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

  The Dark One sat at his organ, playing softly on it's ivory keys, the motions creating a beautiful melody that echoed through the room and castle halls. As always, he never slept a single minute of the day, always staying up and playing his organ with great passion. Playing the organ always helped relax him and help him think.

  Whenever he was feeling low or lonely, playing the organ always seemed to sooth the ache in his heart that decided it never wanted to leave. The dark one may have been heartless, cruel, and perhaps even pure evil, but deep down inside his blackening heart, there was the tiniest glow of cherry red, a place where he still possessed care and feelings.

  The Dark One hated feelings. They were a weakness, and he wanted to be rid of them. That's why he had been playing around more often lately, messing with the lives of others and bringing misery to more ponies. He hated how he felt right now, he could feel strings pull at his heart every time he pushed a note, every time a memory came back, it hurt.

  He tried taking deep breaths and to keep himself under control when it came to his emotions. Although it was hard to control the black tears that swam in his eyes, making it hard to see the notes before him as he continued to play. He may have been a very powerful wizard, and with his magic he could rid himself of the memories that haunted him. But some part of him wanted to remember, to always remember his shame and guilt as an eternal punishment for himself.

  The Dark One's hands, that were - at first - playing softly and elegantly, now pounded hard with deep passion as those same memories came back. Why was he such a coward all those years ago? Why did he have to let his only child go because he was too afraid? Even though he had little back then....she would have been enough.

  If only time travel was possible......

  The Dark One tried to focus on something else besides the pain of the past, and his thoughts suddenly thought of the mare which he took from the royal family of Canterlot. He couldn't help but smirk as he remembered the fear in her eyes, along with the suffering he had caused her family.

  In truth, he didn't know why he picked the mare, but he knew that he did it just to have fun with her. Toy with her emotions, pull the strings that always brought such sweet fulfillment when the victim finally broke. And besides, she was a princess, it would be even more fun torturing her with the duties of a lowly peasant. All princesses were the same, snotty and rude, always picky about their clothing and getting dirty.

  The Dark One frowned as he thought of her more. What confused him was how she was willing to sacrifice herself to save her father and friends. The act of a naive, foolish young mare, no doubt. He rolled his eyes and waved the thought off. Sure, she was willing to sacrifice herself for her kingdom, but she was still royalty.

  The Dark One stilled for a moment, he couldn't help but remember her eyes, those oceanic, teal eyes that seemed to sparkle when he saw her, despite the fear inside them, they still radiated a strange beauty. He continued, the tune that was being played suddenly grew soft and gentle again as strange thoughts of the mare filled his mind. He remembered her pink mane, how it looked silky and soft in the light, and her body seemed to be like a soft, creamy shade of butterscotch.

  The dress the mare had been wearing was rather revealing, and he could remember staring at those swells held in her fabric as they rose rapidly from her fearful panting. He didn't have time to look at her, but what he had seen seemed to trigger a strange feeling within him, something he did not like. The Dark One sighed as he remembered coming up behind the mare and smelling the sweet scent of roses. He stopped playing and gripped his head while growling softly to himself. 'What the heck am I thinking?' he inwardly asked himself as he pushed those thoughts of his prisoner out of his mind.

  It didn't matter, she was pretty, yes, but it didn't matter. because no one....no one could ever love him.

  Discord growled louder this time and pushed himself away from his instrument, towards the right corner of his massive room, where a simple spinning wheel sat. He set himself on the stool and picked up some plain straw from a basket next to him, using his paw to gently spin the wheel around.

  When he played his organ, it helped him think over things, and when he spun, it helped him to forget the pain, if only momentarily. The Dark One stared into the abyss as he fell into a trance from watching the wheel as it spun his memories away, leaving his brain and emotions blank.

  Fluttershy jumped awake as the loud sound of iron scraping against a hard surface startled her awake. She whirled around and was met with eyes of gold that stared down at her with a plain, somewhat amused expression.

  "It's time to get up, deary! Rise and shine!" The Dark One chirped, his expression replaced by a smirk.

  Fluttershy groaned and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. She felt awfully sore on the side she slept on, and her left arm was completely numb from sleeping on it. She looked around her, memory hazy as she tried to clear her head a bit. She looked down at her dress and grimaced at the stains that adorned it from being in this cell of a bedroom.

