Chapter 1 - EXPOSITION HO!
"You want to assist me in the role of the villain?" Discord asked, confused.
"But of course. Nyx and Scootaloo would never suspect their own mother, and Applebloom has such an unshakeable faith in you, besides...this way I can monitor everything and make sure nothing goes awry," Twilight argued gently.
"Color me impressed Princess, though I was always impressed, even before your Ascension," Discord smirked. Twilight rolled her eyes, waving her hand at him. He gave a nod, watching as the locks loosened.
"The girls will wake up tomorrow with their gifts bestowed upon them, we'll give them a day to speak with their respective spirits," Discord explained as he began the spell.
"Their Miraculous, and these Kwami. You say the Kwami are alive...will this constructs have minds of their own Discord?" Twilight demanded. Discord continued the spell, Twilight linking her Magic to assist.
"To that, I cannot truly answer. They may just become true living breathing things. But even in the comic world, they are sealed away when not needed and sleep until a time comes when they are needed again," Discord smirked, the Chaos flaring around him and Twilight.
"I did already agree to this...and the girls are rather excited...Don't go TOO hard on them, but give them a challenge, okay? They just might have to watch over Terra themselves someday," Twilight said with a sad smile. She gasped as Discord put a hand under her chin, looking into her eyes.
"Twilight, you are this realms Defender, and nothing will tear you from that throne. Nightmare Moon was no match for you, I danced knowing I could hardly compete, and even now, were I free of these locks and at my full strength...It wouldn't even be a contest. You think very little of yourself, for all of your accomplishments, and of your friends," Discord said softly. Twilight shook her head.
"We can't protect Terra forever Discord, sure, I'm a Celestian now, but that's no guarantee of immortality. I'm not bound to any Long Lived Spectrum like Celestia and Luna are..." Twilight began, glaring as Discord burst into laughter.
"Tell me Sparkle, how old do you think Starswirl was when he asked me for Death?" Discord asked quietly.
"There are no tomes on his age..." Twilight mumbled
"Yes, but every few years he released new tomes, surely you could guess from the spacing of each release?" Discord pointed out, a hexagonal box taking shape between them. Twilight's eyes darted around as her thoughts raced, all while still assisting in the spell.
"That's impossible though...he would be well over a Magian's lifespan..." she mumbled.
"A Magian perhaps, but not a Sparkle," Discord winked, Twilight blinked, looking up at him.
"You Sparkle's are special. Not tied to a Spectrum? You are tied to the very Spectrum of Magic itself!" he laughed, snapping his fingers and catching the box.
"And Scootaloo has inherited that from your little experiments, and Nyx has your blood in her body, and Sweetie Belle has Scootaloo's blood, and Applebloom has MY blood," Discord smirked knowingly.
"How long have you known all of that?" Twilight demanded.
"To be honest, I just realized most of it now while discussing it, but you Sparkle's have always lived incredibly long lives. While you didn't give birth to either, those two girls truly are your daughters, and you their mother," Discord sat the box down on Twilight's desk.
"And those friends of yours...they won't just give up the Mantle so easily. You've all got many good years before that's an issue Twilight Sparkle, just check those seals of yours, tell me I'm lying," he said, looking at her over his shoulder. She chewed her lip and sighed, opening the box.
"So, who gets what Discord?" Twilight asked, looking over the jewels inside. Discord tapped his chin for a moment and nodded.
"Originally, I was going to give the Ladybug to Nyx...but I think Nyx is a better fit for the Cat," he murmured.
"Why?" Twilight wondered.
"The Ladybug is a means of Good luck, but people who can be considered Ladybugs are hard to comprehend. Normally, it appears they lead normal every day lives, but there is a quite a bit more to them than meets the eye Princess.
They like others to see them as they want to be seen, by they are far from fake, and they have a rather strong sense of family, they know that they have a large role to play in the lives of friends and family. They have some skills in manipulating people, but not for their own gain, rather they control situations in order to keep the peace in a group of friends and very rarely for selfish reasons. Sound familiar?" Discord asked.
"It does sound a lot like Nyx...but Applebloom fits the bill as well...so why the Cat then?" Twilight demanded.
"The Black Cat represents Bad luck and Destruction, the utter opposite of the Ladybug in that sense, but its perfect counterpart," Discord explained,
"Think of it as the Dark to the Light, the Protective Shadow in the Sunlight," he said with a smirk. Twilight raised an eyebrow, letting a smirk touch her lips.
"Ah, I see, you want Nyx to keep Applebloom safe then?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Applebloom is quite capable on her own, but every good hero needs a good partner to watch their back," he offered in answer. Twilight let it go. She had to agree with his reasoning, Nyx would've taken up the mantle of Protector even if she had been the Ladybug rather than the Cat...and she preferred the Shadows anyway.
"What about Scootaloo?" Twilight asked, looking at the remaining jewels. Discord tapped his chin, momentarily stumped as well.
"This is where things get complicated...the comic book doesn't tell us much else about these jewels, we'll have to feel our way through this one," Discord sighed. Twilight gave a nod, holding a hand above the box and closing her eyes, the jewels rattling about. Discord watched in interested silence.
He smirked as a Fox Tail necklace hovered above the rest, gently dropping as Twilight pulled her hand away.
"The Fox, Elegant, Charming, and utterly impossible to ignore. You can love them, you can hate them, but in either case, they heavily influence others without even trying. They are born to be Leaders, but Loners as well. They are cunning, and won't take a risk without thinking things through first.
Scootaloo can be a bit impulsive sometimes, but it's always for the sake of her friends, and she always thinks things through, even if its in the midst of a situation, further proving her quick wit. They are also rather gifted liars...but at the same time, Honest, and Loyal to those important to them...Though they demand this treatment in return.
I believe you've chose well for your daughter Princess," Discord chuckled.
"Now...Sweetie Belle..." she murmured, they both sighed as they looked over the Jewels. Feeling for Scootaloo was one thing, but Twilight had no real connections to the Vampire. But then something caught her eye.
"What about the Comb?" Twilight asked. Discord contemplated it for a moment.
"That is the Bee, if I recall. Extremely hardworking, their friends say they work too hard, but still they struggle to improve and be better, for themselves and for their friends. Bee's live and die for their Goals, no matter what it takes, they'll do everything in their power to reach it, which is where their need to be social saves them. You're rather good at this Princess," Discord chuckled. Twilight only shrugged, looking at the other jewels.
"And what about the rest of these?" she demanded. Discord sighed, lifting the brooch and pinning it to his suit.
"This...is the Villains Jewel. It grants the ability to give powers to others, by manipulating their pain and negative feelings. But thats where those four will come in. They will face off against the transformed person, and purify them, and perhaps even learn a lesson in Friendship along the way," Discord smirked. Twilight chuckled and shook her head, reaching for a bracelet.
"Then I suppose this one is mine then?" she asked
"Ah, the turtle, Wise and kind. Fitting, I'll allow you to enjoy its gifts and your own Princess, I must away to my 'Evil Lair'" Discord winked. Twilight rolled her eyes, holding out a key.
"Don't burn anything, that room is a secret, alright?" she warned. He gave a nod, accepting the key. With a snap of his fingers, the chosen Jewels had vanished.
"My ultimate goal as the villain is to claim the Ladybug and the Cat. They are Yin an Yang, combined they grant unending power. Of course, I can't really use them, but the girls won't know that," he winked, snapping his fingers again and vanishing.
"Can't use them? What does he mean?" Twilight mumbled, gasping as a little green turtle floated in front of her.
Scootaloo groaned as her alarm blared, clumsily throwing her arm over the monstrous contraption, tempted once again to chuck it across the room into the wall. She sat up, glancing at her calendar with sleep filled eyes.
"There isn't even school today...stupid alarm clock..." she grumbled, yawning and rubbing at her eyes. Once awake, it was hard to just fall back asleep. She had no idea how Rainbow pulled it off so easily. Reluctantly she climbed out of bed, gasping as she tumbled over, catching herself with her wings and chuckling nervously, Nyx raising an eyebrow at her from the bottom bunk.
"Told ya," Nyx teased. Scootaloo rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I fell ONCE Nyx, ONCE!" Scootaloo argued, landing gently and marching for the bathroom.
"You up all night again?" Scootaloo asked as she stepped into the bathroom, flicking the light on and searching for her toothbrush.
"Most of it," Nyx called back with a shrug. Scootaloo shook her head.
"Seriously sis...you should just talk to Princess Luna about that junk. What if it's Nightmare related?" Scootaloo asked, worry just barely touching her voice. Nyx simply scoffed, toying with a ring between her fingers.
"Yea, right, that'd go over well. Besides, I can...feel Nightmare related stuff. I'm just restless Scoots, nothing to worry about," Nyx shrugged, her eyes on the ring. Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, pointing at it.
"Whats with the fidgeting?" she demanded.
"Huh? Oh, when I woke up I found it on the nightstand. I think Mom left it for me, seems like it has some magic in it, but I can't really tell what..." Nyx murmured. Scootaloo shrugged, twirling her toothbrush
"Eh, you'll figure it out, always do Nyx," she chuckled, turning her attention to the mirror, blinking in surprise as she found a necklace hanging on the corner.
"What fbout thif?" Scootaloo asked, toothbrush in mouth and holding up the necklace.
"Probably for you," Nyx shrugged, Scootaloo turned to the sink and spit, rinsing off her toothbrush
"Yea? What makes you so sure?" Scootaloo wondered
"Because you always get the bathroom first" Nyx winked
"YOU TAKE THREE YEARS TO WASH YOUR HAIR!" Scootaloo argued back. She sighed, tapping the fox tail.
"Though, it is kinda cool...makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, definitely some kinda magic goin' on with it too. But why would mom give us magic artifacts?" Scootaloo wondered.
"Good point, we can barely handle regular artifacts," Nyx laughed. Scootaloo sighed, rolling the chain around her hand and holding the tail against her palm.
"Eh, whatever. I'm meeting Belle at the lake today, gonna be tryin' out some new tricks, you comin?" Scootaloo asked. Nyx shook her head, still toying with the ring.
"Nah, you go on ahead, I'm gonna crack this thing," Nyx said with a wave of her hand. Scootaloo shrugged, quickly getting dressed, tossing on an orange shirt and a pair of dark brown shorts, finishing off her outfit with the necklace, tucking it under her shirt and taking off, snatching up her helmet on the way out.
"Good luck Nyx!" she called out as she took off. Nyx turned back to the ring, exhaling slowly
"Alright Plagg, she's gone, now, speak up, whats going on here?" Nyx demanded. A small black catlike creature popped its head out of her hair, gasping for air.
"What is with your hair!? I mean really, I coulda died in there!" he gasped, floating in front of her.
"Focus kitty cat, this ring?" Nyx asked, holding it in front of him. He held up his paws
"Look, it's a long story, I'm a Kwami, and that's a Miraculous. Creatures like me and Humans like you have been partners for ages, using our powers to protect in secret. NO ONE CAN KNOW! Not your sister, not your mom an dad, no one! It'd be really dangerous if anyone found out" Plagg explained, his stomach growling loudly. He frowned, clutching it and glancing around.
"You got anything to eat? I'm STARVING!" he whined. Nyx sighed and stood, still in her pajamas, dark blue, covered in stars to mimic her Other Mothers' night sky.
"So, you know my name, but not much else about me huh Plagg?" Nyx asked as she snuck her way to the kitchen. While Twilight had officially moved into the castle, the Library would always be home, or home away from home, or something along those lines. Pinkie Pie had put it better, but for the life of her, she couldn't really recall what had been said. That was unlike her...she had an amazing memory, scary amazing at times...She shook those thoughts away, pulling the fridge open.
"Alright, what do cats eat anyway? I don't have any mice..." Nyx mumbled, watching as the Kwami zipped into the fridge, tossing things aside as they grossed him out and finally gasping happily at a wheel of cheese, diving at it with his jaw practically unhinged, taking a massive bite out of it.
"Cheese? Since when do cats eat cheese?" Nyx mumbled.
"Cheese is amazing! And sure, I only know your name because you touched the ring, we're partners now you know," Plagg explained, taking another bite. Nyx shook her head, sitting down on a stool.
"Okay, so you'd grant me powers? For what? I already have powers, and my home isn't exactly in much danger, especially with Mom and her friends around..." Nyx sighed, blinking as the cat poked her nose.
