Whispersby destinedjagoldChapters03 - 0500 - 0103 - 01?? - ??00 - 0203 - 0200 - 0303 - 0300 - 0403 - 0400 - 0500 - 0603 - 0600 - 0803 - 0700 - 0703 - 0803 - 0903 - 1003 - 05—the point," the dragon grunts. Flurry Heart softly shakes her head, pushing aside the sudden memory out of her mind. She's barely successful. A page flips. She looks at Spike sitting across from her. He's still focused on his book. What is he even reading? Is he even reading it? She looks at Starlight. The way her aunt is looking at her, she can almost tell that Starlight wants her to not say anything more. She takes a breath and sighs. She has to say something. It can't stay like this. She's here to change it. And his uncle has just told him to get to the point. And so she will. Taking another breath to steel herself, she eyes her uncle... ...and speaks: "Twi— 00 - 01"Mommy?" "Yes, honey?" "What's a monster?" The levitating teacup hovers just centimeters away from the Princess of Love's lips. Blinking, the princess lowers her cup to fully look at her curious daughter. The two of them are seated around the crystal castle's dining table. ...Twilight's crystal castle. "Where did you hear that, dear?" Cadence slowly, carefully asks her daughter. The young Flurry Heart shrugs nonchalantly, grabs a cookie with her magic, and takes a big bite. "I heard Uncle Spike say it in a very quiet voice," she says while chewing. Candence fails to show a pained look on her face, but thankfully her daughter was too busy munching and looking at her cookie to notice. She takes a deep, deep breath and asks: "Did he call you that?" "No," is the young filly's quick response. "We passed each other while I was on the way here. He was carrying a large stack of books in the hallway, talking to himself, but he keeps repeating the word." She grabs another cookie. "I don't think he noticed me though, and I think he sounded angry or something. I dunno." Cadence frowns and looks up from her daughter, where she catches a glimpse of green scales passing by the dining room's large doors. "So what's a monster, mommy?" The Princess of Love takes a deep breath and sighs a quiet sigh. With a small smile, she answers quietly— 03 - 01"...Flurry," the purple dragon growls. The two tall creatures fall into silence. Piercing emerald eyes. Calm opal eyes. An audible gulp. Throwing caution into the wind, the pale-purple unicorn mare chuckles nervously as she quickly trots and stops beside their tall and cloaked visitor. "Eh heh heh heh... U-uh..." The aging unicorn nervously eyes the angry dragon by the castle's large double doors. "W-why don't we all just settle down and, um, t-talk like civilized people?" She smiles a very wide smile, sweat rolling down her face. The bipedial purple dragon snorts, black puffs of smoke exiting his nostrils. "Hmph..." He softens his grip on his paper bag and mutters a single word as he quietly and angrily walks pass the two mares. The cloaked mare's ears twitch and droop. As the dragon's footsteps become quieter and quieter, the aging mare releases a big sigh of relief. "I swear, he could have killed me with his gaze alone," she says as she closes the castle's doors with her magic. With that done, she throws a glare at the retreating cloaked mare. "I told you this was a bad idea, Flurry." She shakes her head before trotting after her. "I told you to wait for him to completely move on. Even Ember's helping!" Flurry Heart slowly shakes her head as the other mare catches up and trots by her. "It can't stay like this, Auntie Starlight." The two stop and Flurry stares at one of the many portraits hanging on the crystal walls of the hallway, showing six ponies and a dragon standing in front of a large tree. She quietly adds as she stares at a certain purple pony: "Not when I can still—" ?? - ??"Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." 00 - 02"Flurry?" "I'm sorry, mommy..." "Flurry, please... Talk to me." A sob. And another. Wiping her tears with her hoof, the young filly finally opens the wardrobe doors, exposing her miserable self to her worried mother waiting on the other side. "Am I in trouble?" "Oh, honey," the Princess of Love scoops the filly up into an embrace, her heart aching from seeing her distraught daughter. "Of course you're not. Don't ever think that." The filly's eyes glaze as new tears threaten to stream down her face. "B-but the principal said—" "Sshhhh... It's okay. It's okay..." The filly starts crying. Her mother is there to console her. Minutes fly by, the filly's cry filling the entire room. A white and worried stallion quietly pokes his head inside the room. The princess slowly shakes her head. Ears drooping, the stallion quietly retreats. Eventually, the filly's cries quiet down into quiet sobs. Her mother sets her down and helps wiping her tears off of her face. "Do you wanna talk about it?" the princess asks with a small yet gentle smile. "I... I wasn't paying attention during class..." The filly's gaze falls down on the ground beneath her. "I'm sorry." "Was the teacher boring?" The filly shakes her head. "Was the subject the teacher was teaching you boring?" The filly shakes her head once again. The alicorn princess' ears droop. "...Were you talking with a classmate? A friend?" No response. Silence. Until— "I heard my name." The princess blinks. "Was someone calling you?" The filly looks puzzled. "I ... think so? It was very quiet though..." The filly looks up at her mother with a very confused look. "I kept hearing her. And her voice sounded familiar." Her? "Like I've heard her voice somewhere before..." 03 - 02"Not in the mood to cook," Spike grumbles as he walks out of the kitchen. "I'll be in the library if you really need me." Starlight sighs, turns to their seated guest, and smiles a strained smile. "At least he um—" She shakes her head. "Nevermind. Anyway!" Using her magic, she starts levitating the ingredients out of the paper bag the dragon has left on the table. "Let's see what he bought and hopefully I can tell what he wanted to cook." With a small smile, Flurry quietly watches her aunt studying the levitating food items. The aging mare scratches her head and turns to the alicorn. "I have an idea or two, but what do you think?" A gentle shrug. Starlight shrugs as well and places the ingredients by the chopping board. "Maybe we should give him some time to calm down. Wanna help me prepare supper?" "I wish I could, auntie," Flurry said with an awkward smile as she taps the rough metal ring hugging the base of her long horn. "But I'm not really good with my hooves." Starlight flinches, her magic fluctuating. "Oh, right..." Her ears droop. "Sorry... I complete forgot all about that." Flurry smiles a patient smile as she slightly shakes her head. "It's alright, auntie." As the aging mare awkwardly starts chopping some of the vegetables, Flurry moves her gaze elsewhere... ...and frowns. "I sure haven't..." 00 - 03A rainbow-colored ring, surrounded by an aura of magic, is being levitated and inserted on the sharp horn of an unconscious unicorn stallion. Reaching the base, the magical aura fades, and almost immediately, the colors of the ring disappears as it tightens itself on the horn. With that done, the serious-looking white unicorn stallion in armor nods to four other armored ponies before they drag the unconscious black stallion away. In the distance, under the shade of one of the many crystal pillars of the palace, the Princess of Love releases a big sigh of relief as she watches the large number of her guards marching towards a direction. "What did they put on his horn, mom?" The princess blinks a startled blink, and turns her head towards the source of the voice. A young Flurry Heart blinks a curious blink at her. "That was Sombra, right? The evil unicorn?" The princess nods her head and turns her gaze back at the marching guards. "Yes, dear. He won't be causing any more trouble any time soon." "Will he be sent to Tartarus?" "Maybe." The princess shakes her head and turns to her daughter. "He is still a pony, so perhaps there is still a way to turn him into a new leaf." "I hope so..." The filly looks on. "Uncle Discord did, so maybe he will, too." She looks back to her mother. "But what was that shiny ring dad put on his horn?" "A magic dampener," her mother quickly replies. "It was Twi—" The filly blinks a curious blink. The Princess of Love shakes her head and smiles at her daughter. "A dear friend of mine from long ago made the blueprints of it." The filly listens on as her mother explains what it does. 03 - 03The amber hues of the setting sun cast curtains of light through the castle windows, occasionally broken by the tall horned mare as she slowly trots in the hallway, the silence broken by the clip clop of her hooves on the crystal floor echoing around the crystal walls and ceiling. She pauses by an open door, staring at the tall shelves full of books. The castle's library. Seated by one of the many crystal tables in the room was the tall drake, his back to her. Stealing herself, she takes a quiet breath and enters— A slam of a closing book— —a roar— —a blast— —a fire— —a beam— —a claw— —a cry— —a shove— —and blood— Flurry violently shakes her head as Spike slowly and quietly sets the book down on the table. With a quiet exhale, the mare pulls her hoof back... Silence. ...until— Spike's head turns slightly, enough for the mare to see the drake's piercing emerald gaze. An eye twitch. He knows he can't avoid her forever. "What do you want?" the drake asks slowly, quietly... ...and