It was dark. That was the first thing Applejack noticed, and was something she didn't like at all. She'd always disliked the dark, ever since the night she got lost in the Everfree forest while on a walk with the family. She shuddered. Never again. The next thing she sensed was she wasn't alone. She recognized her sister, Applebloom, as the pony beside her. Applejack stood up, her legs aching slightly. The room shook around her, and Applejack realized she was in a train. more precisely, a small, enclosed box that was about the size of 4 ponies on a train. She tumbled over again as the train turned sharply, and didn't bother to get up. She began to think. Why was she here? The last thing she could remember was...It hit Applejack like a buck to the face. She could remember...everything.
Applejack shook her head. No, not everything. There was a gaping hole where...<i>something</i> should be. But..she could remember ponies. Normally, this would be ordinary... But it wasn't. Applejack felt her blood run cold. Yesterday, she would have scoffed at the thought of a brother. Yet... She did have a brother. Big Macintosh..A name so unfamiliar, yet so...well, familiar. He was her brother? Why wasn't Applejack surprised? She'd just discovered she had a brother! But...No. She'd always known. She sighed. Her head hurt from all this thinking...But as she closed her eyes, images of other ponies flashed before her. Lyra, Bon Bon, Derpy...All of them, good friends of hers.... Why did she forget?
A screech of grinding metal made Applejack jump, and a strip of sunlight filtered through a gap in the small carriage, probably where the door was. She sat up, and decided she'd fallen asleep. She hadn't dreamt though...She hadn't had a dream for years. Another odd thing, but she had grown used to it. Suddenly, the room was flooded with sunlight, waking Applebloom. She groaned groggily. ''Sis, ah don't wanna go tah school!'' Applejack smiled, and turned to the opening. She instantly dropped to knees in a respectful bow. Applebloom glanced up and quickly shifted into the same position. The figure spoke. ''My subjects, stand. You had a good trip, I presume?'' Her voice was light, almost mocking. Applejack nodded. ''Yes, yer Majesty.'' The queen smiled. ''Good. Now then, you have 5 minutes to get to the servants quarters.'' Applejack felt a flicker of confusion. Servants quarters? Had she applied...? But it was gone in an instant. Yes. She'd applied after getting into an argument with her friends.She felt a surprisingly large bout of hatred for them, and pushed them out of her mind. She didn't want to speak to them, see them, even THINK about them ever again. It never crossed her mind that she didn't know what they had argued about. She nodded to the queen, and began to walk towards the castle, but some guards stopped her. ''We'll escort you.'' One said gruffly. Applejack nodded, and let them take the lead. Behind her, the queen smiled, and for a second, the sun went out.
Pinkie Pie looked at the three ponies in front of her. ''I'm glad you could all come to this very important meetin--'' She was cut off by Rainbow Dash. ''Pinkie, this is the third or fourth time you've called us here in the past month.'' She paused to gesture around Sugar Cube Corner. ''Let me guess, you're going to talk about another one of your imaginary friends going missing.'' Pinkie Pie visibly deflated. ''You guys are mean meanie pants! This prank isn't funny any more!'' Tears were quickly gathering at her eyes. ''Applejack isn't my imaginary friend, you know that! Neither is Twilight! Why won't you listen to me!? All those other ponies...They weren't...'' She trailed off. Fluttershy sighed sadly. ''Pinkie, I know you're upset, but you just need to accept it. We don't know who Twilight Sparkle, Derpy, Bon Bon...And this new pony, Applejack. We just don't know who they are. You've never mentioned Applejack before, anyway..It sounds like you're just making them up as you go along. And it's not just us, Pinkie. You're the only pony who seems to remember them, if they ever even existed. I mean, if they were our friends, we'd remember them, I'm sure...'' She said all this with a sympathetic look on her face, but her kindness was rejected by Pinkie, who turned her back to them. ''You're not very good friends then, are you? Why did you forget them!?'' She cantered towards the door, crying freely now.
