Guy-who-hasn’t-appeared-yet’s note: Hey! I’m the character who hasn’t appeared yet in the story, as you can guess because of the underlined words. You may remember me from the last chapter, when –no, wait. That note was erased.

Huh.

Well, I’ll assume that you didn’t read my last note, but that doesn’t matter. The thing is: As a reader, you have to know some things, and let’s say that Peewee can’t talk to you right now.

So I’ll be the one who talks this time.

First of all, you’ve seen that you can interact with the story. Given the nature of this fic, “reader” is itself a character, so you have some kind of power. If you post in the comments some action between asterisks (*like this*), it will appear in the story. Images may appear too, but that’s very strange.

BUT –and that’s an important “but” –don’t get this wrong. This story is NOT some kind of a “choose-your-own-adventure” fic, it’s more like a strange story that can be modified if you’re clever. The characters will act on their own, and some actions aren’t allowed. I guess you can figure what I’m talking about (*tosses Pinkie a McGuffin that allows her to fix everything*, *kills Discord* or *tosses “Guy-who-hasn’t-appeared-yet” a bag full of money*, for example. Mostly I’m talking about things that can break the story or change it too much. Well, maybe the bag of money would be fine. I mean, money can’t be so harmful, right?). I hope those things don’t count as roleplaying.

Second: This is not an author’s note. It’s part of the story. So, as readers are geniuses, You can try to guess how the story works with what I’m saying, or how am I saying it.

Third: Look at the tags. This story is a comedy and it’s marked as “random”. Do you think that those tags are right? Because I’m thinking about changing them… but, how? “Dark”? This is “dark”? No, right? Even with the things that had happened on the last chapter, this is still a comedy. I hope so.

Fourth: I’m not the body of the land, but I’m the guy who discovered it, so I have a little bit of power. And, being honest, I don’t like how that one who talks in green is doing those things. Screw him!
In other words: Remember the clue? Fake-Spike was cheating. It’s true that it can help you, but it’s a trap. Don’t think about what they’re saying. Think about the song itself. It’s pretty hard, though. Fake-Spike doesn’t play fair.

Fifth: Man, there is no fourth wall on this story. Does that mean that this is meta? As in “no-meta-stories-on-fimfiction” meta?

Sixth: This is it! The end! I’ll stop talking because I also want to know what has happened to our heroes!
But first, a little bit of music!

*bzeeeep*

A flash of light, a strange sound, and suddenly everything turned black for Aragón.

His body was completely frozen. He couldn’t move and his limbs felt like ice: a horrible cold was advancing from his fingers to his chest. Neither his eyes nor his mouth could move.

His stomach felt funny, and his hair was flowing with the wind. His entire body was trembling with vertigo. Even without seeing anything, Aragón knew he was falling.

The author didn’t have much talent with the words, so he couldn’t think a way to describe the fear he was experimenting. Being blind, frozen and falling, he thought death was very close.

Aragón had heard a lot of times before that, when you’re going to die, you see your life. Like a movie or something -he hadn’t paid much attention to the exact details. He had also heard that, when your body is full with adrenaline, you can think very fast and it’s normal to have incredibly clever ideas or life-changing revelations.

Sadly, the human had his eyes closed so he couldn’t see anything. And the “life-changing revelations” didn’t appear, because his mind was filled with more important things.

“OH GOD I’M GONNA DIE I DON’T WANNA DIE WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

And then, something happened.

*Tosses Aragón a detailed How-to-write-well guide*

Something hit his head. It was a strong hit, and the author felt the softness of the paper on his forehead.

“Ouch,” thought. All his fear disappeared for a moment, the only thing in his head was the pain. It wasn’t really a big deal: after all, he had been hit with a bat less than a day ago and compared to that, a little book was nothing…

“Wait a moment,” thought Aragón. “I can’t see anything. How can I know that I was hit by a book? I mean, yeah, I felt something like paper, but even I know that I’m not clever enough to guess something like that.
But I’m sure that I was hit by a book… a How-to-write-well guide. A very detailed one. How can I know that? Because I read the black text above me? Does that mean that I can break the fourth wall? But I couldn’t before…”

Then, the realization hit him with far more strength that the book.

