Chapters Friendship comes with Darkness
Far, far away from Equestria, in the land behind Evefree Forest, was picturesque village Changliville. Most of villagers were changlings but there was large group of ponies too. Everypony served their queen Chrysalis.
„Hmm, so according to this book, Nightmare Moon will escape from her prison on the Moon, this very week!“ talked to himself young unicorn with black and green mane, grey skin and dark green eyes.
„This could couse troubles, I have to tell about this to Queen! But first of I should read the whole thing, so I know everything.“
So he continued on, until he learned about the Elements of Harmony, their incredible power that is able to defeat everypony and about their activation by friendship.
This is what I call useful information. Now quickly to the Quuen.
Young unicorn rushed to the palace, which looked like some kind of dark sharp gem that covered most of village in shadow. He was well knew among the guards so they let him go right into the throne chamber.
“My queen.” said grey and green pony and kneel before scary half pony half insect being.
“Loki, I am glad that you came here, Stand up!”
Chrysalis looked on the Changliville from window.
“Did you read the book that I gave you?”
“Yes, but not whole, I think that return of an Alicorn is too importnant so I didn´t want to waste any more time.”
He was lying, but that was his nature, he wanted to know, what will Chrysalis keep as a secret and what informations will not be true. Pony that lies to others have to expect that others will not be honest to him either.
“Doesn´t matter. Elements of Harmony are weapon created by Celestia to defeat her younger sister. Only very close friends can use them and I am pretty sure that Celestia will find somepony to defeat Nightmare Moon, but thats not the case. I want you to destroy friendship of those who will defeat the dark alicorn, so they can´t ruin our army. Even thought it´s bacically useless with my power!”
* Laught *
Exactly as I predicted, only half of truth. Elements of Harmony are really able to defeat her, but she doesn´t want me to know it. Too bad.
But Loki would never betray his queen. He owed her too much.
“Alright, I will leave at tomorrow morning.”
XXXXX
About 4 days later at Ponyville.
XXXXX
Darn, that was really long trip, I don´t have much time left. I have to find somepony who could know something.
He looked to the sky and saw a golden coach with purple unicorn and baby dragon. He watched from a distance how the situation will develops. Purple girl talked with some pink pony that screamed and runned away.
Now is my chance.
“Hi, I heard you talking when you were in the air. There is some party going on here?”
“Oh, hi. Yes it is. It´s a celebration of Princess Celestia raising the Sun.”
“Aha, sorry I am new here and I got little confused by everything.”
“No problem.”
“Would you mind if I joined you? Maybe I can help you with something.” he smailed with as honest smile as he could – and as he knew, it was pefect.
“Yes, that would be nice. My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike.”
“Glad to meet you, I am Loki.”
“So there should be farm called Sweet Apple Acres so there we should check on food.”
When they arrived to the farm, Loki was breathless by incredible amount of apples. Back in Changliville were apples unusual, instead of them there were pears. He had to admit that he loves apples.
Near the entrance was young orange mare with cowboy hat and Twilight went talk to her, obviously annoyed. Loki just shortly thinked about what is Twilight upset about, but then he listened what was they talking about.
“Princess send me to check on preparations on the celebration. You are in charge of the food?”
“We surely are! And who are you?” she looked with smile at Loki.
He didn´t like that look, there were no bad intentions, but he wasn´t used to see somepony being so...open. He always covered his feelings but from that girl shined happiness and honesty, without any try to cover it.
“My name is Loki, I just moved here.”
“Wow, that´s so nice. Would you like to stay for an cake?
“As far as it won´t take too long...”
Then everything happened at lightning speed. Suddenly – didn´t know how – they were sitting at the table and Applejack (how that girl introduced herself) and whole familly was bringing them all kinds of food.
At the end she shoved them an apples to mouths.
“I would say, that you are already part of family!”
Loki amost choked when she said that.
Part of family? What that is supposed to mean? Who in the name of Chrysalis are these ponies?
He was so lost in thoughts that he didn´t even notice that Applejack presuaded Twilight to stay there for a while. He didn´t mind. For some reason he felt comfortable between these strange ponies, even thought he wouldn´t admit that.
Later on they managed to check everything they had to and were walking to the local library, followed by shy yellow pony named Fluttershy.
Loki was wondering about what he was talking about with Twilight, after they left the farm:
“You mentioned that you have to find something in the library. What is it?”
“Well, I discovered that Nightmare Moon is going to bring here the Eternal Night and I have to find a way to stop her.”
Loki acted suprised. “So you know about it? To be honest I came here for the same reason.”
“Really?”
“Yes, can I go search with you? Knowledge in my books was very limited.”
“For sure! Finally somepony who believes me!”
Twilight quickly pulled Loki into the library so they had peace from boring stories.
“OK, so now we hopefully can find the book that we need. Now, where is the light?”
Suddenly the whole room bursted with light and both unicorns realized that library is full of ponies.
“Is everypony in this town completly crazy?” asked Loki quietly.
Before they could do anything, that pink pony that screamed when Twilight talked to him, almost jumped on Lokis head and started talking something, but she was so fast and so anoying that nobody listened to her. Until she said:
“And know you both have lots and lots of friends!”
Twilight for some reason escaped with tears and Loki was completly confused.
Well, I really didn´t expect this to be so fast and easy.
He decided to not waste any time with party and started to search for a book about Elements of Harmony.
XXXXX
Few hours later.
XXXXX
Everypony started to prepare for celebration and welcoming Princess Celestia. Instead of that, unpleasan suprise awaited them, when instead of their beloved Princess, came Nightmare Moon.
Everypony were scared but Loki was happy and was covering smile with hoof.
Everything goes as planned.
“Hurry! We have to get back in the library and find a way to stop her.” said Twilight and both ran out.
“During the party I was looking for that book, but didn´t find it. Are you sure that it´s here?”
“I hope, without Elemets of Harmony we have no chance!”
Suddenly Rainbow Dash rushed inside and stopped few inches in front of Twilight.
“What are those Elements of Harmony? And how do you know about Nightmare Moon? Are you a spies?”
“Calm down, they aren´t spies, but they sure know something. Don´t you?” stopped her Applejack.
So Twilight explained to everypony their studies and told them about their only hope – Elements of Harmony. After that everypony went to the Everfree forest, even thought Twilight didn´t like it.
