Chapters Ponies were going missing. Almost every week, a loved Ponyville citizen disappeared. Everypony was nervous about going out alone, and nopony blamed them.
Applejack lifted her hind legs up, and bucked the tree that was behind her. A shower of shining apples fell down behind her, and she turned to see Applebloom gathering them up lazily and plopping them into the basket.
Applebloom’s head hung gloomily, and Applejack sighed. Ever since Sweetie Belle’s disappearance, Applebloom had been extremely depressed.
Applejack came up and put her hoof on the little filly’s head.
“Now Applebloom, Sweetie Belle bein’ gone has been hard an all of us. Think of how Rarity must feel. But thinking about it all the time is just gunna’ make it worse. We hafta’ put the bad thing behind us, and remember the goods. Ah’m sure Sweetie’s okay, and all the missing ponies will come back soon.” Applejack said, but she didn’t know she believed it herself.
“But what if she doesn’t come back, and me an’ Scootaloo get out cutie marks without ‘er?! It won’t be the same without ‘er Applejack. It just won’t. You know the missing ponies don’t come back.” Applebloom said gloomily, and resumed putting the apples into the basket.
Applejack sighed, she wished there was a way to get Applebloom to smile again.
“You know what, ah’ll finish this, you run on back home and see if Scootaloo wants to play.” Applejack said, and Applebloom’s face lifted a degree.
“Thank ‘ya Applejack. I’ll see you later!” Applebloom said, and ran back to the barn.
Applejack smiled, but she was still sad. It’d take a long time for Applebloom to heal.
She finished putting the apples in the basket and carried it back to the barn. Big Macintosh was standing at the barn, comforting Fluttershy, who was sobbing in his hooves.
“Oh Big Mac, this is terrible! Why Sweetie Belle? She was such a sweet little filly, who would take her?” Fluttershy wailed, and Big Mac patted her head.
Sweetie Belle was like a daughter to Fluttershy, they were so close, Applejack understood her misery.
Applejack set the basket inside the barn, and went inside the house. It wasn’t until she got into her bedroom that she realized how stupid she was.
She ran back downstairs and out the door. “Applebloom! Come here right now!” Applejack yelled panicking.
What would happen if Applebloom went missing? What would Applejack do then? She couldn’t stand lose another family member since her parents. Her family meant more than anything to her.
“Applebloom! Get over her right now!” Applejack yelled. A few seconds later Applebloom and Scootaloo came crashing through the trees, looking panicked and wild-eyed.
“What’s goin’ on? Did somepony else go missin’?” Applebloom said, as Applejack sighed with relief.
“You could’ve gone missin’ yourself. No more goin’ out alone, ya hear?” Applejack said, and then looked at Scootaloo.
“Why don’t you spend the night here, Scootaloo? Wouldn’t want you walkin’ back home alone when you don’t know who could be out there. I’ll call Rainbow Dash to let ‘er know. Now git on inside, and don’t come out unless you’re with a big pony.” Applejack said, and followed them back to the barn.
After calling Rainbow Dash to let her know where Scootaloo was, Applejack locked all of the doors, and barged the barn doors. Nopony was getting her family, not ever.
***
The next day, Applejack awoke to a knock at her door. She went downstairs to answer it, and found nopony but Rainbow Dash standing there.
“Well hia there, Rainbow Dash. I s’pose you’re here to pick up Scootaloo?” Applejack said, and Rainbow Dash shook her head.
“Blossomforth went missing this morning. Pinkie invited everypony to Sugarcube Corner for a meeting. I figured I’d let you know.” Rainbow Dash said solemnly.
Applejack sighed. “A’course ah’ll come. I’ll leave the little ‘uns here with Big Mac.” Applejack said.
She walked out the door, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked together to Sugarcube Corner.
***
When they arrived, Pinkie was serving Fluttershy and Twilight some cupcakes, while Mr. and Mrs. Cake baked more.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash sat down, and Pinkie set the rest of the cupcakes on the table.
