The Bakery is Closed...

by RarityFigma

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Main 6, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 7102

After taking his kidneys I figured I owed Grimm something...

What’s a pony to do when her world is destroyed?

Her number came up, everything should’ve been normal. But then it all went to hell….

Published 2012-09-04 00:24:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-09-04 00:24:02 UTC

The Mistake

Rarity walked through the dusty streets of Ponyville. The wind blew her luxurious hair as she approached Sugarcube Corner. The unicorn hadn’t a clue why Pinkie had asked her to come there. She pushed the door open and wandered inside.

“Pinkie darling,” Rarity called. “I’m here.”

The pink pony bounced into the room. Her smile was huge as can be. “Oh Rarity It’s so good to see you!”
Rarity looked around. The lights were dimmed and the bakery’s owners were nowhere to be found. The unicorn scratched the back of her head. “So Pinkie why did you call me here?”

“Cupcakes!” Pinkie cheered. “I need your help to make them!”
Rarity sighed. “Ugh. Pinkie you know I don’t bake.”

“It’s ok,” Pinkie chuckled. “Could you at just try this last one I made?” Pinkie pulled out a blue cupcake from behind her.
Rarity looked at the large blue dessert. “But Pinkie it’ll go right to my flank.”

Pinkie frowned and made puppy dog eyes. “Oh Rarity please!”

The unicorn rolled her eyes. “Oh alright.” Rarity levitated the pastry over to her mouth. She took one small bite.

Several hours later….

Rarity awoke with a loud yawn. She couldn’t see a thing. The unicorn felt cold metal on her legs. Rarity struggled to escape only to find her body immobilized. “What’s going on?” She cried.

“It’s about time you woke up,” Pinkie responded in the darkness. “I’ve been waiting way too long for you.”

“Pinkie!” Rarity yelled. “What kind of joke is this?”

“Oh it’s a great joke,” Pinkie answered. “Also don’t call me that anymore.” The pink pony leaned in front of Rarity’s face. “I prefer Pinkamina.”

Rarity started to sweat. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you before,” Pinkamina laughed. “I need your help making cupcakes.”

Rarity struggled. “How can I help you make cupcakes while I’m tied down like this?”

“Hahahahaha!” Pinkamina walked away from Rarity. Her steps were the only sound in the room. As the noise stopped Rarity could hear her heart beating. Suddenly a light came on. Then it all came into view.

The room was red. Blood was sprayed all around. Various forms of furniture filled what seemed to be a basement. Each was built from dried bones. Balloons were hanging from the walls. Only they weren’t balloons. They were organs floating against the wall. However none of that had the mental impact on Rarity as compared to what stood in the left corner of the room.

It was Rainbow Dash, Or at least parts of Rainbow Dash. The pegasus stood frozen near the wall, covered in blood and stitches. Her eyes were white and her wings were drooping. Rarity started to faint.

Pinkamina ran over and grabbed Rarity’s face. “She’s beautiful right?” Pinkamina pointed at Rainbow Dash. “I really wish her number hadn’t come up. But I did the best I could.” Pinkamina shed a tear. “She’s not as fast, but I still love her.”

Rarity started to cry. “How could you?” The unicorn trembled. “Why Pinkie?”

The pink pony pinched Rarity’s horn. The unicorn winced. “I’m Pinkamina remember?”

“Ow,” Rarity cried. “Ok ok Pinkamina. Please let me go!”

“I wish I could Rare,” Pinkamina laughed. “But your number came up! I can’t argue with fate.”

“My number?” Rarity whimpered. “What does that mean?”

“Come on Rarity,” Pinkamina said tickling the unicorn’s horn. “Do you really want that to be the last thing we talk about?”

Pinkamina reached over to a nearby table and pulled a large knife. She held the blade up to Rarity’s neck. The unicorn’s eyes widened. “Pi…Pi..Pinkamina. Don’t”

“I’m really sorry,” Pinkamina chuckled. “Don’t worry I’ll make you even better than Dashie! Just give me a sec.” Pinkamina pointed the knife at Rarity’s horn. “Let me remove this little nuisance.”

Suddenly it dawned on Rarity that she had magical powers. Pinkamina drew back to slash. Rarity shut her eyes trying to focus. Gem tracking wouldn’t save her now. Furthermore there was nothing nearby that she was used to levitating. Everything in the room was so bloody and awful. If only there was clothing of some kind.

Rarity opened her eyes to see Pinkamina was wearing an outfit made of stitched cutie marks. The knife was seconds from her horn as the unicorn cast her spell. Pinkamina’s outfit flew up and covered her eyes. The pink pony struggled to tear away the clothing. “Hay what are you doing?!” Pinkamina roared. The pink pony fell back as the clothes covered her head. “Stop! You’re messing everything up!”

