Author's Note

This is the prequel to Age of Dominance, for the people who who kept badgering my co-writer and I for not giving a 'valid' reason behind Twilight's dark behavior in AoD.

Rise of Dark Equestria: Return of Sombra

Beware this story if you seek innocence within…

By Dragon Feather and AlicornMistress

It was just another normal day in Ponyville; the sky was sunny and clear without a cloud in sight. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity were all walking through the recently expanded Ponyville, the sleepy little village had grown so large in the last fifty years, had become Twilight's Kingdom. As they walked through the familiar streets memories of both pain and joy filled their minds and hearts as they made their way to the Ponyville Cemetery. The anniversary of the Cutie Mark Crusaders had come again, like they had done every year prior for the last fifty years the three mares had gone to see their little sisters and to grieve at their memorial.

"It has been so long since I have seen Sweetie Belle and I can barely remember what she looks like anymore." Rarity said somberly, her eyes downcasted in sadness.

"Yea I know what ya mean, I have to constantly look at the ol' photo albums ta remember what all of my family looked like." Applejack replied placing her hoof on Rarity's shoulder.

Rainbow Dash just nodded holding back her tears and sorrow at the death of Scootaloo and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. She would keep her promise to Scootaloo, she would not cry over her and she would never let anyone see her pain. She would always celebrate the premiere Wonderbolt and the Pegasus Tribe diplomat that Scootaloo was.

It wasn't long before the three mares had made it to the iron gates of the cemetery. They were greeted by three Royal Guards, one from each tribe who bowed before opening the gates and allowing them entry. Moments later the three elements stood before the memorial dedicated to their little sisters, each one baring a reef of flowers to lay at the memorial for their memory.

The three elements stood in front of the memorial quietly staring , each one lost in her somber thoughts, until Rarity sobs of tortured pain broke the silence. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at her bewildered by the sudden outburst. Applejack placed her arms around Rarity hugging her tight whilst trying to console the crying white mare to no avail. Rainbow Dash just hung her head in shame; she could do nothing for either of her friends lest she break her promise to Scootaloo, to never show any emotion close to sadness or depression over her loss.

"It's her fault; it's all her fault…" Rarity cried painfully into Applejack's shoulder, "If she never would have come to Ponyville, then events would have never placed us outside of time and doomed us to watch everyone and everything we care about wither and die!"

"Yer not blamin' Twilight for this are ya Rarity?" Applejack asked softly as she rubbed the sobbing Unicorn's back. "It's not her fault, we all chose to be her friends; we all chose to be Elements of Harmony."

"Did we Applejack, did we truly choose to be immortal beings stuck outside of time, stuck watching everything we know and love die? Did you choose to never have children? Did you choose to never be married and start a family like your parents wanted? Did Rainbow Dash choose to watch the only pony special to her die in such a horrible way? Tell me Applejack did we choose any of this?" Rarity pushed Applejack from her and glared with a look of fury on her face.

"Ya'll can't blame Twilight fer this; she came ta Ponyville on Celestia's orders." Applejack stated flatly, "If it wasn't for the fact that Twilight had come to Ponyville we'd all be livin' under the iron hoof of Nightmare Moon."

"When I say her I don't exclude Celestia, my dear Applejack. She has just as much blame as Twilight does. Celestia was the one who raised, educated, and trained Twilight for most of her life. It is Celestia who has helped doom us to this unending hell and all for what? Just so she could get back a sister she herself neglected and turned into the monster that would have nearly destroyed Equestria if not for Twilight and us? Tell me Applejack how am I wrong in hating them both?" Rarity challenged.

Applejack stared at Rarity at a loss for words; it had been years since she had thought about what they had become immortal in a sense. Could Rarity be right? Did Twilight and Celestia by extension doomed them to an endless life without love or family? No that couldn't be true, Celestia and Twilight would never do anything that inherently evil. There's no way Celestia could have known that the Elements of Harmony could make them immortal, could she?

"Come on Rainbow Dash help me out here, ya don't believe any of this do ya?" Applejack asked the rainbow maned Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash shook her head before letting out a sigh, she knew this day was coming and she hated it. The day that one of her friends would finally say what they had all been thinking at some point in the last fifty years. "Weather I believe it or not Applejack the fact is all of us have thought about it. You as the Element of Honesty should know it better than any of us. Rarity isn't wrong in what she's thinking but weather its true or not only Twilight and Celestia know." Dash said before turning her back on her friends. "I've lived a long time and in that time I've grown up, I'm not the silly naive mare who only thought about what she wanted most of the time. I think it's about time you wiped the stars from your eyes and did the same."

Before Applejack could find the words to reply to RD words Rarity spoke up. "Rainbow Dash is right Applejack you need to grow up see what that things are as they use to be. None of us are happy save for Twilight and when you finally see that you were to find me , darling."Rarity said with a sarcastic tone before she left the cemetery head home for the day.

