Shattered Equestria

Jagged Reflections

By

TheSleeplessOne

This story has been partially proofread and edited by Icarus720. A big thanks to him! Any additional errors should be pointed out in the comments section.

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Pinkie Pie Arc: Chapter 6 - A Wish Come True

Pinkie Pie was all too happy to share every thought that went through her head to the group. Between her constant random conversation and the mysterious sound effects that accompanied her odd style of travel — a bouncing, springy sound — Sweetie Belle didn't think she would make it. On the other hoof, Spike felt more comfortable around Pinkie Pie and didn’t seem to mind her antics, sometimes finding them funny or joining in on the conversations.

Due to the nature of Pinkie Pie and her likeness to Queen Pinkamena, a train directly to Canterlot was out of the question. With no formal transportation to take them to Canterlot, they had to hoof it. It was many hours of physically exhausting travel, and mentally exhausting Pinkie Pie, before they reached Canterlot Castle.

The city had seen better days. The normal sounds of thriving commerce were replaced by a horrible silence. It created an eerie tranquility, similar to a forest devoid of animals because a predator was on the prowl. With each breeze scents of sulfur and rot would drift past their noses; this was especially hard on Pinkie Pie, who was used to smells of sweets. Every door and window was shut or barred, the ponies inside daring not to come out. The only signs of life within the city were the uniquely outfitted guards of Pinkamena. Their bright uniforms created a bizarre contrast to the faded white of the city and its castle.

“Wow! I've been here lotsa times and it is always so pretty,” Pinkie Pie said while darting around the gate, peering at the desolate city. “Must be something really serious going on for Princess Celestia to evacuate!”

Sweetie Belle’s stare could have frozen a river. “No one has seen Princess Celestia in a year; she disappeared shortly after yo-Pinkamena became queen.” Her voice grew angrier as she continued, Pinkie Pie’s personality and her own fear wearing on her. “My sister, Rarity, is here too… somewhere. S-she left and my parents never returned after their trip to Canterlot.” The anger in her voice bled away, replaced by fear. “I’ve heard rumors of the city being abandoned but this…”

Spike put a comforting claw on Sweetie Belle’s mane. “Twilight is here too. We’ll see them as soon as we deli-arrive with Pinkie Pie.” His reassuring smile towards Pinkie Pie felt as fake as his confidence in what they were doing. His eyes lingered on her, bringing to the forefront of his thoughts the faded necklace that looked so familiar. Every time he'd seen it during their trip he had wanted to ask but Pinkie Pie gave no openings for conversation outside of her ramblings.

Pinkie Pie couldn't help but notice Spike staring in her direction. She followed his eyes down to her chest and gasped. She had completely forgotten about her Element of Harmony. I can find my friends with this. But something isn’t right, Pinkie Pie thought to herself.

“I've been meaning to ask about that necklace. I saw Queen Pinkamena wearing it a long time ago,” Spike mentioned, his demeanor returning to the lazy, casualness he'd exhibited earlier. “Although, it is missing the gem,” He said, pointing his claw toward the empty jewel socket.

Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened in alarm as she jerked her head down toward the necklace. Her hooves swept over the barren necklace, increasing in speed with her breathing. At a point of near hyperventilation, she began rummaging through her mane and tossing out all manner of objects. “No, this isn’t it! We don’t even need to speak English.” She screamed, tossing an odd looking box with a harness and the words X-Com engraved in the base toward the bewildered bunch. With a crash of metal, one of her party cannons fell to the ground, almost as big as she was. “Can never have too many balloons… how old are these cupcakes? Oooh, a signed copy of Dusk Shine’s book, but no…” Her hooves became a pink blur as more and more objects flew from her mane to the ground until it was littered with an assortment of both familiar and foreign objects. “How could I lose my Element of Harmony? How are we supposed to beat the baddies if we can’t do the awesome rainbows… ugh.” The whine in her voice tapered off as she put her hooves over her head in defeat.

