The Darkening

Applejack sat up in her bed with a start, her wide eyes scanning the shadows of the room as the fur on the back of her neck stood on end. Brushing her mane out of her face with a shaking hoof, she slowly climbed out of bed. She grabbed her hat off of the bedpost more out of instinct than desire and peered out of the opened window.

The full moon was high in the sky, bathing the rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres in a luminescent glow. A light breeze rustled through the leaves and wafted the crisp scent of apples over her, but no other sound disturbed the quiet night.

Applejack frowned. She had no idea what had awoken her, or why she was so unnerved. Everything seemed perfectly ordinary, except…

Her frown deepened as she slowly became aware of the absence of the nighttime creatures. There was no chorus of insects, nor a single hoot from an owl. Nothing other than the wind moving through the leaves. Had that been what had interrupted her sleep?

Suddenly, a distant scream echoed over the farm.

Her breath catching in her throat, Applejack stumbled back from the window. "What in Celestia's..." She trailed off as another scream reverberated over the land. "They're...they're comin' from Ponyville!"

Immediately, her thoughts turned to just two days previous, when they had discovered Fluttershy’s remains mere hours after realizing Twilight had gone missing. Could this be linked? Was Ponyville even now under attack?

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack gasped, her blood running cold. Galloping out of her room, she skidded to a halt as her little sister came waddling into the hallway rubbing her eyes.

"Applejack?" Apple Bloom said as she blinked rapidly up at her sister. "I thought I heard something outside."

Hurriedly throwing a foreleg around Apple Bloom and pulling her close, Applejack spoke softly to the little filly. "Stay close. We need to get the others."

"What's happening?" Apple Bloom asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," Applejack replied. "Just hush now, and stay close."

Moving as quickly as she could while clutching Apple Bloom against her chest, Applejack entered Big McIntosh's room and found him staring out of the window.

As their eyes met, she gave him a meaningful look and hugged Apple Bloom close. "Did you hear it?"

"Hear what?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Eeyup," answered Big Mac.

"Go wake Granny and meet me in the livin' room," Applejack instructed.

"What did you hear?" Apple Bloom asked again as Big Mac gave a solemn nod and quickly left the room. "What's going on?"

"Shh," Applejack whispered, "downstairs, quick."

Half carrying her little sister down the stairs, Applejack led her to the couch and sat her down. Despite her unease, she couldn't help but smile as Winona bounded out of the kitchen, jumped onto the couch, and began to nuzzle Apple Bloom. With a giggle, Apple Bloom threw her forelegs around the Border Collie's neck.

"Now, stay here and keep Winona company," Applejack said, and then hurried to the windows to ensure that they were all locked. As she was finishing her inspection, she heard Big Mac and Granny Smith descend the stairs.

"Applejack," Granny asked shakily, "what's goin' on?"

"I'm not sure," Applejack answered. She moved closer to Apple Bloom. "It sounds like somethin' might be attackin' Ponyville."

"What?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, leaping off the couch. "Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo! I've got to find them!"

Applejack grabbed the filly by the tail as she tried to gallop off. "No, Apple Bloom. I know you're worried 'bout your friends, but your safety is this family's number one priority."

Granny Smith stepped forward. "Do ya suppose this is connected to Princess Twilight's disappearance?"

"I...I hope not." Applejack shook her head. "It doesn't matter. We gotta get you and Apple Bloom to the cellar. Big Mac, you look after them. Barricade the door and don't open it for anypony."

"But what about you?" Apple Bloom whined.

"Once I know ya'll are safe, I'm headin' into town." She snorted irritably as the other three voiced their disapproval, then shushed them. "I've already lost two friends, I ain't keen on losin' anymore."

Apple Bloom flung her forelegs around her. "Applejack, please stay with me. Don't go!"

Applejack knelt and clutched her little sister tightly. "I can't hide in a cellar while my friends are in danger. I've got to do what I can for Ponyville." She kissed Apple Bloom's forehead. "I'll find your friends too, okay?"

Tears streaking down her face, Apple Bloom sniffled. "Okay."

With a final reassuring squeeze, Applejack released her sister and turned toward the door. "I'm gonna check to see if it's safe, then I want ya'll to hustle to the cellar as fast as ya can."

She waited for the three of them to nod, then slowly opened the door. Just as she was about to step outside, she heard Winona leap off the couch and rush through the open doorway. As her hackles raised, Winona bared her teeth and took a defensive stand in front of Applejack.

With a last look back at the worried faces of her family, Applejack closed the door and turned to Winona. "You know somethin's wrong, don't ya, girl?" Winona growled in response.

The eerie silence blanketed the farm like a perpetual barrier that disconnected them from the rest of the world. Shivering in the pleasantly warm night air, Applejack strained her ears for any sound of danger as her eyes carefully scanned the distant tree line.

She could see the cellar doors mere yards away, and with another cautious glance around, prepared to give the all clear to her family when Winona suddenly darted forward.

Applejack frowned as Winona stopped in the middle of the field and stared at the tree line. The hair on her back still standing on end and her ears flattened against her head, the Border Collie began to growl.

"Winona?" Applejack called, but with a howl, she charged into the darkness. "Winona, come back!" Her breath caught in her throat as she heard her dog bark and snarl viciously, but then suddenly cut off with a shrill yelp.

Her heart hammering in her chest, Applejack swallowed hard. "Wi-Winona?" She waited a short moment, then tried again. "Winona, are ya okay, girl?"

Without warning, a shadow launched from the trees and streaked by overhead, landing with a thump on the roof. With bated breath, Applejack slowly turned to find the silhouette of a pony standing atop the house, its glowing red gaze seemingly locking onto hers.

Applejack could do nothing but stare as the silhouette extended its wings and shrieked eerily. Startled from her stupor, she let out a cry of her own and galloped back into the house, slamming the door shut behind her.

"What the hay was that?" Big Mac asked as Applejack quickly backpedaled from the door, his ears flattened and eyes wide.

"I...I don't know." Applejack shuddered. "But leavin' the house might not be—"

Something hit the door with tremendous force, causing the four of them to scream. A second hit immediately followed, and Applejack watched with horrid fascination as cracks appeared along the doorframe.

"Everypony, into the kitchen, quick!" she shouted, then fell to the floor as the door was torn from its hinges and sent hurtling across the room.

Cautiously climbing to her hooves, Applejack watched with horror as the creature entered their home.

It was a royal guard; his helm was missing, revealing a gory wound on his neck, and his breastplate was dangling from a single strap. His head shook erratically, and his unfurled bat-like wings twitched. Saliva and blood dripped onto the hardwood floor as he gnashed his teeth and snarled.

