Killer of Six

Chapters

Prologue
Rarity
Pinkie Pie
Applejack
Fluttershy
Rainbow Dash
Twilight Sparkle

Prologue

The convenience store was dirty, as the smog from the outside drifted in through the numerous cracks and openings that were never bothered to be filled or patched by the owner of the store. The harsh fluorescent lighting overhead made the place feel greasy, along with the heat from the late summer drifting in making the room feel stifling and humid. Twilight Sparkle found herself coated with a thin layer of sweat and grime. As she walked the aisles, pretending to looking for something to eat. She randomly picked up some candy, not bothering to see what it was she grabbed while approaching the counter.

The pony was middle aged, wearing some old glasses that felt out of time and place for this day and age. He was covered with a thin film of dirt and sweat as well, but he stood there waiting to take care of her, and to watch her to make sure she didn't try to steal anything was well. Though he would never have admit to that. That would be rude.

"How much?" she asked placing her item on the counter.

"Five bits." the pony replied absently scanning her candy bar.

"Five bits huh." she said reaching into her knapsack tied around her shoulder. "I remember when they used to cost just two bits. Do you remember those days?"

"Five bits, please." the pony running the cash register asked again.

"It wasn't too long ago when it only cost two bits for a candy bar." Twilight Sparkle continued on. "Before that drought in eastern Equestria made cocoa scarce. Thus driving up the price to, what five bits is it now?"

"The price is five bits please." the pony said a third time.

Twilight noticed the drops of sweat forming under his mouth. Like little liquid diamonds reflecting the ugly neon lights hanging overhead, they betrayed the nervousness and maybe even fear this emotionless looking pony was feeling. Twilight Sparkle also noticed his hooves moved downward under the counter.

"You do remember that don't you? When the price of chocolate skyrocketed." said Twilight Sparkle.

"The price of the chocolate bar is five bits." the pony kept saying like a broken record.

"Ah! There it is!" said Twilight Sparkle. Placing the money on the counter. "Five bits, just like you asked." she said grabbing the partially melted candy, while keeping her other hoof in her knapsack. Slowly gripping the handle of the gun she had in their." I want to ask you one more question."

"Yes." said the emotionless pony watching her.

"You weren't built when the price of cocoa beans rose. It's true isn't it?"

The pony's lower jaw worked itself up and down but no sound came out, as it was busy trying to form words for it to say. Some instinct that kept her alive, took over her body as she leaped to the left of the counter as a large BOOM was heard from the blast of a hidden shotgun underneath the counter, taking a large chunk of it, along with the nearby display isles.

As she dove for cover she had her weapon out and returned fire, both were wild shots but the last one did graze the middle age pony in the shoulder making him duck down as well. Twilight fired a few more rounds from her gun more to keep him off balance while she moved for better cover. she kept herself near the ground further away from the counter, while she reloaded her gun listening for the artificial to make his next decision.

She could hear his hoofs softly scratch the ground, as he tried to quietly move from his cover. Gripping her revolver Twilight tensed herself ready to spring out when the lights in the store turned off and she found herself surrounded in darkness. The light filtering from the outside made things worst as they crisscrossed the darkened store making her eyes unable to dilate from the extremes.

Listening she could hear the pony cautiously make his way around the store, hunting her. He had a good idea of where she was hiding as she heard his hoof prints creep closer. Grasping the first thing she could get her hoof around. A soda can she thought it was. Twilight Sparkle hurled it away from her, towards the other side of the store. She covered her head as the owner fire off another round towards the can hitting the wall.

The pony muttered a curse as he reloaded his weapon. Twilight took this as her chance. Mustering up her courage while firing her gun at the noise.

"My foot!" the pony screamed in pain. Giving away his location to Twilight as she fired off all of her rounds at the sound.

The eerie quiet in the darkness followed for a few moments. With the only sound that she could hear was Twilight's breathing. Than a heavy thumping as something big hit the floor. Twilight listened for a while longer to make sure it wasn't a trick, before getting up out of her safe spot and finding the lights.

The artificial pony laid still on the floor staring out at whatever retired ponies stare at when they cease to function in the world of the living. They didn't live long, burning out after a few years, harmless blending into the mundane world of Ponyville. They couldn't breed, and they had very few problems with them. But when they did Twilight or somepony like her was called to find them and retire them as it was called.

She didn't know why Celestia wanted this artificial retired. What his crime was. To tell the truth she really never knew why all the artificials she hunted were chosen for retirement. She never bothered to ask, it just didn't seem important.

Leaving the store, she could see angry black clouds growing swarming over Ponyville with great speed. It was obvious a terrible storm was coming. In front of the black clouds Twilight could make out one of Celestia's security vehicles racing the weather towards her. Luna she guessed, Celestia's sister, she always seemed to be right behind her, appearing whenever she finished a mission for the ruler of Equestria. Cleaning up the mess that was done. She felt a vibration in her pocket as her messenger indicated she had another assignment. Clicking it on she saw a new mission for her. Five actually, Celestia wanted five ponies retired and after she wanted her to personally report to her when it was over.

Twilight thought it was strange to see Celestia after a retirement, but in the end it didn't matter as she walked to her car. Already feeling the first pregnant drops of rain hitting her face.

Rarity

The address she found led to the main market street in Ponyville. Heavily crowded with changelings running to and fro, trying to get out of the torrential rain falling around them. Brought into Equestria as cheap labor filling the jobs unwanted by the normal pony population, they were forced to wear collars around their necks to prevent changing their forms. Now they have been reduced to no more than menial laborers of Equestria.

The dirty rain filled the gutters to overflowing and streaked grime on the buildings. Caused by the smoke coming from Ponyville industries mixing in with the storm clouds. The crud fell with the water, staining everything with filthy streaks. Casting the buildings into strange artworks of a new industrial age for all to see, if anypony would bother to take the time.

Above the city noise she could hear what sounded like a mix of chanting and singing as one. Looking up on a small constructed tower called a Swali tower. Created for the clerics to do their chanting, on top of that one was an Elderly changeling that covered himself with colorful paints all over his bod. Nauu-Shim it was called, a religion or philosophy or whatever it was, Twilight was never sure. Had gained popularity among the changelings a few thousands years ago, now almost all of them practice it.

Twilight Sparkle frowned as she listened, Usually they sing the Kalash 'em or blessing of the day at sunrise and sunset, never during the day. She wondered why the cleric is singing it now.

The boutique stood in the middle of the block. Coated with a repellant that wards off dirt, grime, and even the falling rain, It was immaculate white structure standing out against the other dirty buildings. Twilight was willing to bet that the inside was just as beautiful as the outside, just as beautiful as the owner who took so much love and care to everything she did. "Going In now." Twilight said on her communicator. before getting out of her vehicle, to make a mad rush to the boutique in the dirty storm.

"Welcome to Rarity's boutique." said a very fashionable pony standing behind the counter, slightly bowing to Twilight as she entered. " I am the co-owner of Rarity's boutique Miss Sassy Saddles. Miss Rarity is upstairs finishing an order from another client. Do you need to see her? Or are you here to pick up an order yourself."

She has small diamonds attached all over her skin, and above her eyes. Along with white makeup heavily applied around her face with a red line running down the middle, covering her lips in an almost kabuki style. Her mane and tail had small dots of Lumina nanobytes attached to each strand of hair, changing her color and style periodically. She seemed almost celestial and angelic in appearance.

"No I'm afraid I don't have an appointment." said Twilight Sparkle. Taking off her soaking wet coat. "My brother is getting married next week. I was supposed to have a dress made, but because of some errors by the bride. Well things have gotten mixed up and I heard Miss Rarity can do miracles."

Like the outside the inside was white and immaculate. A symmetry of lines colliding, meeting and expanding in a circle around her. Dotting the room stood crystal mannequins on pedestals slowly rotating in a circle, showing off Miss Rarity's work of fine art in dresses. Attached to the walls were giant screens exhibiting her past works as countless model ponies walked runways across Equestria wearing her clothing. Twilight had to admit they were beautiful, she truly was an artist among artist.

