Twilight acted and conjured up a shielding spell over Pinkie, just in the nick of time as the deadly bolt of magic was absorbed into the bubble over Pinkie.

"Sweetie Belle! Stop!" Twilight knew Sweetie Belle would be one not to take this too well, but to just go and attempt to kill somepony like that was beyond comprehension. It actually scared her at how quickly she would resort to that. But was she any different? She was more than willing to kill Pinkie. If she would have never looked at Pinkie's memory, she knew she would have Pinkie being packed up in trash bags, piece by piece...

Sweetie Belle's horn was seething with magic, wanting to blow the pink pony into oblivion. "Why is she here?!"

"I will tell you, but I need you to calm down Sweetie. Just listen to me and you will know why. Okay?"

Pinkie only stood inside the bubble of protection, her mouth agape. This was Sweetie Belle? Physically she looked the same, she was a bit taller, her hair also a bit longer, but what had her attention was her cutie mark. It had 3 light blue gems, but one had what seemed to be...blood? There was a red color splattered on one of the gems....

"Make it quick then, before I make her scream like how Rarity..." Sweetie Belle choked up at the mention of Rarity. "Just tell me."

Before Twilight could begin, Spike came running down the stairs in a sweat, "What is going on?" and then he took notice of the scene that stood before him. Sweetie Belle was standing at the entrance, the door closed behind her, and a magical bubble over Pinkie, and telling by the color of it, he knew Twilight was the one who conjured it. Putting the pieces together, he knew exactly what was going down. "Well, that's unfortunate..."

Twilight didn't take her eyes off Sweetie Belle, afraid of her taking another go at Pinkie, but answered back to her assistant. "What's unfortunate, Spike?"

"That you stopped her spell..."

"Get upstairs, Spike." Twilight didn't have time to deal with his attitude right now. She had more pressing concerns right now, and they were called Sweetie Belle. Spike obeyed and went back upstairs doing only Celestia knows what.

"Okay, now that's handled, Sweetie Belle, I need you to listen carefully. Pinkie never killed your sister. In fact, she didn't kill any of them."

Sweetie Belle took a step back and a look of disgust came across her face. "She didn't do it?! Are you serious?! You really expect me to believe that?!"

Twilight only shook her head. "Yes, I do. I know it's hard to hear but Pinkie is innocent. She didn't-"

"Twilight?" It was Pinkie. She spoke up under the protection of her Twilight's spell. "Drop the spell, Twilight."

Is she serious? If I drop it, Sweetie Bell will obliterate her, and I don't have enough magic left to conjure another one...

"Pinkie, let me handle this, I can't-" She was interrupted again by a now more firm Pinkie Pie.

"Twilight, drop the spell now." Whatever Pinkie had planned, she better hope it worked, or Twilight will have to clean her up with a mop. Twilight dropped her spell, nervous about what the pink mare had planned. Pinkie was on her own now.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I'm so sorry." Tears streamed down the pink pony's face. Pinkie saw the pain behind Sweetie's eyes, how broken she was at the loss of her sister. Even after ten years, the pain was still fresh.

"Sorry's not just going to fix everything, you bitch!" Sweetie Belle walked towards Pinkie, wanting to destroy every fiber of her being. "Sorry won't bring my sister back!" Twilight got ready. She didn't know what Pinkie was trying to accomplish, but if it was suicide, she was doing a hell of a job. Twilight prepared herself to get in between them, to stop whatever Sweetie Belle was planning to do. She looked towards Pinkie, trying to figure out what she was trying to do, and was met by her blue eyes. Pinkie only shook her head and mouthed the word 'No'. Pinkie knew that Twilight wanted to stop this.

I hope you know what your doing..

Just trust her. She knows what she is doing.

And how would you know?

I have known Pinkie Pie as long as you. I have a good idea.

Right...

Sweetie Belle stopped, face to face with Pinkie. She looked upon the harbinger of Rarity's death, or so she believed. Pinkie only looked into her green eyes. Pinkie spoke first to break the growing tension..

"I'm sorry."

Sweetie Belle only narrowed her eyes. "You're sorry for what? You keep saying sorry over and over. How about you tell me what you did then, monster!" Pinkie flinched at 'monster' and how Sweetie raised her voice, demanding an answer. She would give her an answer, but not the one she is looking for.

