Scootaloo's Return

by Rainbowfan45

Chapters

1 Going Home
2 Reunion
3 A Meeting with Dark Magic
4 The Proposition
6 The Secrets of Dark Magic
7 New Research Begins
8 Partial Discovery, Further Study
9 The Missing Ingredient
10 Making the Choice
11 The First Spell
12 The Further Secrets of Dark Magic; The Second Spell
13 The Final Curtain
5 The Deal is Made Known

1 Going Home

Author's Note

Do not ask me why I wrote this.

I don't know.

I just did.

1 Going Home

Seven years, one month, and three days.

That was how long it had been since she left Ponyville, the only home she had ever known, and the family and friends she loved so dearly. She had not contacted anypony she knew and loved. Not one. She couldn't. The guilt and shame was too heavy. She felt sure nopony would want her to, anyway, after what happened.

"Miss...uh...Scootaloo, was it?" The train conductor pony inquired.

"Yes?"she replied, meeting his gaze.

"Just wanted to tell you, we'll be hitting Ponyville in a little over an hour."

"Thanks."

He walked away, and Scootaloo turned her head to look out the window at the passing scenery. Seven years. It seemed more like a lifetime ago. She had been barely eleven years old, a mere filly. Now she was 18, a grown mare. Well, to the law, anyway. But inwardly she still felt like the small, frightened, and guilty filly she had been back then. The day her world was turned upside down. The day she ran away...

*********************************

A typical day for the Crusaders. Having fun, playing, and determinedly trying for their marks. Today, they had tried out for Circus Performer Cutie Marks, to no avail.

"Aw, ponyfeathers!" Scootaloo huffed. "I thought for sure that would do it this time!"

"Well, now what?" Apple Bloom asked, brushing dirt off her coat.

"I'm ready for a break." Sweetie Belle said, wincing as she gingerly rubbed a bruised spot...courtesy of having failed at leaping through a hoop.

"Guess I am too." Scootaloo said, smirking. "Hey! I know! Lets try out for Acrobat Cutie Marks!"

"Scoots, I am not throwing myself through anymore hoops!" Sweetie Belle huffed. "I'm tired, I'm all dirty, and I'm injured!"

"Aww, its just a little bruise, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo teased. "You'll live!"

At her withering glare, Scootaloo wisely hushed. Apple Bloom snickered.

"Hey, ya'll, lets go get us a cupcake and rest up, and then Scoots, we'll watch ya do trick for a while!"

"Ok!" Scootaloo said.

Sugarcube Corner was fairly empty, so they plopped themselves into a table near the display cases. Pinkie Pie, with her usual exuberance, bounded up to them.

"What can I get you today?" She asked.

"Three Surprises, please!" Scootaloo answered without hesitation.

Pinkie giggled. "Ok, but you asked for it!" She left the room.

Pinkie's Surprises were a new thing she'd come up with that was actually pretty popular. You had no idea what flavor cupcake you were getting. Or how it would be decorated. Pinkie was soon back with their cupcakes, which she put in front of them.

Scootaloo's was decorated with an icing scooter, complete with an icing version of herself. Further inspection told her it was a strawberry flavored cupcake with white chocolate icing.

Sweetie Belle's was red velvet, with a strawberry frosting, and decorated with icing berries.

Apple Bloom's was an applesauce cupcake with white frosting and icing apples.

The fillies happily chowed down on their treats. When they finished, they headed outside and up to the bluff overlooking Ponyville. Scootaloo started doing tricks on her scooter, impressing her friends.

"Hey, Scoots, teach me that move ya just did, will ya?" Apple Bloom asked finally.

Scootaloo handed over her helmet and scooter and talked her through it. Soon, the farm filly was doing it as easily as the pegasus did it. Scootaloo suddenly grinned and hopped on to the scooter as soon as Apple Bloom got off.

"I like to play what I call How Close." She said. "I see how close I can get to the edge in this stunt without actually falling off."

"Scootaloo, that's dangerous!" Sweetie Belle gasped, as the orange filly donned her helmet.

"Well, yeah, but its so cool!" Scootaloo said. She kickstarted herself.

"Scoots, don't you dare!" Sweetie Belle said.

But the filly was off, performing her stunt beautifully. As her scooter slid into its final spot, however, she realised she was too close to actually stop it with her usual move. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle saw her closing in on the edge, and the former charged forward, running towards Scootaloo. Scootaloo dropped to the ground, backwards, in time to prevent falling.

"Scoots!" She heard Apple Bloom shout.

She barely had time to lift her head before her friend tripped over her, swayed dangerously for a second, and then dropped from view with a scream.

"APPLE BLOOM!!!!" Scootaloo screamed, scrambling to look over the edge as Sweetie Belle rushed to her side.

There was nothing to do except watch in horror as their screaming, flailing friend plummeted the thirty five feet at an alarming rate, and finally hit the ground below with a sickening thud that carried up to them. They exchanged looks of terror before they scrambled down the side of the bluff...Scootaloo praying the whole time that Apple Bloom hadn't died.

She hadn't.

She had somehow survived the impact, though it had left her body broken and bruised and bleeding profusely. She was unconcious when her friends reached her. Scootaloo stayed with her while Sweetie Belle ran screaming for help.

Looking down at the shattered body of her friend, Scootaloo felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom." She whimpered. "I'm so sorry."

******

They had spent hours in the hospital waiting room, all of them, waiting for news on the filly's condition. Sweetie Belle sobbed in Rarity's arms, and Scootaloo huddled in a chair, whimpering pitifully, refusing any comfort at all. Not even Dash had been able to comfort her. She wouldn't let her. She didn't deserve it. This was all her fault. Her and her stupid, dangerous stunts. If Apple Bloom didn't make it, that made her a murderer. Scootaloo whimpered louder.

Nurse Redheart's arrival snapped everypony to attention...especially Applejack, who hadn't spoken since Rainbow Dash brought her to the hospital.

"How is she?" The farm pony's voice was strained, broken.

"Applejack..." Nurse Redheart sighed heavily. "We've done literally everything we can to save her. She suffered a severe concussion, numerous fractures, massive internal bruising and bleeding, her neck was cracked, both back legs were broken, and her spine was shattered in the middle of her back. She also sustained numerous broken ribs, a fractured foreleg, and a punctured lung. We've repaired everything we can with any means we can, including magic, and your sister has a good change of living. But...but if she does, Applejack, she'll be paralyzed from her mid back down. She...she will never walk again. Not on her own."

Applejack blinked, trying to process this as her friends gathered close to comfort her. Sweetie Belle let out an agonised wail, clinging to Rarity, who did her best to calm the filly. But Sweetie Belle would not be calm.

"Its all your fault, Scootaloo!" She screamed at the orange filly now huddling in a corner. "Its all your fault!! We told you that stupid stunt was dangerous!! Apple Bloom's nearly dying cause you didn't listen!! Its all...your...fault!!!"

Several pairs of eyes settled on Scootaloo, who whimpered and tried, unsuccessfully, not to cry. The tears came anyway, defying her completely. Everypony knew Apple Bloom was hurt trying to save her friend...they hadn't known that Scootaloo's stunts were involved.

They knew now.

Nopony looked angry...just so very sad and disappointed. Scootaloo couldn't bear it and looked away.

"Can we see her?" Twilight finally asked.

The nurse nodded and allowed the entire group to go to the filly's room. She looked so small and frail laying in the hospital bed. She was bandaged in every visible place, three legs in heavy casts, and her neck in a brace.. A small amount of purple peeked shyly from under the white bandage around her head.

Everypony gathered around her as Applejack gently rubbed a hoof across her little sister's chest, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Aw, lil sis..." she whispered. "I want ya to get better, ok? Come back to us. We...we need ya. Ah need ya."

She broke entirely then, turning around and collapsing into the waiting embraces of Twilight and Fluttershy, sobbing her heart out. Sweetie Belle still sobbed loudly in Rarity's grasp. Dash had one foreleg draped around Pinkie, who's mane and tail were completely flat. Scootaloo stood in the doorway, trembling, watching them all, heavy guilt crushing her. Her gaze went to the still form on the bed.

"Apple Bloom..."she whispered. "I...I'm so sorry...this is all my fault...I'm sorry..."

She turned around and ran down the hallway and out of the hospital, not looking back, tears pouring from her eyes, driven forward by crushing guilt and shame and sorrow.

***********************************

"Twenty minutes til Ponyville!!"

Scootaloo was jerked rudely from her reverie by the conductor pony's voice. She blinked and sighed.

She'd left Ponyville that night, seven years ago, vowing never to return, praying that maybe somehow she could forget everything. But she couldn't.

The events of that day haunted her daily, the guilt, shame and sorrow of them still as fresh as the day it happened. She had decided to go home.

Home to Ponyville, her friends, to all she knew and loved.

And she prayed that somehow, someway, she might find peace, redemption and forgiveness, and finally be able to lay her terrible past behind her.

2 Reunion

The train puffed and screeched to a stop at the Ponyville Station. For a brief moment, Scootaloo considered just staying on it and going on to the next stop. She sighed. No, she had to do this.

With a heavy heart, and a great amount of trepidation, she got off the train and walked down the station steps. The second her hooves touched the dirt, every single fillyhood memory washed over her. She inhaled deeply, drinking in the refreshing, familiar air. She looked around as she started walking on into the center of town. Nothing had changed much in the years she had been gone.

She paused within sight of Sugarcube Corner, and the memory of her last visit there flooded her mind, causing her gut to churn and her heart to clench painfully. It had been right before Apple Bloom's accident. She sighed, and suddenly an idea crept into her head. She walked slowly to the bakery and entered.

She was immediately hit with the familiar sweet aromas she had loved as a young filly, and she smiled a bit as she approached the counter. The bell on the door had announced her arrival; now a familiar pink form came bouncing in.

"Hi! What can I get for you today??" Pinkie asked cheerfully, with only a quick glance at the customer before bouncing to the display case.

"A Surprise, please." Scootaloo said.

Pinkie stopped short. "I haven't served those in years." She said, slowly turning to stare at Scootaloo. "How did you..."

She froze, blue eyes widening, jaw dropping in shock. Scootaloo might be grown, but Pinkie knew her.

"Hello, Pinkie." Scootaloo said softly, bracing for an unknown reaction.

Pinkie stood still, completely in shock at what she was looking at. She blinked several times to make sure she was seeing it correctly. And then, she squealed.

Loudly!

Flinging herself over the counter, she tackled Scootaloo to the floor, yelling with excitement.

"Scootaloo!! Oh Scootaloo!! Its you! It really is!!" She cried. "You silly filly!! Where did ya go?? You were right there by the door, and then poof! Gone!!" She shook the younger pony gently. "Where did you go???"

"Oof! Pinkie!" Scootaloo grunted.

Pinkie instantly stood up and pulled Scootaloo up with her. She smiled happily at the grown filly. Then she sobered.

"Everypony looked for you for a long time." She said. "Nopony could find you. Anywhere."

"I know." Scootaloo said quietly, looking sorrowful. "I'll explain later. But first..." She trailed off.

Pinkie seemed to read her thoughts, and moved to put a foreleg around her.

"She lived, Scootaloo." Her voice was very soft.

Those words were enough to bring out a rush of relieved tears as Scootaloo buried her muzzle in the older mare's chest and cried. Pinkie simply rubbed her back until she calmed down. When she finally pulled back, their eyes met.

"H...how is she?" Scootaloo asked, voice trembling.

Pinkie looked troubled. "She's...well, she's as well as can be expected."

"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked, fearfully.

"She's...not the same anymore. I mean, physically. It's...kinda hard to explain. You'll just have to see her for yourself, Scootaloo."

Scootaloo sighed. That's what she was afraid of. Seeing Apple Bloom. She finally nodded and looked into Pinkie's face.

"I need to let everypony know I'm home." She said shakily. "But...how do I do this?"

"How about I call everypony together for a party?" Pinkie said. "Then you can come out and say hi?"

"No." Scootaloo said. "First, I just need to talk. Without a party. Just...talking."

"Then we'll just call an emergency meeting here at the bakery!" Pinkie said, smiling. "I'll get the girls together so you can talk to them. No party. But...why?"

"You'll find out, Pinkie."

***********************************

According to her word, she called an emergency meeting, and all the Element Bearers showed up. As per her last minute request, Rarity and Applejack had brought their sisters but left them outside. Scootaloo was waiting in the kitchen when Pinkie poked her head in.

"All here." She said.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and made her way out of the kitchen directly behind the pink mare.

"So, Pinkie, what's up?" Dash asked. She looked weary. "Why'd you call this meeting? Did something...bad....." She trailed off.

All eyes locked on the young orange mare that stepped forward. Jaws dropped in shock.

"Hi." Scootaloo said, eyes down.

"Sc...Scootaloo???!" Dash finally got out.

She rose and approached slowly, reaching out and touching her as if to make sure she was real.

"SCOOTALOO!"

Her cry was one of pure relief and joy as she grabbed her in a tight embrace, hugging her like she'd never let go. Scootaloo blinked, clearly stunned. When Dash pulled back, holding the younger mare's gaze, Scootaloo visibly braced herself to get yelled at.

There was no yelling. Only a smile.

"Scoots, I've missed you." Dash said. "You were...you just...vanished. We tried to find you, but...but we couldn't. Twilight even went to Celestia and Luna for help. But nopony found any trace of you."

Scootaloo wasn't sure how to respond to that. Why had they wanted to find her so badly? After what she had done, she figured that would be the last thing they'd ever do. She didn't answer Dash. Instead she turned a bit and took a long step towards Applejack, cringing as the farmer's weary eyes bore into her.

"Applejack, I...that day...when I...and she fell..."

Scootaloo never finished. She was captured in a tight, warm hug. Astounded, she returned it. And after a long time, Applejack pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Ah know what you're thinkin', Scootaloo. An' it ain't the truth. Not a one of us is mad at you for what happened to Bloom. It was an accident."

"But...but my stunts...and then I tried to...and she tried to..." Scootaloo couldn't complete a single sentence, tears filling her eyes and her throat constricting painfully.

"It was a dangerous thing ya did, Scootaloo," Applejack conceded. "An' yeah, if ya hadn't been showin' off an' bein' so foolish, then Bloom wouldn't have fallen. But young'un, none of us is mad. We were disappointed and really upset. Not mad."

"Yeah, Scoots." Dash said. "We were really worried for her, but also for you."

"But why?" Scootaloo asked, voice laced with guilt. "It was my fault. I caused her to fall. I...nearly killed her. Why did you worry?"

"Because we all love you, Scootaloo."

The soft voice made Scootaloo turn around, to find Fluttershy right behind her, a small smile on her face.

"We knew you were really sad and upset over what happened." Fluttershy went on, draping a wing over Scootaloo. "And then before any of us could try to help you, you were gone."

"I had to go." Scootaloo said sadly. "I felt so guilty, so ashamed. Like nopony could ever forgive me, or even want me around. So, I just...I ran. Spent the last seven years in Manehattan, making my own way. I told myself I would never come back, that I would forget. Only I couldn't. I knew I had to at least try to make things right." She looked up. "I came home to say I'm sorry. To ask for forgiveness. To find peace. To somehow redeem myself. But...I can understand if nopony forgives me..."

"Aw, Scoots." Dash came and wrapped her own wing around her. "There isn't a pony in this room that hates you for what happened. We all forgive you, Scoots."

Scootaloo smiled a little through her tears, as she leaned into Dash, eagerly accepting the affection she had missed. After a moment, she looked over at Rarity, who had yet to say anything. The mare was watching her with a mix of relief, regret, and apprehension.

"Its wonderful to have you home, Darling." She finally said.

"Is Sweetie Belle still mad? Not that I blame her...."

Rarity hesitated. "I can't say for sure, darling. You'll just have to talk to her."

Scootaloo sighed heavily. "I know."

