A Heart of Change

Chapters

Chapter 2 - Waiting Out the Weather
Chapter 3 - Tracks in the Falling Snow
Chapter 4 - An Expanse of Clouds
Chapter 5 - A Break in the Storm
Chapter 6 - Through the Clouds
Chapter 7 - To Make a Decision
Chapter 9 - Trust and Honor
Chapter 10 - A Deal With Stone
Chapter 11 - Hidden Magics
Chapter 12 - To Consider the Future
Chapter 13 - The Broken Tower
Chapter 14 - Fragments
Chapter 15 - Trapped
Chapter 16 - Eyes of Fear and Hate
Chapter 17 - Through Different Eyes
Chapter 18 - To Choose to Act
Chapter 19 - Mind Games
Chapter 20 - The Burden of Responsibility
Chapter 21 - Determination
Chapter 22 - Decision
Chapter 23 - A Mind of Secrets
Chapter 24 - The Chains That Bind
Chapter 1 - A Gift and a Choice
Chapter 8 - Those Who Dwell Underground

Chapter 2 - Waiting Out the Weather

A Heart of Change – Chapter 2: Waiting Out the Weather
By: SilentBelle

At Apple Bloom's insistence, the trio had found themselves a secluded booth towards the back-end of one of the final train-cars, just as the train lurched into motion. It wasn't that Apple Bloom disliked being around other ponies, quite the opposite in fact; she loved having a crowd of ponies all about her and listening to them as they worked away or spent the time quietly chatting. Despite the fact that entering an empty room felt far less comforting than staying with the crowd in the first car, she did know how rambunctious her friends could get, and that most ponies enjoyed a quiet train-ride.

They took their seats. The booth had padded cushions and a rectangular oaken table at its center. Both were in good condition, which spoke of just how recently this particular train must have been made. It also hadn't escaped her notice that the latest model of furnace was being used in this train. She had spotted the distinct metal tubing when she had entered the train. The newer, stronger alloys that can hold more pressure. Which means that they don't need as large a furnace to superheat the smaller area to get the same amount o' force to move the pistons, she mentally noted to herself, already piecing the entirety of the train together in her mind. Which means that they save on coal, which reduces the overall cost.

Proud at her own understanding of the train that they were riding on, Apple Bloom watched as Sweetie Belle dashed over to a window-seat. A smile crept across the unicorn's face as she peered out the window, her horn gently pressed against the glass. Scootaloo wasn't too far behind and took a spot on the other side of the window, across the table.

Apple Bloom decided to share the seat next to Sweetie Belle as she noticed Scootaloo deemed it prudent to lay across the whole side of her booth and let her wings stretch freely above her. Apple Bloom had learned her lesson years ago on their sleepovers: give the pegasus her space.

“So,” she began, leaning on the table. “We're off ta the Crystal Empire. What're yer plans for when we get there?”

Sweetie Belle turned from the window and tilted her head slightly. “Hmm... See the sights, I guess?”

“That's yer plan?” Apple Bloom replied. “What sorta sights are we gonna see? Where are we gonna stay? This isn't gonna be free ya know. Y'all did both bring bits with ya, didn't ya?

She saw Scootaloo flinch ever-so-slightly at the words. “Of course we brought money,” Sweetie Belle stated, “we're not that dense!”

“If ya say so,” Apple Bloom responded and chose not to pursue that avenue any further. She knew Sweetie Belle still got allowance from her parents, but she wasn't too certain about Scootaloo's financial situation. As far as she knew, the pegasus had focused solely upon her flight training, she couldn't have had time for a job. And with her parents gone... Could it be inheritance? she wondered, then shook her head. Oh, what does it matter anyways? Sounds like Sweetie brought enough for both of them.

“In any case,” she continued, “there's still the matter of what we're gonna do once we get there.”

“I don't really care what we do when we get there,” Scootaloo said as she folded her wings back to her side and sat up. “I've never been there before. Well, except for that one time when they held the Equestrian Games there. But that doesn't count, I mean they dressed the city up just for that event. The point is, it'll all be new to me, so I'm fine seeing anything.”

“Me too,” Sweetie Belle chirped in, with a grin on her lips.

“Really?” Apple Bloom asked in disbelief and shook her head. “Do ya at least have a map? Maybe we can pick out a few places.”

“Nope!”

Apple Bloom got to her hooves and looked around. “Usually trains like these'll have a map somewhere so ponies know where to go once they arrive in the new city.”

“Really?” This time it was Sweetie Belle sounding doubtful.

“Yeah, really. They know some ponies like ta know where they're headed. Ah think ah saw one on the wall in the first car. At the very least Ah'll just ask somepony if they have a map Ah could borrow. Ah'll be right back.”

Ah can't believe they'd come so unprepared. She sighed inwardly as she left the secluded car. But Ah'll admit, Ah should'a seen it comin' a mile away.

* * *

Scootaloo watched as Apple Bloom left on her quest for a map. She had to admit that not bringing anything more than train-fare was an oversight on her part. Hay, she didn't even have enough bits for the return trip. But when she had gotten up that morning, she just hadn't felt like bringing anything with her. Anything she would have taken would have brought her mind back to yesterday.

The memory of blurred, speeding ponies flashed past her eyes. Letting out a sigh she lowered her head to the table. I don't want to remember. How can I be so useless?

“Hey, Sweetie Belle,” Scootaloo began tentatively and turned her head to look at the mare. The unicorn was plastered to the window, wide-eyed just absorbing the sights that passed by.

“Hmm?” was the response that came. A voice that held the familiar threads of simple emerald, a lovely colour in her vision.

“So, why did you want to bring me out here? Out of Ponyville, I mean.”

“A change of pace, I guess,” she said absently. “To see some new sights, and to escape the mundane everyday life. Why? Did you not want a small vacation?”

“No, I think I needed this. Just... thanks, I guess,” she said simply. “But it's kind of weird, I mean of all of us, you're always the one that seems, well, distracted, and you usually treat everything as a joke. I guess I'm just surprised is all.”

“Surprised?” she asked with a light chuckle, but remained staring out the window. “Yeah, I guess I can see that. But, when there's so much to see around us, it can get quite confusing if you don't prioritize it.”

Scootaloo waited a moment, but the unicorn didn't elaborate any further. She saw her friend's eyes reflected in the glass. She was staring off into the distance. More distracted than usual. I wonder what she's thinking about. The orange pegasus lay there, unmoving for a while, as many minutes must have passed. She kept her mind occupied with trying to figure her friend out.

She's always been a mystery, and she's always wanted what's best for us. Heck, she'd go out of her comfort zone just to make us feel better. What did I ever do to deserve such a friend? And she thinks I'm an inspiration? the pegasus wondered in doubt.

Even after all these years the unicorn had kept her hairstyle. Sometimes it seems like she's the only one who hasn't grown up. Playing pranks, joking, and laughing everything off. It's brilliant, beautiful even, how all the memories spring forth just by being there, without even speaking. But then, sometimes she gets that distant look in her eyes, and that small frown, and it all disappears.

She sees something in everything. I know she's tried to explain it to me, but I can't even begin to understand it. In every conversation I can see it, she wears her smiles and voice like a mask that she only takes off when either me or Bloom are around. It's like she's distanced herself from every other pony through her laughter and her smile. Why did she really bring me out here? Is she just trying to cheer me up? Or is it something more? Is she lonely? Why can't I see as much as she always seems to be able to? Oh, how much that would help. She let out a sigh. I'm over-thinking this aren't I?

“Snow!” Sweetie Belle said in a startled voice.

The colour of her voice pulled Scootaloo out of her reverie and she looked past her friend's reflection. Sure enough fat, wet flakes of snow were skirting past the window, quite visibly. “Uh, it's summer,” she said nervously, as she sat up in her seat. “What's with the weather? We're not even an hour out of Ponyville, and wild weather from the Everfree shouldn't reach this far.”

She noticed Sweetie Belle's frown was more prominent than ever before. “This isn't good,” she said ominously.

“What do you mean by 'not good'?”

The unicorn turned from the window to face Scootaloo with a look of nervousness upon her face. “I'm not too sure, but the pattern in the clouds, it's not natural, and it's not from pegasi either. There's a magic at play here, but it's very subtle, and I don't know where it's coming from. I haven't studied weather magic as much as I should have. I hope we make it to the Crystal Empire soon.”

“Well, it only takes three hours. Besides, there's not much you can do about the weather,” Scootaloo said, hoping to ease her friend's worries.

“Not here, anyways,” was the response she got. Not as uplifting as the pegasus had hoped, but at least she was pretty certain that her friend wouldn't do anything too spontaneous, like trying to clear the weather with her magic. At least she hoped.

With a shrug, Scootaloo leaned over to take a good look past her friend. Outside the window, upon the blurred landscape, she saw that the snow had only just started falling, and most of it turned to water as it touched down on the ground. Snow in summer, huh? Never thought I'd see the day. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

* * *

Snowin' in summer? Can we ever have a regular vacation? Apple Bloom wondered, while glancing out of the windows as she made her way back to the cart.

She held a brand-new Crystal Empire map gently in her mouth's grip. One of the staff members of the train had found one for her. He had been a kindly young unicorn stallion, with an orange coat and blue mane. He had seemed almost a little too eager to impress her.

Apple Bloom smiled at the thought and shook her head, she felt slightly bad for raising the fellow's expectations with her kindly smiles and a subtle wink, but only slightly. Sure Ah used him to get what Ah wanted, but what could he have expected from me? After all, it's his job ta make sure the ponies traveling on this train are satisfied, she rationalized to herself. She wasn't impulsive like Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo. No, she knew how to keep her head on straight, even around a handsome young stallion.

With her mind still occupied, she opened the door to her train-car. Her friends looked toward her when she entered, and a wicked smile spread across Scootaloo's face. I'm not blushing that much am Ah?

“I think somepony was talking to her new coltfriend.”

“Huh?” was Sweetie Belle's simple response as she tilted her head.

With a quick whip of her head, she tossed the rolled up map at the pegasus. It hit Scootaloo harmlessly, right in the forehead, and bounced lightly onto the table. “Oh, be quiet Scootaloo. Ya know that's not true! Ah'm not about to go out with some guy Ah just met on the train.

“Hah, so you did meet a guy!”

Shoot, ah walked right inta that one. Her blush only strengthened through her humility. “It was just a kindly fellow who works on the train. He happened ta know a lot 'bout how the trains worked an' so do Ah. So we got in a small discussion. Then Ah told him that Ah wanted ta find a map of the Crystal Empire. He offered ta find one fer me, Ah didn't even have ta ask 'im. But that's it, Scootaloo. Hay, we didn't even tell each other our names.”

Scootaloo just proceeded to snicker, with a hoof in front of her mouth.

“'Sides, it's not like either of y'all have gone out with anypony before.”

“I was always too busy practicing,” the pegasus replied with a wave of her hoof. “I'd only want to go out with somepony who can keep up with me. What about you Sweetie? What's your excuse?”

“Huh? Uh...” Sweetie Belle's eyes shifted as she considered what to say next. “I guess I never really gave it much thought. I mean I've spent the last few years studying magic, I didn't have time to chase down anypony.”

“Well, you always seem ta have enough time to run 'round Ponyville and test out yer new spells.”

“That's because spells are important. Romance isn't. What's the point of going on a date with somepony you know nothing about? That just sounds incredibly awkward. I'd much rather do something important, like learning spells and how to apply them properly to everyday life.”

“Oh?” Scootaloo teased. “Could it be that you're afraid of going on a date?”

“N-no, no. Of course not!” she stammered her rebuke. A hint of blush coloured her cheeks. “I just think it's not worth my time. What would I get out of it, other than less time to spend doing more important stuff?”

“Well, what if a potential date ends up bein' somepony great? Maybe somepony who understands ya, and could help ya with yer magic or somethin'?”

“What are the chances of that? Like I said, it's a waste of time. My days are full enough as is. And if I ever did meet this 'special somepony' who understood me, then they'd also realize that dating is pointless.”

Apple Bloom smiled at her friend's irritation, but decided not to prod her any further. “We'll see about that Sweetie. Ah'm certain you'll find the right pony some day,” she said as she sat down beside the unicorn.

“I won't if I'm not looking,” the unicorn muttered under her breath as she trained her gaze out the window once again.

“In any case,” Apple Bloom said in good humor, as she reached up onto the table. “Ah did manage ta get the map o' the Crystal Empire. So Scootaloo, why don't ya tell us where ya want ta go?”

Scootaloo groaned slightly and looked at the map being unfurled by Apple Bloom. “How should I know which places would be cool?”

“Ah dunno, just pick whatever sounds good. Oh, look here, there's the Equestrian Games Stadium. It was built just two years ago. That would be kinda neat ta see, don't ya think?”

“Sure I guess...”

* * *

Sweetie Belle stared out the window as her friends began making the plans for the Crystal Empire. She wasn't all that interested. Right from the beginning of this trip, she had decided to take it all in stride. She had no need for excessive planning, she would just go with whatever her friends chose. Besides, the snow outside was only beginning to fall thicker than before. And with the falling snow was a rising feeling in her gut. Something is wrong, I just know it.

She saw the sky rife with its hidden energies, but she also saw the way they were moving. Well, she sensed it really. If she focused her mind towards the skies, she could feel the clouds' natural energies, a subtle pressure, faint and distant. But behind them there was some other pattern, very faint, and she could only sense a small portion of it. She traced as much of it with her mind as she could. The spacing between the energies was obviously a pattern of sorts, something that would never occur naturally, even with the wild weather of the Everfree. However it was like holding a single puzzle piece in her hoof and guessing at what the whole picture would be. The pattern's just too big. But it's there, I know it is. Somepony put it there, setting the clouds on a predetermined path. But why?

The snow had finally begun staying on the grass as it landed. It had taken a while for the precipitation to cool the summery ground enough to accept the flakes. Sweetie Belle frowned at the passing scenery as it turned ever whiter. Unnatural...

“Hey, Sweetie.” She felt Scootaloo's hoof tap her on the shoulder. Sweetie Belle turned her head lazily, though her thoughts remained on the weather, only to have her sight filled by two large purple eyes and a grinning face.

“Ah!” she yelped in surprise and reflexively threw her friend back with her magic. The pegasus was shot back quickly, and nearly fell out of the booth. “Geez, Scootaloo! Don't do that!”

The unicorn heard Apple Bloom chuckling beside her, while Scootaloo pulled herself back up into her seat, a zany smile on her face. “Totally worth it!”

Sweetie Belle shot her friend a look that she had hoped would be rebuking, but it only seemed to widen her friend's grin. Shaking her head at her friend's antics, Sweetie took stock of her surroundings and noticed that the map was no longer on the table.

“What, are you two done planning already?”

“Yeah, it was a cinch. We just picked a few places to go to when we get there, then we can just wander around and see what looks good.”

“We marked out a path on the map. We'll pass by all the big sites, at least accordin' ta the map. Hope the weather isn't as bad there. Though at this rate, we might just have ta stay at the hotel until the clouds let up. I really hope not though, I've always wanted ta see the crystal buildings on a cloudless day, up close. They are supposed ta have the sturdiest buildings in all the world. They even say that they work alongside diamond dogs to get the resources to build the buildings.”

“Diamond dogs?” Sweetie Belle chimed in enthusiastically. “I wonder if they know Ruben.”

“Beats me,” Apple Bloom said simply. “But we can go and talk ta some of them when we're there. Supposedly they even have a few shops in the market district, run exclusively by diamond dogs.”

“But, first things first,” Scootaloo interjected, pointing to the entrance of their train-car. Sweetie Belle instantly felt the presence of a magic behind her. She knew the pattern to belong to a simple levitation spell. One of the most basic cantrips every unicorn learns just through instinct. She turned to give context to the magic she felt.

There were two unicorns who entered the room. They were wearing delightfully purple uniforms. The uniform clashed with one of the stallions' orange coat, while the other blue-coated fellow, simply fit the outfit well. Where their fur contrasted, their manes caused them to match: the orange unicorn sported a blue mane, and the blue unicorn had an orange mane. Sweetie Belle noticed with a glance that their cutie marks were hidden beneath their outfits. They certainly made a dynamic pair. If she had to venture a guess, Sweetie Belle would assume that they were brothers.

The duo levitated three separate food platters and accompanying drinks. She could see that their hold on the magic was slightly shaky, just from the way the pattern seemed to unwind even as it was cast around the objects they were holding. But she had come to expect that from most unicorns.

She heard Scootaloo snicker, and Sweetie Belle glanced at her in confusion. What is it now? She followed the pegasus's gaze, and noticed it was trained on Apple Bloom. Scootaloo was wearing a wicked grin upon her face.

“Oh no!” Apple Bloom exclaimed under her breath. The yellow earth pony's face already held the telltale signs of embarrassment.

“Oh, it's you. The one from earlier,” the orange unicorn said as the pair made their way to the table. “I was wondering which car you were staying in. I thought I might have missed you somehow.”

The two unicorns levitated the meals onto the tables: salads and sandwiches, a simple lunch. Apple Bloom let out a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, uh, we have the last spot on the train. Ah didn't think you'd be servin' the food.”

“Well, serving the ponies on this train is what my job is until the end of summer. Oh, right, I never got the chance to tell you my name before,” he said, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. “I'm Clockwork, nice to see you again.”

“Oh, uh, I'm Apple Bloom. And this here's Sweetie Belle behind me. And that one, smiling as widely as yer friend is Scootaloo.”

Clockwork shot a glance to Scootaloo, then to his blue-coated companion and shook his head. “Ah, don't mind him. His name's, Quickly. A good friend of mine, from way back.”

“I can introduce myself, thank you very much! Although it lacks the surprise that it would have had merely a moment ago, my name is Quickly. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. My good friend Clockwork has just spent the last half-hour biting my ear off with tales of a particular yellow ma-”

He was interrupted as a pair of orange hooves tossed him against the wall of the of the car. A blush was unmistakable on Clockwork's face. “No need to say any more. Why would they be interested in something as boring as that? So, um, you're headed to the Crystal Empire, huh?”

“Everypony on this train is headed there,” Sweetie Belle stated flatly, interrupting Apple Bloom before she could respond. The white unicorn then tilted her head as a question occurred to her. “Say... I don't suppose either of you know what's up with the snow outside?” She couldn't help but notice Scootaloo seemed to shoot her a scowl. Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

“Sorry,” Quickly said, swiftly recovering, and moseying back to his friend's side. “We haven't been told anything about the sudden snowfall. But it's just snow, so it probably won't last much longer. It is summer, after all. I do hope it doesn't cause any inconveniences for your trip to the Empire. Foul weather on a vacation can be such a disaster, but the Crystal Empire has the next week set for clear weather, so it shouldn't be a problem.”

“We'll be fine, even if it's snowin' when we get there,” Apple Bloom assured them. “We won't let a little snow stop us from havin' fun.”

“So what does bring you all up to the Crystal Empire anyway?” Clockwork piped up.

“Well,” Apple Bloom said and shot a level glance in Sweetie Belle's direction before continuing. “It's kinda a spur o' the moment sorta thing. We just figured that we needed a vacation before getting' back inta the swing o' things.”

“Oh? What sort of things?” he replied, perhaps with a bit more gusto than he had intended. “Um, that is if you don't mind me asking.”

“Nah, we don't mind,” Apple Bloom said honestly. “Ah'm goin' to take on a smithin' 'pprenticship, back home. Ah'll be helpin' out on the farm too while Ah'm not too busy learnin' metalworkin'. It's gonna be a lot o' work, but Ah'm really excited for it.”

“Oh wow, hooves-on experience! That'll be amazing! I'm going to a college in Manehattan myself, to learn engineering. So, it's not that different from what you're doing.”

“Except it is,” Sweetie Belle argued. “She's going to be actually doing something, and you are just going to be reading books and taking tests.”

A hurt look crossed the orange unicorn's face, and she noticed Apple Bloom cringe slightly at the words. “What do you know?” Clockwork retorted. “Going to college is important. It's for higher-education and will lead to a real job. I bet a backwater--”

This time it was Quickly who interrupted by pushing him out of the way. “Sorry about that ladies, he means no insult. But, out of curiosity, Sweetie Belle, was it? Perhaps you'd like to explain such a viewpoint. In my experience, colleges and universities have always been the most effective sources of knowledge and understanding. The basis for many mares' and stallions' futures. I fail to see how you could look upon such a noble pursuit with such disdain.”

“Well, it's true that I've never been to a college or university, and I'm not going to one any time soon,” she replied simply. “But I stand by my point that a hooves-on approach is best. Books and teachers can only teach you so much. Going out, seeing the world, and figuring out how it works is the best way to learn. I didn't mean to say that going to a college is bad. But you should have something past that, a really solid goal to reach for. If you don't, then all the stuff you learn in the books will just stay with you, unused.”

“Interesting,” he responded and looked at his friend. Clockwork still looked a little vexed by situation. “See, she meant no insult.”

“It's not like I'm learning engineering to not use it. I have a goal after college. I'm going to make machines that ponies haven't even thought of yet!”

“But why wait until after college?” Sweetie argued. “Why not just go and start working on those inventions right now?”

“Sweetie, please, stop arguing!” she heard Apple Bloom's urgent whisper.

“I am,” the young stallion rebuked in near-indignation. “I have ideas, but there's stuff I have to learn before I can make them a reality!” Clockwork looked her in the eyes, his were a strikingly red color. It was glare that felt akin to a challenge. Behind those irises, Sweetie Belle could feel the intensity of his dream being projected at her, through that stare.

Sweetie Belle, felt a smile crawl onto her face. “Good,” she said simply. “That's what's important.”

Clockwork frowned at that, but his friend let out a light chuckle. “Hah! You make a marvelous point Sweetie Belle. Fascinating, even! I quite enjoyed this encounter, but forgive us, we should let you three enjoy your meal in peace. Come on Clockwork, we're still on the clock. Let's get back to work before we get fired.”

The orange pony let out a sigh but nodded. “You're right. Goodbye, Apple Bloom. Please enjoy your meal.” The two ponies made for an exit, though not before Clockwork shot Sweetie Belle a distasteful frown.

“Goodbye, Clockwork!” Apple Bloom managed to shout just before the door closed.

As soon as the door between their car and the next one shut, Scootaloo leaned over the table and peered at Sweetie Belle, nearly knocking over her own meal in the process.

“Seriously, Sweetie, what the heck?” Scootaloo said, shaking her head. Sweetie merely raised and eyebrow and shot her own questioning look. “We were supposed to be helping Apple Bloom get to know the guy. You shouldn't just attack him like that.”

Glancing to her side, she noticed Apple Bloom seemed to be wearing a sour expression, merely directing her gaze to the meal in front of her. Huh? It was just an argument. We argue all the time. But her friend's expression caused Sweetie Belle to wince inwardly. “Well, we found out a bit about the guy. Didn't we?” she offered.

“You know that's not what I meant by 'get to know the guy'! Geez, we barely talk to them for a minute, and you insult his life choices, just like that! Heck, I've seen some athletes fight over smaller insults.”

“Can we please just not talk about this?” Apple Bloom managed and took a large bite out of her sandwich.

Sweetie Belle staved off a retort and complied with the simple request. The three of them ate as an uncomfortable silence settled in. It was a heavy, leaden silence, punctuated only by the sounds of the mares eating. It wasn't hateful, no. It feels like disappointment.

I guess I should apologize. “Look,” she spoke up after they had all finished most of their meal, pulling both of her friend's attention to her. “I'm sorry Apple Bloo--”

* * *

Her friend didn't manage to finish her line, when an echoing screech sounded through the train-car, shooting rust-coloured streaks across her sight. Scootaloo felt, in that moment, the lurching of the vehicle. Her body acted out of instinct.

Just as the world decided to pull her forward across the table, she shot her wings out and beat against the sudden movement, barely managing to keep her place on her side of the table. The train's stopping!

She saw her friends' half-eaten salads take flight and leap right at their owners, like two captive, wild beasts seeking revenge. Scootaloo's own bowl shot between them in shower of lettuce leaves. Apple Bloom dove reflexively out of the way of her rogue meal, while Sweetie Belle managed to snag every bit of greenery with her magic, just before it reached her.

The screeching metal sound was punctuated with a loud crash, which shook the whole train-car. Then a lulling silence settled in as the reverberations stopped and Scootaloo's vision cleared. “Are you both alright?” she asked as she jumped from the booth gracefully.

“Yeah, Ah'm fine,” Apple Bloom said with a groan as she lifted herself from the wooden floor. Searching around for a moment, she fished out both her and Sweetie Belle's bags. They had been thrown free from the booth.

“Me too.” With a clatter, Sweetie Belle set her deconstructed meal in a pile on the table and got out of the booth herself. “I wonder why they stopped so suddenly.” With a nod and a smile, she accepted her saddlebags, grabbing it with her magic, slipping it on, and tying it tight.

Sweetie Belle then tilted her head as an unspoken question. To which, Apple Bloom simply nodded. Scootaloo watched as the unicorn promptly performed the same action with the earth pony's saddlebags.

“We need ta make sure everypony's okay. We were in the caboose and our car is still on the tracks, but since they pulled the brakes, it must've been 'cause the front was about ta hit somethin'. And by the sound of it, Ah think they might have collided with whatever caused 'em ta pull the brakes in the first place.”

“Right,” Scootaloo agreed. We hit something? I don't like the sound of that. Still, we can't just stay here when other ponies could be injured. “Let's go and see if we can help out.”

Together, the three mares opened the door and hurried to the next train-car.

End of Chapter 2

Chapter 3 - Tracks in the Falling Snow

A Heart of Change – Chapter 3: Tracks in the Falling Snow
By: Silent Belle

The air was cool, like early spring. Not enough to warrant the falling snow, but the earth pony had decided not to dwell on that fact. She took in the scene around her, just outside the train car. She could see small mountains in all directions.

The single track was the only unnatural thing in the valley, aside from the weather of course. The ground had formed into a shallow swamp of slush, but that hadn't prevented either her or her friends from leaving the warm comforts of the train. Apple Bloom wasn't about to sit by idly, waiting in ignorance, while the train staff figured out what course of action to take.

Thankfully, the fifty-some ponies in the rest of the train cars hadn't gotten injured from the crash beyond simple bruises or small scrapes. That good fortune allowed Apple Bloom an open mind as she approached the cause of the crash.

The train engine had toppled, ousted right from the tracks. The coupling link that connected it to the rest of the train remained as a twisted metal knot. Oh boy. That's gonna be one heck of a job ta fix.

What the engine had crashed into however was something that the earth pony had never come across before. Some faint blue translucent crystals coated the train tracks. They seemed to have started right where the train had crashed. From that point and onward, each crystal was equally sized and spaced equidistant from each other. And they were only on the rails. Everything else within eyesight was completely free of the strange crystals.

It was quite peculiar. The abruptness with which the crystals started, and the way they just barely could be seen from the surrounding snowfall. Good thing that, whoever th' engineer is, acted as quick as they did. The crash would have been somethin' awful if we hit it at full speed.

There were a pair of ponies out by the crash site. An earth pony mare and a pegasus stallion, green and white respectively, and Apple Bloom could see that they were arguing. They both were wearing those purple outfits, which seemed to be even more out of place with a backdrop of falling snow.

“Huh? Crystals? And they're bonded to the metal?”

Apple Bloom turned to see Sweetie Belle rush past her, heading straight to the tracks. Ah guess they must have somethin' ta do with magic. She sloshed after her friend over the slushy ground. Scootaloo hovered alongside her, looking both pensive and displeased at the same time. Snow in summer, and crystals on the train tracks. What in the hay is happenin' 'round here. Somethin' tells me that we should'a just stayed in Ponyville. She shook her head. No sense in complainin' 'bout that. Let's see what we can do ta get outta this mess.

“-what the crystals are. Regardless, we need to find a way to uncouple the engine. Then we can use the rear engine to head back to Ponyville,” the green mare stated simply to her companion, as they examined the crystallized tracks.

Oh yeah, that's right. It's one of th' new two-way trains. They save themselves the effort of havin' ta turn the whole thing around just by includin' another engine at the back and makin' it so the pistons work in both directions. O' 'course with one engine layin' sideways on the ground, they wont be able ta budge no matter how much coal they shovel inta the furnace.

“Of course, but how can we do that? You saw the couple. It's twisted in upon itself,” the white pegasus argued back. “Sure, if we had a metal saw or a grinder we could do something. But we aren't at a workshop. We're in the middle of these darn mountains, halfway between Ponyville and the Crystal Empire!”

Apple Bloom looked at the metal coupling as she listened in on the conversation, and her mind got to work.

“Yes, I understand your frustration, but we must remain rational here. Surely there is still something we can do. We just need to come up with a way to uncouple the train. What tools do we have?”

“I'll go check,” he muttered and turned toward the toppled engine-car. “Hey! Passenger! What are you doing out here? We told everypony to stay inside until we fix this!”

“Oh, sorry 'bout that,” Apple Bloom replied honestly, but kept her focus on the coupling link. “Ah just figured we might be able ta help out in some way. With a couple as wrenched as that, Ah think y'all could use all th' help ya can get.”

“Hmm,” the pegasus said in an amused hum, then took to the air and entered the door of the toppled engine-car.

“So, you came out to help, did you?” The green earth pony walked over to face Apple Bloom.

“Yeah. Ah hate sittin' around when Ah could be helpin'. And as Ah just said, it looks like y'all could use whatever help ya can get.”

“Hmm? And what sort of help can you provide? You,” she began, as she glanced further down the tracks, where Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were poking at some of the crystals, “and your two friends hardly seem to be the type of help we need.”

“Oh? Y'all might just be surprised at what we can do,” she claimed with a smug grin. “We either need ta hit the couplin' with enough force ta snap it, or saw through it, if we got th' right tools. Or we could use mah friends ta help out, and get it done even quicker.”

There was a small clamor from the inside of the steam engine, the sound of metal scraping across metal. But then, in the next moment, the white pegasus returned with a securely-latched toolbox clenched between his teeth.

“Interesting. And what would you have your friends do to decouple the trains? Hmm? Buck the metal?”

“Y'all might be surprised.”

“Haha. Alright. Let's see this! It's not like you could make the situation any worse. Just try not to hurt yourselves. Customer safety is a priority, and we have a reputation to keep.”

Apple Bloom smiled and trotted over to her friends with a plan already devised.

“Are you serious?” the pegasus asked as he set down the tool box. “Well, whatever. It doesn't look like we have the right tools anyway. This could be a long day.”

* * *

Scootaloo flew many feet above and watched the light snow fluttering down to her friends as they discussed the rest of Apple Bloom's quick plan. Sweetie Belle seemed to be trying to assure the earth pony of something, but they were too far below to hear clearly.

The two had started talking about temperatures, magic, and the crystals on the tracks. But Scootaloo had gotten bored. She had interrupted by asking what part she was going to be playing. The earth pony had given her clear instructions: fly in and buck the metal coupling as hard and fast as she could, but only once Apple Bloom told her to. She wasn't too worried about what would happen. After all, this was an Apple Bloom plan, involving machinery. If there was any pony she trusted to come up with such a plan, it was her.

Although, the fact that Sweetie Belle had such a large say in the plan did worry her. It's not that I don't trust Sweetie Belle, but, it's just her ideas usually end up with me smelling of ozone and burnt feathers. She was still trying to forget that day, in which, the kindly white unicorn had decided weather magic would be the perfect topic to study, particularly the lightning clouds. She had then proceeded to convince the pegasus that dodging lighting would be a 'fantastic way to train your reflexes'. Why did I ever agree to that?

She noticed her two friends had gone further down the tracks. Apple Bloom started bucking at numerous crystals in quick succession. Pieces of them shattered off from the assault, and Sweetie Belle quickly gathered the shards with her magic. In the matter of a single minute, they managed to procure a large cloud of them. 'Cloud' being an apt term, for even as they floated there, a strange blueish haze emanated from the crystal shards.

In the next moment, she saw Sweetie Belle's horn begin glowing brightly, and the crystals in her magic aura dissipated into a mere aura of that same blueish haze, which seemed to fly right into the unicorn's horn.

Scootaloo hovered, waiting in anticipation, and eventually she heard something. A golden sizzle began to creep into her vision. Looking around, the pegasus made out its source. The coupling was starting to glow, first red, then orange, and then almost white. What is she doing?

“Scootaloo! Now!” Apple Bloom's own orange voice called in her wandering mind like a whip. Doubt pushed at her just as the earth pony's voice had. They want me to buck that? It's white-hot. She gulped but pushed the rogue thoughts from her mind.

“No! Stop!” she heard the green earth pony shout out from below. But she ignored the protest. It's Apple Bloom's plan. It'll work out. I trust my friends! Out of instinct, the pony dove as fast as she could, toward the near-molten metal. At the last moment, just before she reached it, she spun around deftly and thrust out with her hind legs in a quick snap, and braced herself for the pain that was sure to follow.

She felt her hooves strike the coupling. The metal bent and a chunk was knocked free from the force of her buck. It felt as though she had just kicked warm chocolate, rather than metal. The burning piece of the coupling landed upon the soggy ground with a sharp hiss and a cloud of steam.

In place of the burning sting she had been anticipating, Scootaloo felt something sliding across her fur, like a jolt of lightning, from her hind legs to bracelet on her fore-hoof. The bangle then began to vibrate of its own accord, and its silver metal warmed up, almost to the point where it was uncomfortable. She looked down at the bracelet and noticed the amethysts were beginning to emit a bright light.

“Sweetie! What the heck is with this bracelet?” she asked as she landed in the cold, slushy, valley field. Standing there, she watched as the bangle's activity slowed, then ceased, nearly as suddenly as it had started.

A grin was blooming on Sweetie Belle's face as she approached the pegasus. “Sweet, it worked!”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“Oh, just that the bracelet acted the way it was supposed to. It's my first piece. Remember? And this is the first time that I've seen it used in a practical situation,” she stated simply. “In fact, I was quite surprised you were willing to kick the metal when it was that hot, even though you didn't know the bracelet would protect you.”

“Well, I knew you two had some sort of plan,” Scootaloo admitted. “I know you both, and either of you would have let me known if it was dangerous. So, how does this thing work anyway? I mean, I know you said it was enchanted, but that's kind of vague.”

“I'm glad you asked,” she began, her proud smile punctuating the statement. “You see, there are actually four rituals at work here. The first one siphons outside, uneven, magical energy that comes into contact with you, and directs it to the bracelet. Oh, and just so you know, heat is a very basic form of magic, which is why it worked here. So, in this case, you touched something very hot, and it went right to the bracelet.

“Once the magic goes there, it activates the other two rituals, and possibly the final one, if there's enough energy. The amethysts will use the incoming magical energy to power a pretty basic light spell to discharge the magic as quickly as possible, while the silver itself will vibrate in an attempt to dispel energy even quicker. Finally, there is the last ritual, which is the most complicated one, and it emits a keen sound by using magic, but it will only work if there is enough energy to activate it. Keep in mind though, that if the bracelet absorbs too much magic in too short a time period... well, it might explode.”

“Explode?”

“Well, yeah,” the unicorn admitted with a sheepish smile, “or it could melt, I suppose. In any case, it has to be a lot of magic. I think only Twilight or the princesses would be able to feed it enough magic to cause that. Well, maybe if you decided to jump into a vat of molten metal...” Sweetie Belle cleared her throat, interrupting her own train of thought. “What I mean to say is that the bracelet will keep you safer than you would be otherwise.”

“Hmm,” she hummed as she gave the innocuous metal bangle another look. “That sounds very useful, Sweetie. I mean it. It's awesome. But why didn't you tell me all this before?”

“Well, I was curious to know how it would come into play for the first time.”

“Right...” What am I? Your involuntary test subject?

“Never do something like that again!” The words jostled the pair, and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned to see Apple Bloom and the green earth pony staring each other down.

“But it worked didn't it? See, Ah told ya me an' mah friends could do it!”

“That was incredibly foolish and dangerous. Kicking white-hot metal! Were you out of your mind?”

“Now, now, Copper,” the white pegasus said from the side. “They saved us a lot of work, you shouldn't be going and biting her head off like that.”

The green mare, Copper, scowled a bit, then let out an irritated sigh. “I suppose you're right, Ash. Still, it was foolhardy.” With a visible bit of effort, the mare regained her composure. “Alright everypony, get back on the train! We're going to head back to Ponyville right away, before this snow starts piling too high on the tracks. Ash, get working on the other engine. I want this train moving. Pronto!”

“Yes, ma'am!” he replied, before scoping up the toolbox and flying over to the far end of the train.

“And you.” Copper rounded on Apple Bloom. “What's your name?”

“Apple Bloom.”

“I'll admit that you came up with a good plan. Just, next time, be more careful. Dealing with hot metals is dangerous. We had a hammer we could have used instead of your pegasus friend.”

“Sorry,” she replied curtly, “Ah'll be more careful next time.”

The green mare simply offered a nod. “Now to get back to work.” The two of them started slogging back toward the train at a hurried pace.

“So...” Scootaloo said questioningly to Sweetie Belle, “mission accomplished? Now we're heading back to Ponyville? Well, that was kind of a lame vacation.”

“Hmm. I have a feeling this is just the beginning,” Sweetie Belle replied, shooting a glance up toward the clouds.

“Huh?” Scootaloo gave her friend a glance. She had that look in her eyes, which just told the pegasus that her friend was up to something. “What are you going to do this time?”

“I have an idea, but we need to catch up to Bloom first.”

Scootaloo groaned inwardly, but it was only halfhearted. Admit it Scootaloo, you want to know what Sweetie Belle has planned.

* * *

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo trudged back to the stationary train, only a minute or two after Apple Bloom herself had entered. And as luck would have it, she decided not to stick around for us. “C'mon, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom must have headed to our train car.”

The duo made their way through the milling crowd in the first car. Once past that bulk of ponies, the rest of the cars were nearly empty. Sweetie Belle decided to break out into a trot. Scootaloo easily matched her pace, striding alongside her.

Just as they reached their car, the unicorn was panting fairly heavily. Scootaloo on the other hoof was breathing just as easily as she had before their small trot. That's not fair, she thought to herself and shot the pegasus a look of scrutiny. It was obvious to her eyes that Scootaloo had more magic in her than either Apple Bloom or Sweetie herself. As a bonfire gave off more light than a single candle, her friend's well of inner magic dwarfed her own.

She banished the feeling of jealousy just as it began to rise. She knew that feeling was silly, irrational, and foalish, and dismissed it as such. Yet, she couldn't help but feel ashamed at how often that feeling surfaced. Almost every time she looked at any other pony, it was there, poking at her, like an itch that she couldn't relieve herself of. I have my crystals, and they'll be enough. More than enough.

“What's with that look?” Scootaloo asked. “You're not blaming me because Apple Bloom's not where she's supposed to be. Are you?”

Sweetie had nearly forgotten their objective. And sure enough, Apple Bloom was, indeed, not in their train car. “Only one place left. Unless she decided to take a bath in the slush outside, she's probably tinkering around in the engine-car.”

They made their way into the rear engine-car. It was a small thing. A room with large crates of coal and a shovel, presumable to stoke the furnace. The furnace itself was already ablaze and the two engineers were running to and fro, flipping switches and turning valves. Off to the side, Apple Bloom was standing with a notepad in one hoof, and a pencil in her mouth, working furiously, as she tried to analyze all the pipes, valves, and switches.

The noise in the room was quite substantial, filled with the sounds of boiling water and burning coal. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo entered the room unnoticed, making their way next to Apple Bloom.

The yellow mare saw them approaching, but continued her scribbling. Only once the unicorn got right next to her did she stop her writing and slip her pencil into an easily accessible pocket on her saddle. “What's up, girls?” she inquired.

“Why'd you ditch us like that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Oh, don't be silly. See, once Ah told 'em Ah was interested in how the engine worked, Copper and Ash both agreed ta let met get a good look from inside. It's really neat. I mean Ah've seen blueprints an' models an' stuff, but to see it from the inside is a whole 'nother world. Ah really get ta understand it in a way that Ah never could before.”

“That's great and all,” Sweetie Belle chimed in, “but I think there's something more important than that right now.”

“More important? What is it, Sweetie. If this is some sort of prank, Ah'm not interested.”

Sweetie Belle frowned at her friend. Why does everypony always think I'm not serious? I always tell them the truth, and yet they doubt every word. She almost felt frustrated at her friends' insistence. “Listen, Bloom. And you too, Scoots.”

“Don't call me 'Scoots'!”

Ignoring that protest, the unicorn began her spiel. “So, don't you both think that there was something very unnatural about the snow outside?”

“Well, Ah've certainly never seen nothin' like those crystals on the tracks. That was a mite weird.”

“Yeah, and the clouds weren't moving with the wind like they normally do,” Scootaloo put forth.

“Precisely. Now, do either of you know what this means?”

Both of them shook their heads. “Ah'll bet there's some reason behind it though. All stuff happens fer a reason.”

“Exactly!” Sweetie Belle agreed. “And that's what we're going to go find out.”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo nodded her agreement, then blinked. “Wait! What?”

“What in the hay are ya talkin' 'bout?”

“Look, girls, I'm worried. Rarity, Twilight, and the rest, they all went to the Crystal Empire just yesterday, and then this foul weather and crystallizing metal just starts happening. It's not a coincidence. I think we should go to the Empire and see if we can help in some way. I'm sure sis and the others could use a helpin' hoof.”

“But the train's not goin' there anymore. And we shouldn't have ta worry 'bout them. They've taken on big challenges before. Hay, they're practically heroes of the nation. If anypony can handle a problem, it's them.”

“But if they could handle it, then that weather wouldn't have happened. Think about it Bloom. If they don't need our help, then we're in the Crystal Empire and can have a vacation. If they do need our help, then we're there to help. But if we just head on back to Ponyville, then there's still a chance that they could need us, yet we'd be miles away.”

“Sweetie, we ain't heroes. We ain't wielders of the Elements of Harmony neither. This isn't some sort of adventure game that we used ta play, back when we were still searchin' fer cutie marks.”

“I know it's not!” she rebuked. “But think. If we don't go now, don't you think we might end up regretting it?”

Apple Bloom sighed, shaking her head. “Yer dead-set on this aren't ya? And how 'bout you, Scootaloo? What're ya thinkin' bout this bright idea?”

“Well,” she began, running a hoof nervously through her mane. Sweetie Belle noticed the way her wings twitched nervously, as if she were preparing to fly away at a moment's notice. “Why don't we go and check it out? I mean, if Sweetie's wrong about this whole thing, then at least we get to see the Empire. And who knows, maybe we can help out with something. Aside from that though, it's a little too early for our vacation to be over. Right?”

“Y'all realize that we'd hafta walk there? It would take us a while, not ta mention it's a mess out there.”

“Well, I can fly, so that's not a problem for me.”

“We'll manage. We've been through plenty worse. Just think of it as that time we tried getting our 'exploring' cutie marks, or when you both tried to get your 'forest ranger' cutie marks.”

“Ah seem ta recall Ah was turned ta stone and Scootaloo almost was as well. I hope it's nothin' like that this time.”

“Oh, right... well, I don't think that will happen this time, and if it does, I know a spell that can remove petrification. Besides, we're older now, and it's not like we're traveling through the Everfree where monsters lurk in every shadow. We can take care of ourselves.”

“Oh, really? Ah have a feelin' that if Ah didn't go along, then the both of ya would get lost and never be heard from again. Hay, Scootaloo doesn't even have a saddlebag, and Sweetie, ya seem ta think that packin' a bag full o' crystals an' two books'll be enough for any situation.”

Sweetie Belle looked to Scootaloo and they shared a blush. “Which is why we want you to come with us. You probably brought enough supplies to last us a few weeks if we get lost.”

Apple Bloom let out a sigh of defeat. “Alright, alright, Ah get it. And hay, Ah tried ta warn ya. But, since yer both gonna go anyway, Ah feel it's mah duty as a friend to go along with ya.”

“See, that wasn't so hard to admit, was it?”

“Just cause Ah'm goin' with ya doesn't mean Ah'm happy 'bout it.” Apple Bloom tried to hide her smile, but the unicorn noticed its influence tugging at the corner of the mare's lips.

Just at that moment, they saw Copper turn a valve. With a whistle of steam, they heard the pistons spring into action, and with a lurch, the train began moving.

“Oh hay,” Sweetie Belle said. “We should bail before this thing gets moving too fast.”

“One step ahead o' ya.” She saw Scootaloo whisk out the doorway with Apple Bloom in hot pursuit.

By the time Sweetie Belle left the compartment, Apple Bloom was already off the train, which was only starting to reach it's full speed. She glanced over the edge. Woah, that's quite the fall. And at this speed, that could be quite dangerous. Time for a new plan.

She watched her friends being left behind by the train and fished out a single crystal from her pack: a garnet. With a measure of prideful finesse, she drew out the latent energies from the red stone.

She felt the crystal turn to powder as she did so, and channeled the magic to her horn. She gave the strands of magic the proper pattern to tie the two separate realities together. It was a magic sigil that she was all too familiar with, given Twilight's rather excessive use of the ability. Sweetie Belle imagined herself standing beside her friends and not on the moving train, which was a hard thing to do, considering how the world seemed so intent on reminding her where she was.

With her point of arrival marked in her mind, the unicorn felt the world warp around her as the magic in the air and falling snow shifted. She ignored her surroundings as much as she could, just focusing on that one spot, three feet from her friends. She knew she was there, not on the moving train.

Sure enough, in the next moment she felt the change. The roaring sound of the train became distant and she felt the absence of ground beneath her. In a moment all her all her senses snapped back into place.

She fell into the new reality with a small splash, hitting the soggy, cold ground with her side. With a yelp, she struggled in the icy waters and righted herself.

“Hah, nice teleport,” Scootaloo said with a smirk.

“Ugh. I hate teleporting.” The aftereffect of vertigo descended upon her and she struggled to keep her hooves in place. It would pass in mere moments, she knew, but she still hated the feeling with a passion.

“Then why'd ya do it? Couldn't ya have just jumped off the train like Ah did?”

“It was moving too fast by that point. I figured teleporting would be the most effective way. Remind me to never do that again. It's so disorienting.” Sometimes, sensing the world around me can be really jarring, especially when I cease to exist for the smallest moment of time. I don't think I'll ever get the hang of it.

“If you were worried 'bout fallin' and getting' hurt, why not use that 'Feather' spell from yesterday?”

Sweetie Belle stared at her friend for a moment. It never occurred to me? “Oh, be quiet Apple Bloom. This is all your fault,” she responded with a slight smile, as she extracted the water from her mane and coat with her magic. “If you hadn't been checking out the engine, we could have been off that train well before it started moving again.”

“Don't try ta pin yer failed spells on me! Ah had nothin' ta do with it. Besides, shouldn't Twilight's own protege,” Sweetie Belle flinched a bit at the way she pronounced the word, “be able ta teleport 'round like it's nothin'?”

“You know I'm not her protégé! She just taught me a bit of magic, but I think she'll be the first to admit that I was no protégé. I didn't agree with half the stuff she said and I'm not about to follow in her hoof-steps either. Really, most of what we did was butt heads over different theories and reasons for using magic. We have our differences.” Quite a lot of them.

“Sorry, Ah didn't mean ta imply anythin' like that.”

“Nah, I didn't mean to snap at you either.” Sweetie Belle finished extracting the water droplets from herself, and set the resulting blob of water gently back onto the soggy ground.

“So,” Scootaloo called out from her above, she was looking back in the direction where the train had been. “You don't suppose that those ponies on the train are going to be angry that we bailed on them, do you?”

Sweetie Belle tossed a glance at Apple Bloom. “Well, shoot. I guess we can't do anything about that now.”

“Yeah, they're not gonna like that,” Apple Bloom admitted, with a sigh. “Ah can't believe Ah didn't think 'bout that before. But Sweetie's right, there ain't nothin' we can do 'bout that now.”

“I have a feeling they would have tried to stop us anyway,” the pegasus chipped in. “In any case, we should get moving. How long do you think it'll take to get there?”

“Hmm, sunset maybe?” Sweetie Belle started out first, sloshing through the cold waters alongside the track.

“Prolly just past sunset. It's an hour past noon now, and we were 'bout an hour and a half away from th' Empire. Since a train travels 'bout four times as fast as most ponies, that means we'd be there around dusk. But with the ground bein' the way it is, Ah'd be surprised if we made it there 'fore sunset.”

“At least it's not snowing too hard, and the air currents aren't that cold either. It's just odd seeing snow on such a warm day. You two sure you'll be fine walking in that slush? It's cold, isn't it?”

“Well, it ain't that bad.”

“Plus, I know some heat spells. So if we feel too cold, I can just use a crystal or two from the track and we'll be fine.”

“Just don't go burnin' my hooves off.”

“Hey, I'm good with my magic!”

“Good enough to teleport face-first into a puddle,” Scootaloo said with a snicker, while Apple Bloom let out a small chuckle.

“I'm never going to live this one down, am I?”

“'Course not. That's what friends are for.”

End of Chapter 3

Chapter 4 - An Expanse of Clouds

A Heart of Change – Chapter 4: An Expanse of Clouds

By: SilentBelle

On both sides of the tracks thickets of pines stood imposingly, as similar to one another as flakes of snow. The snow fell as steadily as ever around Scootaloo, and the train tracks continued on beneath her with no end in sight. The task had become even more arduous for her friends, the slush turning thicker and deeper with every passing minute. They had to take each step with care, lest they splash themselves.

Sweetie Belle had already used a few crystals, dislodged from the train tracks, to warm herself and Apple Bloom. Scootaloo had waved away the unicorn when she asked if the pegasus needed to be warmed up as well. I'm used to cold weather. Most pegasi are.

Looking down at her friends, she let out a sigh. Apple Bloom wore a scowl, directed at the snow and slush all around her. While Sweetie Belle seemed to slip into that faraway gaze of hers for a few moments before shaking her head to little avail, and proceeding to look distantly in a different direction.

The monotony of her surroundings reached out to her, and she embraced it out of habit. Scootaloo had a well-established relationship with monotony. She had grown to appreciate it as a comforting thing, which let her dwell on her inner most thoughts while continuing her daily regime. For she had devoted herself to doing the same thing day in and day out, ever since she got her cutie mark. Had it not been for Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and the odd race or two, Scootaloo would have led a very uninteresting life.

Is that what I want? An uninteresting life? She looked back at her cutie mark: a purple triangle with wings. I always thought it meant that my special talent was to fly. But, what is it really? Why the triangle? She let her gaze go distant and thought back to the day she had gotten her cutie mark.

* * *

“Hey, Scootaloo! I got an idea of what we should do to get our cutie marks.”

“Our cutie marks?” the pegasus responded to the emerald voice. “Sweetie, both you and Bloom already got yours. And besides, she's not here yet. She should've been here an hour ago!”

“Oh, right. But I said I would keep crusading with you until we all got our cutie marks. And I have a great idea this time. It's really geared toward your interests!”

“My interests?” The pegasus looked dubiously at her friend. “You sure it's not just your interests? Aren't you just trying to find an excuse to use a new spell you learned?”

She saw the unicorn blush slightly. “Well, maybe it's a bit of that. But I have been reading up on some neat magic that I think it might help you out with flying.”

Scootaloo winced at the suggestion. She knew she still couldn't fly. She was beginning to worry that she would be the only pony left in her class without her cutie mark once the summer ended and classes resumed. But what she dreaded even more, was Rainbow Dash's promise.

The cyan pegasus had promised to teach her how to fly over the summer, but things hadn't been going according to plan. They had only been a few days into practice, with little to show for it, when Sweetie Belle had up and disappeared. It took over two weeks until they brought the unicorn back home. Sweetie Belle had even managed to get her cutie mark during that time. Eventually though, everything settled down, back to the way it was before.

It took some convincing and begging on her part, but she managed to get Rainbow Dash to agree to continue her flight lessons. By the time only two weeks of summer remained, Scootaloo had arranged to meet with her idol twice a week for private sessions.

The first such training exercise had been only a few days ago, and she still couldn't stay in the air for more than a few moments. Even with the older mare's tutelage, she was still flightless.

It only added to her feeling of helplessness that Apple Bloom had managed to get her own cutie mark during the week prior. It was as if the pressure that had forced the trio of friends to create the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders' had all been ousted onto the pegasus' back alone. Sure, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were still around, and were always devoted to helping her when they weren't busy. But, the feeling that Scootaloo had was unmistakable: the burden was hers, and her's alone.

Just as she was about to reply to Sweetie Belle, the newly repaired clubhouse's door was pushed open. A panting Apple Bloom stood in the doorway.

“Sorry gals, it took me a while ta get away from the farm. AJ 'n Mac set a whole bucket load o' chores on me at the last moment.”

“Perfect! The plan will work even better with three of us!”

“Huh? Did Ah miss somethin'? What plan are ya talkin' 'bout now, Sweetie?”

“It would be nice if I knew too,” Scootaloo insisted.

“Oh, come on girls! It would spoil the fun if you knew what the plan was.”

“Fer you maybe, but Ah like ta know what Ah'm gettin' mahself inta 'fore Ah get inta it.”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo chimed in alongside her friend. The pegasus was smiling in anticipation of the plan, and would be happy regardless of what it turned out to be. She'd been waiting all week to hang out with her two friends. But with their new schedules, a summer like this was beginning to feel even busier than their school weeks had.

Sweetie Belle frowned. “No. I'm not telling you. Not until we get there.”

“Get where?”

“Ya have ta at least tell us where we're gonna be goin'.”

“Fine, fine! Let's get the scooter out and scoot down to Ghastly Gorge.”

“Why the gorge? I thought Applejack said that if she ever caught us going over there, she'd have us all doing a week of farm-work.” The idea of her friends being busy with even more work didn't sit well with Scootaloo.

“Yeah, I know. But if we're careful, it'll be fine! It's not like we're going to be doing anything dangerous.”

“Ya sure 'bout that? Ah don't want another helping o' chores. Ah've got mah hooves full at as is.”

“Well, it beats sitting around here anyway.” Scootaloo got up and tossed her friends their helmets.

“Ah, don't know, girls,” Apple Bloom protested, as she caught her helmet.

“And I do,” Sweetie Belle rebuked as she swiped her helmet out of the air with her magic. “Trust me, this is going to be great!”

With that single line of assurance, the trio made their way to Ghastly Gorge. Scootaloo pulled her friends along on her scooter. After half an hour, they were looking over the edge of the canyon.

“Sure is high, ain't it? So, Sweetie, what's the plan?”

“Well, there's a new spell I learned. I'll cast it once you both go down into the canyon, and Scootaloo can use the spell to help with her flying. You brought the rope, right, Bloom?”

“Uh, yeah. But Ah still don't know what ya need it fer,” the yellow filly said as she procured a large length of rope from their wagon.

“You two should head on down to the canyon, using that path over there.” The white filly pointed to a small trail that lead down the gorge. It looked treacherous and unstable. “Once you are both down there, then Bloom, you can tie that rope around Scootaloo.”

“Wait, what?! I never agreed to be tied up! How's this supposed to help me with flying?” Scootaloo shot a look at Apple Bloom daring her to even try to tie that rope.

The earth pony threw the rope to the ground. “Sweetie, Ah ain't goin' ta tie Scootaloo up if she ain't agreein' ta it.”

“Fine. Here, I'll show you both my plan.” The unicorn turned back to the edge of the canyon and poked her head over the side. She then closed her eyes and her horn sparked to life.

Scootaloo, looked around and didn't see anything happen, until the slightest of whistling sounds caught in her ear and shimmered across her vision. It was a silvery-brown colour, and a sound she had never heard before. “Sweetie, what are you doing? Where's that sound coming from?”

The filly didn't respond for a moment, then she shook herself and blinked her eyes. “Well, that took a bit more magic than I thought it would.” Scootaloo saw Sweetie Belle's legs begin to buckle from the strain, just as the whistling sound got louder and more prominent. The unicorn lurched slightly. “Woah!” she shouted as she lost her footing and fell forwards.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo didn't even think as she sprung into action. She dove after her friend, just as the unicorn slipped off the side of the canyon. The pegasus beat her wings as furiously as she could and caught up to Sweetie Belle as they fell together. She wrapped her hooves around the white unicorn as tightly as she could and flared her wings out, pumping them with all her might.

“Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom's panicked scream came from above echoing down to her.

Fear clung inside her heart as she saw the ground fast-approaching even as she struggled with her wings. It's over! The thought came freely to her mind and she hated herself for thinking it. Even so, she did not regret jumping after Sweetie Belle.

The whistling sound caught in her ears then and knocked the thought from her mind. No! she told herself. It's not over! She turned her body to face the direction from which the building, silvery-brown sound was coming from. In that moment she felt her wings strain as something pushed against them. Something strong and smooth.

It's wind? She barely had time to register it. Shutting her tear-stained eyes as tightly as she could, she focused all her might into pushing against that billowing force of air. Pain flowed through her wings from the strain, but she pushed the feeling back. It didn't matter. Nothing else mattered, just pushing against that stream of wind.

She heard a gasp from Sweetie Belle. “Scootaloo, you're flying!”

In surprise, the pegasus opened her eyes. Looking down, she saw Sweetie Belle's smiling face looking up at her. Those green eyes were filled with pride and absent of any trace of fear. Beyond the unicorn, Scootaloo saw that they hadn't hit the ground yet, and were instead slowly falling toward it. She still flapped her wings as frantically as ever, and eventually they touched down upon the canyon floor with an ungraceful thump.

“Scootaloo! You were amazing! You saved my life!”

Out of breath, the orange filly nearly collapsed to the ground, but managed to keep herself up. With a single intake of air, she felt the full weight of the pain in her wings descend upon her. With it came anger, which quickly took the place of her earlier fear. She gritted her teeth and faced her friend.

“Sweetie! What the hay were you thinking?! You were nearly killed! We were nearly killed!”

“I didn't plan to fall off, you know!” the unicorn protested. “I just used too much of my own magic for the winds, and it made me dizzy. Before I knew it, I was falling.”

“That was so stupid!” Scootaloo cried out, tears forming in her eyes. She raised her two forelegs around her friend's neck, pulling her into a hug. “Promise me you won't do something as stupid as that ever again!”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “I promise.” She offered a soft smile. “Stupid, it may have been, but look!” She pointed a hoof towards the pegasus' hindquarters. “You got your cutie mark!”

Stunned, Scootaloo turned and looked at her own flank. There, emblazoned upon her fur, was a triangle with two wings embracing it from either side. They shone with the same colour of violet as her own two eyes.

* * *

That certainly was one way to get a cutie mark. And she wonders why I doubt her plans. She looked at her mark with a smile, though she was still unsure about it. Flying, huh? Sometimes I wonder if I've misinterpreted the whole thing. Or maybe a cutie mark needs to be uncertain to work properly. Bah! There's no point in dwelling on it. I should really start another conversation, this monotony is getting a little too, well, monotonous. She gave the scenery a quick once-over, looking for a good topic to start with.

“Hey girls,” she called out tentatively. “I don't suppose either of you have any great ideas as to why it's still snowing? Or, for that matter, why there's a whole winter's worth of clouds out here in the first place?”

“Yer, askin' th' wrong pony. Ah figured if any pony'd know it'd be a pegasus.”

“Yeah, well, I haven't actually done much with the weather,” she admitted sheepishly, “other than busting some clouds for Winter Wrap-Up.”

“It's not natural,” Sweetie Belle stated. The unicorn kept her gaze distant as if she were seeing something in the clouds above her. “It's set up as a sigil. I've never seen anything like it, both the pattern and the scale. But I'll bet all the bits I own, that it's responsible for these crystals on the tracks.”

“What do you mean by that?” Scootaloo looked to the overcast sky. To her eyes, the clouds looked like any other cloudy day. Well, perhaps it was a bit darker than most overcast days, but still, those were no storm clouds. They were just floating above looking entirely innocuous.

“I mean that these clouds were placed there to cast a spell over a wide range.”

“Ya think that's possible?”

“I didn't know it was until I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Hold on! So, what would happen if I decided to clear out some of the clouds?” She wasn't too sure about how unicorn magic worked, but she knew there were rules.

“Well, I suppose that would be like slowly erasing parts of the sigil itself. It would disrupt the spell and potentially turn it into a different spell, although that is quite unlikely. It's much more likely to just fade away.”

“So, you're telling me that I could have just flown up there and busted up a few of those clouds and disrupted this spell-cloud thing all this time?”

“Wait!” Sweetie Belle interjected before Scootaloo could fly off. “Whoever put the clouds out here would notice a disruption in their sigil if they were checking on it. And whoever put them up there in the first place must be powerful. Maybe as powerful as Twilight. Or there could be a lot of them. I don't want to make somepony like that angry at us.”

“Yeah, but if the clouds stay up there, they'll just keep causing problems right? We can't just let it stick around like this. We have to do something.”

“Well... Hmm,” she hummed to herself as she stopped walking to consider the proposition. “You have a point, Scootaloo. What do you think, Bloom?”

“So, it's a choice 'tween leavin' the weather and walkin' through this slush, or throwin' a wrench in the gears o' this possible somepony's cloud spell? What's the worst that could happen if we just left it? And the worst if we try ta stop it?”

“I suppose if we left it, the weather would continue, and any other effects of the sigil would keep acting,” Sweetie Belle said as if it were simple logic. “It's a very subtle pattern, and I can't see the entirety of it, but judging by the effects we've seen so far, even if I saw the whole sigil, I wouldn't recognize it. So, honestly, I'm not sure what other things it might do in the area. However, if we try and stop it, as I said, we could provoke the ire of its creator. Either way, I'm not quite sure which is the best option.”

“Might as well stop it then, if we can. Ah can't imagine there bein' a good reason fer this weather. Snow isn't meant ta fall in the summertime. 'Sides, Ah figure that the one behind all this weather, if there even is somepony behind all this, prolly has their hooves full dealin' with our sisters ta worry 'bout us. We shouldn't have ta worry 'bout somepony attackin' us.

Scootaloo nodded and Sweetie Belle offered a shrug. “In any case, we'll see what happens. if anything happens,” the unicorn said and a small grin appeared on her face.

“Keep in mind, I can't clear all the sky. There are as many clouds out here as there are on Winter Wrap-Up Day, and we only have one pegasus.” A smile crept upon Scootaloo's face at the welcome break from the monotony. “Still, we'll see what happens!”

Without wasting another moment she shot up from her hovering position towards the blanket of white.

As she sped upward, she could feel the air chilling around her. Her breath became much more visible than the faint haze it had been near the ground. But the mare was no stranger to flying at such altitudes. She practiced in frigid airs on a regular basis. It was an essential skill should she ever wish to become a candidate for the Wonderbolts. Not that I have much of a chance after blowing that race... I needed to place in the top three. She shook her mane. No! I won't think about that. It's done, and there's nothing I can do about it. Just focus on the task at hoof!

Turning her attention outward, she noticed that the clouds were floating almost all at the same altitude and there was a distinct lack of wind. In all her years of flying and practicing, she never once flew up as high as she was now without some sort of breeze tossing her mane. It was enough to make her back itch.

Tentatively, she prodded one of the large white clouds with a hoof. Well, it certainly feels like a normal cloud. Contented with the fact that the cloud didn't rebuke at her touch, or try and attack her, she flew away from it with a few powerful beats of her wings, then launched herself through the white mass.

The force from the dive was easily enough to disperse the cloud. She smiled to herself and proceeded to the next cloud. I may be no weathermare, but I can bust clouds just as easily as any pegasus.

Half a minute had passed, and the pegasus had managed to clear out at least a dozen of the clouds and was about to dive in to bust another one when she felt something. It came from every direction and felt like a change in pressure, which made her ears twinge. She spun in place, glancing all around. Eventually she caught sight of something in the clouds.

Her eyes didn't register what she saw at first, and she had to blink a few times before she believed it.

A section of the clouds nearby flowed of their own volition. It morphed, flowed and pulled itself into a spherical shape. Then at the center, straight ahead of her, a red circle appeared.

Is that an eye? The cloud made another motion as the mare watched. Did it just blink? That's kind of creepy. But it's still just a cloud!

In an instant, she sped toward the strange eye before it could blink again and plunged right through it. She let out a gasp of surprise.

Unlike most clouds, this one did not disperse readily. Instead she felt its soft form flow around her, wrapping around her forelegs like vines across a trellis. As if guided by one being, the cloud pulled at the pegasus and slowed her, bringing her to a stop inside the large cloud.

“What have we here?” a grating voice asked with a large measure of pride. “An outsider, to help the Crystal Empire? I was expecting one of the princesses. How... disappointing.”

“Who in the hay are you?!” She tried to pivot in place, but the cloud held her tight.

“You can call me Despair, Pain, or Power. It matters not. Just know full well that your foolishness in crossing me has cost you everything.”

The cloud around her darkened and she could feel pressure mounting. Scootaloo frowned and flared her wings. “You think you can stop me?! I'm no pushover!”

* * *

Cold and wet. It's not quite how I thought I'd be spending the rest of my summer. Sweetie Belle cast a glance to her hooves. I really should have packed some boots. A few hours of snowfall and the slush is already getting deep. At this rate we'll be swimming before we get to the Crystal Empire.

“Anything yet?” Apple Bloom asked, pulling the unicorn's attention back to the sky. Both the mares were staring upward, peering past the small snowflakes.

“I said I'd let you know when something happens.” Sweetie Belle shook her head, trying to free a few rogue strands of her wet mane from her sight.

“Well, how long could it take?”

“I don't know. It's only been a minute or so. She's probably just being cautious.”

“Since when do either o' the two o' ya do anything cautious-like?”

“Hey! We do cautious things!” She exchanged a look with her friend before glancing away and grinning to herself. “Well, Scootaloo does cautious things, and sometimes I'm around when she does them,” she admitted. “She's actually a pretty quick thinker when it comes down to it.”

Apple Bloom smiled triumphantly. “Yer a quick thinker too, Ah reckon. Even if half the stuff ya think of ends up blowin' up in yer face.”

“Oh, Bloom, you know me too well,” Sweetie Belle chided with a smile, though she made sure to slip her tongue out as a measure of her sincerity.

The yellow mare just rolled her eyes in good humor. “Will ya never change?”

“Change is what you make of it. Everyday I'm one step closer to the mare I'm gonna be.”

“And one step closer to the end o' the world,” the earth pony replied with a smirk.

“Well, if I end up breaking the world, at least it will have been an acci-” she stopped her sentence short and shot a gaze to her amulet. Was it just glowing? She couldn't be sure, but then she felt something else, a change in the array far above. “Bloom!” she shouted turning her eyes skyward, “something's happening up there! The clouds, I think they're moving and their energy is growing!”

“And that means...?” the other mare replied with a raised eyebrow.

“The hay if I know!”

The two gazed upward, and in the next minute the clouds visibly began to darken. They are all storm clouds? Every single one? That's some intricate magic right there. A single bright flash of crossed the gray sky. “I wonder if Scoots is-” she stopped herself short as she saw the pegasus in question dive toward the two of them, with an echo of thunder in her wake.

Scootaloo wore a frantic look on her face and Sweetie Belle noticed her orange friend's bangle was glowing. But the pegasus spoke up before the unicorn could question her. “We have a problem! We have to get moving! Now!” As if for emphasis, the darkened clouds let out another display of lightning, echoed only seconds later by a peal of thunder. And perhaps it was the sudden change in light, but the snow falling around Sweetie Belle seemed to be slightly larger than before.

“What in tarnation are ya talkin' 'bout? What happened up there?”

“Listen, there's somepony controlling the weather. I don't know who. I think he was waiting and expecting the Princesses. He tried to get me with the clouds.” She let out a shudder. “He nearly did, too. If it wasn't for this bracelet, I'd have been fried by the lightning. And now he knows we are out here. We have to go, before he finds us!” The pegasus' bangle stopped glowing as she finished the sentence and they all heard the sound of the winds growing as the conifers began to sway from either side of the tracks.

“Well, we can't just stay out here in the open. We need ta get under cover.”

“Right behind you!”

“Sweetie Belle, what are ya waitin' fer?”

Apple Bloom's voice snapped her back to the situation at hoof. She shot one last look at the amulet around her neck. Scoddri, could he be the one...? No! He wouldn't do that! But then why was it glowing? With a mind full of questions, she chased after her friends through the cold slush underhoof.

* * *

It must've been half an hour by now. Apple Bloom shot a panicked glance to the treetops. The pines were swaying under the heavy winds, and echoing thunder pealed from beyond the coniferous branches. Even under the cover of the trees the falling snow was becoming thick. If we don't find some real shelter, and fast, we're gonna be frozen 'fore the sun sets.

She looked around, hoping to find at least a sign of where they should be headed. But the small forest stretched out much the same in all directions. She wasn't even sure which direction they were headed in anymore. Stay calm, she told herself, as she lead her friends onward. Panicking does nopony any good in this sort of situation. We need ta find a place, but with this snow, we'd be lucky if, in an hour, we could find a tree twenty feet in front o' us.

“Sweetie!” she called out as she slid to a stop, “We need ta find some shelter 'fore the storm gets even worse.”

“But how?” the unicorn asked, as she batted away a stray lock of hair in a futile bit of effort see. “I can't see anything.”

“Don't ya have a gem-findin' spell or sumthin'? We need ta find a cave ta hide in. Now, Ah know this area was known for its crystal mines, bein' close ta the Crystal Empire and all.”

“But the gem-finding spell doesn't reach very far.”

“Well, land's sakes! Sweetie we hafta do somethin' or we're done fer!”

The unicorn closed her eyes and started rubbing her forehead with a fore-hoof. “Well, I could try a scrying spell, but I need a good enough focus.”

“Uh, can't ya scry, or whatever it's called, fer caves? You know, someplace dry and solid.”

“I need a focus though. For example: if I was scrying for you, I'd use a hair of yours or maybe your old pink bow, or even your sister as a focus. It has to be related to the target in some way. The closer the relation, the better the result. So think. What's unique in a cave that would make it easy to spot?”

“What type of rocks are in the cave, maybe we could use those,” Scootaloo offered.

“No.” Sweetie Belle dismissed the suggestion with a shake of her head. “That won't do. There'd be too much rock around here.”

C'mon Apple Bloom, think! What are the Northern Mines known fer? A variety of gems sure, that's why the Empire was diggin' in the first place. With the help o' diamond dogs, the crystal ponies dug out mines that went for miles and as they built it- Of course!

Without wasting a moment, Apple Bloom reached into her bag an pulled out a single nail. “Take it,” she managed to say around the nail she held in her mouth.

Sweetie Belle scooped it up in her magic. “It's a nail.”

“It's a steel nail. And what did the crystal ponies place inside the tunnels o' their mines?” Apple Bloom paused waiting for either friend to answer.

“I don't know. Steel nails?” Scootaloo asked.

“No, they put steel tracks down fer their mine carts, ta transport th' crystals more easily to the entrance o' th' mine.”

“Oh! I see! So, then I can scry for the steel, and I should be able to locate any entrances based on where the tracks start!”

“Then let's do it, Sweetie! We don't have a moment ta spare.”

She watched the white mare pull out a green crystal from her bag. “I'll have to use an emerald. These are the easiest to use.” Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and sat down in the wet snow with the single nail and emerald floating on either side of her.

“I hope this works,” Scootaloo said dourly. “The wind's getting worse. I don't know how much more the trees can take.”

“You an' me both! Why did Ah ever agree ta come along on with the two of ya?”

“I thought it was to keep us safe, or something,” Scootaloo responded, with a nervous chuckle.

“And here Ah was, hopin' mah worries would be unfounded. Ah'm goin' ta regret followin' the two of ya, ain't Ah?”

“If it makes you feel better, I'm glad you came with us.”

“Hah! It's startin' ta feel just like old times, huh?”

“Running around, with danger stalking our every step?” Scootaloo grinned. “It does, doesn't it?”

The pair watched as the emerald shattered into a haze of mist and disappeared into Sweetie Belle's glowing horn.

“Well, Ah guess we can only hope that th' spell works.”

End of chapter 4

Author's Note

Well, that chapter ended up a little differently than I planned. Reminds me of D&D in that regard. I hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 5 - A Break in the Storm

A Heart of Change – Chapter 5: A Break in the Storm
By: SilentBelle

She turned her focus to the emerald held in her magic's grasp. With a practiced expertise, she siphoned the magic out of the crystal with a satisfying crack. Sweetie Belle loved emeralds, their magic always responded as quickly and as exactly as her own magic would, and this emerald was no different. She grabbed at the tendrils of magic and pulled them through her own horn. Once she held the magic there, she turned her focus on the steel nail which remained hovering beside her.

Every material has a unique pattern or sigil, she rehearsed to herself. This was something that she hadn't learned in any book nor been taught by Twilight; it was something that she learned just through her unique sense of the world around her. So, this is steel then? She looked at the pattern. It carried certain solid sharpness that was shared amongst almost ever metal she ever came across. It was a reddish pattern that she knew would be extremely hard to bend to her will had she been trying to use the actual magic of the nail for anything other than copying.

She got to work, and began weaving the emerald tendrils out of her horn, placing the pattern as similarly as she could to the steel's. Slowly the threads changed at her gentle willing to a similar reddish colour before her. The task wasn't easy, but after a couple minutes, she was sure it shared as close a resemblance as she could manage. It felt very similar to her.

Now that I've gotten the hard part out of the way, I just need to tie in the spell sigil at the end. Thankfully most spell patterns aren't nearly as complicated as material patterns. Sweetie Belle often compared it to the difference between drawing a pony in as much detail as one could manage, to tracing just their silhouette. All she had to do was remember the basic shape of the spell and she could cast it. Thankfully the most basic scrying pattern is a simple eye-shape, a circle in a circle in a circle, with a thirteen equidistant lines filling the middle circle. Easy to remember once you've seen it, it really looks just like an eye. I remember the books always said, 'Just imagine you want to look at something and keep that thought in mind as you cast it.' She nearly laughed at the memory. It's funny how many spells they've managed to create, considering how little they know about how it actually works.

With nary a pause, she quickly shaped the reddish magic before her and let the magic flow through the sigil on its own. She felt it pulling at her senses and closed her eyes instinctively. The world became dull around her, like a muted gray colour. She couldn't feel much. The glowing sensations of the magic from nearby trees or falling snow barely glowed at all. Even the wind lost its zephyr glow that would normally be flowing through it. But in the distance she did feel something, many somethings. Each glowed brightly. Like the moon on a cloudless night, she was drawn towards all of them at once.

It was a strange sensation to have her sense of being pulled in so many directions at the same time. All in a moment, she could sense the distant steel tracks that they had left only half an hour earlier. Yet in the other direction, she could feel is snarl of smaller tracks running throughout the mountain. Through a force of will, she managed to pull her focus to the nearest track and trace it to its end point. Sweetie Belle extended her senses from there, outward. She was vaguely aware of the surrounding rock, but she managed to find what she was looking for. Yes! it has a tunnel that leads to the outside!

Gently, she reeled her consciousness back to her body as directly as possible. The unicorn blinked slowly as she got to her hooves. Her senses began to subtly slip back into place. I learned my lesson the first time I tried scrying. I'm never just dropping the spell again. The experience had left the, at that time filly, unicorn as a whimpering mess on the floor. The memories of vertigo and nausea were still unpleasant enough to cause her to shudder, even after more than four years had passed.

“So, did it work?” Apple Bloom called out to her.

“Yeah, did it? The snow's getting worse with every second.”

“Yup, it worked,” Sweetie Belle said with a shiver. She looked down at the wet ground she had been sitting on with a scowl. “The closest entrance to the mines is this way.” She pointed the floating nail in the direction her senses had just returned from.

“Alright then,” Apple Bloom said readily while she fished through her bags.

“Come on, we gotta go! The wind's picking up!” Scootaloo warned as the trees around them began to creek and shift under the breeze. “Pretty soon the loose branches are going to come crashing down!”

“Hold yer horses. Just let me ge-uh,” Apple Bloom pulled her head away from her saddlebag with a device in her mouth. She set it down level on an extended fore-hoof. “I figured we might need a compass. Ah just wan' ta make sure we don't get turned 'round by the trees as we go.” She glanced down at the glass-covered device. “Alright, so it's east-by-northeast.” She tucked the compass away quickly and nabbed the steel nail as well. “Let's go!”

Sweetie Belle shivered as they got moving. She felt her fatigue quite potently, even as she absorbed another gem's magic to banish the chill from her body. I'm glad that heat spell is so useful, but I can't go on like this forever, the body needs time to recuperate. And even if I'm using the gems, I still have to use my own magic to guide it and control it. Squinting, she saw her friends past a wall of flowing snow, and bounded after them. “Wait for me!”

* * *

Apple Bloom snatched the compass out once again and lined up the needle to the north. “Girls, it's that way!” she shouted to them over the wind and pointed a hoof slightly to their left. She groaned inwardly as she put the compass away. The falling snow was heading closer to blizzard conditions with every passing minute. Horseapples, she cursed to herself, Ah've never been outside in a blizzard before, but this is getting unbearable! “Girls, we gotta stay closer together! Don't let anypony out of yer sight!”

Her companions nodded and closed the space between them. She nodded back, but couldn't stop a frown from reaching her lips. “Sweetie, do ya have any idea how far it was?”

“Um- Ah!” the unicorn winced as she walked, her eyes shut tightly for a moment. “Maybe a mile? It's hard to notice other things like distance when you are scrying- Woah!” The unicorn stumbled as she spoke, falling sideways in a blanket of fresh snow. “Ah! Celestia, that's cold!”

“Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo had darted to her side in an instant and helped her to her hooves. “Careful, there's lots of roots under the snow.”

“Ah don't think it was the roots that caused her ta slip.” Apple Bloom paused to look at Sweetie Belle. The unicorn's eyes we out of focus and there was a peculiar look to the way she tried to hold herself up. Is she sick? “SB, ya don't look so good. Scootaloo, Ah need ya ta carry Sweetie.”

“What?!” the unicorn managed to blurt out and pushed away from Scootaloo. “I'm fine! I... can walk fine!” With a single step toward their destination, she swayed, nearly falling once again. “It can't be much farther.”

Scootaloo jumped to her friend's side and lent her a shoulder before she could fall again.

“Darn it, ya can be so stubborn!” the earth pony shouted at Sweetie Belle, just as a strong torrent of wind caught the tops of the trees. With several sharp cracks, she heard the upper limbs of pines wracked under the wind. Small branches and needles showered down from above along with the furiously falling flurries.

“Shoot! The forest's comin' down round us! We can't 'fford ta walk now. Scootaloo grab 'er and we gotta go!” Waiting just long enough to see the pegasus comply, she took the lead.

“Hey! Scootaloo! What are you doing. Hey! Put me down I can walk!”

“But you can't run!” Scootaloo rebuked. “You know I wouldn't do this unless I had to.”

Sweetie Belle tried to complain, but Scootaloo would have none of it. “You know it Sweetie Belle! We all have our strengths and help each other when we need it. Please, let me help you now.”

The unicorn murmured something, but Apple Bloom couldn't make it out over the sound of the wind. She turned back to see Sweetie Belle was draped over the pegasus' upper-back. She was positioned just in front the wings, which Scootaloo held spread to keep her balance.

Sweetie Belle stared indignantly at Apple Bloom. Or at least the mare tried to, but her eyes seemed to cloud over. It became a sickly gaze and made Apple Bloom shudder. The earth pony broke her eye-contact first. She has more pride than any of us! And she's also more stubborn. Can't she see we're just tryin' ta help her? “Just give a hollar if Ah'm goin' too fast fer ya ta keep up!”

“Too fast? Not likely! I've carried ponies on my back before. I'm used to it!”

“Well then, just be careful, an' let's go!”

“You don't have to tell me twice!”

They bounded off through the wintery forest as bits of wood, needles and snow fell all around them. What little of them that had not been wet from either the falling snow, or the puddle-riddled ground, was soon drenched.

Apple Bloom only stopped once after nearly ten minutes of jogging between the swaying trees, and eventually she noticed that the trees had gotten significantly smaller. She checked her compass as quickly as she could. It's getting' bad out here. We have ta find shelter! Now! she thought with a shiver.

She looked toward the east-by-northeast direction and she thought she saw something just beyond the veil of swirling snow. Squinting, she stowed her compass away and took a few steps closer. That's stone? Oh, hay, it's the mountain! She allowed a small smile to reach her lips. It's 'bout time too. Then Ah s'ppose the cave entrance has ta be nearby. But with this snow, we could be ten feet away an' we'd never find it. Think Bloom! Think! Yer friends need ya! Think!

“Woah! That's the mountain, then? So... where's the cave?” Scootaloo asked worriedly and shot a glance back at the mare on her back who was shivering mercilessly.

“Ah don't know! But Scootaloo we need ta do somethin' quick! Leave Sweetie with me and see if ya can stop the storm fer just a bit. We just need ta see a bit further, Ah'm sure we're close.”

Scootaloo nodded grimly and with Apple Bloom's help, they picked their friend up from the pegasus' back. “I don't think she's doing too well,” Scootaloo admitted as she eased the unicorn against Apple Bloom. “She's been shivering non-stop, and she stopped struggling almost right away. I'm worried, Apple Bloom.”

“Ah know,” the yellow mare replied earnestly, even as her own legs were quivering from the chill. She could only imagine how cold Sweetie Belle must have been. She wrapped her fore-hooves tightly around the unicorn in an attempt to shield her from the worst of the wind. “But we gotta do what we can fer now. We can worry later, once we find shelter. Now, quick Scootaloo, Ah'll do what Ah can ta keep Sweetie warm, but we don't have much time!”

“Right!” Scootaloo took to the air and was quickly lost amongst the ever-shifting white.

Apple Bloom closed her eyes against the elements and braced herself against the pervading chill. Please, Scootaloo. We're countin' on ya!

* * *

The winds threatened to hurtle her from the sky into the unknown world beyond the snowstorm and she saw flashes of lightning filter in from the clouds around her. Thunder filled her ears and blurred her vision, while the chill of the snow and water pulled at her body. Every beat of her wings felt heavier than the last. If I mess up... the thought lurked on the fringes of her mind. No! I won't mess up! I can't! This isn't just some race! This is more important than any race, than anything else!

She climbed upward, as quick as she could, and soon burst through the top of the storm. The sudden change was almost unbelievable. Scootaloo nearly forgot to keep flapping her wings for a moment. The summer sun shone in its late-afternoon splendor, golden and warm. While below her, a seething mass of gray and white churned, with flashes of lightning and echoes of thunder adding to the turmoil. Oh, Celestia! I don't want to go back in there.

She rebuked her own weakness with furious shake of her mane.And they don't want to be in there either, but they're counting on me. Alright, this needs to be fast and powerful, and it has to stop the wind. Just long enough for them to find shelter. She looked down at the ominous mass below her as she began her planning.

Huh, I'm quite close to the center. Then could it be true? The storm really was chasing us? And the way its moving... that rotation. Clockwise? Well, in that case, I have an idea, but I need more height. Part of her screamed at the obvious danger of her plan, but she refused to listen to it. She recalled instead, one of Rainbow Dash's lessons.

“Listen squirt. I know it might seem like doing an amazing trick like the Sonic Rainboom is impossible, but it isn't. All it takes is guts, motivation, and most importantly vision. That's right! You have to be able to see yourself doing it before you do it. Sure, you'll also see all the risks and dangers too. And yeah, those are very real, and they hurt like heck when you hit into them. A lot. But that vision you have, of the trick that you can see yourself doing, you'll come to see that that is what makes the pain and danger worthwhile. To be able to see yourself do the impossible. That's what it takes to learn a new trick. So, why not give it another shot?

Scootaloo wore a determined grin and pumped her wings as hard as she could as she remembered her mentor's lesson. She headed ever-upwards until the chill of the air matched the chill within the clouds far below her. She came to a halt and caught her breath slightly as she hovered in the thin air. Alright, Scootaloo, you've seen yourself doing it. She blocked out the hundreds of different ways she could mess up, and ran through the single successful scenario she imagined. Gulping, she stared down at the gray and white below her. Don't think, just do!

She dove, as she had hundreds of times before in her numerous practice sessions. The cool air whistled past her wings and pulled the moisture from her fur, leaving a trail of mist in her wake. With a quick quirk of her wings, the trail began to spiral.

Scootaloo felt the world spinning around her as she dove in a diagonal spiral toward the clouds. Faster! Faster! She knew she wasn't quick enough. With heavy exhalations she flapped her wings as fast and powerfully as she could.

Faster! The clouds were closing in quick. Even as she spun she could feel their ominous presence as she drew nearer. Her wings and back burned with the fires exertion, and the pain of a body strained past its limits. She knew the feeling, and the bitter recovery she'd have to face afterward, but she did not stop.

Faster! The thought became her only purpose, and she felt the wind around her, latching onto her wings, and it surged along with her every beat and every breath. It felt as though her wings had become the skies themselves. Still she forged on.

Faster! The world became naught but a haze of blurred gray as she continued her rotations. “Faster!” she screamed at herself over the howl of the wind, and awaiting thunder.

She hit the cold clouds suddenly and quickly, with the sounding of thunder all around her. She closed her eyes against the clouds. For, at this speed, spiraling as she was, her sight would do little to aid her.

She focused on the one thing that mattered: speed. She had to maintain it, for her friends' sakes.

With wings feeling more pained than she could ever remember them, her heart beating faster than it ever had before, and her lust for a full breath of air beyond control, she kept flying. It could have been mere seconds, or hours. She had no way of knowing and lost herself to the searing melody of pain that told her she was alive.

Suddenly, it stopped. One of her wings would flap no more. It ceased its function and she felt the winds take her. Just as she had taken them.

* * *

Apple Bloom held on against the bitter winds as the lightning seemed to spark up all across the sky. C'mon Scootaloo, we need ya! Now, more than ever!

Suddenly she heard a gasp, and she turned to see Sweetie Belle lift her head up in sudden alertness. “I can see! It's so much brighter than the snow!”

“Sweetie, what in the hay are ya talkin' 'bout?” the earth pony asked as she followed the mare's gaze. “What do ya see in the clouds? Some sort of spell?”

“A beacon,” she replied simply. “It helps, like the moon on a starless night. I can finally see again.”

“Right...” Ah'm glad that yer 'wake an' all, but please start makin' sense.

As suddenly as the thought had come, so too did a cacophony of thunder and and accompanying glare of lightning. She felt the sound deep in her body, shaking her very bones. Was that Scootaloo?

She could only ponder the question for a moment until the winds came. Like an explosion from the blasting chemicals which ponies used in certain mining operations, the wind flattened her and Sweetie Belle against the side of the mountain.

The earth pony gritted her teeth while she turned her head from the fierce blast of wind, hurtling snow, and pine boughs. In that moment, she just barely caught the sight of Sweetie Belle smiling and peering into the wind. The unicorn's horn shone brightly all the while. In the next moment, Apple Bloom felt a warmth settle upon her, even as the wind tore at her braided mane and splayed her tail. It was a strange feeling, as if a warm blanket had suddenly been draped over her.

In a few seconds, the initial blast settled and she turned back to the scene. The air was still, she noted, and in the distance she saw many of the smaller trees had bent over and snapped from the force of the blast. Beyond the bowing pines, a funnel of gray clouds raged. It tore at the forest below kicking up a cloud of snow and tree matter. Did she make a tornado?

“Hey, look Bloom, it's stopped snowing! Scootaloo did it!” Sweetie Belle shouted with cheer.

Alright, the earth pony told herself, this is no time ta be gawkin'. Scootaloo did her part, now ta do mine. “C'mon, Sweetie Belle, now's our chance! We gotta find the entrance to that mine. Now!”

“But what about Scootaloo? She's still out there.”

“And she's buyin' us time. Time we can't afford ta waste. Now, quick Sweetie! Ah need ya ta perform that ritual thing again, as fast as ya can.” Apple Bloom fished out the steel nail.

The unicorn tossed a worried glance at the twister, but nodded. She got to work quickly, snagging the nail with her magic and bringing out a small garnet. “It shouldn't be far, so I won't need too much energy. But darn, at this rate, I'll use half my crystals in a single day.”

Apple Bloom watched as the unicorn closed her eyes and her horn flared with energy.

Satisfied that Sweetie Belle was working on the spell, she let her eyes focus on the cyclone churning in the distance, a quarter mile away. The clouds above it were pulling together at the top, and lightning flash ominously, yet thunder remained unheard to her ears. Ah have no idea what ya did Scootaloo, but it's workin'. At least fer now.

Suddenly, a peal of thunder split the sky, and she watched as the cyclone swayed back and forth, then instantly fell apart. All the snow, water, and tree limbs were launched free from within. Even the clouds that had formed the the top of the tornado dispersed, leaving a roughly circular opening to the blue sky behind it.

She scanned the falling debris in the slanted halo of light, frantically looking for a sight of orange and purple. Faint colours of the rainbow played in the open air, but she couldn't see the pegasus anywhere. C'mon Scootaloo. Where are ya?

“Aha! I found it!” Sweetie Belle announced. “It's that way!” She pointed her hoof adjacent to the mountainside. “It'll only take a few minutes to get there.”

“Alright, let's go!”

“But what about Scootaloo? We have to find her too.”

“Sweetie! We need ta find the shelter first, 'fore the clouds come back. Look,” Apple Bloom said, pointing her own hoof at the opening in the sky, “the clouds are already reforming. Soon it'll be snowin' again.”

Sweetie Belle scowled back at the her. “I'm not about to leave Scootaloo out there. Especially if it's going to start snowing again. She probably needs our help!”

“Sweetie, ya know she's tough, tougher than either of us, and we ain't goin' ta abandon her. But we need ta find shelter first! There's no point in rushin' over ta her if we all just end up stranded in the storm all over 'gain. C'mon, let's go!” The earth pony darted off before her friend could respond. We don't have time ta argue, can't ya see that, Sweetie Belle?

* * *

What the hay?! Why can't we go and find Scootaloo first? Sure, shelter's important. But what if she's hurt? The thought nearly made her sick. That should be our priority. She brooded over her displeasure as she followed Apple Bloom.

After only a few minutes had passed, they rounded the base of a hill and saw a cave entrance before them. It wasn't too large. Not even twice as tall as a pony, and about as wide. It was propped up by thick, weathered, wooden beams.

“It's kinda small, you know. Are you sure that this is the best place ta hide in?” Sweetie Belle looked at the entrance dubiously. “I remember the last time I went into a cave like this it collapsed on me.” Although, I was the one that caused it to collapse. “How sturdy are mines like this?”

“It's a little too late to wonder 'bout that now!” Apple Bloom shouted in irritation. “Quick now! Sweetie, the clouds have reformed, ya need ta do that spell again, but this time find Scootaloo. It'll start snowin' at any time now.”

“We should have just done that first. We could have found her by now,” the unicorn muttered to herself as she glanced to the clouds above her. They were gathering their energy once again, and she could tell that they would not only snow, but bring more lightning and thunder with them.

She shook her head. Scootaloo, please be okay. She fished through her bag with her magic and pulled out the stones she needed, an amethyst and her last emerald. This should react to the bracelet. She pulled the magic from the emerald as she had before. Fortunately amethysts, as all gemstones that she used in her spells, had very simple pattern to them. She quickly copied it into her own weave of magic and set it to the sigil of the spell. She felt the magic quickly snap into focus around her.

In the next moment, she felt her consciousness leave her body and disperse into the dull world around her. It took about a minute until she found the array of amethysts she had been looking for. Around the gems, she focused, and could sense Scootaloo. She was walking – well, limping would be a more accurate description – in their general direction.

Sweetie Belle smiled to herself to see her friend moving, and slowly reeled her consciousness back into her body. Gradually she let her senses come back to her, until she finally sighed and opened her eyes.

Apple Bloom was standing in front of her, looking to the sky nervously. But the yellow mare brought her gaze down to the unicorn as she stirred from her spell-trance. “So how'd it go? Where is she?”

“Maybe a mile that way.” Sweetie Belle pointed nearly directly under the center of the clouds, where they gathered thickes and formed the darkest of grays. “She's still walking, but she's limping. She is headed this way, though. We can run over there and bring her back.”

“No, Sweetie, Ah'll go, Ah'll help her get back here!” Apple Bloom pulled out her compass and balanced it on her hoof. “West by northwest. That'll be easy 'nough.”

“There's no way I'm not coming!” Sweetie Belle felt her cheeks flush with indignation.

“Darn it! Sweetie, this is exactly what Scootaloo and Ah are always tryin' ta tell ya. Ya don't have ta try ta do everythin' yerself. It makes more sense if ya stay here and let me handle this.”

“The hay, it does! I can't just stay here when I could be helping Scootaloo!”

“Sweetie Belle!” she said darkly. It was a whisper that sounded louder to Sweetie Belle's ears than any shout she had ever heard her friend utter. “You will stay here! You have ta be the one that can guide us back if we need it! Ah've seen what happens to ya when yer out in a blizzard fer too long. It makes ya sick.” Sweetie Belle was about to protest, but Apple Bloom cut her off. “Look, it's not that Ah want ta go alone! Ya know Ah don't want that! But we have ta do what makes the most sense, or else none of us'll get out o' this mess! 'Sides Ah'm the faster runner, ya know.”

The unicorn bit back her retort and let out an irritated sigh. She knew the mare was right. A snowstorm like the last one would make her nauseous, and she couldn't run a whole mile and back. Not quickly anyway.

“I- Darn it, Apple Bloom! Just be quick about it! If it starts snowing too much I'll find a way to signal you, even through the storm.” Just before the other mare turned to go, Sweetie Belle stuck out her hoof. “Just make sure you bring her back with you. Please!”

“Ya know Ah will,” Apple Bloom promised. The mare then ran off toward the dark clouds.

Sweetie Belle turned away from her friend as tears threatened to surface. Why? she had to ask herself. I thought I swore I'd never be helpless like this again. Is my magic not good enough to help them? Darn it! I could have done better! I should have learned more spells! She stomped into the mouth of the tunnel angrily. I hate this feeling, this waiting. But Bloom's right, I'd just slow her down.

* * *

Everything ached but nothing more so than her wings, even as they remained cramped at her sides. She had tried spreading them out, but the pain only grew and her vision turned to darkness. Everything had stopped hurting for a moment.

She didn't know how much time had gone by in that silent void. But suddenly, like a pin being pressed against a balloon, a single snowflake landed upon her muzzle, and the world returned to her. With a groan, she had managed to force herself back onto her hooves. Her left hind-leg burned as she put her wight on it.

I can't stop. Not yet. I have to find them. She held onto that single thought and glanced around. For some reason, the world seemed shallower, and smaller, and all her limbs begged her to just lay still. “Sweetie? Apple Bloom?” she called out with a cough. Ow! She flinched. My throat. Hay! Is there any part of me that doesn't feel like it was struck by lightning? Darn it, where are they? Sweetie... Apple Bloom...

She saw a mountain faintly in the distance as a small amount of snow began falling around her. Snow. Again? The mountain... right... that's where we were going. A cave... a mine... To get out of the storm? Yeah, that sounds about right. She turned to face the looming mountain to step toward it, and nearly tripped over something.

Scootaloo looked down and saw a tree had collapsed in front of her. Who put this here? She scowled at the debris. Beyond it was another felled tree, and another. The whole forest? she wondered at the sight around her. The world spun as she turned her head. No! Focus! One hoof in front of the other! To the mountain!

With a wince etched upon her mouth, she began walking. Slow and steady.

End of Chapter 5

Chapter 6 - Through the Clouds

A Heart of Change – Chapter 6: Through the Clouds
By: SilentBelle

There should be something I can do, Sweetie Belle thought to herself, as she looked around the cave. She had her horn alight with its familiar glow. The rigid rock ceiling cast numerous pockmarked shadows from the emerald light. Looking past those shadows, she saw a series of long wooden beams along the walls, and a few crossed the ceiling as well. As she passed under one such beam, she felt her horn draw very close to the wood, nearly scraping its surface, and she slouched reflexively. Darn, it's kind of cramped in here.

She peered around and discovered a glint of metal from the dark floor. Oh, the tracks. She peered at them and saw them heading straight towards a smaller tunnel, and sitting on those tracks was an abandoned, empty mine cart. Huh, it doesn't even look that old. I wonder if this mine is even abandoned.

She looked for a moment at the deep tunnel which swallowed the steel tracks. No, she thought to herself, shaking her head sadly. I'm not going any further into the mine. Not without Bloom and Scoots.

Sweetie Belle let out a sigh as she headed back toward the entrance of the cave, to wait for her friends. Seriously though, I have to do something. As she stepped toward the opening, she dismissed her light spell without a second thought. Against the sudden change of light, something slight caught her eye.

No, not just her eye; she felt it in front of her. It was something very faint, and was gone in an instant. Alongside it, she heard the softest of humming sounds. She almost mistook it for an echo from her own hooffall. She closed her eyes and strained her ears against the gentle breath of the wind, which brushed past the tunnel entrance.

In the next moment, she caught the sound once again. It's laughter, she concluded, and then opened her eyes in surprise. That laughter... I'd know it anywhere! “Scoddri?” she whispered into the open air.

Wait, think! She forced herself into stillness. If I'm hearing him, there has to be a source. I just need to find out where it's coming from. With a frown, she stretched out her senses and combed her surroundings to locate the faint source.

It took her over a couple minutes until she final sensed it, right beneath her own nose. It's coming from my amulet? It still feels as lifeless as ever though. She narrowed her eyes and brought out a tendril of magic from her own horn. With a tender prod, she probed the amulet, and found nothing inside of it, not a single drop of magic. But suddenly, she felt something very slight, touching the emerald necklace. Like moisture forming on a blade of grass, this was a very small bit of magic, almost invisible to her.

She searched with her tendril, deftly feeling the strange magic and studying it. It's a spell sigil that I've never come across before. But, it seems simple enough. It's also remote, like a scrying spell, or a telekinesis spell. And it's coming from outside...

Sweetie Belle followed the spell thread and moved to the mouth of the cave. She saw it heading ever outward into the falling snow; it was the direction that Scootaloo had been in when Sweetie Belle had scryed for her. The unicorn frowned at the drifting flakes. The weather's getting worse again. And at its center, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom are probably there. Darn it! I have to do something! But, what can I do?

Scoddri's distant laughter reached her ears once again, like a passing breeze. “Scoddri!” she shouted, but the laughter remained, unaware of her interjection.

She flinched as she considered the sound. There's something wrong about his laughter. It sounded different from how she remembered. It was certainly Scoddri's voice. She could never forget that voice. But there was something else about it, a certain timbre that held a sound of pain and a feeling of abandonment.

Sweetie Belle thought back to all the times he had laughed at her. and a smile came to her face. That laughter had had reason, depth, and richness. It was a sound that made you want to laugh along with him. The smile slid from her face. This laughter is pointless and it hurts to listen to. What's happened to you, Scoddri?

As she considered her mentor, she felt the spell sigil in her magic's grip. I wonder where this spell is coming from anyway...

She headed back into the cave as the wind picked up outside, and the snow swirled into a veil of white behind her, making even the closest of trees into mere ghosts of themselves. With a shiver, she sat down on the cool rock, and began to trace the magic with her own and slowly followed it back toward its source.

A darkness pervaded through the cave, and were it not for the sound of the wind whistling past the entrance, silence would have been just as prevalent. The young mare didn't move for the longest of whiles. Her eyes remained closed and her mind distant, until suddenly, she let out a single gasp.

“Scoots, Apple Bloom!” Her horn sparked to life and she pulled out her remaining eight gemstones. A determined frown cemented itself upon her brow, the telltale signs of a new plan forming in her mind. As usual, she worked to implement the new plan as quickly as she had conceived it.

* * *

Slow and steady, the pegasus told herself once again. The pain of her body had turned to a dull burn. She was certain that if she stopped, even for a single moment, that she would not be able to move again. Have to find the cave... but where?

Her eyes questioned the surroundings. Snow, trees, and the wind that blew at them; they were the only response her inquisitive glances received.

Each step was cool and soothing to her burning body. The white snow called up to her as if to say, 'You've overworked yourself, and deserve a break'. A break? No... I have to keep moving. She stepped onward through the fresh snow. But why? Where am I going? She couldn't remember, only that she had to go. Each step was important.

Her stride was shaky and uneven, but she was used to it. I've been through worse, she repeated her mantra to herself. I have to push past my limits, or I'll never catch up. I'll never win. I'm not going to be left behind!

She stumbled further through the snow and thought she saw something before her eyes. A checkered banner? The wind blew her mane fiercely and wildly as she moved forward. She was flying. She looked down and saw open air and distant clouds beneath her, while ahead of her was the finish line. I've been through worse. I have to keep going.

The world swirled around her, with a howl of wind, she heard the other racers. From above, from the left, and from the right, they passed her in an instant.

“No!” her hoarse shout came forth, and she collapsed to the ground. “I'll try harder,” she sobbed into the wet snow. “I'll do better, please! Let me try again!”

* * *

There she lay, alone, upon the snowy fold
Quivering silence, amongst the soft cold
Anguish, pain, and tears of regret
Her thoughts depart, her eyelids set
Until a friend's voice shouts out in alarm
Lulling her to sleep, an embrace so warm
A moment of fear, the world falls away
Yet she does not fall, and the warm does stay
With a smile on her lips, the world does fade
In a welcoming darkness, she is laid.

* * *

“Don't worry Scootaloo, Ah've got ya,” Apple Bloom said softly as she panted slightly. With a gentle motion, using her front hooves and her neck, she hoisted her friend from the ground. The pegasus was wet and cold, but Apple Bloom felt relief more anything else as she rested the mare on her back. Scootaloo seemed to murmur something as she settled evenly across her back, but it was lost to the wind.

The earth pony let out a sigh of relief. She had forgotten how light pegasi were. Even a seasoned athlete, such as Scootaloo, weighed only as much as Apple Bloom's saddle bags and tools.

She turned her head and looked back the way she came. Her tracks were quickly becoming swallowed by the falling flakes. “Ah'm getting a mite tired of all this snow in th' summer. Alright, Scootaloo,” she called back to her charge, “we're gonna make this quick! So, Ah'm sorry if ya get a little bumped up from all o' this!”

Without wasting a moment she pivoted around quickly and bounded back on her tracks, toward the cave and Sweetie Belle.

“And who, may I ask, said that you could take your leave, little pony?” A dark voice echoed from the clouds, as if it were the storm itself. His words were punctuated by a peal of thunder.

Apple Bloom nearly skidded to a stop in surprise. The hay? Did the clouds just talk ta me? She shot a cursory glance to the sky and saw its gray clouds begin lowering down from the sky itself, as the wind picked up. “Ah don't care who ya think ya are, but Ah ain't stickin' round out here!”

A laugh sounded with as little humor to it as clouds held colour, a harsh and scornful laughter. It echoed in time to flashes of lightning. “You act as though you have a choice in this matter, a mere earth pony and an unconscious pegasus. It's laughable, pathetic even!”

Apple Bloom ignored the voice, refusing to was her breath in an attempt to rebuke it. She kept her eyes trained to the ground, and focused on her balance. She couldn't afford to slip up out here, not with Scootaloo on her back. She ran as quickly as she could manage with her charge, but the snow was falling thicker, and her tracks disappearing by the moment.

“Why not just give it up, little pony? I'll catch you in a moment,” the voice said with a chuckle. “You tread in my domain now, and I don't take kindly to trespassers.”

The wind lashed out at Apple Bloom, so harshly that the mare was forced to squint for a few moments, and slow her pace. By the time she regained her focus enough, she saw her hoofprints were well and truly gone, destroyed by the elements in an instant.

It doesn't matter, just keep headin' straight! she told herself. It was less than ten minutes. Not far at all! She plowed through the raging winds and the wet snow even as it soaked her coat.

“Ha ha ha!” The voice seemed to circle around her, just as the wind itself did. “I hope you enjoy the cold girl, for it shall be your tomb!”

“Shut up!” she shouted at the sky. But doubt was beginning to settle in around her. Each step she took was little less certain, and all but the closest of trees were completely cloaked by the storm around her. Eventually she came to a halt as she glanced about, hoping to find a way out of the maelstrom around her. “The Elements of Harmony will stop you! Just like they always do!”

“The Elements? Now, that is where you are quite wrong, girl." The storm seemed to damper down for a moment, just around Apple Bloom. “Take a look and see who has stopped whom.”

Apple Bloom turned to see a cloud had moved in right behind her. It was shockingly white compared to the rest of the gray clouds above it. Yet, there was a single red ring that made the round ball look entirely like a floating eye ball.

“Yes, that's right. I can see you, girl. And you should be able to see this.” The red ring suddenly filled in, becoming a red disk which expanded before the mare. It then shimmered for a moment, and Apple Bloom caught her own reflection it it. She looked winded and tired, and from the short glimpse she caught of Scootaloo, the pegasus seemed to be in very poor condition. A profound sense of worry settled upon her.

The reflective disk suddenly became an opaque sheen of reddish light, and then slowly became transparent, as if it were a perfectly circular window hanging in the open air. Through this magical circle, Apple Bloom saw an entirely different view.

There was no snow on the ground in the scene before her. The ground was a strikingly deep gray of shadowed rock with a solid and flat stonework design. Apple Bloom took note of the intricate pattern. In a moment, she could see the execution of the room on the other side of the hole was exquisite, if a little too practical to be seen as beautiful. Yet the design served its purpose, for her eyes were drawn to the true fixture of the area.

There were statues set up in a line, three to each side of her view. But these weren't any normal statues. They were made of slate-gray, translucent crystals, only slightly brighter than the ground they rested upon. Beneath their craggy exterior, she could see each one held an individual pony inside.

One of the forms caught her eye, and Apple Bloom opened her eyes wide in horror. She'd recognize that stetson anywhere.

“Applejack?” she asked in dread. A low chuckle was all she received in response. “You monster! What did ya do ta mah sister!?”

“Oh, so one of these fine mares was your sister? I suppose it was the one who shared your accent? They are quite pretty like this, wouldn't you agree? A fine decoration for my antechamber.”

“You'll never get away with this!” the earth pony vowed in anger. With a swift action she turned and bucked at the hole in the sky. She felt as her hooves connected with something that felt almost material. She glanced backward to see that the image faded and began warping back into a single red ring.

“Get away with it? Hah! I already have. You see, it's only a matter of time. Your Elements are gone, and without them, nopony can stop me. Nopony knows I've returned, and by the time the princesses find out, it'll be too late for them. Well, nopony knows, except for one mare.” By this time the eye in the cloud had reformed. “But there is a simple way to rectify that problem...” the voice finished snidely.

Apple Bloom flicked her eyes to the circling vortex of snow surrounding her, and backed away from the floating eye. A-ah need ta get outta here! If he did that ta Sis, then he could do the same ta me. Ah can't fight him! And Scootaloo, she reminded herself, and glanced at the pegasus on her back, Ah need ta get her ta safety.

“Oh, such uncertainty I see. Yes, you aren't naïve. You know the fate that awaits you,” the voice continued.

Apple Bloom could imagine a smile creeping across the pony's face as he spoke. It was a smile of insidious shadows. She could feel his joy growing at her expense, and she tried to swallow her budding fear. Her legs shook under her, as if some strange magic were grabbing at her, binding her to the very ground.

“And yet, you know not the half of it. For you and your friend shall not be protected by the elements, as they were. You will feel the full brunt of the spell which spelled their end.”

“Not if ya don't catch me!” Apple Bloom shouted, willing her legs to work. She kicked off the ground, and leaped into the billowing veil of snow.

“So you choose the long, tedious, and just as hopeless route. Your naïvety shines through yet!” She barely heard the voice over the viscous howl of the wind. “Run all you want, girl! You shall never escape this storm!”

“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle's voice rang out from just above her.

“Sweetie?” the earth pony asked, as she squinted into the winds.

“Wow! It actually worked!” her friend's voice exclaimed in a pleased manner, but turned serious in the next moment. “Keep moving! You're really close. Just let me try something...look for the light and follow it!”

Apple Bloom lurched forward into a run, still peering around and looking for any sign of her friend. “What light? Sweetie, where are ya!?”

As if in response to her question, she saw a bright light of five different colours flash into existence, only a few feet above her. At the same time she heard a growl from her menacing pursuer.

“So you still have some tricks, huh? How clever.”

Apple Bloom glanced behind her and saw the line of light led right toward the voice. She wasn't sure what Sweetie Belle had just done, but she was sure that she didn't want to stick around to find out. Bringing her sights back to the fore, she saw the shimmering line of light trailing off into the distance.

Without another thought she charged forward, following the bright and colourful light. The wind nearly tore Scootaloo from the mare's back, but Apple Bloom didn't dare slow her pace. It must have been less than a minute, when, with one final stride, she managed to break free from the harshest of the winds and flurries.

She blinked the melted flurries free from her eyes and regained her bearings. Above her, the bright green spell streaked from uphill at a small cave entrance. Framed in the entrance, Sweetie Belle stood imposingly. Her lance of light shot straight from the half-heart necklace around her neck, out into the storm.

It took only a moment, but Apple Bloom's shaky limbs suddenly seemed to regain their vigor. Apple Bloom wasted no time, and rushed as quick as she could to her friend. No longer was her heart filled with only a desperation borne from fear. In that instant, she felt the kindling of hope.

* * *

The spell had worked; Apple Bloom had heard her. I just hope this works the way I want it to. She shot a glance at her last five gemstones as they hovered around her. She had just used three to strengthen the communication spell. I just need to add to the sigil, not the whole thing. I hope I have enough magic in these crystals... She knew she had no time to worry about it, but still her mind considered the possibilities of failure.

She siphoned the magic from the hovering crystals, and got to work. She channeled it through her horn. There was almost more magic than she could hold. She grit her teeth and forced the strands around the faint pattern that ran from her amulet, toward the storm. As she did so, she wove it into the sigil of a basic light spell and saw as the strand come to life before her, as it shot out into the storm.

She reigned her focus in on the spell, and kept the magic flowing evenly from her horn. Follow the light back, Apple Bloom! With only the intermingling strands of magic in her mind, it didn't take her long to notice that something was changing on the other side of the spell.

Just as she fed many strands of light around the base spell, some other magic was being sent out from the center of the storm. She could sense it was a dark, green and purple shock of energy. Judging by the sigil, she knew it to be some form of lightning, and it was heading toward her, quickly. She could also sense it had more magical power behind it than all of the crystals that she had been using.

Just as the bolt shot out of the storm, vaguely registered Apple Bloom running up the final bit of hill, Scootaloo draped over her back. Focus! She drew her eyes away from the sight and back to the incoming shot of energy. Now!

She lashed out with a tendril of her remaining magic, and touched the bolt as quickly and gingerly as she could. Like how one would pick up a hot plate in their hooves and set it down in the next moment, lest they burn themselves. She pulled at the vicious magic spell and tossed its strand to the side with the rest of her magic.

The green and purple bolt pealed through the air, and struck the mountainside. It left a blackened blemish upon the rock, only ten feet away from Sweetie Belle herself, and echoed loudly through the mine.

Apple Bloom came to a skidding stop behind her. The earth pony set Scootaloo down gently against a wall, and then rushed over to Sweetie Belle's side, nearly breathless. “That was some timin', Sweetie. What the hay did ya do?”

“Not now!” the unicorn warned. “Its coming!”

“Shoot! The voice and cloud? We gotta go deeper inta the mine!”

“We can't,” Sweetie said with a shake of her head. "It's moving faster than I can run! We'll be better off not turning our backs to it.”

“But Sweetie, you don't know what he did! Ah saw them, Sis and the rest o' them!”

“Bloom, it's here!” Sweetie Belle interjected, and quickly prepared for the inevitable confrontation. She held her magic at the ready and furrowed her brow in determination. I may not have much, but I can use his own magic against him.

“Darn it! Ah hope ya have some idea of how ta get away from him!” Sweetie Belle could sense her friend's own magic begin to move within her. She'd seen it before quite often, but never to this extent. Earth ponies and pegasi used their magic by shifting it to different body parts before acting. Whether it was apple-bucking, weather-crafting, or walking on clouds, they used their magic in a very simple yet effective manner. Never before had she seen Apple Bloom let so much of her magic flow into her hooves.

“I have a plan,” the unicorn replied. “Just do what comes naturally, and we should be okay.”

“Hah! Some plan that is!” Apple Bloom said with a smirk.

They waited for a few seconds, and suddenly the howling of the wind died down. Sweetie Belle could see the even flakes of snow lazily drift down from above. Beyond the gentle sight, a cloud, about the size of herself, perhaps a little bit larger, flew toward them. It was an almost perfect sphere, and a single ring in the center gave the cloud an eye-like impression.

Within the remote cloud, she could sense a scrying spell at work. It was far more intricate than the one Sweetie Belle had used earlier, but its base pattern was the same. It was a strong weave that flew in from above the clouds. There's definitely a giant sigil all throughout the sky. He's probably using the clouds as the base.

She drew her senses back to the cloud-eye and saw something else inside there. Now that it was closer, she could sense the emerald thread, that connected the cloud to her own amulet and with it, she heard Scoddri's voice once again. It was a broken series of chuckles that pained her to hear; a painful laugh, if she had ever heard one. Is it coming from somewhere inside the cloud? The remote spell's channel. What is it? And why is he laughing like that?

Before her curious mind could go any further, the cloud before her flickered to life with what she now called, for lack of a better name, a 'remote-sound' sigil. She made a mental note to search through a library, to find the spell's 'official' name. It was very much similar to the spell she had used to talk to Apple Bloom, only minutes ago.

“Ah, so you continue to struggle. I'll admit, you are far more cunning than your average group of ponies, you even managed to deflect my spell. That takes skill, and you have that half-heart girl. But it's not enough skill to escape me!”

Shoot! Sweetie Belle had very nearly let his words distract her from her own building magic. Just as he finished his speech, the unicorn felt an influx of magical energy well up inside the cloud. She wasn't sure what sort of spell he was planning on forming, but Sweetie Belle prepared her reflexes. She couldn't afford to be slow, not at this distance.

Just as she saw the sigil forming, she sprung forth with her own magic, and caught the spell as the cloud released it. It was a dark greyish energy that had a crystalline pattern to it. It was shot out directly at Sweetie Belle, and she snagged it out of the air.

Yet, to her surprise, she noticed it wasn't the only spell on the way. Two others formed right behind it. Directed at both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She moved instinctively and managed to snag the one from the air, just before it struck Apple Bloom, and drew the magic into her own horn. By the time she turned her attention to the other weave, she saw it break apart, and Scootaloo's bracelet began to flash its brilliant purple.

“Take this!” Apple Bloom shouted, springing forward with surprising speed and spun to deliver a solid buck to the cloud.

Sweetie Belle gasped as she saw a small shock of magic pulse out from her friend's hooves. While the kick should normally have passed through the cloud with little effect, the earth pony's buck was similar to a pegasus' and half the cloud was blown away along with much of the magic that circulated through its white mass.

With the front half of the cloud dissipated, Sweetie Belle caught a glimpse of a small sliver of green light shimmering in the center. That must be the channel for the spell.

Following up Apple Bloom's buck, the unicorn thrust her own magic out toward the crystal. She saw the strand that was feeding into the green light, as it came from above. With a grunt, she directed the full force of the magic she had snagged, only moments prior, at that single, thick band of magic.

She felt only a moment of resistance, then the weave came apart, and the spell dissipated. With it, the rest of the cloud fell apart and filled the cave entrance with a blanket of mist. At the center of the mist, she saw the small crystal channel fall to the ground, with a soft clink.

“Is he gone?” Apple Bloom asked warily.

“For now,” Sweetie Belle responded, and moved with a sense of curiosity toward the fallen crystal. “I only severed his Scrying spell. It would be hard to recreate such a complicated scrying spell, and would take a lot of magic on his part. He was probably miles and miles away. That gave me an edge. I could see the spell forming before it was cast.”

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted and ran over to the pegasus. “Did that magic hurt her?”

“Don't worry about her, the bracelet protected her. That's why I chose to stop the one aimed at you first.” The unicorn peered into the mist as she talked and saw a small, lifeless emerald, sitting on the cave floor. It was a splinter of crystal, smaller than the diameter of her hoof, and far skinnier. She picked it up with her magic to examine it. “I'm not sure what his spell was that he shot at us. But right now, I'm glad we didn't find out.”

“What'd ya find there?” The earth pony had made her way back to Sweetie Belle's side and glowered at the crystal.

“It was the channel for his spell. Something that let him use magic at a long distance. Coupled with a scrying spell and the 'remote-sound' spell, he was able to do pretty much anything he could do normally, only over a long distance. And all that magic was being channeled through this small emerald. He was casting at least four separate spells at once. I've only ever seen Twilight be able to do that much, and never at a distance like this.”

“So, then, he won't be able to chase after us without another crystal like this one?”

“Well, not in the same way, no. But he's still very powerful, and knows we're out here. He also still has a complex weather spell lacing the sky for miles. I don't think we've seen or heard the last of him.” She drew the emerald even closer and examined its pattern and frowned. She had seen this pattern before, faint as it was, it matched perfectly, line for line, to the pattern of her own amulet. As she compared the crystal beside the larger amulet, a faint magical weave sparked between them. And it began to glow, brighter and brighter.

“Sweetie, what the heck? Why's that glowin'? What's goin' on?” Apple Bloom spouted out as she backed away warily.

With the light, so too came that laughter, broken and pained, almost maniacal. It only grew louder as the light got increasingly brighter.

“Scoddri!” Sweetie Belle shouted at the laughter. “What's wrong? Scoddri!”

The laughter paused for only a second. “Sweetie Belle?” the voice asked, only to be followed by the same laughter.

With a flash, Sweetie Belle felt the splinter of emerald in her magic's grasp shatter. The piece then flew directly into her amulet. In the next second, the light faded and the echoing laughs were silenced.

“Sweetie, that voice... What was that?”

“Scoddri...” she said softly more to herself, than to Apple Bloom. Then she turned to the earth pony, with tears welling up in her eyes. “He's alive! Bloom, Scoddri's alive!” She pulled her friend into a hug.

Apple Bloom looked at her friend nervously, and hesitantly returned the gesture. “That's great and all Sweetie, but who the hay is Scoddri? And why was he laughin' like that?” She shuddered.

End of Chapter 6

Chapter 7 - To Make a Decision

A Heart of Change – Chapter 7: To Make a Decision
By: SilentBelle

“Alright, that's gotta be all the wood we'll need,” Apple Bloom stated as she finished dragging one last heavy branch into the cave. “Careful though, when ya light it Sweetie,” she offered a warning, “pines tend ta spark from the sap an' all. They also burn quicker than most, so start off small and ration the wood as we use it.”

Sweetie Belle simply nodded as she leaned some of smaller branches against each other in a quick motion of magic. A frown made its way onto the unicorn's face as she focused for a moment. In moments, the water from the smaller branches began filtering from the wood and fell, drop by drop, into a puddle near the entrance to the mine. Then with a light crackling sound, a plume of fire cast its glow upon the rocky surface of the mine entrance. She then let out a sigh, and slumped down to the floor looking rather exhausted. “Geez, that wood's wet. It took quite a bit of effort to start that fire.”

“Yeah, fresh and wet wood'll do that,” Apple Bloom admitted evenly. “But we should be able to keep it goin' for a while with this much wood. Good thing so many of the trees we broken and knocked down, certainly made it a lot easier ta gather.” She tossed a glance over to the orange pegasus beside Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo was shivering, even as she lay there, unconscious. “How's she doin'? Ah hope the fire warms her up.”

“I'm not a doctor,” the unicorn responded, “but she looks like she'll be okay. Her magic's still there.”

“Hmm. Ah hope we'll be safe in here.” The storm outside had calmed to a simple, even snowfall, and the clouds had remained stationary and even across the sky. Apple Bloom was quite thankful that everything had settled so quickly. “Think that cloud guy'll come back?”

“Hmm...” the unicorn began. “I don't think so. Not immediately, anyway. It probably would take a while to send another channel all the way here. Though, if the sky starts changing at all, we should probably run deeper into the mine.”

“Ah'm not sure if that'd be the best idea, we don't even know if this mine goes anywhere else, or if this is the only entrance.”

“But going out there, if he returned, would be a disaster,” Sweetie Belle argued back. “He'd be able to control the weather for miles. We're safer in here.”

“Ah don't know...” Apple Bloom trailed off in uncertainty. “But we can ask Scootaloo what she thinks when she gets up.” We have ta think this through carefully. Sending Scootaloo up ta clear the clouds was a big mistake. Why did Ah ever think that'd be a good idea? What was Ah thinkin'? Ah can't let something like that happen again, just 'cause of a lack o' foresight. Ah have ta consider everythin' we know 'bout this situation.

Sweetie Belle nodded her head in agreement, and let her eyes settle upon the mare beside her. “She was amazing though, you know? That move she did in the sky.”

“Yeah, that tornado thing? Ah've never seen nothin' like it. It was almost as big as when they siphon the water from lakes back ta Cloudsdale ta make the weather. But they usually have a whole roster o' pegasi fer that. Fer one pony, this was a mite impressive.”

“It was beautiful,” Sweetie Belle nearly whispered, with her eyes half-closed in memory of the event. “I saw it, all her magic, it went beyond her, and wrapped around her. It was breathtaking... almost like she was drawing a spell sigil with her own movements. Only, it was so much more complex than that. The way her wings pulled the air around her, and reached into depths of the skies themselves...”

“Ah... don't quite follow.” Apple Bloom tilted her head and tried to imagine the scene, but came up short. “All Ah saw was a mighty 'mpressive tornado. And if it weren't fer that... well, Ah'd rather not think 'bout what might've happened. Never thought that Scootaloo could do somethin' like that.”

“I don't think she knew she could do it either.”

“Oh?” Apple Bloom frowned a bit. She'd have to admit that she hadn't spent nearly as much time with her friends in the past year or two, as she wished she could have. She supposed it only made sense for Sweetie Belle to understand Scootaloo a bit better than Apple Bloom herself.

Why do I suddenly feel like some kind o' intruder? The thought had come unbidden, but she let it linger and considered it for a moment.

“I watched her practice all the time,” the white mare explained, casting a soft smile at the pegasus. “She was a source of inspiration. The way she chased after Rainbow Dash, day and night. It was a sort of motivation that I was always a bit jealous of.” The unicorn let a soft blush colour her smiling face. “It was what actually got me motivated to start making jewelry in the first place. As often as I could, I watched her while she was training, and I saw all the effort she was putting into her flying. It really made me realize how little and small I was, and how much more I could be, if I put more effort into my own studies and magic. It was both disillusioning, and at the same time refreshing.

“I had felt like such a foal at the time, like the both of you had just grown up without me. So, I felt I had to do something to make a dream of my own.” Sweetie Belle grabbed a couple of thicker branches and tossed them onto the fire, causing a crackling hiss of sparks to fly up to the cave roof. “Just like that, it was one of the most important choices of my life, and I made it in a mere moment. It felt strangely liberating...”

“Ah see,” Apple Bloom said quietly, and grimaced inwardly. Ah can't believe Ah never knew that. When did we ever get so out of touch? “So, what does that have ta do with her tornado from earlier?”

“Well, in the past two years of watching her fly and practice I saw something. Yeah, she was good, but not amazing like she'd need to be to make it into the Wonderbolts. At the time I'd never even have admitted it to myself, she's my friend, and we all see our friends in the brightest of lights. But now, after today, I think I can see... she was actually limiting herself.”

“Limitin' herself? Hay, she almost won that race just yesterday,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “Ah don't think she could have done that if she was limitin' herself.”

“Physically she's been training yes, and that much is obvious, she's as fast as they come.” The earth pony raised an eyebrow at her skeptically, and waited for a better explanation. “But I get this feeling now, after what she did today. I feel like she mustn't have had the right mindset. She's always been aiming to be as good as Rainbow Dash, and following in her hoofsteps. And the effort she's put forth in that struggle has been amazing, and inspiring, but it wasn't right.”

“Huh? Right? What do ya mean?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle insisted, while she fed another branch into the flames with her magic. “I realized it so clearly when she did that move. That's the first time I've ever seen her fly in the last two years where she wasn't trying to chase after Rainbow Dash. I don't think chasing after anypony is a good idea in itself. Scootaloo's not Rainbow Dash, and she never will be. You can see that, can't you, Bloom?”

“Ah get what ya mean,” the earth pony admitted. “Life ain't 'bout followin' in other ponies' hoofsteps, no matter how ya look up ta them. Funny how that is. Ah always used ta look up ta Sis, and always wanted ta become like her. Dependable, hard workin', and Ah always thought Ah'd run the apple farm 'longside her and Big Mac. But now that's all different. Ah'm aimin' ta be a mechanic, and hay, it sure does feel right. Though Ah still look up ta Applejack, Ah do know Ah'm not her, nor will Ah ever be. Ah got mah own life ta live and mah own interests.”

“Hmm,” Sweetie Belle hummed in agreement and nodded her head.

By the light of open flame and flying sparks, they sat there, warm and contented. Scootaloo had ceased shivering and her breath rose and fell evenly.

“Say, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom began tentatively, “Ya mentioned a name. 'Scoddri' or somethin' like that, with that glowin' emerald and yer necklace. What's all that 'bout.”

“Oh, that's right...” Sweetie Belle stole a nervous glance at the earth pony then looked away. “I only ever told Scootaloo,” she admitted, “I'm sorry! I never meant to keep it a secret!”

“Huh... Ah'm just curious is all. Ah figure we might be able ta come up with a plan, if we get all our facts straight while we can.”

“Well, it's kind of a strange story. And I was nervous for the longest time, because I thought something might be wrong with me... But, I know better than to doubt myself on that account any more. Put plainly: Scoddri is Discord. And before what happened at Canterlot, before I got my cutie mark, he was just a voice in my head...”

Apple Bloom thought of what she could say, but the words wouldn't form properly in her mind. Hearin' voices, huh? Ah get why she'd be hesitant ta say anythin', but why did she tell Scootaloo and not me as well? Ah guess Ah was more outta touch with mah friends than Ah thought. She kept her silence and concealed her shame by lowering her gaze toward the base of the campfire.

“It was on the day I burned down the clubhouse by accident...” Sweetie Belle began to regale her friend.

While the unicorn spoke, her musical voice echoed softly in the cave and Scootaloo let out a soft sigh of peace.

* * *

She walked through the snow, which was thick underhoof. Before her, a single set of hoofprints marked the otherwise unblemished snow. When the pegasus examined the closest print, it sparkled with its own inner light. As if the impressed snow crystals caught some hidden beam of moonlight and threw a faint spray of rainbow colours up to her eyes. The sight disappeared in the next moment, and flickered faintly into existence from the next hoofprint before disappearing as well.

A sense of worry fell upon her. She felt her lungs begin to pump, and her hooves begin to move beneath her. She was walking, then trotting, then galloping after the hoofprints the shimmering colours, always fading just before she reached them.

The frigid winter air caught in her lungs and burned her throat with every breath. Raw and painful, she kept up her panicked pursuit. The lights they're almost gone! She spurred herself onward as she ran, even flapping her wings for the extra speed.

With a final flash, all the colour disappeared from the white snow and Scootaloo skidded to a stop, nearly losing her balance. The plain white tracks themselves stopped abruptly before her.

She looked around nervously. To the left and right, the snow fell calmly and evenly creating a plane of unblemished snow. Above her was an impenetrably thick fog of clouds. She glanced backward and felt her eyes widen at the sight. The hoofprints, both hers, and those she had been following were slowly disappearing. Only five remained.

What can I do?! Where do I go? The panic gripped her tight, leaving her as a shivering statue.

Four.

Every direction looked the same, no landmark was in sight, just white. Simple white.

Three.

Back! she told herself. If I run back, I can start again.

Two.

Back to where they are. Friends, family, home.

One.

But which way is back? she wondered as the final hoofprint disappeared.

She collapsed, letting her legs give way beneath her. She had been running for too long. She felt the exhaustion in her limbs, as they ached for the cool embrace of snow. She settled down gladly and shivered.

This feeling... I'm lost, aren't I? she considered the thought, gazing at the endless tundra. I've been left behind. Abandoned. There's no way back...

Then she felt something warm reach out to her. Like a memory of childhood, it warmed her from inside. She could almost hear her friends' musical voices between the sound of falling snowflakes. So gentle and soothing.

There's no way back, the thought stayed with her as she closed her eyes to listen for those faint words through the falling snow. Perhaps there was something there, just out of sight. But she'd never know.

* * *

Upon a bed of ice she lay,
Cold, desperate and alone.
But loneliness she'd never admit
While she held memories of home.
So she closed her eyes,
Clinging to all that remained of her.
Relics of a time less important.
A time she could almost remember.

Soon the memories filtered into the white around her.
Their voice was the soft wind of winter.
Their warmth, the moon's gentle glow,
And their embrace, a soft new blanket of snow.

Just as gently,
She woke.

* * *

Scootaloo let out a soft groan and opened her eyes to see the low glow of firelight. It didn't make sense to her, and she frowned at the strange flickering light. Her wings burned on her back, with the low, dull, throb of overuse. Her legs were sore as well, but just from simple scrapes, and not a bone-deep weariness. Where am I? What happened?

“He's alive Apple Bloom, I'm sure of it. He's out here somewhere, and I can help him this time, I know it!”

Sweetie Belle? The unicorn's voice brought a small bit of clarity Scootaloo's mind as she turned her head slightly. The white mare was sitting only a foot away with a pleading look on her face, the sight was enough to make her skip a breath. Why do you look like that? What happened?

“That's great an' all. But how? We don't know how any of this works. We can't do anything 'til we know th' facts. 'Sides, we're out here in the middle o' nowhere.” Scootaloo couldn't see Apple Bloom from her sprawled position, but judging from the sound, she was on the other side of the flickering campfire.

Thank goodness they're safe! She felt an unmitigated smile form on her lips as relief flushed through her body, and a hidden tension disappeared from within. But what happened? She remembered flying. The sensation of wind fiercely pulling at her mane and tail. And her wings were throbbing something fierce. And only one thought still echoed dimly in her mind. Faster...

“I'll figure it out, Bloom. I know how magic works. I can see it differently from other unicorns. I'll find out how Scoddri fits into all of this. I have to!”

“But that's not our biggest problem at th' moment!” Apple Bloom argued back. “We need ta get someplace safe and find a way ta contact the princesses. They can rescue our sisters and the rest. That's most important, and should be our focus! We can't do anythin' if we don't know anything 'bout it. Let's work with what we got!”

Sweetie Belle looked almost hurt by the rebuke. She opened her mouth a few times to try and counter her friend's logic, but she gave up and let a sour silence take hold of her for a while. “You're right,” she admitted finally.

Her tone drew painfully acidic strands across Scootaloo's vision and the pegasus almost winced. “Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo managed to whisper harshly, before coughing a few times.

With a sudden shout, Sweetie Belle jumped to her hooves in surprise, her horn sheathed in an emerald light for a moment. “Scootaloo! You startled me!” Her indignant remark did little to hide the relief in her voice. “And that's what I should be asking you anyway!”

“Scootaloo! Yer back! Are ya okay? Can ya stand?” Apple Bloom made her way around the small fire. “How are ya feelin'?”

“I'm fine, girls,” she said with a wince and pulled herself into a sitting position. “I suppose I could use some water, though.”

“Right, Ah got some right here!” Apple Bloom fished through her pack, and pulled out a metal cup; it was a simple chrome container, with a single handle that she could easily fit her hoof through. She then picked up a kettle that had been sitting somewhere upon the ground, hidden behind the firelight.

“I still can't believe you brought a teakettle with you,” Sweetie Belle said while a light grin tugged at her lips. “And to think, you didn't even remember to bring the tea leaves.”

“Fer the last time, it ain't fer tea!” the earth pony rebuked as she poured some water from the kettle. “It's used fer heating water fer lots o' different reasons, like fer my experiments ta figure out how ta harness steam fer the best output. It's not just fer drinkin'. But it's a good thing Ah brought it. Better than goin' round, tryin' ta get a drink from th' snow.” She brought the filled cup over to Scootaloo, and set it before the orange mare. “Here ya go Scootaloo, melted snow from outside.”

Scootaloo nodded thankfully and gulped the water down. It tasted glorious; it was one her favourite feelings in the world. 'Refreshing'? No, that word doesn't do the feeling justice. She focused on the feeling with a sense of nostalgia, and remembered the hundreds of times she had gone through a long day of training and had finished it off with a large glass of water. 'Catharsis'? Nah. This feeling, it just means I've done some good, hard work. She set the emptied cup down with a sigh.

“By the way Scoots, you were amazing!”

“Huh? What do you mean?” she asked reflexively. “And don't call me Scoots.”

The unicorn ignored her rebuke. “I mean you saved us back there. If you hadn't gone and cleared the sky like that, we probably would still be out in the storm, with that... monster.”

“Monster?” Scootaloo took in her surroundings warily and glanced at the cave entrance. “What monster? What happened?”

“Well, Ah don't know if ya can call him a monster or not. But there's somepony out there. Somepony is controlling the weather. And not just the weather neither.”

“You mean, the eye in the clouds?” Scootaloo asked with a shiver. She remembered the smell of ozone when the lightning had struck out at her. “You girls saw it too?”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom affirmed. “After Ah found ya out in the snow, Ah tried ta bring ya back here. But that's when the storm caught up ta me. And then that big eye came out of nowhere, and somepony's voice began talking ta me, mockin' me. And then Ah saw somethin' else, somethin' weird. Must've been some magic of his.”

“What did you see?” Scootaloo asked. She could see her friend was shaking slightly as she spoke.

