"Big sister, tell me a story!" A young filly's voice pleaded as she lay in beneath the covers of her bed. The sound of her older sister chuckling rang throughout the room, like the sound of musical bells. Snow danced gracefully outside the nearby window in the dim light of a street lamp, the only sign of Hearths Warming's approach.

"Oh I can't dear, it's far too past your bedtime." Despite herself, the older sister had already begun to settle into the mattress as well, above the covers as her purple tail playfully whipped forwards and brushed the younger filly's snout, making her giggle in turn.

"But you promised at dinner!" The young filly complained, her voice carrying with it the tone of disappointment. With a mischievous grin, the older filly reached forward with a hoof and poked the younger one's stomach through the blankets, making her laugh.

"And YOU promised that you would eat all of your cucumbers if I did. But as I recall, everything on that plate was gone with the exception of those very cucumbers." Her blue eyes shined with mirth as her younger sister bit her lower lip in embarrassment, looking anywhere but at her.

" I don't like cucumbers..."She grumbled out, only for the older sister to shake her head.

"And yet I cannot seem to stop you from sneaking into the fridge to eat pickles." The young filly's eyes lit up at the mention of her favorite snack.

"But they aren't cucumbers! They're salty and crunchy and I love them!" She defended her snack with a vigorous nod. The older sister could chuckle harder at the naivety.

"Besides, you're the one that keeps sneaking into mommy's ice cream stash when she takes her evening naps!" The older filly blushed in embarrassment at being called out, before she quickly placed a hoof on her younger sibling's lips and let out a quite shushing noise.

"N-not so loud, I'll tell you a story then okay?" The filly snickered behind her sister's hoof, the appendage almost lost among her own fur that was as white as the freshly fallen snow. With a sigh of defeat and a small smile, the older sister removed her hoof and tapped her chin.

"Hmmm, now which one to tell?" She pondered on the many stories that she had read and those that she had told before."

"I know, I know! Tell the one about the two sisters!" The older sister looked to her in surprise.

"Are you sure dear? Didn't I tell you that one just the other day?" The younger sister only nodded rapidly.

"It's my favorite!" The older filly arched an eyebrow at this.

"I thought the tale of Fernando the Fox was your favorite?" With a shy nod, the younger filly looked back to her hooves as she shuffled them above the covers.

"That one is my favorite too... but I wanna hear the one with the two sisters tonight. I really liked it." After a brief moment of silence, the older sibling could only smile at the younger one before nodding as well.

"Very well darling."

----

Two Sisters and a Beast.

Once upon a time, there lived two unicorn sisters who stayed in a small cottage in the woods, surrounded by lush trees and beautiful flowers.

The older sister prided herself on her beauty and her skill with a needle. She would often be seen working with a spinning wheel to craft new threads with which she would then make outfits to sell in the nearby village. She supported both herself and her younger sister with these crafts of clothing, and many praised her for both her looks and her work. Though many suitors would come into the woods seeking her attention, she would turn them all away with a smile, never being cruel, but simply stating that she was not interested.

The younger sister was naught but a young filly. She was sweet, kind, gentle and caring. She tended to many of the wild flowers that had grown around their home and although she too was a unicorn, she had no talents in magic, but chose to tend the gardens with her own hooves, much to her sister's dismay.

The parents of the two sisters had long since passed away due to an illness that had swept over the countryside many moons ago. In their last moments, they begged the sisters to always look after one another, to care for and love each other. They were buried beneath the boughs of a willow tree not far from where their home sat, a carving of their cutie marks in the bark of the tree mark the grave.

One day, while the little sister took some of her freshly cut flowers to their parents grave, the older sister decided to make her way into town to try and make a few bits. Packing up her outfits in a few baskets, she placed them on a small cart and left a note for her sister upon their door before hooking herself to the cart and making her way through the forest toward the village on the well worn path.

The Sun shone brightly this day, its golden rays piercing through the trees and lighting the path. The sound of the wheels on her cart creaking slowly as she enjoyed the walk.

It was not long before she arrived in town and began to sell her wares, quickly greeted by mares who had been waiting impatiently for her to return.

----

"Girls, it's time for bed!" An older mare's voice called out, cutting off the story. The older sister sighed along with the younger as the two yelled back in unison.

"In a minute mother/mom!" With a small fit of giggles, the older sibling continued her tale.

----

Some time after her sister had gone to town, the younger sister had begun playing in the small clearing near their parent's grave as she often did. She danced in the sunlight with a smile and a laugh, the small white sundress her sister had made for her causing the wild flowers to sway from the light air of her dancing and almost seemed to move with her in rhythm. However, as she danced the sky slowly began to grow darker and darker. It was mere moments later when she found herself deep within the dark wood, she looked around herself fearfully.

She had been so caught up in her dancing, that she had not realized she had stepped out of the clearing and deeper into the woods. It was dark and the trees blocked her view of the path. The poor filly was frightened and called out, hoping for her sister to hear her.

"Hello little one, are you lost?" A gruff voice came from behind the filly, startling her and causing her to turn around quickly. Her ears folded back and her eyes widened at what greeted her.

