Twisted

Chapters

Epilogue
1. The Smashing of a Mirror
2. Seven Years of Bad Luck
3. Planning and Persuasion
4. Fly in the Ointment
5. The Best of Intentions
6. Stealing the Show
7. Bite the Hand that Feeds
8. Grim Situations
9. Comfort
10. Like a Cloud Obscures the Sun
11. The Truth Hurts
12. Difficult Decisions
13. Change is Inevitable

Epilogue

Twisted

EPILOGUE

"This is a bad one," Nurse Redheart shook her head, obviously quite concerned for Big Macintosh's health. Of course, everyone was. Apple Bloom had even had a nightmare about the stallion's injuries. Applejack watched as Nurse Redheart bandaged him up and took the other apple siblings into a little room to privately talk.

"Big Macintosh is in for a very long recovery process, girls. He's been working that plow so long, and it has really worn away his back. This isn't the first time he's been side-lined from farm work, correct?"

"That would be correct." Applejack nodded, trying to present herself with confidence so that Apple Bloom might be reassured.

"Well, I'm not certain Big Macintosh will be able to handle applebucking this season or ever again." Nurse Redheart continued, seeming very concerned. Even she could tell that just two sisters and a grandmother couldn't handle such a big farm all by themselves. Fortunately, Applejack knew this pattern and decided to ask her friends for help.

"Darling, I would love to help you, but you simply MUST understand. I've got fourteen dresses lined up to sew and send off to Canterlot. These are big shoes to fill! I have serious responsibilities as a designer and one of Canterlot's elite!"

Applejack did understand. Every single friend had been far too busy to help her, even the generous Miss Rarity was turning her down and forcing her to go back home. Home, where only Apple Bloom waited, and hours of difficult farm labour would burn the sisters out quickly. Applejack felt guilty making her little sister work so hard, the poor filly was more tired and disoriented than ever before. While Apple Bloom wasn't so little anymore, she wasn't a mare yet.

"Ah do understand. Sorry ta bother ya." Applejack sighed, beginning to exit carousel boutique.

"Oh my goodness, don't say that! You aren't bothering me in the slightest! Infact, I do quite enjoy a visit from the most honest pony in all of Equestria! And please do remember that if I didn't have these dresses to sew, I would be over at Sweet Apple Acres in no time!"

Applejack should have been comforted by Rarity's sincere statement, but she felt nothing but betrayal. She had to do the work alone this time, and it wasn't because of her pride.

Dear diary,

I've started asking myself a lot of questions. Applejack has been working so hard lately, and Big Macintosh is still in bed. I ain't never seen him look so sick. I have to wonder, is this my future? Am I gonna be working my days on an apple orchard forever? Not that that would be *too bad, but I did get my Cutie Mark relating to inventing and such. I'm a handy-pony, not a farm pony. I suppose no matter what I do, it'll be manual labour. Isn't there more to life? I just want some answers.*

-Apple Bloom

Applejack was tired. More than tired, absolutely exhausted. The orange mare trudged her way up-stairs, hoofstep by hoofstep. She immediately felt something was off. Why hadn't she heard from her other family members?

Applejack entered the bathroom, where she had intended to prepare herself a bath. She shut the door behind her, locked it, and began to gather the shampoos and creams she liked to use. Thanks, Rarity. As Applejack opened the shower curtain, she gasped and screamed out in horror.

"What in tarna- Granny Smith!!"

"Ah ain't applebuckin' no more, Ah done told ya!"

Apple Bloom screamed, looking into her big sister's dilated eyes. Applejack had been taking some things she shouldn't, including this special white powder that Apple Bloom wasn't allowed to have any of. But Apple Bloom had also realized that it was her life, and she must have an identity. Applejack constantly begged the yellow filly to come back to farmwork, but she just wasn't doing it. Granny Smith as dead as the Flim Flam brothers business, Big Macintosh was bed-ridden, and Applejack was batshit crazy. Apple Bloom didn't want to end up like them.

"Say that you love me!" Pinkie Pie begged, panting and shaking with delight.

"I love you." Fluttershy whispered, Pinkie's weight above her surprisingly comfortable. This had become some kind of routine, Pinkie would enter Fluttershy's cottage, they'd talk and reminisce, and then things would get interesting. Pinkie Pie shook her head, hair bouncing as she giggled.

"Do you really, Fluttershy? Because I could barely hear you."

"I love you!" Fluttershy squealed, her legs kicking out in front of her. You could say that she and Pinkie Pie had really hit it off, secret encounters scattered around the calender. They were in love, true love. Pinkie Pie adored Fluttershy's optimistic, gentle view on life and Fluttershy couldn't help but smile every time she was around the pink mare! Everything they did was symbiosis, the sex, the talks, even hiding their relationship from the world. Perfect harmony and synchronization. Perfect fear.

"Rarity, I haven't seen you eat in days!" Sweetie Belle objected, looking at her sister with sincere worry in her eyes. Rarity simply didn't look healthy, her eyes bloodshot and her weight dropping faster than healthy.

"Oh my goodness Sweetie Belle, is that really what you're worried about? Well don't get yourself worked up over it! I'm just trying to lose a few pounds. Thin is in!"

"But you were thin before, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, pointing out a flaw in Rarity's logic. The blue eyed unicorn shuddered then, still penciling a new design.

"Not thin enough, Sweetie Belle my dear," Rarity forced, beginning to anger. She hated Sweetie Belle pestering her like this! "Now why don't you run along and go see one of your friends? You haven't talked to Apple Bloom in ages."

"I don't really see Apple Bloom anymore. She's kind of...how do I put this..."

"A hick?" Rarity suggested, stifling a laugh. "Don't worry, so is her sister! What a pathetic little family."

Sweetie Belle's eyes filled with tears, her heart practically breaking audibly. How could Rarity be so unkind to one of her best friends, why didn't she care about Sweetie Belle's feelings anymore? Why was everything going wrong?

"You've changed, Rarity." Sweetie said, exiting promptly.

Rarity was pulling another all-nighter. No matter how cold or hollow she felt, she saw her looks needing to be changed every time she was near a reflective surface. The white mare was no longer very young, and hadn't even been in love before! Rarity was off to find herself some love.

Ponyville at night was a different place. While most slept, the party animals came out to play. Rarity was currently in a dark, noisy night club. While this wasn't her scene, there were a lot of hot stallions. With every number she collected, with every one night stand she achieved, with every meal she carted away to a friend in an urge to satisfy her own hunger, the once rare beauty could feel her self esteem rise. Rarity had ran six miles that day. Six. That was more than ever before, and Rarity was just so proud of herself!

"Ah done told ya Rainbow Dash, Ah ain't got the tahm!!"

Rainbow Dash hadn't seen her dear friend Applejack in a long time, which was greatly unnerving her. How could the second coolest pony in Ponyville just disappear without a trace? But Applejack wasn't even letting her into the house, instead she had screamed at her and sent her away. Rainbow Dash was in shock. Who WAS this Applejack? The one Dash knew was always honest and kind, this one was a raging drug addict and workaholic. Dash didn't even want to accept it.

At least the cyan pegasus could look forward to another party tonight. If she was lucky, she could bring another pegasus home for some fun. That always cheered her right up! Flying over Ponyville, Dash noticed her number one fan sitting all on her own. Stopping mid-air, her wings still flapping, the rainbow maned pegasus decided to go talk to her, zooming back down to the ground in an instant.

"Scootaloo, what are you doing out here all alone?"

Scootaloo raised her head, lavender eyes practically peering into Rainbow Dash's mind. Scootaloo always had a lot more to her under the surface, and Rainbow Dash would do almost anything for her number one fan.

"Oh, hey Rainbow Dash! I'm usually here all day. I uh...like to think."

"Like to think?" Rainbow Dash asked, thinking the statement utterly absurd, "Bullshit! Nobody just likes to sit around and think! Seriously, what the buck are you doing out here all alone?"

"How could she do this to me?" Sweetie Belle cried, a family album in her hooves. Her parents had passed in an accident, and now Rarity was all she had. But she never gave Sweetie Belle the love or affections she deserved. Rarity was cold, selfish, and cruel in regards to Sweetie Belle. With her horn, the filly reached shakily for the razor blade on her dresser. Sweetie Belle wailed as she cut her forelegs with it's sweet, sharp edges. It felt so good to feel so bad. Maybe Rarity would notice her scars. That was her new intention.

"I don't actually own too much. Just my scooter and my backpack."

"That's going to change, Scootaloo. You're MY little sister now." Rainbow Dash smiled at the little orange pegasus, who had just moved into a spare room in Dash's cloud mansion. The filly grinned, truly happy for the first time in a long time. She was Rainbow Dash's little sister!

"Thank you, Rainbow!" She exclaimed, throwing her forehooves around the mare. Dash grinned.

"Please, Scoots, call me Dashie. All the cool people do. Now, are you ready to get smashed?"

"Smashed?" Scootaloo asked, clearly confused.

"You know, go to a party? Haven't you ever been to one?"

Scootaloo stared blankly at Rainbow Dash, thinking back. Did Diamond Tiara's Cute-ceanara count? Probably not. She shook her head, and Rainbow Dash looked dumbfounded.

"Well come on then! It's time to introduce you to the nightlife of Ponyville!"

Fluttershy opened the door for Pinkie Pie, who seemed different in some way. Fluttershy didn't mind the straight hair, it was probably some new style Rarity was trying, but her eyes seemed to chase around the room and never really faced the same direction.

"Are you sure you're okay, Pinkie? You seemed awfully upset today."

" Upset? Upset?! Of course I'm upset! You're the only pony who cares about me anymore, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie wailed, taking Fluttershy by the shoulders and shaking her violently. The yellow mare's head bobbed back and forth, and she was ultimately confused.

"What do you mean, Pinkie Pie?" she asked, worried, her neck suddenly hurting. Pinkie Pie growled, and smacked Fluttershy across the face, sending her spinning to the floor. She tasted blood, and could feel tears rising to her eyes.

"Don't pretend you don't know, you're just as guilty as the others!"

Pinkie Pie slammed the door behind her, shaking the house. Fluttershy lay on the floor, her animal friends timidly inching closer and closer as she weeped. What was Pinkie Pie talking about? Why did she lash out, how could she *hit her?*

Dear Princess Celestia,

Things are bad. Really really bad. I'm not learning anything, and I don't know what to do. Spike is gone, he went back to Canterlot. Things are too crazy for him here. Now I have no assistant and no friends. I'm an outcast again! I can't believe this. I need you help, Celestia, please! I need your help!!

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

"Rest in peace, Silver Spoon. You were beautiful in every way. If only everypony could see. Someday I swear that I'll find more of you than those glasses."

Diamond Tiara said, stepping off the stage in tears. Sweetie Belle couldn't believe that Silver Spoon was dead, and it was just one of many killings that had happened lately. Sweetie Belle knew just how the light pink mare felt, but no sympathy was displayed. After all, Silver Spoon had been a total bitch to her in life. No matter how tragic the death, Sweetie Belle couldn't find it in her heart to care.

1. The Smashing of a Mirror

CHAPTER ONE

Scootaloo shook violently, feeling nauseous and sweaty. She had just vomited for ten minutes straight, and was now lying on the cold porcelain floor of Rainbow Dash's bathroom. The tile was cool and comforting against her hot amber skin. Her throat burned, and her mouth felt sticky and tasted horrific. She wished that she could lift herself up and brush her teeth so badly, and she wished her body could handle so much as a glass of water. She had never felt weaker in her entire life, and Scootaloo hated every second of it.

She wanted to call out to Rainbow Dash, but her words were garbled and she felt sharp pains all though her body. She wasn't sure what had brought on this vomiting. She thought back to her long night, even though it was morning she hadn't gotten any sleep yet. And she probably wouldn't. Although, Scootaloo wasn't sure she could handle a second all-nighter in one week. Rainbow Dash barely slept, and now that she was Rainbow's little sister...

Her stomach churned in agony once more. All Scootaloo could manage was an acidic burp and then blacked out.

Rainbow Dash had jolted awake as soon as the first beams of sunlight reached her window. That was her two hours, more than enough sleep to last her the next day or two. Beside her was some white pegasus mare. Sometimes she hated the fact she lived in a cloud. No way she'd be able to get an earth pony up here. If it wasn't for Scootaloo then she wouldn't even bother coming back. The mare rolled over and mumbled something. Rainbow Dash hopped out of bed with a flutter of her wings to keep her landing light. She was still playing a game of place the face when she trotted into the kitchen. It had been another wild night. More fun than usual though, because Scootaloo agreed to come along. The mare was growing right up into a mini-Rainbow Dash. Which was fine, as long as she kept out of the limelight. Rainbow opened the fridge and pulled out a can of energy drink. "Iron Will" was written in capital letters along with a large picture of the arrogant Minotaur. Rainbow Dash drained the can in one swallow and crushed it. She had been close to getting her own brand of energy drinks. It had all been going great. Then her friends turned on her.

She remembered visiting AJ to tell her the exciting news when the self-absorbed farm pony had turned her away. "Too busy," she said. Fucking backwater yokel didn't give a damn about her big day! So what Granny Smith died, that was in the past! Rarity had been just as bad. Took ten minutes of shouting just to get her to stick her head out of the door. Stuck-up Canterlot prick had the fucking audacity to call Rainbow out on her unkempt mane. She should have beat her senseless, but it was just Rarity being Rarity, so she left her to her self-imposed prison. Then Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Motherfucking Sparkle, had told her that she was being a bitch. Twilight was lucky Dash didn't break her jaw! And they were the ponies that actually saw her. Pinkie didn't even have the time, and Fluttershy was too busy moaning about her own problems as if they concerned Dash.

She grabbed a second can of Iron Will and headed over to the cupboard. Inside were several dark black bottles labeled Voedermeister with a picture of a deer eating berries on the front. She smiled as she poured it into a glass and then added the Iron Will to it. "It's never too early to drink Voederbombs. One of my five a day," she chuckled to herself before throwing the drink down her throat. "The perfect blend of pep and alcohol," she added as she poured herself another. Then the mare from yesterday slung her forelegs around her.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, we had such an amazing time last night! I've never been with a mare before!" the mare said seductively in a posh Canterlot accent.

"Can you cook?" Rainbow returned before taking another shot.

"But of course! Whatever you want!" the mare replied shrilly.

Rainbow Dash shrugged noncommittally. "Hay omelettes I guess... maybe some OJ too."

"Anything for you," the mare replied before giving Rainbow a playful squeeze. The still unnamed pony set about rooting through the cupboards for ingredients. Rainbow noted a fan made of white feathers as her cutie mark.

In the next room over Scootaloo awoke in her own bed. Rainbow had it set up in the room next to hers, even though it was a big house. She didn't want to hear Rainbow's midnight activities up-close, but she wanted to be near her in case she ever felt afraid. Rainbow Dash had lovingly put a bowl on her bed-side table in case of more vomit. Scootaloo could barely lift her head that morning, she had a raging headache and she was very dizzy.

She toddled out of bed, taking the bowl with her. As she neared the kitchen, she smelled hay omelets and fresh orange juice, her favorites. Scootaloo just hoped she could stomach it! She took a seat at the kitchen table, and said in a scratchy, tired voice,

"Good morning, Rainbow. I think...I think I'm hung over."

Rainbow snorted in response and poured another glass of Voedermeister before adding the remainder of the Iron Will.

"Try this, pipsqueak,” she said as she handed over the glass, "a bit of hair on the dog. It's the best remedy." Rainbow then turned to the other mare. "Hey, Breakfast for three!"

"D'accord!" the mare replied cheerfully.

Rarity awoke at the first glimmer of light through her window. Not in a bed, no, she hadn't used her bed in ages. She hadn't even meant to sleep, if she had she certainly would not have slept on her sewing table with the needle inches from her face. Even without the ability to formulate a clear thought, she knew that wasn't safe. She was hungry, but that was pretty normal for her these days. She opened a box of chocolate and dug in. Not eating it, of course, she just smelled it, then threw it away. Still hungry. She had to have an actual meal, no way around it. The finely tuned mare pulled out some ingredients and finally turned on a light. It was blindingly bright. Of course, she had set it that way so she could stay up. She then began baking a full meal. Bean soup, salad, hay burger, hay fries, and ice cream. With milk to drink, of course.

Hours of baking made Rarity even more exhausted than she already was, but that didn't matter to her. No, she had work to do! Once the morning began to peek out from the horizon, her fantastic dinner was done.

Rarity licked her lips and wanted to dig into the food herself- but no, she couldn't. How revolting. It was probably about three thousand calories, and that was only good for an athlete's diet. IF that. Suddenly Rarity had an idea.

"Sweetie?" She called, her voice raspy from purging. Before Sweetie Belle could reply, she continued, "Could you be a dear and run this over to Rainbow Dash?"

Sweetie Belle, who'd been sleeping on the couch, was woken up by Rarity's calling. She attentively rose, nodding slowly and took the package that her sister asked her to deliver. She stepped into the bright sunlight, her head pounding and her legs and chest still burning from last night. She walked slowly as exhaustion tugged at the edge of her mind, the occasional pony giving her burns and cuts a questioning look. Sweetie Belle could care less. The curly-maned filly sighed as she stared up at Rainbow Dash's house. She cleared her throat.

"Rainbow Dash!"She shouted. "Why do you have to live in a damned cloud... I have a package!"

It's too early for this. Sweetie thought as she tapped her hoof impatiently. She stifled a yawn as she realized that she didn't even know what time it was. She occasionally lost track of time, although she remembered watching the sun rise a few hours ago. She brushed a few curly strands of pink and purple out of her face, pushing them back into her mess of a mane.

Scootaloo raised the shot glass to eye level, watching the little bubbles inside swirl. She wasn't feeling up to drinking anything Rainbow Dash handed her, unless it was orange juice. She'd had too much cider last night, and she was still paying for it. Rainbow Dash picked up the bottle and took a swig as she watched Scootaloo eyeing up the drink.

"It ain't gonna kill you, pipsqueak."

Suddenly the white mare was back again acting all lovey-dovey. Rainbow lapped up the attention like a cat with a saucer of milk, although she didn't return any. Still, she had to cut the mare loose soon, but breakfast first.

"Who's this, Dash?" Scootaloo asked, gesturing to the white mare who was cooking up their breakfast. Scootaloo wasn't exactly sure why Rainbow felt the need to bring a new pegasus home every night, but there she was. And unlike many of their "visitors" she was quite cheerful.

Rainbow's smile froze as she attempted to pick out a name. It had to be feather something, right?

Scootaloo suddenly heard a familiar voice, hollering the way it always used to. Sweetie Belle was below, and Rarity had just cooked for Rainbow. Just before Rainbow Dash was pressured into saying much a shout came up from the clouds.

