Author's Note

This is the prequel to Age of Dominance, for the people who who kept badgering my co-writer and I for not giving a 'valid' reason behind Twilight's dark behavior in AoD.

The Beginning of the End

Rise of Dark Equestria: Return of Sombra

Beware this story if you seek innocence within…

By Dragon Feather and AlicornMistress

It was just another normal day in Ponyville; the sky was sunny and clear without a cloud in sight. The ponies of the growing city moved about on their day to day errands. All seemed well on beautiful day in a Equestria like all of the ones prier to it. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity were all walking through the recently expanded Ponyville, the sleepy little village had grown so large in the last 135 years. It had become Twilight’s Kingdom only 60 years ago since Equestria had gone thru a large population increase in that time.

As the three Element bearers walked through the familiar streets memories of both pain and joy filled their minds and hearts as they made their way to the Ponyville Cemetery. The anniversary of the Cutie Mark Crusaders had come again. The three mares, like they had done every year prior for the last 95 years, had gone to see their little sisters' graves and to grieve at their memorial.

“It has been so long since I have seen Sweetie Belle and I can barely remember what she looks like anymore.” Rarity said somberly, her eyes downcast in sadness.

“Yea I know what ya mean, I have to constantly look at the ol’ photo albums ta remember what all of my family looked like.” Applejack replied placing her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder.

Rainbow Dash just nodded holding back her tears and sorrow at the death of Scootaloo and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. She would keep her promise to Scootaloo, she would not cry over her and she would never let anyone see her pain. She would always celebrate the premiere Wonderbolt and the Pegasus Tribe diplomat that Scootaloo was. That is what she promised her little sister and the cyan mare would die first before she broke it.

It wasn’t long before the three mares had made it to the iron gates of the cemetery. They were greeted by three Royal Guards, one from each tribe who bowed before opening the gates and allowing them entry. Moments later the three Elements bearers stood before the memorial dedicated to their little sisters, each one baring a reef of flowers to lay at the memorial for their memory.

The three Elements bearers stood in front of the memorial quietly staring, each one lost in her own somber thoughts. They would have stayed like that until Rarity sobs of tortured pain broke the silence. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at her bewildered by the sudden outburst. Applejack placed her arms around Rarity hugging her tight whilst trying to console the crying white mare to no avail. Rainbow Dash just hung her head in shame. She could do nothing for either of her friends lest she break her promise to Scootaloo, to never show any emotion close to sadness or depression over her loss.

“It’s her fault; it’s all her fault…” Rarity cried painfully into Applejack’s shoulder, “If she never would have come to Ponyville, then events would have never placed us outside of time and doomed us to watch everypony and everything we care about wither and die!”

“Yer not blamin’ Twilight for this are ya Rarity?” Applejack asked softly as she rubbed the sobbing Unicorn’s back. “It’s not her fault, we all chose to be her friends. We all chose to be Elements of Harmony.”

“Did we Applejack? Did we truly choose to be immortal beings stuck outside of time? Did we choose stuck watching everything we know and love die? Did you choose to never have children? Did you choose to never be married and start a family like your parents wanted? Did Rainbow Dash choose to watch the only pony special to her die in such a horrible way? Tell me Applejack did we choose any of this?” Rarity asked before she pushed Applejack from her and glared at the orange mare with a look of fury on her face.

“Ya’ll can’t blame Twilight fer this. She came ta Ponyville on Celestia’s orders.” Applejack stated flatly, “If it wasn’t for the fact that Twilight had come to Ponyville we’d all be livin’ under the iron hoof of Nightmare Moon right now.”

“When I say her I don’t exclude Celestia, my dear Applejack. She has just as much blame as Twilight does. Twilight Sparkle is the same as Celestia. Celestia was the pony who raised, educated, and trained Twilight for most of her life. There really isn't a Twilight Sparkle just Celestia's proxy. So it is Celestia who has helped doom us to this unending hell and all for what? Just so she could get back a sister she herself neglected and turned into the monster. A sister that would have nearly destroyed Equestria if not for Twilight and us? Tell me Applejack how am I wrong in hating them both?” Rarity challenged.

Applejack stared at Rarity at a loss for words; it had been decades since she had thought about the fact they had become immortal in a sense. Could Rarity be right? Did Twilight and Celestia by extension doomed them to an endless life without love or family? No that couldn’t be true, Celestia and Twilight would never do anything that inherently evil. There’s no way Celestia could have known that the Elements of Harmony could make them immortal, could she?

“Come on Rainbow Dash help me out here, ya don’t believe any of this do ya?” Applejack asked the rainbow maned pegasus.

Rainbow Dash shook her head before letting out a sigh, she knew this day was coming for several decades and she hated it. The day that one of her friends would finally say what they had all been thinking at some point in the last 135 or so years. It was one of the few things the cyan mare hated to think about but knew would come up sooner or later. This conversation was the one thing Rainbow Dash knew would test her loyalty to the fullest. A test Rainbow knew she would fail.

“Whether I believe it or not Applejack the fact is all of us have thought about it. You as the Element of Honesty should know it better than any of us about lying to ones self. Rarity isn’t wrong in what she’s thinking but whether its true or not only Twilight and Celestia know.” Dash said before turning her back on her friends. “I’ve lived a long time now and in that time I’ve grown up. I'm not the silly naive mare who only thought about what she wanted most of the time. I think it’s about time you wiped the stars from your eyes and did the same.”

Before Applejack could find the words to reply to RD statement Rarity spoke up. “Rainbow Dash is right Applejack you need to grow up and see that things aren't as they use to be. None of us are happy save for Twilight and when you finally see that you know were to find me, darling.” Rarity said with a sarcastic tone before she left the cemetery heading home for the day.

