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

Past

  It felt like only five years ago he was in her place. Holding that wet piece of cloth to his forehead and making him comfortable. Now he was doing it to her, a tender smile on his features as Carrot Top laid in her bed. Her blanket was pulled up and tucked nice and well into her sides keeping her warm. He gently held the wet cloth in his claw, slowly stroking it over her sweaty and hot head before going over her red cheeks.

  Discord felt deep worry for his mother. Ever since they moved to this cottage, she has been having strange coughing fits. At first it started quiet and calm, but over their years staying there, it seemed to get worse. Carrot Top insisted that it was just a bad cold and it would go away, but that didn't calm his nerves one bit.

  Discord didn't like how his mom always tried to hide the weakness inside her, always telling him not to worry. But how could he not worry? She was all he had left in the world, and sicknesses were no joke around here. They had no doctors in this area, even if there was they wouldn't be able to afford one.

  They were able to make money out of selling wool blankets and clothing, but it didn't make much, and no one had the money anymore since the raising of taxes. At least they were still living comfortable and were able to cope with the new arrangements. They were able to buy a few lams and llamas to sheer and spin into yarn, which helped a lot in selling.

  Discord smiled and nuzzled his moms cheek as she groaned in exhaustion. Carrot Top smiled at her sons actions and stroked his cheek with her hoof. He had gotten so much older since the last three years. He was no longer that little colt who was clumsy and crazy. He was a teen colt now, his mane was longer and even messier than before, he had grown to the size of two full grown stallions, and his horns were growing longer by the days, as well as a lone fang.

  "You shouldn't have worked so hard yesterday. It's not good for your health." Discord said, bringing Carrot Top out of her thoughts.

  "Well I couldn't help it, I can't stand being confined in a bed for long." She chuckled before she started coughing. Discord frowned, his ears falling back and he moved up to help her sit up more, slowly petting her back.

  "Your getting worse...." He whispered after feeling her head and Carrot Top waved his worry off with a move of the hoof.

  "I'll be fine sweetie. I told you it's just a cold-"

  "You've had this for three years mom." Discord interrupted, his eyes showing his sadness. "I don't think it's just a common cold..."

  Carrot opened her mouth to reply but sighed and sniffled before grabbing his claw to fold between both her hooves. "It will be alright.....nothing bad is going to happen."

  "How can you promise that?" He asked, not meeting her gaze and Carrot Top looked down before coughing a few times.

  Discord glanced up and felt his heart squeeze at how hard her coughs were. She barely had time to breath between each one. Carrot Top finally stopped coughing and took in a deep breath before squeezing his claw.

  "I-I can't promise that....but we can hope that things will get better." Carrot said and Discord smiled slightly, despite that it was sad.

  Discord leaned forward and hugged his mother tightly, although gently as to not squish her. Ever since he got older it's been hard to give her a proper hug.

  Discord sighed before pulling away, looking at the bedroom window. "I need to head into town today. We're out of food and you need something to eat. Thanks to yesterday's sale we have enough....but our crops aren't doing so well..." He said and Carrot Top nodded.

  "Well then you go ahead and go son. I'll be waiting for your return." She smiled and Discord sighed sadly.

  "I don't want to leave you without being watched." He said and Carrot Top chuckled weakly.

  "Then just hurry back then okay?" She asked and Discord nodded before making sure she was fully tucked in.

  "I'll be quick, I promise. Try and get some sleep." He smiled and kissed her forehead before leaving the room to get his cloak.

  Discord walked on the sides of town, the hood of his cloak covering almost his entire face to hide his features. Thankfully, most of the ponies in the village ignored him. At first they were frightened and concerned about him walking around, but as time went they started to just walk by without a glance.

  Although there were a few foals who would like to tease him still. But he never paid any head to them, they weren't worth his time and ever since he got rid of his magic, it was easier to control his emotions. Also there was the fact that no pony knew about him here, unlike the other town they were staying at.

