Some Secrets Are Better Left Untold 2...

Chapters

The calm before the storm
The storm arrives
Discord's Lament
A Faded Memory(Part 1)
A Faded Memory(Part 2)(FINISHED!)
Betrayal(part 1)
Betrayal(part 2)
Betrayal(Part 3)
Magic Duel
Courage from Within
A Storm On The Horizon
A series of awkward conversations...

The calm before the storm

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

“Twilight, are you okay? You seem to be really deep in thought.” Fluttershy remarked as she looked at the Alicorn who up till her speaking up was deep in thought over the possibilities as to why Celestia would summon Discord instead of her.

Twilight looked over at the Pegasus's concerned expression and smiled at her. “I'm fine Fluttershy. It's probably nothing big anyways. She probably needs him to fix something that only his magic can do quickly which would most likely take normal ponies months to finish or something like that.” Twilight remarked dismissively. “He'll probably be back before the day is out and then I'm going to give him a piece of my mind.” She added moments later with a scowl.

“Oh I'm sure he'll know the perfect way to say he's sorry.” Fluttershy remarked coyly, her expression looking unusually flirtatious as she said this.

Upon hearing this, Twilight blushed crimson as the events of a day ago flashed through her mind. “Y-Yeah... I'm sure he will.” The Alicorn replied dazedly before she let out a blissful sigh at the moment and pushed the perverted memory out of her mind for the time being. “Anyways, I should be going. I need to go to the Ponyville hospital to get Discord's well, you know, checked for fertility to mares and to get Scootaloo's birth certificate so I can calm down her fears.” She remarked as she began to walk towards the door.

Upon hearing these words, Fluttershy's expression suddenly became more nervous than usual as she stared at her friend walking away. “Um, Twilight?” She asked softly.

“Yes, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked upon hearing this and turned to look at the Pegasus only to take note of how nervous she seemed at the moment.

“What is Scootaloo afraid of?” The Pegasus asked softly.

“Oh it's nothing really, she's just having second thoughts about her parents being her biological parents since their earth ponies and she's a Pegasus. Normally I would have just did my best to assure her that this wasn't the case but she seemed so worried about this that I didn't think a simple talk would suffice. So I'm going to get a copy of her birth certificate from the hospital and give it to her so she won't be worried that her parents aren't her real parents anymore.” Twilight replied before she turned around to resume leaving the Pegasus's house.

“Um, Twilight?” The meek Pegasus said once again which halted the Alicorn in her tracks once more.

“Yes, Fluttershy?” Twilight replied as she turned to look at Fluttershy once again, her tone sounding slightly annoyed now.

Fluttershy remained silent as she stared at her friend as if she wanted to say something but was afraid to.

“I don't have all day Fluttershy. If you wanted to say something, say it.” The Alicorn remarked her expression becoming impatient as she spoke now.

Fluttershy hesitated a little longer before she let out a sigh. “J-Just that I hope the test turns out to say that Discord is fertile to mares. That's all.” The Pegasus said softly.

“You really are hoping you are pregnant with his foal, aren't you?” Twilight asked curiously with a smile as she walked up to Fluttershy.

The Pegasus's nervousness seemed to melt away as she spoke now. “Well, yes. I admit that the very thought of being pregnant scared me yesterday but after having a day to think about it and talking it over with Discord, I honestly think that becoming a mother would be a wonderful thing and Discord being the father would make it all the better.” Fluttershy said proudly with a wide smile.

Twilight gave a soft giggle upon hearing this as she placed a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. “I think you would make a wonderful mother, Fluttershy.” Twilight remarked softly as she looked into her friend's eyes.

The yellow Pegasus's eyes teared up a little upon hearing these words. “Th-Thanks Twilight. That means a lot coming from you.” She replied as she wiped any tears that may have formed in her eyes out with a hoof as she looked at the Alicorn.

“Though I can't really speak for Discord.” Twilight added moments after she said this with a cheesy grin.

“Twilight! Come now, I'm sure he'll be a great father.” Fluttershy retorted with a mildly annoyed expression yet she continued to smile just the same. She knew her friend was only joking around.

“Heh, I guess you'd know that better than the rest of us, wouldn't you?” Twilight replied allowing her cheesy grin to fade and be replaced with the smile she showed moments earlier. “Well, I need to be going now. That sample isn't going to test itself and I really need to get Scootaloo's birth certificate for her.” She added as she turned around and began to walk away, unaware that the Pegasus's expression had become nervous once again.

“Um, Twilight?”

“For the love of Celestia and Luna, Fluttershy. What is it this time?!” Twilight exclaimed as she whirled around and stared at the Pegasus with a very annoyed expression.

The Pegasus remained silent for a time before she let out a sigh. “N-Nothing Twilight.” She said finally.

“Well in that case, I need to be going. See you around Fluttershy.” The Alicorn replied before she turned around and finally managed to walk out the door.

Once Twilight had left the cottage, Fluttershy walked over to her mirror, looked into it, and sighed loudly. “You gutless mare! Why couldn't you just tell her?!” She exclaimed to her reflection and sighed once again.

With a quick pit-stop by her library, she picked up the jar of Discord's semen she had stored in the fridge and quickly took off to the skies to get the hospital as quickly as possible. She would have walked there but she really didn't feel like getting twenty questions from ponies about what the contents of the jar were as she walked to Ponyville hospital much less acquired it.

Once there, she landed on the sidewalk which lead straight into Ponyville hospital, walked through the front door, and approached the receptionist counter. All the while giving slightly paranoid looks at other ponies as she walked by for fear they may know of the contents in the jar as they entered and exited the hospital.

“Welcome to Ponyville Hospital! How can we assist you today?” A familiar voice asked as the Alicorn approached the counter.

“Hello Nurse Redheart. Long time no see.” Twilight greeted the earth pony with a wide smile.

“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?! Is that really you?! I had heard the rumors when I got back into town but this is the first time seeing the proof in front of my eyes! You really are an Alicorn princess!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed with a giddy smile as she looked at the mare. “Show me the wings! I want to see how large they are!” She added as she seemed to be stomping all four hooves in giddy excitement.

Twilight gave a humored eye-roll and a sigh as she extended her wings to their full width at which point the earth pony let out a giddy gasp followed by a giggle of excitement. “Oh wow! They really are big aren't they? Have you been preening them regularly?” Nurse Redheart remarked as she walked from behind the receptionist desk and examined them closely.

“Preening them? Well, uh, no, not really.” The Alicorn replied with an embarrassed blush as she collapsed her wings back to her sides.

“Bet you've been having trouble keeping airborne at times haven't you?” The nurse remarked wisely as she gripped the mare's right-wing with a hoof and began to extend it out to observe it more closely.

“Now that you mention it, I have had a little trouble with- Wait a second here! I didn't come here for an examination! I came here to ask a favor of you and to get a copy of Scootaloo's birth certificate!” Twilight began to say before she cut herself off and sputtered out the second part of her statement and clasped her wing shut abruptly much to Nurse Redheart's dismay.

“Oh? Well let's get this favor out-of-the-way first, what do you need?” The earth pony asked as she looked up at the Alicorn with a curious expression.

The Alicorn hesitated at first as a blush formed on her face but levitated the jar which she had stored in her saddle-pack out and placed it on the counter. “I uh, need you to test this sample of semen to see if it's fertile to mares or not.” Twilight replied, her voice dropping to a sudden whisper as she spoke to the earth pony.

“Is that all?” Nurse Redheart asked mildly as she lifted the jar up and looked at it. “If you don't mind me asking, who does it belong to?”

Once again, Twilight hesitated in answering the question. “D-Discord.” She stuttered out softly at which point the earth pony suddenly fumbled the jar of semen in her hooves for a good five seconds before she retained a firm grip on it.

“You mean, the Discord?!” She whispered back her expression looking shocked now as she spoke as she placed the jar back on the counter and gawked at Twilight.

“The one and the same.” The Alicorn whispered back as a few patients walked past the two towards the two big doors witch lead to the ER.

“H-How in Equestria did you manage to get a sample of his well, you know!” Nurse Redheart flustered as she looked at the mare in shock.

“For the sake of my sanity, please don't ask.” Twilight replied dismally as she frowned at the earth pony.

The nurse managed to regain her composure before she finally responded. “Very well, I won't ask for the details but is there any particular reason for the test? You don't think you may be pregnant with his foal, do you?” The earth pony asked curiously.

Twilight's eyes snapped wide in shock at this question. “N-No! It's for Fluttershy!” She sputtered out loudly without meaning to, gave a quick glance around herself, then looked back at the nurse. “She's been sexually active with him and has been showing signs of being pregnant.” Twilight added without thinking and slapped both hooves over her mouth. “Oh horsefeathers, I wasn't supposed to tell you that!” She whispered in a panicky fashion.

Upon hearing this, Nurse Redheart gave a light giggle. “Don't worry, I won't tell anypony. In fact, I'll test this myself to make sure nopony asks any unnecessary questions, hows that sound?” she replied much to the Alicorn's relief.

“That would be great. I knew I could count on you to keep a lid on this.” Twilight replied softly as she smiled warmly at the earth pony whom smiled back as she walked back behind the counter and looked at her.

“Don't mention it. Now then, whose birth certificate did you need me to look up again? I'm afraid in the chaos of this recent topic, I had forgotten the name.” Nurse Redheart asked curiously as she placed her front hooves on the counter and laid them there in a professional manner.

“Her name is Scootaloo.” The Alicorn replied simply at which point the nurse went to typing on her type writer.

“I see, are you her mother?” Nurse Redheart asked professional as she continued to type away.

Once again, the Alicorn's eyes snapped wide in surprise at yet another remark that caused her brain to spaz out. “N-No! Of course not! Why would you ask me that?!” Twilight sputtered out.

Upon hearing this, the earth pony stopped typing and looked at the lavender mare. “Then I'm sorry Twilight but I can't provide you her birth certificate. Only the parent or guardian of a foal can ask for such information.” Nurse Redheart replied simply as she looked at her.

“Please? She's been feeling really down lately and thinks that her parents aren't her biological parents but she doesn't want to ask them because she's scared to. I told her I would as a favor to her. Just consider it a favor I'm asking of you.” Twilight replied her voice soundly slightly desperate as she spoke now.

“I'm sorry Twilight but without the proper authorization, I can't. Besides, I'm already doing one favor for you at the risk of my medical license, you can't ask me to do another.” Nurse Redheart replied sternly as she looked at Twilight seriously now.

The Alicorn bit her lower lip for a time before closed her eyes and sighed. Just before she opened them and stared at the earth pony in a regal manner. “Fine. Here's your authorization. I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, hereby order you to provide the documents I have requested.” The Alicorn Princess stated in the most regal, prim, and proper tone she could muster as she stared back at the earth pony.

“Are you really attempting to use your status as a princess to go over the law's head?” Nurse Redheart asked as she narrowed her eyes at the mare.

“Is-Is it working?” Twilight asked meekly, her regal tone and attitude faltering at the sight of the earth pony's narrow-eyed stare.

Nurse Redheart continued to her narrow-eyed stare at the Alicorn for a little while longer before she allowed a lighthearted smile to wash over her facial features. “Well, I guess I have no choice but to get that birth certificate for you then, now do I?” She remarked followed by a soft giggle before she resumed typing up her forms.

“Thanks, Nurse Redheart. This will mean a lot to Scootaloo.” Twilight said as she felt relief wash over her.

“Heh, don't mention it. Besides, only a fool would ignore a royal order.” The earth pony replied with a smirk. “The testing will take a least a week but I can get that birth certificate now. I'll be back in a few minutes.” she added before she turned about-face and walked into the back room.

With nothing to do but wait, Twilight walked over to the waiting area, sat down in one of the many chairs, and awaited the nurse with Scootaloo's birth certificate in hoof.

However, five minutes turned into ten, ten minutes turned into twenty, and nearly a half hour later the Alicorn was beginning to wonder what was taking the earth pony so long. “How hard can it be to find a birth certificate?” she asked aloud curiously.

Nearly ten minutes after she had said this, Nurse Redheart approached the Alicorn with a frown and without the birth certificate. “I'm sorry, Twilight but I looked and looked but I couldn't find any birth certificate with Scootaloo's name on it.” she said aloud with a saddened expression.

“Are you sure it wasn't just misplaced?” Twilight asked curiously.

“That's the first thing I thought as well and searched other files for the possibility of it being misplaced in one of them but I still couldn't find it. There's still the possibility that it was misplaced but I can't spend all day searching for a lone stray birth certificate, Twilight. I'm sure you understand.” Nurse Redheart's replied and sighed.

“I understand.” Twilight replied in a depressed tone as she looked down and let out a sigh of her own only for the earth pony to place a hoof on her shoulder when caused her to look up at the mare.

“I'll keep looking in my spare time, okay?” She said with a soft smile.

“Thanks again, Nurse Redheart.” Twilight replied as she stood up and gave the mare a gentle hug.

“Don't mention it. I'm sure it'll turn up by the time those test results come back.” The earth pony remarked as Twilight stood up and began to walk along side her to the door.

“Well, I guess I should head back home now. See you in a week?” The Alicorn asked as she turned her head to look at the nurse.

“See you in a week.” Nurse Redheart replied as she turned around and walked back to the receptionist desk.

The storm arrives

THE STORM ARRIVES

A week had now passed and the Alicorn sighed at the mere memories of the last week.

The Six mares and Spike walked along the glittering grounds of the crystal empire, passing a very large statue of Spike as they walked towards the castle. “Seems like only yesterday I was saving this place from being totally destroyed. Hey, you guys remember that?” Spike remarked proudly with a big grin.

“You only mentioned it about fifteen times on the train here.” Rainbow Dash remarked with an annoyed expression as she hovered along.

The white unicorn glanced up at the cyan blue Pegasus with a smirk “Yes, and we never hear a peep out of you about your exploits.” She remarked sarcastically as they continued to walk along the path, growing closer to the castle now.

Rainbow Dash's expression went from annoyed to sheepish as she looked back at the mare. “Heh, point taken.” She replied followed by a nervous chuckle.

“I'm glad you all wanted to come, but I don't think it's gonna be that exciting. I pretty much just have to smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive.” Twilight remarked though she didn't seem as excited about this as her friends were. In fact, she sounded a little depressed. “I thought she had summoned us here to talk to her about why she had called for Discord a few days ago. Just what is going on?” The Alicorn thought to herself curiously.

“Yes, but you get to smile and wave like a princess.” Rarity added excitedly as she made a waving motion with her hoof.

“How exactly is that different than smilin' and wavin' like not a princess?” Applejack asked with a skeptic expression as she stared at the two.

“It isn't.” The Alicorn remarked depressingly as a frown formed on her face followed by her ears flattening as she looked at the glittering crystal path they had stopped walking on for a brief time. “Am I that unimportant that she calls for Discord instead of me to handle a problem that she refers to as fragile in nature? I'd think that my status as a princess would make me a top priority pony to be told and informed of the situation yet I haven't heard anything as to why Discord was called and I wasn't.” She thought to herself depressingly.

Each of her friends exchanged worried expressions though Fluttershy was the first to express her concern. “What's wrong, Twilight?” She asked.

“Why the looooooooong face?” Pinkie Pie chimed in as she somehow managed to stretch the Alicorn's face roughly double its size before she allowed it to snap back in place seemingly unscathed. Though the action did seem to hurt as Twilight reached up a hoof and rubbed her chin with a mildly pained expression.

“I've just been feeling a little unsure about things lately. It doesn't seem that my new role as a princess equates to all that much. I mean, the princesses call for Discord regarding what they call a fragile situation but don't bother to tell me anything? You would think that as a princess, they would have told me first.” She replied honestly as she turned to look at her friends.

“That's just silly. You've got a real important role in Equestria.” Applejack replied reassuringly as she looked at Twilight with a big smile.

“Princess Celestia wouldn't have asked you to come today if she didn't think so.” Fluttershy added meekly as a smile crept onto her facial features as well.

“I guess you're right.” Twilight replied though she honestly didn't think so herself.

“Of course we are. Now hurry along! You don't want to miss having that important role diminished because you were tardy for your regal meet-and-greet.” Rarity said eagerly as she nudged the Alicorn forward with an encouraging smile.

The event had gone off without a hitch of course but Twilight still felt as if her role as a princess didn't add up to anything. “I just don't understand what my purpose is as a princess. What in the heck am I supposed to be princess of? Waving?!” Twilight thought to herself dismally as she walked along a similar path up the Ponyville hospital. It had been a week and she could only hope that Nurse Redheart had found that birth certificate along with some conclusive test results of Discord's semen.

“Oh! There you are Twilight! I'd like to discuss something with you in private if you don't mind.” Nurse Redheart said as she noticed the Alicorn enter the building. “Hey, I'm taking my break now. Can you cover for me?” The nurse asked a fellow nurse pony.

“Sure. Enjoy your break.” The pony replied nonchalantly as she took the earth pony's position behind the counter while Nurse Redheart walked over to Twilight and motioned for her to follow the mare.

Once they were outside, Nurse Redheart spoke. “Well the test results came back on Discord's semen sample but it's a little weird.” She said with a slightly worried expression.

“What's weird?” Twilight asked her expression becoming worried upon hearing this.

“Well, according to the test results, he is fertile to mares but...” The earth pony replied trailing off and let out another sigh. “It's hard to explain.” she finished.

“What's hard to explain?” The Alicorn asked, still not getting the full picture. She figured that if the test results showed that he was fertile it would be easy to leave it at that.

“Let me put it in a way that you can understand.” The mare started and sighed once more before she continued. “It said he's fertile to mares but at the same time it said he wasn't. The results were a bit all over the place. I literally ran twenty tests and they all came back saying the same thing.” She continued but paused to let the Alicorn take this information in.

“You're not making sense. Is he fertile to mares or not?” Twilight asked her expression bewildered as she stared at the earth pony.

“How to put it in a way that you can understand...” Nurse Redheart replied as if she was talking to herself more than Twilight at the moment. “He's like a stallion whose been fixed.” She said finally though this still didn't make much sense to the mare. Realizing this, she attempted to explain farther. “In other words, he can make a mare pregnant but the chances of it happening are literally two-thousand to one. Just like a stallion whose been fixed, there's a chance he can still impregnate a mare but the chances of it happening are less than one percent. That's the best way I can explain it even though this doesn't come even close to what the results actually read. Like I said, they were all over the bucking place.” The nurse finished and sighed heavily.

“So saying for a minute that Fluttershy is actually pregnant with his foal. What will the outcome of the foal be?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Well, if he managed to beat those overwhelming odds, the foal will be born a normal filly or colt. His semen while causing the test results to be random as buck, did clearly state that his semen was equine in nature. Though that's not even including the possibility that his powers could be passed onto the filly or colt, even if their born an earth pony or Pegasus.” Nurse Redheart said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“So I guess the next course of action would be to bring Fluttershy in for a pregnancy test.” Twilight replied to which the nurse nodded silently. “Say, did you manage to find Scootaloo's birth certificate?” She added after a few brief moments of silence.

“I'm sorry Twilight but I looked and looked. I even lost a few night's sleep looking for that filly's birth certificate. Are you sure she was actually born in Ponyville? She could have been born in Canterlot or another town before coming here. Have you thought of asking Scootaloo's parents themselves? If anypony has a copy of her birth certificate it's them.” Nurse Redheart replied suggested though her expression was saddened just the same.

“I guess I could ask them. I wanted to avoid involving them in this matter for Scootaloo's sake but I guess there's no avoiding it now.” The Alicorn remarked followed by a dejected sigh.

Twilight! There you are!

Both mare's heard a familiar voice that could belong to none other than the Alicorn's number one assistant as he ran up to the two of them as fast as he legs could carry him, stopped, heaved for a few moments to catch his breath, and presented Twilight with a letter.

Twilight read over the contents of the letter before she snapped her head up with a shocked expression. “The princesses want me to see them in the Crystal Empire at once!” She exclaimed in a panicked tone before she made a take off position and erupted off the ground before Spike or Nurse Redheart could utter another word.

The pages of an all too familiar book whisked before the Alicorn's eyes before stopping on a specific page and Princess Celestia spoke. “Tirek and his brother Scorpan came here from a distant land, intent on stealing Equestrian magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, even befriending a young unicorn wizard.” The multi-color maned Alicorn said, stopping briefly to allow Twilight to take in this information though Princess Luna spoke now as she continued to tell the tale her sister had started.

“Scorpan urged his brother to abandon their plans. When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted us to Tirek's intentions.” Luna said and paused like Celestia had to allow the princess to once again take in this information before continuing again.

“Scorpan returned to his own land, and Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes. But it appears he has found a way to escape.” Celestia finished before closing the book and looking at Twilight now.

“We believe it happened when Cerberus left his post at the gates.” Princess Luna added and went silent to allow Twilight to speak freely now.

“But that was a long time ago. Why is he just now starting to steal magic?” Twilight asked curiously though her expression was just as worried as the other three princesses were as she spoke now.

“His time in Tartarus left him very weak. He has just now gained enough strength to use his dark powers.” Princess Celestia answered wisely.

“But with each passing moment, he grows stronger still.” Princess Luna added, her voice becoming even more concerned with each word she spoke now as she looked at Twilight.

“And I know just the princess who can stop him.” Princess Cadance chimed in with a proud smile at her sister-in-law.

“Yes. I'll find him and–“

“No, Twilight. I'm afraid I must call in another to stop Tirek.” Princess Celestia said cutting off the Alicorn and paused briefly before she spoke again. “Discord.”

All three Alicorn's gasped in shock at this revelation by the eldest sister.

“So that's why you sent that letter to Fluttershy a week ago?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Yes. I needed to see if Discord was capable of sensing imbalances of magic throughout Canterlot first and thankfully my theory on him having this ability was correct.” Celestia replied as she looked at Twilight.

“Why did you wait till now to tell me this? Does my role as a princess mean so little that you didn't see fit to tell me about this dire situation till now?” Twilight asked, the pain in her voice clearly heard as she spoke.

“Do not mistake my reluctance to alert you to the situation as a lack of importance, Twilight. I simply did not wish to worry you with unfounded suspicions before we knew exactly what was going on.” Celestia replied as she placed a hoof on her shoulder and smiled warmly.

“But sister, you did know that these were more than merely suspicions. Even before you called on Discord. The vision you had almost a week ago is proof of this.” Princess Luna spoke up now with a curious glance at her elder sister.

“Why did you tell us first and not Twilight until now?” Princess Cadance chimed in with a suspicious glance of her own.

“We were still unsure until a few days ago Luna and I did not wish to cause Twilight any unnecessary concern until we were.” Celestia replied as she lowered her hoof from Twilight's shoulder and looked at her younger sister.

“This concerns us all, sister. At the very least, you could have told her that you were concerned that something was going on yet you did not.” Luna countered her expression becoming a mild glare.

“And tell her what may I ask? That I suspect an old foe of ours has managed to beat impossible odds and escape Tartarus but not to worry about it?!” Celestia snapped at her younger sister, her expression becoming quite pissed off as her temper rose.

“It would have been better than saying nothing at all!” Luna snapped back as her glare intensified towards her older sister.

“No, she did tell me. Fluttershy told me about the letter when I came to visit her the next day. You expected me to learn about this from Fluttershy, didn't you?” Twilight asked her expression becoming just as pissed off now as Luna's was.

The regal sister simply closed her eyes and sighed. “I had hopped it would have taken longer than a day for you to learn of the situation. Please understand, Twilight. I simply didn't want to overburden you.” The Alicorn lamented and sighed once again.

“Overburden me with what?! The only kind of princessly duties I've had over the past year were that catastrophe that Rarity caused and sending you my weekly friendship reports! I've hardly been worked as it stands! I'd take raising the sun for a week if it meant doing more than smiling and waving!” Twilight roared at her mentor, huffing and puffing as she continued to glare at her.

Princess Celestia sighed once more before her expression became firm. “Regardless of this, Discord is the only one who has the ability to track down and capture Tirek. What did you intend to do if you were the one tasked with finding him? Teleport over half of Canterlot to search for him?” She asked sternly as she looked at Twilight with the look that the mare knew all too well.

The look didn't deter the Alicorn's anger in the slightest however as she snapped back. “It would have been better than sitting on my flank doing nothing!”

“Tirek would have ambushed you and stolen your Alicorn magic before you could so much as conjure a spell. Use that keen mind I have always admired about you Twilight Sparkle! Do you honestly think I would have tasked Discord with this assignment if he wasn't the only one capable of doing so with the least risk of losing his magic along with the ability to detect imbalances in magic?!” Princess Celestia exclaimed fiercely.

The statement by her mentor caused the lavender mare's anger to finally melt away as she looked into her eyes and realized something. “You don't fully trust him, do you?” She asked softly to which the princess let out a long-winded sigh.

“That matters not. What matters now is capturing Tirek before he can acquire enough magic to become an even greater threat than he already is.” Celestia replied after a few moments of silence.

Twilight hesitated for a few moments before she smiled and spoke. “Fluttershy believes in him. So, I think we should all believe in him. After all, the reason you tasked Fluttershy with reforming him was so he could discover the magic of friendship. What friends would we be if we didn't trust in him?”

“Well Spoken, Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Luna said as she walked up and stood along side of Twilight along with Cadance. “We must trust in Discord. For if we do not, we will be rejecting the very lessons you have taught Princess Twilight.” Luna remarked wisely as she looked at her sister.

Princess Celestia allowed a smile to wash over her facial features and nodded silently. “You are correct, sister.” She said then turned to look at Twilight. “Please forgive me, Princess Twilight. It seems that my affection for you as my former pupil has affected my judgment in regards to alerting you of the situation properly.” She said as she bowed deeply towards the Alicorn.

Twilight gave a lighthearted laugh before she walked up to her mentor and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Don't worry about it princess. And, I appreciate your concern for me.” Twilight replied softly at which point the Alicorn looked up at her with a mildly shocked expression that Twilight could have sworn had tears threatening to burst from for a moment until she smiled back at her warmly.

“I appreciate your understanding Princess Twilight and I humbly ask that you return to Ponyville for now.” Princess Celestia said only to raise a hoof once she noticed that Twilight was going to object. “Do not worry. I will make sure you are alerted to any and all developments regarding this situation as they arise. Besides, I'm sure you can't wait to get back to spend time with your friends.” She added with a smile.

It was then that a thought occurred to the Alicorn. “Thank you but I would like to do a little research in the Canterlot archives if you don't mind.” Twilight asked to which Celestia gave her a curiously look.

“If you aim to do research on Tirek, I'm afraid there aren't many records regarding him that will be of much help.” Celestia replied as she looked at her.

“Actually, this has nothing to do with Tirek.” Twilight replid and began to explain to her mentor the situation regarding Scootaloo and her birth certificate not being present in the Ponyville Hospital records.

After hearing the full explanation, the Alicorn's expression became concerned much to Twilight's confusion. “Is something the matter princess?” She asked curiously.

Celestia was silent for a few moments before she closed her eyes and seemingly erased all concern from her facial features. “No, it is nothing at all. Feel free to search for the filly's birth certificate but I wouldn't get your hopes up.” Celestia said softly as she turned around and began to walk away.

“Why do you say that?” Twilight asked curiously.

“I simply mean to say that the Canterlot archives are massive and finding a single document of such minor importance is going to be a hard feat to accomplish even for you.” Celestia replied.

A frown appeared on Twilight's face upon hearing these words and sighed. “I guess you're right. Besides, I could always just ask her parents. They surely will have a copy of it, right?” She replied as her frown turned into a confident smile.

“R-Right.” Celestia replied and though she stuttered in her reply, Twilight hadn't seem to caught it nor noticed the worry in her voice as she spoke.

“Well, I'll be heading back to Ponyville now. Though I think I'll take the train home. Flying here was more work than I would have liked it to be.” Twilight replied with a smile before she gave Cadance a hug and took off out the window of the castle and towards the train station.

Though Twilight hadn't noticed, Luna had and once Cadance had left the room spoke. “Sister, is something troubling you?” She asked curiously as she walked up next to her sister whom watched Twilight from afar as she boarded the train to Ponyville.

Celestia was silent for a time and seemed to hesitate in to reply and waited for Twilight to vanish into the train.

No. Nothing at all...

Author's Note

Hmm...I don't know about you but I think Celestia knows something... :rainbowwild:

Discord's Lament

DISCORD'S LAMENT

“...As in Discord Discord?” Applejack remarked incredulously upon hearing Twilight's explanation of the situation.

“Yes!” Twilight exasperated at the farm mare.

It was then that Fluttershy stepped forward and spoke with a soft smile. “I don't think it's that big of a surprise. He can be very helpful.” She said proudly as she looked to her friends.

Their expressions didn't seem to mirror the Pegasus's faith at all.

“He can sense when there's a magical imbalance. The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord will be able to track him down!” The Alicorn explained farther and waited for her friends to take in this information for a few moments.

“So what are you supposed to do in the meantime?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously as she hovered in place while asking this question.

Upon hearing this, Twilight let out a dejected sigh. “Nothing. Unless of course one of you needs me to smile and wave.” She replied making a fake smile and waving motion as she spoke before allowing it to fade back into a depressed frown and began to walk towards the Everfree forest.

“Where are you going?” Spike asked curiously.

“No where in life it seems...” Twilight thought to herself dismally before she spoke up. “To the Castle of the Two Sisters. I'm not really needed anywhere else. Might as well catch up on some of my reading.” She remarked depressingly before she turned around and continued to walk towards the Everfree forest.

Each of Twilight's friends exchanged looks of concern and worry for a time before Rainbow Dash leaped off the ground and hovered in the air as she spoke. “You want some company?” She asked curiously.

“It has been a while since we visited the castle. Might be fun!” Applejack chimed in.

Twilight noticed her five friends following her now and allowed a smile to appear on her otherwise depressed facial features. Times like these really made her treasure having such wonderful friends. “Maybe I could use a little company right now.” she replied as the six entered the Everfree forest.

The six mares began to shuffle through numerous books now, each one reading a book at a time for anything that may give them some insight on Tirek and any possible weaknesses he may have.

