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by ArtHeart

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad, Starlight Glimmer
Length: 9076

Each of the Elements of Harmony face Equality.

(Takes place during The Cutie Map)

Starlight Glimmer, a pink unicorn running a small village filled with joyful ponies who had agreed to strip their individuality from themselves, has taken the Elements of Harmony's marks as well. Twilight Sparkle and her friends are trapped in the village and fear that they will never find a way out.
Will they resist all the way through, or end up like all of the other ponies?

Published 2016-12-04 05:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-12-04 19:49:46 UTC

Share the Kindness Equally

Choose equality as your special talent.

Free yourself from your cutie mark.

You're no better than your friends.

Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow.

That voice again!

I awoken from my slumber only to see I was still in this village in the middle of the desert. I felt the loose and ragged floorboards groan against the stretching of my pale yellow hooves. My friends had awoken as well, Twilight possibly jolting them awake as she finally made a scheme of how to escape this place.

These ponies don't seem that bad, anyway. They all seemed very polite, and with open hooves, too. This small corner of Equestria might be the nicest ponies I've ever met...

No! We have to get out, we have to get the cutie marks back.

"I know how we can get out," Twilight finally spoke.

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to protest. "Forget it Twilight. This door will never open."

"And I'm afraid these windows are much too small for escape." Rarity agreed and nodded grimly.

"We don't have to escape," Twilight reassured. "They'll just let us out when they think we accepted their philosophy! And there's only one of us they might believe had converted over one night."

They all suddenly glared at me with determined smirks.

Wait...I have to go out there? I can't. They are such lovely and polite ponies, but what if Starlight finds out I'm a fraud? Then I'll end up back where I started, in this chamber. And I can't take more of that chilling voice...

"Me?" I finally blurted out a reply.

"You've been talking about how nice this place was since we got here!" Rainbow shouted at me with anger.

"But that's because their village is so pretty, and everypony's so nice and, and..."

Silence reigned.

"You're right," I sighed sullenly. "They probably would believe me. I'd hate to lie to them, they've been so welcoming and friendly, aside from locking us in here and trying to brainwash us into abandoning the things that make us special. Okay, I'll do it."

"Good morning!" Starlight's voice filled the room with thunder through the speaker. My ears twitched a little at that loud, familiar voice.

Her.

The door swung open, and Starlight revealed herself to the six, the other villagers behind her. "I trust you had a pleasant night?"

"Join us!" One of the villagers yelled enthusiastically, that same grin on his face. "The whole village joins together to build you your own cottage-"

"FORGET IT!" Dash yelled angrily. "We are going to get our marks back!"
Starlight only smiled gently. "It's alright, everypony, these ponies just need more..time to fully understand our philosophy!"

We started walking back to the little house, I paced a bit slower than the others, until Twilight tapped my hoof, giving my cue to take action.

"I'd like to join!"

I immediately put my front hooves over my mouth, maybe nopony could hear. Oh no, they all did, I can already hear the amused clamor from the smiling villagers.

"Fluttershy, how could you?" Twilight was right behind me, lying to the crowd of ponies. There was no going back now. I just have to keep going along with it. She and the others walked into the cottage, slightly smiling. Then, the door shut.

"We have a new friend, everypony!" Starlight yelled joyfully with glee.

It worked! I thought they would never had believed me, good thing I made such a nice first impression. Actually, they weren't so bad.

Wait, the marks! I almost had forgotten. I should repeat it to myself, just so I remember.

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks.

"Come, Fluttershy, all new friends stay with me until their cottage is completed."

I paced along beside Starlight, keeping a small grin, just to be sure I don't look like a phony. I wouldn't like to lie to these ponies....

Get the cutie marks!

When we both had made it inside Starlight's cottage, I could feel the chilly air against my coat. It was freezing!

Starlight had noticed my shivering, and proceeded to light up the furnace in her living room. The orange flames danced inside the gray oven. I started to get warmer, it was although relaxing. I loosened up a bit, sitting closer to the flames, but not close enough to burn myself. The temperature was perfect.

"Now, Fluttershy," Starlight Glimmer broke the silence. "Now that you have become one of us, do you endure the feeling of joy now that you have freed yourself from your cage of a cutie mark?"

I hesitated for a moment, then my cutie mark started to glow an inky black, relaxing me more. "Um, well...yes. It's just that, now that I'm equal, it's a little hard getting used to your customs."

"Nonsense, my little pony," Starlight said. "We just need to settle a few more things with you, then you will become truly equal. Starting off with your mane..."

My mane? Oh, right, the ponies in this village have their manes cut alike from each other. I love my mane now, but I must play along until me and my friends can get out of here.

Get the cutie marks.

"Let me escort you upstairs, Fluttershy," Starlight said gently. "Then we will commence the final steps of the equalization process."

I followed her upstairs, the floorboards of the staircase brushing roughly on my fur, like at the other cottage. I wonder how my friends are holding up? I hope that voice isn't getting into their heads, I couldn't take it anymore myself. I'm sure they'll abide. They've got the princess of friendship fighting beside them.

"Fluttershy," Starlight's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Rest yourself over on that bed." she commanded.

I laid on the bedspread, the warmth of the fire never leaving me although the cot was freezing.

"Now, turn away from me, so I can take a glimpse at your mane, then I can fix it up a little."

I turned away from the pink unicorn immediately, feeling her soft hooves pummel my mane, using her magic to sort out the parts of my lengthy pink locks. I could see her floating a pair of scissors near my mane, getting anxious. But it caused me no pain at all. It was sad to see my old mane go, after years of growing, but I'll be happy here, in this pretty little village-

Get the cutie marks.

"Something troubling you, Fluttershy?" Starlight suddenly asked me. My mark glowed once more, even darker than before, and longer this time. It relaxed me greatly. But I have to push on through.

"Um..not at all, Starlight." I lied.

"Good." She seemed amused. "It feels good to be no better than anypony else, doesn't it? I'm so glad you have seen the light, and I know you will be so very happy in our little village."

