Darker Days

My Little Pony:

Darker Days Arc

Warning: Dark
((Need I say more?))

My Little Pony:

Spreading Insanity

Written & Edited by: Cor200

One by one, each pony will fall

Until insanity has claimed them all.

The corruption starts within,

Only two need be the seed of this sin.

Death will rise, bringing demise.

The darkness will spread

And many ponies will be dead…

Pinkie hadn’t said why or what they’d be doing, but Dash knew that, with Pinkie, it could be anything. Dash wasn’t sure if she really wanted to go, though. She was so engaged with her stunts that she thought about blowing Pinkie off to continue flying. But, Dash’s responsibilities got the better of her. She knew that she had something she needed to talk about with Pinkie; after all, Pinkie had said it was going to be something special just for the two of them. Dash considered it and thought, “This would be the best chance.” Dash kicked into overdrive to make up for lost time, and sped to her appointment.

When Dash walked into the store, she was immediately greeted by her host, who was bouncing in excitement.

“Yay, you’re here! I’ve been waiting aaaaall day,” said the jumping pony.

“Sorry if I’m a little late, Pinkie. I was doing my afternoon exercises and lost track of time,” Dash apologized.

Pinkie giggled and responded in a gleefully reassuring tone, “Oh that’s ok, you’re here now. What's a few more minutes? I’ve been sooo excited thinking about all fun stuff we’re gonna do; I haven’t stopped bouncing since I woke up. I mean, I almost forgot to breathe I’ve been so happy.”

Dash gave a slightly uncomfortable laugh, unsure how to bring this up. Dash maintained a polite expression, however. If Pinkie was this worked up, whatever she had planned must be good. Dash could wait a little before asking.

“So, you ready to get started Rainbow Dash? I’ve got everything all ready,” the pink pony said.

Dash psyched herself up. “You betcha, Pinkie. So what do ya got planned? We gonna prank somepony? I got a couple of good ones I’ve been thinking about. Or maybe you’ve got some stunts you think I should try? Or perhaps…”

“MAKING CUPCAKES!” Pinkie happily announced.

This was better news than Dash had been expecting; it was, after all, one of the main reasons Dash had came. Dash had her suspicions and planned to talk with Pinkie about them, but this may have turned out better than expected.

“Baking?” Dash acted disappointed since she didn't want to go straight into that topic. “Pinkie, you know I’m not good at baking. Remember last time?”

“Oh that’s not a problem at all because I only need your help making them. I’ll be doing most of the work,” Pinkie explained.

Dash paused for a moment, not wanting to sound too eager. “Well, all right, I guess that’s ok. What exactly do you need me to do?”

“That’s the spirit, here you go.” Pinkie handed Dash a cupcake.

Dash was puzzled. “I thought I was helping you bake.”

“You will be. I made this one just for you before you got here."

“So, is this like taste testing or something?”

“Sorta,” Pinkie said.

Dash was unsure; she liked Pinkie's cupcakes, but something was telling her that there was something strange at work here.

“Ok, what's with this?” Dash asked.

“I was so excited I made one before you got here. Consider it as a thanks-for-coming cupcake.”

It sounded reasonable, so Dash opened her mouth but something was still telling her, "no! Don't eat the cupcake!"

"So, Pinkie," Dash lowered the cupcake from her mouth. "I've noticed that lately you've been making your cupcakes especially tasty. Mind telling me the secret ingredient if there is one?"

"Of course, silly," Pinkie laughed. "How else would you help me make them if you didn't know what to put into them?"

"Good point…" Dash, again, went to put the cupcake in her mouth.

Something was still getting to her; it was still telling her not to eat the cupcake. And what's more was that she could feel it; she could feel Pinkie's stare. It was like Pinkie was willing Dash to eat the cupcake, as if Dash wasn't actually going to eat the cupcake. Dash thought about that for a moment before she realized that it was Pinkie's stare that made the voice yell at her not to eat the cupcake.

"Well?" Pinkie said to break the silence.

"Huh?" Dash said, snapping back from her thoughts.

"You're just standing there." Pinkie paused for a moment before pouting, "Do you not want the cupcake? Are my cupcakes no good?"

"No, no, no, it's not that, it's..." Dash said, not wanting to hurt Pinkie's feelings. "I was just wondering which flavor of the rainbow this one would taste like."

This answer Pinkamena Diane Pie was not expecting. She knew Rainbow Dash would eventually eat the cupcake, but for some reason it was taking Dash longer than Pinkamena had anticipated. Pinkamena had already waited as Rainbow Dash ran late, but that was to be expected of Rainbow Dash. Pinkamena was hoping to have had Dash tied up by now, but Dash had seemed a little resistant. She needed to get Dash to eat the cupcake, so Pinkamena decided to use guilt, but the response made no sense to her.

“R- rainbow? What do you mean Dashie?” Pinkamena asked.

“Oh, you know. Your cupcakes taste like parts of the rainbow.” Rainbow Dash replied.

"How can one taste a rainbow?" Pinkamena asked.

This was interesting and Pinkamena wanted to know more. As much as torturing ponies until their deaths was fun and all, to Pinkamena, getting positive sounding remarks about her cupcakes was just as great a thing. Pinkamena may have been a murdering psychopath, but she still enjoyed making cupcakes; I mean, why else would she mix her hobby of making cupcakes with her hobby of killing and eating other ponies. While Rainbow Dash – her friend and secret crush – was the next pony to be here while she worked, making it extra exciting, Pinkamena found it very pleasing to be told her cupcakes tasted like rainbows, especially when the remark came from Rainbow Dash. She wanted to know more.

