“You must kill your friends, Twilight Sparkle.”

Her words rang in my ears, entirely blocking the outside world. There was no light and no Princess. There were no Elements. And now even the echo of her command was being drowned out by the coming tide that was a single question forming at the edge of my awareness.

“Why?”

“Through my sister's madness, the Elements were tainted. And while she was saved from the corruption, the Elements were not.”

“I don't understand.”

“The Elements are magic incarnate, my student. They are eternal and forever, but alone, they are nothing. Those who wield the Elements give them purpose, and in turn, the Elements give them power. An Element and its wielder are inexplicably bound. When Luna's mind gave up, the bitterness in her heart gave way to the poison that damned her soul, and through her soul, the Elements themselves.”

“But the Night Princess was cured! My friends and I used the Elements themselves to heal her.”

“Her soul may have been saved, but the Elements were already bound to you. In them, the corruption survived and lay dormant for years. And now that it has been awakened, I can see there is no other way to vanquish it.”

“Why are the Elements so important? How could they be worth sacrificing so many lives?”

“Do you remember the last time the Elements were made inert? If the Elements remain in this state, there is no telling what horrors might enter our world. Discord is not our only enemy. And while the Elements weep, Equestria is vulnerable.”

“But murdering my own friends, Princess? How—how can you even consider it?” I asked, unbelieving. “Has death stripped you of your conscience?”

Hearing my words, her previously stern expression quickly turned into a condescending, almost disgusted look.

“Conscience?” She snarled. “I have once imprisoned the only being in this world who could truly understand me. A thousand years I have spent knowing that with each passing day my sister suffers in unimaginable agony in her Moon-prison, her soul being eaten alive by her own madness. And now, only in my death do I learn that it had all been for nothing.”

Unable to even reply, I could only listen as the Princess talked in an ever-more worrying tone.

“I built this empire! I watched it rise from the dirt into the beacon of prosperity and hope that you now live in, Twilight Sparkle. To that end I have made choices you would not believe! Only once have I let my weakness triumph over my better judgement, and behold the result: I have to ask the most gifted unicorn I have ever known to murder the very ponies that made her life as my personal student possible!”

“Princess..”

“To live for a millennium, waking up each day in the knowledge that the fate of the world rests on the advisedness of my every deed! And you dare speak to me about conscience! Only when you have felt the true gravity of choice should you question my judgement!”

“Princess Celestia, I..”

With a pained groan, she suddenly lowered her head as her expression became a distorted frown. Her lips pulled apart, I could see her teeth clenched together. Ethereal tears escaped her tightly shut eyes and rolled down on her translucent cheeks, each one disappearing in a burst of light as they reached the marble floor. She stood there like that, her whole body twitching with each tortured sob. All I could do is watch as the eternal Princess of Equestria was reduced into a helpless, crying foal.

Each deep breath she took seemed to calm her a tiny bit more. When her tears finally ceased, she prepared herself to speak again. Without even looking up, she spoke, her voice now but a dying whisper with no hint of the fury it so recently held.

“I am sorry. I am so sorry.” She took another deep breath. “But there is no other way. By killing your friends, you will release their souls from the Elements' embrace. Through their death, Equestria might live on. And only then will I find salvation.”

“But I can't!” I cried.

“And yet you must. Know this, Twilight Sparkle: if you refuse, you will damn not only your friends to the same fate that Luna suffered, you might drag the entire world down with them. Go in that knowledge.”

Overwhelmed by the revelations of the spirit, I turned my back without speaking any more. As I slowly paced down the Crystal Hallway once again, I could hear her addressing me one last time.

“My faithful student.”

I spent the coming week locked away in the solitude of my home, completely paralysed by the memories of my visit to Canterlot. I could barely eat and I almost did not sleep. I did not even notice the silence that had befallen my mind until several days have passed. When I finally realised that I could no longer hear my friends speak to me ever since I met with the spirit of Celestia, my fear only grew greater. “Has our link been severed?” I asked myself. “Why can I not talk to them?”

Whatever the reason for the sudden silence, I would, perhaps, soon have an answer. Applejack was making her annual return to Sweet Apple Acres. She had been appointed by Princess Celestia herself to travel the empire to oversee its agricultural development. And once a year, every year, she would return to her home—an event which has always met with great acclaim. Inside the city and on the fields which surrounded it, the townsfolk would gather, the merchants would set up their stalls and a week-long fair would begin. This is what originally made the citizens of Equestria think of Ponyville as a financial centre; this is what made its eventual rise from a sleepy little town to the buzzing and lively city possible. Throughout the week, Poneapolis once again hosted not only the finest goods from across the empire, but all kinds of festivities, outdoor circuses and so much more. I watched in both horror and anticipation as the city awakened through the days prior to Applejack's arrival. I knew I had to meet her—but I had no idea what our eventual confrontation might bring.