“Before you say anything Applejack we are still friends and I'm still loyal to our circle of friends without question. I only say this because if you think that everything has been fine and everypony is still happy like when we meet over 135 years ago then you're wrong, dead wrong. You need to stop lying to yourself Element of Honesty. Look at what you have become and then you will see the truth of our words today. When you're ready to embrace the truth come find me and the others at Fluttershy's cottage. We will talk about it then.” Rainbow Dash told Applejack before she took to the sky for parts unknown.

Applejack was stunned at Rainbow Dash’s words, how could she the Element of Loyalty say something like that with straight face? Then there was Rarity and all of the blame she place on two of the four leaders of Equestria. She wanted to blame everything that had happened to them, on Twilight, though it wasn’t really the purple alicorn's fault. When it came to The Elements of Harmony being bound to their very cores, both physically and spiritually no pony could have known that was going to happen. But then there was the possibility of what Rarity had said be the truth? Could Twilight really have had a part in dooming them to this accursed life? Could Celestia really have known this was going to happen? Was it really true that they were trapped to never age and always be looked upon to keep the of peace in Equestria that they had?

'No Rarity and Rainbow Dash have to be wrong, we haven’t lost everything because my family still knows me…' Applejack thought as she decided to headed to her original home so she could prove herself right and the others wrong. If the Apples still loved and accepted her then Rainbow Dash and Rarity were wrong. If they were wrong all they need was good talking to along with the others for moral support.

She made her way home slowly coming up to the gate which led into Sweet Apple Acres. The farm was now four times its original size since the demand for apples and apple products had increased dramatically in the last sixty or so years. Applejack soon spotted some of her family working hard on the farm since it was getting close to Apple Bucking Season. She made her way over to them and went to waving her hoof to get their attention, “Howdy Apples…” She called with a large grin on her face.

An orange maned, red coated stallion turned and looked towards Applejack as she waved. He turned the others in the field with him. He whispered something to them and the others left the field as he walked over to Applejack. As the stallion approached Applejack kept waving until she got a good look at him and quickly her hoof felt back to the ground and she gasped, ‘Was that really Big Mac?’ Applejack thought before running to the stallion and threw her arms around him in a huge hug nearly knocking the wind out of him.

“Big Macintosh Ah can’t believe it yer alive and ya look so dang young too! Ah sure have missed ya ever since…ever since…” Applejack said as both tears of joy and sadness fell down her cheeks. It had been so long since she had seen him and she did miss her big brother so much. She was still hanging onto the farm pony when he tried get away from her.

“Pardon me miss but I think you have me confused with my great grandfather, I am named after him after all. I get a lot of compliments saying that we do share a common look and Cutie Mark…” He pushed Applejack off him being careful not to be too rough because he truly didn’t like being touched much like the original Big Mac.

“Miss? Don't ya'll know yer little sister when ya see her, Big Mac?” Applejack asked with a worried smile. “Alright Ah get it yer just funnin' me is all, right? Okay stop all of the horsin' round and get ta tellin' me how ya'll stayed so young and where is Cheerilee at? Oh yeah where are all of those nieces and nephews of mine?”

“No Miss Applejack I am not Big Macintosh the First and as for my great grandmother Cheerilee well...” Big Mac the third paused and rubbed the back of his head with a hoof. “Well she and him have been dead going on twenty years now, they are buried in the Apple Family plot in the Ponyville Graveyard much like my five generations back grandmother, Granny ‘Victoria’ Smith.” Big Mac III said with very little emotion showing on his face, he was almost completely stoic.

Applejack's face fell as tears filled her eyes as she looked at Big Macintosh the III finally seeing him for who he truly was, her great grandnephew. Big Mac and Cheerilee had died twenty years ago at the ripe old age of 109 and 104. The memories of that funeral in the rain with whisper of anger and fear that she had showed up came flooding back. Apple soon remember the looks of horror and anger on her family's faces when she came to pay her last respects to her beloved older brother.

Her memories had to be lies, just pain take knew forms so she could make it some pony else fault for her sadness. Rarity and Dash couldn't be right, they had to be wrong about everything. But just know Apple jack had realized she had lied to herself about who was standing in front of her.. “Ah'm so sorry... Ah didn't mean ta mistake ya fer my brother, but you look so much like your great grandfather.” Applejack said as she backed away slowly. Had her memory really become that bad in the last twelve decades? Did she really bury all of her more painfully memory to save her own feelings?

'Maybe Rarity was right about us being stuck outside of time. My own memories are playin’ tricks on me and my own family doesn't even know me.' Applejack thought as she looked at her great grandnephew. “Big Macintosh the III do ya know who I am? Do ya know what I mean ta this family?” Applejack asked.

"Of course I know who you are Miss Applejack, your family after all, the pride of the Apple family. But that isn’t anything to tip your hat over, not now of course. At one point it was but now it's... it's the family's shame. You’re one of the reasons a lot of the Apples moved away. They couldn’t stand the fame that you were giving our family name here in the kingdom. It's been seven years since any of the Apple's have gotten together for The Apple Family Reunion but I don’t think it’ll be happening any time soon. Most Apples won’t even step hoof into the kingdom and the journey to the new lands is way too far for such a simple reunion as ours."

Applejack couldn't believe what she was hearing about the Apple Family. There was no way that the Apples could be suffering because she was the Element of Honesty, there was just no way! How could this have happened, she had taken care to make it known that she was just a simple mare coming from simple pony folk. So how and why had her title caused so much harm to her family? Rarity might be right and if she was Twilight and Celestia may be the reasons the Apple Family ends with a whimper under the fame of one of its must humble and hard working members.

“Big Macintosh is ya tellin' me that the whole of the Apple family won't meet up fer the reunion because of me being the Element of Honesty?” Applejack asked and she tried to keep her voice calm but anger was filling her heart and mind. “Please tell me that ain’t the truth? Tell me that Ah'm not the reason why our family is scattered and won't be together like it has always been?”

