My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

32. Chapter 32:The Cutie Pox

Chapter 32:The Cutie Pox

Yet another day had come for the town of Ponyville, and it was active as always. Something the prince of Equestria always made of habit of checking out when he went on walks outside. He decided he would not only indulge in a round of bowling with Typhoon and Thunder. But he'd was even going to be nice enough to give The Cutie Mark Crusaders a bit of a warning about tomorrows school lesson. For it was the lesson that he and Shadow would reveal the final and most dangerous curse.

He felt they deserved to know the dark curse they would witness tomorrow. Days ago, Shadow already prepared the curse to be shown, for the curse required time to take full effect on a victim. He was nervous to talk about the curse, but the girls did deserve to be prepared. He took in a deep breath and sighed, understanding what he had to do for the girls before he could have some fun. He quickly shook his head, and shrugged off the minor conflict in his head before moving on.

Thankfully the sight of children and parents playing together was there to pick his spirits up. While he then went onto his next trouble, where exactly is the bowling alley. He didn't even know what a bowling ally was until Twilight showed him a book about what it was and how it was played. Thankfully, he decided to not bother any pony on such a peaceful and nice day. So he decided to be cheap and search around with his gleaming crystal eyes, the best way to find something.

After his visions scoped every angle through the town, at least five crystal images revealed the bowling ally. He smirked, and felt a stroke of satisfaction in using his vision to find the bowling ally. Not only that, but he could see the Crusaders themselves entering the bowling ally as he spoke. This was a nice two for one deal to help put a pep in his step. So he was on his way yet again, looking to the sky while the directions were memorized from five different directions.

His hands went into his pockets, and he was enjoying his nice leisurely stroll. The peace lasted the whole walk to the bowling ally, thanks to the distant crashes of bowling balls against pins. It was hard to enjoy anything quiet with noises sounding like deep thunders from the darkest clouds. He let his eyes open up to the sight of the bowling ally, the source of all the slamming and crashing. He was almost tempted to make some crystal ear plug, but he heard much louder things before.

"I hope I don't make a fool of myself for being a newbie at this game,"Orion worried as he approached the doors to the bowling ally and gently pushed them open to get hit with a wall of sound,"Holy spotted cows…! It's louder than pyromaniacs discovering bombs!"

Orion almost had to cover his ears as he entered this new experience. Seeing solid marble looking balls being rolled by hefty to light weight ponies down the long ally paths. Till they smashed hard into the pins and sent them flying all over the ally way, it was a strange looking game, but simple. He quickly searched around, letting his ears adjust to the loud sounds around the building. It was then that he spotted Typhoon and Thunder just now getting their bowling horse shoes.

As much as he wanted to go over and surprise his comrades, his attention was more drawn to Apple Bloom and her friends. They appeared to be bowling as well, but they weren't doing well. Sweetie already had a gutter ball on her turn, and Scootaloo was about to simply kick hers. He watched as the young Pegasus kicked her ball, and sent it flying through the entire building. It bounced like a rubber ball, smashing through everything, but the pins it was intended for.

The prince quickly ducked down, dodging the incoming ball that flew around the area. Till it finally slammed down in some pony else's gutter, the same score as Sweetie Belle. But at least it was doe with style, Thunder certainly appeared to be enjoying himself as he cackled to the mishap. Shockingly enough, Scootaloo found the warrior's laughter to be entertaining after what she heard of him from Rainbow Dash.

"Hehehe…! Sorry…!"Scootaloo apologized and slowly tried to walk out of sight.

"You kidding? That's probably one of the most entertaining things I've seen at the bowling ally so far,"Thunder stopped her with his words as he manage to control his laughter,"And this is our first time going bowling!"

"Wow… Rainbow's light speed warrior friend liked what I did…!"Scootaloo whispered with excitement for impressing the super fast Pegasus.

"Hey Crusaders! Mind taking a break over there!"Orion decided to call out to the fillies upon his approach to their game.

"Oh! Hey there, Orion. You're just in time to see us earn our cutie marks in bowling!"Apple Bloom greeted him and spoke of yet another attempt to find their purpose.

"I just wanted to give you girls a heads up on tomorrows lesson at school!"He felt the need to yell so he wasn't drowned out by the loud noises around the bowling ally.

Apple Bloom went from trying to pick her ball up with her mouth, to instantly pausing. She and her friends had then quickly ran and stood before the human pony prince, and they were all ears. Getting to know a personal lesson ahead of time was their chance to be ready for what was to come.

"Glad to see I got your undivided attention, ladies. Tomorrow's lesson is all about the fourth and final curse,"Orion got started on the information he trusted the trio with,"The Black Graver curse. I was told you and Sweetie Belle got to learn about it when Shadow spoke of her brother's tragedy."

"Oh yeah… Are you sure you wanna show the other kids that curse? It's kind of…"Apple Bloom was interested, but after seeing the fourth curse, even she was hesitate to say what needed to be said.

"It's pure evil…! It turns good ponies heartless and only their love ones can take them out,"Sweetie decided to pick up what Apple Bloom wanted to say about the curse,"The kids are going to be terrified to see that curse…!"

"Good. It means they will be cautious and know what to do if they dare to encounter any pony who dares to use it,"Orion knelt down and explained why he felt it was important that they knew of the curse,"Besides… I feel the need to face this dark curse at last… Shadow isn't the only one that was wronged by that curse."

"Don't know about you girls…! But I'm ready to see the final curse!"Scootaloo tried to be the brave one, hoping to impress Thunder even further.

"You won't want to see it ever again after tomorrow, but enough with the grim talk,"Orion warned and then decided it was time for a more positive conversation,"So! I believe it's your turn to roll that ball of yours into the pins."

"Oh yeah…! Thanks for reminding me. I got a cutie mark to earn!"Apple Bloom agreed and rushed back to her bowling ball to scoop it back up into her mouth.

They all watched in silence as Apple Bloom struggled to stay balanced with the hefty ball. Finally she fell forward, but she manage to spit the ball out as hard as she could towards the pins. Unfortunately she had her eyes closed, praying for her ball to hit a perfect strike. It became her distraction, and it fooled her the moment she heard the crash of strike ring her ears. She came alive with excitement, believing she had bowled a perfect strike, especially when a shout came.

"Cool! A bowling cutie mark!"A mare shouted out, and got Apple Bloom's hopes dramatically up.

"I did it! I did it,"Apple Bloom cheered, only to look to her flank and make the reality shocking discovery that her flank was still blank,"Blank?!"

"Yeah… That was THAT kid's bowling ball that scored on the pins, and got the bowling cutie mark,"Orion decided to be the one to point out the kid that did get the cutie mark for scoring a strike,"your ball is over there and…"

He pointed out Apple Bloom's bowling ball as it rolled painfully slow. It's slowness was almost enough to make Thunder's head hurt, at least it then came to a complete stop. As it barely tapped the pins, and didn't even rock the first one, it might as well have been another gutter ball. As much as it appeared to be a simple misunderstanding and mistake to learn from, this one really stuck it to Apple Bloom. This one actually struck her heart and sent a sudden boil of anger and distraught through her body.

This one felt like she got robbed by terrible luck and her own ambition for a cutie mark. She couldn't help but grit her teeth and let her legs tremble, while the lucky young child sported his cutie mark. All the cheering only destroyed her more, all the praise the kid was getting. I truly made her burn alive inside, to the point that she barely noticed the red aura blinking around her body. The warrior's instantly froze, an ice cold chill gripped their spines to see the red aura appearing.

"This ain't fair…! I was so certain that I finally got my cutie mark…! It ain't fair!"Apple Bloom grunted and struggled to contain her frustration that she was still without a cutie mark.

"Well… A simple misunderstanding. One can learn from it, with a little time and patience, one day soon you-"Orion was cut off as Apple Bloom promptly stomped her front hooves down, and cracked solid fissures deep into the floor all around her.

The fissures she caused spread out like snakes, cracking up some of the walls. While some bowling balls were launched around the area, smashing out windows and ceilings. The ground continued to rumble and crack up from the vibrating power from Apple Bloom's anger induced aura. Chunks of the wall then began to fall out, the ceiling was bending down as if it was about to cave in on every pony. Her blind frustration and anger stopped her from seeing the chaos that was unfolding and threaten to destroy everything around her.

"Don't…SAY IT…! I've heard that from EVERY PONY I know! And I'm SICK of hearing it!"Apple Bloom surprised every pony by yelling at the Equestrian prince of all ponies.

"APPLE BLOOM! Cool down…! And bring this power under control…! NOW!"Orion roared and responded by grabbing the fillies front hooves tightly and crystallizing his hands to keep them locked in till she cooled down.

At first, Apple Bloom tried to put up a struggle, yanking and pulling away. But once something was in his crystal grip, there was no getting out, she could only struggle in vain. It took almost a couple minutes, and a bit of suspense and fear among all the other ponies and foals. At last, Apple Bloom worked out all her energy and finally head no choice but to calm down and let her powers whine down. She slammed her flank down and waited there with her head lowered in shame and anger.

Once her red aura finally faded away and her strength gradually lowered back to normal. Orion slowly released her hooves, and she responded by letting them fall limp to her sides. He sighed with relief and showed great disappointment, as well as concern for the filly. For the moment Apple Bloom took in everything she did from one simple tantrum being thrown. It guilt tripped her, it even left her terrified that she had done this with just one stomp of anger induced force.

"I think you better go somewhere and relax, and don't ever do that again…! We'll talk about this later,"Orion made a warning clear before turning to Apple Bloom's friends with a request,"Take her out somewhere, calm her down. We'll fix the damages here, and apologize for all the trouble."

"Ok… We'll see what we can do to help."Sweetie agreed as her and Scootaloo walked over to help Apple Bloom stand up.

"Come on, Apple Bloom… Bowling is totally not our thing any way…!"Scootaloo tried to joke as they finally got Apple Bloom moving towards the door.

He watched with great precision and caution as they slowly left the bowing ally. It looked like his hopes for a peaceful day and fun times was now dashed thanks to his poor choice of words. Not to mention the spectacle of a filly nearly causing the whole building to cave in like a sink hole victim. Once the girls finally left with the infuriated Apple Bloom, he could turn back to assess the damages. From the broken walls, to the shattered windows, as well as the wobbly and fragile pillars.

"Thunder, Typhoon…! How about we apologize and help rebuild this place before we start bowling?"Orion suggested that they quickly fix up the place and apologize to the other ponies.

"Sure, why not? But only because all THAT is now the new most entertaining thing I've seen in a bowling ally!"Typhoon glared at Thunder for finding interest in a filly's chaotic power smashing up a building.

"I'll get working on the apology and explanation for all this…!"Typhoon decided and slapped Thunder off his chair to get him working with Orion.

"Good idea… Sigh… I knew this day was too good to be true…!"Orion groaned before he got to work, filling the cracked upon pieces of the floor with crystals while Thunder made a light speed trip to a hard wood store for materials and new glass for the windows.

