> Birth of the Draconequus
>  by HareTrinity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Draconequus (prologue)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


One of the most infamous conditions in old Equestrian medical lore is that of the draconequus, for as a species alone they are known as mysterious and dangerous creatures. The first part of the name, "dracon", means "dragon" and refers to how the mature draconequus will appear; four legs and two wings, often with a long body, not to mention its strong connection to magic. The second part, "equus", means "horse" and refers to its immature form that earned the species its place in pony medical journals.

There are many theories on the origins on the species. Some suggest that they are a breed of parasitic dragon, either growing its offspring inside a pony until the parasite takes over or swapping its own young for those of true ponies to let pony parents raise them. A lesser known theory is that draconequi are true ponies with a mutation that leads to a bizarre magical reaction in later life. Whatever the case, the "changeling" foals show only limited signs until the final stage begins and once this occurs it makes rapid progress, normally being completed well within 48 hours.

This condition is extremely rare, notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages, and in all known cases the metamorphasis stage has been permanent. The traditional way to deal with these creatures, due to the danger they represent, is termination.


[Author's Note: This was written before MLP:FIM's second season ended and the use of the word "changeling" is in its classic form of a fake child used to replace one kidnapped by faeries.]
> Erratic and early
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"HEY TWILIGHT!"

SLAM.

"HEY TWILIGHT!"

SLAM.

"PINKIE PIE, will you cut that out???"

Over-excited Pinkie Pie was not Twilight Sparkle's ideal wake-up call. The over-enthusiastic pony was opening and slamming the windows all around the bottom floor of the library. Sleepily Twilight went and opened the front door...

"HEY TWILIGHT!"

Looking up Twilight saw Pinkie's cheerful face grinning through one of the upstairs windows. Sighing impatiently the purple pony went to shut the door... And stopped, staring at her feet. There in front of her hooves were those of Pinkie... At the back of her mind Twilight felt the sneaking deja vu on a nightmare she'd once had of there being a second Pinkie Pie, a deep fear lurching within her.

"But... How..."

She lifted her head to see that the neck of the pony in front of her stretched up and, peering out of the doorway, she saw that it reached all the way up to the grinning face at her top floor window.

"Isn't it awesome???" Pinkie giggled and curved her neck over, bringing her head down to press her nose up against Twilight's whilst grinning madly.

Privately Twilight felt some relief that there was not a second Pinkie. Actually this wasn't too far from normal for the crazy pony and besides; Twilight knew she'd seen things like this before...

"Poison Joke again?"

"Nope!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and turned around, "Come on Pinkie, you're not getting me that easily. You didn't just turn into a giraffe overnight."

Pinkie's neck snapped back to normal size and she bounced in after Twilight, "Nope! I just woke up this morning and it was easy-peasy to do! What's a giraffe?"

"Well, it's an animal from- wait... Pinkie, are you seriously saying you just woke up with this?"

"Yuh-huh!"

Twilight eyed the neck, now at its normal length, "...No magical plants?"

Pinkie was bouncing on the spot now that Twilight had stopped walking, "No magical plants!"

The purple pony's brow furrowed and she started checking her shelves for her medical books, "Well... I guess I should check it's not some type of illness... But, you are sure this isn't just... One of your things, right?"

Pinkie tilted her head, her neck lengthening again so that her head fell, hitting the floor with a comical bonk. "My things?"

The unicorn pulled out a book titled Pony Abnormalities, "You know, like your Pinkie Sense?"

"Nope! None of that's like thi-" Somehow Twilight thought she heard the tail wobble... "-TWILIGHT LOOK OU-"

A book landed on Twilight's head.

"Sorry Twilight!" called down Spike, making his way to the stairs, "I didn't see it there, or you, what are you doing up so earl- WOAH! Pinkie, how did you do that?"

Twilight lifted the book off her head and looked back at the pony stifling giggles behind her, then glanced back to Spike, "How did she do what?"

"How did she d- THAT!"

Spike made it down the stairs and went over to the pink pony, his face a picture of awe. 

"Well?" asked Twilight, getting somewhat irritated by this ordeal.

Her friends both went silent, watching her. Turning back to her book Twilight heard a belch and looked back to see the pair giggling.

"Spike! That's no way to act in front of guests!"

"It wasn't me!" sniggered the little dragon. Pinkie giggled.

Twilight rolled her eyes, making a point of angrily replacing the book, "Well, Pinkie, since you're clearly not ill-"

Pinkie belched again and this time the unicorn saw the green flame erupt from her mouth.

Twilight gasped, "Sweet Celestia..."

"Oh come on, Twilight, it's funny!" the pink pony chimed, seeing her friend's shock.

"Pinkie, this could be serious!"

"Calm down Twilight, it is kind of funny..."

"Spike! Don't you see what this means? Ponies aren't meant to breathe fire, she's having some sort of chemical reaction inside her, that's dangerous!" The whole of the library's medicine shelf came flying out, yanked by unicorn magic as Ponyville's librarian got ready for some intense research, "We need to find out what's causing it!"

"Oké-doké, you have fun with that!" called Pinkie, bouncing to the door.

Her friend nearly dropped her books, "Where are you going?"

"Gotta get home for my morning routine, see you later Twilight!"

Spike watched the door close and looked to Twilight, "It IS Pinkie... Maybe it's just her being, y'know, her?"

Twilight snapped out of her shock and starting flipping through the pages of the nearest book, evidently taking no comfort from what Spike had said, if she had even heard it. With a heavy sigh the baby dragon went to fetch his note-making quill, it was going to be one of those days...
> Morning misgivings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where's Pinkie? HERE I AM! Where's Pinkie? HERE I AM!"

Mrs Cake smiled to herself, listening to her twins giggle in the next room as she started the day's baking. Yes, Pinkie had really been a gift to the family long before the twins and, though there had been doubts about her staying once the babies were in the house, the pink pony had again shone through. Rather than just taking up space Pinkie had proven herself to be the most perfect stay-in babysitter the Cakes could have asked for.

After shutting the first batch of cupcakes in the oven Mrs Cake popped her head around the door to check on her favourite young ponies, "Who's ready for breakfa-"

The happy twins and pink pony looked over at her.

"Breakfast? We'd love that!" cheered Pinkie, the twins trying to mimic her as she did so.

"Uh... Yes, well..." Mrs Cake gulped and forced a smile, not sure what she'd just seen, "Pinkie dear, were you... Wearing a mask just now...?"

"Huh? Oh, no, that's my new party face! I was working on it and the babies seemed to like it so I thought I'd practice with them! It's not perfected right now but I think in a few days I'll have it just right!" Pinkie beamed.

"Yes... Well... Breakfast will be ready shortly..."

Mrs Cake forced the smile harder and backed out of the room. Had... Pinkie's face been green? Scaly? ...It must have been some sort of make-up, but that was very... Extreme, even for her... Maybe they'd need to have a bit of a talk about this later, but right now the babies seemed happy, the first batch of cakes were ready, the shop was about to open and her husband had only just come back with the fresh ingredients; things were about to get busy!





A short breakfast later Pinkie Pie, hyped up on life and ready for the day, pranced out the door and paused. Today had the makings of something special and she was sure her best friends would want to see all her fun new tricks, but who to show first? She'd already seen Twilight and though it wouldn't hurt to say hi to a good friend twice there was no rush. Clouds had gathered overnight so Rainbow Dash would be busy until that was sorted. Pinkie tapped her chin thoughtfully, recalling her friends' schedules... Given the time of year it was a good bet that both the Apples and Rarity had started work early and they wouldn't appreciate distractions until at least midday. Fluttershy it was then! Pinkie started bounding her way in that direction. Boing, boing, boing, up and down with every move forward! She loved this mode of travel, it made the journey as fun as the destination. Thinking back she remembered how Twilight had shown her pictures in one of her books of an animal called a "kangaroo" that moved in the same way with help from its tail, apparently it- ooh! Pinkie looked behind her to see her tail had changed into a long, thick, shape like the animal's from the picture! A tuft of curly pink was at the end, reassuring her of its origin.

"Hi tail!" called Pinkie to her rump, trying to wag it as she did so and quickly unbalancing herself, falling into the nearest flowerbed.

The cream mare who had been watering the patch gasped, "Pinkie? What happened to your tail?"

"Isn't it hilarious???" Pinkie sprung up, grinning.

"It's a bit... Unusual..." replied Rose, eyeing it with a hint of worry.

The party pony did not seem to have picked up on the concerned tone and continued with her excited babbling, "...AND I have an AWESOME funny face! I just know everyone's going to love it, it'll be so exciting! Still working on it for now but don't worry, by your mother's birthday three days from now I'm sure I'll have it ready! Right now I'm on my way to Fluttershy's and I'm absolutely, positively, certain that she'll have some GREAT ideas on how to make it the best party face EVER! Gotta dash, see ya!"

With that the strange-tailed pony started back on her way, neck stretching into an "S" shape as she did so, giggling to herself. Rose dropped her watering can, body freezing as she desperately tried to reason out the correct reaction to her unusual friend's extra-unusual appearance.





