//------------------------------//
// Bearer Chapter: Honesty II 
// Story: Harmony's Creed 
// by Gapeagle 
//------------------------------//

	Applejack hesitated before opening the door to the South Canterlot Den. She looked down at Minuette's dragon mask that she had brought with her as proof of the attack. Do you really want to do this? She asked herself. Maybe there was still hope that Twilight was on their side. Maybe it was all still a lie. Minuette could have lied about it! 

"No, she didn't."

With a heavy sigh, Applejack opened the door and entered. The Den was in its usual cleanness and nothing was out of place. The Bearer's eyes shifted cautiously about. With her armor, her steps echoed through the tight halls. The handle of her family ax almost scrapped the low ceilings. The Den was on the small side for her large frame, but that did not bother her.

"Hey Applejack!"

Little Spike jumped out of the Bearer's Quarters with a bright smile. The action did not startle the Bearer of Honesty but still made her take a step back. She recovered quickly and crouched to his level, ruffling his hair playfully.

"How ya doin' sugar?" She asked. "Is Twilight here?"

"Yeah, Twilight's in there." He pointed to the room he just exited. "Um, why are you here in Canterlot?"

"Long story." She sensed innocence in the boy. "I'm jus' here to have a private chat with Twilight."

"Oh, alright. Uh...I guess I'll leave you two then."

He scampered off in disappointment. Spike was always fond of having Applejack around. Not as much as having Rarity around, of course. The Bearer of Honesty thought he viewed her as some sort of crazy aunt. Though that would mean that Twilight and her were sisters, which they weren't.

"Not one bit." She muttered.

She promptly entered the quarters, every second changing her anxiety to anger. She gripped the door and accidentally crushed the handle. The world is made of glass, she reminded herself. She carefully swung it open and walked in, closing it gently behind her which still ended with a slam. 

Twilight was writing down some notes on a floating piece of parchment. She had definitely noticed the Bearer but was too busy humming a tune to talk. Applejack ducked under a levitating book that swirled around with the rest in a sort of magical vortex. Twilight only did such things when she was either in a good mood or rearranging the room. Both seemed to be the case.

"Hi AJ!" She finally said to the Bearer. "What brings you to Canterlot?"

"We need to talk." Applejack said simply.

"Of course we do. I can't make all the plans by myself." She laughed before noticing Applejack's frown. "That's not what you meant."

"Nope. Here."

Applejack walked through the whirlwind of papers and books to Twilight, handing her the mask. The Bearer of Honesty was expecting some sort of attack or an angry response in general, but Twilight became worried with the sight.

"Did she hurt anyone? Kill?" Twilight cried.

"What? Ya not even gonna deny ya involvement?"

"With you? No. Now, did Minuette hurt anyone? I told her not to!" Twilight was legitimately concerned.

"Nope. Did give some Brothers hypothermia, but nothing bad." Applejack answered. "Now why did you do this?"

"It's best that I just show you. In truth, I knew you would be the first to find out."

Twilight placed the mask on the table and walked over to her bed. She then reached underneath it and pulled out a small pile of neatly stacked papers. Applejack was shocked by how she was unfazed about being caught. Twilight hummed a little more before turning around.

"Ever since I joined the Brotherhood, I only saw two brilliant factions fighting over meaningless values and morals. They could do so much for this world and instead, pity themselves with trivial matters. Assassins versus Templar, all about influence over the common people. It's been going on for over 200 years and I was upset about that. So, Sunset and I formed a plan. A plan to unite both factions so that they could aid the nations properly."

"Then why did you attack Ponyville? I'm guessing the Crystal Republic's attack was your doin' as well."

She waved casually. "That was Sunset, not me. Minuette was supposed to slow your rebuilding progress. What we are trying to do is make it apparent that both sides need each other. In order to do that..."

"You gotta make both sides miserable." Applejack finished. "So ya have been killing Assassins to do this?"

"Not me. Sunset takes care of those Assassins that...well....won't believe in unification. The Brotherhood takes care of the radical Templar in return. Once the moderates are left, the proposition is more likely to be accepted."

"Twilight, do ya even know what ya saying? You're betraying the Brotherhood."

"I'm betraying no one, AJ." Twilight corrected. "All Sunset and I want is peace in this secret war. We'll be able to use the Elements and shards to help the people as one faction instead of causing destruction as two."