After a while Rainbow decided to scare Pinkie, Flutteshy and Rarity with scary tale.
“Because nopony who came her has never ever...”
“...returned.” finished Loki standing right behind her.
Rainbow screamed and jumped in the air. Unfortunately sound made a ledge to break and every non-pegasus fell.
Loki quickly thinked about some spell to save himself. He knew that everypony exept Twilight are safe.
Without realising it his horn started to shine with green magic, immediately an giant pillow appeared in front of Twilight and stopped her slide. But Loki still was sliding towards an edge. He would fall off, if Applejack didn´t grab him at the last second.
“What are you doing? Let me go!”
“I will not let you fall.”
“Why not??? I am completly foreing pony, you have no reason to save me!”
“Don´t talk nonsence, now let go, you will be safe now.”
“I dont trust you.”
“I swear, you´ll be safe.”
He hesitated, and finally let go. Immediately he thought that Applejack tricked him, but suddenly he was cought by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.
After that AJ jumped down on platforms and Twilight teleported.
Journey could continue, but Loki was unhappy.
“Why did you saved me? You don´t know me and you could fall off too!” he asked Applejack.
“And why did YOU saved Twilight? You don´t know her and you could die instead of her.”
He just realized that it was him who saved purple unicorn.
“I...don´t know.”
After a long time he was completly confused. He would never risk his life before, but he did it just now.
What are these feelings?
“I will tell you the answer. It´s friendship. You can try hide it, but you can´t trick your heart.”
“Friendship? I...” Applejack gave him a hug.
“Don´t worry about that, we still have to find those elements. Together.”
Nod.
So this was that strange feeling on the farm? Now I understand, why only friends can use elements of Harmony.
Something like this...nopony has right to destroy it!
As the journey continued, they met few more obstacles, but they overcome all of them thanks to members of their grup. Loki noticed that all of them has unique personality and was more and more sure that those girls will be able to control the Elements. He knew that no Element will be for him.
Finally they were standing in big room with their only hope. Five Elements of Harmony.
“Only five? Where is the sixth?” asked Rainbow.
“Book said: When five are present, a sparkle will cause sixth Element to be revealed.”
“What in the hay is that supposed to mean?”
“I don´t know, but I have an idea. Stand back, I don´t know what will happen.”
“I´ll help you.” said Loki and also kneeled to the stones.
They both casted their magic on them, but suddenly a shadow came and took Loki, Twilight and Elements away.
Spell teleported them into one of many towers in ruined castle. And they weren´t alone, their company was Nightmare Moon alone.
Twilight didn´t waste breath and charged to evil unicorn. Moment before they could hit each other an laught broke silent in the tower.
“Thats unbeliable! Nightmare Moon, you really think that you can defeat Twilight or me without a magic?”
“What are you talking about? I am godness of the night!”
“Pff, you think so? You were imprisoned in the Moon for 1000 years. What do you think is left from your power?”
What is Loki talking about? Magic will never disappear, not even after thousands of years. But I have to say that he sounds very, very reliably. Without studies with Celestia I would trust him immediately.
“I don´t trust you.” growled Nightmare at him.
“No? Did you ever study magic? I did!”
Evil alicorn was so lost in her thoughts, that she noticed Twilight after she was throwed away by lightning.
“I think that I will not trust you Untruthful pony!” said and destroyed Elements.
Now was Loki out of ideas, but fortunately the others came to save them.
Now there is nothing to be afraid of know.
As he expected with all friends together, sixth elements apeared and with it´s power they turned Nightmare Moon back to Princess Luna.
“Friendship is magic, now I understand.”
“I am glad for both of you.” spoke unknown voice and with the sun light, Celestia appeared. Everypony kneeled and Twilight went to hug her teacher.
“I knew that you will be able to defeat Nightmare Moon, but you had to let friendship enter your heart. I am also glad for you young Loki, lies and deception are not a way to fully live. But they will be useful for you to protect your friends.”
“Thank you princess.”
Everypony along with Luna returned back to Ponyville and had a celebration. But Loki didn´t forget his goal in Ponyville.
I guess that rules changed.
Smile.
“Just a little bit more of this mixture. That should do it.” whispered Loki, when he was pouring a weird green stuff into bubbling kettle.
“I must not overdo it, one drop should be enough...”
“LOKI!!!” the cream cut his contration and he poured the whole thing inside.
Damn.
Fluid in the kettle started dangerously spit hot liquir all over the place. Loki quickly grabbed the kettle by magic, throwed it to the other room and shutted the door.
After about two seconds explosion shooked the whole laboratory and the door, that Loki closed, almost hit him when it flow through the air.
He angrily looked at the newcomer.
“Pinkie Pie! What is so important that you can´t knock like every other pony?”
“Yay, that was sooo funny, please do it again!”
“I asked you something.”
“Oh yes, this! Twilight need to tell us something important.”
“Alright.”
Together they walked upstairs to the main room of library, where everypony already waited. After the fight with Nightmare Moon, Twilight let him live with her in the library, since they were both scientists.
“If you will find pit somewhere in the Ponyville, be sure that it´s not my fault.” said Loki when he saw questioning glances.
“Now we have something more important to do.” spoke Twilight. “I called you here, because of the smoke that is covering whole Ponyville.”
Loki didn´t know about source of smoke, but knew that Twilight will explain it.
“Fortunately it´s not a vulcano or forest fire. It´s a dragon.”
Silence.
“Dragon? That´s great! I have to prepare my tools!” exclaimed happily grey unicorn.
“Why are you so happy?” asked him Applejack.
“Besides that, that dragons often have magical treasures, their scales are also excelent for potions.”
“Well we have to convince him to leave, so I guess that´s a good reason for being happy.” she smiled.
“I know.”
“We don´t have much time left, so pack whatever you need and we will meet in front of library in half hour.” decided Twilight and runned upstairs. Everypony went home too, so Loki returned to laboratory to pack his stuff.
“What is dragon doing in Ponyville anyway?” asked Loki when everypony was ready to go.
“Sleeps, and his snoring couses that smoke.”
“Well, I hope that Spike will not do the same thing when he gets older.” told her with smile.
After a while, when they beginned the trip, ponies realized that there will be some troubles with Fluttershy.
“What´s up with you? You were just fine in Everfree Forest witch is basically a one big nightmare.”
But she just murmured something.
