My Little Witchcraft

by DaylightsBeginning

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Pinkie Pie, Dark, Applejack, Gore, Original Character, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5503

Welcome to the Cauldron! Where you live, fight and die for the sake of witchcraft and black magic. Our leader is Arion, and he cannot wait to see you all help with our grand scheme!

A story that was inspired by the parody series of My Little Pony: FiM called "Friendship is Witchcraft". This is NOT that, but a serious story I created inspired by that work that I very much enjoyed.
Plot: Apple Bloom is taken into a steam punk underground society known as the "Cauldrons" in which she is taught the art of black magic and witchcraft. She will be used as a major asset to the Cauldron Citizens in their master plan to create their own kingdom! Will they succeed in their plan? Are the Cauldron dwellers really evil, or just misunderstood? Read to find out!

Published 2015-04-24 07:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-25 20:41:21 UTC

My Little Witchcraft: Prologue

Author's Note

Welcome to my story! I hope you do enjoy. There will be many references in this story, see if you can find them all! And, please give any feedback if you can. I really want to do well and cannot improve without feedback!

My Little Witchcraft: Prologue

Day by day, the bright pendulum of day and night circled the Equine lands. The two forever protectors discussed their days within the castle of Canterlot. One of the alicorns projected a discovery she had made with concern.

"My sister, there is a very familiar issue arising in Equestria.”

The elder alicorn looked back at her sibling with calm eyes. “Don't worry my younger sister, everything is fine.”

As the elder alicorn contemplated her sisters concern, she slowly trotted over to the window and began to scan the horizon of Equestria. She could feel her heart beat in the silence and tranquility within the area.

*Thump.. Thump... Thump....*
Then, her heart skipped a beat as she felt a surge of dark, evil energy throughout her body.

"While our castle will stand, I can sense a cascade of darkness approaching upon the horizon of time. You are very much correct Luna, it seems they have finally resurfaced from their slumber.”

The younger sister became agitated with the predicament. She ground her teeth and took a deep breath. “When, Celestia, do you believe it will begin?”

The elder looked back, anticipating the movements of anxiety and fear within her siblings bulging eyes. “I do not know when it will happen my dear sister, but it will happen. It could be anywhere from this very moment, to years. However Luna, it is inevitable that this, "organization" will cause more pain than even that dreadful legend from Cloudsdale.” She looked down and frowned upon the land she must protect. “But for now, I need time to think. Night starts early today Luna, raise the moon.”

Luna nodded with respect and walked to her stand. She looked out over the land of Equestria with a worried glare. With one swift movement of the horn, from many years of practice, the sun lowered like a Yo Yo, and up came the moon whilst showering the beautiful land in a mystic moonlight glow. “Goodnight my children of the night, I will see you within your sweetened dreams.”

7 months pass-----

The night sky was a velvety black, layered with bright stars. The land of Equestria stood still and quiet, except for the Apple family barn.

“Let's go Apple Bloom, you need to rest your lil' head.” An easily recognizable southern accent said.

A more premature voice replied, "But Applejack! I still have much so to do 'round the farm!”

Applejack rested her hoof upon the young ones forehead and smiled, “It'll be alright, Apple Bloom; now go get some rest. Then, maybe you can hang out with your lil' crusaders group in the mornin'.”

Apple Bloom sighed and nodded to her elder sister. She rested her head upon a soft pillow, then closed her eyes. The youngest Apple sibling fell asleep with thoughts of cutie mark crusading in her head.

“Sleep tight, sugar cube.” Applejack whispered, blowing out the candle and trotting out of the room. She slowly creaked the door closed, and left to go to bed.

My Little Witchcraft Chapter 1, Part 1: Appleboom's Discovery

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My Little Witchcraft Chapter 1, Part 3: Peculiar day in the Everfree Forest

Apple Bloom's eyes slowly creaked open. The site of motion-blurred tree canopies far above focus, and she became rather confused with herself. “Wh-why am I moving? She questioned within her head. She looks down, and notices her fore-hooves are bounded by a rope. “Why are my darn hooves tied!” She yelps out in anger. Suddenly her movement stops, and she finally realizes that she had been on the back of a large creature. The afraid filly lets out a blood-curdling scream and rolls off of the back of her unknown assailant.