"Well, you see Pinkie…" Dash explained. "A thousand years ago, when Celestia banished Luna from Equestria and sent her to the moon, she was charged with a third task. She originally was in charge of raising the sun and showering the land with rainbows, but with the moon being an additional task, she had to hand down the responsibility of rainbows. Celestia entrusted the Pegasi of Cloudsdale to make the rainbows for her from them on. For the first dozen years, we were given powerful unicorns to help create Spectra. Spectra are pure pigments, or pure color. Everything is full of Spectra, but you can’t just harvest it. You can never separate color from an object. So it was made artificially with magic."

Pinkamena had gotten lost in the lecture; she had no idea what Dash was talking about. She couldn't find a connection between this and her cupcakes. If Dash didn't hurry up, Pinkamena would need to find another way to put Dash out for a bit.

"Dashie, what are you saying? I'm confused." Pinkamena interrupted, "And how does this affect you eating my cupcake? I put sooo much effort in carefully making a perfect one just for you."

"Let me finish, Pinkie," Dash said, slightly irritated, but she'd been expecting Pinkie to lose focus.

Pinkamena sat back and thought to herself, I'll listen to this boring story for a little bit longer, I guess.

"Right, where was I?" Dash said, pausing to think back. "Okay. You can never separate color from an object. Well, that was until the top engineers discovered an ingenious way to extract pigment. A special way to get this color from ponies."

Pinkamena was growing impatient. "Come on Dashie, I brought you here to help me make my special cupcakes, not to teach me history and facts!" She whined.

Dash tossed and caught the cupcake with her left hoof. "You know Pinkie? It was determined that only ponies worked for this process, for only in ponies does magic and Spectra run freely together."

"So ponies make rainbows properly?" Pinkamena had lost interest, and wanted to conclude the subject already. "Okay, so then-"

"Spectra must be made from live ponies," Dash interrupted, putting the cupcake down.

"Say wha?" Pinkamena was shocked, she had not expected that.

"To put it simply, there is a machine that turns ponies into liquid colors," Dash continued. "Ever since my first Sonic Rain-boom, they approached me and I learnt a lot about that place. Originally I was to find another way to make rainbows, but we found it impossible. I had wanted to end it — the killing — but then one day…"

Pinkamena had caught interest after the murderous fact, she wanted to know more. "Go on."

"One day I decided to try the Spectra before it was processed."

"And it tasted amazing?" Pinkamena rushed ahead. This was some quite exciting news for Pinkamena; She wasn't alone with this love of killing and cannibalism. This was better than she originally had expected.

"I learnt to mix them as well... My personal favorite is the pink mix," Dash grinned at Pinkamena, licking her lips.

Soon enough, Dash found herself unable to resist; the topic she wanted to bring up could wait till later, for right then, all she wanted was Pinkie.

Pinkamena backed up as Rainbow Dash slowly walked towards her with a devious grin. "Back to my cupcakes," Pinkamena said, "did you not have a thing to do this? It's not as simple as just killing them and baking that, right?"

"The machine makes ponies into the perfect liquid form – the only perfect form – but your way of using ponies in your cupcakes is enough to bring out a professionally made solid form."

Pinkamena blushed, "Dashie, you're flattering me." Pinkamena's back was against the wall then. "Um... Dashie?"

Dash put a hoof against the wall on both sides of Pinkamena, "What is it Pinkie?"

Pinkamena was blushing bright pink, though it was almost unrecognizable on her pink skin. Dash leaned close to Pinkie and whispered, "I've wanted to do this for a while now, Pinkie." Dash then went in for the long kiss that started their long and entertaining night together.

Rainbow Dash got up from Pinkamena's bed. The night before had seemed like a dream; Dash had wanted to do that with Pinkie for quite a while, but that needed be pushed aside for the time being because she came here to ask Pinkie a certain question about a certain problem, and that's what she was going to do. Dash looked back at the bed and noticed that it was empty.

A pink head popped into the room, "Oh! Dashie, you're up! Somepony's a sleepy head! You know how long you sleep for? Anyways, I have your breakfast ready!"

Rainbow Dash was nearly finished with her breakfast when Pinkie asked out of the blue, “How did you know what I was doing?” As for Pinkamena's reasonings, she just didn't have time to ask yesterday.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't know." Dash laughed, she didn't mind the topic coming back up since she needed to stop procrastinating and ask that question. "I had a suspicion that you were either getting something that was an amazing substance that the Factory's never heard of or you were using live ponies. I knew that the first was impossible, so I checked if any ponies had been vanishing."

"Was it that obvious?" Worry then coming to Pinkamena as she started wondering if she'd been as sly as she'd thought.

"No, they're hardly noticeable and the pattern had no close relation to you at all, at first I missed it. Also, during the time I was researching this, Scootaloo was dealing with her final flying test…"

"Oh yeah, I heard that she failed. That's too bad, isn't it?"

Rainbow Dash's eye twitched. "I lost it when I heard that too."

"Do you know where those ponies who fail go?"

"The Rainbow Factory," Dash answered, pointing a hoof in its general direction. "The ponies that don't meet Cloudsdale's standards are sent there."

"… Then Scoots?" Pinkamena asked, feeling sorry for Rainbow Dash. After all, Rainbow Dash had taken Scootaloo under her wing.

