The Beauty And The Beast - All Magic Comes With A Price

  Fluttershy had dreaded the on going torture of none stop working, her muscles and bones aching with fatigue and her eyes dark and droopy from lack of sleep and stress. Fluttershy had believed she was on the verge of breaking, and every night in her cell, she would walk up to the small window almost of out reach to even see what was outside, wishing she could rip the thick and cold iron bars out and run away from this dreadful place and it's cruel owner. As days went on and nights of crying herself to sleep, Fluttershy prayed that she would see her father again, and that this evil creature would get rid of her, set her free, anything but she doubted that he would ever do such a thing.

  Just a week ago, The Dark One had come into her chambers completely agitated with the noise she made, but soon after they had heard a noise and when she had carefully followed the Dark One out of curiosity, it appeared that a stallion had broken into the castle trying to steal something. Fluttershy didn't know what the stallion was trying to steal or why, but after hearing the pained and torturous cries of the stallion being skinned alive, she had a small idea of why he did what he was trying to do. Sometimes as his screams went down the halls, she would hear him call out a name of someone, saying something about saving her.

  Fluttershy believed that it was wrong for the stallion to steal, even if it was from the Dark One, but he seemed to have a reason, and as Fluttershy tried putting a few pieces together, she believed he had a good purpose for what he was doing. Even if he didn't, no one deserved to be skinned alive. He didn't look like the thieving type, or like any criminal, in fact he was a very tall, muscular, and handsome, and there was also something about him that she couldn't quite get that was on the tip of her tongue. Fluttershy's mother always told her to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even if said pony did wrong or committed cruel deeds throughout his or her life.

  Fluttershy felt deep pity for the mysterious stallion, and one day when the Dark One had left to attend business as he called it, she had carefully ventured to where the stallion was being kept. She had gotten lost a few times as she didn't know exactly where he had been, only seeing the Dark One heading to see him now and then but eventually she had found the stallion. He was very weak, the cell he was in was just like the one she was sleeping in, but it was covered in stains of blood and there were strange hooks and tools along the walls of the cell.

  Fluttershy felt her stomach churn at what she had seen and wanted to run before her stomach decided to push out what was left in her, but her need to help the stallion won over and she tried her best to help him. He was chained against the wall, his forelegs held by two iron slips keeping them in place, which were also on his hind legs. His shirt was on the floor and his body was stained in his own blood, wounds and cuts covering his body and she felt deep sorrow for what he went through, and she had quickly gone up to him and inspected his still fresh wounds.

  The white stallion was unconscious for most of the time she tried taking care of him, but it was hard since she knew she couldn't do much without the Dark One learning of what she was doing and punishing her for helping this stallion. She wasn't there when he had awoken that day, due to the fact that the Dark One was going to be back very soon and she didn't want to risk him seeing her. A day later when he left, she had gone back and this time the stallion was conscious, and she had brought some food from her breakfast for him to eat as well as some water.

  Even though it wasn't much, it still helped and she soon learned that the stallions name was Shining Armor. Sadly he didn't have the strength then to say anything else and she was able to tend to more of his wounds without the Dark One noticing, or at least she hoped. This continued on for quite a few days and soon she got to get in a whole conversation with him.

  Fluttershy didn't learn why he had been trying to steal the wand, but during one time she promised she would learn how to help him escape. As a couple days past by, Fluttershy decided it was time to make a move when the Dark One headed out one morning. But she would have to be patient and wait for the right moment to do it, and as she peeked down a now familiar hall, a small cloth rolled up into a ball held in her hooves, she made her way to see Shining Armor.

  Fluttershy made her steps quick and inside she was still afraid that the Dark One return any second and learn of what she was doing, but something inside her filled her with determination, with need to help this stallion who was being treated like he wasn't a living being, which is what caused her to keep doing this every day when the Dark One went out. Fluttershy reached Shining Armor's cell and entered it quietly as to not wake him if he were asleep, but found him awake and starring at the floor with a blank expression. Fluttershy moved forward and now at the sound of her hooves, Shining Armor looked up and felt relief at the sight of the yellow mare.

  "Oh thank goodness....I'm glad your here..." Shining Armor whispered, his voice sounding weak.

  Fluttershy smiled and unfolded the ball of cloth that she had in her hooves, revealing a small piece of bread, a carrot, and a few grapes. She had some water with her too and quickly helped the stallion take the cup between his hooves and drink it. Instead of being chained up and being forced to stand all day long and hanging by his wrists, he was now sitting on the ground. It appears that most likely the Dark One wanted to see him struggle to get away when he tortured him.