"Sure, your family and friends might be strong, and you might be tough, but you can't fight Akuma," Plagg tsk'd.
"Akuma?" Nyx asked, holding out her hands, the cat sitting in her palms with a chunk of cheese and nodding.
"That's right! There are other Miraculous you know, and not all Miraculous Wielders are good...one of them has fallen into the hands of someone evil and he's using Akuma to his own ends. Of course, with my powers, you can fight back...but that's kind of another issue...you can't fight them alone, you need a friend," Plagg continued, wolfing down the chunk of cheese and rubbing his stomach happily.
"I've got a few friends, but how are they gonna help unless they've got Miraculous too?" Nyx asked. Plagg shook his head.
"No! You can't tell your friends or they'll be in danger from the Akuma too! Look, my powers are pretty simple. I'll transform you, keep your identity hidden, and give you the power of Destruction," Plagg said, holding up his paw. Nyx tensed up, hanging her head.
"I can't do that Plagg...I've caused enough destruction as is..." she said quietly
"Hey! Destruction can be used for good you know! You're gonna need it! And so will that friend I mentioned! The Ladybug is the only one that can purify Akuma! But without the Cat, moi, it can't get to the Akuma. We're a team!" Plagg argued, cupping her cheeks in his paws. Nyx sighed, looking down at the ring.
"Look, all ya gotta do is put it on and say 'Claws out'. Those are the words to activate your powers, but if you use your special power you'll end up changing back in a few minutes"
"Special Power?" Nyx wondered, her hand shaking as she held the ring over her finger.
"Yup! Cataclysm! It allows you to imbue bad luck into your hand, whatever you touch afterwards suffers incredibly horrible bad luck, but it's a one time thing!"
"Cataclysm? Please tell me that's not a pun..." she sighed.
"So...you wanna protect everyone or what Nyx?" Plagg asked, crossing his arms. Nyx frowned, looking between the cat and the ring.
"Oh fuck it," she swore, slipping the ring on.
"Plagg...CLAWS OUT!"
"Oh wow, well ain't you fast?" a voice giggled in Scootaloo's ear over the wind. She came to a grinding halt in mid air, looking around.
"Who the hell...show yourself?" Scootaloo demanded, blinking as something flittered in front of her. It looked like a sprite at first, and then she saw it's ears. It looked like a mini fox, long fox ears with white inside and black on the tips and edges. Her orange tail slowly swished behind her, tipped white. Her four paws all tipped black, bleeding into the orange fur of her arms and legs. She waved and winked.
"Hey there, names Trixx, I'm gonna be yer new partner," she introduced herself. Scootaloo just stared, poking the fox things' cheek and ears.
"Stop that, I'm real!" she yelled, Scootaloo flinching back.
"Well yea I get that...but I just thought this might be a prank or something...And the heck do you mean partner?" Scootaloo demanded, poking Trixxs' nose.
"Look, it's really simple Scootaloo,"
"How do you know my name?!" Scootaloo yelled, grabbing Trixx and glaring at her.
"Easy! I'm connected t' ya through that necklace yer wearin'" she growled, Scootaloo loosening her grip slightly. Trixx let out a sigh of relief.
"As I was sayin'...We're partners, you've got some skills, an some guts, but just that ain't enough to fight Akuma kiddo, yer gonna need my help, hear me?" She winked
"The fuck is an Akuma?"
"Ugh...you kids don't know anythin' do ya? An Akuma is basically a spirit, but it can be consumed with negative emotions and poison innocent people, turnin' em into monsters. Only way t' fight em is with a Miraculous, that thing yer wearin' around yer neck? That's yer Miraculous, makes it possible for ya to use my powers for yerself," she said, pointing a paw at Scootaloo's shirt.
"The Necklace Mom gave me?" Scootaloo asked, putting her hand over it, feeling a warmth coming from it.
"Yup, our power is the Power of Stealth and Trickery, we bend the world and the rules, but only to a degree and only to help those in need. But that's all we're really good at...we can't purify Akuma, an if ya don't purify the thing it spreads and causes even more trouble," Trixx sighed, now sitting in Scootaloo's palm.
"Well, can't I just use magic or something?" Scootaloo asked, Trixx shaking her head.
"Like I said kiddo, ya can't fight these things by normal means, they'll tear through anythin not comin' from a Miraculous, it's their weakness, you can try throwin' somethin' else at it, an when ya decide ya need my help, just say 'Eyes open'. It's how ya call me t' activate our powers, but be warned kiddo, if ya use our special power, we only get a short time before yer identity is shown for the whole world t' see," Trixx warned
"So what?"
"So what?! Kiddo, if the guy controllin' the Akuma finds out who ya are, he'll destroy everythin' ya love, no one can know about me or know about our powers," Trixx growled. Scootaloo tapped her chin.
"So...I'd get to be a super secret super hero huh? Sounds sweet! Count me in little fox!" Scootaloo beamed
"Trixx...not...whatever," Trixx sighed with a smile, squeaking as Scootaloo tucked her into her pocket, rocketing toward the lake.
"But first, I've got a date!"
"Well ain't ya'll a strange little thing?" Applebloom chuckled, holding out her hands, a tiny red creature landing in her palms with a relieved sigh, her huge dark blue eyes looking up at her and a smile touching the creatures lips. She had a large black spot on her forehead, several other spots on her body and two little red antennae atop her head.
"Wow, I guess you really are the chosen one!" the little red creature cheered happily
"Ya'll can talk? Chosen one? Ya'll ain't some prank from my Pa are ya?" Applebloom wondered. The creature shook its head and hovered in front of her.
"No, not at all! My name is Tikki and I'm your friend!" she introduced herself with a big smile.
"My friend? Well sorry miss Tikki but ah don't rightly remember ya if'n we're friends..." Applebloom chuckled nervously. Tikki shook her head
"No, we only just met Applebloom, but those earrings in your hand are very important...It's called a Miraculous and it's very important!" Tikki began to explain.
"These things? Ah thought maybe they were a gift from Ma or Pa...Ah been workin' real hard on my grades lately, ah've had th' time what with everythin' bein' so quiet lately," Applebloom sighed.
"Well things won't stay quiet long Applebloom, the world needs you, and the Miraculous! There are others like you Applebloom, others who have been chosen, but without you, they'll fail..." Tikki said sadly
"W-What do ya mean they'll fail?" Applebloom began to panic. Tikki flitted about, tapping her chin
"Well, your Miraculous grants you the power to Purify Akuma, creatures being manipulated by a Miraculous under evil control and forcing people to turn into monsters through negative emotions. With those Earrings, I can transform you, and give you my powers. You can Purify the Akuma and save everyone, and the Other Chosen will help you catch the Akuma!" Tikki smiled.
"So ah put these on...an whenever one o' those Akuma attacks, ah can purify em and save everybody?" Applebloom asked. Tikki nodded quickly
"But you have to be careful when using our powers, no one can know who you really are, not even your parents or friends! If they find out, they could all be in grave danger!" Tikki warned
"My Pa? In danger, that's jus' silly Tikki, an Ma ain't no pushover either," Applebloom boasted
"That as may be Applebloom, but a Miraculous is the only weapon that works on Akuma or those who have been Akumatized...you can't stop them otherwise," Tikki explained
"Hm...it ain't that ah don't believe ya Tikki, but ah jus' find it kinda strange...well when ah really think 'bout it, weirder things have happened t' me...Alright Tikki, ah'm in! Yer secret is safe with me!" Applebloom beamed
Tikki shook her head, grabbing Applebloom's finger
"You mean OUR secret. We're partners now. OH! To use my powers, you just need to invoke them by saying 'Spots On'. But if you use our power you'll change back and reveal your identity. It won't happen instantly, you'll get a warning before it's too late, but we can't be discovered, okay?"
"Got it, ah don't s'pose a test run would hurt, would it?" Applebloom asked. Tikki smiled and gave a nod, Applebloom excitedly putting on the Earrings. She cleared her throat, brushing her hair aside
"Spots on!"
"AHHHH! A BEE!" Sweetie Belle screeched, waving a golden comb at it. The bee stared as the girl helplessly swung at the air, hardly coming close to swatting it away.
"Calm down Sweetie Belle! I'm not going to hurt you!" it yelled. Sweetie Belle froze, staring at the bee with wide eyes. It was a strange little thing, though much bigger than any bee she'd ever seen. Three black stripes dressed it's head, but none were on it's fuzzy body. Its small arms and legs were black as well, and now that she really looked, it's stinger was tiny, just barely noticeable. She chuckled nervously, slowly lowering the comb.
"S-Sorry, Miss Bee, I just um...I'm scared of being stung..." Sweetie Belle admitted. The bee frowned, pointing at Sweetie Belle's eyes.
"You're a strange one Sweetie Belle, your eyes changed red when you started to panic..." The bee pointed out. Sweetie Belle gasped, looking in her mirror
"Oh no! Scootaloo is going to kill me!" She panicked, the Bee letting out a sigh.
"Calm down, listen, everything is going to bee okay," it said with a smile, zipping over to her. Sweetie Belle glanced at it.
"Did you just Pun?" she asked softly.
"Maybee?" it chuckled nervously. Sweetie Belle snickered, bursting into a giggle and shaking her head.
"Anything that can pun innocently can't be bad. Huh, but you know my name..."
"Well that's beecause of the comb! It ties us together! It's called a Miraculous!" She pointed to herself
"And I am a Kwami! Abeille is my name and with my help, you'll gain power to protect all of your friends!" she cheered
"Protect my friends? Oh they don't need protecting silly! I mean...if anyone needs protecting it's me..." she sighed. Abeille shook her head
"That's where your wrong Sweetie Belle! I can feel it, you are really really strong! You have to Beelieve in yourself and trust me on this one! My Miraculous isn't the only one in existence you know. There's others, and some of them aren't all good...One of the bad ones is active and it's power is to turn people into monsters with negative feelings. The only way to fight back is if we combine our powers and fight!" Abeille explained
"M-Maybe I should ask my friends..."
"NO! No one can know Sweetie Belle, if the Evil Miraculous holder finds out who you and your friends are, they'd bee in terrible danger! You can't fight Akumatized people without a Miraculous, not while expecting to win. You'll need some help in purifying it, but your goal ultimately is to protect and keep people from getting hurt when there is an Akuma attack...can you lend me your strength and share in mine?" Abeille asked. Sweetie Belle chewed her lip, her fang showing slightly.
"I...I guess I have no choice huh? If it's really that dangerous, then I'll do it Abeille!" Sweetie Belle agreed. The bee flipped in the air.
"Wonderful! Now, that comb is what connects us, so, to transform, just say "Wings Out", that's how you can invoke our powers and transform. But you gotta remember, no one can know who you really are, we're on a time limit the second you use our special power and we'll have to hide before we change back to normal. If anyone sees us it could mean big trouble!" Abeille warned. Sweetie Belle nodded in understanding, placing the comb in her hair, keeping her hair out of her face.
"T-There, totally inconspicuous!" Sweetie Belle stammered. Abeille giggled and nodded.
"Good job Sweetie Belle! I'll bee counting on you partner!"
"Whoa...this is uh...this is really something, huh Plagg? Is this leather?" Nyx asked, looking over herself. She was dressed from neck to toe and fingertips in a skintight black catsuit, her fingertips themselves replaced with claws. Black ears flicked back atop her head as she realized they were there. Glancing behind her she found a tail as black as night swaying about behind her.
"Oh gods I'm a cat...Plagg!" she cried, looking around. Where was that damn cat thing? She glanced at the ring, seeing a cat paw.
"Right...maybe it takes too much to transform and he can't speak...guess I'm on my own, but wow..." She went to the bathroom, looking in the mirror. Her deep purple hair was braided into a lone ponytail that ran halfway down her back, her draconic eyes were more catlike, especially behind the black mask that sat over her eyes and nose, even her lips had been dressed in black lipstick.
She could feel her senses running wild. Looking into her dark room was like staring at broad daylight. While not something she wasn't used to, she normally had to invoke her Nightmare powers to do such a thing. Her hearing was off the charts, she could hear heartbeats outside the library of passers by. It was all a bit much at once. She sat on the bathroom floor, panting slightly, the transformation fading away and Plagg falling into her hand.
"Ugh, you gotta calm down girl! You can't panic like that during an Akuma attack you know!" he shouted.
