The End of a Nightmare. (A Grimdark Finale)

by TheMareinTheMoon

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Tragedy, Scootaloo, Adventure, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 16513

An end to the cupcakes saga, and the grimdark universe...

It has been rougly one year since the 'Cupcakes' incident, everyone has suffered as a result. Nothing can ever be the same, ponies live in fear, wondering when it will all be over. But in the darkness, there is a spark, desperately trying to stay lit, a glimmer of hope. Amongst the darkness can there be light again? Can the fallen be redeemed? Sometimes the will of a single pony can bring a spark that ignites a fire, burning in the hearts of others. But is the fire strong enough to overcome the darkness that rests in the heart of Twilight's once close friend?

(inspired by Ask Pinkamina, Ask Paranoid Twilight, and Ask Lil Miss Rarity Blogs of Tumblr, As well as the Fanfiction "Cupcakes" by Seargant Sprinkles.)

*Cover art by Stalin The Stallion on Deviantart*

Published 2012-01-20 13:34:38 UTC
Last updated 2012-03-05 23:45:20 UTC

Intro and Chapter 1 "Paranoia"

Introduction
How far can one go, once their spirit has been broken? When one loses everything, what else is there to live for? Everything can be changed by the will of a single person, but how far does will take you when you have nothing left?

“You would not believe the honor it is to be here,” Rarity said to the dark figure sitting across from her, “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for ages...” she trailed off.

“Well,” The figure said, uninterested “It’s not like you were subtle.”

“I apologize” Rarity said.
The figure merely stared, “Oh, it’s alright,” she assured, “I have a lot to say to you. Are you enjoying the drink?”
Rarity glanced at the glass of liquid on the table.

“Divine” She replied.
The figure began to smile, “good to hear,” her eyes locked with Rarity’s, “It was Dash’s favorite...”
Rarity’s eyes widened. She looked down at what she was drinking, something was, off.....

“I taste something else in here.” Rarity stammered, trying to compose herself.

“Just a bit of Mercury.” The figure replied, the smile still frozen on her face.

“What?” Rarity exclaimed, rising from her chair, “That’s how you’re going to kill me? With poison?”
The figure leaned back in her chair, smile still plastered on her face. “Of course.” she said calmly, “I wouldn’t want you to ‘enjoy’ your end.”

“No,” she continued, “I want you to die slowly and quietly, Rarity. Perhaps in your sleep...Speaking of which, you’re asleep right now. In reality, there are soldiers breaking into your home. They’re coming to take you away Rarity...”

“WHAT!?” Rarity screamed, struggling to breathe.

“You’ve done terrible things Rarity...” The figure responded coldly.

“But, I didn’t mean to!” She replied, tears forming in her eyes.

“Yes you did,” the figure interrupted, “It’s who you are, you’re a psychotic creature.”

“And frankly,” She continued ominously, “ I hope I don’t see you again...”
Rarity fell to the floor, still vaguely aware of what was going on around her as the figure stood over her, and stared directly into her eyes.

“You’re a monster, deal with it.” Her smile crept up again, “Now wake up, and face the consequences.”

Chapter 1
“Paranoia”

It had been nearly a year since Dash’s death. Nopony saw it coming. How could they? There was no way anypony could have predicted that the happiest person they knew was harboring a monster deep inside. Dash’s death affected everyone, and what was once a world flowing with happiness and harmony, had now become a living nightmare. In the death of Dash came the rise of Pinkamina, the once loved girl had now become a monster. She was a remorseless murderer, drawing a number from a jar every morning to find her next victim, and making sure the last moments of their life were spent begging for it to be over. Few were aware of what she was doing, and those who knew kept quiet, for they had no idea what she was capable of. In the year following the death of her first victim, Pinkamina had cut countless innocent lives short, she had stopped caring. About life, about friends, about everything, only, there was one thing she still held dear...

“Twilight!” Spike screamed desperately trying to soothe the ex-student,

“You’ve got to calm down” he said, in as calm a voice as he could manage, “Nopony is coming to get you, everything is fine, I'm here! You’re number 1 assistant remember?”

Twilight simply stared, seemingly coming back to reality.

“What happened?” she asked nervously, looking around the room and noticing the damage she had done. “I did it again didn’t I...” She finally whispered.

“It’s ok,” Spike said, picking up a quill and paper from the mess that now covered the room, “Here, why don’t you write to the princess? That always seems to make you feel better!”

She stared at him and the paper, before finally sighing in depression.

“It’s not the same spike, it never will be.” she whispered, observing the results of her ‘breakdown’.

“Not if you act like that,” Spike responded, “Maybe if you write to her enough, she’ll forgive you and take you back as her star pupil, and everything can be normal again, and...”

Twilight glared at him with teary eyes, “Spike don’t you get it?!” She rose and began to scream, “things can never go back to the way they were! Dash is dead! Nopony has seen Fluttershy for weeks, Rarity is...different, AJ’s a drunk, Pinkie is a psycho, and I’m....” She paused and began to cry, “I don't even know anymore...”
Spike slowly walked up to her, trying his hardest to comfort her, “I know how you feel, it’s hard to believe that just a year ago, our biggest problem was trying to keep our friendship, but now.....” Spike looked down at Twilight, who was now laying on the floor gazing at the window, he could tell she wanted to be alone.

“Anyway,” He said, trying to return to his normal composure, “I’ll be um, re-organizing the shelves if you need me, just remember Twi,” Spike said, suddenly becoming very serious, “You’re not alone.”

Twilight stood solemnly in her room, staring at the moon high in the night sky outside of her window. It brought her back memories of when she had first arrived in Ponyville. The day she met all of her friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie pie.....
She remembered all of the adventures they had shared. Defeating Nightmare Moon, going to the Gala, visiting Appleoosa, watching Dash win the Best Young Fliers competition. Dash...
Twilight held on to these memories, deep in her heart, it was the only thing that kept her sane, but after all this time, even that was slowly slipping away. Her friends were all but gone now, as was her hope. Twilight remembered that she was not innocent either, she remembered the sound of children laughing. They laughed at her misery, at her misfortune, at her flaws. She had to stop it! she thought, she just couldn’t let it go on....
She remembered seeing the shocked expression on the teachers’ faces, the screaming children, the blood on her hooves. Celestia had abandoned her, she remembered thinking this, alone in her padded cell, she yearned for it all to be over.

“Stop laughing...” She mumbled to herself, “Stop laughing, stop laughing, stop laughing, stop....please”

Twilight’s eyes slowly opened to reveal the bright beams of light pouring in through her window, it was morning. She rose from the floor and looked around her room, observing the result of her episode the previous night. She slowly brought herself down the stairs to find Spike reading a newspaper with a shocked expression on his face.

“Twilight,” spike managed to mumble through the shock, “Y-you should come see this...”
Twilight used her magic to levitate the paper from spike’s claws, and into her view.

“Rarity...” Twilight’s spirit sank, “She’s being...executed?”
Spike was frozen, his eyes still wide in disbelief, “Why?” he choked out, “Why would they try to execute Rarity? I don’t...”
Twilight felt guilty, she had never told Spike about that day she confronted her old friend. What she had seen her doing, what she had become, Spike wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

“I...don’t know,” Twilight lied
Who else could have known? She thought to herself. And who could possibly want her dead? Rarity, had...changed it was true, but she had never threatened to hurt anypony against their will, why would anypony...
It all connected, somewhere in her mind she knew that only one pony was sick enough to end somepony’s life without a reason, just to watch them suffer, to watch the light die from their eyes. Rarity’s number had come up.
Twilight’s heart sank, her whole body shivered in fear, and sadness.
“Spike,” She said slowly raising her head, “We have to leave...”
“Leave?” Spike stammered, rising from his chair, “To where? Twilight we can’t keep running, maybe we could talk to the princess and..”
Twilight glared at him in frustration, “The princess doesn’t care about us anymore Spike!” Her voice raised to a scream, “She never will! It’s over! Everyone is dead Spike, they aren’t coming back, we ARE alone!”
Twilight took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down before she got out of control.
“I...I’m sorry Spike,” She said while trying to compose herself, “I didn’t mean to scream at you like that, but it’s over, you are the only friend I have left, and I don’t want something to happen to you.”
“It’s ok Twi,” he responded quietly, “But you’re wrong about one thing...”
Twilight stared at him, puzzled.
“What?” She asked.
“I’m not the only one.” Spike responded.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, confused, “Who else could there be?”
Spike looked right back into her eyes, she now knew what he meant.
“AJ.”

Chapter 2 "A Friend..."

Chapter 2
“A Friend...”

“UNHAND ME!” Rarity screamed to the guards violently binding her hooves.
Pinkamina stood there in the shadows, admiring her work, as Rarity was dragged, screaming from her home.
“Sweetie Belle how could you!?” Rarity screamed to her sister as the guards dragged her past her.
“I didn’t tell them!” she answered, tears filling her eyes, “I swear! please believe me!”
Pinkamina smiled, she was telling the truth.
She watched Rarity’s eyes dart everywhere, trying to determine whether or not this could really be happening, She screamed and thrashed at the guards, but Pinkamina could tell she knew she couldn’t get away.
Suddenly, her screams stopped. Rarity’s eyes stared straight at her, bloodshot and soaked with tears, Pinkamina stared right back, emotionless.
“SHE’S RIGHT THERE!” She screamed, desperately trying to get the attention of the guards, “SHE’S THE MONSTER,TAKE HER, TAKE HER!!!”
The guards ignored her.
“PLEASE, LISTEN TO ME! I’M NOT CRAZY, PLEASE!” She screamed with the last of her energy.
“SILENCE” Ordered one of the guards. He glanced at the shadows for a quick moment. Nothing.

Pinkamina rushed through the dreary streets of Ponyville, she couldn’t stand being in the light, every beam of light seemed to burn as it touched her face.
She remembered the look of sheer terror that Rarity had given her before being hauled away, it made her feel...happy.
As she neared Sugercube Corner, memories of her past invaded her mind. She saw herself...her old self, she saw her friends, all of them. Even Dash. They were laughing, smiling, they were happy.
Pinkamina grew furious, as she tried desperately to push the memories out of her mind.
“No,” She whispered to herself in agony, “They never loved me! It was all a lie...all a lie...”
“Besides,” She thought to herself, looking at the dry blood on her hooves, “It’s too late. far, far too late.”