“Ah hate to say it but Ah don't think we're gonna be findin' anythin' on this Tirek character Twi.” Applejack remarked after she put down her tenth book.

“Yeah, I've been through five books already and let me tell you, every single one of them sucked!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she tossed the book she had finished reading behind her which happened to collide with Rarity's neatly stacked pile of books as it sailed through the air which tumbled the stack of books down on impact with the rogue piece of literature. Rarity glared at the cyan blue Pegasus in annoyance though Rainbow Dash was unaware of this.

“Let me ask you something Rainbow Dash, did you bother to even read past the first ten pages of any of the books you claimed to have read?” The unicorn asked with a mild glare which caused the cyan blue Pegasus to turn around and look at her guiltily.

“Well, uh, you see...” Rainbow Dash replied as she stumbled over her words for a few moments before she jumped over the ground and hovered in place. “That's not the point! If the book was about this Tirek guy, it would have said so at the beginning of the book!” She exclaimed defensively as she pointed a hoof at the white unicorn.

“Not necessarily, Rainbow. A lot of these books are very old and even if they don't refer to Tirek directly, they may reference something somewhere that may lead us to a clue as to how to defeat him.” Twilight remarked wisely which caused the unicorn and Pegasus to look at her as she closed a book she had just finished and set it to the side before opening another.

“Yes, and don't forget that Discord is risking his own magic by searching for Tirek alone.” Fluttershy added before her expression became fearful as she clinched the book she was holding against her chest firmly. “I-I don't know what I'd do if s-something h-sappened to him.” She added moments later as tears began to streak down her cheeks.

This breakdown by the yellow Pegasus caused all five of her friends to stop what they were doing and look at her with concerned expressions. Applejack was the first to speak up however as she walked over to the sobbing Pegasus and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Don't ya be worryin your little head over this. Ah'm willin to bet that he's already tracking down varmint as we speak.” Applejack replied with a reassuring smile.

A sudden laugh from the book Fluttershy was holding caused the meek Pegasus to give a startled squeak as she flung the book from her hooves only for it to float mid-air. “Oh, you're talking about me, I presume?” Discord remarked as his face appeared on the face of the book with a smirk.

“How'd you guess?” Applejack asked sarcastically with a mildly annoyed expression at the draconequus as the book disappeared in a flash of magic revealing the draconequus's full body now though for some strange reason his ears were on fire.

“My ears were burning.” He quipped with a smirk, conjured a glass of water, and splashed against his face which put out the flames on his ears.

The draconequus was immediately tackled with a loving hug from the yellow Pegasus as she rubbed her head against his chest affectionately. “Oh, I've been so worried about you!” She exclaimed as she continued to hug him tightly.

“What are you even doing here, Discord?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously though her tone had an air of annoyance to it.

Discord then disappeared in a flash of magic which left the yellow Pegasus hugging mid-air for a brief time before she realized that he had reappeared a short distance away with a book in hand as he flipped the pages with a pair of reading glasses on his face. “Oh, just a bit of light reading before I head off on my extremely important mission.” He replied, in a flash of magic appeared in an army uniform, and proceeded to conjure a pull down map which he promptly pulled down. I suppose you all know that I've been tasked to capture a certain escapee.” he remarked aloud as he stared at them while the lead pipe that was now in his mouth seemed to exhale bubbles.

Spike whom had been silent till now gave a huff as he glared at the draconequus. “Big Deal.” he remarked sarcastically.

“You're right, Spike. It is a big deal.” Discord replied in a serious tone before he blew hard into his lead pipe which somehow managed to capture the young drake in a large bubble which floated up several fear before it popped though Rainbow Dash managed to catch Spike before he fell to the ground.

“Seems I possess a magic that gives me quite an important role in Equestria. Maybe they should make me an Alicorn princess.” He jeered and in yet another flash of magic, conjured fake purple wings, a crown, and a horn.

The sounds of faint cheering seemingly filled the room now as the draconequus's eyes seemed to gloss over as he exclaimed “Mmwah! Mmwah!” with kissing gestures.

Twilight's expression became rather peeved as this fiasco continued the more she stared at him.

This went on for a few moments longer before Rainbow Dash promptly knocked the crown on Discord's head. “In your dreams!” She exclaimed aloud with an annoyed glare at the draconequus.

“Oh, I never dream of such things.” Discord replied simply as he seemingly pushed the fake purple horn into his skull and moments later both his normal horns popped out in its place. “Ask Princess Luna.” He added moments later with a dull expression.

“Don't you have a creepy magic-stealin' villain to track down?” Applejack remarked aloud with an equally annoyed expression now.

“Besides, we already know what you dream about it.” Rainbow Dash added coyly which caused Discord to shift in place uncomfortably for a few moments before he regained his composure.

“Yes, yes, yes, of course.” He replied casually as he grabbed all six mares plus spike in a hug before he teleported everypony in front of the tree of harmony. “It's just that I couldn't help but notice that Twilight hasn't yet opened this little chest of hers.” He continued as he walked over to the chest, knocked on it, and then sat on top of it as he continued.

“I-I-It got me thinking, what if what's locked inside is something that could help her prove her royal worth?” He said with a thoughtful expression before he stood off of the chest and began to walk over to Twilight. “I only bring it up because she said that she's been feeling like her role as a princess doesn't equate to much.” He finished as he reached out his claw hand, placed on Twilight's lower lip and seemed to force it to hang limply in a pouty fashion.

Upon hearing this, Pinkie Pie gave a thoughtful expression for a moment before she looked up at the draconequus and pointed an accusing hoof. “Wait a minute! How do you know how she was feeling?!” She exclaimed with a glare.

“Oh, my. Is eavesdropping not the way you're supposed to find out what your best pals are up to?” He replied feigning ignorance before he began to feign sadness as he continued to speak. “Woe is me. Will I ever learn the intricate nuances of being a good friend?” He said mockingly as he placed his lion's paw on one branch of the tree of harmony and hung from it as he spoke before he looked up at the smile with a smug smirk.

The five didn't even bother to make any motion to reply to this statement as they knew he was simply mocking them at this point.

Upon realizing that his obvious joke wasn't being met with laughter he cleared his throat with a mildly nervous expression. “Well in any case, I suppose now is as good a time as any for me to make my exit.” He said as he conjured up a mini-motorcycle, rode off, and disappeared in a flash of magic a few short feet later.

“And good riddance!” Applejack exclaimed with a glare.

“Hey! That wasn't very nice!” Fluttershy exclaimed with a glare at the farm pony whose glare instantaneously became one of guilt as she looked at the yellow Pegasus.

“Sorry, Fluttershy. It's just that he can get a might annoyin' at times.” The farm pony replied as her eyes darted to the corners of her eyes nervously.

Suddenly without warning, Discord reappeared in a flash of magic just behind the six. “ Oopsie-doopsie, I almost left with the little journal you've all been keeping. What a fascinating read. Haven't you girls just learned so much?” He stated simply as he flipped through the pages of the journal. “I've bookmarked a few of the more interesting passages. You really should take a look!” He added as he looked at Twilight and somehow managed to balance the book on her horn.

Discord then leaned down so that his face was just a few inches from Fluttershy's. “We're still on for that date later, aren't we, Fluttershy?” He asked in a whisper.

Fluttershy smiled warmly at her coltfriend as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I wouldn't miss it.” she said softly much to Discord's joy as his facial expression seemed to look positively ecstatic at the moment he heard this.

“Well, I'll bring the cucumber sandwiches...!” He replied in a sing-song voice as he conjured a door, opened it, walked inside, and slammed it behind him which disappeared in a flash of magic moments later.

After she was sure that he was really gone this time, the farm pony let out a sigh. “Sometimes Ah think the reformed Discord is more obnoxious than the before-he-was-reformed Discord.” Applejack remarked with an annoyed expression as she looked to her five friends.

“Indeed.” Rarity added with an agreeable nod.

“But he could be right, couldn't he? What if there is something important in that chest?” Fluttershy asked curiously which got all six mares to each give a thoughtful expression.

“Well, we can figure this out later. It's already well past mid-day and I don't know about you fillies but I'm hungry.” Twilight remarked with a smile to which the other five agreed.

After a short fifteen minutes of parting ways to get everything, the six mares met up with one another at the usual spot under the tree that they usually met and had a picnic together for a few hours.

“Well, I don't know about y'all but Ah'm plum stuffed! Ah think Ah'll head back home and work off these pounds Ah just shoved down my gullet in the orchard for a few hours before Ah spend the rest of the day relaxin.” Applejack remarked aloud with a soft pat on her belly.

“I don't know how you can be stuffed A-J, when Fluttershy ate half the food we brought over.” Rainbow Dash remarked with a mildly annoyed expression on her face only for the farm pony to slap her upside the back of the head with a glare. “What?!” She exclaimed as if she hadn't realized what she had said was rude as her other four friends glared at her while Fluttershy simply remained quiet as she hid behind her mane.

“That reminds me. Nurse Redheart wanted me to bring you to the hospital sometime for a pregnancy test.” The Alicorn remarked which caused all five mares to suddenly gawk at her in shock.

“Ya-ya mean that Discord really knocked her up?!” The farm mare sputtered out without thinking.

“Oh wowie! That's so awesome! Fluttershy's gonna be a mommy!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed joyfully as she hugged the yellow Pegasus in an airtight hug that seemed to cut off the mare's circulation to her head as he it began to turn blue before she let the Pegasus go at which point Fluttershy gave a few short but quick gasps to catch her breath.

“Lets not jump the fence fillies. We don't know if she's really pregnant or not yet.” Twilight replied calmly as she looked at her friends.

“Darling, while I'm no expert on pregnancy, our dear Fluttershy has, in the last week, had enough mood swings to give even Pinkie Pie a clear run for her bits, cleaned out her storage twice, and just yesterday asked me to make her a cucumber, mayonnaise, and peanut butter sandwich!” Rarity remarked though she gave a slight cringing expression as she mentioned the sandwich.

“Ya gotta admit, Twilight. That kinda really does scream pregnant.” Rainbow Dash remarked as she looked at Fluttershy now.

“We still can't make that assumption without proof though! I don't want to get Fluttershy's hopes up and then find out she's not.” Twilight retorted with a mildly annoyed expression at her friends now.

“Well, what the hay we waitin around here for then? Lets go get that test done!” Applejack said with a big grin to which the other four agreed while Fluttershy continued to remain silent and Twilight give a humored sigh.

“I'm not sure all six of us plowing into the hospital just for a simple pregnancy test is such a great idea though.” Twilight replied with a mildly concerned expression as she spoke now.

“Nonsense darling! We're her closest friends!” Rarity replied as she walked over to Fluttershy and placed a hoof on her head as she smiled down on her.

“Yeah! And if you think we're just going to sit around and wait for the news from you then you better clean out those cobwebs from that walking library you call a brain!” Rainbow Dash quipped with a big grin.

Upon hearing this, the Alicorn let out a lighthearted laugh as she rolled her eyes at them. “Fine. But we still need to know if Fluttershy wants to go and have the test done in the first place you know.” She said and then turned to look at Fluttershy.

All eyes were on Fluttershy now and this fact made the yellow Pegasus suddenly become very nervous. “N-Now?” She asked meekly as she stared at the five.

“Of course now! I can't wait to throw a 'Fluttershy is going to be a mommy' party!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she bounced up and down in place.

“We don't wish to pressure you darling but it would be prudent to find out as quickly as possible in order to prepare for the foal. Don't you think?” Rarity added as she looked at the quivering Pegasus.

Fluttershy remained silent for a little longer, the eyes of her five friends not making this any easier for her. Finally, she stood up, closed her eyes, and sighed. “Okay then. Lets go.” She said softly which was met with cheers from her five friends.

The six then quickly trotted over to the Ponyville hospital and walked through the front door much to Nurse Redheart's shock. “Sorry Nurse Redheart but the possibility of Fluttershy being pregnant sort of slipped out.” Twilight stated sheepishly to the nurse mare whom giggled softly in response to this statement.

“It's quite alright, Twilight.” Nurse Redheart replied as she walked over to the five and looked at Fluttershy with a warm smile. “So, shall we get the test underway?” She asked softly to which Fluttershy nodded nervously but silently.

The nurse pony then walked to the back room and came out with a needle in one hoof much to the shock and mild terror of the shy and meek Pegasus. “Withdrawing blood is the quickest way to get the results.” Nurse Redheart remarked wisely upon noticing the yellow Pegasus's scared expression.

“Is-Isn't there another way?” She asked softly, her voice quivering slightly as she spoke.

“Well, yes there is.” The earth pony replied.

“Oh? What is it?” Fluttershy asked as she felt relief wash over her.

“A urinary test.” She stated simply.

Upon hearing this, all six mares exchanged mildly disgusted glances at one another.

“Ewwww!” Pinkie Pie blurted out suddenly much to nurse Redheart's amusement as she gave a light laugh at the party mare's outburst.

“Though that type of test can take days to return a result and I'm under the impression that you want to know as quickly as possible, correct?” Nurse Redheart asked curiously.

“Just how quickly are we talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously which caused the mare to look at the cyan blue Pegasus.

“A blood test can return results in as little as an hour.” The earth pony replied to Rainbow Dash before she looked back at the still nervous Pegasus. “It's up to you, Fluttershy.” She said softly as she looked at her.

Fluttershy glanced at the needle and felt her nerves get more tense, looked at her friends who were quietly and patiently awaiting her reply, then back to the needle once more.

Fluttershy then took a deep breath and steeled her nerves before letting out a long-winded sigh. “I'll take the needle.” She said finally.

“Very well, hold still if you would.” Nurse Redheart instructed as she tapped the tip of the needle with her hoof and began to move towards the quivering Pegasus with it.

“Uh, I'll hold her still for you. We don't need her suddenly jumping away no sooner you stick that thing in, right?” Rainbow Dash remarked taking note of how much Fluttershy was shaking at the moment along with her knowledge of how her friend tends to react to things that scare her.

Nurse Redheart paused in her approach the Pegasus's lower right leg and nodded. “If you think she may recoil from the sting, then by all means do so. The last thing we need is her unintentionally injuring herself.” Nurse Redheart remarked as she waited for the cyan blue Pegasus to step behind Fluttershy and brace herself against the shaking Pegasus for any recoil so she could hold her still.

Once the nurse was sure that Rainbow Dash had Fluttershy properly secured, she resumed her approach to the yellow Pegasus's right leg.

Just as Rainbow Dash had predicated, no sooner the needle had punctured the mare's leg, she suddenly attempted to recoil and hop backward but thanks to the cyan blue Pegasus, she held her firm as the nurse withdrew blood from the Pegasus whose eyes were tearing up at the moment.

Fluttershy slammed her eyes shut in an attempt to ignore the stinging sensation and mild throbbing in her right leg as blood was withdrawn. Yet as quickly as the pain came, it vanished mere seconds later.

“There. All finished.” Nurse Redheart's voice said at which point the Pegasus's edged one eye open to notice the mare placing a bandage on the spot where she had poked her with the needle moments before. She then let out a sigh of relief as the mare walked back towards the back room.

“It'll be an hour as I said. Feel free to wait around till then.” Nurse Redheart said warmly before she disappeared into the back room.

“See Fluttershy? It wasn't that bad.” Twilight said reassuringly as she patted the Pegasus on the shoulder.

“Y-Yeah. I guess you're-!” Fluttershy began to say until the sight of a small stain of blood where the nurse had placed the bandage formed. The next thing to happen was the sound of a goat seemingly ringing out as the Pegasus suddenly hopped up and fell squarely on her back with all four legs standing straight as flagpoles in the air.

ONE HOUR LATER...

The six mares waited in their respective chairs with the exception of Rainbow Dash whom hovered back and forth as if she were an expecting father of some sort. All six mares immediately turned to look at the earth pony as she returned with a wide smile on her face.

“Congratulations, Fluttershy! You're going to be a mother!” She exclaimed joyfully at which point Fluttershy's friends huddled around her and cheered for her.

“Oooh yeaaaah! This is so awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly.

“Now I get to throw you a 'Fluttershy is going to be a mommy' party!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she hopped around the five.

“I can only imagine how you must be feeling right now, darling! Congratulations!” Rarity exclaimed as she hugged Fluttershy.

“I'm very excited but a little nervous.” Fluttershy admitted meekly as she smiled at the five.

“You're 'nervicited'! It's like you wanna jump up and down and yell 'YAY ME!!' But you also wanna curl up in a teeny-tiny ball and hide at the same time!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a big grin.

“You do realize that's not a real word, right?” Applejack remarked with a curious glance at the party mare.

“Thanks fillies. I can't wait to tell Discord though. He's going to be so happy.” Fluttershy remarked as she thought of her coltfriend though the thought of what he was doing at the present time made her feel worried though she made sure her friends couldn't tell.

A lone unicorn stood motionless and paralyzed as a hooded figure seemingly began to drain him of his magic until he fell to the ground dazed but alive.

The hooded figure seemed to glow and grow in size now as his body tensed up due to the new source of magic he had absorbed. He then looked to his left and noticed yet another lone unicorn with a tornado cutiemark who didn't seem to have noticed what he had done.

As silent as a lion stalking its prey, the hooded figure sneaked up behind the lone unicorn and was about to drain his magic as well when suddenly the unicorn turned to face him with a familiar face that halted the hooded figure in his tracks.

“Tirek, I presume?” Discord greeted, rolling his tongue in his greeting of the hooded figure.

Tirek lowered his arms in shock as he realized just who it was that he was looking at. “Discord. You're free?” He asked with a look of mild disbelief at the draconequus.

In a flash of magic, the draconequus morphed into a birdlike form and spread his wings. “As a bird.” He said proudly.

Tirek then closed his eyes and bowed slightly to the draconequus as he spoke.”I commend you on your escape.” he said respectfully.

It was then that Discord morphed back into his normal appearance, however his expression suddenly became stern. “I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual.” He said grudgingly as he snapped his fingers at which point a pair of hand-cuffs tied together by a chain appeared on Tirek's wrists.

Tirek gasped in shock at his chains and narrowed his eyes at the draconequus before attempting to fire a beam of magic at Discord yet the draconequus's head seemed to split in two, effectively dodging the attack. “Oh, I should have known you would want to have Equestria all to yourself.” He said with a scowl as he glared at Discord.

Discord stood in place now swirling a police baton in one hand as he sported an entire policeman ensemble as he stared at him. “Oh, I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it for my friends.” He said in a lighthearted manner as he tossed the police baton in the air, leaned in so that he was face to face with the centaur. “Just between the two of us, it's mostly for Fluttershy.” He whispered followed by the sound of a squee leaving his mouth before he leaned back.

“Fluttershy? You're not saying you're friends with ponies?” Tirek asked in sheer disbelief of what he was hearing.

Suddenly, Discord conjured a cake and burst from within it as he shouted “Surprise!” An action that caused the centaur to shield his face from the oncoming cake and icing as it splattered against his robes.

He then narrowed his eyes at Discord. “I am surprised that someone with your intellect does not see this 'friendship' is but a new form of imprisonment. Clearly you've had to abandon your true nature to stay in their good graces.” Tirek said as he watched Discord play a harp for a few moments with a halo floating above his head before he tossed it behind himself.

“I've done nothing of the sort!” He denied only to realize that the halo still was floating above his head at which point he waved at it as if to cast it away which caused the halo to seemingly flap away from over his head.

“Oh, please, I've seen this before. But he was always weak minded. You are Discord, you are legend, you cannot fall into the same trap that claimed my brother! Help me to grow strong, and be rewarded with something far greater than friendship. Freedom.” He said simply as he attempted to shower the draconequus with praise.

“Oh, but I do have something greater than friendship already.” Discord remarked with a smirk.

“Oh?” Tirek asked curiously as he looked at draconequus.

“Yes, you see Tirek. I Discord, unlike you, have discovered love. Something that we both know you would never touch, even with a five foot pole.” Discord replied with a grin as he conjured a five foot pole for Tirek who found himself holding said pole. At the same time, Discord also conjured a beating pink heart a short few inches away from the tip of the pole as he grinned at him.

Sure enough, Tirek looked as if he was going to be sick to his stomach as she tossed the pole to the ground and narrowed his eyes at the draconequus once again. “Oh come now Discord. Do you truly believe that you have fallen in love with a... pony?”

“Do fish fly?” Discord replied as he crossed his arms and looked away from the centaur now.

Tirek gave a thoughtful glance at the draconequus now as though he was attempting to think of something to say. “You don’t mean to say…” Tirek began to say, all emotion draining from his face.“Y-You h-haven’t a-actully, b-been…” The centaur remarked aloud his expression of pure disbelief as he gawked at the draconequus seemingly unable to finish saying the obvious.

Discord then grinned deviously at him with a sneer. “Why yes, Tirek. I have.” He remarked aloud as he conjured a pull down screen, It showed a live action movie of him screwing Fluttershy in her bedroom.

Tirek’s jaw dropped as he stared slack-jawed as the movie continued to play. “Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh…” Tirek stuttered out, unable to say anything due to the sheer shock of the movie before him.

As if to further mock the centaur, the draconequus snapped his finger at which point a scoreboard appeared with Discord’s name and Tirek’s name displayed on it and as if in sync to each thrust he gave Fluttershy in the video, Discord’s score counter began to count upward, a loud dinging sound echoing out each time the number went up.

“What the buck is wrong with you?!” Tirek managed to blurted out as he continued to gawk at him.

Tirek was losing this mental battle and he knew it. If he wanted to convince this draconequus to aid him, he needed some kind of leverage. The trouble was finding such leverage. “So, this Fluttershy. She truly allows you to be yourself and makes you happy?” He asked curiously, once again looking for any uncertainty in the draconequus's expression.

“But of course she does! She has taught me that as long as I keep my chaos to a tame degree, it is perfectly okay to have fun.” He replied as he looked back at the centaur at which point Tirek found himself wearing a party hat along with a kazoo in his mouth.

The centaur quickly spit out the kazoo and tossed the party hat to the ground and growled. “You are as blind as my brother was Discord! Don't you see that she has tamed you?! Instead of allowing you to be the master of chaos that you are, she has reduced you to petty childish pranks yet she claims that she loves you? Don't make me laugh Discord!” Tirek exclaimed as he bawled up a fist at the draconequus.

“I expected such a response from you Tirek. After all, you do not know what love is.” Discord replied as he conjured a picture of Fluttershy in a frame and kissed it. “Besides, it's not as if I can not wreak major chaos whenever I want! I simply do not out of respect for Fluttershy and my friends!”

“Is that so? Then do so now then.” Tirek challenged with a sneer.

“N-Now?” Discord asked with a worried expression as he looked back at the centaur.

“Yes now, Discord. If you truly are free to wreak chaos when ever you wish, do so now. It does not even have to be that big. Simply turn a small portion of this town upside-down and I will believe you.” Tirek stated simply.

Discord gave a nervous glance around himself as if some kind of invisible eyes were upon him for a moment before he snapped his fingers and caused a small part of the town to turn upside-down only for him to almost immediately snap his fingers again and return the part of town to its normal state.

“What was that?! You didn't even leave it as it was for more than two seconds!” Tirek remarked looking unconvinced.

“I do not need to prove myself to you of all creatures!” He exclaimed as he crossed his arms and looked away from the centaur once again.

“You see? They have tamed you!” He pointed out as he made a motion with his hand at the draconequus.

Tirek could see it now, the hint of uncertainty in the draconequus expression though faint, was now apparent. He just needed one last big push to convenience him.

Tirek let a dejected sigh as he lowered his head towards the draconequus. “Poor Discord. Poor, deceived, Discord...” Tirek said aloud feigning pity for the draconequus.

“Deceived? What are you going on about now Tirek?” Discord inquired with a suspicious glance at the centaur.

“No, No. There's no point in saying anything more. It's become more than clear to me that you are more than happy living a lie. Send me back to Tartarus now. I know a lost cause when I see one.” Tirek continued doing his best to keep feigning his expression despite the sneer that threatened to form on his face.

Discord's eyes narrowed towards the centaur as he stared at him now. “A lost cause? Living a lie? Explain yourself!” Discord exclaimed with a glare.

“I only mean to say that this Fluttershy, has you wrapped around the tip of her hoof. She knows you would never do anything to defy her. I'd even go as far as to assume it was Celestia whom tasked her with 'taming you' even.” Tirek continued making sure to keep him expression sympathetic as he spoke.

Discord's expression became thoughtful for a moment. “Come to think of it, Celestia did ask my dear Fluttershy to reform me...” Discord remarked only for him to look up and glare at the centaur. “I see what you are trying to do Tirek! Did you really think you could pull one over on Discord?!” The draconequus exclaimed as he snapped his finger which opened the portal to Tartarus behind the centaur.

Tirek gave a fearful glance at the portal and immediately realized he needed to up the ante fast. “Oh come now, Discord. Your mind is already set on sending me back to my prison, what would I have to gain by saying such things now?”

“Your feeble last second attempts at changing my mind of course.” Discord replied confidently as he raised his claw hand. “Any last words, Tirek?” He asked with a sneer.

“Why yes. As a matter-of-fact I do.” He replied as he mind raced to think of a valid argument to make the draconequus further doubt himself. “Celestia was wise to have this Fluttershy 'reform you'. After all, if she was good enough to pull the wool over the eyes of even the great Discord, then I would have no chance against her.” Tirek remarked as he stared at the draconequus.

Discord stared at him intently for a time before he smirked, snapped his finger which caused the portal to disappear, conjured a bowl of popcorn, and a couch before he sat on it and looked at him. “Oh, I need to hear this little yarn your about to spin. Go ahead, tell me how my dear Fluttershy had managed to, how did you put it?” He asked as he feigned a thoughtful expression. “Pull the wool over the eyes of even the great Discord.” He remarked. “This should be an amusing tale in deed.” he added.

“Where to begin?” Tirek mused aloud with a thoughtful expression. He had bought himself time, now he just needed to convenience him to join his side. “It's more than obvious to me that you'd do just about anything for her right?” The centaur inquired curiously.

“Oh yes but I fail to see where you're going with this.” He replied still smirking at the centaur.

Tirek's mind once again raced to think of a follow-up to this. He needed something, anything to make him doubt Fluttershy's love. It was then something managed to creep its way into his racing thoughts. She wouldn't possibly... would she? It was a gamble but up till now, most of Tirek's statements have been gambles.

“J-Just a thought though as disgusting as it may be, has she by chance invited other mares over to your sexual escapades? “ He asked curiously.

Discord's expression suddenly went from smirking to uncertainty once again. “Well, yes but I fail to see your point.” he remarked with a curious look.

“Bingo!” Tirek thought to himself deviously as he cleared his throat to continue. “Oh my, that is some disturbing information indeed my friend.” Tirek replied as he once again feigned pity for the draconequus.

“Disturbing? How?” Discord inquired curiously as the couch and bowl of popcorn disappeared in a flash of magic as he stood looking at the centaur with a suspicious glance.

“Has it ever occurred to your keen mind that she may be inviting them over for more than simply your benefit?” Tirek asked as he bawled up a fist as if to say this very thought angered even him.

“D-Don't be absurd! She simply invites them over because she knows I enjoy watching two mares go at it while I have sex with her!” Discord exclaimed though he looked visibly shaken by this mere thought and Tirek knew he had the draconequus on the ropes now.

“Oh? Tell me Discord, if she truly loved you as much as you say, what need would she have for another mare in the room when you two are, making love?” Tirek asked fighting the urge to retch on the spot due to asking such a question.

“Th-That's not the point!” Discord stuttered out as he glared at the centaur now.

“But it is the point, my friend! While what you said earlier was true regarding my hatred for...ugh, love. I am not oblivious to the obvious facts that I am seeing that this mare has cleverly blinded you to! Tell me Discord, do you know what she does when you are not around and is in need of... sexual satisfaction?” Tirek asked as he pointed a finger at the draconequus.

“Of course I do! She... that is to say...” Discord almost immediately retorted only to feel his words falter as he realized in fact that he did not know what she did to relieve herself when he was not around. “You can't honestly be implying what I think you are...” The draconequus remarked as he narrowed his eyes at the centaur, growling as he said these words.

“I'm afraid I am, Discord. If you do not know what she's doing when you are not around, whose to say that she is not messing with mares when you are not around?” Tirek asked as he narrowed his eyes back at the draconequus.

“Fluttershy would never...” Discord began to say only to seemingly trail off as tears began to form in his eyes threatening to stream from them.

“Wouldn't she?! Pull the wool from over your eyes my friend and see the truth! She knows you would do anything for her, she has forced you to reject your true self, and as you, yourself have told me, has invited mares over on more than one occasion for your sexual ventures as if you alone weren't enough to satisfy her lust! How could a mare who claims to love you do such things? Ask yourself this, Discord!”

“S-Stop it!” Discord sputtered out as he struggled to keep himself from breaking down in front of the centuar.

“She's nothing more than a two-timing-”

“D-Don't say another word!”

“-Con-artist-”

“Sh-Shut up!”

“Who uses you as nothing more than a sex toy to satisfy herself when you are around!”

ENOUGH!!!

Discord roared at the top of his lungs as he snapped his fingers which caused Tirek to be trapped in a guillotine contraption with the blade hanging just above his head. “S-Say another word and I'll... I'll...” Discord exclaimed as he claw hand shook furiously.

“You'll do what, Discord? Cut off my head for speaking the truth?” Tirek asked as he looked at the draconequus whose eyes streamed with tears as he looked at the centaur. “I understand that hearing this must hurt you greatly. And what better way to extract your revenge against the mare who scorned you than by turning her world upside-down in a way that only the master of chaos can. Join me, Discord, and reclaim your greatness. Unless, of course, 'pony sextoy' is the role you've always wanted to play in this world.” Tirek asked with a sneer as he looked at Discord whom stared at the picture of Fluttershy as it floated mid-air next to him.

“Fluttershy,your next appointment is next month on the twelfth, don't forget it.” Nurse Redheart said with a smile as she finished filing the required paperwork and handed the appointment paper to the Pegasus.

“Thanks Nurse Redheart and I won't.” Fluttershy said and let out a blissful sigh as she and her five friends began to walk towards the front doors of the hospital.

