Megalomaneia
Episode 2
Rise of the Lacerating Lady

Written by The Lord of Dust

“Perfect.” Dixie dabbed her brush against the canvas, putting the finishing touch on her latest masterpiece, or at least that's what she kept telling herself it was. She was a decent artist, on that anypony would agree, but her art never seemed to be quite good enough to capture anypony's attention. The orange unicorn loved to create beauty, whether it be through paint on a canvas, plush dolls that she sewed and stuffed by hoof, mini wooden ponies lovingly whittled into existence, or just any little odds and ends that she felt compelled to craft. Her cutie mark, a pocket knife crossed over with a paintbrush, its tip covered in red paint, reflected her talent. If only everypony else could appreciate her work, then maybe she could truly make a living doing what she loved. Sadly that dream seemed destined to never come to fruition.

Dixie smiled, admiring her work, but behind the expression, her mind was wracked with worry. The two sisters lived in a small house near the center of town. A living room that had been converted into a cluttered shop, a barebones kitchen, one cramped bathroom, a musty attic, and a single bedroom with one large queen sized bed that the two sisters shared, formed the residence. A generous minded pony might consider it cozy, Dixie considered it cramped and unbecoming. The sisters had done their best at decorating, thick velvet curtains, matched by plush carpet, desperately tried to make the interior look opulent and fanciful. Furniture with plump, inviting cushions added to the feel of the house. Artwork, mostly her own, hung from the walls, another attempt at adding class. While the interior screamed of desiring affluence, it only served to draw the mind in the opposite direction, knock offs and cheap imitations sabotaging the ambiance.

Watching ponies pass down the street, Dixie stretched out on the old wooden swing. She often sat on the porch as she worked, enjoying the energy of the bustling town. The sound of happy ponies going about their daily routines usually relaxed the mare, but today it wasn't enough. A brightly colored wooden sign hung from the building, proudly proclaiming it to be “Dixie and Daisy's Doodles and Doodads.” She batted at her mane flip, watching the blue hair bounce gently.

The mare's thoughts fell to Daisycutter. Dixie had sent her sister off to stock up on the week's groceries, leaving her alone with her work for the morning. “We're not going to have enough,” Dixie said to herself with a sad sigh.

“I hope you're not talking about my payment Miss Dixie.” Startling the mare, a yellow stallion stepped onto the porch, a five dollar smile plastered across his face. He wore a white cowboy hat, pulled low, partially obscuring his eyes. On his flank, his cutie mark depicted a silver knife cutting in half a gold coin. “Because that would be a right problem, now wouldn't it.”

“Mr. Cut-rate!” Dixie said quickly getting to her hooves. “What do I owe the pleasure?” Her words were polite, but her tone was anything but.

“I just thought I'd stop by and be neighborly.” Cut-rate leaned against the veranda's railing. “You know you owe me quite a sum of bits?”

Narrowing her eyes, Dixie kept her voice calm. “I am aware.”

“Then you're also aware that your debt has been owed to me for some time.” His predatory smile grew larger. “Only because of my gracious demeanor have I let it slide this long. Pretty nice of me, wouldn't you say?”

Glaring, Dixie gritted her teeth. “I'm thankful Mr. Cut-rate.”

“Indeed you should be.” The stallion leaned in close to the mare, coming muzzle to muzzle. Even though Dixie felt reviled being so intimately close with Cut-rate, she held her ground. “My generosity does have it limits, as I'm sure a pretty mare like yourself can understand. If you don't have my bits by the end of the week.” He put on his sleaziest smile. “Then I'll have no other choice than to take this quaint little shop.”

As his breathe rolled across Dixie's face, her stomach turned. “You'll get yours, don't you worry,” the unicorn replied coldly.

Cut-rate stepped off the porch. “Oh I don't doubt it. One way or the other, I always get what's owed me.” He took several steps before stopping. He spoke softly, almost as if too himself. “This really is an ideal location, I can't wait until it's mine.”

Trotting away, the stallion whistled a tune, his smile still intact. Dixie waited until Cut-rate was out of site before flopping back onto the couch. Her face split into a scowl. “I bucking hate stallions.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Laughter filled the air. “Wait! Faith, play that part again,” Maneia said between laughs, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Please don't,” Vapid interjected, completely and utterly ignored.

The three ponies sat on a large sofa in a darkened room. Light poured from Faith's eyes, splashing onto a white screen placed against the wall. A still image of the Golden Oaks library, filled with sick ponies projected onto the wall. Tilting her head to the left, the image changed, the ponies slowly moving in reverse.

“Here, this part,” Maneia said pointing towards the screen.

Faith straightened her head, causing the video to resume play. Maneia grabbed a hoofful of popcorn, her eyes locked on the show. Celestia filled the screen, her face turning from white to green before violently covering her faithful student. In a burst of laughter, the blue unicorn sent popcorn flying, scattering across the furniture and floor.

“You know who that is right?” Maneia asked elbowing Vapid.

Vapid, swallowed down his queasiness and studied the image. “No, I can't say I'm familiar with her.”

