Fractum Speculum

Chapters

Chapters 1-5
Chapters 6-10
Chapters 11-15
Chapters 16-Epilogue

Chapters 1-5

One

The sun rose, casting a warm glow over the rooftops of Ponyville. Birds chirped, hooves clattered, and all around ponies exchanged friendly greetings, wishing a good day upon each other. The atmosphere could accurately be described as perfect.

It was amidst this contented scene that Pinkie Pie found herself, skipping along quite happily, thinking of lyrics to her new song.

“What rhymes with amused? Hmm... Bemused? Nah, no good”

It had been a hectic week, but one she’d loved none the less. Pinkie had always loved parties, and was renowned throughout Ponyville for throwing the best of the best.

Lately she’d challenged herself to make each party better than the last. A task she’d taken to with glee last month when organising Rarity’s birthday party. It had been her most ambitious project ever, not counting the after party for the royal wedding, but really what could top that. And as always, she pulled it off.

However this caused one slight problem, the sheer magnitude of making the next party better. Which came right around the corner. Fluttershy insisted nobody make a big deal over her birthday, and Pinkie conceded... or at least, she pretended to.

In order to make Fluttershy’s party a success, Pinkie cleared her entire schedule for the whole week leading up to it, though of course she was never very good at scheduling as Twilight was quick to remind her. Luckily Fluttershy had been dragged to Cloudsdale by Rainbow Dash to cheer her on in yet another of her attempts to catch the attention of the Wonderbolts.

Pinkie offered to house sit for her, feeding and caring for the many animals she sheltered. In fact it was Applejack who’d taken sole responsibility for this job while Pinkie took care of the party arrangements. She worked day and night preparing what she hoped would be her most super, special, sparkly, spectacular party ever.

And so the morning of Fluttershy’s birthday Pinkie was walking through the main street. All the preparations were complete, except one... she still had to find the perfect gift for her. Pinkie firmly believed a birthday was about having fun with friends rather than material gain, but she couldn’t not give Fluttershy a present, they were so close.

Pinkie was so focused on her song (which she planned on serenading Fluttershy with that evening when she returned) and what to get her as a present that she didn’t see the unicorn that’d walked out in front of her.

The resulting collision wasn’t dramatic but she was still knocked to the ground none the less.

“My dear I do apologise, if I’d known you were there I wouldn’t have been so careless,” came a wispy voice.

Dazed, Pinkie shook her head craning her neck to see who was standing above her. At first it was only a silhouette, a strangely shaped silhouette at that. But as her vision focused she took in a scrawny, wizened stallion. Grey coat flecked with white. He wore thick lensed spectacles which completely obscured his eyes. And a top his head was a twisted horn.

But the thing that was most odd about this pony (whom she’d clearly never seen before) was what he was carrying on his back. It looked at first glance to be nothing more than a wooden crate, easily twice the size of him. But upon further examination she saw it was divided into smaller sections, each varying in colour and texture. It was vaguely reminiscent of a toy she’d had while growing up, a cube with different coloured sides which could be adjusted so the colours were mixed up. The objective was to realign the colours to their original sides, though she’d never found it difficult. Her mother claimed it was because of her ‘eidetic’ memory.

Rousing herself from the pony’s peculiar appearance, she picked herself up and applied her most welcoming smile.

“Oh no it’s my fault,” he responded with a wry smile, good start. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here, my names Pinkie Pie.”

“It’s a pleasure young lady. My name is Davitt. Would it be too much trouble to request your assistance?”

“Of course not! What do you need?” she exclaimed jumping invasively close to her new friend.

“I was just passing through on my way to Vanhoover, but I appear to be a little disorientated. You couldn’t take me west could you?” he asked tentatively.

“Could I!” Pinkie jumped onto her hind hoofs, spinning on the spot. “If you would like to follow me, it would be my pleasure to escort you through Ponyville.”

They set off down the street, in the direction Pinkie hoped was right. Along the way Pinkie talked at length about herself, her friends and Ponyville. Davitt seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.

“And then I ran into you. And that’s my life up until today.”

“Pinkie, there’s no denying you’ve enjoyed quite a life.”

“Thanks! What about you? What’s with the box?” she enquired.

“Box? Oh this.” He said glancing at his luggage, “well I make a living by collecting and selling odd and random things all over Equestria. This ‘box’ allows me to carry all my items with me wherever I go.”

“It looks heavy!” Pinkie said wide eyed.

“Oh it is. But magic helps.”

“So that’s why you’re going to Vanhoover?” she asked.

“Yes, Manehatten ponies cared very little for my inventory.” He sounded disappointed, and then an idea seemed to occur to him. “Would you like to peruse my wares?”

“Oh, oh, oh! Yes please!” she said bouncing on the spot.

A pale grey aura gripped the box, raising it off Davitt’s back. Pinkie observed his face closely, taking in the strain of concentration. His powers were clearly waning with old age. Pinkie gasped as in the air the box began altering itself, the different sections moving about, switching place with one another. Finally the box was lowered to the ground where it opened up to form a stall structure filled with the most random assortment of bits and bobs Pinkie had ever seen.

Her eyes swept over gems and runes, scrolls and books.

“As I said, I collect all manner of items and sell them to whoever’s buying,” he explained. “I’ve got toxins, tonics, herbs, fungi, seeds...”

But Pinkie stopped listening as her eyes came to rest on something. A glass ball covered in a thick layer of dust. She was unsure why it caught her attention but as she looked at it, the orb began pulsating with a dark light.

Following her gaze Davitt remarked, “Seen something you like?”

Pinkie broke her gaze and met Davitt’s eyes (or where his eyes would have been had they not been obscured). Was it just her imagination, or had something flitted across his face? A shadow? But it was gone as quickly as it was there.

“What is that... orb thingy?” she asked locking sights with it again.

“I haven’t the faintest notion,” he replied. “It was bartered to me for an amulet.”

“How much?” she asked unable to look away.

“Going by the value of the amulet... one hundred bits.”

Pinkie’s mouth dropped open, she turned ready to haggle, but instead she said, “Give me one minute.”

She rushed home and back again as fast as her legs would carry her (which was pretty fast). She arrived back carrying a bag with her savings clenched between her teeth. Just enough. The exchange was made, Davitt presenting the orb in a box with string attached so Pinkie could carry it. He then reassembled his stock, replacing it on his back.

They continued talking until they arrived at the edge of Ponyville where Pinkie turned and said, “Hey I was going the right way after all. Thanks again for the...” she said nodding at the box currently resting at her hooves. This time she was sure she didn’t imagine it, a shadow crossed over Davitt’s face and his smile could only be described as... creepy.

“Any time,” he said, once again looking as he always had been. “Thank you Pinkie Pie. I hope we see each other again someday.”

Pinkie chose to forget what she saw... or what she thought she saw. She sat in her house polishing the orb, without the dust she could see clearly it was almost pitched black, but with a slightly blue tint. She didn’t regret for a second the ridiculous price she spent on it... well maybe a little. What was she thinking! She’d just spent her entire savings on something she had absolutely no use for!

“What do you think I should do with it Gummy?” she turned only to realise she was talking to thin air. Come to think of it she hadn’t seen Gummy since she got home.

It didn’t take her long to locate him. Glancing under the bed she could see him curled up in the corner... trembling. As she reached out a hoof inviting him to come out he flinched and... Hissed at her? Like he was terrified of her? She would have to get Fluttershy to take a look at him when she got back.

“Fluttershy!” Pinkie screamed jumping into the air. She’d completely forgot about Fluttershy’s present, and there was only twenty minutes before she was due back and the party was to start. Panicking she ran in circles around her bedroom, she needed a gift and she needed it now. Then she put two and two together...

Two

Fluttershy wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Oh she feigned it so as not to hurt Pinkie Pie’s feelings. But she knew when Rainbow Dash asked her to leave for the week immediately followed by Pinkie offering to house sit, what they were planning. She didn’t argue or try to stop them because frankly... she was touched. She didn’t want to make a big deal over her birthday, but the fact that her friends did meant the world to her. So she had agreed to leave, but made sure to ask Applejack to take care of the animals while she was gone, as she knew rightly Pinkie wouldn’t know where to start even if she wasn’t making party preparations. So when she arrived, walked through the door with Rainbow to find all her friends gathered... her shock was an act, but her happiness wasn’t.

About an hour into the party she found herself standing next to the punch bowl regaling Rarity with stories of Cloudsdale while she heard all about the new fabrics Rarity had just received.

“And once it’s ready you’ll look stunning.” Rarity finished.

“Oh that’s so nice of you, but really you didn’t have to go to so much trouble.” She responded softly.

“Nonsense. I make dresses in my sleep.” She assured her.

“Speaking of presents,” Pinkie said announcing herself.

“Oh not you too. After all the trouble you put into making this party, you don’t owe me anything.” Fluttershy pleaded with her.

“I think you’ll change your mind when you...” she produced a brightly coloured parcel out of nowhere and nudged it across the floor to Fluttershy ”Open it!” said Pinkie Pie with a big smile on her face.

Taking her time Fluttershy peeled back the wrapping paper, and with a hoof slid the lid of the box back to reveal...

“Ohhh!” Fluttershy and Rarity said in unison. Reaching in Fluttershy brought up the blue black orb transfixed by it.

“It’s beautiful.” She said

“It really is, where ever did you get it?” added Rarity.

Pinkie just tapped her nose and dashed off to the dance floor to join Cheerilee. The two ponies returned to staring at the object cradled in Fluttershy’s hoof.

“What do you think it is?” she asked Rarity, “some kind of jewel?”

“No jewel I’ve ever seen, it looks magical.” They remained there for some time lost in the dark depths, broken only out of their little world by Sweetie Belle bawling her eyes out.

“Rarity, Scootaloo pushed me!” she whined.