After the discovery of Fluttershy's body, Rainbow had led a dozen royal guards into the Everfree Forest to search for Twilight. Applejack and the others had been worried when they didn't return, but knew it was likely that Rainbow would refuse to leave the forest without Twilight.

An icy dread formed in the pit of her stomach as she stared at the thing that had once been a royal guard. Had Rainbow Dash suffered a similar fate?

"Applejack! Hurry!" Apple Bloom screamed from the kitchen before Big Mac dragged her away from the door.

Tearing her gaze away from the creature, she galloped toward the kitchen, hearing the monster give chase with another earsplitting shriek.

As soon as Applejack cleared the doorway, Granny Smith stepped forward and struck the beast in the face with a cast iron skillet. The blow cut the creature off mid-screech and sent it crashing to the floor.

Granny Smith stood over the toppled beast on her hind legs, gripping the skillet tight with two hooves. "If you think you're goin' to come into my home and threaten my family, then you're goin' to have to come through me first."

"All right, Granny!" Applejack shouted, but her elation melted away as the monster climbed to its hooves.

"Get Apple Bloom and go!" Granny commanded as she took another swing at the beast, but it caught the skillet with ease. Wrenching it out of Granny's grip, the creature brought it down on her head with terrifying force.

Applejack's heart stopped as she heard the sickening thud and watched Granny Smith's limp form crumple to the floor. "No..." she whispered, unable to take her eyes from her grandmother even as the monster charged at her.

Suddenly, Big Mac knocked her aside and grappled with the beast. The two stumbled around the kitchen before the creature lifted Big Mac off the ground and slammed him onto his back. As a screaming Apple Bloom ran under the table, Applejack grabbed a water pitcher and threw it at the creature's head. The pitcher shattered against the beast's face, and as it reared up in surprise, Big Mac kicked it in the chest. Applejack hastily positioned herself behind the kitchen table and bucked it with all her might, sending it flipping through the air and knocking the beast to the floor.

Frantically climbing to his hooves, Big Mac leaped onto the overturned table, crushing the creature underneath. "Go! Now!" he bellowed as he repeatedly stomped on the table.

Scooping up Apple Bloom, Applejack rushed toward the back door and out into the night. Turning back, she saw Big Mac gallop through the door and slam it shut even as the table was sent soaring across the kitchen. He braced himself against the door and grunted as a tremendous force hit it from the other side.

"What now?" he cried, the protesting shrieks of the monster causing the three of them to wince.

"We have to get off the farm," Applejack breathed. "We can lose it in the forest."

Big Mac nodded. "Good, go. I'll hold it off as long as I can."

"No," Applejack said as Apple Bloom clutched at her front leg, "I won't leave you."

"You have to!" he shouted as another blow nearly knocked him clear of the door.

Applejack shook her head. "No, I don't." She looked down at Apple Bloom and pointed to the chicken coop about fifty yards away. "Go hide in there and don't come out until we tell you it's safe. Ya hear me?"

Apple Bloom nodded and started off, but stopped. "Applejack...I love you."

"I love ya too, sugar cube," Applejack said. "Now, go."

With her jaw set, Applejack trotted over to a discarded hoe laying near the house, and picking it up, she gave Big Mac a determined nod.

Big Mac jumped away from the door, and as the beast exploded through it, he punched it in the muzzle. With a cry, Applejack began striking the creature in the back with the hoe as it grabbed her brother. The blade cut several deep gouges into the monster's back, but it paid her no heed as it continued to wrestle Big Mac to the ground. Swinging the hoe with all of her might, she caught it in the back of the head with enough force to snap the tool in two.

With a snarl, the creature lashed out a hoof and struck her in the face. Bursts of light erupted across her vision, and shaking her head to clear them, she found herself lying on her stomach in the soft grass. Blinking rapidly as the farm seemed to rock and pitch around her, her gaze landed on Big Mac's wood cutting axe embedded in the stump of a tree.

Applejack climbed to her hooves and stumbled toward the axe. Pulling it free, she turned to find Big Mac on his back. The beast had him pinned and appeared to be trying to bite him, but Big Mac had gotten hold of its breast plate and was using it to keep the creature's fangs at bay.

A savage rage gripped Applejack without warning. Images of Granny's limp form collapsing to the floor replayed in her mind, and with a wild scream, she galloped forward.

The beast snapped upright at the sound of her cry, but she was already swinging the axe. The blade sank deep into the creature’s neck, and it crashed onto its back.

Applejack gritted her teeth and wrenched the axe free, and watched briefly as the monster thrashed about, its eyes rolling and blood bubbling from its mouth. Then, with another shriek, she brought the axe down and severed the beast's head.

As the head rolled free—still snapping at the air before finally laying still— Applejack dropped the axe and vomited, horrified by the awful atrocity she had committed. "What...what have I...done?" she managed in between gasping sobs. Big Mac hurriedly embraced her, and she buried her face in his mane as he whispered words of reassurance.

But then a horrific scream made her blood run cold.

A large dark shadow with an enormous wingspan had landed on the chicken coop, and as she stood aghast, it tore off the roof and lifted her struggling sister into the air.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack wailed as the monster pulled the little filly close and bit her neck. She fought to gallop toward the horrible creature and save her sister, but something held her back. “Apple Bloom!” she shrieked again. All rational thought fled her frenzied mind as she strained against the force that was pulling her away. "APPLE BLOOM!"

Without warning, a red hoof flashed by and everything went black.

***

With a cry, Applejack bolted upright. Gasping for breath, her eyes quickly took in her surroundings and landed on Spike standing close by.

"I was just about to wake you," Spike said softly. "You were starting to get loud."

Applejack sighed heavily and rubbed her eyes, but remained silent.

"Was it the farm again?"

Swallowing hard as the sound of Apple Bloom’s scream still echoed in her mind, Applejack stared straight ahead and nodded.

"It wasn't your fault," he assured her. "And you know Big Mac did the right thing."

She stood and retrieved her hat, brushing it off before placing it atop her head. "How can you say that?" she demanded.

Spike crossed his arms. "If he hadn't clocked you, you would've attacked Mistress head on and died."

She snatched her halberd from the ground and huffed. "Maybe that would've been better."

"You don't mean that."

"I'll take watch now," she stated as she strapped her saddlebags on.

Spike frowned. "Are you sure? You still have a couple hours before your turn."

"Yeah," Applejack answered. "I can't sleep anymore."

"Okay, if you're sure..."

