Rarity woke from her sleep. It was slightly more comfortable than she was used to experiencing. She gasped in surprise as she realized that the stallion that had made last night bearable was missing.

“Shining?” Rarity whipped her head left and right. She was relieved to see him sitting by the entrance of the cave; staring out into the downpour of torrential rain. It was early dawn and the air was cool. A small, thin layer of fog coated the dewy ground. There wasn’t much wind, but there was plenty of rain.

“How long?” Rarity was caught off guard by his sudden question.

“What do you mean?”

“How long until they find us?” Rarity walked up to him and took a seat next to him. She rested her weary head upon his shoulder and sighed.

“Only time will tell dear.” The two lovers continued staring into the early morning storm pondering what was to happen next.

“Well Pinkie, what do you make of this?” Rainbow asked her servant with a smile on her face. The Pink pony only giggled at their discovery. Rainbow picked up the weapon and examined it; still operational.

“One shot huh… that’s all I’ll need.” Rainbow smirked as she cocked the pistol.

“Let’s finish this once and for all.”

“I think there’s a river nearby, I’m going to go and see if I can find anything to eat. You stay here and rest. This cave is fairly hidden from the outside, so you should be safe until I return.” Rarity nuzzled Shining Armors neck before planting a warm kiss on his lips.

“Please return to me safely my love.”

“I will Rarity, I promise.” He gently kissed her hoof before vanishing into the rain.

Rarity watched him go silently without another word. She retreated back into the depths of the cave and lay down. She rested her head on her foreleg and closed her eyes.

Octavia had not strayed from her path and continued to follow the river upstream. She took a big risk traveling and resting exposed. She didn’t know why she stayed with the river. Her safety was not guaranteed and the river brought back many unsettling memories of the day prior. Vinyl was gone and there was nothing that she could do about it. However, nothing kept her from winning anymore.

The rain was persistent ever since the sun rose above the ocean and it didn’t show any signs of going away anytime soon. Rainbow and Pinkie silently prowled through the drenched, thick undergrowth of the island, hoping to encounter another unfortunate victim to kill. They had been doing quite a lot of that lately; something that had never bothered Rainbow Dash. Pinkie could feel the disembodied voices in her head at turmoil and it upset her greatly. She would growl at herself from time to time, earning her an agitated glare from Rainbow. Pinkie’s head was throbbing again and it hurt. Pinkie didn’t like pain but it was just one of those things that she had learned to cope with as of late.

The two mares walked in silence when Pinkie felt a hoof on her shoulder. She whipped around ready for a battle yet she was greeted with emptiness.

“Pinkie, what was that for?” Pinkie shrugged off the question and kept walking.

“Y’know she don’t trust ya don’t’cha?” A voice whispered in her ear as an orange mare appeared by her side. Pinkie swatted at the apparition only to find her hoof contacting the hardness of a tree trunk. She winced in pain as Rainbow scowled.

“Pinkie, you need to cut it out! I’m getting really tired of this “thing” you’ve got going on.” The fur on Rainbow’s neck stood straight as she addressed her partner. Pinkie only sighed and scraped the dirt with her hoof. The orange mare appeared by her side again.

“You see what Ah mean sugarcube, she ain’t gonna be able to tolerate you no more. You and Ah both know what kinda temper she’s got, what would happen if you were to set her off, huh, don’t reckon she’ll be too friendly anymore. Look Pinkie, Ah’m only trying to show you your best options. You can either stay with Rainbow knowing that she will probably kill you soon or you can get her from behind now and possibly win this thing.” The orange mare wrapped a sympathetic hoof around her friends shoulder. “Ah ain’t sure whats happened to you Pinkie but Ah know that the old Pinkie is still in there and she needs to decide what she needs to do before it’s too late. Just think about it.”

“ENOLA EM EVAEL!!!” Pinkie felt a stinging pain across her muzzle as Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof against it.

“That is it! I’m sick and tired of this crap! You’re on your own now!” Rainbow spat on the ground in front of the saddened mare and abandoned her only ally. Pinkie looked at the floor with tears welling in her eyes. She felt a familiar hoof on her shoulder.

“Ah hate to say Ah told ya so but, Ah told ya so,” There was a long pause. ”Right, well, you ain’t gonna accomplish much mopin’ and poutin’ like this so Ah suggest we get going. The beach is probably our best bet. You can follow if ya please but in the end, that decision is up to you.” Pinkie watched the orange mare dissipate into merely dust before her eyes.