Fluttershy glanced around at her friends helplessly. ''Should we go after her?'' Rarity and Dash both gave her a dissaproving look. ''I know you find it hard seeing Pinkie like this, but she really needs to seperate her fantasy from real life.'' Dash's voice was tired, a common factor after a meeting hosted by Pinkie Pie. Rarity nodded. ''Yes, for once I feel I agree with Rainbow. Pinkie needs to get a grip on reality for once. She's always been a bit..odd, but now she's just taking it up a whole level. Don't you agree?'' Rarity was frowning slightly. Fluttershy looked down. ''Well, what if Pinkie is on to something? Where would she get this from'' ''What I'd like to know is where she got talking flour from!'' ''Rainbow is right, although she needs to take this more seriously.'' Rarity spoke over her glare, directed at Dash. ''But Fluttershy, darling, I really do doubt that I'd be forgetting people like that in a hurry. The most talented unicorn in all of Equestria? Living in our little Ponyville? We'd get a little publicity, to say the least!'' Rarity finished her sentence with a flourish of hooves. But she stopped suddenly as a new thought occured to her. What if...? She turned her gaze directly towards Fluttershy, who squeaked a little. Rarity realized she was probably scaring her a little, and lightened her gaze. But she still had to ask... ''Rarity, what's wrong?'' Fluttershy was a little worried; Rarity had impressed it upon them all that it was rude to stare, until she saw <i>what</i> they were staring at. Fluttershy blushed a little at the thought. ''Fluttershy, do you remember any of the ponies Pinkie Pie has been talking about?'' Fluttershy jumped a little, but then quickly regathered her senses. ''No, Rarity. I've never heard of Applejack, Twilight...Any of the ponies Pinkie's mentioned.'' Rarity nodded. ''Then we can only conclude this; They never existed anywhere except for Pinkie's mind.'' As the group nodded in agreement at this a dark mass of energy slunk away, it's job done.
Applejack picked up the dirty tray and deposited it into the 'Cleaning' basket, and continued to do so until the room was cleared out. She then pushed the basket into the chute and began to trot towards the Servants Dorm, her chores done. ''Applejack, wait.'' Applejack turned and fell into a clumsy bow. She righted herself before replying. ''Yes, yer Majesty?'' Queen Night Sky looked down at her servant. ''Would you fight for me?'' Applejack found herself nodding, without even thinking. ''Would you kill for me?'' Applejack looked at the ground. Kill..? But any doubts seemed to flee her mind as a strange, warm feeling replaced it. ''Yes, yer majesty. I'd die for you, and I'd kill for you.'' The queen nodded in approval, and Applejack headed towards the door. She walked slowly, giving the queen enough time to cast a final spell.
Big Mac looked at his younger sister sadly, her stomach rising and falling as she slept. Applebloom hadn't even looked at him since he got here, and when he spoke to her she just looked away awkwardly and made an excuse to get away. Applejack had explained to him that, until a few days ago, they thought he had never existed. He'd asked her to stop there; he'd never been able to comprehend something like that without losing sleep over it, and in this place you needed all the sleep you could get. He closed his eyes for about the umpteenth time that night, before opening them again. Eeyup. All the sleep you could get.
Pinkie stared at the pony in front of her. ''C'mon, Pinkie! Ideas!'' She snapped at the mirror. After about an hour of thinking, still nothing. But Pinkie didn't give up. All it took was one thought of her missing friends, or how the others didn't believe her, and she was back on track. She needed to save..to save.. Pinkie felt a thrill of fear. She couldn't remember their names. Pinkie shook her head. ''No!'' She shouted angrily, and ran headfirst into the nearest wall in an act of frustration. She rebounded, like rubber, and landed on the bed. But for once, Pinkie didn't attempt to repeat the act. She closed her eyes, and thought. ''Pinkie, dear, are you alright?'' ''NO RARITY I AM NOT, I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER APPLEJACK AND TWILIGHT'S NAMES, THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT! WHY WOULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT TO INTERR-Oh hey!'' The pink party-pony zipped up to the open door and hugged the surprised unicorn. ''Thanks Rarity! I soo totally need to throw you a..'' Pinkie paused to inhale, making Rarity wince in anticipation. '''Thanks for helping me remember the names of our missing friends that you won't believe existed but I DO!' super duper special party! I'll get the party cannon! No, no, the MEGA party cannon! That one shoots ca-'' A swift hoof to the face silenced her, knocking her to the floor in the process. ''Rarity!'' Pinkie moaned. ''You only needed to ask me to stop!'' ''I did, dear. Several times, but you obviously didn't hear me.''
