Twilight rubbed her eyes as sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, washing over her. She was thankful that the nightmares were absent from her slumber once again, and made a note to herself that she would have to get Luna a gift to show her gratitude rather than simply thank her.

Yawning, she rolled out of bed and took a step towards the bathroom.

Then stopped.

She hadn't seen it last night, it had been too dark, nor had she remembered it was there in her tired state. But now, illuminated by the streaks of light reaching across the room, she saw it was still in the exact same place as it had been on that terrible day. Spike's basket. Dust had settled on it, giving it an almost eerie appearance. Ever since the incident Twilight had avoided entering the room at all, sleeping wherever she dropped as her fits of depression took hold. She recalled how even though Spike was too big for the basket after his sudden growth spurt months earlier, he had insisted that she didn't put it away anywhere. It was much more to him than just his bed, and as Twilight stared, transfixed by it, she understood why.

Memories of Spike flashed before her eyes. Or, at least some were flashes, some were much longer, but by the end she realised she must have been staring for several minutes. Once she regained control of herself, she trotted towards it slowly, and levitated it up to eye-level with her magic. As she gazed at it closely, she felt a crushing weight appear in her stomach, and her heart literally ached. She waited for the tears, but they never came. The feeling inside her was almost indescribable. This emptiness, this void, wouldn't even allow her to cry. All it would allow her to feel was pain, and it just kept getting worse with each passing moment. "Is this what true despair feels like?" she asked the basket as if expecting a response. When she received no answer, she simply sighed and set the basket down on the nearby desk. With a glow of magic the dust that had settled on it dissipated.

She trotted towards the bathroom once again, though her body felt sluggish and unresponsive, wanting only to give in to the overwhelming emptiness within. She shook away the thoughts, 'Right now, I have a job to do.' She entered, and proceeded to prepare herself for the meeting with her friends, whom she had not spoken to in over six weeks.

Twilight felt her spirits lift as she trotted through Ponyville, if only a little. Ponies were surprised to suddenly she her out and about again, and were greeting her happily as they passed by. Even so, Twilight couldn't shake the feeling that something was... off. The patchiness of the clouds above seemed odd, and though as busy as always, the streets somehow seemed quieter. Less animated. She shrugged it off and managed a wave to Lyra and Bonbon as they passed by smiling. As she reached the street corner, Twilight could see both Sugarcube Corner and the Carousel Boutique, but didn't approach either. Despite whether or not it was practical, she had decided that she would visit Fluttershy first. The poor pegasus was Discord's only friend, and she deserved to know the truth the most.

As she approached the cottage, Twilight couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The plants in Fluttershy's garden were wilting, the gardens were filled with weeds, and the small stream that ran by her house was clogged with various water plants and refuse from further upstream. She reached the door, noticing an empty plate on the doorstep before knocking. Silence. Twilight raised her hoof again, knocking a little louder this time, just in case the pegasus didn't hear her. After getting the same lack of response, an unnerving thought occurred to her. She back-pedalled and looked to the windows. Though the curtains were closed, light clearly shone around them from the inside.

The lights were still on... The cottage was falling into disrepair... There was no indication of any movement inside...

Twilight panicked now, darting to the door and furiously pounding her forehooves against it. No response. She span and prepared to buck the door open, magic enveloping her hooves to ensure they did the job. A loud 'THUMP' from the other side of the door stopped her just in time. As she lowered her hooves and turned to face the door once again, she realised that this was all too familiar, except last time she had been the one on the inside. If Fluttershy's thoughts were anything like Twilight's own when she was in the same situation, then the simple 'THUMP' told her all she needed to know. It said, 'I'm still alive. Hurray. Thanks for reminding me. Now leave me alone.'

Twilight cringed as she remembered herself doing the same thing, and wondered just how bad it had made her friends feel. She drew a breath and spoke softly, just loud enough to be heard through the door, "Fluttershy? It's Twilight... Look, I know how you're feeling right now but... may I come in? It's important, I promise." Almost instantaneously the sound of locks turning could be heard. After a few painstakingly slow seconds the door eventually opened, revealing an unkempt Fluttershy within. Her mane was dirty and ungroomed, her eyes sunken and red. She looked pale, and thin, and when she spoke her voice was barely even a rasp,

"T-Twilight... I'm... s-sorry, I didn't... realise it w-was... you. Please... c-come in."

Twilight raised a hoof to her mouth and gasped audibly, "Fluttershy! What happened to you?"

The pegasus simply dipped her head and scrunched her eyes shut, "I'm sorry! I'm so p-pathetic... He was your b-brother... and you're s-still strong enough... to do things... I-I'm useless..." Twilight was horrified at the implications of the pegasus' simple words. She'd been locked up in her house since the incident, but she hadn't left, at all. Twilight stared wide-eyed, and prayed that her other friends were faring better as she spoke the only word she could form,

"Fluttershy..." before enveloping the pegasus in a comforting hug.

The first thing that struck Twilight as odd as she followed Fluttershy into the living room was how clean the place was, despite the state of the outside. Twilight couldn't help but wonder, 'Has she spent this whole time cleaning? But then what about cleaning herself? She looks terrible...' As the two sat down next to each other, an odd brushing sound came from the direction of the kitchen. Whilst Fluttershy didn't seem to notice, opting to stare at the floor instead, Twilight looked up to see Angel nudging a plate of salad across the floor with his nose. The sight struck her as adorable at first, but upon closer inspection she saw that the rabbit seemed only mildly interested in her presence, focused instead on the pegasus next to her.

As Angel stopped at Fluttershy's hooves he brushed his head against her to get her attention, tapping the plate rapidly and staring up at her with wide eyes when she turned to him. The pieces clicked in Twilight's head, 'So that's why... He's been looking after her all this time, even when the other animals have left.' A great deal of both pity and admiration filled Twilight. Angel had stayed with Fluttershy and taken care of her alone for nearly two months, but he was scared for her, genuinely scared, that much was clearly visible. Fluttershy simply smiled back at him weakly but shook her head, causing him to look around desperately before glancing up at Twilight. He began poking her and pointing between Fluttershy and the food, looking up at her apprehensively. She got the message. "Fluttershy, when was the last time you ate anything?"