“That's Twilight Sparkle,” Faith said pausing the video. Zooming in closer to the unhappy purple mare, she illuminated the stallion. “She is a personal student of Celestia, her brother is captain of the Royal Guard, she's one of the six Elements of Harmony, the Element of Magic, and to top it off she's supposedly a genius with a stupid amount of magical power.”

“In other words,” Maneia added. “She's going to be a major problem.”

With a digital blink, Faith's eyes switched from the bright projectors back to their normal soft blue glow.

“But,” the blue mare continued. “If we converted her over to our side, then she would be a huge blow against Celestia.”

Faith grabbed a hoofful of popcorn. “If is the key word. She's obscenely loyal to the Princess, nearly to the point of Celestia being a second mother figure to her. It'd be almost impossible to turn her against Celestia.”

Vapid frowned at the thought of casually ruining a pony's lifelong mentor relationship. “If that's true then it would be a waste of time to even try.”

Flashing a smile, Maneia rubbed her hooves together. “Ah, but I've got a plan. There are five other Elements. First we secretly win over the other Elements, then once all of her friends are ours, she'll easily cave in to peer pressure.”

“That's a great idea, it really is,” Vapid said hastily. “But how about instead, we write an orderly letter to Celestia, detailing exactly how we feel and outline a series of propositions...” His suggestion slowly died away as the two mares stonily stared at him. Vapid coughed awkwardly. “Or not.”

“That was painful to listen to,” Faith remarked shaking her head. “I think we are all more boring because of it.”

“No... no, it was a good attempt,” Maneia said soothingly. “It's just not... up to par with what we're looking for.”

Rolling her eyes, Faith stuffed her mouth with more popcorn. “In other words if we need to put somepony to sleep, then we'll go with your idea.”

Vapid held his tongue, both knowing it would be futile and with Faith around, slightly dangerous to argue. “So I assume we're going to start this brainwashing scheme today.”

Picking up her tail, Maneia twirled a hoof around one of the curls. Chewing her lip in thought, her face contorted in indecision. “I supposed we could go ahead and start with Applejack, but...”

“But?” Vapid prompted, hoping the mare was having a change of heart.

“Well, the thing is. After I heroically killed that manticore, I mentioned to Nocturna it'd be a shame to let it go to waste.”

With a sharp intake of breath, Faith grabbed Maneia, the two mares locking eyes. “You don't mean...”

“Yes!” Maneia affirmed, nodding her head. “Nocturna is...”

“Cooking!” Faith moaned in delight, causing Vapid to blush involuntarily.

“So I take it this is a good thing?” Vapid asked, hoping they wouldn't notice his reddened face.

The mares' eyes sparkled as they grasped each others' hooves.

“Usually we have the ponzies prepare our food.” A dribble of drool ran out the corner of Maneia's mouth. “But once in a blue moon, Nocturna decides to take it upon herself to cook.”

“The end result is nothing short of glorious,” Faith added, a sense of wonder in her voice.

Watching the two mares slowly lose what little sanity they had, Vapid continued his original inquiry. “So about that plan?”

Turning on Vapid with a snarl, Faith's eyes burned with passion. “If Nocturna is cooking, then I'm not leaving this house!”

“It's only nine in the morning, that's still plenty of time to kill before dinner,” Vapid pointed out logically.

“Yeah,” Maneia said gravely. “But what if Nocturna gets everything ready and we're not back yet?”

“Don't even say that,” Faith reprimanded, horrified.

Vapid smiled. He definitely wouldn't mind a nice, simple day of sitting around the mansion. A cold chill ran down his spine as Faith slid next to him.

The robotic mare grinned wickedly. “Seeing as how we're not going anywhere, I've got a couple of tests I've been needing some help with.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Daisycutter happily trotted towards home, her saddlebags filled with sustenance. She nodded to all the ponies she met, greeting them all with a cheerful hello. The brown pegasus perked her ear at a buzzing sound as she neared a corner.

“Watch out!” a young filly cried as she careened into Daisycutter, a metal scooter jamming into her side, knocking the wind out of the pegasus and scattering the groceries across the ground.

“Oh my head,” the filly said lying dazed atop of Daisycutter.

“Oh my candy,” Daisycutter said in despair as she stood up, eying a squashed pack of sweets. She looked back at the filly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I'm alright.” The filly flexed her short wings. “I guess I was pushing it a bit too fast. I didn't see you come around that corner... I'm really sorry about that.”

“Ah, it's okay, accidents happen.” Daisycutter used her wing to lift up the small pegasus and place her back on the ground.

Noticing the mess she had caused, the filly blushed. “I'll help you pick everything up.”

“Well thank you kindly,” Daisycutter said with a smile, adjusting her bandana back into place.

The two pegasi quickly cleaned up the spilled food, placing them back within Daisycutter's saddlebags.

“You're really tall,” the filly stated, looking up at the pegasus.

Daisycutter chuckled. “Yup, my sister used to tease me saying I was half alicorn.”

The small pony laughed, before a gurgle from her stomach elicited a nervous chuckle from the little filly.

With a smile, Daisycutter leaned down next to the pegasus. “Ya hungry?”

The filly blushed again. “A little. I was so late for our meeting that I skipped lunch.”

Reaching into her bag, Daisycutter pulled out an apple. Dusting it off, she offered it to the filly, who took it appreciatively.