Big Mac just shook his head and sighed before he brought himself to his full height staring down upon the mare, “Miss Applejack I’m sorry but its true. You are now longer the pride of the Apple Family but its greatest shame. I have ta tell ya the truth and that is that this entire fiasco is your fault. No Apple wants to mention your name or say there related ta ya for fear of all of the rumors and bad talk going around about ya. Though it pains me to say it but I need you to just get off my land and please don't come back ever again. I don’t want to be associating with the wrong pony folk no more or it’ll start making my long time costumers leave as well.” He told Applejack before he turned his back on her and went into the barn. After Big Mac vanished into the building the large white doors slammed closed behind him leaving Applejack alone in the now emptied farm.

Applejack broke down and cried hard as she sat there in the soft dirt. How could this have happened? When did she become a burden to her family? How long had she been living a lie about what had become of her family bond? Had she really just been ignoring what was going thinking that she was doing the right thing? Or had she seen that she was hurting her family but lie to herself about that for the sake of Twilight's happiness? These were the questions Applejack now had to asked herself and the answers to those questions were more painful than the questions themselves. It was all just pain and tears now, a pain she had inflected upon herself for the sake of a friend.

After taking a few moment to dry her face and collect herself Applejack left the farm that had been her home for many years not wanting to burden her family anymore than she had already. The sad and angry orange mare headed back toward the place she now called her permanent home, Harmony Castle, to be alone in her room. She needed time to think. Time to think about what Rarity and Rainbow Dash had said and about what she would say to Twilight and Celestia both. Applejack was never one to be a bully or say things out of malice or hate, now that was never her way of doing things. At that moment the honesty of her heart was nothing but Hate and Contempt for the alicorn she call friend and the Alicorn she bowed to as ruler.

“She is MY FRIEND but she trapped me in an unendin' life. Celestia was her teacher and she never told us that being the elements would make us burdens ta the ones we love. I have lost everythin' because of them and even now as hate fills my heart I can’t bring myself ta truly hate Twilight.” Applejack fumed under her breath to herself as she past the six guards out in front of the castle before heading straight to her room and slammed the door shut before locking it.

She lay in the middle of her bed sobbing hard into a pillow as she thought about all of that she had truly lost in the last 135 years. First was Granny Smith, then Apple Bloom, next was Big Mac and Cheerilee, countless friends and family members and now she had lost the rest of her living family. Applejack cried harder, she was now truly alone for the first time in her long life...

******

Luna lay on her bed reading one of the many newspapers from around Equestria. Since her return Luna had found a great joy in reading the paper as it give her updates on everything from fashion to current events in Equestria. With the help of the newspapers the Princess of the Night was vastly improving her understanding of the more modern Equestrian life style. Plus the comics were very funny and well drawn or that's what Luna thought at least.

Luna was in the middle of reading article about Ponyville hosting the Summer Sun Celebration this year when her magic slowly misted over her eyes. She had seen all that had happened from the orange mare known as her friend Applejack perspective. Luna could see Applejack's past painful memories of her passed away family and the lost of her connection to her living family members. It had truly frightened the Princess of the Night because she felt what emotions Applejack was feeling even now. There was so much hate and confusion filling her heart and mind. Applejack's connection to the elements slowly shattering as she lost what harmony she had left within herself. That was the one absolute condition with the Elements of Harmony, you truly had to have completely harmony within yourself to harness what power they extended to you.

Within her very soul Luna felt a dark stirring, just like back in that time over a 1200 years ago. She could feel Nightmare Moon awakening, the old feelings of hate and pain returning the surface of her mind. With the elements in disarray the harmony that held her two halves together was waning. She could feel her old self awakening and growing stronger but somehow it felt different. Gone was the hatred for the ponies that were not enjoying her night. In its place was hatred for the one mare she thought she loved the most in the world, a pure hatred for Celestia.

Nightmare Moon slowly took a deep breath, she could feel bits of her power returning and it felt so good to breath in the darkness. She felt the pull of the broken harmony still trying to keep her locked away but it no longer felt the same. Her hatred had changed and she partially remembered what had truly happened a 1100 years before. She remembered when her lover had been stolen from her in the middle of the night by another mare. She remembered when she had been taken from her rightful place at his side even through she could not remember his form. The dark alicorn growled softly and her eyes flashed with even more hatred for, Celestia, the one alicorn who had taken her away from her soul mate.

“What has brought me to the forefront of your mind again Luna, I have not seen through your eyes in so long and it vexes me so…” Nightmare Moon hissed and growled softly at her host. Though she would always protect Luna she didn’t care to deal with the lighter blue Alicorn because she was usually very firmly stuck under Celestia’s hoof.

Luna shivered as she felt the power of the darker part of her soul speak to her. This was not good if the harmony that held her soul together was waning then it was only a matter of time before Nightmare Moon began her bid for power again. This was something Luna could not have happen again.

“Nightmare Moon you have awaken and I will not have you trying to control Equestria again. I am not as weak as I once was. So do not take me lightly when I say you shalt have your way this time.” Luna told her other half with a firm tone as she prepared herself for a long mental battle with her dark side.

Nightmare Moon sighed softly. “Do you really think I will bid for power against myself?” she whispered softly into her other half's mind as her dark magic slowly surrounding them and drawing Luna further into her mindscape. “You think that we are so different my little one. But you have been lied to much more in the last 135 or so years than I have before my thousand year slumber it seems. You think I am completely evil but that just shows you that your even further under Celestia’s hoof than I thought.” She sneered at her younger self and turned her head away.

Luna stared at her other self long and hard still trying to figure out what she had meant by the darker alicorn was not evil and that she was under Celestia hoof. It was outrageous to think that Celestia was lying about the evil of Nightmare Moon or any of what happened a 1100 years ago was nothing but the truth. Nightmare Moon had to be lying it was smile as that. Yes she was deception itself in living flesh when she was free so this was all a lie. This was just a way of tricking Luna into letting the dark alicorn free to run amok again.

“Be not capricious in your words Nightmare, you have been away far too long to trick me again. Celestia loves me and wouldn't lie to me about the evil that you are. Why tell falsehoods now when you could just try to take me on in combat for control?” Luna asked getting a bit angry that her darker self would try deception rather than force.

