Princess Celestia struggled to contain her astonishment as she surveyed the crowd of copies, while the real Pinkie Pie and Twilight took turns recounting the entire story.
Over the course of a thousand years, the ruler of Equestria had encountered duplicates before. Some unicorns, upon discovering the forbidden spell for creating clones, used them to cheat on exams: a programmed duplicate could answer exam questions correctly and even perform magical tricks. If a student made an effort, their duplicate could be made so identical that without the revealing spell, the clone couldn't be detected. But Celestia couldn't be deceived: lifeless copies were annihilated, and the offending student was immediately expelled from school for attempting to cheat on the exam and for using the forbidden spell.
Some powerful adult unicorns even attempted to use armies of their clones to seize power. However, Celestia knew how not only to destroy all the clones with a single spell but also to trace their owner.
But to see an army of Pinkies, not obedient to the original, each behaving like a true living pony, was a shock for the princess. After listening to Pinkie and Twilight, the princess went to consult with her sister, whom she asked for help in such an unusual matter.
"For a thousand years, I've never encountered anything like this," admitted Celestia to Luna. "Any ideas?"
"Maybe we should send them all to the moon?" Luna jokingly suggested, having long forgiven her sister for the banishment.
"Sister, be serious! We can't just banish all the Pinkies somewhere! Although... Sister, thank you. Thanks to you, I got a wonderful idea!" suddenly Celestia thanked Luna and returned to the crowd of ponies waiting for her decision.
"So, attention! Pinkies, your talent is to bring joy to all ponies. Each of you can organize an excellent party not only for holidays but also in celebration of any pony's birthday. Therefore, we have made the following decision: all Pinkie Pies will be distributed throughout the cities and villages of Equestria to bring joy to every pony. Perhaps some of you may even have the honor of becoming ambassadors of Equestria to Griffonstone, Yakyakistan, Dragon Lands, Hippogriffia, and the Kirin Village – isolated countries to which we can offer friendship. I am sure that your friendliness and eagerness to please everyone will make all creatures happy!" Celestia concluded her speech, and all the Pinkies happily applauded with their hooves.
Several hours later
Finally, all the Pinkies were distributed. Celestia added the name of the settlement to which each clone was attached (Pinkie Pie of Canterlot, etc.). Each pink pony was given a map and detailed instructions on how to get to their destination. By the end of the day, the army of Pinkie duplicates enthusiastically bounced off in all directions to ensure an endless celebration, fun, and happiness in every corner of the world. The real Pinkie Pie, remaining with her friends in Ponyville, addressed the ruler of Equestria:
"Thank you, Princess Celestia! You really found a wise solution to my complex problem!"
"You're welcome! Now, we just need to neutralize the magical pond to prevent the appearance of new duplicates. Lead the way!" requested the princess from the pink pony.
***
" Here we are! " Pinkie led the princess to the pond.
" Tell me, how did you create the duplicates? " Celestia inquired.
Stepping away from the lake's edge, Pinkie repeated the spell. Suddenly suspecting the princess, she asked:
" You're not planning to create duplicates of yourselves, are you?
Princess Celestia slyly smiled:
" Of course not, Pinkie. We need the spell to properly neutralize the pond. Isn't that right, sister? " Celestia winked at Luna. Luna absentmindedly nodded, already suspecting her sister's intentions.
" Pinkie, you must return to Ponyville. Lifting the curse from the pond can be dangerous.
" Okay! " Pinkie happily bounced back towards the town.
" Sister, do you seriously want to create our duplicates? " Princess Luna immediately addressed her sister as soon as the pink pony disappeared from view.
Celestia looked at her sister seriously:
" Yes! Luna, for a thousand years, I've waited for a reunion with you. And I'm glad you're here! But due to our duties, we hardly ever see each other. I'm tired, Luna! Tired of ruling Equestria alone! That's why I've already prepared Twilight for alicornization. In a few years, I planned to pass the rule over Equestria to her and retire together with you.
" What?! " Luna was shocked.
" Luna, I just want to make up for the lost time! And our duplicates will allow us to do that! We'll create only one copy each, and then immediately dispel the lake's enchantment! " Celestia promised.
" But how can we trust clones with our work if they know nothing? Not only will they have to remember many ponies, but they won't even have our experience! " Luna objected.
" I'm not planning to immediately entrust them with the governance of Equestria. First, we'll use a memory recall spell, and they will know everything we've been through. Then, for some time, we'll observe how our duplicates handle our responsibilities. When we're convinced they can manage, we'll peacefully retire, leaving an emergency communication channel.
" Well, I don't know. What if the copies decide to get rid of us? " Luna worried.
" Why would they do that? In any case, we can always use the duplicate dissolution spell. Please, Luna, agree! I've missed you for a thousand years! " and with tears in her eyes, the solar princess tightly embraced her younger sister.
" Oh, Celestia! I want us to be together too! And I'll trust your plan! " the moved night princess surrendered.
" Thank you! Let's do this! " the princesses approached the pond's edge and uttered the spell. When the princess duplicates emerged from the pond, Celestia and Luna deprived the pond of the ability to create new clones. But the history of Equestria had already changed forever!