“Oh boy, please give me that map Twi, I´ll take her around the mountain.” said Applejack.
“I´ll go with you.” Loki joined to them.
“Ok, we will wait for you at the top!” shouted Rainbow Dash at them, glad that they can go faster.
“Lets carry her by magic, I don´t think that it will be useful against full grown dragon.”
“Ok, so let´s go, so others don´t wait too long.”
Few minutes they were going silently.
“Why you don´t have cutiemark?” AJ asked.
“I don´t know, propably my destiny is not set.”
“Aren´t you sad about it?”
“Not really, this way I can do whatever I want with my life, and make my own destiny as I like´d it to be. And I think that I can´t have cutiemark about my talent, because it´s not possible.”
“You mean lying?”
“Exactly, I am sure that lies and deception are my main talents.”
“Why do you lie? I don´t want to offend you, but I just can´t understand it. I was honest my entire life.”
“That´s alright. Honesty is of course important. Everypony is honest sometimes, even I just now, but you have to lie sometimes to trick enemies or protect your friends from cruel truth. The bad thing that ponies often don´t trust you.”
The sting of conscience.
“I think, that I understand you. I want you to know, that we are your friends so we can trust each other.” she looked him deep into the eyes. “And there is much more good inside of you, than you admit.”
“Thanks.” they both smiled and contined to the top of the mountain.
XXXXXX
Few hours later.
XXXXXX
“Fine, so the hardest part is behind us, now we just have to convince the dragon to find different place to sleep. But with Fluttershy, that shouldn´t be a problem.” spoke Rarity.
“There is one problem.” yellow pony whispered.
“What?”
“I am scared of d...”
“What did you said?”
“I am scared of dra...”
“What are you scared of?”
Snoring.
“I AM SCARED OF DRAGONS!” Fluttershy screamed and hide behind a rock.
“So what now?” Loki asked.
“I think that we should try it our own way.” decided Twilight.
As a first ones went Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, but they all failed.
“We have to stop wasting out time, we tried begging, charm, whatever Pinkie Pie does, now we have to use violence!” said Rainbow angrily and flew to the cave, but in her way appeared green wall and bounced her back.
“I am sorry Rainbow, but that dragon weights few more tons more than you, and when you make him mad, he will turn as to pony chips.” Loki prostested.
“So what´s your plan?”
“You´ll see, but I need some help. Applejack, get mi some wood please.”
“Count on me.”
“Rarity, I need you to find some flat thin rock.”
“Yes.”
Few minutes later, they were both back.
“OK, Twilight please set this on fire and kern that rock.”
XXXXX
Later.
XXXXX
“Fine, this should be enough.” said Loki when he saw a leaf catch on fire after touching the rock. He picked the rock up with magic and walked into the cave, where he put it under dragons nose. Then he poured some potion on it and teleported out of the cave.
“Everypony take cover and be careful not to breathe that steam!”
They all hid and waited for whatever the potion should do. They didn´t have to wait long. Dragon with roar flew away as quickly as he could.
“Problem solved.” announced Loki with smile of pride.
Twilight didn´t understand. “What did you do to that dragon?”
“I used one of my potions. Simply, it causes pony -or whatever alse- that drinked or smell it, strong feeling of unsatisfaction with his property and also causes him want to do something more useful. It was invented for ponies that were unhealthy satisfacted with a minimum.
Unfortunalely -for us fortunately- nobody ever corrected its two main problems. First of the potion last for about two hours and the second, he´ll have short amnesia. So that dragon will not know how to get back here.”
“Well, that´s a good idea. You aren´t specialist on ilusions for nothing.” concluded Twilight.
Everypony laught.
“Where is everypony?” asked Loki quietly himself, when he was walking in the empty Ponyville.
“Maybe I should have listen to Pinkie Pie, when she was telling me about parties this year.”
Suddenly he heard voices coming out of sweet-shop. He looked inside:
“I´m telling you, she is scary.” explained Applejack something to Twilight.
“What did I missed?”
Hardly finished and was pulled inside.
“Evil came to the Ponyville!” told him Rainbow.
Loki wondered what does she think.
“Dragon?” asked.
“NO! Zecora! Look outside!”
He did as she told him and saw a pony with brown cape, digging in dirt.
“Heh, Zecora. That name reminded me somepony. But that is far...”
“That´s not important Loki, the main thing is, that this evil witch is here!”
“Witch? That´s nonsence. Magic is common, so I don´t understand what are you so scared for.”
“She can curse us!”
Now Loki actualy laught.
“Jeez Dash, curse is whatever spell that has negative impact on you. Such curses I can do too.”
“But, she does them with herbs.”
“That´s not a curse. That´s a poison.”
“I don´t care what is it, eather way, she will curse us.”
I quit.
“So...”
“Where is Applebloom?” exclaimed Applejack.
“Who?”
“My little sister, she was just here!”
“We have to find her, what if she went after Zecora?” horrified Pinkie Pie.
XXXXXX
Later, at the border of Everfree Forest.
XXXXXX
Loki was breathless. Not just Zecora´s name reminded him somepony, but voice too. And he knew who. Loki thought that she disappeared from his life.
Hmm, I know what these blue flowers are. At least they will ease things.
Next day, before Twilight woke up, went Loki to the Sweet Apple Acres. As he expected, Applebloom was sitting there on the fence.
“Hi!”
“Hi!”
“About yesterday, could you please help me with something?”
“Of course! What do you need?”
“When will girls wake up, they´ll think that they are really cursed by Zecora. I need your help, so they won´t do anything stupid, when they´ll go find me at Zecora´s house. Don´t worry, I know who Zecora is and I can assure you, that she isn´t dangerous.” told her with kind smile.
“Ok.” answered and both ponies went to the Everfree Forest.
“Why will girls think, that Zecora cursed them?” asked little filly.
“Do you remeber that blue flower on the edge of forest?”
“Yes...”
“It´s called Poison Joke. What is does are small jokes that affects your look and some other small things. But besides this, it´s completly harmless and antidote is simple.”
“Why won´t you tell all this stuff to girls?”
“Because they need to teach a lesson about not judging ponies just by their look or habits. I need you to find ingredients fot antidote, in case that Zecora will not have them.”
“Why we are not cursed, or poisoned?”
“I am immune, because I once lived in forest similar to Everfree and you were standing on Applejack´s back. Oh, look! We are already here!” said Loki and pointed on scary cottage.”
