> Friendships in Ashes
>  by LunarDash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Act 1: Preparation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

They say Friendship is the answer to everything, and that true friends are always there for you, no matter what. Well what happens when those true friends change right in front of your own eyes?

Twas a bright, sunny day in the town of Ponyville. Everyone was outside socializing and enjoying the sunlight, the town was alive as ever. Hopping down the road as usual with a big grin on her face was Pinkie Pie, meeting up with Apple Jack as she watched her apple cart casually. “Oh boy oh boy oh boy!” Pinkie squealed. “What’s got you in such a pleasant mood?” Apple Jack asked.
“I’m gonna throw a super-massive-super-extra-specially-fantastical end-of-the-week PARTY AT THE END OF THE WEEK!!”
“Wow, that sure sounds like a doozy. I’d love to attend it.”
“Of course you are, you and just about every other pony in town is going, I’m even having a special guest come, but I’m not gonna say who just yet.”
“Ah shucks. Can’t wait Pink.” Pinkie nodded and hopped off to leave Apple to her cart.

Tending to her books, Twilight Sparkle organized every book with her magic, “Nice and alphabetical, just the way I-”
“Twilight!!” She jumped and dropped the books, “Grrr, what is it now??” Spike hopped down the stairs. “Twilight, can I have some money? All my video games are boring and I wanna get some new ones now.”
“Spike, what did I say about-”
“Pleaase??”
“Ugh, fine.” She used her magic to take some money out of her desk drawer and let it land in Spikes griping hands.
“Aawww yeah, here I come Equestrian Gaming!” He yelled out the door, slamming it behind him on his way out. Twilight rolled her eyes, took a deep sigh and turned to continue organizing her books.
Several hours passed as Twilight finished up. With sweat running down her face, she took a deep breath to let her magic recharge. Spike walked in holding several games, “Aw man, I’m so stoked to play these. Wow, you look tired.”
“That’s because I am, I’ve been organizing all these books for hours, and it took you that long to get your games?”
“Oh well I was hanging with Snails and Snips, thats why I’ve been gone so long.”
“Well it’s your bedtime so you better get to sleep, we’ve got some errands tomorrow and I don’t want you to be too tired to help me.”
“Aaaww but Twi,”
“Now Spike. You can play your games tomorrow now go.” She said in a serious tone. Spike pouted and went upstairs. Twilight crashed on her bed and slowly shut her eyes. 

The next day, Twilight and Spike rode up to Apple Jacks farm, where Big Mac greeted them at the gate. “Hey, we’re here for the rare apples. Does Apple Jack have them for us?” She asked him.
“Yep.”
“Great. Oh and there she is now.” With the apples bouncing up and down in their baskets, Apple rushed over and handed Twilight them. “Wow, how long did these take to grow?”
“It wasn’t easy, I’ll tell ya that. Took months and lots of preparation to get those made perfectly. Uh, tell me again why y’all needed those so badly?”
“I’m going to see the princess soon, once I enchant these I’m going to offer them to her to convince her to come to this party that Pinkie’s been planning for so long. I’m sure if she’s there then it’ll really pick up.”
Apple Jack nodded in agreement. “Uh Big Mac, I think I here Granny Smith calling ya.”
“Hmm. Nope.”
“Are you sure...?”
“Ooh, yep.” He walks away back towards the barn. Apple tells Twilight to get closer and whispers in her ear, “I’ll bring some extra apples for the party but Big Macintosh won’t know ‘bout it.”
“Isn’t he coming?”
“Nah, he’s watching over the farm with Granny so I can socialize an’ party with y’all. I personally like that deal.”
“Me too. The party’s in a couple days so be ready. I’ll talk to you later.” Twilight runs off with Apple Jack waving her hoof at her from behind.

Soaring over the town, Rainbow Dash shouts cheerfully and bolts through the clouds like a bullet. She screeches to a halt, “Come on now Fluttershy, if you pulled off that stunt with the wind vortex to supply water to Cloudsdale, why can’t you do that now??”
Fluttershy timidly flapped her wings and caught up with her at a very slow pace. “You said you were going to fly faster!””
“I-I know but-”
“Well just cause it’s not a competition or anything important doesn’t mean you don’t have to at least try!”
“But Rainbow Da-”
“And for God’s sake at least pick it up when going through clouds!”
“Please, just...just let me-”
“Oh my god Fluttershy, are you going to say anything or not?”
“Well, I’m trying, but...you keep interrupting me...”
“Oh, heheh, sorry about that Flutter...” She scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, “Well don’t just sit there, let’s actually fly this time. Yahoo!” Rainbow takes off, leaving a ray of colors behind her. Fluttershy took a deep breath and flew a little faster than before, but not improving by much.
“Hmm...” Murmured Twilight while she examined the enchanted apples. “These seem good, but I feel theres something missing.” 
“Twi, you heard Apple Jack; Took months of preparation to get those made perfectly.” Spike said in his poor imitation of a southern accent. “So stop worrying and go get those to Celestia already.”
“You’re right Spike. I shouldn’t be worried, I’ll be back soon.” Twilight went out the door and took off. Spike waited and he went upstairs. He moved his drawer case and a hole was in the wall containing toilet paper, rotten eggs and spray paint. He dialed on his phone, “Hey guys, you ready?” He got an answer from over the phone and hung up. Sneaking the supplies out in a backpack, he left the house to go meet some teenage dragons hanging out behind an empty shop. “Aight Spikey, you got the stuff?” The tall red one demanded. 
“Right here guys.” Spike dumped it all out. “Everything I could afford or borrow. Is it good enough??” 
The red one, who’s name was Donovan, glanced down at the supplies. “Hmm. Yea it’s good. Let’s go guys. The other two teenage dragons behind him joined the two. The dragons ran off to have some fun. 

