Darkest Equestria

Her old friends had taken a liking to the abbey, and Pinkie left them there to recover. If you could really call it an abbey. It was really just a repurposed schoolhouse.

The next day, Pinkie was gearing up for another expedition. She had received news from Mayor Mare that all hooves would be needed for this one. Every pony under contract (and Pinkie) and going to gear up and set out into the forest. A trial by blood for the new arrivals, and a trial of will for the old. They would be slaying bandits in mass, keeping the old road clear for more supplies and ponies to come.

Pinkie looked at herself in her shattered mirror at Sugarcube Corner. She looked at herself, at her poofy pink mane and coat. Her blue eyes. The three cheerful balloons on her flank. It was not exactly what one pictured when imagining a battle-hardened adventurer. Well, she wouldn't call herself battle hardened yet, so perhaps her appearance was fitting.

She put on a smile in the mirror, all teeth and brightness. It was the only thing that allowed her to scrape together her courage for the task ahead. Such a place could not be faced with just steel alone...

Pinkie headed for the Golden Oak Library, a common area for meetings now. As she arrived, she heard voices already inside.

"So, what's the big hurry anyways?" Applejack's voice came from inside. "I mean, I'm all for it, but we got here yesterday and now we are already being sent out."

"I will explain when everypony gets here." Twilight said.

"I'm here!" Pinkie Pie walked in only to see that all the other adventurers were already there. "Oh, am I late again?"

"No. You are just in time." Twilight rubbed her hooves together. "Looks like every pony is here now."

Pinkie scanned the room and decided to take an open spot next to Applejack. Trixie saw it and turned her head away with a huff. Maybe Pinkie should have sat next to her instead.

Baldwin was here as well, looking at the flat of his blade. He stared at it, looking at his reflection. What lay beyond that mask, Pinkie could only guess.

"Now that we are all here, let me inform you of the things I have come to know and the purpose of this all." Twilight said. "While some of you may be here for gold or glory, there is one task that we are all working towards. The restoration of Equestria."

Pinkie nodded to herself. That was the goal, was it not?

"However, what I have not told you yet, is the reason for my arrival here." Twilight said. "Some of you know this, but I received a letter from Princess Celestia, and in it, she told me something of great importance."

"How is that possible?" Applejack asked.

"I do not know, but it leads me to believe that she is still alive in the depths of the Everfree." Twilight said. "We must free her, but she also warned me of something to come."

"And what is it?"

"This evil we face, it is merely in its incubation stage." Twilight's face grew hard.

"Trixie does not understand. All of the magic in Equestria is practically gone, how could this be the incubation stage? She does not believe this." Trixie crossed her hooves.

"That is what I was told. And if it is true..." Twilight paused. "Then time is of the essence. If whatever is in there grows out of its incubation, then there is no telling what will happen."

"We just have to stop it then!" Pinkie raised a hoof. "Right?"

"Yes." Twilight said. "That is the plan."

"Then why are you telling us about this, sugar cube? Just to scare us?" Applejack asked.

"To let you know the importance of this quest, and why I am pushing you out again so early." Twilight sighed. "I... I have something to admit. Last night, I researched that iron crown you told me about. And I discovered something terrible..."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked confused. "Iron crown?"

"It looks like this!" Pinkie Pie pulled a conveniently placed piece of paper from a pile of books next to her. On it, that strange iron crown was drawn.

"I have seen that before." Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "But... that can't be related."

"Where did you see it?" Pinkie asked.

"It's probably just nothing." Rainbow Dash said. "But I swore I saw that when I made the sonic rainboom. Along its inside edge."

Pinkie Pie thought back to the sonic rainboom. Now that she was thinking about it, the inside of the sonic rainboom did have a strange prong-like quality to it.

"Ahem!" Twilight cleared her throat. "Attention please."

Pinkie turned her attention back to her, as did the other ponies.

"As I was saying… I discovered something. This five-pronged iron crown has actually shown up before in the past. Throughout history, it has shown up on leaders and historical figures. At first, I thought it was a representation for the elements of harmony, but as I looked deeper, I realized something." Twilight said.

"Get to the point." Rainbow Dash growled.

