A Tale of Something New

I barely heard the door to the room open and close when Sugar Belle started speaking, “We've finished discussing with the guards what took place at the mansion. How are you doing?”

I didn’t turn to her as I lay on the bed facing a way from the door. The room is pretty bright with the white crystal having a pale orange tint probably being caused by sunset or something, although I don't think I've been inside the room that long. “I could be doing better,” I reply, “if he had responded.” I turned to her not caring that she can more than likely tell I’ve been crying. “Mom, he didn’t say anything, it was like he wasn’t even real! How could he let himself be controlled like that!” She looked at me sympathetically and came put to bring me into a hug. “I know you and Starlight are still mad at me, and I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked as she pushed me a bit to look at my eyes. “For being the amazingly strong filly you are? For following your gut? Or for scaring me half to death thinking I was going to nearly lose you again?” I look at her apologetically.

“All of the above,” I say before looking down at my hooves. “I just wanted to find answers, and it wasn’t until Azurinne pointed out what I did that I messaged Starlight.” I moved away from her and stared at the door. “No…” I start, “I didn’t just want answers. I wanted to see him again. Well I got my wish. Maybe I just wanted a chance to impress him, and maybe have him join our side to get my parents back. Do you think there’s a chance of him braking free?” She stayed silent, but I had heard her get up and trot over to the windows.

“About as much chance as there is the sky turning red and start getting covered by dark clouds.”

“Mom, I’m serious.”

“So am I.” This got me to turn to look out the same window. Sure enough, the sky was starting to turn red and was slowly being consumed by black clouds. “What’s going on?” The door suddenly burst open, and Starlight was standing there looking very distressed. “Starlight what’s- “

“Cherry, Comet Blaze is downstairs saying something like, ‘Master has sent me to destroy the failure,’ over and over again.” I blink at her several times, and opened my mouth to speak, but she interrupted me like she did Sugar Belle, “You’re right, he is definitely under some form of mind control, but there’s something else strange about him that I can’t quite put my hoof on.”

“You mean the fiery mane and tail he has now? I mean it’s a lot better than that lame black color it used to be,” I respond. This gets a curious look in her eyes. “Teacher, do you know what’s up with the sky?”

“No, and neither do Cadance or Sunburst. We just messaged Twilight, and we don’t know how long it’ll take her and the others to get here.”

“Maybe Conflagration has something to do with this,” I say. She gives me a blank expression. “Hear me out. You expect me to believe that the pony who is in league with those that took my parents, and knows me, just happens to send the boy I have my heart set on to destroy me when the sky turns red? Ever since I met Lady Mammešhu, I have never believed in coincidences, and this one is just as glaringly obvious as any other contrived villain plot.” Seeing her face light up caused me to giggle a bit.

“Even still, we have to find out what he’s trying to do. I’ll see if I can’t remove the brainwashing- “

“No!” I shout. This causes her and Sugar Belle to look at me shocked. “He’s more than likely here as a distraction for that very purpose. You, Mom, and everyone else have to look for Conflagration. Red sky plus black clouds do not equal very nice weather. I'll fight him.” They both give me a worried look. “I promise that I won’t lose this time, no, I can’t lose this time, and I promise that if things start looking bad, then I’ll have my friends help me out. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Starlight gives me an approving smile.

“Sugar Belle, whether you wanted it or not, this is your first ‘Save the World’ mission,” she says as Sugar Belle looks at me. Eventually she also gives me an approving smile and we part ways in the hallway.

“Time to find everyone, and figure out a plan. I just hope I can snap him out of it before it’s too late.”

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“Everyone understand the plan?” Sweetie Belle raises a hoof. “Yes, what do you need me to explain?”

“Why are we discussing this with him literally fifteen feet away from us?” I poke my head from the huddle to look at Comet Blaze who continues to stand out in the open with a blank look on his face, and then bring my head back into the huddle.

“Because he is mind controlled at the moment, and won’t care what we do as long as he gets a chance to follow his master’s orders,” I reply.

“Are ya sure you can handle him without us?” Apple Bloom asks.

“I’d be lying if I said yes, but right now I need you all to help find clues at the library that could help find the count or find out what's happening. That’s why Scootaloo and Azurinne are going to search for anything that seems remotely familiar to that.” I point to the sky that continues to darken. “You and Sweetie Belle are both either versed in basic magic or potion making, so I know I at least have some backup, and you are fairly strong even by earth pony standards.” She blushed slightly at the praise. “Any more questions?”

“When do we start?” Scootaloo asked enthusiastically.

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“Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can do to help?” Sugar Belle asked Starlight Glimmer.

“I’m sorry, but we need some pony at the station to tell Twilight what we’ve found so far,” Starlight responded.

“But are you even sure about those clouds? I mean soot? There aren't any volcanoes near the crystal empire.”

“I know, but there aren't any other explanations," Starlight said back in a frantic voice, "besides we've had the pegasus guards check several times, and they all agree that it's soot. Not only that but the sky is covered in sulfur, which is the reason it's turned red." A sudden explosion from the castle drew the attention of every pony at the location. "Looks like Cherry Blossom and her coltfriend have started," she then turns to Sugar Belle with a sly grin, "we better do the same or she'll out shine us both."

“She’s been out shining me ever since I met her,” they both laughed at that. “Good luck, Starlight.”

“Same to you.”