  "Sorry that I don't have much food to give you. It's hard to sneak anything without the Dark One noticing." Fluttershy apologized and Shining pushed a smile towards her despite the stinging in his lips at the effort.

  "This is fine....thank you." He murmured before stuffing the food into his mouth like there was no tomorrow and Fluttershy kept looking around, feeling a strange shiver crawling up and down her spine.

  "I'm afraid I have to leave, I don't know when he will be back and I need to continue on my chores." Fluttershy explained and Shining Armor didn't reply until the piece of bread he had was completely devoured.

  "That's alright..." Shining Armor replied breathlessly, "Again thank you...for what you've done." The stallion said, now looking into her eyes and Fluttershy smiled.

  Fluttershy got up from her slightly crouched down position and was about to turn when she was struck frozen as that voice echoed in the cell Shining Armor and her were in.

  "Well, so this is what you've been doing while I'm gone!" The Dark One's voice had chirped, and as Fluttershy slowly turned to face him, he was leaning against the entrance of the cell, his arms crossed and that smirk covering his features and Fluttershy found it hard to get out any words.

  "I-I-I...wh-what are you doing here? I thought you were-" Fluttershy stuttered nervously when The Dark One interrupted her, moving himself away from the entrance and walking in.

  "What? That I was on a trip? Yes indeed I was but you know..." The Dark One continued with his hands raising to his face and his thumbs tapping, "After seeing some strange things going on with my prisoner, and finding crumbs on the cell floor, as well as finding my prisoners wounds mysteriously cleaned....I got curious and decided to see what the mouse did when the cat was away." He grinned and came up to Fluttershy, starring down at her. "And now I do know that the mouse does play."

  Fluttershy gulped and could only imagine what horrors were laid out for her. She couldn't help but blame herself for not being careful enough and felt as if that now that he knew she had been helping him, he would treat Shining Armor worse than before. Despite her fear, she tried to do something than just stand there like a helpless fool.

  "Please....he doesn't mean any harm, just let him go..." Fluttershy begged softly, her eyes pleading and The Dark One was slightly taken back by the way those teal eyes of hers seemed to bore into him and shoot down into his chest, but he quickly shook it off and grinned.

  "Doesn't mean any harm? This stallion stole from me dearie, taking a very precious and magical object that could very well cause harm." The Dark One replied back, his tone slightly menacing.

  Fluttershy wanted to say something else but Discord grabbed her arm, making her gasp in surprise  as he brought her close to his face, her arm hurting from being lifted up like that, her feet almost hovering off the floor.

  "The stallion isn't important right now." The Dark One growled and Fluttershy shivered, pleasing the Dark One. "Right now you just disobeyed me and helped a criminal, and I'm afraid I can't let that pass." He hissed coldly and Fluttershy felt herself stiffen and felt something deep in her heart saying that this was no good.

  Without another word or glance at the stallion who called out to him, asking him to let her go, he pulled Fluttershy, practically dragging her down the hall and to her cell. Once he was there, he threw her inside, causing her to fall with a small thump and he stayed there looking at her.

  Fluttershy panted after that quick walk and rubbed her hurting arm as she took shaky breaths, her heart pounding in fear as she slowly turned her head to look at him.

  "A-are you going to kill me?...." Fluttershy had asked just above a whisper. The Dark One continued to stare at the mare, feeling anger for helping that thief, and knowing that he never let anyone who interfered with what he did live to see another day. But something inside him made him hesitate, he wasn't sure what it was, but he felt like he couldn't kill her for helping the stallion.

  "No...no of course not." The Dark One grinned and Fluttershy blinked at him confused.

  "Wh-what?" Fluttershy asked wondering if he was just playing with her, or maybe planning to torture her as well for what she did.

  "Do you know how hard it is to come across a good maid? I can't just kill you cause then I would have to find another one and it's oh so ever boring." The Dark One explained with a grin and Fluttershy just continued to stare at him. "But I am going to punish you for disobeying me." His grin now a straight line and he had a glare in his eyes.

  Fluttershy glared back at the creature and stood up, her hooves brushing the dust off her dress. "I don't recall you telling me that I could not help the stallion." She suddenly said to him, her voice calm with a hint of anger, and the Dark One was slightly surprised. "You never said I couldn't bring him food or tend to the wounds you gave him, so how did I disobey you if you didn't tell me otherwise that I wasn't allowed to be near the stallion." She continued with clipped lips, fear still in her chest but she stood her ground, not wanting to be intimidated by this monster.

