Purple storm

Apple Bloom sighed.

"What is it?"

In response, the mare turned her gaze upwards. Her expression was one of a mare who was slowly losing her patience.

"I'm tired."

The pony beside her started a knowing yet tired look on his expression. He knew what she was going to say. It was something that was brought up when the pair was able to spend alone time together. Not that she didn't understand the mare's frustration. He did, but this wasn't exactly a walk in the park for him as well. Still, they both knew that they couldn't keep this up for much longer. Not if they wanted to run the risk of being found out at least. At the same time, he wanted to cherish the moment they had together. Moments of just the two of them alone without having to worry about the six prying eyes around them.

"Mmhm."

Apple Bloom bit her lip. Feeling a soreness between her back hooves that the mare was all too familiar with. It served as a reminder of the two shared moments before.

"I'm sick of sneaking, hiding, feeling ashamed for what im putting my family through every time I walk through that door."

The stallion remained silent. Choosing to simply let her voice out her frustrations instead of getting in the way.

"I'm tired of living two double lives all while under the roof of my very own home."

Apple Bloom sniffed. This caused the stallion to perk up. The room around them was dark, too dark. As such he was unable to see the mare's expression. However, judging from the sound of her voice he assumed that she was on the verge of crying. This alone caused the stallion's chest to tighten. Not because she was crying even though that did play a part. No, it was because he had a feeling that what she said next played a crucial part in their relationship.

Her vision blurred due to tears Apple Bloom spoke. Pain and regret made themselves known through the young mare's vocal cords. She didn't want to do this. She didn't, but at the same time, she wasn't an ignorant filly anymore. His words back then could no longer bring comfort to the conflict that was brewing in her heart. Maybe if things were a bit different they could have been together,

But they weren't.

"I'm sorry i-i just can't do this anymore, I just can't."

The words themselves weren't easy. It was one of the hardest things Apple Bloom had to do since becoming the element of kindness. However, that alone wasn't what broke her. No, it was the words he used next that the mare will never forget.

"I understand, but Apple Bloom I just want ya to know that I love ya always have and always will, and I don't mean that in a way that involves our family."

In the darkness that concealed both ponies, the massive stallion did the only thing he could.

He smiled.

******

"Apple Bloom?!"

A hoof gently shook the prone Earth pony. Groaning the orange-coated mare opened her eyes. Only to finch upon the brightness that was the world around her. Dazed and confused Apple Bloom struggled to make sense of the current mess that was her mind. Try as she might the mare had difficulty in remembering what exactly transpired beforehand. However, all that came to mind was a gut-wrenching feeling that the mare couldn't quite explain.

"Apple Bloom?"

Upon hearing her name being called the element of kindness turned her head. In doing so she spotted a mare. Or to be more exact the current priest that runs the church.

Not much is known about her. Having only arrived in Ponyville six months ago. Having managed to become a priest of the Moon church not soon after. Not much is known in regards to who she was beforehand. At least not to the public. However, friends of the mare have stated somewhat uneasy that her foal hood wasn't a walk in the park. With that said in terms of personality, the pony was pleasant to be around. She was kind, respectful, level-headed, and very forgiving. It also helps that the mare herself was extremely attractive by pony standards. This alone was quite useful in getting some stallions as well as a few mares into the church.

Upon realizing who exactly it is that stood over her Apple Bloom blushed. Both in embarrassment as well as seeing the mares beautify up close. The way her mane swayed in the wind was almost enticing to watch. It wasn't long before Apple Bloom found herself unable to look away.

At least until the mare, herself spoke. Her voice was soft, sweet, easily being able to melt even the coldest of hearts.

"Are you okay?"

Cerulean-colored eyes met a pair of dark orange ones.

Apple Bloom gulped. Feeling as if her throat was dryer than the Solaris desert.

"I-im fine thank you."

After the words left her mouth the mare tried and failed to get her back on her hooves. Seeing this the pony or Night mother as she is called by the church went over to assist.

"You seemed deeply troubled."

Night's mother stated after helping Apple Bloom to her hooves. The pony in question shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. Looking back over at the munch older mare Apple Bloom smiled.

"I'm fine, too many knots wrapped around the noggin as Granny Smith would say." Night Mother nodded her head in understanding. However, there was still a worried look in her gaze. "Perhaps you need some time to collect your thoughts, with that said the church of our moon goddess is always open for those in need."

Apple Bloom paused.

At the mention of Moon goddess memories of what occurred at her brother's funeral came to mind.

Luna.

She needed to talk to Luna.

Now.

"I thank ya for the hospitality but I came for answers, not rest."

By the time the mare was able to formulate a reply, Apple Bloom was already out of earshot.

*******

Luna stood stall while looking over the small town of Ponyville. As she gazed down at the town and its citizens she felt two different emotions. One was pride. The moon goddess couldn't help but feel amazed at what her subjects have accomplished. Thanks to the three tribes coming together four thousand years ago they managed to achieve greatness. Gone was the weak prey species that could do nothing but argue and bicker among themselves. In its place was a powerful combined force that rivaled even their greatest of enemies. Even the mighty chaos god Eris fell before them. Of course, united or not no pony can stand against a being near complete omnipotence.