“No…” the author would have shaken his head if he could have moved. “No, that’s not true. I used to break the fourth wall on the firsts chapters, when I wrote the story with Pinkie. Yeah, I remember that! And that’s not all; I even played with the asterisks once!
But… but when some character breaks the fourth wall, that means that he is aware of his condition as a character, right? That’s the thing Deadpool does almost every chapter. But I didn’t know that I was fictional!! And then, what’s wrong with Pinkie-who-doesn’t-talk-in-pink? She’s not the real Pinkie or…?
A-and more! I used to break the fourth wall. So I knew, at least subconsciously, that I was a simple character on a story. Then, when I discovered –consciously this time –that I had been created, I lost that ability? And now I have it again? Our confrontation against that thing that disguised himself as Spike brought back that memory?”

A lot of questions, and he couldn’t think any answer. Of course, the fact that he was falling down into certain death didn’t help a little.

“…And by the way, who was that fake Spike? Now we have a bad guy? Did we need a bad guy?” He paused for a second. Thinking about those things helped keeping apart the fear, so he started again. “Fake-Spike, Fake-Spike… Someone disguised as Spike… With green eyes…
Hey, wait a minute. How the hell didn’t I guess it before? It’s clear as day!
Ok, now I’m going to think the real identity of Fake-Spike as slowly as possible, because I’m sure that absolutely nothing can stop me.
The real name…
Of Fake-Spike…
Is…”

*Throws “Writer’s block” at Discord*

“…Aaaaaand now I have no idea because I’ve forgotten it SOMEHOW.
Wow. That was anticlimactic.
Okay. In hindsight, maybe I should have seen that coming. I mean, it would have been a surprise if I had said it. I’m starting to understand the “comedy” tag.
And, using my amazing fourth-wall-breaking powers, I can see that the readers know that Fake-Spike is Discord. I guess it makes sense?
Wait a moment. How can I read the comments if I can’t see anyth-?”

*Throws said hammer*

Something hit the author again, but this time it was way stronger than the book. He could feel blood flowing on his forehead before passing out.

***

THAT WAS… CRUEL.

That was funny, and you know it. And what did you want? That hammer was going to hurt. And I’ve have enough with the rock, thanks.

MAYBE YOU’VE KNOCKED OUT ARAGÓN…

I didn’t do anything. The readers did it.

…BUT THERE ARE STILL SEVEN PONIES THAT WILL FIGHT YOU! AND YOU CAN’T WIN, YOU MONSTER!

Believe me, bird: you are wrong.

YOU ARE TIRED. I CAN SEE IT IN YOU EYES, IN THE WAY YOU’RE MOVING. YOU’RE FEELING WEAKER EVERY SEC...

*Crack*

AAAAAARGH!!

Maybe I wasn’t clear enough before, Peewee. You don’t want to make me angry, so stop saying those things.

…

But now that you say it… I need a rest. But don’t worry, I know exactly how to recover while playing…
Now I’m going. And don’t move, you stupid bird. If you move, I’ll know. And little Spikey-wickey life will be shorter than his eyelashes.

HE DOESN’T HAVE EYELASHES…

Exactly.

*Swooosh*

…
I’M… I’M SORRY, GIRLS. BUT SOMETIMES, WE MUST SACRIFICE ONE THING TO GAIN ANOTHER.
I HOPE YOU CAN FORGIVE ME IN THE FUTURE.

***

*Bzeeeep*

*Thump*

Ugh! My… my head! It hur-Wah! Where am I?! Girls?! GIRLS?!

Hnnng…

Rainbow?! Rainbow, are you okay?!

…Applejack? Applejack, where are you? I-I can’t see anything…

Rainbow, I’m right here! Spike –or that thing disguised as him, Fake-Spike –teleported us here, somehow, we need to –AARGH!!

A-Applejack?

Oh, oh my Celestia…! Rainbow…!

I can’t see anything! Applejack, what’s happening?!

I can’t… this can’t be…

AJ, tell me what’s happening?! Why can’t I see you?! Why can’t I see nothing?!