Rarity looked around the room. She saw more pieces of clothing scattered around the basement. The unicorn levitated the patches over and completely enveloped Pinkamina. Loud screams could be heard from the flesh pile. “Let me go! FUCKING LET ME GO!” Rarity pressed the clothes holding Pinkamina against a nearby wall. She then dropped the sphere and frantically looked around. Her hooves were still restrained with iron braces. Rarity struggled to move. I need to teleport like Twilight does, Rarity thought. Her horn began to glow a bright white. Rarity clenched her teeth as the magic coated her body.

Pinkamina burst from the mass of bloody flesh with an insane look of rage. She grabbed a nearby hammer off the wall and jumped forward at Rarity. “HOW DARE YOU?!” Rarity’s body began to shine beautifully as the spell climaxed. Just as the hammer came into contact with her head, Rarity vanished.

Rarity reappeared in front of the bakery. She had a splitting headache. The unicorn stumbled toward the only pony she knew could help her, Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight held Rarity’s hoof. “I can’t believe this. Are you sure?”

The white unicorn started to cry. “I wish I were lying.”

Spike hugged Rarity. “It’s ok Rarity,” the tiny dragon. “Everything will be alright.”

“I guess we should call the police then,” Twilight whimpered. “But I just can’t believe Pinkie would do something like this.”

Spike’s ears twitch. “Uh Twilight?”

“Yes Spike,” the purple mare answered.

“I hear something,” the dragon said.

“What?” Twilight asked.

The dragon gulped. “Well it sounds kind of like broken-”

The lights went out. Twilight lit up her horn. “What’s going on?” She cried.

“You’ve got some nerve!”

Twilight, Rarity and Spike looked around the darkened room. They knew the voice was Pinkie’s, but they couldn’t trace its location.

“I don’t believe you could do that Pinkie!” Twilight screamed. “Tell me this is all a joke! Just tell me!”

The room grew silent. Twilight tried to scan the room with her magic. She felt Pinkie’s heartbeat. Only it was moving around the room to fast for her to track. She frantically looked around the room for Pinkie to no avail. The darkness was far too great.

“I’m sorry Twilight,” Pinkamina said. “Your number didn’t come up yet. Nor yours Spike. Still.”

Twilight heard Pinkamina land on the floor. A brief wind shot against the purple mare’s face. She pointed her glowing horn in the direction of the pink pony. Then Rarity and Twilight both saw it. Pinkamina was standing behind Spike holding a blood soaked cleaver.

“I’ve always wondered about dragon cupcakes.”

A Tree Falls

Spike was lying on the floor. A small pool of blood surrounded the tiny body. Twilight’s eyes filled with tears. Pinkamina lurked over Spike’s corpse with a smile on her face. “He’ll make great cupcakes Twilight.” Pinkamina pointed her knife at the pair. “A shame you two won’t get to taste them!”

Twilight’s horn turned a bright red. “I’ll…I’ll…” Twilight looked down as her tears fell to the floor. “I’LL KILL YOU!” Twilight fired a red blast of magic at Pinkamina. The pink pony jumped to the side dodging the blast. Twilight fired three more blasts at Pinkamina. The magical bursts detonated against Twilight’s wall creating a huge explosion. The purple unicorn shined her light. A large hole had been made in her tree with various books now burning. However Pinkamina’s body was nowhere to be found.

“Rarity,” Twilight said. She turned to see her friend cradling Spike’s body. Blood was splattered all over her white coat. Rarity was crying on the dragon’s carcass. Twilight walked slowly over to her and patted Spike’s head. “We need to go.”

Rarity looked up at Twilight still weeping. The purple mare levitated Spike’s body and created a bed of books. Twilight placed her assistant on the book pile and took Rarity’s hoof. The white unicorn could barely stand. Twilight pulled Rarity from the destroyed house. The pair fled into the night the full moon their only guide. They needed support now more than ever.

Under the full moonlight a figure emerged from the fire. Pinkamina strolled from the carnage. Her hair was disheveled and her body was burned. “I’m sorry.” The pink pony stomped the ground. “I’ll make things right. I will!” Pinkamina stormed off after the unicorns. Bits of blood and hair were left as her trail.

Twilight and Rarity found Applejack and the trio went to Fluttershy’s cottage. The tired ponies tried to come up with a plan. However a combination of fear and exhaustion gripped them like a cold wind.

“Ah can’t believe Pinkie would do that,” Applejack whimpered.

Twilight paced around the room. She remembered how much Spike hated when she did that. A tear fell from her red eyes. The purple mare dropped to her knees on a pillow. “We need to stop her.”

Rarity was lying on a couch. The unicorn had fallen asleep. She was dreaming of happy times of long before Rainbow Dash went missing. Rarity was remembering the Gala, the Wedding, and more. Her body trembled. The blood on her coat was warm like a blanket.

Fluttershy was crying in a corner. “This….isn’t…” The pegasus covered her face. “Not Dash…Not Spike.”

Twilight looked at Applejack. “Regardless of what you four plan to do.” Twilight turned to the door to leave. “I’m going to stop her.”