-Change-Of-Perspective- Pinkie blinked, a small 'Oh.'' escaping her lips. She bounced up, and looked at Rarity curiously. ''Well..Why are you here? I was trying to think of a plan to save Twilight and Applejack!'' Rarity ignored the urge to turn and run from the hyperactive...explosion, instead staring her dead in the eyes. ''Weeeelll?'' ''Pinkie, we think you've been enchanted with dark magic. You show all the signs...'' Rarity trailed off as the mix of happy emotions coming from her friend stopped. ''M-me...?'' Rarity took a deep breath. ''Yes, dear. You've been imagining things-'' Pinkie opened her mouth to argue, but a glare from the white unicorn sealed it again. ''You've been a tad more insane than usual, demonstrated by your outburst just then, and...Well, to be quiet frank, you've been talking to mirrors and throwing yourself at walls. If that isn't downright crazy, then may the Queen help us all.'' Pinkie's mouth dropped. ''How did you...?'' Rarity sighed again. ''I was there for a long time, Pinkie.'' She answered. ''Oh. Well, how does that even count towards dark magic?'' Rarity let the pause stretch on a moment longer before speaking again. ''Chances are the magic that's possessing you can see into your mind and soul through anything that has a reflection. At least, that's what the book said.'' ''Book-?'' ''The point is, Pinkie, is that this dark magic will slowly start to affect us all. It will turn us against each other, until even Queen Night herself can't stop us.'' Pinkie frowned. ''Queen Night? Don't you mean Princess Celestia?'' Silence answered her. Rarity felt dread well up in her at the mention of the name. She didn't know why...Yes. She did! The tyrant...Although Rarity couldn't remember exactly what she had done, but it had been bad. And Pinkie was supporting her?! Rarity did the only thing that felt right. She screamed. ''How dare you say that forsaken name? And you call her a princess! She lost that title long ago, after...after...'' The memory hit. ''After plunging the land into eternal day!'' Rarity's voice teemed with hate, making Pinkie wince. She didn't care though. The party pony deserved it! ''Do you truly think that SHE is even the tiniest bit worthy of our pleas?!'' Then realisation dawned, lighting the truth. ''That's it! Ce..Cele...SHE'S possessing you with her dark magic!'' She frowned angrily. ''To the the castle with you!'' Her horn lit up and knocked a very surprised Pinkie unconcious. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Applejack was confused, to say the least. Ponies were running everywhere, screaming news of a possessed pony. Yet nopony actually mentioned who it was. The result was everypony who heard running around screaming about an unknown possessed pony. Applejack opened her mouth, ready to try and silence the crowd, but a thunderous voice did the job for her. '' Everypony, STOP! The command rang through Applejack's mind and ears, making it seem as though it came from every direction. ''The pony in question has been in captivity from the start. All this fuss for nothing! I should have all you punished for this!'' A few ponies winced at this, and even Applejack felt a flicker of fear. She hadn't done anything wrong yet, not bad enough to be punished anyway, but she'd seen the whip scars on Big Mac's flank after he'd dropped the Royal Wine. He'd told her it was nothing, but she knew better. The voice started again. ''No. I shall take pity on you ponies, but let it be known that if this is to happen again, ALL of you will be punished severely!'' The voice paused, and when it continued it was calmer. ''I wish to see Applejack in the Judgement room. Everypony else, forget what I just said.'' Applejack frowned. ''Wah?'' ''What is it, sis?''She hadn't noticed Applebloom come to stand next to her during the announcement. Applejack looked down at her little sister in disbelief. ''Don't tell me yah didn't just hear what Queen Night said.'' ''What, about us being punished, then not? Ah'd be surprised if somepony didn't!'' Applejack felt her blood freeze. ''Anything else?'' ''Nope!'' The voice echoed in her head again, though Applejack could tell only she was hearing it this time. ''Judgement room NOW, Applejack.'' Applejack gulped, and headed off. Nopony knew about the Judgement room, even though it took up a good qautre of the first floor of the castle. Many ponies suspected it was for criminals to be judged, and Applejack had agreed with them. But now she felt unsure; If that was the reason, why make ponies forget she was going there? Applejack froze, her hoof hovering above the floor. i]She can make ponies forget things....Is she the reason all this is happening? That seemed the most obvious answer, and Applejack felt quite stupid for not realising it straight away. But why? What does she have to gain? All of us, everypony I've spoken to agreed we applied. Maybe Queen Night isn't behind this, and somepony else is doing it? Maybe she's pinning the blame on her..Maybe somepony is using her! The hoof clops on the corridor sped up as the orange pony surged towards the Judgement room, giving brief apologies to every pony she knocked. She reached the large door, labelled 'Judgement Room - INVITATION ONLY'. Applejack swallowed, and knocked. Rescue mission or not, the Queen would probably fry her if she just charged in. ''Come in.'' The voice was firm, but not angry. Applejack hoped this was a good thing, and pushed open the door.
