The Darkening

Applejack lowered into a defensive crouch, her dagger up and ready. She stared defiantly into Luna's cruel gaze, and scowled as the Ascended's grin widened.

"You intend to fight me?" Luna began to laugh, but it was cut short as the second armored vampony slammed onto the balcony, its armor dented and scorched.

Spike landed easily beside Applejack, standing tall and gripping his sword with both hands.

"We ain't ones for givin' up," Applejack said with firm resolve.

Spike growled, tendrils of fire curling from his partially opened mouth. "We'll fight until our last breath."

"Oh, of that I have no doubt," Rarity said as she strutted into the room, her head held high and her face lacking any sign of injury. "But the true question is: are you intelligent enough to refrain from fighting so that you may breath a while longer?"

Applejack's gaze snapped back to Luna's. "What does she mean?"

Luna ignored the question and instead asked one of her own. "Why have you come here?"

When Applejack hesitated, Rarity suddenly smiled. "It became apparent rather quickly that the two of you were something special. You escaped an Ascended, and killed at least a half dozen underlings before we caught you." Her gaze shifted to the smoldering remains lying on the balcony. "You even bested two of Luna's elite guard."

"And now I will ask again; why have you come here?" Luna's eyes moved from Applejack to Spike. "What reason could there be for mortals to come to Canterlot?"

Spike nudge Applejack's flank with his elbow. "C'mon, tell them. If they were gonna kill us, they would have done it by now."

Applejack shot a warning glance at Spike, then stepped forward off of the balcony and into what appeared to be a servant’s bedroom, both of them still holding their weapons defensively. She glowered at the two unmoving Ascended. "Why should I tell ya'll anythin'? I've got no reason to trust ya."

"Perhaps a peace offering will convince you?" Rarity said as she backed out into the hall and picked something up. "I'm sure you missed this during your little rampage." She held up Applejack's halberd for them to see, then tossed it toward them.

Letting her dagger fall to the floor, Applejack caught the weapon with ease, and hastily turned the blade toward Luna, watching the two Ascended warily. When neither of them moved, she strapped it onto her back, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Spike sheath his sword.

"I don't get it,” Applejack said, regarding them with equal amounts of distrust and curiosity. “What could ya'll possibly gain by lettin' us live? What do ya care if we're 'somethin' special'?"

"As you and your dragon friend were tearing through the castle, slaying underlings as though they were nothing, Rarity and I made a hasty decision." Luna's eyes narrowed. "One that we may still retract."

"I'm sure by now you've noticed the absence of the twenty some odd underlings that were right behind you in the hall above," Rarity said. "We called them off and sent those two elites after you as a sort of test."

"And you did not disappoint," Luna finished. "Now, it just so happens that we could use somepony, such as yourselves, to help us with a certain problem." She raised to her full height and bared her fangs. "I will not ask this again; why have you come here?"

Applejack studied the two Ascended for a moment longer, then finally said, "We came here lookin' for the Phoenix Heart."

The two Ascended blinked and looked at one another. "What is a Phoenix Heart?" Luna asked.

"It's a gem that was formed when Princess Celestia's pet phoenix died protectin' her," Applejack explained. "We believe the princess was in the throne room when Mistress attacked the castle and we were tryin' to pick up her trail."

Rarity cocked an eyebrow. "Who is Princess—"

Luna silenced her with a raised hoof. "She was my sister. The ruler of the day." As a look of understanding dawned on Rarity's face, Luna rolled her eyes and turned back to Applejack. "I believe I know what you are referring to. There is some sort of stone in the east tower that emits a light that burns us upon touch. It must be the Phoenix Heart."

"The east tower?!" Spike exclaimed. "What in the hay was Celestia doing up there?"

Applejack adjusted her hat. "Are ya proposin' a deal?"

Luna nodded. "Just a short while ago, Mistress had a bit of a...falling out with her first born Ascended, Twilight."

“Twilight!” Spike breathed, his eyes going wide, but as both of the Ascended turned to look at him, he quickly composed himself. “Uh, I’ve heard of her. Nasty piece of work.”

Rarity stared at him for a moment longer, then said, “For reasons that elude us, Twilight meddled with an Element that Mistress was hiding in the library." She smiled. "It did not end well for her."

Spike gulped. "Is she...dead?"

"Unfortunately, no," Luna growled.

"Mistress bit her, which would ordinarily kill even an Ascended," Rarity said, "but Twilight seems to have allied herself with a being named Discord—"

"What?!" Applejack and Spike shouted in unison.

"Discord's alive?" Applejack exchanged wide-eyed looks with Spike. "But where the hay has he been all this time?"

"And if he's been loose without the threat of the Elements turning him to stone, then why hasn't he already turned the world upside down?" Spike asked.

"Enough!" Luna stomped a hoof, causing a book on a nearby shelf to fall to the floor. "Discord is none of our concern. It is Twilight that is the true threat."

"Yes," Rarity agreed. "According to Mistress, Discord has become rather weak, but he cannot be dismissed entirely. He did save Twilight, after all."

"And if somepony would have told me that sooner, then Twilight would be dead and we would have her Element." Luna gnashed her teeth. "I can't believe I fell for her ruse!"

Rarity brushed her dingy mane aside indignantly. "I got the information to you as quickly as I could. I only just learned of her weakness myself." She growled. "Mistress doesn't confide in me the way she does Rainbow."