Pinkie looked at her, shocked at the malice in her voice. The Rainbow Dash she knew would never say such a thing. Unless she was remembering wrong.

"Every time the iron crown showed up, the civilization that it was found in soon collapsed." Twilight said. "Little is left of these civilizations; it is only known that they were once peaceful flourishing kingdoms. And then... they vanished."

"Vanished?" Pinkie asked. "Like poof?"

"No. They just... died off. The most recent one I could find, is the alicorns." Twilight said.

"The alicorns? Please, speak clearly. I don't know my history all too well." Applejack said.

"Let me sum it up quickly. Princess Celestia is the only alicorn, but there used to be more. No pony knows where they went, and Princess Celestia never told anyone. However, it is widely known that their ancient symbol is a crown representing the elements of harmony. Five prongs, five elements. However, if you just flip the prongs upside-down, it becomes the iron crown." Twilight said. "An inverse of harmony if you would."

"Trixie finds that cultists wearing such a thing would not be out of place." Trixie said. "What does this have to do with her?"

"What this means, is that Equestria is in even more danger than we thought. This thing, it could wipe out alicorns in mass. Whatever we face is powerful enough to do that. We have to act fast and take the fight to this evil before it can hatch into something too strong for us to defeat." Twilight said. "So that is why I am pushing you to leave today. We have to make progress as soon as possible."

"That was already the plan." Rainbow Dash said.

"I know, but I want you all to know why. Even if you are doing it for the gold or the glory, just know that you are making a difference here. Your actions could end up saving Equestria. Now, with that said. It is time for your next expedition. There are only five of you, so we will have to form one group. I didn't want the groups to get too big in order to not attract unnecessary attention, but we will have to make do. I gathered what supplies I could. Take what you can carry, and then be off. Remember, the goal of this expedition is to keep the roads clear. Kill any evil you find, especially bandits. They must be removed if we are to continue this effort."

Pinkie Pie pumped a hoof, newfound courage filling her. "Let's do it!"

"Wait. Trixie has a question." Trixie said.

"Yes?"

"What is the point of all of this then? If alicorns could not beat this, what makes you think we can?"

Twilight stopped. "I... I don't know. But we have to try."

"Trixie will continue for the bits, but don't expect more from her." Trixie said.

Rainbow Dash didn't seem to care, and just stared into that locket of hers.

"Well, sitting around isn't going to do anything about it." Applejack stood, her plate armor creaking. "If Princess Celestia is still alive and can be saved, then by the dawn I will try to save her. It's my duty as a crusader."

Baldwin, having been silent this entire time, stood. He said nothing, but he nodded.

"One more thing before you go." Twilight frowned. "I need to know what you two can do. Last time I sent ponies out without knowing their abilities, it did not end well."

A spark of guilt went across her face, but it was gone behind a facade in a moment.

"Abilities? Everything a crusader can do, I can do." Applejack huffed. "Didn't you say we should be going? This seems like a waste of time. No point in explaining when our actions will do the talking."

Rainbow Dash nodded along.

"Fine. But make sure you discuss with the others." Twilight said. "That is all I have to say for now so... be safe. I will continue working on getting more ponies into town."

The group nodded and started grabbing supplies from around the room. Saddlebags were stacked high, filled with rations and bandages.

Pinkie stalked over to Twilight. "Hey, is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." Twilight said with a sigh. "I just have more work to do. Make sure to keep safe out there, okay? I don't want any pony getting hurt if they don't have to."

"You can count on me to keep the spirits high!" Pinkie Pie said. "But I won't make a promise I can't keep."

"I know Pinkie... I know." Twilight trailed off. "Just do your best."

"You know me! Or you kind of know me. It hasn't really been that long now that I think about it. Well anyways, I always do my best!" Pinkie said.

"Then that is all I can ask for." Twilight said. "And I will do my best as well."

Pinkie left, taking one last look at Twilight. She looked sadder than usual, but that was to be expected in this place. It wore you down, grinding down hope and joy with every passing day. Like a choking miasma of dread, every pony would succumb to it in time. Unless, that is, you were Pinkie Pie. And all that Pinkie could do was try and bring others up with her.

