at people's heads!...When I had hands.
"Don't worry, Spike!" I declared with as much bravado as possible. "I'll git that target for you!"
He crossed his arms and scoffed at me. "Sure you will. You'll get it on the first try too, I bet."
"You mock me? When I shalt smite this target?!" I clenched the ball firmly in my hoof and took a deep breathe. The yellow ball rose high into the air when I stood up on my hind legs. "And yay, did I throw this here holy hand grenade.
The ball flew through the air and hit the target on the side. The impact was strong enough to push it back, throwing the stallion expecting a dry and eventless night to fall into the water. Spike stared at the target, slackjawed.
I strutted around him in response. "And the princess did grin, and the ponies did rejoice!" I declared.
He looked at me and crossed his arms angrily. "Yeah yeah. That was just a lucky shot. You wouldn't be able to do that again."
After hearing the little lizard's challenge, the stallion climbing out of the water looked worried, but I wasn't interested. Still, I saw an opportunity and looked over my shoulder to stare at him, then the target that had been pushed back into place by the owner.
"How about we try bobbing for apples now? You know, something a little more relaxed," Spike suggested.
I shrugged. "Sure. Why not? Could be cool."
Spike snorted and looked at me with pride. "I don't mean to brag, but, I'm a pro at bobbing for apples."
I grinned. "Like you're a pro at aiming?"
Spike play-glared at me and stuck his tongue out. It and the rest of his body shone more brightly as the moon became more visible.
"Oh yeah? Then you try and grab one apple before I do. How about that?" he stuck out his hand.
I placed my hoof in it and he shook it. "Challenge accepted!" I said.
Unfortunately, this game wasn't free of people. There were plenty of ponies around, and I couldn't recognize any of them thanks to their disguises, not that I could. since I barely knew anyone here. We were growing impatient and about to leave when one tub finally freed.
I turned and faced Spike. "May the best win!" I declared.
Spike and I high-fived -because my way of saying is the best way and your opinion isn't valid- just before smashing our heads into the water, dousing the nearby crowd. I started laughing after realizing that, and bubbles started surrounding my head as I bounced up and down. I needed a good breather and hiccuped when I laughed. Unfortunately, that lucky dragon got an apple on his first try, taking it out of his mouth just to lean against the side of the tub with a big grin on his dumb face. It somehow didn't tear when he rubbed it on his scales to polish it, then took out a big bite. I was getting angrier and angrier because I couldn't grab the apple, and Spike just kept laughing at me. That wasn't helping!
I smashed my crystalline hoof in anger, shaking with intensity until a giant stood next to me. It was Big Mac.
"Y'ain't gon' get an apple like that," he said. "Gotta go n one movement. Quick in 'n out. Like this." His head dove in and plucked an apple right out without him getting wet. "See?" he said.
I snorted. "That's just because you work with apples all the time..." I shrugged. "But I'll give it a try." It took a few attempts but I had finally succeeded in getting one out. "Thanks, Big Mac!" I yelled.
"Ain't no problem worth thankin' me fer." His calm face switched to concern. The giant began to look around. "Ah believe Twilight was lookin' fer ya," he said.
I was taken aback. "You recognized me even like this?" I asked.
He just stood his ground and. "Eeyup," he said in deadpan.
That was...a strange sensation of 'flattery' that popped up. Being a mare is doing something to my brain and I don't like it. Perhaps Rarity was onto something. Gross. I shared the news with Spike, and after some roaming we eventually found Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight.
"You called us?" I asked Twilight.
"Oh, yes! We're going to watch the little foals give some candy to the Nightmare Moon statue," she explained.
Annoying. "...And you called us for that?" I asked with distaste."
"Well, yeah." She rubbed the back of her head nervously. "That's the best part about this celebration."
"Uh huh..."
Rainbow looked me and Spike over before talking to us. "Awesome costume,, Silver." She looked to Spike and pointed at him with a wink and a grin. "You too, little buddy."
"Thanks. Yours looks cool too," I answered.
Spike looked down in sadness. "I just wish Rarity was here to see mine," he wallowed.
I frowned and turned to Applejack. "So you took my idea? Didn't expect you to use Pestilence of all of them."
The farm pony laughed. "Figured it'd be a proper bit of scary irony for a farmer. Done went and nearly gave Granny a heart attack. Chased me out of the house with pots 'n pans after she realized it was me."
After a short laugh, we went to a group of little ponies waiting impatiently after Zecora called everyone. We still spoke of our costumes and the reasons for us dressing up like it. Gave interesting insight, but as we talked I realized that teeny weeny was there, bouncing around almost as enthusiastically as Pinkie Pie...Dear God no. Not a second one!.
The trip took us to a clearing at the border of the Everfree Forest, where a huge statue of that Nightmare stood tall with bared fangs. Do horses even have fangs? The foals were all invited by Zecora to drop some candy at the foot of the pedestal. Some were too terrified to even move forward and had to be goaded by their friends.
I leaned in towards Twilight to whisper to her. "Now what?" I asked.
She just smiled. "You'll see," she whispered back.
Everyone here but Spike were smiling. Devious little monsters. At least Spike had a normal response to this, even though Twilight still technically considered him a 'baby' which makes literally no sense. Thunder erupted out of nowhere, startling me, and mist started to creep in from beyond the foliage. Foals were starting to panic and whine when a voice erupted from the air, like the forest itself was talking.
"You come for me to feed?" it yelled. "Excellent! I have not had one since the last Nightmare Night! A fine delicacy of souls for me abounds this darkest of nights!"
The foals were huddled together, trembling, and looking around for the source of the voice. Only that teeny weeny one stood firmly in place outside of the sheep herd. Giant dragon eyes formed within the mist and looked down at the foal, both eyes three times his size. He pointed to the statue, and they followed the movement.
"We brought you candy, your majesty," he declared.
The eyes stared at the candy, then whomever owned them began laughing whilst a body formed in the mists in front of the tiny creature.
"Good! This is good," it declared calmly. "But I believe eating one of you will be more than fair this year." It laughed maniacally whilst thunder clapped above.
It started chasing after the screaming colts and fillies running away from her in tears and panic but let up when they were far enough away. Laughter came from its fanged maw again whilst its form 'melted' off leaving Luna in its place. The tiny one seemed all happy and quickly hopped towards her for a greeting.
"Hello, Luna," I said while being careful to not fully explode in anger. "I see traumatizing children is fun."
Luna chuckled, annoying me. "Oh, it's just a bit of harmless fun." She waved a hoof. "They weren't actually harmed." She took a long look at me before resuming her speech. "Nice spell for your costume, and Twilight. You dress up as my sister?" She put a hoof to her chin and hummed while scrutinizing Twilight's outfit. "The mane is kinda short, but it is quite close to the way she looks."
That lavender unicorn blushed and started passing her hoof back and forth on the sand. "Well, I figured that, since she wasn't coming, that I would dress up as my teacher."
"How about we go back to Ponyville rather than staying in this wooden mosquito parlor?" I asked aggressively.
"Well, we did have much fun last time I came here. To the games!" she shouted with a foreleg outstretched to the air.
That tiny foal followed Luna around, and the two exchanged banter whilst we all went back down to the town for more games to play and foods to eat. There were a plethora of tables set up near the townhall, letting us rest and enjoy our food, and boy howdy was there a lot!
I sighed internally whilst contemplating my meal. "I guess I should at least I apologize to Rarity for the aggressive way I handled the event," I thought. I turned to Twilight. "I uhh, have to go see Rarity for something. I'll be right back," I explain.
"Do not be gone for too long," Luna suggested. "We plan on performing a 'special' event at the end of the night,' she said. She looked to Pip with a big, warm smile, and he seemed very excited about it.
Turns out, Rarity hadn't been hiding in her store, and when I called out to her, I realized what she had been doing this whole time: Avoiding me. She gasped and bolted off, forcing me to chase after her. I mean, I would understand not wanting to talk to me, but avoiding me entirely like I'm some kind of monster? I barely caught a glimpse of her rounding a corner and tumbled on the floor when I tried to do the same. I cursed to myself whilst struggling to get back up.
"Huh. Kinda dark over here," I noticed while wiping the dirt off of my body. "Rarity? Where'd ya go? I want to apologize about this morning!" I called out. Damn this world and its colorfulness. It drives me to feel emotions!
"Derry," a hushed voice said behind me.
I swung around to see someone I recognized. Someone who I hated with every fiver of my being. Someone who wasn't supposed to be here.
It was my mother. That stupid bitch had somehow made it here...yet she wasn't a pony. I always felt something ominous about her...but there was something different about her right now.
"Look at that. My worst accident is here." she said.
"Accident? You're bad fashion taste is already an accident. You look like you went through a troll's nose."
Her black hair was all swished up into some type of mountain shape while she wore an ugly snot green dress. I did say she had bad taste, and this proved it.
"Awww. How sad. I thought you were going to stay at home. I passed by and saw that you weren't there, so I came here."
"Hmph. You aren't my mother."
"What are you talking about?" I started to walk back and forth.
"Well, one, even if my mother would insult me, she'd never come and visit. Two, I never told 'you' or my dad where I was going to live. Three, how exactly did you come 'here'? That's a massive inconsistency."
"I'm your mother, I always know how to find you."
"No you aren't and no you don't. You could barely find the door to get out of your room when you bought clothes, and I literally had to break the door down because, like the idiot you are, you locked yourself up and lost the key. So, basically, you aren't my mother because your sense of orientation is about as well developed as a rock can move on its own accord."
Her face started to distort, and I felt my guts tell me to run away as a strange smile formed on her face.
"I suppose you also want to know how I recognized you?"
"I...didn't think of that."
"It's because of that stupid doll you always carry around. I never understood what you found in it, that wretched little thing is so ugly and disgusting."
I looked at Silver's hooves as I tried to squeeze a hand into a fist, but I noticed that my crystal costume had disappeared. I started to feel shivers form along my body. As I looked up, it seemed that the bitch imitator was staring over me. She wasn't even bothering to lower her head, her eyes were ample enough to get a good look at me. I still had my anger to guide me through:
"Ugly? You would definitely know the term It's also normal that you could never understand what connection I had with Silver."
My "mother's" distorted smile faded away as she started to frown.
"You even named it? I told that old pile of dust to not give you anything, but he would never listen. *sigh* I'm going to have to take it away from you now."
She grabbed my neck and squeezed with a strength that I didn't think was possible. I felt light-headed suddenly. She was somehow cutting off my blood circulation. I tried to cry for help, but to no avail.
"Don't worry Derry, I believe that you will be much better this way. Perhaps you will kill yourself and your father and I can get that money that old coot gave you."
I started to black out, but a bright blue flash illuminated the area and threw my mother against a wall. I fell back onto the ground and coughed roughly. How the hell is she even capable of such feats of strength? Even if it's an imitation, she wouldn't have that much strength. Where did that flash come from, anyways? Perhaps it's what little is left of the true Silver within my body that is protecting me? No...that's impossible.
I looked back up as I tried to stand back on my legs, just to see that bitch get back up in a twisted way. She started to walk slowly towards me. Her fingers seemed to have turned into blades. She slid them against each other like scissors as she walked ever closer.
"Well then Derry, it seems I'll have to tear up Silver. You'll feel better after this, I promise."
"St-stay away from me."
I tried scampering to my hooves, but I kept falling backwards.
"Why? Don't you want to feel at least a SINGLE form of affection from your mother?"
"Stay away from me! Don't come any closer!"
She slashed at me. I narrowly dodged and started galloping through the alleyways in order to get to Twilight and Luna. I never felt so scared before. Even when Luna and Celestia tried to kill me, they were direct about it and Iiterally had nowhere to run to. The feeling of escaping but still feeling trapped is horrid. My heart was flying away as I ran between buildings. Somehow, whenever I was about to reach an exit, she was there. Every time I tried to run further away, she would chase after me while scraping the walls of the houses.