The pegasus seemed puzzled for a moment before responding, "Uh... I think it was the day before y-yesterday. No, that can't be right... Maybe three days? Four days? I don't know, it could've even been a week..."

Twilight's own stomach gave a tremendous rumble as she looked at the food, 'I haven't eaten in three days and I'm starving! How can she seriously not be hungry after so long!?' she thought as she realised that Angel's concerns really were warranted. Twilight took a breath to compose herself and gather her thoughts, "Fluttershy, you need to eat something..."

Fluttershy looked at her with a sullen expression, "I'm not hungry, Twilight. I'm fine."

Twilight stared at her friend in disbelief, "You can't keep going on like this! You'll starve!"

Fluttershy returned a stare of her own, though it held no malice, only a calm acceptance of her fate, "Good. If I don't then all that will happen is that my closest friends will just keep disappearing one by one until they're all gone. It's my fault every time, and it's not fair to anypony else... Equestria would be a better place without me..."

Twilight was absolutely gob smacked, only finding her ability to form coherent sentences after several long minutes. When she finally collected herself, Twilight spoke softly, "Fluttershy, that's not true and you know it." Fluttershy looked as if she were about to contradict her, but Twilight gave her no such opportunity, "You're the Element of Kindness, Fluttershy. How would Equestria be better off without you? More importantly, you're my friend! How do you think me and the others would feel if we lost somepony else who is precious to us!?" Twilight calmed herself as she stared at the now tearful pegasus.

Fluttershy stared at her hooves, desperately trying to find some way to prove Twilight wrong.

Twilight thought back to why she was here in the first place, 'Now is probably the best time to tell her, maybe it'll bring her out of the mess she's in if she knows.' She rested a comforting hoof on her shoulder as Angel climbed up and nestled himself against her. "Besides, the whole reason I'm here is because we have the chance to bring one of your friends back."

That had the intended effect, Fluttershy swung around to face her in an instant, "W-What?" she asked in disbelief.

Twilight managed a smile and nodded, "It's true." She considered her position for a moment before continuing, "Relax, I'll tell you everything." the plate levitated from the floor up to them, "After, and only after, you eat something." Fluttershy began munching at the greens before she'd even finished the last word, and Twilight couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, 'This was all because she couldn't help her friends... But how will she react to -' Her train of thought was derailed as Angel nuzzled one of her legs affectionately to show his gratitude. She reached over to give him a pat, but he bolted out of the room and into the kitchen. He emerged a few moments later, only this time he was pushing another plate of salad across the room. Twilight thought it was intended for Fluttershy, but when it came to rest in front of her, in conjunction with Angel pointing at the salad and then her in quick succession she got the idea, "Thank you, Angel." She levitated her own plate and happily began devouring the meal. The two simply sat and ate in silence. Or at least, as close to silence as is possible when two half-starved ponies are wolfing down their first meal in days.

Fluttershy looked a lot better already. Some of the paleness had already faded from her, and her sunkenness had alleviated itself somewhat. She now sat patiently, waiting for Twilight to begin. The unicorn opened and closed her mouth several times before finding the right words to start, "In short, I've spent the majority of the week in Canterlot, and whilst I was there I visited Discord's statue. I noticed a crack in it, and magical energies were definitely leaking from it, as I prepared to leave and tell Celestia," she spat the name, causing Fluttershy to jump slightly, "Discord spoke to me."

Fluttershy positively glowed, "He's alright!?" she asked, leaning towards Twilight, who gave her a nod,

"Now before I go on, you have to promise me that this conversation will never leave this room, alright? No matter who asks, this talk never happened, okay?"

"Of course, Twilight. If it's that important to you, then I promise."

"Thank you. Discord told me he wants to speak to you when he can-"

The normally timid pegasus let out a 'squee' of delight, "Let's go now! I'll go and get ready! We can be there by-"

Twilight held up a hoof gently, "It's more complicated than that, we have to wait another four weeks."

Fluttershy was evidently upset, "W-Why?"

Twilight sighed in response, "To explain I'll have to tell you everything that's happened, but it's going to take a while," Fluttershy nodded politely, "I actually visited Discord - twice in fact - before he asked me to tell you this. He told me things about what happened in Ponyville..." Fluttershy cringed at the memory, "He also told me that Celestia lied to us when we sealed him. I even checked with the Princess, and it's true, she lied to every one of us."

Fluttershy's face began to darken slightly, "So... all this time he really was innocent!?"

"Yes, from what I have to go on, it was a complete accident."

Fluttershy was fuming now, "How... How dare she!?" The pegasus shook with both anger and the rapidly approaching tears, "She's our Princess, our friend! Why would she lie to us like that!?"

Twilight's tone was sombre, "It gets worse, Fluttershy. It gets much, much worse..."

Fluttershy blinked back her tears and looked at her as she tenuously asked the question, "H-How? What do you mean?"

Twilight sighed and closed her eyes, "You know that when Calamity returned Luna used an aging spell on Spike, right?" Fluttershy seemed confused by the answer but gave a polite hum in response, "In short, Celestia told Luna to cast that spell, without telling her of what would happen as a result." Fluttershy just waited expectantly as Twilight paused to ensure that she wouldn't let her emotions get the better of her, "That result being that, if Spike had actually survived the battle, he would've died a slow and even more agonising death than he did when the spell faded."

Fluttershy was at a loss for words, she had shrunk down on the sofa, tears welling from her eyes silently at the revelation. She tried to speak, but all that escaped was a strangled cry. She hardly even seemed to notice when Angel hopped up to her muzzle and began patting it reassuringly. Twilight simply sat and closed her eyes, knowing that the sight of her friend now would only cause her to cry once more. Fluttershy didn't move from her position, and she was still crying when she finally spoke, "I-I'm sorry, Twilight. I should've been there for you, not locked away in here focused on my own troubles... Princess Celestia, she's your mentor! I can't even begin to imagine how you must have felt when you found out. How did you even cope?"