“Where’s Rarity? Oh I do hope she hasn’t gone missing!” Said Twilight, who had her nose in a book titled ‘Mysterious Disappearances’.
“Oh, I saw her just yesterday at the spa.” Fluttershy put in, but Rainbow Dash shook her head.
“I saw Blossomforth yesterday as well.” Rainbow said.
As the friends began to get worried, Rarity entered Sugarcube Corner, and ran to their table.
“So sorry I’m late girls. I had some, dresses, to take care of.” She said.
“Oh that’s okay Rarity.” Fluttershy said.
“Now girls, let’s get down to business. We have to find out why everypony is disappearing.” Rainbow Dash said, and everypony else nodded in agreement.
“Twilight, do you have the list of missing ponies?” Fluttershy said, and Twilight levitated a piece of paper in front of the group. Rainbow Dash grabbed it out of the air, and read it aloud.
“So far, the ponies who have gone missing are: Roseluck, Silver Spoon, Bon Bon, Blossomforth and…” Rainbow Dash heaved a sigh before saying the last name. “…Sweetie Belle.” Rainbow finished, and put down the list.
“What do all these ponies have in common?” Twilight said, and put down her book.
The group shrugged, so Twilight rolled her eyes.
“Their coat colors are all very light. Roseluck, Bon Bon, and Blossomforth and Sweetie Belle all have white coats. Silver Spoon has a light gray coat. This may not mean anything, but you can never be sure.” Twilight said mysteriously, and went back into her book.
As soon as Twilight finished speaking, everypony looked at their coats. “Rarity! You should be hiding! You might go missing; your coat is bright white!” Fluttershy gasped, and then gasped again when she looked down at her own.
“Oh darling, I think I’ll be fine.” Rarity said with a chuckle.
“No, Fluttershy’s right Rarity. You really oughta hide before we lose ya”. Applejack said, and Rarity laughed again.
“You mustn't take this all so seriously, girls. You know this is all some practical joke they’re playing.” Rarity said, rolling her eyes.
“No, Rarity, this ain’t some practical joke. Ponies ar goin’ missin’. Your own sister went missin for apple’s sake.” Applejack said angrily.
“Oh she had me for a few days, but I realized it’s just one of her silly little escapades. I’m not worried.” Rarity said. “If you all are going to take this so seriously then I don’t know what I’ll do.” Rarity sneered, and got up from the table.
Everypony watched her as she strutted away. “Maybe we should take a break. The pressure sure got to Rarity.” Rainbow said, and they all got up.
“Oh, the pressure got to her alraght.” Applejack said under her breath. How could Rarity not see the severity of this situation?
Rainbow Dash followed Applejack home to get Scootaloo. Once Scootaloo had left, Applejack went outside with Big Mac to buck the Golden Delicious trees. With Applebloom in Granny Smith’s care, Applejack could just relax and think.
Big Mac pulled the applecart along, and Applejack filled it with apples.
“Big Mac, whaddya’ think of the missing ponies situation? It is serious, right?” She said, and Big Mac looked at her.
“Eeyup. Of course, it’s serious. Fluttershy got so upset when Sweetie Belle went missing.” Big Mac said, and Applejack sighed.
“Ah’ve just been worried that I’m stressin’ over this a bit much. Rarity just thinks Sweetie’s playing a joke on everypony. But I know Sweetie Belle, she wouldn't do such a thing.” Applejack said, and prepared to buck the next tree.
“Maybe that’s all she can believe. If Applebloom went missin’ I’d like to think it was just a joke, instead of her really bein’ missin.” Big Mac said, and as the Golden Delicious apples fell from the tree, Applejack sighed.
What was I thinking bein’ all sour at Rarity? She’s probably just upset. Applejack thought, and as they bucked the rest of the trees, Applejack’s mind was at peace.