Applejack began to walk away but stopped when Spike said her name. She turned and was caught off guard by his sudden hug. Smiling despite herself, Applejack sniffed and squeezed him back. "Thanks, Spike," she whispered as he released her.

"No problem," Spike replied, then stepped away and lay down. "Don't let me sleep too long, alright?"

As Applejack emerged from beneath the outcropping rock they had taken refuge under, her mood turned as dark as the dead forest around her.

She knew that Big Mac had made the right decision, but she still hated him for it. Apple Bloom had been all that mattered, why hadn't he seen that? If the two of them had attacked Mistress right then and interrupted her, then maybe Apple Bloom would have simply died instead of becoming the monster she was now.

Applejack breathed the pleasantly warm air deeply before taking a seat on a fallen log and leaning her halberd beside her. Removing a file from her saddlebag, she pulled the blade close and began filing the edge with steady strokes.

Focused as she was on her work, her mind drifted to thoughts of her brother. Why had the news of Cheerilee's pregnancy angered her so much? She was going to have a little niece or nephew now, a foal to carry on the Apple name. Big Mac had done more than his fair share of work when they had been building Sanctuary, and had patrolled tirelessly to keep them safe. He deserved to settle down and raise a family if he wanted. Still, she couldn't forgive him for saving her. He had given up too quickly on Apple Bloom, and now he seemed all too eager to forget her.

Her anger quickly turned to shame as her thoughts shifted to Lance. She and Spike had slipped out of town unnoticed during Lance's meeting. It was the first time she had ever left without saying goodbye, and she knew that she had hurt him.

She took a deep breath as she turned the blade over and began filing the other side.

Lance loved her. Of this, she had no doubt. He was kind, caring, understanding, and harbored an incredible amount of patience for her. No matter how many times she pushed him away, he was always right there, waiting for that moment when she would lower her defenses and let him in.

Applejack placed the file back inside her saddlebag and removed a small tin of oil. Carefully, she applied the oil to the edge of the blade.

But she would never let him in, and she hated herself for it. He was a great stallion and was perfect for her, but she simply couldn't accept his love. How could she have the right to be happy when Apple Bloom was out there suffering?

Closing the tin, Applejack replaced the oil and pulled out her whetstone. Delicately, she ran the tip along the edge in circular motions.

Everything she did, every decision she made revolved around Apple Bloom. She had spent the last ten years incessantly gathering ingredients for Zecora's potions, hoping with all of her heart and soul that the zebra would finally create a remedy. But some of the measures she had taken to acquire these ingredients weren't exactly honest, and thinking of them caused her to feel a deep shame. While she had never harmed an innocent pony directly, she suspected that she might have if not for Spike's everlasting company.

Spike never allowed her to stray too far from her path. She sometimes thought that was why she wanted him so close, and feared that without him, she would slowly become a pony that she would no longer recognize. But whatever the case, she loved him fiercely. His love and dedication to her made their relationship one of the most important things in all of Equestria, trumped only by her desire to free Apple Bloom from her horrible fate.

Applejack replaced the whetstone, and laying the halberd across her lap, gazed up at the night sky.

What would her parents and Granny Smith think about all of this? Before the vamponies, she had known without a doubt that her parents were watching her with pride, but now, she wasn't so sure. Did they understand why she did the things she had done, or were they disappointed? When she finally left this world and reunited with them, would she receive smiles and hugs, or a cold reception?

"Ma, Pa, Granny, if you're listenin', if ya even care at this point, I'm tryin' to be the best pony I can. But I've got to do what I can for Apple Bloom. She always comes first, you know that. I swore to ya after you died that I'd always be there for her, and I ain't about to forget that promise. I want to do right by you, but that don't always seem to coincide with helpin' Apple Bloom. I just...just want to know that ya'll still love me. That you're still proud of me. If you could just give me a sign, any sign at all, it sure would help."

Applejack studied the starry sky for several hours, but the uncaring world remained still and silent. With a heavy heart, she strapped her weapon to her back and returned to their campsite.

She slowed to a halt and smiled at the sight of Spike. He was sprawled on his back, his arms and legs strewn about and snoring lightly. It reminded her of the times she would check in on Apple Bloom during the night and find her lying haphazardly on her bed.

Leaning back on her haunches, Applejack watched her companion's chest rise and fall steadily. Despite the fact that he was a teenage dragon, and had killed his fair share of vamponies, Spike still managed to possess some quality of innocence. His high spirits and optimism often flabbergasted her, but she greatly cherished them regardless.

Whatever you do, Spike, never change.

She gently shook him. "Spike, wake up.”

With a huge yawn, Spike sat up and stretched. "You feeling any better?"

Applejack shrugged. "Kinda." She opened his backpack and removed a loaf of bread. Breaking it in half, she tossed him a piece. "Eat up and we'll get goin'."

"So," Spike said after swallowing his first bite, "what's the plan when we get to Canterlot?"

"I haven't really thought that far ahead," Applejack admitted.

"Oh, that's nice," Spike replied offhandedly. "I'm sure that the city full of vamponies will be more than happy to wait for you to come up with a good strategy before they kill us."

Applejack snorted. "Nopony's forcin' you to come, ya know."

"Yeah, but then I'd have to live without you constantly putting me in danger with crazy, half-baked plans, and where would the fun in that be?" Spike said before taking another bite of bread.

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Where did ya learn to be so snarky?"

Spike offered her a lopsided smile, then leaned back against the rock. "So, you're sure the Phoenix Heart is in the castle?"

"That's what that vampony told me."

Spike frowned as he studied her. "And you trust her?"

"I reckon." Applejack fidgeted with her hat. "She seemed a mite interested in my help with whatever it is she's plannin'."

Spike nodded slowly for a moment. "Okay, then we could use the caverns under the castle." When she only stared at him blankly, he waved the remainder of his bread in the air. "Remember? The caverns where Queen Chrysalis held Twilight and Cadance captive? They lead from the base of Canterlot Mountain up to the castle dungeons."

Her bread all but forgotten, Applejack leaned forward. "How do ya know all that?"

"Twilight told me," Spike answered. "She wanted to learn more about the caverns, so after the wedding, she went straight to the castle's library and researched them." He smiled at the memory. "They have a pretty long history, actually. Just nothing I cared enough to remember."

Applejack chuckled. She was sure that had been a long evening for Spike. "So then, these caverns could help us bypass the city and get straight into the castle?" she summarized.

"Eeyup," Spike replied mockingly.

She gave him a look, then stated, "Well, sounds like we got ourselves a solid plan. And once we get into the castle, we'll have to be very careful."