This was going to be hard. She was going to have to face her friends and apologise. Find out if Sweetie Belle was angry still. And see first hoof the damage that still remained with Apple Bloom...damage she had caused. Her stomach knotted. This was actually the thing she had dreaded the most: facing them. Especially Apple Bloom. She noticed everypony looking at her in concern and drew a very deep breath.

"I'm ready. Can somepony get them?"

***********************************

She watched as Sweetie Belle entered first, holding the door. Apple Bloom came in behind, and Scootaloo felt her heart smash painfully against her chest as she took in the sight.

Apple Bloom was walking with her forelegs. Her back legs, as well as the entire back half of her body, were supported by a wheeled frame that clearly let her move and walk without too much trouble. There were several scars in various places on her body, where the fur had not grown back completely over the scar tissue. Scootaloo swallowed hard.

"Ok, here we are!" Sweetie Belle said cheerfully. "What did you..."

She broke off. Apple Bloom followed her line of vision and her eyes widened. Sweetie Belle blinked.

"Hi, girls." Scootaloo faltered.

"Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom managed, unbelieving. "Is it really you?? Or am Ah dreamin'?"

"No, its...its me." Scootaloo replied shakily.

A happy cry escaped the younger Apple as she hurried forward and grabbed her friend in a hug with one leg.

"Scoots, you're alive!! Ah thought we lost ya! Where'd ya go??? Ah woke up an' asked for ya, but you were gone. They told me that...that they couldn't find ya."

"I left." Scootaloo whispered. "I couldn't stand the guilt...seeing what I had done. Knowing that everytime I looked at you all I would see was my screwup that nearly killed you. I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. I am so sorry. It was all my fault. If I hadn't been doing stupid stunts...I'm sorry. I am just so, so sorry. I wish I could go and undo it. I would if I could. I swear. I'm sorry." She was crying loudly now.

Apple Bloom simply brought her other foreleg up and wrapped it around Scootaloo, too...using her for support as she she hugged her tightly.

"Ah know, Scoots. Ah know."

"I don't know if you can ever forgive me, Apple Bloom, but I gotta ask...I gotta know I at least tried..." Scootaloo sobbed, clinging to her friend.

Apple Bloom hugged her harder, nuzzling her gently, her own tears mixing with Scootaloo's.

"Aw, Scoots...Ah forgive ya." She said softly. "Ya hear me?"

Scootaloo cried harder, shaking her head, choking something about not deserving it. Apple Bloom pulled her head back and looked into her teary eyes.

"Scootaloo." She said, gently but firmly. "Listen to me. Ah forgive ya. Ah forgave ya a long time ago. Ah never was mad at ya, Scoots. Ah knew it was an accident. An' Ah knew you had to feel really bad. It was an accident, Scootaloo. Yeah, it was preventable, but it was still an accident. Ah ain't mad at ya. You're my best friend. Ah'm always gonna forgive ya. No matter what."

Scootaloo crushed her friend to her in a bear hug, sobbing mightily, allowing her words of forgiveness to wash over her and cleanse away some of the guilt. Apple Bloom just hugged her and rubbed her back gently, letting her cry. Once she calmed down, she pulled back and smiled a watery smile.

"Thanks." She said softly.

That was all she said. But it was all she needed to say. Apple Bloom understood exactly what she meant with that single word, better than if she'd given an entire speech. Scootaloo took a ragged breath.

One more left to face.

Sweetie Belle had been standing silently, watching everything that happened, listening to every word. While deep down a part of her was glad to see Scootaloo, a larger part of her was seething. So when the orange mare faced her, she let her anger show.

"So that's how it is, huh?" She said bitterly. "You nearly kill Bloom, you run off, then you waltz in here after all this time and expect everything to be exactly as it was before? Well, I have news for you, Scootaloo. Its not!! Thanks to you, Bloom has to get around on two legs instead of four. Thanks to you, she spent all the rest of her fillyhood going through treatments and new fittings for her cart there, and not to mention nightmares about falling off cliffs! And that was all you, Scootaloo! You see what your stupid stunts led to?? Well, do you?? Bloom has never been the same!!!"

Scootaloo took an involuntary step back as the enraged unicorn suddenly wound up snout to snout with her, her eyes full of tears of hurt and anger.

"Sweetie..." Apple Bloom started.

"Stay out of this!" Sweetie Belle shouted. Her eyes narrowed. "Bloom wants to forgive you for all but killing her, well, wonderful. But I don't. And I won't. I almost lost my best friend that day cause of you, and your stupidly dangerous stunt. You want forgiveness? Well, don't ask me! Cause I won't give it to you!!"

With that, she spun around and stormed over to stand glaring out the window. Scootaloo stood still, fighting back further tears and losing the battle. She took a step forward.

"Sweetie Belle." She said brokenly. "I know you're still mad at me. I don't blame you. I'm still mad at me too. And trust me, I have spent the last seven years beating myself up over it. You have no idea how bad I want to go back and undo that day."

Sweetie Belle spun around and stomped forward to stand snout to snout with her again.

"Why did you even come back??" She demanded. "You caused enough damage already. Why didn't you just stay away?"

"I came back to make things right." Scootaloo replied softly. "To either find forgiveness, or...or accept punishment for what I did. Either way, I wanted to make things right. I'll do whatever it takes for you to forgive me, Sweetie Belle. For however long it takes."

Sweetie Belle scowled. "I ought to do what I wanted to do to you at the hospital that night " she growled. "I wanted to hit you and knock you clear across the room. Blast you with my magic...such as it was."

Scootaloo took a deep breath, eyes never wavering from Sweetie Belle's.

"Then go ahead." She said. "I'll walk outside with you so nothing gets destroyed in here, and you can do whatever you want to me. Take a punch at me, blast me into a tree trunk, kill me...I won't stop you. Its no less than I deserve, after what I did, and if it means you'll forgive me too, then, just do it."

Sweetie Belle stared at her, feeling her anger starting to dissolve, confused.

"You seriously would let me do that?" She asked, dismayed. "I mean, you'd actually let me...hurt you? Just so I'll forgive you??"

"If that's what it takes." Scootaloo replied sadly. "Then yes. You can do what you want to me. I just want you to forgive me like everypony else has. I don't deserve it, but...but I need it. Especially if I'm ever gonna forgive myself."

Sweetie Belle felt the last of her anger fade. She reached out and grabbed her friend in a tight hug, tears welling up and spilling from her eyes.

"Oh, Scootaloo. I can't hurt you. And I can't stay mad at you forever." She choked. "I forgive you."

And with those words, something was released in both of them. Scootaloo cried tears of relief and joy as she realised she was once more part of their friendship. Sweetie Belle cried with relief and joy as she realised she had her friend back.

"I missed you, Scoots. I really did. I just didn't admit it to anypony til now." She said shakily, as they pulled apart.

Apple Bloom moved to their sides, and the three of them wrapped their forelegs around each other in a group hug. Once they let go, Apple Bloom stuck out a hoof, grinning a little. Recognizing what was going on, Scootaloo placed hers on top, and Sweetie Belle completed the pile. Looking into each others' eyes, they spoke the words none of them had uttered in years.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders Forever!"

Another group hug, only this time, everypony in the room joined in, and Scootaloo was surrounded in the warmth of family and friends.

She had come home seeking forgiveness, redemption, and peace, and as she snuggled into the loving embraces of those she loved, she knew that she had found the first two...in their eyes, at least. She still felt a pang of regret as she managed to look at Apple Bloom.

It was going to be a long time before she forgave herself...

Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter was kinda long. Just started writing and couldn't stop.

Hope you liked it.

There is another chapter planned...it just may take awhile to write and post.

3 A Meeting with Dark Magic

"Scootaloo! Hey! Equestria to Scoots! Are you in there?!"

Scootaloo nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked up to find her two friends eyeing her with a mix of amusement and concern. They were seated at a table at Sugarcube Corner, chatting over cupcakes and coffee, a daily tradition they had started just after Scootaloo's return home nearly a month earlier.

"You ok, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Um, yeah! Yeah. I'm great..." Scootaloo said, hoping they wouldn't see past the lie.

She didn't want to have to tell them about the nightmares. Or the guilt that still lay deep within her heart. They may have forgiven her, but she still hated herself, every day.

"Great!" Sweetie Belle said cheerfully, oblivious to the hesitancy with which her friend spoke. "Back to what I was asking...how is it going with your Wonderbolt training?"

Scootaloo smiled widely, the always present guilt momentarily forgotten at the mention of her training. Especially considering it was Dash who was training her.

"It's awesome!!" She said happily. "Dash works with me every day, teaching me all the tricks and flight patterns and everything. Plus she got Twilight to put together a lesson plan of everything I need to know for the Academy entrance test. She tried to help me study, but you know how Dash hates studying!"

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom giggled. They knew that quite well.

"So when do ya think you'll be ready to take the test?" Apple Bloom asked.

"If everything goes well, I take it next week." Scootaloo replied. "I still can't believe that I'm gonna be a Wonderbolt! Especially considering I couldn't fly at all as a filly."

"I wish I could have seen you when you first flew!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
Scootaloo smiled sadly. "I do, too. It...it wasn't the same without you two there. Yet another thing my own stupidity took away from me. You at my first flight."

"Now, Scoots. Don't go diggin' up the past." Apple Bloom said firmly. "We forgave ya, remember? Ya need to forgive yourself now."

"I know." Scootaloo forced a smile. "It’s been so great to be back home. I especially love flying with Dash."

"Well, who wouldn't!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "She's the coolest and most awesome flyer in Equestria! Of course, now you're here and giving her a run for her money for that title."

Scootaloo laughed. "I think that her title is safe." She said. "I'm fast, and I'm pretty good, but she's still the best."

She glanced at a nearby clock on the wall and yelped, leaping up and nearly upsetting the entire table.

"Holy ponyfeathers! I was supposed to meet Dash at four! I'm late!! I'm sorry, girls, I gotta fly! But I'll see ya tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah!" The other two chorused.

"Bye, Scootaloo!" Pinkie screamed from the kitchen, sparking a round of laughter from the three younger mares.

Scootaloo walked outside and took to the sky, marveling at how awesome it felt to be flying. She'd been able to fly for five years, but she never got over how thrilling it was to lift off the ground and feel the wind rushing through her wings. Plus, up in the sky, she could forget her troubles for a little while. She drew a deep breath and zoomed forward, eager to find her big sister and practice with her.

*********************************

After a long few hours of practice, Scootaloo went to bed early. She was tired out and sore and fell asleep almost instantly...
***
For a few moments, things were dark. Then a familiar bluff came into view. She flinched as she walked closer, events playing out in front of her as if this was real life and not a dream.
She saw herself as a filly, showing off her tricks, laughing. Then she heard her own voice, bragging about her newest game. She watched as she shot towards the edge of the bluff.
"No." She whimpered, remembering all too well the momentary panic.
She watched as filly Scootaloo dropped to the ground, and filly Apple Bloom ran towards her.
"Stop!" She cried, breaking into a cold sweat. "Apple Bloom, don't!!"
But the dream Apple Bloom ran on, tripping, and hovering in mid air for the briefest of seconds before dropping from view.
"APPLE BLOOM!!!!!" Scootaloo screamed in unison with the filly version of herself.
She ran to the edge and looked over, in time to see her friend hit the ground with a familiar sickening thud.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs...
***
She awoke screaming, drenched in a cold sweat, shaking like a leaf.

"Scootaloo!" Dash burst in, looking greatly worried. "What happened?? Are you ok?? I heard a scream!"

She stopped short and stared at her sister, noticing her terrified expression. She hurried forward and quickly wrapped her in a hug, holding her trembling body close.

"Scoots, what's wrong?"

"D...don't wanna t...talk about it!" Scootaloo gasped, on the verge of tears.

Dash hugged her tighter. "Bad dream?"

"The worst!" Scootaloo wailed. "I keep seeing it in my dreams, Dash! Almost every night, the same thing!"

Dash didn't need to ask what. She knew.

"Aw, Scoots." She said. "It’s ok. Everypony forgave you. You just need to forgive yourself. Then the nightmares will stop."

"Easy for you to say." Scootaloo mumbled.

Dash rubbed her back. "It’s true, though. I know, cause I've had the same thing happen to me. You just gotta forgive yourself, Scootaloo."

Scootaloo pressed closer to her sister's body, her trembling starting to go away.

"I can't." She whispered so softly Dash didn't hear the words. "Not til I find a way to atone for this. Apple Bloom deserves it."

She sniffed, and her heavy eyes closed in spite of her attempts to fight off sleep. In seconds, she was out like a light, still snuggled in the comforting embrace of her sister.

**********************************
The following afternoon found Scootaloo strolling aimlessly along a dusty path just outside Ponyville...going nowhere in particular, just out walking, trying to clear her head. Trying to think of the best way to make things right. Trying to think of some kind of harsh punishment that would atone for her past crime. So preoccupied with her thoughts was she, that she didn't notice the black coated pony that was approaching her from the opposite direction until he was right in front of her.

"Hello!" He said.

"Gah!" Scootaloo jumped.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." He said, extending a hoof. "The name is Dark Magic."

Scootaloo arched an eyebrow at that. He chuckled.

"Yes, I know. Odd name. I assure you I'm perfectly harmless, though. Unless of course you do something serious enough to anger me." He winked.

"Scootaloo." She said, shaking his hoof.

"So, are you a magician or something?"

"What gave it away?" He asked in amusement. "My name? My magic Cutie Mark?"

"Yeah, sort of." Scootaloo said, with a slight grin. "Um, but why Dark Magic?"

"I come from a long line of magicians." He said. "And somewhere in that line was one named Dark Magic, because he used his magic for evil, like trying to control minds and take over Equestria type of evil."

Scootaloo instinctively took a few steps back, earning a chuckle.

"No, it's alright." Dark Magic assured her.
"I have no aspirations for world domination. Nor do I intend to have ponies walking around as mindless zomponies. No...I do not follow the evil path of that ancestor."

"Then why were you named after him then? Is it cause your coat is so dark?”

"I asked that same question when I was a colt." Dark Magic chuckled. "Do you know what my parents told me? They had given my older brother the privilege of naming me. And, having looked through our books of ancestors and relatives, he finally decided on 'Dark Magic' because it, and I quote, 'sounded so cool and awesome!' End quote. Needless to say, I haven't quite forgiven my brother for naming me after an evil supervillain."

Scootaloo laughed at the story. "I don't think I would have taken it so well myself." She said. "'Dark Magic' may sound cool, but honestly, it also sounds like you're a monster out to destroy Equestria. Uh...no offense."

"Oh, none taken." Dark Magic smiled. Then he sobered as he studied her intently. "Forgive me for asking, but...is there something wrong? You looked to be a million miles away when I approached. And even now I see a deep pain in your eyes."

Scootaloo blinked and looked down, scraping a hoof in the dirt as she pondered his question.

"I apologise if my question was out of line." He said. "You don't have to answer."

"No, it...it's fine." Scootaloo looked up. "Well, actually, it's not. I mean, yes, something is wrong. Well, not physically. Although I guess, yeah it is, if you consider my friend..." She broke off.

Dark Magic was staring at her, his expression one of confusion. Scootaloo sighed.

"I think I should start at the beginning." She said. "It might actually help to get this off my chest. I haven't been able to tell my friends..."

The two of them took a seat just off the path, in the grass, and Scootaloo, unsure as to why she was so drawn to spilling her pain and secrets to the black stallion, told him the entire story, starting with her and her friends being Crusaders and so on, and what had happened seven years earlier. How she'd nearly killed a friend, then run away, and only recently come back looking for forgiveness. She'd found it, of course, from her friends and everypony she knew...but she still had yet to forgive herself. She also told him about her search for a way to atone for what she had done.

Dark Magic listened patiently, only interrupting on occasion with a question to clear up something he didn't quite understand. When she finished, he spoke.

"So you ran away to Manehattan?" He said. "If it's not being too nosy, may I ask what you did there for seven years?"