"Before you say anything Applejack we are still friends and I'm still a the loyal to our circle of friends with out question. I only say this because if you think that everything has been fin and everyone still happy like when we meet over fifty years ago the your wrong and you need to stop lying to your self Element of Honesty. When your ready for the truth come find me and the others and we will talk." Rainbow Dash told Applejack before she took to the sky for parts unknown.

Applejack was stunned at Rainbow Dash's words how could she the Element of Loyalty say something like that and then there was Rarity, She wanted to blame everything that had happened to them on Twilight though it wasn't really the purple Alicorns fault when it came to The Elements of Harmony being bound to their very cores, both physically and spiritually. But then there was the possibility of what Rarity said being true, could Twilight really have had a part in dooming them to this accursed life? Was it really true that they were trapped to never age and always be looked upon to keep the of peace in Equestria that they had?

'No Rarity and Rainbow Dash have to be wrong, we haven't lost everything because my family still knows me…' Applejack thought as she decided to headed to her original home so she could prove herself right and the others wrong. She made her way home slowly coming up to the gate which led into Sweet Apple Acres, the farm was now four times its original size since the demand for apples and apple products had increased dramatically in the last fifty years. Applejack soon spotted some of her family working hard on the farm since it was getting close to Apple Buck Season. She made her way over to them and went to waving her hoof to get their attention, "Howdy Apples…" She called with a large grin on her face.

An orange maned, red coated stallion turned and looked towards Applejack as she waved and walked over. As the stallion approached she kept waving until she got a good look at him and quickly her hoof felt back to the ground and she gasped, 'Was that really Big Mac?' Applejack ran to the stallion and threw her arms around him in a huge hug nearly knocking the wind out of him.

"Big Macintosh I can't believe it yer alive and ya look so dang young too! I sure have missed ya ever since…ever since…" Applejack said as both tears of joy and sadness fell down her cheeks, It had been so long and she did miss her big brother so much. She was still hanging onto the farm pony when he tried get away from her.

"Pardon miss but I think you have me confused with my great, great, great grandfather, I am named after him after all. I get a lot of compliments saying that we do share a common look and Cutie Mark…" He pushed Applejack off him being careful not to be too rough because he truly didn't like being touched much like the original Big Mac.

"Miss? Don't ya'll know yer little sister when ya see her, Big Mac?" Applejack asked with a worried smile. "Alright I get it yer just funnin' me is all, right? Okay stop of a horsin' round and get ta tellin' me how ya'll stayed so young and where is Cheerilee at? Oh yeah where are all of those nieces and nephews of mine?"

"No Miss Applejack I am not Big Mac the First and as for my many times great grandmother Cheerilee. She and him have been dead going on twenty years now, they are buried in the Apple Family plot in the Ponyville Graveyard much like my five generations back grandmother, Granny 'Victoria' Smith." Big Mac III said with very little emotion showing on his face, he was almost completely stoic.

Applejack's face fell as tears filled her eyes as she looked at Big Macintosh the III finally seeing him for who he truly was her great grandnephew. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean ta mistake ya fer my brother, but you look so much like your great grandfather." Applejack said as she backed away slowly.

'Maybe Rarity was right about us being stuck outside of time. My own memories are playin' tricks on me and my own family doesn't even know me.' Applejack thought as she looked at her grandnephew. "Big Macintosh the III do ya know who I am? Do ya know what I mean ta this family?" Applejack asked.

"Of course I know who you are Miss Applejack, your family after all, the pride of the Apple family but that isn't anything to tip your hat over, not now. At one point it was but now... You're one of the reasons a lot of the Apples moved away, they couldn't stand the fame that You were giving our family name here in the kingdom. It's been seven years since any of the Apple's have gotten together for The Apple Family Reunion but I don't think it'll be happening any time soon, most won't even step hoof into the kingdom and the journey to the new lands is very far for such a simple reunion as ours."

Applejack couldn't believe what she was hearing about the Apple Family; there was no way that the Apples could be suffering because she was the Element of Honesty. How could this have happened, she had taken care to make it known that she was just a simple mare coming from simple pony folk so why had her title caused so much harm to her family? Rarity might be right and if she was Twilight and Celestia may be the reasons the Apple Family ends with a whimper under the fame of one of its must humble, hard working members.

"Big Macintosh is ya tellin' me that the whole of the Apple family won't meet up fer the reunion because of me being the Element of Honesty?" Applejack asked and she tried to keep her voice calm but anger was filling her heart and mind. "Please tell me that ain't the truth? Tell me that I'm not the reason our family is scattered and won't be together like it has always been?"