“She saw our sisters, and Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. All six of them. They were...” Sweetie Belle, glanced hesitantly at Apple Bloom before continuing, “encased in some sort of gray crystals. Like statues.”

“Even Rainbow?” Scootaloo saw unicorn nod, and her stomach churned slightly at the thought. “Where? Where are they? And what about Spike?”

“Apple Bloom didn't see Spike anywhere,” Sweetie Belle answered. “And we aren't sure where they are being held, but it was in some sort of stone chamber.”

“The voice,” Apple Bloom said with a shudder, “he said it was his antechamber, and was talkin' 'bout them like they were some sort of prize. Then he said an even worse fate awaited us, because we didn't have the elements ta protect us. He almost got us too.”

“How'd you get away?”

“Sweetie Belle guided me outta the storm with magic, and stopped 'im fer a moment with her spell.”

“It was a simple light spell, and I used all my remaining crystals for it. I guess it must have blinded the eye for a bit. Must have caught him off-guard.

“An' that was enough fer me ta get ya outta there and inta this cave,” Apple Bloom gestured to her surroundings, shadowed as they were in the fire's light.

“But he followed Bloom back here, and cast some sort of spell. I'm guessing it was similar to whatever he used on our sisters and the rest. I was able to catch the spells just in time, because I saw them coming, and Apple Bloom and I were able to stop his remote spell,” Sweetie Belle concluded.

“Remote spell?” the pegasus questioned.

“It means he wasn't actually out here. He was casting his magic from far away. Controlling the weather, scrying, communicating, and even casting dangerous magic. He was doing all that, probably miles away from here.”

“That's possible?”

“We can't 'fford ta think that it ain't,” Apple Bloom admitted sadly. “Ah mean, he was able ta stop our sisters. He's dangerous. We have ta assume that he's able ta do stuff like that.”

“I'd never seen anything like it before either,” Sweetie Belle said bitterly. “And I've studied and practiced magic for the last five years. I think it has to do with the shard he was using.”

“Shard?”

“Yeah. He was channeling his spells through it. Most crystals used that way would have fractured under the stress. But this was different. I think it was a piece of Scoddri.” Scootaloo couldn't fail to note the tone of fascination and hope that clung to the unicorn's voice

“What are you talking about Sweetie? You told me that he was gone. Destroyed five years ago, at Canterlot.”

“But we heard him for a moment. He was laughing, and he even said my name.”

“This doesn't make any sense!” the pegasus complained and got to her hooves. She walked over to the entrance of the cave and peered out into the calmly falling snow. It was nighttime, but the clouds blocked the moon entirely, leaving a dark expanse before her, as deep and foreboding as any cave. “So you're saying he's alive out there, and laughing?”

“Girls!” Apple Bloom called out sternly from her spot at the fireside. “Let's not talk 'bout Discord right now. We don't know enough facts 'bout him ta do anything 'bout it. But we need ta figure out what we can do.”

What can we do? Even Rainbow Dash wasn't strong enough. The thought came, nearly as dark as the scene before her. Scootaloo turned from the entrance, and walked back to her friends. Rainbow...

“Fine,” Sweetie Belle admitted in a sour voice. “We have two obvious choices right now: Do we get out of the cave or go deeper into it?”

“How's that even a reliable choice?” Apple Bloom argued back. “We don't know how deep the mine goes, or if there are other exits. Mines can be dangerous places, Sweetie.”

Scootaloo glanced up a the ceiling, with its sturdy braces and shivered slightly. The thought of thousands upon thousands of pounds of rock just above her, which could fall at any moment, was a little discouraging to say the least. She swallowed the feeling as it rose.

“But this guy out there,” Sweetie Belle insisted and pointed her hoof at the entrance, “he has the weather under his control. It would be just silly to just walk out there, where he could just attack us like he did this afternoon. It's much safer inside the mine.”

“Safer? Well, maybe. But we need ta get ta the Crystal Empire and find some way ta inform the princesses 'bout what's happenin' out here. And Ah don't think a mine is going ta lead us to the city.”

“Shouldn't we try to find a way to rescue Rainbow Dash and the others?” Scootaloo asked. “They have the elements. That's probably the only thing that could stop this guy, whoever he is.”

“But they're inside his antechamber. We don't know where that is, and we have no idea how ta break them free.”

“But I'm sure Sweetie could figure it out. She's really good with magic.”

“I could probably figure it out if I had enough time to test it out,” Sweetie Belle admitted, but didn't sound entirely convinced. She was looking deeper into the cave, at a single pair of steel tracks that disappeared into the inky darkness of a mining tunnel.

“Yeah, but the princesses have even more experience, they'll know what ta do fer sure. Ah think lettin' them know what we've found out should be our priority,” Apple Bloom reaffirmed. “Say, Scootaloo...ya think ya could fly all the way back ta Canterlot?”

Sweetie Belle spun at the question, and Scootaloo caught a look in her eyes. Is that fear? Worry? She didn't know, but the sight made her heart cringe.

Tentatively, the pegasus, stretched out her wings from her sides. The orange feathers turned golden in the glow of the firelight. As she extended them, she felt her muscles scream at her she clenched her teeth against the feeling. After a moment, she gave them a test flap. The movement took so much more out of her than she expected, and struggled to even complete the single motion.

She winced. “Ah, I don't think so. I doubt I'll be able to fly for the rest of the day more than a few feet. I must have overdone it back there.”

“That's for the best,” Sweetie Belle stated simply. Scootaloo frowned at her friend, but didn't rebuke her “We can't afford to separate ourselves. We'll have to work together to get through this.”

“Yeah, and that means we have ta 'gree on what we're gonna do next. Ah think walkin' ta the Crystal Empire is our only sound option.”

“It's too dangerous! If he finds us out there again, he'll stop us for sure. He's not likely to fall for the same trick twice. I still think it would be a better idea to search this mine. Maybe we can even find some crystals to replace the ones I've used.”

“And we're back ta this again,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh, and shot Sweetie Belle a glare. “Ah told ya before, there's no point in searchin' the mine. We need ta do somethin' that will take us closer ta our objectives. And goin' underground ain't closer ta the Crystal Empire. We're gonna have ta risk the weather. Maybe if we stick ta the trees, we won't be spotted. We can head out in the mornin'.”

Sweetie Belle shook her head firmly. “No, Apple Bloom. It's too dangerous. He's probably set up and waiting for us to step outside of the protection of this cave before he'll release a storm we'll never get out of!”

“Oh Sweetie, that's a fine thing ta say. Since when do ya worry 'bout how dangerous somethin' is? Ya always seem ready ta jump a mile off o' clouds at the drop o' a hat, or ta try some unknown spell that ya haven't even fully researched. Goin' out there is the only sound logical option with all the facts we've gathered, surely ya aren't goin' ta let the prospect o' a bit o' risk stop ya from choosin' th' best option.”

“That's a harsh blow, Bloom,” the unicorn replied gratingly. “But no, I still think we should at least check to see where this mine goes. I'm willing to think that this mine might have another exit somewhere else. We have to do what that guy doesn't expect! That's how we'll get through this! What do you think, Scoots?”

Don't call me Scoots! she thought as she threw a disparaging sigh at her arguing friends. Scootaloo looked to the entrance, dark and sombre with it's falling snow, and then to the passageway with its steel tracks leading into a void of unknown depth. Wait, does this mean I have to decide? She looked back to both of her friends, and they were both met her with expectant gazes. “Really? You want me to decide which way we go? How the hay am I supposed to choose something this important? It would change everything.”

“But that's the best part of being crusaders,” Sweetie Belle said with a slight chuckle, “the third pony gets to decide which plan to choose.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said, in a more serious tone than Sweetie Belle, “that's how we always solved these situations before: by majority vote. So give us yer vote Scootaloo.”

“Darn it! We haven't had to do this for years! Besides, aren't we done being Crusaders? We've all had our cutie marks for nearly five years.” Scootaloo's argument seemed to have little effect upon her friends' expectant looks. She let out a sigh and gave into the inevitable option laid before her. “Just give me some time to figure it out!”

Her friends nodded, and Scootaloo carefully walked over to the steel tracks, and the tunnel that they ran down. She didn't expect to see anything as she glared down into it's ominous recesses. However, something caught her eye: grayish fractures, which appeared for only a moment. It reminded her of cracks forming upon thin ice. Her breath caught slightly as she realized it was a sound. Hoofsteps? No, it sounds different than hooves on stone. A metallic screech, and something softer alongside it. And it's slowly drawing closer.

“Uh, girls,” she called out in a nervous whisper over her shoulder, “I think something is coming down the tunnel...”

* * *

End of Chapter 7

Chapter 9 - Trust and Honor

A Heart of Change - Chapter 9: Trust and Honor

By: SilentBelle

Apple Bloom was stunned by the sight. An underground city? It's even bigger than Ponyville! The numerous glowing stones could be seen in every direction, more numerous than the stars in the night sky. Altogether, they provided a dim enough light for her to see by.

She saw shadowy buildings carved from the stone of the mountain itself. At the center of the cavern was an enormous building, with glowcrystals placed equally along its base. A spiral of water flowed down its entirety, creating a soothing echo, which drifted through the entire city.

The building, if it could be called that, spanned upward and reached into the pitch dark ceiling. Tracing it with her gaze, she could just as easily imagine that they were outside on a cloudless night sky. Evidently, the same thought must have dawned on Scootaloo, for the orange pegasus, had her wings slowly stretching from her sides as she gazed up into the dark pit above them.

The architecture in particular stood out to Apple Bloom. She was used to seeing the practical buildings of Ponyville, the gaudy spires of Canterlot, or even the ancient and stylized sculpting of Cloudsdale. But this was different from any of those cities or towns she had seen before. None of these buildings had straight walls. Many of them were slanted and sheer, but never square, or following any set of pattern that her eye could see. Each building was unique in size and shape. Some seemed to sprout out of the walls of the cavern itself like the jagged tooth of a dragon, while others looked as though they were small rounded mounds formed naturally from the cave floor.

She couldn't make out the finer details of their construction; it was too dark for her to see, but their prominent silhouettes left her trying to wrap her mind around how the dogs could have created such buildings. Every time she looked at a new building, it just puzzled her more and more. Their uniqueness and dark colouration had the combined effect to draw her gaze away from the nearby buildings, and back to the large, looming spire.

Amongst the dark buildings and speckling of glowstones, she could make out the silhouetted figures of diamond dogs moving about. Some were pushing carts, while others walked by with purpose, and still some others moved from one building to another. A few of them sniffed the air and looked in her direction before getting back to whatever they were doing.

“Amazin',” she said in hushed voice. “How did y'all make all of these buildin's? I've never seen anythin' like it.”

“Hard work, patience, planning, and a bit of inspiration,” Byron said with a light smile. “It took four years to build the Pillar.”

“I don't see how anyone could find their way home in a city like this,” Scootaloo said blatantly, looking at all the various shadows they passed by. “There's no roads, or pattern to it. Just a bunch of random gray shadows. Unless you knew you lived by the river, wouldn't it be hard to find your way home?”

Gravelle grinned at the pegasus. “For a pony, maybe. But we don't use our eyes as much as we use our noses. What you ponies would call 'gray shadows' is a memorable colour of smells for us to follow home.”

Scootaloo frowned at the dog, unpleasantly, but they all continued onward, away from the tunnel entrance.

“So,” Sweetie Belle began, as she peered into the scene before her, “are we going to the Pillar then?”

“Yes,” Byron replied simply, motioning them to follow him, “that is where our bosses reside.”

“Bosses, huh? What are they like?” Sweetie Belle merely gazed off into the distance as she pondered aloud.

“Well. I imagine a mare such as yourself would find it more amusing to meet them without any prior assumptions.” Byron gave the unicorn a small smirk.

Sweetie Belle chuckled a bit. “Yes, while it might more amusing in retrospect, I don't want to make a mess of things. Besides, I think Apple Bloom would give me a sound bucking if I acted disrespectful in front of your bosses.”

“Hey! What's that supposed ta mean?” Apple Bloom asked accusingly. “Though Ah am curious 'bout yer bosses too. Ah don't even know the social structure of diamond dog society. What sorta dogs are they?”

Gravelle shot Apple Bloom a defensive look, and her companion a more venomous glare, but Byron spoke up readily. “Oh, we have two bosses. Old Slater, he's elder of the pack, and his advice is always respected. Then there's Granette, she's been a boss for about six years now. She's Gravelle's mother. And I don't think I should go into too many details while Gravelle is staring stalactites at me.”

“You do have to be careful when you talk about a girl's mother right in front of her,” Sweetie Belle agreed with a nod of her head.

Scootaloo turned away with a roll of her eyes and Apple Bloom just shook her head. “Oh, c'mon, just ‘cause it's Gravelle's mother, doesn't mean ya can't tell us anythin' 'bout her.”

Byron gave a gentle smile to Gravelle. “Some sound advice, Apple Bloom. I do promise not to say anything incriminating.”

“Say what you will,” the gray dog growled, as she marched past Byron. “I'll be going on ahead.”

The rust-coloured dog only nodded pleasantly.

“What's her problem?” Scootaloo asked as they watched her rush off.

“She and her mother... well, the situation is complicated, and it is not my place to say. If you so wish, young Scootaloo, feel free to run after her and question her.” Byron tossed her a grin, but the pegasus turned her head once again.

“Now that just makes me more curious about her parents,” Sweetie Belle said a smile of her own gracing her lips.

“I suspect you'll be disappointed, Sweetie Belle,” he began apologetically, “for her mother is not some cocky dog you are probably imagining she is. She's our boss after all. Granette was chosen for her leadership skill and decisive attitude. Coupled with old Slater's wisdom and words of caution, the last five or so years have run very smoothly indeed. We've managed to become trade partners with the crystal ponies and we've created the only real city us diamond dogs have ever known. I hold nothing but pride for our leader. But just a word of advice, she doesn't like wasting time, or words. Direct answers and questions work best when speaking to her.”

Sweetie Belle frowned in slight disappointment. “Well, I suppose I can be careful with what I say then.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Ya sure ya can, Sweetie? Ah don't mean ta burst yer bubble or anythin', but ya don't really have the best track record fer bein' polite ta other ponies.”

“Oh, Bloom. When did you ever grow to doubt me so readily?”

“When you decided to test a new spell to help the paint dry faster when we finished off rebuildin' the clubhouse.”

“Oh, that was a great day,” the unicorn replied with a smile. “Didn't you get your cutie mark later that day?”

“Without thanks to you, Sweetie. Ya nearly burned our clubhouse down! Again! If Ah didn't throw the tarp 'gainst the wall, 'twould've all gone up in flames.”

“How was I to know the paint would react to a simple even heat spell in such a manner?”

“Ya coulda asked me, and Ah woulda told ya! But no, ya always go ahead and rush inta things without knowin' half o' what yer doin'.”

“Well, at least the paint did dry,” she offered with a quirked smile.

“And changed it's colour too,” Scootaloo finished.

Apple Bloom let out a small sigh and stared Sweetie Belle right in the eyes. “Just try ta be careful, won't ya? For the sake of everyone around you.”

“Trust me AB, I'm careful when it matters most,” the unicorn said in a near whisper, and her eyes widened into a defiant glare.

“Right. Ah'll hold ya to yer words.” The earth pony shook her mane, and hoped she had made her point clear enough so that even Sweetie Belle would think twice before she acted. This ain't some sort o' summer vacation anymore. We can't afford ta make mistakes here.

“You two done arguing?” Scootaloo called from ahead. “If you'd both hurry up, we could get this meeting over with,” she said, with a small yawn. “I don't know about you, but I'm really tired.”

Yeah, we're all tired. And Ah don't want ta snap at everypony, but this is important. More important than just 'bout anythin' we've ever done before. I just wish they'd understand that. “We're comin'. Alright, Byron. Please, lead on.”

The diamond dog nodded and brought them down a twisting path that took them toward the ever-looming spire. “Worry not. After introducing yourselves to the bosses, you can rest in the guest's quarters.”

Sweetie Belle muttered something sourly about sleeping on hard rocks, but picked up her pace all the same and ran up beside Scootaloo. Apple Bloom watched as the unicorn caught up to her friend and rested a fore-hoof on the pegasus' shoulder. In the next moment Scootaloo's wings spread out from her side and knocked the unicorn over.

Apple Bloom couldn't help but smile at their antics.

“You three are good friends,” the dog observed in a voice quiet enough that only Apple Bloom heard. “Good friends argue and joke amongst each other. It's something I learned from the crystal ponies. They joke and argue all the time, but we dogs rarely ever do. I think you might have more than you realize.”

“What-” The dog walked ahead of her quickly, pointedly ignoring her reaction. What do ya mean by that? Who are you, Byron? And what are ya getting at? The questions remained in her mind as she moved to keep up with her friends.

* * *

Sweetie Belle whistled in praise. She was the first to have reached the entrance to the Pillar. The small emerald strand of magic lead upward toward the upper portion of the tower. I wonder what’s up there...

Two dogs stood alert at the entrance, wearing plates of metal on their heads and over their bodies. The uniforms seemed entirely uncomfortable, as well as poorly designed and cumbersome. She could just imagine how her sister would balk at the sight. In fact, she considered for a moment, maybe after all this is done with, Rarity can make some sort of deal to show these dogs a thing or two about fashion. With all the varying shades of gray, a little colour and design could do the eyes a world of wonder. She took note of the guards' irate stares as a verification of her observation and filed away the thought for future consideration.

“That's a pretty big building,” she announced as she waited for the rest to catch up to her. “It's even bigger now that we're finally here. So, what's it used for anyway?”

“It's what you ponies might call a government building. We simply call it the Pillar. It's where our plans and projects are worked on and decided upon,” Byron replied as the rest of their group made their way over to Sweetie Belle. “It's also where we educate our youth and help them learn the skills that they are best suited to. It's a pillar that supports our new society, a backbone of sorts.”

“Hmm,” the unicorn peered in through the entrance, past the guard dogs. “No doors, huh?” Down the hall ahead of her, she saw the building was dimly lit with glowstones.

“Doors are not necessary, for the most part. We don't need to fend off the elements while we live underground. The only reason to have doors would be for the sake of stopping auditory interference or barring passage.” Byron gave the armoured dogs a kind smile as the group passed by.

Sweetie Belle couldn't help but notice the animosity and reluctance with which the guards backed down from their stares. They know him, and he seems to have a reputation.

“Guards, huh?” Apple Bloom mused aloud. “Ah wonder what they're guardin'.”

“Oh, they are just there to stop fights and the like. Some young dogs get carried away when they play, but I'm sure you know how youngsters can be when they're all brought together to get their education.”

“Yeah, Ah suppose it could help ta have some supervision when things go a little too far.” Apple Bloom stared at Scootaloo for a moment to drill home her point.

“What?” Scootaloo asked accusingly. “I never asked you two to get involved.”

Yeah, Scootaloo never was good at dealing with the bullies, especially when they found out about her parents, Sweetie Belle admitted to herself. But, at least we were always there to help her when she needed it. Even if she'll never admit she needed help. Still, it's probably best not to dwell on those days. We got past them, and we're better for it.

“So,” she voiced her curiosity as they made their way down the hall, “that means there are little, children diamond dogs in here? They must be cute! Can I see one?”

Scootaloo groaned. “Really, Sweetie? Cute? We have more important things to do than go seeing some little kid dogs.”

“What? What's wrong with wanting to see the children? I'm sure they are very similar to foals back home.”

“Perhaps after we meet with the bosses,” Byron said peaceably. “I'll give you a tour of the place afterward, if you so desire. Provided, of course, that I do not get assigned any imperative duties before then.”

“Sweet,” the unicorn said. “I'll be sure to take you up on that offer.”

They continued into the hallway, if it could be called that. It felt more like a tunnel to Sweetie Belle, with the way it spiraled and wormed its way upward. All the while, she could hear the low hum of water coursing along the outside walls. It reminded her of how very thirsty she was.

“So what's the water running down the outside for?” Apple Bloom asked as she drew her head closer to the wall and paused to listen. “Is it just a water feature?”

“Far more than that, Apple Bloom. That spiral fountain is what we dogs drink from. It leaks in from a glacier far atop this very mountain. It was a natural drip when we first started digging, but it was decided that opening up the cracks would allow for a controlled fountain of fresh water. And I in fact suggested that we build the fountain as such. It was inspired from the fountains I came across at the Crystal Palace.”

“So can we get a drink from it?” Sweetie Belle wondered aloud. “I'm parched.”

“Oh, but of course. Where were my manners, I should have offered myself.” With a motion of his arm, he signaled them to follow him through a side door. “There are many paths out to the side of the spire in case anyone wants a quick drink.”

Sure enough, the new room opened up to what Sweetie Belle considered to be a balcony with no guardrails. It looked out over the rest of the city. A single path of quick, flowing water curled around the periphery of the balcony.

Sweetie Belle wasted no time on testing the water. It took but a single gulp of the cool liquid to make up her mind. “Wow, now that's some good water. And cool, too.”

Apple Bloom was quick to follow suit, only pausing a moment to take in the design of the balcony as if committing it to memory. “Wow, you're right Sweetie, it has a really nice taste too.”

Scootaloo looked at the water a little dubiously, but then took a drink herself, and any apprehension she might have had seemed to wash away.

“It has the flavour of the fresh glacier; one would be hard-pressed to find another source of finer mineral water.” Byron announced with a hint of pride.

“Huh...” Apple Bloom peered out toward the rest of the city, with its array of glowing lights. “So, y'all got fresh water, but what do ya dogs get ta eatin' 'round here. I didn't see any dogs sellin' food or the like. No fruit, vegetables, grasses. Nothin'. Unless ya eat rocks or somethin'.”

“That is a very good question; I keep forgetting that you would not have learned of us at all, unlike the Crystal ponies. It's quite simple, we don't eat. Well, not often, anyway.”

“Huh?” Scootaloo looked at the dog and frowned. “What are you saying? Everything needs to eat. Unless you're a plant or something.”

“Diamond dogs don't need to eat for the most part, because the gems we wear give us energy. Of course, some dogs can be picky about which gem they wear, but all dogs wear them when they can. It’s the main reason we dig for gems.”

Sweetie Belle looked at Byron's diamond in his collar. She could sense the strong bond that formed between the two, almost as strong as the gem itself. It really is like they have become one. That bond though... it's subconscious magic... Her thoughts sifted through her mind. Maybe I can convince a dog to let me study them. If I could learn that sigil, and one for each of the gems, then maybe I could increase the output of my own gems. She felt the weight of her near-empty bags at her side. Well, if I had any gems left.

“So you live off of jewelry?” Scootaloo asked. “That's... really weird.”

“Wait, what if you aren't wearing a gem?” Sweetie Belle asked. “What happens then?”

“If we cannot find gems, then we eat,” he admitted uncomfortably. “Although, that hasn't happened to any members of our clan for many decades. We are quite fortunate to have found such abundant supplies of gems within this mountain.”

“Ah see. Sorry if we're pryin' too much inta yer own business. We don't mean ta be rude.”

Byron smiled gently. “It is no problem at all,” he assured the earth pony and walked over to the stream to take a drink for himself.

After a minute passed, and they all felt refreshed from the water, Byron headed into the spiraling central hallway. “Well then, we are almost there. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, if you would all follow me the rest of the way.”

“Of course,” Apple Bloom responded and followed suit.

Sweetie Belle noticed Scootaloo give a reluctant glance to the glowing city below them. Her wings twitched from her side, but she turned to follow her friends and the dog.

They resumed their monotonous trek up the slanted hallway. With her hooves aching from all the walking, Sweetie Belle was surprised when two diamond dogs suddenly passed her by, making their way down the hall, in the opposite direction. Neither of the dogs talked, and their eyes glinted with suspicion.

“Huh, did you see those two?” Scootaloo whispered from behind her once they passed out of sight. “They were judging us, Sweetie Belle...I could feel it in their eyes. It's kind of weird. Since we got into this city, Byron and Gravelle were the only ones that have talked to us.”

“They're just a strict bunch, is all,” she assured her friend. “They follow their orders from their bosses. It's probably for the best that they aren't talking to us. Think of how a pony in Ponyville might react to seeing a diamond dog appear in town. I'm actually quite glad we haven't been harassed or heckled yet.”

“They don't like us. We have to be careful.”

Sweetie Belle gave her friend a glance, over her shoulder. She looked tense, almost as if she were waiting at the start-line of a racetrack, posed and ready for a signal to burst into action. “Don't worry, Scootaloo,” she whispered back, and paused a moment to make sure that Apple Bloom was far enough away so that she wouldn't overhear, “they won't try anything out of the ordinary. And if they do, well, they don't know who they're messing with. Right?”

The intense expression on the pegasus’ face melted away at the the unicorn's words; Scootaloo nodded, though her eyes still darted around suspiciously.

In a shroud of silence, the group kept up their ascent until Byron suddenly stopped outside of a single, heavy-looking metal door. It seemed to have an intricate pattern of golden spirals all along its surface and on one side a large silvery handle protruded. This door was the first piece of anything that Sweetie Belle had seen in the city that she considered to be artistic. Everything else thus far had the look of rough practicality, which just highlighted how out of place the lavish door really was. It was then that she remembered the faint emerald strand that emanated from her pendant. Looking down at it, she realized that it was leading straight ahead, past the door.

Byron stepped forward, and rapped on the golden door a couple of times. They waited a moment, Byron's ears twitched as though he were straining to hear past the thick metal. Sweetie Belle couldn't hear anything though; neither could she see past the bulky door. Even when she extended her senses, the door just had too much magic within it to see past it with any clarity. She frowned at the obstacle.

“Enter!” she barely heard the muffled voice, from the other side of the door.

Byron wasted no time and grabbed for the large metal handle, pulling at the door. Slowly, but smoothly, it swung outward. As soon as the door had opened enough, Sweetie Belle peered into the new room.

It was bright inside; glowcrystals lined the walls evenly and numerously. Even the ceiling had many of them, suspended from small chains. The lighting allowed her to pick out the other details of the room with little effort.

Across the large chamber, she spotted three different dogs. To one side, standing attentively, was Gravelle, with an uneasy look on her face. In the center of the room, straight ahead, an imposing metal desk stood, with a dog leaning over the top of it and leering right back at Sweetie Belle. She had green eyes and an aquamarine gemstone-studded collar. She wore simple, dark-gray vestments. That must be Granette.

Beside her, an older one sat on a small boulder, looking passively, with cloudy gray eyes, at the opening door. His nose twitched as he watched. He wore a collar with three gems: a topaz, an emerald, and a garnet studding it.

As the door finished opening, Sweetie Belle took note of where the emerald magic was heading. It faintly shimmered right to the old dog's collar. Its emerald had the same absence of glow as her own half-heart pendant, save for the faint band of magic that bridged the two. Slater. Where did he get that emerald? She frowned at the old dog.

“You are finally here,” Granette announced. “Alright Byron, why'd you bring these three pups before me?”

“Pups?!” Scootaloo asked, clearly offended by the term.

“Oh, shush Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom interjected and stepped in front of the pegasus.

If Granette had noticed the exchange, she didn't respond to it, and instead waited for Byron to speak.

“Yes, Boss. I brought them here because they bring news of great disturbance outside our home.”

“Is that reason enough to parade them through our city? You know we don't let ponies into our city without prior consent.”

“I know our cities’ rules very well, Boss,” Byron said evenly. “I also know that we are trade partners to ponies, and keeping a strong relationship with them is in our best interests. To have left them alone when they looked in need of help would not be the right thing to do. I was chosen as the Trade Ambassador to the Crystal Empire, and as such, I found it in both our nations’ best interests to bring them back.”

“Byron,” she said with a low growl, “these are not crystal ponies. They do not belong to the empire.”

“Which provides no reason to antagonize them. Boss, you have it on my honour as a diamond dog, helping these ponies would not bring any harm to our pack.”

Granette frowned at Byron, but kept her voice to a low growl. “We'll see how right your honour is then, Byron. And what of the trade shipment? The fifth sector needs those tools. The gems are getting harder to reach.”

“The shipment has not yet arrived, Boss. These ponies claim that a storm might be the cause.”

“Hmm.” She then looked past the diamond dog and each of the ponies in turn. “Ponies and their weather. Go on then, ponies. Tell me your story.”

“Well, uh...first off, let me introduce us to y'all. I'm Apple Bloom, this here's Scootaloo, and that's Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom began nervously, motioning to herself and her companions in turn. “We were on our way to the Crystal Empire, when the train we were on ran into some trouble. The tracks were ruined, and one o' the cars toppled. We ended up fixin' the train enough ta send it back ta Ponyville, but we decided ta walk ta the Crystal Empire from where the train had stopped. It should have taken eight hours, but we got caught in a big storm.”

“But you ponies control the weather. There must have been some ponies to have caused the storm.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom admitted, “but we aren't sure who was behind the storm, but it was dangerous and strange. It was snowin' and it's still summer out. We had ta take shelter in the mine ta recover from it.”

“Hmm,” Granette hummed to herself and walked past her desk. “How strong was the storm?”

“Enough ta knock out Scootaloo when she tried ta stop it fer bit.” Apple Bloom pointed to Scootaloo. “Though she ended up calming the storm long enough fer us ta find yer mine entrance. The storm was strong enough ta snap some trees in half; any sort o' cart would been lost to that sort o’ weather.”

Sweetie Belle looked past Granette and traced the glowing green pattern with her eyes. It was a lot brighter now than it had been before. She could almost make out the faint pattern it held. If I can just get a bit closer, then maybe I can figure out what it looks like and what it actually does. She gave her friends and the diamond dogs a gauging glance. While rapt with the discussion at-hoof, they would surely notice if she suddenly decided to waltz up to the old dog. But maybe if I slowly...

“That is most distressing,” Granette muttered to herself. “So then, where do you ponies plan on going from here?”

One small step at a time...

“Well, Ah suppose we were gonna ask ya if ya knew of any other tunnels that lead close ta the Crystal Empire. Travelin' underground would save us from the weather.”

I can almost see it. She nearly gasped as she squinted in concentration. Is it constantly changing? But, that's impossible...

“So, Byron, what was the point of bringing them here? Either you or Gravelle could have told me this.”

“There was something else that warrants our attention. The unicorn, Sweetie Belle-”

“Sweetie!” Apple Bloom reprimanded from across the room. “What in Celestia's name are ya doin'?! Ya can't just go nosin' around like that. We're tryin' ta be diplomatic here!”

The unicorn froze in mid-step and turned at her name, and gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I was just intrigued by the room is all.” Or the contents of the room. “And Apple Bloom seemed to be doing a good job with the recap and all.”

Byron chuckled lightly, and spoke up first. “Yes, Sweetie Belle.” He motioned to the unicorn. “She mentioned that there were crystals sprouting from the train tracks, due to some powerful magic, and those are what had derailed the train. She is well-versed in magic and implied that she knows even more about them than that. She even compared them to our glowcrystals.”

Granette stepped forward and peered at Sweetie Belle. “Tell me, unicorn, what do you know about this? Keep in mind I dislike being lied to.”

“Uh, well...” Sweetie Belle began and inched away from Granette. “I can't say anything conclusive about the whole thing, since I didn't have enough time to study it. But I can say that they appeared because of a magic spell, and it only appeared on the tracks. Whatever the spell was, it seemed to have only targeted steel. The crystals themselves were fragile, and I think they were little other than solidified magic, much like glowcrystals. They radiate their magic as visible light and a bit of heat.”

“Radiate magic you say?” a rough and seasoned grumble issued from behind her. Slater eased out of his chair and moved toward the unicorn, giving the air a few audible sniffs as he did so. “Then you are studied in magic? Granette, perhaps she could help us with our issue. A mutual exchange perhaps.”

“Issue? Did something happen?” Byron inquired.

Granette ignored the question and frowned at Slater. “Perhaps... that is a good idea. If she's reliable. But magic is something we do not understand, how can we assume that one unicorn will be able to help?”

“Through discussion and reasoning, Granette.” He walked closer and leaned upon the desk for support as he passed by. “It is often best to mull things over, I tell you that often enough, and this is a fine example of the time to-”

Just before the dog could finish his thought, Sweetie Belle noticed the emerald strand before her suddenly surge into a torrent. It's not just one pattern, and it's constantly changing. What is this sigil? A spark of emerald lightning coursed through the air from Sweetie Belle's amulet and struck Slater's collar. With a surprised huff, the old dog fell to the ground. As he did, a chorus of echoing, pained laughter sounded.

“What did you do?!”

Sweetie Belle turned just in time to see Granette charging into her. She felt the world fall violently around her and she tumbled into the metal desk. Her head connected first, with a sharp clang. She tried to right herself, but her body wouldn't respond, and instead, all she could do was watch, as the world faded around her. A blur of orange and purple speeding in front of her was the last scene she saw.

* * *

Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo bolted forward out of pure instinct, and lashed at the air with her wings. A surge of pain shot through her strained muscles, but they followed through with the action, and she sped forth with all the speed from her years of training. Darn wings! She landed adjacent to Sweetie Belle, just as the unicorn crumpled to the floor.

“Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom's voice rang out. “Scootaloo!”

With an unmitigated growl, the pegasus spun and bucked Granette right in the stomach. The blow knocked the large dog off her feet, but before she even reached the ground, Scootaloo pounced at her, ready to lash out with her hooves.

But another dog--Gravelle--caught Scootaloo with her shoulder just before the pegasus could follow through.

The force of the tackle sent the two rolling across the floor in a tangle of arms, legs, hooves fur, and feathers. Scootaloo struggled against the Gravelle's gripping paws, and tried to buck at the dog as they rolled. Once they stopped, Scootaloo found herself pinned to the ground--her wings spread beneath her, burning under the stress.

Desperately, she looked around and spotted Sweetie Belle, collapsed and motionless beside the desk. “Sweetie Belle!” she shouted between frantic gasps of breath, as she struggled in futility.

“Stop moving, pony!” Gravelle snarled and tightened her grip.

Scootaloo's eyes flickered frantically, and managed to catch sight of Apple Bloom. She was still standing by the door. Byron stood before her, imposingly, but Apple Bloom didn't dare move; she knew what would happen.

A scuffle of footsteps caught in her ear and Scootaloo managed to turn her head in time to see Granette approach her, a dark spread scowl across her face and she breathing heavily. The pegasus felt a bit of satisfaction when she noticed that she held one arm protectively around her stomach.

“You, pony, you would dare attack us?” Granette growled and peeled her lips back into a snarl, revealing her sharp canines.

Scootaloo only glared back in response, as she tried to ignore the burning in her wings. The dog's aquamarine gemstones glinted from the light of a nearby glowcrystal. It reminded her of Sweetie Belle's own eyes. Not because of the colour, but because of that light spark that resided within.

Sweetie. I wasn't fast enough! If only I wasn't injured I could have... the thought quickly consumed her. I could have done what? Beat up all these dogs? How would that help Sweetie? Darn it! I'm such a failure! She felt tears building in her eyes, and she begged them not to fall. She blinked at them and willed them away alongside her sharp intakes of breath.

“Stop it, you fools!” a grating voice called from across the room as Slater struggled to his feet.

“Father!” Granette said as she spun around and bounded over to the old dog. “You're okay.” She helped the oldtimer to his feet.

“Of course I am, you imbecile!” he barked. “What are you doing Gravelle? Let Scootaloo go! These are our guests! You will treat them with respect!”

Scootaloo felt the grip on her loosen, and Gravelle untangled herself from the pegasus. All the while, the dog looked prepared to pounce back on her at a moment's notice. But Scootaloo couldn't have fought back, even if she had wanted to. She just lay there, her wings hurting beneath her, and her tears pooling in her eyes. She shook vehemently as she tried to crawl towards Sweetie Belle.

“But the unicorn attacked you! And there was that laughter,” Granette argued. “I had to stop her magic! She was dangerous!”

“Sweetie Belle did not attack me. I smelled her surprise just as I smelled the lightning. It was not her who used the magic, and neither was I the target. I merely fell over from the force of the magic. It struck my collar.”

“But, then what happened, Father?” she asked.

“Something to do with magic, you fool! And you just knocked out the only one in this room that probably had any idea of what just happened! This is why I always tell you to think before you act! You will lead our pack to disaster if you don't reign that temper in. And don't call me 'Father' while in a public audience!”

“Yes, Slater. I'm sorry!”

“Your apology should not be aimed at me, girl!”

With her face burning red in shame, Granette made her way over to Scootaloo and stretched out a hand to help the young mare. “Look, I'm sorry-”

Scootaloo batted her hand away with a hoof. “I'm not!” the pegasus rebuked in a harsh whisper. With a shock of pain distorting her face into scowl, Scootaloo dragged herself off the ground and stumbled next to Sweetie Belle, refusing to look at the diamond dog boss. Her movement ended in a trip that landed her right next to her friend.

The unicorn before her lay limp and helpless. Her mane was a mess, strands of the two-toned hair were plastered across her face. Her closed eyes were so still, that she should have looked serene and peaceful; the stillness just seemed fundamentally wrong to all Scootaloo knew about Sweetie Belle. She's never stayed still like this before. She's always moving...even when she sleeps, she's observing and aware. She's always alive with noise. But this silence, it's just, so wrong.

Apple Bloom rushed over in the next second. With a swift motion, she held her hoof out close to Sweetie's nose and paused for a moment. “Oh, thank Celestia, she's still breathin' and doesn't look that bad. She must've been knocked out cold though. Ah hope she's okay.”

“You, pon- Uh, Apple Bloom,” Granette said, bowing her head in shame. “I am very sorry for what I did.”

“And ya should be!” Apple Bloom rounded on her. “Why, Ah'm of half a mind ta give ya solid buckin' here and now. But Ah won't cause Ah know that violence ain't ever a good solution!”

“I-” Granette turned from the ponies and growled. “Gravelle, take them to the guest chambers. See that they are fed and are provided with whatever they need.”

“Yes, Boss.” The gray dog headed over to Sweetie Belle.

“Byron, we'll discuss your next task.”

Byron simply nodded with a very passive face and walked from the entrance to stand next to Slater.

“Come,” Gravelle spoke softly. “I'll carry her for you.”

“Thanks,” Apple Bloom nodded and stepped aside to let the dog pick Sweetie Belle up. “Scootaloo, c'mon, Ah'll give ya a shoulder and we'll follow her ta th' guest rooms.”

Scootaloo managed to pull herself to her hooves and wrap a wing over her friend for support. “Where did everything go so wrong?” she wondered aloud.

“It's okay, Scootaloo,” the earth pony assured her, as they walked out the metal doorway. “These things happen, but the important part is that we all learn from this.”

I'll never let that happen again, Scootaloo vowed to herself. Even if my wings burn like fire, I'll protect her next time.

She remained silent for a while, and let her eyes focus on the passing glowcrystals. Their soft lights lulled her thoughts into numbness. It wasn't until Apple Bloom spoke again that she realized she'd been spacing out.

“Ya okay there, Scootaloo? You're probably still tired from that stunt ya pulled yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” she wondered for a moment, then, in a flash, the memory of an eye made of clouds resurfaced. “Oh, you mean when I broke the storm? It's already been a whole day?”

“Ah reckon it's been at least twenty hours since we left Ponyville. But with no sun out, or clocks ta look at, it's kind o' a moot point,” Apple Bloom admitted with a yawn. They shared a moment of silence before she spoke up again. “So, Scootaloo... what do ya think? O' all this, Ah mean. What are we doin' here? Why are we here? What should we be doin'?”

“I don't know,” she said and let out an exasperated sigh. “I try not to think about stuff like that. I usually leave that stuff to you and Sweetie to figure out.”

“Ah've noticed,” she said in mild irritation, but then shook her head. “Well, what about our sisters and the others?”

“We should help them, of course,” she supplied quickly. “But I don't know how. I'm just following you two.” A follower... that's all I've ever been. The thought stung, but she didn't deny it. She knew it was true, even as she hated it.

A silence fell between the two, save for the sound of their hooves echoing on the stone, which produced a dull grayish-blue pulse to the pegasus' sight.

“Do you regret jumping off that train?”

The question caused her to flinch. Scootaloo gazed off straight ahead for a moment, down the spiraling path, to where the dog carried Sweetie Belle in her arms. Then she glanced at Apple Bloom to see her staring right back. “No,” she stated simply. “I regret a lot of things, but I don't regret that. Even if this all ends very wrong, that's one thing I won't regret. I've thought about it. We could be back in Ponyville right now, waiting around while all this, whatever it is, happens out here. We'd be wondering when our sisters would come home. We'd just sit patiently and wait. And when they didn't come back...” She shook her head. “No, I'll never regret jumping off the train.”

Apple Bloom nodded at that. “Thanks, Scootaloo. Ah guess Ah needed ta hear that. Ah kept thinkin' that if I had just made better arguments, Ah could've kept both o’ ya outta trouble. But, Ah'm glad we made the right choice.” She gave Scootaloo a soft smile, but then her expression hardened. “But it's dangerous, Scootaloo. Don't forget that. We have ta be careful, or Sweetie Belle's not gonna be the only one who gets hurt. We need ta convince her ta be more careful. She gets inta more trouble than any other pony Ah know, and this time the stakes are high. It's not just us bein' worried about catchin' a lecture from Cheerilee. We can't afford ta mess up here!”

“Yeah, I know.” Scootaloo looked to her hooves as they continued their descent toward the guest chambers. But how do we know what to do?

* * *

The guest chambers were a simple room with some stone furniture built into the walls and floors. Apple Bloom looked at the room in surprise. “Huh. Well that's a kinda smart idea, buildin' chairs an' tables outta the stone itself,” she commented as she explored the rather bland room. She poked her head through a window in the wall. She was surprised to note that they were still fairly far up above the rest of the cave city. Ah thought that we had nearly made it to the bottom o' the Pillar. Ah Guess Ah'm more tired than Ah thought.

Gravelle deposited Sweetie Belle onto a litter of blankets which rested on a raised stone platform. It reminded Apple Bloom of a bed, she supposed, though it didn't look entirely comfortable. There were four such platforms in the room. Thankfully, they looked pretty clean.

“I will be back with some food and drink,” the dog said quietly. “Please, stay here for the time being.”

Scootaloo stared daggers at Gravelle as she made to exit the small quarters. “Wait,” Apple Bloom called gently from across the room. “Ah just want ya ta know, we don't blame ya fer what happened up there. It wasn't yer fault.”

The dog shook her head and looked at both ponies with her blue eyes. She wore a grimace that made Apple Bloom's gut churn. “It was our fault. Our pack acted dishonourably, and we will make up for it. I am sorry.”

“But you didn't do anythin' wrong!” Apple Bloom protested. “Ya shouldn't be sorry fer doin' what ya were supposed ta do.”

“You misunderstand. The pack isn't about me,” she said distastefully and walked out, into the hallway.

But, why would ya punish yerself fer somethin' outta yer control? That's just pointless. Apple Bloom let out a sigh and turned back to Scootaloo. The pegasus was working away at Sweetie Belle's saddle bags, trying to relieve the unicorn of the cumbersome packs. Apple Bloom suddenly realized just how heavy her own saddle bags were.

Over the course of a minute, she relieved herself of her own burdensome bags. Her numerous tools clunked gently on the ground. “Oh hay, am Ah beat. How're ya doin', Scootaloo?”

“I'm fine,” she muttered and finally managed to remove Sweetie Belle's bags and set them below the window.

“Let's just get some food and then get some rest. Ah'm sure Sweetie will be up and at 'em in no time at all.” Apple Bloom sat down at a squared flat sheet of rock, which, she figured, was the functioning table in the room. “Why not take a seat?” She beckoned to the stone beside her.

Scootaloo just deemed to lay down on the bed next to Sweetie Belle's and didn't respond.

Apple Bloom tossed her a concerned glance, but deemed it necessary to give her some time alone. A lot's happened, she admitted to herself, as she pulled her saddlebags next to her, and fished through the contents.

“I’m angry,” the pegasus admitted quietly.

Apple Bloom set her bag down in surprise and looked back at the pegasus. Scootaloo hadn’t moved from the bed.

“I’m angry at Granette. She attacked Sweetie, just like that, and I couldn’t do anything!”

“Look, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom called to her friend. “Ah’m angry too. Furious even! But Ah know that actin’ on those feelin’s is just gonna get us in over our heads.”

Scootaloo let out a bitter, dismissive huff, but otherwise, fell quiet.

Apple Bloom waited a moment, but her friend didn’t seem inclined to speak any more. With a sigh, she fished out a pencil and her notebook and flipped it open. She turned past numerous sketches of different engine and gear designs until she reached to a new page. With the pencil held gently in her lips, she emptied her mind and got to sketching the scene before her. The room's round shape, and simplistic furniture. The dim shadows at that seemed to build closest to the window. And at the center of it all, she sketched Scootaloo, who lay on her side, away from Apple Bloom.

The pegasus' wings were stretched out behind her, and the earth pony let her graphite do its work. Ah wonder how they work... the thought had never really occurred to her before, but the more she looked at the wings, the less they made sense. Sure, pegasi are light an' all, but even so, those wings shouldn't be able ta keep her air-borne, and yet she was able ta quell that whole storm in mere moments. Ah wonder...

She began sketching as numerous designs that popped into her mind. There has ta be some other force goin' on... pushin’ up from the underside of the wing... she pondered the concept for a while, until her eyes caught sight of Scootaloo's bracelet and the gears clicked in her mind. Ah'll have ta ask Sweetie Belle, but if this works... hay, ponies from everywhere'll want one. She cast a glance at her surroundings. And maybe not even just ponies.

It wasn't too long until Apple Bloom heard the diamond dog returning. She looked up in time to catch the sight of Gravelle, just as she passed the threshold of the room. She was carrying two metal buckets by their handles, and had a small pack over her shoulder. She set the buckets down on the table, and pulled a stack of ceramic bowls from her pack. She set them down on the table as well.

“Food and water,” she stated simply.

“Thank you,” Apple Bloom replied and closed the book she was drawing in. She noticed the dog eyeing the notebook curiously, but Gravelle kept her silence and turned to leave.

“Yer curious 'bout us, aren't ya?”

The dog stopped at her words and turned back.

“Why don't ya stay here fer a while, and we can share some stories. 'Cause Ah'm pretty darn curious mahself, and Ah know Ah won't be able ta get a proper sleep if Ah don't understand a bit more 'bout how everythin' works down here.”

Gravelle considered for a moment before taking a spot at the table. “Very well. It is in the clan's best interest to share such information.”

“Or, ya could just admit that yer interested in other ponies.” Apple Bloom smiled and got to pouring herself some water. “That's why you 'n Byron deal with the crystal ponies, right?”

“Yes, I will admit to my own curiosity, but our position in dealing with ponies is a valuable asset to the clan. That is the reason why Byron and I deal with the ponies.”

“Ah'm just sayin', Gravelle, a good leader notices an individual's disposition.” The earth pony poured a separate bowl from the other bucket. A small shower of dried oats chimed against the ceramic as it filled the bowl. “It speak volumes of yer clan's leadership, that both of ya seem so content with yer position. Ah can't imagine how hard it must be ta figure out who is the right dog fer the job. 'Specially 'cause ya don't have a cutie mark ta point it out fer ya.”

“Yes, our leadership is strong, and I don't envy the boss her job. Her leadership and decisions have lead us far and deep into this mountain. It is why we are the largest of the clans. She has won the respect of all dogs.”

“Ah see, ya really don’t like talkin’ ‘bout her like she’s yer mother, huh?” Apple Bloom took a moment to eat and look about the chamber. Her eyes rested on the window for a moment. “Ya know... come ta think of it, Ah don't think we ever heard what the name of yer city is.”

“A name for the city?” she asked with a tilt of her head. “It has not been named. It is ours, the Black Snout Clan's, but it has never needed a name. Some call it the Pillar, but that is just the centerpiece. It needs no name other than home.”

“Really, y'all don't name yer cities?”

“For what purpose would we need a name? The clan is our home, not the stone or the gems. The buildings don't last forever, just as we cannot remain in one place forever.”

“Then why build a city? If ya weren't gonna stay in one place permanently, why make such a big building?”

“Because there are gems here. Lots of gems. More than any other mountain we've found. And with the help of the crystal ponies we are able to dig deeper than ever before. I worry though; after remaining in this place for many years, some dogs seem far too attached to these stone buildings. The clan will not react well when the time comes to move again.”

“So, y'all will just up 'n leave when ya have ta? Ah guess that's why all the stonework is so plain down here. If it was just built to be abandoned, then there's no real reason to make designs. The thought saddened her.

“Perhaps not within my own lifetime, but we will leave eventually. But I am curious now, Apple Bloom. What of your home? Why do you ponies settle permanently?”

“Well, cause it's more beneficial ta not keep movin'. We live off the land. In fact, where Ah'm from, that's Ponyville, mah family feeds nearly half the town with our apple trees.”

“This...Ponyville,” Gravelle said as she leaned forward on the table, “I would like to hear more of it.”

“Sure thing.” Apple Bloom gave the dog a smile.

Suddenly, she heard an irritated sigh from behind her. She turned to see Scootaloo get up.

“Oh, hey, Scootaloo, we got some food 'n water here.”

“I'm gonna go out for a bit. I'll eat later,” was all Scootaloo said. With that, the pegasus jumped through the open paneless window and took to the air.

“Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom spoke the question too late and let out a sigh. “Geez, Ah guess she doesn't want ta think 'bout home right now.” She shook her mane and turned back to face Gravelle. “Well then,” she muttered, and took another gulp of water from her bowl, “Ah guess ya wanted ta hear 'bout Ponyville then?”

* * *

The air was warm and carried the echoing sounds of running water. Scootaloo hovered in the still air, her wings aching, and yet they begged to be used. She knew the feeling. There had been countless times when she had overused her wings, especially the few weeks after she had gotten her cutie mark. And over the course of numerous injuries, she had come to appreciate the simplicity of a slow, soothing flight, while gritting her teeth against the burning protest of her muscles.

She welcomed the pain, it gave her mind something to focus on. She wouldn't have to contemplate the fact that Sweetie Belle was unconscious, or think about Ponyville. She let her eyes rest upon the numerous lights that filtered up to her, and relaxed all her limbs, save for her wings. It helped for a time, to just lose herself in that low glow. It reminded her of those times when she would lay atop a cloud and stare straight up at the night's sky.

But the memory was enough to highlight of all the differences. She wasn't in Ponyville. She was underground, flying in the stagnant air. With all the weight of the world ready to fall down onto her. There were no owls hooting, or crickets calling to add their beauty to the scene before her. No, there was just that distant, ghostly, burble of water playing to her ears, the occasional bark from below, and the drone of metal scraping across metal. They all culminated to dull, earthy hues splayed across the bland, stoney background.

She hovered in the open air for a moment, and felt the pressure of the earth above her. Every sight was alien to her. It's like staring into nothingness. Those lights aren't the stars that guide my flight, they’re random and some of them are moving. I feel so lost in here.

Darn it, stop being so depressed! She berated herself. I can't just lose myself to this. I have more than this! She looked at the Pillar. Its numerous pockets of light held her eyes focused. I still have my friends, she reminded herself. And I'll do anything to keep them safe. That's all I really need.

She looked up to the higher reaches of the Pillar and looked to the brightest light shining out. That must be the room where we met the old dog, and where Granette... She shook her head at the memory.

With a few beats of her wings she shot up toward the opening, and slowed as she approached. Scootaloo came to a hovering halt once she got close enough to see inside. She saw Granette, Byron, and Slater, all talking to each other.

Scootaloo's eyes were drawn to the glint of emerald within the old dog's collar. That emerald... That must have been the cause. It looked awfully familiar, and she was certain that Sweetie Belle had been looking at the emerald before that lightning had flashed. I may not know much about magic, but her amulet is emerald as well. There has to be a connection there. She hovered as she contemplated the object.

Granette was pacing and barking out to both the other dogs. Byron nodded grimly from time to time, and offered a short phrase or two while leaning against a wall, and Slater simply sat near the window, half-facing away from it. He remained silent, and nearly motionless. The emerald nestled against his throat.

I'm sure that Sweetie wants to get a closer look at that gem. She fantasized a scene of flying into the room at lightning speed and pulling the collar from the old dog before darting back out the window. She would be quick enough that they wouldn't even know what had happened. She dispelled the fanciful thought with a shake of her head, and blushed at her own foalishness.

Well, whatever they're discussing, it must be pretty important. But, it would be stupid to do anything; we're in deep enough as it is. In fact, if they saw I was hovering out here, they'd probably think I was spying on them or something. With a quiet sigh, she spiraled back down the Pillar and alighted upon a section that cradled fresh, flowing water.

Her wings called a quiet praise to her as she landed. Smiling at the momentary relief, she took a long drink and let the coolness spread through her. There's nothing quite like a good drink after flying. Even if it was a slow flight.

She let her wings relax in gentle extension for a few minutes. She knew that curling them back up to her side would just make it that much harder to use them again.

She let out such a heavy yawn that she nearly lost her balance. Oh hay, if that isn't a sign, then I don't know what is. I should head back, she decided.

In a few minutes, she spiraled around the Pillar until she found the window she was looking for. Resting on the floor beside the window were Sweetie Belle's saddlebags, right where she had set them. With an unsteady descent, Scootaloo, managed to grab the edge of the circular hole and with a few struggling beats of her wings, drag herself through it.

With a crash, she landed atop Sweetie's saddlebags and felt the corner of a book jab her in the ribs. Of course she'd bring books with her, she thought, with a roll of her eyes.

She managed to bring herself to her hooves, and was surprised to see that not only was Apple Bloom resting on her own litter of blankets, but that she hadn't been woken up by the pegasus' clumsy entrance.

With all the remaining energy she could muster, Scootaloo plodded over to her own bed and collapsed onto it. She rolled onto her side and saw the table with two buckets and numerous bowls on it. But her limbs commanded her to ignore the bowls.

Darn it! I'll eat in the morning. Or whatever time it is when I wake up. She closed her eyes, and soaked herself in her body’s complaints. Oh Luna, I need some sleep. And please, no nightmares tonight.

* * *

End of Chapter 9

Chapter 10 - A Deal With Stone

A Heart of Change Chapter 10: A Deal With Stone

By: SilentBelle

She hovered in the air. Her wings feeling fresh and swift with every gentle flap. It was a rhythmic and lulling motion. A motion of peace and silence.

A dream? The pegasus was fairly certain that was the case. Wait... if I know I'm in a dream, then can't I just wake up? She shook her head, and the world shimmered in a swirl of colours for a moment before settling back to its subdued hues.

It's all just in my mind, she told herself and turned her head to the sky. Luminous stars sparkled across an impossibly orange and violet sky and seemed to stretch on forever, in all directions. She turned her gaze downward and was surprised to see both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

They each stood atop separate narrow plateaus of rock with an endless void between them. The two were looking up at her, and Scootaloo could feel their eyes on her, like a weight. It was cold steel pressing against her skin as she was held in their gaze.

Chains began to wrap around her steadily. They were green, yellow, lavender and red, all coiling like snakes. She felt the metal slither along her skin and felt them extend from her. She look on in stunned silence as the choking metallic chains trailed from her own body and down to her two friends. She gasped to see the chromatic metals feed right into the two mares’ hearts on either side of her.

It was then that Scootaloo felt her wings stop in mid rhythm. They were tangled in the chains, too tightly to continue. She tried to shake off the writhing metal bonds, struggling to break free, but they held her fast as she began to plummet through the open air.

“Apple Bloom! Sweetie!” she shouted to her friends, who only continued to gaze at her, unblinking. “What's going on? Let me out of here!”

Her eyes shot downward to the impending darkness. Her descent was accompanied by the clamor of metallic chains tugging on each other. “Help me!”

With a sudden click, all the chains drew taut and she stopped, suddenly motionless. Her friends looked down at her from far above, but they weren't looking into her eyes; this time it was somewhere else.

Scootaloo followed their gazes. There, just below her neck, was a gaping hole from which all the chains sprouted.

She screamed, and with a jolt, the chains poured out from her in a burst of metal keening. She fell downward, while looking up in horror as her two friends drifted away into a mist of darkness, until all that remained were the chains wrapped around her tightly and the rushing wind that whispered the promise of an end.

* * *

The hard stone pushed her back
Wings splayed behind her
As a hopeless bed of feathers
Cold and merciless
With a shock of breath
She woke with a start

* * *

Apple Bloom's eyes fluttered open, and a gentle chime caught in her ear. She rolled over to figure out what the sound was. She saw Sweetie Belle, sitting alone at the stone table. She had a book hovering open in front of her, along with a bucket of oats which was slowly being poured into a ceramic bowl, which she held between her two fore-hooves.

Apple Bloom was about to call out to the unicorn, but caught herself just in time to notice that Scootaloo was still asleep only a few feet from her. She cast a gentle smile at her sleeping friend. Ah'm glad she came back last night, she admitted to herself. Ah was gettin' a mite worried after all that's happened.

Pulling herself out of the litter of blankets, Apple Bloom made her way over to the table. Sweetie Belle turned in time to see her approach and attempted to flash her a smile. However, the unicorn's cheeks were filled with oats, and the moment her lips twitched, a few of the hard oats spilled out onto the hard floor. In her surprise, the book she had been reading dropped from her magic's grip and plummeted, with a neat crunch, into the bucket of oats. The entire action only served to evoke a giggle from Apple Bloom as she settled next to her friend.

“Ya know, ya shouldn't waste food like that,” she commented with a smile. “Ah'm glad yer awake Sweetie. You feelin' okay?”

The unicorn managed to swallow her over-sized portion of oats. “Likewise, I'm glad to be awake, and I feel fine. My head feels like I was using my horn to dig a tunnel. So, what happened while I was out? They didn't use me as a shovel did they?” she asked with a laugh, and rubbed her forehead. “Last thing I remember, I saw the pattern springing to life in front of me, and I heard Scoddri's voice. Then one of the dogs attacked me. What happened at the meeting?”

Apple Bloom was surprised at how quietly her friend was relaying her thoughts. She had half-expected the unicorn to be shouting and acting on some half-baked plan. “Well, things got pretty bad fer a bit,” Apple Bloom explained, “Scootaloo started a fight right after you were knocked down. Luckily, Slater, the old dog, he took charge and defused it all 'fore things got worse. We were escorted to these guest chambers, and they're gonna meet with us again, soon as we're all up an' ready.” She cast a gentle glance into the unicorn's eyes. “They're mighty curious 'bout what happened up there. They're gonna 'spect an explanation, since you're the only one who knows 'nough 'bout magic.”

Sweetie Belle shot Scootaloo a glance while still rubbing her forehead. “They want to know about the magic? Geez, I only had a few seconds to see it,” she complained in a quiet voice. “It will probably take some studying to figure out what it does. And I can only begin to fathom what Scoddri has to do with all this.”

“We'll have to be careful,” Apple Bloom prompted. “Don't just go and sneak around the room while we're talkin' next time.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I know diamond dogs, Apple Bloom. They aren't the type to care about us taking a look around their home. It's not like I caused that magic to appear.”

“Well, yer actions put them on edge,” Apple Bloom stated simply. “If ya were just a bit more polite, then Ah'm sure we could’ve gotten outta that without ya gettin' a bump on the head.”

Sweetie gave a small laugh. “Yeah, I kinda deserve to get bumped in the head every once in awhile.”

“So... yer not mad at Granette fer knockin' ya out?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. Well, if there's one thing 'bout ya, Sweetie Belle, it's that ya never cease ta surprise me.

“Of course not. As I said, I've been around diamond dogs before. They aren't the type to do something unless they have a good reason. Even if that reason was wrong, I can still see why they did it.”

“Yeah, Ah know why they did it, but even Ah was really angry with 'em. How can ya just shrug it off as nothin'?”

The unicorn gave a shrug. “I don't know. I guess I just don't see the point in being angry over it. There were no lasting side-effects. We can't hold their accidents against them, since they were only doing what they thought was right.”

“But it was wrong!” Apple Bloom said forcefully, slamming her hoof onto the rock table. “It's 'cause they made a mistake that we should be angry!” She shook her mane furiously. “Darn it, Sweetie! This is why Ah'm always yellin' at ya! Because Ah want ya to know that ya made a mistake and it's yer responsibility to own up ta it!”

Sweetie Belle seemed to flinch from her rebuke, and she cast her green eyes downward. “I'm sorry, Bloom,” she said. “I didn't realize I was causing you so much trouble. I...” She slammed her hoof on the table. “I'm always trying my best, Bloom, honest!”

“Ah know ya are, and that's why Scootaloo and I are willin' ta forgive ya all the time.”

“Then promise me,” Sweetie said, almost pleadingly. “Keep calling me out when I make mistakes. I don't want to keep causing both of you trouble. Please.”

“Sweetie... Of course Ah promise.” Apple Bloom met the unicorn's eyes and cracked a small grin. “After all, somepony has ta keep ya in line, and it may as well be me.”

Sweetie Belle mirrored the grin. With flash of light, her horn began to glow, and she lifted the rest of her oats from her bowl and drew them on an arcing path to her mouth. “Good thing they had some oats down here. I was worried about what we'd have to eat,” she managed to say, through her mouthful. “I didn't want to have to eat mushrooms again unless I had to.”

“They have oats because of their cooperation with the crystal ponies. They often work alongside them, so it goes ta follow that they have some food around fer ponies.”

“Good point.” With her meal finished, the unicorn used her magic once again and fished the book she had been reading out of the bucket in front of her.

The red cover caught in the low light of the glowcrystals. Apple Bloom felt her stomach tighten in the moment it took to realize what the book was. She let out a groan and shot the unicorn an accusing glare. “Sweetie, what in tarnation are ya doin' readin' mah notebook?”

“Well, you left it on the table, so I figured I'd give it a read while I was waiting for either of you to wake up.”

“Sweetie, it was in mah saddlebags.”

“Which were on the table,” the unicorn affirmed with a nod. “So I decided to take a quick look, and darn, I didn’t know you were so good at drawing, Bloom.”

“Those are just some quick sketches,” Apple Bloom replied humbly, then blinked. “Hey, just 'cause yer givin' me a compliment doesn't mean ya can just take a look at it!”

“Oh, sorry...” Sweetie Belle set the book down gently and slid it over to the mare beside her. “But I did see that picture, the last thing you drew. It looks really interesting.”

“Oh, that was just a neat idea Ah had last night... well, before Ah went ta sleep, anyway. Ah saw Scootaloo's wings, as she was restin' and Ah began ta think, and so I started sketchin' some plans.”

“Scoots' wings?” The unicorn glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping pegasus and smiled softly. “Think it'll work?”

“Ah think it can,” Apple Bloom began, and then sighed, “but not with just metal, gears and fabrics. Ah might actually need yer help ta make it. As strange as the thought seems ta me.”

“Hey! What do you mean by that?”

“Well, ya don't really have the greatest record when it comes ta makin' things.”

“But I do make things!” Sweetie Belle protested with a saccharine frown and pouted lips. “I made a paint-drying sp-”

She turned her head to look as they both heard a loud gasp from Scootaloo. With a flurry of feathers and hooves, the pegasus rolled off the side of stone bed and hit the floor with a soft thud.

Apple Bloom winced. Yikes, that must've hurt.

“Well, that's one way to get up, Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle called out jovially to her fallen friend. “Why don't you join us for breakfast? We've got enough to feed a horse.”

The orange pegasus pulled herself off the floor with a groan. She blinked at the unicorn in confusion. “Huh? Sweetie, you're awake!” With a burst from her wings, Scootaloo leaped over to her side.

Sweetie Belle let out a small chuckle and looked to Apple Bloom. “See, all you have to do is mention breakfast and Scootaloo always comes running.”

The earth pony merely shook her head in mirth. Sometimes Ah can't tell if yer bein' silly or dense, Sweetie. “Why not have some breakfast, Scootaloo? We're bound ta have a long day ahead of us.”

Scootaloo's stomach responded with a rumble, quicker than her own words. She blushed and sat down. “Well, alright.”

Sweetie Belle was quick to pour a bowl of oats and another of water, which Scootaloo was just as quick to begin consuming. “There ya go, Scoots. Nothing like a good bit of breakfast to assuage the remains of a nightmare.”

The pegasus flinched in mid-bite, as if she had just been hit in the face with a rock. “What are you talking about Sweetie?”

“You were having a nightmare, weren't you? Why else would you wake up screaming and falling out of bed?”

“I wasn't screaming,” she asserted firmly.

Sweetie Belle looked to the pegasus and her teasing grin slid from her face. “But you did have a nightmare.”

Scootaloo winced, turning her gaze from the unicorn, but nodded. “It was just a dream though, it's not important, I'd rather forget about it.”

“Ah agree,” Apple Bloom said. “Nightmares and the like are best ta be forgotten. They aren't real, and we have 'nough problems ta deal with as it stands.”

Sweetie Belle frowned a bit at her friends. “Fine, I suppose we should figure out what we want to talk to the diamond dogs about.”

“This time you should stay behind me,” Scootaloo muttered from her bowl as she ate. “We can't trust these dogs.”

“Scootaloo! We're gonna treat them with dignity and respect, darn it.” The earth pony brought a hoof down on the table for emphasis. “Let me do the talkin' and only speak up if it's important. We aren't in any position ta antagonize 'em fer no reason.”

“But they attacked Sweetie for no reason.”

“And they 'pologized fer it,” Apple Bloom reminded the pegasus, “and they're tryin' ta make up fer it. Remember girls, our main objective here is ta find a closer exit that leads ta the Crystal Empire.”

“Huh, I thought our main objective was to figure out what happened with that crystal and my necklace...” Sweetie Belle mused innocuously.

Apple Bloom sighed. Ah'm gonna need ta keep an eye on her. “That's just yer curiosity talkin', Sweetie. We need ta focus on what's important first.”

“Well, I think we should investigate it when we get the chance. It would be silly not to.” She tapped her half-heart necklace with a forehoof and squinted at it. “I need to figure out why it reacted like it did.”

Yep, Ah definitely need ta keep an eye on her. Apple Bloom sighed in defeat. “If we have time, we'll investigate it. But that's secondary ta us getting' safe passage outta here. Ah'm worried 'bout what's happenin' out there, and we should be out there helpin' the crystal ponies if they need it. If that storm drew close enough to the city, it could've done a lot o' damage.”

“In any case,” Scootaloo said, as she finished her meal, “I'll be keeping my eyes on the dogs.” With one last gulp of water, she set her bowl down on the table. “Well, I'm ready, I guess.”

“How are your wings feeling?” Sweetie Belle asked, as she prodded them with a hoof. “Any better since that stunt you pulled back there?”

Scootaloo jumped away from the unicorn's reach. “Of course I'm fine. I just overworked my wings a bit before, but I'm a seasoned athlete. I recover quickly,” she boasted, while wearing a smile that looked slightly forced to Apple Bloom's eyes.

“Sweet, that's just like you, Scootaloo. The toughest pony around.” Sweetie Belle gave her a genuine smile, and the pegasus seemed to flinch.

“Yeah,” the pegasus' own smile wilted slightly. “So are we gonna go now? Or are we supposed to wait for the diamond dogs to send someone to lead us to the chamber?”

Apple Bloom thought for a moment, while running a hoof through her tangled mane. Ah need ta find some time ta give myself a brushing. “Gravelle said that we were s'pposed ta wait fer her ta come an' escort us. 'Sides, Ah think we could all use a little time makin' ourselves a bit more presentable. Scootaloo, ya look like you've been run over by a train.”

Without further ado, Apple Bloom opened up her saddlebag and pulled out a hoof-brush and a length of pink ribbon. She got to work on her own mane and watched as her friends performed their own instances of improper grooming.

Scootaloo shook her whole body quite thoroughly and ran a hoof through her mane a few times until it fell into place wildly. While Sweetie Belle simply closed her eyes and used her magic to manipulate her hair for a minute until all the stray strands fell tidily back into her curly mane.

She was a little envious of her friends' shorter methods, but she knew that her extra bit of effort would end up paying off. After a few minutes of brushing, she worked her hair back into a ponytail and used her ribbon to tie it tight. No braid this time, but it'll have to do.

She spent the following few minutes packing up her bags and making sure everything was accounted for, while Sweetie Belle was poking her horn at an idle glowcrystal on the wall, and Scootaloo was starting some rudimentary stretches.

The faint plodding of footfalls sounded from down the hall. They all turned as one when they heard the telltale signs of a diamond dog's arrival.

Gravelle entered the room, stopping just past the entrance. She looked at the three ponies and her eyes lingered just a bit longer on Sweetie Belle than the rest of them. The dog appeared to be much the same as she had when Apple Bloom last talked to her. Even wearin' the same jacket.

“It is good to see that you are all rested and awake. I hope you all were comfortable. I have been asked to escort you to the Council Chamber as soon as you three wish,” she offered civilly.

“Well, even with all those blankets, my back's complaining about the stone,” Sweetie Belle mentioned as she stretched out her back by swiveling on her legs. “I think we should go to the spa once we get to the Crystal Empire. Rarity often mentioned that the service was simply smashing.”

Scootaloo gave the unicorn a less than enthused look. “The spa? Seriously? Don't they just have some hot springs that we can go to instead?”

“I am sorry for the inadequate furnishings, I will mention it to the boss. Perhaps we can find more suitable furnishings when we talk with our trade contacts within the empire.”

“That's good ta hear,” Apple Bloom assured the dog with a smile. “Now, Ah think we're 'bout ready to get to that meetin'.” She gave her two companions a questioning gaze and got a nod from each one in turn. “So, lead on Gravelle. We shouldn't keep 'em waitin' on us.”

“Of course, Apple Bloom.”

Well, at least she seems a little more comfortable using my name. Apple Bloom moved alongside the others to follow Gravelle's lead. Ah just hope the meetin' goes better this time.

* * *

The thick, ornate door opened before them, and Sweetie Belle swallowed her nervousness. She could see the faint emerald strand once again. It flickered so faintly that she could almost convince herself that it was a trick of light. Her eyes traced its trail to the source. Old Slater sat in the corner, while Granette and Byron both stood around the metal desk. They all watched as Sweetie Belle and her friends entered the chamber.

“Welcome, guests of the Black Snout Clan,” Granette began evenly, thought her scowl was unmistakable. “I would ask that you keep your distance, lest another incident occur.” She glared specifically at the unicorn.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Apple Bloom spoke up and gave both her friends a warning glance, to which Sweetie Belle gave her a gentle smile. “Ah realize that ya must be very busy, runnin' a city this size an' all. We're plum grateful that you'd be willin' ta set some time aside fer us.”

“Indeed.” The boss' scowl lessened, though a hint of annoyance crept into her voice. “Very well, let us get on with this. You mentioned, last time, that you were looking for an exit that would bring you closer to the Crystal Empire.”

“Yes, we did,” Apple Bloom said with a nod. “We have reason ta go to the Crystal Empire as soon as we can.”

“And what might that reason be?”

“We're tryin' ta meet up with our sisters. They headed ta the Crystal Empire less than a day before us, and we're worried 'bout them. Between that storm and those crystals on the tracks, we need ta make it ta the Empire soon as we can and figure out if they're okay. Surely ya know how important family is.”

Granette hummed, it was almost a growl as she paced toward the trio. “Family is always of prime concern,” she agreed. “I am head of my family, the Black Snout Clan. I look after them, I plan for them, and I lead them, so that all may prosper. I know the importance of family. But it is for my family that I must,” she stole an irritated glance back at Slater, “ask for your assistance before we show you out.”

“Well, Ah guess if it means we can get out close ta the Empire, then of course we'd agree. Provided-”

“Wait a second!” Sweetie Belle interrupted. “We can't just agree without knowing the terms!”

“Ah was just about ta get at that!” Apple Bloom gave her a glower. “We'd agree, provided that we hear the details of the task first.”

“But of course,” Granette replied offhandedly. “Byron, if you would.”

The rust-coloured dog stepped forward, his diamond glimmering solidly from his neck. “We would request that Sweetie Belle take a look into a situation that has gone beyond our ken. Something has happened in one of our deepest mining sectors that is beyond our understanding. We have come to conclude that magic is at the core of this predicament, though we cannot understand it, as none of us have been trained in arcane matters.”

“What happened?” Sweetie Belle asked, her mind already trying to figure out what sort of magical problems diamond dogs could have come across in their digging.

“It was in one of our furthest reaching tunnels. The digging crew were doing their job when they uncovered a strange, new type of glowing ore. It was unlike any they had ever seen or smelled, they claim that it glowed silver. They went to dig it up when the tunnel began collapsing. They ran away to safety and left the ore behind, for which we are all very glad, for just afterward, along with the collapse was a deep tremor, that made some of the local quakes tame by comparison.”

“That sounds really dangerous,” Scootaloo whispered to her friends.

“Ah, have ta agree with Scootaloo, this does sound mighty dangerous.”

“Worry not, we will be taking every precaution to make sure that the area is stable,” Byron assured them. “Gravelle shall be accompanying you, along with a squad of diggers. Many squads have been working tirelessly and supporting the caves with our greatest feats of engineering. If you feel that the tunnel is unsafe at any point, you will have every right to turn away. All that we ask is that you shed some light on what it is that we uncovered, and whether it is safe or volatile in terms of magic.”

“Well, if it's our only way ta get ta the Crystal Empire.” Apple Bloom frowned at the dogs, then turned to Sweetie Belle and sighed. “Ah can't believe Ah'm sayin' this, but it's yer call, Sweetie Belle.”

The unicorn smiled at her friend. “Don't worry, Bloom, I got this,” she whispered before looking to face the dogs. “Your offer is intriguing, but hardly fair. I am happy to do this task for you, as somepony who understands just how important understanding the unknown is. Normally I'd do this sort of thing without anyone even having to ask. But I have friends, you know. And to me they are as important as any family member.” She offered a knowing smile to the dogs. “As such, I find it in poor taste to subject my important friends to the perils of such a venture, without some other form of compensation. True, we need to get out of here eventually, and we'd prefer for the path we take out of this mountain to lead us closer to the Crystal Empire. But as it stands, the risk to my friends isn't worth the shortcut.”

“So then, what are you proposing, unicorn?” Granette asked darkly. “My own family members are going to be alongside you. If there is danger present, I do not wish it upon anyone.”

“I only ask that you include a small thing. From one, such as I, who wishes only to understand more of the situation, to another such kindred spirit.” The unicorn bowed, almost mockingly. As she did so, she saw Byron grinning and nearly chuckling. “I ask that you let me have the emerald from Slater's collar.”

Startled, Apple Bloom shot her a warning gaze.

“Pony,” Granette began with a voice of warning, “it is not your place to ask for a Collar Gem from any dog. Once a dog wears a gem, they wear it until it is gone. That gem is Slater's, a part of him, and gems do not change owners once chosen.”

“I realize that these gems are something of great importance, and I have noticed the powerful bonds that you’ve created with them. Just as I wouldn't request that a pony give up a meal partway through, I would not ask that you relinquish a gem that you are using.” She peered past Granette at the old diamond dog behind her. “But Slater is not using that gem, so I would ask that it be given to me as a gift.”

Granette growled at the assertion, but Slater spoke up from across the room. “I believe that this child is able to see more than most. Which only serves to prove that she is the right choice for this task. It is true that I have worn this emerald for nearly four years now, all the while, numerous other gems have broken and shattered from my collar from the swift flow of time. But this emerald hasn't, and I can feel that it provides me no true energy or function.”

The rest of the dogs frowned at the claim, but kept quiet as Slater spoke. “But young Sweetie Belle, there is something that I must ask you. Why do you wear that necklace? It provides no true function. Why wear such jewelry? Some dogs would see it almost as a form of mockery. Would you ever be willing to give up that necklace?”

Sweetie Belle considered the question for a moment and looked down at her half-heart pendant. Her eyes saw the dull emerald colour, void of magical energies, save for the single, faint pattern that flowed out from it. She shook her head. “No, I would never willingly part with this. My sister made it for me as an act of love and inspiration. It reminds me of who I was, who I am, and who I aim to be. Its function is clear in my mind.”

The old dog smiled at the sentiment. “I see. It carries a function beyond sight. The same could be said about this emerald.” He prodded his gem with a paw. “I am also certain that there is more to these emeralds than either of us truly realize. That, in itself, is enough reason to give it to you as a reward for your efforts in helping my clan. To not seek the unknown and make sense of it is foolish.”

The dog got up from his seat in the corner of the room, and shuffled over to the window. He looked out the opening and sighed. “However, this gem has... sentimental value to me. My granddaughter gave it to me all those years ago. The fact that it still remains intact reminds me of my eternal devotion and love for my family--for my clan. All I need is to look down upon it and remember my reason, and purpose for being.” He turned from the window and looked to Sweetie Belle. “And that is why I would find it hard to part with. I cannot give you an answer right now, but we can discuss it once you get back.”

“I see,” Sweetie Belle said softly and trained her eyes back on Granette. “Alright, we'll do it then.”

“Hmm?” the boss growled in slight confusion. “Why did you change your mind, pony?”

The unicorn felt her lips tug into a smile. “Maybe because I'm an optimist. I think Slater and I can work something out when we get back.”

Slater nodded in an amused manner as he settled back onto his rock in the corner.

Sweetie Belle heard Apple Bloom sigh from beside her, while Scootaloo stretched her wings out. “So we're going to be going deeper into the mountain?” the pegasus asked, the nervousness in her voice wasn't fully masked.

“I know you don't like being underground, Scoots. But this is pretty interesting, and it doesn't sound too dangerous,” Sweetie Belle assured her. “It would probably be more dangerous leaving the way we came from and ending up back in that storm with whoever is controlling it. Besides, this way we have a chance to make some good friends.” She offered a sweet smile, to which Scootaloo merely raised an eyebrow at.

“Well, let's just get it over with then,” Scootaloo muttered. “The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.”

“True.” The unicorn looked upon the diamond dogs before her. “Alright,” she called to them, “so we might as well head out right away. Gravelle can lead us there. I hope it's not too far away.”

“Very well,” Granette replied before looking to the dog standing at attention by the door. “Gravelle, if you would escort them to the tunnel and accompany them. We've already sent the diggers a few hours ago to work on reinforcing the tunnel and cleaning up the area. The mess should be considerably lessened by the time you get there.”

“Yes, Boss.” Gravelle nodded and ushered the ponies to the doorway. “Follow me, please.”

“Alright,” Apple Bloom said with a respectful nod to the dogs. “We'll do our best.”

“Do be careful, my friends,” Byron called out, as the ponies all turned to leave. “Remember, if you think it's too dangerous, then please return right away. I do wish to see you all again.”

“Of course,” Sweetie Belle replied with a smile and followed her friends out. “You can count on seeing me again!”

Just at the threshold of the chamber, the unicorn's ear caught the sound of Granette speaking. “Byron, I have your next job ready for you. I need you to investigate-”

The door closed behind her, and Sweetie Belle let out a sigh. It's none of my business, she scolded herself lightly. But I still want to know. She cast a forlorn gaze at the ornate door, as she walked away.

She followed the rest of the group and her eyes fell on Gravelle. Slowly, a thought occurred to her, making her forget about the other dogs in the council room. She moseyed over to the diamond dog and gave her a smile.

“So...Gravelle.” The dog gave her a measuring gaze, and Sweetie Belle took her silence as a cue. “You were the one that gave Slater that emerald, right?”

The dog frowned, but nodded. “Yes, I was the one who found it and gave it to him as a present when he stepped down from full leadership of the clan. That was just over four years ago.”

“I see.” Sweetie Belle noticed both of her friends were also interested in the story, just from the way their ears twitched at their voices. “So... I was wondering then. Where did you find the emerald?”

“The emerald is special, yes?” Gravelle asked, almost suspiciously.

“Well, yes,” the unicorn admitted. “I think it's actually a piece of my amulet. It's certainly connected in some way.”

“But it is still just a gem. Why do you want it, Sweetie Belle?” the dog asked, the unicorn's name sounding very foreign amongst her other words. “Surely you can be content with just having your necklace, as it is. A memento of your sister.”

Sweetie Belle shook her head with a small smirk. “But I can't be content with just this.” She rested her hoof on the amulet. “It means more to me than just a memento of my sister. I wish I could be content with just wearing this amulet. But knowing there's another piece out there... it drives me to seek it.”

“You think, just because you have the bigger piece of the gem, it gives you the right to own them all?” Gravelle scowled at the unicorn. “You are greedy, Sweetie Belle.”

“Greedy?” She could hardly believe what she had just heard. I'm a bunch of things, but greedy is not one of them! “I am not greedy! I just want to know how it all works.”

Apple Bloom tossed both of them a worried glance. Sweetie Belle could tell the earth pony was getting ready to dive between the two of them if things got out of hoof. The sight irritated the unicorn. I know I asked her to look out for me and all, but would it kill her to trust me just a bit more?

“Yes, you are greedy,” Gravelle reiterated. “Greed is not always just possessions, but knowledge as well. Why do you seek to know?”

“Because I want to?” she answered bitingly. “Who wouldn't want to know more about the world around them? It would be the pinnacle of folly to not seek out the answers when you are given all these bits and pieces. Knowing these things will only help in the future. It's not greedy to want to understand the world.”

Gravelle just shook her head and picked up her pace, walking on, ahead of the unicorn. “It's not greedy to seek answers, no. But how and why you seek them, that’s important.”

“Geez! Ya didn't have ta argue like that, ya know?” Apple Bloom huffed at the unicorn and moved to catch up to the dog.

What the hay? What did I do? She was the one that attacked me, calling me greedy all of a sudden. What's her problem? Sweetie Belle snorted in irritation.

“Well, for the record, I don't think you're greedy,” Scootaloo affirmed. Sweetie Belle felt a comforting wing grace her shoulders briefly, and she tossed her friend a sad smile.

“Thanks. I guess I shouldn't let her words get to me. It just... kind of reminded me of Twilight, I guess. I'm sure neither of us really meant to be mean.” She watched the other two figures ahead of her and let them lead the way out of the Pillar. “But I'm definitely not going to agree with her.”

* * *

They left the impressive, underground city through a roughly hewn tunnel, which led to a spiderweb of numerous, shadowy side-tunnels. Apple Bloom looked around her, and peered into the darkness; it was a thick, almost heavy darkness. She then cast a nervous glance behind her, where Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were walking, side by side and chatting idly. A small halo of light emitted from the unicorn's horn, which only served to make the inky shadows seem darker around her.

Apple Bloom grimaced and turned back to the tunnel ahead of her. Gravelle was only a few paces before her, and there was a glowcrystal mounted on the wall of the tunnel every fifty paces or so. She reached her hooves out gingerly with every step, and was careful where she placed them, so as not to trip over the tracks that ran beneath them. If it weren't fer the straight diggin' job the dogs did, Ah'd have lost mah balance many times by now.

“Sure is dark down here,” she commented, hoping that the conversation might draw her mind away from just how thick some of the shadows seemed to be. “How can the diggers dig with so little light?”

“They do not dig in such low light,” Gravelle replied without slowing her pace. “Each squad of diggers has a bunch of glowcrystals that they carry with them. Digging in this darkness would not be wise, especially when they get as deep as they are; one cannot afford to make mistakes when digging.”

“So, they just leave those glowcrystals as a pathway back ta the city? Well, Ah suppose the tracks kinda lead ya back ta the city too,” Apple Bloom reasoned aloud. “What about all the side-tunnels, then? Why have all of those?”

“Most of those don't go anywhere. They were dug only when there were large deposits of gems nearby. You see, gems come in deposits which vary in size. Many of the smaller tunnels are in fact because the diggers followed the signs of the deposits and dug them out. The larger tunnels were for the useless crystal.” She pointed to a larger tunnel, almost as wide as the main one that they were currently traveling through.

“Useless crystal? Ah thought ya used all the gems ya could.”

“Sapphires, rubies, topaz, emerald, garnet, dozens more. Those are the gems we dig for, but we had normally left behind the useless crystal. Huge segments of useless, hard crystal, and too tough on our claws for us to bother.”

“Huh.” Apple Bloom considered the situation for a moment. “So ya'll decided ta dig out the 'useless crystal' cause o' the crystal ponies? Ah always wondered where the hay they found all that crystal, but now Ah know. There must be hundreds o' tunnels down here.”

Gravelle smiled. “Yes, hundreds. Us dogs are nothing, if not an industrious folk, and thanks to the crystal ponies, their minecarts and tracks, as well as their tools, we've nearly tripled our digging rate in the past four years.”

Apple Bloom noted a change in the texture of the rock tunnel as they passed by another glowcrystal. “So, the deeper ya dig inta the mountain, the harder it gets, right?”

“Yes, that is mostly true.” Gravelle nodded. “There are layers and patterns of different types of stone throughout. Some used to be too tough to get past, and we would instead find a way around the toughest of rocks. However, with the new tools, we have dug further than ever before. While the purpose remains the same--searching for gems--I believe that almost all the clan is excited to see what other types of gems and ores might be found in the depths. We are digging into the unknown, and I shall admit my own curiosity.” She let a small grin come to her muzzle. “I do want to see what this new ore actually looks like, and what it does. I hope it might lead my clan to great prosperity.”

“Yeah, that'd be great!” Apple Bloom replied earnestly. Ah hope it's not somethin' dangerous. She shot a glance at Sweetie Belle. Ah don't fancy the idea of Sweetie havin' ta deal with a magical situation when there are countless tons of rock poised ta fall on us. She shivered at the thought and eyed the ceiling cautiously.

The dog followed her gaze. “Do not worry, Apple Bloom. Our diggers have great experience in keeping tunnels safe and sturdy.”

“It's not yer engineerin' Ah'm worried 'bout,” she replied dryly, with a sad chuckle. “So anyway, if this new glowing ore, or what-have-ya, ends up bringin' prosperity fer yer clan, what will yer clan do?”

Gravelle growled in consideration. “Since we got the tools from the ponies, it freed up a few dogs from having to dig all the time. It let some, such as Byron and myself, to travel to the Crystal Empire and see more of the world. I figure it would let more dogs do that. See the world, live in the city, learn something other than digging. It would be nice.” The dog let out a small sigh. “Although I doubt it will come to pass, it is a nice thought.”

“So, you dogs sure do dig a lot...” Apple Bloom began apprehensively, not entirely sure how she wanted to address the nagging thought in her mind. “Do y'all actually like digging?”

“Hmm?” the dog hummed and tilted her head in consideration. “'Like' is not a good word to describe it. Do you like to walk? We do it because we must. To keep living. I'm sure some of the dogs enjoy digging. Honestly though,” she muttered as she came to a stop, and turned her eyes down in shame, “I do not want to dig. I would never do so again if I could avoid it, and I feel... weak for admitting it. But I would dig a hundred thousand mountains if my clan requires it.”

Duty to family, huh? Apple Bloom looked back at her cutie mark and the large red apple that overlaid three smaller gears. Ah know if AJ and Big Mac needed me, Ah'd be helpin' out at the farm in a heartbeat. She rested a comforting hoof on her shoulder. Gravelle looked at the earth pony questioningly. Apple Bloom slipped her hoof away and gave her a smile. “Ah understand ya completely, Gravelle. Diggin' is a family thing fer y'all, an' Ah respect that. Ah'd drop my own dreams if mah family needed me. But Ah wonder, do you have a dream, beyond yer family?”

“A dream?” She considered for a moment. “I heard those crystal ponies talking about dreams and destinies. They always referenced their cutie marks when they did, and all of them were different. But we dogs have our clan, we can't afford to each chase a dream, otherwise we'll fall apart.”

“But what if we find a super-large cache o' gems that'll set the clan fer years? What if yer clan didn't need yer services all the time? What would ya do, if ya could do what ya wanted ta?”

The dog shook her head and began heading down the tunnel again. “I suppose I'd like to travel. I'd like to see the rest of the world and smell all the scents beyond the mountains. I want to learn more about the world and where we dogs fit into it. I know it is so much larger than I've seen. But I'll never chase that dream, not while my clan needs me.”

“Of course,” Apple Bloom agreed, as she followed the dog. “But it's always nice ta have somethin' else ta strive fer. A passion or a hobby.” She pointed at her cutie mark. “Ya see, Ah aim ta be an inventor. Ah've got all these ideas in mah head that are just screamin' ta see the light o' day. Ah think Ah could make this world a better place with those ideas, though Ah'm still a long ways off from any sort o' breakthrough.” She pointed a hoof at her own flank. “Mah aim ta create a better world is those three gears. And on top of it all, that apple represents mah family, an' how they mean the world ta me.”

Gravelle nodded at the explanation. “But how do you know that's what the mark represents?”

The earth pony countered with a grin. “Ya see, that's the best part o' havin' a cutie mark. Only Ah can decide what my cutie mark actually means ta me.”

“But if it doesn't have a specific representation? How do you know that you are right? How do you know if your interpretation of it isn't the right one?”

“That's the whole point,” Apple Bloom assured the dog as they walked on. “It's open to interpretation, and all ya have ta do is find a purpose that makes sense. A cutie mark ain't a pony's destiny, it's what they want outta life. Preferences change, ya know?”

“But cutie marks do not change, correct?”

“O' course not, but how ya see 'em does. It's somethin' that's kinda hard ta explain, and Ah'm not even sure if Ah'm right 'bout mah own understandin' of it. But Ah choose to draw direction from mah mark, regardless, and that's how Ah choose ta interpret it.”

“A strange concept...” the dog muttered and they walked on through the tunnels, remaining quiet for a while.

* * *

“This tunnel is going on forever!” Scootaloo complained to the unicorn beside her. The air was warm and, somehow, felt thick. It made her painfully aware of how little use she would get from her wings in the tunnel. She figured she could probably fly a few feet quickly if she had to, but some portions of the tunnel were a little too skinny.

Up ahead she saw Apple Bloom and Gravelle talking to each other, but shook her head at the sight. “We've already gone at least three miles. At this rate, we'll probably pop out the other side of the mountain.”

“Yeah, we are kind of deep,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “Of course, they said this is their deepest tunnel, so you can bet we won't find an exit at the end, just the cave-in.”

Scootaloo let out a sigh. “Was that supposed to cheer me up? 'Cause it didn't.”

The unicorn chuckled. “Don't worry Scoots, we must be getting close. This'll be over quick, then we can get out of this darned mountain and be on our way.”

“I hope you're right, Sweetie. And stop calling me Scoots.” She looked her friend in the eyes. “I am serious, though. Be careful with your magic. We have miles of rock just waiting to fall on us.”

“You know I'll do everything in my power to keep you all safe.”

“I was kind of hoping you'd say that you'd promise not to use your magic while we are down here...” Scootaloo muttered.

“That's like me asking you not to use your wings, Scoots. We both know that wings and magic are what make us who we are.” Sweetie Belle gave her a smile. “There's no point in promising to not use what comes to us naturally. We need to keep all our options open to us, especially in a situation like this one.”

“Well, Sweetie...” the pegasus began nervously, “you know I trust you, right?”

“That's a silly question,” the white mare replied cheerfully, her green eyes glimmered from her horn's light. “Of course I know that. Despite how often you and Bloom seem to be mistrust my magic, I know that you still trust me. I just think both of you should remember that I'm the one that controls my magic. It gets kind of annoying to hear that same song of uncertainty, every time I so much as channel magic through my horn. It's not just some random chaotic force, you know?” She gave Scootaloo a grin, and the light from her horn slowly shifted through all colours of the rainbow. “I do trust you Scoots, and Bloom too. You're good friends.”

But is it enough? Scootaloo wondered and stared ahead to a glowing light that shone past a slight curve in the tunnel. “Is that...?”

“Girls, c'mon,” Apple Bloom called from ahead. “The diggers are just 'round the turn!”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle cantered up to their friend to see for themselves. Under the light of numerous glowcrystals, she could see a cluster of a half-dozen dogs were busy moving various rocks out of the way and into a series of a dozen, or so, carts. The carts were on the end of the track which the ponies had followed down the tunnel. Two other dogs were driving large logs between the ceiling and the floor of the tunnel. It created an interesting zigzag pattern along the side of the tunnel. Even to Scootaloo's untrained eye, the wooden braces looked impressive, and she could almost feel the impending weight above her lessen as a result. Almost.

“That's mighty 'mpressive.” Apple Bloom whistled. “And it's only been, what? Four hours?”

The pack of dogs glanced backward at the approaching ponies, a few of them sniffed dismissively and kept up their work. One rather large dog, with a prominent green and blue opal on his collar, stepped away from their work and Scootaloo could feel his rough, yellow eyes scrape over her. For a moment the dog looked entirely unimpressed by the ponies. His eyes came to rest upon Gravelle.

“I was told the 'observer' was on the way. Which one is the 'observer'?”

“I am,” Sweetie Belle spoke up before Gravelle could respond. “I'm Sweetie Belle, and I've been tasked to determine what I can about this new, glowing ore. Pleased to meet you.” She smiled and offered a hoof for the dog to shake, but he merely ignored it, and looked instead at Gravelle.

“So this pony is the 'observer'?”

“Yes, she is,” Gravelle affirmed in slight annoyance. “Is your team ready to uncover it yet?”

“We are close.” The bulky dog replied. “We were just waiting until the 'observer' arrived, as we were asked to. The tunnel is supported strong. We begin the recovery at my call.”

“Well, I'm ready whenever you are,” Sweetie Belle said with a forced smile, although her words fell deaf upon the dog's ears, he only glanced at the unicorn once again before reverting his gaze to Gravelle.

“Yes, we are ready,” Gravelle said sternly.

“Good, keep the ponies away from the digging. We don't need them getting in the way while we work.” He turned and walked back to his team of dogs. “Alright, mutts, we got a job to do! Clear these rocks out to find the glowing stone. And don't touch the stone when we find it! Those are orders!”

“Geez! Rude much?” Scootaloo muttered as the dogs jumped quickly into motion and the fallen rocks were quickly peeled away from the tunnel. “They treated us like we didn't even exist.”

“Don't worry about it, Scoots.” Sweetie Belle rested a hoof on her shoulder. “They're just worried about having untrained diggers being in the tunnel with them. It's their job, their rules. We have to respect that.”

But they didn't respect us at all. Scootaloo frowned at the team of dogs.

After only a moment of watching them, she had to admit that the dogs were pretty impressive in their work. The unity with which they moved and laboured before her, it reminded her of watching the Wonderbolts flying together. Not nearly as cool, or as fast, though.

She noticed Apple Bloom was studying the wooden braces and their interlocking pattern while Gravelle quietly explained the bracing process to the earth pony. Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, was watching each dog whenever they moved a rock out of the way. The unicorn wore a slight frown of concentration, and seemed ready to spring into action at the drop of a pin.

“Stop!” Sweetie Belle shouted to the dogs.

A few of them turned their heads, but they kept moving until Gravelle raised her own voice. “The Observer said 'stop'!”

“What is it?” the lead dog with the opal growled in irritation. “Our tunnel is sturdy, and we haven't found the glowing stone yet.”

“I sense a strong magic,” Sweetie Belle explained. “It is underneath this section of rock.” With a flick of her horn, she shone a single cone of light on a section of the fallen rocks.

“We were going to dig up that in a moment anyway,” he said with a snort. “No need to stop.”

Two of the dogs on the team bent down to lift a large rock from the marked section. As soon as they heaved, Scootaloo could see a visible silvery glow pouring out from the rocks. It was brighter than the glowcrystals.

She saw Sweetie Belle's eyes go wide as the unicorn stared. “That pattern... is that... a come-to-life spell? No... it's more than that. That's only a function, like the bracelet. The main pattern is scrying? For what though?”

The dogs removed a few more pieces of the rock, as carefully as they could, and gingerly set them to the side, and Sweetie Belle gasped as the entire face of the silver-lit rock was now exposed.

“It's scrying for something... What is it reaching for? Their gems? No, it's the organic magic, from their hearts.” A spark of realization surged across the unicorn's face. “No! Everyone, get away quick!”

The unicorn’s warning was echoed by a deep crashing of rock, and the tunnel began to shake slowly, almost nervously.

“Is it gonna cave in again?” Apple Bloom asked, at the rumbling rock. She tossed a look to the sturdy beams of wood, eyes wide with worry.

Scootaloo watched as a look of terrible realization dawned on the dogs. As one, they leaped from their digging, and rushed away from the glowing light. In only a moment, the dogs had fled past Scootaloo and her friends. Even Gravelle bolted down the tunnel.

With a loud crack, Scootaloo saw the rocks in the tunnel before her move. But this wasn't rock falling down from the roof. The rocks shot out of the ground and from the pile that the dogs had been moving. The tunnel heaved violently and Scootaloo felt Sweetie Belle teeter into her. They fell against the wall for support.

In a flash, the glowing, silvery stone lifted into the air, while other gray stones floated from the ground and formed around the glowing stone. Its new formation reminded Scootaloo of a spider, only it had four rocky joints to act as legs instead of eight. It spread out to cover the width of the entire tunnel. The glowing stone lay atop the center of it all, and flashed vigorously.

Scootaloo managed to push herself up from the wall and regain her balance. “Sweetie! What the heck is that?”

“There's a sigil on the glowing rock. It's bringing the rock to life around it.” The unicorn managed to right herself as the tunnel stopped shaking. “That's not good. It's looking right at me.”

“What do ya mean lookin'?” Apple Bloom called out from behind them. “It's just a pile o' rocks. It's got no eyes.”

“It's a scrying spell, it doesn't need eyes- Shoot! Here it comes!”

The rocky construct suddenly moved its four limbs and charged down the tunnel, straight toward them. It crashed over the dozen minecarts, toppling them, while cracks formed along the walls of the tunnel as it passed by. The wooden braces, however, remained sturdy.

Shoot, it's too fast. Scootaloo realized as it lunged toward them. I can fly faster than it, but Sweetie and Bloom, they aren't fast enough. “Run Sweetie! Bloom! I'll distract it. Get out of here!”

Scootaloo dove forward and spread her wings. The tunnel may not have been very wide, but it was wide enough for her to get a few wing strokes in. She pivoted in midair and bucked at one of the thick rock legs, just as it shot out toward Sweetie Belle.

She winced at the contact. It felt like she had just bucked a brick wall, but she noticed that the force from her blow caused the front portion of the rock appendage to fall lifelessly to the ground, only a foot away from Sweetie Belle.

The rocky beast stumbled in it's lunge, as it was knocked off-course from Scootaloo's blow. With a concussive blast, the hulking monster crashed into the side of the tunnel.

Scootaloo looked to her friends, and saw Sweetie Belle, just standing there. She had fear in her eyes. “Run!” Scootaloo yelled again. “Quick! While it's distracted!”

Apple Bloom rushed over and pushed Sweetie Belle. At her touch, the unicorn shook herself and made a mad dash away from the beast, quickly followed by Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo saw them run past the bend in the tunnel. She turned back to the rocky monster, which was struggling to get up. “Let's see you chase us with only two legs!” she shouted, and dashed at the beast. In a similar maneuver, she bucked the other front leg out from under it.

With pain shooting up her back legs, Scootaloo barreled away from the rocky monster, and crashed into the wall of the tunnel. She cast a glance back, and noticed the rock beast was thrashing as it struggled to get up. With a wince, she pulled herself to her hooves and limped away as quickly as she could.

What was that thing? Were those dogs trying to get us killed? She shook in anger. How could they just abandon us and put my friends in danger like that!? When I get a hold of them, I'll make sure they're sorry!

End of Chapter 10

Chapter 11 - Hidden Magics

A Heart of Change – Chapter 11: Hidden Magics
By: SilentBelle

The two young mares had just rounded the corner at Scootaloo's insistence. Apple Bloom heard a resounding crash and an accompanying tremor. In the next moment only the sound of their frantic hooves filled the tunnel.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle shouted and stopped running. “Bloom, we gotta go back and help Scootaloo. We have to do something!”

Apple Bloom skidded to a stop beside her friend. “She told us ta get outta there,” she pointed out, but then shook her head. “O' course she'd think she could handle it all by herself. Let's go, Sweetie, we're all in this together!”

“Ponies!” Gravelle's voice came from behind them. “Oh, thank the stone, you're safe! I was worried when you weren't right behind us.”

“Gravelle, we don't have time, Scootaloo's still back there,” Apple Bloom blurted out as Sweetie Belle began running back toward the cave-in site. “We aren't going ta just abandon her!”

“Right!” Gravelle nodded and ran alongside her.

The earth pony gave a quick nod in appreciation and the three of them surged around the bend. The trio barely had time to register the shadowy figure approaching them, and they all skidded to a stop.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in delighted surprise and pulled her friend into a hug.

“Sweetie? Bloom? What are you doing back here? I thought I told you to run!” the pegasus shouted at them, and pushed her way out of Sweetie Belle's embrace. “If I messed up there, that thing would've gotten you by now.”

“So ya stopped it?” Apple Bloom inquired and took note of the pegasus' staggered gait. “Not without taking a little damage yerself though.”

“Are you okay, Scootaloo? You're limping. Did it hit you?”

“I'm fine,” Scootaloo assured them and walked past them as quickly as her legs would allow. “We should get out of here though. Who's to say that there aren't more where that one came from?”

“We have never come across such a creature before,” Gravelle said softly. “I highly doubt that there are any more down here. At least, unless we start digging again.”

“You!” Scootaloo rounded on the dog. “And the rest of those dogs! You all left us behind! You promised us there would be no danger!”

“We-” Gravelle started, but Apple Bloom stepped up in between the two.

“Cool it, Scootaloo!” She looked her friend in the eyes. “Let's all get back ta the city and cool our heads fer a bit.”

“It's fine, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle assured the pegasus and gave her a small smile. “They ran when I told them to. It just caught me off guard, is all. They aren't to blame. That glowing stone, and the magic behind it was.”

“But they shouldn't have left without you,” Scootaloo argued back, though her voice lost its fiery indignation.

“They ran 'cause Sweetie told 'em ta,” Apple Bloom restated as she walked up to the pegasus. Her hooves echoed lightly upon the dusty ground, and Scootaloo turned in time to face her. “Ya can complain ta Granette ‘bout that when we get back.”

The pegasus met her eyes for a moment before looking away, down the dim tunnel at the distant beacons marking the path back to the city. Scootaloo sighed and continued walking. “Tunnels, dogs and monsters. Some vacation, huh?” She let out a bitter laugh and shook her head. “Alright. Let's head back to the city, but we're getting out of here as soon as we can. I don't care if there's a blizzard or a hurricane outside... at least we won't be trapped inside a cave.”

Apple Bloom frowned at her friend, but didn't refute her. Ah think bein' underground is getting' ta her. She gave the gray, shadowy walls a glance and shivered in spite of the humidity. Maybe it's not just her.

She stood, watching Sweetie Belle chase after Scootaloo and keep her company. Ah sure feel like a stranger sometimes. With a soft tapping, she heard Gravelle move next to her, and Apple Bloom let out a sigh. Well, ah s'ppose company's company, no matter who.

“Something is the matter, Apple Bloom?” Gravelle asked. “You are letting your friends walk ahead of you.”

“So Ah am.” She nodded and began walking again--a haunting echo that felt entirely unnatural to her ears. “Ah'd say that nothin's wrong, but that'd be lyin'.”

“I am sorry,” the dog apologized as she moved to keep with Apple Bloom's easy pace. “It is our fault. Our diggers and I... we should not have left you behind. We forget that you ponies don't live underground as we do. Look there,” Gravelle pointed at a section of the wall as they passed, a nearby glowcrystal illuminated a deep crack in the rock. Beside the crack she pointed at, a sturdy segment of wood stood bracing the whole side of the tunnel.

Apple Bloom gave the dog a questioning look as they continued past the sight.

“Cave-ins, tremors, and collapses. These are things we learn of, from when we are pups. Every dog learns them--to read the cracks. Just as you ponies all learn to read words. Some are better at reading them, and those dogs are essential to the digging teams. But every dog also learns more than just how to read the cracks. They learn when to run from them.” Gravelle glanced at the earth pony. “Digging is dangerous, but our best diggers are the ones that run quickest when danger is imminent. Dogs who remain immobile at the sight of falling rock are sent to the more mundane and safer tasks. It is a measure of a dog's pride to know when to run. Most even keep a tally of cave-ins that they have run from. It is not cowardice, but courage in action.”

“Huh...” Apple Bloom tilted her head at the idea. “Ah guess Ah never considered it that way. Runnin' away is brave, and even something to be proud of?”

“Not the act of running,” Gravelle clarified. “The act of deciding when it makes sense to run. Keen instinct and intuition.”

“Ah think most ponies would see runnin' away, by yerself, as bein' a coward.”

“Most ponies, perhaps.” The dog looked Apple Bloom in the eyes as they walked. Gravelle's dark snout made her expression hard to read. “But most ponies don't end up in our caves. But as a pony, what do you see, Apple Bloom?”

“Ah see where yer comin' from. But Ah can't rightly agree with it. If Ah was the leader of a team, Ah'd never run without makin' sure everyone else was safe first.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Ah couldn't bear seein' my friends an' peers bein' in danger like that. And Ah certainly'd never leave one behind.”

“And yet, you left your friend behind, only moments ago,” Gravelle stated in an even voice.

Apple Bloom frowned at the dog. “No. That was different. I'm not the leader of our group. Scootaloo told me and Sweetie ta get outta there. Sweetie was scared. She needed help ta get movin' again, so Ah did what Ah could ta get her outta there.”

“So, then Scootaloo is your leader?”

“What? No, of course not!” she nearly laughed at the idea. “None of us are the leader. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Scootaloo's bullheaded, brash, and quick. Sweetie is impulsive, innovative, and always wants to help if she can.”

“And you are thoughtful, careful, and know when to act. Apple Bloom, you are their leader.”

Apple Bloom nearly tripped over the track that ran alongside her hooves. “What do you know 'bout that? We just met yesterday, and ya think ya know enough 'bout me to say Ah'm a leader?” she scoffed. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders never had a leader, an' we never needed one. Not all groups need a leader, ya know. If Ah was a real leader, Ah could've convinced mah friends ta just stay in Ponyville and they wouldn't be in this mess. But Ah couldn't convince 'em, so now here we are.”

“And you regret that fact, Apple Bloom,” Gravelle said sadly as they walked. “Leaders are an essential point to any group, dogs or ponies. Without leaders, we lose direction and reason. Whether you see yourself as a leader or not does not change the role you play. I am sorry if I have offended you with my words. It was never my intent.”

“Then what is yer intent? Why are ya tryin' ta analyze me an' mah friends like that, and tellin' me how we're supposed ta interact with each other? Ponies aren't that easy t' assess. What interest do ya have in us, anyway? We're just some no-ponies outta Ponyville. We'll be gone in a day or two. So what's yer angle in all this?”

“I hoped to offer my viewpoint, as a friend. And, in sharing, I wished to learn more of how ponies see the world,” she replied sadly. “I would be of more benefit to the clan if I had a firmer understanding of the ponies I am expected to interact with in the future.”

“A friend?” She shook her head at the thought. “After only a day? Do ya even know what a friend is?”

“One who you respect, and you share conversations and thoughts with.”

“It's 'bout more than respect. It's trust. A friend is someone you'd depend on ta guard yer back from danger ta the best o' their abilities, without any reason, other than 'cause they know you'd do the same fer them.” She looked at the dog questioningly. “Is there anyone you'd be able ta call a friend, Gravelle? Ah respect ya. Ah certainly do. And Ah find yer conversation enlightenin'. But don't mistake that respect fer trust. Ah don't trust ya yet. Ah don't know anythin' 'bout ya, beyond what courtesy you've shown us on behalf o' the clan, and that moment ya pounced on Scootaloo and pinned her ta the ground fer yer clan. So, Ah can't call ya 'friend'.” She granted the dog a small smile. “Though Ah am flattered that yer willin' ta want ta be mah friend. But do you dogs actually have friends, or is it always just the clan that motivates ya ta do anythin'?”

“Beyond the clan, no... I have no friends; not by your understanding of the word.” Gravelle shook her head gently. “But is it so bad to hold family as the reason to do what we do? I thought you would understand, Apple Bloom, after all you told me of living close to your family, and being willing to drop your dreams to help them at a moment's notice. Tell me, then, what's a dog have to do to get a friend, when she cares about her family more than anything else?”

Apple Bloom let out a sigh, which seemed to echo like falling stones down down the tunnel behind her. “Look, it goes back ta what we were talkin' ‘bout earlier. 'Bout what makes a pony, or dog in this case, who they are. How are you different from the rest of yer family? Find those things and-”

Her ears quirked at the sound. It wasn't an echo. She turned in time to see a glowing light fill the tunnel behind her. Four rocky limbs carried the glowing stone at its center, and each movement scraped harshly upon the near-flat tunnel floor. The sound, aided by the movement of the shadowy silhouette, made her think of enormous teeth gnashing together. The creature, if it could be called that, rushed forward in a crescendo of lancing limbs.

“Shoot! Girls!” she managed to shout her warning down the tunnel as it approached. “That thing's back, and it's comin' this way!”

She felt the reverberations building as the four legs of the strange, rocky monster, crashed through the tunnel. Rocks fissured along the sides of the tunnel with every bounding stride of its approach, and small stones plummeted from the ceiling.

It must weigh several hundred pounds! That thing could crush us! “Scootaloo! I thought ya said ya stopped it!” Apple Bloom shouted as she and Granette ran toward the other two ponies.

“I did! I knocked out its two front legs!”

“Well, ya shoulda knocked 'em harder. Cause it's still got 'em!”

“Bloom!” Sweetie Belle shouted out in warning, “It's after you!

Apple Bloom felt the air as one of the heavy, rocky limbs swung just behind her and pierced the ground where she had be only a second before. A spray of small rocks shot up from the force of the blow and pelted her hindquarters. “Yeah, no kiddin'! Tell me something Ah don't know!”

Gravelle, who was running alongside her, suddenly turned and dove at the creature. With a shrill keening, she raked one of its forelimbs with her claws. The sound sent a shiver up Apple Bloom's spine, it was like metal etching through the surface of slate.

Small flakes of stone flew off from the rocky appendage as Gravelle landed on the tunnel floor. Apple Bloom could see the deep scratches that marred the stone limb. A wound that would have caused a great amount of pain to a living creature. But this creature was made of rock. “Gravelle, what are ya doin'!? Ya gotta run! It's dangerous there!”

“It will catch us if we run!” Gravelle shouted with a growl and made another swipe with her claws. “We need to stop it here!”

“Shoot, the scrying spell switched. Gravelle-” Sweetie Belle tried to warn the dog, but with a quick swipe from one of the rock beast's limbs, the dog was sent flying. Gravelle let out a groan as the air left her lungs, and she landed hard on the tunnel floor next to Apple Bloom.

Before Gravelle stopped rolling from the blow, the earthen monstrosity charged forward. It's so fast. Too fast! The bulky form came as a rushing avalanche of unstoppable rock. Move! She commanded her shaking legs.

Just as the rocky limb descended upon her, like a hammer aiming to drive her into the ground, she threw herself away. She heard the crash, just as she hit the ground with her side.

“Bloom!” Scootaloo shouted from nearby. “C'mon, Sweetie! We have to stop it!”

Apple Bloom turned in time to see the monster had followed her, and was lashing out once again. With a burst of air, she felt Scootaloo barrel past, overhead, straight towards the rocky monster. The pegasus smashed one of the monster's legs with her shoulder, as hard as her speed would allow, causing the monster to miss Apple Bloom by a mere inch.

With a yelp, the earth pony jumped up to her hooves, and saw Sweetie Belle move in beside her. The unicorn was looking past her, at the monster, her emerald eyes flickering back and forth as if tracing some unseen pattern. Her horn began to glow as the monster swung a limb at the new airborne target. “Scootaloo, it's going after you now!” she shouted. “We have to stop its center. The glowing part! That's where all the magic is coming from!”

“Woah!” Scootaloo shouted as a limb shot toward her. She dodged at the last second, causing the limb to smash heavily into the ceiling. “How am I supposed to hit it? I can't even get around it, the tunnel's too small. I can hardly fly in here!”

Apple Bloom glanced over her shoulder at the tunnel. There's no way outta here until we stop this thing. We can’t outrun it... She swallowed and looked at the beast in determination. “It's got four legs holding it up,” she shouted as she saw Scootaloo dodge another strike, and barely manage to avoid the cave walls. “If we can take out two of 'em then it will fall. Then we can get a clean hit on it.”

“That's good and all, but it's fast! We have to do something! Now!” Scootaloo shouted as she spun in the air and dashed through a tight space between the glowing sphere and the ceiling.

In a heartbeat, a rocky limb shot upward, and Apple Bloom saw, out of the corner of her eye, an emerald glow from Sweetie Belle’s position. The rocky appendage shifted slightly, at the last moment, missing Scootaloo by the barest of margins. Her wing was nearly crushed, and a couple orange feathers fell to the tunnel floor. The beast's glowing stone seemed to spin on a pivot, tracking Scootaloo, even as she passed overhead.

With her friend in danger, Apple Bloom charged at the rocky monstrosity. At the last moment, she shoved her forehooves into the ground and pivoted, even as she slid toward the beast. “Leave her alone!” she shouted, bucking as hard as she could. She'd bucked solid trees before—any Apple had—but bucking solid rock was something else entirely.

She felt and heard the crash of her hooves as they made contact. A surge of numbing pain shot up her legs, and she felt her lungs empty in a silent scream. The force of the blow shot her off her front hooves, and she rolled to the ground rather ungracefully.

Gritting her teeth, she turned head in time to see the limb she had stuck, fall to pieces beneath the monster. She looked at her own legs in stunned wonder. Ah did that?

Her wonder was short-lived however, as she saw the monster continue striking at Scootaloo, albeit with slightly lessened grace. It sprung toward the pegasus by kicking off with all of its legs. While it flew through the air, one of the limbs lashed at Scootaloo. Apple Bloom saw Sweetie's horn flare once again, and the blow changed its trajectory just moments before it would have hit Scootaloo.

As the beast landed from its attack and stumbled slightly, using all three limbs to catch its balance. It's like a tripod now. We need ta take out 'nother leg or it's not gonna stop.

She gave Sweetie Belle a glance. The unicorn was standing shakily. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead and her legs were spread beneath her as they began to give out. The unicorn was swaying side to side. She can't keep distractin' it fer long. Ah gotta help!

With a grunt, Apple Bloom pulled herself off of the ground. As she placed weight on her back legs, she winced. And Ah don't think Ah can hit it that hard again. But Ah'd be no Apple if Ah didn't at least try!

Once again, she charged forth, toward the monster. The beast was still focused on Scootaloo, and its center spun as it tracked the pegasus. Scootaloo made to fly over the top of the rock creature again, and one of its rocky limbs shot out just as quick, leaving the other two limbs bracing against either side of the tunnel. The attack struck hard against the ceiling, missing Scootaloo by mere inches, and foreboding cracks spread across the tunnel's ceiling.

Apple Bloom thought she heard Sweetie Belle slumping to the tunnel floor, but she couldn't spare a glance backward. Now! Apple Bloom spurred herself into action. With a sliding pivot, she bucked at one of the limbs braced against the wall. With a solid hit, she launched herself away from the beast, landing in a tangle of her own limbs. The pain shot through her legs, even thicker than the last buck.

She turned her head and looked, hoping to see a second leg fall apart. She saw that the leg's surface had cracked, stressed with small fissures born from her blow, but it remained attached to the beast. Ah didn't hit it hard enough, the realization dawned on her, and frustration welled in her heart. She moved to pull herself up, but the pain in her legs shot up, and she collapsed, her eyesight dimmed to black for a moment, and sound became a muddled mess, throbbing around her like a persistent headache.

Her sight flared back a moment later, in time for her to see Scootaloo flying to dodge the beast's attacks. Apple Bloom was certain her friend could escape the beast if she would just fly away from it at full speed. With three legs, it moved a lot slower. Why doesn't she? She blinked at her sluggish thoughts. Because she won't leave us behind.

It's only a matter of time now... she thought, as she struggled to pull herself up off the ground, gritting her teeth against the pain. She had to lean against the tunnel wall for support. But if we're goners, then we may as well struggle ta the bitter end!

Her eyes focused on her target: the fractured rocky limb of the monster. She knew she wouldn't make it in time to save Scootaloo. She could see the monster making its decisive strike at the pegasus, even as Apple Bloom hobbled forward.

“It's not over yet!” A snarl came from her side, and Apple Bloom watched as Gravelle leaped from the ground and pounced on the cracked, rocky limb, bringing down her large, clawed paws. With a swift motion, the rock shattered, and the beast fell to its side. Even as it slipped sideways, the large monster lashed out at Scootaloo with one of its remaining limbs and missed, carving out a large chunk of the tunnel wall as it fell.

“The core!” Sweetie Belle's voice croaked from behind. “It won't stop until we break it!”

Without a moment of hesitation, Gravelle pounced on the glowing stone and dug into it with her diamond-hard claws, scratching three deep grooves across the surface of the rock. The raking action caused the stone limbs to fall still, and the core’s glowing to dim, leaving behind a simple rock with patches of purple-coloured crystal.

Scootaloo slipped down to the ground, huffing. Apple Bloom noticed plenty of scrapes marked the pegasus' fur, but at least she could still stand. “So, is it over?”

“Ah think so,” Apple Bloom managed as she winced. She forced herself away from the wall and walked toward the diamond dog. “Thanks Gravelle, ya saved us.”

Gravelle shook her head. “No, I did very little. In fact, you saved me, even more than I saved you. My incompetence lead you all to getting hurt. For that, I am sorry. We dogs promised you safety, and we failed.”

“Pony feathers!” Apple Bloom refuted. “There's nothin' ta forgive. Ya helped us out, and that's what matters.”

“Very well, Apple Bloom,” Gravelle agreed with a nod. “I appreciate your forgiveness.”

Apple Bloom frowned at the dog's words but decided not to pursue the topic any further. No point in arguin' out here. She turned away from the dog and took a look at Sweetie Belle.

The unicorn shakily pulled herself to her hooves. She was panting slightly. “We made it,” she managed to say, between her breaths. “Just barely.”

“Don't be so sure!” Gravelle cried out suddenly. The dog looked up to the ceiling, her ears perking up, “The roof... It's collapsing. We have to get out of here, NOW!”

“Gravelle!” Sweetie shouted, as an audible crunch of rock penetrated the whole tunnel. “Grab the stone! We need to bring that back!”

Gravelle nodded in affirmation, and picked up the damaged, once-glowing core. She grunted in strain as she shifted away with the new burden and toward the three ponies.

Together, half-limping, the group scrambled away as quickly as they could. With resounding crash, like a peal of thunder, the ceiling gave way. A shockwave knocked the group to the ground, carrying with it, a fog of dust.

The whole group lay still for a while, merely coughing as the dust settled. Gravelle was the first to get up, clutching the stone in her arms. “We should head back,” she said to the three at her feet.

They all struggled to their hooves and Sweetie Belle glanced back at the way they had come. “Well, not like we have much of a choice,” the unicorn said with a small grin. “In any case, I could use a bath.”

“We all could,” Apple Bloom replied with an exhausted sigh. “But there're more important things than that right now.”

* * *

Important things... Sweetie Belle shivered slightly, despite the warmth of the tunnel. She forced her smile to remain consistent, though her breaths felt faint, and her vision was speckled with shadowy dots, which only seemed to become more prevalent each time she blinked her eyes.

It had been a while since she had last felt such a severe case of magic-drain. She had used too much of her magic against that animated pile of rocks, turning the creature's focus away from Scootaloo. Considering that everyone was okay, she didn't mind having to face the uncomfortable sense of the magic-drain.

In spite of the odd sensation, she focused on a glowcrystal, and forced herself to stumble up to it. It glowed to her senses, brighter than anything else in the tunnel, with the exception of Scootaloo. She thought she heard Scootaloo call out to her, but she dismissed the noise and focused on the simple crystal.

Once she was close enough, she touched her horn to the crystal gingerly. With a reflexive action, she felt the magic of the crystal and pulled on it gently, willing it toward her. In a single moment, she felt the magic flow into her horn, and watched the pattern change from the simple sigil that represented light. Once in her horn, it swirled around until it matched her own emerald pattern of raw magic, her magic signature. After it had transformed, she felt it flow easily from her horn, straight to her heart.

With the next heartbeat, the difference was staggering. Her vision cleared, her breath strengthened, and she stopped shivering. With a quick glance downward, she looked at her own magic source. Full, just from a single crystal. Why..? She shook her head at her own self-pity. Everypony has their limits, I just have to accept mine as they are. Besides, if I can get my hooves on more crystals, then I'll have as much magic as any unicorn could ever need.

She watched as the crystal blinked into darkness, and heard a cracking sound that indicated the crystal had turned to naught but magic-less sand. Maybe they'd let me take some more of these glowcrystals if I asked nicely. I could use a bit more fuel...

“What happened to the crystal?” Gravelle asked from up ahead, beside Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. The two mares were waiting patiently, while the dog moved closer to investigate. Sweetie gave the dog a glance. Although she couldn't see too well with her eyes, Sweetie did sense the dog's magical composition. Gravelle was holding one paw over her stomach defensively from where that rocky monstrosity had hit her, though her voice hadn't sounded particularly pained or winded when she had spoken. In her other arm, she held the large, once-glowing rock, that had been the centerpiece to the monster only moments before.

“It got dusted,” Sweetie Belle replied and smiled in anticipation for the question to come.

“Dusted?”

“Yup. When all the magic leaves a crystal, it gets dusted.”

Gravelle tilted her head slightly. Her dilated pupils were the only thing visible, and they caught the light of a distant glowcrystal, reflecting the faint light eerily. “I've never heard of such a thing before.”

“That's because I made it up,” Sweetie Belle said smugly and moved to catch up to her friends. “It's the term I use anyway. I have yet to find a book that talks about the process of a crystal getting dusted, or another unicorn who's ever done it before. I'm sure somepony else has though, but I haven't seen any records yet. So I'll just keep calling it dusted for now.”

The dog followed in beside her, and they all began heading down the tunnel.

“You feeling better now?” Scootaloo asked. “That must be the first time in years that you've cast anything beyond a light spell without using a crystal. Isn't it draining?”

“Oh, you noticed?” the unicorn asked jovially. “I'm impressed Scoots. I thought you didn't pay attention to how I use magic. Does this mean I have a secret fan?” She swung one forehoof over Scootaloo's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm willing to take you in as an apprentice.”

The pegasus huffed and batted the hoof away. “Well it was hard not to notice when you kept leaving that gem dust all over the floor of my house. I had to clean that up, you know?”

“You, clean up?” Sweetie Belle laughed, and Apple Bloom chuckled as well. “Do you even own a broom?”

“Of course I do.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “You know Sweetie, Bloom's right; you are a headache sometimes.”

“That's what friends are for,” the unicorn insisted. She knew Scootaloo enjoyed the banter. Even if her friend wasn't smiling, Sweetie Belle saw the mirth in her deadpan expression.

“Sorry to interrupt such a... comical conversation,” Gravelle said with a degree of uncertainty, “but you still haven't explained what happened to the crystal. Such information could be beneficial to the clan. After all, crystals and gems are our livelihood.”

“Oh, right.” Sweetie Belle looked to the dog. “This isn't something I tend to explain to most folk. I think I've only ever really explained how it works to Scoots and Twilight. Mainly 'cause they were the only ones who had any interest in it, or were willing to listen to me blab on about stuff that they can't see.”

“Hey, Ah have interest in it too!” Apple Bloom insisted. “Why haven't ya ever talked ta me 'bout it?”

Sweetie Belle considered the question for a moment. “Well, I guess I just thought that magic just wouldn't be something that you'd be keen on. I've heard stories about how Applejack doesn't like having ponies use magic on the farm. You know, earth pony tradition and all that.”

“Ah'm not mah sister.”

The unicorn winced inwardly. “And I shouldn't have assumed that you were the same as her.” She looked down at her hooves awkwardly. “I'm sorry.”

“That's fine, SB. Ah never told ya Ah was interested neither, but now ya know. Ah'd be happy ta listen ta ya talk 'bout how magic works at any time. It might help with some of mah own plans fer the future.”

Huh, an earthpony interested in magic? The idea seemed absurd to her, but then she caught herself and shook her head. This isn't just any run-of-the-mill earth pony, this is Apple Bloom we're talking about here. Why in the hay didn't I think she'd be interested in how something works? Mundane or magic, she'd want to know how. That's kind of her goal in life isn't it? Sweetie Belle blushed at her own ignorance.

“But we can talk 'bout those specifics later,” Apple Bloom continued and nodded toward Gravelle. “Ya still have ta answer her question.”

Sweetie Belle smiled sheepishly and turned her attention back to Gravelle. “Right. I get distracted pretty easily... Sorry about that.” She saw the dog just nod in response, waiting for her to continue.

“So I ended up draining that glowcrystal's magic to refill my own,” she explained. “It's something that most other unicorns don't realize is possible. Anyway, the basic rule of magic is that it is in everything. Many don't realize that, but it is there. Certain things have more magic than others, particularly living things, such as Scootaloo. She's just blazing with magic all the time.”

“Hey, what's that supposed to mean?” The response brought a smile to Sweetie Belle's lips.

“If that magic ever runs out, falling to the barest minimum,” she continued, “the thing, object or creature, wouldn't be held together by the magic anymore. And that simple dust is all that would remain.”

“A living creature, turning to dust? That sounds absurd. I've never heard of such a thing.”

“And I've never seen it happen to a live creature. Nor do I want to,” Sweetie Belle admitted. “You see, living creatures tend to have the most magical energy, but it's also some of the most complex and intertwined.” She gave the dog a look and sighed a bit. “How should I explain this so it makes sense to someone who has never used magic before?

“In its most basic essence, unicorns cast spells by channeling magic through their horn and changing it from one pattern to another. And while all things have magic, the magic is quite often complex and intricate, so changing the pattern from its original state to a more basic one would take a lot of effort.”

Sweetie Belle cast her eyes about as she fished for a good example. “Um, it's like... a woolen sweater! Imagine everything was made from wool. Then imagine you came across some creature, and it was made of hundreds of different coloured threads. If you wanted that creature's magic, you would need to undo that complex weaving of wool. Which would take a lot of effort just to untangle it. And then imagine how hard that would be if you tried to undo it while the creature was moving about. If you somehow managed to do that, then presumably the creature would become dusted. Even then, once you have the magic, you'd have to change each thread to the right colour so it matched whatever you wanted to use the magic for.”

“Hmm...” Gravelle scratched her head.

“And that's usually when I stop trying to figure out how magic works,” Scootaloo offered. “Everything made of wool? Why does it have to be so complicated?”

“Well, it might not be the best analogy,” Sweetie Belle admitted.

“But why use a glowcrystal?” Gravelle wondered.

“That's because there are a few things that are not as hard to take apart. Crystals in particular are pretty much just a big lattice of the same type of magic, so separating its magic is simple and its pattern is very basic. Crystals are similar to a ball of yarn, if we jump back to that analogy. They are simple to take apart magically since they follow a simple pattern, which is really close to a lot of raw magic. In fact, glowcrystals work by having a light spell as one of their base patterns, which is why they glow.

“Look, it probably won't make much sense to you if you can't interact with the magic in a way as unicorns do, or if you don't read up on the basics of magical theory. It's tough to explain, and that's why most ponies just decide to call it ‘magic’ in the first place. It's a lot easier to not understand it. In fact, most unicorns don't understand even the basics. They just use their magic on an instinctual level rather than think about it.”

Gravelle frowned at her words. “Why aren't all unicorns taught this when they grow up? All dogs learn of digging, at least the basics.”

“Well, it's because even unicorns don't agree, with certainty, on how it all works. There are conflicting theories that both seem legitimate at times.” Sweetie Belle found herself feeling a little ashamed at how little unicorns actually knew about the very tool that they had been using for thousands of years. “My own particular way of describing magic has even been branded as 'Chaos Magic'.”

“Ah imagine it's like how runnin' is fer most of us,” Apple Bloom offered. “Few ponies actually learn about how they run. All the tendons and muscles, joints and all. Fer the most part, unless ya specialize in that field as a doctor or somethin', ya don't need ta know. Heck, look at Scootaloo. She's an athlete, and Ah bet she couldn't tell us how runnin' or flyin' actually works.”

“Hey, why am I always the target here?” Scootaloo called out.

“Ah guess unicorns just don't learn much 'bout magic beyond what they use it fer,” the earth pony concluded. “And most unicorns don't seem ta use it that often.”

“Exactly,” Sweetie Belle said with a smile. “I couldn't have said it better myself.”

“Such a lack of knowledge is... most unfortunate,” Gravelle said after a pause. “But Sweetie Belle is an expert in the field of magic, correct?”

“Yup.” The unicorn bobbed her head with a smile on her lips.

“That might be overstating it a bit,” Scootaloo warned. “It's not like you have a diploma or certificate or anything.”

“But I had the best of the best as a teacher.” She smiled amiably at her friend. Scoddri taught me more about magic than anypony else ever could have.

“Even if you are not an expert, Sweetie Belle,” the dog amended, “do you have any idea what that monster was?” Gravelle glanced down to the large burden in her arm.

“Yeah, I've read about stuff like that. They're known as golems. I've heard some powerful unicorns have used spells to make inanimate objects come to life. This one however had more than just that sort of spell working on it. There was a scrying spell too, which allowed it to detect living creatures. Seeing that spell was how I knew who it was going after, and I used my magic to misdirect the spell when I could. It just barely worked.”

“So it was a unicorn who created that monster?” Gravelle wondered aloud.

“I'm not sure. I'll have to take a closer look at the rock itself when we get back to see how it really worked. But the whole time, from when the golem started to move, to when we finally stopped it, I noticed that the magic which gave it life was coming from deeper in the mountain. It was extremely powerful. Something is out there, deep in the mountain, and I don't think it would be wise to seek it out. Not without the proper precautions.” Sweetie Belle looked the dog in her eyes. “I think it would be best if your clan didn't dig any further down this tunnel.”

“That is most unfortunate. We must discuss this with the boss and see what she decides. This tunnel is the richest one we have ever found. Our prosperity has depended upon it for the past four years. Boss will not like this information, and I fear she may decide to dig in spite of your warning, Sweetie Belle.”

The possibility of many dogs digging deeper towards whatever had been powering the golem was not a pleasant thought. Thankfully, her thoughts were quickly forgotten as she heard Gravelle begin to audibly sniff at the air, and saw her ears twitch slightly.

“The digging team, they are waiting for us, up ahead.”

Scootaloo frowned as they marched on. “Why'd they run away, anyway? We could've used them back there! It almost seems like they wanted us to get crushed by that golem thing.”

“It is merely standard procedure for them to evacuate an unstable area for a time. Sometimes cave-ins can collapse multiple times in succession,” Gravelle said sadly.

“So they were just sitting back here, waiting for us to return, while we nearly lost our lives fending off that mad monster? I thought that Granette promised us protection. Some help those dogs were.”

“I understand your irritation, Scootaloo,” Gravelle replied as they passed around a slight turn in the tunnel, “But please keep in mind that these dogs act as they are bidden by our laws, and they follow these laws honourably. If you want your displeasure to be heard in a meaningful manner, please voice such concerns with the boss.”

“But Granette didn't do anything wrong. These are the dogs that left us to stop that monster!” Scootaloo scowled as they approached the troop of diggers.

Most of them were leaning against the wall, the dim light of the glowcrystals caught in their eyes. Two of them were sitting on the ground, rolling a couple of rocks around. They were cast away in a quick motion, and echoed against the rocky ground. There was a slight pause, then one of the dogs let out a small, triumphant bark.

“Hmm? Are they gambling?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Is that allowed?”

“Yes. Diggers do it all the time. Some claim it sharpens their intuition, and a good digging team needs intuition. They are not allowed to bet for anything more than quartz--the dregs of all the gems. Only a desperate dog would wear quartz, so gambling it away is commonplace. It keeps them from being bored if they have to wait for a tunnel to calm down after a collapse, and gives them something to do between shifts.”

The leader of the diggers stepped away from the wall. Sweetie Belle recognized him by the turquoise opal that hung at his collar and his overly-large stature. While he wasn't the hulking size that Sweetie Belle remembered Ruben to be, he certainly was imposing. His gray fur had a way of making his body seem as though it could have been crafted from stone itself, and a jagged smile only seemed to accentuate his stony features.

“Gravelle,” the large dog said. “So you made it back with the ponies. I'd not have thought that they could get lost in these tunnels. But it seems ponies are full of surprises.”

“Oren, we've completed our job,” Gravelle responded evenly. Sweetie Belle could tell the smaller dog was careful about which words she was choosing to use. “Take your diggers and regroup back at the clan. Digging in this tunnel will be off-limits until the boss says otherwise.”

“Feh,” the leader snorted. “Just because your mother is the boss doesn't mean that I have to follow your orders, Gravelle. You know I only dig according to the instructions of the boss.” He looked to his comrades, a couple of which nodded. “We're the best diggers in the clan, and nothing’s going to stop us from digging. Our honour states that we have to dig this tunnel, further and deeper. We work for our clan, and yet you seem to be telling us to stop?”

“Oren,” Gravelle stated, her voice sounding slightly tense. She set the stone she was carrying on the ground, stood up straight, and stared the slouching dog straight in his eyes. Even with the leader slouching, Gravelle came up just to his shoulders. “I am not trying to besmirch your honour. The boss will want to stop all mining operations until they come to a decision.”

“You presume to speak with the authority of the clan? You do not give me or my dogs orders!” He growled at her. “We are the pride of our clan. It is because of our work that the rest of the clan is where it is. We did not get this way by not digging. And we all know that this tunnel is the only one that still bears gems of any quality.”

Gravelle growled in frustration and opened her mouth to speak once again.