“I’d better take care of this,” she said disgruntled tearing her eyes from the orb and walking towards the brawling fillies. Fluttershy replaced the orb in its box and carried it upstairs, hiding it under the bed for good measure.

The party carried on late into the night, with ponies breaking off here and there to go home. Eventually Fluttershy was exhausted and keeled over on the dance floor.

“Alright I think we’ve carried on long enough, we should let Fluttershy get some sleep.” Applejack said addressing the half dozen ponies still in the room.

“But I’m not tired!” Applebloom moaned.

“That’s not the point, the guest of honour is.” Applejack whispered with a stern expression. Applejack began picking up streamers and popped balloons from the floor.

“Oh don’t trouble yourself.” Fluttershy said raising herself unsteadily from the floor. “I can clean up tomorrow.”

“Actually nobody has to trouble themselves.” Twilight chipped in, “after Pinkie’s last party I’ve been practicing a new spell just for such an occasion.”

With a blast of purple light from her horn, the room was bathed in an ethereal glow. All the rubbish began clearing itself up, the furniture rearranging itself, and a cloth flying over all the surfaces.

With the house clean in little over two minutes, the remaining guests said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Fluttershy ascended the stairs to her bedroom, her wings feeling ever so heavy. All she wanted was to get in bed and sleep. But first... she pulled the box out from underneath the bed and opened it up. There it was, safe and sound. Picking it up, she arranged it on the mantel over her fireplace. There it sat, pulsating peacefully. After a minute of staring (though it could have been an hour and she wouldn’t have noticed) she resigned herself to sleep and buried herself underneath the covers.

Morning seemed to shift in seamlessly, and Fluttershy awoke feeling refreshed and reenergised. Looking one last time at the orb she glided down the stairs. She was now very glad Twilight used her magic as cleaning might have ruined her good mood. Something caught her eye though. She walked slowly over to the full length mirror, cocking her head to one side. The mirror was cracked. A single diagonal crack. It must have happened during the party she figured. But then she remembered how Twilight’s spell repaired a broken chair, it must have happened at some point after that.

She shrugged it off. It had been a whole week since she’d seen all her animal friends, and she was looking forward to catching up with them. But as she stepped outside she immediately noticed something wasn’t quite right. There was little (if any) noise or activity outside. The birds weren’t singing, the chickens weren’t clucking, and no animal came rushing to greet her as she opened the door. They were all there, they just seemed... off. Like they were bored or depressed. This thought shook Fluttershy and she went about with haste trying to rouse some interest in all the animals, but to no avail. After an hour of feeding and cleaning and pampering, she sat on a log staring into space. Her entire life had been devoted to caring for animals, and now she couldn’t do anything to help a single one.

The tears came quickly to her eyes, and before she could stop herself she was curled up on the ground crying like a newborn foal. She wasn’t a stranger to having emotional breakdowns. Angel was so used to it; he would always be on hand with a tissue.

“Angel?” she said looking all around. She hadn’t seen Angel all morning. Thinking back she definitely saw him at the party, she remembered trying to stop him gorging on birthday cake out of fear he’d get sick. But so far she hadn’t seen him all morning. She needed Angel more than ever right now, and so she set about looking for him.

Three

Twilight Sparkle stood on a crag, watching the waves crash all around her. Every night she came back here, so she knew she was dreaming. She looked at the sky, and saw the familiar imposing black clouds, heard the rumble of distant thunder. Then she felt it, that presence, right behind her. She turned and looked straight into the eyes of Applejack. She knew exactly what was going to happen, and she tried desperately to wake herself. She didn’t want to see it again.

“I’m so sorry Twilight...” she said, her voice echoing through the whole world.

Wake up. Wake up. She tried desperately to pull herself out of the dream.

“... I never wanted this to happen...”

Wake up. Wake up. Applejack raised her hoof, removed her hat and bowed her head.

“No!” Twilight screamed, sitting up in her bed.

“Spike, why did you let me sleep in so long?” Twilight asked in an annoyed tone, walking down the stairs.

“I figured you needed your sleep, especially since you stayed up so late last night.” He responded apologetically.

“I don’t have time to sleep, I need to study.”

“Are you alright Twilight?” Spike enquired, sounding concerned, “you’ve been more withdrawn than usual lately.”

“I’m fine.” She said not meeting his eye. Her stomach rumbled and Spike raced over carrying left over pie on a plate.

After eating Twilight sat down to read, pretending she didn’t notice Spike eyeing her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“Um Twilight?” she looked up from her page to see Spike belch out a stream of green fire. The scroll spun out of the inferno striking her in the face.

“Sorry, I wasn’t aiming.” He said clutching his stomach. Twilight raised her horn breaking the seal on the scroll and unravelling it. It had been a while since she’d received a letter from Princess Celestia, and when she got this one her heart missed a beat.

“Dear Twilight, it is of the utmost importance that you come to Canterlot immediately. There is a crisis unfolding and I need your counsel. Enclosed is a specially enchanted onyx, upon breaking it you will be granted a temporary power surge which will allow you to teleport yourself straight to Canterlot. Please come as soon as you receive this message, before it’s too late.”

While Twilight examined the small black stone that dropped out of the scroll, Spike read over the letter. She could see his eyes going back and forth, clearly rereading it.

“What do you make of it?” she asked when she was sure he was done. But he didn’t respond, he seemed to be lost in thought. “Well I’d better go.”

“Wait, Twilight don’t you think this is a bit strange?” he said in a curious tone of voice.

“Strange? How?”

“I can’t put my claw on it.” He said frowning, “but don’t rush off, take a minute to help me figure this out.”

“Spike I can’t ignore a summons from the princess.” She could see he was about to argue, so before he could she raised her hoof and brought it down, shattering the onyx.

Twilight had never felt anything quite like it; her whole body was surging with power, shining with a brilliant magenta light. It felt like she was going to burst, so she raised her horn and focused all her thoughts on the royal palace at Canterlot. And with a final blinding flash, she was gone.

Opening her eyes she was greeted by at least a dozen (un-amused) royal guards. Of course anyone who teleports right into the palace was hardly a welcome sight. But as soon as they realised who it was they relaxed greeting her like old friends. Twilight swayed a little on her feet, she wasn’t used to so much power and it left her feeling week. But she had no time to spare, gathering herself she excused herself from the greeting guards and galloped towards the throne room.

Sparing no thought for common courtesy she burst through the great doors, not stopping till she was at the foot of the throne.

“Princess Celestia, I came as quickly as I could.” But looking up Twilight was surprised to see the throne empty. Looking around she saw the whole room was empty. She was so caught up she hadn’t even noticed.

“My lady,” one of the guards called after her, marching into the room. “We tried to tell you, the princess is on a royal visit to the crystal empire.”

“But I just received a summons.” Twilight said confused.

“Impossible, the princess has been away for over a week.”

“Isn’t there someone else? Princess Luna perhaps?”

“I’m afraid both princesses are gone,” he said apologetically. Then he added on a helpful note, “They are due back tomorrow afternoon. If you would like to wait, we can have a room prepared for you.”

Twilight hesitated. This didn’t make any sense. “That would be appreciated.” She finally said. The guard saluted and marched out. Twilight began to get an eerie feeling, and she began wishing she’d listened to Spike and not rushed off. She began to make for the door again, when her whole head started swimming. Falling to the floor she clutched her head, she could feel herself drifting out of consciousness. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed were two pegasi rushing to her aid.

Four

Rarity licked the blood from her flank. It was only a pin prick, but still she’d been distracted all day. Shaking her head she tried to rid herself of that image, the black orb clutched in Fluttershy’s grip. Throughout the whole party she kept glancing under tables trying to find where she hid it. She hadn’t slept all night, every time she closed her eyes the image of the orb was burned in her vision. And all day no amount of stitching and weaving could keep her mind occupied.

Looking down at the sheet of fabric from her leg, she could see she was shaking. Shaking out of anger. She thought back to how Fluttershy gloated over her new toy, dangling it over Rarity’s head. And Pinkie Pie, she could see clearly who she valued more as a friend. The time and effort she put into Fluttershy’s party made hers look tame, and the garnet she gave her as a present was now worthless compared to the prize she gave Fluttershy.

It wasn’t fair. Fluttershy had no appreciation of such antiquities, it should have been hers. Finally unable to take any more, she threw the materials to the floor and charged upstairs. Taking the garnet Pinkie gave her, she threw it into a bag. Then began piling whatever jewellery she could get hold of in with it. It was simple she’d wait till Fluttershy was asleep, then replace the orb for the jewels. Nobody could say that wasn’t a fair trade, if anything Fluttershy would come out richer because of it. That was right, she was doing this because she was such a good friend, so good in fact, Fluttershy and Pinkie were lucky to have her, and should have just given her the orb as a reward for being so good.

Satisfied with her load, she swung the bag over her back and made for the door. Suddenly Opalescence leapt form the bed and began pawing at her flank, mewing loudly.

“Not now Opal, mummy’s busy.” Shaking the cat off she continued. But Opal ran ahead of her blocking her way. “Opal seriously, what is the matter with you.” But as she looked down she saw something in Opal’s eyes she’d never seen before, it was as if she was pleading with her, begging her not to do this.

“What am I doing?” Rarity exclaimed, what had come over her. She threw down the bag and backed slowly away. She had been about to steal from one of her best friends, she was supposed to symbolise generosity. She collapsed in the corner horrified with herself. But even so, there was a lingering desire to carry out her act regardless. It was only now she’d really stopped to think, “what is that orb?”

Five

Fluttershy awoke. That was the first thing that surprised her, she couldn’t remember going to bed, yet here she was. It was pitch black all around, the middle of the night it seemed. Thinking back she remembered searching for Angel, as far as she knew, she hadn’t been successful. Standing in the middle of her bedroom (when did she get out of bed?) she began to hear something like a low murmuring. She pricked her ears up trying to figure out where it was coming from, but it seemed to be all around her. She couldn’t make out what was being said, as she was sure it was voices, like walking into a room where crowds of people were whispering to each other.

