> The Prankster's Gambit > by aceotaku > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Part 1: National Pranking Day > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It’s time everypony!” Fluttershy called out excitedly. Rarity grinned mischievously at her friend as she flew overhead. “You know, it defeats the purpose if you remind everyone, Shy.” “Aww but as much fun as it is to surprise ponies, its not very fair!” The Pegasus argued. “It’s way more fun to give everypony a fair shot, after all it’s....” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, just get your darn song going already.” “Everypony knows that once a year The time will come to cry out in cheer! Though its not Heartswarming Or Nightmare Night It’s still quite fun! For you see....” Fluttershy pushed her head through an open window. “It’s National Pranking Day!” “Ah!” Applejack yelped as the sudden shout made her jump out of bed. “National Pranking Day!” Fluttershy flapped towards a couple of fillies. “the day where everypony pranks each other nationalllyyyyyy!” “Not everypony likes that stupid holiday.” Sweetie Belle said with a groan and a roll of the eyes. “How did such a dumb tradition start anyway?” Fluttershy pressed her face close to the filly’s, grinning wide. “I’m glad you asked!” “No, see that was a rhetorical...” Fluttershy stood in the middle of the town, tapping a ruler against a board showing a simple drawing of Celestia and Luna “it all began one gloomy night Poor Luna was all uptight but Celestia had an idea that would be sure to please When they ate dinner that night, Celestia asked ‘could you pass me the peas?’ And that’s when Luna had a big surprise! For when she reached for that bowl, rather than a vegetable What she found instead was a face full of custard! But instead of getting mad, Luna had a laugh and only afterwards did she take a bath!” Fluttershy giggled flew up high above the town, singing. “That’s the spirit of National Pranking Day! Laugh and have fun, and lighten your moods Toss all your cares and responsibilities aside And release the foal inside! Today’s all about fun! It’s all about laughs! And most of alllll It’s all about pranks! It’s National Pranking Dayyyyy!” ---------------------------- Pinkamena glared at the figure of the singing pegasus, and regarded the words of her song. National Pranking Day. Today was a dangerous day. The pink rock farmer put on her helmet and locked her door as she got ready for the upcoming storm. ---------------------- Rainbow sat in her home, reading the latest volume in the “Great and Powerful Jinx” book series, shaking her head as she heard Fluttershy’s enthusiastic song. While she admired her friend’s enthusiasm and enjoyed the odd prank here or there when she was younger, she had since grown to appreciate settling down and relaxing to a nice, good book for the day. “Hey Rainbow!” Spike called out. “I need you to write a letter!” Rainbow Dash rasied a brow at the rather unusual requests, but shrugged but got up, grabbing the nearest ink and quill as she got ready to write. “Sure thing, what do you want me to write?” “First, write ‘Dear Fluttershy’...” Rainbow rolled her eyes, of course Spike would make her write a letter for one of his crushes. Still, she began to write....only for the words to immediately vanish.” “What the...?” The Pegasus frowned and tried to write again...but again, the words vanished. She kept trying again and again, growing more angry and frustrated, gritting her teeth....until logic finally took hold and she left the room to see Spike in the kitchen. The baby dragon looked up at the Pegasus with a Blank look, wearing an apron that was several sizes too big for him....then he burst into a huge grin. “Gotcha good huh?” Rainbow Dash smirked. “Maybe you did, but have awakened the sleeping giant, and now I will show you a REAL prank.” Spike chuckled. “Heh I’ll believe that when I see it.” --------------------- Fluttershy glided through the air, grinning excitedly as she sorted through the many pranks she had planned for everypony....except Applejack who she knew wouldn’t like being disturbed at this time, and Granny Smith was too old to prank without feeling bad about it later, and Twilight would be too busy on farm work, and Mayor Mare was out of town. Still, there were plenty of other ponies she could prank today. Like that new pony who had just gotten off the train. Her mind halted. Wait, a NEW PONY!? Fluttershy hadn’t met a new pony in Ponyville in AGES! She just HAD to greet them! The pegasus flew down at the station platform, grinning eagerly. Before her stood a dark grey pony with a very light grey curly mane, with a rainbow coloured afro wig on top, her face was hidden behind red and green spiral-eyed glasses, a