  Besides he had more important things to think about than the way foals treated him. Even though he had gone through a growth spurt, he still wasn't that big and his change didn't seem to frighten them off. Discord halted as he came to stand of tomato's and cucumbers and glanced up at the stallion standing there with a blank and bored expression

  "Hi, could I get a few cucumbers, and a small batch of carrot's?" He asked and the stallion grumbled before doing as he asked.

  "That's will be ten bits." The stallion said gruffly and Discord looked at him confused.

  "What? I thought it was seven bits?" He said and the stallion rolled his eyes.

  "Well now it's ten bits, so hand it over or no buy." He glared and Discord sighed in annoyance before pulling out a small sacks and pouring out the needed bits before giving it to him. "Thank you..." The stallion said quickly taking the bits and stuffing them in his pocket.

  "Thank you..." Discord replied as he was handed the cucumbers and carrots before he placed them in a saddle bag on his back then continued on his walk down town.

  "Hey look! it's straw spinner!" A slightly high pitched voice said and Discord groaned, ignoring the sounds of hooves coming closer.

  "How's it going splinter?" Another voice asked followed by an amused giggle.

  "Guys I don't have the time right now and I need to hurry and get back so please just leave me alone." He grumbled and the fillies just laughed more and moved to his side.

  "Oh come on spinner!" One filly said and pushing against his side. "Can't take just a few minutes of us?" She asked before giggling and looked at him to get a reaction but he showed no sign of acknowledging her.

  The filly got annoyed and growled. They were never able to get under his skin, and they couldn't stand how he just ignored them.

  "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" She said, suddenly cutting in front of him and Discord glared.

  "Just leave me alone Diamond Tiara." He growled and tried to move by but Diamond pushed at his chest.

  "We're tired of you walking away like this. I thought we were friends." She said in a dramatic voice.

  Discord glared harder and hissed. "We are not...friends."

  "You don't belong here creature!" Diamond Tiara said and Discord flinched at the name, which seemed to make both Diamond and her friend Silver Spoon laugh.

  "Why can't you two just leave him alone!" A voice suddenly called from the side, causing them to look over. She was a young purple unicorn, looking around Diamonds age and her hair was a darker purple, messy and pulled into a messy pony tail to the side. She glared at them and the two fillies laughed.

  "What are you gonna do about it huh?" Diamond asked and the purple filly seemed to be seething with anger.

  "You really are pathetic..." She growled and the two fillies looked at her confused.

  "Excuse me!?" Diamond asked, coming up to the pony face to face.

  "You two think that just because the king buys from your parents means your better than everypony else!" She spat with disgust and Diamond backed up as she advanced. "Well guess what! it doesn't! your just like everyone else!"

  "Back off stranger!" Silver Spoon got in the way of her and the filly glared.

  "You think that just because you think your better, it means you can go around with your noses in the air and order everyone around. But you don't own this town! Everyone is an equal! And You two should start acting like it."

  Diamond seemed to fume and she came over pushing the filly on the chest. "Who do you think you are talking to us that way?" She demanded.

  "I think you two need to grow up!" The filly replied and Diamond pushed her into the dirt before raising her hoof to strike the mares cheek.

  The filly flinched and waited for the contact but it didn't come. She opened her eyes and was surprised to see the strange pony holding Diamond's hoof, keeping it from hitting her.

  "Diamond leave it alone..." He demanded and Diamond looked at him surprised before retching her hoof away in disgust.

  "Keep those dirty things off me you beast!" Diamond hissed while rubbing her hoof off on her dress.

  "Lets go Diamond, we're wasting our time here. Besides dads bringing home a feast!" Silver Spoon said, wrapping her hoof in Diamonds arm and turning her away before glaring at Discord and the filly before sticking her tongue out.

  The purple filly glared back and stuck her tongue back at them before she looked up as a shadow covered her. The mix matched pony offered his paw to her and she looked at him curiously before slowly taking it.

