A Caretaker's Despair

by TenderCarer

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark, Romance
Length: 7741

Tender Care worries that another pony is out to take his job as the caretaker of Ponyville, so he resorts to drastic measures.

When a new pony is brought to Ponyville to help, Tender Care feels that his job is in jeopardy. When his jealousy gets the better of him things take a turn for the worst.

Cover art by LinaPrime: http://linaprime.deviantart.com/

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-22 16:08:23 UTC

A Caretaker's Despair

Tender Care has lived in Ponyville for many years, he knows everypony and they know him. Tender Care's job in Ponyville is being Ponyville's Official Caretaker as offered to him by Princess Celestia so he can be around his friends and help them with their problems, for example if you're feeling lonely and you need a friend then Tender will be there for you or, If your ball is stuck in a tree or on somepony's roof Tender will retrieve it for you, there was no place Tender Care would rather be than Ponyville he loved it very much.

One day, Twilight Sparkle had been injured due to an incident at Sweet Apple Acres after Applejack had accidentally closed the door on her left front leg so it was held in a cast, Tender Care had to take care of her as it was his job after all, he felt exhausted but he didn't mind. “Don't you think you should take a rest yourself, Tender?” Asked Twilight who was only showing concerns for her friend “Don't worry, Twilight” Tender Care laughed “There is nothing I cannot do, especially when one of my friends has sustained an injury”.

Twilight smiled “But you're working too hard, you should really take it easy or else you could end up like me”. “Don't worry, Twilight, I'm fine. Besides who would help me out if I sat down to put my hooves up?” said Tender who was trying not to laugh.

Twilight sighed “OK, if you insist” she chuckled “However I don't think anypony has your talent, taking care of everypony in Ponyville must be hard work”. Tender nodded and sat next to Twilight after he finished cleaning “I was a caretaker in filly care for five years in Canterlot, then after Princess Celestia's visit on my last day she asked me if would like a job in Ponyville as an Official Caretaker? I just couldn't say no” he explained “And then that's when you first met Rainbow Dash, right?” Twilight reminded. Tender could remember the day he met the athletic blue pegasus and how she became his favourite pony “Yup” he replied with a smile. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the door following by crying “Something must be seriously wrong” Twilight thought, Tender agreed and went to open the door and there was Derpy “What is it, Derpy?” Tender asked, Derpy looked at Tender with tears flowing from her eyes “I can't find my mailbag!” She sobbed “And I have to start delivering the mail tomorrow!” Tender felt sorry for the wall-eyed pegasus.

“If Crafty Crate finds out I lost my mail bag again he'll fire me!” added Derpy “Please help me find it!” Tender tried to calm Derpy down to keep her from screaming “OK, now think carefully” he began “When was the last time you had it?” Derpy took a deep breath and began to speak very slowly “Well, I had it when I hung out with Raindrops at Sugarcube Corner, that's the last time I remember having it”.

Tender, being kind as a caretaker would be made a suggestion “Well, follow me, we'll go there right now” he said kindly “Be back soon, Twi!” he called to Twilight closing the door behind him and he and Derpy set off for Sugarcube Corner.

A few minutes later the two ponies arrived at Sugarcube Corner “Are you sure this is where you last had your mailbag, Derpy?” Tender asked checking with Derpy “Definitely” she replied with determination so she and Tender Care went inside. Tender and Derpy looked all around Sugarcube Corner, ponies with chattering and laughing until Tender saw one of them waving them over “There's Raindrops” he said to Derpy, Derpy hoped Raindrops had seen her mailbag so she followed Tender to the table that Raindrops was sat at.

“Hi, Tender, hi, Derpy” said Raindrops with a smile “Raindrops” said Tender “Have you seen Derpy's mailbag?” Raindrops could only look amused and held up a light brown bag in her hoof, Derpy's pupils grew to the size of dinner plates and snapped a smile “My mailbag, you found it!” She squealed and threw her front hooves around her friend “You're welcome, Derpy” Raindrops gasped, Derpy giggled as she let Raindrops go.

“Thanks for...bringing her here, Tender” Raindrops panted gasping for breath, the brown unicorn smiled his grand smile “I tried to stop you, Derpy but you left in such a hurry you left your mailbag on the chair next to me” explained Raindrops.

Derpy felt embarrassed “Oh, oopsee” she chucked and turned to give Tender a hug, being careful not to choke him by accident and he returned the embrace “Thank you” she whispered “You're the best caretaker ever” Tender's heart felt warm as fire and smiled.

As night fell over Ponyville Twilight sat in her chair the same way Lyra sat as she watched Tender Care dust, polish and tidy the bookshelves, she could see the sweat dripping of his forehead and panting heavily “Another...day...another...tidy...library” Tender panted then he collasped on the floor. Twilight grew very concerned “Spike!” She called to her assistant, Spike soon came running from the bedroom. “What wrong, Twilight?” he asked in a concerned tone, then he saw Tender Care lying on the floor. “Oh, my gosh!” he exclaimed “Is he OK?”

