Zorin wasn't running away. This much she had fixed firmly in her mind the moment she bolted out of the Library. She just needed to buy herself some time. Zorin had no illusions about what she deserved, if the matter came down to being vaporized by a vengeful sun goddess she wouldn't put up a fight. Not that she could have even if she wanted to. That didn't matter though, what mattered was getting to Sweet Apple Acres before the unicorn or her assistant snapped out of the trance she had put them in. The landscape blurred past her like river of color, her muscles screamed in protest but Zorin knew she couldn't lose even a second. Her heart leapt in relief almost at the same time that it sank out of grief when the ruby red barn came into view. This was most likely her last night here, probably her last night alive, but she knew exactly what she was going to use it for. Fortunately her target was just outside pulling an empty wagon up to the building.

With a heave of effort Zorin surged forward with a last burst of speed, coming to a skidding halt in front of her friend. Maybe the only friend she would ever make.

“Applejack,” Zorin gasped out, her lungs burning as she gulped down air. The farmpony turned with a concerned expression on her face that immediately changed to one of shock as she took in Zorin's appearance.

From the left she looked as normal, but now it was as though Zorin had been divided in half. Emblazoned on her forehead was a five-pointed star, and covering almost every exposed inch of skin on her right half were thousands upon thousands of characters. Some were recognizable, some barely looked like they could be called hieroglyphs. Applejack worked her mouth as she tried to take in the inexplicably drastic changes wrought upon her friend's body but she was stopped by something else; the look in Zorin's eyes. They were bloodshot and strained, it looked almost like she had been crying.

Finally Zorin got her breath back, “Applejack, forgive me, but... ve need to talk.”

“W-wha...” Applejack searched for words to convey her confusion but faltered, Zorin didn't let her finish anyway.

“Please, I beg you, listen to me, I do not know how much time I have,” the gravitas in Zorin's voice put the rest of Applejack's questions on hold. She nodded and gestured silently to the barn. The mares entered just as the rain began to fall in earnest.

“Guess Rainbow Dash pushed those clouds in a bit early,” Applejack said with force nonchalance before turning back to Zorin. “Now, what the hay is goin' on Zorin?”

“First, promise me you vill hear me out,” Zorin gaze and tone shook Applejack a little but she nodded.

“My name ist Zorin Blitz, you know this, but vhat I did not tell you is that until shortly I vas known as Lieutenant Zorin Blitz.”

“Lieutenant? You were a soldier?” to be honest it didn't surprise Applejack as much as she had thought it would. Zorin had that kind of bearing, but the black mare shook her head bitterly.

“No, I vas a monster,” she half-barked “und I have done zhings zhat vould make your blood run cold,” her voice was almost dripping with self-hatred. “I vas less zhan a beast.”

“Ya'll're gonna hafta forgive me if ah can't picture ya like that,” Applejack said sternly to which Zorin laughed harshly.

“Look at me, my skin is marked with vitchcraft and spells used to tear open the minds of others,” Applejack paled at her words but Zorin continued. “But zhat ist not vhy I am here, I came because... you're friend discovered zhe spell I had used to disguise my marks-” Applejack's eyes registered shock but Zorin interjected quickly. “Do not vorry, I harmed nopony, I only delayed her from alerting her teacher so I could come here...”

“Why?” Applejack asked. There was no recrimination in her voice, just a simple question heavy with meaning.

Zorin felt the beginnings of tears leak from her mortal eye as she told her. “Because, you are zhe only friend I have, und you deserve to hear my sins from me. Not from zome notice in zhe papers trumpeting my execution.”

“E-execution?” Applejack's mouth fell open at that word. As far as she knew capitol punishment didn't even happen in Equestria, not since the Princesses had come to power. Not for a thousand years had a pony been sentenced to death.

“Your land is bright und full of kindness, it vould be better if one zuch as I were kil-”

Applejack's left hoof came out of nowhere, landing a blow that left Zorin sprawled out on the floor with her face numb. “Don't. You. DARE. Finish that sentence. Y'hear me?” Zorin looked up into Applejack's eyes in shock, there were tears there. Zorin had seen many tears in her time. Tears of pain, of revulsion, of fear and terror. Never before had she thought she would see tears shed on her behalf however.