"Well… she planned an escape with her quick wits. She used the general idea of 'clear, fly, fall, complete,' or the general procedure for the flight test."

"And?" Pinkamena was curious with what happened to Scootaloo.

"I wanted to kill Scootaloo for failing me like that. I lost my sanity. I wasn't as aware as I normally am; I was blinded by rage."

"So did you? Kill her yourself, I mean." Pinkamena asked, bouncing up and down with anticipation.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, "Pinkie, you're getting too excited over this…"

Pinkamena stopped bouncing.

"Anyways, I killed her two friends that had come with her. One as a demonstration of the machine, and she watched him die. The other had a broken wing and decided thought to try and hold me off. Pathetic, that one was absolutely pathetic. I chased Scootaloo after that. Scootaloo did an amazing job when I think back to it; she 'cleared' a way out, then 'flew' through the factory with ease, and finished with a perfect 'fall' through a shoot."

"Really? Sounds like the judges messed up."

"They did," Dash growled through her teeth, smashing the cupcake on the counter with her hoof.

Dash looked at the cupcake, or what was left of it. "Oh! I'm sorry Pinkie!"

"It's okay. That was the knock-out-drugged one from yesterday." Pinkamena shrugged.

"Oh, so that was what it was…" Dash looked at the smashed cupcake.

"Yeah, yeah, so what happened next?" Pinkamena asked eagerly.

"Well, I couldn't fit through the shoot, but it lead back to the room that she'd escaped from and she was trapped. I chained her up in the machine and was ready to kill her with all my rage and revenge."

"You were ready? You mean you didn't?" Pinkamena asked.

"I am getting there, just stop interrupting.” Rainbow Dash said, irritated. “So, anyways, I was about to turn her to Spectra as well, but then a voice whispered to me. I think it was my sanity, but I'm not sure. Whatever it was, it said to me, 'clear, fly, fall, complete.'" Dash stopped there, staring off into space.

"And?" Pinkamena was unclear what Dash meant by that.

"Can't you tell?" Dash asked, looking at Pinkie and slowly slipping into a mental spasm.

"Dashie, are you okay?" Pinkamena asked.

"My Scootaloo almost died because the judges couldn't handle their jobs," Dash laughed, "their mistake almost caused me to kill her."

"That's horrible," Pinkamena said.

"It is, not to mention the other factor... I need your help Pinkie." Dash looked at the ground.

"How can I help?" Pinkamena replied.

"Scootaloo is still so young, her mind can't comprehend fully what she saw in the factory. I can't let her out of there, and she refuses to respond to me in any way. I was wondering if you'd know how to help?"

"I could help her."

"Really? How?"

"Just give her to me for a while. I'll have this problem solved in no time."

"Thanks for the help. I'll send her over this week."

"Okie Dokie Lokie."

The start of insanity

Spreads from the core.

Stopping it is vanity,

It always consumes more.

Hidden sides, watching eyes.

The corruption grows near,

Can you feel the fear?

"Hey Scoots!" the pink pony greeted Scootaloo at the door to Sugarcube Corner. "It's so great to see you, I thought I wouldn't see you again!"

"Hey Pinkie," Scootaloo sighed, entering into the building.

"Why are we frowning?" Pinkamena shut the door and followed Scootaloo.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I'd like to see you grin," Pinkamena hummed.

"I don't want to talk to you, Pinkie."

"I heard you were down in the dumps, but-"

"Pinkie, I'm not in the mood," Scootaloo interrupted.

"I have a surprise for you!" Pinkamena held out a cupcake. "Come on, I know you like them."

Scootaloo couldn't resist; she loved Pinkie's cupcakes. No matter how she felt, she'd never refuse one, and so she took the cupcake and ate it in one bite. "Delicious as always, Pinkie," Scootaloo said, licking her lips.

"Want to help me make some?" Pinkamena asked.

"Would I?" Scootaloo gasped, "Of course I would!"

"Well, then let's get started. Follow me!" With that, Pinkamena hopped off towards the basement of Sugarcube Corner.

"Pinkie, why do we have to go down here?" Scootaloo asked, unsure of what was going on. The walk down the stairs was already getting her creeped her out.

"Don't worry, you're going to love the surprise I've got for you!" Pinkamena said cheerfully.

The two of them came out into a dark room. "I can't see a thing…" Scootaloo said.

Pinkamena guided Scootaloo to a spot and told her to stay as she turned on the lights.

What Scootaloo saw when the lights came on, she was not expecting in the slightest. In front of her were three tables, the two on the sides had a captive pony each; both ponies looked familiar to Scootaloo. As for the center table, what remained was only the skin and bone of somepony; the pony had basically been hollowed out.

"P- P- P- Pinkie," Scootaloo stuttered, "Wh- whAT IN EQUESTRIA IS GOING ON?!"

"Don't you recognize them?" Pinkie asked.

"N- not really…" Scootaloo stammered.

"Silly filly, those there are your judges!"

It then hit Scootaloo; she recognized who the two on the sides were. The three of them were the ones who had failed her, Aurora, and Orion. They had shown no mercy and no understanding. If they hadn't been so cruel, none of what she'd been through as of late would have even happened. If it weren't for them, she'd still be living a happy life with everyone. Rage was boiling underneath her surface, she wanted no more than to get her revenge.

"I need you to help me get some ingredients," Pinkie's voice sounded far away to Scootaloo, she was barely even comprehending what the pink pony was saying. Pinkamena put a knife in Scootaloo's hoof and repeated, “I need you to get some ingredients.” Pinkamena backed off and stood in the shadows, waiting and watching what Scootaloo would do next.