The sound persisted as she descended the stairs. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she could see no obvious disturbances in the downstairs room. But at a second look the mirror caught her attention. Tip toeing across the floor she peered into it. At first nothing seemed out of the ordinary, she could see her reflection and there was the crack she’d seen earlier. But something was seeping out of the crack. Bringing her head forward she stared into the crack where she saw some kind of black go, which looked almost like treacle. Leaning back again she surveyed the mirror. It looked like it was cut and bleeding. Then she saw the white rabbit reflected standing behind her.

Turning she saw Angel standing stock still at the other side of the room.

“Oh Angel I’ve been so worried about you.” She hurried over but immediately Angel freaked and ran trying to open the door, trying to escape.

“What’s wrong? It’s me Angel.” Reaching forward with a hoof she tried to calm him. Then suddenly his head snapped around and he sank his teeth into her.

She screamed and pulled back. Looking down to see torn flesh and blood dripping from the wound. She barely noticed the whispering had grown louder, staring at the wound an unfamiliar anger began rising in her. Angel ran around her making for the stairs. Fluttershy turned and with all haste flew at him, pinning him beneath her hoof. Angel was on his back staring up terrified, unable to breath. Anger flowed through Fluttershy and she slowly pressed down upon Angel’s tiny body. The whispering was now thundering throughout the house, still indistinguishable but it echoed through every nook and cranny, reverberating in Fluttershy’s skull.

Angel was struggling beneath her hoof, panting and scrabbling with his paws trying to free himself. Fluttershy just stared... and smiled. The room began moving, the floor boards expanding and contracting, the stairs extending, the furniture twisting itself into hideous mockeries of what they used to be. And all over, the mysterious black goo began leaking out of the cracks and gaps, soaking the room in darkness.

Finally Fluttershy’s hoof came pummelling down. She felt Angel’s ribcage shatter, saw the blood burst from his chest and gaping mouth. The whispering faded, and the house reverted to its usual state, like nothing had ever happened. It seemed the only thing that had changed was the mirror, there wasn’t just one crack... it was shattered, a spider web of lines criss-crossing over the entire pane.

Fluttershy sighed and looked down at the ragged remains of her faithful pet. Strange, she felt no sadness for the creature she’d care for all its life, just disappointment that it ended so quickly. And then she remembered... she owned lots more animals!

Chapters 6-10

Six

Twilight Sparkle stood on a crag, watching the waves crash all around her. Again? She peered across the familiar horizon, taking in the black clouds and the churning ocean. And then the presence. She turned ready to see Applejack... but instead she gazed upon the tall, dark figure of Princess Luna.

“Time to wake up Twilight Sparkle.” She said in her booming Canterlot voice. All around Twilight the dream began to dissolve, and she was lunged into the waking world.

She didn’t want to open her eyes yet. Wherever she was, it was so comfortable, she could lie here forever. But then a familiar voice caught her attention.

“How are you feeling Twilight?” her eyes shot open and she met the gaze of Princess Celestia, her younger sister standing at her side.

“You’re back!” she exclaimed forgetting all notion of politeness, “but I thought you were away on a royal visit.”

“Indeed we were, but as luck had it we made it back a day early,” she said giving her usual warm smile.

A day early. That meant she must have just arrived after Twilight passed out. Glancing out the window she saw it was night time, she must have been out for a few hours. Celestia leaned in closer, “tell me what happened Twilight, why are you here?”

“Because you summoned me your highness.” Twilight responded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. But she saw the look of confusion on her face.

“Tell me everything,” said Celestia. Twilight did just that, explaining the letter, how she teleported to Canterlot, and how she passed out after discovering the princess was gone.

“Well that explains your condition. Overpowering like that can take its toll on your body when you haven’t grown accustomed to it. It’s similar to when you wield the elements of harmony, it’s only by dividing that power between you and your friends that you can handle it,” Celestia explained. “And I can assure you; no one in this court sent you that letter.”

“The onyx seems like a good place to start, we don’t use those sorts of enchantments here.” Princess Luna chipped in, then turning to Celestia she added, “I will investigate this, Sister.”

Celestia nodded once and in a flash of blue light, Luna was gone.

Twilight tried to sit up, but Celestia reached forward keeping her still. “You’re in no condition to be active just yet, sleep for a few days and then we’ll take you home.”

“Please I need to get to Ponyville now your highness.” She pleaded, “What ever’s going on I need to know my friends are safe.”

“I understand that, but you need time to recover,” she responded, sounding like a mother.

“With all due respect, ill recover better when I know they’re alright.” Celestia looked like she was fighting an internal battle, but eventually she sighed.

“Alright, I’ll take you back myself.” Using her magic she lifted Twilight from the bed rested her over her back, “we’ll get there faster flying.”

Seven

Applejack was woken by the sound of barking. Dragging herself out of bed she opened the curtains and looked out the window. It was morning but the sun wasn’t up yet, another hour and it would be light. Peering into the dark she saw Winona running back and forth the perimeter fence, barking frantically. Something was wrong; she only acted up like this when there was an intruder on the lot.

Hurrying out onto the landing she ran into Big Mac, clearly he was going to investigate the disturbance as well, and together they left the house. Winona saw them approaching and scampered to their hooves, indicating in the way only Applejack could understand, something was afoot. They set off down the road, Winona darting ahead, but occasionally running back to make sure they were still following.

After some time Applejack was beginning to wonder what in Tarnation had got Winona so worked up this far from home? But then they caught up to the dog, who was low to the ground, lips peeled back growling. Following his line of sight Applejack made out a silhouette of a house in the distance, Fluttershy’s house. Her brother glanced at her, clearly realising what she had just noticed.

“We gotta make sure she’s alright,” she began to say, but then a roar shook through the trees. A bear roar. At once all three charged at full pelt, whatever was going on they couldn’t delay... for Fluttershy’s sake.

Eight

“Some ponies are trying to get some shut eye!” Rainbow Dash shouted down to the earth. Why couldn’t Fluttershy keep those animals of hers quiet? Having enough Rainbow Dash leaned over the edge of her cloud trying to see what the fuss was about. The sun was beginning to breach the horizon so there was a little light available. At first nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and she was about ready to stick in ear plugs and try again for sleep, when she saw Applejack, Big Mac and Winona charging down the path towards Fluttershy’s house.

Swooping from her perch she sped down so she was gliding level with Applejack.

“Did those annoying animals wake you too?”

“Rainbow Dash, didn’t you hear that bear? Something is up and all you worry about is getting your beauty sleep.” She retorted.

“I didn’t hear a bear,” She replied shocked. Well she was awake now, may as well lend a hand. Though now after hearing the worry in Applejack’s voice, she couldn’t help but start to feel concerned as well.

Nine

Twilight could see Ponyville looming closer, the light of the rising sun revealing everything beneath her. She’d never cease to be amazed at how for such a regal being; Princess Celestia flew at a speed that would make Rainbow Dash blush. So far nothing had caught her attention, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling something very bad was going to happen... or was already happening.

As they flew over town hall, she was about ready to accept it was nothing more than paranoia. But then a scream ripped through the air. Both Twilight and Celestia snapped their heads around following the direction of the scream; it seemed to be coming from Fluttershy’s house. Without any hesitation Celestia changed direction and bolted towards the source of the sound.

What awaited them looked like it had been dragged out of a nightmare. The sun was now low in the sky, but as was as if natural light was unable to enter this area. All around plants were blackened and withered, trees stripped of leaves, fences and animal coops twisted and warped. Fluttershy’s house was writhing like some chaotic abomination, and all over was covered in a splattering of black goo... and animal remains.

Twilight dismounted from Celestia, both staring aghast at the scene in front of them. It was only then Twilight saw the source of the scream, when she first heard it she assumed it was somepony screaming out of pain. That was technically true... but the reality was so much worse than anything she could have predicted. The scream had come from Applejack, who was being held back by Rainbow Dash, tears flooding from her eyes. Following her gaze Twilight’s eyes came to rest upon the mutilated body... of Big McIntosh.

Applejack was screaming out of pain, but a pain far worse than anything physical. What had happened? The dead animals? This nightmarish environment? Big Mac? But then she got her answer. Slowly descending from the sky, barely recognisable as she was so covered in blood and guts, clutching half a chicken between her teeth... was Fluttershy.

“No, no, no,” Twilight begged. Then screamed, “No!”

Tears began welling in her eyes. It was only then that Fluttershy seemed to notice the newcomers.

“Well hello there Twilight,” Fluttershy said, her voice was neither soft nor quiet; it was harsh and echoed through Twilights bones.

“What have you done Fluttershy?” Twilight said through the tears.

“What have I done?” she repeated in a mocking tone, “I’ve finally stopped wasting my life away. Caring for pathetic parasites, it served only one purpose... it was like raising pigs for slaughter.”

“Twilight you mustn’t let your emotions take hold of you, you need to be focused if you’re to save your friends,” said Celestia, who Twilight forgot was standing behind her. At first she wondered why she hadn’t just taken her down, but then seeing the dead bodies of Big Mac and a bear lying several feet away, she realised it would be unwise to underestimate Fluttershy.

“Yes listen to your teacher Twilight, she’s smart, unlike Little Mackey over here.” At that Applejack snapped and broke free of Rainbow Dash’s grip charging at Fluttershy. Screaming she leapt into the air and brought Fluttershy crashing to the ground, but she had expected it, and kicked out at Applejack’s face. Applejack collapsed, stunned. Fluttershy was clearly stronger than she looked. Fluttershy bore down upon her opening her jaws, strands of saliva dripping down onto Applejacks exposed throat. But all at once Rainbow Dash smashed into Fluttershy sending her flying into a tree, and Twilight and Celestia raised their horns and mustered all their energy which they fired in unison, they’re beams merging together and hitting Fluttershy full force in head.