"I lived on the streets the first year," Scootaloo said. "Then I met a really nice pony named Winter Chill (who was completely the opposite of her name, by the way), and we became friends. I finally told her I had no home or family. It really felt like I didn't back then. Anyway, her parents took me in immediately, and enrolled me in school. I spent the last six years of my life with them, and Winter became a sister to me. About two years ago I started doing after school work with Winter at a local bakery and earning my way. I kept thinking I should come home, but I couldn't. Til a month ago."

Dark Magic gave a nod. "It sounds to me like your family and friends welcomed you with open hooves."

"They did. Except Sweetie Belle. She was super mad still that first day. But then we talked and she finally forgave me too."

"But you still struggle to forgive yourself?"

"Yes."

"You want to atone for your mistake before you even consider forgiving yourself?"

"Yeah."

"You're looking for something that will prove once and for all you truly regret your crime?"

"Uh huh."

Dark Magic sat there, studying her, his brown eyes gleaming slightly with something she couldn't quite figure out. Was it glee? Scootaloo squirmed slightly under his intense scrutiny.

He finally smiled an enigmatic smile. Leaning towards her, he spoke in a low voice.

"What if I told you I know a way for you to achieve the atonement you're after? A way to make it so your friend is no longer hurt?"

His grin was now almost gleeful...but Scootaloo didn't notice. She was staring at him in shock.

"You can heal her?!" She squeaked.

"Mm hmm."

"Well, tell me!!!!"

Dark Magic leaned close. "It’s like this..."

4 The Proposition

Scootaloo leaned slightly closer herself, eyes locked on Dark Magic as he spoke.

"I know a spell that will remove your friend's injuries completely." He stated. "But there is a cost. At least for you."

"I don't care!" Scootaloo said. "If you can fix her, I'll pay you whatever money you want! Somehow. But I'll pay you! Just do it! I'll take you to her right now..."

"No, no, no." Dark Magic held up a hoof. "It will not cost you money, my dear. It will cost something else entirely."

"Well, what???"

"Your own self. Your freedom. Your comfort."

Scootaloo stared in confusion. "Huh?!"

"If I do this," Dark Magic said patiently, "it will remove her injuries and pain...and transfer them to you."

Scootaloo gaped at him in shock. That wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"But...but...huh?!" She spluttered.

"Do you want your friend to get better?"

"Well, yes, of course, but..."

"Then take the offer! She'll be released from her pain and suffering, and you will repay your debt to her. You wanted atonement...I'm offering you a deal."

"Yes, but I wasn't expecting something so drastic!"

"And I thought you cared for your friend and would do whatever it took to heal her. Was I wrong?"

Scootaloo hesitated. Her mind was racing as she struggled to sort through her thoughts.

"Tell you what." Dark Magic rose. "I plan on staying here a day or two. I have a wagon not too far down this path. Take the rest of today to think on this, and come to me with your answer tomorrow."

Scootaloo also rose. "You really can do this? Make her better?"

"I wouldn't have offered if I couldn't." He replied. "But you go, think on it. Tell me what you've decided tomorrow. I realise that it is a tremendously life changing offer, for you and your friend."

He started to walk away, then paused and looked back.

"One more thing." He said. "If you agree, this exchange is permanently binding. Which means you'll have her injuries for the rest of your life. You can't change back. You'll want to think on that for a while too."

And he walked away, leaving Scootaloo staring after him, mind reeling. She finally turned and headed for the one place that always helped her calm down and focus: a little hill below the Cloudsdale home she shared with Dash.

She had a lot of thinking to do.

She didn't notice that Dark Magic had returned unseen, and was watching her walk away with a mysterious expression on his face.

***********************************
Scootaloo sat on the quiet hill, mulling over Dark Magic's offer.

'Apple Bloom will be normal again.'

'Yes, and you'll be the injured one! How will that help?'

'But I really want her to be well.'

'At the cost of your own health?! Think about what this will mean for you! You're about to enter the Wonderbolt Academy!'

Scootaloo flinched as her internal self threw that reminder at her. Yes. The Wonderbolt Academy. Ever since she was a filly, she had thought she might be a Wonderbolt, like Dash. Then she started to fly and knew it was what she wanted more than anything.

Well...almost.

What she wanted most was for Apple Bloom to be healed. If she took Dark Magic's offer, she would be. But of course it came with a high cost to herself.
She would have to forget the Academy. Forget flying at all. Forget running and walking normally. Forget what being normal and whole was.

She would be grounded and crippled forever.

The choice was not an easy one. If she said yes, then Apple Bloom would be restored to wholeness and she would have repaid the debt she owed her.
If she said no, Apple Bloom would never be whole again, and she herself would continue to suffer intense and maddening guilt that might eventually lead to her doing something even worse than mentally beating herself up.

'I have to make this right.'

'But the Academy! Flying! Normal life!'

'Apple Bloom is more important.'

'FLYING. WONDERBOLTS. NORMAL LIFE. WHOLENESS.'

Scootaloo had tears in her eyes as she argued with the voice in her head.

'I know. I'll have to give that up. But if it means Bloom can have her normal life back, then it's worth it.'

'And you? What about the fact you'll hurt for all the rest of your life and not be able to fly or even walk normally? Is repaying a debt really worth that?!'

Scootaloo was outright crying now, the weight of knowing everything she would be giving up bearing down on her. The Wonderbolts had become her dream. And she was so close to attaining it. She loved flying, and especially flying with Dash. And if she took Dark Magic's offer, that would be gone. Forever. Her dream would be shattered. But then, she'd shattered any dreams Apple Bloom had seven years earlier. The filly had wanted to grow up and take over the farming with Applejack one day: bucking apples, herding the cows...all the things she could no longer do because of her injuries. Injuries Scootaloo caused.

'I took Apple Bloom's dream from her. If I can give it back...'

'At the cost of your own? Let me repeat the question: is repaying your debt worth giving up the one thing you waited most of your life for? Flying? Is it worth it?'

'Apple Bloom deserves her dream back.'

The argument went back and forth for several more hours until well after the sun had set as her internal battle raged on. Then finally, she hushed the negative voice and took a deep breath.

Her mind was made up. Her path was clear. She knew what she had to do tomorrow.

The sun had already set hours ago as she lifted off the ground and flew up to the cloud house. She went directly to bed, and for the first time in a long time slept deeply and peacefully.

**********************************
"Do it."

Dark Magic dropped his breakfast and whirled. Scootaloo stood staring at him, an intense urgency in her eyes.

"Good morning." He said. "You've made your choice, I see."

"I want you to do it." Scootaloo said. "Make Apple Bloom well. I'll take her injuries and pain if that's what it takes. Just do it."

Dark Magic stared at her. "You remember that I told you once this is done, it's final." He said. "You can't change it. It's permanent."

"I know." Scootaloo said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "I don't care. If it means Apple Bloom is whole again, I'll do it. So go on."

"Alright." He said, facing her squarely. "For this to work, you need to close your eyes and focus entirely on your friend and her injuries. Nothing else. I'll cast the spell and those injuries will transfer to you. Permanently." He studied her. "Are you sure?"

"Just do it!" Scootaloo muttered, closing her eyes and focusing her thoughts on Apple Bloom.

Dark Magic shrugged, a small grin on his face. He lit his horn and focused intently on Scootaloo, connecting his mind to hers as he cast the spell, directed at her mental image of Apple Bloom. Scootaloo's body jerked and twitched as everything but Apple Bloom's image faded. Then her whole world went white with a blinding light. She felt as if she were falling, and her legs flailed. A burst of nearly white hot energy overtook her, and her mouth dropped open in a silent scream. Just as suddenly everything went dark. She was dimly aware of a brief flash of pain in her hind legs, then nothing.

When she opened her eyes, she was being levitated in the air. Dark Magic set her down, panting and sweating from the magical strain.

"It is done." He puffed.

Scootaloo looked back, and for a moment her heart clenched painfully at the sight of Apple Bloom's wheeled contraption attached to her. Not only that, but every single scar that had once been on Bloom was now on her own body. And then just as suddenly, she felt lighter than she had in seven years. All guilt dissipated, and a genuine, heartfelt smile crossed her face.

In that moment, it didn't matter that she couldn't feel the back half of her body, or that some of the vivid scars throbbed more than a little. All that mattered was that Apple Bloom would now be free to live a normal, whole life. Without pain, without scars, without being tied down by a wheeled frame.

She had made the best decision of her life, and she had no regrets for it. She had paid her debt to Apple Bloom.

Dark Magic was suddenly startled by the burst of happy laughter that exploded from her. He blinked.

"Thank you!" She said happily. "Thank you so much!"

"You know it’s not reversible?" He said, perplexed.

"I don't care! Apple Bloom is healed and I couldn't be happier!" Scootaloo laughed.

She turned around and made her way towards town, leaving the completely astonished and confused stallion gaping after her. He shook his head and loaded up his wagon, preparing to leave.

"Well, that didn't end as I expected it to." He muttered. "She actually took it...well."

He shook his head again as he put on his harness and headed in the opposite direction of Scootaloo.

Scootaloo, for her part, took a few minutes to get the hang of her new wheels, then trotted into town, headed for Sugarcube Corner, oblivious to the looks of pure, unadulterated shock from everypony that saw her.

She was giddy with joy at the knowledge that she had given Apple Bloom back her normal life.

She felt more alive and happy than she had in a long time.

6 The Secrets of Dark Magic

Twilight rubbed her head and groaned. She'd spent the past 24 hours searching every single spell book in her library. And even a multitude of books not even closely related to spells.

Nothing.

She was exhausted, her head hurt, and she was frustrated to the point of bursting into furious flames.

"Twilight!" Spike burst in. "I was told to tell you to get to Sugarcube Corner right away! Dash found that magician pony and dragged him there! Everypony else is there already."

Twilight immediately teleported to the bakery, ending up appearing directly in front of said magician, who let out a startled yell and would have fallen over had it not been for the fact Dash still had both hooves clamped on him.

"You!" Twilight all but snarled, leaning close to the black stallion as her eyes blazed. "You better have a very good explanation for what you did to Scootaloo, or Celestia help me, I'll-!"

"Whoa, whoa! Wait a minute!" Dark Magic waved his hooves. "Let's not be too hasty. Let me assure you that what I did, I did with the best of intentions."

"What, the best intentions to hurt Scoots?" Dash demanded sarcastically, her grip on him tightening.

Dark Magic blinked. "What?! No! Of course not!! I would not harm any pony with my magic, I assure you!"

"Then explain why Scootaloo is now harmed!" Dash snapped, glaring at him.

"The only harm she should have come to is the injuries that were transferred to her." Dark Magic huffed. "I knew exactly what I was doing! And she knew exactly what to expect. And why are you so interested in what I did?"

"Because we are her friends." Twilight said firmly. "We care what happens to her."

"She's my sister!" Dash snapped, scowling. "You hurt her, you answer to me!"

Her grip tightened painfully on him and he winced slightly. Twilight noticed and quickly interfered, capturing Dash with her magic and pulling her back away from the magician. Dash didn't fight her, but stood where she was placed, glaring daggers at Dark Magic. Twilight let go of her, but stayed ready to grab her again if necessary.

"Look," she said, eyes locked on Dark Magic with an intensity that would normally send a pony running for their lives. "All we want from you is an explanation of your actions. Why would you offer such a deal to Scootaloo? What did you stand to gain from it?"

Dark Magic stared back at her with equal intensity, his gaze unwavering.

"I do not believe I need to explain anything to you."

"Excuse me, but yes, you do." Twilight said sternly. "In case you didn't notice, I happen to be an alicorn, which means I am one of the Princesses of Equestria. So guess what that means?"

She leaned closer, eyes narrowing, voice dropping to a near growl as he blinked at her.

"It means you will tell me everything."

Dark Magic stared at her, seemingly unfazed by her threatening tone.

"And if I refuse?" He asked.

Twilight suddenly straightened and gave him a rather unfriendly smile. She motioned around her.

"Well, then, a number of fates await you." She said in a slightly unpleasant tone. "For example, Pinkie Pie there has a number of ways that will loosen your tongue. She could blast you with her party cannon, or tickle torture you (which NOPONY has yet withstood, might I add). Then there's Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Either or both would be quite happy to buck you into the next millennium and back. And Rarity there...well, she would be glad to make use of you as a mannequin in her shop for an eternity. And last but not least, Fluttershy over there...let me assure you, you do not want to know what she can do."

Dark Magic eyed the yellow pegasus incredulously as she stood silently regarding him with a very serious expression.

"That one??" He exclaimed. "Why, I haven't heard one word or seen a hint of anger from her since that blue friend of yours dragged me in here! What could she possibly do?! She looks timid and shy from where I am standing."

"Uh oh..." mumbled Dash, noticing the subtle tensing of her fellow pegasus' body.

Twilight gave a dry chuckle. "If you really want to know, then keep refusing to tell us why you did what you did."

"I am not afraid of you." The magician huffed. "Any of you! Especially that one! She doesn't even look dangerous at all!"

Twilight stared at him. "Who wants him?" She asked, almost growling.

"Give him to Flutters." Dash spoke up, smirking almost evilly. "I'll be happy to give up the chance to beat him into the dirt just to see that!"

The others added their agreements to her statement, and Twilight nodded.

"Last chance." She said. "Explain, or face Fluttershy."

He scoffed. "I had my reasons, which I do not choose to explain."

Twilight sighed. "Fluttershy." She said, moving aside to make room for her friend.

Fluttershy did not hesitate. She walked forward and stopped about a foot from Dark Magic, locking her eyes into his. Dark Magic snorted.

"You're going to stare me into telling?" He asked sarcastically. "Oh, how frightening!" He snorted again...with slightly less confidence this time.

"You have no idea." Dash said with a snort of her own.

Before the magician could say anything else, Fluttershy tilted her head slightly, one eye opening wide, the other closing a bit. Dark Magic had time to blink one blink before the Stare bore into him, seeming to pierce all the way through him. It pinned him in place, freezing him, rendering him completely incapable of movement or speech. His ears pinned back of their own volition, and a slight shudder passed through him.

The others watched in silence as their friend worked her spell-binding Stare magic. They never got tired of seeing Fluttershy's Stare in action...it was pretty amazing and awe inspiring. So long as it was aimed at somepony else. And they had yet to see any creature or pony that could hold up under it.

Dark Magic, for his part, tried to look away, but could not. He was completely lost in the sea of teal that seemed to be staring clear through him like some kind of x-ray machine. He was mesmerized...and more than a little frightened of it.

"Now you listen here, mister." Fluttershy spoke softly, but with an edge of steel in her voice. "You are going to explain yourself and answer any questions you're asked. You got that?"

He simply nodded, unable to formulate words. Satisfied, Fluttershy turned off her Stare. Dark Magic shook his head to clear it, wobbling a little. This was not an experience he cared to repeat ever again!

"Now answer the question." Twilight said, moving next to Fluttershy. "Why did you do it?"

Dark Magic sat down and rubbed his muzzle.

"Alright." He said. "You want to know, I'll tell you."

He cleared his throat as the group sat down around him, watching him intently.

"Part of my story I told to Scootaloo." He began.

He told them that part: how he came by his name, all about the ancestor he was named after and his evil ways. The others listened without interrupting until he paused and accepted a glass of lemonade Pinkie offered him.

"So are you following in his hoofsteps or something?" Dash asked, crossing her forelegs.

"No." Dark Magic said firmly. "While he sought actively to hurt ponies with his magic, I seek actively to help them with mine. That is why I did what I did with Scootaloo. I saw she was upset and hurting and did what I knew would help."

"Maybe I missed something, but...how, exactly, was that supposed to help?" Twilight asked.

Dark Magic put his glass down and focused on her.

"I saw her eyes when she spoke of what happened years ago and the guilt she carried." He replied. "I could sense her deep, inner pain...a pain far, far greater than that of carrying her friend's injuries herself. By performing the spell that I did, it relieved her of that burden of pain."

"A drastic way to help, if you ask me." Dash muttered.