Twilight opened her eyes and gazed sadly at her friend as she remembered the incident, "I... I didn't. I was - still am - so angry, I bolted to the throne room, fully intending to kill her for what she did." noting Fluttershy's eyes widening she justified herself, "She betrayed us, Fluttershy. All of us. She sent Spike to die for her. Ponyville wouldn't even have been in danger if she had taken the time to actually protect us in the first place!" Fluttershy simply stared at her, but her expression held no hostility, so Twilight continued, "I attacked her, and in my rage I was able to conjure the chaos magic again. But even when I threw everything I had at her, she still nearly killed me; by accident! Eventually Luna arrived and subdued me, but even when my anger subsided I still hated Celestia, I still wanted her dead. I was placed under house arrest, and when I was released I sought out the only one who could possibly make my wish a reality."

"D-Discord?" Fluttershy asked uncertainly,

"Yes. But it turns out it's basically impossible to kill her, even for Discord. So we made a deal." Fluttershy was both intrigued and terrified by what her friend was telling her. She still couldn't believe everything Twilight had said, it seemed so surreal, so impossible. But then again, so had the events of that fateful day when her friend, and so many others had their lives snuffed out. "I'm going to help him escape from his prison in one month. In return, he's going to show me how to hurt Celestia as much as possible. I'm going to turn her life into a living hell, just like mine is because of what she's done. Or at least that's the plan anyway."

Fluttershy managed to suppress her shock momentarily, "W-What do you plan on doing once he's escaped?"

Twilight looked puzzled for a moment then shrugged, "I'm not sure. By that point we'll probably have Celestia hunting us down. We'll have to go into hiding for a while I guess."

Fluttershy's face suddenly became determined, "Count me in."

Both Twilight and Angel stared at her in confusion, "What? Fluttershy did you just hear me properly?"

"Yes. I won't let you suffer alone any more, and there's no way I'm letting Princess Celestia get anywhere near either of you after what she's done!" Fluttershy raised herself up from the couch slightly in an almost defensive pose. Twilight giggled inwardly, she had no idea how the pegasus would actually go about keeping the Princess at bay, but it was good to know that her friend still stood by her, despite everything she'd just told her. Better yet, this moved the plan along nicely, so she wasn't about to protest.

She smiled and placed a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder, "Thank you, Fluttershy. You truly are the best friend anypony could ever ask for. But seriously, this is your choice, I'm not going to force you to come with us. It'll be dangerous, and things will never go back to the same as they were before if you do. It's entirely up to you, you're still my friend no matter what decision you make."

Fluttershy returned the smile, and Twilight noticed a confidence in it that was rarely seen in the timid pegasus, "I won't let you do this alone. I'll stand by my friends, for better or worse. I'm in."

After holding her stare for several seconds Twilight affirmed that she was serious and nodded slowly, "Alright, if you're absolutely certain. Think things over though, you have a whole month to decide and I'd never forgive myself if you made your decision because you felt pressured into it. Fluttershy nodded, deep in thought as she mulled over everything she had been told. Twilight stood up and sighed, "I'd better be going, I still have to talk to the others. This conversation never happened, remember?"

Fluttershy managed an abashed smile, "What conversation?" Twilight looked stunned for a moment before realising what the pegasus meant and smiled herself.

She turned her head to the room's third occupant, "Take good care of her, okay Angel?" The rabbit saluted in response as Twilight made her own way out. As the door clicked shut Angel's expression became as concerned as a rabbit can manage as he looked up at his owner with wide eyes. Fluttershy noticed it immediately, picking up on why just as quickly. She would be leaving in only a months time. Leaving everything behind, including...

"Angel, I'm so sorry..."

Twilight trotted back into the centre of Ponyville. Once again both the Carousel Boutique and Sugarcube Corner were in sight. She opted to visit the former first, considering it was closer. As she approached the door to the establishment she could clearly make out the "Sorry, we're closed!" sign. Nevertheless she proceeded to approach, confident that Rarity would let her in outside of business hours, considering this was her house as well as her store. Twilight raised her hoof to knock but was interrupted by a small voice beside her, "Don't bother, nopony's home."

Twilight turned to see Sweetie Belle looking up at her tiredly, "Oh, um, hey Sweetie Belle. Do you know where your sister is?"

The filly sighed and waved a hoof sadly, "She's at the memorial again. She's been spending more and more time there every day. I hardly even see her anymore..."

Twilight sighed. 'Of course she'd be there... It's where I should've been all this time instead of being so selfish...' "Thanks..." She looked back at the filly who had just sat herself dejectedly on a nearby bench, "Um, Sweetie, shouldn't you be out playing with your friends or finding your talents or something?"

The unicorn crusader shook her head and stared at her hooves, "Applebloom's been working on her farm all the time since what happened to Applejack, and Scootaloo's been out searching for Rainbow Dash every day..."

Twilight was more than a little unsettled by this, "What happened to them? Are they alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Well, they're not hurt, at least. Applebloom said something about her sister not being 'productive' enough or something, and Rainbow Dash, well... We've seen her around when she's working, but other than that nopony's been able to find her, and when she is working she's in a really, really bad mood and doesn't even talk to anypony..."

Twilight drew her mouth into a tight smile, "Alright. Thanks again, Sweetie Belle. I'll see what I can do, okay?" The younger unicorn nodded sadly and murmured something about 'everypony changing' before trotting off towards the market place. Twilight watched her go and shook her head, "Even their sisters... This really is bad." She turned and trotted towards Sugarcube Corner, cursing herself for not asking about Pinkie's situation before Sweetie left. She hoped against hope that her friend would be fine, remembering how strange she had acted - even by Pinkie standards - right before they... buried Spike. The memory still stung, and the emptiness from earlier returned in earnest.

Twilight approached the counter and the welcoming smile of Mrs Cake. "Twilight! It's been far too long! What can I get for you today?"

The unicorn managed to smile back, but only barely, the emptiness within her was taking longer to subside this time. "Hello, Mrs Cake. Actually I'm here to see Pinkie, it's really important. Is she in?"

The smile that Mrs Cake had been wearing suddenly faltered, "Uhm, yes, she's in, but..." she looked down at the counter, "I know this wouldn't usually be a problem, but she's... working... so she can't..." she trailed off.

Twilight regarded her quizzically, "Is something wrong, Mrs Cake?"

After a hefty pause she nodded and lifted her head to fix her worried eyes on Twilight. The unicorn couldn't help herself from feeling more than a little agitated, despite how cruel it sounded, 'Great, just great! Nothing's ever simple, is it?'