The day became long and uneasy from that moment on, it was less then enjoyable. But the warriors were still at least able to enjoy some first time bowling. Orion did tell the others about what occurred, but wished for them not to punish or add any more tension to the issue. That was only thing he could think of to do so heads would cool off and he could talk with Apple Bloom when he had the chance. However the hours went by and Apple Bloom barely cooled down at all.

But that was the least of every pony's concern, for a stranger had arrived. He stuck to the edges of the Ever Free forest, searching for something, something he was desperate to find. And he found it the moment he spotted three little fillies traveling out towards Sweet Apple Acres. One of them looked like she was in great frustration and defeat, he smirked as his blue eyes locked onto her. It was as if he head found what he was looking for, as he realized how close they were getting to the forest.

"Come on, Apple Bloom. It's just a cutie mark!"Sweetie Belle tried to cheer Apple Bloom up after the mess at the bowling ally.

"Or lack of a cutie mark!"Scootaloo corrected and only made Apple Bloom walk faster to get away from her friends.

"Shh, that's not helping,"Sweetie tried to shush up Scootaloo, but Apple Bloom was already heading into the forest,"Apple Bloom! Where are you going?! Apple Bloom, come back!"

"Just leave me alone…! Don't want my powers going crazy again!"Apple Bloom felt her anger rising as they spoke of cutie marks, and she feared her powers would flare up again.

So she ran into the forest, where she could be alone and cool herself down without her friends being in danger. She ran as fast as she could, disappearing into the bushes and going as deep into the woods as she could. Leaving herself all too vulnerable to the one who was watching her. He smiled, his interest in the filly intensified after she spoke of her strange powers. He chuckled, as he ran to keep up with the young Apple, wanting to figure out where she would possibly go.

Suddenly her destination appeared to be going down as she missed a steep hill. Because next thing she knew, Apple Bloom was tumbling down the hill like a tumble weed on an incline. The stallion had to release a chuckle while quietly hopping down the hill nicely and rolling into a bush. Where he could keep his eyes on her, as the filly smacked her face into the dirt at the bottom of the hill. Dirt kicked up all around her as she rolled to her back and groaned with pain that flared in her muzzle.

She growled and groaned while sitting up on her flank to rub at her muzzle. She was almost ready to explode once again, her red aura was already blinking around her body, the glow was rather enticing. It illuminated the stallion's eyes, causing them to go completely dull blue and almost bug like. He almost wanted to exit the bush and marvel at the power that was rising from within the Apple. However he needed to remain covert, especially since a certain zebra appeared from out of the woods.

"Well, who is it that we have here,"Zecora the zebra took notice of Apple Bloom and scraped up green dust stuck to a tree the minute she spotted her blinking aura,"Why, it's Apple Bloom, my dear! Please hold still, your mind needs to chill!"

Apple Bloom groaned and tried to relax from the pain, thankfully Zecora was there to help. The zebra took a deep breath and blew the green dust into the face of Apple Bloom, clouding her whole head in dust. Almost immediately, it felt like her heated head grew cold and almost numb. Her breathing was almost forced to slow down, her anger was slowly extinguished like a flame. Her body softened up and finally relaxed, causing the red aura to fade away.

"What has happened to you, youth? Ah, you've gone and chipped your tooth,"Zecora helped Apple Bloom to her hooves and assessed that Apple Bloom chipped her tooth in the fall,"Come with me, I have just the trick that will fix you up quite quick."

"Ok…"Apple Bloom responded quietly thanks to her new found calmness through her mind and body.

With that, the kindly zebra took Apple Bloom to her hut for some dental work. The stallion watched the two go together, he seemed disappointed that he now had to wait a little longer. But he had a secret mission to complete, and thankfully his cover was not yet blown.

"Hmm… So this is the filly they spoke of…"The stallion thought before quietly following the filly and zebra deep into the forest from the shadows.

After almost half an hour of walking through the Ever Free forest, they finally arrived. The stallion snaked through the bushes, watching and plotting as Apple Bloom and Zecora went into the hut. He couldn't let the filly out of his sight, so he was quick to rush to the nearest hut window. Thankfully one was located right next to a pair of bushes, the perfect spot to spy from. He rolled into the bushes, and slowly lifted up from them to poke his nose into the window.

He could see the zebra already stirring up a brew for Apple Bloom's tooth. He could see them talking, but he could not hear them with the window tightly shut, blocking out noises. So he fixed that by slowly pushing the window open like a door before ducking under the window to stay out of sight. Only then was he able to listen in on the conversation between a child and an adult.

"Your frustration is well understood, but one must be patient for all things good,"Zecora stirred her brew before getting some last ingredients for the brew,"Patience is also going to help you with that great power, for if you let anger and impatience control your great strength, it will turn you quite sour."

"Ugh! I've heard that from every pony I know, including the prince! And now it's from every zebra I know,"Apple Bloom scoffed and already started to blink from the frustration,"I'm just too impatient to be patient! I just want my cutie mark, and I want it now!"

She stomped her hoof down and knocked the last bit of ingredients into the brew. While everything on Zecora's shelves and walls tumbled down, causing her hut to quake and quiver. Thankfully, the zebra displayed a shockingly high amount of patience for the filly, if anything she only grew more concerned for Apple Bloom.

"I'll be as old as my Granny Smith and have nothing but a blank flank and,"Apple Bloom sat down and let the aura fade away as she looked to her hooves that could cause so much damage,"And… Crazy super strength that… I'm starting to get scared of…"

"All of that, depends on what your heart chooses to feel. For the heart is what causes that strength to reveal,"Zecora explained as she finally finished the brew and put some into a drinking bottle,"So…! For your cutie mark, you will have to wait. We must fix that tooth before it's too late."

The stallion dropped out from the conversation for a moment to process what he learned. Not only was the zebra a some pony of interest, but Apple Bloom's power was now more apparent. He tightened his hoof, and began to quietly chuckle with everything he learned so far.

"So the power learned from the draconequus is true… That filly carries raw potential in her veins,"The stallion thought as he let the thoughts and new information float around in his head,"the zebra seems somewhat disconcerting. Her conjuring and potions seem a bit dangerous for my…new Cohorts, as well as my own people."

He needed more information before he could safely assume anything. So he quietly pushed the window open and poked his muzzle through to listen in on the conversation again. And by some stroke of luck, a golden opportunity revealed itself, allowing him to potentially complete his mission in full. And already, he got more information by witnessing Apple Bloom's tooth instantly regrowing to it's former glory. His vision narrowed as he backed away a bit from the strange brews the zebra could make.

"Witch doctor…! Of course…! Only witch doctors have such experience in such nature magic and natural remedies,"He assessed as he watched the two go over to another new creation of Zecora's,"That flower…! That's… Hearts desire…!"

Quickly he dived down to avoid being spotted by the two, letting them speak of a new brew.

"Watcha got going on there?"Apple Bloom took interest in Zecora's new brew that involved the peculiar flower.

"I'm brewing up another mixture for a rooster and his chicks,"Zecora explained while mixing in the current ingredients without the flower to start,"It seems the rooster has lost his crown, making mornings very slow."

"Hey, I've seen that flower blooming in Ponyville! What is it?"Apple Bloom grew curious for the flower that was now being added into the mix.

"It is one we call, Heart's Desire. A dash will ignite the roosters fire,"Zecora explained while dashing the flower in and mixing it into a new brew,"With heart's desire, his talent comes into view, and he'll give a mighty cock a doodle doo!"

"Zowie! Heart's desire, huh?"Apple Bloom took great interest hearing what the flowers were capable of, the stallion did as well.

"I've found my opportunity…!"The stallion realized with excitement as he peeked to see Zecora leaving the hut.

"Ay me, but what is this? I have ran out of amethyst! I must go get this purple flower for my brew to have full power."Zecora realized and quickly departed to retrieve her missing ingredient.

"Yeah, you go, you go…"Apple Bloom's interest in the flower could be recognized, it filled the excitement within the stallion.

"Finally… My time to shine for my people…! Pssst, it won't work,"The stallion decided it was his time to shine and alarm Apple Bloom to his presence,"Heart's desire needs a little something before it's special properties can take effect."

"Huh? Who's out there? Where are you?"Apple Bloom was alarmed and searched around for the stallion's voice, only to be teleported outside in a flash of green magic.

"Sorry about dropping in like this kiddo. I like to work on the sly and out of the public eye,"The stallion kindly apologized while Apple Bloom seemed a bit suspicious, but at the very least, he wasn't a Cinder,"Any who… I saw what you were thinking of doing there. Wanted to stop you before you tried something pointless."

"Ok…? And let me guess. You're going to holler at me to be patient, aren't you?"Apple Bloom assumed as the stallion snickered at her cute assumption.

"Nah… I think you've gotten that more than enough times for today. As a matter of fact, I'm here to help,"The stallion surprised Apple Bloom with the idea that he could help her with the cutie mark problem,"You see that flower in it's current state won't do, even in that zebra's brew. That's for repairing damaged limbs and growing back organic matter, made of bone and flesh."

"So what do I need to make it grow a cutie mark?"Apple Bloom was quickly answered with a green brew being pulled out from behind the stallion's back.

"Cutie marks appear by the magic of discovering your talent. Heart's desire needs that sort of magic for direction,"The stallion explained and slowly gave the potion to Apple Bloom,"This brew mixed with the flower will imitate the magic of a cutie mark appearing while the flower directs you to your purpose. Ultimately, it will give you what you desire…!"

"Really? Just like that? Is there any catch to all this?"Apple Bloom looked to the brew and the flower with deep temptation.

"Not at all…! Seems like you've waited long enough for a cutie mark it seems,"The stallion backed away and chuckled, feeling satisfied with what he did,"Just mix the flowers in with the potion and chug it all. And by tomorrow morning you will have discovered your cutie mark!"

"Ok…! Thanks mister! I can't tell you how much this means to me,"Apple Bloom finally exclaimed with excitement for her cutie mark prayers being answered,"Hope to see you again! Watch out for Cinders while you're out here!"

"No problem, little one. I can handle myself just fine. Enjoy your mark, child,"The stallion waved the filly off and disappeared into the forest with a more sinister chuckle,"Mission complete…! By tomorrow, the town of Ponyville will be thoroughly demolished…!"

The satisfied could see the filly waving good bye to him as he strolled deep into the forest. He did not stop till the forest went completely dark around him, he was now alone in the woods. He sighed with relief, his secret mission was an apparent success, and now he was waiting. The mysterious pony stood there quietly, waiting, listening to the sounds of the forest that rustled. Till he then heard something moving among the trees, he felt a heat wave strike his back.

He slowly turned around and looked up as he spotted the great orange glow of a figure. That figure appeared to be that of a pony, and that pony appeared to be none other than the infamous Cinder pony. He backed away, for this Cinder was no ordinary one, this was the one that was thought to be dead. The Cinder pony that survived the worse of what the prince could deliver at the time. The stallion swallowed and cleared his throat before giving a momentary bow to the Cinder.