Immediately the world began changing, light spilled through, the black goo seeped away and the plants and buildings returned to their normal state. But the animals remained dead, Big Mac stayed dead. Celestia approached Fluttershy, who wasn’t moving, Rainbow Dash roused Applejack, and Twilight fell to the ground, letting her tears run free.

Ten

Spike crouched down picking up the limp, lifeless body of Angel in his claws. He clearly suffered. Looking up he watched Twilight pace the room of Fluttershy’s house, always returning to the mirror, staring intently as if wishing the answers would be reflected in it.

The news spread like wild fire across Ponyville, and as soon as Spike caught wind he wasted little more than a minute racing to Fluttershy’s cottage. Crowds of ponies had gathered around the perimeter demanding to know what was going on, but royal guards were holding them at bay, not uttering a word. Spike squeezed through the crowd and managed to see Rainbow Dash attempting to pacify the crowd.

“Please return home ponies,” she announced waving her hooves in the direction they’d come. “The news will be made public shortly; in the mean time let the guards do their work.”

“Rainbow Dash.” Looking down, Rainbow Dash saw Spike and signalled to the guards to let Spike past, ignoring the protests of the other ponies.

Rainbow Dash refused to explain what had happened, she just said Twilight was in the house and she could probably use his company. Walking along the path Spike’s stomach turned over as he saw splashes of blood and remains covering the yard. Guards placed dead animals into clinically clean body bags. Nobody paid him any notice, the mood was sombre, and presumably he had his own reasons for being there which they weren’t about to question. Approaching the front door, Spike gulped, and entered slowly, dreading what he’d find.

He was surprised however, after the massacre outside, he was expecting something catastrophic here, perhaps Fluttershy herself. But all that greeted him was a single dead rabbit and Twilight Sparkle staring into a broken mirror.

“Twilight, what happened?” She turned slowly, and Spike saw her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, her face tear streaked. They rushed towards each other and embraced, a fresh wave of tears falling down her face.

Twilight told Spike everything they knew.

“And that’s it. The princess summoned the guards, and then she took Fluttershy away. Applejack had a cart collect Big Mac, and she took him back to Sweet Apple Acres.” She sounded empty, she couldn’t be sad anymore, it was all drained out. “The house hasn’t been entered by anyone else, Princess Celestia asked me to examine it before it was cleared up.”

“Have you found anything?” Spike asked tentatively. He’d been silent throughout the whole story; no words could describe what he was feeling.

“Nothing that makes any sense,” she replied, “not yet at least.”

As spike cradled Angel Twilight spoke up, “there’s something about this mirror. Spike could you look upstairs for me? I haven’t had a chance to look up there yet.”

Spike obeyed slowly ascending the stairs, taking each one with great care. As he entered Fluttershy’s bedroom he was first struck by how normal everything seemed. Nothing stood out, no dead animals, no broken objects. Not wanting to miss anything he began examining every square inch individually.

He was about ready to go down and tell Twilight there was nothing of any importance, when he saw it. Reaching into the fireplace, he rolled out a glass ball. He hadn’t noticed it at first as it was so covered in soot that it blended into the background. There was a delicate frame centred on the mantel which looked like it could hold the ball. Spike figured during the events of that morning it had fallen off and rolled into the fireplace.

“Twilight!” he shouted down the stairs, “I think I’ve found something.”

Twilight made her way up the stairs and came to stand next to Spike, joining him in staring at what he’d discovered.

“It was in the fireplace, I think it fell off here.” He explained pointing at the cradle.

Twilight waved her horn lazily, the ball lifted out of Spike’s grip and spun in the air, the soot falling away. They both saw the now clean, black orb pulsating in mid air.

“Well done Spike. We’ll take this for the princess to see.” Spike wasn’t sure. Once again he had a worrying feeling, like when Twilight received the letter. But he figured under the circumstances it was the right thing to do, so he conceded.

Twilight seemed satisfied with their investigation. Finally giving up on the mirror she announced they were leaving. Spike stayed close to her side, as they left he looked again at the bag Twilight was saddled with, the bag she was carrying the orb in.

“We’re all done in there, you can go ahead.” She informed a guard waiting by the entrance. As they were leaving Spike noticed the body bags were gone, and most of the evidence was cleaned up. Rainbow Dash met them as they walked down the path.

“Twilight, the princess sent you a message. She said Fluttershy is alive and being held at the hospital under heavy guard.” She announced, and without waiting for a response she said, “She had to leave to deal with bureaucratic stuff, you’re to hold onto any evidence you found and she’ll return as soon as she can.”

“Thank you Rainbow Dash,” Twilight responded. Then without hesitation she flew off. This had clearly shook Rainbow Dash, Spike thought. Straight and to the point with no egotistical remarks was not her style at all.

Spike watched Twilight place the orb in an ornate, metal chest, seal it with magic and slide it under her bed. He then let out a sigh of relief, that thing gave him a bad feeling, and knowing it was locked up put him at ease.

“So what do we do now Twilight?” but she didn’t answer, she just stared into space. Spike waited, not wanting to push her after all that had happened.

“I need to study.” She said eventually, and then added, “See if you can help out around town or something.”

Spike understood, she needed to be left alone. As he stepped outside he saw the sun sitting low in the sky, the day had come in very fast. Perhaps he should pay a visit to Rarity.

Chapters 11-15

Eleven

“Please Applejack,” Applebloom begged, “Don’t do this.”

“Go home Applebloom, I’m putting an end to this.” Applejack smashed through the double doors into the ward causing Rarity and nurse Redheart to jump.

“Where is she?” she demanded.

“I can’t let you through,” the nurse responded, “Princess Celestia has given strict orders that no one is to enter this room.”

“The princess can go to Tartarus, let me through.” Applejack bellowed. She began pushing forward but Applebloom confidently strided between her and the door; although her shaking legs gave away she was terrified.

“No Applejack. This won’t solve anything. This won’t bring Big Mac back.” Her voice broke, Applejack halted, still angry but not willing to push past her. She turned on her hoof and stormed back out the way she came.

Applebloom sniffed and nurse Redheart crouched in front of her offering her a tissue. Accepting she dabbed her eyes.

“How are you holding up?” she asked softly.

“Ok I guess.” She responded, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

“And how is Granny Smith?”

“She’s not talkin’.” Nurse Redheart nodded sadly.

“I’d better go home,” said Applebloom. And without waiting for acknowledgment, she turned and walked down the corridor, dragging her hooves.

Outside she couldn’t see Applejack anywhere; she guessed she must have run off somewhere in anger. The sun had set, but the streets were still busy. Ponies gathered at doorways, discussing in hushed tones the events of that morning. Mostly it was just rumours but Applebloom could tell from the stares she was getting, that her brother’s death was known. She wanted to get away from it all, so she made for the club house where Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and herself had their Cutie Mark Crusader meetings.

Sitting alone in the small tree house, her mind wandered back to that morning. She hurried out of bed when she heard Applejack approaching. She’d heard Winona too and was curious to know what had happened. Running out the front door she greeted Applejack with her biggest smile, but it wasn’t returned. Applejack was dragging a cart, and she looked like she’d given up on life. Granny Smith came out and stood at Applebloom’s side. She saw the look on her face, something bad had happened.

“Where’s Big Mac?” she asked as Applejack reached the house. No response. And slowly the truth dawned on her.

She dragged herself over to the window of the club house and stared into the darkness of the forest. She sighed and smothered her face into the window sill. Then in the distance, she heard something trotting. Looking up she saw a figure weaving in and out of the trees. Squinting her eyes she made out a tall Pegasus, black as night and deathly thin. She wondered why he was running rather than flying, when his wings fluttered open behind him and she saw they were withered. Something about that figure, gave her the chills.

Twelve

Rarity watched Applebloom leave. She felt bad for her, but she was here for a reason, and she couldn’t be distracted.

“As I was saying nurse Redheart, you need to get some rest.” She continued, “You’ll be no help to anyone if you keel over.”

“I suppose you’re right,” she said reluctantly, “and you’re sure you don’t mind staying watch?”

“Please, it would be my pleasure. After all, Fluttershy is my friend, I feel responsible for her.”

Nurse Redheart left and Rarity smiled, so far so good. She gave it five minutes before making her next move. She passed through the doors behind her, entering another shorter corridor. This one however contained two, watchful guards. No problem though, she was no stranger to coercion.

Having got passed easily enough she entered the room, it was intensely bright, completely empty bar the centre piece. A table, which looked more like a metal slab. And strapped to it was a moaning, writhing, yellow Pegasus. Rarity approached Fluttershy, who seeing her approach became still, her eyes piercing into Rarity’s. She breathed heavily through the mask clamping her jaw shut. Rarity leaned over to whisper so the guards outside wouldn’t hear.

“Listen carefully; I’m going to open this so you can talk.” Fluttershy looked suspiciously, so she continued, “you have something I want, and I’m willing to make a deal for it.”

She unclamped the mask, removing it slowly. She was worried Fluttershy would give her away by shouting or screaming, but she stayed silent.

“I want the orb.” She decided not to dance around the subject and get straight to the point. Fluttershy giggled to herself. “Where is it?” Rarity demanded.

“You want it? You can have it.” Fluttershy said smiling, a twisted grin showing all her teeth, Rarity could still make out bits of flesh stuck between them. “I have everything I already want.”

“Where is it?” she repeated, impatient now.

“Oh Rarity, so fickle. I saw the way you looked at it, a shining new toy that you couldn’t let someone else have.” Rarity knew fluttershy was mocking her now.