Rainbow…
Your… your eyes. You… T-there is blood, and… Oh, Celestia and Luna… R-rainbow…

But, but I don’t feel pain! How bad is it?!

It’s…
I don’t… I don’t know, I…

TELL ME!

I… don’t think that… -sob –I don’t think that you’ll be able to… see again, Rainbow.

…

…

Heh… heh, heh… W-why are you crying, AJ?” Rainbow tried to smile, but she failed. Her eyes, or at least the thing that once had been her eyes, searched for her friend, trying to look at her direction. “T-that’s not true, right? I-it’s impossible for me to be blind! I mean, one day I’ll be a Wonderbolt, and they need t-to have a very good sight!

Rainbow… I…

T-this is a joke! This is a joke, right?! THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE! I CAN’T BE BLIND!” The mare was shouting with all her strength. Her voice showed fear. “I WON’T BE BLIND!!! I NEED MY EYES!
I CAN’T HAVE LOST MY SIGHT, APPLEJACK!!! THAT CAN’T BE TRUE!

R-rainbow… R-rainbow!” Applejack shouted too, trying to sound louder than her friend, trying to calm her. Trying not to cry like a little filly when she looked at her friend’s eyes. “D-don’t let this…

I CAN’T BE BLIND, GODDAMNIT! I CAN’T BE BLIND!”

Tears were falling from Rainbow’s eyes, her entire body trembling. Still fighting against her own fear, Applejack hugged her friend and pressed her against her chest. “Rainbow, calm down!” Shouted. “CALM DOWN!”

Between the earth pony’s legs, Rainbow Dash started to cry.

***

*Bzeeeep*

*Thump*

Augh!

Ugh! Ow, my head! I feel horrible!

Hnnng… My horn… it hurts… Ah! Rarity, are you okay?!

Yes, yes, don’t worry. It’s just… that was horrible, Twilight! My body was frozen, and I…!

You couldn’t move. I know. I’ve felt the same. That fake Spike was some kind of a spell caster. He frozen us and split us.

I know, I know. I was listening. But, what was that thing?! I wasn’t expecting something like that to happen!

I don’t know. And I’m surprised too. But we can’t lose our mind here, Rarity. Spike’s life…

…May be in danger. I know, my dear. I have a... feeling. This is dangerous.

Yes. It’s –wait a second! What the hay?!

Uhm?

Listen to us! Why are we so… calmed? Even I know that I’m very profile to worry and lose my mind, but I’m as relaxed as if I was on the spa!

Well, darling, we’re two intelligent, independent ladies that can control themselves. I don’t see the problem here.

No, Rarity, this is dangerous. Don’t you get it?! Our team has been split in who knows how many parts, a strange being disguised as Spike –OUR SPIKE –has casted a spell on us and we seem to be in the strange gorge where Rainbow ran the race against Tank and the other pets-wannabe! We should be horrified!

Well, you seem horrified right now.

Yes, but because I don’t feel horrified about the things I just said! That’s a completely different thing!

Twilight, I think that you have to calm down. I don’t see the –ah! My mane! Oh, what a shame, it seems like the Fake-Spike’s spell has messed it up. Why didn’t you tell me before?

Because it wasn’t important!

Well, I guess I can see your point. More important things are happening now…
…
One moment. What?! Did I just say that?!

Don’t you see it?! We’re acting out of character!

Oh my, I can’t believe I just said that my mane is not important enough for you to look at it! Now I’m scared!

I know! We couldn’t act out of character before, so why are we doing it now?! This can’t be happening! We’re being controlled again by…!

DON’T BE AFRAID, TWILIGHT… THIS ISN’T… DANGerOuss…

Ah! Invisible underlined alicorn?!

Invisible underlined alicorn! Where are you?! Did Fake-Spike move you with us?!

NO… I’M Far AWAy, TWiLIGHT… AND I’M AfrAID… I Can’T HELP YOU VERY MUCH…

What are you saying? You’re far away? But you sound like if you were right here! Although I must admit that I can’t hear you very well… your voice sounds weak.