***
Applejack and Big Mac loaded the apples into the cellar, and then went back up into the house.
Applejack was preparing to make dinner, when Granny Smith came into the kitchen.
“Oh hey Granny, where’s Applebloom?” Applejack asked.
Granny Smith sat down at the kitchen table.
“Granny Smith? Where is Applebloom?” Applejack asked, firmly this time.
“Oh, Applebloom is out playing with Sweetie Belle. She came by and asked if she wanted to play.” Granny Smith said. “What’s for dinner?” Granny said again, and Applejack rolled her eyes.
“Granny. Sweetie Belle went missing. She couldn’t have gone to play with ‘er. Now where is Applebloom?!” Applejack yelled.
Granny Smith narrowed her eyes. “Now I know Sweetie Belle when I see ‘er, don’t you doubt me. Sweetie Belle came knocked on our door, and asked to play with Applebloom. I said yes.” Granny Smith said indignantly.
Applejack sighed, she wasn't getting anywhere with this.
“Okay. Granny, what did Sweetie Belle say?” Applejack asked calmly.
“She asked Applebloom if she wanted to make a dress. Applebloom said she’d love to, and I gave my permission.” Granny Smith said, apparently annoyed at all these questions.
“What did she look like?” Applejack asked, and Granny Smith rolled her eyes.
“You dang young ‘uns. Never taking my word.” Granny said, scowling.
Applejack was on her last nerve. “Granny!” She snapped, and Granny looked surprised.
“Sweetie looked the same as she always does. Bright white coat, curly purple mane.’’ Granny explained.
Applejack gasped. “Granny! That wasn’t Sweetie Belle! That was Rarity!” Applejack snapped.
Granny shook her head. “But you told me Rarity’s gone missin’.” Granny said, and Applejack rolled her eyes.
Applejack was confused, but relieved. At least she knew where Applebloom was.
She was still steaming mad at Granny, but she was more upset at Applebloom.
Didn’t I tell her to stay here with Granny?! Applejack thought.
Applejack strode through the door and down the path that lead back to Ponyville. She was on her way to give Applebloom a strict talking to.
***
Once Applejack arrived at Ponyville, she started to Carousel Boutique. She assumed that was where Rarity had taken her to make the dress. On her way she passed Roseluck’s empty flower booth, and cautioned herself to go faster, she didn’t want to go missing herself.
She had just passed Sugarcube Corner, when she heard faint screaming.
“Applebloom!” Applejack yelled, and ran faster toward the screaming. The screaming continued, and Applejack kept running towards it, she couldn’t bear it if Applebloom were to go missing.
“Help me! Somepony, anypony, help!”. Applejack could now make out the words that were being screamed, she was close.
Applejack came to Carousel Boutique, and the screaming was loudest. Without thinking, Applejack busted open the doors to Carousel Boutique.
“Hold on Applebloom! Ah’m a coming!” Applejack yelled.
She found the door to Rarity’s workroom, and when she opened it she was shocked to see what was inside.
3 - Couldn't You Just Simply Die?
Applejack’s mouth gaped open.
The floor of Rarity’s Workroom was stained in blood, and hanging on the walls was Roseluck, Bon Bon, Blossomforth, and Silver Spoon’s cutie marks. Duct-taped to a chair was an unconscious Sweetie Belle.
Bloody needles and knives littered the tables, and unfinished dresses made of pony-hide were hung on hangers that were strewn all over the room.
Applebloom was cowering in a corner, as Rarity advanced over her holding a red needle.
Applejack advanced on Rarity. “What in hay is goin’ on in here?!” Applejack yelled. It was now clear to her who was taking the ponies.
Rarity turned to Applejack. “What are you doing here?!” Rarity screeched, and lunged at Applejack.