The group gathered outside, looking over the supplies in the saddlebags. Pinkie wasn't sure how Twilight got them all, maybe by buying food from the townsfolk. Her bits never seemed to run out.

"So. Looks like I'm going to be working with you all." Applejack said. "Going into battle and all that. Nothing new. Let's keep it together, alright?"

"The great and powerful Trixie does not need such advice. She is more together than any pony here!" Trixie threw her cloak back in dramatic fashion.

"Show off much..." Rainbow Dash grumbled.

"What was that?" Trixie raised an eyebrow.

Pinkie Pie could already see something happening here, and it reminded her all too much of what happened on the last expedition. She could not allow it to happen again. It was her duty to spread laughter and keep ponies together, and she would perform it well!

"Why don't we all get along? I'm sure if we all worked together and were friends this would be much easier." Pinkie Pie said.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, turning away and flipping a dagger with her hoof.

"Trixie already knows that one of you is going to die. This is the same thing that happened last time." Trixie said. "Those who cross Trixie will find themselves paid back in turn soon enough!"

"Is that a threat?" Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes.

"No. It is simply the way of things. The great and powerful Trixie has seen it before, and nothing says that it won't happen again." Trixie smirked.

"Hey, every pony, let's simmer down." Applejack said. "We have a long day ahead of us."

They walked as they talked (argued), and before Pinkie Pie could find a point in the conversation to butt in, they were at the edge of the forest. All had saddlebags on, and all were dressed in proper adventuring attire. Except Pinkie.

She slipped on her adventuring gear, adjusting her mask and cloth. Then she turned to the others. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were staring at her. "What?"

"You weren't kidding when you said you were an adventurer?" Applejack asked. "I thought you walking with us was all some kind of long joke."

"Nope! I'm here to stay!' Pinkie Pie flipped her hoof blades, letting them rest on the sides of her legs. "Call me the jester, adventurer extraordinaire!"

"Trixie is also an adventurer extraordinaire, she enjoys the sound of it." Trixie said. She glanced over at Pinkie, then rapidly looked away. Pinkie wondered what that was about.

"This is ridiculous." Rainbow Dash said. "Pinkie? You're really an adventurer? I've never seen you hurt anything in my life. The most you ever did was throw cupcakes at a pony's face."

"Oh, that is a great idea. Maybe it would blind them?" Pinkie said.

"We are dead, just dead." Rainbow shook her head. "Applejack, just kill me now. Confess my sins by blade."

"No can do. If you're going to redeem yourself, it's your hoof work that will do it." Applejack said. "As is mine."

"Redeem yourself?" Pinkie looked between the two. "What for?"

Applejack winced while Rainbow looked away. "Look, sugar cube, it's nothing. Let's just get back to the job, okay? We are burning daylight. If you say you can defend yourself, then I guess I'll have to just take your word for it."

"I'm not looking forward to watching the only cheerful pony I've seen in years die in front of me." Rainbow Dash snapped. "And an old friend at that, but I guess that is the way the world works now, isn't it?"

Pinkie Pie thought about staying behind then and there. Maybe the group would function better if she wasn't there. But then again, if she wasn't there and some pony got hurt, she would never forgive herself. "Don't worry Dashie, I have this all under control!"

Rainbow's eyes took on a faraway misty look when she heard that nickname. She shook her head. "Don't call me that."

"Alrighty!" Pinkie Pie gave her a smile. Maybe there was a little bit left of the old Rainbow after all.

"Then let's go. Trixie does not wish to be out there any longer than she has to." Trixie pointed towards the forest. "Now, somepony go first. She wishes that some pony would break the brush for her!"

"Look. I'm all for celebrating oneself, but this is a little over the top, don't you think?" Applejack fit on her helmet, sealing her head behind steel. "The only one I can celebrate is the glorious and kind Princess Celestia. May her mercy find us on this day."

"Trixie announces only the truth about herself: great, powerful, Trixie!"

"This is going to be a nightmare." Rainbow walked into the forest. "See you inside when you all stop gossiping."

"That's one way to start it." Applejack said. "I don't want to get off on a bad hoof with you Trixie, so let's just focus on the mission."

"Trixie... reluctantly accepts."

"Good enough for me." Applejack walked into the forest.