The being turned to face Apple Bloom, who is panting in sudden fear as if her heart was pounding out of her chest, and gave her an agitated gaze of anger and soullessness. This creature seamed to be not equine or native to this land. It had long, furry brown legs that seemed to be Equestrian, thus having hooves. However the upper body seemed very odd. There was no fur, just baby smooth tannish skin that lead up to two long protruding appendages with star shaped endings and a head upon it's bustling shoulders.

“Hey mister... s-sorry... Um I'm just going to be going now!” Apple Bloom stated, as she she began to trot away with an anxious, fake smile that masked how scared she was.

She suddenly found herself laying in cold, earthy ground as the rope that she was bound by caused her to trip.

He snarled numerous curses in a different, foreign language to his captive.

“W-what did you say?!" Apple Bloom cried out, unable to understand what he said.

The frightening beast pulled upon a rope that lead to Apple Bloom's bindings, tightening them, and digging them deep into her skin so it cuts off blood circulation.

She began to grind her premature teeth in pain, “Owwww! That really hurts!” She yelped out.

The alien-like creature pulled and continued to drag Apple Bloom through the morning forest, and streams of barely visible light poke through the tall oak trees to light there way.

The entrance to the Everfree was of a non-ordinary appearance to Applejack. A darkened, gloomy mist was shrouding the area for miles.

“Well, that sure is awful odd for this here ol' forest...” She said with a confused facial expression. “Well, Luna told me to see Zecora! So that's what this here mare is going to do!” Applejack galloped down the trail, and into the mysterious treeline.

As she wandered down the trail to Zecora's, she thought about the dream she had. “I wonder why all that strange gas was in my dream, it was just wrong. I need to really lay off the cider from now on.”

She began to hear the bubbles from the swampy ground pop around her, and the dragonflies buzzing about, circling the creepy, and seemingly supernatural labyrinth of trees. Ahead, she could see Zecora's obscure hut. “That zebra sure knows how to pour the chill on my darn bones!” She announced with a frightened face. As she approached the door of the hut, she overheard Zecora doing the usual.

“Without it my special brew will never be finished by it's due, I need my worm's wart now before my the time runs out!”

She was rushing around, collecting what she could to make one of her steaming creations. Applejack poked her head in through one of windows, and watched as she worked one of her seemingly-maniacal stews of green liquids and apothecary ingredients.

“Hey there Zecora!” Said Applejack, waving her hoof to the black and white equine.

“Who is that from behind I hear with my very useful set of zebra ears...“ The confused zebra responded.

Zecora turns around to notice Applejack within the window of her tribal home. "Why, it's the element of honesty! What brings you to my little home with such little modesty.”

“May I come in Zecora? I have a question to ask yall'." Applejack questioned

“You may come in my dearest Applejack, just don't expect to find what what you need while clearly having a panic attack.” Zecora gave an strange giggle, then continued to stir her brew.

Applejack looked down and noticed her body was shaking in fear. It seems that her worry for her younger sister has been lingering dormant in the back of her mind. She quickly stood tall and stopped her excessive trembling. “Oh, yeah.. hehe... sorry bout' that. Anyway, Have you heard about some organization called “The Cauldrons” Zecora?"

Zecora quickly dropped the ladle from her gritting teeth and looked up with the surprised, and confused marbles within her skull. “Why, where have you heard of such a legend, It was to me they had disappeared with an eternal and strong vengeance... Long ago they were, an organization from a past time. They would go around with their black magic, making everything painful and tragic.” Zecora looked down into her brewing pot, watching as whirlpools of ingredients flowed in an everlasting current. The bubbling sound of the boiling broth filled the air.

“Well Zecora, who and and what are involved in this organization.”

“I have said all that I know, and you now must take your leave of my place and go.” The seemingly displeased zebra gave Applejack a squint. “This is something that not even I may speak of Applejack, and it is time that you go now before your world goes into a painful blue and black.”

Applejack shivered in fear and confusion, she backed up to the door as Zecora looked up in concern.

