The Final Test

Starlight's limbs felt stiff. Like dead weight. In the dim light, she tried to light up her horn and make out more of where she was. She was met with nothing. A sliver of translucent of magic surrounded her like a ring. It was a spell. A spell Starlight knew all too well.

"Touche," Starlight said quietly.

"Oh, good, you're awake!"

A small light flickered, then a tiny burst of flame came to life. Rarity stepped toward her, carrying the small lantern in her magic. She looked much more put-together. Her mane was nicely curled like it usually was, the only difference being it was held back in a ponytail. "We've been waiting patiently."

"I'm impressed," Starlight admitted. "I thought you'd decided against revenge."

"Well then you clearly don't know me," Rarity tsked, shaking her head disapprovingly. "After all, you murdered my best friends."

"You killed Fluttershy," Starlight pointed out smugly. Rarity simply smiled, sending chills down Starlight's spine. She'd expected Rarity to be mad and kill her on the spot.

"Ah, but it was your test that made me do so."

Starlight's ears fell back. She glared at the white mare angrily. "What exactly do you plan on doing to me?" she demanded.

"We're so happy you asked!" A new voice spoke as the lights flickered on, revealing eight ponies and a dragon. Starlight recognized all of them except for two, an earth pony with an opal-ish gray coat and a pegasus with a blonde mane. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Sunburst, Spike, Big Mac, and Shining Armor all fixed on her with a glare. Rarity waved her hoof toward the two unfamiliar ponies. "I believe you're yet to meet Zephyr Breeze and Limestone Pie."

"Pinkie's sister," Limestone said.

"And Fluttershy's brother," Zephyr announced.

Starlight was quiet for a moment, then erupted into laughter. "Oh my," she laughed, wiping her eye. "This is your grand plan? Gather everypony's sibling and kill me? Good lord!"

Now it was Rarity's turn to laugh. "Kill you? Starlight, darling, we won't kill you."

Starlight blinked in confusion. "Then, what is this?"

"Oh, would you stop asking questions and allow us to explain?" Rarity shot a blast of magic at one of the still dark corners of the room. The torch roared to life, revealing four more ponies and a draconequus.

"The princesses?" Starlight blurted. "Discord? And Flurry Heart?"

"Princess Flurry Heart," the young princess corrected.

Starlight looked back at Rarity, who was still smiling. "We had to ensure that the plan would work."

She began circling Starlight slowly. Starlight turned her head to follow her. "Now, we had options. We could create a replica of your test and put you through the same things you put my friends and I through. It seemed like a good option, all except for the few bits that made it too imperfect. You created the tests, after all. I'm sure you know all the loopholes, and all the tests revolved around several ponies. It was hard to make them work for a single pony. On top of that, it wasn't a satisfying enough way to seek revenge. So, we all worked together to put a new plan together. Most of us have our own little tests that we're going to put you through. We've worked oh so very hard, we hope you appreciate it."

Rarity stopped in front of Starlight and smiled warmly at her. "Oh, and another little thing. You can't die. Don't think this means the tests will be easy. No, they'll be quite painful and extreme. That's where Discord here comes in. Every time the tests kill you; he'll simply revive you. He'll do this as many times as needed until the end. Welcome, Starlight, to the final test. The Test of Resistance!"

"And what happens if I refuse to participate?" Starlight asked.

"Simple," Rarity chirped. "The spell will kill you."

"But I'll come back," Starlight pointed out.

"Not painlessly," Rarity explained. "It will be quite painful. So much so you'll wish you were dead."

Starlight's ears fell back once more. Rarity stepped back to stand beside her sister. Their horns lit up simultaneously as Rarity went on. "Sweetie Belle and I will be keeping notes of your performance throughout the test."

"Up until Rarity's test, at least," Sweetie Belle put in, pulling a parchment and pen toward herself with her magic while her sister pulled a timer toward herself. "Which then Rarity will allow somepony else to take over her job."

"So, let's begin, shall we?" Rarity cooed as though she were talking to a newborn. She looked at the group she'd put together. "Who wants to begin?"

"I will," Scootaloo announced. "I think it's a good starter."

"I think you're right," Rarity agreed. "Alright Scoots, we'll start with your test."