"Uh...guys?" Spike interjected, turning their attention back to him. "You kinda lost us."

Luna huffed. "Discord used his magic to save Twilight, but it affected her Ascended abilities. She's now as weak as a typical underling. Apparently, Twilight is now gathering the Elements of Harmony for Discord in return for him saving her life."

"Gatherin' the Elements?" Applejack repeated. "But they should all be with the Tree of Harmony."

"I haven't heard anything about a Tree of Harmony," Rarity said, "but Mistress told me the Elements have been scattered. One was in her possession until recently, but Twilight managed to take it and escape Rainbow Dash, despite Rainbow's superior strength and speed."

"Awesome!" Spike blurted out. He grinned sheepishly when everypony turned their gazes to him and cleared his throat. “I mean, that fight must have been awesome.” He laughed nervously. "So, um, what does Discord want with the Elements?"

"Twilight thinks he wants to return them all to a tree, which I can only assume is the Tree of Harmony you've mentioned, but I believe he is lying," Luna answered. "If I can attain the Elements and learn to harness their power, then I will destroy Mistress and take my rightful place as ruler of this world.”

“And what, exactly, would that mean for Sanctuary and the other pony settlements?” Applejack asked.

Luna shrugged. “That would depend on whether or not you help us acquire the Elements.”

Applejack frowned. “So, ya’ll want us to find the Elements and bring them back here in exchange for the Phoenix Heart?”

“Not quite,” Luna replied. “As I said, Twilight is already collecting the Elements for Discord. You only need to get one. Once you have it, it will only be a matter of time before Twilight comes to acquire it. When she does, I want you to kill her and take the remaining Elements from her.”

“You want us to kill the first born Ascended?!” Spike asked incredulously.

Rarity shook her head. “You forget, Twilight is no longer an Ascended. She is no more powerful than an average underling—" she glanced between the two of them—"and we’ve seen how well you are at dispatching those.”

Luna stepped forward. "Twilight has caused me countless grievances since my awakening, but I have suffered her insolence long enough." Her lips curled, fully displaying her fangs. "If you want the Phoenix Heart, you must kill her."

Applejack's brow furrowed and her eyes shifted to the far wall as she contemplated Luna's words.

The stories of Twilight and the horrors she had committed were innumerable. She was known to have led the assault against Canterlot, and she had played a crucial role in the fall of The Crystal Empire. Princess Cadance herself had told Applejack how she and Shining Armor had only barely escaped Twilight by encasing her inside one of Shining Armor's shields just long enough for them to reach the Crystal Caverns and disappear within its complex intertwining tunnels.

Twilight had become a heinous, apathetic monster, and Equestria could only benefit from her death. She deserves to be freed from this blasted curse, and if what these two are telling me is true, then I ain't ever gonna have a better chance to do it.

As for the Elements, Applejack felt fairly certain that neither Luna nor Rarity would be able to figure out how to use them. They probably couldn't work anyway. With Fluttershy dead and the others turned, there was a good possibility that the Elements would be about as useful as a wooden frying pan, and she saw no disadvantage with trading them for the Phoenix Heart.

Applejack turned a steely gaze to Luna. "I want proof that the Phoenix Heart is where you say it is."

"Applejack!" Spike gasped. "You're not seriously considering killing—"

"Not now, Spike," Applejack interrupted.

Luna indicated Rarity. "She will take you to the east tower so that you can see the stone for yourself. Then you will be escorted out of the castle, and if you return without the Elements, you will be killed."

"I'll need my backpack," Spike said. "I left it near the dungeons."

"Very well," Luna said as she turned to leave the room. "I will take you to your things and lead you to the castle gates. Your friend can meet us there."

"Now wait just one second," Applejack said as she quickly snatched her dagger from the floor, sheathed it, and followed Luna into the hall. She quickly skidded to a halt at the sight of a dozen vamponies lining the hall, and cautiously placed a hoof on the shaft of her halberd. "We haven't agreed to anythin' yet."

A low growl escaped Rarity. "What more do we need to discuss?"

Upon hearing Rarity growl, several of the vamponies began to hiss, but Luna rounded on them and said, in a loud and authoritative tone, “You are no longer needed. Disperse, now!”

With a flurry of wings, the vamponies took to the air and soared to the end of the hall and out of sight.

Applejack watched them go, then released the shaft of her weapon and focused her gaze on Luna once more. "If we do this. If we kill Twilight and bring you the Elements, how can we be sure that you'll keep your end of the bargain?"

With a snort, Luna replied, "That accursed stone burns anypony that goes near it. I don't know what it does or why you want it, but I want it out of my castle. I have no reason to keep it."

"Can't argue with that," Spike muttered, eyeing the end of the corridor from which the vamponies had vanished.

"So, it is settled?" Luna asked. "You will kill Twilight in exchange for the Phoenix Heart?"

"And deliver the Elements," Rarity interjected, hastily stepping forward with a hoof raised. When Luna cast a frown her way, she harrumphed and swept her mane back. “You don’t want to forget them.”

"Yes…” Luna turned back to Applejack. “Kill Twilight and deliver the Elements in exchange for the Phoenix Heart. Deal?”

"It's a deal," Applejack said, trying her best not to look at the anxious expression on Spike's face.