"Sounded like Sweetie Belle. Send her packing, Scoots,"Rainbow said smoothly.

“Wow. Mares love cooking for you, don't they?"

Scootaloo smirked as the white mare gave Dash a questioning look. Scootaloo wondered if the mare realized it was a one-night-stand yet, knowing Dash would never want to be in a relationship for real.

“Yeah, fuck you too!” Rainbow Dash yelled, punching Scootaloo on the arm. The two were always aggressive with one another, and Rainbow Dash always seemed to put the rebellious Scootaloo right in her place.

Scootaloo, still fighting jealousy for and against Sweetie Belle, leaned her head out of the window and stared her ex-friend straight in the eye. Sweetie's green eyes were one of the only qualities you could still recognize about her. Her mane was a mess, and she was covered in scars, cuts, and burns. Scootaloo felt anger rise in her, her muscles tightening and her teeth grinding.

" Just wait a bucking second, you annoying bitch!" She hollered, her head throbbing as she leaned. She felt no remorse, Sweetie Belle had betrayed her first. She was done with chances. She hated the filly's guts.

Scootaloo nodded at Rainbow Dash, and made her way to the front door. She opened it, and dove to the ground in swift precision. The wind in her face was painful, and the sunlight agonizing. Her eyes burned. Her wings fluttered furiously as she hovered above the ground, then came to a full stop. She grabbed the package from Sweetie Belle in a swift motion and waited for words of some kind. Didn't Sweetie Belle know to leave her alone? She didn't want to know her anymore! She was too difficult, and a total bitch like her older sister now. Scootaloo didn't want to die, and Sweetie Belle was fascinated with anything related to the topic. It was sick.

"What the buck do you want, Sweetie Belle? I told you to leave me alone!"

Sweetie Belle took a staggering step back and narrowed her light green eyes at the pegasus.

"I just had to drop off a package. Relax." Her voice cracked ever so slightly as she said this and she cleared her throat. Anger began to bubble up from inside her and she decided to leave before she did or said anything she might regret. Sweetie turned and walked off, but not before throwing an insult back at Scootaloo.

"Alcoholic bitch!"she said through her teeth, her messy, curly tail flicking a bit as she walked and her scarred head held high. "That rainbow dyke, too."

Above them a tearful white mare flew out of the nearest window, wailing the phrase “I thought we had something special!” over and over. Scootaloo, despite her anger, smirked. Suddenly Rainbow Dash flew at top speed down to Scootaloo's level, landing right in front of Sweetie Belle in a cloud of dust. The white filly jumped back slightly, startled.

“I heard that you little cunt! Care to repeat yourself to my face?!” she spat, prodding Sweetie Belle's unkempt coat with a pointy hoof. Sweetie Belle's eyes widened as she gathered up the courage to speak again. Her horn glowed slightly in anger and she once more opened her mouth.

“I said...That. Rainbow. Dyke.”

“I don't care if you're Rarity's sister, you just signed a fucking death warrant!” Rainbow Dash hissed in fury. With a speed most would be envious of she landed a punch right in Sweetie Belle's muzzle with all the strength she could muster. The little white filly fell backwards into the dirt immediately.

“ Fuck! ” Rainbow Dash screamed, nursing her pulsing hoof. She had a high pain tolerance, but that was a hard punch! Sweetie Belle coughed as her snout bled. The anger faded as pain- sweet pain- overwhelmed her system.

“Ha...fuck you hit hard...” Sweetie Belle laughed, wiping a trail of blood away from her muzzle. It felt so good. Scootaloo's eyes were soon staring into her own, and once Sweetie Belle had regained equilibrium she noticed the burning anger in the eyes of her ex-best friend.

“Don't you ever come near me or Rainbow Dash ever again; or you're gonna get it from the both of us! You think you're hurting now bitch, well let me tell you something! You don't fucking know pain! I don't care what hell you think you've been through, insult me or Rainbow Dash and you are fucking dead! *Although, I'm sure you'd enjoy that. Wouldn't you, bitch? Fucking masochist.”*

Scootaloo's teeth gritted and her muscles tensed. She delivered a swift and well-placed kick to Sweetie Belle's ribs to finalize her statement, then stomped ferociously on the box of food. She felt a satisfying squish and crunch below her hooves. She pretended for an instant that she was stomping on Rarity's snooty little remains, and she breathed in with satisfaction.

Sweetie Belle laughed weakly and turned to limp home.

"Come on, Dashie, let's go home." Scootaloo whispered, resting her head on Rainbow's shoulder and nudging her slightly. Her little wings, still not quite grown in, flapped furiously. She hovered slightly off the ground. Thanks to Dash, she had learned to fly with precision, no matter how little she or her wings were. Dash refused to be seen with a pegasus who couldn't fly right. Scootaloo was very thankful. For many reasons.

For one thing, she got to live in a warm house, and sleep in the guest bed. As long as she cleaned and didn't judge Rainbow Dash, she could stay. And she knew Rainbow loved her, beneath the coldness she sometimes displayed. After all, she brought her partying and fed her. Scootaloo hoped to someday repay her for her kindness, if only Rainbow would except it.

Scootaloo tried to guide Rainbow Dash away as Sweetie Belle stood, but was unsure how successful she would be in doing that.

Rainbow Dash flashed Scootaloo a smile. "Nice one, Scoots. You showed that bitch her place!"

“Thanks,” Scootaloo beamed, looking down to see Sweetie Belle pathetically limp away. Suddenly she noticed Dash's smile twist slightly. "But don't ever tell me what to fucking do. Alright?"

“I-I'm sorry Rainbow Dash! I just didn't want to deal with her anymore. I promise, I wont.”

She then flew back in through the window. "Shit. You just stomped Rarity's meal, good job by the way, but now the mare's fucking cleared off and left breakfast half finished." Rainbow Dash stomped a hoof hard on the cloud as she spoke. "You know what? Fuck it. We'll just grab an early lunch or some kind of shit. Come on Scoots. I need to master the Gale Force Gust before sundown. Tomorrow we've got another competition." Rainbow didn't even look behind her as she took to the air again. Scootaloo would follow her anywhere.

Meanwhile Sweetie Belle made her way through town. Several ponies stared at her. An older light blue mare with her blonde mane tied up in a bun rushed to her side and helped her stand upright.

"Are you okay, deary? You need he-"

"Don't you fucking touch me." Sweetie snapped as she pulled herself away. How dare that broad get so close to her? Everypony that was close enough to hear her turned their heads and stared at her. The anger for the mare grew into a fiery rage for everypony and everything.

*"i] What the fuck are you looking at?" She yelled, baring her teeth. The blood from her snout dripped down, staining the fur around her mouth. Her eyes were wide and had a crazed look to them. She'd be lying if she said she hated the attention she was getting, and yelling only got more of it.*

So she yelled.

Sweetie Belle stood, her head lowered, her legs spread and her eyes wide and crazed. She grit her teeth.

" *Well?"*

By now, everypony around was staring and whispering to each other. Sweetie sighed weakly as her anger drained slowly.

"That's what I thought!"

She raised her head and continued to the boutique.

The doorknob glowed a light green as Sweetie Belle entered the Carousel Boutique.

"Hi Rarity..." she said quietly, not caring if Rarity was there or not.

Since her parents divorced, she was shoved into the care of her bitchy sister Rarity. It didn't matter anyways, since no one in her shitty family paid attention to her. She limped towards her room.

Sweetie closed the door of her room and sighed weakly. She looked around her dimly lit room, which was very plain and average, despite a few bloodstains or posters here and there. She looked over to a mirror on the wall and stared at herself. Her light pink and purple mane was a curly mess, her snout had just stopped bleeding, her blood-stained white face had a new scar and there were dark bags under her eyes. She sat in front of the mirror and stared at it silently.

Sweetie Belle glared at her reflection. With every minute that passed rage boiled further and further up inside of her.

“ *You stupid bitch!” she screamed at the reflection, flinging her hooves down on the glass as hard as possible. The crash echoed and shards of glass cascaded to the floor. Glass was either wedged into her skin or scattered around the mirror. Sweetie looked down at her front legs, which were cut and bleeding. She looked at herself through a large piece of glass on the floor and could not believe how ugly her habits had made her. She used to be so pretty.*

Sweetie Belle removed the last piece of glass from her cheek with green magic and dropped it in a small pile. She felt considerably calmer as she looked at the broken mirror. Her smile faded as she stood and walked to her bed, plopping onto it and sighing. Crimson blood stained her blanket and white coat as the exhausted Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and drifted off.

2. Seven Years of Bad Luck

CHAPTER TWO

Apple Bloom glanced out of the window as she quickly threw on her bandana. It was an absolutely perfect morning from where she was standing. The youngest member of the Apple family had taken up residence in one of the smaller shacks that she had converted into a work-hut of sorts. She also kept a small cot inside; the small forge she used for both glass and metal also worked well as a fireplace for the colder nights. This was going to be the day she would create! She had no distractions, no real plans, and her bigger sister wasn't banging on her door and demanding that she work out in the fields.

"Ugh," she shuddered, cantering over to her worktable. She examined the somewhat dusty looking set of tools she had laid out and tried to figure out what she could do today.

"Aha!" she declared, discovering her notebook laying near one of her scrapers. Several weeks ago she had listed the things she needed to repair on the barn. As she reached over to pick up the small book she heard a crash and noticed a small glass of orange juice from the night before had fallen over and was now laying in pieces on the floor.

"Ah tarnations!" she grumbled, scooting over to the scene of the mess with a broom and dustpan. She couldn't figure out how the glass fell, it was placed in the center of the table. Weird. As she slowly swept up the broken glass, she could not help but stare at the shards for a moment.

"Sawry Dahmond Tiara. Ah din't know."

The pale pony heard herself speak as horrible and unpleasant memories started to fill up in her mind. It was Granny Smith's funeral. Nearly everypony in Ponyville, Canterlot and a few other towns had shown up to pay their respect for the beloved member of the Apple clan. It had already been late in the service when Apple Bloom and her two best friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, had retreated to the outside where they could relax and just talk. It had been a really stressful environment and all three crusaders were in tears. Apple Bloom really wanted to thank the light grey unicorn for the touching song she had just sung for the funeral. There wasn't a dry eye during the entire song, and the small earth pony could still hear the gentle, but strong words the filly had sung.

"This is no time to weep/ for memories live on/ even when loved ones pass/ together we can stay strong..."

She had started to open her mouth to express thanks when Diamond Tiara walked into view with her best friend, Silver Spoon.

"Oh my gawsh, why did dad make me go to this stupid funeral? Nobody is going to miss that crazy old mare!" she growled before noticing the Cutie Mark Crusaders were standing nearby. "What are you three rejects looking at?" she turned her head away, "Just a bunch of worthless blank-flanks! Come on Silver Spoon. If I complain enough, dad might let us leave early."

Sweetie Belle cold only gasp, Scootaloo stood near gritting her teeth. Apple Bloom was the first to say something.

"Everypony is going to miss mah Granny, why she was the-"

"Town nut," Diamond Tiara snarled, "surprised your family didn't dump her off at a home. Crazy old bat. I can't believe she lived for so lo-"

Now it was Apple Bloom's turn to interrupt. The small filly charged into the other mare with such a force, it felt like the ground was shaking.

"YOU DON'T SAY THOSE THINGS 'BOUT MAH GRANNY!" she growled, forcefully apple-bucking Diamond Tiara in the snout, drawing blood and causing the small pony to fall to her knees. The small crownthat she seemed to wear at all times fell to the floor, shattering into what appeared to be a hundred or so pieces.

The bespectacled earth-pony beside her let out a gasp as she quickly stumbled into the main house.

"Good Job! Little snot-nosed mule deserved it!" Scootaloo cheered, causing Sweetie Belle to let out a squeak.

"SCOOTALOO!" Sweetie couldn't help but look a little disappointed in both of her friends. The pegasus rolled her eyes.

"What? She deserved it! She's ALWAYS picking on us, but this time she went a little to far! How can you make fun of an elderly mare?" she glared at Diamond Tiara, but the pink filly seemed to be lost in her old little world. As she sat in the dirt, it appeared that she was trying to push the broken pieces of the small costume-crown. Tears and blood were quickly mingling together as she tried piece the broken glass together.

Apple Bloom later learned that the tiara was the last thing Diamond's mother had given her daughter on her death bed. Filthy Rich had tried to explain to the girls and his words haunted the little fillies.

"I'll always be with you my little Diamond", he had repeated what his wife had said as she placed the tiara on her head shortly before she passed. Strangely enough, he was not mad at the little Apple, or her family, but just very disappointed. Things continued to get worse that very day, after the funeral when Silver Spoon vanished. It was just the start of something far worse.

Apple Bloom was so lost in thought, it took a sharp pain in the soft part of her hoof to break her out of it. A piece of the glass had embedded itself. She groaned, hating the sight of blood. She pulled out the first aid kit she had nearby and started to fumble around with a pair of tweezers. It took only a moment to remove the shard and bandage her very small wound. But that was enough. The memories, the blood. Maybe tomorrow she'd make something. She walked back over to her bed, crawled into a little ball and started to cry just a little more.

Across town Pinkamena woke up in her bed and rolled off and onto the floor. The mare didn't seemed phased at her bloody nose and ran her hoof over it so it wouldn't look suspicious to others. She looked suspicious enough already, ponies always stared at her around town. She then trotted solemnly to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. Her beautiful blue eyes were facing opposite ways. Her once bright, bouncy pink mane was flattened straight and greasy.

"Oh, I look so great!" she squealed, turning her head 90 degrees. She picked up her hair brush and began to talk to it in a cheerful tone, seemingly unnaffected by recent trauma.

"I just LOVE apples!" said the hairbrush in a low voice.

"Oh Mister Hairbrush, me too!"

"But you know what I hate? Yellow ponies with pink manes who abandon you!"

Pinkie Pie glared at the hairbrush, forcing it down onto her mane. She slowly pulled it from the top to the bottom of her head, not minding how disgustingly greasy it had become. She hadn't bathed in days, it was too much effort. Besides, she wasn't going to work! She'd been kicked out of Sugarcube Corner months ago! Her own little house just outside of town was secluded, and Pinkie really liked that. Ponies were stupid.

"Let's go see an apple!" Pinkie heard the hairbrush choke. The pink pony smiled.

"Of COURSE!"

She locked up her house (ponies were not to be trusted) and trotted into town at an intense speed. She remembered how she used to bounce everywhere, but that was just crazy. Even crazier than silly old Mr. Hairbrush! Pinkie pretended to be her happy old self so nopony would look twice, she even fritzed up her hair, which she hated to do.

In no time, or at least what felt like no time, she'd reached Sweet Apple Acres. She trotted around to Applebloom's shed, looking through a window, but saw that the filly was asleep. The farm was quiet and rotten apples were laying all around the ground by her hooves. That was just hilarious! Pinkie Pie let out a deep-throated cackle that escalated to screaming.

The pink mare then trotted right along up to the barn. Perhaps her ex-friend Applejack was inside! Yes! And perhaps Applejack would suddenly like her again! That WOULD happen!

Applejack had just been awoken by screaming noises and already she was high as a kite. Applejack brought her face up swiftly from her bedside table, violently sniffing up the excess powder under her nose. She had done it so many times it started to become difficult. Her nasal passages were swollen and prone to bleeding, as she clearly saw. The country pony looked across the room and could see herself in the mirror. She was wide-eyed and shaking. Though something was off. Behind her reflection she could see images on her wall. She turned to inspect this odd occurrence and glanced quickly at the now more prominent scrap book of memories on her wall. Each image was a moving clip from her life, before it all went wrong. Time spent laughing with her friends. Time spent with her family. Granny Smith. The old green mare's picture was suddenly alight and peeled of the wall. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. A singular tear ran down her cheek and met with the slight stream of blood staining her light orange coat. Applejack put her trusty lighter back under her pillow.

She turned back to the table and finished taking yet another line. This time she felt slow as she arose. She could feel a cold breeze brush through her mane. The gust of air taking the remnants of the substance from her face and causing white powder to glide slowly through the air like snow falling on a cold winter's night. The walls of pictures had dissipated into an unforgiving realism. Dark walls with the paper peeling off. The refreshing breeze was revealed to have come from her boarded up window. The Apple family house was falling apart.

The crack in Applejack's mirror aligned perfectly with her new found smile as she twitched and shook into a stable position.

"G'mornin Sugarcube."

Those words sounded to be filled with anger as her teeth ground against each other. A swift headache took AJ by surprise and she let out a cry of pain, smashing her hoof down against the table. A huge crack shot up and down the wooden frame. After taking a moment to compose herself she knew what was next. Work. Applejack took off out into the field of apple trees. She took very little time to prepare and shot straight into it. With each buck the tree's almost split in half. But as usual, every apple fell out. Her day went on like this for awhile.

She had became slightly accustomed to her new workload, after all it was unfair to force Apple Bloom to do it and Big Macintosh simply couldn't. Each kick was filled with more fury than the last. The orange mare suddenly remembered that she used to enjoy apple-bucking. What a pity.

She suddenly felt a chill down her spine. Something was wrong, or was going to be. She ran off to check on Apple Bloom but she was seemed fine. She peeked through the window to her work hut only to reveal her young sister sleeping. Her next stop was Big Macintosh's room. AJ was sure he'd be there, nowadays he always was. Suddenly, a flash of bright color appeared in front of her and the country mare screamed with surprise. Pinkie Pie was suddenly in front of her, a creepily wide smile stretching almost literally from one ear to the next. Her ears were twitching and her eyes were facing odd directions. Applejack gasped at the sight of her old friend. What in tarnation was she doing her?! Applejack had kicked her out of the orchard for good last week!

"PINKAMENA DIANE PAH, I DONE TOLD YA T' GET OFFA MAH PROPERTY!"

"Oh DID you now?! See, that's not what I remember best friend!" Pinkie insisted, eyes widening. She suddenly swooped close to Applejack and she felt a sharp pain stabbing into one arm. She screamed bloody murder, but realized that the pink pony was just hugging her tightly. She felt suffocated.

"Pinkie Pah, you need to leave!" she shouted, unable to give any rational explanation for why Pinkie needed to go. Pinkie Pie suddenly burst into wild tears, so unexpectedly that Applejack was startled.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU APPLES!" Pinkie screamed, picking up a nearby apple and whipping it straight for AJ. Luckily, she had good reflexes and moved out of the way quickly.

"LEAVE!" Applejack shouted again, and this time Pinkie smiled again, a slow, dark grin creeping across her mug.

"Okie dokie lokie...."