Birdsong and the happy chatter of woodland animals filled the air around Fluttershy's cottage. Here there were less clouds so the morning was a warmer one, a flower scented breeze occasionally combing through the grass and cooling down the various wildlife that rested there. Though many of the Ponyville gardeners opted for more orderly foliage none could deny that Fluttershy's barely tamed garden forever felt like a slice of paradise. Down by the gently flowing stream the long-haired mare herself carefully emptied out a little pot of fish food, "Here you go my little friends..."

"HI FLUTTERSHY!"

"EEP!"

Pinkie giggled and hugged the yellow pegasus, "You're so funny Fluttershy!"

"Oh, Pinkie, I- AHH!"

"What's wrong?"

"Y-your neck!"

"Oh! Pretty good right?"

There was a pause in conversation. It seemed Fluttershy did not share Pinkie's taste in necks as the pegasus was now hiding up in a tree, clinging to a branch. In the hope of (literally) calming her friend down Pinkie added, "Nothing to be worried about, Twilight's looking into it!"

"Oh... Well, I hope you feel better soon..." came the quiet reply.

Another pause. Pinkie stretched her neck up to where Fluttershy had leapt to, causing the yellow pony to whimper a little. The earth pony, looking a little hurt, retracted her neck, "Come on Fluttershy, this is fun! I'll show you!" With that the frizzy-haired pony hopped into a clearing, the curious animals gathering to watch as she burst into song... *

Fluttershy darling come here won't you please?
You can't spend your life hiding up in the trees!
I know it's unusual, I know it seems odd,
But I'm really enjoying what's up with my bod!

See here's a bunny and look at his paws!
A lagomorph feature you've always adored,
Now I've got those feet too and I'll tell you what,
I'll throw in the teeth of this big old marmot!

(The pegasus watching from up in the tree,
Does not seem too comfy with her company,
She's worrying still but it's not really seen,
By her earth pony friend who's now turning green.)

You've always said chameleons were quite rare,
Now I can change anything, even my hair!
My legs and my torso, my head and my height,
I really become a hilarious sight!

All of your small friends, I mimic them well,
Watch me create a cute snail shell,
Small or big, either, yet always quite grand,
My dear pegasus don't you understand?

Your smile's so lovely and I want to do
The funniest face, so I'm coming to you
My dearest Fluttershy won't you please help and
We'll have Ponyville's laughter ring throughout the land!

At the last verse, as Pinkie popped back into her usual self, the yellow pegasus weakly smiled and finally flew down to her friend, "Well... I guess you are the same old you... I can try?"

Pinkie beamed and hugged her friend tightly. Fluttershy knew LOTS about animals, so she'd know for sure which ones to use for a hilarious combination of looks! This was going to be awesome.

* Author's note: There is a tune I had in mind when I wrote the song but sadly I don't think such a tune exists. It's a little like the chorus of "Oh Dear! What Can the Matter Be?" but more boring. If there's enough interest I'll (hopefully improve) record and upload the tune, that or tweak the lyrics so that they do fit with the afore mentioned folk song, but until then I hope you can enjoy the story with only those hints and your imagination!
> Midday madness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The midday sun was shining brightly down upon Canterlot and on one of the castle's balconies an alicorn stared back. With her magic she held a scroll from her protégée and was trying to think the matter over whilst fighting the desperate urge to forget about it entirely. The message's contents deeply troubled her, adding to concerns she'd had for a while. Partly she wanted to reply directly, but even then she was split between either denying all knowledge of the matter or pouring her heart out in the desperate hope that her young student would somehow have the answer that she'd sought for so long...

"What is it that troubles thou, dearest sister?"

"Luna... What are you doing up at this time?"

The dark mare came out onto the balcony, stifling a yawn. She was not used to the sunlight but even though it was she who'd been imprisoned for a thousand years she'd learnt that her sister had also spent much of that time in solitude. Few could handle the sun princess as well as her night sibling and so being apart for so long had left a strain on them both. Having picked up on this Luna had ordered the guards to keep her informed of any strange behaviour, whatever the time, even on sunny days such as this. Her sister was no long accustomed to being spoken to as an equal and the progress on repairing their relationship had been gradual at best.

Luna spoke gently, trying not to let her sleepiness show, "Thou hast been here for hours, did thou think that I wouldst not hear of it? I ask again; what troubles thee?"

Celestia sighed, moving the scroll so that her fellow alicorn could read it.

"...I see... It seems we were right."

"We... Can't be sure..."

Luna narrowed her eyes, her voice taking on a stern tone, "There remains little room for doubt, sister."

"If we just wait a little lon-"

The blue mare stamped one hoof, not about to see her older sister dodge this particular responsibility, "We have already waited too long! Surely thou hast not forgotten what happened last time?"

"I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME!"

"Then thou know what must be done!"

Celestia dropped the scroll, lowering her head as tears started to well up in her eyes, soon pouring down her cheeks as she collapsed into sobs. Luna sighed; gentle encouragement had never been her strong point, particularly around sensitive topics. Truly she understood her sister's torn emotions as the situation brought back memories for both of them, but while Celestia seemed to focus on what had been lost Luna felt mostly the regret over what could have been prevented. If  she had stood her ground back then, insisted that they were protectors of Equestria first, above all else, would it have made a difference? Maybe, but then again maybe not... The dark mare went to gently nuzzle her celestial sister, "...We can wait a little longer... Give me until night, when I am stronger, and we shall go together. We shall see then what there is to be done."

The eldest princess nodded weakly, glancing up to her sun. Until nightfall. She had until then...





"Oh my, yes, magnifique!" Rarity gave a little squeal of joy as she eyed over her newest hat range, "Why, if some of the high-ups in Canterlot don't literally come to blows over these...!"

The white unicorn had spent a long but productive morning in the zone and was now basking in the glee of knowing she'd achieved exactly the look she'd been after. These hats had long been a work in progress but this morning had been well spent on finishing touches and at last the collection was out on display. Sunlight streamed through the boutique's windows, highlighting the hats' glory as their maker admired them. She made a couple of adjustments to their display positions before finally standing back and murmuring to herself, "Perfect."

"Oh, I'm not sure this is a good idea..." somepony mumbled quietly as the door opened.

"HI RARITY!"

The unicorn turned to see her friends entering the boutique, "Fluttershy dear, and Pinkie Pie, how good of y-EEEEK!"

"What's wrong?" asked Pinkie Pie, grinning as she tilted her head, the phoenix-feathered hat gracefully flowing with her movements.

"That hat! But I... How??? This is the first time I've brought them out of my private study, how do you have one???"

With a loud pop the hat disappeared from Pinkie's head. Rarity's jaw dropped and the pink pony fell into giggles.

"The look on your face! You were all like WHAAA? It was just a joke, Rarity!"

The fashion designer gave a sigh of relief, "Oh Pinkie dear, that was quite the prank! Even I couldn't tell the difference! However did you get a balloon like that?"

"It wasn't a balloon, it's a new trick I learnt! Look!" With another loud pop a muffin appeared balanced on Pinkie's hoof. She ate it proudly, then laughed chunks of it out as Rarity fainted, Fluttershy only just catching her before she hit the floor.

"You are silly, Rarity!" Pinkie insisted and bounced over to her friends. Holding out one hoof again she popped a large purple sapphire into existence, causing Rarity to make an instant recovery.

"Oh my, that is gorgeous! Where did you find it?"

"Dunno! Isn't it neat? Oh, and I can do some crazy faces too, watch this!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahaha, that's... Certainly something... Pinkie dear, why don't you do less of that and more of the friendly magic?"

Pinkie popped back to normal, looking a little confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well, that face was a little... Outlandish for my tastes, dear, the gems and cakes were so much quainter, don't you think?"

The pink pony's ears drooped, "Fluttershy didn't like it much either..."

"It's just a bit much, after all, it is quite... Well. Frightening? We love that you're able to find fun everywhere darling, but not all of us can be the Element of Laughter, can we?" Rarity smiled hopefully and Fluttershy, eager to see less of that "funny" face, joined in. Pinkie just sighed... Then suddenly perked up.

"Hey, maybe Rainbow Dash'll like it!"

The unicorn and pegasus looked at each other.

"I guess she might?" Fluttershy whispered nervously.

"Oh, but darling, don-"

Too late, the earth pony had already sped out the door, no doubt in search of her blue pegasus friend.

Rarity turned to Fluttershy, "I've never seen magic like that from an earth pony... Has anyone-"

"She said Twilight's already looking into it..." mumbled Fluttershy, still looking at the door. She couldn't deny that the magic was impressive and some of it was definitely quite fun, but her friend did seem to be getting very carried away... Was something actually wrong with her?
> Nonsense after noon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash was speeding along, kitten held tight, flanked on both sides and above by the three heads of a huge fire-spitting dragon! They were out of the forest now and without the trees to hold the dragon back it had caught up. She could go back, she could hide, but Rainbow Dash was no coward and someone needed to get this feline back to Fluttershy before the clock struck one!

The dragon's heads let out deafening roars and as one they moved to snap up Rainbow Dash! Luckily, due to the pegasus expertly dodging the attacks, the heads ended up smashing into each other, dazing the beast and causing it to lose speed. Perfect, time to leave this reptile in the dust! Narrowing her eyes and giving the cat a reassuring squeeze Rainbow Dash sped up, bursting through the air barrier into a brilliant sonic rainboom, leaving a multi-coloured stream behind her as she sped to Ponyville!