Both Sweetie Belle and Spike’s eyes were locked onto Pinkie Pie’s antics. Sweetie Belle had seen some of Twilight’s magic and the amazing things her sister could do with fabric but this… this was beyond logic. She thought about it and only one answer made sense. This had to be changeling magic. The uneasiness of turning this… thing in vanished and she looked towards Spike, trying to gauge his thoughts from his face. When their eyes met, it was obvious they had reached the same conclusion.

“I bet the queen will know where your Element of Harmony is, although I recall my sister having one as well.” Sweetie Belle looked to the ground remembering Rarity. The memory of her sister’s Element of Harmony was fuzzy at best, but the Element of Harmony had been an important part of her sister’s life. She only remembered the shape, a purple diamond similar to her cutie mark. It felt familiar, her sister’s piece of jewelry was very similar to the empty one around Pinkie Pie’s neck. Her eyes lit up for a moment before returning to normal with a thin veil of distrust for the more observant viewer. “Wasn’t the queen one of the bearers at some point, Spike?”

Spike thought about it while searching Sweetie Belle’s eyes for a hint of the answer she wanted him to give. “I remember there being six bearers when Nightmare Moon was beaten and I’m pretty sure Queen Pinkamena was one of them. I bet she still has it, ya know? It is probably why I remember seeing it on her before.” Sweetie Belle gave a slight nod and Spike sighed in relief seeing his explanation met her approval.

“You really think so?” Pinkie Pie was already back to her normal self with the news. “Gosh, we really should meet the queen if she has an Element of Harmony.” She continued with little grunts and her voice becoming strained as she started to put the plethora of items back into her mane. “I don’t remember there being more than six elements or any other ponies when we rainbowed up Nightmare Moon.” Her hooves came to a stop as she came to a realization. “If I haven’t met them yet I still have to throw them a ‘Congratulations on Beating Nightmare Moon Party’! If this keeps up I may have to combine some of these parties together!” She put the last of the items back into her mane and giggled with excitement.

“Uh, sure… Pinkie Pie. There will be plenty of time for parties after we meet the queen.” Spike wasn’t sure why the rambling pony didn’t get on his nerves more. He could only chalk it up as some changeling ability causing his ease around her. “We should get going instead of wasting time. We all have someone we need to meet in the castle and I don’t know about you but the sooner the better.” He couldn’t hold the edge in his voice as his excitement grew. Twilight was only a short while away and it had been so long.

Sweetie Belle faced the city and began the short trot to the gate, keeping watch for anything odd. The city was nearly abandoned and they still didn’t know why. She suspected that Rarity had been working with her friends to stop some threat to the kingdom and the town had become a danger zone. “Keep your eyes open because this town gives me a bad feeling.”

Pinkie Pie bounced after Sweetie Belle with Spike taking his time in the rear. As they moved through the silent town the guards standing near the walls might as well have been decorations, their colorful helmets never moving but the group could feel their eyes upon them. Before the trio ever arrived at the wall, both guards surprised them by pushing open the double-sided brass gate, clearing the path to the castle.

“Huh, they sure do seem to know us, but I don’t remember ever meeting them…” Pinkie Pie stared with suspicion at both guards, trotting past them after she was satisfied. She craned her head around and wiggled her hooves while making silly faces. Neither guard even acknowledged her presence. Pinkie Pie was never one to balk at a challenge and this only made her try harder. She stopped and turned ready to get even a little chuckle from either guard. She saw the guards begin to move away from her — wait, no, she was moving away from them.

Sweetie Belle strained and dug her hooves into the ground pulling Pinkie Pie towards the castle by latching onto her tail with her teeth. Enough was enough. She would see her sister immediately and this changeling was done delaying her. There was an odd popping noise and she fell onto her flank, a fluffy pink tail with a nail on it dangling from her mouth.

“If you wanted to play pin the tail on the pony you could have asked.” Pinkie Pie said wiggling her empty rump towards Sweetie Belle.