“Thanks... what's your name by the way?”

“My name's Daisycutter. What's yours?”

“I'm Scootaloo.”

Daisycutter stuck out her hoof. After a brief hesitation, the small pegasus took the hoof and shook it. “Well, it's good to meet you Scootaloo.”

Scootaloo beamed at the larger pegasus. “Back at ya.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Daisy, I'm glad your back,” Dixie greeted as her sister entered the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, Daisycutter began unpacking all the perishables. Dixie busily rooted through the groceries, finding what she needed to prepare them lunch. Her horn glowed as food and utensils flew through the air.

“I'm happy to see you too,” Daisycutter replied.

Even though Dixie's voice was chirpy, Daisycutter could tell it was forced. “Once we eat I've got big plans for us today.”

The pegasus raised an eyebrow. “We do?”

“Yes,” Dixie stated, slathering a slice of bread with butter. “We're going to go make some money. Doesn't that sound like fun?”

Shutting the refrigerator, Daisycutter eyed her sister warily. “To tell you the truth, no it doesn't.”

“Well, it will be,” Dixie said before taking a bite of her freshly made sandwich. “I hear Sugar Cube Corner is looking for some extra help, so we'll see if they need two hard working girls.”

Daisycutter frowned. “We have a store,” she said gesturing in the direction of the front room. “So we already have jobs.”

“It'll be just for a couple days. We need a bit of extra money and the shop can basically run itself, so it won't kill us to do an honest day's work.”

Dixie and Daisy's Doodles and Doodads was very relaxed when it came to operations. A small wooden pony, a thin slot cut into its back, sat on a polished counter next to the door. When a customer, few that they were, wanted to make a purchase, all they needed to do was place their bits into the imitation pony, then leave with their goods. If a pony felt like skipping the whole, 'paying for it' step, and tried to leave with any merchandise, then a magical deterrent system would kick into effect. Dixie wasn't quite sure what it would do since nopony had ever tried stealing anything before, plus she hadn't been the one to implement the system. Nocturna had spent an entire day carving strange runes and casting complex spells to set up the shops automation. She had explained in great detail everything she had done, but Dixie had just smiled and nodded, the white unicorn's vast knowledge of magic overloading Dixie's much smaller understanding.

“Is there a reason why we suddenly need more bits?” Daisycutter asked.

Dixie turned away from her younger sister, not letting her see the grimace on her face. “Cut-rate came by today, and he's becoming impatient on what we owe him.”

Wrinkling her nose, Daisycutter stuck out her tongue. “That creep. Don't we have enough to pay him back yet?”

Sighing, Dixie turned back to the brown pegasus. “Not even close. But I do have a plan. The next few days we work our flanks off, then once we've proven we're great employees, we ask our new employers for a loan. After that we pay Cut-rate, then work off our new debts.”

“So we're still going to be in debt... just to different ponies,” Daisycutter said slowly, not sure what the point was.

“Yes, but being in debt to anypony else is better than being in debt to Cut-rate,” Dixie said floating a tomato sandwich over to her sister. Daisycutter took the sandwich and quickly scarfed it down, barely giving time to chew.

“Why don't we just ask Nocturna?” the pegasus suggested through a mouthful of bread and vegetables. “I'm sure she wouldn't mind helping us.”

Frowning, Dixie shook her head. “Our problems are our own. I've never gotten on my knees and begged for something in my life and I'm not about to start now.”

“I'm pretty sure she wouldn't make us do that, plus you know how rich she is, she wouldn't even bat an eyelash at that kind of money.”

Dixie shot the pegasus a stern look. “It's the principle of the matter. She is our friend, if we were to expect her to bail us out of every problem, then what kind of friends would we be in return?”

“I suppose your right,” Daisycutter sighed, still not understanding her sisters reasoning. “As usual.”

“Now come along, we've got a whole day ahead of us, let's make the most of it.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Vapid, can you hear me?”

Groggily opening his eyes, Vapid's vision filled with a blue and purple blur. “Ghuh.”

“See,” Faith said casually. “I told you he would be fine.”

“He stopped breathing!” Maneia cried in exasperation.

“Yes,” Faith acquiesced. “But now, he is breathing, so it worked itself out, just like I said it would.”

As Vapid's vision slowly began to focus, he realized that despite all this talk of breathing, he was finding it very difficult to do so. He tried moving his forehooves, but they refused to budge. “Huuhh.”

“What was in that pill anyway?” Maneia asked glaring at the electronic pony.

Smiling wickedly, she produced a glass vial, filled with small green tablets. “It's my own secret recipe, top secret.”

“Gurgh,” Vapid wheezed, his vision clearing. He lay on the floor, Maneia sitting atop his chest. He limply tried to push her off, but his legs were still numb from the drugs. Turning to face the mechanical pony still sitting on the couch, Maneia's dark purple tail swept over Vapid's face, threatening to suffocate him.

Maneia huffed angrily. “Why do you even need those?”

“A mare never knows when she might need to chemically incapacitate a pony.” Faith giggled unnervingly.

“On second thought I'd rather not know,” the blue mare said disquieted. She turned back to the stallion, her tail sliding off his muzzle. Maneia blanched. “Uh oh.”