"S-Shut up a sec Plagg, I gotta wrap my head around this..." she mumbled. The cat rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and waiting. Nyx looked at her hand, the world back to normal.
"Is it always gonna be like that Plagg?" she asked softly
"Probably, come on, you can handle this, but uh...could I get some more cheese? Gotta recharge heh heh..."
Nyx rolled her eyes in return, standing up slowly
"Sure thing Plagg...breakfast sounds nice anyway"
"Oh my gosh, Tikki ah...ah dunno 'bout this..." Applebloom frowned, looking at herself in the mirror. Her red locks, normally in a single ponytail tossed over her shoulder, was now in two short braided pigtails against her shoulder blades. Her chocolate brown eyes behind a black spotted red mask, most of her face still visible.
Her suit was rather simple, covering her from neck to toe in red with black spots. A yo-yo was tied around her waist and as she grabbed it she felt strangely...comfortable with it. Experimentally she twirled it, chuckling a little.
"It's kinda like a lasso now that ah think 'bout it...Ah think ah jus' might be gettin' th' hang o' this Tikki!" Applebloom cheered.
"Tikki? Where are ya lil bug?" she called out, placing the yo-yo back at her waist. She looked high and low, but her little bug friend was nowhere to be seen. Cue panic attack
"Tikki! Where are ya?!" Applebloom cried, blinking as she spotted herself in the mirror. It was like something just...clicked, her suit seemed to glow before her, as if highlighted against the world.
"Th' transformation...does it make her vanish? How am ah s'pose t' do this without her though?!" Applebloom panicked, the transformation fading away and Tikki hovering before her, hugging her cheek.
"I'm always with you Applebloom! Just because I can't say anything back, doesn't mean I'm not here!" Tikki assured her. Applebloom gently hugged the Kwami, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Ah thought ah lost ya..."
"Hm...though we might have a little problem..." Tikki realized.
"Huh? what's that?"
"Well, your accent Applebloom! Anyone who knows you will recognize it!" Tikki pointed out. Applebloom scoffed
"Oh please, my accent isn't too much a problem to deal with. I've taken quite a few lessons from my father," Applebloom winked, Tikki staring in shock.
"Hehe, how was that Tikki, got ya didn't ah?" she giggled. Tikki nodded quickly
"You really can do this Applebloom! I'm counting on you" Tikki smiled, letting out a yawn.
"Huh, ya'll tired Tikki?"
"I just need a snack and my batteries will be recharged just fine," Tikki assured her.
"Oh, well, what do ya like?" Applebloom wondered, walking into the kitchen.
"Do you have anything sweet?" Tikki asked, looking up at her.
"Well o' course! Th' Apple family are some o' th' best bakers 'round ya know! Right next t' Pinkie Pie," Applebloom smiled, pulling open a jar with her initials on it.
"Ah actually made these just last night," Applebloom smiled, handing the cookie to the little Kwami. Tikki happily chowed down on the cookie.
"So, after we transform, ya'll gotta eat up in order to get yer strength back?" Applebloom asked, Tikki nodding.
"But what did you think of your abilities so far?" Tikki wondered, looking up at her as she took another bite of cookie.
she's jus' so adorable! Applebloom squealed to herself, clearing her throat.
"Well, it was a little strange. Ah'm plenty strong...but ah felt stronger than ah ever have...And then when ah was thinkin' real hard 'bout what happened t' ya, things kinda...focused..." Applebloom tried to explain.
"It's part of your Ladybug sight. It ties in with the Lucky Charm power, which grants you an item that gets you out of whatever situation you're in. But..."
"Using that power drains th' transformation, ah remember," Applebloom smiled. Tikki gave a nod, polishing off her cookie.
"Ah'm gonna hang on t' a few o' these, in case o' emergencies," Applebloom chuckled, grabbing her messenger bag and dropping some cookies into a Ziploc, tucking it into her bag. Tikki slipped into the pocket with the cookies, giving a salute to Applebloom.
"Remember, Spots on," Tikki whispered.
"Ah'll remember"
"Hmph, she shoulda been here by now..." Scootaloo sighed
"This girl of yers sounds kinda important to ya kiddo," Trixx chuckled. Scootaloo blushed slightly
"H-Hey, chill out would ya! Aren't you supposed to be hiding or something?" Scootaloo barked. The Fox shrugged and stuck her tongue out teasingly.
"Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle cried, Scootaloo jumping in surprise, shoving the Fox into her pocket.
"B-Belle! Hey, about time you showed up! Where were...Ugh, Belle, damn it..." Scootaloo sighed. Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak, squeaking as Scootaloo pushed her finger against her fang.
"Shush, bite," Scootaloo ordered. Sweetie Belle pouted, hesitating before biting down on the finger, drinking slowly, the red slowly fading from her eyes.
"You've gotta learn to get that under control Belle, what happens if I'm not around next time?" Scootaloo scolded her.
"Eh, she'll get by, ain't Rarity got some special tea or somethin'?" Applebloom asked, both of them gasping as their friend walked up to them.
"H-Hey AB, wait, what are you doing out here?" Scootaloo wondered.
"Well, ah figured ya'll would be out here as usual, wanted t' come see ya and uh...watch yer tricks," Applebloom chuckled.
"Hey, your hair is different...I never noticed you had earrings" Sweetie Belle pointed out. Applebloom blinked
"Oh uh, yea! Ah wanted t' try somethin' new ya know? OH! Your hair is different too Sweetie Belle, that's such a beautiful comb! Did Rarity get it for you?" Applebloom asked.
"Huh? OH! Y-Yes! My hair has gotten kind of long and it always falls in my face, and I couldn't bring myself to cut it, even if Rarity could style it..." Sweetie Belle quickly explained.
"Yea yea, cool, I've got tricks to do!" Scootaloo fumed. They both chuckled
"Right, give em hell Scoots!" Applebloom cheered. She smirked, slapping on her helmet and flaring out her wings.
"I got this" she whispered to herself, slowly lifting into the air. She inhaled slowly, twirling slowly, her wings flared out. Sweetie Belle watched in awe as Scootaloo seemed to dance through the air, a few quick exercises to warm herself up. Twirling and flipping around the clouds, moving as smoothly as a ballerina, alone on the stage and in the spotlight where she belonged.
Feeling properly warmed up, she threw herself up, slowly tilting until she was upside down, her wings vanishing as she plummeted towards the lake.
"K-Kid! Are ya nuts!" Trixx yelled. But Scootaloo was in the zone, nothing was pulling her out of this dive early. It had to be the perfect moment...She closed her eyes, slowly raising her arms. Everything had to be...perfect...She snapped her eyes open, throwing herself into a rapid spin, her wings flaring to life just before she hit the lake, throwing herself up and skipping off the waters surface, rainbows lancing across the kicked up droplets with her at the center.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were practically a full crowd with how powerful they whooped and cheered at the feat. Scootaloo panted heavily, tears in her eyes as she watched the rainbows slowly fall.
"Scoots that was so beautiful..." Sweetie Belle said softly as Scootaloo landed. Scootaloo rubbed away her tears and sniffed.
"D-Damn straight, it was awesome wasn't it?" Scootaloo stammered, her legs shaking a little.
"Scoots...how many times have ya'll tried that trick?" Applebloom asked
"Well uh...about a hundred times...this is uh...my first time getting it just right," Scootaloo admitted. Applebloom sighed, shaking her head and hugging her friend. Trixx blinked as her eyes met Tikki's, both of them signaling for the other to stay silent and nodding in understanding.
"AB, what gives? You alright?" Scootaloo asked. Applebloom took a step back and smiled
"Ah'm jus' fine Scoots, ah'm really happy ya'll pulled off yer trick, jus' keep practicin', carefully, please?" Applebloom asked. Scootaloo gave a thumbs up, watching as Applebloom took off toward Sweet Apple Acres.
"That was...weird...weirder than normal," Scootaloo mumbled. Sweetie Belle shrugged.
"You really care for your friends, don't you Applebloom?" Tikki asked. Applebloom nodded with a smile.
"Yea, ah'm really happy Scoots pulled that trick off, an that ah didn't have t' see any of her screw ups...she's pretty sturdy, but she ain't no Gaian..."
"You'll do amazing Applebloom, I'm sure of it!" Tikki cheered.
"Thanks Tikki, ah jus' hope ah don't let ya down when ya need me..." Applebloom sighed, setting her bag down against a tree.
"Ya'll don't mind me gettin' some work done do ya? Farm ain't gonna run itself," Applebloom chuckled.
"Of course, sticking to as much of your normal life is important too Applebloom!" Tikki agreed.
Applebloom nodded, breathing in slowly and resting her hand against the tree, flexing her arm and giving a gentle push, the apples raining down. Tikki stared with wide eyes.
"Oh wow...a-and you felt...stronger with me?" Tikki asked.
"Well...yea, ah ain't ever felt that strong before, my full strength is kinda scary...ah'm a little worried what my limit is even like this...s-so ya'll can see why ah'm worried, right?" Applebloom chuckled nervously.
"It'll be okay Applebloom, you'll do just fine!"
Nyx gasped, tucking Plagg into the shirt of her pajamas as Twilight came downstairs, yawning loudly.
"Good morning Nyx..." Twilight mumbled, blinking as she opened the fridge.
"Heh heh...sorry, I was half asleep when I got to the fridge...I'll clean it up, I promise!" Nyx assured her, tensing up as Twilight stared at her ring. Twilight sighed and gave a shake of her head.
"It's fine Nyx, but if you are having sleeping problems again, you really should talk to Luna," Twilight said, starting a pot of coffee. Nyx gave a quick nod.
"I uh, I'm gonna go change and get ready for the day!" Nyx stammered, snatching up a piece of cheese on her way out. Twilight smiled as she watched her go.
Nyx waited until her door was closed to let Plagg out, the cat gasping for air.
"I mean come on, I don't mind breasts, but are you trying to kill me?!" He complained.
"If mom sees you she'll want to see what makes you tick, do you want to become a science experiment?!" Nyx argued in a hushed whisper. Plagg tensed up and shook his head, smiling widely as she held out a piece of cheese to him.
"I need to hide you better...mom would notice if I cloaked you, I could probably stash you in my shirt pocket...but I doubt you'd keep quiet..."
"I can keep quiet, just keep me full of cheese!" he cheered. Nyx sighed.
"I'll figure this out in a minute..." Nyx grumbled, Plagg hovering beside her. She glared at him.
"You aren't going to watch me change are you?" she growled.
"Well, you did totally just have me against your nude body a second ago," the cat pointed out crying out as Nyx grabbed hold of him
"Just because I need you to fight Akuma, doesn't mean I won't make your life hell cat..." she warned.
"G-Got it! I-I'll just take my cheese and wait!" he cried out, phasing through her hand and quickly catching his cheese and hiding on the top bunk bed. Nyx sighed, shaking her head and heading to her closet to change. It was going to be a long day...
"Looks like everything's going as you planned, just don't go overboard," Twilight said, tapping her foot. Discord grinned, adjusting his mask.
"But of course, there have to be negative emotions for me to even act as Hawkmoth, Princess, And you said they would get a day to adjust. I have yet to feel any negative emotions today either, but they will need a test run of these powers," Discord/Hawkmoth pointed out. Twilight sighed, holding up her bracelet, the turtle Kwami Wayzz, a wise little turtle, hovered beside her.
"So, you basically wished us into existence...and we are all but a game to the two of you it seems...however you seem to be abiding by the rules...and you don't truly mean any harm. It's not as if I can act against either of you alone...so what will you two do now?" he asked.
"I'm really sorry about all of this Wayzz, but before this you didn't exist, not in our realm anyway...And it's more than just a game to us. These are the lives of our children...I've been assured that with the help of the Kwami and these adventures, they'll learn many important lessons and even strengthen their bonds as friends," Twilight explained herself. Wayzz only smiled.
"I understand, as long as things don't get out of control," Wayzz agreed.
"Well, there you have it Twilight, you wondered what the Kwami would be like, and now you've seen," Discord said with a smile, dozens of white Akuma flitting around him.
"This man...Darkness flows so strongly through him, but it bends to the light of his heart. He could never truly use these gifts for evil...so you intend to use us to make your children stronger...You have my support in this Princess,"
"Thank you Wayzz."
"It was really amazing Scoots...I just know it's gonna blow everyone away!" Sweetie Belle cheered. Scootaloo chuckled, her helmet tucked under her arm.