“Ah still can't believe this happenin but we got proof now.” Applejack remarked with a smile as they approached the door.

“I know right?! This is beyond awesome!” Rainbow Dash chimed in.

“I can only imagine what Fluttershy must be feeling right now. Can you even put it into words?” Twilight asked as she looked at the yellow Pegasus.

“Well, um, it's makes me feel really-” Fluttershy began to say when suddenly three emotions struck her like a bolt of lightning and filled her entire being.

Fear. Dread. And Anguish.

Fluttershy gave a started gasp as these three emotions struck her, fell to her rump, and began to hyperventilate much to the shock and horror of her friends.

“Fluttershy?! What's wrong! Say something!” Twilight exclaimed as Nurse Redheart whom had immediately noticed this turn of events came rushing over to her.

The quivering Pegasus however couldn't utter a single word in response as she continued to hyperventilate. Each emotion continued to surge through her being, rendering her unable to move or say anything. What terrified her the most however was the fact that at the center of these three emotions, she could see Discord's smiling face.

Fluttershy's vision began to blur and she soon began to feel herself lose consciousness. The very last thing she saw before she passed out was Nurse Redheart's mouth saying “Breathe, Fluttershy. Breathe!” though she couldn't hear it...

Author's Note

Ya know that sixth sense people sometimes have when they know something terrible has happened to their lover but they don't know what? They can't explain how they know but they "just know".

This just happened to Fluttershy. :fluttercry:

A Faded Memory(Part 1)

A FADED MEMORY

PART 1

Fluttershy's friends stood in the hospital room as nurse Redheart looked over the mare until she turned to look at them. “She simply had a panic attack from the looks of it. Is this her first time having one?” Nurse Redheart asked curiously.

“No but then again, she's never had one this bad either.” Twilight replied softly as she looked over at the sleeping mare again.

“We'll keep her here under observation for a couple of hours, just to make sure nothing is wrong.” The earth pony replied as she walked past the five and turned to face them. “You all should get some rest. It looks like this has been a busy day for you all.” She added before she left the room.

“One of us should stay with her so they can tell the others when she wakes up.” Twilight suggested after a few moments of silence between the five.

“Oh, Oh! Me,me,me!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she hopped up and down in place.

“Yes, I agree. It should be the one who doesn't have any prior engagements to attend to and has plenty of free-time on her hooves.” Rarity added with a thoughtful expression.

“Me! Pick me!” The hyperactive mare exclaimed as she waved her front hooves frantically in the air between hops.

“Yeah, somepony who don't have a job they need to be doin on a daily basis.” Applejack added now as well as she looked at Rainbow Dash and smirked.

“Me! Pick me!!! I have nothing to do and don't have a job to do at all!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she continued to hop up and down waving her front hooves with each hop.

The four mares then turned to look at Pinkie Pie and smirked at her. “What do you think, Pinkie? You want to stay here and make sure Fluttershy sees a friendly face when she wakes up?” Twilight asked as she looked at the mare who up till this point was hopping up and down and waving her hooves frantically.

The mare's face suddenly became serious as she pulled what looked to be a notebook from nowhere and began to look through it. “Hmm, I don't know. Let me see if I have a slot open.” She said as she looked through the notebook.

A collective set of sounds which could be none other than the sound of hooves colliding with foreheads could be heard as the four stared at the party mare with annoyed expressions for a moment before they began to file out the hospital room and left the party mare without her knowledge as she continued to scan the contents of her notebook.

With nothing better to do, Twilight parted ways with her friends and decided it was about time she visited Scootaloo's parents. Though she didn't want to get them involved, it was inevitable now... wasn't it?

This thought halted the Alicorn in her tracks. Just why was she going so far for this young Pegasus? She could have very easily made up something by now in order to alleviate Scootaloo's worries. She doesn't even have to go to Scootaloo's parents even. With her vast magical knowledge, she could easily create a fake document and present it to the filly.

Even with Scootaloo being more knowledgeable than she lets on, there's no way she'd be clever enough to know the difference between the fake and the real thing.

So why? Why was she still pursuing this, even now? So what if the young filly wonders if she's really related to her parents. Things like these happen all the time and in the end, the colt or filly's worries are put to rest once the parents wise up and explain things to them.

“Why? Why am I still trying to find out something that isn't even that big a deal?” Twilight asked herself aloud as she walked through the neighborhood towards the young filly's house. The Alicorn couldn't explain it. It was as if some unseen force was attempting to force her to continue this pointless search for answers that the parents could easily provide.

No.

It was more than that. Twilight wasn't blind, she saw the blatant concern in her former mentor's eyes when she asked about Scootaloo's birth certificate. Did she know something? Maybe her mind was just playing tricks on her or maybe there really is something up regarding Scootaloo's parents.

She didn't know why but she had a feeling that all the pieces of this puzzle would fall together once she spoke to the filly's parents. Or maybe it was her fond hope that they would.

Regardless of either of these reasons, she stood before Scootaloo's house now. “No point in turning back now.” She remarked aloud as she reached a hoof forward and knocked on the front door.

A few moments passed and the front door opened up revealing a female earth pony mare. “May I help you?” The mare asked causally, obviously not realizing who was standing before her at first before it set in moments later at which point her eyes snapped wide in shock and realization. “P-Princess! Forgive me! I did not realize it was you at first!” The mare exclaimed as she bowed deeply before the mare.

“It's alright. May I-”

“Honey, who is it?” A male voice resounded from inside the house which cut the Alicorn off at which point the mare snapped her head to look behind herself.

“It's Princess Twilight!”

“The Princess?! Are you sure?!”

“Yes! She's standing right in front of me!”

The loud sound of hurried hoof-steps raged towards the Alicorn and mare's location until a male earth pony stood next to his wife. “Princess Twilight! You honor us with your presence!” The stallion exclaimed before he bowed deeply along side his wife.

Twilight blushed deeply as she witnessed this. She still wasn't used to being refereed to as a princess by Ponyville's residents to begin with and all this flattery was making her feel rather uncomfortable. “Please. Just call me Twilight. May I come in?” The Alicorn replied after a moment's silence.

“O-Of course!” The couple said almost simultaneously and motioned for the mare to follow them inside.

Once inside the Alicorn got a good look around the household. Family photos lay adorned along the walls of the house. Each one with Scootaloo present in it. Once Twilight entered the living room of their home, the mare beckoned Twilight over the couch. “P-Please make yourself at home, Princess! I'll go prepare some tea for you!” The mare exclaimed and quickly trotted off to the kitchen.

“That's not...” Twilight began to say only to trail off due to the mare leaving the room in such a hurry.

“I must say, if I had known royalty was going to be visiting us today, I would have freshened up the house more.” The stallion remarked with a deep blush as he sat down on a couch adjacent to her.

“It's okay, really.” Twilight replied with a light smile as she looked back at the stallion whom fidgeted in his seat uncomfortably.

An awkward silence ensued between the two for a time until the mare reappeared, carrying a tray of cups with hot tea in them over to the two, set the tray on the desk in between them, and sat down next to her husband. “So, what brings over her royal highness to our humble home?” The mare asked in the most polite tone the Alicorn had ever heard spoken towards her.

Twilight levitated a cup of tea over to her mouth, took a sip, and let out a soft sigh before she spoke. “Well, it's about your daughter.” She said casually as she looked at them.

“Did something happen to Scootaloo? Is she okay?” The mare asked her tone becoming a little more worried and panicked with each word she spoke.

“She's just fine.” Twilight replied casually much to the relief of the mare who let out a sigh upon hearing these words.

“Speaking of our daughter, let me just say that we are honored to have you as her mentor.” The stallion spoke up to which the Alicorn nearly choked on her tea.

“Ahem, I'm merely helping her hone her skills. I'm afraid I don't have a personal pupil of my own as of yet.” Twilight remarked in the most calm manner possible despite the statement startling her. “In fact, I'm helping two other fillies at the same time hone their skills in other fields as well. It's my fond hope that through my teachings, they will one day discover their special talents.” She added as she placed the tea-cup on the tray and smiled at them.

“Oh, I see. Regardless, we are grateful to you for taking your time to help our daughter.” The stallion said and though his voice sounded mildly disappointed, he never showed any sign of this on his facial features as he spoke.

“Well then, did you want to ask us something about Scootaloo? She's not in any kind of trouble is she? I swear, I've lectured that filly a thousand times over about those 'crusades' she and her friends often go on and-”

“No,no,no. It's nothing like that!” Twilight said in a mildly panicked tone cutting off the mare mid-ramble.

“Oh? Then what seems to be the problem, Princess?” The stallion asked curiously.

The Alicorn took a deep breath and began to explain the situation in full to the couple whom listened intently...

NOT INTERESTED!

The farm mare shouted angrily before she turned about for what seemed like the one-hundredth time this week and walked away from a stallion who seemed to be coming over to get a piece of Rainbow Dash's flank.

“Just how many stallion did ya buck before ya decided to go steady with me Rainbow?!” Applejack exclaimed with a glare at her fillyfriend whom gave an annoyed glare back.

“Hey! Don't look at me! I stopped recognizing faces after the tenth one showed up almost a week ago!” Rainbow Dash retorted angrily as she walked next to Applejack towards the family house. “I know I brag about being the best in town but I've never been this popular before!” She huffed a few moments later.

“Well, it looks like yer reputation precedes ya then.” Applejack remarked bitterly and sighed. “Ah certainly hope that's the last of them.” she added with a sigh.

“You and me both.” Rainbow Dash remarked and sighed heavily herself. “I'm gonna head off and take care of some clouds. Today is supposed to be sunny skies and those clouds don't seem to get the hint.”

“Alright. I'll see ya later then, honey.” Applejack replied as she leaned over and locked lips with the cyan blue Pegasus before she took off for the skies.

SOMETIME LATER...

“And that's the last one!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she bucked the cloud out of the sky and let out a sigh of relief as she wiped sweat off her forehead. It was then she noticed a familiar face on the ground which was waving at her.

“Ugh, what does he want?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself dismally as she descended to the ground and landed a few short feet from the stallion. “I thought I told you I was off the market, Swashbuck.” She said rudely as she looked at him with a mildly annoyed expression.

“Well yes, you told me that a week ago. It's not uncommon for a stallion to one to come and have a friendly chat with a friend now is it?” Swashbuck remarked with a nervous smile.

“Your idea of a 'friendly chat' is slamming your dick into them while you brag to them about your job as a construction pony.” Rainbow Dash deadpanned at the stallion. “So if you aren't here to try to get under my tail, why are you here?” she asked with a suspicious glance.

The stallion cleared his throat uncomfortably before he replied. “Well, I couldn't help but notice the stallions trotting over to apple acres on a daily basis and was admiring just how popular you are in Ponyville.” He remarked with a coy smirk.

“And your point is?” Rainbow Dash asked with a glare.

“Well, I was thinking that I might be able to do something about that.” He said as he smiled a little wider.

“Really?!” The cyan blue Pegasus exclaimed in surprise at first until she remembered just who this stallion was and narrowed her eyes at him. “What's the catch?” She asked suspiciously.

“Oh nothing much...” He remarked casually as he walked past her until his face was dangerously close to hers. “Just become, my mare.” He said as his expression changed to a sneer.

Rainbow Dash immediately recoiled from the stallion and glared at him, her expression becoming instantly pissed off. “Your mare?! Did you have clouds stuffed in those ears when I told you that I was dating Applejack?!” She exclaimed as she pointed a hoof at him.

“Oh come now Rainbow Dash. I know you well enough to know you like cock too much to go steady with a foal-hole licker.” Swashbuck remarked as he walked up to the mare his cocky grin becoming wider if possible.

“Yeah Well, you don't know me as well as you think you do then! No deal, Swashbuck!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed and took off from the ground.

“I'll make you my mare yet, Rainbow Dash. Even if I have to send every single stallion in Ponyville after you in order to drive that wedge deeper between you and that foal-hole licker you call your fillyfriend.” Swashbuck remarked aloud as the cyan blue Pegasus flew off though she never heard these words...

Scootaloo's parents exchanged nervous glances at one another after hearing the Alicorn's explanation. “Is something the matter?” Twilight asked as she noticed this unease between the couple and herself.

“Well, you see...” The mare began only to trail off.

“The fact is, Princess. We only adopted Scootaloo when she was but an infant foal.” The stallion added and sighed.

“So you both aren't her biological parents?” Twilight asked her expression and mind going into mild shock upon hearing these words.

Wait, mild shock? Why wasn't she completely blown away by this new set of information?

“Yes, I'm infertile you see. Me and my husband were visiting the Canterlot adoption clinic at the time in hopes of adopting a son or daughter of our very own. We were shocked that a newborn filly was there in the first place.” The mare remarked aloud.

“Yes. Even the staff couldn't fully explain how she got there. She didn't even have a birth certificate on record with them. And every infant foal and filly who was admitted to the adoption clinic has one even if the mother requests to not be mentioned as the birth mother according to them.” The stallion added and sighed again.

“The only thing they knew about the filly was her name. Strange, I know. We felt sorry for the filly, being left in a place like this and decided to adopt her and take her as our own.” The mare said after a few more moments of silence between the three.

Something didn't add up and that more than anything, was unsettling to the mare. Was it the fact that Princess Celestia showed signs that she may have known something? But if that was so, why didn't she outright tell the Alicorn that Scootaloo was adopted in the first place? “Why would the princess keep something like this from me if she knew?” Twilight asked herself softly.

“Princess?” The stallion asked curiously.

“N-Nothing. Thank you for telling me this. I need to be going now though. I have uh, princessly duties to attend to.” The Alicorn lied as she stood up and walked towards the door.

“Um Princess? What should we tell Scootaloo?” The mare asked suddenly which caused Twilight to stop.

“Nothing. The last thing we need is Scootaloo becoming even more depressed. She's already feeling out-of-place as it stands. Telling her this will only cause her more grief and uncertainty.” Twilight remarked wisely before she opened the door and left the house without another word.

“I thought that talking to Scootaloo's parents would solve her problems, not cause more.” Twilight remarked aloud with a thoughtful expression, clearly unaware of a certain party mare charging straight for her...

WHACK!!!

“Ow... Pinkie! What in Equestria is your deal?!” Twilight exclaimed with an annoyed glare at the pink puffy maned mare.

“Well, Fluttershy woke up and she was asking where everypony was and then I told and then she asked me to go find you guys and tell you she's okay and then I came here and-mmm,mmmph!” Pinkie Pie began to ramble on only for the Alicorn to zip her mouth up via magic and let out an annoyed sigh.

Pinkie Pie sat in place for a few moments as she comically began to claw at her zipped up mouth as if to try and pry it open before Twilight spoke. “I get it Pinkie. Lets go back to the hospital.” She said and unzipped the hyperactive mare's mouth.

“I need to go and get our friends! I'll meet you there Twilight!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed no sooner her mouth was unzipped and dashed off before the mare could utter a word to stop her.

The Alicorn let out a sigh and decided to put her current dilemma to the side for the moment and see her friend.

“Oh Twilight. I'm happy to see that Pinkie got the message to you.” Fluttershy remarked softly as the Alicorn stepped into the hospital room.

“Oh I got it alright and I have the bruise on my side to prove it.” Twilight joked aloud as she brandished the mild bruise from the hyperactive pink mare's skull when it collided with her side.

Both mare exchanged light laughs for a time before Twilight sat down in one of the chairs and looked at her. “So how are you feeling?” She asked in a concerned tone.

The yellow Pegasus's smile vanished upon hearing this question and gave a long-winded sigh. “I'm feeling just fine if that's what you mean.” She replied with a frown as she sat up in her bed and looked over at her friend.

“I know you're no element of honesty but come on Fluttershy, something had to make you have a major panic attack.” Twilight replied with a stern glance at the Pegasus.

Fluttershy let out yet another long-winded sigh before she spoke. “It's about Discord. I don't know how to explain it but I just know something bad has happened to him.” She said her voice quivering with worry and concern as she spoke.

Twilight looked at her friend and knew she wasn't just spouting off unfounded concerns but despite this she attempted to console her friend. “Oh come now, Fluttershy. This is Discord we're talking about remember? Tirek doesn't have a chance against him.” She said as she reached over and placed a hoof on the Pegasus's as she smiled at her.

“I guess you're right...” Fluttershy replied though her voice sounded far from certain.

“He'll be showing up any day now and brag about how he made Tirek beg him not to send him back to Tartarus before he sent him back there anyways.” Twilight continued which at the very least caused a weak smile to edge onto her friend's face.

“I suppose your right. After all, that's why Princess Celestia choose him right?” Fluttershy remarked as she looked at her friend only to notice the worried expression the Alicorn now showed. “Is something the matter Twilight?” She asked curiously as she looked at her.

“It's just that I went over to Scootaloo's parents expecting this situation to be resolved but instead I find out she's been adopted. Before this even happened, I noticed that Princess Celestia's face became really concerned, as if she knew something, when I asked about looking up Scootaloo's birth certificate in the Canterlot archives. I don't want to believe that she may know something but didn't tell me but...” Twilight replied only to trail off and let out a sigh.

Once again, the yellow Pegasus's face became nervous upon hearing this but this time, Twilight caught on as she narrowed her eyes at the mare. “I noticed that every time I mentioned Scootaloo and her parents, you would always tense up and get really nervous. At first, I thought this was you just being well, you. But now I now see there's more too it than that. You know something, don't you?” she inquired with a suspicious glance.

At first, Fluttershy seemed to be going into yet another panic attack as her breathing suddenly sped up but only at first. The mare closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let out it before she opened them and looked at Twilight with a serious expression. “I know who Scootaloo's real parents are. I've known since the first day she was born.” Fluttershy remarked as she noticed Twilight's expression become one of disbelief as she stared.

“N-No way... You're her mother?!” Twilight blurted out in shock.

“What? No!” Fluttershy exclaimed with a deep blush on her face before she sighed once more.

“Then who?!” Twilight exasperated with an annoyed expression now.

“Tell me Twilight. Did you ever really question how I knew about you and brother having sex that night?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at the Alicorn with a dead serious expression.

“Well now that you mention it... how did you know? And what does this have to do with Scootaloo?” Twilight asked looking completely bewildered as to why Fluttershy would bring up this topic now.

“Well, to be honest, I kind of assumed that was what you were going to tell us when you began to talk about walking to your brother's bedroom in the dead of night during our sleepover...” Fluttershy began to say only to trail off.

“I still don't see what this has to do with Scootaloo and who her parents are.” Twilight remarked with a confused expression as she waited for the Pegasus to continue.

“The reason I knew you had sex with your brother is because...”

I can only assume that Scootaloo was conceived on the night you spoke of...

Fluttershy's words seem to ring through the room as the Alicorn's brain seemed to freeze once these words had reached it.

“Yes, Twilight. You're Scootaloo's mother.” Fluttershy finished as she looked at the Alicorn, her expression seemingly frozen in pure shock.

It remained this way for a few moments longer until Twilight's brain managed to unfreeze itself at which point Twilight's shocked expression became a combination of disbelief and anger. “If Discord put you up to this, it's not funny! I don't know how you knew of me and my brother having sex but I'm pretty sure I'd remember carrying a foal for a full term of pregnancy and giving birth to her!” Twilight exclaimed aloud.

Fluttershy let out a sigh upon hearing her friend's outburst. “I know it's hard to believe and I know why. After all, Princess Celestia made sure no pony in the Canterlot Hospital would remember you ever having a foal.” Fluttershy continued though this only seemed to agitate the mare further as she glared at the Pegasus.

Twilight scoffed at this response still not believing a word of it. “Right, as if Princess Celestia would do something so drastic. Besides, if she wiped everypony's memory of this ever happening, then how do you remember?” Twilight inquired with a glare. This had to be an overly thought out joke she and Discord thought up. It just had to be.

“I'll start from the beginning then, it all started when Rainbow Dash convinced me to come with her to the hospital to visit the wonderbolts...”

“But I'm not even a fan of the wonderbolts...” Fluttershy remarked meekly as she walked along the halls of Canterlot Hospital along side of her fillyhood friend.

“Come on Fluttershy, I need a pal to back me up here. I don't know which room they're in and this is like my only chance to see them in pony.” Rainbow Dash remarked as she turned to look at the yellow Pegasus and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Why not ask the receptionist pony?” Fluttershy suggested softly.

“You really think they would tell me where the wonderbolts were at? They probably have tons of fans flooding in asking for their room number on a daily basis! No, we're going to have to find them the old-fashioned way! I'll search down this hall and you search that one.” Rainbow Dash replied and without so much as letting the shy Pegasus let out a squeak to object, darted down the hall leaving her alone.

With a soft sigh, Fluttershy began to search down the other end of the hall only to find herself hopelessly lost less than ten minutes later in her search for the elusive room the wonderbolts were staying in.

Fluttershy was about to ask for directions when a sudden pained cry caught her attention just a few doors down the hall from where she stood. Curiously, the Pegasus walked down the hall and noticed a door had been left barely open. The pained cries of a mare could clearly be heard coming from this room now.

“Almost there Twilight, just one more push!”

Came a voice that Fluttershy immediately recognized as Princess Celestia's. Moments later, the sound of a newborn crying foal could be heard emitting from the room.

“Look at her Shiny... our daughter.”

Twilight's voice could be heard saying as the Pegasus risked a closer look as she edged the door open a little more, hoping it wouldn't make a sound as she looked into the room. Though Fluttershy didn't recognize the lavender mare or the white stallion with a shield cutiemark, she did recognize Celestia who stared on as lavender mare held a newborn orange filly with a purple mane and tail in her arms.

The Alicorn then gently lifted the now sleeping foal from Twilight's arms. “What will you name her?” She asked softly.

Twilight was silent for a time before she finally spoke. “I'll name her... Scootaloo. It's the name I always told myself I would name my first-born daughter.” Twilight replied as she smiled at her mentor.

“Very well. I will see that she is taken care of.” Celestia said as she began to turn around.

Fluttershy immediately noticed this and quickly hid herself just outside of the door before the Alicorn could turn around and see her.

“Wh-What?”

Twilight's voice asked aloud in a confused tone as though she didn't understand what was happening.

“I'm Sorry Twilight but if word got out that this foal was born out of an incestuous relationship between you and your brother... the results would be disastrous for you and your family, I would be forced to dismiss you as my pupil, and Shining Armor would lose his post as head of the royal guard due to the scandal.”

Celestia's voice replied though it sounded deeply saddened now.

“Do you honestly think that we would let you walk out of here with our daughter only to never see her again?”

Shining Armor's voice spoke up, the anger and fury of his words carrying an air of threat to them.

“No, I suppose not. Forgive me.”

Celestia's voice replied and in the next moment, Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise as a bright light began to emit from the crack in the door for a few moments and vanish. It was then that she hard hoof-steps.

In a panic, Fluttershy's hooves left the ground and she darted through the air around the corner of the hall praying that the regal sister hadn't seen a single hair of her tail or mane.

More hoof-steps...

They seemed to be getting closer now...

Princess Celestia stopped and turned her head to look in the spot that Fluttershy was standing.

“Hmm, I must have imagined it then.” She remarked aloud and continued to walk down the hall with the young orange filly suspended in her magic as she walked past a door and down the hall.

Meanwhile inside the room, Fluttershy's heart felt as if it was going to burst from within her chest as her chest heaved up and down very quickly now.

“I didn't leave that room for the rest of the day and was eventually discovered by a night shift pony who showed me the way out.” Fluttershy finished as she looked at Twilight who still looked as if she didn't believe a word she was saying.

“This... isn't an overly thought out cruel joke by you and Discord... is it?” Twilight said shakily after a few moments.

“No, Twilight. I would never joke about such a thing.” Fluttershy replied as she looked at her.

Without warning, the Alicorn stood up and began to walk towards the door to the hospital room. “Twilight?” The Pegasus asked curiously.

“I need to do some research on this Fluttershy. If what you say is true, then Celestia used a memory alteration spell on me and my brother. I'll be back later.” Twilight said and without another word left the hospital room and began to make her way towards the exit only to see her friends walking in at this moment.

“Howdy Twi. How is...” Applejack began to ask only for the Alicorn to trot right past her as if she hadn't heard a word and left the hospital. “Now that's just plain rude.” She remarked with a annoyed glare.

“She seemed as if something was on her mind though. I wonder what it could have been?” Rarity remarked with a curious expression.

“Well, I'm sure it was important or she wouldn't leave Fluttershy alone like she did.” Rainbow Dash added before the four walked to see the yellow Pegasus.

A Faded Memory(Part 2)(FINISHED!)

Author's Note

And the chapter is finished! Hope you enjoy this chapter, I worked all night on it!XD

9k words...whoo! :rainbowkiss:

A Faded Memory(Part 2)(FINISHED!)

A FADED MEMORY

PART 2

Twilight opened the door to her home and immediately channeled magic into her horn in order to search for the book she was now seeking.

Many hours had passed now and the sun was starting to lower behind the hills as the Alicorn scanned book after book like a mare possessed.

“Yes, Twilight. You're Scootaloo's mother.”

These words echoed through the mare's mind over and over as she scanned every book. She couldn't believe it. No, she didn't want to believe it. She couldn't bring herself to believe that her mentor whom she trusted so much would be as vain as to separate a mother and a foal from each other and erase all evidence of such events happening in the first place.

Yet she continued to search for the book containing the spells needed for such things. Despite her not wanting to believe her friend's words, something inside her knew them to be true. Even so, she constantly denied this gut feeling and kept telling herself over and over that she wouldn't believe it until she found proof.

ALMOST A DAY LATER...

“Oh come now Spike, your still saying that? You don't need an excuse to sleep at my house you know.” Rarity remarked aloud with a giggle.

“But I'm telling you! She put a barrier around the house! I can't get inside!” Spike exclaimed with an annoyed glare.

“Oh come now, surgarcube. We all know what Fluttershy told her since she told us no sooner we went to see her but Ah doubt she would-”

SMACK!

The earth pony's face seemed to impact nose-first with an invisible surface just outside of the Alicorn's home. “What in tarnation?!” She blurted out as she rubbed her sore nose.

“Told you.” Spike remarked with a glare at the farm pony whom placed a hoof on the invisible surface in utter confusion.

“Oh my... I wouldn't have told her if I knew she was going to do this.” Fluttershy remarked with a worried expression as she placed a hoof on the invisible surface as well.

“Don't blame yourself for this one, Fluttershy. We all know that Twilight has had a history of pulling stunts like this.” Rainbow Dash remarked as she hovered in place near the yellow Pegasus.

“Rainbow Dash is correct, darling. Though I wonder why she would do such a thing? I would assume that at times like these, she would want the support of her friends more than anything.” Rarity remarked aloud in a concerned tone.

“Why is everypony standing outside of Twilight's house for?” came a voice all five immediately recognized at which point the color drained from their faces as they turned to look at the young Pegasus.

“Erm... well, you see...” Rarity began only to feel her words falter.

“I know it's a little early but I needed to ask Princess Twilight something before Sweetie Belle and Applebloom got here for Twilight Time.” Scootaloo said with a nervous expression.

“Sorry squirt but no pony is getting in here to see Twilight right now.” Rainbow Dash remarked in the calmest tone she could muster despite the unease in her voice as she spoke.

“Huh? Why?” Scootaloo asked with a look of utter confusion.

“Twilight cast a spell that prevented us from getting inside while she looks up some spells to find out why she can't remember being your-mmph!” Pinkie Pie began to say only for Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash to slam their hooves over the party mares muzzle before the obvious words could escape her lips.

“Your-your teacher! Yes, that's right!” Rarity lied with a nervous expression as Pinkie Pie gave the unicorn a glare as she struggled to free her muzzle from her friends grip.

“Y-Yeah! See, Twilight's been forgetting a whole lot of stuff lately and she uh...” Rainbow Dash chimed in only to trail off as she found herself unable to continue the blatant lie.

“She's uh, tryin to find a spell to help her keep her lessons with y'all fillies in her head so she don't be forgettin them!” Applejack chimed in now as well only for her expression afterwards to display the trademark guilty expression she often wore when she lied.

“So she's doing all this just to prepare for Twilight Time?” Scootaloo asked and though she didn't look convinced, she seemed to be accepting the blatant lie by the three.

“Y-Yes. So could you, um, come back later? That is, if you want to.” Fluttershy replied this time meekly.

“O-Okay. I guess I could ask her after Twilight Time but I was really hoping she could give me an answer to the question I asked her a week ago before Sweetie Belle and Applebloom got here.” Scootaloo replied as her ears drooped, turned about-face and walked away from the five.

Once the four mares were sure that Scootaloo was well out of sight as well as earshot, they released their grip on the pink mare whom immediately took in a big gasp of air.

“Why'd you tell her a meanie-pants lie like that?! Her mommy is right there!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she pointed a hoof at Twilight's house.

“Ya don't use that there noggin ya have, do ya?” Applejack remarked with a glare at the pink mare.

“Twilight's already got enough on her mind as it stands Pinkie, we don't need Scootaloo adding to the stress she's obviously already under!” Rainbow Dash added also glaring at her.

“Besides, we don't even know if Twilight wants her to know the truth yet.” Rarity remarked with a worried expression towards the house.

“Um, why wouldn't she?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“Naturally, Scootaloo would have a lot of questions. Many of which I believe, Twilight may be searching for the answers for at the moment.” Rarity explained casually as she looked at the yellow Pegasus.

“And some of which, she may not be so inclined to answer. If ya get my meanin.” Applejack added to which all five mares exchanged nervous glances.

“Still, getting knocked up by your brother... I don't even have a brother and I find that a little creepy.” Rainbow Dash remarked and gave an audible shudder.

“We all have secrets that we are not proud of, Rainbow Dash. Need we bring up the obvious?” Rarity censured with a glare.

“Like you have any room to talk!” Rainbow Dash retorted angrily at which point the unicorn's face turned beat red.

Before the two could continue their squabble, Applejack wisely intervened and stood between the two. “Calm the hay down, both of ya! This ain't the time to be bashin one another for what they've been doin. We're all worried about Twilight so lets focus on our main concern at the moment, shall we?” Applejack remarked as she glared at her fillyfriend and Rarity.