She popped back up again as I had gotten near another exit. The group was further away. They were sitting near some steps of a house. Why couldn't they see us when we were clearly in a wide opening?
"Hey! Help! Twilight! Luna! Somepony!"
"There's no point in calling them. You have no friends and family, remember?"
"No! You're wrong! Whoever you are, you must've put a spell on this area, it's the only explanation!"
"I'm sure. No one likes you Derry. Even your father and I didn't care about you. What makes you think that another world will? You will never be loved. You will always be hated and rejected. Now let me get rid of that stupid doll of yours."
I felt emptiness slump into my soul by what this creature said. Was she right? Was I just some useless pile of mush that they all took pity on? No...NO!
"Shut up! You don't decide my life you useless waste of existence! I'm going to reach them even if you don't want me to!" "Then you'll have to get through me first."
She smirked as she started scraping the blades against each other again. I lowered my head and started to kick up dust with my foreleg. I grinned. I had a single objective in sight. My fear was starting to eat me up from the inside. I wouldn't last long if this kept going. With my eyes watering up, I charged straight at her. She threw her hands forward, trying to stab me. I ducked quickly and slid right under her legs. She still managed to cut my cheek. I ran straight forward and passed through what seemed like a chrome-colored liquid wall. I ran towards Luna and the others as my heart felt like it was going to stop. They saw me running frantically towards them, nearly crying. They stood up immediately after that blade-handed thing popped out of the wall thing and started chasing after me with a murderous smile on its face. It had changed in appearance. It looked like an entirely black bipedal being with yellow eyes and blue pupils. It jumped up high and tried to land on me, but I curved around the impact point and kept trying to reach my friends.
"Silver!" yelled Twilight.
"What is that thing?" said Applejack.
"I'll get it!"
Rainbow Dash used her trademark speed and rammed into the thing's face with her full force and speed. The creature flung high in the air, but landed back onto its feet, and charged back at me. Every time it looked at me, I felt ice cold knives going through my entire body. Rainbow Dash tried to attack it again by making it trip and she was certainly going to box it to death, but it literally twisted out of her way and kept stomping away. I tripped and tumbled into Twilight. Luna stood up. Everypony around was staring at this creature and were wondering what Luna would do.
"Get away from here, beast!" she yelled. But the being did not flinch. It simply tilted it's head and spun into the air, hoping to get me. Luna stopped it with her magic and threw it into the ground.
"Fine then! Have at you!" she said.
The creature laughed and started toying with her, while she was giving her all to defeat it. Every strike she tried to perform was met with a deforming of the body. When Luna finally grabbed the beast, she used a spell that concentrated the moonlight into a pure white laser. It struck the beast in its head , causing it to dissipate into a self-consuming flame. Luna checked around to make sure that this wasn't another trick. The crowd cheered, thinking this was another event of the night. She went back to see that I was in shock. Shaking, breathing irregularly, sweating profusively, eyes widened, crying silently, and crunched up into a ball, I was huddled against Twilight Sparkle who was trying to comfort me.
Luna looked at me, estranged by what had happened. She was certainly disturbed by the way I was acting. I certainly didn't break down like this when she and her sister tried to kill me. It seemed that there was something out there trying to get me.
"Twilight Sparkle, I suggest you take her back to your house and let her rest. After this night, we will consult with Celestia about what happened. In the meantime, you should watch over her very closely. We do not think that she will be left alone after this. More is certainly to come."
"Okay princess. Spike!"
Spike was busy showing off in front of some more jewel admirers, but quickly caught up to Twilight. He was surprised to see me in this state. He asked Twilight what had happened, but she wouldn't explain.
"Oh ho! "She" could be useful to me. Let's see what happens if I go deeper." said a shadowy figure on a rooftop. It quickly disappeared as Twilight brought the Silver pony into her house.
It was already the next morning, and I still couldn't move. What the hell was that thing? It managed to scare me, and then freeze me. I don't know what that was, and I didn't care. I felt safe in Twilight's house.
"Okay Spike, Princess Celestia wants me to go to Canterlot castle right now. Although I don't like the idea of leaving Silver here all alone, you'll have to watch over her while I'm gone. I'm sure she will be in fine...um...claws."
"You can count on me Twilight! Can you tell me what got her like this now?"
"No!" yelled Twilight. Spike complained but did as told.
Twilight left her house to find that an open-top carriage was waiting for her. In it was Cyclon, still wearing his silver colored armor encrusted with blue jewels. He was looking at Twilight in a very stern manner.
"Miss Twilight?"
"Yes?"
"I'm here to watch over Silver."
"Why? Are you going to beat up on her again?"
"No! I still don't understand what came over me. I felt possessed, so I'm here to watch over here to pay for what I did."
"That's...a weird way of thinking."
"Please step onto the carriage. My soldiers will take you to the castle."
Cyclon waited that Twilight was in to close the door of the carriage. He watched it fly away before he walked towards the door of the library and blocked it. Nopony alive would get through him. He would redeem himself in the eyes of everypony.
Finally arrived at the castle, Twilight went directly to the throne room, but it was locked. She asked a servant who was passing by about the whereabouts of the princesses. They were in the basement.
The basement? What for?
The servant took Twilight through the castle garden, the maze having apparently reformed since last time. There were a few new statues dotted around the grassy garden. Some of them were covered with vines in a rather "artistic" manner. What disturbed Twilight the most was the lack of Discord's statue. If she remembered properly, he used to be put here on display yet again, but he seems to have disappeared. Twilight finally arrived where the servant directed her. It looked like a tall catacomb. The entrance looked like a very scary grey-stone shrine. A few ledges carved on the rooftop and the pillars also carved into the wall gave off an ominous feeling. A few dead leaves here and there gave it more creepiness than originally hoped.
Twilight thanked the servant and opened the metallic door. A scary screech, and the entrance was waiting for Twilight to come. Twilight looked around cautiously first, until she gathered her courage and entered the empty, tiny room. The metal door slammed suddenly, causing Twilight to jump and scream. A voice was heard, one that reassured her.
"Twilight Sparkle? Wait there. I will open the entrance for you."
The floor rumbled slightly, causing a few pieces of the shrine's roof to fall down in a crackled sound. A small gap opened up in the floor. Twilight went through it and was surprised by what she saw. It was a gigantic room with colorful windows adorning the walls. They looked like they represented stories that not many ponies knew. The windows pretty much composed the entirety of the walls. The room , in itself, was very circular. There were a few other ponies here, mostly unicorn guards. What Twilight saw in the middle actually explained why Discord was no longer in the garden. He was right in the middle of the room, in a hollowed out part. A magical barrier was being held up. Luna and Celestia were staring at his awkward pose. Celestia looked back at her student and looked concerned. Luna continued to observe Discord, hoping to find something out of place.
"Ah! My student!"
"Hi princess. What did you need me for? How come Discord is here?"
"Because Luna believes that the creature that attacked Silver was a creation of Discord."
"How come? Isn't he sealed away thanks to my friends and I?"
"Yes, but, as you recall, the Giga Sparkle attached to Silver was a breed that destabilized magic, correct?"
"Then you think that the seal on Discord was weakened?!"
"Precisely."
"Oh no! Then I have to get the others right away and-"
Celestia stopped Twilight's sudden panicking.
"First things first, how is she?"
"S-Silver? She's in shock since last night. Why?"
"That's what I was afraid of."
Luna stepped forward.
"Like you and your friends may have realized, Discord likes to mess with the feelings of a being to overcome and control them. This is how he managed to corrupt you and the other elements." said Luna.
"Silver may not have her Giga Sparkle anymore, but her feelings remain mostly chaotic and negative, and that alone is enough to give Discord whatever he needs with her." she continued. Celestia took over from here after nodding to what her sister had said.
"Do you know what form Discord's creation had taken before becoming the dark figure that Luna told me about?"
"No. Sorry. She won't say anything. She's too frightened."
"*sigh* I was hoping that she would have said something."
Twilight just realized something:
"Um...is it a good idea to be saying this near Discord and the other unicorns?"
"We had placed a silencer spell around us for a proper conversation. You didn't notice?" said Celestia. Twilight brushed and gave a nervous laugh.
"No...heheh...So...um, you just needed me to learn about Silver?"
"Actually, we believe it would be best to teach you how to see through Discord's trickery." said Celestia.
"Wait...there are actually spells for that?"
"Yes. That's how Luna and I managed to defeat him when we had the connection with the elements."
"Great! When do we start?!"
"Now."
Back at Twilight's house, it was already noon, and Spike tried to make Silver a fruit salad of great looks. But to no avail. She wouldn't eat. Spike was worried, especially now that the stallion who beat her up was blocking the front of the house. Spike thought of making something a bit more special, which would probably give the mare who was stuck in her bed appetite again. Spike returned eagerly to the kitchen, taking out some ingredients and a book of pastry-making. It was a gift by Pinkie Pie. While Spike was busy trying to follow the instructions for making a strawberry shortcake by the letter, he didn't notice the white bipedal figure form right behind him. It grabbed Spike and covered his mouth. He was easily lifted into the air. It closened to him and whispered in Spike's "ear" while the little dragon tried to scream. Only muffled sounds came out.
"Shshshshshhhhh. It's bed time little one. No need to alarm the guest." it placed a now sleeping Spike on the flour and sugar ridden table. Several wares were moved slightly away from the dragon, in-case he jerked about in his sleep.
"Now then, time for work."
Ugh. I felt terrible. I preferred to stay under these comfy blankets. I felt the need to eat the salad that Spike made for me and placed in front of the bed, but I just couldn't eat it. Just the thought made me want to vomit. Apparently, that douchebag guard with the weird name was "protecting" me by blocking the front door. *moan*. I needed to go to the Spa sisters' place for one of their bone breaking massages.
I wonder how Twilight is doing? Hmm. It must've been important if she was directly summoned by Celestia.
I decided to shrink deeper into my blanket fortress by wriggling from side to side. I was going to try and sleep. However, I felt a hand move the blanket from atop my head and start "petting" me. I thought it was Spike using something to soothe me, something given to him by Twilight, after all, the only other person here was Cyclon up front, and he didn't have hands. I heard a familiar tune being hummed near me. I didn't know why, but I liked these strokes through my mane. They felt...soothing.
I felt horribly sick for some reason, but Spike was helping alot. I knew that humming tune, but I just couldn't figure out where I had heard it. My shaking slowly stopped as I started feeling warm again.
"Thanks allot Spike, this really helped."
"I believe that your grand-father has a name other than "Spike" Derry."
My eyes widened as I heard that. I jumped out of my bed and quickly turned around to see that it truly was my grand-father right there. He was crouched and was looking at me with a smile. His medium-length hair was of a great white, and was very well "maintenenced". He had a gray coat on with gray pants and black leather shoes.
How?
"It's okay Derry. It seems that when I died, I ended up here in Equestria."
"Then how come you never looked for me?"
"I never knew that you were here. It's just recently that I found out that you lived here now."
"But how did you know it was me?"
"Are you kidding me? You think I would forget the present I gave my grand-child? Although your predicament now is rather...unsettling."
"Yes. I know. I had trouble with it too."
"Mmyes." (Yeah. That "Mmyes" that I would say every now and then came from him.)
"Cyclon let you through?"
My grand-father seemed to think here.
"I actually had to sneak in. He wouldn't let me pass."
"Oh."
"So...how did your parents react with my will?"
"Ohoho! They were pissed off. I even turned the mansion you gave me into a hospital for the less fortunate. I even gave it two billion to let it start off."
He seemed to have gotten pissed off and stopped stroking my mane. His teeth seemed to clench and grit.
"Is...is something wrong? OWOOW!"
He had grabbed ahold of my mane and was pulling on it. He lift me into the air, his face as red as a fire ruby.
"How DARE you! MY possessions weren't meant for the lesser people!"
"What?!" I was struggling to try and get him to let go of me. I was flailing my hind legs in the air, desperately hoping to get them on some solid object.