Yes! I'm so happy I- No! I can't let her get into my head! Get the cutie marks! Starlight continued to snip my mane painlessly, I hardly noticed from relaxing so much...stay focused.

"Those other friends of yours, Fluttershy, don't feel too worried about them. They just haven't seen the light, unlike you, I trust you have accepted our lovely welcome."

My mark glowed again, slowly shifting my thoughts as I struggled to fight back.

"We're almost done," Starlight spoke. "I just have to make a quick adjustment to your tail.."

Snip. My mane and tail was successfully changed to mirror the other ponies.

"How do you feel?"

My mark glowed yet again, even longer and darker than before. A warm feeling overtook my whole body, almost like..happiness. I couldn't help but smile widely with joy and blurt out the truth. "Amazing."

She beckoned me to arrive back to the first floor, assumingly next to the fire again. I looked out the window, and the moonlight was glowing across the starry sky, and nopony was outside, in their cottages. Time had flown by fast, I guess I was just enjoying this so much, I lost track of time.

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks!

"You're free to look in the mirror," Starlight commanded. "You'll love your new mane."

I stared into the mirror, seeing my pelt grayer than usual, and tight pigtails and short bangs had replaced my usual long and wavy mane. This...wasn't that bad, actually. In fact, it's much simpler to manage, since it was shorter and tied by bands to hold it down. This might not be that bad after all! I grinned, and walked down by the fire to lay on the fuzzy scarlet rug. The warm fire comforted me, and I relaxed more than ever before in the past. This was much more comfortable than my old cottage.

My old cottage!

The equal sign glowed.

I'm sure Discord will take care of it.

"Um, excuse me, Starlight..." I stuttered. "Can I still tend for animals, even with my mark removed?"

"Of course! Didn't you notice the other ponies having careers when you first got here? Just because you can't understand the language of animals anymore, that doesn't mean you can't care for them. Your cutie mark had forced you into taking care of animals, but now that is entirely your choice. You choose to take care of the animals. I'm sure there are plenty of creatures showing up in the desert you can care for."

"Oh, my, thank you!" I responded with joy.

Get the cutie marks.

"No, thank you, Fluttershy, for accepting our philosophy with pride, and freeing yourself from your special talent. Now, you must be tired from a long and hard day of equalization. Why don't you rest by the fire?"

As Starlight blew out the candles illuminating the room, the flames made a soft ember glow on the ceiling, and I yawned, thinking of how an exhausted day it had been. My eyelids grew heavy, as I let them close shut.

"Just let those eyes drift shut, dear Fluttershy," Starlight whispered gently. "Repeat after me, equality is happiness."

I echoed her with no effort. "Equality is happiness." Starlight kept repeating it, over and over, her gentle voice letting me drift off.

"Equality is happiness."

"Equality is happiness."

"Equality is happiness."

Get the cutie marks.

Get the cutie marks.

Get EQUALITY the cutie HAPPINESS marks...

Get... EQUALITY

the.... IS

marks.... HAPPINESS

back....

my...friends.....

EQUALITY IS HAPPINESS

EQUALITY IS HAPPINESS

EQUALITY IS HAPPINESS

EQUALITY IS HAPPINESS

"Fluttershy..."

I awoken to Starlight's tender voice as she gently shook me from the night's sleep. "I hope you've had a good rest."

Of course! Now that I'm just like everypony else. I love living in this wonderful little village, with all these welcoming ponies! I can't wait until my friends get to join me! I put on a big smile for Starlight, amusing her, and walked out to the rest of the village,

"Good morning, my little ponies!" She greeted with a smile. "As you can see, our new friend Fluttershy has completed the equalization process!"

The crowd of ponies cheered in agreement, and I finally felt like I was apart of something important. They all felt like family to me. So nice and welcoming. I'm so overjoyed to be here, and I even am more outgoing!

"Welcome!"

"Welcome!"

"Welcome!"

Of course, I couldn't forget those greetings from the very beginning. I was right all along. This is the happiest place in all of Equestria.

"Let's see if we have any new friends today, Fluttershy." I followed Starlight over to the chamber, where my five friends remained. I only hoped that they could see the evil in cutie marks, and free themselves as well, I just want them to be as happy as I am! As Starlight opened the door, I stood behind her.

"Do we have any new friends today?" Starlight asked the five. The others only held their angry looks, silent.

"Aw, what a pity. But, I think you'll change your ways of thinking when you see somepony."

I walked over to Twilight, grinning a wide smile, how else was I supposed to show them how happy it is to be equal?

"F-fluttershy?" Twilight gasped.

Why would she gasp? Is she scared? I am happy! I spoke as happily as ever, hopefully turning them from their backwards thinking.

"Won't you join me, dear friends? I'm very happy here!"

Be Loyal to Your Equals

"Won't you join me, dear friends? I'm very happy here!"

What did that sneaky little witch do to her? I can't believe this. The pony I grew up with is now leaving me for that....THING. Why would Fluttershy trust Starlight? She's done nothing but steal our cutie marks, and now I can't even fly. Please, Fluttershy...come back to us!

"Rainbow Dash?"

Fluttershy called out to me! Was she really there? Was she faking it just to slip by Starlight? Please Fluttershy! Let's get out of here and run away together!

"Please, join me! I want you to be as happy as I am!"

My heart sank. This was Fluttershy now. She did become like them. Tears started to fill my eyes, but I held them back. All I could feel was anger toward that maniac Starlight and her creepy smiling village.

"GIVE HER BACK!" I shouted at her. The loud screaming filled the whole village with noise. I didn't care. I wanted Fluttershy back.

"Oh, Rainbow, don't you see?" Fluttershy talked to me again. "I'm very happy, but very lonely as well. I need you, Rainbow Dash. I need you to join me and the other wonderful ponies here! I promise you'll be happy!"

"No." As much as it hurt me, I rejected my begging friend. She had become one of them now. There was no way dragging her out of it.

Unless....

