Elementalby Ruby-LuneChaptersPrologue-Storm RisingExceptional WorkFigmentThe Corruption of ApplejackDaybreakPrologue-Storm RisingTwilight Sparkle was dead. Not actually dead, of course, but she certainly had been sleeping a long time. She wasn't really breathing either, but instead her horn was recharging her body and wings. She had come so very close to death that day... But of course she didn't remember that. She wouldn't remember any of the day's events. Not if he could help it. The tall draconequus smiled to himself. One seed...that was all it took. One tiny seed of doubt, insecurity, paranoia. One seed could put all his plans into action...or destroy everything he had worked for. Discord looked outside the window. The pegusai had really outdone themselves tonight. Tomorrow's rainstorm would be spectacular. And rain, as he knew, tended to tarnish the moods of the ponies. Mood was everything, everything in this particular plan. The storm, he thought, would "water" the seed in Twilight's mind. Yes, there was a storm rising. And this time, it wasn't just rain that would fall... Author's Note Well, I now have the rush that comes with starting a new story. Please give me your opinion, I could use a ton of feedback. Thanks, Ruby-Lune Exceptional WorkTwilight had always wanted to be the best. The best at magic, the best at her studies, the best friend. So when she waved to those ponies from the balcony, she thought I've done it. I'm finally there. But as she would find out, that wasn't enough. As soon as Celestia gave her the first list of menial tasks, she decided to be the best at those too. But not for the reasons anypony thought. No, she would only do these to cover up her real work: the practice and study of dark magic. "Well done, Twilight," proclaimed Princess Celestia as she pored over the numerous transcripts and reports her top student had turned in. "Exceptional work." Twilight smirked. "Thank you, Princess. It was nothing." Literally nothing, she thought. For a while, she had done her royal duties. But when the call of magic proved too strong, she forced her friends one by one to secretly take over for her. Rarity had done this particular stack. She, oddly, had proven one of the strongest to break. But Twilight had done it in the end. She always did. That night, funnily enough, Twilight wanted to write a report, just for herself, on how she became interested in dark magic in the first place. She remembered waking up and feeling very refreshed one rainy morning. Like she had just woken up from a long sleep. And that rainy day, she had been feeling a little bit insecure, a little more susceptible to insults than usual. Like someone was whispering all the things she had ever done wrong in her ear. So she looked for ways to make herself stronger. That was one of the best choices of her life. She had found so many books, so much glorious information on dark magic. And that little voice in her head, the one that had been telling her she just wasn't good enough, was finally happy. Happy...it had been a long time since she had laughed. Or smiled, for that matter. That must just be the side effects of all the dark spells she had been practicing. It had to be worth it, though. It had to be the best, for all of Equestria. Everyone had to benefit. And everyone-everyone in Equestria-would think, would know that she was exceptional. FigmentTwilight sighed. Memories of better times were lovely, of course, but she had work to do. Even if her princess-ship had been revoked, she still had to study. For the good of Equestria, of course, and nothing else. Is it, though? The alicorn winced. He was back...the voice that started this whole messy process. "Of course it is! I'm only doing this for the other ponies. They are the ones who need help anyway!" Twilight spoke furiously. Oh, I'm sure that's the only reason you stole Rarity's beauty magic, isn't it? Twilight froze. "How...how do you know about that?" That was a part of her past she'd really like to forget... I know everything, my dear. After all, I am just a figment of your mind...right? Twilight sighed yet again. "Well, now I'm not sure." The voice, who she had actually come to call Figment over the years, was her constant companion, but also her worst enemy. No matter what she tried, she just could not... Get rid of me? Now why in Equestria would you want to do that? "You know perfectly well," she growled. Oh, just because I infuse your very brain with hatred, doubt, and insecurity? That's not a very good reason. I'm afraid you may be...drawing a blank. And with those final words, Twilight's face went slack. Her eyes went grey and swirled, and she stood perfectly still. Discord materialized. "Not my best wordplay, but it does feel phenomenal to stretch my claws at last. I do so hate being cooped up in voice-in-the-head mode," the draconequus chuckled. "Now, Miss Sparkle. You haven't been practicing your dark magic as much as I would like to