"I gave you all my money, and my most PRIZED possession...and you turn into something USELESS?!"
"What are you talking about?! I only did what you ever...no...NO! LET ME GO! You're that bastard from before! Let go of me!"
The imitator's frown deformed itself just like before, but this one was different somehow, it seemed to be made of fury.
"As you WISH!"
He threw me against a bookcase, tossing me like a piece of paper. I slammed, full force, against the bookshelf. I'm sure I heard a crack. As I fell on the floor, the books tumbled all over me as well. I tried to get out of the pile, but the imitator was there again. His hands and forearms seemed to have turned into a metallic mace-like object. His fingers were still there, but they were bent to keep the maces in blunt-trauma mode. His anger was now a trait of his face, as his eyes had become red with white pupils, and his fury could be seen by the horribly mangled mouth that was now a "smile" of fury. I scampered out of the book avalanche and dodged a strike from the mace hands as I went to the second floor of Twilight's house. I went to where her bed was, and watched the imitator stare at me.
"You know Derry, I never loved you. No one ever did." he pointed at me with his little fingers:" No one will ever love you. I gave you that stupid little toy, hoping that you would be even more ridiculed by the world, and it worked! Now look at you...a female pony that took on the form of that toy. Blech! It makes me sick to think that you were once my grand-son."
I was clutching my ears down, hoping to not hear anything, but those words were echoing in my head even if I couldn't hear them. Distorted and horrid images of my grand-father started to appear in my head. They were...cruel and unforgiving. I was shaking my head violently in denial.
"My grand-father was never like that! Get out of my head! Get out! GET OUT!"
"Oh, but it is nothing other than the truth." he started to shrug and showed a rather overly confident look on his face as he walked in a circle with his eyes closed. The white pupils could still be seen glaring out of the eyelids and staring directly at me. It was like looking at a ghost.
"If you can't deal with it, then perhaps I should take that toy back and destroy it."
"Not again! Leave me alone!" I started to break down in a fanatical crying session. I had grasped my head between my hooves and was trembling near Twilight's bed.
He started to punch the wall that I was on top of. Twilight's bed started to shake, and the window started to crack too. As I saw the wood splinter and fissure, a huge *BOOM!* came out of nowhere. The door of Twilight's library flew across the room and straight into the imitator's face.
"Silver! Where are you?!"
Cyclon gazed upon the whitey creature in front of him, upon which it stared back at him:" What the buck?"
To Silver, the creature looked like a horribly mangled version of his grand-father, but to Cyclon, who was not affected by the illusion, it looked like a white-ish bipedal creature with no facial traits besides the red eyes. It's arms were still in the shape of the metallic maces. It had twist itself to stare at the one who threw a door at it. It turned back around to face Cyclon head on.
"What did you do with Silver?"
"Me? Oh, not much. I've just been messing with her mind like my "sister" did. It's lots of fun actually."
"So you're the reason that she's become like this? AND YOU TRY AND WORSEN HER STATE?!"
"You dare to yell at me?"
"Oh, I'll do more than yell."
"Come at me bro! I'm all open!"
Cyclon charged at the creature. The imitator seemed to expect a simple charge attack and thrust it's right arm into the ground to intercept Cyclon, but he jumped in the air and kicked the creature with his hind legs as he flipped backwards. The imitator slammed into the fragilized wall. It pulled itself out of there, and started to attack Cyclon maniacally. It managed to intercept Cyclon with an arm swing, and sent him flying to the other side of the room. Luckily, his armor was protecting him, and he barely felt a thing, that he actually used to taunt the creature.
Spike had finally awoken from his slumber. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, then bounced up after remembering what had happened. The sounds coming through the door were enough to make him remember quickly.
"Oh no, SILVER!"
Spike scampered through the door to see Cyclon fighting with some strange white creature. Cyclon caught glimpse of the little dragon and started to yell at him.
"SPIKE!"
"What?!"
"Send a message to Celestia!"
"Ok hold on! I need paper and a quill."
Cyclon was sent into the air and slammed into the wall right above Spike, but landed next to the little dragon instead of on top of him. Coincidentally, there was a cupboard where Cyclon was thrown that held ink, quills, and parchments. They all landed on the stallion's head. Spike laughed, but the imitator would not wait. It stomped towards the two, but the soldier got up and slid under the imitator, causing it to trip on the floor as the soldier stayed hooked onto its leg. Cyclon swung on the creature's leg and landed on its back. He swung both forelegs around the imitator's own legs and pulled back. He was struggling to keep them there.
"Spike! Send this message : Silver in trouble. At Twilight Sparkle's. Come quickly. "
"Dadadadada....there!"
"SEND IT!"
And with a belching of fire, the parchment was sent. The imitator slammed it's arms onto the floor as it screamed "NOOOOOO!". It flicked Cyclon off itself, grabbed him, and threw him out of the library. Cyclon wasn't one to be messed within however. He was one of the elite, and his armor helped him greatly, but now the imitator was using it's anger. Even if it missed, a shockwave formed every time it slammed it's arms onto the ground. A good few minutes had passed, and something started to happen. The sun was shining ever more brightly, and the rays started to fry and bubble the imitator as it tried to shield it's face. Celestia and Luna had arrived, and Celestia was burning the creature. Despite it being blinded by the sunlight, it started to laugh as it sensed the sun princess eb ever closer.
"I was almost done too, but you had to come in and interrupt everything."
"What do you want with Silver, Discord." Celestia said in disgust. The imitator seemed surprised.
"Hoh? So you figured it out? Such a smart mare. I suppose I can tell you nothing, heheh."
"You better tell me or-"
"-Or poof? Yes, most indeededly."
"Most indee...?"
*PAF*. The imitator literally popped into a bubbly white goo. Celestia wasted no time. "Luna, go check on Silver. I must speak with Cyclon."
Luna nodded and ran past Spike to find Silver.
"What happened Cyclon? How did it get past you?"
"I...I cannot explain. I was guarding the only entrance, and I was scrutinizing every point that I could, but I did not see anything. I heard noises inside and bust through the door to see that she was being attacked by that strange white thing."
"It seems he has been freed, or, at least, some of his powers have."
"Princess?"
"Nothing."
Luna came back outside with a terrified and confused expression on her face.
"Luna?" asked Celestia, expecting the worst possible outcome.
"She is completely traumatized and won't move from her spot. She's babbling something...but I can't understand her."
Celestia slammed her hoof onto the ground.
"Horse apples! What is so special about her that Discord is trying to corrupt her? CYCLON!"
"M'am!"
"You will now be Silver's personal bodyguard."
Cyclon's confidence faded away as he slouched down. "I uh...I'm not sure if I can..." Celestia gave him a terrifying glare.
"I'll do it."
"Good. She we'll teleport her to the castle with us. In fact, you will come too. You will have to stay close to her."
Luna levitated Silver close to them. The state she was now in really showed how far Discord was going just to try and break her. She did seem to have an outstanding resilience to his powers. Perhaps he found it more amusing to play with a long-lasting toy. Either way, a flash, and they were all gone. The other elements didn't have time to see anything. However, in the distance, stood a shadowy figure with little patches of color that slowly started to expand.
"Ooo! I haven't had this much fun since I was ruler of this place. Do the Discord dance!"
"Hmmm. So Celestia took her to the castle...all the more to go and spy. Let's give her a day of rest...what am I saying? Let's give her some minor disturbances. Let's see how much more she can take. When she breaks, heheh, but, I'm not in the mood today. How about more dancing?"
The princesses had placed Silver in a rather cramped room. Just enough for three ponies the size of Big Mac to stretch around in. Nothing significant. Silver had a sleeping soup forced down her throat. She was sleeping like a rock held on a planet with the gravitational pull of Jupiter. Cyclon was watching over her, lying down on the floor next to her small bed. He had a very worried look on his face. He didn't feel right next to her.
*moan* And to think, it was probably that thing that turned me violent. Hmm, but why is she like this now? When I attacked her, she apparently fought back and didn't care. Strange.
Strange voices were coming from the other side of the large metallic door. It had runes carved on it. In fact, the entire room had runes and symbols all over it. Cyclon got up and opened the door. He was surprised to see two mares with an opposite color scheme of each other, accompanied by the element of generosity.
"Who are you and what do you want?" asked Cyclon. Rarity stepped forward.
"The princess asked that I find somepony that would be great at helping Silver. I don't know what state she's in right now, but I do now she needs help, and the Spa sisters here are perfect for it."
"And we are here to give her our "special" treatment." said Lotus.
"She gave such promising results, it'd be such a shame to let her stay stressed." follow Aloe.
Cyclon spun his eyes and looked at the ground as he scratched his head.
"Uhhh...she's a bit more than stressed right now. Go ahead inside. A certain something should happen if you are lying about who you really are." Cyclon gave them a very compelling smile.
The three mares hesitated to walk inside the room, but they forced themselves inside. Nothing happened. They sighed in relief.
"There you go. I'm her personal bodyguard right now, so you'll have to deal with me."
The ponies walked inside, and Rarity sat next to Cyclon's spot. The two spa sisters tossed the blanket off of Silver. The second the blanket touched the floor, Silver's eyes opened up quickly, and she stared down the sisters despite still lying down on the bed. She just followed them with her eyes in a very creepy manner. It was impossible to tell what she was going to do in her state. Rarity had gasped and tried to avert her eyes at the horrid appearance of Silver now.
Her once perfect silky coat was now all roughed up and tangled. Her and tail looked tarnished and flung itself in all possible directions. Under her eyes were now what looked like black silk. Her coat may be tarnished, but it still shone in some areas. Nopony would tell her what was going on, but it wasn't good.
"Oh my. Aloe, this is quite the test."
"Yes. I believe we'll have to go directly to her soul this time."
The two spa ponies cracked their front hooves and placed them on Silver's spine and her head. A bright blue light started to shine from Silver's mark, launching the spa ponies against the wall and causing the tow who were sitting to jump five feet into the air.
"What happened?" moaned Lotus.
Silver just kept staring at them.
"I don't know. Her cutie mark just started to flash blue, and you were ejected into the air." said Rarity.
"Well, we won't let ourselves get beat that easily!"
The sisters jumped back onto Silver and pushed hard, expecting another flash, but nothing happened. They assumed it was the massive amounts of negative energy that expelled themselves directly from Silver at a random point, and started their massage. It was extremely hard for them. Half an hour had passed and no progress was made. The two sisters stopped and layed down to rest a bit.
"Wow. We have never seen anything like it." said Aloe.
"It's like deep scars that were etched into her soul and mind have suddenly reopened and are bleeding out."
"That would explain why she's just staring at us." said Rarity.
Indeed. Although this was noticed before, Silver had been breathing calmly and peacefully as if sleeping, but her eyes were wide open and had been watching the movements of everypony. They seemed to have a very faint glow in them. The two sisters realized that what Rarity had said was the truth. They went closer to inspect her eyes, and noticed something very strange.
"Lotus, this seems to be her sub-consciousness that is looking at us."
"Intriguing. The events she has been going through must have separated her from her sub-consciousness."
"What does that mean?" asked Cyclon.
"It means that she might have developed a second personality to help her defend against whatever is attacking her mentally. It doesn't seem to be able to interact with us though." answered Aloe.
"I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad." wondered Rarity.
"Well, if it can't interact with the outside world, than it can be considered as a type of "mental guardian". This sort of thing has happened before, but only on very rare occasions when a pony was extremely stressed. Usually, these ponies had become crazy and started to do...strange things to others. Not deadly, but just strange."
"Does that mean she might become like that?" asked Cyclon.
Cyclon was ready to tie Silver up at any moment.
"No. It would have already attacked us by now. Perhaps we should wake her up and take her outside?"