icily. And silence reigns once more. Flurry closes her eyes, takes a quiet breath, exhales, and asks: "...May I join you?" A quiet growl. Long, scaly tail twitches. Spike grabs another book and opens it to a random page... ...leaving and ignoring the unanswered question in the air. 00 - 04"Mom?" "Hm?" The Princess of Love blinks and turns to her daughter who is standing by the door. My, how the time flies so fast. "Yes, honey?" The teen alicorn enters the room and closes the door behind her. As she trots toward her mother, she looks back, weary eyes by the door. Her smile fades, her face now washed with concern. "Flurry, what's wrong?" Flurry Heart looks at her mother, sighs, and shakes her head. "Nothing's wrong." She looks out the window, staring at the many twinkling stars in the clear evening sky. "At least, I hope there isn't..." She knows that look. She has seen it countless times before. "...but?" The teenager closes her eyes and sighs. "I ... can't help but feel that Uncle Spike hates me." Cadence's ears droop. Maybe vacationing here in Ponyville was a mistake. Flurry shakes her head. "Not just her, though." Oh? ... ...oh no... Her eye twitches. "Auntie Applejack looks at me like she hates me when she thinks I couldn't see her. Auntie Rarity seems like she doesn't want to talk to me." She closes her eyes and violently shakes her head. "And whenever Auntie Rainbow Dash visits Equestria, she never, ever talks to me, and she doesn't even try to hide it." Cadence had hoped that this day would come a little later, or never. Flurry grunts in frustration. "And what's even more frustrating is that I do not know why!" She takes a deep breath, holds it in, and sighs. "...and I don't know how to ask them either." Cadence steels herself as her daughter slowly turns to her. She sniffs, and wipes a tear out of her eyes. "Mom? Do you know why?" 03 - 04Starlight takes a nervous sip out of her teacup, ignoring the sweat slowly rolling down her face as she eyes the two tall figures with her. The trio are seated around a table by a window in the library, of all places, sipping tea. Spike lazily places his cup back down, his eyes not leaving the book he's holding with his other hand. Flurry takes a sip as she gazes at the outside world through the window, the quiet town of Ponyville awash with the orange hues of the setting sun. Placing her cup back on its saucer, Flurry smiles a gentle and calm smile, masking the nervousness growing within her. Quietly, Starlight refills their cups with tea. Silence. Starlight wishes she is somewhere, anywhere but here. Someone is going to break the silence, soon if not later. Or perhaps no one. Words are dangerous. At least, that's what the aging mare believes. Perhaps the silence isn't so bad aftera— "Ponyville has grown, hasn't it?" Starlight audibly inhales, and wishes to Celestia that her death may be quick and painless. Spike turns a page. "So peaceful, and—" "Get to— 00 - 05—the point," Spike grunts, his tail swaying wildly once or twice. The young adult dragon and the teen alicorn are in the library, surrounded by the ponies close to them. The teenager angrily stomps a hoof on the crystal floor, her piercing opal eyes glaring daggers at the bored-looking dragon. "You think I did it on purpose, don't you?" "Did what, darling?" Rarity asks, blinks, and flinches when the teenager's glare quickly locks on her. "Don't play dumb! You all think I did it on purpose!" "She knows..." Applejack sighs. "No point hiding it now." "Phooey..." Pinkie Pie frowns, her ears and mane drooping. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this..." "So you all think that!" "Technically, sugarcube," Applejack steps forward, "you did do it. But on purpose?" She shakes her head. "No, you didn't. And no, we don't think that." "And I thought you're the Element of Honesty, Auntie Applejack." The farmer arches an eyebrow. "And what's that suppose to mean?" "I actually don't feel like it." Flurry shakes her head. "The way you guys look at me, it makes me feel like I did it intentionally!" She turns her glare back at the bored-looking dragon, who is now arching an eyebrow at her. "Especially you, Uncle Spike!" "Like I said," Spike says slowly, yet dangerously. "Get to— 00 - 06—light." Flurry says, still glaring daggers at Spike. "Sparkle." The bipedal dragon's eye twitches. "What about her?" "That's her name, isn't it?" Flurry angrily asks. "My auntie. The wielder of the Element of Magic? Auntie Celestia's most faithful—" Spike growls, icy emerald eyes almost as sharp as his teeth and claws. "Get. To. The. Fucking. Point." "Is that why Auntie Luna's always visiting my dreams?" "Calm down, y'all," Applejack tries, but fails to catch both their attentions as the alicorn keeps asking unanswered questions. Her ears twitch when she hears Fluttershy's whimpers behind her. She sighs. "Darn it, Rainbow. Where are you when we need you?" "Is that why you don't like me?" Flurry asks. "Is that why you never had time for me?" She stomps a hoof. "You are my nation's hero! I looked up to you! I always thought you were just busy!" "I am." Spike snorts. "I always am." An eye twitch. "Ever since she left." "Busy at avoiding me, maybe?" Flurry asks, rolling her eyes. "You said it; not me." "Yet you're not denying it!" The dragon shrugs. "Are we done here?" Flurry grinds her teeth. She lets out an angry screech and gallops out of the library. Starlight enters, and yelps as she quickly jumps out of the way before the blurring form of the teenager collides with her. She blinks and looks after her retreating form. "Huh... Was that Flurry?" She looks back at everyone in the library. "Why was she...?" She blinks, noticing the expressions on everyone's faces. Her ears droop. "...do I even want to know?" Silence. Starlight sighs, and looks back to the direction where the teenager has retreated. She frowns a sad frown. "I could really use some pointers right about now, Twi— 03 - 06—light Sparkle," Flurry Heart says calmly...slowly... as she studies the dragon's expression. Nothing... ...but silence. The alicorn closes her eyes and sighs. She reopens them and moves her gaze on the quiet town outside the window. "I ... have been studying." A pause. "Researching." She looks at him. He's still reading that damn book. She continues: "Ever since that day, I resolved to figuring out what exactly happened." "Must be tough," Spike quietly and lamely interjects. A spark of hope. He's responding. The dragon continues: "With no magic." Flurry fails to stop herself from flinching, suddenly feeling how heavy the old metallic ring around the base of her horn. "I... I had help." A page flip. Starlight inhales deeply, and asks: "And...? What did you find?" 00 - 08"I am honestly surprised that Shining Armor and Cadence allowed you to come and visit, Flurry," Fluttershy says with a gentle smile before taking a sip from her teacup. Flurry Heart chuckles nervously, hoping against all hope that her aunt won't suspect a thing. Discord looks like he knows, yet he's not saying anything, although his knowing smirk is starting to get really annoying. "That little accessory on your head is starting to look good on you, dear." Flurry Heart's eye twitches. She tries but fails to suppress a groan. "Discord," Fluttershy starts. The Lord of Chaos quickly throws his arms up in the air. "What? I didn't mean anything by it!" Liar. "If only it didn't stop the wearer from using magic, then I would be wearing lots of them by now!" "I'm sure they'll look good on you, Uncle Discord," Flurry quietly says through gritted teeth. Fluttershy sighs and decides to steer the conversation elsewhere. "So, Flurry," she says, catching the teenager's attention. "Any plans for today?" The alicorn nods her head. "Actually, yeah." She throws an angry look at the draconequus. "I'll need his help." Both her hosts blink a blank blink. "I ... don't follow." Discord shakes his head. "I'm not even sure I heard that right." "Well, Spike's out at the moment," Starlight says as she leads Discord and Flurry. "Which is a good thing," she whispers to herself. Minutes later, the trio arrives in the map room. "So," Discord starts as Starlight and Flurry approach one particular throne. "For the reader's sake, why are we here again?" "I need to know exactly what happened that day," the alicorn replies without looking at him. Starlight sighs. "The girls and I have done this numerous times already..." She lights up her horn and aims it at the dormant map table. "Here goes..." "It's so good to see you again, my dear Flurry Heart," Celestia says as she and Flurry trot through one of Canterlot Castle's hallways. "Apologies if it took me longer than I had hoped." The younger alicorn shakes her head. "No no. Don't worry about it, Auntie." She smiles a nervous smile. "I know how important your meetings are, and I'm sorry to cut them short." "Do not apologise; I'll always have time for you." The two reach Celestia's chambers. With a nod, her two guards light up their horns and open the large double doors for the two alicorns to enter. Once inside, Celestia heads to the balcony with Flurry following close behind. The Princess of the Sun stands and eyes the vast greens of lands and jagged mountains beyond, with Flurry Heart standing beside her. Now that she's here, Flurry has no idea how to— "Is this about her?" Everypony's right; Celestia can see through anything. Ears drooping, Flurry Heart sighs and lamely nods her head. Celestia leans her head down and nuzzles Flurry dearly, startling the younger