Upon stepping through the door to see the sights behind it, Applejack felt a very confusing rush of emotions. First, she felt relieved. Her queen's controller wasn't trying to kill her. Good. Then came the confusion; Was anyone even controlling her?! Bad. Then she saw the pink party pony, who was obviously elated. She would probably be screaming with joy if she wasn't gagged. Really good. Finally, the hate and anger hit hard, and it bit right into Applejack. Memories came, of her friends insulting her, her family, home, work, anything she held dear. This ruled out every other feeling, and she had a sudden impulse to charge up to Pinkie Pie and hoof her in the face. She probably would've too, if Queen Night hadn't used her telepathy magic to stop her. ''Hey!'' Applejack cried in anger, momentarily forgetting who was holding her. She was swiftly reminded by the spasms of pain that shot through her. ''What was that, Applejack?'' ''Er..hehe, Sorry, yer Majesty.'' Applejack muttered, now feeling embarrassed, but that didn't mean the anger had left. ''Good. Now, you may be wondering why I brought you here.'' The Queen gestured around the room, somehow managing to look regal even if she was only waving a hoof around. ''Truth be told, I had a feeling that our little traitor might recognize you, am I right?'' Applejack nodded, and Pinkie Pie pulled at her gag, still making odd noises, until a dark aura tore the cloth away. ''--AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO HAPPY TOO SEE YOU APPLEJACK! I KNEW YOU WERE RE-'' The gag reappeared over the torrent of words, stopping them, although that didn't seem deterr Pinkie who attempted to carry on speaking. Applejack didn't wait a moment longer for her chance to speak, lest it slip away. ''Now listen here, Pie. Why tha' hay are you so happy to see me? Last time Ah saw you, you were throwin' yer all at me.'' Pinkie stopped talking (or more accurately, trying to talk) and gave Applejack a very confused and hurt look. ''Don't pretend you don't remember, Ah'll never forget tha' way you were insultin' mah family, an' everything Ah worked fer! Why do yah think Ah'm here, Pinkie? Because of YOU!'' Applejack had slowly been walking towards Pinkie Pie as she mini-ranted, and decided to add emphasis to her last word with a hoof to somepony's face. It didn't feel as good as Applejack expected Pinkie Pie was crying now, though Applejack had no idea why. She was only stating the obvious, and she She attempted one last time to get her message through, but finally gave up. She looked away, but Applejack pulled her head back roughly. ''Don't think Ah'm done! Ah wanna know WHY, Pinkie! Why'd ya have to go and do all that? An' what's all this about ya'll being a traitor?! Ah know ya feel strongly, but treason? Pinkie, Ah don't think yer you anymore.'' Applejack stopped and took a deep breath. She never noticed her mouth moving of it's own accord. ''Ah hate you.'' Applejack stepped back, her rant over. Pinkie ripped the gag off, her frustration and hurt mounting. ''WOULD YOU JUST BUCKING LISTEN?! I DIDN'T..I DON'T...'' Pinkie trailed off, before remembering the imposing threat of being gagged started off again. ''What I mean is, I swear to Ce-Queen Night..That I would never, ever, hurt you! I promise! I don't hate you, even if you hate me!'' Applejack's eyes narrowed. ''When did Ah ever say Ah hated you? Ya have done alot to me, but Ah don't hate you. An' don't think Ah believe you about 'not hurting me'. 