"Aww that's too bad." said Sassy Saddles her face a mask of concern. "But I'm not sure if she will be able to help you at all. She is a rather busy pony and we are already swamped with back orders."

"Are you sure she can't fit me in somehow? I just need something fast. Any help would be really appreciated." she said adjusting her knapsack slung across her shoulder.

"Well Miss Rarity is awfully busy right now. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask her." Sassy Saddles said after a moment of thought. "Just wait here for a moment." as she went upstairs to talk to the manager.

Twilight walked around the empty boutique, admiring the creations Rarity has done. She was looking at a faux fur dress, when she heard something hiss at her. Looking down she spied a white cat done with ribbons sitting underneath it. The cat looked at Twilight as started to issue a low growl as Twilight got closer. "Here Kitty, kitty, kitty." she said lowering herself down, reaching her hoof out slowly to pet the cat.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." said a voice behind her. "I always thought artificial pets would be nicer than the real ones, but she had been bad tempered since I picked her up from the lab that created her. I had thought of taking her back for some behavioral modification. But it feels wrong to change my little Opal-wopal from being what she is for what I want her to be."

Getting up to turn around to look at the new voice in the room, she saw what she thought was the most beautiful pony she had ever seen. Like Sassy Saddles she had diamonds pasted across her body making her shimmer. Her hair was cut in almost a Mohawk style turning into a long curl in the front that matched her tail. She had long eyelashes that , also like Sassy Saddles had Lumina attached to the end of them shifting the colors around. She wore a simple smock that downplayed her appearance but at the same time enhanced her natural beauty.

"Miss Rarity?" asked Twilight Sparkle.

"Indeed I am. And you are...?" she asked extending her hoof for Twilight Sparkle to take.

"Twilight Sparkle. It's an honor to meet you. Really it is." she said taking Rarity's hoof to shake. "Actually I am kinda nervous being here. Your dresses look amazing and way over my budget."

Rarity smirked as she talked. "Don't let the fancy displays fool you Miss Sparkle, we cater to all budgets here. A pony's gotta eat, am I right?"

"Indeed, yes."

"I'm sure we can find something that will make you not only look fabulous but within your price range. Besides its been ages since I have made anything for a wedding. Wouldn't want to lose my touch after all." Rarity said pointing to the stairs. Just follow me and we'll get you measured and design something amazing for you."

"You sure this won't be any trouble for you?" asked Twilight.

"Nonsense! Even if you're not the bride, you should just look your best after all. By the way who is your brother marrying?"

"Some girl from the crystal empire. I don't really know much about her...OW!" Twilight screamed as Opal jumped from her hiding place onto Twilight attacking her.

"Bad Opal!" screamed Rarity as she pulled Opal off. Her cat sunk her claws Into Twilight's knapsack spilling her contents all over the floor as she was pulled away. "I'm so sorry about this Twilight. Opal is usually a grump but she never attacks ponies. I really don't know what's gotten into her."

"It's okay, Really it is. Let me just grabbed my stuff." said Twilight as she bent down.

"Here let me help you." said Rarity handing Opal to Sassy Saddles. "It's the least I can do...Officer?" she said, picking up Twilight's badge. "I see you're an agent of Celestia. How wonderful for you." She continued on widening her smile. "You know I do think I do have something that will be stunning and well within your price range. Miss Saddles."

"Yes Rarity."

"Can you be a dear and put Opal in my room. I'll attend to her shortly. And after that do me a favor and close the store. I have a feeling this will take the rest of the afternoon."

"As you wish Rarity." she said with a slight bow before heading off.

"Follow me upstairs if you please Miss Sparkle." she said as she lead Twilight up the stairs to her fitting room.

Unlike the lower level her fitting room was organized chaos. Surreal fabrics and ribbons were piled everywhere there was space. with simple mannequins placed randomly. A desk with a sewing machine was placed under a simple window looking out to the storm raging outside. Rarity lead Twilight into the room as she flicked on the lights. In the middle was a half made gown hanging unfinished.

Twilight Sparkle watched pixels dance across the dress to create images, break apart, then swirl around to create more pictures, over and over again.

"Isn't It beautiful." said Rarity looking at the dress. "I don't like to brag but I have really outdone myself with this one."

"I love it." said Twilight as she felt the dress with her hoof. "Who wanted this dress?"

"Oh some singer. She wanted something unique so I created this for her." she said offhand. "But that's not what I wanted to show you." Rarity continued on as she walked to the end of the room, pulling a roll of a transparent plastic looking textile and holding it out for Twilight to see. "What do you think?"

"I don't know. I looks like a roll of cellophane that we use to preserve food."

"That so? I suggest you feel it."

Twilight ran her hoof gently over the fabric. and gasped feeling the tingle of electricity tingling across her limb. "This sounds strange but it almost feel like liquid glass."

"It's not so strange, I thought the same thing when I first felt it. Believe it or not. But this is what makes it so special. Watch this." Rarity said as she unrolled a small layer from it. Extending a small cord from the back of her neck to the fabric, she plugged herself in. "Who needs magic nowadays, when we have our technology that can do so much more." she smirked.

Twilight watched as the fabric changed its shape and color, becoming more rough and filling itself in with the color red. "Feel it now." said Rarity.

"It feels like silk a very fine silk." said Twilight.

"It was originally designed for burn victims as a way to cover their scaring. But it has many wonderful uses for someone with some imagination. Now If you would just stand over here so I can get you outfitted." Rarity said as she lead twilight to the corner of the room.

Complying Twilight walked to the corner as Rarity followed her with the fabric, unrolling it with her hooves. "Now let me just take a few measurements from you and I will create the magic." Rarity said as she removed her knapsack and placed it on the shelf next to them.

"So How long have you been an officer?" she asked, standing behind Twilight.

"About six years." said Twilight.

"What type of officer are you? Crimes? Forensics? Artificials?"

"Well I mostly follow whatever Celestia tells me to do."

"I bet you do." said Rarity.

Twilight had forgotten just how fast an artificial can be as Rarity wrapped the fabric around her neck and tightened it. Screaming incoherently as Twilight started to choke from the lack of air. She could feel Rarity's weight as she jumped on Twilight's back, squeezing the life out of her.

"Rarity." Twilight heard Sassy Saddles say as she opened the door. She holding a tray in front of her. "Since you were so busy I thought I make you both some tea as you wor..." she stopped seeing the attack with a look of shock and disbelief on her face.

Spots began to form in Twilight's eyes, tasting the fabric as each inhale made the material invade her mouth a little more. She felt little arch's of electricity across her tongue as for some strange reason the only thought in her mind was. "Rarity was right this is like liquid glass."

Moving herself around she placed her back towards the wall and slammed herself backwards with all of her might. She heard the whump of Rarity groaning as all her air was sucked out of her lungs. But still it wasn't enough as she just clung tighter to the fabric choking Twilight. Shifting herself, Twilight threw herself backwards, once again slamming herself against the wall. And again! And Again! And again! Until she finally felt Rarity slide to the floor, collapsing.

Twilight's legs buckled from the lack of air as she fell to the ground as well. Fighting, tearing, biting to unwrap the synthetic cloth from around her neck and face, until she finally was able to gulp a lungful of air into her lungs as she laid on the ground. Fighting the spots in her eyes and the ringing in her ears she. She saw Rarity laying their unconscious from the blows. Turning her head she could see Sassy still standing in the doorway, holding the tray, still with an expression of incomprehension on her face.

Twilight heard Rarity groan, and knew that the artificial was regaining consciousness. Still weak from the strangulation twilight crawled towards her knapsack.

"No. NO!" Rarity shouted. Twilight wasn't prepared for having her became aware so quickly. She could hear Rarity scramble up rushing at her with all the speed she could muster. She could feel the artificial grabbing her legs trying to pull her away from her knapsack while crawling further onto Twilight to stop her. Grunting with exertion Twilight managed to grab her bag as Rarity began to squeeze her neck again.

"You're not retiring me!" Twilight heard Rarity scream into her ear.

Grabbing her gun inside her purse Twilight managed to bring it out. with a roll to loosen Rarity. Twisting around she pointed her gun into her chest and fired. Their was a muffled pop as the bullet traveled through Rarity splattering the ground around her with the artificial’s blood.

