Breaking the Cycle: Chapter 3

[DukeofCanterlot 158]

Twilight Sparkle ran back to her house as quickly as she could, not only for her friends' sake but for all of Ponyville's sake! The only connection Twilight could make so far was how it seemed to parallel the cutie mark switching spell she accidentally unleashed a few months ago. For example, Pinkie Pie ended up with Applejack's cutie mark and now Pinkie Pie hated Applejack. That must be it.. but.. how can friendship save this? The hate each of her friends held in her heart seemed so irrational that there was no way to break it. 

 

Twilight had to find the cause!! She just had to do so. Defeating the cause would bring her friends back. Some evil magic caused this for certain. No way would any of her friends be so hateful and nasty without something truly evil controlling it. The thoughts raced through Twilight's head as she was heading home that she passed by Applejack.

 

"Oh hey Twilight! What's the hurry? Haven't seen you in so long", shouted Applejack.

This brought Twilight out of her train of thought.

"Applejack! I have missed you so much. But as I am sure you know, there is something terribly wrong with Ponyville."
"Why I reckon you're right, Twilight. The problem is that prissy Rarity. She's an evil pony who has her frivolous and foolish lack of practicality. Not a useful thought in her little brain, I can't believe she makes as much money as me when she's selling something so useless.."
"Well, I do have to admit, some of Rarity's dresses are a little overpriced."
"Little overpriced? Sugar, that's the understatement of the century! I hope some other fancy dress lady comes in and knocks Rarity off her high dragon."
"I am pleased you still have the element of honesty."
"Of course I would. But enough about me, how was your fancy princess summit?"
"Well, it was okay. It made me realize how wonderful Ponyville is and all of my friends."
"How can you still be friends with Rarity?"
"Ugh...look, I should go before I go into an anxiety-filled trance again."
"What?"
"Feel free to ask Rainbow Dash what I'm talking about, she knows."
"Hey, I understand that this all probably seems like a shock to you but I don't know.. one morning, I just woke up hating Rarity. Between the five of us, we just all began feeling like that.. probably each of us for the one pony we had trouble respecting or relating to all along. Poor Fluttershy. I think all of this has hit her the hardest."
"What about Fluttershy?"
"Think about it. Sweet and kind Fluttershy waking up one morning with this burning obsession to kill Pinkie Pie with horrible hatred. I guess I kinda made things a little worse for Fluttershy there but I knew I could use her to protect me. I've been taking things more in stride. I am the only one of the five of us who hasn't actually tried to kill my hated one yet."
"Wait.. so Fluttershy tried to..."
"Well, indirectly. She began training her animals to go after Pinkie. But yea.. Rainbow Dash has been stalking Fluttershy, trying to crash her to death. Rarity, the crybaby, I guess she has made a few little swipes at Rainbow but you can't hit Rainbow. As for Pinkie Pie... she's been trying to poison me, I can't go anywhere near Sugarcube Corner and have only been eating food from my own farm. I think she's gotten the town to turn against me."

"Hey Applejack, do you want to live life like this?"
"I guess if this is how things are meant to be, then it's how things are meant to be. I deal with it. What? Does your brain have some ideas on how to fix it?"
"Not yet, but I know that I can figure it out at the library."
"You should really visit Fluttershy first. She has been looking forward to seeing you."
"I probably should. Fluttershy is the only one I haven't seen it."

"Did somebody say Fluttershy?"

Rainbow Dash flew towards Applejack and Twilight.

"Hey Rainbow, remember what we talked about?"
"But come on, I know Ponyville will get all better when that double-crossing Fluttershy is gone."
"I don't think Fluttershy is going to be hurting anyone no more, please just leave her alone."
"Like what you've been doing to Rarity?"
"I haven't laid a hoof on her stupid overgroomed mane."
"I'm not talking about that. I mean how you stopped Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle from being friends."
"That probably meant nothing. Rarity's head is so far up her ass that she barely knows she has a sister anyway."
"Wait a second", said Twilight, "how did you do that, Applejack?"
"I told my sis about how terrible of a pony Rarity is and that her little sister would probably grow up to be just as despicable. That got Apple Bloom thinking and she banned Sweetie Belle from her clubhouse."
"That's a lie."
"It ain't a lie, it's speculation."
"Okay, on to other news, we're going to see Fluttershy, right", asked Rainbow Dash.
"Ugh.. Rainbow Dash and Applejack, I am going to see Fluttershy and I am not taking either of you with me. Seems like you two are just going to cause trouble."

"Fine! Why should I want to see somepony I really hate anyway?"
"Don't worry. I am going to cure all of you soon."
"I don't need a cure! I am fine the way I am!"
"Twilight, I'm sorry but I don't think a cure is possible..but if anyone can find it, it's you, Twilight. I will keep Rainbow in line, c'mon, let's race."
"I'm gonna kick your ass, AJ."