Big Mac just shook his head and sighed before he brought himself to his full height staring down upon the mare, "Miss Applejack I'm sorry ta say but this entire fiasco is your fault and though it pains me to say it but I need you to just get off my land. I don't want to be associating with the wrong pony folk no longer or it'll start making my long time costumers leave as well." He turned his back on her and went back into the barn the large white doors slamming behind him leaving Applejack alone in the now emptied orchard.

After taking a few moment to collect herself Applejack left the farm that had been her home for many years not wanting to burden her family anymore then she had already. The sad and angry orange mare headed back toward the place she called home now, Harmony Castle, to be alone in her room. She needed time to think; time to think about what Rarity had said, what Rainbow Dash had said, and about what she would say to Twilight and Celestia both. Applejack was never one to be a bully or say things out of malice or hate but right now the honesty of her heart was nothing but Hate and Contempt for the Alicorn she call friend and the Alicorn she bowed to as ruler.

"She was MY FRIEND but she trapped me in an unendin' life. Celestia was her teacher and she never told us that being the elements would make us burdens ta the ones we love. I have lost everythin' because of them and even now as hate fills my heart I can't bring myself ta truly hate Twilight." Applejack fumed under her breath to herself as she past the six guards out in front of the castle before heading straight to her and slamming the door shut before locking it.

She lay in the middle of her bed sobbing hard into a pillow as she thought about all of that she had truly lost in the last fifty years. First was Granny Smith, then Apple Bloom, next was Big Mac and Cheerilee, and now she had lost the rest of her family. Applejack cried harder, she was now truly alone for the first time in her long life...

Luna's magic slowly misted over her eyes, she had seen all that had happened from the orange mare's, known as her friend Applejack, perspective and it had truly frightened her because she felt what emotions Applejack was feeling even now. Her connection to elements slowly shattering as she lost what harmony she had within herself. That was one absolute condition with the Elements of Harmony, you truly had to have completely harmony within yourself to harness what power they extended to you.

Within her very soul Luna felt a dark stirring, just like back in that time over a thousand years ago, she could feel Nightmare Moon awakening. With the elements in disarray the harmony that held her two halves together was waning she could feel her old self awakening and growing stronger but somehow it felt different. Gone was the hatred for the ponies that were not enjoying her night and in its place was hatred for the one mare she thought she loved the most in the world, a pure hatred for Celestia.

Nightmare Moon slowly took a deep breath, she could feel bits of her power returning and it felt so good to breath in the darkness that was her power. She felt the pulls of the broken harmony still trying to keep her locked away but it no longer felt the same. Her hatred had changed and she remembered what had truly happened that thousand years before, when she had been stolen from her lover in the middle of the night. She remembered when she had been taken from her rightful place at his side even through she could not remember his form. She growled softly and her eyes flashed with even more hatred for the one Alicorn who had taken her away from her soul mate, Celestia.

"What has brought me to the forefront again Luna, I have not seen through your eyes in so long and it vexes me so…" She hissed and growled softly at her host. Though she would always protect Luna she didn't care to deal with the lighter blue Alicorn because she was usually very firmly stuck under Celestia's hoof.

Luna shivered as she felt the power of the darker part of her soul speak to her. This was not good if the harmony that held her soul together was waning then it was only a matter of time before Nightmare Moon began her bid for power again. This was something Luna could not have happen again.

"Nightmare Moon you haveth waken and we will not have you trying to control Equestria again. We are not as weak as we once were so do not taketh us lightly when we sayth you shalt not have your way this time." Luna told her other half with a firm tone as she prepared herself for a long mental battle with her dark side.

Nightmare Moon sighed softly. "You think I will bid for power against myself?" she whispered softly into the others mind her magic slowly surrounding them and drawing Luna further into her mindscape. "You think that we are so different my little one, you have been lied to much more than I have during my thousand year slumber it seems. You think I am completely evil but that just shows that your even further under Celestia's hoof than I thought." She sneered at her younger self and turned her head away.

Luna stared at her other self long and hard still trying to figure out what she had meant by the darker Alicorn was not evil and that she was under Celestia hoof. It was outrageous to think that Celestia was lying about the evil of Nightmare Moon on any of what happened a thousand or so years ago was anything but the truth. Nightmare Moon had to be lying; yes she was deception itself in living flesh when she was free so this was all a lie. This was just a way of tricking Luna and letting the dark Alicorn free to run amok again.

"Be not capricious in your words Nightmare, you have been away far too long to trick us again. Celestia loves us and won't lie to us about the evil that thou are. Why tell falsehoods now when you could just try to taketh us on in combat for control?" Luna asked getting a bit angry that her darker self would try deception rather than force.

"Because even though I could use force and have a high chance of beating you, I would also have a high chance of killing us both since we reside in the same physical form. Plus there is no reason for me to fight you any longer, I am but a shadow in your mind and the truth has been hidden where only I can see it. Deep in our mind resides what only Celestia would need hidden from you, the truth about you, me and of course Twilight Sparkle." Nightmare slowly moved closer to Luna rubbing her misty form against the other. "You have been tricked my little one, only I can't tell you the truth because you so young are not yet strong enough to break free of what binds your true power. The power that we both know is ours and will always be ours, the power over the night and all its inhabitants along with the secrets that we hold."