see, have you? And especially not on a living target. Those do produce the best results. So I'm afraid I have no choice but to make you practice. And just to add that special zing of chaos I do so well...you're going to practice on your friends." Discord grinned. And then he dematerialized back inside Twilight's head, ready to see the darkness that would wash over his victim-and her friends. The Corruption of ApplejackApplejack sighed with contentment as she looked over her farm. So much effort and hard work that had been put into her pride and joy. Sweet Apple Acres was truly, definitely, her destiny. Suddenly, she spotted a lavender figure coming from the nearby road. "Oh, it's you, Twilight. What brings you to Sweet Apple Acres?" Applejack inquired a little harshly. Twilight had, after all, forced her to do so many budget reports. "Oh...not a lot." Twilight smirked. "I just have a couple questions for you. Tell me, Applejack, are you aware that everypony's fatal flaw is exactly the flaw they are most inclined to?" "No, Twi...what makes you say that?" "I'm the one asking the questions here, Applejack." Twilight, unbeknownst to Applejack, cast a Flaw-Succumb spell on the honest mare. She would now have her morality reduced to nothing. Perfectly susceptible to any flaw she may have. "So, Applejack...who would you say you love more? Big Macintosh or Apple Bloom?" Applejack stared at her. What kind of awful question was that? But she didn't debate the ethics for very long before the spell took over her. "Are you kidding? Both of my siblings are too damn annoying to stay around for very long!" The newly-deceitful Applejack clapped a hoof over her mouth. Had she really just said that? "In fact, I don't care much for anypony. Especially not you, Dash, Shy, and the others!" Twilight laughed. This particular dark spell was certainly very effective! "And what about Granny Smith? You care greatly for her, am I correct?" "Are you kidding? I've wanted that old bat dead for years now!" This was too much for Applejack. The poor Element fainted dead away. Applejack. Applejack, wake up. "Wha...who's there?" APPLEJACK! Applejack sat bolt upright. She looked around. It appeared as though she was being held in some sort of dark room. There were no remarkable furnishings. Oh, and a pony identical to her, except grey, was standing in front of her. "What! Whoa! Who are you!?" The grey pony smirked. I'm you, Applejack. Or at least, the part of you that isn't revoltingly honest. "Revoltingly honest...wait. You kinda look like me after I ran into that Grove of Truth!" Not-Applejack rolled her eyes. You're stupider than I thought you'd be. Why? Why are you so remarkably slow on the uptake? "Wait just a minute here! Where am I? Did I...really say those awful things to Twilight?" You mean those surprisingly duplicitous comments? Pretty funny, especially coming from somepony as stubbornly honest as you. "But I would never say those things!" Too bad. You just did. "I..." Applejack broke off, rubbing her head with her hoof. "It's just...It's so hard being honest all the time!" Not-Applejack's expression changed. Became less taunting and more friendly. I know. It gets tough. Don't you wish somepony would take over for you? You need help, Applejack, even if you won't admit it. "You could be right. Maybe I'm breaking down, like Big Mac's saggy old plow. Maybe I do need some help." She looked to the pony standing in front of her with wounded eyes. "Do you think...maybe...you could help me?" Oh, Applejack. It would be my pleasure. Now relax and let me take over. Everything will be all right. Applejack woke up some time later with a blissful smile spread over her face. "Well, I can't stay asleep forever. I wonder where Twilight went?" The workhorse decided to go into town and find Twilight there. But first, she wanted to stop and visit all her friends. As Applejack walked up to Sugarcube Corner, she thought about what she wanted to say to Pinkie Pie. Normally, she would just make small talk about the weather, the princesses, or the upcoming Gala. But this time was different. She didn't want to politely avoid uttering a single falsehood. She would say whatever the hell she pleased, even if it wasn't pretty. And it wouldn't be pretty. DaybreakTwilight Sparkle woke up terrified. She had been having horrible nightmares all night long. They targeted all her worst fears, from losing Spike to going back to magic kindergarten from the one that was too horrible to think about. They were so vivid, so realistic...almost as if they had been specially created for her. But that was nonsense. She just needed to get busy and move on with her day. Still groggy, she shook the sleep from her eyes and ran a hoof through her mane. What do I need to do today...Oh yes, I need to help Luna with patrol...and monitor the pegusai...and a bunch of other boring tasks. "Luna above!" cried Twilight. "I completely forgot about the picnic in Des Mares!" She