big round fake nose and a fake moustache while she grinned widely. Upon her flank was emblazoned a joy buzzer with bolts of electricity shooting around each side. “Hi I’m Fluttershy!” The Pegasus greeted warmly. “And who might you be?” The newcomer grinned wider. “Hi! I’m Dr Prankie Pie! I wanted to visit your town to celebrate National Pranking Day!” The pegasus grinned. “Oh really!? How exciting! I love National Pranking Day, it’s so fun!” “I know right!?” Prankie gestured out past the train. “I’ve been travelling the world, showing ponies the very best and funniest pranks from Manehaten to Zebica, and everywhere inbetween! Why in fact, I put my pride on the fun and greatness of my pranks, with my special guarantee that every prank will end with a barrel of laughs!” Fluttershy gasped, her hooves pressing to her face. “You mean You’re a professional pranking pony!? I thought those were a myth!” “They were, but now I’m the real deal!” Prankie grinned. “Trust mee, this year Pranking Day will be the best ever!!!!!” Fluttershy grinned wider. “Oh I can’t wait! But first, I gotta go get some pranks of my own ready or else the day will be over before it even began! See you later Doctor!” Fluttershy giggled and flew off as Dr Prankie Pie watched. “Well she was fun!” Prankie grinned. “I just can’t wait to show her just much FUN my pranks are!” With that, the professional prankster rooted around in her briefcase, pulling out a cream filled pie and began to skip off into Ponyville. > Part 2 Prankie Pranks a Plenty > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack hummed to herself as she worked on the finishing touches to the newest dress she designed. Not a single stitch was out of place, not an inch of fabric wasted, it was all so delightfully perfect and fabulous. “Pretty nice dress you’re working on there.” A pony said from beside her. “Why yes it is lovely isn’t IIIIEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH!!!!!???” Applejack screeched in shock as she turned at the strange pony. “W-who are you!?” The dark grey mare grinned, doffing her hat along with a rainbow wig that was glued to it. “Hey there, I’m Dr Prankie Pie! I just came into town and I just wanted to introduce myself to everypony!” “How did you get in here!?” Applejack held a needle up defensively, remembering what happened the last time weirdo came into her home. “Ah’m warning you, Ah know how to use this!” “Oh I bet you do.” Dr Prankie continued grinning, looking nonplussed. “But you know what that lovely dress could use?” The fashionista faltered, perplexed. “A-Ah don’t know, what?” Dr Prankie Pie pulled out a massive can of green paint. “A COAT OF PAINT!” “No!” Applejack gasped theatrically. “That colour will clash horribly, and pant is ever so hard to clean out!” “What’s that, ‘throw the paint’? Don’t mind if I do!” She threw the paint can with a wide grin. Applejack screamed, in slow motion as it was more dramatic. “Nooooooooooo!” She leapt in front of the projectile, green paint splattering all over her before she landed to the floor with a wet ‘flump’. Dr Prankie Pie guffawed at the sight. “Gotcha!” She snapped her hooves at the mare and pulled a camera out of her wig, taking a picture before skipping out of the room. Applejack simply sputtered in disbelief and annoyance, but at least nothing happened to her dress this time, and at least she could deal with some paint on her coat. As she got up, she failed to notice the blue, spotted leaved mixed in among the paint. --------------------------------------- Big Macintosh had finished packing supplies into a cart, his dad standing to his left side helping to secure it to him. “Now remember ta take care of yerself while ya go ta Manehatten.” His mom said to him from his right. “And make sure absolutely nothing happens to this delivery for your Aunt Orange, we don’t want her gettingupset while she’s with child.” Big Mac nodded stoically. “Eeyup.” His dad smiled knowingly. “An’ be sure ta take yer time while yer down there, no need ta hurry back, a few days vacation will do ya some good, we can handle the fort jus’ fine as we always done.” He winked. “Ya might even come back with a ‘souvenior’, if’n ya know what Ah mean YAGH!” He yelped at the end of his sentence as his wife had trotted over to knee him in the side. “Dear! Yer jus’ makin’ the boy uncomfortable!” She frowned disapprovingly before turning to her son. “But he is right, work on the farm IS important, but ya do need some rest until Zap Apple Season, an’ I don’t see anythin’ wrong with spending that time restin’ while ya visit relatives after ya make the delivery.” Big Mac smiled and gave his parents a warm hug before trotting forward out of town. He didn’t need a train, walking suited him just fine. As