Cyclon pondered this. Silver was taken to the castle to be protected, and this room was made to house her, but, she was also taken here for rest and to "resanitize" her and allow her to destress. If she stayed cooped up here, she would certainly become crazy. But, if she was taken outside under the careful surveillance of him and the other guards, then he would be yelled at by Celestia and Luna. Hmmm...it was a lose/lose situation, but, Silver's well being seemed more important. It would keep those strange creatures far away and would help her deal with whatever "mental" attacks they were dealing to her.
"Well?" asked Rarity.
She was eager to get Silver back to herself. This "second mind" was creeping her out. It kept it's gaze on her now, and seemed to be trying to tell her something.
"Okay, but I'll have to tell this to one of the big chiefs."
"And who would that be?" asked Rarity.
"Bullseye. One of the most vicious of trainers, but very efficient nonetheless. Now please excuse me as I ask one of the soldiers there to get him."
"You mean, you can just CALL a general?" said Rarity. She was shocked at this statement.
"No, but Bullseye is different in that he likes to walk around and see who is slacking."
"Oh."
"Yeah...I know."
Cyclon exited the room and closed the door. Rarity took this time to try and stare down the thing, but Silver's eyes had closed.
"Uhhh, girls, what happens when the second personality closes it's eyes?"
The spa sisters were stretching and limbering up when Rarity asked the question. Aloe was the one to answer:
"It just means that she's waking up."
"WHAT?!"
A few mumblings were heard, and Silver opened her eyes and stretched thoroughly.
"*SUPER LOUD YAWN* That was one of the best naps I've ever had. Wait...where am I?"
"Silver!" yelled Rarity.
She jumped on top of me and started to squeeze me tightly between her legs. I tried to move her away, but I remembered what I had told her awhile back. Not that she was here, I could apologize.
"Rarity. I have to tell you something." she finally let go.
"What is it dear?"
"You remember what I told you at the store on Nightmare Night?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Well...I wanted to apologize about that. I was...angry. Two months of that was too much for me."
"You don't have to apologize. I understand what happened. It was my fault for not listening to you."
"I'm glad we could come to an understanding."
"As am I...but..."
"But what?"
"I think that Cyclon likes you."
I gave a chuckle.
"What? You mean the guard that beat me up? Isn't he the one who said he felt possessed?"
"Yes."
"*sigh* Where am I anyways?"
"You're in the castle."
"Canterlot castle?"
"Yes."
"Why am I here?"
"It's...um...for your protection."
"Oh. Well, I haven't been feeling like myself lately, so I guess this makes sense."
Rarity seemed to look at me strangely. Like she was thinking deeply about something.
"Do you remember anything that happened at Twilight's house?"
"I...oh...I see."
"Yes. Well, I brought the spa sisters here to help with your health."
They looked at me and waved.
"Okay...I guess it's for the best, as long as I don't have to be in a crowd."
"Of course not. This will just be us four." said Lotus.
"And your bodyguard." interjected Aloe.
"What? I have a bodyguard? Who is it?"
Rarity kind of gulped and looked around quickly.
"It's...uh...Cyclon."
"Greeeaaat! I suppose somepony worse than him is going to be appearing right about now to get me out then?"
*BAM* An olive green stallion had kicked the door open, much to the protests and complaints of Cyclon. He wore a golden armor just like the rest of the guards, but didn't wear a helmet. He was a unicorn, and he seemed very well fit for soldier duty. His mane was of a very dark jungle green, and only a shaved top could be seen of it. He apparently liked to have that 'US marines' haircut. If I saw correctly, his cutie mark was a bullseye with some type of smile on it.
"So, what's this 'bout gettin' 'er out?"
Great. Another idiotic brute.
Some of you might recognize a certain character I put in here that is from one of my other stories. It is the same physically, but it's origins are much, much different.
"So, ya want ta get out 'n smell the daisies?" asked the general. This was Bullseye apparently.
"Well, I thought-"
"No you didn't. Yer in here fer your own protection. I don' think ya know your predicament."
"But sir, I believe that letting her out under my supervision and that of the other guards, just to go into the backyard for a relaxation session, would help make her health better."
"Hmmm. Ya got a point....I've got more patrollin' ta do, n' I'd hate to see this lovely lady get in worse condition than she already is...fine, but if something bad happens, it will fall on you!"
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
The general left the room in a rush. He apparently had better to do than deal with someone like me. Cyclon moved his helmet and rubbed his forehead in relief.
"Well, you heard him, time to go outside."
The sisters finished limbering up a bit more and followed the guard outside. I tried to stand properly, but legs were all wobbly, and I felt like they were made of water. Not jelly, but literally water. I nearly fell down, but Rarity caught me and helped me along the way. I thanked her for this. In the garden, I could appreciate the scenery in a better way than last time. We went to a quiet patch of grass near the maze. It was still easily seen by the guards patrolling the walls, so it was the perfect spot.
"Well then." said Aloe." I believe that we can start the yoga."
"YOGA?! I'm as flexible as wood! How am I supposed to do that stretchy stuff?"
"It's necessary. We'll start with the tiny stuff." said Lotus.
"*moan* Fine, but I won't go far with this."
We started the "relaxation" session. Some relaxation. Even as a female pony, I was as flexible as cooled metal. The guards took interest in what we were doing and started laughing at me every time I messed up and fell on my butt or my backside. This was getting to me. I'm pretty sure one of them would have been recording this if they had cameras in Equestria...I hope they don't. Rarity apparently sprained herself when trying one of the sisters' back bending techniques. She preferred to stay away for the time being and went next to Cyclon while she "healed". I still had to do these horrid techniques.
Rarity stayed next to Cyclon and seemed to start talking to him.
"Ow. I think I blocked my back."
"Sorry, but I don't know anything about that sort of stuff, so you might as well just try and stretch it out here."
"..."
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"For nothing. I've just noticed that you've been eyeing Silver lately." Cyclon blushed.
"Of course. I have to watch over her. I AM a bodyguard appointed by the princesses themselves."
"No. I meant that you have been EYEING her."
"What? What do you mean? I don't see where you are going with this."
It was painfully obvious that Cyclon was trying to avoid the subject. Rarity knew full well how to extract this sort of information from stallions, but it was a bit harder to do with mares (Except for a certain one who wasn't exactly a mare, so to speak).
"I meant nothing by it. It just seems that you have been looking at her in a way other than professionally."
"Hmph. You are implying that I feel a certain attraction towards her? That's unheard of!"
"Maybe. You do seem to be taking your "repentance" a bit further than it should be. Just so you know, I think that whatever has been attacking her MIGHT have "possessed" you if what you say is correct. It might even explain why your attitude has changed so dramatically since we last saw you beating her up."
Cyclon looked at the floor in shame. He didn't notice that bullseye was right above him on the walls above and was staring straight at him. Bullseye rested his head on his hoof as the general listened very closely to what was being said between the two. He looked very carefully at Silver, who was still tossing and turning about. The spa sisters were even trying their best to help their special patient with the positions. Every failure had the guards falling down and gasping for air as they cried laughing. If that mare's looks were taken better care of, then she might look good. She wasn't his type, though. He preferred the hard working mare that would be the very definition of good-shape, early working, and good attitude.
"Maybe. I stained my honor and my reputation and must regain it. I was even yelled at by the princesses, something that has never happened before. I'm ashamed of myself for hitting such a b... pony." Cyclon averted his eyes and suppressed the blood circulation to his face.
Rarity smirked. SHE heard what he was going to say, and so did Bullseye.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"I heard what you were about to say. You LIKE her, don't you?" Rarity pointed directly at Cyclon, who started to shake and scrunch up his face as he tried to keep himself from saying anything unnecessary.
Rarity started to stare him directly in the eyes. This mare knew exactly what kind of thing needed to be done. Cyclon was literally imploding. Bullseye was giving a silent smirk and head bobbing to indicate a suppressed laughter.
"Stop...staring...at...me...like...that..."
"I'm not staring at you."
"YES YOU ARE!"
"No. I'm just looking at the landscape behind you."
"Grrgh."
Cyclon grabbed his helmet and started to smash his head as his forelegs pushed ever harder against it. He suddenly let go and sighed.
"Fine. So maybe I find her...mnah... "pretty". So what? I find many mares pretty or beautiful."
"Sure, but I'm also certain that you're "admiration" for her beauty is more than just "admiration"."
Cyclon started to stress. This mare was looking through him like an open book. She was pushing these estranged feelings further evermore. In the meantime, the spa sisters were helping Silver with some relaxation methods, mostly inhaling and exhaling.
"This is boring." I complained.
"Deal with it. If you don't do this, you will never feel better." replied Aloe.
Oh yeah, never felt better in my life, especially with so many things happening to me in just two months.
"There we go." she said again. "Now you can just have a normal rest, and then we can deal with your aesthetic problems."
"Ugh."
I looked at Cyclon who seemed to be panicking with whatever Rarity was doing to him. I gave a silent chuckle.
"Ah? So this is why her heart has been releasing more since we left the room." aid Lotus. I swung my head around in fear.
"Huh? Are you insane?"
"Lotus is right. I do feel that you two have some special connection." I lift an eyebrow.
"Well of course! He beat me up!"
"But he seemed to be possessed at that moment. He told us this story as well, and we believe him."
"Plus, he seems to have too much good in him to be truly evil." said Aloe.
"Meh. I don't care."
I couldn't help but look at him again to see that he had broken under the pressure Rarity had given him. I laughed a bit, but quickly sealed my mouth as I stared at the sisters who had their heads tilted against each other and were smiling with their eyes closed.
"I just find what Rarity did to be funny. That's all."
"Oh, we aren't implying anything. It's just time for your aesthetic needs." said Aloe.
Stupid bitches. First Big Mac and now Cyclon? Grrrm. I do seem to have a better feeling with hi- no. Nope. Not thinking about that.
Yes you were. You were thinking about THAT again.
Shut up brain! I'm not listening! LALALALALALA!
Don't force me to give you those images again.
...
That's better.
The sisters called Rarity and told her what time it was. She jumped up with glee. My death sentence was here. I let myself be dragged to the hangman post. We went back in the castle and up to the second floor. We passed the weird decorations and armors (why do castles always have to have armors sitting around?) and entered a room on the far left side of the corridor. The mares let me go and gasped in surprise and admiration. I looked up.
I was in the "make-up" room of the princesses. There. Was. Too. Much. Pink. Seriously. There were the few seats made for the princesses and other ponies of "great importance." Pfff. Yeah right. All the big-ass mirrors on the walls with several shelves and drawers with all that stupid girly stuff.(....shut up....I know....) The mares strapped me onto one of those spinning chairs and started to mess with my mane. A bit of spray here and some brushing there, and I ended up getting about 50 different styles tested on my head. I didn't even think there were that many styles just for the mane. I mean sure, there were some strange but also awesome things done with mustaches and beards, but those weren't exactly styles now were they?
Rarity was busy smothering my face with some type of skin lightener, or whatever those things that are supposed to 'feed' the skin were called. I was literally choking on all the perfume and other accessories that were being thrown on my face.
It burns...IT BUUURRRRRRRRRRRNS!
They stopped suddenly then unstrapped me and placed me on what looked like several layers of cushions. Rarity started to brush my coat while the sisters seemed to "polish" my hooves.
Ugh. I hate this sort of stuff. It always takes too long.
"*sigh*"
"What's wrong Silver?" asked Rarity.
"You know I hate this sort of stuff. I don't like staying in places doing the exact same thing over and over again."
"You don't need to worry about that, dear. I'm sure your patience will be well rewarded after you see what we did to you. You look splendid!"
"And you seem to be releasing your energies a bit." said Aloe.
"That's...nice."
I thought this stuff was going to last for at least an hour. Luckily for me, it barely lasted 15 minutes.(STILL TOO MUCH TIME!) All three of them stepped back up and seemed to "admire" their work. The spa sisters pushed me up with their hooves and put me in front of one of those giant mirrors. I couldn't help but feel something...dissimilar to myself. My mane was shaped so that the sides would sort of "curve" outwards towards my face. The top till had my signature curve that was flattened out to cover the middle of my forehead. They seemed to have placed some of their weird make-up in seemingly inexistent doses over my eye-lids. I couldn't see those black shapes that were under my eyes anymore, and my coat glittered more than it used to. Even my tail was well combed and brushed now, allowing the white to shine even more than before.