“Don't push your luck, Gravelle. Just take your ponies and go. We'll continue as we always have. We don't need soft dogs and useless ponies working with us down here. Your type will only get in the way.”

“Hey!” Scootaloo shouted. “Who do you think you are, saying stuff like that?”

Oh, Scootaloo, he's just a bully. He's not worth it. Sweetie Belle saw the pegasus step forward and spread her wings slightly, in an act she knew to be a subconscious form of intimidation. The unicorn winced inwardly at the sight. Well, there's no going back now. She shot a glance to a nearby glowcrystal.

Oren rounded on Scootaloo and stepped closer. The dog loomed over all of them, he was easily twice as tall as any of the ponies. “I am the best digger in all of the clan. And who are you, pony? You have no business in our tunnels. If it weren't for the boss' order, I'd have kicked your kind out as soon as you entered.”

“I'm Scootaloo,” she replied unflinchingly. “I've faced down bigger and tougher things than you, and I won't just sit by here listening to some dumb insults thrown around by some honourless thug.”

“Honourless?” he retorted with a sneer. “You've got guts, girl. I recommend you eat your words before I change my mind about just letting you ponies walk away.”

“Enough!” Gravelle hissed to Scootaloo. “We have a job to do. We've done our part here. Let's head back. There is honour to be had in avoiding conflict.”

“While he just mocks us? No! I'm not going to stand by here and listen to his trash-talk. Bullies like him need to be taught a lesson, and the sooner the better.”

“Scootaloo, this ain't the time or the place,” Apple Bloom whispered harshly. “Just cool off, and we'll discuss this with Granette. If ya start a fight with him, then yer no better than he is.”

Scootaloo shook her head and stared venom at the large dog. “That's where you're wrong! I'm better because I know what real honour is! Honour is about standing up for what you believe in, and I believe in my friends. I'm not about to let this dog get away with what he said!”

Sweetie Belle felt a sudden spark of magic, so slight that, had she not been standing right next to Scootaloo, she would have missed it. It was green and purple flash that flickered from the pegasus' eyes. It was too quick to decipher the pattern. She frowned. Something about that magic felt wrong to her, sickening almost. I have to do something.

“Good day, mister Oren,” Sweetie Belle spoke up, stepping in front of the pegasus. “I most sincerely apologize for our poor behavior. You are right that we are out of our element, and that we would clearly be in the way of your digging. But please keep in mind that we are official delegates, and as such, we have been promised the safety of the Black-Snout Clan. A promise granted by the honour of your very clan; a promise that we are humbled to have received. It would be seen as a breach of that great honour, if we were harmed before returning to parley with Granette.”

She could feel Scootaloo's scowl from behind, and she saw Oren frown. The dog then glanced over his shoulder at his dozen companions. Most of them looked apprehensive and tense.

“Bah, why waste time with more chatter? Come mutts, get off your lazy behinds, we have a tunnel to fix up,” he barked out, “a tunnel that was perfectly stable only minutes ago. We'll clear what we can until we get more supplies. Gravelle, tell Argent to send another two carts of supplies. We're going to need it to fix up the mess you left behind.”

“Of course,” Gravelle replied and bowed her head.

All the dogs sprang into action, almost as one. They carried numerous glowcrystals, and a few pickaxes. They moved past the group with a uniform haste. A few of them growled in irritation as they passed by.

Once they rounded the corner, Gravelle let out a light sigh. “Thank you, Sweetie Belle. I am glad that we avoided an unnecessary conflict. Also, I am sorry, on behalf of my clan.”

“Ponyfeathers,” Apple Bloom replied. “Didn't Ah say this before? His actions were not yers. We don't think any less of ya 'cause of one bad apple in the bunch.”

“Hmm. A bad apple?” Gravelle shook her head. “He's the best miner we have. The clan is depending quite heavily upon his expertise for finding more gems and avoiding collapses. He is one of our most honourable and skilled dogs. Second to none.”

“Even after how he just acted?” Apple Bloom sounded dumbfounded. “Ah didn't see a lick o’ honour in him.”

“Please, do not speak as if you know his entire history from just a single encounter.”

Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo, and huffed her indignation. “What the hay, Scoots!? You almost started a fight there! We're lucky he wasn't willing to deal with all the complications that messing with us would have entailed.”

“But he started it!” She shook her head causing purple strands of her mane to obscure her eyes. “Darn it! I know that sounds foalish, but you know he was picking a fight with us, and he deserved to be shown his place! You know just as much as I do that words are just as bad as violence! Somepony had to stand up to him and make him realize he was wrong.”

“But it doesn't have to be a fight!” Sweetie Belle retorted.

“Well, what do you think he's going to do now? If he sees us again, he'll find an excuse to jump us, or do worse. And he's going to find a way to do it that doesn't besmirch his so called ‘honour’. You just made him more annoyed at us. Just like back in school-”

“Scoots, this isn't the same as back then-”

“Knock it off, you two! Jeez!” Apple Bloom interrupted. “Look, the situation's been handled fer now. Let's cool down and move on. We can talk 'bout it later.”

Darn it, Scoots. Can't you see I just don't want you to get hurt? I know you thought you were protecting us, but we can handle ourselves from thugs like him.

* * *

Scootaloo stared at her hooves as they walked on. The cave ceiling pushed down on her with its ambient pressure. She subconsciously stretched out her strained wings every minute or so. They hurt, but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as the thoughts on her mind. She gave Sweetie Belle a short glance.

The other mare was walking just ahead of her. It had been a while since they had shared an argument as intense as that.

Of course it doesn't make sense to fight. But it doesn't make sense to bully in the first place. You can't face their type with sense. She shook her head bitterly. What do I even care? We won't end up seeing those jerks again anyway. They were right to stop me.

A silence had fallen on the group, and they continued on down the tunnel. After a while, Apple Bloom and Gravelle began talking softly to each other, but Scootaloo paid them no mind.

She didn't want to talk. Or walk for that matter. She only wanted one thing. She stole another furtive glance at Sweetie Belle. I just want to get out of this forsaken mountain. We never should have come in here, and we never should have agreed to help out. The dogs'll be able to handle things down here better than ponies ever could. If it weren't for Sweetie's darned curiosity, we'd have been out of here a long while ago. If it weren't for Sweetie...

She caught her wayward thoughts and kicked a hoof hard against the ground, producing a slight shock, enough to clear her mind. She let out a heavy sigh.

“Sorry, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle's light green voice drifted to Scootaloo sullenly, giving a bit of life to the gray rocks around her.

“No,” Scootaloo responded with a shake of her head, “don't. I know you're sorry. You always are... Let's just drop it.”

“Okay... but then, let's talk about something else.”

“I don't want to talk.” She couldn't keep the bitterness from her voice.

“Then just listen,” Sweetie Belle said. “You know I can't stand being quiet for too long. Silence is grating, and it hurts. It's oppressive.”

“I like it fine,” Scootaloo muttered.

“But you still choose to talk,” she pointed out with a smile.

There was a certainty in her smile; It was a solid thing. A smile she never shared with anypony else. It wasn't the smile of the cocksure magician trying her hoof at a new spell, nor was it the smile of the curious unicorn who just discovered a new facet to the vast world of magic. This was the smile of her first friend; the smile of an equal. The smile of a friend that would always be.

“Well, I guess I don't mind talking either.”

“It's pretty easy,” Sweetie Belle said, her eyes flicking about in Scootaloo's direction, and her voice calling up its faint signature of emerald hues.

“What?” Scootaloo asked a little nervously.

“Talking.”

“Oh,” Scootaloo gave an unsteady chuckle, and a relieved smile made its way to her lips. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

“You do?” Sweetie Belle asked in confusion. “But no other ponies can see magic like I do. And you certainly can't. You can't, right?”

“No, that's not what I meant,” she sighed. “Your voice is pretty.” Suddenly, it dawned on Scootaloo, what she had just said. “Uh, I mean, didn't ponies always say that you were going to get a cutie mark in singing? What happened to all that?”

“Oh,” she said with a blush, “that's what you meant.” She considered the question for a moment. “I guess a lot of ponies thought I'd become a singer, huh? I liked singing, but it's kind of complicated now. My real passion is magic, Scoots.”

“Yeah, but since you got your cutie mark, well, you've hardly sung at all.”

“It's something I do on my own. I don't like others to hear it.”

“Oh... well, I remember it being really pretty back in the day. You should give it another shot sometime. I'd love to hear you again.”

“It's hard,” Sweetie Belle said with a sigh. “You know I've explained my magic to you, right?”

“Yeah, that's mostly all you ever talk about.”

“Well, I can see magic of all kinds. And talking and singing are magic too. Everything is magic. I see it in the air, and each sound even looks slightly different. Normally, I can ignore it, because it's so faint. But when I sing, it's so much closer that it's hard to concentrate. I get distracted by the magic itself. My own magical senses become as loud as my own voice to my ears. And soon I'm thinking about it all in terms of what it looks like magically.” She gave a small pout. “I just can't do it anymore. Not like before.”

“Really? But talking's like that too right?”

“Kind of. But talking is much more... blocky, I guess, it’s easier to ignore the feeling. Singing has a certain elegant grace to it, where all the sounds form one overarching pattern. It's like one spell that's constantly changing its sigils to individual coherent spells. It's very distracting, I find myself trying to constantly change the pattern even as I'm singing it. It can sound kind of weird when I do change the pattern.”

“Huh. You’d even change your own voice with magic? That reminds me of those times where I'd train and be focusing all my attention on how my own body was functioning. One time it even got to the point where I forgot what I was doing in the first place. I'd be focusing on making sure my gait was proper, and my wings were flapping symmetrically. I nearly crashed.”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said, “just like that.”

“But you just have to force it out of your mind, and you'll do fine. After all, you don't see me tripping and falling whenever I take to the skies.”

“No, of course you wouldn't. You're a really good flier Scoots. You have more energy in you than any other pegasus I know.”

“Except Rainbow Dash.”

Sweetie Belle fell silent for a little while, and the tunnel finally resolve into the soft glowing of numerous glowcrystals from the distant Pillar.

The numerous points of light sparkled in their different hues, and Scootaloo felt the pressure of the mountain above her suddenly lessen.

“We're back,” Gravelle stated in her plain greyish-blue voice.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the redundant statement, when a question cropped into her mind. “Say, is it just me, or is the air fresher in here?”

“Indeed it is, Scootaloo.” The dog smiled pleasantly at her. The motion seemed a little stiff to Scootaloo. She wasn't sure if that was because dogs were just a stiff folk, or if Gravelle was just trying too hard to be polite.

“Yeah, we were just talkin' 'bout that on the way back,” Apple Bloom explained. “Turns out that they have special type of digging dogs. They're called Venters. Generally small ones who're good at climbin'. They make the vents that reach to the outside. Keeps this place mighty fresh.”

“We also have at least one Venter on every digging team. They dig vents at intervals down the tunnels. If they didn't, the diggers could run out of air while digging.” Gravelle motioned them to follow her toward the Pillar.

“Can you really do that? Run out of air? Doesn't air just go everywhere?” Scootaloo glanced at the tunnel they had just come from, eyeing it suspiciously.

“Air flows,” Apple Bloom supplied. “Like any gas. Sometimes heavier gases end up nestled in the tunnels. And if ya have no real air ta breath, ya can end up drownin'.”

“Drowning... not in water?” Scootaloo shivered at the thought. “I think I'll just stay out of caves from now on.” She leaped into the open air and hovered above her friends. Much better.

As they moved toward the pillar. Scootaloo looked at the city around her--if it could even be called that. She saw a peculiar square formation of stone structures, which reminded her of the market area that they had in Ponyville. There was a single dog that seemed to have sparkling gems, arranged on a marble counter-top, while a few other dogs were barking to the dog at the counter, as they held clusters of other gems in their paws.

“Is that a marketplace?”

“Why, yes. It's our Market Square,” Gravelle stated with a hint of pride. “We finally have some dogs who have decided that digging isn't their calling. Some of them have taken up crafting and design. Stylized gem-carving has become a new trend in the last few months. Some simply trade gems for other types of gems. If you want a specific type of gem, such as sapphires,” she pointed to her own collar for reference, “then you must trade more of different gems to get it. That's how the merchants can keep on working.”

“Huh,” Scootaloo glanced at all the differing stores and merchants. “Looks like a dog is even selling carved glowcrystals.” There were star-shaped, dog-shaped, pony-shaped, and what looked to be a perfect sphere. “Even I'll admit, that would be pretty neat to have.”

“I am just overjoyed at seeing our clan make something new. Not all dogs, myself included, were entirely happy with just digging. The bounty of our mountain has allowed us to finally explore some of the artistic world. Art has to have been one of the strangest, and most stunning things I have seen in my travels to the Crystal Empire.”

“That looks pretty neat,” Apple Bloom commented. “Ah suppose that yer clan has some expertise in metal-makin' too, right?”

“Of course. We use metal beams to support our tunnels at times along with the wood.”

“Then Ah think Ah'll check out the market when Ah get a chance. It could be useful ta see how yer metallurgy differs from ours back in Equestria.”

“But first we have a certain stone to examine,” Sweetie Belle piped up. “I want to take a good look at it before we talk to Granette about what we're going to do next.”

“We're going to leave the mountain next,” Scootaloo reminded her with a gentle swoop, landing down beside her.

“Of course,” Sweetie assured her. “But we need to discuss some things before that. I'm really worried about why that golem was down there. And its source... It was very powerful.”

“Then what are we just standing around gawking at wares for?” Scootaloo remarked. “Let's go already.”

“You were the one that pointed it out in the first place,” Apple Bloom muttered as she gave the strange Market Square one last intrigued look.

They continued toward the center of the strange city. Scootaloo found it strange that the houses—or at least what passed for houses—had no windows, just single entrances. Only the Pillar had windows, crude and lacking glass panes as they were. It seemed so jarring to her. Almost as jarring as the lack of wind, sun, or moon.

The sooner we get out of here, the better.

* * *

Apple Bloom sat and watched in the low, yellowish light of a glowcrystal as Scootaloo took a drink from the cool stream that flowed down the side of the Pillar. At Apple Bloom's urging, they had left Sweetie Belle to let her focus on figuring out how that strange rock golem worked. Gravelle had gone to make a short report to Granette and some other dog named Argent. Before she had left, she had said that she would be back to accompany them when they met with the boss again.

That had left just Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to sit around and wait, which they had for the past hour. They had grabbed some food, bland and filling oats, and eventually ended up in a side-room of the Pillar, which contained the fresh flowing stream. Given how strained her legs felt, Apple Bloom was altogether glad they had a moment to rest.

“Ya know, Ah've done mah fair share of applebuckin', but buckin' rocks is somethin' else altogether. It's nice ta be able ta sit down fer a bit.”

Scootaloo finished drinking and moved back beside her friend and sat down on a mess of blankets they had collected from the guest chambers. “Yeah, I hear ya. I think that's the last time I'll ever want to kick a rock.”

“Look, Scootaloo. 'Bout what happened earlier, with the diggin' team...” Apple Bloom could see her friend tense and look away. “I know you were just trying to stand up fer us, and Ah appreciate it. It's great ta have a friend like you, who's willin' ta give all she can, and then some, fer her friends.”

A small silence filled the space between the two mare, but eventually Scootaloo turned back to face Apple Bloom. “I think there might be something wrong with me,” the pegasus muttered. “Even as I argued with those dogs, I knew it wasn't a smart thing to do... but I was just so angry. He was mocking us. He thought we were nothing; that we were worth less than a rock.” She shook her head. “But at the time I really wanted to fight him, to prove that I'm not just a pushover, almost as badly as I want to prove myself to the Wonderbolts. Darn it! I know it was the wrong thing to do, but I wanted it all the same.” She sighed and began some rudimentary stretches. “Maybe it's the air down here. I just want to get out of this darned hole in the ground, Bloom.”

“Yeah, Sweetie and Ah... we both know that, Scootaloo. And we'll get outta here soon. But until then, let's try an' keep the conflict to a minimum, yeah?”

“Yeah...” she agreed with a small sigh.

“Ah guess this is a pretty lousy vacation, huh?” Apple Bloom asked with a small grin.

“Yeah, but all in all, I don't think it's too bad. Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do when I get back. Lately, I've been kind of hoping that our vacation would end up taking a really long time.” Scootaloo paused her stretching and looked over her shoulder at Apple Bloom. A hint of colour came to the pegasus' cheeks. “Yeah, I know, it's a silly thought.”

“Well, we all got stuff ta do once we get back.” Apple Bloom frowned at her friend. “Don't ya have another race to go to in order to impress the Wonderbolts?”

“Yeah... there's another big race in a month.” the pegasus sounded hesitant as she spoke, causing Apple Bloom's frown to deepen. “Lots of pegasi will be there, scouting out the young talent.”

“And that's what yer gonna do right?”

“I'm not so sure, anymore...”

“Oh?”

Scootaloo spread her wings, and with a few graceful beats, lifted herself off the stony floor. Soon, she was hovering in the stone room, and she turned around in place with a gentle grace, showing no signs of fatigue from their earlier struggle with the golem. She spun until she faced Apple Bloom in earnest.

“I'm trying to figure it all out. I'm trying to remember why I love to fly. The dream of being a Wonderbolt, of proving myself; that's not what I wanted. That all comes from my desire to make Rainbow proud. And I know nothing would make her prouder than if I made it onto the Wonderbolts.”

Apple Bloom simply nodded her head. She could see Rainbow Dash wanting Scootaloo to push herself to be the best flier she could be. Rainbow Dash had lived, breathed, and talked flying her whole life. To have her own little sister following in her hoofsteps would probably be one of her biggest points of pride. And Rainbow Dash was nothing, if not prideful.

“But I've realized something,” Scootaloo continued. “I hate racing. Competing against others, it takes all the fun and exhilaration out of flying. Everypony is just focused on beating a time and the ponies next to them. It becomes just useless numbers and faceless competition. If I don't beat them, they'll beat me. And that's not what I want. That's not my dream.”

“Then what is your dream, Scootaloo?”

“I don't know,” she admitted with a heavy sigh and settled back down onto the floor. Once on the ground she shot a look down the hall, toward the room that they had left Sweetie Belle in. “But I know it's there. Like my cutie mark, I don't know exactly what it is, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.”

“Just take it easy, one step at a time, and Ah'm sure you'll find it,” Apple Bloom assured her. "That’s what cutie marks are for, to help you realize yer dreams.”

“But I'm worried, Bloom. What'll Rainbow think when she finds out? How am I supposed to tell her? I think she, of all ponies, had the largest expectations for me, and now I'm just going to be letting her down.”

“That's just a load of ponyfeathers! She'll be proud of you, Scootaloo. So long as ya keep chasin' your dream, she'll understand.” Scootaloo gave her a worried look, and Apple Bloom let a small smile of assurance come to her lips. “Ah know, Ah felt the same way before. It was a little while after Ah got my cutie mark. Ah loved the farm an' all... but that was 'cause Ah love mah family, not the business. Slowly, over the course of a couple o' years, Ah just realized that workin' on the farm just wasn't fer me.

“Ya see, Ah had these ideas just comin' inta ma head all the time. Plans fer new machines, and ways ta make life easier--farmin’ machines and the like. Honestly, Ah know that if Ah could somehow make them real, that Ah could help out hundreds and hundreds of ponies. And that's when Ah decided to look fer 'pprenticeship experience.

“It took me a while, but 'ventually there was no 'voidin' it; Ah had ta tell AJ. Ah was worried ta tears when told her. Sure it was a mite unexpected fer her, but she's mah sister, and loves and believes in me. We worked it out. In retrospect, it seems kinda silly how distraught Ah was.

"Look, Ah'm sure that Rainbow Dash loves and believes in you too. Heck, she taught you how to fly, and that's still part o' yer dream. Ya won't be a disappointment ta her.”

There was a slight pause before Scootaloo nodded hesitantly. “Yeah, I guess you're right... Thanks, Bloom. You're a great friend, I don't know what we'd do without you.”

“Well, somepony 'round here has ta have a lick o' sense. Sometimes Ah wish Sweetie would pay more attention ta her surroundin's.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked. “She's probably the most attentive pony I know. She sees a lot more than anypony.”

“Well, seein' is one thing, but sometimes she's more focused on immediate successes than the fallout o' her own actions.”

“We all make mistakes.”

“Yeah, but she makes more than most,” Apple Bloom countered.

“Nah, she knows what she's doing. You should trust her a bit more, Bloom.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to speak when a loud crash echoed from down the spiraling hall. They both peered toward the sound, and watched as a familiar, large stone roll out of a room. It came to a halt a few feet away from the entrance, then it cracked, falling into no less than four chunks.

“Dumb rock!” Sweetie Belle shouted from the entrance to the guest room and scowled at the broken stone.

“Sweetie, you just broke the rock!” Apple Bloom said in disbelief. “Now how're ya goin' ta find out how it works?”

“It broke itself!” she stated. “Besides, I found out pretty much all I needed to know about it. Turns out that, whatever type of rock this is, it can store up magical energy in it’s crystals inside. A lot of it, too. I also figured out something else. Ya have ta see this!” She darted back into the room.

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow, and Scootaloo simply shrugged. Together they walked over to the guest room.

The first thing Apple Bloom noticed was how much dimmer the room had gotten. She noticed piles of different coloured sand spread across the floor. “Glowcrystals?” she asked.

“Yeah! I had to use something to test out that hunk of rock.” She had three remaining glowcrystals suspended in the air by her own magic.

“So... what are ya goin’ to show us?”

“Oh, it's a new sigil that I hadn't seen before, and I managed to figure it out. It was on the surface of the rock, along with a few others I already knew. Watch this!” Her horn flashed lightly, and Apple Bloom noticed her eyes glow green, turning brighter than the glowcrystals around her. One of the crystals fissured with an audible crack.

With a devious smile, Sweetie Belle's horn began to glow even brighter. Then, suddenly, Apple Bloom felt something. A shiver ran up her spine. It almost felt like somepony had touched her. She peered backward, but Scootaloo hadn't moved. She frowned, looking back at the unicorn.

“Sweetie Belle, what are ya up ta?” Apple Bloom wondered, when suddenly she felt a new sensation overcome her. It was as if the ground had fallen out beneath her, though it was still there, beneath her hooves.

She heard the first crystal crack loudly, and she saw it fall into a pile of dust. Dusted, she noted. Feeling slightly skittish by the spell that Sweetie Belle was casting, she took a step backward. The slight movement was all it took for her to feel the ground float away from her hooves.

“By Celestia, am Ah floatin'?”

Sweetie Belle grinned in way of response. With another flash, a loud cracking, and a flare of emerald eyes, Apple Bloom suddenly felt a steady tug from within, and she began to fall slowly toward the room's roof.

She felt her backside touch gingerly on the roof. Instinctively, she tried to roll over onto her hooves. As she did so, she felt the light pull beneath her changing into a harder tug to one side. With a grunt, she wrenched herself upright, and look above her. It looked as though both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were standing upside down.

“Is this a reverse gravity spell or somethin?” Apple Bloom asked in incredulity.

Scootaloo spread her wings and floated close to Apple Bloom, looking at her with avid curiosity. “Wow, you can walk on ceilings. That's a pretty awesome spell.”

“Oh, no, it's nothing like that,” Sweetie Belle assured them, the final crystal was beginning to fissure.

“This is really neat and all Sweetie, but I think ya should let me down now, 'fore that last crystal runs out.”

“Yeah,” Sweetie agreed.

Scootaloo landed and walked over to the unicorn. “If it's not a roof-climbing spell, then what is it?”

Apple Bloom felt the tug on her lessen, and the weightless feeling gripped her for a moment. Then, gravity lightly pulled on her again, and she floated toward the ground slowly.

“I don't know what it's actually called,” Sweetie Belle explained. “I've never come across it before, as I said.”

The final crystal shattered, and the room descended into sudden darkness. Only glowing emerald eyes could be seen, and even they began to dim in the next moment. Apple Bloom felt the pull of gravity suddenly intensify. “Oof!” She felt the ground meet her backside and the wind nearly left her lungs. “Ya definitely need ta be careful Sweetie. If ya don't have enough magic, usin' that spell could be mighty dangerous.”

“Sorry about that,” Sweetie Belle said, slightly sheepish. The silhouetted unicorn offered Apple Bloom a hoof, and soon, the trio exited the guest room, for the better-lit hallway.

“So...?” Scootaloo asked. “Don't keep us waiting. What is the spell? How does it work?”

“Yeah, it felt really weird, suddenly fallin’ up like that.”

“Well, it's what that Golem was using to stay together, actually. I'm going to call it an 'attraction' spell. It focuses on two targeted portions of magic patterns, and pulls them together with physical force. The closer the two fields are, the stronger the attraction. And the more magic fed into the spell, the more it causes a stronger attraction. It's also harder to do with living creatures, since most living things tend to resist outside magic sources more than mundane objects do. I'm actually surprised I managed to get you to the ceiling in the first place.”

Apple Bloom gave her a blank stare. “Ya know... Ah think Ah'd prefer it if ya asked mah permission first next time...”

“Well, it worked out okay.” Sweetie Belle smiled innocently.

Apple Bloom shook her head, but humored her with a smile. “So those rock 'legs' on that golem, spider-thing. Those were attached to the center bit by this type o' spell?”

“Yup! And then the legs moved with a few come-to-life spells in conjunction with scrying. It was actually kind of complicated altogether. I wonder who put that golem together, there was definitely someone powerful behind it, since it was all controlled remotely.”

“Who cares who did it?” Scootaloo asked. “I don't want to find out. We'd probably have to go back down those tunnels, and I'm not going back down there again if I can help it.”

“Well,” Apple Bloom looked at her two friends. “Maybe we should prepare ta head up ta meet with Granette and Slater. They should probably hear what ya know 'bout all this. And Ah think Gravelle’ll be back soon.”

“Sounds good.” Sweetie Belle nodded. “Let's just get our bags.” With a single flicker, her horn lit up, and she headed back into the dark room to fish out their belongings. She returned a few seconds later, setting their packs gentle down at her hooves.

Within a minute, they were all set, and Sweetie Belle gave Apple Bloom a questioning look. “You don't suppose they'll be upset that I used so many glow crystals, do you?”

“Well, they asked ya ta look into it. Ah'm sure usin' up a few glowcrystals ain't gonna cause any problems.”

Sweetie Belle smiled nervously. “A few...? Yeah, it was only a few.”

Apple Bloom paused for a moment, then shook her head. She tightened a strap on her saddlebag. Nah, I don't think Ah'll want to know the answer ta that question...

* * *

They only had to wait a few more minutes until Gravelle came sauntering down the hall. After a quick exchange, the dog led them up the spiraling hall once again.

As they traveled up the inner hall, Sweetie Belle couldn't help but wonder who was behind the golem. Could it be the same one that controlled the weather and attacked us earlier? She tossed her mane in irritation. But to find out, we'd have to follow the energy back to its source, deeper into the mountain. She gave Scootaloo a glance. But I can't ask Scootaloo to go back down there. Hay, I'd be happy if I never had to go down another tunnel myself.

The walk up to the meeting room didn't seem nearly as tedious as she remembered it, although it was just as bland. “You know,” she whispered to Scootaloo, “I bet my sister could make a killing selling décor to these dogs.”

“Knowing her, she'd probably die just from seeing how empty this place is.” Scootaloo smirked.

“Yeah, I can see it now. She'd be walking around with her red glasses on, examining every square inch of this place. With every step she'd give an order to a trail of dogs behind her. 'Move that rock! Oh this place is simply filthy. Does anyone sweep up in here?'” Sweetie Belle gasped and pointed a hoof at an opening that overlooked the underground city. “'Are those open windows without stained-glass? Do you realize how dangerous this is? Well, you could at least put some drapes up! Oh, and what is this, ugh, tacky door doing here? This needs some serious work!'”

They all came to a stop outside the door. Sweetie Belle wore a wide grin and Scootaloo was chuckling, while Apple Bloom simply shook her head.

Gravelle only cocked an eyebrow at the unicorn. “What are you going on about, Sweetie Belle?”

“Oh, it's nothing Gravelle. It'd be too big a hassle to explain.”

“Are ya done then?” Apple Bloom asked. “This is an important meeting, Sweetie Belle. Try ta behave yerself.”

Sweetie Belle saw her friend's stern stare, and felt her smile slip prematurely from her lips.

Apple Bloom then nodded to the dog beside her. “Alright, Gravelle, we're ready.”

Trust me Bloom, I'm very serious about this. Just as serious as you. She looked to her side, and noticed Scootaloo flare out her wings and her posture stiffen, just as the heavy door swung open. And it looks like Scoots is even more serious than either of us. Well, it's only been... what? A day, since that first meeting? I guess Scoots is still holding a bit of a grudge.

They stepped into the familiar chamber, which, after traveling through the tunnels, seemed entirely lavish for diamond dogs. Sweetie Belle noted a fine dent on the metal desk's surface, and she smiled. I'm glad I could at least help them add a little character to this room.

Peering around the rest of the room, she noted that Byron was absent from the meeting, although Slater remained in the corner, sitting on his rocky perch. She felt her smile lose a little of its luster. I wonder where Byron is. She liked the auburn dog. He seemed most likely to laugh at her jokes.

“Ponies,” Granette began, stepping out from behind her desk, “I've heard of your return and of the events that transpired down the deep tunnel. I have sent Byron with a message to cease our mining operations until it can be deemed safe enough.” She stopped a few feet before them, with a stern expression on her face.

She gazed down at Sweetie Belle with hard eyes that seemed to be made of stone themselves. “So, tell me, Sweetie Belle. What have you figured out about that strange stone? It was the centerpiece of the monster that attacked you, correct?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie began, but received a sharp nudge from Apple Bloom. “I mean, yes, that is correct. I studied the rock and found out that it had numerous sigils-” She felt another jab, and she frowned trying to choose the right words. “Numerous different magics were enchanting the stone. One spell pulled the rocks to the center, another moved the rocks where it wanted, yet another spell used magic to see its surroundings. Behind all of it, I could see that it was being fed power from a distant source. There's something out there, deep in the mountain. It's really powerful. I've never seen something that would have that much magic, and I have no idea what physical shape it has, or what you'd have to look for. I think it could be incredibly dangerous to dig any further.”

“That is duly noted.” Granette nodded. “So then, what was the stone actually?”

“I'm not entirely sure, but when it cracked open, I could see veins of silvery-purple mineral build up. It reminded me of a geode, but I don't think it was amethyst. It had a different pattern. It was really weird. The crystal inside allowed it to store up magical energy as well, although it didn't use the natural magic of the crystal. It seems to be a natural attribute of the crystal itself, rather than the effect of a spell pattern.” And the only other crystal that's ever acted similarly is Scoddri's emerald.

“You cracked the rock open?”

“It kind of happened on its own, when I was testing one of its latent magics.”

“The rock is no longer dangerous, correct?” Granette asked and Sweetie Belle offered a small nod in response. “Very good, then I shall send for our best dogs to determine what the rock and its mineral deposits are.”

She moved over to her desk and pulled out a flat sheet of stone and a lumpy white rock, which Sweetie Belle quickly recognized to be slate and chalk. She quickly wrote down something, although it was too far away for Sweetie Belle to see.

“So we did what you asked,” Scootaloo spoke up. “And you said that you'd give us escort out of your caves afterward.”

“I did,” Granette replied, looking up from her writing, irritation seeping into her voice. “Dogs do not make promises that they cannot keep. You ponies have proven yourselves honorable and helpful.” Reaching down she pulled open another one of her desk drawers. She pulled out a large sack, approximately the size of Sweetie's own head, and set it on the top of the desk with a clink. “This is your reward for helping us out. From what Gravelle tells me, had you ponies not been there, I could have lost many good dogs--as well as my daughter. For that, you have earned this.”

“And something else,” Slater called out from his corner and rose to his feet. The old dog held the small bit of emerald in his paw. Sweetie Belle noticed there was an empty socket where he had taken it from his collar. “My granddaughter, Gravelle gave this to me, and had it not been for your efforts, it is entirely possible that she would not have made it back here today. I think it is only fitting that this returns to the heart it belongs to.” He began to shuffle to the group of ponies, on his old, shaky legs.

As he approached, Sweetie Belle noticed the faint strand of emerald energy flowing from her own necklace. It began to strengthen to the point where she didn't compulsively squint when she focused on it. She saw the intricate pattern, and she wanted nothing more than to reach out and test the properties of the strange magic.

She felt her own magic become restless within her, but she kept it under control. I can test what that pattern is after the meeting, she told herself, although she couldn't pull her focus away from it.

Had she not been peering so voraciously at the splinter of emerald she might have missed the sudden flicker of energy from behind the crystal. Scrying? Instinctively, Sweetie Belle pulled her own magic into her horn, as the flicker turned into a large spike of magic, woven into an intricate pattern.

She felt the magic surge forth from Slater's paw, and saw a brilliant purple lance of light shoot forth as well. Sweetie Belle reached out with her own magic from beneath the beam, pushing upward on the oncoming magic with her own.

She gasped, falling to the ground from the sudden exertion, but she saw that her efforts had paid off. The bolt of energy swerved upward, crashing into the ceiling above, leaving a three-foot blackened smear across its surface.

The shocked silence that followed was short lived. Apple Bloom yelped, while Scootaloo dove in front of Sweetie, blocking her view of Slater and the emerald fragment. Sweetie Belle heard Granette snarl, and out of the corner her eye, she saw Gravelle scrambling over toward Slater, a terrified expression painted on her face.

As Sweetie Belle pulled herself off the floor, she sensed numerous magic patterns suddenly pour forth form from the crystal. “Don't move!” a dark voice commanded. It had a regal tone to it that projected authority. “That is, if you care about this old mutt's life.”

A strong magic flowed from the crystal, worming its way between Slater's limbs, like a snake would strangle its prey. Slater was hoisted a foot off the ground, his body stiff, and a look of shock in his eyes.

“You monster! Whoever you are, I vow you shall not get away with this!” Granette shouted, but otherwise remained still.

“No, you mutt! I will get away with this, unless you want to test my earlier warning.”

Sweetie Belle felt the magic surge, and heard Slater wince in pain.

“Father!” Granette shouted. “Darn it! What do you want!?”

“Ah, yes. What I want is something very simple. I need you to get rid of the 'half-heart' girl for me. Do this for me, and I shall release your father.”

Sweetie Belle looked nervously to both Granette and Gravelle. “Why?!” she demanded of the voice. “What did I ever do to you?”

“You have been a thorn in my side that I'd rather be rid of, and you have something that belongs to me.” Sweetie Belle looked down at he necklace. “That's right. This isn't really about you, girl, it's about Discord. If you want to blame someone, blame him for dragging you into this. Now, what are you waiting for, dogs? Get rid of her! Now!”

Slater growled in pain as the constricting magic tightened, and Granette turned to Sweetie Belle and her friends. Fear and torment filled her once-stony eyes. While Gravelle moved in beside her, waiting for her mother to make the first move.

“Granette!” Slater's voice boomed. “What is honour to our clan?! What is honour if it is never tested!? Do what is right-” He choked and sputtered, but struggled against the magic bindings. “Honour the deal, and right the wrong!”

“Father!” Granette cried out, pivoting in place and bounding toward the dog. In a swift motion she grabbed the emerald in Slater's paw and wrenched it free. She let out a howl of pain, and Sweetie Belle could see the magic burning into her paw. Turning, she tossed the crystal straight toward Sweetie Belle.

“No! You traitorous dogs! I'll see you all dest-” The dark voice managed to say before it dispersed into a high-pitched keening.

Sweetie Belle felt the crystal react as it approached, and saw all the magic that had been pouring out of it begin to twist and undulate. The crystal itself turned into a bright, insubstantial wave of emerald light, which shot past both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, straight into Sweetie Belle's necklace.

An echoing laughter reached her ears. Scoddri! She recognized voice, pained as it was. Looking down at the emerald treasure, the magic within it slowly faded, along with the laughter. She noticed that the amulet was slightly larger than it had been before, and it even seemed to weigh a bit more.

You really are out there, Scoddri, aren't you? You're out there and hurting because of this voice, whoever he is. Well, I'll save you, Scoddri. I promise!

End of Chapter 11

Chapter 12 - To Consider the Future

A Heart of Change - Chapter 12: To Consider the Future
By: SilentBelle

With a flash, the voice stopped and the room fell silent. Apple Bloom blinked the blinding effect out of her eyes and looked around her, searching for further signs of the assailant. Eventually, she cast a nervous glance at Sweetie Belle. What just happened?

The sound of a thump caught in her ears, and she turned her head to see that Slater had collapsed to the floor. Granette and Gravelle both rushed over to the old dog.

“Father! Hang in there!” Granette cried desperately, as she frantically used one paw to probe him for a pulse. “Gravelle, go get help! Quickly, he's still alive!”

The younger dog nodded and bolted out the door as fast as she could.

Apple Bloom moved over towards Slater, while Scootaloo began pestering Sweetie Belle with a barrage of questions. Apple Bloom looked at the old dog. He had collapsed onto his backside. Limp and motionless, he seemed so soft compared to only moments before. She saw his chest rise and fall in shallow breaths.

Beside him, Granette pulled herself upright from her crouch and regarded the earth pony. “That voice... Tell me, little pony, do you know who that was?”

Apple Bloom shook her head sadly. “We heard it once before. Before we entered yer caves, he threatened us and attacked us. He certainly ain't up ta any good.” She gave Granette a look of worry. “Slater’ll be okay, won't he?”

The leader looked down at her father and frowned darkly. “I do not know. But I have little training in such matters. I suppose we'll have to wait and see.” She clenched both her hands tightly and took a deep breath to calm herself.

“Yer paw...” Apple Bloom began, noticing the burned fur and reddened flesh underneath. “Doesn't that hurt?”

The dog looked down at her burned paw, a dark smirk crossing her face. “I suppose it does. But it hurts far less than seeing Slater like this.”

“Ya have doctors, right? Or somethin' similar on the way...” Apple Bloom reasoned. “You should really put that under some cold water 'fore it gets worse.”

“This is nothing but a mark of honour. A reminder of what has just happened,” the dog said stubbornly. “I'll stay here until Gravelle returns with the others.”

Oh fer cryin' out loud! Yer paw's burned! Apple Bloom shook her head but allowed the subject to drop. She's a leader, and Ah ain't about ta give her orders.

“So you know not who that voice belongs to.” Granette growled slightly clenching her burned paw into a fist. “I vow on my honour that he will pay for the wrong that he has done. Attacking a dog is not something anyone should do lightly. For to attack one dog is to attack the entirety of the clan.”

“Yet we have no idea where he is, or how to face him.” Apple Bloom shook her head again. “It ain't a good idea ta chase things ya can't find.”

Granette peered down at the earth pony. “It is not your place to advise me on good and bad ideas, pony.”

“Ah didn't mean any offense,” Apple Bloom nearly stuttered. “A-Ah just think it'd be best ta focus on the things at hoof.”

“Leadership is never just about the things at hand,” Granette retorted. “I will consider the entirety of the situation and announce my decision to the clan. I do not need your advice. You ponies have played your part here. You've carried more honour than I could have expected and your reward for your task is right there.” She pointed to the top of her desk where a small sack sat innocuously, yet entirely out of place. “I am sure that we can both agree that keeping you ponies down here will only lead to more problems. I'll allow you and your friends to stay another night if you so wish, but you must leave within a day.”

“Ah see,” Apple Bloom said nervously, bowing her head in respect. “Ah understand, but ya said you'd send a dog ta guide us out.”

Granette paused for a moment, then she reached over to the desk and picked up the bag. “So I did, and I'm a dog of my word. I'll send for Byron to escort you out of our caves. I suspect he’s the least likely to cause any more trouble.”

“He’ll bring us close to the Crystal Empire Ah hope...”

“Yes, of course. I'm not stupid, girl. I know that ponies are good allies to have, and in a time like this, our clan needs as many allies as we can get. If you can find a way to contact Princess Cadence, let her know that the Black Snout Clan is willing to aid in standing up to an international threat. If you do this, you can consider your honour fulfilled and your reward fully earned.”

“International threat?” Apple Bloom wondered at the legitimacy of the claim.

“I thought you had a lick of sense, girl! If some mad unicorn can just waltz their magic into the center of our city and attack the pack leader in the middle of a meeting, then it is clearly a danger on the international level. I'm not about to underestimate the threat my foe poses!” Granette handed over the sack to Apple Bloom. “Take your reward and go about your duty with honour. I have business to attend to.”

As Apple Bloom picked up the reward, she frowned at its weight. That's pretty generous of her ta give us this much, so long as it's not all quartz. She moved over to her friends and as she did so, she heard the sound of numerous dogs running up the main hall.

The trio watched as a few dogs entered the room and wasted no time in moving over to Slater's side. Soon, a burble of growls, barked orders and pertinent questions filled the chamber as an indiscernible background of noise.

Scootaloo continued what she had been saying to a seemingly oblivious Sweetie Belle. “So if we don't know where the voice came from, then how do we track him to find out where he's coming from?” She waited a moment before turning from the activity of the new dogs and giving Sweetie Belle a glare. “Are you even listening to me anymore?”

“Sorry, Scoots.” Sweetie Belle gave an embarrassed smile. “But no, I can't track him. The magic came through the window though, and probably traveled through one of the vents, or maybe one of the higher tunnels. Magic tends to flow easier through open air than rock. Air doesn't have much magic in it, while rocks have a bunch, though it's all pressed together. It's hard to get magic to flow through such a medium, so you end up losing a lot if you try.”

The pegasus blinked. “Alright, I'll take that as a 'no' then.” She turned to Apple Bloom as the earth pony set down the rough sack on the ground before them. “So I guess that means we're not going to be able to chase after whoever that voice was.”

“Why do you even want to chase after him anyway?” Sweetie Belle wondered. “Aren't you always going on about wanting to get out of this place?”

“Well, yeah, but look what he did.” Scootaloo nodded to the crowd of dogs in the room. “And you heard what he said. He's not about to leave these dogs alone after that. If nopony tracks him down, then he'll just keep this sort of thing up.”

“That's surprisingly well-reasoned for you.” Sweetie Belle flashed a grin. “Trust me though, if I knew where to start looking—or how—I'd already be trying my best to find him. But he's definitely far away. Thankfully, he shouldn't be able to do much more without another source to channel his magic through. But that brings into question how he can channel magic through Scoddri's crystals and how he knew about him in the first place. What is his relationship to Scoddri anyway?”

“Those are questions that'll only involve a lot o' speculation,” Apple Bloom said evenly. “Listen girls, Ah had a talk with Granette. We have a day at most 'fore we have ta go. We're allowed ta stay one more night in the guest room if we want ta, and once we decide ta go, she'll have Byron take us down the tunnel that leads us closest ta the Crystal Empire. From there, Ah suppose we can make it ta the city. Hopefully the crystal ponies there will know what's happenin'.”

Scootaloo nodded. “It will be good to get out of here. I just hope that... whoever-he-is isn't waiting for us at the end of the tunnel, preparing to blast us.”

“Oh,” Sweetie Belle interrupted, “is that a bag full of gems?”

“Yeah, it's our reward fer helpin' out and checkin' out that stone. C'mon, let's head on ta the guest quarters, Ah think we'll just get in the way up here.” Apple Bloom picked the sizable bag up, and headed for the door, her two friends falling in behind her.

* * *

The walk back to their room was uneventful, for which Scootaloo was quite glad. She'd had enough excitement for one day. With a stifled yawn, she entered their dark room. A mess of crystal sand lay on the floor, untouched from Sweetie Belle's earlier experiments. Yet there was a new sack of dried oats, a large metal pitcher of water, and a pile of clean, ceramic bowls on the table.

Oats again? I guess diamond dogs aren't much for variety, are they? She shook her head at the sight, but moved past it and took a seat on her hard bed. She was glad she had no saddlebags to get rid of, and watched as her friends went about their own business.

Apple Bloom set the large sack on the table, nearly knocking over the oats and water, while Sweetie Belle came into the room right after her, with three glowcrystals floating in tow. She placed them on the table and took a seat, looking eagerly at the sack of crystals.

“Let's see what we've got here,” Sweetie Belle said, licking her lips slightly. She grabbed the bag with her magic aura, and a series of different crystals streamed out of the bag. “Huh, three... six... nine... twelve. That's pretty generous of them to give us this much. I mean they're pretty high quality and large too.”

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement. “So, Ah guess we should each take four, ya know, ta keep things fair.”

Sweetie Belle smiled and quickly pulled four of the stones over to her. “Mine!” she claimed immediately.

Apple Bloom frowned at the unicorn. “Ya just took the ones with the most magic in them didn't ya?” Her friend's smiling nod was enough to make her sigh. “Figures. Alright, Ah guess Ah'll take these ones.” She pulled over a topaz, two garnets and a ruby. “Scootaloo, do ya care which ones ya get?”

“Not really,” Scootaloo called over to them. “I don't really need any gems or anything. What would I use them for, anyway? I don't wear jewelry.” She cast a glance down at the bracelet on her foreleg. “Well, unless you make it.”

“Sweet! Then can I borrow yours, Scoots?” Sweetie Belle responded in a heartbeat.

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Apple Bloom scowled slightly. “Hey, that's not fair Sweetie, why do you get all of hers?”

Sweetie Belle scooped up the remaining gems in her magic. “'Cause I asked? Besides, I can actually use gems. I have a good plan for these.”

“Ya aren't the only one with plans, Sweetie! Give me two of them, won't ya?”

“What are you going to do with them?”

“Trade 'em o' course,” Apple Bloom replied. “There's some neat stuff at the market down there that Ah want ta check out. Ah think it would be a good idea ta explore their wares and see if somethin' catches my eye.”

“Hmm.” With a small pout, Sweetie Belle shifted two of the crystals to Apple Bloom. “I guess that's fair. How about we all check out the market after we get something to eat? I have to admit, I'm pretty curious about it as well.”

“You two can go ahead,” Scootaloo said. “You know I don't like shopping. I think I'll just go for a quick fly. My wings are itching to do something. Just leave me enough food and water on the table; I'll be back for some in a bit.” With that said, she got up and jumped out the open window.

She spread her wings and flew into the darkness above the city. She was tired, but her wings still demanded a ritual flight, otherwise she knew she’d have a hard time getting to sleep.

There was the familiar rush of wind tugging at her mane, and she let the calm sensation of flight fill her mind for a while. As if in a trance, she flew lazy circles above the city.

It almost feels like I'm outside again. She inhaled heavily and frowned. It smells like fresh air too. With a flick of her wings, she brought her flight to a halt and began hovering in place. She peered into the darkness around her and looked for the source. Eventually, she felt the barest trace of a breeze to her side.

She quickly turned and flew into the light wind. As she moved, she felt it get stronger, and even heard a quiet breathing sound that played a light aquamarine colour across her vision; it reminded her of holding seashells to her ears on a cloudless day at the beach.

Her curiosity lead her to the source. There was a hole in the ceiling that she was sure she could squeeze into if she tried, but the thought of entering such a confined space didn't sound entirely appealing to her. Even with the promise of fresh air on the other side, she decided against risking getting stuck in such a tunnel. Instead, she just hovered before it, letting the cool breeze play in her mane and she let out a sigh. Though... how they managed to make an air vent all the way up here is a wonder in itself. Those dogs must be pretty good at climbing. I wonder how many vents there are.

As she pondered the opening, she looked at the city below her. It shone from a thousand different points of coloured light. A rainbow of fireflies. She smirked at the idle thought. I thought Sweetie was supposed to be the poetic one. Of course, what you expect Sweetie to be and what you get are often very different things. She chuckled sadly to herself. And just what am I expecting?

Amongst the small coloured lights, she saw a dog moving below her, toward the tower. It took her a moment, to realize that she knew the dog. His stature, the diamond in his collar, and his auburn coat. Byron? I wonder what you're up to...

Scootaloo dove through the air, landing as gracefully and as quietly as she could behind the dog. A smile spread across her face. She'd always been good at sneaking up on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle; she could remember countless times she had caused either one to yelp out and jump in surprise. I wonder how a dog will react...

“Nice try, Scootaloo.” Byron turned to her with a light chuckle. “Sneaking up on a dog is a tough thing to do. While our hearing is excellent, I didn't hear your approach, which speaks volumes of your finesse. But what ponies always seem to underestimate is the power of our greatest sense, that of scent. And of course it is most likely not in your favour to have been so long without the proper pony amenities.”

Feeling a little disappointed at the botched attempt, she scowled at the dog. “Well sorry for not finding a place to shower down here. Do you dogs even take showers and the like?”

“Hmm... Would it be disgusting if I said that most do not?”

“Yeah, kind of...”

“Well, I suppose I understand that disgust to some degree. Many of the diggers rely on scent to know where the rest of their pack-mates are when the tunnels grow dark. The diggers seem to never wash at all. I, however, have come to realize some of the benefits to a regular washing every now and again.” Byron shared a small grin. “The first time I set foot in the Crystal Empire, I was certain that the wide berth the ponies had given me was one of a seemingly xenophobic nature. However, I recently began to wonder if it was instead the scent I carried with me through the city. For it seemed somewhat strange that after I visited their spa, I found that the ponies were a little less apprehensive around me. The air also had a much fresher taste to it. It was an altogether relaxing experience.”

Scootaloo smiled at the scene in her mind. “You went to the spa? Isn't that a little too froufrou-y for a diamond dog?”

“Hmm? No, not at all. It's a local tradition of the crystal ponies themselves, and I had been charged with the great responsibility of being an ambassador to the Crystal Empire. It was my duty, and an honour in the eyes of my clan, to take part in such an activity.”

“Honour in taking a bath?” Scootaloo snorted.

“Yes, I understand our idea of honour may be strange to you, young Scootaloo. But it is a powerful guide that has brought us to great prosperity from times of harshness.”

“Yeah, it just seems weird,” Scootaloo admitted. “So, you heard about what happened with Slater, right? I heard you were going to be guiding us out of here tomorrow.”

“Ah, yes. There does seem to be someone around with malicious intentions. Granette is calling for the entire clan to prepare for conflict. It is a terrible shame,” Byron said with a sigh. “It took years for the clans of dogs to stop fighting one another over petty territorial disputes. With every conflict, the prosperity of both clans would dwindle. If this ends up pulling our clan into conflict, well, I begin to wonder what state we’ll find ourselves in at the end.”

“But you can’t just let this guy keep threatening you or you’ll lose a lot more.” Scootaloo argued. “You can’t just be a pushover.”

“Oh, I agree with that wholeheartedly, and I do support Granette’s decision. However, I do still have to wonder about how things will turn out because of this.” He paused for a moment and shook his head. “But my thoughts on the matter should remain as my own. Regardless of how it will eventually turn out, we all have plenty of tasks to keep us busy until then. I was just heading over to the spire to talk to you three about your plans for tomorrow. Where are Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle anyway?”

“Out shopping, checking out the market, but I decided I'd rather stretch my wings rather than walk around aimlessly.”

“Hmm.” The dog looked at her and smiled pleasantly. “If I recall, you are an athlete correct?”

Scootaloo nodded cautiously. Was Byron always this... casual?

“Keeping in shape must feel natural to you at this point. I can understand the feeling of doing the same thing for years and years. To go against those daily rituals can be nothing less than heart-wrenching at times. I'm sure your friends understand that as well. Although I am curious about one thing...”

“And what might that be?” Scootaloo frowned at the dog.

“Well, I'm something of an oddity from the rest of the pack, I suppose it has to do with my own curiosity, though many of my pack-mates have opted to call it 'nosy-ness' in the past. As such I find ponies to be fascinating; with their culture, their habits, and their special talents. It's all so interesting.”

“I wish I could say the same about you dogs, but you'd have to talk to Apple Bloom to get that kind of reaction.” Scootaloo shook her head in irritation. “Out with it, Byron. If you’re going to say something, then say it. What do you want?”

“I just want to know, how does flying feel? What does it mean to fly?” He scratched his head with one hand and raised an eyebrow. “I haven't actually had the opportunity to talk to a pegasus about this before. The only other pony I could have asked would have been Princess Cadence, but that would have been seen as a breach in my own conduct.”

“You sure like to talk, don't you?” Scootaloo sighed and looked to her wings. “What it means to fly, huh? I don't think I can really explain it properly. I suppose it's a rush of fear as you're about to collide with the ground, and the exhilaration that comes from being able to stop that impact. It's fun, liberating... It's...” She shook her head. “Nah, you'd have to experience it yourself. I can't just tell you what it’s like, talking about it cheapens the real experience. I'll just say it’s the best darned feeling a pony can ever feel.”

Byron let out an amused chuckle. “Amusing. I've heard very much the same response when I've asked ponies about what 'love' feels like.”

Scootaloo tossed him an acidic stare. “Well then, I guess I just love flying then.”

“Oh, please. I did not intend to mock or diminish the importance of flight in any way. Sorry if I have caused offense.”

“You know, I think I can see why others consider you to be nosy.”

“I've been told that if I were a pony, I'd have a big black snout as a cutie mark,” he replied with a chuckle. “Whether because of my clan, or my own curiosity, I couldn’t say. Regardless, I very much enjoyed this conversation. It was a pleasure talking to you, Scootaloo. If you could, please let your friends know that I shall arrive after you wake and escort you out of the mountain. I look forward to talking with you then.”

“Yeah...” Scootaloo waved dismissively as the dog turned, heading toward the Pillar. Well, at least one of us enjoyed it. Why do all these dogs have to be so darned weird? What it means to fly? He's asking like he expects there to be an actual answer. She took to the air with a series of quick and powerful wing beats. He may as well have been asking what the meaning of life is. She gave her own wings one last doubtful look and made her way back to her room.

* * *

Sweetie Belle looked at the trinket before her. It was a thin clip of plain silver, with three aquamarine quartz crystals imbedded in them. Their magic was so small as to be entirely useless to her. She frowned at the design. Three nodes, huh? Slowly she began to imagine a network of interconnecting lines with those three crystals as the centerpiece of the whole. She smiled as she realized which spell sigil she was thinking of.

Well, there’s only one way to find out if it will actually work, she told herself and smiled. She looked over the counter and assessed the dog who owned this particular set of wares.

This older dog had an emerald-studded collar and wore a scowl that suggested she found a pony's patronage less than satisfactory.

“Say, I'll give you these two gems for that brooch there.” Sweetie Belle pulled out two of her least magically concentrated crystals with her magical aura and presented them on the counter-top.

“That is not a brooch, pony. It is an ear-clip. It took days to make, two gems are not enough.” The dog shook her head. “I'll trade for four.”

“Four is a bit much. I mean sure, that's silver, but the design is very simple, not to mention that's only three pieces of quartz decorating it. Hardly the most precious of stones. But look at these gems, they are some of the highest quality you'll find. I mean, let's face it, you're a diamond dog, and all diamond dogs can tell the quality of a gem even at a glance.”

The dog sniffed at the two crystals and gave Sweetie Belle a dismissive look. “It's still not enough. If I had stayed on digging, I would have gained more than just two crystals in the time it took to make the ear-clip.”

Sweetie Belle frown for a moment, but quickly turned the expression into a grin. “Alright, I admit that it probably took a fair amount of effort to make that brooch.”

“Ear-clip.”

“So, I am willing to add another gem.” She fished out an emerald, though she had to force herself to hide her reluctance. “Perhaps this fine emerald would be enough...”

The dog's eyes beamed with interest at the gem. She gave it a quick sniff, and smiled. “Perhaps you do have a good eye for gems, for a pony. Very well, for those three gems, you may have the ear-clip.”

Sweetie Belle nodded and they made their exchange, though Sweetie Belle couldn't help but cast one longing glance back at the emerald before the dog tucked it away into a hidden compartment on the other side of the counter.

It was worth it, she told herself. I probably would have wasted the emerald anyway. But this on the other hoof... She wasted no time in clipping the ornament into her hair. Now I have a few more things to try. The sooner we get back, the better.

Walking away from the counter, she gave the whole market a once-over. Now where did Apple Bloom manage to mosey off to?

“So that's, Jaden of Crystal Gems?” Sweetie Belle heard her Apple Bloom's voice drift out from around the corner of the market square.

Curious, the unicorn made her way over and peered down what she would have considered an alley, had they been in a proper city. She peered into the shadows and managed to make out Apple Bloom standing in front of a stone counter.

“Alright, Ah can deliver it when Ah get ta the empire. Ah assure ya, you an' yer brother will be the first customers when we finally get ta the production phase.”

The shadowy figure of a dog merely nodded at her words. Sweetie Belle noticed reflective green eyes glance up at her approach. This dog seemed slightly different from most of the others just based on her clothing. Her outfit was one with no less than six front pockets, and a series of belt pouches circled her waist. And perhaps most strikingly of all was the blonde colouration of her fur.

“Hey Bloom, what are you doing down a dark alley like this?” Sweetie Belle wondered aloud as she approached her friend.

“Oh, perfect timin'. See Aura, this is mah partner Ah was talkin' 'bout.” Apple Bloom shot her a small smile. “We haven't worked out the design yet, but Ah assure ya we can make it work, or you'll get reimbursed, double the cost. Not a bad deal, huh? Plus the six gems.”

Aura growled in a pleased manner that reminded Sweetie Belle of a cat purring rather than a dog. “Yes, it is a fine deal,” she said finally, “and remember little pony, I know your scent. If you do not keep in touch, my brother and I will find you.”

“Mah word is as good as gold,” Apple Bloom assured the dog and flashed her a smile, “and Ah'm sure yours is as well.”

Aura smirked. “Yes, but I wonder... Just how effective is this 'partner' of yours? You've claimed praise for her numerous times already. And as great as the thought of you not holding to your promise, and us turning a profit, sounds, this idea of yours still holds up on its own. It's just the two of you though, are you certain you are going to be able to make it?”

“Why, of course we are!” Sweetie Belle chimed in and shot Apple Bloom a smirk. I wonder what she's roping me into... “I'm one of the best around when it comes to my field of expertise.”

“Ya heard her. Together, we are gonna make it 'fore the end o' the year. We'll send yer brother the details as we progress.”

“Hmm, well your attitude is impressive to say the least. Perhaps a partnership with ponies is just what we need to give us a leg up on the rest of the merchants. The first to act will be the first to succeed.” Aura smiled and picked up a rock from one of her many pouches. “Very well.”

In a quick series of motions, she scratched away at the surface with her nails. It sounded vaguely like chalk on a chalk board, only far more grating. Sweetie Belle shivered reflexively.

After a moment, the dog handed the stone over to Apple Bloom. “Show this to Jaden as well. He knows my writing and should be cooperative in your endeavors. It's good doing business with you pony folk.”

“Likewise,” Apple Bloom replied and slipped the stone into her pack.

“Now, if you'll excuse me, I am a dog of many clients, and I fear your presence is no doubt keeping them at bay.”

“Ah hear, ya. Not all dogs are keen ta deal with us ponies. Glad to have met ya, Aura. Ah assure ya, yer investment will pay off.” Apple Bloom nodded and she and Sweetie Belle turned to leave.

“One way or another, investments always pay off.” The dog barked a laugh.

Sweetie Belle tossed one last curious frown over her shoulder at Aura. “Huh, these dogs are as colourful as us ponies it would seem.”

“Yeah, that's the first gold one Ah've ever seen, though. At least their names are easy enough to remember.”

Sweetie Belle chuckled lightly and gave Apple Bloom a questioning look as they walked through the market, heading back toward the Pillar. “So... what's this deal you just made? 'Cause to me, it looked like you were dealing with what Rarity would probably refer to as a 'miscreant who's only looking to make a profit'.”

“And probably the only one who's willin' ta take a chance on what Ah'm tryin' ta make.”

“We're trying to make,” Sweetie Belle pointed out. “At least that's what you told Aura back there. And here I was thinking that you were the reliable one in the group. I'm guessing this is about that invention, huh?”

“Of course. And with yer help, we're gonna get it done 'fore the end o' the year.” Apple Bloom slowed to a stop and turned to face her friend. “Ah'm sorry fer draggin' ya inta this, but knowin' you, yer up fer the challenge. It'll put both our skills to the test. Hay, we may even become famous after all this.”

“I don't think I want to be famous.” Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Not like Rarity anyway... It just seems entirely unpleasant.”

“What are ya talkin' 'bout?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “How else are ya gonna make a livin' sellin' magic jewelry if no pony knows about ya. You gotta get yer name out there. Hay, we gotta get our names out there, otherwise we’re gonna be headin' nowhere real quick.”

“Hmm, I guess you have a point. But I want to do this more for the experience of doing it, to see if we actually can. I mean, a set of wings that could let anypony fly, it would be one of the greatest inventions out there.”

“Oh, not only can we do it, but we are going to do it,” Apple Bloom said confidently, moving into full stride once again. “Ah have most of it planned out.” She tapped her head with a hoof. “Ah'll write out the outline 'fore we head ta sleep, an' we can discuss the details tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “I had something I wanted to work on once we got back anyway.”

“Ya bought somethin’?” Apple Bloom shot a glance at the unicorn's hair and frowned. “That hair clip? What's it for?”

“Ah, but my dear Apple Bloom, telling you would ruin the surprise. Suffice it to say that even if nothing goes according to plan, it will be a great learning experience and will probably help with this project we're going to be working on.”

The earth pony shook her head, but a small grin played on her lips. “Well, if I hear an explosion, Ah'll come ta see if yer alright. Try not ta inflict yerself with accidental head trauma.”

“Spoken like a true friend! Thanks Bloom, but I'm not going to be wearing it while I'm working on it.” Sweetie Belle laughed along with her friend as they headed back to the Pillar.

Sweetie Belle's mind turned to thoughts of her own purchase. Her plans for the ear-clip—which she was inclined to think of as a 'brooch' instead—filled her mind. Evidently Apple Bloom was sifting through her own thoughts, for neither of them spoke another word to each other for the rest of the way. They just shared a comfortable walk in relaxed silence. Willing to listen should the other speak, but perfectly comfortable in keeping to themselves.

They arrived back at their room to see Scootaloo with her muzzle deep into a bowl of oats. “Oh, you're back,” she managed to say before emptying out the rest of the bowl.

“So we are,” Apple Bloom agreed with a hint of sarcasm. “It's good to see you too.”

Sweetie Belle remained at the entrance of the room. “I'm gonna head on over to an empty room to get some work done before bed. I'll be back in a bit.”

“Hmm?” Scootaloo frowned. “What's with that silver hair clip?”

“Oh, you noticed?” Sweetie Belle replied in mock-surprise. “It's a brooch by the way.”

“It kind of stands out a bit... and knowing you, you're probably just using it for some plan, aren't you?” Scootaloo spoke in a manner implying the question was rhetorical.

“What? Can't a lady have some pride in her choice of fashion? Must every new item I acquire be for the express purpose of some future, nefarious deed?”

“Yeah, it usually is. Besides Sweetie, you couldn't choose a piece of fashion that suits you to save your life.”

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement as she took her saddlebags off and set them on the stone table.

“It doesn't look that bad does it?” Sweetie Belle grabbed at the brooch with her magic and examined it. “Silver should go with my coat, right?”

“Yeah, except you were wearing it at the top of your mane,” Scootaloo pointed out.

Sweetie Belle pouted slightly. “Since when did you become a fashion expert, Scoots?”

“It doesn't take an expert to know when something doesn't match very well. Just position it closer to your ears. Or hay, that thing could probably clip right onto your ear, just as easily as it clips into your mane. I think that would look better.”

“Well, it's not about looks,” Sweetie Belle replied bitterly. “Besides, it's a brooch. It's meant to hook into your hair, not on your ears.”

“You're not the one who has to look at you all the time...” Scootaloo muttered and glanced away.

“Well, I'm sorry if you find it unbearable to look at me!” Sweetie Belle turned from the entrance and stomped off quickly.

“No, that's not what I meant at all-” was all she managed to hear Scootaloo say as she rounded a corner.

Geez! You know, there're better better ways to say that you don't like it, Scoots!

* * *

“Darn it! Why does she have to misinterpret what I meant?” Scootaloo groaned and let her head thump down onto the table.

“'Cause ya didn't say what ya meant?” Apple Bloom offered. “Look, it's no big deal, Scootaloo. Ah'll talk ta her when she gets back if ya want. Ah agree that she's not the best pony fer style and such. In fact Ah'm surprised that more o' Rarity's understandin' o' fashion didn't rub off onta her. Tell ya what, I'll talk ta her when she gets back, I know what ya meant ta say.”

No you don't. Heck, I don't even really know what I meant to say. “Oh whatever, I'm tired. I'm going to go hit the hay,” Scootaloo grumbled. “Or the lack thereof.”

“Alright. Ah'll be doin' some writin' and plannin' fer a while. Have a good night.”

Scootaloo sighed wearily in response and climbed into her window-side bed. As she lay down, she was worried that the hard surface would cause the realms of sleep to evade her. But the exhaustion from her overworked muscles and the earlier tension of the day won out over her discomfort, and quickly whisked her consciousness away.

* * *

Coils of chain,
They circle around her, hound her.
Bound her wings,
They ground her.
In suspended motion,
She hangs.
The grip tightens.

Alone, she moans her protest.
Hearing only the harsh reply of silence.
A void of naught,
but in the darkness a sight to see.
Sickly green orbs hold her eyes,
Firm and unyielding.
No matter how she turns or how tightly her eyes close
They seep into her sight,
Poisoned eyes of foul light

Peering at her
Until she falls limp against the chains.
Hanging... they are her only support.

But inside, something awakens to the venom gaze

A denial, a refusal
Her rebuking heart-wrenching call.
With one final shout, one vocal bout,
She thrashes at the chains and they creak,
Shriek at her defiance.

With a spitting hiss, the metal snakes away from her.
And she falls, plummeting into the darkness below.
The distant eyes die out in their poisoned glow.
Like a fate she can’t avoid
She meets with the void.

* * *

Scootaloo blinked and opened her eyes. A soft moonlight played across the open sky. A few small clouds lazily caught the silver light, and a gentle breeze sung a cool melody through her mane. Instinctively, she gave a relaxed sigh.

Wait, what am I doing outside? I should be with Sweetie and Bloom in the diamond dog's city. Where am I?

Scootaloo gave her head a sudden shake and looked around her. She saw a wooden house with its peeling coat of paint, unkempt yard and dusty window panes. My house? Then that means... this is a dream. Darn it! I hate these dreams!

She had experienced dreams such as this in the past, thanks to a certain moon princess. She'd been in them often enough to know that the dreams always had some purpose, or a centerpiece that they wrapped around. Usually it was a fear to be explored or defeated. Sometimes it was a matter of sorting out and accepting one's feelings. Luna had once mentioned dreams acted to the mind very similarly to how a pony's body will fight off sickness; it was a natural response.

“So what is it this time, Luna?!” Scootaloo shouted out into the night sky. “I don't have time to play more of these games. I just want a good night's sleep for once.”

“Oh, but the princess won't be able to hear you, Scootaloo,” a deep voice called out from behind her, it sounded vaguely familiar.

Scootaloo spun around, flaring her wings. She otherwise kept her composure, for she knew that she couldn't be physically harmed in a dream, after all, her body wasn't even here. “You! You're the one who attacked us earlier! Show yourself!”

“And it would appear that you three ponies are so full of secrets. Imagine my surprise to find a unicorn who practices chaos magic, and now we have a dreamer as well,” the voice called out coolly.

Scootaloo squinted in its direction toward a nearby bush. Between the branches and leaves, she saw two slitted, glowing eyes suddenly staring right back at her. They were large, nearly half the size of her own head, and they were of a sickly green color. She had the sinking feeling that she had seen them somewhere before, but she couldn't remember.

The creature moved forward in a smooth manner, out into the moonlight, revealing a length of undulating scales. The giant snake slowed to a halt, only a foot away. Its scales were of the same ivory of moonlight, and its mouth was single open slit, hinting at two sharp glistening fangs.

“You're just a nightmare! Get out of my dream!” Scootaloo focused at the snake and willed the snake away from her, trying to force it out of existence. She felt a tension in her forehead, and the distance between the two lengthened.

“I am no mere nightmare that you can just make disappear. You lack the power to order me around in here. And you are at my mercy.”

Scootaloo knew better than to let her fear show; nightmares fed off of uncontrolled emotions and used them against their owner. She pulled her focus before her and used her ace move. In a moment, she had Rainbow Dash firmly in her mind, and she willed her protector into existence. Or at least tried to.

There was a force, something opposing her own action. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she pushed against the unseen wall that was stopping her.

The snake laughed in a deep chuckle that seemed to emanate through the ground as much as it did through air. He slowly slithered toward Scootaloo. “As I said, you, my dear, are at my mercy.”

Scootaloo spat at the snake and took to the air. “You'll have to catch me first!” With a quick whip of her wings, and using her mind, she added to their strength. In only a few seconds, she was cutting through the air so fast that the wind howled mercilessly in her ears.

She made her way into a large stretch of open sky, and kept her eyes open, scanning her surroundings for any indication of being followed.

“Ah, such naivety, is refreshing.”

The voice came from above, and Scootaloo looked up just in time to see the snake's gaping maw descending upon her, and it caught her whole body. She managed to let out a scream as she was pulled into the darkness.

“You are mine girl. No matter where you run, or how desperately you hide, I'll be one step away, ready to strike!” The voice was all that remained, as it flashed acidically across her sight and even it eventually faded into the darkness around her.

Everything faded. Even the memories.

* * *

Apple Bloom got up earlier than her two friends. She let out a small groan as she gave her back a much-needed stretch, and quietly made her way over to the table. She opened one of her saddlebags and pulled out a bag of sliced dried apples. She cast a look back to her friends to make sure they didn't see her eating the delectable snack. Not that Ah wouldn't share if they asked, but Ah don't really want ta run out prematurely. Oats are great and all, but there's nothing like a good bit of apple in the morning.

Chewing on the fruit, she pulled out her notebook, filled with the plans she had been working on last night. Alright, so we'll need quite a few bits of small metal pieces. Tough, yet as light as possible, Ah'll have to ask that Jaden fellow about it when we get ta the Crystal Empire. And once Sweetie gets up, Ah can ask her some of the finer details about the strength of magic and how long a crystal would last as a power source. Ah hope it won't just last for a few hours, otherwise, it would still make more sense for earth ponies and unicorns ta use hot air balloons...

In spite of her earlier bout of confidence, she was getting fairly worried. But the prospect of her promise to Aura becoming a lie was not something she would contemplate. We can do it, she assured herself, and picked up a stick of graphite and glanced at her own cutie mark for assurance. Maybe if the power source wasn't just magic. Ah could use a series of springs and gears... She quickly sketched a series of interlocking mechanics that could be wound up, prior to flight. A replenishing energy source that doesn't compromise the weight.

Setting the graphite down, she reached toward her bag for another apple slice, and smiled appreciatively when one found its way onto a balanced position on the end of her hoof. “Thanks Sweetie,” she muttered, then paused to look at the unicorn.

“So this is your plan, huh? Seems kind of intricate. Can you really replicate a pegasus' wing movements?”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom munched on the apple slice and saw Sweetie Belle grab an apple slice of her own with her magic. Well, so much for mah secret stash. “It would just take a fair number of joints, springs, and even a bit o' magic ta keep it powered up.”

“Hmm, I see. It would take a fair number of individual rituals to hold it together, but if it's all made of mostly the same material, it shouldn't take too much energy. But doing that would also be risky,” Sweetie Belle pointed at one of the drawings of the wings. “Rituals need to be very accurately drawn to have their intended effect--you know, sustained spells without a unicorn to actually cast it. Something like this would have to have multiple rituals. Propulsion and attraction, in many different locations. The dangerous part would be how you write the rituals. Usually they are made of special magically-attuned ink, or magically-reactive sand, and usually it burns out the components in the process.”

“Well, what about with Scoot's bracelet ya made her? Doesn't that use rituals without any of those fancy inks or sands?”

“Yeah, but using metal to form the ritual is very inefficient, which is the beauty of that bracelet. It uses that inefficiency to create heat alongside the other rituals, allowing it to burn off a lot of otherwise potentially dangerous magic.” Sweetie Belle place a hoof to her chin. “It was one of the biggest problems I had with the initial design, I couldn't find a way to make a long-lasting, self-sustaining ritual, that was in any way efficient. If we used the same design on these wings o' yours, we'll just end up dusting a crystal just trying to get the things to flap a few times.”

“Darn it, there has to be some sort of answer. Why's metal so inefficient?”

“Metal is a simple, yet very tight pattern. Magic has a hard time traveling through it and much of it catches onto the pattern if it's forced into it, causing it to heat up.”

“What about gems? You always use those, they must be effective as magical conduits.”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “They are good sources. But since they are almost entirely simple magic patterns, when too much magic enters a crystal, it will quickly shatter. The simple pattern can't handle the stress of too much magic and it changes under the pressure whereas metal is very sturdy and resistant to those changes.”

“But there has to be some other material then. Something that resists the influx of energy, yet is able to transfer the energy efficiently...”

“I'm sure there is one,” Sweetie Belle said, “I'll just try a bunch of different materials.”

“Ugh,” a groan came out from behind them. The two ponies turned to see Scootaloo roll off the bed and hit the floor in a tangle of blankets. “Ow...”

“Are ya okay there Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom called out and only got a muffled response. “Need a hoof?”

“She's always been bad at getting up,” Sweetie Belle claimed with a hint of amusement in her voice.

“Well, sleepin' on stone like this ain't conducive to a good night's sleep. Ah was near paralyzed when Ah awoke. Ah can't wait ta get a good ol' bed or even a haystack ta sleep in.”

Scootaloo pulled herself to her hooves. “Well, I'll be glad when I finally get to sleep on some clouds again,” she muttered.

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “I could use a cloud myself.” The other two each shot her a questioning gaze. “What? I have a cloud-walking spell, remember? Hay, I'd probably have a bed of clouds back home if the spell lasted longer than a few hours. There's nothing quite as comfy as a cloud.”

“Except that it always feels like yer about ta fall through 'em. They’re a little too soft if ya ask me.”

“Exactly!” the unicorn insisted. “They're just that soft and comfortable. Besides, you don't have to wash them either. Hmm... perhaps I could anchor the cloud walking spell into a bracelet of my own if we ever found an efficient way to power it...”

“You’d go through all the effort of making a bracelet like that just because you wouldn’t have as many chores ta do?,” Apple Bloom questioned with a grin.

“Hey, I'm just saying being a pegasus must be a win win situation.” Sweetie Belle blinked, then a smile crept onto her face. “Or I guess you could call it a 'wing wing' situation.”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom both groaned in unison, the former taking a seat beside her friends at the table. “I guess a green heart doesn't represent comedy.” Scootaloo shook her head.

“Bad puns are a talent in and of themselves. Don't take 'em lightly.” Sweetie Belle laughed jovially at the scowl she received. “Oh, cheer up Scoots, you look like you had a nightmare or something.” Apple Bloom saw the pegasus flinch at the words. “I know! Here, have some apples, they're good.”

Apple Bloom directed a glare at her friend, but it went unnoticed, and the unicorn promptly began magicking individual slices of dried apple out of the earth pony's bag.

“Thanks,” Scootaloo replied quietly, chewing on the snack. “Hmm, they're pretty good.”

“Nothing like a taste of home when you're traveling.”

“Mah thoughts exactly,” Apple Bloom agreed. “O' course, Ah would appreciate it if ya had asked before grabbin'.”

“What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours. Good friends share.” Sweetie Belle shot her a disarming smile, but it had little effect on Apple Bloom. “The trick is to only ever have stuff that nopony else wants.”

“Good friends also respect each other,” Apple Bloom muttered. Well, at least they appreciate it.

“I'd only borrow from someone I respect,” the unicorn argued back.

“Oh, borrowin'? Is that what yer doin'? So yer gonna pay me back somehow?”

“She borrows bits from me all the time, back home, and hasn't paid me back yet.” Scootaloo gave a shrug. “It's a lost cause, Bloom.”

“Hey, I made that bracelet for you, and Bloom I'm helping you out with your project. Besides, I pay both of you back in love and affection. You can't put a price on that!”

Apple Bloom shook her head and laughed. It is a lost cause.

“Nor can you put a price on having a good time,” a voice came from the entryway of their room. Byron was standing there with a small grin on his face. “I am here to accompany you three, and guide you to the surface, whenever you are ready.”

“Byron!” Sweetie Belle said pleasantly. “It's great to see you again! What did Slater and Granette have you doing?”

“Oh, I was just tasked with looking more in depth into the disappearance of our supply shipment. Unfortunately, the weather around the Crystal Empire seems especially fierce. I am beginning to suspect that the shipment never even left, on account of the storm.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “At least I hope that is the case. I would hate to think of what would have befallen the ponies had they set out only to get caught in the storm right outside the city.”

“So the weather's still bad, huh?” Apple Bloom wondered aloud as she got up and hoisted her saddlebags onto her back. “Sounds like it could be tough gettin' inta the city.”

“Yes.” Byron nodded and rubbed his black snout. “The weather around our mountain has cleared up, but the storm rages around the Crystal Empire. I am unsure that it would be wise for anyone to enter it.”

“Well, it's that jerk—the guy who attacked Slater—he's doing the weather stuff right?” Scootaloo reasoned as she too got out of her seat. “So, what's he after?”

Sweetie Belle remained seated and considered the question for only a moment. “The Crystal Empire,” she muttered. “I wonder... Could you see it at all through the storm, Byron?”

The dog shook his head sadly. “No, I could not see anything past the clouds, rain, snow and lightning. It is a massive storm, indeed.”

“In which case, I think we can assume that the Crystal Empire has their magical ward in place.” Sweetie Belle looked at her companions who each gave her a blank stare while Byron simply scratched at one of his ears. “Well, it's something I've read about,” she explained. “Princess Cadence is able to project a shield around the whole city, by using the Crystal Heart, and keep anything she deems harmful from entering. That's what they used to stop the evil king Sombra from taking back the empire. I even ran it by my sister and she verified that was how they managed to defeat him a few years back.”

“How long could a spell like that last?” Apple Bloom wondered. And how long can a city that size even sustain itself? There's no way they have enough farmin' land that close ta the city. With all the trade cut off, it must only be a matter o' time 'fore everypony starved. Though, if I were in charge o' the Empire, Ah would've done what they did: sit an' wait... “Surely it can last long enough fer the princesses ta arrive and stop the storm.”

“Yeah... that's the strange part.” Sweetie Belle agreed, getting onto her hooves, she began pacing. “It doesn't add up... How come Celestia and Luna haven't arrived yet? Surely a storm that size wouldn't go unnoticed. Hay, they even sent our sisters out ta investigate, so they know something is up. Whoever that voice is, he must have done something. He has control of this whole situation.”

“If the princesses aren't even able to help, then what can we do?” Scootaloo asked uncomfortably. “We don't have elements or a thousand year's experience. We're just a farmer, an athlete, and a miscreant.”

Apple Bloom chuckled at the comment and gave her friend an assuring smile. “We'll do whatever we can, Scootaloo. When there's somethin' this serious goin' on, everypony should do their best ta chip in. We need ta figure out a few more o' the details, though.” She looked to Sweetie Belle and raised an eyebrow. “Say, oh great Miscreant, don't ya think it would help ta get a look at the spell that's controlling the weather? Maybe you could stop it. Ya seem ta have knack fer causin' spells ta go haywire.”

“I'm also perfectly talented at making spells work, you know.” Sweetie Belle laughed at her own expense. “One of these days I'll prove it to the both of you. But for now,” she said, pulling her own saddle bags onto her back with a bit of magic, “heading out and finding exactly what's going on certainly wouldn't hurt.”

“So you are all ready to go then?” Byron asked and when they all nodded he moved out the entrance motioning them to follow him. “I've talked to Granette about various outcomes, and she grudgingly agreed that should you have nowhere else to go, you would be allowed to stay here as our guests.”

“Well, it would take a lot more than a dumb storm to force me back into here.” Scootaloo stretched her wings out, nearly scraping either side of the hallway. “I can't wait to feel the fresh air again.”

“Well, it shouldn't take much longer than an hour,” Byron said as he set a quick pace for them to follow.

“An hour? Great, just another hour of walking down tunnels that are threatening to collapse at any moment.”

Sweetie Belle chuckled at the sarcastic remark as she ran past and caught up to Byron. The unicorn and the dog quickly started up another conversation, while Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a measuring look.

“Do ya have ta be so sarcastic Scootaloo? Byron's a nice dog. He doesn't deserve havin' his home mocked by ya.”

“Nice? Huh...” Scootaloo shook her head. “It doesn't change the fact that we were almost killed yesterday, thanks to those dogs. Twice even.”

“It wasn't their fault.”

“Yes it was,” Scootaloo argued back quietly. “I've had enough of it, Bloom. They sent us—visitors to their caves—into a dangerous situation and they never apologized for it.”

“But they don't need ta, Scootaloo.” Can't ya see it Scootaloo? These dogs are different from ponies. They'll never apologize fer somethin' that ain't strictly their fault. But that doesn't mean they won't forget what we've done fer them when we've helped 'em. She shook her head. “They don't deserve yer scorn.”

“Whatever, it's just how I feel alright? I'm never coming back here again, Bloom.” The pegasus looked away.

Apple Bloom was about to retort, but she stopped herself. She's had a tough night. We can talk about it when she cools off a bit. “Sorry Scootaloo, Ah didn't mean ta argue with ya.”

Scootaloo chuckled lightly at her words. “Seriously? Bloom I know you well enough to know your intent was to argue with me. You just wanted me to think the same way that you do, but that's not happening. Let's just drop it.” The pegasus moved on ahead, and Apple Bloom followed behind.

She frowned slightly, but nodded to herself. Am Ah really their leader, Gravelle? How can Ah lead them if Ah can't convince them ‘bout anythin'? She shot a small look of envy at the unicorn ahead of her. 'Sides, Ah'm pretty sure Sweetie's better at movin' us forward than Ah'll ever be.

They passed through the rest of the city in relative silence. The intriguing structures didn't quite pull at her with the same wonderment as before. She still idly constructed schemes for how they might have gone about creating the rugged buildings, but it was only a halfhearted attempt on her part.

Ah hate bein' like this! Not knowin' how Ah fit inta the big picture. Scootaloo's right, what can we possibly hope to accomplish here? We are just an athlete, a farmer and a miscreant. But hay, Ah'm not even a real farmer. Ah'm just a pony who's dreamin' up more than she can handle. It was nearly enough to make herself laugh. And now Ah'm splashin’ around in my own self pity? Hah! I've got to snap out of this.

“Well, here we are.” Byron's words startled Apple Bloom from her reverie. With a shrug of his shoulders, the dog pointed at a fairly small hole in the wall, smaller than he was tall. “It's not much to look at, but it's a new tunnel, and it leads closest to the Crystal Empire. It is, however, higher up the mountain, which is why we always bring our trade shipments through the wider and lower tunnels.”

Apple Bloom stared into the dark, gently winding tunnel and wondered just what they'd find at its end. Surely they would see the storm, and it was bound to be big and devastating. With a shake of her head she banished the thoughts from her mind. There's no point in worryin' over the unknown. “Ah suppose that makes sense. Ah was honestly wonderin' if the original tunnel we had entered was the closest, but now that makes a lot o' sense. It's kind of hard ta bring a heavy wagon up the side of a mountain.”

“I don't even see a single glowcrystal in there,” Sweetie Belle said as she squinted into the darkness ahead. “You're gonna crawl, Byron?

“Indeed,” the dog agreed. “This new tunnel may one day be used as the main portal for visitors, in time. However, it remains a simple and crude thing at the moment. But no dog is ever afraid of a little dirt when their duty calls.”

“Well, no point in hangin' around down here, let's go then. The sooner we get outside, the sooner we can figure out what ta do next.” Apple Bloom stepped forth into the darkness, her friends following right behind her.

Ah may not be able ta do anything at all. But hay, Ah'm still gonna try.

End of Chapter 12

Chapter 13 - The Broken Tower

A Heart of Change - Chapter 13: The Broken Tower
By: SilentBelle

Scootaloo’s wings twitched at her sides, but she kept them from extending. “Why does this tunnel have to be so darn small?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle added from right in front of her. “Bloom, I told you I should have been in front to light the way.”

“Well, there’s no point in complaining about it now,” the earth pony shot back. “Unless ya want to backpedal down the whole tunnel so we can reorder ourselves. Besides, it’s workin’ fine as is.”

Sweetie Belle grumbled slightly. “You’re not the one who has to maintain a light spell and a levitation spell at the same time. You know, using a gem as a lamp isn’t quite as easy as my own horn. If I have to keep this up I’ll end up with a headache.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the complaint. “Oh, come on Sweetie, I’ve seen you use a light spell for hours before, just pony-up.”

There was a deep chuckle from behind. Scootaloo turned to see Byron’s shadowy figure. The diamond centered at his neck caught a stray beam of Sweetie Belle’s light spell and reflected it in an eerie manner.

“What’s so funny?”

“This sort of conversation,” Byron began pleasantly, “it is not something that we dogs are entirely used to. I find it to be quite intriguing.”

“You would, wouldn’t you?” Scootaloo frowned, and not for the first time, wished she had entered the tunnel last. She trained her eyes back to the ground before her, squinting against the darkness. “So how long is this tunnel, anyway? Whoever dug it out didn’t do a very good job.”

“Oh, its just a few more minutes,” the dog replied with a chuckle. “As I had mentioned before, the tunnel is something of a ‘work in progress’.”

He’s starting to get on my nerves. Scootaloo shook her head. “Hey Sweetie, I just noticed... you aren’t wearing that brooch anymore. It’s not because of what I said earlier, was it?”

“Huh?” Sweetie tried to turn her head around, but her horn stubbed against the top of the tunnel. “Ow,” she muttered. “No, it’s in my bag, Scoots. Why would you think I’d wear a brooch when we are heading through such a small tunnel? It’d have been pulled off way back there and I’d have lost it. I spent some good gems on it, you know?”

A likely story, Scootaloo thought to herself. You didn’t even know that we were going to be heading through a tunnel this small until we saw it.

“Plus, it’s a work in progress,” Apple Bloom called back. “Without any gems in it, it’s just simple silver clip. Plus she wouldn’t want ta get the etchings all scraped up after spendin’ most of last night makin’ ‘em.”

“Huh... so what’s it gonna do after you’re done with it?”

“Oh, I managed to add a bit more after Bloom went to bed,” Sweetie Belle replied in her usual saccharine tone. “But you’ll both have to wait and see what it does.

“It’s always a waiting game with you, isn’t it?” Scootaloo muttered quietly enough that nopony else heard her.

“Patience is a virtue, as I’ve oft heard ponies say,” Byron’s own whispered voice made it up to her ears.

She lapsed into silence for a while, and kept her focus on the uneven ground. She heard Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom arguing various ideas for whatever contraption they were trying to create. She heard something about wings of metal, and proportions, but she didn’t follow their conversation, and instead sank into her own reverie.

That dream last night… A snake and that voice. What does it mean? She shook her head. Maybe it’s just these caves getting to me. It was just a dream.

“Aha! Ah see it!” Apple Bloom’s voice jarred her back to reality.

“It’s about time,” Sweetie Belle said with a tired sigh. She pulled the gem that she had been using for the light spell back to her side, and slipped it into her saddlebag.

Scootaloo peered around her friends and saw a bright light, indicating the tunnel’s end. She stumbled after her friends and broke free of the confining space.

As soon as she passed the rocky threshold, Scootaloo leaped into the air and spread her wings. She breathed in the fresh mountain air and couldn’t help but let a small smile form on her lips. The wind carried the distant scent of pine and chill crispness.

She turned her gaze downward and took in the scene. They were above the treeline, but not by much. The distant, small pines cascaded down the side of the mountain, pooling into a thick, albeit small forest at its base.

Past the forest, Scootaloo noted the churning mass of dark clouds. They seemed to touch down before the horizon, blotting out both the sky and the ground. “So the Empire’s over there, huh?” Numerous flashes of lightning lit the cloudy mass every few seconds, and thunder echoed along the mountain cliffs. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a storm that big before.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom agreed, “and we have ta get past it somehow...”

Scootaloo landed beside her friends on the bald, rocky outcropping. “Say, Bloom, if they don’t have either pegasi or unicorns in their city, then how do they normally control the weather?”

“Well, from what Ah’ve heard, the crystal ponies have their own type of magic. Ah think it was called ‘atmospheric magic’ or somethin’. It’s supposed ta be very effective when the ponies are feelin’ positive emotions. The book Ah read didn’t really explain it.” Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly. “But Ah bet Sweetie could figure out how they work.”

Sweetie Belle looked to the skies, her face growing pensive. “Yeah, they probably just cast a spell more passively. Kind of like pegasi walking on and interacting with clouds.”

“Well, do you know how they do it, Byron?” Apple Bloom asked. “You’ve spent quite a bit o’ time in the Crystal Empire, haven’t ya?”

“So I have,” the dog agreed. “I don’t know quite how it works. However, I have seen them once before. They did something they called a ‘raindance’. It was a sight to behold.” Byron smiled nostalgically.

The three ponies looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. “So… what was it like?” Apple Bloom asked after a moment.

He blinked in surprise. “Oh? I’m sorry. I’m used to the other dogs just ignoring my moments of nostalgia. Yes, let’s see… How would I describe it?” Byron scratched his head in thought. “It all starts with the crystal ponies arranging themselves in a large group, evenly spaced, like when we run pups through their training drills. The dancers were very well-disciplined. They danced, and began to glow as crystal ponies often do. As I watched them dance, it was almost as if they formed a myriad of pictures before my eyes. Before I knew it, the clouds rolled in overhead, the scent of rain filled the air, and the city was graced with a light shower.” He nodded to himself. “Yes, it was a sight to behold.”

“Wow, so they can actually control the weather with a dance. Ah’d never have thought.” Apple Bloom shook her head in wonder. “When we get back to Ponyville, Ah really need ta talk ta Twilight about gettin’ some more informative books ‘bout the Crystal Empire. That’s somethin’ they should’ve taught us ‘bout back in school.”

“You do realise that the Crystal Empire only reappeared right after we got our cutie marks… right?” Scootaloo asked sarcastically.

“Oh, be quiet Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom muttered back. “We should go and check out the library when we visit the Empire.”

“Oh great! Now I’m going to be pulled into a dingy library for hours while you two choke on dust and books. Why can’t we do something fun and relaxing instead? Maybe Byron has some good ideas.”

Byron smiled at the two sadly. “Your antics are most entertaining, and I would like nothing more than to accompany you to the Crystal Empire. However, I am afraid that I must depart now.”

“Aw, yer goin’ already?” Apple Bloom pouted slightly. “Yer one of the best folk Ah’ve ever had a conversation with.”

“Duty waits for no dog,” he replied while shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, it was certainly a pleasure.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah hope we can keep in touch once everythin’ settles down.

A small smile crept onto his face. “I’d like that. Perhaps I shall be reassigned as an ambassador to the Crystal Empire, and from there I could send you letters. I suppose this is something you ponies call ‘friendship’.” He scratched idly at one of his ears. “I’ve had many acquaintances before, but it has always been strictly clan-related, but this is a welcome change, I think.”

“Wait, Byron,” Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Where are you going?”

“I have been told to investigate a certain matter of interest to the clan.”

Scootaloo snorted and rolled her eyes. “What, is this some sort of secret mission?”

Byron let out a slight chuckle. “Oh, nothing of the sort, I assure you. I’m merely going to check up on the state of the train tracks that run to the Crystal Empire.”

“Why the hay would you do that?” Scootaloo wondered aloud. “Isn’t your clan preparing for conflict? Why would Granette send you out for that? It sounds like a waste of time to me.”

“Hmm…” Apple Bloom considered the situation for a moment. “Nah, Ah can see why she’d send ‘im. They need ta know what’s happenin’, and they sure don’t have too many leads. But they do know that the train got derailed. One could assume that some ponies from Equestria have come ta fix it by now. Ah imagine that contact with Equestria would be in the best interest of the clan,” she reasoned. “Well, it certainly couldn’t hurt ta check.”

“How amusing.” Byron laughed once again and turned from the group. “May the stone hold you strong, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo. Until we meet again.”

“We will fer sure.”

Scootaloo watched as the dog bounded away at a fair pace and made his way down the side of the mountain. “Well, I won’t be visiting…”

Apple Bloom shot her a frown. “Ya shouldn’t talk behind other’s backs like that.”

“Girls,” Sweetie Belle’s voice interrupted them.

Scootaloo turned to see the unicorn was squinting off into the distance, in the direction of the storm, and the Crystal Empire. The frown she wore troubled Scootaloo. “What is it, Sweetie?”

“I think I see another fragment…” Sweetie Belle shook her head. “I mean I see a pattern, it looks like Scoddri’s.”

“And it’s comin’ from the direction of the storm?” Apple Bloom asked. “O’ course it is. Whoever it is that’s usin’ these shards and this weather spell. He sure doesn’t like makin’ this easy fer us.”

“We should go check it out. We need to save Scoddri.”

“And get deeper into this than we already are?” Scootaloo scoffed. “Why should we? Why don’t we go and see if we can make it to the Empire instead? The voice nearly got us killed twice already. We should avoid it if we can.”

Sweetie Belle put on a smug grin. “What? Don’t tell me you’re scared of some dumb voice.”

“Of course I’m not.” Scootaloo flared her wings. “But there’s no point in chasing after him only to get blasted by magic. He’s probably waiting for the right moment to attack us.” Like a snake in the grass…

“Regardless of what he’s doin’, speculatin’ about it is pointless.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “We should go and check out the storm around the Empire, see if there’s any way to get into it.”

“Oh, come on girls! It’s not like we’d be going away from the Crystal Empire. See? Look at this.” She flared her horn for a second and a shimmering beam of emerald light issued forth from her necklace, in the general direction of the storm.

“Sure, it sort of leads toward the city,” Scootaloo said, with a roll of her eyes, “but it’s also still on the mountain, and above the treeline. It’s gonna take you both forever to get over there. I don’t see any paths or the like…”

“Then, we’ll just have to make our way there without a path.” Sweetie Belle grinned. “Hey Bloom, do you have rope?”

“O’ ‘course Ah do… but Ah hope you have a better idea this time than when Scootaloo got her cutie mark.

“Oh, you’ll see…”

Scootaloo couldn’t suppress her groan as Apple Bloom began to fish a length of rope out of her bag. This isn’t going to end well, is it?

* * *

How did I let myself get roped into this? Apple Bloom wondered as she hung alongside Sweetie Belle in a makeshift harness of rope while Scootaloo pulled them. At least she’s good at tying knots.

Sweetie Belle giggled to herself. “Isn’t it great? The feather spell has so many good, practical uses. And the best part is that it should only use one gem over the whole day.”

“No,” Apple Bloom objected while she stared down at the chasm they were flying over. “The best part is that if we fall, we ain’t gonna go splat. Hurry up and land on the other side, Scootaloo!”

“I’m going, darn it! Stop squirming back there!” Scootaloo looked back over her wings. “You know, the worst part is that I have to fly you two around. We should have just gone down the darn mountain.”

“Well, no use complaining now, you two!” Sweetie Belle shouted jovially. “Let’s just enjoy the ride!”

Scootaloo shook her head as she pumped her wings. “When I fly normally I enjoy it! Not this reverse kite-flying thing we have going on here!”

Apple Bloom was relieved to see Scootaloo had begun her descent back to the ground. The tug of gravity, no matter how reduced it was from the feather spell, was getting on her nerves. She breathed a sigh of relief as her hooves finally touched down on the ground.

Scootaloo landed beside the other two a moment later. “But seriously, this mountain has a lot of cracks and crevices. Those dogs ought to build a big staircase or something. There’s no way the crystal ponies would be able to make it up to that tunnel.”

Apple Bloom felt the tingle of Sweetie Belle’s magic wash over her, and felt her body become as heavy as it was supposed to be. “Say, Sweetie. This spell is mighty useful, Ah imagine it would make runnin’ a whole lot easier. Why don’t ya cast it more often?”

“Well,” Sweetie Belle glanced at Scootaloo, “you’d think because it’s easier for us to get Scootaloo to carry us around, we’d do it all the time instead of walking.”

“No, but that just makes Scootaloo do all the work, we’d never do that fer a long period o’ time. It wouldn’t be fair ta her.”

“Darn straight you wouldn’t, or I’d just untie the rope as we were all flying.”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “And I wouldn’t cast this spell all the time because that wouldn’t be fair to me. With the amount of effort that you think you’d save, twice as much goes into the actual act of spell-casting. If magic were more efficient than a lot of other actions, you’d see me using it that much more often. I’m not about to waste any more crystals than I have to.”

“Ah see.” Apple Bloom nodded and sat down on the rocky outcropping. “Why don’t we take a break? We’ve been jumping these crevices fer a couple hours now.”

“Sounds good,” Sweetie Belle responded, plopping herself down and rolled onto her backside, pulling the rope into a tangled knot around her. “Wow, this isn’t too terribly comfortable.”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom shared a laugh at their friend’s expense while Sweetie Belle untangled herself with a deft touch of magic. Once she was free from her bonds, she lay down again.

“Bloom, what have you got for lunch? Or heck, supper?” She squinted toward the setting sun and let out a yawn. “Darn, we really messed up our sleep-schedule when we went underground.”

“Well, if the two o’ you had stayed outta my stash of apples, we’d have a lot more ta eat.” Apple Bloom poked through her bags with a hoof, looking for the sack of dried apple slices. She eventually found them and pulled them out. “Ah, know it’s not much, but it should be enough fer now. Once we get to the Empire, we’ll get something good ta eat.”

Scootaloo grabbed an apple slice and sat down as well, not bothering to take the impromptu rope harness off. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to have to eat raw grass. That stuff is awful.”

“Say Sweetie, Ah’ve been wonderin’...” Apple Bloom began hesitantly, as she nibbled on an apple slice. “It’s about yer gems that yer always usin’.”

“Hmm?” Sweetie Belle tilted her head and idle pulled a topaz out from her saddlebag. “Yeah? What about ‘em?”

“It’s just yer the only other pony Ah’ve ever seen use ‘em like that. Fer spell-castin’, Ah mean. With all you’ve explained ‘bout magic, it still doesn’t add up. Shouldn’t there be other unicorns that use gems like you do?” Apple Bloom ran a hoof through her mane.

“Oh, it’s simply a matter of not knowing,” Sweetie Belle explained. “They don’t know what the magic in a crystal looks like, so they don’t know how easy it is to unravel and use as their own magic. Though, some have figured out their uses, no doubt. Take that mysterious guy behind that storm for example.” She pointed a hoof at the churning storm clouds. “He’s using gems for his spells, and he’s even using clouds by arranging them in the same patterns as sigils. It’s pretty ingenious actually.”

“So knowin’ is most of the battle when it come ta magic, huh?” Apple Bloom frowned at her friend. “Though Ah still have ta wonder… Why do ya always use crystals instead o’ yer own magic? It must get expensive dustin’ so many crystals all the time.”

“That’s…” Sweetie Belle began, but fell silent, she looked away and her eyes darted around, as if the words she was searching for were hidden somewhere in the soft breeze around them. “It’s more effective. If I use the crystals, then I don’t have to worry about burning out my own magic and collapsing in exhaustion.”

“Yeah, Ah suppose Ah can see that, fer big spells in tough situations,” Apple Bloom admitted. “But why not cast the feather spell with yer own magic instead of a crystal?”

“Because…” Sweetie Belle winced as she chose her words, “I’d probably be drenched in sweat and nearly collapse after casting it twice. I have a really small magic pool, one of the smallest I’ve ever seen. It’s like being a pegasus that can’t get more than a few feet of air, no matter how you strain yourself,” she said bitterly.

Apple Bloom noticed Scootaloo’s wings twitch at the words, and the earth pony frowned. “Ah’m not sure Ah get it. So, a ‘magic pool’ is how much magic a unicorn has right? Can’t ya just strengthen it by usin’ it a lot?” Apple Bloom reasoned. “Just run through training every day or somethin’?

“It’s not that easy… at least not for me.” Sweetie Belle shook her head. “But what does it matter right now, anyway? I’ll just use the gems, it gives me more magic than most unicorns can boast. It should be enough. It’s worked so far.”

And is that good enough for you? Are ya really content with that? Apple Bloom had to wonder. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” But what if it does break?

“Yeah,” Sweetie replied with a nervous smile, “something like that. This isn’t really the best time or place to worry about that anyway. We have a fragment to go after!” To emphasize her own enthusiasm, she lifted the last three slices of apple and popped them into her mouth.

“Hey, we’re supposed to be sharing those!” Apple Bloom scowled at her, but the unapologetic smile she got in return did little assuage her annoyance.

“Come on,” Sweetie Belle said, bounding onto her hooves. “The sun’s setting, and we’re drawing closer to the fragment. Let’s get there before it gets too dark.”

“I still think it would have been better to go to the city first,” Scootaloo muttered as she waited for the two to rework the rope into their makeshift harnesses.

“And we aren’t goin’ just ta find these fragments. Ya said you could get a better view and insight on how this storm’s workin’, remember?” Apple Bloom finished tightening the rope around her. It was terribly uncomfortable against her fur, and already there were signs of chafing. She’d have that criss-cross pattern etched into her fur for at least a week or two. But we do what we have ta. She tossed a scrutinizing eye over her companions. And Ah bet my mane looks just as awful as either of theirs…

“And Ah only agreed with yer plan, instead of Scootaloo’s, because Ah don’t think we’d be able ta force our way through, even if we had ta,” she reminded the unicorn. “Findin’ out how the weather’s workin’ is our best option.”

“Yeah, but I’m still going to keep my eye out for that fragment.” Sweetie Belle lifted the topaz from earlier out of her bag, and quickly cast the small spell on the two of them.

Apple Bloom felt the familiar tingle of the magic, and she couldn’t stop a shiver from traveling up her spine. After that, she felt the effects of the spell upon her and she idly wondered how far she could jump while under the influence of such a spell.

“Alright, Scoots, get a-pulling!” Sweetie Belle called out.

Scootaloo snorted at her words, but took to the air, and Apple Bloom once again felt the familiar sense vertigo overtake her. Her hooves left the ground and she was pulled upward alongside Sweetie Belle.

The unicorn let out a great holler and began laughing as they sped off, while Apple Bloom cast one last look of longing back toward rocky perch they had rested upon. Earth ponies are not meant to fly!

* * *

Scootaloo was out of breath by the time she finally landed on a conspicuously flat surface of the mountain. Before them was the first structure she had seen since they had left the diamond dog’s city. A decrepit tower, built several storeys tall. Or, it might have been tall at one point, but it had long since fallen apart. Its old stones had slipped free from the mortar that had once held, and fierce mountain winds had weathered the once-perfect rectangles into a precarious pile of ovaloid rocks.

The structure caught the last lick of sunlight and regular flashes of lightning added an ominous sheen to the stones, which only seemed to deepen shadows within its doorway.

Scootaloo tossed a quick glance at her friends. “It’s in there, huh?”

“Yup, that’s where the fragment is.” Sweetie Belle unknotted the rope with her magic, freeing both herself and Apple Bloom. She moved forward to examine the structure while the earth pony stored the rope away in one of her packs.

“And you think it’s a good idea to go in there?” Scootaloo asked. “It looks ready to collapse at any moment.”

“But it hasn’t yet,” Apple Bloom speculated. “And from the looks of it, it can probably last another five minutes.”

“It better,” Scootaloo muttered. “What’s a dumb tower doing up here anyway?”

“Ah imagine it was built by the crystal ponies, way back before their empire up and vanished.” Apple Bloom pointed toward the structure. “See, with the way it catches the lightnin’? Even after over a millenium, ya can still make out a bit of the crystal shine that the stones used ta have. It must’ve been outside o’ whatever caused the Empire ta disappear in the first place.”

“Sombra’s Curse,” Sweetie Belle offered. “That’s what the crystal ponies call the event. The first time Sombra was defeated, he cast one final spell that pulled the whole city into a temporal and dimensional stasis.”

“I’m sure he did,” Scootaloo said with a roll of her eyes.

Apple Bloom gave her a sympathetic smile. “Regardless of how it happened, the Crystal Empire did disappear overnight. It will be mighty fascinatin’ ta actually get ta talk ta some o’ the crystal ponies about what actually happened. There aren’t too many history books that mention anythin’ ‘bout these things. But that can wait.” She turned to Sweetie Belle. “So, see anything intrestin’ ‘bout this here storm?”

“Hmm…” Sweetie Belle turned away from the structure, and looked upon the mass of black and gray clouds, which engulfed the base of the mountain. Scootaloo followed her gaze and frowned at the sight.

The dark clouds churned amongst themselves, like a pot of boiling tar, while the lightning and thunder pulsed through its depths as a heartbeat. The entirety of it loomed before them, as though it were a mountain itself. And below it all, they knew the Empire was there, hidden from their sight, but not from their minds.

Apple Bloom let out a small whistle at the sight. “Ain’t that somethin’?”

“It’s pretty big,” Scootaloo said.

“Oh? You don’t sound impressed.” Sweetie Belle gave her a smile. “I bet you’ve never seen a bigger storm than that one.”

“It’s just a bunch of storm clouds.”

“With a pattern running through them,” Sweetie Belle added. “It’s certainly not something I had ever thought of doing. There’s an external magical source powering it, creating the clouds. A spell creating the base pattern for another spell...” she mused to herself, “just think of the possibilities.”

“So then, even if we shot Scootaloo at it, she wouldn’t be able ta stop it?”

The unicorn nodded. “Unfortunately, even if she managed to bust all the clouds, they’d just reform in mere minutes. But hay, with that much lightning, even with that bracelet, Scootaloo would get fried before she got past the first cloud.”

“You know, I’m standing right here…” Scootaloo interjected.

“So you are.” Sweetie Belle nodded pleasantly.

“Huh. So then, how are we goin’ ta get past it?” Apple Bloom asked.

“By stopping the source, of course. Even if it’s a spell, in a spell, in a spell, there’ll eventually be a source for that magic, somewhere.”

“And you think that Discord’s fragment, or whatever, is its source?” Scootaloo reasoned.

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. “No, of course not, Scoots. Scoddri’s fragments don’t have that kind of power. They only seem to release any magic of their own when they reform with the larger piece, or when they draw close enough to each other.” She tapped her necklace for emphasis. “Scoddri’s fragment couldn’t be the source of it, but it is connected to the storm, branching off of it. Whoever he is, he’s using the fragments primarily for scrying spells and remotely monitoring the storm. Or at least that’s what it seems like.”

“But if he’s using the fragments to make sure his storm stays... stormy, then why is it inside a tower instead of, oh I don’t know, flying about in these clouds and checking on the actual storm?” Scootaloo swung her hoof up toward the blanket of clouds that hung above them like a thick bank of fog. “It’s a much better hiding place.”

“Oh, what does he have to hide from?” Sweetie asked. “I mean, come on, you heard him back in the meeting room. He thought of us as little more than ants. He doesn’t seem to think we’re any sort of threat.”

“And perhaps with good reason.” Apple Bloom looked toward the dark structure, and then her two friends. “If we aren’t careful, he could very well crush us like ants. Ah don’t like this very much. Scootaloo’s right, somethin’ doesn’t add up here.”

“So, what? Are you both saying we shouldn’t go inside and check it out?”

“Yes,” Scootaloo affirmed with a nod of her head. “Is there a good reason why we should go in there?”

Apple Bloom sighed. “We’ll go in. Ah know it’s dangerous and stupid, tryin’ ta interfere with somepony who views us like insects, and probably has the power ta backup his disposition. But if we don’t go in there, we might not get another chance ta learn more ‘bout these shards o’ Discord.”

“And why is learning about the shards so important?” Scootaloo asked as she peered at the shadowy entrance of the tower. For a moment, she thought she saw the glint of two snake-like eyes, of a sickly green colour staring back out at her. I’ll be one step away, ready to strike… She shook her head and forced the thought from her mind.

“Because you and Ah both know that Sweetie ain’t a pony ta just ignore these shards when she sees ‘em.” Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a sympathetic smile. “Ya know, she’d go on without us in a heartbeat.”

Scootaloo gave the unicorn a measuring gaze. Would you really, Sweetie?

Sweetie, for her part, just stared back, then tilted her head quizzically. “Well, if we’re done arguing about how bad an idea this is, then why don’t we go and check it out?” With that she turned and headed into the entrance of the old tower, her friends following in behind her.

Once inside the dubious structure, Scootaloo blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the shadows. The tower showed signs of decay just as evidently inside as out. There was large chamber with decayed wooden remnants that spoke of a once-sparsely furnished chamber half-buried beneath a cumulation of old weathered stones. A wooden table, as well as some stools? Scootaloo guessed.

Along the circumference of the chamber, large segments of dusty, fallen stone made Scootaloo wonder if there must have been a spiral staircase that lead all the way to the top of the tower. Looking up, she noted that if there had been a roof, it had long-since disappeared, most likely by slowly raining down into the room they were standing in.

Well, at least there’s enough openings in this place that I won’t be trapped. Scootaloo spread her wings slightly.

“Over a thousand years, and look at this place,” Apple Bloom whispered. “Makes ya wonder what Ponyville will be like a thousand years from now.”

Scootaloo shrugged with her wings. “Who knows?” Or cares?

Sweetie Belle moved on ahead, toward the far side of the chamber, igniting her horn, and working her way through the debris. With every step, the ground seemed to shift slightly beneath her, and she stumbled a few times as an unseen crevice caught a stray hoof, or her weight caused a precarious pile to rearrange itself beneath her.

“It’s such a big tower, it’s almost like one of the keeps in Canterlot. Ah wonder why they’d build a place like this.” Apple Bloom gazed about as she slowly plodded after Sweetie Belle.

“Uh, Bloom, we’ve been to Canterlot. That place is nice and shiny and white,” Scootaloo pointed out, as she hovered alongside her friend. “This place is a dump.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, but bit off whatever retort she was about to give when Sweetie Belle let out an excited exclamation.

“Aha! There it is!” Sweetie Belle had made it across the chamber and shone her horn’s light in cylindrical beam up the side of the tower wall. About ten feet up, an emerald sparkle glistened back. “I knew there was one in here! Scoots, do you think you can grab it?”

“And I knew you would come, if I put one here.” The deep voice echoed from the fragment as it floated away from the wall and above the three mares. “Half-heart girl, leave Discord’s stone here and I’ll let you go. It would be a shame to waste more resources than necessary.”

“And if I refuse? What, are you gonna throw some hokey lightning bolt at me?” Sweetie Belle said mockingly as she procured a gem from one of her bags. “I’ll just be grabbing that fragment, thank you.”

Scootaloo sprang into action and shot toward the emerald shard. But as she flew toward it, it flashed brilliantly, as bright as the sun at midday. With a wince, Scootaloo turned her gaze and stopped her charge, lest she fly straight into the tower wall.

“I suppose killing you and taking his stone would be the next logical step,” the voice said, almost sounding disappointed.

Scootaloo blinked the blinding effect from her eyes just as she heard a loud crash from above. It wasn’t a peal of thunder or the crack of magic. It was something far more material, and living.

She turned her eyes upward to see a dragon. The winged reptile opened up its maw and let out a piercing cry which shot shivers up her spine. Scootaloo saw it’s eyes, and it had a poisonous green glow about them. Like the snake’s.

She didn’t have time to contemplate the creature any further as it shot down from the top of the tower, knocking out a section of the wall. Scootaloo had to dart away to the center of the tower, above Apple Bloom, to avoid the falling debris.

Just fly away, a voice in Scootaloo's mind spoke. Just leave them. They can’t escape, but you can. You knew it was a bad idea, coming here. Why not leave now before it’s too late?

She eyed the open sky above her for a second, then turned her gaze back to the dragon. “Sweetie!” Scootaloo shouted her warning as she saw the reptile descend upon the filly. I can’t run! she told herself. Not while she’s in danger!

Scootaloo flew forward and watched as Sweetie Belle turned in surprise. She let out a scream, and fear filled her eyes. I have to reach her! But she knew she wouldn’t make it in time.

Sweetie Belle’s amulet sparked to life as the dragon’s mouth closed down upon her. Or where she had been. At the last second, Sweetie Belle disappeared in a spark of teleportation, and the dragon’s bite clamped down on naught but air.

Scootaloo pulled out of her crash course with dragon, and looked down frantically, searching for a sign of Sweetie Belle.

With a terrible roar that shook the entire structure, the beast howled after its lost prey. It swung its tail furiously against the wall of the tower, causing segments of it to crack and split.

In the next moment, Sweetie Belle reappeared in a brilliant flash of light, right where she had been only moments before.

“Discord? You would use teleportation to try and save the girl? I wonder, what is this girl to you? How amusing.” The voice let out a lengthy laugh, and the fragment soared upward to the top of the tower, as if looking down to watch the scene unfold.

Sweetie Belle opened her eyes in surprise to see the dragon staring at her dumbly for a second. It took a quick snap at her with its jaws.

“Oh damn!” Sweetie shouted. With a quick bound of agility, she kited around the beast’s attack, spinning as if across a dance floor, and landed at its side, while the dragon got a mouthful of rock instead of the prize it was looking for.

“Sweetie!” both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom shouted out in unison, as they rushed toward her.

Sweetie Belle didn’t have time to respond to them, she dodged deftly as one of the creature’s hind legs tried to catch her with its claws. She backpedaled quickly across the uneven terrain, and ended the move by striking a pose. As if it were part of the dance, she shot a whip of flame from her horn, striking the beast’s other hind leg.

The giant lizard let out another bone-chilling screech as it moved to face its assailant.

“Scootaloo! What the hay is this thing?!” Sweetie Belle managed to shout as she leapt over the dragon’s tail, and tossed her mane to the side with one of her hooves.

End of Chapter 13

Author's Note

Making this chapter with a bunch of you guys watching was certainly a blast. Thanks to everyone who participated, it was a lot of fun talking with you as I wrote.

Also, don’t worry too much about the cliffhanger. The next chapter has been written and is in the process of being edited (as of when I wrote this). It’s a project I’ve been super psyched about for a long while now (Over 3 months).

Also, I’m jumping this story up to a ‘Teen’ Rating as of this chapter. I mean, come on, Sweetie just said ‘damn’ instead of ‘darn’. In all honesty though, some of the themes that are going to be explored merit the change.

* * *

And now that it's not a secret any more, this story is crossing over with Wanderer D's The Sweetie Chronicles: Fragments. While reading that story should not be necessary, I will recommend it. I mean it's the fic that inspired me to start writing again, so surely, if you have the time to spare, it will be worth your while to read it.

Thanks for reading,
~SilentBelle

Chapter 14 - Fragments

A Heart of Change - Chapter 14: Fragments

By: SilentBelle and Wanderer D

Edited By: lammy, CMC4TW & Fifth Alicorn/Proof By: Trevor & Super Big Mac

Sweetie blinked and found herself gaping at the giant maw of a dragon of some sort. It snorted stupidly for a moment, before snapping at her with whip-like speed.

“Oh, damn!” Sweetie shouted.

An I Quattro Elementi slide, complete with a toss of her mane, had the creature tearing a chunk of rock off the floor yet again, rather than chewing her in half. She was suddenly aware of others in the room, the sound of laughter, the shouts of worried ponies, a weight around her neck and that she was wearing a pair of extremely heavy saddlebags… but all of that was secondary to the creature in front of her.

After the bite, it used one of its hind legs to try and claw at her, but she had already predicted its next move correctly and cantered smoothly around it, following its flow to get around and behind the creature, and releasing a burst of flame to lick at its other hind leg.

Following the move to completion Sweetie ended in a pose where she held her left foreleg up and showed her figure to her enemy, as if she were challenging it to hit her. Her dueling style could be—and often was— extremely irritating to opponents.

The creature roared, whether startled or in pain she couldn’t really tell. There was no way her spells were going to do much damage to those scales. Her eyes scanned the room, trying to find a way out, and she quickly noticed her two familiar-looking companions. “Scootaloo! What the hay is this thing!?” she shouted, dodging a tail-swipe as the beast rounded on her by ducking under it and spinning as it flew over her.

“The hay if I know!” Scootaloo shouted and rushed forward. “But we gotta get out of here! Quick, I’ll distract it!”

Sweetie kept her eyes on the dragon-like creature. “Okay, but be quick. I can only dodge it so many times!”

“Scootaloo! Sweetie! What are ya doin’!? We should be runnin’ away from it, not towards it!” Apple Bloom shouted from the across the room.

Scootaloo sprung into flight, dashing in a swift spiral around the beast, drawing its gaze. “Why are ya still talking, Sweetie?! Run with Apple Bloom! Now!”

A deep laughter echoed down into the chamber. “How very amusing…”

“Just give me a second!” Sweetie shouted past the strange voice, her horn flashing with accumulating magic. “Scootaloo! Fly towards Apple Bloom in a straight line! I’ll follow you!”

The moment Scootaloo took off, she released her spell, plunging the whole room into a darkness so thick she could almost feel it. Her eyes snapped towards her friends as she started galloping away. “Slow down! You can hover to the floor now! She’s right in front of you!”

“Sweetie! What the hay?! I can’t see a thing!” She stopped her flight forward in an almost elastic manner. With a slow and uncertain descent, Scootaloo eased down to the stony floor. “What did you do? I’ve never seen you cast that one before! What happened back there?”

The draconic creature let out a baleful cry into the darkness and blindly charged. Its reptilian limbs shot out in all directions, kicking up loose rocks and decayed wood. The whole chamber shook with the monster’s advance.

“Quit worryin’ ‘bout the small stuff, Scootaloo, we gotta get outta here! Sweetie, can ya use a light spell or somethin’?” Apple Bloom stumbled through the darkness, heading toward the entrance. “Darn it, there’s so much debris in here.” She extended a forehoof as she stumbled towards a segment of broken stone.

Sweetie ran towards her childhood friends, pausing briefly to envelop Scootaloo in her telekinesis dragging her with a quick, “It’s me!” up to Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom! We’re here!” She skidded to a halt next to her friends when the monster took flight, trying to catch them and crashed against the ceiling just above them, falling down right above them. “Hold on to me!” she shouted, her horn casting the strongest magical shield she could muster.

The beast crashed down on top of the barrier, making it buckle and flicker, nullifying Sweetie’s darkness spell by requiring all of her attention to maintain the shield through the onslaught.

“Ahh!” Apple Bloom stumbled to the ground in surprise, but righted herself in a moment. “There! Quick, Scootaloo!” She pointed a hoof at the half-caved-in entranceway to the tower and jumped into a canter towards it, when a tremor shook the entire chamber. “Oh, hay! The floor!”

“Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo leaped out towards the earth pony, grabbing her hind legs, just before she slipped into the gaping chasm that suddenly opened beneath them. She pumped her wings, but the weight was too much for her, and she fell with her friend, disappearing into the hole.

Sweetie Belle’s shield finally broke when she took a dive after the other two Crusaders, allowing the remaining mass of their huge enemy to crash where they stood mere moments before.

* * *

She felt the magic swirl around her, deafening her own scream even as it started. The spells’ patterns were made of quick and precise weaves. It was magic she had never seen before. It spread around her and changed with almost hypnotic movement. In only a moment, she felt sick. Her head was spinning just as the magic around her was. Behind the swirling rainbow of colours, she felt something familiar.

Then it all suddenly vanished, and all that remained were those familiar pockets of magic. Apple Bloom. Scootaloo, she identified them, and with that knowledge, she felt the world open up beneath her. Falling? Where am I?

She felt the impact, but there was no pain, just a sense of force. In the following moments, she felt the world around her, gray, still, and silent. She tried to look around, but nothing happened. She tried to blink, but her eyelids refused to move.

Huh? I can’t feel anything? Where’s my body?! Panic filled her mind as she remembered that feeling, that cold collar fastening around her neck. No! she rebuked herself. I can figure this out. I can still sense the magic.

Calming her mind, she let her senses stretch out from her. She felt something, like basking in the light of the sun. It was intense and bright. It took her a moment to figure out the pattern. It’s my magic? No, there’s something different to it. And why’s it so bright? She reached out to touch it, but she couldn’t move the patterns; they remained adamant and firm, like an object just out of reach.

Frantically, she traced its form and realised it was her own body. The unicorn shape, the inner magic pulsing from deep within, and the dull strands of curly hair. But it can’t be. She focused on the heart, the source of all unicorn’s magic. It’s too bright. Who is that? What happened?

* * *

Sweetie groaned and shook her head, looking around the area where they were, then looking up above them. “Well, that wasn’t too smart,” she muttered. Raising her voice, she called out, “Everypony okay? Scootaloo? Apple Bloom? I didn’t get you killed, did I?”

Scootaloo popped out from a pile of debris. “Not quite. Though it was a pretty decent try.” She gave herself a thorough shake, emitting plumes of dust. “How about you, Apple Bloom? You okay?”

“Ya didn’t have ta land on me,” Apple Bloom muttered as she pushed herself off the ground and winced slightly. “Sweetie, why’s yer magic always gotta backfire like that?”

“My magic didn’t backfire,” Sweetie growled. “A damned dragon-wannabe landed on my shield and broke the floor. Besides, we’re alive, right? That counts for something.”

“Ah s’pose, but sometimes Ah wish bein’ alive after yer spells wasn’t yer baseline fer success.” Apple Bloom started slowly walking around the area. “Ah wonder, where’d we fall to? Ah can’t see nothin’ down here.”

“I still have my darkvision spell active, give me a second...” Sweetie stood back, releasing her spell before casting a softly glowing sphere of light, which she levitated to hang over the three of them. “Well, I don’t know exactly where we are, but we are in deep. I can’t even see the hole we fell through.” She turned to look at the other two Crusaders, who were shakily getting to their hooves. “Any ideas?”

“Darkvision, the dark spell, and the fire from earlier...” Scootaloo muttered to herself, and frowned at the unicorn. “Wait a second...” She drifted over to Sweetie Belle. “Since when did you start using spells like that?” Her frown only deepened as she drew closer. “And your voice, even your words... they’re different! Who the hay are you?! And what did you do to Sweetie Belle?!”

“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout, Scootaloo? Sweetie always uses new spells we’ve never seen before. Remember, just yesterday she had me walkin’ on the roof.” The earth pony made her way carefully across the rugged ground, next to the other two. “Ya hit yer head or somethin’?”

Scootaloo scowled at the words. “She didn’t even use any crystals to do any of it. And even the light she uses is wrong. She’s different.”

Sweetie gave Scootaloo a considering look. “I didn’t really expect you to be the one to notice,” she admitted, sounding disinterested. “Spellcasting is usually not too different, so, how does the local Sweetie Belle cast the light spell? Does she have to cast it on a stone or something?” She shed the saddlebags, watching them fall to the floor with a thump. “Is that why these feel like they’re full of rocks?”

“Local Sweetie Belle?” The pegasus flew a quick circle around the unicorn. Her eyes caught onto the mark on her flank. “A different cutie mark?! Are you a changeling? Who are you?!” she shouted, bringing her face only inches away from Sweetie Belle’s. “Where’s the real Sweetie Belle? Answer me!”

“Hold on, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom interrupted and nabbed her friend’s tail with her mouth, pulling her to the rocky floor. She spat out the purple tail and frowned at Scootaloo. “Give her some space. Didn’t ya learn anythin’ from the diamond dogs?”

“Better listen to Apple Bloom, Scoots,” Sweetie said, tilting her head. “Risky business to stare into the unknown... sometimes you can really regret getting an answer. Anyway, I see you two are fine so far, I guess I can probably just get what I need and let you get your Sweetie back as soon as I’m done.”

“‘Scoots’? You don’t get to call me ‘Scoots’!” The pegasus jumped forward, with a few quick pumps of her wings and shot straight toward Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle cantered to the side, avoiding Scootaloo’s attempted attack by inches, striking a pose for a second before the pegasus jumped at her again, this attack foiled by a side step and a toss of her mane, ending in her looking down at her opponent.

Scootaloo wasn’t about to give up and quickly righted herself. “You dumb dancer!” She sprung back into the air and began hovering. She flew small circles around Sweetie, glaring at her cautiously. Scootaloo’s body was tensing, preparing to dash in a moment. “You imposter! You won’t get away with this! What did you do with Sweetie Belle?!”

“Stop it! Both of you!” Apple Bloom shouted as she rushed over to the two of them. “Stop fightin’!”

“I’m not fighting,” Sweetie Belle, stated. “I’m merely dodging. If I were fighting there would be a lot of fire, ice and wind going around and a lot less Scoots flying in one piece.”

The pegasus frowned darkly at the words. “If you think you could even touch me, then you’re in for a world of hurt! What did you do with Sweetie!?” Scootaloo suddenly dashed forward, forehooves outstretched.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom tried to nab her tail once again, but she wasn’t quick enough.

Sweetie stepped into Scootaloo’s attack spinning almost casually under her outstretched hooves, but unlike the other times, instead of striking a pose, she followed the move, sending her own forehoof under and behind Scootaloo’s shoulder, smacking her lightly on the back of the head.

“Oops,” Sweetie deadpanned. “I touched you.”

With a single wingbeat, Scootaloo pulled a full one-eighty. With a scowl on her face, she bolted down toward Sweetie Belle in earnest. “You think you can just get away with this?!” Landing on the ground and pivoting with her front legs, she bucked with her hind legs.

“You think you have it in you to stop me?” Sweetie asked, casually moving to the side just enough for Scootaloo’s buck to brush past her. She tossed her mane. “You’ll have to try harder, Scoots.”

With a flurry of her wings and the momentum of her own buck, she curved her motion into another charge. This time, she was fully on the ground, and her wings were spread wide, cutting off the narrow passageway. Tears had formed in her eyes. “I said, you don’t get to call me that!”

“But I did.” Sweetie tilted her head, looking at Scootaloo dead in the eyes. “You can stop me, you know. Just make sure you kick hard enough. Well, and be faster. Rainbow Dash would be crying tears of shame if she saw you move all snail-like.”

Scootaloo screamed and pumped her wings so hard, she left a visible streak of purple behind her. As she flew forth, in her rage, she smashed into a wall and kicked off of it like springboard, shooting straight toward Sweetie Belle with deadly speed.

Sweetie relaxed, letting the arrogant look fall from her face as she closed her eyes and stayed put. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

With a rush of wind, she felt Scootaloo’s approach, but it wasn’t outstretched hooves that collided with her. Scootaloo had turned at the last moment and her charge turned into a tumbling tangle of legs and wings, and they crashed into the cave wall, together. Scootaloo crumpled to the side in a fit of sobs.

“I know damn it! Rainbow Dash, she hates me! I failed her! I’m never fast enough, I never will be.”

Sweetie lay on the floor, on her back, her body aching and her breath short. She pushed the emerald necklace she had somehow ended up with from herself and looked up at the ceiling, sighing. “You’re an idiot, Scootaloo. As if Rainbow Dash could ever feel disappointed in you.” She snorted. “Although, speaking for myself, I’m rather cross you chose to tackle me instead of breaking my neck.”

“I couldn’t do it. Even if you’re not her, you’re still Sweetie,” Scootaloo mumbled as she pulled herself off the ground. The pegasus, looked at Sweetie, confusion filling her eyes as much as her tears. “What do you want from me, damn it?”

Sweetie shook her head.

“Girls! Stop it! Why are you two fighting?” Apple Bloom rushed over to their side. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small kit of medical supplies and began looking over their scrapes and cuts. “Why would you do somethin’ like this?”

“I-I don’t know,” Scootaloo said, slumping down onto the ground. dropping her head into her hooves. “I don’t know... I’m sorry.”

Sweetie didn’t answer, refusing to look their way until, with a sigh, she spoke up. “If you must know, I’m only here temporarily,” she droned, clearly avoiding the question. “I’m here instead of your Sweetie, who will return completely unharmed once I finish my mission, which is to get a fragment of Twilight Sparkle back. You can come with me, or let me do this on my own, it’s up to you.”

“Replaced her? How’s that even possible?” Apple Bloom muttered. “More importantly, where are ya headed?”

Scootaloo, looked up at her, and blinked in confusion.

“A fragment a’Twilight, huh? Ah want ta believe, ya,” Apple Bloom continued, nodding to herself. “Ah really do. Ya don’t seem ta have any reason to lie, and Ah can’t think up any alternatives for what just happened. If ya don’t mind, though, Ah’ll stay a bit skeptical ‘til Ah hear more.”

“Look.” Sweetie sighed. “I have no interest in staying any longer than I need to. I’ve already had enough with other ponies backstabbing me, or trying to manipulate me. The more involved I get, the greater the hurt and now...” She warily looked from Apple Bloom to Scootaloo. “It’s you two. I’d rather get this done quickly... and without anypony getting hurt.”

“Sweetie,” Apple Bloom said sadly, her amber eyes shimmering in empathy. “Of course. We don’t want anypony ta get hurt neither. We’re on yer side. We need ta work together ta get through this mess. Followin’ you and helpin’ you will lead us ta getting Sweetie Belle back, right? And we can’t afford ta let her appear in some place all alone. We’ll be there for her, we have ta be.” Apple Bloom gave Sweetie a solid stare. “And we ain’t useless neither. We got this far already by stickin’ together. We’ll make it through this.”

Scootaloo glanced around them for a moment and sighed, her wings sagged in defeat. “There doesn’t seem to be any way out of here anyways. It would be stupid to go different ways.”

“I guess it’s the Crusaders all over again, although you two are all grown up this time,” Sweetie said, smiling without any real humor. “So, why don’t you tell me where we are and why I arrived straight into the maw of some random, overgrown reptile?”

“Uh, well...” Apple Bloom began. “Ah suppose ya could say we’re on a sort o’ vacation gone wrong. We were just tryin’ ta get to the Crystal Empire, but one thing went wrong after another, and we’ve spent half o’ the week travellin’ through some diamond dog’s caves. We were almost to the empire, when we found out that even if we got to the city, it woulda been impossible ta get in. There was a huge storm ‘round the whole place.” She shot a dubious look at Sweetie Belle. “Ah know it sounds a li’l far-fetched, but bear with me. Anyway, Sweetie- uh, our Sweetie, she said there’s some big spell behind this whole thing. Somethin’ ‘bout a ‘spell within a spell’. We were gonna investigate that further, right after we checked out that tower.”

“But he was waiting for us,” Scootaloo muttered.

“He?” Sweetie wondered aloud.

“Just a voice,” Apple Bloom supplied. “We don’t know who he is, but he tried ta kill us with that dragon. And since we fell through the floor...” She sighed. “We’re stuck in the mountain again.”

“That’s just great,” Scootaloo said, sarcasm heavy in her voice. “It’s always these stupid caves.”

“So,” Sweetie looked at the pair. “Basically, you have no idea whatsoever about what’s happening...other than it shouldn’t?”

“Well, Sweetie, uh...” Apple Bloom looked a little sheepish. “Our Sweetie would have a better idea...but yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

“Great.” Sweetie Belle looked up into the darkness. “Up there, when I arrived... I think I felt something familiar... might have been my Twilight’s fragment. Maybe that’s the place to start? Unless you think we’d have better luck in the Crystal Kingdom?”

“Well, we saw a crystal, but it belongs to Discord,” Apple Bloom offered. “Sweetie was goin’ after it, but turns out it was a trap. ‘Fore we knew it, the rest of the roof was cavin’ in on us, and that dragon broke in.” She let out an apologetic sigh. “Ah don’t know what happened to the crystal though.”

“Can we even get up there?” Scootaloo asked as she squinted looking for a hole in the ceiling. “It might have sealed up behind us. I could fly up there, but I’d be flying blind. And carrying somepony up there could be dangerous.” She gave Sweetie a measuring glance. “Can you teleport yourself and Bloom up there?”

“Nope!” Sweetie responded. “Teleportation is not a spell I have learned yet.”

“So that means we’re stuck down here...” Scootaloo’s wings tightened to her sides instinctively. “...underground. Again!”

“Maybe there’s a path outta here.” Apple Bloom glanced around at the craggy rocks. “Looks like we’re in a fissure though. Let’s hope it actually leads somewhere though. Otherwise, we might have ta dig our way out.”

Sweetie Belle nodded, but hesitated. “I... see your point, but maybe we should rest a bit. Scootaloo doesn’t seem to be at her best, and we all seem tired as well.”

“I’m fine!” Scootaloo protested, flaring her wings back out in emphasis. “If she can keep going, then so can I!”

“But Ah’d rather we rest, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom countered. “Not everypony is as tough as you. Ah, fer one, could use a bit o’ time ta figure things out. Besides, ya know the rule, it’s two against one here.”

“But Bloom, this isn’t even our Sweetie! It doesn’t count!”

Sweetie blinked. “Wait, we’re a democracy?” she looked from Apple Bloom to Scootaloo. “You’re joking, right?” She shook her head in disappointment. “What would my older brother think of this? A democracy! Amongst Crusaders. Tsk.”

“Older brother?” Apple Bloom looked a little stunned. “So ya have a completely different family back home? Our Sweetie only has Rarity fer a siblin’.”

“I said it doesn’t count!” Scootaloo interjected. “Besides, we aren’t even crusading anymore, we don’t have to follow those rules.”

“Well,” Sweetie muttered, looking away from both of them, “I have an adoptive older brother,” she said. “My sister… I don’t know if I could face her, right now. But I could sure use my brother.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a lot goin’ through yer mind.” Apple Bloom looked to both her companions. “We all do. Why don’t we just rest fer a while? That dragon sure took a lot outta me, and the earlier hike wasn’t too easy either.”

Scootaloo slumped down to the ground and shot Apple Bloom a small scowl. “You weren’t the one that had to carry the both of you.”