"Wait!" I caught Starlight's attention. "What if...I could be with Fluttershy for just a few minutes?"

Starlight held a straight face, then slowly started to smirk suspiciously.

What's she planning now?

"If you say so," She agreed. She gestured me to another empty cottage, and I waved a hoof goodbye to my friends, who knows if I will get killed in there....

The door shut. I tried opening it.

Locked.

"Dash!" Fluttershy immediately spoke. "I'm so happy we could spend some time together! Then you'll finally see the light!"

Wait a minute...

"Why don't you want to be equal alongside me?" She asked. "It's wonderful here!"

"Fluttershy!" I said. "Please listen to me! Starlight has you tricked! I thought you were getting the marks back, then we could fly out of here, and go back to Ponyville."

"This is my home now!" Fluttershy grinned. "Why would I ever want to leave?"

"Because of your friends! Me and the others, your family, everypony! Look at yourself! You've changed inside and out. But I know there's a little bit left of the real you in there. Come back to us!"

"Aren't you loyal to me, Dash?"

No....

She's trying to break me! Starlight locked me in here because she knew I would give in easily to the pony I've known the longest. But I won't back down. It hurts so badly, but I must resist!

"Fluttershy....I.."

My cutie mark glowed.

"Oh, my! That's a sign you're already into the equalization process! I knew you could do it, Rainbow!"

No...

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

"I....just... can't. I can't leave everything."

"You won't have to! You know very well the other four will join us happily!"

"No..."

"And, why have you always been so competitive? You're no better than anypony here. There's no contest necessary. You may not be able to fly, but that's the same way for everypony else."

"But I've loved to fly! You know that!"

"Then you'll be even happier when your equal. Aren't you loyal to me?"

Stop it. I wont!

"We can be happier here, Dashie...together. Just you and me."

"Just...you...and me?"

Fluttershy nodded calmly. "Remember, Rainbow Dash, Equality is happiness."

"Equality...is...happiness."

"See? Easy, isn't it? You want to be with your best friend forever, right? We can both live great lives here, together!"

Yeah...easy....no. I...can't....ugh! My head thumped as my cutie mark glowed once more. Why was it so relaxing? Why does it feel so right? Am I really doing the right thing?

"Dashie..." Fluttershy whispered. "You'll be happy here, you'll see. Trust me."

Ugh.....No...

Another glow. Longer than before. Then....a feeling of warmth. I feel....safe.

I feel...

H a p p y .

"Aren't you loyal to me, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked for one last time, and I finally responded.

"Yes, Fluttershy. I'm happy." I started to grin along with her. I feel less sad when my mark glows like this. Fluttershy was right, I am happy. To be with her, forever, with no fighting, no superiors, just equals.

I'm happy.

I'm equal.

Fluttershy yelled loud enough to alert Starlight and the other villagers. "We have a new friend!" Starlight Glimmer opened the door, and glared at me.

"Is this true, Rainbow Dash?"

"Y-yes," I said hesitantly, still a little nervous. "As long as I get to be with Fluttershy, then I'll stay here for as long as I live."

"Wonderful! Let's show your friends that you have joined Fluttershy into happiness. And, don't forget to smile! Show them you're happy!"

I put on a smile a wide as my mouth could stretch, because I was indeed very happy. My mane might not be changed yet, but Starlight will fix that later. All that matters now is Fluttershy, and showing my other friends how happy it is to be equal. No competition, no responsibilities, and most of all...freedom.

Starlight busted the door open, showing my friends who I was meant to be from the start.

"Hello there!" She greeted. "Why don't you see what has happened to your friend?"

They looked worried when they saw me. Why? I'm fine. I have nothing to worry about. I'm okay, really!

Pinkie Pie looked the most worried of the four. "No! Not my Dashie!"

"Pinkie," I said to her. "I'm happy. Happy and equal. You'll be happy with me and Fluttershy, I promise."

Why was she scared? I'm safe.

"Let's fix that mane of yours, shall we?" Starlight asked me. "Fluttershy, you go back to your cottage, it's sunset, get some rest."

"Of course, Starlight." Fluttershy obeyed, and walked over to her cottage. Starlight beckoned me to follow her with her tail, and so I did.

When we arrived inside her cottage, I felt warm fire engulf its warmth around me, I could just fall asleep right here on the rug.

"Let's make this quick, shall we?" Starlight said. "You look tired."

I was indeed tired. Today was busy, although fun, since being equal is happiness, of course. "Can I close my eyes?" I asked.

"Alright," she agreed. "You can just fall asleep right here, I'll have a very important thing for you to do tomorrow."

Important thing? What important thing? What if I can show one of my friends how happy I am? Pinkie looked the most sad for me. I really want to prove to her its good to be equal. Equal is the right thing. Equality is happiness. This is the truth.

I fell asleep right where I was, exited what tomorrow would bring me.

I'm happy.

Laugh All the Same Way

"No! Not my Dashie!"

Was I dreaming? This isn't real! First Fluttershy, and now Dashie, too! It's all because of the smiles, isn't it? I never liked those smiles, not one bit! Starlight is just a stupid liar, liar, pants on fire! How could they be truly happy without their cutie marks? I NEED to party! You'll never take me alive, Ms. Starlight Meanie Pants!

After a looooong time, I finally got to see poor Dashie again, but with her mane all messed up. It was all in a bun, and she was all gray! You call that fashion? You all are crazy!

"Pinkie," Dashie said to me. "I don't like to see you sad, please join us, and you'll be happy again!"

"I'LL NEVER FALL FOR THE SMILES!" I yelled. "You may have taken Dashie and Fluttershy, Starlight Glimmer, but you'll never take me!"

"Take her with Sugar Belle." Starlight commanded Dash. "Yes, Starlight Glimmer," she replied.

Sugar Belle? What does she want with me? Ooh! Maybe she has a super-top-secret escape plan for me and my friends! Then we can bust out of here, and get our cutie marks back!

Aww....Sugar Belle doesn't seem like she's in the mood for that. She's just over there with some muffins...MUFFINS?