"Yea...it's like...I got really lucky or somethin'..." Scootaloo murmured, putting her hand over the necklace. Did Trixx have something to do with her trick working? Before the weird little fox appeared, she'd tried the trick tons of times, always crashing into the water or skipping off into the grass, or pulling up too early and missing it completely.
She'd have a good long talk with the damn thing later. Right now, she had to take care of Sweetie Belle.
"So Belle," Scootaloo smirked, flicking out her wings and hovering backwards, winking at her Vampire friend. Sweetie Belle blushed and cleared her throat.
"Y-Yes Scoots?"
"Well, I was thinkin'...Eraville's been so quiet lately, ain't like they are gonna raise the Crusader alarm when The Elements are ready at a second's notice these days...So, maybe we could...I dunno, catch a movie or somethin? I know that chick-flick you were excited about came out yesterday and..."
"Oh my gosh yes! I-I mean, I'd love to!" Sweetie Belle squealed happily. Scootaloo shook her head, holding out her hand, Sweetie Belle grabbing it and gasping as she was tugged into the air, clinging to Scootaloo as she was flown to the theater.
"You didn't have to rush Scoots..." Sweetie Belle grumbled, dusting off her dress. Scootaloo just shrugged, kissing her cheek.
"Eh, I don't do anything slow," Scootaloo chuckled, standing at the ticket booth.
"Two please," she smirked, Sweetie Belle still standing in a daze behind her. She smiled, paying for the tickets and letting out a sigh as she turned to see Sweetie Belle just staring into space.
"Belle, come on...you're like that after a little peck on the cheek? Geez, that makes the rest of the kinda hard huh?" Scootaloo teased.
"H-Huh? W-Wait, d-did you actually...plan a date?" Sweetie Belle whispered. Scootaloo quickly glanced around to be sure no one was watching. Assured her image was safe, she grabbed Sweetie Belle's hands and winked as she kissed the Magian's knuckle.
"The entire day," she whispered back.
"Okay, don't do anything stupid in there Plagg, okay?" Nyx mumbled under her breath, pulling her vest open slightly. she had sewn a pocket into it, allowing him to comfortably sit and munch on cheese. He gave her a salute as she headed out. She inhaled the mid-day air, adjusting her glasses with a soft sigh.
"It's almost a shame there's no school today..." she murmured, tucking her hands into her jean pockets. She was sure Scootaloo was already busy romancing Sweetie Belle, which left her the challenge of doing the same with Applebloom.
Among her friends, her crush was no secret, except from Applebloom of course. Nyx prided herself in being a skilled wordsmith, and she had no problems TALKING to Applebloom...but every time she wanted to say something romantic her mind turned to useless mush and she made an idiot of herself.
But she was going to change all of that. Maybe Plagg was affecting her confidence, but today would be the day!
"Wow, that's one determined face you've got there," Plagg chuckled.
"S-Shut it Plagg, this is serious business. My whole life could ride on what happens today," she whispered. The cat shrugged, stretching out in her pocket.
"Yea yea, wake me when there's an attack," he yawned, passing out. It was probably for the best. He was easier to handle this way. She gulped as she reached Sweet Apple Acres much sooner than expected, seeing Applebloom working her way through the trees. It was a dance Nyx had watched many times before. Applebloom spun, raising her leg and thwacking the closest tree, shifting with the momentum of the kick and leaping to her other foot, twirling and kicking the next tree, never wasting a single motion.
She sighed softly, leaning against the fence.
"She ain't gonna hear ya all th' way over here little miss," Applejack teased.
"AH! A-Applejack! Ma'am! I am so sorry, I didn't mean to stare, I just, uh, you know, Applebloom's just so graceful a-and...I'm rambling again aren't I?" she sighed, hanging her head.
"I'm so hopeless..."
"Nah, ah don't think so, Applebloom's kind of th' hopeless one 'round here. She's gotta realize sooner or later. So, ya'll tryin' again today?" Applejack asked. Nyx looked the wizened woman in the eye and nodded. Even as she grew older, Applejack looked just the same as she'd seen her as a child. She had long ago learned not to question things in this town, and contributed it to a mix of Terra, Chaos, Harmony, and sheer willpower.
"Heh, good one Miss Applejack..." Nyx laughed nervously. Applejack shook her head and cleared her throat, Nyx waving her hands and about to beg the woman not to, but it was too late.
"APPLEBLOOM! YER FRIEND IS HERE T' SEE YA!" Applejack called out. Applebloom glancing over and waving to them. Nyx groaned to herself and smiled as she waved back.
"Good luck Nyx, ya'll know we're rootin' fer ya," Applejack whispered, making her way into her home. Nyx sighed, leaning against the fence.
"Well hey Nyx, come by jus' t' watch?" Applebloom asked.
Maybe...I wouldn't mind watching... she thought to herself, shaking her head.
"N-No, I uh...wanted to uh...I mean, you...me...heh, let me start over..." Nyx gulped, Applebloom resting her hands on her hips and waiting.
"Applebloom, I was wondering if you'd like to spend the day with me," Nyx said quickly.
"Sure, lemme jus' get these buckets in th' barn Nyx," Applebloom smiled, rushing and lifting several buckets at once, marching into the barn, back and forth. Nyx watched in awe. She was rather strong herself, but Applebloom was a different level altogether.
"Wait, did I really just ask her out? And did she say yes?!" Nyx gasped. She hadn't expected to get this far! What was she supposed to do!
"Wait, wait, wait...there's that sappy movie Scootaloo was talking about...I could take her to see that..." Nyx mumbled to herself.
"see what?" Applebloom asked, causing her to jump in place.
"G-Geez Applebloom, don't sneak up on me like that!" Nyx fumed. Applebloom chuckled, patting her shoulder
"Sorry Nyx, ya'll jus' looked kinda cute ramblin t' yerself. So, ya wanted t' hang out?" Applebloom asked.
She said I was cute...Oh gods say something!
"Uh...Y-Yea! I figured we could relax a little and catch a movie," Nyx smiled a little forcefully.
"A movie sounds nice, ah'm guessin' Scoots an Belle are already seein' it huh? Ain't it their anniversary or somethin'?" Applebloom wondered, grabbing her bag.
"Yea, it's the day Sweetie Belle first bit Scootaloo...it just also happens to be the day Scootaloo asked her out," Nyx snickered.
"Ah was actually there fer all o' that ya know, it's as funny as ya think it was," Applebloom joined in the giggling.
She's laughing...holy shit is this working? Nyx wondered, clearing her throat.
"S-So, shall we?" Nyx asked, holding out her arm. Applebloom rolled her eyes, hooking her arm in Nyx's
"Sure"
"Twilight...I feel a disturbance...Discord convinced you to do something stupid didn't he?" Rainbow asked as she entered the library.
"Actually...it was the girls this time. And it's not exactly 'stupid' Rainbow. I actually fully approve," Twilight smiled, sipping her coffee. Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"Riiight...Do I want to know? Or is it better if I'm in the dark?" Rainbow asked. Twilight glanced at her bracelet and smiled
"Actually, it's a very important secret that I cannot reveal under any means," Twilight answered smoothly. Rainbow rolled her eyes, slipping behind Twilight and hooking her arms around her, her breath rolling against the Celestian's neck.
"That's a shame...guess I'll go to the bedroom with my own secret then," she teased, flaring out her wings and taking off. Twilight gulped, dropping her coffee cup.
"Wayzz, stay here," Twilight ordered, her face flushed red as she went upstairs to fully explain everything to Rainbow.
"So...whats on this schedule of yours Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked, batting her eyelashes. Scootaloo gulped, staring at the Magian. Whenever they were in public, Sweetie Belle was almost as shy as Fluttershy, but when they were alone...
"Heh, well, first, I planned a picnic by the lake...I was originally gonna use my trick when you showed up and have the picnic ready...but, voila!" Scootaloo held out her arm, a large blanket sitting before the lake, a radio on one corner, books on another, the picnic basket itself on another corner.
"S-Scoots! When did you have time to set this up?!" Sweetie Belle gasped, sitting on the blanket.
"Oh you know, while you were in a daze at the movie theater," she teased. In truth, she'd asked Rainbow to set it up for her while she kept Sweetie Belle busy, but it was more romantic this way.
"It's perfect Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle smiled, stretching out on the blanket. Scootaloo shrugged, sitting on the blanket and opening up the basket, pulling out a pair of sandwiches.
"Lunch is served" she chuckled, Sweetie Belle accepting the sandwich and letting out a soft sigh.
"Life's kind of funny isn't it?" She said softly, gently touching the comb in her hair. Scootaloo laid down beside her, placing her hand over her necklace.
"Yea, it is..." she sighed, looping her fingers in between Sweetie Belle's, gently squeezing her hand.
"I love you Belle..." Scootaloo said softly, blinking as Sweetie Belle curled up against her side.
"I-I love you too Scoots..." she whispered, clinging to her arm. Scootaloo sighed and smiled, rolling onto her side, tossing her arm over Sweetie Belle.
"Ya know, we've got an hour and a half before the movie starts..." Scootaloo smirked.
"Well, what are we s'pose t' do fer an hour and a half?" Applebloom wondered as they walked away with their tickets. Nyx swore under her breath, she hadn't thought that far.
"Well uh, it's a nice day for a flight?" Nyx chuckled nervously. Applebloom raised an eyebrow.
"Last ah checked, ah don't exactly have wings like you an Scootaloo," Applebloom joked.
"Well, I could carry you...a-and you've walked on clouds before, it'd be nice..." Nyx said, straining her smile.
"Nyx, is somethin' weird goin' on with you? Yer actin' kinda strange..." Applebloom mumbled. Nyx gulped, very aware of the cat kwami shifting about in her vest pocket.
"N-Nope! Everything's been just as normal as usual...I mean, I haven't been sleeping the best...but that's normal," Nyx answered quickly. Applebloom sighed, putting her hand against Nyx's forehead.
"Well, ya ain't sick...have ya tried talkin' t' Princess Luna?"
"Why has literally everyone asked me that?" Nyx mumbled.
"Well, she's kind of th' expert on sleep problems ya know...and technically she's yer ma, along with Twilight," Applebloom pointed out. Nyx facepalmed
"I know, I know! Okay? But, I'll be fine, if it gets bad, THEN I'll ask her, okay?" Nyx sighed. Applebloom cupped her chin, looking her over and let out a sigh herself.
"Alright Nyx, I'm holdin' ya t' that. Ah jus' worry 'bout ya is all. Sure, they ain't called fer our help in a long time...but that don't mean they ain't ever gonna...Fate brought all of us together fer a reason ya know, gave us the gifts to protect our loved ones..." Applebloom blinked, her eyes wide for a moment and clearing her throat.
"Yea...gifts..." Nyx mumbled, glancing at her ring.
"To protect..." she smiled, clenching her fist. She glanced over at Applebloom, holding out her hand.
"Come on, I just remembered, Mom got in a new shipment of books a couple days ago, some ancient tomes and a couple things about my past...and a few things about your dad too"
Applebloom gasped, grabbing Nyx's hand. Discord had of course answered as many questions as Applebloom could ask, but on some topics he fell apart and refused to speak, normally hiding within himself until the subject changed.
"Finally! Well, ya'll gonna do th' honors? Or should ah?" Applebloom asked, holding up her other hand. Nyx stared at her for a moment, her cheeks flaring up red. She quickly cleared her throat as Applebloom's smile began to fade.
"Y-You go ahead, heh...Maybe I should talk to Luna, my head is kinda pounding...heh..." Nyx stammered. Applebloom watched her and sighed, squeezing her hand as she snapped her fingers, the two appearing at the Library, Twilight gasping and catching a stack of books in her magic.
"S-Sorry Miss Twilight! Ah fergot..." Applebloom chuckled nervously. Twilight looked between the two of them knowingly, giving a shake of her head.
"It's fine. I have to get going anyway, Nyx! Please take care of things here for me for a little while, Spike will be back within the hour!" Twilight called out, winking at her daughter who burst into a fit of stammering and shaking her head.
She had made the horrible mistake of trusting her mother with her secret crush...
"Hm? Oh hey" Rainbow smiled from upstairs, her legs shaking a little.
"Hi Rainbow! Nice day fer a read huh?" Applebloom giggled.
Oh Gods strike me down now...such a wonderful sound... Nyx groaned internally, though she was left to giggle as well as she noticed Rainbow's legs.