alicorn. She pulls her head back and chuckles after seeing Flurry's blushing and nervous face. "A simple reminder that I bear no ill feelings toward you." She gently shakes her head. "Not now, not ever." A gentle smile. "So, my dear Flurry Heart, what is on your mind?" Right, right... Celestia has never blamed her for what happened, unlike some ponies... She shakes her head. Now's not the time for such thoughts. She takes a deep breath and exhales. She flutters her feathers as she looks up at her aunt. And frowns. "I ... want to know what you found." Celestia blinks, her gentle smile slowly fading. "I do not follow." "You must have figured something out." Flurry lifts and rests her forehooves on the railings and stares at the scenery. "Or maybe a theory or two." She frowns at her aunt and points at the base of her horn. "I can't do much, not with this thing on me." A blink, and a nod. "I see." The moon slowly rises up from the horizon, painting over the morning colors with the gentle darkness of the night, with stars twinkling in the sky. With a nod, Luna turns to Flurry with a frown. "Our sister has informed us that you have something to ask of us." Flurry Heart nods her head. "I do." Her ears droop as the Princess of the Night trots back inside her room, and out the hallway, with Flurry in tow. "I just wanted to know if you found something in my dreams." Silence, save for the clip-clop of the duo's hooves. Flurry presses: "Surely you've discovered something." The duo stops in front of the large double doors, with two guards awaiting the order for them to open it. Luna closes her eyes and sighs. "Unlike our sister, we fault you for the loss of one of our dear friends." Flurry looks down on the ground. The dark alicorn shakes her head. "We admit that it is not logical for us to blame you fully." Partially, then? "You were but an infant at that time." With a steely gaze, she looks at Flurry, who's barely looking back. "Regardless, the fact of the matter is that you sent Twilight somewhere." Sent...? Flurry slowly looks up at Luna. The dark alicorn glares at her. "As to where? We do not know." She looks ahead, at the closed double doors. "As for your dreams..." "How nice of you to pay a visit, my dear," Discord says as she gestures toward the sobbing sofa. Yes, the sofas are crying at the moment for unknown reasons, where her guest says an apology to it before she carefully takes a seat on it. And yes, Discord is currently female, as far as the young adult pink alicorn can tell anyway. "Haven't had a visitor since my dear Fluttershy's passing." Despite the chaotic nature inside and outside Discord's humble 'home', everything suddenly goes quiet. Too quiet for Flurry's liking. The young alicorn shakes her head. "I'm sorry." Wiping a tear, Discord waves an arm to dismiss it. "Nah, don't worry about it." He smiles at her, and yes, he's a he once again. "So!" With a snap of his fingers, a tea set pops into existence in between them. "What can I do for you, my dear? Flurry, was it? Can't remember your last name though..." She nods her head with a small smile. "That's my name, Uncle Discord." She accepts the offered teacup with her hooves and eyes the contents inside. With a smile, Discord sits beside her and takes a sip. "Ah..." A nostalgic smile. "It never fails to warm my heart." A sigh. A snap. His cup refilled. "So what's up, kiddo?" he suddenly asks, his attention now on the sipping alicorn. Quietly hiding her surprise that the tea was ... normal, Flurry sets her cup down and looks up at him. "I just wanted your help on something." "Oh?" He shakes his head. "Sorry, kiddo. I can't risk going back to Equestria." He snaps his neck. "These old bones of mine ain't what they're used to be." He chuckles. "Who knew making love with the pony you love removes ones' immortality? I sure didn't. I don't regret it though, mind you." A sigh. "I wonder how the kids are doing," he wonders as a framed picture floats in front of him, making him smile. "They're doing fine, uncle," Flurry says with a gentle smile. "And they miss you, by the way." "Send them my regards." Discord takes another sip of his tea. "So then, what is it you wanted help with?" Flurry then opens her saddlebags and pulls out a book of some sort. Discord lets out a whistle. "And here I thought you've given up on that after that little trip to the past with Starlight those many years ago." "It may have been an accident," Flurry says as she flips through the pages ... her notes. "One fact remained, and I want to fix it, if I can." She settles on a page, and looks up at her uncle. Discord chuckles and pats the alicorn's head. "With your determination, I'm sure you can, kiddo." He grabs the book and starts reading its contents. "Now let's see here... Hm..." 03 - 07"It ... it might work," Starlight says, eyes wide open. She quickly whips her gaze to the dragon. "Spike! It might work!" Flurry looks at her uncle. Spike has been ... silent, during the alicorn's explanation. No words, no breath, no emotion. He's still reading that damn book! Flurry fails to stop herself from frowning. "Spike...?" Starlight calls. Spike suddenly closes the book with an audible slam, and Flurry shakes her head, to not relive the memories. "One try," the dragon says, glaring at the alicorn. "Spike," Starlight starts. "Flurry is onto something! We can bring her back! We can bring Twilight back! Don't you think—" "One. Chance." Starlight flinches. Flurry Heart nervously nods her head. "One chance is all I need." She places her hoof on her chest. "I promise to bring her back, Spike." The dragon grunts and starts to leave. The two mares look at each other, and with a nod, the duo follow Spike out of the library, heading towards where it all happened... ...where it all began. Starlight leans close to Flurry. "One chance, Flurry..." she whispers. "You have a fifty-percent chance..." Flurry nods her head. "I know..." "Are you certain of this?" The alicorn shakes her head. "But that's what Spike has offered. It's my one chance to fix everything." "But do you know which one?" Starlight asks, a bit louder than she wants. No. Flurry is not one-hundred percent sure which one. The present has two histories, and Flurry is to choose which one did she sent her aunt: the already written or the yet to be written? Flurry mulls it over, but before long the trio arrives in the map room. Silence. The three creatures stand there, staring at one particular throne in the room. Starlight quietly trots up to the dragon and places a hoof on his clenched claw. Spike closes his eyes and sighs. "Let's just get this over with." He reopens his eyes and turns to fully face the alicorn. Flurry nods her head and approaches him. Standing in front of each other, gazes on one another, Spike lifts a claw up and— 00 - 07"Get out!" Spike yells by the door. Ignoring him, Flurry continues to channel magic to her horn and fires a beam of magic at one of the thrones. ...at Twilight's throne. Growling, Spike marches toward the teenaged alicorn. "Stay the fuck away from that chair!" Flurry keeps firing spell after spell, hoping that something happens. She channels magic into her horn— Spike grabs her by the horn and yanks her away, glaring directly into her piercing eyes. "Have you gone deaf?!" "At least I'm doing something instead of just moping around!" Flurry yells back as the magic in her horn intensifies. "Let me go!" Spike doesn't let go. He starts dragging her out of the map room. "I'm warning you!" "Calm down, you two!" Applejack yells, panting by the door, the others arriving one by one. Eye twitching, Flurry yells and fires a bolt of magic, making Spike yelp and letting her go. "Don't say I didn't warn you!" "Flurry, what the hay?!" the farmer exclaims. Hissing, Spike is holding his darkened claw with the other, glaring at it. "Now Spike," Rarity carefully says, taking a bold step towards him. "Let's not allow our emotions to take control over ourselves." A bolt of magic. Spike's eye twitches. Another bolt of magic. Flurry's not stopping. Rarity is saying something. He cannot hear her. Pinkie Pie gallops by him. He doesn't notice. Flurry ignores Pinkie and fires another bolt of magic. "Seriously, Flurry, stop!" Pinkie yells, trying but failing to pull and/or push the alicorn out of the room. "You can't just fire random magic at it and hope she comes back!" "But that's exactly what I did back then!" Flurry yells in frustration. "You don't know that!" "You're an earth pony, so you wouldn't understand!" "Racism aside, you really should stop—oh no, uh Spike?" That catches the alicorn's attention. She takes a glance at the dragon, whose crimson eyes glaring daggers at her. "Get," Spike growls lowly, yet dangerously. "I don't like the looks of this," Starlight comments. She turns to Fluttershy and Rarity. "Get Cadence and Shining Armor here, quick!" "Right!" "O-okay! Eep!" "Out," the dragon growls, taking a step forward. Pinkie Pie gulps and hides behind the glaring alicorn. "Flurry," Applejack calls. "Now's not a good time to be stubborn." Another step. "Flurry," Pinkie Pie whispers. "Applejack's right. Maybe we should leave for now." Another step. "He's getting cloooooooooser." "Darn it, Flurry! Get the hay out of here already!" Another step. Starlight suddenly teleports herself in between the two, glaring at the dragon. "Spike. Calm down. Please... Twilight wouldn't like this—" Spike's glare instantly shifts to her. Starlight stands her ground. "—and you know it." She turns to the alicorn. "You too, Flurry." Spike closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He's angry... Too angry. Starlight is right; he needs to calm down. No amount of good will ever come out of this if he continues. "So that's it?" Flurry asks, disappointment in her voice. "You just give up, just like that?" "Flurry..." Starlight slowly, venomously says. "No wonder Auntie Twilight isn't back yet—" "Not another word," Spike growls, eyes glowing like burning rubies. Flurry glares at him. Not another word? Fine, then she will not say anything, as she lights up her horn and fires a beam at the thro— Starlight yelps as Spike shoves her aside and quickly grabs the alicorn by the tail. With a startled yelp, Flurry looses her footing as Spike violently tugs, pulls and drags her out of the room. Ignoring Pinkie helping Starlight up, the young alicorn throws her horn's aim up and fires a bolt of magic at Spike's head. The pulling stops, and everyone holds their breaths as they watch the cloud covering the dragon's entire head. Applejack doesn't notice her hat sliding off of her. "Awwwwwwwww shi—" A ferocious roar. Flurry jumps out in time to avoid a fast jab, Spike's claws jabbing through the hard crystal floor. Violent red eyes glaring, he growls and dodges a beam of magic before swiping the alicorn with his claws. Flurry flaps her wings to keep distance— A fierce wave of green fire swallows her entire form, her fur and feathers burning. With a cry, she summons a magical barrier around herself— A razor claw swipes and breaks her barrier, the claw digging into her shoulder and throwing her to the other side of the room with a loud thud. The sharp pain blurs her vision, ears twitching to the series of rapid dragon steps approaching her. Flurry Heart screams as she blindly fires a shockwave of magical aura. Caught in the blasts, the rampaging dragon is pushed back. He crouches low, digging his claws on the crystal floor. Her entire body glows as a powerful surge of magic flows through and around her, levitating herself up. "Everypony get away!" Starlight screams through the violent sounds of magic. "What's going on here?!" Shining Armor yells as he and his wife enters the room, and collectively gasps after seeing their glowing daughter. Spike covers his eyes with a claw as he tries but fails to see his target, the crimson colors of his eyes slowly fading. A deep groaning sound pierces into everyone's ears. "What was that?" Pinkie Pie asks as she looks around. Suddenly, cracks start to form on the crystal floor, walls and ceiling. "It's the castle!" Starlight yells. "Flurry!" Cadence calls. It falls on deaf ears. The young alicorn, filled with uncontrollable magic, concentrates it all in her horn and— Silence. Flurry Heart blinks. She's standing inside the map room. She and no one else... ...except for a purple shadow by the door. "Hello?" the young alicorn calls. Slowly, wearily, Flurry Heart approaches the shifting shadow. And then she stops. Something's not right. Where is everypony? She blinks. She gasps and immediately touches her shoulder. ... ...There's supposed to be a wound there. Ignoring the shadow, she looks around. "He-hello?" No answer. Her ears droop, and slowly she turns to the shadow by the door. Head low, she slowly approaches it, until she's a hoof or two away. "Hello?" she calls quietly. The purple shadow shifts... ...shifts... ...and shifts some more. ...and smiles. A genuine one. A loud snap, and everything crashes around her. Flurry, with a yelp, suddenly finds herself falling back on the crystal floor. "Oof!" "Tsk," Discord says, frowning. "And here I thought it would be boring around here." Flurry shivers and cries at how painful her shoulder is... ...and then yelps as a claw grips her by the neck. "Spike!" Shining Armor shouts, his horn glowing. Through her hazy vision, she sees Spike growling at her father before sliding something on her horn. 03 - 08—breaks the old metallic ring on the alicorn's horn. Flurry blinks as Spike walks away and takes a seat at one of the map room's many thrones. Slowly, she rubs the base of her horn with a hoof. "...that was it?" Spike snorts. "Here's hoping I can say the same after you're done with your part." He places a rainbow-colored ring on the map table and glares at the alicorn. "One chance." Starlight frowns, and looks up at the alicorn. "Are you sure about this?" Flurry nods her head. "I've come this far..." Carefully, she summons a tiny amount of magic to her horn. It glows. Nodding to herself, she closes her eyes and starts channeling more magic into her horn as she recalls the many years of her research and investigations... When she visited Discord in his realm, he studied her research and concluded that it might work. "A slim chance, to be honest, but a chance nonetheless." Those words were enough for her to decide that it was time to fix what she has broken those many years ago. "Time is like a delicate flower. Touch it too much and it withers. "But a second, huh?" she remembers Discord asking, scratching his goatee. "Why a second? "Well, I'm sure you have your reasons. "Now the question is when did you send her in time? But hey, if you picked the wrong one, just pick the other next." Flurry unfortunately doesn't have that opportunity. Just one chance. With a grunt, she fires a slow beam, slowly creating an orb in the air. As she wills the magic to shape, she recalls her talk with Luna those many years ago. "Each time I visit your dreams, I catch a glimpse of her, as if trying to leave a message. "For many years, I tried but failed to know what she tries to tell you. "Until recently. She left you a formula. "What it is, we do not know, but perhaps you can decipher what it means." She ignores the sweat running down her face and the aches her muscles scream at her as she mentally chants the spells. "I cannot trace her," Celestia's words suddenly ring in her mind, the sadness in her voice immediately reminding her of how heartbreaking that moment was, to see the most-powerful alicorn you look up to, talking to you with tears flowing down her face. "I have tried, yet here I am, shamefully standing in defeat. "But perhaps that battle was not meant for me to win, but yours. "Magic is a strange thing. "It's an essence of one's self. A signature, if you will. "While we can perform the same spells, it is different with each caster, because they have their own magical essence mixed into it. "And that is why I failed. Because it was not I who casted the spell. "I may be able to replicate it, but I can not undo what you have done. "For it was your magic." With a grunt, Flurry channels more magic into her horn, focusing the magic to the portal she's creating. Eyes glaring, she gazes at the forming portal, hoping against all hope that she chose the correct one. One chance. That's all she needs. The portal will be complete soon. Just a little more. Just a little mor— 03 - 09Flurry slowly opens her eyes, her vision blurry. Her head aching. What happened? Her eyes adjusting, she realizes she's staring at the tree-chandelier in the map room. Slowly, she rises up, and sees a portal... ...a portal she was casting earlier. She did it. She completed the spell. Yet why is both Starlight and Spike arguing over there? She slowly rubs a hoof on her head, trying to ease the headache. "—oh! She's awake!" Starlight exclaims, quickly approaching her. "Hey, hey..." She says, helping the alicorn up. "Are you alright, Flurry?" "I..." Flurry blinks, and looks at the portal. "I think so..." She looks at Spike, who's looking at her disapprovingly. Her ears droop. "It... It didn't work?" Starlight's ears droop as she sighs. "I'm sorry, Flurry..." "You were out for twenty minutes," Spike quietly says. She hangs her head in defeat as the dragon approaches her with the ring in his claws. Towering over her, Spike growls. "Thanks for wasting our time. Horn, please." Slowly, Flurry lifts her head. She helplessly watches Spike lifts his claw, about to fit the ring on her horn. Spike glares down at her, and drops his claw. Flurry blinks at him. Sighing, Spike steps aside and turns to the portal. "The portal closes once I put this ring on you." Silence. Until— "Call her," Spike says without looking at the alicorn. Nodding slowly, Flurry trots in front of the portal. She takes a nervous breath, and calls: "Auntie T-Twilight?" No response. The alicorn's ears droop. "A-are you there?" No answer. "Y-you can come back now." Silence. Seconds turn to minutes. No echoes... No whispers... Just silence... Starlight approaches her and places a comforting hoof on her own. "I'm sorry, Flurry..." Spike watches the two in silence. That tiny flame of hope he has, now gone... ...like her. Flurry slowly approaches him, and slowly nods her head, her horn raised. "I'm sorry, Uncle Spike," she quietly says as Spike lifts his claw. "I really wanted to bring her back to you." Spike says nothing as he slowly slides the ring on her horn. But stops midway as his earfins twitch. His gaze slowly moves to the portal. He waits... ...and waits... ...but nothing... ...as always. Spike closes his eyes, takes a slow breath, and sighs audibly... ...as a quiet magical hum echoes in the room. "Uuhhh..." Starlight blinks at the map table, which is slowly glowing. Spike pulls the ring out as he and Flurry look back at the table slowly forming the landscape of Equestria. A voice breaks the silence. The three turn towards the source. They hear an echo... ...and then... ...a whisper... ...as a purple hoof slowly emerges from the portal. 03 - 10"Hey, Spike..."