he neared the outskirts of town, a strange pony he never met before held up a hoof in greeting. Big Mac smiled neighbourly and returned the wave. “Howdy.” Dr Prankie Pie grinned, running towards the stallion with her arm still in the air, and now Big Mac could see she was holding something rather large....a pie, upon closer inspection. Before Big Mac could ask about anything, Prankie’s pie connected with his face, covering him in rhubarb and custard. Big Mac shrugged and licked the mess of his face and wiped the rest off with his hoof as the prankster ran past him, laughing like a hyena. “Strange mare.” Big Mac mused with a chuckle, just remembering what day it was today and moving off on his way out of town. ---------------------------------- Spike chuckled as he ran into the kitchen to hide from Rainbow Dash, who was throwing water balloons everywhere, sighing in relief as he leaned against a wall to rest...only to gasp a gallon of black ink poured all over him above. Rainbow Dash chuckled as she hovered above him, tossing the now empty bucket in her hooves away. “Rule number 1: misdirection is key.” Spike fumed for a few seconds before chuckling. “Yeah, yeah you got me Dash, now how about we got get cleaned up?” “hmmm we coooooould do that...” The Pegasus smirks. “why don’t you lead the way?” Spike shrugged and turned to open the door...yelping in shock as he felt a strong electrical current flow into him as he touched the knob. Rainbow Dash collapsed onto her back laughing as Spike glared. “Ha, ha, very funny Rainbow.” “Oh lighten up, I haven’t gotten a chance to prank anypony in ages, and Pranking Day doesn’t come very often.” She smirked as she got to her hooves. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up so I can prank you some more.” Spike chuckled. “Not if I get you first!” “That’ll be the day! I’m the pranking champion!” As the pair walked into the bathroom, Spike hopped over to the shower, turning the tap....as the shower, sink, EVERYTHING exploded, releasing blue gunk everywhere. “Rainbow!” Spike groaned. “This is going too far! Plumping is expensive, let alone everything else ruined by this stunt!” Rainbow sputtered as the strange ooze splattered her face. “Hey this isn’t me, you know I wouldn’t just destroy our own house for a prank!” “Great so not only do I have to deal with you, I gotta deal with everypony else pranking me!” Spike snapped in annoyance. “I thought this day was gonna be fun, but now look at this!” Rainbow frowned in thought as she looked around. “This stuff isn’t water...wonder what it is?” Spike blinked, looking around. “Yeah...that is weird...” he scooped some onto his claw and took a taste only to wince. “Eugh! Tastes gross!” Rainbow frowned in thought still. “Hmmm....we’ll worry about this later, for now let’s get this stuff cleaned up and we’ll go sleep for the night at Twilight’s, she’d be willing to help us till we get this place fixed.” “Yeah...just glad the house didn’t blow up.” “Yeah...though AJ’d probably offer to replace it with like a crystal tree or something cause ‘it’d be fabulous’!” She and Spike shared a good natured chuckle as the carefully trudged out past the slime soaking the floor of the house and left to sort it out. Poking her head out of the treetop, wearing a plumber costume, Dr Prankie Pie giggled. ------------------------------ Fluttershy nibbled at a chocolate croissant as Cup Cake kneaded some dough in her kitchen, pulling a rolling pin out. “Thank you for helping me set up the dough, Fluttershy, though you didn’t have to.” The pudgy baker said. “I have my wife and occasionally Rarity to help, but I can do it myself well enough.” “Oh but then I wouldn’t get a free treat!” Fluttershy said matter-of-factly, holding up her pastry in triumph. Cup Cake chuckled. “I suppose not.” She held the rolling pin between her hooves, pressing it to the dough....and a loud, farting sound greeted her ears. She blushed deeply, looking around shyly in embarrassment....until she noticed something sticking out of the dough, frowning she tugged at the ‘something’ with her hoof, pulling a half-full whoopee cushion out of the dough. Frowning she turned to a giggling Fluttershy. “Now Fluttershy, that wasn’t very nice.” Cup Cake said with a smirk. The Pegasus looked up at the older mare, grinning wide. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She chuckled. “Oh? Very well then, thenjoy your croissant.” She smirked. Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she bit down into the pastry, and then started to spit and rub her hooves along her tongue, throwing the pastry away. “Ew! Ew! Minty freshness!” Cup Cake chuckled. “Well you did ask for chocolate buuuuuut I might have added in toothpaste by mistake~. You’re not the only prankster in town you know.” Fluttershy giggled as she tried to spit the taste out. “You got me good Mrs Cake! I’m sorry if you didn’t like my whoopee cushion whoopee prank!” The elder mare giggled. “Oh that’s perfectly alright. It’s National Pranking Day after all.” Fluttershy gasped. “Speaking of which, I gotta go and figure out who else to prank today! I wasted a lot of time already and it’s no fun to leave anyone out without good reason!” She hurriedly flew out through the window, making Cup Cake giggle again. “Such a silly mare...” She muttered, noticing something off about the dough as she got to work kneading it, a splatter of a blue substance spurting out and hitting her hoof as she closed her eyes and hummed. -------------------------------- Rarity stood on a rooftop, surveying her surroundings, large wings tied to her hooves as she lifting them up, preparing herself... “HI RARITY!” Rarity yelped and stumbled but managed to catch her footing, turning to the Pegasus hovering beside her. “Shy, what’s shakin’?” “I’m pranking ponies!” she declared with hooves spread wide. “It’s so fun!” Rarity chuckled. “Oh yeah National Pranking Day, yeah? Sorry but I’m not really into that, gotta fly ya know?” She chuckled at her pun. “Okay! I’ll give somepony a really good one for you though!” Fluttershy giggled and flew off. “Have fun!” Rarity smiled and turned back to the edge of the roof she stood upon, she flapped her wings a few times, smirking as she felt them flap and catch wind and then she leapt, flapping her forelegs as hard and fast as she could as her wings started to fall apart. She looked to her left. She looked to her right. She frowned in disappointment. She plummeted yet again. However, unlike every other flight attempt, she fell into a massive pie. She sputtered and gagged as she crawled up out of the massive kiddie pool it was sitting in, covered in blue ooze. “This gross stuff is definitely NOT Blueberry!” She spat, annoyed, idly wondering where the massive pastry came from. ---------------------------------- Fluttershy flapped around, frowning. All around her she could hear ponies crying in surprise, most likely from pranks. She didn’t like pranking ponies who already got pranked, but at this rate there’d be nopony left TO prank! Of course, she COULD prank them anyway but where’s the fun in that, they would be expecting it! She smiled wide as she saw Dr Prankie Pie walking down from the same direction as the Sparkle Farm, flying down to greet the strangely attired mare. “Hi!” Dr Prankie grinned. “Why hello to you too! Have you been doing many good pranks today?” “A little, but I’m really running out of ponies to prank! Everypony else has gotten pranked super good lately and its not fair to prank them again!” Dr Prankie thought on this, scratching her chin. “Hmmm that could be a problem...” She grinned widely. “Don’t worry friend, you’re gonna get a real KICK out of the whopper I cooked up this year! Why, I say its the prank to end all pranks!” “Oh!?” Fluttershy grinned, skipping in place excitedly. “What is it what is it!?” Dr Prankie shrugged, shaking her head. “Now, now, I can’t go spoiling the surprise yet can I? You’ll be finding out soon enough.” Fluttershy saluted suddenly. “Yes ma’am!” She grinned widely. “oooh this is super exciting, I LOVE surprises!” Dr Prankie chuckled and started walking past. “Now I gotta run, good luck with the pranks!” “You too!” Fluttershy smiled, giggling. Oh everypony is going to have a real good laugh from whatever a PPP like Prankie could pull. She couldn’t wait! As she approached Twilight’s farm, she froze as she heard Applejack’s scream pierce the air. She turned with a frown, realising her friend would probably need some cheering up right now. Putting her pranks on hold, she flew off to her friend’s home to help her. > Part 3: a Toxic Gag > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight stared as she looked at the damage to the farm. It wasn’t much, considering; all that crazy pony did was sabotage their sodie pop production machine, covering her, Flim and Flam in the sugary concoction, before laughing and throwing a cream pie in each of their faces. To be honest, it was quite possibly the weirdest moment of Twilight’s life. Something felt off, however. The Unicorn looked around and then at herself... And then her eyes widened, her eyebrows shooting up as high as she could. “What.” She said, intelligently. ------------------------------- Fluttershy flew into the window of Applejack’s home, smiling widely. “AAAAAAplejaaaaaaack! Fluttershy’s here to make your sad not so bad!” “No! Don’t look at me! I’m HIDEOUS!” Fluttershy blinked and turned, seeing her friend futily trying to cover herself with the blanket of her bed, but she was