NO. WAY! I am NOT eating those disgusting things again! I've eaten cardboard tastier than than stuff! But if Dashie follows me...then I can snap her out of it!

We walked over to the table where the muffins were, and we all sat down together. I immediately called out to Dashie.

"Dash!" I wailed. "COME BACK TO ME!"

"Pinkie," she replied, her voice raspier and quieter than usual. "I'm fine. I'm happy." Then her mark thingy glowed for a long time, and I got angry.

"How did you even become equal?" I asked.

"Fluttershy had shown me the light," said Dash. "And now, you can join us, too."

"NO!"

"Oh, um...excuse me."

Sugar Belle!

"Would you like any muffins, Pinkie Pie? Starlight told me to make them just for you and Rainbow Dash."

Dang it.

"Oh, um..sure!" I lied. If I'm going t get out of here, I might as well stay to talk Dash out of it.

"So, uh, Dash..." I started the conversation nervously. "Isn't Cloudsdale such a nice place? With all the pretty clouds, and pegasi-"

"This is my home now, Pinkie," Dash said. "I'm not leaving."

"But...Dashie!"

"Even if you leave, I stay. But, you'll laugh a lot more than you used to when you become equal."

WHAT? I won't believe those lies! I would never laugh when I'm equal.

My mark suddenly started to glow a faint black. I let out a small chuckle.

Or...would I?

"See, Pinkie?" Dash said happily. "You can laugh, even when your equal. You like fun, right? Well, being equal is the most fun thing to do in the whole world. I'm so very happy here, Pinkie Pie. More happy than you could ever imagine. Won't you join me? Won't you laugh with me?"

Yes, Dash.....let's laugh together...

NO! I mustn't!

But, I like to laugh with her. My mark glowed again. I took a bite out of one of the muffins.

They were delicious! My mark kept glowing, and I took another bite after another, these were better than my own baking! Maybe they didn't taste so bad because I was equal? I...guess this is..okay?

But I won't!

Then, Dash started to chuckle. And I laughed along with her.

Then we kept laughing.

And laughing.....

And laughing until our marks glowed the most in all of the village.

Hey, being equal is fun! I get to laugh as much as I want, and nopony judges me for it! They just laugh along with me! I took a bite out of my last muffin, then, I noticed my mane.

"Your mane.." I pointed a hoof at Dash's bun. "It's so pretty!"

"Would you like your mane fixed?" Dash asked.

"You bet!"

I was so exited about almost everything! Everypony here just laughs along with me, and when my mark glows, I feel super-duper happy! Being equal is the most fun thing ever!

When I arrived to Starlight, she gestured me to enter her cottage, and proceeded to cut my mane to match the other ponies.

"You look amazing, Pinkie!" said Starlight. "And you do look ever so excited as well."

I was! My mark glowed again. I felt like the most happiest pony in all of Equestria! And even better, I get to be with Dashie, so we can laugh all day long! I'm so happy I got my mark removed. Being equal is so exciting! I can't wait to tell Twilight!

"Hold on, there," Starlight snapped me out of my excitement. "You need some rest, first. Your cottage is finished."

A brand new cottage, just for me? Wow! These ponies are the nicest! I want to live here for the rest of my life!

Wait just a minute...

THE SMILES! AND MY FRIENDS!

How could I have forgotten? Rainbow Dash was just trying to get me to join those freaks! But I WONT FALL FOR IT! I'll have a talk with Starlight Meanie Pants right about NOW!

"Hey...Starlight..." I asked.

"Yes, Pinkie?"

"LISTEN TO ME YOU LIAR BACKSTABBER MEANIEPANTS! I WONT FALL FOR ANY OF THOSE smiles OF YOURS! YOU MAY MAKE ME LAUGH WITH MY BEST FRIEND, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I'LL JOIN YOUR CREEPY LITTLE CLUB! I DON'T CARE IF YOU PUT ME BACK WITH MY FRIENDS, BUT I. WONT. JOIN. YOU!"

Starlight just stared.

.....Did it work?

"Well, Miss Pie," she said. "Looks like we're going to have to do this the hard way, I'm afraid." she lit up her horn with an aura.

WAIT! NO! PUT ME BACK IN THE CHAMBER! PUT ME BACK IN THE CHAMBER!

"You can't brainwash me! But...maybe I can brainwash you!"

Yes...confuse her! Wait..no! She's still doing her magic...what is she doing, anyway?

I wonder if the others are okay.

To excel is to fail.

Choose equality as your special talent.

What? Did that voice just sound in my head? But I can't hear it from all the way in Starlight's cottage! She must be up to something. She's using her magic to play that voice in my head! But I won't join you, Meanie Pants!

Be your best by not being your best.

Starlight's magic stopped.

And the voice kept going around in my head.

Are you loyal to your friends, Pinkie?

We miss you so much!

Dashie? And, Fluttershy? Now their voices are in my head! Oh, no...

"I trust you'll stay with us, if your friends need you to?" Starlight asked.

"No...never!" But I knew it was just too hard to fight it back. My mark kept glowing greatly, and it wasn't going to stop anytime soon, same for the voices.

"Don't you love your new mane, Pinkie?"asked Starlight.

"N...yes....no!"

"I thought you loved to laugh, Pinkie."

Join us, Pinkie Pie!

NO!

"And you can have all the parties your heart desires, once the rest of your friends join us, too. Don't you love to party?"

Please, Pinkie!

I want to see you!

I'm so lonely when it's just me and Fluttershy!

Stop it, Dashie.

Free yourself from your cutie mark.

In sameness, there is peace.

Difference is frustration.

Can't.....think...of...anything else....

Pinkie, we miss you so much!

I give up.

I just can't fight it anymore.

I don't like it here, but I can't do anything else about it.

I'm....sorry....Twilight....

"Shall we show your friends how much happier you are, Pinkie?'

"Of course, Starlight Glimmer!" I grinned. But I wasn't happy. I hate being forced to smile. It's not right.

