Equestria Divided

by Nightmare Darkness


Reunions

Applejack, Summer 10, 14 ASD



Her nerves were shot. Applejack couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had felt this thinly stretched. It had been days since she had returned to Dodge Junction, and still she waited for news on her brothers rescue attempt. A knock on her door made her look up and see it was Applebloom.


“You need sleep, sis,” she said, looking at her with concern.


“Ah know, but I can’t without knowin what’s happened to them,” Applejack said before a messenger burst into the room, causing her to look at him angrily.


“What in Tarnation!” she began to say before the messenger cut her off.


“It’s a diamond dog, commander!” he said. Applejack’s eyes widened, and she rushed past him, followed by Applebloom. Bounding down the steps, she burst out of the door to see Granny Smith fawning over the body of Big Mac. A black diamond dog stood beside them, looking up at her as she made an entrance.


“He’s alive, but it was touch and go for a bit,” he began to explain before she completely ignored him, focusing on Big Mac.


“Get me the Medics! You,” Applejack indicated to the diamond dog, “my office.”

The dog glared at her but grudgingly obeyed, ducking under the small door frame and going to her study. Three nurse ponies arrived on scene and began to look at him as the Matron Granny Smith looked up.


“Y’all go about your business. He’ll be alright,” she ordered, and the crowd began to disperse as two large stallion juggernauts helped their commander up, taking him to the hospital. Applebloom followed after them with a concerned look as Granny turned to Applejack.


“We need to talk to that dog,” she said sternly which caused Applejack to frown.


“What is it?” Applejack asked cautiously. Granny Smith walked past her, going to her study as she followed after her.


“Somthin’s wrong with Big Mac,” she said coolly.


“Yeah, ah know he’s missin a bit of his ear and been tortured. I’d be surprised if he didn’t have somthin’ a bit wrong,” she said pointedly. They both walked into the room and Rover stood by the window, looking larger even than before in the comparatively tiny office. Granny Smith walked up to him and gave him a light kick, making Applejacks heart stop for a moment.


“You have gal,l old pony,” Rover said as his razor-like claws flexed angrily.


“What did you do to Big Mac!” she accused.


“I did nothing, you old dolt. He was like that when we fought for him!” Rover growled. Applejack looked at them both and after all the stress and sudden relief, and now this, she snapped.


“What are you both buckin’ talkin about? What's goin on?” she exclaimed, causing both to look at her. Rover turned toward her, giving Granny Smith a slight nudge.


“Everything was going well, we got through the forest undetected and were planning to tunnel right into the dungeon he was held in, but before we could he was taken and brought before Fluttershy. I, two of my own, and your group had to improvise. We burst from the ground and snatched him from Fluttershy, who was doing some kind of ceremony. Over the last few days Big Mac has been having nightmares, convulsions, and small physical changes. If I were to guess, she was making him into a wraith, but we stopped the process mid-way. So your brother is partly turned,” he finished explaining. Both Granny Smith and Applejack paled.


“No…” Applejack said before an angry rage overtook her. “we just got him back!” She bucked the door cracking it in two, leaving the door to hang on broken hinges. Granny Smith looked at Rover and took in a deep breath.


“I’m sorry. I get emotional when it comes to the young ‘uns. I am thankful you were able to save him,” she said, and Rover crossed his arms with a nod.


“I do what I am paid to do,” he said before looking at Applejack, who hadn’t calmed down in the slightest.


“I’ll take my leave now. Rarity will expect her payment within the week,” he said, walking to the door and feeling awkward he simply ripped the broken door off its hinges and placed it against the wall before departing.


“You need to calm down, Applejack,” Granny Smith advised, getting an angry glare from Applejack. Granny Smith gave a hard glare back and put her hoof on her nose.


“Now listen here! You don’t have time to be a’ fussin’ about things like your brother. You have a house to run an’ you can't be emotional. Leave that to Applebloom. Go see your brother and tell him you're happy to see him. He’s your brother still, and you’re his little sister. Quit your bellyaching,” Granny Smith finished before indicating for her to go see her brother. Applejack looked at her for a moment before leaving the room and making her way towards the hospital. The smell of antiseptic hurt her nose as she walked through the doors, but she went to the desk nurse, who looked up and fumbled to attention.


“Head c-commander! Commander Big Mac is down the hall in room 110,” she said quickly. Applejack nodded, walking down the hall to the room that was guarded by the two juggernauts that had helped him get to the hospital. They both saluted her as she walked into the room.


“Carry on,” she said, to which they both nodded and stayed at their posts. Applebloom was sitting beside the hospital bed with tears in her eyes as the head nurse looked up at Applejack and approached her with a worried look on her face.


“He’s…” she began before Applejack lifted her hoof to quiet her.


“I know. Keep this quiet,” she ordered, and the nurse nodded before leaving the room to her and Applebloom. Applejack placed a comforting hoof on her sister’s shoulder.


“Is he going to be alright, sis?” Applebloom asked. Applejack took in a breath looking at her big brother.


“I sure hope,” she began to say as Big Mac’s eyes opened. His old green eyes now held cat like irises, and he looked around afraid before his eyes fell upon them.


“Big Mac…is that you?” Applebloom asked, reaching for him before Applejack could stop her. Big Mac smiled showing his teeth had become more predatory.


“Eeyup,” he said as Applebloom and Applejack both smiled.