Soon she was crowned the saviour of the day and awarded trophies, the Wonderbolts were praising her and excited crowds were chanting her name over and over...

"RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!"

Funny, one of those voices was a lot clearer than the others...

"RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!"

"...Pinkie Pie?"

"HI THERE RAINBOW DASH!"

The pegasus groggily opened her eyes to see her pink friend in front of her.

"Oh, hey... I was just having an awesome dream..." yawned the blue pony.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, look!"

"...I was being chased by dragons but then-"

"Hey, look! Look!"

"-And just to get a cat back to-"

"Look at this, Rainbow Dash!"

"Woah! Pinkie, where'd you get those?"

The party pony was flying about on a pair of three-pronged webbed fins, resembling frog feet more than any wings Rainbow Dash had ever seen.

"Twilight's looking into it!" Pinkie called down as she looped upwards. At the height of one loop she sudden fell into a nosedive, catching herself directly in front of the branch the pegasus was laying on. Pinkie gave a fierce grin, "Hey, Dashie, wanna race?"

Rainbow Dash smiled back. It. Was. On.

"Town Hall, ONETWOTHREEGO!"

The pegasus leapt off the branch and zoomed into the lead, or so she thought, looking behind her she realised every cloud she sped through had two holes in it; Pinkie was keeping up! She looked to her other side and, sure enough, there was the newly air-born pony, right beside her!

It. Was. STILL ON!

Narrowing her eyes Rainbow Dash started to take on speed, gritting her teeth and focusing only on going faster. Victory awaited her at the the other side of a mere air barrier and she wasn't about to lose to physics. Pinkie Pie was looping around her laughing but was soon pushed back by shock waves as Rainbow Dash, as in her dream, burst forward, leaving her rival in an explosion of colour! Arching over her victory rainbow to land on the town hall, the colourful pegasus looked back to see her friend, a small pink dot next to the distant and fading sonic rainboom. It'd take her a while to catch up now, Rainbow Dash thought smugly to herself. Yep, none of Twilight's magic, or whatever she said those "wings" were, could compare to pure natural talent...

There was a pop.

"YEAH RAINBOW DASH, that was AWESOME! Your sonic rainbooms look SO much better from up close with their-"

"Pinkie???" Rainbow Dash gave her friend, now sitting next to her on the roof of the town hall, a shocked look, "How'd you get here so fast!"

"-And it's like being in a kaleidoscope made of-hm? Oh! It's a new thing I do! Hey, wanna see something else awesome?"

Pop.

"WOAHHH! Pinkie..."

Pinkie's face popped back to normal and she leaned forward, "Yes?"

"That face... It's so..."

"Yes... Yes?!?"

"...SO COOL!"

"YEAH!" the party pony started to bounce around her friend, "FINALLY! Nopony else seemed to like it but I KNEW I could count on you Rainbow Dash!"

"Well, not everypony can be as smooth as me when it comes to things like that."

"Rarity said it was "outlandish"..."

"Ehh, Rarity's just picky."

"...And I think Fluttershy found it scary..."

"Fluttershy finds everything scary."

"But it is funny, right? I'm trying to perfect it so that... OH! What about this?"

Pop-BANG.

"Woah..." Confetti was raining down. The blue pegasus gulped, pupils small as she stared at her friend who, face returning to normal, stared back hopefully. Shaking herself out of it Rainbow Dash gingerly patted Pinkie on the shoulder, "Maybe a little more work needed to perfect the funny, but no worries, your buddy Rainbow Dash will help sort that out!"

"More fire?"

"No, no more fire! Um... How about some streamers?"

Five minutes later Rainbow Dash was several shades paler and shivering slightly.

"-Ooh, and... Um..." Pinkie eyed her friend, "...Maybe we should take a break?"

"Are... Are you sure...?"

"Yep! I think you've helped a lot, thanks Dashie!" Pop. "Want a muffin?"

"Ha... Thanks..." Rainbow Dash took a bite. It was actually pretty good and by the third one she was starting to get her colour back, "These are great, Pinkie! Hey, know what we should do now?"

"What?"

"PRANKS!"





"IT WAS JUST HERE! I KNOW IT WAS JUST HERE! IT MUST BE NEAR BY!!!"

The cream pony of the pair glanced around nervously, seeing that the other ponies had started to stare, "Maybe it had to go finish its shopping, like we were meant to?"

The green unicorn shook her head angrily, uprooting another bush near the hand-print, "It can't have gone far, help me look!"

Sniggering up on a cloud, Rainbow Dash brohoofed Pinkie's fist-bump.

"MAYBE IT'S IN THIS HOLE???"

"Lyra, can we just go home? This is embarrassing! And I thought your part-centaur things were bigger than mice?"

"Pinkie, this is so awe- wait, when did she get here?" whispered Rainbow Dash, looking at the derp-eyed grey pegasus who had appeared between her and Pinkie. The blonde pegasus started waving to Bon-Bon. Pop, giant muffin distraction! Quietly the two pranksters flew away from the scene, stifling giggles. To be fair outbursts like this were a common occurrence around Lyra, and Bon-Bon was by far the best at dealing with it.

"Hey look, there's Spike and Twilight! And Zecora!"

Ponyville's librarian, her saddlebags stuffed with books, was outside the restaurant talking to the zebra. Behind the unicorn was her dragon scribe, mostly hidden by the high pile of books that he was doing his best to carry.

"...And I'm really worried there's something actually wrong with her!"

"So you're thinking I might take a look, and recommend another book? I can do so, yes, but I do think, you worry too much about your friend of pink!"

"Thanks Zecora!" Spike put down the books and wiped his brow, "I've been trying ALL day to get it through to her but she's obsessed with the idea that there's some explosion-causing illness as an explanation!"

"HI EVERYPON- Uh, I mean..." glancing to Rainbow Dash as the pair landed, Pinkie Pie cleared her throat and continued with a more relaxed and casual tone, "Hey ponies. 'Sup."

The blue pegasus, most certainly the one who came up with this act, added, "We just thought we'd bring the cool to the scene." With a pop all five of those present were wearing shades. Rainbow Dash lowered hers slightly, smiling, "Get what I mean?"

"NICE!" responded Spike excitedly, quickly catching himself, "I mean, um... Groovy."

Pinkie couldn't keep the act up any longer and started excitedly talking at Spike, "Isn't it??? And I have wings and I can FLY and make stuff and mimic animals and have an AWESOME party face-" Rainbow Dash glared at her, "-That still needs work but it's all so super-duper AWESOME!"

Pinkie looked overjoyed. Spike was awe-struck. Twilight looked stunned. Rainbow Dash was still busy looking cool. Zecora, however, looked terrified, her sunglasses falling to the ground.

"These symptoms, they do ring a bell! I fear, Pinkie, you are not well! Twilight, watch her, I must make haste, to look this up, no time to waste!"

These words given the zebra turned and broke into a gallop. Twilight lowered her ears, giving a worried glance to Spike before looking over to Pinkie and realising that the newly-winged pony was already flying off.

"Hey! Rainbow Dash, where are you two going? Didn't you hear what Zecora said???"

The blue pegasus, who'd started to fly after Pinkie Pie, stopped and looked back to Twilight, "Well, yeah, but Zecora's always been a little melodramatic, and Pinkie wants to go show Applejack before it gets dark..."

"But what if this IS something really bad??? Rainbow Dash, we need to look after her!"

"Okay, okay..." the pegasus rolled her eyes, "You just wait here and I'll go get her back, okay?"

Suddenly it was just Twilight and Spike by the restaurant.

"It'll be all right, Twi..." comforted the little dragon, but the unicorn just sighed.

"Why is it always like this when I think there's a problem..."

"You worry too much? Hey, how about you do some more reading and get a bite to eat, and I'll go fetch some of the books on earth pony flight spells, see if they help?"

The purple pony smiled, her stomach growling at the thought, "Good idea Spike!"

The little dragon perked up and hurried back to the library as Twilight, with her books, went to order some food, feeling more optimistic with every step. Yes, once she had something good to eat she was sure to get to the bottom of things! Besides, if worse came to worst there were always the Elements of Harmony, and there was nothing her friendship couldn't handle!
> Evening uneven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"But sis, how are we EVAH gonna get our cutie marks if ya don't let us-"

"Now that's enough of that," Applejack stated firmly, "If y'all were made to be cider makers y'all woulda managed one serving without destroying a month's worth o' apples!"

The other two Cutie Mark Crusaders were staying quiet as they and the Apple sisters trotted through Sweet Apple Acres back towards Ponyville. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: CIDER MAKERS" had seemed like a good idea at the time but it was going to take them a while to get the apple juice out of their manes...

Suddenly Applejack stopped. She was staring at one of the apple trees and slowly approached it, suspiciously eyeing it over.

Scootaloo stared for a while before leaning to one side and whispering, "Hey Apple Bloom, what's Applejack doing?"

"Ah dunno, it's- hey... Wait a minute..."

Scootaloo watched Apple Bloom approach the tree in much the same manner. Leaning to her other side the orange pegasus pony whispered again, "Hey, Sweetie Belle, what are they doing?"

"I don't know..." replied the little unicorn, watching as the sisters moved onto the tree one along, looking from one to the other.

"No doubt about it!" Applejack announced, "Ah don't know how but these trees are in the wrong place!"

"NO WAY!" exclaimed a voice from up one of the trees.