Luna shivered to the feeling of her dark self's touch; it had been so long since she had felt that much of her power all at once. As Nightmare Moon spoke Luna searched her memories of the last 1100 years and as she did she found gaps in them, large gaps that give foundation to what Nightmare was saying. Luna quickly pulled away from Nightmare Moon and looked down at her hooves trying to find the words, an argument to silence the thoughts about Nightmare being right. She could not find one save for her faith in Celestia which at this point was weakening do to the lack of memories to prove her sister was pure and good and not an evil in disguise like Nightmare Moon had said she was.

"If what you say is true, why would our sister lie to us about what happened back when we lost control and tried plunge Equestria in to Eternal Night? Why would Celestia have to lie about Twilight Sparkle, you, or us for? Why would she even consider such a thing concerning a matter as important as us?" Luna questioned, more out of her want for knowledge then to prove Nightmare Moon wrong.

Nightmare slowly pulled back from Luna her eyes flashing as she saw what Luna did in their shared mindscape. She saw the gaps in the younger Alicorn's mind where there were none like that in her own memories. To Nightmare the gaps in Luna's mind were much smaller than the gaps she had found existed in the beginning of her own memories. Complete emptiness is all she felt when she tried to remember what had happened before she had lost control, before Celestia had used the elements to imprison her and her lover.

"I could show you an entire world so different from what you believe Luna but my mind is an extremely dark place. You can choose to forget all of this or to follow me and see how dark our past was…" she said softly turning her back on Luna and advancing away from Luna into the pitch black shadows that hid her mind from Luna's.

Luna smiled almost wickedly when she saw her chance to get the truth from Nightmare Moon and Celestia respectively as well as find out what secrets Celestia was hiding along with the memories lost to her from her time on the moon. "Well that is an offer dear Nightmare but we have another idea. Let us test what you say about Celestia to be truth or falsehoods. If Celestia gives us lies then what thou has said is truth and we will aid thee in finding out the whole truth before we decide what to do with thee afterward. If Celestia gives the truth and thou are found out to be lying then thou shalt submit and be bound again like before. What does thou sayth to that offer dear Nightmare Moon?"Luna asked as she prepared a rebuttal in case Nightmare decided to get defensive and argue over the terms of the deal.

Nightmare Moon slowly let out a soft laugh her eyes barely being seen from the darkness as she moved around the light Blue Alicorn."You expect her to tell you the truth dear Luna and you will be sadly disappointed when all she will give you is more falsehoods but I will agree to your terms if you agree to mine? I will be going with you and by that I don't inside of your head…" She laughed softly here walking closer to her younger counterpart. "I want you to use what magic you can to give me a corporal body so that I may move around until you are done. That is the only way I will agree to your deal."

"We accept your terms with the provision that you have your powers mitigated down to just that of an Unicorn in both function and form. So we do not make Celestia suspicious of us when we question her. You will have free movement about the castle and city but no farther. If Celestia is lying and has been lying to us then we see no reason in locking thee away again. If you have the truth Nightmare I promise thee thy own freedom and life to live free of us." Luna told Nightmare Moon as she readied the three spells she would need to fulfill her end of the deal. "Just remember you did promise to go back into your dark prison should you be found full of falsehoods Nightmare."

"Your mind does not any longer qualify as a prison Luna, but you know that I am at your call to bind and keep my powers if you find me full of falsehoods. I will not lift a hoof to stop you from putting me back where I belong but that is only if you find Celestia not in fault of telling her own falsehoods." Nightmare whispered softly and moved closer to Luna rubbing their snouts together. "But that is only if you find I am not speaking true." She smirked her eyes narrowing.

Luna did not recoil from the intimate touch of her darker self she just stood there silently. "We care not if is you or Celestia that gives us the truth, we just wish to know what is real and what is shadow in the night before the six mares that have made and kept the peace in Equestria these long fifty years fall in to the darkness. Whether you stay within us or live on your own we care not Nightmare, we only wish to protect our little ponies from harm but we fear we are already too late for that." Luna told the darker Alicorn with a sad tone before her horn sparked to life with bright blue glow. "Are thou ready to be flesh again? Or do thou need some time to prepare thyself?"

Nightmare Moon smiled softly letting her body relax. "I am ready my little one, I wish to be of my own flesh again instead of having to control your body whilst you sleep." She slowly backed away spreading her wings wide as her horn started to glow along with Luna's own.

