The Melody of Despair

Ok, I have the rune matrix up and running. I also have the barrier set so only Discord’s, Celestia's, Starlight’s or my magic can effect anything inside it. I just wish that I had time to carve the matrix instead of having to use paint, would have been harder to mess with. Oh well time restraints and all.” Crystal Quartz said as she examined her hoof work on the floor in the map room of the Castle of Friendship. “The energy for the altered time traveling spell is being provided by the the tree of Harmony via the crystal map, so once Starlight starts the spell there is no stopping it.” She muttered as she looked at the table with a three dimensional display of Equestria on it that was surrounded by six big thrones with different cutie marks on each one.

“Are you sure about that Crystal Quartz? What if the Tree of Harmony were destroyed?” A voice asked Crystal. Crystal being busy with double checking her work didn't realize that somepony else was there answered the question.

“ Well yes if the tree were to be destroyed then the spell wouldn't have enough energy to work, but that isn’t going to be a problem because as soon as I heard that we were being attacked by three alicorns, I tied the barrier on the tree of Harmony to my life force so no pony can get through without my permission or killing me first.” Crystal said before she noticed the other presence in the room. She looked around the room until her eyes fell on the opened door to the room. A dark purple alicorn stood in the doorway giving off a dark and oppressive violent aura. “Well welcome home Twilight Sparkle. What did I do to get the honor of the Princess of friendship herself visiting me?” She asked sarcastically while taking a mock bow towards the alicorn.

“Don't call me by that name! That is the name of a weakling! I am much stronger now that I have thrown off the pretense of friendship!” The Purple alicorn screamed. “You will address me by my new name, Midnight Symphony.” She demanded of Crystal as her mane became disheveled and her eyes turning a solid pitch black.

“Now, now Midnight. What we have talked about losing your temper? You can not plan or think straight if you let your emotions get the better of you. Now just use the breathing exercises I taught you and calm yourself down, I will finish our mission.” Said a dark pink alicorn coming up from behind Midnight.

“You're right Heartbreak Ballad. There is no reason for me to lose control here. Thanks.” Midnight thanked the pink alicorn that was coming into the room while putting her left hoof in front of her barrel and inhaling deeply. She the released her breath and lowered her hoof.

“Now while my compatriot calms herself down why don't we get down to business. Your father would like you to return to him and embrace your Umbra heritage. You see, he needs your help to free the rest of your race from containment, and seeing as we are allies we agreed to get you. I can't fathom why you would help the alicorn responsible for killing you a thousand years ago but this little family drama has gone on long enough. Now if you would be so kind, come over to this side of the barrier so we can get you home, Princess Crystal Quartz of the Crystal Empire.” The pink alicorn beseeched Crystal in a reasonable tone.

“If you think you can talk me into joining your side you are sorely mistaken. I will never use my powers over the shadows. When my father King Sombra sacrificed all of the ponies and changelings in the Crystal Empire to the Crystal Heart in order to bring me back from the dead, I had to live the last moments of life of all those ponies and changelings. Every ounce of their pain and despair is engraved into my memory. Can you guess what that does to a mind? Can you even comprehend what I felt living that moment over and over again. So I am going to do all I can to make their sacrifice mean something. Even if that means helping the one who originally killed me! With the lives of thousands of ponies and changelings on my conscience, I can't afford to let something as petty as revenge enter my mind.” Crystal exclaimed in defiance to the two alicorns.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you under the impression that we are giving you a choice? We will take you back to Sombra one way or another.” Heartbreak answered and charged up energy in her horn to cast a spell but when she went to release it, the energy drained from her. “what’s going on? I know I cast the spell so why didn't it work? You should be my mind slave now!” Heartbreak exclaimed to Crystal in confusion.

Crystal started laughing at the look on the pink alicorn’s face. “What you thought that knowing we were being attacked by alicorns that I wouldn't have set up any safety measures? Do I look that stupid?” she asked the alicorns. She then noticed that Midnight was charging her horn “Oh Twilight, please cast a spell. We need all the energy we can get.”

“What do you mean? What makes you think you can best two alicorns in a magical battle? I’ve read up on you. You have a rare genetic mutation that makes you unable to cast spells as a unicorn could, and as you swore off shadow magic, what could you possibly do to stop us?” Midnight ranted at the white unicorn. In response Crystal just tapped her hoof against the floor repeatedly. “Will you stop tha… wait what are those symbols?” Midnight asked as she finally noticed the symbols painted all over the floor of the room.