"Well I won't be a part of this mad scheme." Applejack concluded. "Do ya really think ya will convince any of the Bearers to join you?"

"That's the plan yes." She nodded. "Here, I actually planned this conversation. If you read the notes, you'll see that my plan is for the best."

Twilight handed Applejack some of the notes before continuing. "You see, Sunset is not the best about making plans, so I have taken the liberty to think of every possible situation and develop a set course of actions in case it ever is needed. These notes show how I would convince you of this plan if you ever found out of its existence prematurely."

Twilight was no doubt proud of this as she beamed with enthusiasm. Applejack, who was never the best at reading, scanned the notes in her armored hands. The notes were well organized into sections, each titled something different. Applejack noticed that they were about her and how she would react if A, B, or C happened. If she was angry, Twilight would do this, if she was sad, this would be the right course of action, etc.

"This is ludicrous..."

"So ya think by being honest with me, that I'm gonna join ya?"

"Precisely. You're a smart woman, Applejack, I don't see why you would not."

"Maybe cause this plan is a bunch of horseshit? The Templar and Assassins are never gonna join each other."

"They will once they look at the Bearers like they are the chosen ones." Twilight explained. "We have already established that we are chosen by the Elements. To the Brotherhood, our word is law. All we need is that to be the same with the Templar. Sunset is working on that."

"So ya want us to pose as some gods now? Are we friends, Twilight, or are we nothing more to you than tools?"

"Of course you're my friends."

"Just because ya want it to be true, doesn't make it true."

"Applejack..." Twilight sighed.

"Oh, and ya forgot one situation that could occur in these here notes." Applejack handed Twilight the notes.

Twilight raised a brow and took them. "What? I thought I covered them all."

"Yeah, the one part where your face and my fist meet."

"Applejack?"

The Bearer of Honesty punched Twilight squarely in the face, sending her through the nearest wall and through the wall after that. Twilight fortunately reacted with a magical barrier around her as she flew through the rooms. Applejack ran after her and arrived in the Den's lounge room where Assassins gasped as their leaders fought.

"Applejack! What was that for?"

"Do ya really need to ask?"

Applejack took hold of Twilight's robes and lifted her up. The Bearer of Magic struggled but to no avail. 

"I don't want to fight." She squealed.

"Too late princess!"

Applejack threw her through another wall and into the streets outside. The Assassins hid under furniture in some desperate attempt to hide from the Bearer of Honesty's wrath. The Bearer walked through the new back door to the Den and watched as Twilight picked herself up.

"Calm down!" She yelled. "Calm down now!"

"Calm down? After finding out that my friend is trying to ruin what I stand for? Trying to destroy my life's work? And ya want me to calm down?"

Twilight stood tall. "Applejack, I am not hurting the Brotherhood. I am only helping it."

"By giving us up to our enemies? Yeah, we'll jus' let ya walk over us and tell us what we need in our lives. Ya crazy Twilight!"

"How is your Element not making the better judgement?" Twilight demanded.

"That question should be for ya." Applejack retorted.

Twilight's response to this was grabbing Applejack in a telekinetic grip. "You're no match for me. Stand down!"

"To Tartarus with ya."

"Fine!"

Twilight slammed the Bearer into the cobblestone and lifted her back up just to do it again. Applejack was helpless in the magical grip and took the beating. Twilight then threw her into a nearby statue of Celestia, shattering the beautiful marble to pieces.

"I won't kill you AJ." Twilight said. "You're too valuable in the plan."

"That's not what a friend should tell the other." Applejack responded. "The Bearers are just your toys."

"You are my friend."

"I know when ya lie!"

Applejack pounced off the ruined statue and at Twilight. In the blink of an eye, Twilight teleported away to safety. Applejack stood where the Bearer of Magic was moments ago, searching to where she went. The next second, she heard Twilight's feet rushing to her. Applejack turned to see Twilight charging at her with her sword drawn. Applejack began to pound the ground with all her might, creating a quake through the street that tripped the Bearer of Magic.

"Learned that trick when harvesting apples." Applejack boasted.