He knocked on the door.
XXXXXX
At the same time, in Ponyville.
XXXXXX
“Applebloom is gone.” horrified Applejack.
“Loki disappeared too.” said Twilight.
“They surely went after Zecora again! And they sure don´t know how she cursed us.” spoke Rainbow.
“Maybe it happened to them too, they were with us.”
“Definitely we have to find them.” decided Twilight.
All six friends hurried into scary forest to find them. Fortunately they found Zecora´s cottage pretty soon.
“So, Applejack and Dash will go first and make us a distraction. Then we will grab Loki and Applebloom and escape. Got it?”
“Yep!”
“3, 2, 1, NOW!”
They all rushed inside, just so they could fly in the air being holded by green magic.
“So these are those friends of yours?” asked Zecora standing next to Loki.
“Yea, they are a little superstitious, but it´s fun with them.”
“Loki! What are you doing and where is Applebloom?”exclaimed orange pony.
“Don´t worry, she went to find herbs for antidote on your socalled curse.”
“What are you talking about?”
He explained them effects of Poison Joke and what was Zecora doing in Ponyville at the first place.
“So we were mistaken?”
Grey unicorn nodded and released his friends.
“I think that I should introduce you. Zicora, these are my friends Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy. Girls, this is Zicora, or Zecora whatever you prefer. She is my adoptive mother.”
Few minutes was silent.
“Your mother?” couldn´t Twilight understand.
“That´s right.” Zecora agreed. “Once, several years ago, I found a baby, sleeping at herbs in the Everdark Forest. It hadn´t parents, so I took it home and raised it. I gave him name Loki, after immemorial god with guile not knowing the limits. So he lived with me, learned about herbs and alchemy, until he went out into the world.”
“Exactly. I had no idea that Zicora would move to the Everfree Forest, but when i heard her voice, there weren´t any doubts.”
After a while talking all ponies went to spa to heal from Poison Joke. Everpony was happy, exept Zecora, that was wondering about her conversation with Loki.
XXXXXX
After Applebloom went for herbs.
XXXXXX
“So did you find your talent, as you were hoping for?” Zecora asked.
“No, I improved it. Just my destiny is still mystery.”
“The most important is that, that you are happy. Please, tell me about what happened when you went on studies to Queen Chrysalis.”
Loki told her how he became Chrysalis´s faithful student, about his mission in Ponyville and complications that had appeared.
“What do you plan now?”
He told her and on her forehead appeared wrinkles.
“You are standing on thin ice my son, are you sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“I care about you, but I also know you well, so I believe in your success, but aren´t you afraid of consequences?”
“That is a tax, that I have to pay. There is no chance of avoiding it.”
“Take this.” she pulled out of a chest a necklace with red gem in it.
“When you will not expect it, this necklace will save your life.”
“Thank you mother.” unicorn hanged the gem on his neck.
“One last thing. Trust to those who you care about, you might be suprised one day.”
“What do you...” he couldn´t finish, because other ponies came.
He will understand, when the time is right.
“Thanks for help with bucking.” said Applejack to Loki, that was holding apples with magic and putting them into baskets.
“No problem, I owe it to you, because of that misunderstanding with Zicora. Because of that you´ve lost a lot of time.”
She nodded.
“Tell me, how was your life in Everdark Forest? If it is as scary as Everfree, it had to be terrible.”
“You think it, because you wasn´t there for longer time. Actually both forests have inceadible amout of herbs and animals. You just have to understand them.” he smiled. “Definitely I was happy. Now I have a question. Why are all members of Apple family earth ponies?”
“It´s a tradition. Every wedding has to be between two earth ponies, I don´t even know why.”
“Because earth ponies are the only ones, that can work so hard. Pegasus of unicorn would be just a burden.” spoke unknown voice full of arrogance.
From trees came light green earth pony.
“Greenleaf, I didn´t expect you so soon.” greeted him Applejack and turned back to Loki.
“This is my cousin. Granny Smith asked him to help us, until Big Mac will be fully healthy.”
“Pff, burned heh? All ponies can work hard. Even on farms. Pegasi would use wind and unicorns magic. Earth ponies can be on the other hand great athletes or alchemists!” told him Loki angrily.
“Don´t think too much about yourself. I highly doubt that you could do even quater of work, that we, earth ponies, do every day!” answered him also angrily Greenleaf.
“Guys...” piped Applejack, but two rivals didn´t hear her.
“I will show you the power of unicorns!”
His forehead was sweaty, but Loki raised all the apples from area, that Applejack was working on and brought them to the baskets. All of that within seconds.
“If pony cares about his friends, he can help them any time! Excusing yourself that you are differend kind of pony is simply laziness!”
Amused watched Greenleaf´s face turn red.
“Just you wait, I will have my revenge.” growled and walked away.
“You didn´t have to go so far.”
“Ts, that bigheaded cousin of yours had to get a lesson.”
“Even so...” she wanted to say something but then she changed mind. “Anyway, thanks for help, now I have to go help Fluttershy with something.”
“I have some work too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
XXXXXXX
2 day later.
XXXXXXX
“Wow, Applejack! You look terrible, what happened to you?” asked Loki worried, when he saw his friend pluck knapweed, with circles under the eyes from fatigue.
“I have lot to do, soon autumn will come and I have to buck rest of trees and adjust everything here. But this darn knapweed is the worst!”
Loki gently putted his hoof on Applejack´s shoulder.
“Don´t worry about that, go get some sleep and I will make you some poison on knapweed.”
“Thank you so much.” she answered him silently.
“I will make some amplifier so you can mix it, if it will be necessary .”
“Fine.”
Suddenly something rusted in the trees.
“What was that?”
“Propably some lost rabbit.”
“Ok. Now go to bed and tomorrow I will bring you the poison.”
XXXXXXX
Late at night a shadow creeped near the library.
Before Loki went sleep, there was a poison and amplifier on his desk.
Then there wasn´t anything.
Nopony saw anything.
XXXXXXX
“That´s weird, I could swear that I left that poison right here!” told Loki to himself.
“Twilight?!”
“Yes?”
“Didn´t you saw that bottle what I left on my desk?”
“No!”
Dourly walked out.
I have to go say sorry to Applejack. But it´s really a mystery.
“Loki!” heard voice of Rainbow Dash.
“What´s up?”