Fluttershy flew in front of Twilight. “You can’t! We need to….we need to.”

Twilight pushed Fluttershy out of the way. “We need to do…what?” Twilight opened the door with magic. She began to leave when Applejack bit her tail.

“Now what a second here Twi,” The orange pony said. “If she’s out there, you’re way safer in here.”

“I need to find her,” Twilight growled. “She’s not getting the moon. It’s too good for her!” Twilight levitated Applejack away. The purple mare took another step forward before collapsing in the cottage doorway. Exhaustion had finally gotten to the unicorn leaving her passed out on the floor.

Applejack exchanged glances with Fluttershy. “What should we do?” The farm pony asked.

The pegasus trembled. “I….don’t… know.” The pegasus lifted Twilight and placed her on a pillow. “Maybe we call the poli-”

A rock burst the window and hit Fluttershy’s lamp. The room went dark as Applejack and Fluttershy screamed.

“What’s goin on?” Applejack cried.

“Do you know how badly you’ve messed things up?!”

Rarity woke up to the loud bang. “What’s happening?”

“You did it Rarity!” A figure appeared in the open door. “So many numbers. It’s a crime.” Pinkamina pulled a large knife from her back. “I’m sorry AJ, Fluttershy.” The blackened mare walked into the room. “I promise to make it quick.”

Applejack looked frantically around the darkened room. Pinkamina’s figure was visible slowly wandering forward. Twilight was passed out next to Fluttershy to the left of the room, while on the right side of the room stood Rarity. Applejack was in the back of the room closer to Fluttershy. The white unicorn had yet to light up her horn leaving the moon as their sole source of light. From Fluttershy’s right side window and the opened door came beams of light. The farm pony tried to think. However before she could do anything Pinkamina turned to the left.

A single slash was heard. A wave of blood stained the peaceful cottage walls. Applejack’s heart almost stopped. A tiny scream echoed through everypony’s ears. A small body hit the floor.

A Town Lost

Applebloom stood on an a hill watching the barn burn down. She was crying as her choker began to weaken its grasp. “Ahm sorry Applejack. But it was you or me.” The yellow filly turned to leave as the barn collapsed. Applebloom walked forward with her head down when suddenly she bumped into something. The filly fell down on her back and looked up. In front of her stood Appljack.

“You got yourself some explainin to do little sis,” Applejack roared.

“How did y’all escape?” Applebloom asked. Twilight came out from behind Applejack as did Rarity. Twilight’s horn was still glowing a vibrant pink. “Oh.”

“Now explain yerself missy right now!” Applejack screamed.

The four ponies walked the short distance from the train station back into Ponyville. Applebloom had explained to them about the choker Pinkamina had placed on her. She had told them how it was slowly choking her for not having killed them. What Applebloom had left out was her complicity in Pinkamina’s earlier affairs. With this version of events the trio rallied around Applebloom. Applejack swore to kill Pinkamina with her own hooves. Applebloom had told them the Pinkamina was still hiding in Ponyville, but that she had no clue what the pink mare was up too.

However all was not right in Ponyville. The town was totally empty and silent. The four walked the streets making the only sound. It was the afternoon was nopony was outside. Twilight peeked inside a house window. Someponies were lying on the floor. Their bodies were shriveled up and broken.

“She’s done something,” Twilight said coldly. “Keep on your guard.”

“This is crazy,” Rarity cried. “We should go to Canterlot where we’ll be safe.”

“No way,” Applejack growled. “Not while that psycho is killin mah sister.” Applebloom sat on Applejack’s back. The black choker around her neck was periodically tightening on her. The yellow filly had almost passed out when they entered the town.

“Applejack’s right,” Twilight said. “I already sent a letter to the princess. Right now we need to find out what’s going on.”

“About time you three showed up.”

Everypony tensed up as they heard the voice. Pinkamina walked out from a shadowy alleyway. She was wearing a fully redone quilt of cutie marks. A large necklace of unicorn horns and pegasus feathers covered her entire neck.

Twilight pointed her horn at Pinkamina. “What have you done to the town?!”

Pinkamina chuckled ignoring Twilight's question. “I never thought it would come to this.” She walked to the center of the road. “I never thought I’d lose control this badly.” Pinkamina sighed. “But I got overconfident.” She glared at Rarity. “I’ll never forgive you.”

Twilight stomped the ground as her horn started to glow. “Answer me!”

Pinkamina smiled maliciously. “Thanks for the compliment, but it’s the end for all of you. As far as I can tell this town’s number came up. So it’s only just that I spill your blood also.” Pinkamina licked her blade. “Besides you started all of this by upsetting things Rarity!” The white unicorn trembled.

“Dang it!” Applejack yelled. “Take this collar off mah sister or so help me Pinkie! I’ll tear you apart!”