As she opened the door to her home, she felt a rush of relief, the memories faded.
“Scootaloo?” She called, “I’m back.”
“Oh hold on,” her voice echoed from the basement below, “I’m just finishing up on this one...”
Pinkamina felt good finally hearing her voice again, every minute outside had felt like hours.
She slowly descended the staircase, curious to see how her young pupil was doing, hoping that she remembered what she’d taught her.
Pinkamina was overwhelmed with a feeling of joy as she entered her basement, It was where she escaped her nightmares...where she made everything better.
The room was dark, albeit for the small light emanating from the lamp by Scootaloo’s side.
The light shone on the crimson liquid coating the walls and floor, and caused the shining surgical tools on the table to give off an occasional glint. The smell of flesh and steel perforated the air, and the sound of muffled screaming filled the room. Pinkamina was at home.
Pinkamina glanced at the purple figure strapped to the table in the middle of the room, she recognized her immediately, the teacher.
Pinkamina glared at Scootaloo, who held a carving knife in her hoof seemingly ready to begin, however as she looked into her teacher’s terrified eyes, something made her stop.
“Well?” Pinkamina said, growing impatient, “Begin!”
“I...I can’t,” Scootaloo mumbled.
“What do you mean?” Pinkamina asked, “You’ve done this dozens of times.”
“This is...different” She responded, hiding her head in shame.
“Is it because of her?” Pinkamina asked accusingly, “Well is it!?”

Scootaloo slumped down and began to cry, Pinkamina looked at her for a moment, and then sat down next to her.
“I want you to remember something, kid” She began, “Growing up is hard enough as it is, and you’re gonna have it tough. You’re like me. You have a monster inside.”
Scootaloo raised her head a little and began to look at her with tearful eyes.
“I understand how lonely it is,” She continued, brushing Scootaloo’s mane away from her eyes, “Growing up, being what you are. I want to give you something that I was never lucky enough to find at your age...”
“A Friend.”
She ran into Pinkamina's embrace, wiping the tears from her face as she looked into her eyes.
"And I want you to know, that no matter what,"
"I will never leave you..."

Chapter 3 "Reaching Out..."

Chapter 3 "Reaching Out..."

Chapter 3
"Reaching Out..."

The freezing rain pierced the night air as Twilight and Spike trudged toward what was left of Sweet Apple Acres, their last hope.

"Twilight, I'm f-freezing," Spike complained, "Are w-we almost there?"

"We should be," Twilight answered, desperately trying to ignore the cold, "It should be just around-"
She stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"It should be right here!" She said looking around at the seemingly empty landscape, "Where is everything? Where is everypony?"
Spike looked as well, "Maybe they all...moved away?" Spike said, scratching his head, "After all, when was the last time you actually spoke to any of them?"
Twilight gasped, he was right. She hadn't spoken to any of her friends in a long time, how could she?
As she stared at the dreary landscape that was once Sweet Apple Acres, she couldn't help but remember how this place used to look. Full of life, laughter and happiness, but now...
Twilight's eyes drifted toward a seemingly abandoned barn off in the distance.

"Well we can't stay here," She said finally, "Let's get some shelter, we can sort this out once we're dry and I can think."
Spike nodded his head in agreement as they slowly walked toward the old barn.
The wind howled through the limbs of the dead apple trees as Twilight approached the door to the barn. She slowly opened the door and peeked inside, it was empty as she expected.
They went inside and Spike closed the door behind them as they looked around at their new home for the night.
It was dark and empty, with only a couple bales of hay and an old wine cellar taking up the open space of the barn.
Twilight's eyes stopped at the wine cellar, she remembered the day they first put the cellar in, it had...done things...to Applejack.

"Well," Spike spoke up, "It's not much but it'll have to do for tonight I guess."
He began to search around the barn.

"We should probably start gathering some sticks or something, y'know so I can start a fire..."
Twilight simply rolled her eyes and used her magic to ignite a bale of hay and levitate it toward the middle of the barn.

"Or you could do that..." Spike said plainly.
They both sat on either side of the glowing fire, drying themselves from the storm outside.

"Y'know Spike, just because I'm not the princess's pupil anymore doesn't mean I can't still do magic." Twilight said, breaking the silence.

"Huh?," Spike responded, surprised, "Oh, I'm sorry Twi, I know you can. I just get a bit...worried about what might happen, what with the way you are and..."
Twilight glared at him, slightly annoyed. "Now Spike, I-"
Suddenly she was interrupted by the sound of shattering glass.

"What was that?" Spike asked, nervously scanning the room.

"I think it came from the cellar..." Twilight said, slowly moving toward the sound.

"WELL DON'T GO TOWARD IT!" Spike yelled.

"Oh calm down Spike! I'm sure it's-"
Suddenly the figure of an orange pony sprang up from behind the barrels, dripping with wine and shards of glass. Twilight recognized her all to well.

"Huh, wuzzat?" She said, drunkenly stumbling, trying to get on her hooves. She opened her eyes enough to see the two figures now standing before her, and her expression suddenly shifted from one of confusion to one of rage.

"Now what the hay do y'all think yer doin'?" She asked accusingly, "Tryin' to burn down my property huh? well this'll teach ya!" She grabbed a glass of bottle of wine from the rack and slammed it against the the nearest wall, shattering it halfway.

"GET OUT" She yelled, charging at Twilight, swinging the broken bottle in her direction.

"Wait! Applejack it's me! Your friend!" She screamed back, running in the opposite direction.

"I ain't got no friends!" She replied, gaining speed "Now stand still ya little-"
She swung at Twilight, missing by less than an inch.
By this time, Spike had gotten up and was now chasing Applejack, desperately trying to get her to stop.
Eventually, Applejack was able to catch up to her target enough to tackle her, effectively pinning her to the ground.

"Wait AJ it's me! Twilight Sparkle!" She said, struggling to break free.

"Oh yeah?" Applejack replied menacingly, bringing the jagged bottle up to Twilight's throat, "Prove it."
Twilight stopped and thought for a moment.

"Uh, I met you the day I was checking on food for the Summer Sun Celebration, and you introduced me to your family, and we ate and laughed and Spike was there too, don't you remember?!"
Applejack glared at her. "Well, if you're really Twilight then..." She thought rubbing her chin, "Then what did I get you for yer' birthday last year?"

"A book!" Twilight replied, beginning to sweat nervously.

"On what?"
Twilight's eyes grew wide. She couldn't remember. She had remembered getting the book from her, but she had never actually read it!

"It was um...uh...."
Applejack pressed the bottle closer against her throat.

"Apple Farming and The History of Apples, Volume one." Spike interjected, still gasping for breath after chasing the drunken pony around the barn.

"Spike?" Applejack said, rubbing her eyes, finally recognizing him as Twilight's scaly assistant, "Well if you're...than that means-"
She looked down at the hyperventilating pony in her hooves and screamed.

"Oh Twi it is you!," She said quickly helping her onto her hooves and embracing her tightly, "I am so sorry, are you hurt?"

"No," Twilight replied, relieved. "Just a little...startled."

"I'm sorry, I didn't recognize ya, I guess I uh," She looked down at the bottle in her hoof, "Might have overdone it a little."

"It's ok AJ," Twilight answered, "Here, why don't you sit down with us by the fire, I'm sure I have a lot to catch up on."

Once they had all settled down by the fire, Twilight wasted no time in getting to the questions she wanted answered.

"Applejack, what's happened here? What happened to the apple trees and the farm and-"

"We sold it." Applejack replied, not looking up from the ground.

"You what?" Twilight asked, suprised, "Why would you do that?"

"My, you sure have missed a lot haven't you?" Applejack replied, still refusing to lift her head.

"You have our old friend Pinkie to blame fer' that." She said, anger in her eyes at the mention of their old friend's name.

"Once ponies started 'dissapearing', so did the farm's money. With no ponies to sell to, we couldn't make nothin', and then Granny..." AJ wiped a tear from her eye, "Granny Smith passed away."

"I...I'm so sorry Applejack, I-" Twilight began.

"Don't be," Applejack replied, "It's not yer fault, we all knew her time was commin' but for it to to happen now..."

Applejack paused to compose herself, and then continued.

"Big Mac tried to make me feel better, tried to get me to concentrate on my work, but I couldn't. I started...drinkin', It wasn't a good decision, but it was the only thing that kept my mind off of what was goin' on around me. Without me, the farm lost even more money, Big Mac couldn't pick up all of the slack, and eventually he left us too, he moved back to Appleoosa."

Applejack tried her hardest to hold back her tears, as she continued her story.

"So, after a couple months, we had no choice but to sell the farm, to the Flim Flam brothers. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, and I regret having made it every day, but at least they let me keep this here barn, Without it, I don't know where Applebloom and I would be today."

"Applebloom?" Twilight said, surprised as she lay a sleeping Spike down on some hay by the fire, "Where is she?"

"I reckon she's out helpin' Zecora out with somethin', that's all she seems to do nowadays..." AJ replied.

"You aren't at all concerned?" Twilight asked, a bit worried.

"Nah, Zecora's been nothin' but a help for the last few months, she always sends Applebloom back with enough food for the week. An' I reckon if that pink demon comes pokin' around lookin for either of us, Zecora's our best bet at stayin' safe."

Twilight shuddered at the mention of Pinkie, or rather, Pinkamina. After all, she was the reason she was here.

"Applejack I need your help." Twilight said, getting to the point.

"Huh?" AJ replied, confused, "With what?"

"Pinkie has gone out of control, Applejack," Twilight said sternly, "You and I are the last living elements, and I figured that-"

"You want to stop her don't you?" Applejack interrupted.

Twilight nodded her head. "And I need your help..."

"You don't want my help," She said solemnly, "I mean look at me Twilight. LOOK AT ME!, I'm a mess, if I had the courage to go against that monster, I would've done it by now, but instead I'm here...hiding like a coward."

Twilight looked sternly at her friend.

"Applejack you're no coward," She answered, "You're the toughest pony I know, and you're not a quitter, you can do this."

"Maybe, I could, once..." Applejack said, looking down at the bottle in her hoof, "But now..."

"Applejack remember what you told me when I was hanging off that cliff the day we met?" Twilight asked "You said to trust you, to trust that everything would be alright when I let go, and I did. Now it's your turn."

She moved closer and took the bottle from Applejack's hoof.

"Let go. And trust me."

Applejack thought for a moment, she couldn't believe that she was actually considering this, all of her thoughts seemed to contradict one another, but after a little while she managed to choke out a single sentence.

"I'll do it."

Chapter 4 "Numbers"

Chapter 4
"Numbers"

"Mama? Father? Sisters? what are you doing here?" Exclaimed Pinkamina in a panicked disbelief.

"Well would you look at this pathetic sight. The filthy creature is covered with blood" Her father said to her mother.

"Unbelievable, after all of the love and care we had given her, she turned into a murderer. How can I live knowing I birthed this wretched excuse for a girl? I'm so ashamed." Replied her mother.

"Mama and father should have given you to an orphanage." Probed one of her sisters, "Do you even know how much heartache you caused after you left the farm to 'chase your dreams'?"

"You abandoned us." Interjected the other sister.

'Mama, papa, I can explain..." began Pinkamina as tears rolled down her face.