> Act 2: Pain for Pleasure
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie tossed streamers all across the interior of the town hall. Balloons were blown up, decorations were set up, and punch and food was prepared. It was Friday, and Pinkie Pie was working hard to make sure her massive party was a success. “This is gonna be superly-duperly amazing!!” Apple Jack and Rarity were helping Pinkie with preparation as the party was tonight. Ponies and Stallions from all over town were going, and Twilight was up in Canterlot...
“Excuse me, I’d like to see the princess.” She said to the guards. “State your business with the princess-”
“Let her in men.” Princess Celestia spoke. Walking up to greet Twilight with her graceful presence, her slender majestic body, beautiful white mane, with her magnificent rainbow mane flowing in the wind. The guards moved aside so Twilight could join Celestia. The two got up to the tallest balcony to speak,
“So what is it you’d like to talk to me about my most wonderful student?” 
“Well Princess, Pinkie Pie is throwing a massive party in Ponyville and asked me to ask you if you would attend it. We’d all be honored to have you there.”
“I’m flattered, and I would love to attend your friends little party.”
“That’s great! Thank you so much Princess Celestia, it means a lot.” She said as she bowed her head in respect.
“It’s my pleasure, and it’s the least I can repay you for all the lessons you’ve been learning about friendship.” Twilight looked up and smiled brightly. They both nodded their heads and Twilight left to go deliver the good news to Pinkie Pie back in Ponyville.

Anxious, Pinkie Pie looked around stressfully. “The streamers are messed up! Oh and the DJ system should be right where the podium is, not in the corner! And why is the food under a chandelier when it should be out in the open?!” Apple Jack smacked Pinkie in the back of the head with her right hoof. “Get a hold of yerself Pinkie. Stop freaking out.”
“But the princess is coming! And if everything isn’t exactly the way it’s supposed to be then this party is going to be a disaster from the simplest mistakes!!”
“We’ve been working hard since this morning. We know what we’ve been doing and nothing is screwed up. Now get it together and help us finish setting up “your” party.” She concluded, making her valid point towards a stressed-out Pinkie Pie.
Rainbow Dash opened the door not a minute later, “How’s it going here guys?”
“It’s going marvelous if I do say so myself.” Rarity replied, adjusting her purple mane.
“Nice. Me and Flutter are gonna be advertising the party to everyone in town who doesn’t know about it yet. This place is gonna be packed.”
“Say Rainbow, could you do us a favor?” Apple Jack asked. “Sure, what do ya need?”
“We need you to find that Vinyl Scratch gal and get her to be the disk jockey for this party. Pinkie’s already stressing out, she could use some good news.”
“On it.” Rainbow Dash bolted out of there. “I sure as hell hope she can find that pony and get her to help...” Apple Jack murmured with a worried look on her face.

During the crystal clear night, a tired Pinkie Pie noticed Twilight standing over a cliff, looking up at Canterlot. “Hey Twilight. What are you doing here?”
“Sometimes I just like to look up at the stars in the sky whenever I’m not doing my studies.”
“Cool. I finally got some of the things for the party set up. I hope Rainbow can get a DJ.”
“By the way, Princess Celestia agreed to appear at the party.”
“Really!? No way no way no way!! This is sooo exciting!” She hopped around with joy till she gave out and passed out.”

Spike hummed going downstairs tomorrow, he stepped outside only to get drenched. He looked up and noticed the rain pouring down on him. “Aw man, its raining on the day of the party?” He went back inside and shut the door, “It better clear up by tonight...”
“I told you, I’m not allowing you to attend this party. Well screw you too.” Rainbow Dash hung up her cell phone.
“What was that all about?” Twilight asked.
“Gilda keeps asking me if she can go, but I don’t want her to!”
“Still upset about how she was when she came to Ponyville?”
“Uh, duuuh. She was being a bitch to everyone and I didn’t like it. She is soo not coming to Pinkies party.” 
“I do have a question, have you found a DJ for the party yet?” Rainbow’s eyes got wide. “You didn’t ask Vinyl did you?”
“Uhh, be back in a few.” She flew out the window. Twilight just rolled her eyes. Eager for tonight, she headed on over to the town hall to wait for the fun to start.


The rain continued to pour over town, even as the party grew closer and closer. “Already ponies are starting to gather. Nyeh, where is Rainbow Dash with the DJ?!” Pinkie Pie squealed. 
“Yeah, where is Rainbow Dash anyway?” Apple Jack asked.
“Um...” Murmured Fluttershy. “Yeah...?” Twilight responded. “I...I can go look for her. It’s not like, I’m doing anything else right now.”
“Could you please?” Apple Jack asked. Fluttershy nodded and left. “She said she’d be here before the party would start.” 
“Apparently even the other ponies got here before her.” Rarity added.
“She’s probably on her way with the DJ, maybe they lived really far out of town and they can’t fly.” Twilight predicted.
“She’s got a point.” Apple Jack confirmed. 
“We’ll just see what happens, until then let’s keep the party going!” Pinkie said enthusiastically.

“Augh!” Rainbow grunted as she was shoved up against a wall by two tough stallions. Gilda came from the shadows and up to Rainbow Dash’s face. “Let her go guys, but break her wings so she can’t fly outta this.” They did as they were told, and stomped on her wings after they let her down. She cried in agony before being smacked by one of the stallions.
Rainbow looked up, with a mixture of raindrops and beads of sweat rolling down her face as she gasped for breath. “W-what do you...want...?” She asked. 
“Listen, pal. We’ve been friends for years. Are you really gonna let one little incident of rage that happened a year ago keep you from wanting to be my friend after all we’ve been through?”
Rainbow Dash got up on one hoof, her body shaking from the pain and the cold from being drenched in the freezing rain. She tried to speak, but no words came out of her mouth. 
“Can’t you forgive me Dash? I was just upset that you may have forgotten about me because I hadn’t seen you in so long and you replaced me with those losers you call friends.”
“Sh...shut up. My friends... are the best anyone could have.” She muttered.
“Then why aren’t they trying to find you and help you...?” She was silent from Gilda’s comment...