far too large for it. Her body had become ridiculously large and round, the coat of her torso was now plaid in colour, her legs were brown, her tail was a tiny clump and her mane was styled in an assortment of mismatched, rainbow coloured braids. Really, the only real way of identifying the mare was her cutie mark, which had remained unchanged from its regular appearance of an apple made of sewn up fabric with a knitting needle for a stem. Fluttershy gasped, grinning wide. “Oh my gosh! You’re a bagpipe!” “This is no laughing matter!” Applejack snapped angrily. “My silky mane...my full tail...my carefully washed coat and my svelte figure...it’s been ruined! AND MY COLOURS CLASH HORRIBLY!! I’ll be a laughing stock! An exile! Ponies will remember me only as the ugliest mare in town! So ugly, everyone dies from the sheer VILENESS! I can hear the story now: ‘once there was a mare so ugly everyone died. The End’. That’s me! That’s my life, my legacy, now!” Fluttershy’s smile slowly fell as she listened to her friend. Sure she liked to laugh and have fun...but it was never funny when somepony was hurt, including when the hurt wasn’t physical. Whatever happened, it hurt Applejack’s feelings and is making her unhappy. The Pegasus glided over to her friend, laying a reassuring hoof on her shoulder as she smiled. “Hey, I’m sure Rainbow will know something, or at least one of her magic books will!” Applejack nodded slowly. “Ah...Ah hope you’re right, darling...Ah just don’t want to be seen like this...” “Don’t worry! Auntie Shy has the perfect solution!” ----------------------------- “This is the worst idea ever.” Applejack waddled around as best she could, her body covered in an assortment of fabrics of various colours, looking like some strange psychedelic cloak. “But this way nopony knows it’s you!” Fluttershy grinned. “Except me! And you!” “Ah look completely ridiculous!” “Nah, I’d say you’re only semi-somewhat less ridiculous than if you weren’t wearing it!” Fluttershy giggled. “It’s fine, Jackie, it’s fine!” “Look, let’s just find Rainbow Dash and hope she can figure this mess out, alright?” Applejack grumbled Suddenly, they heard screams. “It’s coming from Sugarcube Corner!” Fluttershy gasped in shock. “Let’s check it out!” Without waiting for an answer, the Pegasus grabbed Applejack’s hoof and dashed off down the street towards the source of the sounds. What greeted them was the most unbelievable sight. Cup Cake was trapped in the doorway of Sugarcube Corner’s front entrance, looking as swollen as a beachball. Lotus and Aloe stood before her, grunting as they gripped one of the baker’s hooves each, trying to pull her out. Fluttershy gasped and pointed. “That’s unusual!” Applejack gave her friend a half-lidded gaze. “...Yeah.” “Oh hey guys!” The pair blinked and turned to find Rarity crawling on her belly, lying flat on the ground. The white unicorn waved in greeting, nonplussed. “...darling, what ever are you doing?” Applejack asked. “Oh that you AJ? Trying some new fashion or something?” Rarity chuckled. “Well it seems I’m having trouble standing and I feel kinda heavy, but if I just shuffle around like this I can manage to move around. Good thing I wasn’t inside huh? Otherwise I’d be trapped with Mrs Cake.” Applejack stared in bewilderment. “Excuse me?” Fluttershy put her hoof to her chin in though, eyes narrowing. “It seems we have a mystery on our hooves girls....” Suddenly, Filthy Rich’s voice called out through the town, gaining everypony’s attention. “Everypony, come to Town Hall for a vital meeting! We need to get everypony together to see how widespread the damage is! Everypony, come to town hall!” Fluttershy gasped. “A real live town meeting!? I dreamed of seeing one ever since I was a little filly! Come on girls, let’s go see!” ---------------------- As Rainbow Dash walked towards the Sparkle Farm, she felt a strange twinge in her body, particularly on her forehead. She frowned and reached to rub her head, face paling as she touched what felt to be a large, twisting horn. “Uh, Spike is there something on my....?” The pegasus’ question died in her throat as she stared at her travelling companion, making odd choking sounds in her throat as she fought for an appropriate response to what she saw. A cute, purple coated mare with a green, spiky mane and tail stared back, her green draconic eyes betraying her true self. “Uh, Rainbow what’s....!? Rainbow, You’re a unicorn...with a really funky looking horn!” “Forget that, you’re a pony!” Rainbow exclaimed. “And a mare!” “What are you...?” Spike gasped as she looked down at her hooves. “AH! W-what the hay!?” Spike grabbed Rainbow by the shoulders, shaking her roughly. “FIXITFIXITFIXITFIXITFIXIT!” Rainbow responded by slapping the hysterical