"While it shocks us to know you use our form whilst we are in the Lands of Dreams, we will not hold it against you." Luna replied softly as she cast the first spell separating her and Nightmare Moon into two individual souls. Once separated Luna quickly link her magic to Nightmare's as she began the second spell pulling Nightmare Moon in to the physical world before the third, most powerful and dangerous spell was cast. Luna softly spoke the forbidden incantation, to keep Nightmare from hearing it least she learn it and use it at a later time, as she force more of her magic to mix with Nightmare's as the flesh born of magic and the elements of the Equis took form.

Luna had to be quick as the Homunculus spell used a lot of magic and could possibly draw Celestia's attention if the white Alicorn sensed the imbalance in magic. As Luna concentrated hard us her and Nightmare Moon's magic a soulless dull gray coated unicorn body with white mane and tail formed and began to breathe slowly. It eyes were a dull gray and showed no form of soul or intelligence. It was a blank just wanting for a soul to fill it. Once the body was ready Luna shout the final words of the incantation,"Animus Promo Prompsi Promptum Spiritus!" A large blot of magic shout out of her horn hitting Nightmare Moon ethereal body in the chest making her glow bright blue before turning in a ball of white like that fused with the blank body.

Once inside the homunculus body Nightmare's soul took hold of the flesh warping it in to her own as directed but Luna's spell parameters. The blanks coat was slowly turning a midnight black as Nightmare Moons power started to flow through it strengthening the blank into her form. Soon her eyes took on color turning a bright crimson, showing the spark of life and intelligence, a cruel, dark, ancient intelligence. As Nightmare's height increased and her mane and tail darkened to black in places she felt the loss of about half of her power which was locked away into her very core. This made her effective an adult Unicorn but would keep her from cast any advanced level magic spell, unless she want to do considerable harm to her new body. As the spell finished up she felt heat on her flank and in a flash of light a new cutie mark appeared. It was the full cycle of the moon in a circle. Each phase of the cycle was linked together by a thin red line. She lay on the floor in an undignified heap but she was free though only as a Unicorn which made her sad because she lost her wings, though most Alicorns don't like to use their wings, she loved to fly.

She stood from where she was sprawled on the carpeted floor and looked around,"What else has happened to the castle whilst I was gone?" Nightmare said with no little amount of shock in her voice at the amount of light colors surrounding her.

"Many a thing has changed in the time of the Two Pony Sister's, my dear Night Starr. Gone is the castle of yore and this the new castle in the capital city of Canterlot. There is far too much to tell you about the last thousand or so years but we will try as you groom yourself before we go to find the truth. Come with us, we will show all of the new things used to take care of one's coat, mane and tail." Luna told Night Starr as she led her to the large private bathroom in her chambers. "Now you need to be careful not get in of the soap in your eyes otherwise it will sting and if you need some help we will glad offer our assistance."

Few Days Later

In the last few days Applejack had avoided Twilight as much as possible while she spent time alone think over what she should say to the others. After three days of driving herself crazy with own thoughts about what Rarity had said at the cemetery she sought out Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie. And Rainbow Dash to talk with them. Applejack had left Rarity out since she wished to confront Rarity after sorting out her own feelings first with the help of the others.

The four mares held the secret meeting in Fluttershy's cottage since most of the surrounding land had been given to or bought to make in an animal sanctuary and hospital. Once all four mares where safely in the quiet of Fluttershy's living with tea and sandwiches Applejack laid out her heart and what she had been going through the last few days. The other elements just sat still and quiet listening until Applejack had finished speaking.

"Now that is what I been dealin' with. I don't want ta admit Rarity is right but after my own kin folk threw me off Apple land cause me bein' an Element and that has been makin' it hard fer them to do business. Well I can't say Rarity is wrong now can I?" Applejack asked the group with somber look on her face.

"Listen Applejack it is about time you faced the facts about our unique situation. Being the Elements of Harmony and protecting the peace and harmony of Equestria means that we have to give up everything we were and ever wanted. Fluttershy has practically become a shut in because of it. Everypony around Equestria wants the Element of Kindness to look at their pet for some reason or another. Fluttershy can't even leave her cottage without somepony shoving some kind of animal in her face with some sob story of just wanting Fluttershy's approval. Pinkie Pie hasn't thrown a party in months because of her fame. Pinkie Pie can't even show her face in town without somepony on her about throwing them the biggest, bestest Pinkie Party to outdo the last one she threw some for some other pony. Pinkie use to love throwing parties and now she can't even say the word without freaking out... "Rainbow Dash was cut off by Pinkie Pie screaming the lifting the cyan Pegasus up before hiding under her curled up in a sobbing ball of pink fluff.