“I won’t ask again, I searched the house and it wasn’t there. Where is it?” that part clearly surprised Fluttershy, and Rarity realised someone else must have got to it before she did.

Rarity made to leave; clearly she’d wasted her time. But then Fluttershy called out to her, “you’re just going to leave me here?”

Rarity turned. Futtershy was putting on a pout. “I was actually.” And with that she made her way out of the room. Someone had the orb; she had to find out who.

Thirteen

Rainbow Dash swooped beneath the cloud cover, scanning left and right. Normally she’d have been honoured to be asked by the princess to head an operation personally. But after everything that happened, she just couldn’t feel anything resembling pride. The sun was rising, it was the day after the events, and Rainbow Dash had been ordered to organise the pegasi of Ponyville to man a perimeter. For the purposes of the investigation, a curfew was implemented; no pony was allowed to leave the city limits until further notice.

It was for this reason when Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie Pie charging out west, that she soared down to block her path

“Where do you think you’re going?” but she ran around him and carried on. Peeved she lifted off and flew so she was gliding level with her. “Hey, I’m talking to you. Don’t you know you’re not allowed to leave?”

“Not now Rainbow Dash, this is important,” said Pinkie. She fell back slightly, Pinkie didn’t sound like herself, she sounded angry.

“Well if you tell me what’s so important maybe I can help.” She retorted back. Pinkie came to a sudden and completely still stop, and turned to face her.

“Last night I ran into Spike,” strange start to a story but ok, “he told me him and Twilight found something in fluttershy’s house. A black orb.”

“A black orb? So?” replied Rainbow Dash.

“That’s what I gave to Fluttershy for her birthday,” Pinkie exclaimed, Rainbow Dash hesitated.

“You think that’s what caused this?”

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” Turning on the spot she started walking, Rainbow Dash walked with her. “The pony who sold it to me said he was travelling to Vanhoover,” Pinkie said.

Rainbow Dash thought about this. She was ordered not to let anyone leave, but following up on this made sense. Eventually she made her decision, racing into the clouds she found a patrolling Pegasus and quickly relayed some instructions. Diving back to earth she caught up with Pinkie, “in that case, you ask the questions… and I’ll punch.”

Fourteen

Twilight woke up. No dreams? Pulling herself out of bed she walked down stairs into the library. She’d spent the night pouring through books trying to identify the orb, but there were no records of it in any of the books she owned. Eventually she gave in and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She didn’t want to dream, but she had to sleep. And she fell asleep to the sound of whispering. Why hadn’t she dreamt? Then a voice echoed through the room. “A dreamless sleep… my gift to you, Twilight sparkle.”

“Who’s there?” she called out. Nothing but silence, then something wet touched her head. Looking up she saw a spider web of cracks in the ceiling, dripping with black goo. She jumped back disgusted.

“I’m so sorry my dear, I never wanted any of this.” Came the voice, “Your poor friends they didn’t deserve any of this.”

“What are you talking about? Who are you?” she demanded.

“They couldn’t handle me, I was too much, and you saw the results.” The voice sounded sad, impossible to distinguish as male or female. “But not you, you’re special.”

Twilight looked at the floor, the black… whatever it was, was pooling at her feet, and rising rapidly. She rushed back up stairs. The voice was louder when it next spoke.

“But together we can make it all right, we can heal those wounds, fix those broken lives.” Twilight reached under the bed pulling out the chest.

“Tell me what you mean.” She said opening it to reveal the orb, pulsating violently.

“I can save your friends; I can bring back what they’ve lost, but only with your help.”

Picking up the orb Twilight stared into it, she pressed her ear to it as if it were a sea shell, and from within she heard the steady rhythm of a heart beat.

Fifteen

Rarity listened intently to what Spike was telling her. Twilight had the orb. Twilight had the orb now. She wanted to go that instant, take it by force if necessary, but she couldn’t act suspicious in front of Spike.

“Oh thank you Spiky-wiky, to think you trust me with this kind of information,” she leaned in close for effect, “you must really care about me.”

“Oh I do Rarity,” he said excitedly, begging for approval, “Hey, why don’t we go there now, maybe you could help Twilight figure out what it is.”

“You know what, that sounds like a very good idea,” said Rarity smiling to herself, things were working out better than expected.

They made their way to the library, Rarity could feel herself salivating. At last, she was going to hold the orb in her hooves.

“Spike, don’t you think you’d be happier going to Sugarcube corner and getting yourself something to eat?” she suggested casually, “after all I’m sure you’d find any work Twilight and I have to do to be extremely dull.”

“Oh no I want to help.” He insisted. Rarity was annoyed; it would be harder to steal with two of them. For a brief second she considered… getting rid of Spike. Like she got rid of Opal. Nobody would stand between her and her prize.

But she decided against it, she’d needed to have planned ahead so she wouldn’t get caught. No, she’d cross that bridge when she came to it, or if Spike started being a problem. Finally they arrived at the library; it seemed to take a lifetime. Each second seemed to drag out. Ten feet to the door. Five feet. They were on the front step. Spike was reaching out to grasp the door handle. The door opened… and they stepped in.

There was no one there. The whole building was empty; Twilight was nowhere to be found.

“I guess she must have stepped out.” Spike said unsure.

“No matter,” she said confidently, “why don’t you show me where it is and we’ll start working until she gets back.”

Spike shrugged and moved for the stairs, Rarity close behind. Spike reached under the bed and slid the chest out. Open it, show it to me. Spike removed the spell sealing it and carefully pulled the lid off.

The box was empty.

“Huh, I guess Twilight has it with her. Still no matter Rarity. Rarity?” but Rarity was shaking with fury. To have come so close and been cheated. Her anger burst out of her, a stream of magic shooting from her horn into Spike. His small body was tossed into the ceiling and came crashing down lying still. This wasn’t over, Twilight couldn’t have gotten far. Rarity left, hatred fuelling her.

Chapters 16-Epilogue

Sixteen

Twilight’s teeth chattered in the cold. She bowed her head against the wind, one hoof holding the orb close to her chest.

“There is a place, high atop the Unicorn Range,” the voice had told her, “there, and only there, may my heart be reunited with my body.”

Looking up she could see the range looming over her, its snow capped peaks almost entirely obscured by cloud.

Not for the first time she stopped to consider what she was doing. She had no idea whether the voice had been telling the truth, how was she to know it could really save her friends. But then, she reminded herself, she would do anything, no matter how slim the chances, in order to make things the way they were before.

She powered on, unconsciously leaving a trail of hoof prints in dirt. A trail that was, without her knowledge, being followed.

Seventeen

Applejack waited until dusk before setting off. She made sure Applebloom hadn’t followed her, but she had been busy trying to get Granny Smith to eat. Her health was beginning to wane, if she kept up this passive attitude she wouldn’t have long left, especially with winter on its way. Applejack knelt down to scratch Winona behind the ears.

“You’ve always been a loyal friend,” she whispered, “and just in case I don’t make it back... I’ll never forget you.”

Winona whined as Applejack stood up and walked out of Sweet Apple Acres.

She took her time, not wanting to be seen. All the way she recalled her sister’s words the day before.

“This won’t bring Big Mac back!” but she knew that, there was no noble intent behind what she was going to do. This was revenge, plain and simple.

As she arrived at the hospital she was surprised to find there were no guards outside. Odd, the place had been armed to the teeth yesterday. She entered, no longer trying to be quiet; it was obvious there was nobody around. She took a breath and made for the ward Fluttershy was being held at. It didn’t take her long to reach the room she’d been stopped at yesterday.

“Please Applejack, don’t do this!” she shook her head trying to forget her sister’s words. No guards here either, and nurse Redheart was gone too.

Applejack began to get suspicious at this point, suddenly she was very wary of what she was going to find through these doors. But she’d come this far. Slowly, taking each step if it were her last, she made her way towards the door. She reached forward with a hoof, hesitated, and then pushed it open.

So that’s where all the guards went. The corridor was strewn with limbs and guts; it was only the armour that identified them as the guards. Though there could easily have been others mixed in, it was impossible to tell. The doors to Fluttershy’s room were smashed from the frame, the carnage continuing all the way up to the bed she had been strapped on. And there she was standing just in front of it, her hoof resting on the decapitated head of Nurse Redheart.

“I’m so glad you made it,” she said taking Applejack back to that morning outside her house, “it saves me having to come get you myself.”

Applejack just stared at her, shaking out of a mixture of fear and anger. All the dead bodies, and these were trained soldiers. She opened her mouth ready to retort, but Fluttershy was bored of waiting. The Pegasus spread her wings and flew like an arrow straight for Applejack, teeth bared.

Applejack dodged easily, either she was playing with her or she was tired from her fight with the guards, she hoped it was the latter. Applejack ran for the room, she didn’t want to get trapped in this confined space with her. She only just made it; she darted around the corner as Fluttershy came speeding in for a second attack. They were both in the room now, facing each other from opposite sides. There was no fighting fair here, Applejack thought, it’s live or die.

She needed to think of a strategy, something she could use to her advantage. But Fluttershy wasn’t going to give her the time of day. She ran forward this time rearing up and kicking out, Applejack wasn’t fast enough and as she tried to avoid, Fluttershy’s hoof caught her in the flank throwing her off balance. Rolling on the floor she managed to dodge another pounce. Fluttershy obviously wasn’t playing with her, but she had definitely been faster back at the cottage. Perhaps she really was tired from her fight with the guards. Then she noticed, Fluttershy was covered in cuts, she hadn’t realised because she assumed the blood had come from the ponies she’d killed.

She had a plan; if it worked she might just come out of this alive, if it didn’t... She started running towards the exit, Fluttershy just laughed, swooping in striking her in the side of the head. Applejack fell flat on her face in a pile of bodies. She groaned clutching her stomach. Seeing this Fluttershy began moving lazily towards her.