“ I see you found the new addition to your castle. Do you like it? While it's true that I can't cast spells in the normal way, I more than make up for it with my skill in enchanting. It was a little known fact that most of father's little toys were made by me, including the alicorn amulet. This whole castle is one big gem full of magical energy which makes it perfect for enchanting. This one is one of my masterpieces, an energy draining array that drains mana from any spell cast by anypony not designated by the maker. It then feeds the stolen energy to power whatever other enchantment it's paired with, in this case the shield spell in front of you. Strategy one o one, doesn't matter how much power your opponent has if you use it against them.” Crystal explained to the two. She then looked behind the two corrupted alicorns and sighed. “ Now if you are done posturing would you kindly leave?” She asked her voice dripping in sarcasm.

The two alicorns looked at each other and started laughing. “You really think this is enough to stop us? We will get past this barrier by brute force. Did you forget that we have earth pony strength?”Midnight asked.

“Oh I wasn't talking to you two. I was talking to the gentle stallion behind you.” Crystal said before taking a bow. Midnight and Heartbreak turned around only for both of them to be hit in the face with an apple pie.

Suddenly everything freezes and a voice started talking, “No,no,no. It wasn't apple pie. It was banana cream. How do you expect me to get a warning to the past when you guys can't even get the little details right? I mean seriously is it to much to ask for a little professionalism?” a bipedal figure made up of different animals said as he got up from his clothe fold up chair that had the word director on the back of it.

“There you are demon! I do not know how you entered the dreamscape from your stone prison but you will stop haunting this pony's dream or be destroyed!” A blue alicorn that appeared out of nowhere declared as she rushed the figure with a sword in her magic.

“Great, now we're out of time. Welp let's wrap this up and try again tomorrow night.” the figure said the snapped his fingers and disappeared.

“Come back here and face me!” the blue alicorn shouted and also disappeared. As soon as she as was gone a light enveloped everything.

The first thing I felt as I woke up was irritation at Princess Celestia, who deemed it a good idea to shine her sun directly into my eyes. As I rolled over to try to go back to sleep I heard my door open and hoof steps drawing closer to where I laid in bed. “Ugh go away Amethyst, it is way too early for me to be up. Can't you come back in an hour?” I asked the pony that was obviously my adopted sister. I mean, who else would just barge into my room without knocking?

“Oh wake up already, it's already eleven thirty and you have yet to make any of those light gems for the Nightmare’s End Festival tomorrow requested by Mayor Mare.” I heard my sister reply, sounding a little annoyed.

“They are over there.” I said pointing to the closet with my right wing. “Top shelf in my saddlebags, I did them while you watched Dinky for mom yesterday. I just forgot to tell you. Now, can I go back to sleep?” I asked her hoping against hope that she would just take them and leave. No such luck.

“Sorry Rosie but I have to foal sit for the Silver family in a half an hour, so you are going to have to get up and deliver them yourself, just tell her that I did them as per usual. Plus the mayor said that she wanted to talk to you about something.” She replied while leaving my room.

“Ok, I'm getting up.”I said as I opened my eyes. I blinked a couple of times to get the gunk out of my eyes. I let out a yawn as I got out of bed and headed towards my mirror to get my mane in place. On the way to my mirror I heard a gasp coming from my window but as I turned around to look out it there was nopony there. “ Must have just been my imagination.” I said as I turned back and stared at my reflection in my mirror, gold slanted eyes stared back at me through strands of black and turquoise colored mane. I picked up the shooting star shaped comb that was on the desk next to the mirror and started to comb my mane back.

‘This would be so much easier If I could get that levitation spell to work with one of my stones. I just need to find the right gem to mesh with the runic symbols for gravity and object manipulation.’ I thought as I combed the tangles out of my mane. I let my mind wander back to my dream last night. ‘Seriously, I'm secretly so envious of unicorns that I now dream that I am one? Although, my cutie mark would make more sense for an unicorn.’ I stopped messing with my mane for a moment to look at my flank where my heart-shaped red colored gem inscribed with a silver pentagram cutie mark rested.

“And why did I dream of such a miss matched figure at the end? It looked like something from a horror story. Ugh, no more late night snacks for this pony.” I said out loud as I finished with my mane and started on my tail. “Although the first part of the dream felt different then normal. Almost like it was a memory and not a dream,but that can't be the case as there is no giant crystal castles in the middle of Ponyville.”I mulled as I finished combing my tail.

With my tail dealt with I picked up three of my mane and tail ties off my desk each of them having a different gem attached to them. I used them to put my mane into pigtails and tied my tail ironically into a ponytail. With my mane and tail dealt with I took out a pair of crescent moon earrings from a wooden lockbox on the desk and put them in my fur tufted ears. As soon as I put the earrings on, my form changed. My fur went from a light brown to a rose pink color, my mane took on a solid deep purple color. My bat like wings turned into those of a normal pegasus with rose pink feathers. My eyes stayed gold but the slants rounded out into regular shaped pupils, my fangs and ear tufts disappeared. My cutie mark changed into a bunch of rose petals swirling around in a twister. ‘I wish I knew why mom insistes on me never going out without the special illusion earrings. I mean she is always going on about how you should never be ashamed of who you are and yet I can’t even go outside as myself? What's up with that?’