Twilight levitated herself in the air, high above the ground. Her pistols floated out of her sash and aimed themselves at Applejack. The Bearer of Honesty was quick to dodge the incoming lead balls that bounced off the streets. Twilight began to reload them while they swirled around her. This gave Applejack time to reach for the rope on her hip. Rope she brought just in case this would happen. She made a lasso while she dodged a second wave of lead balls. The next second, she threw the lasso up at Twilight, wrapping it around her waist and pulled down.

"Get down here!"

Twilight slammed into the cobblestone. Applejack pounced over to the dazed Bearer and grabbed her firmly by the neck. Making sure that Twilight could not make a sound, she lifted her up to her eye level, which had Twilight dangling her feet helplessly. She loosened her grip slightly to let Twilight breath.

"Applejack please!" Twilight begged, struggling to catch a breath. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"I wish that was the case, Twilight." Applejack replied. "But you got yourself in this mess. I thought ya was gonna be a great Bearer. I even made ya the leader! Like so many other things, I was wrong. Now I have to rip that Element out of your chest. Have fun in Tartarus."

Twilight's head wiggled around insanely before her eyes changed into glowing white spheres. Her face hardened and Magic spoke through her mouth.

"Stay your hand, Honesty! You do not understand the opportunity we have before us!"

"Ya on board with it?" Applejack asked incredulously.

"Of course you idiot!" Magic screamed. "I helped Twilight form the plans. This is the first time in the Brotherhood's existence that peace can be achieved. Why not take it?"

"What happened? Ya changed Magic! What about the Creed?"

"The Creed is a lie! A lie you have preached, Bearer of Honesty! Starswirl only made the Creed to have a unifying statement for the Brotherhood. It was never meant to be taken as a code of life! You know this, Honesty, yet you still lie!"

"Honesty can't lie!"

"Yes it can! Have you yet figured out that we Elements are merely named after the aspects of Harmony? We are children of Harmony, we are not Harmony itself. We have been corrupted, not by Starswirl, but by the idea that we make a difference in this world! Honesty can lie, Kindness can be selfish, Laughter can harm others, Generosity can be exclusive, and Loyalty can be given to no one. And I....I can be without friends since I am not the true incarnation of magic. We are merely imitators of something that does not exist."

"Ya mad!"

"I'm the one being slowly choked to death and I'm the mad one? The Templar and Assassins will join together in true Harmony. Even if we must force them to! Once we are in Harmony, we will form a new Creed. One for all people! A Creed for thoughts and ideas! Harmony's Creed!"

Magic released Twilight, who began to breath heavily. Applejack growled in suppressed anger. Magic was on her side as well? She lifted Twilight in the air and slammed her into the cobblestone much like she did to Minuette. Twilight bounced and then rolled to an abrupt halt.

"You traitor!" Applejack screamed. "Ya justify the killing of Assassins! All you've caused is more hurt for both sides!"

"Applejack...please listen..." Twilight moaned in her agony.

"Shut it!"

The Bearer of Honesty kicked Twilight, sending her skipping across the street and into the wall of a bakery. The Bearer of Magic could not utter a sound as she felt her broken ribs. Applejack confidently walked over to her.

"I can't believe I called you my friend." She spat.

"Not a step closer!" Twilight mustered enough strength to hiss these words.

Applejack did not heed the wounded Bearer's warning. Twilight lifted a hand and a magical aura surrounded it. Applejack suddenly felt a tightening in her chest. She stopped immediately, her breathing becoming shallower with each moment. Twilight then clutched her hand and Applejack fell to the ground, coughing up blood.

"I told you not to come closer." Twilight began to get up. "Enjoy your collapsed lung."

"Twi!" Applejack barely uttered. "I'll kill ya for this! I'll....I'll rip Magic outta ya chest.....I promise that...."

Twilight vanished in a puff of purple smoke, teleporting out of the area. Applejack continued to cough up blood. She felt weak as she tried to crawl along the cold ground. Assassins from the Den rushed over to her and took her on their shoulders, straining to lift her armored body. 

"We need to get her a doctor, now!" An Assassin cried.

"Twilight..." Applejack moaned. "How could ya...?"

"What's happened?" Another Brother shouted. "Should we chase after the Bearer of Magic?"

"Leave her..." The Bearer of Honesty ordered softly.

"She needs help!" 

"We need help! Our leaders are fighting each other!"

"What will we do?"

"What did you do to Twilight?" Spike screeched.

 "Don't worry, Applejack. I'll get you through this. Think of the others. Think of them."


~