“Hahahahaha!” Pinkamina almost fell to the ground laughing. “Like I care! I’ve been at it since you left! More and more, I killed more and more. There are almost no ponies left here. I’ve got enough blood to make cupcakes for years to come!” Pinkamina began to walk forward. “Now all I have standing in the way of my future is you four.” Pinkamina stroked her straight hair. “I guess there’s no need to hide anymore.” She turned back to alleyway. “Come out.”

A loud thumping sound emanated from the alley. The ground began to shake. Rarity covered hers eyes while Twilight and Applejack looked on in horror. A new creature pushed its way out from the alley. A creature the shined in the sunset. A creature that was totally blood red.

Something Shows Up

Next to Pinkamina stood an alicorn. The new pony was only a few inches taller than her. Twilight stared in awe. It was the same as the imprint in the barn. The alicorn had broken drooping wings and a shattered horn. The only thing that was clearly different was this alicorn’s body. It was composed entirely from blood.

“What the hay is that thing?” Applejack cried.

“I think I know,” Twilight said. Rarity and Applejack both stared at the purple mare. “It’s coming back to me now. That’s a fallen alicorn.”

“A fallen alicorn?” Rarity asked.

“Yes,” Twilight answered. “It’s a pony who attained alicorn power, but was punished to remain alive forever. They’re not supposed to be real.”

“Well he is,” Pinkamina chuckled. “He’s my boss. I was worried he’d be mad at me, but I was wrong. It fact he’s quite happy. We’ve never had this much blood before.”

Twilight gasped. “Pinkie you didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did,” the pink mare laughed. “And now he’s so stuffed with blood that he’s back in action!”

Twilight’s horn lit up. “You have no idea what powers you're messing with!” Twilight clenched her teeth. "I've had enough!" The purple mare fired her magical burst at Pinkamina. The blood alicorn raised its arm to create a shield of blood. The blast was blocked as small bits of blood flew to the ground. Twilight backed away. The blood pony had no eyes, but it seemed to be staring right at her.

“So you want to give up?” Pinkamina chuckled. “Getting your blood drained out doesn’t really hurt that much. It’s merciful compared to what I usually do to ponies.” The pink mare started to laugh. “Trust me on that.”

Applejack stepped forward letting Applebloom off her back. “Twilight ah got a plan.” The purple mare turned to face Applejack. Rarity also ran over to listen.

“Hay!” Pinkamina screamed. “We’ve waited long enough!” The blood alicorn charged forward at the trio.

“Got it?” Applejack yelled.

“Got it!” Twilight and Rarity called in unison.

As the blood creature jumped at them, Twilight enveloped it in magic. The alicorn was immobilized as Twilight gripped its body. The monster howled before it transformed into a large red bubble.

“What the hay?!” Pinkamina cried. Suddenly the pink mare noticed both Applejack and Rarity charging at her. She threw off her outfit to reveal knives tied all over her body. Pinkamina pulled the knife from earlier now tinted red from dried blood and ran toward her opponents.

Applejack ducked under Pinkamina’s slash. Rarity pelted the pink mare with anything she could throw. A shower of houseplants, doormats and street lamps flew toward Pinkamina. The pink mare jumped around the dodge the onslaught of objects as she felt something against her tail.

Pinkamina turned to see the blood bubble that had moments earlier been her ally now enveloping her own body. The pink pony struggled to no avail. Soon her entire body was trapped in the red sphere. Pinkamina gasped for breath. At this rate she would actually drown.

“Good job Twilight!” Applejack yelled.

The purple mare clenched her teeth. Maintaining the spell was taking all of her energy. Twilight dropped to her knees.

Every second felt like an eternity. Pinkamina writhed inside the red bubble. It would only take a minute or two more.

But then Rarity and Applejack saw something horrifying. Twilight’s horn gave out immediately. The blood bubble burst dropping Pinkamina to the ground. A fresh red coat now painted the town. However both ponies were focused on only one thing. The small filly who had just impaled their best friend.

A conclusion

A conclusion

Applejack fell to the ground in front of Rarity. Pinkamina had stabbed her through the heart in one motion. The pink pony wasted in time in slashing at Rarity, but the white unicorn grabbed her with magic. Tears fell from Rarity’s face as she stared at Pinkamina’s broken yet still psychotic smile. The pink mare was missing teeth with blood all over her eyes and mouth. From her chest dripped a large amount of blood.

Pinkamina laughed. “You’re wondering how I’m still alive right?” Rarity glared at the pink mare. “Well you see for some reason I don’t know.” Pinkamina pointed to the left side of her chest. “My heart is in the wrong spot.

Rarity clenched her teeth as she stared at the monster she now held. Pinkamina closed her eyes. “It would be you,” the pink psycho chuckled. Rarity tensed up. “It would by you that I’d slip up on. I mean Rainbow Dash was like a frog in my lab, but you. You just ruined everything.” Pinkamina looked up at the setting sun. “Cupcakes are special. There how anypony can make their death benefit us all. But you ruined it.” Pinkamina started to laugh. “You should see yourself right now! It’s hilarious.”