I was busy checking out every part they changed, actually trying to find something to complain about, but their work was flawless. I just stared at myself in the mirror. A strange feeling arose with this new appearance. Not exactly bad, but not good either. Well...it did push more on the good side.
"I'm...speechless."
"I'm glad you like it darling. Now, I have to go somewhere quickly. I'll be right back."
Rarity ran out of the door without any warning. She knocked over two servants who were walking behind it. I just looked at her last location in an estranged manner. The spa sisters grabbed me, saying that we were going to the next place for relaxation. Something about "absorbing outside energies." Who do I look like? Buddha?
I just followed them, seeing as I couldn't go see Rainbow Dash and Applejack to have another race, and Pinkie Pie couldn't come here so we could try our...err...hooves at bettering some jokes. I still wondered where Twilight was. Along the third floor we went, and further down the hall we did go. We exited to a rather large balcony overlooking both the castle grounds and Canterlot. I was wondering why were given so much liberty here. It IS a castle after all, and I wasn't exactly royalty by any standards that could exist in my world, this world, or any others. For some reason, a round black table ornated with two plates were sitting on it. Not exactly sure what this meant. Was Rarity going to eat with me and talk about more of her plans with me and the Big R?
I waited there for about ten minutes when the two large door leading to the balcony opened up. I expected Rarity to come...in(?) and the two sisters to go out. Instead, what do I see? Cyclon coming while talking to Rarity. I glared at the two spa ponies who smiled.
Cyclon looked in my direction with a brief bland look, until his brain acknowledged my presence. Instead of getting scared, he seemed to starred at me in a stupid fashion with his mouth open like a fly-trap. Rarity looked at him all weird-like and took the opportunity to push his jaw back up. What the heck was wrong with him?
I barely heard what he said to Rarity until she forced him in my direction. I glared, he stared. Rarity asked us to wait until the "food" would arrive. She said that the tensions between us would simmer down if we sat down and talked about what happened. I knew she had a more sinister motive for this, and I knew what it was. Cyclon, however, did not. (Dumbass). So, with a clearing of the throat and a few movements, he tried to ask me some stupid question. I continued to squint-glare at him.
"Soooo...how are you today?"
"Fine."
"I don't have anything to do with this."
"I know."
He couldn't say anything to me. Even though he had his head lowered without his helmet, he still seemed drawn to my face. I preferred to keep that possibility deep in mind and locked away, but I'm pretty sure I knew what was "wrong" with him. He exhaled and looked at me straight in the face with a serious look.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened two months ago. I REALLY don't know what came over me. My orders were to take you in unharmed, but, I snapped somehow."
I leaned closer towards him. He seemed uncomfortable with this.
"Why?"
"I felt my anger go higher than it had ever gone. I mean, I know that I would usually "attack" those who would harm my friends, but that was just a basic anger. Even though those soldiers you beat up were still under my leadership, they were still kind of like friends to me, as we have known each other for a very long time. I knew that you were just defending yourself, but something in my mind was telling me to hurt you as badly as possible. I couldn't stop myself."
I leaned back and gave him a doubting look. I "snorted" and said:
"You protect your friends and your friends protect you?"
"Yes. Why?"
I looked down at the ground and kicked air with a little flick of my hoof.
"I wouldn't know what that was. It was always me against the whole world. Ever since I was little." "Really? Why would anypony do that to such a-"
Weird, almost silent squeaks were heard behind the door.
Very discreet. I thought.
"-nice mare like you?"
"Hm. Well, Let's just say that when the only person who has ever been kind to you is your grand-father, and that you start to separate from him after awhile, and then learn just recently that he had died, you tend to find the world as a very dark and unwelcoming place."
"That's terrible. You've had quite a journey."
"Yes...I have" I smirked and looked tiredly to the left.
"We both did love to annoy my parents a lot. Even when he died, his will still had insults and mockeries directed towards them."
I started to chuckle, and he started to laugh. He asked me:
"Like?"
"Well, let's take my mother as an example. She has a horrible taste in fashion, especially when her favorite color was swamp green."
We heard someone hold back an impending hurl.
"There was even a time where she was wearing a dress that seemed to be made from torn ribbons and rusted metal. Heheh, my grandpa and I called her 'The walking eye cutter' when she wore that."
"Haha! It seems that your grandpa had a peculiar sense of humor."
"Yes. He really did."
I just briefly recalled what the imitator did as him and groped the back of my neck.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah. Just a bad memory resurfacing. So what about you? How did you grow up?"
"Never expected to tell of my own story. Well, like any young colt, I grew up in a rather simple family. Of course, there was a tradition in our family that at least one colt be sent into the Equestrian Army."
"Of course. You were born into the lucky ranks weren't you?"
"Apparently. I had two brothers and one sister. My two brothers had sprinted towards jobs as an explorer and a geologist just to avoid combat duty. I had better views in life, but it seemed that I was the one stricken by the "curse" of the family, and so, here I am."
"What were those 'views'?"
"I wanted to be a writer. I loved to make little stories to distract myself."
I leaned back, surprised, as my eyes widened. He couldn't be like me, could he?
"Really? I was also a writer, but after a certain incident, I can't exactly do that anymore."
Twilight had been teaching me how to write with my mouth (which is surprising seeing as she was a unicorn), and two months paid off, although I'm still not a fast writer.
"Wow. I didn't think you had that sort of talent."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I was doing that 'exaggerate-a-simple-comment' thing just to tease him.
"I didn't mean any harm, it's just that I thought that you were more of a fighter than a writer."
"Well, looks can be deceiving. By the way, how would you beat up those who would attack you or your friends?"
"Usually, a swift punch to the gut, then a chop to the neck."
"Really? I'd usually aim for the face than swing the pony around and launch him into the walls."
"Woah! I bet I've got better." he smirked and gave an eyebrow smile. (doesn't that sound weird?)
"Bring it on!"
Hmmm, I seem to have become.....must control myself or I will be completely absorbed by these disturbing feelings. So...hard...
While the two continued showing off their violent exploits, a nearly completely colored character had been watching them from a tower roof far above them.
"Ah! There she is. She seems to have been losing her insanity. I waited far too long. Well, there's always more chaos that can be caused if I jump in right now, what with the princesses in the basement watching my "statue". Chaos is great! In I go!"
Rarity and the spa sisters fell on their flanks as a massive scream and explosion shook the castle. Being near the door, they were the first out. The first thing that caught their sight was the apparent modification of the balcony, which now looked like spiked chocolate on one end, and the "bricks" were turned to black thorned vines intertwining between each other like twisted cables. That, and both Cyclon and Silver had disappeared. Rarity looked around anxiously as she tried to figure out what had happened.
"Um, excuse me." Rarity looked up. It was Cyclon who was floating in the air while being halfway through a piece of brick wall.
"You know, floating upside down in the air can be fun and all, but after awhile, it gets tiresome."
"Oh my! Um, how will we get him down from there?" asked Rarity.
"Like this!" said Aloe.
The two sisters performed acrobatic moves and swiped Cyclon out of the air. Surprisingly, the bricks surrounding Cyclon weren't heavy.
"Thanks."
"No problem." said the two sisters in unison.
Metallic clopping and armor bouncing could be heard. Bullseye arrived from the hallway with a whole regiment of troops behind him. They all stopped at the doors while Bullseye walked forward examining the balcony.
"What in Celestia's name happened here?"
Cyclon got up and straightened himself out.
"Well sir-"
"For crying out loud, what is that around your waist?"
"Uhh, this? Well-"
*CRACK* Bullseye broke the bricks with a swift movement with his foreleg.
"There. Now I believe that we can have a proper conversation."
"Yes, sir. Well, me and Silver were conversing and then I heard something laugh and looked towards the roof. It was some kind of creature mixed with several animal parts."
Bullseye and Rarity's eyes both shrunk in the sudden realization of what the creature was.
"The tiles he came sliding down turned into cards and when he fell down here, I tried to fight him off, but the guy did what you saw earlier to me. He wanted to pass a message to the princesses."
"What kind of message?" asked Rarity.
"Well, he told me: In case you are wondering, dear Celestia and sweet Luna, I am still a statue, and I will forever be until the current elements perish, or until I can find the perfect chaotic receptacle for some of my powers. I found it, and thanks to the disturbances she has brought upon the magical flows of the worlds, I've been able to form myself an ethereal body. When she returns, she will be the vice-lord of chaos."
The soldiers behind started to gossip with each other. Rarity and Bullseye started to panic.
"Girls, you will have to return to Ponyville." said Rarity.
"We understand."
"We must go warn the princesses immediately! If your friend did indeed make those things happen, then you and the other elements will have to gather up and fight off Discord."
"I just hope that we don't have to fight Silver. She has gone so far since we last met her." said Rarity.
These memories...these horrid memories...why are they passing by so fast? They are all passing in front of my eyes like a waterfall.
"AH!"
I opened my eyes to see myself floating, once again, in nothing. However, this time, my environment was black, I was still Silver, and I could clearly move. I tried to go forward, but I found myself spinning around. If I was sent to Equestria last time...my pupils shrunk as I started to cry internally for a reason I knew nothing about.
"I don't want to go back! I want to stay here! I haven't felt so happy since...since..."
"Since you met your grand-father?" said a deep voice.
"Who is that? Who is this? Who are you?"
Some strange being popped up right in front of my face. He stared at me in the eyes with an evil smile on his face. He had a pupil smaller than the other, not to mention a fang sticking out and the fact that he was made of several pieces of animals. Something seemed wrong with this thing. He had black, pulsating spots all over his body. I tried to stare at him in the face as he circled around me, observing my body in a pensive manner. He stopped suddenly and clapped his hands together before holding me in one arm.
"You're perfect!"
"Perfect for what?"
"For my powers, of course!"
"What?"
"Chaos needs a new vessel until I am freed. If you accept my offer of giving you great powers, than you can do whatever you want as long as I get to direct you."
"Pfff. Yeah right. Like I'd obey you. And who are you anyways?"
This guy looked at me in a challenging manner.
"I am Discord, lord of all chaos! You must be-"
"Silver."
"-Derry Wilhall."
I gasped and stared at him, my mouth wide open.
"But-but-but-"
"How do I know this? Because I've been following you since your arrival in Equestria. I know everything about you now...well...almost everything. But listen here: if you accept my generous offer, you can have your revenge on everyone who did you wrong. Just look at this fat lard that you seem to know all too well."
Discord waved his eagle talons, and a distortion formed. Through this new window, I could see a kid I hated quite a lot. It was Gerald. MAN! He grew fat! He was wearing white pants with a red shirt. His belt could certainly fit around the car he was cleaning. I tightened my teeth as I grew furious at seeing him. Discord noticed this as well, even when holding me in his right arm.
"Watch what happens." Discord started to move his other hand like a bullet, and "things" started to happen.
First, Gerald fell over and hit his head on the side-view mirrors, breaking them. Then a wheel popped, followed by all the others. A door flung off it's hinges and threw him into a garden gnome he had in his yard.( Ha! What kind of person still uses those?) The car seemed to start on it's own and flung off the floor and into Gerald's house. It plowed down the roof and blew up, taking the house with it. I saw Gerald fall down in disbelief and horror. I should've felt happy, but I felt horrible. Discord picked me up with both hands and looked at me with a smile.
"What's the matter? A beautiful "mare" like you can't stand revenge?"
"That's not it. What you did there was...horrible."
"Awww, you don't seem to realize everything that has been told behind your back it would seem."
I started to feel that uneasy feeling surging through my body, nipping at my mind again.