Pinkie waited a moment, seeing Trixie's narrowed eyes and defensive stance.

"Are you okay Trixie?" Pinkie asked. "You seem like you don't like them very much."

"Trixie does not wish to talk to you right now." Trixie said.

"Why?" Pinkie asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"What could you have done wrong? All you did was forget about Trixie when your old friends showed up." Trixie walked off into the forest, head held high. "Do not worry about the great and powerful Trixie, she is immune to such trifling affairs!"

Pinkie was left with Baldwin, who was standing there without a word.

"Leaves in the forest fall, an inevitability. They can either be swept away or left to rot. Nature will take care of itself either way." Baldwin said. "Let us go forth, friend."

Pinkie nodded and followed him into the forest. It was a little easier this time with a friend by her side. Not that the twisting branches and oppressive atmosphere felt and different from normal.

She couldn't stop thinking about what was bothering Trixie. Was she jealous that Pinkie had spent time with her old friends? It was only for a little, but maybe that was enough. They didn't even say they were friends and all they did was talk. It just didn't make any sense. There was only one way to expose this problem, and it involved talking.

The sickly warm air filled the air, full of spores and rot. Rainbow seemed unbothered by its presence, her cloth mask filtering some of the air.

"This place isn't right. Corruption soaks the soil here." Applejack said. "It must be cleansed in the name of the princess."

"Trixie can see that clearly enough."

"Wasn't asking you." Applejack turned, glaring at the offender.

"Hey Trixie, can we talk?" Pinkie asked. "Like, over here a little?

"Very well, if you wish to talk then Trixie will reward you with her presence." Trixie said.

They moved to the side of the group. Pinkie glanced to make sure they weren't listening, then she whispered to Trixie. "Are you sure everything is okay? You're acting a little more hostile than usual."

"Of course everything is okay, how could it not be?"

"You're not jealous, are you?" Pinkie asked.

"Jealous? The great and powerful Trixie does not get jealous!"

"Even if you're not jealous, I want you to know that I still like you. You're my friend, and just because I'm spending time with others doesn't mean I don't like spending time with you." Pinkie said. "Let's all laugh together, okay?"

"You think Trixie is jealous because of you? You really can make ponies laugh!" Trixie giggled, a forced giggle. "Trixie does not get jealous over the relationships between other ponies."

"Then can you try and not insult these ponies?" Pinkie gave her a nervous smile. "It's wearing on their nerves."

"Insult? Trixie is merely stating the truth!" Trixie turned her head.

"Then maybe give them the truth in a way that is a little less... blatant." Pinkie said. "Can you do that for me?"

"Fine! Trixie will withhold her tongue if need be." Trixie spun with a huff, and stiffly walked away. "Now, Trixie will be getting this expedition over with as fast as possible."

Pinkie watched her go. Had they learned nothing from the last expedition? It seemed so. She followed after the group, scurrying over the forest mulch. There had to be something else she could do to ease tensions, but what that had escaped her.

She joined back up with the group and fell in beside Baldwin. For a moment the group walked in silence. The clanking of armor and shifting of weapons filled the air. Most of it was drowned out by the constant hum of the forest. As always, the ever-present mud clung to Pinkie's hooves. Insects buzzed, seeking cracks in the cloth she was wearing. It was, as always, a miserable sprawling place filled with things that could only be dreamed of in the worst of nightmares. The usual.

"What is the plan here?" Rainbow asked. "Just walk around until we get jumped?"

"Seems like it. Not much we can do." Applejack said. "They are hiding somewhere here; we just have to find them."

"There has to be a better way to go about this." Rainbow said.

When they had encountered bandits before, it was always when some pony had screamed or made their presence known. Particularly when in peril. That gave Pinkie an idea.

"Oh! I got an idea!" Pinkie Pie grinned.

"And what is that?" Applejack asked.

"Well, we could put on a play. A show. Act like we are weak, and then we will attract bandits to our location." Pinkie said.

"By doing what, screaming?" Rainbow asked.

"Exactly!" Pinkie said. "Draw them in and then... well, draw them out. Of their lives."

"Never expected to hear you say that, Pinkie. I will admit." Applejack grimaced, though it was hard to tell through her helmet. "This is not a joking matter. Ponies are going to die Pinkie; I hope you understand that."