Spike was becoming accustomed to these strange occurrences and had to fight back a fit of laughter. He knew that Sweetie Belle was getting frustrated and while he found the last bit hilarious, his yearn to see Twilight overrode any feelings of mirth. “Pinkie Pie, she’s right, we really do need to get into the castle. If this is serious they may need our help and I’m not letting Twilight down again.” His eyes hardened as he finished the sentence.

“Fiiine, let's go see the potentially scary queen who looks like me and is probably the reason for the gore tag.” Pinkie Pie said in a blur of words rolling her eyes.

Neither Sweetie Belle nor Spike understood what she had said but it sounded like an acceptance so they continued on towards the castle. They also didn’t notice her tail was back where it should be, attached and unharmed.

As they neared the large golden castle door Pinkie Pie could see the familiar heart in the middle. As she got closer she noticed something strange about the heart, deep rusty gouges were carved into it. Flecks of red were embedded in each gouge with the area around them brighter than the rest as if hastily cleaned.

The strange smells of the city had also grown quite strong, with the worst of it coming from the castle gardens. Out of everything around the castle the garden was thriving, the plants and flowers vibrant and plentiful. Several fruit-bearing trees were so bountiful their lower branches were brushing the ground. None of this should have seemed odd, yet the combination of decay and growth stood out.

For the first time since she arrived, Sweetie Belle’s gut was screaming at her get as far away from here as possible. But like always, she never listened to her gut; it always took the fun out of anything exciting. She gave herself a good shake to knock the bad feelings out and proceeded forward.

Spike reached the door first and inspected the gouges. “These are the same color and smell as the scrolls I’ve been receiving from the castle. I-I don’t know what they mean.” His faded purple scales seemed to pale, if that was even possible. There was something primal about this smell, something that quickened his breath and heightened his senses. It’d been this way since the first letter arrived. The only difference then was an instinctual fear that always turned to Twilight.

“I’ve never seen this color in Rarity’s workshop before either.” Sweetie Belle reached the door hesitating, before taking a deep breath and rapping her hoof against it. She felt the same ominous pressure as the others but her determination to find or help Rarity helped hold it at bay.

Stone ground on stone as the doors swung inward, a blast of air releasing itself from the castle. The smell was horrifying, and nothing in their varied experiences could have prepared them for it. Sweetie Belle almost fainted on the spot but caught herself with a burst of willpower. She didn’t know what the smell signified but she would have fled if not for the firm image of Rarity. Spike seemed unaffected by the smell, peering around inside the castle but not moving an inch. Had either of them been watching Pinkie Pie they would have seen a dangerous glint in her eyes, something deep trying to awaken but only for a moment.

Pinkie Pie’s face scrunched up and her eyes closed. “Ewwwwwww, someone needs to take out the trash. This place smells like Gilda’s breath. She's really in your face and I’m not sure if they make breath mints for Griffons.”

The ground shook when the doors hit the inner walls, opening as far as they could. Two of the colorful guards were pulling chains attached to the doors to keep them open. As the light washed inside the castle, rows upon rows of tapestries lined the walls leading up to the intertwined marble staircase. Each tapestry was made of an unknown material and covered in fine fur. Perfectly cut squares of the material were stitched together with expert care, each with a different cutie mark represented. Almost like a hall of history for famous ponies but many of the cutie marks looked familiar. A bundle of carrots, a red plus surrounded by smaller hearts, a gold and blue compass rose, and a collection of bubbles were a few of the many cutie marks seen on the tapestries.

The display was beautiful if not for the stone walls they were draped upon. Random bits of decayed red and etched lines were scattered randomly along the walls. Several spots had spatter like a blooming rose, the same hasty cleaning technique apparent on each. It didn’t take long for Sweetie Belle to figure out what it was. It was blood. The gouges, spatters, and stains on the wall were blood. Her gaze followed the wall back to the door and then she saw the carpet.