The older mare called into the back of the shop, "I'm heading out for a moment, I won't be long!" then turned to Twilight and led her to one of the quiet tables in the corner. They sat, and Mrs Cake proceeded to speak in a hushed tone, "It's Pinkie. She's not been herself ever since the..." She gazed up at Twilight apologetically, "The... Oh, Twilight, I'm so sorry..."

Twilight just sighed sadly in response. It still hurt, but it was important that she found out what was wrong as soon as possible, "It's alright, I'll make things right again... eventually." She had to fight the urge to scowl as she considered exactly how she was going to go about doing just that, "And I know what you mean, but thank you for being so considerate regardless, Mrs Cake." The older mare still held her sympathetic look, but said nothing. "So, what's happened to Pinkie anyway?"

Mrs Cake glanced towards the counter, registering that nopony was there before speaking in her hushed tone once again, "It's when she's working, Twilight. Ever since that day she's been totally engrossed in her work. At first we thought it was normal that she'd lose her flair for a while, considering what happened, but instead of improving and getting out more she started working overtime, and soon afterwards she started coming in on her own free time too. Not that it was bad for business or anything, we have more cupcakes than we know what to do with, but I'd rather just have the old Pinkie back... She acts differently now too, both inside the kitchen and out. Since that day she's simply being going into the kitchen and working in silence, hardly even speaking unless it's about the work, and you know how difficult the Pinkie we know would find that..."

Twilight nodded solemnly, "She's also becoming more and more withdrawn. At first she still made attempts at spreading her cheer throughout Ponyville when she wasn't working, but her heart wasn't in it, we all could tell. I think she could too. As she began working more, she did this less and less. She hasn't made any attempt to do so at all since around two weeks ago. She wakes up, works for as long as we let her before Carrot and I tell her she has to stop for her own well-being, then goes back to her room. The only time we ever see her outside of that is when she's getting something to eat. I don't know what's going on with her, Twilight. Me and Carrot have tried everything, but between this and taking care of the foals we're getting too tired. I'm scared that we'll lose the old Pinkie if we don't do something soon, Twilight. I just don't know what to do..."

Twilight put a hoof on one of Mrs Cake's and looked up into her worried eyes, "I think I do. Will you let me see her, Mrs Cake?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "Of course, Twilight, I just thought you should know. Please, bring Pinkie back to us."

Twilight gave her a determined look, "I'll do my best, Mrs Cake... Mrs Cake?" Twilight traced her gaze to the counter where Pinkie was now placing a new variety of treats out on display. Her mane was long and straight, and her features somehow seemed sharper compared to how Twilight remembered her. As Pinkie finished, she looked out towards the doorway with a passive expression, then gazed through the window beside her momentarily before turning back into the kitchen. Twilight gave Mrs Cake's hoof a gentle tap, snapping her attention back to their conversation.

"I-I'm scared, Twilight. Something about her now, it just scares me and I don't know why..."

Twilight fixed her with an even more determined look than before, "I'll fix this, Mrs Cake, don't worry."

"Thank you, Twilight." The unicorn rose and trotted slowly - hesitantly - towards the kitchen.

"Pinkie?" The earth pony continued her work without so much as a single hiccup, seemingly oblivious to her friend's voice. Twilight took a step forwards, Pinkie still had her back turned to her but she continued regardless, "Pinkie. I have an important message for you." Twilight leaned her head around the door frame to ensure that nopony else was in earshot. Upon confirming that this was the case she closed the door and decided to go for broke, "It's from Discord." Twilight had hoped that the shock value that the words carried would have stunned Pinkie into registering her. Instead, they had a different, and completely unexpected effect, in that they didn't have one. The pink pony didn't even twitch as she continued stirring some cupcake mixture in the same steady rhythm she'd been using for the past minute. Twilight felt her eye twitch slightly at Pinkie's apparent mastery of the art of 'not giving a fuck'.

She tried to think of something, anything, she could do that she was sure the Cake's hadn't already tried. She came up blank. The Cakes were practically Pinkie's surrogate parents in Ponyville, after all. There was only one thing that she could be sure they hadn't said. She hesitated for a moment, considering her options before resigning herself to it, 'This is the only thing I can try. It's do or die, I guess...' She trotted until she was almost side-by-side with her friend, then spoke softly, "Pinkie. Discord said that he has a cure, for the both of you." Pinkie suddenly froze, the only movement in the room was the wooden spoon that Pinkie had released knocking against the glass bowl. The sound it created permeated the silence like thunder.

"... What?" Pinkie hissed.

Twilight had to fight to stop herself from jumping around in delight at her progress. Completely ignorant of the malicious undertones in Pinkie's voice, she simply repeated herself happily, "Discord said he has a cure for the both of you!"

Just about all the joy she felt about making progress left her just as quickly as the air from her lungs as she received a ridiculously powerful hoof to the stomach, causing her to collapse in a heap on the floor. She looked up at Pinkie through bleary eyes as tears blurred her vision. Before she could say anything, however, Pinkie was atop her, pressing her forehooves against her neck. Twilight blinked several times before the tears left her eyes, allowing her to gaze up at her friend once more.

Pinkie was visibly shaking, tears welling in her own eyes as she spat the question as loudly as she dared without attracting attention from elsewhere, "WHAT DID HE TELL YOU!?" Twilight felt pressure begin to build against her throat as she gazed up at Pinkie's murderous expression. Had she not been panicking so much, she might have thought to simply levitate Pinkie off of her, but as it stood she was absolutely terrified, never mind in excruciating pain from the unexpected blow she had received moments beforehand. She felt more pressure build and began to find it difficult to breathe. "WHAT DID HE TELL YOU!? TELL ME NOW, TWILIGHT! TELL. ME. NOW!" Twilight's eyes went wide as she realised that Pinkie truly intended to throttle her if she didn't get an answer.

Spluttering as she did so, Twilight forced out a response against the flow of air that was desperate to reach her lungs, "H-He di-dn't - tell me - any-thing. - I'm j-just - a - mess-enger. - I don't - know wh-at you're talk-ing - ab-out - P-Pin-kie." After a few more seconds, just as Twilight's vision began to tunnel, Pinkie rolled herself off her friend and sat against a counter. Twilight coughed violently, gasping lungfuls of precious air as she grasped her throat and curled herself into a ball to alleviate some of the pain in her stomach. The two simply stayed in their respective positions, each collecting themselves, until Twilight managed to prop herself up against the counter opposite Pinkie. They both to stared at each other, though Twilight was obviously still terrified.