Twilight got up over Rarity, seeing her writhe and tumble on the floor, filling the room with her screaming. She pointed her weapon at Rarity again. Then there was stillness. Gathering herself she saw Sassy still on the floor. Staring at the event that transpired. Then softly, growing louder she started to cry while pulling herself to Rarity's body. Holding the lifeless artificial in her arms.

Twilight could hear Sassy's sobbing following her to her car. As Luna and some of Celestia's security forces surrounded the boutique.

Pinkie Pie

The wave of nausea hit Twilight Sparkle as she pulled into the parking lot catching her unprepared. She could feel the bile rushing up her throat as she clenched the wheel so hard she could feel her limbs starting to ache from the pressure. Her breathing came out in gasps, feeling like her heart was going to explode in her chest.

Then as suddenly as it came it ended, leaving Twilight Sparkle sitting in her vehicle feeling perfectly normal. She wondered for a moment what had come over her, listening to the filthy rain hit her car, letting herself calm down and relax before getting out of the car to her next destination.

"Welcome! Welcome!" the artificial bear with the friendly smile said. As a soaking wet Twilight entered Pinkies Party Supply Store, still hearing the Nauu-Shim priest chanting over the storm going on outside. "We welcome all here with much happiness."

"Welcome! Welcome!." the other dolls repeated in unison when she entered.

The place was filled to the brim with Throwaways. Artificial dolls either based on real or fantastic designs. They sat row upon row everywhere their was space. Some chaotically tossed about on shelves and huge overstuffed chairs, others absently places into corners, or on top forgotten desks, still others just stood around watching following her with their eyes. She felt unnerved as they silently watcher her walk over to the counter.

Twilight could hear the rain from the storm outside unmercifully pound Pinkies store. As the Low rumble of thunder continued on for a moment. "Miss Pinkie Pie?" Twilight Sparkle called out.

"Just a mmooommment." a cheerful voice coming from the back of the store said. "I'm pretty busy here in the back. It would be better if you just came to me instead."

Twilight pushed herself though the throngs of artificial toys who silently watched her. While listening to a myriad of different music boxes softly play their tunes, which added to the chaos. Moving to the back of the store was slow going as she stepped over Pinkies creations, careful not to knock anything over until she finally made it.

The room wasn't very big, made smaller further by more of Pinkies stuff tossed around. Artificial dolls. Fully furnished, and half-way done, boxes of odds and ends piled up around the walls of her study. In the corner was a flight of stairs heading up to the second floor. "Probably her living space." She thought to herself.

In the center of all this cluster was Pinkie, sitting down was peering into a gene splicer. Creating yet another throwaway, unlike the ones she was hunting, these were simple animations that did simple tasks, with little to no independent thoughts of their own. Twilight thought if was ironic that an artificial was creating another artificial. She wondered how did she feel about it.

"Sorry I couldn't meet you at the counter." Pinkie said still looking into her screen. "Mr. Moneybags wants me to create a special throwaway for his daughters birthday this Saturday. If you need something special this week I'm afraid I can't help you with that. Maybe next if you check....." she stopped after hearing the cocking of Twilights gun.

Slowly turning around. Pinkie faced Twilight. She was a young looking artificial, full of energy and warmth. Wearing a set of magnifying goggles that only enhanced the fear in her eyes at finally being caught. Silently the two of them watched each other. Seeing the end of life from the actions that would shortly come.

"Hug Gummy!" she yelled. Suddenly springing out of her chair. Making a mad dash up the stairs.

"I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!" The voice said in her ear over and over again as Pinkie's alligator embraced its leathery arms around Twilight, hugging her tightly against its body. Fighting against the throwaway only made the creature hold Twilight even tighter.

Surprised just how strong the artificial was she felt her body tightly press against the throwaway, barely able to move. Picking up new sounds, Twilight Sparkle saw other throwaways come to life. Shambling over to here in their simple ways. with their arms outstretched to embrace Twilight. The noise rose into an almost chant of "I love you. and Lets party." that the throwaways repeated.

****

"ACCESS DENIED!"

click,click,click,click,click.

"ACCESS DENIED!"

click,click,click,click,click.

"ACCESS DENIED"!

click,click,click,click,click,

"ACCESS DENIED!"

"Open you stupid safe!" Pinkie yelled out. As she tried to best to stop her hooves from shaking. "Why oh why did she keep her gun locked away in the safe." she frantically thought to herself. "Access Denied!" said the automated voice again. as Pinkie's trembling hooves put the wrong code in. "Access Denied!"

"Dammitt! Dammitt! Dammitt! Why didn't I have the gun with me? Why can't I remember the code? Why don't I just run?" she kept repeating like a mantra that would make everything go away. She could hear the commotion coming from downstairs as the throwaways she created, kept the hunter of her busy, buying her at least a little time. "If only she could remember THE STUPID CODE!"

"ACCESS DENIED!" the automated voice said.

****

"I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!" The toothless alligator, with the big smile repeated in a continuous loop of affection. While it was overshadowed by another throwaway's of a giant Bison dressed in a bright clown outfit, wearing makeup filled her field of vision. "Lets have a good time pardner." it said to Twilight as it pushed itself even closer.

The press of the throwaways against her body immobilized her. But even more was the cacophony of all the different noises invading her ears. Music boxes playing different sounds, throwaways repeating their one-liners over and over again making it almost painful. She wanted to put her hooves over her ears but found them restricted from the press of them all.

She turned her head sideways in order to stop it getting smashed into the Gummy's smooth chest, that gave off a faint smell of spoiled milk almost making her want to vomit. They couldn't hurt her but she couldn't move either.

****

"ACCESS DENIED!" the automatic voice said again.

"CELESTIA...DAMMITT!" Pinkie screamed at the roof from the frustration, fighting the tears from coming out. Blinded momentarily from the spotlight from the floater. A small urban blimp used for advertising, cruising by her window, showing off a new outfit for sale at Rarity's store.

Pinkie stared at her friends face floating by, knowing she was lost to her. She felt guilty for not feeling sad for her lost, only thinking of her own survival at this point in time. As the thoughts in her head frantically jumbled and collided with each other making her unable to think or calm herself. "I'm so sorry." she said to the Image disappearing into the night.

****

"PARTY! PARTY! PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!" The bison with the clown makeup said in her face, obscuring the world around her. She felt the weight of them pressed upon her chest making each inhale difficult. She was trapped, waiting for the artificial to fight or flee unsure of which one she was going to do, when an idea hit her, Bending her legs she dropped to the floor. and curled herself up for protection, waiting for them to try to kick or hurt her.

But they didn't she realized watching them carefully stepping over Twilight Sparkle's body they avoided any actions that would damage her. They were Too big and limited to bend over and try to pick her up, and programmed to avoid causing pain to another being. So belly rubbing against the floor Twilight Sparkle crawled through the mob of throwaway bodies and made it up the stairs.

****

"ACCESS GRANTED!" the automated voice said. Their was a click of a bolt being released, as the hatch popped opened. Pinkie let out a small laugh of relief finding now she had something to protect herself with. Reaching down to grab the weapon, A small but lethal revolver she had purchased on the black market a few years ago, in fear something like this would happen. Celestia had banned the use of lethal weapons in Equestria for civilians, but their was plenty of places to find them if you knew wear to look.

Opening the chamber she reached back into the safe to grab the bullets she kept in a box next to the weapon. "You can do this, you can do this, you can do this." she said to herself while her shaking hooves spilled the rounds all over the floor, catching the light from outside and making them into tiny stars rolling around her dark room. Paralyzed she watched one roll over to the opened door, stopping by the hoof of Twilight Sparkle.

Pinkie didn't care about the tears running down her face, in front of this unknown pony with the emotionless face. Knowing it was pointless to finish, knowing she was never going to leave this room ever again.

"What did I do wrong?" Pinkie asked. Motionless in her position.

"I don't know." said Twilight. "Why did you run from me if you didn't do any wrong?"