The carpet leading to the stairs was two halves of the purest white and night-time blue, the fur on top so delicate and soft she couldn’t imagine where it came from. The carpet swapped sides at the beginning of the stairs and each stair was lined with sun sigils and crescent moons. On top of the twin staircase stood Queen Pinkamena. Her mane was straight and a faded pink with no jewelry or crown. Her head was cocked sideways and a half grin crawled up her face. Large, dilated pupils stared with an unknown hunger at her guests, the orbs flitting between each one of them.

“Welcome, welcome! We-I haven’t had guests of honor in so long… So. Long.” The pitch was all wrong, it sounded like Pinkie Pie but with a restrained screech overlapping the tones. Her eyes continued to dart between her guests with each word. “Bring them in, I really want to meet them, especially the one that looks. Like. Me.” Snorts and giggles followed the statement, ending abruptly as her eyes locked with Pinkie Pie’s.

Pinkie Pie wasn’t sure what to think. This castle was super creepy and there she was at the top of stairs. Only it wasn’t her, the familiarity ending on the outside. She could definitely see how ponies had been mixing her up with this queen. For now, she decided on simply getting to know her; she’d found over many parties not to judge a pony by their looks. The decor would definitely need some talking about, however, because Rarity would simply have died at the sight of any of this. She smiled and waved her hooves back at the queen to hopefully lighten her mood.

Sweetie Belle started to back away from the castle doors, her realization of the sights and smells destroying any confidence she had left. She bumped into something solid with a “ding”. Despite her mind’s urging, her body responded at a snail's pace. A small ring of colorful knights had surrounded the door, barring exit. Seeing no escape, Sweetie Belle did the only thing she could do. She crept back and rejoined the group, her mind reeling and trying to understand the situation she was in. The only sign that she was breaking were silent tears forming in her eyes.

Spike’s scaled eyes were narrowed as he also took in the atmosphere of the room. He wasn’t stupid and his mind had already put together that something terrible was going on. A cursory glance confirmed that Twilight’s cutie mark was nowhere to be found in the tapestries. With an inward sigh of relief he got down to business. “We brought the changeling. I dunno if you got the scroll or not but we’re here.”

“Oh! Oh! I got the scroll. I was so excited that you brought the grand prize of my bounty hunt!” She maintained her half-smile while licking her lips, her eyes never leaving Pinkie Pie. “And of course you both get a gift for being so good at it! Come to the throne room with me, just you two,” she pointed at Spike and Sweetie Belle, “and I’ll reward you.” Her face swapped into a perfect, wide smile and motioned for them to come forward.

Turning her head towards Pinkie Pie and spoke words as sweet as any candy, “Don’t worry! We’ll have our time together Pinkamena. I would never leave a creature like you out of the fun.” The cheery smile never faltered but a hunger was growing in her eyes.

For all her ability to point out the obvious, Pinkie Pie was oblivious to it. She saw that smile and couldn’t keep her own from growing. One on one time with the queen is what she needed. To sort this whole thing out and rejoin her friends, wherever they were.

Without a word, the rainbow guard filed rank around the group separating Spike and Sweetie Belle from Pinkie Pie. The armor these guards wore was different from any they’d encountered so far. Devoid of the constant grinding of metal on metal, the only sound they made were organized thumps of hooves striking the carpet. What little flesh the armor exposed was pale and sickly, covered in patches of hair outnumbered numerous scars. They gave little room for argument as they split and began marching forward, leaving a ring around Pinkie Pie.

Sweetie Belle and Spike found their way up the stairs and followed Queen Pinkamena towards the throne room.

“Do you like the castle? Rarity and I really worked hard on it… It is made from such a hard to get material.” Queen Pinkamena’s head whipped around and the entire procession stopped. The same terrible eyes from the past now stared directly into Sweetie Belle.