Rarity, Summer 10, 14 ASD



It had been a while since she had been in Canterlot. The sights and smells brought back memories of a time when life was fair. More innocent. But being here now, the sights had changed dramatically. Both earth ponies and pegasus ponies that lived there were treated as second class citizens. Any one of them that were free and living under the Moon and Star house had to deal with unfair trade and racial bias. If you didn’t have a job, you could easily be sold into slavery by neighbours or kidnapped. It made other factions not seem so bad in comparison. Looking out of the carriage window, the cathedral dedicated to the sisters stood as a shining beacon to all those who worshiped the missing alicorns. Rarity couldn’t care less about them anymore, but speaking ill of the sisters could get a pony branded as a heretic by the Inquisition, who would force them to confess their sins by rather unholy means.

The carriage approached the castle where she was planned to meet Twilight. It was surprising to have received a letter from her asking for a meeting. Such a meeting was long overdue in any case, but there was something about Twilight's letter that piqued Rarity's curiosity in particular.

Passing the gates that were guarded by Sun and Moon guards, the carriage pulled into the roundabout and stopped by the front steps where Twilight and Trixie both awaited her. Slowing to a stop, she waited a moment before the door opened, and she moved her leg. The crystals that encased her leg began to crack and break, and the pain she was all too used to cut into her like a knife.


“Rarity,” Twilight greeted with a curt nod. Rarity nodded back as she stepped down, her wounds beginning to open, and her blood beginning to trickle down onto the blue crystal.


“This is a treat. Being greeted by both the Arch Mage herself and the Head of the Inquisition! Either I am considered important, or this is the last time I will see daylight,” Rarity jested as she forced a smile. Trixie looked at her stone faced and Twilight smiled half-heartedly.


“I am glad you could come, Rarity. I would like to request your help in a matter,” Twilight began before Rarity raised her unaffected hoof.

“Yes, yes, in due time my dear, but I am simply famished. Shall we discuss this over lunch?” she said with a more implied tone. Twilight sighed and nodded with a smile that came more naturally.


“You always had the flare for elegance. I have had lunch made for us in the dining room,” Twilight said before turning to Trixie with a look and a nod. Trixie nodded back and bowed to Rarity before departing. Rarity looked after her as she left before following Twilight through the large doors. Blood trickled down her leg as she walked, but she paid it no mind, wrapping a teal and red bandage around her leg to stem the bleeding.


“How is life for the most powerful unicorn in Equestria?” Rarity asked as she strode beside Twilight, looking at the stain glass windows that depicted the sisters in all their glory.


“As well as you can expect. But all the magical power I possess, and I still haven’t found an answer to what happened that day,” she said.


“Which day? When the sisters disappeared, or when Pinkie died?” Rarity said offhandedly. Twilight stopped as Rarity slowed and looked over her shoulder. The air of the corridor seemed to come to a standstill. Twilight's face twisted into an expression of anger and grief before Rarity turned away.


“Forgive me, I did not think. Please forget I said anything,” she said as she began to walk Twilight followed after her.


“You always knew what to say and when to say it,” Twilight said hotly.


“Tricks of the trade dear. You’re gifted in magic. I’m gifted in getting what I want,” she said simply as they entered the room where a table had been prepared for a meal. Several unicorns stood by the wall, waiting to move into action to serve their noble guests.


“I asked you here for something important. What do you know of the relationship between Dr Whooves and Sunset Shimmer?” she asked, taking a seat at the table.


“I have hired Sunset Shimmer quite a few times to work for me. Dr Whooves is a scholar who came to talk to me about hiring a mercenary a while back. I introduced them, considering their interests aligned usually. Why?” she asked, sitting across from Twilight. The servants quickly put food on the table and filled each of their glasses before departing, leaving them alone in the room.

“I sent you a message saying that I have found something odd, but I didn't elaborate on it,” Twilight said as Rarity calmly began to pick and choose between the food displayed before her.

“Indeed, it was rather very cryptic, but I am here now. Please just say what you wanted to say and how I can be of service,” she said then took a bite of a biscuit. Twilight seemed annoyed at her overly calm demeanor.

“I thought I found evidence that someone or something is still raising and lowering the moon,” she said, causing Rarity to stop her from drinking from her glass.

“You mean to say that the sisters did not lie to us? But if that is so, where are they?” Rarity asked, lowering her glass with her magic.

“Apparently they've been kidnapped by a creature named Discord. I had a theory that they were still in Equestria, but I've recently received evidence from Sunset Shimmer and Doctor Whooves." She said, almost as if she was a giddy filly again. Rarity was quiet a moment before she looked at her former friend.

“I'm guessing you want my help to find the hiding place of this Discord?” she presumed. Twilight nodded without reserve before realizing what she was doing. Rarity was quiet a moment.

“No,” she said which caused Twilight to look at her in disbelief.

“Wh-why not?” she exclaimed as her horn glowed, her power beginning to overflow, causing utensils and vases to float in the air.

“You don't want to find them Twilight. The old you wants to find them. You're not a filly anymore, Twilight,” Rarity said, taking another drink before looking at Twilight again.

“Why will you not help?” Twilight asked with open hostility across her features.

“What would happen if we did find them? More importantly what would happen to us? All the power we have would be stripped. I know what I have done won't be forgotten or forgiven, so tell me, Twilight, do you really wish to find the Sisters?” She said with a cold tone. Twilights eyes widened as all the things she had ever done resurfaced. Twilight sat back back into her chair with a look of defeat.

“I didn't think so. So here's what we do, Twilight. Anyone who knows of this we silence. Sunset Shimmer and Doctor Whooves included. Or all we have come to work for will be undone,” Rarity said, and Twilight looked up at her with a hard look in her eyes.

“Long live the memory of the sisters,” Twilight said with a nod, conceding to bury the truth.