“Because even though I could use force and have a high chance of beating you, I would also have a high chance of killing us both since we reside in the same physical form. Plus there is no reason for me to fight you any longer. I am but a shadow of your true self laying dormant your mind. The place were I resided is the place were the truth has been hidden so only I can see it. Deep in our mind resides what only Celestia would need hidden from you. The truth about you, me, and of course the Star.” Nightmare slowly moved closer to Luna rubbing her misty form against the other self.

“You have been tricked my little one, by the one you love and trust the most. Only I can't tell you the truth because you are so young and not yet strong enough to break free of what binds your true power. The power that we both know is ours and will always be ours, the power over the night and all its inhabitants along with the secrets that we hold.”

Luna shivered at the feeling of her darker self’s touch. It had been so long since she had felt that much of her true power all at once. As Nightmare Moon spoke Luna searched her memories of the last 1100 years and as she did she found gaps in them. Large gaps that gave foundation to what Nightmare was saying. Then there was the mention of the Star. What was the Star? How did it have anything to do with what happened a 1100 years ago. More importantly why would Celestia have any reason to hide it from her?

Luna quickly pulled away from Nightmare Moon and looked down at her hooves trying to find the words, an argument to silence the thoughts about Nightmare being right. She could not find one save for her faith in Celestia. Which at this point was weakening do to the lack of memories to prove her sister was good and not an evil in disguise like Nightmare Moon had said she was.

“If what you say is true, why would our sister lie to me about what happened back when I lost control and tried plunge Equestria in to Eternal Night? Why would Celestia have to lie about this Star thing, you, or me for that matter? Why would she even consider such a things concerning a matter as important as us?” Luna questioned, more out of her want for knowledge than to prove Nightmare Moon wrong.

Nightmare slowly pulled back from Luna her eyes flashing as she saw what Luna did in their shared mindscape. She saw the gaps in the younger alicorn’s mind where there were none like that in her own memories. To Nightmare the gaps in Luna’s mind were much smaller than the gaps she had found existed in the beginning of her own memories. Complete emptiness is all she felt when she tried to remember what had happened after she banished the Crystal Empire and before she had lost control, before Celestia had used the elements to imprison her on the moon. It seemed it was time to tell Luna the truth about the newest Princess of Equestria and to find the answers to what happen to her before she was imprisoned.

“First off the Star is not a what but a who. The who is somepony close to you. In fact this pony is close to Celestia as well. Even this mare does not know the truth hidden within her own flesh. The same flesh Celestia was going to tear for her bones in order to save Equestria, or so she thought. Nightmare Moon said in a matter of fact tone.

Luna thought for a moment about what Nightmare had just said. She thought of who the pony could be that was close to her and Celestia both. As Luna sifted through her memories of all the ponies she had encountered before and after her return her eyes widened in fear and shock as only one pony come to mind.

“You can mean Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked as she prayed it was not true.

“Yes the one and the same, the talented and most beloved Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Nightmare Moon told Luna with a dark smirk. “I could show you an entire world so different from what you believe Luna but my mind is an extremely dark place. You can choose to forget all of this or to follow me and see how dark our past truly was…” Nightmare said softly before turning her back on Luna and advancing away from her younger self into the pitch black shadows that were her memories.

Luna smiled almost wickedly when she saw her chance to get the truth from Nightmare Moon and Celestia respectively as well as find out what secrets Celestia was hiding along with the memories lost to her from her time on the moon.

“Well that is an offer dear Nightmare but I have another idea. Let us test what you say about Celestia to be truth or falsehoods. If Celestia gives me lies than what you have said is the truth. If that is the case I will aid you in finding out the whole truth before I decide what to do with you afterward. If Celestia gives me the truth and you are found out to be lying then you will submit and be bound again like before. What do you say to that offer my dear Nightmare Moon?” Luna asked as she prepared a rebuttal in case Nightmare decided to get defensive and argue over the terms of the deal.

Nightmare Moon slowly let out a soft laugh her eyes barely being seen from the darkness as she moved around the light Blue Alicorn.“You expect her to tell you the truth dear Luna and you will be sadly disappointed when all she will give you is more falsehoods. She will lie about you, about me and of course about our dear little Twilight Sparkle. But I will agree to your terms if you agree to mine?

“What are your terms Nightmare Moon? Do not try to play games with me!” Luna said suspicious of her darker self intentions.

“It's simple my dear Luna, I will be going with you and by that I don’t inside of your head…” She laughed softly here walking closer to her younger counterpart. “I want you to use what magic you can to give me a corporal body so that I may move around until you are done. That is the only way I will agree to your deal.”

“I accept your terms with the provision that you have your powers mitigated down to just that of an unicorn in both function and form. So we do not make Celestia suspicious of us when we question her. You will have free movement about the castle and city but no farther. If Celestia is lying and has been lying to me then I see no reason in locking you away again. If you have told me the truth Nightmare I promise you your own freedom and life to live free of me.” Luna told Nightmare Moon as she readied the three spells she would need to fulfill her end of the deal. “Just remember you did promise to go back into your dark prison should you be found full of falsehoods Nightmare.”

“Your mind no longer qualify as a prison Luna, but you know that I am at your call to bind and keep my powers if you find me full of falsehoods. I will not lift a hoof to stop you from putting me back where I belong. Provided that you find Celestia not at fault with telling you her own falsehoods.” Nightmare whispered softly and moved closer to Luna rubbing their snouts together. “But you may be surprised that I am speaking true.” She smirked as her eyes narrowed.

Luna did not recoil from the intimate touch of her darker self, she just stood there silently. “I care not if is you or Celestia that gives me the truth. I just wish to know what is real and what are shadows in the night. I need to know before the six mares that have made and kept the peace in Equestria these long 135 years fall into the darkness. Whether you stay within me or live on your own I care not Nightmare. I only wish to protect my little ponies from harm, but I fear I'm already too late for that.” Luna told the darker Alicorn with a sad tone before her horn sparked to life with bright blue glow. “Are you ready to be flesh and blood again? Or do you need some time to prepare yourself?”