Pinkie was the first to speak, her voice meek and broken, "Twilight... I'm so, so sorry... I don't... I didn't..." she trailed off as a few tears fell across her muzzle.

Twilight, although obviously still on edge, managed a curt nod, "It's alright, I guess. There's no permanent damage, at least." She paused to let out another hacking cough, "Now that that's out of the way, do you mind telling me what the fuck that just was!?"

Pinkie - still crying - hung her head low but looked up at her, "I'm s-sorry, T-Twilight. I c-can't tell y-you... T-That's why I g-got so m-mad when you s-said that... I thought h-he'd t-told you my s-secret... I'm so, s-so, so s-sorry!"

Twilight, despite her reservations and - relatively minor - injuries, crawled over to her friend and draped a foreleg around her neck, putting her back against the same counter as Pinkie. "It's okay, Pinkie, it's okay. Can we just put the entire thing behind us, I do seriously need to tell you something, and then we need to talk." Pinkie nodded, unable to form words through her choking sobs. "I won't ask what it means, but Discord said that he has a cure, for the both of you, I'm guessing you understand what that means?"

She wiped away her tears, "Y-Yes, I think so. What were y-you doing talking to D-Discord anyways!?"

Twilight sighed, "It's a long story. I'll tell you soon. Until then, nopony, and I mean NOPONY, can know. Understand?"

Twilight swore she saw Pinkie's mane inflate just a tad as she spoke, "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." with all the accompanying gestures.

"Good. Now then, if you know what it means then that leads us on to what we need to talk about. I'm going to Canterlot at the end of the month. That's when Discord said we should return to him, so you have a decision to make. Are you considering taking him up on his offer?"

Pinkie seemed deep in thought, "It's Discord, can I really trust anything he says?"

"Trust me, Pinkie, you can. When I tell you exactly why I was talking to him, you'll have no doubts, believe me."

Pinkie just stared at her blankly for a couple of seconds, followed by an, "Okie, dokie, lokie!"

"So, are you considering it?"

Pinkie jumped up, causing Twilight to flinch slightly. When the unicorn looked up Pinkie's mane was once again poofy, and her usual glow seemed to have returned, "Considering it? I'm done considering it! Heck yeah I'll take it! If he really does have one then I'll host the bestest 'Discord made me better' party EVER! I've wanted this since FOREVER!" She seemingly teleported to Twilight, appearing out of nowhere to embrace the unicorn in a crushing hug before speaking, "Gotta' go, thanks a bunch, Twilight!" Then she was gone. From the front of the bakery she heard Pinkie scream something about 'Taking a well-deserved break!' accompanied by a rush of wind that still found it's way to Twilight in the kitchen as Pinkie bolted out the door.

As she stepped back out into the front of the shop Twilight was met with the tearful eyes of Mrs Cake. She wondered what was wrong as the baker wrapped her up in a hug of her own, "Thank you so much Twilight! If you ever need anything, you only have to ask." She said, releasing the unicorn. Only then did Twilight realise that they were tears of happiness, not sorrow.

Twilight simply shook her head, "Don't worry about it, I'm just happy I could help." She turned to the door, "Sorry, Mrs Cake, I'd stick around but I'm really busy today, and sorry about Pinkie too. I didn't expect her to just bolt like that..."

Mrs Cake just looked over at the entrance and shrugged bemusedly, "Don't worry about it, it's not exactly your fault. Besides, she's probably earned the next year off with all the work she's put in... Now then, you said you're busy, I won't keep you." she said with a smile.

Twilight nodded in response and exited. She turned to face her next destination and set off, ticking off another box from her mental check-list, 'Two down, three to go. Not bad for one day...'

The barn could be seen up ahead as Twilight stepped onto the dirt track. Glancing around, she noticed that there were far more apples on the trees than she was used to, and briefly wondered why before remembering what Sweetie Belle had said earlier, 'Applebloom said something about her sister not being 'productive' enough or something.' Still, she was puzzled. She had heard tales of Big Mac's almost superpony strength and stamina, and had seen how hard Applejack had needed to work when he was injured just to fulfil his workload on top of her own. She was sure he of all ponies would've been able to keep up with the work in her absence. Twilight began scanning for anypony nearby, but came up empty.

She continued towards the barn door and was about to knock before she heard the distinct 'CLOP' of hooves connecting with a tree somewhere over to her left. Actually, it was more of two 'CLOP's in quick succession. It wasn't overtly obvious, but it was clear if one paid attention that the hooves weren't working in synch. Twilight lowered her hoof and trotted over to the left, peeking her head around the corner of the barn when she reached it.

Applejack stood with her rearhooves still pressed against the tree, staring pensively at the ground beneath her. Twilight watched as she reset her stance and gave another half-hearted attempt at bucking the tree. Once again her hooves connected at marginally separate intervals, causing the tree to shake without relinquishing its fruit. Her face fell from pensive to downright sad, and Twilight felt awkward watching her. She didn't want to intrude into her friend's privacy, but her heart ached as she saw the defeated expression the farmer held.

So when said farmer suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs Twilight almost jumped out of her skin. "T'AIN'T FAIR!" Applejack's visage was one of unbridled fury as she threw all technique out the window and bucked the tree repeatedly as hard as she could, "AH CAN'T DO NOTHIN' RIGHT! AH CAN'T EVEN HELP MY FRIENDS! AN' THERE AIN'T NOPONY TO BLAME BUT MYSELF! AH'M ABSOLUTELY USELESS!" Twilight could only stare sadly as her friend released a furious barrage of kicks into the bark of the unfortunate tree. Once she withdrew her hooves the bark looked as if it had been half-devoured by a horde of parasprites. To add insult to injury, not a single apple had fallen from the tree in the process.