Rarity was now on top of Applejack, wrestling to get the red needle into Applejack’s skin. Applejack fought to throw Rarity off, but she underestimated the charming pony’s strength. But Applejack was an apple-bucker. Applejack rolled onto her back, and Rarity levitated the red needle so it was an inch away from Applejack’s neck. With a great effort, she positioned her hind legs under Rarity. Then she kicked with mighty power, and Rarity was thrown off her, and quite winded.
Rarity didn’t try to get up again, she just levitated the red needle up and at Applejack. When Applejack dodged, Rarity got angry. She sent the needle careening towards Applebloom.
“No!” Applejack yelled, and lunged at the needle. Applebloom scrambled away just in time, but Rarity was still trying to poke Applejack with the deadly needle.
“Rarity! What are you doing!?” Applejack screamed at her.
“Business, my dear, business. I thought you'd understand being an orchard pony and all.” Rarity sneered, and sent the needle toward Applejack.
Time seemed to slow down, Applejack was cornered with the red needle soaring towards her. She cringed and waited for needle, but it never came.
Applejack opened her eyes to see Applebloom holding Rarity’s horn down, and stopping the magic. Applejack took the opportunity to lunge back at Rarity, whose resistances seemed to be growing more feeble.
Applejack grabbed the role of duct-tape that was sitting under the chair Sweetie Belle was on, and quickly taped up Rarity’s horn. Applebloom and Applejack managed to work together to tape Rarity down. Once Rarity realized she couldn’t keep fighting, she gave up.
“You idiots! You mindless Apples! You don’t realize what you've done, but you've just ruined my career!” Rarity shouted.
“Ah still don’t know what’s going on. All ah know is that ah found you trying to kill my sister with this here needle!” Applejack shouted in reply.
Rarity laughed. “I wasn’t trying to kill Applebloom! Not yet, at least. An anesthesia needle.” Rarity sneered.
“Why did you want to give me anesthesia?” Applebloom asked. Rarity rolled her eyes.
“It’s none of your business.” She said.
Applejack tried to wrap her mind around what was going on.
So, Rarity’s the killer?! That would explain her annoyance at our trying to figure her out! Applejack thought.
“Why did you take Applebloom?” Applejack asked.
“To lead you here, you ninny. I knew offering you a dress wouldn’t get you in here, because I already have your measurements. But I didn’t have Applebloom’s.” Rarity said smoothly, and jumped out from her duct-tape prison.
“Good girl, Opal, mama’s so proud.” Rarity said as Rarity’s stealthy cat jumped from behind Rarity.
“I guess this would be easier if you were under the anesthesia, but the client’s needs are my needs!” Rarity said, and picked up a knife from the sewing table. It was still wet from what Applejack guessed was Blossomforth’s blood.
Rarity lunged at the unconscious Sweetie Belle before Applejack or Applebloom could stop her.
“She’s still alive, you know. I was going to make her into a lovely scarf, but how else would I be able to do this?” Rarity said, and she teased the knife closer and closer to Sweetie’s neck.
“You better not hurt Sweetie Belle! Or ah’ll, ah’ll tell on you!” Applebloom said defensively.
“Oh my, how cute. You think you're getting away.” Rarity laughed, and Opalescence stood by the exit.
“Oh Sweetie Belle, haven’t I told you to stay out of my workroom?” Rarity said in a sing-song voice. She rubbed the sides of the bloody knife on Sweetie’s coat, staining it a dark red.
Applejack realized she still had the needle in her hoof. She raised the needle, poised to throw.
“Ah-ah-ah. If you throw that needle, Sweetie Belle here will be sold in Canterlot as a scarf.” Rarity said, and twiddled the knife by Sweetie Belle’s closed eyes.
“So what’ll it be, Applejack? You could either leave here with your sister, or have you and Applebloom made into a dress for the Gala.” Rarity teased.
“Don’t do it, Applejack. Ah’d rather be a dress than Sweetie Belle. Please Applejack, don’t let Sweetie Belle die.” Applebloom pleaded.