"Pinkie...no!"

Twilight! I wanted to say I wasn't one of them, but I can't. That mark....that voice...they won't let me do it. I'm so sorry.

"Yes, Twilight! Join us! I'm very happy!" I lied.

I'm sorry.

You just gotta learn to smile through the tears, Pinkie.

Smile through the tears.

Be Generous of Your Equality

Oh, heavens to Celestia, it happened again! I thought Pinkie would manage to come through! She's been the most suspicious of all of us in here, about the smiles. I guess Starlight was too much for her. I saw Pinkie looking straight at me, her smile slowly shifting into a frown. Was she faking it? Are you there, Pinkie? It's me, Rarity!

Starlight glared at Pinkie for a moment, and her grin was back again.

I know the real Pinkie. I know she wasn't really one of them. I just hope she can make any contact with us soon.

"It's such a shame of what happened to Pinkie," said Applejack. "What are we gonna do now?"

I still had some hope left in me. "Pinkie isn't really one of them. I saw her frowning for a second when she was glaring at me. She's not happy, really!"

"I don't know, Rare," Twilight sighed. "I...just don't think we can do anything about it."

"Don't lose hope, darling! We're going to get our marks back!"

No matter how long you lock me in here, Starlight, I won't succumb to your....tackiness of curtains! Ugh! So...bland!

"Do we have any new friends, today?"

What do you want now, Starlight? I don't want to have anything to do with your village. I won't be your "friend". And those cloaks...so tacky!

"Aw..sad. I'll come back tomorrow morning!" The door shut.

All day I was thinking...was Pinkie okay? I was worried weather or not she was truly equal. She would never do such a thing, would she? Of course not. I know Pinkie. We've been through so much.

"Ya'll think that we should do somethin' Twi?" Applejack asked.

"I...don't think we can right now," Twilight replied. "But I think Pinkie isn't one of them. She looked miserable."

Finally, somepony gets it! "I agree, darling. I wouldn't believe for a minute that Pinkie would betray us in one day. She doesn't like the way they smile all the time."

"Whatever."

Had Twilight given up as well? No, she couldn't have. She's the Princess of Friendship, and she knows that equality isn't true friendship. I just have to keep saying no, every time Starlight checks on us in the morning. And that voice...I can't take it. Just keep saying no, Rarity.

"Do we have any of you who would like to join us today?"

"No." I said. Why can't you get it, Starlight?

"Let's try again tomorrow!"

"Any new friends today?"

"No!"

It's been days ever since Pinkie joined the village. Every morning when Starlight comes along, I say no. She's so stubborn, though! Couldn't she just give up already? I've said no a hundred times, can't you get that through your head?

I'm surprised I'm this stubborn. I'm actually tougher than I expected. Wouldn't I just have given in when I saw their poor faces? But I didn't. I'm strong. I'm beautiful.

Wait..are those curtains beautiful? Heh..they are..

Oh, dang it Rarity. You can't even tell what's tacky or not anymore. Will I keep saying no, or just join them as well? It's hard to tell. I've been fighting all this time, but I'm getting feebler by the minute.

"Any new friends?"

"No."

"Hm."

Was she planning something?

"Pinkie Pie would like to see you, Rarity."

No! They've all turned equal because they were persuaded by their friends! What are you doing, Pinkie? Don't take me!

"Pinkie, please!" I wailed. She dragged me over to a a table, where some muffins were. We were all alone.

Is she still in there?

"Pinkie," I said. "If you're still in there, tell me. We're alone."

"Rarity, I'm not happy.."

She was still in there! I knew she would never succumb to Starlight and the others!

"Oh..Pinkie!" I cried with joy. "I'm so happy you're still here. Now, let's get out of here so then we-"

"I..can't, Rarity."

"Why ever not? You're not truly equal."

"The voices...the mark..they won't let me."

"Pinkie, what are you-"

I saw her mark start to glow. Her expression changed from dull to terrified. She covered her ears with her hooves,

"No..get out...GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"Pinkie, calm down!"

"I can't, Rarity! Because I know you'll join us too! It's only a matter of time before you go insane like I did! Ugh..stop it with the voices! No..my mark won't stop glowing! They won't let me leave, Rarity!" Tears fell down her pink fur.

I felt terrible for the poor dear! I knew she wasn't equal, but she's gone downright mad! Pinkie was never like this. I have to do something about it!

"Pinkie Pie," I whispered. "You're not alone. I'm equal as well-"

My mark glowed. Pinkie seemed to notice.

"NO!" she cried.

After a few minutes, she calmed down. Thank Celestia nopony heard us.

"Rainbow Dash is walking towards us," Pinkie whispered. "Starlight is going to try to persuade you to join us to make you feel good about yourself, don't fall for it. She'll say how generous you are to her. Whatever you do, don't fall for her sweet talk."

I felt a hoof tap my back. Rainbow Dash was behind me. "Follow me," she orderd. As much as I didn't want to, Starlight was watching. I heeded Pinkie's warning, always on alert for any sweet talk, and never telling Pinkie's secret. We made it over to Starlight's cottage.

"Ah, Rarity," Starlight greeted. "I've heard you're very stubborn to me and the villagers, but we'll show you how happy it is to be free form your special talent."

"Shut up, you inconsiderate mule!"

Did I say that out loud? Oops.

"Be angry all you want, Rarity, but you'll never be generous to me if you argue with me."

There's the sweet talk.

Don't fall for it.

"And you're mane! It looks ever so tacky. Why don't we fix it?"

Tacky..what? She's trying to confuse me. Just keep saying no.

Snip.

My..mane and tail! It's been turned into a messy bun! Oh, I despise you, Starlight Glimmer! You should be locked away in Tarturus and never return to Equestria!

My mark glowed.

Hey..it doesn't look that bad...

"Go over to your cottage," Starlight commanded me. I obeyed. It's just a cottage, right? A tiny house can't persuade me to join an insane village.