03 - 05—the point," the dragon grunts. Flurry Heart softly shakes her head, pushing aside the sudden memory out of her mind. She's barely successful. A page flips. She looks at Spike sitting across from her. He's still focused on his book. What is he even reading? Is he even reading it? She looks at Starlight. The way her aunt is looking at her, she can almost tell that Starlight wants her to not say anything more. She takes a breath and sighs. She has to say something. It can't stay like this. She's here to change it. And his uncle has just told him to get to the point. And so she will. Taking another breath to steel herself, she eyes her uncle... ...and speaks: "Twi—
00 - 01"Mommy?" "Yes, honey?" "What's a monster?" The levitating teacup hovers just centimeters away from the Princess of Love's lips. Blinking, the princess lowers her cup to fully look at her curious daughter. The two of them are seated around the crystal castle's dining table. ...Twilight's crystal castle. "Where did you hear that, dear?" Cadence slowly, carefully asks her daughter. The young Flurry Heart shrugs nonchalantly, grabs a cookie with her magic, and takes a big bite. "I heard Uncle Spike say it in a very quiet voice," she says while chewing. Candence fails to show a pained look on her face, but thankfully her daughter was too busy munching and looking at her cookie to notice. She takes a deep, deep breath and asks: "Did he call you that?" "No," is the young filly's quick response. "We passed each other while I was on the way here. He was carrying a large stack of books in the hallway, talking to himself, but he keeps repeating the word." She grabs another cookie. "I don't think he noticed me though, and I think he sounded angry or something. I dunno." Cadence frowns and looks up from her daughter, where she catches a glimpse of green scales passing by the dining room's large doors. "So what's a monster, mommy?" The Princess of Love takes a deep breath and sighs a quiet sigh. With a small smile, she answers quietly—
03 - 01"...Flurry," the purple dragon growls. The two tall creatures fall into silence. Piercing emerald eyes. Calm opal eyes. An audible gulp. Throwing caution into the wind, the pale-purple unicorn mare chuckles nervously as she quickly trots and stops beside their tall and cloaked visitor. "Eh heh heh heh... U-uh..." The aging unicorn nervously eyes the angry dragon by the castle's large double doors. "W-why don't we all just settle down and, um, t-talk like civilized people?" She smiles a very wide smile, sweat rolling down her face. The bipedial purple dragon snorts, black puffs of smoke exiting his nostrils. "Hmph..." He softens his grip on his paper bag and mutters a single word as he quietly and angrily walks pass the two mares. The cloaked mare's ears twitch and droop. As the dragon's footsteps become quieter and quieter, the aging mare releases a big sigh of relief. "I swear, he could have killed me with his gaze alone," she says as she closes the castle's doors with her magic. With that done, she throws a glare at the retreating cloaked mare. "I told you this was a bad idea, Flurry." She shakes her head before trotting after her. "I told you to wait for him to completely move on. Even Ember's helping!" Flurry Heart slowly shakes her head as the other mare catches up and trots by her. "It can't stay like this, Auntie Starlight." The two stop and Flurry stares at one of the many portraits hanging on the crystal walls of the hallway, showing six ponies and a dragon standing in front of a large tree. She quietly adds as she stares at a certain purple pony: "Not when I can still—"
?? - ??"Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..." "Flurry..."
00 - 02"Flurry?" "I'm sorry, mommy..." "Flurry, please... Talk to me." A sob. And another. Wiping her tears with her hoof, the young filly finally opens the wardrobe doors, exposing her miserable self to her worried mother waiting on the other side. "Am I in trouble?" "Oh, honey," the Princess of Love scoops the filly up into an embrace, her heart aching from seeing her distraught daughter. "Of course you're not. Don't ever think that." The filly's eyes glaze as new tears threaten to stream down her face. "B-but the principal said—" "Sshhhh... It's okay. It's okay..." The filly starts crying. Her mother is there to console her. Minutes fly by, the filly's cry filling the entire room. A white and worried stallion quietly pokes his head inside the room. The princess slowly shakes her head. Ears drooping, the stallion quietly retreats. Eventually, the filly's cries quiet down into quiet sobs. Her mother sets her down and helps wiping her tears off of her face. "Do you wanna talk about it?" the princess asks with a small yet gentle smile. "I... I wasn't paying attention during class..." The filly's gaze falls down on the ground beneath her. "I'm sorry." "Was the teacher boring?" The filly shakes her head. "Was the subject the teacher was teaching you boring?" The filly shakes her head once again. The alicorn princess' ears droop. "...Were you talking with a classmate? A friend?" No response. Silence. Until— "I heard my name." The princess blinks. "Was someone calling you?" The filly looks puzzled. "I ... think so? It was very quiet though..." The filly looks up at her mother with a very confused look. "I kept hearing her. And her voice sounded familiar." Her? "Like I've heard her voice somewhere before..."
03 - 02"Not in the mood to cook," Spike grumbles as he walks out of the kitchen. "I'll be in the library if you really need me." Starlight sighs, turns to their seated guest, and smiles a strained smile. "At least he um—" She shakes her head. "Nevermind. Anyway!" Using her magic, she starts levitating the ingredients out of the paper bag the dragon has left on the table. "Let's see what he bought and hopefully I can tell what he wanted to cook." With a small smile, Flurry quietly watches her aunt studying the levitating food items. The aging mare scratches her head and turns to the alicorn. "I have an idea or two, but what do you think?" A gentle shrug. Starlight shrugs as well and places the ingredients by the chopping board. "Maybe we should give him some time to calm down. Wanna help me prepare supper?" "I wish I could, auntie," Flurry said with an awkward smile as she taps the rough metal ring hugging the base of her long horn. "But I'm not really good with my hooves." Starlight flinches, her magic fluctuating. "Oh, right..." Her ears droop. "Sorry... I complete forgot all about that." Flurry smiles a patient smile as she slightly shakes her head. "It's alright, auntie." As the aging mare awkwardly starts chopping some of the vegetables, Flurry moves her gaze elsewhere... ...and frowns. "I sure haven't..."
00 - 03A rainbow-colored ring, surrounded by an aura of magic, is being levitated and inserted on the sharp horn of an unconscious unicorn stallion. Reaching the base, the magical aura fades, and almost immediately, the colors of the ring disappears as it tightens itself on the horn. With that done, the serious-looking white unicorn stallion in armor nods to four other armored ponies before they drag the unconscious black stallion away. In the distance, under the shade of one of the many crystal pillars of the palace, the Princess of Love releases a big sigh of relief as she watches the large number of her guards marching towards a direction. "What did they put on his horn, mom?" The princess blinks a startled blink, and turns her head towards the source of the voice. A young Flurry Heart blinks a curious blink at her. "That was Sombra, right? The evil unicorn?" The princess nods her head and turns her gaze back at the marching guards. "Yes, dear. He won't be causing any more trouble any time soon." "Will he be sent to Tartarus?" "Maybe." The princess shakes her head and turns to her daughter. "He is still a pony, so perhaps there is still a way to turn him into a new leaf." "I hope so..." The filly looks on. "Uncle Discord did, so maybe he will, too." She looks back to her mother. "But what was that shiny ring dad put on his horn?" "A magic dampener," her mother quickly replies. "It was Twi—" The filly blinks a curious blink. The Princess of Love shakes her head and smiles at her daughter. "A dear friend of mine from long ago made the blueprints of it." The filly listens on as her mother explains what it does.
03 - 03The amber hues of the setting sun cast curtains of light through the castle windows, occasionally broken by the tall horned mare as she slowly trots in the hallway, the silence broken by the clip clop of her hooves on the crystal floor echoing around the crystal walls and ceiling. She pauses by an open door, staring at the tall shelves full of books. The castle's library. Seated by one of the many crystal tables in the room was the tall drake, his back to her. Stealing herself, she takes a quiet breath and enters— A slam of a closing book— —a roar— —a blast— —a fire— —a beam— —a claw— —a cry— —a shove— —and blood— Flurry violently shakes her head as Spike slowly and quietly sets the book down on the table. With a quiet exhale, the mare pulls her hoof back... Silence. ...until— Spike's head turns slightly, enough for the mare to see the drake's piercing emerald gaze. An eye twitch. He knows he can't avoid her forever. "What do you want?" the drake asks slowly, quietly... ...and icily. And silence reigns once more. Flurry closes her eyes, takes a quiet breath, exhales, and asks: "...May I join you?" A quiet growl. Long, scaly tail twitches. Spike grabs another book and opens it to a random page... ...leaving and ignoring the unanswered question in the air.