"Besides, think about what I can do for you! I can give you wings! Or maybe a horn! Or even both!"
Everytime he said those things, I grew the appendage in question. I now found myself with wings and horn. I...didn't like it.
"Get these off of me. Only the princesses can have them."
"I thought you wanted to have a great deal of power to have your revenge on everything that hurt you."
This uncomfortable feeling was getting to me again. Discord opened another portal and showed Twilight Sparkle with Fluttershy and Applejack.
"*sigh* How much longer are ya gonna keep 'er like that?" moaned Applejack.
"Yes. It's...it's not like she has anything to do there with you." said Fluttershy.
"I have to keep her with me and Spike until I can send her back to that stupid dimension of hers. I honesty don't know why I have to be burdened with her. She's just so...ugh!"
The portal faded and another one appeared with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Then another with Rarity and the spa sister's. Then one with Luna and Celestia, as well as Cyclon. This one seemed to strike me more than it should have. I was clutching my chest (as well as a pony could) and I was crying my eyes out. My heart was in terrible, terrible pain.
"Awww. There there. Discord will be your friend. Besides, if you join me, I can give you anything you want besides a horn and wings. I can give you that relationship with Cyclon." He smirked and snapped his toes. (how..?)
I found myself sitting down in ankle length grass suddenly. I saw that my mane was longer than before. I was looking at the sunset, the cool breeze filling me with fresh air and tossing the grass around like a subtle wave. I couldn't help but wonder where I was. Cyclon came near with two plates in his mouth. He seemed...well-built without his armor on. He dropped a plate with a piece of strawberry cake on it next to me, and started eating his. I couldn't make heads or tails of this situation. He put down the plate, wiped his mouth, then looked at me, those eyes seemingly drifting. I don't know what happened, but I suddenly found myself drifting closer towards him in a "romantic" moment, about to kiss. I drifted back into reality and flailed my forelegs. I started to pant wildly. I didn't want that to happen, but every cell of my body shook in eagerness for what had almost happened.
I glared at Discord who was looking me with a smile on his face and his eyes lazily opened. He had his tow arms behind his back. I was about to insult him, but he grabbed me again:
"Or maybe I could bring your grand-father back?"
"That's *shiver* impossible. Nothing can defy death!"
"Nothing but chaos! Death has no meaning to me!"
He waved his tail and I saw my grand-father's loving face.
"Hey Derry. Why don't you come over here in your grandpa's lap while I tell you another story?"
I frantically started to pull myself towards him, but Discord stopped with one hand and blew him away with a sneeze. My grand-father exploded into confetti, allowing me to see those colorful monstrosities slowly float down and dissolve.
"Ah, ah, ah! Not yet! First, you need to accept my offering. Besides, don't you want to know why I need you in particular?"
I stared at him.
"That 'Giga Sparkle' that you created is an incredible being indeed. You see, the Sparkles from here were born from positive feelings and, therefore, they absorbed them to survive and kept all the negative emotions unto themselves. Yours, however, is unique in that it was born from that "love" you had with your toy. These have never been recorded before, and a sparkle's power can go far. The power you still have from it fusing with you allows me to give you my powers, especially with the way you have been thinking of life lately. Your previous was terrible and full of turmoil. This one has been giving you a new perspective on life, which renders chaos fluent within your tiny mind. Your previous life, however, is what is the most chaotic.
So, do you accept my offer?"
I was barely staying conscious. I felt something trying to speak to me in my own head, but I couldn't hear it. Refuse or accept? Was what Discord showed me true?
The Elements of Harmony, equipped with their respective "jewelry", ran towards Ponyville with Cyclon close by. Bullseye and his regiment had already started to spread out and evacuate the town. Rainbow Dash was trying to keep herself at the same speed as her friends.
"The princesses said that she was here, right Twilight?"
"Yes. Without the elements, that can't do much against Discord, even if he isn't truly released."
"I...I hope he didn't do anything to the animals. That would make me so...MAD!" screamed Fluttershy.
She caught her friends off guard with that sudden yell. Pinkie Pie felt her sense tingling.
"Oh no. A right eye wiggle and my hooves are freezing up."
"What? What in tarnation does that'un mean?" asked Applejack.
"It's a new one. It means that the Cakes' babies are in trouble."
"WHAT?!" the group yelled.
"Quickly!"
The group ran towards the town's pastry shop, but the Discord image stopped them. He was smiling as he floated in mid-air.
"You! What have you done to poor Silver?!" screamed Rarity.
"Me? Nothing...almost." Rainbow Dash jetted directly into his face and stared at him angrily.
"Tell us what you did to her!"
"Follow me and you'll see."
The images started to dance his way towards the location. The mares hesitated.
"What do ya think, sugarcube. Should we follow him?" asked Applejack.
"We don't have a choice now, do we. If we don't follow him, we might never find her in time."
The ponies followed Discord, with Cyclone stealthily following them. They all happened upon a a Silvery pony that seemed to have a horn and wings made of flowing, pastel-colored ink. It's coat was also all roughed up and "liquefied" like the wings and horn. Her mane covered her face, and her tail seemed to twitch every now and then. It was obvious to know where she came from. The path behind her had houses flipped over, turned into floors balancing on each other, and several ponies started acting crazy, one most notably spinning on a pencil.
Rarity hoped it wasn't her, but she moved forward, trying to talk to who she thought that thing staring at the bakery door was.
"Rarity, stay here!" yelped Fluttershy.
"I have to see if it's who I think it is."
Rarity moved forward as she started to notice that tears were falling from the face of the creature. Discord just followed her with his eyes, rotating as she moved closer.
"Silver, is that you? Are you going to be alright?"
The creature's head twitched upwards, causing Rarity to back off in fear. The Discord laughed as he moved closer to it.
"So you knew her before? That's a relief to know. How about I introduce you to the new and improved version that I have named "Crystal Ingot"?
Silver turned around to show that she had insanity written all over her face, despite the flow of tears coming from her eyes. Her entire body seemed to have at least some form of color fluctuation, and her eyes weren't so much different. What happened to her?
The six mares couldn't help but stare at the chaos filled pony that was now in front of them. Silver was now having insanity ticks, and her eyes were nearly white; if not for the faint outlining of her pupils and iris. She a gigantic smile on her face, but her eyes still wept with tears.
"Silver?" asked Twilight.
The mare's eyes turned towards this lavender pony, and the smile slowly rotated itself downwards. Discord seemed excited at what was about to happen. Silver charged at Twilight and suddenly disappeared. She quickly reappeared behind Pinkie Pie and bucked her into the air, before throwing some type of jagged stone at her. The stone just splattered over Pinkie Pie, causing her to laugh. This little prank didn't seem like much, until the mush hardened, and kept Pinkie from moving. Silver started swaying slowly from side to side as she moved slowly towards Rainbow Dash who started backing off.
"Silver, it's me! Remember all those races we had?"
"Hohoho! There's no point in trying to talk to her. She can't hear you. She's stuck up here, you see." Discord pointed at his head, that echoed when he hit it with his finger.
Silver swayed even more from side to side before started to spin around Rainbow Dash with her wings. A small tornado formed, which literally started sucking the blue of the sky to reveal portions of night. The rainbow mare was tossed aside into a nearby building. Chaos was starting to spread, much to the amusement of the ethereal Discord.
"Twi, what can we do? We can't hurt her can we?" asked Applejack.
"I don't know. On one side, she's our friend, but on another, she is filled with Discord's magic."
"Well...maybe we should try and keep her down? Maybe we could try talking to her if she can't move?" proposed Fluttershy.
The three remaining mares looked at each other, then nodded.
"Okay Fluttershy. We'll go with your plan." said Twilight.
They all started using diverse methods to trap Silver, and all seemed to fail. Trying to make a now domino shaped wall fall on her failed. Trying to make her trip over a hidden rope failed as well. They couldn't stop her as she started to march towards Canterlot, a horrid smile on her face.
"Twi, I believe we can't stop 'er normally. We have ta use force."
"NO! We can't! Just think of how the dear is? She must be terrified! Just look at her. She's been crying the entire time she's been like this." yelled Rarity.
It was true. Although Silver only showed off her psychotic tendencies, she had been crying the entire time. Rarity knew that these weren't tears of joy, and that Silver might be trapped inside of her mind. Applejack believed her friend, but denied the use of non-violent force. It was too late for Silver. She had already destroyed everything in her path, and it wasn't about to stop there. Her current pathway set her directly in the direction of the soldiers, much to the dismay of Bullseye and a still hidden Cyclon.
While Bullseye was hurrying the evacuation of the civilians, a guard galloped towards him in panic.
"Sir! It's that silver colored mare!"
"Horse apples! Is she?"
"Yes."
"Keep evacuating the civilians, I'll deal with her."
"But-"
"DO AS I SAY!"
"Yes, sir!"
Bullseye started to gallop towards the twitching Silver. Every twitch she made deformed everything around her randomly. Instead of cringing in terror, Bullseye ran directly into Silver, who did not expect such a strike to happen. She was literally flung upwards, and spun in a hovering position. Discord was laughing exhilaratingly. Bullseye caught sight of him and activated his horn. A special ability of this stallion was the particularity of his talent: he could control the field of gravity around a wide area. Discord's laughter soon stopped as he was thrust into the ground.
"Intriguing. So you are Discord?"
"The one and only!"
"Change her back."
"Why? It's so much more fun this way!"
Bullseye's rage flared upon his face. He enhanced the gravity on Discord, who started to sink into the disintegrating ground. As the stallion's rage increased evermore, he didn't know that Silver had been preparing a spell. When she unleashed it, the ground started to crumble and break. It flipped in some areas, floated high into the air with others, and some just turned sideways. Discord laughed ever harder as the six mares had come back. Pinkie Pie had gotten out of the hardened substance, and Rainbow Dash was going full speed at her former friend while she still unleashed her spell. Silver was caught and thrown onto the ground, where the other five ponies tied her up. Hopefully, the spell Twilight had placed on it would help with the magic being emanated from the insane mare. While Discord yelled 'No!', Bullseye came back from a levitated piece of the ground, and was followed by a few dozen guards who swarmed over him and Silver.
Discord couldn't move anymore due to the unicorns. If only he had his real body, he could've gotten out of this, and Silver's powers were just maturing. The six mares went around a struggling Silver to try and bring her back.
"Silver. Silver! It's me! Twilight Sparkle!" Silver suddenly stopped moving:" Yes, you remember me don't you? How much fun we had these past two months?"
"You...called me...a burden..."
"What?!"
"I...must have...My revenge on those....who treated me wrong."
"We would never do that you silly filly! Why would we ever do that? I wanted to throw you another party!"
"...Yes....to humiliate and insult me...."
The ropes started to crack like glass.
"We wouldn't ever do that, dear! Why would we? It's so uncouth."
"You...wanted to make me....the worst pony in Equestria...by giving me horrid makeovers....that I absolutely hate."
The ropes suddenly shattered like glass, but the soldiers around held her down with their magic. Before a thought could be given about Silver's brain-washed condition, Bullseye yelled out the elements:
"HEY! She's connected to Discord, right? Use your elements to destroy him!"
"But we can't! It might affect Silver too!"
"I guess we'll just have to find out about that now, won't we?"
"He's right Twilight. Hopefully, this will save Silver." said Fluttershy.
Twilight called out to her friends who reunited and each of their respective elements started to glow. The guards stared in awe, before letting go of Discord, who promptly bounced up and wiped off the dust on himself.
"The elements again? Hmph. Well, this will never free her, and just to be sure *snap*" Discord snapped his fingers, which caused an unknown reaction in Silver.
"Well, you won't be hurting anypony anymore!" yelled Twilight.
"Yes she will!"
