~~~~~Applejack's Mind, 2 Minutes Earlier~~~~~

Twilight stood over the crumpled form of Applejack, as shadows drifted like smoke off of her body. The last resisting tree lay in splintered pieces all around them - shattered by the force of her final blow. Twilight could feel the hot wetness of tears streaking down her cheeks and splattering against the darkened and tainted grass. She hadn't wanted this, even if she was absolutely sure that this was not permanent damage. She had hurt her friend, and that was something she had wanted desperately to avoid at all costs.

Then Applejack stood up.

Twilight could only stare in disbelief as the shattered splinters of the final tree slowly began to knit themselves back together before her very eyes. Applejack stood face to face with Twilight, unblinking and angry. Her voice was soft and raw. "Ah should'a listened t'ya sugarcube. Ah'm sorry ah didn't." Her tone was calm, but there was a boiling anger underneath it. "But don't you worry none. Ah'm gonna deal with this, and then we're gonna fix ya up properly. Then you can come home, like you oughta done in the first place." Her apple-green eyes darkened for a moment. "An' then ah'm gonna have words with Celestia."

The tree was knitting back up, nearly whole again by the time Applejack had stopped speaking. Twilight felt herself backing up a step - even the powerful shadow around her not knowing precisely what to do at that moment. Applejack spoke again as the last branches slowly reattached to the tree behind her, glowing with a soft white light. "Ah know yer gonna break me a bit, Twilight. Ah want you to know there ain't no hard feelin's. Yer not yerself right now." There was soft concern, pity in that voice.

Twilight felt herself becoming angry at her friend - in spite of Applejack's obvious concern. "Ya can't break me completely though." Applejack said gently. "Nopony and nothin can. So when yer ready, when ya need me... I'll be there. Waitin'." Her green eyes scanned around the dark, glistening apple trees. "Ya hear that, ya varmint? You've already bucking LOST! An' when Ah'm done with ya, you'll wish ya never messed with an Apple's friend!"

Twilight could feel the Shadow boiling around her - and watched as a shield of glowing orange crystal sprang up around the last central tree...and then vanish along with the tree itself. Applejack's mental avatar grinned at her fearlessly - and Twilight's shadows struck at her friend without mercy.

~~~~~~~~~

Applejack knew she was being foolish, but sometimes you needed to be foolish in order to help the ones you loved. Twilight was crying - and that told Applejack all she'd needed to know. So she'd buried her willpower deep inside of her heart, and stood resolute against the oncoming darkness. Her time would come, one day.

Even as the black energy struck at her consciousness, she spat in its eye. She bucked at it with her hooves. She bit, and clawed and scratched at it in every way she possibly could. The energy battered her body as Twilight watched on in cold silence. Tendrils grasped at her body and tried to wrench her down to the ground. Twilight spoke softly. "Shadow... show her the new mind in which she lives." her words rolled across the silent plain, echoing off of the trees.

There was a pulse of power, and suddenly streaks of dark purple magic began to flow through the trees and down into the shadows. Applejack's eyes widened for a moment and Twilight smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Applejack. We'll make sure that little tree of yours can't bother us." She cooed gently as more and more thick black tendrils of power lashed Applejack's form to the empty patch of ground where the tree had once lived.

Applejack kept struggling fruitlessly at the bonds - and as she began to open her mouth, one of them snaked into it and down her throat in a single strike. It forced open her jaw as the dark purple energy raced towards her. The ground had been coated in dark energy all around Applejack's body, with the body itself lashed to the center of the tiny clearing. Applejack's eyes scrunched shut as the purple energy flowed into her body from the single intruding tendril.

Applejack could feel her body react to the power, like too much liquor in her belly. It was a deep and enduring heat that grew with every ounce of the stuff that was pumped in. It filled all of her limbs up one by one, starting with her legs and moving up into her forehooves inching inside of her flesh little by little. The shadow was like acid - it etched itself into whatever it touched, and now it was doing the same to Applejack's body - molding the senses and heightening the reactions of every move she made.

Her greatest strength became her greatest weakness, as her fit and toned body began to move its muscles all by itself - At first in wracking pain, giving the poor earth pony a set of full body cramps that set her to screaming both inside her mind - and out of it. Her blank eyes in the real world widened as all of her muscles went suddenly stiff and unresponsive. The pain slammed into her senses and beat down the fortress walls of her consciousness.

Then her body began to betray her. Stiff muscles were suddenly forced into total relaxation, and a rush of endorphins flooded Applejack's mind. From mind numbing pain to mind numbing pleasure in the span of a few seconds would be enough to upset anyone. For somepony who was not exactly well acquainted with the pleasure side of things, it was even more jarring. And then the shadow did it again.