The two glared at each other for a few moments longer, the tension between the two seemingly striking out at each other like a bolt of electrify which stopped half way to each mare that resulted in a standoff between the two before they looked away from one another and huffed in annoyance.

“Applejack's right. We need to figure out why Twilight would shut us off like she did.” Fluttershy remarked with a worried glance towards the house once again.

“Oh I wouldn't worry about it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she leaned against the barrier with one hoof. “I'm sure she'll be coming out to greet us anytime now!” She finished and in the exact moment the pink mare finished saying what she had, the invisible surface she was leaning towards seemed to vanish as Pinkie Pie fell face forward to the ground with a comical thud. “Told ya!” She added as she ejected a hoof into the air with her face still implanted on the ground which muffled her voice as she spoke.

It was then that Twilight front door swung open and the lavender mare began to walk out only to realize her friends were standing there. This however only halted her for a moment as she continued to walk a few more feet farther and made a take off pose.

“Where are you going Twilight? You've had us worried sick about you!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed which halted the Alicorn's take off.

“To the Canterlot Archives. I couldn't find what I wanted to here so I'm looking there.” Twilight remarked calmly before she erupted to the skies without another word.

Rainbow Dash let out an annoyed sigh upon hearing these words and witnessing the Alicorn's take off. “Don't even bother to ask me to go after her because I don't feel like being zapped for sticking my nose any further into her business than I already have.” Rainbow Dash remarked with a mild glare at the five.

“Well, perhaps we can find out exactly what she was looking for by looking inside the library. I'm sure she's just fine. After all, she seemed calm enough when she spoke to us didn't she?” Rarity suggested calmly to which the other five plus Spike agreed.

The group however stopped dead in their tracks once they got inside and gawked at the site that beheld them. Nearly every single book in Twilight's library had been tossed about in a careless fashion as if her house had been ransacked by a burglar of some sort.

“So, what was that about her bein, just fine?” Applejack remarked smugly as she looked at the unicorn whom simply gave a nervous giggle in response.

Evening now set upon Ponyville and Spike was once again staying with Rarity for the night due to the condition of Twilight and his house being in due to the Alicorn's frantic search. That wasn't the only reason for Spike staying the night however...

“Mmph!” Rarity exclaimed as Spike dug his claws into her haunches as he plowed her flower hard and fast.

“That's a good pretty pony, are you ready for your reward?” Spike asked between grunts as he felt him climax closing him now.

“Y-Yes! Fill me up! Eep!” Rarity exclaimed only to get a swift slap to her hindquarters from the young drake.

“Pretty ponies don't talk, Rarity.” Spike remarked with a coy smirk as he continued to plow her soaking wet love tunnel feeling it contract and squish as the unicorn came hard due to the pleasure she felt from being swatted by the dragon sending her over the edge of her sexual bliss.

Spike wanted to hold off his impending climax as a punishment to the mare for speaking out but the mare's slit was squeezing his member like a vice at the moment, milking it for the seed it desired so badly. Despite the drake's best efforts to hold off his orgasm, his cock exploded deep inside Rarity's flower, filling her with stream after stream of his dragon spunk until he could cum no more.

“G-Gemstone.” Rarity stuttered out breathlessly, both knowing this was the codeword to end their role-play.

Upon hearing this, Spike let go of Rarity's haunches and allowed his body to go lax as he laid over her hindquarters as a crutch to hold himself up. “I wasn't too rough was I?” He asked breathlessly between pants.

“N-Not at all darling.” Rarity remarked as she looked to her hindquarters and grimaced softly at the claw marks. She knew she was going to have to wear a dress for the next day or so to cover them up until they healed so she could avoid questions from her friends. Though she had a gut feeling they already knew, she didn't want to risk having to answer any embarrassing questions.

The two rested in their afterglow for a few minutes longer until Spike pulled his now flaccid member from the unicorn's flower which almost immediately began to seep with a combination of his seed and her juices due to his body no longer blocking the flow.

“If you'll excuse me darling, I must freshen up. As much as I enjoy our private time together, it would be unseemly if I were to allow our...ahem, fluids to stain my bed and carpet.

“Oh yeah, right.” Spike replied with a sheepish grin as the mare used her magic to seemingly plug the leak in her hindquarters and begin to walk towards the restroom. “I love you Rarity.” Spike added just before the mare left the room which halted her in her tracks and turn around to face the young drake.

“Oh,um.. I know.”Rarity added with a nervous smile before she turned about-face and left the room unknowing of the dragon's expression turning to a frown as he watched her leave the room.

Once he was sure that Rarity was out of earshot, he let out a depressed sigh. “She never says it back.” Spike remarked aloud in a saddened voice as he laid down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

With nothing to do but think, the young drake began to wonder if she loved him at all. After all, they had been doing this for the past month or so and never once had she said the words “I love you Spike”. Not even as an accidental outburst.

Before the drake knew it, Rarity was walking back into the bedroom, her mane and tail soaking wet from the shower water. Spike always loved this look she wore when she was soaking wet from head to tail but he knew it wouldn't last long as Rarity would dry herself off quickly.

Rarity however noticed Spike's saddened expression which halted her from grabbing the dryer from her vanity desk. “Is something the matter, Spikey-Wikey?” She asked with a concerned expression and tone to match it.

“No, it's nothing.” Spike lied as he forced a smile on his face.

“Oh? Very well then.” Rarity replied as she picked up the dryer, turned it on and began to use her magic to levitate it to dry her body off.

Spike watched the unicorn dry herself off until her mane,body, and tail were completely dry. Rarity then lifted up the brush to begin to brush her mane only for Spike to speak up which caused her to turn to look at him. “Actually, yeah something has been bugging me.” He began only to feel his words falter as he looked at her. “N-Never mind.” he added a few moments later though Rarity knew for sure that something was bugging the young drake now for sure and wasn't about to let this matter rest.

“Spike... if something is bothering you, its best to get it off your chest. If you let small things build up and don't talk about them, they can cause a problems later on.” Rarity remarked wisely as she placed the brush down, walked over the bed and sat down next to Spike.

“It's just that... forget it.” Spike began to say, trailed off once again and attempted to dismiss the topic once more.

Now Rarity was really concerned. It was clear to her now that he was afraid to talk about what was bothering him. “Darling... You can tell me anything, you know this right?” Rarity said in a comforting manner as she placed a hoof around him and held him close.

Spike took a deep breath through his nose, taking in the scent of the mare he loved so much and let out a sigh. “It's just that... of all the times I've said that I loved you...” Spike began to say only to trail off again. “You've never said it back” he finished and sighed once more as unknowingly to even him that tears began to form in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Rarity bit her lower-lip guiltily. She had hopped he would never bring this topic up and now she was regretting asking the young drake was causing him so much grief now.

“Y-You do love me...don't you?” Spike asked as he looked up at her now tears freely streaming from his eyes now as he stared at her.

Seeing the young drake's face full of tears caused the proverbial guilt knife that was stabbing her in the gut at the moment to twist and grind further into her seemingly as she stared at his face. She had been using him for her own sexual fantasies for sometime now and she knew it. “Spike, I...” Rarity began to say only to feel her words falter followed by a sigh as she looked away from the young drake.

“You don't love me... do you?” Spike asked, his voice cracking as he spoke now.

A depressing silence ensued between the two now for what seemed to take forever to end until Rarity finally spoke. “No... I don't.” Rarity replied, her voice filled with regret,guilt, and sadness as she spoke.

“So... You've just been using me?” Spike asked as tears streamed down his cheeks and dripped to the floor now.

Another silence ensued between the two until the unicorn spoke once more. “Y-Yes...” Rarity stuttered out. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't bring herself to lie to him.

Spike, without warning, leaped off the bed and began to run out of the bedroom. “S-Spike! W-Wait!” Rarity exclaimed as she gestured out to him with her hoof as he darted out of the bedroom without another word but either Spike hadn't heard her or he had ignored her.

The sound of the front door being opened and slammed was the only thing that met the unicorn's ears which told her the obvious...

“Your highness, Princess Celestia wishes to speak with you.” A unicorn guard said calmly as Twilight scanned scroll after scroll, book after book, seemingly ignoring him. With no reply, the guard simply sighed and left the Canterlot archives for the fourth time today.

“This... isn't an overly thought out cruel joke by you and Discord... is it?” Twilight said shakily after a few moments.
“No, Twilight. I would never joke about such a thing.” Fluttershy replied as she looked at her.

These memories flashed through the Alicorn's mind as she scanned over a scroll for any sign of a possible memory alteration spell.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER...

Twilight had turned the Canterlot archives upside down and had found not one trace of a memory alteration spell. “How can this be?! If such a spell existed, it would exist here!” Twilight exclaimed as she looked over every single scroll and book that laid about. Twilight sat on her rump and placed a hoof on her chin in thought. “How could this be? Did I overlook something?” She thought to herself as she scanned her memory of every single book and scroll she read over.

It was then that something occurred to her. “What if... the spell is of Alicorn level magic? Naturally such spells wouldn't exist in the Archives since unicorns aren't strong enough to use them. But if that's the case, then where would Alicorn spells be stored?” She mused aloud thoughtfully.

This thought however didn't make her feel anymore relived though. In fact, it made her feel even worse since if this spell was indeed Alicorn level magic, it only further strengthened Fluttershy's story.

The Alicorn then stood up and began to search for a possible hidden wing which would contain the spell she looked for but as much as she looked, she couldn't find any trace. “Maybe there isn't a hidden wing for Alicorn spells after all.” Twilight remarked aloud as she placed a hoof on a wall and sighed. “Even if there was, I bet it would be locked with the highest encryption spell Princess Celestia could muster to prevent characters like Discord or other creatures with Alicorn level magic from getting a hold of them.” She remarked aloud until her eyes widened in realization as if she had an epiphany.

“An encryption...” She remarked out in a seemingly stunned tone as she looked over the countless scrolls and books that laid scattered throughout the floor thanks to her. Without another word, the Alicorn channeled magic into her horn, levitated every single scroll in the caterlot archives, and grave a loud grunt as she tapped into her inner Alicorn magic.

“I can do this...just concentrate Twilight!” Twilight thought to herself as she willed a decryption spell into her magic. If there was one thing Twilight knew, is was that she was the element of magic and had already once created new magic. Though she had merely finished the spell that Starswirl The Bearded had started, the fact remained that she had created a new spell on her own.

And if she could do it once... She could do it again.

Or at least, that's what she told herself as she concentrated with all her might as she continued to use all the willpower she had within her to create a decryption spell. Twilight's horn began to seemingly bubble with a black magic which was none other than her inner Alicorn magic rising to the surface.

Magical sparks began to spit and sputter from her horn now as she sweated profusely, not giving up in her attempt to create a new spell.

Many minutes passed now and the Alicorn was beginning to feel faint. However, just when she was just about to give up, her horn seemingly exploded with a burst of Alicorn magic which jetted towards all the books and scrolls she had been levitating.

Twilight watched in amazement as the books and scrolls she was once levitating began to swirl around the room coated in her Alicorn magic without her having to use her magic to levitate them any longer.

The swirling started out slow at first but gradually picked up speed, pages from the books being ripped from their bindings. Letters from some of the scrolls and pages began to seemingly look as if they were being ripped from the paper they had been written on and began to swirl around along with the scrolls and books as the speed of the swirling was picking up such speed and velocity that Twilight could feel the wind and pressure from the swirling began to whip against her which caused her mane and tail to flail wildly in the wake of the strong current.

Twilight soon began to panic however as the vortex of books,scrolls, and letters seemed to be picking up even more speed to the point that she had to channel magic into her hooves to root herself to the floor or risk being swept up in her own Alicorn spell. However, not even that was able to hold her in place for long. It was as if the spell was trying to draw her in as she felt her hooves begin to scrape along the floor as she edged closer and closer to the spinning vortex of books,letters, and scrolls.

Before Twilight knew was happened, her hooves left the ground and hr body flew straight into the heart of the vortex. Yet before she could so much as call out for help, the vortex suddenly and abruptly seemingly collapsed on itself and in a blinding flash of magic, Twilight vanished.

It was at this point that the same unicorn guard came back to tell her once again that Princess Celestia had requested her presence only to see the books, and scrolls fall to the floor with a collective sound of books and paper hitting cement. “Princess Twilight?” The guard asked curiously, having not seen the magic or the swirling vortex that was there moments before he walked into the room...

Twilight opened her eyes and hold her head with a loud groan before she stood up. “Ohh, what happened?” She asked aloud curiously before the scene that beheld her finally registered with her brain.

The Alicorn now stood in her brother's bedroom, her brother seemingly sound asleep in his bed. “Shining? You awake?” Twilight's voice asked only it didn't come from her mouth, rather from behind the door to her brother's bedroom.

“Yeah. What's up sis?” Shining Armor replied as he sat up in his bed as the door to his room swung wide open.

“How can I be there when I'm right here?!” Twilight blurted out in shock. The first thought that came to mind was that a changeling was invading her home and taking on her form but then another fact managed to catch her attention.

Her brother nor the Twilight that now stood in the bedroom seemed to have heard her outburst.

“Shining Armor, can't you hear me?” Twilight asked aloud but her brother made no motion to recognize her as she stood a crossed the room from him.

“Awake and bushy-tailed, good. Can't have you being a sleep while I give you your birthday gift now can we?” The Twilight in front of the door remarked with a coy smirk and tone to match it.

“Wait, this all looks familiar and did she say what I think she said?” Twilight thought to herself in a confused tone until it occurred to her. She was witnessing the night her and her brother had sex for the last time but something was off. “Wasn't my brother fast asleep when I walked in to his bedroom that night?” Twilight thought to herself curiously.

The unicorn then walked over to her brother's bed, channeled magic into her horn and closed the door to her brother's bedroom softly. She then climbed onto his bed and sat next to him. “So, are you ready for your birthday gift big brother?” The unicorn asked in a sultry voice as she used her magic to pull back the covers from her brother's body.

“Are you sure this is such a good idea? In Canterlot, we had the privacy of your observatory and bedroom but here? What if our parents walk in?” Shining Armor asked apprehensively.

“Oh, I've got that covered.” Twilight replied with a smirk as she channeled magic into her horn at which point she quickly cast a sound damping spell on her brother's door and window.

Without another word, the unicorn channeled magic into her horn once again and focused it between her brother's hind legs which earned a soft moan from him.

Meanwhile the Twilight whom was standing a crossed from the two continued to stare as did her past self as her brother's length slowly grew and soon stood erect before the unicorn.

The unicorn slowly placed a single hoof on her brothers shaft and shivered uncontrollably. Her heart raced, her breathing quickened, the excitement was almost overwhelming for the mare. “It's been too long since I've touched this special part of you B-B-B-F-F. The part I've always adored the most.” Twilight remarked breathlessly as she placed her other front hoof on his shaft and began to stroke it up and down.

“I-It's only been two months.” Shining Armor replied between moans as the unicorn's hooves trailed up and down his shaft.

Twilight gave a soft giggle as she continued to stroke his length. “That's too long for me.” she replied with a smirk as she leaned down and licked the tip of her brother's member and shuddered at the taste. “You need to eat more fruit bro.” Twilight remarked as she looked up at her brother.

“Does it taste that bitter?” Shining Armor asked with a smirk.

Twilight looked up at her brother once again, leaned in close, and locked lips with him. “I'll deal with it since its your birthday.” She replied after she broke the kiss with her brother.

“Oh, how very considerate of you.” Shining Armor quipped with a smirk only to get a light smack upside the head from his sister's hoof. “Don't be such a jerk or I won't give you the second gift I have planned for you.” Twilight retorted with a coy grin before she lowered her mouth onto his shaft and began to bob her head up and down as she reached a hoof under herself and began to rub her clit with one hoof.

As much as Twilight tried, she couldn't help but be turned on at the sight of her past self giving her brother a blowjob. Despite being aroused by this incestuous act, one thing still lingered in the back of her mind. “Why am I seeing this? I was trying to cast a decryption spell, not a 'view my past' spell.” Twilight thought to herself but this event was transpiring a lot differently than she remembered it which prompted another question to come to mind.

“Could this be... what really happened all those years ago?” She asked herself aloud as she continued to watch her past self continue to bob her head up and down along her brother's shaft. “Maybe the spell I cast wasn't a decryption spell but rather a spell to tell me what really happened all those years ago?” Twilight mused aloud only to shake her head and groan. “I'll never understand Alicorn magic.” Twilight remarked dismally and sighed as she turned her attention back to her past self and her brother.

“Twiley... I'm gonna cum.” Shining Armor moaned out feeling his climax closing in fast.

Twilight watched her past self's eyes dart about the room as if looking for something and giggled aloud. “You're not going to find the box of tissues.” Twilight remarked aloud even though she knew her past self couldn't hear her, she knew was coming.

Shining Armor then let out a loud grunt and Twilight watched her past self's expression become shocked and surprised. The Alicorn couldn't help but laugh at this scene that beheld her now. Seeing it now from this perspective somehow made the scene hilarious to her. Twilight continued to watch as her past self reluctantly began to swallow her brother's seed or at least as much as she could as soft gulping sounds emitted throughout the room.

It was soon too much for the mare to handle and quickly channeled magic into her horn as she yanked her mouth off his still ejaculating member, coughing and gasping for breath as she did so but thanks to her quick thinking, the remaining streams were safely caught in her magic. “Why didn't I think of this before?” Twilight remarked aloud and sighed in announce as her brother's member ejaculated the remaining contents of his orgasm into the ball of magic she had conjured.

After she was sure that her brother had finished cumming, she quickly took the remaining contents of her brother's seed and discarded them out the bedroom window delicately so that the semen would not splash anywhere she didn't want it to.

“Wow Bro, you sure came a lot more than you used to. Also, you're getting a nice helping of strawberries and apple pies tomorrow for breakfast.” Twilight remarked aloud with a smirk at her sibling and looked downward towards his still erect cock.

“Your going to cook? In that case, I'll skip breakfast.” Shining Armor quipped once again with a cheesy grin only to get yet another playful swat from his sister as she gave him a playful glare.

“Unless you wanna miss out on getting some of this...” Twilight said trailing off as she turn around and flashed her soaking wet slit at him. “I suggest you be a little nicer to your little sister.” Twilight remarked with a coy grin as she turned her head around to look at him the best she could.”

Without warning, her brother leaned in and began to eat out his sister much to the latter's delight. “A-As much as I would love to cum hard to your tongue bro, we haven't got all night.” Twilight remarked between moans.

Upon hearing this, Shining Armor leaned back and chuckled. “Well, put it in then.” he remarked with a smirk.

“Oh I will, but first.” Twilight replied as she channeled magic into her horn and used it to clean off her brother's member. “Can't be too careful you know? Last thing I want is one of your swimmers getting me pregnant.” Twilight remarked aloud as she made sure not one drop of her brother's semen remained on his shaft.

Twilight knew what was coming next. The wetness in her hindquarters becoming even more apparent now as she felt it leak down from her flower to her inner leg before dripping to the floor. The urge to masturbate to her past self screwing her brother became stronger and stronger as her past self lowered herself onto her brother and began to thrust her hindquarters up and down along his shaft, moaning out in pure ecstasy.

She then leaned down and placed a hoof on his cheek. “I love you so much Shiny, it's good that you are awake to enjoy this. I wouldn't mind you having your way with me...” Twilight whispered into her brother's ear before she leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed him deeply.

Twilight broke the kiss and flung her head up, her mane flailing in the wake of her swift gesture. “Dear Celestia! It's been too long since I've had you inside me B-B-B-F-F!” Twilight exclaimed a little too loudly.

Twilight watched as her past self gave a panicked glance to the door to her brother's room before she watched her expression become relieved and let out a sigh. She concluded that her past self must have forgotten she had cast the sound damping spell earlier and then remembered she had.

Twilight continued to watch her past self buck her brother. His shaft sliding in and out of his sister slit, the room slowly filling with the smell of sex.“I can't take it anymore!” Twilight blurted out abruptly, laid to the floor on her side, and resumed watching her past self buck her brother as she rubbed her clit furiously to the action that played out before her.

By now, Shining Armor's lower half was matted down and stained with Twilight's fluids, each thrust now causing soft squelching sounds to emit throughout the room, along with a soft wet slapping each time she slammed her sex onto his.

“Oh shiny, you're going to make your sister cum so hard...mmmph!” Twilight moaned out softly before slamming a hoof over her mouth to stifle her moans which were quickly becoming uncontrollable and louder with each passing minute.

“G-Go faster, Twiley.” Shining Armor managed to utter out between moans.

“You wanna cream your little sister's pie, don't you bro?” Twilight said as she continued to thrust her brother deeply into her slit as she stared at him.

“N-No! If I do that, you'll get pregnant.” Shining Armor stuttered out between moans as he felt his climax close in now.

“Shiny, I love you more than anything and...” Twilight replied only to trail off as she laned her head up to his ear and if not for the room being so quite aside from the wet slapping sounds, Twilight would have never heard her past self say the following words: “I'd gladly carry your foal.”

This statement snapped Twilight out of her sexual bliss and she blurted out: “SAY WHAT?!” as she stared in at her past self's words. She was glad that they couldn't hear her or anypony else in this past memory of hers for that matter. “Just how close were me and Shining Armor?” Twilight asked aloud curiously.

“I know you would but we've talked about this before, what would our parents think of us? What would princess Celestia say?” Shining Armor asked between grunts and moans as his sister continued to thrust his member into her.

“No pony has to know it was you who got me pregnant. It can be our little secret.” Twilight replied before she leaned in and kissed him. “I'll let you decide but you better decide soon though. You look like you're ready to pop.” She added with a smirk as she slowed her thrusts down in order to slow the pleasure her brother was receiving in order to buy him more time to decide.

A silence ensued now save for the soft squelching sounds as Twilight's past self continued to slowly thrust her brother in and out of her.

“A-Are you sure this is what you want? This will change out lives forever you know.” Shining Armor asked softly doing his best to stave off the impending climax he knew was closing in fast despite his sister slowing down.

“Shiny, I want to start a family with you. I've thought about this for nearly a year now and I decided that tonight, I would give you the chance to become a father as the ultimate birthday gift to you.” Twilight replied softly as she kissed him again.

Another silence ensued and Twilight noticed her brother looking deep in thought.

“O-Okay Twiley, let's make a foal.” Shining Armor finally said much to the delight of his sister who let out a squeal of delight as she resumed her previous pace with renewed vigor.

Shining Armor felt his climax close in now, the feeling in his member swelling to the brink with that familiar feeling that told any male he was ready to blow his load at any moment. “L-Last chance, sis. Pull off me now if you're having second thoughts.”

“Not a single one, now make me a mommy, bro.” Twilight replied softly as she locked lips with her brother.

Shining Armor gave a loud grunt into their kiss and that's when Twilight felt it. Her brother's hot, warm, and sticky life-giving seed gushing into her folds.

“That's it shiny, cum for me. Give your sister every last drop of that seed.” Twilight said lustfully after she broke the kiss as she thrust him into her with reckless abandon now feeling her own climax come crashing down on her body moments after she said these words.

Twilight's body seized up, her vaginal muscles clamped down on her brother's member like a vice, and her puffy purple pussy soaked her brother's neither regions and bed in her mare juices. “I love you so much Shiny! Don't stop until you give me every last drop!” Twilight exclaimed at the top of her lungs as she continued to thrust her flower up and down on her brothers member, each time she pulled up, she felt another stream of her brother's seed splash against her inner walls, coating it in his seed, only to slam herself back down on him as deeply as possible.

Each time Twilight slammed herself down on her brother, she felt his seed smear against her inner walls along with fresh streams. Finally, she slammed herself down upon him once more and laid there in place as she felt a few more streams splash against her cervix.

Twilight by now had completely lost all but all of her desire to cum to her brother and past self bucking by now. She was too stunned by the fact that she and her brother mutually consented to having a foal. So many questions now laid in her mind now. However, before she could think on them anymore, the world around seemed to swirl and fade as if somepony had taken a paint brush and began to swirl it along the canvas to mix and blur the colors together.

When the swirling finally stopped, she found herself in another familiar setting. Only this one she couldn't recall at all. Twilight now stared at what could be none other than herself looking at, what Twilight assumed to be at least four months pregnant along with her former mentor as they stood in her royal quarters.

“Twilight, please do not lie to me. I have been your mentor for nearly fifteen years now and you should know by now that I know when you are hiding something from me.” Princess Celestia remarked and sighed before she continued. “Now I will ask once more, who is the father of your foal?”

Twilight watched her past self fidget nervously where she stood, the all too common look of worry that she often wore when she would allow things to get to her upon her past self's face now.

Twilight fidgeted in place for a little longer before she hung her head low and sighed heavily. “Shining... Shining Armor is the father.” She said in a defeated tone which earned a shocked expression from her mentor.

“Y-Your brother?! He's the father?! I'll see to it that he is punished for doing this to you.” Princess Celestia said in a firm tone.

Twilight's expression became panicked as she snapped her head up to look at her mentor. “N-No! It's not like that! I consented!”

Upon hearing this, the Alicorn's became confused. “You consented? Do you mean to tell me that you willingly had sex with your brother and allowed him to impregnate you?” Princess Celestia asked incredulously.

“Y-Yes. We've talked about starting family before but he would always convince me-”

“Wait a second! You mean to tell me that this isn't the first time that you and your brother have had sex?”

“Yes. I know its illegal to have an incestuous relationship in Equestria but I love him, Princess! If you wish to punish anypony for this crime, punish me but please, I beg you not to punish my brother. He has such a great life ahead of him as head of the royal guard and I don't want to see him lose it.” Twilight replied as tears streamed from her eyes now as she looked at her mentor.

Princess Celestia's expression remained firm for a few moments longer before she let out a heavy sigh. “Twilight, what you have done is wrong and under normal circumstances, I would be forced to carry out the punishment for the crime you and your brother have committed...” Princess Celestia replied only to sigh once again.”But that would ruin the wonderful future you and your brother have.”

“P-Princess?” Twilight asked sounding mildly confused as a smile washed over her mentor's face.

“So, I will choose to act as if this conversation never took place but I ask that you allow me to present the day you give birth to your foal, are we clear, Twilight?” Princess Celestia said softly.

“O-Of course Princess! Thank you so much for understanding!” Twilight exclaimed as she rushed up to her mentor and hugged her tightly.

After Princess Celestia said these words, the world once again began to swirl and blur until another she didn't recall beheld her. She was now standing in a hospital room and realized almost immediately that her past self was crying out in pain as Shining Armor stood next to her while Princess Celestia stood at the foot of the hospital bed paying close attention to the mare's vagina.

“Almost there Twilight, just one more push!” Princess Celestia exclaimed.

“Ahhhh!” Twilight exclaimed aloud in agony as she pushed with all her might.

Twilight stared slack-jawed as her past self gave a pained cry and moments later an orange filly with a purple mane and tail slowly edged its way from her past self's vagina and out into Princess Celestia's magic.

The infant foal immediately began to cry out as the cold air from the world she was just born into brushed against her body. The Alicorn swiftly used her magic to cut the umbilical cord and wrapped the infant foal in a nearby towel before levitating her into Twilight's hooves.

Twilight held her newborn daughter in her hooves with a tearful smile and looked to her brother. “Look at her Shiny... our daughter.” Twilight remarked as the infant foal quickly calmed down in her mother's embrace and fell a sleep.

Twilight quickly looked to her left and saw a glimpse of pink mane which was barely viable in the crack of the door. However, a few moments later she saw Fluttershy's head pop in to get a better look at the scene.

The Alicorn then gently lifted the now sleeping foal from Twilight's arms. “What will you name her?” She asked softly.

Twilight was silent for a time before she finally spoke. “I'll name her... Scootaloo. It's the name I always told myself I would name my first-born daughter.” Twilight replied as she smiled at her mentor.

“Very well. I will see that she is taken care of.” Celestia said as she began to turn around.

Twilight turned to look in the direction of the door now just in time to see Fluttershy's expression become panicked and duck from the door and out of sight.

“Wh-What?”Twilight asked aloud in a confused tone as though she didn't understand what was happening.

“Do you honestly think that we would let you walk out of here with our daughter only to never see her again?”Shining Armor's voice spoke up, the anger and fury of his words carrying an air of threat to them.

“No, I suppose not. Forgive me.” Celestia replied and in the next moment, A blinding light flashed brightly before Twilight's eyes.

The light was so bright that Twilight herself had to shield her eyes from it. Once the light faded, Twilight lowered her hoof and realized she was standing back in the Canterlot Archives standing dead in the middle of the books and scrolls which were swirling seemingly hours ago.

“So Fluttershy wasn't lying... it's all true.” Twilight remarked aloud as the realization of what this meant settled in her mind. Twilight then looked up to see the same royal guard from earlier staring at her in pure shock.

“P-Princess, are you alright?” The guard asked hesitantly.

“In a matter of speaking.” Twilight muttered to herself dismally before she replied so that the guard could hear her. “I'm fine, why?”

“W-Well, I came here to inform you that Princess Celestia has requested your presence but you weren't here. I was about to leave when you suddenly popped into existence out of nowhere.” The guard replied nervously.

“How long was I gone?” Twilight asked curiously.

“I don't know, less than two minutes at most.” The guard replied with an unsure expression.

Twilight then placed a hoof on her chin looking deep in thought “But it was so much longer than that...just what spell did I cast anyways?” She mused to herself for a short time before she resumed her attention to the guard.

“Very well, there's a matter I wish to discuss with the princess myself. Remove all guards from their posts and leave us in peace until you are informed otherwise.” Twilight said aloud in the most regal voice she could muster.

“But Princess, I can't-”

“This is a royal order. You wouldn't dare disobey a royal order, would you?” Twilight replied, cutting off the guard with a stern expression and tone to match it.

“N-No of course not! As you wish, your highness.” The guard replied, gave a short bow and quickly left Twilight alone.

“Now to have a nice long chat with my former mentor...” Twilight seethed aloud through gritted teeth as she walked towards the royal hall.

“Where is Twilight? I certainly hope nothing has happened to her.” Princess Cadance remarked with a worried expression.

