The dawn of Celestia's Sun rose up above the clouds. The sky was a mixture of fading red and an incoming blue and white. The asylum was just in sight of Applejack, who was dressed in a more 'respectable' manner. To add to the lie of her being a wig maker's apprentice. But she was focused, she was to rescue Fluttershy, whatever the risk.

___________Back at Pinkamena's Bakery___________

"Now that's just silly Scootaloo." Pinkamena tried to change the topic.

"No Pinkie, I'm sure of it." Scootaloo pointing to the finely made silk purse. "I'm sure that's Trixie's purse!"

"No no dear." Pinkamena said, now regretting she took that off Trixie's body. "It's a gift Dusk got me for my birthday."

"No that proves he's a dangerous pony." Scootaloo grabbed Pinkamena's hoof. "Come on Pinkie, we have to get Spike."

"Now now dear." Pinkamena thought a lie and thought it up quick. "I don't see the need to rush. Dusk doesn't seem to bring any harmt o us. Hey! how about I teach you how to make my special cupcakes?"

"R-really?" Scootaloo kinda sniffled.

Opening a large metal door that made a loud clank when it opened, Pinkamena lead Scootaloo down to the lower basement. At the bottom of the stairs was another large metal door.

"This door often gets stuck dear." Pinkamena said. "Could you help me open it?"

"Sure." Scootaloo said, helping Pinkamena open the large door. "Awh, what's that smell?"

"Oh that." Pinkamena said. "You see this house is old and this basement connects to the old sewer. So what you're smelling are probably some poor rats that went up to Celestia. Let me show you how to work the grinder."

"Grinder?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yes." Pinkamena explained, showing this massive meat grinder to Scootaloo. "Before me, this used to be a shop that sold harder foods, so they had this grinder installed. Which is good for us, we can grind the ingredients together, and they get mixed at the same time. It's a much easier way to make my special cupcakes."

Throwing several bags of flour, sugar, and sprinkles into the large grinder, Pinkamena showed Scootaloo the procedure of how to grind the ingredients and out would come colored paste. This paste was then placed in several cupcake trays and then brought to the massive oven. If was easily large enough to fit more than one pony in its inferno.

"So just keep grinding up the ingredients, and then put them on the tray and in the oven." Pinkamena said kindly. "Now keep at it, and I'll be right back."

"Pinkie?" Scootaloo asked. "Could I um...have a cupcake while I work?"

"As many as you want." Pinkamena could almost cry but it had to be done. Just as she closed the door, she made sure to lock it good and tight.

Upon reaching the tops of the stairs, and in the parlor, she met a frightful sight. Dusk was home and chatting with him in the room was Spike.

"Spike!?" Pinkamena said in surprise. "What are...you doing here?"

"Ah Ms. Pinkamena." Spike said, getting up from his seat. "It seems there have been some complaints."

"Complaints?" Pinkamena asked.

"Its your chimney." Spike explained. "It seems at night, there is a foul smell and during the day, it's even worse. And seeing as how public affairs are my business, I have no choice but to inspect your bake house."

"Why of course you can Spike." Dusk said, rising from his seat. "But first, how about a nice trim of the scales. I believe I dragon of you...stature would need to look his best, even while working."

"As much as I want to sir." Spike politely declined. "I must attend to my duties first."

"Now sir." Dusk said with flattery. "I promise it won't take long, I can make irresistible to the ladies."

Spike's thought went straight to Rarity. "Well you are the expert. I shall take your advice and go with you."

Spike went up to the barber shop upstairs with Dusk. At the same time, Scootaloo was enjoying a delicious cupcake. But then she heard a crunching noise. Moving the cupcake away, Scootaloo saw what looked like half an eye, a pony's eye ball was in the cupcake. Tossing it to the ground in a fright, Scootaloo was terrified. The next thing she heard was a clank, a hatch opening, a drop, and a loud wet thud. On the ground was Spike's dead and bleeding body.

