> Pinkie's Kooky Quest
>  by TheThirdBomb
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 「Dancing Queen」(Act 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ponies of Ponyville were an oddity among oddities. Often looked down upon by the Monocle-clad gentlecolts and their trophy wives in flowing dresses that resided in the mountainside city of Canterlot, and thought to be 'country bumpkins' by the denizens of sprawling cities such as Manehatten, the citizens of Ponyville were able to shrug off most of the ire that fell upon them and continue going about their lives. 

It was usually a quiet, quaint little town; possessing a 'rustic charm' as the highly-regarded Trenderhoof once put it in one of his famous articles, it pulled those who wanted a quieter life and a close-knit community. Oh, and there was your average monster attack or magical incident every couple of days, but those were dealt with (usually) swiftly, and daily lives resumed as though nothing had occurred. Even so, one wondered just why ponies stuck around the area if they were constantly in danger. Simply put? It was fun.

Fun. Laughter. The two specialties of one Pinkamena Diane Pie, also known as Pinkie Pie, also known as 'Oh-Celestia-get-her-away-from-me' in several cultures. Yes, the harbinger of parties was well known no matter where in the world you went. The places she visited tended to remain happy and cheerful for several weeks after her presence, no matter how tough and hardy the inhabitants were beforehand. The only place her influence had never been able to stick was the Everfree Forest.

Which is why, incidentally, the pink pony is currently skipping along the pathway into the magical woods, humming a tune by forming several different tones at the same time, body seeming to compress every time she touched the ground only to spring upwards, leaping a meter or so into the air. The dark branches seemed to cringe away from her buoyant nature, curling back into themselves so as to not touch her and possibly become contaminated with whatever magic she spread. Completely ignorant to this was Pinkie herself, passing it off as 'the Eversilly Forest being silly', as it usually tended to be. That is, until a light buzz started to course through her body, getting slightly stronger when she looked in a certain direction to her side.

As one of the Elements of Harmony, as well as being able to solve most of their problems with a harmony laser, she had been given a very faint sense for magical artefacts, aided by her inexplicable Pinkie Sense. While there was nothing unusual about detecting traces of magic-imbued logs and such in these particular woods, something felt distinctly off about this sensation. Like it didn't belong. Or at least, that's the impression she got from her right forehoof, which tugged to the right of its own accord, the mare attached to it giggling childishly as she allowed her limb to drag her where it pleased. 

Every few steps or so, the limb would pause, twitching as though it was sniffing the air, before adjusting and leading Pinkie through the underbrush, the vibrating sensation growing stronger until her entire body was shuddering like she was sat atop a jackhammer. Completely coincidentally, that was one of her favourite activities when not saving the world, baking, throwing parties, baking, throwing more parties, baking some more, and shooting parties from her patented cannon. 

Party-based armaments aside, the mare soon found herself literally floating through the air, hoof outstretched like the Superstallion guy from one of Spike's comics that she had stolen borrowed from his collection. She'd always thought it was  a bit strange. Why would holding your hooves out make you fly? Wouldn't that make picking things up off a counter really awkward? What if you flew into an oven? And for that matter, why on Equestria did they not just make the hero a Pegasus? Not that she minded the Earth Pony representation, though! Every other hero was always a super-smart Unicorn or a super-fast Pegasus. It was for that reason that she enjoyed her time in the Power Ponies comic so much. 'Being fast was fun! No wonder Rainbow likes it!' she thought, not noticing that she'd come to a stop for a solid five minutes as she gesticulated wildly with a hoof, swinging and stomping it to punctuate her own mental points concerning the merits of superpowers attached to certain species. She did notice, however, once a sharp stab of pain caused a loud "Yeowch!" to echo through the empty forest. 

Looking down at her fetlock, she stepped backwards, examining the wound. It wasn't too deep, but blood trickled slowly from the gash anyway. "No no no! Mommy needs you, don't go away!" She tutted, somehow scooping up the completely clean blood and pouring it back inside the hole, the wound sealing itself shut as if by magic. It was odd, really. Even Discord was occasionally bemused by the cartoonish capabilities of Pinkie Pie: she was almost indestructible, unable to be hurt properly. The only way of actually dealing with her was to trap her, distract her, or as the Draconequus liked to do whenever she got particularly talkative, take away her mouth entirely.

Turning her attention to the ground, she saw a weird, pointy looking thing jutting out from the soil, somehow completely spotless and reflecting light with a glint, even in the dark forest. Oohing curiously, the pink mare leaned her muzzle just millimetres away from the shiny stick, tilting her face left and right. In her opinion, it looked neat! Gold and shiny, silver at the tip, it looked like the kind of thing a really fancy pony would hang on his wall up in Canterlot and never use, even though he'd pretend like he did!

Glancing somewhat concernedly at the lighter pink line on her forehoof where the cut once was, she thought harder than she usually did, which meant she was serious for once. The arrow was obviously magical, as her body had led her right to it, and her body hadn't stopped vibrating, but it was a lot more muted than it used to be. Weirdly, she seemed to feel a slight tingle... A meter in front of herself, somehow.

The phantom buzzing was slightly concerning, but by far not the strangest thing Pinkie had ever felt. Her body was strange, and she knew that. Nobody else could predict dangers by feeling their tail twitch, after all! Maybe she got a new Pinkie Sense! For, uh... Finding magical arrows. It didn't feel like a sense she'd get much use of, but hey! A random power is a random power, after all! And Pinkie knew she loved those.