Jumping to her hooves, she brought her ear to his mouth, then to his chest. “He doesn't have a heartbeat,” she said both horrified and embarrassed.

“It'll work itself out,” Faith yawned stretching out across the couch. “Or it won't, I'm fine with either.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Luster scowled as he looked up at the sugary edifice. Sugar Cube Corner flamboyantly proclaimed to any passersby that within its walls tasty treats were sure to reside. Bright and colorful, it disgusted the elderly stallion. He considered it too over the top, the visual equivalent of eating a spoonful of cinnamon. “Oh, I wonder what they could possibly do here,” he said sarcastically

Pushing the doors open, he walked up to the counter and hit the bell, grumpily waiting to be served. “What are you doing here?” Luster asked surprised as Daisycutter burst into the room, thick smoke and the sound of scrambling hooves following her from the doors to the kitchen.

“Luster!” Daisycutter greeted cheerfully. Flour and dough covered the mare, her black bandana white with powder. She trotted over to the counter, swinging her hips. “Dixie and I work here now. It's pretty awesome too, after a week, we get to eat anything that didn't sell!”

“Do ya now?” Luster said. Finding the mare working at the bakery had thrown him off guard.

“Mmhmm. Mr. Cake and the other employee here went on a delivery run to Baltimare, so Mrs. Cake hired us to help her while they're gone.”

“Sounds reasonable.” Luster placed several bits onto the counter top. “In that case I'd like to purchase a bag of luster dust.”

The pegasus grimaced. “We just used up our entire stock. Turns out it's extremely flammable.”

“Oh, well that's unfortunate,” Luster said slowly. “I guess Nocturna will have to make do without it. Which reminds me, that daughter of mine is cooking everypony a big dinner tonight, so don't be late because I'm not going to wait on you and I won't promise that I'll save you any either.”

Daisycutter flattened her ears, crestfallen. “I don't think we'll be able to go.”

Arching an eyebrow, Luster gave the mare a curious look. “Why not?”

The large pegasus glanced back towards the kitchen doors, the smoke and clattering had died down, only to be replaced with the sound of two mares arguing, their voices quickly growing louder and angrier. “Well the thing is, Dixie borrowed a lot of bits from this scumbag, and now he wants his money.”

“And you two don't have enough to pay him back,” Luster guessed.

“Bingo.”

“If you're having problems why didn't you ask us for help?” he said shaking his head. “Why go to some loanshark in the first place?”

“That's what I said!” the mare replied exasperated. “But Dixie doesn't like being dependent on others... it's this weird self-reliance thing she's stuck on.”

“There's nothing wrong with that, but it sounds like she's just being stubborn.” Luster stroked his chin. “Who's this pony anyway?”

“He's called Cut-rate, wears a big hat, always has a sleazy grin.” She exaggerated a large smile and twirled her hooves over her head.

“Tell you what,” Luster said turning and slowly trotting towards the exit. “Just make sure you and your sister show up tonight. After all, we wouldn’t want to let good food go to waste.”

“Oh! Your bits, you almost forgot them.”

“Keep 'em,” the stallion replied opening the door. “Sounds like you need it more than I do.”

Daisycutter smiled, scooping up the bits. The kitchen doors slamming open caused her to jump, sending the coins clattering onto the floor. Dixie stomped into the room, her mane ruined by a thick layer of wet dough. Glittering, golden dust covered her tail and hind quarters.

“Come on Daisy,” Dixie seethed. “I need a shower.”

“Don't we still have orders to fill?” Daisycutter asked confused.

“It's not our problem anymore,” Dixie said, her eye twitching.

“Oh... you mean we got fired... right?” Daisycutter realized.

“No, we quit!” Dixie shouted towards the double doors leading back into the kitchen. “Daisy, sweetheart, we're leaving right now!”

Paleing, Daisycutter swiftly scooped up the dropped coins. Pumping her wings, she jumped over the counter and trotted after the fuming unicorn.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Alright,” Dixie said stepping out of the bathroom, her mane and coat restored to pristine condition. “I've cleaned up and calmed down.”

“That's good to hear.” Daisycutter lounged on the single bed. While Dixie had commandeered the small bathroom, the pegasus had simply gone to the back yard and washed herself off with the water hose. “I haven't seen you that mad in a long while.”

Scrunching her nose, Dixie shamefacedly kicked at the floor. “No, that wasn't one of my shining moments.”

Daisycutter risked pocking fun at her sister. “Yeah, you're usually the Queen of Cordiality, but sometimes you turn into a real Lacerating Lady.”

“She brought it on herself. Even if you accidentally broke the oven, and bent all the kitchenware, and started a small fire, she had no right to say the things she did.” Dixie also knew her outburst towards Mrs. Cake had a large deal to do with her anxiety over their looming date with Cut-rate, but she didn't want to overly worry Daisycutter about it.

“Well, Mrs. Cake does have two foals, so when things got.... explosiony, her motherly instincts probably got her all emotional,” Daisycutter explained rationally. “Plus, she didn't really say anything that bad, and besides that I'm a grown mare, I can handle a bit of badmouthing.”

“That may be so,” Dixie said. “But I won't just stand idly by and watch anypony put down my sister.”