"Perhaps." Dark Magic said. "But it worked out quite well. She is obviously a true friend, sacrificing her own comfort and well-being to secure another's healing. She made the choice I thought she would. Although, I admit her extreme joy afterwards threw me for a loop. I was not expecting her to be quite as cheerful as she was."

"Why did you tell her it was permanently binding?" Twilight asked. "You clearly had to know it wasn't."

"Yes, I knew." He replied. "Telling her it was irreversible just made it that much more effective for her. Knowing that she wasn't getting a spell that would wear off or be easily removed was key to alleviating the inner suffering she was facing, because she believed her friend would be permanently healed. And she is...unless the spell is reversed. But since I told her it couldn't be..."

"Oh, she knows it can be reversed now, but she won't allow it." Twilight said. "I did an extensive search for a healing spell over the course of seven years. But I found nothing. I'm still searching, especially since you did what you did to Scootaloo. I don't suppose you know one?"

"No, I do not." He responded. "I do come from a long line of excellent magicians, however, and a good deal of their writings are currently in my possession. Not to mention I know countless tales of spells. I do not remember any healing spells, though."

Twilight stared at him intently. "Writings?"

"Yes. Countless writings."

"Dark Magic, will you excuse me a second?"

Twilight gathered her friends to one side and spoke in a low voice.

"If he does have writings from great magicians, as he claims," she said. "It might be beneficial to have him help me."

"You're kidding, right?" Dash huffed. "The guy casts a spell that leaves Scoots hurt, all because he wanted to help, and you're gonna let him hang around and help you?? Are you nuts?! How do we even know he's telling the truth?!"

"I didn't say I trust him." Twilight said evenly. "He may or may not be telling the truth. But if he is, then he may have something we can use for Scootaloo and Apple Bloom."

"And why can't you just work with Celestia? Or Luna? Or even Zecora?" Dash growled.

"Because he's the one who cast the spell in the first place." Twilight answered. "It’s not exactly a basic level spell, so he obviously is a good magician. Which means he might have the key we need to fix the girls."

Dash scowled. "Fine. But I'm keeping my eye on him!"

"I think we all will." Rarity said, eyeing the stallion sceptically.

The group shared a nod and then moved back to surround Dark Magic.

"Would you be willing to stay and let me look through some of those writings?"
Twilight asked. "Perhaps they might have something we can use."

There was a brief flash of something in his eyes, and Twilight couldn't figure out if it was fear or dread or both. Before she could decide, it was gone and a slight smile crossed his face. Though the smile was just as puzzling as the look in his eyes had been. She couldn't decide what kind of smile it was. She shrugged it off for the time being as she waited for his answer. He finally rose.

"Consider it done." He said. "Though I warn you, I may not be able to stay in town long. Personal business, you understand. Something may come up that I have to go attend to."

Twilight studied him for a moment. This time there was a distinctive look of fear in his eyes. It was brief, but it was there all the same. It puzzled her. Something was off about him. She nodded.

"Alright. But in the meantime, if we could get started immediately on our work?"

"Fine." He said. "Let me park my wagon somewhere..."

"Actually," Twilight said. "I was about to suggest you stay at the castle. Plenty of room, obviously. It will be more convenient and save time since we will no doubt have late nights and very early mornings."

She didn't add that it would make it easy to keep an eye on him.

"Oh, well, I was just going to camp right outside town..." Dark Magic started.

"I agree with Twilight." Dash spoke up, her eyes narrowed, holding a measure of suspicion. "It would be better if you're at the castle. So you don't lose valuable time everyday walking there."

Dark Magic was defeated, and he knew it.

"Alright." He said. "I suppose it would be best." His expression said otherwise.

"Great!" Twilight said. "Then we'll get started right away. If you'll get your wagon and bring it along, I'll help you unload all those writings you have."

She led him out the door, keeping one eye on him as if expecting him to run. As they faded from view, Dash scowled.

"I don't trust him." She said sourly.

"Ah don't either." Applejack agreed. "An' Ah think we should take turns helpin'
Twilight watch that feller. Somethin' about him don't set right."

The others shared her sentiment as they exchanged worried glances.

7 New Research Begins

It did not take long to settle Dark Magic into a room in the castle. Once he had put a few of his things there, he was escorted to the library by Spike. Twilight was already set up to do some reading. The writings of Dark Magic's ancestors filled four good sized boxes, which sat waiting to be opened.

"Ready to get to work?" Twilight asked.

"Of course." He replied.

"Great!" Twilight said enthusiastically. "Because I can't wait to get to these writings! May I?"

She was already eagerly opening a box before he could reply. He simply sighed in acceptance and opened another box. Twilight had lifted out a black book with a red spine and was reading it, eyes moving rapidly back and forth as she scanned what was written.

"So what exactly are you hoping to find?" Dark Magic asked, selecting a book of his own and opening it.

"Any possible link that will allow us to reverse what you did and heal Apple Bloom at the same time." Twilight answered, looking up briefly. "These writings are the first new things I have had a chance to study in seven years. It's quite possible your ancestors may have possessed some form of magic that might be what we're looking for."

He frowned. "So in other words, you are searching for a magic form that perhaps only one of my ancestors knew?" He queried.

"Exactly!" Twilight replied, before focusing on her reading again...though she didn't fail to position both herself and the book so she could keep Dark Magic in sight as she read.
In reality, she needn't have bothered, because Spike had settled himself near the library door with a stack of comic books, having made up his mind that the magician needed to be watched very carefully.

These things were not lost on Dark Magic. He noticed their careful observation of him, but made no comment. It wasn't like he could tell them to stop, no matter how uncomfortable it made him. He was, after all, responsible for the switch that had been made between the two young mares that the entire group at the bakery seemed to care so much about. If their roles were reversed, he would probably be mistrusting, too.

"Hey, Twilight!" called Dash as she burst in, flinging the door wide, straight into Spike, and narrowly avoiding crashing into her egghead friend.

Spike let out a yell ... along with a blast of fire that scorched a hole through his comic book. He stared at it sadly and sighed before turning to glare accusingly at Dash.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked the cyan mare, though she had a pretty good idea.

"I just thought I'd come over and hang out, you know; help you with your reading."
Dash replied, before throwing a rather dark look at the room's other pony occupant.

"I see." Twilight said. "Well, grab a book from one of those two boxes then."

Dash looked briefly astonished by that, but shook it off and did as she was told, selecting a faded green book that was trying to fall apart at the seams. She settled down on the floor near Spike and started reading.
For a long time, the only sound in the room was the soft turning of pages and an occasional mutter of "Fascinating!" or something similar from Twilight. Hours of reading yielding nothing on healing spells or anything related to it.

"Are we done yet?" Dash asked, rubbing her eyes. "I'm getting blurry eyed from all this reading."

"We've only read our way through two full boxes and half another." Twilight said. "We've still got a ways to go. But, we have been at it a long time. We should take a break and eat something, and Dash, you should go home and sleep."

"Yeah." Dash yawned. "But will you be fine here?"
She threw a wary look at Dark Magic. Twilight grinned a little and nodded.

"Yes."

"Ok. Then I'll go home and get some sleep." Dash said, rising and preparing to go.

Just a split second after she opened the library door, she let out a startled yell. And for good reason. She had come face to face with Applejack.

"Let me guess, you came to help me read, too?" Twilight asked.

"Partly." Applejack replied.

She cast a stern look in Dark Magic's direction. Twilight sighed and shook her head. She would definitely not lack guards for her guest.

"I'm leaving now." Dash said. "See ya tomorrow."

She left, and Applejack settled down and accepted an offer to eat a quick bite. Twilight then offered her a book and they all settled in to read. It soon became evident that everypony was not going to stay awake all night. Spike set up camp right by the door, just in case anypony decided to try and leave in the night, and fell asleep first. He was soon followed by Dark Magic, who nodded off in his chair. Applejack, in an effort to stay awake, got up and walked over to Twilight, who was rubbing her tired eyes.

"Anythin' useful?" She asked softly.

"Not yet." Twilight answered. "I keep feeling like I'm missing something, though. Something from the research I have been doing the last few days. Something obvious. But I can't put my hoof on it."

Applejack yawned. "Sorry."

"Its ok. You're tired. Why don't you get some rest?"

"Suppose he wakes up an' vanishes?"

It was a fair question. Twilight eyed the sleeping magician skeptically.

"I think I can fix that." She answered. Her horn lit up, and a violet glow surrounded the stallion briefly before dissipating.
"That should do it."

"What?"

"A double spell. One is a boundary spell that will let me know the second he leaves the confines of the castle; the other is a tracking spell, so I can find him if he disappears."

Applejack yawned again. "Well, then Ah reckon Ah could take a little nap."

She made her way back over to where her saddlebags were and dropped onto the floor. Resting her head on the bags, she pulled her Stetson over her eyes and gave another yawn. It was only a couple of minutes before her soft snores told Twilight her friend had fallen asleep. With a quiet chuckle, she went back to her reading, all the while something nagging at the back of her brain.

What was she missing?

In spite of her effort not to, she too soon succumbed to sleep, her head dropping onto the desk as a quiet snore escaped her.
***********************************
The rays of Celestia's sun had barely shone throughout the castle library when an exultant yell awoke three of its four occupants.

"I think I've got it!" Twilight shouted.

Applejack, Spike, and Dark Magic all sat up and rubbed their sleepy eyes before gazing blearily at Twilight.

"Got what, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked, with a yawn.

"I think I may have figured out part of what we need to fix the girls!" Twilight squealed happily.

Instantaneously, all three of her companions were wide awake and completely alert, standing and focusing intently on her.

"You have?" Dark Magic exclaimed. "Are you saying my ancestors did know something to help?!"

"Well, no." Twilight replied. "Not that I've discovered yet, anyhow. No, this is something I should have realised while doing my research on it the last several days. I can't believe I missed it! It was right there! So obvious!"

"Well, what?!" Spike asked.

Twilight's eyes gleamed. "Spike." She said. "Make a big breakfast! Applejack, can you gather everypony here? Including the Crusaders?"

"Ah'm on it." Applejack trotted hastily from the room.

"One big haycake breakfast!" Twilight said to Spike, grinning.

The baby dragon saluted and ran from the room. Dark Magic looked at Twilight, who was busy bringing out a chalkboard and its accompanying chalk.

"What was your discovery, Princess?" He enquired.

She simply gave a grin as mysterious as his own had been the last couple of days.

"You'll have to wait until everypony is here to find out."

8 Partial Discovery, Further Study

In an hour, everypony was gathered in the library, seated facing Twilight, who stood by the chalkboard. Spike had served up haycakes, and Pinkie had somehow managed to bring freshly baked cupcakes along with her.

"So, AJ said you figured something out?" asked Dash, still throwing suspicious looks at Dark Magic, who seemed resigned to the fact that they all completely did not trust him yet.

"Yes, I did." Twilight answered, catching up the chalk in her magic and preparing to launch into a highly scientific explanation.

Dash, fortunately, saw this, and waved her hoof.

"Just give us the run down in a language we understand, will you?" She requested.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Fine." She sighed. "Let me begin by saying that I was going about my research completely the wrong way."

"Meanin' what?" Applejack asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Well, if I had been paying attention and looking at the clues right in front of me, I would have seen a good half of what we needed to fix this." Twilight stated.

At their blank stares, she continued.

"Look...I am the Princess of Friendship. Right?"

Nods all around.

"Ok. I am also the Bearer of the Element of Magic. Correct?"

More nods.

Twilight looked at Scootaloo. "Scootaloo. When you made your deal with Dark Magic, what was the most important thing to you at that moment?"

Scootaloo rubbed her muzzle before meeting her gaze.

"That my friend would be healed." She replied.

"And it didn't matter to you what that cost?" Twilight asked.

"Of course not!" Scootaloo said firmly. "It could've cost me my life, and I would have still done it!"

"Why?"

Scootaloo blinked at that, having thought she already made that clear. But everypony was watching her now, expecting an answer, so she took a breath.

"Because she's my friend." She replied stoutly. "As her friend, it's my job to be there for her and do whatever I can to help her...even if it means sacrificing the biggest part of me to do it."

"Exactly." Twilight agreed, with a triumphant smile. "That was what the obvious answer was that I should have seen."

"Uh, now hold on, Sugarcube." Applejack said in confusion. "Ah'm not sure any of us is followin' your train of thought."

"The power of friendship, Applejack!" Twilight exclaimed. "That's what I was missing the whole time! Scootaloo demonstrated the full power of friendship with her selfless act for Apple Bloom. Which means..."

"Which means we could use the power of Friendship to fix the girls!" Pinkie squealed.

"Not quite." Twilight said. "That's only one variable. If you take it and mix it with my Element, Magic, then yes, it will bring us closer to fixing them. But there's still a variable missing. Something I can't quite figure out. I can use the power of friendship to create a spell, but based on my calculations, that will only put us halfway to our goal. We are still missing something. Some key magical ingredient, so to speak."

"Like what?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well, that I don't know." Twilight admitted. "But at least now I know that part of our spell is the link between my Element, and my role as Princess of Friendship. Now all I need to do is figure out what I'm missing."

"So...so ya'll can fix Scoots?" This from Apple Bloom.

"I believe so, if we can find the missing variable." Twilight answered.

"Did ya hear that, Scoots?" Apple Bloom asked, eyes shining. "They can fix all this!"

Scootaloo gazed at Twilight.

"What if you can't find what you're looking for?" She enquired soberly. "You're not gonna switch us back. I won't let you."

"We know that, Scootaloo." Twilight said softly. "But don't worry. We'll cross that hill when we come to it."

"So are you going to need to do more reading through all that?" Rarity asked, nodding her head towards the stacks of pages and journals.

"Yes." Twilight responded. "There's still an entire box of it to go through, plus I need to re-read some of the others. I also need to see if there's something further I missed in my own books."

"Well, then, tell us what you need, darling, and we shall all assist you." Rarity said.

"Ooh! A book reading party!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I'll make more cupcakes!"

She zoomed from the room at top speed and Dash shook her head.

"I don't think she'll be doing any reading."

"Probably not." Rarity agreed.

The entire group selected books and settled in to read, while Twilight started comparing things in the writings to those in her own books, looking for the missing link to the required spell. Now that she had a pretty good idea how to begin the spell creating process, she needed the last ingredient to make it complete.

Dark Magic, meantime, was busy studying each pony in the room...and the dragon currently back at his post by the door. He tried to be inconspicuous about it, but each one he looked at happened to be looking right back, eyebrows slightly raised as they regarded him with pure and unbridled suspicion. He noticed that the one they called Fluttershy was the only exception...she seemed to be studying him with some measure of sympathy, mixed with slight doubt. Sympathy for what, he didn't know, unless it was sympathy for the near death glares from the others.

He returned his attention to his reading, wondering how long he was going to have to stay in this little town. He really needed to be going, but he figured none of the ponies in the room would let him. Not until the appropriate spell was found.

Scootaloo and her two friends made their way out the door and off on an excursion they had already planned for the day. They hadn't been gone long when Pinkie burst into the room with a tray loaded with fresh cupcakes. The door slammed back into Spike once more, forcing another unexpected blast of dragon fire straight through his newest comic. He sighed, surveying the latest pile of ash on the floor next to him.

"Aw, again?" He muttered, before throwing a killer glare at Pinkie and grabbing up another comic book in disgust.

Pinkie divided up the cupcakes so everypony had a stack next to them, including Dark Magic, who was honestly quite astonished at the unexpected act of generosity. She then grabbed a book and spun over onto her back, holding it up in the air to read while flipping pages with one of her curly bangs. Nopony even cared to figure that out. It was just Pinkie Pie.
Silence reigned in the room for a long time, broken only on occasion by a hum or a gasp from Pinkie. The others ignored it and focused on their own books.