It was like an enormous weight was suddenly on her shoulders. Sweetie Belle couldn’t move or speak; she knew she should muster up a smile for the queen but she was paralyzed. Once it became obvious they would stand there until she gave an answer she swallowed her fear and answered. “I-if Rarity w-worked on it then it must be in fashion. D-do… do you know where she is?”

The queen just stared at her for a long while until her body began to shake in silence. Her mouth opened and little giggles became genuine laughter. “Oh, it is ironic, yes! Her contract expired, but she had done such a… fitting job that I just couldn’t extend it.” In a single breath, the laughter stopped and Queen Pinkamena’s face darkened. “She worked herself stiff and is currently taking a break.”

Her hoof came up to her mouth and a mixture of snickering and giggles started before she turned and began trotting towards the throne room again. “Oh, and I am sooooo curious, what will you wish from me, Sweetie Belle?” Despite her eyes facing the hallway, Sweetie Belle could feel them peering at her with monstrous intensity.

Being reminded of her reason for coming to the castle gave her a temporary reprieve from the fear gripping her. She took a stronger pose as she continued to walk and replied, “I came here to help Rarity. Or… well at least to be with her again because it has been a year and neither her or my parents ever came back.” A strange sense of relief flooded her when the queen didn’t laugh at her request. It did little to battle the continued presence of Pinkamena, however.

“I am more than happy to give you that if you wish.” The queen stopped again and one of the guards obscured Sweetie Belle’s vision of the queen. The next words came in a whisper, directly into her right ear. “I made a Pinkie Promise not to let you be with Rarity. That was her wish.”

With a yelp, Sweetie Belle’s heart began pounding and her head swung toward the voice. Queen Pinkamena’s voice next statement whispered into her left ear, devoid of emotion.

“Of course, if you want me to use your wish to break that Pinkie Promise, I will have no choice as you brought me a changeling.”

Before Sweetie Belle could check her left side she heard laughter from the front of the procession where she had last seen the queen. A quick check on her left revealed no pony there as well. She knew she was a foal in a monster’s den but it was too late to back out now. “Yes, I’ll do anything to see Rarity… please let me see her.” A whimper of hope accompanied Rarity’s name.

Even as afraid as she was her mind had already sprung into motion. ”Why wouldn’t Rarity want to see me? Have I done something?” She knew her sister, she’d help raise her and wouldn’t abandon her on a whim. There had to be a good reason for all this, and when they were reunited, she’d find out.

The grin that spread on Queen Pinkamena’s face could have touched her ears. Had either Spike or Sweetie Belle been able to see it, they would not have proceeded further. She couldn’t have wished for things to turn out better than they were. Of course, she wasn’t the one wishing anything.

They reached the throne room and stopped. Queen Pinkamena barked an order to her guards, “Just Sweetie Belle, the dragon comes after.” The guards formed the same circle around Spike as they had Pinkie Pie and two took up positions on either side of the throne room.

“No, but, Twilight..” Spike stammered out. “What about Twilight!”

The queen’s eyes turned in their sockets with the speed of non-interest. “You’ll get your turn silly dragon. I wonder if all dragons are impatient or if it’s just you.” A grin that could only be described as something an experimenter might don when a test subject responded appropriately, appeared as she went on. “Twilight is here, and she is working on the longest and most important question any pony could ask. I’m sure she’ll welcome your help!”

Spike's eyes widened at the answer. Twilight was here and needed his help. He knew his job as number one assistant was to help her reach an answer, especially to such a question. He couldn't help but wonder why Twilight hadn't called him earlier. But then he remembered how she got when she was engrossed with a problem with no obvious answer. She probably hadn’t eaten or slept properly since she left and time would be a foreign subject at this point. Spike nodded to himself and engrossed his mind with what would come next. He would do what he always did in this situation, make sure Twilight had everything she needed because what else would a number one assistant do?

Queen Pinkamena beckoned Sweetie Belle inside, the insane grin replaced with another genuine smile of delight. As both ponies entered, the doors swung shut behind them with a resounding boom.