00 - 04"Mom?" "Hm?" The Princess of Love blinks and turns to her daughter who is standing by the door. My, how the time flies so fast. "Yes, honey?" The teen alicorn enters the room and closes the door behind her. As she trots toward her mother, she looks back, weary eyes by the door. Her smile fades, her face now washed with concern. "Flurry, what's wrong?" Flurry Heart looks at her mother, sighs, and shakes her head. "Nothing's wrong." She looks out the window, staring at the many twinkling stars in the clear evening sky. "At least, I hope there isn't..." She knows that look. She has seen it countless times before. "...but?" The teenager closes her eyes and sighs. "I ... can't help but feel that Uncle Spike hates me." Cadence's ears droop. Maybe vacationing here in Ponyville was a mistake. Flurry shakes her head. "Not just her, though." Oh? ... ...oh no... Her eye twitches. "Auntie Applejack looks at me like she hates me when she thinks I couldn't see her. Auntie Rarity seems like she doesn't want to talk to me." She closes her eyes and violently shakes her head. "And whenever Auntie Rainbow Dash visits Equestria, she never, ever talks to me, and she doesn't even try to hide it." Cadence had hoped that this day would come a little later, or never. Flurry grunts in frustration. "And what's even more frustrating is that I do not know why!" She takes a deep breath, holds it in, and sighs. "...and I don't know how to ask them either." Cadence steels herself as her daughter slowly turns to her. She sniffs, and wipes a tear out of her eyes. "Mom? Do you know why?"
03 - 04Starlight takes a nervous sip out of her teacup, ignoring the sweat slowly rolling down her face as she eyes the two tall figures with her. The trio are seated around a table by a window in the library, of all places, sipping tea. Spike lazily places his cup back down, his eyes not leaving the book he's holding with his other hand. Flurry takes a sip as she gazes at the outside world through the window, the quiet town of Ponyville awash with the orange hues of the setting sun. Placing her cup back on its saucer, Flurry smiles a gentle and calm smile, masking the nervousness growing within her. Quietly, Starlight refills their cups with tea. Silence. Starlight wishes she is somewhere, anywhere but here. Someone is going to break the silence, soon if not later. Or perhaps no one. Words are dangerous. At least, that's what the aging mare believes. Perhaps the silence isn't so bad aftera— "Ponyville has grown, hasn't it?" Starlight audibly inhales, and wishes to Celestia that her death may be quick and painless. Spike turns a page. "So peaceful, and—" "Get to—
00 - 05—the point," Spike grunts, his tail swaying wildly once or twice. The young adult dragon and the teen alicorn are in the library, surrounded by the ponies close to them. The teenager angrily stomps a hoof on the crystal floor, her piercing opal eyes glaring daggers at the bored-looking dragon. "You think I did it on purpose, don't you?" "Did what, darling?" Rarity asks, blinks, and flinches when the teenager's glare quickly locks on her. "Don't play dumb! You all think I did it on purpose!" "She knows..." Applejack sighs. "No point hiding it now." "Phooey..." Pinkie Pie frowns, her ears and mane drooping. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this..." "So you all think that!" "Technically, sugarcube," Applejack steps forward, "you did do it. But on purpose?" She shakes her head. "No, you didn't. And no, we don't think that." "And I thought you're the Element of Honesty, Auntie Applejack." The farmer arches an eyebrow. "And what's that suppose to mean?" "I actually don't feel like it." Flurry shakes her head. "The way you guys look at me, it makes me feel like I did it intentionally!" She turns her glare back at the bored-looking dragon, who is now arching an eyebrow at her. "Especially you, Uncle Spike!" "Like I said," Spike says slowly, yet dangerously. "Get to—
00 - 06—light." Flurry says, still glaring daggers at Spike. "Sparkle." The bipedal dragon's eye twitches. "What about her?" "That's her name, isn't it?" Flurry angrily asks. "My auntie. The wielder of the Element of Magic? Auntie Celestia's most faithful—" Spike growls, icy emerald eyes almost as sharp as his teeth and claws. "Get. To. The. Fucking. Point." "Is that why Auntie Luna's always visiting my dreams?" "Calm down, y'all," Applejack tries, but fails to catch both their attentions as the alicorn keeps asking unanswered questions. Her ears twitch when she hears Fluttershy's whimpers behind her. She sighs. "Darn it, Rainbow. Where are you when we need you?" "Is that why you don't like me?" Flurry asks. "Is that why you never had time for me?" She stomps a hoof. "You are my nation's hero! I looked up to you! I always thought you were just busy!" "I am." Spike snorts. "I always am." An eye twitch. "Ever since she left." "Busy at avoiding me, maybe?" Flurry asks, rolling her eyes. "You said it; not me." "Yet you're not denying it!" The dragon shrugs. "Are we done here?" Flurry grinds her teeth. She lets out an angry screech and gallops out of the library. Starlight enters, and yelps as she quickly jumps out of the way before the blurring form of the teenager collides with her. She blinks and looks after her retreating form. "Huh... Was that Flurry?" She looks back at everyone in the library. "Why was she...?" She blinks, noticing the expressions on everyone's faces. Her ears droop. "...do I even want to know?" Silence. Starlight sighs, and looks back to the direction where the teenager has retreated. She frowns a sad frown. "I could really use some pointers right about now, Twi—
03 - 06—light Sparkle," Flurry Heart says calmly...slowly... as she studies the dragon's expression. Nothing... ...but silence. The alicorn closes her eyes and sighs. She reopens them and moves her gaze on the quiet town outside the window. "I ... have been studying." A pause. "Researching." She looks at him. He's still reading that damn book. She continues: "Ever since that day, I resolved to figuring out what exactly happened." "Must be tough," Spike quietly and lamely interjects. A spark of hope. He's responding. The dragon continues: "With no magic." Flurry fails to stop herself from flinching, suddenly feeling how heavy the old metallic ring around the base of her horn. "I... I had help." A page flip. Starlight inhales deeply, and asks: "And...? What did you find?"