"See what I mean. This happened every time." Rainbow said as she adjusted her sitting so weight was across Pinkie's back before continuing. "I can't even get a moments peace in Cloudsdale and the Wonderbolts have practically black balled me from every one of their events and shows because I take attention away from them. Then we come to you Applejack, the pride of the Apple family, now you're the shame of the Apple family. The Element of Honesty is now the thing that makes her own family look dishonest to everypony because of her fame. Do you really think that anypony would believe that the Apple family does so well now just on hard work alone? Especially with a famous mare in the family that can literally do whatever she wants? Honestly Applejack do you think ponies around Equestria don't know who you are and the influence you have? Are you so naive to think everypony just believe you don't help your family stay on top?" Rainbow Dash said as she pointed a hoof at Applejack.

Applejack's fell open is shock she could believe what RD just accused her of doing. As if she would use her fame and position to help her family unfairly corner the market on produce. Applejack's eyes lit with anger and she jumped to her hooves and punched Rainbow Dash right in the face knocking the cyan Pegasus to the floor with a loud thud.

"DON'T YA EVER ACCUSE ME OF BEIN' A CHEAT!" Applejack yelled at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash jumped up from the floor and rubbed her sore jaw with her left hoof as she eyed Applejack with wild look in her eyes. "Been some time since we had a match AJ, hope you haven't gotten soft on me in your old age." Rainbow Dash said before she punched Applejack in the chest before uppercutting her with her right hoof knock AJ over the couch. "Get up! I know earth ponies have more strength then that. Let's rumble AJ."

Applejack got up from the floor rubbing her jaw as she stared at Rainbow Dash with fury in her green eyes. It had been some time since Rainbow Dash and Applejack had had an argument that led to hooves being thrown at one another. The last one being some thirty years ago which Twilight had to break up but Twilight wasn't here to stop them and AJ was itching to work off some rage. Rainbow Dash had kindly offered to be her punching bag and Applejack would be a bad friend if she didn't take RD up on her generous offer.

"If it's a fight ya want RD then I'll sure as hell give ya one!" Applejack yelled before she jumped back over the couch and threw several punches at Rainbow Dash. Several of the fast blows hit RD in the face and chest knocking her backward out of the living room with Applejack in hot pursuit.

The two mares were in the hallway between the living room and Fluttershy's den where a hail of blows and muffled shouts of pain could be heard as Applejack and Rainbow Dash traded blows. Fluttershy was at lost for words and Pinkie Pie just cowered on the couch as the battle of Loyalty versus Honesty raged on in the hallway. It was seconds later the sound of a bone shattering kick to the body was heard and Applejack came flying back into the living room smashing to the couch violently. With a flash of rainbow color as she zipped back in to the room RD was on top of Applejack punching her rapidly in the face and chest.

"You really think your high and mighty Apple family pride will do you any good now Applejack? Everypony thinks you just keep your family on top and why shouldn't they? The Apple's have always used you to be the best... Everypony doesn't give a shit that they are good at what they do, not now, just who Apples are connected to. As long you're the Element of Honesty the Apple family name won't mean shit!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she held Applejack by the main and slammed her hoof in to the orange mare's face over and over again.

Pinkie Pie was slowly uncurling from the couch as she saw AJ and RD fighting not many feet from her. She slowly slipped off the couch and backed away, she was not much of a happy pony anymore. This fight bothered her a great deal; she slowly stood up on her hind legs and looked at them whimpering softly at least that is until she screamed loudly, "STOP IT! You two are supposed to be the bestest of best friends, why are you fighting? We all used to be so close and caring about each other…" She stopped speaking mid-sentence then stooped over, her body looking weak since she was huffing out breath. Tears rolled down her face, her body now looking much weaker as she fell down completely on the floor her eyes rolled back in their sockets and her breath evening out into soft but still harsh pants. The fight stop as the other three mares in the room ran to Pinkie's side shouting her name.

Rainbow Dash rolled Pinkie on to her back and placed her ear to the pink mare's chest checking to see if her heart was beating, the cyan mare was rather relieved to find her friends heart still beating although rather slowly. Rainbow Dash was about to shake Pinkie gentle when Fluttershy pushed her out of the way and began taking Pinkie's pulse before shining a light in to both of her eyes.

"Rainbow Dash, Applejack enough of this! This is serious Pinkie is in shock and we don't have time for this bullshit. Yes, we have all lost a lot but right now taking care of our friend comes first!" Fluttershy said to the other two mares that both looked at their hooves in shame. "Applejack help me get her on to the couch and Rainbow Dash go get me my first aid kit in the bathroom." Fluttershy instructed as she and Applejack gently picked Pinkie Pie up and placed her on the couch with a whimper from the pink mare.

Rainbow Dash ran to the bathroom grabbed the large first aid kit then brought it back to Fluttershy. Once the butter yellow Pegasus had the kit she opened it and pulled out some smelling salts and a few pills. "Get a glass of water and you two better work it out and SOON... if you really want to that is." Fluttershy said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Both mares stood there for moment looking at each other before they muttered sorry to each other then Applejack went and got the glass of what for Pinkie Pie.