“I don't want you getting hurt dear Applejack, leave this be until someone makes their brutal attack. You will never find these illusive beasts on your own, so leave it be until they are fully shown.” Applejack walked out with a frightened mindset. She ran back down from which she came as fast as she possibly could. The dead eyes of Zecora shew her displease and anger towards Applejack, making her want to get out of the forest as quick as possible.

Zecora looked into her cauldron and smirked. “Eye of a newt and cinnamon...” She added the ingredients. She then observed as the matter turned into batter. “Open the portal and jump in!” She announced as she plunged into her concoction of green swirls and strange fluids.

The zebra, covered in a green, slimey substance fell into a dimly lit room from some sort of portal in the ceiling. The walls were patterned with torches, in which had green flames dancing in a mystical pattern. A piercing, deep voice echoed throughout the room.

“Zecora...... My dedicated spy, what news do you have for me?.”

Slowly, more and more torches appeared until the entire room was illuminated in an eerie glow of green. A throne, seemingly made up of translucent material stood before her. And sitting on this throne, was a tall being of immortal ability. “My lord, it seems that one of the 6 elements knows we have surfaced again... and I fear that they may search the entire Everfree to find our southern playpen.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” He sarcastically laughed out. “You seem to not understand. The Southern Cauldron's camouflage is top notch. They will never, ever find that place.” Arion kicks some of the dust beneathe him into the air, and with his deep, echoing voice that sounds rather, ghastly, he commands Zecora. “I want you to gather up our members and bring all of them here now, Use the incantation I taught you to send a message to all of the other Cauldron Dwellers.”

Zecora nodded to her leader. She pulled out a vial of an odd, purple fluid and threw it upon the floor beneath her, shrouding the area in a vile smoke that when cleared, Zecora was nowhere to be found.

My Little Witchcraft Chapter 1, Part 4: Enter, the Cauldron!

The sun just fell, Apple Bloom and her captor had arrived at an odd, empty field of absolutely nothing. The air was absent of all sound, and nothing but a monotone area of grass was within sight slowly dancing in the breeze. Suddenly, the wind began to increase in speed, and the trees gusted along with them. “Where in darn' Celestia did all of this here weather come from!” Apple Bloom questioned to her captor.

She was given a dark, unsatisfied frown of annoyance in return. The creature looked up into the night sky and roared out, bringing a sense in that they were being watched within the night. The ground began to shake violently beneath their hooves, as if an erupting volcano were about to unleash a devastating eruption. A long streak of bright light began to appear in front of them. This strange glow was coming from the ground! It was separating, tearing as If a large knife was cutting through the hard earth like a piece of butter. Gentle streams of green slowly poured out of it, and unraveling a mystery that has lay dormant for many, many eras.

“W-what is that thing.....?” Applebloom squealed while she trembled in fear, trying to contemplate a plan to escape. Her thinking was quickly ended by the approaching entities appearance. “Wh-who's there?!” Apple Bloom yelled out, and was quickly pushed to the dirt by the cold hoof of the monstrosity who had kidnapped her.

“Show respect.” he grunted out.

Apple Bloom watched, laying in the wet night-time grass as this new mystery unveiled from the green mist, walking up from a ramp. It was a pegasus! Coat of light blue, with a long, flowing tail and mane. She even had a cutie-mark, which seemed to be a full moon with a sword through it. She was wearing a burlap-sack like robe, torn and worn out from many years, giving it a vintage appearance.

“Why, a newcomer I oh so do see. Hey, you dumbfounded satyr, leave her here and head back to the North Cauldron!." She shouted out to the strange beast which was imprisoning Apple Bloom.

“What's a satyr? And who are you?” The inquisitive yet scared filly questioned to this pegasus.

"Why, young dear. A satyr is a creature from the portal of the North Cauldron. They have goat legs, and a human upper torso and head. Now, little sister of the element of honesty, follow me."

“But I don't know who you are! What's your name miss?” Apple Bloom found herself chasing this pegasus down the ramp out of pure foolishness and curiosity.