The sequence repeated rapidly - so rapidly that Dash never noticed the changes. But within Applejack's mind, it felt like an eternity stretched out into another eternity. The pain lasted seemingly for hours - the pleasure for days. Words that made no sense spoke to her in tickling, delicious tones. Though the words meant nothing, the meaning was clear. An endless moment of torment from the ache - this is the price of disobedience. An endless moment of pure physical bliss - this is your reward for compliance.

Lesser ponies would have broken in mere nanoseconds. Trained warriors, perhaps as much as a minute if they had seen and endured much. Applejack had lasted for five whole minutes, fighting the power that now coated every drop of blood in her veins to the bitter end. Words meant nothing in this sort of contest. Only stubborn will matched against a timeless foe that eroded like the tides. Let the mountain refuse to bow, the sea would wash it away in time.

Applejack fought unto the very end, right up to the point where her brain could literally no longer handle the strain. Yet the end there was, and a shattered mind gave in - shutting down in self-defense when the consciousness refused to do it. The body can only take so much before it is in danger of self-destruction and it will always act to preserve itself. Applejack's consciousness slowly shut down with it - now dully greeting the pain with acceptance of the inevitable, and relishing the return of the pleasure with the eagerness of the converted. Thought no longer really entered into it - instinct replaced reason, emotion replaced logic, and desire replaced willpower.

The Shadow got what it wanted, and it began to change a body and mind that could no longer resist.

~~~~~~~

Twilight was worried about the last tree, though the Shadow told her to not worry about it - it was this Applejack that truly represented who she was. It was this form they would need to force to bend knee. A tiny corner of her mind that resisted was meaningless in the end, if the whole gave itself over to her. That Applejack would submit was not even in question any longer - The Shadow had been doing this sort of thing for a very, very long time.

So Twilight forced herself to watch the shadow corrupt her friend, comforted only by the silent reminder that no matter how random or uncontrolled things might seem... There was still a plan.

~~~~~The Apple House, The shed~~~~~

Tools lay scattered across the rough wooden boards of the shed where they had been discarded from work tops and wall hooks. A messy coil of rope lay gleaming with sweat and moisture, discarded to the floor - literally torn in half, going by the frayed ends on the rope. Fluids coated the long handle shafts of several screwdrivers and hammers, and the same fluids cast the shed's work benches in a wet gleam in the candle light. Several pegboards meant to hold tools had signs of being repurposed with screw clamps and chains, ad hoc shackles formed from iron hoof boots.

Amidst the destruction and the chaos, two slowly breathing forms lay with one another, snuggled up against the wall atop a pile of soft hay and blankets. Pinkie Pie shifted a little in her position atop Big Mac, sleepy and happy with her good work today. Macintosh had turned out to be quite pent up, the poor stallion. Lucky for him she knew how to take it - and take it and take it and take it again! It made her giggle - though very softly.

Pinkie had urged him to take out his sexual frustration upon her - she could endure anything he could throw at her after all. Who'd have imagined he'd have such an incredible depth of depravity? They had to have bucked for hours, in dozens of different ways. He'd whipped her - the thought of which still made her flank pulse a little in delicious soreness - and chained her up, toyed with her, used her and it had been glorious- a shame she probably wasn't going to get that much out of him again. Some of the fantasies he'd confessed to her during the breaks had sounded like all too much fun.

For now though, there was no reason to fret - Pinkie could feel the warm and fuzzy little ball of shadow power inside of him now. Merrily burning away and making him a happier stallion, most likely. Pinkie smiled lazily and kissed his big red cheek, glad she'd had the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

She nuzzled herself under his chin, up to that big muscled chest and yawned hugely. I'm gonna have to thank Miss Twi for this later. Hmm, I wonder if maybe she'd like him going to town on her like he did to me... It was a giggle worthy thought, so she gave a soft one again. Mm. Sleepy time now, worry about the party later, Pinkie. That was a good thought to sleep to - and who knew? Maybe when they woke up, Mac would want to go another round or two...

~~~~~~~~~~

The night had begun with three friends trying something they shouldn't.

The night would end with two of those friends laying in one another’s small limbs and nuzzling against one another. They had discovered something brand new and exciting, and both of them muzzily spoke about what other sorts of things like this that they could do. There were whole new ways to gain their cutie marks they'd never even thought of!

Of course, Scootaloo would have to be introduced to their new favorite 'game' as soon as possible. She'd probably like it too, given how physical it was, and how amazing it felt both during and after. They'd probably have to sneak her a little bit more of that funny juice, but that was okay.

After all, the Cutie Mark Crusaders did everything together, right?

~~~~The Everfree Forest, some hours later.~~~~

Shining Armor stepped into the stone city for the first time since the Summer Sun Celebration.

His memories of the place had not improved in the slightest. Certainly, the place was no longer hollow and dead - quite the contrary, the city was practically bursting with life. Candles and firelight illuminated newly installed windows, and what looked like gas-fired lanterns lined the streets with glowing pools of light.