“I think so” Twilight replied “he's been working all day retrieving Derpy's mailbag and helping everypony with everything. He needs help”. Spike thought for a moment “What'll we do?” he asked “Write a letter to Princess Celestia” she suggested “What?” Spike gasped “Just do it, Spike!” Twilight bellowed, her voice was so loud it shook the entire library “OK, OK!” shivered Spike and ran off to find a piece of paper and a quill.

The next morning Rarity arrived to help gently Twilight into her wheel chair using her magic “I hope your leg gets better soon, darling” Rarity said sweetly “It must have terrible having that clumsy Applejack slamming the barn door on you like that” “How many more times, Rarity” chuckled Twilight “it wasn't her fault, it was mine. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Rarity giggled “Oh, yes of course, but I must remind you that Princess Celestia told me that she received your letter last night and that help is on the way right now” she added.

Twilight's pupils shrank in surprise “On it's way? Right now?” She asked nervously. “Why, yes Fluttershy, Spike and the others are there waiting in the Town Square right now” Twilight bit her lip, “Why so worried, Twilight? I thought this is what you want for Tender” Rarity said looking confusion. She could see that her friend didn't look confidant “I'm OK, Rarity, I just didn't expect the princess to send for help first thing in the morning” Twilight trembled “You must let Tender know” suggested Rarity “No” Twilight interjected “He's sleeping right now, he needs his rest. He'd been working all day yesterday and nearly all night, so I'll tell him when he wakes up”.

Now it was Rarity's turn to look worried “If you say so, darling” she said “Come, let's go meet the girls and Spike, hurry, we don't want to be late” she suggested, Twilight and Rarity left the library with Twilight being pushed in her wheel chair by Rarity.

It turned out when Twilight and Rarity arrived, Rainbow Dash and the rest of the group weren't the only one's there, everypony in Ponyville had arrived to await what was going to happen. Apart from that the girls were very happy to see their friends “Twilight!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash “Good to see you out and about” she added and gently hugged Twilight being careful not to hurt her injured leg “How ya feelin', sugarcube?” asked Applejack “Not bad actually” Twilight replied “The outside world hasn't been the same without you” Sun Beam beamed and carefully hugged the beautiful purple unicorn “Thank you, Sun Beam” Twilight said sweetly “I missed you, too. I missed all of you”.

“Where's Tender Care?” asked Sun Beam, Twilight glanced back at the library in the distance “He's resting right now, so he can't join us” Sun Beam was a little disappointed “Shouldn't somepony go and tell him what's going on?” “No, Sun Beam” Twilight said sternly “I will tell him when he's awake and besides the door's locked” She leaned over the Rarity “Did you remember to lock the door?” She asked “Of course, darling” Rarity replied “Good” said Twilight in relief.

Sun Beam knew Twilight was right, he couldn't really go disturbing ponies while they were sleeping “OK, Twilight, I'll leave Tender alone for now” he said, Twilight smiled “That's great, I mean Tender hates it when somepony wakes him up while he's sleeping, he gets furious” she laughed “You're right, Twilight” agreed Sun Beam “And he's scary when he's angry” “He also becomes very monstrous” teased Rainbow Dash but Sun Beam wasn't fooled “Oh, ha, ha, very funny, Rainbow” he said sarcastically. After a while Princess Celestia appeared at the town square and everypony bowed as usual when she visits, then she spoke very clearly

“Citizens of Ponyville” she began “Due to our beloved caretaker, Tender Care becoming so overworked according to Twilight Sparkle who warned me last night, I have brought along a new friend to help you all just in case “everypony meet...Snowcatcher” she announced.

All the ponies gasped, Snowcatcher was a beautiful turquoise unicorn with a snowflake style cutie mark and her long beautiful pink mane was almost down to her hooves. Spike suddenly felt his heart beat ten times to the dozen, Twilight noticed this but she didn't say anything and just giggled quietly. “Oh, my” gasped Fluttershy “I wonder what Tender Care will think when he finds out about this?” Snowcatcher tossed her long mane aside from her face, this made all the stallions swoon and sigh including Sun Beam himself.

A few hours later, Tender Care had finally woken up from his peaceful nap to see that everypony was just as cheery as he saw the yesterday, then Sun Beam trotted up, he was glad to see his friend. “Hey, buddy” he chirped “I haven't seen you this morning, how was your sleep?” “It was the best sleep I ever had in AGES, thanks for asking!” Tender beamed as he brohoofed Sun Beam “Well, Twilight said you over did yourself yesterday, you know with her bad leg and everything” Tender smiled “I guess I did over do too much” he admitted “but this time I won't push myself”.

“You hadn't better” warned Sun Beam “Don't forget, Twilight needs you more than anypony else” Tender knew that his friend wasn't kidding “besides” Sun Beam continued “I've just met a new unicorn today, she's really beautiful” Tender Care was curious “Oh, who is she?” he asked “Her name is Snowcatcher” Sun Beam stated. Suddenly he heard Twilight “Sun Beam!” she boomed as she was wheeled back by Spike “I was going to tell him about Snowcatcher!”

“Uh, I'm gonna stay out of this one” Spike muttered and entered the library.