“Noitpmeder ym kees llahs I.”

Shining Armor’s frustration continued to escalate. He had been very much unsuccessful at fishing and this monsoon wasn’t helping anything. He was cold and drenched from the rain and eventually gave up fishing altogether. Shining Armor cursed the howling wind and the pouring rain as if it would cease at his anger, but alas, it did not. “I need to get back to Rarity before she worries.” He said aloud to himself.

The forest floor was muddy and damp. Dirt clung to his fur and the torrential downpour clumped his coat and mane into soakings rags. It was a struggle just keeping his mane out of his face. His breathing became faster and his eyes stung as water dripped into them. This island was unrelenting. The sound of the rain however, put him at ease. It calmed his nerves and that is exactly what he needed at a time like this. His thoughts began to run back to his daughter. She’d always loved playing with daddy in the rain. Wherever there was rain, his daughter would be there as well, enjoying the feeling of the cold droplets lightly impacting her coat. Refreshing as it was, this was ridiculous. The sky was nearly black with clouds that stretched for miles without an end in sight.

Shining Armor eventually found the entrance of his hideout and proceeded inside. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Rarity peacefully sleeping despite the raucous storm outside. He lay down next to her, hoping to shut his eyes for a few precious moments. Rarity jolted awake at the feeling of something cold and wet brushing against her flank. She laid eyes upon her soaked lover and couldn’t help but chuckle at his mane and coat malfunction.

“Shining dear, perhaps you should dry yourself off.”

“With what do you suppose I do that?” Rarity looked around the barren cave finally understanding his issue.

“Point taken.” The two remained silent for several more minutes before Shining Armor attempted to continue the conversation.

“My daughter loved the rain.”

“It can be quite relaxing. Why haven’t you mentioned your daughter before?”

“It’s a sensitive subject.”

“Would you mind telling me anyway, you don’t have to if it upsets you.”

“Have you ever heard of the Ebola virus?”

“No, I don’t believe I’m familiar with the illness.”

“Well as it turns out she got infected with the virus unbeknownst to Cadence and me. She never had a chance from the start. That day always tore me apart because I never had the opportunity to say goodbye. I promised her that she would be okay but that is really all it was; an empty promise. Cadence and I have tried to forget about the past and look forward but there isn’t anything in this world that could ever make me forget. Sometimes I feel like part of me went with her when she died, a part that I could never get back.”

Rarity listened with intrigue and sympathy as he continued to tell his story. After he’d finished, all she could give him was a loving hug.

“I think what you need to do is let go dear.”

“I don’t know how.”

“That is what I am here for. You told me that you lost a valuable part of yourself when she passed. What part of you was it?”

“I lost the will to go on.”

“Now think long and hard about this Shining Armor. The day that your daughter died, are you sure that she was the only thing that died on that day?”

“What do you mean?”

“What else died with her that day Shining, what else died that day?”

There was a long pause while Shining Armor thought of what to say.

“What really died that day?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes you do.”

“No Rarity, I really don’t.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know because I know that you do. What died with Jubilee?”

“Rarity please stop, I know you’re trying to help but I don’t think that this is helping.”

“You told me straight to my face that you lost the will to go on without your daughter, now tell me what died with her!”

“Quit trying to pry as if you know who I am and what I’ve done, because you don’t!”

“I may not know who you really are Shining Armor and I may not know why or how I fell in love with you but all you are doing is placing a heavier burden upon your shoulders that I’m certain you don’t want to hold on to anymore! There is one thing that I am certain of and that is what truly died on the day of your daughter’s death! Now tell me what it was!”

“I DID. ME. I WAS THE ONE WHO TRULY DIED!” Shining Armor tried in vain to fight back the torrent of emotions that were consuming his mind. He huffed with anger and sadness at his own words. Though he felt relieved, satisfied even; as if there were a large weight lifted from his weary body. Rarity wrapped her loving arms around him and whispered consolations in his ear and repeatedly telling him that she loved him.

“It is time that we are leaving Shining, we still have a war to fight.” Indeed they did.