******

For Pinkie Pie, confusion was a daily occurrence, but now she was confused because her friends had just abandoned her. She didn't like the tight ring of guards surrounding her either. They didn't move and so far were immune to her best jokes, almost as if they were dead. As she thought about her predicament an idea struck her. These guards haven’t responded to jokes or gags but what about games? It was against Pinkie Pie’s very nature to let anypony leave without having fun, these guards would be no exception.

“Hey there! I bet you are in a bad mood cause you never get to play!” The sound of Pinkie Pie’s voice seemed to cause the guards to turn their heads in her direction but otherwise, they remained statues. She couldn't resist a smile at the prospect of cheering these disgruntled ponies up. “Let’s play… hide and seek!. Now, you need to close your eyes and count to ten and then find me!” Her eyes were wide at the prospect and her hooves came together in excitement.

Every guard obeyed her without hesitation, their eyes closing behind the small slits in their helms. The guards counted to ten with difficulty but when the first reached that number, he opened his eyes and Pinkie Pie was gone. Each guard did as Queen Pinkamena had ordered, and continued with the game regardless. They knew what happened if they didn’t.

******

The throne room was lacking the hoof-stitched banners adorning the entrance of the castle. However, the black and white carpeting split off running up to two thrones, one solid black and the other a pure white. The beautiful white marble walls were stained with the same marks of as the entrance to the castle. The stained glass murals were the only thing in the room untouched, except for one.

The mural showing the defeat of Nightmare Moon had hoof sized holes with spider web cracks running all throughout it. Around each of the banishing ponies were words like fake, liar, and revenge written over and over in dried blood, some illegible due to the wide, erratic hoofwriting.

The smell that permeated the rest of the castle was overpowering in this room. Despite having become accustomed to the smell, Sweetie Belle’s nostrils burned and her eyes watered. The room was empty except for the queen and her. With blurry vision she scanned the room for a way to escape the offending odor. Besides the massive stone door behind her, she could only see one other exit. A passageway near the black throne leading somewhere, the light was too dim for her to see inside.

“W-what ha-happened here…” Sweetie Belle stammered her legs struggling to hold her weight. She took a second look around the room with red eyes, stinging tears beginning to streak down her cheeks.

Queen Pinkamena slowed and looked at the filly. Her eyes looked through Sweetie Belle at nothing, her face shifting between a myriad of emotions. Concern, fear, hate, sadness, and the last almost looked like grief. But the mask settled back into a smile that made her eyes look crooked and her features small. Only one word passed through those lips, “War.”

“War? I-I don’t understand.” She didn’t have the experience or the knowledge to comprehend Queen Pinkamena’s word. There had never been a war in Equestria in her lifetime or strife beyond Nightmare Moon and now Queen Pinkamena. Of course, she knew what the word meant, a long fight between two entities. But who was Queen Pinkamena at war with?

Queen Pinkamena’s eyes narrowed and the smile faded into a thin line. Glancing back at the mural, her eye twitched. The words she wanted to say hung in her mouth before she looked back to Sweetie Belle.

She seemed to grow larger as she towered over Sweetie Belle, looking down upon her as one might a disobedient child. She growled, deep and guttural, “War. We were attacked by things pretending to be us, pretending to be me.” The last word almost didn’t make it out through the queen’s clenched teeth. She had difficulty containing her anger, to think that some creatures would try to play with her feelings like her friends had all those years ago. She had killed them all of course, except that pesky queen. But now she had a living changeling who would give her that information. They would pay like all the others had.

Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and sunk to the ground at the power in that voice. While she was young, she understood the feeling of her imminent death. That same feeling when she had locked eyes with the queen before now flooded throughout her body.