“And you weren’t the one without wings or magic, danglin’ on the end of a rope fer dear life!” Apple Bloom laughed and settled down on the ground, and began relieving herself of her saddlebags. She dug through some of her supplies and shook her head sadly. “Ah’ve got a bit o’ water, but we’re right out o’ food. If only Ah’d known we’d be hikin’ so much…”

Sweetie shrugged, and simply laid down against one of the walls. “Might as well rest. If we’re going to end up fighting giant reptiles, we should really think about our options.”

“Ah say we should avoid ‘em altogether if we can,” Apple Bloom offered, before taking a swig of water from a bottle. “Speakin’ of options, what exactly can ya do?” She gave Sweetie Belle a once-over, and her eyes rested on the unicorn’s cutie mark for just a moment longer than the rest. “With yer magic, Ah mean.”

Sweetie closed her eyes. “I’m not of much use in direct combat...most of what I learned is better for sneak attacks, or dodging. I have several elemental spells, darkness, silence, voice projection, a weapon I can use to kill in the dark… I guess I’d make a good assassin.” She shrugged. “Nothing that impressive, really.”

“Well, killin’s outta the question. Looks like we’ll just have ta be careful goin’ forward.” The earth pony tilted her head. “Ah s’ppose that’s a mite more reliable than our Sweetie...” She rubbed her chin with her hoof before turning her gaze upon Scootaloo, who seemed about ready to snap at her. “What? Scootaloo, ya know it’s true. Sweetie’s never been one fer subtlety, and with the way she’s always tryin’ a new spell without tellin’ us. It gets ta be a pain, ya know? It’ll only take so long until she gets us in over our heads.”

Scootaloo looked aghast at her words. “Bloom... You realize you’re talking about our friend, right?”

“Uh, yeah,” she deadpanned. “She’s our friend, but darn it, she can be a huge headache at times. You know what Ah’m talkin’ ‘bout Scootaloo. You know, with the way she always pokes fun at ya.”

Sweetie watched them argue, sighing softly and laying her head on her hooves. ‘How much of this have I missed? Will my Scootaloo and Apple Bloom be the same as these two? I wonder... when they find their cutie marks, will they be the same as those?’ She stole a glance at her own cutie mark, wincing at the reminder of what it meant. “So... your Sweetie makes spells up as she goes?” she ventured. “That requires some talent.”

“Talent, and a whole lot of patience as ya watch her mess things up with her magic,” Apple Bloom admitted with a small laugh. “The number of times she’s told me, ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll work,’ are gettin’ ta be too many ta count. Ah s’ppose the sad part is Ah always believe her when she says it...” She shook her head bemusedly at the thought.

Sweetie Belle laid her head on her hooves, glancing their way. “They say believing in yourself and knowing how the magic works are the key components for spellcasting.”

“It’s not like that at all,” Scootaloo muttered. “Sweetie always said that the books were wrong about how magic works. She knows more about magic than just about anypony. Twilight even took her in because she said Sweetie had a unique talent for it.” Scootaloo moved over to Apple Bloom and snagged the bottle of water and took a quick drink. “She tried explaining magic to me before, and I couldn’t follow it. But she said she can see the magic even after she casts it. It’s all shapes and patterns, that nopony else can see.”

Sweetie cringed at the mention of Twilight. “I guess I can see why Twilight would take an interest in her. It’s rare to find ponies with such a powerful talent. I’ve never even met anypony that can see the magic like you said... I can see the patterns, but not the living magic.”

“She and Twilight... they never really got along,” Scootaloo admitted. “In fact, they would almost always be at each other’s throats whenever anypony brought magic into the conversation. They always argued about what was the proper way to cast their magic.” She shook her mane. “I still can hardly believe Twilight agreed to take her in as an apprentice.”

Sweetie Belle smiled sadly. “Twilight has been known to choose the wrong apprentice before,” she said, closing her eyes. “Although if your Sweetie displays a talent she is unused to, I am not surprised she would extend the invitation.”

“I guess her magic must be something really special then,” Apple Bloom mused. “When we last talked ‘bout it, she seemed a little hesitant, but Ah imagine, without her gems, she’d be just a regular ol’ unicorn when it comes ta magic.”

Scootaloo huffed at the comment. “She couldn’t be just a regular unicorn after what happened with Discord.”

This caught Sweetie’s interest and she opened her eyes again. “Discord? I haven’t had the chance to meet him in my travels... all I know of him is that initial fight he had against Twilight and the others.” She looked at Scootaloo. “Did... Discord do something to Sweetie Belle?”

“It was complicated...” Scootaloo began. “Sweetie ran away years ago. We chased after her, all of us, our sisters and the rest. I don’t know exactly what happened—she never really talked too much about it afterward—but Sweetie did say that she saw Discord as her friend and blames Twilight for what happened in the end. After all these years, I still don’t think she’s forgiven her... that’s why I find it so hard to believe that she managed to stay as Twilight’s apprentice. I see it in her eyes whenever Sweetie glances at her,” Scootaloo whispered, more to herself than anypony else, “she’s angry. It must take all her effort just to face her...”

Sweetie snorted. “Sometimes the worst monsters don’t look like monsters at all. They’re just… loved ones. Ponies that you trust or should be able to, only to find out that they would kill you if they had the chance.”

“No, true friends or family would never do that.” Apple Bloom gave her a concerned look. “Ah wonder… Just how different is our world from yers? Ya seem ta have seen many o’ the same things that we have.”

Sweetie snorted. “Well, in my original world...” she trailed off. “I-Twilight, Spike and I died in a magical accident,” she said, not meeting either of her friend’s eyes. “Other than that, I imagine it was mostly the same. Twilight, Si-Rarity and the others stopped Nightmare Moon, then Discord, then the Queen, then King Sombra... it was shortly after that, that Twilight took me in as her apprentice.” She sighed. “I know there’s no going back after... what I’ve done... what I’ll probably have to do.” Her eyes hardened and her mouth formed a scowl.

“You died?” Apple Bloom whispered, her eyes glistened slightly with restrained tears. “Ah’m sorry Ah brought that up. It must’ve been hard... Ah can’t even begin ta understand.” She blinked her eyes a few times and looked right at Sweetie. “Even though Ah can’t understand it, Ah can still offer mah trust. Ya can count on us.”

Scootaloo stayed silent and glanced away, as a look of brooding befell her.

Sweetie sighed, still not looking back at them. “I guess,” she murmured, leaning her head on her hooves and closing her eyes.

* * *

She had watched the debacle unfold around her, Scootaloo’s mad attacks, and this other Sweetie Belle’s quick motions. The display had been jostling and gave her a slight sense of vertigo. She was relieved when it had finally stopped, the two of them were still breathing and the world reverted to its calm form.

She heard- no, heard wasn't right. She sensed the other ponies’ words. It was strange, the way the words' gentle magic would move through the air around her, and after years of feeling those subtle patterns in the air, alongside hearing the words, the meaning came to her readily. It was as if an old tune had caught in her ear, and the accompanying words sprung forth in her mind, unbidden.

She felt the words, understood their meaning, and a feeling of sadness—the tone that accompanied them. This other Sweetie… After what she’s been through, she’ll never be the same, will she? Sweetie Belle wondered at the words. Of course there’s no going back! she wanted to shout at the other Sweetie. We all grow up, darn it! To wish that you could change it is stupid! I wanted to save Scoddri, but that was just a wish...a regret. And thinking about it doesn’t change anything.

How she wished she could shout the words out and be heard by her friends and the other Sweetie. She paused for a moment. Oh, isn't life so ironic? She would have laughed at herself if she could. I wonder, is this how Scoddri always felt? Stuck and motionless, as the world moved around him without a care?

She waited in the stillness for a while as the world fell to a still radiance around her. She sensed the form of her friends both resting nearby, and looming all around her as if she were being cradled, she felt the other Sweetie Belle. After a moment she concluded that she was somehow inside her own emerald necklace.

So she’s in my body? How's this even possible? The question irked her. She always disliked not knowing how things worked, especially when it came to magic. She tried to remember the pattern of the magic that she had seen before it all happened. It was powerful, nearly blinding. It carried the main pattern of teleportation—which was complicated enough, because it spread in all directions—but there was more to it than that. Each segment was changing, subtly, almost like the spell itself was alive with its own consciousness, and changing to a new sigil with each movement. How am I supposed to be able to figure out something like that?

What can I even do? she wondered and sent her senses out again, but the ponies around her were as unmoving and boring as ever. Surely I can do something... I mean, Scoddri was able to talk to me all the way from Canterlot. I should be able to interact with them if I try hard enough.

With her plan set, she reached out to the nearest source of magic to her. The dense pool of energy nearly burned her, just by being so close. She may be me, from another world, but she's really darn lucky to have that much magic inside her. She's almost as bright as Twilight. I have to be able to use some of that magic. She extended her mind into the bright, patterned pool of magic and tried to grab at the numerous strands. But she had nothing to 'grab' with. Shoot, I always use my own magic to interact with other magic. I'm not connected to her magic at all.

The feeling of helplessness was unbearable as time passed. Minutes, and perhaps hours, she had no way of knowing. she scoured the world around her for something. A hint, a clue, anything to keep her mind occupied, something she could do. It was then that she felt something amongst the dull stone and ethereal air patterns. A single small tendril of emerald flickered. A pattern she had seen only moments before the dragon had attacked them.

Scoddri's pattern again? She remembered how complex it was. It almost appeared to be moving and changing at times, but that was merely a trick caused by interference from the proximity of the intricate weaves, like an optical illusion. It was a strange form of magic that she had only ever seen coming from the emerald in her necklace.

If I'm in my own necklace, then... she reached out to the pattern and felt the familiar malleability of the magic. The relief she felt would have drawn tears to her eyes, had she been in her body. Alright, now what can I do with it? She paused for a moment and decided on something basic.

She molded the complex magic pattern into something far simpler: a light spell. But before she could even complete the simple pattern, the magic squirmed under her grip, as if somepony else were trying to mold it as well. The only other time she had experience such a feeling before was when she tried to use another pony's magic without them wanting to. It was a struggle just to hold onto the magic.

The emerald pattern surged in its luminosity, and Sweetie Belle lost her grip on it. The magic wove deftly before her until it formed a series of patterns she recognized. Sound sigils?

Sore, bitter laughter poured forth from the spell. “Trapped and caught, all in one. We're bound to be used, as always. Even hidden, broken, and alone. It’s a fate we cannot escape! As I grant a choice, I am forced to action, against my will.” Sickening laughter parted his words. “Yet, I served you as they served me. A cage is a cage, no matter how safe.”

She knew the voice. Scoddri! Her heart ached to speak with him, yet she remained immobile, held fast inside the amulet. She felt as the trail of emerald magic vanished into nothingness, in an echo of fading laughter.

* * *

She rests her head on hard stone
Seeking the embrace of silence. To be alone.
Eyes shut tight to the thoughts of friends and family, scowling.
The memories haunting, daunting, howling.
Shivering, she pulls them tight, as a cloak or sheet.
She clings to them in bitter defeat.

The sights, they flare. That gray body fair,
Falls to naught but rock and blood.

So much blood it fills the air.
In a cacophonous flood,
It falls, pours, pulses, and slows.
It dies, and pools to a soft dribbling flow.
In the sanguine surface, her sister's eyes stare back,
Cold, callous, merciless, ready to attack.

A red rain falls, calm and serene.
Fog settles in its shimmering scene.

* * *

A pony trotted up the silent grove, wearing a cape and hood to protect herself from the drizzling rain.

The cobblestone road was slick and wet, with water already puddling along its surface, but the pony didn’t stop, nor seemed to care as she splashed through them, her goal up ahead. It was a hill, with several tombstones on it.

When she reached the entrance to the cemetery, she slowed down and walked carefully up the hill to stand in front of three graves. The mare stared in silence for a few seconds.

”Mother,” Rarity spoke up. “Father… she’s alive. She’s alive and well!” She sniffled. “I thought she was gone from this world, like you two… that I was alone, and I would never hear the sound of her laughter, or her voice. You missed so much. Her tantrums, her first day of school the time I lost it and shouted at her for half an hour and she was so scared of me!” She chuckled. “I spent the next week apologizing, buying her ice cream to make up for it… she once called me ‘mommy’ and I-I was scared.”

You scare me.

Rarity scratched the ground with her hoof, a bit nervously. “I never understood, what you were really missing until she was gone… and I saw her again and she-she called me ‘mom.’”

But you’re not. You tried to kill me. No mother would do that to her filly.

She smiled apologetically at the graves. “I know I’m just her sister… but I’ve raised her. It filled my heart with joy to hear her say that. I want to see her again and hold her and tell her that it will be okay, that mommy is here.” She sniffled again. “I’m sorry… it’s pretentious to think this way, after all, we both are your daughters but… I want my daughter back. My Sweetie Belle. Please, mom… dad. Wherever you are, protect her. Let her know I’m waiting and that she’ll always be in my thoughts.

But I don’t trust you… I can’t.

* * *

Sweetie Belle opened her eyes—her dream already little more than a whisper in her mind—and looked at her two friends, who seemed to be fast asleep. The fading echoes of laughter appeared to be nothing more than remnants of a dream. She sighed and slowly stood up without making a sound and looked around. She needed to clear her mind a little, but she did not want to disturb her friends.

Walking into the dark caves past their location, she kept turning right until she reached another chamber. It was completely empty, and perhaps far away enough for her to use. Her horn flared with magic and a moment later reality rippled, allowing her notebook to appear. She looked forlornly at the single fragment that orbited her notebook.

Just... how many more? Will my mission do anything at all? After absorbing so many… maybe Twilight would never—

She stopped herself, and forced her thoughts back to her original objective.

Carefully, she opened it and took out a bookmark. Dismissing her notebook, she applied a small amount of magic onto the paper-like object, watching with a smile as it grew and acquired more depth, until she was looking at the case of her cello.

She lovingly caressed the surface of the case, and with reverential zeal, opened it, revealing her instrument. Just as she had left it. There was so much tied to this relatively new instrument already. History she had shared with a mentor that would have forgotten her, or a last rendition with a close friend… Sweetie closed her eyes tight for a moment. Tavi... She hadn’t had time to mourn her friend. Maybe she could at least honor her.

She took a deep breath and pulled it out, strumming it a little as she tightened the cords. Once she was done, she forced herself to stand on her hind legs, as an earth pony would, as she had been taught.

Sweetie pushed away her pain and concentrated on the music, chasing her thoughts and fears away as her hoof, holding the bow, drew a slow, long note. It was easy to sink into the music, and pretend the world didn’t exist. That her losses were inconsequential.

Each slow drag of the bow on the strings brought painful memories to her. She swayed as she played…

Rarity turned, glaring at Sweetie. “I will destroy you, you abomination!”

Sweetie took a deep breath, not letting the memories affect her playing.

Octavia’s voice. The sound of her heart beating fast and suddenly stopping. “Tavi!”

Sweetie frowned, playing a little faster.

Akela floated, spinning slowly in place, pressing softly against Rarity’s forehead. Just one push. That’s all Sweetie needed.

“I can’t believe it...” Scootaloo’s voice came from from behind, a mere whisper. “It’s green and silver, so close to Sweetie’s own voice.”

“Yeah, but where’d she get the cello?” Bloom whispered back.

“Does it matter? She’s good, Bloom... Better even than Sweetie was at singing...”

Sweetie slowly let the melody fade and looked over her shoulder at her friends, still standing on her hind legs. “I must have woken you up.”

“Oh, no, not at all.” Apple Bloom smiled at her. “Ah was havin’ a hard time stayin’ asleep anyway. Not really the best sleepin’ accommodations down here. So... where did ya get that cello? And who taught you that song?”

Scootaloo’s soft expression quickly turned to a frown before she turned her head away.

Sweetie ran her hoof up and down the strings. “It was a gift from Blueblood... just before I left. We didn’t know if it would travel with me, but he spared no expense in getting the highest magicians in Canterlot to enchant it to become a bookmark once it’s inside its case. And this song... it was one that Octavia was teaching me. I can’t even begin to play it like she does but... well, it really helps me calm down.”

“Blueblood? Octavia? You really are different from her,” Apple Bloom said. “It’s just so weird ya know. Seein’ yer friend standin’ before ya, and yet ya don’t know anythin’ ‘bout her.” She shook her head. “No, that’s not what Ah meant ta say... Look, even though yer different from her, we’re still yer friends. Right, Scootaloo?”

The pegasus looked at Sweetie Belle, her amethyst-colored eyes peered, as if they were looking for something beyond Sweetie herself. “That cello... the way you hold it...” She turned her head and looked at her own wings and grimaced. “Was it fun? Learning the cello, I mean.”

Sweetie winced, remembering the lessons. “It was... fun, but... really hard. Tavi wouldn’t stand me playing like a ‘fancy unicorn’, or was it ‘lazy’? She insisted I learn how to balance and hold the bow… I got it eventually, but it took a long time to even stand on my own.”

“But the hard things are always most rewardin’,” Apple Bloom offered. “Ah remember fixin’ up the clubhouse and buildin’ it up from scratch. That took us all summer, and sometimes it felt like we’d never finish. But we stuck with it, and Ah even got mah cutie mark outta it.” She turned sideways to display her mark—three interlocking gears atop a large apple. “It’s kinda strange, findin’ out that a single project like that could be such a steppin’ stone fer the rest o’ mah life.”

“Speak for yourself. I wish life was that simple.” Scootaloo shook her head. “I nearly died before I got my cutie mark. That whole plan was incredibly stupid. Just one more second, and you’d have had two fewer friends Bloom. And for it all, I get this!” She pointed a hoof at her own flank. A purple triangle encompassed by two purple wings stood out against her orange fur. “What are you supposed to do when you get a cutie mark, but you don’t even know what it means?”

“Sometimes... it’s better not to know,” Sweetie whispered, falling down to all fours and levitating her cello into its case. She closed it and applied some magic to it again, watching it become a bookmark. She summoned her notebook and slid it in, before dismissing both magical items, too quickly for the others to see in detail. “I’m sure you’ll find out and you’ll be proud.”

“Findin’ out and seekin’ those answers is what makes us who we are.” Apple Bloom gave Sweetie Belle a worried look. “Besides, cutie marks are dependent entirely on the pony themselves. Findin’ out what that mark really means to ya is very important.”

Sweetie Belle was silent for a moment. “What if you found out that your cutie mark is proof that you’re a murderer?”

Apple Bloom stared her in the eye for a moment. It seemed like a challenge. “Cutie marks aren’t like that. Sure ya might get a special talent, fer whatever weird reason, of fightin’ or the like, but it’s never gonna mean that yer special talent is murder. Cutie marks are about choice. You choose how to apply that talent to yer life. And a murderer is a murderer, regardless of their cutie mark.”

Sweetie shook her head.

Scootaloo was squinting at her, her head cocked to one side. “So, then what’s your cutie mark mean? Looks sort of like Twilight’s...”

“Except that it’s broken,” Sweetie growled. “Maybe it means I need to get her back together, or maybe it means that I’m keeping her apart. Maybe it means I destroyed her life.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Is that what ya think of whenever ya look at it then? Ya see how ya messed up Twilight’s life? What about that moment when ya got yer cutie mark? What did you do? Who were you with? A cutie mark is there ta remind ya of where you came from. It’s about that moment when it came ta light and movin’ on from there. Ya look back at yer mark and see how far you’ve come, and where ya need ta go.” She shook her head. “Ya can’t truly believe that yer cutie mark is no good, so long as yer tryin’ ta make yer situation better. So what does it really mean to ya?”

“Oh, cut it out, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo interjected. “I know you liked to talk about cutie marks to Gravelle, but this is going nowhere. Look, it’s fine if a pony doesn’t know exactly what her cutie mark is. Just drop it.”

Apple Bloom paused, then bowed her head in a slight display of shame. “Sorry if Ah went overboard.”

Sweetie looked away. “Are we going to continue? I have no idea where we are, other than five right turns from our camping place.”

“Yeah, I guess we may as well.” A small smile came to Apple Bloom’s lips. “It’s not like we can get any more lost than we already are. I guess we should try to see if there’s a path that leads more up than down.”

“I hope there’s a way out...” Scootaloo looked up at the ceiling and almost seemed to shiver. “And here I was, hoping I’d never have to step hoof in a cave again.”

Apple Bloom moved next to the pegasus and prodded her with a hoof. “Oh come on, Scootaloo, quit yer whinin’. There are some really neat things to see underground. Think of the diamond dogs’ city. Even you thought it was pretty neat.”

“It was just unexpected is all. I’m never going back there if I can avoid it. At least with our Sweetie gone for now, we probably aren’t going to head any deeper than we have to.”

“You know,” Sweetie said. “Maybe we should head in deeper.” She turned to look at the pair. “What have we got to lose? Besides, unless we try climbing the walls, there’s no way we’re getting up any quicker. We might just find an exit tunnel, or feel a breeze.”

Scootaloo gave her a blank look then turned quickly to Apple Bloom. “You know, even if she’s a different Sweetie, she still has a way of pulling us deeper into trouble.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “She’s just bein’ sensible.”

Scootaloo sighed. “Fine. But if we run into another one of those golem-spider-things...”

“Wait... golems?!” Sweetie gushed. “That’s amazing! Who made them? Can they talk? Do they have limited cognition or none at all? Can they perform only one task? Or maybe they can do anything we can? What do they look like? Well, like spiders, but, do they act like them? Or is it just that they have too many legs?”

“Uh,” Apple Bloom began, startled at Sweetie’s sudden change of disposition, “where to start... Ah guess you’ve heard of golems before then? Sweetie had just called them that. Basically, they look like a bunch o’ rocks. She called the rock in the middle—which was glowin’ by the way—the ‘core’. It had four big rocks that it walked on. Kinda like a spider. Ya know, if spiders only had four legs.”

“Don’t forget to mention that it attacked us for absolutely no good reason,” Scootaloo added. “Our Sweetie said that there was something beyond the golem—something really powerful that was controlling it.”

“Hmm...” Sweetie pondered that for a second. “Well, if that’s the case things could be easier for us... if there’s somepony else controlling them, then their capabilities are most likely limited to certain tasks, so they will keep doing those unless we interrupt them or we step straight out in front of them. Twilight would have loved—” She stopped herself and frowned. Finally, she walked away from her friends until she stood at the edge of the light and shadow. “Coming?”

* * *

Scoddri's words had faded as suddenly as they had come, and Sweetie Belle had felt the world around her shift as her imposter began to move. The other unicorn had cast a quick spell, effortlessly. It was a pattern that she had never seen before and Sweetie Belle felt the magic flow into the unicorn's eyes and remain there.

'Darkvision', I guess? The sigil is a little too complex to learn at a glance. It looked close to a 'light' spell, but there's a second sigil encompassing it. I should try experimenting with it when we get a chance. Maybe I can replicate it. The spell was too dim to feel and commit to memory while in such close proximity to a unicorn with as much magical energy as her doppelganger. A sinking feeling of jealousy tugged at her as she considered her gifted counterpart. How did she get so much magic?

Her question remained unanswered as the unicorn in question got to her hooves. Where's she going?

The other Belle moved with an eerie silence as she walked, and had cast a small glance back at her sleeping friends before trudging back down a couple tunnels. As the other mare moved, she was led through a world of dull stone, as gray and unimpressive as it would have been to anypony's eyes.

Eventually her carrier stopped, and Sweetie felt a small flare of magic. The pattern was very complex. It wasn't the typical two-dimensional spread that she was used to seeing. This was a full three-dimensional sigil with individual weaves of magic running from eight different nodes. It was too much for her mind to remember accurately. The colour, the frequency, the positions. She only got a glimpse of it before it disappeared.

From where the sigil had been, she noticed a rectangular object appear. The object had its own sigils running along its surface, passive and dull at the moment, but somehow deeper and more complex than anything she had ever seen on any object. It made Scootaloo's bracelet seem like a foal's toy.

Beside the rectangle was another object, crystal in shape, but the magic that coursed through it felt like she was looking at the sun. Had she a body, Sweetie Belle would have winced.

Through force of will, she turned her focus to the rectangle as much as she could. She traced the swirling lines, trying to commit them to memory. Darn it, why can't I have my magic? This is something I need to test! She sensed the rectangle open under the unicorn's aura of levitation, and another object slipped out. A small rectangle, with a slightly less complicated, though still three-dimensional pattern scrawled into it.

Wow! she thought to herself. These are patterns that only ponies with the magic expertise of Twilight or the Princesses could ever hope to have made. Not to mention they're already etched into the objects themselves.

Feeling distinctly overwhelmed, Sweetie Belle could do little other than take in the sensation of her imposter taking the small rectangle and activating the complex sigil on the book. With a flash, the book disappeared as suddenly as it had come.

She only held the small rectangular object a moment before sending a flare of magic into this one as well. It expanded and fluctuated under the magic spell and gradually grew bigger until it took on the proportions of first a violin and then a cello along with its accompanying bow.

The unicorn then eased the instrument into her hooves, and stopped using her magic altogether. There was just dull gray of the stone around the blazing warmth of contained magic that made up the other Sweetie Belle. Nothing else. Until she played.

The first note came forth. Sound—one of the simplest forms of magic, much like light—it always contained the same shaped pattern, just with differing frequency size and colour. The magic of the notes were a silvery-green colour, and they spilled outward from the cello filling the cave with something comparable to a shimmering mist.

As she passively observed, the sound of the notes came forth to her mind, and she lost herself in the light-show and melody that she felt around her.

It stopped suddenly. Sweetie Belle wasn't certain how much time had passed, but different sources of sound suddenly pierced the fringes of the green fog; Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had arrived and now muttered to each other.

The other Sweetie Belle stopped playing, and began conversing with the other two ponies. After a moment, and a few flashes of magic, the instrument was gone and the world became clear once again.

It was then that Sweetie Belle noticed Scoddri's pattern. It was flowing right toward her, if only she were a bit closer, then she was sure the magic would be a bit stronger.

After a while, the trio moved on, carrying Sweetie Belle along with them. She focused on that emerald strand, when they made a sudden turn, right in the direction the magic was coming from. There! She felt the magic and with a little effort, she was able to move it, form it, and shape it.

Well, here goes nothing, she thought as she pulled at the pattern and changed it into the simple shape of sound, and instinctively assigned the proper frequencies and colouration that she knew to be indicative of her own voice. “I hope this works...”

* * *

“Woah, did y’all just hear that?” Apple Bloom asked from behind while Scootaloo peered into the shadows around her.

“Ha! It did work!” the ethereal voice spoke from seemingly every direction at once. “It’s me girls, Sweetie Belle!”

“Sweetie!?” Scootaloo nearly shouted, spinning around. “Where in the hay are you? And why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I’m fine, girls. I think I’m in my amulet. I finally got enough magic to make some sound spells. I’m so glad it worked.”

“Yer in the amulet? How in the hay did that happen?” Apple Bloom rushed over next to Sweetie and began peering at the emerald necklace.

“Hmm... this has never happened before, I thought I completely replaced you...” Sweetie murmured, looking down at the amulet around her neck. “Are you aware of what’s happening? Is this is how it usually works for other Sweeties?”

“Other Sweeties? I didn’t even know there were other Sweeties until you popped in during that magic influx. So no, I have no idea if this is how it usually works. But I think I’m trapped inside Scoddri’s crystal, at least until you’re gone... and I didn’t think that was possible.” The unseen Sweetie’s voice paused for a moment. “But it is pretty neat. Now that I think about it, it’s a state similar to being in between teleports, except the world's not moving really really fast, so it feels a lot better.”

Sweetie’s eyes gleamed. “Oh! You actually can see the moment between teleports?! That’s amazing! I’ve always wondered what that was like! Maybe the rules for magic in this universe are different and any unicorn can see it, but where I come from it’s usually, you’re standing next to Twilight in the library, and the next moment you’re standing next to her in front of Canterlot Castle.”

“But there’s always a time gap. You can see it whenever Twilight teleports; it takes about half a second, and in that moment, the pony has been turned into magic and moves along the pattern and then they rematerialise. But I’m the only unicorn I know that can feel the magic all around me, so teleporting’s kind of… unpleasant...”

“Wait... you mean if a unicorn concentrates here they can’t sense ambient magic? What if they are in the middle of a large-scale matrix? That is very concentrated magic, they can’t feel it, even knowing it’s there?”

“Well anypony will feel magic if there’s enough of it around them. Like fire, sunlight or a powerful light spell. But they can’t sense it like I can; I see, hear, smell, taste, and feel it all. Sometimes, I wonder how other unicorns manage it. Twilight once told me she could always feel her magic when it was inside her, but once she cast it, then she couldn’t feel it anymore. That made sense I suppose, since the pattern changed from her own to that of the spell.” The voice paused for a moment as if in consideration. “But a matrix? I’ve never heard of that... It sounds close to a ritual though. Hmm... maybe there are even more branches of spell-casting than I thought—”

“Oh Celestia, make them stop! My head can’t take it!” Scootaloo began shaking Apple Bloom with her forehooves. “I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.”

“Quit it, Scoots!” Apple Bloom pushed her friend away. “But in all honesty. Ah think ya lost us.”

Sweetie Belle looked at them for a moment, before looking down at the necklace and ignoring both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “How many branches of spellcasting do you have here? A matrix is a pre-set structure of self-contained, self-generating magic that grows stronger through ambient absorption of magical energies, therefore reducing the need for constant feeding. Have you seen anything like that here? And how does it look? I once saw raw magic, but the only reason was that it was tearing a hole through dimensional walls! I don’t think magic would be that mercurial and overwhelming when it’s not used like that!”

“Popular magic theory claims there’s five branches of spellcasting, but I think I’ve only seen two truly different forms. I call one active and the other passive. But raw magic is always around you; it must have been something massive to have seen it with the naked eye! But do you have a way of absorbing ambient magics for your own spells before you cast them? If I had that, I wouldn’t have to use so many crystals. How do you make it? Do you have to draw it on the ground like some of the rituals I’ve done, or etching the spell patterns into metal? I wonder if I can do it too...?”

“They’re just ignoring us, aren’t they?” Scootaloo sighed.

“Yup.” Apple Bloom tilted her head. “And they even seem ta be almost ignorin’ each other too.”

“Well, I don’t absorb the ambient magic before casting the spell; I enchant a gem or object to transfer the flux of magic through it into another and another, each with a specific spell function attached to it, therefore creating a sort of... web... that feeds one spell into the next one in a preordained sequence, stopping them, parting them, uniting them, funneling them... until it returns to the point of origin, therefore closing the circle. It’s an amazingly adaptable construct. As for drawing it... you just need a mental image, really, but planning ahead helps. In the case of the one that was strong enough for me to see with the naked eye, it was a matrix the size of the Canterlot Castle Gardens. Each point was fixed at crossing leylines for maximum efficiency. The position has some leeway, but it can’t be altered too much, or the whole thing will collapse,” Sweetie explained, and then grinned. “And of course you can! If you can see magic just like that... I...” She started drooling, temporarily losing her grip on her thoughts. “Things I could do...”

“Now hold on a minute,” Apple Bloom spoke up. “That sounds a mite like an engine ta me. At least in how it works. Multiple points ta move the energy through... Hmm... This gives me an idea.”

“Oh great,” the pegasus muttered. “Not you too, Apple Bloom! What happened to the task at hoof? Weren’t we trying to get out of this forsaken mountain? I mean, it’s awesome that you can talk with us again, Sweetie, but hay, give me a break here!”

“Oh, it’s totally like an engine!” Sweetie spoke up. “Each part has its own defined range of motion, so to speak. A node can do only one thing, but that one thing allows the next one to do what it has to and so on and so forth. It’s a bit like clockwork, now that I think about it, if I were to put it in mechanical terms.” She gave Scootaloo a glance. “Or, you might compare it to the workings of a pegasus weather team, if things are being organized flawlessly. A group funneling storm clouds would be one node, the team receiving them and spreading them evenly would be another, and the last team making it rain would be the next. The whole thing comes together again with the team that funnels the water from the ground into storm clouds... just think of it as never ending.”

“It’s easy to think of this as never ending,” Scootaloo retorted. “But it has to end at some point. So can we go already?”

“Well, Scoots does kind of have a point,” Sweetie Belle’s echoing voice said with a distinct tone of cheer to it. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk on the way.”

“Great! And then you can tell me about these rituals you know. I wonder if they are the same as in the other worlds I’ve visited!”

Scootaloo groaned slightly, but otherwise kept her silence.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom offered a smile as they began walking again. “Think about it. Sweetie hasn’t ever had someone to talk to about magic like this. It must be a real treat for her.”

“You do realize that they are never going to stop talking.”

Sweetie’s voice emanated from ahead. “I’ve never had so much fun talking to myself!”

“Neither have I!” A deeper voice sounded—a voice of madness—followed by a maniacal laugh that filled the tunnel and slowly faded into the its distant depths.

Sweetie Belle stopped walking and blinked, looking down at the amulet. “I think I heard Discord.”

“Scoddri!” The amulet’s voice echoed out after the laughter. “Darn it! He’s gone again...”

“Ah don’t like this,” Apple Bloom muttered. “Why’s he suddenly talkin’ ta us?”

“I think he wants our help. It sounds like he’s in pain. We have to help him.”

“Sweetie...” Apple Bloom began. “Look, Ah know ya think highly o’ Discord an’ all, but ain’t ya assumin’ a bit much there?”

“Bloom, I’m going to save him,” Sweetie’s voice restated evenly. ”I owe it to him.”

Sweetie Belle looked from the amulet to her friends. “Weren’t you telling me about the value of trust and friendship earlier?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “You don’t really know our Sweetie... Her trust isn’t always in her own best interests. Darn it, Sweetie, ya told me ta point out when Ah think yer goin’ too far. And this is me pointin’ it out.”

”Duly noted,” Sweetie Belle’s voice replied in a chipper tone. “However, I, with all due respect, will stick to my own plan.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, and Scootaloo laughed. The pegasus gave Apple Bloom a smile. “It’s only natural that she’d want to help her mentor.”

“Who also happens ta be an endless source of chaos!” The earth pony shook her head. “It ain’t a smart idea.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “If her mentor was actually evil, she’d be done with you and a lot of others by now.” She looked at them. “I’ve been there.”

“Just ‘cause ‘it could be worse’ doesn’t make this situation any better. And you really think Sweetie would give up on bein’ friends just ‘cause of some evil mentor? Sweetie would never do that.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Let’s keep going,” Sweetie Belle’s voice called out, clearly doing her best to ignore Apple Bloom’s comment. “We’re getting closer.”

“Closer?” Scootaloo squinted past Sweetie Belle. “How can you even tell? We’re underground here.”

”The bond’s getting stronger.”

Sweetie Belle sighed, exasperated. “Do we have any other way to go? I, for one, have absolutely no idea how to navigate out of this place. Sweetie could help us as a sort of compass... it beats trudging around in the dark until our magic gives or we starve to death.” She looked from Apple Bloom to Scootaloo. “Do you even trust your Sweetie?”

“Of course I trust her!” Scootaloo said instantly.

“Ah do too, but Ah still think it’s best ta be cautious ‘bout stuff like this. Ah know she has good intentions, and she’s saved us quite a few times when we’ve been in a bind.” Apple Bloom glared at the emerald necklace. “But Ah’m always gonna give her mah opinion if Ah think it makes sense ta.”

“Look,” Sweetie said, “I know what you mean, Apple Bloom, but my gut feeling tells me to trust Sweetie, even if it sounds odd or crazy." She sighed. “I just hope I’m not making a mistake again.”

“Hmm.” Apple Bloom considered for a moment. “Ya might be right. But we’ll see when we get to wherever Discord’s talkin’ ta us from.”

“We’ll be fine.” Sweetie grinned. “We’re all crusaders!”

”Yeah!” the other Sweetie Belle’s voice agreed. ”Let’s see if I can...” Her voice trailed off, then a sudden flash appeared from the amulet, and in its wake, there was a faint band of emerald light drifting off of it, snaking into the tunnel ahead. ”Aha! It worked! I tweaked Scoddri’s magic pattern to visible light—at least the part that’s close by. It’s faint, but it should lead us right to him. Wherever he is.”

“What are the chances that it’ll lead us out of the mountain?” Scootaloo asked, sarcasm thick in her voice. With her wings spread flat in resignation, she moved to follow the faint trail of light.

“There’s a fifty-percent chance that we’re heading out of it in a roundabout way,” Sweetie said, looking over her shoulder. “There’s also a chance that we’re about to die, but the uncertainty is what makes it so appealing.”

Scootaloo just groaned.

* * *

Sweetie didn’t know how long they had been walking in silence. After a while, the banter had died out and the group had simply fallen into a comfortable trot. That’s when she noticed the walls of the tunnel finally give way to a larger area.

It was a cavern, deep enough that her light spell didn’t reach the far end of it. And there was a certain freshness to the air.

“Woah!” Apple Bloom exclaimed rushing forward and looking at the walls. “Just like I thought! These walls were dug into. Ya can see the difference from our tunnel. See, look at the texture.” She prodded a distinctly plain stone wall with her hoof.

“Great, it was dug, so that means more diamond dogs. Just what we needed...” Scootaloo shook her head. “Well at least there’s some room to maneuver out here.” She pulled herself into an effortless hover.

“Were you being chased by diamond dogs before that dragon thing attacked you?” Sweetie Belle asked, glancing from the wall to Scootaloo.

“What? No, the diamond dogs are our friends.” Apple Bloom pointed a hoof at Scootaloo. “She just doesn’t like ‘em much, is all.”

“Well, they aren’t awful or anything, but I still say we should have talked some sense into that one—” Whatever the pegasus had been saying was quickly lost to a resounding crash that echoed off the cavern walls.

“What the hay was that?!” Sweetie exclaimed, suddenly standing deeper in the shadows. “That didn’t sound like diamond dogs!”

The crash sounded once again, louder this time, shaking the very ground beneath them. It rang out over and over again, it was the sound of rocks cracking and crunching, as if being ground into sand. Then there was a moment of silence.

Scootaloo peered up and squinted at the ceiling warily. “I don’t think it’s a cave-in. If we could see a bit further, we could probably see what it was.”

Sweetie nodded. “I’ll be able to see in complete darkness. I can go ahead and take a look.”

“Alright...” Apple Bloom agreed hesitantly. “Yer gonna turn off yer light spell ain’t ya? Just let us know what ya see. We’ll stay here. Be careful.”

Sweetie nodded, cancelling her spell before she slowly crawled up around the curve of the excavated cavern, careful to be as silent as she could. She took in as much as she could before moving again, trying to keep her presence a secret from whatever had created those crashes.

Eventually, after she had left the others behind, she finally found something. Its shape was like that of a diamond dog... but this creature was made out of rock, with a softly glowing chest piece, which seemed to have several crystals attached to it.

If it saw Sweetie, it ignored her, content to simply dig into the wall. But out of the corner of her eye, she caught a bit of movement. It was as if the wall beside the (rock) dog had come to life, and four huge chunks of the rock flew together into the air, collecting around a central stone. Its center began to glow brightly like a full moon on a cloudless night.

Sweetie pressed herself against the wall, not daring to make a sound.

In the next moment, the pile of rocks launched forth, on four constantly shifting legs, as fast as a speeding pegasus. It swung one of its rocky legs hard against the smaller rock-digger, knocking it to the ground. Even as the smaller golem hit the ground, the larger one raised each of its legs in turn, with a fluid and deadly grace—which seemed entirely impossible for such a large construct—and brought them down, one after another.

Under the relentless series of blows, the smaller rock-digger struggled in futility to regain its footing and get back to digging. In moments, the once softly-glowing chest piece of the creature flickered into darkness, and finally the large beast relented, slowly moving away from the mess of rocks.

Sweetie quietly and slowly stepped back, now glancing at the walls with more than a bit of apprehension. Suddenly, every crevice, every uneven area was a cause for pause and careful monitoring.

It took considerably longer to get back to the others than it had to get around that corner. To make sure that it was safe to cast her light spell again, she quietly circled around her friends, not even alerting them to her presence. In absolute silence she checked the walls, and for good measure a bit further behind before returning. Finally, when she was just behind them she whispered, “I’m back.” And cast her light spell once more.

Apple Bloom jumped higher than Scootaloo was hovering. The earth pony spun around with a yelp, but quickly bit her tongue to quiet herself as Scootaloo had a little chuckle at her friend’s expense.

“Don’t do that, Sweetie! Geez, yer as bad as... well, Sweetie, Ah guess.” She sighed and shook her head before rounding on Scootaloo. “And don’t even get me started on you!”

Scootaloo continued to snicker slightly as she landed on the rough ground. “I think that was the best I’ve seen yet. Well... there was that one time when Sweetie found a book on illusion spells...”

“And we don’t need ta hear ‘bout that ever again!” Apple Bloom pushed Scootaloo out of the way and turned to Sweetie. “So, what did ya find? We heard that crashin’ sound again... Any idea what it was?”

Sweetie nodded. “Yes. I saw a diamond dog-like golem getting pummeled into gravel by a much bigger, spider-like golem that emerged from the wall and tore it to pieces. I went back and around a little to make sure there were none behind us. It just pulled itself together from the wall... I didn’t even noticed it was there until it moved.”

“Damn it! Another spider golem?” Scootaloo scowled. “I hate those things!”

Sweetie blinked. “Regular pests at home? We sure didn’t have those things in my Ponyville.”

“What? No, of course not. We only came across one before, and it nearly killed us. This isn’t a joking matter, Sweetie. Those things are really dangerous. They’re almost as fast as I am. There’s no way we could all outrun one if it found us.”

“I’ll cover you,” Sweetie said instantly, expression stoic. “Make sure you grab the amulet though.”

“Oh, so you have a plan?” the amulet’s voice echoed in an almost playful manner. “What do you have in mind?”

Sweetie remained silent for a while, before moving in front of the others and facing away. “I’ll... fight it. And I won’t pull back my punches. I’ll make sure you three have enough time to escape, if it comes to blows.”

“We’ve fought one before,” Apple Bloom said, her voice thick with skepticism. “It ain’t easy. You’ll need all the help ya can get if ya face one o’ those things.”

“Hmm, sounds kind of risky... Think you can handle it?” the amulet’s voice asked.

“Am I the only sane one here?” Scootaloo questioned. “We should just sneak around them.”

Sweetie nodded. “Scootaloo’s right, but... if we get caught, leave it to me. Even if I can’t defeat it, it will be easier for me to escape and catch up with you later.”

“Well, Ah guess Ah see where you’re comin’ from. But, just be careful. There’s no room for error when dealin’ with those golems.”

“Oh, come on Bloom, that sounds like something you’d say to me. I’m sure she’s much more careful than I am.”

Sweetie turned and faced her friends, smiling placidly. “Well, if we’re careful, we won’t have to worry about it, right? Anyway, we should go...”

“Right...” In a moment, the amulet shone once again with its faint leading light. It trailed off into the darkness, in the direction that Sweetie had discovered the golems.

Slowly, the group made their way deeper into the mountain, eyes glued to the walls and ears perked attentively, ready to react to any noise and either flee or fight.

“Say...” Scootaloo whispered.

Apple Bloom spun reflexively at the sound and frowned at the pegasus. “What?” she whispered back, pulling her eyes back to examining the walls of the cavern.

“Is it just me, or is it getting hotter down here? Hmm... and more humid too...”

“Yeah it is. The air is thicker with magic. I suppose you can always count on a pegasus for an accurate weather forecast,” Sweetie Belle’s voice echoed softly amongst the walls of the cave.

“That, or we could be approaching a dragon’s cave... those get a tad warm,” Sweetie whispered back.

“You think it’s that dragon from earlier?” Scootaloo asked.

“I don’t think that was a dragon,” Sweetie said. “It didn’t breathe fire in my face.”

“Well, let’s just hope it’s not a dragon then,” Apple Bloom offered. “Ya know, there’s such a thing as geothermal energy. The diamond dogs tend ta make use of it often enough, ‘specially ‘round winter time. Warm air rises from cracks in the rock below.”

“Yeah, but no one really cares about that stuff.” Scootaloo shrugged. “A dragon would at least be a cooler explanation.”

“Hey! Plenty of ponies care about stuff like this. Just ask Sweetie, she’s been researching this kind of stuff fer a while now.”

“Doesn’t make it any less boring.” Scootaloo laughed nervously.

“Hey, girls?” Sweetie called back, peeking around the edge to another tunnel. “I think we have a problem.”

“I hope this isn’t one of those times where I have to agree with you,” Scootaloo muttered as she and Apple Bloom walked over as quietly as they could. “What is it?”

“A cavern full of those little dog golems?”

“We should be able to walk on by, though. These golems seem to only dig,” Sweetie Belle’s voice observed. “Best not test for any other functions... As much as I’d like to...”

“Great.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Well, let’s sneak on by then... Ah’ll go first. If it turns out they have an attack function, then we’ll find out the hard way.”

Sweetie nodded and stepped out of the way, motioning for Apple Bloom to go ahead.

Apple Bloom gulped, but stepped forward quietly. Hooffall after gentle hooffall, she snaked her way down the cavern. The digging golems never paused their relentless mining, even as she passed a mere hair’s breadth from them.

Eventually, she passed the final one that could be seen in the darkness. Her tentative voice sounded not long afterward, “Girls, it’s safe.”

“Alright.” Scootaloo jumped forth and walked with a fair bit more gusto than her friend had. As she passed the golems, she looked at them rather curiously. She even extended a wing as she passed one, and touched the golem ever so gingerly.

When the golem didn’t turn and strike out at her, she let out a small sigh. “You know,” she called out to Apple Bloom, "we could probably have just gone and bucked all these guys over and they’d just go back to digging.”

“Maybe,” Sweetie said from behind Apple Bloom. “But where’s the fun in that?”

“Wait, when did you get in front of me?” Scootaloo frowned then gave a defeated sigh. “Oh, whatever. I bet you it’d be a lot like dominoes. I wonder how long it would take these lug-heads to get back on their feet.”

“Don’t even think about it, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted back tersely. “Just think ‘bout all the racket that’d cause. We’re tryin’ ta be quiet—”

Her sentence was cut off as the wall beside her fissured into many different segment, and fell toward the earth pony. She managed to take a surprised leap backward, away from the falling debris. Her hooves slipped from under her and she bumped into a nearby digger.

”Shoot! It’s a spider golem!” Sweetie Belle’s voice warned.

“You should get out of here!” Sweetie shouted, levitating her counterpart’s amulet and tossing it to Scootaloo. “Go!” Her horn flared and pushed the golem back slightly with a telekinetic shove, which only managed to get it to turn its attention towards her. “I’ll take care of it and catch up!”

”Are you crazy?” Sweetie Belle’s voice echoed with distortion from the amulet as Scootaloo caught it. ”You know you can’t handle one of those by yourself! Darn it, Scoots, we have to help her!”

Scootaloo muttered something around the amulet between her teeth. She spread her wings and darted back down the cavern, crashing straight into one of the spider-like golem’s legs with her shoulder, sending it slightly off balance. “Ugh,” she groaned, as she dropped the amulet to the floor. “Forgot how hard these things are.”

Sweetie shook her head, and then split the floor under one of the golem’s legs, allowing it to get stuck in it. “Look, if you’re going to just hurt yourselves, it’s not going to help anypony!”

“Yeah, well, we’re in this together!” Scootaloo smirked. “C’mon, Bloom!”

Apple Bloom leaped back onto her feet and charged the golem. She slid to a stop, right before it and bucked at one of its other legs. The force of the blow lifted her off the ground and deposited her back onto her side.

”It’s staying focused on you... um, other me.” Sweetie Belle’s voice warned. ”I can’t redirect it like last time, be careful everyone!”

“Which is why I’m saying,” Sweetie swept her hoof, sending a small blast of flames to explode against another leg. “That I can divert it and escape!”

“Nothing good ever comes from splitting up!” Scootaloo shouted back as she flew in and gave the golem’s core a solid strike. The blow caused the light to flicker and the golem's movements became jarring, but only for a moment. “If we can break the core, it will stop.”

“Yeah, if we don’t break our own hooves first,” Apple Bloom said as she moved away from the creature’s vicious legs.

Sweetie groaned in frustration, trotting to the side, and blasting the creature’s center with a lightning bolt. “Why do you have to stay? Can’t you see I’m making sure you are safe?!”

”And we’re making sure that you are too. It’s what friends do.” Sweetie Belle’s voice was sweet in its tone. ”Though I can’t do that much myself...”

Sweetie Belle found herself getting annoyed. ’Why won’t they just let me be?!’ “If I’m concentrating on whether you get hit,” Sweetie argued, summoning Akela from the dimensional portal mid-sentence, “I’m going to get hurt as well!”

Her diamond started spinning in place increasingly fast before shooting out, and cracked one of the golem's limbs as it tried to bat at her. Akela returned, having done some damage. Suddenly she gasped and cast a shield just in front of Apple Bloom, stopping one of its appendages from crushing her in its attempts to get to Sweetie.

“Now that’s teamwork!” Apple Bloom shouted as she rolled to her feet and jumped once more at the hulking beast. Once she landed, she spun to deliver the creature a solid buck. During the movement, a light spark lit up at the tip of her hooves. Her hind legs collided with the golem’s limb in a sharp crack. It fissured from where the diamond had marked it before, and crumble to pieces.

The rocky monstrosity nearly lost its balance, but with swift agility, it reoriented its three remaining limbs, looking less like a spider, and more like a tripod.

“Nice going, Bloom!” Scootaloo cheered. “Now we just need one more!”

Sweetie Belle nodded, sending Akela drilling straight into another of the golem’s legs with another deafening crack, creating spidery fissures all over it. “Think you can hit that one?”

“You bet!” Scootaloo swung down in a deft dive and hammered the cracked leg with a buck of her own. The cracks deepened, but didn’t give, as Scootaloo was tossed hard against a wall of the cave. “Well, I hit it...” she groaned as she slid down to the floor.

Sweetie Belle levitated two large rocks and used them to smash once again at the weakened leg, doing her best to remain out of its reach. “This would be easier if you weren’t here! Why don’t you let me do this by myself?”

“Well, sorry for trying to help.” Scootaloo dusted herself off and shot forth once again. While the beast was distracted with the boulders, Scootaloo delivered another powerful strike to the leg. The fissures deepened in shattering crack, and the limb splintered apart.

The golem spun off balance, and managed to brace itself with its two remaining limbs. “Now!” Apple Bloom shouted from her spot on the ground. “Hit the core, it won’t be able to attack ya!”

“Dammit, I just wanted to be left alone!” Sweetie Belle’s eyes flashed with magic and Akela accelerated faster than ever before, a second explosion-like sound rocking around them as it struck the core of the golem, surprisingly digging deep into the rock creature. A strange, scraping sound came from within as the thing shook, as if stunned by what had happened. Akela flew out of it, back the way it had gone through and hovered next to Sweetie as she gazed impassively at the construct. “Well?”

”You severed the sigil. Any moment, and it should-” The glowing core blinked a few times, and then went dark. With a crash, the rock limbs fell apart to harmless debris. ”Hah, great job everyone! Are you all alright?” Sweetie Belle’s jovial voice called out triumphantly.

“Could be worse,” Scootaloo said as she landed next to Sweetie’s amulet. She picked it up and walked over to Apple Bloom.

“Ah could prolly use a hoof ta get up,” Apple Bloom admitted and thankfully accepted Scootaloo’s offered hoof. “But we all made it.” She let out a small sigh and leaned against the cave wall. “Thanks, Sweetie. Ya really saved me back there with that shield o’ yers.”

Sweetie huffed. “I wasn’t going to let any of you die. But I wish you had listened to me. You and Scootaloo could have been killed!” Her eyes turned to the amulet. “And you! You said you understood and thought it was a good idea to let me deal with it!”

”If I thought you could deal with it, I would have let you! What did you think you were going to do to it? Your lightning, fire and ice barely even touched it. If it weren’t for Scoots and Bloom, you’d have been crushed into a pancake!” The amulet actually began to glow with each of her shouted words. ”What was your plan, huh? Tell me, how were you going to ‘deal with it’?!”

Sweetie snorted. “You think I’m limited to that? I was trained to kill, dammit! I was distracting it to let you run away, but no, you had to hang around and get in trouble. What if that thing had hit harder and crippled Scootaloo? Or managed to squish Apple Bloom?”

“If you’re so well trained, then why in the hay didn’t you handle it quicker, huh? What? Can you only use your ‘real’ powers when nopony’s around to see them? I was watching the whole time, and that golem would have hit you at least twice if it weren’t for Bloom and Scoots knocking it off course!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie shouted, getting her face close to the amulet. “And did you notice that happened when they interrupted and got in the way? I might not have killed it immediately, but I wouldn’t have to worry about my friends dying or you being crushed by accident!”

“And you think that we don’t feel that way too?” The fire in the amulet’s voice died down slightly. “You think that self-sacrifice is the answer? Well, it’s not, darn it! You might think it’s a noble thing, doing that to try and save your friends, but they’ll end up even more hurt than if they died themselves. You would have left Scoots and Bloom to wander around in the darkness alone. I say you’re nothing more than a coward.”

Sweetie glowered at the amulet. Slowly tears began to form in her eyes. “There’s nothing noble about wanting to die, damn you, you stupid, conceited, little filly! You lost a dear friend; I’ve lost one too! More than one! I was one thought away from killing my own sister and I’ve been murdering Twilight every world I visit! Who are you to judge me? By the time I stopped breathing you would probably be out of your little, cozy piece of chaos, knowing that your friend can be saved!” she spat.

“I would be gone and I wouldn’t be bothering anyone else. Do you know how many times I have died already? Of course not! It’s so easy to take the Celestia-damned outlook that only a coward would do something like this! Live in my skin for a couple of loops, see everyone you love dead and Equestria ripped to shreds by us and we’ll see how you deal with it!” Her voice lowered, but her eyes were still shining with an inner light. “So what if I died? So what if things stopped here? How many lives will not/would not be lost because of me?”

“I don’t know... You’re right. I can’t know how many lives could be lost or were lost, but I know that you could save three. You’ve already saved us—a few times—but we still need your help. Don’t focus on what could happen if you died, or what damage you might cause. The fact is that you are alive right now, and you can save three friends who desperately need your help. And there is nothing that you’ll do after that which will change what you already did for us.” The amulet pulsated softly, the same emerald colour as her own eyes. “Don’t give us up for what might happen. We can work together to make sure that what we want to happen, does happen.”

Scootaloo set the amulet down and snorted, but Apple Bloom stepped in front of her. “Darn it! We’re all friends here!” She glowered at the pegasus. “And don’t ya even start, Scootaloo!” Turning her attention back to Sweetie, she let out a soft sigh. “As awkward as it feels admittin’ it, Sweetie’s right. Well, ya both are. Ah know Ah got in the way, and Ah’m sorry Ah wasn’t much help back there. But we don’t regret our actions. Ah know both Scoots and Ah would’ve done the same thing again.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, but otherwise remained silent, and picked the amulet up once again.

Sweetie Belle muttered and looked away. “You two did a good job,” she growled. “I’m annoyed you didn’t let me fight it until only one of us stood, but the truth is you handled yourselves just fine.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I have to continue going... it’s not always bad, but... I’m just...” She trailed off. “Let’s... just go.”

Apple Bloom nodded and moved to follow, when Scootaloo piped up from behind. “So... uh, who’s gonna wear Sweetie?” She held the amulet dangling on the end of one of her wings.

Sweetie Belle levitated the amulet and slid the chain back around her neck. “Are we any closer?”

The amulet sparked with magic and a shimmering trail of light snaked outward. “Much closer, it’s getting much easier to talk.”

“Well, then we should hurry,” Sweetie said stepping over the now inert elemental golem. “We need to rescue Discord, or whatever it is you’re calling him... and I need to go away.”

“And I don’t want to stay in here any longer,” Scootaloo muttered, but suddenly she came to a halt, squinting into the darkness up ahead. “Hey, I think I see something. Yeah, there’s definitely something glowing down there. Kind of reddish-orange.”

“It’s not gonna be a dragon.” Apple Bloom said sternly, more to herself than anyone else as she limped along. “That looks like... lava...?”

“And a lot of magic too. With this much magic... Girls, this must be it! It’s the cause of the storm! I knew we’d find it. And now all we have to do is find a way to stop it.” The amulet flared slightly. “Darn, that is a ton of magic. The patterns—there are so many going right past us.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Apple Bloom warned. “We aren’t really in the best o’ shape.”

“Stick to the shadows. Try not to draw attention to ourselves... although I don’t know how effective that’s going to be if we encounter more golems,” Sweetie said, sounding a bit irritated.

“Don’t worry too much about the golems,” the amulet’s voice said quietly. “This place is so full of magic, they’d effectively be blind. Plus I see a lot of the patterns leading out of here, and they look just like the spell that was controlling that other golem. There are a lot of them, but they aren’t in this room. There is something big, though.”

“Huh, even I’m starting to feel something,” Scootaloo muttered. “It’s like flying too close to a stormcloud.” She instinctively spread her wings as she crept forward silently.

“Sweetie, do you mean to say that all the magic is coming from this place?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked around. “I also feel something... I think one of the fragments might be nearby.”

“Yeah, there’s a lot of magic in that chamber, but only a portion of it is flowing past us into the mountain. There’s something more powerful... it’s like seeing the first hint of sunlight before dawn. I know Scoddri’s fragment is in there also, but it’s so dim in comparison.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out what’s inside.” Apple Bloom crept on ahead, limping slightly, and peered around a corner into the larger chamber. She let out a gasp as her friends followed in behind her.

The tunnel opened into a massive chamber, big enough to hold half of the Canterlot Castle inside of it. Pools of magma bubbled viciously, providing a bit of illumination, while a terrible pressure pressed down from above. But what drew the ponies’ attention was at the center of the chamber.

A pillar of a stalagmite stood defiantly, and crowning it was the largest crystal any of the ponies had seen. It was easily ten feet in diameter. Its ruby surface flared intermittently with a fiery light. Every pulse sent a small echo through the chamber, as if it were the mountain’s heart.

“Look up there,” Scootaloo whispered in hushed amazement.

Above the formidable centerpiece, the walls of the chamber shot ever upward until a single disc of cloudy sky could be seen far above. Partway to those heights, a series of crystals circled around in the open air, rhythmically. And at the center of the floating gems, one stood out predominantly directly above the giant ruby.

“Scoddri’s fragment!”

“Not only that!” Sweetie gasped. “That’s Twilight’s fragment! They’ve been fused!”

Scootaloo took to the air and began hovering. “So, should I just nab them, then?”

“Wait Scoots!” The amulet flashed brightly in warning. “There are at least seven different spell patterns in place, and the fragments are the focal point to all of them. Moving it carelessly could cause it all to explode. And with this much magic pouring through it... I don’t think even the bracelet would do that much to help you.”

“Then what can we do?” Apple Bloom wondered. “Have any fancy way of dispelling this thing?”

Sweetie looked troubled. “I… Before the last world I would have just absorbed Twilight’s fragment but...” She hesitated. “I could create a matrix... maybe... or cast the spell to bind it to my notebook, then dismiss it into its pocket universe.” She looked at the merged fragments doubtfully.

“That might separate it... but I don’t know how integrated they are. The last thing I want to do is leave with a piece of Discord, or leave a part of Twilight behind.” She grimaced and looked down at the amulet. “If Sweetie can actually see the energy strands inside the fusion, she might be able to guide me. Otherwise we risk damaging our friends.”

The amulet made a gasping sound. “That’s it! My amulet. It will automatically absorb the fragment. When it does, it releases some of its own energy. I should be able to control that magic and make sure it only absorbs Scoddri’s fragment. Of course... then that still leaves the other fragment and it might cause all the patterns to go off-kilter.”

Apple Bloom hummed for a moment. “This is a lot like demolishin’ a big structure, ain’t it? What if we start from the outside and go inward. That way, when the spell falls apart it won’t create a big explosion.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea... we could interrupt the flow of magic to the outside gems, maybe even just redirecting it so that each one down doesn’t completely destroy the pattern until we’re ready.” Sweetie mused, glancing at the gems thoughtfully. “But whoever made this is likely to be around. We should be careful... and fast.”

“Likely? No, he’s already here in some manner. He has scrying spells in there too. It’s one of the few that I recognize from the patterns. He’ll notice us in a moment if he hasn’t already. But I doubt he’s actually here. He’s been doing all this spell-casting remotely. And he doesn’t seem like the type who’s about to change his tactics any time soon.”

“So then we just need to go fast.” Scootaloo nodded. “Tell me what to hit first.”

Sweetie studied the pattern. “I... think you might have a clearer idea, Sweetie... from what I can see out of the twelve crystals, any disruption would break the pattern... you might have to take two as quickly as possible in order for the magical energy to compensate and reduce its size...”

“The most stable way would be to break every third crystal at once... That way the sigils would remain at least symmetrical as they fell apart. But it’s going to be unbalanced no matter how we hit it. There’ll be raw magic being released, but I might be able to at least control the explosions enough to stop us from all being blown up.” The amulet hummed to herself. “I’d need to be close though, but it would be too hard and disorienting if I had to try it while moving around too much. It’d be like trying to unweave a tapestry while running.”

“Well... Ah won’t be runnin’ ‘round too much,” Apple Bloom admitted. “Mah legs ain’t doin’ too great. Ah’d carry ya, Sweetie, but Ah wouldn’t be able ta get close quickly enough ta match Scootaloo.”

“How about you recuperate while Scoots and I try to take some out? We could have a go from opposing sides of it,” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Yeah, and try to hit them at the same time. We don’t want to mess up the balance of this thing any more than we have to. Think you can do it, Scootaloo?”

The pegasus flared her wings and turned to Sweetie. “Of course I can. We’ll aim to hit one every five seconds. This’ll be a cinch. But the real question is, do you think you can keep up with me?” Her violet eyes glimmered, and she wore a smug grin.

“Oh, come on, Scoots,” Apple Bloom muttered. “This isn’t a game.”

Sweetie’s eyes shone and she raised an eyebrow. “Is the sky blue? Just try not to miss.”

“I’ll get the far red one.” She shot forth toward the center of the chamber. “You get the-”

“Scootaloo!”

The warning didn’t come quickly enough, and Scootaloo turned in time to see a rush of lightning pass right in front of her eyes, though the bolt of magic dissipated as soon as it drew too close. The pegasus’ amethyst-studded bracelet sprang to life, emitting bright flashes of light, and a strange, keening metallic sound.

Scootaloo pulled up her forehoof and cradled it with her other hoof. “Ow! Geez, this thing gets hot, Sweetie!”

“And you will be reduced to naught but ashes if you come any closer!” a deep voice rumbled through the stone walls of the cave. “If you just crawl back out of this cave, I’ll let you go.”

“Uh…” Sweetie thought about it. “No.”

“What a pity. I do so hate wasting resources. A dreamer and a wielder of chaos magic, such a bountiful find. But if you insist on staying, then you’ll find out just how much magic I have under my control.”

Sweetie looked at the central, consolidated gem. “Please. As if an amateur like yourself could actually even comprehend what you have here. You see gems with pretty powers… you barely even understand where half of it comes from, and I’m willing to bet the other half completely defies your grasp of reality and time. Hoof them over and I might go easy on your sorry flank when I unearth you from whatever hole you dug yourself into.”

Raucous laughter filled the cave, and the walls quivered at the sound. “You do realize what will happen if you try and stop this. See those walls around you? Those tons of rock, all precariously balanced, and ready to cave in and crush you? Well, I sure wouldn’t want to be in this cave when the inevitable happens.”

“I don’t care,” Sweetie replied. “I’ve been crushed to death before. Literally smashed into a pulp. Several times, actually. If I get what I need… I’ll just make sure the others are out of the way when the whole thing collapses. I think I’ll be fine.” And then she took a step forward.

“Shoot, girls!” The amulet flashed in warning. “One of the spells, it’s getting closer. I think he was just trying to buy some time!”

“But it’s too late for you now!” the voice cried out.

With a screech, from the top of the mountain a familiar vicious winged creature descended upon them. With a gaping maw, the draconic creature swooped toward Scootaloo.

Scootaloo let out a yelp and sped away from the beast. “I’ll show this dumb dragon a thing or two about flying! You have to stop the spell, Sweetie!”

Sweetie glanced at the gems. “Sweetie… we have to do something, but we won’t have time to correctly balance it all out with just myself!”

“S-Say…” The amulet’s voice was lost for a moment as bolt of raw magic shot by, narrowly missing them. “...targets? How many can you hit at once?”

“Safely… up to six…but I won’t be able to focus too much power into each one, lest I risk their accuracy,” Sweete replied. “One I could hit with my diamond, the other five would be elemental blasts… enough to disrupt the matrix, but not destroy the gems.” She thought for a moment. “However, you can see the literal connection between the gems and magic… if you could somehow take control of the extra aiming, say… for three more, I think I can cast the spells and let you guide them.”

“Great minds think alike. Just feed a fair amount of magic through the amulet, and I should be able to control it. Just remember, I won’t be able to talk while we do this.”

Sweetie nodded. “Got it… just… infuse the amulet with my magic, right? I’ll make sure to save enough to do the blasts.” She gave the gems a calculating look, memorizing the feel of the magic flow around them as she chose her targets. “Here it goes…” Her horn lit with considerable energy as she poured more than half of her reserves straight into the gem, syphoning the energy to flow in a stream of power she was almost sure a gem containing the soul of Discord should be able to withstand.

“W-whenever you’re ready!” Sweetie called, pressing Akela close to her, and readying her other spells.

“I hope you’re not afraid of heights…”

Sweetie gave the amulet an uncertain glance as it sparked, then she felt the world slip out from under her.

* * *

She felt the magic pour into her, it was so very similar to her own distinct pattern. It pooled within her, glowing like molten metal. There was more magical energy than she had ever safely handled before. If Sweetie Belle had a body, she would have been smiling madly and even laughing.

Is this what it feels like to be like Twilight? she wondered. To have this much magic at my disposal… It’s no wonder she’s always so full and certain of herself. If I normally had this much magic…

With a practiced grace, she wasted no time and pulled at a small bit of the magic. She wove it into the basic pattern for sound and tossed out the words, “I hope you’re not afraid of heights…”

She pulled at the pool of magic flowing through her and wove a three-dimensional pattern, the most complex spell she had ever memorized. From the center of the pattern, a helix of magic tendrils shot forth and she directed them upward and focused them on a single point in space.

The magic combined together, forming a pattern that mirrored the first, and she felt the familiar pull as the world shifted around her, and the sense of vertigo fought to overcome her. But she forced herself to look inward, at the brilliant magic she still wielded. She blinded herself to the world around her.

In the next moment, she extended her senses outward again. She felt the pulling motion of gravity, notifying that the spell had worked just as she had planned. Compared to teleportation, this next bit’ll be a cinch. Pulling out a smaller bit of magic from her more than half-empty reserve, she formed a quick, well-practiced sigil. One with a colour and pattern that never failed to remind her of Scootaloo. It must be the feather-like shape it has.

She cast it out and bound it around the other Sweetie Belle. The effect was instantaneous, as the sense of gravity lessened considerably. Another successful feather spell.

She then trained her sense downward and looked upon the massive collection of spell patterns running through the twelve different gems. And it even looks like the smaller sigils form the pattern for one larger spell. Whoever this guy is, he’s darn meticulous with his spells.

Choosing her targets quickly, she prepared herself, readying her magic to guide the coming spells.

* * *

Sweetie felt herself fall for a moment before she slowed down and started drifting, rather than rushing down. She didn’t allow for the dizziness and sudden relocation to bother her too much. With practiced focus, she immediately sent Akela towards an orbiting gem, and her body twisted into a spiral turn, sending first a blast of concentrated air from her snapping hooves, followed by water, fire, a chunk of rock, and finally lightning.

Her magic further sent three pure blasts of magical energy, unpolluted with elemental influence flying, her instincts trusting her other self, even as her mind hoped that the local Sweetie could catch the magic and use it.

She felt the amulet pulse with magic, and her blasts of energy moved as if with a mind of their own, speeding toward three separate crystals.

With unnerving accuracy, all nine shots hit the orbiting gems. Akela obliterated its target on contact. Each of the five struck by elemental magic cracked and shattered with resounding snapping noises, similar to ice breaking, while the three hit by magic alone, were tossed out of their orbits, crashing onto the floor, devoid of the connection they had to the spell matrix.

The remaining three gems lost all semblance of order, spinning faster and faster, catching on the hidden strands of magic from the other gems, and failing to absorb it. They shifted their orbits, speeding faster and faster as they cracked ominously under the strain, angry red lighting zigzagging over the central ruby. Finally, two of the remaining spinning gems smashed into each other, exploding into glittering dust and plumes of flame, leaving one single gem to absorb all the channels into itself.

It seemed to hover there for one split-second before simply shooting off wildly. With a crack and tremendous force into the air, it sped by Scootaloo, missing her by an inch, but smacking the drake in the forehead with the power of a battering ram.

“Hey!” Scootaloo hollered down at them, as the drake crashing onto the floor of the cave. “I was just about to ground him!”

“Sorry!” Sweetie called back. “It wasn’t on purpose!”

“Whatever!” Scootaloo flew down after her and hovered a fair distance away from the remaining fragments, as if expecting either of them to shoot off directly at her.

“Sweetie,” Sweetie Belle looked down at the amulet, “Can you separate them!? Can you break this guy’s hold on the fragments?”

As she looked down, she could see the two fragments at the center, their light growing with momentary, uneven pulses. The raw magic pushed against her even as she fell toward them, slowing her descent even more.

Then the light flashed in a series of beams, which funneled together. It shot up to her and she felt it impact with the amulet. As it did so a laughter pealed through the air. It wasn’t the deep echoing bellow of the attacker, but this laughter belonged to another. It was mad, and pained, like she’d imagine hearing from somepony who had been lit on fire and chosen to laugh at such a terrible fate.

The laughter was quickly replaced by a louder keening from the amulet, which shot forth a single emerald beam right to the fused fragments. The beam wove around them in an intricate pattern of triangles and circles and Sweetie saw the two fragments begin to quiver slightly.

With a peal to rival the mightiest of thunderstorms, the two crystals separated.

The blast that followed tossed Sweetie out of her fall and straight into the hooves of Scootaloo, who dove in to intercept her. The force of the impact however, sent the pair spinning head over hooves to smash onto the massive belly of the unconscious drake.

“Owowow…” Sweetie groaned. “I’m going to feel that one for the next three jumps…”

“You’re not the one that broke your fall,” Scootaloo muttered, shakily pulling herself up onto her hooves.

“And yer both lucky ta have that lizard take the brunt o’ the blast.” Apple Bloom came limping over. She had various cuts and bruises covering her body, but securely nestled in one of her forehooves, she held the two separated fragments. She gave them both a tired smile. “Looks like we did it.”

“Uh, maybe not…” An audible crack pierced the cavern, then another longer one. “The big crystal! Is that another sigil?”

“Fools! If you wish to defy me so, then I have no need of you!” the deep voice echoed one final time and the crystal at the center of the chamber shattered.

“Look out!” the amulet’s voice came out in a rush.

Ruby shards shot outward in shower of spears but Sweetie jumped forward and quickly formed a shield around her and her friends. She grunted as the spray of shards collided against her barrier and she flared what few reserves she had left to power the spell.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an amethyst crystal floating beside her, dangerously close, and to the other side, Discord’s fragment floated as well. A soft emerald glow encompassed both of them, and she noticed the amulet shining as well. She felt it in a moment, like the clouds parting to let in pure rays of golden sunlight. Magic surged forth from the fragment, powering her faltering shield.

“H-how are you doing that?!” Sweetie asked, concentrating on her shield as much as she could while fighting the surprise. “I can feel Twilight’s magic flowing into me, but I’m not absorbing the fragment!”

“The magic of the fragment, it’s attuned to you; it shares your same innate spell pattern, like Scoddri’s with his amulet. It looks just like it would flow right into you naturally, if it got too close. It’s almost like it’s a pure chunk of your own magic in physical form. It doesn’t even have a proper crystal pattern.” The amulet pulsed, and she felt the magic continue pouring into her. “I’m using that attraction to our advantage, while holding the physical vessel back with my own magic. It’s making just the outside magic flow into you automatically. I just needed to change my own magic pattern to interact with the fragment itself, like when I manipulate individual patterns.”

“We’ll have to discuss this if we survive…” Sweetie grunted as a particularly large chunk of rock bounced off her shield. “Scoots… Apple Bloom… be ready to take the amulet and have Sweetie teleport you three if this breaks.”

“A three-pony teleport? I can’t do that, it’s too much magic! It’s a complex spell, and I’ve never used that much magic-”

“And we ain’t ‘bout ta leave you behind either,” Apple Bloom said firmly, cutting into Sweetie’s own protestations.

Scootaloo had spread her wings and her eyes darted back and forth as she traced the endless rain of debris, as if searching for a pathway out. She let out a small yelp and pointed up, beyond the shield, as a huge chunk of the rock split apart from the cavern roof. “Well, whatever we do, we have to do it fast!”

“I could… maybe keep the shield around us… cast a featherweight spell and have you drag us out?” Sweetie offered. “But I can’t keep a mountain from crashing us to death even with more of Twilight’s magic.”

“That’s it, Sweetie!” the amulet’s voice exclaimed. “In my bag! There’s a brooch I’ve been working on. If we use the feather spell…” the amulet flashed and Sweetie Belle felt the familiar touch of magic descend upon her as the pull of the ground beneath her lessened once again. “And if we use the brooch’s sigil, it’s an attraction spell. We can use it to pull Scootaloo up out of the mountain, and we’ll trail behind her, before we’re crushed to smithereens.”

“More reverse-kite-flying?” Scootaloo let out a short laugh as the falling chunk of rock collided near them, sending a spray of rocky shrapnel at their shield. “Sure, I could probably get out, if I’m lucky. But how can we all possibly get out of here without getting crushed?”

Apple Bloom began digging through her own saddle bags, and pulled out a length of sturdy rope. “We can use this ta keep us all tethered ta Scoots.”

The amulet’s green aura caught hold of the rope, and it sprung to life with deft finesse, and Sweetie felt as it slithered tightly around her midsection. In a moment, all three of them were bound together. “Compared to spell patterns, ropes and knots are foal’s play. Quick, though, you have to get ready. You should use the spell to help Scoots dodge the largest of the debris. Think you can do it while keeping the shield up?”

As the amulet finished talking, Sweetie noticed a brooch float in front of her for a moment. It was a silver clip with three green-silver stones forming a triangle. The metal had detailed series of lines and circles etched into it with the same coloured crystal. The brooch clipped into her hair.

Sweetie’s eyes narrowed and she ignored the tell-tale signs of magic exhaustion creeping through her. Sharing so much magic and maintaining such a strong shield was more taxing than anything else she had ever done. “I’ll do it. Be fast.”

Scootaloo bolted into the air, pumping her wings vigorously. Sweetie felt the rope tug, pulling both her and Apple Bloom in tow. While keeping the shield spell firmly under her grasp, she pulled on a second stream of magic and shot it into the silver brooch. She felt her magic transform in her grasp, as if she had cast the spell herself.

“The spell has two points to direct!” the other Sweetie Belle urged. “You need to pick Scootaloo as one, and the other should be whatever you want to pull her toward.”

Instinctively, she directed one part of the spell toward Scootaloo while she squinted past her own shield, preparing to dodge the largest of the debris.

A massive boulder cracked off of the widening skylight and plummeted toward them. “Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom called out in warning.

“I see it!” the pegasus shouted as she twisted her flight path with a few furious wing beats, but with the rope dragging behind her, the maneuver was sluggish.

Sweetie threw the other end of the spell to a nearby wall, and Scootaloo let out a yelp as she was yanked sharply sideways, pulling all of them with her. The shield hit hard against the cavern wall, as several tons of rock fell past them.

“Watch what you’re doing Sweetie!” Scootaloo shouted as she righted herself and flew toward the bright opening.

“Sorry! It was either that or die!” Sweetie called back. “Next time I’ll let the rock hit!”

“Yeah, you do that!” the pegasus retorted and Sweetie felt a sharp tug as Scootaloo sped up.

The tension in Sweetie’s forehead began to build and she felt her shield beginning to slip from her grasp. Gritting her teeth, she peered up, past it and Scootaloo. The ceiling had deep cracks running through it, yet at the center, a gaping hole filled her eyes with a bright white light.

“Hey, Scoots,” she called out with a pained grin on her face as she let her shield spell slip out of her grasp, “get ready for some speed!”

She pulled at the fragment’s magic and the powerful stream seared her from overuse, yet she managed to force it into the silver brooch. From there she quickly tagged Scootaloo and the distant lip of the ceiling.

The effect was immediate as they hurtled toward the ceiling, and she noticed the piece of rock she had targeted fissure and shoot out toward them.

“No!” she yelled and shot the spell one last time at the coming rock and section of rock to her side.

The projectile shot by Scootaloo’s left side, shearing off a few of her feathers. The pegasus winced, while the stone shattered to pieces as it collided with the cavern wall. But Scootaloo showed no signs of stopping.

With a pained scream, she shot out through the skylight. They were met with a burst of chill air as they drifted away from the crumbling mountain summit.

Sweetie let out a small sigh of relief and she let go of the last traces of magic she had been clutching. Suddenly, she saw Scootaloo’s left wing buckle, and they began falling in an eerily slow fashion of tangled of rope and limbs.

And then she felt a tingle, that she recognized as the fading of magic within her body. She managed to cast one quick glance to a small alpine forest below, as gravity tightened its grip on her. “Oh, that’s just perfect…”

Together, they fell toward the trees, Scootaloo frantically flailed her wings, wincing as she did so, but to no avail. Her friends pulled on her as deadweight, and she was pulled down with them.

In a cacophony of yells and shattering tree branches, they came to a stop. Sweetie crashed through and came to a stop in the embracing boughs of a large evergreen. The shards of Twilight and Discord came to a rest, hovering beside her.

She saw Apple Bloom plummet past her in a yellow blur, her rope no longer around her. She landed in a fit of uncontrolled rolls on the needle-ridden ground.

Once the last of the branches stopped cracking, a short silence settled in until Apple Bloom’s pained moans from below were the first to break the silence.

“I-is everypony alive?” Sweetie croaked, her head spinning and her horn feeling like it was about to split in half.

“Darn it,” Scootaloo’s voice filtered through from the branches up above. “I swear, your plans are the worst, Sweetie!”

“And which Sweetie are you talking to, huh?” the amulet sparkled in her amusement.

“You! Her! Both of you!” Scootaloo gave a dry chuckle. “Why is it that when we follow one of your plans, even five years after we’ve gotten our cutie marks, we still end up getting covered in tree sap?”

“Because tree sap is an excellent insulator?” Sweetie offered. “I dunno! Pine trees like me! They just want to share the friendship.”

“‘Share the friendship’? What’s that even-? Woah!” Scootaloo shouted in surprise and some of the nearby, upper tree branches shuffled vigorously as a flurry of orange wings and purple hair fell down past Sweetie. Scootaloo’s fall stopped short of the ground as the rope around her midsection held firm and tight.

“Darn it!” she wheezed, as she struggled to reach the rope with her mouth. “A little help here?”

Sweetie’s magic eventually enveloped the rope and soon all three fillies were on the ground, still covered in pine needles and tree sap. Before either Scootaloo or Applebloom could react, Sweetie was already hugging them tight. She held them close before letting them go and looking at them with apologetic eyes.

“I’m so sorry!” she cried. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry I was so selfish and I wanted to die. I’m sorry I said those things to you two, and that I wasted the time I could have spent being your friend arguing over everything!”

“That’s what friends do, we argue,” Apple Bloom said, as she struggled to pull herself up, but collapsed back to the ground. “Ah think Ah need ta rest fer a moment.”

“Just because you thought those things isn’t what’s important. What matters is what you did do. You really did save us back there. There’s no need to be sorry.”

“The hay there isn’t!” Scootaloo shouted. “You’d both better be sorry! None of this would have happened if we just followed my plan and never entered that dumb tower. It’s gonna take at least a week or two before I can fly straight again!”

“That’s just her way of saying she’s sorry.” The amulet flashed and let out a small laugh.

Sweetie pulled Scootaloo for another hug. “I forgive you,” she whispered into her mane. “If you forgive me.”

“I- Wait, what!?” Scootaloo pushed out of the hug, her face turning red. “Darn it! Why does everypony misinterpret everything I say?”

“Ah told ya before, it’s because ya don’t say what ya mean,” Apple Bloom said with a chuckle.

Scootaloo scowled at all of them and then pointed a hoof at Sweetie. “Well, what I meant to say is, that you’d better remember that you’re sorry, or you’ll just end up making that mistake in the future.”

“Huh, that’s surprisingly sensible, comin’ from you.”

“Shut it, Bloom!”

“Aww, isn’t she adorable?” Sweetie asked, grinning at Scootaloo. “The last time she turned so red was when I kissed her!”

* * *

Situated on a rocky vista, Sweetie Belle sat, looking down past the pine trees at a city of crystal, standing proudly at the center of a sprawling prairie, the buildings glistening in the evening sunlight. As picturesque a place as any a traveller, dimensional or otherwise, could hope to find.

She had decided to stop there, once the headache from magic fatigue had abated.

“And there’s the Crystal Empire, finally free o’ storm clouds,” Apple Bloom observed from behind, finally catching up to her. The earth pony was limping heavily, and being supported by Scootaloo. “It’s just an hour or two from here.”

“Hmm, yeah. It’ll be nice to finally get there,” Scootaloo chimed in. “This is the last time I’m ever letting Sweetie plan a summer trip.” She let out a small chuckle. “What’s she doin’ anyway?”

“She just finished teaching me how to funnel magic from Twilight’s fragments without absorbing them…” Sweetie explained. “It’s fascinating. I never thought of even draining magic from crystals and such… and it’s something so obvious! If we can store energy in a matrix or a simple crystal, we should be able to use them as ‘batteries’ of sorts! And the best thing is, since Twilight’s fragments renew their magic naturally, I’m not affecting them like I would by absorbing them! Why didn’t anypony think of this before?!”

“Well, Ah think whoever that guy was, back in the cave. Ah think he figured out he could use it too,” Apple Bloom remarked. “A battery, huh? Ah wonder if we can replicate it effectively enough…”

“Sure, if we had something like Twilight’s fragment, we could use it to power our contraption almost indefinitely.” The amulet flashed excitedly. “But I think I’ve learned enough to make it work without such a big power source. With these matrices that she uses, and the right materials, I think I can get it to work. Might take more than a few tests though.”

“And Discord’s fragment?” Apple Bloom wondered, tapping her saddle bag. “Are ya goin’ ta try and use that fer the contraption?”

“No, I don’t know if we could get enough power out of it. But once the other Sweetie leaves and I get my body back, there are a few things I want to check out about that fragment, so keep it away from the amulet for now; I don’t want it to accidentally get absorbed while I’m distracted. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to use Scoddri like that. I want to make him whole again.”

“Geez,” Scootaloo muttered, “it’s always magic and contraptions with you two.”

Apple Bloom sat herself down gingerly onto the ground and let out a tired sigh. “Well, Ah’ll let ya figure it out Sweetie. When we get ta the city, you can work on the designs. Ah can’t fully wrap mah head ‘round how all the magic works. But if ya say his fragment won’t work, then Ah’ll trust yer judgement.”

“So, then what are we doing up here, when we could be going to the city?” Scootaloo wondered. “And I mean in non-magic jargon.”

Sweetie’s horn flashed for a moment and her notebook levitated, with two of Twilight’s fragments orbiting it instead of one. “I needed to cast a spell to take the fragment with me…” she explained, smiling sadly at the pair. “But that also means it’s time for me to go… as soon as I send my notebook away, I’ll be unable to stay.”

She took a deep breath, admiring the view. “It’s sad…when I get back I’ll be much older than you two are in my original universe. I wonder if I’ll be able to go out on adventures with my Scoots and my Apple Bloom,” Sweetie mused. “I know they’ll be there for me… but more and more I notice the age gap between me and them.” She sighed. “When I see them again, I hope they know I still love them, even if… even if I’m not going to be able to go crusading with them.”

“If they’re anything like us, they’d never forget ya,” Apple Bloom assured her.

“Of course they won’t. And if they do forget that you were their best friend, you just need to remind them!” The emerald amulet shot out small lightning-shaped bolts of magic, which diffused into the open air. “Magic has so many good uses.”

Scootaloo finally stepped forth and cast her gaze aside, uncomfortable for a moment, then stared right in her eyes. “And don’t you forget that we’re your friends either. If you do, I’ll get Sweetie to track you down, and we’ll give you a sound reminder, all three of us.”

Sweetie chuckled and nodded, eyes misting up a little. “I will. I’ll miss you three. It’s been great. I hope, wherever I end up next, that I can see you soon.” The dimensional pocket opened next to her, allowing her notebook to go in. “Bye girls. And good luck!”

As soon as the dimensional pocket closed around the notebook and the two fragments, Sweetie disappeared in a flash of light. The emerald necklace containing the local Sweetie Belle clattered to the ground, beside her saddlebags. But of her, there was no sign.

* * *

“Sweetie?” Scootaloo called out tentatively and walked over to the amulet. “Why didn’t she get her body back?”

“Well… darn,” Sweetie’s voice came as the amulet flashed. “I wasn’t expecting that. Where the hay is my body?”

“She lied to us!” Scootaloo scowled. “Damn her!”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Oh, come on Scootaloo, we all know she wouldn’t lie to us like that. Ya know, she probably has no clue what happens after she leaves.”

“We have to fix this!” Sweetie’s panicked words flowed from the amulet, sounding distorted in their haste. “If she wasn’t using my body, then where is my body?! I can’t just stay in an amulet forever. I have to do something!”

Apple Bloom bent over and picked up Sweetie’s vessel with a hoof. “Well, you’ve been in there fer about a day now. What’s another few hours? Maybe we can figure it out when we get ta the city.”

“But you aren’t the one that’s trapped inside a dumb necklace. I can’t move, or sleep, or breathe in here. My body could be wasting away right now. What if it’s back in that tower without me inside of it? What if we can’t go back? Do you even know what this feel’s like?”

Apple Bloom rubbed her forehead and winced. “It feel’s like yer complainin’ is givin’ me a headache. Scootaloo, you carry her.”

“Hey! Don’t ignore me like that!”

End of Chapter 14

Chapter 15 - Trapped

A Heart of Change – Chapter 15: Trapped
By: SilentBelle

The walk through the forest would have been quite pleasant for Apple Bloom under just about any other circumstances. The fresh alpine air, clear skies and setting sun, they all played a stark contrast to the bruises and welts that covered her own body. Not to mention the disheveled mess of a mane that kept slipping in the periphery of her eyes, no matter which way she prodded the strands with her hooves.

She let out a heavy sigh as she continued the trek down the sloping forest. She cast a glance back, and Scootaloo seemed to be in just as poor shape as she was.

The pegasus' wings remained tucked in at her side and she carried Sweetie's bags while she walked slowly over series of sprawling pine roots. She had a few cuts and blemishes marking her face, and the uneven rhythm of her stride spoke volumes to the state her hind legs must be in. And amongst it all, the amulet around her neck flashed regularly, indicating Sweetie Belle's unceasing presence.

Her body's gone, Apple Bloom thought to herself, and Ah have no idea what happened to it. Of course we need ta find out what happened and find a way ta fix it quickly. Her body could be wastin' away, if it doesn't eat or drink water... She shook her head. Worryin' does us no good right now, though. We need ta get ta the city.

“Just a bit further!” Apple Bloom called out encouragement to Scootaloo. “If we stop now, we probably won't be able to start again. At least not 'til morning. Once we're in the city we can find an inn, or motel, or somethin'.”

“I'd be just as fine with a pile of hay right now,” Scootaloo responded as she trundled on. “Just anything that's not stone.”

Eventually the stunted forest broke before them, the trees gave way to bushes which led to an expanse of prairie. Apple Bloom looked out at the sea of tall grasses before her, burning red in the light of the setting sun. The individual blades easily reached shoulder height and beyond their seeded tips, the Crystal Empire stood, like a mountain, proudly jutting out from the grassy expanse. It glowed in the amber and ruby light of the reflected sun.

“It must be less than two miles away,” Apple Bloom said with a hint of wonder in her voice. “It'll be the first time enterin' the city on hoof. No wonder some ponies call it the 'Jewel o' the North'.”

Scootaloo moved up beside her. “Well, at least the ground's not sloping anymore.” She took a step into the field and nearly lost her balance. “Ew, gross! The ground's gone all mushy under the grass!”

“Ah guess there was more that just lightnin' fallin' from the storm clouds,” Apple Bloom remarked as she stepped into the grasses. “But it's just a bit o' water. Don't worry 'bout it, we're almost there.”

“It's the last leg of the race,” Sweetie Belle's voice chimed in.

“And I'm walking it, thanks to your bags.” Scootaloo gave the offending burden a glare. “Geez, Sweetie, did you have to put so much stuff in them? It feels like it's full of rocks and pointy objects.”

“It is. Oh, and it has two books as well.”

“It's just like you to pack books that you wouldn't be reading during our trip,” Scootaloo let out a small heartless laugh.

“Hey, I didn't plan on being pulled into some large-scale conflict like this! You can hardly blame me for thinking I'd have time to get some more reading done.”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom forged on through the grassy plains step by step. The squish of the spongy ground played an odd rhythm while numerous birds called out from the pines behind them. Soon, the two ponies both wore a similar frown that only deepened with every step they took.

“Damn it all,” Scootaloo muttered to herself. “Sweetie, why'd you have to go and have your body get disappeared like that?”

“For the last time Scoots, I didn't plan on that happening. I'm still not sure what happened. The other Sweetie said I'd get my body back, but it didn't come back. Something about the magic was different from the first time. It’s like something was missing. I'm trying to figure out exactly what happened so I can fix it,” her voice sounded strained as she spoke. “But just make sure not to bring the fragment of Discord too close to me. If I absorb it, then I won't be able to use magic anymore unless it were specifically channeled through the amulet. And that would mean no more talking.”

“Celestia forbid that ever happened.” Apple Bloom chuckled lightly.

“What? Do you think it's funny that I'm stuck in here Bloom?”

“No, Ah'm just tired, Sweetie. We all are.” Apple Bloom tapped the side of her saddlebags with a hoof. “Don't worry 'bout the fragment. Ah'll keep it safe until ya figure out what ya have ta do.”

“I just wish I could have my body back...”

“Then you'll just have ta make that wish a reality. Right?” Apple Bloom shot the amulet a tired smile. “It's just that simple.”

Sweetie Belle laughed at her words. “Simple in theory, but hard in practice.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “As most worthwhile things are. But Ah know you're not one ta give up when it comes down ta it.”

“I won't give up. I will get my body back.

“O' course ya will. Just try not ta blow up the whole o' the Crystal Empire in the process.”

Scootaloo merely looked toward the setting sun as it slipped behind a distant mountain behind the Crystal Empire. Apple Bloom notice the pegasus let out a small sigh.

“Somethin' wrong, Scootaloo?”

Apple Bloom's question seemed to startle her, and Scootaloo brought her gaze back to Apple Bloom. “What? No, it's nothing. Let's just get to the Empire quick, the sun's almost fully set.”

Huh... What are ya thinkin' 'bout Scootaloo? Apple Bloom wondered as they lapsed back into a shared silence. I wish I could figure you out sometimes. Compared to you, Sweetie Belle's an open book.

The two ponies stumbled out of the grassy plains and onto the hard-packed main road that lead into the city. Apple Bloom let out a sigh of relief to have firm ground beneath her hooves once again.

Turning her sights upon the entrance to the city, she spotted no less than four guards standing alert at the city's entrance. “Makes sense. With a crisis like that storm, they're probably aren't takin' any chances.”

“What? They think four guards would stop another storm?” Scootaloo asked with a roll of her eyes. “They'd probably be better off helping with repairing some of those buildings.”

Apple Bloom noticed that a number of the crystalline structures that formed the periphery of the city had dark marks on them, and a few had collapsed or outright shattered. “Even with the shield, the storms did some real damage.”

“The shield must have begun to crumble before we stopped the storm,” Sweetie Belle insisted. “I wonder if Cadence is alright. The shield spell is quite powerful and effective, but the amount of energy it takes would probably be quite taxing.”

“So that guy behind the storms was actually pretty close ta destroying the city after all?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “We need ta talk ta the princess. We know that the guy is still out there plotting revenge. We have ta warn them.”

“What about sleep?” Scootaloo asked in irritation. “Can't we discuss that sort of stuff in the morning?”

“Ah, reckon we will. But as soon as we get in, we'll talk ta Princess Cadence and tell her what we know. It shouldn't take too long.” Apple Bloom moved forward with Scootaloo tagging behind. “But Sweetie, ya might want ta be careful about when ya speak. It would be easier if most ponies assumed that we’re just two ponies.”

“But talking's just about the only thing I can do right now. Geez, if I can't even do that-”

“Quit complainin'! We'll get it sorted out soon enough. Ah just don't want ta have to explain what happened ta every single pony we meet. Like these fellas.

At the city entrance the four guards stood, wearing metallic, gray armour. They all looked to be on-edge as they glared at the two approaching ponies. “Halt!” one of the guards, a silvery crystal pony, shouted before Apple Bloom was even thirty feet away. “Who are you?! State your business!”

Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks. “Mah name's Apple Bloom, and this is Scootaloo. We were on our way here from Ponyville when our train was derailed. We walked the rest o' the way here, and now that the storm is over, we're seeking refuge in the Crystal Empire and an audience with Princess Cadence.”

“You and all the farm-folk!” the same guard retorted. “The city is full-up. We're on lock-down. Sorry, but we can't just let anypony into the city. Go around to the other side of the city and hang out with the other farmers until the lock-down is lifted.”

“But we just came from the diamond dogs to the east, and bring with us words from the clan leader Granette. The diamond dogs are willing to aid their allies however they can, and from the looks of the damage, the Crystal Empire could use all the help it can get. It's imperative that we speak with the princess about this!” Apple Bloom insisted.

The guard frowned at them while one of his companions let out a small sigh and tapped him on the shoulder. “You really think we can afford to turn them away? They might have valuable information. Besides, even if they are just lying to get into the city, it's just two young mares, and they look like they've been through Tartarus and back. Can you really turn them away? Even if they hung around the other farmers, they almost look like they wouldn't make the night.”

“They should stay outside the city,” the silver guard argued back. “Look, I'm the leader here, and we are following protocol. We were told not to let anypony in until the lock-down is lifted. I'm not going to be known as Silver Wake: the guard who failed to do his job! If they have valuable information then they can tell us, and we'll relay it. If the higher-ups want them inside the city after they hear that information, then that's on them.”

“What's his problem?” Scootaloo began stepping forward with a scowl on her face, but Apple Bloom tossed out an imposing hoof.

“Let me handle it,” Apple Bloom whispered to her friend as she moved closer. “You, Silver Wake!” Apple Bloom shouted accusingly at the guard. “We've come here as official delegates from the Black Snout Clan! We have specific, sensitive information about the cause of the storm and how it worked!” Apple Bloom closed in on the guards. “And we are both sisters to bearers o' the Elements of Harmony. Every moment you spend keeping us outside o' this city is another moment that ya don't have to prepare for what's about ta happen next. Ya think yer princess would appreciate not havin' such valuable information at a time like this?”

The guard frowned at her words, but then finally gave a tired sigh. “Fine! You two mares follow me, I'll take you to the palace. But if it turns out that you've been lying, you'll wish that you never set hoof in this city. This is a time of crisis, we will not tolerate any shenanigans. And the rest of you!” he shouted to his guard-mates. “Make sure that nopony else gets in until I get back!”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both nodded and kept up with the guard's quick pace. Apple Bloom didn't have much time to take in the scenery, but she took note of how few ponies there were on the streets. “Wow, this looks pretty bad,” she muttered.

“The storm was the worst we've ever seen,” Silver Wake replied, drawing Apple Bloom's attention. Upon closer inspection, the crystal pony seemed to lack much of the luster that she had been expecting from them. “Nearly four solid days of lightning crashing against the city's shield and a torrent of rain. We've never seen anything like it before.” He shook his head. “It all happened after the bearers of the Elements, your sisters, came into the city earlier last week. There are some who would lay the blame of the storm on them, others have blamed the princess.” He shook his head in disgust. “But I'm smart enough to know that the blame doesn't lie with with either. It's been a tough week and tempers are frayed, I've had to stop more than a few fights myself. If there is a larger threat, as you implied, then it's best that we do not tarry.”

They walked toward the center of the city. The palace loomed ahead, sparkling with numerous coloured crystals.

Scootaloo spread her wings and stretched them lightly as they walked. “So, why do you have the city locked down? If the storm's over, I figured everypony would be out rebuilding and fixing the damage,” Scootaloo pointed out.

Silver Wake glared at the pegasus. “I just get my orders from the higher-ups. They don't want any ponies entering the city until they've solved whatever problem it is that they have. I'm taking a big risk just letting you in.”

“There's something more at work here, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom added. “I think the guy who made the storm might have been doing more than just powering the storm with that magic.”

“Yeah...” Scootaloo mumbled. “Well, I guess it's all pretty much out of our hooves now. We just need to tell the princess what we know and then hopefully catch some shut-eye.”

They arrived at the palace entrance. Silver Wake nodded to two of the guards on duty.

“Silver wake, Sir, please halt,” one of them called out. “It's just protocol, but please state your business.”

Silver gave the two a salute. “Of course. I'm bringing these two mares in to talk with the princess. They have sensitive information on the situation, and it is imperative that they receive an audience immediately.

Both of the guards looked nervously to each other. “Well, we'll let you in, Sir, but you'll have to ask the higher-ups to gain an audience.” They stepped to the side, and opened the doors. “I sure will be glad when this crisis is over with...” one of them muttered.

Once inside, the whole palace seemed to be alight with a dim glow, and had Apple Bloom the leisure, she'd have taken a moment just to study the thick and intricate crystal walls. As hurried as they were, a passing glance would have to suffice. I wonder how they managed to make the walls look as though they are made of one solid block of crystal. There must be some sort of trick to it.

“So, you two are sisters of the bearers of the Elements? I don't suppose you know why they came here five days ago?” Silver Wake asked as he ushered them deeper into the palace.

“Ah can't say they ever told us exactly. Ah just found out the day they left. Mah sister's note said they wouldn’t be too long, but I think it's already been too long. Maybe the Princess knows where they went.” Apple Bloom wasn't about to spill the fact that they assumed their sisters had been crystallized. Hay, I'm not even certain that guy wasn't just playin' us fer fools with some clever illusion. Maybe Sweetie can use her magic to verify whether they really were stopped like that. In any case, it's always best to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Silver Wake led them up a number of shiny stairways and though lengthy hallways until they arrived outside a large set of double doors with two more guards standing at attention.

Silver Wake stepped forward. “Guards, I have brought two ponies who have information pertaining to the storm and its origin. It is vital that they receive an audience with the princess right away. I request that you let their presence be known to her.”

“The princess isn't holding any more audiences tonight,” a rose-coloured guard replied. “They can wait in the guest chambers until they are called upon. What are their names?”

“We're Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, sisters of the Elements of Harmony. Please, it's urgent. We have to talk with the princess as soon as possible.”

“I understand,” the rose guard said stoically. “However, everypony is in a hurry at the moment. Please wait in the guest chambers until you are called for. The princess will see you when she can.”

“Well, I'm fine with that,” Scootaloo muttered. “Where are the guest quarters?”

Silver Wake sighed lightly. “Follow me. I'll take you to them. I suppose it's better than just standing, staring into the night for hours on end.” He gave the two of them a dubious glance and raised an eyebrow. “There are also some royal bathing chambers that might be worth your while to check out.”

“Hey, are you implying something?” Scootaloo asked and stared down the stallion as he walked on down the hall.

Apple Bloom sniffed the air then laughed while blushing slightly. “Yeah, Ah guess that's good to know. Thanks. Just let us know where it is, and Ah'm certain we'll make good use of it.”

* * *

Without a second thought, Scootaloo tossed Sweetie Belle's bags onto the floor beside the bed of their guest chambers. The bags landed with a soft thud on a plush red carpet which framed the bed. The chamber itself was large and held two beds. There was a set of sliding windows that lead to a balcony which overlooked a portion of the city. “It's finally starting to seem like we might be on a vacation. I don't think I've ever stayed in a room this... upscale.”

“Hey, watch where you throw that!” Sweetie's voice piped up. “I have important stuff in there.”

Scootaloo snorted. “Yeah, sure, as if tossing the bag a few feet would break anything more, considering what we've already been through. Next time don't pack it so heavily.”

“Well, at least I did pack!”

“Whatever.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes then moved over to the door. “Bloom, I'm going to hit up those bathing chambers. You coming'?”

“Nah, I'll take a bath in a bit. I'm gonna grab some grub first,” Apple Bloom said as she set down her own bags gently beside the other bed. “I'll bring ya back some as well.”

“Thanks.” Scootaloo nodded in appreciation. “I'll be back in a bit. I just need to get this darn sap outta my mane.”

Scootaloo pushed open the doors and quickly made her way down the halls of the palace. She didn't see any other ponies walking the hall, and only noticed a couple guards as she passed by a large opaque crystal door. She slowly spread her wings as she walked. They were sore, but she needed to stretch them to work out the worst of the pulled muscles and strained tendons. “I guess almost everypony is asleep,” she said aloud. “It must be getting close to midnight.”

“Still, you'd think there'd be a lot more folk out and about. I guess the storm crisis must have been pretty taxing on everypony.”

“Well, your guess is as good as mine.” Scootaloo continued down the hall and took the first right. “Sure hope that bath is open all day and night.”

“You really think that Silver Wake would recommend we go there if we weren't allowed in?” Sweetie Belle japed. “A guard wouldn't do that to guests.”

Scootaloo shot the amulet a small scowl. “He was sort of a jerk. I wouldn't put it past him.”

She continued on down the hall, which had a flight of stairs heading downward. She could smell a warm humidity filling the air as she began her descent.

“I think everypony is just a bit tired, yourself included, Scootaloo.”

“Well, sorry for feeling tired after trekking through caves and forests all day. Oh, and let's not forget that I was almost eaten alive by some stupid dragon.” Scootaloo snorted. “Of course I'm tired.”

“Well, at least you can still feel tired,” Sweetie Belle muttered.

Scootaloo pushed open a set of double doors and was overcome by a warm gust as she entered the room. One large circular pool of water was the centerpiece of the room, plumes of steam rose from its surface. While numerous glowing crystals decorated the ceiling, casting a warm ambient light down into the steam. As she had hoped, there was nopony else in the room, she had the bath all to herself.

“Why would you want to be tired?” she asked the amulet as she looked around the room. In a moment she spotted what she was looking for. Along the side of the room, there were a series of wooden bins each filled with a towel and a compliment of lotions and cleaners.

Sweetie Belle let out an exasperated sigh. “It's not that I want to be tired. I just want my body back.”

Scootaloo picked up the basket and brought it to the side of the shallow pool. Bowing her head, she slipped the amulet off gently onto her towel and after a few moments she managed to unlatch her bracelet. She then entered the hot waters and winced as numerous welts, cuts, and bruises burned for a moment. Bracing herself, she sat down and felt her muscles and joints begin to melt. She let out a tired sigh. “Is it really so bad, Sweetie? Having no body, I mean. Sure, you might not get to relax in a nice luxurious bath like this, but you also don't get tired from staying awake, or have a bunch of cuts from a cave falling on you. Plus you don't have to eat, drink, or sleep.”

“Bad? That doesn't even begin to describe it. It's awful! I can't move, Scootaloo! If I didn't have my magic, I'd begin to doubt if I even existed. Can you even understand what it's like to question whether you are even alive anymore?” She paused for a moment then began quietly, “I'm scared. I need to get my body back. I know it has to be somewhere! Bodies don't just disappear, Scootaloo, it's impossible!”

“But then how are we going to find it?” Scootaloo asked as she began applying a finely scented shampoo to her mane, it smelled vaguely of some citrus fruit. “If you knew where it was, I'd fly out right away and bring you to it.”

“I've been thinking about that. We'll find some crystals to use real soon and then I can scry for my body. But if it's been sitting somewhere without me inside it... and without food or water...” Sweetie Belle's voice trembled. “What if I'm dead, Scootaloo?”

“You aren't dead!” Scootaloo shouted, staring right at the amulet. “We'll find your body no matter what!” And if we can't, I'll give you mine. I promise, Sweetie, I'll help you however I can.

“Scoots... Thanks.” Scootaloo could imagine her friend giving her a genuine smile. “I know I can always count you.”

For all the good it's worth... Scootaloo thought sadly as she busied herself with cleaning and soaking out the soreness of her limbs.

After a few more minutes, Scootaloo felt her head drooping and she shook herself back into alertness. “I really need some sleep though.” With a tinge of regret, she pulled herself out of the comforting waters and began drying herself off with a towel.

“And I might as well put my forced-insomnia to good use.” Sweetie Belle chimed in as she was placed back around Scootaloo's neck. “If you wouldn't mind, would you fish a gem or two out of my bag for me when we get back to the room. I have some scrying to do.”

“Mm hmph,” Scootaloo mumbled her affirmative as she fumbled with latching her bracelet. After a moment it she finally got it to hook properly. “Geez, you really need to make your next bracelet be easier on ponies who can't use magic.”

“Maybe I just like to watch you struggle.” Sweetie Belle laughed as Scootaloo exited the bathing chamber.

Scootaloo came to a halt as she saw Apple Bloom making her way down the stairs. Her disheveled mane and drooping eyes reminded Scootaloo of how she had felt only half an hour earlier. “The bath's really good, Bloom. How's the food?”

“A mite better than oats,” Apple Bloom said with a laugh. “Ah left ya some in our room.”

“Thanks.” Scootaloo smiled as she passed her friend and moments later heard the door close. “Maybe I'll actually get a good night's rest now that we'll have a decent meal and we aren't sleeping on stone anymore.”

“Don't worry Scoots! If you're having a nightmare all you have to do is say my name and I'll help you out.”

Scootaloo paled a bit. “I thought I told you to stop calling me Scoots,” she said with half-hearted gusto. “Besides, you're in an amulet. How are you supposed to help me when I'm asleep?”

“Well, you know... It's the thought that counts.”

Scootaloo made her way back to the room and pushed her way in through their door. “You don't have to worry about me, though. You've already got enough to focus on at the moment. Just do your best to find where your body is.”

She moved over and set the amulet down on her end table, fished through Sweetie's bags for a couple of gemstones and set them beside the amulet. “Now, where's that food?” She turned and spotted a plate on a table in the corner of the room.

She moved over to it and found a couple sandwiches and small bowl filled with crystalline berries. Curious, she took a berry into her mouth and chewed it. “Wow, they taste like really sweet blueberries. Pretty awesome.”

“Oh, those are crystal berries. They're a delicacy of the north. I've always wanted to try some. I know Rarity says it's the source of one of her favourite vintages. Now there’s even more incentive for me to find my body as quickly as possible.”

Scootaloo quickly finished off all the food on her plate and stumbled over to her bed. “Well, if you find any leads, you know where I'll be,” she said with a deep yawn. “Goodnight.”

“'Night, Scoots.”

Scootaloo just rolled her eyes at the annoying nickname, but then smiled at her own annoyance and let the soft embrace of sleep whisk her away.

* * *

Sweetie Belle took note as Scootaloo quickly fell asleep. Darn, she must have been exhausted. I don't know how either of them did it. If I'd still had my body, I would have needed to stop more than once to make the trek all the way here. Well, I may as well get scrying then...

She reached out to the solid emerald stream of magic which came from Apple Bloom's bags. She manipulated the magic and tossed it toward one of the two gems that Scootaloo had left beside her. I'll start with the amethyst. She quickly began to pull the magic out of the gem and reached out with another strand of her magic toward her own saddle bags. After a moment she found what she was looking for, a single bit of her own white hair that had been shed while she had worn the saddlebags.

She formed the glowing green magic into the pattern for a scrying spell. She focused for a moment on the hair. The spell flashed, connecting to her amulet and began spreading outward slowly, searching for a match to the hair. The spell alerted her to more hairs as it passed over the saddlebags. She ignored that useless bit of information and fed the spell as it spread ever outwards and quicker. It passed the palace walls and detected no further hairs. It continued outward into the Crystal Empire and still she felt nothing. Time passed as it kept expanding, eventually reaching the distant mountains and the old broken tower. Inside, she only found the barest trace of her hairs spread throughout the chamber. Most likely from the other Sweetie Belle... Where the hay did my body go?! Damn it all! If I don't find it soon, I might not have a body anymore! With a soft crack like an egg being broken, the gemstone fell to a dusty sand, and she felt her spell dissipate.

“Sweetie, what are ya up ta?” Apple Bloom whispered from the open doorway. Sweetie had been so focused on the spell, she hadn't noticed her friend's arrival.

“Just trying to find my body.” She couldn't hide the sound of hollow disappointment that rang through her words. “It's gone Bloom, it shouldn't be possible, but it is. Or at least if it isn't gone, then it's been moved miles and mile away. What can I do, Bloom? I think I'm out of options.”

Apple Bloom moved into the room. Her glowing form was far tidier thanks to the bath. “Don't ya worry. We will find a way to get yer body back. That takes priority ta everythin' else. Tomorrow we'll talk ta Princess Cadence and Ah'm sure they'll help us out however they can.”

“But what if that's too late? What if my body dies before then? What if-”

Scootaloo squirmed and groaned slightly at Sweetie Belle's panicked words.

“Then that's what happens, Sweetie.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Look, Ah ain't goin' ta sugar-coat it. But are ya really gonna let a missing body stop ya?”

“But if I don't have a body, then that means I'm dead, Apple Bloom!”

“Look Sweetie, Ah really don't feel up ta arguin' with ya about this right now. Ah'm 'bout ready ta lose mah own body if Ah don't catch some sleep. Sorry.” She moved over and got into the plush bed.

“Yeah, okay... Sorry for lashing out at you. I just feel so helpless and useless... Damn it...”

“Well, why not try and remember exactly what ya saw happening 'round ya before-” Apple Bloom yawned. “Ya ended up inside that amulet. Maybe we can go back and check the tower out fer clues or somethin'.”

You think I haven't already thought back to it a thousand times? She didn't voice her thoughts and instead let the earthpony go to sleep. There was something like teleportation, but there was something bigger to it. The pattern was constantly changing. Like the other Sweetie's spells with her book and cello... Four dimensions... She mulled the idea around for a moment. “But how am I supposed to cast a spell that's always changing? If I change the pattern for the spell it will dissipate at best and explode if I'm unlucky.

As she considered what the spell would look like, she noticed a subtle spark of magic flicker nearby. It came from Scootaloo, seeping out from her closed eyelids. That magic... it's him! Grabbing the other nearby gem, she thought back to the other Sweetie Belle, in a moment, she formed a full shield spell around the pegasus.

But the magic remained there, in spite of the shield. It's not coming from outside, but within? She studied the sickly green and purple pattern. There was something almost corrosive about the magic. Tentatively she reached out a tendril of her own magic and gave it a prod. In an instant she felt her magic slip from her grasp and she saw the evil spell flash brightly for a moment.

“Ah, so we meet again. You didn't honestly think I'd let you all get away with my shards of Discord, did you?” a calm, deep voice called out to her. “I'm sure we'll meet again soon enough. Perhaps even face to face.”

Sweetie Belle tried to reply with words, but she no longer felt any magic under her control. You! You bastard! What are you doing to Scootaloo!? She wanted to scream her thoughts aloud.

“Nothing that you can fix.” The voice laughed cruelly, then it was gone. But the magic remained, seeping from Scootaloo.

The violet and green magic seemed tightly connected to her friend, almost like it was a part of her, it intertwined with the pegasus’ own latent magics. Damn it! She reached with all her will toward the shard in Apple Bloom's bag, and eventually found the slightest thread spinning toward her. With it, she shot it toward the gemstone beside her and pulled what little magic remained into her amulet.

That magic... how can I stop it?

Scootaloo winced in pain and began tossing and turning. “No! You can't!” she protested weakly in her sleep. “No! No, Sweetie! You can't take her too!” Scootaloo began shaking slightly and tears slipped out from her closed eyes.

“Scoots! I'm right here, Scoots! It's just a dream!” She weaved the words hoping that that they would wake her friend, but they sounded quietly and faded into silence as the rest of the magic faded from her grasp.

“We struggle as hard as we can... but we always stand still,” a pained voice said with a laugh. She noticed the faintest strand of magic that shared her pattern. “And here we are, all these years later, still helpless...”

Scoddri! Please, you have to help me! Scootaloo's being attacked by whoever that guy is! How do I stop him?

“And still so full of questions.” The voice laughed hysterically. “What have all my struggles gotten me, Sweetie Belle? And where have your struggles landed you, girl? You've followed in my very footsteps. What can we do but sit and watch the world fall to pieces around us?”

Scoddri, please!

The voice only laughed mockingly.

End of Chapter 15

Chapter 16 - Eyes of Fear and Hate

A Heart of Change – Chapter 16: Eyes of Fear and Hate
By: SilentBelle

Through closed eyelids,
She saw the world fade
To stillness, and silence.
The sound of tension.
Her body squirmed under the oily touch of eyes
In the darkness.
She was being watched.

The feeling wrapped around her,
Constricting her.
Panicked movements—flaring wings,
Only tightened the sickly embrace.

Numbness slowly filtered in,
Her struggles ceased.
Being wrapped in chilled molasses,
She couldn't resist the cocoon
Forming around her.
Too tired to scream,
Too tired to dream,
Too tired to hope.

She let go,
And watched with a single open eye.
She felt its embrace loosen,
And saw the snake's face,
Mouth agape
In a poisonous smile.

Scootaloo opened her eyes and shook her head. A dream again? Why can't I ever get some real sleep? Whatever happened to getting dreams where I could just laze around on a cloud, or fly on the wind for hours at a time? She groaned and quickly took in her surroundings. She was in a small building with wooden walls on all sides. The single room was filled with numerous tools: hammers, nails, countless types of saws, power-tools, and various metal tongs and braces whose purpose Scootaloo could only guess at. All the tools were neatly organized amidst a carpet of sawdust.

It took her a moment to realize where she was. While what was inside was vastly different than the hodgepodge of items the three crusaders had gathered year earlier, the walls of their clubhouse still maintained their unmistakable slough of scrapes, scratches and dents. Just with a cursory glance, she remembered Sweetie's attempts to dry the paint with her magic, or her own attempt to jump the clubhouse with her Scooter. While the window had been replaced, the windowsill still showed signs of the botched trick.

Along the walls of their old clubhouse, Scootaloo noticed two pictures hanging on the wall. One held the entire Apple family in front of a brand new barn, and right beside it was one of herself with a hoof slung over Sweetie Belle's shoulder. They were both covered in splotches of paint and grinning in such a pure manner, while behind them, the newly repaired clubhouse sat pristine in the sunlight.

“That must be the picture that Apple Bloom took of us,” she mused to herself aloud. “So I guess she uses this place as some sort of workshop or storage shed now? Huh, I guess that doesn't surprise me.”

She paused and shook her head curtly. No, I can't let myself get drawn into this dream. I need to get out of here! She turned away from the room of memories and moved to the door.

“Turning away from your friends so soon?” a deep voice hissed from behind her.

Scootaloo spun on the spot and searched for the snake amongst the numerous tools. “You bastard! Get out of my dream!”

“You always do run away from your problems, don't you, Scootaloo?” the voice mocked from within the room.

“You don't know anything about me! Get out!” Scootaloo shouted and shoved forward with her mind, blowing a shower of tools against the opposite side of the clubhouse and breaking a sizable hole in the wall.

Where the tools had just been, a shadow lay upon the floor, coiled and writhing. “And when you can't run, you lash out. Be it friend or enemy.” The shadow's voice said with deep amusement. “How deep the anger runs, it's what makes you such a valuable specimen. Oh, I've seen your memories girl. Indeed, it is you who doesn't know anything about me.”

Two slits opened in the shadow, revealing the wooden grain of floorboards, but then they began to glow a sickly green and violet as the snake rose from the floor. The onyx serpent lengthened and deepened, forming solidly before her, all while undulating around itself. Its mouth opened to a dark chasm, with two opalescent fangs playing gatekeeper on either side, threatening to consume her in a single bite.

“As if I'd listen to a word you have to say! It's my dream. You can't do what you want here! I won't let you!” Scootaloo shouted and blasted the snake with a crushing wave of will. You don't exist! she thought to herself. With a deafening crash, all the walls of the clubhouse burst apart, and the snake’s scales rippled, and some were torn free, revealing only a deeper, shadowy darkness within the beast.

The snake only laughed at her attack, while the building slowly began to flow back to its natural form. The wooden splinters and numerous tools all floated back to where they had been, in an ethereal manner. “Just like this dream, your struggles shall not last very long, girl.”

Scootaloo scowled at the snake, preparing another blast if the beast should move so much as an inch toward her.

“Yes, that's the glare. Anger, contempt, confusion, and fear. Yet amidst it all, you stand strong and defiant. You take it all and make it a part of you.” The snake slowed its writhing as its damaged scales idly reformed. “Pain is but a fleeting thing in a dream, and physical damage, even more so. Yet, you fear me coming close.”

“Get out of my dream!” Scootaloo repeated. “You damn nightmare! I'm not afraid of you!”

The snake hissed out a scathing laugh. “Oh yes... You are not nearly as afraid as last time. But I wonder... What you will make of this...”

The snake slowly uncoiled, revealing a white figure, with a curled pink and purple mane. Her green eyes blinked for a moment in surprise as she looked around the clubhouse. Then she noticed the shadowy form that coiled around her and her eyes widened in fear.

“Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo called out in disbelief. “But you can't bring another pony into a dream with you...”

Then in the next moment, the snake struck, driving its fangs into her neck.

“Perhaps I should reach into her dreams as well...” the snake mused aloud. “She must dream about some very interesting things.”

“No! You can't! I won't let you!” Scootaloo dove toward the snake and willed the snake off her friend with a blast. The snakes mouth was rent open and wrenched free from Sweetie Belle's limp form. Small pools of crimson puddle from the holes in her neck. “No! No, Sweetie! You can't take her too!”

“But I already have her,” the snake replied snidely.

Sweetie Belle's form managed to move shakily and she reached out a gentle hoof. “Scoots. I'm right here, Scoots,” she spoke quietly, as if to mimic the draining colour of her once-silvery coat. “It's just a dream.” With her final words spoken, her eyes closed.

“Sweetie?” Scootaloo called out as she pulled her friend into a tight hug. The sanguine streams from her friend soaked into her coat. “Come on, it's just a dream. Your body will fix itself; it always does. Dreams can't hurt you!”

“You still think this is just a mere dream?” the snake asked as he reformed himself on the far side of the clubhouse. “I am much more than that, girl. I'm always here, always hunting you. You will never escape, and eventually, you will fall.” The snake hissed as its form melded back into a mere shadow on the floorboards. “And when you do, I'll be there, waiting...”

Scootaloo discarded the mockery of Sweetie Belle. Glaring at the descending shadow, she willed a lance to strike the snake. However, she felt her will diffuse upon an unseen bulwark of the creature’s own, and her strike never took form.

“...in the darkness...” the voice finished in a low hiss, and in an instant, the shadow spread through the entire clubhouse, until all was covered in an inky blackness. Alls she could see was herself, and Sweetie Belle's dead form just before her.

With tears forming in her eyes, Scootaloo sat in the darkness. Why? The question ached in her mind. Why me? Why is he doing this? What does he want? Damn it all! What did he do to Sweetie?!

* * *

With a sharp knock at the door, Apple Bloom's eyes bolted open. She peeked out from her covers and saw the shadowy figure of a pony filtering through the semi-translucent crystalline door.

Blinking in confusion, she took a quick survey of the room and pieced together where she was. The room filtered the sun's light from above, within an hour to its noon zenith, transforming it to an aquamarine skylight. As a result, the room was adequately lit, with no need for alternate sources of illumination. Right; we're in the Crystal Empire.

She saw Scootaloo in the other bed, kicking what little remained of her bedding onto the floor as she groaned her protestations at being woken up. The pegasus' mane and tail looked to be nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. Have you always been this bad at getting up, Scootaloo? I thought you used to do early morning practices all the time. She couldn't suppress a small grin from tugging at her lips.

The loud crack of hooves on crystal echoed through the chamber. “Right, right! Come in, it's unlocked!” Apple Bloom called as she got out of her bed and ran a quick hoof through her mane.

She saw the silhouette nod and gently push open the door. A light amethyst mare entered the chamber with an apologetic smile. “Sorry for disturbing you,” the crystal pony's gentle voice chimed in.

“Oh, don't worry none.” Apple Bloom idly waved away her apology. And gave the pony a look-over. Her body was crystalline though not as translucent as Apple Bloom remembered from her previous visit to the Crystal Empire. At the mare's flank was a triangular cutie mark, with three different coloured lines marking it.

Apple Bloom wondered at the story behind the mark, but soon gave up her speculation and shook her head. “It was high time we got up. By the way, Ah'm Apple Bloom, pleased ta meet ya. So what brings you here, miss…?”

“Oh! My name is Prism.” She gave Apple Bloom a deep bow. “Lady Apple Bloom, I'm to deliver a message to you. You have been granted an audience in the throne room in an hour's time. I'm sorry it's not much time to get ready...”

“Nah, quit apologizin', an hour's plenty fine,” Apple Bloom replied, the slightest bit of discomfort leeching into her voice. “But honestly, Prism, don't go callin' me 'lady' nothin'. Ah'm as far as ya get from a lady. Just call me Apple Bloom.”

“Oh, right. Sorry, Apple Bloom.”

Scootaloo groaned at that moment, echoing Apple Bloom's own thoughts on the crystal pony's over-apologetic responses. The pegasus rolled over one last time, and fell right out of the luxury-sized bed. She hit the ground hard, waking with a start. “Sweetie!”

“Geez, Scootaloo. Ya sure have a way of getting' up in the mornin'.” Apple Bloom let out a small giggle. “Don't mind her, Prism. She's just not a mornin' pony.”

“Right.” Prism shot the bleary-eyed pegasus a concerned look.

“And before ya ask, she ain't no lady neither.” Apple Bloom smirked.

“Sweetie,” Scootaloo muttered as she wrestled herself into a sitting position and gazed about the room frantically. Her eyes held deep bags, as if she hadn't just spent the last nine hours sleeping. Her gaze fell upon the empty end-table and she paused as a look of fear overcame her. “Apple Bloom, where's Sweetie Belle?!”

Apple Bloom' grin quickly fell flat as she noticed that the end-table was completely bare. “Ya left her on the table, didn't ya?” Then that means- “Shoot! Ah should've remembered ta lock the door!”

“She's gone, Bloom!” Scootaloo frantically jumped to her hooves, scowled and gave the bed beside her a sharp kick. “It was him, damn it! He must have taken her. We have to go look for her!”

“Whoa, hold on there, Scootaloo! Yer makin' a scene. Just calm down,” Apple Bloom protested and eyed Prism.

The crystal pony was backing out the door casting the pegasus nervous glances.

“You!” Scootaloo jumped into the air as she shouted at Prism. She flew over to the cowering pony. “Who would have come into our room while we were sleeping?!”

“I-I don't know, I-I'm sorry. P-please.”

“Stop it, Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom moved forward and pushed the pegasus aside. “Ya can't just go shoutin' at ponies like that!”

“But we have ta do something, Bloom!” Scootaloo's voice had grown desperate. “She doesn't have a body, and she's been taken captive! Stolen! We can't afford to slow down. We have to find her now, or she might be gone forever!”

“Ah agree; we have ta find her, Scootaloo. But darn it, we need ta figure out where we’re goin’ ta rush to before we go rushin' anywhere. Let's grab some food quickly, and plan out what to do. We have a meetin' with the princess in an hour. Maybe she can use scryin' spells for us, or knows somepony who can track Sweetie down,” Apple Bloom offered, giving what she hoped would be a look of reassurance.

Scootaloo's violet eyes quivered, her wings were half-spread in anxiety, and she looked on the verge of tears. Something's terribly wrong.... Apple Bloom couldn't help the thought, but she couldn't ever remember seeing Scootaloo this scared before. When trying daunting aerial tricks, when falling and nearly dying before she got her cutie mark, or when facing a dragon, she knew Scootaloo would and had gotten scared. But she would always face that fear down and overcome it; yet this time, it was different. The pegasus had a nervous twitch that caused her wings to spasm as she started frantically digging through Sweetie Belle's saddle bags.

“She's helpless, Bloom, and every second we spend not searching is a second that she's being taken further away from us.”

“But ya can't know that, Scoots,” Apple Bloom argued back. “It was probably just some thief that thought her the amulet looked nice.”

“No!” Scootaloo's eyes hardened into an indignant glare. “He has her, Bloom! I'm certain of it!”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Darn it, Scootaloo! If he was in our room, then why didn't he just attack us? He was fine with tryin' ta kill us just the other day.”

“How in Tartarus should I know what he's thinking?!” Scootaloo pushed past Prism and moved through the door. “All I know is that I have to find her. I have to save her!”

“Wait! Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted as she leaped out the door in chase. “Damn your fiery head! Get back here!”

Her words went unheeded and Scootaloo quickly made it to an open balcony down the hall and dove off into the sky. “Darn it!” Apple Bloom stomped a hoof in frustration. Something must have happened... How would she know that Sweetie was taken by him? She shook her head and forced herself to take a deep breath. Some leader I am...

Apple Bloom turned her attention back to Prism, who was taking slow apprehensive steps away from her while turning her gaze to the side. She doesn't want ta be a part o' this? Apple Bloom sighed. Well too bad, Prism. I don't really want to be a part of this either, but we can't always choose our battles.

“Prism,” she said firmly, and the mare jumped slightly. “I'm sorry about my friend Scootaloo, but I need you to do something for me.”

“Yes?” Prism asked, still not meeting her eye.

“I need you to bring me to the Captain of the Guard, here in the palace.”

“B-but, I can't bother Captain Snowfall at a time like this. I'm just a steward-”

“Prism!” Apple Bloom interjected forcefully. “There has been a robbery, and one—if not both—of my friends' lives are in jeopardy. Ah think that only with his resources will we be able to mitigate this. And Scootaloo was right about something. We have ta act now!”

“But what will I say?” Prism asked, as fear leaked into her voice.

Apple Bloom stomped a hoof. “What I just told you! That both my friends—sisters to the Elements of Harmony—lives are at stake, and I think only the captain and his guards will be able to save them! This is an emergency, for Celestia's sake! Ah'll be headin' to grab some food quickly, then Ah'll meet with the princess. If Ah'm not at the kitchens, then I'll be headed there. Send him as quick as you can; this is urgent!”

The crystal pony shuffled her hooves nervously and Apple Bloom let out an irritated sigh.

“Look, if you’re worried about overstepping your bounds, don't be. Ah'll take all the responsibility fer mah orders. As the Element of Honesty's sister, Ah promise.”

She watched as Prism sped off down the hall, and Apple Bloom felt a little guilty about pulling out the 'Elements of Harmony' trump card, but she didn't have any time to waste. Apple Bloom had little reason to doubt that Scootaloo had been telling her what she thought was the truth. And if Scootaloo was right, and that nameless voice was behind it all, then this could be Sweetie's only chance. Overreactions be damned, Ah'm not 'bout ta risk losin' Sweetie Belle.

At a fevered pace, Apple Bloom ran back into the guest room and checked her saddle bags. With a sharp intake of breath she loosened the side-clasp and sighed to see that the fragment of Discord remained within. So he didn't know that we kept a fragment with us? The gears in her mind began turning as she resealed the pouch, shouldered the saddlebags, and harnessed it onto her back. She cast one last look at Sweetie Belle's lone pair of saddlebags then shook her head. Stay safe, you two; I'll do what I can from here.

* * *

Sweetie Belle mulled over the last few hours, as retracing her thoughts and memories were just about the only actions she could do anymore. If I can even call it an action, she thought to herself wryly. All she could do was sit helplessly as she watched the world move around her. And watched she had.

She remembered seeing Scootaloo as the nightmares had set in, and that poisonous looking magic that had poured from the pegasus' eyes. She was calling to me and I tried to help, but he was there. He's attacking Scootaloo with some foul magic, and my bracelet wasn't enough to stop it. Maybe if I'd fused the discord fragment with the amulet and used the magical outburst to pull that foul magic from Scoots...

But when she had tried to interact and stop the magic, she'd been drained of her resonant magic in mere moments. And without that, I can't do anything.

“Except for brood,” a familiar voice quipped. “Oh, all the centuries I've spent brooding. A story can only be looked at so many times before it becomes naught but boring.”

Well, that's true, Scoddri, she admitted. However, if I were to stop brooding, then I may as well stop living. It's the only thing I have left keeping me sane.

“That, and a voice in your mind.” Scoddri laughed. “It appears we share something in common. Such maddening company.”

Call me crazy all you want, Scoddri, but I'm not giving up. I'll figure a way out of this. Though I am curious, Sweetie Belle considered the voice's faint magic which was forming the words that she 'heard'. Why are you only talking to me now, after all these years? I thought you were dead for the longest time.

Scoddri let out a bellowing laugh. “What makes one dead, girl? I have no body, and for a time all I saw was a splintered world swirling around me as countless shards of glass. At first I very well hoped that I might have been passing on, but it never ended, girl. The shards began to slow and the pieces began to reform around you. Try as I might, my magic was no longer mine to control. So I waited until the fractured world became clear enough for me to make my presence known.”

So you've been watching me from the amulet? And you've seen the world through all the different fragments... all at the same time? Sweetie couldn't even begin to imagine what that would be like. And eventually they all drew close enough for you to see a coherent picture.

“It's not as simple as seeing a picture. It is about living in a coherent world. The world becomes clearer bit by bit, and sometimes the clarity vanishes,” Scoddri sighed. “But alas, it is out of my control. A truer chaos I've never seen.”

Well, I'm not about to give in to this 'chaos' of yours anytime soon. I'll find a way out of this and get my body back.

“And I'll watch you struggle from every angle.” Scoddri snorted a laugh. “Was an end truly too much to ask for?”

Sweetie Belle didn't know how to respond to his question. While she was sincerely glad for his company, she was still irked about the decision Scoddri had made those five years ago. She wished she could go back and do something, to stop Scoddri’s or Twilight’s decision. The memory was still held within her as a tightly knotted ball of regret.

She knew that at least in the last few hours, if not for Scoddri, she'd probably have given up her struggles. She was also pretty sure that Scoddri knew it.

With the voice falling silent once again, Sweetie turned her thoughts back to a few hours prior. Just after she'd lost her hold of the magic from the fragment.

It had been a quiet noise, quieter than Scootaloo's own restless movements, and Scoddri's raucous laughter. A pony had entered the room, and before she knew what was happening, Sweetie Belle had felt the world shift as she had been stuffed into a young bluish crystal pony colt's coat pocket. The colt's eyes glowed with a greenish-purple haze that she had seen from Scootaloo only moments before. He moved slowly, as if sleepwalking.

The colt had then moved quietly through the palace and taken too many turns for Sweetie Belle to remember correctly, and eventually ended up on a windowsill. Sweetie Belle was surprised as the colt jumped from the balcony, but the magic in his eyes flared into a familiar feather spell, and he hit the pavement below with a sound quieter than the late summer breeze.

The mystery colt kept to the shadows and lurked his way between the palace guards. Eventually he made it to the palace entrance, as quietly and slowly as before. As he approached the two guards at the entrance, his eyes flared.

It was a spell I've never seen before... The guards just kept up their watch and didn't seem to notice as the colt walked out right beneath their noses. It wasn't invisibility, but it was small, yet complicated and went straight for their eyes. Some sort of ocular spell? she reasoned. Maybe a subtle blinding spell?

After the display of canny arcana, the colt had made it into the city, and the glow from his eyes had finally dissipated. The changes were instantaneous. The colt's hooves came to a stuttering stop on the pavement.

“Where...?” Sweetie Belle heard the young crystal pony ask aloud. He tossed his head about as he scanned the area. “Sleepwalking again? Mom's gonna kill me...”

Sweetie Belle remained in the colt's coat pocket, and was currently stashed in the closet of what appeared to be an emergency homeless shelter. Ponies who lost homes due to the storm... Sweetie Belle had figured as she had peered around the structure during the night. It appeared to be some sort of community recreation center that contained a bare minimum of supplies. The large room housed a number of families that slept upon simple pallets which clustered into groups.

Eventually, hours later, the colt had woken up along with the other ponies, and he donned his jacket once again and headed out to the streets with a group of four other foals from the emergency shelter. Carefree and running about with youthful vigor, Sweetie Belle was reminded of her own days spent crusading with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.

And whoever it is that caused the storm is also using this kid, Sweetie thought with disgust. An image of Sweetie Belle and her two friends with magic leaking from their eyes filtered its way into her mind. It's sick. I have to do something...

“So you're back to the beginning, where you decide whether or not to brood once again,” Scoddri japed.

Sweetie ignored the voice, and took in her surroundings. The colts and fillies played a game of tag in the streets as they explored many of the different roads. While Sweetie was being jostled about in the coat pocket, she made out a number of buildings she hadn’t seen before. Along the street, she saw many adults had stopped in their somber duties to watch the kids as they ran by. Many of the adults allowed smiles to reach their lips as they ignored their troubles for a moment before continuing on with whatever endless tasks awaited them.