Applejack’s mind was panicking. If only this was Discord, or Chrysalis, not her dear friend whom she’d loved. She looked around the room, at the hides of all the ponies Rarity had killed. What drove her to do this? Applejack thought sadly. Applejack thought Rarity was her friend. But Sweetie Belle was Applebloom’s friend, and Sweetie was innocent.
Applejack looked at Rarity. She knew what she had to do.
Applejack loosened her muscles. She knew this was right.
As quick as a flash, Applejack sent the needle flying towards Rarity. It hit her in the hoof holding the knife.
Rarity dropped the knife and clenched her hoof in pain as Applejack and Applebloom ran over to Sweetie Belle. Applebloom dragged the chair that Sweetie was sitting on away from Rarity, and Applejack picked up the needle.
Applejack lunged on Rarity and duct-taped her down again, and Applebloom restrained Opal.
“Let go of me! Let go of me you stupid Apple! You've ruined me, utterly ruined me. I have nothing left! Nothing! Thanks to you.” Rarity screamed.
“Rarity be quiet and look around. Just look at your workroom. Ponies are dead because of you.” Applejack said, and then Rarity was quiet for a moment.
Rarity’s eyes widened, and took in the sight of the workroom as if this was her first time seeing it.
“You've been killing ponies to make dresses and sell them in Canterlot. Why did you do this?” Applejack asked, and Rarity looked at her sadly.
The knife Rarity used on Sweetie Belle was still on the floor. Rarity reached it with her hoof, and held it.
“You’re right, Applejack. Now I have nothing left. My sister will hate me. Fancypants won’t trust me. My friends will be disappointed in me. I’m no good anymore.” Rarity said, and held the knife to her own neck.
“Rarity, stop, please, you can get better. We’ll help you, everypony will.” Applejack said sympathetically.
“What’s the use? I’ll get arrested anyway. I was so stupid, money was too important to me.” Rarity said softly. “I’m no use to this world anymore. Tell the others I’ll miss them. I deserve this.” Rarity said, and then began to slit her own throat.
“Rarity! No!” Applejack jumped at her, and tried to stop her, but she was too late. The blood was already gushing from the excellently sliced cut in Rarity’s throat.
Applejack stared at Rarity’s body, stunned. Her best friend, who had killed many ponies in the pursuit of fame, had killed herself. Applebloom loosened her grip on Opal, and walked up beside Applejack.
They both began to cry.
***
Applejack and Applebloom took the duct-tape off Sweetie Belle, and carried her unconscious body back to Sweet Apple Acres.
When she woke up, the decided not to tell her yet. Sweetie Belle was resting in Applebloom’s bed, so Applejack spoke to Big Mac and Fluttershy about who would take care of Sweetie now that Rarity couldn’t.
“She can’t stay here forever, we’re already full.” Applejack said, and Big Mac nodded.
“It will take awhile for her to heal.” Big Mac said.
“I guess I could take her in.” Fluttershy said. Applejack looked at her.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that Fluttershy.” Applejack said, but Fluttershy shook her head.
“You’re not asking me. I’m offering. You know how much I want a daughter. If Sweetie Belle agrees, I will take her.” Fluttershy said.
***
It was hard to explain the situation to Sweetie Belle, but Sweetie agreed to go into Fluttershy’s care.
After that, Applejack went back to Carousel Boutique to bury Rarity. When she arrived, she went into the workroom.
Now that there was no threat of being jabbed with an anesthesia needle, Applejack had the time to take a good look around the room.
On the walls hung the cutie marks of the missing ponies, so Applejack took them down.
Hangers were scattered around, holding dresses made of pony. Those she would burn, they were as disturbing as they were beautiful.
On the sewing table lay a bloody sewing machine, a few bloody knives, different colored threads and lots of needles.
But there were also scattered pieces of paper, with writing on them.
Applejack picked up the first paper, and on it was a lot of answers.