Her body was ready for the blow that was to come but instead she felt the ground shifting beneath her and the sound of a spring bouncing around her. Sweet words that sounded like Pinkie Pie’s reached her ears, “Get up! Get up! Rarity can help you understand!” One eye cracked open and looked up to see Queen Pinkamena bouncing around her cowering form with the happiest smile she’d ever seen. The queen spoke more honeyed words, “I’ll show you if you follow me! It will all make sense then!”

The oppressive fear began to lift and the horrible gut instinct of doom disappeared. Once again, Sweetie Belle found the strength to stand. She couldn’t keep her thoughts together, and focused on the only one that mattered, seeing Rarity. “Will you take me to Rarity, please?” The last word was almost pleading. She could see the queen nod her head and begin to bounce towards the door behind the throne. The queen began to hum a strange melody she had never heard before and as they proceeded towards the throne she would catch the word “Smile” drifting through the air between hums.

Compared to the throne room the passageway leading downward was spotless. The white marble looked polished, almost new. None of the odd material that was carpet or hung on the walls could be found inside. The farther they got inside the darker it became until Sweetie Belle used a bit of magic to make her horn glow. She couldn’t produce enough to compete with a lamp but she could see in front of her enough to follow the queen.

Fear was creeping in on her again but she distracted herself with conversation, “Why is Rarity down here in the dark? This doesn’t seem like somewhere she’d be.” Her words were barely audible but the marble walls amplified them toward the queen.

“Silly filly, Rarity is down here because this is where she needs to be. Once you get your wish you’ll understand, and I Pinkie Promise,” Queen Pinkamena stopped and put her hoof over her eye, little fits of giggles escaping between her words, “you’ll never have to leave your sister again.”

The words felt off but had a hint of truth to Sweetie Belle. “O-ok, I hope she isn't much further.”

They reached a very pink door with a cupcake handle. This area was brighter than the rest, an inviting warm glow surrounding the door. It stood out from the white marble and looked like something a child might build. For some reason, Sweetie Belle was no longer aware of the terrible smell that had hung in the castle and instead the smell of cinnamon and baked goods wafted past her nose. No sound came from beyond the door or inside the tunnel, only their own hooves striking the stone floor had disturbed the silence.

Queen Pinkamena turned the cupcake and the door began to creak open. “This is a very special room. I make sure it smells like home and it holds my most valuable possessions. Rarity is safe inside here…” Her face was completely neutral for the first time. She motioned inside the room and gave a warm smile towards Sweetie Belle. The sound of air rushing into her nose was replaced with a sigh as she enjoyed the aromas.

Sweetie Belle felt a hoof on her rear and with a gentle push, she was through the door. It was just as dark in the room but the same hoof moved to her back and guided her towards her goal. After only a few steps, the light from her horn brought a smiling Rarity into view. Rarity looked a little worse for wear but she was obviously happy to see Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle broke down on the spot and cried; her tears no longer of fear but happiness. Rarity stood there motionless still smiling at Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle galloped towards her embracing her in the hug she so desperately needed. However, Rarity did not hug her back. Rarity just kept smiling and smiling and smiling. It didn’t take Sweetie Belle long to realize her sister felt stiff and cold. She also wobbled a bit when Sweetie Belle put her weight into the hug.

It was then she noticed the light reflecting off the pole heading towards the ground. It was attached to a large metal ring and looked familiar. Her breath quickened as she recognized exactly where that she had seen that ring before.

Her panic caused magic to surge into her horn and the area around her lit up. Rarity was only a face, made of sewn together skin and preserved to perfection, hanging on a mannequin from the shop that Sweetie Belle had been keeping clean for her sister’s eventual return. Her breath now came in short gasps as she stared at the forever smiling Rarity and heard snorts and giggles behind her.

“Oh, yes! My favorite part! The punchline...” Her words dragged into laughter that echoed in the tiny room. Queen Pinkamena was rolling on the floor holding her sides and the longer she laughed the more deranged it became. “The punchline...” More laughter filled the room. “The punchline is… Rarity worked herself stiff! Get it? I almost told you upstairs but I kept it together and boy was it worth it!”