A wide, almost hungry smile, spread across Luna’s face. "Rarity will take you to the east tower now. Your dragon friend and I will meet you at the castle gates."

Spike turned to Applejack. "Are you sure you want to split up right now?" he asked, wringing his hands and casting a quick glance back at Luna.

Applejack placed a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Spike. We're safe, for now. They ain't gonna try anythin', I'm sure of it."

With a small smile of his own, Spike placed his claw on her hoof. "Okay. I'll see you in a bit."

"See ya," Applejack said as Spike started down the corridor. As he reached the end, he cast a worried look back her way. She met his eyes and gave a firm nod. Her resolve strengthening his own, he returned the nod and followed Luna around the corner.

Applejack remained still for several moments. She had been confident in the decision to split up, but now that Spike was gone, uneasy was worming its way into her conviction.

"Am I taking you to the Phoenix Heart or not?" Rarity asked. "I do have better things to be doing."

"Like conspirin' against your own kind?" Applejack retorted as she turned to face the Ascended.

Rarity chuckled. "A vampony's loyalty should remain with herself." Rarity turned and started down the hall. "There will soon be a shift in power among Mistress and the Ascended. We can all feel it. It would be foolish not to make the necessary preparations to come out on top."

Applejack studied Rarity closely. "That sounds like somethin' is stirrin' with or without the Elements."

Rarity cast her a sidelong glance. "That's nothing a mere mortal such as yourself needs to be concerned with," she stated matter-of-factly. "What should concern you is aligning yourself with the winning side. And if you were to help me gain power, I wouldn't soon forget it."

"That's real encouragin'," Applejack mumbled, "comin' from a vampony who literally just admitted that she has no qualms 'bout betrayal."

Without warning, Rarity came to a sudden halt and laughed. Her laughter, which sounded hauntingly similar to the Rarity Applejack remembered, reverberated off of the stone walls and seemed to fill the corridor.

After several moments, Rarity managed to gain control of herself, and gasping as she wiped a tear from her eye, favored Applejack with a disarming smile. "Oh, my...yes, you did catch me in a bit of a contradiction, didn't you?" A small giggle escaped her before she fully recomposed herself. "You mortals are much more observant than most vamponies give you credit for.

"While it is true that I would not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to gain power, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't be grateful." Rarity started off once again. "You know, with the exception of Mistress, nopony ever considers how the consequences of our actions may affect the mortals. But as the years have gone by, I've begun to take a deeper appreciation for them."

"Yeah," Applejack grunted, "I've heard the rumors."

A sly smile spread across Rarity's face. "I admit that I sometimes...indulge in the occasional handsome stallion, but that isn't what I'm referring to." Rarity looked her up and down. "You mortals are surprisingly resourceful, but your leadership is a bit lackluster, don't you think? That princess of yours seems content with simply holding her crown. In all of these years, she hasn't even once tried to take even the smallest bit of Equestria back for you."

Applejack scowled. "It would be kinda hard seein' as how you vamponies have killed nearly every livin' thing in the world. It's all we can do to find enough food and water to go round."

"And yet, you survive," Rarity said. "And not only that, you're even able to produce capable, admirable fighters, such as yourself." She gave Applejack a playful wink. "But imagine for a moment, if a vampony came forward to lead you. One who's steadfastly ambition would reignite hope in your hearts, and inspire you to follow her gallant stand against Mistress and ultimately free you from her oppression."

Applejack simply stared at Rarity. Could she be serious? If even a small group of vamponies were willing to exist peacefully alongside the living, it would change every aspect of life. And if they fought side-by-side to defeat Mistress...that would surely send ripples through both the vampony hierarchy and the living settlements and set all of Equestria down a new and vastly improved path.

After enduring Applejack's stare for a full minute, Rarity glanced hastily at her and then brushed at her mane almost nervously. "Well, perhaps I'm over-romanticizing the idea a bit."

"What's Luna think 'bout all this?" Applejack asked.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Luna? She'll sit in this castle, plotting and scheming for years, but she'll never take any real action. She's too afraid, despite whatever she'd have you think. That's how Twilight was able to bluff her way out of their previous encounter. But seeing as she's the weakest of the Ascended, I suppose it's understandable that she fears us so."

Applejack cocked her head. "Then why are you here?"

"I've been giving Luna mostly irrelevant information about Mistress and the other Ascended, feeding her thirst for vengeance while slowly gaining her trust. It is my hope to eventually...procure her underling followers and use them to carry out my own plans."

"Hmm..." Applejack adjusted her hat. "Seems kinda risky tellin' me this."

"Do you really care whether or not I betray Luna?" Rarity smirked. "Besides, I can offer you much more than Luna ever could."

"I'm listenin'," Applejack said.

Rarity gave her a meaningful look. "I need to capture your princess. Alive, of course," she quickly added at the expression on Applejack's face. "She's much more valuable to me alive. Once I have her, I will be able to take her place as ruler over the mortals, and then I can prepare you all for the battle against Mistress.

"What I need you to do is lure the princess out of hiding. I know she resides in the clouds somewhere, but nopony knows where. If you help me capture her alive, I will allow you to rule at my side."

Applejack shook her head. "I ain't gonna betray Princess Cadance. But if ya really want to align with us, I can act as a negotiator between the two of ya until we come to an agreement. She trusts me, so I'm sure I can convince her you want Mistress gone as much as we do."