Octavia had finally abandoned the river knowing that it wouldn’t lead to anywhere that she needed to be. She started her long trek back to the beach through the forest. It didn’t take long to find a path to travel on. As she pressed on, a powerful odor assaulted her nostrils with every step. Her path was cut off by a thick barrier of thorn bushes. She had no option but to push through. The thorns tugged at her coat and skin, cutting up and down her flank. It was a minor irritation to what she had already experienced. Her eyes were not prepared for what they were about to see. Two bloody corpses strewn on the ground next to a makeshift fire pit. The two dead bodies belonged to the headless Scootaloo and the bloodless Babs Seed. She wretched at the barely recognizable bodies of the two young mares. They were covered in Flies, ants, and maggots. Some of their decomposing flesh was missing, exposing bone and rotting organs.

“How could somepony do this to somepony so young?” Octavia was horrified and disgusted at the scene before her. She silently made her regards and continued on her path on the opposite side of the thorn bushes.

Her walk was long and silent, just how she liked it. As much as she was enjoying the silence, she couldn’t help but feel alone in this world now that Vinyl was gone. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted company or isolation. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long for her debate to be settled.

“Octavia, is that you dear?” Octavia heard a rather posh accent from behind her. She turned to see Rarity and Shining Armor casually approaching her. They seemed friendly but Octavia didn’t want to take the chance.

“Are you an ally or an enemy?”

“Listen Octavia, I understand that you are an intelligent individual and I’m sure that you are aware of our intelligence as well, so why would we announce our presence if we were hostile?” Rarity responded.

“True, but how do I know that you won’t betray me?”

“We are all tired and stressed Octavia; I can see that you have been through Tartaurus and back so why would we bother ourselves over strategy at this stage of the game?” Shining Armor answered this time.

“Valid point.”

The three new companions all continued along the path together.

“So Octavia, I don’t mean to be rude but is Vinyl…”

“Yes. Pinkie and Rainbow ambushed us near the river so we both jumped into the river to get away. Vinyl lost her footing and began tumbling downstream. There was a collapsed tree blocking the river and Vinyl got caught underneath it. I tried to keep giving her air while I looked for a way for her to escape but she just couldn’t hold on any longer and she drowned in my arms.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that Octavia.”

“Life goes on Rarity, I’ve learned that lesson from being alone and it doesn’t bother me anymore. Did you happen to see what happened to Scootaloo and Babs.” Octavia could sense the emotion lingering over the group suddenly change.

“Yes, we were there when it happened.” Shining Armor said.

“Oh, so it appears that we all have lost valuable allies in this game?” Rarity and Shining nodded in unison.

The rest of their walk remained silent until Rarity’s ears twitched. She thought she heard someone next her but Shining Armor was the only pony beside her. A coat brushed up against her left side.

“Ah reckon ya got yourself a nice little crew here Rare’s” A heavy country accent made its way into Rarity’s ear. She turned her head to see Applejack standing by her side. She immediately embraced her friend who happily returned the hug.

“Where have you been all this time?”

“Well you see, Ah left camp to find you and your new coltfriend here after you left to get firewood. Y’all were gone an awful long time and Ah was getting’ concerned but it was so dark Ah ended up getting’ lost in the forest. Ah’ve spent the entire day lookin’ for you two and that’s when Ah stumbled upon Scootaloo and Babs. God bless ‘em. After that Ah continued walkin’ along this here path until Ah found ya, which leads to me bein’ here with you Ah suppose.”

“Whatever the circumstances may be, don’t you even think about abandoning me again.”

“You got it Rare’s. Oh, and by the way, Ah would strongly suggest that you explain to your friends as to why you’re huggin’ and talkin’ to a tree.”

“Huh?” Rarity stepped back from her friend and shook her head in confusion. Low and behold she was indeed, hugging and conversing with a tree. Applejack had of course vanished. As if she was never there. Rarity didn’t have time to be embarrassed by the scene that had just taken place, she just wanted to know where Applejack went.

“Are you okay Rarity? I had no idea how much that tree meant to you.” Shining Armor chuckled as Rarity’s cheeks burned red underneath her coat.

“But wha… how?”

“Rarity, what’s going on?”

“I swear Applejack was just here. She keeps disappearing and reappearing out of nowhere constantly and I’m just confused.”

“Rarity, Applejack is…well…dead.”

Rarity’s whole world began to crumble around her. Her best friend, dead.

“No…”

“I’m sorry Rarity; I thought that you had already assumed she was dead after how long she’d been missing.”