“That was fun, wasn’t it Applejack?” Fluttershy said laughing victoriously. “But I’m afraid, I win. Goodbye Applejack.”

She readied herself, licking her lips, staring at Applejack’s exposed neck. She pounced.

Applejack spun around bringing the spear she was holding with her, dragging it across Fluttershy’s torso. Blood gushed out; Fluttershy just looked faintly surprised and fell to the floor. She lay panting heavily, staring at the ceiling. Applejack walked over raising the spear so the point was resting just over her eye. She just smiled.

“You see now don’t you? The power, I’m at your mercy, you hold my life in your hoof.” She laughed manically, Applejack just stared. She was looking into the eyes of the pony that killed her brother, but she was also looking at her friend.

“Do it.” Fluttershy said simply. Applejack was shaking, she remembered back to the time she’d charged off to the bog because Pinkie sense had predicted Fluttershy was in danger. When she found out she was alright, just before the hydra attacked, she was so relieved that one of her dearest friends was safe. And now here she was, ready to drive a spear into the eye of that same friend. She raised the spear, readying herself to bring it down.

But she couldn’t do it. She threw the spear away, tears welling in her eyes. Then it was as if something left Fluttershy, but Applejack looked into her eyes and saw all the hatred, all the anger, fade away.

“Applejack?” she said, in a soft, quiet voice. Applejack remembered it as if she’d heard in a dream, or a distant memory. She saw the tears pour from Fluttershy’s eyes and knew... she was herself again. Then the black hoof came crashing down, crushing Fluttershy’s skull.

Applejack just stood there. It was as if her whole world came crashing down all over again. She screamed falling to her knees.

“Shame, I was looking forward to seeing that spear burst through her eye.” Applejack looked up at the figure that spoke, and saw through her tear soaked eyes a tall, skeletal thin, black stallion, with withered wings.

“Why?” she said in a choked voice.

“Why?” he repeated, “shall I tell you the truth?” he leaned down and began whispering in Applejack’s ear. As he spoke her eyes widened in horror.

“Run, run, run, as fast you can Applejack.” He called after her as she dashed down the corridors. She had to save Twilight.

Eighteen

Rarity shivered in the freezing cold. All around her the snow was swirling, and the sun had set hours ago. It was getting harder to track Twilight’s footprints, but she knew she was getting closer. Looking up she saw they’d almost reached the peak. Was that where she was heading?

She walked for another ten minutes, or at least that’s how long she thought it had been, it was getting hard to tell. When all of a sudden, the tracks disappeared. She panicked looking all around. But the snow had filled in the footprints. Cursing she squinted through the blizzard. She thought she could make out something in the mountain face, a cave opening perhaps.

She rushed forward, shielding her eyes from the snow which was getting progressively more violent as she ascended the mountain. It was indeed a cave and she gratefully entered. She was expecting it to be pitched black inside, but instead she found herself in a cavernous chamber lined with ornately carved stone pillars, each topped with a ball of pure light. The room itself was a kind of amphitheatre, stones steps all around descending to form a pit in the centre of the room. There was a centrepiece, what looked like a shallow pool. And there was Twilight, standing at the edge of the pool holding the orb out in front of her with magic.

Twilight heard her enter and turned to look up at her.

“Rarity?” she exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”

Finally all the anger that had been building up in her exploded. “The orb, give it to me, Now!” Rarity screamed.

“Excuse me?” Twilight said confused

“It’s mine, all mine,” she screeched thundering down the steps. Twilight looked terrified.

“Rarity stop!” Rarity was so surprised by the authority in Twilight’s voice that she did just that. “You don’t want this; you just can’t handle its power. That’s why it’s changing you, that’s why it’s changing everyone,” Twilight explained

“Excuse me, what do you mean I can’t handle its power? What makes you so special might I ask?” Rarity continued marching, slower this time. “Ever since you got here you’ve been strutting about like you’re so much better than the rest of us. And why? Because you’re the princess’s loyal pooch. Whenever she calls you go running begging for a treat.”

Anger flared in Twilight’s eyes. “I’m going to ignore that because I know its not you in there.”

Rarity laughed, it was mirthless. “Keep telling yourself that. Whenever anyone criticises you, just convince yourself there’s a reason for it, and go on thinking your perfect in every way.”

Twilight lowered the orb and set it on the edge of the pool. “Rarity I’m warning you!” she threatened. But Rarity was sick and tired of listening to her. She lowered her head and channelled all her energies into firing a bolt of magic straight at Twilight. It caught her by surprise and threw her back, crashing into the steps. Picking herself up Rarity could see Twilight looked as angry as she felt. She fired back three shots following her as Rarity dodged them, the last one singing her tail. Spinning to face her opponent she spun her head sending out a wave of power, expanding in magnitude the further it travelled.

Twilight didn’t try to dodge it; instead she raised her head creating a barrier between her and the wave. As the two met the entire room shook and both ponies were thrown to the ground. This time Twilight was faster, getting up and rapidly throwing out as many different spells at Rarity as she could muster. Rarity couldn’t have dodged, so she focused her thoughts on the step right behind Twilight and teleported there. Twilight didn’t have time to react, Rarity the tip of her horn on Twilights back and fired another blast.

Twilight was thrown down the steps, splashing into the pool. She picked herself up, very slowly; she was probably in a great deal of pain. That shot would have killed her, but Rarity realised Twilight must have cast a protection spell early on in case of a situation like that. They stared at each other, both panting profusely. They both knew they spent.

“Give up Twilight, just give me the orb.” Twilight looked up smiling.

“You mean this orb?” she raised it in her hoof. Rarity looked down and saw Twilight was standing in the pool, which was dyed red with her blood.

Too late she realised what she was going to do, and before she could say or do anything a voice called out behind her.

“Don’t do it Twilight!” she turned and saw... Applejack?

Looking around again she saw Twilight throw the orb with all her force into the pool. It hit the surface of the water, and shattered.

Nineteen

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had been travelling at great speed without rest. They’d travelled the entire day and now night was upon them.

“Do you even know the way to Vanhoover?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“Of course!” she snapped back, “well maybe...”

They came to a halt panting. “Pinkie, we’ve been running for a day. I think we’re lost.”

Pinkie turned her back on Rainbow Dash; she didn’t want to admit she was right.

Pinkie remembered back to waking up the morning after the party. She’d planned to take Gummy to Fluttershy’s house that day, but when she found Gummy he seemed fine. No strange behaviour. It didn’t occur to her for a while that it was the orb that made him act that way. So for the rest of the day she went about her business, baking an order of cakes to be delivered to Baltimare, babysitting Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. Then when the news came in she rushed down, but she couldn’t get through the crowd.

She had decided to try and go around, and while running through the trees she saw Princess Celestia and a group of armed guards carrying Flutteshy in what appeared to be a magical coffin. She was terrified Fluttershy was hurt... or worse, but then her eyes opened. There was nothing in her eyes that resembled Fluttershy, even from a distance Pinkie could tell. Then she turned her head and looked right at Pinkie, and Pinkie saw a familiar shadow cross over Fluttershy’s face.

It was only when Spike told her about taking the orb as evidence that she put the pieces together. That whole night she tried to decide what to do. When morning came, her path seemed obvious. But now they were lost. They hadn’t a hope of making it to Vanhoover let alone tracking Davitt down. She sat down lost for thought when Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“Maybe we should head back.” Pinkie was about to agree when a croaky laugh broke through the darkness.

“Giving up so soon?”

They turned and watched the figure step out of the shadows. The scrawny body, the grey coat, they opaque spectacles. Only Pinkie Pie recognised Davitt, but Rainbow Dash guessed.

“Who do you think you are?” Pinkie demanded, “selling evil objects, ruining people’s lives, and for what? Money”

Davitt laughed, “Money? You think I care about money?” he pulled a bag out of thin air, Pinkie’s bag. He briefly opened it to reveal the contents, one hundred bits. Then he clapped his hooves and it ignited, disintegrating in mid air.

“Who are you anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked positioning herself low to the ground, ready to take off should a fight kick off.

“And what was that orb?” Pinkie added, readying herself also.

“Orb? Oh, you mean the heart,” Davitt replied. Both ponies hesitated not know what he meant, but it made a kind of sense to Pinkie, remembering the way it pulsated. “Right now events should be coming to a close. You could have been there to help prevent them, but instead you came after me... and now you’re going to die!”

They were caught off guard, he dashed forward fast as light. He raised his horn directly to Pinkie’s face and sent out a stream of lightening. She didn’t feel herself get thrown back, or when she landed in a crumpled heap on the ground. She was completely stunned, all she heard was ringing, and all she could see were blotches of light. Slowly her sense returned and she could hear more spells being fired; clearly Rainbow Dash wasn’t giving up without a fight.

When she was able to see again she saw the air filled with multicoloured sparks and flames. Rainbow Dash was dodging them with ease, but to her horror Davitt was jumping around, casting more just as fast if not faster. Clearly his frailty was just an act. Pulling herself to her feet she stumbled forward, she wanted to help. Davitt saw her from the corner of his; he swung his head around sending out a whirlwind of fire towards her. Pinkie leapt out of the way, but the inferno chased her. Davitt hadn’t thought it through. When she’d first dodged she was still feeling disorientated, but now she was at the top of her game because the tornado was keeping her active.

Taking this in her stride she charged at Davitt. He was so focused with Rainbow Dash that he only turned last minute. But Pinkie wasn’t going in for an attack; she leapt over him and kept running. The pillar of fire kept travelling regardless. Davitt was swallowed up by the flames. All remaining spells faded away and Rainbow Dash returned to earth. The fire sank lower and lower before finally extinguishing. Pinkie and Rainbow Dash exchanged hopeful looks. But then the smoke cleared.

He remained standing, his head lolled forward and his coat was scorched black.

