The Sweetest Alicornby Carpe DiemChaptersThe One AmuletHow To Test If Your Evil 101Sweetie Belle Needs a NerfRevenge is a Dish Best Served With DiamondsThe One Amulet“With this amulet, I shall now rule all of Equestria! Witness my subjects! Gaze upon an ever-greater and powerfuller Trrrrixie!!” Lightning crackled in the distance, lancing across the darkened sky as the Great and Powerful Trixie stood confidently in Ponyville Square, wielding her new amulet from beyond the Everfree forest around her neck. The mystical Alicorn Amulet was held not-so-firmly in her grasp as she boasted her new power. With this new amulet, Trixie was determined to once and for all be the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria! Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rainbow Dash seized the moment and quickly dove towards Trixie, snatching the Alicorn Amulet right out of her hooves in a brilliant rainbow-colored flyby. “Hey!” Trixie cried out as the Amulet was swept away. Realizing that she had a more powerful amulet, Trixie nonchalantly shrugged off the rainbow-maned pegasus’s assault. “I don’t need that old Alicorn Amulet. I have...THIS!!” With that fearless proclamation, Trixie launched her terrifying assault on the rapidly fleeing jewelry thief. Or at least, what should have been a terrifying assault. One that would have surely stopped the annoying pegasus mid-flight. This indeed occurred, although not quite in the manner she had anticipated. “Stop it!” Rainbow guffawed as the pink lightning struck her, sending her into a fit of giggles. “That...t-that tickles!!” “Tickles?” Trixie asked, clearly agitated at her spell’s failure to induce the desired effect. “That was supposed to make you writhe in agony! This amulet is defective!” she complained loudly as she fired yet another pink beam of energy at the aggravating pegasus, who managed to dodge the attack with frustrating agility. “Give mine back!” “Sorry!” Rainbow Dash jeered as she zipped over to Zecora’s side and neatly dropped the troublesome amulet into a wooden casket for safe-keeping. “This is going back into hiding where it belongs!” Trixie couldn’t believe this was happening! How was her magic no longer effective? How did Twilight suddenly become so powerful? Was this all a trick? A ruse? Twilight strode over, and Trixie had every intention of giving her a piece of her mind. However, Twilight was the first to speak. “By the way, Trixie. The amulet around your neck?” Twilight said, tapping the aforementioned object. “It’s one of Zecora’s doorstops.” Trixie’s mouth fell open just as the trinket around her neck fell to the ground, shattering into a multitude of tiny pieces. She...she had been defeated. How could this be so? How did Twilight perform those spells? The answers to such questions didn’t matter, though. The end result was the same. The ponies gathered in the square took up a loud cheer as the dark clouds in the sky began to dissipate. Trixie slowly backed away, intending to hide in the nearest convenient alley or box until this whole situation blew over. However, there was another pony present whose mind was occupied with hiding, though it wasn’t themselves they were concerned about... (\/);,;(\/) Twilight and Zecora sat together in her hut, deep in the Everfree forest. The Alicorn Amulet was still resting safely in its casket, locked and magically sealed by Twilight herself. The two mares were busy contemplating the wheres and hows of safely stowing away the powerful artifact. Twilight suggested that she send a letter to the Princess requesting that she lock it away in the castle vaults. “I’m sure the Princess would be willing to hold on to it for safe-keeping. After all, preventing hostile takeovers of Ponyville does tend to be a priority of hers.” “Giving the Amulet to the Princess would be most wise. We must not allow other ponies to obtain this prize,” Zecora heartily agreed, nodding her head. “It’s settled, then. I’ll go back to the library to get Spike and send the letter. You keep the Amulet here and make sure nopony else gets their hooves on it.” “Do not worry, young Twilight, I will take the utmost care. In the past, much greater burdens have I had to bear. Go now, and do so with great speed. Time is short, and dire is our need.” Twilight nodded and exited the hut, leaving Zecora to keep a watchful eye on the Amulet’s chest. The zebra shaman turned a baleful eye to the box on the floor. Stooping, she ever so carefully picked up the chest, holding it uncertainly as if the Amulet would attack her at any moment. Placing the box on a nearby shelf, she spoke to herself. “Oh, tiny thing of so much doom. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with your gloom. You work your evil; it spreads so fast. Hopefully this time will be the last...” Meanwhile, Twilight was running through the forest as quickly as her hooves could carry her. She had to make sure that nopony would take the Amulet, and once again force her to go through the whole fiasco of dealing with a corrupted unicorn. Trixie had been a pain to deal with, and had managed to cause enough trouble despite her lack of magical prowess. The lavender mare wouldn’t know what to do if she had to go through that again, particularly if the unicorn in question was more skilled in the magical arts. Twilight shuddered at the very thought. At least she knew that within a few more moments, the Amulet would be safely guarded by the royal hooves of Princess Celestia and her Royal Guard. With this powerful Amulet under high security, there would be no more risk of overpowered unicorns with calamitous intent running rampant across Equestria. Unfortunately, Twilight was so preoccupied with getting to Ponyville she failed to hear a nearby trio of cheerful voices... (\/);,;(\/) “Are you sure this is a good idea, Scootaloo?” the nervous voice of a certain white unicorn filly petulantly inquired. “Of course it is! Since when have any of my ideas ever been bad?” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, making it completely obvious to the orange pegasus filly that she wasn’t being taken seriously. Scootaloo scoffed and continued. “Well, most of my ideas have been good!” This time, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shot a glare at Scootaloo. “Ok some! The point is, this will be the most awesome idea I ever came up with!” Sweetie Belle stared off into the depths of the Everfree forest. “I’m just not so sure that ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders Apothecaries’ will be...safe.” “Apothecaries?” Scootaloo asked. “I thought we were going to make potions!” “Scootaloo...that’s what apothecaries do.” “Oh. I knew that. Totally.” “Would ya’ll just quit’cha bickerin’?” Apple Bloom said exasperatedly, cutting them off. “I’m tryin’ ta remember which way it was ta Zecora’s place.” “We’re not bickering!” both fillies exclaimed simultaneously. Apple Bloom simply rolled her eyes but said nothing. Looking about, she suddenly straightened and pointed with her hoof. “Oh! It’s that-a way! Follow me, girls!” The three fillies took off in a seemingly random direction, Apple Bloom leading the way. (\/);,;(\/) Zecora felt a sudden disturbance. She shuddered outwardly and shifted closer to the roaring fire in her hearth. Falling into a deep meditation, she attempted to discern the nature of her previous discomfort. In a few moments the answer came to her, but not in the form she was expecting. Floating on the wind, three distant, youthful voices could be heard. Zecora’s eyes shot open. She inwardly braced herself for what was about to arrive. (\/);,;(\/) “Zecora! Zecoraaa!” three voices called out in unison as their owners galloped happily up to the hut. Soon enough, the zebra in question heard a series of rapid bangs on her door. She gulped, sucked in a deep breath, and slowly opened it. “Who comes knocking at this time of day? Is it three little fillies, wishing to play?” she cheerfully greeted, her eyes twinkling with an ancient wisdom. Although the energetic little fillies could be quite the bother, she still genuinely enjoyed their youthful company. “Heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom said. “Can we ask ya a favor?” “Can we mix up some of your totally awesome potions to earn our Cutie Marks in apo...apofa...” The orange filly looked to Sweetie Belle for help. “Being apothecaries,” the unicorn supplied. “Hmmm...” the older zebra hummed thoughtfully, her gaze searching the room. “Although it can be dangerous to mix a potent brew, I suppose I have a simple recipe or two. Follow me, and we shall see about a simple remedy for you three.” “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS APOTHECARIES!! YAY!!” As it always did when the trio of fillies belted out their traditional slogan, the walls of the hut shook and several objects dislodged themselves from the walls, flailing helplessly against the iron grip of gravity as they plummeted to the ground. Zecora flinched as several objects hit the ground but she maintained her smile. However, what she didn’t notice was that one of the objects in question just so happened to be a certain casket containing a certain all powerful artifact of certain destructive tendencies. “Do not mind the mess, little fillies, we’ll clean up in a bit. Right now there are ingredients for us to get.” Zecora stepped out the back door and into the deep, dark woods. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cheerfully followed, ready for another attempt to get their Cutie Marks. Sweetie Belle was about to follow as well when a mysterious glint of light caught her eye. Turning her gaze to the corner, she saw a small, wooden chest with a metallic lock that glowed slightly with a purple aura. Sweetie Belle took a cautious step forward, eager to analyze this new and curious object. “Sweetie Belle! Come on, already!” The impatient voice of Scootaloo startled her out of her investigation. “Uhh...coming!” she called back. Quickly, she piled a few random objects around the casket and pushed it into the corner. She would very much like to investigate the mysterious chest later. Who knew what secrets it might hold? Sparing only a single glance backwards, she galloped out the door and into the forest to join her friends. (\/);,;(\/) Two hours and five explosions later, what used to be a rather luscious and relaxing backyard grove was now a wasteland of charred undergrowth and scorched earth. Even after spending months around the young fillies, Zecora was still amazed at how they managed to produce explosions from the simplest ingredients. And of course, her backyard was also occupied by three rather disappointed fillies. “See anythin’?” Apple Bloom glumly asked Scootaloo. “Nope. Just leaves and...tree sap. How very predictable. How about you, Sweetie Belle?” “Nothing. Like usual.” The trio of fillies let out a synchronized depressed sigh. Zecora spoke up. “Cheer up, little fillies. Do not be so glum. I know that your Cutie Marks are yet to come.” She began to herd them inside. “Go on inside while I clean up this...rubble. Do, however, try to stay out of trouble.” As the zebra stayed outside in an attempt to undo what the fillies’ little ‘chemistry project’ caused, Sweetie Belle went back to the corner where she stowed away the mysterious chest. “Hey girls, I saw this right before we headed outside. What do you think it is?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stared quizzically at the chest. “Hay if Ah know,” Apple Bloom replied. She examined it closer, noticing the glowing padlock. “Why do you reckon it’s glowing?” “Hmmm…” Scootaloo pondered. “It’s probably magically sealed or something.” “Why would somepony magically seal a small chest?” Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo picked up the casket and shook it slightly. “I bet you there’s something totally awesome inside! We should open it!” “Yeah!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “Ah betcha we’ll get our Cutie Marks in lock pickin’ or somethin’!” “Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added excitedly. Just then, the sound of hooves striking a wooden floorboard echoed through the small hut, announcing a certain zebra’s arrival. Thinking quickly, the three fillies hid the chest behind their bodies, standing in front of it like a wall. “Oh, uh...heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom greeted her, sweating slightly. “Ah just remembered that...uh...it’s almost time fer supper an’ we should be headin’ back now. Thanks fer lettin’ us use your fancy potions an’ stuff! An’ sorry fer destroyin’ yer backyard an’ everythin’...hehe...” As quickly as they could manage, the three fillies simultaneously trotted backwards out of the house, concealing the casket as best as they could. “Thanks again, Zecora! We really appreciate it!” Sweetie Belle called as they stepped out the door. “Do not worry little fillies, I am glad you stopped by. Now it is farewell until next time. Now go, and be quick! You must hurry home. The Everfree is no place to be caught out alone.” The fillies nodded hurriedly and scurried off, eager to get back to civilization. Zecora released a sigh of relief as she closed the door. Ruefully, she surveyed the interior of her comfy little home. She had quite a bit of cleaning up to do. Briefly, she paused to wonder why the fillies had been so eager to leave. They must have gotten a new idea for crusading. Besides, there were much stranger questions regarding the fillies that she had yet to get answers to. There was no point in pondering the simple ones. Sighing again, she stooped and began to pick up her things. (\/);,;(\/) The three little fillies didn’t stop running until they burst through the door to their clubhouse. Panting heavily, they each slumped to the wooden floor in exhaustion. Apple Bloom wearily tossed the mysterious casket into the middle of the floor. “Well...*pant*...we got it...*pant*...here without...*wheeze*...bein’ seen.” “Yeah...*pant*...we did...” Scootaloo said, gasping for air. “So,” she continued once she caught her breath. “What do ya think’s inside? And how do we get it open?” Sweetie Belle examined the box with a keen eye. The first thing she noticed was that the glowing aura around the padlock confirmed that it was still magically sealed. Still not able to use magic herself, Sweetie Belle sighed in defeat and slid the chest over to Scootaloo, figuring that she could think of another plan. “It’s still magically sealed. I got nothing...” she said glumly. “Hmmm...” Scootaloo murmured thoughtfully as she examined the wooden box. “Hey Sweetie Belle, hand me that paper clip would ya?” “Sure thing,” she replied, picking up the paper clip in her mouth and dropping it by the chest. “But…do any of you guys feel bad about sneaking away with this thing? I mean…we kinda stole it…” “Don’cha worry ‘bout it none, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom spoke up confidently. “We’re just borrowin’ it. If Zecora was so willin’ ta let us mess with her potions stuff fer our Cutie Marks, Ah’m sure she wouldn’t mind us messin’ with one little box. We’ll either open it or return it tomorrow.” “Ok, I guess that makes sense,” Sweetie Belle replied, her face brightening. “All right, here goes my attempt to get a Cutie Mark in lock-picking...” Scootaloo muttered as she picked up the paper clip and began to fidget with the lock. The other two fillies looked on encouragingly as Scootaloo worked, but said nothing. Sweat began to bead on her brow. Five minutes passed...and then ten...and then fifteen... Apple Bloom couldn’t stand it anymore. She was about to speak up in protest but Scootaloo beat her to it. “Buck this!!” she exclaimed angrily. Much to everypony’s surprise, she suddenly grabbed the chest and chucked it out the window. There was a muffled *crunch* as the wooden box was thrown on the ground. “Scootaloo! What th’ hay was that fer? Ya could’ve broken whatever’s inside!” “Sorry,” Scootaloo apologized angrily. “But that thing wouldn’t budge an inch and I got frustrated.” “Well ya can’t just solve all yer problems by throwin’ ‘em on th’ ground,” Apple Bloom intoned. “Oh yeah? Says who? I’m not gonna be part of your lame system!!” Scootaloo protested angrily. Sweetie Belle, however, was looking thoughtful. “I dunno...did you guys hear the sound it made? Let’s go check it out!” The other fillies exchanged a confused glance, but quickly followed their little white friend outside. “Guys!! Check this out!” she exclaimed excitedly, motioning for them to join her. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted over quickly and examined the plain wooden box. “What gives, Sweetie Belle? It’s just the same old box, aura and everything,” Scootaloo said, unimpressed. “Look closer! Right here!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, pointing to the corner of the box. Sure enough, there were several cracks in the wood. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?” “Oh, Ah’m thinkin’,” Apple Bloom said as she somehow now held a disproportionately sized sledgehammer in both her forehooves. “Stand back, everypony! It’s hammer time!” She brought the gargantuan hammer into an overhead smash position. While Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dove for cover, Apple Bloom spun the hammer in the air threateningly. With a terrifying amount of strength, she brought the hammer down on the poor defenseless chest. There was an earth-shattering *SMASH!!* and a massive pile of dust and debris exploded out from the casket. Planks of wood and pieces of metal sailed through the air, and there was a muffled cry of “my leg!” from somewhere nearby. The two fillies on the sidelines waited with bated breath to see the results of their wanton destruction. There was a coughing in the dust cloud. “Ah...*cough*...Ah think Ah got it...*cough*...Phew, sure is dusty.” Just a moment later, the figure of a yellow filly could be seen, frantically waving her forehooves in the air to clear the dust. “Apple Bloom! Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle called as she and Scootaloo rushed forward. “Yeah, Ah’m fine. It’s just a little dust. Nothin’ Ah can’t handle,” Apple Bloom said proudly. Scootaloo looked her up and down, but she seemed okay. A little dirty but no worse for the wear. There did, however, seem to be something missing… “Apple Bloom, where’s the hammer?” Apple Bloom turned to look at Scootaloo, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. “Ah put it back where it came from, silly.” Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom with a deadpan expression. “And where, exactly, is that?” Apple Bloom blinked. “Don’t ask silly questions, Scoots. What we should be wonderin’ is what exactly was hidden in this here chest Ah just smashed ta bits.” Scootaloo was about to retort when she was interrupted by an impressed gasp from Sweetie Belle. “Woooaaah…what is that??” The fillies dug through the pile of debris for a second or two and uncovered what appeared to be some sort of necklace. Its silvery metal finish glistened in the sunlight, somehow not tarnished by the swaths of dust surrounding it. The brilliant ruby inset reflected three amazed faces as the fillies stared at it incredulously. “What…what is it?” Sweetie Belle tremulously asked. “Is it…a necklace?” “It’s beautiful…” Apple Bloom murmured. “It’s totally awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed. The three fillies continued to stare at the necklace for a moment or two more, entranced by its beauty. After a moment, they looked up and gazed around at each other. Sweetie Belle finally spoke up. “So who wants to try it on first?” How To Test If Your Evil 101A/N: 1) Using the wrong word on purpose is usually a bad sign. 2-101) Coming soon in the second edition! Scootaloo, ever the impatient one, leapt at the opportunity to be first. “Ooh, me! I’ll try it on!” The little pegasus filly practically leapt at the necklace and quickly fastened it around her neck. “It fits perfectly!” she cheered happily. “Oooh, it’s shiny,” Sweetie Belle commented. “It’s so awesome!” One member of the trio, however, was not complementing Scootaloo’s newly acquired accessory. The black and red amulet glistened in the sunlight as the other two fillies happily admired it. Apple Bloom, however, was staring wide-eyed at the trinket, her hoof raised a bit as if she had tried to stop Scootaloo from putting it on. Her jaw hung slightly, an expression of disbelief and fear plastered on her face. “Scoots! What are ya doin’? Take it off!