"I take it you and Mother have sanctioned the house?" Nyx said, pointing at her legs.
"Heh, well you know...I fell for her for a reason...she's more competitive than I am when it comes to most things...and the heck you mean 'Sanctioned'? If that's what you call it, then yea, we have, several times," Rainbow grinned, winking and tilting her head slightly at Applebloom.
Of course she told Rainbow! Damn it Mom...
"Well, ah think that's jus' 'bout 'nough o' that. Nyx, those books?" Applebloom asked, blinking as she found Rainbow standing beside Nyx, an arm looped around her shoulders and whispering to her.
"Kid, just tell her how you feel. If you dance around it forever, you'll never get to 'Sanction' the library," Rainbow teased, Nyx's face lighting up.
"M-MOM!" She hissed under her breath, Rainbow chuckling and patting her back.
"It's fine, I'll just be upstairs, it has a sound-proofing spell on it, no sound in, no sound out," Rainbow winked, and then she was gone.
"That explains how Scoot's got so good...ah bet she an Rainbow practice with Twilight constantly," Applebloom laughed. It was true, Scootaloo always scheduled at least one magic lesson a day if possible.
Nyx tensed up as Plagg yawned loudly, quickly stretching and putting her hand over her mouth, forcing a loud yawn.
"Ugh, wow, I guess I really am tired, heh heh..." she gulped. That cat was going to get it later...
"Well, ya'll go ahead an take a nap then, ah'll wake ya when we need t' leave fer th' movie," Applebloom smiled.
"N-No, Applebloom, you don't have to do that! B-Besides, we'll get more done reading together, r-right?" Nyx stammered.
"If yer sure...but if'n ah hear another yawn, yer takin' a nap, ya hear?" Applebloom argued, Nyx nodding and letting out a sigh of relief.
"So lemme get this straight Dash, Twilight an Discord made a deal with th' girls fer magic powers? Ain't they magical 'nough as is?" Applejack asked. The speedster had snuck out the window under the guise of taking a nap. She hadn't really believed Twilight at first, but she had noticed the Earrings and the Ring, and the little turtle showing up was really the icing on the cake.
"It's different AJ, ever since we...you know...they haven't heard that alarm of theirs. You know that itch, when you gotta stretch your legs? It's like that...Besides, I've been reading the comic and the Ladybug resets anything broken an busted with her powers, so, no harm, no foul. They get to stretch their legs, and no one gets hurt, it's pretty win win," Rainbow shrugged, chugging down her cup of cider.
"Hm...that kind of explains Nyx actin' strange earlier, figured it was jus' that crush o' hers," Applejack chuckled.
"An come t' think o' it...ah swear Applebloom was talkin' to someone, but she was all alone out there. Ah jus' argued that it had somethin' t' do with her powers..." Applejack hung her head, both hands wrapped around her cup. Rainbow sighed, gently squeezing Applejack's wrist.
"If you're worried about Discord's involvement in all this junk, don't be. Twilight's got an even tighter leash on him now. As the bad guy, he can't be out in the open, sure, he'll pop up like he always does, but he has to watch for a chance to make the heroes appear," Rainbow winked. Applejack nodded weakly.
"Dash...have ya'll ever questioned yer relationship?" Applejack asked suddenly.
"What?! I mean, sure, me and Twilight don't agree on everything...and we argue sometimes, but we've never said anything too harsh to each other. But couples fight, it's just a thing, somethin' happen with Rarity?" Rainbow wondered.
"No, an that's jus' it...she's perfect an ah'm...ah'm just..."
"Stop right there. AJ, you're just what? The Bearer of Honesty? A Titan incarnate? A Royal Baker? or Applejack Apple, the gal that fru-fru chick fell head over heels for?" Rainbow smirked. Applejack scoffed, unable to hide a smile.
"Ya'll been spendin' too much time 'round that Princess o' ours. Her Friendship Lessons are wearin' off on ya," Applejack teased, chugging down her cider.
"But...ah've really put some thought into this sugarcube...ah don't like it too much, but that man...he's Applebloom's father..." Applejack mumbled, brushing her hand through her hair, looping it behind her ear.
"Yea, an since Twilight put him on a leash he's been the dad she deserves, so what? Oh sweet damn you love him..." Rainbow realized, her eyes growing wide. Applejack blushed and cleared her throat.
"M-Maybe ah do...an ah can't stand th' idea o' hurtin' Rarity...what do ah do?" Applejack asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Look, you go to Rarity, right? Tell her everything, she'll be totally chill about it, and she'll have the answer you need. You still love her right?"
"With all my heart"
"Then just go do your thing, be honest, an everything will work out," Rainbow smirked, glancing at her watch.
"Gotta get going, Spike's supposed to be by the Library soon"
"Thanks fer everythin' Sugarcube..."
"Sure thing AJ," Rainbow smiled, giving a lazy salute before vanishing. Applejack sighed, leaning back ni her chair and looking up at the clouds.
"Looks like it might rain...but is that a good omen or a bad one?"
"Crud, I totally forgot it was supposed to rain!" Scootaloo panicked, packing up the picnic.
"It's fine Scootaloo, besides, it's just about time for our movie isn't it?" Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo chuckled, glancing at her watch.
"Yea, talk about timing, come on!" Scootaloo tugged Sweetie Belle onto her back, glaring at the fox that smiled at her from her pocket.
"Thank you for choosing Air Awesome today, please be sure to keep arms and legs latched onto the ride at all times, take off!" Scootaloo laughed as she rocketed into the air, Sweetie Belle clinging to her, the basket hanging onto her arm with the blanket folded inside. Scootaloo could've teleported, but she preferred flying. She kicked out her legs, sliding to a stop in front of the theater and gently sending Sweetie Belle down.
"Oh, hey!" Applebloom called out. Scootaloo blinked, smirking knowingly as she spotted a blushing Nyx beside her farmer friend.
"I didn't know you two had a thing for chick flicks," Scootaloo teased.
"Well uh, ah have a habit o' breaking down th' story elements o' most movies an Nyx is a great person t' bounce my thoughts off of, 'course if she dunno what ah'm talkin' 'bout then ain't no point in talkin' so we're seein' it together," Applebloom explained, Nyx nodding quickly.
"Well, we've got back row seats," Scootaloo winked.
"Hm, we're in th' front row, oh well, ya'll enjoy yer date!" Applebloom smiled
"You too," Scootaloo laughed, Nyx glaring at her through her blush. Applebloom raised an eyebrow as Scootaloo marched into the theater with Sweetie Belle.
"That was kind of mean Scoots..." Sweetie Belle mumbled.
"Oh come on, they need a push, literally everyone knows about Nyx's crush. Applebloom is the one who has ALWAYS been there for her, just like you've always been there for me Belle," Scootaloo winked.
"You get those Smooth lessons from Rainbow Dash?" Sweetie Belle teased, tapping the Skyborn's nose. Scootaloo shrugged, claiming her chosen seat and placing her arm over Sweetie Belle. She couldn't help but grin as Nyx and Applebloom walked down to the front row. Applebloom WOULD want to be as close as possible to the screen, something Scootaloo never understood. Sweetie Belle squealed as the movie started, Scootaloo managing not to gag at how overly sappy it was, but Sweetie Belle was loving every minute of it.
"Huh, ain't half bad a movie," Trixx whispered, Scootaloo tensing up and turning her head to glare at the hovering fox
"Trixx! Hide, what if Belle sees you?" she whispered harshly. The fox rolled its eyes, sitting on Scootaloo's shoulders.
"It's too dark for anyone t' see anything in here," Trixx argued.
"Belle is a vampire, she can see in the dark, now hide!" Scootaloo argued back. Trixx sighed, returning to Scootaloo's pocket, grumbling under her breath about the view.
"Did you say something Scoots?" Sweetie Belle asked, still focused on the movie.
"I uh, s-said you're beautiful Belle," Scootaloo smiled, Sweetie Belle blushing deeply.
Phew, sly recovery
Nyx sure is acting strange...Maybe it has something t' do with what Tikki was talkin' 'bout? Come t' think o' it, ah don't even know what these Akuma things look like, what if one was nearby? How would ah know?
"Huh, it's actually not a bad movie," Nyx whispered softly. Applebloom smiled, turning her attention to the screen, leaning her seat back. No one bothered with the first four rows unless the theater was packed, leaving her plenty of room to recline in her favorite seat.
Nope, that's definitely Nyx...I guess she really is just tired...Maybe I can call Luna later She thought to herself. Nyx cleared her throat, chuckling nervously
"Hey, lemme know what happens, I gotta run to the bathroom real quick," Nyx mumbled, running out of the theater.
"Okay, now that was really strange...maybe she just had to go really badly?"
"Okay...just...jus' tell her," Applejack breathed out slowly, knocking on the door. Rarity gasped and smiled, hugging her.
"Why hello Darling, to what do I owe the visit hm?" Rarity practically purred.
"Ah uh...Rares, we gotta talk," Applejack gulped.
"Whoa, the heck is wrong with you?!" Plagg demanded as Nyx snatched him out of her pocket.
"Plagg, Akuma, do they have an energy signature? Kind of like..."
"Yea...come to think of it, I can feel one not too far away, but...how'd you feel it first?" Plagg asked
"Call it a hunch," Nyx mumbled, glancing at her ring.
"Plagg...CLAWS OUT!"
Author's Note
This is the chapter of explanation, behold it in all of its repeated glory! Because we are not repeating it again. I get asked a lot of questions on some stories, asked for re-explanations over and over again, and I don't mind, it's nice to know people WANT to know these things, so everything you need to know is in this chapter. Next chapter, Miraculous Ladybug's Debut appearance?!
Applebloom tensed up, glancing around
That was a spike of Chaos...Not Miss Fluttershy. It wasn't Pinkie either...or even Nyx...It kinda almost feels like Pa, but it's too strong to be him, Twilight would never let him use this much power She struggled with herself. She blinked as Tikki tapped her arm.
"Tikki, whats wrong?" Applebloom asked, slouching in her seat.
"I can sense an Akuma! We've gotta go!" Tikki said in a hushed whisper. Applebloom stared, glancing over her shoulder. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were busy making out...Nyx hadn't come back yet. No one would notice if she snuck off.
She was the Ladybug Miraculous holder, the only one that could Purify an Akuma, she couldn't just ignore this! She nodded to Tikki, doing her best to calmly make her way out of the theater, breaking out into a run once outside. She slipped around the back of the building, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"Alright...Tikki...SPOTS ON!"
EARLIER
"Talk Darling? About what?" Rarity wondered. Applejack chewed her lip, grabbing Rarity's hands.
"Rarity...Ah...Ah've fallen in love with Discord" Applejack blurted out. Rarity stared at her with wide eyes.
"Y-You can't be serious! Applejack...H-He took advantage of you! He left you to raise Applebloom alone! He tried to kill all of us!" Rarity yelled.
"Ah know...An we've talked 'bout all o' it so many times, ah ain't sayin ah'm gonna marry th' damn nutjob. But these feelin's have been botherin' me fer a while now a-and Dash said th' best thing ah could do was jus' tell th' truth!"
"You told Rainbow Dash?! You went to HER for advice?! You just couldn't wait to profess your love for that maniac could you?!" Rarity cried.
"Rarity, that ain't it! Ah swear! Please, jus' listen t' me..." Applejack begged, wincing as the door slammed in her face, knocking her to the ground.
"Rarity..." Applejack sighed.
___
"How can she say such things? T-That creature...he's in her head...he's taking her away from me..." Rarity began to cry, wrapping her arms around herself. She glared at the ring clinging to her finger, balling up her fists and punching a hole in her wall as she screamed in pain and frustration. She gasped as a chill ran through her body, a voice echoing in her head.
"Poor poor thing, the love of your life belongs to another, you've been betrayed, cast aside...but I can help you. I will give you a gift, power to take down the one who dares to steal your love, but in return, I need something from you...There will be those who dare to oppose you, bring me their Jewels, their Miraculous!" the voice beckoned.
"Miraculous? And...if I do this...Applejack will love me again?" Rarity sobbed.
"Of course she will, you'll free her of that thief's spell, and she'll be all yours once more," the voice assured her.
"T-Then...I-I'll do it!"