Once the enchantment was done changing my appearance, I went to my closet and took out the saddle bags with the light stones in them and strapped them on. With the bags firmly in place, I trotted out of my room and down the hall to the stairs leading down into the living room. I looked around and upon not seeing anypony there, I unfurled my wings and jumped down the stairs using them to slow my descent. I land safely at the bottom, sure that I had gotten away scott free when I heard a voice from behind me causing me to turn to look at the top of the stairs.

“ You know that mom said no flying in the house.” A light pink colored unicorn filly with a yellow mane and gold eyes said to me as she came down the stairs. “Mom would be mad if she found out.”

I looked at her and sighed. “What do you want for keeping quiet, Dinky?” I asked her. She put her hoof to her chin and pretended to think about it.

“ How about you take me to Sugarcube Corner? Please.” She asked with a pleading puppy dog look. I sat there trying to resist but in the end I relented.

“Ok, but it will have to wait until after I deliver these light stones to the mayor.” I answered and smiled when she jumped up and down in excitement. ‘oh I can’t stay mad at her, she’s way too adorable. Hey, at least I lasted a whole two and a half minutes this time. I beat my record by 15 seconds! I wish I had Amethyst's immunity to it, guess that's why I'm not the filly sitter.’ I mused to myself as I went into the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. “Let's see what do we have that I can eat on the go?” I asked myself as I looked around. I spotted a basket full of muffins with a note attached.

Good morning my little muffins! I will be working a double shift today so I won't be home until five o'clock tonight. Now Rose, I know that you think you need to work to help make ends meet, but don't neglect your friends and family while doing so. Yes I know you and Amethyst have been trying really hard to get a shop in Canterlot to sell your gems but don’t run yourself ragged doing it. P.S. don't forget your earrings.

I stopped reading the note as it started to talk about Amethyst and rolled my eyes. ‘She's working a double and she's worried about me running myself ragged? Mom... always the worry wort.’ I thought as I checked what kind of muffins were in the basket. To my joy they were triple berry surprise, my favorite! I put a couple in my saddlebags and hoofed one to munch on the go. I turned around to see Dinky waiting patiently by the door to the outside. I walked over to her and bent down so she could climb up on my back. Once she got up I opened the door and left the house.

I closed the door and started heading towards the town hall. “So Dinky, how have you been? Having fun on your summer vacation? Is anypony picking on you?” I asked my little sister to pass the time. I then proceeded to decimate the muffin in my hoof.

“ Well, my magic teacher Miss Rarity had me help make decorations for the festival tomorrow. Sweetie Belle and I made the banner that will be put in the town hall. I also finished my spell practice for the weekend this morning while you were sleeping.” Dinky answered me, but I sensed some reluctance from her.

“Come on sis, you know that I can tell when something is bothering you so spill it.” I said. I waited for a couple of minutes for her to answer but got nothing. ‘Ok so she answered the first two questions I asked but not the last one. So she is still getting picked on.’ I mused to myself. “Who is picking on you now? Is it Filthy’s little filly again?” I asked her.

“No it's not Diamond Tiara.” She answered hesitantly, causing me to stop and look back at her with a raised eyebrow. I was about to ask her to elaborate when she gave me an explanation. “It's a grey pegasus colt named Rumble. He won't leave me alone, always pulling on my tail and asking me to watch him while he jumps off of trees and hovers around. I wish he would leave me alone.” She said in exasperation.

‘Rumble, Rumble. Now why does that name sound familiar?’ I asked my self only for it to hit me like a broken pinkie promise. “This Rumble wouldn't have an older brother named Thunderlane would he?” I asked my little sister in hopes that I was wrong.

“Yes, how did you know?” Dinky asked with curiosity. I groan as I remembered all the times that Thunderlane asked me out or done something to try and impress me. That stallion just won't take no for an answer.

“Let's just say that I had the same problem with his brother. If you just give him some of your time and he might tone it down a bit.” I told Dinky. “ If he doesn't let me know and I’ll have a talk with his brother. Did you eat breakfast before we left? If not then there are a couple of muffins in the left side of my saddlebags help yourself.” Almost as soon as I had said muffins Dinky opened the flap to my saddlebags and jumped in them. “Well I guess that answers that.” I said with an amused tone.

“Hey Rose Storm!” I heard a raspy voice call out my name from above. I looked up and saw a blue colored pegasus mare with a rainbow mane looking at me.