Rising to her haunches, Zorin nodded and massaged some feeling back into her cheek. “I vill not tell you of my time as a zoldier, you do not vant to know... but about zhese,” Zorin motioned to the markings on her skin, “I vill tell you.”

Applejack didn't move, she simply waited.

“Vhen I vas a child, my family vas so poor zhat ve could barely survive. I had seven siblings, und I vas the youngest, Irma vas the second youngest, only a year older. Vone vinter the seasons had been cruel, ve had no food and did not know how ve vould survive.” Zorin could see the pain in Applejack's eyes, the sympathy, thankfully she did not see any pity. “Ve vere starving, my brothers, und zisters, my vater und mutter. Irma died virst, she vas alvays a bit veak.” Applejack brought a hoof to her mouth and bit softly, fighting back tears. Losing a sister hit far too close to home for her. If she had lost Applebloom to such a terrible fate... she had no idea what she would even do. “Zhen... vone night, an old crone came to our door. Mein vater answered, zaying harshly, 'Ve have no food old vomen, leave us!' but the crone answered, 'I do ask for food, but offer it.” Zorin fought back the repulsive memory even as she continued forward, “she said 'I vill give you a zpell zhat vill see you through zhe vinter, but in exchange... you must give me your youngest daughter.” Applejack's jaw dropped. A family starving was bad enough, but trading away a child for food was unthinkable. Zorin snorted bitterly, “I zuppose you can guess, it took my vater only zhe time needed to cross the house to grab me und toss me to zhe old crone. She zmiled, und handed over a charm, explaining that vhatever field he buried it in vould bear food quickly no matter zhe season.”

Applejacks eyes widened at that, as a farmer she knew what a god-send such a spell would be. Still she had to know so she asked, “W-why would she give up a spell like tha' fer a kid that weren't hers?” Applejack would've traded a dozen of those amulets for any of her family but to take away some elses? Never.

“Zhat you do not know vhy is a blessing und I zhall not tell you. Only know zhat by zhe time I escaped years later she had torn out my eye und stitched... these...” Zorin lifted her right leg, “ into my skin vith a red hot needle.”

If it were possible for Applejack to turn even paler than she was, she would have. It was no less than torture, and as it was the farmpony had to fight back the urge to vomit. “S-so is she...?”

“I returned vhen I vas older, by zhen I vas already a monster, und murdered her vith a scythe,” Zorin said coldly without meeting Applejack's eyes. A chill ran down the orange mare's spine but try as she might Applejack couldn't find it in her to so much as admonish Zorin for the act. “My vorld got darker und darker from zhat time on, I did terrible zhings vith the power zhat vas forced into my skin by zhat hag. I vanted you to know vhy your friend broke my spell und threatened me. Vhy I vas forced to wrap her in memories zo I could get here before she turned me in.” Tears finally began to come in earnest now that the story was out and off of her chest. Not even the Major had known the entirety of her past. Hot water spilled fast down the left side of her face, the only one that could shed tears was now shedding enough for both. “I'm zorry... Applejack, please... I- I am zo zorry, forgi-”

Zorin's words were cut off by a pair of lips pressing hard onto her own, her sobs cut short by an undignified hiccup of surprise. Applejack was wearing a fierce blush that, for once, she didn't try to hide with her stetson. In a voice rich with emotion she said, “Look sugarcube, ah don't know what all happened to ya, I don't know what ya'll've done, or why ya think yer a monster.” Zorin opened her mouth to try and explain but Applejack lifted a hoof to forestall any more argument. “But ah can tell ya I know an good'n honest pony when I meet one, and ya'll've got real good in yer heart.”

“A-applejack I...” as much as she had wanted forgiveness Zorin had never imagined anyone, or anypony, would give it. “D-danke...” was all Zorin could manage before laying her head on her friend's shoulder. Zorin had thought that she had run dry of tears long ago in that horrible hut in the forest. It was almost a relief to learn that this was not the case. That there was something human left in her soul after all the pain she had and death she had caused.