"I don't know. I just know your here to kill me. You killed Rarity as well. Didn't you?" Pinkie said watching Twilights face, seeing her expression unchanged telling what she already knew. "She was a good pony."

"It's not my place to say who is good or bad. I do what Celestia tells me to do."

"Do you know why then Celestia hates me enough to do this to me? To us?"

"I really can't say, for what its worth I'm sorry for this."

"Why are you sorry?" Pinkies said turning to look out the window. "I'm just an artificial. By Equestria's standards I'm not a living creature. Even though I need to eat, sleep, I feel happiness, anger, fear, and pain. I'm just a toy." she continues on, throwing the gun in her hooves across the room, where it bounced off the wall and onto the floor. "Like I said why should you be sorry. I'm just an artificial."

The room light up again from a flash of lightning overhead, casting long shadows of Pinkie sitting across the floor. "You're going after the rest of us aren't you?"

"Yes. It is what I have to do."

"What I do. What I do. It's what I have to do. You make it sound like that actually mean something. As if the world will end unless you do what you have to do. Well do It. DO IT!" she screamed turning around to face Twilight Sparkle.

****

Twilight Sparkle left Pinkie's house. back into the raging storm. Her exit was a lot easier than her entrance as the throwaways shut down after she left Pinkie. Until the pain hit her again. Collapsing into a puddle as she fought off the waves of pain, nausea and dizziness that assaulted her. Laying their, trying to catch her breath and gather her strength to get back up once the world stopped spinning. Blinded by the glare of the headlights piercing the rain pulling up close to her. She could hear the door open and a pony walk over to her. Friendly hooves gripped her and brought her back standing position.

As the world swam back into focus, she found herself staring into the eyes of Luna, Celestia's sister. Silently she walked Twilight back to her car and sat her down in the seat. "I'm fine." Twilight said catching her breath. "I just need a few moments." as she started her car up. Luna said nothing, staring her in the filthy rain.

"I need to go now." Twilight said to Luna. Finding her strength returning. Shutting the car door and driving off to her next retiring, leaving Luna in the background watching her over the cry of the changeling cleric's voice mixing in with the storm.

Applejack

Twilight wondered if that was the same cleric she saw earlier as she parked into Applejack's Cannery. Standing on top its Swali tower as it chanted into the storm. The symbols that had been painted on him were now just a colorful blur of streaks, by the constant rain washing the paint down its body.

The cannery stood in the middle of the shanty town that the changelings lived their lives. A patchwork of scavenged metals, paper, pipes, just about anything they could get their claws on. Overshadowed by the rising towers and skyscrapers that they have made for the ponies of Equestria that encircled their homes.

Twilight Sparkle had to flash her sirens as she parked her car to keep the vagrants that started to surround her away. Jobless and homeless they were looking for a handout. Mostly they were old or decrepit changelings, but she did see a few ponies in the group as well. "Get out of here!" she yelled at them while shooing them off as she got out of the her vehicle into the rain.

Twilight Sparkle started to shiver as left her vehicle. Wrapped up her coat around her to help keep herself warm, as she hurried in. Ignoring the homeless ponies and changelings moving away from her.

The humidity hit Twilight hard as she stepped in, Already feeling a film of sticky sweat coat her body. Along with the mass of bodies pressed into the cannery. Laboring through the day in masses, the changelings did the manual menial labor to keep the company going under dull fluorescent lights giving everything a dull yellowish ting. The smell of sweat from too many bodies in a small area mixing with the thunderous odor of apples almost overpowered Twilight as she walked further into the cannery looking for her next target to retire.

"Hello? Can you help me?" she asked an unresponsive changeling walking past her. "I'm looking for Applejack do you know where she is?"

The changeling muttered something in its language as it wandered away. Unsure if it didn't hear her, didn't understand, or just was ignoring Twilight. As she moved further into the building. The main canning room opened into a huge area filled with machines in a continuous process of motion. Huge vats filled for the cooking and cooling of apples were attached to the walls along the room., with changelings running around in their daily duties, while conveyor belts moved an infinite amount of apples and containers to other various machines. In an area so thick with haze Twilight could see individual water vapors floating in the air.

It was a sea of black bodies with wings with no sign of any ponies around. Twilight Sparkle carefully made her way through the press of changelings, occasionally asking one or two of them if they had seen Applejack. Only getting a explanation in a language she couldn't understand.

"Applejack!" she almost yelled at another changeling. Noticing that it wasn't wearing the required necklace around his or her neck. Honestly she could never really tell them apart from one another. "Have you seen Applejack?"

"Appul..jak?" the changeling said in a broken Equestrian.

"Yes Applejack! Do you know where your boss is?"

The changeling went back to its normal language, but did point to walkway at the other end of the canning room. Squinting, Twilight could make out a pony standing on the walkway talking to a small group of changelings. On a catwalk overlooking large windows showing the storm raging on outside. But was too far away to make a definite match.

Making her way there was slow and arduous. Having to step around the constant flow of changelings and equipment, everything was filmy and smelled like spoiled apples. Finally getting close to a stairwell that would take her up to the walkway. She could make out her silhouette. When lights from outside turned themselves on, flooding the room as ponies dressed in black body armor, carrying riot shields, poured from the entrances and exits.

"No! No! No!" said Twilight Sparkle, seeing an immigration bust going on. Fearing that she might lose Applejack in the chaos just starting. "Applejack!" she yelled as she drew her weapon.

Finally catching her attention. She saw her target stare at her, then star at Celestia's security forces rounding up her changeling workers. Pushing the changelings around her away Applejack sped on the walkway.

Teargas canisters started to roll across spewing white gas across the floor that immediately made Twilights eyes water and phlegm pour from her nose uncontrollable she race the stars to get away from it.

The bust was clumsily acted upon. Intended to catch unregistered changelings off guard before they had a chance to morph into somepony else. Even so they usually caught only a tenth of their targets in sweeps like these. Twilight Sparkle shook her head to clear her thoughts. Let immigration worry about their job, she had her hooves full with this one as she followed Applejack's trail across the walkway.

Her mind was unfocused, unable to hold onto a single thought as she ran out of the cannery she had created by herself. All she knew was that she had to run, had to get away before she was retired. Plans formed in her head, then broke apart as the reality of the situation she was in, told her this would never work. She felt the pain in her heart over the loss of two good friends of hers, and soon knew it would only be a matter of time for her. All she could do was run. Run from Celestia's officer that was chasing her.

Twilight held a part of her coat over her nose and mouth, to help with the noxious gasses. It didn't prevent all the tear gas from hitting her. But it helped a little as she took to the stairs two at a time. Following the artificial on the walkway.

Gun in her hoof she spied Applejack a little farther ahead of her heading to a door that opened towards the outside. Locking her sights on her target she double-taped the trigger. Both rounds hit her target. Twilight Sparkle watched Applejack fall onto the grated path suspended in the air.

She could tell she was still breathing as she approached the pony . Chest rising and falling rhythmically she saw a small stream of blood trail from the body to one of the grates, dripping downwards to the floor below. Slowly she pulled the trigger then stopped. Something was wrong, she could feel it.

Walking over to Applejack she kicked the body over to face her. Their was a shimmer around the body. "Dammitt." Thought Twilight angrily. "Another changeling." Twilight Sparkle continued on, following the pathway.

Hi-definition billboards lit her roof in thousands of different colors. From different advertisements that sold a pony anything it could ever want it its quest for consistent happiness in its life. Along with a flow of floaters continuously coming and going, using her rooftop as a small base for unmanned fueling and restoring. It was easy to get lost here. Easy to lose your footing as well. Especially with the heavy rain.

The noise from the vent Applejack hid behind was loud, but she could still hear the door that led to the roof being opened. involuntarily cringing from the creak of it being opened. She could hear the splashing of hooves on puddles as her hunter hunted. Cautiously, silently, she started to creep away from the noise. Praying to whomever is in the sky that watches little artificials like her, to make out of this safely.

The coolness of the rain rejuvenated her from the heat, and chaos going on inside. She saw another chopper slowly descend near the cannery. They weren't taking any chances with letting one of the changelings escaping in this, she noted. Her ears she perked up watching the shadows, observing the roof, looking for anyplace this pony might be hiding.