“No way!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, but then without hesitation he took this chance and flew in for the finishing blow. That was when Davitt looked up, and they both saw that his glasses were not on his face. There were no eyes, just endlessly deep, dark holes.

Rainbow Dash stopped in the air right in front of him, as if frozen in time. Their eyes (or lack of eyes) met, and Pinkie witnesses something horrific. Shadows began seeping from his eye sockets, tendrils of darkness reached out wrapping around Rainbow Dash’s limbs, chest and throat. Pinkie was frozen to the spot as she saw the tendrils tighten crushing Rainbow Dash in the Air. Blood burst from his mouth and dripped from the gaps between the tightly wrapped restraints. Finally they released her and let her limp body fall to the ground.

Pinkie screamed, rushing forward in anger. Davitt began to turn surprised, as if he’d forgotten she was there. As Pinkie ran she reached down and picked up a dislodged tree branch swinging it into Davitt’s head. He collapsed instantly, and she struck him in the head repeatedly, venting all her rage. Finally she dropped the branch shaking, she thought it was finished, but his limbs twitched and he uttered one last sentence.

“It’s too late... the heart has arrived at the fated place... Twilight sparkle shall be its host... our lord will walk Equestria again.” And with that he spent his last breath, and he was dead.

Pinkie rushed over to Rainbow Dash and fell to her side.

“Wake up, please wake up,” Pinkie begged. She felt herself beginning to cry. Then Rainbow Dash’s head turned slowly and her eyes opened slightly.

“Pinkie,” she whispered, she then coughed a painful, rattling cough.

“It’s ok, it’s going to be ok” Pinkie reassured her, or maybe she was reassuring herself. “Ill get you help, you’ll see. You’re going to be ok.”

“Pinkie...” she said again, her voice even quieter still.

“Please don’t go.” She couldn’t stop herself crying now.

“Never stop smiling,” Rainbow Dash said, giving a small grin, “being serious... was never... your thing.”

“Rainbow Dash?” but she was gone, and Pinkie Pie, was all alone.

Twenty

Twilight raised her head. This power. This incredible power. It was flowing through her. She looked up to see the shocked faces of Rarity and Applejack. Rarity’s quickly turned to anger. She charged at Twilight screaming indistinguishable treats and insults. Twilight just flicked her head and sent Rarity soaring and then crashing into one of the pillars, extinguishing its light.

Wait a second, this didn’t make any sense. She was told she was reuniting the heart with the body. So then why did she have all this power? Rarity stumbled to her feet and Twilight tried to think why she felt the need to use so much force. And there it was again, flowing through her. But what she took to be power before felt different now, like an invading force corrupting her system.

Rarity leapt again, she looked demented. Twilights head swung to the side. From her horn erupted a cascade of black light which shrouded over Rarity. She began to scream, and that sound brought Twilight back, what was she doing? She removed the spell. She looked over at Applejack helplessly.

“I can’t control this.” Twilight shouted to her.

“That’s because it’s not just you in there,” Applejack shouted back. She had to shout because a whispering had started and was echoing through the empty cavern.

“What do you mean?” but then she felt something tighten around her, and the flowing came faster. Looking down at her legs she could see her blood vessels standing out all over her flesh, they were black.

Twilight finally made the connection between the heart and the black goo, it was blood. And now that blood was coursing through her veins.

“He needed a vessel.” Applejack called out over the thundering noise, “it had to be some pony powerful enough. Fluttershy and Rarity weren’t so he broke them and moved on. He chose you.”

It was making some sort of sense but she still couldn’t stop it. She felt another wave coming over her. She twisted her horn and Rarity was surrounded in a black aura. She flew into the air and was thrown at full force back to the ground shattering the steps.

Applejack was making her way down the steps, but it looked like she was walking against gale force winds. Twilight realised she was releasing waves of energy that were physically breaking up the floor around her. Twilight could see Rarity trying to get to her feet. Looking in her eyes she knew the power of the orb was broken, but she couldn’t stop. Again with no control over her body threw her head back dragging Rarity through the air and hanging her in front of her.

“No! I won’t do this!” but she was helpless. The whispering was now deafening, the blood was flowing so fast it made her head spin. She could feel it leaking out her orifices. Then her head slowly moved from left to right, her horn tracing a straight line in mid air. And as she drew, it was as if a knife was being dragged across Rarity’s forehead. As Twilight finished, it came clean off, splitting Rarity’s head in two. Twilight was horrified with what her body was doing, but it wasn’t over. She raised her horn and the half of Rarity’s skull rose with it. When at last she was holding it at least a dozen metres over her, her head fell, and the skull fragment came crashing into Rarity’s exposed brain, pulverising it.

Twilight collapsed. She couldn’t even express what she was feeling, after everything, there was nothing left inside. Applejack finally arrived next to Twilight and suddenly she knew what was about to happen. She wanted to scream out, to warn Applejack, but her mouth wouldn’t let her, it was sealed shut by the same force that was controlling the rest of her body.

“I’m so sorry Twilight...” she said, her voice echoing through the whole cavern. The whispering started up again, she felt the blood pumping.

“... I never wanted this to happen...” Twilight could feel herself slipping away. Applejack raised her hoof, removed her hat and bowed her head.

No! Run while you can please! But it was no good, everything was happening exactly as it had happened in her dreams for so many nights. Applejack donned her hat one last time and reached down picking up a fragment of the rock the steps had been carved in. She raised it over her head, ready to strike down.

“I’m so sorry.”

“So am I...” the voice came from Twilight’s mouth, but it wasn’t Twilight. She then lifted her head and thrusted her horn into Applejacks chest, piercing her heart. The stone fell from her grasp, clattered to the floor, and Twilight saw the light leave her eyes.

Twenty-one

Princess Celestia was too late. She entered the chamber in time to see Applejack fall to the floor, lifeless. Twilight then turned her attention Celestia and Luna who began making their way down the steps towards her. She should never have left; she’d regretted doing so immediately.

When she arrived back to Canterlot, she found Luna in the library. She had so far found nothing regarding the forged letter. At first she was annoyed Celestia flew off without telling her, but when she heard what had taken place in Ponyville that day she conceded it had been for the best. They intended to return immediately, but she couldn’t send off a legion of guards without having a lot of red tape to cross.

They flew back the next day, arriving as the sun set. Celestia had been confident the situation hadn’t escalated but when they discovered Spike unconscious in the library, her stomach dropped. Rousing him he quickly explained the discovery and subsequent disappearance of the orb, as well as Rarity attacking him. Assuring them he could look after himself they hurried towards the hospital.

They missed Applejack by minutes, entering to discover the chaos that awaited them. Quickly she summoned Rainbow Dash to give a report of the situation, but instead another Pegasus she’d never met before arrived to explain that Rainbow Dash had left her post that morning. The situation was dire, Luna seethed at Rainbow Dash shunning her orders and leaving in the middle of a crisis, but Celestia shrugged it off, they needed to track down Twilight and this orb.

Pouring all their knowledge and power together, they swept across all of Equestria in spirit, searching for Twilight. Eventually they felt her presence at the peak of a mountain in the Unicorn Range. Without a moments delay they set off together. Night was upon them and she could sense time was running out.

They travelled with haste, their wings aching with the strain. When they arrived they charged in… moments too late. Walking down now to meet Twilight Celestia surveyed her student, she looked barely recognisable. Her coat was a deep, dark purple, her veins blackened, creating a dark web criss-crossing over her entire body. Her eyes struck Celestia most; she stared into two large, inky black pools. And all around her, she radiated a dark magical aura.

“You have arrived.” Twilight said, her voice reverberated through Celestia, making her shiver and her bones tremble.

“Twilight, if you’re in there, don’t be afraid. I’m going to save you.” Twilight smiled, revealing a set of razor sharp teeth.

“Twilight sparkle is gone,” she mused, “I live through her now.”

“And who exactly are you?” Luna demanded, furious.

“My name is Sullivan.” She (or he apparently) raised Twilight’s leg pointing at them both, “and you are the usurpers of my throne.”

What was he talking about? Celestia stopped walking; it was becoming more difficult to put one hoof in front of the other.

“And what claim do you have to the throne of Equestria?” Luna posed, rhetorically.

“Equestria? This land was ours. Before the Windigos chased your ancestor tribes here.” He stood defiant. What ever he was saying, Celestia could tell it was true, or at least, that he believed it was. “We’ve been waiting for a long time.”

All around the lights began to fade, the pillars extinguishing. The cavern was cased into darkness, until only Celestia, Luna and Sullivan stood, in an endless plane of nothingness. All around them images began to appear, they were blurred and jittering. They were the ghosts of thousands of ponies, black and grey, emanating darkness, their horns broken, their wings torn. They then watched as one by one they faded away, the crowds thinning until only two remained standing solitarily on either side of Sullivan. A grey unicorn with a twisted horn, and a tall Pegasus, with withered wings.

“We ruled this land, until it was taken from us.” Said Sullivan, Celestia heard the bitterness in his voice. “Over the years our numbers dwindled, until there were only a few who remained loyal. We swore one day we’d return and take back what was stolen from us.”

He began walking towards them now, they bared themselves, readying for a fight. “My followers took my heart, the only piece that was left, and they’ve protected it all these years, until a host came that was capable of being my ark.”

Silence. Celestia could tell Sullivan’s story was coming to an end. They’d have no choice but to fight him, she knew that, but was Twilight going to have to die to stop him? Could she kill her own student? The ghost of the grey unicorn faded away, but the Pegasus remained, in fact his outline became clear, he manifested from a fluttering illusion to the flesh and blood figure. Now it was two against two.

“So it was you who sent Twilight that letter, let her overindulge in magic with the onyx. You were testing her to see if she could be your host.” Celestia shouted at him, but what she said seemed to genuinely confuse him.

“Letter? Onyx? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Celestia knew he was telling the truth. But if he didn’t send it… then who did.