"AAAAHHH!!!" Scootaloo shouted, running to the door but finding it locked. "Let me out!! Pinkie! Help me! Let me out!"

___________At Cranky Doodle Asylum___________

A balding donkey jack, with a pure white coat escorted Applejack down the well lit hallway.

"It's always a pleasure to have a wig maker take an interest in my children." Cranky said. "I keep them all separated by their manes. It was pink you needed?"

"Y-yes." Applejack said in a nervous tone, but Cranky was used to visitors being a tad nervous. "I need a silk-like pink mane. You do have what I'm looking for right?"

"Silk-like?" Cranky smiled. "Why just yesterday, I had a new member of my family come. She was a yellow pegasus, looked like she was from some rich home. Her mane was pink and well maintained. So you're in luck."

Opening the door labeled Pink, Cranky escorted Applejack into a room filled with ponies of all ages, all with pink manes. Some off pink, some pale pink, but Applejack soon saw Fluttershy.

"There." Applejack pointed at Fluttershy. "That's the shade and texture I need."

"Oh and that's the mare I was talking about." Cranky said, taking out a rusty pair of scissors. "Now, where should I start?"

Immediately, Applejack took out the hoof gun Dusk gave her earlier. "One sound out of you and it'll be your last." Fluttershy immediately ran to Applejack's side. "Now Mr. Doodle, I'll leave you to the mercy of your 'children'."

As Applejack and Fluttershy made their way out the room, the crazed ponies all attacked Cranky Doodle all at once like wild animals. Applejack and Fluttershy galloped as fast as their hooves could carry. It was only a matter of time before Rarity would learn of this. But unbeknownst to them, Dusk has already set everything in motion. The revenge was drawing closer.

___________Back at Pinkamena's Bakery__________

Pinkamena and Dusk were hurrying down the stairs to the basement. Dusk already had a razor floating in the air.

"And you're sure of it?" Dusk asked.

"Sadly." Pinkamena said. "He was ready to get Spike and now after this...it pains me, but he has to go. Just...just make it painless. Scootaloo was such a good filly. Almost like a daughter."

Dusk and Pinkamena entered the basement to find Scootaloo not there.

"Scootaloo." Pinkamena called in a sweet tone. "Where are you now?"

"Scootaloo?!" Dusk called in a more assertive tone.

"Nothings gonna harm you." Pinkamena tried coaxing Scootaloo out of hiding. "Not while I'm around."

"Scootaloo!" Dusk called again, then heard a noise coming from upstairs. "You keep looking, I think a pony is here for a shave."

Entering the barber shop, Applejack and Fluttershy, now disguised as a stallion in dirty rags, they looked for Dusk but found nopony.

"Okay stay here." Applejack said. "I'll get us a coach and we'll be in Ponyville by tomorrow."

"And then what?" Fluttershy asked. "Rarity will chase us to the end of Equestria is she has to."

"Her reach is long here." Applejack reassured her love. "But she can't get to us when we're miles and miles away from here. Trust me. I'll be back as soon as I can."

With Applejack gone, Fluttershy became very nervous, scared even. Looking around the room, she felt an odd feeling. As if she's been there before. Then something caught her eye. A small framed photo on the counter. It showed a couple. A young purple mare, who was smiling and holding a razor. While the other was a blue mare with a rainbow mane, holding a little foal in her hooves. Fluttershy couldn't explain why, but she could've sworn she's met these ponies before. Suddenly, there was a sound coming up the stairs. Fearing it may be the judge, Fluttershy found herself in the nearby trunk. Safely inside, Fluttershy saw through the crack in the trunk, what was occurring.

Coming into Dusk's Shop, was the crazed beggar mare. "Spike? Spike? I know I saw you enter here! Where are you Spike?!"

Turning around, the mare saw the cold stare of Dusk.

"You again?!" Dusk shouted. "Out with you mad mare!"