Daisycutter suppressed a giggle. “It's a good thing I'm not lactose intolerant, because things just got cheesy.”

Dramatically leaning back, the unicorn spun and fell onto the bed, landing next to her younger sister. “I'm a tad overprotective... so I have a single flaw. Noponies perfect. Although I am pretty close,” Dixie said straight-faced, trying not to smile. A single glance at her sister was enough to break her resolve. Laughing, she grabbed Daisycutter in a headlock. “I'll show you who's a Lacerating Lady!”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Vapid jolted awake, electricity coursing through him. His eyes darted back and forth, quickly taking in his surroundings. Instead of Maneia's compassionate face, this time he was met with the unsettling leer of Faith. The metallic mare straddled his torso, her figure intimately close to his, but only the cables from her mane and tail actually touched his body.

“Did it work?” Maneia asked from behind her, out of the stallion's view.

Faith grinned wickedly. “Not yet, I'll try again.”

Before Vapid could respond, arcs of electricity sparked from the tips of the cables. Dozens of mini lightning bolts coursed into the stallion, casting the room into stark light and shadows.

“Ah,” Faith cooed stepping off the stallion, small curls of smoke wafting from his coat. “It looks like I've saved the day yet again.”

“You're the one who got him like that!” Maneia admonished, walking over to the stallion. She nuzzled her head under his side, helping him get to his hooves, then onto the couch.

“I'm not the one with the asphyxiating tail,” Faith vindictively pointed out.

“That was an accident!” Maneia blurted, her cheeks burning red. She turned to Vapid, grabbing his shoulders. “You know I didn't do that on purpose, right?”

Vapid opened his mouth to respond, but instead a puff of smoke escaped his lips. Maneia threw her hooves around him, knocking the stallion over. Faith scrambled, but failed to move in time. With a thud and a clatter the three ponies fell onto the floor, Faith crushed under the mare and stallion.

Maneia squeezed Vapid tightly. Teary-eyed, she stared at the stallion. “Oh please forgive me! I swear I'll never kill you again!”

Through Maneia's vice-like grip, Vapid choked out a reply. “I... forgive... you.”

“Get off!” Faith tersely demanded.

Maneia continued hugging the gray earth pony, crying tears of joy. Upon being ignored, Faith growled in annoyance, the tips of her mane and tail flaring to life with energy. The smell of burnt hair filled the room as the three ponies crackled with electricity.

“Uhhhh,” Maneia groaned, her vision spinning.

“Nrrunh,” Vapid declared, teetering on the verge of consciousness.

The screens depicting her cutie mark had gone dark, while her eyes depicted a flashing error message. Sparks shot from a newly formed crack in her right foreleg, oil slowly began to puddle underneath her. “I... didn't think that through.”

The door to the living room opened. Luster stepped into the room, whistling a tune. Dying on his lips, he stopped, the room falling into silence. He looked at the three ponies, passed out one on top of the other. Grimacing, he turned away, shaking his head. “If you're going to do that kind of stuff, then do it in a bedroom... or at least invite me next time.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Now all y'all need to do is buck the trees,” an orange mare said lashing her back hooves against an apple tree. “And then just make sure all the apples go in these here barrels. Pretty straightforward.”

“Alright Applejack,” Dixie said looking up at the apples overhead. “I think we can handle it from here.”

“Kick the trees, pick up the apples,” Daisycutter affirmed taking a bite out of the freshly fallen fruit.

Smiling, the Stetson wearing mare nodded her head at the two sisters. “If'n you two get thirsty, feel free to come up to the house and cool off with some cider. Now if you'll excuse me, what with my brother being laid up, I'm busier than a squirrel afore winter. ” The Element of Honesty trotted away, off to do her own work for the day.

“She seems like a real nice pony,” Daisycutter commented, trying to balance an apple on the tip of her nose.

Dixie bobbed her flank towards her sister, whipping her tail, she deftly flicked the red fruit off of Daisycutter's snout. “She does have a proper hospitality about her, but don't forget she is an Element of Harmony. That means Maneia, and by extension us, will go after her eventually.”

“You're a deadeye with that thing,” Daisycutter said playfully, twirling herself up in Dixie's tail.

Dixie gently pulled her tail away, unwrapping the pegasus. “You're avoiding the subject at hoof.”

Sighing, Daisycutter replied. “Yes, I understand who Applejack is and what that means, but that doesn't mean she isn't a decent pony.”

“That's exactly my point,” the unicorn said looking at her sister. “She is a good pony, that's the problem. I know how you are and I just don't want you to get too friendly with her, then have to turn against her later.”

Mulling it over, Daisycutter lowered her head. “That makes sense, I guess.”

“Now come on,” Dixie said nuzzling against her sister. “We've got bits to make and apples to buck.”

The two mares parted, each going to separate trees. Dixie eyed the apple tree, looking it up and down. Studying the tree, she pondered on how best to approach it. The north facing side of the trunk had a large knot on it so that wouldn't do, but the south facing side was relatively smooth.

Nodding to herself, slowly she approached the tree. Backing up, she stopped just short of touching the bark. She looked over her shoulder, and carefully raised her back leg, aiming her hoof for the perfect kick. Her hoof shot out, rocketing towards the unsuspecting tree. At the last second she pulled her kick, and gently tapped the wood. Leaves rustled as the wind gingerly swept through the orchard.