mare off her. “Calm down Spike, we don’t even know what happened! I can’t just ‘magic up’ a cure for something without even knowing what I’m supposed to be curing!” Spike nodded, getting up as she hyperventilated. “Right...Right...Sorry it’s just...” “You freaked out.” “Yeah.” The former dragon agreed, hanging her head low as Rainbow helped her up. “Alright, we’ll go see Twilight and figure out what’s going on...” Rainbow said as she gave her own body a cursory glance, eyes widening at finding she no longer had her wings, her blue coat now a garish rainbow of colours. The horn protruding from her forward was long enough to be distractingly seen in her periphery, twisting like a spring.”Though I’m not sure how useful my magic will be right now...” “Aw dang really?” someone spoke from in front of the pair. “That’s a shame, we were really hoping you had some answers.” Rainbow and Spike stared at the ponies before them. Flim and Flam stood literally joined at the hip, their legs fumbling over each other as the now conjoined twins attempting to push a large, metallic statue of a unicorn up the road in front of them. Rainbow gazed at the ‘statue’, eyes widening in recognition. “Oh no!” The former Pegasus cried out. “Twi!! I-is she...!?” Flim shook his head. “No...thank Celestia no...she’s alive and well, at least near as we can tell with basic first aid magic, but as you can see she’s having some trouble moving without our help...” Rainbow sighed with relief. “Great...that’s...that’s not ‘great’ but...I’m just glad it wasn’t...” “You and us both...” Flam said with a nod. Spike looked at the statue, tilting her head in confusion. “Uh, guys, what are you...?” She was interrupted by a loudspeaker broadcasting Filthy Rich’s voice, directing everypony to head to town hall. Rainbow frowned and trotted beside the twin brothers, pressing her hooves against the petrified Twilight’s flank. “At least somepony’s trying to sort everything out...” ------------------ Pinkamena quietly put on a large, waterproof raincoat, a pair of black shades, a snug fitting face mask that clung tightly over her mouth and a pair of heavy duty rainboots, right before hefting a massive backpack onto her back as she opened her door and started to head off. She probably would have said something witty like ‘I hate family reunions’, however as she was alone and was focused on what she had to do, she instead silently walked towards Ponyville without so much a grunt. ---------------------- Filthy Rich stood on a simple stage with a podium holding a microphone in front of him, while ponies poured into the town hall building, in various bizarre states of form. Filthy Rich himself stood with his coat a shiny gold with his mane and tail looking like wads of paper money. A loud grinding sound was heard, everypony turning to stare as a rainbow coloured unicorn and a purple mare pushed a large, metal statue into the room, followed by a the conjoined forms of the Flim Flam brothers. Filthy Rich cleared his throat. “Well now...now that I what I can only assume is everypony is here...I suppose we should discuss about our...current appearances. As you can see, this wasn’t a small, isolated incident; everypony in town has been affected in some way, shape or form. Since the Mayor isn’t here currently, I have taken it upon myself to gather everypony together so we can figure out how and why this happened, as well as how we can attempt to fix it.” He scanned the room nervously. “....any ideas, anypony?” The townsfolk looked among themselves, whispering and muttering: confused, scared and disturbed. “It’s a prank.” Everypony blinked, looking to see PInkamena walk inside, completely covered in an outfit that could only be called ‘impractical’ and ‘ridiculous’. “A...prank....?” Filthy Rich repeated, tilting his head as he raised a ‘1 Bit’ eyebrow. “What...what do you mean by that, Miss Pinkamena?” “It’s National Pranking Day.” PInkamena grumbled. “What everypony is seeing now is the trademark ‘prank’ of my sister, Limestone Pie. She wanders Equestia pranking ponies for her amusement, justifying it as ‘spreading fun’, and she usually saves something like this for National Pranking Day.” “My entire stock of books was ruined!” Rainbow Dash snapped. “Not to mention my house was flooded too! Are you saying that significant property damage was done just cause somepony thought that’d be funny!?” “Yes.” PInkamena stated bluntly. “That and one of your books likely held a cure for this epidemic.” “Those books were expensive!” Rainbow Dash cried out. “I’m not the one who did that.” Pinkamena again stated simply. “Plus I can’t afford recompensing you for that.” “You make tons of money!” Spike interjected. “Possibly, but one, you can’t prove that, and two, I don’t