Twilight squinted, tongue sticking out, concentrating intensely on a passage in the book she was holding and comparing it to a passage in the book on her desk. There had to be something somewhere that she was just not seeing. But what?
What was the missing variable to the spell she needed to create? And more importantly, how complex was the spell going to be?

At least her friends were helping her search. And Dark Magic. She glanced at him. His brows were drawn together in a deep frown, and he was staring at the book in front of him, though not seeing it. His eyes were narrowed, and held a mixture of apprehension and fear. She frowned. What was it that was bothering him so much? What dark secret was he holding inside? Whatever it was, it had him too unfocused to stay on top of the matter at hoof.

He looked up then, catching her looking at him, and gave a small smile. One of his most mysterious smiles yet. He looked back down at his book.

Twilight stared at him a moment longer, then resumed her own reading, still puzzled as to the strange behaviour of her guest.

9 The Missing Ingredient

"Two whole days and nothing!" Dash grumbled, slamming the book she held down on the desk.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight scolded. "Be careful! These journals are old!"

"Sorry." Dash muttered, "But seriously, Twi...how much longer do we keep reading and re-reading this stuff? I've read the same journals at least twice!"

"As much as it pains me, I must agree with Rainbow Dash." Rarity conceded, rubbing her head. "As many times as we keep going over this, we still haven’t found anything that helps."

Dark Magic rubbed his own head. He was developing quite a headache from all the reading and listening to the back and forth of speculations. But he wasn't going to complain. He didn't want to cause further tension between himself and the others, aside from which, with so many pairs of eyes dissecting and second guessing the intentions of his every move, he was perfectly safe from anypony else whilst he was shut in here with them.

Twilight sighed and put her book down.

"I know it's tiring and frustrating." she said. "But I really feel like we're close to cracking this. I mean, really close."

"Close isn't exactly the same as having solved it already." Dash pointed out, unhelpfully.

"I know that!" Twilight groaned. "But it just feels like it's right in front of us! Dark Magic, can you think of any stories, any at all, about any odd spells or anything of that nature?"

He leaned forward, staring intently at Twilight over his reading glasses, his watery old eyes seemingly heralding a note of caution as he tapped the tips of his forehooves together.

“These books only go back at most a hundred years, yet the magic predates the forming of Equestria. I have long puzzled over this anomaly and the conclusion I have drawn is that it must have once been considered so dangerous to possess, if not downright heretical, that it had to have been captured within our family’s oral tradition. However, when our numbers declined, the chance had to be taken to transcribe the knowledge lest it be lost. I am convinced there is a lot more in those books than is readily apparent, but even after extensive study I’m sure I haven’t learned all the secrets myself yet."

“But you have learned more from these books than we have, even though we’ve read them all cover to cover. What are these books telling you that they’re not telling us?” asked Twilight.

Dark Magic frowned thoughtfully, rubbing his muzzle as he pondered.

"There is one form of magic that stuck out to me, because of its name." he stated. "But it was always considered a family secret ... none of my ancestors ever shared it outside the family circle that I know of."

"What was it?" Twilight enquired.

He studied her. "It was revealed to me by my grandmare when I was a colt. She made me promise not to share it outside the family, but ..." he took a deep breath, "Princess, I must have you swear to me that it not leave this room."

"Agreed." Twilight nodded, seeking confirmation from the others around her.

"Very well." Another deep breath. “It’s known as ‘Judgement’s Blessing’. It either enhances magical effect or it can rebound destructively and quite horribly, I’m afraid to say.” explained Dark Magic. ”It works by seeing into the heart of the petitioner and boosting the magic if their intent passes three tests of being noble, honest and selfless. Well, needless to say, the opportunity of enhancing the power of any given spell caused for it to be requested often, but in almost all cases, the petitioner’s heart could not pass all three tests and so it backfired more often than not. As you can imagine, instead of the petitioner blaming themselves for their own impure thoughts, they found it easier to blame the spell caster for shoddy magic. It is, alas, a spell that earns more enemies than friends."

“I can see how that would be a temptation.” mused Twilight reflectively. “But in this case I can only see purity of motive.”

“Yes, but would you be prepared to take that chance with these young mares lives?” he asked looking over his glasses.

“Of course!” chipped in Dash. “Like,
duh, it’s a no brainer!”

Alone amongst her friends, Twilight looked worried. Dark Magic caught her eye.

”Now you see why I withheld it from you.”

"Judgement’s Blessing? I just saw something..." Rarity searched through a stack of journals before levitating one up and quickly going through the pages. "Ah! Here! Middle of the page on your left, darling!"

She levitated the book towards Twilight, who regarded it coldly with some trepidation. She was on to something and she wanted to know, but warning bells were going off in her head, but she had to know …

Twilight laid the tome down in front of her, running the tip of her hoof along the passage in question. It described how the spell dated back to the pre-Unicornian era, but stopped abruptly mid-sentence with the words ‘twisted mandrake’. She said these words out loud and repeated them over again.

“Wait a minute, I’ve seen something to do with that just now!”

Twilight made some space on the table and flipped back a few pages in the book she had been reading, then a few more before shouting triumphantly, “There it is; ‘twisted mandrake!’”

Dark Magic smiled admiringly as he watched the only pony other than himself piece together the arcane spell.

Twilight was a hive of frenetic activity, finding the words linking together the next pieces of the puzzle, until finally she had taken over the whole table with an overlapping procession of musty pages, finally joined together to reveal the complete spell.

“Clever as Clover!” announced Twilight, “It was there all along. Hidden in plain sight!”

“Well” said Dark Magic enigmatically, “Now you’ve found it, what are you going to do with it? The stakes are high, my fellow magician, but you will understand I cannot allow you to hold me responsible for the outcome.”

Twilight stopped in her tracks. She knew this was the point of no return, whichever way she chose to go. She had been buoyed up by the idea of having reconstructed the spell from its constituent parts cunningly hidden amongst the journals, and from an academic perspective in its own right. But now the thought of failure weighed heavily on her, given how much she loved the young mares and how much they looked up to her and trusted her to do the right thing.

She folded her forelegs on the table and buried her muzzle in them with a loud groan.

“You’ve got to do it, Twi.” cajoled Dash. “If you don’t, Scoots is crippled for life. You know what a good flyer she is, you can’t let her throw that away.”

“But if it goes wrong, what will happen to Apple Bloom?” advanced Applejack. “You can’t send her back to how she was, not now she’s had a taste of freedom.”

Even before she had finished, she had felt Dash’s accusing glare staring at her from the other side of the room. Reluctantly, she turned her head to face her friend; steely determination facing sadness and pity, neither prepared to back down.

Two good friends, two possible courses of action, two young mares with their lives ahead of them and one curse dividing them. She peered up over her crossed forelegs, eyes bloodshot from the tears that matted her fur and gathered in small puddles on the table top. Her sightless gaze focused slowly on the eyes of Dark Magic, who stared right back at her. He had faced this dilemma before and felt for her as she weighed two compelling arguments, glad that he wasn’t the one making the call.

Her gaze slowly focused into his, almost pleading and desperate in it's intensity, as if he somehow had the answer she sought. She said nothing, but her inner battle was clear from the pain in her eyes.

"This...is not...a choice I want to make..." she finally whispered, his ears alone picking up on her statement, and the agony in her voice. "It's so hard..."

Dark Magic nodded sadly. “How well do you know your friends and how easily could you face them if you act or if you don’t?”

“If only it was as simple as that.” she thought out loud, weighing up the damage either course of action could wreak among their friendships and how that would come to affect their ability to wield the Elements of Harmony together as friends.

She knew that her decision had implications beyond just the young mares, but also her own friends and the future safety of Equestria.

Twilight laid her head back down and sobbed loudly, agonising over the hardest decision of her life.

10 Making the Choice

Twilight had spent hours agonising over her decision, and weighing the pros against the cons. The truth was, there were far more reasons not to perform the spell than there were to perform it. The more she thought on it, the harder it got.

It didn't help that, over the course of the hours she took deliberating, all the rest of her friends had filtered into the castle, and had teamed up, taking sides with either Applejack or Dash.

Dash held the belief that Twilight should cast the spell, regardless of the risks, if it meant there was a chance Scootaloo could be healed and fly again.

Applejack held the belief the spell should not be cast, because the risk of Apple Bloom losing her newfound freedom and being reverted back to a crippled pony was far too great, and something she did not wish to see happen. And besides that, Scootaloo seemed fine with the way things were anyway.

Pinkie Pie sided with Applejack, declaring that, if Scootaloo was happy with her choice of being the crippled pony while Apple Bloom was able to live a normal life, then it shouldn't be messed with, because anything else might make Scootaloo unhappy.

Fluttershy also sided with Applejack, but only on the part that the spell was way too risky and could hurt or kill both young mares.

Rarity sided with Dash, announcing that, if there was any chance to switch them back and heal them both, it should be done, no matter the risk.

Unfortunately, the divide between them caused quite an argument to ensue, both sides claiming their opinion was right, and Twilight just got that much more upset and panicked with the choice in front of her. She finally did the only thing she could think of to do amid all the heated yelling.

She called the Crusaders to the castle.

Upon their arrival, she, along with Dark Magic, explained the spell and exactly what was at stake. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged glances.

"So you're saying that this could work and we'll both be fixed?" Scootaloo said slowly. "But it could also go horribly wrong and that could end with Apple Bloom being the way she was again?"

Twilight nodded. "I felt you should have a say in this."

"What would you say for us to do, Twilight?" Apple Bloom enquired.

Twilight took a deep breath, met Dark Magic's sympathetic gaze briefly, then looked at the young mares before her.

"I...really struggled with this." She conceded finally. "It's not an easy decision, considering everything that could go wrong. Truthfully, some part of me screams no. But...another part says this could work. I'm willing to try, if you are."

They stared at her, a mixture of apprehension and raw fear on their faces. Twilight sighed.

"I know what this means for you, girls." She told them softly. "It means trusting me completely with your wellbeing...with your lives, even. I know that isn't an easy thing to do, especially knowing that too many things could go wrong..."

"We trust you, Twilight."

This statement from Apple Bloom made every pair of eyes settle on her.

"If this spell can fix everythin', then do it." She finished.

"But if this goes wrong you could be crippled again!" Scootaloo cried in panic. "I don't want that to happen!"

"Ah have faith in Twilight, Scoots. She won't fail us." Apple Bloom stated with firm conviction...as if there wasn't a shred of danger involved in the entire thing.

"But if it goes wrong..." Scootaloo protested.

"Then we'll just cross that mountain when we come to it, Scoots." Apple Bloom replied gently. "But Ah believe in Twilight."

Twilight looked like she wasn't sure whether to be flattered or panicked at the amount of faith and trust the young mare placed in her.

Scootaloo sighed. "Well, I believe in Twilight, too, so...Twilight? If you think this will work, then go ahead and do it."

"Yes!" Dash cheered. "You'll be flying again in no time, squirt!"

"But what about Bloom? Ah don't want her losin' her freedom again!" Applejack insisted. "An' Dark Magic said this could go horribly wrong! What if ya wind up killin' both of them?!"

Twilight looked stricken by that. Hearing the girls had made her think she might be able to do this, but now...well, she was terribly afraid something would happen and harm both of them.

"Nah, Twilight's got this covered!" Dash announced eagerly. "She won't let anything happen to them. Right, Twi?"

Twilight took a deep breath. "If the girls want to do this, I'll do it. But like Dark Magic said, there is danger involved. I am going to hope this works out, but I won't lie: it could fail. I'm hoping it doesn't."

The others exchanged glances. Scootaloo still looked apprehensive, while Apple Bloom looked a bit more calm. Twilight sighed again. This could either be the best, or the worst, choice of her life. Hopefully it wasn't going to be the latter.

"I'll get to work on creating the spell." She finally spoke up. "Dark Magic? Since the Judgement's Blessing spell came from your family, will you help me?"

Dark Magic flinched slightly. "As I stated before, Princess," he reiterated. "I cannot be held responsible for the outcome of this. It is a very volatile spell capable of causing untold damage and harm."

"You won't be held responsible." Twilight assured him.

He gazed at her for a long time before finally nodding.

"Very well. I will assist you. But I advise great caution in this endeavor."

"Noted." Twilight acknowledged with a nod. "Though I do my best to exercise great care with every spell."

Dark Magic regarded her soberly. "This one requires even greater attention than all of yours put together."

Twilight believed it. Every word. It wasn’t just the magic, it was the young mares lives, it was their sisters and the sanctity of the Elements of Harmony. She didn’t need to be reminded to be vigilant during this spell casting, she knew. The thought of a lifetime of accusing glares from former friends if she were to fail did not bear dwelling on too closely.

"Ah can't agree with this!" Applejack yelled. "It's too dangerous!!! Twilight, ya can't do it!"

"Twilight, you have to!!" Dash shouted. "Scootaloo needs to fly! If this can work, you have to fix them!!"

This led to more yelling on both sides as the Crusaders watched in complete confusion and Twilight looked ready to have a breakdown as she began to doubt her decision. She grabbed Dark Magic and dragged him aside.

"I have got to stop this fighting!" She told him. "It's making this too difficult! The girls are willing to try the spell, but their sisters are going to have them and me doubting it and too scared to do it!"

He glanced at the arguing groups and back to Twilight.

"Perhaps the best way is to convince them to participate." He stated. "If they are truly worried for their siblings' safety, they need to focus and calm themselves so that no mistakes are made."

"That's true." Twilight responded, rubbing her head. "We'll need them anyway, in order to use the power of Friendship in the spell."

She strode forward and faced her friends. They stopped yelling at the look on her face.

"If you want to protect the girls," she said. "Then it will help if you will participate in this spell. I need you for the Friendship part of it. Applejack, Dash...I understand where you are both coming from, but please, stop fighting and help me help your sisters."

The two exchanged looks. After a long moment of silence, they nodded.

"Ah'll help." Applejack agreed. "But only cause Ah want my sister safe, and cause Ah know she wants to try this. Ah still have my doubts."

"I'll help, too." Dash offered. "You're right, Twi. If this is gonna be anywhere close to successful, we gotta stand together and make it that way."

The others agreed to that with nods of assent. Twilight took a deep breath.

"Good." She stated. "Now, I have a really good idea how to create this spell. I just need a few minutes to think before I can start."

She moved to the chalkboard that hadn't been put away, grabbed the chalk in her magic, and levitated several books over to herself. The others watched...except Dark Magic, who went to her side and quietly conversed with her. The two kept exchanging words as all kinds of figures and diagrams were written on the board. At long last, both of them stood back and surveyed the work.

"Well, now we know how to do this." Twilight announced.

She turned to her friends, Dark Magic following.

"Alright." She said. "I have figured out how to correctly combine the different ingredients into the spell we need. However, there is one problem. Well, two actually."

"Ah knew it!" Applejack exploded. "It's gonna hurt em, ain't it?! It's gonna turn Apple Bloom back to bein' injured! Consarn it all, Twilight!" She yanked off her Stetson and flung it on the floor.

"Applejack, darling, do calm down and listen." Rarity suggested comfortingly.

Applejack replaced her hat and scowled.

"The spell is very strong and complex." Twilight explained. "It's going to have to be cast in three separate stages, no less than a week apart, to make sure that the girls, and us, do not become overwhelmed by too much magic at once...and make sure we don't overdo it in the casting of it. It's going to be a very demanding process, and take a lot of all our energy."

"That makes sense." Dash considered, rubbing her head. "So what's the second problem?"

"The spell, even with all the ingredients, can only work through a close surrogate that's unaffected by the magic already in play." Twilight said. She hesitated briefly. "In other words, we need a third pony to work through on this, one that has had no contact with any of the magic in the spell preformed on Scootaloo and Apple Bloom."

"That makes sense, but who would you get, darling?" Rarity asked. "And what exactly would their role entail?"

Twilight glanced at Dark Magic, then back at her friends.

"It would mean transferring all the injuries to this third pony long enough for us to purge the other two, or in other words, heal them completely and remove any and all magic not their own. This pony, though, would have to carry the injuries for two weeks...until we've completed the final spell."