Panicking, the mare lifted her back hoof and desperately inspected it. After being satisfied with her findings, she sighed in relief. “For a second I thought I had chipped a hoof.”

Across the orchard Daisycutter prepared to buck her own tree. Approaching the tree, she swiftly spun around and kicked out her leg. With a snap, her hoof blew clean through the trunk.

“Uh oh.” Daisycutter wriggled her hoof, slowly pulling it out. She lowered her head and looked through the large hole, gingerly tracing it with her hoof. “Maybe that was a little too hard. I'll dial it back on the next tree.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“What in tarnation happened...” Applejack said, her voice barely a whisper.

A scene of tree genocide lay before her. Holes perforated the trees, several having toppled over, the holes in their trunks weakening them to the point of collapse.

“Where... where are they?” the mare demanded, her voice barely a whisper. The two sisters were nowhere to be seen, Applejack was alone with the small patch of destruction.

“My poor, poor apples.” Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. She pulled her Stetson low, a grim expression forming across her face. “This ain't over... not by a long shot.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“I'm really sorry Dixie,” Daisycutter said hanging her head low as the pair trotted down a dark wooded path. Twisted and gnarled trees loomed to either side of the rough dirt road. The sun lowered towards the horizon, splashing the sky with warm orange and purples.

Dixie stalked through the forest road, her sister gloomily plodding behind her. “I'm not angry... I'm not.” Dixie fumed. “But I am confused by how you didn't just stop after destroying the first tree!”

Swishing her tail dejectedly, the pegasus stared down at the ground. “I was trying to find the right bucking speed.”

“You know how I said I didn't want you to become friends with Applejack?” Dixie scathingly asked. “Once she finds our mess you're definitely not going to have to worry about that.”

Daisycutter was silent, fighting back tears at both the thought of how horrible Applejack must be feeling and at how Dixie was disappointed in her.

Taking a deep, calming breathe Dixie stopped. “It's okay. Really, I'm not that angry with you. I'm just a little distraught because I don't know what we're going to do now.”

“We could always ask Nocturna,” Daisycutter suggested.

“It goes against all my sensibilities... but we may have to.”

Daisycutter lifted her head. “It's not like we're just taking it, we can always pay her back.”

“Yes, but we will never be able to earn our respect back. Once we've come clambering for money, it will always be a stain on our relationship.”

The two mares continued down the path in silence, an oppressive mood hanging over them like a dark storm cloud. Rising before them, Blackmore estate offered a sanctuary from the wilds of the Everfree forest.

Passing over the perfectly kept lawn, the sisters arrivde at the mansion's ornate front doors. As they drew near, the doors swung inward. Two ponzies beckoned the mares inside, bowing to the unicorn and pegasus as they entered the foyer.

“Weeelllllcccoooommmeee,” the ponzies moaned in greeting.

One of the ponzies began shambling towards the stairs, then stopped and looked back at the two ponies.

“That's quite alright,” Dixie said. “We know how to get there on our own.”

Nodding, the ponzie moaned and stepped aside, allowing the mares to continue. They mounted the stairs, venturing deeper into the home. While Blackmore was a labyrinth of rooms and corridors, they mares had been there enough times to know the way to all the important rooms, although they would never risk adventuring any farther for they might never find their way back out again.

“Alright, let's try to be pleasant, there's no need to darken everyponies evening just because we aren't happy.” Dixie put on her best smile and sashayed into the dining room, her sister, not so successfully brightening her mood, followed behind.

“It's about time you showed up,” Luster called from the far end of the room.

The old stallion sat at the table alone, Wildflower lazily laid on the floor beside him. Upon seeing Daisycutter, Wildflower jumped to her hooves and galloped over to the mare, happily yipping and wagging her tail as she forcefully rubbed up against the brown pegasus. Laughing, Daisycutter stretched her wing over the earth pony and gave her a squeeze, her blues all but forgotten upon the green mare's display of affection.

As the two mares sat down across from Luster, Nocturna swept into the room. “Dinner, is served.”

A parade of ponzies filtered into the dining room, all bearing dishes of mouth watering food. Nocturna took her place at the table as the ponzies set to work, loading the table with fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Inhaling the aroma, Luster beamed. “It's been years since I've had manticore stew.”

Wildflower barked in delight as a ponzie placed a large bowl of stew on the floor beside her.

“Feel free to get as much as you want. Our friends won't be joining us so we have extra,” Nocturna informed, looking directly at Daisycutter. The pegasus smiled back, the news that she could get seconds being the best thing that had happened all day.

“On that note,” Dixie said curiously. “Where is everypony?”

Nocturna rolled her eyes. “We don't know what exactly happened, but those three seemed to have knocked each other out. Faith is in her lab running a full body diagnostic and Luster took Maneia and Vapid to the hospital earlier.”

“Are they alright?” Dixie asked worried.

“Those numbskulls are fine. All they need is some rest and they'll be as good as new, but their also unapologetic drama queens.” Luster mimicked Vapid's voice. “Oh I can't feel my legs, oh my lung just collapsed, oh you need to take me to a hospital.” Luster shook his head. “It was pathetic really.”