Pinkie Pie trotted away and Applejack watched as the pony left Sweet Apple Acres once more. For the first time in her life Applejack noticed many apples had rotten apples had fallen and were covering the ground, their rotten smell filling her nose. It was revolting.

The message was clear to Applejack; she simple wasn't working hard enough.

3. Planning and Persuasion

CHAPTER THREE

Twilight Sparkle awoke around mid-morning. She never was an early riser, but being at Rainbow Dash's party last night didn't help. Twilight had managed to arrive home about sunrise that morning and had slept like a log since. She dragged herself lazily out of bed, getting a sharp pain in her hip. The memories of that last night slowly coming back. She'd had another conflict with Rainbow Dash and the mare had slapped her when Twilight suggested she stop making out with her newest mare-friend and try to get her life back together. Twilight had been trying to get her friends back together ever since they all separated, so far she had made 234 attempts. She had counted. She'd plotted them all down to every-minute detail and so far none had even been a remote success, including last nights attempt to get Rainbow Dash to invite Pinkie to the party. The only thing it brought the elements of harmony was a bruised hip and a sprained hoof.

Twilight looked around her room, searching for Spike. Clearly she was hung over. "In the name of Celestia, where are you Spike?" she called, trying to keep calm. There was no answer, just as usual. Then the purple mare remembered; her number one assistant had moved back to Canterlot.

She eventually decided to climb down the ladder to her work desk. The library was now covered in failed schemes and half finished plots. You couldn't even see a single book except for the one Twilight always kept by her desk- The Big Book of Dark Magic. Since so many of her plans had failed she had started to get desperate. Once again she had snuck into the great library in Canterlot. Only this time she had stolen this book, the only book she now read.

She sat down in the chair for her desk and started to write a new plot. Maybe this time she could bring Applejack and... Rainbow Dash together! They always were pretty close!

Meanwhile in Ponyville's primary shopping area, Fluttershy desperately searched around for her so-called friends. So-called because she wasn't even sure she had them anymore. Mrs. Cake had just told her in a solemn, quiet tone that Pinkie Pie was no longer allowed to work at Sugarcube Corner. Since when would Pinkie Pie lose her job? That mare loved nothing more than baking a delicious treat for her friends! Then again, Pinkie Pie was probably still angry at Fluttershy for all those rumours. They weren't even partially true, in no universe could Rainbow Dash seduce Fluttershy at a party!

Right?

Twilight was on edge. After twenty-three and a half minutes with not even the slightest of success with her plans she started twitch a little. So far her plans had consisted of the normal ways to bring ponies together, but as her hoof started to jitter towards The Big Book of Dark Magic. It wasn't going to last long. This always ended up happening, being a perfectionist like Twilight had become can make things very hard to do things the natural way. Just look at Winter Wrap Up! Before she'd become organizer, she'd failed over and over and finally broke the rules deliberately. And Twilight Sparkle NEVER broke rules. Well, almost never. She clenched to the book like a lifeline and pulled it quickly to her chest, half hugging it as she started to place it onto her desk. She stared at it for a good five seconds, not daring to open it.

"No...no, I cant do it," she said to herself, a bad attempt to remind herself of her previously well known morals. After a couple more moments she placed a hoof on the cover and slowly opened to a page at random.

"Maybe just one spell!" she said, a slight squeak in her voice as the book opened to page 135, glaring at the page as the cover hit the desk in a thud, being a heavy book. Twilight scanned the page, she new what to do. She quickly grabbed her coat and went outdoors, heading for Dash's place. Unlike her other friends who were scarred and disfigured she had managed to keep her normal image, though she was a bit rough round the edges. She knew Dash's schedule, and if she hadn't had any complications today it would be simple. After tossing out the mare she had been with that night, Rainbow Dash would go and do her morning stunt to let people know that she was still alive, then she would head back home and either get herself hyped up on Celestia-knows-what, or teach Scootaloo a little- depending on her unpredictable mood.

Twilight couldn't help but sob as she made her way to Dash's, old memories, good and bad, flooding back to her in a wave of emotion. It suddenly stopped.

"Come on, Twilight, you must be in control...always in control..." she uttered to herself as she stopped a short way from her destination. Her craving to always be in control was kicking in, even effecting how she displayed her emotions. But that was okay, she had a good feeling about today. If Dash wouldn't listen then she may have to take drastic measures, but as long as her friends got back together she didn't care what she needed to do. It had to be done.

As Twilight reached the house of Rainbow Dash, she spied one of Rarity's care packages squashed on the floor with small splatters of blood around it.

"Why does Dash have to be so violent?" she asked nobody in particular as she started to conjure a wing spell. Twilight had become quite proficient with the wing spell, now being able to make pretty much any pair of wings she wanted. They were also allot stronger than her first attempt, but of course they were still not up to par with anything a pegasus had. She gave herself a mimic pair of pegasi wings, nothing fancy, and floated effortlessly up to Rainbow Dash's house. She went through the open window that Dash and Scootaloo had previously exited out of, and landed in the kitchen.

"What a mess...." she uttered to herself, exploring the kitchen while looking at all the empty energy drinks and half eaten meals. It was a pig sty, to say the least. Twilight cleared herself a small spot on the couch, watching that she didn't sit on anything she didn't recognize, and waited for Dash.

4. Fly in the Ointment

CHAPTER FOUR

Sweetie Belle's eyes opened slowly. She lifted her head, which was sticking a bit to the blanket on her bed. She rubbed some semi-dry blood off of her face and looked around her room. Her eyes landed on the broken mirror. The disapointed filly sighed slowly and pulled herself up slowly. Her stomach growled and rumbled in aching pain. She absolutely had to feed herself, no matter how much Rarity resented it. The filly got out of bed and walked slowly to the kitchen.

Rarity was in the other room, opening windows to let fresh air in. Somehow she was still sleepy and needed more light. Sadly, windows didn't provide. She tried to shout,

"IDEE-" sut she wound up nearly hacking up a lung part way through. She couldn't sing anymore, couldn't even sing-talk. Wouldn't have mattered, she no longer had her soft voice, but rather, a gravelly one. That was simply a side effect of stomach acid constantly barreling up her throat. Regardless, she yelled to Sweetie Belle,

"Sweetie Belle, I'm off to check up on Rainbow Dash's meal!"

Rarity trotted out the front door, humming a tune. It didn't take long for her to get across town, and when she arrived she saw the crushed boxes on the ground but thought nothing of it. She simply lacked the capacity to think anymore. Such were the pitfalls of sleep deprivation.

"Rainbow?" she yelled. No response. "Rainbow Dash?!" she yelled again, more commanding this time. Still no response. She gathered all her remaining mental faculties and managed to piece together Rainbow not responding. Oh well, perhaps it was time to stop by and see another friend. Perhaps Applejack would appreciate her company!

Applejack was still standing alone in the field, simply feeling time pass. The sun was suddenly high in the sky and the smell only grew worse as time passed.

"Applejack? Kin you wait a second?"

It was Apple Bloom. While it was true that the family had drifted apart and no longer interacted with each other quite the same way as they used to, deep down underneath all of their problems they wanted to fix things. She turned to acknowledge her sister, whose eyes appeared to be teary. Luckily today Applejack only felt energetic above all else.

"Well howdy, Applebloom, Ah thought you were havin' a nap. Ah can't talk for long, sugarcube, Ah'm mighty busy," her words were spouted with incredible speed and in a sporadic nature. With each syllable her figure shook and jerked. She was clearly on edge. But she was still, for the most part, herself. Her eyes darted back to the house then back to her sister. "Ya alraht hun?"

"Ah know you're always very busy. We kin work while we talk." Apple Bloom quickly dried her eyes before walking along with her sister who started walking towards a further section of apples. "Ah bin thinkin' as of late. Actually, Ah bin thinkin' a lot. Maybe a lil' too much, but Ah've come t' re'lize how much of a selfish pony Ah've binn lately. Bin worryin' too much 'bout myself an' not 'bout the fam'ly. But Ah've come t' re'lize what this is doin' t' ya," she tried not to stare at Applejack's bandages, and she did not look at her eyes, "Ah need t' help ya, Ah'm not a filly no more and Ah could be of some use t' ya on the orchards. Ah see that the more Ah help here, the less you'll have ta push yourself and ya won't have t' take those uppers no more."

Looking at the old family house, Apple Bloom felt a million more ideas come to life.

"Ah even know how t' fix the old house up a bit!" she grinned at her sister happily and skipped along beside her, "We kin get the crops back under control an' fix up the house. Big Mac ain't well enough yet fer apple-buckin', but he could always sell apples at our stand. Ah know he's been sorta scared t' head back t' town after Miss Cheerilee broke up with him, but he needs t' get out an' we need t' fix things an' make 'em right! Our friends are sufferin', Applejack. Ah saw you with Pinkie an' Ah re'lized jus' how much they need us. The Apple family has always been the heart of Ponyville, an' when Granny died Ponyville nearly died with her. Can we do this sis?"

Apple Bloom's eyes grew very large for a bit as she bit her bottom lip and nervously waited for her sister to reply. Applejack looked back her sister from their stroll. The words "can we do this sis?" rang in her ears. She knew she had to answer, but it wasn't as simple as yes or no.

"Ah know ya mean well Apple Bloom, but Ah jus' can't risk it. What if ya get hurt? Then here is us, bang! Straight back t' square one!"

There was no easy way to break this news to Apple Bloom, she wanted to make a difference with all of her heart. But Applejack just couldn't bring herself to throw her sister back into the firing line.

"Ah re'lize that we're fightin' an up hill battle. But Big Mac is gettin' better an' ah'm doin' fahn. And don't ya worry 'bout them uppers, they help me work." she had no problem breaking others truths to them. But honesty about her own state was just a little far out of her reach.

Applejack gritted her teeth and looked her sister square in the eye. She was unsure how Apple Bloom was going to retort, but she was sure this wasn't the end of their exchange. The thought now residing in the back of her sub-conscious. Maybe they could make it work. Maybe.

Apple Bloom cringed a little when her older sister looked her directly in the eyes. She wanted to turn away but she needed to show Applejack that she was serious.

"Ah made up mah mind big sis," she hated how her sibling looked. Her once bright green eyes were now barely noticeable with all the bloodshot seeping in. "Ah'm helpin' if ya want me or not. I kin apple-buck with ya fer a lil' bit, an' then take a good look at the family house. Ah don't want it t' fall on you and Big Mac. Ah've also bin makin' some extra bits sellin' mah inventions an' even worked on the old schoolhouse a few months ago."

After Cheerilee left Ponyville, Apple Bloom's Great Aunt Krabapple took over the small school. Unlike the previous teacher, she was much older, and nastier, but still a decent school-mistress. The earth pony was quite proud of herself once she was finished. The school looked like it used to when she and her friends attended. Her mood quickly soured when she caught sight of Rarity as she passed by.

"We kin apple-buck together, an' talk some more," Apple Bloom suggested, "the house looks awful, sis. Ah kin see about maybe havin' Rumble an' Lemon Daze over t' help me."

Applejack noticed her little sister had been seeing more of the young Pegasus stallion as of lately. She even caught the two together in her little work-hut a few weeks ago, but to the older earth pony's disappointment they were messing around with a series of 'gadgets' as opposed to messing around with each other.

"Have you seen any of your old friends?" Apple Bloom asked as they started to walk once more, "'Saw Rarity when Ah was workin' on the school and she looked bad. Ah know both Twahlaht an' Fluttershy have gone into full hermit mode an' I ain't seen Rainbow Dash either. Ah saw Pinkie lurkin' this mornin'. Not sure what t' make of that. She jus' looked all wahld, lahk an animal with rabies. Prolly should keep away from her for the tahm bein'."

She stopped for a moment.

"Applejack! Applejack, darling, where are you?"

"Big sis? Ya hear that?" her ears perked up a little as she looked around, "Ah think Ah hear Rarity callin' ya."

Sweetie Belle dug through the refrigerator, watching her bedraggled sister leave. There simply was nothing to eat, either because of Rarity's habits or the fact that Rarity had prepared the enormous breakfast for Rainbow Dash that morning. Finally Sweetie Belle found two puny apples, badly bruised, at the bottom of a drawer. She supposed that would suffice for the current moment, and she took a knife out of a nearby drawer. She sliced the bruises off best she could and threw them out, carrying the two apples back to her room and biting into them. They were very sour, but Sweetie Belle was too hungry to care. She layed down in bed again and picked up the latest Daring Do book from her nightstand: "The Tale of the Crimson Captor". It was a thrilling read, and the lavender maned filly was suddenly in a brand new world. Every world seemed better than her own. When she finished both apples she threw the cores out, closed her book, and trotted outside for a bit of fresh air. She wondered to herself if Princess Celestia still cared for the miserable ponies here. Especially Twilight Sparkle, her very own student. Considering the bad shape of everypony, she guessed not.

5. The Best of Intentions

CHAPTER FIVE

Applejack knew she just couldn't outright say no. Her sister had such good intentions, and it was clear how much she had grew up. But AJ had been to caught up in farm duties to notice. She listened intently and gazed up to the house. It really did look awful. Applejack was still very much shakey but things were starting to die down.

"Aw, hey. Ah had no idea bout all them things you've been up to. The school and your inventions." Applejack kicked at the dirt with her front left hoof. She had just been hit by a sudden wall of self realization. "Well shoot. Maybe Ah have been so busy tryin' t' be a one-pony work machine.Tell ya what, we're gonna do what'cha said. BUT, on a trahl run. First sahn'uh trouble or danger an' you're out!"

With that she ruffled Applebloom's mane with her hoof and smiled. "It'll be jus' lahk the good ol' days."

This conversation had sparked something in Applejack. Her sister's drive to accomplish this was something quite amazing. Applejack missed her friends a great deal. Maybe she should take a page of Apple Bloom's book and try to make a difference. Though, this would have to wait. Rarity seemed to be on site and looking for her.

"What in tarnation, Rarity? Apple Bloom, go on an' sort out what ya gotta do. Ah'll be back soon."

Apple Bloom's face seemed to glow as her older sister gave her the 'blessing'.

"Ah'll do mah best, big sis!" she cheerfully responded, turning away to look for a cart. A part of her wanted to stay by her sister's side to make sure Rarity minded her manners, but she knew Applejack. Even in her current condition, she could take care of herself. She also wondered if Sweetie Belle would be tagging along with her as well. Still, she had work to do!

The apples weren't gonna buck themselves!

As she started her manual labour, Apple Bloom thought back to her former friends. Much to her chagrin, Apple Bloom was the last of the "Cutie Mark Crusaders" to get her cutie mark. Scootaloo was the first, who gained hers after she finally learned how to fly and gained the respect of her hero Rainbow Dash. Sweetie Belle gained hers during a Hearths Warming Eve concert she was part of. While she was part of the school's choir group, the little unicorn's solo song drove even the hardiest of hearts in the crowd to tears. Sweetie Bell was rather delighted to see a cutie mark waiting for her after she took off her choir robe. It wasn't until a year later when Apple Bloom got hers. She was always really good with tools and had developed a near unicorn-like way to study and analyze buildings or projects as she worked on them. Starting with the old tree house, every building from outhouse to temple were solid examples of architectural genius. She finally received he mark after gaining the top Canterlot honors in home design under the filly and colt's division. The second she noticed the mark, she could only say "ABOUT GOSH-DAMN TIME!". She just wish she wasn't so close to an microphone when she did it.

"Aha!" she caught sight of an old apple cart as she got closer to the field. While pulling the cart, she took note of the apple trees. She was not as strong as her big sister, but she knew each of the tree's 'sweet spots'. If she kicked them in the right spot, she could get as many apples into the cart as possible without harming the tree itself.

"Tahm t' get t' work!" she shouted, pulling the cart up to the first tree.

Sweetie Belle wandered after a trail of small horse-shoes belonging to Rarity. She was bored, and yet still concerned for her sister's well-being. The filly trotted quickly across town, and unfortunately the trail led back to Rainbow Dash's. She sprinted away as fast as she could, wanting to escape the memories of earlier that day. She was soon at Sweet Apple Acres, which was undoubtedly a better place to be. She never really had a falling out with Apple Bloom...they just grew apart. She only had fond memories of Applejack too, a pony who treated her like a sister when she needed family the most. She ran head first into the orchard, dashing straight into Apple Bloom.

"Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked in slight disbelief. She looked far worse than she did the last time she saw the unicorn. She appeared to have been bleeding. It wasn't from the apple tree accident, as the blood was dried and matted to her fur. The pale earth pony hated to see her like this, and she knew that she could not ignore her problems any further.

"Sweetie, are ya alraht?" she already knew the answer to her own question, but that was the only thing she could think to ask at the moment. "Ah need t' take this full cart back t' the farm. If ya want, we can mosey over t' the house an' have somethin' t' eat. Ya look like ya haven't had a good meal in ages!" she smiled warmly as she walked closer to the unicorn, "We kin talk 'bout things. It's been so long since we shared more than a few words!"

Sweetie Belle nodded, deciding that it would've been better than sitting in her room doing nothing.

"Alright..." she said, relieved that at least one old friend wasn't attacking her. Apple Bloom slowly pulled her cart.

"So, er, how are things?" she tried not to stare at the unicorn. While she did not look as bad as Rarity did, she still looked pretty rough. "Ah always thought ya would've left Ponyville t' travel the world bah now. You've got a great gift there, Sweetie Belle. Ah seen what yer music could do t' ponies, an' considerin' all the bad things that've happened lately we sure could use some of that! Ah bin so wrapped up in mah own lil' word, Ah din't really see how bad things have gotten 'til rather recently. But Ah aim t' change things! First Ah'm gonna help my big sis take care of the farm, an' then we're gonna help the others. Maybe starting with your sister. Ah still chat with Zecora from time to time, so Ah'm sure she could whip up a potion to fix whatever's ailin' Rarity. Then we kin help the others, an' soon everythin' will be back like it used to!"

Sweetie Belle smiled at the compliments, and the thought of everyone getting better. Wouldn't that be wonderful.

"That'd be very nice." she said, the simple thought of Rarity being back to her old self enough to make her feel better. "I just don't know what's wrong with my sis, Apple Bloom. She wont eat, she doesn't sleep, she's always cold.." her ears drooped a bit and her smile faded completely, the joy replaced with pain. "A-and she just...won't listen to me."

Rarity was feeling fat that day and time to burn some calories, she thought to herself! Working on that stinky old farm seemed to be a good way to do that.

"Hello, Applejack!" she greeted. She knew her friends were trying to stop her from being thin, so she had to lie about her motives. "You want some help with Applebucking? I only ask that I can take some apples myself. There aren't any good ones in the market anymore. I'm, uh, *hack* making a big meal for me and Sweetie Belle tonight." she said, unconvincingly, "And I, uh, need some apples. I though it would be healthier if I got some myself."