"That's my girl...My Nightmare Rarity,"
Nyx grit her teeth, forcing her senses on a sole target, the source of the spike of Chaos she had felt. There were only so many people with a powerful Chaos signature in Eraville, and Nyx knew all of them well. While it had felt vaguely familiar, it most definitely wasn't anyone she knew.
Or so she thought.
She glanced at the small cylinder in her hand, leaping from one building to the next. She had thought of teleporting, or flying, but if she could feel a magic signature, surely someone else could. Her magic and wings would be a dead giveaway to her identity.
"It's strange though...there's this strength buried in this transformation...I've been running non-stop, but I hardly feel it..." she mumbled to herself, running her thumb along the cylinder, gasping as it suddenly extended, smacking into the ground and catapulting her forward. She ran her thumb over it once more, quickly twirling it and repeating the action, laughing as she launched herself across town.
"...This is amazing!" She cried out, her ears twitching as a scream rang out.
"That's...Applejack!" She realized, sending herself soaring forward once more. She rolled in the air, skidding to a stop in front of Rarity's shop, eyes wide at the scene before her.
Applejack was scrambling to her feet, her armor forming around her as a woman hovered before her. Long flowing purple hair ran down to just below her knees, a large lone streak of white running between the luscious locks.
Her eyes were a deadly serpent green, eyes that Nyx knew all too well. The Eyes of Nightmare. A strapless black dress clung to her frame, parted at the leg.
"Nightmare!" Applejack cried out, gasping as Nightmare raised her hand, Applejack being flung forward and her armor shattering as Nightmare clutched her throat.
"Hm...yes Darling?" Nightmare purred, Applejack's eyes widening.
"R-Rarity?" Applejack realized.
"Ah, so you can still tell it's me Darling? Good...Now, hold still Darling, I have to be sure you'll never leave me for that monster..."
"STOP!" Nyx roared, holding up her weapon, the staff as she had now come to realize, extending, smacking against Rarity's hand, causing her to drop Applejack. The Gaian coughed and rolled away, her armor appearing once more.
"You can't fight her Applejack, she's been Akumatized..." Nyx warned her, twirling the staff above her head.
"What in th' hell are ya'll goin' on 'bout? An whats with th' getup?" Applejack demanded.
"I can't really explain myself too well, but please, just believe me on this, there's only one way to get your Rarity back," Nyx said quietly, her tail flitting about and her ears twitching as she stepped to the side, avoiding Rarity's magic.
"Hm, well well kitty, aren't you a keen one?" Rarity murmured.
"Stop this Rarity, whatever is hurting you, you don't need this power!" Nyx cried out.
"I am more than just Rarity...I am Nightmare Rarity, and with this power, I'll finally destroy Discord! He will pay for stealing my Applejack from me!" Nightmare Rarity screamed, Nyx gasping as she was flung back by the force of her shout, Applejack grounding herself.
"Tch, look here cat, ah don't care what ya'll say. That there is my girl, an ah ain't jus' leavin' her like this!" Applejack argued. She blinked as a yo-yo looped around her arm, tugging her out of the way of Nightmare's grasp.
"Sorry about this Mo-uh! Ma-am! Sorry about this ma'am, but that cat has a bit of a point. I don't expect you to just back down, but maybe get some help?" a girl in a red skintight suit chuckled nervously, black spots decorating the outfit.
The Ladybug! Nyx realized, sliding in front of them and throwing up her staff, twirling it and knocking away a spell.
Wow, that cat wasn't screwing around, this is a pretty handy stick, Nyx mumbled to herself.
"This woman, she's been poisoned by thoughts of betrayal...she's been consumed by the Nightmare," Nyx explained, glancing over her shoulder at the Ladybug, who gave a nod, tugging her Yo-yo from Applejack.
"We need to find the Akuma," the Ladybug sighed. Applejack stared at their backs, a small smile touching her lips.
"Ya'll be careful...Rarity herself is a force t' be reckoned with when she's mad..." she warned as she stood.
"We understand Ma'am, you should go let your Princess know what is happening here," the Ladybug said with a wink over her shoulder.
"Hey bug? She's attacking!" Nyx called out, shoving her out of the way and sliding out of another spells path.
Okay...now, how do I do this? Applebloom fumbled with the Yo-Yo, a shudder running through her body as the Chaos spiked again and again. She didn't have time to play around, people were in danger! She grit her teeth, holding up her hand, preparing to snap her fingers.
Wait...if ah do that...Nyx will feel it, so will Fluttershy and DEFINITELY Pinkie Pie an Pa...if any of them are around, they'll know it's me under th' mask...Shit, looks like ah'm walkin'...wait... Again her eyes seemed to focus, the Yo-Yo in her hand glowing brightly against the bland background of everything else. A lamppost nearby matching the glow.
Without thinking she twirled the Yo-Yo, flinging it at the light and crying out as it reeled her towards it, flinging her into the air. In a panic she latched onto a chimney, throwing herself into the air once more.
Oh gods this is amazing! Wait, horrible things are happenin', focus! Applebloom grit her teeth, throwing herself high into the air, her eyes focusing on the battle already going down. A cat and Applejack against...
"Nightmare? But this Chaos 'round her...There's somethin' strange 'bout it...That must be the Akuma!" Applebloom realized, flipping over a lamppost and landing behind Applejack, catching her arm with her Yo-Yo before she rushed into the fight again.
Nyx chuckled a little, her ears pinned back as Nightmare Rarity glared at her.
"You okay bug?!" she called out. The Ladybug dusted herself off, twirling her yo-yo in her free hand.
"Just peachy kitty cat, you didn't have to throw me you know," she scoffed. Nyx gulped as she glanced at her.
Oh wow she's...beautiful...Nope! Focus, besides, Applebloom's the girl for me! Nyx argued with herself.
"Alright, well, I hear you've got a little talent for getting rid of Akuma, got any bright ideas?" Nyx asked.
"Why don't the both of you just hand over your Miraculous now, hm? It would save me the trouble of taking them from you...It would also save us the time of this pointless battle. I have much more important matters to tend to after all. I know you are watching Discord! You're always watching, you horrible, disgusting..."
"STOP IT!" The bug yelled, glaring at Nightmare Rarity.
"Sure, he might not be the best person, but he's none of those things!" she yelled.
"Whoa bug, chill out, if an Akuma gets you I'm sure I'd be screwed," Nyx joked, the Ladybug blinking and taking a slow breath to calm herself.
"Sorry about that...I just can't stand hearing someone be talked about like that...Whatever this person did to you, it isn't worth this power miss. Please, let us help you," the Ladybug practically begged. They both quickly leapt away as Nightmare flared out her power, the ground scorched around her.
"Well, anymore bright idea's? I don't think she cares to talk," Nyx chuckled nervously. The Ladybug glanced around, her eyes darting everywhere.
"It's dangerous...but we'll have to use our powers. She wants our Miraculous, well she'll have to try and take em!" The Ladybug boasted, spinning the Yo-Yo and seeming to mumble something under her breath, tossing her weapon into the air
"LUCKY CHARM!"
"I hope this works..." Applebloom grumbled under her breath, tossing her Yo-Yo high into the air
"LUCKY CHARM!" She cried out blinking as a hand-mirror appeared, dropping into her hand.
"A mirror, what am I supposed to do with this?" she mumbled, holding onto her forced accent. She could feel Applejack in the distance, but there were other people around who might recognize her rather specific form of speech. She couldn't afford to have those puzzle pieces fit together.
Right now she had a harder puzzle to solve.
"Heh, well that's cute, gonna polish up your face Bug?" The cat snarked.
"Don't you have a power you could be using Kitty?" Applebloom asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well of course I do, but there's an innocent woman beyond those powers, I'd rather not be responsible for harming her," the Cat pointed out.
"What?"
"My power is the power of Destruction little bug. I destroy everything I touch, kind of a bad luck cat, got it?" the Cat winked.
"You destroy everything you touch huh?" Applebloom mumbled, a lamp post glowing before her, the hand mirror glowing as well. As she glanced around she noticed the glow around the Cat's claw. She smirked as a plan started to come together.
"Think you can take out this pole?" Applebloom asked, pointing to the post. The Cat shrugged, holding up her hand.
"CATACLYSM!" She cried out, darkness consuming her hand.
"Not so fast!" Nightmare called out, flinging a spell at both of them. Applebloom grit her teeth, holding up the mirror, the spell bouncing harmlessly off of it and into the ground, leaving a scorch mark. The cat dodged with ease, free hand grabbing her pole and smacking the spell into the ground as she twirled in the air, landing and continuing her rush for the pole. She slammed her hand into it, the wood decaying instantly and tipping over.
Applebloom grinned, flinging her Yo-Yo into it and splintering it, the rest of it crashing hard into the ground and kicking up dirt. If this really was Rarity Akumatized, then she only had one real weakness. Her appearance.
In the cloud of dust she moved, barely noticing the Cat flanking Nightmare Rarity's other side.
"The hair!" Applebloom called out, gasping as something latched around her throat, dragging her through the dust cloud. The cloud shifted away, leaving Applebloom to stare eye to eye with Nightmare.
"You little brat...how dare you?!" Nightmare shrieked, a few stray hairs standing on end.
All that and all ah got was jus' a few measly hairs? she groaned to herself. She gasped and kicked as the invisible force tightened around her throat.
"Well, no matter, give me your Miraculous and you can walk away from this. I'll even overlook you trying to muss my hair," Nightmare offered.
"What about me?!" The Cat laughed, chucking her pole, Nightmare easily tilting her head to the side and avoiding it, her eyes wide as the Cat's claws flashed, cutting her long flowing hair to ribbons, leaving her with barely shoulder length hair. Applebloom coughed, holding up the mirror for her to see what had become of her hair.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed, dropping Applebloom and clutching the mirror.
"I-It's not so bad, I mean, it's short, and short is hardly ever in season...No, this is terrible!" she continued to panic. Applebloom rubbed at her throat, her eyes latching onto the ring Nightmare was wearing.
"H-Her ring! Break it!" Applebloom cried. The cat nodded, twirling around Nightmare and hooking a hand under her elbow, snatching her wrist and tossing her over her shoulder and into the ground, bouncing her.
"Sorry miss, but you'll thank me later," the cat promised, placing her fingers around the ring and squeezing, the ring shattering. A pitch black butterfly flew out of the remains, Applebloom pushing to her feet and twirling her Yo-Yo.
"The Akuma!" she gasped, flinging her Yo-Yo at it, she watched in surprise as the Yo-Yo opened, capturing the Akuma. She pulled on the rope, catching the Yo-Yo and placing her finger on it, jumping in surprise as it opened up, the butterfly now pure white. She smiled as it flew around her and vanished into the air.
"I...I did it?" Applebloom mumbled. Nightmare curled up in a ball, having dropped the mirror. Applebloom lifted it, gasping as the Cat patted her shoulder.
"Nice job! I guess that's what Purifying is. Seems your Kwami has a good head on its shoulders, mine didn't tell me much...only that I'd need you," The cat chuckled.
"Well, to be honest, mine said I'd need you, nice to know one of those chosen has my back...but now what? She's still transformed..." Applebloom murmured.
"But you Purified the Akuma..." the cat argued. Applebloom clutched the mirror, an itch at the back of her mind. An urge that grew. She grit her teeth, throwing the mirror into the air, watching as it shattered into a crowd of Ladybugs that ran rampent through the town. First was Rarity's door that patched itself back together, then the Pole returned to where it had been before the Cat had destroyed it. The scorch marks on the ground vanished, and finally the bugs swarmed around Rarity, the Nightmare being peeled away and leaving behind only Rarity.
"Rarity!" they both cried out, kneeling beside her.
"Are you okay?" the cat panicked. Rarity blinked, looking between them.
"What? W-Where am I?" she muttered, sitting up slowly, she gasped as Applejack skid across the dirt, hugging her and clutching her close.
Applebloom smiled, standing up and holding out her hand, blinking as her earrings BEEPED at her.
Right, ah used my power...which means ah'll change back any minute now! She realized, the cat chuckled, tapping her wrist.
"Looks like we're out of time Bug, I suppose we'll have to do this again sometime, until then" the Cat winked and her pole extended, sending her flying over a building behind her.
"Yea..." Applebloom sighed, glancing at Applejack and Rarity before throwing out her Yo-Yo and rushing back for the theater.
"TWILIGHT!" Applejack cried, blinking as Twilight teleported in front of her.
"Applejack...are you alright?" Twilight asked, looking her friend over.