“Why didn't Nocturna just heal them?” Daisycutter said through a mouthful of stew.

“Because I can't perform healing spells,” Nocturna replied.

Dixie arched an eyebrow. “I thought you were the one who saved Vapid when y'all found him.” In her curiosity, her country accent slipped out.

“No.” Nocturna slowly shook her head. “Nopony saved Vapid, in fact I used my magic to hurry his demise.”

Dixie took a sharp intake of breath. “Wait, you don't mean...”

“Yes, Vapid is a ponzie.”

Luster chuckled. “Pretty convincing isn't he?”

“Hmm,” Daisycutter said chewing. “If he's a ponzie, then why ain't he all uuuhhh and aaahh?”

“Because he still has a soul. Unlike the rest of the ponzies you see, I was there at the exact moment he died, allowing me to trap his essence within his body. Most ponzies are just flesh and bone, simple instincts and memories are the only things that are left within their rotting minds. My magic brings their bodies back to life, but it doesn't bring them back.” Nocturna explained the finer details of necromancy in a calm voice.

Wildflower pawed at Daisycutter's leg. Her bowl had been licked clean. Looking up, the green mare whined pitifully. Daisycutter smiled and patted the mare. Reaching over, she grabbed a hoofful of grapes. She placed the fruit down into Wildflower's bowl, chuckling as the mare pounced on the food.

Dixie rubbed her chin in thought. “If the ponzies are mindless, how is it they can understand us and follow directions?”

“After I've reanimated a ponzie, I then move to the second step. It's a complicated series of spells, but to sum it up, I use my magic to build within them a basic understanding of all the skills they'd need to serve me.” Nocturna paused, considering how to best explain it. “Consider it a reflex. I tell them to, let's say, clean this table. The words travel into their magic core, which then translates my commands into tangible actions. They don't think, they just do. Now Vapid on the other hoof, is a special case, I didn't implant him with a magic core, therefore he's completely autonomous. Vapid believes he's alive, his body believes it's alive, therefore it reacts accordingly. He breathes, eats, sleeps, but he doesn't need to do any of this. He can not die, he only believes he can.””

“Wait, if he's dead, won't the doctors notice?” Dixie asked.

Nocturna flashed a wicked smile. “Yes, I'm sure they will have an interesting story to tell us when they return. Speaking of interesting stories,” Nocturna stood up from the table and began walking towards the door. “Dixie, I'd like to speak with you in private, if you don't mind.”

The orange mare stared at Nocturna expressionlessly, before standing up and trotting after the black unicorn. “But of course.”

The two mares wordlessly trotted down the halls, going into a section of the mansion Dixie was unfamiliar with. Entering a musty room, Dixie looked around. It was a small room; there were bookcases, filled to the brim with dusty old books, along the walls. A single table sat in the middle of the room, a large bag and a cloth wrapped object set atop it. Nocturna stopped next to the table and gestured for Dixie to approach.

“Luster tells me you have a problematic stallion causing you some distress. To tell you the truth, we've known about your situation for some time. I am disappointed in your choice of not coming to me sooner. I would have gladly given you anything you needed, but I admit I do admire your fortitude.”

Dixie remained silent. She hated the idea of begging for somepony's help, she hated not being able to solve their problems on her own, by her own hoof, and she hated that she had gotten Daisycutter into this kind of situation. She had needed bits to get their shop off the ground, and like a refuge in the storm, Cut-rate appeared at their door, smiles and warm words. Just what she needed, right when she needed it. It had seemed too good to be true, now she realized it had been.

“You foolishly took on a debt that you cannot repay, you've put your future and that of your sister's in the hooves of a stallion who's moral fiber is suspect at best.” Nocturna gently grabbed Dixie's chin and stared into her eyes. “The question is what are you going to do about it? Within that sack, you'll find more than enough bits and gems to cover your debts. I give it to you not as a gift, but as a payment for all the schemes you will help us with in the future.”

Nocturna's horn glowed black as she levitated the coin filled bag onto Dixie's back.

“But there is another way. You keep the money and use it to help take care of both you and your sister, and instead give him this.” She floated the smaller cloth wrapped item in front of the orange unicorn. “When I was a young filly my father gave this to me. It was with this that he taught me my most valuable lesson, now I want to see if you can learn it...”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Luster watched Daisycutter in fascination, his brow furrowed in thought. “Where... where do you put it all?”

Daisycutter shrugged nonchalantly, her cheeks stuffed with food.

“You just eat and eat and eat; it's like a bottomless pit. You should be as big around as you are tall, but yet you just don't put on any weight,” Luster stared at the mare in abject awe.

“I've got a fast metabolism.”

“You've got a black hole in your stomach more like.”

Dixie walked back into the dining room, her head and heart clouded with indecision. “Daisy,” Dixie called, her voice quavering. “You're going to stay here tonight.”

Daisycutter turned to her sister, confused. “Why?”

“Yeah, if she stays she'll eat us out of house and home,” Luster added.

The orange unicorn swallowed. “You like playing with Wildflower, right?”

“...yeah,” Daisycutter replied slowly.

“So how about you keep her company while Maneia is in the hospital?” Daisycutter stared quizzically at her sister, waiting for a better explanation. “I have some things I need to think over, and I need you to stay here while I do it.”