00 - 08"I am honestly surprised that Shining Armor and Cadence allowed you to come and visit, Flurry," Fluttershy says with a gentle smile before taking a sip from her teacup. Flurry Heart chuckles nervously, hoping against all hope that her aunt won't suspect a thing. Discord looks like he knows, yet he's not saying anything, although his knowing smirk is starting to get really annoying. "That little accessory on your head is starting to look good on you, dear." Flurry Heart's eye twitches. She tries but fails to suppress a groan. "Discord," Fluttershy starts. The Lord of Chaos quickly throws his arms up in the air. "What? I didn't mean anything by it!" Liar. "If only it didn't stop the wearer from using magic, then I would be wearing lots of them by now!" "I'm sure they'll look good on you, Uncle Discord," Flurry quietly says through gritted teeth. Fluttershy sighs and decides to steer the conversation elsewhere. "So, Flurry," she says, catching the teenager's attention. "Any plans for today?" The alicorn nods her head. "Actually, yeah." She throws an angry look at the draconequus. "I'll need his help." Both her hosts blink a blank blink. "I ... don't follow." Discord shakes his head. "I'm not even sure I heard that right." "Well, Spike's out at the moment," Starlight says as she leads Discord and Flurry. "Which is a good thing," she whispers to herself. Minutes later, the trio arrives in the map room. "So," Discord starts as Starlight and Flurry approach one particular throne. "For the reader's sake, why are we here again?" "I need to know exactly what happened that day," the alicorn replies without looking at him. Starlight sighs. "The girls and I have done this numerous times already..." She lights up her horn and aims it at the dormant map table. "Here goes..." "It's so good to see you again, my dear Flurry Heart," Celestia says as she and Flurry trot through one of Canterlot Castle's hallways. "Apologies if it took me longer than I had hoped." The younger alicorn shakes her head. "No no. Don't worry about it, Auntie." She smiles a nervous smile. "I know how important your meetings are, and I'm sorry to cut them short." "Do not apologise; I'll always have time for you." The two reach Celestia's chambers. With a nod, her two guards light up their horns and open the large double doors for the two alicorns to enter. Once inside, Celestia heads to the balcony with Flurry following close behind. The Princess of the Sun stands and eyes the vast greens of lands and jagged mountains beyond, with Flurry Heart standing beside her. Now that she's here, Flurry has no idea how to— "Is this about her?" Everypony's right; Celestia can see through anything. Ears drooping, Flurry Heart sighs and lamely nods her head. Celestia leans her head down and nuzzles Flurry dearly, startling the younger alicorn. She pulls her head back and chuckles after seeing Flurry's blushing and nervous face. "A simple reminder that I bear no ill feelings toward you." She gently shakes her head. "Not now, not ever." A gentle smile. "So, my dear Flurry Heart, what is on your mind?" Right, right... Celestia has never blamed her for what happened, unlike some ponies... She shakes her head. Now's not the time for such thoughts. She takes a deep breath and exhales. She flutters her feathers as she looks up at her aunt. And frowns. "I ... want to know what you found." Celestia blinks, her gentle smile slowly fading. "I do not follow." "You must have figured something out." Flurry lifts and rests her forehooves on the railings and stares at the scenery. "Or maybe a theory or two." She frowns at her aunt and points at the base of her horn. "I can't do much, not with this thing on me." A blink, and a nod. "I see." The moon slowly rises up from the horizon, painting over the morning colors with the gentle darkness of the night, with stars twinkling in the sky. With a nod, Luna turns to Flurry with a frown. "Our sister has informed us that you have something to ask of us." Flurry Heart nods her head. "I do." Her ears droop as the Princess of the Night trots back inside her room, and out the hallway, with Flurry in tow. "I just wanted to know if you found something in my dreams." Silence, save for the clip-clop of the duo's hooves. Flurry presses: "Surely you've discovered something." The duo stops in front of the large double doors, with two guards awaiting the order for them to open it. Luna closes her eyes and sighs. "Unlike our sister, we fault you for the loss of one of our dear friends." Flurry looks down on the ground. The dark alicorn shakes her head. "We admit that it is not logical for us to blame you fully." Partially, then? "You were but an infant at that time." With a steely gaze, she looks at Flurry, who's barely looking back. "Regardless, the fact of the matter is that you sent Twilight somewhere." Sent...? Flurry slowly looks up at Luna. The dark alicorn glares at her. "As to where? We do not know." She looks ahead, at the closed double doors. "As for your dreams..." "How nice of you to pay a visit, my dear," Discord says as she gestures toward the sobbing sofa. Yes, the sofas are crying at the moment for unknown reasons, where her guest says an apology to it before she carefully takes a seat on it. And yes, Discord is currently female, as far as the young adult pink alicorn can tell anyway. "Haven't had a visitor since my dear Fluttershy's passing." Despite the chaotic nature inside and outside Discord's humble 'home', everything suddenly goes quiet. Too quiet for Flurry's liking. The young alicorn shakes her head. "I'm sorry." Wiping a tear, Discord waves an arm to dismiss it. "Nah, don't worry about it." He smiles at her, and yes, he's a he once again. "So!" With a snap of his fingers, a tea set pops into existence in between them. "What can I do for you, my dear? Flurry, was it? Can't remember your last name though..." She nods her head with a small smile. "That's my name, Uncle Discord." She accepts the offered teacup with her hooves and eyes the contents inside. With a smile, Discord sits beside her and takes a sip. "Ah..." A nostalgic smile. "It never fails to warm my heart." A sigh. A snap. His cup refilled. "So what's up, kiddo?" he suddenly asks, his attention now on the sipping alicorn. Quietly hiding her surprise that the tea was ... normal, Flurry sets her cup down and looks up at him. "I just wanted your help on something." "Oh?" He shakes his head. "Sorry, kiddo. I can't risk going back to Equestria." He snaps his neck. "These old bones of mine ain't what they're used to be." He chuckles. "Who knew making love with the pony you love removes ones' immortality? I sure didn't. I don't regret it though, mind you." A sigh. "I wonder how the kids are doing," he wonders as a framed picture floats in front of him, making him smile. "They're doing fine, uncle," Flurry says with a gentle smile. "And they miss you, by the way." "Send them my regards." Discord takes another sip of his tea. "So then, what is it you wanted help with?" Flurry then opens her saddlebags and pulls out a book of some sort. Discord lets out a whistle. "And here I thought you've given up on that after that little trip to the past with Starlight those many years ago." "It may have been an accident," Flurry says as she flips through the pages ... her notes. "One fact remained, and I want to fix it, if I can." She settles on a page, and looks up at her uncle. Discord chuckles and pats the alicorn's head. "With your determination, I'm sure you can, kiddo." He grabs the book and starts reading its contents. "Now let's see here... Hm..."
03 - 07"It ... it might work," Starlight says, eyes wide open. She quickly whips her gaze to the dragon. "Spike! It might work!" Flurry looks at her uncle. Spike has been ... silent, during the alicorn's explanation. No words, no breath, no emotion. He's still reading that damn book! Flurry fails to stop herself from frowning. "Spike...?" Starlight calls. Spike suddenly closes the book with an audible slam, and Flurry shakes her head, to not relive the memories. "One try," the dragon says, glaring at the alicorn. "Spike," Starlight starts. "Flurry is onto something! We can bring her back! We can bring Twilight back! Don't you think—" "One. Chance." Starlight flinches. Flurry Heart nervously nods her head. "One chance is all I need." She places her hoof on her chest. "I promise to bring her back, Spike." The dragon grunts and starts to leave. The two mares look at each other, and with a nod, the duo follow Spike out of the library, heading towards where it all happened... ...where it all began. Starlight leans close to Flurry. "One chance, Flurry..." she whispers. "You have a fifty-percent chance..." Flurry nods her head. "I know..." "Are you certain of this?" The alicorn shakes her head. "But that's what Spike has offered. It's my one chance to fix everything." "But do you know which one?" Starlight asks, a bit louder than she wants. No. Flurry is not one-hundred percent sure which one. The present has two histories, and Flurry is to choose which one did she sent her aunt: the already written or the yet to be written? Flurry mulls it over, but before long the trio arrives in the map room. Silence. The three creatures stand there, staring at one particular throne in the room. Starlight quietly trots up to the dragon and places a hoof on his clenched claw. Spike closes his eyes and sighs. "Let's just get this over with." He reopens his eyes and turns to fully face the alicorn. Flurry nods her head and approaches him. Standing in front of each other, gazes on one another, Spike lifts a claw up and—
