Conflicting Love

"When I get my hooves on Discord he's gonna pay," said an angry Rainbow Dash as she paced back and forth on an archway on top of the castle. Unfortunately there was no way down thanks to there being no doors and the fact that she didn't have wings thanks to Discord didn't help.

"How am I supposed to get back to the others if there isn't a way down?"

"You could always jump," Discord remarked above her while laying down on a cotton candy cloud munching on popcorn.

"Get down here and fight me Discord," Rainbow challenged as she mimicked the same fighting stance from their first encounter.

"I'm too lazy, but here's an idea. Why don't you come up here? After all you are the greatest flier in Equestria capable of performing a Sonic Rainboom in ten seconds flat. Oh wait that's right you can't without your precious wings," Discord said as he ate another handful of popcorn.

"Is this all some kind of stupid game to you?"

"Stupid no but it is indeed a game. And it is quite enjoyable."

"You think you're so tough? Give me back my wings and I'll show you who the toughest pony around is."

"Hm let's see should I give you your wings back when all you'll do is attempt to harm me which would be quite hilarious if I do say myself or should I just sit up here and watch you get angry while I have some of this delicious popcorn? Hmm, tough choice."

"What's the matter? Are you chicken?" Rainbow taunted the spirit but only got a laugh.

"A chicken? Is that really the best that you can come up with? I'm part dragon, pony, goat, deer, lion, snake, and eagle. Adding a chicken to the list won't really change anything. Plus I believe I know where a bigger chicken is inside of this castle. She is your biggest fan after all."

"Where's Scootaloo?"

"Oh for once I'm actually not referring to that little filly. No there's someone else who is a much bigger fan of yours than little Scoots down there."

It didn't take long for Rainbow to put the pieces together until she was ready to rip the spirits wings. "If you hurt Fluttershy you'll have to deal with me."

"Well that is quite simply up to you dear Rainbow Dash," Discord replied holding up Rainbow Dash's necklace. "Let's test how loyal you really are."

With a simple snap from the spirit, Rainbow heard screaming coming from below her. She peered over the edge and saw both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were tied with a rope and hanging from a ledge.

"Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Hang on you two I'll get you both down from there," She assured the two fillies. "Give me my wings back now."

"Ah-ah-ah. I haven't even shown you what's behind curtain number 2 yet." Another snap and a door appeared on the wall in a flash of white. "You see Rainbow Dash, every choice comes with its consequences whether they be good or bad. Now I will give you your wings and element back to you and all you have to do is leave those two poor defenseless fillies hanging right where they are. Although if you abandon them, I doubt that your friends will be happy with you but at the same time you do need this little element here now don't you?"

"I... I..."

What could she possibly do? She knew that she needed to be loyal to her friends by saving the fillies but she also needed to be loyal to Equestria by getting her element back. But would it be worth it at the cost of two fillies' lives? No matter what she choose she would end up betraying someone.

"Tick tock Rainbow Dash. Better come up with a decision or you don't get either of your prizes."

"I... I can't..."

"Ah loyalty is quite something isn't it? Even though you're being loyal to one pony, you're disappointing another by not being there for them. I'll give you about a minute to decide what you're going to do."

"It's okay Rainbow Dash, we'll be fine," Sweetie reassured the troubled Pegasus.

"Yeah, you gotta find Applejack so she can-" Scootaloo was stopped as a flash turned her mouth into a zipper.

Rainbow Dash's mind was working on overdrive trying to think of what to do. She wanted to believe that they would be fine but she knew that a drop from this high would not be pretty.

"Going once," Discord warned her.

Maybe she could get her wings and then instantly go to them. A win-win situation, at least it would be if the one stopping her from doing so wasn't able to do anything with a simple snap.

"Going twice."

Many possibilities swarmed around in her head but couldn't find any way for them to work in saving the fillies and keeping her wings and element. She let out a sigh as she realized what she had to do. "...Fine. You win. I know I need to help them but if I do, we won't be able to save Equestria."

Discord smiled as he flashed back Rainbow's wings and the necklace around her neck which started to glow a bit. "Huh, what gives? I thought it was only supposed to work if I expressed true loyalty."

"And you have. Loyalty is more than just simply being there for a friend. True loyalty is being able to follow the right thing even if it means doing something against your own wants or needs. And you have shown that by being loyal to Equestria even though you want to save these two little ponies," Discord explained wisely leaving Rainbow confused.

"Wait you mean you planned for us to have our elements like this? Why?"

Discord raised his paw ready to answer but put it under his chin in thought. "Well I am doing all of this for one reason only and it is simply to help Applebloom with what happened between her and her sister."

"You mean the whole Applejack treating her badly because of her crush?"

"Exactly although I am so tempted to tell you the entire reason why Applebloom ran away."

"What do you mean?"

"Meh it's nothing important but you should be getting over to the rest of the gang so ta-ta."

And in an instant she was gone in another flash. Discord snapped his paw making Sweetie and Scootaloo appear in front of him. "Was the zipper really necessary?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well we can't risk Applejack just knowing what to do from Rainbow Dash now can we? She needs to figure it out on her own," He said glaring at Scootaloo.

"Fine. So where did you take Applebloom?"

"Sorry but that is classified information that you don't need to know as of this moment."

"So that means that Rarity and Rainbow both have their elements?" Scootaloo asked.

"Indeed although I believe Fluttershy is about to get hers unlocked in just a moment."

"Why can't you just tell me about who this pony is that you're saying you don't like?" Rarity complained.

"Because I haven't been thinking about anypony at all. The only thing I'm focused on is getting my little sister back."

"You are so stubborn, I know romance when I see it and you definitely like somepony. Now just tell me."

"For the last time I do not like anypony at all," Applejack said furious.

"Why are you so evasive about this? It's only-" Rarity stopped and grinned at Applejack. "It's a mare isn't it?"

"Excuse me?"

"That is why you keep denying it because you've always been against that sort of thing so if you started to like a mare you would never admit it."

"Wow great theory really but there's just one itty bitty problem with it. I don't like any mare or stallion so stop pestering me about this."

"Woah what's with all the arguing?"

Rarity turned to find the daredevil herself standing behind them with a confused look. "Oh darling it's wonderful to find another friendly face and it looks like you have your element as well. And how did you get your wings back?"

"Probably the same way you got your horn back," Rainbow remarked.

"My horn?" Rarity reached up and felt her horn in shock. "But I don't remember Discord giving it back unless he did it before I destroyed that boulder with... my magic."

"It took you that long to figure out that you have your horn back?" Rainbow asked holding back a laugh.

"Ha ha ha that was so funny. Now let's get going and find the others before Applejack's denial drives me insane."

"Denial?"

"I'll tell you later."

Just as the two caught up to Applejack they all heard a voice speaking angrily to someone. "Is that?" Rainbow started hopeful.

"Let's find out," Applejack said as they turned the next corner to see and hear something that Rainbow would never forget.