The rainbow blasted forward and engulfed the being in a colorful light. A loud laughter could be heard until the Ethereal image of Discord distorted and faded away. The six mares lowered down back onto the ground, and looked behind themselves, hoping to see their friend back to normal. Instead, they saw Silver getting back up and blasting the nearby unicorns away. She had an uneasy look on her face, and her ears seemed to be reacting to something. She quickly looked up and started limping towards the six ponies, her 'horn' pulsating wildly. Cyclon came out of his hiding place and slammed into her, only to knock her down and keep her on the floor while the horn started to glow more brightly.
"Quickly! Strike her with the elements! She might be purified!"
Twilight and the others nodded, but before they could start again, the horn of Silver suddenly erupted in a flash of blue. This flash caused her to scream in pain as the blue sun blew Cyclon and many other ponies clean off their feet. When they came to, it was clear that Silver was being held by something powerful. A big blue ball was attached to her head and blue lightning bolts were coursing throughout the surface of her body, causing her to agonize in pain while she shook and trembled powerfully. The blue crystal petals on her cutie mark were also glowing brightly. Twilight couldn't help but think that this was the Giga Sparkle from before. Cyclon stood back up and ran in her direction.
"I don't know what you did, but it's working." said Cyclon. He was panting heavily for some reason.
"We...we didn't do anything." said Rarity. She was staring in disbelief at what was happening.
"Hey Rainbow Dash, that blue light looks just like your coat!" laughed Pinkie Pie.
"But, if you didn't' do that, then what is?"
Twilight started to think, then nodded to herself as she became certain of what she had to do.
"I know what I need to do. I have to go into her mind and find her in there. It's a spell the princesses taught me. You all watch over me while I'm inside of there."
"She's right Twilight. What are you going to do? Swim through there?!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"I'm doing it and that's final. It's too dangerous for you all to follow me."
Cyclon put his hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
"I'm coming with you. It is my duty to regain my honor and to save her."
"That's out of the question! There's no way-"
"YOU WILL NOT DENY ME THIS! I WILL DO AS I PLEASE, AND IF THAT INVOLVES GOING INTO SILVER'S MIND TO SAVE HER, THEN I WILL DO IT!"
Cyclon's voice echoed throughout the small town. He terrified Twilight, and the other mares backed off as well. He had the determination of ten thousand ponies swirling within him. Twilight shook the surprise out of her system and warned Cyclon about the consequences that might arise. He didn't care, and they both approached the still paralyzed Silver. Twilight activated her spell, which gave off a bright flash. Once it dissipated, both ponies were on the floor. The recovered soldiers and the remaining elements ran to their aid.
Twilight and Cyclon spun wildly throughout a plane of chaos, with wild colors flowing everywhere. Windows of Derry's memories, that were now modified by chaos to show off ponies instead of people, flew wildly through the tunnel that the tow ponies were flying through. They suddenly landed on something solid. The area they were in was nothing but darkness as well as random sounds of laughter and words of anger. Silver was further away, glowing a bright blue. She was surrounded by a black smokey serpent wisping around her, keeping her trapped.
"Is that her?" asked Cyclon.
"I hope so. Discord's power is still within her, so it could be a trap. I'm still wondering why this place isn't so chaotic."
"I...didn't notice that. You're right though. I suppose we should approach her cautiously then.
The two ponies approached the bright glowing blue light that stood in reach but was still so far away. The closer they went, the faster the black serpent-like thing swirling around Silver went. Cyclon grew tired of this waiting and charged forward. Twilight tried to stop him, but it was too late. The serpent stopped and surrounded Cyclon in the blink of an eye. He struggled to get out of the grip of this weird thing. The longer it held him, the colder he became. An end of this serpent went closer to Cyclon's face. Upon this end formed two grey eyes with a red pupil. It seemed to have fun in squeezing and draining Cyclon. It completely ignored Twilight Sparkle, that it did not deem a threat.
"Hey! Let go off him!" Twilight started to use spells against the black monstrosity, but these simply dissolved into it's being.
"But I can't use it without the others! And we're inside of Silver's mind. I don't have it with me."
You still possess it outside. echoed an unknown voice.
"That's true. Hold on Cyclon, let me concentrate. I hope that it works without the others."
Twilight lowered her head and started to concentrate deeply, all the while, Cyclon was becoming paler, and the creature turned its sights towards Twilight. The mare's head started to glow, the shape of her "crown" appearing on her head. The creature yelled and quickly let go of Cyclon. It started slithering quickly towards Twilight, but, before it could properly attack her, Twilight unleashed what looked like a star shaped beam at the creature. It writhed and screamed in pain while it's body started to burn and consume itself in what looked like orange flames. The beast did not die entirely, but rather, it fled into what looked like a swirling pink portal. The second it passed through, space seemed to render, causing it to flip directly from a vertical position to a horizontal one.
Twilight sighed in relief. Using the element on her own was actually quite strenuous. She ran towards Cyclon, who was barely standing.
"You okay now?"
"Yeah. Yeah. I think I'll be alright. What about Silver?"
"It looks like she isn't glowing anymore, but she's still floating in mid-air."
"What?"
Silver was indeed still floating in the air. She didn't seem to move, and her eyes were closed. But, the second Twilight moved her hoof by barely a pico-meter, Silver's eyes opened and she seemed to have magically faded right in front of the two ponies. She stared at them, her body unusually blue.
"Silver? You okay? I hope that thing didn't do anything to you. I wouldn't be able forgive myself if anything bad happened." said Cyclon.
Silver looked at him with a smile and tilted her head, but Twilight was skeptic. She wasn't sure, but she knew she had to ask:
"You. You're the Giga Sparkle that the princesses destroyed." Silver lift an eyebrow at this remark.
"What are you talking about Twilight? That's definitely Silver. Sure, she looks somewhat different, but that HAS to be her!"
"Yes. The..." Twilight stopped immediately. That was supposed to be a secret.
"Original Silver? I believe we have met before, young Twilight Sparkle, bearer of the element of magic, personal student of Celestia."
"Wha-"
"I believe you also wish to know how I, myself, know of this?"
"Twilight, what is she talking about?"
"That isn't Silver. That's a Giga Sparkle."
"A what?" laughed Cyclon.
The Giga Sparkle walked slowly around the two ponies, to get a better look at them. It stopped as soon as it's eyes connected with Cyclon's. It quickly started to talk while alternating between both ponies' eyes:
"Just so you know, Cyclon Opal, I am the original Silver. The one you know does not come from this world, nor was she...yes...a pony. She was a creature that I shall not speak of right now."
Cyclon couldn't help but aww and question the authenticity of the story.
"That's a joke, right?"
Twilight just looked at him with a saddened face. Cyclon understood that this was all true.
"But, you were destroyed by the princesses' spell! I saw you dissolve right before my eyes!"
"While that is true, I didn't exactly die. I'm a part of Silver's soul, and if you want to destroy me, you have to annihilate her existence. The spell the princesses used could have probably worked with my brethren, but I was never born in this world."
"No. You were born on her's." said Cyclon.
"Yes. I have learned a great deal of things thanks to the magic that flows in Equestria."
"Wait...you learned from the magic?"
"Of course! If I understood correctly, Giga Sparkles "read" the magic currents. I seemed to be able to do it inherently. All beings release magic from their bodies, even worlds that 'do not' have them."
"One thing still bothers me. How exactly WERE you born?" asked Twilight.
The Sparkle frowned slightly. She knew that she would have to tell the truth eventually, and it should be now.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I was a stuffed pony toy that Silver had received when she was but five."
"A stuffed animal?!" they both screamed.
"Yes. I was her first and last present. I'm pretty sure you have understood, especially you Cyclon, but she had a miserable childhood. The only person that she ever appreciated in her life, and the only one who ever gave her any form of affection, was her grandfather."
"Yeah. She told me about him and how he was. She also told me that they had a great relationship."
"True. While she had a great affection for him, she had an equal amount for me. But, as the years passed, she grew more distant from her grandfather and his ever growing industry. She started to feel alone, and filled that hole with rage, anger, sadness...and me. Even though those feelings filled up her soul, I filled another."
"Then that thing that attacked me was-"
"The creature that represents her negative emotions. Yes. It has no mind of its own, however, and just follows its instincts."
Twilight started to think here. How did the Sparkle get its own mind when the negative emotions did not?
"You seem troubled Twilight. Wondering how I got my own soul and the serpent did not?"
"How did you...?"
"The flow of magic. I haven't finished my story yet, however."
"Then please, go on. I want to know every bit about her and how to...um...help her." said Cyclon who started to silence himself near the end. Twilight stayed oblivious to this, but the Sparkle knew exactly why he was acting like this.
"Then I shall. As I said, I was part of Silver's soul, but, I was the part she coveted. The part that held her hopes that the world wasn't as dark and cruel as she saw it. The hopes that she would actually find a friend somewhere, and as her life became darker and sinister, her hopes grew at the same time as her fury. When she grew around the age of sixteen, that is when I took shape and mind. I learned much about her, and how bad she felt. I decided to put my plans into motion as I grew ever more within her soul, pushing the negative emotions as far away as possible."
"But why sixteen in particular?" asked Twilight.
"That...is a story I shall never speak of."
Twilight pouted.
"I had learned from the tiny bit of magic flowing here that there was a weakness between two worlds, and that second world called out to me. I felt so much positive energies flowing from it. I thought that I could get her to the mountains near her cabin to be able to create the portal. I couldn't interact with the outside world, but luckily, she was tricked into thinking that something interesting was going to happen at a certain spot."
"Then why was she turned into you?" asked Twilight.
The Spark rubbed the back of its head with uncertainty written all over it's face.
"I...I don't know. That was not at all part of my plans. I honestly do not know what...or who did that, but it was not in my plans."
"An accident?" asked Cyclon.
"Not at that point. My magics weren't fully developed. It wasn't me. Besides, my control over her body is slowly dissipating, and her mind is starting to crumble. We can go to where she is right now."
"Yes, that would be the best thing to do." said Cyclon.
Twilight nodded and followed the Sparkle who led the way with a gesture of her strange hoof. The world really was starting to crumble. The black walls started to twist and churn. Several variants of colors and shapes started to form here and there. While Cyclon and Twilight stayed close to each other and watched in horror as the mind of the Silver they know started to dissolve. The Sparkle simply continued to smile and opened a portal through the dissolving black shroud. A round, orange and red portal appeared with an equally shaped colored hallway on the other side. The Sparkle invited the two ponies into the corridor. They hesitated at first, but the Sparkle insisted. Just by moving its head was it capable of convincing them.
In this room, many veins of red and orange ebbed and jolted throughout the room. On the sides of the room were "memories". However, inside them, were not ponies, but strange, very tall creatures. They were bipedal and the only amount of hair or fur that they seemed to have, were present on their heads or their faces. They were viewed from the perspective of...Silver? It was hard to tell. There was so much violence and negativity emanating from them that it was impossible that they were Silver's memories. Cyclon just had to ask:
"Say...who do these memories belong to?"
The Sparkle cringed but continued her path forward.
"Memories modified by Silver to become more of her keepsakes. They are versions of her negative memories going good for her."
"That is...very disturbing."
"That is how it is. For some, life is hard and death is soothing, but those who choose the path of death are cowards who do not face their troubled past and present. Ah! We are here...and so is it."
Further down the path was a room just like the corridor, but sounds of crying could be heard. This was the Silver the two ponies knew, but she was sitting in the middle of a pool of negativity with those creatures popping out of them like wraiths. Her times in Equestria softened her up, as some might say. The serpent was much larger now for some reason, and it seemed fully healed.
"What? But I thought I destroyed that thing." said Twilight.
The sparkle rolled it's eyes.
"Like me, it is part of Silver's soul. It cannot be destroyed, only weakened. By the way. If you want to learn more about me, I suggest that you help Silver. I will be able to communicate with you both once this is over."
"I'll destroy that serpent." roared Cyclon. The Sparkle stopped him.
"No. Only Twilight can wound it. Besides, I think that there has formed some type of connection between you two. I think that YOU would be a better choice for savior than a friend."