"Told you so!" came a second voice.

"I always thought she was making up that "tree recognition" thing!"

"Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie? Y'all behind this?" The blonde farmer eyed the soil at the base of the trees, which showed no signs of disturbance, "...How in tarnation did you manage it?"

The blue pegasus flew out of the tree, "Oh, you will NOT BELIEVE how RANDOM Pinkie is today!"

The pink earth pony flew out after her, "Hi Applejack!"

The three young fillies gasped but Applejack just scowled, stepping forward and taking an angry tone, "Now look here you two, Ah don't mind what sort of magic y'all do in your own time but you best put Mildred back next to Brackenridge right this instant! Why, if Granny Smith were to see this-"

"Oké-doké!"

Pop.

Rainbow Dash looked smug, "See what I mean?"

The CMC stared open-mouthed, speechless, and even Applejack was clearly taken aback this time.

"Well, that certainly is mighty impressive..."

"Oh, that's nothing, but I thought you'd be sure to notice if I switched them and then Rainbow Dash came along and she thought you wouldn't and so she said we could do this one little prank before heading back to Twilight!"

"So... This is Twilight's magic?" asked Applejack, getting increasingly confused by the situation the more she learnt about it.

"Nah, she just wants to check Pinkie's okay!" explained Rainbow Dash, taking hold of the pink pony by the shoulders, "So we best hurry back-"

"Hey! What else can you do, Pinkie?" asked Scootaloo.

"Could you swap other things around?" queried Sweetie Belle.

"Pfft, I could switch your manes around if I wanted!"

Apple Bloom seemed impressed by the mere concept, "WOW! What else can ya do?"

"LOTS of stuff!"

"But..." broke in Rainbow Dash, "We need to get back to Twilight..."

"Hey now, we were heading over to Ponyville anyways, why not let her entertain the girls as we go?" suggested Applejack, "Can't say Ah'd mind seeing more of this myself, so long as y'all leave the trees out of it!"

"Well... Okay..."

Soon after giving in Rainbow Dash began to forget the urgency of Twilight's tone, getting pulled into the excitement of suggesting Pinkie's tricks. They were heading back to Ponyville after all, and the weather was pleasant enough; Twilight would be fine waiting for just a little longer. Besides, the three fillies seemed to be having a lot of fun...

"So can ya turn into a dog, like our Winona?"

Pop. Puppy Pinkie!

"Hey, you said non-animals too?" piped up Sweetie Belle, "How about an origami bird?"

Pop. Paper Pinkie!

"You should turn into something cooler! Like a big cat!" suggested Scootaloo.

Pop. Pinkie Panther!

"Nice..." approved Rainbow Dash.

Applejack nodded, "That sure is something... But don't it feel awkward, squeezin' yerself up like that?"

"Nope!" replied Pinkie cheerfully, "Some of it feels even better than being a pony! I think sooner or later I'll find the perfect look!"

"Ha, if y'all say so, think I'm mighty happy the way Ah am..." responded Applejack as the strange pony turned back to her normal self apart from the neck, tail, wings and the new "paws" like folded paper.

The little orange pegasus nudged her friends before asking, "Say, Pinkie, do you need any HELP finding that look?"

Apple Bloom perked up, "We wouldn't you want y'all to wait too long after all!"

"Huh? Oh! Right! Can we Pinkie, pleeeaaase?"

The pink pony nodded enthusiastically, each nod cranking up her neck, "Sure!"

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: PINKIE DESIGNERS!"

The little orange pegasus gave the feet a scornful look, "Paper's too soft, you need scales! Like a dragon!"

"Ooh, and more green!" chimed Sweetie Belle.

Pop. Covered in green scales.

"Well, she can't be all green, pink's who she is!"

Pop. All the scales were gone apart from her neck and a line of them leading down her back. "Ooh, I like this!"

They had arrived at Ponyville now. Despite the warm weather it was surprisingly quiet, though the group were too distracted by their shape-shifting member to notice.

"Ummm..." Sweetie Belle concentrated, what would Rarity do? "Oh! How about some gems?"

Scootaloo seemed unimpressed, "Gems? Why would she want gems?"

Apple Bloom, however, nodded, "That could work, Ah think... Like a few down each side?"

"That's a GREAT idea!" exclaimed Pinkie to her self-proclaimed designers, "Know who'll love that?"

"Rarity!"

Pinkie grinned up to Rainbow Dash, "Exactly!"

"No, Rarity! She's over there! She looks worried..."

The group curiously approached the unicorn and, following her gaze, looked around a nearby building to see a terrified Spike backing away from a strange creature. The beast seemed to be a horned puma with cloven hooves, its tail rearing up above it and ending with the head of a cobra. An angry cobra. All of the creature's teeth were bared, a deep growl emitting from it as it matched Spike's slow movement step by step, keeping the distance between them the same. Rarity spotted the group and waved them over.

"Rainbow Dash! Applejack! ...Pinkie?" the unicorn paused only a moment before continuing, "Thank goodness you're all here! Fluttershy and I wanted to check on you, Pinkie, but then we came across this beast cornering dear little Spike! Fluttershy said not to do anything while she went to get Twilight but...!"

"It's okay Rarity," Applejack patted the unicorn's shoulder, "Ah'm sure Fluttershy knows what she's doing."

"Yeah!" added Rainbow Dash, "Fluttershy knows everything about animals, remember?"

Rarity smiled weakly, "Thank you... Oh, Sweetie Belle, girls, you really shouldn't be here! Why don't you three go and wait in my boutique whilst we sort this out?"

"But-!"

"She's right, this here critter seems mighty angry, it'd help us concentrate if we didn't have to worry about-"

"It's just over here... Oh dear..." came a quiet voice, and the ponies present turned to see Fluttershy and Twilight hurrying over, the purple unicorn's eyes widening as she turned the corner to see her faithful scribe's situation.

"Oh, Spike! What is that thing?"

"It's a chimera..." whispered Fluttershy, "We had a new one in the area but he was so small and sick, I'd been looking after him... I thought I'd masked his scent but it must have attracted the local pride's queen..."

"So can't you go and tell her it's all a misunderstanding? Calm her down, like you did with the manticore?" asked Twilight, eyes fixed on Spike.

"Oh, no, I can't do that!" Fluttershy whispered, "She's securing her territory! She might get violent if I tried now!"

"...Alright, y'all stay back, I guess I better try to-"

"Applejack, wait!" The yellow pegasus grabbed hold of her friend. "We can't just run in there, if anything happens to her then her pride will come looking! Oh, if I only had time to go back and get the one from my garden, but he's still ill, I was hoping Twilight would be able to-"

"To do what? Magic? From over here? It can get tricky around magical creatures, Fluttershy, and it's already so close to Spike!"

"Oh... Maybe some sort of spell to distra-"

Rarity gasped; Spike was now pressed up against a building, the chimera still approaching, both heads hissing threateningly. Applejack stepped forward.

"We don't have the time! Ah'm sorry Fluttershy, but the best we can do now-"

Pop.

Next to Fluttershy was a new creature, bearing striking resemblance to a large, frizzy, pink, kitten with dainty hooves a cute little snake tail. It bounced jovially over to Spike and landed in front as the chimera lifted a paw, causing it to pause.

"Oh!" gasped Fluttershy.

"Will... Will that work?" asked Twilight, looking to her yellow friend.

"Well, maybe... If there WAS another pride here they'd certainly back off for now..." Fluttershy rose her voice to call over, "Pinkie, they base who's in charge on size, you need to be BIGGER!"

The pink chimera's body started to swell like a balloon and the true chimera slowly backed away, watching as the new creature's heads started towering over its own. Soon it was two, three times its size! The chimera's snake tail hid between its legs as the beast backed down, soon turning and fleeing from the village.

The pink chimera gave a triumphant mew.

"Um, Pinkie...?"

Looking behind her she saw that Spike was being pressed into the building by one of her legs.

Pop. Pony at last!

"SPIKE! Are you okay?"

"My little Spikey Wikey, is anything hurt?"

The little dragon shakily sat up as the unicorns rushed over to him, nuzzling him affectionately, "I'm okay, but can we do things a little faster next time?"

With the chimera gone the residents of Ponyville were beginning to come outside, whispering among themselves and curiously approaching the little group that had scared the creature away.

"Oh, Pinkie, that was wonderful..."

"Fluttershy's right, ya really saved the day!"

"Well DUH!" broke in Rainbow Dash, "Pinkie always has our backs, you should know that!"

"Spike, take a no-!" Twilight paused, seeing her little dragon friend relaxing in Rarity's affections, and smiled. Using her magic she brought up a scroll and quill and started writing, narrating her words as she did so,

"Dear Princess Celestia,

"Today I learnt a very important lesson about trusting your friends. It can be hard to work out what others are thinking and sometimes friends do things you don't expect! However, it might be that you just need to trust in their judgement and, in the end, the pony's true nature will turn out to have been there all along!"

"Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Finishing the note Twilight gave it to Spike and went to pull Pinkie into a hug, "Thank you so much! I'm sorry I got so worked up over your new magic; whatever it is we'll work it out at your pace!"

Ponyville's inhabitants who had arrived as Twilight wrote her letter cheered.

"Aww, it's okay Twilight! I know you were just looking out for me! Hey, know what this calls for? A PARTY!"

