New Equestria

Apple Bloom stared.

The masked pony stared back.

Apple Bloom spoke calmly and gently.

"The resistance was destroyed. Queen Twilius said no survivors were found."

"She was wrong. Few survived but were found and captured. I was the only one who escaped. I was the previous leader, but it won't be long until she finds me. The resistance must go on. Alicorns are immortal. If we don't manage to take her down, her living hell will live forever."

The masked pony once again slid down a bag. Inside was a aquamarine crystal surrounded by a Sun and Moon.

The badge of the resistance.

"Think of your sister, Apple Bloom. This is the time for vengeance."

Apple Bloom stared.

Behind her mask, the pony smiled as Apple Bloom slowly pinned the badge to her hat.

"I'm In."

The gravel rolled among the ground as Apple Bloom walked.

This place was reminiscent of a desert, but still resembled the rocky terrain it was.

Diamond Dog territory.

The pony, whom Apple Bloom named Masquerade, told her that there was a mare in the territory, and the main objective right now was to recruit. The dogs were hardly affected by the takeover, still retaining the tradition of digging up gems.

A gallop was heard in the distance.

Apple Bloom turned around to see something she wouldn't have expected in a long while.

The Royal Guards.

Her eyes widened as they got close. She needed to run. Being a race who didn't respect the Queen, it was off limits to normal ponies. Apple Bloom quickly erupted into a run, trying to find somewhere to hide. A hole. It was steep, but she had no choice and jumped. She bounded around the walls of the chasm for a few seconds, but quickly stopped. She heard the guards trotting overhead, then fading off.

That's all she remembered when she was knocked out.

Apple Bloom woke up to the grinding of rusty chains.

She was in a cell, bounded by the chains. She had known what happened. The Diamond dogs took anyone who trespassed.

She would be bought to the leader and judged, usually used for slaves. She watched as two burly Dogs walked in and opened the door.

She was yanked out to the smelly cot she was on and dragged through the caves. Holes littered the walls, floors and ceiling, no doubt being where they farmed. She was thrown onto the unexpected plush carpet in front of a large velvet chair, the throne of the leader. A brief trotting entered the room. They were lead by a pony.

"Well done boys, you caught another intruder. I guess you can have this." said the now-alleged mare, and a diamond was thrown next to her. The dogs grabbed it and ran off.

The mare walked in front of her, both of their eyes widening. Apple Bloom would know that cotton-candy pink mane anywhere.

Sweetie Belle.

"I can't pay the debt!" Sweetie Belle yelled to the ceiling. Businesses were required to pay a debt every week to keep it running, but the Carousel Boutique was going to be torn down. Tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry Rarity..." She packed the last thing in her saddle bag, took one last look, and walked off.

~

Sweetie Belle looked into the dark, large hole. She fell down here when thinking about the Boutique, and what Rarity would think of her. An idea came to her, and remembered a spell she had seen her sister use many times. She focused and watched as her horn blazed a blue light. She waved it around to see, only to see a sparkle in the darkness.

Gems.

She just stared at them, the shining rocks glimmering in front of her. She slowly dug them up and felt a smile come across her face.

She dug up almost everything, until being stopped by the Dogs. She beat them and they surrendered, making her their leader. Shrouded by her greed, she didn't even notice her cutie mark; A diamond in a bear trap. The mark of deception.