"You two... yoU HEARTLESS JERKS! I've had dreams were I'd get my friends' revenge! And my own." Scootaloo walked over to the pony on the left and sent the knife to dig into his right hind leg. His scream was music to Scootaloo's ears.

"Your kind of pony shouldn't even exist!" Scootaloo dragged the knife up the helpless pony's leg, then she looped it around and pulled it down his other hind leg.

"The number of 'useless' ponies that you've sent to that place..." Scootaloo cut off the back two hooves, his screaming nothing more than background noise to her. She didn't even hear the words in his pleas and cries.

"The number of ponies who should have passed, but did something you... disagreed with." Scootaloo cut down his two forelegs.

"No remorse for a recovering pegasus who'd just broke a wing," Scootaloo cut the flesh over the ribcage, peeling it off once done.

"Hating the pegasus who showed remorse for a friend." Scootaloo started to take out the insides of the pony, now trying to mimic the look of the middle pony. Her anger had passed after cutting the pony's legs, she had felt satisfied after that, but she found that she was unable to stop; she didn't know why, but she was feeling something. Something that if she had to guess, she'd say… pleasure.

Pinkamena was proud of herself; she knew that using the failure judges would not only make Rainbow Dash happy, but help bring out the side of Scootaloo she was currently witnessing.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash walked across the bridge leading to Fluttershy's house. Dash knocked on the door, "Fluttershy, you home?"

The door opened slowly, "Hello. I'm sorry, but now's not the best time if you don't mind. Maybe you could perhaps come another time, if it isn't a bother?" Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow Dash just pushed the door open and entered.

"What do you want?"

"It's time."

"But Rainbow Dash, I don't think I'm ready to."

"I thought you'd say that, but that's just because you fear what you forgot, isn't it?"

"I don't want to remember it."

"That's not the reason you told me back then," Rainbow grinned, tackling and pinning Fluttershy, just incase she had any thoughts of running.

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy gasped, startled

"I remember it like it was yesterday… You didn't show up for the flight test, they had to search for you. You had promised me that you'd show up, but you got too scared. You backed out of the promise that we'd do it together. The judges didn't even give you a chance because of that. You were sent to the Factory…"

"No more!" Fluttershy interrupted, trying to break free.

"I saw you there, hiding in a corner, completely terrified. I made sure you were the last one to be put into the machine; I felt betrayed and wanted to see you suffer the torment of watching. You watched all the other ponies be turned into Spectra. Remember all those who died, remember their cries? And to all's surprise, remember… how it turned you on, you had such a wingboner!" Rainbow Dash started laughing, "Fluttershy, I can see it still has the same effect on you."

This statement was true; Fluttershy's wings were out from the thought. "Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said.

"Not only did that turn you on, it awoke something inside you that had been laying dormant for a while. What you did next, not even I was expecting. It was very impressive."

"Rainbow…" Fluttershy said, now blushing. Fluttershy always had a crush on Rainbow Dash, but she never could say it and their current position wasn't helping her hide it.

"Do you remember?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Of course I remember the thrill," Fluttershy said, "I killed the remaining ponies in the room. It was such an amazing feeling, you know?"

"Exactly, your inner animal – monster – awoke."

"Yeah, I wasn't able to hold it back, so I had to forget it all and put the animal inside dormant again. I'm glad you reminded me Rainbow."

"Glad to help, old friend."

"So, Rainbow, why did you remind me, not that I'm complaining."

"It's time for a new age," Dash grinned. She stood up and started to the door. "Soon Equestria will change." Then Rainbow Dash left.

Fluttershy hadn't made a move quick enough, she wanted to tell Rainbow Dash her feelings. "Stupid Fluttershy, you should have acted when she had you pinned down..." Fluttershy said, "stupid, stupid Fluttershy."

The following manuscripts are excepts from the Rainbow Factory archives:

Resources

Test Results:
Flying Test #: 704092
Subject: Fluttershy
Score: N/A

Factory Notes:
Subject was found an hour after the testing. The other failures have already started their transfer, so she will be sent to the west gate and walked straight to the factory.
Subject was first to arrive at factory. Rainbow Dash requested that Subject went last, no reason given.
As more and more ponies arrived, Subject moved further and further into the shadows, hiding in a corner of the room. It would be a pain to get her, Rainbow Dash's request granted.
Subject's wings are out, but she is not trying to escape. Rainbow Dash suggested possible erection, more commonly known as a “wingboner.”
Subject is up next; she seems more stable than before, so she should be easier to handle. Panicky subjects do tend to be more troublesome.
Code 829 – Out of control subject.
Subject has lost control. The ponies sent out to get her are now dead by her hooves. This is unexpected from Subject's history. The factory has locked down.
Rainbow Dash has gone out to talk with Subject, currently having a conversation.
Subject is subdued.
Dr. Atmosphere and Rainbow Dash request: Subject will not be turned into Spectra.
Request auto-granted.

Employee Request Form

Employee #: 19472
Employee Name: Fluttershy
Employee Position: Co-Manager
Request: Free Rein Privilege (Ability to leave the Factory when wished)

Observation Notes:
With my years of experience, love is written clear on Employee's face. Employee seems to know Rainbow Dash and wants to be together more often. To the Employee, this includes going outside the Factory. From my observation, her obsession with Rainbow Dash would keep her quiet about the Factory, so there are no problems with that, but there is a problem with her aggression. I know that she WILL NOT be able to hide her love for this type of work. If she is sent out in her current state, she may draw attention and/or suspicion.