"Moltorious… My mission was a success…!"The stallion spoke quietly but sternly as the Cinder illuminated the darkness, revealing himself to be the Cinder's infamous leader.

"Really? That's good news…! You've just proved that your people are trustworthy… And reliable,"Moltorious slowly began to smile with sadistic purposes brewing in his flaming head,"You've earned our respect, and our master will be pleased with you…! Changeling!"

The stallion smirked, his true nature being made out as magical green rings surrounded him. As they surrounded him in a green magical veil, his true form was revealed. His fur vanished away and turn to bare black insect like skin, while his hooves grew crooked and full of holes. His blue insect like eyes were properly shown as his unicorn horn turned jagged and curved. His wings turned to webbed and glass looking bug wings that buzzed when they moved, they complimented a green saddle he wore.

He chuckled, baring many long and sharp fangs rather than flat teeth. His chuckles of wrong doing amused Moltorious, causing his mane to flare up like a large fireplace. But he did not want to get too ahead of himself, for he now had a more important assignment for the changeling.

"You've done well. Now that you have proven just how much of an asset your people are. I have a new task for you,"The fiery leader chuckled and let his fire flare harder with hidden excitement,"This one is simple. You only need to carry a message to your changeling queen…! Our master would like to meet with her! Perhaps, our factions could join together under common goals…!"

The changeling lit up, a potential partnership with such a bizarre and powerful group of ponies. It sounds exactly like what his queen desired, some pony to help her and her changeling's struggle. For they were a race of pony like creatures starved of love, and needed to drain it from helpless creatures. He smirked, he liked what he was hearing and slowly nodded to Moltorious's potential offer. This pleased the Cinder pony, as he placed both of his flaming hooves against the changeling's cheeks.

"Excellent! Send that message to her, and tell her to meet us at a cave at the north east forest,"Moltorious instructed the changeling as the bug like pony took flight with his buzzing wings,"Our master will be waiting for her. And they can discuss a brighter future for both of our people…!"

"I will inform her immediately! Tell your master, he won't have to wait too long!"The changeling promised as he bolted off through the forests all the way back to changeling hive in the bad lands.

"I shall…! And soon, we may have an army of changelings at our command…!"Moltorious chuckled with excitement and cracked his hooves, while watching the changeling disappear off to give a message to his queen.

---

The very rest of that day was now littered with unrest and lack of ease after what had occurred. Thankfully today was a new day, so that mean there was a decent chance for a better day. That was the hope Orion had for this day, as he was once again on a stroll through the town. This time he was on his way to the school house, where Shadow Swirl and Cheerlie were waiting for him. For serious supervision was required with the lesson they would open the school day with.

He still felt uneasiness about revealing the fourth and final curse to the children. But they needed know that such evil things existed, so they would be much more cautious about the world. Just believing in that was enough to settle down the prince's concern for the lesson. But that only then opened up another deep concern that he needed to deal with once he got to the school house. And it all revolved around the trouble with Apple Bloom, he needed to talk to her about her cutie mark, and her powers.

He had to be sure that nothing like what happened at the bowling ally didn't happen again. Her powers caused a spectacle at the bowling ally, and it was a struggle for the ponies to forgive and forget. He rubbed his hands together, as he neared the school house. Where he could see the kids playing on the pay ground before school was in session, it at least made sure no pony was late. As the kids played, he finally spotted Cheerlie and Shadow watching them from the door way.

He wasted no time rushing the rest of the way to the school house through the play ground. He waved to the mares upon his arrival, as he made his way pass the children and even vaulted over Snips and Snails while they played on the teeter totter. He then stopped abruptly, grinding his feet in the dirt until he came to a halt before the mares.

"Hope I wasn't late to the party…! Had a lot on my mind to think about for today."Orion already prepared himself with a reason that he would be late.

"I know, I heard about what happened yesterday at the bowling ally with Apple Bloom."Shadow revealed that she was well aware of what happened yesterday.

"Really? What happened at the bowling ally?"Cheerlie asked out of concern, noticing how dire their words sounded.

"Apple Bloom tried to get a cutie mark in bowling, and…when some other kid got one instead. She…had a melt down,"Orion tried to give Cheerlie a sweet version of what happened yesterday,"Ok can't be sweet about it… ! She basically almost caused the building to collapse when she had her nasty melt down."

"Her powers awoke because of her heart's fury… Probably felt a bit…robbed by the world granting another with a mark instead of her…."Shadow whispered to clarify it gentle for the concerned teacher.

"Oh dear…! Will she be ok?"Cheerlie asked and expressed her concerns for her student.

"Not sure… That's why after recess gets started, I'm gonna keep her in for a few minutes to talk,"Orion responded, worrying Shadow in the process, for Orion's way with disciplining and talking serious with children,"I'm thinking it's time me and Shadow went about teaching Apple Bloom how to control, discipline, and hone her abilities…!"

"Just try not to be too harsh on her…! She's much younger than we were when we started to train together as kids,"Shadow begged that they at least try to go easy on the young filly,"After all… She is a young Apple with her own troubles… And… She is related to Frosty…"

"I know… That's why I will try to do this nicely. For the sake of her family… And our comrade,"Orion promised before a sudden uproar of children began to draw their attention to an impossible spectacle,"Now what the heck could possibly be going on before the beginning of… Class?!"

Suddenly, the warriors and the teacher could not believe what they were seeing. Apple Bloom was currently causing a crowd to surround her, thanks to none other than a cutie mark. The mark appeared to be some what of a ring shaped mark, which seemed quite far fetched right off the bat. Every Apple's cutie mark represented and apple of some sort to verify them as an Apple family member. There was something going on, and the warriors did not like it one bit.

"Well…! Apple Bloom has finally found her cutie mark! Guess it's about time I suppose,"Cheerlie thought and tried to go greet her student, only to be held back with a stiff arm from Orion,"What's wrong? I would have thought you two would be excited for her."

"That cutie mark isn't real…! It's a fake."Orion decided to let the teacher in on the fact that the mark was not real.

"Heart's Desire…! But I can't make out what brew it was infused with."Shadow pointed out, while Apple Bloom noticed how unimpressed the warriors appeared to be.

"Should we…do something about it?"Cheerlie asked quietly while Apple Bloom decided to show off her "iron ring looping skills".

"No… We won't do this in front of the other kids. We're not trying to humiliate some pony,"Orion decided against openly calling Apple Bloom out for her fake cutie mark,"Especially since we know that she could easily destroy this whole property in a fit of rage for being made out…"

"We'll both talk to her personally next recess. For now, it would be a good idea to bring them inside for class…"Orion whispered and recommended a gentle course of action by simply starting up school.

"Very well…! Kids! Class has begun! Every pony inside and take your seats!"Cheerlie called out and rang the school bell that alarmed the students that it was time for school.

The children were quick to respond the moment they saw Orion was at the school. His authority around the school house was not to be challenged, it was only to be respected at all cost. So they wasted no time rushing to the door to line up and go inside nice and easy. Apple Bloom however appeared to be ever so confident, as she twirled her iron ring like a pro, Orion shook his head in response. Sighing as the children slowly made it inside the school house, where class could begin.

He didn't even fan an eye at Apple Bloom when she was the last one to enter. Quietly he went inside with Shadow Swirl, where the children seated themselves into their assigned seats. Apple Bloom appeared to be way over confident, and she still continued to twirl her ring around. Orion and Shadow Swirl looked at each other with great disappointment, it was insulting to see the filly living a lie. So Orion pointed a finger at her and shot a bullet of magic that blasted the ring away from the filly.

"Alright every pony, no more show boating! We're getting started with a very important lesson,"Orion decided to quickly get into the lesson behind the fourth and final dark curse,"No talking! No fooling around during this lesson. And when we say, back away. Back away!"

"It's for your own safety children. This curse we are about to show you is one of the most dangerous forms of magic in all existence,"Shadow decided to be the more gentle voice to keep the kids from getting too scared,"Now…! You know the curse of control, torture, and death…! Basic curses to say the least."

"But this curse, is very different. It's complex, unpredictable, and has caused more despair and chaos than the other three combined,"Orion saw that Sweetie Belle was more than worried for the curse she was going to see in the flesh,"Admittedly, me and Shadow Swirl were personal victims of this curse. For it has taken love ones away from us. Shadow lost her brother to the curse…"

"And Orion… He lost his father to it…"Shadow responded as they looked to each other with sympathy pain for their past.

"Cheerlie… Bring out the class pet we cast the curse upon…!"Orion requested and the teacher was quick to rush over to a cage right by the window that had a blanket over it.

"All of you, now is the time to back away towards the wall…!"Shadow warned, and the kids were quick to do so while Cheerlie set the cage on top of her desk.

"That means all of you, including you, Apple Bloom,"Orion yelled as he spotted Apple Bloom too distracted with her "cutie mark" to notice the kids quickly rushing to the back wall,"Apple Bloom! Back away to the wall!"

"Wha…? Oops! Sorry about that…!"Apple Bloom giggled and casually walked back to the wall to join the others.

"Thank you…! Now! Take off the cloth and let the pet be seen for the last time."Cheerlie did as she was told by yanking the sheet off the cage to reveal their class pet, a small rat that recently gave birth to a litter of three rats.

Orion and Shadow looked to each other, while the kids thought all looked normal at first. But the solemn looks on the warrior's faces appeared to bode ill things to soon happen. Shadow nodded and slowly approached the cage while suddenly levitating one little rat out of the cage.

"I suggest you join your students, Cheerlie. You don't want to be too close to this curse either,"Shadow suggested, and Cheerlie was not going to argue with how cautious the two warriors were being,"All of you! Pay attention, please! This scene looks normal, correct?"

The kids responded with some nods and a few yes's to compliment their interest. Shadow cleared her throat, knowing that they were fooled by the seemingly peaceful scene. It was only when her horn began to suddenly be shrouded in pitch black smoke rather than magic, that things appeared to be off. The room suddenly felt like it dropped about twenty degrees, they felt their bodies start to feel cold. As the smoke began to turn into a great cloud above the dark mare's head.

"It is time…! Your mind must now be mine…! You have a duty to fulfill,"Shadow's words seemed a bit raspy as the cloud swirled like a snake down into the cage and around the mother rat,"Your heart will be gone…! Serve me until your death! Given by the one you love…! Be my puppet! Serve the black graver!"

Shadow's sudden echoing chant seemed diabolical and super natural. It already had Snips trembling and swallowing with fear, as the cage began to tremble from the magic. They all heard the rats squeaking while Orion took up the one baby rat that remained away from the cage. From within the pitch black clouds, purple lightning surged like a part of a powerful storm. Striking both sides of the mother rats head, activating the curse that lingered within the rat's mind.