"Right," Spike agreed. "We get in, move quickly and quietly, grab the heart, and leave the way we came." He paused and scratched his head. “But where in the castle is the Phoenix Heart gonna be?”

"Hmm..." Applejack frowned. "Well, Philomena must've died defendin' Celestia while she was tryin' to escape the castle. And since we know the vampony attack came at night, I'd say we should start in Celestia's room."

"But Celestia knew what was happening from our letters," Spike said. "She knew that the attack would come at night. I find it hard to believe that she would go to sleep alone in her room."

Applejack mulled over his words. "So then, where do ya think she was?"

"Probably the throne room," Spike replied. "Twilight once told me that whenever Equestria was facing a threat, Celestia would often sleep on her throne. That way, if anything happened, she could be informed and give orders straightaway."

“Okay.” Applejack nodded. “We’ll start at the throne room, and follow the most logical route out of the castle. Hopefully, we’ll come across the heart along the way.”

Opening his mouth for the last bit of bread, Spike hesitated. “Wait, are you expecting it to just be laying on the floor somewhere?”

“Well… yeah,” Applejack replied, suddenly feeling uncertain. “It’ll be wherever Philomena died, won’t it?”

Spike cocked an eyebrow. "And you don't think a vampony would have picked it up?"

"No.” Applejack shook her head. “That vampony told me that the heart would incapacitate Apple Bloom the moment it touched her, so it must have some kind of negative affect on vamponies.”

“Sounds logical enough, I guess.” Spike tossed the last of the bread into his mouth. “So, we escape with the heart, and then what?“

"I don't know." Applejack shrugged. "I guess we'll head on back to Sanctuary and wait for that vampony to turn back up."

He scowled. "I don't like it."

Applejack quickly finished her bread, and then tossed him his backpack. "She's an enemy of Mistress, so for the time bein', she's an ally."

Spike shouldered his backpack, and then the two of them started off in silence. Ahead, the silhouette of Canterlot Mountain loomed in the distance, a constant reminder of all the vamponies had taken from them.

After nearly a half hour of gazing up at the night sky, Spike sighed. "I miss the sunrise."

Casting him a dark look, Applejack growled, "Don't ya start with that again."

Spike was quiet for another moment, then he began to laugh. Applejack raised an eyebrow, but then, with a shake of her head, she joined him.

***

Cautiously emerging from beneath the bridge, Twilight scanned the starry sky for any sign of Rainbow. The Ascended's taunts and jeers had ended nearly an hour ago, but Twilight had chosen to give her a bit more time to put some distance between them. Hopefully by now, Rainbow was miles away searching for her.

Glancing at the constellations above, Twilight saw that she had already used two hours of her time. If she was going to secure her alliance with Discord, she needed to return to him quickly.

The cottage was about a half mile outside of town. At a full gallop, she was sure she could get there with plenty of time to spare, but there was no cover in the open field. If Rainbow or any of the other Ascended happened by, she was finished.

Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Never before had she felt so helpless. Since her awakening, she had always been strong and unwavering, self-reliant, and willing to face any opponent. Being forced to hide from Rainbow and sneak back to the cottage was infuriating.

I do not run and hide, I destroy those that stand in my way, and once I’ve collected the Elements, I will crush Mistress and the Ascended beneath my hoof.

She steeled herself, and gripped the Element tightly with her teeth before galloping as fast as she could toward the cottage. Fear propelled her forward as her echoing hoofbeats upon the hard, cracked dirt seemed to announce her presence more efficiently than a drummer colt. With her eyes scanning the sky and her ears straining for the telltale sound of beating wings, she pushed herself to her limits.

Tearing her gaze from the sky, she found the cottage directly ahead of her. Debris from the destroyed roof lay scattered all around, crushing the small bridge and blocking the front door.

Without slowing, Twilight spread her wings and leaped high into the air, and swooped inside through the large hole in the roof. Twisting in the air, Twilight landed on her back and watched the opening for any pursuers, her body tense and ready as she gasped for breath.

"Boo!"

With a startled yell, Twilight launched herself along the floor with a flap of her wings, and with a quick flip, landed in a defensive crouch. Upon seeing Discord grinning at her from his seat atop the broken staircase, she breathed a sigh of relief and stood.

"My, aren't we jumpy," Discord said as he hopped off the stairs.

"I was being hunted by Rainbow Dash," Twilight replied with an air of indignation.

Discord laughed. "So you've gotten your first dosage of fear, have you?" He scooped up the Element from the floor where she had dropped it. “I suggest getting used to it. It'll help keep you alive."

"I don't like it," Twilight spat. "I hate being weak. I wanted to fight Rainbow head on, not hide in the shadows and crawl back here."

"I think a bit of learned humility would serve you well," Discord commented as he studied the Element. Suddenly, he tossed it into the air and caught it with his tail, and with a wink, said, "Good job acquiring the Element. I'll bet a certain ugly vampony is so angry right now!" His head abruptly snaked forward and he eyed her intently. "You weren't followed, were you?"

Twilight shook her head. "Rainbow was ordered to kill me. If she knew where I was, then I'd already be dead."

Nodding, Discord said, "I suppose you're right."

"Mistress and Rainbow were waiting for me," she told him. "She knows of you, and of your plan to gather the Elements."

Discord blinked. "Really? I knew she was searching for my magic, but I didn't realize she knew of me." He glanced up at the hole for a moment, then began to stroke his beard. "If she knows about me, then this may not be the safest location." He turned his gaze to the picture of Fluttershy sitting on the shelf. "I've been letting her get to me," he mumbled to himself.

"Mistress knew that you would save me. She used me..." Twilight trailed off. A sharp pain stabbed at her heart as she spoke the words aloud, and she had to close her eyes and fight to keep her voice steady. "She threw me away to bait you."

Discord frowned. "How could she know?"

Swallowing hard, Twilight quickly turned away as her body began to tremble.

How could she do this to me? I've always been loyal to her. It doesn't make any sense! She had already planned on sacrificing me, but just before all of this insanity began, she had assured me that she still greatly valued me. She said that she owed everything she had to me. Was that all a lie? But if so, then why had she even said it? Was it just added cruelty to make her betrayal hurt all the more?

"What's wrong?" Discord asked, but Twilight found that she suddenly couldn’t speak, and she collapsed to the floor.

She wanted to scream; to break something, but knew it would do no good. Nothing that she could do would match the terrible ache inside as she remembered Mistress's words. It felt as though everything she knew—her entire world—had become poisonous, and she doubted that she could survive.