The first wave of guests—prey for the greedy vendors—served as a reminder of the golden age of Equestria. They knew not, yet, what horrible fate had befallen the Sun Princess. I watched as mothers bought for their foals little toys and gadgets, the salesmares descending upon their victims like vultures to talk them into buying from their 'most delicious batch of fruit'. To them, the world was still a place of opportunity and of dreams. I would have hated to shatter their illusions of a bright future. Whatever happens when the time of her return comes, it would have to be kept secret.

Applejack—and her escort—finally arrived long hours into the afternoon. I looked on, careful not to be noticed, from the cheering crowd celebrating the Element of Honesty's return. At first, the sight of her walking down the buzzing street filled me with doubt. I could not meet her alone as I wished, not with the townsfolk and visitors wandering about every hour of the day. I soon realised, though, her hatred of such a big city. Her uneasiness with what Ponyville had become was obvious. Although she did her best to pretend that she feels blessed to have returned, having known her for as long as I have, I could tell that it was not the case. The ever-so faint signs of sadness, and perhaps even disgust, stained her fake smile. Most unbecoming of the one mare I once thought would never tell a lie.

And so I waited patiently, hiding from her gaze, always keeping her just in sight. I watched as she reunited with her brother and sister, saw their tears being shed in joy. The touching moment would not last long, however; Applejack had much to do. She gave a speech, reminding everyone of the importance of proper nourishment and asking all those present not to go overboard with the cider during the week. She then answered questions regarding proper agriculture; a session of which even I, for all my academic knowledge regarding so many subjects, understood little.

As the hours dragged on, I could not keep the terrible thoughts out of my head. The weeping of the Elements was a testament and proof as to their corruption—and I saw first-hoof how it changed Princess Luna from a noble leader into a deranged monster. Princess Celestia told me that the same fate would await my friends if I do not act on her command. She spoke as if murder would be a mercy—and I could not help but feel that she regretted not killing her own sister when it all began a thousand years ago. If I refuse her grim order, will I become the guilt-ridden wretch that she seems to have been reduced to? Given such a choice, what was I to do?

I would never have questioned the word of the Princess in her life, yet now, before what was perhaps the most important decision I could ever make, doubt and fear clouded my mind. On one hoof, I could murder the ponies I love the most at the command of the Sun Princess, hoping that an even grander Equestria may rise from their blood. On the other hoof, I could refuse to carry out the will of a mad ghost, taking the risk of destroying the empire that has stood for a thousand years should her words turn out to be correct.

The Sun Princess has never been wrong. Ever since I was her personal student, everything I had ever done was in accordance to her will. With her guidance, my friends and I defeated evils beyond imagining. My life—our lives—have revolved around doing good for the empire for longer than any of us would care to admit. If serving Equestria now meant giving up our lives, would that make a difference?

Lost in my thoughts, I finally came to understand the plan of our Princess. For our friendship was no longer the point. In fact, it had never been. There was only one reason that had I ever met them: to provide alternate hosts to the Elements so that their corruption might be cured. That is how, and why, it began. And now I was merely finishing what was started so many years ago. Princess Celestia had already cast the die before I knew it even existed. The game was already in motion—and Princess Celestia's finishing move was me.

When the Sun was once again nearly gone from the sky, casting its last beams of red light upon the empire, I finally saw Applejack making her way out of the city, sneaking away from the crowd. I could see that all she wished for was to be alone at that point—a luxury that I would not allow her to embrace. With every pony—including her family—spending their night on the streets of Poneapolis, Applejack's place to hide from all the noise was obvious. As she wandered aimlessly between the trees of Sweet Apple Acres, I followed her, still attempting to stay out of sight.

“Twilight,” she suddenly spoke, “I know you're there.”

Surprised to hear her calling out my name, with my heart beating ever faster, I stepped out from behind one of the apple trees.

“How long have you been following me?” She asked, accompanied by a curious gaze.

“A while.” I replied in feigned playfulness. “It's been a long time, Applejack. And I notice you still retain the accent.”

“I do, don't I.” The earther chuckled as she rushed towards me with an excited smile on her face. She had no idea.