  "You didn't need to do that, I could handle them." He said and the filly sighed before pulling her hoof away and brushing her plain dress off.

  "Well I'm sorry...I couldn't help it. I'm just so tired with how they act." She replied and Discord smiled, causing the mares cheeks to become warm.

  "it's alright...I'm Discord." He said and she felt a small smile pull at her lips before she turned to fully face him and curtsied.

  "I'm Starlight...Starlight Glimmer. It's nice to meet you." She smiled and Discord bowed his head before he frowned as he spotted a small spot of blood on her dress.

  "Your hurt..." He whispered and Starlight furrowed her eye brows.

  "What?" Starlight asked and Discord reached forward to grasp her elbow. "Oh...I must have scratch myself when she pushed me." She mumbled.

  Starlight began to inspect her elbow when Discord stopped her.

  "Allow me..." He mumbled and she blushed as he pulled back her sleeve to reveal her purple skin and his hands ever so softly went across it. "It is just a scratch but it's still bleeding. Here..." He instructed as he reached back into a small pouch and pulled out what looked like a soft piece of wool.

  "Oh don't use that, you'll get blood all over it." She started but Discord shook his head.

  "It's just a scrap, besides it's not worth anything for selling." He mumbled and she closed her mouth and watched in silence as he ripped a piece off and gently began wrapping it around her elbow and pulling her sleeve over it.

  "There..." He whispered and placed the piece of wool back into his pouch. "It should heal soon."

  "Um thanks..." Starlight whispered and Discord shrugged.

  "It was nothing...it was nice meeting you." He bowed his head again before he turned to continue on his journey through town.

  Starlight watched him leave silently and looked down at her arm where she had been cut and frowned. That was the first time anyone has ever been nice to her. Everyone always treated her like a pest, and even her father couldn't stand her. Starlight felt the slightest smile cover her face as she watched Discord walk off.

Present - Two Weeks After Fluttershy Left

  Rarity sighed as she approached the bedroom door with a tray in her hooves. She lifted her leg to rest the tray on as she rose her hoof to gently knock on the wooden door before holding it once more in her hooves. A voice sounded from the other side of the door, allowing her entrance and she slowly entered.

  "My Lord? I brought your meal." Rarity said and came over to Star Swirl who was sitting in an arm chair, staring out the window with a blank expression. He looked unwell, his skin was paler than usual, his mane and beard were unkept, and his eyes looked dim. He had deep dark circles under his eyes and he looked so much more frailer.

  As Rarity placed the tray of food down on a table right next to his chair, Star Swirl glanced at it and sighed deeply.

  "I'm sorry Rarity, but I won't be eating tonight." He said and Rarity looked at him with concern.

  "No disrespect my lord but you need to eat. It's not good for you to be wasting away like this." She replied and Star Swirl looked away from her.

  "Leave me..." He whispered and Rarity was going to protest but closed her mouth and obediently nodded her head before turning to leave his chambers.

  Rarity halted as she came face to face with Prince Sombra who was looking over at the king. He had decided to stay to help clean up the mess and help the King while he had hidden away from his duties, due to the lost of his daughter. "Forgive me Rarity..." He murmured before stepping out of her way and she looked at him for a second before passing by and down the hall.

  Sombra watched Rarity leave and waited till she was out of sight till closing the door to Star Swirls chamber. "How are you my king?" Sombra asked as he approached the down king.

  Star Swirl groaned and leaned forward, holding his face in his hooves and sighing. "I miss her...she was all I had left....and now she's gone." Star Swirl spoke and Sombra watched as a tear fell from the old stallions eye and he sighed sadly.

  "I miss her too my king. I was looking forward to marrying her, and becoming your son in law." Sombra came over to another arm chair and sat down. "Your daughter was a real gem, she will be missed dearly by everyone."

  "I can't believe she agreed to go with that beast!" Star Swirl suddenly said, ignoring Sombra and got up and started pacing the floor.