Nightmare Moon smiled softly letting her body relax. “I am ready my little one. I wish to be of my own flesh again instead of having to control your body whilst you sleep.” She slowly backed away spreading her wings wide as her horn started to glow along with Luna’s own.

“While it shocks me to know you use our form while I'm in the Lands of Dreams, I will not hold it against you.” Luna replied softly as she cast the first spell separating her and Nightmare Moon into two individual souls.

Once separated Luna quickly link her magic to Nightmare's as she began the second spell pulling Nightmare Moon into the physical world before the third, most powerful and dangerous spell was cast. Luna softly spoke the forbidden incantation, to keep Nightmare from hearing it least she learn it and use it at a later time. Luna force more of her magic to mix with Nightmare's as the flesh born of magic and the elements of the Equus took form.

Luna had to be quick as the Homunculus spell used a lot of magic and could possibly draw Celestia's attention if the white alicorn sensed the imbalance in magic. As Luna concentrated hard using her and Nightmare Moon's magic to create a soulless dull gray coated unicorn body with white mane and tail. In the middle of the floor a soulless body formed and began to breathe slowly. Its eyes were a dull gray and showed no form of soul or intelligence. It was a blank just waiting for a soul to fill it. Once the body was ready Luna shout the final words of the incantation,“Animus Promo Prompsi Promptum Spiritus!” A large bolt of magic shout out of her horn hitting Nightmare Moon ethereal body in the chest making her glow bright blue before she turned in a ball of white light that fused with the blank body.

Once inside the homunculus body Nightmare's soul took hold of the flesh warping it into her own as directed but Luna's spell parameters. The blanks coat was slowly turning a midnight black as Nightmare Moons power started to flow through it shaping the blank into her form. Soon her eyes took on color turning a bright crimson, showing the spark of life and intelligence, a cruel, dark, ancient intelligence. As Nightmare’s height increased and her mane and tail darkened to black in places she felt the loss of about half of her power which was locked away in her very core. This made her effectively an adult Unicorn but would keep her from cast any advanced level magic spell, unless she wanted to do considerable harm to her new body. As the spell finished up she felt heat on her flank and in a flash of light a new cutie mark appeared. It was the full cycle of the moon in a circle. Each phase of the cycle was linked together by a thin red line. She lay on the floor in an undignified heap but she was free though only as a unicorn. This fact made her sad because she lost her wings, though most alicorns don’t like to use their wings, she loved to fly.

She stood from where she was sprawled on the carpeted floor and looked around. Everything in the castle looked vastly different from what she remembered it to be.“What else has happened to the castle whilst I was gone?” Nightmare said with no little amount of shock in her voice at the amount of light colors in Luna's bedroom.

“Many a thing has changed in the time of the Two Pony Sister's, my dear Night Starr. Gone is the castle of yore and this is the new castle in the capital city of Canterlot. There is far too much to tell you about the last 1100 or so years but I will try as you groom yourself before we go to find the truth. Come with me, I will show all of the new things used to take care of one's coat, mane and tail.” Luna told Night Starr as she led her to the large private bathroom in her chambers. “Now you need to be careful not get any of the soap in your eyes otherwise it will sting and if you need some help I will glad offer my assistance.”

***

Few Days Later

***

In the last few days Applejack had avoided Twilight as much as possible while she spent time alone think over what she should say to the others. It seemed the other girls were avoid Twilight too but Twilight was wrapped up in her new royal duties to even mind at the time. After three days of driving herself crazy with own thoughts about what Rarity had said at the cemetery Applejack sought out Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash to talk with them. Applejack had left Rarity out since she wished to confront Rarity after sorting out her own feelings first with the help of the others.

The four mares held their secret meeting in Fluttershy's cottage. Fluttershy's place had been chosen as the meeting place since most of the surrounding land had been given to or bought to make in an animal sanctuary and hospital. This meant the girls would have some advanced warning in case Twilight or Rarity were to show up from one of Fluttershy's employees. Once all four mares where safely in the quiet of Fluttershy's living room with tea and cucumber sandwiches as Applejack laid out her heart and what she had been going through the last few days. The other elements just sat still and quiet listening until Applejack had finished speaking.

“Now that is what Ah been dealin' with. Ah don't want ta admit Rarity is right but after my own kin folk threw me off Apple land cause me bein' an Element. Seems that my fame as an Element of Harmony has been makin' it hard fer them ta do business. Well after all of that Ah can't say Rarity is wrong now can Ah?” Applejack asked the group with somber look on her face.

“Listen Applejack it is about time you faced the facts about our unique situation. Being the Elements of Harmony to protect the peace and harmony of Equestria means that we have to give up everything we were and ever wanted. Fluttershy has practically become a shut in because of it. Everypony around Equestria wants the Element of Kindness to look at their pet for some reason or another. Fluttershy can't even leave her cottage without somepony shoving some kind of animal in her face with some sob story or just wanting Fluttershy's approval. The only ponies she talks to outside of us are her employees and they had to all sign a non-disclosure agreement so Fluttershy could have some type of peace in her own home. Pinkie Pie hasn't thrown a party in months because of her fame. Pinkie Pie can't even show her face in town without somepony on her about throwing them the biggest, bestest Pinkie Party to out do the last one she threw some for some other pony. Pinkie use to love throwing parties and now she can't even say or hear the word party without freaking out... “Rainbow Dash was cut off by Pinkie Pie screaming then lifting the cyan Pegasus up before hiding under her curled up in a sobbing ball of pink fluff.