They all watched in suspense and fear as the cloud slowly disappeared into the rat as well. They felt the oxygen almost fully get sucked out of the air, they struggled to breath for a solid moment. Before the magic was finally calming down, the desks around the classroom trembled. Shadow released a relieving breath, as everything at long last began to calm back down. Orion waved his hand toward himself, allowing the children to return to their seats nice and quietly.

Slowly they seated themselves at their desks, not wanting to say a word. While Orion spotted Apple Bloom once again, playing with her iron ring rather than paying attention. And once again he shot the ring from her hoof before pointing a hard finger at her desk.

"Does everything still looked normal? Try to look real close, and see if you can see something out of the ordinary,"Shadow challenged the children to quietly try to scope out anything different about the scene,"Take your time… And do not share the answer among yourselves. All of you individually must learn this, so you can remember it."

"And that means all of you…! Including you Apple Bloom!"Orion finally threw a paper ball at the Apple that decided that her cutie mark was more important than the lesson.

"Please pay attention Apple Bloom…! This is important. Did you all see it,"Shadow asked and walked to the side of the cage as Apple Bloom quickly paid attention while the rest of the class nodded their heads,"Good… The difference…! Is the eyes the rat now currently has. You remember your pet rat, Martha sporting pretty green eyes…! But not any more."

The children all looked among each other, they all appeared to be in agreement. Sweetie Bell even swallowed, as she remembered the eyes she saw in Shadow's corrupted brother. Those pitch black eyes and purple static searing the mind of the victim, it was now nestled within the mother rat.

"The new found darkness in this poor souls eyes represents how empty she is inside now,"Shadow slowly walked around the rat to point out what has happened to the rat,"The purple static is the magic, ready to corrupt and trigger the rat's actions, depending on the commands I give it… But it already knows what I'm going to command of it."

"You already know what's going to happen next, Sweetie Belle… Apple Bloom,"Orion spoke morbidly to the two fillies that looked like they were gonna get sick,"As for the rest of you… I warn you… This is graphic… Because with Martha's mind and heart corrupted. She will do whatever we command of her. Even kill her own children…!"

That was the signal Shadow needed as her eyes blinked a bright color of purple. Once the command was given, the mother rat suddenly got shocked into an unprovoked rage. She screeched and even reared up on two legs to be loud and show her great rage from out of nowhere. Before she then lowered a deadly glare down to the two baby rats she had just given birth to. Her sudden anger was quick to boil over, as she then jumped on the two rats, and committed a great atrocity.

Many of them looked away in horror, even Sweetie Belle couldn't bare to watch a second time. The similar rage she saw before was too much as it was, so she dared not look to the result. Others struggled to watch as they watched the mother right, tear into her own children. Cheerlie felt her stomach bubble and churn, and she immediately ran to the window and swung it open. She then proceeded to hurl up her breakfast, thankfully the murderous nightmare was quick to end.

The babies were too young, they were dead the minute they were touched. So thankfully there were no screams or suffering, there was just fast actions and dead silence to be had. Slowly the children that hid away from the scene, as well as their teacher recovered to see the end result. There they were in complete disgust to see the throats of the young rats completely torn out. While the mother's paws and teeth were stained in her off springs blood, she stood there panting in mere exhaustion.

"Disturbing… Disgusting… Pure evil… These words are probably going through all your heads,"Shadow responded as they all remained gazing in terror for such an abominable action,"And this was but a small animal. This curse was more commonly used on other ponies to carry out assassinations on close and important relatives and friends."

"It was this very curse that bewitched my father, the king. And Shadow's little brother,"Orion added as he lowered his head and remembered those moments all too well,"And there was only one way that we could free them from this curse… Some pony very close to the victim's heart had to be the one to free them… By killing them."

Shadow responded to this by slowly letting her shadow take over the body of the one rat they took out of the cage. Once she had the little rat under control, Shadow was struck with sudden hesitation. She could see the terrified looks all the children were making after seeing this nightmare. She looked down to the little rat, and that's when a rare occurrence happened. She lost her nerve to let the children see what happens next, what needed to be done to free the mother rat.

"I can't… Not in front of the children… They've seen more than enough of this curse,"Shadow showed her sudden relent and desire to no longer frighten the children,"Can I just do what needs to be done outside behind the school? Please…?"

"I think that's a good idea… Mister Orion? Can the lesson end there?"Cheerlie asked while taking a breath mint from her conduct earlier.

He looked to Shadow Swirl, he could see that she was desperate not to scare the children any more. As was Ms Cheerlie, and once he saw how scare straight the children appeared to be. He finally had some relent and respectfully decided to let up on the students since they paid attention for the most part.

"Very well…! Shadow take the rats outside to end the mother's suffering,"Orion respectfully decided to grant Shadow permission to do the deed out of the children's sight,"Cheerlie, just a couple minutes to explain and you can have the kids back for the whole morning until recess."

"Very well. That works for me…!"Cheerlie sighed with great relief while Shadow took the rat cage up for a trip outside.

"Good… Before we conclude this lesson, let me say this much…! Look to the fellow student next to you,"Orion started with a warning and a curious suggestion for the children to do,"Today it was only a mother rat, but you never know. That curse may one day come to your best friend, a beloved pet, or even a family member. Granted, if you've gone and upset the wrong ponies."

The kids looked like they were either gonna start sweating or even crying. As they slowly looked to their own friends, thinking of what the Black Graver could very well do to them. This became very pleasing to see, for they were thoroughly processing this serious lesson from the past.

"And if that should happen…! You will be left with a choice. Would you rather let your cursed friend remain alive to become a monster? Or will you do what's right to set your love ones free,"Orion left them with one of the hardest questions for any pony to answer,"Thank you for your…nearly undivided attention. I'm happy for the most part that you were all paying attention…!"

"Indeed… And Apple Bloom, what he means when he says that… Is… Pay attention!"Cheerlie was sharp and loud to shock Apple Bloom out of her distracted consciousness.

"Thank you… Now then, Cheerlie they're all yours again, please enjoy,"Orion slowly began to walk towards a chair next to Cheerlie's desk to sit down and wait for Shadow to return,"Don't bother bringing in Martha, Shadow… Just bring in the lone survivor."

His words were answered with relief, seeing Shadow return to the classroom. And the only thing she was carrying in the cage was clean water, new strips of soft hay, and a lone young rat. Every pony but Cheerlie watched the cage return to it's rightful spot right next to the window. Where the new young rat would be raised by the class rather than a mother, a bitter sweet ending. Thankfully Cheerlie proved herself to be impressively gifted with cheering up her students from such a dark lesson.

She decided it was prudent for the kids to learn about animal care, and the little rat was the perfect pet to start with. While Shadow sat next to the prince to relax from the lesson they shared with the kids. She still felt a bit of disgust for what they had just showed the children, for that curse was not something to be seen by innocent eyes.

"The young rat will not know what transpired. He was sleeping when I took control of his body,"Shadow informed Orion of what transpired the moment she went outside to put down the mother,"I wish you weren't so insistent that the children had to witnessed that curse…!"

"It's better they know now rather than learn of it once it's been cast upon them,"Orion responded while not taking his eyes off Apple Bloom, for she still continued to twirl her iron ring,"I swear that filly is worrying me. First her powers spiral out of control after throwing a tantrum and now she's trying to live a lie…!"

"She's just desperate to finally find her purpose in the world. It's common among late bloomers,"Shadow insisted that it was not as much trouble as Orion made it out to be,"You were a late bloomer too, you openly admitted it. So what makes her different from you?"

"I had patience, and I didn't stoop to such tricks…! She's an Apple for Celestia's sake. Honesty is policy among the Apple family…!"Orion argued while Cheerlie gathered the kids around the baby rat to give it water.

"She's still a child though…! Younger than we were before we learned such patience."Shadow reminded Orion of how they were as children.

"You're never too young to learn how to have some patience…!"Orion stubbornly chose to be the strict one, it at least helped him have the strength to come down on Apple Bloom when the time came.

It took a few hours, a few long hours of animal care, math, and history. So many gentle lessons to help ease the minds of the children, slowly but surely, they were recovering from the dark lesson. That brought some comfort to the warriors, but Orion remained steady and firm. He felt the need that Apple Bloom needed some pony to finally start being hard on her for actions like this. And it did not matter if she got fussy or not, there needed to be some discipline for trying to lie and force a part of pony nature.

Finally, Cheerlie concluded the last of the morning with Shadow reading the children a fun little story. And the minute the red mare spotted the clock hitting noon, it was time. She quietly got off her chair, letting Shadow conclude her story about friends going on a brave journey to Mt Ghoul. She waited, holding onto the string to a bell that would alarm the children of recess. Once Shadow said the words, the end, Cheerlie immediately began to yank the string and ring the bell.

"Alright every pony, it's recess time. Pick up your lunches and head on out!"Cheerlie announced to all her students as they gave a cheer and wasted no time getting out of their seats.

"Tomorrow, I'll continue the three friends swimming across the Hippacampus river!"Shadow called out while the kids quickly started gathering their lunches to take outside.

Orion remained quiet and his arms remained crossed, watching the children collect their things. His eyes never stopped watching Apple Bloom's every move, as she collected her apple lunch. He sighed, as she still decided to twirl her iron ring using her tail, he almost felt insulted that she felt so pleased with this fake purpose. He shook his head, knowing that this was the moment he readied himself for. He watched the children line up and speak among themselves on everything they learned.

He could hear murmurs and gossips here and there about the Black Graver. There was fear, thoughts on wanting to avoid strangers at all cost no matter who or what they were. Some of them even appeared to promise some of their friends that they would do anything for each other. It appeared that the lesson was bringing friendships closer, and on a much more important level. He would feel great pride for how the children took the lesson, if not for how Apple Bloom was behaving.

Finally he slowly began to get out of his chair and let out a deep breath. As the children ran outside to eat their lunches and play together once again, every pony except Apple Bloom. For the prince immediately stopped Apple Bloom in her tracks and gave her a nudge back inside.

"What's going on? Am I in trouble for something, Orion?"Apple Bloom asked as he took her hoof and sat her down in his chair before gesturing to the door.

"Cheerlie, I would advise that you go out with the kids. This chat is better suited for us,"Orion insisted as Cheerlie slowly got up from her desk and quietly left the school house,"Good… Now…! I want you to try and explain some things to me Apple Bloom…! Regarding your behavior today, and that fake cutie mark of yours…!"

"Fake cutie mark?! What are you talking about?! My mark is real!"Apple Bloom was quick to go silent the minute Orion kicked the door shut.

"Apple Bloom…! No more lies…! We know Heart's desire had a hoof in this… Cutie mark,"Shadow decided to be the softer voice in all this while Orion once again took away Apple Bloom's ring,"Why would you go and drink something potentially dangerous just for a cutie mark?"

"I swear I ain't lying…! It just showed up once Applejack gave me an iron ring from an old barrel,"Orion rubbed the spot of his nose between the bridge and the forehead in stress with his two finger,"It's a real mark! It helps me do amazing tricks and everything."