would have to rearrange her entire schedule to make room for this new event. "Spike, I need you!" Twilight yelled. "Here I am, Twilight! What can I do for you?" asked the baby dragon as he skidded into the room. "Spike, I forgot about the picnic in Des Mares. I need you to make sure I have enough time to get to all of my events," explained Twilight. Spike gave her a strange look. "Uh...Twilight?" "Yes, Spike?" Twilight asked impatiently. "You don't have any appointments for today, remember? You haven't been a princess for months now," the baby dragon told her anxiously. Twilight stared. Her pupils shrunk to a quarter of their normal side. She started quaking violently. And then, she snapped back into normal Twilight, quick as a wink. "Oh, yes, Spike. Thank you for reminding me," she stated calmly. Spike started to grow anxious. He had seen this side of Twilight before. Twilight, who cast a Want-It-Need-It spell on everypony in town just to write a friendship report. Twilight, who lay on a park bench talking to herself and stroking her mane. Twilight, who when she got really upset, practiced her most violent spells on her ready-made dragon punching bag... Twilight was just as anxious, only she hid it better. She remembered now, remembered the event that had been plaguing her dreams and stalking her mind. She remembered when she had been disgraced from the Equestrian throne. And all because she had wanted to delve deeper into magic nopony had ever studied. Dark magic. There had been some, like the creator of the Alicorn Amulet, who had dipped their hoof in. But nopony had ever poured her heart and soul into it like Twilight did with her old studies. Nopony...until Twilight.
Prologue-Storm RisingTwilight Sparkle was dead. Not actually dead, of course, but she certainly had been sleeping a long time. She wasn't really breathing either, but instead her horn was recharging her body and wings. She had come so very close to death that day... But of course she didn't remember that. She wouldn't remember any of the day's events. Not if he could help it. The tall draconequus smiled to himself. One seed...that was all it took. One tiny seed of doubt, insecurity, paranoia. One seed could put all his plans into action...or destroy everything he had worked for. Discord looked outside the window. The pegusai had really outdone themselves tonight. Tomorrow's rainstorm would be spectacular. And rain, as he knew, tended to tarnish the moods of the ponies. Mood was everything, everything in this particular plan. The storm, he thought, would "water" the seed in Twilight's mind. Yes, there was a storm rising. And this time, it wasn't just rain that would fall... Author's Note Well, I now have the rush that comes with starting a new story. Please give me your opinion, I could use a ton of feedback. Thanks, Ruby-Lune
Exceptional WorkTwilight had always wanted to be the best. The best at magic, the best at her studies, the best friend. So when she waved to those ponies from the balcony, she thought I've done it. I'm finally there. But as she would find out, that wasn't enough. As soon as Celestia gave her the first list of menial tasks, she decided to be the best at those too. But not for the reasons anypony thought. No, she would only do these to cover up her real work: the practice and study of dark magic. "Well done, Twilight," proclaimed Princess Celestia as she pored over the numerous transcripts and reports her top student had turned in. "Exceptional work." Twilight smirked. "Thank you, Princess. It was nothing." Literally nothing, she thought. For a while, she had done her royal duties. But when the call of magic proved too strong, she forced her friends one by one to secretly take over for her. Rarity had done this particular stack. She, oddly, had proven one of the strongest to break. But Twilight had done it in the end. She always did. That night, funnily enough, Twilight wanted to write a report, just for herself, on how she became interested in dark magic in the first place. She remembered waking up and feeling very refreshed one rainy morning. Like she had just woken up from a long sleep. And that rainy day, she had been feeling a little bit insecure, a little more susceptible to insults than usual. Like someone was whispering all the things she had ever done wrong in her ear. So she looked for ways to make herself stronger. That was one of the best choices of her life. She had found so many books, so much glorious information on dark magic. And that little voice in her head, the one that had been telling her she just wasn't good enough, was finally happy. Happy...it had been a long time since she had laughed. Or smiled, for that matter. That must just be the side effects of all the dark spells she had been practicing. It had to be worth it, though. It had to be the best, for all of Equestria. Everyone had to benefit. And everyone-everyone in Equestria-would think, would know that she was exceptional.