"Explain what?" interrupted her mother, "Explain how you ran away from home, leaving us to clean up your messes because you wanted to show people how to smile?! You're dead to me, girl. My two wonderful girls would never do such a thing."

"...But mama, I'm your girl too! I'm your daughter!"

"You're not my daughter." Stabbed her mother.

Pinkamina's eyes swelled up with hot tears. They streamed down her face in warm waves. She had never felt like such a failure...

"Please, Mama! I'm your girl! Just say that I'm your girl, one more time. Please!" Pinkamina Pleaded.

"Miss Pinkamina, who are you talking to?"

Pinkamina turned around to see a blood splattered Scootaloo staring at her with inquisitive eyes. Pinkamina turned back again to face forward, but there was no one there. Only darkness.

"Oh, no one Scootaloo. I was just having another one of my episodes." pinkamina said, half reassuring herself.

"So you're okay then?" Scootaloo asked.

"I'm fine...so," she began, changing the subject, "How is #233 coming along?"

"You mean Cherilee?" Asked Scootaloo.

Pinkamina rolled her eyes, "Yes, her" she hated it when she used their names.

"She's nearly finished, though I thought I'd leave the last part to you, you seemed a bit upset after you didn't get to have fun with Rarity, so I thought you might like to...do the honors."

It was true, Pinkamina had been left feeling a bit....unfulfilled, by the way she dealt with her old friend. She was touched by Scootaloo's offer, and let her know with a genuine smile.

"Thank you, Scootaloo," She said, gently petting her head, "Is she awake?"

"Yeah, I pumped her with adrenaline just like you said"

"Wonderful."

Pinkamina slowly followed Scootaloo's motions toward the dark room that held their latest victim. She gazed at her pupil's handiwork, and was filled with pride.

Scootaloo went about following her instructions perfectly, the mare before them was nearly unrecognizeable. All of her main arteries had been slashed with precision, her legs and arms broken, and her cutie mark had been sliced away with near perfection. Cherilee was inches away from blissful death, but still clung to life as if she had a chance.

Pinkamina was filled with joy.

Her grin stretched from ear to ear as she slowly approached the blood soaked pony before her. She picked up a straight razor from the table to her right and held it close, the feeling of the cold metal pressing against her making her shiver with anticipation.

"Any last things you want to get out before I send you away?" Pinkamina asked, removing the gag from the teacher's mouth.

"HELP ME!" She screamed as loud as her lungs could manage.

"PLEASE DEAR CELESTIA SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Pinkamina rolled her eyes, unimpressed.

"That's what they all say," She sighed, "You're just wasting your breath."

"Now," She said, pressing the razor against Cherilee's cheek, "Shall we begin your anatomy lesson?"

She readied her arm to make her first cut, when she was interrupted by the sound of someone calling her name.

She shook her head, seemingly snapping back to reality, as she put the gag back in Cherilee's mouth and stepped down.

"I'll be right back, don't bother trying to get out, it won't make a difference.." She said Glaring into her terrified eyes.

She was now able to tell that the voice belonged to Scootaloo, which soothed her rage a bit. But nonetheless she was still extremely upset at being interrupted during her time of enjoyment.

"What the hell is it!?" Pinkamina yelled furiously.

"I...I'm sorry, I just..." Scootaloo stammered, avoiding eye contact.

Pinkamina relaxed, realizing the tone in her voice.

"I'm sorry Scootaloo," She whispered, straightening her mane, "Now what was it that you needed to tell me?"

"We still haven't picked a number for today..." Scootaloo replied calmly.

Pinkamina gasped in shock, how could she have forgotten? She was supposed to pick one every morning!

"How could I have forgotten? Quickly, get my the jar!"

Scootaloo nodded, and ran as fast as she could upstairs to fetch the jar.

Pinkamina put her face in her hooves. How could she forget? In the year since her first victim, she had not forgotten ONCE, what was different today?

She sighed and thought for a moment. Maybe her parents were right, maybe she should stop. It would be ok, she could...start over...maybe move to Canterlot? And she could...

"Here they are!" Scootaloo announced eagerly as she handed Pinkamina the jar.

No, it was too late for that. Scootaloo was all the family she needed now, if she couldn't make people smile, then why try? Why bother with friendship? Why care? WHY-

"Miss?," Scootaloo asked, puzzled, "Aren't you going to pick a number?"

"Y-yes," She responded, composing herself, "Here..."

She reached into the jar, and felt around for what felt like ages. Conflicting thoughts battled in her head, she should take her hoof out right now, stop this madness, go back to the way things were...

No, she should take the number with pride, they had to dissapear, and she was the only one who could make it happen. They deserved it, all of them, there was no turning back...

She finally pulled her hoof from the jar.

"So what is it?" Scootaloo asked trying to get sight of the slip of paper now resting in Pinkamina's hoof.

"Number 647," Pinkamina froze as he remembered who the number was for, she considered putting the number back, but she pushed it out of her mind, she couldn't. Especially not with her pupil here, she had to stay strong.

"Twilight Sparkle" Pinkamina choked out, her hoof shaking.

"Well, that shouldn't be hard," Scootaloo chimed in, "She was never much of a fighter."

"Yes, but she's a thinker," Pinkamina replied, "And that's far worse."

"Well I thought she got sent back to magic kindergarten, smart ponies don't go there..."

Pinkamina recalled that day, and knew what it had done to twilight, she was vulnerable.

"Do you know where she is now?" Pinkamina asked, still not looking up from the slip of paper.

"I saw her and Spike heading South when I was selling our last batch of cupcakes earlier today." Scootaloo replied.

"Well," Pinkamina said, her sinister grin returning, her eyes filled with a crazed excitement. "Let's get to work..."

Dark Interlude "Stitching It Together"

Interlude
"Stitching It Together"

The burning sunlight brought tears to Rarity's eyes as she was escorted from the dark dungeon that had been her home for the last few days. She would have been happy, except that what she was being led to was far worse than any dungeon.

She looked around at the crowd of ponies surrounding the platform, all of them waiting to see her gone. Her eyes drifted over each of them, until she reached HER.

"So, Princess," Rarity began defiantly, "This is how it ends? after all we've been through..."

The princess stood from her throne in the crowd.

"Do not try to shift the blame to me, miss Rarity," She replied accusingly, "You are the only one to blame. You could have been so much more..."

Rarity scoffed, "I am perfectly fine the way I am, princess. The ponies in this dreadful town just don't understand that fashion takes pain, sweat and tears. They don't deserve my work."

"And what of your friends?" Celestia responded, "Do they deserve it? What do you think they would say if they were here right now?"

"I HAVE NO FRIENDS!" Rarity screamed, "My only source of joy was my work and you had to take that away too didn't you!"

"Watch your tongue!" The guard ordered, "The Princess will not be spoken to this way!"

'What are you going to do? Kill me?" Rarity replied, "I thought we were already doing that."

As she was lead to the simple rope that would soon end her life, time seemed to stop. Rarity thought of everything that she'd done leading up to this moment. She should have been revolted by the things she had done to her body, but she wasn't. How could anything so wrong feel so good? They just didn't understand. She had tried to help her sister understand the joy of pain, and now she was here. It wasn't fair, she deserved better, to be treated like a lady, not a criminal.

She looked down at the heart scorched onto her chest and was reminded of her...past life. When everything made sense, when she could relax in her boutique and work on what she loved. Before Dash had gone, before Twilight snapped, before she...

"Do you have anything you would like to say before we begin?" Celestia interrupted.

Rarity's mind was at war with itself. Part of her want to let everypony here know how much she hated them, that she regrets nothing. But, then she thought about her..."friends". What if Twilight or Applejack really were in the crowd? How would they react to seeing her this way? She had to remain strong, for them. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away, she couldn't give the crowd the satisfaction. She thought about saying how sorry she was, for all the problems she had caused, to apologize to her sister, to everypony. But she couldn't.

"I would like a brush." She finally said.

"Excuse me?" A guard replied in bewilderment

"A brush..." She began, "If I am going to die, I'm going to do it with dignity."

The guard looked to Celestia for confirmation. She nodded, and he left to retrieve Rarity's final request.

Rarity lifted the brush from the guard's hand with her magic, and slowly brushed her mane for what seemed like hours, until it had returned to what it had looked like...one year ago.

She finally lowered the brush onto the floor, and allowed the guards to tie the rope around her neck. She stared down at the trapdoor beneath her. It would all be over soon. She thought about what it would be like in Ponyville with her gone, would anyone care? What would happen to Sweetie Belle? Or...Spike?

She pushed these thoughts from her mind however, and concentrated on staring into Celestia's eyes.

"Look at me!" She screamed, "When you are killing me you look at me!"

The princess wiped a tear from her own face and obliged.

Time stood still once more.

"I'm ready." Rarity said.

Celestia nodded to the guards.

And the trapdoor opened.

Chapter 5 "Goodbye"

Chapter 5
"Goodbye"

"We're gonna do WHAT!?" Spike screamed.

"We're going to stop Pinkie," Twilight repeated, unsure of herself. "This has to end now, before more innocent ponies suffer."

"What do you mean stop her!?," Spike answered in a panic, "What are we going to do? Waltz over to Sugarcube corner and kindly ask her to stop killing everypony!?"

"I DON'T WANT TO BE A PASTRY!" Spike yelled, as Twilight shoved a hoof over his mouth.

"Be quiet Spike! Aj is still asleep," She whispered, "We're going to leave you with Zecora for a while. Applejack and I are going to go and try to find some help,"

"Zecora? The creepy Zebra witch? No thank y-"

"This is no time for argument Spike," Twilight replied, "You'll be fine, Applebloom will be there too."

"But what about you?," Spike asked, "Twilight, you have to think about this, Pinkie is dangerous, and you're..."

Spike swallowed hard.

"Y'know..."

"I'll be careful Spike, I promise" Twilight assured.

"Please Twilight, I don't want to lose you," Spike said, blinking back tears, "Promise you'll be back."

Twilight stopped. She knew she couldn't guarantee that, she couldn't guarantee anything at this point, but she knew she couldn't let Spike know. She couldn't let herself know...

"I'll be back Spike." She said, hugging him, "Besides, I have Applejack to protect me."

"Ya sure do."

Spike and Twilight turned to see the earth pony lying on the floor, now awake and looking at them.

"Ummmm," Spike said nervously, "How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough," She replied, "Well, if you two are done, we best be headin' out. It's mornin' and we gotta move fast if we're gonna get you to Zecora's"

Spike shuddered at the thought of sharing a home with the strange enchantress. But the thought of Applebloom being there calmed his nerves a bit, at least he'd have someone to talk to who didn't speak in rhyme.

"I agree," Twilight nodded, "Spike, could you get a scroll from my saddlebag and let Zecora know we're coming?"

"Sure." Spike replied, hurrying over to Twilight's bag.