“I'm sure she's just fine. In fact I'm sure she'll be showing up any-” Princess Celestia began to say only for a blast of magic to connect with her royal chair, obliterating it in an explosion of splinters and wood.

All three Alicorn's attention was yanked to the source of the attack prepared to defend themselves only to gawk in shock as Twilight stood on the other side of the royal hall, a look of pure rage upon her facial features.

“Why did you do it?! How could you separate a mother from her foal?!” Twilight roared as she walked along the hall growing closer and closer with each rage filled step that echoed throughout the hall.

“Twilight, I'm afraid I don't know what you're-” Princess Celestia began to say only to be cut off as another blast of magic impacted less than a foot away from her head into the wall directly behind her.

“The next one won't miss. NOW ANSWER ME!” Twilight roared as she stepped up to the Alicorn and stood less than five feet from her.

Celestia's expression became sympathetic now as she knew exactly what Twilight was talking about now. “You have to understand, Twilight. I did what I thought was-” Princess Celestia began to say only to go flying into the wall as Twilight blasted her with a shot of Alicorn level magic.

“Twilight! What in Equestria do you think you're doing?! You just assaulted royalty! That's a criminal offense, even for a princess!” Princess Cadance exclaimed as she ran up to Twilight and stood in front of her.

“M-Move aside, Cadance. Twilight's actions are not unwarranted.” Princess Celestia said aloud as she stood to all fours with a soft groan. “Besides, if she really wanted to hurt me, she would have put a lot more magic behind that spell of hers.” She added as she looked past Cadance to Twilight whom continued to glare at her.

“No more excuses, no more lies! How could you do that to me? To Scootaloo?!”

“Sister, what is Twilight talking about?” Princess Luna whom was in pure shock up till now finally managed to utter out this question.

“So she didn't even tell you? Then let me! She took my daughter, Scootaloo, away from me and wiped all memories I had of her and any events before I gave birth to her!”

This new set of information caused both Alicorn's to stare in shock at Twilight then to Princess Celestia whom made no attempt to deny these claims.

“Leave us.” Princess Celestia said calmly but firmly.

“But sister-”

“I said, LEAVE US!” Princess Celestia roared in none other than her royal Canterlot voice. “I will explain everything once I've had a chance to discuss this matter with Twilight.” She added in her normal voice though it still sounded firm.

Without another word, Princess Cadance and Luna swiftly left the royal hall. With the two now alone, Princess Celestia sighed heavily as she looked over at her royal chance which was not in tatters then to Twilight whom still continued to glare at her with the same rage filled eyes.

“I did it to protect you and your brother. If you recall everything as I think you do, then you will recall that I explicitly said that an incestuous relationship is illegal in Equestria. What do you think would have happened to you and your brother once word got out?” Celestia said as she looked at her former pupil with a stern gaze.

“But it wouldn't have! You could have made sure of this!” Twilight exclaimed as she stomped a hoof on the floor. “Why Princess? I trusted you! Shining Armor trusted you! How could you betray us like that?” Twilight asked, her anger slowly ebbing away and being replaced with sadness and grief.

“Questions would have arisen Twilight! We hid the fact that you were pregnant from all of Canterlot! Not even your parents knew of it! Or did you not recall?” Celestia exclaimed her temper rising slightly until she realized Twilight was genuinely drawing a blank on this particular set of information.

“I see, so not all of your memories have returned.” Celestia remarked as she sat down on the floor now and sighed. “Twilight, I won't deny that what I did was beyond forgivable but please understand, I had your best intentions at heart.”

Twilight stood there for a few moments longer simply staring at her mentor's saddened face. She wanted to hate her forever, she wanted to stay angry but she also knew that her former mentor wouldn't do something so drastic without a good reason. Eventually, Twilight crumbled to the floor and began to sob loudly. “It's not fair!” She sobbed aloud as Princess Celestia stood up, walked over to her, kneeled down and placed an arm around her.

“I would like to discuss this matter further but there's a more pressing matter I must speak with you about.” Princess Celestia said and sighed.

“Discord has betrayed the ponies of Equestria and joined forces with Tirek. ” Princess Celestia remarked solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Twilight's face snapped up to look at her mentor with a shocked expression.”What?! How could he do this?! I thought our friendship meant something to him! I thought he had changed.” Twilight exclaimed her voice filled with a mixture of shock and anger.

“There is no doubt that Tirek is after Alicorn magic. With Discord by his side, we will not be able to stop him from taking it.”

“Once it is in his possession, his power will know no bounds, and all hope will be lost.” Princess Luna's voice came from behind the two at which point Twilight looked back to see Luna and Cadance walking towards them.

“How much did you hear?” Celestia asked with a stern expression.

A coy grin appeared on Luna's face as she spoke. “I'm sorry sister, but I'm afraid I must have had something in my ears up until a few moments ago. I didn't hear anything until you spoke of Tirek.” Luna replied with a knowing look.

“Same here. I don't know why but I couldn't make out more than a muffle till now.” Cadance added with a similar knowing look.

A smile washed over the Alicorn's face upon hearing this before she allowed it to return to its stern state and sighed. “Getting back to the matter at hoof, there is but one solution. It is only by making this sacrifice that Equestria and the lands beyond it might be saved. We must rid ourselves of our magic before Tirek has the chance to steal it from us.”

Upon hearing this, Twilight gave a shocked gasp as her eyes widened...

Betrayal(part 1)

BETRAYAL

PART 1

“Tirek is set on possessing Alicorn magic. When he comes for us, we cannot have what he is looking for.” Luna said aloud in a firm yet confirming voice as she looked at Twilight.

Twilight looked at the three as a silence ensued between the four. The Alicorn wiped her eyes clean of tears, giving a soft sniffle as she did so, her expression now one of understanding. “I'm more than willing to do my part and give up my magic.” She said matter of factly.

A short silence once again ensued before Princess Luna spoke. “You misunderstand. Our magic cannot just disappear into thin air. Somepony must keep it safe.” She said as Princess Cadance walked up to Twilight and stood before her.

“That somepony is you, Twilight.” Cadance added at which point Twilight's expression became a mixture of shock and worry.

“Why me?” Twilight asked clearly not getting the clear picture of why it must be her who will be the one to take on this extremely important task.

“We do not believe that Tirek is aware that a fourth Alicorn princess exists in Equestria. If we transfer our magic to you, Tirek will not know where it has gone.” Princess Celestia explained.

“Um, are we all forgetting that Discord has joined forces with Tirek? He's most likely already told him about me!” Twilight exclaimed due to seeing the flaw in her former mentor's logic.

“I do not think that Discord will be providing Tirek with that information for sometime. If there is one thing I know about Discord, it is that he is not one to trust others easily. Much less one with a power equal to greater than his without some kind of proof presented to him that assures him that he will not be betrayed. It is during this time you must find a way to defeat Tirek.” Princess Celestia replied in a matter of fact tone.

“Do you understand what we're asking of you?” Cadance asked with a worried expression at her sister-in-law.

“Yes. It's just... I'm only now learning how to control my own Alicorn magic. To take on even more–“

“Twilight, you represent the Element of Magic. If there is anypony who can do this, it's you.” Cadance interrupted the lavender Alicorn in an attempt to give her sister-in-law a boost of confidence.

Twilight then looked down at the floor in deep reflection of Cadance's words.“Taking on this task will be one of the most difficult things I'll ever do, but with the help of my friends--”

“I'm sorry, Princess Twilight, but you must keep your new abilities a secret. I fear that your friends being aware of your new power could put them at great risk.” Princess Celestia interjected cutting off the Alicorn once again.

“How is keeping this a secret going to protect them?! As far as they all know, Discord is still on our side! If anything, keeping this a secret endangers them even more than before!” Twilight exclaimed with a glare at Celestia once again finding yet another flaw in her logic.

“Twilight, while I understand your concerns, if your friends were to be informed of the situation, how do you think they would react?” Celestia asked, her tone firm as she spoke.

“They would want to help me find Tirek and Discord so we can defeat them!” Twilight retorted with a glare.

“And with what pray tell?! The elements of harmony are resting within the tree of harmony and you have still yet to find any of the keys to the chest unless I am mistaken.” Princess Celestia replied with a mild glare.

“Much less do we know what the chest may contain. No doubt it must be something of significant importance to you and your friends but what, we do not know.” Luna chimed in.

“Furthermore, even if you were to obtain all six keys in a remarkably short time, there's no telling if the chest would contain the power needed to defeat Tirek in his current state, much less what his state would become if he were to come into possession of Alicorn magic.” Princess Celestia said and gave a soft sigh. “Now do you understand why you must keep this a secret from your friends, Twilight?”

Twilight's eyes narrowed with mistrust at her mentor upon hearing these final words. “Its always about secrets with you, isn't it?” She said, her voice carrying an air of anger within it as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Princess Celestia gave a frustrated sigh. “Now is not the time to be dwelling upon the past! Tirek is most likely on his way here at this very moment! It is vital that we transfer our magic to you long before he arrives so you have a chance to escape without him or Discord sensing you.”

“I'm afraid I must agree with my sister on this matter, Twilight. Time is of the essence and we can ill afford to allow personal issues come between us and the survival of Equestria.” Luna added quickly.

Twilight glared at Celestia for a few moments longer before she hung her head low and sighed aloud. “You're right. This is the fate of Equestria that is hanging in the balance and I can't let my personal grudges get in the way of performing my duty as a princess of Equestria.” She said and raised her head to look at her former mentor once more. “No matter how well founded they may be.” She added, her voice once again carrying the air of anger it had earlier.

“Then we must begin at once.” Celestia said at which point all three Alicorns stood around Twilight and channeled magic into their horns...

MEANWHILE...

As Discord watched Tirek drain the magic from his latest victims, the draconequus suddenly felt a great fluctuation in magic which caused him to seemingly wiggle about in place for a short time. “What? I didn't expect them to do that.” Discord muttered to himself aloud.

Tirek however overheard this mutter and gave a curious glance back at him. “Didn't expect them to do what?” He asked.

“Oh, I simply thought it curious that the ponies have not bothered to put up much more resistance., that's all.” Discord replied casually.

“Hmmph! These pathetic equines couldn't manage more than a whimper against me.” Tirek remarked without bothering to look back at Discord before he continued walking on.

Fluttershy tossed out chicken feed for her pet chickens as she often did in the mornings. The Pegasus was just about to question why the sun hadn't risen yet when she saw Rarity running up to her. The first thing she noticed was that the Unicorn's mane was not its usual prim and proper form but rather, messy and unattended.

The unicorn ran up to the yellow Pegasus and took a few moments to catch her breath before she spoke.“Have you seen Spike?” Rarity asked breathlessly as she panted loudly.

“Why no, I haven't. Wasn't he with you?” Fluttershy inquired curiously.

“He was but...” Rarity began to say only to trail off as she bit her lower lip guiltily for a few moments before she sighed aloud.

“What happened to your mane?” Fluttershy asked curiously, unable to avoid asking the question any longer.

“Who cares what happened to my mane! Spike is out there somewhere and... it's all my fault.” Rarity snapped at the yellow Pegasus at first until she trailed off and said her final four words, sounding as if she was about ready to cry.

Fluttershy recoiled at first due to the unicorn's initial snap at her but upon hearing the rest of what she said, reached out a hoof and placed on Rarity's shoulder in a comforting manner. “Of course I'll help you find him.” She said softly as her friend started to cry softly where she stood.

“I've checked everywhere. I even checked Twilight's library to see if he was there.” Rarity explained and gave a soft sniffle as she wiped her nose with a hoof.

“I still don't understand why he would run away like this. What happened Rarity?” Fluttershy asked curiously as she two left the yellow Pegasus's property and began to head for town.

The unicorn was silent for a time before she stopped walking and lowered her head in shame. “I-I used him, Fluttershy...” she said softly as tears dripped from her cheeks to the ground.

“Used him? For what?” The Pegasus asked looking genuinely confused as to what she meant by these words.

Rarity then looked over to Fluttershy, her expression riddled with self-loathing and sadness. “You know very well what for.” She said before she turned her gaze from the yellow Pegasus and resumed staring at the ground.

“Oh...Oh!” Fluttershy said at first still not getting the big picture until she recalled the unicorn's tale during their sleepover at which point she blushed heavily. “Well...” Fluttershy began to say only to feel her words falter. The Pegasus really had no idea what to say about this.

Rarity stood in place for a little while longer before she resumed walking towards town. “We're wasting time. We simply must find Spike before he gets himself hurt or worse.” She said in a matter of fact tone at which point Fluttershy gave a short gallop to catch up with the Unicorn's pace which seemed to have quickened greatly now.

Twilight walked into her house and sat down at her usual study desk as she let the recent events run through her mind and sighed heavily. “Scootaloo's my daughter...and my brother's the father.” Twilight said aloud and sighed.

The Alicorn then made a nervious expression as she looked to her left and picturing Shining Armor standing there. “Hey, Bro. You know that filly Scootaloo I've been tutoring? Well the funny thing is that she's actually my daughter and you're the father! Crazy world we live in huh?” She finished only to groan and slam her face into her study desk. “Just how does anypony tell their brother that they're the father of their sister's foal when they have no memory of it?!” She grumbled into the wooden surface which muffled her voice as she spoke.

“Who, who!” Owlowiscious exclaimed as if trying to tell the Alicorn something as he landed on her study desk.

Twilight snapped her face up seemingly ignoring the owl as she continued. “And just how am I supposed to tell Scootaloo that I'm her mother?!” She exclaimed, once again made a nervous expression, and looked to her left once more.

“Hey Scootaloo, ya know how you wanted me to find out if you were really related to your parents? Well guess what? Turns out I'm actually your mother and that makes you royalty! Whose your father you ask? Eh-heh, about that....” she said aloud before she once against slammed her face against the study desk with yet another audible groan into the wooden surface.

“Who, who!” Owlowiscious exclaimed putting even more effort into getting his master's attention now though Twilight continued to ignore him.

“I wouldn't even have to deal with this if her highness, hadn't blasted my memories to Tartarus and back!” The Alicorn exclaimed as she snapped her head up and slammed a hoof hard into her desk and unknowing to her shot an uncontrolled burst of magic into it which caused it to explode into splinters and wood in front of her

“Gah! Oh yeah, and lets not forget that she and the other two have entrusted me with so much magical power that I can barely control it!” She exclaimed with an annoyed expression as she attempted to reconstruct her study desk only for yet another uncontrolled burst of magic to blast the fragments to ashes before her eyes.

Upon witnessing this, the Alicorn slammed her hooves over her face and gave a loud and irritated groan as she hopped out of her chair, bucked it from behind her, huffed and puffed for a few minutes in frustration, finally took a deep breath, and let it out slowly which managed to calm her somewhat.

“WHO! WHO!” Owlowiscious literally shouted in front of the Alicorn's face which finally managed to grab her attention.

“What?!” Twilight roared in annoyance of the owls constant pestering only to notice the bird was pointing towards the window. “That's funny, the sun should be up by now...” Twilight remarked aloud in confusion until it clicked with her weary mind at which point her horn sparked with magic.

“The sun should be up by now!” She exclaimed in a panicked tone as she ran to the window and stared at the moon. “Come on Twilight, you can do this!” The Alicorn said aloud to herself as she channeled magic into her horn.

At first, it seemed as if the Alicorn had succeeded only for the sun to wobble and dart behind the hills and the moon wobble back into the skies. This continued for another three times until the sun finally wobbled into the sky and stayed in place.

“Whew! That's done.” Twilight remarked in a relieved tone and turned around. “Spike!” She called out only to get no reply. “That's odd, is he staying with Rarity?” Twilight thought to herself curiously only to twitch loudly as her horn sparked with magic.

Applejack watched the sun wobble into the sky and remain place with a confused look. “Huh, would ya look at that, never seen the sun and moon do that before.” She remarked with a curious look then looked down to see more stallions standing in front of her house than the whole apple family she estimated but for the moment she rushed downstairs and opened the door.

“What in tarnation are y'all doin' here fore'?!” She exclaimed in annoyance.

“Is Rainbow Dash here?” One stallion asked.

“Yeah, we got this flier that she was having a party.” Another stallion chimed in.

“She what now?! Let me see this here flier!” Applejack exclaimed at which point a stallion handed her the flier.

Applejack's face upon seeing the flier filled to the brim with a deep blush and anger as she stared at the flier which depicted her fillyfriend baring all on the flier and stating a time and date for her party titled:

RAINBOW DASH'S PRIVATE PARTY!

COME DOWN TO APPLE ACRE'S FOR A CHANCE TO
HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE WITH THE BEST IN TOWN!

STALLIONS ONLY!

Without warning, Applejack slammed the door shut in the stallion's face, took a deep breath and...

RAINBOOOW DAAASH!

The farm pony shouted at the top of her lungs. She didn't want to believe it but the proof was in her hooves and this tore it.

Rainbow Dash came from upstairs with a smile on her face only for it to vanish upon seeing Applejack's pissed off face. “Hey A-J, What's with the line of stallions outside?” She asked looking genuinely confused.

“Y'all should know! Yer' the one who arranged the whole thing!” Applejack exclaimed as she tossed the flier at Rainbow Dash's hooves.

Upon looking down art the flier, the cyan blue Pegasus's expression adored a deep blush as her ears folded before she looked back at her fillyfriend. “A-J you gotta believe me, I didn't arrange this!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a worried expression on her face.

“I'd like to believe ya Rainbow but that here photo of ya baring your teats and cherrybush for all to see is really hurtin yer case!” Applejack replied as she glared at Rainbow Dash.

“But I didn't make this flier! You gotta believe me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, the desperation in her voice becoming more than apparent now.

“Then explain to me how that thar photo got on the flier.” Applejack replied as she sat on her rump and crossed her front legs as she continued to glare at the Pegasus.

“Its gotta be a fake! I'd never do this! Heck, I wouldn't even do this when I was on the market!” Rainbow Dash replied defensively as she gestured at the flier with her right hoof.

“So, ya mean to tell me that somepony somehow managed to capture your underside, posin' like this, splitin' yer' cherrybush down the middle with both hooves like some playfilly magazine star?” Applejack replied looking completely unconvinced.

“Of course not! You wouldn't catch me dead doing something like that!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed and sighed. “Look, I know this looks bad but you gotta believe me.” Her tone suddenly returning to its desperate state as she looked at her lover with pleading eyes.

“Ah wanna believe ya, Dash. Ah really do... but Ah don't.” Applejack replied as she closed her eyes, stood up, and turned away from Rainbow Dash. “Ah shoulda' known better than to think ya would jump over my side of the fence that easily.” Applejack said softly, her voice cracking as she spoke.

“Applejack... Please...” Rainbow Dash pleaded, tears now forming her eyes as she stared at her lover.

“We're done, Rainbow.” The farm pony said simply, opened the door, shoved the first few stallion's in the line to the side, and left the cyan blue Pegasus's sight before she could manage to utter a word to stop her...

Shining Armor watched the sun finally wobble to the skies and remain their unknowing of the fact that two of his unicorn guards were floating up into the sky.

It was then that Discord appeared next to Shining Armor, his helmet on the draconequus's head instead of his. “Shining Armor, why, whatever are you doing here?” Discord quipped with a smirk.

The unicorn immediately jumped away from Discord and took an offensive stance. “Back off, traitor.” he said with a glare at the draconequus.

“The only one Discord betrayed was himself. Abandoning his true nature to make friends with weak-minded equines who offer him nothing!” Tirek's voice came from to the right of the unicorn at which point Shining Armor turned to face him and fired a beam of offensive magic at the creature only for Tirek to lift a single hand, catch the magic within it, proceed to throw it into his mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed with a light laugh.

Tirek then walked up to Shining Armor, grabbing him by the muzzle, opened his mouth, and proceeded to drain the unicorn of every ounce of magic he possessed.

Shining Armor's body collapsed to the floor before he managed to weakly look up to Discord. “How... could you... do this...?” He asked weakly before he passed out.

Discord looked upon the unicorn with a perplexed expression for a short time before Tirek placed an arm around him. “Why don't you go and have a little fun? I won't stand in your way.” Tirek said aloud with a smirk and walked away.

Unknown to Tirek however, Discord merely narrowed his eyes at the centaur as he walked towards the royal chambers...

The door to the royal chambers was blasted off its hinges as Tirek trampled inside and stared at the three Alicorns with a victorious grin upon his face. He then walked up to Princess Celestia and attempting to drain her magic. It was then that his victorious grin vanished and was replaced with one of confusion as Celestia grinned back at him with a knowing look.

“What have you done?!” He exclaimed and tried to drain the other Alicorn's magic only for the same result to occur. “Where is your magic?!” He roared at the top of his lungs.

The front door to Twilight's home was blasted off its hinges leaving the Alicorn staring in shock at the results of her merely attempting to open her front door with her magic. “I have to gain better control. I sure can't practice here.” She remarked aloud thoughtfully before she broke into a full gallop and took off from the ground.

“Waaaaah!” Twilight exclaimed at the top of her lungs as she blasted through the skies at Mach-Three, clearly unable to control the speed of her flight and leaving a streak in the color of her mane in her wake.

Rainbow Dash now laid on a cloud sobbing softly to herself. “Who would do this to us? Why didn't she believe me?” Rainbow Dash asked aloud between sniffles and sobs.

Suddenly, the cyan blue Pegasus was sent spinning in place comically as Twilight zipped past her, leaving her dazed for a short time until her sight managed to steady itself at which point she realized it was Twilight who in fact sped past her. “Whoa! Twilight?” She exclaimed in confusion and utter disbelief of the Alicorn's sheer speed.

It was at this exact moment that Fluttershy and Rarity were walking through Ponyville. “We've looked everywhere. Oh this is all my fault! I such a terrible pony!” Rarity exclaimed as she sobbed softly.

Fluttershy then laid a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. “Now, Now... I'm sure he'll turn up eventually.” She said comfortingly only for her and Rarity's attention to be yanked skyward as Twilight's voice cried out and see the Alicorn speeding a crossed the skies.

“What the-?!” Rarity exclaimed without thinking.

“Wow... I didn't know Twilight could fly that fast.” Fluttershy said aloud in amazement.

“Y'all saw that too right?” Applejack's voice called out which caused Rarity and Fluttershy to look to their left to see Applejack running up to the two.

“Wowie! Twilight's gotten really good at flying!” Pinkie Pie's voice exclaimed at which point the other three looked over to see Pinkie Pie standing there when she wasn't moments before.

“Is it just me or did Twilight sound less than happy with the results of her flight?” Rarity remarked curiously.

“Why do ya think Ah'm here? Ah saw her zippin' a crossed the skies and screamin' like she just got shot out of pumpkin launcher.”

“Oh my, you don't think she may be in some kind of trouble do you?” Fluttershy asked with a worried expression.

“Only one way to find out, come on everypony!” Applejack exclaimed and ran in the direction of Twilight's flight path followed closely by the other three.

About this time, Twilight was attempting to land on the ground only to hit it hard and dig up dirt as she skidded to a halt. “ohh...” Twilight remarked aloud as she stood up and rubbed her sore hindquarters. “That's going to leave a mark...” The Alicorn remarked with a wince as she stared at her hindquarters which looked bruised at the moment.

A few moments later, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash ran up to the Alicorn. Each one with a look of worry and concern adorned on their faces as they looked at her.

“Oh, my goodness, are you all right?” Fluttershy asked.

“Jumpin' junebugs, Twilight! When did you learn to fly that fast?” She asked as she watched the Alicorn twitch violently as if she was being shocked by electricity.

The Alicorn was now sweating profusely as she replied. “I must have caught a particularly strong breeze...” she began to say only to spontaneously teleport behind Rarity “or something.” She added after a moment.

“Must have been 'or something', because there wasn't any breeze up there.” Rainbow Dash remarked with an unsure expression towards the Alicorn as she walked past them.

“I don't know what happened, but I don't really have time to figure it out right now.” Twilight replied only to seize up as she felt a surge of magic zip through her body like electricity.

“Another visit to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I presume? We'd be more than happy to accompany you!” Rarity replied forcing a smile on her face as she spoke as did the others who stood next to each other smiling.

However Applejack's eyes found themselves looking over at Rainbow Dash and her smile vanished. “Maybe not all of us.” Applejack remarked bitterly at which point Rainbow Dash looked over at the farm pony, her smile vanishing as well.

“Not today!” Twilight exclaimed only to seize up again as yet another surge of magic zipped through her body like electricity. “Tirek may still be a threat. I need you all to stay here and encourage everypony to remain inside.” She added and made a motion to take off only to glance back at her wings and second-guess her decision by walking instead.

Once Twilight was out of sight, Applejack's expression became one of resentment as she turned about-face and began to walk away from the cyan blue Pegasus. “A-J... Come on, you can't still be mad at me can you?” Rainbow Dash said doing her best to not break into tears once again.

“Ah'm not mad, Rainbow. I'm hurt because of ya two-timin' me. Now if ya would kindly leave me alone, Ah'd appreciate it.” Applejack replied calmly before she continued to walk away, leaving the other three looking on in confusion of what had just transpired while Rainbow Dash fell to the ground and sobbed loudly while a certain stallion looked on from afar with a wicked grin upon his face...

Betrayal(part 2)

BETRAYAL

PART 2

“Rainbow Dash, what was that about?” Rarity asked with a confused expression as the cyan blue Pegasus continued to sob loudly.

“Yeah! Last I knew, you and Applejack were making mare juice every night!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed only to earn a glare from Rarity and even Fluttershy. “What?! You didn't know they were doing the chimmy-chunga every night?” The pink mare replied seemingly misinterpreting the glares she was getting for looks of confusion.

“Pinkie Pie, darling. Could you do us all a favor and shut that pie hole you call a mouth for the next five minutes?!” Rarity said, sounding extremely polite at first, only to begin speaking through gritted teeth, sounding extremely irritated and annoyed by the end of her statement. The unicorn then walked over to Rainbow Dash and placed a hoof on her head.

“Can you tell us what happened, darling?” Rarity said in the most polite and comforting tone she could muster as she spoke to the sobbing Pegasus.

“Oh, my! I saw the whole thing from the juice stand. Why, Rainbow Dash, how could A-J bare to consider the idea of you cheating on her?!” A stallion no pony recognized suddenly said as he walked up to Rainbow Dash and stood a few feet from her.

Upon hearing these words, Rainbow Dash's sobs suddenly came to an abrupt halt much to the confusion of Rarity at first until without warning, in a flash of a rainbow streak, the unknown stallion was tackled and slammed against the wall of the nearest building with Rainbow Dash's hoof around his throat.

“You conniving, low-down, scheming, sack of pony manure! You did all of this, didn't you?!” Rainbow Dash seethed between gritted teeth as she stared at him with a rage-filled expression despite the tears that were still streaming from her eyes as the stallion choked and gagged.

It took a brief time but Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie realized what had happened and rushed over to the scene. “Rainbow, stop it! You're going to kill him!” Rarity exclaimed as she attempted to use her magic to remove the cyan blue Pegasus's hoof from around the stallion's throat.

She succeeded only for Rainbow Dash to slug the stallion acrossed the face no sooner she had released her magical hold of her hoof which caused him to fall to the ground.

The stallion coughed for a few moments before he looked up at Rainbow Dash. “Teh, quick to jump to conclusions aren't we? And here I was simply coming over to console a friend.” The stallion remarked in a seemingly offended manner.

The cyan blue Pegasus attempted to lunge at him once again only for Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy to hold her back. “You're full of horseapples, Swashbuck! You've been after what's under my tail ever since you got a piece of it six months ago!” Rainbow Dash roared as she struggled against her friend's grip, doing her best to break free but to no avail.

Swashbuck merely scoffed in response to this statement. “Puh-leeease! If I wanted to get laid that badly, I have more options than just you.” He said nonchalantly as he dusted off his shoulders.

“I was never an option for you! That's why you've been after me for the past six months! Admit it, you're the one to organized this whole thing, didn't you?!” Rainbow Dash retorted, still struggling against the hold upon her but making no progress.

Swashbuck merely chuckled in response to this accusation. “Why, I haven't the slightest idea of what you're talking about.” He replied nonchalantly once again before a sneer appeared on his face. “If there's anypony whose to blame for this, its you.” He added at which point Rainbow Dash struggled even more so.

“Don't, Rainbow! He's not worth it!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Please, stop Rainbow Dash. We don't want you to get in trouble!” Fluttershy added.

“Yeah, leave the meanie-pants alone!” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

Rainbow Dash struggled a little longer before she finally stopped and sighed. “You're right, the mule isn't worth it.” She said finally.

“That's rich, coming from the biggest slut in Ponyville!” Swashbuck retorted.

All three mares gasped in shock at this remark, looked down at Rainbow Dash whose expression was livid and then back to Swashbuck. “Okay!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, releasing her grip upon the cyan blue Pegasus as did the other two.

“That's it!” Rainbow Dash roared as she tackled the stallion.

“Smile!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she yanked a camera from no where and began to take pictures of the fiasco:

Click!
Rainbow Dash's hoof connected with Swashbuck's face
Click!
Rainbow Dash slammed a hoof into Swashbuck's gut, knocking the wind out of him
Click!
Swashbuck's expression looked extremely pained now as Rainbow Dash's hind hooves slammed hard into his pride.

Pinkie Pie took several more pictures until Rainbow Dash stood up and walked away from the stallion, leaving him whimpering loudly as he held his balls with multiple bruises on his body.

“Would you care to inform us on who this uncouth ruffian is?” Rarity asked as Rainbow Dash walked over to the other three and wiped sweat from her forehead.

“His name is Swashbuck. He landed me in bed once but never again.” Rainbow Dash replied as she walked past the three.

“Never again?” Pinkie Pie asked curiously to which Rainbow Dash sighed.

“He was too controlling and demanding. Can you imagine being forced to deep-throat him while he blew his load?” Rainbow Dash replied and shuddered at the memory.

“I do that to Discord all the time.” Fluttershy added without thinking, blushed beat red and seemed to melt into a puddle of embarrassment before her friends as they gawked at her in sheer shock for a short time, the sound of monkey chatter seemingly leaving their gapping mouths before they continued walking on.