"That is a lot to ask any pony to carry." Rarity conceded, sighing. "But if we must. Who can we get?"

"The closest surrogate..." Twilight drew a deep breath "... the one with the purest heart to match Scootaloo's and Apple Bloom...is Sweetie Belle."

11 The First Spell

Everypony in the room gaped at her in shock.

"WHAAAAAT?!" Rarity shrieked, looking like she didn't know whether to faint or have a royal fit. "You cannot be serious!!! You want to ask Sweetie Belle to...to...NO! I will not stand by and allow it! Twilight, you simply must not do it!!!"

"Rarity, I understand how you feel, and believe me, I wouldn't even suggest putting put her through this if I had another option." Twilight informed her soberly. "But I don't. If this is going to work at all, it has to be Sweetie Belle."

"Well, I am afraid you are just going to have to find somepony else! I simply will not allow you to put my sister through this!"

"If there was another pony, I would, but she's the only one I can use that will make this work."

"You are not going to use her as a...a catalyst in this plan!"

"Rarity..."

"No, Twilight! I will not stand by and let you do it!!"

Twilight sighed. Why did every choice today have to be so Celestia-darned difficult? The way she saw it, if she did this anyway, Rarity would be very angry with her. If she didn't, the spell couldn't be used, and Dash would be the angry one. She looked at the Crusaders.

"Sweetie Belle? What's your opinion? Are you willing to do it?" She inquired, quietly.

The young mare in question sat with mouth agape, still trying to wrap her mind around Twilight's statement. Part of her wanted to refuse cooperation entirely; another part of her wanted to do whatever she could to help. It took a few minutes before she recovered enough to speak.

"It's the only way to heal them both?" She asked, eyes locked on Twilight.

"Yes, it is." Twilight replied quietly. "Only through your cooperation can we cast the spell required to heal them."

"But...but that means..." Sweetie Belle didn't finish, but Twilight nodded in understanding.

It meant that Sweetie Belle was now the main one to make the decision final. She was now the one who held the wellbeing of her best friends in her hooves. It was her call right now as to whether they both had a chance of living normal lives again...or whether one did while the other didn't. Not only that, but to bear the disability herself...to have to trust that Twilight and Dark Magic could pull off the spell and eventually heal her...it was overwhelming to think about.

She looked sideways at her friends, who were watching her intently. Their expressions were understanding, sympathetic, and almost pleading...as if they truly felt the weight of her decision themselves and felt bad for her, and were also pleading silently with her to make the right choice. And suddenly she knew deep down what the answer had to be. Her eyes met Twilight's once more.

"I'll do it."

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity gasped out. "No! I can't let you do it! It is far too risky to-"

"Rarity, stop." Sweetie Belle interrupted. "You said a short time ago that Twilight should do this, no matter what the risks."

"But...but that was before you were going to be involved!" Rarity sputtered. "I do not want you to get hurt!"

"But it's ok if my friends do?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then, I have to do this, Rarity. For them. I want them both to be whole, not just one of them, and if my cooperation is the only way, I'll do it."

"I can't let you do it, Sweetie!"

"Actually, you can't stop me any more. I'm grown up now. I can make my own choices. And I choose to help my friends."

Rarity knew from her sister's determined green eyes that it would do no good to argue further, so she sighed heavily.

"Very well. I can't stop you. I do not approve of this, but...I can't stop you."

Sweetie Belle looked at Twilight.

"Will this hurt?" She asked. "Any of us?"

"It should be completely painless." Twilight assured her...not wanting to add she honestly wasn't sure it would be.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah. We don't want ya to do it unless you really want to." Apple Bloom added.

"No, I want to." Sweetie Belle replied softly. "I want both of you to go back to your normal lives, instead of only one of you. Scootaloo, you showed your greatest act of friendship already by taking on Apple Bloom's injuries so she could have her freedom back. It's my turn."

The three best friends hugged each other tightly for a long moment, before Twilight cleared her throat and told them they should begin. They broke apart and waited.

Twilight had the three of them move to a spot away from the others and stand together. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo flung their forelegs around Sweetie Belle, sandwiching herself between them. Dark Magic stood by, ready to work the spell alongside Twilight and feed her whatever extra magic he could provide when called upon.

"Are you ready?" Twilight asked.

At the three nods, she lowered her head, braced herself and lit her horn. Dark Magic followed suit. A second later, a stream of violet and a stream of blue surrounded the Crusaders, then a ray of white flashed through the room, blinding everypony in it. There was a soft explosion of sorts, then silence. When the others could see again, the spell had been completed.

Dark Magic and Twilight were panting from the drain of energy the spell had taken from them, but they focused their gazes on the three young mares.
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stood on their own legs, while Sweetie Belle was now wearing the wheeled frame. All three looked a bit worn out from the amount of magic poured into them to transfer the injuries to the unicorn.

"Stage one is complete." Twilight managed, somewhat breathlessly.

Rarity stared at her sister, a mix of emotions playing across her face. She had experience around a crippled pony with a wheeled frame, due to Apple Bloom and then Scootaloo, and she thought she could handle it. But seeing the frame on her sister was a sight she really wasn't as prepared for as she thought, and with a groan, she promptly fainted. This was noticed only by Fluttershy, who moved to her side immediately to help.

"Are you ok?" Scootaloo asked anxiously, watching Sweetie Belle carefully.

Sweetie Belle smiled a little. "As well as can be expected." She answered, quietly.

Dash rushed at Scootaloo, grabbing her and twirling her around in excitement.

"You can fly now, Scoots! Go on, show me you still remember how!"

She spun her away from her, and Scootaloo managed to right herself.

"Not now, Rainbow Dash!" She snapped. "I can't just fly off and leave Sweetie Belle! I gotta stay with her til this is all over."

She returned to her friends, leaving Dash to stare in astonishment. Deep down, Dash knew Scootaloo was right. Friends came before almost everything else, especially ones you considered family. She found herself feeling proud of the loyalty the orange pegasus displayed.

"Scootaloo, you should go out and fly." Sweetie Belle said. "You haven't been able to in quite a while. I'll be ok."

"Nothing doing!" Scootaloo retorted. "I'm not leaving your side, Sweetie Belle! I'll fly another time! Right now, you're more important!"

"Yeah! What she said!" Apple Bloom stated emphatically. "Minus the flyin'."

Sweetie Belle managed a small smile as her friends gathered close. She knew her choice to help had been the right one.

Twilight turned to Dark Magic.

"This was not the hardest part." She spoke with conviction. "This part was easy. It will also be easy to purge Scootaloo and Apple Bloom."

He nodded. "The hardest one will be the final stage. That one, I am afraid, will test all of our limits of endurance and drain us almost completely of our combined energy."

Twilight rubbed her head. "That's what I'm afraid of too. More than that, though, I'm afraid it will be too powerful for the girls, and cause harm."

"Well then, we will just have to pay attention and hope for the best."

Twilight nodded. He was right. But the final stage was two weeks away, and there was no point in panicking over it now. The important thing now was to give the girls a week to recover from what had just transpired, then move on to the second stage.

Dark Magic took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. He was tired from the amount of energy he'd just used. And more than that, he was craving sweets.

"Princess," he said. "If you don't mind, I would like to go to the bakery. I shouldn't be gone long, and when I return we can begin studying the next stage of this to be sure we get it right."

Before Twilight could answer, Dash butted in.

"I'll go along. I'm craving a milkshake, anyway." She announced, though her expression clearly stated that it was something else entirely.

Dark Magic was aware they wanted to keep an eye on him, and he honestly didn't mind. He was safe from other ponies as long as he was under their watch. He nodded.

"Of course, Miss Dash."

It was merely politeness. He knew he had no real choice in the matter.

She eyed him with even more suspicion at that, but said nothing, and accompanied him from the room.

**********************************

The two of them made their way to Sugarcube Corner, Dash hovering just above Dark Magic. But before they got there, he suddenly halted in his tracks, body tensing. This was not lost on Dash, who frowned and followed his line of vision.

Two stallions had just approached the bakery. They glanced at Dash and Dark Magic, then away, then froze and looked back. Their gazes locked on Dark Magic, their expressions growing hard and angry, as their dark eyes grew darker. They gave identical sneers and started towards the two.

"Uh oh." Dark Magic muttered.

He grabbed Dash roughly with one hoof as his horn lit up.

"Hey! What the-?!" was all Dash got out before Dark Magic teleported them back to the castle.

He dropped his hold on the somewhat disoriented Dash, who swayed a bit before glaring at him.

"Hey! Nopony teleports me without a word of warning except Twilight!!" She shouted angrily.

"We need to go inside...NOW!" He barked out, before dragging her inside behind him.

What followed their entrance was almost amusing. Dark Magic bolted the castle door, then grabbed Dash and teleported into the library, bolting that door as well.

"What the hay is wrong with you?!" Dash demanded.

"Rainbow Dash, what's wrong?" Twilight asked. "Why are you so mad? And why does Dark Magic look like he's scared to death? What is going on??"

"That's what I want to know!" Dash growled. "We were going along, and all of a sudden, he stops, and these two guys give him the stink eye and start towards him. Next thing I know he teleports us both back here...without a word of warning! Then he locks the front door and this one."

Twilight looked at Dark Magic. "What in Equestria did you do that for??"

Dark Magic looked around at all the suspicious glares (including from the now conscious Rarity) and sat down heavily by the door, rubbing his head and sighing.

"Since I might have unintentionally put you in danger, I think I should tell you the real reason behind my hesitancy to stay in your town."

12 The Further Secrets of Dark Magic; The Second Spell

Dark Magic waited until everyone had settled down around him, Crusaders and Spike included, before he spoke again.

"It is no coincidence that I was near Ponyville the day that I met that young mare there." He stated.

"What do you mean?" Dash asked, suspiciously.

"It has to do with what I am about to tell you." Dark Magic answered.

"Tell us, then." Dash said, narrowing her eyes distrustfully.

"It happened years ago." The magician began. "When I was still young and new at my magic talents. A farmer was having problems with his two sons. They were both in love with the same young mare here in Ponyville, and a rivalry had started between them ... each one fighting the other over who was going to get her. It was beginning to tear the family apart. Their father learned of my particular magical talents and eventually contacted me to ask if I could assist him; some kind of magic spell to stop them fighting. So, I listened to the story, and because I wanted to help ponies with my magic, agreed to cast a spell.

Sadly, he could only see as far as his two sons and their rival attentions for the young mare, so he asked me to frame the spell calling upon the spirts to choose in their infinite wisdom what was best for her. He meant, of course, that she should be guided to one or other of his two sons. Naturally, each son believed himself to be the most appropriate suitor and therefore the best choice to win her affections, so they had both agreed to going along with it. However, when I cast the spell, something rather unexpected happened."

"What was it?" Twilight asked as the stallion paused to collect his thoughts.

"The spirits seemed to have other ideas for all involved." He replied. "Apparently they decided that both sons were bad news ... because the very next day, she received a contract to model for an upmarket fashion house in Manehattan and left town immediately. Needless to say, that really did not go over well with the family and they all blamed me for the turn of events. The good news is that the brothers stopped fighting and united together over a common interest ... bad news is, that interest was me. And their interest in me was purely for revenge purposes. So ... I fled Ponyville as fast as I could before they could get their hooves on me. I knew if I stayed, they would exact revenge somehow and decided to give this place a wide berth.”

"So why'd ya come back, then?" Applejack demanded.

“Well, all this took place many years ago, so I had rather hoped that they would have cooled down and found partners of their own by now. However, I found out today that they still appear to be carrying that grudge, and somewhat forcefully too, if I might say."

“Yuh still not answerin’ the question.” Observed Applejack, eyes narrowing.

"Truth to tell, I came to see you, Princess" said Dark Magic, turning to lock eyes with Twilight.

"Why me?" Twilight asked, frowning.

"I have only ever desired to help others" he replied, "But the form of magic which I have been chosen to carry has become too heavy a burden to bear. I was hoping that you, as the Bearer of the Element of Magic, could help me; take some of the weight off my shoulders, perhaps?”

While his tale did seem to have a ring of credibility to it, the group continued to maintain a healthy scepticism; the three Crusaders all had older sisters in this group, and all six of them were solidly united in not wanting any of them to come to any harm.

Twilight, edged closer to him, dissecting his expression with meticulous precision.
His gaze remained unwavering, a desperation burning behind his eyes, begging for release.

“So” she began warily, “You want me to take this magic off you? What do you want in return?”

“Nothing” he replied, “Just to live in peace.”

“But you would lose who you are, your magic, your identity. Is that price really worth paying?”

“Princess, we are both aware that magic can neither be created nor destroyed. If anypony has the ability to take away from me the ‘gift’ that has led me to so much misery and turn it into something good for the benefit of all Equestria, then it must be you.”

“Very well, I promise to look into it” agreed Twilight, ”But only once you have helped us finish what we have started”.

“Thank you Princess, that is all I ask.”

“Yeah, and we’ll be watching you” interjected Rainbow “Just to make sure you don’t change your mind.”

Dark Magic spent the week as the guest of Twilight in the Castle of Friendship, although with no shortage of volunteers to keep an eye on him, he was more of a prisoner in a gilded cage. He made no effort to defuse the mistrust evident all around him, but instead kept his own council as if planning something, merely deepening suspicion of his motives. Even when the primrose Bearer of the Element of Kindness made attempts to befriend him, he seemed focused on something faraway. He continued to maintain his clinical detachment, almost as if his whole turbulent life had dragged him into the eye of a storm from where he was steeling himself for the onslaught of facing the same again before he could finally be free.

Only one Element Bearer did not take a turn at guarding the castle’s visitor and that was Rarity. Everypony recognised how fragile her state of mind was and whatever grasp she could maintain on reality was best diverted to taking care of her sister’s needs without having to be reminded of the magician who had, for whatever reason, catalysed her sister’s current problems. Her absence was not considered a problem by two other big sisters; Applejack and especially Rainbow Dash who were evidently aching for an opportunity to mete out their own kind of justice should they catch him trying anything remotely suspicious.

Fluttershy had taken her turn at guarding him overnight partway through the week and had fallen asleep, tired out by the demands of her animals as well as her guarding duties. Dark Magic knew he could have taken the opportunity to escape if he had chosen and indeed left his room fleetingly, allowing just enough time to lay a pillow under the gentle pegasus’ head before returning obediently to his room. When Fluttershy awoke, she stretched and mewed like a kitten before recalling where she was and shooting a glance at her captive, who was in just the same place as she had seen him before dozing off many hours previously. She looked at the softly inviting pillow that bore the indentation of her head where she had lain, scanning around for some explanation of how it had got there. Dark Magic wore his inscrutable expression, betraying nothing of his kind act towards the Bearer of the Element of Kindness.

In fact the only pony who ever got anything out of her time with him was Twilight. With her, he opened up about the intricacy and subtleties of the spells ahead, priming her so that she would not be surprised by the rapacious demands on her power that the spell was expected to develop over three progressively more demanding stages.

The first spell had been easy, but Dark Magic dismissed any misunderstanding that it was them who had been in control – it was, he described, merely the living magic unleashed by the spell coming to terms with the spellcasters. Twilight felt a shiver run down her back at the thought of this unknown class of magic; a thrill of both excitement and fear. There were two more spells ahead during which the living magic having been awakened to their magical imprints would come to explore their individual potentials and demand increasing amounts of their essence to make the spell work. He went on to explain that the week’s gap in between was not just necessary for the two of them to recover, but also for the living magic to work its way through them and analyse what it found, so it could determine what and how much it would come to demand from the spellcasters.

Twilight felt her pulse quicken at the thought that she had helped conjure this living magic, which right at that very moment was working through her, analyzing her strengths and weaknesses. How deeply was it probing? Worse, would she be capable of delivering everything that it chose to demand from her?

****

On the sunrise one week to the day after the first spell had been cast, Twilight walked pensively down to see her guest, mulling over the open-ended requirements of the spellcasting that lay ahead.