“Hurry to Sweet Apple Acres, something weird happened.
So he runned behind his friend and when he saw what happened, he couldn´t take a breath. About thirty trees were completly death, with rotten apples and leaves lying under them.
“What happened here?” he asked ponies around.
“Isn´t that obvious? Somepony poisoned those trees.” answered him Greenleaf´s arrogant voice.
“That´s impossible.”
“Impossible? Didn´t you make a poison on knapweed?”
How does he know?
Loki realized that everypony is looking at him. Including Applejack, that didn´t look much more refresh.
“Yes. So what?”
“Could you please show it to us?” asked AJ´s cousin calmly. Suddenly Loki realized everything. Greenleaf stole his poison.
Even thought, that nobody will trust him Loki answered:
“No, I couldn´t. I lost it somewhere.”
“Lost it? Well, that´s pretty poor excuse.”
“Think what you want, but I am not responsible for this disaster.”
“How are we supposed to trust you? Loki, the master of ilusions and also known as pony of deception? Isn´t this you special talent?”
Loki hissed like snake.
How does he know about it? Propably Applejack or Applebloom told him. Well, I never said that it´s a secret.
“Your talent is obviously being pain in the eye. Whatever my talent is, I use it to protect my friends, and I will prove that I am innocent.” said and teleported home.
Making antidote took almost whole day, but it was finally completed after lunchtime.
Ointment that can bring trees back to life -.pretty incredible, I must say. Just wait Greenleaf. Nopony plays with me. I just hope that Applejack will trust me.
Loki teleported on place in plantation, where he expected Applejack.
“Applejack?”
“Loki!”
“I have to ask you something. Do you trust me, that I didn´t destroy those trees?”
“Of course, you love apples and you would never harm the Ponyvile.”
Everytime it´s “Ponyville” never “Apple Family” or “me”. Why does she not mention herself, when comes to problem like this?
“Thank you. Now, I made an ointment that can restore those trees, but I need some help. Are you in?”
“Sure.”
He told her his plan.
“You can count on me. Now go, before Greenleaf spots you!”
Loki teleported home.
So now I will just wait for about 20 minutes and then I´ll go to those dead trees.
Giggle.
Soon Loki was standing in front of large group of ponies. Applejack completed her quest pefectly, when he told her to bring everypony there.
Without saying anything Loki took the ointment and put it on one tree. After few seconds the tree started to shake, then it´s color returned and then a new leaves and apples grown out of - now alive – branches. Everypony was shocked. Everypony,
Greenleaf included.
“I apologize for misunderstanding, that happened this morning. Yes, I poisoned those trees. It was supposed to be an small theatre that me and Applejack devised for introduction of this ointment. Unfortunately, the first batch was ate by rats, so I had to make another one.
Also I have to apologize to Greenleaf, that we didn´t tell him about it. If we were more circumspect, that awful misunderstanding wouldn´t happen.
So, Greenleaf. Would you like to taste the first apple from these newborn trees as my apologize?”
The look on green pony´s face told Loki what does he think about that, but he didn´t care. In front of so many ponies, he had to accept.
“Yes, with pleasure.” said with false smile and ate it. “It´s delicious.”
So Loki healed the rest of trees and everpony went home.
My plan doesn´t end here!
So Loki teleported to Pinkie Pie.
“Do you have a second?” asked he.
“Yep, what do you need?”
“Can you please organize here a small party?”
“Of course! That will be sooo much fun!”
“It sure will be.”
Loki went home and immediately started search in his small library.
Now, where did I put that book?
XXXXXX
“Damn unicorn!” raged Greenleaf when he was alone. “I never thought, that he will turn this into his own benefit. But I will not give up, until he recognize, that earth ponies are in farming superior!”
Day was ending and pony started to feel sleepy.
“I will do that at midnight, now I´ll take a nap.”
When he woke up, he saw that moon is right above him.
“Perfect.”
Greenleaf took the rest of poison (boosted on maximum) and went to trees, that Loki so unexpectedly healed.
“If these and some others die, it will look like his oinment didn´t work and it will look like the poison is spreading. He will be ashamed in whole Ponyville.”
“You are so predictable.” said Loki standing behind the trees.
“You!!! What are you doing here?”
“Just enjoying your predictability. Now I will reveal your tricks!”
“Reveal? And to who? It´s a deep night.”
Suddenly he noticed that Loki´s horn is shining with flame, not with his usual green magic.
“It´s deep...what?” asked Loki amused.
The midnight instantly turned into morning, so both ponies could see citizens of Ponyville standing around them.
“W-what happened?”
“Few weeks ago, I was with girls on quest to get rid of dragon. Back then I said that dragons have sometimes magic items in their tresures. One of them was book, that contained dragon magic. With it, I cursed you with ilusion of night.”
“That´s impossible! I know that I couldn´t sleep so long. I went to bed early!”
“Do you remeber that apple, I gave you?”
“App...” Loki saw that he realized it. “Sleeping spell?”
Grey unicorn nodded.
“I think that you should apologize to members of Apple family, you know better than anypony of us, how much they love this farm.”
“I...I am sorry. I apologize to you too Loki. Now I get it. Even if I don´t want somepony to help us, I shouldn´t do bad things to them and...you were right. I guess that even unicorns and pegasi can be helpful on farms. I just...didn´t want earth ponies look useless.” said and bent his head down.
“It´s not like that. You know why earth ponies do work on farms? Because they have the love for it. Just a few pegasi and unicorns would like to work like this the entire life. I just wanted to help Applejack, because my family had it´s part on your delay.”
“So this is how it was? I...” he wanted to say something but Pinkie interrupted him.
“Stop that seriousness and LET´S PARTY!!!” shouted, Vinyl kicked the speakers and everypony started dancing.
That´s enought. My legs hurts.
So Loki took two apples and went on nearby meadow, lied under a tree and started eating.
“There you are.” said a familiar voice.
“Applejack, why aren´t you on the party?”
She still looked really bad.
“I just wanted you apologize for all those problems, that Greenleaf coused you and I want to also thank you again, for all your help.”
“I can´t let my friends in the lurch. You you want an apple?”
She nodded wearily. Loki saw that she didn´t sleep very much for a few days. After one bit she losted consciousness.
“That sleeping spell never disappoints me.” said for himself.
Now my plan ends.
Carefuly he picked Applejack and put her on his back. Then he brought her to her bed and covered with a blanket.
