Conflicting Love

Applejack opened the royal throne room door entering into the room where everypony else was already waiting for her. As she walked closer to the others, she couldn't help but bring her thoughts and the two dreams that she had had. The first had scared her beyond belief which was the reason she had sent a letter to Celestia in the first place while the second dream she couldn't decide if it was worse. She still didn't understand why she kept thinking about Applebloom like this, though she continuously told herself that it was just the guilt for hurting Applebloom that was causing it. But then why does it feel so... right? I shouldn't even have these kind of thoughts, she's my little sister for hoof's sake. That's incest and pedophilia. It's just the guilt, it's just the guilt.

She finally reached the others who were standing in front of Princess Celestia waiting to hear what she had called them all here for. "Welcome my little ponies. Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

"Of course Princess, is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Indeed. I'm sure that you all recall when the spirit of chaos and disharmony Discord escaped from his stone prison and caused chaos in Ponyville. After you all managed to turn him back to stone, he was placed back into the Canterlot garden but was given many magical precautions to prevent him from escaping again. But earlier today, Luna had told me that a young filly who was just an Earth pony had gone into he garden last night and somehow managed to release him," Celestia explained leaving the mane six dumbfounded.

"But how is that possible? How could an Earth pony break through your magic and a filly at that?" Twilight asked confused.

"We aren't sure, but for some reason he has been extremely quiet and hadn't spread any chaos whatsoever which worries me deeply. I need you all to take the Elements of Harmony, find Discord, and turn him back into stone. And I need you to find the one who freed him as well."

"Um how are we supposed to find him?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah if he isn't doing anything then it won't be easy tracking him down," Rainbow Dash added.

"Does Luna know what the filly looked like?" Applejack asked hopeful.

"I'm sorry Applejack but all she knew was that is was a young filly Earth pony. I know that you're still trying to find Applebloom but none of my guards have spotted her anywhere."

"Yes it would be nice to know where she is now wouldn't it?"

Everypony immediately froze up at the familiar voice. They all looked over at one of the stained windows where Discord had put himself in. "Discord? Why are you here and how did you release yourself?" Celestia demanded causing Discord to fake a yawn.

"Right to the chase huh? Don't you think that things would be too boring if they end so quickly. How can you enjoy something if it's so short?"

"I asked you a question."

"Actually you asked me two questions," Discord remarked with a smirk angering the princess even more.

"Fine, how did you release yourself?"

"I didn't really, with so much chaos going on around all of you, getting out was quite easy. In fact one pony I met has had quite the chaos in her life, I mean really having scarring dreams, getting emotionally damaged by her own sister, she had chaos written all over her. Just her presence near my stone prison was enough for me to escape with ease," Discord explained still keeping a smirk on his face.

Applejack felt a large rush of guilt and hope at the same time. It sounded like Discord was talking about Applebloom, had she really hurt her that badly? "Who was it?"

"And why would you care Applejerk? You're the one who caused her to be in such a state. I would think you would be the last one to want to find her."

"Applejack darling what is he talking about?" Rarity asked causing Discord to laugh.

"Oh this is just perfect. You haven't told any of them yet have you?"

"I don't think it's any of your business Discord. Now where is Applebloom?" She demanded now glaring at the spirit.

"If you actually think she wants to see you after what you did then to her there must be something really wrong with you. By the way have you been having pleasant dreams lately Applejerk?" Discord asked with a grin.

"Wait, you're the reason I've been having those dreams?"

"Well the one from last night was all me but the one on your way here to the castle was simply me setting it up. The rest was all you. Messing with you is just too entertaining."

"You were the one who made her have that twisted nightmare? You're sick," Twilight said in disgust only for Discord to laugh once more.

"That's called karma Twilight, what goes around comes around. At least I don't emotionally destroy other ponies like your good friend Applejerk over here," Discord responded confusing everyone and making Applejack nervous.

"Applejack what is he talking about?" Rainbow asked.

"I... I can't tell you."

"Well its either you tell them or I do, your choice," Discord said.

Applejack let out a sigh as she thought of the right thing to say. She couldn't tell them about Applebloom's feelings but she couldn't bear to lie to her friends even more. "You all know that Applebloom has been missing for the past few days right? She didn't just disappear... she ran away."

Everyone, except for Pinkie, was surprised to hear this but were more confused. "How do you know that?" Rarity asked.