She rubbed her neck gently against mine. Once, I was ready to do anything to feel a friend's embrace. But now I could barely stand it: so close, I could feel corruption oozing from her. The very same kind of unforgettable depressing sensation that I felt inside the Chamber of Harmony. I could at once hear the crying of the Elements yet again—and I was once again reminded of Princess Celestia's words.

“What's wrong, sugarcube?” She asked. “I can tell something is wrong. Don't lie to me.” She said with a smile.

“It is..” I stopped, unable to tell her the truth about the Princess and what was asked of me. “Personal.”

“Now stop with that bitterness, Twi'. What's bothering you? You know you can tell me anything.”

“I am concerned, Applejack.”

“I'm listening.”

“Our mental link. I tried to reach you this past week but I could not. The others have fallen silent as well. Do you know anything about this?”

“Well, Twilight, I never understood how your magic worked, and with all due respect, I have been too busy these days to think about it. But now that you mention it, I did feel a bit dizzy a while ago. Sick, even. Could that have anythin' to do with your spell?”

“A while ago? When exactly?”

“I remember being ill all day, right around a week ago.”

While I came no closer to finding a real answer, the fact that her described illness coincided with my visit to Canterlot was more than suspicious.

“Come on, now,” She said, smiling. “Is that really all you wanted to discuss? Some of your magic going haywire? That happened all the time when we lived here!”

“I guess it did, yes.” I laughed, nervously. “Tell me then, Applejack, how have the past years been treating you? Whenever we talked recently, it was always just business, we never really got to catch up.”

“If by 'business' you mean 'you bossing me around,' sure.” Her hearty chuckle turned into a disappointed sigh. “Never a dull moment, Twilight. Always on the move, always something important to see to. Sometimes, I question whether there is a point to it all.”

“Is that so? I imagined you would like a travelling lifestyle. Were you not growing weary of the farm right here?”

“At first, yes.” She turned around before beginning to slowly walk away. “But now? I never see my family. I come home and it's like I don't even know them. Apple Bloom even got her cutie mark, and I wasn't there.”

“You never mentioned any of this. We were in constant connection, yet you said no word.”

“I didn't want to burden you, Twi'. Or the others. And I knew that it was for the sake of Equestria. After you agree to the Princess' request, you can't just say that you've changed your mind, can you?”

“No,” I paused for a moment. “I suppose you cannot.”

She was getting further and further away, still not looking back.

“So you were willing to throw away everything for the good of the empire, Applejack?”

“Yes.” She answered plainly, stopping to look up at the newly risen Moon above.

There she stood in the silence of the moonlight, several steps away from me with her back turned. I contemplated what to do, finally taking a deep breath.

“Princess Celestia has asked me to kill you.”

She lowered her upward gaze as she slowly turned around to look me in the eye.

“Pardon?”

“What corrupted Princess Luna a thousand years ago has returned. And now it has claimed you. I can feel it.”

“What are you talking about? Is this some sort of a joke?!”

“No, Applejack. If only it was.”

Even in the darkness I could see her gulp.

“But—but you aren't going to do it, are you?”

“Am I? Am I going to murder one of my only friends because the eternal leader of the empire commanded me to? Do you expect me to answer that question?”

“No, Twilight.” Her playful voice now quickly changed to a deep, sinister tone. “You are not going to do it.”

“Applejack?” I asked, worried.

“I told you, Twilight.” Her voice grew ever deeper to a point I did not think was possible. “You will turn around and you will leave.”

Never taking her gaze off me, she began walking around me, keeping her long distance. Unwilling to let her behind me, I started moving as well. Inside her eyes, I could see a gleaming white light and it terrified me more than anything I had ever seen before—for I recognised this glow as the very same I saw within Nightmare Moon's gaze when she stood between me and the Elements on that fateful night. It was the gaze with which she charged at me as if she were going to impale me on her monstrous horn. That glowing stare was evil given form.

Applejack and I continued our exchange as we slowly circled each other.

“Applejack, calm down. I came to you to find a solution.”

“The first time you visit me in so many years, you come to murder me.” Her deepened voice resonated with an uncanny tone. It was as if something else had taken over, and she was only a helpless host. “And then you would ask me to calm down?”

“Applejack. Please, listen to me. You are not being rational.”

“I'm not being rational? I am not the one who wants to kill her own friend!” With each spoken word, she sounded more and more out of her mind.

“I do not want to kill you.”

“Oh, but you will. You would never refuse the Princess.”

“Listen to yourself! You have completely lost it!”

The more I tried to calm her, the more furious she seemed to get. For every soothing word, she replied with a sarcastic remark. And in the end, the good mare finally snapped.