Rarity opened a door that led to a spiral staircase. "I won't ally myself to somepony as weak as your princess."

"She's not weak," Applejack retorted curtly as she followed the Ascended up the stairs.

"She's had a little over a decade to resist Mistress, but she's hardly done more than eke out a living for you mortals." Rarity sneered. "She has failed you all. Surely you must realize this?"

Her mind begrudgingly shifting to Rocksteady and the other residents of Carriage Town, Applejack said with as much confidence as she could muster, "She's doin' the best she can."

With a snort, Rarity led the way up the rest of the staircase in silence. At the top, she came to a halt beside a door. "I can go no further. Open the door and have your look, but don't even think about entering the hall."

Applejack cracked the door open enough to fit her head through, and gasped as a flickering light and comforting heat caressed her face. Memories of countless campfires shared with family and friends flooded her mind, and she closed her eyes and smiled as yellow and orange kaleidoscopes adorned the insides of her eyelids. The heat warmed her face with a gentle glow that she hadn't felt in what seemed a lifetime.

Taking a deep breath to stifle her elevating emotions, Applejack opened her eyes and studied the source of the alluring light and heat.

It was a large, red crystal heart, nearly identical to the Crystal Heart that Applejack had seen several times while visiting the Crystal Empire. Floating in the center of the hall about a foot off the floor and rotating as if it sat on an invisible axis, the Phoenix Heart pulsated the heat and light not unlike a beating heart. Her thoughts straying to Philomena, she felt a sudden deep-rooted sorrow that the prerequisite for this wondrous treasure had been such a terrible sacrifice.

"Satisfied?" Rarity said from behind, jerking Applejack from her thoughts.

With a last longing look at the Phoenix Heart, Applejack stepped back and shut the door. "Yeah."

Rarity frowned at the expression on Applejack's face. For a long moment, her eyes shifted back and forth between her and the door, and then, slowly and deliberately, she spoke, "I will allow you to leave with the heart right now in exchange for your Princess Cadance." She watched Applejack closely. "You can slip it into your bag, and once you and Spike have been safely escorted out of the city, I will meet you at the base of the mountain."

Applejack's breath caught as her heart leaped into her throat. She could have the Phoenix Heart right now! All she had to do was give Rarity Cadance, and then she was free to cure Apple Bloom. It would be so easy!

Would it really be so bad? She's already told me that she'd let me rule by her side, so I could ensure ponies don't get a raw deal. I'm sure Cadance and I could smooth everything over with the living, and if Rarity succeeded in taking control of the vamponies here, we just might have a force to be reckoned with. We could even take back our homes!

Finally recovering from Rarity's offer, Applejack studied the Ascended warily. "What about the Elements?"

Rarity shrugged. "When I first heard of them, they sounded fascinating. I told Luna about them immediately, and requested that she try to acquire one as soon as possible." She glanced down the spiral staircase, ensuring that the door below was still closed. "But since then I've spent many hours reading everything I can find about them in the library here, and I don't think they work the way Luna believes they do."

Applejack cocked an eyebrow. "And ya haven't told Luna this?"

A nasty grin crept upon Rarity’s face as her eyes seemed to burn brighter with malicious intent. "Oh, dear me, no! It would be so much easier to assume control of Luna's underlings if her clever master plan failed spectacularly." She began to laugh. "Imagine if she didn't test them and went straight into a confrontation with Mistress!"

Applejack didn't have to imagine; she was certain Luna would die very horribly. What she could imagine, however, were all the ways Rarity could betray her and Cadance if Applejack accepted her offer. She briefly considered agreeing to help the Ascended, take the Phoenix Heart, and use it's light to ward off Rarity once they met up, but knew it was a bad idea. She had already voiced her concerns about Sanctuary to Luna in their previous conversation, and she was certain Rarity hadn't missed that detail. She harbored no doubt that Rarity would exact her vengeance upon the walled town if she were betrayed.

"So, what's your decision?" Rarity asked with another quick glance down at the door.

Applejack closed her eyes. I'm sorry, Apple Bloom.

"No," she said, watching Rarity uncertainly, her body tense and ready to react. "I can't turn Equestria over to a vampony. Especially one that's so prone to betrayal."

To Applejack's surprise, Rarity nodded almost knowingly. "I suspected as much, but before you make a final decision, let me tell you where Luna is going to send you." She grinned wickedly. "Her underlings have been scouring all of Equestria for any sign of the Elements, but the only one they've been able to find is located in the heart of Manehattan."

Applejack gasped. If there was one place that was more dangerous than Canterlot, it was Manehattan. The city was brimming with vamponies, and it was a well known fact that nopony could cross the Manehattan bridge. The long span of open ground had become a deathtrap, one that had claimed many in their attempts to flee the city.

There was no chance that they would survive such a trip. Even if she and Spike somehow managed to cross the bridge, how could they possibly make their way to the center of a city full of vamponies? They hadn't even been able to move through a single castle undetected.

"Luna will become suspicious if we take much longer," Rarity said. "I need your final decision."

There was nothing Applejack wanted more than to accept Rarity's offer. If she refused, then she would die in Manehattan, and Apple Bloom would never be cured. At least if she accepted, Apple Bloom would be saved.

