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

Fluttershy shivered in fear as she glanced up at the giants halls of his dark castle. Everything she looked at made her feel like cowering in fear and hiding under a blanket. Just a few moment ago, she was walking through the halls of her home...well...used to be home. She didn't know what happened but she just took a step and suddenly she was outside an extremely large and dark castle.

  Fluttershy had screamed in shock at the sudden teleportation, which seemed to amuse the dark one greatly. He hadn't said anything the entire time, not giving her a tour or asking anything, he just continued to walk her through the large castle without a glance. Fluttershy gulped as they passed the strange and creepy stone statues that lined along the giant halls.

  It seemed like an eternity of walking, and then finally, they came upon two large doors. Fluttershy squeaked and jumped back when they suddenly flew open and hit the wall with a loud bang. The Dark One laughed at her and ignored her as he entered, Fluttershy slowly following him inside.

  "Your room is just down this hall here. I made sure to make it close so you can serve me immediately when I need you." He said, finally speaking surprising Fluttershy slightly as he spoke with a slight smirk.

  The room was just like all the other ones she saw, dark and gloomy. Inside was a somewhat medium sized table that went across the room. Curtains of red hung over the windows, blocking the sun light from peeking inside. The walls were bare, except for the few candle holders that were lit, and a few strange cabinets held many interesting looking items, most likely magical.

  On the ceiling, was a very beautiful chandelier, it was covered in crystals, or was it diamonds? She couldn't tell by the lack of light from the very dim candles. At the very end of the room, was a large organ, wind blew from it's pipes and into her face as Fluttershy walked by. Fluttershy had a look of confusion cover her features as she spotted something to her right, something that looked completely different from the fancy and grand room.

  It was nothing but a simple and plain spinning wheel for cotton. Out of everything in the room, this was just a simple clump of wood. Why would this creature have such an object? Then something sparkled next to it and her eyes fell onto a basket and she felt even more confused when she saw strings of what looked like....gold? She lost sight of it as he moved towards the other end of where it stood.

  Fluttershy felt deep fear for this creature, and for this overly dark and gloomy castle, but she couldn't help but feel herself seething with anger at how this creature laughed at her fear and acted like it was no big deal taking her away from her dear family and friends. Fluttershy heard he was cruel, but she didn't think he would be that cruel.

  He had mocked them for calling for help when ponies were dying every minute that passed, he was acting like a foolish filly and seemed excited to bring her father and friends misery even when he stopped the war. What mostly angered her is his reason for taking her.

  He wanted to just order her around all day, as he said himself, and knowing at how powerful he seemed to be, and how he could have anything he wanted, he chose a princess to work as a slave for him. Fluttershy guessed that the reason he didn't choose her maid Rarity or any of the other mares, was probably because it would amuse him to see a princess working her hooves off for him.

  Fluttershy felt a shiver as she wondered if he intended to have her as a slave for something else. No matter if he tried, she wouldn't ever let such a monster who laughed at the pain of others even touch her!

  "I sure hope you like your room!" He chirped, bringing Fluttershy out of her thoughts. The dark one just smiled as he held his hand out towards the hall and Fluttershy looked at him cautiously as she slowly passed him.

  "I worked ever so hard to make it perfect for you!" He chirped again in what sounded like a sarcastic tone.

  Fluttershy chose not to comment back at all as they continued to walk down, feeling her legs ache from standing around all day and then all this walking added to it. Also she was mentally exhausted. She was just taken from her only family, she would most likely never see any other pony or them again. She would be alone forever in the dark one's clutches until her dying day.

  Fluttershy had told herself over and over many times that day that she needed to be strong...but all she could feel was anger and deep sadness, along with the fear that made her body tremble.

  "Ah! Here you are! home sweet home!" He grinned and twisted his eagle looking talon, making the iron gate open.

  Fluttershy stared at the iron door strangely and wondered why her bedroom would have an iron door...in fact it looked like a-

  "Wh-what!?" She asked as she peeked in the room and felt her insides twist. It wasn't a bedroom, there wasn't anything in there. It was a cold and dark cell, and only bars served as her window. The floor had puddles of water and a strange slimy substance covered the walls along with mold that was at a few corners. There was a small hole in the wall where she could see more than two rats scattering around, covered in dirt and mud, chattering around loudly.

  The cell itself stunk terribly and there was no where to sleep, not even a small cushion. The only part that wasn't wet, was a vary dark corner that made her body shiver even more. She knew she wasn't a filly anymore, and she shouldn't be scared of something like the dark, but it seemed to be a fear that was always hard for her to overcome.

  But was she going to rot in this cell, working for the dark sorcerer for all eternity? She already felt dread for what would happen tomorrow. How was she going to get any sleep? How was she supposed to stay warm in such a revealing dress?

  "Th-this is my room!!??" She screeched and the dark one shrugged.