"You're not Spike." The mare said, looking at Dusk closely. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

"Mr. Shine!?" A familiar mare's voice called up from the bakery.

Not having enough time, Dusk quickly struck at the beggar mare with his razor, deeply cutting her neck. At the same time, Dusk used his magic to push the lever, causing the hatch the dying mare was standing on, sending her down to the basement where Pinkamena was still searching for Scootaloo.

"Where is she? Where is the mare?!" Rarity demanded, barging through the door. She had just recently received Dusk's letter, informing her that Applejack had broken Fluttershy out of the asylum and was planning to hide her with Dusk. But Dusk, being an 'upstanding citizen', felt that Rarity had to be made aware of this.

"Below, your Honor. With my neighbor, Pinkamena. Thank heavens that mare did not molest her." Dusk lied, he was not going to let this opportunity slip him again. "Thank heavens too, she has seen the error of her ways."

"She has?" Rarity asked.

"Oh yes, sir." Dusk lied, not having seen Fluttershy yet, assuming Applejack failed. "She speaks only of you, longing for forgiveness."

"And she shall have it." Rarity smiled with joy, all her plans have succeeded now, or so she would think.

"How about a quick styling of the mane ma'am." Dusk offered politely. "Can't go down to a blushing bride with that mane, if you'll pardon me ma'am."

"Your right." Rarity nodded, sitting in the chair. "Quickly then, a splash of Prench perfume! Please be quick."

"Of course." Dusk smiled. "Pretty mares. Are a wonder . . ."

"You're in a merry mood again today, Mr. Shine." Rarity noted.

"It's only how happy an occasion this is ma'am." Dusk smiled gently.

"How seldom it is one meets a fellow spirit!" Rarity said, leaning back.

"With fellow tastes...in mares, at least." Dusk mumbled.

"What? What's that?" Rarity asked, a tad unnerved.

"The years no doubt have changed me, ma'am." Dusk confessed. "But then, I suppose, the face of a barber, the face of a prisoner in the

dock is not particularly memorable."

It was then that Rarity remember that look in Dusk's eye, the same eyes she once judged years ago. "Twilight...Sparkle!"

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" Twilight screamed, stabbing her blades into Rarity's neck.

Over and over she stabbed the dying judge cold, plunging that blade a little deeper every time. Her blood splattered the window, walls, chair, Twilight's coat and face. And to give good measure, Twilight than ran the blade over Rarity's neck so hard and deep, it was practically a decapitation. The final step was the lever, sending the once proud judge to the dark stone abyss. After the deed was done, Dusk had fulfilled Twilight's revenge. She was finally at peace, looking at her bloodied razor, Twilight smiled, almost in a tearful manner.

Rest now, my friend,

Rest now forever.

Sleep now the untroubled

Sleep of the angels...

My razor!

It was by the worst of luck that Fluttershy made a faint 'eep' noise. Drawing Twilight's attention to the trunk. Having no patience left in her, Twilight used her magic to lift the trunk open and bring out the terrified Fluttershy.

"You! What are you doing here? Speak!" Twilight demanded.

"Oh, dear. Er excuse me, sir." Fluttershy answered in her best stallion voice, still terrified; she thought she was going to die. I saw the barber's sign. So thinking to ask for a shave, I-"

"When? When did you come in?" Twilight demanded to know.

"Oh, sir, I beg of you." Fluttershy pleaded. "Whatever I have seen, no pony shall ever know. I swear it. Oh, sir, please, sir..."

"A shave, eh?" Twilight then gave a murderous grin. "At your service."

"But, sir..." Fluttershy tried to beg for her life, but Twilight set her to the chair.

"Whatever you may have seen, your cheeks are still as much in need of the razor as before." Twilight said, her razor brought to Fluttershy's neck.

Just then, a loud scream echoed up the closed vent and Twilight knew that was Pinkamena's scream. Quickly making her choice, Twilight pulled Fluttershy close and whispered one thing.

