The Abyssal Requiem

A half-hour later, Flurry Heart and Apple Bloom found themselves in the middle of the forest, the latter in far worse shape. Flurry Heart wasted no time in giving chase.

"Flurry Heart, wait!"

But Apple Bloom's yell was in vain as she was already gone. Flurry Heart started to run through the forest, pushing herself to find her mother. Despite the pain she was feeling, she knew that it meant nothing compared to how her mother felt. She couldn't afford to stop no matter what.

Several moments later, she arrived at a mountain, one she didn't recognize but she could tell she was getting close. She flew up but as she did, one of the creatures attacked her. She evaded the attack but it clipped her wing, making flying all the more impossible. After rushing up the mountain, she found one of the creatures who had captured her mother. At that moment, she spotted something or rather, someone whom she didn't recognize. The unknown individual quickly killed the creature and grabbed Cadance. Before they could take a step further, Flurry Heart rushed over to the individual and yelled,

"Let her go!" The individual didn't answer which Flurry Heart, in tears yelled, "I said, let her go!"

The individual did just that. However, as it dropped her mother, it quickly attacked Flurry Heart, grabbing her by the neck. The individual smirked as it did to which Flurry Heart looked at it and was scared for her life.

"If you're looking for somepony, I'll take her place. But leave my mother out of this!"

“What makes you believe I'm after her? Foolish mare, it's not her I'm after… it's you." It tightened its grip as it continued. "You see, you have something very important to us. Normally, I would've just killed you and brought it back to me. However, since it has merged into you, that's no longer an option. After all, you'll be the one who will kill the dark one, the Shadow King."

Flurry Heart was still struggling to get free as it spoke. Her only concern at that moment was getting her mother to safety, no matter the risk. "Whoever that is, I promise I'll leave him alone!" She yelled.

"Leave him alone?" It asked as it almost broke into a fit of laughter. "You misunderstand me, I want your help to kill him. If we join forces, we can free this world from his iron grip. And you will finish what your kind started," it said as it kept it's eyes on her.

"Please… just leave us alone…" she begged, struggling to speak.

"Unfortunately for you, that's not something you get to decide." It used it's magic to summon what appeared to be another form of the Ooze. "I'd like for you to take this gift. It's not much but it'll… making choosing much easier."

As the Ooze in question started to enter her mind, she started to scream, unable to do anything or fight back. "It'll all be over soon… no more worries… no more thoughts… only fear and destruction."

Her mind was slowly becoming blank and her own thoughts almost erased. However, there was one thing she continued to think about: her friend and family. "Apple Bloom… Mom… I… I have to…!"

At that moment, she felt a surge of power flow though her. She let go of her fears and at that moment, an aura appeared around her. The individual noticed this and was struck with fear. After a moment, she realised an explosive spell, destroying the Ooze and sending the individual flying back.

She slowly walked towards it and only one thought appeared at that moment.

"Kill it. Make it pay."

The energy around her started to swell up once more. The individual begged for its life, pleading as it said, "Wait, stop!"

"End it before it's too late."

"Please, you're making a mistake!"

"It hurt your friend, your family. Make it pay!!!"

The energy was about to be released and the individual looked away, realizing it's life was about to end. However, before she attacked, one memory popped up.

"Spike lost himself because he had no pony to turn to… and I don't want you to end up like he did. So please, never let your emotions control your actions."

"I'm sorry… for what I said earlier. I shouldn't have lashed at you like that. I guess I'm just not used to knowing somepony who can stay happy during all this. If I may make a small request… don't make the same mistake I did."

"You're right… Apple Bloom, Auntie…" The aura around her slowly dissolved. She closed her eyes and her mind spoke to her.

"You're making a mistake, Flurry Heart."

She turned her attention to it. "Leave. And don't ever come near my friend or my family again. Understood?" She said in a firm and cold tone.

It only nodded and ran off, disappearing shortly after. The energy she had from earlier had vanished completely and she collapsed. She was barely able to move but still rushed over to her mother who was still unconscious. She picked her up and walked down the mountain, each step hurting more than the last. After what appeared to be forever, Apple Bloom and Tempest spotted her.

"Flurry Heart!" They both yelled.

They rushed over to her and helped her up. They could tell she went through alot and decided for the time being to not say anything and get back home. But before they could leave, Flurry Heart ran over to her mother’s side.

“Mommy! Wake up! It’s over! We can go home now!” Flurry Heart said in a happy tone.

But Cadance didn’t wake up. Flurry Heart rocked her body to make her wake up, but she didn’t budge. The young princess started to get scared and rocked her body even more as she felt her eyes water up.

“Mommy! Please! Wake up! I promise that I’ll be a good girl when I get back! I promise that I will never leave the castle! I promise that I won’t make any more friends! Just please WAKE UP!!!” Flurry Heart shouted before bawling over Cadance’s body.

Starlight went over and Flurry Heart away in a hug as Sunset and Tempest went over to check Cadance’s pulse. They could hear breathing, but Cadance didn’t move a muscle. Scared after figuring out what has happened, Tempest hoisted Cadance on her back and shouted,

“Let’s go!”

Immediately, the group proceeded to run back to Canterlot with Cadance’s body while trying to wrap their minds on what had happened back in Everfree Forest.