But how could she ever face Apple Bloom again after betraying all of Equestria? And worse still, would it torment Apple Bloom to know that her sister had made such an unforgivable sacrifice on her behalf? Could this decision unintentionally cause her more suffering than she was already enduring?

Applejack swallowed hard. That wasn't a risk she could take.

"No," she said again. "I'll take my chances in Manehattan."

Rarity surprised her yet again by favoring her with a smile. "I understand. Perhaps I let you see too much of myself before making the offer." She turned and descended the staircase, and led them out of the tower and back into the corridor before shutting the door behind them.

"Applejack...that's what Spike called you, right?" When Applejack nodded, Rarity smiled again. "I like you, Applejack. You've proven to be both a very capable fighter, and an observant and intelligent pony. You would be a very useful ally, especially for managing the mortals." She sighed. "But no matter. My plans will soon come to fruition with or without your help. And once I have your princess—" She gave Applejack a meaningful look— "we'll truly see where your loyalties lie."

Applejack's ears flattened as she glared at the Ascended. "I'll die before I let you lay a hoof on Princess Cadance."

Rarity chuckled. "Will you?" She brushed aside her mane. "It sounds to me that you are more willing to die for that crystal than you are for any princess."

Applejack said nothing. She couldn't deny the truth in Rarity's words.

She had quietly slipped out of Sanctuary just as they were preparing themselves for an attack, with no regard for the panic her departure could cause, and now, even after hearing Rarity's plan, she could still think of nothing but obtaining the Phoenix Heart. Was she really throwing everything away to save Apple Bloom? If in the end she could only save one, who would she choose: Apple Bloom or Princess Cadance?

An icy dread filled her at the prospect of having to choose between them, but then a sudden thought swept her fear away. She had nearly forgotten about the cloaked vampony. She had said that she needed Applejack's help in killing the Ascended and Mistress.

Applejack breathed deeply. There was still a way to save both of them. If she could survive Manehattan and then kill Twilight, she could get the Phoenix Heart and save Apple Bloom, and then help the cloaked vampony kill Rarity and the other Ascended, saving Cadance as a result. Even if Rarity made her move before she had attained the Phoenix Heart, they would have time to rescue Cadance. Rarity had said herself that she needed Cadance alive, and although Applejack didn't know what the cloaked vampony had planned, she was sure she could convince her that helping Cadance was a top priority.

The two of them made their way to the front gates in silence. Applejack noticed that Rarity kept stealing quick glances at her, but pretended not to notice.

The Ascended bewildered her. Never in her wildest dreams would she have ever expected a vampony, much less an Ascended, to like her. She would have thought it a ruse, except that her smiles and laughs were almost identical to the old Rarity. The only thing missing was the way her beautiful sapphire eyes would light up with mirth.

With a frown, Applejack pushed these thoughts aside. It didn't matter if Rarity liked her, she was the enemy, and would remain so unless she decided to align with Princess Cadance as opposed to capturing her.

They passed through the throne room, now occupied by only Luna's throne, and opening the door to the main hall, they found Spike and Luna awaiting them near the gates.

Applejack sighed with relief and smiled brightly as Spike hoisted his backpack on a shoulder and waved at her. Although she had been certain that Luna wouldn't hurt him, seeing him unharmed seemed to lift a weight off of her heart that she hadn't even known was there.

"You've seen the stone?" Luna asked. "You're prepared to fulfill your end of the bargain?"

"Yeah," Applejack replied, shooting Spike a warning glance to keep him quiet.

Luna nodded. "Very well." At her word, a nearby vampony opened the portcullis. "You must travel to Manehattan. Somewhere in the heart of the city lies one of the Elements."

"Seriously?!" exclaimed Spike, "Manehattan?!" He turned to Applejack. "We can't! It's impossible!"

"Yes," Luna hissed. "Seriously." She led them through the gates and across the drawbridge. "The vamponies there have always existed independent of Mistress's rule, and clearly have no desire to leave the city. I sent a group of underlings to recruit them and only a single one returned, gravely injured."

"Then how are you so sure an Element is there?" Spike demanded.

Luna eyed him reproachfully. "Several of my underlings have integrated themselves into their society, and they've seen the Element. It's a gem in the shape of a lightning bolt. Does this alleviate your suspicion?"

"Yeah," Spike mumbled, turning his gaze back to Applejack. "But if a group of vamponies were wiped out, how are we gonna survive?"

"It's okay, sugar," Applejack said, doing her best to look and sound confident. "We'll manage. We always do."

Spike frowned at Applejack for a moment, then rounded on Luna. "Why Manehattan? Don't you know of any other Elements?"

"No." Luna shook her head. "I was unable to locate any of the others."

"We'll go to Manehattan," Applejack said, stepping closer to Spike, "but there's one problem. Nopony has been able to cross the Manehattan Bridge since the sun failed." Applejack adjusted her hat and gave Luna an expectant look. "We're gonna need some help."

With a quick glance at Luna, Rarity suggested, "You could provide them with a distraction."

"Yes, that could work." Luna took a moment to think it over, then nodded. "My underlings can cause a diversion while the two of you cross, but I cannot guarantee that they will be available when you leave. Will that be acceptable?"

"It's better than nothing," Spike replied in an unenthusiastic tone.

Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on Spike's shoulder. "We can work with that," she told Luna. "Have them meet us a mile down the road from the Manehattan Bridge."

"It will be done," Luna affirmed. She gave a loud, bat-like screech and two of her fully armored elite guards—both noticeably smaller than the two they'd previously encountered—suddenly swooped down and landed beside them. "These two will escort you safely to the edge of the city." A shadow seemed to fall across her face as her eyes narrowed. "Remember my warning: if you dare to return without the Elements, your lives will be forfeit."

"Yeah, we got it," Applejack snapped. She turned to Spike. "Let's go."

As they started off, with the two elite guards on either side of them, Luna called after them, "Be sure to give Twilight my regards before you kill her."

Applejack waved a hoof to show that she had heard, and spared a quick glance at Spike. She knew he was upset, but there was nothing she could do about it while in the presence of these vamponies.

"Applejack—" Spike began as soon as they were out of earshot.

"Not yet, sugar," Applejack said gently. "Once we're out of the city, we'll talk all ya want."

"Right," Spike muttered, his shoulder slouched, and Applejack was disheartened to see that he was wringing his hands.

They walked through Canterlot in silence, occasionally stepping over holes in the decadent cobblestone road. The once elegant and entrancing buildings brooded in the eerie moonlight; with their archways collapsed and their awnings hanging in tatters, they seemed to slump in misery as though in mourning of the fate of their former inhabitants.

Several times during their trek through the city one or more vamponies would land on a nearby rooftop and eye them hungrily, but when one of the elites gave a warning hiss and placed a hoof on the hilt of their sword, the offenders would retreat with shrieks of frustration.

"Just outta curiosity, where did ya'll learn to handle your swords?" Applejack asked after one such incident. "I noticed that your technique is similar to the Canterlot Academy's." When the two vamponies hesitated, she added. "I don't reckon you'd be betrayin' Luna by tellin' me how you're trained. Especially since I've already recognized the form."

After another moment's pause, the one nearest Spike said, "Rarity discovered a textbook several years ago about military techniques and has been training us ever since."

"Wait, Rarity is teaching you how to fight?" Spike said, incredulously.

"Yes," the vampony answered. "She showed Luna the book and she agreed that it was a good idea. Rarity trained us straight from the book and wasn't happy until we performed the forms perfectly."

"She is a very strict teacher," the other chimed in, "but we are better fighters for it."

"And how many of you are there?" Applejack asked.

"Around fifty," the vampony said. "I think she wanted to train more, but we ran out of armor."

Applejack frowned as her ears flattened. "And what kind of military techniques are ya'll learnin'?"

"Basic siege tactics, the Hammer and Anvil, the Pincer, things like that," the vampony answered.

"So..." Applejack scratched her head and adjusted her hat. "You're trainin' to be Luna's personal guard, but you've mainly studied attack formations?"

"Yes," affirmed both guards in tones that made clear that they saw nothing wrong with this.

"Huh, alright then," Applejack said, sharing a concerned look with Spike.

It seemed Rarity really was poised to make a move regardless of whether or not they brought back the Elements. By training these vamponies herself, she had undoubtedly gained their loyalty, and with fifty of the most well-trained fighters in the city on her side, Rarity could easily take the castle from Luna whenever she wanted.

Her thoughts went back to Rarity's comments about the living being resourceful and producing admirable fighters. It made more sense now why she wanted to rule the living. She wanted to create her own army, but had run out of resources. If she had access to the resources of the living, she could make her army as large as she wanted, and with the help of the 'admirable fighters', she could train more vamponies at a faster rate.

"Can we pick up the pace?" Spike suddenly grumbled as they walked around the debris of a fallen golden balcony. "This is getting really depressing."

Applejack glanced through the broken window of a shop and saw a skeleton lying beneath an overturned table. "I couldn't agree more."

Forcing these worrisome thoughts from her mind, Applejack picked up her stride. She could dwell on all this more after she had secured the Phoenix Heart.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the train station came into view. Like everything else in the formerly grand city, it was a scene of ruination. The steps leading up to the raised, wooden platform had crumbled, every window in the station, including the glass face of the clock, had been shattered, and both steel hands of the clock had been driven into the side of the building.

Applejack slowed to a halt as she took in the state of the station, then turned toward the elite guard on her immediate right. "Can't ya'll leave anythin' nice? Do ya have to destroy everythin'?"

The vampony shrugged before pointing to the train tracks. "You can follow the tracks all the way to the ground."

"Yeah, yeah," Spike huffed. "We know the way."

"And do not forget Luna's warning—" the other vampony began.

"We've heard enough of her warning," Applejack interjected with a scowl. "Now ya can give her one of ours. If we're attacked when we return, the deals off. I'll bury the Elements in a hole so deep that she can search for all eternity and never find them."

The two vamponies looked at one another, then the one closest to Applejack nodded. "We'll make sure you aren't attacked."

"You'd better," Applejack grunted.

Together, she and Spike stepped onto the track and without sparing the two vamponies another glance, started off.

"Are we really doing this?" Spike asked several minutes later, once he was sure they were alone. "Are we really going to Manehattan?"

"I am," Applejack replied. "I have to. It's the only way to get the Phoenix Heart." She gave him a nervous, sidelong look. "But I think it's for the best if ya headed back home. You've done enough."