care.” “Look, we can discuss the library later!” Filthy Rich yelled out calmly. “Please, Miss PInkamena, is there anything we can do?” The pink mare nodded. “My sister is likely to have an antidote. We’ll need to find her, either way, unless you want her causing more havoc.” “What do you mean ‘more’....?” Spitfire asked with narrowed eyes, her eyes literally burning aflame. “This is just the first phase.” Pinkamena said. “Now she’ll start to really prank the town until the day is through.” Rainbow frowned. “Alright. Everypony who is able, fan out and search the town! We need to find this ‘Limestone Pie’ character and stop her from causing more damage!” Everypony whose transformations didn’t afflict their mobility got up and nodded, heading out of the building while everypony else stayed behind, including Applejack, who didn’t even want to be caught dead seen looking like she currently did. ----------------------------- Rainbow Dash ran down the first street she saw, directing the others to split up, looking around herself. “come out you jerk!” She cried out impatiently. “This isn’t funny!” She heard laughter as she suddenly flung into the air by a massive, hidden catapult, eyes widening. “What.” ----------------------- Lotus and Aloe walked side by side, their mane and coat colours swapped around. They covered each other’s blindspots as they searched. They were unprepared for the snares grabbing their tails and pulling them high in the sky, dangling from the top of the clock tower. -------------------- Pinkamena walked, dodging a cream pie that was thrown at her, leaping over an avalance of square watermelons, slapped aside a chicken and leapt over an an entire field of thumbtacks. She was not going to fall for any of her sister’s stupid traps. Of course, having thought that, she immediately fell into a large pit filled with cheese. “Come on!” She cried out in exasperation. “What does any of this even MEAN!?” ------------------------- Fluttershy glided over the town, searching, grinning as she saw a familiar pony on alarge hill overlooking the town. She flew over, waving her hoof. “Dr Prankie!” The prankster pony looked up as she was hard at work setting up a massive, house sized cannon. “Well if it isn’t Fluttershy!” “Oh Dr Prankie thank goodness I found you! I was worried you ended up like everypony else!” Fluttershy landed in front of the prankster. “Something awful’s happened in Ponyville! Everypony has transformed into weird but hilarious things, but its not funny and everyponys seriously scared and a few of them are in terrible states like Twilight being a statue! You gotta come with me cause Pinkie says her sister’s done it and might have a cure!” Dr Prankie chuckled, pulling out a baskball sized round bottle filled with green liquid. “You mean thiiiiiis antidote?” Fluttershy gasped, grinning wide. “I dunno, but if you say so, that’s great! How’d you know we need it!? How’d you even get it!? OHMYGOSH DID YOU MEET PINKIE’S SISTER BEFORE ME!?” Dr Prankie chuckled, lowering her glasses to give Fluttershy a good look into her actual eyes. “Oh no, you silly billy, I got it cause I’m the one who put poison joke on everypony!” She spread her forehooves wide. “Isn’t it HILARIOUS!?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “NO! Dr Prankie, I know you had good intentions, pranks are fun and all, but what you did isn’t funny at all!” “Are you kidding!?” The prankster gasped. “Fluttershy, out of everypony I was sure you’d understand! Pranks are the ultimate form of fun! All these fuddy duddies with their mediocre pranks or just plain flat out not participating, I HAD to show them how a real prankster pranks! Did you SEE the baker blow up like a balloon!? How’s that NOT funny!?” “Mrs Cake was stuck for aaaages and wasn’t having any fun at all!” Fluttershy protested. “And you ruined Dashie’s house and her books and now she has to pay lots to fix both! And Twilight’s a statue! Its not funny when you actually break things and hurt ponies!” Prankie merely laughed loudly through Fluttershy’s spiel, ignoring her. “Oh come on, it’s all in good fun! It’d be no fun if I left somepony out, especially on this day!” She gestured to her cannon. “And I thought...WHY SHOULD I!? So I’m gonna spread poison joke TO EVERYONE and then set up traps all over so ponies’ll be pranked EVERY DAY! WON’T THAT BE FUN!?” “No!” FLuttershy shook her head. “That’s not fun! That’s BULLYING!” “Fluttershy, stop trying.” The pair turned in surprise, seeing PInkamena trot over. “Limestone won’t listen to reason, she thinks as long as she’s having fun, than everyone else is too.” PInkamena stated bluntly. “We’ll only get her to stop by forcing her out.” “That’s Prankie, sis!” Dr Prankie Pie said, pulling an accordion out of