"Judging by it. If she's ingested the flower with the wrong brew, there's no knowing what the effects will be."Shadow informed Orion of the more impending troubles around ingesting Heart's desire.

"I know. We need to find out what she's eaten since yesterday, and find a cure."Orion agreed and already had a case of action they needed to take up for Apple Bloom's sake,"Apple Bloom…! I've been patient and gentle with you since we met, and I've even covered for you yesterday regarding the bowling ally incident! But this lying and this blind obsession for a cutie mark has gone too far!"

"You don't want to admit your guilt, even when we can see right through a lie,"Shadow added with great disappointment, much like a mother greatly upset with her kid,"You come from a family who never lies…! Do you know how they would feel if they knew you were lying and taking shortcuts like this?"

"Or how they're going to feel!? Because I'm not covering up for you any more,"Orion strictly corrected, for he had one first thing to do in terms of fixing the problem,"I'm going to depart to your home and tell your family what's really going on regarding your…"Cutie mark" And we're going to do something about that mark!"

"WHAT?! N-no! You can't! It's my cutie mark! It's my purpose!"Apple Bloom exclaimed out of blasted fear now that Orion was bringing the hammer down on her games.

"No it's not! It's a fake mark that you forced on yourself! It's a crime against your true purpose and lying is a crime against your family morals,"Orion yelled sternly to the filly as she began to tremble in fear and shock,"Your family is going to hear about this, and I am going to see if Twilight can find a cure for this mark! END of story!"

"It's whats best for you, Apple Bloom…! For the sake of your true self and your family,"Shadow tried to play it peacefully, rubbing her back that started to tense up and tighten,"Please lets not make this too big of a deal, we're just going to help you continue on the path to your true purpose…!"

"But I've found my purpose! It's right here, on my flank! I've found my talent!"Apple Bloom seemed bent on defending her actions to the very end.

"I've heard enough! Continue the school day like normal! I have work to do!"Orion was done listening to lies and nonsense, and he decided to make for the door to leave.

"NO! PLEASE! I can't lose my special talent! I just earned it! PLEASE,"Apple Bloom begged as her fear turned to rising anger and blind stress that started to make her glow,"I can't go back to being a blank flank! I can't wait any longer for my mark! I CAN'T!"

"Apple Bloom, calm down! It's not as bad as you think it is…!"Shadow tried to hold the Apple by her shoulders as the red aura grew brighter while the floor beneath them began to split and crack.

"NOOO! PLEASE, DON'T DO IT!"Apple Bloom begged and screamed with rage that as her anger boiled over.

"Orion!"Shadow tried to warn as she saw the floor breaking and coming apart.

"I already said, end of story! Now stop begging, and take your punishment with dignity!"Orion opened the door to leave, and that's when Apple Bloom finally snapped.

She growled and yanked herself out of Shadow's grip and ran for Orion to stop him. He only heard the smashing of hooves going clean through wood, he barely managed to look to the corner of his eye. Before Apple Bloom surprised both warriors by tackling the prince from behind. Causing them to fly out of the school house and clear over the play ground where every pony could see. Before they came down and slammed together into the dirt in front of the playground.

The kids were instantly shocked and distracted from what they were all currently doing. As dirt exploded like a volcano of dirt, it came down like a rain storm that coated their manes. Before they could see a scene that appeared impossible, and a great taboo when it came school. A student was currently wrestling and fighting with a teacher, and this was no form of play fighting. Not when Apple Bloom was glowing and currently trying to hold down and squeeze Orion like crazy.

It came as quite the shock to be tackled and slammed deep into the dirt. As he rolled to his back, only to see Apple Bloom desperately trying to hold him down and stop him from leaving. He grabbed at her hooves, trying to pry them off his torso, but they were so strong.

"Apple Bloom! Enough of this! Release me this instant!"Orion demanded as he slowly strained and struggled to lift the hooves off him.

"You can't tell my family! I can't lose this cutie mark! It's my purpose!"Apple Bloom yelled while trying to push back and restrain him.

"Apple Bloom stop this right now! There's no need for this,"Shadow ran out of the school to try and stop the scuffle, just in time for Orion to get his hand under Apple Bloom's chest,"Orion, don't hurt her…!"

He managed to shove her off and grab for the back of the filly's neck. Before he drove her face into the dirt and locked her right hoof behind her back, putting a strain on Apple Bloom. She struggled against his grip, pushing and slowly letting her power rise as Orion tried to stay firmly planted on the ground. But the filly's immeasurable strength was slowly pulling back on his hold. She got her back hooves under her and gave a good strong kick off from the ground.

This turned her into a ram as she slammed her head against the prince's jaw. Causing them to soar into the middle of the play ground, and smash a hole between the sand box and jungle gym. Even when on his back, Orion was able to gain momentum and bring his feet up to kick Apple Bloom in the flank. Forcing her to roll off him and face plant into the dirt once again. He took this opportunity to roll and sweep back to his feet and take a solid stance against the out of control Apple.

"Enough is enough…! Don't you keep going down this road, Apple Bloom…! I'm warning you."Orion advised Apple Bloom against trying to stop him from doing what he must.

"I just earned my cutie mark, and you're trying to take it away!"Apple Bloom still seemed desperate to hold onto her cutie mark, regardless of it's origin.

"It's NOT…! A REAL…! CUTIE MARK!"Orion roared right in front of the entire class and the mares.

The crowd gasped, they couldn't believe what they were hearing from the teacher. Apple Bloom was so committed to passing off a fake cutie mark, and just when they were so sure it was real. With her secret now in the open, Apple Bloom was in great humiliation. It was the final nail to the coffin of her self control, her anger was now practically melting her down from the inside. She growled, feeling veins in her forearms and forehead pushing to the surface as her glow flared like fire.

"NOOOOO! IT'S MY MARK!"Apple Bloom yelled and kicked off with a charge for the prince.

Orion had to admit, he was getting a bit scared as she kicked a massive blast of dirt and stone into the air. The wind whip lashed as dirt covered half of the students that watched in confusion. Orion could tell there was no dodging a charge this fast with unknown amounts of force behind it. So he stomped his feet into the ground for leverage and curled up two fists to stop her hooves from wrapping around him and tackling him. His body braced for the charge as he swung his fists forward to meet the attack.

He readied his full normal strength as he bent down and let his fists smash against the filly's hooves. He felt an immediate and sharp jolt of pain and shock rattle up his arms. But he was able to take the hit while the ground under them exploded and threaten to cave in like a sink hole. The kids were quick to run to the safety of their teacher as the play ground began to crumble from underneath. While Orion struggled to keep Apple Bloom back, hoping that she would soon run out of steam.

And so they ran into a stalemate, even as Shadow tried to intervene. Letting her shadow quickly snake across the crumbling play ground, and quickly attach itself to Apple Bloom's shadow. The sudden power Apple Bloom was packing hit her like a train, and even Shadow struggled to control her. The filly showed staggering resilience, as she started pushing the prince back. His feet cracked and crushed the ground, digging in a rut as the filly continued to keep pushing him.

Shadow felt herself getting pulled in with the struggle, it was like many leashed dogs pulling one pony. Shadow tried to use her full strength, but it felt like Apple Bloom had endless strength to spare. Thankfully, Orion felt a very solid stone let his feet rest against to stop them from moving. But now he was stuck in a fight that boiled down to full strength, and this stubborn Apple wasn't budging. He growled, trying to push her back and overpower, but the filly only responded by pushing harder.

He could see her face turning red and strained, sweat was dripping from her head and chin. It made Orion have to make a choice, for any pony that pushes that hard was bound to do irreparable damage to their body. He swallowed, his arms were suddenly wavering under the shear power. He had to think fast, Shadow was looking like she was about to be on the end of her rope too. As her shadow began tearing like stretched fabric that could not contain a growing body.

Finally, his hand was forced with what strength they had left to stop Apple Bloom. Slowly he manage to move her hooves down towards the ground, away from his body. He growled, making sure he didn't miss his next move as he quickly then threw her hooves down. Letting them drive right into the dirt, they got stuck, leaving her head completely open to anything. And that anything came in the form of an open palm, full force slap that swung like a whip across her face.

Apple Bloom felt the throbbing and sharp smack that rattled the side of her face. It sent her reeling back and slamming her back against the jungle gym, she immediately held her cheek. As the force of the slap settled in, after breaking all the windows thanks to the shear force of his swing. Cheerlie and Shadow were awe struck by the sudden action committed between teacher and student. The children gripped their own faces in sympathy pain for the scary loud slap.

Silence quickly took over, as Apple Bloom sat there shaking with red hot pain. Shadow immediately released her shadow grip on the filly, allowing Apple Bloom to rub her cheek. Silently the Apple began to slowly look to the prince, never taking her hoof away from her cheek. She saw him standing there, panting with exhaustion as his arms dangled weakly. She could see immediate regret on his face for his actions, but that quickly derailed by what she saw felt.

As her hoof rubbed her cheek, she had then noticed a warm and wetness against her face. She lifted her hoof up and wiped the strange liquid off her face, only to determine that not only was it not from her face. But it appeared to be dark red blood, and the only injury she felt was a red mark on her face. The mystery of the sudden blood was scaring her, especially when she looked back to Orion. His dangling arms held the answer she needed to the mystery, for he had sustained a shocking injury.

She looked to her hooves, both of them were bloody, but not by her wounds. Rather it was from the gruesome opened up wounds all over Orion's knuckles, every knuckle on his hands was bleeding. They were wide open and blood was streaming from them, dripping from his fingers. His blood stained the grass as he looked down to his completely gashed up knuckles. They began to shake, and the slow pain was settling in, but he knew how to handle such petty injuries.

However as he looked to Apple Bloom, he could see pure terror replacing her anger. Her bloody hooves shook, her breath became unsteady to see that she actually injured a warrior of all things. Never did she think she could ever even scratch an Equestrian warrior, let alone make him bleed. Not only that, but this was a close friend she made, even before she met Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. If that was the damage she could do to a warrior, than there's no knowing what she could do to her weaker friends.

She shook her head, portraying a great terror for what she had just done. Without delay and without a single thought, she quickly scrambled to her hooves and run away. Taking off clear out of the school, heading towards the town to hide away from her friends and classmates. Orion reached out to stop her, but the filly was already gone with her head lowered to the ground. She did not look back, she no longer wanted to look at the pain and damage she had now caused.

"Apple Bloom!"Orion called out to the filly in vain before he tried lightly gripping at his sore hands.

"Let her go…! She needs a chance to calm down after all this…!"Shadow insisted that Orion did not try and flag the filly down.

"Children! Go inside and pack up! You all get to go home early as long as you don't tell your parents about this,"Cheerlie instructed her students to stay quiet about what happened and simply take their half a school day gift,"Do you two need any help over here? You're bleeding quite a bit there."

"No… I'll be fine. I just need to clean these fists off and wrap them up,"Orion denied the help and rubbed at his hands that continued to bleed,"We need to go see Twilight and Applejack. They need to know what happened…!"