Discord was studying her intently. "My magic is still blocking Mistress's, I can feel it." He knelt before her and reached out to touch her cheek, but seemed to think better of it. "What's hurting you?"

"Why?!" she shouted without warning, causing Discord to recoil. "Why did she do this to me? I bowed to her every whim! I lived for her!" Her voice broke with emotion, and with a scream, she punched a hole into the floorboard.

Discord crossed his arms as he watched her. "This is...unexpected. I wasn't aware vamponies were even capable of feeling anything other than anger and hatred."

Twilight stared at the hole she had created. "I am first born of the Ascended. I ruled this world, it was mine, but now I'm weak and useless. Hiding from the other Ascended like some pathetic mortal."

Discord hesitated, then awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. "There, there." When Twilight shook his paw off with a snarl, he backed away and walked over to an overturned cabinet. Reaching inside, he removed a brown saddlebag with a pink butterfly clasp. "I'll just drop this in here," he muttered as he dropped the Element inside, and then he tossed the bag at her. "You're going to need this when you find the other Elements. I want you to keep them since Mistress can't track you the way she can track me. If she manages to get lucky, I'd rather not be carrying the Elements.

"I need you, Twilight. As I stated earlier, I'm too weak to get the Elements. But you're not. You just escaped with the Element of Magic from Mistress herself. And you'll succeed in collecting the others as well. I know you will."

Gritting her teeth and glaring at the hole, Twilight fought to make sense of the torrents of emotions swelling inside of her. Frightened by what she was feeling, she clutched onto her anger like a shipwreck victim clung to flotsam, and allowed the rest to wash away.

"You can do this, Twilight." Discord spoke softly. "Please, help me revive the tree."

Discord is right. I may be weak, but I just took the Element from Mistress's possession. And I defeated Dash, despite my handicap. I can do this. I just need to use my head and be careful.

"Yes, I will recover the Elements," Twilight said as she slowly stood, her voice quaking now with anger. "I will destroy the Ascended one by one until only Mistress remains. I will make her witness the return of the sun and the end of her rule, and then I will kill her."

"Oh, how very...savage of you," Discord replied, "but I'm afraid I've got to put a bit of a damper on your plans. You see, you and the other Ascended were the bearers of the Elements of Harmony in life, and even in undeath, you are connected to them." He gave her a meaningful look. "It is imperative that you do not kill any of the Ascended until the Elements are used to revive the tree. Any of their deaths could be catastrophic to our cause."

Twilight closed her eyes and was silent for a long moment. Finally, she whispered, "What about after?"

"After the tree is revived?" Discord tapped his chin with a clawed finger as he contemplated. "I suppose once the tree has made a full recovery the bearers will no longer matter."

"All right." Twilight nodded. "I'll kill them after."

"Yes, well, we'll see, won't we." With a simple flick of a finger, Discord lifted the saddlebag and fastened it around her waist. "We'd better keep this short. Mistress may link me to Fluttershy and come here looking for us." He jogged to the stove and snatched up the framed picture of the yellow pony before exiting through the hole in the ceiling.

Taking a moment to adjust her new saddlebag, Twilight followed Discord outside and watched as he summoned a brown sack from thin air, carefully placed the picture inside, and then made it disappear with a wave of his hand.

"Your next destination will be the Badlands, in the far southern region of Equestria," Discord said. "Once there, you must find a way into the Diamond Dog's city. It's located in a large underground cavern deep beneath the Badlands."

Twilight nodded. "I'll find it."

"You will have to be careful," Discord continued. "The Badlands are now ruled by the Changelings. After being driven from their home by the vamponies, Queen Chrysalis led them to the Badlands, where they quickly enslaved the Diamond Dogs.” He suddenly fell silent and held up a finger as one of his ears turned impossibly on his head, but then shrugged. “Anyhoo, the changelings can be very dangerous, and Queen Chrysalis is as nasty as they come. I paid her a visit a couple of years ago and proposed an alliance, but she remained as unapproachable as ever. She ordered her subjects to kill me. Can you believe it?! Me!" Discord paused for a moment, obviously expecting her to show some form of surprise or outrage, then rolled his eyes with a grunt. "Once you find a way into the city, trust no one. Find the Element and get out as quickly as you can. If you get into any trouble in there, I won't be able to help you."

She sniffed. "I won't need your help."

"Yes, yes, of course not," Discord replied, waving a hand in the air dismissively. "Well, if that is all, then I'll be on my way."

With a twirl in the air, Discord vanished in a puff of smoke. Alone, Twilight sat back on her haunches and rubbed her temple as she pondered her next move.

She wanted nothing more than to head straight to the Badlands and locate the Element as quickly as possible, but she was exhausted. It was all too easy to forget that she was no longer an Ascended, and rushing into the Badlands unprepared would undoubtedly result in her death.

The cottage and surrounding forest were far too dangerous, she needed to find somewhere safer to get some rest. Flying so near to Ponyville wasn't an option, so she needed to find a place easily accessible by hoof.

A sudden noise from behind the cottage interrupted her thoughts. Baring her teeth, Twilight rounded on the intruder and lowered into a defensive stance.

"So, Twilight Sparkle, first born of the Ascended, has fallen from Mistress's good graces." The mare snickered as she stepped into the moonlight, her once majestic mane and tail hanging limp and dragging the ground. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but I always knew it was only a matter of time."

"Luna," Twilight growled.

Being the last of the Ascended chosen by Mistress, Luna had been expressing her outrage over her social standing since she had first awoken. It had been a minor annoyance at worst, and Mistress and the other Ascended had simply ignored her, but when she finally made the critical error of refusing a summons by Mistress, Twilight had been sent to subdue her.

Unfortunately, Luna had foreseen such an outcome and had laid an ambush for Twilight. Although she had failed to kill Twilight, Luna managed to evade capture and flee to Canterlot. It was there, within the Canterlot Castle, that she learned that she had ruled Equestria in her previous life. Armed with this knowledge and the belief that it should be she, not Mistress, who ruled the land, Luna had spent the last decade attempting to sway the underlings into joining her with moderate success. She had even tried to subvert Pinkie and Rarity.

Since then, Twilight had urged Mistress to attack Canterlot Castle and put an end to Luna once and for all, but to Twilight's chagrin, Mistress always seemed disinterested, claiming that a war with Luna would be too costly, and that they had other matters to focus on.

Now, as she glared at Luna's sardonic smile, Twilight wished fervently that she had killed her when she'd had the chance.

"What does surprise me, however," Luna continued, "is your taking orders from such an abhorrent creature." She laughed. "Has the great Twilight fallen so low?"