"So," Applejack whispered, once Spike was a safe distance, "Where will we be goin' after we drop him off?"

Twilight sighed, "I figured we would go to Canterlot. Speaking to the princess again was the last thing on my mind, but it seems we don't have much of a choice."

"Well, what if-"

Applejack was interrupted by the sound of burning paper, and she turned to see that Spike had finished sending his letter.

"Done!" He said

Applejack turned back to Twilight, "I'll tell you later."

The sun beamed brightly as they slowly trotted toward the Everfree forest. Twilight couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in weather from the previous night, the pegasi must have been falling behind again.

The three of them walked in complete silence for nearly half an hour before Applejack finally broke the silence with a question of her own.

"So, Twi," She spoke, "How did you get out of Magic Ki-"

Twilight's eye and ears twitched for a moment, and Spike quickly made motioned with his claw to not mention magic kindergarten to Twilight.

"Out of...That place" Applejack quickly revised.

She sighed, "I didn't..."

"I...I don't know what happened to me. Everypony was laughing at me, I felt so stupid and and worthless, I...I couldn't listen to them laugh anymore..."

Applejack stared at Twilight as she continued her story.

"So I...I took a pencil and I..." She wiped tears from her face as she spoke again, "I cut him AJ."

"Who?"

"I don't know...the first student I could find. They took me away, said I was crazy and locked me up. After a few days, Spike convinced them to release me, and he's been taking care of me ever since..."

Twilight looked at her assistant, who was now asleep on her back, and then back to the floor.

Applejack didn't know what to say. She had no idea twilight had gone through so much, it made her feel so selfish, for turning her back on her friends and family, for drinking while they suffered. She was about to speak when she realized they had reached their destination. Zecora's hut.

Twilight knocked on the door until the familiar black and white figure answered the door.

"Ah come in my pony friends. It seems you two have made amends." She rhymed, motioning for them to step inside.

"Heya Zecora, I guess you know why we're here then huh?" Applejack replied, looking around the small home.

"Indeed I do dear Applejack. To care for the dragon on her back." She said pointing towards Twilight.

"Oh Zecora, I'm sorry to put so much work on you, and on such short notice." Twilight apologized.

"Yeah," Applejack chimed in, "Especially with you carin' fer Applebloom already, speakin' of which where is she?"

"Ah your sister, Applebloom, she will surely be here soon" Zecora replied, slowly walking toward the pot in the middle of the room.

"So kind and obedient, she is fetching my final ingredient."

"May I ask what you are making?" Asked Twilight, trying to get a look at Zecora's brew.

"Just a simple simple remedy, for the hunger inside my empty belly." She smiled.

"So it's...soup?" Applejack asked.

Zecora nodded, and they heard a knock on the door.

"That must be her." Applejack said running to answer.

When she opened the door she was greeted not by joy, but confusion.

"Applejack?" Applebloom said, confused, "What're you doin' here?"

She looked behind her sister to see Twilight staring back at her, as well as a sleeping Spike.

"Uh, did I miss somethin'?" She asked, puzzled.

After she settled down, and Twilight explained, she began to unpack her saddlebags of zecora's ingredients and lay them on the table.

"So," She started, still unpacking her bags, "Spike will be staying here for a while, so you guys can look fer' help?"

Twilight nodded.

"But why?" She asked, "Why can't you just stay here! It's safe, and we have enough food for all of you."

"Easy now Applebloom, you know what happens when we assume." Zecora spoke.

"Well you don't have to fight, Pinkie can't find us here, why don't you just hide?"

Applejack approached her sister and looked her in the eyes.

"Applebloom, we've been runnin' fer far too long, it's time we stood up. Besides, If we hide, more ponies will suffer, and we can't let that happen."

Applebloom hugged her sister and told her to stay safe, as Spike had done to Twilight hours before.

"If you cannot find help to face your pink friend, it will surely be your end." Zecora began, "I will care for the dragon when he wakes, for now I think you should be going. for your sake."

"You're right, we'd better go" replied Twilight.

"Wait!" shouted Applebloom, grabbing some jars from the shelf nearby, "Take some food with you, stay safe, please."

"I will," Applejack replied, with a smile, "I love you sis."

"Love you too Aj"

And they were gone.

As the two ponies trudged back through the Everfree forest, they started to hear some strange noises in the distance. The sound of somepony yelling.

They looked at each other for a second and rushed toward the sound.

Twilight had prepared for the worst, but nothing could have prepared her for what she saw before her now.

There, on the stage before her, was probably the last pony she had wanted to see in all of Equestria.

"And now for for my final trick, the Great And Powerful Trixie will make this flower dissapear!"

Chapter 6 "Unlikely Allies"

Chapter 6
"Unlikely Allies"

Trixie magically levitated the blue flower toward herself, as her "audience" looked on.

"Now!" She began with confidence, "The Great and Powerful Trixie will recite..."

Suddenly, her horn began to lose its glow. The flower dropped and her horn grew limp.

Twilight knew she shouldn't laugh, but she couldn't help but snicker at Trixie's inexperience with poison joke, Twilight had seen its effects firsthand.

Trixie's "audience" consisted of only about five ponies and Trixie's stage was also in a state of disarray. Boards hastily nailed together, torn curtains and broken lights made up the now embarassing display.

"Um...." Trixie said, desperately trying to make her horn return to normal, "Just a minor setback, The Great and Powerful Trixie will..."

"Boo!" yelled an unhappy crowd member, "This isn't worth five bits!"

Popcorn and other concessions began to hit Trixie from numerous directions, soiling her cape and mane as the small crowd became more and more unruly.

Trixie began to yell back. "Well fine! I don't need you! I am the Great and Powerful Trixie! I am the most magical pony in Equestria!"

"More like the most powerful screwup!" Yelled another pony, "I'm outta here."

"GO THEN!" she replied, "YOU DON'T DESERVE TRIXIE'S MAGIC!"

Twilight should have been overwhelmed with joy at the sight of her rival suffering such a fate, but she couldn't bring herself to be. She felt guilty, after all, in a way she was responsible for her downfall. She felt compelled to help, but couldn't find the words to say.

Once all of the ponies that had made up Trixie's "audience" had left, Applejack spoke up.

"Well, that was uh...interestin'," She whispered, "ain't that the pony that ran once the Ursa Major came to town?"

"Yes." Twilight replied, in thought.

"Well shouldn't you be happy?" Applejack asked, "She got what she deserved, after all. Now let's get goin' we got ground to cover."

"Hold on AJ," Twilight said, grabbing AJ,s back "We came here to get help, and I think..."

She thought for a moment.

"I think she can help."

"Her!? Are you sure about this Twi? I mean, you saw how she ran..."

"I know AJ, but we're going to need all the help we can get. And besides, I think I may be able to reason with her." Twilight said, getting up from behind the bush they'd been using for cover.

"Wait Twi I-" Applejack shook her head, "This ain't gonna end well..."

"Trixie!"

"Gah, what is it!? I don't sign autographs after sh-" Trixie froze. "You!? What are you doing here!?"

"Wait Trixie I-"

"You ruined MY LIFE!" Trixie yelled, slowly approaching Twilight, "The day you brought that Ursa Minor to town was the day you RUINED ME! After that, not a single town in Equestria would accept me! And I had to resort to THIS!"

Her face was hot with rage, and had it not been for the poison joke, Twilight knew she would have tried to hurt her.

"Now hold on you," Applejack said, standing between the two unicorns, "Twilight didn't send that monster to town, yer' two little fans did that! And If you wouldn't have bragged so much, maybe it wouldn't have happened!"

"How dare you!" Trixie replied angrily, "Come to my home, rub salt in my wounds, and then accuse it of being MY FAULT!?"

"Trixie, i'm not here to hurt you, I-" Twilight began.

"Get out."

"What?"

"Get out, I don't want to see your face." Trixie turned around and began cleaning the food from her cape.

"Well, fine," Applejack replied, "C'mon Twi, she's not worth it."

"Trixie, I'm sorry." Twilight spoke.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry for what's happened to you, I never wanted any of this. I only wanted to protect everyone, I...I still do."

Trixie was confused. An apology? That was the last thing she had expected. Deep down she knew that she had been selfish, narcassistic, and overconfident, it WAS her fault, but she couldn't let anybody know that, she was supposed to be Great and Powerful...

"What do you mean, 'still are'?" Trixie asked, turning around.

"Pinkie," Twilight spoke, "She's...she's changed and-"

Trixie's blood ran cold at the mention of that name.

"I know about your friend" Trixie managed to choke out. "I...I know what she does."

"How?' Asked Applejack.

Trixie sighed. "I had bought a batch of cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner the last time I was in Ponyville and I found...a bone in my food, a pony's bone. I tried to convince myself I was seeing things, but after watching so many ponies enter her shop and not leave, I just couldn't anymore. I never came back after that."

"Trixie, we need your help" Twilight said bluntly.

"My help? With what?"

"We're going to stop her." Said Twilight.

"You're going to what!? You'll get yourselves killed, or worse! And why would you want MY help?" Trixie replied, panicked.

"Listen," Interjected Applejack, "If we work together, we can do this, but we need as much help as we can get."

"Well I..." Trixie began, looking away, "I can't help you. I mean look at me, I can't even sell a show anymore, and my horn..."

"Listen Trixie..." Twilight said looking at the blue unicorn, "You have to trust me, I know it sounds crazy, and I know you have every right to hate me, but listen. If you can let go of the past and fight to make things right now, we can do this. We're on our way to Canterlot now, hopefully the princess can help us."

"But...my horn"

"I got somethin' for that right here." Applejack said, pointing to her saddlebag.

"Please come with us," Twilight pleaded, "Help us make things right."

Twilight extended her hoof toward Trixie, but she only stared.

"I...Can't" She finally said.

"I'm sorry, but I just..." She turned away, "I just can't. Now please just...leave."

Twilight and Applejack looked at each other for a moment, and then tossed a bag in Trixie's direction.

"What is this?" She asked.

"It should help fix yer' horn." Applejack spoke.

"Th...thank you." She replied, not turning around.

"Just remember Trixie, we're here for you." Twilight said.

She never turned around.

And they were down the path again.

Chapter 7 "A Gift From the Darkness"

Chapter 7
"A Gift From the Darkness"

The journey to Canterlot had proved to be a hard one. Though only lasting a day, their trek had been long and arduous. It had also been mostly quiet, with only the occasional conversation about the past breaking the silence. Applejack was sure to avoid mentioning Magic Kindergarten to Twilight again, she had come much too far to fall apart now.

As they finally began to reach Canterlot, Applejack spoke up once more.

"So what's the plan?" She asked, turning to her friend.

"Walk into the castle, approach Celestia, beg for forgiveness and hope she doesn't kill us both." She replied, not taking her eyes off of the road ahead of her.