They were letters, back and forth, from Rarity to Fancypants. It was obvious that they were in love, which sort of explained Rarity’s desperateness. They had planned the whole thing, together. Rarity had sent a dress to Fancypants, and he sold it in Canterlot, and sent her the money. Fancypants said they’d make a lot of money on pony-hide, so Rarity made pony-hide dresses. They became richer and richer, all off the dirty business.
***
Applejack buried Rarity outside of Carousel Boutique, with her old dress from the Gala.
Applejack wanted to remember Rarity as the generous friend, not the love-stricken greedy maniac she had been seen as before.
She left the grave with a tear-stained face, but she convinced herself it was for the best. Carousel Boutique was now clean of any evidence of how Rarity was, and hopefully nopony would ever find out.
Rarity would be remembered as a great friend, and as the trusted The Ponyville Seamstress.
“Spike, wake up, wake up! it’s Winter Wrap Up Day!” Twilight said, and nudged Spike awake.
Spike sat up in his bed.
“Huh? Rarity?” He said sleepily.
Twilight looked annoyed. “Winter Wrap Up!” She said hastily.
Spike frowned. “You’re not Rarity.” he said.
“Spike, the first day of spring is tomorrow, so everypony in Ponyville needs to clean up winter. Now help me get ready.” Twilight said.
“Clean up winter? Who cleans up winter? Don’t they just use magic to change the seasons like they do in Canterlot?” Spike said.
Can’t I just go back to sleep. I was having such an interesting dream…
Prologue
Sweetie Belle stepped into Carousel Boutique.
Maybe I could get my cutie mark in cat training! Sweetie thought, as she looked around Rarity’s house.
“Opal? Opalescence where are you?” Sweetie called, and didn’t find Opal anywhere. She looked in the everywhere she could think of, but Opal was nowhere to be seen.
There is Rarity’s workroom… Sweetie thought, and then shook her head.
No, you’re not allowed in there. Rarity is very strict about it. Sweetie thought, and looked at the closed door of the workroom.
Well, Rarity isn’t even home. I’ll just check, just a quick check for Opal. Sweetie thought, and then strode to the door.
She felt so devious, disobeying Rarity like this, a rare pleasure for such a disciplined filly. Sweetie closed her eyes and pushed the door open.
When she opened her eyes, she screamed. She was so shocked, and scared, when she saw what was inside Rarity’s workroom. She totally forgot about finding Opal, she was stuck to the ground with shock at what she saw. As the tears began to roll down Sweetie Belle’s face, somepony entered the room.
“Sweetie Belle! I thought I told you to stay out of my workroom!” Said the pony.
Sweetie turned to see Rarity standing in the doorway.
“I-I I’m sorry! What is going on Rarity?! Why is all of this here?!” Sweetie cried.
Rarity laughed. “Now you see why I didn’t want you in here, don’t you. Ah well, I wasn’t going to do this but you leave me no choice. If I can’t trust you with my diary I can’t trust you with my secret.” Rarity said her voice smooth as honey.
“D-do what…? What’s going on?” Sweetie said, her lip trembling.
Rarity let out a sickening cackle. “Oh don’t be scared. It’s okay, little sister. This will only pinch a little bit.” Rarity said, as she opened one of the drawers, and pulled out a tiny red needle.
Sweetie screamed, and tried to run out of the room, until Opalescence jumped out from under the drawers and blocked her escape.
Rarity closed the door with her back hoof, and advanced on Sweetie.
“I’m so sorry for coming into your workroom! I was only looking for Opal, I’m so so sorry, I won’t tell a soul.” Sweetie said between tears.
“Now Sweetie, I’ve told you time and time again to stay out of my workroom. You know I can’t trust you now.” Rarity said smoothly.
“Rarity! Please, no!” Sweetie said, as Rarity backed her into a corner.
“Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head…” Rarity sang, as she slowly injected the needle into Sweetie’s neck. Sweetie Belle’s eyes rolled back and fell to the floor.
