Chapter 2

What Should We Do?

I should've mentioned before. I'm planning this to be a musical fic. The songs are from the "Jekyll & Hyde: The Complete Work - The Gothic Musical Thriller" CD and the original Broadway soundtrack. The first song is "Lost in Darkness" from the original Soundtrack, the second song is from the "Gothic Musical Thriller" CD. Both can be found on YouTube. (Anthony Warlow sings a great Jekyll and Hyde. (Gothic Musical Thriller.))

I do not own MLP, Jekyll & Hyde, or the music.


It was about an hour before the crying was toned down enough to a couple sniffs and drying tears. Big Mac was excused to work out his frustrations in the orchard, agreeing without hesitation to take Applejack's shift. Apple Bloom looked up to her grandmother and sister, completely unsure what to do. The information that Applejack had a Hyde inside her was distressing if not frightening. Applejack was never the sort of pony who would commit murder or descend into madness. The latter would take a lot of effort to attempt.

"Wha…what are we gonna do?" The youngest Apple asked, hoping for a way to help her sister.

Granny Smith looked to Applejack, sighed sadly, and returned her gaze to Apple Bloom.

"Well…we'll need to send letters to every Apple. The parents will tell the lil' Apples what we've told you and prepare them just the same. And we have to make sure the lil' ones take the Oath."

Apple Bloom cocked her head to the side, somewhat confused.

"Oath?"

Granny then pulled out a worn book from the trunk, blew away the dust, and returned to Apple Bloom. The way the elderly mare was holding the book, you'd think she was holding a bible. Pointing to the book with her hoof, Granny Smith motioned her granddaughter to come forward.

"As I have explained, we Apples are very secretive when it comes to Jekyll and Hyde. When a foal reaches a certain age, we tell them the Secret and make them take the Oath. If the Oath is ever broken, not only will ponies attack the Apples of that area, but the punishment for breakin' the Oath is disownment. Meanin' if they spill the beans, they are exiled and shunned from the family. Only in extremely rare cases does the punishment become somethin' the Princess would need to be present for."

The thought of being disowned or worse was enough for Apple Bloom to jump off the couch and approach her grandmother.

"I won't tell! I promise! It's not like anypony would believe me, anyway! Just…please give me the Oath!"

Granny Smith sighed with a smile on her face. She knew Apple Bloom wouldn't go as far as to purposely blurt out something like the Secret. She loved her sister too much. Tapping the book, Granny spoke.

"This here is Moonstone Jekyll's journal. We Apples have been usin' this to swear in ponies to take the Oath. Just place yer hoof on the cover gently and repeat after me."

Apple Bloom did as she was instructed and waited. After taking a moment to remember the Oath, Granny spoke.

"I, Apple Bloom…"

"I, Apple Bloom…"

"Do herby solemnly swear NOT to reveal the Secret of Jekyll, Hyde, and their connection to the Apple Family…"

"Do herby solemnly swear NOT to reveal the Secret of Jekyll, Hyde, and their connection to the Apple Family…"

"And do what we can to give the Hyde-Born a normal life…"

"And do what we can to give the Hyde-Born a normal life…"

"While subduin' the Hyde itself for as long as we can…"

"While subduin' the Hyde itself for as long as we can…"

"By Celestia's Sun and Luna's Moon, I swear by it!"

"By Celestia's Sun and Luna's Moon, I swear by it!"

A nod from Granny Smith was what told Apple Bloom that she could remove her hoof from the journal.

"That's it," Granny spoke. "You've sworn yourself to the Secret and the responsibilities that come with it. Now, I'll go start up some breakfast."

She looked to Applejack.

"Why don't ya take yer mind off this and help me. I think it'll do ya good, Applejack. I'll write to the princess afterwards. No doubt she'll tell the other princess' as well. At least Twilight will be prepared."

Applejack didn't say anything. Not even at the mention of her friend and the Princess of Friendship. Instead, she followed her grandmother into the kitchen, leaving Apple Bloom alone.