She rushed at my recklessly, turning around in the last second to deliver a kick with her hind hooves. I quickly jumped out of her path in the last moment; she ended up hitting the tree that stood behind me. I had to look on in horror as the tree was snapped in half. Her hind legs had swollen to almost twice their original size and even through her thick fur I could see veins pulsating and throbbing up and down within. This was no pony I had ever known. This was akin to nothing I had ever seen. Looking with its glowing eyes into mine, snarling with its almost fang-like teeth, panting heavily as it was preparing its horrendous hooves for its next attack, was a ferocious monster.

“Applejack?” I asked, hoping for an answer. All I received in return was a crazed gaze from her empty, white eyes.

Then, with no warning, the monster charged at me again—and this time, I was too slow to steer out of its path. The beast knocked me down and pinned me to the ground, recklessly beating away at me with her hooves. I tried to defend myself, to put my hooves up to block her kicks and punches, but to no avail. Her sheer brutality completely overpowered me. I tried to kick her off, but I could not. I screamed in pain and called for help, but no pony heard.

There I was, lying on the ground as the pony I once called my friend brutalised me. After a while, I did not even feel it. My body was completely numb, my nerves deadened by the punishment. It was in that moment, as I lingered in that fragile state of mind between consciousness and passing out, that I was struck by an idea which would save my life. I did not think about it. I did not care. Right then, I just wanted out. Out of this, out of everything.

My horn lit up with a burst of light as a burst of magical energy hit the monster, instantly sending it flying straight into an apple tree more than twenty steps away. The sheer force of the impact tore the tree itself from the ground, its roots ripping and tearing as the tree—and the monster with it—was flung backwards.

I stood up as my body shook with excitement. Only then did I realise what I had done. I was overcome by worry. Did I hurt her? Oh, stars, did I kill her?

“Are you okay?” I called out to her, squinting my eyes trying to make something out in the dark.

No response.

“Applejack!” I called her again, slowly walking toward the fallen tree. “Are you okay? Please say something!”

Silence.

The possibility of having actually killed my friend rushed in on me like I was suddenly thrown into a cold stream. I shuddered at the thought. Each step I took awakened within me an even deeper level of fear. I could not possibly have..

But the true horror came when I at last reached the torn tree. In the eerie silence of the moonlight, the stars illuminated the little clearing among the trees I made. It was then, standing there in shock, that I saw.

She was not there.

The night wind gently blew at the apple trees' leaves. At first, their faint fluttering was all that could be heard in the darkness. This undertone was then slowly blunted by the beating of my heart. With each pump, I felt my muscles tighten, my hooves pushing at the ground ever stronger, freezing me in place. I dared not turn around, or even shift my gaze. I could only look down at the fallen tree, confirming at each breath that Applejack is not there.

In the end, what made me look up was the sight of something running past the trees in the distance; a glimpse of a shadow I caught from the corner of my eye. The monster was out there, stalking me. Without even thinking, I immediately turned around and started dashing. I ran, ran for the one place I thought was safe: the Apple family barn. It was not far from me, yet each second I spent going there felt like an hour.

Behind me, I could hear the beast skulking, running and thrashing about, breaking fallen twigs and rushing between the trees to keep up with me. The sound of my heart's beating and her hooves pounding the ground came together in a terrible symphony.

Just as the horrifying pounding drew nearer, I reached the barn. I slammed myself into the large double-door without even slowing down, throwing them open as I rushed past. Once inside, I immediately shut them closed behind me.

For a brief moment, I felt relief. In there, the monster could not attack me. Yet a sudden revelation frightened me more than anything had that night. For I could no longer hear her steps, and the absence of that infernal pounding chilled me so much more than its presence had.

Managing to shake off my fear, I quickly came to my senses. I looked around the dark interior of the barn. Its small windows scarcely let the faint light of the Moon and the stars inside. Squinting my eyes, I discerned a simple oil lamp mounted on the right wall not much above eye level. A tiny spark created by my spell was enough to light it.

Carefully levitating it, I took the lamp from its place and had it float above me as I explored my surroundings. The barn was, for the most part, empty. Nothing but a few stacks of hay lay piled up by the opposite wall; apart from that, it was one large, empty room. At the very least, it only had one entrance, and as such, the monster had no way to ambush me. I sat down by the right wall, resting my tired legs and taking deep breaths in a futile attempt to calm myself. Yet the more I tried not to think about just what might await me outside, the more I found myself wondering upon just that.