"I'm sorry for leaving her behind." The white unicorn looked at her in confusion.

"Leaving her behind?! You killed her!" Sweetie Belle hoof flew across Pinkie's face knocking her to the ground.

Twilight couldn't take it anymore. Whatever Pinkie was trying to do wasn't working. She began to move towards Pinkie when some force tugged her back, keeping her frozen in place.

What the-? Why did I stop?

Sorry, but you need to let Pinkie do this.

What?! I thought you could only take control if I gave you permission to!

Yes, I know, but this is different. There so much doubt in your mind that it gave me an opening. Sorry, but I had to take advantage of it.

Twilight was really regretting her decision to have allowed the other Twilight, so to speak, be able to have a part of her mind. If Pinkie gets killed because of you, I swear...

Just watch. And so, Twilight merely watched, her heart pounding like a drum against her chest.

Pinkie got back up without falter, and looked in Sweetie Belle's eyes once again. "I'm sorry I left her behind." Pinkie repeated. Sweetie Belle did not want to hear this.

"You killed her! What the fuck is the matter with you?! Admit it!" and once again another hoof went across Pinkie's face, but Pinkie noticed something. It wasn't as forceful, as if Sweetie Belle was getting weaker. Again, Pinkie stood up and said the same thing.

"Stop it!"

"I'm sorry for leaving her behind."

"STOP IT!"

Sweetie Belle yelled. She was breaking inside. She couldn't understand why Pinkie kept saying sorry for leaving her sister behind. "Why do you do this? Do you enjoy hurting other ponies?!" Tears poured out of her green eyes, and stepped away from Pinkie.

Pinkie only looked at Twilight and nodded her head. Twilight was just...amazed.

I see now! She had to break her down to get to listen. Good job Pinkie.

Impressive

Yeah...hey! Stop it! Can't you just stay quiet for five minutes? Must you have an opinion on everything?

Look who's talking...

Twilight ignored the last comment. She looked at Sweetie Belle, seeing her now backed away from Pinkie, on the ground crying in defeat. She felt bad for the white unicorn, but now she would listen to the truth.

"Sweetie Belle, are you ready to listen now?" She only nodded, lost in her own crying. Twilight explained once again about Pinkie being innocent and how she knew she was. She revealed to her how Luna was responsible for Rarity's death, and that it had something to do with the elements.

Sweetie Belle was only wiping her tears away while she listened. "So, Pinkie didn't do it..."

"No. Actually, she would have been dead to if it wasn't for your sister."

Sweetie Belle looked up at Twilight in shock. "Rarity...saved Pinkie?" She turned towards Pinkie, looking for an answer. Pinkie did not deny her.

"Rarity used her magic to distract Luna help me escape. I tried to help her...but she told me to leave and run. And that's what I did..." She could still hear Rarity's scream while she ran...Pinkie closed her eyes tightly and looked away. She left her friend to die...she failed her...and left Sweetie Belle without a sister. Still turned away with closed eyes she whimpered, "I'm so sorry I left her." More tears fell from her eyes.

Twilight started to move towards her pink friend but was stopped by a hoof. A white unicorn's hoof. Sweetie Bell went towards the crying pony and wrapped her arms around her. She now realized it was all true, and that Pinkie was in just as much pain as they all were. Twilight felt a tear come down her face, seeing Sweetie Belle's kindness and how giving of support she was, despite what she felt earlier...just like her sister. Twilight looked upon the white unicorn hugging Pinkie.

She has been through so much, and now to see her like this...she truly is Rarity's sister.

She has you to thank for it.

I didn't do anything. I lost my friends. She lost much more compared to me.

You both lost a lot, but without you, she would have lost herself. Despite your anger and hatred, you still showed compassion and kindness.

You're giving me too much credit. I'm not either of those. Not anymore.

Is that why you took her in? To only remind you of your rage? Or maybe because you cared for her? Deny all you want Twilight Sparkle, but there are still good feelings in your heart. You may have rage and dark thoughts, but you're still good.