“No, that’s not possible; she’s been here with me.”

“Rarity, she is dead. I don’t know how I can make it any clearer. Babs and I saw Rainbow Dash decapitate her.”

“No, you…you’re seeing things.”

“Rarity, the only pony seeing things here is you. I know it’s a truth that you don’t want to accept but what’s done is done and there is no way that you can get her back. Just like I had to leave my past with Jubilee behind, you need to move on from your past.” The sudden realization had finally hit her. She felt light-headed and queasy. She sat on her haunches and tried to take in what she just heard. “Rarity, I know it’s not easy but you knew that it had to happen sooner or later. It just turns out that it happened a little sooner than you expected. I think that it would be best if we all just kept…”

BANG!

“Moving…” Shining Armor looked down at his chest. A large hole was pouring blood from his body. His eyes rolled back into his head as he fell over. Several drops of blood spattered onto Rarity’s and Octavia’s coat. Shining Armor’s body fell to the ground with a thump. There was a rustling in the brush behind them as an unknown pony retreated hastily. Rarity watched everything unfold in front of her. The stallion that she loved lay on the dirt path dead. It all happened so fast and unexpected. Octavia watched in shock as her new ally had fallen. Rarity felt her bracelet buzz and felt her stomach make its way up her throat. She regurgitated in shock and fell over unconscious. Octavia had no idea what had just happened. All she knew was that somepony had just crossed the line and she had every intention to have her vengeance. She hoisted Rarity onto her back and pushed forward leaving the dead soldier where he was. It felt wrong that Rarity would not have the chance to give her final regards to her lover but that was the least of Octavia’s concerns at this moment.

Rainbow Dash burst through the forest onto the sand of the beach, the very same beach where this whole game started. She felt accomplished knowing that she just eliminated her biggest threat. Now nothing stopped her from winning her freedom. Rainbow wandered towards the shore where the vicious waves pelted the sand on the beach. The rain had not gotten any lighter than it had been hours ago. Rainbow loved the rain. It empowered her and made her body feel free. Something she would experience after today, freedom. She sat down on the sandy beach and waited for her destiny to reveal itself, and reveal itself it did. In the distance, she could distinguish what looked like a pony walking towards her with another pony draped across her back. The figures in the distance stopped as the pony being carried stirred to life and was gently set onto the ground. The two ponies that she identified as Octavia and Rarity slowly approached Rainbow and stopped about twenty yard lengths from her position. This was it, two would be dead and the other would be left to find Pinkamena.

“Well, well, well. It’s is quite lovely to see you back on your hooves there Rarity. Were you lightheaded from me putting a bullet through the chest of your insurance policy?” Rainbow smirked, earning a growl from Rarity.

“What is done is all in the past. I’ve moved on.”

“Aw, bummer. I was hoping that you’d still be upset.”

“I am, but that is not important at this moment. What is important is that we finish this thing right here, right now.”

“Such powerful words from a jaded mare.”

“Wait, where is Pinkie?” Octavia demanded.

“Oh that useless sack of skin? I dumped her on her own. She did nothing but weigh me down.”

“So let me get this straight,” Octavia pondered. ”You have the two of us, both of which want you dead and a very emotionally unstable monster after your head is that right?’

“Okay and your point is?” Rainbow defended.

“It is a three on one situation that you’ve put yourself in.”

“Again I ask what point you are trying to make.”

“You are at a huge disadvantage.”

“Oh no, the armor clad, cleaver wielding athlete is pitted up against a cellist, an over-dramatic seamstress and a deranged baker. What odds could I possibly have at winning?” Rainbow asked with sarcastic concern. “Look, I know that you are just trying to stall for time and hope that Pinkie just so happens to stumble onto the beach...” Pinkie stumbled onto the beach.

“Yeah, just about.” Octavia concluded.

Pinkie looked around, noticing that all remaining contestants were present on the very same beach in which this game began. She haphazardly pulled her gun on Rainbow Dash.

“Whoa Pinkie, watch where you point that thing; someone might get hurt.”

“hsirep lliw seil tuo sruop reveohw dna, dehsinupnu og ton lliw ssentiw eslaf a. Proverbs 19:9.”

“Huh?” Octavia and Rainbow became confused. Rarity began thinking about the sounds that escaped Pinkie’s lips.

“Proverbs 19:9, I know that verse, it says that a false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” Rarity finally spoke.