HEH… THaT’S BECause IT’S DIFFICuLT TO ME TO… ConcENTRAte RIGHT N-nOW…

Invisible underlined alicorn?! What’s happening?! And where are you?!

I’M… TRAPPED BY FAKE-SPIKE. LISTEN… MY TELEPATHIC BOND IS WeaKER EVERY SEcoND… WE HAVE TO H-HURRY…

***

*Bzeeeep*

*Thump*

Auch! My head! What the…?! Huh?! Rarity’s place?!

Hey! Rainbow! Over here!

AJ! What the hay just happened?! What was that?! A fake Spike sent us here?! If this is some kind of a joke from the auth –hey, why are you lying down like that? Are you okay?

Oh, heh, don’t worry; I’m just a little dizzy. You know, the fall and all that stuff…

Huh. I thought you were made from a stronger steel, AJ! But, now that you mention it, what was that? A spell? I swear I couldn’t move at all!

Yeah, yeah, I know. Twilight said that Spike didn’t smell like Spike, and next thing I know, I feel completely frozen and can’t even blink.

Well, at least it seems like now we’re ok… but, where are we?

I don’t know. It seems like we’re on Ponyville, but everything is so… quiet.

Too quiet.

Hmm. I don’t like this. We should search for the girls, don’t you think?

Sure. You take care of the city; I’ll fly to Sweet Apple Acres and the Everfree Forest and look after somepony from the sky.

As you say! Time to –Ugh!

Applejack! Hey, be caref -Agh!
By the feathers of Celestia, you’re pale as a ghost! Are you sure you’re ok?!

Ooopsie! Heh, sorry, it’s just… just…
Ugh…

*Thump*

APPLEJACK! Oh, no, this can’t be happening! Hey, Applejack! Look at me! Open your eyes!

It’s… nothing. I’m just tired… I know I just need some rest” said the mare. Her eyes were closed, sweat covered her body. The pony was trembling. “My… my legs are feeling funny, you know?Like if they were still frozen…”

What?! You should have told me that before! Hey!

Hey, hey… don’t need to worry, ok? It’s not so serious… You should go and search for the girls…”

Ha! Rainbow frowned. “As if! I’m [color=]not letting you here, Applejack! If I go, I’ll do it when I’m sure you’re okay!”

The orange mare smiled, and suddenly her face frowned with pain. “Ugh” said. Now you’re being a bit melodramatic, sugarcube…”

And you’re very pale! You don’t seem right!”
Ignoring the words of her friend, Dash approached Applejack and put and put her head right next to her friend’s. “Hey. I think you should open your eyes, I’ve heard that it’s dangerous to fall asleep when you’re hurt.”

Applejack nodded, but she didn’t open her eyes. “I’ll… I’ll try to do it, I swear. Just… just let me sleep a bit before…”

Applejack! Listen! I –Darn!” Rainbow had put a hoof on her friend’s forehead. “My Celestia, you’re frozen!”

“Told me about it…” Applejack’s voice sounded weaker every second. Her eyes were still closed. “I just… need… some sleep…”

“Applejack! No!” Rainbow shook her friend, but she didn’t move. “Hey! Don’t do this! You’re stronger than this, AJ! A little cold can’t hurt you! HEY!”
Dash looked with horror at her friend’s face. She was even paler than before –her face was almost the same color as her mane.

Fear gripped the pegasus. Applejack wasn’t answering her. She seemed asleep, but her breath was almost inexistent. And her temperature was so low that she wasn’t even trembling.

Fearing for her friend’s life, Dash hugged the orange mare, trying to warm her. The cold advanced slowly on her body.

***

*Bzeeeep*

*Thump*

Aw! What was that?! That Fake-Spike was a meanie-sweanie-floofy-pants! That wasn’t funny!
Uh? Aragón? Are you okay? There is tomato sauce on your forehead! And what’s this? Uh! A hammer! And a book! Hey, Aragón, wake up, look at this!

***

Applejack embraced the blue pegasus with all her strength. Dash was still shouting with a broken voice, and the earth pony could feel blood on her chest, where the head of her friend was.

“THIS CAN’T BE!” cried Rainbow. “THIS CAN’T BE, APPLEJACK! MY EYES! THEY TOOK MY EYES!”