Rarity was covered in specks of blood. She tightened her magical grip on Pinkamina. The pink pony struggled to escape with no success. “I want to know.” Rarity looked down. “I want to know why you did all of this.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Pinkamina chuckled. “Cupcakes are too important to let things like feelings interfere! Nothing matters when compared to them Rarity! Nothing!”

“Not even your friends,” Rarity said weeping.

Pinkamina rolled her eyes. “I prayed every day that your numbers wouldn’t come up and look where that got me!” Pinkamina chuckled. “Oh well. I still win. Once your magic runs out, I’ll kill you and take my leave of this town. In the end you guys only delayed the baking. My cupcakes will still be made!”

Rarity grew red. “MAKE CUPCAKES IN HELL!” The white unicorn levitated Pinkamina through the air. The pink pony rose higher and higher. She started to gasp for breath.

“WHAT IS TH-” Pinkamina lost her voice as she saw the still lowering sun grow ever closer to her body. The pink pony began to feel her body compress inside the vacuum of space. Eventually the pink pony hit the sun. Pinkamina burned up within seconds, just as Rarity finally collapsed from exhaustion.

A Time to Rebuild

The town returned to normal as towns often do. Few ponies knew what happened and those who did refused to speak of it. Life continued like nothing ever had changed. There was only one difference some ponies noticed. Some days Rarity vanished. Not for too long, but for long enough for ponies to notice. Still no pony ever asked.

A few weeks later the mare in question stood at her new home away from home, a cemetery where all of her friends now slept. She had seen to it that each received a proper burial. However without them her inspiration too had died. Now with nothing, but time on her hooves until death also claimed her, Rarity choose to wait in the cemetery with her friends.
Rarity heard a noise. She turned to see Princess Celestia with a half-hearted smile on her face. “Rarity right? It’s good to see you again.”

“Oh…hello princess,” Rarity whimpered. The white unicorn looked down in a mix of shame and despair. “Pardon me I’m just not myself anymore.”

Princess Celestia walked over to Rarity. “I’ve been busy these last couple weeks you know. Trying my best to solve this mess.”

Rarity looked up. “What’s there to solve?” She said. Pinkamina destroyed everything! This story is over.”

The alicorn smiled. “Rarity the story doesn’t have to end yet.”

The white unicorn looked up in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Celestia walked over to Twilight’s grave and looked down longingly. “I’ve been… perusing the oldest spells let’s just say.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “I don’t think there’s a magic that can help us right now Princess.”

Celestia turned to Rarity and smiled. “Now please don’t be so naïve.” Celestia’s horn grew a bright white and shone over all the graves. A bright flash blinded Rarity as the valley became coated in light.

When the unicorn opened her eyes she couldn’t believe what she saw. Each of her friends was sleeping, no longer in their graves, but on top of them. Their bodies were clean with not a speck of blood or a single wound. Rarity ran to Celestia’s side. “How did you-”

Celestia hushed her. “Allow me to explain.” The larger pony began to pace. “I can’t revive the dead, but I can repair their bodies. Your friends are now empty shells. They live, but their souls have departed to the afterlife.”

Rarity dropped to her knees. “So…can they…can they do anything?”

Celestia looked over at the sleeping ponies. “That depends on you dear.”

“Me?” Rarity asked.

“A soul can’t be recovered, but it can be created,” Celestia said. “If you show them the love that fate stole away, then maybe a new soul will grow.

Tears fell from Rarity’s face. She ran over to her slumbering friends one by one. Everyone was alive even Pinkie. She held her pink friend’s body and turned to Celestia.

The alicorn nodded. “I don’t know what happened to corrupt her, but I do know that every creature here is an empty slate. Their memories can be repaired though, through magic and of course a loving heart.” Rarity wiped away her tears. Now was not a time for despair. It was a time to rebuild.

The Escape

Applejack and Rarity saw the knife gleam in the bright moonlight. Next to Twilight now lay another pony, who was just as still, but far more dead. The pink pony turned toward Applejack and stumbled in her direction. “Don’t struggle and it won’t hurt as much.”

The orange pony back up against the wall. Pinkamina pointed her knife preparing to swing. Rarity then came to her senses and illuminated the room. The sudden flash blinded Pinkamina. Applejack took the opportunity to turn around and kick the pink pony as hard as she could.

Pinkamina flew through the air and slammed against a cottage wall. Applejack wasting no time ran over to Twilight and started to shake her. “Wake up Twi! For Celestia’s sake wake up!”

The purple mare opened her crusty tear soaked eyes. “What is it?”

Applejack had an expression of pure terror. “She’s here.”

Twilight sprang to feet, but then felt woozy. Using magic at this level of exhaustion was dangerous. Still she ignited her horn for battle. Pinkamina had risen. The pink pony was feeling the reddened spot where Applejack had kicked her. “Wow Applejack. That was really something.” The pink pony gave the farm horse at psychotic smile. “I’ll have to put those legs of yours to a good use when you’re gone.”