“Wait, she’s been spouting Bible verses this whole time?” Rainbow questioned.

“It would appear that way.”

“But what the heck is that supposed to mean anyway?” Pinkie was growing impatient and put a little bit more pressure on the trigger. She still had the gun pointed at rainbow’s head. Pinkie was shaking heavily and panting with anxiety.

“YOU BETRAYED ME!” Pinkie shouted.

“Look Pinkie, I know I shouldn’t have said what I did back there. It was wrong of me to hurt you Pinkie.” Octavia almost giggled at Rainbow’s cries for mercy.

“Where’s your confidence now Rainbow? Do it Pinkie!” Pinkie turned and pointed the gun at Octavia’s head now.

“What are you doing Pinkie?!”

“Pinkie shoot her and I promise you freedom. I swear on all that I love.”

“No Pinkie, she is lying to you and you know it.”

The arguing mares confused Pinkie. This upset her greatly. As the two mares continued bickering for Pinkie’s mercy, a voice appeared from behind her.

“Pinkie, listen to me, you know what is right and what is wrong. Use your head. Not your heart. Ah know that the old Pinkie is still in there somewhere, now do what you know is right.”

Pinkie pointed at her target, closed her eyes, and pulled the trigger. She was too afraid to open her eyes. She prayed she missed but the unmistakable sound of a dead body falling to the ground came merely seconds after she fired. Pinkie finally opened her eyes to see the fruits of her labor. Before her lay the lifeless body of Octavia, surrounded by a pool of her own blood that gushed from an exposed hole in her throat. Rainbow and Rarity stood shaking like leaves at what just transpired. All of their wristbands vibrated, signaling Octavia’s unfortunate death.

“OCTAVIA NO!!!” Rarity shrieked and knelt down beside Octavia. Rainbow exhaled a sigh of sweet relief. Pinkie dropped her gun and fell to her knees. Tears ran down her already soaked face. Rainbow took advantage of the situation and charged at the defenseless and unsuspecting Rarity. Rainbow bowled the unicorn over with tremendous force. Rarity tumbled across the beach. She wasn’t even granted the opportunity to get back to her hooves before Rainbow was on top of her, pelting her with relentless hooves. Eventually Rarity had been knocked unconscious yet again. Seeing that Rarity was no longer reacting to the beating that she was receiving, Rainbow stood up and went to retrieve her cleaver. Rainbow sat atop Rarity and held the bloody cleaver to her throat.

“Any last words Rarity? No, fine then, you can die silently.” Rainbow was about to push the cleaver into Rarity’s throat but her progress was halted when she was flung nearly all the way into the water by an unknown force. The unknown force quickly identified itself. Pinkie now began her assault on the surprised Pegasus. Tears rained from Pinkie’s eyes and clouded her vision. She didn’t care what she was hitting so long as Rainbow was the receiver of the blows. Rainbow tried her best to avoid the punches and throw in a few of her own. Rainbow got her legs from underneath Pinkie and planted them into her sternum; sending her sprawling backwards. Rainbow got up to her hooves as did Pinkie, who was now trying to regain the air that had been driven from her lungs.

Rainbow and Pinkie stood face to face, both panting heavily. Rainbow spat some blood that was flowing through her mouth. Pinkie wiped away some blood that was flowing from her nose. Rarity had finally regained consciousness and was watching the quarrel doing her best not to be seen by either combatant. Rarity could feel blood caking in her coat and dripping down a cut above her eye.

Pinkie approached Rainbow slowly whereas Rainbow slowly backed away from Pinkie. She had proven a much tougher adversary than she had originally suspected. Eventually Rainbow tripped over something protruding from the sand. Pinkie quickened her pace towards the fallen Rainbow Dash. Rainbow examined and identified the object that had caused her to trip and it made her smile. Pinkie charged and lunged at her grounded prey but she didn’t think to expect what was to happen next. Rainbow also lunged forward with something clasped in her hoof. Rainbow aimed for Pinkie’s exposed stomach and pushed deep into her. Rainbow had stumbled upon a knife buried in the sand, now the knife was buried into Pinkie’s gut. The pain enveloped her body as she coughed up a considerable amount of blood which splashed all over Rainbow’s face. The warm liquid seeped into Rainbow’s mouth and it taste like satisfaction. Blood continued to roll down Pinkie’s chin and stomach as she toppled over in the sand. Rainbow turned away and ran.