“Anyways... He approached me a few days ago and 'offered' to get rid of the stallions who had been showing up. I'm sure that scheming mule is behind this, I just need proof.” Rainbow Dash continued.

“And just how are you going to find this proof?” Rarity asked, taking note of the fact that the three were heading in the direction of the lesser traveled parts of Ponyville.

“If there's one pony who knows about shady characters in Ponyville like the back of her hoof and who might pull a stunt like this, it's her.” Rainbow Dash answered though the three didn't know who the mare was speaking of.

“Um, who would 'her' be?” Fluttershy managed to utter out while they continued to walk towards their destination.

The three then stopped in front of a familiar stage.

“Holy-Moly! This is Trix-mmmph,mmph!” Pinkie Pie began to blurt out until Rainbow Dash literally shoved a hoof in her mouth to shut the pink mare up and gave an irritated sigh.

“Why would she know? For all we know, she's the one behind this whole thing!” Rarity said aloud angrily, the grudge from the embarrassment the show-mare forced her to endure apparent in her voice as she spoke.

“Doubt it. She's got no motive.” Rainbow Dash remarked in a light-hearted manner.

“No motive?” Rarity asked curiously.

“Yeah, with me being off the market, she's got no competition. See, she charged and I didn't.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smirk.

“Wait, you mean to say that she...” Rarity replied only to trail off as if to say the words was impossible.

“Puts out flank for bits? Yep.” Rainbow Dash replied and knocked on the door.

“Trixie is on break! Come back later!” the show-mare's voice resounded from inside the door.

“Open up Trixie! I need to talk with you about something and you're the only mare in Ponyville who could possibly know.” Rainbow Dash replied only to be met with silence.

The small window to Trixie's door popped open and the show-mare's eyes could be see looking through this small square space. “What do you want?” Trixie asked aloud, her voice clearly filled with a sense of grudging against the cyan blue Pegasus.

“Can't talk about it out here. Let us in.” Rainbow Dash replied looking to her friends who exchanged nervous and unsure looks.

“I'm afraid that The Great and Powerful Trixie does not let anypony in unless they are a paying customer.” Trixie replied and slammed the small wooden panel shut.

Upon hearing and witnessing the show-mare's response, Rainbow Dash let out an irritated groan.

“It seems we've met a dead end, in our search for answers darling.” Rarity remarked only for Rainbow Dash's expression to become one of a grin.

“Nah, she just needs some encouragement is all.” Rainbow Dash replied in a light-hearted manner, turned about-face, reared up, and bucked the door open before any of her friends could utter a word to stop her.

“How dare you!” Trixie exclaimed in an outraged tone as Rainbow Dash walked followed by Rarity, Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie was just about to walk inside when the door was slammed in her face.

“Hey! What gives?!” She exclaimed with an offended expression.

The small wooden panel then opened up and Rainbow Dash's face could be seen within the square space. “Sorry Pinkie. It's crowded enough with just the three of us in here.” She said and closed the panel.

“Cupcakes!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she kicked up dirt in annoyance.

“How dare you invade Trixie's private quarters without her permission!” Trixie exclaimed as she kicked a box under the make-shift bed in her quarters.

Rainbow Dash however smirked having fully seen the contents of the box. “We weren't interrupting anything were we?” She quipped with a grin.

“O-Of course not! Trixie was merely tiding up her living quarters is all!” Trixie retorted with a deep blush.

“Whatever. Point is, I've got a question for you. Since you know Ponyville like the back of your hoof, you seen Swashbuck lately?” Rainbow Dash asked

“Sorry no. Is that all you wanted to ask?” Trixie asked as she glared at the cyan blue Pegasus.

“One more question, heard anything about anypony hiring a unicorn? Particularly one skilled in creating fake pictures of ponies with perfect accuracy?” She asked as she leaned against the wooden wall of the room.

“Trixie has not heard anything.” Trixie replied a little too quickly for Rainbow Dash's taste as she show-mare grinned at the three.

“Not buying that one Trixie. You know something, I can tell by how you're grinning at us.” Rainbow Dash replied with an annoyed look at the show-mare.

“Trixie might know something... But it does not come for free.” Trixie replied her grin becoming wider if possible.

Upon hearing this, Rainbow Dash let out yet another aggravated sigh.

“Trixie wonders... Just how important this information is to you. After all, Trixie has already heard about you and that farm pony.” Trixie added her grin slowly turning into a sneer.

“Just how much have you heard?” Rainbow Dash inquired with a raised eye-brow now as she looked at the show-mare.

“Enough to know that you and your fillyfriend are...how does Trixie put it? 'Not on the best terms' at the moment.” She replied with a knowing look.

“You weren't in on this as well, were you?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she took a threatening step towards the unicorn who merely laughed at this accusation.

“Heavens no! Trixie does not get her hooves dirty, even if it was against somepony she would simply love to see suffer for causing her such embarrassment!” Trixie replied as she walked over to one side of her room, reached into her drawer and gave a light laugh. “I must say, this does look scandalous!” She remarked with a grin at Rainbow Dash as she pulled out the flier from her drawer. “So, are you willing to pay up? I can guarantee you that this information is exactly what you need to put Swashbuck in his place.”

“Fine!” Rainbow Dash huffed as she tossed a bag of bits in front of the show-mare whom proceeded to look inside the bag and grin widely.

“You can find the unicorns who forged your image in their store on cupcake lane. It's the store with a big blue neon sign that reads 'Magical Wonders'. You can't miss it.” She instructed as she lifted the bag of bits up with her magic and placed it into her drawer.

“Wait... Why are you so willing to help us when you just got done saying you would love to see one of us suffer?” Rarity asked with a suspicious glance at the show-mare.

“Trixie will merely say this...” Trixie began to say only to trail off. “No pony double-crosses The Great And Powerful Trixie and gets away with it.” She said, her face suddenly filled with anger as she spoke. “Now if you would kindly leave Trixie's living quarters.” She added as she used her magic to open the door.

“This Swashbuck fellow sounds like a really bad pony...” Fluttershy remarked as she three walked out of Trixie's home and past Pinkie Pie whom immediately began to follow the three.

“Swashbuck is one of the richest ponies in Ponyville, he thinks bits and looks can buy him anything. Another reason he only landed me once.” Rainbow Dash remarked as the four began to make their way towards the shop.

“What did she say?! Come on, tell me!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she followed the three.

“Getting rid of your magic so that I cannot take it from you? That was your plan?” Tirek remarked looking less than pleased at first with what he had heard before his expression became a sneer. “How does it feel, knowing that soon, every Pegasus, unicorn and Earth pony will bow to my will, and that there is nothing you can do to stop it?” He said as she conjured magical balls which contained the shape of a Pegasus, earth pony, and Unicorn in front of himself before he used both hands to crush the three in front of the Alicorns.

“You will not prevail, Tirek.” Princess Celestia said defiantly as she glared at the centaur.

Tirek narrowed his eyes at the three as he channeled magic between his horns and opened up a portal to Tartarus. “Give my regards to Cerberus.” He said in a low tone as he levitated the three, sent them into the portal, and closed it.

“You meant our will, didn't you?” Discord remarked as he played with the images in the stain-paned glass.

“Of course. Here, I want you to have something. This was given to me by someone very close to me. I give it to you as a sign of my gratitude and loyalty.” Tirek replied with a smile as he yanked the medallion that was around his neck off and handed it to the draconequus.

“Oh, my! I do love a good accessory.” Discord remarked in a dlighted tone before he placed his lions paw upon his chin hair and began to stroke it with a thoughtful expression. “I suppose that's Rarity's influence.” He added.

Tirek walked past one of the windows and laughed at the image of him and Discord looking victorious over ponies “Amusing. But we have no time for such things. With the princesses out of the way, we can now--” He began to say only for his eyes to fall upon the window which depicted Princess Twilight.“is this meant to be humorous?!” He roared in outrage.

“Oh, no, This is!” Discord quipped as he conjured a pull down screen, yanked on the cord, and revealed a live action movie of Rainbow Dash and Applejack having sex in the privacy of their bedroom complete with sound, only for it to be blasted into flames literally two seconds after he had conjured the movie. “ Ahem, I haven't touched that one yet.” He added with a nervous expression.

“There's a fourth? And you did not tell me this?!” Tirek exclaimed, looking outraged.

“I just needed some assurance that you truly considered this a team effort. And now I have it.” Discord remarked as he looked down at the medallion.

Tirek then walked over to the draconequus, grabbed him by neck, and spoke. “Then where can we find this fourth princess? Where is her castle?” He demanded as he glared at Discord, only for him to burst out laughing.

“Castle? No, Princess Twilight lives above a library in Ponyville.” Discord explained at which point Tirek released his grip on the draconequus and began to walk down towards the exit to the royal hall.

“Not for much longer.” Tirek remarked with a sinister grin as he melted the window with Twilight's image in it as he walked away.

“Why does this not surprise me?” Rainbow Dash remarked with a glare as she looked at the big blue neon sign.

FLIM AND FLAM'S MAGICAL WONDERS!

“These two seem to always be at the center of one scheme or another.” Rarity remarked with a disgusted look only to take note of the cyan blue Pegasus's expression. “Now Rainbow, lets not do anything rash.” she added with a nervous expression as the cyan blue Pegasus opened the door to the shop.

Almost immediately, Flam appeared from behind a table. “Welcome to Flim and Flam's-” He began to say only to realize who he was in fact staring at and immediately turned about-face to bolt towards the back.

“Where ya going Flam?” Rainbow Dash asked with a light-hearted expression only her voice had a strange air of threat to it as she lifted a chair up and chucked it at the unicorn, hitting him squaring in the hind legs which knocked him to the floor.

“Did I not just get done saying not to do anything rash?!” Rarity exclaimed with a mildly panicked expression as she witnessed this.

“Relax, I didn't break anything...” She replied with a smirk only to look back at Flam, her expression becoming pissed off. “Yet.” she added in a low tone as she approached the unicorn.

“R-Rainbow D-Dash! Wh-What brings you heeeere?!” Flam began to stutter only to be lifted up and slammed against the nearest wall by Rainbow Dash which caused him to nearly squeal his final word.

“You and your brother made a new friend, didn't you, Flam?” Rainbow Dash said in a light-hearted tone though her facial expression showed anything but.

“I-I don't know what you're-waah!” Flam began to say only for Rainbow Dash to chuck him into a table which snapped the table in half as the stallion's body impacted with it.

“Um, shouldn't we stop her?” Fluttershy remarked meekly which caused Rarity and Pinkie Pie to look at her as if she had suggested the impossible. “Be my guest.” Rarity said and gestured a hoof in Rainbow Dash's direction as the mare lifted up Flam and slammed him against another wall.

“Swashbuck paid you two to make those fake pictures of me, didn't he?!” Rainbow Dash roared into the unicorn's face which caused him to go even more pale than he already was.

“U-Um...” Flam began to say only to trail off.

“Ya know, that window over there is looking mighty interesting about now.” Rainbow Dash remarked with a smirk as she looked over at the display window to their shop and began to drag the unicorn over to it.

“O-Okay! He did!” Flam managed to blurt out just as Rainbow Dash made a motion to begin chucking him which caused her to halt herself and yank him so that he was facing her, face to face.

“For your sake, you better have proof.” Rainbow Dash said, her tone and expression making the quivering unicorn nearly urinate on himself as she let him go and began to follow him to the back room. “Go get A-J. She's gonna want to see this.” Rainbow Dash added as she looked over to her friends whom nodded and left the shop post-haste.

“Looks like she needs a little more encouragement before she comes crawling back to me. No matter, no pony can resist me for long...” Swashbuck muttered to himself as he placed a bandage on his hindquarters as he sat in his estate building.

Suddenly, the construction pony's door was bucked off its hinges to which he snapped his gaze to it only to go pale as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie now stood in his doorway. “What in Equestria is-” he began to say only for Applejack to buck a coffee table closest to him straight at the stallion which he was forced to dive down to dodge barely.

“Ya low-down varmint! Ya think y'all could mess with me and mah fillyfriend's relationship and get away with it?!” Applejack roared at top of her lungs.

Swashbuck looked at the farm mare confused at first until Rainbow Dash approached. “I found out who you hired to frame me, Swashbuck! Should of thought twice before you hired the Flim-Flam brothers to do your dirty work for you!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a loathing stare.

Swashbuck's eyes now narrowed upon realizing he had been found out. “You were so ready to believe that Rainbow Dash hadn't really gone lesbian... I barely had to send ten stallion's over to ask for Rainbow Dash to get you to begin to doubt her. I was sure I'd have to send more to get you to begin to doubt her. Really pathetic actually. The element of honesty, keeping her doubts such a secret.” Swashbuck remarked with a sneer only for Rainbow Dash to slug him upside the cheek which knocked him to the floor.

Applejack however halted her fillyfriend as she approached the stallion. “Yer' right, Ah was havin' a hard time believin' Rainbow would jump over to mah side of the fence so easily and quickly but how did you know this?

“I'm the richest stallion in Ponyville, did you really think I didn't have eyes and ears all acrossed town?” Swashbuck replied with a chuckle as he stood up to all fours and stared at the five.

“Ah don't buy that for one cotton-pickin' second! Ah never told anypony about this!” Applejack exclaimed as she took several dangerous steps towards the stallion the anger her in step clearly heard with each hoof-step she took.

“Twitchy-Twitch!” Pinkie Pie suddenly exclaimed as she dashed forward and tackled Applejack and Rainbow Dash out of the way just in time to barely dodge being crushed under the full weight of the chandelier above them.

“Th-Thanks Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash stuttered out as she gawked at what would have been her and Applejack laying injured or worse under the chandelier if not for her friend's Pinkie-sense.

“Y-You just tried to hurt them, didn't you?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she pointed an accusing hoof at the stallion.

“And how did I manage that? I'm standing right here and I assure you I am quite alone.” Swashbuck replied looking as if he was offended by the claim made by the mare.

“Oh, it was you alright! My Pinkie-sense told me it was!” Pinkie Pie retorted as she gestured her hoof at the stallion more fiercely now.

“Pinkie, as much as I would love to believe this uncouth ruffian would do something like that, you have no proof. How could he manage to cause the chandelier to fall on Rainbow Dash and Applejack if he hadn't moved from where he stood.

Swashbuck then narrowed his eyes at the pink mare only to snap them wide as he stared at her.

Pinkie Pie's right eye twitched, her tail wiggled erratically, her legs wobbled, and her ears began to twitch sporadically. “Whoa! Never had my pinkie-sense do that before!” The pink mare exclaimed as she sat down and gabbed both ears to stop them from twitching.

Rainbow Dash once again looked to chandelier then to Swashbuck then back to the chandelier once more before she looked at Rarity. “Pinkie Pie's Pinkie-sense is never wrong, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said matter of factly before she turned to look at Swashbuck and glared at him walked up to him and attempted to slug him in the face once more only for her hoof to seemingly halt less than an inch from the stallion's cheek. “What gives?!” She exclaimed in confusion.

“That will quite enough of the physical abuse, Rainbow Dash.” Swashbuck said, his tone becoming threatening and expression turning into a sneer.

“Twitchy-Twitch!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, jumped behind Rainbow Dash and prepared herself for impact.

Without warning, the cyan blue Pegasus was tossed a crossed the room by her hoof and landed right on top of Pinkie Pie whom caught her barely and skidded a few feet acrossed the floor next to Rarity, much to the shock and confusion of everypony.

Swashbuck gave an annoyed sigh as he walked towards the five, objects seemingly moving to the side of their own accord as he approached them.

“Jumpin-Junebugs! How the hay is he doin' that without a horn?!” Applejack exclaimed as she took several cautious steps away from Swashbuck as he approached her.

“Ask the pink one, she knows.” Swashbuck replied with a grin as a chair floated into the air next to him and flew straight for the farm mare only for Pinkie Pie to tackle her out-of-the-way just in time.

“How is he doing this Pinkie?!” Rainbow Dash asked fearfully as yet another chair flew towards her only for Pinkie Pie to tackle her to the floor once again.

“He's got a Pinkie-sense like mine except it's not like mine! It's hard to explain!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she looked back at Swashbuck whom stared at the five with a wicked sneer upon his face only to burst out laughing upon hearing the pink mare's words.

“Pinkie-sense? Is that what you call your ability to predict things before they happen? You prevented me from probing your mind without even trying and yet you have no idea how you managed it?” Swashbuck said with a disappointed look at Pinkie Pie before he continued speaking as he stood in place for the moment. “And here I thought you knew more about your gift than you let on. A shame, really.” He finished at which point Pinkie Pie began to float up into the air much to her own panic.

“Tell me pink one, do you know what'd going to happen now?” He asked with a sinister grin.

As if on cue, Pinkie Pie's Pinkie-sense went off at which point her mane deflated as she looked at Swashbuck with a dreading expression. “Oh, cupcakes...” She said aloud in a dreading tone and gave a terrified cry as she suddenly flew straight past Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash and through the front door which slammed shut promptly afterward.

“Now then, without your convenient 'ahead of time warning system' out-of-the-way, we can really begin...” Swashbuck said with a wicked grin as he stared at the four who looked on in confusion and terror...

Betrayal(Part 3)

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Magic Duel

MAGIC DUEL

Twilight sat a good ten miles from Ponyville now as she looked over the edge of a cliff with a saddened expression. As much as she wanted to practice, the thoughts of Scootaloo and her brother plagued her mind. "What do I tell them? Its not like I can just walk up to my brother and explain to him that he knocked me up with his daughter when he has no memory of even doing such a thing." The Alicorn remarked aloud and sighed.

"And Scootaloo, How could I possibly explain why I left her? Sure I could tell that it wasn't my fault and that it was Celestia's doing but then she'd ask why princess Celestia would do such a thing to begin with… How can I explain to my own daughter that she's the product of an incestious relationship? It could shatter her very world. After all, I'm sure I wouldn't react well if I was told that my parents were brother and sister." She continued and sighed once more.

The Alicorn sat there a little longer, running the possible scenarios through her mind of how she could tell Scootaloo at the very least. "She has the right to know, besides if any evil pony found out she was my daughter, even in passing, she's royalty and it could put her in great danger." Twilight surmised.

The wind blew through her mane as she looked down towards Ponyville, despite being unable to see anything within the town, she pictured Scootaloo's smiling face which caused her to let out a happy sigh. "At least she's been well taken care of all of these years but I can't help but wonder, I was pregnant with her when I was a unicorn, both me and Shining Armor were unicorns, how could she be a Pegasus? Could it have been like the cakes? They said they had a unicorn and Pegasus in their family tree but then again, according to Scootaloo, Mr. Cake isn't the father either." Twilight pondered aloud as she gave a thoughtful glance towards the city.

Twilight then recalled the fact that despite Scootaloo's age, she still is unable to fly. This very thought put a very horrifying aspect into her mind. "Oh no, what if because me and Shining Armor are brother and sister, it caused her to have a birth defect? If that's the case, her wings may never fully grow out and she might never fly. And it would be all our fault…" Twilight surmised once again as tears of guilt threatened to stream from her eyes.

"No! I won't let that happen to her! First thing I'm going to do after all this is over, is cast a spell on her to allow her wings to grow out fully!" Twilight exclaimed out in a determined tone only to frown once again. "If only there was a spell that allowed me to do that…" She added in a depressed tone.

It was at this exact moment that her horn surged with magic at which point she suddenly found herself teleported to the front of a waterfall, on top of a charging pack of buffaloes, and then between two hard rocks. The Alicorn let out an irritated growl at her lack of control over her magic. "I swear if my magic had a voice it would crack a very bad joke right about now…" Twilight remarked irritably

PRINCESS TWILIGHT!

A voice roared which Twilight immediately recognized due to the sisters transferring not only their magic to her but part of their memories of Tirek to her as well. "Tirek!" She exclaimed in a whisper.

You have something that belongs to me!

Tirek's voice roared once again at which point Twilight exploded from between the rocks and soared past the Centar unintentionally, made a U-turn and skidded to a halt by slamming smack dab into Tirek's leg. The Alicorn immediately backed away from Tirek in fear as his full form stood before her.

"You're going to give me what I want!" Tirek exclaimed and began to inhale in an attempt to drain the Alicorn's magic only for Twilight to teleport away to the one place she could think of which was her library.

"Princess Twilight?" A voice asked which Twilight instantly recognized as Scootaloo's as she looked down.

She quickly looked into her telescope and saw Tirek charging up a huge magical blast and firing it at her. Maternal instinct kicked in almost immediately as the Alicorn teleported to Scootaloo and huddled over her with her body and wings to shield her daughter from the incoming blast.

With a fearsome explosion, Twilight and Scootaloo were thrust from the library and landed on the ground a short distance away. The Alicorn looked back to see her home in flames, completely destroyed and gasped in horror. She then turned her attention to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, my little foal, are you alright?!" She asked without thinking.

For a few moments, the filly did not stir but then she let out a soft groan. "You called me 'your foal'… why?" Scootaloo asked weakly.

Twilight looked at her daughter for a short time with a warm smile. "I'll explain later, right now you're in great danger and I need you to get to safety. Can you walk?" She asked as she stood up and looked towards Tirek whom was walking towards Ponyville.

"Yeah, I think so…" Scootaloo said as she stood up weakly and gave one last look at her mother and though Twilight suspected she may know the truth now, the filly quickly galloped away leaving the Alicorn alone.

As much as Twilight didn't want to leave her daughter's side, she knew that Tirek was after her Alicorn magic and would stop at nothing to obtain it.

"You destroyed my home…" Twilight said aloud, the anger within building up as she watched Tirek continue to approach Ponyville. "Threatened my daughter's life…" She continued, the anger within her nearing its breaking point. "And you expect me to sit back and let you drain my magic?!" Twilight roared as she erupted from the ground and charged at Tirek full throttle

Almost immediately the Alicorn charged up a beam of magic and fired it Tirek whom conjured a magical shield to defend himself. The sheer magnitude and force of blast forcing him to dig up dirt and stone as it pushed the Centar back. A massive explosion erupted behind Tirek whom could still feel the backdraft of the blast as he stared at Twilight in suprise.

"Now I understand what the princesses have done" He remarked as Twilight landed a short distance from him, her horn sparking with magic as she glared at him. small pebbles around the Alicorn began to rise as the Alicorn charged up her magic, erupted from the ground and charged at Tirek whom charged up his own magical blast and fired it at the Alicorn whom was forced to conjure a shield of her own to protect herself from the blast.

"He's strong!" Twilight thought to herself as she used every ounce of magic she had to maintain the shield. She then thrust her head forward, the look of determination and rage in her eyes clear as day as she glared at him. "But I can't let him win! Not only is Scootaloo depending on me but everypony in Equestria!" She thought to herself dramatically as she teleported to the ground and fired a beam of magic at the Centar who let out a growl of pain as the blast hit him dead on.

Tirek then levitated the Alicorn the thrust her into a nearby mountain which caused Twilight to let out a horrified cry as she flew into the mountain but it was clear that the Centar wasn't finished yet as he charged forward at her, impacting with her and the mountain and through it!

Twilight immediately teleported above him and quickly charged a beam of magic which she fired directly downward which impacted with Tirek with such force and strength that if the Centar were not as powerful as he was, would have crushed every bone in his body as it was literally crushed flat under the sheer pressure of the Alicorn's blast and sent flying to the ground with a loud crash.

Twilight however wasn't done as she fired yet another powerful beam of magic at the temporarily incapacitated villain which resulted in a violent explosion of debris, dust and earth that buried Tirek into the ground. Twilight landed on the ground and barely had time to take a breath when Tirek began to blast a beam of magic around the Alicorn, lifted the slab of earth up, and chucked it with Twilight still standing on it away.

With quick thinking, Twilight quickly ejected herself off the surface of the slab of earth and took for the skies towards Tirek though the Centar seemed to be prepared for this as he slammed both fists into the ground with such force that pieces of the earth were erupted out of the ground which barred the Alicorn's way.

This however didn't halt Twilight's advance in the slightest as she blasted each fragment of earth in her way as she passed it.

Once the Alicorn was clear of the obstacles, she charged up her strongest beam of magic she could muster as did Tirek at the same time.

Both great powers impacted at once, creating such an explosion of sheer magical power that if anypony were standing in the middle would have felt nothing and been incinerated instantly.

The impact however had managed to bury Tirek in ruble which he shoved away as Twilight approached him.

"It seems we are at an impasse…" Tirek said as she stared down at the Alicorn. "How about a trade, Princess Twilight?" He offered as he snapped his finger which caused Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and Discord to appear in floating bubbles behind him. "Their release for all the Alicorn magic in Equestria!"

"Where's Fluttershy?!" Twilight immediately demanded as she noticed the Pegasus was missing.

"Teh! Don't ask me! Discord teleported her away before I drained his magic." Tirek replied casually. "So, do we have a deal?"

Almost immediately, everypony began to speak up on protest.

"Don't do it, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash shouted though her voice was muffled by the bubble of magic that held her.

"We're not worth it!" Rarity added quickly.

"Enough! I want an answer and I want now or they die!" Tirek roared as he glared at the Alicorn.

Twilight gasped softly and immediately gave a thoughtful glance for a short time before she spoke. "I will give you my magic, in exchange for my friends." She said finally much to the shock and horror of her friends whom gasped upon hearing this.

"As you wish." Tirek replied as he snapped his fingers which caused the four mares plus dragon to be lowered to the ground and the magical bubbles which held them pop as they landed.
"All my friends!" Twilight exclaimed sternly.

"After the way he has betrayed you, you still call him a 'friend'?" Tirek exclaimed in surprise. Though he knew Discord never truly betrayed them, he thought it surprising that Twilight would still ask for his release since she did not know this.

"Release him!" Twilight demanded fiercely.

"If that's what you want." The centar replied as he snapped his finger which caused the bubble holding Discord to pop.

"Thank you, Twilight." Discord said weakly.

"Your turn." Tirek said maliciously as he opened his mouth and began to inhale which began to drain the Alicorn's magic.

Twilight let out a cry out agony as she felt her magic drained from her until none remained and she fell to the ground.

Tirek's size immediately began to increase as the freshly acquired Alicorn magic surged through his being, giving victorious cries as he grew and grew until with a mighty bellowing "Yes!" He grew to his full size and seemingly ignored the group as he trampled off.

Spike and the rest of the group ran up to him. "Twilight, what were you thinking?!" Spike exclaimed as he looked at her.

Discord then approached the Alicorn who glared at him. "I only commanded your release for Fluttershy's sake. The fact you spared her the fate of me and my friends at the very least says you still love her despite betraying the rest of Equestria." Twilight remarked only for the others to immediately come to the draconequus's defense much to Twilight's surprise.

"But he didn't betray us!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"Yeah! He was only doing what he was told to do by Princess Celestia!" Rainbow Dash added quickly.

"Saying I believe this, why would he betray our trust just for Celestia? I thought our friendship meant more to him than that." Twilight asked as she glared at the draconequus.

"It was for the very reason that your friendship means so much to me that I did. When I say that it pained me more than anything to betray you all, I mean it." Discord replied as he approached Twilight. "When Tirek gave this medallion to me, he claimed it was a sign of his loyalty and friendship but it was a lie and even though I knew this, I continued to play my part for you Twilight. But when I give this to you, I am saying that you all are the best friends I have ever had, maybe even family." He said as he placed the medallion around the Alicorn's neck.

As Twilight looked upon the medallion, her eyes lit up in a flurry of rainbow colors and at once had realized what she was holding. "This is it, one of the keys to the chest but this is the only one we have so far…" Twilight remarked as she looked over at Tirek whom was going on a destructive rampage.

It was then that Discord's expression became mildly confused. "Wait, you mean to say that you never found the keys despite me giving you the one thing that would point you straight to discovering them?!" The draconequus exclaimed incredulously.

"We've kind of been busy with our own problems…" Rainbow Dash remarked as she glanced to Applejack with a worried look as did the farm mare back while at the same moment, Rarity gave a guilty glance at Spike who frowned at her.

"Oh for goodness sake!" Discord exclaimed as he facepalmed so hard that the sound of his lion's paw impacting with his face made a very loud slapping sound and sighed aloud. "Quickly, to the castle of the two sisters!" Discord exclaimed as he ushered the group forward.

"Why the castle the of the two sisters?" Twilight asked.

"For starters, that's where I teleported Fluttershy and I'm worried about her, for another thing, that's where you left the journal, am I right?" Discord replied.

Fluttershy's eyes lit up as she saw Discord the her friends enter the castle library. "Oh, I was so worried about you all!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she rushed up to her friends and hugged each one of them until she came to Discord.

"I'm so sorry, Fluttershy. I know that I must have hurt you greatly." Discord said in a soft tone as he placed his lion's paw on her mane and stroked it gently.

"I understand why you did it. You were only following Celestia's orders, after all." Fluttershy replied softly as she leaned her head against Discord's lion's paw and stroked it gently with her right hoof.

Discord hit his lower lip and sighed as he sat down. "Not at first…" He remarked softly which was met with gasps from everypony in the room.

"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked as she placed a hoof against the draconequus's cheek as a tear streaked down it.
"Up until the moment I found out I was going to be a father…" Discord said only to trail off at first. "I was seriously considering joining Tirek for real." Discord finished which was met with another round of gasps from everypony except Fluttershy. "You see, that conniving low-life had managed to shake the very foundation of my love for you by filling my mind with lies. For a time, I actually thought you were merely using me as a toy for your own pleasure." Discord continued and sighed as another tear dripped down his cheek.

"Oh Discord, I would never…" Fluttershy said softly as she huggled him tightly.

"I know that now." Discord replied as he hugged her back. "But from now on… can we keep the intimacy between us alone?" The draconequus asked meekly.

"Of course, anything for you." Fluttershy replied softly as tears shed from her eyes as well.

"As touchin' as this is, we kind of have a huge problem going on a raging rampage just outside of Ponyville!" Applejack exclaimed in a huff which prompted Discord to look at the farm pony, let go of Fluttershy, and stand.

"Get the journal." He said simply.

"Can't you just tell us what the keys are?" Rainbow Dash asked with an annoyed look.

"No, I can't. You must discover the key's meaning on your own or their value means nothing." Discord explained simply.