Twilight knew she thought of things and wished for things that no pony should wish for in the past ten years. She knew that it was wrong to wish that she could kill Pinkie, and do terrible things to her. With Pinkie being her focus for so many years, she was consumed in a darkness. She would feel it every day, every waking moment. A darkness was present in her heart, but even then, she still didn't lose her ability to care for other ponies. Sweetie Belle was a testament to that.

Twilight kept watching Sweetie Belle hugging Pinkie. Despite the darkness that was still present, even now, though for a different pony, she could only be moved by this sight. It as if a light was shining into her heart, just to remove the darkness for but a mere moment.

"You've been through so much..." she whispered to herself.

-----------------------------
10 years ago. Three weeks after night of the murders.

Rain was pouring down upon the residents of Ponyville. Most were inside, staying warm and dry next to their fireplaces, listening to the pitter patter of raindrops against their windows. All except for a certain lavender unicorn. Her mane and tail were drenched, her coat soaked, but she kept walking. She was heading back to the library from the Ponyville Post Office. Her new edition of 'Equestria's Darkest Minds: Inside the mind of a Psychopony.' She had read many books on gruesome murders in history, but this seemed to not bring her any closer of answering the big question: Why? She had to know why she did it. Why kill her friends? So, instead of focusing on the the act, maybe it was time to focus on the mind. If she was going to find Pinkie, she knew she had to understand why she did it first.

Twilight arrived to the library, wanting to dry off and begin her studying once again. She walked into the darkened library, the only source of light being a few candles that she had Spike light before he went off to the store to pick up some groceries. She went to her desk, covered in manuscripts and other papers with writing everywhere, and maps of Equestria pinned to the wall adjacent of it. She flipped open the book with her magic and began her reading.

"How is thou, Twilight Sparkle?" Twilight jumped out of her chair and fell over. She quickly got up, pointing her horn to the intruder, magic building up ready to fight.

"Calm thee, we mean no harm." Princess Luna said reassuringly. Twilight gazed upon the princess, her mane ever flowing and her teal eyes shining brightly.

"Sorry Princess. I'm just used to ponies knocking at my door instead of magically appearing behind me you know."

"We apologize, but this is important. We have a favor to ask thee, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight wasn't in the mood. She never was now. Ponies have asked for her help with trivial tasks, but instead of always wanting to help, she only wanted to do her research and find Pinkie. Nothing else mattered.

"I'm sorry Princess, but I'm not one to do favors. I'm too busy. Maybe you can ask some pony else who is not as...occupied as I am." Luna only looked at her, unchanging in her face.

"We understand that thou is busy with finding the pink one, but we insist that thou listen to our request." Twilight gave in, seeing as Luna was not letting up.

"Okay fine, but please make it quick. I would like to get back to my research as fast as possible." Twilight, a few weeks ago would have never been this way, especially towards Luna, but then again, that was a few weeks ago, when her friends were still alive.

"Our sister has sent us to see how thou is doing first of all. She has not been receiving letters from thee since the incident."

Incident. Understatement of the year. Twilight hated how ponies would call it an incident. It was much more than that. It was just pure evil at it's best.

"I have too much to do. Just tell Princess Celestia that I won't be sending any letters until I find Pinkie and bring her to you." Twilight didn't want to write any letters to Celestia. Why should she? No doubt, she was grateful that Luna came here and there to check on her, but where was her mentor? Not once has Celestia come to see Twilight, she merely sent a letter the day after the murders expressing her sorrow. Twilight wondered why her mentor never came, but lost all care. She only wanted to find Pinkie.

"We will tell thee thy answer then." Twilight eyed Luna, getting impatient.

"Well, what is the favor you want to ask, Princess?" She was really getting impatient with all this. She had a pink pony to find.

"Very well. Thou know Rarity's sister, Sweetie Belle, yes?" Twilight knew Sweetie Belle of course. She remembered her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo, and Applebloom. Ever since learning her sister's death, she wouldn't come out of Rarity's room. Her own parents came to Twilight to see if she could talked to the depressed filly. She denied them. She didn't have time to deal with that, though she could imagine her pain. Applebloom took the same course of action, but she never heard about her again since the murders and Scootaloo ran away upon finding out about how her idol was killed. To this day, there were search teams still looking for the orange pegasus.