"That's a great idea! Come on everypony, we can use my library!"

"Woohoo!" Pinkie got some strange looks as she popped into her newest preferred form, but worries were quickly dismissed as Applejack just laughed, "Say now, if ya aren't starting to look like a big ol' carnival float!"

Pinkie started to bounce along, leading the way to the library, "Ooh, I LOVE those! When I was little I always wanted to make them and this one time-"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were suddenly at her side, Apple Bloom getting them back on track, "We were about to try gems, right?"

So, as the sun began to touch the horizon, ponies slowly filed into library. Twilight smiled, watching them. Another day had ended well with the help of her best friends. Rarity and Spike were on their feet now and the three of them started towards the library...

"Mare of purple, listen I plead, there is a scroll that you must read!"





Inside the house one pony suddenly noticed the unicorns' absence.

"Hey, where's Rarity and Twilight?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, I think I saw them and Spike talking to Zecora..." whispered Fluttershy.

"Pfft, they're going to miss the party! You wait here, I'll be right back!"

The yellow pegasus considered following but was caught by Applejack handing out drinks. Besides, Rainbow Dash was only going to fetch their friends from outside, what could go wrong?
> Story at sunset
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mare of purple, listen I plead, there is a scroll that you must read!

Twilight, who had been about to head towards the library-based party with Spike and Rarity, turned towards the voice, "Zecora? What is it?"

The zebra seemed to struggle with words for a moment before just giving Twilight a scroll. The unicorn skimmed through its contents and then, seeming a little flustered, started to read it properly.

"What... Is this? None of this makes any sense!"

"What doesn't make sense, dear?" asked Rarity.

"This scroll, it-"

"Hey, what's taking you so long?"

Twilight looked to see Rainbow Dash flying over and as she did so Spike plucked the scroll away from her magic.

"What do you mean, Twilight? It makes perfect sense, It says that draconequi are dragons that look like ponies for a bit, see?"

"No Spike, not like that, I mean... DISCORD was a draconequus, he didn't look like a pony!"

Rainbow Dash landed next to the group, "Maybe he did before we knew him?"

"My friends I do not mean to rush," interrupted Zecora, "But the symptoms list, look at you must!"

Twilight yanked the scroll back from Spike and read aloud, "The early symptoms of a young draconequus include mostly unusual thinking patterns. Despite tending to be of high intelligence they will normally seem to be in a world of their own, often solving problems without realising the significance. Occasionally other, more abnormal, abilities will present, the most frequent of these being preco-..." The unicorn paused, gulping before reading the word out, "Precognition..."

"Precognition? ...Now wait a minute!" Rainbow Dash grabbed the scroll from Twilight, "What's this thing implying???"

Magically snatching the scroll back Twilight continued, sounding worried, "Once the metamorphosis begins new symptoms will quickly appear. The first is always the "body softness" transformation, during which the pony will change shape whilst keeping in general equine form. This will shortly be followed by the ability to mimic other animals and objects..."

"That's what Fluttershy said she spent the morning doing..." Rarity spoke under her breath, cold realisation sinking in.

"Hey, have you all gone nuts? This is PINKIE we're talking about!" yelled Rainbow Dash defensively, in the air again, "She's NOTHING like Discord! She's our FRIEND!"

"...Whilst this occurs the pony will become more obsessed with their new abilities, showing decreased empathy and judgement... Reality-changing powers... Full transformation ability... As they head towards their final form after which it will... Become permanent... And they will no longer be a pony..."

"Not a pony?" Spike took the scroll as Twilight dropped it, reading it through.

"Hey, have you all gone nuts??? Come on guys, this is absurd, you can't..."

"I am sorry, friend in blue, that I did not bring good news for you..." Zecora looked over to one side, avoiding Rainbow Dash's gaze.

"She did seem unusually... Forward... And very upset by us not liking her new look..." mumbled Rarity.

"Guys... You can't really think that... Twilight...?" the pegasus gave the unicorn a pleading look, only to see tear-filled eyes staring back.

"I... I think... This could really be what she has..." the purple unicorn managed to blurt out, trying her best to stay strong.

"It says here that, traditionally by the royals of the land, she is to be... Terminated? Twilight, what's that mean?" Spike looked up to her only to be caught in a strong hug, the only answer she gave.

Rainbow Dash fell the short distance to the ground, staring straight ahead. One by one the others present followed her gaze... The princesses of Canterlot had joined them.

"No..." whispered Twilight, for the first time looking upon Celestia with fear.

"Twilight, my dearest student..."

Suddenly the addressed pony didn't seem scared.

"Princess, WHAT IS GOING ON?!?" yelled the little unicorn. The sun royal faltered, taking a step back. Her sister did not.

"Lower thine tone, Twilight Sparkle, we are not here to kill your friend."

There was some relief to be found there.

"So... This isn't what...?"

"I am afraid that it is."

The purple unicorn glanced to her Ponyville friends, then back to the princesses, "I... I don't understand..."

"Twilight..." Princess Celestia stepped forwards again, wincing as she saw the distrust in her student's eyes, "I... I am sorry... We... We did suspect but I wished it were not so... I am sorry I did not tell you..."

"But why didn't you?"

The sun princess sighed. Why hadn't she told her? Of course, she didn't know how, she still didn't... Especially not to Twilight, who she'd known since the filly was so small and innocent... How can you express pain to one such as that?

Looking up to her sister's moon Celestia spoke, "Let me tell you a story, young Twilight... Perhaps it will explain...

"Once upon a time there was a young zebra named Distant Chords. He lived with his parents in Canterlot, near the castle itself. His parents were well known and very busy musicians and, taking advantage of this, their son would often sneak away into the castle, to explore and entertain himself. In the castle lived two sisters, let us call them Bookworm and Midnight Oil. These sisters were also very busy types and their duties kept them apart, to the point that they were more strangers to each other than to most of the castle's staff.

"One day Distant Chords stumbled upon the elder sister's study. Bookworm seemed young and bored, so he tried approaching her. She was, however, unimpressed by the young colt and promptly ignored him. He moved her quills and played with her ink, but she ignored him. He talked to her for hours and she never said a word. Eventually he left the room. Bookworm thought that would be the end of the matter but the next day he came back. He told her that he had found another like she and speculated on whether or not they were related, for neither had spoken to him. He then went on to take sheets of parchment, folding them into paper toys as he again spoke to her for hours on end before taking his leave. The next day he came again, and the next. Most days the zebra would appear and, whilst steadily making a mess of her stationary, tell Bookworm all about himself. He talked about his travels around the castle, about his parents' work, about how proud they'd been when his tribal mark appeared, about his narrow escapes from the guards, about his thoughts for the future; about the whole of his life he would tell her, though she said not a word.

"This went on for weeks until one day he came in and instead told Bookworm of her own sister. "She does much less work," he told her, "She spends most of her study hours writing poems and stories. When I come in she no longer ignores me and together we play such fun games!" Shocked, Bookworm looked to him, hurt to hear that her sister ignored her duties whilst she slaved away! Seeing her surprise the colt told Bookworm that she should come with him that night and that together they would catch her sister in the act of idleness. Bookworm did not verbally respond but late that evening turned up as planned to where he was waiting for her. Together they went to Midnight Oil's room and crept in to spy on her.

""You foal!" Bookworm had exclaimed, "She is working just as I do!" With this Distant Chords fell into laughter, for he had tricked Bookworm into speaking! At first both the sisters were surprised but it was so ridiculous that soon they laughed with him. The noise brought guards bursting in and they moved to take the young colt out, but the sisters stepped forward and insisted he was an aide for their studies.

"Finally they talked the guards into leaving and Distant Chords laughed all the louder. He insisted they worked too much and that, as their newly-appointed aide, he would do his best to see that they spend time enjoying themselves. From that day on the sisters spent much less time studying but much more time together with Distant Chords, and with him had the best times they had ever had..."

"It was fun..." mumbled Princess Luna, "He was a good friend..."

"He certainly was..." Celestia sighed, "...But then one day he turned up... Stranger. His neck was longer, he joked that the result of his grandmother's neck rings had been passed down to him. Then he got stranger still... Over the course of the day his hobby of disorganisation grew far beyond disrupting studies; it became part of his very body. By the time we realised what had truly come over him, it was too late... He had become Discord, spirit of chaos and disharmony; a true draconequus. It was then ponies turned to us, expecting my sister and I to kill him. We could not... After all, he still seemed friendly, and without intention to do harm, we thought that perhaps old books were best ignored..."

Celestia trailed off into silence, both she and Luna looking remorseful.

"So what happened?" asked Spike.

Luna spoke up, "First it was Fillydelphia... He went to visit family and began to act like a draconequus... He warped it, truly..."

Celestia stamped the ground, her voice sounding strained, "The whole time, he acted like it was just a game... It seemed fine at first and those around him seemed happy enough, but as his power spread ponies found it terrifying and worried about how oddly their loved ones behaved when under his command... It was truly monstrous, yet, strangely... So few of those actually under his spell seemed unhappy... Nopony was hurt apart from those who went there trying to do him harm, and even then..."

"We requested he keep to one area and he did," interrupted the moon royal, apparently not considering this a time to muse, "But he would not leave Fillydelphia and we would not kill... We were at a standstill. Then came the Elements of Harmony... We summoned their power and the fate they picked was one of stone."