Applejack registered this as she turned to the tree and placed a forehoof against the area she had just bucked to the moon and back. Twilight felt her stomach lurch, causing the pain from Pinkie's - surprisingly powerful - blow from earlier to resurface momentarily as the apple farmer let out a strangled cry and spun to sit against the tree, burying her head in her hooves as she wept. Twilight couldn't stand it any more. Regardless of the state Applejack was in, and the blow Twilight seeing her in such a state would undoubtedly deal to her pride, she couldn't just stand by and let her friend suffer like this any longer.

Applejack raised her head at the sound of hoofsteps approaching, quickly wiping away the tears and pushing up the brim of her stetson before looking up at the new arrival. "T-Twilight?"

Twilight stopped in front of her friend, "Applejack? What's the matter?"

"Ain't nothin' the matter, Ah'm fine." she huffed as she stared up at the unicorn.

Twilight let out an exasperated sigh as she stared at Applejacks 'liar face', "Applejack, has anypony ever told you that you're a terrible liar?"

"Ah ain't lyin', Ah was just restin'!"

Twilight facehoofed as Applejack's 'liar face' kicked into overdrive, "Look, Applejack. I've had a particularly bad week. Even since returning to Ponyville I've already had to move Spike's favourite belongings, dissuade Fluttershy from suicide and been assaulted by Pinkie Pie. I do not need the Element of Honesty lying to me, alright?"

Applejack's eyes widened at the news, but her curiosity got the better of her, "Returning here? Where'd ya go?"

"Canterlot, I'll tell you later. Right now I need you to tell me what's wrong, Applejack." She sat next to her friend and waited patiently.

Applejack sighed deeply, "Ah'm useless Twi'. Ever since this mess started all Ah've been doin' is worryin' about y'all back in Ponyville. Everypony's changed..."

Twilight nodded, "I've heard, but do you know the specifics?"

"Yeah... Fluttershy did what you did and locked herself inside. Ah tried a few times to get both of ya out, but ya both did the exact same 'bash the door' thing. Kinda' creepy, come to think of it. Rarity's been ignorin' her job and spendin' hours at a time at ya brother's grave, just starin' at it, an' Pinkie's been workin' so much nopony's even seen her outta' the bakery in the last two weeks. An' Rainbow Dash?" Applejack's face fell further, "Ah'm not exactly sure if what Ah've been told is true, but word is that she's been drinkin'. A lot. Showin' up to work an' not even been able to fly straight, apparently. What Ah do know is true is that after work she's been dissappearin' as she pleases an' nopony knows where she goes..."

Twilight nodded as she took all of this in, "And you?"

"Me?"

"Yes, Applejack, you. It's pretty obvious after what I just saw that this has been affecting you too."

Applejack stared at the earth beneath her, "Ah can't work, Twi', Ah just can't. Every time Ah try all Ah see in my head is y'all sufferin', and how Ah should be out there tryin'a help y'all instead of buckin' apples. But Ah tried, Twilight! Ah tried so hard! You, Fluttershy and Rarity barely acknowledged me, Pinkie flat out ignored me, and Ah can't even find Rainbow Dash! What could Ah 'ave done!?" She paused for a moment, then scowled, "Ah could've tried harder is what Ah could've done! But nu'uh! Ah gave up! Ah quit! Ah quit on my friends, Twilight! Ah'm a quitter, and Ah'm a terrible friend!" Applejack was trembling now as she recalled what Twilight had said earlier, "Pinkie attacked ya, and Fluttershy... suicide!? Ah couldn't help Spike, Ah couldn't help Fluttershy, Ah couldn't help Pinkie, Ah couldn't help Rarity, Ah couldn't hel-"

Twilight's tone was worried but firm, "Applejack!" The farmer stopped, but she was still shaking uncontrollably, the huge amount of stress she was dealing with finally showing through, "Listen, it's going to be alright. We can still help our friends, but you have be strong, okay?" she said as she placed her forehooves on Applejack's shoulders. Applejack gulped and nodded slowly, "Good. I need you to calm down and relax before we can help them though."

After a few seconds the earth pony reclined against the tree and closed her eyes. Slowly, but surely, her trembling subsided. "Listen, Applejack. You can stop worrying about the others, I'm taking care of it, everything's going to be fine. I talked to Fluttershy this morning, and with the help of Angel she's on the mend. As for Pinkie, we talked... Well, first she attacked me, then we talked, but everything's fine now. From what I could tell she's back to her 'normal' self again."

Applejack had opened her eyes and was staring at her with both admiration and sorrow, tears brimming in her eyes once again, "Y-Ya did somethin' in one mornin' that Ah couldn't do in a month..."

"That's because you still have your responsibilities here stopping you from helping, and because it was a mission..." she paused slightly as she changed the name 'Discord' to 'Celestia', "From Princess Celestia." It took every fibre of her being to speak the name casually instead of hissing it, and using her oh-so-perfect title didn't help.

Applejack looked up at her quizzically, "So she knows?"

Twilight quickly formulated a response, then began turning the situation to her advantage, "Yes, she realised none of us were willing to ask for help, so she called me to Canterlot earlier this week. After giving me the new purpose I needed she told me that it was my mission to ensure that you were all safe and returning to your normal selves. Of course, I was happy to accept, I wanted to help you all anyway, the mission just put even more power behind my drive to do so."

Applejack slowly nodded, "So you're goin' to find Rainbow Dash an' Rarity an' make things okay again?"

Twilight smiled, "Exactly."

The farmer stood and looked down at her friend, "Then let's go, no use waitin' around here all day!"

Twilight stood and put a forehoof against Applejacks shoulder as she shook her head, "No, Applejack. You need to stay here, at least until your family isn't so behind with their work. Then you can help, alright?"

"But Twilight! Ah-"

"No. Your family comes first Applejack. You need to start working again, they're tired, and you owe them that much."

"That's exactly the point! How can Ah work if Ah know that two of my friends still need help?"

Twilight stared deeply into Applejack's eyes, "Applejack, do you trust me?"

The farmer's face became deadly serious, "You know Ah do, with my life."

"Then trust me to take care of this. I promise you, I'll fix things. If it takes a while then you can come and help. If, and only if, you're back on schedule, okay?"

Applejack looked as if she would press her point further but sighed resignedly, "Ah trust your judgement, Twi'. Ah'll get off my flank an' stop worryin about the others 'till the work's done."