“Oh, hello Rainbow what's up? Is everything ok? ” I asked her thinking she might need help with something.

She looked around and started to say something but stopped before she got one word out and shook her head.“I was just wondering if you have time later to watch my new aerial stunts?” She replied. “After all what point is there in being the best flyer in Equestria if nopony is around to see it?” She asked rhetorically while hovering in front of me.

I rolled my eyes at her bragging and answered. “ Well I have to give some light stones that Amethyst made to the mayor, and then take Dinky to Sugarcube Corner but after that I'm free.” At the sound of her name Dinky stuck her head out of my saddlebags muffin crumbs all over her mouth.

“Did you say something Rose? Oh hi Rainbow Dash when did you get here?” Dinky asked.

“Just a bit ago squirt. But what's this I hear about going to Sugarcube Corner later? You caught Rose flying in the house again didn't you?” Rainbow asked my sister to my dismay. At Dinky’s nod She sighed and looked at me. “You know if you just accept my offer to move in with me, you wouldn’t need to worry about that. If you are worried about paying for rent I can get you a job on the weather team.”

‘Great this again. What do I say this time? I'm running out of excuses. I can’t just tell her the truth. “I’m sorry Rainbow but I can't move in with you because my mom won't even let me out of the house without an illusion hiding what I really look like.” Yah I see that going over real well.’ I thought to myself as I scrambled to come up with an excuse.

“You know what Rose, how about I take Dinky to my parents house to play with Scootaloo while you deal with the mayor and then we'll meet you at Sugarcube Corner after and talk more about it. I’ll even treat everypony. Besides I have something else I wanted to talk to you about. ” Rainbow offered.

‘Ok what's she up to? She never treats anypony and she hardly braged at all. She is up to something.’ I started to muse in my head when I felt something pull on my mane. I turned my head back only to be met with the puppy eyes again. ‘Damn, I really need to develop an immunity to that. Well it will keep Dinky busy while also giving me time to think of an excuse.’ “Ok but we meet in a couple of hours.” I told them both.

Almost as soon as I said these words Rainbow picked up Dinky in her forehooves and flew away saying, “Thanks, see you in a bit!”

I turned around to start heading toward the town hall and was knocked down by somepony. “Oh I'm sorry miss how clumsy of me. Here let me help you up.” Said the pony that knocked me over. I looked up at them and saw dark green unicorn stallion with a light blue mane holding his right front hoof out towards me. I accepted his hoof and he pulled me upright. “ Are you alright? Here let me scan for any injury you might have gotten.” He offers and before I can tell him no he casted the spell on me. After a few seconds of feeling the spell go over my body I saw his eyes go wide for a second but then he quickly regained his composer. “Well, looks like nothing is wrong. Sorry again for knocking you down, but I’ve got to go. Late for an appointment so bye.” He said in an obvious rush to get away.

‘Ok, that was strange, did he see through the illusion? I hope not. But why else would his eyes go wide?’ I started to frantically think until I hear a very familiar voice coming from behind me.

“Are you okay Rose? Was that unicorn bothering you?” The voice said with a hint of jealousy. I looked behind me and see a dark grey pegasus with a silver blue mane flying towards me.

‘Nope didn't see through the illusion, just saw Thunderlane flying this way like a jealous coltfriend and hightailed it out of here.’ I looked directly into Thunderlane's amber eyes and with as much patience as I could muster said, “No he just bumped into me and was making sure I was alright. Now was that all you wanted to talk about or did you have another reason to talk to me?”

He looked at me for a few seconds and started to look around nervously and said, “I know that you keep saying no, but I was wondering if you would like to go out and maybe get lunch and get to know each other better.”

‘Wait no over dramatic display of intent, no trying to impress me with dangerous stunts, or trying to woo me over with gifts. But an honest effort to get to know me?’ I asked myself in my head. “You know what. Why not.” I answered him to which he got a look of pure joy on his face. “But it will have to wait until after the festival is done. Let's say next week wednesday at two thirty meet me at the library.”

“I did it?... I did it! Oh thank you Rose, you won't regret giving me a chance.” He said as he flew off. I turned and started heading towards town hall again.

‘Wow, he was like a foal that just got their cutie mark. I will give him a fair chance, even if it is doomed to fail. No relationship can last when one of the participants is living a lie.’ I thought sadly as I walked up to the town hall. As I walk in the building I noticed that the entry room was empty. “ That's weird, this place is usually busy this time of day. What gives?” I said out loud as I opened the door to mayor mare’s office.

“ Well that is because I asked the mayor to lend the building to me and invite you here so we can have a talk. My little thestral.” said the large blue alicorn that sat behind the desk. “Now if you would be so kind please close the door and sit down. We have much to talk about. ”