The cottage was filled with flags with equal posters on the walls. Everywhere I look, I can't stop seeing equal signs. And even worse, my mark keeps glowing, like I actually enjoy this! Lies!

Why is it so relaxing to feel my mark glow?

Don't fall for the sweet talk.

I heard you, Pinkie. But it's a little hard when I'm sleeping in a cottage with equal signs all around me! I can't sleep at all! I'm so afraid I'll end up like Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Will I?

My mark glowed again. Stop glowing!

I know you're afraid, Rarity.

Starlight? Why are you in my head?

Because you've been doubting yourself, Rarity.

You're not real! It's just my imagination! If you are there, why are you up this late, anyway?

I saw Pinkie denying the village life as well. But, I'm fixing that as we speak.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?

Nothing. Face it, Rarity. Pinkie Pie is one of us now. Don't be sad, you can be happy with her.

Pinkie Pie told me not to fall for your sweet talk!

I'm only telling you the truth, Rarity. Oh, and how beautiful you are.

Beautiful? Why thank- no. I won't, Starlight.

Oh, but you will. You won't be able to tell your friends all about me, because you're one of us.

No, I'm not.

Scilence.

Starlight?

I'm...scared. Alone.

Why did it feel safe to have her around? She's...helpful...

You will be safe here, Rarity. Trust me.

I yawned, and my mark glowed.

Be generous with me, Rarity. It's okay to come out of hiding.

From where?

Your cage of a talent. You're free to do anything you need, beyond making clothing. You have a choice. And be generous to yourself as well. You have so much to give. To me, your friends, yourself.

I..do? My mark kept shining.

Indeed. Goodnight, Rarity.

Is this right? I guess I have nowhere else to turn. She's just so helpful and, supportive. She's my guide.

Thank you, Starlight Glimmer.

I promise to be generous to you.

You're welcome, Rarity. I'm always here.

"Rarity!"

"P..Pinkie?" Are you okay? You looked so sad yesterday. And I..."

"It's okay, Rarity. When Starlight told me you were happy, I was fine. I'm glad to see you have joined us."

"I..guess so."

"Come on, let's see if we have any new friends."

I followed her over to the other room, where Starlight was standing. I put on a small smile.

"Do we have any new friends?" Starlight asked.

How foolish of them to say no. She's the most supportive pony I've ever met.

I can give you all ever so much. Twilight? Are you there? Join me, won't you darling?

Be Honest with Yourself, Be Equal

I saw this comin'. Ah really thought that Rarity would end up like the rest of them. What did Starlight do to them all? It it just her fancy-shmancy magic?

"Ya'll can't force nopony to be friends," I said. "It just don't work like that."

The door shut.

"It's all over for us, Applejack." Twilight said. "You can't do anything to change it. They've changed."

"But, ah can!"

"No, Applejack. You'll become just like them, and I'll be the only one left."

It's so hard for me to sleep at night, they just don't get it. I thought we were going to get out of here, and get everyone's marks back. I never thought I would see this fateful day. This can't be the truth. I'm the Element of Honesty, and I can't lie to myself, and to my friends either.

Of course not, Applejack.

Hello, who said that?

Hello?

Ah well, I'm just goin' crazy.

"Good morning!"

"Ya'll," I said to my friends. "I wouldn't lie to ya. And I speak the truth when I say, you can't be happy when your equal."

"Oh, well." Starlight shut the door.

"Are ya'll gonna say anything, Twilight?"

"Nope."

She's acting like a horse raveled on a....ugh. I can't make my contryisms anymore. She's just actin' like Big Mac.

Oh, Big Mac! Apple Bloom! Granny Smith! Ah miss ya'll so much. I just want to run out of here, I want to see you again so badly, I hate this village, and Starlight too. I'm being honest with mah friends when I say, they've gone mad.

Are you really, Applejack?

Okay, I KNOW somepony just said that. Show yourself! I've got a knuckle sandwich with your name on it!

It's Starlight Glimmer, don't be afraid.

Where are you?

In my cottage. I'm in your head, I know telepathic magic.

Well, I won't fall for your tricks. No matter what you do, I'm staying with Twilight.

Be honest, Applejack. You will see the light. You are the Element of Honesty, you said it yourself.

Don't turn my element against me!

I am doing no such thing. You're lying to yourself, Applejack. You're free from your cutie mark now. And you will see your family again, once everything is done.

What do you mean?

Hello?

Come back!

I tried to tell Twilight what happened the next morning.

"She..spoke to me inside my head! What does this mean, Twilight?"

"Dunno."

"Twilight, talk to me. You've been silent for days. Ah know it's sad, but we're gonna get our marks back, you'll see."

"Nope."

"Twilight, please."

"Nope."

Ah, shoot. The one friend I have left barley talks to me. And I've got Starlight stalkin' me, too.

Where are you, Starlight?

I'm here. Have you finally decided to join us?

No way. Now, what's wrong with Twi?

She's going through the equalization.

It's looks like she's having a nightmare.

She just misses her friends. Perfectly natural during equalization.

You won't get away with this!

I was just trying to comfort you. You're lonely, aren't you? Twilight never talks to you anymore. I'm always here.

"Gah!" Twilight had awoken.

"You okay, Twilight?" I asked.

"Yeah, just another bad nightmare."

Starlight's voice ran through my mind.

I'm always here.

The next night had come.

Starlight?

Yes?

I'm scared.

About what?

About...being equal. It's just not right.

Now, Applejack, don't be afraid. I know it feels isolated without Twilight, so wouldn't it be much better to join your other friends?

I...uh...

I know you're confused.

Liar.

Would I lie to you?

Yes.

I know you only see the truth, Applejack. And, Twilight just doesn't want to be with you anymore. She's lost all hope.

No..it's not true!

You saw this from the start. I've seen how sad you are in there, seeing how happy everypony is out here. I know you want to be with them. YOU know you want to be with them.

I...

It's the truth.

It....

It is the truth.

I found it hard to believe, but I knew that Twilight just gave up on everything. She doesn't even speak to me anymore. And I've seen how happy they are out there. And I long to see my friends again.