Observer: Tom Watch

Employee Request Form

Employee #: 19472
Employee Name: Fluttershy
Employee Position: Co-Manager
Request: Resignation

(Via Memory Erasing)

Observation Notes:
I am once again observing Employee #19472. Previously I denied her Free Rein Privilege. To make this go quicker, I've been assigned the Employee again. This Employee seems to have still not told Rainbow Dash her feelings. It seems that her shyness hasn't changed from past records. The Employee currently is one of the higher up positions and is very valuable to this plant. Everything required is approved except for this reason. We can not let a willingly content employee leave on terms of love with one exception...
Rainbow Dash has accepted the conditions; she will take full responsibility as manager in order to allow her friend to see the outside world again. Employee has all requirements met.

Observer: Tom Watch

Half the six have gone insane.

Is this truly Equestria's bane?

Will the lands survive this epidemic,

Or has all they've done been enough condemn it?

The mind tries, but still slowly dies.

What has been done to ourselves?

They've put us in multiple living Hells.

"You want me to what?" Pinkamena asked.

"I want you to go into hiding," Rainbow Dash said.

"Why?"

"I'm tired, Pinkie, tired of hiding a part of me. Any longer and I may loose my sanity for good. I want to be out in the open, and I find this the best way to spread the truth."

"By me hiding?"

"Slow realization, Pinkie."

"I don't understand."

"You will once you see, I promise the effect will be noticeable and quick. You trust me, right?"

"Of course I do Dashie."

Dash paused for a moment, she'd been wondering something and decided to ask, “How's Scoots?”

“Great! You should have seen her take apart the other two judges. Currently I have her preparing some ponies for another batch of cupcakes.”

“You're magical Pinkie,” Dash snuck in a quick kiss.

“I don't think she's mad at you anymore, but I'm not sure.”

“I doubt she's over it yet. I think she's figured out that I still didn't give a shit for her two so-called friends, those two preformed pathetically in front of me and the judges.”

"I'll check if she wants to see you," Pinkamena said, hopping off to the basement.

"Scootaloo," Pinkamena called.

Scootaloo looked over her shoulder at the stairs, "Yes Pinkamena?"

"Dash wanted to see you; she came over to say hi!"

"Tell her to go away," Scootaloo returned to stirring the special batter.

"Why so upset with Dashie?"

"She killed my two friends."

"She knew not if they were bad flyers, they never proved themselves like you did."

"So?"

"Ponies make mistakes, do they not?"

"She probably won't believe they were good no matter what."

"You know Dashie, she's stubborn and won't let you defeat her easily. Since you can't prove it, you're going to have to just deal with it."

Scootaloo was silent for a moment, putting the batter into a baking sheet, and then placing it into the oven.

Scootaloo sighed, "You're right. I lost them, I don't need- want to loose Rainbow Dash as well."

The next day, Rainbow Dash's plan went into action.

Pinkie Pie disappeared for a few months, and caused everypony to enter a state of confusion. At first they all figured she was playing a massive game of Hide-and-Seek with them all, but then other ponies started to vanish; some including Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Fluttershy. Talk of murder started to spread around, it was like a silent panic was throttling everypony to no avail. Rarity, in particular, grew terrified. So much so that she began to have nightmares about evil ponies kidnapping her and doing things to her in her vulnerable state. The fear slowly reached Rarity, driving her insane. More disappearance, more panic, not even Celestia had an explanation. Rarity couldn't take it anymore; she became a shut-in, hiding in her boutique in hopes the killer would never find her. Twilight was worried for her friend and came by everyday to reassure her everything would be fine in the end, but it never worked. Then one night came, it was storming outside; Opal was in a state of frenzy and ended up scratching Rarity's face furiously. It was then when Rarity snapped, bursting out into the storm and running aimlessly in the night. Something else happened that night as well, something inside Rarity clicked. The bleeding, Rarity found she deeply enjoyed it; never before had she felt such stomach-churning pleasure. The physical abuse seemed to turn her… on. Rarity ran, not knowing where to, nor did that matter to her in the first place; she had lost it and she had let panic take over. It was then that she happened to stumble across the work of Pinkamena Diane Pie. Everything suddenly made sense to her, and she fell in love. Rarity figured she'd gone insane, but it didn't matter to her since she liked it. She started making a habit out of sneaking out to watch Pinkamena torture her victims, and one could say that it made her envious. Then one night she lost control of herself, she needed Pinkamena. Rarity found herself follow Pinkamena home from her workshop. She waited a few minutes after Pinkamena entered a house, then bursted in herself.

"What?" Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity.

"What's going on?" Rarity asked. In front of her were Rainbow Dash and Pinkamena, both on a couch, but that wasn't what got to Rarity; what got to her was the fact that Pinkamena lay on her back with Rainbow Dash straddling and leaning over her.

"Hugging!" Pinkamena said, "What else would we be doing?"

"Uh..." Rarity paused to think, then a thought came to her mind and made her blush. "n- never mind."

"A better question is why did you burst in here like a madpony?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I was uh... Hoping I could be Pinkamena's next victim?"

"Oh, are you ready to join us too? I did notice you some nights, watching Pinkie."

"That may not be exactly what I meant, but yeah, that too I guess."

"Okay then..." Rainbow got off of Pinkamena and walked over to Rarity. "Are you sure you want to be tortured?..."