  The Dark One starred silent, for the first time almost speechless and without knowing it his mouth was slightly agape. The Dark One sputtered a few things before growling and glaring daggers at Fluttershy.

  "It doesn't matter! The point is you did it without telling me and for that you are to be locked up in here for three straight days!" The Dark One barked and in a swift motion spun around, the iron door slamming. Fluttershy ran to the doors and slammed on the bars.

  "Wait! you can't do that!" Fluttershy protested, but The Dark One ignored her and she groaned before sliding on her back down to the cold floor.

  The fire place warmed his coat with a pleasant heat as he relaxed in a large cushioned armed chair. The day had been rough, and the King had been very distracted and seemed to be very tired so things progressed very slowly. Even though he believed he was overstaying his visit, he believed it would be best for him to stay and help Star Swirl.

  Sombra could tell that the King was indeed broken inside at losing his daughter to a monster, so he had decided to stay and make sure everything was in check before he made his way home. No kingdom was in good shape if the King was down and passing his duties as the leader of the kingdom, so just until this wound healed, Sombra would remain to make sure everything went smoothly.

  At the moment, something was on Sombra's mind, a conversation he had earlier that morning with Star Swirl about his daughter. Star Swirl kept weeping in regret for what he did to his daughter, and even though he told him it wasn't his fault, Star Swirl still insisted on blaming himself for letting her go. Sombra couldn't help but be upset when Fluttershy left, she was quite the beauty and he would have enjoyed very much being her betrothed, and over the dance they had shared, he felt a bond towards her and though it wasn't strong he felt attracted to her for sure.

  Even though he thought it was an impossible task and would take forever to just get started on it, Sombra was considering Star Swirl's request in finding a way to get Fluttershy back. Sombra had pushed the idea away immediately when Star Swirl recommended going to take Fluttershy's place, believing he was in no condition to do that and he doubted the Dark One would trade. But after thinking about it more, Sombra had a small idea form in his head that might work.

  One thing was true, they definitely needed Fluttershy in order to continue the rein of Star Swirl and to keep this Kingdom, but when she gave herself up to save them from the ogres, she was no longer available and couldn't take the crown like she was destined to. Sombra and everyone believed Fluttershy was very brave to sacrifice herself to save them, and he felt a need to repay that sacrifice. Sombra knew a few sorceress, and one in particular came to mind when it came to this subject.

  Indeed the Dark One was very powerful, most likely it was true that he was the most powerful in all the lands, but he wasn't the only sorcerer with great power and wisdom. Sombra hadn't talked to her in years, he had only met her once when she saved his life, and from what he knew was that she was desperate for power. For what reason she wanted so much power he didn't know yet, but he had hope that she could help them in keeping this kingdom growing.

  Sombra had told Star Swirl about this sorcerer, but he didn't know if his plan would actually work. Star Swirl believed it was a bad idea, but it was the only option they had and Star Swirl was desperate to have his daughter back. So he had agreed that Sombra would soon go on a trip to find this sorcerer and possibly, perhaps....destroy the Dark One.

  Sombra sighed as he leaned his chin on the base of his hoof, his elbow leaning on the arm as he thought more deeply into the situation they were in. Indeed it was a very dangerous decision and the trip would be very long, and so Sombra decided he would try and start a trip soon on this quest and inform the king when he will be leaving, that is once he learns when he will be going. Sombra wanted to wait just in case anything else turned up but he doubted it, it would take a miracle to save Fluttershy from the beast, and Sombra was willing to take desperate measures to get her back not only for the kingdom, but for himself as well.

  The thought placed a small smirk at the end of Sombra's mouth and he rose from the comfortable chair, his silken black robe swaying around his body as he called out.

  "Coco Pommel!" Sombra's deep voice echoed through the room and after a few seconds of complete silence, he heard hoof steps coming closer to his door and soon the light mare came in and bowed her head in respect.

  "Yes my lord?" The humble servant asked and Sombra smirked and turned to face the bright fire place.

  "Please fetch my bags and pack my things." He ordered and Coco replied with a 'Yes your highness-' before moving to obey his orders.

  "I'm going on a trip and I need everything ready to go for tomorrow morning." Sombra finished before leaving the large and well decorated room. Even though he thought of waiting, Sombra had a feeling he should start as soon as possible. There was no doubt that this would be hard and long, so he thought it best to get it started and over with. Hopefully with patience and time, Sombra hoped to see Fluttershy back home with her father and her as his wife.