"Right," Applejack replied, nervous, "Of course."

Twilight stopped, realizing what she had just said.

"AJ, what if we DO die here," Twilight said, lowering her head, "What if it all ends now, before we even reach Pinkie? Before we can even try to stop her. It'll be my fault."

"Now don't talk like that," AJ said, "We're going to be fine Twi, trust me."

"But that's just it..." Twilight replied, "What if we aren't? Trust won't get us out of a noose."

AJ brought Twilight's face up to hers.

"If we DO die today, I want you to know that you're the best friend I've ever had."

Applejack hugged her friend close, and for the about the next five minutes, they sat there, sharing what may be their last moments together.

As they approached the gates to Canterlot, they were suddenly stopped by the two armored guards protecting the entrance.

"State your name and business." One of them spoke.

"Um..." Twilight began, "I'm Twilight Sparkle, the princess's ex-student, and I wish to speak to her, it is of dire importance."

"The princess does not see visitors." Responded the second guard.

Twilight pleaded.

"Please sir, it is a matter of life and death! You have to let us in!"

"The princess does not see visitors," The guard repeated, "Now please, go from where you came."

Twilight shook her head in astonishment, how could they refuse her? There were lives at stake! They-

Twilight's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Applejack's furious voice.

"Now," She began, slowly approaching the guards, "We tried to ask y'all nicely, but it's obvious that ain't workin'. So I'm gonna ask again, please step aside before I buck you aside!"

Applejack began scratching her hoof across the ground, ready to fight.

"You don't want to do that miss," The guards replied, placing the hooves on their swords, "Now we will ask YOU again, please leave. NOW!"

Applejack looked at Twilight and hesitantly stood down. Glaring at the guards with anger as she walked to her friend's side.

"well what do we do now?" Applejack asked.

"It's ok Applejack, I planned for this." She replied.

Twilight reached into her saddlebag for a minute, until she finally brought out a small sack from within the bag.

"What the hay is that?" Applejack asked, eying the strange sack.

"Nightshade," Twilight replied, magically opening the sack to reveal its contents, "Zecora gave me some before we left, it puts ponies to sleep."

"That powdery stuff does all that?"

"I hope so."

Twilight gathered a hoof-full of Nightshade and held it behind her back as she slowly approached the two guards.

"How many times must we tell you? The princess does not s-"

Suddenly Twilight brought her hoof in front of her and blew the powdery substance in their direction.

"What the!? What is this...this..."

Suddenly the guards began to stagger and their heads grew heavy, until they collapsed on against the walls, asleep.

Twilight gazed back at Applejack's somewhat astonished face and called. "Well? Let's get going!"

The Canterlotian uppercrusts looked at the two ponies with disgust as they passed by. They had been through a lot, and it showed, they looked like a mess, and Applejack still smelled of alcohol. As they made their way to Canterlot Castle, they noticed two more guards standing at the entrance. The Nightshade took care of them quickly.

Inside the castle, Celestia was discussing political matters with her advisors, while her younger sister sat to the side.

"You know, you didn't have to kill her." The dark mare spoke.

Celestia was caught by surprise by her sister's words.

"Excuse me?"

"She didn't deserve to die," She answered, "We could have helped her..."

"Did you not see what she did to her sister?" Celestia replied, looking away from her advisors.

"If you knew what she did than you would agree that she could not be helped."

Luna looked at her sister with anger.

'What has happened to you!?" She yelled, "I used to look up to you! I used to think you stood for what was right, but now look at you! You've killed one of the last remaining Elements!"

Celestia approached her sister, "Ponies change after 1000 years," She answered, ominously,"I thought you would know this by now."

"Well I wouldn't have had to if-"

Suddenly the doors to the throne room were swung open. The guards drew their swords and pointed them at the intruders. Celestia recognized them all too well.

"Twilight Sparkle." She spoke, watching her once faithful student.

"Princess Celestia" Twilight said, watching her once wise teacher.

There was a silence. The teacher and student locked eyes, each remembering the events of their past. The trials, the letters, the lessons, all to be destroyed by one missed note.

Twilight felt anger and sadness well up inside her, but she didn't dare show it. She was here for a reason.

"Princess I..." She looked to Applejack and turned back, "We, need your help."

The princess continued to stare at them. "Do you realize that I could have you killed for entering here unannounced?"

"FOR EQUESTRIA'S SAKE SISTER!" Luna screamed "LISTEN TO SOMEPONY FOR ONCE!"

"Luna, this does not pertain to you." Celestia answered, "Now please leave until we are finished here."

She glared at her sister with rage, and hesitantly left the room, followed by four guards.

"Now, why are you here?" Celestia asked, eying the two mares.

Twilight swallowed hard. She would have to choose her words carefully.

"Princess," She began, "I'm assuming you are aware of all of the disappearances that have been taking place over the last year.."

"Indeed I am." She responded, emotionless.

"Well princess, we need your help to stop the one responsible, we can't allow her to keep doing this-"

"There is no need," Celestia answered, "I have already taken care of the one responsible, she will not harm anypony ever again."

"What?" Applejack asked, confused.

"Rarity was executed yesterday morning, you're safe now."

Twilight brought a hoof to her face.

"Rarity was not the problem! She wasn't the murderer!" She screamed.

"Oh? Then who is it then Ms. Sparkle?" Celestia replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"Pinkie!" Twilight yelled, frustrated.

Celestia stifled a laugh.

"The pink mare who owns Sugarcube Corner? You think it was her? It's obvious that you're time in magic kindergarden did more to you than I thought." Celestia said.

Twilight lowered her head and looked the other way.

"Now hold on just a minute!" Applejack yelled, "Er...Yer' majesty, we've been through a lot to get here, and we KNOW we're right, Pinkie's snapped. Become somethin' else...You've gotta believe us!"

"Actually I don't," Celestia replied, "If I recall correctly, your drinking habits caused you to lose your farm, and...I already know what has happened to Twilight. Neither of you are in any way trustworthy anymore."

"Celestia..." Twilight spoke, slowly raising her head, "How can you do this? After all that we went through? You've changed."

Celestia scoffed.

"I've changed? Need I remind you of yourself? You were once my most faithful student, but you became a monster. I changed as Equestria changed, what we need now is a leader, someone to keep everypony under control. To protect them from people like your friend Rarity."

"Celestia, I'm sorry." Twilight spoke. "I'm sorry for everything I've done, all of the pain I caused, I regret my decisions every day. But I want to make things right, I want to be your student again, I want things to be like they used to! I-"

"Twi, remember what we're here for..." Applejack whispered.

"I want you to help us." Twilight finished.

"I'm sorry Twilight, but I can't do that." Celestia replied coldly.

Twilight looked up at her former teacher with tears in her eyes. It was over.

"Gaurds, see these two out, they obviously have a lot of thinking to do." Celestia nodded to the gaurds surrounding her throne.

Twilight's face was still frozen with a teared expression.

How could it end here? After everything she'd done, after everything she'd sacrificed. Her head hung low in defeat, as she and her friend were escorted through the halls away from the throne room.

Twilight never looked back. And neither did her teacher.

"Well what do we do now?" Applejack whispered to her silent friend.

"Nothing." Twilight replied, still staring at the ground.

"Nothin'?" applejack gasped, "What do you mean nothin'?"

"That's it. That was our last chance, it's over."

"Twilight get a'hold of yerself!" Applejack replied, wary of the guards still leading behind them.

"This can't be the end! What about all that you told me about lettin' go of the past, and fightin' for the present? Not giving up or hiding from our fears? What happened to that!"

Twilight couldn't respond.

As they were lead through the halls, they began to notice that they were not headed toward the exit. Twilight had been in this castle numerous times, as well as Applejack, yet somehow the halls were...unfamiliar.

"Hey!" Applejack spoke up, "Where are you takin' us? This ain't the exit!"

"Quiet!" Spoke replied one of the guards.

"You'll see soon enough." replied the other.

Twilight began to shake. Where could they be taking them? Celestia wouldn't kill them...would she?

The bright white corridors of the halls slowly seemed to transform to dark shades of blue, and shadows seemed to cascade over the areas that were once filled with light. The sun symbols that riddled the castle's furniture and artwork, were now replaced with the symbol of night, the moon.

The guards led them through the shadowy corridors, and the farther they walked, the more the darkness seemed to engulf them. They finally stopped, at the foot of the large brass doors in front of them.

"This is where we depart." Spoke one of the guards.

Twilight knew where they were. These were Luna's quarters, but why would Celestia send them here?

"An' what the hay are we supposed to do here?" replied Applejack.

"Enter." Replied the guard, and they were gone.

Twilight and Applejack stood at the door, unmoving, not daring to look at each other for what felt like hours, until Twilight spoke.

"We should probably do as they said." She said, moving toward the door.

"And what? Die?" Applejack replied, still looking away.

"If that's what awaits us on the other side of this door, then yes."

"You know I can't do that Twi, I promised Applebloom..."

Twilight sighed.

"And I promised Spike..."

They stopped, and gazed at each other until they came to a silent agreement. They had no choice.They opened the doors together.

Light shone from the room as they opened the doors. Moonlight. Even though it was midday, the dark alicorn's presence was enough to make it feel as though the sun was far from shining. The room itself wasn't very large. Compared to the huge throne room that belonged to Celestia, it was minuscule. However, the dark colors, and cascading moonlight flowed through the room, emanating with the dark mare's presence.

Luna looked them up and down, as if judging them.

"I see the guards did as I commanded." Said the Mare.

"Princess Luna?," Twilight spoke, "You brought us here?"

"Yes, Twilight." Luna replied.

"Why?" Asked Applejack.

Luna sighed as she approached the two mares.

"My sister has changed. You both know this by now i'm sure."

The two nodded.

"Ever since ponies started dissapearing here, she has become...demanding, even violent. Before yesterday, we hadn't used that noose in over 2000 years. I used to look up to my sister, even forgave her for banishing me to the moon, but now, something's wrong. She's never been like this."

"It's my fault." Twilight said, lowering her head again, "I made her like this..."

"No. you didn't Twilight." Luna replied. "This started when the ponies started dissapearing, and that's why I brought you two here."

Twilight and Applejack looked at her, puzzled.

"I believe you. About everything, I've seen what the pink one has done, even gathered evidence, but my sister won't hear it. She's convinced I'm delusional after all my time on the moon."

"Wait so...Yer' gonna help us?" Applejack asked.

"As much as I can." Luna replied.

"But what about when Celestia finds out?" Twilight asked.

"Hopefully, she won't" Said Luna, "But If she does, I will take full responsibility. You and the rest of the elements helped me when I needed it most, now it's time for me to return the favor."

"Thank you."Twilight replied, blinking back tears of joy. "Thank you so much."

"Now first of all, you're going to need this." Luna spoke, levitating a book from her private library.