"Yes! Of course!"

"I... guess that's okay? I mean... if... Pinkie wants to.” Rainbow Dash found this interest of Rarity slightly disturbing, but that was her opinion. “I have to go pay Twilight a visit anyways." Rainbow Dash passed Rarity and whispered, "Have fun."

Rainbow Dash then exited the room and headed towards the library. "Oh, things are going just perfectly!" she said to herself.

Rainbow Dash peaked through the window into Twilight's room. Twilight was writing, alone; Spike wasn't in the room.

"Hey! Psst! Hey Twi!" Rainbow Dash whispered through the window.

"Oh! Rainbow Dash! You're okay!" Twilight responded, looking up from the paper and towards the window, "We all assumed-"

"I heard something quite interesting, Twi. I feel like it's important."

"What is it?"

"I heard that the Princess doesn't bother reading your letters anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous Rainbow Dash," Twilight laughed, "Why'd she do that? This is a prank, isn't it?"

"You were late..."

Twilight's eye twitched, remembering that day. "W- what do you mean by 'late'?"

"She came and told you she wouldn't send you to magic kindergarten, but I heard that she was being very generous because you are- were her most faithful student."

"I... was?" Twilight was getting nervous now.

"Until you missed that letter. I heard that being sent back to Kindergarden is a normal punishment for being late, but she didn't even want to deal with you, Twilight."

Some of Twilight's hair started to "twang" up; her hair began to get messy. "Are you implying she's abandoned me as a student? Ever since that day?"

"Basically," Dash yawned, "you're no longer a student to Princess Celestia. You haven't been for a while."

Twilight looked at the letter that she was in the middle of writing. "Oh, is that so?" The paper ripped down the center, then burst into flames.

Rainbow Dash grinned to herself, she knew Twilight still had some worries about that day, and they ended up coming quite in handy. She only needed to give Twilight a few days.

"So, Twiliiiiii... ght..." Spike trailed off as he entered the room. "Twilight! What's going on?!"

He only received paranoiac laughter from Twilight with the occasional "So that's how it is" and "Curse you" and "All this time..."

"Um, I'll... give you some time to yourself then…" Spike quickly left the room.

The following morning, the truth behind Pinkamena Diane Pie came out; just as Dash had planned. Everything was falling into place, soon they would be able to be themselves without having to hide any part of their true nature. Unfortunately, there was one problem: Applejack. Applejack was honest and never hid anything. In a way, she was the purest of the six, but those worries were currently irrelevant, the one Rainbow Dash needed concentrate on for the time being was Twilight.

Spike decided to check on Twilight one more time; it had been a week since she'd started acting crazy and it wasn't getting any better; Spike decided something must be done.

Spike checked to make sure Twilight wasn't around since he needed Celestia's help, or, at least, advice.

Dear Princess Celestia,
As you know quite well, mayhem has take hold of Ponyville. I'm writing this letter to inform you that somehow this situation has gotten to Twilight as well. She's at full paranoia.
Twilight's #1 Assistant, Spike

Spike sent the letter, then jumped as there was a knock on the door. "Hey, Twi?" Pinkie's voice asked. Hearing this voice, Spike instantly hid.

"Oh! Pinkie came to visit!" Twilight came down stairs and went to the door.

"Twilight don't answer it!" Spike whispered.

"What's wrong, Spike? She is our friend," Twilight said before opening the door, "Hey Pinkie!"

"It's so great to see you! Want to come with me? I'm having party and wanted you to join the rest of us!"

"I'd love to! What about you Spike?"

Spike gave no response.

"I'll be back later Spike." Twilight walked outside, the door closing behind her.

“I'm not so sure about that...” Spike murmured. Spike burped out a scroll, then quickly opened it.

Dear Spike,
If what you say is true, and Twilight's fallen into paranoia, then don't let her out of the house. In her current state, she is very susceptible to her friend Pinkamena. I fear if they met, Twilight would end up being corrupted.
Princess Celestia

"Oh Celestia, what have I let be done?" Spike muttered to himself.

"I'm back," Pinkamena sung, hopping into the house.

"Great Pinkie," Dash said, walking over to Pinkamena, "you... did bring Twilight, didn't you?"

"Of course silly! Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I just never know with you, Pinkie," Dash gave Pinkie a kiss, causing Fluttershy and Rarity to blush at the table they were sitting at; both of them were jealous that it was Rainbow Dash and Pinkamena who had to hook up.

Twilight entered, "Oh, everyone's here! Perfect!"

"Almost, we're just missing Applejack." Dash said, then added after seeing Twilight's worried look, “She just needs a bit more time.”

“So what exciting things have we planned to do together, as friends?” Twilight asked

“Kill other ponies,” Fluttershy said.

“And put them in cupcakes!” Pinkamena cheered.

“Sounds fun!” Twilight's eye twitched, but overall, she was willing to accept almost anything in her current state. “I'd love to help. I mean, that's what friends are for!”

"So Twilight, did you want some cupcakes?" Pinkamena asked. “They're amazing.”

"I'd always take a cupcake from you Pinkie, I mean we are friends and all, right? Right?!" Twilight replied.

"Of course we are, don't be a foolish foal."

"Great! Great!! Great!!!"

They partied to quite a late hour, but tiredness eventually overtook them and they went off to bed for the night. Rainbow Dash had said she'd catch up in a moment, then went back for a last drink. She was about to head back to bed herself when there was a knock on the door. Dash paused and looked at the door; she wasn't expecting anyone.

