Was I So Wrong?

Applejack sighed. She wondered what she would tell Apple Bloom tomorrow. She hated lying to others, especially family, but she couldn't tell the truth either. She opened the door to Apple Bloom's room, and looked sorrowfully at her younger sister. Oh, how her life was plagued by death. First her parents, then her foalsitter, this was the second friend of hers who had died. Applejack was proud of her sister's resolve throughout all of this, but she also knew it affected the young filly more than she let on. The poor thing was obviously experiencing nightmares. She was always tired in the mornings and afternoons. Unless... What if that was the changeling's fault? What if it had something to do with the blamed thing draining the love from her sister? Applejack was so angry with the idea that she nearly slammed Apple Bloom's door as she left towards her own room.

Applejack lay on her bed, remembering the terrible night that had preceded.

~~~~~~~~~~

Applejack took a deep breath as the six friends walked up the stairs. The changeling was only a few seconds walk away now. Twilight turned around.

"Okay, I want Rainbow Dash-" She paused, "I want Applejack to go in and make sure she's asleep. And be quiet, in case she knows why we're here."

Applejack's fur bristled, "Wha- me?" Applejack grit her teeth. "Of course. Anythin' for you Twilight. 'Cause we're friends." Twilight just nodded.

Applejack walked across the hall to the door. It was marked simply 318. Applejack tried to tell herself that was all that was in there.

A number.

All they were doing was killing #318.

Murdering #318.

318 souls screamed in Applejacks ears, crying, begging. Applejack was surrounded by them, drowning. She felt herself being pulled down into the depths of hell.

"Applejack!" Twilight whispered, "snap out of it! Just check to see if she's asleep!" Applejack opened her eyes. She was standing in a hallway, in front of a door marked simply 318.

"Sorry, Twi, I don' know what came over me..." Applejack shuddered, remembering the horrid vision. Where had that come from? She'd never experienced something like that before. She shook her head once more and pushed open the door.

Applejack looked around the room. There was a minuscule bed, barely large enough for the loudly snoring filly laying on it. She was thrown across the blankets, covering a small notebook. Applejack's mind wandered, wondering what was written on it. Applejack turned around and stuck her head out the door.

"It's all good, girls. She's definitely asleep." Applejack turned back toward the room to look at the empty bed.

What.

Empty bed...

"Shit."

Applejack stared at the open window. How could this have happened? Bucking Changelings. Applejack winced as Twilight stuck her head in the door. "What? Where is she!? You said-" Applejack looked out the window, ignoring Twilight. The orange filly had already made it out of the property. Jumping out the window, Applejack used a tree as a kickboard and propelled herself in the disguised changeling's direction. The remaining Elements of Harmony followed soon after.

The chase had begun.

But why?