Because She Loved Us: The True Story of Seven Mares

Starlight raised a hoof to her muzzle in thought. Always so motherly. She spoke softly. "Twilight I am sure Rainbow is just fine. -"

Twilight seemed almost frantic. "What if she's hurt? What if- "

The princess found a lilac colored hoof pressed lightly against her muzzle. "Relax, she isn't the compulsive mare she used to be sweetie. Knowing her, she probably stopped over at AJ's to grab some hard cider and lost track of time. I promise you, we will go check on her tomorrow and you'll see."

Twilight grinned sheepishly. "You're right. I just worry about them sometimes."

Starlight laughed. "You always worry about them silly. At least now you have one less worry to panic about, though."

Blinking, Twilight said cautiously. "What do you mean?"

Smiling Starlight held up a small vial, in which a yellow liquid softly bubbled."It's stabilized."
Twilight looked like she was going to faint as she spoke in a rush tone of excitement. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

Starlight still grinning laughed and said. "Slow down sweetie! You sound like Pinkie Pie talking so fast. Breathe!"
Turning around, she began trotting towards a stairway leading down under the castle. "Follow me."
With Twilight trotting behind her Starlight began to voice her thoughts. "I can't believe it has been two hundred years since we seven woke up to find a strange Equestria. Do you recall the piles of rubble and scorched wasteland that dotted the landscape?"

She paused for a moment, standing stock still before smashing a forehoof down onto the stone stairs. Her voice cracked " It was everywhere! I went to bed the night before in comfort. I awoke the next day to a nightmare! Everything, everypony was gone!"

Twilight saw the images in her mind. Standing before a spellbook, Twilight's face showed her obsession. "I can't give up! please in Celestia's name, please bring them back to me!"

The flash of light, burned into her eyes and faded revealing the bodies of her friends. Grabbing Starlight by the shoulders she shook her frantically. "Wake up! Please...please come back to me!"

Starlight's eyes flickered open gazing into hers, sleepily. "Twilight what's going on?"

"Twilight? TWILIGHT?"

Starlight had stopped and turned to face the princess and was now shouting her name. Twilight blinked, shaking her head in confusion. "Huh? Wha?"

Looking her in the eyes, Starlight smiled understandingly and spoke softly. "Are you still thinking about her? It's alright, Twilight I understand. Please though keep your thoughts on the present. Tomorrow we will check on Rainbow I promise."

Continuing on down the stairs, as Twilight followed her, Starlight spoke once more. "As you are aware the spell used to rebuild the population of ponies we had lost had a flaw in it. No matter how hard we tried we couldn't use our magic to correct it. We had no choice but to destroy that which we made. To start over each time the genetic code broke down and our ponies became...evil. Every twenty five years we burn down Equestria and try again."

Starlight reached up and pulled a torch upon the wall and a heavy camoflauged steel door opened wide to reveal a darkened room. Trotting through the opening Starlight continued speaking as she searched for the lightswitch. "For the past hundred and fifty years, you have tasked me with researching and studying the DNA of our magically constructed ponies. As of tonight, thanks to a very special guest, I have managed to develop a stabilization agent to prevent the cycle from repeating."

The lights of the darkened room flashed brightly as they were turned on revealing the very clearly angered form of Princess Luna locked within a statis field, glaring inches from Twilight's muzzle startling her. Her wings were outstretched and her eyes were a jade green. "Woah!"
Starlight laughed at the reaction. "Relax sweetie. She can't use her magic in there, nor can she move unless I require her to do so."

Twilight looked at Starlight as she walked over to a machine on the right. "Starlight when you said you had the perfect test subject in mind I didn't think...how did you even-"
Starlight raised a now gloved lilac hoof to push a bright green button on the machine, causing it to whirl as the screen flashed. "Hmmm? Oh, it wasn't that hard. Her ego overclouds her judgement when she corrupts, much like Celest-"

Seeing the crestfallen look on Twilight's face, she quickly changed her words. "Er-I mean the other ponies we made. Naturally she fell for the bait when I challenged her to a duel to the death."

Leaning down to examine the screen she continued as Twilight stared nervously at Luna. "As you well know, Twilight, my agility is well honed against alicorns."

Twilight smirked. of course she would find a way to brag about that. "I simply tricked her into focusing on me and she failed to notice the trap I set, that's all. If you'll notice she is still poised to strike."

Staring at the glaring lunar alicorn, Twilight noticed her wings were open and frozen as if in time within the purple light. The voice of Starlight could be heard off to the right. "She is completely harmless, though.After all I used a variation of your magic to immobilize her. Oh and don't worry, she is unharmed just very upset. Now come over here."