The children moved quite a bit through the city as they ran about. Although the palace remained as an ever-present backdrop to their antics. At least I know where I am.

“So you've figured out where your body is?” the voice teased. “Is that where you are? Or are you here, stuck in this child's pocket? It can be so very hard to keep track of.”

“So, wanna try and get construction-worker cutie marks?” the colt whose pocket she was in asked. “That way we could help rebuild our homes.”

The other children put forth varying choruses of agreement and they got to work planning on how they could assist their parents in making new houses.

If only the world were as simple as that... Sweetie Belle thought idly. I guess I was once just as idyllic and naive. But four children can't build a house from scratch no matter how well intentioned they are. It's impossible.

“All goals and dreams are impossible; it is the nature of such things.” Scoddri laughed bitterly.

A carpenter pony watched the group of fillies and colts for a moment before resuming his lathing with a restored vigor and a smile on his face. I guess, even if it's impossible, some good will still come of it. Sweetie Belle then considered Scoddri's words. Everypony has dreams, and we all strive toward them. But if we assumed they are out of reach then why would we bother?

“Why, indeed... An answer I may never find.”

Surely you still have a dream, Scoddri. Sweetie Belle insisted as she watched the group ask the carpenter to borrow some wood and tools. I still have stuff that I want to do, that I'm going to do, that I'm striving to do. What about you? What are you going to do once you get your body back?

“Hah! Your naivety clings to you, more palpable than ever, girl. There is nothing past this. I only dream of an end.”

Oh? Then why talk, Scoddri? Why not stay quiet and wait for it all to end? I know there's more to you than that.

Scoddri laughed bitterly. “Ah, yes, perhaps you are even sharper than before. Perhaps I do still have a dream. If I could only remember what it was like to sleep...”

Sweetie Belle knew the weight of those words. For the past three days, she hadn't slept... couldn't sleep, even though she wanted to. She couldn't blink, or breathe. The idea of sinking into a plush bed and drifting off to sleep was tantalizing, in the same way that walking, talking, or somehow expressing her existence to the world was.

Am I trapped for good? The doubtful question percolated to the forefront of her mind before she forced it down once again. For once she was glad that Scoddri didn't reply.

The children that she was unwillingly observing managed to obtain a bundle of scrap planks, hammers and some nails after leaving a promise that they'd return the tools in a few hours. Afterward, they moseyed on as a group to a nearby street alley. Once there, they began planning how they were going to build their 'house'.

Sweetie Belle figured she may as well pay greater attention to their antics, if just to ease her mind away from circular contemplations. She was quickly certain that the most the children's plan would ever amount to would be little more than a large box that the four might be able to squeeze into.

“But it's not going to be big enough, Azure,” the other colt whined. He was a reddish coloured crystal pony.

Azure, the pony whose pocket the amulet was in waved a hoof dismissively. “We've got plenty of wood, Sunburst,” he argued back.

“Well, we do, but we only have nails and hammers,” the red colt muttered. “It's like they don't trust us with real tools.”

“We'll just have to prove that they can trust us then,” one filly with a green coat spoke up.

“Yeah, we'll just make it the best house they've ever seen and prove it to 'em.” Azure said confidently and Sweetie felt the world around her move as the colt began pointing to his friends. “Alright, you two each grab a board, Vienna, you hold the nails in place, and I'll hammer them into place.”

“Why do I have to hold them?” The green filly asked. “What if you miss with the hammer?”

“I won't,” Azure assured her. “I'm really good with a hammer.”

“Sweet!” the final pony, a yellow-coated filly, chimed in with gusto as she held a large plank upright between her hooves. “This is just like the time we built that quinzhee!”

“No it isn't!” Sunburst argued back as he grabbed his own board and placed it adjacent to hers. “Quinzees are made of snow, not wood. This isn't anything like that.”

The yellow filly smiled back at him. “We're building something though, so it's the same.”

If Sweetie Belle had been able to, she would have smiled as she watched the group go about building their small 'house'.

Across the street, she could see the noontime crowds moving about. Many of the ponies carried numerous supplies of wood and structural crystals. Among the prevalent crystal ponies, she spotted a few pegasi, earth ponies, unicorns and even a couple diamond dogs. There was a shared dull expression among the folk, and quite often a few of them would train a wary eye upward as if searching for signs of the storm's return.

A gasp and sudden movement brought Sweetie Belle's attention back to the children around her. Azure dropped his hammer and sloped against the alley wall for support. Sweetie noticed a purple and green bit of magic spark from his eyes. For a moment, she saw the magic stretch off, arcing and fading into the open air. Sweetie Belle followed its trajectory and was surprised to see an orange pegasus alighting upon a rooftop, with her face scrunched in pain.

Scootaloo!

“Azure! Are you okay?” Vienna asked as she dropped the nail she was holding and rushed over to him.

“No!” the colt cried out. “Keep it away! I don't want it to come again!”

The rest of the children abandoned their project and the half-formed box collapsed without the supporting hooves to hold it up.

Sweetie Belle looked up to see Scootaloo staring down at the alley from her perch. The pegasus looked scared for a moment and a poisonous spark of magic flickered in the mare's eyes, then she scowled and shot into the air.

Darn it, Scootaloo! What can I do?

“Another question without an answer,” Scoddri snorted dismissively.

* * *

Scootaloo sped out under the near-noon sunlight as Apple Bloom's calls faded behind her. Damn it, Apple Bloom; I have to find her! He has her!

Frantic, she peered out into the city that nestled around the palace. She waited only a moment before flying in a random direction, and looked over the bustling streets. She hoped that perhaps she'd spot the amulet being worn, or somepony trying to hide the stolen piece from sight.

Moving from rooftop to rooftop, she peered down alleys and into crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the golden chain or a twinkle of the emerald. But no matter where she looked, the only sight that came close were the few green crystal ponies that passed by on whatever errands they were running.

Apple Bloom was right... Scootaloo admitted to herself. Flying off was a stupid idea; she could be anywhere now. But she wasn’t about to sit and wait while others did the searching.

She shook her head and looked down an alley where a bunch of kids were playing around with some wood and hammers. No matter how unlikely it is, I have to try! I'll save Sweetie, and I'll find the pony behind that voice! And when I do... he'll wish he never crossed me! She stomped a hoof in anger and she felt a twinge in her eyes as her vision suddenly blurred save for the figure of a small blue crystal pony in her sight. She saw the child's figure suddenly slump to the side of the alleyway, dropping the small hammer he had been holding.

There was a quick chorus of concerned shouts from below, but it was quickly overcome by a virulent green hiss that circled around her, and the twinge deepened and began to burn acidly. It took all her effort to hold back a shout and to keep her balance on the slanted rooftop.

“No, Keep it away! I don't want it to come back!” a child's voice rasped through Scootaloo's mind. It sounded as though the air were being choked out of the child's lungs.

No! she forced herself to look away from the kid and pressed a hoof against the mounting pressure in her eyes. As she wrenched her sight away from the alleyway, she felt the pressure lessening and the pain subside from her eyes. Did I cause that? she wondered. What just happened? Why am I hearing voices? Am I going crazy? Her questions all seemed to point her in one direction. That bastard! He's causing all this. First my dreams, then Sweetie Belle, and now my mind? I won't let him take it! I'll fight him, struggle against him, and beat him! If he's doing this to me then maybe I can use it to track him. Didn't Sweetie say there's always a link between the caster of a spell and their spells? And for that, I'd need somepony who knows about magic. She took a quick glance at the palace and scowled. I should head back. Damn it, I'm such an idiot!

She took off from the rooftop leaving the scene behind. There were already a few adults en route to the scene. The kid should be fine, she assured herself. It wasn't even my fault anyway. This bastard will stop at nothing, and will even hurt children if he wants to! The thought sickened her. And he's there, in my dreams...

* * *

Apple Bloom had waited in an antechamber outside the throne room for a while, but the Captain of the Guard never made an appearance. Either Prism bailed, which wouldn't surprise me, or the captain is otherwise preoccupied. She sighed. Well, it was worth a shot.

She sat on a comfortable plush chair and tried to sort out what she was going to say to the princess. How should Ah address her? Ah know they're busy recovering from the storm, but how do Ah convince her that mah friends are a more pressing issue here? Do Ah even have any right to suggest that? Darn it, why'd they both have ta go missin' like that? And how'd Ah forget ta lock the door?

Apple Bloom took a deep, calming breath and looked at the clock on the wall. Just three minutes left until the meeting. Ah can't lose mah head in front o' the princess, that won't do anypony, least of all, Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle any good. We'll figure this out, she reassured herself. Just as the last couple minutes ticked away, the door to the throne room opened to reveal an opalescent, gray-attired crystal pony. The uniform covered the mare's cutie mark, making Apple Bloom wonder for a moment.

The mare gave her a curt nod and held up a small clipboard that seemed to be attached to her foreleg. “Apple Bloom and Scootaloo of Ponyville?” she asked, looking slightly surprised that only one mare was waiting for her instead of two.

“Ah'm Apple Bloom. Something sensitive came up and Scootaloo couldn't make it. But Ah'm still good for the meetin'.”

“Very well,” the crystalline mare nodded, retrieving a pen from her coat pocket and scribbled a note on the clipboard. “Shining Armor is awaiting within, please follow me.”

Shining Armor, and not the princess. Apple Bloom trained her face so her concern wouldn't form into a frown. It's just one thing after another, ain't it?

Apple Bloom followed the mare into a large, sparkling chamber. Sunlight filtered in through the entirety of the ceiling and it filled the room with warmth. It reminded her of stepping into a greenhouse. Idly, she wished she could study all the walls, supporting columns, numerous arches along the walls, and intricate placement of the translucent bluish ceiling tiles.

Regrettably, Apple Bloom peeled her eyes away from the pristine architecture and scoped out the ponies present in the room. There was the mare leading her toward a table that stood before the throne. The throne itself was currently vacant. Standing just to the right of the throne, Shining Armor stood, there were bags under his eyes, yet he stood tall and stalwart in a glistening outfit which looked to be half cloth material, half crystalline plate. His cutie mark of the starred aegis with three stars above it was emblazoned in the center of his outfit. He was looking over numerous papers that were haphazardly spread across the large circular table.

Aside from Shining Armor, a fully armoured stallion with a silvery gray coat stood off to his side at the table. His ice-blue armour was emblazoned with with the sigil of the crystal heart. The stallion frowned at Apple Bloom's approach. Ah guess that's where the Captain of the Guard has been.

To the other side of Shining Armor, two other ponies stood, watching her approach. One was an orange-coated crystal pony mare clothed in plush red robes. She shot Apple Bloom a small comforting smile, though the creases around her eyes spoke volumes of her own tired state.

The other pony was a cyan unicorn who held a short staff, topped with a crystalline orb. His gray hair spilled out from under a small rounded black chapeau, which clashed with his yellow flowing robe. Apple Bloom was quite certain that the unicorn had the fashion sense of a bat, and it nearly brought a smile to her face just looking at the colourful mishmash before her. Although, she did get the sense that she was significantly under-dressed. And it did irk her that none of the ponies before her had their actual cutie marks displayed.

“Apple Bloom of Ponyville,” the gray robed royal steward called out across the room as they approached. “Sister to an Element of Harmony, arrived late last night a few hours after the storm abated. Claims to have a message from the diamond dogs as well as 'sensitive information' regarding the Elements of Harmony.”

Feeling the weight of four new sets of eyes locked on her, Apple Bloom approached the table with more than a bit of apprehension. “Prince Shining Armor,” Apple Bloom said with a sloppy bow, “Ah'm Apple Bloom.”

“I see,” Shining Armor replied, and offered her a tired smile. “There's no need for the formalities. You are... Applejack's sister are you not?”

“Yes, Ah am-”

“And where's your companion?” the guard captain asked with a frown.

“That's something we need to discuss...” Apple Bloom said nervously. “I actually had two friends with me when I arrived, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. But we have reason to believe that Sweetie Belle was abducted last night by none other than the pony who's behind the storm.”

“What?!” the captain shouted. “You know who's behind the storm?!”

“Most interesting,” the colour-clashing unicorn chimed in and smiled. “It sounds like we'll need to hear the whole story. But first I do believe it would be rude not to introduce ourselves to this fine mare. Young Apple Bloom, I am Sky Chaser, royal magician of the Crystal Court. This here, is Sunrise.” He motioned to the red-garbed mare. “She's the head of all stewardship in the palace—looks after resources, staffing, as well as delegating tasks and projects around the palace.”

“Pleased to meet you, Apple Bloom. I do hope you found our accommodations most fitting,” the mare offered with another smile.

“That there's Blank Slate,” the magician continued, motioning to the crystal pony who had ushered Apple Bloom into the throne room. “She's the personal steward to the prince and princess. Bit of a grump, if you ask me.” Sky Chaser tossed the mare a smile which was only reciprocated through a scouring glare.

“I'm just efficient at what I do, you jester.”

“Perhaps I do jest from time to time,” Sky Chaser admitted. “But it helps lighten the mood, especially with Captain Snowfall here, trying to live up to his icy namesake.”

“Enough of this buffoonery,” Snowfall rebuked. “Girl, tell us your story. We don't have time to waste here.”

“If you would please, Apple Bloom,” Shining Armor spoke up in a softer tone than the captain had, but no less serious. “I'd like to know where your other two companions are first.”

“Well, it may sound strange,” Apple Bloom began while trying to commit the new names to memory, “but Sweetie Belle ended up trapped inside an amulet. That very amulet was gone when Scootaloo and I woke up this morning. We believe that somepony must have come in and taken it. Though it was mostly my fault fer not lockin' the door.”

“A theft in the palace?” Snowfall shook his head. “See, Prince, this is what I'm talking about. We can't afford to have half the guard mobilized to rebuild the city; it compromises palace safety. If whoever was behind the storm decides to attack, we aren't in the proper position to defend either you or Princess Cadence.”

“Inside an amulet, you say?” Sky Chaser raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I can't say I've ever seen magic quite like that. How, if I may be ever-so-bold to ask, did she come to be trapped inside an amulet?”

“We're not sure,” Apple Bloom replied. “But that's not as important as the fact that she's been stolen. We have ta save her before she ends up Celestia knows where. Scootaloo flew out into the city ta look for her, but Ah doubt she'll be able ta find her. Scootaloo doesn't know this city or any o' the ponies here. For all I know, she could already be in the clutches of that mad pony behind the storm.”

Shining nodded. “Worry not, Apple Bloom. We will rescue her.”

“But, Prince... our resources are spread so thin already,” Snowfall protested. “We don't have any more members of the guard to spare to do a full-on search.”

“You may not have the resources; however, with some magical aid, I'm certain we can locate her friend in no time at all. My Prince,” Sky Chaser said with a smile, “allow me to take on this task. It shouldn't take too long.”

Snowfall snorted derisively and shook his head. “For once I agree with the buffoon; let him take on the task. We can't waste our resources on a fruitless search. Do you know what the ponies would think if they saw a platoon or two of guards just walking through the city on a wildgoose chase?”

Shining Armor nodded. “Very well, Sky Chaser. I shall leave this in your capable hooves. Once you have located Sweetie Belle, call on the guards and they will retrieve her.”

“Thank you so much,” Apple Bloom said earnestly.

“Saving ponies from harm is my duty as Prince, and all our duty as the Crystal Council. Now please, Apple Bloom. If you would quickly regale us with your story. Tell us how you came to arrive here, what the diamond dogs have to do with this, what happened to my sister and her friends and who is behind this storm. This information is sure to be vital in mitigating the damage that has been done here, and perhaps it will help us prevent future damage as well.”

Apple Bloom looked to each of the ponies around her and finally rested her eyes on the prince. “Alright, Ah'll start at the beginning, but Ah might not be able ta explain half o' what happened as well as Sweetie could.”

She quickly decided on which parts to share and which to leave out. Talking about the other Sweetie and Discord would just add to the confusion. With a nod, she began to tell the story.

* * *

Scootaloo stood before the doors to antechamber outside the throne room. The entrance was blocked by two bulky crystal pony stallions. “Come on, you have to let me in!” Scootaloo nearly shouted. “Apple Bloom's in there, we were both supposed to have an audience. Can't you just let me in?”

“We told you before. We are not allowed to let anypony in during a council meeting. Now, scram!” The guard put a hoof on the pommel of his sheathed sword. “We aren't interested in your antics. Don't force us to escort you to a private holding cell.”

They're serious? Damn them! Why does everypony have to keep getting in my way?! She scowled at the guards and felt a familiar twinge behind her eyes. The world around her turned fuzzy, save for the guard on the left who had been brandishing his weapon; he was as clear as he had been.

In a moment, she saw the guard's eyes spark with fear. “What? Where am I? No, keep it away! No!” The guard's scream echoed in her mind and a sickly hissing of a snake coiled around her. She heard the sound of teeth sinking into flesh and one last terrified scream echo in her mind as she saw the guard suddenly collapse against the wall and slide to the floor. His eyes glazed over and he stared forward into the distance.

No! Not again! Scootaloo felt warm tears flow from her eyes as the burning behind them intensified. Her legs grew weak, and it took all her effort to tear her gaze away from the guard. After a second the other guard shouted to his companion and rushed over to catch him as he fell. Scootaloo bolted down the hall in fear and jumped out a nearby balcony, taking to the sky. Damn it, what's happening to me?!

Tears flowed freely from her eyes in an attempt to quench the burning behind them. She shot upward, seeking a solitary cloud in the far above the city. Scootaloo collapsed onto the cloud and buried her head in its soft embrace until the burning in her eyes subsided.

What have I done? What has he done to me? Her mind spun in circles around half-formed numerous unanswerable questions. Eventually, her frantic questioning solidified into one concrete answer that she could cling to. A furnace of anger pulsed in her heart. An anger deeper than any she had felt before burst forth from within, and she let out scream into the open air. He's going to pay for this! For Sweetie and for me! I'll make sure of it!

* * *

End of Chapter 16

Chapter 17 - Through Different Eyes

A Heart of Change – Chapter 17: Through Different Eyes
By: SilentBelle

“...and then we arrived here late last night,” Apple Bloom concluded.

Sky Chaser nodded, wearing a smirk on his face. “Very interesting...”

“So, you three managed to stop his spell even as he tried to stop you?” The Captain shook his head then turned to Shining Armor. “That's a bit hard to believe. They're barely even old enough to be considered mares.”

“Captain,” Shining Armor said kindly, “I do not see that Apple Bloom has any reason to lie. As much as I'd wish some of this information was false, such as my own sister and her friends being encased in crystal, we must take her words into consideration. It does explain my sister's absence.” Shining Armor shook his head curtly, as if to banish a stray thought playing through his mind. “I also know that Apple Bloom's sister is the Element of Honesty. I see no reason to doubt her story. If she said that the three of them were able to overcome this mystery unicorn's setup and diffuse the storm, then they were able to. Not to mention that they were in contact with old Slater's pack.

“Young though she may be, keep in mind, my own sister saved Princess Luna at nearly the same age. Looks can be deceiving.”

“And so can strangers...” Captain Snowfall muttered.

“My Prince, if I may be so bold,” Sunrise said with a small nod of courtesy, and waited for his returning nod. “I do believe it would be in our best interests to contact the diamond dogs as soon as possible. Their construction techniques and resources would be invaluable at the present. Perhaps we can make a mutual trade with them. It is in times like these that we must count on our allies and help them in turn.”

“Yes,” Shining Armor replied with a nod. “However, we must first calculate some numbers and outline some reasonable estimates. We'll need to have a handle on that by tomorrow. Hopefully we will receive word from Canterlot today and factor any new information into our plans.”

“But contacting the dogs would only spread our limited resources even thinner!” Captain Snowfall warned. “Any group sent out to contact the diamond dogs would need at least a small escort, and we don't have a single guard to spare. Besides,” he continued, with an irritated shake of his head, “if the girl is telling the truth, then we can expect this mystery unicorn to attack us sometime soon. It could be today or tomorrow.”

“And you'd rather us just sit in here and wait for him to strike?” Sunrise asked with a dismissive laugh. “We need to act as soon as we can, or we will be right where he wants us. We have to secure our resources and continue on. We can't be afraid to act now. Fear is what he wants to bring to us.”

“Are you calling me a coward?!” The Captain glared at the orange steward.

“Enough you two! Enough.” Shining Armor gave them both a disapproving look before pulling himself up straighter. “We are going to deal with the dogs tomorrow. Sunrise, I will give you a full briefing tomorrow and we will discuss the intricacies and details then. Make sure to get a good account of how many resources we need and how much we can spare.

“Captain, I want you to send half of the guard to help with construction, as we talked about earlier. Inform your lieutenants to keep an ear out for emergency calls. Make certain that they know exactly what to do if the emergency bells are sounded. With the guards out in the city actively helping the ponies rebuild, everypony will feel safer and more secure. We cannot fall into disarray now. Our ponies need us to be strong and to lead them. They are depending on us to see them through these troubled times. If this unknown unicorn should make a move against the city, the guard will be in a position to help the citizens of the empire, and that is what is truly important here. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my Prince!” The captain formed a perfect salute.

“Sky Chaser, you are to help Apple Bloom find her friends. You've always been good at finding things. I'll leave it in your capable hooves.”

Sky Chaser made a deep bow that came off, in Apple Bloom's mind at least, as overly zealous, and perhaps slightly mocking. “But of course, my Prince. If you'll follow me to my chambers, young Apple Bloom, we can get started right away.”

“Must you make it sound as though you're attempting to seduce her?” Sunrise asked with a small smirk. “Keep an eye on him, Apple Bloom. He has a reputation.”

“A reputation?” Apple Bloom asked, eying the poorly-dressed unicorn as if sizing him up.

“A reputation of being kind to ladies,” he offered with a laugh. “Come now, would it really be in my best interest to do anything of questionable repute to such a charming young mare?”

Blank Slate merely shook her head in disapproval.

“Remember, Ah've destroyed a stone golem before. Ah think Ah can handle myself quite well.” Apple Bloom gave one of her hind-legs an experimental kick. “Any wounds he ends up with will be well deserved.”

The unicorn laughed once again. “Perhaps it's the risk that makes it all worthwhile.”

“And perhaps you should get started before the good captain escorts you out.” Sunrise tilted her head toward Snowfall, whose scowl was plain for all to see.

“Such buffoonery-” he began, but was cut off.

The door to the throne room burst open suddenly. A crystal pony guard, of a garnet hue ran into the chamber. His eyes were wide as they darted about the room and eventually fell upon Captain Snowfall. He managed to perform a clumsy salute as the Captain rounded on him.

“Sergeant!” The Captain shouted. “This is a private meeting! What are you doing?! Explain yourself!”

“Sir, there's been an attack just outside!”

“An attack?!” The captain moved forward preparing his weapon, a crystalline blade that slid down from a holster on the sleeve of his armour. He moved toward the guard. “Give me the details!”

“Sir, it was a pegasus: she had an orange coat, purple mane and tail, and a cutie mark the same colour as her hair. She demanded entry to the meeting room and got angry when we refused. Then she looked at Bulwark and he suddenly collapsed a second later. The assailant then flew away before I could detain her.” The guard's fierce voice faltered. “Bulwark... he's not waking up...”

Scootaloo? What in the hay is going on? Apple Bloom wondered as sinking feeling took dominance in her stomach. She was certain that there was no way her friend would have done such an act. Sure, it is like Scootaloo ta get in an argument with the guards when they didn't let her in, but she'd never resort to violence. Not unless Sweetie were involved anyway. Apple Bloom frowned.

“If it weren't for the guards at the door, she could have entered here and taken out any one of us,” the captain muttered. “Alright, Sergeant, take me to Sergeant Bulwark.”

“I would like to see as well,” Sky Chaser's lilting voice followed. The unicorn smiled at Shining Armor. “Why, it almost sounds like a pegasus was using magic. It is most peculiar, is it not? It shouldn't take too long to figure out what happened. And we were going to be heading out anyway.”

Shining Armor nodded. “And afterward, you are to do as we have discussed. Now, before more drama makes its way through that door, you all have your duties. You are all dismissed. Sunrise, with me, we'll talk supplies on the way.”

The ponies in the room all bowed and then got moving. Sky Chaser waved over to Apple Bloom. “Come, young Apple Bloom. Let us not tarry now.”

She fell in line behind him and they headed through the thick double doors, right behind the captain. They passed through the antechamber and saw the guard, Bulwark, slumped against the wall beside the front doors. He looked to be sleeping fitfully with a wince half formed on his muzzle.

“Sergeant Bulwark! On your hooves! Now!” Captain Snowfall shouted, filling the halls of the Crystal Palace, and Apple Bloom inadvertently took a step backward.

“Not so much as a blink,” Sky Chaser voiced his observations with a laugh. “And here I thought you had a voice that could wake the dead.”

“Sergeant Bulwark!” the captain shouted again, this time hitting the stallion with a precise and forceful blow to his side.

“Be careful, or he might not wake again,” Sky Chaser jested.

“I'd like to see you do better,” the captain retorted.

“I think it should be obvious by now that this pony is under a spell, not the sort of thing that mere force will overcome... though I suppose with enough, one technically could break it, and most likely the pony with it.” He looked at the pony and lit his horn up for a mere moment. A golden aura marked his magic, and a single beam, like a ray of sunlight shot forth to the downed guard. “Hmm... It looks to be a trance, if I am not mistaken. He should be able to break out of it of his own will, but it could take some time. I am not that well versed in this particular field of magic.”

“And you can't just break the spell now?” Snowfall asked spitefully. “Some use you are.”

“Hey now, I could break the spell. Pretty easily, in fact. However, the spell is one that affects the mind, and a unicorn with any semblance of sense would know that breaking a spell that resides in another pony's mind could do far more damage than the original spell ever would.”

“So then ya'd just have ta carefully disassemble it, or it could all come crashing down?” Apple Bloom reasoned.

“Ah, perceptive, but not quite there. While I've never had the opportunity to see this sort of thing in the flesh, I have read up on the subject a fair amount in my years. Think of it instead as a having a knotted length of twine laced inside a pony's head, except the twine is made of glass. That glass filters, distorts, or alters the goings on inside. It depends on the function of the spell. Breaking it is easy—too easy—but doing so might just fragment the spell and cause lasting... nasty effects.” Sky Chaser offered Apple Bloom a contrasting smile to his grim words.

“A shattered mind?” Apple Bloom shivered. “Trying to help could make him go insane?”

“The best of intentions are oft a catalyst to the most regrettable of actions,” he almost sung back.

“So, you aren't going to help him?” The Captain shook his head in disdain. “You charlatan!”

“Now, now.” Sky Chaser deflected the accusation with a laugh. “I just explained why doing nothing is the safest action to take. The magic will dissipate over time. So long as it's not being constantly reinforced, there should be no lasting harm. Or,” he said, waving his staff before him, his tone turning darker, “if there is lasting harm, then anything we try, at least from a magical standpoint would likely only make things worse. We would need a unicorn whose profession is cemented in the magics of the mind, and who has had years of experience fixing this kind of problem. And finding a pony like that in the Crystal Empire, or even in most of Equestria, is a more fruitless search than scouring the city for Apple Bloom's friend's missing amulet. So don't accuse me of cheap trickery when you fail to see the whole scope of the problem.”

The captain snorted at the words then turned to the guard beside him. “Take the Sergeant to the infirmary. Tell the nurses he's to rest until he wakes and not to attempt any magic on him whatsoever.”

The guard nodded with a salute, then, with the help of the Captain, loaded Bulwark onto his back.

Apple Bloom was impressed that the guard pony could not only carry his comrade's weight, but the weight of all their equipment as well.

“And with that we must be going,” Sky Chaser announced and proffered a smile to the Captain. “Prince's orders and all that.”

Captain Snowfall met the unicorn's affable smile with a glare, before turning down the hallway to attend to his own business.

Sky Chaser chuckled as the other stallion walked away. “See? What did I say? He certainly does try to live up to his namesake. I'm surprised that there's no frost on the walls around us.”

Apple Bloom didn't share in his amusement. “You two don't quite seem to get along.”

Sky Chaser laughed at her comment and signaled with a quick sweep of his staff, for her to follow him. “You might be surprised, young Apple Bloom. It's just friendly banter between us. That's a stallion you really don't want to see angry. While we often disagree, we both understand each other and our importance to the Empire. I certainly don't envy him his job, I can tell you that.”

“And ya just go on annoyin' him while he has a large amount o' duty ta shoulder? Ain't that kinda mean-spirited?”

“Oh, but it's not pointless banter, Apple Bloom. See, by opposing him at every turn, I am reinforcing his own understanding of the role he plays. Why he has to maintain protocol, and why the guards follow his orders to the letter.”

“Ah somehow doubt he thinks the same way...” Apple Bloom muttered as she followed the unicorn up a flight of stairs.

“Oh, he might not think that way, but deep down he understands it. That's why he puts up with me.” He let his smile fall, and his tone lost its bubbly cadence. “Now, Apple Bloom, I understand that the debacle with the guard was caused by your friend... Scootaloo, it was, yes?”

“But she would never-”

“Ah, but the evidence, allegations as they may be, point to the contrary.”

“But the evidence of my own memories of Scootaloo, are enough for me to know that she's innocent,” Apple Bloom asserted.

“Hmm, but you shouldn't dismiss the guard's account in favour of your friend. I think there is more at work here than any of us know.”

Apple Bloom looked down at her hooves as he spoke words that echoed so closely to her own prior thoughts. “But how can we figure out what really happened?”

“Oh, in the same way we are climbing these steps, my dear: one step at a time, it's part of the reason why I was so adamant on making sure that the guard remains undisturbed as he recovers.”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom tilted her head. “What do you mean? I thought you were tellin' the truth 'bout it bein' dangerous ta mess with the magic in his head.”

“Oh it is, and I meant every word of it.” The pair of ponies had made it to the top of a spiraling staircase that ended abruptly with a single, simple wooden door. “However, there's another use for the magic in his head, and that is a use of magic in which I am a professional.”

With a golden glow of his horn, the door swung open. “For I am a Scrymaster, and I welcome you to my humble abode.” He gestured to the room, and stepped to the side of the door, displaying a soft smile. “Ladies first.”

Apple Bloom shook her head and laughed. “Seriously? How often do the ladies fall for that one?”

“Well, not to brag,” he said with a shrug and entered the room first, “but I have a bit of a reputation.”

“And I'm sure being a master scryer only adds to that reputation.” Apple Bloom followed the pony into his chambers

“I'm glad you see the humor in my occupation. It's rare to come across ponies who understand what scrying even is.” He gestured with his staff to a wall with numerous crystalline mirrors embedded into its surface. Aside from the mirrors, Apple Bloom saw dozens of urns, a chemical burner of some sort, numerous crystal balls, bookshelves, as well as a large cabinet that seemed to be filled with accessories of all sorts.

“Rare or not, Ah know that scryin’ magic is the best chance Ah'll get ta trackin' down my friends.” Apple Bloom nodded. “So, where should we get started?”

“Ah, that saves me a fair amount of explaining, and you have no idea just how refreshing that is. I think we shall start with finding your friend... Sweetie Belle, I do believe it was. But for that to work, we are going to need what's in your bag. A certain something you've been hiding from everypony.” He wore a sly smile.

“How did you-?”

“I'm a scrymaster, Apple Bloom. Knowing where stuff is, especially if it's hidden, is my specialty. I do have another purpose in attending those meetings, even more so with unknown delegates and travelers bearing saddlebags that could be filled with any odd thing.”

“So you've looked through all my stuff?” Apple Bloom frowned at the intrusive act.

“Now, now. No need to look like that. I was just doing my job. Palace security is a priority at these trying times.” He offered a knowing smile. “And I do understand why you would leave parts of your story out.”

Apple Bloom let out a small sigh. “Fine, Ah get it.” She took off her saddlebags and began digging through the pocket to find the shard of Discord. “Ah'll give ya credit though. Yer smarter than ya look.”

“And I am mightily impressed as well. You're more of a trickster than you might think, young Apple Bloom.” He laughed. “And cute too.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Ya know, fer somepony so cunnin', ya really don't have a lick o' sense when it comes ta mares, do ya?”

“Well, it was worth a shot,” he said with a joking sigh. “But I suspect you want to keep this as... hmm... professional as possible?”

“Of course.” She wondered at the character before her. She didn't trust him an inch, though she did have to admit a certain respect for him.

“Well then, with all the formalities taken care of, let us find your friend.”

* * *

Scootaloo didn't want to leave the cloud she was hiding atop. If interacting with other ponies would cause them to hurt, then it was for the best if she avoided other ponies. I can't go back to the palace. The guards will think I'm some kind of criminal. So for a couple hours, she had remained on the cloud, but eventually, the grip of hunger and thirst reared its dispassionate head, and the cloud seemed a far less adequate solution to her problems than when she had first sought it out.

She flew out past the city outskirts, high above and out of sight of the ponies below. Eventually she dipped down in a quick descent, and landed in a waterlogged field. She claimed an unsatisfactory meal of the moist grasses, a food that seemed to mirror her own feelings. The realization that nearly pulled a sour chuckle from her.

She looked to the distant city, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight with its myriad colours and reflections. She then turned away from the city and peered at the distant mountains and the cloud-spotted skies that presided over them all. It would be so easy to just fly away and leave it all behind. It might even be for the best. Her body ached for her to fly away, to leave the crystal ponies to their troubles.

She spread her wings at the thought of chasing the sky on the merits of flying alone. She knew living a life in the air would be enough for her. It had been her dream as a filly, to fly in the skies. Not necessarily fast or even well, but just to fly in those skies; to live in that endless expanse and within the limitless freedom that it carried. It had been her dream. And I'd leave Sweetie behind?

Her wings recoiled back to her sides. So why do I feel like I'm being smothered when I look to the skies, when before all I used to see was freedom? The question was entirely pointless, for she already knew the answer in the mild burning that dwelt behind her eyes. This snake has coiled around me, and is tightening his grip. I won't be able to run away or hide. She turned back to city and a small memory resurfaced in her mind, “Everypony has fears, Scootaloo. Everypony must face them in their own way. But they must be faced, or the nightmares will continue.”

I'm not just a little filly anymore, and I'm not gonna run away anymore! With a determined stomp, she kicked off the ground and took once more to the skies.

* * *

Azure had been rushed to a nearby clinic after he collapsed and the other children had since disbanded after being told that he'd be fine and just needed a bit of rest to recuperate. His parents had come by once they heard the news. Both had their concerns assuaged by the clinical staff, who assured them that it was caused by pent up exhaustion, coupled with his history of insomnia. As the parents both still had things to do, they left their sleeping child in the caring hooves of the local nurse, with promises that they'd be back once their jobs were finished, later that evening.

This, likewise, left Sweetie Belle with very little to keep herself occupied. Being in the hospital chamber, stuck in the pocket of a the colt’s jacket on a coat-rack, she got a fine view of the rather stationary surroundings. Although she had to disagree with nurse's opinion on the situation.

Azure's collapse was not caused by acute fatigue, but rather something far more sinister. The purple and green patterns still glowed faintly from the child's closed eyes. It's a mind magic of sorts.

“Tricky things... dealing with minds. They are so very easy to break.”

Twilight always said it was forbidden to use magic that directly influenced the mind... It's one of the rare instances where I actually agreed with her. Doing something so intimate with a pony just feels... wrong. No pony has the right to change another pony's mind with magic.

“A right? No pony needs the right to do so. Having magic and the knowledge to use it so is right enough.” Scoddri laughed. “Magic is meant to be used, girl. If it serves your purposes, you do it. Lifting a teacup or making another pony do your bidding. All is fair game on the field of magic. There is no sense in drawing lines. Ponies should use their magic to achieve their desires—they always have, and always will. It's what it has always come down to.”

But there is a right and wrong though, and mind magic crosses that line.

“For you, girl,” the voice spat, “and many others as well. But there is no universal good or evil with any magic. I figured you'd have learned that by now. To apply such laws to magic is pure folly.”

No, Sweetie Belle argued back. There are clearly immoral things to do with magic, and taking away the free will of another pony is one of those things that is just wrong.

“That one flame burns more than another when it is all fire is a pointless argument,” the voice said dismissively. “You'd be wiser spending your time finding a way out of your own predicament, girl.”

You mean our predicament, correct?

“No, I meant your predicament. My own state is none of your concern.”

Unless I choose to make it my concern, she retorted.

“Out of sheer boredom, I suppose?” He laughed again. “A hospital certainly isn't a much better sight than a sculpture garden.”

Sweetie Belle was growing irritated at the voice. Did I always argue this much with Scoddri? She couldn't help but wonder.

“You are still as noisy as ever. Which is quite the feat, considering your lack of a body,” Scoddri offered. “Or perhaps you're even noisier than before. Thoughts are a much harder thing to control than a mouth. Don't you agree?”

A sudden movement drew Sweetie Belle's attention before she could continue the banter with Scoddri. The colt let out a gasp and sat up straight in his hospital bed.

“Ah, he woke up earlier than the doctors had guessed.”

He was able to overcome the spell with his own mind. Sweetie Belle observed, seeing that the sickly magic pattern emanating from his eyes had dissipated. He must have a strong force of will.

“Or he's acclimated to that particular type of magic.” Scoddri proffered.

“Where...?” the child muttered as he blinked and took in his surroundings.

As he did so, Sweetie Belle felt another presence drawing close through the glass of a nearby window. Huh? She couldn't believe it, the magic bore her own pattern—the pattern of the amulet's magic—at its base. She traced the lines quickly and determined it to be a scrying spell, though the surrounding magic that composed the spell was not of anypony she had met before.

Somepony's scrying on me? Maybe Apple Bloom found somepony to track me down, she reasoned.

“And so you'll wait for another pony to get you out of this predicament?”

Hah! You should know better, Scoddri. If anypony's getting me out of this, it's me! After being sure that the spell had been around long enough for its caster to get a good grasp on the surroundings, Sweetie Belle reached out with her will at the center of the spell, the magic that matched her own.

She pulled on the emerald strand and it responded, drawing closer to her. For a moment, she felt some resistance, but then it flowed straight into her amulet. As it arrived, she quickly crafted the strands and reached them out to the surrounding spell.

As she did, she felt a flash of emotion. But instead of the shock, fear, or worry that typically accompanied such an action, she instead felt the presence of the other pony's amusement. It felt as though the magic were jeering at her, even as she reformed it into her own pattern.

She quickly pooled the sizable amount of magic into the amulet and decided she'd only use it as she required it. She figured she'd only have enough for a decent teleportation spell, a great deal of talking, or any sort of magic in between. She wasn't about to use it carelessly. Well, she amended to herself even as she formed a plan, not too carelessly.

“Hey kid!” she called out into the room. “Azure was it?”

“Huh? Who's there?!” he shouted back, his eyes peering about the room.

“Hey, don't worry. I'm not a voice in your head or anything,” she assured the colt.

“Is there's anything wrong with hearing a voice inside your head?” Scoddri quipped wryly, but Sweetie Belle ignored his voice.

“Where are you? Who are you?” The colt still looked around the room nervously.

“Oh, I'm Sweetie Belle, pleased to meet you.” Her voice carried a pleased tone, born from the relief she felt at finally being able to speak once again. “I'm over here in your pocket.” She then pulled on her magic to make the amulet glow a bit.

“In my pocket? How'd you get in there?” The colt slowly got out of bed and walked over to the closet and pulled his jacket off the rack. He pulled the amulet out of the pocket and looked at it curiously. “What are you?”

“Why, I'm a unicorn of course,” Sweetie Belle said with a laugh. “Though I am kind of trapped inside this amulet. I was placed into your pocket while you were still asleep,” she offered as a way of explanation. Technically true.

“Ah, yes. The best sort of truth.”

“Huh... I see.” The colt tilted his head. “Why?”

“I don't know. I think it's because I pissed off some powerful unicorn who is now trying to smuggle me out of the city unnoticed and use me for some nefarious plot of his.”

“Right...” the colt deadpanned.

“Oh, come on. If it's this convoluted it has to be true. I couldn't make this up if I tried!”

“But that's just... really weird,” the colt said as he walked back to the bed and slipped the amulet around his neck.

“Well, I'm talking to you now, and that's pretty weird too, right?”

“I suppose... but what do you want from me? Why my pocket?”

“Hay if I know why I end up half the places I do,” Sweetie Belle replied. “But I do know that you can help me.”

“So I'm just supposed to listen to the voice of some mysterious amulet and do whatever you say?” Azure laughed at her. “Do you really think anypony would fall for something like that? I'm not a dumb foal, you idiot.”

“I seem to recall a certain filly that might have fallen for one such ruse in the past,” Scoddri laughed at her expense.

“Hey, who are you calling idiot? You foal! You don't even have a cutie mark!”

The child scowled. “Well I will eventually. At least I didn't get myself trapped in a piece of ugly jewelry!”

“Ugly?! Scoddri's element isn't ugly! An emerald is the best kind of gem!”

“I've seen hundreds of better jewels than this piece of junk.”

Sweetie Belle cut her rebuke short. That insufferable... She forced the anger out her mind. I don't have the time or the magic to waste on this... Just act like an adult, Sweetie. Be professional about this.

“Listen, kid... I'm sorry I poked fun at you for being a blank flank. I was one too, a few years back.”

“Uh, yeah, so? What's your point?” the colt asked. “All ponies were blank flanks before they got their cutie marks... That's just common sense.”

“No, what I mean to say is that I got picked on pretty mercilessly because of that when I was your age. So... I know how that feels, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”

The colt looked down at the amulet. “Well, okay, I guess. It didn't bother me much. I'll get my mark someday soon. I know it.”

“That's the spirit,” Sweetie said happily. “So... do you think you can help me out?”

The colt considered for a moment. “Only if you help me first. You know, like a trade.”

Oh, great. Why do ponies have to be so greedy? Can't anyone just help a pony in need anymore? Sweetie Belle sighed inwardly. “Oh, fine! What can I help you with, Azure?”

“Well...” he looked around hospital room. “Do you have any idea why I'm in a hospital?”

“You collapsed while you were out playing with your friends. They called some adults and the adults brought you here. Your mother and father came by, not long ago and they'll be back after their work is over,” Sweetie Belle explained. “Though, I'd have figured that at least one of your parents would have stayed by your side. Geez, what's with that?”

He shook his head. “No, that's fine. We just lost the house, and they're busy working to make up for it, and I don't want to get in the way of their work. It's not like I was in any real danger anyways. I've collapsed like that a few times before,” he admitted sourly. “I hate causing them trouble.”

“Huh...” Sweetie Belle considered the situation. “So... anything else you need before complying with my own request?”

“Oh, a bunch,” Azure said slyly. “You said you got your cutie mark, right? Why not tell me how you got it?”

“What?!” Sweetie spouted, indignantly. “That's a sensitive subject. You can't just ask a lady about her cutie mark like that!”

“Well, I just did. Give me an answer, or I'll just put you back in my pocket and pretend you aren't there.”

“Well...” Sweetie Belle said darkly. “It's a long story... and I don't like talking about it.”

“That's stupid. Why wouldn't you want to talk about it? Isn't a cutie mark supposed to be your special talent? Finding that out has to be one of the coolest experiences in your life.”

“Hey, I love my cutie mark more than anypony. But how I got it is very... personal.”

“Well, you're the first adult I've ever asked that hasn't just started gushing over how they got their mark. Maybe yours is just a boring story, and you're embarrassed that it won't come close to how awesome my own cutie mark story is going to be,” the child goaded.

“Boring? Hah! You're lucky I'm stuck in this amulet or I'd force you to eat those words. Literally. With my magic.”

“Ooh, I'm so scared,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “You're just an amulet. If you had that kind of power, you'd have already used it. I mean, you're just begging a kid like me for help, because you're stuck otherwise.” He laughed back at her. “Now why don't you just tell me your cutie mark story?”

That insufferable little- Had she the lungs to do so, she’d have sighed. “Fine. Fine, I'll do it. Now listen closely to every word I speak, because I'm not going to repeat myself.”

The colt smiled smugly as he laid down on the bed to listen.

“It all started just over five years ago. It was mid-summer, and I was bored out of my mind. All my friends were busy and my parent were away for the summer. So I decided to help out my sister with some vain hope that I might get my cutie mark...”

* * *

Apple Bloom peered into the mirror they were using. The silvery colour within its depths shimmered for a moment then swirled like a vortex that forms when a pony pulls the plug out of tub of water. The vortex widened and the silver formed to a solid ring around it. Within the vortex, Apple Bloom could see a new scene.

“It looks like a hospital,” Apple Bloom reasoned, “with beds like that and those locked cabinets of medicine. I wonder what Sweetie is doing there... Where is she anyway?”

“Hmm,” Sky Chaser hummed. “Let's see here.” His horn flashed golden for a moment and the scene before them focused on a jacket hanging on a rack in the corner of the room. “By the looks of it... probably in that jacket pocket.”

“So then, now that we know where she is we can go and get her... So where's that hospital.”

“Let's see.” The visual spell zoomed out and spun about observing the room. On a bed, a child with a shimmering blue coat sat, blinking as if he had just woken up. Apple Bloom noted the blank flank as the spell continued backing outward and exited through one of the building’s windows.

“'Crystal Care Walk-in Clinic'? Huh, Ah'm surprised they even have beds at a walk-in clinic.” Apple Bloom mused aloud. “Shouldn't be hard to track down though.”

“Of course. Scrying is my specialty, young Apple Bloom.” The spell moved back inside the room of its own accord, drawn by the bond that the spell was centered upon—namely the shard of Discord and the amulet.

“I wonder if that child stole the amulet. Scootaloo was pretty adamant that that mysterious unicorn was behind this as well.”

“Scootaloo also used mind magic on a guard,” Sky Chaser reminded her and chuckled at her expression. “Oh? What is this?” A look of pleased surprise descended upon the unicorn as he turned his attention back to the scrying mirror. “Well I'll be,” he said as he flared his horn a bit and frowned. “Something's grabbed a hold of the spell and is pulling it away from me. Hah! Most interesting.”

Apple Bloom gasped as the fragment of Discord flew out of Sky Chaser's telekinetic grip and smashed straight into the mirror. It hit with a spray of shattered glass, breaking the spell and the image within.

“Sweetie!” she shouted in surprise. “Shoot. Ah should've warned ya that she'd probably try ta take your magic if she could.”

“Haha! Now that isn't something I can say I've ever seen before. Most interesting.”

“Oh darn!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “That mirror must have cost a fortune!”

“A small fortune, afforded by my position as Magician of the Crystal Court. I'll have it replaced in due time. Worry not, young Apple Bloom. The experience in itself was worth the mirror.”

“But it was my fault. If you weren't lookin' fer Sweetie-”

“Under Prince Shining Armor's orders,” he reminded her. “They are work expenses. Though if you still feel bad, then perhaps you can make it up to me...”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom asked. If he says what I think he's gonna say, I'm gonna give him a solid bucking.

“Well first off, wipe that silly glower off your face. A lady such as yourself has no need for such an expression,” he said with a smile as he magicked the shard of Discord from the shards of glass and gave it back to her.

“I'm not a lady,” she said defiantly and stuffed the shard back into her saddlebags.

“And I'm not much of a lord, yet I hold the title,” he joked. “But perhaps you'd be willing to accompany me-”

“You really don't take a hint, do you?” she asked

“Oh, I see the hints very well—better than most. You see, I was going to suggest that we go and find that poor sap of a guard that your friend laid low. I figure, with a bit of tinkering, I can lead us right to your other friend. Of course, if you have other plans... I do understand.”

“You phrased it that way on purpose,” Apple Bloom pointed out as she tightened the strap on her bag. “Maybe we can get a few guards sent ta pick Sweetie up while we find Scootaloo. Even if we can't, we know where Sweetie is, and it doesn't seem like she's goin' anywhere too fast. And honestly, Ah'm more worried about Scootaloo than Sweetie at the moment."

“I figured it would be an apt choice to find both your friends and reclaim them at our leisure.”

“Thanks,” Apple Bloom said. “Though I am curious. Why are ya helpin' me so readily?”

“Hmm.” The stallion quirked an eyebrow. “If what happened two minutes ago is any indication of what is going to happen when I help you, then the experience itself is worth my while. Besides, being around somepony who's willing to listen to what you are actually saying is most refreshing.” He magicked his orb-topped staff and carried it alongside him.

“Sweetie didn't drain too much of your magic, did she?” Apple Bloom asked as she followed him out of his chambers.

“Oh? Is that concern I hear? How kind of you. And you say you aren't a lady. Don't you see how it can be so confusing to keep track of?”

Apple Bloom responded by moving up beside the stallion shoving him against the wall of the spiraling staircase. He nearly lost his balance, but managed to save himself from an embarrassing, and likely painful, tumble down the stairs. “Don't call me a lady.”

He laughed as he pulled himself to his hooves. “As you wish my... friend, Apple Bloom.”

She rolled her eyes, but shared a chuckle. “Try not to push me too far.”

“Oh, I'll keep it in mind.” He continued down the palace stairs and Apple Bloom followed.

As they moved through the palace, she still found it quite amazing how much natural light made it into the building. They must save a fortune on torches, or otherwise magical lighting. Maybe Canterlot should think to invest in similar building materials. It might save them a fortune in the long-run.

On their way, Apple Bloom noted more than a few staring eyes of what she assumed were nobles and servants, many of which she saw whisper to each other as they passed by. Apple Bloom frowned, and wondered what sort of gossip they might be spreading.

“Ah, the life of the nobles,” Sky Chaser said with a chuckle. “Surely they must be spreading false rumors about me yet again. They've made a reputation for me, and they might as well feed it.”

“So, they think you're some sort of grand mare-chaser and seducer?” Apple Bloom asked, worried about the damage that such rumors could cause her own reputation as an entrepreneur. As much as she hated such politics and the vitriol that could spawn from it, she knew that she would never be able to truly avoid it, especially if she wanted to make a big name for herself.

“Hmm. Yes, I do suppose you could say that. Of course, the validity of their claims are not backed by any real evidence. But enough ponies hearing the same rumor, false or otherwise, is sure to cause some to make assumptions. And ponies are quite prone to act on assumptions.” He shot Apple Bloom a knowing smile. “In my business, one is quick to learn that having the facts and having the evidence is where true strength derives from. I've seen a secret exposed, ruin a pony's life, as well as a secret kept lead one to riches.”

“And yet if these ponies were honest, they'd not have to worry.”

“Ah, perhaps at times that might seem to be true.” He laughed. “But honesty is a tool, like any other. Ponies use it when they have to, and they lie when they have to. True honesty comes from the pursuit of your goals. What are the things that you'd be willing to lie for? To cheat for? To be used for?”

Apple Bloom frowned at his implication of reducing a noble virtue—an Element of Harmony; her sister’s element no less—to something akin to a hammer or nail. But at the same time, she couldn’t entirely refute his point.

“Once you understand those things about yourself, you'll see how, why and when to use the tools of truth and lies. It's a field that I am most accustomed to treading.”

“You certainly don't seem to be lying to me as much as you claim to.”

“Oh?” he asked. “You can be so certain?”

She smiled back at him knowingly. “Ah'm pretty good at catching a lie when Ah see it.”

“It's a shame that so few of them are spelled out, and so many of them are but fleeting vibrations in the air. It's far more effective to spot the truths.”

“So...” Apple Bloom lead in as they walked the halls. “Care to tell me why you have such an interest in me in particular?”

“Well, you're the first mare that's lasted this long around me without running off in anger.” He raised an eyebrow. “What? You don't think that's true.”

“No. I just find it surprising that you're willing to admit it so easily. But still... there's something else, isn't there?”

“Indeed. And had you not noticed, well... then there wouldn't be. I'm a stallion of perception. I watch, I learn, I know where I want to go, and I figure out how to get there. It's what I've done all my life.”

“And yet when ya get there, ya still see the path continuing onward. That's the talk of a dreamer,” Apple Bloom reasoned. “An admirable quality to still have after dealing with politics for so long.”

“Then perhaps you know why I have my eye on you...” he proffered as they rounded a corner.

“You see opportunity... and Ah guess Ah do too.”

He nodded. “Yes... it's rare to come across individuals who have such considerable talent: a solid mind, a certain quality of perception, as well as a willingness to take risks when they have to. I can tell you possess these qualities, young Apple Bloom. Yet you lack the opportunity to fully express them. An opportunity that I might be able to supply.”

He'd have ta prove Ah can trust him. He's a darned slippery stallion. And he'd stab me in the back if it suited his needs; he's already admitted as much. But he's also a noble pony with power and connections. He could be the jump-start Ah need to get mah name out there. She thought for a moment, looking at the middle-aged blue unicorn. But what does he have to gain from me? A percentage of my profits? Or is he after something else?

“Well,” Apple Bloom began as they came to a halt outside of a doorway, midway down the crystal hall. “Ah'd have to consider it, and we'd have ta talk out the details.”

“But of course.” He nodded at her, then moved to open the door. “And finally, we reach the infirmary. We should find our good guard resting away in here.”

A mare looked up at them as they entered the room. She was a light-green crystal pony, positioned behind a reception desk. She blinked a bit and a look of concern formed on her face. “Can I help you, Lord Sky?”

“Now now, no need for formalities. Call me Sky Chaser.”

“And what is your business in coming here, Lord Sky?”

Sky Chaser lent the mare a soft smile. “Why, we are just here to check up on our good friend, Bulwark.”

“Bulwark is resting,” she stated flatly. “And nopony is allowed to see the patients unless they are next of kin. You, Lord Sky, are not next of kin.”

“As I am well aware. How I'd ever explain a crystal pony being my brother is beyond even my ken. However, there remains the fact that I am tasked with solving a rather vexing problem, and seeing our good friend Bulwark is the only way in which we might get around to doing so. I must insist that we see him.” He raised an eyebrow, as if to question whether she'd challenge him. She just stared back coldly. “I am under the orders of the Prince himself. And in times like these, I believe it is most prudent if everypony works together. For the sake of our good city, of course.”

Apple Bloom saw the mare’s passive face turn to a frown, but eventually her ears lowered and she let out a defeated sigh. “He's in the third room on the left. But please, respect the patients.”

“Oh, but of course,” Sky Chaser acknowledged with a nod. He pulled his staff before him and motioned to Apple Bloom. “Come, young Apple Bloom. We'll get to the bottom of this in a jiffy.”

Apple Bloom gave the nurse an apologetic smile and ran to catch up to the unicorn.

* * *

Scootaloo hovered above the city once again, and over time the subtle burning behind her eyes dimmed a bit, but remained. Amidst the call of the wind she heard a voice, like a low moan, or a mumble in somepony's sleep. Hearing voices... the thought made her cringe, but then she scowled at her own fear. I can't be scared of them. I'm not crazy! I'll get to the bottom of this... Somehow...

She stared down at the expansive crystal city. The hundreds of buildings glittered in the afternoon sun. From up above nothing looked wrong to Scootaloo, save for the few decimated homes on the outskirts. It was frustrating the way everything seemed to be moving on below her, as though the city hadn't just been attacked, as though there wasn't a looming threat over their empire. The pristine buildings mocked the burning in her eyes. They mocked the fact that Rainbow Dash and all the others were trapped in crystal. They mocked the fact that Sweetie was trapped in an amulet. And they mocked the fact that she was hearing voices in the wind, and seeing visions through eyes not her own.

Another sound caught in her ears from the wind. For once, instead of murmuring, muttering, or moaning, it was a voice she recognized.

“So I decided to head towards Canterlot. Not just because Scoddri was telling me to, but because I wanted to see him, face to face.”

Scootaloo's vision blurred over, even as she hovered in place. She was now looking down and saw a body that was not her own. It was a deep blue, small body, and shimmered with a crystal effect. Dangling from this stranger's neck, Scootaloo saw the amulet flashing idly as Sweetie continued her story.

“So what happened next?” a child’s voice asked. “When do you get your cutie mark?”

Damn it! Focus Scootaloo! You're still flying! she had to remind herself. She still felt her body treading the air and made sure to keep her wing-beats even to keep her balance.

Sweetie's actually there! I finally found her! Even if it is through these damned visions... she's there.

Scootaloo heard Sweetie regaling her tale, a tale that Scootaloo had only ever heard her share once before. And as far as she knew, Sweetie hadn't told anypony else the full story. Even with Apple Bloom, Twilight, or Rarity she'd shied away from mentioning certain specifics. Such as hearing the voice in her head, or that she called him Scoddri instead of Discord, or how close the owlbear had come to catching her. And now she's sharing the story with some random colt in a hospital?!

She shook her head and focused on the scene before her. She willed the image to move, for the colt to look around and see the room around him. I have to find out where she is.

She felt resistance for a moment and the pain behind her eyes began to deepen like a slight pinch that slowly tightened with every passing second. The resistance she felt was akin to being in a dream and changing it to her whims, and the pain was negligible when compared it to the years she'd spent pushing herself to her physical limits and beyond, all in the name of chasing after Rainbow Dash.

With a grunt, she forced her will upon the image in her head, and it began to move. She heard the child wince as he looked away from the amulet and toward an open window, through which the afternoon sunlight shone. Out past the opening a series of buildings, red, green and blue could be seen. The building that the child was in seemed to be one of pale green.

“Ah!” the young colt groaned.

Just bear with it, kid. It can't be worse than how much my eyes are burning.

“Azure? Oh no! Is he taking control again? Fight it! Don't let him control you.” Sweetie's voice rang in Scootaloo's ears.

The fire behind her eyes blazed hotter every second, and Scootaloo felt tears flow freely down her muzzle in her body's attempt to stop the burning. Holding her focus tight, and using the pain to block everything else from her mind, she committed the colours and the roofs’ shapes to her memory. To the west of a two-storey green building, from north to south: red, green, blue. I can find it!

With a wrenching groan, forced her mind away from the child and back into her body.

She opened her eyes to see the a tear-blurred world around her, spinning wildly out of control, as her body tumbled in a dangerous corkscrew towards the chromatic cityscape. She reflexively shot out her wings and fought to counter the dangerous spin that she was performing.

In a second, the spinning had slowed just enough for her to spot an incoming shining building. With a yelp, she beat her wings against the inevitable crash and fell hard against the rooftop, rolling across it's slick surface and slipped off its slanted side. With a yelp, she felt the alley rising up to meet her.

* * *

End of Chapter 17

Chapter 18 - To Choose to Act

A Heart of Change - Chapter 18: To Choose to Act
By: SilentBelle

“Ow!” The colt winced, bringing a hoof to his forehead.

“Azure!” Sweetie Belle called out to him, hoping her words would make it past the foul magic the flowed from his eyes. “You have to fight it, don't let him take control.” She wanted desperately to shoot her magic out and peel the poisonous energy away from the colt, but she didn't want to risk losing her magic like she did last time with Scootaloo.

“What is this? What's happening?” Azure managed to ask between heavy gasps.

“It's him, the pony behind it all. He's trying to control you! You can't give in to it! You have to fight it!”

“I...” His panting lessened. “I think it's going away...”

Sweetie Belle noticed as the magic receded behind the pony's eyes once again. But it'll come back at this rate. While the sickening magic disgusted her, she had to admit it did intrigue her as well. From what I've seen, it takes hold of the pony's mind... like a puppet. I'd never thought such an intricate form of mind magic was possible. It almost took control of the child while he was still awake. If that nameless unicorn has more than just this child and Scootaloo... No! she firmly told herself. Maybe I can do something to stop it. It's magic—just another set of threads—any spell can be unwoven.

Before she could send out a line of magic toward Azure, she sensed a disturbance in the magic around, it was akin to a change in pressure. Locating the source, she noticed a pony had arrived on the other side of the window.

Sweetie Belle would have gasped if she had a mouth, and Azure looked up in surprise to see Scootaloo enter through the open window.

Sweetie Belle was quick to note that Scootaloo's once beautiful amethyst eyes had turned to an unnatural red, and the whites around the irises bubbled with a sickening green which seeped away in purple plumes of mist. That wasn't the Scootaloo she knew, she could feel the twisted wrongness emanating from her friend.

“Who are-” Azure stuttered out in his surprise before a deep, calm voice interrupted him.

“Sleep, child!” The voice came from the pegasus, though Scootaloo's mouth did not move. As the voice spoke, Sweetie Belle felt a stream of that vile pattern strike out like a serpent and hit the child. In the next second, the child's voice stopped and his eyes rolled backward. “Time to take back what belongs to me.”

He moved forward with Scootaloo's body, next to the bed. The movements were staggered and unnatural, and Scootaloo's eyes remained open and unblinking the whole while. Using Scootaloo's forelegs as a master puppeteer would use a marionette, he reached out to take the amulet from the child's neck.

“No!” Sweetie Belle shouted. Using her own magic, she quickly wrapped it around Azure and pulled the child, along with herself, out of the bed and away from Scootaloo. She kept Azure aloft and moved out of reach from the approaching pegasus. “Scootaloo! Snap out of it!”

“Oh, if it isn't the half-heart girl,” the voice sneered. “Struggling now won't save you. I have your friend under my total control.” To prove his point, he made Scootaloo leap forward and grab at Azure.

Sweetie pulled on her dwindling reserve of magic and managed to move the child away from the lunge, though the motion was nearly fumbled as her telekinetic weave began to unravel. Azure hit the ground with a loud thud and slid to a stop near the door.

“Watch it, girl. You might hurt the child,” the voice said with a mocking laugh.

“You're one to talk!” Sweetie Belle rebuked.

Scootaloo's body began walking toward her and the unconscious child. Sweetie knew she only had enough magic for one last telekinetic weave or a spell of comparable complexity. Shoot! I'm so close to the door... If we could just get to a place with other ponies, then they'd stop him. She considered the window, but she knew the fall would be devastating to Azure. Certainly enough to break a leg or two, and she wasn't about to let the colt come to any harm if she could help it.

“Now why would I want to hurt that which is mine?”

“You don't own other ponies!” Sweetie Belle shouted and put all of her remaining magic into a simple light spell as bright as a flash of lightning.

Instead of thunder, Sweetie Belle heard a snarling hiss and noticed Scootaloo's body fumble unevenly to the ground. Please, let somepony have seen that!

“When we fall short, we beg for mercy. We give a silent scream to those who cannot hear.” Scoddri laughed bitterly in the aftermath of the spell. “You can't fight the tides of fate, Sweetie Belle. We all eventually drown in them, no matter how we struggle.”

That's all the more reason to struggle! she wanted to shout to the voice, but her magic reserves were empty. So she could only sit there and observe as Scootaloo's body staggered upright once again and stumbled toward her.

“I do hope that you are quite done, girl. As amusing as your parlor tricks are, you are quite out of your league.” Scootaloo stooped forward and slipped the emerald necklace off of the child's neck. In a moment, the pegasus had the necklace around her own neck.

“Sweetie...” The word tumbled from Scootaloo's mouth, and the pegasus' whole body began to twitch, her controlled movements ceasing for a moment.

Sweetie Belle noticed a flare in the strength of the magic which resided within her friend's eyes. It dripped forth like tears that transformed into numerous flowing coils which entwined around each of Scootaloo's limbs and tightened.

The mare's body was made to slowly stumble toward the window, her orange wings spread from her sides. “No...” Scootaloo's voice was barely a whisper as she gasped against the other pony's control of her body. “You can't...”

“Watch me,” the voice of acid spoke as he forced Scootaloo's fore-hooves on to the windowsill, preparing to dive off.

As they moved to the window, Sweetie Belle noticed a familiar pattern cross her vision. Scoddri's fragment? Her thought was echoed by a staccato of hooves coming up the staircase.

Scootaloo's body leaped clumsily from the ledge. As it did so, Apple Bloom crashed through the doorway to the room. Her eyes locked onto Scootaloo and the amulet around her neck.

“Oh, hay no!” Apple Bloom shouted. “You ain't getting' away with my friends!”

She ran at the window and dove through the air right at Scootaloo. With a chomp, she managed to snag her friend's purple tail, and she wrapped her fore-hooves around Scootaloo's hind legs.

The pegasus' wings beat furiously, but with the added weight of another pony, they quickly crashed to the ground, nearly flattening a crystal pony.

The afternoon crowd of mostly crystal ponies quickly formed a ring around the two ponies. There was enough room for Scootaloo to jump to her hooves with the intent to take to the air once again. But Apple Bloom had anticipated the action and gave her friend's tail a mighty tug, causing Scootaloo to fall flat to the ground before the pegasus could make a single wing-beat.

Apple Bloom then took the initiative and pounced on her friend, pinning her down, an action that she had perfected through more than a few days of roughhousing back in Ponyville.

Sweetie Belle heard a hiss, and noticed the magic recede back behind Scootaloo's eyes. “You'll pay for this. Of that, I promise.” The voice faded just as the magic had, and Scootaloo's eyes returned to their normal violet hue.

Scootaloo blinked, looking up at Apple Bloom. “Damn it all,” she muttered, a wan smile touching her lips. She then let out a tired laugh. “Didn't I tell you I'd find Sweetie?”

“And you did a fine job of it,” Apple Bloom said sarcastically and kept her friend pinned below her.

From the crowd of ponies, two guards rushed over them, their metallic armour clinking in synchronicity with their hoof beats. “Hey! What's going on here?!” one of the guards demanded, when a flamboyantly-dressed unicorn, whose cutie mark was blocked by his colourful jacket, interceded.

“Ah, perfect timing, gentlecolts. We're just retrieving a wanted criminal and bringing her back to the palace.” The blue unicorn smiled and then lowered his voice. “Let's try and not make a huge scene of this, shall we?”

“Lord Sky,” one of the guards responded. “I understand, Sir, we shall escort the criminal back to the palace.”

“Do be warned, that pegasus is a hoof-full, she even managed to hospitalize one of the royal guard and got away with it.” The unicorn allowed himself a small chuckle. “Well, until now, that is.”

“What? Criminal?!” Sweetie Belle asked. “What are you talking about? Scootaloo would never do something like that! It wasn't her fault!”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and sighed at Sweetie Belle's outburst, and the two guards looked between each other in shock and went to reach for their weapons.

“Now, now, boys. Settle down,” Sky Chaser said and lowered his voice once again. “That's merely a talking piece of jewelry. There was much magic at work here, and it would be best if we returned to the palace before the crowd gets it in their heads to start spreading wildly exaggerated tales of what has just transpired here.”

“Right.” Both of the guards nodded and moved over to where Apple Bloom had Scootaloo pinned. “Alright, girl, we'll take her from here.”

“Come on, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said gently as she let the guards lift her friend up from the ground. “They'll take you back to the Crystal Palace and we'll sort everything out there.”

Scootaloo merely lowered her head and nodded.

“But Scootaloo didn't do anything wrong!” Sweetie Belle protested. “Why are you calling her a criminal?”

“Oh, be quiet for a bit Sweetie,” Apple Bloom warned. “Ah said we'll sort it out at the Crystal Palace. You're making a scene here.”

“I don't care if I'm making a scene, Bloom! This is Scoots we're talking about! She's not a criminal.”

“Sweetie!” Apple Bloom whispered firmly. “Please, just stay quiet for a bit, Ah'll explain everything when we get out o' this crowd.

“Scoots? What happened?” Sweetie Belle asked, ignoring Apple Bloom's plea as they were escorted up the streets.

Scootaloo winced and with a hoof, she took the amulet off from around her neck. “Bloom, take Sweetie.”

Apple Bloom nodded and slipped the amulet onto her neck.

“What the hay?! Scoots! Bloom, what's going on?!” Sweetie Belle demanded. “If I don't get any answers I'll zap you!” She pulled at the magic from Scoddri's fragment and issued forth small sparks of emerald magic from the amulet.

A few nearby ponies gasped at the display of magic. Apple Bloom sighed as the guards made their way, with Scootaloo, out of the crowded streets and toward the palace. “It's complicated and we aren't entirely sure, but we think that Scootaloo's in danger,” she muttered quietly as she made her way out of the crowd and prying ears.

“Uh, yeah, they're taking her to the dungeon, and you're just letting them... If that doesn't sound like a friend being in danger then I don't know what does.”

“Oh, they're not going to take her to a dungeon,” Lord Sky said, as he emerged from the crowd and stood next to Apple Bloom. He had given the guards a last bit of debriefing before sending them on their way. “They'll just keep her in a safe room where they are sure she won't be able to escape or hurt herself, while we figure out how to deal with the situation. Oh, and I am Sky Chaser, by the way. Scrymaster of the Crystal Court, at your service, Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom has told me a bit about you.”

“So you're the one that told them to take Scootaloo away and called her a criminal?” She saw the unicorn's smile only widen at the accusation and she was quite tempted to throw a bolt of magical energy right into his dumb face.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said. “I know it's painful ta see her like this, Sweetie, but we have ta figure out how ta break that spell that was put on her. She was bein' controlled, ya know?”

“Of course I know that!” Sweetie replied. “But we can't just lock her up, she's our friend, Bloom.”

“But you saw her yourself, Sweetie. Ah'm pretty sure she knows she was bein' controlled, or at least she knows that somethin' ain't right. She's countin' on us ta fix that for her while she stays in a safe place.”

But she needs us by her side, not on the other side of the city! Sweetie Belle was about ready to scream. “Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's follow them back and fix it!”

Lord Sky laughed at Sweetie's words. “Now that's a commendable approach to the situation, though it may take some time to figure out exactly what has happened to her and how to fix it. Mind magic is truly a troublesome thing to deal with.”

“Why don't we head back ta your chambers at the palace or perhaps to a library ta find out more information on mind magic?” Apple Bloom looked at the unicorn pensively. “Unless you know of a specialist in the city that could help.”

“Unfortunately, I do not know any specialists whom I'd trust to remove the magic without causing lasting harm to the poor girl. It might be prudent to search the library for some answers,” he said with a smile, and pointed to a nearby building with his staff. Above the door it read: 'Crystal Empire Public Library'. “I do, however, have a certain situation to explain to the staff of this infirmary about what just happened inside their building, and why one of their patients is unconscious and on the floor.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said sheepishly. “Sorry fer makin' a mess o' things.”

“Oh, worry not, young Apple Bloom. If being near you and your friends is always this exciting, then I find such small matters of logistics to be little more than trifling tasks.” He laughed to himself. “Do come by my chambers later this evening, we can discuss your friend, Scootaloo, then.” With a bow and a flourish of his staff he turned and made his way into the green infirmary building that Sweetie had just been inside only ten minutes prior.

“What the hay?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Inviting you to his chambers... Is he making moves on you or something?”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Ya think so too? He's doin' a pretty bad job of it, ain't he? I've heard he has a bit of a reputation 'round the palace. Makes ya wonder what he's really up ta though. Ah don't trust him any further than I could throw him, but he's been helpful so far.”

“Oh...” Sweetie Belle noticed a small line of magical threads idly flow out of the infirmary entrance. An auditory scrying spell... “So he must be the one who scryed on me earlier... and that's how you found us.”

“You did disrupt his scrying spell, you know,” Apple Bloom stated. “Caused a whole mirror to shatter.”

Sweetie Belle laughed. “Well, a scrymaster should learn how to protect his spells a bit better.” She reached out with her magic and grabbed at the small scrying spell. With deft finesse, she wrenched the sigil apart and pulled the magic into her amulet. “Of course I suspect he's hardly ever come across any pony who could dismantle his spells so readily.”

“Well, Ah'm glad that he was excited about the mirror breakin' rather than demanding for a reimbursement from me.” Apple Bloom moved to the library entrance, oblivious to Sweetie's hidden display of magic. “Up for some reading?”

“I doubt they'll have any useful books on magic in here,” Sweetie Belle muttered. “We should be by Scootaloo trying to fix her instead of reading random books.”

“Don't be dense, Sweetie. We both know they won't let any of us near her until later anyway. While Ah don't really trust Sky, Ah am pretty certain that he is genuinely interested in helping Scootaloo, if just ta figure out how that spell worked in the first place. So it makes sense ta wait for him ta get the authority required ta visit Scootaloo.” She shook her head. “Breakin' in past the guards just ta see her ain't a good idea. We both know she's innocent of any real crime, so we should approach it sensibly.”

But do we have the time to act sensibly? Sweetie had to wonder. The guy behind this all sounded pretty angry. And I just know he's going to strike when he thinks he can catch everypony off guard.

* * *

Scootaloo had been escorted to a sapphire chamber by no less than four guards once they had reached the palace. She hadn't kept track of where she was in the complex building. She just knew she was taken up a large number of stairs and that they had left her in this locked, empty chamber. Nothing was inside of it, save for a single plush pallet that had been laid down in the center of the room.

She had sat down there, nearly collapsing in exhaustion. Her body ached as if every muscle had been overworked, and her wings felt as though they were sprained. She remembered her crash-landing on the roof earlier, before the snake had taken hold, and now she was feeling the bruises and scrapes. Still, the dull throbbing of her body was easily masked by the more pertinent burning behind her eyes.

He had me, the thought ran through her mind as she pushed her head hard against the soft pallet. I saw Sweetie and then I crashed... But I still saw her. I chased after her... found her. Then I woke up to falling again. There was a missing gap there. It's him... he can control me? The idea made her bile churn, but she knew it to be true. She could still feel that serpentine presence, like a wrapping pressure slowly burning behind her own eyes. It was a fire that she knew wouldn't die out any time soon.

Sitting there... waiting to strike...

Scootaloo recalled Apple Bloom's stern and questioning glare when she had awoken to the mare pinning her to the ground, and the realization that had it not been for Apple Bloom, Scootaloo would have been flying Sweetie Belle right to the nameless voice. She almost got taken because of me. Damn it! I can't be near her like this. Staying away from her is the only thing I can do now.

A sound piqued Scootaloo's ears, and they twitched instinctively, notifying her that the front door's lock had just been unbolted. She raised her head to see who was entering the sparse chamber.

Six armoured ponies entered the room alert with their weapons at the ready. Each pony glowered at her as she met their eyes. They're looking at me like I'm scum... Scootaloo winced inwardly, but then there was one pony amongst them who did not have a glistening shimmer to his coat, nor did he share in their accusatory glares. He was a white unicorn stallion with a mess of unkempt blue hair and creases of fatigue which ran deep creases across his face. To his credit though, his posture was sharp and alert.

Scootaloo blinked in recognition. That's... Shining Armor?

“Scootaloo from Ponyville, was it? Sister of Rainbow Dash?” Shining Armor asked as he entered the room, frowning at her slightly. Scootaloo could feel his eyes lock onto hers, and she was reminded of those other athletes she had faced over the years. She'd always hated the competition and those measuring gazes, as if they could determine her worth just from a single look.

“She's not my real sister,” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. “So what are you going to do?”

“Show some respect!” a heavily steel-clad stallion with a crystal heart insignia emblazoned upon his armour ordered. He held a glare of of controlled anger—the look of a pony who had already decided her worth, or lack thereof.

Shining Armor ignored the other pony's outburst and looked Scootaloo in the eyes. He then nodded knowingly. “And a good friend of Apple Bloom,” he continued evenly. “I've come to ask a few questions. What we do afterward will depend on your answers.”

“Go ahead,” Scootaloo said dismissively, she glanced away and didn’t bother to raise herself from the pallet.

“The royal guard, Sergeant Bulwark. Earlier today you demanded entrance into the royal chamber, then attacked and hospitalized him!” the louder crystal pony shouted. “What did you do to him?!”

“I...” Scootaloo shook her head and winced. “I don't know what happened! I looked at him for one second then he fell over.”

“You liar! You attacked him then fled!”

“Captain, please!” Shining Armor said sternly with a short stare at the pony beside him. He then looked back to Scootaloo. “Is that all you did? You looked at him? Was there anything else?”

“It wasn't me!” Scootaloo shook her head. “There's somepony out there. The guy behind the storms. He attacked them.”

“Did I?” a quiet hiss filled her mind. Were you not trying to force your way past them? Did you not want them to fall? Did you not hate them?

“-tack him?” Scootaloo missed the question as the voice faded from her mind.

She blinked a few times, and the ponies were looking at her expectantly waiting for an answer.

“What?” she asked.

Shining Armor's frown deepened. “You were there. How did this unknown unicorn attack him?”

“I don't know... I'm not Sweetie Belle, I don't know anything about magic.”

“So there was nothing? No spell? No light? No anything?!” The captain shook his head and snorted derisively. “All magic leaves a mark. Your Majesty, I think she's lying to us. I told you this was a waste of time.”

“I have no reason to doubt her words, Captain,” Shining replied and ran a hoof over his temples. “It is unfortunate, however we must keep her here until we either clear or confirm the allegations against her. Perhaps Lord Sky will be able to glean some more insight on this situation.”

“That pompous aristocrat has no place investigating a crime against the guard,” the captain said sourly.

“We've talked about this before. There is magic involved, and I have ordered him to investigate it. An order from the crown in a time of crisis overrules any jurisdictions. Lord Sky is competent; he even managed to track her down before your own guards could.” Shining Armor shook his head and turned to leave. “It pains me to keep her here, but we have no choice at the moment. We're done here.”

The other ponies fell in line and Scootaloo watched as they cautiously backed out of the room, as if expecting her to leap on them and wrestle her way out. Out? And go where? Find Sweetie just so he can try and steal her again? The idea was preposterous.

“Captain, inform me when Bulwark awakens, we'll get his side of the story. In the meantime let’s go over the contingency plans should the alarm go off,” Shining Armor said as they left.

“But my Prince, we’ve been over this three times already. The guards know their orders. Besides.... you need rest, and with the princess-”

The door closed firmly, and the echoing of the locking bolt sliding shut filled the room for a moment before it petered out. Silence descended upon the pegasus.

“So they're keeping me locked up in here?” Scootaloo sighed. “I guess I deserve it after what's happened. It's safer this way.”

“Locked in, like a bird in a cage...”

“Shut up, you dumb voice!” she whispered. “I'm not letting you have control again!”

“Letting me have control? It is I who is letting you have control, girl. You serve me.”

“No!” she rebuked the hissing voice. “I don't serve anypony! I won't let you use me! You can't!”

The snake's laughter filled her mind for a while. Scootaloo clenched her eyes closed tightly and willed the burning behind her eyes to not return in force. The voice ebbed away, leaving Scootaloo alone on the pallet, shivering, and alighting the cloth fabric with tears.

* * *

“I don't even know what we're looking for any more,” Sweetie Belle complained as Apple Bloom pulled another book from a shelf.

Hmm, another book on traditions and histories within the Empire, but still no tomes explicitly about magic or anything. These might be the closest we'll find... Apple Bloom set the book on a pile of other histories of the Empire that they had found.

Apple Bloom scowled as she spied the librarian from across the room. The golden crystal pony sat on the other side of a desk, yawning in a stray beam of the early afternoon sunlight which filtered in from above. He hadn't been much help in locating any books on magic. The stallion had just directed them to the history section and claimed that any books on magic would be over there, since they didn’t have an actual magic section. While Apple Bloom couldn't expect the librarian to have read all the books, it still irked her that he'd rather sit behind his counter and lazily flip through the pages of some juvenile romance story while she had to poke her way around the shelves.

“I told you they wouldn't have any books on magic here,” Sweetie continued with an added sigh as she lifted a book with magic and opened it to various sections before closing it and letting it fall to the ground. “This isn't Canterlot or Twilight's library, the crystal ponies don't have any books dedicated to magic. Why would they?”

“Hey, mind the books. Ah don't want ta have ta pay for any damages,” Apple Bloom warned her. “In any case, aren't you the one that always says that all ponies have magic and use it, not just unicorns?” Apple Bloom argued as she opened one for the history books and looked for an index. She found a listing, with one word in particular that caught her attention. 'Rituals – 107', it read.

“Uh, yeah, all things have magic in them. It's just that unicorns are able to manipulate it regularly and in a practical manner. We can shift it from one medium to another pretty simply, it just takes a bit of effort. The effects are so visibly different from either earth ponies or pegasi that they aren't even considered magical in the eyes of many stupid unicorns. Just because an earth pony can't levitate objects doesn't mean that their actions aren't magical, though.” Sweetie Belle snorted. “If those dumb scholars could see what I see, they'd realize just how wrong they are.”

“Hmm,” Apple Bloom hummed, ignoring Sweetie's comment. “It says that crystal ponies have a number of rituals that they perform. A rain dance, a harvest parade, a snow call, and the spring sonata.”

“Gah! I can finally talk again and I just get ignored,” Sweetie Belle made the sound of an exasperated huff, but when Apple Bloom didn’t respond right away, she continued talking. “Rituals, huh...? I don't suppose they have a 'break-insidious-magic-mind-spell ritual'? Though if they do have weather-altering stuff, then magic is definitely at play with the crystal ponies too. Canterlot always uses magic to clean up winter when spring arrives, and the only way to interact with things like clouds is with the proper magic sigil.”

“Or if you're a pegasus,” Apple Bloom added as she kept reading.

“Pegasi use the same sigil though,” Sweetie Belle argued back. “They just form it instinctively. I could replicate it easily. Heck the cloud-walking spell is practically the same thing. It's not too tough of a sigil... it's just subtle.” Sweetie Belle paused for a moment. “But still, Bloom, we aren't getting anywhere in here.”

Apple Bloom frowned at Sweetie's complaints and shut the book in her hooves. “You really aren't one for books, huh?”

“Why read about doing stuff when we can just go out and do it, Bloom? I don't see why Twilight always thought that reading them was so much fun. 'Sweetie, you have to read about and fully understand the physical transmutation spell and all its rules before you cast it!'” Sweetie had changed her magical voice into a surprisingly accurate portrayal of Twilight's own. “Fah! I told her that she only needed to show the spell to me once and I'd be able to cast it in no time at all, and then I proved it to her. Then she goes and says I wasn't doing it safely enough.”

“She was probably right,” Apple Bloom muttered as she moved to return the books to their shelves.

“She was not!” Sweetie protested while the amulet flashed, echoing her annoyance. “No pony was hurt, and there were no lasting damages.”

Apple Bloom frowned as she put the last book back upon its proper shelf. She recalled hearing about that particular event before. Numerous times in fact. “Wasn't that the week when Twilight had lost the entirety of her mane? You two haven't ever gotten past that incident, have ya?”

“It was just hair... It grew back. She even got a potion from Zecora to fix it up real quick.” Sweetie snorted. “Honestly, she's too picky about how things are supposed to be done. If it's not done the traditional way she's used to, then she'll bite your head off and claim it's wrong.”

Apple Bloom chuckled lightly and moved to the entrance of the library. She pushed open the door and stepped out onto the street with a small grin on her face. “How you two ever made it through the past five years, Ah'll never know.”

“Tell me about it.” Sweetie's amulet pulsated lightly as the afternoon light fell upon it. “So, now that we wasted a good hour, are we going to head on back to the palace and finally try to help Scootaloo?”

“Hmm... Well, Sky said ta meet him in the evenin'. Ah'm not certain Ah'd want ta just loiter 'round the palace fer that long.”

“So then where are you going to be taking us? Sightseeing?” Sweetie's voice was laced with sarcasm. “We should visit Scoots.”

“And we will. But goin' now is pointless. We'll need Sky's authority ta even get close to Scootaloo. Plus we'll need ta find a way ta get rid o' that spell that's on her.”

“Which I can't do unless we go to her...”

“Which we can't do unless we get permission to go to her. Which we'll get this evenin'. A lord like Sky Chaser is a busy pony, we'll meet him like we planned.”

“Busy?” Sweetie Belle snorted. “He's probably trying to sweet-talk some random mare, and he’s probably getting rejected as we speak. Though it has been a while since he last tried to spy on us.”

“Oh?” Apple Bloom asked, mild concern breaching her voice as she made her way down the colourful streets. She kept an eye out for the store signs as she navigated through the crowds of ponies, but she kept the majority of her attention on Sweetie Belle’s words.

“Yeah, he was trying to listen in on our earlier conversations. I picked apart his spell though. I think he'll know better than to try scrying without my permission again.”

“That wouldn't cause any more damages would it?” Apple Bloom asked worriedly, thinking back to the mirror that had shattered when they were scrying earlier that afternoon.

“Nah, it was a little different than that. See, that was scrying via an object, which means the spell is built around the object's magic, I guess kind of like a seam in a dress or a pillar of a structure. Of course with his first spell, that magic was linked to my amulet via Scoddri's fragment and I wrestled it out of his spell sigil. Thus his spell collapsed, much like a building, or a dress if you pull at the main seam. I’m actually surprised that the mirror shattered in the first place, normally it would just shut down the spell.”

“And his attempt after that was different, how?” Apple Bloom wondered, as she built a picture in her mind of Sweetie Belle knocking out the central pillar of a building and using her magic to catch all the falling debris as it fell. The image nearly made her chuckle.

“He used a ranged scrying spell the second time, not a seeking one,” Sweetie Belle explained. “It has a different structure, and I took it apart from the top down. So it was kind of like if somepony were 'unbuilding' a building instead knocking it over. If that makes any sense.”

Apple Bloom considered as the image in her mind was taken apart piece by piece, and she nodded. “Your magic really is a lot like building things, isn't it?”

“Yeah... I suppose it is. In the same way that building and painting are the same. It's creating, reworking, and adjusting the magic to fit the right sigil so it does what I want.”

“But how do you know how it needs to look?”

“The same way you know how to talk I guess. Or in the way that a pony knows what words to use to write for a song, or what intonations to use when singing.” Sweetie Belle laughed. “It starts off as a lot of guesswork and seeing how other ponies do it. If you look at the grand picture, it certainly seems impossible. But I've figured it out one step at a time, and now, when I know what I want to do with magic, I can work at it until I get it right. It's an answer you'll never find in the books on magic.”

“That makes... Far more sense than Ah thought it would,” Apple Bloom admitted.

“Well of course it does. Magic might seem like inexplicable unpredictable chaos, but there are patterns to its creation and its application. Using those patterns, adding to them, building on them... that's what real magic is about.”

“And that's why the spells always backfire,” Apple Bloom said with a laugh.

“The best way to learn is make mistakes,” Sweetie concluded.

Apple Bloom frowned at that. “But with Scootaloo we can't afford ta make mistakes.”

“I know that,” Sweetie Belle said coolly. “And I promise that this is one time where I won't make a mistake. I've spent a lifetime making mistakes, Apple Bloom, of learning when and where I can make them, and when I shouldn't have made them. I'm not going to mess up with Scootaloo on the line. If there's one thing in this world you can be sure about, it's that.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah'm glad yer more serious about this than ya make yerself out ta be.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” the amulet shot back.

“Well, ya just come across as a little spacey from time to time is all... but Ah know from experience that ya always come through when it counts. And it does this time, Sweetie.”

“Thanks,” Sweetie replied softly.

Apple Bloom's eyes were drawn to the sign she had been looking for. It was a newer building of onyx coloured crystal with a dome-shaped roof on the outskirts of the city. A few nearby buildings had scaffolding around them and ponies going about, fixing what they could with their supplies, but the onyx building showed no signs of being damaged from the storm. Pristine polished rubies were the single colour standing out against the dark building. They formed the letters of the arching sign, 'Crystal Gems'.

“Ah, just the place Ah was lookin' for.”

“Huh...” Sweetie said. “You were actually looking for this place? I thought you were just trying to map out the city.”

Apple Bloom laughed lightly as she approached the building. “I wouldn’t be wanderin’ around aimlessly, Sweetie Belle,” she assured her friend.

There were no windows or translucent crystal panelling on this building, which was quite unlike every other building she had seen in the city thus far. Though a single ‘open’ sign painted on a sturdy hinged wooden stand did at least indicate that the owner was present.

She pushed her way through the dark door, which swung open easily at her touch, sounding an echoing chime as she entered the shop.

“Welcome,” a voice called out from across the room followed by a quick sniffing sound. “Ah, what brings good ponies such as yourselves to my gem shop?”

Apple Bloom took a cursory glance at the shop. Numerous gems were on display behind glass cases. The goods were centered on rather high-quality fabric, chosen to accentuated the colours of the crystals that were being presented. They positively twinkled from the light of numerous glowcrystals that were suspended from the ceiling. I feel like I'm underground again, Apple Bloom thought. Ah'm impressed.

She turned her focus across the room and it fell upon the diamond dog who had called out the greeting earlier. Unsurprisingly, the dog had a greenish tint to his coat, and he wore a simple brown vest with numerous pockets. Many of the pockets were filled with different metallic tools, and Apple Bloom felt her curiosity piqued by the small utensils. Not for the first time, she wondered just how a dog could manage to cut the gemstones as perfectly as they managed to.

“Jaden?” Apple Bloom asked simply.

“Hmm? Yes, that is my name,” the dog admitted while nodding, though his brow formed to a frown as he glanced at her. Apple Bloom was quick to note that his eyes lingered on the half-heart amulet for a while longer than she’d have expected them to. “Do I know you, pony?”

“Oh, no, we've never met,” she assured the dog. “But Ah have just come back from visiting the Blacksnout clan, and I talked to your sister while Ah was there.”

“Oh?” the dog questioned and moved out from behind his counter to get a better look at her.

“Yes. In fact, Ah made a deal with her, and by association, with you,” Apple Bloom explained as she fished through her pack and pulled out a heavy stone from within it. “She asked me to deliver this to ya when Ah got here.”

Jaden raised an eyebrow at the stone. “Ah, sister, always making deals without my consent.” He laughed. “But I'm sure that she has her eyes on a worthwhile prize. Hand it here and let me read it.”

Apple Bloom offered the stone and smiled. “Ah'm Apple Bloom by the way.”

Jaden nodded as he took the stone. “A pleasure, certainly. Just give me a moment while I read this.” The dog squinted at the stone before him, and his mouth moved ever so slightly as he worked out the words to himself.

With a soft smile, Apple Bloom looked around to see what else the diamond dog had in his store. His selection of gems was quite extensive. She was certain that she couldn't name half the different types of gems if she had tried, and the fact that none of the gems had prices displayed alongside them could only mean that she was in a quality store. Our future supplier... And if we botch this up, Ah'll lose all my money Ah saved up for that 'pprenticeship just reimbursin' Aura and Jaden. She smiled inwardly. She liked a challenge when she came across one, and this was one she was ready to face.

“So, you are an inventor... Apple Bloom, yes?”

Apple Bloom nodded and turned back to face the diamond dog.

“Well, my sister has promised that we are to be your supplier of gems as well as get you into contact with a few of the metal suppliers that I deal with. It may take a few days before I can get in contact with Polish and get the metal you'll want. So be sure to give a me a list of what you need in advance,” Jaden explained. “Aura seems to think that your invention has great promise, and that even if it fails, we'll have turned a profit from this venture, regardless. Though if it does succeed, we are your first customers at double the cost of the materials.”

“Only for the first five we make,” Apple Bloom said sternly. “And you two can do whatever ya want with them after ya bought 'em. Mark 'em up in price and sell 'em, or use 'em yerselves.”

The dog hummed in a light growl. “Yes, and if Aura thought you capable of creating such a device, then it will be worthwhile. Even one as unimaginative as I can see how useful such an invention would be for any dog.”

“Or pony,” Apple Bloom added. “Ah hope it helps out everyone, ponies and dogs alike.”

“A rather lofty ambition.” The dog nodded to himself as he moved back to behind his counter and set the carved rock down into a compartment out of Apple Bloom's sight. “But you are young for a pony, and it is such ambition that drives youth. You want to make your mark, a name for yourself, to prove yourself. And who am I to quell such enthusiasm?”

“A fellow entrepreneur?” Apple Bloom suggested.

“Ah, precisely.” Jaden barked a laugh. “The first diamond dog to open a business in the Crystal Empire, I was. I do hope you will also come to share that same sort of success with your plans.”

“If Ah didn't think I could do it, than Ah wouldn't say Ah could,” Apple Bloom returned.

“Such is the spirit of an innocent youth. I wonder though... If your plan fails, what then, good Apple Bloom? What will you do if your dream are not reached?”

“What anyone with a lick of sense would do. Ah'll pick mahself up off the ground if Ah trip, dust mahself off, and keep chasin' mah dreams until Ah reach 'em. It's that simple.”

“Hmm yes. Simple,” the dog agreed, smiling at her. “But hard and burdensome all the same. Do try to keep that inspiration as a well polished stone. I would hate to follow through with my sister's promise to collect the reimbursement instead of witnessing the birth of a brand new invention.”

“You have mah word,” Apple Bloom promised. “And Ah'll prove to ya, it's as good as gold.”

“I do hope so. And I do presume you have a list of things you'll require...”

“Of course.” Apple Bloom reached into her bags once again and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She gave it to the dog. He unfolded it and gave it a cursory glance.

“Conservative estimates on the quantities, most likely, but not entirely too troublesome to come by. It will take a few days to procure the goods.” He tucked the note into one of his numerous vest pockets. “Do tell me, where should I send a messenger to inform you when the goods have arrived?”

“The Crystal Palace,” Apple Bloom said with a small grin as she turned to leave. “Just send them askin' after Apple Bloom and it should get ta me. Thanks for your time, Jaden. It'll be a pleasure doin' business with ya.”

“May the stone hold strong above you,” Jaden replied and took a seat behind his counter once again.

Apple Bloom stepped onto the streets and was nearly blinded by the afternoon sun. She shielded her eyes with a hoof and blinked a few time to fight off the golden glare.

“Well, he could give Byron a run for being the most sophisticated and reasonable dog I've ever seen. Looks like our little plan is getting the materials it needs. I hope you included all the tools we'll need as well, in that list of yours.”

Apple Bloom laughed. “I was quite thorough in the planning. Though, thanks Sweetie,” she said as she finally lowered her hoof.

“I see my silence was not entirely without reward. So... where do I cash in your golden words of thanks to pay for my struggle to refrain from talking?”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Ya know, Ah kinda get the feelin' that you've been more of a snark than usual since ya got yerself trapped in this amulet.”

“Maybe it's because I don't have to be worried about physical repercussions for insulting other ponies. And it wasn't me that got myself trapped in here. It was that other Sweetie. If I found out that she took my body and left it in some other world, I'm not going to be entirely pleased, I can tell you that.”

“Ah'm sure it wasn't her fault neither.” Apple Bloom looked down at the necklace. “Ya know, she wasn't exactly havin' a picnic when she got here. In fact, she kinda made our own troubles seem dim in comparison.”

“Having some dumb unicorn cast mind magic on Scootaloo is not dim in comparison!” Sweetie Belle argued back.

“Right.” Apple Bloom looked to the sky. “And it's getting' late enough that Ah think Sky is probably headin' back ta the palace by now. We might as well head back too. Hopefully he has an inklin' of where ta start, 'cause that library was well and truly a dead end.”

“You know, he tried listening in again on you, back in Jaden's shop there.”

“Oh, did he? That's not really his business at all,” Apple Bloom stated plainly. Ah wonder just how extensively he scrys around the city. Apple Bloom wasn't really annoyed by the action. In fact, if she was completely honest, it's something she'd expect a pony like him to pull. If he can get away with it, Ah'm sure he'll do it. He really is an opportunist. I'll have just have ta watch what Ah say when Sweetie's not around ta chase his scrying spells off. “Did he hear any of the conversation?”

“Hmm, maybe a word or two,” Sweetie Belle admitted. “When I noticed his spell and went to crash his voyeurism, he reigned his magic in quickly enough for it to slip out of my reach. He learns quick, I'll give him that. Still, spying on people you're trying to help...” Sweetie snorted. “Honestly, you should slap him in the face for trying something like that.”

“Why?” Apple Bloom asked. “He's a scrymaster. Spying on other ponies is kind of his job. If it weren't for his talent, we'd have never found you and Scootaloo in time.”

“Yeah, but he's invading your privacy. It's like he's taking what's yours without asking first.”

“Coming from a pony who does that to me all the time, Ah hardly find your argument convincin'...”

“Yeah, but we're friends, and friends always share with each other.”

Apple Bloom shook her head and walked toward the palace.

* * *

Apple Bloom was slightly out of breath after climbing the entirety of the spiral stairs and she paused for a moment to compose herself before knocking on Lord Sky's chamber doors.

“Here at last,” Sweetie Belle said with a sigh.

“Oh be quiet, you didn't do any of the walkin',” Apple Bloom said while scowling at the amulet.

Trust me Bloom, I wish I could have been doing the walking, Sweetie thought to herself bitterly. “At least I kept you company.”

“And remind me why that's supposed to be a good thing,” Apple Bloom responded with a raised eyebrow.

Before Sweetie could think up a witty retort, a golden aura sprung up around the door, and with the sound of a few sliding metallic clinks, the door opened inward. The blue unicorn waved at them from across the room. “Ah welcome, young Apple Bloom. So glad to see that you have returned. Most ladies your age would have run off, intent on never seeing me again.”

“And I could never guess why,” Apple Bloom said sarcastically as she moved into his rooms.

“Well, now that you are done going on your shopping errands around town, perhaps we can get down to business. Though I am curious as to why you'd deal with the diamond dogs. Surely you could get better deals around town. I myself am well acquainted with many such ponies around the city. You had only needed to ask and I could have pointed you in the right direction.”

“Ah realize that.” Apple Bloom nodded evenly as she moved up to the unicorn. “But that's mah business, not yours.”

“Oh, but of course. I was merely letting it be known that you can ask such a favour from me at any time.”

“Whatever,” Sweetie said, trying to pull the conversation back to the issue at hoof. “So did you figure out any ways to help out Scootaloo? The library wasn't much help.”

“Right, I almost forgot your good friend Sweetie Belle was with you.” Sky gave them a smile and picked his staff up with his magic. He then pointed at a bookshelf in the corner of his room. “As it turns out, I've been leafing through a few different books pertaining to mind magic. And just as I had remembered reading, attempting to remove that magic is often quite a bit more dangerous than the actual magic itself. I do believe we might be at an impasse here, as harming your friend is certainly not an option.”

“There has to be somethin' we can do though. Scootaloo's countin' on us ta help her, and we aren't gonna give up.”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said. “Can't we at least go and take a look at her?”

Sky shrugged his shoulders and brought forth is crystal-capped staff. With a deft flourish and a glowing of his horn, Sweetie saw a sigil quickly form within the scepter—A visual scrying pattern—and one end shot forth into one of his many mirrors, the other end of the pattern shot through the walls of the palace. Sweetie Belle was quick to note the direction in which the spell was headed.

The surface of the mirror quickly shimmered with magic as it coiled and swirled, and eventually formed a cohesive image of another room. From the mirror they were looking down into a sparse chamber. There was only one piece of furniture in the room, a simple, yet plush pallet. And sitting on that pallet was none other than Scootaloo, with her head pressed hard into the fabric beneath her. Her teeth were clenched in a perpetual wince. Her hooves were firmly held over her ears, and her eyes were pressed shut, as though she were trying to block the entirety of the world from her.

“Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said with a gasp. “She looks so miserable. We have to help her!”

“Would that I could, young Apple Bloom. But alas, my talents lie solely within the domains of scrying and augury.”

It hurts to see her like that. Sweetie Belle reflexively sent out a small tendril of magic toward the mirror, but reined it back in before it interfered with the scrying spell. I can't do anything for her here. She turned her attention to Scootaloo and studied the pegasus.

She saw the ever-glowing energy that her friend had. The only other ponies she had ever met that glowed with such a bright inner magic had been Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and her otherworldly counterpart. Yet as Sweetie studied her friend’s magic glow, she caught sight of a second pattern just beneath the surface. It was a sickly purple and green sigil which seemed to coil like a snake, and her heart screamed out for her to reach in and wrench that invasive pattern from within her friend. And she would have, had it not been for the fact that the mirror was separating them.

I'll save you! she promised. You aren't alone. Hang in there, Scoots!

“But there has to be at least somepony who's studied enough in mind magic ta help out.” Apple Bloom reasoned. “There's gotta be a pony with mind magic as their special talent.

“Maybe in Canterlot,” Sky Chaser admitted. “I'll see if I can find somepony, young Apple Bloom, but I cannot make any promises.”

“Speakin' of which, don't ya think maybe one of the princesses could help? They're talented in magic.”

“Perhaps if Celestia or Luna were here, we could ask them. They have thousands of years of experience in the study of magic, I'm sure that they've had to deal with similar magical problems before. And as for Cadence... she is... indisposed of at the moment.”

“She collapsed from fendin' off the storm, right? That's why she wasn't at the meetin' earlier today. Makes sense. Keeping a spell runnin' fer over three days must be nearly impossible for anypony, alicorn or otherwise,” Apple Bloom reasoned.

“You are quite right,” he said with a nod and a small grin.

“So... can we actually go and talk to Scoots?” Sweetie asked.

“Getting permission to see her would be tough if we don't have a reason to believe we can help her condition.” Sky looked at the amulet. “And I don't believe any of us have even the first idea of how to dispel such a dangerous spell.”

“But we can't just wait here, twiddling our hooves while Scootaloo has to face that by herself!”

“But running in there could cause more harm than good if yer not really prepared. You should at least read some o' Sky's books on the subject.”

“Feel free to browse the contents of my library, my young friends. Though I do have to agree with my dear Apple Bloom, caution is most advisable in this situation.”

“I'm not your dear anything.” Apple Bloom glowered at the stallion.

“I meant no offense of course.” Lord Sky smiled back.

“Well, maybe I will look at some of them,” Sweetie admitted. Damn. I want to act now, but I don't know how I'm supposed to do it. If I messed up and lost Scootaloo... No! she told herself firmly. I can't even consider failure! It won't happen! I won't let it! And if that means I have to slog through a hundred different books just to figure it out, then that's what I'll do.

She reached with the magic from Scoddri's fragment and sent it out to the shelves and began slipping books out one at a time, studying their titles one at a time. As she did so, the other two kept talking.

“So, if we can't do much more 'bout that right now...” Apple Bloom began.

“Care to accompany me to dinner?” Sky asked. “I am quite peckish and I assume you could use a meal yourself, Apple Bloom.”

“You just don't give up do you?” She scowled at the unicorn.

The stallion only wore his usual smile. “I figured you wouldn't say no to a quality meal.”

“Make sure you find a lot of food, Bloom eats more than Scoots and I put together,” Sweetie offered in an amused manner as she continued sorting the books into piles of pertinent and not-pertinent.

“Ah, duly noted, Sweetie Belle. I shall keep that in mind.”

“Hey!” Apple Bloom shouted at the necklace and scowled at Sky.

“Don't worry. Eating lots isn't a bad thing. It just means you're an active and healthy mare,” Sweetie said. “Besides, you might as well go out and get a good meal for once. Eat enough for both me and Scoots. I'll keep myself busy while studying these books.”

Apple Bloom sighed. “Alright, Ah get ya. Ah hope ya find somethin’ worthwhile in those books.”

“If it’s in here, I’ll find it.” Sweetie Belle assured her. “Have a good date.”

“It's not going to be a date!” Apple Bloom shouted back. “Damn you two! It'll be a business discussion over a meal.”

“Ah yes, of course.” Lord Sky laughed. “Whatever was your fine friend thinking?”

“I'd be at a loss for words if I ever had to describe what was running through her mind.” Apple Bloom prodded at the necklace idly with her hoof.

“Well, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.” The amulet flashed as she spoke. “I'm pretty good about voicing my thoughts when I think of them. So that's a good place to start.” By this point Sweetie Belle had gathered a good five tomes to read through. Though she doubted that they'd have anything entirely useful to say about the specific situation Scootaloo was in, but she really didn't see any other options. “In any case, I seem to have enough books here. So why don't you go and enjoy a meal with that fine stallion while I work away at these books? At least one of us should be out having fun.”

“Stop implying that it's a date, Sweetie. That's kind of creepy.”

“Creepy that a lord on the Crystal Court wants to have supper with you? You should feel honoured,” Sweetie argued. “Hay, I've never been asked out by a lord before.”

“That's just it. Ah'm only seventeen and he's practically double mah age.”

“He also dresses like something out of my nightmares,” Sweetie agreed. “But he's not really a bad stallion.”

“I dare say, these are the most comfortable robes that one can find. Not cumbersome in the slightest, and softer than a cloud.” Sky wore a face of mock-indignation as he walked over to the front of his chamber.

“You could have chosen a better colour though.” Sweetie said with a laugh. “Yellow, blue, black and white. My sister would have a fit if she saw you.”

“Oh? Would she?”

Apple Bloom moved to follow the stallion toward the entrance. “Yeah, her sister, Rarity, is a fashionista. She fills plenty of orders for the royals in Canterlot. She's one of the most successful business ponies Ah know.”

“Perhaps, once this whole conflict is resolved, I can add to the success of her business. But for now, I do think a dinner to discuss business is underway.”

“But we shouldn't leave Sweetie alone.” Apple Bloom argued. “What if that unicorn tries to capture her again?”

Sweetie Belle reached for the magic from Scoddri's shard and unhooked her amulet from Apple Bloom's neck. Then with care, she extended her magic into her friend's saddlebags and slipped the fragment out of it, and floated it nearby. Not close enough to fuse with the necklace of course. I can't afford to let it fuse. She'd just have to be careful.

“Don't worry about me,” Sweetie said. “Lord Sky actually has some pretty useful locks on the doors, not to mention the constant scrying spell he has in place on his chambers. Nopony's going to lay a hoof on me without him knowing well in advance.”

Sky smiled. “It is as she says. My chambers are most likely the most secure in the entirety of the palace. Oh, and Sweetie Belle, I do thank you for not dispersing those spells. It took more than a little while to set it all up properly.”

“Hey, I know how much effort it takes to set up a spell like that. We're guests here, and I'm not about to trash your place. Though you should stop spying on us while we're out and about.”

“I'm just doing my job,” he said with a laugh. Then looked turned to Apple Bloom at his side and nodded as he walked out the door. “If you would follow me, my lady.”

Apple Bloom huffed and gave him a light shove down the stairs, and he nearly lost his footing. “Ah told ya before not ta call me 'lady'.”

Whatever other antics followed, Sweetie Belle was not privy to them, for the door was quickly sheathed in a golden aura and swung shut. She turned her attention back to the books and couldn't help but be reminded of that first indigo tome she'd ever borrowed from Twilight. It ended up as a pile of ashes... And I'll be damned if I don't feel good about that.

* * *

Apple Bloom followed Lord Sky until they reached a hallway that must have been on the other side of the palace, given the fifteen minutes it took for them to reach it.

“Ah yes, 'The Nook' as it's called,” Sky explained as he opened a translucent red door. On the other side, a gray crystal pony wearing a dapper black uniform awaited them.

“Oh, Lord Sky. How fine it is to see you this evening.” The pony glanced at Apple Bloom and frowned only slightly before continuing. “A table for two then?”

Sky nodded and they moved to follow the pony. Apple Bloom glanced about the small restaurant. There were individual tables arranged in little areas that she would have had to describe as nooks or crannies. She saw where the restaurant got its name from. She also saw the numerous other patrons as they passed by a few separate nooks and Apple Bloom immediately felt under-dressed. Every other pony she laid eyes on was wearing some form of fashionable attire, and just judging by the layout of the plates and the numerous utensils that accompanied them, Apple Bloom was very much certain that she had never laid hoof in as fancy a restaurant as this. It didn't pass her notice either that the largest seating that the place accommodated were tables for two.

“Many nobles love the privacy this place provides while they can share a meal with close friends and share numerous secrets as well,” Sky supplied as they were directed to their nook. It was a small, cozy inlet with plush red cloth seating. “After you, my lady.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes at his words, but she didn't feel like refuting him while the server pony was still attending to them, so she sat down and complacently took a menu that was proffered to her only a moment later.

“Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Just water,” Apple Bloom said, more out of habit than anything else.

“And two glasses of red crystal wine,” Sky added with a pleasant smile.

“Right away, my lord.” The server bowed and went to retrieve the drinks.

“Ah don't drink,” Apple Bloom said.

“I realize, you are young, and you probably haven't had the chance to drink a real vintage. It would be a shame if you didn't get to at least taste the finest that our nation has to offer. I do not think it will disappoint a mare of your exceptional taste.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow at that and rested a fore-hoof on the table. “And how in the hay are you supposed to know what my tastes are? We just met nine hours ago.”

“Believe it or not, I am a rather fine judge of character. You are a country girl, Apple Bloom. It shows in the way you walked in here and scowled at all the ponies being in dress. And of course it shows as one of your greatest strengths as well, the way that you put forth everything you've got and then you keep on going once you've completed your task. It's a sort of country-born tenacity that would put most of these noble ponies to shame.”

“And you can tell what type of drink I'll like, just based on that?” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Ah think yer just guessin'.”

“Ah, but I'm not done yet, my dear.”

“I'm not your dear-”

“For you see, because of your roots, a pony can assume that that you grew up on a farm, or near a farm, especially with a name like 'Apple', that's a dead giveaway. And farmfolk are known for their efficiency, and their appreciation of the simple things, hence your almost instinctual ordering of water. I imagine you think it would save our dear waiter much trouble to order the simplest thing.” Lord Sky smiled knowingly. “There's a certain benevolent simplicity in actions like that, which I find strangely refreshing to see.”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “You know this is starting to sound a little convoluted.”

“Then do stop me if you think I am wrong about any of this. But I can tell that you will enjoy this drink because of that honest simplicity that you carry within yourself. You've surely eaten more than an apple a day for most of your life, and the only way a pony could do that would be if they could learn to love those simple things.”

“Sure, Ah'll give ya that. I still love apples, and just 'bout anything that mah family makes out o' those apples.”

“Which brings me to our beverage, crystal wine. You see it is a simple beverage, much like cider. The berries are picked, they are crushed to juice, then they let them sit for a while. It's just a simple drink, and from its simplicity, its finest flavours emerge.”

“Ah still think you're just guessin' that Ah'll like it. Ya see, Ah know crystal wine is quite popular, so Ah reckon that there's just a good chance that almost anypony will like it.”

“A simple, yet tactful observation,” Sky said with a laugh as the waiter approached their table with drinks balanced on serving tray. “I'll leave it to you to decide whether or not I was lying.”

As they received their drinks the waiter nodded to them. “Are you ready to order, my lord?” The waiter gave Apple Bloom a small look before adding, “My lady?”

Apple Bloom realized her folly at not having looked at the actual menu, and was about to awkwardly open it and choose an item, when an idea came to her. She steadied her hooves and instead of looking through the menu, she reached for the sanguine beverage and took a small sip of it.

As the wine touched her tongue, she felt that bitter taste of alcohol, but behind it was a sweet flavour that contrasted with the bitter, like day and night. Not bad, she thought. Cider's still better though.

“Ah yes, I'll have the zucchini platter with a side order yam crisps and make sure to include a small bowl of that tomato-based sauce that I love,” Sky said simply. He hadn't even been supplied with a menu.

He must come here very often... Apple Bloom wondered at the stallion across the table from her. Ah wonder why he really wanted to bring me here. Ah know he hasn't showed all his cards yet. What game is he playin' at?

“Of course.” The waiter nodded at Lord Sky's order, then he turned to Apple Bloom. “And you will be having...?”

“Oh, Sky Chaser knows what I want,” Apple Bloom said with a smile.

Sky let out a small chuckle. “Indeed. She'll have the summer vegetable platter. She's quite interested in how many different vegetables our fine country has to offer.”

“Very good, my lord.” With a nod, the waiter retrieved the menu from Apple Bloom and quickly retreated from their nook. Apple Bloom and Sky were left alone once again.

“Hoping to catch me off-guard?” Sky asked. “To be fair, I didn't see that coming. Being surprised is not something I get to experience too often. It's a fine feeling.”

“You're not the only pony who's a good judge of character,” Apple Bloom offered as she sipped at the fine vintage. “Though Ah do have to wonder why you have taken such an interest in me. Given your reputation and all... it's kinda far from flatterin'.”

“Why?” he mused aloud at the question. “It's a simple answer, and perhaps that's the greatest part of it. Much like this vintage.” He paused to lift his glass with his magic and take a sip. “You are a simple pony: hard working, and honest in your actions. Which might actually be a rarer thing than one might initially assume, and that in itself is a most admirable quality. But there's also a certain duality to you as well. Much like the bitter and sweet of crystal wine, you hold a certain... synergy. A mind that out-thinks those around it, and a resolve that outlasts those around it. Few ponies ever have that duality to them. And those that do are the ones that are most likely to achieve their goals and lead their generation. Those are the ponies that I like to get to know. They're intriguing. And not to mention profitable.”

“Profitable...? Ah guess that's quite the compliment,” Apple Bloom admitted and shook her head with a small blush. She then took another sip of the drink. “So I'm intriguing, huh? Can't say Ah've ever heard that before.”

He smiled at her. “And now it is my turn to be curious. I wonder, what do you make of me? An honest opinion if you will. What do you make of this fool of a stallion who you've only known for nary a day.”

“Well, Ah'm reserved in mah judgment of you, since Ah can't really figure out what your game is. Ah know there's more to it than you've said, and you know Ah know that. But just judging from your actions, Ah'd say yer a bit of a fool who's pretendin' ta be romantically interested in me, perhaps usin' that 'reputation' as a cover. But while playin' the fool, you also get a surprisin' amount o' stuff done, and more efficiently than most ponies Ah’ve known.” Apple Bloom returned his smile with one of her own. But Ah can't help but think that yer smile is just a mask yer usin' ta hide yer real intentions. And Ah can't help but wonder why.

“Yes, being cautious around nobles is always the safer strategy. It takes years to know some of these ponies, and even after all that time, one still has to wonder what mask they might be wearing.”

“Comin' from a pony that spies on others fer a livin', that's sayin' somethin'.” Apple Bloom, took another swig of the drink, and noted that she had just finished the last of it. “So, you think you can make a profit by interacting with me?”

“Ah, you state it so bluntly.” He raised an eyebrow then shrugged. “But I guess there's no sense in denying it. Apple Bloom, I think you are going to go places. You have an inventor's mind and the aspirations to chase after those ideas. You also have the tenacity to not give up once you've decided that's what you want.”

Apple Bloom frowned at the stallion.

“What?” he asked with a disarming smile. “You carry some very intriguing plans in your bags. Flying wings for any pony to use...”

She sighed. “You realize that most ponies would be entirely annoyed and angry if they knew that you've been riffing through their bags, plans and journals.”

“Oh, of course. How do you think I got my reputation?” he asked with a laugh. “Honestly, I'm half-surprised that you haven't gotten up and bucked me halfway across the room. What gives?”

“Well, because Ah know that bucking somepony for something they've already done is, fer the most part, pointless. Besides it would only sully our good relations. As Ah said before, you're an effective pony at getting stuff done. And right now, Ah don't really care too much 'bout a lot o' things except that me and my friends need ta get some stuff done.”

It was only a moment later that Apple Bloom heard the waiter pony arrive with their dishes. The pony quickly set their platters upon the table and deemed it necessary to leave as quickly as possible, but only after refilling their wine glasses.

“So it would appear that our conversation has turned to business,” Sky said with a grin as he picked up his utensils and dug into his food.

Apple Bloom began to wonder just how 'free' this meal really was.

* * *

So if a pony wants to use mind magic, they actually have to enter their subject's mind... and there are records of ponies who have attempted to do so only to never come back. there are also some where the subject had their mind irreparably damaged. Sweetie Belle had a sinking feeling in her gut as she set the last book down. No wonder it's so dangerous. But with Scoots, if we don't do something soon, I think irreparable damage will be guaranteed.

“Enter the pool of a pony's mind with a splash. What shape will it take, and where will the water go? Scoddri's voice piped up with billowing laughter. “The change is inevitable, but will you be there to cause it?”

There's no such thing as fate, Scoddri! I’m choosing to save Scootaloo. Like how my cutie mark was my choice. It’s my freedom. My will. And I will save Scootaloo if it's the last thing I do. It's my choice, and that's all there is to it.

“And what of that little thing called 'failure'?” As the voice spoke, Sweetie couldn't help but remember seeing Scoddri's statue fissure and crumble, only to be tossed away, sown like dandelion seeds to the wind. “What happens when you meet with that again, girl?”

I'll overcome it! she thought firmly at the voice in her mind. I won't hesitate this time!

Scoddri only laughed. It was a fragmented sound, like he was in ten different places at once, laughing slightly asynchronously with himself. She let the sound peter out, and in its stead she heard a sound, not in her mind this time. The front door to the many-mirrored room shimmered with a golden glow, and the door opened inward.

Sweetie Belle welcomed the sight of the approaching ponies. It gave her an excuse to pull herself from those dark thoughts.

“Now, watch your step Apple Bloom,” Sky warned with a smug grin as he moseyed into his chambers. “You might have had a bit too much to drink.”

“You wanna fall down a flight of stairs?” Apple Bloom asked with a bit of a deadpan as she walked evenly through door.

“Aww, no drunken stumbling?” Sweetie asked as the earth pony entered. “Geez Sky, you raised my expectations there. I'm sure I'll get to see it one day though.”

“It's a shame,” Sky returned jovially. “Apple Bloom just wouldn't drink more than two glasses, no matter how I urged her.”

“Well, sorry to disappoint ya both, but Ah do have standards. Honestly, there's no point in getting drunk.”

“Watching you struggle to get up a flight of stairs could be reason enough...” Sweetie supplied.

“Well good luck ever getting me ta do that, 'cause it ain't happenin'.” Apple Bloom moved over to Sweetie's amulet, where it lay on an open book on the floor. Once she got over there, she scooped up Scoddri's fragment and placed it in her pack. “Make any headway on the books?”

“Just brushed up on some of the rules I was forced to read a few years ago by Twilight. I have a pretty good idea of how the spells work, and I also see why it's such a controversial section of magic. Finding someone who is experienced in it might be impossible.” Sweetie raised her amulet form into the air before moving herself to latch around Apple Bloom's neck. “Turns out that it goes against the laws stated in the Equestrian Laws of ‘Safe Magical Practice’. It's very much illegal to perform mind magic on a pony who hasn't first consented to it. But often ponies won't even care to look for consent as evidence. Since one pony could potentially be controlling the other's mind, any consent often loses its credibility.”

“Huh... Ah guess it is a tricky subject. A blanket ban probably was the best choice in that case.”

“Yeah, it probably was,” Sweetie agreed. “Though there haven't been too many incidents over the years... Still, we probably aren't going to find an expert in this field of magic any time soon.”

“Darn,” Apple Bloom muttered, an action which quickly transformed into a yawn. “Well, maybe Shining Armor and the rest of the council have an idea of what to do next. Maybe they've contacted the princesses by now. We can talk ta them in the morning and work out a plan from there.”

“Yeah...” Sweetie couldn't help but let disappointment fill her voice, even magical as it was.

“I am sure that the council will think of something. Maybe the solution will be to strike down this unknown villain quickly before he can cause your friend any more harm.”

“Ah suppose, but Ah don't think that's too likely. What, with the way he's played his cards so far. He seems quite intent on staying out of sight and likely in someplace safe.”

“At least such cold cowardice limits the ways in which he might act,” Sky added with a nod, then moved back toward the entrance of the room. “Shall I escort you back to your guestroom, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle?”

“If it's not too much trouble,” Apple Bloom said.

“Huh... You know, I expected you to kind of refute his request.” Sweetie Belle considered for a moment. “Wait... what happened during dinner anyway?”

Sky smiled. “A private discussion.”

“Which is no concern of yours at the moment, SB. Let's get goin'.”

“SB? Since when do you call me SB? Something did happen didn't it?”

Apple Bloom groaned. “Ah'm sure you'd love ta hear all about it. But you ain't hearing a word about it from me.”

“Well, Sky? What happened?”

The stallion offered a small chuckle. “You'll excuse me, Sweetie Belle, if I decide it is in my best interests not to answer that question. Especially when we're walking down a flight of stairs.”

“Fine! You two keep your secrets.”

“Hey, don't sound so sour, SB,” Apple Bloom said as she looked down at the amulet around her neck. “Everypony has a few secrets.”

“Remember this girl, everyone has their secrets, and they can be dark and powerful. For these secrets form the true face to anyone you meet. It may take years to notice them, but everyone has those secrets.” Sweetie wasn't sure if Scoddri had just spoken, or if it was just her memories coming back to her, but the words remained in her mind for a while as they made their way to the guest quarters.

Everypony has secrets, huh? I guess that's true.

Once back in their plush suite, Sky said his farewells and left. Sweetie caught sight of him casting a scrying spell, but it shot out in a direction away from their suite.

Apple Bloom sat down on a plush bed and cast a sad glance over to the other empty bed. “I hope we make some headway tomorrow.”

“We'll just have to try our best,” Sweetie replied and unlatched herself from her friend's neck and settled onto the endtable. “You should get some sleep, Bloom. It's been a busy day.”

“Yeah, Ah will.” Apple Bloom took her saddlebags off and placed them beside her bed. Before she could get too comfortable though, she jumped to her hooves. She walked over to the door and firmly turned the lock on the door. “At least I shouldn't wake up with you missing again.”

“Well, if somepony tries to abduct me, I'll create some thunder. You'll be awake in no time at all.”

Apple Bloom got back into her bed and settled into it's comfy embrace. She let out a sigh into the moonlit room. “Say, Sweetie... What's it like? Not having a body?”

“It's... The worst feeling I've ever felt. And if I didn't have my magic, I know I'd have given up by now.” And for all I know my body is as good as gone. It's been over three days now... without food or water... What are the chances that it'll all turn out fine? She would have shook her head, had she the body to do so.

“Oh... Ah'm sorry, Sweetie.”

“I know... But I can't complain about something like that. I can't let it get me down. If I do, then I won't be going anywhere. If I stay still, then I feel like I've stopped living. But I'm still me Bloom! Right? Even without a body, I'm still me... Or is it a body that makes us who we are?”

“You're you, Sweetie! You’re alive, and don't you forget it!” Apple Bloom said firmly, staring at the amulet through the darkness.

“You're right.” I still have my mind, my essence, my magic. She let her amulet shine brightly for a moment, just to reassure herself that she still could influence the world around her, that she was still alive. But what about Scoots?

She let the light from the amulet die out as her mind fell back to thoughts of the pegasus. I need to act!

* * *

End of Chapter 18

Chapter 19 - Mind Games

A Heart of Change – Chapter 19: Mind Games

By: SilentBelle

I'm sorry, Bloom, Sweetie thought, giving the sleeping form of her friend one last anxious look. I think you'll have to wake up to deal with my antics at least one more time.

Using the magic from Scoddri's shard, she lifted her amulet into the air, and fished the shard out of Apple Bloom's bag. Quickly, she pulled an image into her mind. A room with nothing in it save for a single pallet and the form of a sleeping pegasus.

Sweetie Belle knew where Scootaloo was being held. On their way back from Sky's chamber's, she had been sure to note where the room was in relation to her and had already sent out a small scrying spell of her own, just to double-check. With that knowledge firmly in her mind, Sweetie Belle began to form a spell around herself and Scoddri's fragment.

She constructed a three-dimensional pattern and extended it outward through the walls of the palace until it landed inside the room she was certain held her friend. With no small measure of nervousness, she flared the magic into her spell and in a moment, she felt the nauseating sensation of the world shifting around her, and heard a fine popping sound to accompany her quick movement.

In a moment, the swirling of magic patterns dissipated and she landed with a metallic clink upon the floor of Scootaloo's holding chamber. Assessing Scoddri's fragment, she was relieved to see that the teleportation spell hadn't taken all of the built up magic it possessed. I should still have enough to save Scoots, she told herself, although she silently wished she hadn’t expended quite so much with her teleportation.

Scootaloo was quietly squirming and groaning. It was almost as though she was having some sort of seizure. Sweetie Belle wished she could reach out a hoof and comfort her friend, to soothe her spastic motions to ones of peace and serenity. I'll do what I can! she promised.

Scootaloo's eyelids were closed, but beneath those lids, that poisonous magic once again came seeping out. Sweetie Belle closely noted the pattern and began envisioning how she'd craft her own spell. It was a complicated pattern to be sure, a three-dimensional one, much like teleportation, however it was far more subtle and used less magic overall.

Where the teleportation sigil was drawn in the form of pure magic laced betwixt two nodes, creating an elongated tunnel-like pattern, this spell before her was a series of nodes with laces of magic running in a complex snarl, almost crossing each other and threatening to form new nodes, but not quite. It reminded her of a spider web, and it looked almost as though the pattern was attempting to strangle Scootaloo's mind, with the vile magic that dripped forth from her closed eyes merely being the residue squeezed out from the tightening sigil.

The pattern's so complicated that the bracelet couldn't absorb it, Sweetie Belle determined. This might be the most complex spell that I have ever seen. A vision of the other Sweetie Belle, with her book and Twilight’s fragment crossed her mind for a moment. Well, perhaps the second most complex, she amended. If that other me could cast a spell that complex... Well, I'm not about to lose out to some copy of myself!

“Ah, half-heart girl,” the hissing voice called out to her, cutting through her self-imposed bravado. “Have you come to let me steal you away? And you've even brought a gift with you? How very considerate.” Scootaloo's body began to rise from the pallet unevenly.

“Get out of her! Now!” Sweetie demanded as she pulled as much of the magic from Scoddri's shard as she could.

“She's mine girl! While she had certainly struggled before, she has finally been broken and has given up. I'm afraid you will never see your friend, Scootaloo, again.”

“You liar! I'll save her!” Sweetie Belle quickly weaved the magic, half out of instinct, and half based on what she saw. The sigil formed the same pattern as the one already behind Scootaloo's mind, but Sweetie made sure to keep the colour of the spell true to her own emerald luster. This has to work! I'll save her!

“How very amusing. I'll admit, you have skill girl, and much potential. But if you think you can even compare to my talents, then you are beyond deluded.” Magic pooled from Scootaloo's eyes and formed a quick pattern. Sweetie registered it as some form of restrictive spell, similar to a shield spell that Twilight used to protect their surroundings whenever Sweetie had been practicing a new spell. A spell that will block magic in? He's trying to trap me!

Spurred on by panic, Sweetie shot forth her own magic before the other vile magic could finish forming its sigil. Sweetie's spell struck Scootaloo square in the forehead.

At first, she felt a moment of resistance. Then, in the next moment, she felt a sucking sensation as she was drawn in. It wasn't the same nauseating movement of teleportation. No, it was the sense of falling without direction, and being plunged into a deep inky darkness.

She felt her magic slip from her grasp as the darkness settled in. The world disappeared from around her. She couldn't sense the world, she couldn't interact with it. A single thought punctuated the sudden void. Is this... death?

* * *

In inky silence she felt the void,
Neither cold nor warm.
Everywhere,
Yet nowhere.

She could think.
She could be.
But she could not know certainty,
Or see truth.

She could not struggle
Or move.
Nothingness held her simply.

Death...?
Had she failed?
Doubt and wonder,
Her companions.

I'm living... experiencing death?
Nonexistence?

The silence formed a pang of regret.
Which shifted and changed within her,
To a single thought.
A thought of fury.
Anger at herself,
Her situation.
Anger at the world,
Anger at a voice behind it all.

Anger was all she had.
A reason to struggle still,
With no body or magic.
With her mind she flailed,
To continue on.
To persevere through the darkness.

Scootaloo!

* * *

Sweetie Belle blinked as the world came into view once again. It was evening, and she was standing on the outskirts of Ponyville, upon crest of a small hill. Nearby, Sweetie recognized Scootaloo's poorly kept house. I thought I was trapped... How did I...? she thought for a moment then with a gasp she realized where she must be. This is Scootaloo's mind, isn't it?

“The freedom that comes with imagination...” Scoddri's voice chimed in and Sweetie looked down to see a familiar emerald amulet around her neck.

Wait... my neck? Sweetie let loose a laugh and breathed refreshing evening air. “Scoddri! I have my body back!” She jumped around the hilltop and felt the grass beneath her hooves. It tickled more than she remembered, and almost drove her to a series of giggles. Darn, it feels great to have a body again!

“It's but another prison, comfortable and beautiful though it might be. You'll not be able to reach beyond these walls,” Scoddri spoke the words with tone of deep loathing.

“I know it's not real... but it feels so real...”

“Oh, it's real while we're here. But what does that matter? What purpose does being here serve?” The amulet flashed in his displeasure.

“I can save Scootaloo!” Sweetie interjected, prodding the amulet with a hoof. The motion was accompanied by a satisfying clink. “That's why I came here in the first place.”

“And what then? Even if you manage to save her, you'll be lost in this purposeless world.”

“I'll face that problem when I get to it.” Sweetie looked around. In spite of Scoddri's rather dour outlook on the situation, a small smile reflexively reaching her lips. I can actually look around with my own head.

“That is the only real problem here, girl,” Scoddri muttered bitterly. “We're both still bodiless and trapped inside your friend now. If you do manage to get out, where will you go?”

“I said I'll figure it out later, Scoddri. One thing at a time. Besides, saving Scootaloo is more important than not having a body, or even being trapped in here.”

“By whose metric?” Scoddri laughed bitterly.

“By mine, of course!” Sweetie replied dismissively and made her way to Scootaloo's old house. Did it always look this... drab? she wondered as she gently pushed the door open. She paused as she watched it slowly swing inward with a resounding creak.

Behind the open door, was a darkness, as thick as the one she had just been in before she arrived in Scootaloo's mind. Reflexively, she brought forth her magic and formed a light spell. It glowed brightly, illuminating the frame of the door, but the darkness within remained as inky and immutable as ever.

“What is this place exactly?” Sweetie asked as she tried examining the darkness before her. “Is it safe?”

“It's all an illusion. A prison. The mind of another pony. We don't exist in here, we're figments of your friend's imagination. Safety doesn't matter in here. Nothing does.”

“You know, you really don't have a very optimistic attitude about this whole situation,” Sweetie muttered. “Whatever happened to the Scoddri who was always laughing and helpful?”

Scoddri laughed coldly. “Optimism is for times when there's possibility. When struggling will avail to you your dreams. As dreams live and die, so too does optimism. I don't know what twisted your mind so, that you found my actions to be any form of ‘helpful’. There's nothing I've seen that confuses me more than the way you've deluded yourself over the years.”

Sweetie frowned at the amulet around her neck. “Deluded myself?! I just didn't give up! And why would I?”

“Because the result is the same, girl. Whether I struggle or I sit still, I do not change. Nothing changes.”

“That just means you're not trying hard enough!” Sweetie spat and stepped through the open doorway.

In the next second, she was falling through a cloud, and she reflexively cast the cloud-walking spell and coupled it with a feather spell. Her magic flowed readily, and she didn't even feel it diminish her reserves in the slightest. Right, if I'm in Scoots' mind, then the magic isn't even real, is it? So of course it wouldn't drain me. She pulled herself out of the cloud she had sunken into and took a look at her surroundings.

It was a beautiful morning upon the cloudscape, with hundreds of pegasi in distant cloud-sculpted bleachers. The coloured ponies were too far away to see distinctly. They cheered out in unanimous dissonance. She couldn't make out any specific words, just a sort of veil of excited sound. It always sounded like that, didn't it, Scoots? Whenever you'd be preparing for a race-

In the next moment, Sweetie heard a peal, like a thunderclap. She saw an unmistakable orange and purple blur shoot by her.

“Scootaloo!” she shouted after the pegasus, though her words were quickly drowned out as the crowd's cheering turned into jeering.

“What the hay?”

“Fragments of her memories,” Scoddri said with a laugh. “It's her world, not yours, girl.”

“So was that her, then?”

“Undoubtedly a part of her. You are inside her, girl. Your friend is everything you see around you. It's all a big illusion.”

Sweetie Belle considered his words for a moment. She then imagined the clouds before her beginning to extend out in the direction that Scootaloo had flown. As if responding to her intention, the clouds began to form beneath her and outward, as a sort of sky highway. She took off down the new path, hoping to catch sight of Scootaloo once again.

“Chasing a pony through her own mind...?” Scoddri snorted derisively.

“I'll be the one who decides if what I'm doing is fruitless,” Sweetie Belle said firmly to the voice as she cantered down the cloud path. She felt no fatigue at the movement, and her breathing remained even. “If only running were this easy in the real world, I'd-”

Another crack came from behind her, echoing through the air. She turned to see the orange and purple streak of Scootaloo whip past her once again and quickly disappear out of sight behind a bank of clouds. The following wave of booing followed, and it caused Sweetie's hair to bristle. How can they be so disrespectful, she's flying faster than any of them could even hope to fly!

“Try not to get too wrapped up in the illusion,” Scoddri said dismissively. “It only hurts that much more when it is inevitably wrenched from your grasp.”

“She's repeating it to herself. It's like a bad memory that she's brooding over,” Sweetie stated as she stood on the cloud. “Hmm... then perhaps I could...”

Scoddri made a yawning sound. “Do as you will.”

“I will. But Scoddri, I want to know one thing.” Sweetie prodded the amulet around her neck. “If this is all an illusion, can't you just imagine yourself in your actual body? Why are you still a necklace?”

“You really don't get it girl, do you? There's no point in thinking up a body only for it to disappear. I'm not going to delude myself with these senseless visions of grandeur. Change with no actual effect is pointless. This is a dead world, nothing matters here.”

“Except Scootaloo,” Sweetie said and listened for the sound. Sure enough another peal split the air, and Scootaloo barreled through the sky.

Without any reservations, Sweetie shot her magic up and snagged her friend's tail. Scootaloo stopped suddenly and splintered, as though she were a window and a rock had just been thrown through her. The scene all around Sweetie Belle shattered just as suddenly. The clouds cracked, the open air fissured, and the blue sky fragmented. Between all the cracks, a darkness seeped in.

Sweetie stood there as the world disappeared and one thing took its place. Scootaloo lay splayed upon the darkness that formed the ground, sobbing.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie shouted and ran over to her friend's side.

“No!” Scootaloo screamed. She jumped onto her hooves, and opened tear-stained eyes. They were wide and afraid. “I said you won't control me! Stop using her you bastard!” Scootaloo spread her wings as she shouted and Sweetie felt a sudden pressure from all around her.