Twilight smiled and gestured towards the damaged tree, "Prove it."

Applejack trotted over to the tree and span around, positioning herself for the kick. As she leaned onto her forehooves visions of her friends suffering clouded her thoughts momentarily, then Twilight's voice reverberated through her mind, "I promise you, I'll fix things, trust me." Clarity returned to her thoughts as she reared up her hindlegs and delivered a sturdy buck into the tree. She span expectantly, only for her heart to sink as the tree stopped shaking without a single apple dropping off.

Just as she hung her head in defeat the distinct sound of apples falling into barrels could be heard all around her. She looked up at the tree - now bare of it's fruit - then down at the barrels, which were filled with apples, then back at the tree again. After repeating this process several times she released a mirthful laugh, "Ah did it! Ah finally did it!"

Twilight appeared next to her friend and draped a forehoof around her neck, "I knew you could do it!"

After a few moments Applejack spoke, "Thanks, Twilight, for everythin'."

The unicorn retracted her foreleg, "Don't mention it. You're my friend, and friends look out for each other. But right now, let me look out for our friends, you need to look out for your family." Applejack gave an affirmative grunt and Twilight looked up at the sky, "It'll be getting dark in a few hours, I'd better go." Applejack nodded and stepped back as the mare vanished in a flash of purple and white. She turned to the wounded tree behind her and gave it an apologetic pat before pinpointing the closest tree that bore fruit. She pulled the brim of her hat down slightly and smiled confidently, finally ready to work.

Twilight materialised about halfway between Sweet Apple Acres and Spike's grave. She considered teleporting the rest of the way, but decided against it, the walk would help her clear her head before she visited her brother in his final resting place once again. As she approached she noticed the tall - but undeniably majestic - wrought iron fence that surrounded the area, as well as the pair of royal guards that stood unmoving at the gate, standing watch against potential vandals or looters; though neither were common in Ponyville. Twilight only now recalled that Spike had received a Lordship after his death, 'A world of good that does him, Celestia, you deceitful bitch.'

She approached the gates and realised that the enclosure was actually rather small, but then remembered that, although the other guards that had died had their collective memorial service here, they were all buried elsewhere. The enclosure was the residence of Spike alone. Twilight approached the open gates and stepped hesitantly, expecting to be halted by the guards posted there. Though she passed by without incident, and despite the guards not moving a muscle, she could've sworn she felt coldness and animosity radiating from them as she stepped through the threshold. 'It's impossible to tell, but they probably know what happened in the castle... Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.' She shook away the thoughts, it didn't matter anyway.

She proceeded along the path, and noticed a single lonely figure at the base of Spike's statue, staring down at the earth below. Twilight steadily closed the distance, trying to make out the figure, though she knew who it probably was anyway. She noticed that the gem that acted as the literal heart of the statue was still glowing with the same beautiful spectrum as it did that day almost two months ago. The figure's cutie mark came into focus, and all doubts that Twilight had about who the pony was faded immediately. She trotted until she came to a stop beside her, and mimicked her friend, staring down at the earth before her solemnly. Tears trickled down the cheeks of both, but neither made a sound as they paid their respects. Several dozen minutes later Twilight sighed raggedly, remembering why she was there, "R-Rarity?"

The unicorn in question didn't answer until almost a minute had passed, "Yes, darling?" Neither had removed their gaze from the grave.

Twilight paused for a moment before speaking, "There's something important we need to talk about..."

Rarity sighed, "I know what you're going to say, Twilight. The only reason I'm even speaking is because you have a far greater right to be here than I do. You want what the others want for me, don't you?"

Both were still staring at the grave, "And what would that be?"

Rarity's tone wasn't mocking, just upset, "Rarity, you need to forget about this and move on, what's done is done. Rarity, you need to come back to the shop, you're losing customers and you can hardly pay your bills. Rarity, your sister misses you when you're gone for so long, she needs her big sister to be there for her, especially after everything that happened..." she trailed off.

Twilight spoke up in the same flat tone that they were both utilising now, "No, Rarity. I'm not like the others, because I understand what you're going through more than they do. We cared for him. We protected him. We loved him. But in the end, it wasn't enough, we were too weak to save him when he needed us the most, and we'll have to carry that burden for the rest of our lives."

"But if you feel the same way I do, then why did you come looking for me? Surely you know that my feelings won't just change."

"I don't expect them to Rarity. Mine haven't either. I've been thinking of what happened that day, how things were before, and what's happened since, every single day. I don't think there's anything wrong with dwelling on the past, we both find comfort in it, and it's teaching us to learn from our mistakes." Rarity nodded, "But we can't solely dwell on the past, we need a future too. We need new things to care for, to protect, to love. That doesn't mean we've forgotten about what once was, it just means we're ready to accept things for what they are and continue on. We'll never stop looking back, and that's good, but we have to look forwards too, no matter how hard it is." Twilight gestured to the plaque at the base of the statue, 'Here lies Lord Spike, defender of justice and harmony. May we draw strength from his valiant sacrifice, even when our hearts are heavy and hollow with despair. With his guidance we will find the light once again.' The two unicorns read it in silence before Twilight spoke again, "We have to find that light, Rarity. What about your sister? Do you not care for her? Do you not want to protect her? Do you not love her?"

Rarity turned to Twilight for the first time, looking slightly taken aback, "Of course I do!"

Twilight looked up at her in return, "Then show it. You're spending too much time in the past Rarity. I know it isn't easy, hell, I spent a month locked away in the library, and that just shows how much stronger than me you are, if-"

Rarity cut her off immediately, "Don't you even dare say that, Twilight. He was your brother, you had every right to do what you did. If I lost Sweetie Belle I don't know if I could ever have the strength to say what you've said today. You're the stronger one, Twilight, and maybe you're right, I can't do any of those things for Sweetie Belle while I'm here..."

Twilight nuzzled her friend gently, "I know it's going to take a while, but just try spending a little less time here each day, okay?"

Rarity nodded in response, "I'll do my best, Twilight. Would it be alright for me to ask a favour of you though?"

Twilight smiled, "Of course, Rarity. Anything."

"Will you come with me until I'm strong enough to do it on my own? I know I won't leave early enough if I come by myself, and only you really understand how I feel." Rarity seemed almost ashamed but scared as she asked the question, her expression resembling one of a foal asking to sleep with her parents as a thunderstorm raged outside.