Twilight took a step in front of Applejack. She noticed the new body lying on the floor. Twilight’s horn grew red. “The only pony that’s going anywhere.” Twilight’s horn now held a huge pink sphere. “Will be you.”

Twilight fired the massive blast at Pinkamina. The pink pony ducked under the spell. The resulting explosion destroyed the front door of the cottage. Twilight began to fall. Her magic was near its limit and she knew it all too well. Pinkamina jumped forward from the dust at Twilight her cleaver in between her teeth. The purple unicorn saw the blade as it came inches from her throat.

That was when Pinkamina was smashed to the floor by a sea of pillows. Twilight and Applejack turned to see Rarity. Her horn was glowing just brightly as Twilight’s. The white unicorn trapped Pinkamina under a mountain of Fluttershy’s pillows. The pink pony’s cleaver stabbed through the soft shield, but the sword’s owner was caught.

“QUIT IT!” Pinkamina screamed. “WHY DO YOU KEEP MESSING THINGS UP?!”

Applejack could see Rarity beginning to stumble. The white mare’s horn began to blink. “I can’t keep this up,” Rarity cried.

“What do we do Twi?” Applejack yelled.

Twilight clenched her teeth. Her horn flashed a vibrant pink that coated both her and her friends. Within seconds the trio had teleported from the cottage. Pinkamina tore through the pillows. She stared at the now empty room. The pink pony stabbed the floor with her knife.

My Little Accomplice

The trio reappeared in Twilight’s bedroom. Twilight passed out on the floor. Applejack and Rarity took turns standing guard of the broken window from where Pinkamina had first entered the library. As the morning sun rose all three ponies gathered in the destroyed first floor to think. Twilight had covered up Spike’s body in more books as seeing it caused both Rarity and Applejack to break down.

“We need to do something,” Twilight said.

“We could call the police,” Applejack said.

Twilight shook her head. “I did that during my turn as lookout. The whole force is looking for Pinkie, but she’s nowhere to be found.”

“She’s not Pinkie,” Rarity said with her eyes trained on the hole in the wall. “She’s not Pinkie.”

Twilight walked over to Rarity. “Regardless we still need to stop her.” Twilight turned to Applejack. “Pinkie couldn’t have just gone crazy overnight. Applejack you’ve known her the longest. What do you know about Pinkie’s origins?”

The orange mare scratched her head. “Not much. Pinkie’s been here a long time Twi. All I know is she once said her folks owned a rock farm up north. That was where she got her cutie mark.”

Twilight began to levitate a nearby saddlebag. “Then that’s where I’m going.”

Rarity turned to Twilight shocked. “You think she’s there?”

“It’s the best lead we’ve got,” Twilight answered. “And I’m not letting her get away with this.” Twilight packed her bag for a few minutes while Rarity and Applejack looked on with apprehension. Then Twilight turned to Rarity. “You’re right.”

Rarity shuddered. “Beg pardon?”

Twilight put on her bag and walked to the library’s giant hole. “She’s not Pinkie anymore.”

“Come on Applebloom,” Scootalou cried. “Can’t you play with us today?”

“Nah,” the yellow filly answered. “I told you Ah’m busy today.”

The cutie mark crusaders were on the outskirts of town. Scootalou and Sweetie Belle were both frowning as Applebloom walked toward the Everfree forest.

“Are you visiting Zecora or something?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Applebloom turned to her friends. She was annoyed and could barely hide it. “Ah’m just really busy today ok.” She got back on path and started to walk away. “I’ll crusade with y’all in a few hours. Just be patient for a spell.” And with that the yellow filly left the pair’s view.

“Well that stinks,” Sweetie Belle sighed. “What do you think she’s up to Scoots?”

The orange pegasus was glaring. “I don’t know.” Scootaloo said taking a proud step forward. “But we’re going to find out!”

Applebloom came to a stop in front of a tree that had fallen on its side. The toppled arbor was coated in fungus and insects. The filly remembered this tree from her earlier times with Pinkamina. The pink pony had exclaimed over the tree’s majesty. For even in death it had made so many creatures very happy.

“So you here or not?” Applebloom called.

From behind the tree came Pinkamina. “Heh took you long enough.”

Applebloom glared at her mentor. “I leave for one night and this happens. Why didn’t you use the magic paralyzing drug?”

Pinkamina scratched her head. “I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.”

Applebloom shook her head. “I’ve been hearin a lot of things around town.” The filly began to pace back and forth. “It’s over they know. They all know.”

Pinkamina chuckled. “Then we’ll have to move on.”

Applebloom walked over and slapped Pinkamina across the face. “That's easy for you to say!" Applebloom screamed. "I like it here!” They’re talkin bout you not me! I aint leavin if I don’t have to!”

Pinkamina gave Applebloom a death glare. The yellow filly stumbled and fell to the ground. “Don’t ever do that again,” Pinkamina growled.