Sun Beam did feel embarrassed. As Twilight and Sun Beam argued Tender Care's curiosity grew stronger, he had to know about Snowcatcher and why she was in Ponyville, so he set off to look around.

He arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, and the most horrifying thing caught his eye, he could see Applejack and Snowcatcher leaving the apple cellar, he kept his distance and watched as Applejack and Snowcatcher were laughing and joking. “So THAT'S Snowcatcher” he thought, he began to feel a little upset as joking and laughing with Applejack was something he usually did, so he left giving the two mares one last disappointed glance.

As Tender continue to browse around Ponyville, he decided to forget about Snowcatcher and do his job as usual and make sure nopony was in any kind of trouble. The Cutie Mark Crusaders with playing volleyball with Applebloom's cousin Babs Seed, but their ball was stuck in a tree because Babs had kicked the ball so hard to keep it from touching the ground, she felt a little ashamed but Applebloom comforted her.

Tender went to retrieve the ball, but then the ball was suddenly engulfed in a light blue glow of magic and levitated out of tree, it was Snowcatcher.

The four fillies cheered and thanked her and that made Tender Care frown so he just turned around and walked away from the CMC's game. The brown unicorn just wasn't finding the day way well for him at all, everywhere he went he asked the ponies of Ponyville if they were OK and didn't need any help, they all gave him the same answer.

Tender Care knew that Snowcatcher had been doing his job, he glanced up at the sky to see Snowcatcher spending time with Rainbow Dash, that made him feel worse than ever.

Tender tried clear Snowcatcher being a caretaker out of his mind so he decided to visit Sugarcube Corner to buy a box of his favourite cakes, then he saw Twilight, Sun Beam and the rest of the girls with Snowcatcher telling her that she was doing a great job as a secondary caretaker for Tender Care, but he didn't know this, instead he went to join his friends “Hi, TC!” Pinkie Pie chirped “Glad you could join us, come in, come in, sit down, sit down!” Pinkie Pie being welcoming and bubbly often cheered Tender up, he tried not act like he was so jealous so he wouldn't cause any suspicion “Thanks, Pinkie” he smiled then he looked at Snowcatcher “Tender, this is Snowcatcher” Pinkie announced. The turquoise unicorn looked up at Tender and smiled, she was very friendly “Hello, there” she said sweetly “So you're Tender Care, right? Twilight Sparkle has told me so much about you”.

“Nice...to meet you, too” Tender Care said nervously “Are you all right, sugarcube?” Applejack asked “You sound as shaky as an old tambourine” Tender tried to snap out of it “Why don't you sit here next to me?” suggested Sun Beam, so saying nothing, Tender sat down next to his friend, as he sat down he realized that Snowcatcher was next to him on his left but he didn't want to be rude.

Sun Beam tried to make conversation with Tender Care, but Tender Care was still deep in thought “Is Snowcatcher here to replace me? He said in his head “Excuse me!?” Sun Beam said sternly giving Tender a little nudge, Tender immediately snapped out of it “Sorry, Sun Beam” he said turning his attention to Sun Beam “I was...thinking” “What about?” asked Sun Beam who was really growing suspicious.

Tender had to think quickly or the rest of the girls would realize that he was growing jealous “Oh, I was thinking about...uh...what happened last night...uh...you know when I collapsed on the floor?” Twilight laughed “Well try not to think about it, OK? Just move on” But secretly Tender had forgotten about over doing it last night.

“Anyway, Tender” Rarity began “Snowcatcher here has been so good to everypony, wouldn't you agree, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, yes” Fluttershy “She really cares about everything, just like you, Tender” “That's...great” Tender murmured “She's great to hang out with” Rainbow Dash stated “I was going to find you to ask you if you wanted to spend time with me, but Snowcatcher was around so she hung out with me instead” Tender was slowly getting angry “She even knows how to harvest apples even though she uses magic” Applejack told him “Yeah, but it's nothing to brag about” said Snowcatcher.

“Would everypony PLEASE stop talking!?” Tender Care snapped, Sun Beam and the girls gasped “Tender!” Twilight scolded “What in the hay is wrong with you?” Applejack asked sternly, Fluttershy ducked down from the table terrified Snowcatcher became increasingly concerned “I...think I better get going” She insisted “Oh, no” Twilight said worryingly, you don't have to go, Tender didn't mean it” but she was very angry at him “I'm sorry, Twilight” said Snowcatcher “I'm going home to pack. I'll be leaving first thing in the morning” With that Snowcatcher got up from the table and left.

Twilight Sparkle, Sun Beam and the girls were very angry at Tender Care “Now see what you've done!” thundered Twilight “She's going to leave Ponyville now because of your behaviour!” “Well EXCUSE me!” Tender interjected “That unicorn has been snooping around Ponyville and has taken everything away that was important to me!” he thundered slamming his hooves on the table “Now hold on just one pony pickin' second!” Applejack snapped “Snowcatcher has been very good to us and...”

Tender cut her off “And what? She wants my job, MY job? The job I worked so hard to achieve since I was in Canterlot? NOT going to happen!”