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stared at Apple Bloom, confusion clearly written on the fillies’ faces. “What? Why would I do that? What’s your problem, Bloom?” Scootaloo asked. "Girls, ah really think we should give this back to Zecora," Apple Bloom said worryingly. "Why? What's wrong with it?" Sweetie Belle inquired innocently. "Sweetie Belle, don’cha remember? This is th’ amulet that Trixie was wearin’ when she came back ta Ponyville! Y’all saw what it did to her, she was downright evil!" Somewhere in the background, a faint cry of 'EVIL!' was heard, along with a fat pony in a colorful suit running frantically around. "Oh yeah..." Sweetie Belle started, turning a concerned gaze to Scootaloo. However, her expression soon turned thoughtful. "But wait a second, Apple Bloom. Trixie was a jerk before she came to Ponyville. The amulet only made her super powerful. Besides, I don’t see Scootaloo here going crazy or acting evil.” ‘EVIL!’ the strange voice chorused again. Apple Bloom allowed Sweetie Belle’s words to sink in. In actuality, Trixie was rude and boastful during her first visit to Ponyville, and most likely only came back to seek revenge on those who embarassed her after the Ursa incident. Maybe it didn’t make her evil after all... “Well, Scoots? How do ya feel?” The orange filly briefly examined herself as if checking for injuries. She shrugged. “I don’t feel anything.” Sweetie Belle smiled. “See, there was nothing wrong with the Amulet! Trixie was just mean to begin with.” Apple Bloom still looked thoughtful, stroking her chin with a hoof as she narrowed her eyes. “Ah dunno girls...how long did she have it on?” The two fillies shrugged in response. “A few hours maybe?” Sweetie Belle answered, unsure. “Hmmm...” Apple Bloom hummed to herself. “Should we...test it?” “What do you mean, Bloom?” Scootaloo inquired, eyeing the necklace around her neck unsurely, almost as if it was a snake preparing to bite her. “Well, let’s leave it on fer a while. See what happens. If y’all turn evil, Ah’m sure Twilight can handle it. Y’all ain’t even a unicorn. And who knows? Maybe we’ll get our Cutie Marks fer somethin’ or other involvin’ it.” “Alright, then. Sounds like a plan,” Scootaloo agreed. Suddenly, her face creased in a mischievous grin. “So, you girls know where we can get a cannon at this hour?” (\/);,;(\/) A dull boom rang out across the peaceful Equestrian countryside. “AAAAAAAAAAHH!!” *Whoomph!* “Nice landing, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo called from a reclining chair, a glass of lemonade in her hoof. “Awesome form! Nine out of ten!” Somehow, the orange pegasus filly was suddenly holding a sign with a ‘9’ printed on it as well. Sweetie Belle shakily got to her hooves, her eyes rolling about in her head. She slowly reached up and removed her helmet before stepping off of the conveniently placed mattress and stumbling over to the chair. “See...anything?” she asked before collapsing on the ground. “Uhhh...I think I’m going to be sick...” Scootaloo looked the little unicorn over before shaking her head. “Nah. Nothing. Still, wasn’t that fun?” “Yeah...” Sweetie Belle moaned, making sure to add as much sarcasm as possible while still trying to stay conscious. “Fun...” Suddenly, another boom rang out and yet another scream was audible on the wind. “LOOK OUT BELOOOOOW!!” *Wham!* Apple Bloom finally made her impeccably timed arrival by managing to firmly lodge herself in a nearby tree. “Ohhhh...heavens ta Betsy, Scoots... Ah don’t think this was such a great idea...” “Maybe that Amulet did turn you evil...” Sweetie Belle mused with a groan. “I’d say you tried pretty hard to kill us with that thing.” Scootaloo slapped on an obviously fake innocent grin. “What? Why would I ever try to kill you girls? It’s not my fault you don’t have a pair of totally awesome wings to slow ya down. What do you think the mattresses were for?” she casually asked, taking a confident sip from her lemonade. “Scoots...” Apple Bloom said slowly, dropping suddenly out of the tree with a yelp and a thud. A yellow head quickly poked up from the bushes, fixing the pegasus with a level gaze. “Y’all are scarin’ me.” A sudden squelching sound from a nearby shrubbery affirmed this statement. “Ya alright, Sweetie Belle?” “I’ll be...*URP*...just fine...” the shrubbery responded. “Hehe. Maybe Sweetie will get her Cutie Mark in blowing chunks! Hahaha!” Scootaloo laughed uproariously at her own joke. Apple Bloom shook her head good-naturedly and walked over to where the pegasus filly was currently reclining. “Alright Scoots, maybe it’s ‘bout time ya took that off,” she suggested. “Chillax, Bloom,” Scootaloo replied, waving her off with a hoof. “I’m totally myself. Nothing strange affecting me at all.” Apple Bloom raised a brow questioningly. “Then what’s with the camera?” she inquired, pointing to a small square device next to her recliner. “Ummm...nothing...” “Were you going to record this and use it as a blackmailin’ tool in case we do somethin’ that ya don’t like?” “Totally!” she enthused. “Totally NOT...that is...it’s not even on!” “Uh huh,” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Then why is the red light on?” “Do you expect me to know how technology works?! Does it look like I have a camera Cutie Mark?” The stare continued unabated. “You know what? Here.” Scootaloo grabbed the recording device off of its stand, pushed a few buttons, and showed it to her earth pony friend. “There, I just deleted the video. I was just joking around. I mean, come on! This was hilarious! But I’ll be a good friend and get rid of it cause you asked so nicely. Happy?” she harrumphed, crossing her forelegs in frustration and pouting slightly. “Very,” Apple Bloom replied smugly. At that moment, Sweetie Belle chose the opportune time to rejoin the group. “Phew...alright, I feel a lot better now. Sorry about that, girls. What did I miss?” “Nothing!” Scootaloo quickly interjected, tossing the camera violently over her shoulder. There was a distant explosion, followed by a muffled voice that let loose a string of curses. From what could be heard, the unfortunate denizen of Ponyville was quite upset at the unfortunate time and location he had been occupying at the exact moment that resulted in him being in the immediate vicinity of a sudden inexplicable explosion while he had been happily on his way back from Sugarcube Corner with muffins for a ‘certain somepony’ which were now totally ruined. However, due to the natural maturity filters that every young citizen of Equestria are equipped with, the only thing the fillies heard was a muffled ‘my leg!’ All three of them scratched the ground nervously with a hoof, and Scootaloo began to whistle innocently. “Ah swear, one of us is gonna get a Cutie Mark in blowin’ stuff up eventually...” Scootaloo took on a thoughtful look. “Is that a challenge?” “NO!!” the other two fillies screamed immediately. “Awww...” Scootaloo moaned sadly. “Anyways, Ah think we should get back to this here necklace thingy. It didn’t seem to affect Scootaloo. Much.” “Can’t I have my fun?!” Scootaloo blurted, looking a little miffed. Ignoring her comment, Apple Bloom continued. “So maybe it doesn’t turn ponies evil after all. And it certainly didn’t give Scoots here any freaky powers. She can’t even fly! Ah guess it only works on unicorns.” “So then...” Scootaloo trailed off, looking worriedly at Sweetie Belle, who was sporting a maniacal grin. After an audible gulp from the two other fillies, she burst out giggling. “Oh, come on Scoots! I can’t even use magic yet! How can it make me more powerful if I don’t have any power to begin with?” “Hmm..” Apple Bloom looked thoughtful. “Ah s’pose that makes sense. But just in case, Ah think we should test it some more. Fork it over, Scoots,” she said, motioning for the necklace with her hoof. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and huffed but complied nonetheless. “Oh, fine. I don’t want it anyways. It was starting to chafe,” she replied coolly, unbuckling the necklace and tossing it at her little yellow friend. Apple Bloom caught it deftly and strapped it on. She admired it for a moment or two in the sunlight. “Huh. It sure is pretty, ain’t it?” “Yeah, it’s pretty cool I guess,” Scootaloo replied, obviously still a little upset her turn had to end but trying to play it cool. “So what are we going to do now?” Sweetie Belle asked. “We should probably test it out some more.” Scootaloo clopped her front hooves together and opened her mouth to speak, but was swiftly cut off by the unicorn filly. “If it involves ANY amount of physical harm, do not say it.” Scootaloo looked chagrined. “Not even the teensiest little-” “Nope,” Sweetie Belle intoned, making an admirable impression of Big Macintosh as she did. “Awww...” Scootaloo moaned sadly again. “Chin up, girls! Ah’ve got the perfect idea...” (\/);,;(\/) “Well that was certainly something...” Scootaloo groaned, her face flushed red with exertion as she panted heavily. The three fillies were all currently lying about the clubhouse, trying to catch their breath. “I-it wasn’t so bad...” Sweetie Belle said, not making eye contact with her fellow Crusaders. “I just wish that I had been on top,” Scootaloo grumbled. “It wasn't as great as you think it was,” Sweetie Belle retorted. “It took a lot of balance. At least you didn't even have to use your mouth.” “Well yeah, but you were kind of hurting me. My legs felt like butter by the time we were done.” “Oh, quit yer belly achin’ you two. If anypony had it th’ worst, it was me. That was exhaustin’.” “Well I guess we know the Amulet doesn't make you any stronger, Bloom. You said you could ‘keep it up’ all day, remember?” “Ah know what Ah said, but Ah got tired. Sorry, but Ah haven’t had to do that with two ponies at the same time before. It’s usually just me an’ Applejack.” “And Applejack’s way stronger and tougher...” Sweetie Belle said thoughtfully. “Blech. I hope we don’t have to do that again anytime soon, we made such a mess! What if Applejack or Granny Smith had caught us?!” Scootaloo asked worriedly, casting her eyes about as if expecting an adult to leap out at any second. “Come on now Scoots,” Apple Bloom replied exasperatedly. “Ah always have chores to do around the farm. Ah’m glad Ah had y’all to help out with paintin’ the barn, though. Too bad Mac took all the ladders out into the fields for prunin’ today,” she absentmindedly tried to stretch out a crick in her back from having two filly-shaped objects standing on top of her to reach the top of the barn. “Besides, we cleaned all th’ paint and whatnot up.” “Yeah, I guess we did,” Scootaloo said thoughtfully, looking relieved. “Don’t forget all those tools I had to retrieve from that really, really high shelf too,” Sweetie Belle added. “Some of those were heavy! I’m glad I didn’t drop them on you guys. Sure would be nice if I could’ve just picked them up with magic...” she trailed off sadly. “Cheer up, Sweetie Belle! Ah’m sure you’ll get it some day,” Apple Bloom said encouragingly to her friend. “Yeah, totally! I bet you’ll get a really awesome Cutie Mark in magic or something!” Scootaloo enthused, backing up her friend. Sweetie Belle smiled genuinely at her friends. “Thanks girls. I really appreciate it.” The three fillies shared a good-natured hug before settling into a comfortable silence. Apple Bloom was the one to finally break it. “Well now that we’re not havin’ our Crusadin’ interrupted by some sudden chores, what’s next?” “”Hmmm...” Sweetie Belle murmured. “I guess I’ll take my turn with the necklace now,” she stated, perhaps a little bit more loudly than necessary. Apple Bloom chuckled. “All right, all right, hold yer horses. Ah’ll let ya have yer turn. Ah didn’t feel nothin’ the whole time, so it must be safe.” Apple Bloom reached up and unbuckled the necklace before handing it to Sweetie Belle. The little white unicorn filly happily put it on and smiled at her friends. Her smile slowly faded, though, as she began to feel...odd. There was a strange tingling sensation in her hooves. Was it real, or was she imagining it? Why couldn’t she keep her tail from twitching? Suddenly, there was a rushing feeling. It worked its way up from her hooves, moved through her torso, and washed over her mind, nearly making her crumple from its strength. It was as though a tidal wave of power had swept her away. She gasped in surprise as sweat began to bead on her forehead. Her two friends began to examine her, concern evident on their faces. “Sweetie Belle? Are ya alright?” Apple Bloom questioned worriedly. Sweetie Belle, however, was in fact not alright. Her body began to spasm uncontrollably as her breathing became more and more ragged. “Sweetie Belle??” her two friends chorused fearfully. Surges of unexplainable energy pulsated from all parts of her body. Every wave of power sent a jarring, nauseating feeling jolting through her, and an inexplicable numbness began to build in the base of her horn. She didn’t know how much longer her body could take this torment... It was worse than any torture she could ever imagine. Suddenly, as if nothing had happened, the pulsating feelings of pain subsided. Sweetie Belle thanked Celestia that it was finally over. She opened her eyes and looked at her friends, who both gasped in shock. Her eyes were glowing a brilliant bright green. Without warning, her diminutive horn suddenly flared up and fired a massive green beam of pure energy, completely annihilating the unfortunate wall she had been facing. As this happened, it felt to Sweetie Belle as though all of the pain she had just felt suddenly was leaving her through that one spell. She felt so good, in fact, she could hardly even remember being in pain. The glowing of her eyes and horn faded back to normal. “Yeah, I’m just fine!” Sweetie Belle chirped happily. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Her friends, however, were currently gaping at her. Their eyes were wide and their jaws hung so low Sweetie Belle was surprised they weren’t touching the floor. “S-Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom slowly managed to stutter out. Sweetie Belle, for her part, was thoroughly confused by her friends’ reactions. “What? Did something happen?” Her two friends wordlessly pointed to the smoldering hole in the wall. The little unicorn’s eyes went wide. “Did...did I do that?” she asked quietly. “Ah...Ah think so,” Apple Bloom slowly replied. “Me an’ Scoots saw ya do it. Ain’t that right, Scoots?” “Oh yeah we did!” Scootaloo shouted excitedly, quickly returning to her old self. “That was totally AWESOME! Do it again, do it again!” Sweetie Belle grimaced in embarrassment. “Sorry Scoots, but I have no idea what just happened. And besides, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea...” she trailed off worriedly, her eyes flicking to the newest result of the fillies’ irrepressible destructive tendencies. “Wait a second...” Sweetie Belle slowly continued. “I just used magic, didn’t I? I JUST USED MAGIC! I need to go tell Rarity right away!” she squeaked, her voice cracking adorably. “Yeah, totally! She’ll be so proud! Let’s go!” Scootaloo enthused. “Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed. “Wait, wait! Check your flank!” Scootaloo suddenly cut in. Sweetie Belle checked, but sure enough it was still bare. “Awww...” the three fillies chorused, defeated yet again. Sweetie Belle Needs a NerfThe center of Ponyville has always been a bustling place filled with ponies going about their daily routines. The market row held a large amount of ponies as they shopped and haggled for food and other items. True, yesterday was a hectic day for Ponyville and its denizens, what with that egomaniac Trixie returning with godlike powers. Today, though, was a calm and peaceful day where ponies peacefully mingled with one another while enjoying a beautiful sunny day. Well, not for long. There is an adorable filly, with powers that even gods would be jealous of from an amulet that allows her to manipulate time and space, and also gives her +10 intelligence, running free. Not to mention she, as well as the other two Crusaders, have a passive ability that allows them to cause mass chaos in a five hundred foot radius just by being there. Now would be the time to panic. The aforementioned white filly happily skipped towards the village with her two friends in tow. After discovering that she can finally use magic, Sweetie Belle was filled with pride and joy. The amulet around her neck provided the ‘kick’ that allowed the magic within her to be unlocked. And once she started, she just couldn’t stop! Almost every object in her vision was touched by her magical residue. Sweetie Belle was always the one in the trio to be calm and collected, thinking things through or thinking of more rational ways to handle situations. However, only one thing was running through her mind right then. Lasers are fun! Everything was a target to her! Potted plants, trash cans, signs, a pony or two, Stormtroopers, and small objects littered around that served no significant value. Passing ponies shrieked in terror and ducked to avoid being shot by a stray beam of arcane energy. In the midst of the minor chaos, Apple Bloom, who was closely following behind Sweetie Belle along with Scootaloo, spoke up. “Uhhh, Sweetie Belle? Ya might wanna let up a li'l bit.” The overpowered white unicorn was unable to hear her due to having way too much fun. Laughing maniacally, Sweetie Belle continued her joyful spree of blasting everything in sight with (mostly) harmless lasers. A group of teenage colts sat at a nearby bench minding their own business and talking amongst themselves. Little did they know, a stray arcane barrage was heading directly towards them. Three of the four noticed the pulsating beam of energy and were able to duck out of the way. The poor, unfortunate soul of the fourth one was not so lucky. As the universe laughed at the colt’s bad luck, he was struck square in the back of his head by the shot. He fell to the cold, cruel dirt, unconscious. The other three colts gathered around their fallen ally. One of them looked up to the see the rampaging adorable filly that caused this chaos. He glared at her. “Oh my god, Sweetie Belle is so OP!” he stated in a nasally voice. “She needs a nerf!” One of the other colts joined in on the nerdrage. “I know, right! Look what she did to Joystick! She just ONE SHOTTED HIM!” “Yeah man!” the third one agreed. “She must be hacking or something!” Completely oblivious to the death glares and aggravated yells of the citizens, Sweetie Belle continued her spree of happily shooting lasers out of her horn like it was a contest. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom tried to become as small as possible, almost crawling on the dirt road and keeping their heads hung low. Even though Sweetie Belle was ignorant to the scorn she was currently receiving, her two other comrades were not. It didn’t take long for the three fillies to come across a rare sight. In a part of downtown Ponyville, a new building was being constructed. A large chunk of land was fenced off and restricted to anypony save for those working on the project. So far, the construction was fairly recent, and only half of the metal brace frame had been constructed. The three fillies stopped in front of an open gate in the fence, observing the commotion going on inside. When they poked their heads around the corner, they saw a large, brown earth stallion that looked very agitated. “Come on you bunch of slackers!” he yelled to the assembly of construction workers. “We are way behind schedule and need to finish the frame by Tuesday! If not, the foremare will have our flanks!” The dozen construction workers groaned like fillies being told it was their bedtime. Even with their protest, they began to slowly get back to work. The lead stallion sighed and facehoofed. These slacking ponies will never get the job back on schedule, and most likely be fired for it. Sweetie Belle looked at the workers with sympathetic eyes. They are behind schedule; it’s not good to be behind schedule when constructing a building! What if that building was a hotel, or a restaurant, or a store? Ponies need these things as fast as possible to benefit the town! Sweetie Belle couldn’t just stand idle and watch when she knew that her newfound magical abilities could possibly be used to lend a hoof. And so she did just that. With an effortlessly charged horn, Sweetie Belle ‘assisted’ the workers by lifting up all the steel braces and placing them on the foundation. She maneuvered the braces around the site, placing them in strategic locations coinciding with where she thought they’d best fit in. The workers watched in absolute shock and awe as all of their “hard” work was slowly being undone by an insanely magically adept filly. The boss took it the worst. His jaw was hanging dangerously low and threatening to touch the ground. In all his years of work, he had yet to see a single unicorn be able to lift a single brace, while this seemingly ten-year-old filly was lifting all of them at the same time! If the workers actually cared about their ‘effort’ they would have done something by now...maybe. But alas, they didn’t, and so they stood there and watched like curious dogs, their heads cocked slightly to the side in confusion. The braces continued to float into place, and one by one the magical aura surrounding them faded into oblivion. Soon enough, the structure was done. With one final smash, the remaining braces locked into place. The force of the smash raised a cloud of dust for a few mere seconds before settling back to its home on the ground. Once the workers ceased their coughing, they observed the completed structure. Only it looked absolutely nothing like what the building on the blueprints looked like. The ‘structure’ resembled more of something that a famous painter and sculptor would create. It looked like a pony, standing on its hind legs with a rock in one hoof and a sling in the other. It cast a warning glance over Ponyville as it looked in one direction. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom mirrored the boss’s reaction. Both their jaws hung loose while Sweetie Belle smiled innocently. Scootaloo was the first to recover from her daze, trotting over to inspect the statue. “Wait,” she suddenly exclaimed. “It’s...missing something.” A light bulb materialized over her head as she realized what it was. And from out of nowhere (again) Scootaloo propped a ladder against the statue, climbed up on it, and placed a clay like object that resembled a gray pickle on the statue’s muzzle. “Ta-da!” Suddenly, another earth pony bolted through the fence of the construction site. He gazed in awe at the magnificent statue. A glint of rage shone in his eye as he looked to the ponies around him. “Who’s responsible for this?!” he yelled angrily. The boss was too shocked to answer, and the workers could really care less. Sweetie Belle, always the modest one, smiled and pointed to the boss. “It was this guy, sir. He’s in charge of this construction site.” Two eyes, burning with the fires of a thousand hot white suns of furious anger, bore directly into the boss’s soul. The boss felt as if he was staring into death himself. Which was not far from the truth. Happy that she was able to help such a poor stallion, Sweetie Belle and her comrades trotted off to elsewhere. (\/);,;(\/) A few moments later, and the trio found themselves at the Ponyville Elementary playground. Scootaloo had suggested that Sweetie Belle should show her cool magic to the other fillies and colts at school. Ecstatic as ever, Sweetie Belle agreed almost instantly. When they approached the playground, where the entire class was currently at, a dreaded sight met them in the form of two fillies. Sweetie Belle’s smile dropped, and the other two Crusaders scowled. The distance between them and the last two ponies they ever want to be around closed. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood face to face with their rivals: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. “Like, hey there, like, blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara said smugly. Scootaloo suppressed a groan. Would there ever be a time when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would just leave them alone? “Oh look. It’s princess dorkle and her loyal dog,” she snidely replied. Due to the unfortunate proximity to a schoolhouse and therefore strict schoolteacher, Scootaloo had to restrain herself to simple verbal ribbing instead of violent contact. Silver Spoon scoffed. “Like, whatever. At least we’re not, like, blank flanks.” There comes a time in every young mare’s life where she undergoes a confusing biological change in order to guarantee the survival of one’s species. Unfortunately, this was not that time. This was the time where she wanted to beat the tar out of somepony. And then burn them. “Blank flank this, blank flank that. Can’t you two come up with a better insult? We’ll get our Cutie Marks one day, and then where will you be?” Scootaloo retorted angrily, steam visibly steaming out of her ears and nostrils. “Like, it doesn’t matter,” Diamond Tiara answered. “It’s funny enough, like, in the now.” “Well, eventually it’s going to get old. Eventually we’re going to get our Cutie Marks and you’re going to be stuck sitting on the sidelines unable to come up with anything new. Like, that will be that. AUGH! You’ve got me saying it!” “Like, what are you talking about?” “Face it,” Scootaloo started in a menacing tone. “Your ‘insults’ or whatever you want to call them are just getting old. You keep trying the same material just to find some way to pick on us. Does it look like it’s still working?” Scootaloo waved her hoof to her friends behind her. Apple Bloom just stared at Scootaloo with a disapproving glare. Sweetie Belle looked to be on the verge of tears. “Oh you gotta be kidding me,” she mumbled to herself, facehoofing. “Well well, like, well.” Silver Spoon continued, smiling evilly. “I might not, like, be the smartest pony around, but, like, I think it’s working just fine.” She then turned her attention towards Sweetie Belle. “Aww is little Blanky Belle, like, gonna cry? Does she, like, need a diaper?” A ray of sunlight shone onto Sweetie Belle, eliciting a sparkle from a metallic object placed around her neck. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to insult something, Silver Spoon dove in. “Hey look, whatcha, like, got here Blanky Belle?” She then pointed to the amulet. Diamond Tiara took her position in front of Silver Spoon for her verbal assault. “Since when did you, like, start wearing jewelery?” Upon closer inspection, she scoffed. “So tacky. I mean, like, ruby so doesn’t match you, like, at all.” “Leave it to the Cutie Mark Crybabies to, like, ever know anything about fashion.” Silver Spoon chimed in. “Oh sweet Celestia...” Scootaloo mumbled while facehoofing. “Are you two really going on about fashion?!” “Well, like, duh.” Diamond Tiara replied. “Fashion is, like, super important. I mean, you don’t want to, like, look like a total loser or anything. Oh wait, you’re, like, too late!” The two fillies starting to giggle uncontrollably at that. As per usual for a schoolyard squabble, a crowd started to encircle the two misfits and three innocent crusaders. Scootaloo ignored them. They mean nothing compared to the insects that stood before her, just waiting to be squashed underhoof! At this point, Sweetie Belle was only a single jeer away from unleashing a full-blown tsunami. The only thing holding her back was Apple Bloom’s reassuring embrace. More insults were flung towards the three, but Scootaloo just soaked them like a sponge and bounced back everyone of them. It was only mere seconds later that the final blow was about to be given. “You know what, Diamond Tiara? You’re all talk about how rich you are and about how your dad can buy out all of Ponyville if he wanted to, but you know what? I believe it. I believe your dad is the rich one around here...but you on the other hoof... You know what? I bet that tiara you wear around your pretty little head isn’t even made of diamonds, but instead CUBIC ZIRCONIA!” The whole schoolyard fell into a dead silence. Nopony even dared to breathe let alone move to avoid the sheer amounts of rage that Diamond Tiara would unleash. The feeling in the atmosphere was like staring down the barrel of a cannon; just waiting for it to fire. However, the collective fear of an infuriated Diamond Tiara was never realized. For being the stuck-up, rich brat that she was, one would think she would reactive negatively to such a demeaning insult. She did, however, react negatively, but in a different way. A way that would not be of anger or hatred, but of a more negative emotion. An emotion that grips everypony’s soul to the core once it has struck. That emotion is none other than sorrow. However, Diamond Tiara’s ego is far too large for her to accept defeat. She would not just walk away without giving a final word in any heated argument. So she opts for the generic thing to say when any brat loses an argument. “Like, whatever.” She hastily uttered before storming away with her mane over her eyes to shield her tear-stained cheeks. The crowd soon shifted their attention back to Silver Spoon, who was soon left shaking uncontrollably. Without Diamond Tiara by her side, Silver Spoon was nothing. She was soon reduced to backing out from the center of the crowd with her tail between her legs. What could she have possibly done? Without backup, she was left sitting there without a clue. A few tense seconds passed before both of the bullies were clean out of sight. Once she made sure that they were gone, Scootaloo let her guard down and did a leg pump while cheering. A glorious victory had been won that day. The Bully forces retreated with their tails between their legs. Supreme Overlord Grand Five Star Admiral Regent-Lord Scootaloo the Great reigns supreme! Scootaloo turned back to her friends. “That was so totally AWESOME! Did you guys see that? Diamond Tiara was totally crying!” Apple Bloom was still holding Sweetie Belle in a comforting embrace. “That’s nice, Scoots.” “Aww c’mon, Bloom! You weren’t even paying attention, were you?!” “Eeenope.” “Well, why not? I was sticking up for you gals!” That was when Apple Bloom’s expression turned from neutral to disappointed. “You know, Scoots, I appreciate you trying ta stick up fer us, but yer goin’ ‘bout it in the wrong way. You know how Sweetie Belle gets whenever ya get in these l’il squabbles with Diamond and Silver. I mean look at her!” Scootaloo actually took the time to notice how Sweetie Belle was faring this whole time. She looked like a disaster. Eyes bloodshot from excessive crying, fur matted with dry tears. Scootaloo’s heart started to ache from the sheer sight of it all. “Next time,” Apple Bloom continued, “could ya just walk away? Could ya just not start yer l’il flame wars and be the bigger pony? It’s not cowardly to just ignore her and walk away ya know.” “But--” “No ‘buts’ Scoots. If’n ya want Diamon and Silver ta leave us alone fer good, we’re all gonna have ta suck it up and ignore her tauntin’ until she realizes it ain’t working no more. Ah’m tired of you arguin’ every day and makin’ Sweetie Belle cry.” Scootaloo held her head low. Apple Bloom’s words were true. Every day the same thing would happen: Diamond Tiara would constantly insult the trio, then Scootaloo would stick up to them. One side would be defeated, and no matter what, Sweetie Belle would end up in tears just from seeing all the fighting. Even though she will admit that she doesn’t like Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon, she always wanted to see the day when they would stop fighting and just be at a peaceful coexistence. It took a few minutes, but eventually Sweetie Belle calmed down to the point where she was no longer spilling tears. Apple Bloom kept one foreleg around her shoulder just to signify she was still there for her. As Sweetie Belle looked to the direction where Diamond Tiara had retreated to, the feeling of sorrow escaped her. It’s as if all her sadness and frustration just left her mind as quick as it came when the fighting first arose. Her heart started beating rapidly and more erratically. Her breathing quickened into shallow gasps. Her eyes twitched spasmodically. Adrenaline pumped freely through her veins as heated blood pulsed throughout the entirety of her being. “Um...Sweetie Belle? Ya alright?” Apple Bloom asked timidly, slowly starting to back away. Sweetie Belle did not answer. Her mind was clouded by a veil of emotions: Anger, cruelty, vengeance, hatred, despair. Never before had her emotions been this lively. Usually Sweetie Belle never has any ill intentions towards harming another pony, but now...now all she can think of is setting the playing field even. A dark scarlet aura enveloped her horn as well as the amulet and her eyes. Raw magical energies surged through her like lighting. She felt empowered, as if her whole body had been rejuvenated. She felt as if she could take on anything that stands in her way. And so she did just that. Ignoring the calls of her friends, Sweetie Belle set out to exact her revenge. With every advancing step she took, the power grew stronger. No more feeling sorry for herself, no more feeling weak and pitiful cuddling up to Apple Bloom and crying, hoping for everything to just go away. It felt good to have this power. The raw, seething anger coursing through her veins felt better than anything she ever felt before. So this is what it’s like to be able to use magic, she mused. I like it! With a goal set in mind and magic to back it up, nothing could stop her now. Revenge is a Dish Best Served With DiamondsSweetie Belle was a simple filly. She had a simple life, with simple wants and needs, simple friends living in a simple town with simple citizens. Take right now for instance. All she wanted to do was simply disembowel Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon before simply blending them into a smoothie and simply serving them to whoever else might have the nerve to make fun of her. Simple as that, really. No explosions, no fancy traps, no hacks, just simple revenge. However, such simple goals are highly illegal and probably violate all thirteen codes of the Celestial Convention, the rapidly diminishing voice of reason in Sweetie Belle’s head loudly proclaimed. Temporarily winning out over the strange and very suddenly occurring violent intentions, Sweetie Belle’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin as a different, and altogether much more satisfying, plan pieced itself together in the dark swirling vortex that was now her mind. From a distance, Sweetie Belle could observe her nemeses as they slowly meandered down Ponyville’s main street, most likely heading for home. Heads drooped low in defeat, tails tucked between their legs, and oversized egos temporarily miniaturized, the dreaded Sweetie Belle stalked her prey. The thoughts just overwhelmed her all at once. Oh, the delightfully simple things she could do to those two defenseless fillies. They’ve already been defeated, why not just kick them while they’re down? Why not rub some salt in their wounds? It’s like winning a battle. While you see the army retreating, why not chase them down and make sure they are completely and utterly dealt with, and will never harm you again? From behind the terrifying, but adorable, beast, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo watched with apprehension as Sweetie Belle pushed forward with a seemingly one-track mindset. The two friends were entirely uncertain what to do at this point; the Sweetie Belle that they both knew and loved seemed to have taken a temporary vacation, leaving behind a vindictive, relentless husk. “Er, Sweetie Belle? What exactly are we doin’ followin’ Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? Y’all know how upset they can make ya.” “Simple,” Sweetie Belle replied. “We’re going to make sure those two never bother us again.” “Aww yeah! I’m with Sweetie Belle on this one!