Applebloom rose to her feet refusing to give in to fear. “This is all yer fault! Not usin the magic paralyzing drug! I mean that’s so common! We used it on Spoon for Celestia’s sake! She didn’t even have magic!”

Pinkamina looked up at the sky. “That was in the past.” She looked down at Applebloom. “Now we have to worry about the future."

“And how do we do that?” Applebloom whined. “You’re a fugitive and I’m aint gettin a record damn it!”

Pinkamina crawled onto of the fallen tree. Her hooves wrapped around a multicolored shroom. “My friends are on their way to my old rock farm,” Pinkamina chuckled. “I need them to meet with a little….accident.”

Applebloom froze up. “I told you I’d never kill mah sister! Besides what does it matter? You should be focusin on gettin away!”

“I’m not going to run,” Pinkamina chuckled.

Applebloom grew dumbfounded. “What the hay is wrong with you? Are ya just gonna wander back to town and ask to make more cupcakes?”

“No you silly filly,” Pinkamina laughed. The pink pony leaned in and began to whisper in Applebloom’s ear.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had gotten lost tailing Applebloom. Her tiny footprints had disappeared amongst the rugged forest path. “I think she went this way,” Scootalou said pointing to the left.”

“Nah I think she went this way,” Sweetie Belle said pointing to the right. “This is the way to Zecora’s anyway.”

“I don’t think she’s going to Zecora’s,” Scootaloo said. “Applebloom seemed too serious. Whatever this is its gotta be mega important!” Sweetie Belle covered Scootaloo’s mouth. “Hay what gives?” the pegasus mumbled.

“I hear something,” Sweetie Belled whispered.

“What is it?” Scootaloo asked.

“Shh,” the white filly said. Sweetie Belle took a few steps forward. She heard two voices in the forest. Both seemed very familiar. “This way.”

The fillies tiptoed a few feet through the brush. The voices became cleared and clearer. One was Applebloom’s. The other was Pinkie’s

“Ah never thought you could do that,” Applebloom whimpered.

“Then you can understand why I can’t leave Ponyville yet,” Pinkamina answered.

“But will this really work?” Applebloom asked. “It sounds crazy.”

Pinkamina brushed Applebloom’s mane. “It’ll work. I just need you to get rid of the others.”

Applebloom bit her lip. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Pinkamina answered. “It’ll be a least a day or two before news reaches Canterlot. We need to be gone by then so I going to do it tonight.”

“But then why mah sister?” Applebloom cried. “She can’t stop you! Why does she have to die too! It’s not fair!”

Pinkamina hugged Applebloom. “Blame Rarity for things being this way. I never wanted to resort to this, but there’s no other option. Applejack is just collateral damage.”

“What’s in it fer me?” Applebloom said. “I happened to like my life in Ponyville and this plan’ll end that fer sure!”

“Don’t worry,” Pinkamina laughed. “I’m sure I can get you a cutie mark once all this is said and done.”

Applebloom looked at her blank flank and sighed. “I can’t kill mah sister. Not even for the cutie mark.”

Pinkamina groaned. “Oh so now you have a conscious. Well I anticipated you going soft on me. So I brought a little insurance.” Pinkamina pulled a choker from her straight hair and threw it at Applebloom. The magical black device instantly expanded around the filly’s neck.

Applebloom panicked. “What the hay is this thing?”

“It’s a magic choker I acquired,” Pinkamina mused. “A little too gaudy for my tastes, but it is quite useful. If you disobey the orders of the choker’s owner, it gets tighter and tighter.”

Applebloom pulled at the black band to no avail. “This aint fair! We were partners!”

“Emphasis on the were part,” Pinkamina said. “Now I want you to kill Twilight, Applejack and most importantly Rarity while they’re visiting my rock farm. Do this by any means necessary and kill anypony that gets in your way!”
Pinkamina heard a twig snap. A few feet away a tiny voice said sorry. Applebloom glared at Pinkamina. “I can’t believe you! I thought we were…we were.”

Pinkamina covered Applebloom’s mouth. “If you don’t hurry then they’ll get there.” The pink pony turned in the direction of the small sound. “Now please excuse me Applebloom. I hear a chicken nearby.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle grew wide-eyed. “What do we do?” The unicorn whispered.

“We’ve gotta warn Twilight that’s what!” Scootaloo cried.

The pair turned around to see Pinkamina looking down on them with an insane grin. “Well hello there girls. Can I help you?”

The Farm

A short train ride left Twilight, Rarity and Applejack a mile from the rock farm. Fear of Pinkamina attacking them had kept each pony on high alert. Three of their friends were gone. There was no time to lose.

Twilight was the first to see the old barn standing around huge forgotten boulders. The sky had grown bleak. The grass was dead. A sense of despair filled the stagnant air. Applejack was the first to speak. “How in tarnation did Pinkie Pie ever live here?”