Twilight locked eyes with Rarity, "You have my word, Rarity. Besides, I need to get some visiting done anyways..." she glanced down at the grave sadly for a moment.

They both stood in silence until Rarity glanced over at the sun preparing to set on the horizon, "We'd better get going soon, darling. They'll be locking up soon, and I need to find Sweetie Belle and apologise." Twilight nodded and the two trotted along in comfortable silence all the way back into Ponyville. As they neared the Boutique they spotted Sweetie Belle, and Twilight quickly wished Rarity goodnight before leaving so as to allow them some privacy.

Twilight smiled softly to herself as she trotted back towards the library, 'It's going to take a while, but I think Rarity will be alright. Now there's just Rainbow Dash...' Just as she was about to turn off from the row of houses she was trotting by, Twilight heard the crash of tumbling garbage cans in an alley to the left, followed by a familiar groan. Twilight cantered into the alleyway to see Rainbow Dash splayed across one of the bins, trying to stand up. Twilight neared the pegasus, intending to lend her a helping hoof, but instead recoiled at the disgusting stench of stale vomit and alcohol drifting on the wind around her. Whilst she was coughing and fighting the urge to vomit herself, Rainbow regained her uneasy balance and approached the unicorn. When Twilight looked up she was almost muzzle to muzzle with the pegasus, "R-Rainbow Dash!? W-What happened to you!? Look what you've done to yourself!"

As it turned out, Rainbow Dash wasn't particularly in the mood to be lectured, as evidenced when she slapped the unicorn across the face with a shaky hoof, causing Twilight to tumble backwards in shock and pain, "Yeah? Fuck you too, Twilight. Think you're so... int... intel... smart! Fuckin' egghead!" Before either of them could say anything else Rainbow took off, flying surprisingly well towards the outskirts of Ponyville, though Twilight was sure she didn't usually fly in a zig-zag.

Still shocked by what had just happened, she shook her head and trotted home, rubbing the sore red mark on her face, 'I'll deal with her tommorrow...' she thought solemnly. She had considered Rainbow Dash to be a little arrogant at times, - such as the time when she and her friends had been forced to pose as 'The Mysterious Maredowell' - but never anything this extreme. A shudder went through her as she imagined what the effects of alcohol abuse would be on her other friends: Applejack, Rarity, even Fluttershy would probably act more than a little out of character. A sudden afterthought disturbed her greatly, and she hastily acted upon it, 'Note to self: Pinkie is to be kept sober until forever.'

Twilight opened the door to the library and ducked as Owlowiscious swooped in over her and landed on his perch. Twilight cursed herself as she realised that she'd completely forgotten about the poor creature, she hadn't even looked for him since she'd arrived back, nor had she asked anypony to look after him while she was in Canterlot. Fortunately he was looking healthy enough, and Twilight sighed in relief after checking him over, glad that he was smart enough to look after himself for the most part. She fed him before making her way upstairs. Once in her room, she found herself staring at Spike's basket once again, more memories flashing by. Remembering her promise to Rarity, she tutted, "I'll have to visit you on my own too, there's a lot I have to tell you..." Feeling the dark thoughts creeping up on her once more along with the emptiness returning, Twilight quickly diverted her train of thought as she rolled into bed. She felt sleep slowly tempting her and once again offered up a quick thanks to Luna before drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

Luna was hunched over the bin she held in her hooves, sure that the churning contents of her stomach would be better off inside it than her. She was sweating profusely, and her breaths were deep and ragged. Tears beaded in her eyes as she tried to shake away the images that haunted the edges of her vision. 'Oh, Twilight...' was all she could think as she tried to forget what the back-to-back nightmares had held. Burning. Tearing. Shredding. Breaking. Crushing. Slicing. Drowning. Maiming. And blood, so much blood. Luna didn't know why she found these aspects so terrifying, she had witnessed almost every single one during the chaos wars, and yet, this dream - this nightmare - seemed more horrifying than reality. She didn't know what it was. Maybe it was her inability, even as the Princess of the Night and Dreams, to move, or speak, or do anything. Maybe it was how little Spike's screams wouldn't stop, even after he was surely dead. Or perhaps it was that all that blood, the blood of an innocent, the blood of a child, was, quite literally, on Celestia's hooves. Her sister's hooves.

Luna vomited violently. When she was finished, she still felt sick, but a lot better than she had done before. Shivering, she thought sadly, 'Twilight... There must be a way to make these stop.' She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing, only to be met with more recollections. Choking. Beating. Hacking. Biting. Stabbing. Grating. Twisting. Peeling. The nausea returned full-force, causing Luna to empty what little contents her stomach had retained, and then some, into the bin. She stood shakily and trotted out onto the balcony for some fresh air. Once she emerged, the unmistakable form of her sister turned to face her.

Celestia smiled softly, the same sweet, comforting, innocent smile that she wore in the dreams, even as she committed those atrocities, "Luna, are you alright?" Luna yelped and took a step back, tears beading in her eyes once again. Celestia's smile quickly faltered and she darted to her sister, "Luna? What happened?"

Luna looked up at Celestia before burying her muzzle in her sister's mane, the tears becoming too great in number to suppress, "I-It's T-Twilight's d-dreams, Celestia! T-They're, h-horrifying! Y-You're smiling in them, b-but you d-do awful things! You... Y-You..." Celestia looked off into the distance with a heavy heart at her sister's words as Luna lost her ability to form coherent sentences and resorted to simply sobbing even more deeply into her sister's mane. But as she clenched her eyes shut, the images simply came back. Ripping. Sawing. Screaming. Crying. Smiling. Blood. Blood. Blood...

Author's Notes:

Hey guys. Took in some feedback and finally cut out some of the references that didn't really fit in the earlier chapters. Also, you've probably noticed that I've changed the speech and paragraphing style after feedback I received from DemonWilde52 (who's constructive criticism is really pushing this story in a better direction *squee*) and a few others. Please let me know if you think I should keep the style like this (In which case, I'll edit the previous chapters so that they follow the same format), or if I should change anything. As always, I'll keep you guys posted on chapter progress on my profile. Peace.