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “Maybe THEY can be the ones covered in tree sap this time!” “I have an even better idea,” Sweetie Belle purred, licking her lips in anticipation. Apple Bloom tried to shoot Scootaloo a worried glance at that, but was completely ignored. But, always loyal to her friends, she was determined to follow whatever crazed plan Sweetie was cooking up. A beeping sound reverberated through Sweetie Belle’s ears. As she looked up to investigate the strange noise, she noticed her two targets had turned around. Quickly evading their line of sight, Sweetie Belle turned her back to face her companions, and gently pushed them into a small crowd of ponies nearby. A sort of sixth sense told Sweetie Belle that the two had continued their trek. Risking a glance, she turned back around and noticed that her instincts were correct, and she followed the faint trail of golden dust they had left behind, revealing that her prey stumbled into a dark alley with nowhere to run. It was time to strike. Beckoning for her friends to follow, Sweetie Belle darted into the alley. She was instantly rewarded with the satisfying sight of Diamond Tiara facing away from her, crying gently into her hoof as Silver Spoon slowly rubbed her back comfortingly. Diamond’s precious tiara was lying discarded a few feet away, a few rare smudges of dirt staining its otherwise flawless complexion. It was even more perfect an opportunity than she had originally thought. How many chances does one get to both ridicule their enemy in front of the school, as well as ridicule them even more in their most vulnerable state? “Oh don’t cry,” Sweetie Belle nearly whispered. “I haven’t even given you reason to…yet.” The two bullies whirled around at the sudden voice, and instantly took up defensive stances upon beholding their accoster. Sweetie Belle’s malicious smirk grew wider as she beheld Diamond’s vain attempts to wipe away any evidence of her tears. “Oh, it’s, like, only the blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara muttered softly, attempting to keep her voice steady. “What do you want?” Sweetie Belle said nothing, but instead took a step forward. “Just, like, ignore them Diamond,” Silver Spoon whispered encouragingly, motioning for her to walk away. “Like, fine,” Diamond Tiara growled, picking up her tiara and jamming it onto her head. She attempted to squeeze past Sweetie Belle as if she wasn’t there and exit the alley, but the white unicorn filly moved to block her. Temporarily stymied, Diamond Tiara tried to move to the other side, only to come muzzle-to-muzzle with Scootaloo. “Like, what’s the big deal? Let me out! I, like, have places to be!” Diamond loudly complained. “Um, girls, what exactly are ya doin’?” Apple Bloom likewise questioned from behind them. She was, however, ignored. There’s, like, another way out of this alley. Diamond Tiara thought. Huffing and turning completely around with her nose pointed into the air, the pink filly marched for the opposite exit. Only to find her path completely blocked by a large pile of crates. Were those there before? Diamond could’ve sworn this alley opened up to the other side, but in her tearful haze she couldn’t be exactly sure. Turning back around, Diamond Tiara tried to suppress her gulp of fear as she withheld the malicious smirk on Sweetie Belle’s face. Once again mustering up her bravado, Diamond Tiara marched right up to her blockade. “Hey! I’m, like, only going to ask nicely once! Get outta my way, or, like, my dad will be hearing about this!” Sweetie Belle frowned in mock sympathy. “Oh, is poor wittle Diamond Tiara stuck in an alley? Aw boo hoo hoo,” she finished with a nasty sneer. Diamond Tiara blinked in shock. Who was this and what did she do with Sweetie Belle? Where was the Sweetie Belle from moments ago that was crying onto Apple Bloom’s shoulder? Where was the Sweetie Belle that never stood up for herself and always let her friends soak the punishment? It was all she could do to muster up a response. “Like, what?!” “Surprised?” Sweetie Belle cooed. “You should be. But save some for what I have planned next…” At that, the small, white horn on her head began to glow, charging up some spell. The two bullies took a fearful step backwards as their eyes widened. “Like, what are you doing?!” Silver Spoon cried out. “Leave us alone!” “Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom once again spoke up, pushing forward to spin her around. “What th’ hay has gotten inta you?!” Sweetie Belle pushed Apple Bloom away with a small burst from her horn. “Leave you alone?” she almost yelled to the bullies, ignoring her friend as she hit a wall with a soft ‘oof’. Scootaloo gave a yelp of surprise and rushed to help her friend, suddenly realizing that something seemed very, very wrong with Sweetie Belle. “Why? Did you ever leave us alone? Why should we give you mercy, when we were denied of it for years?” “Like, we’re sorry, okay!” Diamond Tiara tried to backpedal, suddenly realizing that continually bothering a unicorn might have been a bad idea in retrospect. “There, I, like, said it! Please don’t hurt us!” Laughter. A dark, sinister laughter echoed down the alley. It was all that was needed to chill straight to the bone. Like a cloak of shadows that blotted out the sun, so strong was the feeling of absolute dread and paranoia that swept through the dingy, isolated alleyway. There was no escape; no mercy. Death’s shadow loomed, stalking, waiting for his unsuspecting prey to be hoofed straight into his grasp. Vengeance, sweet, sweet vengeance would be delivered on this day. Laughing maniacally, Sweetie Belle began to lift into the air, her horn still glowing with a piercing white light, dust and debris whipping about the five small ponies. Truly, it was a miracle that nopony in the main street clued in to what was going on in the alley. “Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo shouted over the din, holding a dazed Apple Bloom. “Okay, I take it back! This is going too far! This isn’t you! STOP!!” But she was ignored. There was a flash of pure white light. The crack of thunder. The howling of the wind. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom screwed up their eyes against the harsh light, both mourning the loss of their old friend. Darkness followed. And silence. Only the sound of panicked breathing could be heard. Slowly, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon opened their eyes. They...were alive?! They were alive! They had been spared! Praise be to Celestia and all that is bright and sunny! Somewhere in the shadows, Death cursed under his breath and snapped his hoof. He’d get ‘em next time. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo opened their eyes as well, and were utterly shocked to see their arch-enemies still standing. No mutilated corpses. No smoldering craters. No portal to Tartarus. Just two confused - and very relieved-looking fillies, and one obliviously happy, humming white unicorn filly. “There! All done!” Sweetie Belle chirped happily, acting surprisingly like her old self. “Like...that’s it?” Diamond Tiara questioned slowly. “Like, what did you do? You had to have done something…” she muttered as she turned about in place, scanning the alley for any signs of tampering. “You’ll seeeeee!” Sweetie Belle sung, hopping in place merrily. “Like, whatever,” Diamond replied. “Can we like, go now?” “Yep!” “Thank Celestia,” she muttered. “C’mon Silver, let’s, like, get out of here.” “Like, right behind you!” Silver Spoon chorused, eagerly dogging her friend as they headed for the exit of the alley. What both fillies failed to notice, but what instantly was observed by Sweetie Belle’s friends, was the small change in their fortunes easily displayed by the markings on their flanks… As the two bullies turned out of the alleyway, there was a sudden “Watch out!” The two fillies turned to see a rapidly oncoming carriage, shrieked loudly, and dived out of the way to safety...only to be splattered head to hoof in thick, smelly mud. Scootaloo immediately burst out laughing, collapsing to the ground as she watched her nemeses struggle to clean the muck off of each other. Apple Bloom smirked, but showed a bit more restraint. Sweetie Belle just beamed proudly. Suddenly, there was a call of “Look out below!” and both fillies looked up...just in time for a potted plant to smash straight into each of their faces, adding a wonderful mixture of dirt and fertilizer to the muddy concoction. The laughter of the three fillies intensified. As Diamond Tiara shook away the birds and stars inexplicably circling her head, one last omen, courtesy of our good friend life, paid them a visit. From somewhere closeby, Silver Spoon winced as her eyes were assaulted by a harsh, instantaneous white light source. Rubbing her eyes to hopefully rid them of the colored blurs in her vision, she looked up to notice a scrawny pegasus with a camera fastened around his neck. Silver Spoon wanted to scream at him, but quicker than the sudden flash of his camera, Featherweight was gone. From somewhere far away, a deep voice suddenly shouted: “BRUTAL FATALITY!!” The grey filly sighed. There was no point in fighting it anymore. The damage had been dealt, and there was no way to repair it. This day had done a number on the two, and all she wanted now was just a long, hot bath, and a hug. And to get away from the uproarious laughter emerging from the terrible trio. As Sweetie Belle exchanged high-hoofs with her friends, Scootaloo couldn’t withhold her excitement. “Wow, Sweetie Belle! That was just AWESOME! I have no idea how you did that, but I didn’t know you had it in you! And here I thought you had totally lost your mind. Oh, how wrong I was!” “Ah have ta agree with Scootaloo on that one,” Apple Bloom agreed as the trio walked away from their flawless victory. “Ah thought y’all were looser in th’ head then a rusty ol’ gate! But Ah guess y’all were jest playin’ it up ta git their hearts a pitter-poundin’, yeah?” “Totally!” Sweetie Belle enthused. Suddenly changing her tone to mimic her older sister, she proclaimed, “It’s simply all in the presentation, darling.” The three friends burst out laughing at that. So busy were they, that nopony noticed the slight hints of red in Sweetie Belle’s eyes. (\/);,,;(\/) The front door to Diamond Tiara’s abode slammed shut and locked. She ignored the calls of her father as she led her friend upstairs to the bathroom to get cleaned up from all the dirt, mud, and shame. The day behind them had been a complete disaster. Not only were they humiliated at school by Scootaloo, but they were bested by Sweetie Belle in the alley. Sweetie Belle! Of all ponies! It just didn’t seem right. Sweetie Belle was not a fighter; she was a coward. An aura of defeat loomed in their presence, one that would not easily fade away. By tomorrow, every colt and filly in school would know of their ‘accident’ in the mud puddle. Oh, but it wouldn’t stop there. After school, the fillies would tell their parents, and their parents would tell their friends, and soon enough, the entire town would know of their shameful display. And that just simply wouldn’t do. Not. At. All. For this reason, Diamond Tiara seethed constantly as she turned on the hot water, allowing her large and rather luxurious bathtub to fill with hot, soapy water. “Like, I can’t believe those three! Chasing us down and making things, like, worse,” the pink filly raged. “Right now, I just want to like, get clean and forget about today.” “Like, totally,” Silver Spoon agreed. “Is the water, like, ready yet?” Diamond motioned toward the tub. “Yeah, get in.” And so they began to vigorously wash away the mixture of filth and failure from their otherwise pristine coats. The routine was relatively silent, with only gentle scrubbing, sloshing of water, and the occasional defeated sniffling falling upon their ears. When they finished, Diamond unplugged the drain cap and allowed the water to wash down the pipes. The two fillies grabbed a pair of warm, fluffy towels and dried themselves off, feeling a little better as they did so. Draping her towel around her shoulders, Diamond Tiara smirked at Silver Spoon. “Like, this isn’t over. We’ll figure out a way to get back at them, just like we always do. Tomorrow is, like, a new day! We’ve got this!” “Like, yeah!” Silver Spoon cheered. The two fillies tossed away their towels before diving into one of their favored rituals. “Like, bump, bump, sugar lump...rump?” As they finished their little routine, both fillies’ gazes were drawn to their connected rumps...and specifically the markings laid upon them. “Um...Diamond?” Silver Spoon said softly, sounding nearly on the verge of tears. “Y-Yeah, Silver?” the pink filly replied, equally shocked. “A-are you sure we, like, scrubbed all the mud away?” With a shaky hoof, Diamond reached for her mark, patting it to make sure it really WAS her own flesh and fur. Which it undoubtedly was. Her shaking doubled as the realization dawned on her. The mark that adorned her flank, the beloved tiara that represented the core of her being, no, her entire LIFE, was gone. Instead, what met her gaze was a simple image of a black cat running under a ladder. Shifting her purple eyes to the grey filly she was attached to, she beheld another image of a similar fashion: a broken mirror and a spilled salt shaker. She paled as a gray hoof gingerly petted the image, confirming it was also indeed for real. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” (\/);,,;(\/) Sweetie Belle waved goodbye as her two companions went their separate ways. The day behind them had been long, a tad strange, and oddly rewarding. Not only did they ‘find’ an amulet that allowed Sweetie Belle to finally unlock her magical potential, but they used that power on their mortal enemies to send them running home with their tails between their legs and fresh, delicious tears in their eyes. Arguably, it was one of the best days they ever had. But alas, all good things must come to an end at some point or another, and today was no exception. The sun had almost ended its journey through the sky, and must, like living things, rest for the night until tomorrow comes. There was, however, one last thing Sweetie Belle had to do before the day ended. Now that she could command magic, the entire world needed to know! Today was a day to be remembered and celebrated! And who else but her beloved sister Rarity needed to know first? “Rarity!” Sweetie Belle squeaked adorably as she threw open the door to Carousel Boutique. “Rarity! Rarity! Rarity!” she continued to shout as she sped through the slightly messy rooms. “Rarity!” she yelled one final time as she burst through the door to her sister’s inspiration room, where a very bedraggled and surprised-looking white unicorn was in the middle of some quality ‘organized chaos.’ “Sweetie Belle!” she replied, surprised and completely misinterpreting her sister’s boundless enthusiasm. “Whatever is the matter? Did something happen? Are you alright?” “I’m fine,” Sweetie Belle hastily responded. “In fact, I’m better than fine! I feel great!” The young unicorn bounced with fillyish delight. “I have something AMAZING to show you!” The older unicorn sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Yes, well, that’s wonderful darling, but whatever it is I’m sure it can wait. You see, I’m JUST in the middle of coming up with this brand-new line for a very important customer and I’m just, well, in the zone, as it were,” she finished, turning back to her work with a yawn. Sweetie Belle’s smile wavered. “But Rarity…” “Listen, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, cutting her off without turning from her work. “I’m sorry. I really am, but I just don’t have time for whatever it is you want to show me. Maybe tomorrow?” “But...but...it’ll only take a moment, I prom-” “Not another word, dear! I must return to my work at once! The bills don’t pay themselves, you know.” Sweetie Belle stared down at her hooves, fighting desperately to keep back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. “Well...well...FINE!” she squeaked angrily. “I don’t care if you don’t wanna see! Maybe I’ll just keep it all to mySELF!” The door slammed angrily as one of the room’s occupants made a hasty retreat. Rarity’s ears perked up at her sibling’s outrage, and she flinched guiltily. “Sweetie Belle, I understand you’re frustrated, but that’s no way for a lady to behave!” she called. Sighing briefly, she poked open the door and stuck her head out, checking for any sign of the smaller white unicorn. Nothing. “I left you some dinner in the fridge! Help yourself!” she called again before turning to return to her work. “Oh, and that necklace you were wearing was very fashionable! Most becoming of a young lady!” Rarity added cheerfully, realizing that the only detail that had been different about her sister as she paid her a cursory glance was what she was probably so eager to share with her. (\/);,,;(\/) Back downstairs, Sweetie Belle huffed with every step she took. How dare Rarity put her work above her own sister! How could she do that? Sisters are supposed to care for each other, and pay attention to them when they have something really cool to show them! Did she learn nothing from the Sisterhooves Social incident? Apparently not! Whatever happened to all those promises to be a better sister? It was probably all just a ruse to keep her from denouncing her as a sister! She’d been right all along, Applejack was a better sister than Rarity will ever be! No, no, you know that’s not true… a soft voice said in her head, the returning voice of reason. She’s just very busy and is extremely dedicated to her work, she’ll spend time with you tomorrow… No, it’s NOT true! another voice thundered, this one much louder than the other. She’s a terrible sister! She makes you ANGRY! Sweetie Belle felt her blood pressure rise as she became angrier and angrier, gradually drowning out the softer voice with cries of anger and calls for vengeance. This time, reason was unable to stem the growing tide of rage. She grinned evilly as a reddish tint took to her eyes, a marvelous plot forming in her mind. She’d show her! She’d show her good! From behind her, a loud hissing sound was heard. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed a snow-white cat staring angrily at her with its claws extended. Sweetie Belle huffed once more and ignored the cat. Ever since Rarity first took in that cat Sweetie Belle never cared for it, and the feeling was mutual. Opal always took it upon herself to get rid of the younger unicorn, but she always showed back up. Time to end this once and for all. Opal hissed one last time and lunged for Sweetie Belle, taking her by surprise. The white unicorn screamed and flailed her body around, attempting to knock off the furry assailant. Once the threat was dislodged from her mane, unfortunately taking a fair chunk with it, a crimson flash sparked in her eyes, and her horn charged with magical power. “Oh, you wanna play THAT way, huh?” Sweetie Belle seethed as she looked back at her ruined mane. “Well TWO can play at THAT game!” Opal hissed and held her paw out, beckoning Sweetie Belle to make a move. Sweetie Belle smirked. Too easy. There was another discharge of crimson light, and a sound not unlike a wet bedsheet being torn in two, followed shortly by a horrified screech. Sweetie Belle looked on proudly as a mortified, and completely naked, Opal tore out of the room on a hellbent mission to find a safe place to lurk and shield her embarrassment from the world at large. Turning to the large pile of fluffy white fur, Sweetie Belle allowed herself a short cackle of amusement. She sure showed that furball who was boss. With another flash, Sweetie Belle casually restored her mane to its undamaged state. Continuing on her business, Sweetie Belle’s thoughts became ever more twisted and murky… (\/);,,;(\/) SHHRRRRRIIIPP!! Rarity’s head poked up over her organized chaos as she frowned in puzzlement. Now THAT was a strange noise, and it had seemed to come from her own downstairs. Great, what did Sweetie Belle make a mess of this time? Gently, and a tiny bit hesitantly, Rarity pushed open her door. “Sweetie Belle? Was that you? Are you alright?” She did not receive a spoken response, per say, but there was an unmistakable pink blur that shot into her room, right between her hooves. “Opal? Whatever is the matter darling?” Rarity questioned sweetly as she cantered towards the small pile of shivering blankets. Attempting to lift the blankets by hoof only rewarded her with a loud hiss, so Rarity decided to do so with magic. “Opalescence, darling, come out and let momma see what is wrong,” she tittered. Finally wrenching the fabrics free of Opal’s clawed grasp, she was struck dumb by what she saw. Standing there was a very pink, very hairless, and VERY incensed-looking cat. Rarity felt her eye twitch a bit at the sight as she simply gaped, struck dumb by the sight before her. Spurred into action, Rarity quickly scooped up the cat in a gentle embrace and attempted to soothe the troubled feline. “Oh my stars, darling, what ever has happened to you?! Don’t worry, Opal, mommy’s here for you. First thing tomorrow morning I’ll stitch you up a sweater and try to find a spell to help you out. Does that sound okay? I mean, it won’t take that long...hopefully.” The only question that lingered in her mind was what exactly had transpired. Just five minutes ago Opalescence was normal looking… Sweetie Belle couldn’t have done this, now could she? Her question was answered when a high-pitch chuckle echoed through the halls of the boutique. From the open door, Rarity watched as her sister’s tail vanished through the front door, just a few feet from where a pile of snow-white hair lay. “Sweetie Belle?!”