“I hate this rain.” Rarity mumbled. “Oh stop complaining. You can live until the party starts.” Apple Jack replied. “I highly doubt it.” 
Pinkie Pie jittered nervously. “I hope these ponies keep chatting it up. By the looks of it, it might be awhile before Rainbow or the DJ gets here.”
“Well this party couldn’t be any more boring, I’m only staying cause you all are still here and theres free morsels.” Rarity commented. 
“Gee thanks.” Apple Jack commented sarcastically. Twilight walked over to a window and looked outside it. Raindrops streaked down the window, adding to the dreary scenery of Ponyville outside. Twilight suddenly felt a strain of depression, worried about Rainbow Dash’s absence and the party’s tone. She hoped for the best for Pinkie Pie and her party as she could do nothing to help out but to wait for Fluttershy to hopefully track down Rainbow Dash. ‘Please come back soon...’  She thought to herself.
Coughing and hacking, Rainbow Dash lied on the ground drenched in rainwater. “I’ll be waiting to crash your party, don’t try and stop me Dash. I promise it’ll be much more fun once I arrive there. Heheh..” Gilda smirked. She opened her wings and flew up out of the alley with her two Pegasus buddies going after her. After about almost twenty minutes, Rainbow Dash heard a voice; “Rainbow?” 
“Huh...?”
“Rainbow Dash?” 
“I-I’m here...ack!” She coughed up a bit of blood only to hear the voice again. Fluttershy walked past the alley when she spotted someone on the ground. “Rainbow Dash??” She clopped over to the nearly-unconscious Rainbow Dash on the ground. “Oh my lord, what happened?” She asked, helping Rainbow to her hooves. 
“G-Gilda...black pegasus...pain...” She sputtered. “Oh my...Your shaking like a wet leaf. We need to get you back to the town hall.” Fluttershy said. “Wait...” She turned her head around, Rainbow Dash used her remaining strength to hug her tightly. “Thank you..for finding me...” She whispered. Fluttershy blushed, accepting it. Afterwards she helped Rainbow Dash over her back and went on to carry her back to the town hall, hiding her reddened face from Rainbows half-open eyes.

The doors flew open, and in came Fluttershy with Rainbow Dash on her back. She let her down gently with everyone surrounding her. They all gasped, “What happened?!” Twilight asked. “Well, she said that uh...that Gilda friend of hers, beat on her and left her to suffer because...well, because she wouldn’t let her come to the party..” Fluttershy replied timidly.
“That bitch! Wait till I get my hooves on her, I’ll tear her apart-!” 
“Shush!” Rarity covered Apple Jacks mouth, she just sighed and smacked it away. “How could she do just a thing?”
The doors burst wide open and in flew Gilda and her buddies. “Sup everybody.” She said loudly. “And just what the hell are you doing here? You weren’t invited!” Pinkie Pie blurted. “Oh shut it little miss prankster. I’m crashing your lame little party, and it doesn’t seem like much is goin’ on.”
“How ‘bout you hightail your abusive griffon ass outta here?” Apple Jack added in.
“And just what is your problem Apple Loser?”
“You should damn know what our problem is with you!” Gilda jumped and looked directly at Fluttershy. “Aww look, the pony who can barely say two words without tuning herself out finally says something.” Gilda chuckled at her. “Just what are you gonna-”
“Shut up!!” She yelled. Gilda’s eyes widened, before she could open her beak to speak, Fluttershy stepped closer to her with her eyes glazing red, “Just shut up, shut up, shut up!! We were sick of you when you first came here and we’re still sick of your bullshit. Now you’re gonna leave Rainbow Dash and the rest of us alone or so help me I will beat you to the point where all your fucking feathers are ripped off...!” Everyones jaws dropped, Spikes had hit the ground. Gilda was speechless, her buddies fled the scene, leaving her alone.
“Oh...oh yeah well, screw you too! I don’t need this. This party was lame anyway-” Fluttershy turned her back on Gilda, moved her hind legs and kicked Gilda right in the chest, sending her crashing through a side window and out of the building. Fluttershy breathed heavily, her face beat red with anger which quickly turned to embarrassment. “Holy shit...” Spike said, Twilight smacked him in the back of the head. “Ow! Hey!”
“Woow, Fluttershy, I didn’t know you had it in you.” Rainbow Dash spoke, standing on her own. Fluttershy looked around her timidly, and quickly ran into a closet. “I’ll go talk to her...” Rainbow Dash said. 
“You sure you can walk hun?” Apple Jack asked.
“Totally, I’m healing up already.” She said and proceeded towards the closet. Horns were suddenly blaring outside, the doors were kicked open by two soldiers and in walked the maiden herself; Princess Celestia. Accompanying behind her was none other than a soaked Vinyl Scratch, pulling her sound system in a trailer hitched to her back. “Princess.” Twilight spoke. 
“Hello my young student. I would have came sooner but I saw this one here walking in the rain by herself.” Celestia said.
“Yeah, Rainbow Dash never came and got me so I had to pull this all by myself.” Vinyl added.
“She apologized for that. She got into some trouble earlier but don’t worry about that.” Twilight replied.
“Where is she anyway?”
“She’s doing something, so just set up your system and we’ll start what we’ve been wanting to do all night!” 
“That’s what I’m talking about!” In a flash, Vinyl unloaded her setup and set it all up in less than a minute, she was set to party. “Hit it!!” Pinkie Pie shouted. Vinyl Scratch spun her records and slammed them down to start the music. As the music blasted, more and more ponies shuffled into the town hall and were dancing all over. Celestia stood aside talking with some of the ponies while the rest danced like crazy. Flashing bright colored lights, large speakers and Vinyls bass cannon blasted the tunes, shaking the whole building, this was the party Pinkie Pie was dreaming of, and now it’s come true.