FigmentTwilight sighed. Memories of better times were lovely, of course, but she had work to do. Even if her princess-ship had been revoked, she still had to study. For the good of Equestria, of course, and nothing else. Is it, though? The alicorn winced. He was back...the voice that started this whole messy process. "Of course it is! I'm only doing this for the other ponies. They are the ones who need help anyway!" Twilight spoke furiously. Oh, I'm sure that's the only reason you stole Rarity's beauty magic, isn't it? Twilight froze. "How...how do you know about that?" That was a part of her past she'd really like to forget... I know everything, my dear. After all, I am just a figment of your mind...right? Twilight sighed yet again. "Well, now I'm not sure." The voice, who she had actually come to call Figment over the years, was her constant companion, but also her worst enemy. No matter what she tried, she just could not... Get rid of me? Now why in Equestria would you want to do that? "You know perfectly well," she growled. Oh, just because I infuse your very brain with hatred, doubt, and insecurity? That's not a very good reason. I'm afraid you may be...drawing a blank. And with those final words, Twilight's face went slack. Her eyes went grey and swirled, and she stood perfectly still. Discord materialized. "Not my best wordplay, but it does feel phenomenal to stretch my claws at last. I do so hate being cooped up in voice-in-the-head mode," the draconequus chuckled. "Now, Miss Sparkle. You haven't been practicing your dark magic as much as I would like to see, have you? And especially not on a living target. Those do produce the best results. So I'm afraid I have no choice but to make you practice. And just to add that special zing of chaos I do so well...you're going to practice on your friends." Discord grinned. And then he dematerialized back inside Twilight's head, ready to see the darkness that would wash over his victim-and her friends.
The Corruption of ApplejackApplejack sighed with contentment as she looked over her farm. So much effort and hard work that had been put into her pride and joy. Sweet Apple Acres was truly, definitely, her destiny. Suddenly, she spotted a lavender figure coming from the nearby road. "Oh, it's you, Twilight. What brings you to Sweet Apple Acres?" Applejack inquired a little harshly. Twilight had, after all, forced her to do so many budget reports. "Oh...not a lot." Twilight smirked. "I just have a couple questions for you. Tell me, Applejack, are you aware that everypony's fatal flaw is exactly the flaw they are most inclined to?" "No, Twi...what makes you say that?" "I'm the one asking the questions here, Applejack." Twilight, unbeknownst to Applejack, cast a Flaw-Succumb spell on the honest mare. She would now have her morality reduced to nothing. Perfectly susceptible to any flaw she may have. "So, Applejack...who would you say you love more? Big Macintosh or Apple Bloom?" Applejack stared at her. What kind of awful question was that? But she didn't debate the ethics for very long before the spell took over her. "Are you kidding? Both of my siblings are too damn annoying to stay around for very long!" The newly-deceitful Applejack clapped a hoof over her mouth. Had she really just said that? "In fact, I don't care much for anypony. Especially not you, Dash, Shy, and the others!" Twilight laughed. This particular dark spell was certainly very effective! "And what about Granny Smith? You care greatly for her, am I correct?" "Are you kidding? I've wanted that old bat dead for years now!" This was too much for Applejack. The poor Element fainted dead away. Applejack. Applejack, wake up. "Wha...who's there?" APPLEJACK! Applejack sat bolt upright. She looked around. It appeared as though she was being held in some sort of dark room. There were no remarkable furnishings. Oh, and a pony identical to her, except grey, was standing in front of her. "What! Whoa! Who are you!?" The grey pony smirked. I'm you, Applejack. Or at least, the part of you that isn't revoltingly honest. "Revoltingly honest...wait. You kinda look like