'Cuz if that was a prank, then ya have a problem, Pinkie.'' ''But..you said..you hated me..?! Gah, never mind. But..Applejack, I promise that if I ever did hurt you, I'm sorry for it.'' Applejack nodded, but kept her gaurded look. There was still more to know. ''But that still don't explain why.'' -PerspectiveChange- Pinkie looked down. Suddenly, she remembered what Rarity had said. Could it be..? She looked up again, and stared Applejack straight in the eyes, her mouth ready to form the words. But... ''Applejack...'' ''Yes, Pinkie?'' BANG ''GET OUT OF MY FRIEND YOU MOTHERBUCKER!'' ''Pinkie Pie, what are you doin'?!'' In the space of three sconds, Pinkie Pie had shot across the room, and was now glaring straight into her eyes. ''If you don't get out of there, I swear to Celestia-'' She ignored the shudders from Applejack. ''-I'll find a way to kill you.'' ''Really now, Pinkie. Do you truly think you can kill ME? The voice came from almost directly behind her, filling the happy-go-lucky pony with dread. Pinkie wanted to run and hide, get away from the thing that could kill her in one swipe. Applejack had already fainted, what stopped her from doing the same? Then it stopped, and Pinkie turned around. ''Queen Night. What have you done to Applejack? To my friends, to Equestria[i/]?'' The alicorn smiled. ''I made them forget.''
THE END.
*Shot*
Pinkie snarled. ''I figured that much.'' She straightened her pose, standing proudly. ''And now you're going to kill me, because I can resist your magic.'' Coward. Pinkie added in her mind. For her plan to work, the Queen needed to be calm. If it didn't work, then she'd still have a chance to escape. The Queen spread her wings, and sharpened knives rose from the floor. ''Spot on.'' Scratch the chance to escape. Let's hope Pinkie Logic is correct...For once.. Pinkie almost winced at her own thoughts, but played the insolent. ''Where are your manners? I have one final thing to say. You wouldn't be a true villain if you didn't let me have my final words.'' Again, the evil smile appeared on the Queen's face. ''Speak away, pony. I won't deny you your last words. Don't try begging though. There is nothing you ca-'' ''Twilight Sparkle.'' ''W-What?'' ''Twilight Sparkle. Can you hear me?'' The alicorn seemed to dissapear, leaving behind a shell of pure magic. Purple magic. ''Not Twilight. Not Sparkle. Nothing. I'm power..Power to be used, nothing more.'' ''I feel nothing but the dark..he..Help me..Pink...Pinkie... '' Pinkie felt like bursting into tears. What had the Queen done...? ''NO! The image shattered, and once again the powerful alicorn, now furious, stood before her. '' I will NOT let you defeat me again! I will kill you, Laughter!'' The final piece of the B plot fell ie...whatever that meant. ''Nightmare Moon.'' nto plac ----------------------------- Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy stared at the floor of Rarity's boutique. They'd arrived a few minutes after Rarity had returned from the castle. ''I can't believe she was being controlled...'' ''I know, Rainbow. But she wasn't in her own mind.'' Fluttershy's comforting words did nothing to stem Dashie's river of pain and hurt. ''But it's old pony lore that to be controlled, you have to accept it! Pinkie must've agreed to it! Why?!'' The blue pegasi flew upwards, and began to beat the ceiling with ferocity. ''Rainbow, dear, please calm down. Cele...She must have used Discord's mind tricks, that's almost the only way to use mind magic against us.'' Rarity was making sense. Rainbow drifted down from the ceiling, blinking back the tears. ''What will they do to her?'' Rarity looked down. ''They'll...Kill her, Rainbow.''
Author's Note; I just saw Derpy's new voice....It's Apple. It has to be. Hasbro wouldn't....APPPPLEEE >:C Anyways, this is fun to make. Really fun. A lot of questions, eh? Soon to be answered! >:D