Twilight rolled her eyes “Oh, you're being ridiculous!” she interjected “She's just here, too...” “And YOU, Twilight!” Tender Care cut in “YOU were the one who was saying I needed to take it easy or I would just be as clumsy as you when you hurt you leg!” Twilight was shocked and was lost for words “Don't you dare talk to Twilight like that!” scolded Rarity.

“Stay out of this, Rarity! This doesn't concern you!” Tender fumed “Well, I never” Rarity said, she was disgusted “Well, right now I wish Snowcatcher was the official caretaker instead of you!” Sun Beam yelled, Tender opened his mouth and yelled loudly at Sun Beam “SHUT UP!!!!!!!” His voice was so loud everything shook around Ponyville it even shattered the windows of Sugarcube Corner, even the ponies in town could hear it.

Everypony was all stunned and shocked, they had never heard Tender scream like that before and he had never raised his voice at Sun Beam before. With that Tender got up and stormed out of the shop slamming the door so hard a measuring jug fell off the shelf and smashed on the floor. Rainbow Dash placed her hoof around Sun Beam who was now in tears to comfort him.

A devastated Tender Care thought he was no longer wanted, and he thought he was no longer Ponyville's Official Caretaker, so he turned and ran away past all the ponies who heard him scream so loudly all the way the Everfree Forest crying.

That night Tender Care didn't come home, Twilight sat up in bed worrying even though she was angry him for the way he acted in front of her and the other ponies, she still cared about him, then she began to cry. Spike woke up hearing Twilight sobbing and went to see if she was OK “Twilight, why are you crying?” Twilight struggled to get the words out but she tried “We had an argument at Sugarcube Corner” She sobbed, Spike gaped “You did WHAT!” he exclaimed “Exactly, Spike and then he stormed off in a huff and he hasn't come back yet” she continued as she was blinded with tears.

Then Spike made a promise “First thing in the morning, we'll find him” Twilight looked up at Spike wiping her eyes “Really?” she sniffed “Absolutely” Spike nodded.

Twilight suddenly remembered Snowcatcher “What about Snowcatcher? She said she's leaving tomorrow because of Tender” then Spike made another suggestion “Tell you what, We'll get the girls together and stop Snowcatcher from leaving” Twilight smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes “Thanks, Spike, I'd be lost without you” she chimed and threw her uninjured front leg around Spike and he hugged her back.

In the dark, spooky Everfree Forest, Tender Care sat alone, cold and scared he didn't care where his was, the argument he'd been having with his friends echoed his in mind, it filled his soul full of anger and despair, a tear rolled down his face and dripped onto the grass then, the worst thing happened. Tender's anger and despair had begun to consume him, it began to transform him into an evil terrifying alicorn creature as he was engulfed in bright green coloured flames and he grew the size of Nightmare Moon, then he began to plot his revenge.

As the sun rose over Ponyville, Spike panted and gasped and pushed Twilight in her wheel chair as fast as he could all the way to the train station to stop Snowcatcher from getting on the train back to Canterlot “Hurry, Spike!” commanded Twilight “we've got to Stop Snowcatcher from getting on that train!” But Spike was almost out of breath “What..do you think...I'm...trying to do!?” Spike panted, luckily Rainbow Dash had seen them “Maybe I can help” she suggested as she swooped down, Twilight was relieved “Thanks, Rainbow” she said “We need to stop Snowcatcher before it's too late “Just leave it too me” said Rainbow Dash determinedly.

With that Rainbow Dash took Spike's place and shot off down the road with Twilight as fast as her wings would carry her.

Twilight tried her best to hold on but it was very difficult with only one hoof and the speed Rainbow Dash was going, she was almost knocked off her wheel chair “Rainbow!!!” she called “slow down!!!” Rainbow Dash couldn't believe what she had heard “What do you mean slow down!? You wanna get there before it's too late, don't you?” She exclaimed.

“Well, yes!” Twilight yelled “But not to be thrown off and injure my other leg!” Rainbow Dash understood and reduced her speed just slightly so Twilight wasn't struggling to hold on.

At last they screeched to a stop at the platform, they could see Snowcatcher waiting for the train, it hadn't arrived yet, the two mares were pleased. “Snowcatcher!” Twilight shouted to get her attention, Snowcatcher looked over her shoulder and saw her “Twilight? Rainbow Dash?” she said with a surprised look on her face “what are you doing here?”

“Please, you've got to listen to me” informed Twilight “but first you must come back to Ponyville, I'll explain everything there”.

Snowcatcher began to think about Tender Care “But what about Tender Care?” She asked “Yeah, what about him?” Rainbow Dash harrumphed, Twilight shot a stern look at Rainbow Dash “Because we have to find him, he never came home last night. I was up nearly all night worrying”.

Rainbow Dash wasn't so sure, she was still angry at Tender Care for his behaviour “After the way he acted? I don't think so!” she said grumpily folding her forehooves, This made Twilight angry “I know his behaviour yesterday was atrocious, but I...” she paused for brief moment “I love him”. The blue pegasus pony's eyes popped wide open “What did you say?” She asked “I said I love him” replied Twilight “Oh, that's so nice of you, Twilight” said Snowcatcher “I'll help you find him” she insisted “Thank you” said Twilight then she cast a teasing look at Rainbow Dash “Besides, Rainbow, If Snowcatcher was gone and you didn't want Tender Care back who else would be the Official Caretaker?”