There was nothing left to say after that, Zorin could only wait until judgment came, and she didn't have to wait long. Several moments later a voice rang out from outside of the barn. “She's in there Princess!” it was the voice of the Librarian. Zorin couldn't even find it in her to hate the little unicorn for ruining everything. She knew what she deserved and was ready to face it.

“Danke, Applejack, for everyzhing,” Blitz said softly to the orange mare whose eyes were filled with fear. Not for herself but for what punishment might await Zorin outside of the barn. Zorin took a deep breath and leaned in, giving Applejack what might be the only kiss out of simple love she could give in her entire life. With that done the black mare left the barn and stepped into the rain, in front of her was a horned and winged female pony that towered over even her. Her coat gleamed like arctic snow and a royal, golden crown adorned her brow. The Princess' eyes widened slightly and became unfathomable as Zorin stepped fearlessly into view.

“That's her Princess, the one who-”

“Be silent Twilight Sparkle,” the librarian's words cut off out of sheer shock. Twilight didn't even need all her hooves to count the number of orders Celestia had given her. That, however, had been no less than a direct order.

Zorin stood steadfast under the implacable gaze of a goddess. Even from here she could feel the absolute light that was barely contained within the alicorn before her. Their eyes met briefly but in that moment Zorin felt her soul laid bare and shame filled her. No fear though, she deserved death and more for her actions. Finally the white alicorn's gaze softened immeasurably and Zorin felt as though her muscles had just gone slack. She gasped, her eyes on the ground. She hadn't even realized she had been holding a breath.

A single gold-shod hoof touched her chin and lifted it with surprising softness to return her gaze to the goddess'. Celestia's eyes contained no anger or judgment, no hatred, only an aching sadness that was as vast as the ocean. As unexpected as her expression was, however, her words were even more so.

“Heavenly mercy child, what has been done to you?” Twilight's rocked back on her hooves in shock at her mentor's words. Zorin on the other hoof, had begun to tremble. For the first time in her miserable life, Zorin Blitz understood what the words 'Mother's Love' meant. It was the name for the emotion in Celestia's voice.

“W-what?” Twilight asked in wonder, “what do you mean?” No longer angry, Twilight was now more concerned than anything. For her teacher to show kindness and sympathy to her subjects was common, but to show such blatant emotion was very rare. It was a side that only Twilight had ever seen on any kind of regular basis.

Celestia regarded her student with soft eyes, “Twilight Sparkle, this poor pony has been tortured beyond the limits of most. What little you seen on her body is bad enough, but the scars inflicted on this one reach into her very soul.”

“S-scars on the soul? How does that even happen?” finally Celestia showed true anger, no, Zorin corrected herself as she looked closer. This was better described as 'Wrath'.

“By the absolute blackest of magics,” Celestia growled, even Zorin felt the urge to back up. “Somepony used magic to scar spells into your soul, am I correct Miss Blitz?” Zorin nodded, not trusting her voice in the face of divinity. “And how old were you?”

Mustering up her courage Zorin answered, “N-nine years old, your majesty.” The look of horror on Twilight's face would have been almost comical if it hadn't been for the seriousness of the conversation.

“Nine. Tell me, the one who did this, are they dead?” Celestia asked coldly, Zorin nodded again. “Too bad, I would have liked to have taken such a blasphemy out of their hide.”

Twilight could only stare dumbfounded at the Celestia. Not in her entire life had the young student imagined her mentor capable of such a cruel tone. Not that Twilight disagreed. “M-magic did that?” she asked her teacher softly.

Celestia nodded, “Yes, I'm afraid so, magic of a kind which I outlawed in the same year that my sister and I came to power.”

“I zhought zhat vas zhe case,” Zorin said quietly.

Twilight turned to the black mare, blinking in surprise, “Why?” she asked, honestly curious.