Twilight Sparkle went from cover to cover searching. Letting the rain cover her movements as best it could. Senses perked up of any deviations that might give her target away. She quelled the frustration growing inside of her as to where Applejack might be hiding.

Applejack bit her lip hard to keep herself from screaming, the pain bringing her back to the hear and now. "Think! Think!" she told herself trying to find a solution when the tower she was leaning on began to shake as something collided with it. Looking up she spied the shaking of a docking floater fasting itself onto a small tower attached to her roof for recharging. She had rented out the space to a company since it was away from Ponyville and a safe area for docking. and plus being attached to her roof helped to prevent thieves from stealing anything valuable. The picture of Rarity flashed on the screen of the floater for a few moments showing the world just how beautiful she was. But to Applejack she saw something she desperately needed. A way out. Cautiously she gripped the small maintenance ladder and began to climb as fast as she could.

Twilight heard the sound of the docking floater, and looked up herself, spying the dark figure of Applejack climbing. Too far away for a shot. she ran as fast as she could to get their, flapping her wings for small hops to shave distance instead of going around the obstacles. She could see her just at the top, starting to pull herself up when she got close. landing onto the beam she began to run again after her.

The beam was long narrow and dangerous in the wet slick rain. making Applejack almost slip off a few times. But she could see it just ahead of her. Using the last ounce of her strength to speed herself up as she heard the floater starting to uncouple itself from the recharging station. The machine started to float downward as it did a short diagnostic on itself to make sure everything was functioning properly. Looking back she could spy the pony gaining ground, soon she would be close enough. With a small prayer. she gathered herself and leaped.

The words "Don't." formed on the lips of Twilight Sparkle before stopping. As she watched Applejack jump into the air towards the small blimp. To Twilight she almost seemed like she was flying, with her limbs outstretched in front of her. She brought her gun out in front of her, lined up the shot then took it, hitting Applejack. Watching as everything went wrong for her then on.

The pony started to lose form, tumbling and rolling before hitting the floater in the giant screen, showing the image of Rarity. The sparks from the monitor ignited the gases of the floater causing it to explode. Red hot metals, plastic, and fibers of thousand of different parts showered the building, and ground. As the flaming piece of machinery fell in a fiery piece to crash on the ground.

Extending her wings Twilight glided herself towards the burning mass. But altered her flight when she saw Luna standing next to something that was pony shaped lying on the ground still smoking. Landing next to Luna she kneeled close to Applejack holding her scarred hoof in hers. Words were trying to be formed on her lips, but no sound came forth. She could almost make out her asking why. "Rest." she said to the burning pony. "It's over." Almost in agreement Applejack stiffened, let out a small breath then finally stopped moving.

The quick hooves of Luna prevented her from hitting the ground again. She was prepared for this one, but still it hurt. The intense pain and nausea of this sensation. The feeling like someone was ripping out her heart. She turned her face away from Luna as she started to dry heave. Chest and stomach contorting into one giant ball of pain, for a few moments before easing up as if the event never happened.

"I'll be okay." she told Luna, silently watching her. "I still have two left." she said as she started to leave Luna and her piercing gaze that followed her back to her car.

Fluttershy

It was quiet under Trans Equestria Creative. Following the lead to her next retirement has brought her here. This tunnel the building sat on. Dark but not complete, the lights attached along the path did little to illuminate her way. barely showing anything at all. but it did help keep her on her course.

"Stop." a voice in the darkness said. Far ahead of Twilight.

She kept her weapon in her hoof but the safety off. Watching and listening for anything that might be a threat or her target.

"Stop. I knew you were going to come for me sooner or later." said the voice ahead of her. It sounded sad and resigned. Giving up on fighting, now just waiting for it to happen. "I thought about running away. But honestly where could I go? You or somepony like you will just find me eventually. Besides you took almost everything that meant anything to me. What's the point of living without the things you love? Stop."

Twilight was surprised the words stung her, but she continued on. "Are you mad?" she asked as she walked.

"More sad than mad. I want to be mad. I want so much to be angry at you. But I can't, I just can't. Stop."

Walking on Twilight heard a rush of noise coming closer to her at a rapid place. The continuous flapping of many things coming at her, growing louder of the steady beats of their wings, until she found herself surrounded by them. She brought her front hooves up to protect her face as she felt many tiny things collide with her limbs. They tangled themselves in her mane, buzzed in her ears, they roamed around her body chaotically, confusing her. Twilight brushed them off, trying to get them away from her and off her body.

And then they were gone. The flock flew further on down the tunnel. "Please be careful." said Fluttershy. Her voice echoing throughout the tunnel. "They are harmless. Stop."

Twilight Sparkle gently untangled one of the creatures that was stuck in her hair, realizing it was just a tiny bird. Too dark to see what kind it was, she let it loose for it to fly further on, catching up with the rest of them. "What is with all these animals?" she asked.

"Stop. Mistakes. Growing an artificial isn't exact as ponies like to believe. Their are mutations, defects, degenerations. For everyone successful animal we created their is another that's unsellable. I take the ones that they deem worthless and bring them here. It's not much, but its better than euthanization. Please be careful, I don't want you to hurt them. Please stop."

As her eyes adjusted to the dark Twilight could see various animal shapes along the floor. But something didn't seem right to her, Some moved erratically, some moved in circles, some were not moving obviously dead, or dying as she could make out chests rising and falling on some of them, even with the poor lighting.

Twilight didn't know what to say as she walked on, avoiding them as best she could. "Stop. I wonder if they would think of me." said Fluttershy. "In the brief time they have. I hope they will think of me as a friend. A pony who cared about them, but in the end what does it matter. I couldn't stop it."

The tunnel led to a room filled with cages, most of them empty by now. A few animals still stuck around here and their. It was dark like the path to here but at the other side she could see a wall of soft lights emanating from the wall. Weaving her way around she followed the light.

"Stop. Those were my best friends." said Fluttershy. "I have been with them for so very long."

"You must be very proud of yourself." said Twilight edging her way closer.

"Doesn't matter in the long run. You're still going to get me. Stop." Twilight could hear Fluttershy's hooves scrape across the tiled floor from adjusting herself. "Right now I just want this to be over. There are only two of us now, and shortly there will be one. Stop. How do you think it feels to be retired when you don't know what you did wrong. What any of us did wrong."

"You want I should let you go?" asked Twilight to keep her talking, home in on where she was.

"I know you would never do that. You know you would never do that. That was a silly question to ask. Stop."

Rounding the corner of empty cages Twilight Sparkle spotted her. Standing in front of a collection of cages holding birds that squawked quietly behind their bars that held them in. Behind them was the only lights that poorly illuminated the room. Making black silhouettes of the cages, the birds and Fluttershy.

"There's only two of us left, in a moment there will be one. Stop." Fluttershy said. "Their are so many things I wanted to do in my life. I will miss it all. But I will be with my friends soon, and that makes me happy. I miss them so much Twilight could feel Fluttershy's eyes piercing her. She wondered what she was thinking of, meeting the pony who retired her friends and will retire her. She felt a gnawing sense of guilt running through her body. Staring at the little pony staring at her. "What is your name? Stop." asked the pony to Twilight.

"Twilight. Twilight Sparkle." she said automatically.

"Twilight means the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, caused by the refraction and scattering of the sun's rays from the atmosphere. Sparkle is a glittering flash of light. Stop. So that means you are the beautiful scattered light of the sun when it is below the horizon. It's nice to meet you. I am Fluttershy. Stop."

"Why are you keeping those birds behind you?" asked Twilight. "You have released the others. And why are they acting weird?"

"Stop. I have a question Twilight Sparkle. The birds behind me are called Equestria Birds of Paradise. They became extinct a few hundred years ago due to a bird flu that wiped them all out. We brought them back for pets, but no one wanted them. Thought their colors were ugly. I think they are the most beautiful animals I have ever seen. Stop. What you see behind me are the last of them. When their gone their will be no more. They are just a small passage in our world."

Twilight stared at the caged animals unable to get a good look at what they were or what they looked liked. Just bird shaped animals in the bright light.