"No, ah mean, ah'm fine, but Rarity, she's been taken over by Nightmare! My element was useless against her! Then this girl in some kind o' catsuit showed up, ramblin' on 'bout Aku somethin or other, ah don't rightly remember...An when ah tried t' keep fightin' another girl showed up sayin' th' same thing!" Applejack continued to panic. Twilight tapped her chin, her brow furrowing in anger.
"I see...this is troubling...does anyone else know about this?" Twilight asked.
"What?" Applejack asked. Twilight sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I think they will be just fine Applejack. If the Elements won't work...their power surely will," Twilight said with a smile.
"I'll accompany you however, Rarity is going to need all of us," Twilight smiled. Applejack shook her head, leading the way out. Did Twilight know something about these two? Whatever it was, she could ask later, for now, she had to figure out how to explain herself to Rarity.
However, As she came upon the battlefield, she found Rarity returned to normal, the Cat and the Ladybug smiling at one another. She wanted answers, but all she could think about was Rarity being back to normal. Without thinking she slid on her knees, tossing her arms around Rarity and sobbing into her shoulder.
"Ah'm so sorry Sugarcube...a-ah didn't mean fer none o' this...Ah jus' wanted ya t' know what was on my mind...ah ain't leavin' ya...far from it," Applejack cried. Rarity gasped, slowly looping her arms around Applejack.
"You mean...Y-You just...had to get it off your chest?" Rarity asked quietly, Applejack nodding.
"Yer th' only one fer me Rarity...Ah ain't ever gonna leave ya. Ah can't help th' feelings in my heart, but ah'll act on th' ones that mean th' most t' me...and that's all fer you sugarcube..." Applejack whispered. Twilight smiled, watching the sky as the Cat and Ladybug raced away.
"DISCORD!" Twilight yelled.
"Whoopsie..." he mumbled, wincing as Twilight appeared, tugging on his ear.
"OW! That's sensitive Princess!" he cried.
"What happened to a day hm? And Rarity? With Nightmare's powers!?" she growled.
"They won didn't they? And they learned control of their abilities, and Applejack admitted having the hots for me! I mean, me! Come now, I needed the ego boost after a mere child toppled all my power," he scoffed, Twilight tugging on his ear again.
"B-Besides, I might've just SAVED their relationship! Rarity was distraught. What if someone had really gotten into her head? In this manner, she's had a chance to truly hear Applejack out and their bonds have only become stronger. Am I wrong?" Discord argued. Twilight gave one last yank of his ear.
"Fine, so you did the right thing. But there could've been innocents involved. Be a bit more careful with this new freedom of yours," Twilight grumbled, marching away. He sighed, rubbing his ear. It was going to be a long month.
"Bro, did you SEE that?!" Button gasped, replaying the footage on his phone. Rumble nodded, watching it play.
"Super heroes...in Eraville. Don't we have the Crusaders already?" Rumble pointed out.
"Yea, but come on, not even Applejack was tough enough to stand against that thing, and they beat it up like it was nothing!" Button argued.
"We've gotta get this to the paper!"
Nyx clung to the shadows, tossing a pebble into the wall to draw away the attention of the man working the ticket booth, sliding through the door and leaping up to the ceiling, gritting her teeth as her ring beeped, the final paw print starting to flicker out. She spun around a support beam, chucking herself into the bathroom just as her transformation faded, groaning as she smacked into the wall.
"Ow..." she sat up, rubbing her head, Plagg laying on her leg, worn out.
"Sorry about all of that Plagg...As soon as I can, I'll get you some cheese, alright?" She promised, the cat nodding weakly. She lifted him, dropping him into her vest pocket and pushing to her feet. She still had time left to get back to the movie, but how was she gonna explain her trip? She wasn't even entirely sure how long she'd been gone...
"I'll just...wing it," she mumbled, stepping out of the bathroom and making her way back into the movie, sneaking to her seat. But Applebloom was gone!
"Maybe she's getting a snack? But I didn't see her on my way back here..." Nyx mumbled, jumping and silenced by Applebloom's hand as the farm girl sat beside her with an armful of snacks.
"Didn't mean t' scare ya Nyx. It was kinda in a repeat cycle o' them wonderin' what th' other thought about em, so ah figured it was a good time t' grab some snacks," Applebloom giggled. Nyx smiled, happily accepting a small bag of popcorn, Plagg poking his head out and reaching out his arms toward it. She glanced at Applebloom, quickly tucking a piece of popcorn into her vest, Plagg munching away happily.
hm, so Cheese and Popcorn? What a weird little cat...
"Crap crap crap crap crap crap" Applebloom practically chanted as she landed behind the movie theater, glancing around in panic as her transformation faded away. She hugged the wall, catching Tikki and tucking her into her bag pocket, snapping open her ziploc full of cookies. To her luck, someone stepped out of the backdoor, and she quickly slipped in.
"Crap! There's Nyx!" She gasped, hiding as her friend walked by.
Ah can't jus' say ah was in th' bathroom...she was there! An ah'm a terrible liar anyway, c'mon Applebloom, think! she continued to panic, looking around, until her eyes landed on the snack counter.
"Bingo!" she smiled, forcing herself to calmly walk over rather than run. She had to seem natural after all. Though after purchasing an armful of snacks she didn't really feel too natural.
"Oh well, ah had th' extra bits anyway," she sighed, smiling and sneaking up on Nyx, dropping beside her and quickly putting her hand over her friends mouth to keep her quiet.
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow as she watched Nyx sneak back into the theater, Applebloom following shortly after with snacks.
hmmm, did they really sneak out? Did they leave together? She wondered with a smirk, she turned to Sweetie Belle, the Magian raising an eyebrow and shaking her head.
"Nyx is still too tense, there's no way anything happened," She whispered. Scootaloo sighed.
"Those two are so hopeless, we should just tell AB!" Scootaloo decided, wincing as Sweetie Belle squeezed her arm.
"You can't do that Scootaloo. What if Applebloom doesn't feel the same way? And even if that's not the issue, we'd be breaking Nyx's trust and she'd be completely embarrassed" Sweetie Belle argued.
"Yea yea, I know. I just...I can't stand just watching them like this..." Scootaloo sighed. Sweetie Belle shrugged.
"They'll sort it out eventually, until then, we can just give Nyx what advice she asks for," Sweetie Belle smiled.
"Yea..."
"Ugh, that was terrible..." Nyx groaned as her and her friends marched out of the theater.
"I thought it was sweet! And in the end, everyone was happy" Sweetie Belle cheered.
I meant the 'date' not the movie...but it was kinda crappy too Nyx thought to herself. Rather than spend the movie with Applebloom, she had to run off and fight an Akuma, and in the end she hadn't done much.
"Ah dunno, it seemed a bit too forced t' me, th' idea behind it is sweet an all, but th' real world is so much different," Applebloom pointed out.
"It's just a romance flick girls, I don't think it's supposed to match real life or logic," Scootaloo added. Nyx sighed, tucking her hands into her jean pockets, the ring clinking against her keys. She couldn't keep her mind off of The Ladybug. No matter how much she tried to focus on Applebloom.
"Ugh, I think I'm just gonna head home girls..." Nyx sighed
"You okay Nyx?" Applebloom asked, grabbing her shoulder and squeezing gently. Nyx gave a weak nod.
"Yea I just...I'm just tired...I'll see you girls later, okay?" She smiled, taking a step back and quickly teleporting to her room. She fell into her bed with a groan, Plagg zipping into the air above her.
"I gotta say, you did pretty well out there," he admitted, sitting on her end table.
"I could've really hurt Rarity, Plagg...I don't know what came over me or why I attacked her like that..."
"Hm, beats me!" Plagg shrugged.
"Ugh, you're no help cat..." she grumbled, her mind shifting to the Ladybug again.
She called me Kitty Cat...I mean, what else was she gonna call me, not like I gave her my name or anything! But the way she said it...Ugh, come on Nyx, you just met this girl! You've known Applebloom your entire life. Though...Applebloom just sees me as a friend...and I can't even speak my mind around her... Nyx argued with herself.
"Well, one thing is for sure..." Nyx mumbled, looking at her hand, remembering the power of her transformation.
"We need to train Plagg..."
"The hell do you mean an Akuma attacked?!" Scootaloo growled, Trixx waving her arms.
"Wait! Calm down kiddo, look, it ain't a big deal. Remember those friends I mentioned? Well they handled it, definitely The Ladybug, can't really stop an Akuma without it, and...the other felt like the Cat...those two have been at this game fer ages kid," Trixx chuckled.
"So what? Am I just not needed? What's the point of being a super hero if I don't get to save the day?!" Scootaloo groaned.
"Did you say something Scoots?" Sweetie Belle called from upstairs.
"N-Nothin'!" Scootaloo called back.
"So you just felt an Akuma attack and didn't say anything?" Scootaloo grumbled.
"Well ya told me to hide, how was I s'pose t' tell ya?" Trixx argued. Scootaloo wanted to argue back, but the little fox had a good point.
"You know...Applebloom and Nyx both ran off during the movie...maybe they saw something?" Scootaloo wondered, leaning against a wall. She was standing in Sweetie Belle's home, also used as Rarity's shop, waiting on Sweetie Belle to change into something other than a dress.
While most of her plans for the day were sappy romantic junk to make Sweetie Belle happy, she'd also planned a training session in the moonlight. Something she felt she had to pat herself on the back for. While Sweetie Belle was always worried about overdoing things, she always was able to let loose and have fun in a sparring match.
"What is taking her so long?" Scootaloo sighed.
"Hurry up Belle!"
"I can't believe I didn't notice. Are you sure Abeille?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Mhm! But it was defeated almost as quickly as it appeared. Which means the Ladybug has been chosen!" the bee buzzed excitedly.
"Well, that's good I suppose...and it means I didn't have to abandon Scootaloo. She did plan out an entire day for us after all..."
"...day?!" Scootaloo's voice echoed.
"Scootaloo? did you say something?" she called back
"N-Nothin'!" Scootaloo yelled. Sweetie Belle frowned at that, digging through her dresser.
"So, whats the rest of your plans?" Abeille wondered, sitting on top of the dresser.
"Well, Scoot's borrowed one of her mom's telescopes, so we're going stargazing, and then she wants to spar a bit before the day ends," Sweetie Belle giggled.
"Hm? Spar?"
"Mhm, well...before you came along, and a lot of other stuff...We used to protect this town from monsters. I guess it's kind of fate that I'd get to protect the town again. We've always kept our skills sharp, just in case we're ever needed again, seems like it was a good idea huh?"
"Hurry up Belle!"
"C-Coming Scoots!"
"Are you okay Applebloom? You've been so quiet since your friends left..." Tikki murmured worriedly. Applebloom smiled, rubbing her finger gently over the Kwami's head.
"Ah'm fine Tikki, jus' thinkin' is all. Would ah have been able t' save Rarity without that cat?" She sighed, clutching the strap of her bag.
"Well that's why she was there! Ladybug and Cat Noir have always worked together!" Tikki said as she zipped into the air in front of Applebloom.
"Ladybug and Cat Noir?"
"Mhm, you're Ladybug now Applebloom, and there have been others like you, but they've always been partners. Ladybug, who purifies Akuma, and Cat Noir, who protects her," Tikki explained.
"So her name is Cat Noir?" Applebloom asked.
"Mhm. Ladybug represents Good Luck, Cat Noir represents Bad Luck, and together, they maintain balance!"
"Balance...kinda like the Elements of Harmony. Do ya...Do ya know anythin' else 'bout her Tikki?"
"Train? Pfft, what for?" Plagg scoffed.
"Because I'm useless without that girl. She knew exactly what to do...and all I did was stumble about until she showed up. I've gotta get stronger Plagg!"
"Aw c'mon, Ladybug and Cat Noir have always worked together ya baby, now...wheres that cheese you promised me?"
"Cat Noir?"
"Uhhh, yea, that's you kid, now, cheese?"
"Hm...I see...can't really walk around with a normal name huh? And she's just Ladybug? Why aren't I just Cat?" Nyx questioned.
"Because we're better than that, we've got more...more...Flair! Now! Cheese?!" Plagg demanded. Nyx sighed, snapping her fingers, a piece of cheese falling into her hand and quickly devoured by the needy cat.
"I don't know...she had some flair of her own you know," Nyx said with a small smile.