The book floated into Twilight's hooves, and she couldn't believe what she was holding. She had heard of this book before in old legends, read about it herself, although she always thought it to be a myth. And now here it rested in her hooves. The book of death.

The Necronomicon.

Dark Interlude II "The End of a Crusade"

Dark Interlude II
"The End of a Crusade"

Spike's eyes slowly opened to the bright light of morning now making it's way into the small hut. As he sleepily glared around the room, stretching his arms in effort to wake himself, he noticed something strange. He had been sleeping on a cushion. He didn't recall falling asleep on a cushion last night, in fact the last thing he remembered was taking a nap on Twilight's back on the way to...

"Good Morning." Spoke a voice to his right

Spike turned to meet the voice as a black and white figure came into his view.

"AHHHHHH!" Spike screamed, throwing himself backwards and into one of the Zebra's shelves. Knocking down various pots and potions in the process.

"I am sorry dear friend, I mean not to fright. Now please come here, I do not bite." Zecora said, helping the dragon onto his feet.

Even after Twilight had assured him that Zecora was not dangerous, Spike still kept his distance from her. The next few days here would be tough.

"Oh hi there uh....Zecora," Spike began, looking around his new 'home', "Uh, where's Twilight?"

"Her and her friend left yesterday," Zecora replied in her usual rhyme, "But she insisted that you stay."

"Oh...great" Spike mumbled to himself.

"So uh... how's-Ughhh!" Spike grunted, grabbing his arm in pain.

Zecora eyed him curiously, and noticed a red gash across his right arm.

"You're hurt" She said, concerned.

"Yeah, I guess I hit that shelf harder than I thought..." Spike said, wincing in pain.

"Applebloom!" Zecora yelled outside, "Come here, and soon!"

Spike was reminded of Applebloom's presence, maybe being here wouldn't be too bad after all.

"Not to worry," Zecora said, looking back at Spike, "Applebloom will fix you in a hurry."

Not a minute later, Applebloom burst through the door to the hut with a panicked look on her face.

"What!? What happened? Is she here!?" She yelled, her eyes darting around the small hut.

Zecora shook her head and approached her, pointing to Spike's injury.

"Oh," Applebloom said, calming herself, "That's it?"

Zecora nodded.

"Well that ain't nothin'. Hold on Spike I'll have you fixed up in a jiffy." Applebloom said, walking over to the shelves.

"Wait wha-" Applebloom uttered in confusion, at the sight of the now destroyed spice shelf. "What happened to all the spices?"

Zecora pointed a hoof at Spike, who then shrugged as if to say "my bad".

"Well now how the hay am I supposed to help you without the spice?" She said sternly.

"Um, just for the record," Spike said, "What were you gonna do with the spice?"

"Well I WAS, gonna make one of Zecora's healing potions to fix you up," Applebloom replied, "but the recipe calls for spices,and those were our last jars!"

"Well," Spike spoke, "You could just y'know, get me a bandage and let time h-"

"Wait! I've got an idea!" Applebloom declared, opening her saddlebag and dumping its contents out on a nearby table.

"What are you doing?" Zecora asked, curious.

"I think I've got something here I can use as a substitute for spice, something even better!"

"Now be careful Applebloom, one wrong ingredient could spell out doom."

"Doom!?" Panicked Spike, "I"m still on board with the whole bandage thing! Guys?"

"Here it is!" Applebloom said, revealing a small sack, "Crushed roses."

Zecora looked on in fascination as Applebloom used the techniques she had taught her to heat, mix and create her brew, and was filled with pride as she poured it into a jar for Spike. She could only hope it worked.

"Here you go!" She said, handing Spike the jar. "Drink up!"

"A-are you sure this is safe?"

"Only one way to find out."

Spike gulped as he reluctantly took a sip of Applebloom's brew, it tasted like strawberries.

"Y'know this doesn't taste too ba-WOAH!" Spike yelled, as he began to shake uncontrollably.

"What's going on!?" he yelled in between spasms.

"Its working!" replied Applebloom enthusiastically

Spike looked toward his arm as best as he could between shakes, and could see that the wound was indeed healing itself, albeit slowly.

After about a minute of shaking, Spike was finally able to regain control over his body. He looked at himself, astounded.

"Well, how do ya feel?" Applebloom asked.

"I feel great!" Spike responded, jogging in place, "I feel like I could run a mile! Oh, and the cut's gone too!"

He ran over to Applebloom and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks Applebloom."

Applebloom blushed a little, and was about to speak when they were suddenly interrupted by a bright flash of light.

"OH MY GOSH IT'S HERE!!!" Applebloom squealed in delight.

"IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!"

"What's here?" Spike asked.

"My cutie mark! It's finally here! Look!"

She was right. There on her once blank flank, was a picture of a rose, sticking out of a jar. It was beautiful, and Applebloom couldn't be happier.

"I'm so very happy for you" Zecora spoke, embracing her pupil. "And I'm sure your sister will be too."

Applebloom began to cry with joy.

"Thank you Zecora, thank you so much."

They sat there together, in a moment of joy. Something none of them had experienced for a very long time. For a moment, everything was back to the way it should be, when there was happiness, when there was love.

And then there was a knock on the door.

There was silence.

"D-did you guys hear that?" Spike asked nervously.

They nodded.

"Who would come here? I thought this place was hidden!"

"Maybe it's Twi and Aj," Applebloom spoke "Maybe they came back..."

Zecora looked at the door, and drew a knife form her satchel.

"Stay hidden." She said as she approached the door.

She swung open the door to reveal a small filly looking up at her inquisitively.

"Are we interrupting something?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yes" Said the pink mare stepping form behind her.

"Are we?"

Chapter 8 "Invitation"

Chapter 8
"Invitation"

"H-how did you get this?" Twilight stammered, still amazed by what she was holding.

"It's been in my personal library for years," Luna responded, approaching the shocked mare, "That book is far more powerful than you could imagine."

"Then why give it to me?" Twilight asked, "What makes you think that I can handle it?"

"Because you have hope." Luna replied, looking into her eyes, "Something the rest of us have all but forgotten about. You've taught me a valuable lesson Twilight."

"I-I have?"

"Yes, you've taught me that no matter how bleak your surroundings are, no matter how bad the situation has become, it can change." Luna pointed her hoof toward Twilight. "All it takes is the will of a single pony."

"Well that's all great..." Applejack interrupted, "But what exactly does that book do anyway?

"It's capable of doing many things," Luna said, glancing in the earth pony's direction, "But you must be wary, dominion over the dead is not something to be taken lightly."

"Dominion over the dead?" Applejack repeated, confused, "Are you sayin' this thing can bring dead ponies back to life?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." Luna replied, eyes fixated on the book, "But it's dangerous, I've had to learn the hard way that-"

"Are you kiddin'?" Applejack interrupted, running over to Twilight, "Twi, this is exactly what we need! We can bring back our friends! We can make things normal again!"

"NO you cannot!" Luna boomed, "Listen to me! That book corrupts. If it's used too much, it can...do things to you. It gets inside your head, and it doesn't let go. It will make you do things you don't want to do...like betray a loved one."

Luna looked down, remembering the 1000 years she spent wishing she hadn't made that mistake.

"I wish it was that easy. Believe me I do, but it simply isn't worth the risk."

"Then, why give it to us?" Twilight asked

"For if something happens to either of you." Luna replied, bringing the two mares close, "I wish I could go with you. Truly I do, but my sister will not allow it, and I can't afford to anger her again. Especially the way she is now. "

"I will help you as much as I possibly can, but you must realize that I can't guarantee victory. I'm sure I don't need to remind you how dangerous your friend is."

Twilight and Applejack silently nodded in agreement.

"I...Can't let another pony die." Luna finally said, holding the two tighter, "Especially not one of you. Just promise me you will NOT use that book unless you absolutely need to."

Twilight returned Luna's embrace.

"I promise."

The night's breeze flowed through Luna's mane as they stepped onto her balcony overlooking Canterlot. The dark mare began to lose herself in the night air, it was her only solace in the grim world she was now surrounded by.

"Uh, princess?" Applejack spoke, eying the Alicorn.

"Hm? Oh yes," Luna said, snapping back to reality, "This is where we must depart."

At that moment, a bright light rose before them, bright enough to force the two ponies to shield their eyes. Once their vision had adjusted to it's glow, they were able to recognize it as Luna's personal chariot.

"They will protect you." Luna said, bringing attention to the two guard ponies pulling the chariot. "Won't you?"

"Yes Princess." They both responded.

Twilight looked at the chariot, and then back at Luna. She felt something strange...almost...joy. After a year of having nobody to confide in but herself and Spike, having both Applejack and Luna to rely on brought a feeling that Twilight had nearly forgotten existed. Friendship.

"Thank you Luna, for everything." Twilight finally said, embracing the tall mare.

"No Twilight, thank you." Luna spoke. "For making me belive again."

"Princess Luna" A voice on the other side of the door interrupted. "Celestia has requested to see you in the dining hall."

Luna knew the voice belonged to her sister's guards. She didn't have much time.

"Get going, both of you, while it's still night."

"Thank you fer' everything Princess." Applejack said, tipping her hat in respect as she boarded the chariot.

Luna slowly nodded in response.

Twilight looked at Luna one last time before entering the chariot.

"Goodbye Princess." Twilight finally said.

"Goodbye. Twilight Sparkle." Luna said, turning toward the door.

It would be the last time they spoke.

Twilight looked down at the miles of ground moving fast underneath them as they flew. The last time she'd flown in a chariot had been on her first day in Ponyville...

No. She couldn't let the memories enter now. They were far too close.

Applejack glanced over the side of the chariot as they flew over what was once Sweet Apple Acres. Were they really doing this? I mean, they barely had a plan, yet somehow Applejack felt more secure now than she had for a long time. What would be awaiting them once they reached Sugarcube Corner? What did they even plan to do? Reason with her? Applejack realized all these things, but pushed them out of her mind. No, without this, it's back to drowning pain in alcohol, she had to do this.

"Are you ready for this, Twilight?" Applejack spoke, looking up at her friend.

"I have to be." She replied, still looking at the moving landscape.

"I just wish we didn't have to do this..." She sulked, "I just wish I could close my eyes, and open them to see that the nightmare is over, that everything is normal again. That all my friends are here..."

"Well," Applejack said, trying to comfort her, "Maybe Luna could..."

She froze.

"Twilight do you see that?" She shook, pointing out into the landscape before them.

"What?" Twilight began to scan the forest below them.

"That!" Applejack repeated.

Twilight followed Applejack's hoof with her eyes until she was able to see what was causing the panic.

Fire.

"Is that Zecora's hut!?" Twilight screamed in fear.

"I think it is!"

"STOP!" Twilight screamed to the guards pulling the them, "Set down now!'

"But we haven't reached our desti-"

"NOW!"