The One Amulet“With this amulet, I shall now rule all of Equestria! Witness my subjects! Gaze upon an ever-greater and powerfuller Trrrrixie!!” Lightning crackled in the distance, lancing across the darkened sky as the Great and Powerful Trixie stood confidently in Ponyville Square, wielding her new amulet from beyond the Everfree forest around her neck. The mystical Alicorn Amulet was held not-so-firmly in her grasp as she boasted her new power. With this new amulet, Trixie was determined to once and for all be the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria! Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rainbow Dash seized the moment and quickly dove towards Trixie, snatching the Alicorn Amulet right out of her hooves in a brilliant rainbow-colored flyby. “Hey!” Trixie cried out as the Amulet was swept away. Realizing that she had a more powerful amulet, Trixie nonchalantly shrugged off the rainbow-maned pegasus’s assault. “I don’t need that old Alicorn Amulet. I have...THIS!!” With that fearless proclamation, Trixie launched her terrifying assault on the rapidly fleeing jewelry thief. Or at least, what should have been a terrifying assault. One that would have surely stopped the annoying pegasus mid-flight. This indeed occurred, although not quite in the manner she had anticipated. “Stop it!” Rainbow guffawed as the pink lightning struck her, sending her into a fit of giggles. “That...t-that tickles!!” “Tickles?” Trixie asked, clearly agitated at her spell’s failure to induce the desired effect. “That was supposed to make you writhe in agony! This amulet is defective!” she complained loudly as she fired yet another pink beam of energy at the aggravating pegasus, who managed to dodge the attack with frustrating agility. “Give mine back!” “Sorry!” Rainbow Dash jeered as she zipped over to Zecora’s side and neatly dropped the troublesome amulet into a wooden casket for safe-keeping. “This is going back into hiding where it belongs!” Trixie couldn’t believe this was happening! How was her magic no longer effective? How did Twilight suddenly become so powerful? Was this all a trick? A ruse? Twilight strode over, and Trixie had every intention of giving her a piece of her mind. However, Twilight was the first to speak. “By the way, Trixie. The amulet around your neck?” Twilight said, tapping the aforementioned object. “It’s one of Zecora’s doorstops.” Trixie’s mouth fell open just as the trinket around her neck fell to the ground, shattering into a multitude of tiny pieces. She...she had been defeated. How could this be so? How did Twilight perform those spells? The answers to such questions didn’t matter, though. The end result was the same. The ponies gathered in the square took up a loud cheer as the dark clouds in the sky began to dissipate. Trixie slowly backed away, intending to hide in the nearest convenient alley or box until this whole situation blew over. However, there was another pony present whose mind was occupied with hiding, though it wasn’t themselves they were concerned about... (\/);,;(\/) Twilight and Zecora sat together in her hut, deep in the Everfree forest. The Alicorn Amulet was still resting safely in its casket, locked and magically sealed by Twilight herself. The two mares were busy contemplating the wheres and hows of safely stowing away the powerful artifact. Twilight suggested that she send a letter to the Princess requesting that she lock it away in the castle vaults. “I’m sure the Princess would be willing to hold on to it for safe-keeping. After all, preventing hostile takeovers of Ponyville does tend to be a priority of hers.” “Giving the Amulet to the Princess would be most wise. We must not allow other ponies to obtain this prize,” Zecora heartily agreed, nodding her head. “It’s settled, then. I’ll go back to the library to get Spike and send the letter. You keep the Amulet here and make sure nopony else gets their hooves on it.” “Do not worry, young Twilight, I will take the utmost care. In the past, much greater burdens have I had to bear. Go now, and do so with great speed. Time is short, and dire is our need.” Twilight nodded and exited the hut, leaving Zecora to keep a watchful eye on the Amulet’s chest. The zebra shaman turned a baleful eye to the box on the floor. Stooping, she ever so carefully picked up the chest, holding it uncertainly as if the Amulet would attack her at any moment. Placing the box on a nearby shelf, she spoke to herself. “Oh, tiny thing of so much doom. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with your gloom. You work your evil; it spreads so fast. Hopefully this time will be the last...” Meanwhile, Twilight was running through the forest as quickly as her hooves could carry her. She had to make sure that nopony would take the Amulet, and once again force her to go through the whole fiasco of dealing with a corrupted unicorn. Trixie had been a pain to deal with, and had managed to cause enough trouble despite her lack of magical prowess. The lavender mare wouldn’t know what to do if she had to go through that again, particularly if the unicorn in question was more skilled in the magical arts. Twilight shuddered at the very thought. At least she knew that within a few more moments, the Amulet would be safely guarded by the royal hooves of Princess Celestia and her Royal Guard. With this powerful Amulet under high security, there would be no more risk of overpowered unicorns with calamitous intent running rampant across Equestria. Unfortunately, Twilight was so preoccupied with getting to Ponyville she failed to hear a nearby trio of cheerful voices... (\/);,;(\/) “Are you sure this is a good idea, Scootaloo?” the nervous voice of a certain white unicorn filly petulantly inquired. “Of course it is! Since when have any of my ideas ever been bad?” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, making it completely obvious to the orange pegasus filly that she wasn’t being taken seriously. Scootaloo scoffed and continued. “Well, most of my ideas have been good!” This time, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shot a glare at Scootaloo. “Ok some! The point is, this will be the most awesome idea I ever came up with!” Sweetie Belle stared off into the depths of the Everfree forest. “I’m just not so sure that ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders Apothecaries’ will be...safe.” “Apothecaries?” Scootaloo asked. “I thought we were going to make potions!” “Scootaloo...that’s what apothecaries do.” “Oh. I knew that. Totally.” “Would ya’ll just quit’cha bickerin’?” Apple Bloom said exasperatedly, cutting them off. “I’m tryin’ ta remember which way it was ta Zecora’s place.” “We’re not bickering!” both fillies exclaimed simultaneously. Apple Bloom simply rolled her eyes but said nothing. Looking about, she suddenly straightened and pointed with her hoof. “Oh! It’s that-a way! Follow me, girls!” The three fillies took off in a seemingly random direction, Apple Bloom leading the way. (\/);,;(\/) Zecora felt a sudden disturbance. She shuddered outwardly and shifted closer to the roaring fire in her hearth. Falling into a deep meditation, she attempted to discern the nature of her previous discomfort. In a few moments the answer came to her, but not in the form she was expecting. Floating on the wind, three distant, youthful voices could be heard. Zecora’s eyes shot open. She inwardly braced herself for what was about to arrive. (\/);,;(\/) “Zecora! Zecoraaa!” three voices called out in unison as their owners galloped happily up to the hut. Soon enough, the zebra in question heard a series of rapid bangs on her door. She gulped, sucked in a deep breath, and slowly opened it. “Who comes knocking at this time of day? Is it three little fillies, wishing to play?” she cheerfully greeted, her eyes twinkling with an ancient wisdom. Although the energetic little fillies could be quite the bother, she still genuinely enjoyed their youthful company. “Heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom said. “Can we ask ya a favor?” “Can we mix up some of your totally awesome potions to earn our Cutie Marks in apo...apofa...” The orange filly looked to Sweetie Belle for help. “Being apothecaries,” the unicorn supplied. “Hmmm...” the older zebra hummed thoughtfully, her gaze searching the room. “Although it can be dangerous to mix a potent brew, I suppose I have a simple recipe or two. Follow me, and we shall see about a simple remedy for you three.” “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS APOTHECARIES!! YAY!!” As it always did when the trio of fillies belted out their traditional slogan, the walls of the hut shook and several objects dislodged themselves from the walls, flailing helplessly against the iron grip of gravity as they plummeted to the ground. Zecora flinched as several objects hit the ground but she maintained her smile. However, what she didn’t notice was that one of the objects in question just so happened to be a certain casket containing a certain all powerful artifact of certain destructive tendencies. “Do not mind the mess, little fillies, we’ll clean up in a bit. Right now there are ingredients for us to get.” Zecora stepped out the back door and into the deep, dark woods. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cheerfully followed, ready for another attempt to get their Cutie Marks. Sweetie Belle was about to follow as well when a mysterious glint of light caught her eye. Turning her gaze to the corner, she saw a small, wooden chest with a metallic lock that glowed slightly with a purple aura. Sweetie Belle took a cautious step forward, eager to analyze this new and curious object. “Sweetie Belle! Come on, already!” The impatient voice of Scootaloo startled her out of her investigation. “Uhh...coming!” she called back. Quickly, she piled a few random objects around the casket and pushed it into the corner. She would very much like to investigate the mysterious chest later. Who knew what secrets it might hold? Sparing only a single glance backwards, she galloped out the door and into the forest to join her friends. (\/);,;(\/) Two hours and five explosions later, what used to be a rather luscious and relaxing backyard grove was now a wasteland of charred undergrowth and scorched earth. Even after spending months around the young fillies, Zecora was still amazed at how they managed to produce explosions from the simplest ingredients. And of course, her backyard was also occupied by three rather disappointed fillies. “See anythin’?” Apple Bloom glumly asked Scootaloo. “Nope. Just leaves and...tree sap. How very predictable. How about you, Sweetie Belle?” “Nothing. Like usual.” The trio of fillies let out a synchronized depressed sigh. Zecora spoke up. “Cheer up, little fillies. Do not be so glum. I know that your Cutie Marks are yet to come.” She began to herd them inside. “Go on inside while I clean up this...rubble. Do, however, try to stay out of trouble.” As the zebra stayed outside in an attempt to undo what the fillies’ little ‘chemistry project’ caused, Sweetie Belle went back to the corner where she stowed away the mysterious chest. “Hey girls, I saw this right before we headed outside. What do you think it is?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stared quizzically at the chest. “Hay if Ah know,” Apple Bloom replied. She examined it closer, noticing the glowing padlock. “Why do you reckon it’s glowing?” “Hmmm…” Scootaloo pondered. “It’s probably magically sealed or something.” “Why would somepony magically seal a small chest?” Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo picked up the casket and shook it slightly. “I bet you there’s something totally awesome inside! We should open it!” “Yeah!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “Ah betcha we’ll get our Cutie Marks in lock pickin’ or somethin’!” “Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added excitedly. Just then, the sound of hooves striking a wooden floorboard echoed through the small hut, announcing a certain zebra’s arrival. Thinking quickly, the three fillies hid the chest behind their bodies, standing in front of it like a wall. “Oh, uh...heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom greeted her, sweating slightly. “Ah just remembered that...uh...it’s almost time fer supper an’ we should be headin’ back now. Thanks fer lettin’ us use your fancy potions an’ stuff! An’ sorry fer destroyin’ yer backyard an’ everythin’...hehe...” As quickly as they could manage, the three fillies simultaneously trotted backwards out of the house, concealing the casket as best as they could. “Thanks again, Zecora! We really appreciate it!” Sweetie Belle called as they stepped out the door. “Do not worry little fillies, I am glad you stopped by. Now it is farewell until next time. Now go, and be quick! You must hurry home. The Everfree is no place to be caught out alone.” The fillies nodded hurriedly and scurried off, eager to get back to civilization. Zecora released a sigh of relief as she closed the door. Ruefully, she surveyed the interior of her comfy little home. She had quite a bit of cleaning up to do. Briefly, she paused to wonder why the fillies had been so eager to leave. They must have gotten a new idea for crusading. Besides, there were much stranger questions regarding the fillies that she had yet to get answers to. There was no point in pondering the simple ones. Sighing again, she stooped and began to pick up her things. (\/);,;(\/) The three little fillies didn’t stop running until they burst through the door to their clubhouse. Panting heavily, they each slumped to the wooden floor in exhaustion. Apple Bloom wearily tossed the mysterious casket into the middle of the floor. “Well...*pant*...we got it...*pant*...here without...*wheeze*...bein’ seen.” “Yeah...*pant*...we did...” Scootaloo said, gasping for air. “So,” she continued once she caught her breath. “What do ya think’s inside? And how do we get it open?” Sweetie Belle examined the box with a keen eye. The first thing she noticed was that the glowing aura around the padlock confirmed that it was still magically sealed. Still not able to use magic herself, Sweetie Belle sighed in defeat and slid the chest over to Scootaloo, figuring that she could think of another plan. “It’s still magically sealed. I got nothing...” she said glumly. “Hmmm...” Scootaloo murmured thoughtfully as she examined the wooden box. “Hey Sweetie Belle, hand me that paper clip would ya?” “Sure thing,” she replied, picking up the paper clip in her mouth and dropping it by the chest. “But…do any of you guys feel bad about sneaking away with this thing? I mean…we kinda stole it…” “Don’cha worry ‘bout it none, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom spoke up confidently. “We’re just borrowin’ it. If Zecora was so willin’ ta let us mess with her potions stuff fer our Cutie Marks, Ah’m sure she wouldn’t mind us messin’ with one little box. We’ll either open it or return it tomorrow.” “Ok, I guess that makes sense,” Sweetie Belle replied, her face brightening. “All right, here goes my attempt to get a Cutie Mark in lock-picking...” Scootaloo muttered as she picked up the paper clip and began to fidget with the lock. The other two fillies looked on encouragingly as Scootaloo worked, but said nothing. Sweat began to bead on her brow. Five minutes passed...and then ten...and then fifteen... Apple Bloom couldn’t stand it anymore. She was about to speak up in protest but Scootaloo beat her to it. “Buck this!!” she exclaimed angrily. Much to everypony’s surprise, she suddenly grabbed the chest and chucked it out the window. There was a muffled *crunch* as the wooden box was thrown on the ground. “Scootaloo! What th’ hay was that fer? Ya could’ve broken whatever’s inside!” “Sorry,” Scootaloo apologized angrily. “But that thing wouldn’t budge an inch and I got frustrated.” “Well ya can’t just solve all yer problems by throwin’ ‘em on th’ ground,” Apple Bloom intoned. “Oh yeah? Says who? I’m not gonna be part of your lame system!!” Scootaloo protested angrily. Sweetie Belle, however, was looking thoughtful. “I dunno...did you guys hear the sound it made? Let’s go check it out!” The other fillies exchanged a confused glance, but quickly followed their little white friend outside. “Guys!! Check this out!” she exclaimed excitedly, motioning for them to join her. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted over quickly and examined the plain wooden box. “What gives, Sweetie Belle? It’s just the same old box, aura and everything,” Scootaloo said, unimpressed. “Look closer! Right here!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, pointing to the corner of the box. Sure enough, there were several cracks in the wood. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?” “Oh, Ah’m thinkin’,” Apple Bloom said as she somehow now held a disproportionately sized sledgehammer in both her forehooves. “Stand back, everypony! It’s hammer time!” She brought the gargantuan hammer into an overhead smash position. While Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dove for cover, Apple Bloom spun the hammer in the air threateningly. With a terrifying amount of strength, she brought the hammer down on the poor defenseless chest. There was an earth-shattering *SMASH!!* and a massive pile of dust and debris exploded out from the casket. Planks of wood and pieces of metal sailed through the air, and there was a muffled cry of “my leg!” from somewhere nearby. The two fillies on the sidelines waited with bated breath to see the results of their wanton destruction. There was a coughing in the dust cloud. “Ah...*cough*...Ah think Ah got it...*cough*...Phew, sure is dusty.” Just a moment later, the figure of a yellow filly could be seen, frantically waving her forehooves in the air to clear the dust. “Apple Bloom! Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle called as she and Scootaloo rushed forward. “Yeah, Ah’m fine. It’s just a little dust. Nothin’ Ah can’t handle,” Apple Bloom said proudly. Scootaloo looked her up and down, but she seemed okay. A little dirty but no worse for the wear. There did, however, seem to be something missing… “Apple Bloom, where’s the hammer?” Apple Bloom turned to look at Scootaloo, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. “Ah put it back where it came from, silly.” Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom with a deadpan expression. “And where, exactly, is that?” Apple Bloom blinked. “Don’t ask silly questions, Scoots. What we should be wonderin’ is what exactly was hidden in this here chest Ah just smashed ta bits.” Scootaloo was about to retort when she was interrupted by an impressed gasp from Sweetie Belle. “Woooaaah…what is that??” The fillies dug through the pile of debris for a second or two and uncovered what appeared to be some sort of necklace. Its silvery metal finish glistened in the sunlight, somehow not tarnished by the swaths of dust surrounding it. The brilliant ruby inset reflected three amazed faces as the fillies stared at it incredulously. “What…what is it?” Sweetie Belle tremulously asked. “Is it…a necklace?” “It’s beautiful…” Apple Bloom murmured. “It’s totally awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed. The three fillies continued to stare at the necklace for a moment or two more, entranced by its beauty. After a moment, they looked up and gazed around at each other. Sweetie Belle finally spoke up. “So who wants to try it on first?”