“What you did was really cool, believe me.” Rainbow Dash spoke softly to Fluttershy in the closet while the party roared out in the main hall. “I-I just don’t know w...what got over me...” She sobbed, with tears streaming down her face. 
“Hey, look into my eyes.” She grabbed her head and turned it right at her own. “You showed Gilda anger and gave her what she deserved. I know we’re supposed to be about friendship and peace but...well she was a bitch and deserved a little kick. Do you know what I’m saying?”
“...I...I do...”
“Good.”
“Rainbow...?”
“Yeah?”
Fluttershy leaned in and kissed Rainbow Dash softly, her tail spiked up immediately. She shyly backed away a little, with Rainbow Dash still in shock. “Woah..” Fluttershy blushed, nervously rubbing her front left leg with her right. 
“I know I know, if you hate me just say so...” She spoke softly. “That...Actually felt good. I haven’t been kissed in like, forever.” Rainbow Dash replied.
“You...you’re not freaked out?”
“Fluttershy, I know you more than any of the other ponies in our group. I just didn’t know this side of you really.”
“Oh. Well I-I may have kept some secret feelings from you, and the others...” She couldn’t help but blush harder.
“I understand completely. To be honest, I’ve been around with you guys for so long, I kinda don’t know how I really feel about myself right now.” 
“Really?”
“Yeah. I could just stay like this...” The two moved in closer to each other again until...
The door flew open. “What are you guys doing in here? You shouldn’t be depressed, you should be happy and pumped!!” Pinkie Pie said in a really positive tone. “So come on, the party’s just gotten started for real!” Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash looked at each other. “Y...yeah. You’re right Pinkie. Let’s go Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash murmured. They left the closet to go enjoy the rest of the party.

Ponies danced, stallions raved, and Vinyl blasted the tunes like there was no tomorrow. The dullness of the weather outside was no match for the madness happening inside. “Pumping it louder!” Vinyl shouted, they all cheered. The flashy multi-colored lights shined brightly all over the place, the strobes blazed a frenzy of flashes for the raving ponies. Even the royal Princess Celestia was pleased. “Oh I know, everyone thinks she’s a showoff.” Twilight spoke, referring to the pony Trixie, who had left town months ago after being shunned by everyone.
“I didn’t like her, not one bit.” Apple Jack added. 
“Neither did I.” Rarity commented. 
“How long is this party going?” Celestia asked, looking at Pinkie Pie. She glared at her and replied, “Oh! It’s gonna be an all-nighter! It’s going until everyones tired and done with partying, and I don’t think that will be happening for a long time!

> Act 3: An Unexpected Visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early in the morning, every pony was passed out. Even Princess Celestia was fast asleep, the first one to awaken was Twilight, with her eyes half open and her legs feeling weak like jello, she brought herself up. “Oh my... goodness. Everyone was up all night.” She noticed Vinyl with her head down on her turntable. She dipped her head into a pale of water that contained apples for bobbing to wake herself up, shaking the water off of her mane to dry off. She went around to wake up her friends and the princess, but stopped at Rainbow Dash, who had passed out on top of Fluttershy in a way that appeared all but normal. “Hey, get up!” She shoved her, Rainbow Dash jumped and flew up through the roof making a hole.
“Nyah..?” Fluttershy murmured, looking around and getting up. “What’s going on between you two?” Twilight asked?
“Huh? Between who?”
“You and Rainbow.”
“Uh, nothing...”
“Oh really?”
“Nope, n-nothing at all. Honest.” She stammered. Twilight kept an eyebrow raised as she walked away. Twilight kicked Spike up onto her back and headed out, saying goodbye to everyone as she left. She was stepping her hooves through the wet grass and onto the wet dirt road. “Eh...” Spike whispered, still half-asleep. “You sure were up quite late Spike.”
“I’m never going to a late party again...” He muttered.

Rainbow Dash was still flying through the air at a rapid speed. Not knowing where she was going, she aimed for somewhere, she noticed a window on the side of a small mountain, curious she flew at it. Regaining control she stopped in mid-air in front of the window. “Hm?” She put her hoof to the window and pushed it slightly open. The window was tinted darkly so it was hard to see until she had opened it. She landed on the floor, noticing a light switch barely visible in the daylight coming from outside. She pulled it and gasped at what she had saw...
Blood covered the walls. Mutilated corpses lined the walls like christmas ornaments, and macabre tables with bloody saws and tools were placed in the room with bones and organs strewn everywhere. Rainbow Dash gagged and swallowed hard, approaching one of the tables. “Who...who would own such a horrid place?!”
“I believe I do...!” A voice ran through the mountains. The giant door in the room burst open, a red tail slithered into the room, followed by a maniacal laughter that echoed loudly. 
In a flash, Discord appeared on the window. His horrendous, slender figure stood there, with his mismatched horns bearing small sparks of electricity and his wings flapping. He had a big grin on his face, with his one tooth showing in his mouth. “Well well well, so you’ve found my dirty little secret, huh Rainbow Dash?” The window shut, and Discord slithered into one of the hanging bodies, it moved and talked like it was still alive; “Do you like it? It’s my macabre collection of wall art.” He popped out of the floor and with flashes of lighting, appearing right in front of Rainbow. “I see now. The fear in your eyes, the shaking of your hooves, the sweat running down your face as I gaze into your inner soul.” Discord murmured staring directly face-to-face with Rainbow Dash. She backed away, “No, fuck you! What have you done?! And I thought you were entombed into the Canterlot garden as a statue for eternity!”
Discord shook his head and sighed. “Tisk tisk, you need a new history lesson young one. And I’ll be your teacher...” The lights went dark, then they came back on and Rainbow Dash was grabbed and thrown into a chair, then was strapped into it, she struggled to get out but couldn’t. “Let me go!”
“Silence mortal!” Discord boomed, Rainbow Dash zipped her mouth tight. She grew angry as she anxiously waited for Discord, not that she had any other choice. He appeared once again in front of her, his crooked smile grew wider, “Oh how wonderful! I managed to trap the mighty Rainbow Dash! Now I suppose you want an explanation for my appearance, is that it?” She just nodded her head. “My thoughts exactly...” Discord murmured wickedly.