"In order to keep them under our control, all our artificials are encoded with a gene that makes them dependent on the food we give them. If I release them, they won't be able to digest anything they eat and will die in twenty-four hours. If I keep them caged they will stay alive longer. But I was the only one who ever came down here. When I'm gone they will be alone in these cages until they expire. Imagine spending your life in a cage, in darkness. You world is nothing but that. Stop. My question is which would be better for them? Experiencing a day of life, or years of death. And how could I live with myself either way. Stop."

"I don't know." said Twilight. "There doesn't seem to be a right answer."

"Very True." said Fluttershy. As the cages opened up and out flew the birds. They flew past the two ponies to vanish out of the room and into the world beyond them. "If it makes you feel any better I have answered the question for you. Stop. I am prepared beautiful scattered light of the sun when it is below the horizon."

"I'm sorry." said Twilight Sparkle.

"I know you are, and I forgive you. But you're still going to do what you're going to do. Stop." said Fluttershy, voice barely above a whisper. "So just do what you need to do. Their is still one of us left, and I believe she won't go down as easy as I am."

The gun shook in her hoof as she aimed it at the silhouetted pony standing in front of her. A million emotions conflicted inside of her, making everything so much harder.

"It's not easy isn't it?" said Fluttershy. "I made it difficult, haven't I? Will this help?" she continued on. Turning herself around, With her back towards Twilight Sparkle. "Now I'm just an artificial. I have no soul, no emotions, no thoughts of my own, no dreams, or goals in my life. I am just a piece of skin to do with as the world wants. Discard me when I am no longer needed."

Twilight Sparkle couldn't stop tremors running all over her body. Finding herself crying, as she stood their fighting herself to finish the job Celestia sent her to do. "Goodbye Fluttershy."

"Stop..."

The rain felt refreshing on Twilight as she stumbled from the tunnel to the outside world, making her way over to her vehicle, sitting in the lot next to the Trans Equestria Creative building. Wiping her mouth from getting sick earlier she fought the waves of nausea still hitting her, as she fumbled with her car keys.

The door opened easily as she propped herself in and shut the door. Sitting down in the soft seat she listened quietly to her own rhythmic breathing and to the drops of dirty rain hitting her car constant beat. Twilight Sparkle crossed her limbs over the steering wheel, placed her head on top, and cried.

Rainbow Dash

It was dark when she pulled in. With only a short time left till sunrise. Twilight Sparkle followed the trail of her final target leading her to a poorer section of Ponyville. A soldier for the Wonderbolts, she had gone AWOL when Pinkie was retired. With some investigation Twilight had located Rainbow Dash to an old house sitting in an abandoned section of Ponyville. Surrounded by dead trees, abandoned cars, and feral cats that walked in places that ponies no longer bothered.

Twilight sat their in her vehicle for a few moments, listening to the beats of water hitting in a chaotic rhythm. Hooves shaking she checked her weapon again, trying to calm herself down. "You can do this." she said to herself as she looked into the rearview mirror. Fluttershy had shaken her, shaken her a lot deeper than she wanted to admit.

The pony in the mirror, with the puffy eyes and gaunt face stared back. The pony in the mirror looked like someone who was falling apart. The pony in the mirror didn't want to do this anymore. The six rounds in her chamber were still their. just like the last time she checked ten minutes ago. "One more." she told the pony in the mirror. "This is the last one."

The house looked old and decrepit, but still very sturdy, in a style nopony had used in a long, long time. She didn't hear the Nauu-Shim cleric with the chants here, but she knew it was out there somewhere still praying away in the stormy night. Getting out she listened to the faint sounds of uncontrolled sobbing following her to the lonely old house sitting in an empty neighborhood.

Sounds of the outside world faded as she opened the door. Even the rain felt like it quieted down some. The crying she heard, stopped when she entered not just the house, but another world, it felt like to her. Bare, except for the odds and ends of broken, old furniture brought in by squatters, once upon a time. Drops of water dripped from the ceiling and ran slowly down walls some places all the way to the floor, others collecting into openings of old paint forming bubbles around the house.

"You can walk away." The voice inside her head told her. "You could just tell Celestia you didn't find her." Not even bothering to answer, she stepped further into the other world.

Gun pointed, she did her sweep, making her way further in, listening to anything that might give her clues as to where her next target was. "Hello Killer." the voice said coming from everywhere. Making it hard for Twilight to figure its location. "I see you found me. How does it feel to murder innocent ponies? I'm guessing it must be pretty good because you certainly haven't stopped."

The sounds of hoofsteps running along the second floor made her fire a round upwards, piercing the ceiling. She missed, Twilight knew it when she fired, it was a stupid thing to do.

"How did it feel when they begged for life? "The mocking voice said. Full of anger and pain it continued on. "When they cried. Cried! For you to let them go, and you killed them. Did it make you feel good? Did it get you off? Or did you even think about it? Just another dead body for Celestia?"

Twilight Sparkle moved across the room . Slowly circling to keep eyes on everything that she could. Rainbow Dash was hunting her, playing with her. But she was angry, hopefully that would help. She felt drips of rain hit her coat from the leaks while taking a quick peek from the window.

"Butcher! Murderer!" the voice said. Spitting the words out with venom, it made her involuntarily take a step back. "She is just upstairs. Waiting for me" She was no fool to go rushing blindly, where Rainbow Dash was waiting for her.

She heard more movement coming from above her. The sounds of something sliding she thought it was, But unable to understand what it was that was doing the sliding. Running through her brain, she finally identified what it was, only too late to react. It was the sound of the window being opened on the second floor. She had forgotten how strong artificials can be.

Powerful hooves broke the ruined wall leaving an opening for Rainbow Dash to enter. With unnatural speed she clamped down on Twilight Sparkle's hooves immobilizing her, drawing her gun away from anything vulnerable. Slowly Dash twisted her limb downwards as Twilight fought to not give up her weapon. She saw the look on Rainbow Dash's face. As hard as she was fighting, her target wasn't even breaking a sweat. "Its not as fun when we fight back. Isn't it?" Rainbow said with an evil smile spreading across her face. "You shouldn't be using a gun either."

CRACK! Twilight's wrists went as the artificial twisted it to a full circle. Screaming in pain as Rainbow Dash ground her broken wrist into the socket Twilight was finally forced to drop her weapon on to the ground. Fighting the tears pouring out her eyes from the pain. Rainbow Dash forced Twilight to her knees. "I'm just getting started." She said softly pulling Twilight up with her hurt limb. "This is for Rarity!" she screamed. Plowing her hoof into her stomach with all her might.

Twilight felt the air escape her lungs while fighting the bile from rising to her mouth. She swore she could feel Rainbow Dash's blow almost scrape against the back of her. She felt weak and dizzy from the punch, when another crashed across her face. "That was for Pinkie Pie you bastard!" she yelled again.

A galaxy of stars and flowers bloomed and faded in front of Twilights eyes as the rich coppery taste of her blood flooded her mouth. She felt her legs buckle and the room started to spin. Rainbow Dash caught her before she hit the ground, still twisting her broke wrist, making it impossible to find solace in the unconscious. "Oh no you don't!" Rainbow Dash yelled at Twilight. Bringing her face so close to hers she could feel the spittle pouring from Rainbow's mouth as she worked herself into a ball of fury and rage. "I'm not done with you yet you son-of-a-bitch!" yelling as her next blow threw her towards the window behind her.

She felt cuts crisscross her body as she lay there half way through the window, in a daze trying to catch her breath. Staring at the dark sky overhead. "That was for Applejack." the voice said. Piercing the numbing fog in Twilight's head.

She could feel herself being gripped again, and pulled upwards causing more cuts across her body. A face swam in front of Twilight's view. She put her hoof up in an attempt to protect herself, only to have it swatted away. "And this! This is for Fluttershy." the voice said. Throwing Twilight through the rotted wall.

The wall collapsed easily from the force of Twilight being thrown through it. Rusty nails and old wood etched long cuts across her body as she traveled. landing on the floor in the next room. A thousand cries of agony from her body assaulted her brain as she fought to keep herself together. The world swam in Twilight's eyes as she saw the image of Rainbow dash appear in the hole she made. She saw her hoofs grab one of the broken, rotted poles sticking out. Bending it and twisting it until it broke free.