Applejack wasn't happy about what she had to say. But if anypony was going to say it. It would have to be her. She sighed and began to speak.

"Rarity...it's good t' seeya and' all that. But ya ain't foolin' nopony. Ah gotta feelin' Ah already know the answer, but ya should really actually eat whatever ya plan on cookin' up."

Applejack really wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew one thing. Rarity still saw everyone as friends, she had just...changed. What Apple Bloom had previously said to her still resonated in her head. She had to do something and now was her chance.

Apple Bloom quickly deposited the apples in their storage and lead Sweetie Belle into the family house's kitchen, where she started on breakfast.

"Ah bin thinkin' 'bout a few things." While the oatmeal was cooking, she took a moment to get out a lightly dampened cloth, which she used to clean up her old friend's wounds. "Hold still a second. This is Granny's recipe. Aloe vera an' a few other things. Should clean yer wounds an' make ya feel a ton better. Anywho, Ah was thinking, way back when we were tryin' to set up Miss Cheerilee with Big Mac we borrowed that love poison book from Twahlaht. She also wanted us t' read her 'Elements of Harmony' book at the tahm. Not sure wah she suggested it, but Ah ended up readin' it a few days later. There was some strange stuff involved. Said before our sisters and the others took over the 'Elements' no mortal ponies ever handled it before. Just real powerful ones lahk Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Ah just wonder if the power has binn doin' strange things to the others."

She quickly cantered over to the oven and started to sir the oatmeal, "Either that, or maybe this has to do with Twahlaht. She always struck me as rather odd at tahmes, like when she freaked out a few years ago when she thought she had t' fix a 'friendship problem' before sundown an' ended up killin' our ball an' scarin' us silly. Scoots had nightmares for weeks after that. Even odder was when Ah saw that weird Mail Pony...you know, the one that Rainbow Dash hit so hard it made her ahes go funny? I saw her drop an honest-to-goddess piano on Twah an' it din't do anythin' but mess up her mane a little."

She turned off the stove-top and poured the oatmeal into two bowls. "And you remember how NORMAL Ponyville was before Twah moved here? We never had problems with no monsters or anythin'. We jus' went t' school and our folks went to work and things were fahn. Ya got any ideas?" she placed the bowls on the table, "An' do ya want coffee, orange juice or both?"

"Coffee." Sweetie Belle said, thinking about what Apple Bloom had mentioned about Twilight and the Elements of Harmony. The oatmeal smelled amazing, and the feeling of having clean wounds felt so different. Sweetie always just let herself bleed, her blood usually matted to her fur and stuck to her scars, giving her a rather horrific appearance to the ponies in Ponyville.

"Well, Twilight is a bit...weird." Sweetie said, looking into her oatmeal, "It was kinda quieter without her."

Apple Bloom couldn't help but gasp as she got a better look at the nasty scars that were under her old friend's coat.

"W-who did this to ya?!" she traced what appeared to be a pattern of scratches and old cuts that were on the unicorn's stomach. "Let me, just," she quickly threw the coffee pot and and stirred the oatmeal once more. "Just stay put for a second!" Apple Bloom ducked her head into a cabinet and pulled out several long cloth bandages. Growing up on a farm, it was necessary that everypony who lived and worked on Sweet Apple Acres was trained in first aid. The earth pony also learned a great deal about certain healing herbs and salves from her old friend Zecroa who lived in the Everfree forest.

"Thank Celestia most of yer wounds an' scars are jus' drahd skin that hasn't healed or been cleaned properly, but these special bandages," she tore off a strand and quickly tied one around Sweetie Belle's midsection, "should do the trick. They're special. Ah'll keep an eye on ya an' make sure we change yer bandages. Within a week you should be turning stallions heads an' makin' their hearts go pitter-patter lahk ya used t'!" a few more bandages later the young pony could only smile. "Remahnds me when we used to play doctor back in the clubhouse."

Poor Featherweight looked more like a mummy that she did, but he at least got a little kiss from Scootaloo. Apple Bloom tried to keep that smile on her face and tried even harder to keep the tears from flowing. She had abandoned her friends and this wasn't the first time she did such a thing. Back when she was younger she barely spoke to her foal-friend Twist after she got her cutie mark. And she she ditched both Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell when things got a little too 'inconvenient' for her. But things were changing! She swore she would never do it again. Her special talent was at fixing things, so she made sure 'friendships' was placed high on her list.

Both the coffee and oatmeal were finished nearly moments after the unicorn was wrapped in a few bandages. The young pony was able to move freely and she could feel the special bandages work their earth pony and zebra magic on her wounds. She was starting to feel rather better. Apple Bloom helped her friend onto a chair and poured her both her oatmeal and coffee.

"Could ya tell me what's goin' on with you and Rare? Did she do this to you, or was-", she stopped, sighed and ran a hoof through her mane, nearly knocking off her bandana. "Ah swear from now on Sweetie Bell, nopony will ever hurt ya again. You, Scoots and all of our friends. Ah'm gonna make things all right again." She poured a cup of coffee for herself, "Jus' tell me what ya feel comfortable tellin' me. Ah won't judge you, you're mah friend."

Sweetie Belle smiled a bit. "Thanks, Apple Bloom, but..." she shook her head slightly, "It wasn't Rarity who did this to me. No one did it." Sweetie looked away nervously as she struggled to say what she wanted to. "I-I've been doing this to myself."

6. Stealing the Show

CHAPTER SIX

Pinkamena got up again and groaned, flipping onto the floor. She'd rolled out of bed and simply fallen, not an ounce of her usual energy put into it. She slowly trudged to the bathroom and looked at the mirror. A gorgeous face looked back at her, an irresistible face that her friends really shouldn't be able to resist. A face that looked even better with her hair, eyes, and beautiful new smile.

"Happy Birthday Pinkie," she sang, "Happy birthday to you! Your friends are all losers, and they look like losers too!" Pinkie cackled maniacally at her new rhyme, singing it over and over again as if her life depended on it. She began to dance, sporadic jerking movements beginning to take rhythm. The wild pony snuck away from her lovely reflection and into her dining room, where a large assortment of her favorite foods had been prepared. Pinkie laughed, her snooty little friends never knew what kind of foods were Pinkie's favorites! Now Pinkie Pie was surrounded by new, better friends. The kind of friends that would stick with you forever and ever and ever. Rocky, Madame LaFlour, Sir Lintsalot, and Mr. Turnip. True blue. Sadly for Pinkie, Gummy had grown too big and went to live with the other alligators in the pond. She often wanted to visit him, not even caring if she got bitten. That might be fun.

"Oh thank you, Rocky, but you mustn't ask a girl her age," she said as a sick smile formed, "it's quite rude!" she laughed.

The wind felt really good against Rainbow's face. There was nothing like the comforting embrace of the air around you when flying at top speed. The way it ruffled your fur and flowed through your feathers. It was almost cleansing. All the dirt and grime that caked her soul crumbled away. Then she slowed down, stopping, and it all returned.

Rainbow Dash needed an audience... but she wasn't going to risk the marketplace again after she was arrested last time for public disturbance. Well, she would risk it if she couldn't find any where else. She heart Scootaloo flapping her wings eagerly to keep up with her. Deep down beneath the layers of filth that had developed recently, she was proud of Scootaloo, but her own need for attention outweighed the attention that she'd give her freely. She looked down with a smile to see that the sunny day had brought out a few picnickers.

"You ready, Scoots? We have our audience. Remember what I told you yesterday? Fly as straight as you possibly can. Deviate too far and I might hit you. Just head straight down to the ground and stop as close as possible," Rainbow said stiffly before pulling placing a pair of goggles over her eyes. With that said she flew up high into the air and waited for Scoots.

Scootaloo nodded, listening intently to Rainbow's every word. Scootaloo loved the limelight, just being near Rainbow was enough. She knew how badly her "older sis" need attention, and complied with her every need. If she needed this, then Scoots would volunteer!

"Got it, Dashie. Just give me the word."

Scootaloo followed Rainbow higher and higher up, into the clouds. She couldn't wait to swoop down to earth, watching the amazed faces of passer-bys. She knew it was those very moments that gave Dashie such a thrill. Of course, Scootaloo could never really keep up when she went so fast!

Rainbow Dash gave Scotaloo a wink and the orange pony began to barrel towards the ground, followed by a sparkly purple trail. Rainbow Dash stretched her wings outward and smiled. She burst from standing still to rocket fast in under a second, and reached Scootaloo. She then began to twist around the falling pegasus and fly around her. Her customary ray of rainbow light followed her as she orbited Scootaloo. To the onlookers below it looked like a bright, shining meteor trailing purple encased in a prismatic prison of ever-changing colours. Ponies below began to cheer.

As soon as Rainbow was sure she could hear cheering, she let herself go. She closed her eyes and let the sheer rush of speed and danger fill her with adrenaline. Her heart beat faster to give the muscles in her wings the extra energy while also carrying their adrenaline payload. The rush was almost orgasmic, as Rainbow let the waves rush over her. This was what she lived for. This all occurred within the space of three seconds. As soon as her mental clock pinged, her eyes shot back open and she ricocheted off of Scootaloo and into the air. She spiraled around, flipping and twisting, creating a star-pattern of rainbow color in the sky. She hovered just in front of it victoriously for a second, then whipped behind it and blew a strong burst of wind that showered the below crowd in rainbows. Everypony turned their eyes upwards and cheered wildly. Rainbow swooped back down again and hovered just above the crowd.

"Who do we love?" she shouted, grinning.

"Rainbow Dash!" some of the crowd who recognized her shouted.

"Was that a cheer? My grandma could do better than that!"

"Rainbow Dash!" The entire crowd shouted this time.

"I'm sorry. I thought this was a crowd of winners, now was I wrong?"

"NO!" The crowd protested, appalled that Dash would say something so offensive.

"THEN WHO DO WE LOVE?!"

"RAINBOW DASH!" The return was almost deafening.

"And don't any of you freaking forget it!" Rainbow shouted triumphantly as she basked in her own glory for a bit. But this time, Scootaloo wanted a bit of the spotlight herself. The crowd ADORED Rainbow Dash, and of course they did, there was nothing to hate! Well, nothing much. Scootaloo wanted some sun.

Scootaloo had a few tricks up her sleeve, even if they weren't a rainbow star or aerial flips at top speed. She flew a bit higher and hollered,

"HEY EVERYBODY! WATCH THIS!"

The crowd, hearing the filly's cries, stopped in awe. They gasped excitedly about a new flyer, and Scootaloo couldn't wait for some attention. Rainbow KNEW that Scootaloo was a good flyer, she had taught her! She knew Dashie would be proud of her!

"Hey guys! My name's Scootaloo! I'm Rainbow Dash's little sister, and she's teaching me how to fly! I'm gonna show you something!"

Rainbow's right eyebrow began to tick angrily as Scootaloo started to steal her show. Her limelight. Scootaloo. The little bitch. She maintained the smiling façade to preserve her own face, but it wasn't easy. Thoughts of punching her face in the second they got back to the house had to tide her over for now.

The crowd murmured, unaware that Rainbow Dash had a little sister. They were excited to see a new trick, and Scootaloo wasn't going to let anypony down. She soared higher and higher into the sky, landing on a small storm cloud not too far up. The eyes of the crowd followed. Scootaloo gripped onto a small piece of cloud, and began to tug. She immediately jerked into the sky, leaving a purple streak in the air and a crowd of sparkles trailing behind it. She suddenly folded her wings in and yanked her hardest on the storm-cloud. It let out an enormous clap of thunder, lightning shooting all surrounding sky and falling to earth dramatically. Right before hitting the ground, Scootaloo's wings re-opened and she made a smooth landing. She then pushed up and blasted herself back into the sky, kicking the storm cloud into non-existence with one smooth buck. She grinned, the trick finally successful after months of practice!

"WHO LIKED THAT?!" Scootaloo hollered.

The crowd roared in response, cheering and screaming. A tiny part of Rainbow Dash wanted to cheer alongside the crowd, it wanted to congratulate Scootaloo for coming into her own. Rainbow clenched her hooves and shut the voice up. This was HER time, not Scootaloo's!

"WHAT'S MY NAME!?"

"SCOOTALOO!" The crowd screamed.

"I CAN'T HEEEAR YOU!"

"SCOOTALOO!!" The crowd screamed once more.

Scootaloo landed proudly next to Rainbow Dash and gave her a big, loving hug, much to Rainbow's shock. Cries of "Aww!" and even louder whooping filled the air. Scootaloo's veins were rushing with adrenaline and her heart raced. She finally understood why Rainbow always hunted so far for attention. It felt amazing! The crowd seemed to love the two as a pair. Maybe they could stay a pair, Dash thought. She was lost in thought as she ruffled the kid's mane slightly too hard and laughed hollowly to keep up the image.

"How'd I do?" Scootaloo asked, looking up at Rainbow with hope in her eyes. She hoped that Rainbow believed in her potential. All she ever wanted was to make her proud.

Rainbow still felt conflicted. Her face remained impassive as she said, "let's head back home for a bit."

Scootaloo nodded excitedly and the two took to the air again. Scootaloo wasn't sure what to think. Rainbow Dash had given her no praises, but had hugged her back and tussled with her mane. Scoots couldn't tell if that was just for show, but she hoped not. She was so proud of her performance that day, and she loved that Rainbow Dash supported her, even if it was totally fake.

Scoots quickly took the lead and Rainbow let her eyes wander over her for the first time in a while. Her lustrous orange coat, and rich purple mane that fell in truly awesome ruffles. She really had grown up. Rainbow still remembered the day she asked her to move in. The happiest day of her life, and not soon before she lost all of her friends. Rainbow's life had been drawing up aces, while all her friends' had fallen into the proverbial dumps. Today was fun, maybe it was her turn to...

Rainbow shook her head, propelling such thoughts far, far away. What was she thinking! No! She needed this! And If Scootaloo can't understand that, then maybe she should leave! Rainbow was still fighting internally as she swooped into the window and landed on a clear patch of floor. She looked up to see Twilight Sparkle sitting on her sofa. Her confusion quickly left to be replaced by seething rage. She was staring at the two like the egghead mule she was, mouth gaping open. Scootaloo never did like Twilight too much, she was a naggy perfectionist who never listened to anything but the sound of her own voice. She was always lecturing the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and still did when she got the chance. She acted like a queen. And her dragon was annoying, no matter how in love Apple Bloom was with him. Fucking Apple Bloom didn't know anything. You can't marry a dragon, nor can you have sex with it. Dragons will kill you. Although, Scootaloo might like to see Apple Bloom crushed.

"What the buck are you doing here?!" Rainbow Dash shouted at the purple unicorn.

"Hey bitch! This is our house!" Scootaloo chimed in, maintaining a fighting stance. She was ready to beat the crap out of Twilight if push came to shove. She'd always wanted to anyways.

Twilight couldn't believe how bad the two "sisters" were taking her arrival. She knew from the start that this wasn't going to be easy, and with the two of them throwing insults at first sight it might as well be impossible.

"I'm just here to talk with Dash, we don't need to start throwing insults." she said calmly, but she could smell danger in the air. Twilight had read lots of books on psychology, and by the way that Scootaloo was standing she could be receiving a hoof to the face any moment.

Normally Rainbow Dash would just kick Twilight back out of the window, but she felt her rage subside almost as quickly as it started up to be replaced by overwhelming tiredness. She just had a glimpse of something she thought she'd lost a long time ago. She had felt...happy for Scootaloo. Happy for somepony who wasn't herself. She hadn't truly felt tired in so long. She eased out of her threatening position and just let it all loose. "What do you want, Twilight? I thought..." Rainbow sighed loudly, "...I thought I made my feelings clear yesterday!" A purple bruise on Twilight's hip was visible proof of how successful yesterday was. "Look. We both know why you're here. Why don't we just cut the melodrama, and you go home. I think I need to get some sleep."

Twilight took a second glance at Scootaloo, who hadn't let up her fighting stance. She shuddered to think that adorable little Scootaloo had grown into such a dangerous almost-mare.

"I'd just want to talk to you, Dash," she said nervously, Scootaloo starting to threaten her a bit more than she first expected, "Can we just have a talk...in your room? Or at least somewhere private?" she didn't want to hurt anypony, but she didn't realize Dash's sudden need for sleep "I wont be long, I promise!" She looked at her, eyes full of hope for the two friends. Rainbow Dash stopped and sighed again. She waved her hoof casually at Scootaloo.

"Hey, Scoots. You did good today. Why don't you go out to town. You haven't done anything I haven't wanted to do in ages. There's bits on the counter. I'll see you back here later," she then turned back to Twilight, "Fine...just make it quick."

Scootaloo's heart filled with pride. She HAD done good today! And as much as she hated to leave Dashie alone with such a bitchy mare, she loved going out to town. And she was going to go cause some serious mischief!

"Okay, I'll leave you two alone," Scootaloo said, picking bits up off the counter and placing them in her saddlebag, "Bye. I love you, Dashie."

She flew out the window, exhilarated, knowing that Rainbow hated clingy emotional things. But maybe Rainbow actually felt for her. She hadn't been mad at Scootaloo for stealing the spotlight! It was going to be a GREAT day, and as Scootaloo rushed into town she saw eyes following her, commenting on her previous performance. She was becoming a local celebrity, respected! The thought sent tingles down her spine, and an undefeated smile pasted onto her face.

Pinkie Pie realized with shock that her very-super-special birthday feast was missing one very essential item: chocolate milk! She LOVED chocolate milk, chocolate milk was the WORLD to Pinkie Pie! When it fell from the sky she hoped dearly that the reign of Discord would never end! She trotted happily outside and into town once more, waving at ponies on her way. They usually ran from her, but some waved back. Oh joy! She was so loved!

Twilight watched Scootaloo leave and sighed with relief.

"Thank Celestia...I thought she was going to try and punch my lights out!" she said jokingly with a small smile appearing on her face. "Look Dash, we really need to get the group back together. Why have we been apart so long?" she asked her, a more serious face returning. It was time for serious matters, no time for jokes. Twilight placed a gentle hoof on her old friends shoulder "We've all become wrecks! I mean, you have been with every mare in Cloudsdale! Partying every night! We need this to stop." She smiled reassuringly to her. "We can do it together. Are you with me?" she asked, hoping this might just be easier than she thought.

Rainbow Dash snorted loudly and pushed her hoof away.