"First lets do something about those hooves of yours. She messed them up…!"Shadow insisted while taking Orion off towards the library to mend his injuries.

"Fine…! We'll have a friend come and repair the damage. Try the spa since you get the rest of the day off,"Orion called as Shadow dragged the prince off into the town,"Typhoon will pay for it! He'll treat you right!"

"I knew her cutie mark was fake...!"Came a quiet gossip from Diamond Tiara, and Orion responded with a shout and a raise of his bloody hand.

"HEY! You wanna be next?! Go back inside and pack up!"He roared and spooked the filly before she went back inside to avoid the same punishment.

With that said, the two warriors were quick to get back to the library. They needed to patch up Orion after the nasty scuffle he got into with Apple Bloom, it was more embarrassing than painful. He sighed, he wasn't sure how to feel after actually fighting with the young filly. He felt a bit of guilt for actually striking her as he did, but she looked absolutely terrified when she saw him injured. It was a lot like the look he had when his crystals nearly killed Celestia when they were very young.

These thoughts gave him a deep sympathy for Apple Bloom, regardless of what she did. They at least distracted him from his knuckles slowly going numb from all the bleeding. Thankfully after almost an hour of slow walking through the town, they had made it back to the library. Shadow was first to go in by kicking the door open and rushing into the library, where Twilight and Spike were quietly reading. But the moment they looked to see the commotion, Orion was quick to enter.

And that's when they were able to notice little bits of blood dripping from his hand. Twilight was quick to spring out of her chair upon seeing the injury, and Shadow didn't even have to say anything. The young unicorn was fast to run to the bathroom to fetch a medical kit, while the prince simply sat down in a chair.

"You guys wanna let us in on what happened this time?! Was it a Cinder?"Spike hopped off his own chair and decided to be the one to address the new elephant in the room.

"No…! Honestly I wish It was…!"Orion said while Twilight rushed out with the medkit, and gave it to Shadow, allowing the dark mare to go to work.

"Who did all this?"Twilight asked while Orion let Shadow check out his knuckles.

"It was… Apple Bloom…! Things got out of control after I sat her down for a chat,"Orion explained while Shadow got to work wiping his knuckles off with a wet alcohol drenched cloth,"I caught her faking a cutie mark by consuming a flower called Heart's Desire. When we sat her down, she became so consumed with living a lie…! We just…"

"He finally decided to bring a bit of authority down on her, and was going to tell you and Applejack about it,"Shadow explained as she finished cleaning out the open gashes in his hand,"Once she truly believed she was going to lose her mark, she lost it, and attacked Orion…!"

"Really?! You got busted up by a filly?!"Spike chuckled and laughed at Orion's embarrassing fight, and was awarded with a book slamming him straight in the noggin.

"Her powers went hay wire again, just like they did at the bowling ally."Orion explained while tossing the book he used on Spike aside.

"She was far stronger than we thought. I couldn't even fully shadow possess her,"Shadow explained the fruits of Apple Bloom's power so far,"Orion had to give her a hard flat hoof across the kisser to get her to stop…!"

"You…HIT her?!"Twilight exclaimed, almost distracting Shadow from starting to stitch up the gashes.

"It was the only thing I could do! It was the only thing I could think of that wouldn't involve seriously injuring her,"Orion grunted from the stitches stinging his wounds and kicked a table over,"She ran off into town somewhere, she seemed ok. But she looked completely terrified."

"Can you blame her? She actually just got struck for spiraling out of control. And from her friend no less."Twilight incited while Orion found it hard to believe that getting struck was what scared Apple Bloom.

"We can moan and whine more about what should have been done later. For now we need to find a cure for Heart's Desire,"Shadow insisted after several stitches managed to seal up Orion's knuckles,"There's bound to be negative effects to come from consuming the flower along with a mysterious brew. Her powers have become enough of an issue as it is."

"I can start scoping through books immediately till I find one on super natural plants and spices!"Twilight instantly wanted to do what she could to resolve the problem. While Orion was getting his hands wrapped up in gauze.

"You do that, after I'm all patched up here. We're going to the Apple farm to talk to the Apples about this,"Orion informed as he looked to his hands getting wrapped up like he was about to go into a cage match,"I just hope the family doesn't get too fired up over-"

"We got a serious problem every pony! Like major problem, if not catastrophic!"Applejack suddenly burst through the door in a panic and stumbled upon the scene.

She looked to the greatly surprised friends that remained silent as she looked at the sight. Twilight was looking into herbs and flowers to find a cure, while Shadow was wrapping up Orion's hands. And from the looks of the blood already staining the gauze, she had a feeling her troubles weren't the only troubles.

"What happened here?!"Applejack questioned while the answer quietly entered the library.

"You first…! What's going on with you? What's the big trouble?"Orion decided to ask the big question before he spotted Apple Bloom hiding right behind her sister.

"Something is going on with Apple Bloom…! She's gone and suddenly grown two cutie marks,"Applejack explained her situation while Apple Bloom peeked to see the warriors,"She's got a ring mark, a french mark, and now a plate balancing mark! I'm starting to worry…!"

"Well… Growing a bunch of cutie marks? I think we just found out what the kid drank with the flowers…!"Orion suddenly had an answer to the issue regarding Apple Bloom's cutie marks.

"Changeling blood and boiled Ever Free leaf juice…! The disease imitating brew…!"Shadow gave them all the answer they were desperate to look for.

"I beg your pardon?"Applejack questioned while Apple Bloom slowly began to back away after she spotted Orion with bandages on his hands.

"We saw Apple Bloom's ring cutie mark. We immediately knew it was fake."Orion explained as the bandaging was finally finished and he was good to use his hands again.

"She consumed Heart's Desire. A flower that gives one their heart's greatest desire. In her case… A cutie mark,"Shadow explained the issue even further as Apple Bloom quietly inched towards the door,"Until now, we didn't know what she had consumed with the flower until now. She's drank a brew made from changeling blood and Ever Free leave juice. Something that causes imitations of infamous diseases, depending on what's mixed into the brew."

"And from the looks of it…! I'd say it's trying to imitate cutie pox!"Orion stood up and finally decided to call out to Apple Bloom, catching her in the act.

"Apple Bloom? Is this true? Were you messing around with potions just for a cutie mark?"Applejack questioned, and was only given fear stricken silence in return.

"Now Apple Bloom! Let's not go running away again…! We're only doing this for your own good!"Orion tried to stop Apple Bloom from running, but his words fell on deaf ears.

The filly immediately took off out the door, not even processing two more cutie marks appearing on her. This left Applejack in shock from the sudden turn this trip to Twilight's took. While once again, the warriors were left feeling as if they had failed the filly once again.

"I ain't seen Apple Bloom do anything like that in her life. She looked completely terrified…!"Applejack couldn't help but notice how scared Apple Bloom appeared to be.

"You guys wanna tell her about what happened today and yesterday? I found the flower, now I just gotta find the cure."Twilight suggested while she sat down to read down on the information regarding Heart's Desire.

"Yeah… As for your question regarding my hooves in this current condition… Funny thing,"Orion started out while showing off his injured knuckles to Applejack,"You remember when I said a dormant sink hole caused a nasty collapse in the bowling ally…? Funny thing about all that…"

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom once again ran as fast as she could, desperate to get away from her friends and family. The aftermath of what she did was far more scary than what initially happened. Her powers were out of control, and they were suddenly starting to come out with more cutie marks as well. She tried to resist the marks that beckoned her to do many different things. Spin plates on a stick, twirl a ring using her tail, speak french, balance a ball on her front hooves.

And once she saw the red glow envelop her body once again, it took her for a ride. She felt her arm spasm and throw her right through a building full of bouncy balls. She smashed out the other end juggling numerous balls with the same muzzle that was balancing a stick spinning a plate. She began to sweat, her body seemed like it was now starting to work against her. She did not understand how her powers were being effected after consuming such a brew and flower mix.

She screamed, before her back legs suddenly blasted the ground they stood on. Causing her to leap into the air, while a crater exploded into the door, causing two houses to collapse. That was when a construction mark appeared the moment she slammed through the roof of a home repair shop. She immediately burst through the doors and ran to the two destroyed houses. Where she quickly rebuilt the two houses against her will, her body was already getting sore and vein like.

"HELP! I can't take much more!"Apple Bloom cried out for help as her legs forced her to charge towards the flower shop.

Thankfully, that was when she could see her friend Zecora just outside the closed shop. But she was coming in too hot, she flew like a missile that passed the zebra in a flash. Until she crashed right into the shop, causing it to collapse into yet another pile of rubble. Only for the filly to quickly repair the whole building with blinding speed and force before the zebra's eyes. Apple Bloom then attempted to drive her hooves into the ground, giving her a chance to stay still and get her friend's attention.

"Zecora, help! I can control myself! I got marks all over me, and my powers are going nuts!"Apple Bloom screamed for help as her hooves began to crack open the ground around her like an earthquake.

"My goodness child! Your stress levels must be beyond wild,"Zecora exclaimed as she felt Apple Bloom's forehead, feeling it pulse and feel incredibly tight with strains,"I insist you calm down, Apple Bloom! Throwing uncontrollable power around like that could cause your impending doom!"

"I can't! I'm too distracted with all these cutie marks making me do stuff! I can't control it!"Apple Bloom exclaimed before the ground suddenly exploded under her, causing the filly to disappear underground.

Zecora backed away as Apple Bloom was suddenly moving underground. Causing a deep crack and trail of dirt to follow wherever the filly went, Zecora immediately needed to follow. It was like a giant work was moving right under the surface, tearing up the town as it went. Zecora tried to keep up as best as she could, but the speeds Apple Bloom was going at were beyond her limit. Thankfully there was some help on the way in the form of Twilight, Orion, Shadow, and Applejack.

Orion quickly slammed his foot down, causing a wall of red crystal to spring from the ground. It was just the blockade they needed to stop the filly in her tracks, as she slammed head first into the wall. Only for the filly to suddenly launch out of the ground like a trout springing through water.

"What has happened to Apple Bloom?! Her powers have gone crazy, causing half the town to go boom!"Zecora exclaimed as she saw the filly slam down on her hooves, causing a shock wave to shatter the windows of homes around her.

"Oh no…! We're too late…! Her powers are already going haywire! Now that she's got no will to control them!"Orion warned as Apple Bloom charged like a bull into a mirror store, compliments of a new matador cutie mark.

"Apple Bloom took some Heart's desire flowers along with a disease imitating brew!"Shadow explained as Zecora suddenly felt something come to light when it came to this new information.

"Heart's desire in a brew? I think I found out why my supply of Heart's desire flowers were so few!"Zecora grew an epiphany while Apple Bloom zoomed pass them with two new tag alongs.

They came in the forms of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo holding onto Apple Bloom for dear life. Screaming as they went through Sugar Cube Corner and exploded out of a gingerbread wall. Covered in cake batter and icing painted all over their faces.