"And Twilight?" Spike pressed, ignoring her. "Are you really going to kill her?"

Applejack took a deep breath, closing her eyes before responding. "She's a vampony now, Spike. She deserves to be put to rest."

"But she's gathering the Elements for Discord so he can return them to the Tree of Harmony," Spike retorted. "She's helping Equestria now!"

Applejack’s head snapped toward him, and she cocked an eyebrow. "You’d really trust Discord with the Elements?"

Spike snorted. "And giving them to Luna is a better idea?"

"The Elements are useless now," Applejack said matter-of-factly. "I'm the only one left who could even try to harness them, and they won't work for just me. Luna will be wastin' her time with them."

"But if they were taken back to the tree, they could still do some good," Spike countered.

"Ya can't know that for sure."

"No, but you know what I do know?" Spike said, coming to an abrupt halt and pointing an accusatory claw at her chest. "I know that you aren't thinking about what's best for Equestria. All you're thinking about is Apple Bloom."

"And all you're thinkin' 'bout is Twilight!" Applejack shot back.

"Of course I am!" Spike said, exasperated. "I'm almost always thinking about her. How could I not? Twilight's the one that raised me. I just don't always feel the need to whine about it like you do." Applejack felt her face flush even as Spike grimaced at his own words. "Applejack, I'm sorry, I—"

"It ain't the same with you," she spoke barely above a whisper. "You never vowed to protect Twilight. She wasn't your responsibility."

"I know. I didn't mean—"

"You need to get back to Sanctuary," Applejack snapped, her teeth clenched so tightly her jaw ached. "They need to be warned 'bout what Rarity's been up to." She turned and started off at a canter. "I can handle this on my own."

Spike started after her, but then stopped and looked off into the distance. From his vantage point atop the tracks, he could just see the edge of White Tail Woods. For several long moments, his gaze shifted from the wood to Applejack's retreating form and back, but then, balling his claws into fists, he hurried off at a jog after his friend.

***

Twilight landed on a rocky ledge overlooking the barren landscape of the Badlands and huffed in irritation. She had lost track of the number of hours that she had spent soaring over the desert looking for any sign of the Diamond Dogs. If it hadn't been for Discord's guidance, she would have never guessed that anyone inhabited these lands.

Turning in a small circle, Twilight studied the cliffs around her. This was the biggest cluster of rocks in all of the Badlands, and if the Diamond Dog's city was truly located in an underground cavern, then this was the most likely location for an entrance.

There were dozens of caverns high off the ground, but she had investigated every single one of them, and while some went on for a good distance, they all either dead-ended or linked with one another.

Twilight flopped down onto her stomach, her legs dangling from the ledge, and gazed down at the sand below. Never, since her awakening, had she ever given up on anything, but nothing before had ever been this infuriatingly difficult. She wanted to dive into the sand and tear through the ground with her bare hooves until she reached the city, but knew that it would be a futile waste of her energy. Still, at least she'd be doing something other than flying uselessly in circles.

As her eyes traced the outlines of the shadows along the sand cast by the full moon high above, it slowly occurred to her that she had been searching primarily from the air. The Diamond Dogs, however, lived underground, and so would have no use for these caverns so high off the ground. If she were going to find this city, she had to stop thinking like a vampony and start thinking like a Diamond Dog.

Recalling that the last time she had dropped from a ledge, she had ended with in a face full of sand, Twilight spread her wings, and with several gentle flaps, landed lightly on the sand.

Twilight growled as she took a step forward and felt her hooves sink into the sand. By Mistress’s fangs, I hate this place! Sand for as far as the eye can see, air that is somehow more dry here than anywhere else in Equestria, and even the ground seems to be determined to show how inhospitable it can be! I can’t wait to find this blasted entrance and leave this desolate land behind. A deep, dark cave, with solid stone under my hooves...yeah, that sounds nice.

Still scowling, she turned her gaze to the rock outcropping and began trotting along its base. For nearly a half hour, she moved around the rocks, her eyes scanning for any opening, until she came upon a dune pressed against the rocks.

As she attempted to walk over the side of the dune, her hoof slipped and she found herself sliding all the way down to its base on her side. She sputtered and kicked viciously at the sand around her before standing and furiously shaking the sand from her fur.

For a full silent minute, she stood there, simply staring at the offending dune, then, with a shriek of rage, she took to the air and slammed down onto the dune with all her might. The sand erupted in an explosion around her, covering her face and fur, but she didn't care as she continued to rain blow after blow upon its crest.

Her entire life had fallen away from her, leaving her with only this single path that Discord had laid before her. And now here she was in this ugly, barren, inhospitable desert covered from head to hoof in sand with nothing to show for it despite her searching for countless hours. She wanted nothing more to kill someone, and this dune would have to suffice.

She knew that she was being stupid, knew that she couldn't hurt the sand, but watching the top portion of the dune blow apart was still immensely satisfying.

Finally, her anger quelled, Twilight gave one last kick at the sand, then sat back on her haunches to catch her breath. After a few moments, she glanced back toward the rock and her heart skipped a beat.

Where the dune had been pressing up against the rock was a small opening that was still full of sand. Racing over, Twilight quickly began scooping out hoof-fulls of sand, and found that the sand was not packed very tightly inside. Lying on her stomach, she pushed both of her forelegs through the opening, clearing as much of the sand as she could, then gripped the rock and pulled herself through.