The guards looked at each other nervously before complying with the frantic pony's request.

Applejack and Twilight ran from the chariot as soon as it touched the ground. Embers from the searing flames floated slowly through the air as Twilight looked on in utter disbelief.

"Applejack get the door open!" She ordered.

Applejack ran up to the door, kicking it with her hind legs as hard as she could until it burst open.

They immediately ran inside to be greeted by the inferno that was once Zecora's home.

"Spike! Applebloom!" Twilight screamed in between coughs, "Where are you!?"

"Anybody!" Applejack yelled, turning over broken shelves and wooden beams "Please...someone!"

"Here..." Spoke a disembodied voice.

Twilight and Applejack's eyes darted all around the room, trying to find the source of the sound.

"Here..." It called again.

Applejack traced its sound to the debris by the doorway. She began frantically throwing the debris away until the were able to see the figure of a blood-stained zebra.

"Zecora!" Twilight shrieked, noticing the bleeding knife wound in her chest.

"What happened here!?" Applejack screamed, "Where's Applebloom and Spike!?"

"She took them..." Zecora responded, coughing blood.

"She took them away..."

Twilight's eyes grew wide in panic and fear. She took them.

Tears began to flow down Applejack's face, as she desperately tried to lift Zecora from the ground. Each movement caused a surge of immense pain to run through Zecora's body, she could not be helped.

"Twilight hurry, get the book!" Applejack panicked, "We can bring her back!"

Zecora waved them off, bringing them both close as she spoke in between wheezing.

"No, my end is here," She coughed, "You must go and, and defeat your..."

Zecora began to choke and hyperventilate.

"Fear..." Twilight finished.

Zecora nodded with tears in her eyes before finally falling limp in Applejack's arms.

She was gone.

"We have to bury her." Applejack said, tears flowing down her face.

"No, we have to leave now!" Twilight replied with the same tears.

"SHE SACRIFICED HERSELF FOR US!" Applejack screamed, looking into her friends eyes.

"SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED US TO LEAVE!" Twilight answered, looking at her friend the same.

They left her.

They both walked out of the blazing tomb in sorrow. Eyes soaked with tears as they reached the chariot.

"What happened?" Asked a guard, "Are you okay?"

"No." Twilight responded, her eyes burning. "No I'm not okay."

"We're going to Sugarcube Corner. Now" Twilight said entering the chariot.

It was time to wake up.

It was time for the Nightmare to end.

Chapter 9 "Life Is A Party.."

Chapter 9
"Life Is A Party..."

She took them. They were gone. The one piece of her life that had remained had been forcefully ripped away from her. The pain in Twilight's heart sent hot tears streaming down her face. Pinkamina had slowly been taking her world apart, piece by piece. All the while, Twilight sat there, as reality fell to pieces, and the light was snuffed out.

It was time for the pain to end.

The chariot soared over miles of land at top speed, at Twilight's request. The piercing wind pounding against them as they cut through the midnight sky. The sun would rise soon.

Twilight never took her eyes off of the land ahead of them. Their destination was all she cared about now. All she had left.

After nearly an hour of flight, Twilight began to catch her first glimpse of Sugarcube Corner. It was as dreary as the rest of Ponyville. Windows were boarded, homes were empty, there was not a single light to be found.

"Land here." Twilight commanded, pointing toward their destination. The bakery.

She exited the chariot immediately upon its landing. Not even stopping to wait for Applejack or the guards. She simply stared at the building in front of them. She could only imagine all of the lives that had ended here. Ponies with their entire lives ahead of them, only to have them cut short for sick enjoyment.

"Miss!" Called a guard, "Please wait for us!"

They ran to her side, Applejack following close behind. The guards looked confused.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" one of them uttered, scanning the bakery.

"Yes, they're here." Twilight replied, emotionless.

They had to be here. Twilight simply couldn't accept the fact that they might be dead. It was too much.

"Applebloom," Applejack spoke, wiping away burning tears. "Please be okay..."

Twilight signaled for the guards to advance, to which they obeyed. Drawing their swords as they slowly approached the door to the aforementioned bakery.

They found the door was locked, which was expected. They began to slam against the door with their armored bodies, in hopes of bringing the door down to gain entry.

As this happened, Twilight began to think about what they might encounter once inside. However it was then that she realized there was NO way of telling what could be inside. It wasn't like anyone had ever left the bakery, nobody knew what it now contained. Twilight prepared herself for the worst, but nothing could have prepared her for what they encountered inside...

The guards broke through the door, and immediately charged in, seeking a threat, but they were met by...something else.

"Scootaloo?" Applejack uttered in shock, "What the hay are you doin' here!?"

The filly looked up at them with delight from the middle of the room.

"You're finally here! Oh I just knew you'd come!" She said, smiling.

"Scootaloo you have to get out of here," Twilight spoke, approaching the filly, "Hurry, before Pinkie finds you!"

Scootaloo chuckled.

"Find me? Twilight I don't think you understand-"

Suddenly one of the guards ran up to her, pushing Twilight out of the way in the process.

"Miss, this is not a place for fillies, it's dangerous here, you have to leave." He signaled for the other guard to grab the young pegasus.

"I'm not going anywhere," Scootaloo said, backing away, "But you are."

Suddenly, Scootaloo brought a hoof from behind her back and in front of her face and blew. White dust filled the room.

"What the!?-" Yelled a guard, shielding his eyes from the powdery material. "What is this?"

"NIGHTSHADE!" Twilight screamed, desperately covering her face.

Applejack copied Twilight's gesture as they heard the sound of armor and swords hit the floor.

"How did you know?" Scootaloo said, pushing the dust toward them with her wings. "We got it from Zecora's!"

Then it dawned on her. Pinkie wasn't alone.

Twilight looked to her left to find Applejack beginning to stagger from the dust's affects.

"Applejack!" She screamed.

But it was too late. She was gone.

Twilight watched as her friend fell limp to the floor. Then she felt it.

Reality began to fade in and out, and her vision became blurred.

"NO!" She screamed, struggling to stay awake.

"NO NO NO NO!"

It couldn't end like this. She couldn't go to sleep. Not now. Not now...

When Twilight regained consciousness, she found herself in a dark room. She tried to shake her head but found that a taut leather strap held it firmly in place. She struggled to move, but braces around her chest and limbs glued her to a rack formed from a series of sturdy planks, which spread her legs wide apart.Twilight's eyes darted back and forth and then fell upon a patchwork banner hanging from the rafters. Made from several tanned pony hides, the words "Life is a party" were scrawled on it in blood red. she struggled in her binds to no avail, as she writhed, SHE came into her line of sight.

"Good, you're awake, Now we can get started!"

Chapter 10 "The End."

Chapter 10
"The End"

The sun would soon rise.

"Oh Twilight, don't you think you're a little old to be reading these silly filly stories?" Pinkamina said, eying the Necronomicon curiously, before tossing it into the darkness.

Twilight watched as Pinkamina eagerly rummaged the contents of her saddlebag, throwing things in all directions, as if looking for something.

"Aw, no souvenirs?" She spoke, dissapointed, "Oh well, you two are all I need now!"

You two.

Twilight suddenly remembered Applejack, and began frantically searching the dark room until her eyes fell upon the earth pony. Tied down similarly to herself on the slab next to her.

She was breathing hard, staring at the ceiling in terror and shock.

Pinkamina slowly walked in-between them, a smile splayed across her face.

"Isn't this great!" She declared gleefully, "I get to spend the last moments of your lives with you! I even dressed for the occasion."

Twilight looked in horror as Pinkamina began to twirl happily in a dress fashioned from dozens of different cutie marks stiched together in a terrifying display. She recognized a few, Bon Bon, Berry Punch, Cheerilee, Lyra...Dash. And as she looked closer she could see that Pinkie appeared to have...wings.

There were about six of them. sewn onto her back in different colors. Fluttershy's wings were there. But perhaps what scared Twilight the most, was the necklace she wore. different horns strung all around her neck, all from different unicorns.

Twilight began to struggle harder.

"Do you like it?" She asked, stopping, "It helps me remember everypony once they're gone."

"Where's Applebloom!?" Applejack interrupted, struggling in her bonds.

"Oh" Pinkamina answered, as if she had forgotten, "They're right here! Scootaloo?"

Suddenly a light flashed on, illuminating two small figures on the wall adjacent to them.

Spike and Applebloom were bound similarly to them, however, they were blindfolded and gagged.

Scootaloo stepped into the light before them.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of them Miss Pinkamina!" Scootaloo beamed.

She looked at Applebloom with a smile on her face.

"Oh my gosh you got your cutie mark!" She screamed excitedly, "Oh I always knew you would! It's going to look great on the dress!"

"Why..." Twilight managed to whisper, "Why would you take them?"

"We needed something to lure you here!" Pinkamina replied, pushing a cart between the two ponies. "You're number came up, it was just chance that I happened to get AJ too!"

The room was eerily silent. the screeching of the cart's wheels, and the clopping of Pinkamina's hooves against the cold floor being the only sound present.

"Pinkie, you don't have to do this," Twilight pleaded, "We're your friends,"

"No you're not!" Pinkamina breaking her happy posture, "You all left me! Alone...in the dark. But don't worry." Pinkamina drew a knife from the various tools on the cart., "Soon we'll be friends forever!"

She began to approach Twilight, her eyes wild with a psychotic joy.

"Now let's start with that horn," Pinkamina spoke, leaning against Twilight.

She held the knife against Twilight's horn, ignoring her pleas to stop, when suddenly something wet hit the side of her face.

She turned to Applejack to see her looking at her defiantly, her eyes filled with anger.

"Leave her alone you sick little-"

"It's NOT NICE to call people names, AJ..." Pinkamina interrupted, wiping Applejack's spit from her face.

"I think you need a lesson..." She said, leaving Twilight, and slowly approaching the bound earth pony.

"I-I don't care what you do to me Pinkie," Applejack declared, desperately trying to hide her fear, "I'm not scared of you."

"Oh, that's okay," She replied, grabbing a large wooden mallet from the cart in between them, "I'm sure this'll change your mind."

Pinkamina lifted the mallet high above her head and brought it down furiously on Applejack's leg.

Applejack screamed in pain, piercing the silence, as it echoed through the dark room.

"MMPHMPH!" Applebloom muffled through her gag.

Twilight could only look on in terror as Pinkamina continued to bring the mallet down mercilessly on her friend.

"APPLEJACK!" She shrieked, her eyes overflowing with tears.

Again, the mallet came down.

Applejack's eyes filled with dry tears, as she struggled to breath against the pain.

Again.

The sound stopped escaping her mouth. All that came out was the gurgling sound of blood and saliva.

Again.

Bones began to snap. The mallet was now painted crimson, along with the slab, and most of Applejack's leg. Her eyes rolled up as she nearly passed out from shock.