"...He posed for it..." mumbled Celestia.

Luna ignored her sister's words, "Twilight Sparkle, you must use the Elements to stop your friend before harm occurs."

In the library the Cutie Mark Crusaders were cheering their work. The gems had been chosen and arranged, and the green scales swapped for apple tree leaves; a big mane around the Pinkie's neck and trailing down her back.

"What do you think?" asked Sweetie Belle, holding up a mirror.

"Wait just a minute!" Rainbow Dash was back in the air, "You said things only got bad after he was "truly a draconequus" right? Well Pinkie isn't! She's definitely still Pinkie!"

The moon princess shook her head, "I'm afraid there's no way to stop the transformation, i-"

"Well I'm not about to give up!" cried the Element of Loyalty and shot over to the library.

Applejack glanced over as one of her friends smashed in through a window, "Rainbow Dash? What's all this commotion for?"

Rainbow Dash got up, shaking glass off herself, looking blearily at the crowds as she tried to get her head straight, "No time to talk, got to-"

Twilight looked to her mentor, "Princess... Is there really no other way...? Surely, after all this time, we could... Might the Elements be used differently? Isn't there something, ANYTHING, else we could do?"

Luna stamped the ground, "We must not waste time!"

"It's almost perfect, almost!" Pinkie Pie was cheerfully remarking, having not noticed Rainbow Dash, "It's just missing one thing! My PARTY FACE!"

"Oh no..." whimpered the blue pegasus.

"What the hay..." mumbled Applejack, looking from her worried blue friend to Pinkie.

Twilight didn't respond to Luna, her eyes fixed on Celestia.

"I have looked... My dearest student, truly I have looked, and I will continue to look until-"

Her words were cut off by screams from from the library. Frightened crowds of ponies came running out, among them Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash carrying the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"WAIT! What are you doing???"

It sounded almost like Pinkie.

"Being scared... Is fun, isn't it? Well then..."

Her voice suddenly seemed to come from the air itself.

"If you won't laugh with me then panic, PANIC!"

Lighting zigzagged down, striking the library, and Twilight watched in horror as her home exploded into a cloud of confetti.
> Daftness in darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leaves and confetti rained down upon Twilight as she stared at the smoking remains of her home.

Those around her started yelling but none of it was really sinking in for Twilight. Her library... All her books, all her belongings... Most importantly; Pinkie. Pinkie had done this... In a dazed state she watched the surreal scene unfold; the Canterlot princesses leaping into the air and flying towards the dark shadow among the ruins of her home.

"Come on sugarcube, this no time to be out of it!" cried Applejack and Twilight found herself running with a small group towards the outskirts of Ponyville. She began to come to her senses as she looked around her; Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, still carrying the Cutie Mark Crusaders, lead the way whilst Rarity and Zecora were either side of her, Spike upon the zebra's back. They were nearing the edge of the village when it suddenly hit Twilight that the princesses must have stayed behind to face the draconequus, just the two of them...

When the way to the Everfree Forest was clear Twilight slowed and shouted, "Zecora! Spike! Take the fillies, keep them safe! Girls, with me, we have to try the Elements!"

"And will someone tell me what in tarnation is goin' on?!?" Applejack yelled as the Element users split from the rest of the group and turned back. She sounded angry but fear showed in her expression.

"Pinkie has a rare condition, she's become a draconequus, like Discord!" blurted out Twilight.

Fluttershy responded with a shocked squeak.

"How is that ev'n possible!"

"I don't know, but it happened! We have to help the princesses, the Elements of Harmony may be our only hope!"

"But we don't have Pinkie!" called down Rainbow Dash, "What can we do with only five of the Elements?"

"I don't know, but we have to try!"

The village was now strangely empty and the ponies, no longer carrying the fillies and Spike, made better time getting back. Soon the smouldering remains of the tree came into view...

"But... Where are the princesses?" asked Rarity as the group slowed to a halt. Ponyville felt like a ghost town. Occasionally one or two ponies would briefly come into view, always running about giggling and screaming, but nopony was near what was left of the library.

"Oh!" cried out Fluttershy and the others followed her gaze. In the light of the street lamps, near the side of the path, was the box in which the Elements were kept. On top of the box sat a little rabbit which, as the group looked over, wiggled its nose and bolted into a nearby bush.

"Okay!" Twilight brought the box over as Fluttershy went to comfort the creature, "We best be on our guard and keep- AHH!"

Twilight and her friends jumped back, Rarity letting out a small shriek, as novelty snakes jumped out from the box.

"Hm?" Fluttershy glanced back at them, confused. As she did so a deep and sinister laugh started up, causing the mare to dash to the safety of the group.

"The looks on your faces... Priceless!"

Rarity responded first, "Pinkie? Is that you?"

"But of course..."

She came snaking out from behind one of the houses, her body a bizarre sight. The gems were easiest to spot in the dim light; yellow and blue jewels colourfully arranged down her sides, glittering as they caught the light. Her mane of leaves, the only green on her red and pink body, rustled in a light breeze as she moved over towards the ponies. Her limbs, though seeming to be folded paper, took her weight easily as she landed and her tail, still like that of a kangaroo and tipped by a puff of pink locks, balanced her as she stood up on two legs. Her fin-like wings fluttered cheerfully as she looked over to her friends, each of them gazing up her long neck to her head. That head... It was like that of a carnival dragon, a monkeyish face with stylised patterns to match the rest of her body. Pale blue eyes with deep purple pupils stared at the ponies before her as the big-lipped mouth curled into an unnervingly large smile, revealing two shining rows of square white teeth. She stuck out her tongue as she tilted her head sideways, eventually turning it a full one hundred and eighty degrees, and grinned at her friends upside down as they stared back, aghast.

"Hey Twilight!" she spoke, her voice slightly different, less rushed, as if her original form had just been squeezing her all in, "Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy; my little ponies, you've all come to see me!"

"Pinkie, please! There's still time to stop this!" begged Twilight.

"Stop what? Is this some sort of game?"

"Pinkie! You destroyed my house!"

"Oh, that?" Pop. "There we go, good as new."

In the leaves of the newly-fixed library something large moved and, as two ponies ran past, a giant serpent struck out at the ground, narrowly missing the mares! They ran back the way they'd come, giggling hysterically.

"Or should I say... Better than new?"

"No you should not! Pinkie, this is wrong!"

"Oh, lighten up Twilight... What's the world without a little frenzy to perk things up? Besides, given the change of circumstances I was thinking that Panic might be a better name to go by..."

"What have ya done with the princesses!"

"Ahh, Applejack... Why, I've given them a game to play, of course. A scary little story for Celestia to think about... Would have given Luna her own but she rushed off after her sister..." The great beast trailed off before shrugging casually, "Meh, I'll catch her later."

The ponies struck a fighting pose, Applejack again yelling on their behalf, "Oh no ya won't! Ah don't know how this has happened but I sure ain't letting you do to Ponyville what Discord did!"

The creature coiled round, bringing her large flat face up to Applejack's and grinning widely as she leant closer still, "Oh, dearest Apple mare, you are far too pent up and serious! Have you ever considered what would happen if you just let go, calmed down? Why, Apple Bloom is practically all grown up, and Big Mac can handle the orchards pretty well by himself these days..."

Applejack eyed Panic suspiciously, "That ain't true. Ah'm an important part of the farm, everypony knows that!"

"So Granny Smith isn't training up Apple Bloom to replace you?"

"Nope! Ah'm irreplaceable!"

The other ponies watched the scene in mild surprise. Applejack seemed confident, "Panic" missing her targets and certainly losing this argument. Perhaps, thought Twilight to herself, the newly formed draconequus weren't as capable with their tricks? If it kept up like this they might not require the Elements after all...

"Needed?" crooned Panic.

"Needed!"

"For all those tasks?"

"Ev'ry single one!"

"So why aren't you?"

"Wha'?"

Twilight suddenly felt uneasy, "Applejack, don't talk to her!"

"Why aren't you doing all those things? Don't they need to be done? By you?"

"...Yes..." Applejack's eyes were fixed on Panic's.

"By when?"

"Well, any time..."

"When's best?"

"Now..." Applejack's fur began to pale, a slight tremble starting in her hooves, "Ah... Ah should be at the farm..."

"Pinkie!" yelled Twilight, "Stop it!"

"Ooh, I could get used to this!" Panic chuckled as Applejack turned and ran at breakneck speed towards her farm.

"Oh Pinkie, how could you?" whispered Fluttershy, "She's your friend!"

"Exactly, the best pranks are for friends!"

"Goodness, this is NOT the Pinkie I know!" stated Rarity, giving a dainty little snort.

"Really now...? I did say that "Panic" sounded a little more like me anyway... But since you bring you up, what about you, Rarity? Aren't those deadlines looming? Getting a littl-"

POOMF. 

Rarity shook herself to her senses and looked around. They had been teleported to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Oh, thank you Twilight dear, I'm not sure I could handle being cursed like that again..."

Twilight nodded, magically picking up the Elements' box, "No problem. Come on, let's go find Applejack, she must be around here somewhere..."

There was a slight chill to the night air and the trees seemed somewhat alien, perhaps because the ponies had rarely had cause to go through the orchards at night. The group stuck close together as they started off towards the barn, glancing through the dark trees in the hope of catching sight of their friend.