Sweetie Belle realized suddenly, that her body was no longer there. What just happened?

“It's all imagination. As I said, it's ultimately fruitless.”

An idea sparked in her mind, and Sweetie Belle focused on the concept of herself. She forced her mind to think that she existed, she knew she existed. But instead of her body appearing, she felt that same immense pressure bearing against her own will to exist. She's knowing that I don't exist, while I know that I do? She would have laughed at how convoluted it seemed, had the situation not been so dire.

But she didn't disappear entirely. Sweetie felt something at her core, a pattern that she recognized. Scoddri.

Instinctively, she acted against the force that had attempted to erase her. I do exist! She reached down into her will. A will that had been tempered over the years by the imaginings of thousands of magical patterns and crafting them into reality. A will that had carried her through the toughest of spells. She poured her entire focus into knowing that she existed.

She felt the oppressive force being pushed back, inch by inch, and slowly she felt her body beginning to exist once again. A tingling sensation flowed through her as she stepped forward, her form ethereal, yet solidifying with every step she made toward her friend.

“Scoots!” she shouted, as she approached.

“N-no! Don't call me that! Stay back! You aren't real!” There were tears in the mare's eyes. “You can't use her! She's not real!”

She felt the pegasus' will crash down upon her, but she resisted it this time. “Oh, Scoots.” She stared at her friend for a second then rushed over to her.

As she closed the distance, Sweetie Belle leaped, and Scootaloo's eyes dilated in terror. “No! Stay away!” she shouted.

But Sweetie wouldn't let the rebuke diminish her efforts, as the wave of Scootaloo's will crashed against her. She harnessed her will and shaped it until it was a sharp arrow, and she rent through her friend's outburst.

“I-I can't,” Scootaloo's voice cracked harshly as she collapsed to the ground sobbing. “I can't!”

Sweetie landed beside her friend and scooped her into a firm hug. “It's me, Scoots, I'm here to help you.”

“That's what they all said,” Scootaloo cried out feebly as she sobbed into Sweetie's shoulder. “They never leave. They keep coming back. You keep coming back! Striking from the darkness! I can't stop it!”

“Scoots, it really is me! I entered your mind to help you! I'll get that bastard out of your mind if it's the last thing I-”

She was cut off as she felt two stabs of pain blossom on her backside, and two shoot through her belly, and with a sickening snap, she was wrenched from her embrace with Scootaloo. An involuntary scream escaped her mouth as she turned her head to see an enormous snake, with its fangs firmly piercing her body.

“No!” Scootaloo shouted, clamping her forehooves tightly over her ears, and closing her eyes tightly. “No! Not again! You can't die again!”

“It's all so pointless.” Scoddri's bored words shot through her mind, past the sound of her own scream.

It's all in Scoots' head! she managed to remember through the onslaught of pain that wracked her body. I'm not bitten! I'm whole and beside Scootaloo!

In the next instant the pain was gone, a mere memory in her mind, and she was standing next to Scootaloo, looking at the dark serpent who hissed and slithered back into the surrounding darkness.

“Scoots, I'm fine,” she assured her friend and rested a hoof on her shoulder. “He's not going to win. I won't ever back down, not with you at stake. We need to get rid of him.”

“But I've tried,” the broken pegasus said, not looking up to her. “I've hunted him, but I can't push him out. He's too strong. I can't do anything.”

“We can overcome him!” Sweetie shouted. “We have two minds now, it'll be enough to push him out. I have a plan Scootaloo, but it won't work if we don't work together!”

“But you could be a fake.” Scootaloo's body shook. “It might all be a trap.”

“It's your mind, Scootaloo. He can't do anything to you if you don't want him to. You can push him out if you want to.”

“But he always comes back!”

“We'll get rid of him, Scoots!” Sweetie promised. “You know I'd never lie to you! I'll never give up on you, so don't you ever give up on me!”

“I-” Scootaloo blinked and looked up at Sweetie Belle. After a second, she got to hooves shakily. “I won't ever give up on you! You're all I have left!”

“Then let's hunt this snake down and oust him once and for all!” Sweetie moved forward and willed the darkness to reveal the parasitic snake. She knew he was out there and with a wave, the darkness around them turned to a brilliant sky blue, save for a cloud of purest black, fifty feet away. “There!” Sweetie shouted. She sharpened her will until it was like an arrow and shot it forth into the inky patch. The darkness resisted for a second, then it shattered, revealing a blue sky, upon which the snake was undulating.

The snake was first to act and lunged toward them. Sweetie felt a thick pressure press down against her, and her body began to lose its solidity. “You think you can stop me half-heart girl? You can't hope to face a master in his domain!” A thousand poisonous darts shot forth from the snake's open maw, but Sweetie deflected the projectiles easily enough.

She countered the slithering beast with a restricting force from all sides and wove the sigil for an bolt of magical energy. It shot forth with a brighter flash than any lightning storm. And just as she had predicted, the snake vanished before he could be consumed by it. If I were a snake... Sweetie grinned and spun around, lashing out with the knowledge that the snake did not exist even as it approached her.

She was met with an equal force as they tried to erase each others existence. It slipped into a hoof-wrestle of the mind, and it took every fiber of her being to match his will with her own. She couldn't allow her thoughts to stray from that one thought. He doesn't exist!

An eternity could have passed for all Sweetie knew, but she eventually felt her own force beginning to waver.

“I won't give up!” Scootaloo's voice shouted out.

Suddenly, she felt it, like another hoof from behind her own, pushing down on her opponent. The snake began to dissipate, and the force she was fighting suddenly vanished, but Sweetie was expecting it, like a pony letting go of the rope in a game of tug-o-war. She willed the snake back to where he had just been.

She saw the serpent blink stupidly for a second before he was hit by the brunt of Scootaloo's will. “Damn you!” were the final words he managed to hiss out before he disappeared completely.

Scootaloo looked around nervously. “Is he-?”

“He's gone,” Sweetie said adamantly. “Never doubt it!”

Scootaloo nodded firmly, understanding the implications of her words. She paused for a moment as her eyes welled up with tears of relief. “Sweetie, you really saved me! I should have trusted it was you from the start,” she said as she tackled Sweetie to the sky blue floor. “I almost erased you! I'm so sorry!”

“No, don't be sorry,” Sweetie said. “Your doubt kept you safe long enough for me to help you. You saved yourself, Scoots! Anypony else would have given up by the time I got here. You're the strongest pony I know, or ever will know.” Sweetie pulled the pegasus into a tight hug. “You know you're my best friend, and I know you would have done the same for me, anytime. Remember Scoots, you can always count on me to help you when you're in trouble. I'll always be there for you.”

Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah. And I'll be there for you too. I promise!”

The held each other firmly for a while, and Sweetie was content to share in a silence.

Some time passed before Sweetie Belle let a smile blossom on her face and she disengaged from their hug. Then looking down at her body she sighed lightly. “Remember though, this is all in your mind, so I have to go too... I will miss having my body though...”

“We'll find it!” Scootaloo assured her. “We can't give up on that!”

“You're right,” Sweetie said with a nod. “And there's no time like the present. If you'd be so kind, Scoots, I'd like to get back to the real world.”

“You can't leave on your own?” Scootaloo questioned.

Sweetie chuckled slightly. “Well, you see... I may have brought my entire being into your mind, instead of just a spell that I'm controlling. See, that's what that snake was: just a large amount of magic that coiled around your mind poisoning you until you gave up. If he had entered your mind in full... well, I'd be scared to think of how powerful he'd be. He had slightly more strength than even me, and that was just through a spell.”

“You entered in full?” Scootaloo looked aghast. “But you could have been lost in here forever. Nopony is supposed to enter in full.”

“Oh? You know a surprising amount about this, Scoots.” Sweetie Belle tilted her head. “I'm curious, where'd you learn about that.”

Scootaloo shook her head. “It's not that I'm well-versed in this, it's just my mind... this dreamscape...” Scootaloo gestured with her hoof, and the blue void quickly melted and swirled into a many-hued myriad before reforming into an sun-set Ponyville. “It's all in my subconscious, and I'm aware of it. I can control it. Luna once said it was a rare gift, she called me a 'lucid dreamer', whatever that's supposed to mean. And she also taught me all about this place and how it works.”

“So Luna said that nopony should enter another pony's subconscious in their entirety...” Sweetie reasoned. “Hmm, it said a similar thing in that book I just read.”

“Yeah, it supposedly allows you more control over the dream, almost as if it were your dream in the first place, but ponies that do it are no longer part of the world... Of course, it didn't stop you from doing it,” Scootaloo said with a small chuckle.

“Of course not. Rules are made to be overstepped sometimes. And how was I supposed to anchor myself for the spell if I don't have a body? All I am at the moment is a pile of magic, Scoots. I did intend to enter only on a magical level to fight off his mind magic, but I was sucked in here before I could figure out that I wasn't solidly anchored to the amulet.” Sweetie paused for a moment and shrugged. “It caught me by surprise when I entered. And now...” Sweetie chuckled at her own folly. “I can't actually get out of here. I don't have a way to navigate back, but you should be able to let me out, Scoots.”

The pegasus nodded and then frowned for a moment. The scenery shifted slightly. Sweetie suddenly realized that they were standing outside her parents' house. “If you go through that door, it will take you back to the amulet. I know it will.” Scootaloo sighed. “Thank you Sweetie, you really saved me.”

“What are friends for if we don't help out when we can? You saved me back there as well.” Sweetie Belle gave her one last smile before pushing open the door. “I'll see you on the other side.”

“Friends...” Scootaloo muttered, almost with a hint of melancholy.

Sweetie Belle turned around to ask Scootaloo what was wrong, but a pure white light took hold of her from the other side of the door. With only a moment of hesitation, she resolved to ask the pegasus about it later.

In a moment, she felt her body cease to be. Her breathing stopped, her sight disappeared, and there was no longer an airy echo all around her. She submitted to the feeling with no small amount of loathing, although the thought that she had managed to help Scootaloo save herself gave her a great deal of comfort.

I'll find my body again! Sweetie Belle promised herself.

“So you actually managed to escape the prison of a mind,” Scoddri mused with a bitter laugh.

I told you, Scoddri, I'll never give up struggling, because I have dreams, that are worth pursuing, Sweetie Belle thought defiantly. Scoddri, can you still recall the sun? Can you still remember the colours of an autumn day? And can you still see magic? I remember a wise pony once told me, 'As large as any obstacle seems at the beginning, if you choose to persevere then you will overcome it'. Just sit back in that necklace and watch. I'm going to break out of this prison.

“But what will you find beyond those bars, but another, larger prison?” Scoddri laughed at his own words. “It is endless. Oh, but I will watch, girl. What choice do I have?”

The light swirled around Sweetie Belle, flooding her entire being and she left Scootaloo's mind behind.

* * *

Within a cocoon of shadows
She stirred.
Pale moonlight silvered the shadows of her form.

Her breathing, once rushed and sporadic,
Now a calm stream of dissonance.
Clenched, she had been in form and mind.
Relaxing, the tension leaves.

The pain of moving limbs,
Tired from actions unremembered.
She let out a wince
And smiled at how it felt to finally be free.

* * *

“She's waking up!” a harsh stallion's voice said.

“What are you doing, Captain? Lower your weapons.”

“My Prince, but she could-”

“I told you before, you dolt! Scootaloo's not going to hurt anypony!” Sweetie Belle's voice rang true and clear in Scootaloo's ears.

Scootaloo opened her eyes with a groan. Blearily, she looked around her. Two unicorns had lit horns, golden and purple glows. Aside from them, moonlight was the only other source of illumination.

“Hey, Scootaloo. Are you okay?” she heard Apple Bloom ask.

Squinting, Scootaloo sat up and tried to discern the scene before her. Sweetie's amulet was floating in front of her, almost as if she were keeping all the other ponies at bay. A small emerald fragment orbited around the amulet regularly. Past her, Scootaloo quickly spotted Apple Bloom, her mane and tail were not even braided, and she wore a look of worry on her tired face.

Beside her were a half-dozen ponies that she couldn't put names to, although one of them, a white unicorn stallion, his cutie mark looked familiar, a shield with a star in it. She couldn't recall where she had seen it before, it seemed recent, but it was as if a fog bank clouded her memories.

“I'm...” Scootaloo trailed off as she stretched out her wings. It felt like every muscle in her body had been hit with a mallet. “Well, I've been better...” She raised a forehoof to her face and rubbed at the sleep in her eyes then stopped in surprise. It's gone. The burning... the snake... It was Sweetie. The memories from her sleep were not the most lucid, but she still remembered most of what had happened. She couldn't help grateful tears from welling up in her eyes. “It's gone...”

“It?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Him. That damned unicorn's magic. It's finally gone,” Scootaloo clarified.

“See? I told you she's not going to hurt anypony. She's better now.” After she spoke, Sweetie Belle's amulet moved backward and gently settled around Scootaloo's neck, and the fragment of Discord hovered in place beside Scootaloo. “You don't have to keep her locked up anymore. You shouldn't even have locked her up in the first place!”

“Hmm,” one of the unicorns said. Out of all the ponies present, he seemed the least shocked at having to talk to a piece of jewelry. He was a blue stallion with a silvery gray mane, and the brightest yellow robe that Scootaloo had ever laid her eyes upon. Scootaloo was quite certain that his light spell was unnecessary with an outfit that gaudy. She vaguely remembered seeing the stallion's outfit right before she had let the guards escort her back to the palace. “I do wonder how you managed to break such an intricate spell, Sweetie Belle,” the stallion continued.

“I'm more curious as to how she got past two of my best guards!” The bulky, blue-armoured, white crystal pony said, as if expecting an answer. “You do realize that you broke the law by entering this room without permission.”

“I wasn't going to sit by while Scootaloo was being attacked,” the amulet around her neck pulsated in time with Sweetie's speech. “If I didn't come when I did, my best friend could have been broken forever.”

“And that is a very noble deed to have done. I am sorry that we locked Scootaloo up. She will be relinquished from our custody.” Shining Armor stepped forward and nodded to Scootaloo.. “We were only acting in the best interests of our nation. Had we known how perilous our decision was, I am certain we would have chosen differently.”

“My Prince?” the guard captain asked hesitantly. “She broke the law.”

“She did,” Shining Armor agreed. “But she broke it for the right reasons. And she will face some repercussions for that action. But we can deal with that later.”

“Hmm…” the flamboyant unicorn hummed to bring some attention to himself. “How, I do wonder, good Sweetie Belle, did you manage to save your friend? It seems entirely a mystery to me.” His tone carried a bit of an acidic hint to it, which reminded Scootaloo all too much of that very snake that had been haunting her. “I dare say, your actions have rather effectively and thoroughly decimated my plans.”

“Oh?” Sweetie asked back. “You were going to use Scootaloo to try and track down that mysterious unicorn, weren't you, Lord Sky?”

Lord Sky laughed heartily. “Your friend is quite perceptive, isn't she?” The unicorn looked to Apple Bloom with a raised eyebrow. She responded with a rolling of her eyes.

“You were going to use me?” Scootaloo asked, and spread her wings out defensively. She felt an anger kindling inside of her. A stray thought burned in her mind for a second. He wanted to use me, just like that snake!

“We were also looking for a way to isolate that nasty spell that had gotten lodged within you, and to save you from it,” Sky added. “It was never our intent to hurt you in any way. You have to understand that while you were being manipulated, as you were, it did make sense to lock you up while we searched for an answer.”

“But you were going to use me,” Scootaloo repeated.

“Well, you were a... unique resource,” Sky offered with a stilted smile. It was a smile whose teeth Scootaloo was all too tempted to buck in. “You would have been the prime focal point for a scrying spell. We could have tracked the spell right back to its owner. But alas, it would seem that the magic spell is no longer within you, making it a rather moot point.”

“Perhaps that point is moot,” Sweetie argued back. “But you still intended to use Scootaloo without her permission.”

“Use without permission?” Sky countered slyly. “Should we really get into a discussion about 'use without permission'?”

Apple Bloom gave both Sky Chaser and the amulet a nervous glance. “Ah think we should focus on what good we can do from here on in,” she interjected. “There's no sense in arguin' 'bout theoreticals and such.”

“Yes,” Shining Armor said quickly, attempting to defuse another argument before they could continue. “We have to focus on what can be done now.”

“Very well,” Sky Chaser shrugged, though he kept a smile upon his face. “I do think it might be necessary to point out that if our good friend, Scootaloo, here, was inflicted by such... malicious magics, then I do believe it stands to reason that there may be many others.”

“That is very... concerning,” Shining Armor muttered. “And I trust that you have some way of finding out whether this merely conjecture or an actual threat?”

“Your trust is well-placed, my Prince.” Lord Sky performed deep bow. “I am your Scrymaster. If anypony knows how to find something, it is I.”

Shining Armor nodded then turned to his Captain of the Guard. “Captian Snowfall, I know that Sweetie Belle has broken the law here, and we will find a suitable punishment for such an action.”

“The act of saving a friend is punishable now?” Sweetie asked with a snort. “See, this is why I don't live near castles.”

“You watch your tone when talking to the Prince,” Snowfall scowled at the amulet. “He has been nothing but overly kind to you whelps.”

“Yeah, quit it Sweetie. You really shouldn't sass royalty.” Apple Bloom sighed. Then gave Lord Sky a measuring gaze. “So, how are you going to find out if there were others afflicted like Scootaloo was?”

“Oh, I have a plan.” The unicorn grinned and looked directly at the amulet. “A plan that I'm certain your friend might be able to figure out.”

If Sweetie Belle knew what Lord Sky had planned, she certainly wasn't sharing.

“So, that's it?" Scootaloo asked. “What about the pony behind all this, we have to find him and stop him!”

“Would that it were so easy, my brash friend,” Sky said locking eyes with the pegasus. “Such an endeavor is beyond our capabilities at the moment, I am afraid.”

“But if we wait, the snake is going to strike again. We have to hunt it down before it does!” Scootaloo protested. “If we do that, and if he has other ponies...” Scootaloo shivered at the memory of those burning eyes. “If we stop him, he won't be able to do any more harm to anypony else.”

“Indeed.” Sky nodded. “That does outline our plan quite effectively. The trick, however, is finding this pony. And as great as my considerable talent is... I do need a bit more information before I could hope to pinpoint his location so that we might deal with him.”

“And striking him is something we must do with great care. I'm certain my own sister was caught off guard when she and her friends went to investigate.” Shining Armor offered. “This is a threat that we cannot afford to underestimate.”

Scootaloo frowned. “But every second we wait-”

“His influence spreads, yes?” Sky Chaser laughed. “Please, don't fret too much. We have considered all these concerns, my dear. For with every action he takes, that's another plan we shall foil. It's all a matter of out-thinking and out-acting him long enough for us to find him. Then we shall strike him quickly and suddenly, before he can react.”

Scootaloo cut her protests short. What right did she even have to talk about their plan? It's not like I am even part of the Crystal Empire. My opinion is pretty much worthless at this point.

“Alright,” Shining Armor announced, “it's far too late, and we have a busy day ahead of us. Lord Sky, I'd like for you to begin your search first thing in the morning.”

Captain Snowfall looked to Shining Armor in concern. “My Prince, must we place so much of our plan on him? He'll just goof around. Surely the guard can be utilized to help-”

“Captain, the guard is doing a fine job. The ponies feel safe, and the streets are free from panic. If we took them away from rebuilding, the citizens would get worried. We all have pivotal roles to play in overcoming this. While the Empire's guard's may not be as flashy as Lord Sky's role, it is certainly no less important.” Shining Armor sighed. “We must remain united in overcoming this task. Please do understand this, Captain.”

“Of course my Prince. I only wish to help.”

“Ah, I shall so miss our morning get-together. Have a fun meeting without me.” Sky tossed the captain a smile.

“Go choke on a stone, you charlatan!”

Sky laughed at the rebuke, but then nodded to Shining Armor. “Very well, my Prince, I shall get to work on it, first thing in the morning. However...” he paused for a bit. “I must ask that Sweetie Belle assists me in this particular task.”

“You would, wouldn't you?” Sweetie Belle muttered.

Shining frowned at the request. “I am apprehensive to agree to that,” he admitted. “Sweetie Belle is not a citizen of the Crystal Empire. They have asylum while they are here. As royal guests, it would not be right to ask them of such a task. They hold no obligation to us. And rightfully so.”

Lord Sky smiled slyly. “Ah, but correct me if I am wrong. You did say that Sweetie Belle was to receive apt punishment for breaking the law. Why not let that punishment be of the beneficial sort? Have her serve our efforts for three days as a penance of sorts. During which time, she'll agree to aid us.”

“That's...” Shining shook his head. “She's barely more than a filly.”

“Hey!” Sweetie rebuked. “I'll do it on one condition.”

“Oh?” Sky quirked his eyebrows mockingly. “And what might this condition be?”

“I want Lord Sky to assist me in finding something.”

Shining frowned at the request. Scootaloo could tell he was weighing the options. Finally he spoke, “What do you need his help finding? I do not wish to take away from what little time we already have.”

“Well, with my help, you'll be better off for time, even with my request.” The amulet flashed once for punctuation. “I want him to help me find my body. Regardless of whether you accept or not, that's what I am going to be doing tomorrow. If you want my help, then I want yours as well.”

Sky spun his staff around idly in the air. “Are you certain we’ll be able to find it? It might be as fruitless a search as scrying for our evasive unicorn friend.”

“She'll find it,” Scootaloo said, certainty clear in her voice. “We'll find it!”

“Hmm... confidence without reason?” Sky laughed. “How amusing.”

Shining Armor sighed, an action that turned into a stifled yawn. “Alright,” he said. “Sky, you are to assist Sweetie Belle with finding her body, and then you're to figure out whether or not this unicorn's threat runs as deeply as you have guessed.”

“My Lord,” the flamboyant unicorn bowed.

With a nod in return, Shining Armor left the room, with three guards and the captain at his heel.

Sky watched them depart, then shrugged and made for the door himself. “I'll swing by to pick Sweetie Belle up in the morning. Oh, and Apple Bloom, you can join us as well, if you so choose.”

Apple Bloom gave him an annoyed glare.

“I'll take that as a yes.” He laughed and made his way down the corridor, leaving the two mares and the amulet to themselves.

Apple Bloom sighed. Shaking her head, she walked over to Scootaloo. “Darn it, Sweetie. Why'd ya have ta go and break the rules like that?”

“Because Scoots needed help. I wasn't going to let her stay in here suffering alone.”

“You know, I'm right here...” Scootaloo deadpanned, although she couldn't keep fatigue from colouring her voice.

“Yeah, sorry.” Apple Bloom moved forward and gave her a small hug. “Ah'm glad you're alright, Scootaloo. Ah really should have listened ta Sweetie and found us a way ta visit ya that wasn't so... illegal.”

“It's okay. I'm fine now.” Scootaloo moved out of the hug and toward the door. “But I sure could use a good night's rest, with no nightmares this time. That's all I really want right now.”

“I imagine, what with how you were squirming while you were sleeping,” Sweetie mentioned. “I'm actually surprised you can even walk.”

“Wait! How long were you watching me?!” Scootaloo scowled at the amulet around her neck, as a light blush of embarrassment filled her cheeks.

“Well I had to make sure the spell pattern was right, and I had to memorize the sigil so I could use it properly.” Sweetie Belle paused. “So I guess I was watching for a good five minutes at least. Honestly... it looked kind of painful, like convulsions or something. Ah geez, if I had my body right now, I'd shiver at memory.”

“Oh.” Scootaloo's blush quickly subsided. “Sorry you had to see that.”

“And I'm more sorry that you had to go through that.” Sweetie's voice made a sound as though she were clearing her throat. “In any case, I think we should head back to our room.”

* * *

They had made it back to their room without incident, whereupon Scootaloo slipped into bed and almost instantly fell asleep.

Apple Bloom had led them back while Scootaloo and Sweetie seemed content to just whisper back and forth to one another as they followed. The earth pony had let her mind wander for a while as she considered Lord Sky, and wondered just what sort of plan that joker had up his flamboyant, yellow sleeves. What worried her most about him was the interest with which he seemed to have placed upon her.

It still doesn't make any sense after the dinner last night... Apple Bloom thought as she sat down upon her bed. For a moment, she considered the possibility of the unicorn being a genuine fellow. If he actually had my own well-being as integral to his intentions... then it wouldn't be so bad. She thought a moment longer. He's smart, quick, sharp and humorous... But he's also a huge jerk! Ugh! She shook her head. He's bound to give me headaches quicker than Sweetie.

“Thinking about your colt-friend?” Sweetie whispered as she floated next to Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom swatted the amulet out of the air in irritation. “He's not my colt-friend!” she whispered back acidly.

“Ah, but you were thinking of him,” Sweetie replied in a quiet saccharine tone.

“Yeah, but only because he's such a jerk.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “So... care ta tell me what went down after ya teleported away like that?”

“Oh, changing the subject, huh? Well fine... You know, I didn't plan on waking you up with that teleportation spell.”

“Well, it wasn't exactly the most subtle of spells you've ever cast,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “The pop nearly gave me a heart-attack. So Ah imagine ya teleported next ta Scoots. What happened then? Ah mean after ya had fun watching her sleep.”

“Fun?” Sweetie said in mock-exasperation. “Do you know how hard it is to memorize a spell sigil when the pony that the spell is in is spazzing out like that? Seriously, if I had messed that up, it could have been really bad for Scoots.”

“So ya used mind magic, huh?” Apple Bloom sighed. “That is illegal, ya know.”

“Uh, yeah. I was the one that kind of pointed that out to you in the first place. But I didn't have a choice. I wasn't going to let Scoots lose her mind. I'd readily do illegal things if it meant saving either of you.

“Well, I'd prefer it, if you had the choice, to not do illegal things to save my life.” Apple Bloom chuckled lightly, but then she let her expression turn more serious. “So what was it like?”

“It was... different from what the book said it was going to be like. And it was very different from any sort of spell I ever cast before. Instead of just feeling emotions and reacting to them with my own emotions and magic, like the book claimed would have happened, I was actually drawn in much deeper than I had thought possible. It was far deeper than a simple magic spell. But I think part of that is because Scoots is kind of special,” Sweetie explained.

“Special? How?”

“Well, that's kind of not your business, Bloom.” Sweetie replied. “I can't just go sharing other ponies' secrets all the time. Everypony has secrets, you know."

“And you meddling with your friend's mind isn't really your business,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “Don't leave me in the dark like this. I hate it when you two do that. I swear it's been like that for the last three years. You two have all these inside jokes and memories. The way you two are together, it just seems so damn natural... Sometimes it seems like the two of ya have gone on without me.”

“Well...” Apple Bloom could tell that Sweetie felt a little guilty as she spoke. “I don't think she'll mind too much if you find out... Honestly, I didn't know about it until I found out when she explained it in her mind,” Sweetie reasoned. “Turns out that Scootaloo met up with Princess Luna a few times in the past. She said Luna called her a 'lucid dreamer' or something like that. Scootaloo has a pretty large amount of control over her dreams. I hadn't ever heard of ponies doing that before. It was really weird. When I cast the spell, it was like I was sucked into a dream. And in that dream, that dark magic was there in the form of a snake.”

Apple Bloom was more than a little stunned at the information. Scootaloo had been in contact with Princess Luna? Why in the hay wouldn't she mention something as awesome as that? She paused the thought to consider for a moment. Oh, right, this is Scootaloo we're talkin' about. She's not really the most open pony in the world. She was probably feeling sufficiently awkward by being the only pony she'd ever heard of talking to Princess Luna in her sleep. Apple Bloom hummed to herself. Yup, she'd definitely think it was weird... Which means that Scootaloo would probably never tell either of us until the days we died...

“That's... well... weird. So, how did ya get rid o' that magic then?” Apple Bloom asked, to get her mind back on topic.

“How else?” Sweetie asked. “By working together with Scootaloo, of course! It took a while to figure it all out, but eventually I got to her and convinced her to help me out. But really, I was just the distracting change that Scoots needed to purge that magic with her own.”

“Oh? So you didn't actually banish the magic?” Apple Bloom wondered at her friend.

“Nah... actually, I wasn't strong enough. I tried facing the magic snake, but it was stronger than me. Without Scoots, I'd have been destroyed before too long.” The amulet swung like a pendulum for a moment before continuing. “The one behind those spells... He's strong Bloom. If Scoots didn't pull herself together as quickly as she did, I think you'd have two fewer friends right now.” Sweetie let out an awkward laugh. “It just seems so strange to think of it like that. I was seconds away from never seeing you again. Minutes away from Scootaloo never being the same. That bastard almost had her. I'm going to make him pay for that!”

“So it was that close, huh?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “What the hay are we even doing here, Sweetie? This stuff is so crazy. Golems, dragons, mind magic... This isn't something that we were supposed to come across. We aren't heroes. We don't have Elements of Harmony. We aren't the Princesses. Can't we just leave it in the hooves of the bigger ponies? Like the Princesses, or Shining Armor?”

“Hah, Bloom, I didn't expect you'd be the one to start spouting out nonsense like that. You know, as well as I, or even better, that we can't just step out of this now. If everypony doesn't do their best to struggle against this, we'll lose everything.”

“Yeah… you’re right,” Apple Bloom agreed. “It's more than just our problems. Our sisters, this whole kingdom... we have to do what we can."

“And when we can,” Sweetie added. “You should get some sleep, Bloom. Maybe dream about your finely-dressed coltfriend.”

“Oh, not this again!”

“So... you never did tell me what happened on your little date with him. Did he make a move?” Sweetie questioned.

“Oh, by the Princesses! Stop being such a jerk, Sweetie! Nothin' excitin' happened!”

“So, I tell you about my riveting adventure of jumping into Scootaloo's mind, and you just tell me that nothing happened?”

“We had a good meal and shared some drinks.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “That's it.”

“And I'm a half-wit.”

“That's debatable,” Apple Bloom said with a small chuckle.

“Hah! We both know that the whole reason of that dinner was to share some conversation.”

“We did. We talked. He's smart, efficient, and a huge jerk.” Apple Bloom shook her head and scowled slightly at the amulet. “Why do you keep pretending that he's my colt-friend? It's not funny.”

“Look, you know I don't mean it. I'm just joking with you.” Sweetie Belle chuckled lightly. “Hmm, he's a tricky one though, that Sky Chaser. He knows the value of secrets alright, and it seems he's not opposed to blackmail either. Though, perhaps because of that, I can't tell if helping the Empire is really his prime concern. I can't bring myself to like him. You heard what he said. He was going to use Scoots to try and catch the bad guy, when he should have been focusing on helping her instead. He needs to get his priorities straight.”

Apple Bloom grimaced inwardly, but she didn't let it show on her face. That's the thing that scares me 'bout this, Sweetie... If Ah was in the same place as him... Ah'd have probably tried that as well. Two birds with one stone, it was a logical move. It's not that he didn't care what happened ta Scootaloo. No, he wanted ta help Scootaloo. Heck we both know that he was looking up mind magic just for that purpose. Apple Bloom shook her head. Though Ah have no idea why he'd do it. He's not the type o' pony who'd help another without aimin' ta gain somethin', is he?

“Hah,” Sweetie laughed at her conflicted expression. “The only thing you can do with guys like him is to not trust 'em until they give you a real reason to. You shouldn't lose sleep over a pony like him. He's not worth it.”

“Ah guess you're right about that,” Apple Bloom said, yawning. She settled down in her bed. “Ah think a few more hours of sleep is just what Ah need. Good night, Sweetie Belle.”

“Goodnight, Bloom.” The amulet floated away and settled down upon the nightstand next to Scootaloo.

Not trust him...? But that look that Shining Armor gave him... wasn't that trust? I wonder why...

* * *

Both of her friends were fast asleep, and Sweetie remained there on the nightstand with the fragment of Scoddri nearby. She picked it up in her magic and idly studied the pattern within it. Strange... It holds as much magic as about two high quality gems, yet the crystal doesn't dissipate when I use that energy. What's more, is that the energy comes back in minutes.

A certain recollection of the word 'matrices' hit her mind. Perhaps it's siphoning off nearby natural magics, like those matrices that the other Sweetie talked about... Well, however it works, I'm glad it does. It's the only thing really keeping me alive.

“Without it, you'd be as dead as me,” Scoddri laughed bitterly. “You cling to it, yet it's a shackle. A collar. A bar to the prison cell.

I'm not dead, and neither are you! she rebuked the voice.

“Not for lack of trying. Hah! Perhaps it is the more impossible your dream is, the more cruelly fate treats you. For what could be a fate worse than not being allowed to die when your time has come and passed.”

Scoddri, Sweetie thought earnestly, I've always wanted to know... Why did you want to give up? Why did you leave me all alone back in Canterlot?

“If you spent over a thousand years as you are now, except without this fragment to draw upon. Could you last it? Could you bear remaining in a state that is unmoving, unchanging, and with no purpose?”

I... wouldn't give up. The thought sounded almost doubtful in her own mind. I wouldn't give up! I know what I want, and I'll reach it! One step at a time, one bit of magic at a time. She thought it more forcefully this time. And I'll never change my mind on that!

“I too shared that same gusto, that naivety... But now I know... it'll never end. It never has and it never will.”

Well, that's a challenge that I'll take on, just to prove you wrong, Scoddri.

“How I wish those words weren't lies.” His laughter filled her mind. “Oh, how I wish!”

* * *

Scootaloo sat upon a soft cloud. The dream was hers, and she knew it. There was no insidious voice calling out to her, no nightmare to run from. It was just a peaceful night sky filled with stars, and the soft call of the crickets echoing up to her.

She lay back and relaxed. She actually came into my dream. Scootaloo still couldn't believe it. Her heart beat faster as she remembered how the scene had unfolded.

“Remember Scoots, you can always count on me to help you when you're in trouble. I'll always be there for you.”

Her heart settled back down and she considered the words. “She'll always be there for me, huh? Do I dare ask her?”

“Scootaloo,” a voice called out across the night sky in a deep, yet calming tone.

Scootaloo looked upward and watched as a crescent moon popped into existence. She smiled as the Lunar princess descended to the cloud that she rested upon.

“Princess Luna,” Scootaloo said happily. But her smile quickly flattened into a frown as she saw numerous scrapes and scratches upon the princess. It almost looked as though she had been traveling through the Everfree Forest for a while, or some equally perilous trek.

Instinctively, Scootaloo pushed out with her will and imagined that Luna wasn't as weary and she wasn't covered in scrapes and nicks. As she thought those thoughts, the Princess regained her usual splendor. But only for a second.

Luna shook her head, and the blemishes returned to her body. “It is best that I do not forget what state my actual body is in,” Luna explained.

“But what happened?” Scootaloo asked. “How'd you get so... worn?”

“A lack of sleep, and some troubles in Canterlot. But I was more worried about you, Scootaloo. I could not see your dreams for nearly a week. It was most troubling... I am most glad to see that are present once again, and not lost as so many others.”

“Wait, you couldn't enter my dream?” Scootaloo asked in confusion. “But... then he must have hidden my dreams from you? I didn't think that was possible.”

“Of whom are you speaking, Scootaloo? Do you know who is responsible for all the missing dreams?”

“Missing dreams...? But then that must mean-!” Scootaloo gasped. “How many are missing?”

Luna let out a desperate sigh. “Perhaps a hundred by now. It's spreading like a disease. Children, mares, stallions, or anypony else, it seems not to matter who. Child, please, if you know who is behind this, do speak.”

“We don't know who,” Scootaloo admitted and got up to pace around the cloud. “But whoever he is, he tried to take out the Crystal Empire. He even managed to poison my dreams with his foul magic. I was almost overtaken.” She shook her head. “If it weren't for Sweetie Belle, I would have been lost inside my own mind forever, being stalked, hunted and haunted.”

“So you were one of the lost, but you came back?” Luna asked as she watched the pegasus pace about the cloud. “Pray tell, how did you manage to do so?”

“It was Sweetie Belle, she used a certain magic to enter my mind. I think it might even have been based off the spell that that damned snake used. She was in here, as strongly as I was. Together we overcame the snake, and I banished it from my mind.”

“So then, you and your friends are in the Crystal Empire? I should like to hear about what has transpired.”

“Yeah, we're trying to find the guy behind this and stop him. But if he's doing this in Canterlot as well... he really could be anywhere. This might be worse than anypony would have guessed.” Scootaloo concluded.

“It might very well be.” Luna stared off into the distant stars as if she could make out some pattern that existed amongst their lights. “I shall inform my sister and leave her to deal with the crisis in Canterlot, and I shall fly north as quick as I can. Come morn, I shall arrive. Thank you, Scootaloo. I shall see you soon.”

“A crisis? Wait, you're going already? Can't you tell me about what's happening back home?”

“I will explain when I arrive. Every moment counts now. I must depart.” Luna said curtly and she bowed her head.

With a flash of light from the moon, Luna was engulfed in the silvery beams, and in the next moment, she disappeared from Scootaloo's dream.

A crisis in Canterlot? I don't like where this is going... Scootaloo was tempted to just wake up and tell Sweetie Belle about the news, but she could tell that her body still needed more rest. As Luna had once instructed her, years before, she decided to listen to those words of advice. Do not rush from your dreams child. Wake when your body is ready, lest you ruin the entirety of the day with thine own hasty actions.

Instead, she took to the skies of her dream world and let the winds sooth her wings for a while. She made sure to check on her body's state every so often. She loved being in a dream like this one. Here, she could fly free, even as her body rested in the gentle embrace of sleep. Scootaloo chuckled to herself lightly as she flew upon the cool winds. “I guess the princess isn't all that great at taking her own advice. She sure looked like she could use a good night's sleep.”

End of Chapter 19

Chapter 20 - The Burden of Responsibility

A Heart of Change – Chapter 20: The Burden of Responsibility

By: SilentBelle

“You can't just walk into our room and watch Bloom and Scoots while they sleep!” Sweetie's voice called out sharply from somewhere nearby.

Apple Bloom listened. Though with the leaden weight of fatigue bearing down from behind her eyes, she decided to stay covertly beneath her covers. She tried to relax and let the pressure behind her eyes pass as the conversation continued.

“I, in fact, do have permission to enter any and all rooms within the palace, save for the Prince and Princess' royal chambers,” an amused voice replied, a voice which could only belong to Sky Chaser. “However, if I wanted to watch a couple of mares while they were sleeping, I'd just scry on them from my own room. It would be less likely that I'd be caught that way.”

“Except that I'd stop you as soon as you tried that, just like the other day, when we were traveling through the city.” Sweetie Belle's voice was sour. “Spying on ponies isn't nice, you know.”

“Nice?” Sky asked with a dismissive snort. “No, it is not. However, it is my job, and it is for the greater good of the Empire that I keep my eyes ever watchful.”

Sweetie Belle let out a disgusted snort. “Sure. Voyeurism for the sake of the Empire.”

Sky only laughed in response. “Well, I may as well enjoy the job in what small ways I can. After all, I am stuck with it.”

“So then, why are you here anyway?” Sweetie Belle's voice sounded a little disappointed and slightly strained. “The sun's not even up yet.”

“You mean aside from trying to catch a glimpse of a young sleeping mare?” Apple Bloom could just imagine the stallion's grin as he spoke. “Well, we have a busy day ahead of us, and I figured that we might as well start bright and early. And the fact that it’s earlier than it is bright is all for the better. I thought you'd be more excited to see that I have come to help you find your body, Sweetie Belle.”

“Find her body, and wake us up,” Apple Bloom muttered, peeled back her bed covers, and opened her eyes.

She peered through the gray darkness of the room and saw a soft golden glow from the open doorway. Sky Chaser was standing there, grinning as always, wearing a sequin-lined outfit that nearly made Apple Bloom wince as she looked at it. Sky's horn sparkled with life, as he maintained a small light spell, and before him, Sweetie Belle's amulet hung in the air, the emerald catching and dispersing stray rays of his golden spell.

“Oh, I am sorry if I awoke you, Apple Bloom,” Sky Chaser said with a deep bow.

“If you're sorry, ya could do a better job of lookin' the part,” Apple Bloom said, as she suppressed a yawn. She grabbed a nearby brush and a ribbon before walking over to them.

“It is just that I'd be even more sorry to not get the chance to wake you up, is all,” Sky Chaser amended, then raised an eyebrow in amusement. “So much to do, and so little time.”

“Then, by all means, don't let me stop you two.” Apple Bloom sat on a chair, affixed a hoofbrush to her forehoof, and began to work away at her mess of a mane. As she did so, she cast a small glance toward the other bed in the room. Scootaloo's sleeping form remained undisturbed, offering a quiet rhythm of relaxed breaths, a soothing sound that nearly brought a smile to Apple Bloom's lips. Apple Bloom nodded toward the bed and whispered to the other two, “Try not ta wake Scootaloo up. She needs as much rest as she can get. Though, it probably wouldn't 've hurt ya ta bring some breakfast.”

“Oh, there's no need to worry about that,” Sky replied in a whisper as he moved over to another nearby chair and took a seat. “I've already had breakfast.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. Ugh, it's too early for this.

“Well, then.” The blue stallion smirked at Apple Bloom’s expression, then turned to face Sweetie Belle, who had remained hovering only a few feet from him, clearly staring him down as stonily as she could, given that she had no body.

For a moment, Apple Bloom idly imagined creating a few golden bands to cover the majority of the amulet, leaving only two small slits of emerald as scowling eyes. It was an expression she was sure Sweetie Belle should have been wearing.

“Shall we get started then?” Lord Sky asked Sweetie Belle. The amulet's hovering 'stare' had done little to make the Sky Chaser take on a more serious tone.

Sweetie Belle sighed, and with a flash from her amulet, Apple Bloom noticed a soft glow emanating from Sweetie's nearby saddlebag. “Here's one of my hairs. I hope you can find where my body is. Last time I tried—”

“If it's out there, then I will find it,” Sky assured her. For only a moment, his smile disappeared, and his golden eyes stared straight into the emerald's depths. “After all, I am a scrymaster for a reason.”

“Hey, if you think that you're bett—”

“It's not a challenge, Sweetie Belle,” the stallion interjected as a smile sprung back to his lips. In the next second, his horn's light spell faded, and a deeper golden glow overcame his horn. “It is simply a matter of fact and experience.”

Before Sweetie Belle could rebuke him any further, Sky's magic spread out from his horn. Apple Bloom saw that the single white hair that had been held in Sweetie's aura was now fully wrapped in his golden glow. There was a frown of concentration on the stallion's face, and Sky's ever-humorous expression became naught but the slightest upward twinge of a single corner of his lips.

Apple Bloom felt the slightest shiver crawling up her spine as she worked idly on her mane. She always attributed this sensation to unicorns using magic near her. However, she was well aware that it did not always happen whenever any spell was cast. Perhaps, she thought to herself, it's just a matter of knowing how much hinges on this spell.

For her part, Apple Bloom made sure to keep her silence as she stared at the blue stallion and waited to see what would happen. She wasn't sure what she was waiting for or what a successful scrying spell would look like, given that, this time, he held no mirror before him, just a simple strand of hair. Would there be a popping sound when he found it? she wondered. Or is it just a feeling? Or is he seeing something that we can't? Her curiosity was beginning to gnaw at her, and it took no small amount of effort for her to stop herself from asking Sweetie Belle. She made a mental note to check out a few books on magical theory when she next had a chance. She may not be a unicorn; however, knowing a bit more about how magic worked certainly couldn't hurt. Especially in times like these.

Sky Chaser's narrowed eyes stared off into the middle distance for what seemed like an eternity. It was enough time for Apple Bloom to have finished combing and braiding her mane and tail. The room grew brighter, as the first light of dawn began to reach out from the horizon outside and filtered subtly through the translucent crystal walls of the room. She found herself idly taking in Sky Chaser's colouration: his mane the clouds, his coat the sky, his eyes the sun, while his magic auras were the sun's rays. And it’s all ruined thanks to that sequin emblazoned outfit. She sighed and not for the first time, wondered just what sort of cutie mark Sky Chaser had hidden beneath his gaudy exterior.

Just as Apple Bloom affixed the last of her pink ribbon to her tail, Sky Chaser blinked suddenly, and his horn stopped glowing. A moment passed, and the room remained silent until Apple Bloom dared to speak. “So, is that it?”

The stallion sighed with a tone of weariness, and his usual smile did not return as quickly as Apple Bloom had been expecting. Instead, Sky Chaser turned to Sweetie's floating amulet and reluctantly looked into the emerald jewelry. “It is most unfortunate,” he began, his voice surprisingly devoid of its typical ebullient tone. “However, I could not locate your body anywhere within the scope of nearly two hundred miles of here. The only responses that I received were your hairs, most of which were lodged to the underside of your saddle. And, of course, the spell linked to your amulet, which I have no doubt you were able to sense. If your body is out there, it is either under heavy magical warding, or it is beyond the scope of my spell.”

“So then, he could have it?” Apple Bloom wondered. That would certainly be the worst possible outcome.

“I-” Sweetie's voice was slow and quiet, “I don't think he has my body. I think my body just might not be here anymore. At all.”

Apple Bloom felt her lungs tighten at the thought. “But you and Scootaloo sounded so sure yesterday.”

“I know,” Sweetie Belle said with a shaky laugh. “But that was just bravado on my part: wishful thinking, denial. But I don't know anymore. I'm alive, right? Because of that, I was sure my body would be out there. But can I really be alive without a body?”

“I am sorry,” Sky said in a near whisper. “I wish I had better news, truly.”

“No,” Sweetie Belle said, almost more to herself than to anypony else. “It makes sense. My body is gone. I have to face it. That other Sweetie, when she took my place, I lost my body. If my body had stayed around, I should have been pulled back into it afterwards, I'm certain, I—”

“Sweetie,” Apple Bloom said quietly into the dark chambers. How Apple Bloom wished she could throw her hooves around Sweetie and pull Sweetie into a hug, to do anything to comfort her. The amulet hung in the air, the golden chain hanging limp, while the shard of Discord floated around it lazily.

Apple Bloom frowned at the fragment. Discord and that nameless voice. If it weren't for them... They caused all of this. She felt a cold anger rising in her chest and forced herself to look away. But anger never solves anything, darn it. All we can do is face the facts and do what we can from here.

“No,” Scootaloo's voice called out in a quiet yet firm tone.

The pegasus rolled out of her bed, slower than Apple Bloom was expecting the pegasus to move. With the way Scootaloo winced slightly when her hooves hit the ground, Apple Bloom could only begin to wonder at how exhausted Scootaloo’s body must have been from the previous day's ordeal. Both of them have been dragged into worse situations than either should ever have to face. And here Ah am, right next to them, powerless to actually do anything. Darn it all!

“Sweetie, remember. I promised you I'd help you find your body,” Scootaloo said simply as she walked up to the amulet. “I'm not going back on that promise. We'll find it! You can't give up on it!”

“But if it's not there—” Sweetie began.

“Then we'll find out where it is. If he has it, we'll fly over to him and beat him up until he gives it back! If it's somewhere else, we'll find it. There has to be a solution, Sweetie! It's only really over once you give up on it, unlike how you didn't give up on me!”

“But how will I find it, Scoots?” Sweetie Belle shouted back, her amulet glowing brightly. “Where do I look if scrying can't even find it? What do I do?”

“We do everything we have to,” Scootaloo stated simply. “We'll find it!”

Apple Bloom shook her head. For all the hope that might have been born from such wishful thinking, Apple Bloom knew that chasing after something so impossible would just end in disappointment. She was about to open her mouth to tell off Scootaloo when a series of knocks at the room's door interrupted her.

The room fell silent, and they all turned to the door. “Come in,” Apple Bloom called out.

The door swung gently inward to reveal a single crystal pony with a cart of food. Apple Bloom squinted at the crystal pony for a second before she recognized the amethyst mare as Prism, the steward that tended to these chambers.

“I'm sorry to interrupt,” Prism said demurely as she pushed the cart through the door, “but I got a message from Lord Sky,”—she bowed to the stallion—“that you required breakfast to be delivered to Lady Apple Bloom’s room.”

“That is actually rather thoughtful of you, Lord Sky,” Apple Bloom said with mild surprise. “And thank you, Prism. We appreciate it.”

“Well, I did tell you not to worry about breakfast, did I not?” Sky Chaser let out a small laugh.

Prism bowed to each of them in turn. “My lord. My ladies. I'll be back in an hour to collect the cart.” With that, she turned around and left, closing the door behind her.

“Hmm,” Sky said and looked at the closed door. “She's a little too obsequious for my tastes.”

“Nopony asked for your opinion,” Scootaloo muttered, giving the stallion a dirty look. She then pointedly turned her back on Sweetie Belle, as if to emphasize her earlier point by refusing to talk any further on the subject. Scootaloo walked over to the cart to check out what was for breakfast.

Apple Bloom decided that it would be best not to bring the subject up again so soon, as much as she disagreed with Scootaloo's blind determination. Dwelling on it is not going to solve anything right now; it will just cause our tempers to flare. We might as well get some food in us first.

Once she got to the cart of food, Bloom was quite pleased to spot a wide variety of fruits tossed into a salad as well as a hot container of vegetable soup and a loaf of sliced brown bread. This certainly beats oats and dried apple slices.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom got themselves some breakfast and began to eat. For a time, silence reigned in the room. Sweetie Belle seemed content to keep her thoughts to herself as she hovered in the corner of the room, and Sky Chaser stood in a different corner. His horn was glowing as he looked into the depths of a standing mirror. More scrying? Apple Bloom shrugged as her own innate curiosity fought with her hunger and lost.

“So,” Scootaloo began, glancing at the sunlit walls of the room, “I think Princess Luna should be here by now.”

“What?” Apple Bloom said, as she finished swallowing the last of her meal. “She's headed here?”

“Yeah. Last night, she spoke to me and decided to make her way here. There's a lot going on, and by the sounds of it, it's happening all over Equestria.”

“Ah,” Sky Chaser said from the corner. “Now that would explain it.” He nodded and turned to them. “I was wondering why Princess Luna had suddenly arrived in the courtroom.”

“What's happening all over Equestria? The strange unicorn's attacks?” Apple Bloom asked.

Sky Chaser nodded. “So it would seem. However, the best way to find out is to ask the princess. Shall we go pay her and the prince a small visit?”

“But didn't we agree to work on the prince's task?” Apple Bloom interjected. “Y'know, we're supposed ta work on tracking down that unknown unicorn's influence and see where he's hiding.”

“Ah, yes.” Lord Sky nodded in agreement and made his way to the door. “However, objectives do change, and if our good friend Scootaloo is speaking the truth, then the problem is indeed affecting not only our nation, but also all of Equestria. Any information we can get may help us narrow our search. And trust me, Princess Luna is bound to be a treasure trove of information.” He opened the door and gave Apple Bloom a smile. “Care to take part in another boring meeting?”

Apple Bloom sighed, left her cleaned plates on the cart, and moved to follow him. Scootaloo followed suit, and a few second later, Sweetie's amulet took up the rear, hovering slowly with Discord's fragment in tow.

* * *

Scootaloo walked along the corridor as she let Apple Bloom and Sky Chaser take the lead. The two were talking about the application of scrying spells or something. Scootaloo hadn't really bothered to listen beyond a sentence or two. Apple Bloom had that gleam in her eyes as well as a tonal fervor as bright as sunlight, which showcased her determination to figure out how Sky Chaser’s magic worked.

Sky Chaser, on the other hoof, just offered jovial answers to her questions. Though from the deepening furrows of Apple Bloom's eyebrows, Scootaloo was beginning to think that the stallion was offering some answers that were less than satisfactory.

Scootaloo shook her head before looking back over her own shoulder. A few feet behind her, Sweetie Belle's amulet slid gently and quietly through the air.

“Sweetie,” Scootaloo called out quietly.

“What?” Sweetie Belle replied bitterly.

“It's not like you to be so quiet,” Scootaloo ventured. “Are you okay?”

“Okay?” The amulet shook in irritation. “Okay! Of course I'm not okay! The only chance I had at finding out if I could get my body back has just been dashed to the ground! I'm going to be stuck inside this amulet forever! My body doesn’t exist anymore.”

Scootaloo felt a small pool of anger welling up inside of her, but she kept her voice calm. “And you're going to let that stop you? Since when did you ever give up on a magic spell because it was too hard?”

“It's not a matter of a spell being too hard. It's a matter of impossibility!” Sweetie retorted.

“So you're just going to let Discord's magic trick wreck your life forever?” Scootaloo asked, and she couldn't stop a tone of accusation from coating her words. “You’re just going to stop struggling against it? That's not the Sweetie Belle that I know. I know you're not okay with losing your body, and I'm not okay with it either! You can't give up on it! If magic caused it, then magic can fix it! Where has your determination gone?”

“I-I haven't given up.” Her voice was a quavering echo through the empty hall. “I don't want to, more than anything. But what if there's no way to fix it? I can't just blindly believe that—” Sweetie suddenly stopped. “Wait. What was it you just said, Scoots?”

This time, when Sweetie had spoken, her voice wasn't a desperate and heartbroken sound, but there was a certain, surprised vigor behind her words. It was the familiar excitement of a young mare who was on the verge of finishing a new spell or of a filly who had just gotten the perfect idea for how she and her friends could get their cutie marks. This was Sweetie's real voice, and it shimmered a faint emerald across Scootaloo's vision.

“I said that you can't give up on it,” Scootaloo said tentatively.

“No, no, no, before that. About Discord.”

Scootaloo frowned for a moment and thought back. “You shouldn't let Discord's magic ruin your life forever?”

“Yeah that! What did you mean by that?”

“Discord got rid of your body, right?” Scootaloo proffered. “At least, I'm pretty sure that's what happened.”

Sweetie hummed for a moment. “There was that dragon-thing that was about to eat me. Then there was magic all around me as the world shifted, and I lost all my senses. After a few minutes I began to decipher the world around me. I think it was right when you, Bloom, and the other Sweetie all fell through the floor. So, I don't really know what happened until that point,” Sweetie admitted. “Was Scoddri involved?”

Scootaloo nodded. “I think so. That damned snake said so when it happened.” Scootaloo cleared her throat. “'Discord? You'd use teleportation to try and save the girl?' He said something like that. And if it wasn’t for Discord's interference, you'd have died. I couldn't reach you in time.” Scootaloo cast her eyes at the blue crystal of the floor. “I wasn't fast enough.” I never am.

“So Scoddri actually did that? Then this changes a lot of things.” Sweetie let out a small laugh, not a laugh of despair, but rather a laugh that should have been accompanied by a pair of sparkling, silvery-green eyes and a soft, secretive smile.

There were no such eyes for Scootaloo to share her own smile with. Though the multiple facets of the gently glowing amulet were almost a worthy replacement. “So you have a plan then?”

“You know me so well, Scoots,” Sweetie said amicably as she used her magic to maneuver the amulet and latch it snugly around Scootaloo's neck. “You'd better believe it.”

“Hey, you two!” Apple Bloom called out from around a corner at the far end of the palace's main hallway. “Hurry it up, would ya?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sweetie's voice called out. “We're coming.”

Scootaloo gave a light, almost nervous chuckle as she walked towards Apple Bloom. “And I assume it's a dangerous plan?” Scootaloo asked quietly.

“Hah,” Sweetie laughed. “I'm not sure how dangerous it is. I'm hoping my hypothesis is correct, and I'll have my body back by the end of this. But it will take a little while for me to figure it all out. At the very least, I know I can't give up until I've tried a few more things.”

Scootaloo smiled and stole an affectionate glance down at the amulet. This is what makes Sweetie who she is, Scootaloo thought with certainty. It's not her cutie mark, her magic, or even her voice. It's her tenacity, her optimism. It's how she always follows through and takes me with her. Scootaloo shook her head. “So you're doing this all by guesswork then?”

“More like educated guesswork. I dare say, I am an educated mare, Scoots, not some run-of-the-mill unicorn.”

“I suppose Twilight must have been able to work miracles if you're educated in spite of your best attempts to bail on her at every turn.” Scootaloo snickered and finally reached the end of the hall where Apple Bloom stood, a single raised eyebrow betrayed her own curiosity.

“I was not avoiding her at every turn!” Sweetie Belle argued back. “She just wasn't allowing me to practice useful spells.”

“So you'd sneak into the library as soon as she left and search for the, what was it, 'real magic books' while telling Spike that Twilight had sent you to find those books.”

Apple Bloom let out a sad sigh and nodded towards the large double doors fifty feet ahead of them. Sky Chaser stood by the door, talking quietly to the pair of the guards who flanked the door. The three mares made their way over toward the council room.

“Seriously, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom said with a hint of exasperation in her voice. “You were stealin' books from the library behind Twilight's back?”

“Does that really surprise you, Bloom?” Scootaloo asked.

“Hey! You both make it sound like a crime! First of all, I never stole the books. I just borrowed them. And second, I was pursuing an education of my own volition! Twilight should have been proud to have a student as eager to learn as me!”

“Well, if she was proud, she sure was having one heck of a time showing it,” Scootaloo said with a devilish grin. “I wonder, how many times did she singe her hair while lecturing you about losing those borrowed books?”

“Geez! It was only once!” Sweetie rebuked, and Scootaloo couldn't help a devilish smile from springing to her lips. “Hey, the other two books weren't lost.”

“They were just burned to a crisp!” Scootaloo finished with a laugh.

“Slightly singed,” Sweetie corrected darkly.

Scootaloo considered how much further she could tease Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom shook her head, although a small smile did play on her lips for a moment. “C'mon girls, knock it off. We're 'bout ta enter the council chambers. Quit horsin' around.” She nodded to Sky Chaser.

“Very well then,” the unicorn began and smiled to one of the guards, “if you'd be so kind.”

The guard in question simply nodded and opened the door to the antechamber, where an opalescent crystal mare awaited them with a clipboard affixed to her foreleg.

“Ah, Slate, how are you this morning?” Lord Sky asked in his overly chipper voice.

“Awake,” she responded dryly. “I was told to expect your arrival. Follow me.”

“Why do I think she's likely funner asleep than awake?” Sky Chaser asked in a hushed tone to the three mares beside him.

It was clearly still spoken loudly enough for Blank Slate to have heard, for Scootaloo noticed that Slate rolled her eyes skyward and muttered something under her breath.

'The things I put up with'? Scootaloo guessed. Something along those lines. Scootaloo gave Lord Sky a sidelong glance. He sure likes to get under other ponies’ skins.

Blank Slate pushed the door open quietly and waved for the four of them to follow her.

Scootaloo moved past the large, opaque doors and was surprised by the chamber on the other side. The morning sunlight lit up the room spectacularly. There was some sort of crystalline pattern hidden within the ceiling, which caused the room to be graced with a subtle sprinkling of prismatic light that added a bit of flourish to the otherwise sparse room. There was only a large table in the center of the chamber, and this served to immediately draw Scootaloo's attention to the ponies who formed a crescent around one-half of the table.

Luna caught Scootaloo's eye immediately. The princess looked exhausted; her eyes held creases of fatigue around them, but otherwise, she struck Scootaloo as a rather impressive and majestic figure, sitting tallest in the room in the rightmost position at the table. As Scootaloo looked at the princess, Princess Luna caught her gaze and smiled slyly. Feeling slightly unnerved, Scootaloo decided to turn her attention back to the rest of the table.

All of the members turned to face the arriving ponies. Scootaloo gave each of them a quick glance. Shining Armor she knew, of course. He looked as though he hadn't gotten much sleep, if any. He was seated in a chair to the left of the vacant center seat of the table. To his right, an alabaster crystal pony sat tall and proud in his sparkling, blue armour. His Captain of the guard. Snowball? Snowfall? Something like that. Aside from them, on a chair to the right of Princess Cadence's empty seat, there was a single orange crystal pony mare in fiery-red robes. She wore a pleasant smile.

“Announcing Lord Sky Chaser, Lady Apple Bloom, and Lady Scootaloo to the council,” Blank Slate's voice called out clearly.

“And what am I?” Sweetie Belle muttered just loudly enough so that only Scootaloo could hear her. “A bale of hay?”

“My prince!” Sky Chaser called out across the chamber as they approached the council table. “We came as soon as we learned of the the princess' arrival with the hope that her expertise and potential knowledge of the situation might help us narrow our search.”

“I thought as much,” Shining Armor said with an approving nod. “And I am glad you brought our three guests with you as well. Princess Luna desires to speak with them. Please, take a seat, all of you.”

Not feeling entirely comfortable with so many eyes on her, Scootaloo followed Apple Bloom and Sky Chaser to three remaining seats on the opposite side of the council. This placed Scootaloo directly across the table from none other than Princess Luna.

“How very peculiar,” the princess began, “that we should see three ponies when four are present. I had hoped that Sweetie Belle's unfortunate situation was not so.”

“That makes two of us,” Sweetie Belle said with a small laugh.

Apple Bloom gave the amulet a warning glare while the guard captain's frown deepened, but Luna only nodded at the remark.

Lord Sky sighed lightly as he idly spun his staff around in the air in front of him. “Indeed, we could not find her body anywhere, even with my profound scrying magics.”

“It is a condition that I have never seen before,” Luna admitted. “The closest I've seen was my own... absence from Equestria. Even then, I do not remember time passing for me during my exile, only a moment of darkness.” It looked as though the princess was trying not to wince as she spoke those words. “While I may not have a specific solution to your predicament, Sweetie Belle, I would speak with you in private and discuss some of the nuances at work, and perhaps we can figure out a solution together.”

“Yeah.” Sweetie said with a hint of doubt in her voice. “But we have more important stuff to discuss right now. Right?”

“As unfortunate as it is, yes, that is the case. We shall talk in private about your predicament later this evening,” Luna said solemnly. “And now that we are all gathered here, without further delay, we shall review the outlines of our plans.”

“Of course,” Shining Armor spoke up. “As we were discussing, Princess Luna has informed us that the nameless unicorn's influence has spread far beyond just the Crystal Empire, and numerous ponies are being influenced, unbeknownst to themselves.”

“These afflicted ponies do not appear in the realm of dreams anymore. Or if they do, I can no longer see their dreams. It is most disturbing. I have already discussed this with Scootaloo.” Princess Luna nodded to the pegasus. “And I have come to suspect that this is mind magic of the foulest nature, manipulating ponies at their very core. If they do not bend to his magic, then the magic will break them.”

“How many are being influenced, I wonder?” Sky Chaser asked lazily as he tilted his chair back absentmindedly.

“It is powerful and subtle magic to influence ponies so strongly. Thankfully that means it is no easy feat for him to spread his influence. I imagine no more than fifty or so ponies across all of Equestria are under his control. I will admit that those missing ponies from the dreamscape would have gone unnoticed before my own eyes had I not been specifically concerned for a specific pony.” Luna looked straight toward Scootaloo and gave her an easy smile. “I am glad that you are unharmed, Scootaloo.”

“I—” Scootaloo shook her head. “It's thanks to Sweetie. She saved me. If she weren't there—” She shivered at the memory of the snake's oily skin, piercing fangs, and hissing voice. It was almost as if she could feel him inside, still lingering in the recesses of her mind. No! she told herself firmly. He's gone! And I'm never letting him in again!

“Then you have my thanks, Sweetie Belle, student of my sister's student. We are most fortunate that you are proficiently gifted with the skill to shrewdly help your friends when they need you most.”

Sweetie Belle's amulet glowed slightly. “That's, uh, thanks. I guess.”

“Indeed, we all find Sweetie Belle so endearing,” Sky Chaser said and waved his staff in an arc above his head. “However, it might be most prudent to return to discussing the task at hoof. Seems like we have ourselves a bit of a spider web across both our nations, and the obvious solution is to squash the spider by tracing the threads back to their source. However, the web is, as the visiting princess said, very subtle. We likely will not see it unless we know exactly where and whom to look for.”

“Precisely.” Luna nodded. “I shall start with a subject whom we know for certain has been affected: a guard named Bulwark, who collapsed from looking at Scootaloo, correct? I believe I may be able to pull him out from the influence of the spell, given enough time. However, I am not certain that we can discern our attacker's location from Bulwark as the spell's influence seems far less active than it was within Scootaloo.”

“Active?” Apple Bloom asked. “You mean that he wasn't trying to control the mind of Bulwark as he was with Scootaloo?”

“Yes,” Luna affirmed. “The guard was caught by the mental magic that was intended to subdue Scootaloo. The magic afflicting him is akin to witnessing a powerful nightmare that belongs to somepony else. And I believed that tracing that spell back to its source would lead us to Scootaloo. Since Scootaloo has since been purged of such maleficent magics, we cannot effectively or successfully or remotely locate the original caster anymore.”

“But how did Scoots manage to cast the spell then?” Scootaloo heard Sweetie Belle mutter to herself. Sweetie Belle then hummed and gave a sharp gasp. “But wait! We just need to find another pony who is playing the puppet to his spell. Right?”

Luna nodded.

“Well, that's easy. We just need to go find Azure then.” When all the other ponies in the room frowned at the amulet, save for Apple Bloom and Lord Sky, Sweetie let out a small sigh. “He's the colt who abducted me the other night. He was definitely being controlled, and he didn't have any memories of the event either. He must have been asleep while his body was moving.”

Luna leaned forward and scowled, her forehooves resting on the table. “This foul unicorn preys upon children as they sleep. We must save this child.”

“We can send the guard to secure the child, once we know where he is.” Captain Snowfall said eagerly. “And then the princess can break the spell that's over him..”

“Only after we chase it back to its source,” Sky Chaser added. “This Azure child will be instrumental in our efforts to track down the spell's source.”

“And now we just need to find out where this child is.” Shining Armor nodded to Sky Chaser, who responded with a smile and drew his staff close as his horn lit more brightly than before.

“To reiterate,” Luna said as she got out of her chair, “we all agree that the first course of action after this meeting is to help Bulwark, and I shall do so.”

Shining Armor stood up in response, and every other pony in the room followed suit. “But of course, Princess Luna. Captain, please escort the princess to the infirmary.”

“Hey! But isn't Azure more of a pressing issue?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“All ponies are important to us,” Luna said evenly, looking directly at Scootaloo and Sweetie's amulet. “However, this magic we are dealing with influences the mind. Helping a pony recover from such an ordeal will take time and a great deal of effort from both the victim and those who wish to rescue them.”

“How long?” Shining Armor asked worriedly.

“Well, Sweetie was helpin' Scootaloo for what must have been over an hour by the time Ah woke up half the palace, found Sky, and got to where Scootaloo was held. And it ended a little bit after that.” Apple Bloom looked worriedly at the translucent wall that revealed an expansive cityscape of glistening buildings.

“That's not too long,” Sweetie Belle said.

“It varies,” Luna stated, and she started to walk across the room toward the other side of the table. “In your case, Scootaloo, it was a quick rescue, I surmise, because of your bond of friendship. But to rescue a complete stranger? I would say an hour is too optimistic.”

“Even for you?” Scootaloo asked. “You're an alicorn, and you walk in dreams every night.”

Luna smiled affectionately. “An alicorn I may be, young Scootaloo, but a pony’s measure to help another in need is not born from such status. Helping another is an act borne from both ponies. While I may have spent untold time within the realm of dreams, that gift is not what determines how effectively I help another. What does matter is your wish to help the pony in question, their determination to save themselves, and the bond of trust built betwixt each other. And forging that bond takes time.”

“So we'll have to wait hours, then?” Shining Armor asked while frowning. “With how fast this has spread in just a single week—”

“Worry not, Shining Armor, for I am not the only one who can help in this task.” Luna spread her wings wide, and Scootaloo thought she saw the ghost of a smile play on the princess' lips. “For I shall task my faithful student to help rescue Azure.”

“Your faithful...?” Scootaloo muttered under her breath and felt a sudden leaden weight in her stomach when she noticed that Luna was staring directly at her. “You mean me? But Princess, I—”

“Scootaloo,” Luna said firmly. The princess was standing only a few feet away from Scootaloo and was peering directly into Scootaloo’s eyes. “Calm yourself.”

“But I can't help Azure! I don't have magic or—” Scootaloo stopped short as she felt a pressure close in around her, and the air left her lungs. The world fell away into darkness. The council chamber, the council members, Apple Bloom and even Sweetie Belle's amulet, all faded from sight. All that remained was Princess Luna and herself, surrounded by a void of darkness.

In an instant the void changed, and Scootaloo felt a familiar sense of nostalgia descend upon her. A spongy softness of cloud formed beneath her hooves, and a limitless dark blue sky suddenly spanned above her. The full moon hung openly in the air, glowing softly. Three stars, one purple, another green, and a final one of fiery amber, formed the points of a triangle around the moon. Aside from the astronomical features, a large arching rainbow shimmered beneath the moon, faint but proud. Those were the only features. No other stars or distant clouds could be seen. She felt a soft, warm breeze flow upward from the very cloud she stood upon, like a soft thermal that she somehow knew would never cease blowing while she drew breath.

“Where—”

“—are we?” Luna finished the question in a voice that shot a radiant wave of opalescence across Scootaloo's vision. She brought her eyes back to the princess. Luna’s blue coat was just a shade lighter than the sky behind her, and the stars in her mane only served to emphasize how surreal this place was. “We are in a shared mind-space, Scootaloo. A place formed from our shared subconscious. It's a place only available to those who can control their dreams freely.”

“So, it's like a dream then?” Scootaloo frowned at her surroundings. She concentrated on the pool of cloud beneath her hooves and willed it to spread outward, but it didn't expand as she was expecting. It just remained the same, a small pool of clouds that fell to an endless deep blue on all sides.

Luna smiled softly. “No, this is no dream. It is not something one can change simply with a stray thought or decision. This is a place built from deeper thoughts. From the things that we hold deep inside, how we truly regard each other. Beneath conscious thought and fleeting emotions, that is what this place represents.”

Scootaloo shivered as she looked at the dark world, and a feeling of unease settled upon her shoulders. The place felt empty to her, as though it were missing something, Lots of 'somethings', but Scootaloo couldn't figure out exactly what. It was something more than just the stars that should have been there. “So why are we here?” Scootaloo asked and nervously ran a hoof through her mane.

“To explain the situation to you without all the other ponies overhearing. While I could have pulled you aside to talk to you in private, words are as fleeting as a dream. I believe first-hoof experience would help you to understand.”

Understand? This only makes things more confusing! Scootaloo kept her thoughts to herself and simply frowned as she waited for the princess to continue her explanation.

“You have a rare gift, Scootaloo,” Luna said quietly and turned to look at the false night sky around her. A gentle silence fell upon them, and Scootaloo followed the princess' gaze up to the shining, distant moon. It was unmoving, eternal in its watch over her. And yet the light was gentle, comforting even.

“A gift? Yeah, I'm a Lucid Dreamer,” Scootaloo said quietly. “You've told me many times before: ‘I need to have power over my dreams’, ‘My nightmares are stronger than most ponies'’, and ‘I need to be strong enough to face those fears and dispel them’. It's more like a curse than a gift.”

“So it might appear,” Luna agreed dourly and kept her eyes trained on the moon. “But there remains a simple fact: Were it not for your rare ability, I would never have had the opportunity to have my first student.” Luna looked back down to Scootaloo with an affectionate gaze. “I have watched over you for nearly five years now, Scootaloo. I've seen you face your greatest fears, grow to reach those pure dreams you have now, and become the strong mare you are today.”

“But, Princess, I'm not—”

“An alicorn? Able to use magic? A princess?” Luna shook her head. “No, of course not. But you are my first student. I have taught you how to shape your dreams so that they would not hurt you, to respect the emotions that fuel such dreams, and to understand the importance those emotions have to the dreamer.” Luna gave her a gentle smile. “I taught you all this with the hopes that you would find peace while you slept, so you could find time to dream, as all ponies must.”

Scootaloo sighed softly. “Well, it worked, Princess. You saved me from years of nightmares.”

“And for that, I am most glad,” Luna gave her one last small smile and turned her eyes back to the moon. “But those things you have learned were not just the fundamentals, Scootaloo. You needed training, fortitude, control, for you were a danger, not only to yourself, but also to those around you.”

Scootaloo frowned and turned to face the princess and met Luna’s gaze. “What do you mean, ‘I was a danger to those around me’?”

“I never explained to you the true extent your gift entailed and the reason why it was, in fact, a gift to treasure and not a shortcoming to curse. A Lucid Dreamer is one who can, not only control their own dreams and emotions, but also project themselves into other ponies' dreams, into their minds.”

An image flashed into Scootaloo's mind of a pair of guards blocking her way. She remembered looking into one of their eyes and in her blind rage, imagined that the serpent that had wrapped its way around her own mind was constricting that pony as well. Then he collapsed. Scootaloo shook her head and banished the scene from her mind. So it wasn't that damned snake's magic that caused it. It's because I'm a Lucid Dreamer. A sickening sensation filled her gut. I was the one that put Bulwark into a coma? Just like that?

“Yes,” Luna said, pulling Scootaloo's attention back to her. “Projecting one's emotions, dreams, or even nightmares into another pony is a terrifying power. I think you can see why I would have been hesitant to share such knowledge with the young filly that I had met in a dream nearly five years ago. It's a power I was not willing to share with you until I felt you would be able to bear the responsibility it entails,” Luna's voice held a very grave tone as she spoke. “Even now, I am hesitant to admit this information to you.”

“I—” Scootaloo looked away and pressed her eyes shut “—I can't do it. It's wrong to enter another pony's mind, to influence them like that. It's just like what that damn snake did to me! I can't do it! I won't!”

“You shall, Scootaloo,” Luna said sternly. “It is because I trust your judgment, and I know your strong sense of right and wrong. Regardless of desire or skill, it matters little at this point.” She offered an apologetic smile. “No, it is not a kind thing, demanding this of you; however, time is not a luxury we have. I know the filly I saw five years ago. She was a pony who dreamed of never letting anypony else be picked on or to be exploited. A naïve dream, as most children are wont to dream, but there was a pure passion within it, a cry to stop those situations of bitter unfairness from being experienced by anypony else.”

Scootaloo recalled those dreams she'd had, of standing up to bullies and stopping them from picking on the innocent, as if she were some sort of hero like Rainbow Dash. Often the bullies in question were Diamond Tiara and her crony, Silver Spoon. Thinking back to those darker moments, the teasing, the name-calling, and the constant looks of disgust, all born from naught but petty differences. It had come to a boiling point: A couple of black eyes, a bloodied lip, and a near-indefinite suspension from school.

Lingering memories of those days had been an ever-burning fuel for the eventual nightmares, which still haunted her dreams every other week, and Scootaloo was fairly certain they were not the type of thing that would ever end up leaving her alone. So long as she lived, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's voices would call out in stereo, listing all of her shortcomings. They'd tease her about how she'd never be like Rainbow Dash. They'd mock her for having a flightless childhood. And worst of all, they'd call her an orphan, leeching off her dead parents' modest fortune.

She had struggled with each insult, every day, for more years than she could remember. She found ways to refute every single one, but they never truly went away. As much as she told herself that the past was in the past, she knew better. The past made her who she was currently: her choices, her haunted memories, as well as her friends.

“The very idea of manipulating another to do your will, against their very own, it is indeed repulsive, and I am most heartened to know you find it as unjust as you do,” Luna said. “It is that empathy you hold for those who suffer so greatly, as well as your conviction to call out that injustice when you see it, which is the reason I know you will use your gift to help those around you. I have no doubt that you are my faithful student, Scootaloo. I'm placing this task on your shoulders because I trust you.” Luna looked Scootaloo once more in the eyes and offered a soft smile. “Can you agree with my decision?”

Scootaloo swallowed a retort that ached to be shouted out, and instead she scowled for a moment and let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine! Darn it! I trust you too, Princess. You know me even better than I do. Considering what would have happened had you not helped me with my dreams, I guess I'm your student, though I've always been a pretty lousy student. Just ask Miss Cheerilee.” Scootaloo let out a defeated sigh. “So you really think I can help out that kid? Azure, was it? How am I supposed to do it?”

“The child's mind will likely be confused, scared, or even broken, as the oppressed often are. However, each mind works differently, and the only way to help a foal through such an ordeal is to enter the mind and help the child fight against the foul magic. If he has a strong enough will, he should be able to break free. If he does not, then your own willpower will have to be strong enough to overcome the serpent within.” Luna grimaced slightly. “And if even then you fail to persevere, then at least know that you tried.”

So if I mess up, I can just add to that my heaping pile of shortcomings?

“There's no need to disparage, Scootaloo,” Luna said kindly.

Scootaloo must have inadvertently let her thoughts express themselves on her face, and she blushed with slight embarrassment.

“Indeed, not every goal in life can be accomplished, not even close. However, we must still try when we can. Count your successes, not your failures, my student. There is much we can hope to save and little time to act. Come. We have left the material realm for long enough. I am certain that most of the council members are fussing over us as we speak.”

As Luna spoke her final words, her form became transparent in the moonlight and then transformed into a lucent beam and shot away into the full moon. When the flash of light faded, Scootaloo noted that the faux-moon had changed. There, etched with dark grey lines into the pearlescent surface, was her cutie mark, a triangle with two wings embracing it.

She only had a moment to register the change before she felt the world dissipate around her.

* * *

A sudden flash caught Sweetie Belle's attention as Scootaloo stopped in mid-sentence. Sweetie Belle would have gasped if she had a mouth to do so. There was complex, intricate pattern of magic, which had shot forth from Luna's eyes. The magic was of a deep blue hue. The arrangement of nodes of magic energy, as well as the flowing lines strung between them, reminded Sweetie of her own use of mind magic just the other day.

This spell, however, was different. The magic itself had formed and was cast forth quicker than Sweetie had ever seen just about any spell produced. Even simple spells, such as telekinesis, still took even the most practiced of unicorns a fraction of a second to properly prepare. But for a high-end spell like this one to be formed with such spontaneity, it boggled her mind.

While the initial display of magic left her dumbfounded with wonder, what happened next was even more phenomenal. She felt another spell, one which mirrored Luna's own pattern save for the colour, which was instead a deep violet, shot forth from Scootaloo's eyes and collided with Luna's spell. The two patterns meshed together to form a whole, sphere-like collection of magic.

Then, just as suddenly as the magic had appeared, Sweetie felt as if the world shifted around her, and she realized Scootaloo was falling. The pegasus hit the ground with a sound that must have been a fairly loud thump, if the sudden burst of auditory patterns were any indication.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted in surprise and rushed over to Scootaloo’s side. “What happened?”

The other ponies in the chamber quickly hurried after Apple Bloom’s outburst, and soon a ring of ponies surrounded Luna and Scootaloo. Sweetie was surprised to notice that Luna had not fallen down as Scootaloo had. Instead, the princess stood there; legs locked stiffly; and her eyes closed shut. Undisturbed by Scootaloo's sudden collapse, the bright web of flowing purple and blue magic remained before the two catatonic ponies.

“I think she's—No, they are doing something that I've never seen before. It's some kind of mind-magic,” Sweetie explained as best she could. She considered for a moment as to what would happen if she decided to copy the pattern herself and tried to mesh her own spell with theirs. It's mind-magic, she reminded herself, even as she reflexively began pulling magic out of Scoddri's shard. She stopped herself short of copying the spell's pattern. That's not something that I should experiment with. So instead, she used the drawn magic to keep talking.

“But the spell is weird. I've never seen Scootaloo's magic do that before. It shouldn't be possible without a horn or some other way of concentrating and controlling the magic.”

“What's she babbling about?” Captain Snowfall asked pointedly, sneering at Sky Chaser, as if expecting an answer. When Sky Chaser didn't supply an answer right away, the captain moved as if to prod Scootaloo.

“Your guess is as good as mine, Captain,” Lord Sky replied with a simple smile, and the captain stopped his action, looking up to meet Sky’s eyes. “Although, if it is mind-magic, as Sweetie Belle claims, and the magic is also Princess Luna's, then I do believe it would be in our best interests to not interfere with them. Mind-magic is quite dangerous, as disrupting it can often damage the mind as readily as the spell itself.”

“It is also unseemly to prod our guests, Captain,” Shining Armor added. The Captain quickly retracted his hoof and stood alert. Shining Armor continued, “But it's strange. You claim it is mind magic, Sweetie Belle, and yet I did not see the princess use magic at all. Are you certain about this?”

“There's no doubt that it's mind magic of some sort,” Sweetie said even as she continued to focus her attention on the meshed magical patterns. The spell was strange. It held a recognizable pattern, and she was certain she would never mistake it for any other spell in the future. However, the pattern was constantly shifting, similar to an argyle textile being twisted and swirled about. With all her knowledge of magic, such a spell should be impossible as shifting the pattern of a sigil too much would invariably cause the energies to break free and cause the caster to lose control of the spell. In her experience, such an action was often accompanied by a sharp feedback as the raw magic shot away in every direction. But this spell spun about, its nodes shifting in position, as if each meeting connection of the spell's tendrils were in a perpetual game of tug-o-war. A spell in constant flux?

“I'm not sure how it works though,” Sweetie Belle admitted finally. “Mind magic isn't something that most ponies are even allowed to study. Hay, before yesterday I never even saw an ounce of mind magic used in the flesh.”

“So did Princess Luna cast the spell then?” Apple Bloom asked as she looked down at Scootaloo, mildly confused.

“I think so. Kind of?” Sweetie replied. “Luna certainly did something, and the spell shot forward in an instant, almost as if the spell were somehow pre-made. Luna spent absolutely no time forming the spell before that. It just happened. And that's not even the weirdest part.”

“Oh?” Sky Chaser asked jovially. “Do tell.”

“It's just that in the next moment, or maybe it was even the same moment, Scoots did the exact same thing as Luna. The two spells met, and now Scoots is hugging the floor.

Sky Chaser let out a small laugh. “A pegasus casting a spell? I certainly was right, you ponies do bring about a most interesting series of events and situations.”

“Ah don't see exactly why it is that you keep attributing all this excitement to us,” Apple Bloom said blandly, tossing the stallion an annoyed look. “We didn't have nothin' ta do with half the stuff goin' on here.”

“Oh, leave me to draw correlations where none exist,” Lord Sky replied in turn. “Good luck is worth nothing to the eyes of a skeptic.”

“We don't have time for this,” Captain Snowfall said with an unmitigated scowl directed at both Lord Sky and Apple Bloom. With the two other ponies falling silent, the captain turned to face Shining Armor. “My prince, what should we do?”

“Unfortunately, I must nod to Sweetie Belle's expertise. She's a student of my own sister, the Element of Magic. If Sweetie Belle says we should not interrupt them, then we should not. Instead, we should focus on following through with our plan. Captain, prepare a small escort of four guards for our guests when they head out to the city to work on the investigation.

“Lord Sky, I'd like you to find that child, Azure.”

“Ah, already done, milord.” The unicorn waved his staff lazily through the air. “The child is in a hospital. It would seem that he hasn't awoken from our little ruckus yesterday. It looks as though his mother was watching over him as he slept.”

“I see.” Shining Armor sighed. “Make sure to get the mother’s name and figure out how their family is holding up when you arrive there, Lord Sky. I'd like to help them out if they are in desperate need of it. It will compound their stress when you do arrive after all. I think you should take a small token of assurance with you.”

“Ah? A token of coin or one born of a noble's promise?” Sky Chaser asked and smiled at Sunrise.

“We have little in terms of finances,” the fiery mare reminded Shining Armor in a tone that was reminiscent, in Sweetie Belle's mind, of those times when she had asked Rarity a particular question that had already been answered only moments before but had somehow slipped her mind at the time. “Being kind with the crown expenses is fine and all, my prince, but you should take more care with our rather limited supplies. For something this small, though, I should be able to work something simple out of the budget.”

“Alright, I will leave it in your capable hooves, Sunrise. I think a letter of assurance and a small sum of money shall be in order. That should help them get by, so they won’t need to balance the demands of their work against the needs of their child while he recovers,” Shining Armor said and pulled a piece of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink off of the council’s table. “Sky, we'll have it settled and sent to you by the time you and the others are ready to leave.”

“Of course,” Sky Chaser replied with a smile. “We will set out right away once our royal guests awaken.”

“In that case, I shall take my leave.” Shining Armor nodded to them and carried his bundle of supplies with him to the door. Sunrise followed him, while carrying with her a clipboard that held numerous papers. Shining Armor remarked as he was leaving, “Please inform our royal guests that I most sincerely apologize for not awaiting for their return. If Princess Luna wishes to find me, she need only head to my chambers.”

Shining Armor received a final “Of course” from Sky Chaser, and then the prince exited the council room through the rear door, presumably to his chambers.

“It must be hard to run an empire while your wife is indisposed,” Sweetie voiced her thoughts aloud.

“The princess protected the entire city for three whole days!” Captain Snowfall barked back and moved toward the amulet, scowling. “I will not suffer your disrespect to either her or the prince.”

If Sweetie Belle had eyes to roll, she would certainly have sent them spinning. “Hey, big guy, I meant that in an impressed way. I'm not being condescending here. Princess Cadence did a great job protecting this city, and Shining Armor is doing far better handling the situation than I ever could. Hay, if I were in his position, I'd probably be doing everything I could to track down that snake guy and personally beat the tar out of him.”

“Which means that it is most fortunate that you are not the princess of our empire,” Sky Chaser said wryly.

“Or that I don't have a spouse who has been incapacitated whom I want to get revenge for,” Sweetie replied just as jovially. “Because with what that unicorn's already done to our sisters and to Scoots,” she trailed off, “I can assure you that when I find him that I'm not going to go easy on him!”

“It would be best to capture him if we can,” Apple Bloom suggested. “Maybe we could figure out why he's doing this.”

“Seriously, Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked as she unlatched herself from Scootaloo's neck and floated before the earth pony. “After what he's done to our sisters and to Scoots, you want to just capture him? What about giving him a solid bucking to his face? Surely he deserves that much.”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “It's not up to ponies like me to decide what another pony deserves,” she stated simply. “That's best left to ponies who are better trained to make such decisions. I'm just a farmer looking to be a craftspony. And Sweetie Belle, you're just a unicorn lookin' to be a jeweler. Neither of us have the right to determine another pony's fate.”

“I may be 'just a unicorn', but he's attacked 'just' my sister, and 'just' one of my best friends. I won't be satisfied until he gets his due. Don't you get it?”

“Of course, I do!” Apple Bloom shouted. “Darn it! AJ's caught in his damn spell just like Rarity! Hay, Ah'd give everything Ah have to save her. No Apple would ever abandon her sister to something like that.”

“Which, I am most certain this mysterious unicorn is well aware of,” Sky Chaser observed while he moved his staff through the air and absentmindedly prodded Scootaloo's prone form, as if his touch might break the tight spell that still bound her and the princess' minds together. “And that means any advance we eventually make upon him, supposing, of course, that we do in fact find him, is going to be right into any number of traps he might have placed. It could take months, as well as the entirety of the guard to corner him and deal with him.”

“That's right,” Apple Bloom agreed. “This guy is nothin' if not tricky. He'll stop at nothin' if you get in his way.”

“As if I need a reminder,” Sweetie said acidly as she focused once again upon Scootaloo's form and the spell it maintained. There was a shift in the magic within, and she saw Luna's half of the sigil begin to slowly dissipate, leaving Scootaloo's lone magic pattern to flounder in the air for a moment, stretching outward towards Luna, grasping for the missing other half of the spell, but fell short of the princess and slowly began to fade as well.

“The guard will overcome him, regardless of his tricks. Once we know where he is, we'll hunt him down and bring him to justice,” Captain Snowfall said with a cold certainty, his armour sparkled in an icy blue. And Sweetie Belle had to admit, he did strike a more daunting figure than the royal guards in Equestria with their gleaming gold armour. “The Empire's guards are no pushovers.”

“Ah imagine,” Apple Bloom said honestly. “Ah just wonder what form justice will take—”

“The decision will be one made by the highest of courts of the Crystal Empire, no doubt,” Luna said suddenly as she opened her eyes. Sweetie Belle noted that the magic pattern, which had issued from the princess' eyes only moments before, had entirely dissipated. Scootaloo was left with her lone spell, which was still cocooned before her, as though it were a violet net that ensnared her consciousness. Luna gave a soft yet amused smile to Scootaloo's limp form before her, and Sweetie realized the pegasus' half of the spell was still dissipating.

The whole scene reminded Sweetie Belle of some of her earliest attempts at replicating the rare, higher-level spells that Twilight had been willing to show her. Manipulating magic at the time had been a very uncertain process. While trying to create some of the more complex spells was fascinating to her, and it still was for that matter, the magic often didn't react quite in the way that Sweetie had imagined the sigils and patterns should have. Sometimes those glowing streams would mix to form new nodes as she tried to maneuver them, and the whole spell would suddenly disperse light across the room or explode loudly as it fed its own energy back upon itself. Sometimes, it had just felt as though she were trying to tie a knot with her hooves instead of magic.

It took years of frustrated practice to truly gain any real semblance of finesse with the magic and to tweak existing spells into others, rather than just breaking down the spell into its components and then reforming it from scratch. Eventually, she began to understand the way in which the flowing patterns would affect the world around her. It was a struggle that she had had to learn for herself. Without Scoddri around to give her advice and every other pony unable to understand what she saw, it was up to her to learn to understand and to memorize the myriad patterns. Twilight wasn't much help in that regard, however, even if Sweetie was loath to admit it, the unicorn did understand the danger that Sweetie Belle's unique ability presented, both to herself and to the world around her.

Seeing Scootaloo's current state, surrounded in a tangle of her own magic as it slowly bled off harmlessly through a few separate tendrils, the body's natural mechanism for quickly ridding itself of excess magic, Sweetie never expected to see the phenomena in any pony save for a unicorn or alicorn. The idea of Scootaloo struggling with magic made Sweetie feel the need to smile in nostalgia. It’s a shame I don't have a mouth to do that with, she thought with a mental chuckle.

Luna continued talking, “But the eventual fate of our enemy is currently not of import. What does matter is that we must stop the one behind these foul magics.” Luna reached out a hoof, just as Scootaloo awoke from her stupor and dispelled the last threads of her spell.

Scootaloo blinked a few times at the hoof and then allowed the princess to help her up to her hooves.

“And we'll track 'im down through this Azure colt, right?” Apple Bloom supplied.

“It should be simple enough,” Sky Chaser said with a shrug. “In theory, anyway. If the unicorn can be tracked through scrying magic, then I assure you that I shall find him.”

“Very well,” Luna agreed and cast a short glance to Shining Armor's empty seat. “Time is short. I believe the good Captain was to escort me to one Bulwark, correct?”

The captain bowed. “Of course, Princess. Right this way.”

“And Scootaloo,” she said sternly, though there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. “Do your best, my faithful student.”

“I,” Scootaloo let the word die before locking eyes with the princess. The pegasus' stare was wide with unbidden fear.

Sweetie Belle remembered seeing such an expression on her friend only once before. It had been just before Scootaloo's first aerial race, and it had never fallen from the pegasus' face for that whole day. Even after flying the race and managing to secure a second-place finish, she seemed like a ghost of herself, not willing to meet anypony's gaze. Sweetie had always chalked it up to Scootaloo being overly nervous, but in this moment, seeing that same expression once again, she wasn't so certain. There was something dark lingering in those shivering eyes that ran far deeper than simple nerves should.

But to Sweetie Belle's surprise, Scootaloo let out a sigh, and those trembling eyes steadied. “I understand, Princess. I'll do my best.”

Luna nodded. “And that is all I can ask of you.” With a wave of her hoof, Luna signaled for the captain to lead her out of the council room.

“Captain,” Sky Chaser called out in a singsong tone. “I'll grab a couple of your guards on the way out of the castle. Have no worries, you shall be informed of all my misdeeds over the course of the day.”

To his credit, the surly captain simply barked a laugh as he led the princess out of the chamber.

Sky Chaser smiled in response and turned to the remaining trio, two ponies and floating amulet. “Well, that certainly was a most peculiar meeting.”

Apple Bloom nodded and looked worriedly at Scootaloo. “Ah'll say. Scootaloo, what in the hay happened anyway?”

When Scootaloo cast an apprehensive look to the ground instead of answering, Sky Chaser stepped forward and waved his staff dramatically toward the exit. “Let's talk about it on the way, shall we?”

Sweetie, for her part, decided to stay silent. Sweetie knew Scootaloo well enough to know when Scootaloo appreciated silence over prying questions. So Sweetie took the opportunity to reattach herself around Scootaloo's neck. Well, it may not be much, Sweetie thought, but it's as close to a hug as I can give.

* * *

Just by the palace gates, the party of three bodies reconvened, and Sky Chaser had a small parcel in tow, which Apple Bloom was quite certain held a letter and some form of monetary worth. The crown supporting a family through troubled times? It's a kind gesture.

Shortly, outside the gates, two guards met up with them to escort them through the city. They had been sent by Captain Snowfall and seemed to be casting curious glances at both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. The guards wore their typical crystal raiment and helmets, which caused Apple Bloom to wonder how effective such armour could be against a foe who wielded magic and struck from the shadows.

Those dark thoughts quickly left her mind as they walked the magnificent streets. “Wow,” Apple Bloom said breathlessly to herself as they moved past large translucent buildings and small crowds of ponies going about their days. She had seen the buildings just yesterday, but there was a certain majesty about the city that kindled a pure sense of wonder within her.

Many of the ponies that they passed by were moving wagons filled with building materials from a depot in the center of the city toward the outskirts where most of the rebuilding was taking place. There were a few other carts as well, delivering supplies of food, cloth, and some other odds and ends to the palace, but for the most part, it seemed the onus of the city was on rebuilding the outlying buildings. “We've only been here two days, and some o' the buildings out there look completely fixed up. Ah mean, sure, Ah've seen a barn raised over the course of a day, but that's gotta be at least a dozen houses completely fixed over three days.”

“Ah yes,” Sky Chaser agreed. “It is remarkable work, indeed. I dare say, the tenacity of the crystal ponies is only matched by the most stubborn of earth ponies. Although, I will admit that having a few diamond dogs lending their crafty hands has most likely helped the process a great deal.”

Apple Bloom nodded as she managed to catch sight of Jaden amongst the crowd. He had a crystal pony pulling a cart behind him while he was shouting what sounded like orders in an irate voice to a few of the guards-turned-construction-ponies. Jaden kept gesturing to his load of crystalline building materials and then toward a half-constructed building. Apple Bloom wondered how much the city was offering for his participation in the rebuilding.

“Yeah, we were in the Black Snout's underground city,” Apple Bloom said. “They made that in half a dozen years, they said. Their skill with stone and crystal is unbelievable.”

“Indeed, they are a worthwhile ally for the Empire to have.” Sky Chaser gave the scene a small smile as they passed down the street toward the small hospital.

“Ah do have a question though,” Apple Bloom began. “It's not about any of this building going on but more on the topic of our discussion in the council room.”

“Fire away, my lady.” Sky Chaser bowed and shot a smirk at her.

Apple Bloom cast her eyes skyward to dispel her annoyance. “What is going to happen when they capture this unicorn?”

“A trial and a decision,” Lord Sky offered plainly. “Luna said as much, did she not?”

“But what sort of decision and action would that be?”

“Imprisonment, I suppose,” Sky Chaser said thoughtfully, “if he's just a normal, yet dangerous stallion. But if there's something darker about him, they might have to bring in the Elements of Harmony and use their purifying magic to deal with him. I cannot say what that would entail, though, as I have not studied the Elements. However, the Elements did seal Discord away in the past, as well as save Luna from the clutches of her own nightmare. If there is some unusual evil at work here, then the Elements would certainly be an expected answer.”

“Only if we can save our sisters in the first place,” Sweetie Belle said. “He's the type of guy that would realize just how dangerous the Elements are to him. He's not going to let us just retrieve them and use them on him.”

“We, we, we,” Apple Bloom stomped a hoof in irritation. “Sweetie, you make it sound like we're gonna be the ones to stop him.”

“Aren't we?” Sweetie responded, flashing vigorously from Scootaloo's neck. “He has our sisters, Bloom. I said it before; I'm not going to be satisfied until I give him a solid thrashing.”

“Oh, come on, Sweetie. Be rational here. He's a crazy-powerful unicorn. He almost made Scootaloo lose her mind, and you've already lost your body, and you almost died saving Scootaloo. Hay, if we get any more mixed up in this—” Apple Bloom sighed in frustration “—what would our sisters think if they knew we died riskin' our foolish necks to try to save them?” Apple Bloom looked up at Scootaloo, hoping that the pegasus would add her voice to Apple Bloom's reasoning. Apple Bloom hated to admit it, but in spite of Sweetie Belle's insistence that Apple Bloom was the most levelheaded of the group and the pony whose opinion Sweetie said she really wanted to hear to balance out her own, Apple Bloom just couldn't see it. She knew Scootaloo was the one pony that Sweetie paid the most attention to, whether or not the unicorn would ever admit it. Although the pegasus did often take a noncommittal stance whenever it came down to an argument.

This time, as usual, Scootaloo sighed and let her wings spread wide in defeat. “We have to do what we can, Bloom. I know we aren't heroes or anything like our sisters. But Luna's counting on us to do this. Our sisters are counting on us, too. ”

“Hmm, so you and Luna had a chat, right?” Sweetie asked. “What did you two talk about? And she called you her faithful student. What's all that about?”

“Ah, the princess gave me a task,” Scootaloo said apprehensively and cast her eyes skyward. “And I agreed to do it.”

Sweetie Belle made a snorting sound. “Well, yeah, we all gathered that much. But why the Faithful Student bit, huh?”

“The hay if I know why,” Scootaloo said sourly.

“Though it's a great honour, surely,” Sky Chaser added. “The only other 'Faithful Student' I've heard of was Twilight Sparkle as Celestia's pupil. Quite the honour, indeed.”

“You think I want this honour?!” Scootaloo hissed at all of them. “You think I want to be able to enter other pony's dreams?! Well, guess what? I don't! I don't want to enter other ponies’ nightmares and face that damned snake again! It's the last thing I want to do, damn it!”

“So you can use mind magic, Scoots? Actually control it? How?" Sweetie asked.

"Damn it, I don't know. I don't want to do this!"

But you are still gonna do it, aren’t ya?” Apple Bloom asked hesitantly.

“Well, yeah, because I have to,” Scootaloo explained dumbly, her frustration still burning brightly in her eyes.

“Scootaloo wouldn't be Scootaloo if she didn't try her best to help a pony whom only she could save,” Sweetie Belle said in voice that Apple Bloom could imagine was accompanied by an honest and pure smile. “Remember her cutie mark, it's a part of who Scootaloo is.”

Scootaloo cast an uncertain glance back at her own flank and cutie mark with its violet triangle and curved wings.

“Ah guess you're right,” Apple Bloom agreed and tried to look the pegasus in her eyes. Scootaloo was looking away, almost guiltily. There really are no other ponies Ah'd trust more to help me out than my family and probably Scootaloo. But Ah just wish she'd be a little more confident in herself. Apple Bloom gave her friend what she hoped was a comforting smile. “Well, if you have ta do it, then Ah'm certain you'll pull through, no matter what the challenge is.”

“Yeah! So, what do you have to do?” Sweetie asked.

Sky Chaser nodded as he led them down a one of the city's thoroughfares. “I am curious as well. What is it that the princess taught you to do?”

“She didn't teach me anything specific to this.” Scootaloo ran a hoof through her disheveled mane, which only served to untidy it further. “I'm supposed to enter the kid's mind and save him from that snake's magic. And if I fail, then at least I tried,” she spoke the last part bitterly.

“But you won't fail,” Sweetie said confidently. “You never fail when it really matters, Scoots.”

Apple Bloom nodded, hoping to raise the pegasus' spirits. “Besides, Princess Luna sounded real confident when she said you'd handle it. And land sakes, she's a princess. Ah don't think she's the type ta send ya in if ya couldn't.”

“Oh, and if you need help, I can jump in there too, like I did with you last night,” Sweetie said excitedly. “It might be easier with more of us to fight the snake.”

“No!” Scootaloo said, aghast. “There's no way I'd let you do that. Luna warned me about what happens to those who enter dreams without having a body to anchor them. You could be lost forever in there.”

“But I could make it easier overall, you know? Strength in numbers and all that—”

“No!” Scootaloo repeated. “Sweetie, a pony's mind is a dangerous thing to be in. The only reason you made it through my mind is because you're my friend. And even then, I almost erased you completely. If this kid manages to defy me, then I won't just disappear as you could have, I’ll fall back into my body.”

“But—”

Scootaloo shook her head fiercely.

“Well, fine!” Sweetie said petulantly.

Apple Bloom frowned at the amulet. She was almost certain that Sweetie was already crafting a number of plans to jump in and aid Scootaloo the moment it looked as if the pegasus were struggling. “And that's a promise, Sweetie. Don't meddle with Scootaloo when she's tryin' to save the kid,” Apple Bloom said warningly. As if Ah could actually stop her.

“Just do keep in mind,” Sky Chaser said, pointing to the small hospital with his staff, “we do need to get that scrying information before you banish that magic spell with your boundless enthusiasm.”

Apple Bloom scowled at the unicorn, but if he saw her, he certainly didn't respond to it. His golden eyes were looking past her towards his hovering staff. Scrying, Apple Bloom determined. But what is he scrying, Ah wonder?

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said, her voice a mere whisper as the trio of ponies, the glowing amulet, and their two escorting guards approached the door of the hospital.

* * *

End of Chapter 20

Chapter 21 - Determination

A Heart of Change – Chapter 21: Determination

By: SilentBelle
Proofreading by: Mac349 & Plebeian

The hospital was a small building, composed of opaque, dark-green crystal and burgundy wooden window frames. Most of the windows on the upper levels were opened to the fair late-summer weather. A pleasant breeze played through the streets and called at Scootaloo to stretch her wings to fly. Had the two flanking guard ponies, as well as Sky Chaser, not been around and had Scootaloo's own objective not weighed so heavily upon her mind, she would have been off the ground long ago.

It was apparent to Scootaloo, as she scanned the skies above the green building, that the weather ponies in the Crystal Empire had no doubt decided to have clear sunny weather to offset the deluge that had encroached upon their city for the better half of the week prior.

As she and the other ponies made their way inside the building, Scootaloo felt a twinge of regret. She spied corridors branching off from the reception room, and they were not as wide as those in Ponyville Hospice. Barely two ponies could fit side by side, and Scootaloo imagined that the nursing staff would assuredly have one heck of a time if they ever were racing to bring a pony through the halls on a gurney.

Aside from the cramped hallways, the too low ceiling, and the overall shadowy interior of the hospital, the scent of disinfectant saturated the air, and Scootaloo found herself idly wishing that the windows on the first floor were open, as she had spotted the upper floors' were. She let out a nervous sigh and forced herself forward with the rest of the party.

A single crystal mare of a grayish green colouration was sitting at the receptionist's counter. Her eyes widened visibly as she looked up at the approaching guards. Scootaloo noted her eyes darted toward the crystalline plating of the guards' armour.

“Oh, palace guards? Can I help you with something?”

Lord Sky stepped forward with an easy smile springing to his lips. “Why yes. We have been dispatched from the palace, under Prince Shining Armor's orders, to find a patient that your hospital is currently tending to.”

“Oh?” The mare seemed slightly worried, and her crystal shimmer seemed to lessen as she frowned. “You know that we do not share our clients information without the proper authorization. I cannot allow you in to see a patient unless you are next of kin or a certified doctor.”

Which clearly, we are not, Scootaloo finished the unspoken words in her head.

“Oh yes, we do have a royal fiat right here.” Sky Chaser lifted a letter from a hidden pocket within his flamboyant outfit and deposited it upon the dark countertop. “It has the royal seal and all. We're looking for a child named Azure, if you would be so kind as to take us to his room.”

The mare squinted as she looked at the letter before her and then stood up in surprise. “But these authorizations are meant for doctors and specialists!”

“And specialists we are,” Sky Chaser said. “I know the guards are perhaps a bit overbearing; however, they shall not enter the room. It will be just the three of us. Our good mare, Scootaloo, has the talent required to heal what ailment afflicts Azure. And we two,” Sky Chaser pointed a hoof first to Apple Bloom then to himself, “are here to assist our specialist in her task.”

“But—” The mare looked frustrated at the group before her.

“We are acting on royal fiat,” Lord Sky reminded her and pointed a hoof at the documents. “Azure's affliction is one born not of physical ailment, but rather of a more devious magic. This is an illness that only a select few have the talent to overcome.”

The mare looked torn, and Scootaloo was sure that there had to be a number of other procedures that this royally sanctioned letter was bypassing, procedures that could cost the mare her job.

“His situation worsens with each passing moment,” Sky Chaser urged. “You have my word, and Prince Shining Armor's, that while what we will do here is, indeed, not conventional, it will be absolutely necessary in order to save the child from what dark magics plague him. Please, do not tarry.”

The mare cast an anxious glance down one of the halls, and her hoof pawed at the tile beneath her. The movement of her hoof carried a rhythm similar to a heartbeat until her eyes fell upon a wall-mounted clock.

“Alright,” the mare conceded sourly. She took another look at the letter. “You know, I could lose my job over shoddy paperwork like this.”

“Rest assured, I shall not allow that to happen.”

The mare motioned for them to follow her down the northern hallway, and the group followed in single file, save for the two guards at the rear, who marched abreast each other.

“Sometime later, I will have to reassure myself about your ‘royal documentation’. Doctor Sparker hates incomplete paperwork.” The crystal mare gave the guard ponies a scathing glare as they continued down the hall. “And try not to disturb the patients. The last thing anypony here needs to see is a bunch of strange faces dressed in armour. What was the prince thinking, sending the royal guard here?”

Oh Luna, what am I doing here? Scootaloo couldn't help the thought, but in the next moment, she clenched her wings tighter to her side and pulled herself out of a slouch. I'm doing what I have to do, she told herself, although the thought rang hollow to her, especially, since the sky outside seemed so open and welcoming from behind the closed windows of the hospital. What if I just flew away?

Scootaloo and the rest of the party followed the mare to the second floor, which had a hallway boasting a few open windows, a fresh breeze, and a great deal of reflected sunlight. Scootaloo felt her wings reflexively loosen at her side.

They came to a halt outside the fourth room down the hallway, and the receptionist brought her hoof to perform a gentle rapping upon the wooden door, sounding more similar to the chime of a bell rather than a hoof rapping against wood.

“Yes?” a mare's voice called out from the other side of the door. Scootaloo heard the owner of the voice get to her hooves to move to open the door.

The mare on the other side of the door was a light-gray coloured crystal mare. Her hue and expression reminded Scootaloo of a cloud about to rain but not about to storm.

“I am sorry to interrupt you, Miss Stone, but there has been”—the mare paused as she searched for the appropriate word—“a complication in your son's condition, which has been brought to light.”

“What is it?” The mother observed the group, and she couldn’t mask an expression of fear when she laid eyes upon the flanking guards. She swallowed nervously before putting on a determined face. She stood up straight. “But the doctor said—”

“—that he's in a coma,” Sky Chaser finished, nodding gravely as he stepped forward. “Yet, as your son's body remains comatose, he struggles within his mind against dangerous magic.”

The mare's eyes widened in shock. “But, how?”

“That is a long story, which I, Lord Sky Chaser, Scrymaster of the Crystal Palace, shall regale you with in full detail. However, we do not have the time for that at the moment. We must begin with all haste. Azure's life hangs in the balance.”

Scootaloo gulped as the mother opened the door wide and stepped aside to reveal a sparsely furnished room: a bed, a table with a vase of fresh-picked flowers, two chairs, and an open window. Upon the bed, Azure lay, sleeping.

His life hangs in the balance? Sky Chaser's just blowing it out of proportion to get this over with quicker, Scootaloo told herself, but instead of calming her nerves, her heart only began to beat quicker.

Casting a glance at the sleeping child, Scootaloo vaguely remembered him. It was a hazy memory, and everything past that moment had been a falling sensation until she had awoken in the middle of a street, pinned under Apple Bloom. Scootaloo focused on that last fragmented moment and remembered that she had somehow managed to peer through the child's eyes as if they were her own, and there had been some sort of strange connection she had felt. Scootaloo remembered the anger she had held back then and how she had somehow poured it into the colt, flooded him, and controlled him for just a moment. Scootaloo winced at the memory and cast her eyes toward the crystalline-tiled floor.

“Don't worry, Miss,” Sweetie's voice said, thick with pride. “Scoots is going to save Azure!”

“Who was that?” the mare asked, looking between the ponies before her.

“Sweetie,” Apple Bloom said with a roll of her eyes, “don't spook ponies like that.”

“Hey!” Scootaloo felt the amulet rise slightly from her neck with Sweetie Belle's protestations. “Just because I don't have a body doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to talk!”

“The amulet!” Miss Stone exclaimed in a squeak.

“You could show a little tact now an' then.” Apple Bloom prodded the amulet with a hoof before turning to Azure's mother. “Sorry, ma'am, we didn't mean ta frighten you any.”

“And so you meet our rather intriguing team, selected by the crown, to help out your son.” Sky Chaser shot the mare a sympathetic smile, but Scootaloo noticed the smile in his eyes found more amusement in the scene before him than his words gave credit to. He then proceeded to levitate the royal letter to the mare, as well as a small tied pouch. “This letter serves as verification of our authority on this matter, and in the pouch you will find some monetary assistance from the crown in these troubled times.”

“Tell me what exactly happened to my son!” Miss Stone demanded.

“As we said, your son is plagued by dark magic. We are trying to save him and also track down the magic's source, so no further ponies can fall under its influence.” Sky Chaser set the letter and pouch on the bedside table for the mare to take at her own leisure.

“But why Azure? He's done nothing to deserve this!”

“We don't know why,” Sky Chaser admitted darkly. “We don't know if it was happenstance or some deeper plan. But we are trying to find that out. Please, Miss Stone, I would ask that you allow us to try and help your son.”

“And if I don't want you to try whatever it is you're going to do to him? What will happen to him then?”

“I am not the most well-versed in matters of the mind,” Sky said apologetically. “Perhaps Sweetie Belle could hypothesize as to what could happen.”

“Well, by himself with that foul magic, the best possible outcome would be if Azure managed to take that magic out through his own force of will. Although, I wouldn't really count on that. Ponies caught in spells that are meant to ensnare would likely break out earlier rather than later if they were able to at all.” Sweetie's amulet glowed, and she let out a small hum as she considered the colt. “I can see the magic in there though. It's pretty complex, but it seems kind of dormant at the moment. The spell's there, meshed right in with Azure's own magic pattern, and it's not changing at all, but it is latched on pretty seamlessly. I think if we left Azure alone, he could end up becoming a puppet for the one behind this spell.”

“A puppet?” Azure's mother asked and cast a tearful gaze to her son.

“Yeah,” Sweetie said rather nonchalantly. “He'd just be the plaything of the guy who cast the spell. Eventually, the unicorn behind it could remove Azure's will entirely if he spent enough time and energy. I don't know if he would though. It would take quite a while to do something like that."

Scootaloo licked her lips nervously and then stepped forward. “We should act now before that snake has a chance to use Azure or cause any lasting damage. No one should have to go through that sort of manipulation.”

“Ah agree,” Apple Bloom said and looked directly at Azure's mother. “Please, Miss. We want ta help your son.”

The mare stamped a hoof. “Now wait just a minute! What exactly are you going to do to my son?!”

“I’m going to enter his dreams, where the nightmares are attacking him,” Scootaloo said, the chill tone of her own voice surprising her. “I’m going to save him.” I owe it to him and to the princess.

“With that,” Sky Chaser said gravely, “it would be appreciated if you waited outside the room for us, or at the very least quietly observed from the corner. We can't afford any distractions. This is mind magic we are dealing with, and a mind is a very delicate thing.”

“I understand.” Miss Stone wrenched the note and pouch from the bedside table and walked to the door. “I'll be right outside, waiting.” She paused at the doorway and looked directly at Scootaloo. “Save my son.”

Scootaloo nodded, not trusting her own voice to conceal her nervousness.

“Thank you.” Sky Chaser gave her an apologetic smile.

Miss Stone left the room, slamming the door behind her. This startled the receptionist, to attention.

“I hope you know what you are doing,” the receptionist said under her breath as she moved to the door. “For her sake, as well as mine.” With a disparaging shake of her head, she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

“So.” Scootaloo let out an anxious breath. “You and Sweetie are going to track the magic first, right?”

“Oh, we can do that while you help out Azure. What we'll be looking to do is to trace the magic back to its source, and that never takes much longer than a few minutes.”

“Besides,” Sweetie added, “if the guy behind it catches onto what you're doing, he'll be too distracted to notice our own scrying spell.”

Sky Chaser nodded and flicked his staff forward. “Precisely! We should all start at once. It might give us an advantage to strike out together.”

“Okay.” Scootaloo sighed and walked right up to the bed.

The sleeping crystal pony lay, expressionless. If the child's chest wasn't rising and falling ever so slightly, Scootaloo could almost have convinced herself that Azure was a statue. And if I enter into his mind to save him, I might just cause him more pain or irreversible damage, the thought came unbidden. No! She stomped hoof and glared at the child—past the child to the magic that she knew was there, holding him captive. She felt a warm fire spark to life in her heart, a spark of anger. It doesn't matter if I do him damage. If nopony tries to save him, that snake is going to do as much damage or worse to him anyway. Luna's right; I have to try!

As she steeled herself, Scootaloo tried to recall the feeling from when she had struck down Bulwark. For a moment, she just stood glaring at the child. Anger? Yes, that was it. I can use it to— She felt a familiar twinge behind her eyes and a mounting pressure behind it. Opening her eyes wide, she willed the feeling forward, right towards the child before her.

The pressure surged forth, and Scootaloo felt suddenly tugged uncontrollably towards the child. She would have let out a small yelp, but her body didn't seem inclined to do so. Her vision collided with the child in what Scootaloo was expecting to be a headbutt, but she felt no contact. Instead, a flash of white, purple, and green glowing lights filled her sight and blurred the world around her into a foggy haze.

* * *

Interesting, Sweetie Belle thought to herself as she focused on Scootaloo's glowing magical pattern. It always amazed her how brightly Scootaloo could shine when she really started using her magic, and consequently it irked Sweetie Belle when her friend couldn't understand the incredible amount of magic Scootaloo held within herself. After Scootaloo had looked at Azure a bit, it appeared as though she had found a way to manipulate her own inner magic, as any unicorn could. There was one exception though: Scootaloo had no horn.

The violet magic welled up inside Scootaloo, pooling towards her head. Then, as Scootaloo's brow furrowed in concentration, or perhaps frustration, the magic began to shift, flowing out of the pegasus' eyes. It formed an intricate latticework which reached out towards Azure's head. The magic eased down upon Azure in a pattern that reminded Sweetie of a wing, and those times when Scootaloo would lend a comforting, feathery embrace around Sweetie’s shoulders. The outstretching tips of the 'wings' of the spell touched down on the child. With a touch as light as a feather, both the foul magic and Azure's own magic pattern connected with Scootaloo's in a fluid motion.

Apple Bloom, who had been watching just as thoroughly Sweetie had, moved in and caught Scootaloo before the pegasus could fall and eased her to the floor. “So, she's in his mind then?”

And so she begins. Sweetie was tempted to insert her own magic into the fray, but a sparking of golden magic from nearby reminded of her own task.

“Indeed,” Sky Chaser said. His magic shone as regal as a crown and as bright as the sun's rays. He was feeding his own scrying spell pattern into the gem affixed atop his staff. The magic flowed forth like a snapping whip, and in only a moment, it moved toward the child as if it were a small golden needle with a tail of thread following behind. “Watch my staff carefully,” he said to Apple Bloom and moved his staff in between him and her. “The crystal atop my staff shall reveal where this unicorn is hiding.”

Well, I should at least be of use here. Sweetie reached towards Scoddri's shard and pulled out some magic of her own and shot it forward quickly, chasing after Sky Chaser's spell.

Before the leading point of the scrying spell could come into contact with the mess of magic brewing within Azure, Sweetie used her magic to grab a hold of Sky Chaser's spell and stopped it just before it could collide with Scootaloo's magic.

“Hey, Sky, there's a lot of magic in there,” Sweetie said, and slowly she directed it between the wings of Scootaloo's mind-magic and towards the sickly spell hiding alongside Azure's magic. “I'll help you catch the real source.”

“That is most appreciated,” he said and gave a smile. “I was planning on sending in as many scrying probes as I had to until I'd caught the proper trace of magic.”

Sweetie Belle shot the spell forward into the foul magic. It plunged in like a needle through cloth, and Sky Chaser's spell became a small thread trailing off the tangled web of magic inside Azure. In a moment, the golden needle flashed, and a second strand of magic shot up from the child.

“Ah, perfect!” Sky Chaser smiled and flared his magic.

Sweetie Belle noticed the secondary strand extending out in length past the open window and beyond her senses.

“So you managed to catch it?” Apple Bloom asked and peered into the crystal atop Sky Chaser's staff.

“It should appear in just a few moments,” Sky Chaser said as his magic fed into his spell, steady yet firm.

Sweetie Belle couldn't help but notice that Sky Chaser did control his magic with a finesse that warranted his rather prideful boasting. There wasn't an uneven ripple in his magic feeding the spell; it was as smooth as silk. Even on the most basic of spells, Sweetie would have given herself a migraine trying to perform a spell with such fluid grace. Sure, she could see the magic and manipulate it with her own in subtle ways, but whenever she harnessed the magic, it inevitably quivered within her grasp. Hay, even Twilight would probably find it hard to cast a spell so smoothly. I think I've only ever seen that kind of precision from Rarity with her needles.

At the thought of her sister, Sweetie turned her focus toward the crystal affixed atop Sky Chaser's staff. This guy has Rarity. Once we find him, I'm going to give him solid bucking, whether I have my own body or not!

“Ah,” Sky Chaser murmured as the crystal sparked, and an image was revealed within. It showed a large, snow-capped mountain with snow-covered evergreens sprawling out from the mountain’s base. “Northeast, nearly a hundred miles, that ought to be close to Frostford.”

“Land sakes,” Apple Bloom whispered as she stared at the staff wide-eyed. “It's late summer, and look at all that snow.”

“He had controlled the weather, Bloom. I wouldn't be surprised if he made all of that himself.” Sweetie focused on the crystal and took in as many details as she could.

The image moved in toward the mountain, and revealed a small cave entrance. The spell sped forward, but once it moved into the shadow laden entrance, it collided with something.

“A barrier?” Sky Chaser nearly jumped as his spell flashed, and Sweetie saw the entirety of his spell's pattern crack and shatter, the magics separating and diffusing into the air. Were the spell not spanning across more than a hundred miles, Sweetie would have expected a more explosive result. “I've never seen anything quite like that before.”

“You called it a barrier.” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Doesn't that mean you've seen something like it before?”

“Not this particular kind of barrier.” Sky Chaser frowned at his staff's now clear crystal. “A barrier shouldn't be able to stop this kind of scrying spell. My spell was fused with his own spell, so it shouldn't have been detected.”

“It was still your magic and not his,” Sweetie supplied. “His spell was probably made to detect anything that doesn't bear his exact magic imprint. The colour of your spell was your own golden yellow, and his is that disgusting purple-green.”

“But it was part of his spell,” Sky Chaser reasoned, sounding slightly frustrated. “That should have protected it from detection. And even though it didn't, destroying my spell should also have destroyed his.” He pointed a hoof at Scootaloo and Azure, both still unconscious. “They should have woken up because of that.”

“Only if it were your typical barrier for destroying foreign magics,” Sweetie argued back. “His spell must have had a different function. It's a subtle thing, like plucking a single thread out of a dress, rather than taking shears to the whole ensemble.”

Sky Chaser blinked at the analogy and then paused for thought. The frustration across his face quickly disappeared, and he smiled at the amulet. “I suppose that does make a certain amount of sense. Though it is still thoroughly displeasing to have one's wardrobe mishandled in such a manner.”

“Well, we can't change that now, and it's not as though the spell was fruitless.” Apple Bloom moved over to the open window and looked out toward the outskirts of the city. “Well, we know where he's hiding, at least as of now. We should tell Shining Armor right away. He'll send the guard, and they can capture that unicorn.”

“While we just sit here and wait?” Sweetie Belle scoffed. “We're going to go find that jerk as soon as Scoots gets up and give his sorry flank a solid kicking, without the help of Shining Armor’s guards. I know Scoots would agree with me on that.”

“But he’s a hundred miles away, in a place we've never been, and it's neck deep in snow!” Apple Bloom turned from the window and looked at Sweetie's amulet in disapproval. “We should at least go with the guards when they send them out.”

“That will be too slow!” Sweetie argued. “We have to get there as fast as we can and rescue our sisters!”

“But what can the three of us really do if we go there?” Apple Bloom asked, rounding on the amulet. “Sweetie Belle, why can't you get it through yer thick head that we ain't heroes!”

“Well, maybe if I had a body, my head would be less thick!” Sweetie rebuked and pulled on her magic. She used it to unlatch herself from Scootaloo's neck and float eye-level with Apple Bloom. “And somepony has to do something, or this isn't going to end! It might as well be us!”

“Sweetie, can't you see that you're just gonna get us killed?!” Apple Bloom turned from the amulet. “This isn't a game! Running in blindly is suicide, Sweetie Belle! You'll drag us in over our heads! Do you think I want to see you two get caught by that unicorn like our sisters—or worse, get killed?!”

Before Sweetie could respond, Apple Bloom ran over to the room's door, pulled it open and rushed out.

“Hey!” Sweetie Belle shouted after her. “Bloom! I'm not trying to get us killed!”

If Apple Bloom had heard her, Apple Bloom certainly didn't pay any heed, and in the next second Apple Bloom was running off down the hallway.

“Damn it! What's her problem?”

Sky Chaser sighed and walked slowly to the door, a sad smile on his face. He did not look towards the amulet, but rather down the hallway in the direction that Apple Bloom had run. “She's scared, you know. Scared that you two will disappear.”

“We aren't going anywhere that she's not. We aren't just about to disappear on her.”

“Indeed. You two have been with her since before this all started. Yet, you lost your body, and Scootaloo was on the brink of a fate arguably worse than death,” Sky Chaser supplied, and the small smile on his face left.

“But we pulled through,” Sweetie Belle argued back. “ As we always have and always will. The three of us can overcome anything we set our minds to. If she's forgotten that, then I just need to remind her.”

“But Apple Bloom does not see it that way,” Sky Chaser said simply as he walked through the doorway and paused, turning his head to give one last look at the amulet. “She knows that if you make one slip-up, it really will all be over. She's deathly afraid of losing you two, and she wants to get into a position in which, when you do mess things up, it won't involve the loss of her best friends. It may have taken a few drinks for her to admit it, but that's how she feels. You two are as much family to her as her sister and brother.”

“Hey! Where are you going?” Sweetie shouted.

“For a walk and to report my findings to the prince, of course,” the stallion said dismissively. “Worry not, I'll inform Miss Stone that her son is in capable hooves and to have patience for a while longer. Make sure that you and Scootaloo do call on her when you're done.”

With that said, Sky Chaser whispered something under his breath to one of the guards as he passed and got a curt nod in response. He then retreated down the hallway and out of sight.

Sweetie Belle was of half a mind to chase after him, but then she cast her focus back upon the intricate spell pattern laced between Scootaloo and Azure. I'll be here to help Scootaloo if she needs it. I don't abandon my friends, no matter what Apple Bloom says. I keep them safe.

* * *

A vortex of colours construe
Images: past, present and new.
She moved slowly, forward.
Stepped, swam, flew.
Until the world awakened,
To a scene of a darker hue.

* * *

Scootaloo opened her eyes to the dreamscape that appeared before her. She could feel a sour breeze, warm and pungent, like the scent of spoiled milk. She peered through the darkness and saw the barest outlines of grass at her hooves.

Alright, she told herself, Azure's clearly having a nightmare of some sort, if that smell is anything to go by. No surprise there. I'll just have to do this as quickly and efficiently as I can.

Reaching out with her mind, she did as Luna had taught her years ago: she focused on the terrible scent, and knew it didn’t exist. As expected, the smell went away. She then brought forth the image of Azure in her mind and gave it a gentle pull. She felt a springy resistance, as if Azure were being drawn closer but was snapped back away as soon as he got too close.

Alright, then. I can hunt if I have to. Scootaloo concentrated on Azure, and instead of pulling, she imagined a golden string drawn toward the child.

To her satisfaction, a golden line bloomed into life in front of her, and with all the haste of a seasoned athlete, she spread her wings and shot forth after the cord.

Time was a difficult concept to wrap one's head around within a dream, but it seemed to Scootaloo to only take a moment for her dash to lead her to a looming, blurred mountain and into the mouth of a cave. The stench had thickened as she entered the dark passageway.

The dream was different from those Scootaloo was used to. The details of everything around her were vague shapes and mostly blurred, as opposed to the highly detailed scenes that she often played with in her own dreams. I guess that's where the 'lucid' part of 'Lucid Dreamer' comes from. Well, a blurry nightmare is probably better than some of those highly detailed ones that I used to have. Like that one where Luna—

She cut her thoughts short and refocused her mind. She couldn't afford stray thoughts in a dream. That would only feed the nightmares.

She landed from her momentary dash, and Scootaloo concentrated on her surroundings, willing them to light up and reveal themselves.

The darkness melted away, revealing a deep gray stone on all sides around her, which formed a small cavern of sorts. Right in the center of the stony chamber, a blue crystal pony lay on his back, eyes staring upward, wide with fear. But what truly drew Scootaloo's eyes was what was surrounding the colt. White strands of dripping spiderwebs half-mummified the child, locking him firmly to the ground, while small black arachnids covered the child's exposed skin, poised to bite him.

Above Azure, an enormous spider, easily as large as a bear, perched hungrily upon a ceiling of cobwebs, its numerous eyes stared, fixated on the child. When Scootaloo glanced at the spider, she felt a deep sense of poisonous wrong. The center of the nightmare, she reasoned.

Without hesitation, Scootaloo focused on the colt and willed the webs and miniscule spiders away from him and out of existence. As if that were the trigger for it to spring, the nightmare spider plunged from the ceiling towards the child.

Azure screamed, and Scootaloo sprung into action.

With a mere thought, she summoned her guardian. In a second, a ethereal vision of Rainbow Dash burst into existence and shot forward like a bullet. She knocked the spider out of its nest, evaporating on contact. Before the spider could hit the ground, it let out an eerie hiss and disappeared in a plume of darkness.

As it did, so too did the cave. Scootaloo saw the world melt away around her, leaving just the child and Scootaloo as the only visible deviations from the darkness of the place.

Scootaloo walked over to the child and gave him an appraising look. With a quick thought, Scootaloo banished the spider bites that marked Azure's skin. For his part, Azure let out a scared yelp and scrambled to get his feet back under him.

“What do you want?! W-Who are you?!”

“I am Scootaloo,” she said, as evenly as she could, trying to remember how Luna had first approached her in her own dreams. “I'm here to save you from these nightmares.”

“Th-that's what the last one said. Then he turned into a spider.” The colt lost his footing as he backed away from Scootaloo. He fell back to the ground and collapsed in a shivering heap. “They were everywhere. All over me. They bit me if I tried to move. I tried not to move, but eventually I had to, then they would bite again. It hurt a lot, and it wouldn't stop."

“It's okay now,” Scootaloo said remaining where she stood, though her voice sounded harsher to her own ears than she would have liked. “That spider is just a nightmare, born from dark magic. It cannot hurt you if you don't want it to.”

“But it did! It bit me! It attacked me!”

“And I will again!” a barely articulated voice erupted from above, and the enormous spider descended from the darkness toward Azure.

Azure let out a terrified scream and frantically tried to scramble away.

Scootaloo just grimaced and reached out with her mind toward the spider and held it restrained in the open air, just a few feet above the child. “Nightmare! You do not belong here, begone!” Scootaloo shouted and forced her will against it.

The spider hissed once again and faded into darkness. “I belong wherever there is fear. I belong everywhere!”

“Azure!” Scootaloo stamped a hoof in frustration. “You cannot let this nightmare scare you! If you want to be rid of it, you have to face it and overcome it!”

Azure only moaned and curled himself up tightly in a fetal position.

Oh great, Scootaloo thought with an irritated sigh. Now, I have to face a nightmare with an endless supply of fear fueling it. And here I was, hoping that saving a kid might be an easy thing to do.

* * *

Darn it! Why'd Ah have to go an' blow up like that?! Apple Bloom sat down fiercely on a sturdy, crystalline park bench. Ah'm such an idiot! But Sweetie is being such a dunce too! This isn't some game or new spell to figure out, one mistake and its all over! Why can't she see the danger?

For a time she just sat, stewing in her frustration as she regarded her surroundings. Apple Bloom was sitting in a small park that comprised mostly of a few rolling hills and some washed out garden beds. A few elm trees encircled the park, separating it from the rest of the surrounding city.

Many ponies were going about the outskirts of the park, carrying supplies of various kinds to a number of different destinations. Amongst all the work though, there was a small group of foals running about in the park, being watched over by a couple of mares. The foals' carefree laughter wrapped around Apple Bloom like a soft breeze and eased a bit of the tension out of her.

After a few minutes, she shook herself out of her stupor, and her hooves itched to be doing something, anything. She began fishing through her saddlebags for something to take her mind off of her outburst. With a bit of shuffling, she found what was looking for.

Apple Bloom opened up her work journal to a bookmarked page with a series of different symbols that seemed to escalate in complexity. She then grabbed a small square of metal firmly between her two forehooves and a small metal chisel between her teeth. She began lightly scraping a pattern into the metal's surface while using the blueprint as a guideline.

If this works, then it means that magic—at least simple magic—could actually be done by earth ponies, supposing they had that right tools and knowledge. The thought was astounding to her, and she shook her head at how amazing Sweetie Belle's knowledge of magic must be. Maybe she could be some kind of hero... Apple Bloom frowned at the thought.

She let her errant mind refocus itself on the task before her. The pattern she was carving into the metal was a fairly simple thing to etch, an oval with a few lines branching off in a symmetrical pattern. According to Sweetie Belle, it was in the shape of a light spell's sigil. But there's still a catch. Even when Ah finish etchin’ this and inkin’ it, supposedly Ah'll need a source of magic to feed into the pattern.

The noontime sun was warm overhead. One of the last days of summer, she supposed as she finished etching off the last bit.

She took a cloth from her bags and wiped the plate free of metal scrapings and proceeded to pull out a small vial and a quill from her bag. Sweetie said that Twilight uses this type of ink for her rituals—sylvite. She said that it was for repeat castings or for casting numerous spells simultaneously. There are also mage-candles and a few oils that she mentioned, but Ah don't have access to any of those at the moment. Ah suppose it won't matter if this doesn't work anyway.

With patient and slow yet fluid strokes, Apple Bloom applied the magical ink to the grooves of the metal plate. Once she finished, the grooves in the plate had a simple silvery impression to them.

“Ah, so that's what you wanted the vial of sylvite for,” Sky Chaser called out from across the park. The stallion was striding her way, wearing his usual smile.

“What are ya doin' here?” Apple Bloom set her metalwork down and frowned at him. “Aren't you and the others supposed ta be helpin' out Azure at the hospital?”

“Oh, Scootaloo is doing a fine job of that. I'm afraid I am as powerless to assist her as you are.” Sky Chaser glanced at the metal engraving and smiled. “And I thought you said Sweetie Belle was the jeweler.”

“There ain't any jewels on this,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh. “You know Ah'm workin' on inventin' things. Hay, ya probably've looked through all mah notes with yer scryin' spells already.”

“An invention, you say?” Sky Chaser's smile widened. “Perhaps this is the first step in your grand scheme of things to come?”

Apple Bloom didn't fail to notice that the stallion did not deny her accusations of snooping her belongings. No sense in getting annoyed over that. Ah've only known him for two days, and Ah can already tell that he ain't gonna stop doin' it.

“Yeah, Ah'm just experimentin',” she admitted and picked up the plate, raising it to eye-level. “Hey, Ah have an idea. Why don't ya feed a small bit o' magic into the sylvite?”

“Oh? Is this a trap?” the unicorn asked playfully and took a seat beside her on the bench. “Perhaps you plan on blowing me up as a means of keeping my rather avid sense of curiosity in line.”

Huh, that's actually not a bad idea, Apple Bloom thought in mild amusement. “Well, it's probably not gonna blow up, or else I'd be sittin' on the next bench over when Ah asked.”

“So what will it do, I wonder?” Sky Chaser asked, and his horn sparked to life. He subtly tilted his horn toward the plate.

In an instant, Apple Bloom saw the ink begin to glow, and from the center of the symbol, a small circular light began to form.

“Oh, very interesting! Although sylvite only lasts for so long, you’d get a few hours of use from this at best.” Sky Chaser laughed in amusement. “To think that an earth pony could create something like this. Quite amazing, my lady.”

“Good, the ink actually works,” Apple Bloom said, relieved that at least something was going according to plan. “Ah needed to test it to make certain it would work on a basic level. Ah'll need different materials if Ah want to make somethin' more permanent,” she explained, then paused for a moment. “Also, Ah thought Ah told ya not to call me a lady.”

Sky Chaser smiled at her annoyed voice and stopped feeding his magic into the plate of metal. “And I didn't, at least for a time. But it is a title that suits you, I think. Better than you might imagine.”

Apple Bloom let out a derisive snort. “Ah know that Ah'm just an Apple, and Ah always will be an Apple. Call Sweetie Belle a lady, Ah'm sure she'd wear a title like that proudly.” She paused for a moment and folded a cloth around the metal plate before setting it back in her bags. “Geez, what's gotten into her anyway? Ah know she likes ta push things an all, but it's almost as though she doesn't even care about the repercussions anymore.”