Apple Bloom looked at the portrait of Dr. Moonstone Jekyll and glanced at her sister in sadness. How could this happen? Was Honeycrisp not careful enough to prevent this? Whatever the reason, the damage was done. Apple Bloom's ears dropped as she sang softly in the company of the trunk and its contents.

Lost in Darkness

Lost in the darkness,

Silence surrounds you.

Once there was mornin',

Now endless night.

She then looked to Applejack, who was hesitant in touching a knife in order to cut the apple before her. The filly didn't need any hints to know her sister was distraught and needed help. But how? That was the question. She then stood on her hooves and made her way to the stairs, her gaze focused on Applejack, Jekyll's portrait tucked into her bow so as she could sing on.

If I could reach you,

I'd guide you and teach you

To walk from the darkness

Back into the light.

Apple Bloom returned to her room and placed the portrait on her nightstand. She gazed at the long-deceased stallion. Despite knowing she couldn't, she still wished she could talk to him. Going over his story in her head, Apple Bloom found herself becoming more sorrowful for Jekyll. She let a few stray tears to fall in mourning for Jekyll.

Deep in your silence,

Please try to hear me;

I'll keep you near me

Till night passes by.

Apple Bloom retreated to her window, gazing out into the seemingly endless sea of trees. Her normality. Applejack's normality. Now, that beautiful view was destroyed in the older mare's mind. She feared the future and with good reason. Straitening up, Apple Bloom sang the rest of the song as a promise to Applejack. A promise to help her sister get through this. No matter what.

I will find the answer.

I'll never desert you -

I promise you this -

Till the day that I die...

She turned her attention to Moonstone Jekyll's portrait. Somehow, his gaze was comforting her. Was the spirit of Moonstone Jekyll still watching over his family from beyond the grave? Beyond Midnight Hyde's reach? Sadly, she place a hoof on Moonstone's image.

"Uncle Moonstone. Help us. Please."


Hours later, in Princess Twilight's castle…

Princess Twilight Sparkle's pupils shrank as she read over the letter again and again. It was a letter from Princess Celestia…about Applejack and the rest of the Apple Family.

Dear Princess Twilight,

An hour ago, I received an urgent message from Granny Smith of the Apple Family. An old secret, a terrible secret, has resurfaced within the Apple Family. Though I have no doubt Applejack may tell you on her own volition, but as one of the four princesses of Equestria, I feel you, Luna, and Cadence must know.

You remember the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenscolt? I remember you doing a paper on it, though you were hesitant because it scared you at first. Sadly, it is not a work of fiction. Dr. Moonstone Jekyll was real, as was Mr. Midnight Hyde. He lived in Trottingham with the "characters" the book, though their real names were changed for the sake of privacy. But there is something that only the Apple Family, Stevenscolt, and I know about.

Jekyll was the elder brother of Honeycrisp, the first Apple since the Jekyll/Hyde incident. She would often assist her brother in his experiments and, sadly, was in the same vicinity as the Hyde potion. She inhaled its vapors unintentionally and since then, she and her family has harbored a terrible curse.

Every 100 years, an Apple is born with a Hyde "born in inside" them. I will go into details later. Sadly, Applejack is the new Hyde-Born. This means time is running out before her Hyde-self make her appearance. I ask you and the Ponyville Apples, Applejack mostly, to come to Canterlot. Granny Smith and I want to explain everything to you and the other princess. As for your friends, I'm afraid you will have to ask Applejack permission to tell them. It's a closely guarded secret and we cannot risk a lynch mob on the Apple Family.

Please come in a week's time, if not sooner. Hopefully, Applejack would not have transformed into her Hyde by then.

Come Swiftly and Whisper to Nopony,

Princess Celestia

Twilight lost count as to how many times she re-read the parchment, hoping that it was just a prank. But because of the length and the tone of the message, it slowly became evident that Celestia was telling the truth.

"Oh, Applejack. This can't be true? Can it?"