"Let's see..." mumbled Twilight, looking from side to side as she thought aloud, "Discord used to disorganise, that became him and he disorganised personalities... I think... And Pinkie used to... Party?"

Despite the situation Rainbow Dash found herself rolling her eyes, "PRANKS, Twilight, Pinkie used to do PRANKS."

"Right, right... This is the pranking behaviour..."

"But her pranks were always funny and harmless!" objected the white unicorn.

"Yes, but apparently that's how it goes, one part of who a draconequus was gets blown out of proportion! So the part of her that wanted ponies to be briefly shocked now wants them to be much more jittery; uneasy, on edge..."

Fluttershy, who was lagging behind a little, mumbled something.

"But how does any of this help us? "Panic" is still a draconequus, Applejack's missing, we have no idea where the princesses are and we still don't have anyone to be Element of Laughter..."

Twilight sighed at Rainbow Dash's words. The pegasus was right. Working out motives was a far cry from coming up with a solution to-

"Oh!"

Rarity perked up, "What is it, Twilight?"

"Did you hear that? I think she's over there!"

The group ran towards the uneven thumps and soon found Applejack frantically trying to buck apples out of an tree that had none. Her hat had fallen off and some baskets, presumably for the non-existent apples, had been thrown at the tree's base.

"Applejack?"

"Hey Twilight... Can't chat... Gotta get this orchard clear, it's only five months 'til the next family get together..."

The white unicorn nudged the purple one forward, taking the Elements' box from her, "Well go on dear, do your memory spell!"

"Right!" announced Twilight, striking a pose. Then, slumping, she looked back to her friends, "...What of? With Discord I just had to remind everyone of what type of pony they really were, but Applejack IS a hard worker..."

"How about just the nature of trees?" whispered Fluttershy, "You can't harvest apples before they're ripe, the Apples know that better than most ponies..."

"It's like pacing yourself in a race!" added Rainbow Dash.

"Or making sure that what you're producing matches the season's demand?" suggested Rarity.

"...And if it ever got to be too much she's got us to help her!" finished Twilight and nodded. She knew what memories to bring back for Applejack. With her horn lighting up as she went over to touch it to the pale earth pony's temple...

Soon colour rushed back into the farmer and Applejack looked blearily at her friends. Picking up her hat she gave a sheepish smile, "Thanks again, partner, Ah sure am quick to attract some crazy spells... Is ev'rypony else okay?"

Twilight nodded and took back the box of Elements, "Still need to find the princesses and come up with a plan of attack but we at least have a better handle on why Panic acts the way she does!"

"That so?" asked Applejack, donning her hat and forcing a smile, still feeling a little shaky but determined to stay focused.

"You see," explained Twilight, "Each draconequus builds upon one of the qualities of the pony it used to be, in the case of Panic she's building on Pinkie's pranking nature and-"

"STOP IT!" yelled Fluttershy, stamping down her hoof.

Everypony looked over to her and she glared back, a mixture of anger and hurt feelings in her gaze.

"Pinkie was never like that! Why are you all being so mean?"

"Oh, Fluttershy..." Rainbow Dash flew down to her, "We aren't being mean, she WAS a great prankster, you just didn't see it because she never pranked..." The pegasus trailed off, her eyes widening, "...That's IT!"

"What's it?" asked a confused Twilight as she watched the blue pony hug the even more confused Fluttershy.

"Don't you see!?!" cried Rainbow Dash, rushing over and grabbing Twilight's face, "It IS still Pinkie! Whatever's happened, our Pinkie IS still there!"

"That's wonderful dear, but perhaps you could explain without mishandling anypony?"

Rainbow Dash glanced to Rarity then back to Twilight. She let go and took a deep breath before continuing, "One of the first times I went pranking with Pinkie I was GOING to prank Fluttershy - Nothing big, Fluttershy, just a squirt toy! - but Pinkie wouldn't let me! She said Fluttershy was too sensitive!"

After a slight pause Fluttershy grumpily muttered something about not considering herself to be THAT sensitive.

Applejack tilted her head, "Ah'm not sure I follow..."

"The RABBIT! That bunny on the box that lead Fluttershy away so she didn't get pranked! Pinkie STILL won't prank Fluttershy, she's still trying to protect Fluttershy's feelings, to keep her happy!"

"That's all very well, but Ah don't see how-"

"Brilliant!" Twilight exclaimed, looking empowered, "Great thinking, Rainbow Dash! We've finally got something we can use to our advantage, now let's go find our princesses!"
> End of day's night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Following the initial burst of enthusiasm the group's morale had quickly dwindled. Finding the princesses was not a straightforward task; they had all heard Applejack say where she was headed nopony was quite sure where Celestia would have fled to. Canterlot seemed most likely but the group had agreed to check around Ponyville first and, following that agreement, had travelled mostly in silence. Nopony was sure what to say, mostly unwilling to risk any topic that would bring up the truth of who their foe was; a fact none of them wished to focus on at this time. Instead they half-heartedly looked over the fields and woodland they passed, hoping to see some sign of Luna or Celestia. However, their search was fruitless and before long the Everfree Forest loomed up ahead. The group came to a halt, staring up at its tall and foreboding trees.

"Only really there and Ponyville left..." mumbled Applejack, "Maybe we should go check on the fillies anyhow..."

"Bumping into Panic again is too risky right now, and the Everfree Forest is always too dangerous, let alone at night... Zecora and Spike will be taking good care of the foals, I'm sure. We'd best try Canterlot, if we make good time we might get there before sunrise..."

Rarity sighed, her strong lady-like composure starting to slip, "Oh Twilight, however are we going to find the princesses like this?"

At that moment, however, one of the princesses found them.

"Young Element bearers! I have been searching for you. Art thou unharmed?"

Twilight instantly perked up, "Princess Luna! Applejack was attacked but we got her back! Do you know where Celestia is? Is-"

Luna lifted a hoof to silence the unicorn as she landed, "All in good time. I take it you have put off battling the draconequus, that you are waiting until after you have consulted my sister regarding the Elements?"

The pony nodded.

"A wise choice... Come with me, she's not far from here..."

Twilight ran to keep up with the princess' fast pace, "So you don't know? How she wielded the Elements by herself, I mean?"

"My mind is foggy of that occasion."

"I- er, yes... But... Do you think it has something to do with why she's no longer connected to the Elements? Do we have to-"

"..."No longer connected"?" Luna eyed Twilight, "What is that supposed to mean?"

The unicorn faltered, "I mean, it's what she SAID, that she... Um... How is she?"

The moon princess looked up ahead as the school came into view, "She is... Troubled... She will not tell me what is wrong, but among her words I heard your name... I am hopeful you may help her, as you say you did with your friend?"

Luna opened the school's door and the six of them entered quietly. The princess lead the way to Cheerilee's office where, behind the desk, lay a pale-haired Celestia mumbling to herself.

"Princess!" exclaimed Twilight, rushing over, the others slowly filing into the room. Her tutor looked like she'd been crying and, as Celestia saw her student, new tears began streaming down her face.

"Twilight! Oh, my dearest pupil, I've let you down, I've let you all down..."

"Wait," Rainbow Dash looked at Luna, "How did you deal with Discord's spells before?"

"The few times he did target us the effects wore off at a distance... Quite a distance, however, I did not think it would be a good idea to take my sister so far away from Ponyville at this time..."

Twilight looked up, "She seems coherent... I don't get it though, she doesn't seem "frenzied" about her job..."

"Well, when Ah was under it was more like Ah was remembering all my past mistakes..." mused Applejack.

"But the princess hasn't MADE any mistakes-"

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT? I had to leave you and your new friends to face Nightmare Moon, and later I again let just my dear little ponies face Discord, and with the ch-"

"Princess!"

"-And that huge DRAGON that-"

Twilight held tightly onto Celestia's hoof, for whose comfort it was not clear, "It turned out okay! We were ready, we dealt with it fine, w-"

"And what if you hadn't?" whispered Celestia, avoiding her student's gaze. The others in the room watched in shocked silence as Twilight struggled to deal with the distressed royal.

"Princess, where are you getting all this? Some of it was difficult, yes, but that we trust each other is-"

The sun mare shook her head, struggling not to fall into sobs, "I took a gamble with your well-being, I-"

"Sister, our tasks come with difficult decisions. Equestria's love for you proves that you make the right ones. Now, please, help these ponies..."

Celestia gritted her teeth at her sister's words, "I... I will do my best, what is it you want?..."

Twilight stared at her mentor, obviously pained to see her in such a state. Rarity spoke up, "We need to know how we can use the Elements of Harmony without six ponies, your highness..."

"You don't need six ponies for the Elements, they just need to be equally represented... Luna and I used to represent three each, and alone I... I presented all six... I... You just need to each feel the sixth Element is in all of you and it will be, especially if you can grip onto a time it has aided you against your foe."

"That's all?"

"Well, it is easier with more ponies, but Luna is the strongest Element of Laughter here and I do not think that would be wise..."

The named pony stepped forward, "Sister, what is this about? I know you handed the Elements on but surely this is no time to argue ownership?"

Celestia scrambled to her feet, seeming nervous, "It is not the ownership I worry about, it... It..."