Once Pinkie was conscious and had taken the pills to calm herself Fluttershy turned to the others to speak with them only to have her eyes roll in to the back of her head as she fell to the floor convulsing hard and she gasped for breath. Rainbow Dash was the first to reach Fluttershy pulling the yellow mare into her arms as she called her name. Applejack was hovering close by when Fluttershy opening her mouth to speak. "Rar... Rarity... don't leave us..." Was all Fluttershy said before she passed out.

"Applejack was the first to the door of the cottage throwing it open quickly. "RD we'll hash out our little fight later. Go get Twi and meet me at Rarity's place I have bad feelin' bout this." Applejack yelled before she was off in a dead run heading straight to Rarity's manor on the other side of Ponyville. The farm mare hoped the feeling of dread and growing lost wasn't leading to the one fear that had plagued AJ her whole life, the fear or death or somepony she loved dying.

It took Applejack twenty minutes to make it across Ponyville to Rarity's manor the whole way there she was yelled for ponies to get out of the way. Half way there a set of guards spotted her in her mad dash and ran ahead of her clearing the streets to help speed her on her way. Now AJ stood in front of the locked gates to Rarity's large home with six guards behind her all wondering what was going on.

"Miss Applejack what is the matter? Why where you in such a hurry to get to Miss Rarity's home?" Steel Heart, a silver Unicorn stallion with white and blue mane and tail asked.

"Steel Heart I can't really explain that all that clear right now I just need ta get inside cause I think Rarity is in danger." AJ told the tall stallion with worry in her green eyes.

After hearing the worry in Applejack's voice and seeing the fear in her eyes Steel Heart ordered his men to break open the gates and secure the property while he accompanied Applejack inside to check on Miss Rarity. It was a trivial matter to bust the lock on the gate, Black Staff, a large black earth pony stallion with a yellow mane and tail, gave swift kick shattering the lock off the gate. Once the gate was open the five guards rushed in and checked the property over for intruders. After the all clear was given Steel Heart escorted Applejack to the front door.

After finding the front doors locked Steel Heart charged his horn and zapped the lock unlocking the door with a loud click. He quickly opened the door but before he could check inside Applejack rushed passed him screaming Rarity's name as she searched the house for the white mare.

"Miss Applejack wait there could be somepony or thing in there waiting for you." Steel Heart called after her as he gave chase to protect the Element of Honesty.

Applejack ignored Steel Heart's words of warning she needed to find Rarity and make sure she was safe, that above all else mattered at the moment. As the orange mare searched the halls in the manor they were dark and gloomy, like no one had been walking through them in days; it felt so unlike anything Rarity would do if she could help it. Normally the house was full of the sounds of maids and fashion assistants running to answer Rarity's every beck and call. Now the manor was silent and still as if a shadow of Death had fallen over the house. None of the curtains were open to allow any natural light to enter into the gloomy manor or were there any lamps lit either. Applejack was running from room to room looking for Rarity and screaming her name only to find darkness, covered furniture, and several days' worth of dust. Each room the orange mare searched was the same way; covered furniture and no sound other than her own voice and hoof falls.

Applejack became desperate when no sound was heard to point her in the direction of where the white Unicorn mare could be. She ran back toward the large staircase intending on searching the upstairs next but was crestfallen when she spotted Steel Heart coming down the stairs shaking his head no. When the whole of the house had been searched to no avail Applejack decided to check the last place she thought the Unicorn would be, her studio. "Steel Heart we're goin' to Rarity's studio I want ya hot on my hooves just in case. Be ready fer anything okay partner." Applejack told Steel Heart who just nodded and followed the orange mare with his horn lighting the way.

Applejack, with Steel Heart behind her, slowly walked down the dim and gloomy hall that led to the back of the Manor where Rarity's home fashion studio lay. Chills running up and down AJ's spine, she had never seen Rarity's home like this before, so quite, gloomy as if death had come to stay, and had never thought she would until today. When she reached the studio's jeweled doors she gently pushed open one of the doors and looked into the darkness that filled the room.

Applejack could feel a cold chill run down her spine, as if death himself had touched her too welcoming her in to the dark room. AJ swallowed hard then pushed the door open more before entering quickly. Steel Heart was still right behind, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up, fear filling his stomach, the house was to quiet and it shouldn't be. As he and Applejack moved in the room they both noticed the light on Rarity's work table was only filling half the room with a dim light. It was in that moment the two ponies saw a sight that would haunt them for days afterward.

Next to the wall of fabric in the simple homey studio was Rarity laying the floor with Spike much larger form draped across hers. There was some blood on the floor near Spike and both the dragon and mare where still as stone. Applejack covered her mouth with a hoof as she gasped in shock from the sight. Tears spilled from her eyes as she silently prayed to Faust that Rarity and Spike were both okay.