Maybe being equal is for the better.

Yes it is, Applejack.

I'll be here for you every step of the way.

Thanks.

"Good morning! Did you finally accept our philosophy?"

Starlight looked,straight at me. I couldn't believe I was about to do this.

"Yes."

I looked over at Twilight. She was just staring, tears in her eyes. I felt terrible for doing this, but it felt right at the same time. It's for the better. I'll be happier here. I'm sorry.

"Congratulations, Applejack!" Starlight exclaimed. "You are now truly one of us, dear friend!" I smiled a bit. They were all cheering, for me.

I felt a lot less lonely now that I have more friends then I could have ever imagined. That reminds me, I need to see my old friends.

"Your mane looks fantastic!" Starlight said. My mane was put up into tidy pigtails. It was nice. My hat was gone, but I didn't need that anymore. Nopony would judge me, anyway.

"Thanks, I could get used to this."

"Oh, Applejack!" Rarity greeted me. "Welcome! I'm so happy you have joined us."

I felt a lot better now that my friends were with me. I had never seen them so happy. And I was happy with them.

"Ya'll are the best ponies I've ever met," I said, almost crying because I was overjoyed. "Thank you, Starlight Glimmer, I'm so very happy."

"You're welcome, Applejack."

"Hey, is Twilight alright? She seems mighty lonely in there."

Fluttershy smiled. "Don't worry, Applejack. She'll join us soon. Then we can all be happy together."

Yeah. Twilight was the only frowning face in the entire village, I felt so bad for her. I wanted her to join us.

I took a bite out of one of the muffins in front of me. They were certainly much better tasting than the ones we had when we first got here. My cutie mark started to glow. It felt...good.

My friends were all next to me, smiling. They were so happy. I wanted Twilight to join us, and be happy, too. And I couldn't wait.

Equality is happiness.

That's the only truth I need.

Equality is Magic

This can't be.

I'm very angry at Starlight Glimmer. All of my friends have left me, and gone for equality. I had faith in you, Applejack. But then, you just turned away from me. I'm sorry! I should have talked to you more!

Oh, whatever. She can't hear me. I'm all alone in this chamber. I'm so alone. I have no friends anymore.

I'm sorry, all of you. I wish I was there for you.

How will I get out of here? I have to get the marks back.

Maybe one of my friends....no. They are equal now. And my magic isn't working. The door will not open.

Maybe...yes.

Perfect.

"Any new friends today?"

Starlight.

It's time.

"Y-yes."
Everypony gasped.

"Is this true?"

"I..I think so. But I just want to be sure. If I agree to leave my cutie mark in the vault, will I really be happier?"

"Just look around! Equality has given us more happiness than you've ever known!"

"And you wouldn't just let me live in the village with my old cutie mark?"

"Out of the question. We are all equal here!"

I walked past Starlight.

I'm gonna do it.

Celestia, help me.

"Huh? What are you-"

I broke off into a run, as fast as my hooves could take me.

Find the vault, Twilight. Find the vault.

Where is it?

Yes! I see it up ahead!

Oh..my cutie mark. It's here! And my friends' marks, too!

Just..have to..levitate it back and..

"STOP HER!"

No!

It was too late. I felt my friends holding me down, and trapping me from getting out.

"Girls..please!" I wailed. They didn't listen.

"So," Starlight was behind me. "Did you really think you could get your precious cutie mark back? Pity. Well, there's only one thing to do now."

Do what?

Starlight lit up her horn.

Oh no.

My body felt the most agonizing pain in the world. It hurt so badly. But my friends just stood there.

Smiling.

What was she doing?

"Join us, Twilight!"

"We miss you!"

"Princess of Equality!"

Princess of...Equlaity? What are they talking about?

"What?" I asked.

Fluttershy grinned at me. "Why Starlight Glimmer, of course. The new Princess of Equality!"

I realized where all of that pain had come from.

Starlight had taken my wings.

She had become an alicorn.

"NO!" I shouted. "YOU ARE INSANE! HOW COULD YOU!"

"Foolish little unicorn," Starlight teased. "You saw this coming. Now that you are no longer a princess, you are worthless. And now, you'll become one of us."

This is a nightmare.

Wake up, wake up!

PLEASE!

No.

No no no no no.

How could she have done this?

She's a princess now. I have no wings.

And I'm back where I started, in this chamber.

With my friends.

And they wouldn't.

Shut.

Up.

"Join us!"

"You'll be happy!"

"We miss you!"

"Are you all BLIND!?" I shouted. "SHE JUST TOOK MY ALICORN WINGS! I'M NOT A PRINCESS ANYMORE!"

"It's for the greater good," Rarity reassured. "Behold the Princess of Equality!"

Then, they all seemed to chant a song.

"Behold, Behold!

The Princess Starlight Cometh!

Behold, Behold!

The Princess of Equality!

No.

Tears flowed from my purple eyes. They were right. Starlight was an alicorn princess.

"Twilight Sparkle," Starlight said to me as she swung the door open. "I would like to see you, please."

"No thank y-"

But my friends pushed me over to her cottage.

Starlight slammed the door shut.

"GIVE ME BACK MY WINGS!" I defended myself. I was furious.

"Twilight, face it." She cooed. "I have the magic now. I've drained all of your magic, and I've gotten your princess wings. Behold, The Princess of Equality!"

I noticed a small drop of water roll over her equal mark....

To reveal a real one.

"Ah ha!" I shouted. "You have lied to those villagers! You have your own cutie mark, and they-"

I suddenly lost my power to speak. Starlight must have put a spell on me.

"Uh, uh, uh," she said in a motherly tone. "We can't have that, now can we?" Her magic forced me to shake my head.

She's been lying all this time! And now I can't even tell the villagers the truth. I can't talk.

"Now, it is time you truly become one of us."

I would never do such a thing.

Suddenly, Starlight teleported us to some sort of cave, not the vault, just an ordinary cave.

