//------------------------------//
// Meanwhile 
// Story: A New Reality 
// by ThecynicalGingerpony 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight gulped. She forgot about Pinkie sense. She begged that it didn't work here. She had gone so far, it couldn't just be torn down before she could do anything. The pink mare's eye looked like they dove straight through Twilight's being. The distressed unicorn saw the other's eyes widen slightly then return back to normal size and a sweet smile danced across the bubblegum pony.
"We could always use more help here. You are no where near a filly so it will be nice to have an older pony to share some of the work with." This confused Twilight, but she let it roll of and decided to go with it.
"Thank you so much." 
Pinkie handed Palette a small bag of bits. "I know it isn't much, but it is all I can do. It is for the medicine." The blind unicorn shook her head in protest.
"No need, Miss Pie. We all just want to help out anyway we can. It is for the little ones after all." Twilight zoned out as the two argued over the fact of payment. 
She watched as a group of young ones played. Her eyes went straight to small Scootaloo. She remembered how Sweetie Bell was gone and she didn't know where Apple Bloom was. She knew that that meant there was no Cutie Mark Crusaders. Part of Twilight was glad to see Scootaloo playing with others though. She seemed like the same spunky little filly.
"I have to head out, Inkwell." Palette said as she turned to Twilight. "I'll come back back tomorrow to check on how things are going." Twilight was saddened to see her old friend go. She missed her already. It was hard to remember that the blind one didn't even know her anymore.
Pinkamena could sense the sadness from the new member of her household. "Come with me, my dear. You can help me with supper. Tomorrow, you'll help with the rock farm."

~~~~~~~~

A sharp breath came from Rarity's mouth as Onyx Dust yelled at her. "What do you mean you don't know where the buck she is!? She should of been home by now! Useless!"
What scared the pearl unicorn wasn't the words or the voice so loud that it rang in her ears. It was the fire in his eyes. When Onyx got angry, Rarity could swear that she saw fire flickering in his eyes. She had seem him perform magic before and it came out more like a fire then a beam, much like Twilight's. Even his cutiemark included a vibrant flame. 
As Rarity thought about it, the ash-colored stallion resembled fire. He could be calm and interestingly beautiful to be around. In the next second, he could be deadly and wanting to do nothing but destroy. Though all the time he was essential to the needs of everyone. Twilight needed him to be her right hoof and to someday be her husband. He made the townsponies trust him and in turn trust Twilight.
"I'm sorry, Milord. I know she wanted to explore the town. I think she might of had someone she was looking for." The mare could feel that she had backed up enough that she was against the wall. It was as far as she could go to get away from the dangerous pony.
A smirk danced across Onyx's muzzle. The poor thing is probably searching for her friends, well what used to be her friends. This is just priceless. She'll come back all broken soon enough. I told her that they weren't the same anymore.
"So, did she tell you where she was going?" His interest was riling him up.
"N-no. Twilight never said-" Rarity instantly regretted what she said. Even more when she felt some of Onyx's magic narrowly miss the top of her head.
"I'm sorry. Did you forget your place? Did you just called the queen by her name?" Rarity froze as she saw Onyx turned into somepony she didn't know. His dynamic jade eyes darkened, though didn't lose their life. The calm fire erupted to one of hatred. She had only seen this once before. 
A servant by the name of Bon-bon was found in his library stealing some sort of information. Rarity was unlucky enough to be a witness of this. She had been carrying some texts that was left from the library in town for him when Bon-bon was caught. The same cold fire came to his eyes and instead of a voice of anger there was one of cold, murderous intent. He made Rarity watch as fire surrounded and lit up the dual-colored mane. She expected to hear screams, but the black fire seemed to mask any noise she could muster. Almost like he didn't want anyone to hear.
There was nothing left of the poor Earth pony. Rarity knew that she could never forget this moment. Onyx had even told her that he hoped she remembered what she had learned from that. 
Another blast hit Rarity's hoof, making her fall to the ground. "You need to remember what you learned here, you worthless waste of space. You are a servant and nothing more. Keep in mind who you are for I am not very forgiving. If you had not been so loyal and helpful all this time, I would easily do away with you as I have done with traitors before. Do not think I will spare you again." 
Tears fell from the mare's eyes as Onyx walked away. She didn't even know if she wanted to stay there anymore. As long as there was that side of Onyx was around, nopony was safe. Twilight...no, the Queen probably was in danger to with him around. But if he had this power, then why follow her?
"No," Rarity said softly to herself as she tried to get up. "Don't think about it. Do not feel towards them or there will only be pain. Do not let yourself get dragged down. For my little Bell wouldn't want it that way." 
She moved her head slightly as she said her small mantra that she said to keep her chin up. If you listened carefully, you could hear the small bell she had woven into her bun. It was tied into her mane to remind her of her little sister. She had to keep it up for her. She had to keep a secret from nearly everypony she knew. And it was all for her.