"... Because I watched her leave on a train. We had been in the market place and we split up to get what we needed quicker. But after a few minutes I found Applebloom's saddlebag in the middle of the ground. I started to go nuts running around trying to find her until a vendor said that he had seen her running past him and that she had been crying. I headed over to Sweet Apple Acres only to see Applebloom running so I started to try and catch up to her. Once I did I tried to figure out why she upset and where she going but... I only made it worse. Apparently she had gotten a crush on... a filly in her class and the first thing I did was ask her if she was pulling some kind of sick joke on me. I found out that she had told the filly how she felt and that she had been called a freak and because of her heartbreak she decided to run away, and all I did was add to it."

Everyone was shocked at what Applejack had told them as they stood wide eyed but Discord simply laughed. "What's so funny?" Celestia asked.

"The fact that you ponies can cause even more chaos in just a day then I ever have in my whole life. I just find it simply hilarious."

"Why are you here?"

"Simply to have another fun game with my favorite elements."

"Ooh what kind of game? Is it like Twister?" Pinkie asked excited.

"No it's more like a game of hide and seek like last time. You see I have once again borrowed the elements and hidden them and Applebloom somewhere in Canterlot. All each of you have to do is find them, simple isn't it?"

"And what's the catch?" Twilight accused the spirit who feigned innocence.

"What makes you think that there's a catch?"

"Because you're Discord, there's always a catch."

"You know me too well. Fine, there are two little limitations. Just like last time no flying and no magic allowed." Just as the words left his mouth, Twilight and Rarity's horns vanished along with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's wings. "Also I have rigged the elements so that they require more than just obtaining them to use them. In order to activate them each of you must express your own element at its full nature. Rarity must show true generosity, Fluttershy must show true kindness, etc. And just to be fair I'll give you a hint on how to find them."

To find what you need, do not quarrel or fight.

Just look hard between wrong and right.

Look for the place of light and dark.

For it is there that you must all embark.

If you find yourself stuck, just sit and look by.

For there are more to things than meets the eye.

Finding a child, who has heart devastation.

Simply keep her safe from cold isolation.

But when you find her, she will speak to none.

Until you give her what makes two souls into one.

And with that Discord vanished while his laugh echoed through the room while the mane six tried to make sense of his riddle. "A place of light and dark is where we must embark. Ug what does that mean?" Twilight asked.

"Maybe it's that dark castle in the garden," Pinkie suggested pointing out of a window. Everypony looked to where Pinkie had pointed and saw a black castle with the exact same design as Celestia's castle.

"A place of light and dark. Could it really be that simple?" Twilight wondered.

"D... do we have to go in there? Couldn't we just stay here where it's nice and safe and not dark?" Fluttershy asked.

"Hey don't worry Shy. I've got your back. If Discord tries to hurt you I'll best him down so hard he'll feel it for the rest of his life," Rainbow comforted her friend with a hoof around her while not noticing Fluttershy's blush from the close contact.

"Good luck my little ponies," Celestia said as the mane six started their way to the dark castle with Applejack in the front of the group.

What did his riddle mean by giving Applebloom something that makes two souls into one? We don't even have anything with us so how are we supposed to help her? And what did he mean by looking between wrong and right? The more she thought about the riddle the more her head started to hurt. It doesn't matter, all I have to do is find Applebloom and turn Discord back to stone permanently even if Pinkie will be upset about it, it's what needs to be done.

"Hey Applejack?" Pinkie asked as she walked beside her. "Do we really have to turn him into stone again?"

"I'm sorry Pinkie I really am, but we can't let him be allowed to go around wherever he wants. He'll cause chaos everywhere and to everypony in all of Equestria. If there was some other way Pinkie I might take it but we have to do this. I can't let Applebloom get hurt, not again."

Pinkie nodded in understanding even though Applejack could see that she didn't like it. Applejack focused her attention on getting to the castle to get Applebloom away from Discord.

Inside of a dark throne room, Discord watched the group through a small mirror in his hand laughing. "Oh you have no idea what you're getting into Applejack." But one thing confused him a bit though, "Why does Pinkie Pie not want me to be turned back into stone? Could she... No it's probably just because I can make chocolate rain at will."

Discord took another look in the mirror to see the eight ponies in front of the castle. "Let the game begin," He said before snapping his fingers.

AN: It is finally here after a whole month. Sorry about the wait you guys, I've had no inspiration lately until my new pal ShadowOfOrder gave me an idea which inspired me instantly. 10 points to the first one to notice at 2 references in this chapter, 15 if you find all three. And another 10 points to the first one to figure out what the last two lines of Discord's riddle meant. Until next time, Arrivederci.