“My name is Midnight's End little filly, and welcome to the South Cauldron~” She whispered, and with a wink she gave, the large, acre-sized door slammed shut over them, and all sense of what day was like would soon be gone for the young Apple Bloom.

My Little Witchcraft Chapter 2, Part 1: Awaken Apple Bloom~

The same eternal change of day and night continued as always, and the infinite rotation of the princesses shift marked each day that passed. The ponies grew, and the 3 other Cutie Mark Crusaders had received their cutie-marks, and thus disbanded.

”It's been 5 years Applejack... I am sure she is in a better place now.” Twilight pleaded, trying to get her friend out of a severe depressive state.

“I know.. I know.. it's just I can still feel my lil' Apple Bloom, I can tell she is alive! I know it sounds corny, but sisters have that inner link, and you just know when something is true or not when it comes to your siblings.”

Twilight sighed, and patted her friend on the back. “Well, I need to go deal with some issues arising in downtown Canterlot, I will talk to you later Applejack..” Twilight said in a low, absent-of-happiness voice. Twilight left Applejack in peace, and teleported out of the room with a radiant spark of her horn.

“I just know you are still there somewhere lil' sis...” Applejack stared out into the morning sun, and took a deep breathe. “Return home safe my younger sister, if you are still alive.” Applejack sobs quietly to herself, and begins to eat her breakfast.

Eyes slowly open in the darkness of mid-night. Those red-orange eyes explore every corner of the room. *Clip... Clop.. Clip...Clop...* Suddenly, a small *click* brightens the room as the teenage Apple Bloom turns on the light. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated due to the blinding artificial light of her cell.

Midnight's End had noticed the change of light within the cell, as she had been walking down the hallway. “Why, I can see you are awake young one. Back into the corner, I am currently entering the cell. I wouldn't like for you to, try and escape before rehabilitation.”

The door of her cell slowly opened, and Midnight's End walked in with a satisfied grin. “Oh, seems you have grown substantially since our last encounter all those years ago.” She sits down upon a chair made of glossy metal. “I am sorry that I imprisoned you in here for so long, it's just that we needed to... wait for you to grow to a more “proper” size for your training.”

Apple Bloom stood silent, not used to talking as the years of no communication from other ponies had swiftly passed.

“Quiet one, hmm? Well, that's ok. Most of the Cauldrons fillies are like that until they grow out of their anti-social shell.” She gave a pleased giggle and walked to the cell door. “Now, for you to survive in here you mustn't breath in the fumes of the Cauldron young one. Follow me to the rehabilitation chamber.” The blue pegasus uses her head, nodding towards the doorway to imply for her to follow, then trots out of the cold cell.

“I guess I'll follow.” Apple Bloom spoke within her mind. The seemingly forgotten filly slowly followed the South Cauldron's leader down a long corridor.

These, “Cauldrons” seemed to be very steam-punk-esque. Rusty gears line the walls, moving eternally as the facility had power. Everything seemed to be made of a brass or copper element and glimmered a bright orange gold under the light of this prison. Steam hugged the floor, being pushed out of pipes from within the walls and creating an eerie mist along the metallic floor.

“As soon as your body develops an immunity to these toxic fumes, you will be given a grand tour of the structure to show you the ropes of your duties as a Cauldron citizen SCC-38”. Apple Bloom couldn't resist the question, and immediately asked with an implication. “SCC-38?”

“Why, every living being within the Cauldron society are given ID's SCC-38. Yours specifically stands for South Cauldron Citizen number 38.” she responded.

Apple Bloom looked up in puzzled confusion. “But I like my own name!” pouted the teenage filly. She was given a glance of pure anger as she was back-hoofed across her left cheek.

“You are to forget all names of your previous identity until you have earned the right to personalize yourself!”

Apple Bloom looked to the floor and stumbled along with the blue pegasus until they came to a sudden stop after a period of echoed hoof steps and breathing.

“Here we are, the rehabilitation chamber!” Midnight's End announced in enthusiasm.

Apple Bloom looked up to see a large, overwhelmingly sized door placed in front of her. “Rehabilitation?” Apple Bloom questioned.