“You think she's playing the hero?”

“Yeah, and that's just crazy. We don't have ta do this. Even mah sister, who is a hero, after a fashion, wouldn't go out seeking trouble like Sweetie. Mah sister always told me that she only did what had ta be done, nothin' more, an' nothin' less. But, the worst thing is that Sweetie's also not completely wrong with her reasonin' either,” Apple Bloom admitted. “She's a good pony, and she wants ta help everypony, but it just irks me, ya know?”

“Perhaps you are arguing with her for argument's sake,” Sky Chaser suggested.

“Maybe.” Apple Bloom sighed. “But it is dangerous. This is just about the most dangerous situation we've ever been in.”

“Oh? 'Just about'? Now colour me intrigued, Apple Bloom.”

“Well, there was one time that Scootaloo and Ah left Ponyville ta chase after Sweetie Belle when she ran away. We got lost in the Everfree Forest and ran into a basilisk, and before Ah knew it, Ah got turned ta stone. If our sisters hadn't found us...” Apple Bloom shivered. “Scootaloo woke up in tears fer days after that. Ah've never seen her so spooked. That sort o' thing stays with a pony, ya know? Even now, not a day goes by where Ah don't remember just how close Ah was ta leavin' a gapin' hole in my family and friends by not bein' there.”

“You think your family would crumble without you there?”

Apple Bloom looked up to the seamless blue sky and searched its depths as she let her thoughts out slowly. “AJ and Mac, they've seen a lot o' loss in their time. With mah parents dying before Ah can even remember, Ah began to realize that the only reason they probably could keep going was because o' me and each other. I needed them, and they wanted to protect me. AJ and Mac were more of a father and mother ta me than a brother and sister. It made me realize just how significant Ah was to the family. Protectin' me and our family was what got mah sister ta do everything she did.”

“Keeping one's family safe is an admirable virtue.” Sky Chaser nodded.

“And Ah just know if Ah ever ended up disappearin' on either o' them, it could stop their hearts after all they've been through.” Apple Bloom brought her eyes back to the park around her. “Ah can't let that happen.”

“Hmm, curious,” Sky Chaser said and gave Apple Bloom a sidelong glance. “How would your brother feel if he knew what has happened to Applejack?”

“He'd...” Apple Bloom considered her brother for a moment. “Ah don't want to think 'bout it. He'd be mad, angrier than I'd ever seen him, Ah think.”

“And you want to stop him from having to feel that,” Sky Chaser continued. “So, I think the answer is simple, Apple Bloom. What would Applejack do if you were trapped in crystal and she were not?”

“She'd rush in ta save me,” Apple Bloom reasoned. She could imagine her sister running into a cavern all alone, where Apple Bloom was trapped in crystal. Applejack would scowl at her sister's captor and charge straight at him, never minding the fact that she'd just be encased in crystal by his magics. She's always been like that when Ah got inta danger. She just acts. Straightforward, determined, and willin' ta give everything she has. “Then, should I do the same thing?”

“You are not your sister,” Sky Chaser replied. “But you do care for your family. And as brash as our young friend Sweetie Belle is, she is right about one thing: if we do not act, we won't be able to get out of this. We can wait for others to save us, but there is no guarantee.”

“But what if acting makes it worse? Chasing after Sweetie Belle all those years ago almost cost us everything.”

“But do you regret it? You could have stayed in Ponyville and waited. Things would have turned out fine, correct?”

Apple Bloom gave Sky Chaser a worried look. “They would have. Scootaloo and Ah didn't help nothin'. We just got in the way and complicated it. But still, even after all these years, Ah don't regret chasin' after her. Ah had ta know what Ah could do. Ah had ta try, even if, as it turned out, Ah couldn't do anythin'.”

“And how about now? Will you stay here in the Crystal Empire and just watch as your two friends run off without you?”

“No! Ah can't let them go off without me! If Ah go with them, then Ah can help them. And we'll need all the help we can get.”

Sky Chaser nodded, and with a swift motion of his horn, he procured a smooth amber orb about half the length of his hoof in diameter from a pocket in his robe. “I'll give you this, Apple Bloom, so that I may offer what little assistance I can from afar. Just be sure to return it to me when you and your friends get back.”

“Wait, you're just gonna let us go? Ah figured you'd stop us from tryin' ta leave the Empire. Since we're royal guests, or somethin'.”

“If I recall,” Sky Chaser began, “you three were to help me investigate the origins of this mysterious unicorn's spells. Perhaps you three are heading out to further that investigation.”

Apple Bloom raised and eyebrow. “Seriously? Ya think Shining Armor is going to buy that one?”

“Oh, of course not.” Sky Chaser laughed. “However, he'll have no option other than to accept it, I imagine, with resources spread as thinly as they are. The prince is very practical, and he realizes when his actions would be a waste, not unlike yourself, Apple Bloom.”

“So, once we get out of the city, he won't send guards to chase after us?” Apple Bloom wondered for a moment. “And you're gonna let him know after we've already left the city, then? That could be a pretty big blow to your position, underminin' your boss' trust in you like that. What do you get out of all of this?”

“You mean aside from a way to spy on three young mares?” He nodded at the amber orb that Apple Bloom held gently clasped between her hooves. “You are right, I have my reasons, Apple Bloom. However, they are mine to reveal when I so choose.”

Apple Bloom frowned and placed the amber orb into her saddlebags. She then began to put her notebook, the sylvite bottle, and paintbrush away. “Well, Ah'm gonna need an answer when Ah get back.”

“And you shall have it,” Sky Chaser promised. “Oh, and don't worry about your deal with Jaden. I'll make some arrangements with him.”

Apple Bloom felt a surge of annoyance from within. “That's a private deal, Lord Sky! Ya can't just waltz in on it and do whatever ya want with it!”

“Oh, I know. But I am something of a business pony, after a fashion. Information can be a commodity much like any other. I will discuss the situation with our good diamond dog friend and perhaps come to an agreement.”

“Oh, great.” Apple Bloom sighed and got to her hooves.

“Indeed,” Sky Chaser said with a smile on his lips. “Care to catch a late lunch?”

* * *

Sweetie Belle focused her attention back to Scootaloo's magic pattern and took note as the magic began to strengthen. Each line of the sigil deepened in contrast, and she felt their power deepening with every passing moment. It was not unlike whenever Sweetie Belle had watched Scootaloo start off with a slow flight, only to slowly build up to a cascading rush of wind, magic, and movement.

Sweetie wondered at what exactly was going on within the spell, but the tangled mass of the three different magics, of them Scootaloo's burning the brightest, kept Sweetie from diving right into it with her own spell. I'll be ready if she needs help. Unlike Bloom, I'm here to help my friends.

Aside from the magic before her, and a light breeze filtering through the open window, there was little for Sweetie Belle to focus on, so she turned her mind back to an earlier topic that she was almost certain she had worked out a plan for. How to get my body back.

Say, Scoddri? she thought the question tentatively.

“Girl?” the voice replied in a tired drawl.

It surprised her that she could feel his voice echoing inside her. It was the one sound she heard that didn't seem to be generated by any magic that she could sense. It irked her that she couldn't locate its source directly, but it was a mystery that she would have to investigate some other day. Today, she had a different particular bit of magic to figure out.

Sweetie idly pulled the fragment closer with a levitation spell, being sure to keep the protective spell sigil in place, which allowed her siphon magic from the fragment yet keep it from being drawn into the necklace. The shard seemed to have a natural propensity for pulling in magic from its surroundings; that magic was then naturally attracted to its larger counterpart in the necklace. Having the shard was akin to having a near limitless number of single gemstones that she could only use one at a time.

Back in that tower, when that dragon tried to eat me, she began her question. No, it would have eaten me, if it were not for you. Back then, what did you do?

The voice didn't respond right away, and after a few seconds a small chuckle drifted through Sweetie's mind as soft as the breeze, she almost didn't hear the sound.

“I struggled pointlessly.”

It was not pointless. You saved my life!

“Is that what your bodiless self wants to call this? Stuck in magic, locked in by the whims of others, that's what you call 'safe', girl?”

It's safer than being dead! she argued back.

“How I wish I wish I shared your naïvety.” Scoddri laughed sardonically.

She felt a deep frustration building, and her thoughts burned acidic as they formed. Scoddri, I'm going to get my body back! I'll show you, prove it to you! I am not just something to be used by the whims of others! And neither are you!

“Oh, I would like nothing better,” the voice replied sarcastically. “To be free of one prison only to be ousted into another one.

Well, if you're not going to try to grab that freedom for yourself, then I'll just have to do it for you. So tell me, Scoddri! What did you do to me back in the tower?

“Magic.” Scoddri made a snorting sound.

It was teleportation magic, wasn't it?

“Does it matter?” the voice asked lazily.

Of course it matters. If I want to fix this, then I need to know what went wrong in the first place! Sweetie slammed Scoddri's fragment harshly against the wall.

“To bring yourself back to how you were is not possible, girl,” Scoddri said. “Your body is gone. You may as well accept your fate. You are destined to be used by others, just as I am. Time will pass through you and wear you down, until eventually you will fade from this world.”

There's no such fate, Scoddri, unless that's what you’ve chosen for yourself.

“Oh?” his voice darkened, “is that so? Have you ever thought that I might not have chosen to be used, yet I was used anyway? Did you ever think that I might have chosen to end it all, and yet it did not end? Fate is an insurmountable force that one cannot overcome, no matter how much magic they possess, or how clever they think they are. Fate is the only absolute in this world.”

You're only trapped like that because you've given up. The Scoddri I knew wouldn't have ever given up. You were trapped for a thousand years in stone, yet you kept on waiting and dreaming of your freedom, and you almost had it.

“It was a false freedom, girl. Reaching for it shattered me into useless bits of paralyzed sentience. Do you know what that's like? To be in seven different places at once, aware of it, yet unable to do anything? To have pieces of you that have fragmented so small that you will never regain them no matter how you search? There are boundaries that cannot be overcome!” Scoddri's shout echoed through Sweetie Belle's mind. “Do not presume to know me, girl. Your mentor Twilight Sparkle knew me far better. She was right, you know. I never was trying to help you. I was going to use you to my own ends and discard you once I was free. How have you deluded yourself so much, girl?”

His words stung her and had she a body, Sweetie would have fiery tears flowing down her face. No! she rebuked. You're wrong, Scoddri! You may have been using me to your own ends, but you've been deluding yourself. Don't you remember teaching me about the world? Helping me learn my magic? My gift? Seeing me through struggle after struggle, when your silence could have spelled the end for me? If you didn't care, you wouldn't have said half the stuff you did! If you weren't really my friend, I wouldn't be who I am today.

“Who you are?” the snide voice asked. “A bubble of magic with no body. Yes, being my 'friend' has helped you so much, hasn't it?”

Damn it, Scoddri! Then why don't I prove it to you? What have you got to lose?

“My sanity?” The voice laughed, a bitter sound. “Very well. Show me how you're going to fight fate then. I'll be watching. Always watching. As if I had a choice.”

I just need to know what you did with your magic in the tower. Then you can sit back and watch me work my magic.

“Is that so?” Scoddri snorted derisively, but nonetheless began his explanation. “There was a great, distant magic at work, somewhere near the boundary of our world and countless others. It was wild and powerful, and it was composed of an ever-changing sigil. It was a magic unlike any I had ever felt. Not necessarily beyond my ability, mind you, but something new, something I had never considered. After all these years, seeing something like that, it burned bright in my mind's eye. In a flash, I reached for it, grabbed it, and anchored the magic to me. I then weaved a teleportation spell from it just as you were about to be bitten. The magic slipped from my control as the one who is using my fragments focused his will over this fragment. With his will clamped down around me, what little control I had managed to secure fell to pieces. The teleportation spell broke down midway through.”

A stopped teleportation spell? Sweetie Belle wondered at the implications of that. She had experimented with the spell quite a few times over the years and had even tried to stop the spell partway through before, but the spell pattern had always been so strong that it had been like pushing against an iron bar with her hoof and hoping it would break. So then, my body was stuck as a collection of magic? Similar to what it turns into during the spell?

“Yes, however, two unexpected things happened. The spell, which I had tethered to this fragment, it reacted to that other crystal, which was present, and coalesced, depositing that other Sweetie Belle into our world. While that happened, this amulet you're stuck in, the element of my being, it pulled in as much of your magic as it could and contained you within it. Much of your magic was lost through dissipation, but what remains of it is what you are now.”

You pulled in a spell from another world to try and save me? Sweetie thought in wonderment.

“In one last bid for my own freedom from this stagnation,” Scoddri supplied bitterly. “I did not do it for you, girl. You have always been a means to an end.”

Sweetie made a scoffing sound with a quick weave of magic. Actions speak louder than words ever could, Scoddri.

“Indeed they do. Assume all you will, Sweetie Belle. I'll be watching and waiting.”

You do that, Sweetie replied.

She waited for a while, but the voice didn't make any response, and the world fell back into its gentle hum of simplicity. As the simple magics of the world surrounded her, Sweetie began to plan exactly what sort of spell she'd have to make to get her body back. If I use the matrices as well—

Her thoughts were cut short as she noticed a sudden spike in Scootaloo's magic.

* * *

Scootaloo pushed the giant spider away once again with her mind for the umpteenth time. This is getting me nowhere, she thought. Thankfully, Azure had stopped shouting and finally pulled himself into a standing position, although the child would still go shaky in the legs whenever the nightmare resurfaced.

“Alright, Azure, I'm gonna do something to try and end this. A nightmare can only be defeated when it's confronted.”

As Scootaloo spoke, the spider swung down from above, threatening to crush them. Instinctively, Scootaloo shot her disbelief at the creature, and it faded into the darkness once again.

“See? It'll keep coming back so long as you haven't overcome your fear of it.”

“How?” Azure asked as he looked into the darkness above him with frantic, searching eyes.

“Stick with me, and I'll show you.” Before the child could respond, Scootaloo imagined the empty space around her changed into a limitless sky blue. Her surroundings followed suit.

“Reveal yourself, nightmare! I am not afraid of you!” Scootaloo focused upon her surroundings and believed the nightmare was in front of her.

After a second, a cloud of darkness appeared against the faux-sky background. “Of the child's fears, you may not share,” a genderless voice said from within the cloud. “But everyone has fears! You will both succumb to your fears!”

“Try and show me my fears, then!” Scootaloo shouted her challenge and leaped toward the cloud. “Unless you're scared of me!”

As Scootaloo touched the dark cloud with a hoof, it expanded around her. Azure disappeared behind her, and for a moment, she was standing in an empty space.

“Scoots!” a familiar voice shouted in warning from behind her.

Scootaloo turned to see Sweetie Belle scream as she was skewered by the jaws of an enormous serpent.

It took all her focus to not shout out Sweetie Belle's name. “You're just using my own memories against me. It's just a false image! You can't scare me with that!” And Scootaloo pressed her will against the nightmare.

With a hiss, the false Sweetie Belle and the snake fell into pieces and the darkness thinned a bit.

“And now,” a serpentine voice said as a shadowy unicorn appeared. He had glowing purple-green eyes with reptilian slit pupils. With a smoky forehoof he gestured to a series of ponies who appeared before him. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hung limply in the air while Rainbow Dash and the other Element bearers stood as crystalline statues, lifeless and still. “Now, I shall kill them right before your eyes.”

His horn glowed brightly, then he paused to consider. “Or better yet...” The shadow unicorn shot a spell at Sweetie and Apple Bloom and then released them.

They fell to the ground, and each shook themselves as they got clumsily to their hooves. Their eyes opened to reveal the poisonous magic colouring their eyes while a rictus crossed their faces. They slowly began to walk toward Scootaloo.

“Why should I kill them when I could use them to kill you?”

“I deny you, nightmare. I don't fear you! You aren't real!” Scootaloo shouted through the tears forming in her eyes. She pushed at the images of her friends with her mind, and they shattered as though they were a glass window that had a stone tossed through it. The dark cloud around her lightened slightly, it was almost more of a fog than inky darkness.

“Sweetie...” Scootaloo heard her own apprehensive voice sound out.

She turned in anger to see the spitting image of both herself and Sweetie Belle standing, facing each other.

“I have something that I want to tell you,” Scootaloo's counterpart continued. “Sweetie, I—”

“No!” Scootaloo shouted a primal shout. It wasn't born out of fear, but it was a fiery anger that took hold of her. “You are not real!” With that shout, the two false ponies shattered, and the cloud of darkness receded to a small ball floating just in front of her.

“You may show me my fears, but you do not get to take that moment from me! It's my future, and it's mine to face when I choose to! You will never take that from me! Never!” As she shouted, she spread her wings and felt her body burst into a swarm of violet and orange flames. She rushed forward to strike the small shadowy ball.

Her flaming hoof connected, and the small sphere hissed and emitted a small plume of smoke as it slowly shrunk smaller and was burned away into nothing.

“Whoa!” Scootaloo heard an awestruck voice that sounded vaguely distorted, coming from behind her. Azure took a hesitant step toward her, with his eyes open wide. “How'd you do that?”

Scootaloo felt her anger subside, the flame died down, and she regained her equine form. She looked at Azure, the crystal colt was a blurry, blue figure upon a darker blue backdrop. Blurrier than his nightmare was, that's for sure. Scootaloo knew she should give the child an assuring smile as she was certain Luna would have, but Scootaloo couldn't manage it. Instead, she offered a tired sigh.

“It's emotion,” Scootaloo said as she looked out at the endless blue around her. “Fear is just one emotion, and nightmares disappear when you deny them that fear, or when you face it and overcome it. Anger is a surprisingly good way to fight fear, kid. If you get angry enough that it drowns out everything else, you can face just about anything, but it's not really pleasant.” Scootaloo imagined a cloud beneath her and slumped down onto it. “It'd probably be easier if you just remembered what makes you happy.”

“Huh?” Azure blinked in confusion. “I don't get it.”

“Neither do I half the time,” Scootaloo said with a snort. “But dreams are ruled by thoughts and emotions, you know? Impulsive things. That's why they are always changing. Sometimes emotions overcome each other. Sometimes you have to work through the emotions. Our insecure thoughts and our fears, those things form the nightmares.”

Azure blinked and a look of uncertainty crossed his face. “So is it gone, then? The spider?”

“That damn fake nightmare was destroyed. I burned it away.”

“Fake nightmare?” The blurred voice asked.

“Look, kid. As fun as it would be to explain it to you, you aren't going to remember even a tenth of what happened here. It's all just a dream to you. So forgive me if I decide it's best to forego any more explanations.”

Before Azure could offer any more protestations, Scootaloo reached within herself and gave herself a waking jolt. She felt the familiar sense of falling into darkness, and then she opened her eyes.

The light of the hospital room bloomed before her eyes, a harsh gold and green colour, which was beautiful in its own right. She immediately became aware that she wasn't standing, but rather laying upon her side next to the bed.

“Scoots?” Sweetie Belle's voice called out tentatively.

“Yeah, I'm back,” Scootaloo responded as she rolled over into a sitting position. “I got rid of that damn nightmare, and the kid should wake up soon enough.”

“Uh-huh,” Sweetie affirmed. “I saw your magic push against the other spell's pattern, taking its place, until the spell wasn't even touching Azure's magic at all. Then your magic flared and burned the other magic away. It was pretty neat to watch.”

“Well, it wasn't fun to go through,” Scootaloo muttered and rubbed her forehead. She could feel a small ache budding within. “Even after all these years of facing nightmares in dreams, I don't think I'll ever get used to them.”

“What did you do? I mean how did you beat the nightmare?” Sweetie Belle's amulet swooped in and fastened itself around Scootaloo's neck. “Welcome back, by the way.”

Scootaloo reflected for a moment at how alien it seemed to be talking to a piece of jewelry. In many ways, it was just as strange as the realm of dreams. That the fake 'Sweetie Belle's from within the dream could, in many ways, seem more realistic than the Sweetie in the amulet. Scootaloo winced at the thought. How she wished the metal around her neck was a pair of hooves forming a welcoming hug to collapse into.

“I faced the nightmare and starved it off,” Scootaloo explained and grimaced slightly. “I caught its attention, and I decided to face it on my own because that kid was just feeding it all the fear it could ever want.”

Scootaloo gave the bed with the sleeping colt on it a frown. “But I can't be mad at the kid for that. It's not as though he was all that aware of what was happening. Hay, most ponies don't remember much about their dreams, just passing emotions and stuff. And that pony who's behind this, he knows that most ponies are pretty much defenseless in their dreams, and that these nightmares will break most of them.”

“What does a nightmare even do?” Sweetie asked. “I mean, I know it's supposed to be scary and stuff, but what is it really?”

Scootaloo sighed and considered the question for a moment. “I don't really know. It's like a reflection of your own worst fears. They are most effective when their targets are not aware of what they are but rather when they see them as the fears that they’ve become.”

“So they figure out what you're scared of and become that?”

“Pretty much,” Scootaloo said, as she felt an itch of irritation with where the line of conversation was going.

“So...” Sweetie lead on thoughtfully. “You faced the nightmare, what did it turn into?”

“My worst fears,” Scootaloo said simply.

“Which are?”

“None of your business, Sweetie,” Scootaloo said more firmly than she intended, as she felt the burning anger from earlier mounting in her chest once again.

Sweetie, for her part, seemed to catch onto Scootaloo's irritation and stopped herself. “Alright. I get it. I suppose I wouldn't want you to know my worst fears either.”

Scootaloo glanced around the sparse room and blinked, suddenly realizing just how quiet the place was. “Where's Bloom and that Sky Chaser guy?”

“Hay, if I know,” Sweetie replied with a more sour voice than Scootaloo was expecting.

“You got in a fight,” Scootaloo reasoned.

“She's just being dense.”

Scootaloo let out a small laugh, which dispelled her budding anger. “Who'd have thought? You calling somepony dense, especially Apple Bloom.”

“Hey!” Sweetie snapped back. “You heard her defeatist attitude on the way here. She just thinks that if we don't do anything to help, the situation will just get better somehow.”

“Well, when you put it that way, sure she sounds dense,” Scootaloo admitted. “But you know she's worried about what's going to happen, and hay, what's already happened. She's worried that your magic and our guts won't be enough to stop this unicorn. And I can see why. He's been in my mind, Sweetie. He could break just about anypony with that magic.”

“Which is all the more reason to set out to stop him. Especially now that we know where he is!”

“Oh, so you managed to track him down?” A small smile found its way to Scootaloo's lips.

“Northeast about a hundred miles, close to a town called Frostford, or something, according to Sky Chaser anyway.”

Scootaloo considered the information for a moment then got to her hooves. “So, you're thinking of heading out as soon as possible. Right?”

“Of course.” Sweetie's amulet flashed brightly. “But there is one last thing I want to do before we leave the city.”

“Convince Apple Bloom to get back here and come with us?” Scootaloo asked hopefully.

“No,” Sweetie said sternly. “While that would be nice, it would take too much time. I'm going to get my body back this evening.”

Scootaloo let out a short gasp. “You found it? Where is it? I'll fly us there right away!”

“It's not anywhere, Scoots.” As she spoke, Scootaloo could imagine a small devilish smile on her friend's lips. “I'm going to remake my body.”

* * *

Apple Bloom had to admit that Sky Chaser seemed to know just the sort of place to find the sort of hearty meal that she hadn't even known that she had been craving. They had shared a late lunch of surprisingly tasty potato slices, topped with cheese and an assortment of other local summer vegetables, all of it lathered in a delectable brown sauce of onion and garlic. It was a salty yet filling meal that she was already planning to try and replicate the meal when she next found herself alone with a stove and some spare time.

Her time, however, could not be spared at the moment, there was much to deal with. If we're goin' to be traveling over a hundred miles, we're gonna need a lot of supplies. Especially since we're headin' towards some mountains. Knowin' Sweetie Belle, she's likely not gonna think ta bring anything at all, and Scootaloo's gonna manage to bring even less, the irritated thoughts started bubbling in her mind as she followed Sky Chaser down a few busy streets.

“Making plans?” Sky Chaser asked as he cast a glance at her over his shoulder.

“Yeah,” she admitted and frowned. She found it rather uncanny how he managed to predict what was on her mind so easily. Yet, she found a certain comfort in having those thoughts acknowledged. “We'll need supplies for the trip. Supposing we travel at maybe fifteen miles per day, it could take us a week to get there, and a week ta get back.”

“Ah, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'll get you royal permission to raid the palace stores of any equipment or food you may need on the journey.”

Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks and shook her head. “But you can't just do that for us. We should pay for our supplies.”

“Nonsense!” Sky Chaser replied with a laugh. “It is well within my power to give royal permissions to any whom I deem worthy of it. I work for the prince and princess after all. Such a position allows me to mitigate many of these mundane sorts of problems.”

“But it just doesn't feel right,” Apple Bloom said, a hint of disgust worming its way into her voice. “Ever since we got here, it feels as though we've just been livin' off o' the Empire's good graces. Ah don't like bein' spoon-fed all the answers to these problems, whether they're mundane or not.”

Sky Chaser's grin reached his eyes. “And I find that, if it is for a pony of such firm ethics, helping them is never a question; it's merely an obligation for those who have the ability to help. Wouldn't you agree?”

Ah suppose if Ah were in the position ta help a pony like mahself, Ah'd do it in a heartbeat. Apple Bloom let out a sigh of defeat. “Yeah, Ah get ya. But there comes a point when it starts makin' me feel a mite useless. Starts feelin' as if Ah'm not workin' as hard as Ah could be, acceptin' all this charity.”

“In that case,” Sky Chaser offered nonchalantly, “how about we turn it into a deal? I'm doing these things: getting you access to supplies and turning a blind eye to your friends leaving the city. So, how about in return, once you get back, you complete your little project you have planned with Sweetie Belle and Jaden, all under the Crystal Empire's supervision?”

Apple Bloom blinked in surprise. “Has this been your plan all along?”

“One of many,” Sky Chaser admitted.

We could be sponsored by the Empire? The things that we could make, if Ah can get them to work, they'd pay back the Crystal Empire for all the help they've offered us so far. The thought burned in her mind for a while. “But how can you expect me to make such a deal with ya, when you've even admitted that you have more tricks and plans up your sleeve?” Apple Bloom asked finally. “Seriously, you're hidin' too much from me for me ta even judge if it's safe ta trust ya.”

“Indeed, information can be the most crucial commodity to any plan,” Sky Chaser nodded modestly, his smile leaving his face. “And sometimes I wrap myself in this game of intrigue so entirely that I forget about the pony beneath it all.”

With a sudden golden glow of his horn, his gaudy sequin-encrusted outfit shifted upon him. The cloth hiding his hindquarters moved away to reveal his deep blue fur and a mark upon his flank, a golden crescent moon and golden sun, both were above and to either side of a wide golden eye.

In the next moment, his clothing slipped neatly back into place, and Sky Chaser's gaze was set skyward as if he were contemplating some sight hidden within the endless blue. “I am always searching and hoping to find what I am looking for. Perhaps your answer might be just that.”

Apple Bloom could only cock an eyebrow in confusion. “What in tarnation are ya talkin' about?”

“Just a silly personal dream. Its importance is not of relevance to our current predicament.”

“Ah don't know what you're goin' on about,” Apple Bloom said as she gave the unicorn a measuring gaze. How a pony could become more of an enigma with every moment she spent with him. It only served to frustrate her. “But if you're talkin' about dreams and the like, then Ah can say that you're wrong!” Apple Bloom looked back at her own flank and smiled at the three gears and apple. “Especially at a time like this, remembering our dreams is the most important thing. We have ta remember why we need ta succeed. Those dreams are our strength, not a pointless distraction.”

Sky Chaser seemed to find her words amusing enough to let out a small chuckle. “I do suppose you have a point, young Apple Bloom. Thank you for reminding me of that.”

“Well, you're welcome, Ah guess. And thanks, Ah suppose, fer showin' me your cutie mark.” Though now ya just made me curious. What dream do ya have that would land you a cutie mark like that? I wonder, what do you see when you look at your own mark?

Apple Bloom shook her head and she took the lead, heading back toward the palace. “We should get those supplies.”

“Of course.” Sky Chaser nodded but used his staff to point back toward the city. “But first, we should swing by the hospital one last time. It would appear that Scootaloo has managed to rescue the child.”

She felt a moment of relief after hearing that the child was alright. But then a thought came to her mind, one regarding a certain emerald amulet. Facing Sweetie Belle after their squabble wasn't really what Apple Bloom wanted to do at the moment.

“Oh, don't worry,” Sky Chaser said as he noticed her unease. “Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle have headed back to the palace by now, escorted by the guards. I'm not certain exactly what those two are doing, as Sweetie Belle seems to make a point of taking apart my spells before I can get any clear visuals, but at least they haven't headed out of the city yet. Perhaps they are waiting for you to return. However, I must talk to Azure's mother, Missus Stone and assure her that she can send a message directly to me should the child relapse.”

“Alright, then I'll come with you,” Apple Bloom said as her unease faded, only to be replaced by distaste at her own reaction. Sweetie's one of my best friends. I shouldn't feel uneasy 'bout talkin' to her.

Apple Bloom followed Sky Chaser through the city. All the while, she began contemplating how she should approach Sweetie Belle when she saw her next.

* * *

Scootaloo was eating some food that had been delivered to their room at their request. It was a fine assortment of roasted vegetables served with a pitcher of refreshing iced tea. It was just what she needed after the couple hours spent within Azure's dreams. Sweetie Belle had claimed that Scootaloo had expended a lot of her own magic while she was within the colt's mind, but Scootaloo only shook her head at the explanation. She had been hungry because time had passed, and ponies got hungry over time, not because she was casting spells as though she were some random unicorn and needed to rebuild her reserves. It was just that simple. There was nothing particularly magical about it as far as she was concerned.

Prism, the pony who had been sent to wait on them, had been quite happy to be of service to them. She had regaled to Scootaloo a whole assortment of food that could be brought up to them. And after two minutes of trying to remember the different dishes, while Sweetie Belle added her own commentary as to what sounded the most delicious, Scootaloo just felt too famished to really care what she ate. It came to the point when Scootaloo just let out a defeated sigh and said, “Surprise me.”

And the food she got was a welcome surprise indeed.

Aside from the food, however, Sweetie had also managed to coax Prism into procuring her some supplies: no fewer than twelve emerald gemstones, a quill, and a bottle of sylvite. Mentioning the items in question had gotten Prism to raise an eyebrow in curiosity, but she assured Sweetie that she could get them once Sweetie Belle had first assured her that it was going to be used for magic in service of the empire.

For her part, Prism had nodded and managed to get the items in less than half an hour. After delivering them, Sweetie asked Prism to leave, as the spell Sweetie was going to perform would take all of her concentration. Prism nodded once again and said she'd be back in an hour to check on them.

Scootaloo finished the last of her rather delectable meal. The grilled zucchini was something she hadn't tried before, but it certainly was better than she'd ever have imagined. As she licked the platter clean, she watched Sweetie Belle's amulet float around the room, positioning the twelve emeralds around her and taking the bottle of ink, carefully drawing intricate interconnecting lines between them.

“So, what's all the prep-work for?” Scootaloo asked.

“To remake my body, I’m going to need a lot of magic. With this sigil on the ground, the gemstones, and fusing Scoddri's fragment to the amulet, I should have enough magic to create a closed matrix that the other Sweetie told me about, and that will feed me enough magic to complete the spell.”

Scootaloo quirked an eyebrow at her friend. “So then, how does that make you a new body? How do you remake it?”

“Magic,” Sweetie said with a laugh. “Well, I figured it out when I went into your mind last night. When I was there, I got my body back, my subconscious remembered what my body looked like, felt like, what it was. It's similar to when you teleport really, your subconscious knows who you are and will reform your body after the spell. I'm going to use that to remake my body.”

“Will it work?”

“In theory, yes. But I've never cast a spell with so much magic behind it. The only spells that I've seen that had more magic was that storm spell we faced back in that mountain and the otherworldly teleportation that the other Sweetie Belle did to enter and leave this world, and both of those were stretched over far greater distances,” Sweetie explained as she finished inking the last bit of the pattern on the floor. “I'm gonna need you to stay as far from the center of the room as possible. It could be dangerous if you're too close. Though any flares in excess magic should be stopped by that bracelet.”

Scootaloo cast a look at amethyst-studded bracelet on her foreleg, swallowed nervously, and walked over to the closed door to stand in front of it. “I'll watch from here. Don't worry, Sweetie. I'm here with you, as you were with me back at that hospital.”

“Thanks, Scoots. It really means a lot to me. Now then, it's time to do this!” Sweetie's amulet pulsed to life with light, and Scootaloo watched as the emerald shard of Discord spiraled toward and touched down upon the amulet.

A flash of light erupted before Scootaloo with a strange humming sound that seemed to come from all around her, as if the room itself were groaning. She had to close her eyes and raise a hoof to protect them from the harsh magical light, which only seemed to intensify. “Sweetie!” A feeling of dread fell upon her as the air around her grew cold, as if she had just flown up half a thousand feet into the sky. What's happening in there?

* * *

A torrent of magic erupted as she brought the fragment down into herself. It flooded her world with its emerald glory, but Sweetie forced herself to reach out and grab the raw magic. She channeled it downward, and it slowly began to lessen as it diffused into sigil below her.

Eventually, the overwhelming magic began to form its discernible patterns, and the room became filled with a vortex of swirling magic drawing from all of the room’s surroundings: the air, the crystalline walls, the glass windows. All the magic was being fed into the center of the pattern below her for Sweetie to use at her whim. The magic seemed as endless as a river, and the mere thought of it made her feel giddy with delight.

Alright, teleportation sigil, she told herself forcefully and fed the magic quickly into the spell. The starting point was firmly attached to her amulet, and the end point of the spell, she anchored only a few feet in front of her. As she felt the familiar shifting of the world around her, she pulled at the endless magic beneath her.

She recalled those ancient words that had guided every teleportation she had ever made: “Girl, remember where you are!” Those words had been a mantra for her, repeated so that she might never get lost midway through a teleportation. She had to know with certainty where she was and who she was.

My body! She pictured who she was, what she looked like, what she remembered feeling like, what it felt like to have a body. She reached down into herself and knew, I am Sweetie Belle.

She sensed the flow of the teleportation spell fling her forward. Then, with an eruption as thoroughly overwhelming as the initial moment of her spell, she felt it. It filled her mind: a piercing crack of sound, a brilliant light, the taste of dust, the choking smell of sweat and oxidization. Pain.

* * *

“Damn it!” Scootaloo shouted into the freezing air as a crack sounded through the chamber and then all went silent. She blinked her eyes fiercely, trying to clear them of phantom purple blazes which flooded her sight.

Each blink seemed to work as the room came back into focus before her. Though what she saw took her breath away harsher than the cold air around her. The center of the room, with its opaque crystalline floor, was now marred by a scorched ring and a haze of fog lingered above it. Away from the center of the room, past where the sigil on the ground had been drawn, a thick frost carpeted the floor, encroaching upon the burned ring. The glass panes of the windows had all disappeared, and above it all, Scootaloo noticed sprinkles of sandy dust trickling down from the roof.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo shouted, running toward the dark ring and peering desperately past the thick fog, looking for a sign of her friend, either her body or her amulet.

Scootaloo heard a cough as she arrived. “Hah,” a pained but familiar voice said. “It worked, Scoots! Oh sweet Celestia, the pain! It hurts!” Sweetie Belle laughed. “I can feel again!” Her laughter continued, disjointed by gasps of breath.

Scootaloo looked through the dissipating fog and spied her friend's familiar lilac and pink curled mane, her alabaster coat, and her shining emerald cutie mark.

Scootaloo let out a sigh of relief and sat down beside her on the blackened ground. “Sweetie, you have your—”

Scootaloo's breath caught in her lungs as the finer details of her friend appeared. Sweetie's blinking emerald eyes were not the same. They had slight slits marking the pupils, that reminded Scootaloo uncomfortably of a snake's. From Sweetie Belle's laughing mouth, two small fangs protruded, larger than the rest of her teeth. And around her neck, a golden chain hung limply, the emerald treasure it once held now completely gone.

“Sweetie?” Scootaloo asked, her voice quavering. “What happened?”

* * *

End of Chapter 21

Chapter 22 - Decision

A Heart of Change – Chapter 22: Decision

By: SilentBelle
Proofread by: Mac349

Sweetie Belle felt an energized tingling flow down her spine as all her senses were assaulted. She could feel her familiar body’s shape, just as she had remembered it. Her curled mane formed a mess just upon the periphery of her sight; she felt her hooves firmly pressed against the singed floor; the sound of her own laughing echoed in her ears; the familiar feeling of magic pooled within her; and she felt two fangs in her mouth.

A sense of dread fell upon her. No! She rebuked her own senses. This isn’t right! I don’t have fangs!

Yet even as she thought those words, the feelings continued. It felt so good to finally be able to move again. After years of being encased in stone, immobilized, something in the world finally felt right. And behind it all, the ever burning anger dwelled.

Scoddri? Sweetie thought. These are your feelings? Your thoughts, aren't they?

There was no acknowledgment to her questions, and then a sudden movement caught her attention. She felt her legs suddenly strain and push shakily against the charred floor. In a moment, she was standing up, and her body still laughed in breathless wheezes.

“Sweetie, are you alright?” Scootaloo’s concerned voice caught her ear.

She felt her mouth moving to respond. No! Sweetie wanted to shout. This is my body, Scoddri! You can’t control it!

Her legs buckled beneath her as her mouth moved, but the words stopped in her throat. She fell back to the floor, landing on her side, knocking what little breath remained in her lungs out of her, and she finally stopped laughing.

“No!” she managed to gasp out. “I am Sweetie Belle, and this is my body!”

As she spoke the words, she felt a tension disappear as though it had never been there to begin with, and her body was once again under her control.

“Sweetie! What happened?” Scootaloo reached down to her, a hoof outstretched in apprehension.

“I got my body back,” Sweetie Belle said, as much to herself as to Scootaloo. With a grunt and an assisting hoof from Scootaloo, she pulled herself up into a standing position. “And I’m never letting go of it again.”

Scootaloo looked at her worriedly. “Seriously though, what happened, Sweetie? Why is your body like that?”

Sweetie Belle raised a hoof up to one of the small protruding fangs and quickly peered over her shoulders at the rest of her body. As far as she could tell, the rest of her was the same as she remembered, right down to just how unkempt her mane had been.

“I-I don’t know why this happened, but I think Scoddri had something to do with it.”

“That’s not all, either.” Scootaloo reached forward with a hoof and tapped at the golden heart-shaped necklace. “Your emerald’s gone, Sweetie.”

Sweetie let out a small gasp and stared at the empty golden socket. “Then I took him with me?” She probed one of her fangs nervously with her tongue. “But is that possible? We’re separate entities. It shouldn’t have happened like this.” Sweetie shook her head. “But it did. That’s why the spell didn’t work as I thought it would. Just as my subconscious remembered what my body was, Scoddri must have remembered his own as well, and that influenced the spell because our magical patterns are the same.”

“And also your eyes.” Scootaloo winced and looked away as she finished speaking the words.

“My eyes?” Sweetie wondered. She quickly scanned the room for a mirror and found one in the corner. It was covered in a slowly dissipating hoarfrost. She approached the mirror and squinted at the visage that met her.

Sweetie let out a small yelp and opened her eyes wide in fright. Looking back at her were two green eyes with slit pupils. Like a dragon’s? she wondered as she felt her breath leave her. Scoddri! What happened? There was a small pause, but no response was heard in her thoughts. Answer me! Damn it!

Sweetie Belle turned back to her friend, and noticed the pegasus’ wings tighten reflexively to her sides. “Yeah, I guess so,” Scootaloo said, not quite meeting her eyes.

From her position by the mirror, Sweetie took in the room around her, not without a small amount of discomfort. Her spell had torn the place apart. At the center of the room was a dark scorch across the crystalline floor, where her ritual had been drawn out. The ceiling above held the same charred marks as well as streams of dusted crystal floating down to the floor, forming a layer of fine sand. Beyond the center, everything had been chilled to the point of frost.

“Well,” Sweetie Belle began as she made her way across the room up to the pair of beds, “at least I made sure the furniture was as far from the center as possible. See? The bed’s only slightly singed.” Sweetie let out a small chuckle but quickly fell silent once she saw a grimace form on Scootaloo’s lips.

“Sweetie,” Scootaloo said firmly, shaking her head. “It’s not funny. These changes... how do we fix them?”

“Fix them?” Sweetie chuckled nervously. “I honestly don’t know, Scoots. But it feels mostly the same, I feel like me. Are two fangs and dragon eyes really that bad?”

“Of course it’s bad!” Scootaloo stamped a hoof. “You look different. What will your sister say when she sees what’s happened? Apple Bloom? Twilight? You can’t just shrug this off as if it’s nothing!”

“Scoots.” Sweetie took a single step away from her friend. “Look. We can search for a way to fix this later. Alright? I’m just glad that I’m not trapped inside that amulet anymore.”

“Later?” Scootaloo shook her head. “Stop avoiding the problem, Sweetie!”

Sweetie took a step away from her friend's outburst and bumped against the mirror behind her. She cast her eyes down. Of course it's unavoidable, she thought in fear as she observed her own hooves and shaking forelegs. Are they really mine? Am I me? What am I? An urge to run built up in her, to run from herself, her new body, and hope that everything would somehow go back to the way it was.

But it can't be the same. Life isn't like that. You can't always just undo what happens. The trembling of her legs became too much for her, and she collapsed in the corner of the room while Scootaloo turned away her head in shame.

“I'm scared, Scoots,” Sweetie admitted in a trembling voice. “I'm scared that I can't go back. That the real me is gone.” Sweetie looked at her friend with blurry eyes. “And I see it now. You can't even meet my eyes. I scare you, Scootaloo. I've become a monster. Haven't I? That's what you see, right? Something that needs to be fixed.”

“No!” Scootaloo shouted from the center of the room and ran to her side. The pegasus' eyes barely held a shimmer of tears at bay. “You're my best friend, Sweetie.” Scootaloo drew Sweetie into a tight hug. “You're not a monster to me,” Scootaloo whispered. “You will never be a monster to me. You can always be sure of that. Always. And I'm sorry.”

“Sorry?” Sweetie raised her head and pushed out of the embrace a bit to see her friend's tear-stricken face. Sweetie let out a small laugh, rather more akin to a cough. “What are you sorry for, Scoots?”

“That I can’t help. That you've lost so much. That I wasn’t fast enough to save you back then. That I was scared of what you looked like. I'm sorry, it’s—”

Sweetie prodded Scootaloo with a single forehoof. “It’s certainly not your fault, Scoots. And it’s not all mine either. Sure, we were stupid enough to get into this situation, but the blame is clearly on the guy behind the dragon, the storm, and the mind magic. There’s nothing for you to feel sorry for, at all. Without you, both Bloom and I wouldn’t have made it to where we are now. We’ve got to do what we can with what we have.” Sweetie stood up once again, the shaking in her legs nearly subsided. And what I have is this body. My body.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo admitted. “You’re right. Though how are we going to explain this to Apple Bloom?”

“Well, I’m sure she’ll feel vindicated that my spell didn’t go as planned.” Sweetie Belle raised a hoof to the golden necklace around her neck. “But having a body is better than being trapped in the amulet. I’m sure she’ll agree with that.”

“If you think so,” Scootaloo said doubtfully. She gave Sweetie Belle a furtive glance before changing the subject. “So you said your body feels about the same? What’s different? I mean, aside from the obvious.”

You mean how I almost lost control of my body? Sweetie suppressed a shiver as she recalled the feeling. That was Scoddri, I’m certain. But there was that anger too, a deep ancient rage, burning beneath it all. What does it all mean? He’s a part of this body? Part of me? She shook her head. “I’m not sure on what’s different, but—”

Sweetie Belle cut off when she heard a flurry of hoofsteps chiming through the corridor. The sound was accompanied by the unmistakable grind of metallic plates of armour. Both she and Scootaloo turned to face the door as a pair of guards wrenched the door open. Behind the pair was none other than Captain Snowfall.

The captain took a quick glance at the room, pausing a second longer at both the burned floor and ceiling. He then frowned at the last of the dissipating frost on the walls before finally fixing his gaze upon Sweetie Belle.

“What happened here?” he demanded. “And who are you?”

Sweetie eyed the trio, the two flanking subordinates each held a spear at the ready, whereas the captain held no weapon. But between his heavy crystalline plating and his muscular bulk, Sweetie was quite certain he wouldn't need a weapon to win most fights. He looked to be as fit as Big Macintosh except Sweetie was certain that his fitness was focused on matters far more martial than the procuring and preparation of apples.

“I’m Sweetie Belle, Captain Snowfall,” Sweetie replied in an even voice.

“The girl in the amulet? You got your body back.” The stallion remained stone faced as he spoke. “And you destroyed half the room doing it.”

“Sir!” one of the other guards whispered nervously. “Her eyes!

Sweetie frowned at the guard’s words. They want to hold me, stop me, and cage me again! The voice in her head resurfaced, clinging to each word, and behind it all, a deep anger was present. It scared her, the depth of that anger. Sweetie was certain that it was not her anger, nor did she know where it came from. It either had no source, or had too many fueling it to be sure. But as surely as she gained her new body, she had also inherited this anger.

“I know, Sergeant. Her features have not escaped my attention.” Captain Snowfall gave both of the guards a glance. “Lower your weapons. These are royal guests, and they are not to be threatened.”

“C-Captain?” the guard to his right flank sputtered.

“They are royal guests, Sergeant. I know Prince Shining Armor well, and he will want to talk to these two.”

Both guards nodded warily and slid their spears into the holsters along their right sides.

“Now, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, if you would both come with us, we shall escort you to the council chamber. You can tell the whole council what has just transpired here.” With that, Captain Snowfall moved out of the room with the two guards quickly following.

Sweetie shared a quizzical look with Scootaloo, and the pegasus simply shrugged with her wings. Together, the two fillies followed the three guards out of the room. As they moved out, Sweetie shot one last furtive glance at the room and thought about that pool of anger. While the hatred was gone, she was certain it had not gone far. What have I become, Scoddri?

* * *

“And we’ll need plenty o’ water—” Apple Bloom said, nodding to herself. She was pacing back and forth inside a rather sizable room within the guards’ barracks. It was a large provisions chamber with all the supplies Apple Bloom could want for a journey. It had only taken a few words from Sky Chaser to give the two of them unimpeded access to the room. “—at least for the way there. If we bring a pot, then Ah suppose we can just melt the snow once we get there.”

“You already have a pot on the list,” Sky Chaser said with a laugh. He held a small pad of paper in his magic’s grasp, and a purple quill poised to write. “Would you like me to add another?”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and stopped her pacing. “Ah think we’ve got it all covered for the most part. Though Ah’m certain Ah’ve forgotten somethin’.”

“By my guess, you’ve picked out enough provisions to have both you and Scootaloo quite weighed down.”

Apple Bloom moved over to his side and peered at the paper. After a moment, she nodded. “Yeah, it’ll be heavy, and Ah'm sure Scootaloo will complain about it over the whole journey, but it’s always better ta be over-prepared than under-prepared. Ah still can’t believe that neither o’ them thought ta bring a rope with them.”

“If it’s any consolation, I wouldn’t have brought rope either.”

“Geez, doesn’t anypony do any real hiking anymore?” Apple Bloom scoffed. “Seriously, there's no more useful tool than rope when you're in the outdoors.”

“I’m more of the ‘stay at home’ sort of pony, myself,” Sky Chaser said. “I can't say I know all that much about the fine art of hiking, or even what one would use a rope for while hiking.”

“Yeah, Ah suppose that's true. Though your ‘home’ is pretty much all o’ the Crystal Empire. Seems like almost anypony runnin’ a business or with some connection ta nobility knows about you, and not always in the best o' ways neither.” Apple Bloom took a step away from the list and walked toward the door. “Ah guess the list is good. We should give it to the quartermaster as soon as we can if we want them ta get it all together before tomorrow. I’d be surprised if Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo would even wait that long.”

“I’m certain they are in the guest room, planning to make their way north of the city. They have been in there for a couple of hours. And,” Sky Chaser pulled up his staff with his magic, “even if they have left, we will know right away.”

“Yeah, though I’d like ta think that they’d at least stop ta talk ta me before they decided ta up ‘n’ leave.” Apple Bloom scuffed at the floor with a forehoof. “Geez, we’ve been friends for over six years now, and after all we’ve been through, if they've decided ta skip town without me, Ah’m gonna track them down and knock Sweetie right out of that amulet.”

“Well, you may have to be testing out your tracking skills sooner than you planned.” Sky Chaser gave her an apologetic smile and moved the staff closer to her.

The crystal affixed atop the staff revealed a chamber lit with early evening sunlight. She recognized the furniture, displaced as it was, as belonging to their guest room. But at the center of the room, it looked as though some sort of chemical combustion had occurred. “What happened?”

“Shall we find out?” Sky Chaser gestured to the door.

Apple Bloom nodded and moved to follow, being sure to keep the staff’s crystal within sight. “Can ya change the focus to track ‘em or somethin’?

“Scrying specific ponies is harder than locations especially if we don’t have a component to link the spell to. We can track them down, but it will take a bit longer. In fact, it might be quicker if we were to head back to the guestroom.” He brought Apple Bloom’s supply list between the two of them. “But first, let us finish up here, quickly.”

Before Apple Bloom could so much as sound her agreement, Sky Chaser pushed through the door, leaving her to scramble after him.

Outside of the provisions room was a small chamber with a large desk looming in the corner. Stationed at the desk was a petite, bespectacled, red crystal pony stallion surrounded by looming, although surprisingly organized, stacks of paper. Apple Bloom hadn’t caught the pony’s name, although she figured that his cutie mark, a quill and a piece of paper in the process of being written upon, was quite the adequate fit for his job.

“Quartermaster!” Sky Chaser called out, drawing the red pony’s attention away from whatever document he was working on.

“Yes?” the quartermaster replied, reflexively sliding his glasses close to his eyes. He rose quickly out of his seat and turned to face Sky Chaser. “What is it, my lord?”

“Oh, we have just finished going through our list of supplies that we’ll be needing.” Sky Chaser sent the list over to the stallion, who set it on the desk and scanned it over quickly.

“That’s enough supplies for five ponies for two weeks.” The quartermaster turned back to Sky Chaser. “Dare I ask for whom these provisions are? I’m afraid I cannot file the paperwork without supplying names and purposes.”

“Is that so?” Sky Chaser asked, a small smirk quirking his lips.

“It is so,” the quartermaster supplied matter-of-factly. “I know of your noble reputation, Lord Sky. Let’s just say that after last year’s scandal that proper measures have been put into place. The misappropriation of crown resources is no longer going to be tolerated.”

“I don’t believe the misappropriation of resources has ever been tolerated within the Crystal Empire.” Sky Chaser gave him a knowing smile. “As I am sure your predecessor is well aware.”

The quartermaster scowled at him and pulled out a quill and a blank sheet of paper. “Well, yes. Regardless, I still need to know exactly who will use these supplies.”

“But of course,” Sky Chaser said in a sly tone, to which Apple Bloom noticed the quartermaster’s expression darken. “These provisions are to be used by none other than our three royal guests: Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.”

“All this? For three ponies?” The red stallion shook his head. “And how do you plan on justifying this, Lord Sky?”

“Simple.” Sky Chaser twirled his staff around and ending the showy move with it pointing directly toward Apple Bloom. “She and her two friends are assisting the crown in an investigation into the cause behind the recent, terrible weather. They have a lead and are setting out on a lengthy journey to investigate the matter.”

As Sky Chaser spoke, Apple Bloom noted that the Quartermaster was writing down what was being said, word for word. He only paused his writing to speak. “And how long are they expected to be out on crown business?”

“Two weeks by our best estimate. As a wise mare once said, ‘It is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared’.” Sky Chaser gave Apple Bloom a wink.

Apple Bloom merely shook her head though she began to wonder what exactly had gone on in the last year to make Sky Chaser have such a reputation. Not for the first time, she reminded herself to be a bit more wary of the eccentric stallion.

“As it is better to be rich than to be poor?” the quartermaster asked dryly as he set down his quill.

Sky Chaser let out a small chuckle but was interrupted by the quartermaster before Sky could make any further comments on the topic.

“It was a rhetorical question.” The red crystal stallion looked at Apple Bloom sharply. “We each have our own answers to such a question, and we should all be wise enough to keep them to ourselves.”

Apple Bloom frowned at the quartermaster's words. Is that a challenge, a warning? Or something else?

“I shall go over the list and procure all the items currently available.” He glanced over the list again. “It should all be ready within two hours. To where would you like them delivered, Lord Sky?”

“Oh, to my quarters, I suppose.” Sky Chaser nodded to the stallion. “Thank you quartermaster, but our guest and I must be on our way. Saving the Empire is a task that waits for nopony.”

The quartermaster merely snorted and watched as they left the chamber.

Once outside of the large garrison, Apple Bloom took a deep breath of fresh air, then they set off toward the palace at a brisk pace. As they walked, Apple Bloom frowned at Sky Chaser. “Seems like you're more than just well known around here. Sounds like there's a pretty big story 'bout what happened a year ago.”

“Yes, I am involved in many such stories. After all, saving the Empire does require stepping on other ponies' hooves every now and then. Such is the nature of my work.”

“Ah suppose,” Apple Bloom considered for a moment before letting her curiosity remain unspoken. “But now's not the time to get into ancient history, we have to find out where Sweetie and Scootaloo flew off to. What do you think happened to them?”

Sky Chaser barked out a short laugh. “Ancient? Hah! Sharp as a thorn, you are! Your friends, however, I do not know what happened to them.”

“But surely ya have a few guesses. The room looked a right mess. Maybe they were attacked by that unicorn again. Maybe he's aimin' ta pick us off when we aren't together. Ah, hay! Why did Ah ever leave their side?” Apple Bloom picked up her pace toward the palace, and Sky Chaser struggled to keep pace.

“I suppose that could have happened, as frightful a proposition as it is, but it could also just as easily not have happened.”

Apple Bloom slid to a stop, a minute away from the palace doors. “Wait! Pull up the image of the room again!”

With a few exaggerated puffs of breath, Sky Chaser slid to a stop behind her. “I am not as young as I once was,” he said between breaths. In the next moment, he gave his staff a flourish and brought the scrying image quickly into focus inside the crystal atop his staff.

“Knowin' what we do o' that unicorn, he would probably be trying ta capture Sweetie again. And if that happened, Scootaloo could be chasin' after her. She could even be miles outta the city by now.” Apple Bloom looked to the image. The charred bits of floor worried her. “It looks like there was some magical energy bein' tossed around. Must've missed Scootaloo and hit the room around her. So either they got away safely, or that unicorn made off with Sweetie and maybe even Scootaloo too.”

A glint of colour at the side of the image caught her attention. “Wait. Is that a guard?”

“A guard you say?” Sky Chaser squinted then rubbed his chin with a hoof thoughtfully. “Perhaps if the guard is involved, then your friends,” Sky Chaser trailed off. With a quick flick of his horn, the image shifted and reformed into an overhead view of the Crystal Palace's council chamber. “Ah, orange and violet. Indeed, your friend Scootaloo is meeting with Shining Armor.”

“What?!” Apple Bloom gazed on, wide-eyed at the new sight. Sure enough, Scootaloo's colours and half-spread wings were unmistakably present. However, standing right beside the pegasus, another colour combination caught her attention, and Apple Bloom felt her heart skip a beat. “No way, Sweetie's got her body back? Ah don't believe it.”

“I don't believe it either. Half the council is there, having session without me, and they didn't even send an invitation my way.” Sky Chaser swept his staff forward, dispelling the image within it, and pointed it toward the palace gates. “I'll truly believe it when I see it in the flesh. Let us go, Apple Bloom. We've not a moment to lose!”

Apple Bloom shook her head in disbelief as she followed in the unicorn's wake. What happened, Sweetie? And how? Is that really you?

* * *

With an audibly groan, the large double doors to the council chamber swung open. Scootaloo stepped forward alongside Sweetie Belle and Captain Snowfall into the room for the second time that day.

Shining Armor and Blank Slate looked up from an assortment of papers upon the table. Shining Armor wore an expression of weary surprise while his attendant gave a stern look at the unexpected guests and raised an eyebrow to question the captain.

“My prince,” Captain Snowfall called out sternly, bowing his head as he moved forward. “As I was supervising my guards stationed on the second story hallways, we heard an explosion coming from the guests' quarters. Fearing that the unicorn behind these storms was attacking us again, we moved to investigate and found this.” He gestured to Sweetie Belle.

This? Scootaloo scowled at the captain's backside. Sweetie's not an object, you oaf!

“A unicorn? What's your point, Captain?” Blank Slate kept her eyebrow quirked as she asked. “Are you trying to say that she's the unicorn behind this all?”

“No,” Shining Armor spoke up, and his mouth slackened in surprise. “I recognize her. That's my sister's pupil. Sweetie Belle, you have your body back. How?”

Sweetie Belle smiled at the recognition, an action that revealed her two new fangs. Her two slitted emerald eyes focused intently upon the stallion before her.

Scootaloo nearly jumped at the sight as an image of a snake leaping at her slithered through her mind. She felt her wings twitch at her sides in panic but managed to stop herself from taking to the air. However, the disturbing sense of wrongness that coiled within her like an oily, leaden weight was not so easily subdued.

No, Scootaloo told herself. It's Sweetie Belle. Her body might have changed, but she’s still Sweetie. And I'll never be scared of her. I can't be.

“Yes,” Sweetie said as she walked slowly toward the council table. Scootaloo noted a slight spring to her friend's steps, and her voice matched her jubilant stride. “I got my body back. Well, at least most of it.”

The jollity in Sweetie's actions bit at Scootaloo smartly. Only fifteen minutes ago, she was collapsed on the ground shaking and alone. How can she wear such a mask and pretend everything is fine?

“What did you do?” Shining Armor asked, his stunned expression slipping into a worried frown. “Did you manage to find your body with Lord Sky Chaser's help?”

“Well, he was a lot of help.” Sweetie nodded in what Scootaloo figured was supposed to be a sagely manner, but the expression was quickly subverted by a grin that slid across her face. “He was able to determine that my body was gone, and I figured out exactly how it was destroyed in the first place. With that knowledge, it just took a bit of planning, and I was able to remake it.”

“Remake it?” Shining Armor's expression darkened. “I may not have studied as much magic as my sister, but I have studied the laws surrounding the use of magic. The creation of a body may very well be in violation of some of those laws.”

“Laws?” Sweetie Belle let out a chuckle. “I just saved myself from living as an ornament for the rest of my life. Are you saying you'd rather that I should stay trapped in that amulet?”

“No, not at all! I’m glad that you've regained your body, but the means through which you did so have me worried.” The prince lifted a hoof to his forehead. “I know you've studied magic under my own sister. Surely you must have read of the nefarious tales surrounding magics such as these.”

“Those are just horror stories about ponies who had no idea how magic really works,” Sweetie replied bitterly. “Have you ever seen ponies raise the dead or create mirrors of themselves like the tales warn ponies not to do?” She paused for a moment, and Shining Armor shook his head gently. “Well, neither have I. But I'm not a pony who's afraid of blind superstitions especially when there's a unicorn out there who's not afraid to use a forbidden magic, himself. Besides, the magic I used didn't involve anypony else. It was just I, my magic, and my body. There wasn't a single thing morally wrong with how I used my magic.”

“There was a bit of property damage,” Captain Snowfall said from beside her. To Scootaloo's surprise, the bulky crystal pony wasn't scowling at Sweetie Belle, but a small grin played for a moment on his lips before he fell back to his stoic stone-faced self.

“Well, yeah, I guess there was,” Sweetie Belle admitted and flashed the prince a smile. “And I'm sorry about that, but it's just a bit of blackened floor and ceiling. I think it adds a bit of character to the room.”

Scootaloo found herself grinning at the comment although Shining Armor seemed a little less pleased. He brought a forehoof firmly down upon the tabletop and leaned forward.

“Your aloof attitude is wearing thin on me, Sweetie Belle, but I do realize that focusing on this issue is not something that we have the time or resources for at the moment, so allow me to be frank. I have received word of your success in rescuing the child Azure from the clutches of our foe's mind magic.” Shining Armor nodded to Scootaloo before looking back to Sweetie Belle. “Sky Chaser's report, however, was not too detailed. I would ask if you have made any further headway on the other front.”

Sweetie nodded. “Yeah, we managed to track down where he's coming from: to the north in a mountain cave near a town called Frostford. And we're going to head out as soon as possible. I think he might have realized that we were looking for him. So if we should have any chance of actually facing him, we'd have to head out before he can get away.”

“Absolutely not,” Shining Armor said, giving both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo a stern glare apiece. “This is a matter of national security. I could never send three fillies into hostile territory to try and face down a foe of this caliber. I know my sister mentioned that you were a hoofful at the best of times and an absolute nightmare at the worst of times, but this,” the Prince trailed off and shook his head firmly, “No. I will not allow you to leave the city just so you can find a way to get captured, or worse, killed.”

“Wait, Twilight said what about me?” Sweetie Belle huffed and took a few steps toward the council table. Before she could make it all the way across the room, she suddenly spun around and her horn lit up reflexively.

Scootaloo followed Sweetie Belle's eyes, and sure enough, a sudden flash of indigo light erupted in the center of the room. From the light, Princess Luna's form materialized. Sweetie Belle frowned but let go of the magic in her horn.

I guess Sweetie's not used to getting upstaged, Scootaloo thought and cast the guards around her a nervous glance.

All of them had been in the process of drawing their spears and were now fumbling to put them back properly to their sides. Scootaloo had taken note that even the captain's body had tensed for a moment as if ready to throw himself across the room and tackle the intruder to the floor, although his face remained the stoic mask that she was used to seeing.

And for that matter, Princess Luna really should know better than to teleport into the middle of the council chamber.

“Twilight Sparkle has confided to me in the past that you were both her greatest point of pride as well as the greatest challenge she has ever faced,” Princess Luna said. With a sloppy gait, nearly a stumble, Luna made her way over to the council table past Sweetie Belle and took a seat.

The alicorn was in poor shape. Scootaloo could almost feel the fatigue seeping out of Luna. There were bags under Luna’s eyes, and the graceless way in which Luna collapsed into her chair spoke volumes to Scootaloo of just how deep that fatigue ran. She looks like a mare who's just flown the full hundred mile aerial circuit at top speed and hasn't slept on top of it all: All because she was fixing my mess.

“Pride? I doubt she'd ever say that about me.” Sweetie Belle snorted dismissively and walked up to the table and took a seat as far from both Shining Armor and the Princess.

“Ah, Princess Luna,” Shining Armor rubbed his forehead where Scootaloo was sure a migraine had started to form, “you certainly startled me. I ask that next time you announce yourself at the door. We are in a time of crisis after all.”

“Yes, I am sorry if I startled you.” Luna smiled apologetically. “But it is a time of crisis, and every spare moment counts.” She then turned in her seat and cast a glance toward Scootaloo. “Come my student. Join us at the council table. Rest your tired legs.”

Suddenly feeling all the eyes in the room focusing upon her, Scootaloo quickly made her way to a seat next to Sweetie Belle.

Captain Snowfall took that as his cue to take his seat to the right of the prince. On his way, he paused to look at the princess. “Does this mean that you were able to save Bulwark?”

Luna smiled tiredly. “Indeed it does. My student certainly left a lasting impression upon him, but he is fine now, and he will make a full recovery.”

Scootaloo let out a silent sigh of relief. To think that I caused so much trouble for the princess, for everypony. I can't let that happen again. I won't!

“That is great news, Princess Luna, and I thank you for all your hard work for saving one of my citizens.” Shining Armor pulled himself up straighter and looked directly at Sweetie Belle. “But back to the matter at hoof, you found a promising lead as to the location of our suspected unicorn.”

“Yes,” Sweetie agreed, “and we need to head out there immediately. It's only a matter of time before he moves to a different location or strikes out once again at this city. I'm not going to sit by and do nothing!”

“We could send out the guard and take him down,” Captain Snowfall added readily. “The guards are itching to find the pony and bring him to justice. I do agree that we must act right away.”

Shining Armor looked to his captain, thoughtful for a moment. “It is an appropriate response to send in the guards to capture him for his crimes, however, with the way he attacks us with his magic, I fear that even the royal guard is at a grave disadvantage. And if we are attacked while a large portion of the guard is away, then the whole city shall fall into chaos.”

“All the more reason to send us in instead!” Sweetie called out from her chair. “Sending us wouldn't compromise the city's defenses at all. And—”

“No, Sweetie Belle!” Shining Armor brought his hoof down hard upon the council table. “I told you already that I cannot allow three fillies to waltz right up to some pony who wouldn't hesitate to kill you.”

“But I can face his magic! I can beat him. And sitting around doing nothing will not solve anything!”

“And charging in, shall make it worse! You know what he's done to my sister and her friends!” Shining Armor shouted, the anger in his voice caused Scootaloo to flinch. “They are the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. All six of them were stopped. What chance do three fillies have against such a foe?” Shining Armor glared challengingly at Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle didn't back down but spoke her next words slowly and deliberately. “I know what I am going up against. We aren't just three foals that need to be kept at home in safety. We're all grown mares now, and I know we have to face this threat right away before we allow him to either get away or to catch us in his web because he won't just leave us alone. I am going to track this unicorn down and take him out. I won't sit back and do nothing! Not with my sister in his clutches!”

“Interesting,” Luna said before Shining Armor could retort. “That is a commendable mindset, young Sweetie Belle. I believe I can better sympathize with Twilight Sparkle's own frustrations, now that I've seen your rather ‘passionate’ drive.”

Sweetie Belle frowned at the Princess.

Luna simply returned the gesture with a gentle smile and shifted her eyes to Scootaloo. “My student, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear your opinion on this matter. What do you think about this situation?”

Student? The title felt as alien a concept to her as ever. “Well,” Scootaloo began, looking at all the ponies around the table, “I do agree with Sweetie Belle on this. I saw what he did to Azure, and anypony who's willing to go that far is the worst kind of fiend. He must be stopped as soon as possible. I know it sounds really foolish when Sweetie says that she thinks she can stop him, but I believe her.”

Scootaloo glanced at Sweetie Belle, who looked right back at her with a small fanged smile. She's different, but it’s still her, Scootaloo reminded herself and looked down at the bracelet around her foreleg.

The sight of the bangle wasn't as comforting as it once had been. In an attempt to settle the unease building in the pit of her stomach, she looked back to Luna. The billowing mane of the princess, speckled with stars, brought an unusually comforting sensation to her as if for just a moment, she was flying freely through the cool night skies of autumn above a sleeping Ponyville. Then again, if Sweetie's changed, I suppose I have as well. A student under the Princess...

“It won’t be easy,” Scootaloo said carefully, “but we have faced him before, not in the flesh, of course. But we've faced his magic, and even though it has been a close call a few times, we stopped his spells each time, and Sweetie broke his mind magic over me. If anypony has a chance to face him on equal ground, it's Sweetie.”

Luna nodded. “I concur.”

“I would also like to weigh in,” a voice echoed into the room. Scootaloo instantly recognized it as Sky Chaser's. Even as the words were spoken, the chamber doors opened to reveal the gaudy, golden-robed unicorn as well as Apple Bloom by his side. “I am sorry for arriving late to the discussion.”

“I was wondering how long it would take for you two to show up,” Sweetie said nonchalantly.

To Scootaloo's surprise, the words were completely ignored by Apple Bloom. Instead of scowling, Apple Bloom ran right up to Sweetie Belle and drew her into a tight hug. “Sweetie Belle, ya got your body back! I can't believe it! How did ya—” She let out small gasp. “—Your eyes and your amulet and—” Apple Bloom's eyes darted to Sweetie's fangs and she broke out of the hug and took a step back. “—what happened to you?”

“I got my body back,” Sweetie supplied evenly.

“But what happened to your body? Why's it all different?” Apple Blooms eye's widened, and Scootaloo could all but hear the gears grinding away within her head. “Discord's fragment, your amulet, if it’s gone, then that means... How's that possible?”

“Magic?” Sweetie offered with a short laugh.

Shining Armor scowled at the reply. “As I said earlier, we do not have time for this. Let's get back to the matter at hoof.” Shining Armor let out a solid sigh before he spoke again. “Lord Sky, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both seem intent upon chasing down our attacker to the north. Tell me what you think of their plan.”

“Ah, yes, I do actually agree with their plan of action. It fits right in with what they agreed to do, does it not? You asked them to assist me in tracking down our culprit, and the trail leads to the north. It only makes sense to pursue that trail and figure out what's at the end of it. And we would need somepony of considerable magical talent to track down and face such a particularly dangerous fellow,” Sky Chaser reasoned. “If we had a veteran force of highly trained unicorns from Canterlot, I would of course have suggested we send them in instead. However, of the ponies we have at our disposal, I can think of no greater choice than a talented trio of mares who have proven themselves to be both capable and resourceful.”

“Why not send a platoon of the guards?” Captain Snowfall demanded. “The guards have been trained to disable all types of ponies, including unicorns and pegasi. A squad of my best dozen could do far more than these three could hope to. Our guards have been trained for this, my lord! We cannot involve citizenry in this!”

“I'd not count these three out so quickly, Captain,” Princess Luna interceded, giving the trio a small smile. “These are the siblings to none other than the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, ponies who have grown up with, and have learned from their sisters. And while our gaudy Scrymaster does at times seem to make questionable decisions, I do agree with his assessment.” Luna looked directly at Shining Armor. “I would ask that you grant permission for my student, your sister's student, and their capable friend to track down this villain.”

Shining armor shook his head. “Princess Luna, I do not like this. I cannot ask this of them, no matter how reasonable you make the prospect seem. These three are civilians from Ponyville, and they are not resources that the Empire can use. It is morally wrong.”

“Remember that the bearers of the Elements were also mere civilians from Ponyville before my return,” the princess said, bowing her head sadly at the memory.

“No,” Shining Armor replied adamantly. “Even if it is at your request, I cannot give my permission for them to do so. If you wish to make a royal decree on the matter, then I shall abide by it. However, the Crystal Empire will not grant them permission to seek out our foe.”

“I see,” Luna said in turn. “I am not going to decree anything on the matter, as I do not rule the Empire.” The princess gave Shining Armor a tired smile. “As always, Shining Armor, you do have a kind heart. Even with all that is going on around us, you still worry about each individual. The Crystal Empire is indeed greatly fortunate to have you to look out for its citizens.”

“Thank you,” Shining Armor said with a nod.

“Wait! Hold up! You mean that you're saying we can't leave the city at all?” Sweetie asked indignantly. “So you're just going to sit here and do nothing now that we finally have a chance to do something about this guy?”

“You are right about one thing, Sweetie Belle. If we do not take this opportunity, we'll just remain a victim to his devices. I am not going to do nothing,” Shining Armor said fiercely. “I have many trusted advisers in this court, and I, myself, am more of a guard than a prince. It is not in my nature to do nothing.” Shining Armor looked to Blank Slate, to Sky Chaser, and finally to Captain Snowfall. “I shall head out personally to deal with this cretin who dares to attack our great city and the ones I love!”

“Then can't we at least come with you?” Sweetie Belle insisted. “You need somepony who can deal with his magic! Don't treat me like I'm still just a blank-flank foal! We have to—”

Whatever Sweetie Belle had been about to say fell short as the whole chamber suddenly began to tremble.

An earthquake? Scootaloo jumped out of her chair and with a quick flurry of her wings, she was hovering above the council table, looking down at the rest of the chamber.

All the ponies around the table shouted. Luna had taken to the air; Captain Snowfall managed to get out of his chair and began peering accusingly around the room, even as he almost lost balance; Shining Armor remained in his chair, a look of shock filling his eyes; Blank Slate scrabbled madly for falling stacks of papers; Sky Chaser fell out of his chair and hit the ground with a wheeze; Apple Bloom remained seated, but had cast her gaze upward to the crystalline ceiling; and Sweetie Belle had vacated her seat, her horn alight with magic, though she was struggling to keep her balance.

The building rumbled and groaned all around them, however no fissures formed along the walls of the structure. The whole ordeal had lasted for a minute by Scootaloo's estimation before the final echoes of its run fled the Palace walls and a soft silence, like settling dust, fell upon the room.

Apple Bloom was the first to open her mouth. “What the hay just happened?”

“An earthquake? Well, at least the walls stood up,” Sweetie said breathlessly. After a quick glance to the others around her, she looked down to the floor below her, or rather, past it. “That was some intense magic. The stone and earth could mask most of the patterns that were at work, but I definitely noticed a couple of them down there, far away.”

“Of course, it had to be a magic attack. The Crystal Empire, despite our proximity to the mountains, is not known to experience anything beyond the slightest of tremors.” Shining Armor nodded, got out of his chair and moved toward the double doors at the front of the council room. “The palace seems safe enough, but we must assess the damage to the city. Captain, Slate, both of you with me! Captain, tell your guards to form into rescue groups, I fear that some houses may not have held as well as the palace has.”

“I will come as well,” Luna said, swooping down to land next to the prince. “I'd like to see the extent of the damages and do what I can to help.”

Shining Armor nodded. “Of course, Princess Luna. Your assistance shall be invaluable.”

Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo all nodded to each other and moved forward as well. “We'll go too,” Sweetie insisted. “I'm worried about that magic. I'm sure it's that unicorn we are looking for. We can—”

“Sky Chaser,” Shining Armor interrupted her. “Please, stay with these three. I would like for you to check on the remaining palace guards and make sure they have not abandoned their posts, as well as assess any damages the palace may have received from the earthquake.”

“Milord.” Sky Chaser smiled as he pulled himself back to his hooves. “I shall not let them out of my sight.”

“Hey!” Sweetie Belle shouted at Shining Armor. “Why do we have to stay in the palace? We just want to help, you know! We aren't useless!”

“By the stars above,” Shining Armor muttered under his breath before turning to face Sweetie Belle directly. “Staying here is an important task, Sweetie Belle! You will do as I say, until we have this situation assessed and under control! Now is a time to rely on order and following the rules, so please, listen my orders and stay with Lord Sky until we resume our meeting.”

Without waiting for a response from Sweetie Belle, he turned back around and headed out the door with two of the three other ponies, as well as the guards flanking the door's sides. Luna remained behind and gave the trio a concerned look.

“Princess?” Scootaloo asked nervously.

“Heed Shining Armor's words well, you three. Staying here and doing what you can is an important task.” Luna paused a moment and let a small grin slide to her lips as she looked directly at Sweetie Belle. “Your new appearance is most interesting. Once we have the time to do so, we shall have an in-depth discussion about the nature of magic, its possibilities, and its limitations. But for now, please keep in mind that knowing all of you are making certain the castle is safe shall keep all our minds at ease.”

With that said, Luna leaped into the air, opened the double doors with her magic and flew out of the room. The doors closed just as swiftly, leaving the three young mares and Sky Chaser alone in the council room.

Sweetie let out an irate growl. “Staying here is important? Like hay it is! Can you believe it?” She turned to face Apple Bloom for a moment, who only shook her head in annoyance. Sweetie then she fixed her eyes on Scootaloo. “Well? Don't you two think that we should be out there helping out ponies who need it? They could have gotten caught beneath some falling buildings! They could need all the help they can get!”

“Yeah, I suppose it would be better to be out there helping ponies,” Scootaloo agreed quietly as she settled back down to the chamber's floor. “But I'm sure that Princess Luna and all the guards can handle it. I'd probably just get in the way if I were there.”

“Oh, don't look so glum, you two,” Lord Sky chided jovially. “The task the prince gave us is quite important.”

“Checking in on palace guards and looking at walls for cracks?” Sweetie shook her head. “How in the hay is that supposed to be more helpful than rescuing ponies who could be trapped in rubble?”

“Oh!” Apple Bloom said suddenly, drawing their attention to her. “It could be even more important than that! Sweetie, think about it. If you were an evil mastermind, tryin' to take out an empire, what could creatin' an earthquake like that possibly serve?”

Sweetie paused for a moment, and blinked. “Well, it didn't sound like any huge buildings collapsed, so I don’t think he was trying to knock down the palace. And Shining Armor just left with most of the guards to help the citizens.”

“So you think he's going to try and attack the palace while everypony's gone and most of the guards are in the city?” Scootaloo reasoned.

“Not exactly,” Apple Bloom said worriedly. “But Ah'd be willin' ta wager that this unicorn's after the one leader who hasn't left, 'cause she can't: Princess Cadence.” Apple Bloom looked to Sky Chaser, and frowned. “That's why Shining Armor wanted us ta check on the remainin' palace guards. Ah'm guessin' the only ones that wouldn't be rushin' ta help the city folk would be the ones guarding the princess.”

“Ah, sharp as a needle, Lady Apple Bloom,” Sky Chaser remarked. “I do believe the prince is all too aware of just how powerful an opponent this unicorn could be. He also knows—even if he won't admit it too readily—that you three would probably fare just as well as, if not better than him, against such a foe.”

“Ah'll only tell ya one more time, Lord Sky. Ah'm not a lady. Next time, Ah'll show you Ah'm not a lady.”

Scootaloo looked to the double doors of the chamber anxiously. “So then, we should head over to wherever the princess is recovering, and make sure she's safe. If that snake got to the princess...” The thought of Princess Cadence with a creepy grin and eyes that burned with corrupting magic was not a pleasant one to entertain. “That would spell disaster for the whole empire.”

“Verily,” Sky Chaser agreed, motioning them toward a small door at the back of the room. “To the royal quarters!”

Sweetie Belle followed right behind him, and Scootaloo was about to follow as well when she felt Apple Bloom's hoof prod her backside.

“Hey, Scootaloo, you have a sec'?” Apple Bloom asked quietly.

Scootaloo saw a worried look in her eyes. “Yeah?” Scootaloo replied just as quietly. “What's up?”

“It's about Sweetie Belle. Is she really okay? Ah don't know what happened, but you were there, right? Her body's changed so much, if that'd happened to me, there's no way Ah'd be fine. Is she really as well off as she seems to be?”

“I... don't think so,” Scootaloo admitted. “It's like she's trying her hardest to ignore it, and pretend that nothing's happened. I've been keeping an eye on her since she got her body back, but it definitely has her worried. Hay, I'm worried too, but we don't have time for that.”

“Yeah, Ah feel like she's puttin' on a brave face too.”

“Don't worry, Apple Bloom. I'll keep my eyes on her,” Scootaloo assured her friend. Not that I'll be able to do much when it comes down to it. But at the very least, I'll be there.

“Hey! Hurry up you two!” Sweetie Belle shouted from the doorway.

“I'm on my way!” Scootaloo shouted back and flew to her side as Apple Bloom ran after them.

* * *

Sky Chaser had led the trio down a passageway which seemed as though it could belong to any part of the palace were it not for an intricate design of coloured crystal worked into the otherwise azure walls. The ambient daylight lit up the hall, and displayed a series of pictures that seemed, to Sweetie Belle, to be a retelling of the story of the empire's sudden reemergence nearly five years ago.

With a quick glance, as she walked further down the halls, she saw depictions of her sister and her sister's friends. They were portrayed to be singing to and greeting crystal ponies, as well as being part of a fair of some sort. But then, to the forefront of the pictures, an amethyst and emerald figure took center stage of the story.

“Huh... Spike's pretty famous here, isn't he?” Scootaloo remarked.

“Well, he saved them from King Sombra, ya know,” Apple Bloom said. “Seems pretty obvious to me that they'd appreciate him. See look, that's him with the crystal heart.” Apple Bloom pointed a hoof at the climactic scene of crystal before them.

Spike was standing with the heart-shaped crystal held firmly in his outstretched claws, and dark shadowy mist was pushed back, away from him, as if the petite dragon were attempting to banish some sort of supernatural being.

Spike... Sweetie Belle couldn't help but think of the dragon. She had always considered him to be a firm friend over the years. He had usually been around whenever she was visiting Twilight to learn more about magic, or when she was checking out a book on magical theories and spells. After years of visiting the library regularly, Sweetie had come to the conclusion that Spike had been the sole reason that the library never seemed to fall into complete disarray. He always seemed more natural with a dusting wand, a broom, or an apron, than he ever would charging forth while brandishing some great artifact to banish the darkness threatening to engulf an empire. The crystalline depiction of the dragon before her nearly drew a laugh from her.

Though in five years, Sweetie Belle had to admit, he's grown quite a bit. In fact, last time I saw him he was almost as tall as me. Maybe if he had saved the kingdom being as large as he is now, he'd make for a more majestic image on this wall. The playful thought slipped from her mind and was replaced by an unshakable sense of unease as she continued to look at the depiction. I hope he's alright. He was definitely with Rarity and Twilight.

Here eyes focused on the crystal heart in the image, and she began to wonder. The crystal heart, it looks so similar to Scoddri's. Save for the colour, they could have been identical, at least prior to Scoddri's fragmenting. He had called it his Element. Did he mean it like an Element of Harmony though? What makes something an element?

As Sweetie Belle considered the question, she saw an image flash before her eyes: a pair of smoldering, emerald eyes with reptilian slit pupils, a mirror to her own, looking directly at her, hating her. She could feel the heat of the anger burning at her, trying to consume her, and she felt her legs begin to quiver beneath her. Hate for being used. Hate for being caged. Hate was an endless chasm to see in those eyes.

I will not be used!

Who? Sweetie Belle labored for breath. She couldn't tell if the thought was her own, or if the anger was her own. The heat inside her chest felt so real, as real as her body. No! she reminded herself firmly. I am Sweetie Belle!

The rage stopped as suddenly as it had started, and Sweetie gasped, finally catching the breath she so desperately needed.

“Sweetie? What's wrong?!” Scootaloo's concerned voice came to her ears.

What happened? Sweetie Belle wondered as she stared down at the golden chain necklace around her neck, and the empty socket that once held Scoddri's element. Now it's inside me. But what does it mean? Is Scoddri gone? Are these stray emotions and feelings his? Are they mine?

Sweetie shook her head, trying to clear her head of the unanswerable questions. With little effort, she shot both of her friends a smile. “It's nothing, Scoots. I just thought that this picture of Spike is a little dramatized, don't you think?”

Scootaloo gave her a worried glance, but it was Apple Bloom who spoke up.

“Of course it's exaggerated, Spike's a hero here. Who doesn't want to embellish their heroes a bit?”

“Well, I guess I find it hard to imagine Spike playing the hero.” Sweetie let out small chuckle, though it sounded flat to her ears. “After seeing him fight with cooking food and housework so many times, it's hard to get the image out of your head.”

“That may be the case,” Sky Chaser said with a wise nod. “Often our perceptions of the friends and family closest to us are harder to see past than we could ever imagine.”

“Yeah, I suppose you'd know better than most,” Apple Bloom said dryly.

“You flatter me,” he replied. “Now we shouldn't tarry much longer, the guards are giving us inquisitive looks.”

Down the hallway a single door marked the end of the wall mural. A crystal heart emblem shone brightly above the doorway through some trick of light, and if that weren't indication enough, two particularly stiffly standing mares flanked the door with spears at the ready. Sweetie had no doubt that the chambers beyond belonged to none other than Princess Cadence.

The two guards each stood a little taller than Sweetie herself, and they shared a pair of concerned glowers as Sweetie and the others closed in on them.

“Lord Sky Chaser, what, may I ask, are you doing here?” The guard on the left asked, hoisting her spear in his direction.

“Now, now.” Sky Chaser let out a nervous chuckle. “We're here on Prince Shining Armor's request, to be sure that you have not abandoned your post in light of that earlier seismic disturbance.”

“Abandon our post?” the guard on the right asked indignantly. As she spoke, Sweetie noticed the magic within the guard's body shifted, forming a few familiar patterns of light spells, which caused the pony to actually let out a small flash of light to emphasize her irritation. “You'd have the gall to even think that we'd ever do such a thing? Especially with the princess being in the condition she's in?!”

“I meant no such implication, I assure you,” Sky Chaser said smoothly. “I am merely following orders. The prince is indisposed of at the moment, due to that earth-trembling display which you may have felt a while back.”

“So, what caused it?” the guard questioned, finally lowering her spear and fastening it to her side.

“I do not know.” Sky Chaser let out a small sigh. “That is, of course, what the prince has set out to discover. However, he was all too aware that doing so might be playing into the favour of the one behind the earthquake, who's also suspected to be the one behind the storms earlier this week. So, like the dutiful prince he is, he sent us to pass on the message. He's worried for the Princess' safety.”

“We'll keep her safe, of course.” The pair of guards both straightened in attention. “He doesn't have any reason to worry, we are the best there are in the empire.”

“Of that I have no doubt.”

Scootaloo spread her wings out apprehensively and cast the door a worried look. “So... aren't we going in to check on the Princess and make sure that she's okay?”

“Of course you aren't allowed in. Only the prince, the royal guard, or selected palace staff members are allowed access.” The mare's eyes quickly darted to her spear then to Scootaloo, assessing the pegasus. “We have permission to stop any uninvited guests, with lethal force if necessary.”

Scootaloo frowned at the guard's words, and Sweetie Belle noticed her friend giving the guards a measuring gaze of her own. Sweetie wondered for a moment if Scootaloo was legitimately considering barging past the guards.

“Makes sense,” Apple Bloom said, reasonably. “Ah'm sure they also have a pair of guards inside as well, Ah doubt we'd be able ta help make her any safer than she already is.”

“Speak for yourself, Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said. “Against a snake like him, the more ponies we have prepared to take him out, the better. We should go inside and help them prepare in case of an attack.”

“If the Princess is in danger we should help out how we can,” Scootaloo agreed.

“Ah don't know...” Apple Bloom said and looked down the hallway they had come from. “We know the guards won't let us in without something to convince them, and it'd have ta be very convincin'. Nothing short of a royally sealed letter of permission is going to get us in there. And besides... there's somethin' else about this that's been buggin' me.” Apple Bloom lowered her voice to a whisper. “If he had wanted to attack the princess then Ah think he'd have done it already, or tried to anyway. Either he didn't want to attack her personally, or there might have been somethin' stoppin' him.” Apple Blooms eye widened as she came to a realization. “Oh shoot!”

“What is it?” Scootaloo asked.

“Of course! How could Ah not have seen it before? There's no way he'd go after the Princess. She's not an obstacle to him, in fact, her being indisposed of is just helpin’ to lessen the number of watchful eyes in the Palace!”

“So you're saying that he's not headed here at all?” Sky Chaser mused aloud. “But then where do you think he'd strike? At the prince and guard captain to throw all of the city into chaos?”

“No. Think for a moment... what's the one thing in the Crystal Empire that was used to keep evil at bay?”

“The Crystal Heart,” Sweetie Belle concluded, a feeling of dread descending upon her. Almost as though speaking the words had been a trigger of some sort, a familiar sensation of magic pulled at her. It was a very faint tendril which held a pattern identical to her own. “I can feel it! He must be using another fragment of Scoddri's!”

Apple Bloom quickly spun to face Sky Chaser. “Sky Chaser! Quick, tell us! Where's the Crystal Heart kept?”

The calm smile on Sky Chaser's face dropped into a look of worry. With a quick wave of his forehoof, he sped off down the hallway. “This way! To the castle courtyard!”

The trio of young mares followed closely behind him. As Sweetie ran, in spite of the dread she felt toward the situation, she felt an exhilaration building within her. Every joint, every step, every breath, it reminded her that she was alive again. As she moved, she was surprised that her own breathing wasn't nearly as taxing to her as she had expected. On an inquisitive whim, she focused on the world around her as she kept pace with her friends, and she felt something delightful. With every hot breath of air she let out, she could see ambient magic in the air surrounding her autonomously moving toward her. The ambient magics were being drawn to the pool of magic within her. Once the miniscule bits of magic got close enough, their own patterns changed to mimic hers, quickly replenishing any of the energy she was expending during her run, as if the world were casting a simple restoration spell upon her with every second that passed. The sensation was dreamlike, to run and to not feel the leaden weight she normally associated from the task pressing down on her. She felt nearly giddy with excitement.

“They just keep a national treasure in the Palace courtyard?” Scootaloo asked incredulously. “Couldn't anypony just come in and steal it?”

“Well, it is always kept under the watchful eyes of the palace guards,” Sky Chaser managed to say, nearly breathless from the exertion of running. “Of course, today there may be fewer guards in position to deal with any intruders.”

“Then we have to get there quick,” Sweetie said determinedly as she sensed the thin stream of Scoddri's magic drawing closer.

Apple Bloom nodded as they turned a corner. “It's not far from here, if I remember what the palace looks like. I imagine they keep it in the courtyard so that ponies can come and see it from time to time. The crystal ponies take a lot of pride in their crystal heart. It's said that no pony with ill intent can get near it. And that makes me kind of worried.”

“I still think it's kind of silly to put their greatest treasure on display like that,” Scootaloo said darkly. “Regardless of how much the public wants to see it, it should be kept somewhere more secure.”

“The Crystal Heart is a strange artifact, indeed. It does keep all of the empire safe, but it draws on the will of the ponies who see it and cherish it, and it uses that will to protect the whole empire,” Sky Chaser explained breathlessly as they made it halfway down another hall. “If it were locked away it would be as useless as if it were stolen.”

“Crystal pony magic,” Sweetie spoke her thought aloud. “That must be what feeds the crystal heart. But what is the heart, really?" And why does it look so much like Scoddri's?

“I am not sure how the heart works, honestly,” Sky Chaser admitted. “I have only seen it in action once, just this past week when Cadence used it to sustain a shield over the whole city. I did notice, however, that the crystal lost much of its luster over the days, and the protection it offered lessened over time.”

“Ya mean that the ponies who visit the stone regularly were beginin' ta lose faith in how effective it would be?” Apple Bloom wondered.

“Faith?” Sweetie shook her head and laughed. “I doubt something as magical as a crystal heart would operate on faith. It probably was just running out of magic after being used for so long. I mean if Cadence collapsed from how long she spent using the crystal and still hasn't woken up, it had to have been using her magic as well.”

“Ah'm just sayin' that Ah think that when the ponies saw the shield weakenin' they probably lost some of their faith that the Crystal Heart would protect their city from the endless storms.”

Sweetie was about to argue back at her friend when they all heard a distant, unintelligible shout from down the hallway before them. There were a pair of opened doors with sunlight spilling through them, which Sweetie Belle determined could only be the doorway which lead out to the courtyard of the Palace. The shout was quickly followed by a loud crack, akin to a thunderclap, and a flash of brilliant blue light.

Sweetie Belle and her friends quickly galloped the rest of the distance and turned to look out the doorway.

The courtyard was a resplendent area of greenery. All sorts of shrubs and numerous trees surrounded the enclosure, all of them coursing with large amounts of magic. Sweetie Belle felt fresher just by being close to the greenery. It was a sight she was quick to compare to her ventures through the Everfree, while not quite as untamed and primal, it was still a formidable surrounding of natural magic to behold.

In the center of the courtyard, her eyes were quick to spot a pedestal upon which a heart-shaped crystal of light azure was on display, it burned brightly with unused magical energy, nearly causing Sweetie to wince. The crystal stood proud and shimmering in the sunlight, and Sweetie Belle felt an anger building inside her.

Another one, trapped, only ever to be used! Sweetie shut the thought out of her mind as well as she could, though she felt her heartbeat quicken, and her jaw clench reflexively.

At the foot of the pedestal, four armoured crystal ponies were laying upon the ground, motionless, beside them, a broken spear lay discarded. Just above the scene, orbiting small circles around the Crystal Heart, was one of Scoddri's fragments, its magic was linked to the heart.

The shard had a strong, complex magical pattern feeding into it from above. A series of different patterns were woven into each other, all surrounding and feeding into the fragment's own, like threads winding together to form a rope.

“Ah, what a surprise, I did not expect to see you here, half-heart girl—” The deep voice cut himself short and gave a low growling chuckle. “Or perhaps I shouldn't call you that anymore. Whatever happened to my fragments?”

“Shut up!” Sweetie shouted and quickly pulled magic into her horn. She began to form the magic into a quick and simple lightning spell, one of the most effective spells she could think of to sever the control of other pony's over their spells and sigils. The pure and simple flow of concentrated magic would be sure to warp and disfigure any other magical patterns it came into contact with. “You don't own him, and you aren't getting away with this! We stopped you before and we'll stop you again!” As she fed the spell, she felt a small grin reach her lips, there was more magic to draw on within herself than she ever remembered having before. Her spell easily held as much as she would have been able to draw from at least four gemstone, or three emeralds.

“Wait, Sweetie!” Apple Bloom shouted, but she was too late.

Sweetie discharged the lightning, which sped out from her in a silvery green flash. She hadn't seen any magic reaction from her target in that moment, and Sweetie was certain that it would be strong enough to overcome and obliterate the other pony's hold over the shard. From there, Sweetie figured it would be a simple thing to retrieve the shard.

As her spell made contact though, she felt an explosion through all of her senses, and the hold she had on her own spell dissipated immediately.

* * *

Apple Bloom shouted her warning too late, and she watched as Sweetie Belle's spell burst forth. It was an electrical blast, which caused Apple Bloom to let out a yelp of fear in response while it ripped through the air in vibrant flash. If that hit a pony, it could kill 'em! She had never seen Sweetie Belle fire off a spell quite like that before. It scared her.

The spell, fast as it was, crashed into something just short of the target. The silvery green flash of magic smashed into a transparent blue wall, but instead of shattering the wall, as Apple Bloom imagined it should have, the blue wall shimmered, as brightly as the lightning had, and grew more opaque than it was before. It now looked as though a large patch of endless sky were before them, blocking the crystal heart and the shard of Discord from sight.

Before she had more than a moment to register the shielding magic's sudden appearance, it began to expand, and quickly. Both herself and Scootaloo took a leap back instinctively, and as she landed, Apple Bloom's eyes locked onto Sweetie Belle, who hadn't moved an inch since she had cast her lightning spell. The unicorn just stood there with her legs trembling beneath her, her eyes half-closed to a squint, her teeth clenched, and her lips held in a tight in a grimace.

“Sweetie!” Apple Bloom managed to shout, but just as before, her words were too late, and she could only watch in horror as the barrier crashed down upon her friend.

The shield spell hit Sweetie Belle with enough force to knock her over onto her backside, for a second after the impact, the spell paused, but in the next moment, it continued expanding, pressing against the fallen unicorn.

As the spell touched Sweetie Belle, it stopped once again, and Apple Bloom saw emerald shocks of magic jumping out of the shield, they flicked through the air and touched down on Sweetie Belle, most of them directed toward into her horn. Sweetie let out a shriek as the magical electricity flowed into her.

After a second, Apple Bloom noticed the shield's opacity begin to wane as Sweetie's shrieking grew more shrill.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo shouted and dove forward, landing beside her. Without hesitation, she thrust her left forehoof out toward the shield spell, and brought her bracelet down onto the surface of the spell. The sparking alongside the wall intensified and its opacity lessened even more, until it looked as the shield spell had before Sweetie's lightning had touched it. The shield, even weakened as it was, began to strike down on Scootaloo's bracelet just as viciously as it was upon Sweetie Belle, the amulet in turn responded by lighting up, and it quickly began to emit a keen piercing sound that seemed to eerily echo Sweetie's own vocalization.

As Scootaloo had made her move, Apple Bloom forced herself to move as well only moments afterward. She jumped forward, and snatched Sweetie Belle by her tail. With a quick yank, Apple Bloom pulled her friend back, and the sparking from the shield lessened.

Sparing a single glance for Scootaloo—the pegasus was glaring past the shield, right at the crystal fragment, and her mouth was formed to a pained hateful scowl—Apple Bloom quickly considered what she knew about magic, from what Sweetie had told her. Well, it's worth a shot! She leaped forward and dug her forehooves into the ground, using the momentum of her landing, she brought her hind legs around and kicked, pouring every ounce of effort into the action.

With an electrical jolt, her hooves met a small bit of resistance, but then she felt the resistance shatter in the next moment. With a sound of fragmenting glass, the shielding sphere fractured to bits and dissipated into the air.

In the next moment, the shard of Discord and crystal heart took to the air, as if being reeled away by some invisible tether.

Scootaloo let out a wild scream, her bracelet flaring in a spectacular amethyst lightshow, and she leaped into the air, flying directly toward the shard and the crystal heart.

Before she could reach them, a small bubble of a shield formed around the heart and the shard. Scootaloo hit the new barricade hard with her shoulder, let out a gasp and crashed off to the side.

“Impressive, that you managed to break through the shield,” the shard's voice said, and Apple Bloom thought the voice sounded rather earnest as he spoke the words. “But I shall be going now. I have what I came for.” The shielded heart and fragment began quickly ascending into the air of the open courtyard.

“Like hay you are!” Scootaloo shouted as she pulled herself off the ground and she grit her teeth against the effects of her crash landing, which could only have been a series of bruises and small cuts at best, perhaps a broken bone at worst. “You aren't getting away with this!” In spite of the obvious pain painted across her features, Scootaloo took to the air once more and chased after the ascending shield spell.

“Ah!” Apple Bloom heard Sweetie exclaim, which brought her attention back down to the mare behind her.

Sweetie Belle was on the ground, twitching and convulsing, her eyes were opened wide and glowing with a green so bright, it nearly looked to be white. Apple Bloom couldn't even see her friend's pupils, just the open sockets emitting light as two beacons shooting skyward to mingle with the afternoon light.

“Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom exclaimed and pulled her friend into a close hug. “Hang in there!” Oh, by the sun, what's happened to her? What can Ah do to help her?

As she cradled Sweetie Belle close to herself, Apple Bloom noticed her friend's horn beginning to glow. “Oh, shoot,” was all she managed to say as her mind raced to find an answer. In a desperate gambit, Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle's head between her forehooves and desperately aimed the unicorn's horn away from herself and up into the open sky.

Sweetie Belle's horn only continued to grow with magic until it finally erupted. Apple Bloom felt a shiver shoot down her spine, as a pure beam of emerald magic shot into the sky, passing by the reaches of one of the looming trees in the courtyard, causing a dozen or two nearby leaves to ignite and smolder upon the tree's closest branches.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo's voice cried out as the pegasus slammed into the ground hard, nearly knocking her own legs out from under her. Without pausing for a second, she scrambled over to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “What happened?”

“Ah don't know! That shield's magic did something to her!”

“That certainly was quite the lightshow,” Sky Chaser said, poking his head out from the other side of the palace doorway.

“Ya could have helped, ya know?!” Apple Bloom shouted sourly. “Sweetie almost died here!” How did all this even work? How did Ah manage to break a spell just by bucking it? Trying to wrap her mind around what had happened was quickly giving rise to a headache.

“I dare say, I am not so adequately prepared to deal with combat magics,” Sky Chaser professed in his defense. “I fear I would have only gotten in the way.”

Sweetie Belle coughed suddenly, and followed the action with a slight groan.

“Sweetie!” Scootaloo grabbed the unicorn from Apple Bloom and pulled her fast to her side. “Are you okay?”

“I've been better,” Sweetie managed to mumble and rubbed her horn, a scowl spreading across her face. “Darn it. Did you manage to stop him, Scoots? Where's the shard?”

“He got away,” Scootaloo said, disappointment thick in her voice. “But that's not important. Are you hurt? What happened, Sweetie?”

“Like hay it's not important!” Sweetie struggled out of Scootaloo's embrace and onto her own hooves, nearly falling over as she did so. “He just got away with the crystal heart! With that in his possession, he could drop the city in a day! We have to go after him right away!”

“But you can't be saying that after what he just did to you! You can barely stand!” Scootaloo shouted back. “I know. I want him to pay for what he's done just as much as you. I do! But charging headlong into that... even I know that's not going to work.”

Apple Bloom sighed in an attempt to clear her head and release the tension that riddled her body. “Sweetie, with how he just stopped us, we can't just chase after him without a plan.”

Sweetie scowled at Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. “I'm tired of being told I can't help, that I have to sit still and do nothing while others try and fail to stop this guy. I'm going, you two, and that's that! He may have gotten the jump on me this time, but I know I can face his magic. I have to!”

Apple Bloom peered at her friend's face and saw a deep determination, and anger. Of course she's not going to give up this time. Her body's shaking from the effort of standing up, but her mind's decided even more so than before. We'd have to strap her down just to stop her. And that means Ah'll just have to come up with a really good plan, she thought resignedly.

“We will face him,” Apple Bloom said. She couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding at her own words. “We'll set out right away. Sky Chaser and Ah made the preparations for the journey.” She turned to Sky Chaser, gauging his reaction.

The stallion offered a knowing smile. “Well, since we made the preparations, it's best to make sure they don't go to waste. You three should head to my chambers to grab your supplies, it has been nearly two hours, I wouldn't be surprised if all the supplies have been delivered already. I'll fetch a few guards to see to these ponies.” He waved a hoof at the four downed crystal ponies. “Then I shall give my report to the Prince.”

“He's not gonna like this,” Apple Bloom said.

“Of course not, but I do believe he'll be even more worried about the Crystal Heart being stolen away. I've learned that with the prince, it's often best to bring him information where there are no variables. It's with such information that he makes his best decisions.”

“The prince is very practical, and he realizes when his actions would be a waste. Not unlike yourself, Apple Bloom.” Sky Chaser's words came back to Apple Bloom's mind.

So with Sweetie Belle being invariable in her decision, it'll allow me ta make my best decisions as well? She couldn't help but wonder.

“Sounds like a plan,” Apple Bloom said, turning back to her two friends.

Scootaloo was looking at her in surprise, while Sweetie Belle offered her a thankful smile.

“I'm feeling better already,” Sweetie said with confidence. “A small magic trick like that isn't about to stop me anytime soon. Let's go!”

* * *

End of Chapter 22

Chapter 23 - A Mind of Secrets

A Heart of Change – Chapter 23: A Mind of Secrets

By: SilentBelle

A dull pain pulsed through Scootaloo's body in time with her breath, becoming ever more noticeable as the adrenaline left her. It wasn't a terrible pain, but rather something that she was sure she could put out of her mind if she tried hard enough. She'd had more painful injuries from practicing and overexerting herself in the past.

While drifting down the hallway, she probed her side gingerly with a forehoof, and bit back a wince. With a sharp nod to herself, she concluded that the rib was most likely bruised but thankfully not broken. Letting out a sigh of relief she flew down the hallway to catch up to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.

“This way!” Apple Bloom called back to them, not bothering to turn her head to make sure they were following her. She was leading the charge down the hallways of the palace, and thankfully seemed to have a better grasp than Scootaloo of where they were in the palace.

Right behind Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle was running just as fast and breathing pretty hard. Her hair was an explosive, knotted mess of singed strands. The magic burst had certainly left its mark on her. Although beyond scorching her mane a bit and leaving her a little short of breath, thankfully there didn't seem to be any other side effects.

Scootaloo was frankly surprised that Sweetie Belle could still run after what had happened. Every time Scootaloo blinked she could still see the faint residual outline left from that pillar of magic. “You sure you're good to keep running, Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie let out an amused huff, which sounded like it was supposed to be a chuckle. She didn't look over her shoulder, nor did she slow her pace. “Of course, Scoots. Now's the time to act!”

“Just try not to overdo it. We can't sprint all the way out of the city and a hundred miles through the wilderness.” Scootaloo knew far too well how much a foolish, if well intentioned, sprint could detract from a ponies overall speed. She was also quite certain that Sweetie had no idea what it took to achieve an optimal pace.

Apple Bloom slowed to a trot, then finally to a stop. There was a spiral staircase to their right, and Apple Bloom nodded toward it. “Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, both of ya should head up there and get our supplies ready.”

“Woah, wait! And what are you going to do?” Sweetie asked, frowning at Apple Bloom.

“Ah'm gonna grab us some food from the kitchens real quick.” Apple Bloom looked back at Sweetie Belle. “Ah know you haven't eaten since ya got your body back. We've got a long journey ahead of us, and Ah'm not going to have any of us falling faint just ‘cause we didn't have supper.”

Apple Bloom then looked to Scootaloo and nodded with a small smile.

Scootaloo returned the nod. “I'll make sure Sweetie doesn't run off without you.”

“Hey!” Sweetie Belle shouted, but Apple Bloom ignored her and ran off down the hallway.

Sweetie let out a small growl and turned on Scootaloo. “What was that about?”

Scootaloo only shook her head and began flying up the staircase. “C'mon, Sweetie. Apple Bloom knows what she's doing.”

“Great, now you're both ignoring me!” Sweetie Belle huffed and ran up the stairs after Scootaloo. After a minute, her energetic sprint deteriorated into a slow canter, and finally to a walk. Her voice echoed up the last half circle of stairs “Ah, geez. Why are there so many stairs in this tower? Who built this thing?”

“I dunno, why not ask Apple Bloom when she gets back?” Scootaloo waited at the top of the stairs and opened the door.

Sweetie responded by rolling her eyes and moved through the door.

“Sweetie,” Scootaloo called after her and followed her into the room. The small library of a room certainly was what Scootaloo might have expected a court magician to have. All sorts of books, crystals and mirror could be seen no matter where she looked around the room. As she took a quick glance, Scootaloo was frankly surprised that there was only one painting of Sky Chaser hanging on the wall in a gilded frame, although the number of mirrors certainly had a way of projecting his image all about the room.

Near the door, Scootaloo spotted a heap of supplies. “Well, that certainly looks heavy,” Scootaloo remarked.

“What's Apple Bloom thinking? There's as much stuff here as my sister takes with her for a weekend of camping. How the hay are we supposed to carry all this?” Sweetie prodded a sleeping bag indignantly with a hoof. “And there's even a pot! That's got to weigh at least ten pounds.”

Scootaloo fidgeted with her wings uneasily, the movement reminding her of the dull throb at her side. She didn't look forward to wearing saddlebags, but she knew it would be silly to travel too lightly. “Apple Bloom knows more about hiking and camping than both of us put together. At the very least, I think we'll have all the supplies that we could want.”

“And then some.” Sweetie let out an annoyed sigh. “Lets pack this stuff up as quickly as we can.”

Scootaloo nodded and the two of them got to work. Scootaloo slowly and deliberately chose items one by one and fit them as snugly as she could into a saddlebag while Sweetie seemed intent to test the limits of how much she could cram into a bag with her magic.

“Sweetie,” Scootaloo said after a while.

Her friend paused and looked over to her. Her slitted eyes narrowed in a frown. “What?”

“I was just wondering. What happened back there in the courtyard?”

“That snake got away with the crystal heart, that's what! And now if we don't hurry up and track him down, he'll have the whole nation at his mercy.” Sweetie shoved a final item in her bag and struggled to fasten the clasps on the bag closed.

“No, I didn't mean that,” Scootaloo said, turning her eyes away from Sweetie. “Look, I'm sorry I let him get away. I could have chased him, I'm faster than he was, I could have easily caught up to the crystal heart and the shard of Discord. Maybe if I came in with enough speed I'd have broken the shield around the crystal heart...”

“Well, next time we'll just have to try harder,” Sweetie said dully.

“Maybe.” Scootaloo shook her head. “Sweetie, that's not what I'm wondering about though. Back there, you let off a huge spell. It was a giant lance of energy, like pure lightning that didn't fade away for half a minute, it was close enough that I could feel its heat even twenty feet away. I've never seen anything like that. What happened?”

Sweetie looked down at her hooves for a moment before responding. “There's something strange about my body. It's like I’m more attuned to magic than I’ve ever been before. Even now, I can feel my body drawing on the magic around me. Right now it's mainly the heat in the air. It replenishes my magic reserves faster than ever before. And back there, when that shielding spell struck me, my body reacted instinctively and started breaking down the shield spell right as it was about to bowl me over. My body took in the energy and stopped the spell in its tracks, but it was too much for me.”

Sweetie Belle sighed and rubbed her horn with a hoof. “There was as much magic, or maybe even more than Twilight has within her. It was burning and blinding... like trying to hold your breath for too long, or trying to stare at the sun. I didn't have time to think about it, my body expelled the magic as surely as you might gasp for breath after surfacing from a dive, or shield your eyes from the sun.”

Scootaloo looked at Sweetie's downcast eyes and considered her for a moment. “Does it still hurt?”

Sweetie shook her head. “Not really. For all the magic I used earlier, I still have a full well of it inside me. My body actually feels almost better than it has in years. Running is a lot easier now, even after what just happened I feel like I could go hiking for hours. Only my horn's a bit sore from the amount of magic that went through it, it's tingly, but it doesn't hurt. It gets this way from hours of overuse, or I suppose in this case, using too much magic at once.” Sweetie let out a small chuckle. “I haven't felt it like this in two years.”

“I was worried,” Scootaloo admitted. Her voice drew Sweetie Belle's gaze up from the floor.

Sweetie Belle gave her an irritated look. “You don't have to worry about me, Scoots. I can handle myself just fine! You should have just gone and chased after him. Maybe you could even have gotten the crystal heart back. All we needed to do was interrupt his spells a bit and the heart and Scoddri's shard would have fallen from his control.” Sweetie let out an annoyed sigh. “Geez, he's using remote magic, Scoots, which means that there's going to be delay in his reactions. It's a longer delay the further he is. If we kept the pressure on him, we would have stopped him for sure. But going back to see if I was okay just played right into his plan and he managed to get away. You should have followed through, darn it.”

I should have followed through? Even Sweetie's saying that now? Scootloo decided not to respond and got back to packing some of the supplies into her bag.

After a while, a knock sounded on the door, and both Sweetie and Scootaloo turned as one to the door. An amethyst crystal pony poked her head past the door. Scootaloo recognized the pony as Prism, the servant who had been looking after them since they had arrived in the palace.

“Oh, Lady Apple Bloom was right, you two are in Lord Sky Chaser's chambers.” Her voice had a slight waver to it, suggesting that she was mildly out of breath.

As Prism entered the room, Scootaloo took note of a large lidded platter which balanced on the crystal pony's backside. Scootaloo was impressed that the pony had managed to make it all the way up the spiral staircase without losing the load.

“So, Apple Bloom sent you here with food?” Sweetie Belle reasoned. “What in the hay is she doing now? We've got to leave as soon as possible.”

“Lady Apple Bloom said she had one last thing she needed to get before she'd head back here.” Prism walked over to a small table, and managed to swiftly offload the platter onto the table. She then looked to both Sweetie and Scootaloo apprehensively. “You're all going, then? Lady Apple Bloom said as much.”

“Yeah,” Sweetie replied. “And don't even think about trying to stop us.”

“Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?” Scootaloo asked, frowning at her friend. What's gotten into you, Sweetie?

“I wouldn't dare,” Prism said as bowed her head deep. “I'm grateful for what you three have done for the empire, and what you are setting out to do now. It has been an honour serving you.”

“Geez,” Sweetie muttered. “How much did Apple Bloom tell you about what we're doing?”

“Enough for her to understand that we are in a big rush,” Apple Bloom called from the open doorway. She entered the room and closed the door behind her. She had two saddlebags piled on her back. Scootaloo recognized the bags as belonging to both of her friends. “Ah had ta grab our stuff before we head out. Ah dunno 'bout you, but there're a few things that Ah want ta take with me.”

“But if you just blab about what we're doing to just any servant, Shining Armor could hear about it. He'd stop us and have us locked up in a room.” Sweetie gave Prism a measuring gaze. “I'm not going to let anypony lock me up.”

Apple Bloom gave Sweetie a reproachful glare. “If ya can't trust the ponies who do honest work, then ya might as well not trust anypony. Ah explained the situation to Prism and let her decide if she wanted ta help out or not. Oh, and thanks, by the way, Prism. You've helped out a whole lot. Ah hope I can find a way to repay ya in the future.”

“Oh, there's no need, my lady. It was no problem,” Prism said with a bow before heading to the door. “I wish you safe travels, and hope that there comes a time when I might serve you again.”

As Prism closed the door behind her, Apple Bloom sighed with a small smile resting on her lips. “Ah'm not a lady. But Ah suppose there's no sense arguin' about it now. Let's grab a bite and go.”

* * *

The food was quite palatable, delicious in fact. Sweetie hadn't realized just how hungry she had been, and she had nearly forgotten just how delicious fresh roasted vegetables could taste, especially the peppers.

For a moment, she had pondered how necessary it was for her to even eat the food, considering how her magic seemed to replenish at such a phenomenal rate. Perhaps, she'd thought, I could be like a diamond dog. They didn't seem to need to eat anything so long as they had a gem or two on their collars. However, it was only a second's pause before her stomach had protested in a rather audible fashion.

Once all three of the mares had scarfed down their meals and packed up the rest of their bags, they stood outside the door to Lord Sky Chaser's chambers.

Sweetie Belle took note that Apple Bloom had somehow managed to fasten two pairs of saddlebags across her backside, which looked entirely ridiculous to Sweetie's eyes, and she suspected that Scootaloo shared her assessment. But Apple Bloom had insisted that every single item she had on her was sure to save their lives in one way or another.

Scootaloo, on the other hoof, had packed her bag rather lightly, claiming that she'd sooner ditch all the supplies than be too weighed down to fly properly.

Sweetie reluctantly agreed to carry a bit more than she was entirely comfortable with, but she wanted to be prepared for whatever that snake was sure to throw at them. Out of her own saddlebags from Ponyville, she had only decided to bring along the hair clip that she had worked her attraction spell into, along with the tools that she'd used to work on the jewelry in the first place. She tucked the ornament into her hair, and happily left her books on jewel-crafting behind, as she didn't think there would be too much time for reading with the task ahead of them, nor did she suspect they would have all that great of a chance of coming back without receiving a fair amount of wear.

“Alright,” Sweetie said, giving her two friends a nod. “I'm ready to go. How about you girls?”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo affirmed before looking to Apple Bloom with a hint of apprehension. “Though, do you really think it will be so easy to get out of the city?”

“Ah do,” Apple Bloom said with a nod. “And if it's not, we'll just need to convince whoever's trying to stop us that we know what we're gettin' into, and that we aren't goin' to be stopped.”

“If you say so,” Scootaloo said and motioned to the door with a wing. “Lead the way. I could spend an hour walking around in this palace and still not find the front entrance.”

Apple Bloom took the lead, and Sweetie was quick to follow right behind her, while Scootaloo fell in a little further back.

Sweetie saw Apple Bloom's eyes flick between Scootaloo and then back to Sweetie as they descended the spiral staircase. “You two have a fight or somethin'?”

“It's nothing.” Sweetie shook her head. “I'm just glad that we're finally going to do something about this snake. I hate not being able to make a difference.” As she spoke the words, Sweetie felt a small flare of anger within her. Trapped. Pointless. Used by others.

That's not me! Those thoughts aren't mine! She tried to dispel the alien thoughts and emotions, but the most she could do was push them to the back of her mind, where she could feel them repeating and brooding in a pool of anger.

Sweetie took a few deep breaths and hurried after Apple Bloom while Scootaloo gave her a worried look from behind. Moving seemed to blur the strange thoughts, and she focused her mind on planning what to do next. If the guards don't let us pass, I can use a blinding spell, though it would hit both Scoots and Bloom if they weren't prepared. She cast her eyes upward and considered her horn. I have more magic in this body. I wonder if I could teleport all three of us without a gemstone for the extra boost. The thought made her flinch. No! I'm never teleporting again. I'm never leaving my body again.

The trio made their way through the crystal halls, as Sweetie continued considering her arsenal of spells available. The halls they passed through were empty of most other ponies. A few crystal pony servants could be seen entering certain rooms with cleaning equipment, and at one point, a pair of stallions were each pulling small metal carts layered with silver platters, en route to whichever nobles had decided to stay cooped up in their rooms for supper.

As for guard ponies, they only passed a pair of them patrolling down the hallway. Sweetie did take note that both guards eyed the trio's bags, but they said nothing, and only gave an acknowledging nod as they passed.

“They're going to tell Shining Armor that we're leaving,” Sweetie whispered to Apple Bloom once they were out of earshot.

Apple Bloom let out an annoyed sigh. “No, they aren't. They're going ta tell their captain, Snowfall, once they finish their patrol. That's plenty of time for us. Quit worryin' so much Sweetie. We don't have anything ta hide, right?”

Sweetie Belle frowned at Apple Bloom. “I just don't want an army of guards at our backside trying to arrest us.” As she finished the sentence, a wave of anger and a flickering hiss of words spread through her mind. Captured. Prisoner. Forever.

Sweetie felt a weight building in her gut, and instinctively looked inward to the pool of magic within her body. It was a deep fountain of emerald and with the slightest nudge of her mind, she felt it instinctively slip into her grasp. With her horn glowing ever so slightly, Sweetie felt confidence fill her steps once again. I have my magic, and no pony will ever be able to take that from me.

“Ah don't think they have the resources ta send an army of guards our way,” Apple Bloom said as they exited to the front courtyard of the palace. “Our biggest hurdle is getting' past those gates.” Apple Bloom pointed ahead with one hoof to the Palace gates, where four guards stood diligently, one of them was already staring directly at Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. “Just leave the talkin' ta me.”

“Halt,” one of the guardponies said. He was a cloudy roan colour of crystal and he gave the trio a sharp frown. “You are Shining Armor's royal guests,” as he spoke, the other three guards all turned to face them and each took a step or two closer.

“Yes, we are.” Apple Bloom nodded.

“And what brings you ladies out this evening? Palace guests should remain inside during a crisis such as this.”

“While we are guests,” Apple Bloom said, looking the roan pony directly in the eye, “we are here to help the Crystal Empire. Under royal orders, no less.”

“Royal orders?” The guard kept frowning at Apple Bloom. “What sort of 'orders'.”

“That's sensitive information,” Apple Bloom said evenly. “But Ah do have proof of our approval from the crown.” Apple Bloom reached toward her pack with a hoof and slid a piece of paper from one of its pockets.

The guard took letter from Apple Bloom and gave it a quick glance. He muttered parts of the letter as he read it. “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle... All working under the command of Prince Shining Armor to investigate incidents of grave importance... report findings directly to the council... And this seal? Lord Sky Chaser's?”

“The very same,” Apple Bloom affirmed. “The council is expecting us to return to them in a timely fashion, and we do not wish to disappoint.”

The guard pony gave the letter a few more cursory glances and then looked to his peers. “Well, it looks like the real deal. Only Lord Sky Chaser would seal a letter with golden wax.” He nodded to the other guards and they parted to either side of the gate. “I wish you well on your investigation, ladies, and do not hesitate to call upon the city guards should you need any assistance.”

“Thank you,” Apple Bloom said with a nod to each guard. “Keep up the good work, and Ah'm sure we'll get through this crisis.”

Apple Bloom then moved through the gateway with Scootaloo following close behind. Sweetie Belle blinked a couple times and then frowned at Apple Bloom before moving to catch up to her friends.

“Wow! That was amazing, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said once they had gotten out of earshot of the guards. “You played them for foals.”

Apple Bloom shot Scootaloo a sidelong glance as a small scowl formed on her lips. “Ah did no such thing, Scootaloo. The guards ain't a bunch o' idiots, they're a bunch o' hardworkin' folk, and Ah told them honestly what we were doin'. Ah meant every word of it.”

“Hmm,” Sweetie hummed idly. “Reminds me of Scoddri. He always told me the truth.”

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. “If that's what the truth sounds like, I'd hate to see your idea of a lie.”

“What do ya mean by that, Scoots?” Apple Bloom asked defensively.

“Well, you pretty much just lied to the guards. If you told them the real story, then you know as well as I that they wouldn't have let us pass. Neglecting parts of the truth is pretty much the same as lying.”

“It's not,” Apple Bloom shot back stubbornly as they marched into the city streets, though she didn't elaborate any further.

“Well, what's wrong with that?” Sweetie asked as she stole a glance at Scootaloo. “We all have things that we keep secret from others.” Sweetie could have sworn, Scootaloo nearly missed as step as the words were spoken.

“‘Lying always comes back to bite you in the rear,’” Apple Bloom said with a hint of regret in her voice. “Applejack used to tell me that often enough... But Ah'm not so ready to believe that it's always the case. Often, yeah. Sure, it happens a lot. But it's usually from a matter of not seeing the bigger picture. If Ah had told those guards every detail about what we were up to, then of course they'd have stopped us, not ta mention that it'd take a fair bit of time to explain it in full. Ah just made a calculation, Ah guess. It'll be better for both the guards and us if we omit some of the story.”

“Hey,” Sweetie said, casting Apple Bloom a small smile, “you don't have to convince me that you made the right choice.”

Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

Their agreement only seemed to flatten out Apple Bloom's indignant expression. “It's not you two that Ah need ta convince,” she muttered under her breath, although Sweetie heard her.

As they moved down the streets, numerous ponies and a handful of diamond dogs were carting supplies to and fro. Apple Bloom gave a worried look to the buildings around her, “That quake earlier, it looks like it did some damage to the buildings they were still working on. Ah hope nopony was hurt.”

“Well, we're gonna make sure that that snake won't be able to do this sort of thing ever again.” Sweetie Belle frowned as she observed the line of houses on the perimeter of the city which had collapsed, and the ponies who working tirelessly to fix them up. Sweetie Belle got the sense that many of the ponies were nearly at their breaking point, and were it not for the guards also assisting with the construction, despair would have likely settled in by now.

“Strange though,” Sweetie Belle remarked. “Despite how vicious that snake is, he certainly is taking care not to physically hurt the ponies with his ploys.”

“Ah've noticed that too.” Apple Bloom nodded. “And Ah can't help but guess at what he intends ta do.”

“Be a big jerk?” Scootaloo offered.

“Nopony is ever a big jerk just for the sake of being a big jerk,” Apple Bloom chided.

“Tell that to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,” Scootaloo muttered.

“They had their reasons,” Apple Bloom said sourly.

Scootaloo's wings shot out fiercely, causing the pegasus to suppress a wince, but she looked right into Apple Bloom's eyes unflinchingly. “If you're suggesting that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had good reasons to—”

“Ah'm not saying that at all!” Apple Bloom protested. “Ah know that what they did to ya was despicable, and there's no justification that could ever make their actions good. We all hate what they did. Ah'm just sayin' that even they had their reasons, as trite and amoral as they were.”

Scootaloo brought her wings back tight to her side and looked past the cityscape to the distant horizon. “Well, sometimes ponies are just jerks for no reason. Sometimes they are just evil.”

Sweetie Belle remembered the day which she was sure must be bitterly resurfacing inside Scootaloo's mind: The day Diamond Tiara had pushed Scootaloo too far. The broken nose that spoiled filly had gotten wasn't nearly enough, not when Sweetie Belle remembered how broken Scootaloo had seemed in comparison.

She remembered being in the clubhouse the afternoon after the incident and seeing Scootaloo, the filly who had finally found her cutie mark, reduced to an inconsolable, quivering wreck before her. Shouldn't a pony who was willing to do that to another pony be forced to feel the same pain? To break themselves in the same way? And yet Diamond Tiara had walked away from the incident simply with a broken nose and her dignity intact, and worst of all, she had been smiling because she knew she had won.

The world's unfair, Sweetie told herself and paused to look down at the golden necklace around her neck.Scoddri laughed at the world's unfairness, as though it were some cruel joke. And Red... She considered the necklace, Red Timber's gift to her.

He trapped me! Used me! The alien anger filtered into her mind once again.

Sweetie Belle shook her head to shut out the thoughts, then looked up to notice Apple Bloom biting back what she could only imagine was a rebuttal to Scootaloo's bitter assertion.

“In any case,” Sweetie Belle said, giving the nearby construction ponies a cursory glance to reassure herself that Shining Armor and his guard captain were nowhere nearby. “Let's hightail it out of here and put an end to this jerk's plans, whatever they may be.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom nodded. “But we're not going to hightail it. We're going to exit down the northern thoroughfare. After all, it's not like we're fugitives or anything.”

It kind of feels like we are, Sweetie Belle had to admit to herself as they circled along the perimeter roadway toward the northern junction, where a pair or crystal pony guards kept watch over the ponies entering and leaving the city.

* * *

Apple Bloom looked back over her shoulder and caught the last glimpse of the crystal spire at the center of the palace as it disappeared behind the crest of a rolling hill. They had been walking at a steady pace north of the city for a whole hour.

“Took long enough to get away from there.” Sweetie breathed a sigh of relief. “At least now we won't have to worry about guards running after us.”

“Well, once they find out that we're gone, they're going to send some guards after us anyway, right?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ah wouldn't be so sure,” Apple Bloom admitted. “They don't have the resources ta spare on searching for us. We're not particularly important in the grand scheme of things. Just three mares who are traveling of their own volition.”

“Hey, we're plenty important,” Sweetie said with a huff. “We may not be our sisters, but we are going to stop that snake of a pony. And even if we're not that important, Bloom, Scootaloo is. She’s Luna's new pupil after all. Maybe they will come after us.”

“Luna...” Scootaloo muttered worriedly.

“Yeah.” Apple Bloom sympathized with Scootaloo. “Up and leavin' the princess without tellin' her might leave her a bit angry. Maybe we shouldn't have--”

“No.” Scootaloo shook her head. “We're going to stop this snake, I'll explain it to the princess. She'll probably be waiting for me when I go to sleep anyways.”

“I never really thought about it before, but that sounds kind of creepy, now that I think about it,” Sweetie said. “Having the princess just jump into whomever's dream, whenever she wants.”

Scootaloo let out a chuckle. “It's not that random, Sweetie. Luna only visits those who either want to see her or need to see her.”

“Need to see her?” Sweetie asked doubtfully.

“Yeah. Some ponies need to see her.”

“But it's just dreams, right?” Apple Bloom added, curious as to the princess' methods of operations. “The stuff you dream isn't real.”

“Well, it's not real, no,” Scootaloo admitted. “But sometimes it's not entirely unreal either.”

“Oh?” Apple Bloom asked. “You mean like with the mind magic that Azure had done to him?”

Scootaloo spread her wings uncomfortably, then took to the air as she considered the question. “Well there's that too, but even with just regular dreams, sometimes they take the form of something very real for the pony dreaming it.”

“Like a schoolyard crush?” Sweetie asked slyly.

Apple Bloom chuckled while Scootaloo brought a hoof to her forhead and let out an annoyed sigh. “Yeah,” the pegasus said, “but a crush isn't likely to be causing huge problems for the pony in question. I'm talking more about fears, recurring nightmares and such. They can cripple a pony if they don't find an outlet for them, or some way to acknowledge the fears and overcome them.”

“Huh. Ah suppose that makes some sense.” Apple Bloom nodded to herself, though a thought occurred to her and she frowned at Scootaloo. “So how did ya end up becomin' the Princess' newest student anyways? If ya don't mind me askin' o' course.”

“It's a long story,” Scootaloo said uncomfortably.

“Well, we've got a long time to spend,” Apple Bloom said. “Why not spend it talkin' 'bout stories?”

Scootaloo looked down at her two friends, frowning for a moment before finally sighing. “Alright. I'll tell you both what happened.”

“Ooh, I love stories,” Sweetie Belle said cheerfully from behind the two of them.

“Well, it's not really a happy story, so don't get your hopes up.” Scootaloo shot forward and then turned in the air to face the two of them, flying backward in pace with the other two's walking.

“It all started before I got my cutie mark just after we formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I started having nightmares. I would dream that I was walking along in Ponyville at nighttime, with only the moon for light. Now remember, for the dreamer, the dreams always seem real. And as I walked, I'd start to wonder where you two were.

“'Where are my friends?' I'd ask. But only the blowing of tree limbs or dead leaves ever replied. And then I'd see the house my parents left me in the distance. No lights were on. It was an empty place with nopony inside. As I moved toward it, a cloud would suddenly move in front of the moon and darkness would overtake everything.

“I called out your names, hoping you'd answer, but there was no response. I'd wander in that darkness forever, just calling out every name I knew, hoping beyond hope that somepony would answer. But nopony ever would.

“Then eventually I'd wake up in my parents' old house house, in my bed, completely alone. When I woke up, I called out your names, and nopony came, just like in my dream. Of course you wouldn't, I live alone. I couldn't tell what was worse as I shivered in my bed. Was it the dream? Or was it the world I was waking up to?”

“Scoots,” Sweetie Belle said sadly.

Scootaloo merely shook her head. “If it had just happened once, I'd have laughed off my insecurities. Afterall, it's not like I was really alone. I had you two to hang out with at school and even afterward most days. But the nightmare kept repeating itself. Each night it was the same, and I remembered each detail. I was aware of how long I'd wander in the darkness each time. It wore me down, and each night I was afraid to go to sleep. And once I was asleep, I was afraid to wake up. I’d wake up frightened, until eventually I couldn't take it. In my dream I shouted every single name I knew at the top of my lungs, and eventually I said Luna's name.

“When I spoke her name, she answered me. She shattered the darkness and took me to a moonlit cloud. There, she comforted me and talked to me, and told me that I would never truly be alone again. I had you two, and all I had to do was call on her name in any dream, and she'd come running.

“I had asked her if the dream was real, and she told me that dreams are merely reflections of the mind, reflections of real fears and hopes and everything in between. 'So then how do I get rid of the bad dreams?' I’d asked.

“'Face your fears, Scootaloo,' is what she'd said.

“So I thought for a while and figured out that what I really feared is that you two would one day leave me behind...”

“Oh,” Sweetie said gently. “So then that's why you came to us back then and made us promise that we'd always be together.”

Apple Bloom remembered that event. Sweetie had been first to promise with an enthusiastic and overly naïve, 'We'll be together forever. All three of us.' While Apple Bloom had offered a grin and added, 'At least until we all get our cutie marks.'

Scootaloo nodded as she hovered in the air. “Yeah, hearing that from you two, really helped, and it stopped the nightmare for the most part. I wasn't having it every night anymore, but soon I discovered something else. It wasn't just that one fear I'd have to face, but anytime I had a fear, it would turn into a nightmare, so vivid and memorable.

“My fear of heights, Diamond Tiara, my parents...” Scootaloo shook her head. “It got bad enough that I had to call on Princess Luna again, and she answered just as she had said she would. It was then that she told me that she had originally thought that I had only been struggling with one deep-seated fear, but now she was certain that was not the case. She told me that I was a Lucid Dreamer—that I experienced dreams very realistically, and that I needed to learn how to properly control my dreams, lest they cause ruin in my real life.

“So she taught me how dreams worked, how to control them, and how to navigate them properly. And that's how she became my teacher.” Scootaloo settled to the ground and began walking with her back toward her friends.

“Wow,” Apple Bloom said in wonderment. “Ah never knew that.” The story astonished Apple Bloom. She had known that Scootaloo did generally keep most of her negative feelings bottled up, but she had never imagined that Scootaloo had been struggling with so many problems for so long. She doesn't have a real family to confide in. Just Sweetie, Rainbow Dash and me, Ah suppose. But even then, we've never really had a good heart-ta-heart.

“Well, I've never told anypony else about it,” Scootaloo admitted.

“Why not?” Sweetie asked sounding disappointed. “I wish I had known. Maybe I could have helped out sooner. I could have looked up a tome on dream magic. I'm sure Twilight had a book or two relating to that subject.”

“I didn't tell you because it's been bothering me for a long time. It was my problem to face and overcome. Even thinking of talking about it made me nervous, afraid, and embarrassed. Why was I the only one with these problems? Why was I so different from you two? I didn't want to worry you two, to pull you two away from your focusing on your cutie marks once you'd found out what they were.” Scootaloo paused for a moment before admitting, “And I thought that even talking about it might cause a gap to form between us. And that's the last thing I wanted to have happen. ”

“Of course we'd worry,” Sweetie said. “But you know that neither of us would have abandoned you. Not then, not now, not ever. We're the truest friends there are.”

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement. “We'll always have your back Scootaloo, just like ya always have ours. It's a promise.” Apple Bloom stopped walking and raised a forehoof to Scootaloo.

“Oh,” Sweetie said excitedly. “Just like old times.” She raised a hoof of her own over top of Apple Bloom's. “C'mon, Scoots.”

“It's Scootaloo!” Scootaloo corrected her and let out a huff. She then turned to face her friends.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders, friends forever,” Apple Bloom said with a smile.

“Friends forever,” Scootaloo agreed and put her hoof atop theirs.

With their promise freshly made, Scootaloo was the first to bound away. She leaped into the air and said, “I'm going flying, I'll be back in a bit.”

“She just doesn't know how to show that she's happy,” Sweetie said with a grin as they watched her fly up into the evening sky.”

“Ah suppose she's always had trouble expressin’ herself,” Apple Bloom admitted and watched as Scootaloo shot through the sky as an orange and purple blur before disappearing amongst the distant clouds. “But Ah think we can both agree that she's always happiest when she's flying.”

* * *

Scootaloo descended to the hillside clearing that Apple Bloom had chosen as their campsite, just after the sun finished setting. Apple Bloom was near the ring of campfire stones, poking at some burning pine logs with a stick. Sweetie Belle, however was just exiting their green tent.

The sight of her was still enough to shock Scootaloo. Those two fangs were unsettling, and the slit eyes set her uneasy. It wasn't so bad when she was around her for a while. All it took was to hear her voice to recognize that Sweetie Belle was still the Sweetie Belle she knew.

“Oh, I see you've come to join us now that we've finished setting up,” Sweetie said jovially, as she spoke, Sweetie used her magic to unfasten Scootaloo's saddlebags and deposit them inside their tent.

Scootaloo ran a hoof through her hair in embarrassment. “I guess I got carried away with watching the sunset.” She looked around at the camp. “Well, at least you have magic to set this stuff up, it probably makes things a lot easier. You remember what it's like to set up the old-fashioned way?”

Sweetie laughed. “Yeah, it tastes like wood, rope, and dirt. I'll take magic any day of the week.”