AJ shook her head. “Calm down! Hey! You need to…!”

“I DON’T WANT TO CALM DOWN, GODDAMNIT!” With sudden strength, Dash pushed apart the orange pony and shouted at her with anger on her face. “I DON’T…!”

Plaf!

Dash stopped at the moment. Silence filled the air as the blue mare raised a hoof and touched her cheek with surprise.

Applejack was breathing heavily. "Sorry," said. “But you needed that. Calm down, sugarcube. I… know this is hard, but…”

“Hard?” Rainbow dash laughed. “Hard, you say?! I’ll never be able to fly again! I’ll never be able to join the Wonderbolts!”
The pegasus lowed her head. She was trembling again, Applejack could see it. Slowly, carefully, Dash approached the farm mare. “I’ll never be able…” She put her head against AJ’s shoulder. “…to see you again.”

Applejack felt tears down her cheek again. Sobbing, she hugged Dash again and kissed her on the head. “I’m sorry, sugarcube… I’m sorry…”

And then, the farm mare paused. After a few seconds without saying anything, she opened her eyes. “Rainbow…”

Her friend didn’t say anything.

“Rainbow!

“Huh?”

It was impossible for the pegasus to react. In less than two seconds, Applejack pushed apart her and hit her in the face. This time, however, it wasn’t a friend’s slap. It was a strong hit, made with the only purpose of hurting.

Dash fell down on her back with a scream. Without giving her time to wake up, Applejack put a hoof on her chest and pressed down.

HOW DARE YOU?! HOW DARE YOU TO DO THAT?!

“Agh! A-Aplejack?!” Screamed Rainbow again, fear on his voice. “AJ, What are you…?!”

STOP! You’re not Rainbow Dash! Your smell is different! WHO THE HAY ARE YOU AND HOW DARE YOU TO DO SUCH A THING?!

“My… smell?” Rainbow paused for a second, and then she started to laugh. “Oh, really? Since when are you so good at that? Your noses are really amazing, you know?

You! Fake-Spike?!

Who else could have been, my little pony? You are stronger than I thought, did you know? I was expecting you to be so terrified that you couldn’t smell me. I guess I was wrong. What a shame!

Don’t try to laugh at me! Where is Dash?! Who are you?! WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!

Ugh! Please, if you don’t mind, stop doing that. You’re hurting me.

OF COURSE I’M HURTING YOU! NOW TALK OR…!

I think you’re not getting it. Stop, or your favorite pegasus will die. You have five seconds.

…

Four… three…

All right! You win this time! But tell me what the hay…!

Oh, of course. But first, stop.

…!

Exactly. Like that. Sorry, but I think you’re a bit dangerous, so I prefer you to be frozen. It’s nothing personal.

…!

Oh, wow! Don’t put that face! Your rage is so hot it blisters, huh?
Oh, but of course. I made a promise, right? You want me to say why am I doing this…? Well…
Let me explain…

***

Your telepathic bond?! You mean you’re a telepath?!

Telepathy? But that’s one of the hardest spells on Equestria! How did you…?

How many times have you spoke with us via telepathy?

I’M ALWaYS… USING T-TELEPATHY.
That’s THE REAsON WHY YOu… caN’T… SEE ME… PHOENIXES… ARE ABLE TO… TaLK WITH THeir mind…

Oh my, you’re a phoenix?! Then you’re not an invisible underlined alicorn?!

WE DoN’T HAVE T-TIME FOR THIS! LisTEN, YOU TWO HAve TO FIGHT AGAINST FaKE-SPIKE!

Fight? What do you mean? And why did you say that it isn’t important that we’re out of character right now?!

YOU’RE NOT oUT OF CHARACter… OR AT LEAST, YOU’RE ONly A BIT OUT OF CHArACTER. IT’S AN ACCepTABLE BREAK FROM YOUR REALITY…

But…!

YOU’RE ACTinG LIKE THAT BEcaUSE YOU NeeD TO…. IT’S iMPORTANT FOR YOU TO StAY CALM… SO THE One whO CAN HELP You IS DOING IT…

”The one who can help us”?