“See what I mean. This happened every time.” Rainbow said as she adjusted her sitting so her weight was across Pinkie's back before continuing. “I can't even get a moments peace in Cloudsdale with some pegasus want me to train them. I get request out the wazoo for training sessions, tips on tricks, to speak this flight function or some flight camp and to show up for this or that. All of it last minute or they just won't take no for answer. Let's not evening get into all of the lies and rumors about me cheating because of the extra magic I have. I've had to drop of ever flight competition I entered into for the 100 years because Ponies think is unfair to race again a Pegasus with my level of magic. Then there's the Wonderbolts, who have practically black balled me from every one of their events and shows. Why do you ask? The simple reason is because I take attention away from them and they just don't want to be connect the the infamous Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash said in a huff.

“Rarity has barely been able to stay in fashion world but thankful she uses proxies most of the time for her clothing lines. That still hasn't stopped all of the rumors and lies about her having all of her competitors shut down or just sabotaging them left and right. Not to mention the really big thing about her being connected with a bunch of sweatshops and knock off companies over the last thirty years. There were even lies about being connected to giving bits to a Diamond Dog ran pony slave clothing ring a few years back. Then we come to you Applejack, the pride of the Apple family, now you’re the shame of the Apple family. The Element of Honesty is now the thing that makes her own family look dishonest to everypony because of her fame. Do you really think that anypony would believe that the Apple family does so well now just on hard work alone? Especially with a famous mare in the family that can literally do whatever she wants? Honestly Applejack do you think ponies around Equestria don't know who you are and the influence you have? Are you so naive to think everypony just believe you don't help your family stay on top?” Rainbow Dash said as she pointed a hoof at Applejack.

Applejack's mouth fell open is shock as she couldn't believe what RD had just accused her of doing. As if she would use her fame and position to help her family unfairly corner the market on produce. Applejack's eyes lit with anger and she jumped to her hooves and punched Rainbow Dash right in the face knocking the cyan Pegasus to the floor with a loud thud.

“DON'T YA EVER ACCUSE ME OF BEIN' A CHEAT!” Applejack yelled at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash jumped up from the floor and rubbed her sore jaw with her left hoof as she eyed Applejack with wild look in her eyes. “Been some time since we had a match AJ, hope you haven't gotten soft on me in your old age.” Rainbow Dash said before she punched Applejack in the chest before uppercutting her with her right hoof knock the orange over the couch. “Get up! I know earth ponies have more strength than that. Let’s rumble Applejack.”

Applejack got up from the floor rubbing her jaw as she stared at Rainbow Dash with fury in her green eyes. It had been some time since Rainbow Dash and Applejack had had an argument that led to hooves being thrown at one another. The last one being some thirty years ago which Twilight had to break up with her magic. This time Twilight wasn't here to stop them and AJ was itching to work off some rage. Rainbow Dash had kindly offered to be her punching bag and Applejack would be a bad friend if she didn’t take cyan mare up on her generous offer.

“If it's a fight ya want RD then Ah'll sure as hell give ya one!” Applejack yelled before she jumped back over the couch and threw several punches at Rainbow Dash. Several of the fast blows hit Rainbow Dash in the face and chest knocking her backward out of the living room with Applejack in hot pursuit.

The two mares were in the hallway between the living room and Fluttershy's den where a hail of blows and muffled shouts of pain could be heard. Applejack and Rainbow Dash traded blow after painful blow with no end in sight. Fluttershy was at lost for words and Pinkie Pie just cowered on the couch as the battle of Loyalty versus Honesty raged on in the hallway. It was seconds later the sound of a bone shattering kick to the body was heard and Applejack came flying back into the living room smashing to the over turned couch violently. With a flash of rainbow colors Dash zipped back into the room and was on top of Applejack punching her rapidly in the face and chest.

“You really think your high and mighty Apple family pride will do you any good now Applejack? Everypony thinks you just keep your family on top and why shouldn't they? The Apple’s have always used you to be the best... Everypony doesn't give a shit that they are good at what they do, not now, just who the Apples are connected to. As long you’re the Element of Honesty the Apple family name won't mean shit!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she held Applejack by the mane and slammed her hoof in to the orange mare's face over and over again.

Pinkie Pie was slowly uncurling from the couch as she saw AJ and RD fighting not many feet from her. She slipped off the couch and backed away from the fight. She was not much of a happy pony anymore and this fight bothered her a great deal. This was all wrong and it had to stop now.

She quickly stood up on her hind legs and looked at them whimpering softly for few moments until she screamed loudly, “STOP IT!! You two are supposed to be the bestest of best friends, why are you fighting? We all used to be so close and cared so much about each other…” Suddenly stopped speaking mid-sentence then stooped over, her body looking weak as if she was out breath.

Tears rolled down her face, her body now looked much weaker as she fell down completely on the floor her eyes rolled back in their sockets. Her breath evening out into soft but still harsh pants. The fight stop as the other three mares in the room ran to Pinkie's side shouting her name.

Rainbow Dash rolled Pinkie on to her back and placed her ear to the pink mare's chest checking to see if her heart was beating. The cyan mare was rather relieved to find her friends heart still beating although rather slowly. Rainbow Dash was about to shake Pinkie gentle when Fluttershy pushed her out of the way and began taking Pinkie’s pulse before shining a light into both of her eyes.

“Rainbow Dash, Applejack enough of this! This is serious Pinkie Pie is in shock and we don't have time for this bullshit. Yes, we have all lost a lot but right now taking care of our friend comes first!” Fluttershy said to the other two mares that both looked at their hooves in shame.

“Applejack help me get her on to the couch and Rainbow Dash go get me my first aid kit in the bathroom.” Fluttershy instructed as she and Applejack gently picked Pinkie Pie up and placed her on the couch with a whimper from the pink mare.

Rainbow Dash ran to the bathroom grabbed the large first aid kit then brought it back to Fluttershy. Once the butter yellow Pegasus had the kit she opened it and pulled out some smelling salts and a few pills. “Get a glass of water and you two better work it out and I mean SOON... if you really want to that is.” Fluttershy said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Both mares stood there for moment looking at each other before they muttered sorry to each other then Applejack went and got the glass of water for Pinkie Pie.

