The Fillycaust

It had been two months since Princess Celestia, the sole ruler of Equestria, had invaded Ponyville and began ordering the systematic removal of all Earth Ponies to dreaded Canter Camps. Everypony knew that those who went into the Canter Camps never returned. Many of the Earth Ponies, powerless against Celestia’s army of Pegasi and Unicorns went into hiding. Only a handful of ponies actually stood up to the tyrant but as time went on and the Princess’s laws more harsh the hope for a free Equestria dwindled.

Three Earth Ponies, Applejack, Applebloom, and Pinkie Pie, were hiding in the attic of one of their Pegasus friends, Fluttershy. It had been months before they had seen any direct sunlight and the cramped living space was almost unbearable, especially for Pinkie Pie who was an extremely energetic and outgoing pony.

“This place is killing me!” Pinkie Pie complained. “What I would give for a party about now!”

“This isn’t fun n’ games Pinkie!” Applejack snapped. “We best be quiet ye hear? Celestia’s army is really crackin’ down on refugees these days. Besides we only have another week or so before Rainbow Dash returns.”

Rainbow Dash was one of the few Pegasus ponies who had resisted Princess Celestia. She along with a few others had journeyed to Appaloosa in attempts to raise an army. The plan was for Rainbow Dash to meet up with the refugee ponies and escort them back to Appaloosa where they could help in the battle for a better Equestria.

“I know! I know!” Pinkie Pie moaned burying her face into her hooves. “I’m just soooooo bored!”

“Hush now! Even a youngin’ like Applebloom can hold their tongue longer than you!” Applejack pointed her hoof at the young filly who was also her sister.

“Your right...” Pinkie Pie sighed and curled up on the cold attic floor.

I don’t blame her. Applejack thought while studying the bored pony. I’m downright fed up with this waiting too. This isn’t the way us pony folk are supposed to live. Equestria changed from a mighty good place of peace and harmony into this nightmare. How could the Princess initiate such an evil act against her own ponies?

Suddenly a quick and quiet knock came from the attic trapdoor. The three Earth Ponies turned toward it startled. The trapdoor shuddered and then opened.

When the ponies eyes had adjusted to the light emitting from the trapdoor they saw Fluttershy’s head poking through it.

“Oh... Um...” studdered Fluttershy. Her face was pale as a ghost and Her left eye was blackened and swollen shut. “Hi girls, I’m... So sorry but they tortured me for information.” She paused briefly with tears in her eyes. “I’m so so sorry...”

Suddenly Fluttershy yelped and was pulled back through the trap door by somepony below.

“What in tarnation!” screamed Applejack. “They must’ve found us! Quickly girls we’ve gotta high tail outta here!”

“It’s too late!” laughed a familiar sounding voice from below the trapdoor. “The cottage is surrounded! There’s nowhere for you to go.”

A purple beam shot through the floorboards and blasted the whole attic apart. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Applebloom flew like rag dolls with the debris the explosion created and landed with a crash in the middle of Fluttershy’s bedroom directly below where the attic used to be.

Applejack shook off the shell shock and looked up to see her former friend, Twilight Sparkle the unicorn, standing in front of her with a smile. Fluttershy lay in front of the purple mare trembling and crying.

“Twilight you can’t do this!” Pinkie Pie cried. “We’re friends!”

“Ha! Friends with an Earth Pony?” Twilight sneered. “Everypony knows Unicorns and Pegasi are greatly superior than you! By the order of Princess Celestia you are to be brought to Hoofscwitz Canter Camp.” Twilight Sparkle then turned to Fluttershy who was was still sobbing on the floor at her feet. “As for you...” she began. “A traitor pony is just as revolting as an Earth Pony. You have disobeyed our great leader’s wishes and therefore must be punished!”

“P-please!” Fluttershy whimpered. “We’re your friends Twilight, don’t you recognize us? Why are you doing this?”

“The Princess wishes it, and so it must be done.” Twilight remarked and with that she kicked Fluttershy in the head with her hoof.

Fluttershy squeaked and recoiled, covering her injured head with her hooves.

“Twilight this isn’t right! Put an end to this!” Applejack screamed. Applebloom had begun to cry and Pinkie Pie could only watch in horror.

“AJ I’m scared!” Applebloom sobbed. “Make it stop sis! Make it stop!”

“You want me to make it stop? Alright, I’ll make it stop.” Twilight jeered. She turned and aimed her horn at Fluttershy. A purple light illuminated around the horn and bolted towards Fluttershy. The beam ripped through the frightened pony’s back like a bullet. Fluttershy raised her head, gasped, and dropped lifeless. Warm red blood flowed from the open wound.

“You see?” Twilight laughed. “It stopped! That is what you wanted is it not?

“No!” screamed Applejack as tears filled her eyes. “You murderer! Fluttershy was the most innocent pony in all of Equestria! How could you do that?”

“Innocent?” gasped Twilight astonished. “You call betraying our great leader, Princess Celestia, innocent? Your opinion doesn’t matter anyway. It’s over for you.”

Twilight’s horn lit up again. A purple gas protruded from the tip which hovered over to the three frightened Earth Ponies

“Wh-what is that?” asked Pinkie Pie trembling.

A sleeping spell.” Twilight sneered, “And when you wake up, you’ll wish you’d never existed.”