  "Well it does sound a lot better than dungeon. Don't you think?" He smirked before pushing her in on her back, making her gasp as she fell forward onto the hard stone floor with a thud.

  The dark one laughed and before Fluttershy could do anything, the iron door shut, the sound echoing off the walls.

  "Sleep well deary!" He continued to laugh as she heard the sound of his boots become more distant.

  Fluttershy started panting and rushed up to the door and banged on the iron bars on top. "No! Let me out! Please!" She begged and felt tears filling her eyes.

  When there was no reply, Fluttershy started to cry softly as she let go of the bars and fell to the floor and held her face in her hooves.

  "Please....I....I don't want to be alone..." She choked, her body shaking as she sobbed.

  Fluttershy continued to cry, the wetness of the floor staining her dress and causing her bones to ache from the cold. After a whole hour of crying and calling for help and begging, she fell asleep on the dirty floor, shivering and whimpering as the night went by.

Past

  Discord watched as his mom packed their things for the journey. He sat near the door way, wearing a dark brown cloak that covered his face, despite his red eyes that glowed from underneath. Carrot Top glanced over at Discord as she placed some bread into a basket.

  "I've done some research....and apparently there is a powerful sorcerer who will be able to help us." She said and Discord just sat quietly as she talked.

  "People call her Twilight Sparkle. She is known to be one of the lost princesses, and just may have what we need to help you." She continued as she finished filling a basket and closing it. Carrot Top walked near Discord and picked up a tan cloak and throwing it over her shoulder and tying the strings into a knot.

  Carrot sighed as she glanced down at Discord and bent down. "Discord...I know I've asked this before...but...are you really sure this is what you want?" She asked in a soft tone. Even though she feared his magic, and she felt that taking his magic away would be the best for both him and her, she knew she would forever blame herself if Discord ended up regretting his decision later on.

  Discord looked down and lowered his ears. In truth Discord didn't know what he wanted. But he was desperate, and would do anything to not hurt any pony ever again, and this seemed to be the only answer. He had tried learning how to control it, but each time it ended in a big disaster.

  Even though he was scared, and he felt a voice in the back of his head telling him not to do it, he had to. He didn't know who he was, he didn't know what type of creature he was. Right now only fear filled the young colt's heart as he sat there in conflict on what to do.

  "Y-yes.....I want to...." He whispered and Carrot Top smiled softly as his eyes met hers, but she could read the fear in his eyes and felt sadness for him. She would never understand how he felt, hurting others and losing control. So she felt that this was the best answer as well.

  "Alright...I was able to get us a ride on a cart to take us halfway there. It will be a long trip, and it will be cold. Do you have enough to where?" She asked tightening his plain scrap of red cloth that served as a scarf.

  "I think so." He replied back and Carrot looked at him before smiling and holding his chin in her hoof.

  "Discord...I want you to know...that now matter what you choose. I will always love you." She whispered and felt tears fill her eyes.

  "I will too...mom." He smiled and moved forward to hug her.

  Carrot Top giggled and pulled away. "Well then...we best be going." She said, standing up.

  Discord sighed and sat up on all fours, moving to pick up a basket that had everything he needed. He grabbed the end in his mouth and watched his mom as she pushed back a curtain to glance out.

  "He is here, we need to get going." She said and quickly turned to grab two bigger baskets. "Are you sure you have everything?"

  Discord started to mumble as he tried to answer but then just nodded, not being able to speak with a basket in his mouth.

  "Alright then lets go." She said with a smile before opening the wooden door that creaked softly. Carrot waited for Discord to go out first before she followed and they came up to a carriage where a stallion sat on a carriage full of hay.

  "Get on quick lady! I need to get this delivery done by tonight!" He said and Carrot Top nodded at him and handed him a small pouch of bits.

  "Yes sir, that's for your troubles." She said before tossing the two baskets she had into the back and turning to Discord to take his a well.

  After she placed the baskets in, she picked Discord up to hold in her arms as she pushed herself up and leaned against a bail of hay, pulling a blanket from inside one of the baskets to throw over them.

  "Are you warm little one?" She asked as Discord snuggled into her.

  Discord hummed a mm hmm and Carrot smiled as she stroked his cheek as he began to fall asleep.

  "After we get there, we'll be moving to the southern village of the kingdom. We can start a new life there and no pony will know of your magic." She said and Discord just nodded.

  "Thank you mom...you don't know what this means to me..." He looked up and Carrot was surprised to see his eyes full of tears.

  "It's nothing darling, what makes you happy makes me happy. Now why the tears sweetie?" She asked, wiping a tear that escaped his brim.

  "N-nothing...I'm just a little scared....do you think it will hurt?" He asked back.

  "I don't know...I hope it doesn't." She mumbled and kissed his forehead. "Go to sleep Discord..." she whispered lovingly into his ear and he sighed before he let the darkness of sleep cover him as he relaxed in his mothers warm and comfortable embrace.