How To Test If Your Evil 101A/N: 1) Using the wrong word on purpose is usually a bad sign. 2-101) Coming soon in the second edition! Scootaloo, ever the impatient one, leapt at the opportunity to be first. “Ooh, me! I’ll try it on!” The little pegasus filly practically leapt at the necklace and quickly fastened it around her neck. “It fits perfectly!” she cheered happily. “Oooh, it’s shiny,” Sweetie Belle commented. “It’s so awesome!” One member of the trio, however, was not complementing Scootaloo’s newly acquired accessory. The black and red amulet glistened in the sunlight as the other two fillies happily admired it. Apple Bloom, however, was staring wide-eyed at the trinket, her hoof raised a bit as if she had tried to stop Scootaloo from putting it on. Her jaw hung slightly, an expression of disbelief and fear plastered on her face. “Scoots! What are ya doin’? Take it off!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stared at Apple Bloom, confusion clearly written on the fillies’ faces. “What? Why would I do that? What’s your problem, Bloom?” Scootaloo asked. "Girls, ah really think we should give this back to Zecora," Apple Bloom said worryingly. "Why? What's wrong with it?" Sweetie Belle inquired innocently. "Sweetie Belle, don’cha remember? This is th’ amulet that Trixie was wearin’ when she came back ta Ponyville! Y’all saw what it did to her, she was downright evil!" Somewhere in the background, a faint cry of 'EVIL!' was heard, along with a fat pony in a colorful suit running frantically around. "Oh yeah..." Sweetie Belle started, turning a concerned gaze to Scootaloo. However, her expression soon turned thoughtful. "But wait a second, Apple Bloom. Trixie was a jerk before she came to Ponyville. The amulet only made her super powerful. Besides, I don’t see Scootaloo here going crazy or acting evil.” ‘EVIL!’ the strange voice chorused again. Apple Bloom allowed Sweetie Belle’s words to sink in. In actuality, Trixie was rude and boastful during her first visit to Ponyville, and most likely only came back to seek revenge on those who embarassed her after the Ursa incident. Maybe it didn’t make her evil after all... “Well, Scoots? How do ya feel?” The orange filly briefly examined herself as if checking for injuries. She shrugged. “I don’t feel anything.” Sweetie Belle smiled. “See, there was nothing wrong with the Amulet! Trixie was just mean to begin with.” Apple Bloom still looked thoughtful, stroking her chin with a hoof as she narrowed her eyes. “Ah dunno girls...how long did she have it on?” The two fillies shrugged in response. “A few hours maybe?” Sweetie Belle answered, unsure. “Hmmm...” Apple Bloom hummed to herself. “Should we...test it?” “What do you mean, Bloom?” Scootaloo inquired, eyeing the necklace around her neck unsurely, almost as if it was a snake preparing to bite her. “Well, let’s leave it on fer a while. See what happens. If y’all turn evil, Ah’m sure Twilight can handle it. Y’all ain’t even a unicorn. And who knows? Maybe we’ll get our Cutie Marks fer somethin’ or other involvin’ it.” “Alright, then. Sounds like a plan,” Scootaloo agreed. Suddenly, her face creased in a mischievous grin. “So, you girls know where we can get a cannon at this hour?” (\/);,;(\/) A dull boom rang out across the peaceful Equestrian countryside. “AAAAAAAAAAHH!!” *Whoomph!* “Nice landing, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo called from a reclining chair, a glass of lemonade in her hoof. “Awesome form! Nine out of ten!” Somehow, the orange pegasus filly was suddenly holding a sign with a ‘9’ printed on it as well. Sweetie Belle shakily got to her hooves, her eyes rolling about in her head. She slowly reached up and removed her helmet before stepping off of the conveniently placed mattress and stumbling over to the chair. “See...anything?” she asked before collapsing on the ground. “Uhhh...I think I’m going to be sick...” Scootaloo looked the little unicorn over before shaking her head. “Nah. Nothing. Still, wasn’t that fun?” “Yeah...” Sweetie Belle moaned, making sure to add as much sarcasm as possible while still trying to stay conscious. “Fun...” Suddenly, another boom rang out and yet another scream was audible on the wind. “LOOK OUT BELOOOOOW!!” *Wham!* Apple Bloom finally made her impeccably timed arrival by managing to firmly lodge herself in a nearby tree. “Ohhhh...heavens ta Betsy, Scoots... Ah don’t think this was such a great idea...” “Maybe that Amulet did turn you evil...” Sweetie Belle mused with a groan. “I’d say you tried pretty hard to kill us with that thing.” Scootaloo slapped on an obviously fake innocent grin. “What? Why would I ever try to kill you girls? It’s not my fault you don’t have a pair of totally awesome wings to slow ya down. What do you think the mattresses were for?” she casually asked, taking a confident sip from her lemonade. “Scoots...” Apple Bloom said slowly, dropping suddenly out of the tree with a yelp and a thud. A yellow head quickly poked up from the bushes, fixing the pegasus with a level gaze. “Y’all are scarin’ me.” A sudden squelching sound from a nearby shrubbery affirmed this statement. “Ya alright, Sweetie Belle?” “I’ll be...*URP*...just fine...” the shrubbery responded. “Hehe. Maybe Sweetie will get her Cutie Mark in blowing chunks! Hahaha!” Scootaloo laughed uproariously at her own joke. Apple Bloom shook her head good-naturedly and walked over to where the pegasus filly was currently reclining. “Alright Scoots, maybe it’s ‘bout time ya took that off,” she suggested. “Chillax, Bloom,” Scootaloo replied, waving her off with a hoof. “I’m totally myself. Nothing strange affecting me at all.” Apple Bloom raised a brow questioningly. “Then what’s with the camera?” she inquired, pointing to a small square device next to her recliner. “Ummm...nothing...” “Were you going to record this and use it as a blackmailin’ tool in case we do somethin’ that ya don’t like?” “Totally!” she enthused. “Totally NOT...that is...it’s not even on!” “Uh huh,” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Then why is the red light on?” “Do you expect me to know how technology works?! Does it look like I have a camera Cutie Mark?” The stare continued unabated. “You know what? Here.” Scootaloo grabbed the recording device off of its stand, pushed a few buttons, and showed it to her earth pony friend. “There, I just deleted the video. I was just joking around. I mean, come on! This was hilarious! But I’ll be a good friend and get rid of it cause you asked so nicely. Happy?” she harrumphed, crossing her forelegs in frustration and pouting slightly. “Very,” Apple Bloom replied smugly. At that moment, Sweetie Belle chose the opportune time to rejoin the group. “Phew...alright, I feel a lot better now. Sorry about that, girls. What did I miss?” “Nothing!” Scootaloo quickly interjected, tossing the camera violently over her shoulder. There was a distant explosion, followed by a muffled voice that let loose a string of curses. From what could be heard, the unfortunate denizen of Ponyville was quite upset at the unfortunate time and location he had been occupying at the exact moment that resulted in him being in the immediate vicinity of a sudden inexplicable explosion while he had been happily on his way back from Sugarcube Corner with muffins for a ‘certain somepony’ which were now totally ruined. However, due to the natural maturity filters that every young citizen of Equestria are equipped with, the only thing the fillies heard was a muffled ‘my leg!’ All three of them scratched the ground nervously with a hoof, and Scootaloo began to whistle innocently. “Ah swear, one of us is gonna get a Cutie Mark in blowin’ stuff up eventually...” Scootaloo took on a thoughtful look. “Is that a challenge?” “NO!!” the other two fillies screamed immediately. “Awww...” Scootaloo moaned sadly. “Anyways, Ah think we should get back to this here necklace thingy. It didn’t seem to affect Scootaloo. Much.” “Can’t I have my fun?!” Scootaloo blurted, looking a little miffed. Ignoring her comment, Apple Bloom continued. “So maybe it doesn’t turn ponies evil after all. And it certainly didn’t give Scoots here any freaky powers. She can’t even fly! Ah guess it only works on unicorns.” “So then...” Scootaloo trailed off, looking worriedly at Sweetie Belle, who was sporting a maniacal grin. After an audible gulp from the two other fillies, she burst out giggling. “Oh, come on Scoots! I can’t even use magic yet! How can it make me more powerful if I don’t have any power to begin with?” “Hmm..” Apple Bloom looked thoughtful. “Ah s’pose that makes sense. But just in case, Ah think we should test it some more. Fork it over, Scoots,” she said, motioning for the necklace with her hoof. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and huffed but complied nonetheless. “Oh, fine. I don’t want it anyways. It was starting to chafe,” she replied coolly, unbuckling the necklace and tossing it at her little yellow friend. Apple Bloom caught it deftly and strapped it on. She admired it for a moment or two in the sunlight. “Huh. It sure is pretty, ain’t it?” “Yeah, it’s pretty cool I guess,” Scootaloo replied, obviously still a little upset her turn had to end but trying to play it cool. “So what are we going to do now?” Sweetie Belle asked. “We should probably test it out some more.” Scootaloo clopped her front hooves together and opened her mouth to speak, but was swiftly cut off by the unicorn filly. “If it involves ANY amount of physical harm, do not say it.” Scootaloo looked chagrined. “Not even the teensiest little-” “Nope,” Sweetie Belle intoned, making an admirable impression of Big Macintosh as she did. “Awww...” Scootaloo moaned sadly again. “Chin up, girls! Ah’ve got the perfect idea...” (\/);,;(\/) “Well that was certainly something...” Scootaloo groaned, her face flushed red with exertion as she panted heavily. The three fillies were all currently lying about the clubhouse, trying to catch their breath. “I-it wasn’t so bad...” Sweetie Belle said, not making eye contact with her fellow Crusaders. “I just wish that I had been on top,” Scootaloo grumbled. “It wasn't as great as you think it was,” Sweetie Belle retorted. “It took a lot of balance. At least you didn't even have to use your mouth.” “Well yeah, but you were kind of hurting me. My legs felt like butter by the time we were done.” “Oh, quit yer belly achin’ you two. If anypony had it th’ worst, it was me. That was exhaustin’.” “Well I guess we know the Amulet doesn't make you any stronger, Bloom. You said you could ‘keep it up’ all day, remember?” “Ah know what Ah said, but Ah got tired. Sorry, but Ah haven’t had to do that with two ponies at the same time before. It’s usually just me an’ Applejack.” “And Applejack’s way stronger and tougher...” Sweetie Belle said thoughtfully. “Blech. I hope we don’t have to do that again anytime soon, we made such a mess! What if Applejack or Granny Smith had caught us?!” Scootaloo asked worriedly, casting her eyes about as if expecting an adult to leap out at any second. “Come on now Scoots,” Apple Bloom replied exasperatedly. “Ah always have chores to do around the farm. Ah’m glad Ah had y’all to help out with paintin’ the barn, though. Too bad Mac took all the ladders out into the fields for prunin’ today,” she absentmindedly tried to stretch out a crick in her back from having two filly-shaped objects standing on top of her to reach the top of the barn. “Besides, we cleaned all th’ paint and whatnot up.” “Yeah, I guess we did,” Scootaloo said thoughtfully, looking relieved. “Don’t forget all those tools I had to retrieve from that really, really high shelf too,” Sweetie Belle added. “Some of those were heavy! I’m glad I didn’t drop them on you guys. Sure would be nice if I could’ve just picked them up with magic...” she trailed off sadly. “Cheer up, Sweetie Belle! Ah’m sure you’ll get it some day,” Apple Bloom said encouragingly to her friend. “Yeah, totally! I bet you’ll get a really awesome Cutie Mark in magic or something!” Scootaloo enthused, backing up her friend. Sweetie Belle smiled genuinely at her friends. “Thanks girls. I really appreciate it.” The three fillies shared a good-natured hug before settling into a comfortable silence. Apple Bloom was the one to finally break it. “Well now that we’re not havin’ our Crusadin’ interrupted by some sudden chores, what’s next?” “”Hmmm...” Sweetie Belle murmured. “I guess I’ll take my turn with the necklace now,” she stated, perhaps a little bit more loudly than necessary. Apple Bloom chuckled. “All right, all right, hold yer horses. Ah’ll let ya have yer turn. Ah didn’t feel nothin’ the whole time, so it must be safe.” Apple Bloom reached up and unbuckled the necklace before handing it to Sweetie Belle. The little white unicorn filly happily put it on and smiled at her friends. Her smile slowly faded, though, as she began to feel...odd. There was a strange tingling sensation in her hooves. Was it real, or was she imagining it? Why couldn’t she keep her tail from twitching? Suddenly, there was a rushing feeling. It worked its way up from her hooves, moved through her torso, and washed over her mind, nearly making her crumple from its strength. It was as though a tidal wave of power had swept her away. She gasped in surprise as sweat began to bead on her forehead. Her two friends began to examine her, concern evident on their faces. “Sweetie Belle? Are ya alright?” Apple Bloom questioned worriedly. Sweetie Belle, however, was in fact not alright. Her body began to spasm uncontrollably as her breathing became more and more ragged. “Sweetie Belle??” her two friends chorused fearfully. Surges of unexplainable energy pulsated from all parts of her body. Every wave of power sent a jarring, nauseating feeling jolting through her, and an inexplicable numbness began to build in the base of her horn. She didn’t know how much longer her body could take this torment... It was worse than any torture she could ever imagine. Suddenly, as if nothing had happened, the pulsating feelings of pain subsided. Sweetie Belle thanked Celestia that it was finally over. She opened her eyes and looked at her friends, who both gasped in shock. Her eyes were glowing a brilliant bright green. Without warning, her diminutive horn suddenly flared up and fired a massive green beam of pure energy, completely annihilating the unfortunate wall she had been facing. As this happened, it felt to Sweetie Belle as though all of the pain she had just felt suddenly was leaving her through that one spell. She felt so good, in fact, she could hardly even remember being in pain. The glowing of her eyes and horn faded back to normal. “Yeah, I’m just fine!” Sweetie Belle chirped happily. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Her friends, however, were currently gaping at her. Their eyes were wide and their jaws hung so low Sweetie Belle was surprised they weren’t touching the floor. “S-Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom slowly managed to stutter out. Sweetie Belle, for her part, was thoroughly confused by her friends’ reactions. “What? Did something happen?” Her two friends wordlessly pointed to the smoldering hole in the wall. The little unicorn’s eyes went wide. “Did...did I do that?” she asked quietly. “Ah...Ah think so,” Apple Bloom slowly replied. “Me an’ Scoots saw ya do it. Ain’t that right, Scoots?” “Oh yeah we did!” Scootaloo shouted excitedly, quickly returning to her old self. “That was totally AWESOME! Do it again, do it again!” Sweetie Belle grimaced in embarrassment. “Sorry Scoots, but I have no idea what just happened. And besides, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea...” she trailed off worriedly, her eyes flicking to the newest result of the fillies’ irrepressible destructive tendencies. “Wait a second...” Sweetie Belle slowly continued. “I just used magic, didn’t I? I JUST USED MAGIC! I need to go tell Rarity right away!” she squeaked, her voice cracking adorably. “Yeah, totally! She’ll be so proud! Let’s go!” Scootaloo enthused. “Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed. “Wait, wait! Check your flank!” Scootaloo suddenly cut in. Sweetie Belle checked, but sure enough it was still bare. “Awww...” the three fillies chorused, defeated yet again.
Sweetie Belle Needs a NerfThe center of Ponyville has always been a bustling place filled with ponies going about their daily routines. The market row held a large amount of ponies as they shopped and haggled for food and other items. True, yesterday was a hectic day for Ponyville and its denizens, what with that egomaniac Trixie returning with godlike powers. Today, though, was a calm and peaceful day where ponies peacefully mingled with one another while enjoying a beautiful sunny day. Well, not for long. There is an adorable filly, with powers that even gods would be jealous of from an amulet that allows her to manipulate time and space, and also gives her +10 intelligence, running free. Not to mention she, as well as the other two Crusaders, have a passive ability that allows them to cause mass chaos in a five hundred foot radius just by being there. Now would be the time to panic. The aforementioned white filly happily skipped towards the village with her two friends in tow. After discovering that she can finally use magic, Sweetie Belle was filled with pride and joy. The amulet around her neck provided the ‘kick’ that allowed the magic within her to be unlocked. And once she started, she just couldn’t stop! Almost every object in her vision was touched by her magical residue. Sweetie Belle was always the one in the trio to be calm and collected, thinking things through or thinking of more rational ways to handle situations. However, only one thing was running through her mind right then. Lasers are fun! Everything was a target to her! Potted plants, trash cans, signs, a pony or two, Stormtroopers, and small objects littered around that served no significant value. Passing ponies shrieked in terror and ducked to avoid being shot by a stray beam of arcane energy. In the midst of the minor chaos, Apple Bloom, who was closely following behind Sweetie Belle along with Scootaloo, spoke up. “Uhhh, Sweetie Belle? Ya might wanna let up a li'l bit.” The overpowered white unicorn was unable to hear her due to having way too much fun. Laughing maniacally, Sweetie Belle continued her joyful spree of blasting everything in sight with (mostly) harmless lasers. A group of teenage colts sat at a nearby bench minding their own business and talking amongst themselves. Little did they know, a stray arcane barrage was heading directly towards them. Three of the four noticed the pulsating beam of energy and were able to duck out of the way. The poor, unfortunate soul of the fourth one was not so lucky. As the universe laughed at the colt’s bad luck, he was struck square in the back of his head by the shot. He fell to the cold, cruel dirt, unconscious. The other three colts gathered around their fallen ally. One of them looked up to the see the rampaging adorable filly that caused this chaos. He glared at her. “Oh my god, Sweetie Belle is so OP!” he stated in a nasally voice. “She needs a nerf!” One of the other colts joined in on the nerdrage. “I know, right! Look what she did to Joystick! She just ONE SHOTTED HIM!” “Yeah man!” the third one agreed. “She must be hacking or something!” Completely oblivious to the death glares and aggravated yells of the citizens, Sweetie Belle continued her spree of happily shooting lasers out of her horn like it was a contest. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom tried to become as small as possible, almost crawling on the dirt road and keeping their heads hung low. Even though Sweetie Belle was ignorant to the scorn she was currently receiving, her two other comrades were not. It didn’t take long for the three fillies to come across a rare sight. In a part of downtown Ponyville, a new building was being constructed. A large chunk of land was fenced off and restricted to anypony save for those working on the project. So far, the construction was fairly recent, and only half of the metal brace frame had been constructed. The three fillies stopped in front of an open gate in the fence, observing the commotion going on inside. When they poked their heads around the corner, they saw a large, brown earth stallion that looked very agitated. “Come on you bunch of slackers!” he yelled to the assembly of construction workers. “We are way behind schedule and need to finish the frame by Tuesday! If not, the foremare will have our flanks!” The dozen construction workers groaned like fillies being told it was their bedtime. Even with their protest, they began to slowly get back to work. The lead stallion sighed and facehoofed. These slacking ponies will never get the job back on schedule, and most likely be fired for it. Sweetie Belle looked at the workers with sympathetic eyes. They are behind schedule; it’s not good to be behind schedule when constructing a building! What if that building was a hotel, or a restaurant, or a store? Ponies need these things as fast as possible to benefit the town! Sweetie Belle couldn’t just stand idle and watch when she knew that her newfound magical abilities could possibly be used to lend a hoof. And so she did just that. With an effortlessly charged horn, Sweetie Belle ‘assisted’ the workers by lifting up all the steel braces and placing them on the foundation. She maneuvered the braces around the site, placing them in strategic locations coinciding with where she thought they’d best fit in. The workers watched in absolute shock and awe as all of their “hard” work was slowly being undone by an insanely magically adept filly. The boss took it the worst. His jaw was hanging dangerously low and threatening to touch the ground. In all his years of work, he had yet to see a single unicorn be able to lift a single brace, while this seemingly ten-year-old filly was lifting all of them at the same time! If the workers actually cared about their ‘effort’ they would have done something by now...maybe. But alas, they didn’t, and so they stood there and watched like curious dogs, their heads cocked slightly to the side in confusion. The braces continued to float into place, and one by one the magical aura surrounding them faded into oblivion. Soon enough, the structure was done. With one final smash, the remaining braces locked into place. The force of the smash raised a cloud of dust for a few mere seconds before settling back to its home on the ground. Once the workers ceased their coughing, they observed the completed structure. Only it looked absolutely nothing like what the building on the blueprints looked like. The ‘structure’ resembled more of something that a famous painter and sculptor would create. It looked like a pony, standing on its hind legs with a rock in one hoof and a sling in the other. It cast a warning glance over Ponyville as it looked in one direction. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom mirrored the boss’s reaction. Both their jaws hung loose while Sweetie Belle smiled innocently. Scootaloo was the first to recover from her daze, trotting over to inspect the statue. “Wait,” she suddenly exclaimed. “It’s...missing something.” A light bulb materialized over her head as she realized what it was. And from out of nowhere (again) Scootaloo propped a ladder against the statue, climbed up on it, and placed a clay like object that resembled a gray pickle on the statue’s muzzle. “Ta-da!” Suddenly, another earth pony bolted through the fence of the construction site. He gazed in awe at the magnificent statue. A glint of rage shone in his eye as he looked to the ponies around him. “Who’s responsible for this?!” he yelled angrily. The boss was too shocked to answer, and the workers could really care less. Sweetie Belle, always the modest one, smiled and pointed to the boss. “It was this guy, sir. He’s in charge of this construction site.” Two eyes, burning with the fires of a thousand hot white suns of furious anger, bore directly into the boss’s soul. The boss felt as if he was staring into death himself. Which was not far from the truth. Happy that she was able to help such a poor stallion, Sweetie Belle and her comrades trotted off to elsewhere. (\/);,;(\/) A few moments later, and the trio found themselves at the Ponyville Elementary playground. Scootaloo had suggested that Sweetie Belle should show her cool magic to the other fillies and colts at school. Ecstatic as ever, Sweetie Belle agreed almost instantly. When they approached the playground, where the entire class was currently at, a dreaded sight met them in the form of two fillies. Sweetie Belle’s smile dropped, and the other two Crusaders scowled. The distance between them and the last two ponies they ever want to be around closed. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood face to face with their rivals: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. “Like, hey there, like, blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara said smugly. Scootaloo suppressed a groan. Would there ever be a time when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would just leave them alone? “Oh look. It’s princess dorkle and her loyal dog,” she snidely replied. Due to the unfortunate proximity to a schoolhouse and therefore strict schoolteacher, Scootaloo had to restrain herself to simple verbal ribbing instead of violent contact. Silver Spoon scoffed. “Like, whatever. At least we’re not, like, blank flanks.” There comes a time in every young mare’s life where she undergoes a confusing biological change in order to guarantee the survival of one’s species. Unfortunately, this was not that time. This was the time where she wanted to beat the tar out of somepony. And then burn them. “Blank flank this, blank flank that. Can’t you two come up with a better insult? We’ll get our Cutie Marks one day, and then where will you be?” Scootaloo retorted angrily, steam visibly steaming out of her ears and nostrils. “Like, it doesn’t matter,” Diamond Tiara answered. “It’s funny enough, like, in the now.” “Well, eventually it’s going to get old. Eventually we’re going to get our Cutie Marks and you’re going to be stuck sitting on the sidelines unable to come up with anything new. Like, that will be that. AUGH! You’ve got me saying it!” “Like, what are you talking about?” “Face it,” Scootaloo started in a menacing tone. “Your ‘insults’ or whatever you want to call them are just getting old. You keep trying the same material just to find some way to pick on us. Does it look like it’s still working?” Scootaloo waved her hoof to her friends behind her. Apple Bloom just stared at Scootaloo with a disapproving glare. Sweetie Belle looked to be on the verge of tears. “Oh you gotta be kidding me,” she mumbled to herself, facehoofing. “Well well, like, well.” Silver Spoon continued, smiling evilly. “I might not, like, be the smartest pony around, but, like, I think it’s working just fine.” She then turned her attention towards Sweetie Belle. “Aww is little Blanky Belle, like, gonna cry? Does she, like, need a diaper?” A ray of sunlight shone onto Sweetie Belle, eliciting a sparkle from a metallic object placed around her neck. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to insult something, Silver Spoon dove in. “Hey look, whatcha, like, got here Blanky Belle?” She then pointed to the amulet. Diamond Tiara took her position in front of Silver Spoon for her verbal assault. “Since when did you, like, start wearing jewelery?” Upon closer inspection, she scoffed. “So tacky. I mean, like, ruby so doesn’t match you, like, at all.” “Leave it to the Cutie Mark Crybabies to, like, ever know anything about fashion.” Silver Spoon chimed in. “Oh sweet Celestia...” Scootaloo mumbled while facehoofing. “Are you two really going on about fashion?!” “Well, like, duh.” Diamond Tiara replied. “Fashion is, like, super important. I mean, you don’t want to, like, look like a total loser or anything. Oh wait, you’re, like, too late!” The two fillies starting to giggle uncontrollably at that. As per usual for a schoolyard squabble, a crowd started to encircle the two misfits and three innocent crusaders. Scootaloo ignored them. They mean nothing compared to the insects that stood before her, just waiting to be squashed underhoof! At this point, Sweetie Belle was only a single jeer away from unleashing a full-blown tsunami. The only thing holding her back was Apple Bloom’s reassuring embrace. More insults were flung towards the three, but Scootaloo just soaked them like a sponge and bounced back everyone of them. It was only mere seconds later that the final blow was about to be given. “You know what, Diamond Tiara? You’re all talk about how rich you are and about how your dad can buy out all of Ponyville if he wanted to, but you know what? I believe it. I believe your dad is the rich one around here...but you on the other hoof... You know what? I bet that tiara you wear around your pretty little head isn’t even made of diamonds, but instead CUBIC ZIRCONIA!” The whole schoolyard fell into a dead silence. Nopony even dared to breathe let alone move to avoid the sheer amounts of rage that Diamond Tiara would unleash. The feeling in the atmosphere was like staring down the barrel of a cannon; just waiting for it to fire. However, the collective fear of an infuriated Diamond Tiara was never realized. For being the stuck-up, rich brat that she was, one would think she would reactive negatively to such a demeaning insult. She did, however, react negatively, but in a different way. A way that would not be of anger or hatred, but of a more negative emotion. An emotion that grips everypony’s soul to the core once it has struck. That emotion is none other than sorrow. However, Diamond Tiara’s ego is far too large for her to accept defeat. She would not just walk away without giving a final word in any heated argument. So she opts for the generic thing to say when any brat loses an argument. “Like, whatever.” She hastily uttered before storming away with her mane over her eyes to shield her tear-stained cheeks. The crowd soon shifted their attention back to Silver Spoon, who was soon left shaking uncontrollably. Without Diamond Tiara by her side, Silver Spoon was nothing. She was soon reduced to backing out from the center of the crowd with her tail between her legs. What could she have possibly done? Without backup, she was left sitting there without a clue. A few tense seconds passed before both of the bullies were clean out of sight. Once she made sure that they were gone, Scootaloo let her guard down and did a leg pump while cheering. A glorious victory had been won that day. The Bully forces retreated with their tails between their legs. Supreme Overlord Grand Five Star Admiral Regent-Lord Scootaloo the Great reigns supreme! Scootaloo turned back to her friends. “That was so totally AWESOME! Did you guys see that? Diamond Tiara was totally crying!” Apple Bloom was still holding Sweetie Belle in a comforting embrace. “That’s nice, Scoots.” “Aww c’mon, Bloom! You weren’t even paying attention, were you?!” “Eeenope.” “Well, why not? I was sticking up for you gals!” That was when Apple Bloom’s expression turned from neutral to disappointed. “You know, Scoots, I appreciate you trying ta stick up fer us, but yer goin’ ‘bout it in the wrong way. You know how Sweetie Belle gets whenever ya get in these l’il squabbles with Diamond and Silver. I mean look at her!” Scootaloo actually took the time to notice how Sweetie Belle was faring this whole time. She looked like a disaster. Eyes bloodshot from excessive crying, fur matted with dry tears. Scootaloo’s heart started to ache from the sheer sight of it all. “Next time,” Apple Bloom continued, “could ya just walk away? Could ya just not start yer l’il flame wars and be the bigger pony? It’s not cowardly to just ignore her and walk away ya know.” “But--” “No ‘buts’ Scoots. If’n ya want Diamon and Silver ta leave us alone fer good, we’re all gonna have ta suck it up and ignore her tauntin’ until she realizes it ain’t working no more. Ah’m tired of you arguin’ every day and makin’ Sweetie Belle cry.” Scootaloo held her head low. Apple Bloom’s words were true. Every day the same thing would happen: Diamond Tiara would constantly insult the trio, then Scootaloo would stick up to them. One side would be defeated, and no matter what, Sweetie Belle would end up in tears just from seeing all the fighting. Even though she will admit that she doesn’t like Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon, she always wanted to see the day when they would stop fighting and just be at a peaceful coexistence. It took a few minutes, but eventually Sweetie Belle calmed down to the point where she was no longer spilling tears. Apple Bloom kept one foreleg around her shoulder just to signify she was still there for her. As Sweetie Belle looked to the direction where Diamond Tiara had retreated to, the feeling of sorrow escaped her. It’s as if all her sadness and frustration just left her mind as quick as it came when the fighting first arose. Her heart started beating rapidly and more erratically. Her breathing quickened into shallow gasps. Her eyes twitched spasmodically. Adrenaline pumped freely through her veins as heated blood pulsed throughout the entirety of her being. “Um...Sweetie Belle? Ya alright?” Apple Bloom asked timidly, slowly starting to back away. Sweetie Belle did not answer. Her mind was clouded by a veil of emotions: Anger, cruelty, vengeance, hatred, despair. Never before had her emotions been this lively. Usually Sweetie Belle never has any ill intentions towards harming another pony, but now...now all she can think of is setting the playing field even. A dark scarlet aura enveloped her horn as well as the amulet and her eyes. Raw magical energies surged through her like lighting. She felt empowered, as if her whole body had been rejuvenated. She felt as if she could take on anything that stands in her way. And so she did just that. Ignoring the calls of her friends, Sweetie Belle set out to exact her revenge. With every advancing step she took, the power grew stronger. No more feeling sorry for herself, no more feeling weak and pitiful cuddling up to Apple Bloom and crying, hoping for everything to just go away. It felt good to have this power. The raw, seething anger coursing through her veins felt better than anything she ever felt before. So this is what it’s like to be able to use magic, she mused. I like it! With a goal set in mind and magic to back it up, nothing could stop her now.
Revenge is a Dish Best Served With DiamondsSweetie Belle was a simple filly. She had a simple life, with simple wants and needs, simple friends living in a simple town with simple citizens. Take right now for instance. All she wanted to do was simply disembowel Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon before simply blending them into a smoothie and simply serving them to whoever else might have the nerve to make fun of her. Simple as that, really. No explosions, no fancy traps, no hacks, just simple revenge. However, such simple goals are highly illegal and probably violate all thirteen codes of the Celestial Convention, the rapidly diminishing voice of reason in Sweetie Belle’s head loudly proclaimed. Temporarily winning out over the strange and very suddenly occurring violent intentions, Sweetie Belle’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin as a different, and altogether much more satisfying, plan pieced itself together in the dark swirling vortex that was now her mind. From a distance, Sweetie Belle could observe her nemeses as they slowly meandered down Ponyville’s main street, most likely heading for home. Heads drooped low in defeat, tails tucked between their legs, and oversized egos temporarily miniaturized, the dreaded Sweetie Belle stalked her prey. The thoughts just overwhelmed her all at once. Oh, the delightfully simple things she could do to those two defenseless fillies. They’ve already been defeated, why not just kick them while they’re down? Why not rub some salt in their wounds? It’s like winning a battle. While you see the army retreating, why not chase them down and make sure they are completely and utterly dealt with, and will never harm you again? From behind the terrifying, but adorable, beast, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo watched with apprehension as Sweetie Belle pushed forward with a seemingly one-track mindset. The two friends were entirely uncertain what to do at this point; the Sweetie Belle that they both knew and loved seemed to have taken a temporary vacation, leaving behind a vindictive, relentless husk. “Er, Sweetie Belle? What exactly are we doin’ followin’ Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? Y’all know how upset they can make ya.” “Simple,” Sweetie Belle replied. “We’re going to make sure those two never bother us again.” “Aww yeah! I’m with Sweetie Belle on this one!