“This room is where we train you to be a Cauldron citizen SCC-38.” Midnight placed her hoof on the large, wheel-shaped handle of the door. Slowly, she turned and turned it like a merry-go-round. Steam filled the room as the airlock opened, shrouding them in a gaseous mixture of vintage chemicals and potion excrete.

Apple Bloom coughed and gagged from inhaling the fumes, scrunching her tearing eyes. She slowly opened them, and gleamed into the room. To a surprise she felt a hoof smack the back of her skull, knocking her through the door as she flinches in pain. “Oww! That really hurt!” Apple Bloom squealed out.

“You will learn to tolerate and withstand SCC-38, rehabilitation starts today.” said a new, accented yet choppy voice.

Midnight slammed the door to the room, *Click, clock*. The door has been locked.

“I swear! Yall' keep confining me to these rooms i'm going to snap!”

A maniacal laugh bounced around the confined walls, entering the agitated fillies eardrums. “So... this is the new one hmm? Wunderbar! You may call me Dr. Friedhold Gorloss. I have been expecting some new students. Actually, I suppose... subjects are what I should call you.” The sounds of pencil writing upon fresh papyrus could be heard echoing throughout the chamber.

“So, what is my purpose here? And what are yall' going to do?” asked the “subject” known as SCC-38.

“You shall be trained to withstand the Cauldrons fumes here young one! Your now klein body will be improved into an Equestrian wunderwaffe! And you will become a strong, resilient warrior for our kingdom! Now, SCC-38 is your ID correct?”

“That's the name yall' gave me.” Replied Apple Bloom. “But how are you speaking to me?” she questioned to the omniscient voice.

“Just through the speaker system I implemented within the ceiling SCC-38.” He quickly replies as he continues to jot down notes.

Apple Bloom looks around the empty room. The walls in here seemed sealed tight, made of indestructible titanium. The fluorescent lights in the room went black, and nothing could be seen in the pitch black darkness of her locked chamber.

An off-putting laugh from Dr. Gorloss gave the darkness an anxiety inducing tone. “Hahahahahah! Now SCC-38, Ausbildung begins now!”

My Little Witchcraft Chapter 2, Part 2: First day of Rehabilitation

After about 20 minutes of patient waiting, the lights within the chamber returned to their bright state. Apple Bloom was seen in the center of the room, sleeping upon the cold floor.

“Aufwachen!” Gorloss projected into the room with maximum volume.

Apple Bloom immediately jumped to her hooves, with her eardrums ringing in pain. “Gosh darn you could have been a lil' quieter you know!” yelled the cranky adolescent pony.

“Nonsense! It was only 20 minutes! No sleeping is aloud without permission from either me or the Cauldron master. But, I digress. Now, Stand perfectly still while I begin your first of 7 days of training."

Apple Boom looked to her sides and watched as the metallic, silver colored panels from the walls slid and morphed, revealing 2 air vents.

“I am going to release some of the toxic fumes into the chamber, but at a very low level SCC-38."

Footsteps could be heard over the speakers, and a strange voice trailed behind. Odd whispers were heard that Apple Bloom could barely make out from this new person.

“Brew-makers”... “2 weeks”... “almost”

“What are yall' even saying up there! I'm so bored in th-”.

“Be quiet!” Shrieked Gorloss in an agitated tone.

“I- I'm sorry it's just there i-isn't anything to do in here mister." Apple Bloom looked down and shivered as the echoing from his scolding bounced repeatedly through her eardrums.

A door shutting was heard over the speakers as the pony other left the room.

“Alright, I'll now turn on the gases. We will start you off at a lower level so you may get used to the atmospheric differences within the room.” A few beeps and clicks were heard, and with one long screeching pull of a lever Dr. Gorloss turned on, the gaseous concoction filled the air in low frequencies, turning the rooms air into a slight green tint.

“Awwwwwwggh It smells so bad!” gagged Apple Bloom as trails of green flew into her adolescent nostrils. “Is there anything we can maybe do while we pass the time?"

Dr. Gorloss thought and thought, pacing about. A long pause took place. “Sigh... how about we play a game of pool?”, he said with a small laugh after.