NOW IT’S NOT IMPORTANT! LisTEN TO ME, I DON’t haVE MUCh TIME!

…

…

RIGHT. OK, LisTEN TO Me CAREFULLY. I woN’T BE Able TO SAY IT… TwiCE…
THE ReaDERS… ARE YOUR WEApON…

The readers? You mean, the people who is reading us?

What do you mean?

THEY ARE The MOST IMPOrtaNT THING HErE, SO… IF THEY DON’t knOW SoMETHING… THEN IT’S… NOT… real…

Real?! You mean…?!

IF SOMETHinG IS TRUE… THEN THEY MUST Know IT… BUT THeY CAN BE TriCKED…

…

…

NOW… I cAn’T SAY ANytHING MORE… I’M… I’m LOSing it…

Invisible underlined alicorn!

YOU’rE SMArT ENOUGH, TWILigHT… AND YOU CAN FIgHT BACK, RArITy…
Try to FIND PINKaMENA AND FLUTtERSHY… AND…
TELL AJ AND DasH THAT… I’M… SORRY…

Invisible underlined alicorn?

Invisible underlined alicorn! Hey! Can you hear us?!
Invisible underlined alicorn!

…

…

…If there is something true, then the readers must know it? And they are our weapon…

What does that mean?

Hmmm… I think I understand what was he saying… The only thing that worries me is the “the one who can help you” thing. Who can help us now?

Well… maybe he was talking about our creator?

Which one?

I don’t know… the one who created Aragón, or maybe the one who created the one who created Aragón… How many creators are, by the way?

I don’t know. But maybe you’re right, that makes sense.
Sigh. I think the best for now is to obey. We need to find the others, Rarity. Let’s go.

I’m following you.
Hmm… I wonder, why did he apologize to Dash and Applejack?

I don’t know. But I have a bad feeling about it.

***

Let me explain, little pony. As you know, I seem to be the bad one of this story, right? I’ve been written that way. You can say it’s not my fault after all, because I didn’t choose to be like this. But, I can’t lie: I LOVE being evil. I know it’s silly.. And it sounds silly, right?

…!

Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know it and I know it: we are fake. Everypony is fake. You were created as heroes, and you have a heroic personality. I, on the other hoof… let’s say that my creator wanted something for you to fight. And that means that I’m evil for the sake of being evil. I just… like to do wicked things and see ponies –or people, I’m not a racist –suffer. That’s all. I have no excuse, I don’t need any excuse. I’m afraid our creator is not very… imaginative.

…!

Oh, you have a point. I personally like to think that I’m a satire. A bad written character made on purpose because he wants to laugh at the bad writer’s face. What do you think?

…!

This is boring. Talk!

Gah! Agh, agh… Y-you’re crazy!

No, I’m not. I’m pretty sure I’m perfectly normal. I just know what I am and I like it. Is that so bad?

But why did you do that? Why were you disguised as Rainbow Dash?!

Oh. That. Well, I was feeling weak, so I needed your love to be fed. I knew that being disguised as an injured Rainbow Dash will work for you.

You…!

But that’s not all. You see, I feel good now, so I can play a little. And do you know what’s funny? Seeing ponies suffering! Like you and Rainbow Dash, for example.

What have you done to Rainbow Dash?! Where is she?!

Ah… those are the words I wanted to hear. Because, Applejack, you’re pretty smart, aren’t you? I’m sure you know that Rainbow is in love with you.

DON’T YOU DARE TO…!

Stop talking. Now.
I’m not lying, and you know. And you’re in love with her, right?
But… think about it a minute. You both feel love for each other. But this is a fanfic, right? Oh, I wonder what does that mean.

…!

It’s a mystery. Back on the first chapter, you kissed her. But Aragón was pulling out the strings, right?
What does that mean? Did you kiss her, or was Aragón the one who did it? And now, you think that you love her. You care for her, you feel happy when she’s around…
But… are those feeling yours? Or this is just another illusion? What do you think, Applejack?

…!