"Yes, I know her. Why is this important?" Luna now looked a little annoyed at the unicorn. Twilight knew she was getting annoyed, but every second wasted talking was one more second for Pinkie to be lost to her forever.

"The filly's parents have died. Thou's parents were heading back from Canterlot when the train derailed. They did not survive."

Twilight's eyes went wide. Sweetie Belle's parents..were dead? First she loses her sister, now her parents?

"She is now an orphan, with nopony to take care of thee. We ask thee to take her and take care of her, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight choked on her words, coughing. She wanted her to take care of the filly? She didn't have the time. She had to find Pinkie.

"Princess, I'm sorry, I really am, for her loss, but I can't take care of her. I'm too busy. Please find somepony else."

"We beg of thee, please take her. The young one has no one else, and she personally requested thee." Twilight's heart stopped. Sweetie Belle told Luna that she wanted to be with her?

"Why would she request me?" Twilight said with bewilderment.

"We do not know, only that the filly only wanted thee. We again ask of thee to take the filly." Luna was even more persistent.

Damnit Luna...

"Where is she?" Twilight really hoped she simply didn't just leave the poor unicorn alone, to wallow in her pain.

Luna stepped away and revealed a small white unicorn, her green eyes were red and puffy from hours of crying and only looked up at Twilight. Almost the same look that Applebloom gave her when she first met Applejack and her family, and had wanted to leave to continue her duties than stay for brunch.

Twilight's heart broke. She has suffered and knew too well the pain that Sweetie Belle was going through, but she turned her pain into anger and a determination to find Pinkie. This poor filly was simply empty, all the happiness gone, sucked out of her. Twilight got down to her level and motioned for the little unicorn to come to her. Sweetie Belle moved toward Twilight, not taking her eyes off her.

"Are you sure you want to stay with me?" That was the only question she needed answered. She didn't need to know why, she no longer cared after seeing the poor filly.

"Yes, please Twilight. I only want to stay with you, no one else." the broken filly stammered. This was all she needed. She didn't know what she would do, but she would try her best to take care of her. She looked at Sweetie Belle and knew that she was sure. Twilight would teach her and help her grow. Her life might have stopped, but that didn't meant that Sweetie Belle's had to. She was just a filly, she still had a life to live. As far as Twilight was concerned about her own life, it ended when her friends died, and it was devoted to finding Pinkie. She would now have to balance that with Sweetie Belle, but she would manage somehow.

"So have thee decided to take the filly?"

"I will take care of her." Sweetie Belle smiled hearing Twilight's answer.

"We are happy to hear thee's answer. We will go to collect thy filly's possessions and bring them to thee. Are thou sure of thou's answer?"

"I am sure." Twilight was definitely sure.

"Very well, Twilight Sparkle. We shall take our leave. We will check in periodically to check on thee and the filly. Thank you, Twilight."

Twilight only nodded and with that, Luna disappeared in a cloak of black mist. Twilight turned to Sweetie Belle and met her eyes.

"Well, I guess you will be having the guest room. We can decorate real nice and have it looking like your old room in a few days? How does that sound?" Twilight let a smile come across her face, trying to be nice as possible, though she felt awkward. She was just given a filly to take care of, Rarity's sister no less. How was she supposed to act?

"Rarity was good at decorating..."

Nice Twilight...

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's Pinkie Pie's..."

Twilight frowned. It was obvious that when she said Pinkie's name, a wave of new formed anguish gripped at the filly's heart. She knew it wasn't a pain of a lost one, but one that was angry, so angry that it hurt. Sweetie Belle was just like her...

"I'm going to get some sleep if that's okay.."

"Yeah Sweetie, it's fine. Just come get me if you need something, okay?"

Sweetie Belle never responded and trotted off to her new room and shut the door. Twilight only watched, not knowing what to do. She sat back into her chair, her tail hanging out to the side. She looked at the book, ready to resume her research until she heard soft sobs. It was Sweetie Belle.

I need to study. I can't help her. I can't even help myself.

She understood how she felt, but Twilight needed to find Pinkie. She could end all the pain and crying by ending her. The young unicorn would have to deal with it, just as she did.