Outside his room, she met an orange farm pony who still looked just as alert and deadly as she had when she came on duty the evening before; nothing having escaped her vigilant gaze from that second through to this.

“Good morning, Applejack” she greeted with more cheerfulness than she felt.

“G’mornin’ y’all” replied the farmer, moving to keep both Twilight and Dark Magic in her field of view without having to switch between them, “D’ya think he can be trusted to do what’s right by Apple Bloom and her two friends today, Twi?”

“Yes, Applejack” she replied confidently, “I believe so.”

“He don’t move much and says even less” commented the orange mare, “T’ain’t natural.”

“He has a lot on his mind, Applejack” reassured Twilight, “As have I.”

“Well, I figure you know what’s goin’ on better than anypony else. I guess I’ll jus leave y’all to it.”

“Thank you Applejack” said Twilight with an eerie finality, “Thank you for everything.”

The orange pony looked back over her shoulder as she left, pricked briefly by the tone of her friend’s parting comment, but dismissed what she thought she had heard as a product of her own tiredness.

“Well Dark Magic” began Twilight cautiously, sounding him out, “Do you feel ready?”

“Yes, thank you, Princess” he replied, “It is a path similar to many I have trodden before, but …”

“But what?” asked Twilight.

“Well, you see, this time the living magic has had a chance to assess both of us and although it now knows our capabilities, we do not yet know each other’s. It has us at a disadvantage, if you understand me.”

Twilight nodded, “I guess we shall soon find out for ourselves.”

“Quite so, Princess.”

The two of them walked through the corridors of the castle, each trying to scope the ability of the other and both facing their own individual fears about what lay ahead. Too soon they approached the throne room and Twilight stopped to greet two guards she had posted to ensure that there would be no interruptions as the spell was being worked.

“Good morning Sirs” she greeted politely, “Are our guests assembled?”

“ Yes Princess” responded one with stiff formality.

“And are you aware that you and the guards on the other doors are not to interrupt this morning’s spellcasting unless Equestria is in the gravest of peril?”

“Yes Princess” he snapped back smartly.

“Thank you Sirs, please see that it is done.”

Both guards stamped their hooves to attention as the last two guests opened the double doors and joined the gathering. Before them stood Sweetie Belle strapped into her wheeled frame with a teary eyed Rarity by her side, seemingly needing more support from her little sister than the other way around. Applejack and Rainbow stood resolutely by their sisters, looking strong and defiant, forelegs slightly apart and fixed expressions burning holes into Dark Magic as if daring him to make one false move. Stood back from the three pairs of siblings were Fluttershy and a serious looking Pinkie Pie.

The group of friends Twilight had always associated with happiness and laughter were all eyeing her fellow magician with varying degrees of mistrust and looking to her to not only keep him under control, but also ensure the safety of the young mares to whom they were all attached, if not by blood, but by the tightest bonds of friendship. She felt the full weight of the enormous responsibility dragging her down with every stride but was determined to instil confidence by sounding self-assured, even if her insides were turning to jelly.

“Thank you all for coming today” addressed the Princess, “Dark Magic and I have worked very closely throughout the week to ensure we are best prepared for this morning’s spell, the second in the sequence.”

Although she was keeping eye contact with her friends, she noticed that they were all looking to her side, directly at Dark Magic, their protective instincts unmistakable.

“Whatever happens, Sweetie Belle will still be carrying the same injuries once we have concluded today, so don’t expect anything physically different after this spellcasting. Judgement’s Blessing is a spell made of living magic that gets to know the petitioners, that’s those asking for help, and the spellcasters, that’s Dark Magic and myself who are facilitating the magic.

The process comprises three spells. The first calls the living magic into being and we presented your case for its consideration. During the last week, it has been assessing your worthiness; that was shown by Scootaloo’s repentance, Apple Bloom’s forbearance and friendship despite what had happened all those years ago, and Sweetie Belle’s act of charity in accepting the injuries to herself. It has also spent this week getting to know Dark Magic and myself, to assess whether we have what it takes to make the magic happen.

The second spell, that’s where it tests the three of you and us as if we were all being cross examined in Celestia’s Court. It then weighs up the evidence and in a week’s time you have judgement passed, but it will be up to Dark Magic and myself to facilitate the delivery of the curative magic, if that is what it decrees you have earned.”

“Why can’t it just make the spell happen by itself?” asked Applejack sceptically.

“The living magic doesn’t exist in this realm and has to act through us. That’s why it has to test our strength and our magical abilities before it attempts to download the spell through us. It would be like holding a live electric cable and only then finding out that the shock kills us. This is why Dark Magic is so important to the success of this spell.”

Dark Magic gave the merest nod of his head to confirm what Twilight had said as they both looked out across the faces before them, everypony visibly shocked by what they had heard, staring back with their eyes wide.

“Shall we start?” asked Twilight, breaking the stunned silence and jolting everypony back to the reality of the task ahead of them.

“Please would the Element Bearers move back so we can concentrate on our young friends” she continued, “Also, I don’t want any of you feeding any negativity into this spell, so I want you all to remember which Element you represent and think positive thoughts about how it can be brought to bear to help. If you don’t think you can do that, I would ask you respectfully to leave.”

At this, the Element Bearers looked at each other, each assessing their own worthiness as well as everypony else’s. Twilight made eye contact with each in turn, lingering on Applejack and Rainbow as each nodded their ascent and stood back.

“Thank you” said Twilight, before turning to Dark Magic, “Shall we?”

He nodded.

The alicorn and the unicorn, side by side, united in their common cause, began to meditate and after a few minutes a blue aura began to build around Dark Magic’s horn followed shortly after by a magenta glow around Twilight’s.

At an unseen prompt, the two auras suddenly shot forward together towards the three scared looking young mares, fusing together into a ball of white light that quickly grew to surround them.

Twilight felt fingers of ice run through her body and surge inside her head, pulsing like the onset of a particularly nasty migraine. She was being probed and evaluated; judged. She knew it was the same for the others too, but unlike the three young mares, she and Dark Magic had to keep feeding the magic as it ran its course. As the probing became more invasive, so it became harder to focus, more difficult to concentrate on keeping the spell going, but the need to see through what they had started became all the more vital if they were to deliver a positive outcome.

The pulsing in her head turned into an angry throbbing, burrowing deeper as the magic sought more to feed upon. The screaming pain in her head was so bad that she was crying in agony, her tears mixing with the sweat of concentration as she worked to her limit to hold the spell together.

Think of Scootaloo, think of her courage in facing her past sins; think of Sweetie Belle accepting willingly the injuries, knowing that she may be stuck with them forever; think of the courage Apple Bloom showed day to day, never feeling sorry for herself; keep it together for them …

“No! Sweet Celestia … help me!” she cried out, straining every fibre of her courage to keep the magic going until it had finished its task.

Her forelegs began to tremble, threatening to give way and let her fall, but she had to keep them locked in position. If she fell, the magic would be broken, and Dark Magic would have to compensate by providing double the power, and if he didn’t, what would happen to the three young mares? No, she had to keep going …

Twilight was crying out loud in between sobs of pain, but still refused to let go as the pain continued to increase, sweat now running down into her eyes as she fought bravely for breath, only to release it in sobs and screams.

Suddenly it stopped.

Twilight was kicked violently out of her meditation and returned full force into her shattered body, feeling the cumulation of pain.

She opened her eyes.

The magic had dissipated.

The three young mares were safe, but looked exhausted. The other Element Bearers were staring at her, shocked. She tried to turn her head to see if Dark Magic was alright too, but could not muster the strength. Instead, the effort of trying to turn took the last of her energy and she was caught off balance, unable to protect herself from falling and collapsed, unconscious.

13 The Final Curtain

Twilight hadn’t slept well. In fact, she barely even registered she had enjoyed any sleep at all. It had been a week since she had fainted following the second spell and today she had to be prepared for even more as Judgement’s Blessing drew to its conclusion.

Just thinking about it made her feel sick.

All night she had mulled over the various ways the spell today could go wrong; who could get hurt and how badly. She lamented the quirk of fate that had led to her becoming the Bearer of the Element of Magic. It wasn’t as simple as throwing a party, making a dress or singing a song; she was being expected to work with this mercurial stranger to harness magical forces she had never encountered before and deliver a happy ending for all concerned. Just because she had always somehow prevailed before was no guarantee of everything working out this time, but she appreciated that with every past success, expectations among her friends had risen and one day she would fall.

Please, Celestia, don’t let it be today!

She made her way through the Castle of Friendship slowly, pensively, feeling a tremendous burden of responsibility bearing down on her. When she climbed the last flight of stairs she stared at the door before her, looking at it blankly, mind racing.

She had come too close to failure a week ago and knew that she would need more magical energy if this third and most demanding spell were going to succeed. This would require more than she could provide by herself, but by calling upon the other Element Bearers today, she believed their energy could be channeled through her own Element to boost her power and carry the spell through.

The magical seal she had cast on the door remained untouched from last night, the thousands of magical tripwires woven around the room undisturbed. Twilight deactivated the magic and walked in, looking around to confirm in her own mind that everything was as she had left it. It was.

The lone Princess walked into the middle of the circle marked out on the floor and faced north, the early morning sun blazing in through the stained glass windows on her right, casting brightly coloured images around the room. These very finely crafted windows did not adorn this room as a vulgar display of her opulence, moreover they were to keep prying eyes out, away from what lay within. It would never do for some inquisitive passing pegasus to see what was inside and start spreading rumours that would cause her reputation lasting damage.

Closing her eyes, Twilight allowed her mind to slip into a state of light meditation, seeking solace and mentally preparing herself for the task ahead. Last time, the spell had demanded so much from her that she was concerned, no, genuinely afraid that she may not have what it took when the three young mares presented themselves at the allotted hour.

Her pulse returned to normal, as did her breathing and she soon felt as well as she could, given the task ahead.
“Let’s do this thing” she muttered under her breath, emerging from her trance.
She turned to face the door and left, resealing the room once more and descending the stairs to meet the others whom she knew would be waiting for her downstairs.

“Girls, Dark Magic, thank you for arriving so promptly today” she greeted, surveying the varying looks of trepidation staring back up at her.

Everypony had their fears, even Pinkie Pie had lost her usual effervescence and looked solemnly back at Twilight, acknowledging her with the merest tip of her head. They had all seen her fall to the floor at the end of the spell a week previously, and while some had blamed Dark Magic for not having done enough to support her, they were all worried that she would be able to see it through.

“Dark Magic” she whispered to the old stallion, turning his muzzle away from the others so that they could neither hear nor see the few private words “Are you up to doing this?”

Their eyes met in silent acknowledgment of the power the other held. His eyes looked tired too, and Twilight could well imagine the night he had gone through. She was secretly glad he had turned up at all. Only two short weeks ago she wouldn’t have placed any money on that happening, but they had developed a bond of trust and she knew she could count on him absolutely in the ordeal that lay ahead.

He reached out a forehoof and gently lifted her muzzle just a fraction.

“Yes, Princess” he replied, “I am ready to do what is expected of me.”

Something in the tone of his voice caught Twilight off her guard; something regretful, something final.
She didn’t have time to think about it right now and swung into organising those present.

“Rarity” she called over the crowd, “Can I have you levitate Sweetie Belle up the stairs please?”

“How many are there darling?” she called back, clearly worried about the strain on her magic.

“Two sets of two flights with a rest in between” came the reply, “OK with that?”

“Thank you darling” replied the fashionista, turning to fuss over her sister.

Twilight led her solemn procession back up the way she had just come from, pausing for a rest, just as she had promised Rarity. Once at the door, she deactivated the magical seal once more and led her party in, ushering them to the southeast and southwest corners where they would not impinge on the circle etched into the wooden floor. Everypony entering the room gasped as they took in the magical paraphernalia and the sinister looking markings, apparently burned into the floor, only Dark Magic failing to register any response.

“Well, shucks, Twilight” a familiar country voice drawled, “All the time I’ve spent in the castle, and Ah never knew this was here …”

“And I would be grateful to you, to all of you, that you don’t tell anypony about what you’ve seen here” Twilight replied, wearing a distinctly business-like expression, “But you would be hard pressed to find it by yourselves because the doorway at the bottom of the stairs generally appears as a solid wall. You are only here today because I have reversed that particular enchantment.”

Gasps and nods of heads rippled around the room.

“Right, there are offerings on the floor at different points” said Twilight, pointing to the artefacts at each of the four cardinal points, “Do not bump into them please.”

“What would happen if we did?” asked Scootaloo uncertainly.

“Then the spirits that are going to come and help with the spell will be upset and it might not work.”

“Girls, you will see at each of six points images of our Elements have been etched into the circle” directed Twilight, ”If you would please make your way to them, and you young mares, into the middle please.”

“Where would you like me, Princess.” asked the magician.

“Next to me, on my left.” she replied.

Once everypony was in their place, Twilight took the opportunity to address them all before she started: “Thank you for coming to help out today. I will need all of your help if this is going to succeed. You have all got to get into a meditative state, and if your mind starts to wander, just think of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and how much they need you. We cannot afford to attempt this half-heartedly; it is the last chance for these young mares. If it fails today, there is no second chance, and also we do not know if it goes wrong what the result will be for any of them. Any questions?”

Everypony was shocked into silence. Fluttershy looked like she might burst into tears, but she held it together for her friends.

“Nopony move now” directed Twilight, “I am going to summon the magic and will call upon you all in your turn to play your part. Good luck everypony. Now, let yourselves drift into a meditative state, and I will start.”

Twilight walked around the circle, stopping at key points and saying words that none could quite understand and leaving lighted joss sticks to enhance the mood of relaxation and assist with the meditation. When she arrived back at her cutie mark in the north of the circle, she chanted more arcane words and lit her horn, asking Dark Magic to join her and the Element Bearers to focus their energy into the centre.

A soft glow appeared in each of the young mares’ hearts and grew and size and intensity until they had melded together into one ball of brilliant white magical energy. The spell was working!

Twilight was on two planes concurrently; in her meditative state she could commune with Dark Magic whilst she could also see what was happening in the room around her.

“Dark Magic, the power is reaching its peak” she called to him across the meditative plane where they stood side by side, “Take over now, please.”

He dug his forehooves in and lowered his head slightly, focusing his stream of blue magical aura while he repeated his incantation over and over, building up the energy.

The more he chanted, the more the demand for magical power increased, the white ball around the three young mares swirling in all directions and still growing bigger, drawing more and more heavily on the seven ponies.
Twilight no longer dared take her focus away from the meditative plane but could still make out the multicoloured streams of energy flowing in relentlessly to feed the spell; everypony was doing as much as they could. She could feel the familiar probing around inside her head and throughout her body, but was ready for it this time and hung on grimly as she channelled increasing amounts of power in from the other Elements. Although the sensations were familiar to her from a week ago, they felt somehow less acute as she realised that not only was she drawing on the power from her friends, but also sharing her pain among them too.

As the minutes passed and the spell developed, she could feel the demands on her magic increase to a level far higher than she could ever have handled by herself, but freed from so much of the pain, she was able to direct the power she was gaining from the other Elements so much more effectively. But eventually, even she could feel that she was rapidly approaching her personal limits once again.

Still Dark Magic uttered his words as he pumped in his own magic. He was obviously doing as much as he could, so Twilight chose not to mention that she was running out of power and instead kept going alongside him, thinking about Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. She really was at her limit now and still pushing hard. Suddenly the stream of pink energy stuttered and failed. Twilight looked out and saw that Fluttershy had fallen over unconscious, utterly drained.

“I’ve got it” said Dark Magic calmly, ramping up his own power to compensate.

Next, the green energy started to falter too, but Rarity brought it back on stream, tears spilling from her eyes, thinking about her sister.

Then the blue energy stopped abruptly, and Twilight saw Pinkie collapse where she stood.

“Disengage” called Dark Magic, “Princess, you must disengage now!”