Rainbow Dash knew that Twilight had a point, so together the three friends set off back to Ponyville.

Meanwhile an exhausted Spike had already rounded up Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Sun Beam at the library to wait for Twilight and Rainbow Dash to return with Snowcatcher. It didn't take long for them see Rainbow Dash followed by Snowcatcher who was pushing Twilight heading in their direction, they were delighted.

Twilight was about to explain her plan but Applejack cut her off “It's OK, sugarcube” she said glumly “Spike told us all what was goin' on” “Yes, we cannot simply live our lives without Tender Care” sympathised Rarity “He's our beloved Caretaker”

“And without both Tender Care or Snowcatcher who's going to help us when we need it the most?” asked Sun Beam. Twilight's jaw dropped “That's what I told Snowcatcher and Rainbow Dash!” she said, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes “Yeah, yeah, now are we going to find Tender Care or what?” She asked impatiently. “Yes, Rainbow we are” Twilight stated “And I'm going to help” said Snowcatcher “Ponyville and is not Ponyville without him” Rainbow Dash shot into the air “Then let's do it!” she beamed, all the ponies raised the hooves and simultaneously shouted “Yeah”.

Suddenly there was the sound of ponies screaming coming from the streets of Ponyville, a line of light green fire barrelled through and straight towards Twilight's library then, the line of fire stopped right in front of Twilight and the other ponies and developed into a big floating green fireball and scary evil dark green eyes appeared on it. “Wha...what is that?” asked Applejack in a panicked tone, then before the ponies could do anything else the huge fireball swooped down and snatched Snowcatcher kidnapping her away “HELP!” she cried “Snowcatcher!” Twilight cried “What do we do, what do we do!?” Pinkie Pie screamed “Look” said Twilight pointing at a large light floating towards them, she recognised it, it was Princess Celestia.

“My little ponies, I have bad news for you” she said looking worried “We know!” panicked Twilight “that green fireball thing just kidnapped Snowcatcher! Please we've got to save her!” Princess Celestia put on a calm head and explained the truth about the green fireball “I'm afraid that green fireball that just attacked you is...Tender Care”.

The ponies were speechless and really worried, they didn't even know what to believe but they could tell that Celestia wasn't lying, she looked at Twilight who was close to tears again “Have no fear my faithful student” she said trying to reassure her pupil “We will find a way to stop him”

Twilight felt upset and so did her friends “This is my fault, I should've told him that Snowcatcher was here just to help him just so he can take a break, now look where it's got us” Sun Beam looked up a Twilight and immediately regretted having told Tender Care about Snowcatcher when clearly she wanted to tell him why Snowcatcher came to Ponyville “No, it's my fault, Twilight” he said sadly “So if anypony should take the blame, it should be me”.

Twilight comforted Sun Beam “Don't worry, Sun Beam” she said reassuring him “We'll get him back and Snowcatcher, I promise” Sun Beam felt better after that.

“All right, everypony, we have to find Tender Care and stop him, come, we must hurry, Tender Care's heading to Canterlot, gather around me, now!” ordered Celestia “Spike you stay here and be safe” said Twilight, and Spike did so. Celestia began to make her horn glow but then she stopped and looked at Twilight “Are you really sure you want to face Tender Care with that injured leg?” she asked her student. Twilight put on a determined face “Tender Care means a lot to me, princess, he's means a lot to all of us” she said “And I'm going to help stop him, bad leg or no bad leg!” Princess Celestia smiled “OK, I understand, Twilight” she said “Now come everypony, there's no time to waste”. The ponies grouped around Princess Celestia and with a flash of her horn, she took them all to Canterlot Castle “Good luck, Twilight” said Spike. When the ponies arrived, there was Tender Care in his fireball form staring right down at them from the spire his sinister green eyes “You're too late!” he boomed in a demonic-like voice “Snowcatcher is already in my possession and soon she will be enslaved along with all of Equestria!” he added and laughed maniacally “Tender, stop this at once!” Celestia demanded “Let Snowcatcher go and think about what you're doing!” She added but Tender just stared at Celestia and the ponies standing around her.

Twilight tried to reason with Tender “Look, whatever happened yesterday, were really sorry, OK? But you were in the wrong you must admit but please, this isn't like you at all, what happened to the Tender Care I know and love?”

But Tender wasn't showing any sympathy at all and just scolded Twilight “SILENCE!!!!!” he bellowed “You were the one who wanted me replaced, and for that, you pathetic ponies and your precious Snowcather will ALL respect your new master and be my slaves forever!!!” he said as he revealed his true alicorn form. The group gasped in horror as they took in Tender Care's corrupted dark coloured body, he had dragon wings, plates of silver on his legs and chest and a silver helmet and his mane and tail were light green flames “Oh, no” Sun Beam gasped “From this day forth” Tender Care began “I will be the ruler of Equestria!” He cackled loudly as he cast an evil spell on the castle.