Twilight curled her lip. "How did you find us?"

"He was spotted by several of my underlings sneaking around the Canterlot ruins. I've been keeping an eye on him ever since." Luna tilted her head toward the cottage. "I was informed that you had met with him here a few hours ago, and so I decided to pay a little visit and see what I could learn, and lo and behold, here the two of you were!"

Twilight studied her intently. Does she know what Discord's magic has done to me? If not, then I can bluff my way out of this, but if she attacks, I'm done for. I cannot show her any weakness.

Luna's smile slowly faded. "Where's all your threats and condescending remarks? I suppose Mistress's betrayal really has cut you deeply." She snorted. "What did you say she did to you? Used you for bait, was it?"

"Leave here, now!" Twilight commanded, her tone strong and authoritative. "Or I will do as I should have done all those years ago."

Thrusting out her chest and holding her head high, Luna stood her ground. "Not until you give me that Element."

"You can have it once you've pried it from my dead hoof," Twilight hissed.

Luna's gaze slid down to the saddlebag. "Is it truly powerful enough to bring back the sun?" When Twilight remained silent, she asked, "Did he show you how to use the one you have?"

"Discord seems to think that they are useless on their own," Twilight admitted. "Their power will come once they are all returned to the tree."

"So he says, and you believe him?" Luna sneered, her fangs gleaming in the moonlight. "He is clearly using you to find the Elements. Once he has them, he will undoubtedly use them to kill you. But if you gave them to me, I would use them to destroy Mistress and you could rule by my side."

Twilight's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. And you wouldn't even know how to use them."

Luna impatiently brushed her mane from her face. "I know...somepony. Somepony who knows a bit about these Elements. This pony has already told me of their power, and requested that I try to attain one." Luna pointed toward the distant Canterlot Castle. "There is a vast library at the castle, and if the Elements are as powerful as I believe, then I'll be able to find some information on them. You can give me that one now, and I'll figure out how to harness its power while you gather the others." She slowly started forward. "With the Elements in our possession, not even Mistress could stand against us. We will be invincible."

Twilight spat on the ground between them, causing Luna to stop short. "I'd rather stand in direct sunlight."

Luna hissed through clenched teeth. "Then I shall take the Element by force."

"You can try." Twilight smirked and cracked a hoof threateningly. "But need I remind you of the outcome of our last battle?"

Luna hesitated, then stomped her hoof with a snarl. "You are a fool, Twilight Sparkle! I will not offer you this again! I promise you that you will pay dearly for your insufferable pride, and it shall be I, not your Discord nor Mistress, that destroys you!"

With a shriek of rage, Luna took to the air and flew off toward Canterlot. Twilight stood firm and tall until she was out of sight, then immediately sighed with relief and slumped to the ground.

"That was too close," she whispered.

But it had given her an idea. Luna's mention of the Canterlot Castle reminded Twilight of another castle nearby. She was certain it would be uninhabited as it was located too far from Ponyville and Mistress's protection to be a practical lair for an underling. It would only take her a couple of hours to reach by hoof, and then she'd be able to rest safely.

For the first time since awakening in the cottage, Twilight felt self-assured, and turning in the direction of the old castle ruins, she started off at a brisk trot.

As she moved swiftly through the dead forest, her thoughts unexpectedly turned to Lyra and Trixie. She still didn't understand why she had spared them. Her earlier explanation that Discord's magic had interfered with her thirst was already losing its merit. There had been something more to it than a lack of thirst. She had felt something stir deep inside, and recalling Lyra's thanks brought her pleasure, but also, fear.

Another fear suddenly occurred to Twilight as she imagined Rainbow discovering the two of them as she searched the forest for her, and a hard knot of dread formed in the pit of her stomach. She tried to tell herself that it didn't matter; that they were just mortals and not worth the thought, but she found herself hoping that they had escaped.

Shoving these confusing thoughts aside, Twilight turned her ponderings to Discord and the Elements. Could Luna be correct? Was there a way to use the power of the one she already possessed? Discord had told her that she needed to return them all to the tree before they could be used, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust him. Clearly, the Elements had magic of their own. She recalled how the Element of Magic had brought her memories of her old life, and felt certain that they could do much more than just revive an old tree. But then, he had been very straightforward with her up to this point, even being so blatant as telling her that she had to become his pawn if she wanted to live. He seemed to have laid everything out for her to see, and there didn't appear to be any reason for him to lie about the Elements.

A sudden thought caused Twilight to stop just before reaching an old rope bridge spanning a large chasm. Did the Element have the power to cure her of Mistress's bite? If so, then Discord had every reason to lie. He had said it himself in the cottage; he couldn't collect the Elements on his own. He needed her.

Turning her gaze to the castle ruins looming atop their hill in the distance, Twilight contemplated this. She could hide out here and try to figure out how to use the Element, but she didn't have the faintest idea where to begin. And what would she do if she did manage to cure herself? Finding the rest of the Elements was still her best course of action for defeating Mistress, and she needed Discord's help finding them. If she tried to hide from him, she could lose his trust, and that would be catastrophic for her if she failed to cure her bite.

Twilight slowly shook her head and started across the bridge. For now, she would follow Discord's orders, but as soon as she learned how to harness the Element's power, the terms of their alliance were going to change drastically.

The abandoned castle was as silent as a tomb, and Twilight smiled as she walked along the entrance hall. This was much better than the cave she had been living in all these years; perhaps she would make this her new lair.

There were at least a half dozen doors all along the corridor, but Twilight was only interested in the large double doors that were atop a broad staircase. Pushing them open, she immediately covered her face with her hooves as dust and debris rained down on her. With a cough and a shake of her mane, she entered an old throne room.

The large red carpet that spanned the room was still intact, confirming her assumption that no vampony had set hoof in the castle. For reasons Twilight never understood, underlings always destroyed anything decorative that they came across. If they had visited here, then the carpet would be torn apart.

As she crossed the room, Twilight eyed the two thrones curiously. She remembered one of Luna's maniacal ravings about her being the original princess of the night, and so knew that the throne with the moon banner overhead had been hers, but who had sat on the other throne?

She gazed up at the banner of the sun. If Luna had been the princess of the night, then had the other reigned over the day? Twilight tried to recall their first assault on Canterlot, but couldn't remember if there had been another ruler. She had still been a newly turned back then, and had been so absorbed in her power and thirst that her memories of those times were a bit hazy. She remembered having to take shelter during the day, but then one night the dawn never came again. She knew now that must have been the night Mistress had attacked the tree, but if there had been a ruler of the day, why hadn't they tried to stop her? Why had it fallen onto Discord?