Then Loki went to plantation.
“I have to catch up delay.”
“So let me help you.” spoke Greenleaf, watching him from trees.
When Loki saw him, they both smiled.
“Will be my pleasure.”
„What is all this happines all about?“ asked Loki when he saw all his friends jumping up and down.
„You don´t know? Today is Gala!“ answered him Twilight.
„Aha. I hope you will have a good time.“ said with smile and tried to walk away.
„Wait! You aren´t going? Princess Celestia sended a ticket for you too.“
„Well, I am not really into this kind of stuff.“
„Oh come on!“ Rainbow joined the conversation.
„That´s, right, come with us.“ spoke Applejack.
When Loki saw girls looking at him with kitten-like eyes, he couldn´t resist.
„Ok, I´ll go with you. But I don´t have any festive clothing.”
“That´s not a problem my dear. I´ll make something for all of us.” said Rarity.
“This night will be so awesome!” rejoiced Twilight.
“I have some work, so I´ll go home for now.”
“Come to Rarity´s place after you´re done, so you can try out your suit.”
XXXXXX
Later that day
XXXXXX
“How do you like this one?” asked Rarity.
Loki was amazed, he looked like some kind of warlock.
Golden helm, with long horns, green cape, black uniform with golden pieces of armor, just making whe whole thing perfect.
If I just had some kind of magical staff.
“This is perfect Rarity, thank you.”
“You´re welcome.”
“So we are leaving at tomorrow morning.” said Twilight, and after few hours of mostly girl talks they went home.
Loki went straight to his laboratory and took all the gems that he had from dragon adventure and put them into a bag. Then he let the bag disappear in the air.
XXXXXX
Next day.
XXXXXX
“What are you guys planning to do at the Gala?”
“I´d like to spend some time with Princess Celestia.”
“Hang out with the wonderbolts.”
“Sell apples.”
“Hug animals, in the garden.”
“Meet my prince.”
“Make a party!”
“Just enjoy being together.”
“What do want to do Loki?” asked Fluttershy.
“I dont´t really know. I will be happy, if you can accomplish your dreams.”
Later they arrived to Gala and everypony went their own way.
“Oh come on, I thought that we will be all together.” said Spike to Loki, that was the only one who didn´t know where to go.
“That´s unfortunate, I´ll go look on statues in the park. See you later Spike.”
“See ya.”
There was only one statue that Loki cared about and that was Discord. When grey unicorn found him, he summoned the bag, where he kept magical gems.
Loki´s horn shined with dragon magic and raised all the crystals up to the air. Then they all crumbled into pieces, and released all the magic that was inside. Beam of colorful magic hitted Discord to the head.
He waited few seconds and then spoke:
“My lord, time of your freedom is near. Now I just want to tell you, my master, that the danger from Elements is no more. My superiors found the way to neutralize them. When the time is right, I´ll find you and create the Element of Chaos, just as you ordered us.”
Loki knelt in front of the statue and walked away. When he was far anought, he started to giggle.
Sometimes things go really well. I am near the gardens, so I should look, how is Fluttershy doing.
“Well that´s weird.” said quietly to himself, when he saw Fluttershy, trying to trap animals in cage.
“What are you in the name of Celestia doing?” asked her.
“Oh, Loki, I am just having some troubles with animals. But nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious? Listen, I know that you are sad, that these animals don´t want to be with you.” looked at scared squirrels.
“This is not Ponyville, these animals aren´t used to ponies like you. So please, try it again with little more kindness.”
Fluttershy blushed with shame.
“You are right, I was unfair to them.”
“Well, I hope that now it will be better.” said and walked away.
Let´s hope, that others are having better time.
No, they hadn´t. When he was on his way to the main hall Loki saw Rarity walking around with some discourteous “prince” and Applejack, that couldn´t sell anything.
I need Spike to help out Rarity, so now is time for Applejack.
XXXXXX
“This is terrible day, nopony want my apples.” whispered AJ sadly.
“Good evening, young lady.” said old pony, with gry mane and body and green eyes, standing in front of her.
“I´d like some apple cupcakes.”
“Here you go.” said orange pony happily and pushed a plate with cupcakes to the old pony. He took one and tasted.
“It´s delicious. I remember times, when I was selling apples and other farm pruducts all over the Equestria. That was when I
was young. The best apples were from Sweet Apple Acres, and these even taste like them!”
“And they are.”
“Really? Could you please tell me your name, girl?”
“Applejack.”
“Applejack? I remeber you, when you was just a little filly. How is Granny Smith doing?”
Orange pony was really happy, and listened to everything that this old pony said. Well she couldn´t not to, because he was really loud.
“Really? She is doing great. What is your name?”
“My name is Albert Fruitlicious.”
“Albert Fruitlicious? That famous fruit seller? Granny told me about you.”
“That´s nice that she did. I don´t sell fruit anymore, but my son do. I definitely will tell him that he should buy apple products from you. Because I still think that your apples are best in the Equestria. I have to go Applejack, maybe we will meet another time.”
“I sure hope so.”
Albert paied for his cupcakes and walked away, right after that, all ponies that were around went to buy something too.
Bacause they couldn´t not to, when somepony famous like Fruitlicious recommended them.
Granny told me about him, but she said that he had eyes blue as sky. Loki?
After this went Loki found Spike and told him his plan, but when he wanted to go after Rarity, he found out, that Twilight has problem too.
XXXXXXX
I hope that ponies, will stop coming so I could be with Princess alone. Ach, this is not going well.
“Hi sister and Twilight.” spoke voice nearby. When Twilight looked, she saw Princess Luna standing in front of them.
“Hi Luna.”
“I see that, lots of ponies came here. You two should go rest, I can take care of this.”
“That would be nice, I hoped, that I can teach my faithful student something.”
“No problem.”
So Celestia with her student left and Luna remained alone.
Strange that I haven´t notice those green eyes before. Maybe I just wasn´t watching good enough.
But that wasn´t only strange thing that Twilight didn´t notice. Besides this, Luna didn´t cast a shadow and nothing could touch her.
XXXXXX
Ok, so now I finally can go save Rarity.
He already knowed what to do, so when those two entered the hall, Loki throwed and cake on them. As he expected Rarity was furious, left that “prince” and sadly walked away.
“What the...” she said, when all the pieces of cake disappeared from her dress.