“But the spell” she pleaded, “It’s not complete!”

“Do not argue Princess!” he commanded.

Twilight was torn as to whether to trust him so close to achieving their goal, or watch as each of the Elements burned out in turn. She was past her limit and knew that all the other ponies were too, including Dark Magic.

“Stop girls!” she shouted, her mind made up.

Applejack and Rarity swayed unsteadily and looked on in shock to see that the spell was still going on and stared uncertainly at Twilight. Only Rainbow Dash continued pouring her red energy into the pulsating ball. Barely able to speak and sweating profusely, she refused to abandon her sister.

“Don’t stop!” she screamed hoarsely, “Scoots needs us! Why are you all backing out? Don’t you care? Keep going!”

Rainbow looked around at the sympathetic looks from three of her closest friends and the unconscious bodies of two more on the floor, “You must keep going!” she cried, tears of frustration running freely down her muzzle as she refused to yield to either her limits or the orders from Twilight who just looked on sadly and wept at the pitiful sight of her friend fighting a losing battle.

“No Rainbow” she said softly, “Let it go.”

The cyan pegasus looked imploringly into the eyes of her friends and saw tears streaming unashamedly down their faces. She knelt down slowly as her strength faded, keeping her red energy going until the futility of her action overwhelmed her and she collapsed sobbing loudly.

Meanwhile, Dark Magic maintained a stoic detachment to everything going on around him, Twilight staring aghast at how he was still managing to control so much raw magical power.

Suddenly there was a bright flash and everypony fell to the ground as if a bomb had been detonated in the center of the circle.

Once she had a chance to compose herself, Twilight rose and looked around. The room was no longer a mass of colors from the stained glass windows, but instead bathed in bright sunlight as all the windows had been blown out.

One by one, heads turned to the center of the circle to see the three young mares staggering to their hooves.

Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity all moved tentatively forward to comfort their younger sisters, each in their turn finding them able to stand by themselves. The spell had worked, they were all cured!

Twilight looked on with a deep sense of relief at three happy reunions and turned to Dark Magic, “That was incredible! I will never know how you …”

Her words were cut short as she suddenly noticed the pitiful state of the powerful magician next to her. He was covered in scars, deep cuts and bruises and fighting hard to breathe, his eyes staring up at her imploringly. She knelt down beside him, shocked by the realisation that he had taken not only the injuries Sweetie Belle had been carrying, but many more besides.

She cradled his head on her lap and bent her ear close as he was clearly trying to speak.

“Tell me you forgive me” he gasped weakly as the last of his life left him and his head fell back into her lap.

Twilight held him tenderly and rocked gently back and forward, unable to hold back her tears. She couldn’t tell him she forgave him because she couldn’t speak. A flood of raw emotion washed over her like a tsunami and she bawled pitifully, holding him close. This dear, misunderstood magician could have walked away at any point, but had instead chosen to take all the hurt and the pain onto himself so that these young lives could be lived as they had been intended.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had regained consciousness and were hugging the others happily when Twilight’s desperate cries cut through the atmosphere, killing all thoughts of celebration. Applejack turned to see what had happened and solemnly removed her hat as she moved to Twilight’s side. All of the ponies in the room followed her to the north of the circle staring at the horrifically tragic image of their friend cradling the dead body of the magical stranger whom they had all mistrusted at first, and one by one, come to respect and admire.

"What happened?” asked Apple Bloom.

Twilight couldn’t answer.

Applejack held her sister and replied, “That is the bravest stallion you will ever see. He just saved you, all of you, and paid a handsome price for his trouble.”

“I guess we was wrong about him, huh?” said Apple Bloom, turning away, unable to look any more upon the tragic sight.

“I believe we all misjudged him” agreed Rarity.

“That’s an act of loyalty even I’m not able to top” acknowledged Rainbow, respectfully.

The sun moved round, its bright warming rays casting the shape of the pointed window frame on the south of the room onto the floor, the point resting on Dark Magic’s heart.

***

It was a bright, but chilly morning when the six friends and the three young mares assembled in the centre of Ponyville. The town had turned out in full and all three of the other Princesses from the ruling quadrature had made the journey for the occasion.

The Mayor stood back and handed the platform over to Twilight who repeated the story of Dark Magic’s heroism that had spread quickly following the events in her castle. She had already had a new wing built to the library to accommodate his journals so that his family’s magic could be understood for the benefit of all ponykind, but today was for something much more personal.

“This fine stallion, a travelling magician who spent his life being misunderstood for the good he tried to do for everypony, finally gave his life for a cause he considered to be most worthy. While his sacrifice will never be forgotten by all those present on that day, his courage will live in our hearts as an inspiration to others, and it gives me great pleasure to unveil this statue in his honour!”

The cover was pulled off revealing a stone statue of Dark Magic looking wistfully into space with a book open in his forehoof. On the plinth below was an engraving “In memory of Dark Magic who died saving others”.

Scootaloo, the young mare who had first encountered Dark Magic and entered into that fateful pact with him advanced under the respectful silence of the crowd to lay a wreath of peach blossom at the foot of the statue. She spoke a few words that nopony heard, but when she returned to her place, everypony could see tear stains down her muzzle that hadn’t been there earlier.

Apple Bloom walked up next with a wreath of apple blossom and fought back her own tears, followed by Sweetie Belle with a wreath of almond blossom who made no attempt to suppress the tears she felt.

Next, under Twilight’s direction, Rainbow Dash took a wreath made up of red flowers representing the Element of Loyalty and laid it next Scootaloo’s. Each of the Element Bearers came forward in their turn with their own wreath, each of them feeling a connection with the mysterious stallion as they laid their own personal tribute.

They all reflected for a moment on how they had failed to live up to their own Element and how he had in his own way taught them a far greater lesson, and each of them returned with new tear stains, even if some made more of an effort to hide it than others.

Lastly, Twilight left the stage to lay her wreath of purple flowers representing the Element of Magic and stood back to look up onto the effigy of the magician’s face and said softly, “You are forgiven.”

THE END

Author's Note

That was it, guys! Hope you enjoyed this collab work!

5 The Deal is Made Known

Scootaloo pushed open the bakery door, and went inside. Today was apparently a day for an Element Bearers' meeting, because all of them were present...except for Applejack. Scootaloo swallowed hard.
The familiar sound of the wheeled frame made Pinkie whirl around.

"Apple Bloom! You're early today! Where's..."

Her question died on her lips. Her blue eyes blinked furiously as she tried to figure out what she was seeing. The others turned around, and their mouths fell open. Dash recovered first.

"Scoots! What...what...how...why are you wearing that?! And how did you get it! Look, I know you felt bad cause of Apple Bloom, but you don't have to wear that just because you-"

"Yeah, I do." Scootaloo said softly.

The door sprang open and a totally breathless Sweetie Belle burst in.

"It’s a miracle! She can walk! And she can...I...wha...Scootaloo?? Why are you wearing a thing like Apple Bloom's?" She stared.

"Who can walk??" Twilight asked, completely confused.

"Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo chorused.

Sweetie Belle blinked. "Wait...how'd you know that, Scootaloo?! I only just saw her and Applejack two minutes ago on their way here!"

"Because I know." Scootaloo replied, softly.

She didn't say how.

Applejack burst in, her sister behind her.
"It’s amazin'!" She exclaimed. "She can walk!"

"Yeah! An' run an' jump an'..." Apple Bloom stopped leaping like a little filly and stared at Scootaloo, mouth open.

"Uh, sugarcube?" Applejack said slowly. "Why are ya wearin' that? An' how'd ya even get it?? Ah don't think the hospital gives em out to just anypony."

"Yeah. Let's get that off." Dash added, hurrying to help her out of it.

"No, don't! I can't..." Scootaloo cried, but it was too late.

Dash had the frame off and Scootaloo fell with a thud. Tears filled her eyes as a dull ache shot through several of the scars she now carried. Dash blinked.

"Well, come on, Scoots, get up. You're not hurt that much! I'm sorry if I yanked it off too quick..."

"Dash, stop."

Twilight walked closer and stood gazing between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, her eyes narrowing, a confused frown on her face.

"What? What is it?" Dash asked.

"Take a close look at these two." Twilight told her, motioning.

Dash and the others did as she instructed. It was Fluttershy that made a connection first.

"Oh my goodness!" She gasped. "Apple Bloom doesn't have a single scar! But Scootaloo does! In the exact places that Apple Bloom's were!"

"Well, now, how the hay did that happen?!" Applejack exclaimed, confused.

"Scootaloo, do you know?" Twilight asked.

Scootaloo swallowed. "Yes." She replied.

But she had no intention of elaborating. Apple Bloom would be upset if she knew the deal she'd made. Twilight, seeing she wasn't getting an answer, lit her horn. Her magic scanned and probed Scootaloo, and she grew even more confused at what she discovered. She then scanned Apple Bloom and looked perplexed to the point of a breakdown.

"I don't get it!" She burst out. "It’s like...they swapped bodies, but without swapping bodies!"

"Come again?" Dash said, frowning.

"It's as if every injury Apple Bloom had was transferred to Scootaloo!" Twilight stated in confusion. "And I detect magic in both of them that isn't their own. I don't get it!"

"Wait, you're saying that now...Scootaloo is the one who can't walk?!" Dash exclaimed in horror.

"Yes. That's what I'm saying."

Twilight lifted the young orange pegasus in her magic, and replaced the frame before gently setting her back down.

"I don't understand." Dash muttered.

"I don't either." Twilight said, more perplexed by this than she had probably ever been by anything in her life. "Scootaloo, you said you knew what happened. Will you tell us?"

"No." Scootaloo said softly.

Twilight frowned. "Scootaloo, if somepony did this to you as a joke or to hurt you..."

"They didn't."

"Well, then, what happened?"

"No, Twilight."

"Scoots, tell us!" Dash exploded, huffing. "I want to know why!"

"No."

"Scoots..." Dash's voice held a note of warning.

"No, Rainbow Dash."

Dash groaned in frustration. Twilight leaned towards Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo." She spoke in an enquiring tone. "Will you let me do a Memory spell on you? So I can see what happened?"

"Only if you don't tell anyone." Scootaloo consented, figuring if she said no, Twilight would find a way to do it anyhow.

Twilight leaned closer, touching her horn to Scootaloo's head. Scootaloo closed her eyes, and the others watched Twilight's eyes go white. A few minutes later, she pulled back, and stared at Scootaloo, complete understanding and sympathy on her face. As well as admiration.

"Oh, Scootaloo." Her voice was gentle.

"What? What is it? What did you see?" Dash demanded anxiously.

Twilight looked at Scootaloo. "I think you should tell them. I understand why you don't want to, but I think they deserve to know. Don't you?"

Scootaloo looked around. Everypony was eyeing her worriedly. Dash looked especially concerned, gazing at her with narrowed eyes and a worried frown.

"I made a deal. Apple Bloom gets healed, and her injuries get transferred to me." Scootaloo finally said, knowing Twilight was right.

"You did WHAT?!" Apple Bloom shrieked in astonishment.

The others looked completely taken aback.

"You made a deal?" Dash repeated. "Why?"

"With a magician named Dark Magic." Scootaloo answered. "He said he could fix Bloom, and if I really wanted her healed, all I had to do was let him cast a spell to transfer her injuries to me. So, I did."

"But why??" Dash asked, Apple Bloom still being too shocked to ask.

"Because." Scootaloo whispered. "I wanted to give her her life back. I stole it from her seven years ago, and I just wanted to give it back to her. Along with her dreams. I wanted to repay the debt I owed her. I don't regret it, either..."

She dropped her head. Apple Bloom stood staring, tears running down her muzzle, trying to comprehend what she had just heard.

"Well, have him undo it!" Dash snapped in frustration, not realising how uncaring that may have sounded: switch the injuries back to Apple Bloom just so Scootaloo wasn't hurt.

"No." Scootaloo looked up. "He told me it was permanently binding. That it couldn't be reversed. And even if it could, I don't want to."

"But...but your training..." Dash managed weakly. "The Academy...your dream..."

"Will just have to be forgotten." Scootaloo replied shakily. "Believe me, I thought long and hard on it. I knew exactly what I was agreeing to. And what I was giving up." She looked at Apple Bloom. "I'm not sorry, Bloom. You deserved to have your normal life and your dream back."

"But...but what about your dreams?" Apple Bloom choked, moving closer. "The Wonderbolts? Flying?"

"If it means you're healed, I'll gladly stay grounded and crippled forever. You're worth it, Apple Bloom. Believe me."

Apple Bloom launched herself at Scootaloo and clung to her, crying.

"Scoots...oh Scoots...ya gave up everythin' for me! Ya shouldn't have! Ah can't let ya do it!"

"It's already done." Scootaloo said, eyes glistening. "And it's totally worth it to see you walking again. If I had to go back and choose again, I'd still give up everything just to see this moment, Bloom...where you're happy and free of pain. I would."

Apple Bloom could only sob as she held her friend tightly, the full realisation of Scootaloo's sacrifice settling deep into her heart. She had given up so much for her.

"B...but now ya can't fly!" She sobbed. "An' ya waited your whole life almost to be able to fly! An' now..." She couldn't finish.

For a brief moment, Scootaloo closed her eyes and thought about flying. The rush of the wind through her feathers as she soared; the feeling of absolute freedom; the knowledge that the sky really was the only limit for her. Free falling from a cloud. The adrenaline surge. It was an amazing thing to be sure. She concentrated on the friend hugging her neck.

"I loved flying." She whispered, as tears filled her eyes. "But you're more important, Apple Bloom. I would gladly give it up all over again to see you well. It's worth it."

Deep in her heart, peace had settled, and she realised she meant every word. It was worth it. It was worth every bit of it.

After a moment, Twilight cleared her throat.

"It actually can be reversed, Scootaloo." She said, softly.

"No." Scootaloo replied steadily. "I don't want it reversed. I want Apple Bloom to stay the way she is right now."

Dash reached out and rubbed Scootaloo's head.

"You're sure something, kid." She stated, pride evident in her voice. "Maybe you're the one who ought to be the Element of Loyalty."

"And Generosity." Rarity spoke up, drying her eyes. "I do not think that even I could be as sacrificing as you, darling."

Sweetie Belle came and hugged her friends tightly. Dash smiled proudly at Scootaloo. Applejack leaned close to Twilight.

"Twi..."

"I know, Applejack. I'm going to get back to my research immediately. Maybe there's a healing spell somewhere that we missed. If I can find one, I'll switch them back and heal Apple Bloom too."

"An' if there ain't one?"

Twilight sighed and looked at the three friends.

"Then we abide by Scootaloo's wishes." She said quietly.

Applejack looked as troubled as Twilight felt. Twilight sighed again. She hoped with everything that was in her that they could find something they missed. She really didn't want to leave things as they were now, even if Scootaloo had chosen it willingly. And she was going to look into this "Dark Magic" character. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do! She would write to the Princesses about him immediately. Maybe they could help locate him.

Meantime, Scootaloo was content to know her friend was well and her dreams and normal life had been restored.

"So, what do we do with Scootaloo now?" Pinkie spoke up. "She can't fly up to your house, Dashie."

Everypony winced and looked at Scootaloo, who offered a faint smile. She had already thought of that. But she hadn't thought of where to stay.

"How about with us??" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah, Ah think that's a good idea." Applejack agreed heartily. "Our house is already set up to accommodate that wheely frame. Scoots'll be welcome!"

"Only if you're sure." Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom.

"Oh, Ah'm sure!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, as she met Scootaloo's gaze.

Her expression seemed to say "It's the least I can do." Scootaloo smiled at her.

"Thank you."

"No." Apple Bloom whispered softly. "Thank you."

Scootaloo squeaked in surprise as she was all but smothered in another tight hug. She patted Apple Bloom's back, knowing that, in spite of what it had cost, she had made the right choice. It didn't matter to her if she spent the rest of her life on the ground. All that mattered to her was her friend's happiness and well-being.