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “Maybe THEY can be the ones covered in tree sap this time!” “I have an even better idea,” Sweetie Belle purred, licking her lips in anticipation. Apple Bloom tried to shoot Scootaloo a worried glance at that, but was completely ignored. But, always loyal to her friends, she was determined to follow whatever crazed plan Sweetie was cooking up. A beeping sound reverberated through Sweetie Belle’s ears. As she looked up to investigate the strange noise, she noticed her two targets had turned around. Quickly evading their line of sight, Sweetie Belle turned her back to face her companions, and gently pushed them into a small crowd of ponies nearby. A sort of sixth sense told Sweetie Belle that the two had continued their trek. Risking a glance, she turned back around and noticed that her instincts were correct, and she followed the faint trail of golden dust they had left behind, revealing that her prey stumbled into a dark alley with nowhere to run. It was time to strike. Beckoning for her friends to follow, Sweetie Belle darted into the alley. She was instantly rewarded with the satisfying sight of Diamond Tiara facing away from her, crying gently into her hoof as Silver Spoon slowly rubbed her back comfortingly. Diamond’s precious tiara was lying discarded a few feet away, a few rare smudges of dirt staining its otherwise flawless complexion. It was even more perfect an opportunity than she had originally thought. How many chances does one get to both ridicule their enemy in front of the school, as well as ridicule them even more in their most vulnerable state? “Oh don’t cry,” Sweetie Belle nearly whispered. “I haven’t even given you reason to…yet.” The two bullies whirled around at the sudden voice, and instantly took up defensive stances upon beholding their accoster. Sweetie Belle’s malicious smirk grew wider as she beheld Diamond’s vain attempts to wipe away any evidence of her tears. “Oh, it’s, like, only the blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara muttered softly, attempting to keep her voice steady. “What do you want?” Sweetie Belle said nothing, but instead took a step forward. “Just, like, ignore them Diamond,” Silver Spoon whispered encouragingly, motioning for her to walk away. “Like, fine,” Diamond Tiara growled, picking up her tiara and jamming it onto her head. She attempted to squeeze past Sweetie Belle as if she wasn’t there and exit the alley, but the white unicorn filly moved to block her. Temporarily stymied, Diamond Tiara tried to move to the other side, only to come muzzle-to-muzzle with Scootaloo. “Like, what’s the big deal? Let me out! I, like, have places to be!” Diamond loudly complained. “Um, girls, what exactly are ya doin’?” Apple Bloom likewise questioned from behind them. She was, however, ignored. There’s, like, another way out of this alley. Diamond Tiara thought. Huffing and turning completely around with her nose pointed into the air, the pink filly marched for the opposite exit. Only to find her path completely blocked by a large pile of crates. Were those there before? Diamond could’ve sworn this alley opened up to the other side, but in her tearful haze she couldn’t be exactly sure. Turning back around, Diamond Tiara tried to suppress her gulp of fear as she withheld the malicious smirk on Sweetie Belle’s face. Once again mustering up her bravado, Diamond Tiara marched right up to her blockade. “Hey! I’m, like, only going to ask nicely once! Get outta my way, or, like, my dad will be hearing about this!” Sweetie Belle frowned in mock sympathy. “Oh, is poor wittle Diamond Tiara stuck in an alley? Aw boo hoo hoo,” she finished with a nasty sneer. Diamond Tiara blinked in shock. Who was this and what did she do with Sweetie Belle? Where was the Sweetie Belle from moments ago that was crying onto Apple Bloom’s shoulder? Where was the Sweetie Belle that never stood up for herself and always let her friends soak the punishment? It was all she could do to muster up a response. “Like, what?!” “Surprised?” Sweetie Belle cooed. “You should be. But save some for what I have planned next…” At that, the small, white horn on her head began to glow, charging up some spell. The two bullies took a fearful step backwards as their eyes widened. “Like, what are you doing?!” Silver Spoon cried out. “Leave us alone!” “Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom once again spoke up, pushing forward to spin her around. “What th’ hay has gotten inta you?!” Sweetie Belle pushed Apple Bloom away with a small burst from her horn. “Leave you alone?” she almost yelled to the bullies, ignoring her friend as she hit a wall with a soft ‘oof’. Scootaloo gave a yelp of surprise and rushed to help her friend, suddenly realizing that something seemed very, very wrong with Sweetie Belle. “Why? Did you ever leave us alone? Why should we give you mercy, when we were denied of it for years?” “Like, we’re sorry, okay!” Diamond Tiara tried to backpedal, suddenly realizing that continually bothering a unicorn might have been a bad idea in retrospect. “There, I, like, said it! Please don’t hurt us!” Laughter. A dark, sinister laughter echoed down the alley. It was all that was needed to chill straight to the bone. Like a cloak of shadows that blotted out the sun, so strong was the feeling of absolute dread and paranoia that swept through the dingy, isolated alleyway. There was no escape; no mercy. Death’s shadow loomed, stalking, waiting for his unsuspecting prey to be hoofed straight into his grasp. Vengeance, sweet, sweet vengeance would be delivered on this day. Laughing maniacally, Sweetie Belle began to lift into the air, her horn still glowing with a piercing white light, dust and debris whipping about the five small ponies. Truly, it was a miracle that nopony in the main street clued in to what was going on in the alley. “Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo shouted over the din, holding a dazed Apple Bloom. “Okay, I take it back! This is going too far! This isn’t you! STOP!!” But she was ignored. There was a flash of pure white light. The crack of thunder. The howling of the wind. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom screwed up their eyes against the harsh light, both mourning the loss of their old friend. Darkness followed. And silence. Only the sound of panicked breathing could be heard. Slowly, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon opened their eyes. They...were alive?! They were alive! They had been spared! Praise be to Celestia and all that is bright and sunny! Somewhere in the shadows, Death cursed under his breath and snapped his hoof. He’d get ‘em next time. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo opened their eyes as well, and were utterly shocked to see their arch-enemies still standing. No mutilated corpses. No smoldering craters. No portal to Tartarus. Just two confused - and very relieved-looking fillies, and one obliviously happy, humming white unicorn filly. “There! All done!” Sweetie Belle chirped happily, acting surprisingly like her old self. “Like...that’s it?” Diamond Tiara questioned slowly. “Like, what did you do? You had to have done something…” she muttered as she turned about in place, scanning the alley for any signs of tampering. “You’ll seeeeee!” Sweetie Belle sung, hopping in place merrily. “Like, whatever,” Diamond replied. “Can we like, go now?” “Yep!” “Thank Celestia,” she muttered. “C’mon Silver, let’s, like, get out of here.” “Like, right behind you!” Silver Spoon chorused, eagerly dogging her friend as they headed for the exit of the alley. What both fillies failed to notice, but what instantly was observed by Sweetie Belle’s friends, was the small change in their fortunes easily displayed by the markings on their flanks… As the two bullies turned out of the alleyway, there was a sudden “Watch out!” The two fillies turned to see a rapidly oncoming carriage, shrieked loudly, and dived out of the way to safety...only to be splattered head to hoof in thick, smelly mud. Scootaloo immediately burst out laughing, collapsing to the ground as she watched her nemeses struggle to clean the muck off of each other. Apple Bloom smirked, but showed a bit more restraint. Sweetie Belle just beamed proudly. Suddenly, there was a call of “Look out below!” and both fillies looked up...just in time for a potted plant to smash straight into each of their faces, adding a wonderful mixture of dirt and fertilizer to the muddy concoction. The laughter of the three fillies intensified. As Diamond Tiara shook away the birds and stars inexplicably circling her head, one last omen, courtesy of our good friend life, paid them a visit. From somewhere closeby, Silver Spoon winced as her eyes were assaulted by a harsh, instantaneous white light source. Rubbing her eyes to hopefully rid them of the colored blurs in her vision, she looked up to notice a scrawny pegasus with a camera fastened around his neck. Silver Spoon wanted to scream at him, but quicker than the sudden flash of his camera, Featherweight was gone. From somewhere far away, a deep voice suddenly shouted: “BRUTAL FATALITY!!” The grey filly sighed. There was no point in fighting it anymore. The damage had been dealt, and there was no way to repair it. This day had done a number on the two, and all she wanted now was just a long, hot bath, and a hug. And to get away from the uproarious laughter emerging from the terrible trio. As Sweetie Belle exchanged high-hoofs with her friends, Scootaloo couldn’t withhold her excitement. “Wow, Sweetie Belle! That was just AWESOME! I have no idea how you did that, but I didn’t know you had it in you! And here I thought you had totally lost your mind. Oh, how wrong I was!” “Ah have ta agree with Scootaloo on that one,” Apple Bloom agreed as the trio walked away from their flawless victory. “Ah thought y’all were looser in th’ head then a rusty ol’ gate! But Ah guess y’all were jest playin’ it up ta git their hearts a pitter-poundin’, yeah?” “Totally!” Sweetie Belle enthused. Suddenly changing her tone to mimic her older sister, she proclaimed, “It’s simply all in the presentation, darling.” The three friends burst out laughing at that. So busy were they, that nopony noticed the slight hints of red in Sweetie Belle’s eyes. (\/);,,;(\/) The front door to Diamond Tiara’s abode slammed shut and locked. She ignored the calls of her father as she led her friend upstairs to the bathroom to get cleaned up from all the dirt, mud, and shame. The day behind them had been a complete disaster. Not only were they humiliated at school by Scootaloo, but they were bested by Sweetie Belle in the alley. Sweetie Belle! Of all ponies! It just didn’t seem right. Sweetie Belle was not a fighter; she was a coward. An aura of defeat loomed in their presence, one that would not easily fade away. By tomorrow, every colt and filly in school would know of their ‘accident’ in the mud puddle. Oh, but it wouldn’t stop there. After school, the fillies would tell their parents, and their parents would tell their friends, and soon enough, the entire town would know of their shameful display. And that just simply wouldn’t do. Not. At. All. For this reason, Diamond Tiara seethed constantly as she turned on the hot water, allowing her large and rather luxurious bathtub to fill with hot, soapy water. “Like, I can’t believe those three! Chasing us down and making things, like, worse,” the pink filly raged. “Right now, I just want to like, get clean and forget about today.” “Like, totally,” Silver Spoon agreed. “Is the water, like, ready yet?” Diamond motioned toward the tub. “Yeah, get in.” And so they began to vigorously wash away the mixture of filth and failure from their otherwise pristine coats. The routine was relatively silent, with only gentle scrubbing, sloshing of water, and the occasional defeated sniffling falling upon their ears. When they finished, Diamond unplugged the drain cap and allowed the water to wash down the pipes. The two fillies grabbed a pair of warm, fluffy towels and dried themselves off, feeling a little better as they did so. Draping her towel around her shoulders, Diamond Tiara smirked at Silver Spoon. “Like, this isn’t over. We’ll figure out a way to get back at them, just like we always do. Tomorrow is, like, a new day! We’ve got this!” “Like, yeah!” Silver Spoon cheered. The two fillies tossed away their towels before diving into one of their favored rituals. “Like, bump, bump, sugar lump...rump?” As they finished their little routine, both fillies’ gazes were drawn to their connected rumps...and specifically the markings laid upon them. “Um...Diamond?” Silver Spoon said softly, sounding nearly on the verge of tears. “Y-Yeah, Silver?” the pink filly replied, equally shocked. “A-are you sure we, like, scrubbed all the mud away?” With a shaky hoof, Diamond reached for her mark, patting it to make sure it really WAS her own flesh and fur. Which it undoubtedly was. Her shaking doubled as the realization dawned on her. The mark that adorned her flank, the beloved tiara that represented the core of her being, no, her entire LIFE, was gone. Instead, what met her gaze was a simple image of a black cat running under a ladder. Shifting her purple eyes to the grey filly she was attached to, she beheld another image of a similar fashion: a broken mirror and a spilled salt shaker. She paled as a gray hoof gingerly petted the image, confirming it was also indeed for real. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” (\/);,,;(\/) Sweetie Belle waved goodbye as her two companions went their separate ways. The day behind them had been long, a tad strange, and oddly rewarding. Not only did they ‘find’ an amulet that allowed Sweetie Belle to finally unlock her magical potential, but they used that power on their mortal enemies to send them running home with their tails between their legs and fresh, delicious tears in their eyes. Arguably, it was one of the best days they ever had. But alas, all good things must come to an end at some point or another, and today was no exception. The sun had almost ended its journey through the sky, and must, like living things, rest for the night until tomorrow comes. There was, however, one last thing Sweetie Belle had to do before the day ended. Now that she could command magic, the entire world needed to know! Today was a day to be remembered and celebrated! And who else but her beloved sister Rarity needed to know first? “Rarity!” Sweetie Belle squeaked adorably as she threw open the door to Carousel Boutique. “Rarity! Rarity! Rarity!” she continued to shout as she sped through the slightly messy rooms. “Rarity!” she yelled one final time as she burst through the door to her sister’s inspiration room, where a very bedraggled and surprised-looking white unicorn was in the middle of some quality ‘organized chaos.’ “Sweetie Belle!” she replied, surprised and completely misinterpreting her sister’s boundless enthusiasm. “Whatever is the matter? Did something happen? Are you alright?” “I’m fine,” Sweetie Belle hastily responded. “In fact, I’m better than fine! I feel great!” The young unicorn bounced with fillyish delight. “I have something AMAZING to show you!” The older unicorn sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Yes, well, that’s wonderful darling, but whatever it is I’m sure it can wait. You see, I’m JUST in the middle of coming up with this brand-new line for a very important customer and I’m just, well, in the zone, as it were,” she finished, turning back to her work with a yawn. Sweetie Belle’s smile wavered. “But Rarity…” “Listen, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, cutting her off without turning from her work. “I’m sorry. I really am, but I just don’t have time for whatever it is you want to show me. Maybe tomorrow?” “But...but...it’ll only take a moment, I prom-” “Not another word, dear! I must return to my work at once! The bills don’t pay themselves, you know.” Sweetie Belle stared down at her hooves, fighting desperately to keep back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. “Well...well...FINE!” she squeaked angrily. “I don’t care if you don’t wanna see! Maybe I’ll just keep it all to mySELF!” The door slammed angrily as one of the room’s occupants made a hasty retreat. Rarity’s ears perked up at her sibling’s outrage, and she flinched guiltily. “Sweetie Belle, I understand you’re frustrated, but that’s no way for a lady to behave!” she called. Sighing briefly, she poked open the door and stuck her head out, checking for any sign of the smaller white unicorn. Nothing. “I left you some dinner in the fridge! Help yourself!” she called again before turning to return to her work. “Oh, and that necklace you were wearing was very fashionable! Most becoming of a young lady!” Rarity added cheerfully, realizing that the only detail that had been different about her sister as she paid her a cursory glance was what she was probably so eager to share with her. (\/);,,;(\/) Back downstairs, Sweetie Belle huffed with every step she took. How dare Rarity put her work above her own sister! How could she do that? Sisters are supposed to care for each other, and pay attention to them when they have something really cool to show them! Did she learn nothing from the Sisterhooves Social incident? Apparently not! Whatever happened to all those promises to be a better sister? It was probably all just a ruse to keep her from denouncing her as a sister! She’d been right all along, Applejack was a better sister than Rarity will ever be! No, no, you know that’s not true… a soft voice said in her head, the returning voice of reason. She’s just very busy and is extremely dedicated to her work, she’ll spend time with you tomorrow… No, it’s NOT true! another voice thundered, this one much louder than the other. She’s a terrible sister! She makes you ANGRY! Sweetie Belle felt her blood pressure rise as she became angrier and angrier, gradually drowning out the softer voice with cries of anger and calls for vengeance. This time, reason was unable to stem the growing tide of rage. She grinned evilly as a reddish tint took to her eyes, a marvelous plot forming in her mind. She’d show her! She’d show her good! From behind her, a loud hissing sound was heard. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed a snow-white cat staring angrily at her with its claws extended. Sweetie Belle huffed once more and ignored the cat. Ever since Rarity first took in that cat Sweetie Belle never cared for it, and the feeling was mutual. Opal always took it upon herself to get rid of the younger unicorn, but she always showed back up. Time to end this once and for all. Opal hissed one last time and lunged for Sweetie Belle, taking her by surprise. The white unicorn screamed and flailed her body around, attempting to knock off the furry assailant. Once the threat was dislodged from her mane, unfortunately taking a fair chunk with it, a crimson flash sparked in her eyes, and her horn charged with magical power. “Oh, you wanna play THAT way, huh?” Sweetie Belle seethed as she looked back at her ruined mane. “Well TWO can play at THAT game!” Opal hissed and held her paw out, beckoning Sweetie Belle to make a move. Sweetie Belle smirked. Too easy. There was another discharge of crimson light, and a sound not unlike a wet bedsheet being torn in two, followed shortly by a horrified screech. Sweetie Belle looked on proudly as a mortified, and completely naked, Opal tore out of the room on a hellbent mission to find a safe place to lurk and shield her embarrassment from the world at large. Turning to the large pile of fluffy white fur, Sweetie Belle allowed herself a short cackle of amusement. She sure showed that furball who was boss. With another flash, Sweetie Belle casually restored her mane to its undamaged state. Continuing on her business, Sweetie Belle’s thoughts became ever more twisted and murky… (\/);,,;(\/) SHHRRRRRIIIPP!! Rarity’s head poked up over her organized chaos as she frowned in puzzlement. Now THAT was a strange noise, and it had seemed to come from her own downstairs. Great, what did Sweetie Belle make a mess of this time? Gently, and a tiny bit hesitantly, Rarity pushed open her door. “Sweetie Belle? Was that you? Are you alright?” She did not receive a spoken response, per say, but there was an unmistakable pink blur that shot into her room, right between her hooves. “Opal? Whatever is the matter darling?” Rarity questioned sweetly as she cantered towards the small pile of shivering blankets. Attempting to lift the blankets by hoof only rewarded her with a loud hiss, so Rarity decided to do so with magic. “Opalescence, darling, come out and let momma see what is wrong,” she tittered. Finally wrenching the fabrics free of Opal’s clawed grasp, she was struck dumb by what she saw. Standing there was a very pink, very hairless, and VERY incensed-looking cat. Rarity felt her eye twitch a bit at the sight as she simply gaped, struck dumb by the sight before her. Spurred into action, Rarity quickly scooped up the cat in a gentle embrace and attempted to soothe the troubled feline. “Oh my stars, darling, what ever has happened to you?! Don’t worry, Opal, mommy’s here for you. First thing tomorrow morning I’ll stitch you up a sweater and try to find a spell to help you out. Does that sound okay? I mean, it won’t take that long...hopefully.” The only question that lingered in her mind was what exactly had transpired. Just five minutes ago Opalescence was normal looking… Sweetie Belle couldn’t have done this, now could she? Her question was answered when a high-pitch chuckle echoed through the halls of the boutique. From the open door, Rarity watched as her sister’s tail vanished through the front door, just a few feet from where a pile of snow-white hair lay. “Sweetie Belle?!”