Twilight stared at Cyclon and the Sparkle in a confused manner. Cyclon had apparently turned as red as the environment around him.
"Enough of that. We have to save Silver! And I'll want my answers after all of this." said Twilight. The Sparkle nodded and kept it's smirk on its face.
Twilight ran towards the black serpent and started to strike it with diverse spells all while avoiding it's attacks. It seems that Twilight was capable of damaging it without the element of magic anymore, much to the loathing of the beast. Cyclon felt fear and adrenaline rush through his body as he saw those things torture and insult poor Silver. The Sparkle put a hoof on his right shoulder and nodded. He nodded back, and galloped towards the pool of wraiths.
As Twilight fought the serpent, Cyclon pushed through to reach the pool of wraiths. He didn't know why...but he felt something about that mare that pushed him further than just he needs to uphold his reputation and clear his name. The Sparkle did nothing while both ponies were doing their respective tasks. The Giga Sparkle may have been a powerful being outside, but inside, this was the mind of Derry Wilhall, and he, despite having mental changes, controlled everything here. Only outside help could change everything.
The serpent had seen exactly what Cyclon was trying to do. It tried to push Twilight Sparkle away and smash that puny creature, but Twilight grabbed it with a levitation spell and threw it far away on the other side of the 'room'. Cyclon had finally reached the pool, and the wraiths continued to torment Silver. Constantly spinning. Constantly harassing. Constantly insulting.
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
The wraiths turned to see this new victim. He seemed to be full of bravery and strength. How long would it take to break him? Each wraith took their turn to talk.
"Well what do we have here?"
"It looks like this one is full of compassion."
"And strength."
"What shall we do with him?"
"Perhaps talk about his brother?"
"What about my brother? And which one?" said Cyclon.
He only looked at Silver who still being tormented by a few wraiths. She was struggling to look at Cyclon as modified versions of her memories swirled around her, and the water she was in continued to crush her legs.
"You know exactly who were are talking about."
"I believe Stonehenge Opal rings a bell."
"How do you-"
"-know about him? We are chaos. We know everything that is known throughout the world."
"And we can even tell you about how your brother died and that you couldn't do anything to help him."
" How about we return to that fateful day?"
"NO!"
But it was too late. Cyclon found himself donning the golden armor of the basic royal guard. He was with several others, and even Bullseye was there. He was notably less muscular than the general Cyclon knew now. The soldier was in the mountains, standing on a rather "flat" area of the giant rock. Flat, if it wasn't for the numerous "plates" that had been formed in the area. The far right side showed the rest of the climbing mountain side stretching ever higher into the heavens. Cyclon couldn't help but see the destroyed camp and the fleeing ponies running away from what he feared the most in his life. There were other guards that were being thrown several feet away in the air. Although Cyclon's heart pounded with fear, he had to be certain.
He turned around to see the golem of the Antarak mountains fighting off the guardsmen. This gigantic beast of stone stood on four legs, had very long and powerful arms with equally long fingers, and it's head showed a portion of the right side to be "swollen" due to excess of stone formation. Bullseye wasn't doing much to it, besides chipping off a little piece here and there. Cyclon saw that his brother and a few other trapped geologists were standing right behind it. It was never known why this beast made such a long trip from its mountains to these ones, but it wasn't friendly at all.
Cyclon tried to change things this time. He ran towards the beast and jumped on its chest, much to the protests of Bullseye. Cyclon fought it once, and knew it's weak spot. The pony held onto the creatures neck, infuriating it. The lumbering stone mobster tried to punch it's nuisance, but Cyclon let go just before the fist impacted. A hole was blown through the chest, revealing the creature's pinkish core. The stallion grabbed ahold of a jagged piece of stone with his teeth and jumped back onto the creature's chest and into the hole. A loud grunt was heard, and the beast fell down, while pink goo spewed from the hole. The golem was slain. Cyclon came out, covered in that nasty goo. The soldiers came by and praised him for this incredible feat. He was proud of himself. However, as Stonehenge marched forward to thank his brother, a voice echoed throughout the area:
"Ah,ah,ah! Nonono. You cannot change what has been done, no matter how hard you try."
"No, wait!"
The golem's core started to function again. It stood up and quickly spun around towards Stonehenge who was starting to step back, along with the other geologists. The creature marched forward and pounded the ground right where Stonehenge was standing. It then reached into the rock and started pulling out the plate all the ponies were on. None of them could get off in time, simply due to the speed that the golem was ripping the plate off. With the plate now bent at a ninety degree angle, everypony fell off into the misty deeps that surrounded their area. The forest would retrieve them.
Cyclon fell to his knees, his face wrought with disbelief and horror. The memory faded, and the wraiths reappeared, spinning around their new victim.
"You see! No matter what you do, you will never be able to save anypony. Never! You couldn't save your brother or those other ponies, and you certainly will not be able to save HER!" yelled the wraith as it pointed towards Silver.
Cyclon looked up to see that this place was disintegrating as well. However, what really clicked in his mind was the state Silver was in. Cyclon retrieved his sense and stood up proudly. The wraiths were caught aback by this sudden mood change. They did not perform well enough?
"I do not fear my past anymore. I have long since gotten over that incident. Those who are stuck in the past will never be ready for the future. I will save Silver, and I'll show you evil spirits that I CAN save anypony that I want to."
"You'll never succeed!"
"Yes I will!"
Cyclon started to run through the creatures who dissipated every time he touched them. They kept trying to reform bad memories of his to hinder his progress, but Cyclon pushed on and broke through those memories like a train through glass. He jumped into the pool of water, that immediately rose up and started to form itself all over his body. It started to crush him, but he pressed forward and finally reached Silver.
"Silver...I know you're there. Listen to me. Whatever happened before in your world, it will not happen here. We are all here to help you and become friends. You may not believe me, but this is how it is. Do not believe these...ugh...horrors! They'll....only lie to you. You are not a horrible mare, nor do I care about what happened to you in the past. I won't let the same things happen to you now."
The liquid seemed to start to shake as it tried desperately to crush Cyclon, but it was losing it's strength.
"You are not chaos. You are not evil. You have actually shown yourself to be much kinder than anypony would have guessed. I heard it from ALL of your friends. So, trust me when I say this: I won't let anything bad happen to you ever again."
The serpent Twilight was fighting gave out a terrifying scream of pain, as did the wraiths. The world started to reform as Silver stood up and swiped the water off of Cyclon and grabbed ahold of him unsuspectingly.
In the real world, Twilight and Cyclon had been placed away from Silver, whose body had started to sport weird traits. Her wings and horn had begun to solidify, and she started to grow in size. It is only with a sudden blast wave that everything disappeared. A bright flash, and everything was over. Everypony was thrown far away from the blast zone. Even the princesses, who were still in Canterlot castle, saw the flash as the chaotic magic flew out of Silver's body and dissipated in the air. What would happen next?
Silver awoke in an infirmary. The stoned walls and barred windows indicated that she was within the Canterlot castle walls once again. She had bandages all over her body. Struggling to get up, the former human noticed Cyclon sleeping on the floor near her, with Rarity reading a magazine on fashion. Silver rubbed her head in pain as a piercing headache formed itself.
"Silver?" asked Rarity.
"Yeah? What happened? How did I get here? I remember being swept up by some dolt-"
"SILVER!"
Rarity jumped on me, causing the searing pain to spike all over my body. A loud yelp and Cyclon literally jumped high enough to hit his head on the roof and fall back down.
"Oh! I'm sorry dear. It's just that you've been out cold for so long."
"How long?"
"About a week."
"A WEEK?!"
"Yes. Ow...you don't remember what happened?"
"Remem-"
Where are these memories coming from? Strange creatures swirling around me...insults...bad memories...Cyclon?
"You...you saved me Cyclon?"
"Yes...it was my job...and something else..."
"I didn't hear that last part."
"Nothing."
Why was he blushing? Why did I feel warm inside thinking about him? It wasn't a bad feeling but...still. Rarity smirked, and the doors leading to the infirmary blasted open. Bullseye was there with a pair of ponies from his personal retinue. They wore emerald armor that completely covered their bodies. It was pretty awesome to see. It looked like the royal guard armor, but just think of it as being more spikey and slanted.
"Cyclon. Take Silver and Rarity and come with us. We must reach the princesses at once."
"Sir. As much as I want to obey those orders, I cannot."
"And why, exactly?"
"Silver is still too wounded from the physical stress of that...event...and cannot hope to move properly."
Bullseye rubbed his chin but quickly came up with an idea.
"Then grab a medical stretcher and place her on it. You are her bodyguard, it's your duty that she sees what must be done."
"*sigh*. Yes, sir."
I preferred to not say anything. Rarity helped me out of the bed and placed me onto the stretcher. She lift the back side with her magic while Cyclon placed the straps on his back. They started walking me out of the infirmary, and into an open hallway. There was a small garden in the middle of this area. The right side of the walls all had openings, and only a rail made of interconnected, small pillars kept anyone from entering it. It wasn't anything impressive though. Just a fountain and tons of plants.
Like usual, I was taken to the main throne room. Lots of guards were waiting in front of the door and were blocking any entry to the castle. The doors opened to show that Twilight and the other three ponies were waiting at the base of the throne...wait...three?
"SURPRISE!"
"AH! OW!"
Pinkie Pie popped out of nowhere above me and threw confetti in my face.
"Why would you do that?" I asked.
"I'm sorry. I just thought that a party would be great for your recovery. Celestia just called us now, saying that you would wake up, so I didn't have any time to prepare anything."
"That's alright. I don't think I will need it."
Celestia and Luna had flown down from their perch atop the throne, and stepped in front of me.
"Silver, you have been accused of working with Discord, what do you plead?" said Celestia.
"...guilty..."
"Then you must be punished-"
"WHAT?!" Cyclon seemed to rage. "You of all ponies should know of Discord's deceptive abilities and what he did. Twilight and I even went inside of her mind to find her and save her. It's Discord's fault, not her's! If you want to punish somepony, then you might as well punish me!"
Luna and Celestia looked at each other in surprise.
"What are you talking about? We aren't going to kill her or banish her." said Luna
"What? But you just said-"
"-I wasn't finished. As I was saying, Silver will be punished, but she will have to "lay low" for awhile. Her punishment is staying away from her friends for the time being." answered Celestia.
"But princess, she has no home. Where will she live?" asked Twilight.
"Well, she can't live with either of you, and she isn't a pegasi...she'll live with Cyclon Opal."
"What?!" we both yelled
"Don't I have a say in this?"
"NO!" screamed the two princesses.
"But I hardly have any room to fit her. And why should I house Silver?"
Bullseye was busy suppressing a laughter, as were all the other guards. Luna started to prance about Cyclon and me.
"Perhaps because you are her personal bodyguard? You have to watch over her. Besides, this will allow you both to get in better relations with each other."
"*sigh*. Fine! But can I at least talk with the girls?"
"Go ahead." replied Celestia.
I tried to get up, but to no avail. Rainbow Dash pushed me back down and promised that we would have the fastest race ever when I could get back. I accepted her challenge. Besides apologies, we talked about several things with each other, most notably of how it was like to wield the powers of chaos and what it was like in my mind. After about fifteen minutes, the princesses called the six mares off. Some royal guards placed me in a carriage for Cyclon to pull. He was being given a week of R&R. I thought he lived in Canterlot. I was wrong. He actually lived a few towns further away. Not too far, but just in some plains close to Canterlot. A bit of jogging and you were already at the castle. It was just a single house that he had built there to allow him ample movement for his daily training.
While he pulled the cart I was on closer to the greens of his house, I couldn't help but feel some form of affection for him. Well, if I feel this, and I'm never going to be able to get rid of it, might as well let them consume me. Let's see how he deals with me.
Hopefully, this ending isn't rushed like the way you all felt with last time. I MIGHT make a third...but not now. I have another idea for a story, and I currently lost interest in the previous one I was writing. Until I get interested in dark stories again, you won't see it updated.
