Same Place, Same Faces

-Five ███████ ███████ and one filly now reported missing. Search for suspect continues.-

Following the death of 23-year-old ██████ █████, four more of Equestria's ███████ ███████ and one filly are now reported missing and are possibly linked to the previous incident at Pinkie's Cupcake Palace.

A bloodstained, brown stetson was found in the back room of the establishment and was instantly recognized as belonging to the last surviving ███████ ██████, 26-year-old Jacqueline Apple, better known as Applejack. Royal guards originally speculated that she lured the five ponies into a back room before taking the lives of her own ███████ and ██████.

However, several parents on the day of the incident reportedly saw a small yellow filly walking into the building wearing the stetson, while accompanied by four of the ███████ ███████, though her older ██████ appeared to be absent.

Recently released surveillance footage from the day of the incident shows an unidentified pony wearing a spare costume while leading the five into a back room. After viewing the footage, royal guards retracted their previous assumptions of Jacqueline being the culprit.

Jacqueline was let go shortly after the footage was released, and the unidentified pony has yet to be captured. Royal guards continue to search for the real suspect.

Applejack awoke to a sound she was very well acquainted with by now.

She didn't need to open her eyes to know where she was, the Show Stage was practically her home in the dreamscape.

Turning to her sides, she once again found nobody standing beside her.

She remembered what happened afterwards last time.

Expecting to find Pinkie standing in front of her when she faced forward again, Applejack braced for the worst.

...

Suddenly, the laughter ceased.

"Applejack?"

A calm, yet surprised voice spoke from behind her. It was a voice she never thought she'd hear again.

Upon hearing the voice, Applejack immediately spun around. Behind her was the pale, purple tear-stained face of a puppet. But it wasn't just any ordinary puppet.

Applejack recognized the purple curly mane anywhere, it was Rarity.

"Rarity?"

"Oh, darling! I never thought I'd see you ever again!" Rarity threw her arms around Applejack and squeezed her tightly.

"I- u-uhm... m-me too?" Applejack struggled to reply, being perplexed at seeing her long departed friend again.

"I've been trying to speak with you for so long, and now I've finally managed to do it. Now, I need you to listen to me very carefully. The robots at Pinkie's place? Those are your friends."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"They've been trapped in those suits for many years. I've been there to comfort them ever since the day they went missing. They need you, Applejack."

"Are those really them? Rarity, I-I can't. They have to hate me. I could have prevented this. If only I was there with them, none of this would have happened. But I only thought about myself..."

"Applejack... you can free them. But there's only one way you can. When you arrive at the building tomorrow, you must burn it. Make sure it's just you and them. The suits and building are trapping them there. If they are burnt, it will be able to finally release them."

"Rarity, I don't know if I can..."

"I know how you feel, Jacqueline. But when this is all over we'll finally be free."

Rarity sighed, before continuing. "I know you may not think so, but I believe your friends and sister will forgive you. I've already forgiven you a long time ago."

"...you really think so?"

"We've been friends for years, Applejack. Nothing will ever change that. Despite what you might think, you deserve to be happy."

Rarity wrapped her arms around Applejack and embraced her in a tight hug.

"I love you, Jacqueline."

12:00 AM

Applejack stood in the office, waiting patiently until the time was right.

Opening the monitor, she immediately checked the Show Stage. Empty.

Then she checked Wonderbolt Cove. Empty.

As she closed the monitor, several pairs of hoofsteps quickly approached the office.

She wasn't scared.

"They're almost here, Jacqueline, be prepared." Rarity alerted Applejack.

Quiet giggling from behind caused Applejack to turn around.

Sitting on the floor was a limp, lifeless, yellow costume. It's eye sockets were nothing but black voids, and in place of irises were two barely noticeable white dots that stared up at her.

It beared a striking resemblance to Pinkie, but the young voice of the giggling made Applejack aware of who was really under the suit.

"Jacqueline..." the suit spoke, it's mouth not moving along with the words that came out.

Applejack ran to the suit, throwing her arms around it as tears rolled down her face, confusing the yellow suit.

"Huh?"

"Blossom... I'm so sorry. I'll never leave you again..." Applejack sobbed as she tightly hugged the suit.

The suit went quiet for a second.

...

"...hehe, so now you feel sorry?" The suit spat. "After everything you've done to me, you really think an apology will change anything?"

The suit stopped for a second, and looked around, noticing smoke entering the room. Looking up, she saw all of the four robots standing in both of the doorways, staring down at them.

She looked in front of Applejack, a ghostly apparition of Shining Armor watched them, as a smile formed on his face.

"Wait... Jacqueline... w-what are you doing?"

"Shh... just stay calm, y'all won't have to suffer no more." Applejack calmly replied as she pulled the suit into a tighter hug.

The four robots that once stood around them were now on the floor, as flames slowly started to engulf the room.

"I love you, sis..." Applejack softly spoke to the suit.

...

"I..." The suit slowly raised it's arms and wrapped them around Applejack's waist, returning the hug.

"...I love you too, big sis.."

...

Rachel Belle
1965 - 1987

Ramona Dash
1964 - 1987

Florence Shy
1964 - 1987

Tammy Sparks
1963 - 1987

Diane Pie
1964 - 1987

Jacqueline and Blossom Apple
Reunited, in Peace & Forgiveness
1962 - 1998 and 1979 - 1987