"Oh please, don't worry about ol Pinkie." She waved a hoof. "I survived here long enough; how do you think I did that?"

"So that's the plan then? Scream into the void and act like we are getting attacked?" Rainbow asked. "What a joke."

"Well, I love jokes, so I say it's a great plan!" Pinkie said. "What do you all say? Any pony else got an idea?"

No pony spoke up, looking between each other. Rainbow nudged Applejack, and she shrugged in response. The pain of the forest made itself known in the distant howls of Timberwolves. Twilight did say to kill whatever evil they could, with the wolves being a priority. If they came, then the wolves would die as well.

"Are we ready then?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't know. It feels wrong to make too much noise here." Applejack said. "This place isn't right. I feel like it wants us to keep quiet."

"Then let us face it directly then. If the forest doesn't want us to make noise, then let's make noise. We are here to oppose the Everfree." Pinkie Pie's heart filled with fire. "And those bandits, the more we can kill, the better."

Rainbow looked slightly unnerved by those words. She took a step back. "What's your deal with bandits?"

"Oh, there are only the most wretched things in Equestria." Pinkie snarled, a feeling she hated welling up inside of her. That being of course, hate itself. She wasn't meant to hate in this world, it wasn't in her blood. But when it came to bandits, it flowed as freely as water from a spring. Her words were filled with a virulent spite. "They turned their backs on the ponies of Equestria, they stole from those who had nothing of their own, and they killed my friends in Ponyville. If we all worked together, then maybe this infection would have already been taken care of. They are the tumor that refuses to cooperate, and they must be bled dry to make way for the dawn."

The uneasy eyes of her group stared into her. Some looked completely and utterly shocked, like Applejack. Rainbow Dash took another step back. Trixie looked at her with surprised eyes. And Baldwin, well, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking through his mask, but he looked at peace. Other than the fact he was itching at a spot beneath the cloth that covered him.

"Oh, sorry every pony, I got carried away. Does that answer your question Dashie?" Pinkie asked with a smile.

"...yeah." Rainbow Dash said. "That certainly explains it. Can see why you hate them; I hate them too."

"Great! Then that means we can be awesome friends!" Pinkie said. "Now, let's get this show on the road! Who wants to act with me?"

The group looked between themselves. No pony stood up to the task. That is, until Trixie took a step forward.

"Trixie will help you, she is a master of such arts." Trixie fluffed up her cloak and straightened her hat. "How can Trixie be sure she is safe when doing so, however?"

"We can have every pony wait in the bushes in ambush, then jump on them when they get close." Pinkie Pie said.

"I'm all for that sugar cube, but you will be susceptible to arrows." Applejack said.

Pinkie had never been hit by an arrow before. "Can't you just pull them out?"

"Oh, you don't know half of it." Applejack shook her head. "It's best to just not get hit. Those things are a real pain."

"Then what do we do?" Pinkie asked.

"Why don't we have you two at the center, and we will spread out in the woods around you. When they get close, we engage, negating the chance for them to ever fire a shot." Rainbow said. "Bandits won't take a shot unless they know they can hit it."

All agreed to the plan. At least, no pony objected to it. With that in mind, all that remained was spreading out in the black as pitch Everfree. It didn't seem like the best idea to be honest. Who knew what could be lurking in the dark? They wouldn't be far though, and if they needed help, a scream would do it.

"I wish we had a better plan than this." Rainbow said. "Too many variables."

"Would you rather walk around on the road aimlessly?" Applejack said. "To be honest, we don't have much to go on here."

Pinkie and Trixie sat on the road while the others spread out into the woods around them. When they were given the all clear, they looked at each other.

Now, how would they convince the bandits that this act of theirs would be real? Now that Pinkie was sitting here in front of Trixie just staring at her, she was feeling kind of awkward.

"Shall Trixie begin for you?" Trixie crossed her hooves. "She does not feel like sitting here all day."

"What should we talk about? Scream about? Cake?" Pinkie asked.

"Why, we should do a magic show of course, and you will be Trixie's assistant!"

For some reason, Pinkie had a bad feeling about this.