Twilight, Apple Jack, Pinkie and Fluttershy all looked around for Rainbow Dash but had no luck.  “Well shucks, we don’ looked all over for Rainbow and we still hadn’t found her yet. “I-I wonder where she could be?” Fluttershy said nervously. “I don’t know. You’d expect her to be sleeping on one of the clouds or practicing her flying techniques but she’s nowhere to be found.” Twilight added. 
“Maybe she flew away, and got lost.”
“I doubt that, she can always find her way back.”
“Maybe she got wasted like me!” Pinkie Pie squealed.
“Really? On punch and apple juice?” Apple Jack replied.
“Yeah exactly!”
“Give me a break Pinkie.”
“Sorry I’m out of those. How about a cupcake?”
“I’ll pass, thanks.” She rolled her eyes and adjusted her hat. “Hey Twi, maybe Spike saw her leave or somethin’.”
“I wish, I already asked him but he hasn’t seen her at all since last night.”
“Shoot. Well maybe she just went for a fly and oughta’ be back whenever. That’s my guess.”
“Oooh, I wanna guess!” Pinkie spurted. “Good point Apple Jack. We’ll just wait. In the meantime, who wants to join Rarity at the spa? I know I do.” They all agreed and headed for the town spa, not knowing about Rainbow Dash’s situation.

“Now then, allow me to explain all of this.” Discord began, as Rainbow Dash sat helplessly. “You see, an earthquake hit quite some time ago, and those little brats were visiting that park again when it occurred. The little runts were fighting to make matters worse. It got so bad, that I, being frozen, was knocked right over and cracked open, so technically the anger going on in the group, the negativity flowing throughout the area and the fact that I toppled over, is how I escaped.”
“Damn it all!” Rainbow hissed, once again struggling to escape. She grew tired and stopped, taking deep breaths as beads of sweat began rolling down her face.
Discord was on the floor laughing, he wiped the tears out of his eyes with a finger. “This...this is too funny! You actually think you can escape!” He chuckled. “Well you won’t!” He growled. “Now as I was saying! I had to unleash my anger somehow. Since you little shits would just try and stop me again if I tried taking over Equestria, I had a new idea in mind. So I lured ponies and other animals into my layer with food, services, and other essentials, and then I knocked them out! So I played around with my tools and my claws of course, and decorated the walls with what was left over!” He chuckled again. Rainbow Dash had a disgusted look on her face. “You’re a sick bastard you know that?!” She exclaimed. 
“Say what you want, but I will not succumb to your puny little words.” 
“I swear when I get out of here...I’m gonna tear you apart!” Rainbow grunted, moving and struggling to get free. She cried out for help, then Discord stuck a ball gag into her mouth and tied in around her head.
“Don’t bother with that, no one is going to hear your screams in here. And when I’m done with you, the screaming will be over...” He chuckled wickedly, Rainbow Dash was stuck shaking in the chair. Discord cackled and left the room.

“I must say, this is quite relaxing. Too bad Rainbow Dash couldn’t be here.” Rarity replied. 
“Yeah.” Pinkie Pie added, sinking in the hot tub. “I swear, you guys don’t give a rats ass where our friend is at.” Apple Jack assumed.
“She’s fine. This is Rainbow Dash we’re talking about here. She can get out of any situation she’s in.”
Twilight closed her eyes and lowered her head, her horn started to glow. “What...what’s going on with her?” Fluttershy asked timidly.
Twilight lifted her head, “Guys, I can sense someone we know is in trouble. I can’t exactly locate where but I know what I’m reading. We need to go.”
“We got here no longer then five minutes ago!” Pinkie exclaimed. “I know, but it might be our friend!”
“You all can go on, I’ll just stay in here until you all get back.” Rarity murmured. 
Apple Jack sighed, “Whatever, the rest of us can go.” The other four ponies got out, dried off their manes, and left the spa. “Ah, peace at last.” Rarity said.
“Looks like it’s just you and me now, gorgeous.” Spike winced from the other side of the tub, raising one eyebrow and grinning widely.

Rainbow Dash sat with her head down low, having given up on trying to escape, all she could do is stare at the grim instruments of torture and the tattered remains of Discords victims painted all over the wall. “It’s worthless, I’m worthless. I’ll be dead before the sun sets, and I never even got to say goodbye to anyone, all I did was leave for a little fly...” She murmured, shedding a couple tears.
Something had hit Twilight, the crew was in a hot-air balloon flying around nearby areas of Ponyville when Twilight felt something. “Something’s giving off a strong sense of emotion. It’s coming from the north. We need to fly that direction now!” 
“I’m on it!” Pinkie Pie lit the flame and forced the balloon to fly in the requested direction. “I hope this leads to something important!” Apple Jack shouted. “Me too!” Twilight added. Fluttershy just remained quiet, sitting in a corner in the large basket, and couldn’t help but feel worried about Rainbow Dash. She did her best to hold back her tears, but they escaped her eyes anyway.