"YOUR GUN! YOUR GUN!" Twilight's mind screamed at her. Watching Rainbow Dash get closer while holding the stick like a bat. Using her magic her mind reached out and located it. Still lying on the floor in the other room. But their was no way, NO WAY! She could get it to her in time. Laying their to hurt to move, too much in pain, to defend herself, she could only watch at Rainbow dash stand over her. With her weapon raised and...

And that was it. Twilight could feel the inner conflict going on inside of Rainbow, giving herself the precious moment she needed. Using her magic she brought the gun over to her. A low growl escaped her lips as she took aim and fired, breaking the stillness. The shock of the weapon being fired shocked Rainbow as she jumped, dropping the weapon onto the ground. Fighting the growing blackness she fired off another round, then another, seeing her target run away as she fired off once again. Then everything went blissfully dark as Twilight Sparkle slipped into the world of unconsciousness.

****

The cold drops of water, falling onto Twilight's face refused to let her give continue on her travels into the land of darkness, bringing her slowly back to the world of the living. She felt torn up and broken, already she felt her body beginning to swell in places, as she laid on the dirty ground.

Movement was agony as she slowly started to get herself up off the ground. She wondered how long she had been out. Sensing that it was for awhile she could still see the rain pouring outside the window. Twilight racked her brain to recollect what had happened to her. Getting the crap beat out of her was one of the things, she looked around for any sign of Rainbow Dash. But found nothing. Just dried blood spatters on the wall that had dripped downwards before stopping a few inches away.

She was hurt Twilight knew. so that means she couldn't have gone far. Grabbing her weapon lying next to her she cautiously, carefully got herself back up.

The trail of dried blood led her to a door that had been pulled off its hinges, leading to the outside world. Carefully she moved it away, leaving an opening for her to look out. The yard was full of junk but in the back she found her. Or rather her rainbow colored mane. Kneeling their, back to her, under a patchwork of parts making a crude protection from the rain. Twilight limped to her final target, gun raised, ready for the anything to happen.

She felt her cuts and bruises pull painfully at her swollen body in the freezing rain. But she continued on trying her best to not pay attention. Approaching Rainbow Dash with her back still facing Twilight, She saw the puddle of blood forming around her, from the bullet wound Twilight had made, still sitting, rocking herself as she sang softly. Twilight pointed her weapon at her, listening to the soft click of the gun cocking.

"A few years ago." Rainbow Dash said quietly. not looking back. Twilight noticed she was holding something in her hoofs. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was white, fluffy and alive. "The five of us took the train to watch the Equestria Games in Trottingham. It was crowded, smelly and hot, with the ventilation system broken, and we were all jammed together in this railroad car for seven hours. One of the mares on the car," Rainbow Dash chuckled a little. "You know I don't even remember her name, anyway she collapsed and started to scream and cry. She was pregnant we found out and went into labor." She said finally turning around and looking at Twilight, with a sad smile on her face. "Out of all the places to have a kid it was in a dirty railroad car."

Rainbow Dash turned herself around to talk to Twilight a bit more. Fluttershy was the one who did most of everything, and we just followed her orders. She didn't know much, not really having a lot of experience with medicine, but that was more than everyone else combined.. Their was some small complications, but in the end everything turned out fine."

"Twilight could hear her breathing getting more labored. as she talked. "As Fluttershy took care of everything, she gave the child to me to hold. I..I remember carrying it in one of my hooves. The child..it was a she clasped my other hoof with theirs and tried to suckle on it...I was filled with such joy, feeling I was blessed to watch a baby being brought into this world...But at the same time I felt so much sadness knowing that I would never experience this...I'm just an artificial."

Flashing lights of red and blue filled the yard from Luna's vehicle as it landed in the rain while Rainbow continued. "I know this affected us all. Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity...even Fluttershy." She laughed slightly. "Fluttershy's response was to make this." She said offering what was in her hoofs to Twilight Sparkle. "This was her last creation...It is different from the other artificial she had created."

Gently grabbing it with her good limb, Twilight picked him up and cradled him. "His name is Angel and he is the first artificial who can actually reproduce. Isn't...isn't that amazing." Twilight could see Rainbow Dash start to sway and her eyes grow heavy. While the rain slowed, finally stopping to a faint trickle. "Its clearing up now." said Dash looking upwards at the sky. "I...I remember the parties my friend Pinkie made for us when I was having a bad day, the dresses Rarity made that I told her I hated, even tho I secretly loved them...I remember...Fluttershy who I always thought was such a weak pony...be the strongest of us when it was needed...Applejack always there as a friend..They...they were everything to me." Rainbow looked up towards the sky, letting the few drops of rain hit her face." In a few minutes Celestia will bring up the sun...and a new day will begin. I nor my friends will not be apart of this...new...day. I will miss everything so much Twilight Sparkle. Please take care of Angle for us."

Rainbow Dash's body began to sag as she lowered her head towards the ground. "Goodbye." she said softly as she let out a small breath and became still.

Twilight Sparkle didn't know how long Luna had been their holding her. Or how long she had been crying as she led herself be escorted back to her car. With the rabbit held on to her she wondered what she was going to do with him. But then a new thought entered. "How did she know my name?" the voice in her head asked.

Twilight Sparkle

Celestia reminded Twilight Sparkle of those painting of eastern goddesses she had read about in her books. Sitting on her throne made of gold and platinum. Her once glorious mane, now completely shaved off with thousands of cables and wires jacked into her head leading to various terminals attached to the walls. Letting her see all and know all that is happening in Equestria at any moment. She looked out at Twilight with neon blue pupiless eyes that saw everything that was.

At one time she raised the sun, later on she ruled Equestria, now she was Equestria's soul. Watching over the ponies, watching over her land, Twilight felt she wasn't seeing the ruler of her land any longer but its goddess now. Who became one with everything.

Above her, embedded into the wall were the six elements of harmony, placed into a circle. Throbbing, glowing, giving off a faint aura of barely contained magic

Luna stood in the far corner, near the door, away from the both of them. But close enough. Twilight noticed that's where she always seemed to be, close but far away at the same time. Always silently watching and listening. She wondered if that was such a good thing.

"And the rabbit?" asked Celestia. speaking through hidden speakers attached throughout the room.

"I let it go. Didn't seem any reason to keep it." Twilight Sparkle answered. Bandaged up and loaded with so many pain pills she was surprised she wasn't floating on the moon.

"You do realize this artificial will breed with the native rabbits. Who knows how many of them will be from him. Given enough time Probably all of the rabbits will have some part of him in them."

Twilight Sparkle shrugged her shoulders, painfully away that that probably wasn't the best thing to do. Even with the pills she felt empty inside, like parts of her heart was torn up and shredded beyond repair. She felt numb, numb to the world, numb to Equestria, and numb to her teacher and ruler. She felt quiet on the inside.

Celestia turned her head at an angle as she looked at her officer. "I know it was hard to retire those five, but it had to be done Twilight."

"Why?" she asked, realizing that was the first time she ever asked such a question.

Celestia cocked her head to the left, continuing to stare at her. "I noticed the Nauu-Shim cleric chanting all over Ponyville." she said. Changing the subject.

"I thought it was strange. They only do the Kalash-em or the blessing of the day at sunrise and sunset, but they were doing it throughout the day. I couldn't understand why."

"Your a wonderful student Twilight, but you were never as studious as the others before you." said Celestia staring at her. "I remember when the changelings embraces Nauu-Shim over a thousand years ago. Its funny isn't it, when I first dealt with them, they had a queen named Chrysalis who wanted to control all of Equestria, now she isn't even a footnote in history. Forgotten by all, even her own kind. Time does erase all wounds."

Twilight stood their in confusion wondering what this was all about, where she was leading too as her Princess continued on. "But you're wrong, what you have been hearing was the Valah its a chant of mourning. They do that prayer when they feel a great loss is happening. When they feel that the land is losing something beautiful."