Trotting away from the corrupted alicorn, Twilight headed to where Starlight stood and stared at the strange machine. on it a bunch of numbers flashed. "Um...What am I looking at?"

Starlight popped open a tray on the machine to reveal a slide with red liquid on it. Twilight sniffed at it and could make out the acrid scent of.. "This slide has some of our lovely captive's blood on it."

Twilight watched as the tray was popped back into the machine. Starlight could be heard, her voice was raising with excitement. "What you see on the screen is the genetic makeup of said blood. As you can see the deterioration is quite evident."

Twilight nodded pensively as Starlight continued. "But watch as I add this experimental stabilizing agent."
Twilight's eyes went wide as before her eyes, the cells began repairing themselves little, by little once the drop of yellow liquid was added. "That's amazing!"

Starlight grinned happily as Twilight hugged her close. Immediately the princess began questioning her. "How fast can this be made? What ingredients are required? How easily can we get them?"

Starlight held up her forehooves overwhelmed by the questioning. "Slow down! It takes a day to make; the ingredients are simple and found within Ponyville itself. We can gather them with ease. There is, however, one issue."

Twilight stopped smiling. Why do I have this foreboding feeling? "What is the problem, Starlight?"

Starlight looked slightly nervous as she replied. "It only works on mares."

Twilight's eyes went wide. "What do you mean it only..."

Her next words died in her throat as Starlight gestured to the corner where the decapitated form of a Royal Canterlot Guard lay. Nudging the helmed skull that lay beside the bled out form with her hoof, Starlight whispered softly. "I'm not sure why but the same serum caused his insides to boil and it accelerated his corruption. When he grew enraged with megalomania and decided to attack me, I was left with no choice but to end his suffering."

Twilight lowered her head in defeat. Starlight watched her quietly, nopony knew more than Starlight just how painful each loss of pony life was on the alicorn. Starlight also knew just what she had said. The mares could be saved, the stallions would still have to be eradicated. Closing her eyes for a moment in a silent prayer of forgiveness, Twilight raised her head and looked into Starlight's eyes. Those amethyst eyes of the royal alicorn showed no doubt, though much remorse for what was to be done. "Show me the effects when used on Luna."

"Twili-"

The words of Starlight were interrupted by Twilight, the pain in her heart radiating as rage across her face. "NOW STARLIGHT."

Starlight took it in stride. She understood how Twilight felt. She also would do anything it took to assist her in her mission, any way she could. No matter the cost. Such was their relationship. "Yes, your majesty."

Picking up the syringe she approached the backside of the princess and moments later, the wide eyes of the princess told Twilight exactly where and how hard that needle had been injected. Twilight carefully observed the blue alicorn.
The eyes slowly softened and stared at Twilight, completely devoid of anger. At a signal from the purple majesty, Starlight released the stasis spell on Luna. Slowly the princess lowered her wings. Her voice was subservient and calm. "Twilight, what is going on? Why am I here?"

Twilight's horn glowed a light purple, shortly after a muzzle appeared on luna's snout. "Silence while I inspect you, don't you dare move. GOT IT?"

Luna's eyes were filled with fear as a chill went down her spine and she stiffened as Twilight walked around her muttering to herself and calling out numbers to Starlight. "hmmm...hair out of place..rarity..."

Twilight tugged on Luna's mane, causing her to flinch. Twilight growled. "hold still."

Continuing she gave Luna a smack on her flank, making the alicorn shudder. "maybe iron or diamond...64, 26... ugh needs a bath.."

Luna blushed with embarrassment she couldn't explain as twilight tugged on her tail "...36.."

Twilight spoke in icy tone. "Lift your hoof."

Luna did as she was bade but received an angry growl as reward. "Not that one, the other side!"

Whimpering Luna put down the hoof and raised the one Twilight indicated. "Needs filing..mmmm 14..."
Luna moaned as Twilight tugged on the feathers of her alicorn wings using her teeth. "Shush you. These wings..56. Starlight did you get them?"

Glancing over at Starlight, she received a nod of confirmation. Slowly Twilight brought Luna's head down with her forehooves and spoke while looking into her eyes. "I am not in a mood you want to mess with, I have something to tell you and in the name of Celestia's memory you better damned well listen. Got it?"

Luna nodded her head up and down rapidly as Twilight's gaze pierced hers. Twilight huffed and let her go as she released the muzzle freeing luna to talk once more. "Twilight what is -"

Twilight roared at the hapless lunar princess. "SHUT UP! I DID NOT SAY TALK!"