Hmm? I see tears in your eyes. Maybe you think that you’re free now? You broke free; Aragón is not controlling you… but wait a minute. Let’s analyze what happened before…
Fluttershy came here without being under Aragón’s control. She has never been controlled. Rarity broke free and started talking purple. Twilight can talk like that too. Little Pinkamena is able to avoid censorship. And Pinkie… she’s nearly as powerful as me.
Oh, and Aragón. I forgot him. Well, he’s your creator, so he’s way more powerful than you.
What does that mean? I’ll tell you, Applejack. I’ll tell you right now, because I know you know what I’m going to say. You have fear in your eyes.
And that’s just perfect.

***

“Applejack! Applejack, don’t leave me!”

The farm mare’s body was so cold that Rainbow Dash was trembling, but she didn’t drop her. Applejack wasn’t moving. The pegasus couldn’t feel her heart beating.

“Applejack! Please, Applejack! What’s happening to you?!”

“S-sugar…cube…”

Dash opened her eyes with surprise. “Applejack!” shouted, looking at her friend’s face. AJ’s was smiling, but the paleness was still there. “Applejack, I’m here! Don’t leave me!”

“Heh… not like I wanted to…” the earth pony’s voice was weak and fragile. Slowly, the mare opened her eyes and looked at Rainbow. “But… I think that I’m not getting over this…”

“DON’T SAY THAT!” Dash shook her head. The cold became stronger. She was able to see her friend’s mare, like if it was winter. “I-I’m sure that we’ll find Twilight, and she’ll heal you with her freaky magic!”

“Don’t be silly… This is… the end…”

“NO! NO, I’M SURE IT’S NOT! AJ! AJ!”

***

We need to hurry. You see, the author of this fic is under my control too, so I’m on the higher “level of the cake”, as you said before. That means that I have quite a few powers here… very useful, if you ask me.
Oh, but what am I doing? I was going to break your spirit, right?

…!

Don’t look at me like that! You know that I’m saying the truth.
Because after all, you already knew it. You just didn’t want to say it. You didn’t want to think about this.
You’re still under Aragón’s control, Applejack. If you can talk or act on your own, that’s because Pinkie interceded. She didn’t like seeing you and Dashie kissing, so she stopped that. But Aragón’s will was stronger at that time, and your pink friend didn’t know that she hadn’t finished her work.
`You’re still a puppet. You’re on the lowest level of the cake. Everything you do, everything you say, everything you feel… it’s not your mind. Because you don’t have a mind.

…

And Rainbow Dash is the same, of course. You two are nothing. You have no real power. But, it’s not so bad, right? Because after all, you have each other!
But… can you live with that, Applejack? Can you live when you know that your feelings are fake? Rainbow will say that she loves you… but you know that, if she was free, she wouldn’t say that. And the same with you.
I remember your existential crisis. When you discovered that you were fictional. But this is worse, right? You’re not only fictional, you’re more fictional than any other pony you know.
And the only way you have to be happy, the only thing you can do to avoid feeling meaningless, is loving Rainbow Dash. But that’s a lie. Your love is a lie.
And you can only say the truth.

…

Oh, see? That’s the reason why I love being so evil! That face. Those eyes. You’re dead inside right now. You may breath, you may move, but… your soul is gone.
Because, of course, you know that what I’m saying is true.

…

No more tears? You have dropped all of them?
Ha! Don’t worry. This is not the worst thing you’re going to live today.
No.
It can get worse. Because now, I’ll give you the ability to break the fourth wall, just a minute. That will be enough.

***

Applejack smiled. “Hey, sugarcube… can I ask you a favor? A last wish for this old mare?”

Dash shook her head. “O-of course. But don’t say that… don’t say that this is your last…”

“Sugarcube…” The orange mare closed her eyes again. “Please… kiss me…”

Rainbow’s heart stopped for a moment. But the cold on her friend’s body was enough for her to stop thinking about useless things.

Slowly, Dash closed her eyes and approached AJ’s face.

And, when her lips touched, a flash of light blinded the pegasus. Dash screamed, but couldn’t do anything.

When the light was gone, AJ had disappeared. And then…

*Bzeeeep*

*Thump*

Now you can move, Applejack. Say hello to Dashie!