her mane. “Let’s throw down!” She began to play a tune on her instrument. “HEY THERE! Let’s have some fun!” The Prankster grinned, leaning her face close to Fluttershy. “Join my good time gang! Just one question first: RHUBARB!? OR MERANGUE!?” The prankster pulled out a pair of pies, tossing one at Fluttershy and one at PInkamena, both mares dodging the ‘weapons’. Prankie grinned and wrapped a hoof around Fluttershy’s shoulders, stretching her hoof to the horizon as she continued. “We’ll prank on ponies throughout the land everypony’ll be howling on their knees So my little yellow friend Lend a hoof if you please!” She took the pegasus’ hoof into her own, Fluttershy’s body spasming as she was electrocuted by a joy buzzer. “Hey, don’t look so shocked Ain’t it about the time To let the prank fit the crime!?” Pinkamena shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Limestone, this has gone too far.” “Hey that’s Dr Prankie if you please!” The crazed prankster held up a poorly written note of paper. “I forged my own PHD!” “Ponies should have fun and be able to smile.” Fluttershy argued, gazing sympathetically. “Nopony’s smiling with these pranks.” “OH YEAH!? SAYS YOU!” Prankie grinned, several extend-fist boxing gloves suddenly protruding from her mane. “BOXING GLOVES!” The prankster furiously played on her accordion, her weapons striking rapidly towards Fluttershy and Pinkamena, Pinkamena shoving the fists out of her way with her hooves while Fluttershy gasped and barely managed to dodge several times, before pulling a custard pie out of nowhere. “Custard retort!” The battle devolved into the Pegasus and prankster lobbing their weapons at each other, barely dodging, until a pie struck Prankie in the face,making her false moustache and glasses to fall off her face. “Hey,” the earth pony grinned, “you’re pretty good.” PInkamena groaned. “But I think we both know....” “It’s time to let these ponies go!” Fluttershy finished. “NEVER!” Prankie screamed, suddenly more boxing gloves, tennis racquets and more besies flying from her, striking both mares simoultaneously before knocking them both the ground, the crazed mare grinning in triumph. “Hey! Here’s a joke! How are you Like a lollipop stick? IN THE END YOU’RE BOTH WORN DOWN BY THE FORCE OF MY LICKS!” She struck several more times before pulling out a large, blue tinged cream pie, standing over the pair menacingly. “HA! HA! HA HA HA HA! Oh what a laugh! Hahaha! Looks like the end of the line SO LET! THE PRANK! FIIIIIIIT! THEEEEEE!” Before she could finish, a white cat rushed over, knocking the pie out of the mare’s hooves, send it flying into the air and interrupting her song. “Opal!” Fluttershy grinned, pulling the cat into a hug. “Awww did I forget to give your daily hug?” “WHAT!?” Prankie cried out in disbelief. “DEUS EX MACHINA!?” PInkamena suddenly kicked her crazed sister in the gut, knocking her into the cannon, the sudden action causing said cannon to move pointing upwards, the pie falling inside before the cannon fell to point the opposite direction from town. “So...shouldn’t we get the antidote or whatever from her now?” PInkamena asked. “I mean, that IS why we were fighting her.” Fluttershy held out the large bottle on her hoof. “Don’t worry! Opal got it!” She gave the indifferent cat a loving nuzzle on the cheek. “She’s such a good kitty!” PInkamena sputter. “I...But...When...How...Where did she even...” The pink mare sighed. “Ugh....I hate you so much...” Prankie’s mad laughter rang out from the cannon. “Oh...oh you girls should see me! I...I look...COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! Man, you girls got me good! You should totally see this!” “No.” Pinkamena stated, kicking the cannon hard, causing it to fire the mad prankster far into the distance, her laughter fading as she got farther from town. “This is why I hate family reunions.” --------------------------- As the sun was setting, everypony had gathered together to celebrate the end of Pranking day, though everyone had been put off from doing any actual pranks for the rest of day. Using the antidote and the local spa, everypony managed to take a turn getting a good soak and curing their malady. By the time the final drop had been drained, the whole town was back to its old self, and Fluttershy had set up a huge party to lift everypony’s spirits. Fluttershy tried to pull an unresisting but uncooperative Pinkamena into a dance as an unfamiliar voice called out. “Hey everypony! Ah can’t believe Ah almost missed this!” Everypony stared at the winged red mare standing before them, the large yoke around her neck and the green apple cutie mark betraying her identity. Big Macintosh chuckled, tilting her head with a nervous grin, grinding her hoof into the dirt.