She's not me... This struck Twilight like a thunderbolt. Sweetie Belle was not her. Twilight had a vent for her pain and anger, and it was finding Pinkie Pie. She held a darkness in her heart that she had to bear, but Sweetie Belle had no vent. She lost everything. First her sister, and now her parents. Was she really that heartless now? She would let the poor filly sink into her own grief and not try to help pull her out?

No. I might not be able to be helped, but it doesn't mean I can't help her. And with that, Twilight went towards the guest room and entered. She didn't bother to knock. She knew nothing that Sweetie Belle told her was going to keep from coming to her aid.

Sweetie Belle was looking towards the window, watching the rain come down. Twilight could see small puddles on the sheets and tears falling. Twilight went towards her and sat next to her.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Are you okay?"

"No. Why would I be?" Twilight wasn't surprised. She knew her feelings.

"I know."

Sweetie Belle turned to face Twilight, and Twilight met her green, watering eyes,

"Why is this happening Twilight? Why is my sister and parents gone? Have I been a bad pony? Did I do something to deserve this?" Twilight grabbed her and pulled her into her embrace.

"Don't say that. You're not a bad pony. Nopony deserves this. It's not your fault, you hear me? You didn't do anything to deserve this." Twilight's heart screamed in pain for this young pony. Pinkie caused all this. Now Twilight had even more reason to find her....for Sweetie Belle's pain.

Sweetie Belle broke out in heart breaking sobs. "I want my sister back! I want my parents back! I want them back, Twilight! I want to watch Rarity make dresses again! I want to watch movies with my mom and dad!"

Twilight broke like glass. She couldn't take it. It broke the darkness in her heart and gripped it with sadness. She could feel a well of tears coming up into her eyes.

"I know, I know, I want them all back too." Twilight hugged her even tighter, not just for the filly's comfort, but for her own. It's only been a few weeks, but the pain was still fresh. It always would be.

Sweetie Belle broke away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry all over you..." she said wiping her tears away.

"It's okay. Cry if you need to."

Sweetie Belle rubbed her eyes, trying to get the last of her tears. Twilight looked at her and noticed the bags under them, remembering that she needed sleep.

"Hey, I think you should get some rest, okay? You'll feel better in the morning. Spike makes the greatest oats. I'll have him make you some. How does that sound?" She was trying everything, just to have Sweetie Belle feel a bit better. It seemed to work.

Sweetie Belle smiled weakly. "Thanks, that would be nice. I'll go get some sleep, Twilight." Twilight nodded, smiling back, still trying to hold back her own tears. She got up and headed for the door.

"Twilight, could you sleep with me tonight?"

Twilight stopped and turned around. She was at a loss for words. She wanted Twilight's comfort. Twilight thought about Pinkie. She needed to find her, did she really have time to comfort the filly?

I'll stay with her until she falls asleep...

"Sure."

Twilight walked toward the bed and hopped up on top of it. Then she laid on her side and got into the covers. Sweetie Belle grabbed onto Twilight and wrapped all four legs around her. Twilight's heart melted with a warmth that she hadn't felt in what seemed to be forever.

"I miss them." Twilight felt a wetness rolling down her chest. Sweetie Belle was crying again. "At least you're still here." Twilight broke like water breaking a dam. Tears came down her face. She knew at that moment that she would take care of her. She would teach her and help her grow. She would teach her spells and how to maintain the library. She would love her like a sister, like how Rarity would want her to be loved. She will protect her and help her with the challenges she would face...they both would. Twilight looked down to the filly buried in her chest, seeing her now asleep, tears still running her down her white cheeks. She smiled warmly. She knew that she would help her.

A wave of exhaustion came over her, her purple eyes fluttered, and slowly the embrace of sleep engulfed her, falling asleep with a small smile left on her face.

---------------------------------------

Pinkie's eyes opened in shock. Sweetie Belle was hugging her. She turned around breaking the white unicorn's embrace and looked at her, tears still in her eyes. Sweetie's green eyes met Pinkie's pools of blue.

"I forgive you."

Both Twilight and Pinkie eyes grew wide.

"Y..You forgive me?" Pinkie's whole body was trembling, in shock of what she was hearing.

"Yes Pinkie. Without my sister, you would have been dead. I knew my sister cared for her friends, and I know she wouldn't want me to try and hurt you for something you didn't do. I'm sorry."