Once Pinkie was conscious and had taken the pills to calm herself Fluttershy turned to the others to speak with them. Before she could say anything her eyes roll in to the back of her head. The butter yellow mare fell to the floor convulsing hard as she gasped for breath. Rainbow Dash was the first to reach Fluttershy pulling the yellow mare into her arms as she called her name. Applejack was hovering close by when Fluttershy opening her mouth to speak. “Rar... Rarity... don't leave us...” Was all Fluttershy said before she passed out.

Applejack was the first to the door of the cottage throwing it open quickly. “Rainbow we'll hash out our little fight later. Make sure Fluttershy is okay before ya go get Twi. Once ya have told her what's going on meet me at Rarity's place Ah have bad feelin' bout this.” Applejack yelled before she was off in a dead run heading straight to Rarity's manor on the other side of Ponyville.

The farm mare hoped the feeling of dread and growing lost wasn't leading to the one fear that had plagued AJ her whole life, the fear of death and somepony she loved dying.

***

It took Applejack twenty minutes to make it across Ponyville to Rarity's manor the whole way there she yelled for ponies to get out of the way. Halfway there a set of guards spotted her in her mad dash and ran ahead of her clearing the streets to help speed her on her way. Now AJ stood in front of the locked gates to Rarity's large home with six guards behind her all wondering what was going on.

“Miss Applejack what is the matter? Why where you in such a hurry to get to Miss Rarity's home?” Steel Heart, a silver Unicorn stallion with white and blue mane and tail asked.

“Steel Heart Ah can't really explain that all that clear right now. Ah just need ta get inside cause Ah think Rarity is in danger.” AJ told the tall stallion with worry in her green eyes.

After hearing the worry in Applejack's voice and seeing the fear in her eyes Steel Heart ordered his men to break open the gates and secure the property while he accompanied Applejack inside to check on Miss Rarity. It was a trivial matter to bust the lock on the gate, Black Staff, a large black earth pony stallion with a yellow mane and tail, gave swift kick shattering the lock off the gate. Once the gate was open the five guards rushed in and checked the property over for intruders. After the all clear was given Steel Heart escorted Applejack to the front door.

After finding the front doors locked Steel Heart charged his horn and zapped the lock unlocking the door with a loud click. He quickly opened the door but before he could check inside Applejack rushed passed him screaming Rarity's name as she searched the house for the white mare.

“Miss Applejack wait there could be somepony or thing in there waiting for you.” Steel Heart called after her as he gave chase to protect the Element of Honesty.

Applejack ignored Steel Heart's words of warning as she needed to find Rarity and make sure she was safe, that above all else mattered to her at the moment. As the orange mare searched the halls in the manor she found them dark and gloomy, like no one had been walking through them in days. It felt so unlike anything Rarity would do if she could help it. Normally the house was full of the sounds of maids and fashion assistants running to answer Rarity's every beck and call. Now the manor was silent and still as if a shadow of Death had fallen over the house.

None of the curtains were open to allow any natural light to enter into the gloomy manor nor were there any lamps lit either. Applejack was running from room to room looking for Rarity and screaming her name only to find darkness, covered furniture, and several days’ worth of dust. Each room the orange mare searched was the same as the last she searched, covered furniture and no sound other than her own voice and hoof falls.

Applejack became desperate when no sound was heard to point her in the direction of where the white unicorn mare could be. She ran back toward the large staircase intending on searching the upstairs next but was crestfallen when she spotted Steel Heart coming down the stairs shaking his head no. When the whole of the house had been searched to no avail Applejack decided to check the last place she thought the unicorn would be, her studio.

“Steel Heart we're goin’ to Rarity's studio Ah want ya hot on my hooves just in case. Be ready fer anything, okay partner.” Applejack told Steel Heart who just nodded and followed the orange mare with his horn lighting the way.

Applejack, with Steel Heart behind her, slowly walked down the dim and gloomy hall that led to the back of the Manor where Rarity's home fashion studio lay. Chills running up and down AJ's spine, she had never seen Rarity’s home like this before and had never thought she would until today. It was so quite and gloomy as if death had come to stay. When she reached the studio's jeweled doors she gently pushed open one of the doors and looked into the darkness that filled the room.

Applejack could feel another cold chill run down her spine, as if death himself had touched her to welcoming her in to the dark room. AJ swallowed hard then pushed the door open more before entering quickly. Steel Heart was still right behind, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up, fear filling his stomach, the house was way too quiet and it shouldn't be. As he and Applejack moved in the room they both noticed the light on Rarity's work table was the only light filling half the room with a dim glow. It was in that moment the two ponies saw a sight that would haunt them for days afterward.

Next to the wall of fabric in the simple homey studio was Rarity laying the floor with Spike's much larger form draped across hers. There was some blood on the floor near Spike and both the dragon and mare where still as stone. Applejack covered her mouth with a hoof as she gasped in shock from the sight. Tears spilled from her eyes as she silently prayed to Faust that Rarity and Spike were both okay.

Steel Heart ran to check on the mare and purple drake. He checked on Spike first, with a burst of magic he managed to roll the drake over to find that he had ripped out his own throat. Rolling the drake over had cause his clawed hand to slip from the gaping wound speeding up his blood lose. Steel Heart grabbed a bolt of fabric and used it to apply pressure to the wound to slow the bleeding but the wound was far too large for the unicorn to do anything for the drake. Spike had made sure he could not be saved even if somepony found him.

“Tel...telll the others, I'm s-s-s-s...sorry... “Spike cough as blood rolled out of the corners of his mouth.”I cou... couldn’t leave her. Sh...she left a n-n-n note for them...” The dying drake told Steel Heart as he point out the note lying on the work desk.