“That was just an ilusion. I wanted to get rid of that arrogant foul.” said Loki.
“But...who will dance with me now?”
“I have somepony on mind.” answered and revealed Spike, hiding behind his back.
“I think that Spike wants to tell you something.”
“Um...Rarity? Would you like to dance with me?” asked small dragon.
“Well, of course!”
XXXXXX
Oh my Celestia, I am starting to get really tired from all this magic. And apparently Rainbow Dash has bad day too. But this should be simple.
“Hi, you are Spitfire?”
“Yes, that´s me, and who are you?”
“Loki, friend of Rainbow Dash.”
“Oh yes, that talented rainbow flyier.”
“True, I just want to ask you if you could talk to her for a while. The reason why she came here was you alone.”
“Really? Me?” for some reason Spitfire blushed.
“Yes.” Loki frowned. “By the way, doesn´t she look cute in that dress?”
As he expected Spitfire blushed even more.
“Well, I think that you two have lot to talk about. So here you have a key to chamber over there. Nopony is there, so you should have some peace over there.”
“But...”
“Don´t say anything. Do you want Rainbow to be sad?”
“No!”
“So here you have.” finished Loki and gave her the key. With it Spitfire went right after Dash and together went to the chamber.
Well I hope that they will have great time. The last one is Pinkie, and I don´t think that it will be much better.
Loki wasn´t mistaken. He saw Pinkie Pie trying to make a party, but all those ritch ponies thought that it´s under their level.
XXXXXXX
“Greetings my subjects, how is party going?” asked Celestia when she walked inside hall.
“Just great my Princess.” answered somepony. “Some girl wanted to ruin it, but it´s alright.”
“Oh this. I am sorry that I didn´t tell you about it. Pinkie please come over here.” Pinkie joined her. “I asked here Pinkie, to make party, so this year was Gala even more entertaining. Could you please enjoy it?”
“This is how it is? Well in that case, we will welcome such nice change.” answere unknown pony with smile.
“Thank you very much. I have some wotk to do, so I´ll join you later.”
There is some weird light in this room. It looked like Princess´s eyes were green.
XXXXXXX
Loki throwed himself on one of many chairs in castle.
“I am completly exhousted from all this magic. Wish I could sit here until the end.”
“That would be boring wouldn´t it?” spoke Applejack mysteriously standing next to him. “Would you like to go dancing? “
“Just for you.” answered Loki and went with orange pony to the hall.
Maybe this night will not be as bad after all.
XXXXXXX
Next day.
XXXXXXX
“Mail for Loki.” said Derpy Hooves.
“Thank you Derpy, here you have a muffin.”
“Thanks.” said and flew away.
The letter was in black paper with green seal. Loki frowned and walked down to his laboratory, where he opened it.
He read it and then throwed it into a fire.
From his eye dropped a tear, then he sadly smiled.
“Exactly what I expected.”
"What is up with that chocolate rain?" asked Loki.
"I have no idea, but I think that in this book is spell, that should correct it." Twilight answered.
"Do you need help?"
"No, it should be right here. Got it!"
"So let´s hope, that it will work."
Twilight rushed out and after about half hour, the rain stopped.
"Did it worked?" aked when Twilight returned home.
"No, we had to do it manualy and Princess Celestia sended me a letter, so she will propably tell us, what is the deal."
XXXXXXXX
So all seven friends went by train to the Canterlot, where Celestia explained them, how Discord broke free and
what is he doing in the Equestria. Loki wasn´t suprised, he planned this and to be honest he needed Discord. After
their meeting with Spirit of Chaos, they all went to the Canterlot maze to find Elements of Harmony. But Discord took
away their wings, magic and seperated them.
At least it will be easier.
"Well, hello there." spoke Discord´s voice.
Loki turned around and saw him.
"Greetings my lord." answered and kneeled before him.
"So, your masters discovered how to make Element of Chaos?"
"Yes, everything is ready, I just need to extract a bit of power from Elements of Harmony."
"If you say so. Let´s go."
"Just a second please." Loki´s horn shined and a Loki´s rock statue appeared next to them.
"This will give us some time."
They both teleported inside library, where Discord gave Elements of Harmony to grey unicorn.
Loki went to his laboratory and came back with blank gem.
"This is an empty gem, that I will use to gain some energy from the Elements. That´s why they will no longer have any effect on you."
"So let´s begin."
They both went on place near Ponyville, where Loki could start the spell. To be honest he didn´t care, how is doing to his friends. He was pretty sure, that Discord didn´t kill them, because that wouldn´t be entertaining for him and Loki trusted that from whatever else, he could save them.
Spell went well, it´s base was made from gem containing the power of Harmony making it nicely colorful.
"It´s almost done, I just need fill it with my magic."
"Why?" asked Discord sitting on his throne.
"There has to be magic that would hold power of Harmony from destroying the Element."
Loki´s horn shined and gem started to cosume green magic.
"Stop it!" Discord ordered.
"My lord?"
"I want an actual chaos to be inside of this superior weapon. If it would be just a name, it wouldn´t be fun."
"Oh, well it is possibility, I just didn´t expect it." said Loki with inferior voice.
"I want it that way. How much power does that thing need?"
"I would need all my magic, but since you are much more powerful than me..."
"Is half enough?"
"Definitely."
Discord put his hand on top of incomplete Element of Chaos and let his power flew inside. When no more was needed,
he went sit back on his throne and watched Loki finish his job, which was binding energies inside.
"Chaos is wonderful, wonderful thing!" said Discord happily.
"Not as wonderful as friendship!" answered Twilight, that was standing with other girls near him.
"Friendship? What that can do? There is no way you could ever defeat me!"
Spirit of Chaos looked how is Loki doing but for some reason, the grey pony wasn´t there anymore nor was Element of
Chaos.
"False memories." said voice in his head and suddenly he remembered how Loki´s cursed him, when he was still a statue.
He just realized his defeat, when the power of Harmony turned him back to stone.
XXXXXXXXX
"Ok girls, now we have to free Loki from that stone curse." said Twi.
"That won´t be necessary." spoke Loki standing behind them with exhousted look on his face.
"Loki! Are you alright?" Applejack asked.
"Yes, fortunately I was able to free myself, but it was much harder then I thought. But I see that you managed to defeat
Discord without me. Too bad I missed it."
