Sad Canterlot's Darkest Days - Episode I: The First Attack

[lyrabetes3939 3963]

 

NOTE: This story is not intended to be canon to the Equestria Girls series in any way. Please read with discretion.

 

So far, all of the Equestria Girls movies and TV specials have involved a villain who uses Equestrian magic to manipulate the students of Canterlot High. Although the final battle scenes are quite intense, the Mane 7 always ultimately defeat the villain, and there is a happy ending where the villain often gets redeemed. But what if things didn’t happen that way? What if, even when the villain is defeated, irreparable damage is done to the protagonists and to Canterlot itself? This story explores this alternate route, this not-so-happy ending. While reading this, you will likely feel saddened, angered, offended, disturbed, or possibly all four combined. Read ahead with discretion.

 

It all started on the evening of August 27, about a week before Sunset Shimmer and her friends were due to start their senior year of high school. On this particular Tuesday evening, it was quite warm and sunny outside, despite being fairly late. So the Rainbooms got together in Twilight’s garage to practice. They were having a great time, until one of the strings on Applejack’s bass guitar snapped.

“Aw, shucks!” she exclaimed. “Stop the music!”

Fluttershy turned off the amp. “What happened?” she asked.

“One a’ the strings on mah guitar snapped, an’ ah left mah spares at home. Ah’ll just be headin’ home to fix this thing up. Be right back.” Applejack took her broken guitar, got into her jalopy and drove off toward Sweet Apple Acres.

 

About an hour later, Applejack had not yet returned. The remaining six girls were getting tired of waiting for her.

“Where the hell is Applejack?!” Rainbow Dash groaned. “She was supposed to be back here ages ago!”

“Well, maybe fixing her guitar took longer than she thought.” said Rarity.

“Have any of you considered just calling her?” Sunset asked. She pulled out her phone and speed-dialed Applejack. As soon as she did, she was immediately redirected to voicemail.

Okay, that’s weird, Sunset thought to herself. She spoke into her phone. “Hey, Applejack, where are you? It’s been a whole hour.” Sunset put her phone down and she and the other girls waited for a reply. But after another 15 minutes, there was no response.

“All right, something strange is going on.” said Sunset to her friends. “Why has Applejack disappeared all of a sudden?”

“C’mon, you know Applejack wouldn’t ditch us like that!” Pinkie Pie laughed. “She’s probably just pranking us!”

“If she is, then it’s not a very good prank.” said Twilight. She turned to Sunset. “We’d better go look for her. Come on!” Twilight and Sunset climbed into Sunset’s car and the two of them drove off.

 

In a short while, they could see Sweet Apple Acres in the distance. They were almost there when they saw something very strange in front of them. In the middle of the road was a pile of what looked like bright green ashes. Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith were standing next to it, tears in their eyes.

Sunset stopped the car and she and Twilight got out. “What is this?” Sunset asked, confused.

Apple Bloom tried to fight back her tears. “Just — just look!” the red-haired girl cried.

Sunset and Twilight looked and saw a terrible sight. Sitting atop of the pile of green ashes was Applejack’s geode. Twilight picked it up. “What’s this doing here?” she asked.

Although he was generally a man of few words, Big Mac couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Don’t ya see what’s happened?” he snapped, tears flowing from his eyes. “Applejack was just drivin’ along when some green fireball came outta nowhere ‘n’ hit her!” He pointed a finger at the ashes. “That’s all that’s left of her and her car! She’s — she’s dead! Ah saw her die! We all did!”

“Ah can’t believe she’s really gone.” Granny Smith said quietly. “Come on, let’s go inside ‘n’... let her rest in peace.” She, Big Mac and Apple Bloom turned and went back in the house.

Sunset and Twilight felt emotions take over their bodies. Their vision blurred and they blinked furiously. They hugged each other and cried, and all they could think about was the fact that Applejack was gone… forever.

 

Applejack’s funeral was held that Friday. The remaining six Rainbooms, along with nearly the entire Apple family, attended it. No amount of solace was had, for there were just too many unknowns regarding Applejack’s death. After the funeral, Sunset’s grief turned to extreme frustration as she asked herself the obvious question: Where had that green fireball come from? She sat down, opened her notebook and wrote a letter to Princess Twilight in Equestria.

 

Dear Princess Twilight,

It is with great sadness that I must tell you that my friend Applejack died Tuesday night. According to Big Mac, she was driving home when a green fireball came out of nowhere and hit her. All that remained of her and her car was a pile of green ashes. But her geode remained intact somehow. My friends and I are extremely sad and extremely confused by this. I just thought you should know.

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer

 

As soon as she finished writing that letter, a brief reply appeared right below it. Sunset read it and was shocked.

 

I read your message. You need to come to Equestria immediately!

-Princess Twilight

[Raririsu 545]

This is awesome so far mate

[lyrabetes3939 3963]

1 minute ago, Rarity's crush said:

This is awesome so far mate

Thanks!