The castle began to crumble, Tender Care was slowly transforming it into a castle of his own. Celestia watched helplessly as all her guards all ran from the castle shouting and screaming, inside the castle the windows shattered and the carpets were dissolving being turned into a twisted rock-like texture and Celestia throne became spiky and sinister looking, the castle was no longer the castle Celestia recognised.

Tender Care laughed maniacally from the top of the spire again as his evil creation was complete “No!” Twilight cried. “YES!!!” Tender cackled then, he cast another spell which spread across Canterlot and Ponyville encasing both places with dark magic. The buildings had turned dark black and the sky became a poison green. The spell also began to warp the minds of all the ponies, turning them in to shadow-like ponies with eerie green eyes and they began chanting “Tender Care, lord and master”. The possessed ponies all surrounded Twilight and her group, Fluttershy and Sun Beam hugged each other crying and whimpering, there was nothing they could do “Tender, cut it out right now!” called Rainbow Dash, but Tender Care just growled at her baring his razor sharp teeth “Enough!” he roared “I AM NOT TENDER CARE!!!!!!!” Tender then disappeared from the spire into castle and levitated it up into the sky.

“Now what do we do?” Twilight asked “There isn't a lot we can do at the moment, Twilight” replied Applejack “I mean if we tried to fly up there these brainwashed ponies will stop us especially the pegasi and those unicorns might use their magic to stop us” she added. Twilight looked up at Celestia who was thinking about something “Um, Princess Celestia? Do you have a plan?

“That I do” replied the princess “You could free Tender Care from his torment using the Elements of Harmony and save Snowcatcher, too”. Twilight was worried “But aren't the Elements in the chamber protected by a spell only you can break?” “Exactly” Celestia replied “but without a doubt, Tender could have created his own guards in his castle knowing that we'll somehow try and get to the Elements.” She looked at the possessed ponies that surrounded them still chanting their phrase “Tender Care, lord and master” the said simultaneously “I will get us past these ponies Tender Care is using to keep us back, Twilight, Rarity, I will need your magic to combine with mine so I can make this work” Celestia said.

The two unicorns trusted Celestia, even though Twilight had an injured leg she could still use her magic. So Rarity and Celestia placed their horns next to Twilight's “Are you two ready?” asked Celetsia to Rarity and Twilight “I'm ready” said Rarity eagerly “For Equestria and Tender Care” added Twilight.

So with a hum of magic from their horns, the wind began to swirl around them creating a force field around them and the other ponies and very slowly they were lifted into air.

The possessed pegasi tried to stop them but they were repelled by Celestia's force field even the possessed unicorn's magic couldn't penetrate the force field. Finally, the ponies had arrived at Tender Care's castle just before Celestia's force field faded away, Twilight, Celestia and Rarity began panting as soon as the force field disappeared, feeling exhausted from having to perform their magic together “OK” Celestia said gasping for breath “Stay close to me, if we get caught we're done for.

Celestia was right, Tender Care had indeed created his own ponies guards in case Twilight and her friends somehow got in, they were black coated ponies with the same green glowing eyes as him “Follow me” whispered Celestia “To get to the Elements we must make our way to the Chamber, it next to the throne room” so Celestia quietly lead the group past the patrolling guards.

Pinkie Pie fell over part way down the hallway which alerted one of the guards, Rainbow Dash quickly acted and grabbed her and pulled her behind a giant pillar just tall enough to hide behind clapping her hoof over her mouth, everypony else quickly hid with them.

The guard entered the hallway where he heard the noise, he looked around but couldn't see anything, after a few minutes the guard left and went back to his post, the ponies all breathed a sigh of relief and Rainbow Dash frowned at Pinkie Pie “Be careful will you, Pinkie? You could've got us caught” she whispered “Sorry” the pink party pony whispered back and the group carried on.

Twilight and the group were not far from the chamber, there were no guards in sight but Twilight was curious about something “Princess? When Tender cast his mind control spell on those poor ponies, how come it didn't affect us?” Celestia smiled “Well, Twilight, as soon as Tender Care cast his spell, I quickly shot a bolt of magic of my own so that the spell wouldn't touch us, but it was only enough to keep us save and unfortunately not enough to keep the spell from consuming the other ponies, as well as Canterlot and Ponyville” She explained “Wow” Sun Beam gaped “Good thing he didn't notice, huh?” “That's right” Celestia nodded “We're here”.

The ponies stood back as Princess Celestia slid her horn into hole to try open the chamber, but something was wrong “I can't open the chamber” she said looking confused “What!?” exclaimed Twilight “But how?” Celestia thought for a moment.

“Tender Care must have cast a spell on the chamber that only he can break” she said worryingly suddenly, they heard the sound of evil laughter, It was Tender Care “Oh, you are too right I did, Celestia. Did you really think it the Elements are in that chamber? Of course not!” Tender laughed.