"So what is it that they are in mourning for? What is it that they are losing?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"Isn't it obvious? You." Said Princess Celestia looking straight at her.

Twilight Sparkle Looked at Celestia in confusion. Feeling the coldness wrap around the inside of her. Knowing that she probably wasn't going to make it out alive. "Why did you want me to retire the five ponies?" she asked again.

"Stability Twilight." said Celestia. "Equestria needs something stable to keep itself going. Eight thousand years ago we thought coal burning trains were such a wonderful invention. Now we have colonies floating around in space. Equestria has grown, has changed so much. but in all of this, it needs certain things to stay the same, unmoving, and unchanging."

"That doesn't answer..."

"I have told you about the elements of harmony haven't I?"

"Yes but…”

"What's important to them is that their is a constant about them. To who their linked too. Otherwise everything changes, and the elements don't work right. Somethings have to stay in a continuous state."

"So what changed then? And what does this have to do with the artificials?"

"One of the ponies that was linked too had changed everything. In doing so it had changed the Elements of Harmony. Threatening everything we have worked so hard for. She was a danger to Equestria."

"Who was it and what did she do?" asked Twilight. Placing her hoof into her pocket and grabbing her gun.

"It was the last one Rainbow Dash. She had gotten pregnant. About a week or so from what I have gathered."

The words shook Twilight to the core, stunning her. "But artificials can't reproduce. How is this possible."

She felt the burning blue pupils starting at her, and through her as she spoke again. "Artificials can't. Clones most certainly do."

Faster than even she thought possible, with her body the way it was Twilight Sparkle spun around, gun in her hoof. She fired at Luna behind her hitting her in the shoulder. The weapon dropped from Luna's limb as she crumpled to the floor, staring at Twilight with a blank expression. "No wait." thought Twilight. "Sympathy? Sadness?"

Turning around to face Celestia again she was mute as to what she should do. Her mind drawing a continuous blank over any ideas to get her out of this. Her heart tearing itself up over what she had done. How could she forgive herself? how could she go on?

"You're not going to shoot me Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said with a hint of electronic amusement in the speakers. "Fine! If I am going to be the villain in this, then let me tell you of my evil plan. Once upon a time in a far away land, in a time long forgotten. A certain student of a princess was sent away to learn about the friendship. And along the way she learned not just this friendship, but also used this to align with the Elements of Harmony. Something that no pony has ever done besides her up to that point. With them Equestria prospered and grew. But like everything in the world. It changed. They grew old and died."

Twilight could see real pain flash Celestia's face before disappearing as she continued. "There were others of course, but none of them could link to the elements like the first ones could. What could I as a princess do? Equestria was growing, ponies were being born, ponies were dying, everything was in a constant state of change. We could not become what we truly could be without the original ponies who started it all."

"You brought us all back?" asked a horrified Twilight Sparkle.

"Time and time and time again." said Celestia. "Generations of Twilights, Pinkies, Rarities, and so on. Its amazing isn't it? Every time we bring you back none of you are the same as before, and yet you all are. Sometimes you all become friends, sometimes just a few. Sometimes you take different paths in you journey. But at the same time you still are all the same. Rarity will always be an artist. Pinkie will always strive to make ponies happy. Rainbow Dash will always want to be the best. And you will always be my student. But all of this." She said looking around her throne. "Depends on a constant. Once it changes, everything does, and there's too much at risk for it to change. I will not risk Equestria for six ponies."

Her weapon felt like lead as her limb dropped downwards, pointing at the floor. She was surprised that she could produced more tears, thinking she had used them all up earlier. Words formed in her mouth dying before her tongue and lips could form them into sounds. She wanted to call Celestia a liar. Wanted to say all of this was rantings of an insane Alicorn, But...there's always buts in these line of thoughts.

"The first Twilight Sparkle was probably the best student I have ever had, the others could never match the first. But I have to admit you are the best hunter of them all Now that I have told you everything. I think this was the Twentieth?" Celestia mused. "Twenty-second I think, yes twenty-second time I have told you this."

I'm just a loop?" she said quietly. "Just a pony living and dying over and over again, the six of us doing this all just to keep it all going?"

"Twilight. My Twilight." Celestia said. As she flexed her wings. "We need you and the others. The constant is what keeps Equestria..."

"No."

"...Going. But I am curious as to how you will be when we bring you back again..."

"No!"

"....Deny it as much as you want to Twilight Sparkle. You and your friends are just too important to let go."

"NO!" Twilight Screamed. The heat of her anger flowing like waves of fire out of her. So intense even Celestia took an involuntary step back. Red rage filled her eyes. A weariness to everything, what she had done and who she is. The blackness inside of Twilight Sparkle made her raise her weapon in front of her. The smug smile on Celesta faded, replaced by a look she hasn't worn in centuries. Fear.

"Twilight..."

BOOM! went the weapon when Twilight Sparkle shot her gun. The bullet traveling upwards, above Celestia hitting one of the Elements of harmony. A small chip in the gem appeared, caused by the bullet as a purple light escaped cascading downwards towards the pony.

"Twilight! STOP!" shouted Celestia in alarm and fear. "You can't do this!"

"Go to Tartarus." she replied, Shooting off another round, missing the gem.

The purple light reached her enveloping Twilight Sparkle. She saw a lifetime of images. Thousands upon thousands of a lifetime of images: Twilight Sparkle the friend, Twilight Sparkle the teacher, the lover, the student, the mage, the protector, the element of harmony, the everything to Equestria. Twilight Sparkle the pony Thousands of Twilight's living lives, growing and changing with each new one. And at the beginning? One Twilight Sparkle, in a constant loop over and over again. The sadness inside her, welled up almost pulled her apart. The thousands becoming one. "You know what you have to do." She/They said.

Looking at Celestia, her princess, her teacher, her friend, she realized the truth, and it did set her free. "That's not true." Twilight said staring at her. With a calm she found surprising. "The truth is that you're a lonely Alicorn who wanted to keep her friends with her for as long as she. The truth is that you can't let us go. The truth is its not us that can't change its you." Twilight raised her gun once again, taking careful aim. "Goodbye Celestia." she said quietly.

"Luna!" screamed Celestia. Her speakers filled with static from her wail. "Stop her! Do something!"

"I will." she said. Slowly limping towards Twilight. Holding her wound with her hoof. Twilight felt Luna's magic hold her still. She wasn't as good like she has been in other lives, watching Celestia's sister get closer. "I have been with you since you saved me from Nightmare Moon all time ago. Twilight.." her voice trailed off as she stood next to Twilight Sparkle staring at her for a few moments. "Goodbye Twilight Sparkle. I will miss you." she said embracing her. "And I'm sorry, sorry for everything." Luna finished starting to weep as well. Hurriedly she exited the room leaving just the two of them Twilight and Celestia.

"LLLLUUUNNNAAAA!" Celestia screamed. While Twilight found the magic releasing her. She was free to move, free to end this. Once again she took careful aim at the element.

"Please..." said Princess Celestia. Words trailing off when Twilight Sparkle shot once more.

Her round flew through the air, piercing the world with a scream at it hit the gem in the center, changing Equestria. The gem exploded in a purple haze causing a chain reaction that followed down the other elements it circled. Celestia's throne room exploded in multiple colors. As each one bathed the room. Along with Celestia screaming incoherently. Words disappearing into one long noise.

Twilight Sparkle found her body racked as waves of light and magic poured over her. Her ears were filled with the sound of her beating heart convulsing into a jumble of chaotic beats, then nothing.

"I'm so sorry." A part of her said to anyone willing to listen."I'm so sorry for everything."

"It's okay." said another voice. Realizing it was her, rather the first one. "You done well. Now its time to rest."

A rainbow of colors streamed through her colliding with her. Emptying her. Twilight Sparkle fell dead to the world of Equestria.

Princess Celestia jumbled cries, became more incoherent as the land she ruled slowly started to shut itself down. Closing off everything that made it great. She howled and cried as her world around powered down, and she was alone in the darkness.

Once upon a time in a far away land, in a time long forgotten. A certain student of a princess was sent away to learn about friendship. And she had found the best friends a pony could ever wish for...

THE END