All at once, exhaustion seemed to embrace her. Forgetting her curiosity, Twilight removed her saddlebag and tossed it into the corner of the room, and glancing up at the stone ceiling above, found a good perch.

With a great beat of her wings, she flipped upside down and latched onto the rock with her back hooves. Dangling, she pulled her forelegs up to her chest as her wings encompassed her.

Thankful for the quiet, safe place to rest, Twilight closed her eyes and was fast asleep in moments.

***

She was standing in a lush forest. All around her were the buzzing of insects and singing birds. The leaves rustled in a refreshingly cool breeze that seemed to caress her mane as it swept through it. As she took a tentative step forward, she was startled by a fluffy bunny jumping out of a nearby bush and rocketing across the open to dive into a patch of high grass.

"It's nice to see you again," said a voice from directly beside her.

With a small yelp, Twilight stumbled sideways and turned to find a small purple dragon looking up at her. Upon seeing her reaction, he laughed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Who..." she began, but then realized she already knew. "Spike?"

"That's me." He grinned. "Your awesome friend and number one assistant." He waved a hand toward the path. "Let's go. She's really looking forward to meeting you."

Twilight cocked her head. "Who?"

"That's actually kinda hard to explain," Spike answered. "You'll just have to wait until we get there."

Perplexed, Twilight followed the baby dragon as he started down the path. Suddenly feeling a pleasant warmth spreading throughout her body, she glanced up to see the sun shining brightly overhead. Unable to help herself, she smiled broadly as she felt the rays on her face.

Lowering her head, she spotted Spike watching her with an expression that caused the strange sensations in her chest and stomach to return. She tried to ignore the feelings, but for some reason, she couldn't stop smiling.

"Where are we?" she asked, hoping to distract herself from whatever was happening.

"I don't know," Spike said. "It seems like some random spot in a forest to me." He shrugged. "I guess you miss the old Equestria."

Twilight stared at him. "Why do you say that?"

Spike gestured all around them. "Look at how beautiful this forest is. And the sun, it's so bright. I'd say it's pretty obvious."

She wanted to argue with him, but as she took in the luscious green leaves and grass, and the clear blue sky above, she felt a soothing serenity slowly envelop her. "Yeah," she admitted, "maybe you're right."

As she walked beside Spike, Twilight realized that she was enjoying his company. Never before had she felt such pleasure simply by being with someone else and fervently wished that this moment would never end.

But no sooner had that thought entered her mind than Spike stopped. "Here we are." He pointed at a large cluster of thick ferns. "She's waiting just on the other side of the brush. Enjoy your talk."

Twilight frowned. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah." Spike beamed. "I've got a big bowl of sapphires and the newest issue of The Power Ponies with my name on it!"

"Power...Ponies?" Twilight repeated.

Spike unexpectedly rushed forward and hugged her foreleg tightly. "I'm really glad you remembered me."

"I..." Twilight struggled to talk around the lump in her throat. "I'm really glad too."

Twilight smiled as she watched the little dragon disappear down the path, but her smile faltered as she felt her eyes tear up. Wiping them dry and taking a deep breath, Twilight fought to maintain her composure. She didn't know who was waiting for her on the other side of those ferns, but she was determined to show them no sign of weakness.

"Oh, stop trying to act so tough all the time," a mare's voice called out. "The tears are perfectly normal, there's nothing to get worked up about. And they're certainly not a weakness."

Twilight gasped. That voice...it couldn't be…

Pushing through the large ferns, Twilight stepped into a clearing and found a near perfect copy of herself sitting on a log several yards away. The only difference was the Twilight on the log had a horn and feathered wings as well as the star cutie mark she remembered from the photo.

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle," said the other Twilight with a bright smile. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Y-you're...me," Twilight stammered.

The smile on her doppelganger's face faded. "No." She sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, the two of us are very different."

Twilight closed and rubbed her eyes, but when she reopened them, the other Twilight was still sitting on the log. "Where am I?" Twilight asked, anxiously glancing around. "How is this possible?"

"Oh, this shouldn't be scientifically possible." The other Twilight giggled as if she had just made a joke. "But we are inside your mind. You've created this place for yourself, and it's been soothing you as you rest for years."

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. "So...I'm dreaming?"

"In a sense, yes." The other Twilight made a face. "It's kind of difficult to explain. You see, even when you sleep, your mind keeps working, and yours is trying to make sense of everything that's happened since you touched the Element of Magic. I'm a representation of your old self, created by your desire to remember."

"Why now? Did the Element of Magic do this to me?"

"Well..." Her doppelganger tapped a hoof to her chin as she contemplated her answer. "The Element of Magic has kick started your memory, and I suppose that could be the cause of your desire to remember. But as for me..." She gave her a wink. "I think you're just desperate for a friend. Someone you can confide in."

Twilight felt a flash of anger. "Me? Desperate for a friend? I don't need any friends, I am Twilight, first—"

"First born of the Ascended, yes, I know." The other Twilight rolled her eyes. "You always find a reason to say that to everypony you meet." She smiled amiably. "And I am Princess Twilight, last crowned of the Princesses."

Twilight scowled as Princess Twilight laughed at her own joke. "Why did you call me here?" she growled. "What do you want?"

"Well, mainly, I just wanted to meet you, but..." Princess Twilight shook her head. "I didn't call you here. You called to me." She patted the log. "Sit with me. I won't bite. Hopefully, you can say the same."

Twilight snorted. "Are you always this insufferable?"

"No, not usually," Princess Twilight replied with a grin. "I'm just in a really good mood. It's great to be back, even if it is only in the back of your mind."

Slowly, Twilight stepped closer to the log but didn't sit. As much as she didn't want to like Princess Twilight, she couldn't help but feel a strange kinship toward her. This was the weak, pitiful mortal that she had always despised, but now that she was actually meeting her, she seemed almost...appealing.

Still eyeing Princess Twilight warily, Twilight sat on the opposite end of the log.

Beaming, Princess Twilight asked, "So, is there anything you want to get off your chest?"

"No," Twilight huffed.

"Are you sure?" Princess Twilight met her gaze. "I know that Mistress's betrayal hurt you deeply, and worse still was seeing how quickly she had replaced you with Dash, but there's something else still. Something that frightens you."

Suddenly unable to maintain eye contact, Twilight lowered her head and concentrated on a small orange butterfly as it landed on a nearby flower. She had never backed down like this before, but Princess Twilight was different from anypony else she'd met. With Discord, Luna, and even Mistress, there was always a hardness to their gazes, an unspoken challenge that drove her to assert herself.