Everypony could hear Tender's voice echo around the room “Where are you? Show yourself!” Celestia demanded “As you wish” Tender said as the room began to materialise into the throne room, there sat Tender Care on his throne giving off a very evil smile sitting in his throne “I've been expecting you” he chuckled, the ponies prepared to face up to him “Where are the Elements?” asked Celestia with a stern tone, Tender pretended like he didn't know what Celestia was talking about until he used his magic to make the Elements appear around him forming a circle formation around his neck.

“Are you talking about these Elements?” he asked sarcastically, Celestia and the other ponies gasped “Give them back, you bully!” shouted Sun Beam “Nah ah, bad move, sugarcube” Applejack said trying to hold him back. Tender snickered “You are always the funny one, Sun Beam. That is apart from Pinkie Pie, that is” he sneered.

“Ooo” Pinkie cooed “I didn't know you were more funnier than me, Sun Beam” Twilight facehoofed “Pinkie, now isn't the time” reminded Rainbow Dash.

Twilight looked back at Pinkie from her wheel chair “Rainbow's right, get serious” Pinkie did as she was told and made a serious face. Tender Care slowly got up off his throne and slowly walked towards Twilight and the ponies “I think there's something else you forgot to ask me” he said “And what's that?” asked Applejack, Tender's horn glowed again and there in the corner of the room was Snowcatcher trapped in a cage that was engulfed in green flames “Snowcatcher!” the ponies cried out at once “I'm sorry” Snowcatcher said weeping, the group could see that she was crying and frightened “Let her go now, Tender Care!” snapped Twilight.

Tender sighed “You just never learn do you?” he began approaching Twilight slowly “You told me, Twilight Sparkle that nopony could ever take my place as a caretaker and then what did you do? WHAT DID YOU DO!? he asked losing his temper “You think that Snowcatcher is more capable at being a better caretaker than me!” Now he was looking down right at Twilight, staring at her. She wasn't afraid to stand up to him “No, you're wrong! I would never do anything like that!” She interjected “I love you too much to do that to you” she added but Tender sniffed “Urgh, you're making me feel sick” he scoffed turning around “this isn't about love, it's about...” he suddenly turned back around “REVENGE!!!” he boomed and threatened to attack the group.

Celestia quickly stepped in and locked horns with Tender Care “I will NOT let you attack my subjects!” Celestia fumed and tried to hold him back, but Tender was too strong and knocked Celestia down onto the floor “Pathetic” Tender harrumphed as Celestia got up again.

“You can't do that to the princess!” boomed Applejack, this time Tender Care was furious and began to absorb the power of the Elements of Harmony “The Elements!” Twilight cried as Tender grew large enough he burst through the roof “That's it, you're going down!”said Rainbow Dash determinedly and flew straight at Tender Care “You're efforts are futile!” Tender bellowed and knocked her down with his giant hoof.

Everypony screamed in horror as Rainbow Dash was knocked to the ground “Foolish ponies!” Tender roared “You will never defeat me!” and he took off into the sky laughing and dropping the Elements on the floor.

The ponies gathered around Rainbow Dash who lay motionless on the floor “Rainbow? Rainbow?” Twilight panicked close to crying, Applejack nudged her but she didn't move “C-come on, sugarcube, open yer eyes for me!” she stuttered breaking down in tears.

The ponies feared the worst and all began to break down crying, even Celestia herself shed tears.

Just then they heard a cough and quickly glanced down at Rainbow Dash, she wasn't dead “Um...hi?” she groaned. The ponies were pleased their friend was OK “You sure had us worried, darling” said Rarity “It must take a lot of strength to survive a blow like that” added Twilight. Then Rainbow Dash made a decision “I...can...stop Tender” she said weakly, Twilight was concerned “But you're hurt” but Rainbow Dash wasn't going to give up “The Elements...place them around me” she suggested “But Tender drained them all of their power” Rarity said, Celestia however saw that Rainbow Dash was right “She's telling the truth, Tender couldn't absorb the Element's power entirely” she said “Rainbow Dash can harness their real power. Hurry everypony, it's our only chance!” Celestia insisted. So without waiting a second they all picked up the Elements and placed them in a circle around Rainbow Dash.

After a few seconds Twilight and everypony else awaited the inevitable but then, the elements began to glow. They levitated into the air taking Rainbow Dash with them, suddenly there was a blinding flash and Rainbow Dash underwent an unbelievable transformation she had become Super Rainbow Dash, everypony could not believe what they were seeing, Rainbow Dash shot up into the sky, ready to take on Tender Care for the final showdown with him.

Up in the poison green sky Tender Care was waiting, Rainbow Dash appeared right in front of him “What? What is this?” he asked looking confused “Oh, you really wanna know?” Rainbow Dash mocked “Why don't you find out! The evil alicorn was angered by Rainbow Dash's determination “Then face me, one last time!” he demanded “Bring it on!” bellowed Rainbow Dash. As Rainbow Dash and Tender Care clashed Celestia brought Twilight and the rest of the ponies outside so they could cheer Rainbow Dash on.

Tender Care tried to block Rainbow Dash with a force field but with her incredible speed she smashed through the force field and hit Tender right in the face causing him to scream in pain. Tender Care tried another attack method, he took a deep breath and blasted a stream of green fire out of his mouth at Rainbow Dash like a dragon, but she just dodged it “Ha, you can't stop me!” said Rainbow Dash mockingly again.

