Because She Loved Us: The True Story of Seven Mares

Twilight blinked. Ignoring the bloodstains on her demented friend, she looked around. Applejack sat over by six water barrels that appeared to have been smashed rather hard into somecreature's head as the chunks of brain matter on the bottom of them clearly indicated. Rarity was busy gathering some into a small cup. Trotting over to the barrels and now completely awake she gently nudged Applejack who didn't even look at her yet responded. "Good mornin' Sugarcube, feelin' better?"

Twilight tried to put on a brave face as she replied. "Oh I'm fine AJ, just needed a little-"

Her words faded as she found herself staring into the angry eyes of her friend. Those eyes softened and gently she felt Applejacks muzzle join hers. She was struck speechless. Applejack spoke softly, tenderly to her friend. "Don't. We all know what's goin' on Twi. Promise meh when we get back you'll head t' Celestia and get this sorted out. Ah'll be waitin' at Sugarcube Corners fer ya'. We ken split a milkshake just like always."

"Applejack I -"

Tipping her hat she smiled with a sly grin. "We've been here before Twi, and we'll be here again in no time, Sugarcube. She may be your mentor, but you know what and why you have to visit her for. Once it's all taken care of we ken live our life until th' next time. Just like we have fer hundreds of years, Sugarcube. Now, let meh see that smile, Twi. Steel your nerves and tell meh, what is it you've got t' do?"

Looking Applejack in the eyes, Twilight pasted a chilling grin on her face. "I have to kill Celestia."

The sound of the wooden bowl smashing on the ground caused Twilight and Applejack to turn their head. Rarity stood there shivering. "Did you just say...kill C-Celestia, darling?"

Applejack stamped her hoof angrily, leaving a small crater. "Rar ya' were spyin' on us again! Ugh, Twi you get the others rounded up fer a group meet. I'm gonna teach this unicorn some manners."

As Twilight rushed to gather the others a large squeal came from behind the water barrels, followed by the sounds of another one. As the four remaining ponies gathered around Twilight, they all stayed silent and waited patiently. Applejack appeared twenty minutes later dragging a whimpering Rarity through the dust on her hindquarters. "Anypony else even thinks of spyin' on meh and Twi and I guarantee ah'll shove mah hoof so far up your plot, y'all won't sit down fer a week when ah'm done with ya!"

Pinkie let out a low whistle as Applejack threw Rarity into the circle. The normally white alabaster hide unicorn now had patches resembling the colors in Luna's mane. Applejack had certainly been rough with her, though for a strange reason she was smiling through the tears. Applejack pointed at her and said. "Show em' Rar. Show em what a bad girl got fer spyin' on her betters!"

Twilight grinned as Rarity slowly rose and proudly displayed the marks from Applejack's hooves. The others in the circle began a round of applause at the sight. It was no secret. Rarity was a masochist and one to brutal lengths at that. Each one of the mares in the circle had all enjoyed times alone with Rarity inflicting the bruises and cuts she so desired.

It turned out to be a much needed distraction from the mood. Everypony here, loves each other so much. The seven mares of harmony had long since decided to be open to relationships with any of the other six mares in their group at any given time. Applejack may have seemed annoyed but it was a nightly occurrence. There could be no doubt how much Rarity enjoyed the so called 'punishments'. She was currently hugging Applejack and thanking her as the latter laughed and said. "There ya go Rar, now sit down an' let's get this meetin' underway."

Rarity sat on her haunches and leaned back into Pinkie's lap. Meanwhile Fluttershy passed out servings of the roasted scorpions. Starlight passed out steins of cider and playfully pretended to forget Rainbow Dash's. Pinkie somehow ended up with a bottle of sugary sap she called "Barbeque sauce" and after passing it around doused her own meat with it. Nopony bothered to ask her where it came from. As they began to eat and drink happily, while snuggling, Twilight began speaking."Girls, we have a new target."

Twilight's voice was breaking and immediately all activity stopped. All the mares watching sat still and observed their friend. Twilight continued, her tone one of despair. "Girls, it's..I..If there was another way..I can't do this...not again!"

She dropped to the ground her hooves covering her eyes as she shook in anxiety. Nopony moved for a moment. After a look at the others, Rainbow Dash who had been drinking from her stein of cider quietly, sighed. Slowly she rose off Starlight, whom she had sat on for playing keep away with her drink, set down her stein and slowly trotted over to Twilight. Leaning down she whispered in her ear. "You don't need to feel ashamed, Twilight. It's happening again...isn't it?"

"Rainbow I don't..."

"Listen, Princess..."

A look of shock crossed Twilight's face. Rainbow never used her title. Not since she wore that armor for Luna's lunar guard.

"Do you recall the first time we did this? I do. The mess it caused when you couldn't..well you know. The tyranny that ensued. The prison camps full of corpses. It sucks...but you aren't alone. I follow you. We follow you. To tartarus and back if need be. I do not bow to Celestia or Luna any longer. Our friends, myself, you, we do what nopony else would or can do. Not because we enjoy it, but because it is our duty! Our duty to Equestria! You understand what needs to be done. I am by your side till the end, everypony here is with you till hellfire claims us, but you need to once more uphold your loyalty to Equestria. It sucks but at least we can help bear your burden. Princess Twilight, your duty demands it be done and we will make sure you are not alone ever again."

As Rainbow struck a heroic pose Pinkie busted out laughing. "Oh Dashie, that was amazing! Who knew you could be so dramatic? Sheesh. What a ham. Twilight? Buck up, put that smile on your face and remember, when it is over we can start again. Just like last time and the time before. Lose the tears. Have a cookie Dashie, for such an inspiration! HAHAHAHAHA"
Pinkie was tackled by Rainbow dash who began tickling her. "How dare you ruin my inspirational moment you pink menace!"

Twilight laughed. The mere sight of Rainbow grinning as she torture-tickled Pinkie Pie broke the somber mood of the campfire. "Come on you wonderful nutcases, let's go kill Celestia."

Applejack grabbed her in a warm hug, "you are adorable hun. We got this."