  "It's time to get to work, my castle is very dusty and I expect you to clean every inch of it." he instructed as Fluttershy started to slowly get up.

  Fluttershy didn't care to reply. She didn't care what he thought and she was too angry to look at him. Fluttershy looked past him and simply started to walk by, prepared to do what he asked of her, when her stomach growled.

  The Dark One chuckled, turning to go down the hall, "My, you must be hungry." he continued to chuckle and Fluttershy glared at his back for a moment before he continued "I will at least feed you before you get to work." He whispered and Fluttershy's eyes widened slightly.

  He was going to feed her first? Didn't he want to watch her suffer without food? To see her struggle to keep her strength and see how long a princesses could stand the labor of a servant?

  Fluttershy quelled the questions running through her head and simply followed him until they reached the room she had seen yesterday, before he threw her in her cell for the night. She glanced at the table and felt her mouth water at the food that sat there. On the large table was various salads and other vegetable-related meals that caused her stomach to growl louder in anticipation.

  Fluttershy was about to move to sit, but halted and looked at The Dark One in caution, whom was staring at her with his arms crossed.

  "What are you waiting for, deary?" he asked casually before his hand moved out towards the food. "Dig in...." he murmured in a deep voice that caused her to shiver in a way that she was not familiar with.

  Fluttershy hesitated, then slowly started to move her way to one of the wooden chairs. She sat down and unconsciously licked her lips at the food displayed before her. Her hoof slowly inched forward to grab a carrot topped muffin, before stopping to glance at him once again, making The Dark One chuckle as he sat down at the opposite end of the table.

  "It's not poisonous, if that's what you're worried about." he rolled his eyes and picked up a blood red apple, considering the fruit for a moment before proceeding to slowly take a bite of it, his canines glistening as the juice from the apple fell into his mouth.

  Fluttershy gulped as she stared at those intimidating fangs...or fang. For some reason he only had one fang, but she told herself not to question such a thing, 'Just look at his body!'

  Fluttershy took in a deep breath before she flipped her pink mane over her shoulder and finally took one of the carrot topped muffins. She inched the muffin towards her mouth and carefully took a bite. her eyes widened from the sweet carrot taste that her mouth, and she couldn't help but sigh in delight before devouring the rest.

  The Dark One swallowed the bite he took from his apple, watching her finish the muffin before taking other foods from the table and stuffing herself with them as if she hadn't eaten in days. The Dark One frowned when he felt a wave of strange feelings wash over him, the sight of her behaving so ravenously both somewhat delighting and startling him.

  The Dark One growled inwardly and shook his head. Why is it that he was feeling such...interesting things...ever since he brought this mare here? He glared at the mare, then thought of a way to rid himself of his thoughts.

  "So...did you sleep well?" The Dark One asked, trying to suppress a smirk.

  Fluttershy halted from her eating, her plate completely covered in food. She bit her lip to keep herself under control before she turned her head to look at him.

  "Actually....to be honest, I had a terrible night's sleep." she replied, not able to suppress the small hiss in her voice.

  "Oh? Why is that? Was the stone too hard for your perfect princess head?" he asked with a pout of the lip, faking his worry for her.

  Fluttershy shivered, this time in anger. He knew perfectly well that it would be hard for anyone to sleep on such a hard floor! And when he mocked her discomfort, she felt like getting up and walking over be slapping that grin off his face.

  "No, it's simply hard to sleep on a cold, hard, stone floor!" she hissed, and the dark one momentarily gave her a genuine look of surprise.

  "Well, you'll just have to get used to it my dear." he hissed back, pleased to see her cower at his dark tone, then a light smirk graced his features. "Now, I believe you've had enough..." he whispered, snapping his fingers.

  Fluttershy jumped and squeaked as suddenly - in a flash of black smoke - everything that was on the table vanished.

  "It's time you get to work!" he said, getting up from his chair and twirling over to his window, pulling back the curtain. "You will be dusting each and every inch of the castle today. Later on tonight, I will give you the rest of your chores. Think you can do that, deary?" he asked, turning his head to look at her and raising his black eyebrow.

  Fluttershy sighed and rose before nodding. "Yes...I'll get started right away." she murmured.

  "Good!" He chirped while clapping his hands together. "You'll be needing this." he said, waving his claw, black smoke swirled around her hoof for a second before it disappeared, in her hoof was a duster.