Sweetie Belle backed away from Queen Pinkamena and the mockery of her sister until she felt the cold unforgiving marble press against her flank. Her mind couldn’t make out words to say, her mouth working through the motions. She was getting dizzy from the short breaths and the room began to spin. Her flank slid down the wall until she was sitting with her mouth hanging open, eyes twin moons in the darkness. The sound of her heart pounding out of her chest drowned out the continued laughter.

Queen Pinkamena stopped laughing and stood up, half her body hidden in the darkness. “You know what is even funnier?” She asked, her tone icy. “No matter what I did to her, the only way I could get her to teach me how to sew and furnish my castle was to Pinkie Promise never to bring you here.”

Her hooves struck the stone as she backed away until only her eyes and teeth could be seen reflecting from the darkness. “I don’t break Pinkie Promises. I never brought you here, but I wanted to. Oh, how happy you were with your friends and your sister. How I wanted to break you like they broke me.” Pupils dilated in the darkness and the mouth became a half-smile. “But, a promise is a promise and the castle looks sooooooo good! And speaking of promises… I made one to you earlier. Don’t worry, I already told you~” She said her tone growing into more of one for singing. “I don’t break my promises~” With the final word both her eyes and mouth disappeared completely into the darkness.

Reality slammed back into Sweetie Belle as her survival instinct kicked in. Her fear powered her magic and her horn glowed brighter illuminating the rest of the room.

Queen Pinkamena was gone but that is not what scared her most. Rarity wasn’t the only mannequin in the room. Sweetie Belle recognized Rarity’s four other friends all arranged neatly and smiling.

On the other side of the sickly sweet smelling room was a table and several leather tanning supplies. Fleshing beams, fleshing knives, fur pelting knives, and a table to work them on filled that portion of the room. The rest of the room was clean and tidy, nothing out of place, organized in a way the rest of the castle couldn’t compete with.

“Do you like it…” A voice whispered into her ear and she felt a sting that turned into agonizing pain in the small of her back a few inches below her neck. The pain faded as the pressure reached an intensity and gave way with a pop, her back legs going limp and a hoof wrapping around her mouth to muffle her scream. Her front hooves struggled to find grip on the floor and her back legs refused to work. “Now, now… I love it when they run but,” her voice changed sounding very close to Rarity’s, “Spikey-Wikey doesn't need any spoilers. And my dear, you are simply going to look fabulous!” She felt something slide deeper into her back and it was getting harder to breathe. No matter how much she coughed she couldn’t get the liquid in her lungs to stop pouring out of her mouth. The pain had returned but it was deep inside her and becoming distant with each heartbeat. She saw a ruby handle gripped by a pink hoof rise and fall and then her vision faded, the pain and terror drifting away like a bad dream.

Her vision returned and the small awful room was gone. All she could see was the boutique she had worked so hard to preserve. Rarity waited inside the door and looked sad. Sweetie Belle trotted forward, her legs moving again. There was no pain, only a comforting warmth that enveloped her. As she approached the boutique, the fake sweetness faded away replaced with the familiar smell of clothing. When she reached her sister, she felt the hug she had wanted for so long finally enveloping her. She looked up to see the sadness gone, replaced by a sympathizing look. Wrapping her hooves around Rarity, she nuzzled into her mane, holding back tears. Rarity stroked her mane and turned towards the door. “It’s over now darling, let’s go inside, together.”

Those were the final words she heard as her heart stopped beating. Her contorted face relaxed, looking almost content on her lifeless body. Somewhere, the door to a boutique closed.

Author's Note

This chapter really got to me. It ended up being longer than I intended and some had to be moved to chapter 6. I hope you enjoy it! Be sure to tell me how it made you feel in the comments.

Also be sure to vote in the strawpoll, which can be found in the description, comments, and blog. It helps me to understand which arc to prepare for and gives you some control over story order.

Thanks for reading!