XXXXXXXXX
During next several months a lots of adventures happened, but Loki didn´t do too much. Most of them were completly
out of his buisness so he let others to figure them their own way and he just gave them hints.
But that time didn´t last forever, it ended when he and girls were having picnic.
XXXXXXXXX
"So your brother is getting married?"
"Yes, but i am sad, thet he didn´t tell me about it personaly. Are you sure, that you don´t want to come with us Loki?"
"I am sure, I would be bored and mainly I have some work to do here."
So Loki stayed at home and girls went to Canterlot. Grey unicorn sitted in his laboratory and remebered all that time spended with his friends.
On that day Chrysalis planned her invasion.
*Next day at the wedding.*
"This have to work, if love itself can´t defeat Chrysalis, then nothing can." whispered Twilight, when she watched
magic of love between Shining Armor and Candance.
All hopes were destroyed when the heart was pierced by green magic and both ponies were threw away.
"I am afraid, that this resistance has to stop." spoke Loki, standing at a door, wearing suit that Rarity made
for him.
"Loki! What the buck are you doing?" Twilight shouted, but grey unicorn ingored her and went straight to Chrysalis.
"My queen, I am here to report that my mission was succes."
"Yes? Did you find the power I was asking for?"
Loki nodded.
"This is Element of Chaos, it contain the power of Discord and user cannot be affected by power of Elements of Harmony."
"That is interesting." answered Chrysalis and put necklace on her neck.
"It sure is, nothing else is useful at this god forsaken kingdom, so we can go home now right?"
"Not yet, now with this power I want to erase Equestria from the face of Earth!"
"What?" Loki asked, terrified.
"You didn´t atually trust me when I said in that letter that after getting enough power, we will leave didn´t you?"
Grey pony hissed.
"You..."
But Chrysalis ignored him and focused on the rest of ponies in room.
"You. Elements of Harmony. You will perish first. It´s beause of you my plan failed, mainly because of you - Twilight!"
Chrysalis´s jagged horn shined with rainbow of chaotic colors. Chaos could do anything, magic included.
Then beam of colors fired on group of ponies, but was stopped by purely green magic.
"I will not let you hurt my friends!" said Loki angrily.
"I really want see you stop me, now when I have this amazing power."
Queen pushed harder and rainbow approximated Loki´s horn.
"No..." grey horn shattered to pieces and explosion tossed Loki´s unconscious body away.
"Loki!" screamed Applejack and tryied to help him, but was stopped by Chrysalis.
"I didn´t expect Loki to betray me, looks like he is weaker then I thought."
"Loki was your servant?" Twilight asked.
"That is true. I sended him to destroy your friendship, but he apparently failed."
"Of course! Loki would never hurt his friends."
Chrysalis giggled.
"You think? Loki´s special talent is lying, many ponies died because of him when I ordered him to do so."
Twilight wanted to answer her, but Rainbow suudenly screamed.
"Look over there."
Loki was standing, even thought the explosion should broke his ribs. But that wasn´t the most suprising.
It was black energy covering his body. I looked like thousands of snakes embracing pony´s body. And most scariest - red eyes shining with hatred.
"You...you betrayed me!" spoke voice that didn´t sound like Loki´s at all. It was like saveral ponies talking at the same time.
"I trusted you and you betrayed me." said more quietly.
"I will...destroy you. I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING!!!"
Then wave of energy shattered all windows and almost picked ponies in air.
"What is happening? His horn is no more, how can he still use magic?" asked Twilight.
"This is not magic. This is power of his feelings. Hatred itself." Celestia responded.
Unknown power picked Chrysalis in the air and surrounded her with shield of dark energy.
"I will use the power that changelings stole and unleash it to destroy EVERYTHING!"
Bubble started to make sucking sound and changelings from whole city were dragged inside.
"Loki! You have to stop this madness! This isn´t you! You are always calm, you have to fight it!" Applejack shouted.
"Applejack?" said demon, that once was pony. One of his eyes turned green.
"Stop this. I am the one who controls this body." said to himself and tryied to get rid of black energy.
"But you aren´t doing it well. Let me help you and everything will be good again." answered him voice from before.
"No...you will hurt my friends."
"Friends? You don´t have friends anymore. You betrayed them, remember? They propably hate you."
"No..." whispered and only green eye started to turn red again.
"Only her sister can defeat her." whispered Loki and then Hatred took the lead.
"Her sister? Love? But Shining Armor and Candance are unconsciousness!" said Twilight.
"That is no what he meant." said Applejack and hurried towards Loki.
"What are you doing? That energy will hurt you!"
But orange pony ignored for once her friends and hugged Loki.
"Loki, please stop this." she scried and tears dropped on Loki´s face. "I love you."
Then they both started to shine with pink magic, that burned the darkness.
"What is happening? Applejack is earth pony and Loki is no longer unicorn, so how can they use magic?"
"It´s not a magic, it´s love and everypony can feel it. But something is not right. What is it on his chest?"
Twilight looked closely and saw red gem that Loki was wearing since they met Zecora. Now the necklace shined
like sun itself and was curing his body from darkness. Then it bursted creating beautiful heart created by magic. It looked
similar to Candance´s magic, except one thing. There was huge black snake encircling the heart.
"I trust you." whispered grey pony to Applejack and fired on dark bubble pink and black beam of magic and threw it with all the changelings far away.
XXXXXXXXX
"Where am I?" asked Loki when he woke up.
"In the library. Ponyville," somepony answered him, but his head hurt, so he couldn´t distinguish his voice.
He looked around and saw all his friends standing next to his bed.
"I am so sorry girls, I shouldn´t trust Chrysalis."
"Don´t worry, you saved us all. We aren´t mad at you."
"Thanks Celestia."
"But Loki, your horn is gone." said Twilight.
"That doesn´t matter now I can be with Applejack, as I wanted since my arrival to Ponyville."
Applejack kissed him.
"And I have this toy." said and Element of Chaos appeared on his bed.
Loki smiled.
"This will replace my magic without a problem."
"How did you get it? Last time I saw it, Chrysalis flew away with it."
"You didn´t expect me to give it to her didn´t you?"
Grey pony smiled even more.
"I am Loki, Pony of Deception!"
When he said it, a his flanks shined and a picture appeared.
Apple encircled by snake.
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/141571/loki-origin-of-deception
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/144193/loki-reborn-of-deception