"Hmm, eh, I guess," Plagg shrugged, patting his bloated stomach and letting out a satisfied burp.
"Doesn't change anything though, we need to get some practice in Plagg. CLAWS OUT!"
"Aw, not again!" Plagg cried out as he was sucked into the ring. Nyx patted herself down, still curious about the outfit and its material. It didn't FEEL like leather, and it was incredibly comfortable. She shrugged, stepping out of her room, stopping midstride as Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all stared at her.
"Ha ha, this isn't my house!" Nyx laughed, turning to run away, gasping as something tugged at her collar, dragging her to the center of the group.
"Wait right there little miss," Rarity spoke up. Nyx gulped, looking over her shoulder, realizing Rarity's magic held her.
"I didn't get to properly thank you earlier...I wasn't using my head properly, I let my emotions get the better of me...You and that friend of yours, I owe both of you dearly," Rarity said with a small smile.
"Oh well uh, j-just doing my job Miss!" She chuckled nervously.
"What does your job have to do with being here though?" Rainbow asked with a smirk.
"OH! Well, I uh...Something about this place felt strange so I decided to investigate! But um, everything seems just fine so I'll be going now! Bye!" Nyx waved, leaping out an open window, one of Rainbow's favorite exits. She quickly extended her staff, throwing herself across town and letting out a sigh.
"Geez that was close...note to self, do not transform at home," she mumbled to herself, landing on top of a building and looking out over the town, her ears flicking at every little sound. During the fighting, she had managed to focus everything on Nightmare, but now...she could hear everything...smell everything. She sank to her knees, clutching her ears, holding them against her head.
"Just gotta...calm down..." Nyx growled to herself, the sounds being reduced to whispers. She let out a sigh of relief, sitting back and leaning back on her hands.
"There...much better. Though, it's strange...Plagg said Ladybug and Cat Noir have worked together before, maybe I can find some books on them? Mom could definitely get a hold of them...But I've gotta get my hands on them without outing myself..." She sighed, spinning the silver baton between her fingers with ease.
She'd never held a baton before, and her normal weapon of choice was a pair of twin daggers. She hardly knew how to wield a staff, yet she felt at home with the little stick.
"Maybe that has to do with Plagg? If he's been doing this for a while, maybe all the knowledge on how to BE Cat Noir is in the transformation?" she pondered. She looked over her claws, flexing her fingers, her tail flitting about.
"Geez, I really am a Cat..." she chuckled. Curiosity got the better of her, her claw poking at the bell at her collar, suddenly realizing it was actually a zipper. She glanced around, tugging it down a little and gasping as she saw her bare breasts, quickly zipping it back up.
"Where are my clothes?! I-I mean, I-I had them when I changed back s-so maybe it just transforms my clothes? But the ears and tail are real...And these claws..." she sighed, closing her eyes and focusing on her breathing, her heart beat slowing and her thoughts becoming less erratic.
"Okay, calm, cool, collected, crazy kitty cat of destruction...I should get to practicing I guess...But how am I supposed to practice my Cataclysm? I can't restore things like Ladybug can...Unless I get Ladybug to train with me!" She gasped, standing and twirling her pole, stopping in her tracks.
"And I have no idea how to find her in the first place, way to go cat," she groaned. It wasn't like she'd just get the chance to ask Ladybug to train, she doubted Ladybug would even show up unless there was an Akuma attack.
She'd just have to train alone for now.
They sat in silence as the cat panicked and leapt out the window. Twilight waited for a moment before letting out a laugh.
"And you're sure that cat is our Nyx?" Rarity asked, turning to Twilight.
"Yes, yes she is. Though..." Twilight held up her finger, showing she was holding a large amount of mana.
"Your memories of this conversation are going to be a bit...shifted. I now realize I can't allow anyone to know just how far this goes, especially if one of the Akuma can so easily possess any of you. Whenever I will it, your normal memories will take over, but otherwise you'll all be in the dark. Any objections?" Twilight asked, looking between them.
"Meh, it'll be fun tryin' to figure it out," Rainbow scoffed.
"Though, all things considered, I couldn't even tell who they were up close, is there more to this Transformation of theirs we don't know?" Rarity wondered.
"It strengthens their bodies, acting like armor, giving them special abilities, and even hides who they are. Remind you of anything?"" Twilight asked over her cup of tea.
"Like th' Elements!" Applejack realized
"I admit, it took me longer than I'd like to realize it myself. I think this will be good for them. What with my Barrier over the town, Rainbow's patrols into Everfree, Fluttershy and Pinkie's Chaos Radar, Rarity's networks, and Applejack's First Warning...they haven't had any adventures," Twilight sighed.
"Well, that settles that ah s'pose, we'll leave here none th' wiser. Looks like our home has some new heroes," Applejack chuckled, standing and holding her hand out for Rarity.
"Oh, and tell Discord, jus' cause my heart is confused, don't mean he's off th' hook. Me an him are havin' a conversation later"
"Of course Applejack, take care," Twilight smiled and waved, finishing her spell as they left. She glanced over at Rainbow, her smile fading.
"Aw c'mon Twilight. Sure, I can keep a secret, but I'm terrible at lyin to Scoots. It's better if I don't know," Rainbow smiled, squeezing her hand.
"I know Rainbow, I know...I just...Nevermind..." Twilight sighed, leaning into Rainbow and kissing her, looping the spell around her and snagging it tight.
"Oh! H-Hello, you're rather strange aren't you?" Fluttershy asked, looking the catgirl up and down slowly.
"Heh well uh, I guess you can say that miss. I didn't mean to bother you, I was really just passing by!" the cat assured her.
"Are you a Beastkin?" Fluttershy asked, the cat taking a step back.
"S-Sorry uh, I'm...in a hurry! I'll see you around Miss!" the cat said quickly, vanishing into Everfree.
"Spike..." Fluttershy sighed, the dragon chuckling as he stepped out from behind a tree.
"You've sharpened your senses," Spike smiled.
"Do you know that girl?" Fluttershy asked, ignoring his normal attempts at shifting the conversation.
"To be honest, nope, she seems familiar though. But I'm sure I'd remember a Black Cat. Besides, those ears and tail were real, but she was in a suit, no fur," Spike pointed out.
"But you can shift parts of your body can't you?"
"True...Hm...I guess we'll never know," he shrugged, walking past her, gasping as she caught the collar of his jacket.
"You aren't lying to me, are you Spike?" she asked softly.
"I could never lie to you Shy," he whispered.
"Applebloom!" Applejack called out, Applebloom tensing up and standing a little too straight.
Oh no, don't tell me I've been found out already! Applebloom panicked, watching as Applejack walked toward her alongside Rarity.
"How was your day Darling?" Rarity asked, Applebloom blinked, thinking back to the fighting and chuckled nervously
"Oh ya know, jus' saw a movie, an been tryin' to get some work in," she said. It wasn't a lie, she really had done all of that, she just left out the entire 'became a super hero' bit.
"That's good t' hear, you uh...didn't feel anythin' weird happen?" Applejack wondered, glancing at Rarity.
"Well, ah coulda swore there was a spike o' Chaos earlier, but it musta been my imagination,"
"R-Right! Your imagination! See Darling, nothing strange, now, if we could move along?" Rarity laughed.
They are acting weird...OH! There wasn't really anyone around during Rarity's rampage...she must be scared someone saw her Applebloom realized, watching them walk home. She let out a sigh, giggling as Tikki poked her head out of her shirt.
"It looks like everything is really back to normal,"
"Yea, but fer how long Tikki? Another Akuma could attack anytime couldn't it? An what about this Evil Miraculous Holder? How am ah s'pose t' stop em?" Applebloom sighed, leaning back into a tree and skidding down to the ground.
"I don't have all the answers right now Applebloom, we'll have to figure this out together," Tikki smiled, hugging her cheek. Applebloom sighed, placing her hand gently on Tikki's back.
"Yea, together..."
"Sun's setting, everything's perfect!" Scootaloo grinned, setting up the telescope, Sweetie Belle giggling at how excited she was.
"Scoots...just how long were you planning this?" Sweetie Belle wondered
"Oh well uh, you know, just like...a week?" Scootaloo admitted, flumping down on the blanket she had spread out. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, patting her lap. Scootaloo happily laid her head in the Magian's lap, sighing as she looked up at her.
"Don't tell anyone I'm this sappy," she repeated herself as she always did, closing her eyes as Sweetie Belle twirled her fingers around in her hair.
"Don't worry Scoots, I want all this cute for myself," she teased, laughing at Scootaloo's blush.
"Scoots! The sunset!" Sweetie Belle squealed, Scootaloo cracking open her eyes to watch the sun drift beyond the horizon, gentle night replacing the ocean of orange.
"It's beautiful..." Sweetie Belle sighed happily.
"Yea, you are," Scootaloo said with a smirk, Sweetie Belle gently smacking her shoulder.
"Now whose being sappy?" She murmured. Scootaloo just shrugged, closing her eyes and relaxing.
"Hey Belle...I kinda wanna talk to you about somethin..."
I guess there isn't much to really practice... Nyx realized, a bit out of breath and leaning against a tree. As she had thought, with the transformation came the knowledge to wield its power. Each thing she practiced felt as if she'd been doing it for ages.
"That's kind of interesting. You don't smell like a beast, but you definitely aren't human,"
Spike?! SHIT! she panicked, standing upright and shifting her stance, her weapon extending into staff form. Spike held up his hands and smiled.
"Whoa! Easy there kitty, I'm not gonna hurt ya," he joked.
"I'll be the judge of that. You did follow me after all," she shrugged.
"Out of curiosity,"
"You do know curiosity killed the cat, don't you?" she pointed out.
"Yea, but you're the cat here, not me," he winked. Nyx frowned at that, her ears pinned back.
"Look, I'm not gonna do anything. I just wanted some answers is all. There was some strange energy flying about today, and you match a lot of it," Spike explained himself.
"There's not much I can really say, but I'll answer what I can," Nyx offered. Spike nodded, taking a step back.
"Who are you?" he asked. Nyx twirled her staff, rubbing her thumb across it and tucking it above her tail as it shrunk.
"Cat Noir, part time super hero," she winked
"Super hero huh? This town has a lot of heroes already," Spike argued, crossing his arms.
"Yea, that's true, but none of them are cat enough to take down an Akuma,"
Oh Gods, did I just pun? It wasn't even a good one either!
"An Akuma?"
"It's normally a peaceful spirit, but they are being manipulated, transforming innocent people into monsters through their negative emotions. Heroes like me are the only ones who can fight them...much like how those Elements of Harmony are one of the few weapons to combat Chaos," Nyx explained, holding out her claw.
"I possess an artifact that grants me the ability to fight Akuma,"
"I see. You seem a bit young,"
"You're one to talk," Nyx shot back with a knowing smirk. Spike shrugged at that, tucking his hands into his jean pockets.
"Well, if that's the story, I'll just have to roll with it. Be careful out there hero," Spike chuckled, taking a step back and vanishing. Nyx sighed, twirling her staff and sending herself flying. It was time to call it quits. She stopped behind a closed down stall, letting out a sigh and closing her eyes as her transformation faded, Plagg hovering in front of her.
"I guess I should've just listened to you Plagg, there really isn't a point in training is there?" she asked.
"Well, when you transform you take in all the techniques an skills of every Cat Noir before you. Maybe you'll add somethin for the next Cat Noir," he shrugged.
THAT was a sobering thought. She didn't think about her life too often. She was Nightmare incarnate, which made her just a tad bit on the immortal side. Not in the sense of being invincible. But she wouldn't die to old age, much like Celestia and Luna.
But being Cat Noir wasn't exactly the safest profession. She could very well die.
Though it wasn't any change from being a Crusader. The danger had always been real, but she hadn't taken the time to think on it much as of late.
"Yea...maybe I will, lets go home,"
"Everythin' okay Pa?" Applebloom asked as she walked alongside her father.
"Well...I believe your mother is rather upset with me, over what, I can only imagine..." Discord chuckled nervously.
"Ah'm sure it ain't nothin', though she an miss Rarity did seem kinda tense...an they've been at th' house ever since," Applebloom noted. Discord sighed.
"I don't suppose I could ask you to wait outside?" He asked with a weak smile. She rolled her eyes and hugged him.
"Sure thing Pa, ah won't watch mom beat ya t' a pulp," Applebloom joked.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of..."