“Because, zuch a clear lack of knowledge of any kind of magic but inborn talent, zhe most controllable and predictable kind, zpeaks of centuries of violent zuppression,” was Zorin's answer. Twilight, her mouth gaping again, turned to her mentor for a denial but dropped onto her flank at the goddess's frank nod of assent.

“That is the case, my sister and I hunted down every last practitioner to prevent this very outcome from ever happening again.”

“W-wha' kind of outcome is tha' exactly Princess?” Applejack had finally emerged from the barn. After seeing Celestia's kindness she hadn't wanted to interrupt but now she wanted to know. Celestia sighed, the sound of wind over the mountains, and answered.

“Foals possess a magic all their own, the blackest of magics can turn that magic to the casters benefit but only by doing unspeakable things to the child in question.”

Zorin nodded, she had not wanted Applejack to know the details of the matter but... “She took my eye to make a charm vith, to zee her enemies coming before zhey reached her.”

“But th-tha's...” Applejack didn't think a word existed for the kind of wrongness that implied.

“Not to qvestion fortune or... providence... but vhat now?” Zorin asked, meeting Celestia's eyes again. For a moment the sun goddess look pensive.

“For all the horrors inflicted on you, I know that you have inflicted many in turn,” Celestia answered, Zorin made no move to deny anything. “But... I also have seen a spark in you, a small possibility for redemption.”

“V-vhat?” Zorin asked in disbelief.

Celetia nodded, “So, with that being the case I cannot rightfully deny you the chance to make up for the sins you have committed, I would be betraying both my throne and my divine responsibility.”

“Zhen I... I can...” the ex-officer couldn't bring herself to say the words for fear of jinxing herself.

“You may remain, on the condition that somepony agree's to take responsibility for your actions and for teaching you how to behave in my kingdom.”

Zorin working her mouth searching for something to say but Applejack intervened. “That'll be me yer highness, don't you worry.”

Celestia gave a radiant smile and nodded. “Good, while your sins must be paid for I will not deny the effect that black magic has had on your soul. It may ease your conscience to know that such powers permanently taint those it comes into contact with. However, for a reason I do not yet know, that part of your soul has been divorced from you.”

“Zhat... vould explain much,” Zorin answered, almost trembling with relief. She had never anticipated such an outcome. She expected death, or life imprisonment at best. But to be given a second chance was more than she could have possibly expected. Turning to face Applejack as a free mare she pulled the orange mare into a tight hug, nuzzling into her neck in a surprisingly affectionate gesture. “Danke, Applejack, for everyzhing.”

With an embarrassed blush and a laugh Applejack patted Zorin's back, “Anytime sugar.”

Celestia coughed lightly into her hoof, “Well, now that that's cleared up, I have some royal duties to attend to. Keep out of trouble Miss Blitz.”

“Ja, I svear it,” Zorin promised.

“I believe you,” Celestia answered with a mysterious smile, before giving a strangely knowing look at Applejack and winking.

Applejack pulled her stetson down over her face.

“Zo, Twilight, uhm... zorry about zhe whole... spell... zhing,” Zorin found apologizing was coming easier to her.

Twilight shrugged, “It's ok, sorry about the whole... sudden dispelling, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. If Celestia say's you can stay then that's all I need.”

“Zo how did you get out of it so qvickly?” Zorin asked curiously, as the three mares turned back to the farmhouse.

“Oh, right, Fluttershy woke up and snapped me out of it after she realized I was unresponsive.”

Zorin grimaced, “Ja, I knew forgot zomething.”

For the first time in her life Zorin enjoyed the feeling of sharing a laugh with friends. It was a first unsteady step, but it was one she never thought would be open to her. As she walked into the farmhouse she found that she didn't miss her old life even a little.

The coiling darkness in the Everfree felt the winds change. It could taste the power of this world, but first it needed a body. A host with darkness to shelter within. Then it could begin.

This is where I'm ending the first story but if people really enjoyed it I will probably end up doing a second one. I'll also probably do an epilogue or two as well so there is more coming. I may take a little longer on that though as I'll need to figure out the segue into the second part. Anyways, thanks to everypony who stuck around to read this weird story I ended up writing.