00 - 07"Get out!" Spike yells by the door. Ignoring him, Flurry continues to channel magic to her horn and fires a beam of magic at one of the thrones. ...at Twilight's throne. Growling, Spike marches toward the teenaged alicorn. "Stay the fuck away from that chair!" Flurry keeps firing spell after spell, hoping that something happens. She channels magic into her horn— Spike grabs her by the horn and yanks her away, glaring directly into her piercing eyes. "Have you gone deaf?!" "At least I'm doing something instead of just moping around!" Flurry yells back as the magic in her horn intensifies. "Let me go!" Spike doesn't let go. He starts dragging her out of the map room. "I'm warning you!" "Calm down, you two!" Applejack yells, panting by the door, the others arriving one by one. Eye twitching, Flurry yells and fires a bolt of magic, making Spike yelp and letting her go. "Don't say I didn't warn you!" "Flurry, what the hay?!" the farmer exclaims. Hissing, Spike is holding his darkened claw with the other, glaring at it. "Now Spike," Rarity carefully says, taking a bold step towards him. "Let's not allow our emotions to take control over ourselves." A bolt of magic. Spike's eye twitches. Another bolt of magic. Flurry's not stopping. Rarity is saying something. He cannot hear her. Pinkie Pie gallops by him. He doesn't notice. Flurry ignores Pinkie and fires another bolt of magic. "Seriously, Flurry, stop!" Pinkie yells, trying but failing to pull and/or push the alicorn out of the room. "You can't just fire random magic at it and hope she comes back!" "But that's exactly what I did back then!" Flurry yells in frustration. "You don't know that!" "You're an earth pony, so you wouldn't understand!" "Racism aside, you really should stop—oh no, uh Spike?" That catches the alicorn's attention. She takes a glance at the dragon, whose crimson eyes glaring daggers at her. "Get," Spike growls lowly, yet dangerously. "I don't like the looks of this," Starlight comments. She turns to Fluttershy and Rarity. "Get Cadence and Shining Armor here, quick!" "Right!" "O-okay! Eep!" "Out," the dragon growls, taking a step forward. Pinkie Pie gulps and hides behind the glaring alicorn. "Flurry," Applejack calls. "Now's not a good time to be stubborn." Another step. "Flurry," Pinkie Pie whispers. "Applejack's right. Maybe we should leave for now." Another step. "He's getting cloooooooooser." "Darn it, Flurry! Get the hay out of here already!" Another step. Starlight suddenly teleports herself in between the two, glaring at the dragon. "Spike. Calm down. Please... Twilight wouldn't like this—" Spike's glare instantly shifts to her. Starlight stands her ground. "—and you know it." She turns to the alicorn. "You too, Flurry." Spike closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He's angry... Too angry. Starlight is right; he needs to calm down. No amount of good will ever come out of this if he continues. "So that's it?" Flurry asks, disappointment in her voice. "You just give up, just like that?" "Flurry..." Starlight slowly, venomously says. "No wonder Auntie Twilight isn't back yet—" "Not another word," Spike growls, eyes glowing like burning rubies. Flurry glares at him. Not another word? Fine, then she will not say anything, as she lights up her horn and fires a beam at the thro— Starlight yelps as Spike shoves her aside and quickly grabs the alicorn by the tail. With a startled yelp, Flurry looses her footing as Spike violently tugs, pulls and drags her out of the room. Ignoring Pinkie helping Starlight up, the young alicorn throws her horn's aim up and fires a bolt of magic at Spike's head. The pulling stops, and everyone holds their breaths as they watch the cloud covering the dragon's entire head. Applejack doesn't notice her hat sliding off of her. "Awwwwwwwww shi—" A ferocious roar. Flurry jumps out in time to avoid a fast jab, Spike's claws jabbing through the hard crystal floor. Violent red eyes glaring, he growls and dodges a beam of magic before swiping the alicorn with his claws. Flurry flaps her wings to keep distance— A fierce wave of green fire swallows her entire form, her fur and feathers burning. With a cry, she summons a magical barrier around herself— A razor claw swipes and breaks her barrier, the claw digging into her shoulder and throwing her to the other side of the room with a loud thud. The sharp pain blurs her vision, ears twitching to the series of rapid dragon steps approaching her. Flurry Heart screams as she blindly fires a shockwave of magical aura. Caught in the blasts, the rampaging dragon is pushed back. He crouches low, digging his claws on the crystal floor. Her entire body glows as a powerful surge of magic flows through and around her, levitating herself up. "Everypony get away!" Starlight screams through the violent sounds of magic. "What's going on here?!" Shining Armor yells as he and his wife enters the room, and collectively gasps after seeing their glowing daughter. Spike covers his eyes with a claw as he tries but fails to see his target, the crimson colors of his eyes slowly fading. A deep groaning sound pierces into everyone's ears. "What was that?" Pinkie Pie asks as she looks around. Suddenly, cracks start to form on the crystal floor, walls and ceiling. "It's the castle!" Starlight yells. "Flurry!" Cadence calls. It falls on deaf ears. The young alicorn, filled with uncontrollable magic, concentrates it all in her horn and— Silence. Flurry Heart blinks. She's standing inside the map room. She and no one else... ...except for a purple shadow by the door. "Hello?" the young alicorn calls. Slowly, wearily, Flurry Heart approaches the shifting shadow. And then she stops. Something's not right. Where is everypony? She blinks. She gasps and immediately touches her shoulder. ... ...There's supposed to be a wound there. Ignoring the shadow, she looks around. "He-hello?" No answer. Her ears droop, and slowly she turns to the shadow by the door. Head low, she slowly approaches it, until she's a hoof or two away. "Hello?" she calls quietly. The purple shadow shifts... ...shifts... ...and shifts some more. ...and smiles. A genuine one. A loud snap, and everything crashes around her. Flurry, with a yelp, suddenly finds herself falling back on the crystal floor. "Oof!" "Tsk," Discord says, frowning. "And here I thought it would be boring around here." Flurry shivers and cries at how painful her shoulder is... ...and then yelps as a claw grips her by the neck. "Spike!" Shining Armor shouts, his horn glowing. Through her hazy vision, she sees Spike growling at her father before sliding something on her horn.
03 - 08—breaks the old metallic ring on the alicorn's horn. Flurry blinks as Spike walks away and takes a seat at one of the map room's many thrones. Slowly, she rubs the base of her horn with a hoof. "...that was it?" Spike snorts. "Here's hoping I can say the same after you're done with your part." He places a rainbow-colored ring on the map table and glares at the alicorn. "One chance." Starlight frowns, and looks up at the alicorn. "Are you sure about this?" Flurry nods her head. "I've come this far..." Carefully, she summons a tiny amount of magic to her horn. It glows. Nodding to herself, she closes her eyes and starts channeling more magic into her horn as she recalls the many years of her research and investigations... When she visited Discord in his realm, he studied her research and concluded that it might work. "A slim chance, to be honest, but a chance nonetheless." Those words were enough for her to decide that it was time to fix what she has broken those many years ago. "Time is like a delicate flower. Touch it too much and it withers. "But a second, huh?" she remembers Discord asking, scratching his goatee. "Why a second? "Well, I'm sure you have your reasons. "Now the question is when did you send her in time? But hey, if you picked the wrong one, just pick the other next." Flurry unfortunately doesn't have that opportunity. Just one chance. With a grunt, she fires a slow beam, slowly creating an orb in the air. As she wills the magic to shape, she recalls her talk with Luna those many years ago. "Each time I visit your dreams, I catch a glimpse of her, as if trying to leave a message. "For many years, I tried but failed to know what she tries to tell you. "Until recently. She left you a formula. "What it is, we do not know, but perhaps you can decipher what it means." She ignores the sweat running down her face and the aches her muscles scream at her as she mentally chants the spells. "I cannot trace her," Celestia's words suddenly ring in her mind, the sadness in her voice immediately reminding her of how heartbreaking that moment was, to see the most-powerful alicorn you look up to, talking to you with tears flowing down her face. "I have tried, yet here I am, shamefully standing in defeat. "But perhaps that battle was not meant for me to win, but yours. "Magic is a strange thing. "It's an essence of one's self. A signature, if you will. "While we can perform the same spells, it is different with each caster, because they have their own magical essence mixed into it. "And that is why I failed. Because it was not I who casted the spell. "I may be able to replicate it, but I can not undo what you have done. "For it was your magic." With a grunt, Flurry channels more magic into her horn, focusing the magic to the portal she's creating. Eyes glaring, she gazes at the forming portal, hoping against all hope that she chose the correct one. One chance. That's all she needs. The portal will be complete soon. Just a little more. Just a little mor—
03 - 09Flurry slowly opens her eyes, her vision blurry. Her head aching. What happened? Her eyes adjusting, she realizes she's staring at the tree-chandelier in the map room. Slowly, she rises up, and sees a portal... ...a portal she was casting earlier. She did it. She completed the spell. Yet why is both Starlight and Spike arguing over there? She slowly rubs a hoof on her head, trying to ease the headache. "—oh! She's awake!" Starlight exclaims, quickly approaching her. "Hey, hey..." She says, helping the alicorn up. "Are you alright, Flurry?" "I..." Flurry blinks, and looks at the portal. "I think so..." She looks at Spike, who's looking at her disapprovingly. Her ears droop. "It... It didn't work?" Starlight's ears droop as she sighs. "I'm sorry, Flurry..." "You were out for twenty minutes," Spike quietly says. She hangs her head in defeat as the dragon approaches her with the ring in his claws. Towering over her, Spike growls. "Thanks for wasting our time. Horn, please." Slowly, Flurry lifts her head. She helplessly watches Spike lifts his claw, about to fit the ring on her horn. Spike glares down at her, and drops his claw. Flurry blinks at him. Sighing, Spike steps aside and turns to the portal. "The portal closes once I put this ring on you." Silence. Until— "Call her," Spike says without looking at the alicorn. Nodding slowly, Flurry trots in front of the portal. She takes a nervous breath, and calls: "Auntie T-Twilight?" No response. The alicorn's ears droop. "A-are you there?" No answer. "Y-you can come back now." Silence. Seconds turn to minutes. No echoes... No whispers... Just silence... Starlight approaches her and places a comforting hoof on her own. "I'm sorry, Flurry..." Spike watches the two in silence. That tiny flame of hope he has, now gone... ...like her. Flurry slowly approaches him, and slowly nods her head, her horn raised. "I'm sorry, Uncle Spike," she quietly says as Spike lifts his claw. "I really wanted to bring her back to you." Spike says nothing as he slowly slides the ring on her horn. But stops midway as his earfins twitch. His gaze slowly moves to the portal. He waits... ...and waits... ...but nothing... ...as always. Spike closes his eyes, takes a slow breath, and sighs audibly... ...as a quiet magical hum echoes in the room. "Uuhhh..." Starlight blinks at the map table, which is slowly glowing. Spike pulls the ring out as he and Flurry look back at the table slowly forming the landscape of Equestria. A voice breaks the silence. The three turn towards the source. They hear an echo... ...and then... ...a whisper... ...as a purple hoof slowly emerges from the portal.