"You're joking, right? This is your pitch? I finally give you the fucking time of the day, and this is all I get? It's no wonder the others won't listen to you! Why should I stop partying? I have fun! The ponies I bring back with me have fun! I'm having the fucking time of my life right now. Why should I quit? Me and Scoots are about to clean shop at the Cloudsdale paired stunts event. Another shot at the Wonderbolts. My life is fucking amazing right now. Scootaloo is really coming out on her own, and I'm having a whale of a time. Why don't you go work on Pinkie, or Fluttershy? Those sadsacks are the fucking wrecks that need help right now." Dash began to walk away to her bedroom, not caring whether Twilight Sparkle even had more to say.

Twilight froze, she was sure that what she said would work! How could it not work!? She'd planned everything! Dash was meant to break down and cry! The unicorn dipped her head down and slumped. "You're meant to show loyalty, Rainbow Dash! To your friends!"

She stomped her hoof in frustration and flew out the window in a rage, another plan foiled! As she muttered to herself she managed to see a pink tail hang out the local grocers. Pinkie! Of course! Twilight landed just outside and un-summoned her wings, trotting inside to see pinkie having some kind of argument with the cashier.

"Pinkie!" she hollered, trying to draw her attention. Pinkie froze, then turned to see Twilight Sparkle.

Her heart filled with rage. Twilight had been her very best friend and then she suddenly LEFT. When Pinkie had tried talking to her, Twilight turned her away. And now Twilight had come to talk to poor little Pinkie on her BIRTHDAY. She sneered and turned, smiling angrily at the dumb mare.

"Oh wow, the great and magical Twilight Sparkle comes to a lowly pony like me!" she slammed down bits and grabbed her carton of chocolate milk, making for the exit. She tried to avoid Twilight as best she could.

"What is today?!" she demanded of Twilight.

Twilight was taken aback from pinkies remarks; she knew that her friend had gone off the deep end but she never expected her to lash out!

"W-Well I..." she managed to muster as pinkie stormed past her and out the shop door. A tear ran down her cheek at the feeling that she had well and truly lost all her friends. She hadn't heard from AJ in ages because of all of her work, only Celestia knows where Fluttershy was! Pinkie hated her, Dash hated her, and Rarity has become some kind of anti-food monster! There just seemed to be no point. No hope.

"Wait, Pinkie, please!" Twilight begged, frustrated beyond belief. Pinkie turned quickly and stared Twilight down with eyes that wouldn't even look at her right.

"It's my birthday, Twilight Sparkle, my birthday!" Pinkie shouted, infuriated. She then snorted in strange contentment. "Congratulations, Miss Never Misses a Date. Now what do you want?"

Twilight walked over to pinkie and placed a concerned hoof on her old friends back.

"Pinkie, I...I came because I'm worried about you. We all are, and we want the old Pinkie back! You and your 'new friends' really are starting to creep us out! What happened?" she rubbed pinkies back softly, hoping that she would see what she had become and change for the better. She knew the old Pinkie was in there but she was hoping it wasn't too late to save her. Out of all the ponies that Twilight missed she couldn't help but miss Pinkie the most. Her cheery smile and infectious giggle always warmed her heart.

"But...but..." Pinkie felt defeated, and immediately decided what she wanted. "I'll make you a deal, Twilight, I want Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Bring them so I can hang out with them, then I will try my hardest to bring 'the old' Pinkamena Diana Pie back," she pulled away from the mare's touch and sighed. "Now please go."

Twilight got a warm feeling inside, a feeling she hadn't had in a long time. The feeling of accomplishment! Twilight left Pinkie with her head held high. She needed to go back to Dash's because she was going to be her biggest challenge. Twilight felt like that her and Dash had never been the best of friends, they were never really very much alike and sometimes she felt like Dash was just 'coming along for the ride'; but she always respected Dash, for her loyalty that she had now lost and her courage and strength. But this wasn't for Twilight, this was for Pinkie. Surely Dash would come to celebrate Pinkies birthday! Right?

7. Bite the Hand that Feeds

CHAPTER SEVEN

"I...I did this to myself."

Apple Bloom managed to stifle a 'gasp' as she drank her coffee nearly causing her to cough it all up, "Now, why in the world would ya do such a thing? There were a few deep cuts near yer knee! If ya had cut even deeper, ya would've dahd!" she sat her cup down, "Ah feel almost fully responsible for what ya did, bein' that Ah wasn't around t' help when ya needed it the most, but Ah promise to be for now on; just as ya need t' promise me ya won't go cuttin' yerself up lahk that no more. Is that a deal?" she looked directly into the unicorn's eyes.

Sweetie Belle's ears drooped a bit in shame. She wasn't sure if she could keep any promises, but by Celestia, she'd definitely try!

"Deal." she nodded.

"Oh Applejack! You think you see right through me!" Rarity awkwardly chuckles, "I told you, this is a meal for myself and Sweetie Belle. You can come on over if you want. I'm sure there will be plenty left over for you." If Applejack was gonna make her eat, fine. She would eat. Didn't mean the food would stay there, not like Applejack needed to know that though.

Applejack looked on in disbelief at Rarity. Something was still very much wrong but she couldn't but her hoof on it. But yet again she had a plan.

"Tell ya what, Rarity, how 'bout ya mosy on up t' the house with me an' we eat there." It was a long shot. But it made sense. Everything mande sence, they certainly had the ingredients she was looking for up at the house, even given its condition. Applejack was hopeful this plan would succeed. She had to be as now she was starting to feel the come down from her last hit. Part of what Apple Bloom had said made her want to fight the urge. But she needed it. Applejack moved to Rarity's side and raised on leg horizontally, pointing towards the house as if to say 'after you'.

"Thanks Sweetie." Apple Bloom finally went about helping herself to a bowl of oatmeal and noted that there would be more than enough for both her and Sweetie Belle's sisters if they choice to have some of the breakfast as well.

"What's goin' on with yer big sister? She jus' looks, er..." the earth pony tried to come up with a friendly word, "different. Smaller. I just wish we could get a hoof on Twilight. She's funny in a way, but there's hardly anypony out there that's as smart. If we could put our heads together, we could sort this all out."

Sweetie Belle shrugged, "I don't think she's eating...at all..." she ate some of the oatmeal, savouring it's sweet, homey taste. "You know...I actually really missed hanging out with you and Scootaloo." she winced a bit as she remembered the orange pegasus kicking her in the ribs.

"That doesn't make sense. If she din't eat for long, she would dah. Simple as that." Apple Bloom tossed a few sliced up apples onto her oatmeal before finding her seat, "have you spoken with any of the others? I haven't seen the gang in ages. Not even Scoots."

"Oh, I saw Scoots earlier." Sweetie said between her teeth, her ears flattened and her gaze fixed elsewhere. The earth pony grumbled as she thought about her other foal-hood friend. While both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle grew up in the shadows of their far more impressive older sisters, they eventually were able to crawl out from under their sister's hooves and make a name for themselves. The unicorn had grown into a beauty that even surpassed her older sister's and had the voice of an angel. Apple Bloom's craftworks and inventions were known all over Equestria. However, during the last year, the earth pony had fallen into a rut and was stuck on her 'next best thing' that she was always planning on making but could not, and apparently Sweetie Belle had gotten into the whole 'cutting herself' phase. The orange Pegasus on the other hoof relished being being at Rainbow Dash's side. As she got older, her admiration and devotion morphed into an obsession and seemed to have less and less time to share with her old friends as time went by.

"Not sure make t' make with Scoots. She seems happy t' be attached to Miss Blue-Flank," Apple Bloom didn't care for the sound of her own voice as she spoke, didn't care for the negative things she was thinking, "Er, Ah mean, what do ya think we should do? We could pay Twahlaht a visit. See what she thinks of mah theories. Ah did promise Applejack Ah'd help her on the field...and Ah did get a full wagon's worth of 'Golden Delicious', which should be more than enough for now."

Sweetie Belle nodded. "Alright. I saw her earlier today, she was at home." her ears lowered again. She wasn't on good terms with the two, and the last thing she'd want to do is drag Apple Bloom into a little fight.

"Soo..." the earth pony took a moment to stir in some sugar into her oatmeal, "besahdes the er...thing ya did, is there anything else you've been up t'? Ah've bin sorta datin' Rumble. Not sure ya two ever met as he was a grade lower than us back in school. Ol' Lemon Daze hooked me up with him durin' last year's Hearts n' Hooves day an' we've been lahk ice cream n' apple pahs! Nothin' physical yet, well," she rubbed the back of her head with her free hoof, "Smoochies an' stuff, but nothin' beyond that." she blushed a little and let out a hearty chuckle.

"That's nice to hear," Sweetie Belle said, smiling a bit, "I haven't found somepony yet." The fact that she was single didn't actually bother her, although she did like the idea of being the subject of another pony's affection.

"Well, Ah'm sure once yer fully healed that won't be a problem!" Apple Bloom started on her oatmeal, "Even back then, all the mares were SO jealous of ya! Sweetie Belle, ya made all the fillies look lahk ugly old mules. That's wah Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon hated ya the most out of us three. All the money in the world couldn't..." she stopped right there, as she was getting onto the negative side again. Can't do that. She cleared her throat, "If worse comes t' worse, Ah'm sure ol' Lemon flank will help ya. Mah cousin may be a lemon, but she always comes up with apples...er..That doesn't make any sense."

As Scootaloo flew across the city casually, she recognized Sweet Apple Acres below her. The stupid place made her feel sick, nothing but manual labour and family values. Scootaloo couldn't stand it, and all she could think about was what a horrible place it was. She then spotted two mares below, and she couldn't stand either.

Applejack and Apple Bloom were related, and Applejack had totally betrayed Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo remembered Rainbow's agony, knowing that one of her closest friends had betrayed her. Scootaloo knew this was private, but she could also see them flirting quite a bit, always outdoing and impressing one another, winking and hugging. Scootaloo used to think it was cute, now it just made her gag.

Rarity was Sweetie Belle's older sister, and a stuck up bitch. Scootaloo couldn't stand anything about her. So, she devised a plan to get even with these mares, and their little sisters. She would sneak into the Apple Family's main house and trash it miserably. Fucking Applejack would be SWAMPED with work, and Rarity would feel so guilty and "generous" that she would clean everything up. Scootaloo cackled and swooped down to earth, sneaking past the two mares.

As soon as she crept through the door of the house though, she saw two VERY familiar faces. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, her ex-best-friends, staring up at her. She froze in shock and terror. Apple Bloom had bandaged Sweetie up, and they were just chatting casually. Scootaloo didn't even know the two were still friends! She gasped and clung to the wall in a panic.

"Oh fuck, YOU TWO?!" she shouted, not even attempting to sneak out. They'd seen her now. Therefore, they wouldn't hear the end of her. "Celestia's horn, I didn't know you two still hung out! Formed a new club, did you? What the fuck do you even do with yourselves, drool over your stupid fucking cutie marks all day? Well, Apple Bloom, I'm still shocked that your Cutie Mark isn't in abandonment. And Sweetie Belle, you like fantastic. Love the bandages. Masochism is a GREAT hobby. Fuck you two, I'm leaving." But before Scootaloo even took another breath, guilt overtook her. These had been her best friends. And she had just said horrible things to them, just to make them feel bad. She was sure nobody else in the room felt worse now.

Rarity thought about it.

"Why, sure thing Applejack. I just need my recipes from home, and I will make us all a big meal. Why, it can be a feast. I just need the apples and whatever else was on those recipes." Rarity used to remember those recipes, but lately she had trouble remembering her name. She tried to follow Applejack, but managed to take two steps in that direction before falling over. Nothing she wasn't used to, so she got right back up, dusted herself off, and trotted over to the house; forgetting her need to get recipes.

Applejack followed quickly and opened the door. They trotted upstairs and settled down in Rarity's room.

Sweetie Belle's ears drooped a bit as Scootaloo turned around. She was offended, but she didn't feel like starting a fight. For all she knew, maybe they could be friends again.

"Scootaloo, w-wait..." Scootaloo stared Sweetie Belle right in the eyes.

"What do you want?" she asked, tone dark and angry. Her eyes were filled with a stormy mix of emotions. More than a year ago Apple Bloom had thought up of a few things she would say to the orange pony if they were ever to run into each other again, but none of that applied for what had changed over the last day or so.

"What Sweetie Belle said, jus' stay for a moment. Please," her eyes got a little bigger as she pleaded, "yer right. Everything ya jus' said. You're raht. Ah do have a history of abandonin' friends when things weren't workin' out for me. For whatever selfish reason Ah had at the tahm, and Ah'm jus' really sorry an' Ah'm trying to fix things. Ah'm good at fixin' things. Jus' spent so much tahm with mah head in the clouds. Ah din't know what was goin' on with everypony until it was too late," she took a sip from her coffee cup, "Ah would appreciate it if ya could jus' stay for a bit. We could sit an' talk for a bit. You kin even yell at me a bit more if ya'd lahk. Ah reckon Ah deserve every bit, but at least Ah'd get t' talk t' ya. So, what do ya say?"

Sweetie Belle smiled weakly, her eyes a bit wider as well. "Please...?"

Scootaloo's jaw dropped as she listened to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle talk. They were being so...reasonable. For once. And they realized that they were flawed. Scootaloo could not believe her ears, she had always thought Apple Bloom was arrogant and always played the victim card. Scootaloo slowly took a seat next to her and Sweetie Belle, who looked incredibly sad to see Scootaloo's state.

"What the fuck are you two staring at? What do you...what do you expect me to say?"

Scootaloo was suddenly filled with extreme sadness. She missed her friends so much. Sweetie Belle looked away for a second, unsure of what to say. Apologizing would probably be the best place to start.

"I'm sorry for insulting you and Rainbow Dash," she laughed weakly, "I uh...wasn't feeling myself. Really tired."

Applejack and Rarity sat upstairs on Applejack's comfortable bed, speaking like they used to.

"How have things been at the farm? Feels like it has been so long since I was actually here, or outside at all for that matter. I've been too busy making dresses, take up all my time these days! How is it at the farm?" she repeated, having forgotten that she had just said that. Her lack of sleep had seemed to be hitting her like a brick wall today. "Dear? Do you have any coffee?" she asked, needing to keep herself awake. Applejack was mildly amused by her odd mood, but in a friendly way.

"Uh, yeah Ah'm sure we got some round 'bout here." Applejack was slightly lost in her own home, she spent little time in any room other than her's nowadays what with being consumed by work. She poked her head into the kitchen for a second to set the kettle to boil. Trying to not interrupt three fillies chat. Applejack quickly dashed back into Rarity's company trying to appear calm and collected.

"Uhm where were we? Oh yeah. Uh, things have been okay. Ah'm keepin' up with the applebuckin' an' what not. Apple Bloom's convinced me to let her help out. Ya mite' of noticed but the house could use some tender love'n care." Applejack was still appearing awkward. It had been so long since they had a get together. "How 'bout you? How ya been? Ya said ya don't get out much?" Applejack applied a smile and awaited Rarity's reply. She was starting to work up a sweat. Apple Bloom seemed to be finding the whole fix everything idea a mite easier than her sister.

Scootaloo felt defeated. Hearing Sweetie Belle's apology was all she needed. She broke down crying, tears streaming down her face in cascades.

"It's true, alright?! I drink too much! And Rainbow Dash doesn't like stallions! But please, Sweetie, nobody is perfect!" After a few sobs, she sat up straight again. Her breath was shaky and uneven. "I'm sorry too! I said some horrible things, Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle smiled a bit at Scootaloo's apology. It was nice for her and her old friend to stop fighting and make up for what they said. Scootaloo looked around the table, at her friends in shock. "Look, guys, I'm sorry that I wasn't there either. I had Dashie, you know? And ever since you guys got your cutie marks, you left! I mean, even when I had mine, I stuck around a while longer. But you guys didn't..."

Apple Bloom quickly removed her bandana and used it to dry the tears that were freely flowing from her eyes.

"Ah missed ya guys so much," she reached over and gave her old friends a hug, "maybe that's wah Ah ain't never felt the same after leaving ya two behahnd. Without y'all, I wasn't a complete pony and Ah just wandered lost through life. But now that Ah have ya two back, Ah feel like Ah can take on the world!" she sat back on chair, "Ah jus' hope the others are doin' as well as us. Sweetie Belle and Ah were thinkin'," she glanced over at Scootaloo, "Don'cha fahnd it strange that things went lower than a snake's belly right after Granny Smith's funeral? We were fahn up until then, but after that our relationships all started t' crumble? We all said an' did some rather hurtful things an' that was it? An' after the funeral, when Silver Spoon vanished? What's with that?" she leaned on her chair and pondered a few things. Scootaloo nodded solemnly.

"Yeah. It was fucking Diamond Tiara, remember? Making fun of Granny Smith. And you...well, you broke her tiara. Remember? Man. That was amazing."

Scootaloo giggled, remembering what a badass Apple Bloom had been that day. She didn't even care where Diamond got that stupid crown, but when it broke Scootaloo laughed her ass off.

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh. It was her mother's and all. But seriously, she's a pageant queen now. Full blown, bright purple hair extensions, answering questions and whatnot. Get this. She kills in the swimsuit competition, but her talent has always been DANCING! SHE CAN'T DANCE! All that bitch can do is be pretty and smile for the judges. And believe it or not, she and Silver Spoon WERE hitched! Nows shes off fighting for gay rights." Scootaloo cackled, thinking that she should have seen it coming. Of course she felt bad for Silver Spoon, she didn't know who had finally killed her. Scootaloo used to wish that it had been her who'd finished her off, but she kept it a constant question in mind. "Well. Who am I to judge. She's off as Ponyville's contestant for Miss Equestria, and I'm still here doing nothing. Man, I should be on the Wonderbolts now. And Sweetie Belle, you should be a superstar singer! And Apple Bloom, your inventions saved my ass when we were fillies. You fixed my scooter, like, five times! What the hell happened to us anyways?" Sweetie Belle smiled, delighted to be with her old best friends again. She shrugged.

"Ah don't know, but Ah hope we don't drift apart lahk that again. Ah really missed ya, gahs," Apple Bloom held up a bandaged hoof, as if making a pledge. "Ah promise that wherever Ah go in lahf, Ah'll still trah t' be there for mah friends."

"Is it true yout inventions made you rich?" Sweetie Belle asked after their hug was broken.

"Not really, Ah prolly ain't got 'nuff t' fix the house even."

"Well shoot, that's a bummer. Sorry about that, Apple Bloom. I always did imagine you as a big fancy inventor type.

Scootaloo felt happier than she ever had. She and her friends were finally back together, and treating each other with love and acceptance. She had some things to explain to her friends.

"Girls, I'm so sorry. Rainbow Dash is the only family I have, and the clinging to her is my way of...well...feeling loved and accepted. You see, I've been living on the streets since I was a young foal. And all I ever wanted was a family of my own, big sisters like the kind you have." Scootaloo blushed in shame, blinking back tears.