Twilight then rushed to her library and levitated a copy of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" followed by every book on the pony psyche. Setting Jekyll & Hyde aside, Twilight began speed-reading through her books. Celestia said Applejack was running out of time before her Hyde emerges. And the Princess of Friendship knew the Element of Honesty couldn't bear being responsible for murder and whatever else her Hyde would do.

Scenario after scenario popping into her head, Twilight's fear slowly changed into desperation. She needed to help her friend. But how. With Spike gone to help Rarity at the boutique, Twilight knew it was safe for her to sing out her feelings on the situation.

I Need to Know

I need to know

the nature of the demons that possess

a pony's soul!

I need to know

why pony's content to let them make them less

than whole.

She picked up another book and began to read it. Normally, she'd take her time. But her friend was counting on her. There must be a way to reverse the Hyde formula. There must be. Yet, she could not help but be curious as to how this could happen. The mind may be the final frontier in pony physiology. So many question, yet so little answers.

Why does she revel in murder and madness?

What is it makes her be less than he should?

Why is she doomed not to reach her potential?

Her soul is black

when she turns her back

upon good.

Twilight pulled away from her reference book and peered at the "formerly" fiction book beside her. As a filly, she shared Jekyll's wonder about the possibility of splitting one's good self from the bad self. The new princess feared that the Apple Family wouldn't give up Jekyll's journals for anything. It was too damning. And besides, if Princess Celestia had not found a cure for the Apples, was there one at all?

I need to find

a way to get inside the tortured mind of mare.

I need to try

to separate the good and evil - if I can.

The princess then set the book down and pulled down from the mantle of her fireplace a picture of her and her friends. She remembered the day she met Applejack. She was friendly and came to her defense when Rainbow Dash began jumping to conclusions when Nightmare Moon returned.

One thing is certain - the evil is stronger.

Good fights a hopeless and desperate fight.

I must find ways of adjusting the balance

to bring her back from the empty black

edge of night!

She remembered how Applejack was honest when they were in search of the Elements of Harmony. She assured the then-unicorn that if she let go of her, she'd be safe. Though she doubted her words at first, Twilight found herself being caught by Rainbow and Fluttershy, confirming Applejack's honesty.

I need to go

where no pony has ventured before

to search for the key to the door

that will end all this tragic and senseless decay!

But how to go?

I need to know!

A flood of memories involving Applejack came to Twilight in a flash. The Running of the Leaves, Applebuck season, her brother's wedding, her own coronation, everything. She was always a dependable pony Twilight always could count on. Now, Applejack needed somepony who she can count on instead.

I need to learn

the secrets of the mind that we cannot discern.

I need to learn

the things that make ponies pass the point of no return.

Placing the picture back onto the mantle, Twilight walked down the halls, her musical thoughts echoing thanks to the castle's acoustics.

Why does a wise mare take leave of her senses?

Where is that fine line where sanity melts?

When does intelligence give way to madness?

A moment comes

when a pony becomes

something else ...

Narrowing her eyes, Twilight became determined even more to help her friend. She picked up the pace, making her way to the Map Room.

I need to know

why a pony plays this strange double game!

Her hoof always close to the flame!

It's a deal with the devil she cannot disclaim!

But what's her aim?

I need to know!

Upon entering the Map Room, Twilight looked to the gnarled tree root chandelier her friends created. It was made to help Twilight feel more at home in her castle, especially since the roots were from her old home, the Golden Oaks Library. The memory crystals glistened as Twilight sang louder in a desperate plea.

Dear gods, guide me!

Show me how to succeed!

With your wisdom inside me,

Twilight Sparkle will follow wherever you lead!

Her mind was made up. She was going to help Applejack whether she and her family liked it or not. Gazing at the map and thinking of their adventures, Twilight's voice became more powerful as she thought of her cursed friend. A smile of determination crept onto her lips, promising the same promise Apple Bloom made in secret.

I need to see

the truth other ponies cannot see

to be things that others can't be!

Give me courage to go

where no angel will go!

And I will go!

I need to know!


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