  "Thank you....but um...where do I start?" she asked in a whisper.

  "Speak up, deary!" The Dark One said in a loud voice. "I can't hear you."

  Fluttershy cleared her throat before repeating herself. "I said: wh-where do I start?"

  "Oh...um...I don't care." he smiled, walking over to his spinning wheel and sitting down at it.

  Fluttershy looked at The Dark One, confused as he started to slowly spin the wheel he sat at. She sighed and looked around herself, grimacing at how many places needed to be dusted. "I guess I should get started then..." she whispered sadly, turning away from The Dark One and going to work.

  Discord cowered behind his mother as they walked closer and closer to their destination. He was finally here, he was going to get what he wanted, but he was still afraid, which he couldn't help. Ever since he was younger, he kept asking himself if his magic was good. If it was bad, if it would become a problem for him in the future.

  These same questions were running through his head as they walked towards the front doors of a large house. It wasn't anything he was expecting from a powerful wizard, so was his mother. It was a big house, for certain, but instead of seeing a fancy stone house with hundreds of floors and expensive items and decor, it was just a simple, one story, wood cabin.

  Carrot halted at the door and took a deep breath before glancing down at Discord. "You ready for this?" she asked and Discord looked into her eyes before looking away and nodding.

  "Alright...." Carrot Top sighed, lifting her hoof to knock on the oak wood four times before taking a step back and waiting.

  It was completely silent for a moment, then they heard the sound of shuffling and the sound of hooves coming closer. Discord and Carrot Top held their breaths as they heard the hooves coming closer, wondering who was behind that door, and what they might look like?

  The handle turned to the side and the door creaked as it was pulled open, revealing a purple unicorn. Carrot and Discord both started, up surprised to see that this powerful wizard looked so...normal.

  She had dark blue hair, almost mistakable for purple, with pink and purple strands along it, and was held up into a very messy bun by a frail-looking pin. The unicorn wore a pair of glasses and her nose was buried into a large book she held in her hooves. She wore nothing but a simple, dark red robe with golden sashes, and around her neck was a glowing six pointed star made of colored crystal.

  Discord and Carrot waited as the mare continued to stare into her book intently, and when about a whole minute passed, Carrot spoke up. "Um...miss?" Carrot asked but got no reply. Carrot furrowed her eye brows and looked behind the mare to see if there was anyone else inside, before raising a hoof to her mouth and clearing her throat.

  "One second...." the purple unicorn said, her right hoof raising to silence her.

  Carrot waited impatiently, tapping her hoof slightly in annoyance at having to stand there.

  "Almost there-" The purple mare said, biting her lip. "-aaannndd......okay!" she suddenly exclaimed, slamming the book closed. A bright smile covered her face as she looked up at them, causing them to jump in surprise. "Hello! I'm Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you!" she chirped while reaching out and grabbing Carrot's hoof to give it a good shake.

  "Um...hi, I'm Carrot Top and this is my son, Discord." Carrot said politely, a little shocked at how kind this mare seemed to be.

  "Wait? He's your son?" Twilight asked, pointing towards the colt on all fours.

  "Um...." Carrot started but Twilight was immediately bending down and grabbing Discord's claws and face, examining him.

  "How is that possible? You're a pony and he's a...a.....a creature I've never heard of before!" Twilight said in excitement before her horn lit up with a pink aura and Discord yelped as he was levitated by his leg. "Oh my gosh! He's a Draconequus! I-I thought they were all extinct!" She clapped happily and immediately dragged Discord inside against the floor with her magic and Carrot stood there unable to get in a word.

  Carrot entered into the cabin slowly, turning momentarily to close the door.Twilight was at the table and three books were levitated in front of her, the pages all turning on their own. Twilight adjusted her glasses and read each page that passed with a smile before looking over Discord.

  "I can't believe it! An actual Draconequus!" She said, grabbing his snout and pulling back his lips to look at his teeth. "I've heard about them so much but I thought they were just a myth I-" Twilight kept on going before halting and dropping Discord before turning to face Carrot Top. "Oh! I-I'm so sorry Carrot Top..." Twilight said looking away embarrassed.

  "Um it's okay miss Sparkle." Carrot replied and Twilight smiled.