“It still tastes like wood, rope, and dirt,” Apple Bloom called out from the fireside. She had set a large pot over the circle of stones and, judging by the smell, she was cooking oats mixed with a fruit of some sort. “Let's get something ta eat, then call it a night.”

“Sweet! Apple Bloom, you're always great at making food.” Sweetie said as she grabbed three nearby ceramic bowls with her magic while she took a spot around the fire. “You should have a cooking cutie mark instead of a bunch of gears. I swear, you're even better than Applejack.”

Apple Bloom looked to her cutie mark for a moment before filling the three bowls, each with two large ladle-fulls of oatmeal. Once done, she sat down and grabbed the bowl hovering before her. “Once you know how to cook, it's pretty simple. It's just a matter of following instructions. Not that different from making furniture or raising a barn. Just lay out the plans and stick to 'em.” Apple Bloom said. “My cutie mark is fine the way it is.”

“There's no way cooking is that easy,” Sweetie protested. “Last time I tried to cook a marshmallow, I turned it green.”

Scootaloo chuckled, as she remembered the event, as well as shortly afterward being covered in the sticky remains of a whole bag of suddenly green marshmallows. It had taken them the rest of the night to clean up Scootaloo's kitchen.

“If you followed the instructions properly—” Apple Bloom said but was cut off.

“Why not just learn by trying it out and seeing what works? That's what I do with magic.”

“Geez.” Apple Bloom sighed as she dug into her meal. “Ah'm not even goin' ta try and argue that one with ya, since Ah already know how it goes.”

“I'm glad to see you've finally learned,” Sweetie said as she finished off her bowl of oats. She sighed and looked to the stars glimmering above them. “I'm going to bed. Might as well get some sleep, since we're going to set out at first light.”

“Good idea,” Apple Bloom said. “Scootaloo and I will handle the dishes."

“Bleh,” Scootaloo said, looking at the large metal pot. “Do we have enough water?”

Apple Bloom finished off the final spoonful of her bowl. “Ah got some earlier, since we're not far from the river.”

“Well, good night you two. Have fun.” Sweetie Belle lit her horn and cheerfully skipped her way over to the tent.

Scootaloo frowned after her and finished off the last two spoons of her oatmeal in silence as Apple Bloom put a kettle of water over the fire.

“Say, Bloom,” Scootaloo called out tentatively once the kettle started to boil. Apple Bloom looked to her and quirked an eyebrow. “Do you get the feeling that Sweetie’s trying too hard, or...” Scootaloo wracked her mind for the proper way to say it. “Sweetie's changed, you know? Don't you think that's got to have been hard on her? How can she still be smiling like that?”

Apple Bloom fished the kettle off of the fire with a pair of tongs, and poured the water into a bin already half-filled with cool water and some soap. Once she set the kettle down, she nabbed all their dirty dishes, tossed them into the wash bin. She then affixed a scrub pad to her hoof and began working away at the dishes.

“Yeah, Ah can't imagine it's been anything but hard on her. Ah wouldn't have any idea what ta think if mah body suddenly changed like that. What would mah sister and brother think? What would you two think? How can Ah get them ta treat me the same as they always did before? Those are all the first questions that would have popped into mah mind. And Ah'm sure Sweetie's thought of them as well.”

Scootaloo cast a worried gaze over to their tent. “Yeah, but she hasn't talked about it at all. She's just pretending that the changes haven't happened. She's forcing a fake smile, but it hurts to see her like that.”

“Wouldn't you do the same?” Apple Bloom asked. “It's not something she wanted."

“Yeah, but she's just running away from the problem, not facing it,” Scootaloo argued. “Shouldn't we ask her about it?”

“If she wants ta talk about it, Ah'm all ears. But Ah know better than ta pry.”

“Well, then. What do you think of it? Her eyes and her fangs?”

Apple Bloom sighed as she finished scrubbing off the bowls. “Ah don't rightly know what ta make of it all. Ah don't have enough knowledge of magic ta really know what's actually happened to her. Ah think it's strange, and Ah want ta know why it happened. But beyond that...”

“It scares me,” Scootaloo admitted and began drying the washed dishes with a rag. “When I asked her about it, she claimed that the change wasn't that important, and finding a way to fix it isn't worth our time. She said we should just focus on finding this snake pony. But every time I look at her now, it scares me a bit. It reminds me of that snake that we're after. Not only that, but sometimes it looks like she almost goes into a bit of trance or something, like she isn't really seeing the world around her anymore. Is she going to be okay? If she isn't, can we help her somehow?”

“Ah wish Ah could say that time will sort it all out, but Ah can't say that honestly. Ah'll try talking to her tomorrow during breakfast, before we head out. Ah know you two have always been closer to each other than ta me, and she's lucky ta have somepony so worried about her. Don't worry, we'll get ta the bottom of this.”

The two of them finished cleaning, drying and putting the rest of the dishes away, the act being punctuated by a mighty yawn from Apple Bloom. She then placed a comforting hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder. “In any case, there's not too much we can do about it right now. Ah think Ah'll get a bit o' shut eye for now. Put out the fire 'fore ya head in, alright?”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said quietly as she turned to the flickering flames of the fire. How can I help her?

Eventually she heard her two friend's soft snores emanating from their tent. Before her, the fire began to die, shedding it's soft orange glow barely past the ring of stones. It reminded her of the passive light of the moon; there were no stray flames to cause a flicker to the soft light, just the heat of spent wood, reaching outward to hold the world in a gentle embrace.

That was when an idea came into her mind. She looked over to the tent. But do I dare? She wondered for a moment, then looked up the half-full moon above, a wisp of cloud granting it a hazy countenance. She gave herself a curt nod. I'll do it, and I'll suffer the consequences, whatever they may be. I'm tired of not acting, of not making a difference. If I have a chance, I'll damn well try my best to help her.

With a fluid motion, she dumped the bin of water of the remains of the fire. With a sharp hiss and some popping, the embers were extinguished. The moon remained, leaving her just enough light to make out the silhouette of the tent.

Scootaloo stepped over to the tent as quietly as she could, nodding to herself as she heard both her friends still slumbering, but something was off. Sweetie's snores weren't just wisps of breath, but Scootaloo could hear some words barely audible, they shot the faintest shimmer of poisonous green across her sight. She nosed her way past the tent flap and inside. Once there, she allowed her eyes to adjust until she picked out the barest silhouette of Sweetie's sleeping form, and brought her head close to Sweetie's and listened intently.

“I... am... Sweetie... Belle...” Each word was punctuated with a sharp breath which sounded like a wince to Scootaloo. “I... am...” Sweetie fell silent, save for her tremulous breaths.

“Luna, watch over me,” Scootaloo said quietly as she reached within herself for the familiar sense of energy behind her eyes. Fixing her gaze directly on Sweetie Belle, she forced the energy forward, and felt it latch onto the sleeping unicorn. With a familiar falling sensation, her vision shot forward into the shadowed form of her friend.

A silence and darkness surrounded her.

Pale grays, purples and pinks.
And a chill fills the air as she thinks.
'I will help without compromise,
However I can. I promise.'
She pushes through the formless shadowed shapes
Forging a path, until the silence breaks
To her determination.

Scootaloo stepped out of the nothingness and felt her hooves brush against soft grass. She looked about and was quick to spot the crusaders' clubhouse, shadowed under the veil of twilight. Ponyville, of course. Alright, Sweetie, where are you?

Closing her eyes, she coaxed the energy from within her, out into the dreamscape. Sweetie Belle. She willed the energy to find her friend. She felt a stream of it rush out of her, but unlike when she was searching for Azure, in the crystal pony's dream, her energy suddenly split into three threads. There shouldn't be three threads if it's just chasing after Sweetie. That doesn't make sense. Scootaloo opened her eyes and saw the three threads of purple energy flowing from her, quite visible. One of the threads was heading directly into the clubhouse.

Shrugging with her wings, Scootaloo decided to follow the thread to the clubhouse. She walked up the well-maintained staircase and pulled open the door. As she had come to expect, behind the doorway was a thick darkness.

Doorways. Luna had always emphasized that doorways held great power within dreams. As minds often separated individual emotions and their associated objects, doorways were the connectors between such things. The sharp transitions between individual fears, loves and hates. Scootaloo let out a weary sigh. Alright Sweetie, let's see where you're going to lead me.

Scootaloo stepped through the inky darkness and was immediately greeted by a mid-noon sun, bright blue sky, lush green grass, and a hedge garden. Glancing about, Scootaloo noted the various statues of the Canterlot Sculpture Gardens. Then that must mean... With a frown, she moved forward and turned a corner, looking for the statue that she knew would be there.

The purple mote of energy flowed directly from her and past where Discord's statue should have been. In its place stood a stone statue of Sweetie Belle, the same size as she was when she was a filly with naught but a blank flank.

“Sweetie?” Scootaloo called out as she approached the statue.

The statue didn't respond.

At the statue's base, Scootaloo noticed a bronze weathered placard. It read: 'Sweetie Belle: Scion of Chaos'. Scootaloo frowned at it and examined Sweetie Belle more closely. There were tears in her eyes, as stony as the rest of her body, and her mouth was opened in mid-scream.

“That's how I saw her last,” a male's voice said sadly from behind Scootaloo. “It broke my heart to see her like that.”

She turned to see one of her tendrils of violet energy land upon an elderly, brown-coated unicorn with a white mane, red eyes and goatee looking back at her. Scootaloo was surprised to see the pony had motes of darkness spread over him like a spiderweb, or rather it was as if his skin had cracked with fissures to nothingness. He was lounging against another statue in the garden: Starswirl the Bearded.

“You knew Sweetie Belle? Who are you?” Scootaloo demanded, wondering if this piece of Sweetie's dream was dangerous.

“Her friend. Or at least that's what she called me.” The unicorn jumped down from the pedestal he was lounging on, and moved over to Sweetie's statue. Once at the base, he reached up a hoof and tapped the stone statue. “Of course, what sort of friend does this to the other?” He let out a dry laugh. “And now all I can do is sit and watch as she struggles within the stone.”

“But she's not in stone,” Scootaloo said. “Sweetie's alive and in the flesh.”

“Her flesh? I think not... She's forever gone. Her body is naught but memory, a thing to be seen in dreams. This statue is her memory. It will fade in time, change over time, fall to pieces over time, as all things must.”

Scootaloo frowned. “So her body's really gone then? For good?”

“For foolishness,” the old pony remarked with a laugh. “Her foolishness and mine. She lives, but has she really been saved if this is the price she must pay?” He shook his head.

Scootaloo glared at the pony. The fractures in his body revealed gaps to nothingness within him, the sight was unsettling to the pegasus. His cutie mark was completely swallowed by the darkness as well. “You... Who are you really?”

“Just a broken collection of memories of myself. The one who betrayed her, the one who hurt her, and the one who saved her. I have given her everything within my being, and yet it wasn't enough. All I had hoped for was a beginning or an end, yet I couldn’t reach either. Nothing is worse than a world which doesn’t change.”

The pieces clicked together in Scootaloo's mind. “You're... Discord?!”

“I was. Some time ago.” The pony sighed. “But the facade I wore is no longer mine. I am now undone.”

“What did you do to Sweetie Belle? What happened to her body?”

The old pony looked Scootaloo in the eyes for a moment. “You care for her. More so than I ever did, and perhaps that is why regret is all that remains.” The old unicorn let out a dry chuckle. “And yet I am now freer than ever before. The stone no longer weighs me down, the burden is no longer mine to bear.”

“Answer me, damn it!” Scootaloo scowled at 'Discord' and pressed her will upon him. “What did you do to Sweetie Belle?”

He smiled as he was pushed backward and slammed into the sturdy branches of the nearby hedge. “And that's how we find our answers, as always: we force others into submission.” He barked out a wheezy laugh. “I saved her. She was going to die, and instead of leaving her to her fate, I chose to intervene. I destroyed her body so that her body would not die in that instant.” The unicorn turned his head and his horn flared with a red magic.

A picture appeared in the air before Scootaloo, it showed the maw of a dragon crashing down upon Sweetie Belle, then in the next moment, she disappeared.

“You replaced her with the other Sweetie back then?”

“The other girl was a source of overflowing energy passing near our world, quite opportune. So I directed it to me and used the magic to save the girl from that overgrown lizard.” The old unicorn let out a bedraggled sigh. “So yes, I cause her to lose her body.” He nodded to the statue. “I wonder... would you turn a friend to stone if it would save their life?” He laughed bitterly.

Scootaloo winced and removed her will from him, causing the pony to slouch down to the ground. “Look, I'm sorry I forced you to answer, that was wrong of me. But thank you for answering.”

“It's no less than I deserve,” 'Discord' said.

“But I'm curious,” Scootaloo said looking at Sweetie's stone form. “Why did her body change the way it has? Shouldn't she have gotten her original body back?”

“Her body is an expression of her magic now. It's who she is—all she is—a thing of hidden crimes that she did not commit. She's inherited my burdens, all of them. But she has not the disposition to make them her own, to change them to suit her. Because of this, the source of her magic revolts against her, and if she does not change, she shall break.”

“Break?” Scootaloo regarded the old unicorn with worry. Can I trust his words? What reason would he have to lie? He’s Discord, Discord’s never needed a reason to lie. “Why's her magic revolting?”

“It's simply the nature of the magic inside her, the nature of an Element.” Scoddri said sadly. “Magic that is not your own—magic that rebukes you out of spite, fear, and anger—one has to face it with the determination to do anything, or it will break them. And the girl cannot do it. She’s too kind to do it.”

“Element? Like an Element of Harmony?”

“Yes. A principality of magic. The stones that are left behind are a physical embodiment of magic itself, each with their own wills and desires buried within them. They are nearly living things themselves. Only the strongest of magical creatures or plants could ever become Elements, a fact which I had discovered through the years of mastering the craft of magic myself.” Scoddri paused to look to the blue sky for a moment. “I had finally gotten my hooves on an element, through no small amount of sacrifice, but it would not respond to me, it had refused to acknowledge me. But I merely saw that as a challenge, harnessing its power was the next stepping-stone on the path to my destiny.”

“Where did the element come from?” Scootaloo asked uncomfortably.

“Chaos. Luck. The Endless Summer Breeze. The Laughing Mirage,” the old unicorn spoke the titles nonchalantly. “At least those were some of the names he was known by. I never got to ask him what he called himself, something in the dragon tongue, I suspect. An ancient emerald dragon he was, a large brute if you ever saw his true form. Over a millennium of magic stored within his body. He was a trickster, and a shape-changer, using his magic to hide in plain sight and doing as he pleased. Though he was perhaps a little too trusting at times. He moved wherever the wind blew him, as was his nature: Change.”

“So then, what did you do with his Element?”

“I bound it to myself, of course. The magic nearly overwhelmed me. But it was a risk I was willing to take. It would either destroy me, or I would control it, a gambit worthy of the destiny I had envisioned. And once I had bound the Element to me, the power I could command was more than I had imagined.” A slow smile came to the old unicorn's lips, his eyes glazed in nostalgia.

Scootaloo cleared her throat. “So the half-heart you left Sweetie, it was an element.”

“The same element I had bound to myself all those years ago. I offered it to her.” The old pony nodded to the statue of Sweetie Belle. “If she had taken it, I'd have finally been consumed by the magic and been set free, or if she had given it back to me, I'd have resealed its magic within myself once again, freeing me from the spell of the other Elements. The same gambit which I had been willing to make once before.”

Scootaloo shrugged uncomfortably. “But neither of those happened.”

“No. Twilight Sparkle intervened. She stopped me from completing the rebinding, and it left me shattered within the element.” He gestured to his fissured body and laughed bitterly.

“You know... Scoddri... Sweetie still cares about you,” Scootaloo said uneasily. “I always thought she was taking things a bit too far by always talking about you so fondly... I still do. But I'm certain she's forgiven you for what you’ve done.”

“Scoddri...” The old pony smiled sadly. “But she doesn't know yet, just how I have truly changed her—wrecked her—and when she finds out, there can be no place for me in her heart. Only resentment and a desire to change again.”

For a time neither pony spoke as they looked at the statue of the young Sweetie Belle.

Eventually Scootaloo noticed she still had two other strings of energy flowing from her. “Say, Scoddri, I have another question for you.”

“Your questions are as plentiful as hers ever were.”

“When I searched for Sweetie in this dream, I saw three threads directing me to her instead of just one, and one lead to you instead.”

Scoddri laughed softly. “Three threads for the three sleeping inside. She is no longer just the Sweetie you knew, but regretfully much more. It would be best if you learned to accept that sooner rather than later. Go and find out for yourself.” Scoddri raised a hoof to point toward an entrance into the hedge maze. A black sheet of nothingness stood between the towering walls of greenery, and Scootaloo noticed a thread of her energy lead that way.

“Alright,” Scootaloo said. “Maybe Sweetie was right about you...”

“I assure you, she wasn't.” Scoddri walked over to an empty pedestal. “She's naïve, and far too trusting, but perhaps therein lies her strength.” He leaped onto the stone pedestal and with a flash he became a stone statue of himself with large crevasses and cracks spider-webbing across his surface.

Scootaloo moved over to the statue and read the placard beneath it. 'Scoddri: Always a Fool'.

“Self-pity won't get you anywhere,” Scootaloo muttered and turned from the statue, heading straight to the hedge entrance.

* * *

Apple Bloom awoke to the sound of an electrical buzz. In surprise she opened her eyes to see a tendril of violet energy, flashing like lightning. She saw Scootaloo standing over Sweetie Belle, her eyes wide open, looking directly at Sweetie's face. Two lances of purple energy were shooting out from Scootaloo's eyes and drawn to Sweetie's horn as though it were a lightning rod.

“What in tarnation is going on here?” Apple Bloom looked between her two friends and could only begin to guess at what was happening. Should Ah move 'em apart?

* * *

The darkness transformed instantly to reveal what looked to be a cavern, portions of it lit up in the distance with a fiery light which Scootaloo could only assume came from open pools of magma. That’s strange… I doubt Sweetie’s ever been to a place like this. Most ponies never dreamed of places they weren’t familiar with, or if they did, there were usually telltale signs of the pony in question marking the dreamscape. This cavern, however seemed to hold no correlation to her friend whatsoever.

Scootaloo scrunched her wings up instinctively as she felt the weight of the mountain all around her and the heavy heat of a volcano press down on her. The glowing violet band of energy directed her toward a tunnel, through which a golden-green light emanated.

As she moved through the tunnel, it turned sharply and gave way to a large chamber lined with sconces which bore torches of golden-green flames. At the far end, Scootaloo saw a creature wrapped in chains. Emerald, large, and curled up over a pile of golden treasure.

Its green eyes smouldered as she walked towards it. Scootaloo noted that one mote of her violet energy was pointing directly at the dragon across the cave. “Hello!” she shouted across the cave.

The dragon blinked once then raised his head, then with a roar of primordial rage, it shot a torrent of golden emerald flame all the way across the chamber. Scootaloo only had a moment to deny the flames' existence.

As she pushed her will against the flames, knowing that they weren't real, it felt as though she slammed against a wall, and the fires stopped in place, but didn't disappear. With a scowl, she pictured the cave without the flames and forced her will upon it. After a second, she was left panting, but the flames dissipated into nothingness.

“Begone!” A rumbling voice shook the entire cavern. “Dream-child, you know not the powers you face. You are but a buzzing fly to me. Leave, or I shall destroy you, utterly and completely.”

“Please,” called out Scootaloo, “tell me! How do you know Sweetie Belle?”

“Sweetie Belle?!” The dragon snarled, tufts of smoke pouring from his nostrils “I will devour her! Right after I have destroyed you!”

Frantic, Scootaloo looked to the chains around the dragon's neck and sent her will at them, hoping to tighten them and choke the monster's neck before it could release its breath. But as soon as her will touched upon the chains, it met resistance similar as if she had just flown face-first into a mountain side. Whatever held the chains was a will far stronger than her own.

The dragon let loose another gout of flame before Scootaloo could collect herself. In desperation she tried to deny the fire, but she felt it flow around her, burning her, stinging her. It's a dream, it's not real! This pain isn't real! But the thoughts weren't enough. She could feel the flames closing in on her. Luna, it burns!

* * *

Scootaloo opened her eyes to find herself falling backward inside the tent and Apple Bloom tackling her to the ground, just as a flash of emerald flame erupted from Sweetie's horn.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom shouted. “Sorry Ah pulled ya out of there, but it was getting' too dangerous! The tent nearly caught on fire!”

“No,” Scootaloo said breathlessly. “You saved my flank. I was about to be roasted alive in there.”

“What happened?” Apple Bloom asked, glancing over to Sweetie Belle.

The unicorn's magic had ceased, however she was now moaning lightly, “I... am... Sweetie Belle...”

“I... don't know. But something's seriously messed up with Sweetie.” Scootaloo slammed a hoof against the ground in frustration. “There's something really dangerous inside her. Even worse than that snake's mind magic. And I don’t know what we can do to save her.”

* * *

End of Chapter 23

Chapter 24 - The Chains That Bind

A Heart of Change – Chapter 24: The Chains That Bind
By: SilentBelle

“What do you mean, 'There's something inside her'?” Apple Bloom asked Scootaloo.

The tent was barely large enough for Apple Bloom to stand up inside of, and by the light of Sweetie Belle's flickering horn, she looked down at Scootaloo. The pegasus was sitting on the floor of the tent before Sweetie Belle and had cast her eyes downward while her wings hung limply at her sides.

After a moment punctuated only by a few more winces from Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo finally spoke in a haunted whisper. “I went into her dream. I know it was stupid of me. I shouldn't do something like that without her permission first. But look at her! I had to do something!”

Apple Bloom looked over Sweetie's squirming form. The unicorn had slipped halfway out of her sleeping bag. Her eyes were still firmly shut, and her breathing came in irregular, sharp breaths while her horn shot off showers of glowing green sparks which fell harmlessly to the tent floor.

Thankfully, the earlier burst of fire seemed to have been a onetime thing, at least that's what Apple Bloom hoped. She wondered if perhaps dragging Sweetie outside would be a better idea. While the sparks didn't seem all that likely to cause a fire, if Sweetie did end up casting off another torrent of flame, their tent could easily be ruined.

“So, what did you find inside her dreams?” Apple Bloom asked.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and turned to face Apple Bloom. The pegasus' eyes were wide with worry, and the grip of fatigue showed its mark in the creases around her eyes. The pegasus looked more tired than Apple Bloom had ever seen her. Scootaloo's voice carried that deep weariness in her tone as well. “I had thought that ponies only ever dreamed of one thing at a time. The dreamscape is supposed to be an empty place, save for the dreamer and whatever she has imagined... but when I tried to track down Sweetie Belle, there were three different paths to take.”

“Three paths?” Apple Bloom wasn't too sure how Scootaloo's Lucid Dreaming ability worked, but she'd take what she heard at face value. “Where did they lead?”

“I chose to follow the closest one, and it led me to Discord—or part of him. Or something—I don't know. I didn't recognize him. He was just an old unicorn, not a draconequus anymore.”

“Was that his fragment, maybe? The emerald that Sweetie was trapped in. That used to belong to Discord, right?” Apple Bloom frowned. “So all these changes that happened to her body were because she took in part of Discord when she remade her body? Can magic even work like that?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Though since she's changed as much as she has on the outside, then it’s not unreasonable to assume that she’s been changed on the inside as well. Discord... Why couldn't he have just left her alone?”

“But that's not all,” Scootaloo said. “I don't think Discord's really the cause of this, or he's not the main cause anyway. We talked for a bit, and he seemed really... defeated. I don't think he ever wanted to do something like this to Sweetie Belle.”

“But he's Discord. He was the biggest trickster there's ever been. What if he was faking it? What if it's all just a scheme to take her over from the inside, or...” Apple Bloom wracked her mind. What does Discord want? Chaos? Freedom? Power? To be alive again? Could he use Sweetie to...?

“I don't know what Discord was doing there.” Scootaloo shook her head sharply. “But there's no point in dwelling on it. So, after a while, I decided to go down another path to try and find Sweetie and talk to her. And that's when I came across someplace strange. It was a really detailed cave that I'm pretty certain Sweetie's never been to.”

“What's so strange about that? You can end up anywhere in a dream, right?”

“It's just in the nature of dreams, Apple Bloom, seeing a cave like this wasn't right. If you go to someplace that you've never been before, the surroundings are usually very vague or even nonexistent. But this place—the cavern walls, all the stone—it all looked unique, rough, and so real. Unless Sweetie had somehow been there before in real life many times, if it were a recurring nightmare from her childhood, or if she were a Lucid Dreamer and had spent time crafting the cave of her own volition, then there'd be no way it would have looked so real. And then a second later, I figured it out.”

“You found another pony besides Discord in there?” Apple Bloom reasoned.

“Not a pony, it was a dragon. It knew that I was a Lucid Dreamer and it nearly got me with its flame when I tried to talk to him. If you hadn't pulled me out of the dream by tackling me, I'd have been roasted.”

“Not just in the dream, either. Flames shot out of Sweetie's horn and almost got you too. What the hay is a dragon doing inside of Sweetie's mind?” Apple Bloom wondered aloud. “This doesn't make any sense.” She gave Sweetie Belle another glance before whispering to herself, “But a Draconequus... a dragon pony. Then is the dragon the cause of Sweetie's new look?”

Scootaloo pulled herself to her hooves, in a sluggish manner, and she shrugged with her wings. “How should I know? What I want to know is how can we help her. It's obvious that she's in pain. Isn't there anything we can do?”

Apple Bloom rested a hoof on Sweetie's forehead for a few seconds. She doesn't have a fever. Just the irregular breathing and the bursts of magic. Ah don't think any of the medicine Ah brought will help her at this point. “We might just have to wait until she wakes up and discuss the situation with her in the morning,” Apple Bloom reasoned and moved back to her sleeping bag. “Hay, Scootaloo, you look like you could use a rest yourself. You're barely even able to stand upright.”

“We don't have time to wait around and do nothing, not with that beast inside her mind. Every second we can use to save her counts! Sweetie would do all she could to rescue either of us if the roles were reversed. Heck, she did exactly that with the mind magic the other day.” Scootaloo trembled as she placed a hoof on the unicorn's forehead and fixed her eyes upon her.

She's trying to enter her dream again! Apple Bloom sprung into action, pushing Scootaloo aside from Sweetie Belle and growled in irritation. “So you're just thinking ya can go back into her dream while you can barely stand? Without any plan, or any idea how to help her? What if it kills you? What will Ah say to Sweetie then? To Rainbow Dash?”

“I'm not afraid of dying, Bloom! I'd tear the flesh from my bones if it meant saving either of you two. I owe you two at least that much. I'm just afraid of one thing right now.” Scootaloo looked up at Apple Bloom, her eyes quavered in the faint light of Sweetie's horn. “What if I can't help Sweetie when she really needs help? What if I can't do anything? How can I be so powerless? Tell me, Apple Bloom. If going in there won't help her at all, then what can I do?”

Apple Bloom took a deep breath and fixed her eyes on Scootaloo. Yes, we're all afraid of being powerless, Scootaloo. Sometimes when Ah'm with you two I can't help but feel like Ah can't do anything to help either of you. No matter what Ah say, or however many plans Ah make, you're both always jumping forward without hesitation, without considering anything beyond your gut feelings, and you always pull us into trouble. But you're also both pulling us forward, leading us to places Ah never would have seen on my own. Ah can't help but feel like Ah just get in the way at times, that Ah'm powerless before either of you. But even so, if my objections and plans only end up helping once in a while, then that's enough reason to let my voice be heard. “It's too dangerous to go in there again Scootaloo. We're both at our limits. Let's wake her up instead, if we can.”

Apple Bloom reached out with her hooves and gave Sweetie's sleeping form a sturdy shake. “Wake up, Sweetie Belle!”

Scootaloo shook her head. “It's not going to work. She's deep into her dream. If she could be woken by normal means, I'd have found her as soon as I entered the dream. We can't reach her from out here.”

“Then we'll have to wait for her to wake up. All we can do for her is to make sure that we are fit and ready to face whatever we have to tomorrow.” Apple Bloom sat down on her sleeping bag. Across the tent, Sweetie continued her raucous and uneven breathing. She looks like she's struggling with a sickness or something. And what Scootaloo wants to do is no different than grasping at the closest random plant in a forest and hoping it has the right sort of medicinal property. If she goes into Sweetie's dream, Scootaloo's just as likely to make the situation worse as she is to make it better. “It's probably safest to let her dream her way out of it.”

“When she looks like this?” Scootaloo gestured with one of her forehooves. “When she's losing herself to that dragon?”

Apple Bloom turned away from her friends and slipped into her sleeping bag and clenched her teeth in frustration. As much as she hated not doing anything, she knew in her gut that waiting was the best option. “Sweetie's strong, Scootaloo. Ah believe that she'll make it through this.” Ah have to, because there's nothing else I can do. “Don't you?”

Scootaloo let out a disheveled sigh. “She is strong. And willful, and arrogant, and always getting into trouble. I always want to help her when I can. But when I can't, she always makes it through somehow. She's stronger than me.”

“Then let's do what we can to help her by resting up so we can support her when she gets through this.” Apple Bloom closed her eyes and laid back in her sleeping bag. Is this the right choice? Is there a right choice? If we do nothing can Sweetie really make it through the night? If Scootaloo entered her dream again, could she save her? But what would happen to her if she ran out of energy as she was in the dream? “Sometimes waiting is the hardest job of all.”

“Fine,” Scootaloo said bitterly, “I'll rest. But if she's still like this in the morning, I'm going in to save her, consequences be damned.”

Not that Ah would stop you if you actually did delve into her dream right now. In fact, Ah was half expecting you to do it anyways, Apple Bloom thought, with a twinge of shame. But you know that too, don't you, Scootaloo? Ah may argue with both you and Sweetie, but Ah still want you to make the choices that you think are the right ones. “Thank you, Scootaloo.”

Scootaloo just sniffed in displeasure before collapsing down onto her sleeping bag.

Apple Bloom listened worriedly to the sound of Sweetie's irregular breathing until sleep finally took her.

* * *

Fatigue called a morning chant within Sweetie Belle, as if it were a throbbing, distant, second heart. Each dull pulse brought her a sliver of awareness as her surroundings slowly became a half-coherent mess of magic.

Sweetie Belle felt a pressure exuding from within her. It felt as though she had run a hundred laps around the old Ponyville racetrack the day before. Although, she supposed wearily, such an analogy isn't really fair. I've never run around that track more than once. But I'm pretty sure this must be how Scootaloo felt every time she got back from an intensive day of training.

Sweetie opened her eyes and noticed one of Scootaloo's wings lay draped over her, warm and soft, and slightly haphazard, like an orange blanket left askew in the wake of a fitful night of sleep. Sweetie let a wan smile cross her lips. Her sleeping habits never change, huh? Gingerly, Sweetie fed a small trickle of magic through her horn and gently wrapped it around Scootaloo's wing, then, softly as a cloud, she eased her friend's wing back to her side.

When Scootaloo didn't wake, Sweetie let out a small satisfied sigh and rolled out of her sleeping bag and onto her hooves. As she moved to the front of the tent, the sound of a campfire crackled a welcoming from outside. Poking her head out the front of the tent, she spotted Apple Bloom at the far side of their campsite, sitting down beside the fire.

With a smile Sweetie moved toward her friend, the cool morning air causing her to shiver a little. “'Morning, Bloom,” Sweetie said quietly, as the mare turned her head to meet her. The earth pony had a notebook before her and a pencil in her mouth.

“'Morn,” Apple Bloom managed to reply before setting the pencil down along the open spine of the book. “Glad to see you're up.”

“Hmm, wish I could say the same,” Sweetie said with a chuckle as she turned her neck from side to side in an attempt to relieve a crick. After a few failed attempts, she just shrugged her shoulders and did her best to ignore the annoying feeling. “I feel worse for wear than before I went to sleep. I guess I slept wrong or something.”

“Oh?” Apple Bloom asked, a frown forming on her brow. “Anything in particular feel wrong?” As she asked, she slipped her notebook back into a nearby pack.

“Nothing serious. My body just feels tired is all. But it doesn't ache or anything, it feels... I dunno. Heavy, I guess?” Sweetie tilted her head back and gave herself a once-over. “Maybe I'm not used to having my body back.”

“Well, Ah'll put on some water for tea. Maybe that'll perk ya up some.” Apple Bloom got to work and threw a small log into the campfire before tossing a metal grate over the stones and placing a kettle atop it.

“Thanks,” Sweetie said, running a hoof through her messy mane, “I think that might help. Still, I can't believe that you can really start a fire, chop wood, and make tea, all without a horn. If it weren't for my horn, I wouldn't be able to spark a flame no matter how much I tried.”

Apple Bloom shook her head gently. “Y'know, Sweetie Belle, Ah think you just put too much emphasis on magic. Sure, it's useful and all, but there's plenty that we can do without magic.”

Sweetie clicked her tongue in exasperation. “You don't get it, do you, Bloom? Magic is in everything. There's no such thing as 'without magic'. So I can never put enough emphasis on everything.”

“Quit bein' difficult, Sweetie Belle. Ya know I meant just the spells that unicorns cast. You don't always have to use your horn to solve a problem, especially when your own four hooves can get the job done easier.” Apple Bloom frowned. “Just 'cause each different type of pony uses their magics differently doesn't mean that any of our different applications are automatically inferior to any other.”

“Well, sure...” Sweetie let a small smile creep to her lips. “But I think just about anypony would agree with me that setting up a tent with your mouth and hooves just isn't as practical as a unicorn's horn.”

“It takes more out of ya though,” Apple Bloom countered.

“Yeah, I suppose it does.” Sweetie shook her head and sighed. “I know what you mean though.”

“Really...” Apple Bloom shook her head but let the subject drop.

A short silence fell upon them, punctuated only by the whispers of a tongue of flame scraping against charred logs and the sound of water kettle coming to a boil.

After a minute, Sweetie smiled and sent a small tendril of her magic into the dancing pattern of flames before her, with nary a pause she twisted her emerald pattern until it shared the shape of flaming heat, and as quick as lightning she shot it out toward the source of the flames. The heat of flames was a simple pattern, and because of that, very easy to draw into her own magic. She pulled at it gently, and watched gleefully as her magic pattern began to grow from a faint fleeting mirage, to an emerald as true as any gemstone she'd ever come across. It still bewildered her that no other ponies could see such magics.

Using her bolstered magic, she formed a simple telekinesis spell and lifted the kettle from the grate and poured two cups of tea, and then left them alone so they could steep for a few minutes.

“Magic really is in everything, huh?” Apple Bloom said distantly as she gazed into the weakened flames. “And to think, you can really see it all.”

Sweetie let out a short chuckle. “Hmm? I thought you were still a little skeptical.”

“Well, Ah was. And rightfully so. But after lookin' over everything you've showed me, and testin' it out for first-hoof, Ah don't have any reason to doubt ya.” Apple Bloom reached a hoof into the saddlebags laying at her side and pulled out a small metal plate, about the size of her hoof. “Take a look.”

Sweetie frowned and grabbed the plate from her friend's proffering hoof. It was a simple thing of iron, though there was a decorative pattern which stood out, etched into its surface and painted with what could only be sylvite. “Is that the sigil for a light spell?”

Inquisitively, she fed a tendril of her magic into the patterned ink on the metal plate. As she did so, she noticed her magic running through the lines of the sylvite pattern, causing a pale glow to form in the center of the metal. It was a faint light, and the pattern wasn't as sharp as one she'd see from a typical unicorn's horn, but the fact that there was any glow at all was enough to draw a breath of surprise from her.

“Woah, Bloom, it actually works.”

“Ah just based it on the sketches you showed me earlier. It shouldn't be impossible to make a one that will allow a pony to fly.” Apple Bloom smiled nervously. “Honestly it still seems unbelievable when I see a light appear suddenly on that plate. But Ah still need to work out the right way to power such a pattern so that even those who don't have a horn can use it.”

“Well, one of the easiest sources of magic to use is fire,” Sweetie offered, “the heat can get strong enough to warp nearby patterns and draw them into the flame's pattern. That's what happens when the wood catches on fire.”

“A fire would be dangerous though,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh. “What about gemstones? How easy would it be to use those to power a spell?”

Sweetie nodded knowingly. “I like gemstones, they make for good sources of magic, and when they're used, they're reduced to simple dust. They have pretty much the simplest patterns of just about any solid object I have ever seen. Gems might be the best for what you're trying to make.”

“We're trying to make,” Apple Bloom corrected her. “But before Ah even get started on that, Ah think we have bigger things ta focus on.” Apple Bloom took the metal plate and fit it snugly back in its place in her bulging saddlebags.

“Yeah, we need to catch that unicorn, and stop him before things get entirely out of hoof.”

Apple Bloom hummed as she took a sip of tea. “But how are we gonna face him? What sort of plans do you have, Sweetie? Do ya have any good magic spells if it comes down to a fight?”

“You mean like magic dueling?” Sweetie chuckled smugly. “Well, I bet neither you nor Scootaloo knew that I actually went to Canterlot and participated in a magic dueling contest.”

“Really? That's a thing they do?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“It's a tradition that came from the royal guard and their training regiment. A way of assessing skill, though it eventually got popular enough for those who weren’t part of the guard, yet dabbled in magic, to start holding tournaments regularly. So it's more about flashy performance and spectacle, rather than winning a straight-up fight.” Sweetie shook her head sadly. “You score points by knocking your opponent off balance or deflecting their spells with your own. Turns out it's more of a game than an actually useful exercise. They didn't let ponies use any dangerous magic, in fact, doing so was strictly prohibited.”

“Ah see.” Apple Bloom nodded. “No sense in letting ponies hurt each other. So Ah don't imagine you won this magic dueling competition, bein' that if ya had, Ah'd have heard this story countless times already.”

“I got disqualified in the first round.” Sweetie Belle looked up to the distant morning clouds as she recalled the event. “I only agreed to go because it was an excuse to visit Canterlot again.”

“So how'd you manage to get disqualified?”

“Well, you're only supposed to use air magic or telekinesis spells to knock your opponent off their hooves. If you can get your opponent to have all their hooves off the ground at three separate times, or once for five seconds, then you win the match. However, I wasn't allowed to bring in any gemstones for the duel, which meant I didn't have enough magic to face any serious opponents. And I even told Twilight exactly that, but she insisted that I take part regardless. 'All certified magic teachers bring their students to compete in these matches', she'd said.” Sweetie snorted disdainfully. “She just wanted me to humiliate myself in front of everypony.”

“Ah doubt that's why Twilight wanted you to compete,” Apple Bloom said, her voice sounding a little hurt. “What was the prize if you had won?”

“Hmm... Money, a title, and bragging rights, I guess. As well as an official certification of magic-craft for the student who wins.”

“A certification of what-now?”

“It's what a unicorn who has practiced magic under a certified magician gets when they reach adulthood. Twilight said she would give me mine in a year if I manage to pass the final exam they have set up.”

Apple Bloom shook her head in wonder. “Wow. I never knew that there was such a system in place. What does being certified do for you?”

“It lets you use certain magic without causing legal troubles, but it also means you are solely responsible for all the consequences of your own spells. Until I get it, any consequences from my own spells, such as property damage, go through Twilight rather than directly to me. Though she changed her policy to make me pay for half of anything I break.”

“And that's what was always giving Twilight headaches then?” Apple Bloom laughed. “Ah should've known. But didn't ya want to be a fully fledged magician, recognized by Equestria and everything? Why wouldn't ya want to win the tournament?”

“Because they're too narrow-minded. Do you know what it's like to stand before them all and tell them that the way that magic works is actually different from what they think it is? And to even show them only to have them scoff and throw some garbage explanation back at you. 'Magic is an intuitive art. It's the expression of the self upon the world around us, the extension of our willful imagination.' Feh! They don't realize that magic is everywhere, in everything: me, you, that pine tree over there, and in all the air too.”

“Well, if they're just being too stubborn to admit that they don't know exactly how it all works, then the fault's on them, but it's also up to them to realize it.” Apple Bloom let out a sigh. “Their intuitive practice of magic has worked for them so far, so there's no sense in trying to make them see the world how you see it.”

“But there is sense to bringing about the truth behind magic to those who practice it. And I showed them at the tournament. My opponent kept sending telekinetic magic at me, but I grabbed her magic and stopped it every time before it reached me, and made the pattern my own. But then when I knocked my opponent on her rump, the judges said that I was cheating. They claimed that I put up a shielding spell, of all things, and said I broke the rules.” Sweetie felt a fire inside her chest growing at the memory, but she held it back. There was no sense in getting angry at Apple Bloom. Sweetie shook her head and took a breath to calm herself. “But it doesn't matter. That's in the past. I'll focus on showing them what real magic is about when I actually have to deal with those ponies again. We have more pressing issues to deal with right now, anyway.”

“Like how're we gonna face the unicorn who's been assaulting the Crystal Empire.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Back on topic, have ya learned any good combat spells over the years? The other Sweetie seemed to have a whole whack of magic to use in a fight.”

Sweetie frowned at Apple Bloom's words. Well, sorry that I'm not the other Sweetie. I didn't have much of magic supply to work with these past few years, and Twilight always tried to keep me away from any of the dangerous spells. Besides, when it comes down to it, those types of spells aren't very useful or practical outside of trying to beat you opponent to a pulp. “I know the principles behind the elemental combative magics, but I never practiced them much.”

“Well, then why don't ya show me some of the spells you know, then? Ah want ta know what you can do, then Ah can figure out how Scootaloo and Ah can best support ya if the worse comes ta worst.”

Sweetie smiled and moved away from the campfire. “The easiest of elemental spells is the lightning spell, simply because electrical magic is pretty much the most basic magic pattern. And because it's so simple, it tends to interact with other nearby patterns a little too well.”

Sweetie pulled a small amount of magic into her horn, and trained herself toward a distant tree. For a moment she tensed, and then she shot the magic out of her horn. She felt the discharge crack from her horn as she saw the faint green electricity dart out. It sped toward her target, but then curved down sharply a few feet from the tree, and struck the ground. “It doesn't travel far, because it's too attracted to other patterns. Though because of that attraction, it does disrupt other magic very well, but when anticipated, it's all too easy to ground it, or better yet, to take the spell and change the pattern to what you want.”

Apple Bloom nodded her head, and considered the magic for a moment. “So if you were flying through the air for whatever reason, using lightning spells would work better, right? Since there aren't too many obstacles for the magic to be attracted to in the open air.”

“Uh huh.” Sweetie smiled at Apple Bloom. If you were a unicorn Bloom, you could probably become one of the best magicians out there. “And next, we have fire.”

Apple Bloom nodded again, and this time she pulled her notebook back out of her saddlebags, and began penciling in her observations.

* * *

A hiss of something far too hot arched overhead and shot coloured streaks of orange, brighter than mere sunlight across Scootaloo's eyelids. Scootaloo opened her eyes to see the inside of their tent, empty, save for Scootaloo and her belongings.

“Hey, Sweetie Belle! Don't go throwing those fire spells so close to the tent! Do ya want ta roast Scootaloo while she sleeps?!” Apple Bloom's voice called out clear from across the campsite.

“I still had half a foot before it'd have caught the tent on fire. Don't worry, Bloom. If there's something I have when it comes to magic, it's finesse.”

“And a propensity ta land yourself in a heap o’ trouble.” Apple Bloom let out a short chuckle. “It wouldn't be the first time ya burned something by mistake.”

“Hey! The clubhouse was before I had any finesse with magic.”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom replied with a playful confusion in her tone. “Ah was talkin' about the time that you were trying those dryin' spells. Or the time Scootaloo was telling me about when you were trying to use those thunderclouds to boost yer own magic supply.”

“Well...” Sweetie said, her voice carried a familiar, flustered annoyance to it, the sound of it brought a small smile to Scootaloo's lips. “You can't cross bridges without burning a few.”

There was a moment of silence, punctuated only by the calls of a few morning birds and insect calls.

Apple Bloom let out a hearty laugh. “Is that your idea of an idiom?”

“Oh, be quiet Bloom!”

Scootaloo got up from her sleeping bag and gave her wings a stretch as she listened to her friends continue to bicker back and forth. Scootaloo was glad that her friends were in such high spirits, it had been too long since she had last heard Sweetie Belle speaking without despair, fear, worry, or cold anger colouring her voice. As for Apple Bloom, it had been quite a while since she had heard her laugh so heartily.

Scootaloo stretched out her joints contentedly. It had been too long since she had last awoken feeling so refreshed. Maybe I was making mountains out of anthills last night. She cherished the thought for a moment, but the image of Sweetie Belle's struggling sleeping form remained crystal clear in her mind. No. There's still something seriously wrong. I have to get to the bottom of this. But first, we should have breakfast.

Grabbing her saddlebags, Scootaloo made it out of the tent and headed toward the campfire, where Apple Bloom was making some sort of oatmeal in a pot over the fire.

A short distance away, in a clearing, Sweetie was frolicking around with a smile engulfing her face as she pointed her horn down toward the ground, then pulled upward with the speed of a whip. Following her movement, a series of stones shot up out of the grassy ground, which as much force as if somepony had bucked each of the stones. The arcing projectiles fell dozens of feet away, hitting the ground with a shower of muffled thuds.

“I call that one a stone shower. Once you figure out what sort of stones are beneath the earth it's a simple matter of using your magic to pull them to the surface and launch them wherever you need them.” Sweetie turn back to face Apple Bloom.

The unicorn had worked up a sweat, and her breath was a little short, but the smile she wore was the same as Scootaloo always remembered seeing for the past five years: the smile that she began to wear after she finally gained her cutie mark. She really does love using magic.

“Huh?” Sweetie's simple smile shifted to one of surprise. “Oh, Scootaloo, you're up!”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo moved near the fireplace and sat down, “and I'm starving.”

Apple Bloom gave the pot a solid stirring. “Just a little more and it should be done. Fruit and oats. Kinda bland, but it's what we've got.”

“I'm not going to complain,” Scootaloo said. “So long as we aren't just eating grass off the ground the whole way.”

“Well, we might have to do some foraging as we go. There's only so much food Ah could pack, so it's best if we keep an eye out for food along the way. There ought to be something we can eat in the woods, it's still summer after all.”

“I'm with Scootaloo on this one,” Sweetie said as she plopped down beside the pegasus. “As long as I don't have to fill my stomach with a bunch of soggy grass ever again, I think I'll live the rest of my life as a happy mare.” She then tilted her head toward her saddlebags and used her magic to bring her bowl out and proffered it to Apple Bloom. “All that magic made me hungry.”

Apple Bloom shook her head but gave in to the request and ladled her a bowlful.

Sweetie offered her a smile as she took the bowl back and stuck it with a spoon. “Thanks, Bloom. You're the best cook I know!”

“Ah wish Ah had a kitchen and proper ingredients to use, then Ah could really show ya what a good meal it.”

Sweetie nodded. “Alright, then. How about you do that once we get back to Crystal Empire? You can use the palace kitchens and cook up a storm.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom replied before filling two other bowls with oats. “Ah'd like that.”

“Then it's a promise!”

Scootaloo gave Apple Bloom an appreciative smile as she accepted the warm bowl of breakfast. Scootaloo didn't want the doubt to creep into her mind, but she couldn't shake the thought. Who knows if we even will make it back from this.

They spent a few minutes eating their meal as the sun rose higher, and the damp chill of the morning air began to dissipate. Eventually they finished eating and Apple Bloom was quick to volunteer to pick up some water from the river, on the condition that both Sweetie and Scootaloo agreed to wash the dishes. Apple Bloom grabbed her saddlebags and water containers from each of their bags before setting out.

Once Apple Bloom had left, Scootaloo turned to face Sweetie Belle. The unicorn was sitting down, watching as the fire slowly died out, her eyes traced lines that Scootaloo could not see. Scootaloo knew she saw magic, but it still felt strange to see her friend looking at something that she herself could never comprehend no matter how hard she tried. Maybe this is what it feels like for her when she watches me fly.

“Say, Sweetie...” Scootaloo felt her own words sticking to the inside of her throat as she spoke, but she refused to let herself fall silent. Scootaloo wished that she had only imagined what had happened the night before, that it had somehow just been a bad dream of hers. But she knew it wasn't, it couldn't have been. She deserves to know what I did.

“Yeah?” Sweetie asked, turning her head away from the fireplace. As she looked toward Scootaloo, Scootaloo felt a shiver run down her spine. The bemusement from Sweetie's face had suddenly disappeared, replaced by a gentle smile.

“Are you feeling okay? I mean, after last night...”

“Huh?” Sweetie glanced back at herself, as if to make sure that her body hadn't suddenly spread a pair of wings, or that her cutie mark hadn't suddenly changed on her. “I'm totally fine. A little tired, but otherwise, I've never felt better.”

Scootaloo looked into her eyes as Sweetie spoke. There was something about the way her eyes narrowed, Scootaloo could feel uncertainty quietly whispering out to her. And while Sweetie's smile was delicate, it didn't reach her eyes. It's her mask, Scootaloo realized. It's the one she wears when she doesn't want anypony to know what she's done. She's never worn it when she's looked directly at me before, because, after all, we were more often than not both partners in crime. I always thought that if she were facing me, she'd never wear it. A feeling of revulsion settled into the pit of Scootaloo's stomach.

“The weather's great, and I have more magic at my disposal than ever before. I just went through the four elemental exercises at full power without having to take a break. It was incredible. I wish I'd had this much magic sooner. I could have done so much more in the past five years.”

Scootaloo clenched her jaw tightly and looked right into Sweetie's eyes. Hoping to look past the mask on her friend's face. “And do you also wish you had that dragon inside you?”

A look of shock dilated her slit pupils, but to her credit, the fake smile on her lips did not waver. “W-What are you talking about?”

“The dragon chained inside you, burning with hatred and anger, with a deep growling voice—”

Sweetie's smile fell flat and fear pooled into her eyes. “How do you know about the voice?

“Last night, after you went to sleep, Sweetie, you were struggling.” Scootaloo didn't want to have to revisit the memory, but she couldn't falter, not now. “You kept saying, 'I am Sweetie Belle!' barely more than a whisper. Each breath you took was harsh, as if you were fighting for your life. I was worried that you were losing yourself to something. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't stir. So I entered your dream.”

“You... used your dream magic on me?”

“I had no choice!” Scootaloo interjected. “You sounded like you were in pain. I had to do something.”

Sweetie slammed a forehoof on the ground. “Scootaloo, you can't just jump into my mind like that!”

“No.” Scootaloo shook her head. “I know I should ask before I do something like that, but even so, I can't agree with you. It was wrong of me, but I'd do it in an instant if I saw you like that again.”

“But it's my mind Scootaloo! You have no right to go into it!”

“And you had a right to go into mine?!” Scootaloo rebuked, poking a hoof against Sweetie's chest.

“Well, that damn snake had you in his grips. If it weren't for me you'd be nothing more than a mindless slave right now!”

“I know that! But what about you, Sweetie? I saw that dragon inside you. He's not any better than that snake.”

“That has nothing to do with you, Scoots! It's my problem to deal with, I'll handle it on my own!” Sweetie's horn lit up, and Scootaloo felt a sudden pressure enclose around her, and she was pushed back a couple of feet. The bracelet around her foreleg sparkled brightly for a moment.

“You're wrong!” Scootaloo shouted back and leaped up beside Sweetie Belle once again. “If it's a struggle that you're facing, then I'll help you through it! And I won't take 'no' for an answer.”

“No!” Sweetie rebuked once again, and her horn began to flash brightly. “That is my answer!”

Determined, Scootaloo braced herself and looked Sweetie directly in the eyes. I'm not running away. Not this time! With every ounce of her will, she peered past the glaring light of Sweetie's spell, and into those slit eyes. Even as she felt Sweetie's spell press down upon her and constrict her, Scootaloo noticed the familiar sense of vertigo as though she were falling into Sweetie's open eyes.

With a small, triumphant smile, Scootaloo's consciousness faded for a moment.

* * *

Green as the trees' leaves,
These deep pools of water hold
A friend. She's drowning.

No hesitation.
Merely rebuking stillness
Through desperation.

She searches the green.
A forest of memories
She once had called home.

Alongside the wind,
Scent of the familiar
Entwines with fire's smoke.

She fears for the loss,
Not of the ephemeral
Past far behind her.

The loss of the path,
Treacherous, yet beautiful
She treads upon it.

A worthy pathway,
With a distant end unknown.
She holds fear and hope.

Close companions.

* * *

Scootaloo opened her eyes to see a familiar dreamscape. She felt the familiar cloud beneath her hooves, and she saw Luna's moon with Scootaloo's own cutie mark etched upon its surface. Scootaloo took a steadying breath. It was her dreamscape, the place she made to bring her comfort and solace from the world's problems, a place held deep within her mind.

Though if I'm here after delving into Sweetie's dreams, that means I've gone beyond just influencing her surface dreams. The surface dreams are merely the reflection of passing emotions, beyond such dreams are where the real self of any pony dwells. In here I'll get to see the real Sweetie.

Scootaloo looked out at her dreamscape and instead of just open blue sky, below her, she saw another dreamscape. Sweetie's dreamscape.

Scootaloo recognized the layout of Ponyville, though her eyes could tell that the buildings were little more than a backdrop, much like Luna's moon, or the peerless blue of the sky. However, at the center of Sweetie's dreamscape was a very real building which Scootaloo recognized immediately as the clubhouse—or at least most of it was. The front of the building had its familiar wooden ramp and raised porch, however, instead of having their observatory on the second floor, the building shared the same roofing and shape as Rarity's Carousel Boutique.

Strange buildings were not unusual to come across in dreams, in fact, Scootaloo was rather comforted that Sweetie held the two buildings as the most important places to her. Now I just need to meet with her and talk with her. I'm not running this time.

Scootaloo dove from her cloud and flew right to the entrance of the clubhouse. With a determined breath, she pushed open the door and stepped through the portal.

The room formed around her as easily as the open air breathes of wind, but the lighting was dimmer than she had figured it would be. The wooden walls and floor carried a familiar scent while faint streamers of dust flitted through the air—just what she would have expected to see from their clubhouse. Yet the familiar surrounding was warped in places. The wood gave way to cold, rough stone, as well as the soft incandescent from patches of nearly molten rock. To add to the strangeness, of the room—if it could even be considered a room anymore—the walls held patches of skeletal, half-dead bushes.

At the center of the room, nestled in a cocoon of shadow and dull orange light, Scootaloo could see a massive draconic figure with massive metallic chains running off its every limb. The dragon let out a soft snore as smoke rose from its nostrils. Its breath raised and fell evenly, the action causing a rumbling to fill the entire chamber, not unlike a slow heartbeat.

Around the dragon's neck, a particular chain burned deep red of incandescence, and Scootaloo's eyes were drawn down the entire length of it. At its end Sweetie Belle sat upon the ground. She looked just as Scootaloo remembered her being before she had lost her body. There were no fangs, no slit eyes, just Sweetie as she was. Although there was one difference: the chain which ran from the dragon pierced through Sweetie's chest. The chain was a seamless part of her.

Sweetie was scowling at the dragon sleeping beside her until Scootaloo's approach drew her attention.

“So you came in this way, huh?” Sweetie turned her face away, bitterness drawing her mouth tight as she clenched her jaw. “Well? Are you satisfied? Is this what you wanted to see, Scootaloo? What has become of me? These chains? This dragon and his anger?”

Scootaloo shook her head. “No, Sweetie, what I wanted to see was you and to make sure you are okay. I came because I'm worried about you.”

“Well, you don't have anything to worry about, Scootaloo. I'm stuck like this now. I bound myself to this dragon in exchange for my body back.” Sweetie gave herself a glance then laughed hollowly. In a mere second Sweetie Belle's features shifted from the Sweetie Belle of Scootaloo's memory and took on the draconic features of her new body. “It's who I am now, Scootaloo. I can't go back. This chain runs from my heart to his.”

“Then we'll find a way to break the chain,” Scootaloo insisted. She reached out with her will and pressed against the chain. As she did so, she felt a resistance and permanence surrounding the metal which dwarfed everything else in the dream around her. It feels as if the dream itself is centered around this chain. Like it's the only real thing in here. More real than me or Sweetie.

Scootaloo tried to fight against the thought in her mind, but there was a certainty to it that she could not shake. The chain was real, and she could not change it.

“The chain can't be broken.” Sweetie said sadly. “I tried last night. I used all the magic I have, and everything I could think of, and nothing manages to touch it. Besides, if I broke it, I'd probably lose my body. Then I'd really have nothing left.”

“But-”

“But nothing, Scootaloo! I made a choice when I cast the spell. I knew that it was risky. I was even prepared to lay down my life when I was casting it. I was.” Sweetie stamped a hoof on the hard rock of the chamber floor. “I don't regret my choice. I won't let myself regret my choice! I got my body back, and, sure, it's different. But what's life without a few changes? I can't allow myself to get caught up on something like this.”

“'Something like this'? Sweetie, this is you we're talking about. You can't just trivialize this problem!” Scootaloo shouted back. “Are you really saying you're fine with being chained to this dragon? I heard you last night, and then in your dream as well—the dragon was awake then, and he's not going to stay quiet when he wakes again.”

Sweetie winced slightly at Scootaloo's words. “But he's chained up, with chains that are stronger than anything I've ever seen before. I have it under control, Scootaloo. You don't have to worry.”

“Yes, I do!” Scootaloo rebuked and she stepped right up to Sweetie, their faces only inches apart. Dreams are a place of emotions, she tried to remind herself, to calm herself, but an anger and frustration had kindled within her, and her words flowed forth freely. “I always worry about you, Sweetie! Damn it all, but I can't help it!”

“But you can't do anything about this! These changes, these chains, they're permanent!”

“That might be true, but that doesn't mean I'll just give up on saving you. I'll never do that.” Scootaloo felt as though a coil in her gut tightening itself, and with it a fear pulled at her. It told her to run, to hide, to fly, to be anywhere other than where she was now. I won't run! Not this time! If there's one time I won't run, it's now!

Scootaloo reach up hoof which felt as heavy as the chain binding the dragon looked, and managed to place it on Sweetie's shoulder. “Because I love you, Sweetie.”

As the words left her mouth, Scootaloo felt the coil in her stomach disappear, and with it, her face flushed hot with embarrassment. The world around her shifted suddenly and she felt the merciful blanket of oblivion enshroud her.

“Scoots...?” Sweetie's voice of whispered surprise followed her into the darkness.

* * *

Beside her nearby pack, Apple Bloom stood before a gentle, shallow stream, the product of the melting glacier atop a nearby mountain. The water was clear and cool to the touch as she filled up a bucket and a trio of containers. She then took a drink, and let out a sigh.

“Ah. Fresh glacier water I see,” a familiar playful voice called out from her saddlebags.

“Lord Sky Chaser,” Apple Bloom replied as she turned and fished out the scrying stone that he had given her. The amber orb glowed in a faint golden light, in its surface a warped image of the blue unicorn dressed in flowing orange robes in looked back at her. It reminded Apple Bloom of looking upon the backside of a silver spoon, only instead of her own face she was greeted with his overly saccharine smile. She set the scrying stone gently upon the ground. “Ah figured you'd show up sooner rather than later.”

“Lady Apple Bloom,” he replied jovially, “I am most pleased that you deemed it necessary to bring along my scrying stone.”

“Ah was of half a mind ta throw it out a window,” Apple Bloom said with a slight smile on her lips. “But Ah figured it might fetch a pretty bit if Ah decided ta sell it, or at the very least, you might prove yourself to be of more use than trouble.”

“I live to serve,” he said, his image bowing.

“Amongst other things,” Apple Bloom finished for him.

“Indeed. There's no great purpose in tying one's self down to a single task.”

Apple Bloom considered his words for a second and then asked, “So how'd the Prince take to us up and leaving yesterday?”

Sky Chaser let out a small laugh. “With a clenched jaw, it was all he could do to stop himself from ordering half his guards to chase after you three. In spite of how you may have seen him act before, he's quite worried about you three. I haven't seen him so distressed about anypony since Twilight Sparkle last visited. The prince was most particular about focusing his glare upon me, as if it were my duty to keep three young mares locked in the palace. One could almost imagine he blames me for you three sneaking out of the city yesterday.”

“And you almost sound like you had no part in it whatsoever.” Apple Bloom shook her head at the insufferable stallion.

“I have a part in most of the things that happen within the Crystal Empire,” he conceded. “And my prince knows this. It is my job, after all.”

Apple Bloom still didn't know what to think of the stallion. She was certain that he was planning something, but that in itself was no surprise. “So then why are you scrying here anyway?”

“To say a simple 'Good morning'?” Sky Chaser offered. When Apple Bloom didn't smile, he simply let his own smirk fall. “Let's just say that the events of our distant unicorn friend don't show signs of stopping. It's not another quake, but it looks as though he is gathering storm clouds from the mountain wilderness and pulling them over the city.”

Apple Bloom frowned at the news. “Without the crystal heart, there's no way to protect the city against him. If he's able to power up another storm system, he'll have the whole city at his mercy.”

“Which is why the prince has formed a team of our best rain dancers to do what they can to quell the building storm.”

“Rain dancers, huh? Ah always wanted ta see how they managed the weather.” Apple Bloom looked to the boundless blue sky above her. “Ah'm guessin' every last cloud within in fifteen miles of the city is bein' pulled over there.”

“A fair assumption.”

“And how about Princess Luna? What's she up to?”

“She was wearing an even more foul expression than the prince when she heard that you had all run off. I bet Miss Scootaloo is bound to get an earful or two when next they meet. But for now though, Princess Luna is resting.”

With a sigh, Apple Bloom paced back and forth along the riverside. “Sounds like a mighty mess, you'll have ta deal with. But this could also be the perfect opportunity for us three. If that unicorn wants to make a concerted effort against the city, he won't be anticipating us, or rather, he won't be focused on stopping us from reaching him.”

“A conclusion I imagined you might make, Lady Bloom.”

Apple Bloom came to a halt and frowned at Sky Chaser's grinning image. “You sure do smirk a lot, you know? Considering the situation we're in, it seems rather inappropriate, don't you think?”

“They say smiling is good for the heart,” Sky Chaser replied. “And it's better than scowling at everything as my dour friend, Captain Snowfall, seems to do.”

Apple Bloom took note of the uneven smirk on Sky Chaser's face. It looked as though it were drawn out by practiced muscles. His eyes had a golden glow to them, and they were fixed on her. But in spite of the smile and his eyes, he looked decidedly expressionless, as though his face were a mask. “Doesn't each smile just cheapen the next one though?” Apple Bloom wondered aloud.

Sky Chaser laughed. “Only if they aren't genuine.”

“So, you're saying you can be genuinely happy all the time?” Apple Bloom let out a short laugh. “Nopony can be happy all the time. It seems kinda forced to me...” Apple Bloom let the thought drift away from her for a moment before shaking her head. “But that's not important right now. We have to get moving again, locate and stop this unicorn before he can do more damage.”

“Of course.” The image of Sky Chaser bobbed its head. “Being able to pull off such a feat would be quite the lofty accomplishment, but one should always remember what their true objective is.” With his smile still resting easy upon his lips, he pulled off an overly extravagant bow. “I'll contact you again soon, my lady.”

With a dull popping sound, the image in the crystal faded, and Apple Bloom only saw her own face reflected back at her. “True objective? Geez, what does that guy even want from me anyway?” she muttered.

He has a reputation for ruining other ponies' lives, and for having a hoof in everything that happens in the Crystal Empire. Though she couldn't help but think of the other side of the coin. He does hold Shining Armor in high regard, and likewise, Shining Armor seems to put a lot of trust in him. He's also got quite a bit of influence and finances as well. If Ah ever want my own plans to bear fruit, Ah might have to use him.

With a frown on her face, Apple Bloom grabbed the amber scrying crystal and put it back into her bags before heading over to the stream to take another drink.

* * *

“Scoots!” Sweetie shouted out as the world flooded back into existence before her eyes. With the ground reforming firmly beneath her hooves, so too did a fiery anger and sense of embarrassment envelope her. She turned her head about and managed to spot an orange and purple blur racing away through the sky, out of reach.

Sweetie ran forward, chasing after Scootaloo. “Hey! That's not fair, Scoots! You can't just do that then run away!”

“Because I love you, Sweetie.” Scootaloo's words echoed in her mind.

“You just say that to me then run?!” Sweetie clenched her teeth and reached into the pool of magic within herself and began weaving a familiar pattern with her magic. “I don't think so!”

I decided never to use this spell again, after what happened to my body. Sweetie shook her head fiercely and forced the magic into place. The three dimensional sigil formed around her horn brightly, almost bright enough to blind her, but squinting past the light, she made out Scootaloo's distant form. But I decided I wasn't going to drag Scootaloo into this either. But then she has to butt in and do this to me?

“Get back here Scootaloo!” As Sweetie shouted, she threw her will against one end of the spell's sigil, and lobbed it as far as she could toward Scootaloo.

She had only a second to prepare for the disorienting lurch as she felt the world shift around her. With a pop of magic, she felt her physical senses reawaken in the scent and cool embrace of the wind, and rush of empty air beneath her hooves, as well as the familiar shiver of magic fatigue pervading her body. But just below her was her target, and she set all other feelings aside.

Scootaloo only had a fraction of a second to look up, her mouth agape in surprise to see Sweetie's furious eyes gazing down at her. “Sweetie—”

“Scoots! Don't you dare try to run away from me after what you did!”

Before Scootaloo could respond, Sweetie Belle crashed into one of her wings from above, and managed to wrap her hooves around the pegasus' barrel. The extra weight and force of the collision, caused Scootaloo to spin out of control, and she beat her wings frantically to try and regain some semblance of balance.

Sweetie felt the violent rush of wind as the world began to somersault around her. But she didn't care about that. She looked Scootaloo right in the eyes and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Coward!”

The air thrashed around Sweetie as Scootaloo somehow managed to stabilize their descent enough to have a choice of what to crash into: a large conifer just on the fringe of a nearby mountain forest, the taste of which was quite decidedly pine.

With the sharp cracking of several tree limbs, both Sweetie and her target tumbled to the ground. Sweetie landed on her side, and Scootaloo on her back beside her.

With one steadying breath, Sweetie wrenched herself off the bed of dry needles and leaped squarely atop Scootaloo. Each of her legs pinned the pegasus to the ground.

“Coward,” Sweetie repeated.

Scootaloo winced, and Sweetie was certain it was because of her words rather than the fall that they had just taken. There were traces of tears in her eyes and she tried to look away. “Yeah, I know I'm a coward. I can't change that.”

“You damn well can,” Sweetie said fiercely. “Finish what you started! You said you'd never give up, you even go as far as to say you,” she paused for a second before finishing the sentence quietly, “you love me.” Sweetie felt a flush of anger fill her face. “And then you bloody well just run away in the next second? What in Tartarus is wrong with you?!”

Scootaloo flinched. “I don't know. Probably everything.” Through no small effort, she managed to turn her gaze back to Sweetie Belle. “I'm scared.”

“Scared?” Sweetie shook her head. “Yeah, who isn't? I just teleported a hundred feet into the open air, knowing full well that I wouldn't have enough extra magic to cast a feather spell on myself if I'd missed.”

“No!” Scootaloo rebuked. “Not like that. That's nothing, it's just a few seconds. I mean real fear. Everypony has at least one thing that they really fear, more than just about anything else. It's something I've seen in dreams--nightmares. In the worst ones, they are struck with those fears.”

“What? Like a pony can't be really scared of falling?”

“No. I mean like how you are afraid of losing your mind, Sweetie!” Scootaloo's face distorted into a frustrated cringe. “You were calling out in your sleep, saying, 'I am Sweetie Belle', over and over again. But there was doubt there. There was fear. Real fear.”

Sweetie shuddered as the words struck a chord in her. “She's right you know,” a familiar voice said quietly in her mind.

“Scoddri...” she whispered.

“You're scared, Sweetie, thinking that maybe you're going crazy, thinking that maybe your mind isn't only yours. Scared that you aren't the one in control.”

The chains, this cage. Never again! The thought was not her own, yet she felt the anger, the hatred, and the need to act. To struggle. It was the dragon's voice.

“And that maybe the voice you heard... Scoddri... maybe it wasn't real... Maybe it was just something you made up to protect yourself when you were frustrated or lonely.”

“No!” Sweetie shouted. “No! Scoddri was real. He was a friend and I couldn't save him!”

“I know,” Scootaloo said. “But the doubt's still there, right? The fear. The worry. All of it. So you try to ignore it, but it lingers. Because that's what true fear is. It stays there in your mind for you to face it. You face it again and again. Hundreds of times, but it keeps coming back.”

“Shut up, Scootaloo!” Sweetie pushed harshly against Scootaloo's pinned shoulders. “If you think you know so much about all this stuff, then tell me, what makes you an expert? What's your fear?”

“You,” Scootaloo said, her voice hoarse and nearly a whisper. “You're my greatest fear. How will she react when she finds out? What if we drift apart? What if you die in some magic stunt that you do? What if you lose your body and your mind?” Scootaloo shook her head. “I know I shouldn't worry about stuff like that, but I can't help it. You're the only thing in this world that gets to me like that. The only thing. That's why I'm scared, and that's why I ran.”

“But—” Sweetie tried to interject.

“But I also know that these fears and worries have to be overcome. They cripple me, just like yours cripple you. But I can help you, Sweetie. You can have your doubts about yourself, but know that I'll never doubt for a second that you are who you are, even if there's another voice or two in your mind. I know you, and I'll always be friends with you. What you mean to me is stronger than even that chain in your mind.”

Scootaloo gave Sweetie a small smile, though her eyes bespoke of tears. Those violet eyes had always been a reassuring sight whenever Sweetie had seen them before. Whether out on a crusade, doing homework, or just spending time in each others' company, those eyes had always been the same all those years—they carried the colour of solace and a constant reminder of friendship. But to see them quavering so delicately, as if a simple flutter of an eyelid could shatter them forever, Sweetie couldn't find the words to argue.

“So,” Scootaloo continued, “it doesn't matter if you don't care about me, but I'll be here to support you. Stronger than any chain.”

“I—” Sweetie began nervously, and stepped off of Scootaloo. “You're my best friend, Scoots. I've learned to depend on you and trust you since we first met, and I've probably even taken that friendship for granted sometimes. But you were right about my fears, maybe more right than you know. If it weren't for you or my sister believing in me and trusting me, I don't think I could have continued on from that day in Canterlot. So, thank you, Scoots.”

Scootaloo pulled herself up from the ground with a small smile and a larger groan.

“But as for your... uh... confession. I don't know what to say. I'm flattered, but I've never thought of you like that. I'm sorry.”

“That's fine,” Scootaloo said with a forced smile.

“But,” Sweetie continued, and walked over to her friend, “I've never thought of anypony like that before. Ever. I've never really thought about it, so I can't give you a real answer. Not yet anyway.” She reached up to Scootaloo and pulled her into a hug. “But I know how you feel about me, so, thank you. I will tell you when I know. I promise.” Sweetie closed her eyes as she held Scootaloo in a firm, yet gentle embrace.

Thank you for putting up with me.

* * *

End of Chapter 24

Chapter 1 - A Gift and a Choice

A Heart of Change – Chapter 1: A Gift and a Choice
By: SilentBelle

Soft and distant. That's how the clouds looked to her. Such a sharp contrast to her own inner feelings, it was almost mocking. Her stomach clenched and tightened inside of her as a sickening feeling filtered through her body. In an attempt to sooth the building uneasiness, she turned, only to see those soft, white clouds floating so far away.

I can do this, she told herself in an attempt to suppress the rising feeling of her nerves. This is my dream, and I've trained as hard as I can. I know I'm ready.

She glanced to her left and right. Numerous fit, young pegasi flanked her. They were all waiting at the start line, some doing some last-minute stretching. She noticed they nearly all had cutie marks that had to do with wings or lightning. Of course, her own cutie mark did as well. Regardless of that fact, Scootaloo gulped at her own rising doubt. I hope I'm ready.

With her legs threatening to quake beneath her, she directed her gaze outward toward the distant clouds, upon which, numerous splashes of colours could be seen. A large crowd of family and sports enthusiasts lined the cloudy parapets, which marked the three mile long course. A short race, to be sure, and Scootaloo knew she had to beat the three-minute mark if she had any hope of beating out the rest of the competition.

Don't think about it! she mentally chastised herself and tried to occupy her mind with looking at the crowds. It took her only a moment to spot her mentor and honorary big sister. Rainbow Dash was easy to spot with her particular mane and her choice of the highest perch in the whole arena. I'll catch up to her! I'll show her I'm ready today!

Scootaloo didn't let her gaze linger, and instead scanned the rest of the crowd. There's a lot more ponies than I thought there'd be. With each colourful figure in the distance, she felt that weight in her stomach strengthen in intensity as their joyful shouts filtered over the distance and reached her ears. Each sound spun a small thread across her vision, each distinct in their colour and barely visible, but enough to cause her to shake her head to try and free it of the spectral lights. Ignore them. They don't matter, she hoped to convince herself, although that sinking sensation seemed more present than ever before. Why won't they just start the race already?

“You can do it, Scootaloo!” A distant, familiar voice caused a singular emerald strand to flicker through her sights. She barely distinguished the voice from the rest of the crowd.

Sweetie Belle? But, that's not possible! The crowd was sitting upon clouds. A feat that only pegasi were capable of.

Quickly, she set her attention to sifting through the masses of bodies, and tried to pinpoint where the voice came from. But there were too many colours, and the noise didn't help at all. She couldn't spot her friend.

“Racers! On your mark!”

The voice sparked like a red lightning bolt across her vision. It nearly caused Scootaloo to jump out of her own skin. She scowled at the uniformed representative who had shouted the words. He was a strikingly-indigo stallion with eyes as red as his voice had been. He brought a whistle to his lips, and as he did, Scootaloo forced herself to drop her emotions, and quickly tensed her muscles in preparation for the beginning dash.

The whistle blew suddenly and jarringly, but her reflexes kicked in and she leaped forward quickly with a practiced grace. She was no pushover. She had something to prove today.

She allowed her mind to block out the world around her and focued on what she had to. Get to the front of the pack as fast as possible. She buzzed her wings as quickly and powerfully as she could. The short wing-strokes sped her past the bulk of the competition, and before twenty seconds had passed, she was in the lead. This is where I to be. But that position came at a hefty price. Even for a young mare as well-trained as she, a sprint of acceleration would take its toll before the end of the race.

Her lungs gulped in the cool air, yet craved mroe with every breath. The muscles on her back burned with a familiar fire of exertion and quietly begged her to stop. She wore her body's pain plainly upon her face in a tight, open-mouthed scowl. It's nothing, she told herself.I've been through worse! Now, just stay ahead. Come on wings, keep on beating!

It felt like only a moment had passed. She was flying so fast, and the course twisted so quickly, she barely had time to register when the finish line came into view. Her wings burned as they pumped away furiously, and she pointed her fore-hooves as far forward as she could. When suddenly, from the brim of her periphery, she saw the figure of another pony pass her in the last possible instant.

Scootaloo could just barely register the yellow blur that streaked past, followed by a green blur, then a blue one. And in the next second she felt tears sting her eyes and her wings give out as she crash-landed across the finish line.

The crowd around erupted in cheers, with many of them hopping up and down in the stands. It echoed in Scootaloo's ears as a haunting melody.

I lost? Through blurred vision, she could make out the forms of happy pegasi hugging each other. How could I have lost?

A sickening sensation gripped the orange pegasus. Quivering, she leaped from the cloud stadium, and in an instant dove off the side toward the distant field below.

* * *

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom strode unsteadily upon the clouds, trying to reach the finishing area before the contestants could finish the race.

“Did you see how fast she took off? That was amazing! She was moving faster than one of Twilight's teleportation spells! I hope we make it down there before she does,” Sweetie Belle said breathlessly to her companion, while making sure to keep her boxed present and attending crystals firm and safe in her green magical aura.

The present was a small little thing. An orange box with purple lace wrapped tightly around it. But what was inside was of great value, and Sweetie Belle was extra careful when handling it. For if she let go of it with her magic, the gift would tumble through the clouds in the blink of an eye.

Floating alongside the box were three small gemstones, glittering in the sunlight: a topaz, a ruby, and a sapphire.

“Yeah, she was somethin' else alright. Ah could hardly believe that was Scootaloo. Ah've never seen her move so quick in mah life, and hay, we see her practice all the time. Oh look, here they come!”

They watched as their blur of a friend bounded the last turn, and began slowing down in the last few seconds. They couldn't help but elicit a gasp in unison as they saw three other blurs, which had been close behind, suddenly speed up and pass their friend. In the last three seconds of the race, they saw Scootaloo go from first to fourth amidst a band of blurry colours.

“What just happened?” Apple Bloom asked her friend, hoping that what they saw wasn't true.

“I don't know.”

“Look, they're putting the names up!”

Following the yellow earth pony's pointing hoof, Sweetie saw the names being written on the board. Sure enough, Scootaloo was in fourth place.

“Sweetie!” Apple Bloom said in urgency. “Look!”

Sweetie turned just in time to see Scootaloo leap from the edge of the cloud stadium.

Sweetie ran toward where she had just seen her friend jump. “Shoot! Apple Bloom, we gotta go after her! Look, I learned a 'Feather' spell a while back. Let's go!”

“Woah, hold it! Yer askin' me ta jump off the clouds with ya? We're nearly a mile off the ground. Can't we just take the balloon? Ah mean, no offense, but what if yer spell doesn't work?” Apple Bloom had been nervous enough just walking on the clouds. The idea of jumping from them made her outright blanch.

“Well, you trusted my cloud-walking spell well enough. Come on, we have to go now or we'll never catch up to her!”

“Ah'm not jumpin' off of a cloud at this height,” she said firmly, lowering her voice nearly to a whisper. “You know ah'm scared o' heights.”

“Oh, right, I forgot. Sorry, Bloom. You take the blimp down. I'm going to follow Scoots!”

With that, Apple Bloom watched as her impulsive friend bolted off before she could convince her otherwise. Sweetie made her way to the edge of the cloud and leaped, her present and the gemstones floating beside her all the while. The topaz gem shimmered as she made her move, and half of it dissolved into an emerald haze.

Sometimes, I wonder how my friends can't have a lick of sense between the two of 'em. Shaking her head, Apple Bloom made her way toward the blimp they had borrowed for the day. As she walked, she remained exceedingly focused upon her footing. The spongy cloud would sag like freshly fallen snow with every step, forcing the action into an arduous task. The quicker I get back on solid ground, the better. Peering over her shoulder she cast one last look to the finish line. Ah sure hope Scootaloo's alright.

* * *

Once the only the sound she could hear was that of the wind thrashing through her ears, Scootaloo screamed as loud as she could. As painfully as she could. It was her dream, the one thing she always knew she was going to do, the one thing she always knew was the truth of her life, her reason of being, and she had just let it slip through her hooves.

Snapping out her wings in anger, she moved to pull herself out of her fast descent. The sudden force caught her strained muscles painfully. With a slight yelp, she struggled to pull herself out of the dive and came a lot closer to the ground than she intended before she managed to break free from the dangerous dive.

Three seconds later and that could have been a disaster, she thought to herself. The pegasus wiped her brow nervously as she hovered in place, staring at the ground where she had nearly made herself into an impromptu crater.

Three seconds? Her anguish quickly returned, but it was of a quieter sort, dark and brooding and pocked with feelings of doubt. Three seconds... I was so close! How could I mess that up? I should have tried harder! I should have--

“Scootaloo!”

The emerald voice shattered her thoughts and her brooding was quickly replaced with a sense of confusion. “Sweetie Belle?” the pegasus asked as she spun on point to look upwards.

Sure enough, the unicorn in question was above her, falling and twirling head over hooves in a rather strange manner. Scootaloo dashed toward her falling friend as quickly as she could and caught the tumbling mare. Sweetie Belle was surprisingly light to the touch, almost as if she weighed as much as a cloud.

“Thanks, Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle said happily, giving her friend a light hug. “I didn't expect to be caught.”

The pegasus, however, did not return the gesture as she set the other mare down on the ground. “What were you thinking?! You could have died! What were you doing up there anyway?”

“Oh, don't be silly, I used a 'Feather' spell to make it so I wouldn't hit the ground very hard. I know what I'm doing,” Sweetie Belle replied with a light smile. “And it wasn't just me up there. Apple Bloom was there too.”

Scootaloo let out a sigh of relief. “I swear, Sweetie, you can cause so much commotion at times, it's almost like you're Discord himself,” she said with a shake of her mane and a hollow laugh.

Sweetie Belle had always seemed to be able to distract others with her antics, and the trouble she got into had only escalated after the unicorn had discovered her cutie mark and a certain knack for troublesome spells. And now, five years later, the young mare before her was as mischievous as ever, and with a whole arsenal of magical tricks to choose from. It actually brought a small grin to the pegasus' lips as some distant memories surfaced in her mind.

“Well, he did teach me magic,” Sweetie Belle pointed out with a laugh.

“Yeah, but did he teach you to jump off of clouds a mile off the ground?”

“I believe he would have found the action to be entirely reasonable and wholly entertaining. It was like that time we tried to get our skydiving cutie marks, only this time I knew I was perfectly safe.”

Scootaloo merely shook her head at the memory of assuring both her friends that skydiving would be 'entirely safe' so long as they wore helmets. It had been the last time the Cutie Mark Crusaders had ever tried to get an extreme-sports cutie mark. As the memory faded, so too did her smile, and she took on a more somber demeanor. “But really, Sweetie, you and Bloom were both up there? Then that means you saw--”

“You were amazing!” Sweetie Belle interjected. “I've never seen you fly so fast before. It was so much better than all your practice flights!”

Each word registered as a blow to Scootaloo, and from those blows she felt guilt flow outward, as if blood from freshly opened wounds. Scootaloo turned her gaze away from her friend in shame. She couldn't look at that sweet smile or those innocent eyes any longer.

“Oh, here, look. I got this present for you.”

Scootaloo managed to turn in time to see her friend catch a slowly descending box, as it floated down from the open sky as lazily as a flake of snow. Sweetie Belle scooped it up easily in her magic aura and fished the trailing three gemstones out of the open air as well. The unicorn then grabbed the present in her hooves while standing on her hind legs, presenting it to her friend with a smile.

It was an orange box with a simple, purple ribbon lacing it together. Such colouration identified the purpose of the present. “It's from me. I made it myself,” Sweetie Belle stated proudly as she extended her hoof even farther, toward the pegasus. “Just for you.”

“No,” Scootaloo interjected firmly, knocking the box out of her hoof. The gift presented itself to the ground with a soft thump. “I don't something like this. Sweetie, you saw me up there. I blew it! That was my dream. That was everything. I trained and trained so hard, and in that moment, I just let it get away from me! I see it now, so clearly. I can't do it! I'm not good enough, and I never will be good enough to catch up to her. She's beyond my reach. I've been deluding myself for so long, thinking that I had a shot at being the next best flier, the next Rainbow Dash. But, I have to face it. I'll never be able to top her. Never. Some ponies are just better than others, and that's the way it's always been. I'm sorry, but, just leave me alone for now. Please...” Her last words were choked out as a whisper as she turned and fled the scene. She didn't dare to spare a glance back at her friend to see how she reacted.

* * *

Apple Bloom lowered the balloon with care and it landed right beside Sweetie Belle. The earth pony noticed her friend was frowning slightly. She was holding the present easily in in her magical grip while her trio of gemstones spun around it in an irritated helix.

“So, ah imagine things didn't go as ya planned?”

“Scootaloo can be such a hothead!” Sweetie Belle retorted, jumping into the balloon's basket with her inventory in tow.

“She prolly just needs some time ta cool off. Besides, if yer sayin' Scootaloo's got a temper, well then that's callin' the kettle black.”

“Hey! I don't have much of a temper,” she replied with a halfhearted pout.

“Well, maybe temper ain't the best word fer it. But ah'll give away mah tools if you two ain't the most impulsive ponies ah know.”

“Impulsive? How?”

Apple Bloom gave her friend a questioning stare in response. “Do ah really have ta mention that y'all both jumped right off the edge o' the stadium in the blink of an eye, not twenty minutes ago?”

“That's not impulsive,” Sweetie Belle tried to rebuke her friend, the comical tone her own voice betrayed her. “It was just a quick tactical assessment.”

“Right. Ya keep tellin' yerself that why don't ya?”

“Very well, I shall,” Sweetie Belle replied, concluding the conversation by sticking her tongue out.

They both shared a laugh as they rose from the ground in the blimp. Apple Bloom made all the necessary alterations to the craft to steer it back towards Ponyville, though she decided to keep the altitude as low as possible, just in case something went wrong. No sense fallin' farther than we have ta. The ground always had a way of giving her the feeling that it was pulling at her whenever she was a sizable distance away from it. She wrapped one of her hooves a little tighter against one of the corner ropes.

Before too much of a silence had set in, Apple Bloom cleared her throat lightly. “So, uh, what happened anyway?”

“She said something about all her dreams failing or something. She sounded pretty angry too. Heck, she even threw away my gift.” Sweetie waved the present around with her magic to further accentuate her point. “And to think of all the effort I went through to make it for her.”

“Now Ah know ya told me ya wanted it ta stay a secret 'til Scootaloo opened it herself, but now Ah'm seriously worried. Ya made it yerself?”

“Hey, what's that supposed to mean?”

“Well... yer not much of a craft-pony,” Apple Bloom replied bluntly. “Heck, ah'm surprised ya actually managed to wrap it properly.”

“Hah, yeah, I know. But all those times back then, I was never really serious. I was always more focused on getting a cutie mark than the actual task at hoof. But this was something that only I could make for her. Also, trying lace seems to be a lot easier after spending about five years shaping magic into its different patterns.”

“Now yer just makin' me more curious,” Apple Bloom replied, but let the topic drop with a single shake of her head. The movement was curt and her braided mane only served to accentuate the simplistic motion. “So, you think she'll be okay? Sounds like that race was pretty important to her.”

“Oh, she'll be fine, I think. Scootaloo's tough, and you know it, but she needs to cool down for a bit. She has more going for her than she realizes, but it might take her a while to see it. And maybe a bit of effort on my part.”

Apple Bloom couldn't mistake that glimmer in her friend's eyes. “Sweetie, what are ya plannin' this time?”

“That's a secret,” she said with a wink as she placed her two fore-hooves upon the side of the basket and looked over the edge. She watched as Ponyville swiftly came into view beneath them. “Home sweet home!” she exclaimed with a mischievous smirk and pulled the present close to herself. “Thanks for the ride, Bloom!”

“Sweetie, ah told ya before, not to--”

“Jump off?” she asked and leaped from the basket. Her horn glowed for merely a moment, and the rest of the topaz diffused into a haze of magic. She let out a hoot of joy. The orange and violet gift trailed behind her, flanked by the remaining two crystals.

“--while it's still flying!” Apple Bloom finished her sentence as she moved to stabilize the now-swaying basket. Has she always been this reckless? Regardless of the answer, a smile came unbidden to her lips. She shook her head one last time and got to work bringing the blimp down near the library. She had a feeling Twilight would appreciate getting her hot-air balloon back sooner rather than later.

Wait. Why in the hay am Ah the one that has to bring it back? Sweetie was the one who borrowed it in the first place!

* * *

Scootaloo hovered over the small building. Looking down at it, she winced inwardly. Home... She didn't feel like going home now. That's where they'd look for her, she was certain. That's where Rainbow Dash would confront her. Turning from the sight, she left toward the outskirts of Ponyville. She needed some time to think.

Flying down to the ground, she began pacing between the apple trees of Sweet Apple Acres, trying to stop herself from thinking. A long time must have passed. It was past suppertime and the sun was just slipping under the horizon, but she had no appetite. She didn't see any point in eating. She let her suppressed thoughts flow forth and tears of frustration filled her eyes.

It's all over. This was my one shot and I didn't get it. I'll never be able to get the recognition to get into the Wonderbolts Academy. They only take the best of the best. What can I do? she asked herself in doubt, giving her own cutie mark a glance. Two purple wings, with a purple triangle at the center. Even my cutie mark amounts to nothing. I'll just become some weatherpony who's only good for moving clouds. Hours and hours of training, of seeking the sky, of chasing after Rainbow Dash, begging her to help me train, and I never even came close to catching her.

Admit it, Scootaloo, she told herself firmly, you always knew she was out of reach. Like a dream you knew would never be fulfilled.

Then what can I do? What do I have left? She glanced about, looking for some sort of answer or sign, but the twilight sky with its faint streaks of colour only served to bring back memories of her teacher. Her big sister, her idol, and her dream. What will she say to me? Will she just brush it off like Sweetie Belle did, pretending that I didn't just mess everything up? Will she give me sympathy or laugh it off like some joke and tell me 'better luck next time'? Or will she stare at me with those magenta eyes in silent disappointment? The image made her cringe inwardly. I tried as hard as I could. I was in peak form, I let out all the stops, I gave it everything I had. I just wanted her to be proud. I told her that I'd show her, that I'd beat out the rest of the competition. But now, I feel so lost.

She continued to wander around for a while until all traces of the sun had disappeared, and eventually the pangs of thirst and hunger were enough to break her free from her self-centered melancholy. With her head hung low, her body aching, and her misery worn like a cloak, the pegasus slunk back toward her house to get some food, drink, and some much needed rest.

She stopped just outside the door, when a flicker caught her eye. Somepony's inside. There was a light filtering out from the side window, faint and blue. Instead of entering through the door, she peered in, searching for the light source. Craning her neck, she managed to spot the intruder. Sweetie Belle sat in a chair and was slouched over the kitchen table, fast asleep. Beside her, a sapphire crystal glowed consistently.

With a soft sigh, Scootaloo opened the door as quietly as she could, so as to not wake her friend. Taking to the air in a graceful step, she hovered over to the kitchen and looked at her friend in the dim lighting.

The curly two-toned mane splayed out in a chaotic snarl, and her tail was just as disorderly. Her cutie mark: a heart, as emerald as her eyes. Then, she noticed that Sweetie Belle wasn't wearing the golden necklace that she normally did.

Scootaloo frowned. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen the unicorn without it. As Scootaloo continued to scrutinize her friend, she noticed: at the center of the table, just beside the mare's head, was the box of orange with purple lace holding it closed. Although it looked slightly worn, and one side was slightly dented, it lay there all the same, beckoning to her.

After a moment of hesitation, she settled down into a chair beside her friend and eased the box into her hooves. I don't deserve this, she told herself, but lifted the box firmly in spite of her thoughts.

Reaching forward, she worked at the tied knot with her mouth. After a moment, it slipped free with a soft whisper of fabric. She opened the box.

A piece of parchment lay immediately beneath the lid slightly crumpled. With a swift motion, she slipped the paper onto the table and gave it a quick glance. A poem by the look of it. Blinking a couple times and squinting, she made out the words by the light of Sweetie Belle's small, glowing gemstone.

I remember days when we were small,
You'd always be there, looking to the sky.
I knew it then, as now do we all,
How your passion ever was to fly.
So I made this gift as a memory to hold tight,
As the embrace of the best of friends.
So please accept it now and continue your bold flight,
While chasing your true dreams until the end.

My true dreams? she wondered doubtfully and, had Sweetie Belle not been sleeping there, she would have laughed mirthlessly. Regardless, her body shook from the silent, bitter laughter.

She then looked inside the box and gingerly felt between the paper filling. Something cool and metallic clicked against her hoof. Gently, she drew the gift out from the box. It was a silver amethyst bangle, and it looked to be sized perfectly for one of her forelegs. There was a pattern engraved along its metallic surface, creating a series of intricate lines between the amethysts. She wondered for a moment at the precise hoof-work.

Sweetie Belle made this? But, she glanced at her friend's sleeping form, she's never been good at making anything simple, let alone something as complex as this.

“Do you like it?” Sweetie whispered with a smile, her eyes snapping open.

“Ah!” Scootaloo shouted, as the green voice sparked across her sight, causing her to dart into the air out of reflex. She fumbled with the bracelet as she did so, nearly dropping it. “Sweetie Belle, you were awake?!”

“Hmm?” she murmured contentedly. “Oh, I was very much asleep, and waiting for you to open the present.” She then began rubbing her eyes with one of her fore-hooves and let out a soft yawn. “So, do you like it?”

The pegasus settled back down into her chair and collected herself with a single large breath. “It's beautiful. I love it,” she replied honestly, but not without a look of confusion. “But why give me a gift? I just failed--”

She was interrupted as the unicorn's hoof pushed firmly against her lips.

“You didn't fail!” she insisted firmly, her eyes wide, staring earnestly at her friend. “You flew the best I've ever seen you fly, and I'm proud to have you as my friend. That's why I made the bracelet for you.”

“But I didn't make it--”

“That doesn't matter! What matters is that you tried. I saw it. You tried your hardest out there. Harder than any other pony I know. Harder than I've ever tried. It was a sight. It was inspiring and beautiful. It wouldn't have mattered if you came in last or first. I saw that expression you wore, proud and certain as you chased after a dream that was far beyond your reach.”

The pegasus only turned her head slightly, cringing at the feeling her words brought forth.

“You know, Scootaloo, I've always looked up to you as a friend, and I still do. Honestly, if it weren't for the way you were always chasing your dream, looking to the sky and following in Rainbow's hoof-steps so diligently and enthusiastically, if you weren't so focused, and so pure in your efforts, I think I would have lost my own dreams long ago.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo voiced her confusion.

“Well, I remember after I got my cutie mark, I had a focus. I threw myself into learning magic because I wanted to be sure that I'd never lose anypony dear to me again due to my own inadequacy. And learning magic was, and heck it still is, an amazing and fun thing to do. But I still felt as though I was missing something, something important. I realized it when I was hanging out with you. I saw it every time you looked at the sky and the way your wings would flick subconsciously. That drive I saw in your eyes: that's what I was missing. And it was that which made me realize that I should have a dream, a goal to strive for too. I couldn't just dwell on my regrets forever. I had to spread my own wings, so to speak,” she said with a light smile. “That's what helped me decide my dream.”

“Your dream?” It was the first time Sweetie Belle had ever mentioned having a specific dream of her own, at least as far as Scootaloo knew.

“Yeah. I never told anypony else before, but I have a nice and simple dream. I want to make jewelry.”

“Jewelry?” Scootaloo asked with a quirked eyebrow. “Seems kind of sudden, but then again...” She lifted the amethyst-studded bracelet in her hoof. “You made this all by yourself?”

Sweetie Belle gave a proud smile and nodded to her friend. “My first piece of jewelry.”

“But when did you learn how to do make it? No offense, but you were always awful at making things. Especially apparel.”

“Well, I may not have the best fashion sense,” the unicorn admitted readily, “but when I heard that you were going to be entering the 'Best Young Fliers' Competition', I just knew I had to do something. It was around that time when I found some neat books on metal manipulation spells. I also asked my sister to teach me her gem-finding spell. I came up with this idea. Perhaps there was something I could make that had real value. It took six months to make it from when I initially planned it. I had to buy a lot of the supplies and learn how to manipulate and heat the metal properly. I broke a few of them by accident and I almost gave up after the first try, but eventually I got the hang of it.”

“It certainly is high-quality,” the pegasus admitted as she turned it over in her hooves. “Wait, it took you half a year to make it?”

“Well, it was a learning experience. Besides, you probably wouldn't notice it, but it's no ordinary jewelry. Go on, wear it.”

Now quite curious, Scootaloo complied with her friend's request. She pulled gingerly at the delicate silver latch with her teeth. After a moment of fumbling, she opened the bracelet and slipped it onto her right foreleg, then lightly pushed it closed. The metal bangle clasped firmly closed and rested snugly against her fur. A perfect fit. How did she... ?

Her thought was interrupted as she felt something; it was a jolt that made her fur stand up, almost as if she had rolled around on a carpet in the midst of winter. With a light shiver she threw her friend a questioning gaze. “Sweetie, what was that I felt? It was... I dunno how to describe it, it just felt weird.”

Sweetie Belle smiled broadly. “It's from the pattern I made with the amethysts and the lines that run through the silver. It's called a spell formula, a sigil, or a pattern. Whatever you want to call it. Most unicorns only ever use them in rituals, but I can see them in every spell, so I decided to see if I could kind of make a more permanent form of ritual, a more practical one. So I got rid of the catalyst agent and...” She trailed off, giving Scootaloo a sheepish look. “Well, what it really comes down to is that I enchanted it, and it will keep you safe.”

“Yeah, I never really understood all the technical bits of magic, no matter how many times you explained it to me,” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. She held her right leg up and examined the bangle. Keep me safe, huh? “So you want to make magical jewelry? I've never heard of anypony with a job like that.” She let out a small laugh. “But I'll be wing clipped if it doesn't suit you. Thanks for the gift, Sweetie. It means a lot.” She gave her friend a quick hug.

“No,” the unicorn replied kindly, “thank you for inspiring me. I'm proud to have you as a friend.”

Scootaloo's eyes widened at the words, and a few tears caused her vision to blur. She only strengthened her embrace, lest her friend catch a glimpse of the sight.

* * *

Apple Bloom was breathless as she approached Scootaloo's small bungalow. Apple Bloom was still a little unclear as to how her friend had managed to secure the property as her own. She knew it had something to do with Scootaloo's parents, but she didn't like to pry too much into her friend's affairs, especially where her parents were concerned. It was a touchy subject for the pegasus, and one Apple Bloom avoided bringing up herself. Though it did serve as a firm, unspoken bond that the two could share.

The young mare opened the door to her friend's abode. Even in her rush, the door opened smoothly and levelly. Its hinges didn't make a sound, which spoke volumes to Apple Bloom of the craftsponyship that went into making the building.

Even as she trotted through the dark hall of the small abode, her hooves creating an echoing call with each step she took, she could barely make out the shadows of a couple discarded pillows which lay upon the floor haphazardly. This spoke volumes more of the actual resident. How Scootaloo manages to make a mess out of so little is beyond me. Can't she get around to cleanin' up once in a while?

She passed by the shadowy forms of neglect in but a moment, and noticed a soft, blue light glowing from around the corner, in the kitchen. She came to a sudden halt when she reached the corner.

She spied her two friends: Scootaloo was munching on a late meal, while Sweetie Belle was twirling a ruby around in the air idly. They were talking in hushed tones and it all came together to Apple Bloom as quite the unusual scene, considering how she tended to be the most 'hushed' out the trio. The opened box on the table didn't escape her notice either.

They both turned their heads at her arrival. “Why are you running, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked with a hint of concern in her voice, though neither of them had deemed it necessary to get up from their spots at the table. The shine of the sapphire gently increased in luminosity to cover the entirety of the kitchen.

“Ah've got some big news!” the earth pony exclaimed in a winded voice as she stepped into the room.

“You sound like you ran right across all of Ponyville,” Scootaloo said off-hoofedly with a small yawn. Sweetie Belle only opted to squint at Apple Bloom as if studying something behind her that nopony else could see. That look gave Apple Bloom the shivers.

“Ah did. Twice!” she stated as she tried to ignore the unicorn's stare.

“Huh, why would you do that?” Scootaloo asked and seemed to perk up a bit as she did so.

“That's just it. Twilight an' Spike, AJ, an' even Fluttershy. They're all gone. Ah didn't check on all of 'em but ah imagine that the rest of 'em are gone as well.”

“Rainbow too?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yeah, ah imagine so. Mah brother said that AJ left just 'fore sunset, sayin' that she had to go north. Somethin' ta do with the Crystal Empire. Said it would only take a couple days.”

“Hmm,” Sweetie Belle piped up. “It sounds like an adventure to me. Why don't we ever get asked to go on quests at the princess' beck and call?”

“Ah thought you'd be happy, just with Twilight bein' out o' town.”

“What makes you think that?” the unicorn asked with a scowl.

“Well, aren't ya always complainin' 'bout her and how she reprimands ya whenever ya use yer magic in a reckless manner?”

“Hey, I don't use my magic recklessly. She just doesn't understand. Magic isn't something that's meant to just be studied and kept in mind for a moment when you might need it. It's something that should be used as often as it can be, so that we can practice it and find ways for it to be more practical. It's a skill like any other, so why wouldn't I use a 'Feather' spell to jump off of a flying vehicle, or a fire spell to cook my meals? It's quicker and more efficient. She's a good teacher and all, but I just think she spends too much time reading when she could be out finding better applications for spells.”

“Maybe she's just annoyed with how many o' those crystals ya go through in a day. They don't grow on trees ya know.”

“Of course they don't. They grow in the ground. I've studied how they're made. Besides, she has tons of these things,” the unicorn protested as she waved around the unblemished ruby. “Just think of it as my way of making sure that Spike doesn't overeat.”

“Whatever,” Apple Bloom said dismissively. She didn't really feel like arguing with the mare. “In any case, Ah figured y'all should know that they'll be gone for a little while.”

Scootaloo groaned bitterly to herself as she turned her gaze away from the two.

Must be thinking about Rainbow Dash... Apple Bloom reasoned as she spared a glance at her friend. Well, she looks like she's doin' better than ah figured she'd be. Sweetie's plan must've worked.

“I've got it!” Sweetie Belle announce, a hint of a grin forming on her muzzle.

Apple Bloom cringed slightly at the words. What's it this time?

“We're going to go to the Crystal Empire too!”

“Huh? What?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom responded in unison.

“I'm tired of them always getting to be a part of the neat adventures. They always have tons of stories to tell afterward, and I'm tired of never getting to witness them myself. We should go tomorrow!”

“Really?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“Well, you weren't going to do anything else, were you?”

“Not really,” the pegasus admitted.

“Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom protested. “What in the hay are ya talkin' 'bout? We can't just up an' decide ta leave Ponyville all of a sudden. Ah have a 'pprenticeship startin' in a week and a bit. What if Ah miss that? 'Sides, with mah sister gone for a few days, mah brother's gonna need some help on th' farm.”

“Doesn't he have that new fiancee over there? What's-her-name? Can't those two handle things?”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. She can't understand. We Apples help each other out and share each others' work when we have ta. It's an obligation, and Ah won't back out of it without a good reason. 'Twouldn't be fair to mah brother or mah sister.

“Well...” the unicorn continued, the grin still evident on her lips. “I suppose just Scootaloo and myself could head up to the Crystal Empire, while you're stuck here helping your brother and soon-to-be-sister pick apples all week.”

Apple Bloom considered the thought of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle heading to the Crystal Empire. Those two are even less responsible than when we were just fillies. And, she had to admit to herself, Ah know Big Macintosh can handle the farm just fine fer a couple o' days. And there's no way Ah'd let those two trouble-makers have a summer vacation without me. 'Sides, they need somepony to keep 'em in line.

She let out a sigh. “Fine,” she said, “we'll go tomorrow, but not fer long. Ah still have my 'pprenticeship lined up.”

“You should just admit it, Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said sweetly, leaning in close to her friend. “You want to go on another adventure just like the old days, when we were still Cutie Mark Crusaders. Besides,” she whispered in a suddenly serious tone, “I think Scoots could use a bit of a vacation to keep her mind off of things. She needs a change of pace.”

* * *

Sweetie Belle was heading back to her house for the night. She had a few things to prepare for the trip tomorrow. She had been planning on a camping trip, but a train-ride to the northern country was a good substitute; it was even better than her original idea. Besides, maybe, just maybe, they would get to play a part in one of the many adventures her sister and the rest had taken part in.

With a grin of anticipation, she made her way into the house, not even bothering to cast a light spell; she could see well enough in the darkness. The world around her glowed with its latent magics. It was alive to her in a way that other ponies never would understand.

She had only ever tried to explain the feeling to Scootaloo, who had in turn asked questions about it. The whole scene had been reminiscent of when she had tried to get the pegasus to try and explain what it felt like to fly. She soon concluded that trying to explain the feeling to anypony else would be a waste of her breath. Granted, she did let Twilight know she could see magic, but she never got into the details of just how wonderful even a bland night like this could look. Sweetie Belle was convinced that it would have been akin to explaining what sight was to a blind pony; she'd never be able to do it justice. After all, the only real way to understand would be to experience the sense themselves. So over the past five years she had decided to keep the unique feeling to herself as a veritable treasure that livened up her days.

Rummaging through her parents' house as quietly as she could, to keep from waking them, she cobbled together a quick meal of a few apples and a banana that had been left on the counter. With the snack in tow, she made her way up the creaky staircase. Once at the top of the racket-inducing stairs, she tip-hoofed down the hallway and made her way into her room.

Most ponies would consider the sight before her to be a mess; however those ponies were wrong. To her, it was chaos given order, right down to the earthen-coloured book with the simple title 'Geomancy' peaking out from under the heaping mass of bedsheets and covers she had tossed off in her excitement that morning. Everything was where she had left it.

Before she dove into the task at-hoof, she let her senses extend outward until she held, in her mind's eye, the eight inscriptions she had scrawled into the corners of the room. With a huff of breath, she shot her magic out into eight separate paths from her horn, making sure to each line of the spell formed its proper insignia before it hit its mark. It only took a second, and the beams of energy quickly disappeared as they hit their respective corners. In the next moment, she smiled to see the spell matrix affix itself in the air before her eyes, and felt it pass over her skin with a light shiver.

A spell matrix was something of colour and light that no pony else she knew of could see. Some unicorns could feel them and their gut told them what it was, but to Sweetie Belle, the patterns that ran through their ethereal structures could be read as readily as the written word, provided, of course, that she had seen the spell performed before.

“Silence spell,” she announced with a slightly winded voice, “complete!”

Her eyes darted to the two remaining gems she had been carrying with her the whole time. Maybe I should have used their magic instead of my own. She considered for a moment. She could siphon the energy from one of the small crystals to replenish her own, but decided against it. Nah, I've got food. I'll be back to full energy in an hour anyways.

In spite of her choice, she couldn't help but glance at her own pool of inner magic and let out a sigh. No matter how much she had practiced magic for the past five years, her own inner source of magic seemed to remain as miniscule as it had always been.

Scootaloo's words came to her mind unbidden. Some ponies are just better than others, and that's they way it's always been.

Ridding her mind of the thoughts with a vigorous shake of her head, she brought herself back to the task at hoof. She had to pack. Not worrying about making a sound, she dove into her chaotic pile of possessions and began fishing out the most useful of them.

After many minutes, a now-fully packed pair of saddle-bags lay on the end of her bed. She sat down contentedly and began munching on her snacks. Once she was done with the fruits, she levitated the window open and floated the cores and banana peel out onto the compost heap.

Suddenly, she sensed something faint from behind her, which caused a slight shiver to run up her spine. Like a small static shock, it was over in an instant. She turned her gaze and looked at where the sensation had come from. Her emerald, half-heart shaped amulet lay on the end-table, neglected. She had forgotten that she wasn't wearing it all day, as she normally would have been.

Frowning, she scooped up her treasure with her magic and floated it right before her. The stone looked as innocuous as ever under her magical vision. Its emerald surface barely glowed at all, as always. Was that just my imagination? she wondered doubtfully.

“Scoddri?” she whispered the name tentatively, feeling a wisp of hope kindle in her heart. But no voice returned her question, so she sat on her bed and let her hope disappear as suddenly as it had appeared. He's gone, she reminded herself firmly as she set the amulet back down upon the end-table.

The young mare let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Thoughts of the Crystal Empire began inevitably taking center stage as she let the embrace of sleep wrap around her mind. It wasn't the active sort of sleep that she chosen to fall into at Scootaloo's place; that was the kind of sleep that allowed her to sense the world around her as her body rested. No, this was what she called 'regular sleep': the type that allowed her to rest both her mind and body.

Some time after her breath had settled into the regular rhythm of sleep, the emerald flashed slightly, and raucous laughter echoed softly through the room quieter than a whisper.

* * *

Scootaloo arrived at the station last of the three, walking in with not an item to her name, save for the amethyst bangle displayed upon her foreleg.

She noticed Sweetie Belle carried a pair of saddle-bags, and from the look of it, they each held a single book and a couple scrolls. Apple Bloom had bulging saddle-bags, filled with enough stuff for two ponies--if those ponies were stranded in a desert for a week. Scootaloo shook her head. It's not like we're going camping, why would they need so much stuff? Granted, Sweetie is a bit of a book worm when it comes to magic, but heck, the train tickets came with a free meal. What else could a pony need? She then let her eyes rest on Apple Bloom's cutie mark: an apple resting atop of three interlocking gears. I suppose she might have a project that she's tinkering with.

Looking back at her own cutie mark, she gave a small shrug with her wings. All I really need are my wings.

“So are we ready to go?” she asked her friends as she approached them.

“Just waitin' on you,” Apple Bloom replied with a smirk. “Ya know, fer the fastest of us, ya sure didn't make it too quickly.”

“It's not like it was a race,” Scootaloo replied with a grin. “Unless that's a challenge.”

“It might just be,” Apple Bloom said with a laugh. “Though Ah'm sure Ah'd lose.”

“You never know until you run it,” Scootaloo said sadly, her grin faded as memories from yesterday filled her mind. It was painful, but she shot a quick glance at the bangle and noticed the weight of the metal on her leg. It was comforting; almost as if it were Sweetie Belle's own reassuring hoof, instead of just a band of metal.

“Oh, come on you two!” the unicorn herself interrupted, pointing her hoof at the train. “We don't have time for a race. The train leaves in five minutes.”

“We can have a race after the train-ride,” Apple Bloom offered. “If ya want to.”

Scootaloo shook her head. “I'd rather it not be a race. But maybe we can all share a run together.”

The two shared a small smile. “Sounds good ta me.”

Well, the pegasus thought to herself, turning her attention to Sweetie, who was still waving a hoof at them. I wonder what Sweetie Belle's going to drag us into this time. With her smile staying firmly upon her lips, she ran forward with Apple Bloom and came to a sudden halt before their friend. Scootaloo couldn't help but notice the simple movement of running felt considerably lighter than it had in the past half year.

“I won,” she joked to the earthpony, sticking out her tongue.

“Yeah right. Ah was a mile ahead of ya!”

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as she listened to her friends bicker, but the smile on her face betrayed the action. Together the trio boarded the train to the Crystal Empire in high spirits. Spirits that might have been dampened had they known what awaited them.

End of Chapter 1

Chapter 8 - Those Who Dwell Underground

A Heart of Change – Chapter 8: Those Who Dwell Underground
By: SilentBelle

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle wasted no time in rushing over to their friend by the tunnel mouth. As she approached, Apple Bloom indeed heard the faint, shrill sound echoing through the shaft. “Huh, it sounds like a mine cart. Not well oiled, either.”

As suddenly as she had spoken, the incoming sound suddenly ceased. With a frown, Sweetie Belle focused for a moment and her horn sparked to life, shooting out a focused beam of white light down the shaft.

Two harsh cries of pain sounded down the tunnel in a disturbing manner. Squinting, the earth pony could make out two silhouetted shapes beside a mine cart, their arms over their faces. Around their necks, she caught a glimmer of reflecting light. Diamond dogs. It makes sense, Ah guess.

“Stop! Stop!” one of the diamond dogs shouted. “Please turn it off!”

“It burns! It burns!”

“Woah!” Sweetie Belle cried out in surprise and let her spell flicker out. “Sorry! I didn't mean to blind you!” she cried out her condolences. “I forgot that diamond dogs are sensitive to light.”

“Ah think just about anyone is sensitive ta light if they've been in the darkness fer so long.”

“Gah! You ponies,” a grating female voice, spoke up, with a growl, “why are you so late?!”

The two dogs approached close enough for Apple Bloom to notice their distinctive gemstones. The girl had a sapphire, which played off the greyish-blue of her fur, while the male had a diamond in his collar which contrasted sharply to his auburn coat. They were both scowling as they stepped out of the darkness and both had noticeably darker fur toward the end of their snouts, which served to pronounce the ivory colouring of their teeth.

“Late?” Scootaloo asked. She lowered herself to the ground as if preparing to dash forward at a moment's notice. “How'd you know we were coming here?”

“Huh?” The sapphire one's eyes darted to the pegasus, then the unicorn. “Wings, horn, and none of them shine? These are different ponies.”

“I wonder where the crystal ponies are. They were supposed to be here by now,” the auburn dog wondered aloud, more to himself than anyone else.

“Crystal ponies? Right, this must be one o' their mines,” Apple Bloom muttered, more to herself than anyone else. “Sorry fer intrudin' on yer mine,” she offered to the two dogs. “We didn't mean ta end up in here, but we had ta take shelter from a fierce storm outside. Oh, and Ah'm Apple Bloom by the way. Pleased ta meet ya two.” She presented them with her fore-hoof and gave a genuine smile.

The dog with the sapphire merely frowned at the action for a moment before responding. “I am Gravelle, of the Blacksnout clan."

“I wonder how they came up with that name...” the pegasus said snidely, but pulled herself out of her prepared crouch.

“Oh, be quiet, Scootaloo!” She prodded the pegasus with a hoof to emphasize her words, and Scootaloo winced slightly at her touch. Apple Bloom then turned back to the dogs, hoping they hadn't taken offense from the comment. “Sorry Gravelle, she's Scootaloo. She can be a mite rude at times, but she doesn't mean anythin' by it.”

“And I'm sure you meant nothing by that.”

Apple Bloom deemed it necessary to ignore the comment. “And this here is...” She looked around in surprise. Where'd ya go, Sweetie? she wondered for a moment before spotting her.

Sweetie Belle had managed to make her way over to the mine cart that the dogs had been pushing. She had her hooves up on the edge of the cart and was peering into it.

“What are you doing, little pony?” the auburn diamond dog asked simply as he watched with a look of amused confusion on his face.

“Sweetie Belle, what are you doing?” Apple Bloom echoed the question in exasperation.

“Huh... Why were you moving this cart if there's nothing inside it?” Sweetie Belle responded, ignoring the other two questions.

“To pick up the supplies,” the male dog stated simply.

“Sorry, 'bout that,” Apple Bloom managed to say as she made her way over to the wayward unicorn. “This is Sweetie Belle, Ah'm sure she meant no harm to yer cart.”

“How could a pony possibly hurt the cart?” he responded, offhandedly, though there was a hint of laughter in his eyes.

“I'm not sure,” Sweetie Belle replied with a smile, “I could try though, if you want me to.”

Apple Bloom heard Scootaloo snicker slightly, and even Gravelle gave small growling chuckle as they made their way next to the cart. “Sweetie, Ah swear, ya can be such a headache at times.”

“Honestly, I do try.”

“It would be hard not to notice, with all the effort ya put into it,” Apple Bloom said with a shake of her head.

“So...” Sweetie Belle began, and turned to face the diamond-collared dog, “what's your name, big guy?”

“Byron.”

“Hmm, Byron, huh? It's a good name, it suits you.” Sweetie Belle offered a grin.

“As does yours,” the auburn dog replied, with a slight smile. “Do try to live up to it.”

Sweetie Belle let out a light laugh. “Alright! I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. Can you ever forgive me?”

The words were so sweet, that, had the unicorn not been sticking her tongue out at her, Apple Bloom would have probably found the idea of giving her friend a sound knocking far less appealing. But she was in the presence of strangers, and such uncouth behavior was beneath her. “Too many sweets ain't good fer yer health,” she stated with her own smug grin. Contented with her rebuttal, she turned to the red dog and nodded. “Pleased to meet ya, Byron.”

“Likewise, the pleasure is ours, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.”

“You both seem used to ponies. Well, at least the crystal ones,” Sweetie Belle offered. “Do you talk with them a lot or something?”

“Often enough,” Gravelle replied, but shot a look to the entrance of cave. “They are our trade partners. They offered us various tools, supplies, and even a presence in their city if we helped them with their mining. At first many were against it; they didn't like outsiders coming into our caves. But it's good, for both our pack and the crystal pony's pack.”

“Oh, and ya mentioned that y'all were waitin' fer the crystal ponies just then. Was that fer tradin' as well?”

“A supply caravan was supposed to arrive earlier today. If we want to continue with our digging, we need the better tools that the crystal ponies bring. Crystal is hard to dig...we can't use our paws effectively; we need tools that the ponies make. However, without the shipment, we will run out before too long.” Byron looked at the empty cart. “We thought they might have arrived by now, so we came with the cart.”

“Huh,” Scootaloo piped up, “I thought ponies always said diamond dogs weren't very smart, and they talked poorly.” Apple Bloom cringed and shot the pegasus a dark look.

“Hah!” Byron let out a small laugh, while Gravelle simply gave Scootaloo something of a challenging look. “It's a common thought amongst ponies, and not a very smart one. You'd do well to remember that we are as varied as you ponies. To think less of others is unbecoming of any, dog or pony.”

Ah wonder how true that actually is... Ah imagine both of these dogs were chosen particularly 'cause they're good at dealin' with ponies. But he's right, it's foalish ta treat others without respect. Now, if only two certain foals could learn that lesson. She glared at both of her friends. Scootaloo didn't even notice, and Sweetie Belle merely smiled back with eyes that told her the unicorn probably knew what she was thinking.

Scootaloo frowned at the response that Byron had given her, and thankfully, she kept her silence.

“A-anyway,” Apple Bloom said, in an attempt to pull the conversation to a less awkward topic, “Ah don't think that caravan'll be commin' any time soon. There was a mighty storm outside, if they were on route here ta here, it'd probably have knocked their wagon over. Ah mean, the trees were flattened fer miles.”

“Hmm... Byron, this isn't good. We really need those supplies. The boss is not going to be happy.”

“No, she won't. But neither she or Slater will be angry at us. We will get the supplies somehow, even if half the pack is sent out to track them down. But, it is not our place to decide such things; it is our place to find out what we can.” Byron turned to look at the three mares carefully. “Where did you three come from, and why did you enter our mine? We haven't seen a non-crystal pony in our tunnels for nearly five years.”

“We're from Ponyville!” Sweetie Belle chimed in happily, playing a sharp contrast to Byron's stern tone. “We came on the train to the Crystal Empire!”

“Ponyville? To the south then? Something happened, otherwise you'd all be in the Empire by now,” Gravelle said levelly.

“The train nearly crashed, is what happened,” Scootaloo interjected. “We were eating our lunch, and suddenly the train came to a screeching halt, and the front engine was derailed. So, we went out and helped the train crew uncouple the broken engine, so they could head back to Ponyville.”

“But, then what derailed the engine in the first place?”

“There were some sorta strange crystals on the tracks. Ah dunno really what they were, but Sweetie probably has a better idea, Ah reckon.” Apple Bloom gave her friend an inquiring look.

“Um... so how much do you dogs know about magic anyway?” Sweetie Belle asked with a raised eyebrow. “It's kind of hard to explain the whole thing if you don't know much about magic.”

“We do not know very much about magic, it's true,” Byron said as he idly scratched his head. “We do, however, know much about crystals. Perhaps not all of your explanation will not fall upon deaf ears.”

“Alright. I'll keep it simple then,” the unicorn began, with a smile. “As far as I could figure, there's some other unicorn out there with a powerful weather spell. Powerful enough to cover all the land from here to the Crystal Empire, or perhaps even further. And while that unicorn has his weather over the land, he's able to use the weather to cast spells from far away. I know that seems weird, but that's the general gist of it. He used a huge spell to make crystals form on the train tracks, making them unusable and hazardous for traveling purposes.”

Gravelle frowned a bit. “So you are claiming that there's a pony powerful enough to control miles of weather and cast spells anywhere in that area?” She let out a chuckle as Sweetie Belle simply nodded. “Surely, you must be joking.”

Sweetie Belle smiled, at the dog's good humor. “Nope, I'm not joking. I'm not the type to lie.”

“Sure could've fooled me...” Apple Bloom heard Scootaloo mutter to herself.

“Tell us of these crystals then, Sweetie Belle, if you would,” Byron gently insisted.

“Oh, I'm pretty sure that they were similar to the glowcrystals that you dogs use in your mines. Though it wasn't dark enough outside to see for sure, I'm quite certain that we would have seen them glowing if it had gotten dark enough.”

“How do you know about glowcrystals?” Gravelle sized up the unicorn, her eyes flashing for a moment to the necklace around her neck as if noticing it for the first time.

“I have my ways,” Sweetie Belle replied smugly.

Sweetie Belle, what are ya up ta? Why're ya antagonizin' them like that? Apple Bloom was well accustomed to her friend's grin and tone of voice, and seldom did it ever do more good than harm. It took all of her effort to not rebuke the unicorn.

“Hmm.” Byron merely held a look of light curiosity, if he had been annoyed or angered by Sweetie Belle's antics, he showed no sign of it. “The glowcrystals are no real secret, Gravelle. It is not surprising that some ponies would know about them. Regardless, glowcrystals are quite different from most crystals. Usually we find them deep in pockets of rock when digging near ore deposits. We don't know too much about them, other than that they emit a light to see by when digging in the dark. I've never heard of any being found above ground before. That seems strange to say the least, but I do not doubt your honesty in this matter. The boss will need to hear of this.”

He frowned as if he were toying with a thought for a moment. “Would you three would be willing to talk to the boss?”

“What?” Gravelle shot Byron a questioning gaze. “You sure about that Byron? We rarely let any ponies into our den, and we never let them into the council room.”

“If the bosses don't wish to see these three, then we shall just escort them out. It's as simple as that. But you know they will want to at least talk with them.” Gravelle looked a little unimpressed by the response, but she kept her misgivings to herself.

“Oh. You're going to bring us to your den? That's great! I wonder what it looks like. How many dogs are in your-”

“Hold on now!” Apple Bloom interjected. “Yer gettin' ahead o' yerself Sweetie Belle. We haven't agreed on it yet.” She looked at the two dogs. “Give us a moment ta decide, will ya?”

“Of course.” Byron nodded once in acknowledgment, and the two dogs stepped away from the trio and moved further down the tunnel, to allow some room for discussion.

Apple Bloom cast a glance at the entrance that lead outside, past their dying campfire, and shivered at the thought of having to go out there again. She then looked at the dark tunnel before them and the single track that ran off into its depths. Along the sides of the mine tunnel, she noted the thick wooden braces that ran evenly along its length. It ain't actually that bad of an idea, goin' in there with the diamond dogs. They seem reasonable 'nough, and they might even have another entrance they'd be willin' ta take us to. Still, ah doubt all the diamond dogs'll be as nice.

“Ah'll admit, it's not a bad idea,” the earth pony said simply.

“See, I told you it was a good idea.” Sweetie Belle smiled happily.

“I see you're quite chummy with these dogs,” Scootaloo all but whispered. “I don't know if this is such a good idea. That Gravelle keeps giving me that look.” She glance nervously diamond dogs off in the distance. “Besides, it's kind of cramped in there.”

“And it's cold and wet outside. Oh, and let's not forget, some crazy unicorn was trying to get rid of us. It makes more sense going with the dogs.”

“I can't help but feel you have ulterior motives, Sweetie...” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“And I can't help but feel like you are afraid the cave's going to collapse on you.”

“I'm not afraid of that! This cave doesn't scare me!”

“Don't worry Scootaloo, the tunnel ain't 'bout ta collapse. It's constructed really well.” Apple Bloom tapped one of the thick supporting beams with a hoof. “They built this place ta last.”

“I'm not afraid of that!” the pegasus all but shouted. “And when did you get so keen on going deeper into the cave? I thought you were arguing that going outside made most sense.”

“Since it started bein' the more logical option. Now we know what ta expect goin' inta the mines. It's somethin' we didn't know before.”

“But.. what if they have something planned? It could be a trap.”

“Even if it is,” Apple Bloom admitted, “Ah'd still rather face a whole bunch o' dogs than have ta face that cloud 'gain.”

“C'mon Scoots, you're outnumbered. You know the rule.”

Scootaloo gave the unicorn a sour look before emitting a sigh of defeat. “We haven't used those rules in years, but fine! We'll go with the dogs. But, only because I know your aren't going to change your mind. Just remember,” she warned, “if it is a trap, don't blame it on me. And for the last time, don't call me Scoots!”

Sweetie Belle merely smiled, and the pegasus shook her head.

Ah don't think you'll ever get her ta stop, Scootaloo. Apple Bloom stepped forth with her friends, toward the two diamond dogs. Celestia knows Ah've tried time and time again ta change her mind. She does what she likes, and hay, you know it better than anypony. “Alright, we're comin' with y'all ta yer den, then. Thanks fer the kind offer.” And ya know we wouldn't have her any other way.

Together, the trio followed the diamond dogs into the tunnel. They paused for only a moment, as Sweetie Belle coaxed a simple, even glow of white light from her horn.

* * *

Scootaloo wouldn't admit it to her friends, but the pressing weight of the mountain was getting to her. To admit such a fault would be to give into the feeling, and she was determined to fight it off. With every step, the air she breathed felt heavier, and the echoing of her hooffalls sounded increasingly eerie. Her wings subconsciously twitched at her sides; she ached to fly once again. Even had her wings not been so sore, she wouldn't have had the room to fully spread them inside the tunnel.

The scene before her continued on, in a seemingly endless flow of repeated grays and shadows. The nearly straight tunnel, with its dust-covered tracks, offered no sympathy for the pegasus' plight and acted as a steady obstacle to keep her eyes trained to the ground, lest she trip on them.

The darkness behind her stalked her, threatening to consume her, which forced her to keep up the steady pace with the rest of the group. While before her, the backs of the diamond dogs could be seen as they pushed the empty cart along the tracks, it's metallic keening sent shivers down the pegasus' spine. The small dome of light which emanated from Sweetie Belle was the only thing that kept Scootaloo from losing her nerve.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the dogs were up to something. Why would they want us to meet with their bosses? We aren't ponies of renown or anything. And the way that that dog, Gravelle was looking at me... I can tell she doesn't like us. Darn it, we should have gone outside and faced whatever is out there. At least then it wouldn't feel like I'm being slowly smothered. She shot a nervous glance at the dark shadows behind her, and stepped a little closer to Sweetie Belle. At least I'll be ready if they do try something. Even without my wings, I'm still fit enough to protect my friends.

She kept her glancing at the diamond dogs ahead of them, ready to catch a hint of change in their monotonous action.

“Geez, Scootaloo, can't ya stop starin' daggers at 'em fer two minutes?” Apple Bloom whispered to her. “They ain't some dangerous monsters ya know? They're friends to the Crystal Empire.”

“So why are they bringing us to their bosses then? You have to admit, that's really suspicious.”

Apple Bloom gave her a doubtful look. “They gave us a choice. It's our decision ta follow 'em. We have no reason ta presume the worst from 'em.”

Scootaloo let out a stubborn huff. Well, you never took part in the races in Cloudsdale. It's always better to presume that someone new is out to get you. I'm not going to be caught off-guard.

“Just try not ta make their whole civilization hate us,” the earth pony offered, half-jokingly.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the comment, and she saw her friend turn her head with a look frustration on it. It made the pegasus feel little guilty. Sorry Bloom, I'm just not feeling one hundred percent. I'll try not to snap at anypony else. Hopefully we can get out of this place soon. Though, the ever-present weight of the mountain seemed inclined to dismiss such a hope.

With a frown upon her face, she kept walking with her friends down the tunnel.

* * *

A silence had settled upon the group--the sort of silence borne from monotony, and it grated on Sweetie Belle with every passing moment.

“Hey, Byron!” she called up to the dog. “I don't suppose you've heard of the Greypaw clan before?”

Byron turned and squinted at the unicorn for a moment. “Of course we know of our cousins to the south. While we live far away, our packs send messengers to each other on a regular basis. How, may I ask, did you learn of the Greypaw clan?”

“Well...” Sweetie Belle led in, happy to have something to break the monotony. At least for her ears, if not her eyes. “I once entered their cave by accident, not unlike our situation here. I was running from a storm and took shelter in a cave. And then, the cave entrance collapsed behind me. Thankfully, I was able to avoid getting squashed and ran deeper into the cave. Eventually I ran into a dog and he took me to his boss. Eventually he showed me another way out of the cave.”

“Hurr,” Byron hummed at the story. “That is an unusual circumstance, young Sweetie Belle. Most dogs would see a pony in their caves as an intruder to be dealt with. Although, you don't have to worry about the dogs in our clan,” he assured her, “they are used to our partnership with the crystal ponies.”

“I see,” the unicorn remarked. “Well, I suppose it's a good thing that Ruben was an odd one in the pack then. At the very least, he was nothing if not respectful.”

“You mentioned you met the boss of the clan, correct? What were your opinions on Garner and how she ran her clan?”

Hmm, I wonder if they have some sort of rivalry. “She was very... practical, I guess. And she was very reasonable when I talked to her.”

“Didn't they foalnap you?” Scootaloo asked from behind her. “You call that reasonable?”

Byron scratched his head and gave a questioning look to Sweetie Belle, who, in turn, frowned at the pegasus. “Well, she had good reasons, you know?”

“Really?”

“Well, yeah. They may not have been morally-inclined reasons, but they were still sound logical reasons.”

“So Garner had you... placed under custody?” Byron asked gently. “For what purpose?”

“Well, I heard about it from my sister a couple years after the fact, but they had already made an exchange with my sister and her friends. Garner had planned to trade me for my sister's assistance in finding gems. It makes sense when you think about it.”

“But it didn't actually happen?” Gravelle asked. “This was years ago; how could a little pony have escaped from a whole clan of diamond dogs?”

“I have my ways,” Sweetie Belle said, refusing to elaborate any further. She didn't want to think about the chain that had been placed around her neck. Never again! The thought settled firmly in her mind. It still made her uneasy after all those years, the idea of being chained to one spot, to have her freedom taken from her.

It certainly had helped to learn what the diamond dogs did have planned for her, had she stayed there any longer. Her nightmares had stopped after she could connect the dots. Over the years, she started viewing the diamond dogs as any other creature with reasons and goals of their own. She really couldn't fault their behavior too much. Their plan almost worked. And it's not like they actually wanted to hurt me at all. Garner just saw an opportunity and went for it.

“Well, you can rest assured that no such acts will befall you while you are in our company,” Byron assured the unicorn. “I vow this on my pride as a diamond dog. Our clan knows the importance of maintaining good relationships with ponies. We've benefited greatly from out deals with the crystal ponies over the last four years. I'm also grateful that one sour experience with our cousin clan has not sullied your view on diamond dogs.”

Sweetie Belle smiled at that comment and they continued walking down the tunnel for a while. Every so often, Sweetie Belle would notice a tunnel that branched off to the side and plunged into thick darkness.

“This sure is a pretty long tunnel,” she said absentmindedly as she examined the passing passageways. “Why do you have such a long tunnel anyways?”

“This central tunnel is used for the transferal of our crystal mining to the pony's entrance to our cave. It's for the type of crystals that they use for the buildings in the Crystal Empire,” Byron offered. “The side tunnels are where we actually dug the crystals out, then loaded them in carts like these. The carts and tracks made the transportation easier, and the crystal ponies were the ones that pulled them while we dug. All the gems that we found in the process, we kept, but the building crystal went to the ponies.”

“So then, y'all must have been the diamond dogs that were contracted by the Empire fer the Equestrian Games ta build their new stadium. It's quite the sight.”

Byron smiled at the earth pony. “We all put a lot of effort into the digging. I am glad that some appreciate such efforts. I have actually seen the stadium a few times in the past and I'll say it is quite a beautiful building,” he admitted with a hint of pride. “It's truly a testament to what ponies and dogs can accomplish when we work together.”

“Wow, ya work as an ambassador ta the Crystal Empire? That's amazin'!” Apple Bloom's interest had clearly been piqued, and Sweetie Belle was glad to listen to them chat for a while.

“As a business ambassador to the Crystal Empire, I end up there frequently.”

“So, have there been any other buildin's that were made by both diamond dogs and ponies? Ya see, Ah'm aimin' ta get a better understandin' o' engineerin' and construction work, and the Crystal Empire has always been one o' the most intriguin' cities for their buildin' style.”

Apple Bloom and Byron kept talking back and forth about the Crystal Empire, but Sweetie's mind soon strayed from the topic as something really light caught in her ear. A laughter that echoed very faintly. Scoddri? The thought came to her mind in an instant, and she focused her attention upon her amulet. As she kept stride with the rest of the group around her, she strained her senses, searching for the source of the quite laughter.

With every step the sound seemed closer, yet still so very far. Eventually, she could see the emerald strand of magic leading from her amulet, extending outward before her. When she looked up, she stopped in surprise, for the tunnel had ended and hundreds of small glowing stones were arranged in the cavern before her.

“We are here,” Gravelle announced with a smile and she lifted the cart from the tracks, and placed it next to a group of other empty carts.

“Welcome to our den,” Byron said pleasantly, motioning in a wide arc before them. “The greatest masterpiece of diamond dog architecture. Inspired, of course, by our interactions with the Crystal Empire.”

“Amazin',” Apple Bloom said in a whisper of utter rapture. “Ta think ya could build a whole city inside of a mountain. Ah just don't know what ta say. How many dogs live in here? It's huge!”

“We are the largest of all the clans, Apple Bloom,” Byron said. “There are so many of us that I do not know the number, but I imagine nearly as many as there are ponies in the Crystal Empire.”

Even Scootaloo looked a little stunned, and her wings unfurled ever so slightly from her sides.

Sweetie Belle took in the sight before her. It almost reminded her of when she looked at Canterlot from a distance at nighttime when clouds covered the sky. The numerous lights spoke depths to the population that remained out of their sight. It may as well have been outside, for she couldn't make out the roof of the cave from where they stood.

Her amazement faded as she frowned and traced the translucent thread of magic before her. It flew out into the distance, toward what looked to be the centerpiece of the whole city. Scoddri... what's happened to you?

End of Chapter 8