Another knock, but this time it was followed by Applejack's voice saying, "Pinkie I know you're in there! Let me in."

Rainbow Dash wasn't expecting that; she walked to the door.

"I watched you walk Twilight here, open this door or I'll buck it down myself!"

Rainbow Dash stayed behind the door as she opened it, waited for a couple of hoofsteps from Applejack, and then slammed it in her face, or at least that was what she had hoped.

"I figured as much," Applejack sighed, "now open the door so I can see you."

It seemed Applejack had just walked in place to test if there'd be a trick or trap. Rainbow Dash wasn't sure what to do, then she got an idea and ran off to the basement.

"I hear you running. I just wanted to talk, but I guess that won't be happening any time soon." Applejack bucked down the door and ran down the stairs, into the basement. She entered the basement to find it dark and impossible to see in. She could hear the sounds of some clumsy pony trying to get around. Applejack fumbled for a light switch and, soon enough, found one. The lights came on and lit the room to reveal Rainbow Dash in a miserable-looking state, fumbling around on the ground.

Dash looked up. "Applejack?" She coughed. "Please help me..."

"Oh my dear Celestia...” Applejack muttered, then snapped back to focus and said, “of course partner!" Applejack went over to help. She then heard hoofsteps on the stairs and turned around.

Pinkamena was standing at the base of the stairs, frowning and rubbing her eyes. "What's going on here?"

Applejack was about to respond when Dash's front leg hooked around her neck and started to choke her.

"Late night visitor," Dash said, "I wasn't expecting it myself."

"Dash, what-" Applejack was unable to say more.

"Oh, all in good time Applejack, all in good time." Dash stroked Applejack's head with her free hoof.

Applejack tried to say something, but was still unable to speak. Soon she went limp; she was unconscious in Rainbow Dash's grasp.

"Sorry Pinkie, I'll be with you in a moment." Rainbow Dash dragged Applejack over to a cage and put her in it.

"It's fine," Pinkamena said, "she didn't look too happy with all this."

"No, 'honest AJ' is too kind to like these things, but I do hope I can find a way to bring her around eventually." Rainbow Dash locked the cage.

"I know you're planning something big Dashie, but what is that exactly?"

"It's a surprise, and I know how much you like surprises." Rainbow Dash walked past Pinkamena and headed up the stairs. "Come on, let's get some sleep."

A week passed and Applejack was showing no progress. Rainbow Dash shook her head, "this is such a sad thing, but I guess we have to start without you, Applejack."

Rainbow Dash went to Cloudsdale, ready for the day to come.

The sun rose.

"It's time everyone," Rainbow Dash announced. "We're going public!"

"Are you sure of this?" Asked an employee, "You know what the reaction will be, right?"

"Of course I do, don't be so stupid!" Rainbow Dash laughed. "It's time to let the ponies know what Rainbows are made of!"

The news caught fast and spread quickly. Within a matter of days, everypony knew how rainbows were made. Mass panic, many ponies attempted to flee Cloudsdale, but found that they were unable to with the exception of Ponyville because of a forcefield that locked them in. They had the choice of living with a murderous cupcake maker or a place that turned ponies into rainbows. They didn't know what to do. On the outside, the royal guards attempted to break into the towns, but they found a purple force field blocking their entry. There was nothing anypony could do.

Spike was sitting in the library. It was a rather empty place after Twilight had left with Pinkamena. He heard the news that Rainbow Dash was perfectly fine, but was also a murdering psychopath as well. He didn't know what to do other than stay in the library and keep things tidy incase the normal Twilight returned.

There was a knock on the door.

"Wh- Who is it?" Spike asked.

All he got in reply was another knock.

"I'm sorry, we're closed right now."

Another knock.

"It's already late, you should head home before you're caught."

Another knock.

"I can't let you in unless you tell me who you are."

"Any new letters for Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Spike jumped and quickly said, "Nope, none, I got nothing." Spike has been Celestia's only source of news from inside the dome, but he wasn't about to tell Rainbow Dash this.

"I'll leave you alone if you tell me what Celestia's been sending, I know she's got to be sending some sort of things to Twilight to see if her 'most faithful student' can help."

"Nothing," Spike laughed nervously, he knew he was screwed if Rainbow Dash found out that Celestia knew about Twilight. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but I've got nothing."

"Oh, I find this hard to believe," Rainbow Dash said, "am I going to have to force my way in?"

"N- no, you don't have to do that, it's not necessary."

"Three."

Spike ran and hid somewhere in the library.

"Two."

Spike jumped out of his hiding spot and started sending away any out-in-the-open scrolls.

"One."

Spike sent the last scroll and was running towards the stairs when the door smashed in and Rainbow Dash entered the room. Spike froze; he was standing right in the middle of the room. He looked at Rainbow Dash with complete fear.

"Hey Spike, it's been a while," Rainbow Dash grinned, walking towards him.

"Uh… um… Hi Rainbow Dash, now isn't a good time and Twilight's not here right now, so could you um… come back another time perhaps? Please?"

"Don't be ridiculous, now's the perfect time to come and talk to Twilight's 'number one assistant' about letters from the Princess."

"Like I said, there aren't a-" Spike started, but then belched up a letter. Before he could grab it, Rainbow Dash had snatched it up in her hoof and was reading it.

"Let's see here…" Rainbow Dash read the letter.

"It-it-it-it-it-it-it-it-it-it's not what it looks like," Spike said frantically.