What am I supposed to do? If I walk out now, Applejack—or whatever it is that became of her—is sure to kill me. Am I supposed to spend the night here? I can't possibly sleep. And what if she does not change by dawn? What if she stays this monster? Is there nothing I can do?

Such thoughts and questions raced through my head. I was far from prepared for what was about to happen.

A loud crack. My head bangs forcefully against the ground as the wooden wall that used to be behind me breaks into a thousand splinters. Suddenly, the monster is standing again above me, holding me to the ground and ready to pound my head into a pulpous mass.

My ears still ringing, I was unable to react. It was similar to what one might feel just before falling asleep: conscious, but not quite there. The world seemed distorted and time slowed down. I saw the beast lift its hooves as it readied itself for one last strike.

But it did not complete the deed. In fact, I saw a glint of fear in its eyes just before it jumped up from me and ran outside through the very hole in the wall it had made. I did not understand, at first, what happened. It was not long before I realised, however, just how bright it seemed all of a sudden. Dear Celestia!

I quickly flipped from my back and looked up. The oil lamp, the one I held before the beast's assault! I lost control over its levitation. When I was flung into the air by that terrible kick, the lamp was also sent flying—straight into the piles of hay at the far end! Now the flames could not be stopped. The fire consumed the barn, creeping up on its wooden walls with unprecedented speed. I knew I could not stay in there, and as such, I followed the monster's example and quickly made my way out. Behind me, I heard wooden beams fall and crack within the quickly spreading inferno. The madness of this hell seemed to cast the winds themselves into rage, for as I left, I could feel the wind picking up, blowing fallen leaves and dust away as it passed through the orchard—and spreading the fire ever further.

Sweet Apple Acres lay in flames. Fire danced under the pitch black night sky, illuminating the darkness with its blood-red light. The all-consuming blaze burned a path of scorched land into the ground as it spread from one tree to another. Walking along this hellish road, I kicked up a small gust of ash with each step. The monster was, however, nowhere to be seen. I wondered whether it had fled, or it was simply the sound of falling trees and crackling flames that drowned out the sounds of her movement. Trying to stay ahead of the fire, I hurried forward, deeper and deeper into the artificial forest.

Running from the flames that ate away at the trees behind me, I reached a clearing with no trees. At the very centre of that open field sat the monster of Sweet Apple Acres, gazing silently at the carnage that followed me. As I approached, it still refused to move. It only sat there, simply, quietly. As I got closer, I could see the confusion and fear in its eyes. Could it have been what was left of Applejack's mind, looking in terror upon the burning orchard which she once called her own? Or was it, perhaps, nothing more but an animal's primal fear of fire that paralysed it so? I did not know. Whatever the reason, I could not let the opportunity pass. The monster, stunned motionless in either terrible awe or fear, was an easy target for my binding spell.

Floating in the air, its legs tied by magical shackles, the beast could do little to resist. It groaned and barked as I moved her head closer to mine. I looked into its deranged eyes, trying desperately to find a semblance of the pony I used to know. Inside her eyes, however, there was only that empty white glow. No understanding. No comprehension. No shame.

With her mind clearly gone, and her body twisted and turned into such an abomination, I realised that the Princess was right; there was only one thing I could do for my friend now. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I can still hear the crack. The sound of her neck snapping signalled the beginning of my quest—she was the first to fall. As I let go of her body, I fell to the ground with it, collapsing in both physical and mental exhaustion. I lay on the ground next to her, crying and laughing at the same time.

“I did it.” I cackled. “I murdered Applejack.”

By the time a young Apple Bloom, first in line of the ponies putting out the flames that consumed the orchard, found the broken body of her big sister, it was charred beyond recognition. It was not long, however, until the family finally accepted the obvious—and connected Applejack's sudden disappearance to the corpse of the unidentified mare. And my heart was breaking for them.

Yet now, having committed such an atrocity, there was no turning back for me. I have stepped onto a treacherous path and fallen into a dark pit more horrible still. For me, there was no escape. All I could do is to march on, to fall further—carrying out acts the kinds of which I've never imagined in my worst nightmares. My redemption, I thought, lied in doing what Princess Celestia wanted, no matter the cost. I knew not whether this was the 'right' thing to do. All I knew is that now there was nothing else for me to do.

Beset as I was by doubt, one thing was for certain, however: I was not merely fighting my friends. The corruption was the tool with which to render the Elements useless. Whatever created it was greater and more insidious than anything Equestria had faced before.

I thought I had it all figured out. By ending the lives of the ones I loved, I thought I would bring harmony back. It seemed all too simple.

Little did I know, however, that I had been watched all along.