"Apple Bloom!? There you are! We were looking everywhere for you when you ran!"Sweetie Belle exclaimed as they went clean through the quill pen and couch store.

"Is there any way you can kind of cool it down with the whole glowy super power thing?!"Scootaloo asked before they noticed they were heading right toward the group of warriors and elements of harmony.

"I can't! My powers have gone crazy! Every time I get a cutie mark, they get worse!"Apple Bloom cried before they all screamed and braced for impact.

"Run!"Twilight yelled before every pony jumped out of the way, every pony, except for Orion.

He sighed, before taking a center solid stance, and letting a red glow immediately surround his body. The girls screamed, closing their eyes to brace for a nasty collision with the prince. But he held his ground and instantly let the magic disappear like smoke into his chest. At that moment, he gripped and threw off his red long coat, before his body went through a familiar transformation. His muscles immediately bulked up, steam rose from him as his entire body pulsed with new found muscle.

They his arms, legs and torso were about three times their normal size, and they were aligned with muscle. His skin went completely red, as did his flickering hair as he put up his hands. Ready to take the hit, displaying the very same strength he used to defeat Moltorious.

"Are you mad, sir Orion! Move out of the way, or you might end up dying!"Zecora yelled for the prince to move aside, but Twilight knew what was going to happen.

"Orion MOVE!"Apple Bloom cried for the safety of her friend, but he only responded by slamming his feet deep into the ground.

With a slow and steady breath, he was ready for the moment he felt Apple Bloom ram into his hands. They worked their magic and gripped her front hooves, her lower body swung forward. As a hurricane like force blasted right pass the prince, destroying the ground and turning it into a trench behind Orion. But to most of the ponies shock, he did not move from that spot. Even as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were sent flying behind the prince, thankfully Applejack and Twilight were there.

Scootaloo was caught in a bubble of purple magic while Applejack made a strong jump and grab for Sweetie. Catching the filly like a high flying football and landing on her flank in the dirt. With the fillies out of harms way, Orion could finally reign in on the out of control strength of Apple Bloom. He shoved her forward, growing as he drove the filly into the ground on her back. His own strength scorched and began blasting a deep hole in the ground they wrestled in.

Apple Bloom could only lay in the ground and take the mind shaking force of the prince. As the ground turned black and scorched with burning red magic, quickly the hole turned into a crater. But the prince didn't stop till he felt the wavering of Apple Bloom's forearms and legs.

"These seeds must be planted in the ground! With truth, they will grow! And the cure is found!"Zecora tried to call out to the prince as he looked to the zebra and started to tone down his power.

"WHAT?!"He asked for the zebra to repeat herself as his magic slowly faded away to nothing.

"The seeds of truth do hold the cure! But one must speak the words, true and pure!"Zecora simplified the cure they needed to make the cutie marks go away and bring down her powers.

"So she just needs to tell the truth…! Very well then!"Orion agreed and looked back to the filly's frightened, and slightly burnt face.

He panted, her legs felt like jelly after how overused her powers were. At least it gave him the chance to restrain her, and ensuring that she could not escape him any more. Slowly his body lost all the extra bulk, as well as the red color of his skin, while the steam around his body faded.

"Tell the truth, Apple Bloom! That's the only way this will all stop! How did you get these cutie marks!"Orion demanded answers as they laid there in the smoldering crater, where every pony could now look down to them.

"OK! OK! I can't stand it any more! It's me! I admit it! I didn't earn my cutie mark! They're all fake,"Apple Bloom finally yelled out the proper truth, something they all wanted to hear,"I figured Heart's desire would help me get what I wanted most! So when Zecora left her hut! I took the flowers and mixed them with a potion I got from some stranger in the forest!"

"Stranger? What stranger?!"Orion questioned as cutie marks were starting to disappear from the filly's body.

"He wasn't a Cinder I swear! He had fur, a brown mane and everything. He said the brew would make my desire a reality!"Apple Bloom told more truth, and more cutie marks disappeared.

"Any pony who offers you a brew made from changeling blood and leaf juice is no friendly stranger to you,"Orion decided to clarify Apple Bloom on the dangers of meeting a stranger,"Now I need one more thing answered, and I want the truth! Why were you so scared?! Why did you run away?!"

"What…?"Apple Bloom could not understand the prince's sudden question.

"Answer me…! What were you so scared off yesterday and today? When you ran away from your friends, and when you ran from us twice,"Orion did his best to make his questions more clear for the filly to understand,"What had you so scared of being around us? Was it because you didn't want to lose your mark, or was it because I struck you…?"

"No… I was scared because… Because I thought I was going to hurt some pony,"Apple Bloom looked away and confessed to the more hidden secret she had been hiding for the longest time,"My powers… That's what's scaring me… After what I did to the school… And to the bowling ally… I was starting to get scared of what I could do…"

The anger immediately drained from the prince after hearing the confession. As did the rest of the group, Zecora in a way figured that this was the case after what Apple Bloom did in her hut. Orion responded to this confession by slowly letting go of Apple Bloom's hooves and leaning away from her. Allowing himself to quietly sit in the scorched dirt to think on what he learned. This brought back so many memories of when he was scared of his abilities as a small boy.

"At first I thought my powers were amazing…! But then… The minute I made you of all ponies bleed,"Apple Bloom slowly sat up and hugged herself as she thought about the damage she did,"I didn't want to be near any pony after that… If that's the damage I could do to a warrior… Who knows what I could do to others…!"

"So that's what it was all about… Heh… Funny…! You sound a little bit like me…!"Orion chuckled and laid back against the walls of the crater.

Apple Bloom lifted her head a little bit, hearing the new confession from the prince. The fact that he could look back on things like that and simply chuckle at it was quite a shock. Out of curiosity, the young filly got closer to the prince as he looked to the sky to hear him out about his past.

"As a colt… I thought that way of my powers too… At first they were beautiful and fun to play with. My sisters couldn't get enough of the crystals,"Orion laughed and sighed before his smirk became more solemn,"But then I realized how dangerous they could be. They could pierce the toughest hide, crush the strongest bones, shatter bodies into a shower of crystal shards…!"

"But I bet you got control of them before you even started becoming a warrior…"Apple Bloom sighed as she sat next to the prince.

"Actually… I did what you tried to do… I ran away from home… Away from my family even. All the way to the north mountains,"Orion admitted that he also wanted to just run away from his troubles,"But… I learned that… I can't run away from what's troubling me… I have to go towards the friends and family that could help me…! No matter how scared you might be…!"

"So… What do I do…? I don't want to hurt any pony… Not my friends…or my family."Apple Bloom admitted and finally started to come clean with her fears.

"That's… Kind of something me and Shadow wanted to chat about with your family,"Orion decided to let Apple Bloom in on what they were going to discuss with Apple family,"We need to get those abilities under control and operating like normal… To do that…! You'll need a teacher or two to help you."

"Are you saying… You're going to teach me how to control my powers?Apple Bloom asked, not wanting to believe what the prince was inciting.

"Yes… Me and Shadow will help you control and use your powers in a gentle and harmless manner,"Orion explained the terms of what Shadow and himself had in mind for the filly,"You'll learn a couple forms of fighting, as well as discipline, AND…some MUCH needed patience. Maybe it'll help you learn to wait for your cutie mark!"

"Yeah… I guess it will…"Apple Bloom agreed and sighed the moment she watched her less cutie mark disappear into magic dust.

She appeared a bit destroyed, now that she was back to having no cutie mark. But after all this, the prince wasn't going to let Apple Bloom feel any more defeat after all she endured. So he decided to start out with a playfully punch to her forearm, it slightly rocked her like a chair. She looked at him with confusion, only for him to throw another light and playful punch straight at her arm. She slowly smirked, and did the same to Orion's arm before finally letting out a quiet giggle.

He chuckled in response, and gave her a slightly harder jab in the forearm. Causing the little Apple to lightly fall over on her side, but she rolled right back up to her flank and returned the favor. They simply laughed at the friendly showings of peace and forgiveness between friends. While Orion finally decided it was time to get out of the gaping hole they were in.

"Hey! Did every pony get all this!? Applejack!"Orion called up as the mares struggled to see them in the large hole.

"I heard you! I'll have to talk to Big Mac about it, but I think y'all can do that!"Applejack called back down to the man and filly.

"And Zecora! I'm sorry I stole from you! I wouldn't blame you if you never want me to come by again!"Apple Bloom apologized to her zebra friend for one last bit of atonement.

"Now Apple Bloom, do not be silly. You are always welcome my little filly,"Zecora called back down and was more than forgiving for Apple Bloom's ambitious,"With each mistake you learn something new. Growing up into a better you!"

"That's nice! Now can some pony kindly help us out of here?! This crater is deeper than I expected it to be!"Orion decided to be the one to ask them all the more obvious question.

Hours later, Apple Bloom and her fellow crusaders were in the library among friends. The warriors finally got a chance to kick up and relax from the crazy day they had today. Zecora was currently applying some ointment to help with the mild burn marks all over Apple Bloom's face. Applejack was just now returning from the library after going to the farm to speak with her family. And the warriors were relieved to hear the news she had for them regarding what Orion had in mind for Apple Bloom.

"Good news! Mac and Granny Smith agreed to let you two tutor Apple Bloom,"Applejack announced the moment she entered the library,"All it took was a little trip around town and a bit of that destruction to persuade them."

"Good to hear…! We can start first thing this Saturday! Hope you'll be ready, kid."Orion replied and looked to Apple Bloom as she now stood next to Spike and her friends.

"I will Sir! I promise…!"Apple Bloom responded and looked to the letter Spike was about to write.

"Apple Bloom? You ready to write to the princess and tell her what you learned?"Twilight asked as she also stood at the filly's side, ready to give Spike the word.

"I'd be happy to…! Spike?"Apple Bloom agreed and looked to the baby dragon.

"Ready!"Spike responded in kind before Apple Bloom started the lesson.

Dear Princess Celestia

Waiting for what your Heart desires can be really hard. So, you may try to take a shortcut. Buy dishonesty never works, because you didn't earn what your heart desired. The only cure is being honest with yourself and others. And that's something every heart desires.

"I sure am proud of you, sis. Seems like you finally learned the importance of patience."Applejack patted her sister's back for learning a hard lesson.

"Yup! Good things come to those who wait… And I'm gonna learn it a whole lot harder Saturday,"Apple Bloom blushed and looked to Shadow and Orion for the start of something new,"I actually can't wait for it to be honest… It'll be nice to not be afraid of showing off my strength for a change."

"Just be ready when the day comes. Because the basic training we have in store for you is anything but basic,"Orion warned that the training he and Shadow had for her would not be easy,"But by the end, you'll be so much stronger and confident in your endeavors. You'll even be able to protect the ones you love…"

"Thanks… For being honest with me…"Apple Bloom admitted her gratitude and happiness to be getting the help she needed since her powers first appeared.