Sweetie Belle frowned a bit and her ears drooped. "Rarity hasn't been paying any attention to me lately. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows I'm there."

"Ah do have a big sis and brother, but Ah always thought of you gals lahk my two sisters as well. Y'all still up for visitin' Twah?"

Sweetie Belle nodded. "Alraht. Ya wanna come along, Scootaloo?" Scootaloo grinned.

"Duh, let's do this!"

"Thanks girls." Apple Bloom smiled broadly, "Hopefully we'll catch Twah over at the library. We kin put our heads together an' make sense of all this."

8. Grim Situations

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rainbow Dash rubbed her head as she collapsed onto her bed. She stared up at the white ceiling and just lost track of time. Memories of the fun times she had with her friends were juxtaposed with the adrenalin rush and partying of her new "friends". Dash always told herself she was having the time of her life; but if that was true, then why did she have to tell herself that? Deep down something was missing. Rainbow sighed. Maybe she shouldn't have sent Twilight away. Still Twilight was just being lame like always. She heard Twilight's voice suddenly call out from the lounge.

"Speak of the dragon," she mumbled to herself before sighing again. "I'm in here. Come on through."

Twilight inched the door open and poked her head in, seeing Dash collapsed on the bed.

"Hi Dash..."

"Again? Are you fucking stalking me, I told you to leave!"

"I came back..."

"Why?" Dash demanded, needing to know why Twilight kept poking around. Twilight wandered over and sat beside her on the bed.

"Look, Dash, I know me and you have never really been very alike. You're an athlete, I'm a nerd. You love to live dangerously, I'd rather curl up by the fire. But I need you to help Pinkie," she placed a hoof on he friends back, "it's her birthday today and I need you to go to her place and say hi. She's trying to change but she needs the support of her friends. I know you have problems too, and I want to help you. We all care for you and want to help you with your party addiction. But this is not for me, or you, this is for Pinkie."

Rainbow Dash instantly pushed Twilight away again, sending the purple mare sliding across her wooden floors, littered in old trophies, ribbons, and bottles of alcohol.

"I don't have any fucking problems! My life is the best fucking thing around at the moment. I'm going places, while you're still trapped in a memory of times past! You've gotta move on! Things are never going to be the same!" she shouted although her heart wasn't quite in it. The rainbow-maned pegasus began to feel her eyes water, so she pushed herself off of the bed, and looked away from Twilight. No weakness, Rainbow.

"I'll go talk to Pinkie. But it's not because of you, it's for her," Rainbow said quietly with defeat in her voice. Before Twilight could say anything Rainbow had launched herself out of the window and flown away.

Twilight leaned against the wall in Dash's room and started to cry. What her ex-friend said opened her eyes a bit. With her friendships failing and her magic lacking to what it could be, Twilight's life was falling apart. Oh, how she missed Spike. And Celestia. They never wrote anymore and it was lonelier than ever. Not even Shining Armor, who promised to keep in touch, contacted her anymore.

Twilight sobbed. Nothing she had done had gone right in the slightest, she was just trying to help and everypony was pushing her away.

"I guess nopony needs me any more..." she told herself between tears as she pushed herself off the floor and walked slowly towards the open window. A calm and cold breeze blew in her mane, frustratingly persistent in making the mare shiver. She peered out of the window and saw that everyone was happy. Fillies were playing in the park, mares and stallions were having romantic picnics together. Where was her laughter? Her joy? A stallion to comfort her? Nowhere. nopony wanted Twilight.

"Hey, Pinkie! You there? It's Rainbow Dash! I'm here for your, uh, birthday!" Dash said, opening the door and calling inside of the small home. It was filled with dust, dark, and a musty smell immediately filled Dash's nostrils. She coughed, looking around for Pinkie. She suddenly spied a handful of bright pink hair and an accompanying face. She was startled at the sight of her old friend, peeking out from behind the entryway into her kitchen. Her eyes were wide and her pupils were dilated immensely. Her once bouncy hair fell straight as a pin. A smile slowly stretched across her friends face, growing a little too wide for sanity. Dash took a step back, alarmed.

"DASHIE!" Pinkie squealed, running towards the blue pegasus and jumping onto her. Dash felt a crushing hug around her ribs and coughed once more, Pinkie climbing off immediately. Dash never thought she'd be scared of a friend. "I've waited so long for your arrival!" Pinkie added, ushering the mare into her kitchen and shoving her into a chair. Rainbow Dash immediately noticed that it was very dark, too dark to cook properly. Pinkie Pie eagerly pulled a very large knife from a nearby drawer and Dash yelped, jumping up in surprise.

Pinkie Pie was giggling to herself when she turned on Dash with the knife brandished. She placed a slice of cake on the table and put the knife in her sink. At least the dishes were done.

"Goodness, Dash! You are quite the frightened filly!" Pinkie laughed, lifting the plate of cake and handing it to her friend. Rainbow Dash backed a few inches away from Pinkie, who was clearly unstable, and took a bite of the cake. It was delicious, she discovered, but that only made her feel worse about Pinkie's condition.

"How's the cake? It's my birthday cake!" Pinkie added, looking at Dash with a grin. Rainbow suddenly noticed a thin cut above the mare's eye. Was that there before?! Rainbow took another step back nervously. Pinkie was Rainbow Dash's one weakness. She'd hang out with the others on occasion, but Pinkie and Rainbow used to tear the place up with parties and pranks. They were an awesome duo, and Rainbow had snapped at Pinkie pretty badly last time they met.

"Look, Pinks. I-I'm sorry about how we ended." In the back of Dash's mind her anger began to reawaken. Rainbow hated feeling vulnerable like this, and that made her angry. It was the same reason she had gone all angry last time. "I'd better go," she said softly and turned to leave. Pinkie nodded slowly, taking a step back.

"I forgive you, Dash!" she shouted as the pegasus opened the front door and took a step outside. Rainbow Dash's heart split in two as she closed the door and began to fly back home. What was wrong with her? She'd let her emotions take control. She thought that she'd learnt long ago not to let that happen. It felt good though, didn't it? An odd mix of sad goodness. No. She was just doing her duty as an ex-friend. Once again she felt drained and tired... but a good sort of tired, like she used to get after partying all night with Pinkie and her old friends. Maybe...maybe she should go back. See if Pinkie wanted to do anything. A party...like they used to have, not one of those heavy music drug-fests like she normally went to.

"Stop it! No, Rainbow!" Dash lectured herself, "You have to keep strong. You don't need them anymore. They just held you back. Look at you now, you do whatever you want whenever you like, ponies everywhere adore you, and look at Scootaloo! She's developing into an awesome flyer. You have all you've ever wanted!" Rainbow stopped flying and looked around her. Despite herself she had somehow managed up back at her house. She flew back in only to hear wailing noises coming from her bedroom. She poked her head in.

"You're still here?" she said brashly, then the miserable sight began to soften her up again. "Twilight, are you okay?"

"She'll be back soon!" Pinkie promised herself, picking up the knife and slicing the cake in swinging, arching motions. She couldn't wait for all of her friends to return! They'd love the cake! It would be so delicious! Something was wrong. Pinkie felt a sharp, stagnant pain in her foreleg. She was bleeding! Bleeding out!

Pinkie had never felt a pain so sharp! She quickly ran up the stairs, minding her gimpy leg, and yanked at her first-aid chest. It was empty. She screamed, noticing blood spilling out fast and furiously. She'd never been hurt like this! Oh, and how it hurt! She quickly began to run back down the stairs, but her foreleg gave out and she found herself tumbling down the wooden steps and crashing into the landing wall.

Pinkie's vision spotted. She knew that she needed to stay awake and banged her head once more in an attempt to keep herself up. No use. She fainted.

Twilight did not look back at dash, she kept leaning out the window.

"I...I'm going to jump Dash. Nopony needs me any more. I'm just a waste of space." she let out slowly, between tears. She was not really talking to Dash, more to herself. Tears streamed down her face and she could feel her nose beginning to plug up and get irritated. She had a headache from the crying, and felt so dehydrated. "Tell my brother I love him, tell Spike too, and tell the rest of our old friends to forget about me...even though I'm sure they already have." Twilight pulled herself up onto the windowsill and looked down. Giving her old friend one last smile before she fell backwards and into the breeze as she fell towards Ponyville.

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash shouted as the unicorn let go of the windowsill. Her wings snapped open and she lunged out of the window with a speed that made her usual pace reminiscent of Snails. The lavender mare fell through the sky towards the hard earth below at speed, but Dash was faster. Rainbow exploded forwards as something which she hadn't felt in months washed over her. Fear. Actual fear. She committed death-defying stunts on a regular basis, but she was never afraid. She pushed herself to the limit and managed to grab the purple mare with her forelegs. In a split-second she realized there wasn't enough space left to stop, so changed direction on a pinpoint and flew straight into a tree with a loud crunch. She fell to the ground with a gasp as she clutched her broken nose. Blood poured down her face and obscured her vision as she turned to see that Twilight was almost unscathed. She spat out a few teeth and smiled at Twilight.

"Just like old times." Dash laughed, spitting out blood.

Twilight couldn't believe what had just happened. She had never expected the pegasus to come after her, she didn't expect anybody. As she hit the floor she looked about for Dash, managing to see her smile. Twilight couldn't help but smile back, it was nice to see somepony happy to see her but Dash was the last one she expected. But Dash was hurt, she needed to get to the hospital.

"We need to go to Pinkie's place." Dash said, pushing her nose back into place with a loud crack.

Pinkie crawled across the floor, a blood trail followed her as she slumped at the bottom of her stairs and reached a hoof to the door-knob. She cried like a newborn foal as she stared up to where she wanted to get to. Immediately the door opened and Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash entered, eagerly shouting out her name. Twilight peered down and noticed Pinkie was already near the door, slumped over and covered in blood. She gasped, screaming to Dash.

"DASH! PINKIE'S HURT!"

Fluttershy searched aimlessly across town for her once dear friends. She had never felt more alone, not even as a little filly. As soon as she needed them most, they were gone. She entered Town Square, and noticed ponies all around talking amongst themselves. Everywhere she turned, she saw friendships and relationships. Lyra and Bon Bon, for example, were making out on a nearby bench. This wasn't unusual to see, the two were passionately in love. Fluttershy was so jealous, she wanted to be in love just once in her life.

Derpy Hooves and her family were also out that day, the cross-eyed mare's tail entertwined with her husband Doctor Whooves. Their two foals, Ditzy Doo and Sparkler ran around giggling. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia were holding hands and sharing an icecream cone. Colgate and Carrot Top high fived, giggling about a private joke. But nobody paid any attention to Fluttershy. She was always alone.

The mare passed Sugarcube Corner, and an idea shone through her thoughts. Pinkie Pie was always kind and accepting, maybe she would be around! She entered the building, and approached Mrs. Cake.

"Hi there, Mrs. Cake. Um...is Pinkie around?" she asked softly, barely audible. Mrs. Cake smiled at her sympathetically.

"Oh Fluttershy, hun, I barely see Pinkie anymore. She goes by Pinkamena now, and she's well...changed."

"Oh. I'm sorry," Fluttershy murmured, bursting into tears. Mrs. Cake gave her a sympathetic look and patted her own the back gently.

"It's okay, honey. She'll be back to her old self in no time I'm sure. She does have a new place, you know."

Rainbow Dash soared through the air, ignoring her own pain, Twilight trailing behind on her own pair of wings as fast as possible. Dash was holding a limp Pinkie Pie and was headed straight for Ponyville's hospital. Twilight stared intently at the blood pouring from their friend, fearful for her fate. She prayed, ironically, that it hadn't been an attempted suicide. She struggled to keep up with Dash, but was fine with being a bit behind. She looked down at the blood when she saw a little yellow and pink pegasus below.

"FLUTTERSHY!" Twilight hollered, and saw the head lift. It really was Fluttershy! "DASH, KEEP FLYING. I'LL GO GET HER!" Dash nodded and flew even faster towards the hospital. Twilight swooped to the ground below, landing next to Fluttershy in a flurry of panic.

"Fluttershy! It's so good to see you! I've been looking for you all over!!"

"I've been hiding in my cabin," Fluttershy quickly explained, eager to find out what had happened to Pinkie, "what's going on?"

"We found Pinkie bleeding out at home, it's her birthday!" Twilight shuddered, looking at Fluttershy with a bit of desperation. Fluttershy whimpered and looked Twilight in the eye.

"Let's catch up with them."

Twilight looked up in the air to see that Dash was already out of sight. The two friends took off into the air once more, Fluttershy not even bothering to ask where Twilight had received wings from.

Pinkie Pie was rolled away on a wheelchair, rushed to the nearest operating room kept open for emergencies as soon as Dash had rung the bell. She spat right on the hospital floors once more, the nurse behind her counter feverishly writing away.

"You crashed into a tree and broke your nose? Don't you want some-"

"This isn't about me!" Dash shouted, pounding her fist down, "This is about my friend! Is she going to be okay?"

The nurse shifted uncomfortably, tilting her head and finding herself short of words. Rainbow Dash understood that the prospects were uncertain.

Twilight and Fluttershy arrived then, flinging the doors open and arriving in the Intensive Care Unit. Twilight looked around for Pinkie, and saw only blood.

"Where's Pinkie?" Twilight demanded of Dash.

"They took her away. They don't know if she's going to make it. We just have to wait." Dash explained, spitting once more. Fluttershy stepped up to her friends and felt happy to stand by their sides once more despite desperate situations. Dash turned to her friends and led them away nearby chairs to wait. She clutched her nose, still spitting despite obvious health rules.

"Hi, Fluttershy." Dash laughed, and soon all three were laughing. Despite the grim setting, it was good to be reunited.

9. Comfort

CHAPTER NINE

Pinkie Pie opened her weary, off-center eyes, feeling quite weak and sick. The first thing she saw were a pair of beautiful teal eyes and she felt her heart warm.

"F-Fluttershy..." Pinkie Pie mumbled happily smiling. She had her own hospital room now and was hooked up to an IV and a heart-rate moniter. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle exchanged a look of relief. They had all been waiting for Pinkie Pie's return to wake for hours. During that time, Rainbow Dash had received a few stitches for her broken nose and they had all caught up. Fluttershy had been diagnosed with PTSD recently, and she felt quite anxious. Although Fluttershy wouldn't tell her old friends what trauma had started it all, she clearly wasn't in a very good head space.

Rainbow Dash had been on drugs, an alcoholic, and had been partying non-stop. Twilight was depressed and just wanted to bring everyone together again. The three ponies had bonded over those hours of talking and felt wonderful that Pinkie Pie had finally awoken. Especially Fluttershy.

"Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy squeaked, hugging the pale mare tightly. Pinkie looked so pathetic, dark bags under her eyes and a frighteningly pale complexion. Her usually bouncy hair was straight as a pin. Fluttershy felt scared, but she still did love Pinkie Pie. Despite her violence, Fluttershy knew there was a beautiful mare below. Pinkie lifted up her weary arms and held Fluttershy as close as possible.

"I've missed you..." the friends could hear Pinkie Pie whisper. Twilight Sparkle conjured up a quick health spell, considering that Pinkie Pie was already stitched back up and given blood. The least Twilight could do was give Pinkie Pie a little bit of energy and make her feel a bit better.

Pinkie hugged Fluttershy tighter and the yellow mare squeaked in delight. The two were reunited and everything seemed to finally be going okay.

"It's good to see your okay, Pinks," Rainbow Dash said, looking on with a warm smile. Suddenly she felt a strange fear grip her. Her job was done. Pinkie was okay. Twilight was okay. Everypony was okay. Dash recalled her conversations that previous morning. Twilight had swaggered into her home full of hope, and Dash had left her broken. Pinkie must have tried to kill herself shortly after Dash left her. Her bright smile suddenly waned and vanished. She had been the reason they both had given up hope. She was the common denominator. She looked on fearfully at the happy embrace of her friends. Maybe...maybe she should leave them alone again. Maybe this was a sign. She looked down tearfully and said flatly,

"I've got to go," before galloping past Twilight and out of the hospital, where she took back to the air again in the direction of her house. Twilight stood immediately.

"Hey! Dash! Wait up!" she yelled as she galloped towards the mare, trying to keep up with her "D... Dash!" she yelled once more as her hooves started to get tired. She couldn't see Dash stopping any time soon so Twilight stopped and started to conjure a spell. She had been working on a short range transportation spell and if she was going to try it now was the best time. Her horn flared up in a magnificent ball of light, this was a powerful spell. Eventually the light enveloped her body and as she opened her eyes to see she found herself about ten meters up in the air further forward from where she used to be. Twilight prepared herself for impact with the ground as she fell. Right on top of Rainbow Dash! She collapsed on top of her, making them both fall towards the ground in a huge crash. Outside it was raining and cold.

Rainbow Dash was pretty tough, and took both their weight into the floor, somehow managing not to break a rib. She shook herself after the hit and noticed that it was Twilight on top of her. The pony she'd just been trying to avoid. Her wings kicked into overdrive as she attempted to lift off again, but Twilight was pinning her to the floor.

"Get offa me!" Dash shouted as she squirmed around trying to free. Through the corner of her eye Twilight could see Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie checking out of the hospital as quickly as possible. Twilight wished they could hurry up.

"Dash no! Why did you run?"

"Get off, Twilight!!"

"WHY!" Twilight shouted, thoroughly confused. She thought that things had finally been better! Dash growled and gave up squirming. Twilight didn't get off though. Soon Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were out of the hospital and running closer. Twilight looked at Dash straight in the eye and finally Rainbow returned the favor. Twilight's gaze said everything. The heavy rain soaked Fluttershy's mane and tail, and she looked at the ground below her feet. Shock vibrated through her body. She lifted her head in time to see blood wash away from Pinkie's coat. Pinkie Pie was so happy to see it wash away. Fluttershy slowly approached the squirming cyan mare, crouched down, looked straight into Dash's eyes.

"Rainbow. Please stay. You don't know how much I miss you." A wave of emotions hit the yellow mare quickly Fluttershy couldn't take it. Her legs gave out from under her, and she fell into a heap of sobs. She simply couldn't escape the sadness, not with her newfound PTSD and depression. Pinkie Pie quickly ran and hugged Pinkie tightly.

"Oh Fluttershy, no no. Please, stop," Pinkie's voice trembled, "come on, please, no tears, I can't bear to see more."

Rainbow Dash gave up struggling completely and went limp. It was then she noticed the rain. It fell in thick rivulets from the unkempt sky. Heavy droplets carrying untold wishes and promises. She closed her eyes and sighed loudly. Fluttershy's heavy sobs filled her ears, and Twilight's wide eyes filled her vision. She could have sworn that even Twilight was crying.