Daisycutter frowned. “You do know I'm an adult, I don't need a foalsitter.”

“Daisy... please just do this for me.” The tone in her sister's voice worried the pegasus, but she relented.

“Fine... but I better see you bright and early tomorrow.”

“Of course, a lady is never late.” With a halfhearted smile the unicorn left, leaving behind a troubled Daisycutter.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The moon rose high in the sky, a watchful eye over the realm of night. The hour was late, leaving the streets lifeless and empty. Dixie warily stalked through the back-roads of Ponyville. Passing through the shadows, she tried to steel her nerve.

On the edge of town, a two story home stood. Its exterior looked as warm and cheery as most of Ponyville's buildings, but inside its heart was dark and rotten.

Dixie looked around. The road in front of the house was clear, not a single pony about this late at night. Pausing, the unicorn gazed at the moon, her mind a tumult of conflict. This wasn't right, this wasn't how ponies should act, it wasn't how she did things.

Approaching the house, she looked at the package Nocturna had given her. Wrapped within the cloth, a large jackknife, eerily similar to the one depicted on her flank. Dixie knew she couldn't take sompony's life, even Cut-rate's, it went against everything she held herself to be. Stopping, the unicorn lowered her head. “No, not this way. I'll come back in the morning and give him his bits... it's the right thing to do.”

Forming from the shadows, a dark figure swirled to life. Behind the oblivious Dixie, a blue glow lashed from the shadowy pony. Striking the orange unicorn, the magical ball burst into a sparkling haze, covering the mare.

Blinking, Dixie shook her head. “No... this... this is the only way.”

Swiftly circumventing the house, she wanted to get off the street as quickly as possible. Finding the back door, she carefully used her magic to loosen the door handle, allowing herself entry. Silently, she crept into the home, careful to mask her presence.

Not a den of debauchery nor a scene of atrophy befitting the residing stallion, but an average, everyday home. Checking each room, Dixie searched the house. Finding the bottom floor void of life, she ventured upstairs, carefully taking each step, praying the wood wouldn't creak. Snoring met her ears, guiding her to her target. Passing through an open door, Dixie stopped, her heart leaping into her throat.

There Cut-rate lay, sound asleep in his bed. She approached the stallion, her hooves silently gliding across the floor. Dixie wanted to turn away, to leave the wretched stallion and forget this dark business, but in her heart she knew it was already to late. Looking down on the stallion, Dixie tried to stop, but her magic was compelled as if by an unseen force.

Not trusting her magic to be strong enough to do the job, Dixie raised the knife with her hooves. Thoughts raced through her mind, urging her on. If she were just a sole mare, she would risk dealing with the stallion, with hoping he would leave her alone, but with Daisycutter, she couldn't bare to have her sister live oppressed by her mistakes. She had to know for certain that the stallion would never trouble them again.

Closing her eyes, tears rolled down Dixie's face. “I've always tried to be beautiful, in everything I do... but on the inside... on the inside... I'm ugly.”

The knife plunged through the air.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Wha!” With a food spraying shout Daisycutter pushed away from the table. Flipping her chair backwards, she landed on the floor next to the equally startled Wildflower.

With one hoof in a bowl of mashed potatoes, Nocturna stood atop the table, the magical vestiges of her teleport dissipating into the ether.

“Nocturna?” Luster asked concerned.

Quickly scanning the room, her gaze stopped on the brown pegasus. “Where is Dixie?”

“After talking with you she left,” Daisycutter said, picking herself up off the floor.

“Then it is as I feared.” Turning to Luster, Nocturna continued. “Hysteria has resurfaced.”

Visibly taken aback, the old stallion quickly stood. “That's impossible, we sealed her away!”

“What is going on?” Daisycutter asked anxiously.

Turning back to the pegasus, Nocturna flicked her tail. “The unicorn your sister talked with was not myself, but a doppelganger.”

“What?” Daisycutter asked in shock. “Do you mean a changeling?”

“No, something much worse. I was taken by surprised, but I could recognize her magic. Hysteria has taken your sister, I don't know what for.”

Shaking her head, Daisycutter looked up to the unicorn. “Who is Hysteria?”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“I can't.” The knife hovered a hair's breadth above the stallion I would never be able to look Daisy in the eye again.”

“Rise and shine!”

Jerking at the loud voice, the stallion flew awake. As the voice interrupted the quiet room, the surprise caused Dixie to tense her muscles, just as the stallion lurched forwarded. With a sharp intake of breath, Dixie jumped back, releasing the knife, now sticking out of Cut-rate's neck.

“It's a good thing I was here, or you might not have murdered him.” Stepping through the doorway, a familiar blue and purple mare flashed a smile as she approached the horror-struck Dixie. “After all, trauma is by far the greatest way to make a pony's mind nice and susceptible.”

“Maneia?” Dixie asked incredulously.

“Oooh, close but no cigar.” The blue mare tapped her head. “That train has left the station and a new one just pulled in.” Pouncing forward, she came muzzle to muzzle with Dixie. “All aboard the Hysteria express.” With a face-splitting smile, she pumped her foreleg twice. “Choo-choo!”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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