"I just thought of Something… What about this stranger…? Could you find him at all?"Twilight suddenly brought up the case of the stranger that gave Apple Bloom the bad potion.

"No... I couldn't find a bucking trace of any pony matching the description,"Shadow decided to be the one to reveal the bad news regarding the stranger,"And it gets too dark in the forest for my shadows to tag on to any pony in there."

"This is some very troubling news, the thought of a vile being giving children foul brews,"Zecora admitted her disgust at the idea of some pony abusing the power of brews,"And now this criminal dares to hide in the dark. I hope severe punishment becomes his inevitable mark!"

"We;ll find this aggressor and make sure he pays for his crimes…! Don't worry."Orion promised the taste of justice for what the stallion tried to do to Apple Bloom.

"Wouldn't be surprised if that wretched crook is hiding in a hole, quivering with fear,"Shadow gave them the thought of the crooks fear and cowardly actions,"Knowing that he's going to suffer for his crimes…!"

---

As she said those words, Shadow could not be any more wrong about what was transpiring with the stranger. Deep in the forest, two great evils were now converging in the darkest corners of the forest. Within the great darkness of the Ever Free Forest, the Cinders now stood before a cave. Looking out into the great darkness, waiting so silently, and patiently. Moltorious stood before the rest, displaying patience in full, as bugs flew into his fire mane and turned to ash.

He let his muzzle twitch a bit, for he could finally smell the stink he was waiting for. The stench of insect blood and stink caused by green slobber, compliments of their new guests. From out of the dark rustling bushes, green and blue bug eyes glowed through the pitch blackness. Before a group of eight changelings suddenly popped out of the trees, snickering a buzzing about. Surrounding and looking at the group of fiery ashen ponies, the one breed of ponies more bizarre than them.

The changeling's landed and immediately began chuckling and gossiping around the Cinders. This caused a bit of tension, for the changelings appeared to be mocking the ponies of ash and flame. Finally Moltorious no longer held his tongue, and decided to bring the hammer down on the bugs.

"Enough! Where is your queen!?"Moltorious instantly snatched the neck of the first changeling that dared to get too close and look him dead in the eye.

"She'll be here any moment now…! Please, we don't mean to betray…! This is just how changelings are…!"The changeling insisted that they came in peace, even as one changeling became making goofy and rude faces at a Cinder.

This was met with the Cinder head butting the changeling into the dirt, leaving him with a green bloody nose. Before the Cinder then made a point by opening his jaw unnaturally wide and roaring into the face of the offending bug. His beastly roar and mouth full of flames heat nearly turned the changeling white.

"Well… You may want to tone down on that behavior around us…! Such ignorance will only get you killed…!"Moltorious warned before slowly releasing the changeling.

"We'll keep that in mind, Moltorious! You heard the Cinder! Show the proper respect…!"The changeling demanded of it's crew as the Cinders growled and readied to start frying everything.

The changelings did so, seeing that Cinders were not going to be the serious and dangerous types. So they nicely shook the hooves of the ash ponies, doing their best to make up with the mused Cinders. It at least drove down the tension between the two groups for the sake of this deal. Thankfully they all heard another rustling in the bushes, the heads of both groups turned towards the rustling. And that's when SHE appeared, the infamous and cutthroat changeling queen, Chrysalis.

The queen had the green eyes of serpents, and she towered over the changeling grunts and even Moltorious. She looked at least as tall as princess Celestia herself, Her horn was crooked and sharp. Her skin was as dark as night, a green and glamorous saddle rested right on her back. As her eyes descended down to the lead Cinder, who simply grinned at the mystic queen. Her greenish web like mane and tail blew in the foul forest air, as she maintained a cautious, but confident mood.

"Well now…! It's an honor to finally meet the changeling queen herself. Chrysalis…!"Moltorious decided to be the friendly one and greet the changeling queen.

"The feeling is somewhat mutual…! I've been hearing much about you Cinders…! The… Apparent invincible breed,"Chrysalis decided to be friendly as well and talk of the Cinder's rising infamy,"The ponies of ash and fire, wanting to burn away everything they touch…!"

"Indeed…! But yesterday, your changelings have shown us great promise…! I'm certain you got our message?"Moltorious followed up with a question regarding what a changeling personally did for the Cinders.

"I did… But I'm not sure what we hope to gain by helping a band of anarchistic ponies burn the whole world,"Chrysalis dared to challenge the logic of burning away Equestria, a source of their much needed food,"We need love from poor fools to survive…! And we can't engorge on love if it's all burned away…!"

"That is for our master to explain…! He lies within that cave! He'll be able to work something out with you."Moltorious gestured to the cave entrance where the apparent true leader thrived.

"Fine…! This better be worth this huge trip I made all the way over here!"Chrissy snarled and scoffed before speed walking to the cave entrance to enter at her own peril.

"I'll warn you once, Queen Chrysalis! Show our master the proper respect once you meet,"Moltorious chuckled and stopped the queen just inches short from entering the cave,"The way you behave around him will depict whether you become his partner. Or just another footnote reduced to ash…!"

The queen chose not to speak, only enter the cave confident but nervous to what she may find. The darkness immediately surrounded her the moment she hopped down a steep rock hill. Her eyes narrowed and her ears were quick to listen, hoping to make out any threats she would find. She looked around to the darkness, it made her a bit huffy to be so covered in darkness. It felt like an insult for a queen to be walking around in a dank and wet cave just to find some sort of master of the Cinders.

Thankfully, a great and warm light had then illuminated the cave around her. She lifted a hoof as she tried to seek out the source, it was very bright, even for her keen changeling eyes. Suddenly, she froze, for she had then spotted the source of the great light in the form of flames. Flames that were attached to what looked to be a stranger in the very ragged garbs that Cinders wore. She was hesitate to approach, but this was the opportunity the changeling could have for a better future for her people.

So she slowly approached the flaming figure, hoping for the best she could get. After two more steps, she looked around to what appeared to be a ring circle of stone surrounded by water. The perfect spot where a duel could take place, but she was here because of a deal that could help her changelings.

"Are you the apparent master of the Cinders?"Chrissy decided to ask the big question as she stood before the figure.

"You might say that…! But the true master is simply… Fire…! The fire from battle, war, death, and glory,"Slowly the figure turned around and immediately began to pour out a sudden philosophy of his,"With that borns petty love and hope that can flourish or die depending on strength…! That! Is the true master of not just us…! But the whole world!"

"I…just asked a question about you…! I didn't need a philosophical lesson on the world…!"The queen voiced her lack of amusement for the stallion turning a question into words of so called wisdom.

"I see…! Straight to the point, are we? I can find understanding in that, considering that you are a changeling,"The stallion chuckled as his mane suddenly exploded and flared like a wild blaze,"But… I was right in the middle of explaining our deal in a way and you interrupted me!"

"Well do me a favor and talk normal for a change…! What's this deal of yours?!"Chrissy demanded a straight answer, but the stallion responded by suddenly pulling out hot iron and blazing bastard sword.

"First…! I need to instill a little bit of respect for your ignorance…!"The stallion remarked as Chrissy backed away and lit up her horn, allowing curved black and jagged swords to spring from her front hooves.

"Is that so? Then teach me! If you can, stranger…!"The queen accepted the challenge, only for the stallion to aggressively charge at her.

The fight broke out, and the Cinders and changelings simply stood there waiting. Moltorious couldn't help but snicker, for he already knew what was going on in the cave. And seeing the changelings all confused and even a bit scared, was all too amusing to watch. Fires could be heard flashing and blasting all over the cave, while blades clashed and rang in their ears. The Cinders simply shook their heads before Moltorious decided to be the one to let the bugs in o what was happening.

"Looks like your queen decided to go and be disrespectful to our master,"Moltorious incited as panic dared to rattle through the changelings,"Don't worry, he won't knock your queen around too bad. He's just going to teach her some manners is all…!"

The Cinders all began to chuckle and laugh at the fear of the changeling group. As they all looked to the cave for a solid several minutes, till the fight had finally ended as quickly as it started. Within the cave, the flaming stallion stood tall, smiling and snickering in victory. While Chrysalis laid on her belly, her forehead had a big gash going across it where green blood now oozed. While her hooves trembled, holding the broken blades she dared to wield against the stallion's great sword.

"Now then…! I hope we will not experience any further interruptions when we speak,"The stallion sighed and lifted the injured queen's head up with the tip of his sword,"As I was saying…! Love and hope will either falter or thrive in a world of hate and destruction! If it thrives that proves that it's strong…!"

"Impossible…! Hear I am bleeding and disarmed…! And this goon isn't even breathing heavy…! He was so fast,"Chrissy only thought about what had happened, for she did not dare to interrupt him again,"Who is this stallion? How is he so strong?! I have not experienced such a strong stallion since…"

"And you changelings feed off love, correct?"The stallion questioned the nature of the changelings.

"Yes…"The queen responded politely.

"Then imagine, if ones love is so strong that It can survive the world we throw into battle and glory,"Suddenly the stallion was creating words of merit that spoke of quality love rather than quantities of love,"That kind of love would be thirst quenching beyond the love of these weak and pitiful ponies of today…!"

"So… Quality and strong love over weak yet plentiful love…! I'm…listening…!"Chrysalis finally gave in and began to hear out this deal of the fiery master.

"Join me and my Cinders in making this world burn and paved for a new and more powerful world,"The stallion slowly extended his black and bubbling hoof to seal the deal,"And you changelings will be able to feed off a love source far more powerful than anything you could ever hope to scrounge for in this current world!"

The queen was frozen with either fear or excitement, she did not know which one. All she could think of was her people's future, if what this stallion said was true about more quality love. Then the lack of love around her kingdom wold be a thing of the past, her people would never go hungry again. And with this great stallion of fire showing skills worthy of a god in their bout. There would be nothing to stand in her way, the changelings could finally rise to their rightful place in the world.

She hissed, feeling a bit slow to stand back up and look the stallion right in the eye. He tightened the grip on his sword, ready for the queen to try and go for a cheap shot at him. Instead, she slowly smirked at the same moment as her hoof lifted up and took a hold of his own. She chuckled, as did the stallion, before they gave each other a good strong hoof shake, signifying one thing.

"You've got a deal…! But at least… I'd like to know who my partner in this… Alliance is."Chrysalis agreed to the alliance that was now sealed between Cinders and changelings on one condition.

"My apologies…! I usually prefer to remain under cover. But I suppose the request is fair,"The stallion responded before he slowly gripped his hood and flipped it off his head to reveal his black and heated face,"I am the pony of fire, the warrior of all great flames…! I am…"

I know, this feels a bit different from what Cutie Pox normally is and yes that cut off before the enemy could say his name was intentional. But this looked like another episode that I could put a whole lot more plot into. Hope you like the plot I've set into motion, especially with that reveal at the end. Two powerful foes have fused together, and now pose a great threat to Equestria. What's going to happen? You'll just have to find out next time. Stay pony every one.