“Can we really do that? Like, Play a game of pool? There isn't a table in here.. unless you are...”

*Splash!*

She found herself in a pool of wet water as the titanium floors disappeared beneath her, And was quickly enveloped in the cold and murky liquid. “Gah! I didn't want this type of pool!” Apple Bloom yelped out in anger.

Sounds of gears grinding and metal clanging against each other intensified, and a large metal claw extended from one of the walls. It reached down, gripping her equine torso and bringing her up where it dropped her onto the cold floor.

“Well, here ol' Gorloss doesn't get to have much fun now, does it?. Besides, It is time for bed SCC-38. We will drop in a pillow and a blanket for you in just a moment."

A few minutes passed, and Apple Bloom was still waiting for her bedtime warmth. "Why did he say it instead of he? Isn't he a stallion?" She thought to herself. Shivering from her drenched coat in the cold room, she began thinking about what her sister is up to, and the rest of her friends. “I wonder if Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had gotten their cutie-marks... or if Applejack has gotten any stallions to settle with..." She looked down with a saddened reflection of her life in her eyes. “I will see you again someday big sis', don't worry. Even if it's just under bad terms, I will see you again."

Unexpectedly, a pile of burlap-sack-esque blankets and pillows landed on her head, and the lights in the room quickly escaped, disallowing all vision for the young pony.

Gorloss spoke through his glitchy microphone. “I know it was a v-very short day, but other things are needed to be tended to first. G-g-g-g-goodnight SCC-38, you have passed d-day 1/7 of your training.”

My Little Witchcraft Chapter 1, Part 2: Applejack's Cerebral Meeting

Apple Bloom's older sister was just returning home from bucking the harvest for the day. The evening sky was a blend of violet and maroon, and the vampire fruit bats awaken from their nocturnal slumber began to pattern the sky. “Hey Big Macintosh! Where's lil' Apple Bloom? Have you seen her?" Applejack asked with developing concern.

“Nope.” Her elder sibling replied in a slow, monotone voice.

Applejack began to worry. “My lil' Apple Bloom would never run off on purpose. I wonder where that filly could possibly be at this time." She looked off down to Ponyville, and then off to the sky. She noticed the last thread of light was barely peaking off the horizon, only present until their Celestial princess's patience runs out. “I'm going to go and try to find her.” Applejack implied with a concerning facial expression. She galloped at full speed down the road back to Ponyville.

She arrived in Ponyville as Luna's night shift began. The radiant sky-ridden orb coated the land in a soft, moon-lit glow. Applejack began investigating the town for her young sibling, and suddenly had found one of her elemental counterparts, Pinkie Pie. She was bouncing upon her hooves into the Cakes Bakery. “Pinkie!” She squealed out as she scuffled towards the door of the shop.

“Hey Applejack, Goodnight! I mean, I'm not going to bed juuuust yet. And you obviously aren't either, so... goodnight is being used in a different cont-”

Applejack placed her hoof over Pinkie's muzzle. “Pinkie, I really don't have any time for your darn rantin' right now. Have you seen my lil' sis anywhere?”

The pink pony muffled out through the hoof of Applejack. “I saw her at the bakery earlier, but she disappeared after I gave her a fresh cupcake, a new recipe of mine! Made of fresh zap apple. Aw, it was so lonely though Applejack! I had to bring it home and feed it to Gummy! I am very surprised that Gummy ate it, since I am faaaairly sure that alligators are carnivores. It was very odd, but then again, nothing wrong with that!" She gave a pleasant giggle and realized her mouth was free. Her eyes had been closed while she was ranting and when she opened them, realized that her friend had left mid-chatter.

Applejack began to grow tired. Her eyesight was beginning to fade, as well her ability to trot. She had been galloping around for hours, searching for her younger sister. “W-where could she possibly be... I-I've been searching for... for... for...” Her eyes closed, and she fell down into the cold road. She began to snore out under the watchful eye of Luna, who was sitting patiently at the watch-tower in Canterlot.

She woke up within a dizzy trance. The orange ponies eyes opened and realized she was back inside of her bedroom, “How'd I end up back in this ol' barn?” She thought to herself. Applejack got up out of her bed and trotted over to the window where she attempted to speak, "Mph!"