me after I ran into that Grove of Truth!" Not-Applejack rolled her eyes. You're stupider than I thought you'd be. Why? Why are you so remarkably slow on the uptake? "Wait just a minute here! Where am I? Did I...really say those awful things to Twilight?" You mean those surprisingly duplicitous comments? Pretty funny, especially coming from somepony as stubbornly honest as you. "But I would never say those things!" Too bad. You just did. "I..." Applejack broke off, rubbing her head with her hoof. "It's just...It's so hard being honest all the time!" Not-Applejack's expression changed. Became less taunting and more friendly. I know. It gets tough. Don't you wish somepony would take over for you? You need help, Applejack, even if you won't admit it. "You could be right. Maybe I'm breaking down, like Big Mac's saggy old plow. Maybe I do need some help." She looked to the pony standing in front of her with wounded eyes. "Do you think...maybe...you could help me?" Oh, Applejack. It would be my pleasure. Now relax and let me take over. Everything will be all right. Applejack woke up some time later with a blissful smile spread over her face. "Well, I can't stay asleep forever. I wonder where Twilight went?" The workhorse decided to go into town and find Twilight there. But first, she wanted to stop and visit all her friends. As Applejack walked up to Sugarcube Corner, she thought about what she wanted to say to Pinkie Pie. Normally, she would just make small talk about the weather, the princesses, or the upcoming Gala. But this time was different. She didn't want to politely avoid uttering a single falsehood. She would say whatever the hell she pleased, even if it wasn't pretty. And it wouldn't be pretty.
DaybreakTwilight Sparkle woke up terrified. She had been having horrible nightmares all night long. They targeted all her worst fears, from losing Spike to going back to magic kindergarten from the one that was too horrible to think about. They were so vivid, so realistic...almost as if they had been specially created for her. But that was nonsense. She just needed to get busy and move on with her day. Still groggy, she shook the sleep from her eyes and ran a hoof through her mane. What do I need to do today...Oh yes, I need to help Luna with patrol...and monitor the pegusai...and a bunch of other boring tasks. "Luna above!" cried Twilight. "I completely forgot about the picnic in Des Mares!" She would have to rearrange her entire schedule to make room for this new event. "Spike, I need you!" Twilight yelled. "Here I am, Twilight! What can I do for you?" asked the baby dragon as he skidded into the room. "Spike, I forgot about the picnic in Des Mares. I need you to make sure I have enough time to get to all of my events," explained Twilight. Spike gave her a strange look. "Uh...Twilight?" "Yes, Spike?" Twilight asked impatiently. "You don't have any appointments for today, remember? You haven't been a princess for months now," the baby dragon told her anxiously. Twilight stared. Her pupils shrunk to a quarter of their normal side. She started quaking violently. And then, she snapped back into normal Twilight, quick as a wink. "Oh, yes, Spike. Thank you for reminding me," she stated calmly. Spike started to grow anxious. He had seen this side of Twilight before. Twilight, who cast a Want-It-Need-It spell on everypony in town just to write a friendship report. Twilight, who lay on a park bench talking to herself and stroking her mane. Twilight, who when she got really upset, practiced her most violent spells on her ready-made dragon punching bag... Twilight was just as anxious, only she hid it better. She remembered now, remembered the event that had been plaguing her dreams and stalking her mind. She remembered when she had been disgraced from the Equestrian throne. And all because she had wanted to delve deeper into magic nopony had ever studied. Dark magic. There had been some, like the creator of the Alicorn Amulet, who had dipped their hoof in. But nopony had ever poured her heart and soul into it like Twilight did with her old studies. Nopony...until Twilight.