  Sombra stayed silent as Star Swirl continued to pace and held his chin in his hoof that rested on the arm.

  "My poor child...is cursed to serve a beast for the rest of her life!" He said in despair. Star Swirl sighed as he approached the window and leaned against it. "It's been two weeks...on Rose's grave...I-I promised I would never let anything happen to her, that she would always be happy...." He whispered sadly and Sombra looked at him with understanding.

  Sombra sighed to himself before slowly standing up, walking over to the king and placing a hoof on his shoulder. "I know my king...but her sacrifice was noble, and she was a very brave mare. She gave her life to save the Kingdom, I'm sure her mother would be proud. You don't need to blame yourself, you had no choice." Sombra explained and Star Swirl glanced at him.

  "Yes my darling Fluttershy is very brave, even if she doesn't realize it....just like her mother..." Star Swirl said before sighing and stroking the curtains of the window. "I'm sorry forgive me, why is it that has brought you to me?" He asked and Sombra cleared his throat.

  "My King I don't mean to complain. But ever since the war ended you've been staying in your room. The guards are restless and there is loads of work that needs to be done. But since you've been keeping to yourself, everything is turning into chaos and we need you to return to your duties." Sombra stated and Star Swirl frowned. "I know you miss your daughter, and I know ti must be terribly painful to lose the only family you have left. But your kingdom needs you Star Swirl....they need their King."

  Star Swirl looked at Sombra curiously then sighed and straightened himself up. "Your right....I will forever miss her...and I'll never forgive myself for letting her go, but you are right." He replied and Sombra smiled softly while nodding.

  "I shall fetch your servant to help you clean up. I hope to see you in the throne room soon my king." Sombra said before shaking Star Swirl's shoulder and walking out.

  The Dark One walked into his room, his talon flinging causing the door behind him to close and lock. He walked over to his bed and sat on it's side sighing. No matter how much he tried he could never forget her.

  The Dark One didn't want his new servant to see him in such a state so he made sure she worked on her chores so he could have some time alone, to gather his emotions and thoughts. He glanced at a dresser at the other side of the room and got up, walking slowly over to it.

  Once he approached the dark oaken wood dresser, he hesitantly reached forward and opened one of the well designed drawers. Inside was nothing but a simple, plain scarf. It was ripped in some places and had some small stains.

  The Dark One took a deep breath and gently laid his paw over the cloth, gently stroking it. It was all his fault that she was gone...his only happiness after being betrayed. Every day he tried to push his emotions away, not wanting to still fall over from just a silly scarf. But it was all her had left of her, she had made it for him, and her sweet scent was embedded onto it, always bringing back the good memories when she was happy, when he was happy.

  The Dark One picked the scarf up and rose it to his nose to take a deep breath of it's scent. He sighed as tears fell from his eyes, the black liquid staining his fur black and falling onto the scarf. He growled and wiped the tears off as he realized his mistake and used his magic to remove the black stain he added.

  The Dark One sighed again and stroked the fabric once more whispering, "No matter what....I will find you....I promise...." He had been searching for years, trying to find someway to find her, a way to bring her back, but his faith seemed to be falling as years went by and he was getting tired of it. But even though he lost most of his faith in finding her, he wouldn't stop trying, he wouldn't stop looking....he had to find her to make things right.

  The Dark One placed the scarf gently back into the drawer and closed it. He turned and walked over the window slowly and peeled back the curtains that hid the view of outside. He looked out at the setting sun and the wind blowing the trees that surrounded his castle. Suddenly his eyes caught the yellow mare who was struggling to hold a bucket of water.

  The Dark One couldn't help but smirk amusingly as he watched her stumble and fall over face flat into the dirt, the water spilling and getting her dress wet, as well as covering it in some mud. He rolled his eyes and let go of the curtains, letting them cover the window and he left his room to go spin his wheel.