Amidst them ponies moved to and fro along the streets - many of them dressed or prepped for a night on the town. The sound of thumping music and raucous bar songs could be heard in equal measure up and down the street. It was a city alive with joy, happiness and a determination for life.

Shining knew Cadence had hitched her ear to the sounds, and he was doing so too - No fewer than three of those bar songs had Twilight as the subject of them, 'Heroine of the Common Pony' was added more often than not. Pained posters were plastered onto street corners, picturing a stylized purple unicorn standing boldly before a sunrise with a throng of working ponies at her side. Sometimes, it was just the unicorn standing against a mob of ugly and greedy looking ponies wearing fancy clothes.

Shining armor slowly shook his head and turned to his wife, speaking softly. "I think something's happened here." he said in his most sardonic tone. "Celestia would have noticed if they were holding her up as some kind of symbol when she visited."

Cadence twitched the hood of her dark blue cloak, eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Let's get in there and find out what happened, then." She nodded towards a reputable enough looking bar that appeared to be packed to the gills. "Maybe we can find someone to tell us a tale for a nice hard cider."

~~~~~~~~

The Crafty Maid's sign was fairly risque for a public establishment. - a sexy looking earth pony dressed in a royal maid's outfit, flaring her skirt up at any passerby. Still, Shining had seen worse - much worse - in other parts of Equestria. The bar itself was a familiar enough setting too - it looked like any number of roughed out establishments that often popped up when there was a lot of construction work to do.

Canterlot had been positively lousy with the things after the changeling attack, and Shining was willing to bet half the earth ponies in here had been in some of those bars. Craftsmen went where the work was, and liquor establishments followed in their wake. Shiny and Cadence didn't even stick out - it looked like this place catered to all kinds of work ponies - in this case, mostly professionals and crafts workers.

Near the center of the room, a group of batponies sat around one of the central tables. They appeared to be the center of the room’s attention, as the latest drinking song came to a triumphant end. Cider mugs were passed from the bar, and bits were hurled back - a little filly wielding a net scampered back and forth along the bar catching the money often to the cheers and applause of some of the workers.

After more drinks were distributed - Cadence and Shiny both acquiring one for themselves so as to blend in - One of the Batponies leaned in with a smile, and the room hushed out. "So there we was. I kid ye not, it was me and me mates here that tha' Cap'n calls to do some special work." His voice had some kind of thick, Trottingham like accent that rolled with a deep gruff pride. "I tells ye, it had t'be our lucky day t'see what we did see." He brandished his mug at the crowd. "I'd heard o'course! Bout how the Lady marched in ta tha' market square and sent ol' Filthy's thugs into the pits."

A roaring cheer met this proclamation, Cadence and Shining both looking at one another in worry. The batpony was still speaking though, commanding the room into silence "I'd heard how she'd spoken to the crowd - vowing an end t' that bastid's thievin' ways! T'stand up for us regular folks! But I ain't never expected her ta march right over to his Filthy house and deal wit 'im personal-like!"

Shining forced himself to take a sip of the cider, frowning a little at a funny taste. Not drugged. I'd notice that. he thought. He turned to Cadence as the batpony wet his whistle, and pointed at his mug. She nodded and her horn glowed to life for a moment, passing over the mug. She whispered softly, intensely to him. "Some kind of dark magic. We'll need to get rid of them." Shining nodded, looking a little grim.

The batpony had started talking again. "So there we was! The Cap'ns gone all silent on us, and it's pretty buckin' clear th' Lady is in charge. She tells us to make sure nopony can get outta the house." His grin split wide, showing off his fangs. "I gotta tell yer folks, I ain't never seen th' wealthy sots so scared. They was pract'ally bowin an scrapin as she marched up t' that fancy door o' Filthys."

The Batpony's eyes took on a dreamy look, a slow smile on his face. "Th' Lady just blew his door down, like it weren't even there. She marched up those stairs while I watched th' front door. Slow as ya please. She wasn't gonna hurry fer nothin or nopony." He smacked his hoof down on the table. "She blew down Filthy's own office door, marched in like she had alla time in the world. I heard 'im scream at 'er. Heard 'im call her a common witch." He spat onto the floor, and the room responded with boos and derisive laughter. "Ha! Foolish Filthy, didn't know when he was beaten. She was as calm as ya please, all dignified and sweet. Told 'im he was gonna stop throwin' his weight around. I heard 'im say this town belonged t' him now, and she told 'im right back that it belonged ta Everypony."

He shook his head slowly. "Foolish, Foolish Filthy. Must'a been mad to attack the Lady." He jerked his head to one side, to the cawing laughter of the mob. "She snapped his neck right clean she did. Bastid didn't even suffer, but that's our Lady. She's got a good heart." He gently placed his hoof over his own heart, and Shining and Cadence noticed the crowd was full of shining smiles, and no few tears of joy. "Even fer the bastid's of the world. So. 'eres ta Lady Twilight!" He stood up suddenly, and hundreds of mugs came up into the air. Cadence and Shining quickly slipped out the door while nopony was looking, only hearing the last few words. "May she break th' bastid nobility and bring justice t' the Common Pony!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is bad." muttered Shining Armor, and got a vicious look from Cadence as they quickly trotted down the street. They made a show of looking to be in a hurry to get somewhere. "What?" he asked confusedly, as they turned down a corner - heading for the Palace complex. "It is." He grumped, hoping nopony was trying to tail - or listen in on them.

Cadence just rolled her eyes. "Of course it isn't good. This has Winterlight written all over it." She stabbed a hoof at one of the propaganda posters. "Twilight wouldn't think of something like this, It's not in her nature. Somepony is trying to turn her into some kind of symbol for rebellion, and I'll bet you all of my silk that it’s Winterlight." She continued to hurry down the street with Shining firmly in tow. The two remained silent for a moment, before Cadence spoke softly. "We need to get into the Palace without anypony noticing us."

Shining shook his head vehemently. "No. We're going to Pony Joe's, and we're going to hole up there for the night. I'm not going anywhere near the palace until daylight. Period." Cadence opened her mouth and he practically stuffed his hoof in, hissing out in a whisper. "No, Cadence. We are not walking into the most obvious freaking trap in the history of obvious traps. Joe owes me, big time. He'll give us a place to sleep and keep his mouth shut. We're not going anywhere until we go directly to Twilight."

Cadence looked incredibly sad and then nodded slowly. Shining pulled his hoof away and she said softly. "And what are we going to tell her, Shining?" Her tone was soft, pleading - she really didn't seem to know what to do about this.

Shining sighed. "I don't know Cadence. I think we need to learn more." His eyes went to the shining magical sign, not too far in the distance. "And I know a pony that picks up on everything going on wherever he happens to be."