The two ran off.
Twilight smiled. At least, Applejack still seemed kinda levelheaded but less so than usual. 

 

Spike knew he was going to fail this task but he had to try.

"Spike, why don't you be a sweetie and let me get some fresh air?", asked Rarity.

"There's plenty of good air here. I mean, this is where Pinkie Pie lives and you think it's fine, right?"
"Oh yes, but it's usually not this dark, I don't like the dark, I am so scared."
"Where's the smile?"
"Ooh, you want me to smile. That is so sweet of you, Spike."
"Well, I won't smile unless I get out of here", said Rarity with a huff.

"Neither of you are getting out. Both of you have a terrible disease which needs to be cured."
"Oh is that what is Twilight doing? I knew it! I knew it!", cheered Pinkie Pie, "but funny, I don't feel sick."

"Neither do I, let us out, Spike", commanded Rarity.
"I am sorry. My loyalty is primarily to Twilight Sparkle and if she says that the two of you must stay here, I must obey."
"Poor Twilight. She's probably taking our changes of heart so hard", lamented Pinkie Pie.
"Yes..but Twilight will accept it once Rainbow Dash is dead."
"No, that pony is Applejack."
"Spike, which pony do you think Twilight would be happier seeing die?"
"Rarity...how can you even ask that question?"
"Personally, I am conflicted. Rainbow Dash is the evil pony but Applejack seems to think that evil pony is me. I guess I would benefit with AJ out of the way."
"Rainbow Dash is cool, yo! Applejack all the way", cheered Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie began barging towards the door, trying to get out.
"Where have my friends gone?", asked Spike despondently. Spike felt more depressed just from hearing Rarity ask that question. No way could she be so heartless, so cruel... it must be a curse. 

Spike felt tears go down his face. 

"Oh, Spike.. I see this has been hard on you too", said Rarity, patting Spike on the back.
"I mean.. what happened? You and Pinkie.. you two aren't acting like your old selves."
"Pinkie, stop trying to break the door. Spike is right. You and I have been cursed with ugliness but Twilight will make it all better."
"Oh...", said Pinkie with surprise, "is that why I have been so mad at Applejack?"
"I suppose that is why I have been so angry with Rainbow Dash." 

"Yes, yes...", said Spike softly.
"Curse or no curse though! Applejack is stinky and I think she should be gone!!"
Spike looked at Pinkie Pie with frustration, he wanted to snap at her. But Spike remembered what Twilight told him and Spike let it go. How could Twilight want to be friends with something so dense? At least, Rarity seemed to definitely be getting the message..but this was definitely caused by some dark magic. It would take more than a few words from Spike to fix things up.

"Spike, I think it is probably best we stay here", said Rarity, "of course, if that beautiful gem stays here with us."
"If you ponies are good, I won't eat the whole thing myself", said Spike with a wry smile. 
 Maybe Spike wouldn't fail this task after all...

 

Twilight approached Fluttershy's cottage. She looked behind her and sighed with relief. No signs of Rainbow Dash or Applejack. Or Rarity. Or Pinkie Pie.. oh goodness, she hoped that Spike was able to keep them locked up. Rarity probably got Spike to free her before Twilight ran into Applejack.  Twilight would have to deal with that later. Fluttershy's property seemed unusually quiet. None of her animal friends were there. Twilight knocked on the door. No response. What if... oh no... Rainbow Dash wouldn't, would she? Twilight didn't want to think about that. Twilight opened the door. It was dark, it felt like nobody was home. The cottage never seemed so empty..

Twilight shivered. What the hell happened to Fluttershy? It was so dark. Can any of the lights turn on? Twilight found a lightswitch and flicked it upwards. There was just a piece of paper on the table. It looked like a note.. from Fluttershy?

Twilight picked it up and began to read:

Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I am sorry that I didn't get to welcome you back. I have turned into a horrible monster and have decided to leave to an undisclosed place forever. Ponyville has become a mess. Not only have I become a monster but so have our other four friends. Pinkie Pie is horribly obnoxious and I always found her as such but my dislike of her has turned into an all-encompassing hatred which has caused me to realize this place can no longer be my home. At times, I wish Rainbow Dash would have just killed me but my animal friends want me to live. There is only one thing I ask. Please don't try to find me. I am better off alone but I wanted you to know that I will miss you the most of them all. You have helped me come out of my shell more than anypony has ever done just by being you. Never lose sight of who you are, Twilight Sparkle.

 

Your Friend,
Fluttershy

Twilight felt her eyes water. Fluttershy was no monster.. but a monster has certainly made its mark on Fluttershy. Twilight had to get to the library now, no distractions!

 

Chapter 4 coming soon..