Upon hearing this, Twilight quickly shuffled through the books, found the journal, and began to read the passages that Discord had marked...

Author's Note

You all know what's coming next and trust me when I say that I'm going to rush that part against my better judgement to get back to the main story. I didn't care for the "BUY OUR TOYS!!!" moment myself very much. :ajbemused:

Courage from Within

COURAGE FROM WITHIN

Twilight seemed quiet for a time before her face lit up and looked at Applejack "I think I found something! Applejack, do you remember when you had to tell everypony that the tonic Granny bought from the Flim Flam brothers didn't really work?" She asked as she looked at the farm pony.

Applejack gave a small frown upon hearing this. "How could I forget? It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do." She replied as she recalled the event. "And in that moment, I knew I had to be honest. I just knew it. But what's that got to do with openin' the chest?" she asked curiously.

"I've found that each of you has had to face a situation where living up to the Element of Harmony you represent wasn't easy. Fluttershy, it was when you realized that the way to show kindness to the Breezies was by forcing them to leave your home." Twilight continued as she looked at the yellow Pegasus now.

"Oh, the looks on their poor little faces! But I knew that, as difficult as it was, pushing them away was the kindest thing I could do." Fluttershy replied with a saddened expression and sighed.

Before the Alicorn could continue however, Rarity Spoke. " I don't mean to cut you off darling but It's clear we've all had our moments to shine, Twilight, but I'm with Applejack. What does any of this have to do with the opening of the chest?" She asked as the distant rumble outside began to grow louder.

"All of you had tough choices to make. But when you made the right one and embraced your element, it helped somepony else make the right choice too. Each of you received something from the pony whose life you helped change. Based on what Discord said earlier, I'd bet my horn that there's something special about those objects. Did each one of you feel something strange when you were handed those objects? Like an inner self-revelation that the object you were just given meant more than it seemed?" Twilight asked curiously as she looked to each one of her friends.

"Now that ya mention it, Ah did feel somethin' about the coin that stallion gave me but Ah just figured it was the rush of the moment and dismissed it." Applejack recalled.

"I think I did too when coco handled me that string of yarn, but how could a simple piece of yarn be a key to a chest that obviously requires a key shaped object?" Rarity inquired curiously.

A loud rumbling outside caused Rainbow Dash to give a fearful glance towards the castle entrance before she turned back to the group. "I say we throw caution to the wind, grab those objects, shove them into the chest's keyholes and see what happens!" Rainbow Dash suggested eagerly.

"Ah'm with Rainbow on this one, we can't afford to be questionin' things when Tirek could be obliteratin' Ponyville as we speak!" Applejack chimed in upon hearing this.

"Th-That means we have to go out there… where Tirek is… and if he sees us… eep!" Fluttershy stuttered aloud until the terrifying image of what would happen shot into the already scared Pegasus's mind and caused her to let out a scared yelp as she hugged Discord tightly.

"No need." Discord replied confidently as he snapped his lion's paw only to recall his magic had been drained as well. "Oh...pooey!" He exclaimed with a scowl.

"We can't all go out there at the same time! We'll stand out like a sore hoof to Tirek! One of us needs to go out and get the objects while the rest stay behind. One pony is far less noticeable than six ponies, a dragon, plus a draconequus." Twilight stated simply.

"Well neither I nor Twilight could possibly do this, we lack our magic which would make getting to those houses a breeze." Rarity remarked aloud.

"Normally, I'd volunteer for a mission like this but thanks to Tirek I'm flightless." Rainbow Dash remarked with a scowl.

"And us earth ponies aren't nearly as spry as we usually are without our earth pony magic." Applejack added. "A Pegasus would be able to get to our homes faster, speakin' as they can fly." Applejack said aloud with a thoughtful glance.

"Out of the question!" Discord exclaimed suddenly which caused everypony to stare at him. "I know what you all are thinking and to put my dear Fluttershy is such danger after I went through the trouble to spare her and my unborn offspring being drained of all their magic, you are going to send her out there?!" Discord exclaimed with a glare at the six. "You all should be ashamed of yourselves! Considering sending a pregnant Pegasus out into such dangers!"

"Discord's right, we can't risk Fluttershy or her unborn foal getting hurt or worse, their magic drained as well." Twilight concurred and sighed. "I'll go."

"No offense Twi, but your sufferin' a double-handicap. Ya got no magic plus ya can't fly. At the very least, even though Ah'm not as spry as usual, Ah can still move fast enough since I'm used to doin' earth pony stuff which don't require magic anyhow." Applejack said as she stood up.

"No way, A-J! Did you forget I outran you during the running of the leaves without my wings?" Rainbow Dash stated as she stood up as well. "I'll go."

"What about me?! I know Ponyville like the back of my hoof!" Pinkie Pie interjected as the five began to argue amongst themselves as to who would be the one to go out and get the potential keys to the chest.

"I'll do it…"

The five continued arguing completely unaware of the small voice that was easily drowned out by their loud bickering.

"I'll do it…"

The feeble voice said once again but still was no heard over the five as Applejack and Rainbow Dash began to butt heads with one another as to who was faster.

"I'll do it!!!"

Fluttershy shouted as loudly as she could which caused all five bickering mares to suddenly stop arguing and stare at her.

"Fluttershy, no! You can't possibly put you or our offspring at risk! Tirek has all the Alicorn magic in Equestria! If he spotted you, him draining your magic would be the least of my concerns!" Discord exclaimed as he ran over to Fluttershy and paced both hands on her shoulders looking her in the eyes with a very worried expression as he spoke.

"But their right. I'm the only pony who can do this because my Pegasus magic hasn't been drained. If I don't do it, then we might not get the keys in time to stop Tirek and save Ponyville!" Fluttershy replied using every fiber of her being to not chicken out of the idea altogether.

"Besides, Twilight's daughter is out there. Even if she were to find her, she has no magic or flight ability to protect Scootaloo with. I can only imagine how Twilight must be feeling right now." Fluttershy remarked as she looked over at Alicorn whose expression remained strait but even a blind mare could sense the underlying inner helplessness and worry the Alicorn was going through at the moment that she had not dared speak aloud.

For the first time in her whole life of knowing Fluttershy, as the she and Fluttershy looked at one another, a whole new world of understanding one another flourished through both of them. "Okay, let me write up a list of the objects." Twilight said after a brief amount of time after their simultaneous self-revelation.

"Ah'll find a saddle bag for her to carry the stuff in, there has to be at least one layin' around here somewhere." Applejack chimed in as she began to hunt around the room for the storage bag.

"Oh! I'll see if I can make another dangerous mission outfit for you out of the fabrics laying about!" Rarity chimed in as her face lit up with inspiration.

"Really, Rarity?" Rainbow Dash asked the unicorn skeptically.

"Oh come now, Rainbow Dash! Even in these dangerous times, fashion should not be ignored!" Rarity replied confidently as she looked about the room.

"Uh-huh, and how exactly do you plan on making her a full ensemble in the next ten minutes without magic?" Rainbow Dash continued, driving her point home at which point Rarity stopped in her tracks and frowned.

The frown lasted only mere seconds as the fashionista's determination returned. "I'll make do!" She exclaimed confidently as she rummaged through the fabrics laying about the castle floor and walls.

Rainbow Dash let out an agitated sigh before she allowed a grin to wash over her face. "Eh, need a helping hoof? I know I'm not the best pony to be offering to help with, ugh, fashion but I got nothing better to do!" Rainbow Dash offered as she followed the unicorn and began to help her rummage through the fabrics.

Rarity gave the cyan blue Pegasus an apprehensive look for a brief moment before she smiled back at her. "Of course, Rainbow Dash, any help would be appreciated." "Just,um, don't try to make anything without consulting me first." The white unicorn replied in a mildly nervous tone.

"Have you all lost your mind?! You're sending Fluttershy, a pregnant mare, out there!" Discord roared at the top of his lungs which caused everypony to stop what they were doing and stare at the draconequus.

"It's not like we like the idea but Fluttershy is the only one among us who hasn't had their magic drained." Twilight remarked with a frown.

"Besides, she said it herself that she wants to do it." Rainbow Dash chimed in.

If Discord had his magic right now, he would have most likely turned every single mare in the room other than Fluttershy into a donkey and conjured the word "Ass!" above their heads. However, since he didn't, the only thing the draconequus could do was stand in place and fume as each mare resumed preparing Fluttershy for her mission.

That is, until he felt a hoof placed on his lion's paw and looked down to see Fluttershy's while scared but still determined face smiling at him. "I know you don't like this idea-" She began to say only for the draconequus to interrupt her by exclaiming: "No, I don't dislike this idea, I hate it!"

"-but Twilight said it herself, I'm the only one who hasn't had their magic drained and even though I know I'm no where near as fast as Rainbow Dash or Twilight when they could fly, I'm the fastest pony in the room at the moment because I can fly." Fluttershy explained calmly despite Discord's interruption.

Discord's anger seemed to melt away as he looked into his lover's eyes and sighed. "Fluttershy, I can't lose you." He said softly as he placed his lion's paw on her cheek and rubbed it affectionately.

The yellow pegasus returned this display of affection with her own by putting her hoof on his lion's paw and rubbing it as she leaned her face against it. "You won't. I'll be back before you know it." She said confidently.

"Don't act so brave when we both know you're not." Discord replied softly as he leaned down and locked lips with the mare.

Fluttershy broke the kiss a good ten seconds later and frowned back at him. "I know I'm not. In fact, it's taking every ounce of courage I have not to back out of the idea." She replied softly as her hoof began to shake as Discord held it in his hands.

"Then back out! One of the others can run off and get the keys!" Discord replied hoping he could discourage his lover from going through with this.

Fluttershy took and deep breath and sighed aloud. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm even capable of being brave. I'm scared of my own shadow, dragon's terrify me, and the very thought of leaving my cottage without my friends or you at my side makes me freeze up if I think about it too much." Fluttershy began, took another deep breath, and continued. "But then I remember the times when I was brave and as scared as I was, I pushed on and in the end, everything turned out okay. And you know what helped me be brave?" She asked as if waiting for an answer from the draconequus only to continue a few moments later.

"My friends and you. It took my friends and you pushing me over and over for me to even summon up an ounce of courage." Fluttershy once again stopped speaking and took another deep breath before her expression went from scared to determined and even mildly frightening to the draconequus. "But now its my turn to be brave without my friends or you pushing me to be! If I can't summon up the courage to go through with this without a push, then how am I supposed to protect our son or daughter once they're born?!" Fluttershy exclaimed to which Discord placed his claw hand on her mane and stroked it.

"I will. You have my word, Fluttershy." Discord replied softly as he looked at her.

"But you won't always be around, Princess Celestia or Twilight may need you for something very important and it will be left to me to care for our foal. I need to be brave, for our foal… and for myself." Fluttershy said calmly as she turned to face their friends, took a deep breath, and spoke. "Is everything ready?"

"Oh my, don't you look simply ravishing! I must say, given the limited materials I had to work with and being unable to use magic, this turned out much better than I thought it would!" Rarity beamed as she looked over Fluttershy who was now wearing what the unicorn had dubbed her "Super-Secret chest key recovery outfit" which consisted of dark blue fabric she had collected from the banners around the castle, a few gemstones brandished on the front in a circle pattern she had removed from a few book covers unknown to Twilight, and some bright red flair on each hoof.

"Really, Rarity? Ya sure these frilly things are a good idea? ya ever think she might trip over them?" Applejack asked skeptically as she looked at the bright red flair on each hoof.

"Erm, that would Rainbow Dash's addition, she insisted on it." Rarity remarked with a scowl.

"Hey, I had to add something to make this outfit look cool!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed defensively.

"It looks really nice, really it does." Fluttershy remarked though everypony in the room could see she was practically shaking from head to hooves.

"Are you really sure you want to go through with this? One of us can go instead you know." Twilight said in a concerned tone as she placed the saddlebag on Fluttershy's back.

"N-No. I said I would go and I can't back out now. I won't back out now!" Fluttershy exclaimed confidently though her body still shook with obvious fear.

"Well okay, if you're sure." Twilight replied though she still wondered if Fluttershy was really up for the task.

Fluttershy then turned to Discord whom still didn't like the idea of her going out alone one bit. "Are you sure about this? Maybe I should come with?" Discord suggested just before he leaned down and locked lips with the mare.

"No, Twilight already said that no more than one of us should go out there since it would attract the least amount of attention." Fluttershy replied after she broke the kiss.

The yellow Pegasus took a deep breath and lifted herself off the ground. "You can do this, Fluttershy." She said aloud softly to herself in an effort to boost her self-confidence and quell her fears somewhat.
With one last look to her friends and lover, she took a deep breath and thrust herself forward towards the door and through it leaving the safety of the castle. She was now high in the sky as she flew towards Ponyville which was quickly growing larger to her sight as she flew closer to the city.

It was then the yellow Pegasus's fears nearly vanished as she smiled. "Maybe this won't be as scary as I thought it would be." She remarked aloud as she turned to look to her left at which point the smile that was upon her face screamed in absolute terror and fled from her facial features leaving a terrified expression as her entire body quivered with fear.

Tirek's back was facing her and was less than a foot from her.

Discord paced back and forth a crossed the room as the five mares did just about anything they could think of to distract themselves from the overwhelming worry for their friend's safety.

Twilight had picked up a random book and began to read it, even though her gaze shifted to the castle entrance every twenty seconds or so. Rainbow Dash lay on the floor and was pushing a piece of rubble back and forth between her front hooves.

Applejack had decided to take up fashioning herself another rope as she took leftovers from Rarity's earlier outfit creation and was tying each piece together at the ends to create a multicolored fabric style rope. Rarity herself was twiddling around with some of the banners she had grabbed earlier, sowing new patterns into them with other fabrics she had used earlier.

Pinkie pie seemed to look the least worried of the five as she balanced a book on her nose and counted quietly to herself as if seeing how long she could keep her stunt up.

"She's been gone too long! I'm going to look for her." Discord suddenly said which caused all five mares to look at him.

"She's been gone barely less than five minutes, Discord. Show a little more faith in your fillyfriend." Rainbow Dash remarked with a mildly annoyed expression as she looked up at the draconequus.

"I have all the faith in the world in my dear Fluttershy! It's Tirek I'm concerned about! If he sees her, he won't hesitate to…" Discord exclaimed as his facial features tensed up and wrung his hands.

This was a side of the draconequus that the five had never seen before. The normally calm, collective, and often smirking Discord, looking as far from the definition of the words as possible.
"Look, we're all worried about her but ya don't see me gallopin' out that door to go find her do ya?" Applejack stated simply.

"Of course not! You five are more than happy to put my poor Fluttershy in danger while you all sit here safe and sound!" Discord snapped at the five which caused all of them to glare back at the draconequus.

Upon hearing this, the farm mare walked up to Discord, turned about face, and bucked him hard in the mid-section which knocked him to the floor, climbed on top of him, and slapped him a crossed the face with her hoof. "Now listen here ya low-down varmint! The only reason Ah ain't trottin' out that there door to go and help my friend is because Ah trust her with mah life! Ya don't think Ah wanted to talk her out of trottin' out that door?! Ya don't think Ah tried?! Or everypony else in this room tried to talk her out of it?!" Applejack shouted into the draconequus's face so fiercely that one might think it would feel like a sixty mile per hour gust of wind, blasting Discord in the face with each word the farm mare shouted.

"Yer worried about her, Ah get it! We all get it! But don't think for one second that each and every one of us ain't fightin' the urge to go running that door after her, because Ah'd bet mah farm that every single one of us is!" Applejack finished, hopped off the draconequus, and trotted away silently as she resumed tying the pieces of fabric together to make a rope out of the fabric.

If there was such a thing as humble pie, Discord just got the whole thing shoved down his throat in one painful gulp as he sat in place for a short time feeling guilty over the fact he had just called the only ponies who ever tried to give him friendship, cowards. After what seemed to be a long silence between the seven, Discord finally spoke. "I-I'm sorry, everypony. I had no right to say what I said." Discord apologized and lowered his head in shame as he covered his face with both hands.

The draconequus however felt a hoof placed on his shoulder, looked up, and saw Rainbow Dash's smiling face. "Don't sweat it! We forgive you, isn't that right girls?" Rainbow Dash said aloud as she looked to her friends who Discord realized were all smiling at him with the exception of Applejack whom was still fumbling around with her rope.

"That's up for debate." Applejack remarked sourly.

"Oh come on, Applejack! You said it yourself! We're all worried about Fluttershy! Cut the guy some slack!" Rainbow Dash protested to the earth pony's remark.

Applejack was silent for a short time before a loud and long sigh was heard being exhaled from the farm mare as she turned around and smiled at the draconequus. "Alright, Alright! Ah forgive ya. Wouldn't be much of a friend if Ah didn't." She said with a smirk.

"That's right. We're all friends here and friends forgive each other." Twilight spoke up now as she walked over to Discord and placed a hoof on his other shoulder. "Even if some friends can be a royal pain in the flank at times." She added cheekily with a chessy smirk.

"Thank you. I truly don't deserve such friends." Discord remarked aloud as a tear streaked down his left cheek only to wipe it away with his claw hand.

"Well, you got us! Sure you started out as a meanie-pants but now you're one of the good guys!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a wide grin.

"And yer stuck with us!" Applejack added with a big smirk that couldn't get any wider if it tried.

Discord chuckled at this remark. "The god of chaos and disharmony being best friends with the elements of harmony. I can't think of a bigger irony then that, can you?" Discord quipped with a smirk only to frown a few moments later. "I just wish Fluttershy was here to see this." he added a sighed aloud.

"Don't you worry yer head about her, she'll be back anytime now Ah'm sure!" Applejack reassured the draconequus though she herself still didn't quite believe her own words as she gave a short worried glance at the castle door before forcing a smile back onto her face as she looked back at Discord.

Fluttershy sat against the wall of a home, shaking from head to hoof as Tirek trampled past it. "He-He-He almost saw me!" She thought to herself fearfully as she recalled what happened merely five minutes ago.

Fluttershy froze mid-air as she gawked in terror of the fearful centaur less than a foot from where she hovered. In fact, it was a miracle in itself that the quivering Pegasus managed to stay airborne at all though Fluttershy could have swore she had just emptied the contents of her bladder on the spot as she continued to stare at Tirek's huge back, frozen in fear.

It was then that the back of the huge creature began to move and the yellow Pegasus immediately realized he was turning around. The mare slammed a hoof over her mouth as a fearful squeak threatened to emit from her mouth and dived behind the closest building she saw.

Fluttershy continued to sit in place, shaking from head to hoof. "I can't do this, I can't do this!" She repeated to herself softly over and over as tears streamed down her eyes.

"Fluttershy?" A voice asked aloud which caused the yellow Pegasus to let out a terrified scream which was muffled almost immediately by a small orange hoof. "Quiet! Or do you want that overgrown bull to hear us?!" The voice exclaimed in a hushed whisper which caused Fluttershy to look down and see that it was Scootaloo whom had silenced her.

Once Scootaloo was sure that the mare wouldn't cry out anymore, she removed her hoof from Fluttershy's mouth and gave a worried glance skyward before letting out a relieved sigh. "That was too close!" she remarked softly as to keep her voice down.

"Wh-What are you doing out here?" Fluttershy managed to squeak out even though she was still recovering from the scare the filly had given her.

"I could ask you the same question!" Scootaloo countered and sighed. "After Princess Twilight told me to find a safe place to stay, I first thought of the clubhouse but then on my way there, Miss Cheerilee flagged me down and told me to hide with her and the class of fillies she was with at the time." Scootaloo began and sighed aloud.

"But I couldn't stop thinking about Princess Twilight. She was out there fighting and I wanted to do something to help her! Before I could even find her though, that big guy suddenly erupted from the trees outside of Ponyville like he just drank fifty gallons of a growth potion Applebloom had made during our 'Twilight Time'!" Scootaloo continued and stopped to take a few breaths before she continued speaking. "I knew he could see me if I stayed in the open to I ducked behind a house and have been looking for Princess Twilight whenever he wasn't looking at Ponyville which hasn't been very often." Scootaloo finished. "So why are you out here?"

Fluttershy hesitated to reply at first but eventually answered the young filly and told her what she was looking for, why she was the only one who could do it, and why she was hiding behind the house.

"He got that big by draining Princess Twilight's Alicorn magic?!" Scootaloo exclaimed aloud in shock only to slam both hooves over her mouth and give a fearful glance at Tirek whom seemed to not have noticed her outburst. Once she was sure Tirek hadn't noticed them, she spoke once more. "Well, I can help! Just tell me what we're looking for and I'll help search." Scootaloo offered with an eager smile.

"Oh, no,no! I couldn't possibly endanger you like that! You should head back to Miss Cheerilee and leave this to me!" Fluttershy replied as she forced herself to all four hooves and gave the filly a fake brave expression.

"Oh come on! You're so scared right now that you can barely stand, let alone fly! You need my help and you know it!" Scootaloo protested with a defiant expression.

Once again, Fluttershy hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to put Scootaloo in danger. For starters, Twilight might ring her neck if she found out, and for another thing, she volunteered for this. In her mind, accepting help was the same as chickening out of the mission altogether. "I-I…" She began to say only to trail off.

"Hey, you're scared, so am I but if we work together, then we can find the stuff twice as fast as you would alone, right?" Scootaloo added with yet another eager smile.

"Well yes but…" Fluttershy began only to trail off once more.

"Hey, let me tell you something, something I've only told Rainbow and one other pony." Scootaloo began. "Back when I went camping with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Applejack, and Applebloom, Rainbow Dash told some really scary campfire stories and boy, did they give me nightmares!" Scootaloo continued, shuddering slightly at the memory. "But the nightmares were just small fry compared to what scared me the most." Scootaloo once again stopped to take a few breaths before continuing. "What scared me the most was looking like a scaredy-cat in front of my idol! So I acted like the stories didn't scare me but then the nightmares got really bad, so bad that I couldn't sleep!" Scootaloo stopped once again to allow Fluttershy to take in what she had said so far and continued a few moments later.

"But then, when my nightmares were at their worst, Princess Luna appeared! She told me…" She began to say as she recalled the memory aloud.

Everypony has fears, Scootaloo. Everypony must face them in their own way. But they must be faced, or the nightmares will continue.

"So yeah, long story short, I learned that by admitting I was scared of looking like a wimp in front of my idol, I was able to overcome my fears." Scootaloo finished.

"But what does this have to do with-"

"I'm getting to that!" Scootaloo interjected, cutting the Pegasus off. "You don't have to act brave in front of me just because I'm a filly! Its okay to ask for help, especially when you know you need it. That's what friends are for!" Scootaloo explained with a wide smile. "So, we going to get those things you need to find or what?"

Fluttershy took a deep breath and gave the filly and sheepish smile.

"She's been gone for nearly a hour! I'm going to look for her." Discord said aloud as he stood up only for Applejack to step in his way. "Don't try to stop me!" He exclaimed fiercely.

"Ah can't let ya go out there." Applejack replied with a stern expression before she allowed a smile to wash over her face. "Not alone anyways." She added smirking at the draconequus.

"I think we all should go." Twilight added as she walked up to the farm pony and draconequus along with the other mares.

"I knew we shouldn't have sent poor Fluttershy out there alone! The poor dear is most likely shivering in terror behind a house somewhere!" Rarity added as she walked up to the group.

"Or maybe she just got back with those things you all needed!" A voice exclaimed at which point every head turned to the entrance to see Fluttershy and Scootaloo walking in.

"Fluttershy!" The five exclaimed simultaneously as they ran up to her followed closely by Discord.

"Land sakes, Fluttershy! You all had us plum worried sick about ya!" Applejack exclaimed as she hugged the Pegasus.

"Say, why is the squirt with her?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously which snapped everypony's attention to Scootaloo.

Upon hearing this, Fluttershy spoke. "She found me scared out of my mind behind a house. she offered to help me find the objects and even gave me the confidence boost I needed to move my hooves. Why, I don't know what I would have done without her help." Fluttershy praised the filly which caused Scootaloo to blush bashfully.

"I didn't do much except give her the same kind of pep talk Rainbow Dash gave me really." Scootaloo admitted modestly.

"Hey, don't sell yourself short squirt! You heard Fluttershy, without you she would still be cowering behind a house right now!" Rainbow Dash said proudly as she patted the filly on the head with a wide smile.

"Really?!" Scootaloo exclaimed as her eyes lit up looking at her idol.

"Ya heard her didn't ya?" Applejack replied with a smile at the young Pegasus whom jumped in the air with her wings buzzing with a small cheer.

"So does that make me like a hero or something?" Scootaloo asked hopefully only for the cyan blue Pegasus to ruffle up her mane and chuckle at her.

"Don't push it, squirt." She remarked with a grin to which Scootaloo giggled at.

"Almost immediately after this however, the young filly felt herself scooped up into the hooves of none other than Twilight whom hugged her tightly before placing her back on the floor. "What were you thinking?! I told you to find a safe place to hide!" Twilight exclaimed in a stern tone.

"Hey, lay off her. She did a-" Rainbow Dash began to say only to give the cyan blue Pegasus a glare that said four words "STAY OUT OF IT!" at which point Rainbow Dash stopped mid-sentence and slunk back.

"Come on y'all, let's get the stuff out of the saddle bags so we can make sure they're the right stuff and let Twilight have a talk with her… erm, student." The farm mare was going to say daughter but thought twice about saying the word mid-sentence, instead saying what she had aloud.

The group then walked to the other side of the room, giving Twilight and Scootaloo the alone time they obviously needed. "Now then, what do you have to say for yourself young filly?!" Twilight exclaimed sternly.

"I was only doing what I thought was right! I couldn't just leave Fluttershy there, I knew she was scared and needed my help!" Scootaloo defended with a defiant stare.

"Fluttershy may have trouble summoning up the courage during dangerous times but she would have pulled through! She's braver and stronger than you think! Besides, by running along with her, you put both yourself and her in increased danger of Tirek seeing you both!" Twilight exclaimed maintaining her stern gaze and tone.

Upon hearing this, the young filly let out a sigh. "I guess you're right but I would be going against everything you've taught me about being a good friend if I didn't! Besides, the only reason I was out there to begin with was because I was worried about you…." Scootaloo said as she looked down before she gave the Alicorn a knowing look. "Mom..." she added which caused the Alicorn to be taken back suddenly.

"H-How did you…?" Twilight stuttered out, clearly having no idea how to reply to such a sudden statement from her daughter who she thought had no idea up till this point. That is until it dawned on her that the filly caught on from the moment she had said what she had when she had shielded the filly from the blast at which point she sighed and smiled. "Can't put anything past you, can I?" She said softly.

"Nope! I'm sharp as a tack! I think I get that from you." Scootaloo replied with a smirk at which point both ponies burst out laughing simultaneously. "But I gotta know, why did you give me up? Didn't you want me?" Scootaloo asked suddenly with a frown.

Upon hearing this, Twilight bit her lower lip with a frown. This was the moment she had been dreading from the moment she found out she was Scootaloo's mother. "It's not that I didn't want you…" Twilight began to say as she placed a hoof on Scootaloo's cheek and sighed. "It was just that-"

"Uh,Twi, as much as Ah'd hate to break up this delicate moment between you two, we got a big problem hangin' just outside and he looks like he's targettin' the Tree Of Harmony!" Applejack exclaimed in a panicked tone.

With one last worried look, Twilight brushed her hoof along Scootaloo's face gently before she rushed over to the others.

The group rushed outside and to the chest that lay near The Of Harmony, gave one fearful look up at Tirek, and looked back at the chest, each one with the object they were given in hoof. "How do we put them in?!" Rarity asked in a semi-panicked tone.

Pinkie Pie then began to shake the rubber chicken that Cheese Sandwich had given her shouting: "Come on, Boneless! Give us that key!"

Twilight gave Pinkie Pie a mildly confused expression. "I don't think that's going to work." She remarked skeptically.

Suddenly, the rubber chicken managed to fly from Pinkie Pie's mouth and land smack dab on the chest at which point a magical light surrounded the object and before everypony's eyes morphed into a key which promptly inserted itself into its respective keyhole must to the astonishment of the six whom gasped in surprise.

With one glance at each other, the other five mares approached the chest and placed each object against the chest which instantly morphed into keys as Boneless had and inserted themselves into their respective keyholes.

Twilight gave one last fearful glance up to Tirek whom had clearly seen them now. "Together! I think we have to do this together!" She exclaimed at which point all six mares placed their hooves on each of their keys and turned them at the same time.

Suddenly a rainbow colored light short forth from the top of the chest, landed on the heart of the tree of harmony, and began to stream out in different directions to each limb of the tree which depicted the symbol of each mare's respective element. Once the light had touched all six symbols, it flashed brightly with a blinding rainbow colored light.

The six mares suddenly found themselves covered in a rainbow colored beam of light until Twilight looked up and smiled proudly. What happened next was a complete shock for Discord, Scootaloo, and Spike as the six mares seemingly were absorbed into the chest and at once the rainbow colored light erupted from the chest revealing each pony covered from head to hoof in a display of brilliant colors.

The orb of light slowly rose up until it was eye-level with Tirek whom immediately charged up a magical blast and fired it at the six but he may as well have throw pebbles at the orb which held the six mares as the blast had absolutely no effort on them.

"How is this possible?! You have no magic!" Tirek roared in disbelief as he glared at the six.

"You're wrong, Tirek! I may have given you my Alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!" Twilight exclaimed triumphantly at which point one beam of rainbow colored light struck the Centaur, then another, and another, until six beams of rainbow colored light struck him individually at first but soon combined their power into one fierce magical beam of rainbow colored light.

Tirek gave a pain scream as he felt every ounce of magic he had drained from countless helpless ponies suddenly being stripped from his being which caused him to shrink until he soon was reverted into his weakest form and was promptly sealed within Tartarus.

The ball of magical light that held the six suddenly began to raise farther and farther into the sky until it exploded into a shockwave of rainbow light that covered all of Equestria, returning to every pony the magic that was stolen from them.