~~~~~~~~

Applejack was curled up in Rainbow Dash's forehooves, and they slept quietly atop a blanket in the hayloft. They looked so peaceful together, so calm - they could almost be the normal ponies they had once been. They weren't of course. They were changed, etched by this dark power that now flowed like blood through Twilight's veins. She loved this power, this pleasure - this feeling of control over her world.

And she hated it. She hated that she had to force her friends to understand how much she wanted to protect them. She hated fearing what Celestia would think about her. She hated the secrets, and the lies. She hated Tantalus, for forcing this choice upon her.

Twilight inhaled deeply, and exhaled the same. Hate it though she might, she was stuck with it. She would not deviate from her plan, she would not turn aside from it. The enemies of Equestria would fall. The Griffons. That was where she would start. She would break their military aristocracy over her knee, and absorb their kingdoms into Equestria. Once they were free of their nobility, they would be a powerful ally in the wars that would come - and alongside the pegasi, there would be no force in the world that could match her in the skies.

Twilight curled up at the window of the hayloft, tugging the soft blanket she had been lying on with Applejack mere minutes ago. She could still smell the soft scent of apples upon it, and she closed her eyes bitterly. Sacrifices had to be made. She only hoped she would have the strength to make them all.

~~~~~~~~~

The dawn broke over the eastern skies, and two sisters stood together to watch it. They stared together for a moment, and then flared their wings as one. "We have a long way to go." Said Luna, softly stretching out her primaries. "We will need to make good speed today."

Celestia flared out her own wings, munching on a still soft roll, filled with sweetly sauced dandelion greens and spinach. "Indeed." She said gently, speaking rudely around her food. She took another bite and narrowed her eyes. "The winds will be strong today, I can already feel it. Perhaps the world speeds our passage." She pulled out a scroll and examined it carefully. "We must look for the Jade Tower, whatever that is - then head due south from there"

Luna rolled her eyes and neatly devoured her own breakfast - a pair of soft boiled eggs and a honeyed fruit and nut bar. "I hope to the stars we've gotten our directions right." She grumbled, glaring into the horizon with a little scowl. "It would be awfully ironic if we doomed the world due to bad directions."

Celestia actually gave a soft laugh at that, and Luna exhaled in relief. She is still there. No matter how driven she may be, my sister has not abandoned us. "We should be off." Luna quipped, pulling her sun-flight goggles over her eyes. "I can see a potent little morning thermal up there that should shave some time off the trip."

Celestia nodded once and the pair launched themselves up into the sky, speeding along towards the sun. Unerringly, unstoppably - they flew towards the answer to their questions. Celestia narrowed her eyes against the glorious sun, and pivoted into a strong eastern thermal, with Luna close at hoof. Hold on, Twilight. Celestia's thoughts begged as she flapped harder, hoping to extract a little more speed from the wind around her. Please, oh Sun... Help her hold on.