She could not make out the beast's shape, or even it's facial features. It was merely a massive black shadow that very nearly faded into the darkness behind it. Only a pair of deep yellow eyes stared back at her, catlike and cunning. After a few moments of silence, the filly finally responded to the creature.

"I... m-my sister... my s-sister is coming..." She trembled as she spoke. The creature's eyes widened a small fraction, before they almost seemed to smile at her.

"Oh? I don't hear anyone." The sound of something sniffing could be heard, before it spoke again.

"I don't smell anyone." It's eyes darted around the trees behind the young filly, who now was quite visibly shaken. Barely a moment after, they rested on the filly once more.

"I don't see anyone... Are you sure you aren't lost?" It's rough voice almost sounded as though it were laughing. The filly slowly began to back away from the creature, choosing not to respond this time. For every step the small filly took back, the creature took a step forward.

"Where are you going little one? Don't you want to stay?" The filly shook her head, only causing the creature to laugh. It's haunting voice became too much for the filly and she turned to run. She cried as she ran, while the sound of the beast chasing her from behind echoed through the woods.

"SISTER!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

----

The older sister trotted back happily to their small home in the woods, her cart empty but a sack full of bits tied to her cart harness. They now had enough bits to fulfill the older sister's dream of finally buying a home in town and moving from the woods. Her little sister could finally attend school and she could make more business with living in town.

As she approached their home, she froze at seeing that the note was still on the door. Looking about, she noted the lowering of the Sun and the dim light, but no lanterns were lit inside the home.

"Sister?" She yelled cautiously, hoping for a response. Her apprehension rose as none came. With a flash of her white magic, she vanished from within the cart's harness and appeared a hoof steps distance from the door, the exertion of such a high level spell showing clearly in her face, but she ignored it as she rushed forwards and pushed her way inside. She searched the living area, followed by the kitchen and the bedroom, all the while yelling for her sister who was nowhere to be found.

With panic marring her beautiful features, she burst from the home at a gallop, panting as she made her way to the clearing near their parent's grave. As she grew closer, the sound of a scream incited her into picking up her pace.

When she arrived in the clearing, she could see her sister running towards her, a dark shadow of a beast trailing behind her hooves as it was nearly upon her. She screamed in horror at the scene, nearly taking a step back to run. But the sound of her sister's cries made her stop. Her vision focused on the small filly, fragile and afraid as she ran towards her, and the fear in her own heart blistered away to reveal a cold fury in its stead.

With a cry of outrage, the older sister dove forward, her horn alight in magic and her eyes glowing white. She leapt over her younger sister and straight into the beast that chased her, it's previous haunting laughter now gave way to a painful scream. The younger sister turned in surprise and awe as she watched her older sister, who had always abhorred violence and dirt, throwing herself into the very beast that had chased her from the woods.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY SISTER!!!" She screamed in righteous fury as her horn glowed a brilliant white, blinding all who bore witness, before there was an explosion of magic and smoke.

As the smoke cleared, the younger sister watched as her sibling limped from the smoke, dirt coating her fur and her breathing erratic. The great beast was nowhere to be seen. The two siblings quickly grabbed hold of one another, tears falling from both of their eyes as they cried in the clearing.

One feared that they would die in the woods, one feared that they would lose the other, both were happy to be in each other's embrace once more. The tree that marked their parent's grave stood a small distance behind them, the only sign that their parents were watching over them with pride and joy.

The next day, both sisters moved from the forest and into a large home in town. The older sister was able to open her shop in the home, while the younger began to attend school and made many friends. But neither of them would ever visit their parent's grave again without the other.

The End.

----

The younger sister sighed happily as she fought to keep her eyes open, her hoof closed tightly around the foreleg of her older sister.

"I really like the ending of that story." She mumbled groggily. The older sister giggled softly before moving to tuck in the blankets around the young filly's side.

"Yes, I do hope to have my own shop in town some day as well, wouldn't that be so exciting?" She smiled brightly as she thought about her future. The younger sister shook her head however, before speaking.

"Not that... When the big sister saves her younger sister..." She was slowly drifting off as she laid her head back into the pillows behind her. The older filly looked to her in surprise at her comment, before smiling and shaking her head.

"Silly filly." Leaning forwards, she placed a light kiss on the young one's forehead, before raising up as though to leave the bedroom.

"S-sis?" The soft sound of her sister's voice caused her to pause. Turning, she looked to see her sister's eyes were closed but her lips were trembling as she reached out towards her with a hoof. Taking the hoof in her grasp, she leaned back down.

"Yes Sweetie?" Rarity asked her younger sister worriedly. Sweetie Belle opened her eyes only a little as she spoke.

"M-monster's aren't real... right?" Rarity would have kicked herself if she could. She was worried that such as story might be a bit much for somepony of Sweetie's age.

"No, no dear. Monsters don't exist. And if they did, they would never get you, they would have to go through me first." She declared with a brave smile and a pose. Sweetie Belle smiled back even as her eyes closed again.

"Just like... in the story..." She sighed out as she drifted off. Rarity looked to her with a smile, before laying down beside the filly and curling up next to her.