Tender snarled angrily and tried to attack Rainbow Dash with his giant hoof but Rainbow Dash fought fire with fire and deflected his hoof with her hoof, throwing his aim off.

It was now time for Rainbow Dash to make her move, she charged at Tender and slammed into his wing causing him to lose altitude and fall to ground with a tremendous thud right in front Twilight and everypony.

“Go for it, Rainbow Dash!” shouted Twilight.

“Give it all you got, sugarcube!” Applejack yelled.

“You can do it!” bellowed Rarity.

“We know you can!” cheered Sun Beam.

“Do it for Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie demanded.

“Do it for all of us!” Fluttershy screamed.

“Do it for...Equestria!” they all bellowed at once.

Rainbow Dash heard them and bolted from the highest height she could dive from, faster and faster she dove, fast enough to perform a sonic rainboom in the form of a rainbow powered by the Elements of Harmony and struck Tender Care engulfing him in the rainbow “NOOOOOOOO!!!!!” he cried as the power of Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom destroyed his corrupted body, returning him to back to the kind and caring Tender Care he was before, Rainbow Dash had won. Suddenly the Element's power had encased Canterlot, the castle and Ponyville and undid the evil spell Tender Care had cast on them and the sky had turned back into the beautiful blue sky it once was, allowing the sun to beam down. The citizens of Ponyville and Canterlot were back to normal and they cheered wildly and hugging each other like crazy.

Rainbow Dash landed next to her friends, her new form faded away and she was greeted with warm hugs from everypony. Twilight looked, Tender Care had regained consciousness, his vision was blurry for a second or two until his could finally see looking down on him was Twilight Sparkle and the rest of his friends, he looked very sad “Why so sad, sugarcube?” asked Applejack kindly, Tender looked at the farm pony “I'm sorry” he said sadly “All those terrible things I did. I said some horrible things to all of you and...I even yelled at Sun Beam”.

Sun Beam walked up to his friend “It's OK, buddy” he said helping Tender Care get to his hooves “You didn't mean it, you were just angry” he added “Yeah, and a little jealous” Twilight said. Tender had to admit that Twilight was right “I guess I was being too jealous, huh?” All the ponies agreed, then Tender suddenly remembered something “What about Snowcather?” he asked looking concerned “I'm right here” said a voice.

Tender Care looked over his shoulder and there, standing behind him was Snowcatcher “Snowcatcher!” Everypony cheered including Tender who more relieved than the rest of them “I'm sorry, Snowcatcher” sympathised Tender “I shouldn't have misjudged you and I should have realised that you weren't trying to take my job” he added. Snowcatcher smiled and hugged Tender “I forgive you” she whispered, Tender returned the embrace and he gently stroked Snowcather's long soft pink mane.

Celestia levitated Twilight towards Tender Care with her magic “We all forgive you” she said “You see, that's why Snowcatcher is here because I told Princess Celestia that you were struggling on your own” She explained “So I asked Snowcatcher to help you as a secondary caretaker, but not to take your place” Twilight continued “I could never do that to you”.

“I understand, Twilight” smiled Tender “I guess I could use an extra pair of hooves around here” he admitted to Twilight “that way Snowcatcher can take over while I'm resting” he said placing his hoof around Snowcatcher.

Celestia looked down at Tender Care “Excellent” she declared “well done, Tender” Tender looked back up at the princess “I think you've learned something from all this” Celestia stated. Tender had to agree that he had “For the first time, would you care to give me your report about the magic of friendship?” “Of course, princess” insisted Tender.

“I've learned that working by yourself can lead to mishaps, and that you can't always work alone. But, when somepony offers to help, they can guide your way. It's important to always take your friend's advice, because you never know they could be right” Tender reported to Celestia “Very good, Tender Care I'm so proud of you” she said proudly “Now if you would all excuse me, I have some mail to read” she added and disappeared into the castle “Come on everpony” said Twilight “Let's go home”.

Moments later Tender and his friends arrived back at Ponyville on the train, Tender Care helped Twilight and took her home with him as the girls followed “Hey, didn't my form look awesome?” said Rainbow Dash “Oh, it wasn't just awesome” Tender replied, Rainbow Dash was confused “it was incredible” he laughed.

That made Rainbow Dash happy and she threw her hooves around Tender Care. When Tender and the gang entered the library, he and everypony else were greeted by Spike jumping up and hugging him and then gently hugging Twilight “Great job, girls” he cheered “you got Tender Care back!” Rarity picked up the baby dragon and gave him a big hug “We sure did, Spikey-wikey” she cooed giving him multiple kisses and put him back down onto his feet then he fell over from being lovestruck, all the ponies rolled their eyes and laughed.

Twilight cleared her throat “Tender? Girls? I've just remembered something” Everypony listened “In two days time this cast comes off, I'll be able to walk again” she declared grandly. Everypony cheered especially Tender Care who was happiest of all “I love you, Twilight Sparkle” he said “I love you, too, my best caretaker” Twilight replied in return.

THE END