  "It's just I got excited and...and I tend to ramble when I get excited or learn something new heh!" Twilight blushed while rubbing the back of her neck.

  Discord shook himself and leaped off the table and walked over to his mother, cautiously watching the wizard. Twilight took in a deep breath and walked forward towards carrot Top.

  "I didn't mean to get over excited, I don't get company often. You came to me and the proper thing for me to do is relax and greet you the normal way." She chuckled before clapping her hooves. "So!" She said, swirling around and using her magic to clean up the mess of books, scrolls, and quills on a velvet couch before inviting them over to sit. "What brings you to my home?" She asked as she sat down on a chair opposite from the couch.

  Carrot pet Discord's mane as he leaped into her lap and laid his head down as he stared at Twilight.

  "Well, me and my son have a problem, and we heard that your the most powerful wizard to roam Equestria, so we came to you to see if you could help us." Carrot explained and Twilight laughed.

  "Is that what they think I am? I admit I am a powerful wizard...but not that powerful. That would be my master." Twilight chuckled. "Anyways, what is it that you need help with? I don't know a lot, but I will try my best to help." She asked, folding her hind leg over the other and tilting her head slightly as she waited.

  "Well...first do you promise to keep this a secret? Some know but i prefer no pony else hears this." Carrot said and Twilight looked at her curiously before nodding.

  "Of course, it must be important then." She whispered, her attention fully on them now.

  "Well you see...my son...well my adopted son...he has magic and...he has accidentally hurt a lot of ponies, and for both his and my safety, we came hoping you could help take away his magic." Carrot said and Twilight's mouth dropped.

  "What!? You want to get rid of it!?" She asked in shock and Carrot looked at her confused.

  "Yes, my son told me that is what he wants, and I want to do whatever makes him happy." She replied and Twilight looked at her for a second before looking down at the colt who seemed to be looking away into some unknown abyss and bit her lip.

  "Are you sure you think that's wise?" Twilight asked and Carrot seemed more confused.

  "What do you mean?" Carrot asked, feeling slightly agitated.

  "I'm sorry I just...it's just...magic is unpredictable...I'm not sure that would be safe." Twilight said and looked away. "Discord...are you sure that is what you want?" Twilight asked the colt, surprising him slightly at the concern in her eyes.

  Discord cleared his throat and lifted his head to face the mare fully before closing his eyes and nodding. "Yes....I'm sure of it." He whispered and Twilight frowned. "I can't stop hurting everyone...they fear me for my magic....I want to get rid of it so me and my mom can be happy." He explained and Twilight looked at him with understanding.

  "I see..." Twilight sighed, lowering her ears and raising a hoof to her chin in thought.

  "Well...can you help us?" Carrot Top asked and Twilight grimaced.

  "Yes I can, but it won't be an easy process." Twilight explained. "It will be quick, but it takes a lot of magic, to take magic away."

  "Then do it...I'll pay anything." Carrot said calmly.

  "Alright...wait here please, I'll only be a second." Twilight said before rising and walking away and going inside a door before closing it behind her.

  Twilight gulped and looked behind her before walking over to a box that had a ruby gem that glowed like fire in the middle and waved her hoof over it. Her horn began to glow and a mist began to flow from the box's sides and slowly, a blue fire rose from the middle and levitated in front of her.

  The blue fire kept switching from blue, to green, to pink, and to teal. It wasn't hot, and nothing it touched lit on fire.

  "Master?" Twilight asked and the fire became brighter.

  "Yes Twilight Sparkle." A deep and beautiful mare voice came from the fire and Twilight sighed.

  "I need some advise from you." She started and messed with her hooves before continuing. "A mare and her son came to me just now...and...and she's asking me to take away her sons magic but...I don't know what to do. Is it the right choice?" Twilight asked and bit her lip when the fire was silent for a moment.

  "Does the colt want this as well? Or is it just the mother?" The voice asked.

  "He says he wants it too...and he seems serious about it." Twilight replied softly, glancing back at the door to make sure no pony was peeking in.

  "Then do as they ask Twilight." The voice answered for her and Twilight looked up.

  "But master....what if I can teach-" Twilight began but the voice cut her off.