“Oh Rainbow!” A screen erected down from the ceiling and was in front of Rainbow Dash. She used her remaining strength to look up. Discord appeared on the screen in another room, his face filling up most of the screen. “You see, you’re my guest, and it would be rude to do anything so horrible in front of your eyes. So I thought it would be polite if I were to broadcast it to where you are instead!” He moved out of the way and strapped to a chair was a light purple pony, moving and grunting, struggling to escape. Rainbows eyes grew wide, she mouthed the words “Oh god no...” but no words came out. 
“Now then, I haven’t had a good harvesting in almost a week, so....yeah.” He started up a giant multi-tool machine that contained a saw, scissors, a sword, and a drill. Rainbows ears twitched at the sound of Discords horrid laughter. “Commencing operation...now!” The massive saw blade on the machine started up. The pony struggled and struggled as Discord continued to chuckle. Dash saw the terror as the saw ripped through the pony, cutting her up into two. She screamed as Discord came by, whistling and sweeping up her organs and intestines with a large broom off-screen. 
“Ah, only one other step now. I’m dreadfully sorry about this you poor little dumpling. But I have my needs and you don’t please me enough. So bye bye!” Discord activated the drill on the machine. The giant drill wound up and started spinning, it lifted up right to the pony’s head. Rainbow couldn’t help but stare at the live autopsy unfolding on-screen. The pony screamed in agony as a hole was being drilled right through her head. Her eyes stayed wide as her brain went dead, killing her in the process. 
“Boo-hoo, oh boo-hoo! I am so sad! She’s dead, dead! Dead!” Discord cackled wickedly. Rainbow was about to vomit, but swallowed hard and kept her mental illness sane. She felt nauseous though and felt dizzy and wanting to pass out. 
“What a mess! I’m gonna need to do some more sweeping and scrubbing. Don’t worry, I’ll be hanging the body in the “slice and dice” section of the experiment room that you are in right now. Until I come back, cheers!” The screen went static and raised back into the ceiling. He left Rainbow Dash sickened, disgusted, sad, and nauseous. She never felt so many feelings before, that she lowered her head again and constantly took deep breaths to keep herself from losing her sanity.

Twilight and the gang had wind currents pushing the balloon and having it picking up speed. “Hey, hey girls look!” Pinkie shouted. “What is it??” Apple Jack asked. “It’s a really big mountain! Oooh and I think theres a giant window or something on it!” 
“A window!?” The basket smacked against a much smaller peak and rocked the balloon. Above the clouds, Gilda the gryphon noticed the balloon, she grinned and had a large claw out. “Wait here boys.” She flew down to the balloon and raised her paw, and lightly poked the balloon, popping it. She flew away in a heartbeat as the balloon rocked around.
“Jump!!” Twilight shouted. They all aimed for the window, and with the balloon shaking and rocking around, they jumped, all of them making a hard landing breaking through the giant window and landing on the dirty, blood-stained floor. Pinkie was the first to get up, but Twilight was the first to notice what was in the room. She gasped loudly, they all got up and gazed at the macabre art hung around the room.
Fluttershy shrieked, Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened, “Ah man, that’s just sick!” Apple Jack exclaimed, sticking her tongue out with one eye shut. “Wh...what kind of place is this??” Twilight stammered.
“I don’t know, but let’s look around an’ find out. Look, theres a door over there!” Apple pointed at the only door in the room. Twilight led the group out of the room. The dark hallway was long and narrow, and there were several doors in it. It grew cold as the group looked around, they were shaking with fear. A moan was heard behind one of the doors. Pinkies ears shot up at the sound.
“Hey! I hear something! Behind here!” She moved to one of the giant, grey, metal doors. “Yeah, the sound is coming through here!” She managed to open it up. “Rainbow!” She shrieked.
“Rainbow Dash??” Fluttershy asked. 
“Well damn. Why are you in here?” Apple Jack asked. All Rainbow did was groan. She couldn’t speak. She breathed heavily, her face drenched in a cold sweat, and her eyes were barely open. “Get her out of that thing!” Apple demanded. Pinkie and Twilight rushed over to her to unstrap her from the chair she was in. They got her loose, she went down on her knees to the floor, breathing heavily. Pinkie helped her up and as they were about to leave, the door to the room slammed shut. A wicked cackle echoed through the whole place, leaving chills down the ponies spines.
> Act IV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ponies huddled with one another, frightened by the echoing laughter. “What happens when five stupid ponies are trapped in a room after rescuing their helpless friend?” Discord announced.
“Get us out of here!!” Apple screamed, pounding the door with her hooves. 
Rainbow Dash’s eyes started opening up, she heard the shrilled cries of terror coming from her friends. She thought of a plan to escape. Then she remembered the screen that came down from the ceiling whenever Discord talks, so she yelled Discords name, and the screen came down. “What do you want now?” He asked. Rainbow flew up into the  hole in the ceiling where the screen came down from. “Where do you think you’re going?” Discord hissed. 
Rainbow Dash crawled through the ceiling duct until she noticed a grate and saw the hallway through it. She bashed it open and landed down into the hallway, and simply pushed the button next to the door to unlock it. The ponies were surprised to see Rainbow Dash open the door and say “Who’s awesome? I’m just that awesome.” Pinkie rushed to her and squeezed her arms around her 
“Aw, it was nothing. I wasn’t going to let you guys suffer because of me. Now let’s get out of here.” She got up into the air, backed up, and then sped up right at the door at the end of the small hallway slamming it open. “Come on! I saw the exit over here!” They all ran down the hall and burst through the two giant doors marked ‘EXIT.’ When they got into the room, all their hearts sank...
Discord was sitting in a giant black chair, the whole room filled with computers and behind him was a giant black metal door marked ‘EXIT.’
“Well now, look who’s here. I can’t believe you escaped!” He hissed, staring directly at Rainbow Dash. “But seeing as how you can’t escape now, you’re all fucked anyway.”
“Theres five of  us and one of you, what are you going to do?” Rainbow Dash spoke.
“Hmm, I could do this!” Discord came up to them and grabbed Apple Jack, swiping her from the group, he flicked out a claw and held it to her throat. “Apple Jack!” The ponies all said. 
“Let me go you rascal!” She said.
“Now I’m going to give you all two choices. You give up, or I end your little friends life!” He threatened. Rainbow Dash felt her heart sink when she saw the fear in Apple Jack’s eyes. Discord gave them a sinister glare as his claw was no more then a centimeter from her neck. 
“Okay...we give up...” Rainbow sighed. She dropped to the ground. “Just, please...let her go...” 
Discord raised an eyebrow. He snapped his fingers and a mystic force slammed Apple Jack against a wall. He went and opened up a cage in a corner in the room. “Now get in...!” He said angrily. Pinkie, Twilight and Fluttershy walked towards the cage with their heads down, Discord tossed Apple Jack into the cage, Rainbow just stood there, not moving.
Discord came up to her, “That means you too-” Rainbow Dash gave him an uppercut. He flew back and landed right into his chair. Rainbow Dash then came up and picked Discord up by his tail and threw him at a wall. He got up and growled, smacking Rainbow with his tail. She spat and dashed at him, punching him without expecting it. 
“You little bitch!” He grabbed ahold of her and shook her around, then slammed her against the floor then raised her up to look her directly in the eyes.
“I won’t let you hurt my friends!” Rainbow murmured. She kicked Discord in the chest and was let go, she flew around the room, repeatedly smacking Discord in the face. After about the tenth hit, he grabbed her and twirled her around like a rope, and smacked her against the wall. “Enough!!” His eyes became pale white and glowed, his tail lit up, he puffed out his chest and blew out a blazing heap of green fire. Rainbow Dash was engulfed in the flame, she screamed in agony as the fire burned her mane and body. The ponies watched in horror until he was out of breath. Rainbow, her sky-blue body was a shade of grey and her mane was all messed up. She dropped onto the ground, and Discord cackled, “I told you not to mess with me!!” He turned around to see the other ponies, “You all are next!” He puffed out his chest and got ready to breathe when suddenly two arms wrapped around his neck, he gasped and started gagging, Rainbow Dash was choking him out. He clawed at her arms, leaving bloody scratches but she kept choking him. 
“I think it’s time you went down for a nap!” Rainbow said. Discord gagged, his tongue tied itself into a knot, he started turning pale. He tried to speak but couldn’t. After about a minute of struggling to be released, he stopped clawing at her arms, his head lowered and a small puff of smoke came out of his mouth, his eyes shut and his arms went limp. Rainbow did a 360 degree turn and she tossed Discord into his chair.  He gave out a quiet moan and was silent. Rainbow Dash panted, she flew toward the cage to let her friends go. 
“You did it...you took out Discord! Princess Celestia would be proud.” Twilight said. Rainbow looked at him, then at her. “Yeah...I guess I did... Let’s get out of here please..” 
“I couldn’t agree more.” Apple Jack replied with a frail smile.

