Exile: A Traitor's March

Twilight's eyes bored into Applejack as the latter averted her gaze nervously--she hoped it appeared out of respect--and pawed at the ground. Applejack hated lying to her friend, but repeatedly she reminded herself that the pony standing before her was not the pony who had been her friend.
"All I ask is your honesty, Applejack." Twilight's voice had long since lost its kindness; it was a little over two years ago the unicorn had overthrown Celestia, in response to the Princess's overheard comment on her student's volatile nature. "You do bear the element of honesty, if I am not mistaken."
"You know I do, Twilight." Applejack hated herself for distrusting her best friend. The others had abandoned her; Rainbow was first to rise against her, but was imprisoned in the deepest, darkest cave in Equestria. Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy soon followed her, and were each sent across the land to high security vaults. Twilight justified herself to her subjects in that the others had deserted their elements, and therefore had deserted Equestria. It was very long that only Applejack and Spike remained, sustained by fear and whatever loyalty they had to Twilight Sparkle. Spike couldn't hold on forever, however; he was still only a child, and Twilight was in no state of mind to watch over him. He was sent to the darkest, deepest parts of the Everfree forest, chained within a cave somewhere.
"Then tell me the truth."
Applejack lowered her head. "I'm telling you the truth. I never once conspired against you, I--I'm your most loyal follower."
Suddenly, purple electricity sparked in the air.
"I can tell you're lying, AJ," the purple pony said, her voice like venom. "I have 'volatile magical ability', remember? I have more power than a lesser pony could keep without going mad."
Applejack swallowed. "I know, Twilight, but I h'ain't lying."
"You are."
There was a long silence. Applejack knew she had nothing to gain from furthering her lie; after considering every alternative and the punishments she was likely to face, she was about to speak; Twilight, however, interrupted her.
"You were my greatest ally," she said lowly. "You have been my closest friend."
"You've forgotten what friendship is," Applejack muttered.
"It doesn't matter anymore," she replied. "I have all of the magic I need. My friendships restrained my true potential."
"Please stop." They were the words Applejack had been dying for so long to speak. "Please stop and remember who you are! You ain't evil, Twilight, you ain't even bad!"
"Indeed I'm not," she replied. "I am so kind to my people. I've offered them law and provided much-needed order."
"You're imprisoning anypony what says a word against you."
Twilight paused. "Also true." She tilted her head towards the door. "Follow me, Applejack."
The moment they stepped outside, into the wild, black storm, Twilight raised her voice above the thunder.
"Leave, Applejack," she yelled. "Leave my city. I'll send my soldiers for you in the morning; the least I can give my dearest friend is a few hours' head start. Run."
Applejack obeyed; her hat flew from her head but she didn't look back. She was blessed by the darkness; she could see the silhouettes of several pegasus flying in a tight formation in the clouds. If they saw her, fleeing Canterlot past curfew, she was as good as dead.
It was only when she stood a mile from Canterlot that she stopped to look around; there, halfway between the city and herself, was Twilight Sparkle.
Glaring down at her like a god.
Applejack closed her eyes. Her home was gone. She had nothing but cold, bitter memories to pound through her head as she stormed away.