But Princess Twilight lacked that hardness. When Twilight looked into her eyes, she saw only a gentle warmth that penetrated her defenses with ease. All she knew was to push back, but now that there was no force to push against, she was left feeling vulnerable.

Princess Twilight scooted closer and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I know it's hard to admit your fears to another. There is always a certain degree of risk involved, opening yourself in such a way, but please remember, I'm a part of you, created by you, and I only want what's best for you."

As Princess Twilight's words sank in, Twilight forced herself to continue staring at the butterfly, but as it lifted off and flittered away with the breeze, so too did the last of her resolve.

"I spared a couple of unicorns earlier," Twilight said softly. "I wanted their blood so badly my fangs ached, but I let them go, and I don't understand why."

Princess Twilight leaned forward to better see her face. "Can you tell me why you think you did it?"

Twilight hesitated for a long moment, then answered, "Because I lost my thirst."

"And this frightens you," Princess Twilight stated.

Twilight nodded, then met Princess Twilight's eyes. "I don't know what's happening to me. Ever since I touched that Element, I've been getting flashes of my old life, and now, I don't even want to feed. I'm afraid of what I'm becoming. What's a vampony that's lost her thirst?"

Lifting a hoof to gently touch her cheek, Princess Twilight smiled. "A step in the right direction, maybe?"

Twilight blinked. She felt a brief desire to lash out at the detestable remark, but the kindness radiating from Princess Twilight quickly soothed her anger.

"I honestly don't believe you've lost your thirst," Princess Twilight continued. "When you learned that Lyra and Trixie were friends, and realized that what they felt toward each other was akin to how you were feeling toward your memories of Spike, you just simply didn't want to kill them."

Scratching her head, Twilight said, slowly, "You mean, I forgot my thirst because I chose to?"

"Exactly!" Princess Twilight beamed. "When you learned that you had something in common with the two of them, you bonded. That's why you spared them, and why you were worried that Rainbow might find them. And I guarantee that the two of them are thinking of you. Maybe even hoping for the best for you."

"You...you think so?" Much to her surprise, Twilight found that she liked the idea of Lyra and Trixie wishing her the best.

"Definitely," Princess Twilight said with a firm nod.

"So, I'm not all that different then," Twilight whispered to herself. "I'm much weaker, but that's due to Discord's magic, but my thirst and everything else is still the same." She took a deep breath. "I'm still me."

A sudden thought occurred to her and she rounded on Princess Twilight. "Discord said that I was an Element Bearer in my previous life. So, I guess you'd be that part of me. Can I use the Element to cure myself of Mistress's bite? Can you tell me how to use it?"

Princess Twilight hung her head. "I'm sorry, but my memory of our previous life is very hazy. I don't remember the powers of the Elements, or if they can be used in such a way."

Twilight huffed in frustration. "Well, it was worth a shot." She pondered about her current situation for a moment, then asked, "What about Discord? Should I trust him?"

"I think so," Princess Twilight answered. "He wasn't always good, but I remember he was changed significantly by Fluttershy. He seems to be the only one left trying to save Equestria, so I'm pretty sure he has good intentions." She frowned at Twilight. "He doesn't seem very fond of vamponies though, but I think you can persuade him that you're different than the others if you keep to your current path."

"I don't care—" Twilight began.

"Wait," Princess Twilight interrupted, "hear me out. Please. This brings me to a point I want to make. I think it is very important that you try to make a friend. Even just one will do. Lyra and Trixie were a good start, but you weren't ready yet. But now that we've met, I think it's time."

"A friend?" Twilight said with disgust. "I don't want a friend. What would a vampony do with a friend?"

"Remember how you felt walking beside Spike?" Princess Twilight asked. "That's how it feels to be with a friend. You need that, trust me. It will change you for the better, and it would also show Discord that you're a vampony that he can trust." Princess Twilight gave her a meaningful look. "It's possible that Discord can cure Mistress's bite, but he needs a way to control you. If you show him you're different than the other vamponies, he may become sympathetic. And if he cures you, you should get your old strength back."

"And then I'd hunt down Rainbow and end her," Twilight said with a wicked grin.

"Twilight, no!" Princess Twilight exclaimed, obviously appalled. "Remember what Discord said about reviving the tree?”

"What do I care about the tree? If I got my Ascended powers back, I would kill all of the Ascended and Mistress and rule Equestria unopposed."

Princess Twilight's kind face twisted into a mask of antipathy. "Is that...really what you want? Is that all you're fighting for?"

Upon seeing the look on Princess Twilight's face, Twilight felt her confidence begin to wane. She wanted to kill Mistress, to make her pay for everything she'd done, and she had intended to rule Equestria after, but now that she saw Princess Twilight's disapproval, she realized for the first time that she may have had an alternate motive.

She gazed at a patch of wildflowers, and as she marveled at how beautiful they were, several more patches suddenly sprouted up nearby, each more vibrantly colorful than the ones before. The forest around her seemed to grow more lush, the birds' singing grew louder, and the sun's warmth intensified until she felt as if it was she that was glowing.

This place was so wonderful, and she knew that this was the way the world had once been. If she helped Discord revive the tree, this Equestria would return, and while she wouldn't be able to fully appreciate the sun or the singing birds, she would still be able to enjoy the forests.

Turning back to Princess Twilight, she found that her disgust had transformed into a worried frown. With a sigh, Twilight said, "You're right. I think what I really want is to have the old Equestria back."

Without warning, Princess Twilight threw her forelegs around her and hugged her tightly. "I knew it!"

Twilight stiffened at the sudden contact, but didn't struggle. There was something comforting about the embrace, and several memories of her previous life flashed through her mind.

Princess Twilight drew away and blushed. "Sorry, I think I'm getting a little over emotional. It just feels so great to meet you." When Twilight did nothing more than stare, she cleared her throat self-consciously. "Anyway, it appears that it's time for you to go."

As she said the words, a white oak door suddenly shimmered into existence several yards away. Standing up, Twilight knew that it couldn't wait, she needed to pass through the door. At her lightest touch, the door swung open on its own, revealing a black nothingness that somehow soothed her.

She glanced back at Princess Twilight. "Are we going to meet again?"

Princess Twilight beamed. "I'm sure of it."

Twilight nodded and allowed herself to smile. "I'll see you around, then."

As she stepped forward and allowed the alleviating shadows to envelop her, she heard Princess Twilight call after her.

"And don't forget to make friends!"