Twilight ran towards the old barn. Her friends caught up to her as she magically threw open the doors. As the trio looked inside they didn’t find Pinkamina, but inside a massacre lost to time.

The barn’s interior was red, but an ancient red. The blood all around the old building was dried, long dried. In the room’s center were 4 tombstones. The ponies walked in and looked around. They opened drawers and pushed aged hay bales. However each came up short.

“What are lookin for anyway Twi?” Applejack asked. “Pinkamina aint even here.”

The purple mare levitated about dusty furniture. “Something here might explain what happened to Pinkie.” Twilight’s eyes became focused on an old family photo. In the picture amongst 4 older ponies was a tiny filly Pinkie. “Check this out,” Twilight said as she motioned Applejack over. “Pinkie’s hair is straight in this picture.”

“This must be before she got her cutie mark,” Applejack said.

“But I don’t get it,” Twilight said. “If getting her cutie mark made Pinkie love smiles and laughter then what would turn her so violent and depraved?”

“Um Twilight,” Rarity called from a few feet away. “I think I might know.”

Twilight turned to see Rarity pointing. The purple mare looked up to see a symbol cut into the room’s ceiling. It resembled an alicorn only its body was strange. The wings were drooping and the horn was broken in half. “I’ve seen this somewhere before,” Twilight said.

“What is it?” Applejack asked.

Twilight scratched her head. “It was from that book the Crusaders borrowed once. You remember Ghosts Goblins and Ghoulish Figures? But I can’t remember what it’s called.” Twilight turned to Rarity. “Good job finding this Rarity. Once we get back to Ponyville I can research this thing. Maybe it can explain what’s happened to Pinkie.”

“Oh it was my pleasure dear,” Rarity said managing a smile.

“We should get going,” Twilight said putting down the picture.

Applejack sniffed the air. “Hay do y’all smell something burning?”

The trio grew wide-eyed. The barn caught fire all around them. In mere seconds the old dry wood was fully ablaze. The ponies huddled together as the flames closed in around them. Then the ceiling started to topple down on them.

The final 3

Twilight fell to the ground from a stab to the heart through and through. Applebloom stood behind her with a knife in her mouth. Applejack and Rarity looked at her in horror. The black choker around her neck enlarged. The yellow filly started to gasp for breath. “It….it…was….her…or…me.” Applebloom raised the knife again. “Ah….aint….dyin.”

Applejack lowered her head. She bolted over to Applebloom and kicked the filly into the nearest building. Applebloom crashed into a flower shop window with a huge thud. The orange pony turned to Rarity. “It’s all on us now.” Rarity nodded as the pair turned to Pinkamina.

The pink mare was grabbing at the blood pool around her. “Come back. Please come back!” Pinkamina rubbed her hooves in the blood. “RETURN NOW!” She glared at Applejack and Rarity with hate in her eyes. “IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU’VE RUINED EVERYTHING!” Pinkamina pulled a knife from her back. “I’ll find a new town. I’ll start a new bakery. And then I’ll make cupcakes again.” She pointed the blade at the pair beginning to tremble. Only a large smile also appeared on her face. “BUT FIRST I’LL TURN ALL OF YOU INTO THE MOST DELICIOUS CUPCAKES EVER!”

Pinkamina took off toward Applejack. The orange mare dodged around the pink pony’s random slashes and stabs. Applejack jumped backward as Rarity levitated 3 doors and threw them at Pinkamina. The pink mare dove under the doors and slid over to Applejack. She pushed up and slashed at the orange pony’s neck, but missed. Rarity magically grabbed Pinkamina’s tail causing her to crash to the ground. Applejack turned around and kicked the pink pony again on this time in the face.

Pinkamina flew into a nearby building with a huge crash. From the resulting dust cloud came 4 knives that Pinkamina threw at Rarity. The white unicorn ducked under the first 2 knives, but the third and fourth threatened to hit her directly in the eye. Rarity closed her eyes.

She felt no pain. As Rarity opened her eyes she saw that Applejack had jumped in front of the flying blades. The 2 knives were now impaling her side. Rarity ran over and levitated out the blades. “Why did you-”

“Cause yer all I got now,” Applejack said interrupting her. The orange pony grabbed one of the knives in her mouth. Pinkamina had crawled from the house she’d crashed into back onto the street. “Let’s end this,” Applejack mumbled.

Both ponies ran toward Pinkamina. Rarity used her magic to levitate Pinkamina’s body as Applejack tackled her. The pink pony flew back through the broken wall only now with Applejack on top of her. The orange pony stabbed Pinkamina in the chest with the knife. The pink pony screamed before falling to the ground motionless.

Applejack began to pant. Rarity walked over and held her friend’s head. “It’s finally over.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said in between breaths.

The pair began to walk away. Neither of them heard the sound of a body rising, nor the sound of one last knife being unsheathed. Though within seconds one pony did feel the cold edge of the blade as it flew through her chest.