“I will make sure they get the note and I will take your words to the others Sir Spike the Great. Is there anything else sir?” Steel Heart asked knowing the drake was in the final moments of his life. “Tell Twi... I blame h-h-her for thisssss...“ Spike rasped before he slowly roll his head to the side looking at Rarity's lifeless form and whispered his final words, "I love you, Rarity my one and only..." In an instant the great drake was gone, the light in his eyes fading with his last breath.

Steel Heart closed the great drake's eyes before rolling him back over so he was cuddling the mare he loved before tears rolled down his cheeks. He quickly wiped them away before grabbing the note on the desk in his magic. He quickly read the note before taking it to a shocked and crying Applejack.

“This is for you and the other Elements ma'am. I will gather the guards and send for platoon to lock up the manor for the time being. I’ll send word to the castle about this to her highness Princess Twilight. I’ll have the undertaker come so funeral preparation can be made.” Steel Heart said before he left the room quickly to do as he must in this sad, sad time.

Applejack held up the note and began to read it out loud,

To my beloved friends,

I, Rarity Serendipity Belle, am truly sorry for what you’re about to read but I can no longer put up with this unending, unchanging life. Although I have made a difference in a great many ponies lives I can no longer stand under this growing wave of sadness. I can no longer stand idly by as everything I love and care for turns to dust and ash. I miss my sweet little sister Sweetie Belle and the rest of my family far too much to continue on. Thought what I do is selfish I do it out of love as well. My love for you all is too great to let you see me slowly slip into madness.

To Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, I am truly sorry for I never wished to hurt any of you in the way I’m about to. You girls were my best friends and even more so my family when I had none left. So it pains me to leave this note behind for you to find and to do what I must do. Please understand that I never meant to hurt you even though I know when you find my lifeless body it will be the greatest and cruelest blow that I could ever deal to you. I would never even consider this course of action if there was any other path open to me. Since there is not and I don't see any other way out of this unending hell I'm sorry that this the last thing I will ever say to you girls. Believe when I say that I'm truly sorry for that. I can feel the madness slowly over taking me, I feel nothing but rage and hatred all the time and I can no longer take it. Please understand I never wanted it to end like this but death is the only way for me to find peace now.

To my beloved Spikey Wikey, to you I am the most sorry because I never told you how I truly felt. I truly wish that I had found the courage to tell you that I loved you far sooner than in this letter, I am so sorry Spike… Even as I write this now my heart cries out for you. I wish I had had the courage to tell you what you truly meant to me long before you left for Connamaraia. Ever since that bittersweet parting sixty years ago thought of nothing but you and what you meant to me. I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time looking for my soul mate when you were right in front of me the whole time. I know that you had been the one special somepony I was destined for but I kept over looking you until it was too late. Even when I realized my love for you I hide it from you because I was no longer a true mare. I could not give you a family or be a proper wife to you because of my immortal body. To lose you to old age and to have to live on endless without you was something I just could not do. I also didn't want you have watch as I lost my mind to madness that is immortality. I couldn't hurt you like that as I slipped in madness and forget who you were as time passed. Please Spike don’t hate me, that’s the last thing I want is for you to hate me for being so selfish now. I can no longer endure the weight of this suffering.

As for you Twilight and our so called Princess Celestia, all that I am about to do is your fault. If anypony is to blame for me being driven to this desperate act to end my own suffering it is the two of you. Because of you two I have lost so much. I have lost, the love of life, my creativity, the one soul that I was meant to be with, and worst of all that which was the dearest to my heart, my beloved family. Even as I write this the madness claws at my mind filling me with sadness and rage at the both of you. Because of you two and your quest for what you believed was right and still see as right I have lost the ability to continue the Belle line. Because of your arrogance my family’s legacy died with Sweetie Belle as you have left me unable to have children with this eternal body. Yes, this is your fault, not only have you taken from me my family but my ability to start a family. Thank you for denying me the ability to have foals and dooming me to live a solitary and loveless life.

As for all that belongs to me I give the original Carousel Boutique to Fluttershy, as you my beloved friend shared in my passion for sewing. To Berry Pommel and the Pommel family I leave my fashion empire for the sake of good fashion. To what is left of the Apple family still living in Ponyville and my dear and sweet friend Applejack I leave a very large sum of bits in a Trust to be used as The Apple Family Scholarship. This is so that future ponies who wish to become farmers will have funds to do so in the Apple family name. To Pinkie Pie I leave the deed to Sugarcube Corners. I took ownership of it when the Cakes were in finance troubles but let the Cakes keep ownership of it and now that Cup and Carrot are gone I leave it to you Pinkie. To Rainbow Dash I leave the journals of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as Sweetie Belle was the keeper of their many adventures, all three girls would have wanted you to have those especially Scootaloo.

To ‘Princess’ Twilight Sparkle I leave to you the one thing that I hope will let you understand what you have done and will prevent you from making the same mistake in the future. I leave to you my personal journal and my hope chest. Hopefully the items inside will give you pause and will allow you to see the error in what you have done. I hope and pray that all that I have given you will keep you from doing this or anything like this to other ponies in the future. Know this Twilight that in the moment of true despair and madness that I don't hate you but hate what you are becoming. Don't let 'her' steal your soul make you in a 'true heartless monster' like she is. Turn back before another pony is driven to the point that death will be their only comfort. Please don't let my death before nothing.

The rest of my vast holdings are to be divided up equally amongst the many charities that I have supported over the years. Even in death I still make sure that ponies who are down on their luck or less fortunate will always have some pony looking out for them.

Again to all of my loved ones I am sorry I just could no longer stand against this suffering, I miss my family, I miss the possible family I could have had with the one I truly loved. Please don’t think me selfish even though this is an extremely selfish act. I never meant to hurt any of you but all I want to do now is just rest. I am so tired and full of despair, I just want the pain to stop so I can finally rest. Please bury me along side Sweetie Belle as I wish to be reunited with my sister even in death.

Farewell my beloved Friends,

Rarity Serendipity Belle

TO BE CONTINUED…