Luna cowered as Twilight's horn began to glow. Seconds later a flash of bright purple light filled her eyes. As Luna's vision cleared, she saw that Starlight had hurled Twilight into the wall and was shouting at her. "Calm down! I know you are mad but -"

Twilight slowly rose to her hooves as the tears streamed down her face. Her voice was angry. "How can I calm down? They are going to die! DO YOU HEAR ME? We will have to kill them! What's worse is I can't bring them back. I won't bring them back just to die! Not again! I can't...I just..not again!"

The tears in the alicorns eyes told Starlight of her misery as Twilight went on. "The stallions...you, me the others...we will have to hunt them down! It isn't their fault and worst of all, is I your Queen, all the power of Life or Death am powerless to prevent it!"

Starlight hugged her tight and whispered. "You will always be my queen. Your power means nothing to me. Also, If you don't calm down you are going to kill her as well, sweetie."

"Starlight I don't care any-"

Sighing Starlight took a deep breath and smacked Twilight in the face with her forehoof. A streak of crimson ran down Twilight's nose as an audible CRUNCH was heard, indicating her nose was broken. Twilight looked shocked. She was completely taken by surprise as Starlight gave her a piercing stare, daring her to object. "Listen to me. This isn't her fault. She shouldn't have to pay because the circumstances got out of hoof. Now calm down, trot your adorable flank over there and talk to her like the mare, not filly that she is."

Twilight turned her head away in a huff as she did she spoke coldly. "You know, even though you did the right thing, you'll be punished for that later."

Starlight grinned. "Can't wait. Now go take care of business like a true queen."

Twilight smirked. Thank you I needed that. Trotting over to where Luna lay shivering with her hooves over her eyes, Twilight spoke to her in a gentle and warm, almost motherly tone. "Princess Luna, I...am sorry, there has been a lot of stress lately and I am aware that I shouldn't take it out on you. The stress just built up and recently some bad news has surfaced. My anger just got the better of me. Please forgive me."

As she spoke, behind her Starlight cast a spell and Twilight's wounds closed up once more. At that moment, Luna uncovered her eyes and shakily rose to her feet. "It must have been my fault, how can I ever fault somepony for my insolence, I got what I deserved."

Twilight placed a forehoof to her chin. Strange she seems very... "Submissive, isn't she?"

Twilight turned her head to face Starlight who continued softly, almost sorrowfully. "The serum causes the patient to become submissive and obedient, regardless of what their personality traits may be, Twilight."

Twilight stood still for a moment. Her eyes were wide in shock. "Are you telling me this serum.."

Starlight nodded lowering her eyes to the ground in sadness. "It erases all preconceived notions a pony has. All friendships, all descisions, and all knowledge of others and of themselves. Watch."

Starlight calmly held an apple up with her magic and gently bumped it into Luna's muzzle. As Twilight watched, Luna looked at it like it was some foreign object even attempting to bat at it with her hooves. "It's alright, Luna."

Staring at Starlight in confusion, Luna asked her. "What is it? What should I do with it?"

Twilight's eyes watered as she stepped forward and in a motherly voice spoke softly as if to a filly. "Sweetie, that's an apple. Be a good girl and take a bite for me."

Twilight turned to look Starlight in the eyes as she whispered. "She knew who I was a moment ago, why wouldn't she know what an apple is?"

Starlight whispered back, making sure the filly-minded alicorn before them couldn't hear. "It's a process. First the cells rebuild but because they are empty the more cells within the rebuild the farther her mind fades. Instincts, knowledge, it all fades until all that is left is a blank slate who wants to learn and obey."

Twilight preened her wings, a habit she had gotten into when she became nervous. "So...she's a filly who knows nothing?"

Starlight scuffed a hoof. Both seemed lost in thought for a moment before looking in Starlight's eyes, Twilight spoke. Her tone was one of concern. "We could take her to see Applejack. I bet she could help Luna discover herself again."

Seconds later, Luna was crunching happily on the apple. grateful for the treat. As Twilight and Starlight watched however, she soon found and began chomping on an empty test tube. The force of her jaws shattered it, causing Luna to cry. Racing to her side Starlight used her magic to place a pacifier, that she had conjured up, into Luna's muzzle. Luna quickly folded her legs under herself and wrapped a wing around her body. She was completely asleep and still happily sucking on the pacifier. Twilight looked at Starlight. "Applejack?"

Starlight nodded in confirmation. "Applejack."

Twilight sighed and said. "We'll drop her off tomorrow at the orchard then, afterwards we have to check on Rainbow."