  "Twilight....I know of the colt you speak of, and though I cannot read the future or predict it...I can sense that this creatures future holds great darkness. I think it would be best to rid him of his magic, and try to stop him from making this future a reality. I can see great suffering for others because of him in his future, and I want you to make the right decision and abide my decision." The voice said firmly and Twilight opened her mouth to speak but bit her lip and sighed, adjusting her glasses.

  "Yes Master...it will be done." Twilight whispered and the voice hummed in approval.

  "Is that all my apprentice?" The voice asked and Twilight slowly nodded her head.

  "Yes...thank you Master." Twilight said and turned to start leaving, waving her hoof, causing the fire to disappear in a flash.

  Carrot Top looked up from petting her sons mane as she heard a door open and close. Twilight met her eyes and smiled softly before approaching them. She had two items in her arms, but it was hard to see them in only the light of the fire.

  "I have what can help you." Twilight said and Carrot Top sighed.

  "Then let's get it over with...I want to end my sons suffering." Carrot replied and Twilight looked away and sadly nodded.

  Twilight knelt down and placed the items down on the floor. In front of her was a small box with gems on around it, and next to it was a large diamond. Twilight hesitated before her horn glowed and the box made a clicking sound before it began unfolding, making Carrot and Discord look at it curiously but also with slight fear.

  Discord and Carrot Top watched as it finished unfolding and looked at it in confusion as it seemed to take the form of a pointed blue hat. It looked like a plain pointed hat, but it seemed to be glowing, and along it looked like a bunch of stars.

  "What is that?" Carrot asked.

  "This is an enchanted hat. It was given to me by my Master. It was made to take and obtain magical beings." She explained and carrot looked at her suspiciously.

  "Your going to put my son into a hat?" She asked and Twilight chuckled slightly in amusement before shaking her head.

  "No, this hat does hold magical beings within it, and is very powerful, but I can use my magic to alter it so I can take your son's magic, and place it into this diamond where I will keep it safe and hidden." Twilight explained and Carrot seemed to relax.

  "Alright...Discord?" Carrot said and Discord looked up at her with slight fear in his eyes.

  "Will you come here Discord...I can't promise that this won't hurt, but I can promise to make it as quick as possible." She said and Discord gulped before slowly nodding and walking off the couch on all fours towards Twilight and closing his eyes.

  "I-I'm ready...." He whispered and Twilight nodded before closing her eyes and grabbing the hat, pointing it at Discord and using her magic to levitate the diamond over it.

  "Now try and hold as still as you can please, it's going to take a lot of magic to do this and I need to be completely focused." Twilight said and Discord nodded.

  Slowly a golden magical aura surrounded Discord and the hat, and a humming sound shook the house slightly. Carrot looked at Discord slightly worried as a wave of white magic left from the hat and went towards Discord, causing him to groan in pain. The color of the magic surrounding him changed into glowing purple and yellow magic and Discord cried out as it started to pull from him in a slight fast pulse.

  Discord clenched his teeth and took deep breaths as a few tears fell from his shut eyes, trying to ignore the stinging pain coming from all over his body. Carrot Top watched as the magic suddenly stopped pulling from Discord and started flowing into the levitating Diamond, and she watched in slight fascination.

  Twilight suddenly gasped as the hat stopped glowing and the diamond fell into her lap. Discord collapsed onto the floor groaning, his eyes looking discolored and somewhat grey, and Carrot was immediately at his side to hold him against her.

  "Are you okay sweetie?" Carrot asked and Discord nodded despite how weak and shaky he felt suddenly.

  "It's done..." Twilight sighed as she watched the hat fold back into a round box before taking the diamond and stuffing it into the pocket of her coat.

  Carrot Top rose with Discord in her arms, rubbing his shoulder as he shivered. "Is he going to be okay?" She asked with worry and Twilight came over and placed a hoof on Discord's forehead and nodding.

  "Yes...he will be weak and will need time to recover. So I do recommend a lot of rest for at least a weak or two." She said as she stroked the colts soft cheek.

  "Thank you...what do you want int return?" Carrot Top asked, fearing slightly at what it might be.

  "Nothing....only that you don't ever mention that hat I used to anyone. No matter the cost." She said in a firm tone and Carrot nodded in slight relief.

  "You have my word." She whispered softly and Twilight nodded. "It's all over my son...you don't have to worry anymore." Carrot softly whispered to Discord as she turned to leave.