That's where the elements come in.

Born from ancient magic so old that time itself was a mere concept around its creation.

Honestly.

Kindness.

Laughter.

Generosity.

Loyalty,

And magic.

Combined these elemental concepts create a force so powerful that the gods themselves stand little chance against them. Eris being the literal embodiment of chaos itself is a prime example. The old trickster god with a morbid sense of humor was now nothing but a stoned statue. Doomed to be forever aware of her surroundings but unable to do so much as a breath.

Truly a fate worse than death.

Unfortunately as powerful as the elements are they have one flaw. That flaw is being only able to function on beings with ill intent.

A flaw that in the end caused the princess to be both disturbed and deeply confused.

The sound of hoof steps approaching broke Luna out of her thoughts. Even with that said the alicorn didn't bother to tear her gaze elsewhere. Instead, she merely addressed the pony standing behind her.

"So thou decided to seek answers after all."

No response.

Luna for her part didn't look surprised at the lack of communication. No, she expected something like this to occur ahead of time. Apple Bloom wasn't the first pony she dealt with in this manner after all. This was something that Luna had been dealing with ever since the purple demon first struck.

"I meant what I said before, your brother was special, unique, you don't come across ponies like him very often."

Silence.

"Ah, right you come for answers not praise for a sibling that's no longer with us."

Nothing.

Luna let out a long tired sigh. She hoped to at least avoid the topic for a little longer, but alas fate had other plans. "Very well I shall at least make this short."

As she said this Luna gazed down at three ponies. A mother, father, and their two foals. The way the group moved and acted towards one another told her that they were a good family. This made the supposed god smile. At least for a moment. With that said she knew she had a story to tell.

"Long ago after the three tribes came together and defeated the mad god there was a mare." 'The mare in question already had a loving husband and a foal named Shining Armor, even with all this in mind she wanted more."

Luna shook her head, regret and shame plastered all over her face.

"So one day the mare was in the middle of giving birth, only something was wrong very, very, wrong."

Briefly, anger flashed all over the alicorn's face.

"Regardless I choose to interfere, in doing so I helped give birth to a being never before seen in Equestria." 'This thing, this abomination operates on a level we cannot possibly comprehend."

Luna paused, only for a moment. When she spoke her voice was filled with anger and malice.

"She killed other ponies! Wiped out entire races! And you know what's the scary part?!"

Apple Bloom didn't reply.

Luna sneered. Her eyes burned with hatred so deep that they resembled a never-ending abyss.

"WE DON'T KNOW WHY!"

The sound of her very voice caused the entire building to shake. This alone caused every pony in the area to look on in fear. The family that Luna saw earlier quickly made their way out of the area. A look of fear crossed their faces.

"We don't know why" Luna repeated. This time the princess sounded eerie calm. Her facial expression went from a mixture of rage and hate to an expression of a pony who had seen it all.

"She feels nothing, no hate pain, sadness, regret, love, nothing."

"Then why?"

Her voice was kind, soft, patient, it was munch more than Luna deserved.

The moon princess sighed.

"truthfully? We can only assume that he got in the way, after all, I was the one that sent him after her."

Silence.

Luna waited.

What exactly? For the pony behind her to do one of two things. One was straight up attacking her. A futile attempt but she would allow the mare to get a few hits in. The second was to scream her head off. A situation not as common as the first. Regardless the princess was more than willing to accept the consequences of her actions, and so she waited,

And waited,

And waited some more.

Finally, after a long moment, Luna turned her head. Half expecting to come face to face with a shocked and enraged Apple Bloom.

Nothing.

The pony that was seemingly behind her before was now nowhere in sight.

Luna sighed.

Knowing that she possibly doomed all Equestria due to her incompetence Luna could do nothing but stare off into the distance.

However, unknown to both the princess a pair of eyes watched her every move. Having both seen and heard the conversation between the princess and the trusted element barrier. Eyes that belonged to a pony who had nothing but ill intent.

*******

"It would be easy she said not that deep she said".

Grumbling under her breath the pony continued digging. Of course, being a unicorn she used her magic rather than her hooves. Still, the mare found the task of unburying a corpse not that amusing. She munch preferred slitting the throats of her enemies. Or colts, a lot of colts.

Upon hitting something solid the mare grinned. Well, well, it looks like her hard work is about to pay off.

"I got a joke," the mare told no pony in particular. Glee just oozed from her tone.

"What's big, red, dead, and is about to be used as a literal zombie."

Opening the casket the pony peeked inside.

Only to see the body of Big Macintosh laid out before her. Nightguard armor covers his entire body.

The mare grinned.

"A pony whose fashion sense is compared only to his corpse!" The mare laughed. The sound echoed throughout the night.