"Where are we?" I defended angrily. I could speak again.

"Don't worry about that, Twilight," Starlight smiled. "Just relax."

Relax? HOW? I have no wings, no magic, no friends. I feel TERRIBLE.

"How do you feel, Twilight?"

"I feel happy to be equal," I said.

Did I really say that?

She's forcing me to say it! I tried to speak again, but my mouth wouldn't open.

"What is magic?" Starlight asked.

"Equality is magic!" I answered.

"Good."

Why do I keep saying that? It's not true! Friendship is magic, not equality!

" To what is to fail?"

"Excel."

No, it's not.

"What makes you trapped?"

"My special talent."

No! Equality is magic!

Wait. Did I get that right? I'm confused. What about friendship?

"What is magic?"

"Equality."

"What makes true friendship?"

"Equality."

Cutie marks make us special...what? No, silly me. Cutie marks lead to heartache and pain!

Right?

I don't know anymore.

"Are you happy when you are equal?"

"Yes."

"Are you better than your friends?"

"Yes- ah!"

A wave of pain struck through my body. Was I wrong?

"Wrong. You are no better than your friends."

"Sorry, Starlight Glimmer."

She smirked.

All of a sudden, my cutie mark glowed.

It felt amazing.

"Equality is what?"

"Magic."

It glowed brighter.

Good.

"Are you equal, Twilight Sparkle?"

"Yes, Starlight Glimmer."

I'm so confused! What's right and what's not?

"Equality is magic, Twilight Sparkle. Equality is the right thing, don't hold back. You have many friends around you."

Friends..when I'm equal? Of course! It all makes sense now. Equality is magic! I have many friends around me, just as Starlight said. And we won't have to disagree anymore. And all my friends are happy, too!

"Are you ready, Twilight?"

"For what?"

I suddenly felt pain overtake my body again, as if something was attaching to my body. But I remained happy, my smile getting as wide as a mile. As long as I am equal, I'm overjoyed!

It stopped. I felt something on my back.

My wings!

Starlight took us back to the village. It was sunset. All of the villagers stared in awe, right at me. What were they staring at? I saw my friends looking as well.

"Behold!" Starlight yelled, so the whole village could hear. "The Princess of Equality!"

"M...me?" I asked Starlight. "But..you are the founder!"

"Nonsense, Princess of Equality. You've proven to me that you are capable of this place in hierarchy. You are our leader now, Princess Twilight." She bowed down to me, as well as the rest of the village. I felt like the most special pony in Equestria.

I am the Princess of Equality!

It's been a few weeks ever since I was honored Princess by Starlight Glimmer. I'm so happy I chose to live here, everypony is so nice! My friends see me every single day, and, of course, we all smile together.

I could see Starlight walking toward my cottage.

"Princess?" she asked me.

"Yes, Starlight Glimmer?"

"I need you to do something very important."

"What?"

She used her teleportation magic to send us to the cutie mark vault. We were behind the Staff of Sameness.

"I..have a confession to make," Starlight said nervously.

"Go ahead," I allowed her to speak.

"This staff, it isn't really magical. It's just a wooden stick I found in the desert. Meadowbrook really had eight enchanted items, not nine." She went on. "I hope you can forgive me."

I looked her in the eyes, with a small smile on my face. "It's alright, Starlight. I knew you needed magic to remove those cutie marks. Now, what did you need me to do?"

Starlight took a deep breath.

"Unmark me."

"What?"

"You heard me. Remove my cutie mark and take yours back. You are the Princess of Equality now, remember? So, you need the magic in order to remove any more marks for those who come across us. Go ahead, Twilight. I'll give back yours, first."

Using her magic, Starlight lifted my cutie mark from the vault, and, it was returned to my body. My colors were back as well. I was free to do magic once more.

"Now," Starlight ordered. "Remove mine."

"Are you sure?"

"Do it."

I proceeded to use the Staff to lift up Starlight's whole body, and remove her mark. She was in great agony, but it was removed shortly after. She looked much happier.

"Thank you, Princess," she said. "Now I am truly equal."

"But, what about the villagers?" I asked. "I can't lie to them."

"Tell them. They will understand."

"Fellow ponies," I yelled, the many ponies stood around me. "You must understand, I must keep my cutie mark, in order to remove any more marks of new ponies that shall come across our village."

"We understand, Princess!" yelled a villager.

"Yeah, they need their mark removed!"

"I agree!"

Shortly after the cheering died down, Starlight Glimmer stood next to me.

"Everypony," she yelled. "I have a confession. My old equal mark, it wasn't true. I also had to keep my cutie mark in order to remove yours. I hope you can forgive me."

Mummers of confusion emerged from the crowd.

"It's alright," I reassured. "Don't be angry! I still have to keep mine."

The villagers made it back to their cottages, and soon, me and Starlight were the only two ponies outside.

"Thanks, Princess," Starlight whispered. "For getting this off my chest."

"No problem," I said. "Now, get some rest."

I lay down in my bed, in my new cottage. I never knew my life would change like this, Princess of Equality, they would call me. I'm so happy it managed to end up like this. All of my friends are happy, Starlight is happy, and, I am happy.

To be equal.

Because equality,

is the true magic of friendship.

The Glimmer of it All

Ha!
They actually fell for it. Sure, I am no longer leader of the village, but I have a princess who can spread equality all over Equestria! And I thought they were going to get the marks back. But no! Because I...Starlight Glimmer, will be remembered as the one who started equality, and I created harmony!

We will move out soon enough. Twilight and her friends will eventually convert all of Ponyville to a fully equal town! And after that, all of Equestria!

First the princesses' cutie marks, then beyond that! We will conquer all of Equestria! Now that the Elements of Harmony are equalized.

I'd never thought I'd managed to see this day.

"Princess Twilight!"

"Yes, Starlight?"

"I have a plan, where all of Equestria will be equalized, just like us."

"Really? That's great! Where shall we start?"

A smirk slowly grew on my face as I thought of the power I will soon have over Equestria.

"Canterlot."