Rarity, having witnessed the fight, stood and limped toward Pinkie. She was still breathing but only in shallow gasps.

“Relax Pinkie; you are going to be fine.” More blood erupted from her throat and coated her muzzle.

“Please help me.” She whimpered.

“There is nothing that I can do for you Pinkie, you’re dying. It is over.” Rarity attempted to console her friend the best she could.

“You can’t let her win Rarity.”

“I don’t know if I can stop her.”

Pinkie wiggled a bit and grabbed the handle of the knife and slowly pulled it out. Blood immediately came gushing and spraying in all directions, covering both mares. Rarity quickly pressed her hooves into Pinkie’s wound in a vain attempt to slow the blood flow.

“Use this then,” Pinkie held the blood soaked blade towards Rarity. “It’s your best chance.”

Rarity grabbed the knife and continued applying pressure.

“You don’t have to save me Rarity, I’m already dead. Pinkamena died a long time ago Rarity. Do me a favor and let me be free from this pain.” Pinkie requested.

“Okay Pinkie. I will carry out your wishes.” Rarity removed her hooves from Pinkie’s stomach followed by another river of blood.

“Oh, and one more thing Rarity,”

“Yes darling?”

“Take care of gummy when you win, I would hate for him to be lonely without his momma.” Rarity giggled slightly through her tears.

Pinkie attempted to laugh with her but the pain in her core was too great.

“Rarity,”

“Yes Pinkie.”

“I’m afraid to die.”

“Don’t be. It is going to feel very comfortable. You’ll feel a surge of warmth flood through your body and then you’ll be gone. Now tell me Pinkie, who do you love?”

“Well, I’ve always loved Big Macintosh. I was so jealous when he proposed to Fluttershy but I was happy for him too.” Pinkie confessed.

“Well let Big Macintosh take you. Let him take you to the other side. That way you can finally be with him.”

“Okay.”

The two friends remained silent for several more moments.

“I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a pony; I do not have equine understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns many. For God so loved this world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. Father into your hands I commit my spirit. Take me as I am, wounded and afraid and make me pure. Amen” Pinkie shuddered, jolted and fell silent. She was no longer breathing. Rarity closed her eyes and waited for the buzzer to go off. Inevitably, it did. She was now alone, with nothing left to lose.

“I’m ready to end this Rainbow. I just hope that you are ready as well. Because you are going to die.” Rarity got to her hooves and looked towards the horizon where her fate awaited her. She set off at a gallop in pursuit of Rainbow Dash. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blue blur impact her side sending her into the raging waters.

“Did you really think that I would truly run away from you? Just because you have nothing left to lose but your life doesn’t make you a threat to me.”

“Good, keep assuming that Rainbow.”

“I think I will.”

Rainbow and Rarity both launched at each other and both mares were sent sprawling onto the beach. During the tussle, Rainbow disarmed Rarity’s knife, leaving both mares with only their hooves as weapons. Rainbow lunged towards Rarity. She ducked and hurled Rainbow over her head with surprising strength. Adrenaline began pumping through Rarity’s veins as she realized that she might have some chance against Rainbow’s speed and strength. Rainbow toppling her from behind quickly perished the thought. Rainbow continued her beating from earlier and threw hoof after hoof into Rarity’s face. Rarity knew her time was running out. She tried to buck Rainbow off but she just jumped back onto her. When Rarity thought that all hope was lost, she saw another blur from the corner of her eye; this time it was pink. The pink blur speared Rainbow off of Rarity.

Pinkie stood triumphantly over Rainbow Dash who was still squirming. Rarity could see a blinking on her wrist. Rarity stood and approached only to be thrown backward by a swift buck from Pinkie. Rainbow lunged onto Pinkie and pinned her to the ground.

“Got you now you pink heathen.” Rainbow snarled.

“Oh do you now,” Pinkie raised her wrist to Rainbow’s face. It was blinking red. “Checkmate.”

In an instant Rarity watched as both mares disappeared into a cloud of smoke and sand. Rarity felt her bracelet buzz for the last time. She finally realized that it was over. She fell to the ground and released a wail of relief and sorrow. She knew what had happened. It was finally over… and she had won.

Author's Note

It is finished, finally finished.

For those not satisfied with the results, there is indeed an alternate ending in the works as well as an epilogue.