"Tell Princess Celestia, 'Twilight would be glad to accept the book, and will have Rainbow Dash take it somewhere along the forcefield border, all you need to do is send Derpy to find her... tonight.' That's not too hard, right?"

"O- okay," Spike wrote exactly – word for word – what Rainbow Dash said and sent it.

Rainbow Dash left the letter and flew off.

Spike picked up the letter and read it.

Dear Spike,
I have one final hope to cure the sickness of insanity that is spreading more and more. I have one final test for Twilight: Star Swirl's unfinished spell. I need you to get Star Swirl's notebook through the forcefield.
Princess Celestia

Rainbow Dash was standing on the edge of the Everfree Forest. It was dark and visibility was minimal; one could hardly see their own hooves on the ground. Derpy landed in front of Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Rainbow Dash, I brought you this package!" Derpy said, trying to push the book through the force field.

"Derpy, put the book in the bush down there and leave, okay?" Rainbow Dash said, pointing at the bush in front of her; it seemed to be on both sides of the forcefield.

"Okay," Derpy said, doing what Rainbow Dash directed.

After waiting a few moments, Rainbow Dash reached into the bush and pulled out the book that Derpy had left.

"Excellent, I wonder what spell this last ultimate one is like," Rainbow Dash said to herself as she headed home.

"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said, entering the house, "You home?"

"Right here Dash!" Twilight responded.

"I have something from the Princess. It said that she was willing to show some remorse and take you back as a student if you could complete Star Swirl the Bearded's unfinished spell, but... you only have one chance."

"Really? Let me see it!" Twilight took the book using her magic and flipped to the back. "From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fu- okay this is obviously wrong."

"You've figured it out already?" Dash asked.

"No, but it's obviously not flowing properly."

"Then I'll leave you to it," Dash left the room.

"If she taught me about friendship, it has to apply in here somewhere..." Twilight paused to think before saying, "From one to another, another to one, the bonds of friendship hold us strong... Yes, yes, I like that. Don't worry Celestia, I've got this. Okay, a mark of one's destiny... The marks of friends' destinies. Then 'singled out alone'... Brought out together? Finally, 'fulfilled'... Let's see... From one to another, another to one, the bonds of friendship hold us strong. The marks of friends' destinies brought out together... Um, I think..."

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Twilight asked.

"Twilight, it's me, Spike," Spike whispered.

"Oh, you've come to visit! How's the library?"

"Empty and lonely, but I've kept it exactly how you like it."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you Spike."

"Twilight, I got a letter from the Princess said that she didn't want you to actually speak the completed spell, she wanted to test it herself."

"Oh, the princess... testing my spell... herself?" Twilight was slowly turning back to normal, Celestia's plan seemed to be working.

"Oh, this is terrible news to hear Twilight," Dash said as she entered the room. Her tone made it sound as if she was sorry for Twilight.

"W- what do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"You must of failed at something; she doesn't want you to use that spell, so she must have given up on you."

"Don't listen to her!" Spike tried to call, but his cry never reached Twilight's ears.

"I'll show her!!!" Twilight screamed in rage. The other three were now standing behind Twilight as well.

"We're all by your side Twilight," Fluttershy said with her small, yet encouraging voice.

"I knew you all would be here for me, but where's Applejack?" Twilight said.

"She had a busy past few days; she needs her rest," Dash said.

"Okay everyone, here it goes!" Twilight said, "From one to another, and all around, the bonds of friendship make us one. The marks of our destinies now bound, brought out together to create a final, unlimited magic and union."

"No! Twilight! She wanted to-" Spike yelled through the door, but his voice was drowned out from the noise inside.

A bright light shined out of the windows, inside Twilight was in the beams from the other four, their corrupted souls bringing out a transformation for the worst. The unfinished spell was supposed to make the caster an Alicorn, but not only was the spell no where near to "From all of us together, together we are friends. With the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end." but it also was feeding Twilight the darkness from the others. The spell Twilight had created was an efficient friendship spell, but it relied too much on what laid inside the others' souls. Twilight started to grow demonic, tattered wings that reflected the corruption in her friends. Twilight's horn darkened and grew as well from the spoken spell. A new princess was born, a princess of the dark, one to be feared by all.

"See! What'd I say?" Twilight laughed, "It worked perfectly!"

"Yes Twilight, you certainly did do an amazing job; those wings suit your style perfectly. It's flawless fashion!" Rarity said, admiring Twilight's wings. “I'm jealous.”

"Why thank you Rarity!" Twilight said.

"You know Twilight, I think Celestia is losing her touch. She needs to be replaced with a proper princess, don't you think?" Dash suggested.

"You're right Rainbow Dash, she should be and it should be me!" Twilight stood up.

"Just hold up," Pinkamena yawned, "It's late, let's start with some sleep."

"I guess I can wait, no point in being a hypocrite." Twilight sat back down. “A proper princess shouldn't rush into things, especially if her friends aren't ready.”

Equestria's fallen to hysteria;

All starting from such a small area.

Insanity, there's no escaping it.

Your mind, insanity is breaking it.

It's already too late, insanity is now our fate.

I guess this is our final goodbye...

My friend, It's nearly time for us to die.

To be continued

Credits

A special thanks to:

Sergeant Sprinkles – Pinkamena Diane Pie and opening.
Aurora Dawn – The Rainbow Factory.
Lil’ Mizz Jay – Lil’ Miss Rarity.

Extra special thanks to:

Mindless Gonzo