Through the pain, Twilight tried desperately to loosen Applejack's bonds with her magic. Pinkamina was too excited to notice. She focused as hard as she could on the ropes holding her friend in place, carefully untying them as not to alert Pinkamina. After about a minute in between strikes, she had loosened them enough for Applejack to slip through. She could only hope her friend possessed the energy to do so.

Pinkamina stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Her smile grew wider as she observed the result of her beating. blood rolled off of the slab and onto the floor, Pinkamina saw her reflection in the crimson liquid.

She brought the mallet up again.

Suddenly, Applejack moved from her bonds. Grabbing a scalpel from Pinkamina's cart, and using the last of her energy to violently bring it into Pinkamina's arm.

"AHHHHH!" She screamed, dropping the mallet and desperately attempting to stop the bleeding.

"Miss Pinkamina!" Scootaloo screamed, hurriedly approaching the injured mare.

Applejack landed hard on the blood-soaked floor as she fiercely tried to drag herself toward her sister, ignoring the intense pain in her tattered leg.

Twilight took advantage of Pinkamina's distraction to frantically use her magic to untie her own bonds. Sweat poured down her face she focused on each rope, untying them quickly while hoping Pinkamina wasn't watching.

She wasn't.

Her eyes were locked onto the orange earth pony desperately crawling away from her. She pushed Scootaloo away, quickly grabbing her mallet from the floor as she approached the broken mare.

"You're not playing FAIR!" She screamed, lifting the mallet high above Applejack's terrified face.

Twilight looked what was happening before her. In her mind, Applejack was replaced with each of her friends, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity. No, she wouldn't let another pony die!

"NO!" She screamed, ripping the last of her bonds and launching herself toward Pinkamina.

Pinkamina turned to her left just in time to see the unicorn fly into her, sending the mallet skidding across the floor.

Twilight quickly pinned her under her body, and used her magic to lift a knife from the cart and in front of Pinkamina's face.

KILL HER! KILL HER! The voices in her head screamed. DON'T LET HER HURT ANYPONY EVER AGAIN!

Twilight brought the knife back, her eyes wild, when suddenly something stopped her.

As she looked at the struggling pony below her, she saw something in her eyes. Fear.

Twilight remembered the fear in the childrens' eyes in magic kindergarten. She remembered their terrified expressions, their screams, their blood.

Twilight stared at the knife before her before finally throwing it to the side.

"No." She said, closing her eyes, "Not again."

PInkamina looked at the conflicted mare before the madness returned to her eyes. She took hold of her necklace and used one of the many horns to stab Twilight's hoof.

Twilight screamed in pain as she fell off of the pink mare, grabbing her hoof in pain.

Then Pinkamina was on top of her.

As this happened, Applejack continued to crawl toward her sister, leaving behind a trail of blood as she did. after what felt like an hour of intense pain, she reached her.

She removed the gag from her mouth. Applebloom began to cough and gag, as she breathed every precious bit of air she had been lacking.

"APPLEJACK!" She screamed in between coughs, "WHAT'S GOING ON!? WHERE ARE WE!?"

'E-everything is going to be alright..." Applejack replied in a broken tone, "I'm here now, It's-"

Applejack looked up to see a shadow engulfing her and her sister. As she turned around she saw the shadow belonged to Scootaloo. The filly approached the two slowly, a blade in her hoof as she did.

Scootaloo raised the blade above her head and prepared to strike.

Applejack closed her eyes. Ready for it all to be over.

But the knife never came down.

It stayed there in the air, before the filly finally dropped it with tears in her eyes.

"I...Can't." She mouthed. "I can't."

Scootaloo ran away up the stairs away from the basement.

Pinkamina looked away from Twilight for a moment to see her pupil fleeing up the stairs.

"Scootaloo! Where are you going!?"

Suddenly a hoof struck her hard against the side of her face.

She fell back and recoiled in pain, as Twilight ran from under her and toward Applejack.

"THIS IS NOT HOW THIS IS SUPPOSED TO WORK!" She screamed hysterically, lifting a large butcher's knife from the cart nearby.

Suddenly there was a loud boom.

Everyone froze, as they looked around, confused. Even Pinkamina stopped her rage as she scanned the room for the source of the noise.

"Miss Pinkamina!" Scootaloo screamed from upstairs, "There are soldiers here!"

"WHAT!?"

"There's dozens of them! Outside!"

PInkamina's pupils shrunk in fear.

No, No No, They can't be here! NOT NOW!

"Pinkie." Twilight called, breaking the eerie silence.

"Please, it's not too late."

"To do what?" She responded harshly.

"To stop."

Pinkamina began to laugh, "Yes it is! I NEED you! Your number came up, I have to make you my friend!"

"No you don't," Twilight replied with newfound courage, "We are your friends. We always have been."

"LIAR!" Pinkamina screamed, swinging the blade in rage. "You left me! You all left me!" Small tears began to form in her wild eyes.

"You left me! All of you!"

"No Pinkie, we didn't. You left us."

"SHUT UP!" She yelled, losing every remnant of her happy attitude, "That's not my name! My name is Pinkamina Diane Pie! PINKAMINA DIANE PIE!"

"Don't talk to me about friendship!" She screamed, her voice echoing through the dark room.
"IT'S ALL A JOKE! Everything we've ever cared about or struggled for, it's all one big demented gag! SO WHY CAN"T YOU SEE THE FUNNY SIDE!? Why aren't you laughing..."

Without warning, Pinkamina fell to her knees. She dropped the blade and began to sob. Tears dripped onto the cold floor, mixing with blood and causing her to surrounded by puddles of pink fluid.

It's too late, It's too late, too late. She repeated in her head.

Twilight knew this was her chance. She slowly began to approach the pink mare, bringing her arms around her and drawing her close.

"It's not too late, you can stop. Your friends are still here."

As Scootaloo looked out the shop's window at the guards outside she began to notice something...Odd.

They all seemed to look...the same. It was true all of the princess's guards wore the same armor, but these guards seemed to have the same face as well! they all seemed to look almost identical. Scootaloo immediately led her eyes to see a soldier's cutie mark, a sword of course, but as she looked over at the numerous other guards, she began to notice the same sword, over and over again. they were all the same!

Scootaloo glared in shock at the image before her, when she began to notice something...Blue, in the distance. As she looked closer, she was able to make out the figure of a unicorn. Purple cape, purple hat, it all made sense now.

"THE GUARDS AREN'T REAL!" Scootaloo screamed, running back down the stairs, "THEY'RE CONJURES! IT'S TRIXIE!"

At these words, Pinkamina's expression of sadness and pain shattered. Her Wild, violent eyes took it's place.

Then there was the sound of metal piercing flesh.

Time froze. The dark room was silent, only the sound of drops of blood hitting the stone floor breaking it. Everyone looked at the blood dripping between Pinkamina and twilight with fear.

Twilight looked down and saw it belonged to her.

She shook in pain as she felt the blade piercing her skin. Her life essence dwindling as she looked at Pinkamina with tearful eyes.

"You lied to me Twilight." She spoke, her eyes wild, but flowing with the same tears. "I'm sorry you made me do this."

"No Pinkie," Twilight declared blood dripping from the side of her mouth, "I'm sorry."

As Pinkamina let Twilight fall to the floor,she began to feel herself rise. The horns around her neck seemed to tighten, as she was lifted inches off the ground. She kicked and struggled before realizing that the chain around her neck had been magically fastened to one of the bones hanging from the ceiling. She was choking.

She frantically tried to reach for the blade she had dropped, but it was inches too far. she began to kick and flail in all directions before remembering Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo help me!" She screamed at her pupil.

No response.

"Scootaloo!"

"You killed her." Scootaloo spoke, looking down at Twilight's bleeding body.

"I HAD TOO! WE'VE KILLED DOZENS OF PONIES, WHAT MAKES THIS ANY DIFFERENT!?"

"I thought we were going to make her our friend, forever."

"There was no time! NOW HURRY UP AND HELP ME!"

Scootaloo looked around her. At the blood, The sisters cowering in the corner, Spike, Twilight.

"No."

Pinkamina looked at her in total shock and fear.

"NO!? Did you just say no!?"

Scootaloo couldn't look at her. She turned away as tears began to well in her eyes.

"I LOVED YOU!" Pinkamina screamed, coughing while she struggled.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?"

It was at that moment that everything flashed before her eyes. Her days on the rock farm, moving to Ponyville, meeting her friends. But then it became dark. She remembered when she killed Rainbow Dash. She remembered her screams, her protests, her tears. She remembered making it all stop with one motion. She remembered all of the ponies she killed. Their lives ripped away from them, their families never to see them again. She remembered the cupcakes. Selling them to ponies everywhere, so they could eat their own kind. She remebered the dress, the wings...The necklace.

She looked down at herself and was disgusted.

Then suddenly, she was at a party. It was bright, happy. All her friends were there. And she was so happy, Her mane bounced as she did, and the sun shone on her smile.

Then she opened her eyes. And the nightmare was still there.

"Come on everypony, smile, smile, smile." She began to sing eerily with the last of her breath. "Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine."

She Smiled as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"All I really need is a smile...smile...." She choked, coughing blood.

"Smile."

And then the sun rose.

Epilogue "The Beginning"

Epilogue
"The Beginning"

Journal Entry #1

Nurse Redheart says Twilight won't make it.

I guess a part of me knew this, but I just didn't want to accept it. Now I'm gonna have to.

My leg is gone. The doctors had to take it away, it was too damaged to save.

The doctors have me in a wheelchair now, they say I might not walk again.

I'll never be able to walk through the grass again. never feel the ground beneath my hooves.

I'll never be able to buck another apple tree.

Applebloom and Spike are in the mental ward now, they may be there a while.

I don't know what happened to Scootaloo.

I haven't seen her since the real guards showed up and separated us all.

Trixie comes to the hospital every once and a while. She mostly visits Twilight though.

I always see her enter her room with some kind of gift, usually flowers.

And then I see her leave with tears in her eyes.

Sometimes, I sit here in my hospital bed and think about whether or not we did the right thing.

What if I had said no, back in that barn?

Zecora would still be alive.

I'd still have my legs.

But Pinkie would have still been out there.

I still remember when they took her body down from her "noose".

The smile on her face.

The blood on her dress.

It still haunts me sometimes.

I have to leave here.

I know that Celestia won't be happy once she finds out we've disobeyed her.

Heck, she may know already.

But I can't let her hurt me.

For Applebloom's sake.

I'm thinking Appleoosa.

Big Mac should still be there, hopefully he's forgiven me.

We'll be able to start all over again.

Make a new life.

Maybe I'll even be happy again.

So here I am.

Applejack.

The last remaining Element of Harmony.

And I know that no matter what happens to me.

No matter what happens to Twilight.

I still have the book.