Her head and shoulders squeezed through fine, but she became stuck when she came to her wings. Fighting off panic at the thought of being trapped like this, Twilight exhaled and sucked her stomach in while folding her wings as tightly against her body as she could, and with a great heave, pulled the rest of herself through the opening.

Gasping with relief as the last of her fear dissipated, Twilight climbed to her hooves and knocked her head on the rocky ceiling. With a pained grunt, she surveyed the tunnel.

It was wide enough that two more ponies could stand beside her, but she would have to keep her head down to stand fully. There was nothing behind her except the hole she had pulled herself through, and ahead the tunnel continued for nearly fifty feet before abruptly ending.

Once again feeling a deep anger broiling within, Twilight shook off the sand from her mane and fur and started forward, unable to believe that she had found yet another dead-end.

It can't be a dead-end, it was too well hidden. It has to lead somewhere. What's the point of digging a small tunnel to nowhere?

As she neared the end, she found that the floor suddenly dropped into a steep incline. Immediately, her anger evaporated and was replaced with triumph. She'd found it! Never again would she have to set another hoof in that hateful sand. All that was left was to crush a few Changelings, and perhaps a Diamond Dog or two if they got in her way, and she'd have the next Element and be well on her way down her path of vengeance.

Ducking her head, Twilight began her descent. She moved swiftly, feeling much more at home in the silent, pitch black cave. Despite the stiffness she was already beginning to feel in her neck, she found solace within the confined rock walls. After traversing that despicable desert, it was comforting to feel the familiar rocks beneath her hooves and to be completely enveloped by the darkness.

The steep incline continued for several minutes before it began to slowly level out. Gradually, the ceiling rose until Twilight was able to fully raise her head.

Sighing with relief, Twilight stretched out her neck, but soon came to an abrupt halt as the tunnel branched off into two directions.

Twilight hesitated only for a moment, then started down the left tunnel. It sloped slightly downward and around a bend before ending in a large cavern that branched off in five different directions.

With a growl, Twilight sat back on her haunches and rolled some loose rocks beneath a hoof as she mused over this development. With this many different tunnels, it would be extremely easy to become lost, and once she was, she doubted she'd ever find her way back out. If she continued forward, there was a good chance that she'd never see the light of the moon again, but going back wasn't an option, the Element was down here somewhere, and she wasn't leaving without it.

Her gaze slowly shifted to the pebbles beneath her hoof as she thought, then traveled to the cavern floor around her to find that it was littered with small rocks. She froze as a sudden idea came to her, and a grin spread from ear to ear.

Trotting back to the tunnel she had just emerged from, she scooped up several of the rocks and stacked them into a small pile in the mouth of the opening to mark it. Satisfied, she headed toward the next tunnel, and again stacked rocks to mark the passage before starting down it. She followed the tunnel until it forked, and paused just long enough to mark her choice before continuing.

Twilight used this method to explore the cave for several hours. Each time she reached a dead-end, or the tunnels interconnected with one another, she simply reoriented herself by locating one of her stacks of rocks and then proceeded down an unmarked passage. When she grew tired, she flew up to the ceiling, now several yards above her, and hung among the stalactites for a short nap before resuming her journey.

Eventually, she caught a whiff of something that made her heart flutter with hope. Unsure if she were truly smelling it or if it was a cruel trick her mind was playing on her, Twilight turned down the passage she believed it stemmed from.

The smell grew progressively stronger as she traveled at an increasing speed. She was primarily following her nose now, having abandoned her method of marking tunnels. She barely slowed when the tunnels branched, unhesitatingly choosing the passages that carried the scent.

A surge of excitement overtook her as she caught sight of the first wisp of smoke, and she hurried forward at a gallop. Smoke always meant fire, and Twilight knew that fire never failed to lead her to mortals.

The fools loved their fire; it chased away the darkness and made them feel safe and warm, but unfortunately for them, it also stood out painfully against a darkened landscape. Twilight still vividly remembered her astonishment, back when the sun had first failed, that the mortals were stupid enough to keep making them, and had followed their inviting glow to many meals in her early life.

It wasn't long after she'd begun following the smoke trail that she emerged from the tunnel into a huge cave. Dominating its center was a large lake, and as Twilight approached it, she peered at its clear, tranquil surface.

As she gazed upon her own reflection, Twilight dimly became aware of a strange longing from deep within. The unexplainable yearning grew stronger as she studied her features; her glowing red eyes, long fangs, large ears, and her bat-like wings, and she found herself recalling the pictures she had found in the library's basement.

For a moment, she stared at her reflection and tried to visualize herself with a horn, with purple eyes instead of red, and feathers replacing the membrane of her wings, but then tore her gaze away. I don't know what these feelings mean, but this isn't the time to worry about it. I've got to stay focused on finding the Element.

Twilight's eyes swept the cave. Nearby was a cluster of rocks with a large burning torch standing on either side that was clearly the source of the smoke she had followed, and a quick inspection told her that they had been lit only recently.

There was no doubt in her mind that she had just found the water supply of the Diamond Dogs, and as her gaze shifted to the right side of the cave and spotted a large tunnel, she grinned.

She was very close now. Soon, she would have the Element and be one step closer to exacting her revenge.