"Forget my face." Twilight then let go of Fluttershy and ran out of the shop as fast as she could.

"Die! Die! Celestia in heaven die!" Pinkamena shouted at the body of Rarity, barely alive and clinging to the panicking mare. But the judge soon bled out. It was the other body that Pinkamena saw that made her almost jump out of her skin. "You! Can it be? How all the demons of Tartaras come to torment me! Quick! To the oven."

"Why did you scream?" Twilight burst in the room, seeing Pinkamena dragging the beggar mare to the oven. "Does the JUDGE still live?"

"She was clutching, holding on to my leg, but now she's finished." Pinkamena said.

"Leave them to me. Open the doors." Twilight ordered.

"No!" Pinkamena protested. "Don't touch her!"

"What is the matter with you? It's only some meddling old beggar-" Then Twilight got a good look at the beggar's face. "Oh no, Oh God . . . 'Don't I know you?' she said." It was the dead face of Rainbow Dash, Twilight's love, killed by Twilight's hoof. Horror and regret painted Twilight's face as she turned to Pinkamena. "You knew she lived. From the first moment that I walked into your shop you knew my Rainbow Dash lived!"

"I was only thinking of you!" Pinkamena said.

"You lied to me..." Twilight said in sorrow.

No, no, not lied at all.

No, I never lied.

Rainbow...

Said she took the poison she did

Never said that she died

I've come home again...

Poor thing,

She lived

But it left her weak in the head,

All she did for months was just lie there in bed

Rainbow...

Should've been in hospital,

Wound up in an asylum instead,

Poor thing!

Oh, my Celestia...

Better you should think she was dead.

Yes, I lied 'cos I love you!

Rainbow!!!

I'd be twice the wife she was!

I love you!

"What have I done?!" Twilight shouted, looking at the blood on her hooves.

"Could that thing have cared for you. Like me?" Pinkamena said.

"PINKAMENA!!" Twilight shouted, her mood appeared happier. "You're a bloody wonder! Eminently practical and yet appropriate as always. As you've said repeatedly, There's little point in dwelling on the past."

"Do you mean it?" Pinkamena said, coming closer to Twilight. "Everything I did I swear I thought was only for the best. Believe me!"

The history of the world, my pet." Twilight said, taking a loving hold of Pinkamena. "Is learn forgiveness and try to forget."

"By the sea, Twilight. We'll be comfy-cozy." Pinkamena said, hugging Twilight back. "By the sea, Twilight. Where there's no one nosy ..."

"And life is for the alive, my dear." Twilight began spinning with Pinkamena, closer to the open over door. "So let's keep living it! Just keep living it! Really living it!"

At that point, Twilight threw Pinkamena into the open over. The flames quickly ate at her mane and tail, her screams echoed in agony throughout the room. Before she could make an escape. Twilight used her magic to slam the door closed. Through the small hatch, the last thing Pinkamena saw, were Twilight's cold, murderous eyes. As the flames fully consumed her.

Going to her wife's limp body. Twilight held Rainbow Dash close to her. Tears mixed with blood on Rainbow's face and the floor.

There was a barber and her wife,

And she was beautiful.

A foolish barber and her wife,

She was her reason and her life.

And she was beautiful.

And she was virtuous.

Unknown to Twilight, Scootaloo, who was hidden in the corner, crept up on the distracted Twilight, holding the razor that Twilight tossed aside in her hoof. Closer and closer Scootaloo got to the murderous barber. Even if Twilight knew Scootaloo was there, she wouldn't care. She had nothing else to live for.

"And she was..." Twilight said, feeling the cold sharpness of the razor on her neck. "Naive."

Scootaloo let loose the razor, deeply cutting Twilight's neck, the last thing Twilight saw as all went black around her was her wife. And even in such agony, such torment, such pain, Twilight got to see her wife again.