The six mares returned to the tree of harmony expecting it's purpose to be over only to be in for yet another shock as the tree itself seemed to explode with magic and erupt a rainbow colored beam from itself to the very outskirts of Ponyville. The chest then began to float up into the beam of light, traveled along it and seemed to plant itself into the ground.

The six mares, Discord, plus Spike and Scootaloo rushed to the source of the rainbow colored light only to stare in astonishment as the ground before seemed to crack and fissure and a crystal castle erupted and stood before them a few moments later.

"Sweet Celestia! Are you all seeing what I'm seeing?" Rarity exclaimed in shock as she stared on in wonder of the castle.

"But... whose is it?" Twilight asked curiously.

"I believe it is yours, Princess Twilight." Celestia's voice suddenly spoke up from behind the group.

"Mine?! But how?! Why?!" Twilight sputtered out.

"There is no easy answer for that, Princess Twilight." Celestia replied simply. "But let me ask you something. You've been wondering what you are meant to do as a princess. Do you know now?" The Alicorn asked with a knowing look.

Twilight gave a thoughtful glance before she spoke. "As princess, I believe I have the power to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria. That is the role I am meant to have in our world! The role I choose to have! But I didn't defeat Tirek on my own – it took all of us to unlock the chest!" Twilight replied proudly as the group walked through the castle halls.

"Then it is unlikely you are meant to take on this task alone." Celestia replied as she opened a door to their left revealing a room with six thrones, and a table in the middle. "You are now Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship. But what is the princess of friendship without her friends?" Celestia remarked aloud as she motioned to her friends.

"Wait a minute, where's my throne?!" Discord exclaimed with a disappointed expression.

"We'll see about getting one for you later, okay?" Fluttershy said sweetly as she nuzzled the draconequus's cheek affectionately.

It was then that Discord approached the regal sister with a less than enthused expression. "It seems your plan went off without a hitch, your highness." He remarked sourly.

"I do not think this is the best time to be discussing this Discord. " Celestia hissed silently with a glare the draconequus.

"Oh, don't worry about that. He already told us everything." Rainbow Dash remarked sourly as she looked over at the Alicorn with a mild glare having overheard their whispers.

Princess Celestia suddenly found herself under the disapproving glare of the six elements of harmony with Fluttershy looking as if she was ready to throttle the Alicorn. In fact, if the yellow Pegasus could glare daggers at the regal sister anymore, one might think real daggers would seemingly manifest from nowhere and jet into the Alicorn's skull.

Twilight however sighed. "We should probably let her off the hook this time, if she knew this was going to happen, she most likely had our best intentions at heart. After all, what friends would we be if we didn't forgive her." Twilight remarked aloud though she only managed a half smile as she spoke now.

"Suppose ya got a point thar, Twi." Applejack replied and sighed. "Ah say we all take a tour of the castle! Who knows what else is in here!" Applejack exclaimed excitely.

The other four glared at the regal sister a few moments longer before giving murmurs of agreement and quickly began to follow the farm pony along with Scootaloo whom was all too eager to be the first to see around the new castle.

"The other matter between us however…" Twilight said suddenly once the other six left the room, her expression suddenly returning to its grudgeful state. "Is far from settled." She finished and left the Alicorn alone with her sister, Cadence, and Discord.

One the Alicorn left the room, Celestia turned her gaze to Discord with a extremely pissed off expression. "You best thank the stars above that things turned out the way they had! You risked the future of Equestria by-" Celestia began to rant on only for Discord's expression to turn foul as he snapped his finger which promptly yanked Celestia's mouth from her face, deposited it into what looked like a wastebin from a computer, and deposited it into the can before disappearing.

"No, Celestia. You best thank the stars above that things turned out the way they had." Discord remarked with a threatening glare. "You neglected to tell me what would happen to not only me but my friends as well! Fluttershy was forced into perilous danger, and a young filly was also put in grave danger because you told me to play my part!" Discord exclaimed as his entire body shook. It was obvious he was restraining himself from doing far worse than simply removing Celestia's mouth from existence. "All Fluttershy needed to say was the word and I wouldn't have hesitated to inflict whatever punishment she saw fit for what you put not only me and her through but our unborn son or daughter as well!" Discord continued which caused all three Alicorn's eyes to widen in surprise at the revelation.

"This is the last time I play by your rules, Celestia." Discord finished, snapped his finger and in a flash of magic, Celestia's mouth reappeared on her face and the draconequus had disappeared from sight, no doubt rejoining his lover wherever she may be in the castle at the present time.

"Sister, what was he speaking of?" Luna asked with a suspicious look at her older sister.

Celestia merely let out a long sigh and placed a hoof on her forehead before she looked at the other two princesses. "I'll explain back in Canterlot. For now, I think it may be wise to leave the princess of friendship with her friends." Celestia replied and in a flash of magic disappeared.

The two other Alicorns looked at one another with a curious look before doing the same.

Author's Note

NOT OVER YET!!!!

A Storm On The Horizon

SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER LEFT UNTOLD 2...

A STORM ON THE HORIZON

“Where is he?!”

Twilight roared at the top of her lungs as she slammed Fluttershy's door open day later after she had left.

“Who? Discord?” Fluttershy asked curiously.”

“No, the other draconequus who pasted a sign onto my hindquarters, yes him!” The Alicorn seethed with a glare.

“Oh come now Twilight, it wasn't that bad was it?” Fluttershy asked meekly in a vain attempt to calm the pissed off mare.

“You knew?!” Twilight sputtered out upon hearing this.

“Y-Yes and I did try to stop you at first but, um, Discord stopped me from saying anything. I admit it was a little mean of him but after I thought about it, it was no worse than a prank that Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash would pull.” Fluttershy replied doing her very best not to allow a smile to crack on her otherwise shy facial features. She did find the joke rather funny but she didn't dare let Twilight know this lest she fear her wrath.

“No worse? Do you realize how painful it was to rip that sign off?! I had to double-check to make sure I hadn't ripped off my clitoris after I had managed to pry that sign off!” Twilight retorted with a glare at which point a blush formed on the Pegasus's face.

“I think you may be getting a little too upset over a,um, harmless prank, Twilight.” Fluttershy replied defending her coltfriend now.

“You call this, harmless?!” Twilight exclaimed, turned around, and lifted her tail which revealed her normally purple vagina, looking as if somepony had taken a paddle to it. “It wasn't pasted to my rump, it was pasted right on my vagina, Fluttershy!” The Alicorn exclaimed and sighed before she turned around and looked at the yellow Pegasus again.

This fact made it even harder for Fluttershy to maintain her passive expression and not laugh at her friend's misfortune. While she would never admit it, in some ways, Discord had corrupted the innocent shy Pegasus she once was. “I um, ahem! I'll talk to him about it. I can only imagine how... Ahem, painful that was for you.” Fluttershy replied softly, struggling to keep a straight face as her facial features threatened to contort in a smirk which would inevitably lead to her laughing at Twilight's predicament each time she cleared her throat.

“Your trying not to laugh at me right now, aren't you?”

“N-No! O-Of, ahem, course not!”

“Uh-huh... sure you aren't.”

Finally, the Pegasus could hide it no longer and suddenly without warning began to laugh uncontrollably. “I-I can't believe he actually pasted it on y-y-your-bwhahahaa!!!” Fluttershy blurted out between laughs as she fell to her side and held them with her front hooves as laughed.

Twilight simply stared at her friend as she continued to laugh, her expression unamused and mildly annoyed.

Applejack walked out from her orchard after a long morning of work only for an unsettling sight to meet her eyes as she walked towards her house. Standing next to the fence was none other than her fillyfriend, Rainbow Dash but that wasn't what made the scene unsettling to the farm mare. No, what made it unsettling was the fact she was talking with a stallion who by the looks of it, was flirting with her.

Despite this, she put on a false smile and walked over to greet the stallion and Rainbow Dash. “Oh, there she is! This is the mare I was telling you about.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she noticed the farm pony approaching them.

“H-Howdy.” Applejack greeted the stallion as she walked next to her fillyfriend whom quickly put a hoof around her.

“Hey there, good lookin.” The stallion replied with a smirk.

“So yeah, like I was saying, I'm kind of off the market now since I'm going steady with Applejack now.” Rainbow Dash replied as she held the farm mare close.

“Ya sure about that? Maybe your new fillyfriend wants in on the fun?” The stallion replied with a big grin as he stared at the two mares now.

“We're sure. Nice meetin ya, uh... whoever ya are.” Applejack replied quickly before Rainbow Dash had a chance to reply, turned around, and began to walk away from the two.

“Well you heard her, not interested. See ya around!” Rainbow Dash added before she gave a light sprint to catch up with the farm mare who has quickly made some distance between the two.

“You could have been a little more polite you know?” The Pegasus remarked with a mildly annoyed expression.

“Just who in tarnation was that Rainbow?” Applejack asked returning the Pegasus's annoyed expression with an even more annoyed expression if possible.

“Just an old hook-up of mine I used to buck every few weeks or so.” Rainbow Dash replied nonchalantly as she walked next to Applejack now.

“Ya talk like that ain't such a big deal.” Applejack replied sounding even more annoyed now.

“Of course it isn't. He's just a stallion looking to get some flank. There are plenty of other mares in Ponyville who are willing to put out so it's not like he won't end up getting lucky.” Rainbow Dash replied still not getting the hint that this topic was agitating the farm mare.

“Yet he came lookin for you.” Applejack remarked as she stopped and looked at the Pegasus.

“Of course he did. Everypony knows that when it comes to a score, nothing is better than my flank!” Rainbow Dash boasted as she placed a hoof on her chest and smiled egotistically as she often did when she bragged about herself.

“Well hopefully, he'll let everypony know that the best in town, is no longer on the market as ya called it.” Applejack replied before she resumed walking back to her house.

“He probably won't. I don't think most of the stallions I bucked even knew each other.” The Pegasus remarked nonchalantly until she finally realized just how much this topic was agitating her fillyfriend. “Say... You aren't jealous, are you?” She added with a coy smirk.

“Of course Ah ain't! Don't mean Ah have to like the idea of stallions comin over just to try to get fresh with ya!” Applejack snapped before she picked up her pace to which the Pegasus began to hover next to her in order to keep up with her pace now.

“Oh come on A-J. You know that those stallions don't even have a chance in Tartarus of getting lucky with me as long as I'm with you.” Rainbow Dash stated with a smirk as she leaned down and nuzzled the farm mare's cheek.

Applejack hesitated for a few moments before she replied. “Ah know.” She said as she stepped onto the front porch of the apple family house, opened it, and went inside.

“What the hay was that about?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously, having taken a clear note of the farm mare's hesitation to reply to her statement.

“What do you mean, he's not here?” Twilight asked incredulously once Fluttershy had managed to stop laughing and tell her that Discord was not here at the present time.

“He was um, called back to Canterlot by Princess Celestia.” Fluttershy replied as she walked over to her table, and pointed to the letter.

Curiously, Twilight levitated the letter over to her with her magic and began to read its contents.

To Discord and Fluttershy,

A matter of the utmost importance has come up and I would like to request that Discord come to see me at his earliest convenience. I'm afraid I can not speak of the details at the present time due to the fragile state of the situation. Please know that Discord is not in any trouble but we are in need of his particular set of magical skills for this assignment.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

P.S. And by “Your earliest convenience”, we DO NOT mean whenever you feel like it Discord.

“Why would Princess Celestia call for Discord without telling me first?” Twilight asked with a look of concern on her face as she spoke now.

“I don't know. You don't think something bad has happened, do you?” Fluttershy asked her expression suddenly becoming nervous as she asked this question.

“I certainly hope not but we can't rule anything out at this point.” Twilight replied, the concern on her face still apparent as she spoke. “But why would she need Discord's particular set of magical skills for?” The Alicorn thought to herself as she placed a hoof on her chin looking deep in thought at the moment.

Author's Note

And so the sequel to "Some Secrets are better left untold..." BEGINS! :twilightsmile:

A series of awkward conversations...

A SERIES OF AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS

A few days after the appearance of the castle, Twilight walked over to Scootaloo's house with full intent on telling them everything...

"Oh, Princess Twilight! What brings you over here? Do you have news regarding Scootaloo's mother?" The mare asked asked with wide smile.

The Alicorn took a deep breath and let it out before she spoke. "As a matter of fact, I do. May I come in?" She said calmly despite the fact that her nerves were shot.

"Yes, Yes, of course!" The mare replied and allowed the Alicorn inside.

"I think Scootaloo should be here for this as well." Twilight remarked as she sat down in the same chair she had last time.

"Oh yes, of course!" The mare exclaimed in an excited tone, turned about face and called out the filly's name.

Once Scootaloo and her parents were properly seated, the mare began or rather she would have but she was still trying to summon up the confidence to speak. "Now I know how Fluttershy feels…" The Alicorn thought to herself dismally.

"Princess Twilight?" The stallion asked with a mildly concerned expression. "This isn't bad news is it?" He asked hesitantly.

"No, No! It's just hard to talk about." The Alicorn replied and sighed once again. "Okay, so before I begin, you all must swear to me, your promise to not allow what I am about to tell you three to leave this house." The Alicorn began which caused even Scootaloo to give the Alicorn an apprehensive look.

The filly simply figured that her mom came here to tell them that she was her mother but this, as it seemed, was a whole lot more than simply telling them that.

"Very well… we promise." The mare finally said though she sounded unsure though Scootaloo and her husband nodded in agreement.

"Okay, so lets get the easiest part out of the way, I'm Scootaloo's mother." Twilight said simply but the couple's reaction was far from what she expected.

For starters, the stallion's face scrunched up moments before she burst out laughing, while the mare's expression showed one of much more restraint yet it was clear she was fighting the urge to join her husband in this bout of laughter. "S-Surely you jest, your highness." The mare managed to say despite her voice cracking a giggle or two between words.

The Alicorn however kept her face straight and serious. Once the couple realized she wasn't laughing along with her husband, the mare promptly slapped her husband over the back of the head. "Honey, she's not joking!" the mare hissed at which point the stallion immediately stopped laughing and gawked at her.

"Y-You mean, Scootaloo's…" The stallion begin only to seemingly unable to bring himself to say the obvious.

"Royalty, yes." Twilight replied calmly.

It was at this point that the couple looked at Scootaloo whom was smiling broadly. "Y-You knew?" The mare stuttered out.

"Not until recently." Twilight interjected quickly as to spare the filly being forced to answer any possible questions she may be uncomfortable with answering

"H-How… Wh-When?" was the next thing that sputtered out of the stallion's mouth without thinking.

Upon hearing this question, the Alicorn bit her lower lip with a nervous expression, took a deep breath, let it out, and began to speak. "It was many years ago, back way before my ascension to princess hood." Twilight began only to stop, take another breath and let it out before continuing.

"I was young, rather impulsive, and deeply in love with a stallion. Though our parents would never approve of such a relationship." Twilight replied, the unease and nervousness in her face so thick that it could be cut with a knife.

"I assume it was with a stallion your parents would not approve of being the father?" The mare asked curiously.

"You have no idea." Twilight replied and let out a light laugh in an effort to ease her nerves which were quickly becoming shot.

"W-Well that's why you're here, is it not? To give us an idea?" The stallion asked, as if attempting to pressure the Alicorn into telling them more. Not that she needed it, she was going to tell them everything anyways but the pressure to tell didn't make it any easier.

"Without giving too many details of that night that Scootaloo was conceived, I snuck into his bedroom after… the parents were asleep and well you know the rest." Twilight explained though she trailed off mid-sentence and beat around the bush as it were. She wasn't quite ready to drop the bombshell on the three yet.

"Yeah, you rode my dad like nothing funny, right?!" Scootaloo exclaimed with a cheesy grin only to cause Twilight's face to go redder than a cheery and the couple to shoot dirty looks at the filly.

"Scootaloo! We raised you much better than to speak such vulgar language aloud!" The mare scolded the filly before looked at Twilight with a guilty expression. "S-Sorry, not my place anymore is it?" The mare stuttered slightly with a weak smile.

"N-No, it's fine. You did after all raise her all these years and I can't begin to say how grateful I am for this." Twilight replied quickly much to the delight of the couple whom smiled at her now.

"So… and I'm sure this will not be easy for you to answer but, why did you give her up?" The mare asked after a short silence between the group.

The momentary break from the topic had helped ease the princess's nerves somewhat but it didn't make this any easier for her as she spoke. "It wasn't my choice, it was princess Celestia's." Twilight said simply which was met with gasps from the couple as they placed a hoof over their respective mouths.

"Why would the princess do such a thing?! You were her student correct? Did she value your studies so much more than your newborn daughter, that she would deny you the right to raise your own daughter?!" The mare exclaimed, clearly pissed off with the regal sister.

Seeing the mare so pissed off filled Twilight with a sense of relief since she now knew she was not alone in being extremely pissed off with her former mentor. "It was a little more complicated than that." Twilight said simply and sighed as she looked at Scootaloo whom seemed to be taking all this information rather well, all things considered.

"Surely the father wasn't somepony who would cause harm to Scootaloo, was he?" The stallion spoke up now with a similar upset expression.

"No, No! Shin-erm I mean, he would never!" Twilight exclaimed only to nearly let the bombshell slip from her lips though she was quick to cover it up.

"Then why didn't you or the father stop her?" The mare asked her anger with the regal sister upsetting her even more now.

"We tried but she performed a memory alteration spell on the both of us. I-I can't say what happened to Scootaloo after that because the details are still really fuzzy. Suffice it to say, neither of us ever knew we ever we had a daughter." Twilight replied which was met with another round of shocked gasps from the couple and even Scootaloo who now looked just as pissed off as the couple was.

"Why would she do such a thing?! What possible reasoning could she have for making you forget you ever had Scootaloo?!" The mare asked aloud, her anger so thick with the Alicorn, Celestia herself might have choked on it if she were to walk into the house at the moment.

Here it was, the moment the Alicorn had been dreading from the moment she had started this conversation. Part of her thought it would be best to lie to the couple and Scootaloo but another part of her felt that enough problems had been caused by keeping secrets and telling lies and that they deserved to know, no matter how they may judge her.

"Becuase..." Twilight began though she trailed off, summoning every ounce of courage she had to speak the following words: "Scootaloo's father is... my brother." She said finally though her voice nearly cracked as she said the last two words of her sentence and slammed her eyes shut with a flinching reflex as if expecting them to throttle her or something.

Another round of gasps filled the room followed by a very tense silence. The mare stared at Twilight as if she had just said the unbelievable while the stallion looked as if he was about ready to retch on the spot.

The silence was the worst torture imaginable to the Alicorn, she would have rathered them sling insults of how sick and twisted she was, how she should be locked in tartarus and never released, anything but this horrible and agonizing silence.

It was not until the Alicorn felt a hoof touch her cheek and flinched only to feel no impact or pain, that she opened her eyes and looked to see who it was. Scootaloo stood next to her, her hoof running along her cheek, smiling at her.

"Don't worry, mom. No matter what anypony says about you, you'll always be my mother." Scootaloo said softly.

These words brought tears to the Alicorn's eyes as she leaned forward and embraced her daughter tightly, letting out joyfull sobs. Scootaloo had not judged her, rejected her, or hated her as she had feared she would.

At the exact moment this conversation was taking place, Rarity sat in her bedroom with Spike sitting a few inches to her left, neither one speaking. That is until Rarity spoke. "Sp-Spike, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for all this. I-I used you for my own perverted sexual fantasies." Rarity said softly, though she stuttered and her voice cracked as she spoke.

"I know…" Spike replied calmly though his voice sounded hurt. "Is that all you asked me to come over for? Because if it is, I need to get back to the library and organize books." he added as he made a motion to hop down from the bed only for Rarity to stop him.

"Spike, please. Let me finish." The unicorn said quickly in hopes of keeping him sitting next to her a little longer. When he made no motion to continue leaving, she continued. "I… wasn't entirely truthful when I said that that I didn't love you." Rarity remarked softly which caused Spike to look at her with a hopeful expression.

"You mean you do love me?" he asked the excitement in his voice a little too obvious.

"Spike, please don't make assumptions." Rarity replied much to the young drake's disappointment.

"So you don't love me?" He asked, disappointment filling his voice.

"Would you let me finish?!" Rarity snapped at the drake only to sigh. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." She apologized, took and deep breath and continued. "I-I do feel something for you but I can't say that its love…" Rarity said softly as she looked over at Spike who looked mildly confused at the moment.

"What I'm trying to say is… I want to start over." Rarity said calmly despite the nervousness in her voice.

"You mean you want to date me still?" Spike asked, the excitement and hope in his voice much more obvious than he had meant it to be.

"Y-Yes but this time, lets take things much more slowly." Rarity replied as she allowed a smile to wash over her face.

"More slowly? What do you mean?" The young drake asked. Despite Spike being only a few years younger than Twilight, it was clear to the unicorn that his youthful look said much more about him other than his looks. It spoke of inexperience and even innocence, innocence that Rarity thought she had all but stolen completely from the dragon.

"Well, for starters, you could take me out on a few dates and we'll see how things progress from there." Rarity said with a smile as she wrapped a hoof around the young drake and embraced him.

"So… no more sex?" Spike asked candidly which caused the both of them to blush furiously.

"Ahem! Um...erm...well…" Rarity began to say only to feel her words falter. "W-We'll see! If the mood presents itself and I'm okay with it…" Rarity began to say only to trail off. "Look, lets just take things as they come, okay darling?" Rarity finally managed to say despite feeling thoroughly flustered about the topic. What the unicorn really wanted to say was: "Are you bucking crazy?! Of course not! If you think I could go a week without your dick buried between my haunches, you're out of your little dragon mind!" though these words never left her lips as she kissed the drake affectionately on the forehead.

Also happening at nearly the same time as Twilight's conversation was Rainbow Dash and Applejack bucking trees in the orchard. "Ya know, this whole experience really has made me really start thinkin' about things." Applejack said just before she bucked the tree really hard.

"Yeah? Like what?" Rainbow Dash asked after she bucked a tree with her hind hooves and looked at the farm pony.

"Well for starters…" Applejack said only to trail off as she bucked another Apple Tree and caused its contents to spill into the barrels below. "Ah reckon that I should have been more honest with ya. Ah should have told ya that I was worried you hadn't jumped to mah side of the fence as fast as you had." The farm mare replied as she turned to look at the cyan blue Pegasus with a guilty expression.

Upon hearing this, Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head with her right hoof and sighed. "Well, you kinda had the right idea, sorta." Rainbow Dash replied with a guilty expression of her own. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I had totally nothing to do with those stallions showing up and all but…" Rainbow Dash replied only to trail off for a few moments.

Upon hearing this, Applejack walked up to Rainbow Dash and gave her a worried look as she spoke. "But what?" she asked her voice abnormally soft and worried.

"Well, I kinda had been having second thoughts all week but not for the reasons you think. It's just that I have been wondering if this is the right thing for me." Rainbow Dash replied as she continued to rub the back of her head nervously.

"So let me get this straight, ya been having second thoughts about bein' attracted to mares?" Applejack asked though her expression looked far more confused than worried at the moment as the cyan blue Pegasus wasn't being perfectly clear in what she was saying.

"Huh? No, way! I'm totally still into mares! No way is this mare going to go into denial again!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed defensively as she sat down and comically waved her front hooves in front of her.

"Then what the hay is it, Rainbow?! Yer beatin' around the bush here!" Applejack snapped impatiently.

Once again, the cyan blue Pegasus put her right hoof behind her head and rubbed it nervously. "Its kinda been about us." She finally admitted and sighed. "I mean, I kinda rushed into this without really thinking things through." She continued and sighed once again.

"Ya have a bad habit of doin' that." Applejack replied with a mildly annoyed look before sighing herself. "Ah think we both kinda did. Ah know Ah already told ya this but Ah've been crushin' on ya for the longest time and that night when ya bared yer heart to me, Ah thought it was too good to be true. Problem is, that was just it. Ah began wonderin' if it really was 'too good to be true' and before Ah knew it, Ah found mahself doubtin' if ya really did love me." Applejack replied and sighed.

"Yeah, same here." Rainbow Dash replied softly which was followed by an awkward silence between the two.

That is until Applejack spoke. "So uh, look. Maybe we should just go back to bein' friends?" Applejack suggested uneasily.

"You mean, you wanna break up with me?" Rainbow Dash asked her facial expression looking hurt.

"Not really but ya said it yerself. We both kinda rushed into this and Ah don't know if this can really work out between us after all that's happened. I know this ain't what ya want to hear but its the honest truth." Applejack said softly, her tone anything but its usual chipper self.

Rainbow Dash looked at the farm mare as yet another awkward silence ensued between the mares before she sighed aloud. "I guess you're right." Rainbow Dash replied as a tear streaked down her cheek only to wipe it away and force a smile on her face. "But we can still be friends with benefits, right?" She asked doing her best to sound as if she was cracking a bad joke.

Upon hearing this, Applejack let out a hearty laugh much to the delight of the Pegasus who hoped her joke would get a laugh out of the farm mare and ease the depressing atmosphere between the two. "Yer hopeless, Rainbow." Applejack replied with a smirk and motioned for the mare to follow her back to the house.

"I was kinda serious, you know..."

"Lets just get back to mah house ya horny Pegasus."

"Hey, I'm serious! I really wanna know!"

"...Just shut yer trap and get into mah bedroom fore Ah change mah mind!"

"Sooo awesome!"

"Yer pushin yer luck, Rainbow Dash…"

A FEW MONTHS LATER…

Discord paced in circles in a hospital waiting room as Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie sat in waiting room chairs.

"Say, Discord? We get that you're really nervous, no need to magically create a groove in the floor to drive your point home." Twilight remarked with a smirk. She actually didn't mind him doing such a thing as she could easily fix it later and knew he was merely trying to ease his nerves.

"S-Sorry, Twilight." the draconequus replied, snapped his lion's paw, and caused the groove to disappear but continued to pace in the same circle as he had been previously.

"Say, Twi? Why isn't he back there with her? Ah'm no expert but Ah'm pretty sure the daddy's allowed to be back there with their special somepony when their givin' birth to their foal." Applejack whispered to Twilight who was sitting next to her.

"He scared that he'll get overprotective of Fluttershy and doesn't want to do anything on impulse that might endanger her or the foal. He even asked me to cast a spell on the room Fluttershy was giving birth in to make sure no sounds got out." Twilight whispered back.

"Oh. Makes sense Ah guess." Applejack whispered back though she still didn't quite get it.

A tense three hours passed and though Discord was the only one to really show how worried he was, the rest of the group was on pins and needles by the time the unicorn doctor pony opened the door to the emergency room with a wide smile on his face. "Mr. Discord?" The stallion asked curiously which caused the draconequus to look at him with a worried look. "Congratulations, its a colt!" He exclaimed happily.

"Is Fluttershy Okay?" Discord asked eagerly.

"She's just fine, you all can go see her now." The doctor replied at which point the group stood up and rushed to the door only to end up crammed and stuck in the doorway due to all rushing through it at once.

A nurse pony happened to be walking past the double doors at that moment and gave the group a worried look. "Oh dear…" she remarked as the doctor teleported next to her by magic. "Let me guess, all friends of Miss. Fluttershy?" she asked clamly.

"Uh-huh." The doctor replied simply with a stoic expression.

"All rushed through the door at the same time once they heard the news?" The nurse asked calmly.

"Yep." The doctor replied once again his expression not faltering.

"I'll get the butter." The nurse replied simply and walked down the hall.

Meanwhile, the whole group continued squirming in the doorway, all not even bothering to think about using magic to get themselves out of this predicament they had found themselves in due to the excitement of seeing Fluttershy and the newborn foal…

"Um, why are you all covered in butter?" Fluttershy asked with a confused look at the group who had finally managed to file into the hospital room one at a time.

"Eh-heh..its a long story but anyways, congratulations you two!" Twilight exclaimed happily as Discord looked at his newborn son, beaming with pride.

"Heh, Ah don't know why but Ah somehow expected the colt to have horns like his daddy or somethin'." Applejack remarked in a whisper to Rarity whom gave her a dirty look as if she had just said something rude.

"You think the kid's gonna have the same powers as Discord when he gets older? I mean, we could have a second god of chaos and disharmony on our hooves if the kid goes ballistic." Rainbow Dash whispered to Twilight who gave a thoughtful glance upon hearing this question as Discord held his son. "Never really thought about that but I couldn't tell you really." Twilight whispered back.

"I guess we'll find out eventually." Rarity chimed in with a whisper of her own.

"Yeah, like Fluttershy's house bein' turned upside down when the colt throws a tantrum or somethin'." Applejack remarked herself at which point Discord cleared his throat at the five who looked back at him with guilty yet nervous looks.

"We can hear you all perfectly fine you know." Discord replied with a smirk.

"Oh! Well uh, sorry!" Rarity piped up with a nervous smile.

"Yeah, we didn't mean to offend you or anything." Rainbow Dash added with a nervous smile of her own.

"No hard feelin's Ah hope?" Applejack added as well sporting the same nervous look the other two had.

"Of course not, after all, that's what friends are for." Discord remarked with a smirk as his tail snapped.

A FEW HOURS LATER...

"You just couldn't keep yer mouth shut, could ya Rainbow?" Applejack remarked with a scowl.

"Look who's talking! Your the one who said they were surprised the kid didn't have horns like Discord!" Rainbow Dash shot back.

The mares began bickering amongst each other once again only for Twilight get enough of it very quickly.

"Quiet! All of you!" Twilight exclaimed at the group who silenced themselves upon hearing her outburst. "Now, I'm sure Discord will let us out of here eventually." Twilight remarked aloud in a calm manner.

"Hope so, Ah don't think Ah could take bein' stuck here for long." Applejack remarked with a scowl.

"You are going to let them out, aren't you?" Fluttershy asked with a mildly worried look as she looked at her friends.

"Of course! After all, what kind of friend would I be if I left them like this? I'm sure a few more hours won't hurt though." Discord quipped with a smirk as he looked over at them.

Each one of the mares stared back at the draconequus from within individually packaged boxes on display for everypony in the hospital to see with their names and photographs on the front of each box with a line of bold text below the plastic on each one which read:

COLLECT THEM ALL!

As many of the hospital patients walked past, each giving them a curious look as they walked by...