She definitively has grown.

She just forgave her...One minute she was just ready to kill her, but now...

It confuses you don't it? You were ready to kill her, but you changed when you learned the truth.

But I saw the truth. She was just given my word. She could have denied me and actually killed her...

It's called trust. Something you thought you lost long ago. You have to trust ponies.

She has no reason to trust me and if you hadn't noticed everything going on, it's kinda hard to trust anypony now...

You're like her sist-

Don't say it.

She would love her like a sister, but never wanted to be called one. Rarity was Sweetie Belle's sister. Simple as that.

"So, Twilight. Spike and I know, but what about every other pony. Pinkie can't exactly just walk out into town, ya know."

Twilight snapped out of her stupor at the sound of Sweetie Belle's voice.

"Oh, um, yeah. Well, I was thinking of seeing if I could hold a town meeting and basically spill it all out there." She heard Spike coming downstairs.

"Are you crazy, Twilight!" the dragon declared, "She'll get murdered out there, some ponies aren't as understanding as us, Twilight! Wait...yeah, go ahead and do that."

Twilight threw a deathly look at Spike.

"I know. I'm going."

He would need more time than Sweetie Belle, but Spike had a point. Twilight thought of something else until a pink pony popped in front of her.

"Twilight, I think it's best that I just hide here for now. We don't need to tell any other ponies."

"Then what are we going to do then? Keep you hidden forever? You're gonna have to come out sooner or later." Twilight said. She was trying to figure something out, but she only was getting frustrated. "Ponies need to know that you're innocent, and about what Luna did. She needs to pay, not you."

Pinkie turned serious. Dead serious. "What then? Say we tell everypony and they all accept me. What about Luna?"

Twilight didn't even think about that part. She was more focused on getting ponies to accept Pinkie back. It was Sweetie Belle's turn to speak now.

"Pinkie has a point. If Luna finds out that everypony knows that she killed them, she will know that you found Pinkie, and know that you know the truth. If she could kill them the way she did, what makes you think she won't destroy the entire town? She will kill anypony that knows Twilight."

Wow, you can definitely tell she spends time with you. She thinks things out better than you.

Shut up.

She was frustrated but they were both right. Pinkie would have to be a secret for now.

"Fine. We won't tell everypony but there are some that should know. I will set up a meeting with some ponies that were close to our friends tommorow night. They deserve to know."

Pinkie and Sweetie Belle nodded in unison.

"Good. Well, Pinkie you know where your room is and I think that it's time for everypony to hit the hay. We all had a long day, today." Twilight was tired. She actually wanted sleep for once.

"Yeeeaah, I'm pooped! It's been a doozy of a day. I'm ready for some shut eye!" Pinkie hopped toward her room, ready to end the day and start anew.

"Pinkie, Wait." called Sweetie Belle. Pinkie turned around and smiled at her.

"Yeah, Sweetie?"

"I'm glad it wasn't you. I'm...happy that you're back."

Pinkie turned around, trying to hide tears that were welling up in her. They weren't tears of sadness, but of pure happiness.

"Thanks. I'm happy too." She entered the room and closed the door, left to meditate on her thoughts.

"I'm proud of you, Sweetie Belle." Twilight felt pride run through her. She was proud of Sweetie. She forgave the one she was led to believe took her sister from her.

"It's what Rarity and my parents would have wanted."

"They would be proud."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah, you can tell me anything, Sweetie Belle." She didn't want her to keep something bottled in. She knew how painful it was to do so.

"I really am happy that it wasn't Pinkie." Twilight only giggled.

"Yes, I think you told Pinkie that."

"No, but you don't know why." Twilight's face changed to one of curiosity.

"Okay then, why?"

"Because now, maybe you can finally be somewhat happy with her here." Sweetie Belle walked away into her room.

Twilight only stood there, shocked of how deeply the white unicorn could see into her. How could she be happy? Her friends were still gone and what was done to them would never change. Yes, she was happy that Pinkie was back and yes, she was happy that there was a chance to get her friends back, but she would never be truly happy until she had them back.

I'm sorry, I can't be happy Sweetie Belle....forgive me...

There was no response in her mind this time....

**Edited By SuperChaosKG**