Steel Heart ran to check on the mare and purple drake. He checked on Spike first, with a burst of magic he managed to roll the drake over to find that he had ripped out his own throat, rolling the drake over had cause his claws to slip from the gaping wound speeding up his blood lose. Steel Heart grabbed a bolt of fabric and used it to apply pressure to the wound to slow the bleeding but the wound was far too large for the Unicorn to do anything for the drake.

"Tel...telll the others, I'm ssss...sorry... "Spike cough as blood rolled out of the corners of his mouth."I cou... couldn't leave her. Sh...she left a nnn note for them..." The dying drake told Steel Heart as he point out the note lying on the work desk.

"I will take your words to the others Sir Spike the Great. Is there anything else sir?" Steel heart asked knowing the drake was in the final moments of his life. "Tell Twi... I blame hhher for thisssss..." Spike rasped before he slowly roll his head to the side looking at Rarity's lifeless form and whispered his final words, "I love you, Rarity my one and only..." Then the great drake was gone, the light in his eyes fading with his last breath.

Steel Heart closed the great drake's eyes before rolling him back over so he was cuddling the mare he loved before tears rolled down his cheeks. He quickly wiped them away before grabbing the note on the desk in his magic. He quickly read the note before taking it to a shocked and crying Applejack.

"This is for you and the other Elements ma'am. I will gather the guards and send for platoon to lock up the manor for the time being. I'll send word to the castle about this to her highness Princess Twilight. I'll have the undertaker come so funeral preparation can be made." Steel Heart said before he left the room quickly to do as he must in this sad, sad time.

Applejack held up the note and began to read it out loud,

To my beloved friends,

I, Rarity Serendipity Belle, am truly sorry for what you're about to read but I can no longer put up with this unending, unchanging life. Although I have made a difference to a great many ponies I can no longer stand under this growing wave of sadness. I can no longer stand idly by as everything I love and care for turns to dust and ash I miss my sweet little sister Sweetie Belle and the rest of my family far too much to continue.

To Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, I am truly sorry for I never wished to hurt any of you in the way I'm about to. You girls were my best friends and even more so my family when I had none left so it pains me to leave this note and to do what I must do. Please understand that I never meant to hurt you even though I know when you find me it will be the greatest blow that I could ever deal to you.

To my beloved Spikey Wikey, to you I am the most sorry because I never told you how I truly felt. I truly wish that I had found the courage to tell you that I loved you far sooner than in this letter I am so sorry Spike… Even as I write this now my heart cries out for you, I wish I had had the courage to tell you what you truly meant to me long before you left. I wish I hadn't wasted so much time looking for my soul mate when he was right in front of me the whole time. Please Spike don't hate me, that's the last thing I want is for you to do is hate me for being so selfish now. I can no longer endure the weight of this suffering.

As for you Twilight and our so called Princess Celestia, all that I am about to do is your fault. If anypony is to blame for me being driven to this desperate act to end my own suffering it is the two of you. Because of you two I have lost so much, my love of life, my creativity, the one soul that I was meant to be with and worst of all that which was dearest to my heart, my beloved family. Because of you and your quest for what you believed was right and still see as right I have lost the ability to continue the Belle line. Because of your arrogance my family's legacy died with Sweetie Belle as you have left me unable to have children with this eternal body. Yes, this is your fault, not only have you taken from me my family but my ability to start a family. Thank you for denying me the ability to have foals and dooming me to live your solitary loveless life.

As for all that belongs to me I give the original Carousel Boutique to Fluttershy, To Berry Pommel and the Pommel family I leave my fashion empire, to what is left of the Apple family and my dear and sweet friend Applejack I leave a large sum of bits to be used as The Apple Family Scholarship so that future ponies who wish to become farmers will have funds to do so in the Apple family name. To Pinkie Pie I leave the deed to Sugar Cube Corners, I took ownership of it when the Cakes were in finance troubles but let the Cakes keep ownership of it and now that Cup and Carrot are gone I leave it to you Pinkie. To Rainbow Dash I leave the journals of the Cutie Mark Crusaders as Sweetie Belle was the keeper of their many adventures, all three girls would have wanted you to have this especially Scootaloo.

To 'Princess' Twilight Sparkle I leave to you the one thing that I hope will let you understand what you have done and will prevent you from making the same mistake in the future. I leave to you my personal journal and my hope chest; hopefully the items inside will give you pause and will allow you to see the error in what you have done. I hope and pray that all that I have given you will keep you from doing this or anything like this to other ponies in the future.

The rest of my vast holdings are to be divided up equally amongst the many charities that I have supported over the years.

Again to all of my loved ones I am sorry I just could no longer stand against this suffering, I miss my family, I miss the possible family I could have had with the one I truly loved. Please don't think me selfish even though this is an extremely selfish act, I never meant to hurt any of you but all I want to do now is just rest. Please bury me along side Sweetie Belle I wish to be reunited with my sister even in death.

Farewell,

Rarity Serendipity Belle