//------------------------------// // Candy Smack // Story: Friendship is Shining: Multi-Pink-Cation Problems // by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof //------------------------------// On a train leaving from Ponyville sat one of the Pinklettes. A newsboy cap sat on her head, her mane stuffed up into it and hidden for the most part. A pair of thick rimmed glasses rested on her nose, which was hidden behind a big, fake mustache. Sitting in the seat, Lady Mustachio Pistachio von Incogneato -- as she was calling herself -- watched the landscape moving past as they traveled. This was so exciting. She had never been on a train before. In fact, she had never really done anything before. She had not even existed before today. So going on a trip alone was very impressive for a pony that was not even a day old yet. As she continued to stare at the window watching the changing landscape, Lady von Incogneato wondered where she would end up. There was a whole new world for her to explore. ***** With the first large group of Pinklettes taken care of, Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash -- now accompanied by Sonata Dusk -- continued on to the candy shop. The trio looked around as they went, searching for any sign of other Pinklettes they might have to deal with. One or two were found, but none in large groups. As the three of them reached the shop, they came to a stop. They each stared, Sonata grinning while Shining and Rainbow had their mouths hanging open. What they saw was not what any of them were expecting. As they expected, there were Pinklettes, and quite a number of them at that. However, they were all unconscious. The pink forms laid prone on the ground, each with large lump on their head. "This one looks like she has a horn," Sonata said, poking at one of them. "What happened?" Shining asked, looking down at another. "I'm guessing she did," Rainbow called out, pointing. In front of her candy shop was Bon Bon. She stood on her hind legs, ears pulled back and eyes narrowed as she scowled. In her front hooves was what had once been a cast iron skillet, but repeated blows to the Pinklettes had hammered and reshaped the metal into a near-perfect mold of Pinkie Pie's head (somehow, including the mane). Bon Bon's chest rose and fell as she panted, and her pink and blue mane had become a bit messed up in the process. Catching sight of the new arrivals, the candy maker dropped onto her free front hoof and set the pan down. After running her hoof through her mane to brush it into some semblance of its normal appearance, she made her way toward them. "About time you showed up!" she huffed. "I've been having to keep my shop safe for what feels like hours!" Tilting his head, Shining raised an eyebrow. "You knew we were coming?" he asked. Bon Bon turned her full attention to the stallion, giving him a look of clear disbelief at his stupidity. With a snort she rolled her eyes and gave a shake of her head. "Oh, gee," she stated in a flat monotone. "Why would I possibly think that a pony that was the personal student of Princess Celestia -- who has saved both Ponyville and Equestria on multiple occasions -- would show up to a disaster that is likely of town destroying proportions? Especially when said issue" -- she motioned a hoof at a Pinklette -- "happens to look very much like one of your friends and fellow element bearers? What could have possibly made me think that?" "All those reasons you just stated," Sonata answered. "Pretty sure she was being sarcastic there, Sonny," Rainbow said. "I know, but I couldn't help it. Even if it was rhetorical, she did ask a question, so I had to answer it. It doesn't mean I'm stupid or anything!" Everything went quiet as all eyes turned toward Sonata. "Nopony said you were," Rainbow said slowly. Ears pulling back, Sonata gave a sheepish grin. A small blush spread across her cheeks as she took a step back, looking away. "Sorry. It's just... normally when I do that, my sisters usually point it out with a clear intent of making fun of me for being too stupid to notice." This time, it was Rainbow Dash who looked rather sheepish. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." "I know," Sonata cut in. "It's just..." She sighed and gave a shake of her head. "Let's just get back to dealing with the Pinklettes." "Pinklettes?" Bon Bon asked. "That's what I named them," Rainbow declared, grinning as she puffed out her chest. "Pinkie found some sort of magic cloning pool in The Everfree Forest," Shining explained. "It was able to make multiple copies of her as you can see." He motioned at the unconscious copies. "But it used her life force to do it. So we need to dispell them so that energy can get back to her." "Really?" Bon Bon said, raising an eyebrow and looking at one of the "Pinklettes." "Well, I'll leave you to it then. I have work to do and don't want to see that." She then turned and started toward the shop. "Lyra!" she called out. "You can drop the barrier now! It's over and help's arrived!" The shouting gave Shining Armor a moment of pause. Lyra? Why did that name sound familiar? He was pretty certain that he had heard it somewhere before. With a shake of his head, he put the thought aside. He would figure it out later. Besides, he had much more important and immediate matters to focus on. "Well, since you don't need my help and we're here," Sonata stated, "I'm gonna get my gummy worms!" With a grin, she made her way after the candy mare and toward the shop. Shining gave a nod and turned his attention back to knocked out Pinklettes. It was fortunate they were simulacrums or else they would probably all have concussions. Although, it hardly mattered. Horn lighting up, he began dispersing them.