Since the destruction of the balloon they flew in, The ponies had to take the path that led to the mountain down and tail it on foot. Having walked for several hours, they took a rest at a lodge on the way. A male, dark grey pony with a straight, black mane and no mark was slumped in a chair reading a newspaper at a desk when the group walked in. He looked up and was surprised, 'Five guests, and they're all girls?' He thought to himself.
Twilight noticed the guy, “Wait here, I’ll see if we can get anything to eat here.” She walked over to the desk and spoke politely, “Excuse me sir?” 
“Yes ma’am?”
“You wouldn’t happen to have a snack bar or anything, would you?”
“Actually I do. But this is an Inn, not a rest stop. You must get a room for the night and pay if you want anything from here besides the use of a bathroom. If not, then you may leave, but I insist you and your friends stay. You all look very, very tired...”
Twilight looked back at them. “I’m not waiting five hours for a bite to eat, just get us rooms!” Rainbow Dash whispered loudly.
She looked back at the male pony, “We’ll take a room then sir.”
“Well, I see theres five of you. I’ll give you five the two empty rooms at the end of the hallway on the second floor. Two for one room, three for the other.”
Twilight nodded, "Thank you very much. Well, looks like we got ourselves rooms.” Twilight announced, walking away from the desk and towards the stairs. The others followed, and the pony behind the desk just grinned and sat back in his chair.
Twilight stopped in front of the two doors at the end of the upstairs hallway. “Alright, so me and Rainbow Dash will share a room, while Pinkie, Fluttershy and Apple Jack will share the other.”
“Wait a second, don’t we get to pick who we stay with?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“We’re only staying for one night, does it matter who bunks with who?”
“...I guess not...”
“Then we’re good.” 
Everyone had went into their rooms. The rooms consisted of a bunk-bed, a couch, a desk with a chair, a dresser, a table and a television set. “It’s roomy at least.” Fluttershy murmured, sitting on the bed. “I can see how this guy keeps this place up. It’s a nice little shelter for travelin’ ponies. Glad we found this place actually.” Apple Jack stated.
“I guess so. I don’t trust that guy, he looked at us all weird, like he’s some kind of stalker or pervert.” 
“That is true, he did look at us funny, and I thought it was cause I had something on my face but there isn’t so obviously it was just me.” Pinkie responded.
“Long as he don’t try nothin’, then we’ll be good for the night.” Apple stated. “Wonder how the others r’ doin’.”
Meanwhile in the opposite room, Rainbow sat on the couch staring at the TV. “Is that all your going to do Rainbow?” Twilight asked curiously. “Yep, pretty much.” She replied. “Why, you got a better idea?”
“I’m just asking. We’re only here for the night after all.”
“Uh-huh. And what might you be doing exactly?”
“I’m writing a letter to Princess Celestia about the deeds of Discord so she can capture him and lock him up for good this time.”
“Twi, I choked him out. I don’t think he’s gonna need to be captured.”
“He’s an all-powerful being Rainbow. You only took him out for the moment, he could awaken at any moment, but since you gave him quite a beating I don’t think he will be waking up for quite some time here soon.” Rainbow grinned and nodded her head at her comment.
“You make a point Twi. Let her know what he’s been doing. And uh, be sure and let her know who valiantly stopped her.” She rubbed her chest and blew on her hoof. 
“Mmm, I’ll be sure to add that in...” Twilight murmured, rolling her eyes. 