"You guys really want to get back together?" she said slowly towards the sky, "Despite everything that's happened? Despite all the things we've said and done? Despite all the things that I have said and done?"

"Dashie," Pinkie looked at the blue mare, "remember all the fun we had? The pranks? The parties? I've wanted that back since the beginning." Pinkie Pie's eyes suddenly centered, her pupils shrinking to a regular size. Everyone stared, shocked, but Pinkie didn't seem to notice the change. "Twilight, let her go, let her decide." she looked at the mare warmly.

Twilight couldn't help but chuckle as she stepped off of Dash and helped her up. "Not to mention we defeated the changelings, Nightmare Moon, King Sombra and Discord! Were not just great friends, we're a team!" she smiled as she wiped the tears and rain on her face. "I love all you girls, and I love AJ and Rarity. Even though we've had our troubles, nothing's going to change that!" she grabbed Pinkie and Fluttershy and hugged them tight. They hugged back warmly. Pinkie grabbed Dash and pulled her into the the team hug as well and smiled, something she hadn't genuinely done in a long, long time.

"Now, if we throw a party I've got a trick or two that we could use to get Rarity and AJ to come!" Pinkie Pie declared, already thinking up ideas. Dash looked around at the happy faces of her friends, and she felt like a massive weight had been lifted.

"Yeah, we're a team!" she replied cheered. Despite all of the pain, she could still feel some darkened part of her brain resisting. Pinkie Pie high fived Dash and squealed.

"ALRIGHT! Now Rainbow, clear up this rain and let the bright sun through!" Pinkie Pie practically sang her words, letting go of Dash. The blue pegasus mare fly quickly up to the sky and began to kick the clouds away. She sky was clear soon enough, and the sun was warm and comforting to all the ponies. It was time to start anew.

10. Like a Cloud Obscures the Sun

CHAPTER TEN

Things felt too good to be true for one very sensitive mare. Fluttershy, as much as she missed her friends and wanted them back, was unsure.

"Now hold on a second. I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. I mean..." Fluttershy sighed and tried to find the words to say. Few appeared. But something else did, named courage. "Dashie, you started partying way too much! I know that I wasn't much fun, I wasn't "cool" company, but I was your best friend!! Please, why did you have to leave? You used to pick me up when I was down! YOU DID!"

Rainbow Dash stood through the outburst, her mouth wide open. She'd always pushed Fluttershy to be more assertive and courageous, and she finally was. At the worst possible time. She felt her blind fury rising again and struggled to contain it. Nopony insulted Rainbow Dash! She threw her hoof at Fluttershy. But it was Fluttershy, the meek pegasus who always needed care. She stopped her punch at the last second and dropped it loosely to the floor.

Fluttershy turned to Twilight, her rage becoming sweet confidence. "And TWILIGHT! You always nitpicked me, everything! You were so busy with everyone else in the split, you COMPLETELY overlooked me! It hurt. I thought you might be the one to remember and care for me...I thought..."

Twilight was taken back by Fluttershy's comment, making her heart and stomach ache. She had never heard Fluttershy get like this, she always thought Fluttershy was calm...and kind...the outburst from her friend was too much to take, Twilight had thought she had fixed things!

Fluttershy turned at last to Pinkie Pie. "And Pinkie Pie. You used to delight in making everybody smile. You always remembered my birthday, Angel's birthday, and you always took fine care of me. But what happened? You're so...violent now!"

Pinkies mood dropped, her happiness was gone, the sparkle of joy in her eyes was dead, and she looked down to her hooves. Fluttershy didn't understand that Pinkie needed her too. It hadn't just been a one night thing.

"ALL OF YOU!!" Fluttershy turned at last, her rage taking over. Her face flushed and she pawed the ground in angst. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?! I NEEDED YOU!!"

Suddenly, she was back in her parent's basement, a small, frail, shy foal. She could hear her parents shouting and throwing items upstairs, both unicorns.

"Damn it, THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, YOU HEAR ME?!" her father screamed, smacking her mother across the face with the blunt front of his hoof. Fluttershy could hear her mother scream and skid across the floor. At the time, Fluttershy didn't understand why her father was so angry that she was a pegasus. Her parents were both unicorns, but Fluttershy felt so blessed to have little wings of her own. She didn't realise at the time that her mother hadn't been faithful to her father, and she also didn't realize why he suddenly hated the small filly so much.

"FLUTTERSHY! GET THE FUCK UPSTAIRS!" he screamed. Fluttershy shook in terror and slowly inched her way upstairs. As she entered the room, she noticed her mother was still lying on the floor, blood spilling from a crack in her head. She gasped, terrified and completely unsure of how to handle the situation.

"Daddy! Mommy needs help!" Fluttershy shouted, running over to comfort her mother's wounds. But her father yanked her away, in a swift and violent movement. He stared at her, rage in his expression. Their eyes met, his purple and hers blue.

"Fluttershy, did you know that two unicorns can't have a pegasus together? No one in our family is a pegasus, Fluttershy. Except you."

"Mommy says that's because I've got a free soul," Fluttershy giggled nervously, taking a step back from her fuming father. She was more confused than anything. Her father was letting her mother die, and now he was interrogating Fluttershy. He had never acted so mean or violent in all his years. "Um..."

"Free soul my fucking ass! YOUR MOTHER FUCKED A PEGASUS!" Her father screamed, smacking the tiny filly her hard across the face. She hadn't seen such a blow coming, and hit the floor in shock. She couldn't believe her father had hit her, and so hard. She continued to lie on the floor, in pain, tears beginning to form.

"Get up," her father ordered. Fluttershy obeyed, shaking. "I want you to fly."

Fluttershy's legs shook and her heart began to beat faster. She didn't know how to fly, her wings were underdeveloped and she had so much trouble balancing just right.

"But...I can't fly, Daddy! I don't know how yet!"

"YOU'RE GOING TO FLY OR YOU'RE GOING TO DIE TRYING!!" her father screamed, scooping the tiny filly up and dragging her quickly up the stairs to the roof.

Fluttershy shook her head, regaining stability.

"I'm sorry..."

When she opened her eyes she saw a cyan arm holding holding her close and felt the warmth of Rainbow Dash's body. Despite the sunny day she felt cold and sick.

"I know, Fluttershy, I know." Dash whispered comfortingly. Fluttershy poured the tears out on her friend's shoulder. Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie looked sympathetically at the pair, the mood suddenly defeated.

"I'm going home..." Twilight said, "I'll catch up with you girls later."

"I'll see you later..." Pinkie whispered, and the two mares left. They all seemed sincere, despite the sadness. Fluttershy continued to cry. The pale mare had missed Dash so much. All the fun, the encouragement, and the loyalty and protection her friends always seemed to provide. She wished she could have her Rock back, and she hoped Dash would stay for good.

Fluttershy stopped crying a few minutes later and realized that she had really hurt her friend's feelings. She felt that it was very important for her to find Pinkie Pie, considering that she had very strong feelings towards the mare. Fluttershy pushed away from Rainbow Dash a little bit and sighed.

"Thank you, Dash. We...we need to find Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy said. Dash met Fluttershy's eyes and nodded.

"If you're up for it, Shy. I'll come with. She's probably gone back home. Stick with me, I can show you the way." Dash smiled again. Fluttershy nodded to Dash, anxiety slowly growing in her. She sighed, relived to have a brave pony like Rainbow Dash at her side. It had been so long.

"Yes, please come with me. You know how...hyper Pinkie can be. I can't deal with that alone."

Dash started a canter and made sure that Fluttershy was right next to her. Fluttershy seemed obsessed with making things up with Pinkie, and was an unfortunately poor conversationalist. Rainbow Dash wasn't much better though. She knew the weather forepony would be looking for her soon to sort out the rain. She'd better hurry this up.

A few minutes later and they were stood outside Pinkie's place. The door seemed to be unlocked, and there was still a faint trace of blood on the earth from where Dash had stopped briefly to get her bearings.

"We're here. You want me to go with?" Dash asked.

"Yes please." Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash slowly entered Pinkie's home, which was darkly lit and very messy. The walls seemed void of decoration, despite being painted dark colors. Flutters could hear Pinkie's wails and moans echo throughout each room and in the halls. The environment was dark and eerie, leaving Fluttershy quite startled. Even though Pinkie's cries were muffled, Fluttershy could make out her own name. She shook with overwhelming fear, exchanging a worried look with Dash. As soon as she looked into those rose colored eyes, she knew that she would have to be brave.

"Pinkie?" she called out into the darkness, her own voice echoing off the walls. Pinkie went dead silent, and the whole house was more quiet than Fluttershy ever could have imagined with a friend like Pinkie Pie. Of course, she wasn't really Pinkie Pie anymore. She was Pinkamena Diane Pie, and Fluttershy knew she had to be more fierce.

"Pinkamena Diane Pie, where are you?" Fluttershy shouted, stamping a hoof down on the floor.

"I'm here Fluttershy..." Fluttershy heard Pinkie wail softly. The two mares ran upstairs to find Pinkie Pie lying on her bed in tears.

"Dash? Why are you here too?" Pinkie asked, confused.

"Because I care, Pinkie." Dash said, firmly.

Twilight was still at home, now about half-way through a book, and she had learned a lot! After finishing page 342 she decided it was time to write a letter to Celestia about all the good she and her friends had done that day. Twilight pulled a scroll from her stockpile and lay it on the desk, using her magic to control the feather

Dear Princes Celestia,

Today my friends and I had a small falling out, but it was soon resolved and now were back like nothing happened. It has helped me learn that even in our darkest moments true friendship will still come back and true friends will never leave our side.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight read over her message for mistakes and read back the last sentence. She felt lonely, but not defeated. She decided to try a new spell that afternoon, a dark spell. her magic was ready for it.

Suddenly Twilight heard pounding at her front door. Who could that be? Ponies rarely visited the library anymore! Twilight made her way downstairs and opened up the door, surprised to see three unexpected guests.

"Well well! The Cutie Mark Crusaders! I thought you three had broken up!"

11. The Truth Hurts

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Pinkie Pie moaned and shook her head, turning away from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, who had been waiting to speak to her. Pinkie was crying loudly still, and it made both of the waiting mares feel sick; especially Fluttershy.

"Rainbow Dash wont understand!" Pinkie pouted, her bottom lip quivering violently.

Twilight Sparkle's library was a dimly-lit mess, and the ex-Cutie Mark Crusaders noticed right off the bat. As the three young mares entered the library, they could see Twilight violently shuffling papers and kicking things aside. She'd clearly not had any visitors in a long time.

"It's a maht bit dark in here," Apple Bloom muttered whispered to the other ex-crusaders, who responded only with nods. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness the mess only seemed bigger and bigger.

"Place seems a little messier than usual," Sweetie Belle frowned. She realized that Spike had usually been the one cleaning. Even though Twilight Sparkle was generally organized and clean, Spike did the manual labour most often. The realization slowly hit each of the friends individually.

"Well, Twah, we were jus' thinkin'-" Apple Bloom began, but stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed the unicorn's current condition. She appeared to be pretty regular except for her wide, darting eyes. When Apple Bloom's eyes met with Twilight's she felt an alarming sensation tingle down her spine. They were wrong. During their bi-weekly classes, the zebra Zecora taught the earth pony how to quickly diagnose a pony if they were coming down with something. Looked like the purple pony was coming under a bad case of Black Magic. Or as Zecora would say, "Giza Uchawi!".

"Ya see, Twah," Apple Bloom continued, "We were goin' t' discuss what's goin' on. How things went t' heck with our friendships after Granny Smith's fun'ral, but it looks lahk yer gonna need some helpin' yerself! Have ya been dabblin' with magic that ya shouldn't be? Does Princess Celestia know 'bout this?"

The red-maned pony wanted to just roll up a newspaper and smack the older mare with it until the evil magic fell out, but it would be far harder than that. The rest of the ex-crusaders watched in shock, Apple Bloom continuing on fervently.

"Ya need t' cut it out with the whole 'dark art' nonsense, get Spahk back, an' start fixin' things! Maybe this is where it all started!" she glanced at the mare before glancing back at her friends, who were blushing and backing away. Had they angered Twilight? The violet mare actually just looked surprised, not a hint of anger in her eyes. She looked down at Apple Bloom, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"Haha, you've got quite an imagination, Apple Bloom! Dark magic? Surely you should know I would never try any of that stuff!" She tried to ignore the three of them, taking Apple Bloom's statement as an insult. "Now, if you just came here to insult my honour then you can leave. I wont hear anything like that from you or anypony else!" Twilight held her head high and started to gather a few pieces of scrap paper, mumbling to herself as she did.

"Ah'm not accusin' ya of anythin'!" Apple Bloom defended herself, standing in front of the other crusaders protectively, "Don't think jus' cuz we're younger than ya we're stupid. Ah've been studyin' under Zecora for years now, an' she's taught me a lot! Ah'd never be able t' use magic lahk a unicorn or even come close t' makin' the potions she can. But Ah do know when a pony has gotten into somethin' she shouldn't. Zecora told me that Dark Magic, or Giza Uchawi as she called it, is almost lahk a drug. It's easy t' learn an' use, an' it seems t' make it's users powerful strong! But in reality it slowly corrupts ya, makin' a user darker in body an' mind, an' eventually mentally and physically weaker. Usually ends in madness an' then death!" the young mare pleaded with Twilight, even more concerned than before. "Ya don't understand how much ya changed Ponyville when ya first stepped hoof off of that carriage all those years ago. This place used t' be borin' before ya came along. An' if ya go down the 'dark direction', you're gonna take Ponyville an' even all of Equestria down with ya. Now do ya really want to do that, Twahlaht?"

Rage began to awaken once more as Dash opened her mouth to complain, but she managed to close it again before she could say anything. She looked to Fluttershy and met her eyes, feeling the anger dissipate again before giving a solemn nod.

"It's alright, Pinks. I've got to clear up that rain out there anyway. I'll be sure to catch you both later." Dash then turned away and trotted back out of the house. Feeling her old energy return, she bounded into the sky with a leap and set about demolishing all the rain clouds. With a quick kick there- and a buck over here- the rain began to thin. She zoomed to-and-fro, dealing with the heavy rain-clouds with her swift, well placed kicks. While not exactly ten seconds flat, she did get the sky cleared within a minute. She hovered a little in the sky with a smile and nodded appreciatively of her work.

With that mindless task taken care of, she once again began to dwell on what had happened today. She'd spoken with Fluttershy and Pinkie, yet she still hadn't quite cleared things up with Twilight. After Pinkie's accident, Twilight had froze. A complete opposite to her usual take charge attitude. She obviously needed a dash of loyalty too. It's not like Dash had anything better to do. Dash was soon at Twilight's library and burst inside suddenly.

"Hey, Twi!" Rainbow called. Suddenly she noticed a very, very familiar orange coat. "Scootaloo?" Dash asked confusedly, "W-What are you doing back with that freak?!" she shouted suddenly as she noticed Sweetie Belle and completely forgot what she was doing there. All the anger from the morning rushed the floodgates of her self control and broke through. "That fucking punk insulted us both yesterday!" Dash ground her teeth and took a few steps towards Sweetie Belle menacingly.

Twilight saw Rainbow Dash taking a stand and felt immediately inspired. She held her head high, somewhat controlled by her dark magic, and stood beside her friend as they rebelled against the ex-Crusaders. They had accused her of dark magic! How dare they!

"Yeah! What do you think you're doing? Coming into my house and throwing about random accusations?" she felt happy, glad that she and Dash saw eye-to-eye on some things even though they were only partially going against the same enemy. The three young mares took swift steps backwards, confused and frightened. When did this happen?

"She's not a freak!" Apple Bloom defended Sweetie Belle, who looked absolutely petrified. "She's not well, but Ah'm doin' mah best t' help 'er! Ah want t' help you all. Don't ya see how things have gotten? This ain't raht! We need t' set everythin' raht. What if somepony terrible were t' interfere with us now?"

"As if you'd be helpful in a fight!" Rainbow Dash spat at Apple Bloom, "We both know you haven't got the traditional Apple strength! And what's Sweetie going to do? Bleed on them? Everypony knows she's the worst spell-caster in town!"

"We can't fight like this," Sweetie Belle said rationally, "I'm sorry about what I said, but fighting over these things isn't right. There's something wrong with everypony...can't you see? Even I've been affected now."

"You think there's something wrong with me? Why don't you look in a mirror, freak!" Rainbow Dash screamed, lifting a hoof. Sweetie Belle skittered back and crouched fearfully. For once she wasn't eager to be hit. Scootaloo's eyes filled with tears as she stood like a statue, looking Rainbow Dash in the eye and stepping in front of Sweetie Belle protectively. Could Rainbow understand? She needed friends more than ever before.

"Dashie! P-Please, I don't want to live my life friendless! I love you, but the Cutie Mark Crusaders have talked it out. We're back together again." she giggled, nervously, looking at the scowling Rainbow Dash. Memories filled her head, good and bad.

"Scootaloo. You don't have to live your life friendless. Just without these dweebs. There's a ton of young ponies out there. These guys'll just hold you back."

Fluttershy was now alone with Pinkamena Diane Pie in the dark house. She didn't feel safe, and panic began to fill her heart. Even though she was almost certain Pinkie wouldn't hurt her, she could never be too safe. Pinkie was rather violent now.

"P-Pinkie? I'm sorry, but could you turn some lights on? I'm really scared."

Pinkie sighed and got up with a yawn, still in tears. She trotted slowly to the light switch and flicked it on.

"Happy?" she asked calmly as she returned to bed and laid down again. Fluttershy smiled nervously as Pinkie flipped the light switch. Fluttershy still couldn't get over how different Pinkie looked now, stick straight hair and contorted facial expressions. It honestly did scare her, she had been hoping to see her smiley best friend when the time came. Instead, she was face to face with a sullen, angry pony on the verge of either murder or suicide.

"Yes. I am happy now, thank you. What did you want to say to me?"

"Fluttershy, you have it all wrong. You know?" Pinkie Pie didn't waste a second of time. She sat up and looked at the mare next to her. It was a blank expression, but her eyes showed care. "I tried to visit you but as our friends fell apart your animal companions held me back," she began to cry a bit, "I wanted to be next to you, to comfort you, to be there when you needed someone, and because I thought we together could get our friends back!" she looked down and sobbed a bit more, "But when I couldn't see you my world shook, it crumbled, I lost all happiness and hope without your sweet smiling face. I always felt so close to you, and after that night it only became stronger. That night meant to world to me!" Fluttershy was astounded, her whole world turned inside out.

