Castle Sweet Castle - Alternate Ending

If looks could kill, Twilight Sparkle's face would be classed as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. Her crown added an aura of authority to her seething rage as she marched into the entrance hall of her new castle. She was flanked by her faithful dragon Spike and the most loyal of her friends, Rainbow Dash.

"Don't you think you might be overreacting?" asked Spike as he waddled alongside Twilight. He looked gravely concerned.

"No," Twilight growled, gritting her teeth. "They've gone too far this time. I have to take a stand."

"Help me out here, Rainbow," Spike pleaded. The blue pegasus frowned and shook her head.

"Sorry Spike, but Twilight is right," Rainbow began. "She's a Princess of Equestria now. Any threats to her safety must be dealt with swiftly and harshly." There was a seriousness in that statement that seemed final.

"But these are our friends," urged Spike. "I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it." The young dragon looked up at Twilight hoping for a response, but none came. The trio approached a large, arched doorway made of solid crystal. Twilight pushed the doors open with her magic and entered the cavernous room beyond.

Hanging from the ceiling was a great chandelier made from the roots of what was once the Golden Oaks Library. Glittering gemstones of various types shone upon cables hanging gently from the roots above. Rarity sat at one of the seven thrones set around the table in the middle of the circular room. She jumped when she saw Twilight and forced a nervous smile.

"Twilight!" Rarity croaked. "I know you're upset, darling, but I think we all need to take a few deep breaths and try to calm down."

Twilight ignored her, coming to a stop and looking around. On the far side of the table Applejack's hat swayed back and forth as she scrubbed the floor. She stopped after a moment and cautiously raised her head to greet Twilight, her mane frayed and her brow dripping with sweat.

"All done, Twi--uh, Yer Highness," Applejack stammered. She stood up and took her hat off, holding it to her chest. "Once again, ah'm mighty sorry ah spread dirt all over yer castle. Ah dunno what ah was thinkin'."

"Clearly you weren't," grumbled Twilight, rolling her eyes. Spike climbed up onto the throne adorned with Twilight's cutie mark to get her attention.

"Looks like Applejack learned her lesson," he offered hopefully, scratching his head. "Maybe the others have-"

BANG!

The whole room shook with the force of the blast. Twilight lowered the hoof she had used to shield her eyes and everyone gasped in unison. Where Spike had stood seconds ago was a puff of smoke and a shower of flaming confetti. Twilight's throne was smeared with blood and a few small, purple scales.

"SPIKEY-WIKEY!" shrieked Rarity. She dropped to the floor and started crying.

Twilight stood there, mouth agape. Spike had been like a little brother to her. She had cared for the baby dragon since the day he hatched. She could think of no words to describe the pain she felt right now. Instead she wiped the blood and several chunks of what had once been her closest friend out of her mane and turned to Rainbow Dash.

"Where is she?" Twilight snarled.

"I-in the dungeon, along with Fluttershy" Rainbow replied in a shaky voice. Quickly recomposing herself and looking around, she nodded and led Twilight to a door on the left side of the room.

Twilight stopped briefly in the doorway and looked back over her shoulder. "Applejack, clean up this mess," she ordered. "And make sure there are no more surprises laying around!" She disappeared through the door and slammed it behind her. Applejack remained frozen in place, too afraid to move. The room was silent save for the faint echo of Rarity's sobbing.

Twilight followed closely behind Rainbow Dash as they descended a dark, narrow hall leading deep underground. It levelled out into a wider hall lined with prison cells on either side. A few small candles were all that lit the cell block, their tiny flames dancing as the two ponies walked toward the far end of the room.

The final cell on the left housed Fluttershy. She sat in the middle of her cell quietly shaking. Her eyes briefly met Twilight's glare before darting back to the floor.

"Hiya Twilight!" called a familiar voice behind the Princess. She froze for a second before turning around to face the speaker. "Did you like the presents I left for you?"

Pinkie Pie beamed enthusiastically as she bounced toward Twilight, her fluffy pink mane bobbing with each jump. She came to a stop when she reached the front of the cell and leaned forward, pressing her face between the bars.

"Why did you hide explosives all over my castle?" Twilight demanded. "What were you thinking?!"

"Duh," Pinkie replied, rolling her eyes. "Everypony loves surprises. They're so much fun!"

"Your stupid 'surprise' blew Spike to pieces! He's dead because of you!" Tears began to sting the Princess' eyes as the reality of what she just said sank in. Her lip quivered.

Pinkie's face contorted as she tried to hold back a laugh. "Spike always loved a good prank," she yielded, falling onto her back and rolling on the floor in a fit of giggles and snorts. Her amusement at the baby dragon's death made Twilight's blood boil with rage.

"Have you completely lost your mind?!" roared Twilight. Pinkie continued laughing.

"Yep, she's totally lost it," Rainbow Dash agreed. She glanced at the writhing pink mass on the cell floor and then at Twilight. "What do you want to do with her?"

Twilight took a deep breath and sighed heavily.

"Tomorrow at dawn, she will hang for her crimes."

"So be it," Rainbow acknowledged grimly. "What about Fluttershy?"

The pair turned around. Fluttershy had begun drawing equals signs in the dust on the floor. She paid no attention to her friends.

"Fluttershy," Twilight started. "You brought a wild, full-grown bear into my bedroom. He nearly killed me! Why in Celestia's name would you do such a thing?!"

Fluttershy did not answer. Her eyes shot from one place to another, careful to avoid the gaze of her captors. After a moment she resumed drawing.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to get me killed. Did Starlight Glimmer put you up to this?" Twilight asked.

Again there was no response. Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked at Twilight.

"I say we leave her," Rainbow suggested. "Maybe a few nights down here will get her to talk."

Twilight nodded in agreement and turned to leave, Rainbow Dash marching to her side. They could still hear Pinkie Pie giggling at the back of the cell block.

"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for standing by my side through all this. It's nice to know that somepony around here is loyal to the Crown."

"You can always count on me, Princess." Rainbow Dash offered a quick salute.

"How would you like to be Captain of my personal guard?"

"Oh my gosh, really?!" Rainbow was suddenly very excited. "Do I get one of those fancy suits of armour?"

"Naturally," Twilight explained. "You'd also have plenty of subordinates to boss around. And a generous salary."

"I'll do it!" Rainbow squealed in delight.

"An excellent decision, Captain Rainbow Dash."

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! This is gonna be sweet!"

And with that, a smile spread across Twilight's face for the first time in hours.