As time passed slowly, daytime had graduated to night. Twilight stepped out of her room while Rainbow was asleep on the couch. She strolled down the hallway, mumbling to herself; “Why can’t the rooms have their own bathrooms?” The only one was downstairs, as there were only guest rooms upstairs. She went into the gals room, and watching her was the pony at the desk who owned the place. 
“It’s the hot one that came in with all her friends earlier.” A huge grin formed on his face as he stepped out from behind his desk and creeped over to the bathroom she was in. He poked his head through the door and saw Twilight looking in the mirror above the sink, “I really need to do my eyelashes again.” She told herself while the owner crept in slowly.
Twilight looked at the second pony in the mirror and screamed. The male pony grabbed Twilight and shoved her against a wall, she struggled but she was being pinned. “W...what do you want from me?!” She cried out. “I want you...!” He grimaced, Twilight only shrieked.
“Theres nothing you can do!” He shouted. Twilight looked at the pony, she looked and saw a spot for opportunity, so she raised her lower left hoof up and hit the owner right in his crotch. He cried in agony and released Twilight, she scrambled away and left the bathroom in a hurry.

“Wow Pinkie, you were right, she was the killer.”
“Told you Apple. Did you know it was her Fluttershy? Fluttershy?” Pinkie looked over, Fluttershy sat with a sheet over herself. “C’mon now! It’s not even that scary!” Pinkie took the sheet off, Fluttershy was shaking as she covered her eyes. “All she did was murder seven ponies and kept their dismembered bodies locked in a freezer, it’s not that bad!”
“Pinkie! You’re not helping.” Apple remarked. 
“Sorry! It’s over anyway, Daniel already killed her. Hey scaredy-shy, go see how Twilights doing will you?” Fluttershy got off the couch and went out of the room. Apple Jack smacked Pinkie in the back of the head. “Hey! What was that for??”
“Stop teasin’ Fluttershy, will ya’? You know how sensitive she is now quit it!” She hissed.
“Okay okay! Sorry, I’m just tired and having a little fun.”
“Well we should be gettin’ to bed anyway, it’s almost an hour past midnight already, and we got a lot more walkin’ to do in the mornin’.”
Fluttershy slowly opened the door across the hall. “Hello? Twilight?” She stopped and looked at Rainbow Dash asleep on the couch. Her eyes widened. She snuck over and poked her on the side, Rainbow’s eyes opened and she jumped. “I didn’t steal the gems!” She shouted. “Oh, it’s just you. Fluttershy, what are you doing??”
“I-I was told to check on you and Twilight. And since she’s not here...” She moved up onto the couch and slowly kissed Rainbow Dash.
The lights were about to go out in the other room when Pinkie realized that Fluttershy was gone. “Wait, did Flutter get back yet?”
“Don’t seem like it. I’ll go get her.” Apple Jack sighed and got up out of bed. “Fluttershy! Is Twilight ther-” Her jaw dropped as she saw Rainbow and Fluttershy kissing. “So, is she there- Woah...” Pinkie stopped talking for once, and was speechless. 

Fluttershy came back into her room, her face stark red as she faced her friends. She forced a smile and tried to hide her anxiousness while she trotted to her bunk. “So, you and Rainbow huh?” Her ears perked up at Apple Jacks comment. Fluttershy turned her head, “Huh?”
“You heard me. Me an’ Pinkie saw what you two were doin’.” 
“Who ever would’ve guessed, huh? The valiant, strong, and cocky Rainbow Dash, is in love with with the anxious, quiet, and nature-loving Fluttershy. This is front page news!” Pinkie over exaggerated. 
Fluttershy couldn’t speak. Her words were stuck in her throat, she could only squeak. “Now how long has this been goin’ on?” Apple Jack asked. 
“...You just don’t understand...!!” Fluttershy shouted, she jumped onto her bed and turned away from the two. Apple Jack and Pinkie frowned, Apple moseyed over to the bunk she was on. She sat on the bed and placed her hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder, “Look, we’re sorry we acted so curious. This is just a big surprise to us.”
“It’s not to me.” Pinkie added in. 
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Fluttershy looked over her shoulder at Pinkie.
“Besides the fact that they’re both Pegasus ponies, they hang out all the time, and fly together a lot and such.” 
“They’re pegasus ponies! Of course they fly together a lot! That don’t prove anything Pinkie!”
“...Oh, well then you got me. I didn’t see this coming either.” Pinkie grinned.
“How ‘bout you just shut up, ‘kay?” Pinkie nodded and laid down on the couch. “You sleep well Fluttershy.” Fluttershy nodded and turned back around. Apple Jack jumped off and climbed up to her top bunk to go to sleep.

The sun shone in the morning, everyone was awake and on their way to leave the lodge. The ponies walked outside, deciding to leave with the absence of the owner at the front desk. They all looked at the road ahead of them, then just looked at each other and started walking. “I know one thing, we’re never coming here again...” Apple Jack stated.