Sullivan raised his horn, it began drawing in the dark abyss, and suddenly they were standing in a pitched black ocean.

“This… is the end.” Sullivan said, and at once all four sprung into action. Celestia moved as fast as light dodging the black ripples emanating from Sullivan’s horn. She managed to barrel roll through the air landing directly behind him. Lowering her horn she charged her attack, but before she could fire, the Pegasus came crashing into her, tossing both of them to the side.

Recovering quickly Celestia could see Luna now duelling Sullivan, sending spell after spell, not granting any opening. She tried to rejoin the fray but the Pegasus tackled her again. This time she kicked back, they became locked in mid-air. Out of nowhere Celestia was caught in the face by one his wings. She fell, barely landing on all fours. She saw the Pegasus stumble about; his wings seemed to be weighing him down, like they were crippled.

This gave her an idea, and spreading her own wings she soared high into the darkness. Looking down she couldn’t make him out against the black surroundings, but she felt his presence. Targeting him she nose dived with all her force. He hadn’t seen her coming; he dodged a second too late. Her horn cleaved into his flank, and as he tried to escape his hind legs failed him. He pathetically attempted to spread his wings, but attempting to do so caused him immense pain and he barely made it a metre in the air before collapsing again.

Celestia wasn’t sure whether she should finish him or not, he flailed helplessly, the waves rushing over him. She decided he was no longer a threat and switched her attention to Sullivan. Luna was fighting well, but Sullivan wasn’t tiring and none of her attacks were breaking through. Dashing into the struggle Celestia sent a wave of light slicing through the waves. The rippling darkness surrounding Sullivan faltered and seeing her opening Luna launched a relentless bombardment of spells.

Sullivan was hit, and for a brief moment the whole dark void shimmered revealing the cavern. Celestia swooped in for another assault, but he teleported out of reach. Unable to see him they leapt back to back searching the shadows for him. Then Celestia saw him reappear next to the withered wing Pegasus. The pegasus stopped his struggling long enough to look and smile, he thought Sullivan had come to help him. But instead he opened his mouth and sank his teeth into the Pegasus’s throat, tearing out his oesophagus.

The body became limp very quickly, and then disintegrated into ash. Sullivan sucked in, drawing the ash into his mouth and nostrils. Immediately his aura became more solid, his wounds healing. Celestia could hear Luna panting behind her; they couldn’t keep the fight up much longer. Sullivan returned surrounded in darkness, which formed twisted limbs and tentacles, which in unison began flailing at them, clawing and tearing at their flesh. Luna sent out a stream knock them back allowing them to retreat to a safe distance.

Celestia bowed her head creating a wall of light between them and Sullivan; she then thrust her whole body forward sending the barrier smashing into him. He blocked it easily by forming the darkness around his body creating a protective shell. Luna began charging a spell, and Celestia fired off sparks keeping Sullivan at bay. When Luna was ready Celestia touched the tip of her horn to Luna’s mane and teleported them both behind Sullivan. He wasn’t prepared, Luna fired, and he was shrouded in a beam of blue magic.

As the light faded they saw Sullivan standing completely unharmed. Impossible! But then he flickered and Celestia realised too late it was an illusion. The real Sullivan moulded from the shadows behind Luna, he lowered his horn, gently resting the tip on her flank. Her bones snapped, and she fell submerged by the dark waves. Celestia turned around, but she was too slow. Sullivan sliced the air with his horn sending Celestia flying, landing in a bloody heap.

He walked slowly towards her, breathing heavily, the fight had been hard on him too.

“Impressive. Just what I would expect from a being of your fame.” Said Sullivan, his voice wavered slightly. “But now, it’s…”

But he stopped, his eyes stretched wide.

“What?” he struggled to get the word out of his mouth. Celestia stood up, looking in Sullivan’s eye, she saw something. Deep within those black pools… a light sparkled.

“Twilight Sparkle.” She smiled, her student was reaching out to help her, but the light was waning, she didn’t have long. “Thank you.”

A single tear ran down her cheek, and bowing her head, she drove her horn into Sullivan’s chest, piercing his heart… but destroying Twilight’s body.

Epilogue

Scootaloo sat on a cloud, briefly she glanced down at Ponyville a mile beneath her. A year ago she’d never have made it this high. But Rainbow Dash had taken her under her wing, pushing her to be the best. Everyday she challenged her to go as high as she could. The day this all started, Fluttershy’s birthday, she left the party early with Rainbow Dash so they could make up for the time they lost while she was in Cloudsdale.

Before Rainbow Dash had left she was only able to go half as high as this, but that night Rainbow Dash watched her fly higher than ever before. They sat on the cloud not saying anything, and then Rainbow Dash looked at her and made her feel like the happiest pony in all of Equestria.

“I’m really proud of you,” Rainbow Dash said, no hint of sarcasm in her voice, “you really are my little sister.”

The day the curfew was enforced she’d been ready to show off her new moves to Rainbow Dash. But another Pegasus came bringing her a message.

“Rainbow Dash had to leave, she said keep flying to the cloud and she promised to meet you there when she got back.” And that was it, Scootaloo did just that, she’d fly up, wait for an hour, come back down, get impatient and fly back up.

She kept doing this, even when the news came in, everyday as Rainbow Dash had told her. She wouldn’t believe Rainbow Dash was gone, she was going to come back… she promised. But she never did, and eventually Scootaloo fluttered slowly to the ground, and never took off again.

Sweetie Belle was gone. After Rarity’s death her parents decided to move to Filly Delphia, they hoped a change of scenery would help them move on. Applebloom was gone. Granny Smith did pass away when the temperature began to drop. Her relatives came for the funeral, but none of them were able to take over Sweet Apple Acres. After much debate they were left with no alternative but to declare it closed. Applebloom and Winona went to live in Applelosa with her cousin Braeburn.

They said they’d keep in contact, and for the first few weeks they did. But soon it was days before Scootaloo heard from them, then it was weeks, and eventually she never heard from her friends again.

Spike returned to Canterlot with Celestia and Luna, who although both very injured, pulled through. There was nothing left for him in Ponyville. Upon his return he was invited into the royal court. Officially he was a steward, but as time went on he found himself becoming more relied upon as Princess Celestia’s bed nurse, who never seemed the same after losing Twilight. Slowly she became more withdrawn, making fewer public appearances. And then she became completely bed ridden, never uttering a word.

Princess Luna was forced to take sole responsibility for managing Equestria, but it wasn’t long before the task became too much for her to bear alone. They were forced to call for Princess Cadance(29) to return to Canterlot from her seat in the Crystal Empire. Her and Shining Armour(30) had already been down to attend the royal funeral for all the ponies who’d passed away during the crisis, and it was clear being back only provided painful reminders for what they’d lost.

Before leaving Ponyville he’d taken Owlowiscious to Zecora in the Everfree forest. She agreed to look after him; Spike couldn’t help but miss him a little after that. Peewee he took with him and it was allowed to stay with Philomena. One day Spike was standing with Cadance in the throne room.

“I’m not sure what we can do,” she said sadly, “if another crisis occurs, we have no one to wield the elements of harmony. The last line in Equestria’s defence is broken.”

Spike picked up the crown. His claw brushed over the blue stones coming to rest on the pink star.

“You know what we have to do,” she said bowing her head. He did. When the elements rebound themselves to Twilight and her friends, they had to be destroyed first. In order to create new wielders, these had to be destroyed. Spike nodded handing over the crown, the last keepsake he had of his oldest friend.

Pinkie Pie was the last pony standing. She took her time returning to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash slung over her back.

“Keep on smiling.” That’s what she said. But how could she smile when she’d lost so much. She somehow knew before she saw, that the others didn’t make it. Rainbow Dash, Twilight sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, those five, who had been bound together with Pinkie Pie and each other before they ever met, they were all gone.

At the funeral she saw her friend’s bodies being lowered into the ground. She couldn’t even bring herself to weep for them, she had nothing left. She’d left early, unable to take all the ponies saying they were sorry for her loss. She wanted to lock herself up and never come out. But as she lay on her bed, the blinds drawn, the light extinguished, Gummy scratched on the door. She met his eyes and knew he wanted to go outside. Dragging herself out of bed she reached for the door, as she opened it, daylight flooded into the room. Blinking she stepped outside, Gummy running to find a discrete place to do his business. She looked all around, everywhere ponies ambled along, not a single one talking; they just went about their daily business. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Pinkie smiled.

Not because she was happy, but because she knew someone had to.

“Keep on smiling.” She had to smile for all of them now; she had to live for all of them now. But she needed to start over. She handed her notice into Mr and Mrs Cake. They weren’t surprised by this, and they didn’t try to stop her, they just helped her make preparations for travel.

“Where will you go?” they asked. She didn’t answer, because she didn’t know yet. She just tapped her nose and turned her back, leaving Sugarcube Corner, and leaving Ponyville.

Pulling a cart containing all the essentials required she would need to get as far as Manehatten, should she choose to go that way, and Gummy sitting on her back she walked between the houses, leaving their lives and memories behind her. As she reached the bridge, the one she need to cross and she’d officially have left Ponyville, a pony walked past her in the opposite direction. As they did they dropped something which rolled out in front of Pinkie. Stopping she reached down to pick it up. It was a small black stone.

Pinkie had seen onyxes before, and she knew enough about magic to know this one was enchanted with something.

“Excuse me, you dropped this.” She reached out her hoof not looking at who it was had dropped it or reached out to take it.

“Thank you.” The voice was familiar, but she didn’t stop to see who it was, she just continued on. Reaching the bridge, she stood on it and looked around one last time. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the rooftops of Ponyville. Birds chirped, hooves clattered, but no pony exchanged words of any sort.

“Goodbye… everyone.” And with that she turned, leaving Ponyville behind forever.