In a hurry, the confused mare reached her hoof up towards her distraught face to find that her lips were pierced shut by steel bars. A salty waterfall of fear-driven tears flowed down her cheeks. As the silenced mare gazed out of her window, still feeling around her face with her hoof, she noticed the apocalyptic site that is presented before her. The sky was checkered with dark, potent clouds and Stringy, gaseous strands of green steam composed of carbon monoxide and sulfur pouring down into the town of Ponyville. Applejack easily recognized the poisonous gas from some of Pinkie's past, "incidents" from her maniacal experiments. With one hop, Applejack broke her mental shackles of confusion and hopped out her window to try and help the ponies of her beloved society. She ran through Ponyville, her heart full of ache and concern for the Equine citizens. When she finally opened her eyes from the galloping rush she had made to make it there, a painful realization had come into fruition. The other ponies had been breathing in the toxic gases that have been emitted from the sky above.

“Mpppph!”

She tried to plead for the others to stop breathing in these fumes, but it was too late. Applejack watched in horror as the other equines eyes, with expressed fear within them, melted out of there skulls. Patches of furry skin pealing off of their bodies and into the streets below which were filled with the lost souls of hundreds of ponies slowly slipping out of reality. Echoing screams danced into Applejacks eardrums and, suddenly, a light appeared. Some sort of heat source. Twilight seemed to be attempting a spell. And with a harsh failure, one of the sparks emitted from the spell interacted with the flammable gaseous element. All of Ponyville became engulfed in heated flames, incinerating everyone into a motionless body of soot and ash. Nothing was left but the smell of scorched flesh and burnt fur.

Everything was black, Applejack looked around as nothing but the thought of inevitable doom breached her once optimistic mind. She noticed the bars that imprisoned her vocal cords have vanished.

“A downfall is coming Applejack.” whispered a soft, mystical voice.

The sounds of slow hooves were becoming louder and louder *Clip... clop...clip..clop..clip*, until a difference within the blackness appeared. And suddenly, a bright light illuminated the entire area. Stars scattered across the horizon, turning the void into a planetarium-like room. The younger alicorn of the royal sisters appeared.

“Princess Luna!” Applejack exclamated. “What in the hay has been goin' on around here?!”

“Calm down, dear Applejack. I am here to send a warning to you.” She replied. “I must tell you, this is just a mere dream you are having. You are laying in those cold streets outside of Twilight's library.” Luna's eyes locked deep with Applejack's, showing signs of bad news. “Me and my elder sister sense Apple Bloom has stumbled upon something awful. She will not arrive home anytime soon, and I am not able to sense her dreams within my power. If she is sleeping, something is preventing her from entering a dream state. It is impossible for me to tell if she is okay.”

Applejack's eyes watered up like oblong shaped glossy marbles. She stood tall and confident, her tears soaking her orange fur, “I need to find my lil' Apple Bloom. That lil' filly is my responsibility! What kind of sister would I be to not worry!?"

Luna frowned, but aloud her transient student to believe what she will. “I understand your reason, Applejack. Anyway, survivors from a past organization have resurfaced. We must hunt them down. And as we do so, you must let go of your love for your dear sister."

Applejack was in denial. Letting go of her sister is the last thing she would want to do. "B-but... Why?"

"It's already too late for young Apple Bloom... These demonic foes only lust for pain and agony from equines and to use their black magic to disturb the friendships of us all. Now, listen carefully..."

Applejack's ears puckered, and listened intently to her princess.

“I need you to talk to Zecora, and ask her about 'The Cauldron'. I believe she is our only chance at figuring this out.”

Still thinking of her little sister, Applejack nodded in return. “A-alright Luna... I'll try my best, I promise."

Luna's mouth curved up, revealing the trust she has in Applejack. “And, do not bring any of your friends. If an emergency is to arise, they will be needed. I will be watching your dreams Applejack, farewell.” Luna began to morph into the dreamy air of the imaginary room, and vanished. Applejack's dream ended, and she slept soundly until the morning.