"Pinkie, w-what are you talking about? You told me that night was all in good fun! But I really loved you after that! You mean to tell me you felt the same way?"

Silence overtook the room, despite the lights on it felt dark and empty.

"Do you still feel the same way, Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked, almost a whisper, looking Pinkie's sky blue eyes as straight as she could. Fluttershy missed Pinkie's curly, bouncy hair, her regular eyes, her overall cheerful and pleasant demeanor. She missed the shoulder to cry on, the constant adoration, and the overall love Pinkie had for her. Even though she refused to believe that her animals would stop PInkie from visiting the cottage, she did begin to see that Pinkie was not over her.

"I...I love you, Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy whispered, breaking into tears.

Scootaloo couldn't take it. Rainbow just didn't understand, and it was heartbreaking. Scootaloo thought that of all ponies Rainbow Dash would be the understanding one. She drank, partied, and slept with all kinds of mares every single night. But, as always, she saw nothing wrong with the way she was doing things and was the first to throw the stone.

Scootaloo wanted so badly to protect her friends, but if she lost Dash...she would lose everything. She would be living on the streets again, not a penny to her name. She might starve, and after her earlier performance with Dash that really wouldn't go well. She stood shaking, unsure what to do for a moment. Then, she found her courage, an overwhelming storm of emotions long bottled up spilling out.

"Nopony likes me, Dashie! Nopony! Everypony hates me because I don't know how to get along! I never learned!" Scootaloo wailed, tears rolling down her cheeks and making her throat burn. It felt good standing up to Dash, but at the same time she felt guilty and scared of retaliation. "Dashie...nopody likes me! Ditzy Doo is still scared of me because of that prank, Pipsqueak thinks I'm a total bitch, Featherweight dumped me in grade school and we haven't spoken since, Silver Spoon is dead, I haven't spoken to Archer, Half Note, Bee Bop, or Berry Pinch in years," Scootaloo gasped in air, beginning to feel faint with nerves. "Diamond Tiara hates my guts, Twist and Snails are hitched! I haven't seen them in years!!" Scootaloo broke down crying, suddenly missing all of her childhood friends. "I'm a loner, Dash! A LONER! NOPONY CARES ABOUT ME!"

Apple Bloom looked up at Rainbow Dash defiantly, shaking her head slowly.

"Ah an't gonna fight ya Rainbow Dash. But come on! Dweebs? Holdin' ya back? That sounds lahk somethin' a certain griffin used ta say. Remember her?" she glared at the pegasus before turning over to the former Cutie Mark Crusader, embracing the orange pegasus. "Ah'm here for you, Scootaloo, as is Sweetie. Ah promise never t' turn mah back on ya. Ah'll introduce ya t' the gang and yer gonna have more friends than ya'd ever need. Ah promise."

Apple Bloom then turned to Twilight Sparkle.

"Twah, y'all are better than that. Yer the greatest spell-caster in the history of ever. Ya don't need no junk-magic t' make ya stronger! Ya got us all! Ya still got Spahk, jus' send him a letter. Ya got Shinin' Armor, the princesses, ya got us all."

12. Difficult Decisions

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sweetie Belle looked into Twilight's deep purple eyes skeptically and moved slowly towards Scootaloo. She quietly whispered in the orange mare's left ear.

"It's okay, Scootaloo," she gave a small, comforting smile, "you have us. We can get you more friends." The ivory mare couldn't bear seeing her old friend looking so worried about Rainbow Dash's uncontrollable anger. "Maybe you could move in with one of us if she kicks you out. It's okay."

"You're a fool, Apple Bloom." Twilight Sparkle growled, looking at the little yellow mare with hatred. Sweetie Belle looked over at Twilight, her eyes wide. She stood next to Apple Bloom, gritting her teeth. She was genuinely scared, but she had to help her talk some sense into the unicorn.

"Twilight, please! You're the element of magic, surely you could fix things."

Fluttershy hadn't been so happy in a long, long time. A smile spread across her face, wide and strong, showing off her beautiful pearly white teeth. She wrapped her forelegs around Pinkie and held her tight.

"I love you, Pinkie Pie," she cooed, happier than ever. Suddenly, she noticed Pinkie Pie's hair fluffing up a bit and curling up near the ends. She gasped astounded. "Pinkie! Look at your hair!"

Pinkie shook herself, smiling, and jumped up and down.

"Oh, wowie! It's so fluffy!" Her soft, curly hair returned to it's normal condition. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Pinkie! You have the best mane when it's natural. Maybe a bit poofy right now, but I'm supposing you haven't used products on it in a long time."

Immediately Pinkie did something incredibly spontaneous, just like her old self. She planted a kiss directly onto Fluttershy's lips. She felt warm, fuzzy, and...happy! Truly, truly happy.

"I always knew you were special to me! I always knew you were the mare for me! I love you so much, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy blushed, so happy to finally be near her beloved Pinkie again. In a sudden fit of passion Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Pinkie's neck and kissed her back, knocking her onto the ground. Pinkie blushed, though not too obvious due to her pelt color, and noticed that the mare was on top of her now. Pinkie wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy, holding the beautiful slim Pegasus near her gently. She broke the kiss.

"This reminds me of that night," she smiled, "That super amazing night."

Fluttershy wanted to keep kissing Pinkie Pie forever, to have the lovely pink mare by her side for a few hours, Pinkie just...making her smile. But with Pinkie's next touch to her neck, she remembered something very dark and unpleasant. Something that she hadn't remembered in years.

Rainbow Dash hadn't noticed Scootaloo acting particularly lonely, but that was normally because she spent every waking second with Rainbow Dash. Everypony seemed quite high strung lately. First Fluttershy's rant, now Scootaloo was standing up for her friends. She didn't quite know how to react. Hot blood still flowed through her veins, trying to push her. It was taking all of her amassed self control just to stop her lid from blowing off.

"Scootaloo. I took you in. I've shown you every ounce of my kindness. I've treated you as I would a sister. I've given you much more than my family ever gave me. These two...these two broke your heart before, they broke your spirit! I am going to give you a choice right now, kid. Me or them."

Fluttershy screamed in alarm, her wings flying her into the ceiling almost immediately, an impulse or reflex she had no control over. She landed softly on the floor again, shaking with fear, voices taking over her thoughts.

"They say pegasi really like a thrill. You like it, don't you? You dirty little piece of shit pegasus. Beg!" Fluttershy could hear her father's harsh tone, see his hooves wandering around her body. She could smell everything, taste the salty, bitter remnants of sex.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie. I can't. Not today. I love you, but..." Fluttershy's mouth suddenly filled with saliva, a metallic taste ringing through her system. Her stomach churned over, and Fluttershy opened her mouth instinctively. A rising, acidic mess of what she'd had for breakfast came spilling out of her, straining her eyes and making her feel dizzy again. The half-digested greens of that morning were a sickening brown color, chunky and squishy looking. Her juices swirled around in a small puddle. Nothing had splashed her, thank Celestia, but she had still left a revolting mess and smell on Pinkie's nice carpet.

"I'm so sorry!" she rasped, voice still weary from the vomit.

"Oh my dear!" Pinkie jumped back, "Fluttershy! Oh dear, are you sick? Should I get a doctor?"

"No, I'm not sick. I just had a...flashback." Fluttershy whimpered, still nauseous.

Scootaloo shook with fear. She thought perhaps Dash would be more understanding, but instead she had gone the exact opposite direction. Now Scootaloo was forced to make her decision: her sister or her friends?

Rainbow Dash truly HAD offered her every kindness. She'd given Scootaloo a home with everything she'd ever dreamed. Every day Scootaloo was provided every amenity she could ever think up, including a warm meal in her belly anytime she was hungry. She was now Dash's flight partner! Rainbow Dash loved her enough to make accommodations when she moved in, and when she had a problem she could run to her sister with it.

SISTER. Now there was something Scootaloo had dreamed of every night when she was a foal. To have family, ANY family. Rainbow Dash was her hero back then and now Rainbow Dash was her SISTER. Scootaloo should have felt lucky. It SHOULD have been an immediate decision, obviously choosing Dash.

But Scootaloo couldn't help but remember all those lonely nights where she begged some higher power to provide her with friends, somebody to love and care for her. She couldn't help but imagine how much more vomit she'd have to scrape off the side of the toilet bowl, how many more times she might wake up hung over with a strange mare cooking her breakfast.

Her friends had just rejoined together that morning, but Scootaloo felt so fulfilled! Finally, she was hanging out with fillies her own age who might legitimately care for her. But would their sisters? Their friends? What if Apple Bloom changed her mind, or Sweetie Belle was too out of control? Where would she live, HOW would she live?

Scootaloo, torn, looked Apple Bloom in the eye, then Sweetie Belle.

"I'm so sorry, girls." she said, swallowing and trotting over next to Rainbow Dash, "I'm sorry, sis. You were right, completely. It wont happen again."

13. Change is Inevitable

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Pinkie smiled sadly at Fluttershy, not sure what kind of flashback the mare had just had. She quickly ran out of the room and returned with a wet cloth.

"Not a problem, shy," she said, leaning over and wiping away at the vomit gingerly. It smelled just terrible, reminiscent of hay but not quite. The smell made Pinkie's eyes water and she almost gagged herself. However, it was soon all cleaned up and the smell would soon fade as well. She then grabbed an air freshener, which smelled like vanilla, and misted the room with a thick, sugary smell.

Fluttershy felt her cheeks turn even more red than they already were.

"Thank you so much, Pinkie. I'm really sorry about the mess on your carpet and-" Fluttershy froze, sniffing the air immediately. She couldn't tell if the room now smelled bad or if it was her breath. How embarrassing! "The....smell. Say, do you have a toothbrush hidden anywhere?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes.

"Yes, silly!" she skipped away and came pack with a small yellow toothbrush and some toothpaste, "And don't worry, I don't mind the smell, I'll just go make cookies to cover it up! Why don't you head over to the bathroom and clean up?"

Fluttershy cringed with embarrassment as she stared at the toothbrush, but she still felt grateful.

"Err, thank you, Pinkie Pie, but baking cookies wont cover the smell, it will just mix in with it and make everything even worse."

Fluttershy quickly exited and brushed her teeth. The toothpaste was a sweet, sugary flavour, not the mint Fluttershy was used to. The bristles felt odd and slightly painful against her gums, which were now swollen and bleeding. Every time she spat, a trail of blood would follow. It was somewhat embarrassing, for Fluttershy took much pride in her hygiene, especially anything dental related. She could also smell every stink as it came off of her teeth, making her uncomfortable and nauseated once again.

Fluttershy found Pinkie Pie cooking away in a kitchen that had been cleaned up a little bit. Pinkie Pie had even opened up a window, and bright, natural light flooded the kitchen.

"All done!" Fluttersh chirped, proud of a job well done. She exchanged looks with Pinkie, who giggled at her achievement and high-hoofed the yellow mare.

"Sorry about the mess, Shy..." Pinkie Pie sighed, looking around at it, "I guess I'll just have to organize today!"

"Let ME," Fluttershy insisted, looking Pinkie in the eye and placing a hoof over her friend's foreleg. She knew how bad Pinkie was at organizing, and her kitchen really was a wreck. There were piles upon piles of dirty dishes, and there wasn't even a clean surface in sight. Crumbs stuck to the bottoms of her hooves, and every appliance was sticky. The sink was filled with dirty dishwater and the garbage was overflowing with discarded food wrappers and actual food. Flies surrounded the metallic can like vultures wanting a kill. Fluttershy was neat and tidy herself, and couldn't stand a mess. She really had trouble wrapping her head around the fact that Pinkie was totally fine with living in a germ-ridden pigsty like she did. Fluttershy would have gotten sick or called in help by this point and time.

Pinkie Pie blushed and looked at Fluttershy skeptically.

"Fluttershy, how about we go for a walk instead?" her eyes shone with a certain energy Pinkie Pie hadn't recognized in a long time.

"Yes."

Apple Bloom's heart sank and her eyes filled with tears. She exchanged a regretful glance with Sweetie Belle, and the two fillies tried to protest Scootaloo's ultimatum.

"Please, Rainbow Dash! I know we've messed up in the past, but this time it's all different. We're going to be the best friends Scootaloo could ever ask for!" Sweetie Belle argued, hurt and confused.

"We could at least try!" Apple Bloom added, desperate not to lose Scootaloo again.

Dash was confused. Confusion just made her even more angry. It was a wonder she hadn't punched anypony yet, but judging from the way she gnashed her teeth and flexed her hooves, that couldn't be very far away. She saw Scootaloo hesitate. That was the last straw. With a step forward she threw her hoof at Apple Bloom's face. It connected with a loud crunch.

Apple Bloom had been ready for the punch, she had known that Rainbow Dash was going to need to release her frustrations on somepony eventually. She had prayed it would not be Sweetie Belle, who was in such poor shape that a feather probably could knock her out. Even Scootaloo, who was physically a tough little mare, was emotionally just as bad as Sweetie Belle. Thankfully it was the young Apple who the older pony took her anger out on. As Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof into the light olive mare, she quickly shifted her back back along with the punch, and angled her head just right so the punch would avoid her eye. It would still hit her, and it would hurt, but she would not lose a eye in the process.

Apple Bloom fell to her knees groaning, clutching her face with a hoof as it throbbed. She was definitely very bruised, and she could feel blood begin to trickle out of a small cut.

"I'm sick and tired of you acting all fucking sanctimonious!" Rainbow Dash screamed at the dazed earth pony, "You were just like the rest of us! You fucked up your friendships with your own fucking ignorance! You can't just stand there and lecture me on how to treat the only fucking pony I ever gave a damn about!" Rainbow shouted with all of her pent-up anger and rage. "How can I even think about trusting you with Scootaloo again? You can't even look after your own bitch of a sister!" Rainbow turned on her hooves and trotted towards the door. "Come on Scoots. Fuck these guys."

Sweetie Belle was soon at Apple Bloom's side, her timid nature put aside for a few moments.

"Are you okay?" Sweetie kneeled next to her, taking a close look at the injury on her face, "That- that must've really hurt."

"Prob'ly just got a bruise..." Apple Bloom fell on her rump and sighed, "Ah jus' don't know! Ah thought Ah had all the answers! Thought Ah could get everypony back together again and make it all lahk it used t' be!" she quickly wiped away the tears as they started to flow. "We maht need the other girls t' help break Rainbow Dash out of her grumpy-funk."

Apple Bloom looked up and saw Twilight Sparkle staring at her in an observing manner. Her skin practically crawled.

"Get out of my library, girls..." Twilight quietly said, escorting Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to the door. They didn't protest.

ONE WEEK LATER

Rarity's eyes slowly opened, and all she could see was fuzzy, bright light. As her eyes slowly focused she saw a pair of worried green eyes staring back at her. A loud beeping sound chimed next to her ears and she could feel a sharp IV sticking into one arm.

"Rarity!" the white mare immediately recognized Applejack's relieved voice.

"Wh-where am I?"

"The hospital, Rar," Applejack replied nervously, "don't ya remember?"

"Remember..." Rarity echoed.

"Ah found ya lyin' in the street!" Applejack cried, clearly exasperated. Suddenly the door opened and a sullen looking nurse with blue eyes a pink mane in a bun entered.

"Miss Rarity, I'm glad you're awake," she said, checking boxes off a clipboard, "You're very lucky that Applejack here found you earlier today. I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind..."

"Don't mind..." Rarity echoed.

"Now, have you been eating?"

"What kind of question is that?" Rarity asked, immediately frustrated.

"Miss Rarity, you arrived here anemic, fatigued, and vitamin deficient. You clearly have not been eating."

"What business of yours is that?" Rarity snapped, anger taking over.

"No need to be angry, Miss Rarity," the nurse replied, taking a step back cautiously. Applejack, who had been shifting around on her hooves for some time looked to the nurse and then to Rarity sternly.

"Rarity, yer as skinny as a plucked chicken. Your mane is fallin' out. For Celestia sakes, Rar, yer a mess!" Applejack lectured her friend, pounding her hooves on the ground.

"That's enough, Applejack," the nurse said softly, then turned back to Rarity, "Miss Rarity, have you been sexually active in the past few months?"

Scootaloo sat on the floor in tears. She had never felt so lonely in all her life, and she had never been so angry with Rainbow Dash in all her years. How could she restrict her to just a sister or two friends? Of course she had picked the sister. Family before anything, right? At least, that's what people used to tell her, especially Apple Bloom (who, of course, had an enormous family).

Scootaloo had nobody in the world anymore except Dash, and the thought made her sick. Maybe she had been right, though. Maybe Sweetie Belle was just a pretty little bitch with serious pain game problems. And maybe Apple Bloom was just a dull little hick who would move on from Scootaloo in a second as she had before. But something just wasn't right. Scootaloo immediately knew who she'd need to visit: Twist.

In the next room over Rainbow Dash had locked herself in. The life she'd built in the past six months since Granny Smith's death was in serious danger of crumbling all around her. That Apple bitch had been trying to take Scootaloo back. Dash did the right thing, right? So why did it feel so wrong? Why did Twilight have to try and befriend her again? Why did Scootaloo have to grow up now? Why was this all happening now? Dash needed something familiar. Something that New Dash'd enjoy. It was too early to hit the clubs though. Another stunt? Without Scotaloo there was no point. She sat up and glimpsed a half empty bottle of Absinthe under her bed. She'd found something to do. She grabbed the bottle and swigged it. The liquid ran down her throat like molten lava, burning her esophagus with its potent touch. She could have her own party, she decided.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom laid around lethargically, not sure of what to do next. The two young mares had been brainstorming ideas to get everypony together for a few hours, but no such luck. Apple Bloom had seen Applejack leave hours ago, and Sweetie Belle wasn't sure where Rarity was. The two girls found much solace in one another, solace that their sisters could never offer again.

"Ah think Ah'll stop bah Zecora's place an' pick up some more serum for yer scars, Sweetie Belle. They're lookin' better, though,"

"Thank you," Sweetie Belle replied quietly. She had begun to care for herself again, and she hadn't cut herself since she and Apple Bloom had been reacquainted.

"Ah've got it," Apple Bloom said, absolutely certain of herself.

"Got what?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused.

"The solution. We throw a big ol' Pinkie Pie party!" Apple Bloom declared, "Think about it! It's perfect!"

Sweetie Belle replied to her with a smile and a grin, not a word escaping her lips before the two girls got to their hooves again and headed towards the door. They took off for the town, quickly arriving in town square.

"Who do we talk to first?" Sweetie Belle asked, curious. Apple Bloom pondered for a moment, but knew her answer almost immediately.

"Twalaht. There was somethin' odd about her behavyer last tahm we saw her. Ah think she wants a change."