"...Me? Sister, what aren't you saying? Is it true that you said you cannot use the Elements again? Why ever n-"

"SISTER! How could I? How could I ever use them again, after what they did to YOU?"

The moon princess faltered, "Me? But... I was not myself then, and for ones such as us the banishment was only a short ti-"

"It was NOT short! It was ten hundred years! I thought it would just clarify your mind, at worst turn you to stone! Not banish you, with all your hate, to the moon itself! It was hard enough with Discord, but my own flesh and blood? How could I forgive them, sister? How could I forgive them for that?"

Her words echoed around the dark school office and were followed by a long silence. The Ponyville ponies looked from princess to princess; from Celestia's panicked and tearful state to Luna's expression as the night princess finally realised what her kin had gone through for so many years. Outside the faint sound of laughter could be heard but, as if sealed off entirely, those in the office were aware only of the princesses.

Finally the blue mare stepped forwards, crossing the floor to her sibling and nuzzling the sun princess gently, "I do. I forgive them and you both. You did what you thought was right and it is finally in the past. Now come, sister, I will be Laughter once more, but I want you with me. We cannot let these ponies face this alone."

Meeting her sister's gaze Celestia smiled, a rush of colour shooting through her body as Panic's curse was broken.

Luna looked to the box of Elements and lifted out the Element of Laughter which, at the touch of her magic, shivered and reformed into a jewelled orb. With a faint smile forming the princess turned to Twilight, "Now tell me, young pony... What is thine plan?"





In the last hour of darkness a pony wrapped in a cape galloped into Ponyville. Thunder rumbled overhead. A heavy rain had started and the few street lamps still lit were dim and flickering. Tricks and surprises lurked at both the pony's sides; buildings acting as giant Jack-in-the-boxes, misshapen trick mirrors, trapdoors, toy guns; all this and more sprung upon the crazed ponies rushing about the streets of Ponyville, though the caped pony paid them no heed, running a direct route towards the library. Behind her streamed out her blonde mane and tail in ponytails which, along with a cowboy hat, made her unmistakeable to the dark creature that watched from the shadows.

"Well, well, well..." the creature mumbled to herself, "Quicker than I thought they'd be... Still, I have better pranks than that...!"

The pony made it to the remains of the library and glanced around. Nopony to be seen. Looking up to the branches of the great tree the pony took a deep breath and stepped forward. And down?

Glancing to her hooves the pony let out a loud shriek as the quicksand pulled at her and, terrified, she fought to break free.

Panic popped into sight in front of the pony, hovering above the quicksand as she guffawed loudly, "Why, Applejack! I never thought I'd hea-"

"Pinkie... How could you?" whimpered a quiet voice.

The smile vanished from the draconequus' face as she looked at the soaked figure in front of her. It couldn't be. The rain was fading the magic that had coloured the mane blonde. It couldn't be. The wind tore the hat off the pony's head, her hair's ponytails starting to come apart.

"Fluttershy???"

"After all the times you said you'd look out for me..."

The draconequus herself sounded nervous now, "No! I didn't mean for this, I... I'm sorry!"

The quicksand vanished, leaving Fluttershy standing on solid ground, and the wind and rain started to die down as the draconequus rushed over.

"I suppose... I would feel better, if..."

"If?"

"Could you stay still for a moment, please?"

Panic looked confused, "I suppose?"

POOMF. Twilight transported herself, Rarity and Applejack down as those with wings flew over from a nearby rooftop.

The draconequus looked to them, then back to Fluttershy.

The yellow mare forced a smile, politely asking, "Just a little longer?"

"Come, Twilight!" called out Luna, "Before we miss our chance!"

The young purple unicorn lowered her head, concentrating, her horn starting to glow as she opened her eyes to reveal their shining white forms. Around her the Elements lit up; her tiara, Luna's orb, and the necklaces of her friends glowing brighter and brighter, their power building up until-

"How tiresome. Know what would make this more fun? If it was a game!"

Panic shot up into the air as the rainbow came crashing down upon her. It swooped up in pursuit, following her in impressive loops as she dived and dodged among the streets and skies of Ponyville, filling the clouds with holes that showed the paling night sky above.

"Nearly worked!" yelled Rainbow Dash as she gave chase.

The draconequus laughed cheerfully as she dodged Rainbow Dash's dives, the Elements' rainbow still close behind. She zigzagged around Applejack's lasso and then looped around Fluttershy as the yellow pony made attempts to grab her. Princess Luna aimed her magic and let out blasts of energy but Panic ducked and weaved among them, still laughing.

Seeing their chance as she came low across the ground Rarity and Twilight tried their combined magic's strength and caught hold of the draconequus' feet, only to find themselves dragged along the ground into a bush.

"YES! Faster, faster! Catch me if you- aha!"

Panic skid to a halt mid-air as she found Princess Celestia suddenly in front of her, horn dazzlingly bright! Turning on the spot Panic took off again, grinning as she glanced back, "Nice try but no- hm?"

Nopony was giving chase. They were all staring at her. The rainbow was nowhere to be seen and, from her tail tip, she was slowly turning to stone.

"Oh..."

The draconequus landed by Celestia and the Element bearers.

"Aha... Hahaha! It looks like you've won!" Panic's voice began to speed up as the stone transformation spread from the tail to her hips, "You're GOOD at this Celestia, didn't think you'd just try to delay me! Hey, do you think I should pose? Something fun? Oh, I know, a handstand! handstands are fun aren't they? Though I have paws, maybe a paw-stand..."

Rarity was starting to cry, "Pinkie..."

"It's okay, you lot won fair and square! Hey, what should we play next?", asked Panic, her voice now sounding much like her old self's, making use of her hind feet to balance her handstand moments before the stone transformation claimed them, "Hey! Dashie! Handstands, right? Awesome?"

"Yeah..." Rainbow Dash was fighting back tears, "Real awesome...!"

Fluttershy was staring on, shocked, and only just managing to choke out the words, "I'm so sorry I had to trick you..."

"It's okay, I'm sorry I pranked you!"

"Oh, Pinkie... I will try to find a way to fix this, I promise!"

Panic grinned, half her body now stone as it slowly spread through her torso, "Twilight, you silly! I know you'd never leave me like this! How would ya manage without me, right?"

"Pinkie... Don't ya understand what's happenin'?"

The draconequus winked at Applejack, the forelegs she stood on turning grey, "Hey now, didn't I say I preferred Panic? But I guess it's okay if you lot still use Pinkie, you're my best friends in the whole wide world after all! Oh, hey now...! Don't be so down, it's all just a big game really..."

Twilight rushed forward to nuzzle the creature that had been, and maybe in some way still was, her friend. Soon Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash followed suit. Celestia seemed unsure of what to say but, at her side, Luna whispered for her to give them some time. The sun princess nodded and looked to the East...

"Come on everypony, SMILE!" Panic cheerfully commented, giving an encouraging grin to her friends and sticking out her tongue. The stone transformation finished encapsulating her entire being just as the first rays of sunlight reached Ponyville.

"What... What happened?"

The Elements of Harmony had cleared the draconequus magic from Ponyville.

"Look! It's Princess Celestia!"

"We're saved!"

"Is she... Crying?"

It took a few minutes before those who had defeated Panic would explain anything to the villagers. As the truth started to come out, however, it did not take long before the heroes' mourning was shared, for the sun had risen upon the village to find it one pony short.
> Another day (epilogue)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

...For what is chaos without frenzy?

Or frenzy without chaos?

Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes and stared blearily at the room in front of her. That dream again...

Walking down the stairs she paused as she stood upon where the statue's shadow should have been. Instead there was just a beam of light, thrown through the window by the hot summer sun.

Twilight had faced many a debate on whether or not to move the statue, some finding it unsettling or out of place. Over and over the unicorn had fought for it to stay, both as a reminder to all of what had happened and to keep Pinkie Pie in the place she called home. Only recently had Twilight found herself convinced by Celestia that Panic was best moved to the gardens of Canterlot, lest the draconequus return decidedly pent up and bored after her long imprisonment... Celestia had further reassured Twilight that, when the solution was found, she'd gladly have the necessary preparations made but until then... Until then...

The unicorn was thankful to have her concentration broken by a knock at the door.

Signing for the two crates she took them inside and tore them apart. Books and parchment... Strange Pony Illnesses (revised sixth edition), Unusual Pony Tales From Equestria, the original notes of the fifth Unicorn Queen, old explorers' manuals... Celestia must have really pulled some strings to get these here for her. Summoning her note-taking scrolls Twilight set about going through them.

...More of how harmony needs disharmony, more on how unbalance is needed for change, followed by yet more politically-charged speculation on the effects of strong magic on foals, of mythical curses, general victim blaming... Twilight sighed, eventually putting down her quill. She'd read this all before... Writing a concise thank you note she quickly repackaged the books and scrolls. She'd send them back to Canterlot later... What day was it? No doubt later in the month than she thought, her friends would be worried... Tomorrow. She could go see one or two of them tomorrow, when she went to have the crates returned. As for today...

Twilight turned upon her library, the piles of books dedicated to spell theory shooting towards her as she approached the blackboard. It wouldn't be long now... If nopony had found a spell to reverse or tame draconequus then she would be the first to create one.

It didn't matter where the statue was, it didn't matter how busy her life became, and it didn't matter how long ago that horrific night seemed; Pinkie was waiting for her and Twilight would never give up.