"Yes... just like in the story..." She closed her eyes and passed into the realm of sleep, dreams of being a strong mare with magic that could crush any threat to her cheerful and gentle sister played within her mind's eye.

' I promise...'

----

Present Day

----

"Rarity!" Twilight's voice cried out in desperation. She stood just inside the doorway to a darkened room. Her fur was matted and injuries decorated her frame. Blood stains on her fur left much of it looking almost black and shoddily tied bandages around her midsection were stained crimson from a severe wound. She had managed to get inside of the barricaded Carousel Boutique only moments before, rushing through the darkened home trying to find her friend.

When she found her however, the scene that met her gaze was as horrifying as it was real.

She stared in shock, the purple aura of her magic dropping the bloodied baseball bat that had been trailing behind her to the floor with a clatter.

"R-rarity...?" She asked once more, feeling sick to her stomach.

The mare was unresponsive as she sat in the dark bedroom. The windows were boarded up so that only a little of the Moonlight outside could filter in and much of her room was a mess, rolls of fabric and torn clothe were strewn about the floor. Blood stains in the carpet left a trail that had gone unnoticed, leading from the doorway up to the form of a pair of unicorns who sat in the floor. A revolver that had been modified for earth ponies rested nearby.

Rarity's own fur was no better than her friend's, matted and tuft up in places. Her normally well maintained mane and tail were both a bit ragged, but still held their forms. Her mascara had left dark trails down her cheeks from where hot tears had run, but she took no notice.

"Hush now... quiet now..." She whispered over and over again as she stroked a light purple mane of hair that sat in her forelegs. The dull grey form of a small filly resting within her grasp.

Twilight gulped nervously as she slowly approached for a better look, the worst possible scenario of what was happening played in her mind.

"Rarity... i-is that?" Once more she was met with silence. Taking the initiative, she peeked over the stroking hooves of her friend, before gasping in horror and forcing herself to turn away, relieving her stomach of its contents.

There in Rarity's hooves, was the limp form of Sweetie Belle. Silent, still, and covered in blood.

The left side of the filly's throat had been torn open, blood pooling around the two sisters and staining them both. Her eyes were open, but they were dull and lifeless.

"O-oh Celestia..." Twilight gasped out, her body trembling as she looked back at the two of them.

"R-Rarity... I'm so... so sorry..." Twilight spoke shakily as she turned towards them. Rarity only continued to stroke the bloodied mane of her sister, softly singing a lullaby.

Suddenly a small twitch in Rarity's lap caught Twilight's attention, and she felt her heart drop as she watched the body of Sweetie Belle begin to slowly push itself up with small, jerking motions. A slight growling could be heard, gurgling with grotesque liquids. Trembling, Twilight began to panic as she lit her horn, the bat in the doorway floating towards them.

"R-Rarity... I need you to get away from her..." The mare did not respond, her hold on the young filly's slowly reanimating body only growing tighter as it began to struggle to free itself. Rarity continued to sing while the body of her sister pushed itself until it was being held with its face next to Rarity's. Sweetie's body growled and snapped its bloodied teeth in an effort to bite the mare, but the firm grip kept her in place. Twilight began to grow frantic as she yelled, hoping to break the trance on her friend.

"Rarity please!" she shouted, but again there was no response. Rarity had stopped singing as she held her sister against herself, a small smile on her lips as her glazed eyes stared at nothing.

Clenching her eyes shut, Twilight snapped them open and raised the bat with a yell, aiming for the head of the filly and praying that she would miss her friend.

“Sweetie, I’m sorry!!” She exclaimed, just before the scene before her twisted suddenly and Twilight found herself staring down her own back and the wall that should have been behind her. Blood gushed from her lips as she stared in confusion, before her mind went blank and her body collapsed to the floor, the bat following shortly after.

The blue magic of Rarity's horn slowly faded from around Twilight's head from where she had snapped her neck. The mare glared at the corpse of her former friend, while still holding the struggling form of her sister's body.

" I promised I'd protect you..." She whispered to her sister, her horn slowly lighting up once more, before the revolver near her rose up.

"I promise... I promise..." She repeated as she brought the barrel of the firearm to rest against the struggling Sweetie's head, the barrel placed so that it's exit was pointing to the wall on Rarity's right.

"Once... upon a time... there lived two unicorn sisters..." Tears trailed down her face once more as she trembled and struggled to hold her sister's body in place.

With the deafening sound of thunder and a brief flash of light, blood splattered across the wall as two more fell to the floor. Outside the boarded window, snow danced in the light of the Moon.

' I promise...'

Author's Note

Shaded: Hey guys, not much to say on this one. I've been trying to work on the next Chapter for The Power of the Equinox, but work has kept me stupid busy, in the meantime I decided I would write up a short one shot story to help you guys pass the time. So I happened to come across an interesting picture in my laptops MLP: Dark folder where I keep most of my wallpapers for my laptop and well, this was the result. I don't remember who the artist for the cover art of this story is, I saved the pic a seriously long time ago.

I hope that you guys enjoy it and if you did, don't forget to drop a like!

I do Not own MLP: Fim! Or the Artwork used as cover art!

Don't forget to check out the Discord server as well!!"

Discord Link!!