Anyway, Twilight would probably get a real kick out of studying a random magic arrow from the Everfree. And then disappear for a month. Never coming to any parties. Not talking to anypony. The urge to not tell Twilight at all was rising rapidly in Pinkie's mind, and responsibility battled spontaneity in her mindscape; an epic sword duel on a bridge over a canyon at sundown. Spontaneity wanted Twilight to not know, and just enjoy the parties she'd plan, and responsibility felt that it could be really dangerous if she didn't tell her about this: it could be super dangerous and nobody would have fun if they got hurt!

Responsibility won out for the first time in a long while for Pinkie and with a surprisingly heavy sigh, she went to go pluck the arrow from the ground with the ghostly hand that was hovering next to her... Wait.

Head snapping to the side, Pinkie's mouth opened comically wide as she inhaled deeply, gasping as she did whenever she met someone new. As she did so, the weird ghost stopped reaching for the arrow, facing Pinkie with a completely blank expression. It looked like...A doll? One of the porcelain ones that Rarity kept deep in her cupboard, only coming out if she needed to impress a noble with her fancy decorations. The bipedal being wore a large purple hoop skirt, black frills outlining the edges as two long, spindly arms came from the sides, clasping together in the middle of its dress, chalk white skin visible only on the hands and face. Blonde hair came in twin tails over its shoulder, straight. Its face was set in china, the eyes, mouth, and nose had no real detail, just outlines and indents where they should normally be; slightly raised and lowered bits of porcelain to make the shapes. As Pinkie looked on, it bowed at her stiffly, like an action figure with limited motion, only one direction that its waist joint could move in. Its lips unmoving, a soft, quiet voice seemed to come from nowhere.

"Good day to you, mistress Pie. I am「Dancing Queen」."
...
Utter silence. The ghost spoke. It knew her name, and... Pinkie thought back. When she wanted to pick up the arrow, the ghost,「Dancing Queen」, responded. It called her 'mistress'. And it appeared after she touched the arrow! That meant... That meant...!
...
She had a new friend to show around! "Oh! My! GOOOOOOOSH!"
> 「Dancing Queen」(Act 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The doll only known as「Dancing Queen」tilted her head, her soulless gaze somehow projecting an aura of amusement at the mare's outcry, and if one truly looked for it they would possibly see the sides of her lips curling, so slight that it could have just been a trick of the light. "Something the matter, mistress Pie?"

"Don't be silly, Queenie! Call me Pinkie, or Pinkie Pie, or I suppose you could say Pie Pinkie if you really wanted to, or maybe Pienkie if you wanna make it easy. Ooh! That's a great idea! I'm gonna change my name to Pienkie. What do you think, Queenie?" The mare rambled, never once pausing for breath. With each word spoken, the hovering doll before her seemed to grow the literal ghost of a smile once more, until eventually she outstretched one of her long, branch-like arms to cover her mistress' mouth.

"Your words are best spent elsewhere, Mistress...Pinkie Pie. I do not believe that you should stay here much longer." the ghost said, slowly removing her palm until she was sure that her mistress would not start rambling again. As the mare gave her a nod of agreement,「Dancing Queen」also tilted her head downwards in response, before seeming to fade away into the darkness, completely invisible.

"W-wait, where'd you go, Queenie? I wanted to talk some more!" Pinkie pouted, her expression becoming ever more concerned as she looked around the clearing, taking note of just how dark it had grown. Everypony knew that the Everfree was not a safe place to be at any time of day, but it only grew exponentially more dangerous as daylight waned. The mare started to pace backwards, retracing her steps to the path to no avail. Thanks to her lapse of attention while being dragged along earlier, she'd not the slightest idea which direction she came from. "Q-Q-Queenie? Dancing Queen? H-hello?" she stuttered, eyes nervously flittering around for any sign of hostile wildlife.

"Worry not, mistress Pinkie. I will never leave your side, under any circumstance." the calm voice echoed throughout Pinkie's mind, placating her worries as best she could. It worked, too; the knowledge that the towering doll was still around was a highly comforting thought. It begged the question, however, as to just what the ghost was. It had come to her when she was injured by the arrow, and that can't have been a coincidence. 

Still looking around, though less worried now, she considered how to broach the subject to her invisible companion. "Sssooo, Queenie...What...What are you? I don't mean like what are you made of because I mean you're a ghost and ohmygosh what if you aren't a ghost and I just really offended you I'm so sorry!"

The musical trill of laughter that flowed through her mind was quick to assuage her fears. "Do not apologise for questioning what you do not understand. In truth, I do not know. I came into existence when you met me. I know not what I am, nor the significance of the arrow, only that it created me. I am part of you now, however, and we will never be apart. Everything you ask of me, if within my capabilities, I will perform to the best of my abilities. Always I shall stand by your side."

The pink mare tapped her forehoof against her chin in thought as she walked, somehow balancing on three legs as she casually stepped around a tree. "Stand by my side, huh? Well, there can't be any more of you in Ponyville, because I know everyone and no offense but I think i'd know if i'd met something like you before."

Seemingly growing bored of hiding away, the porcelain ghost materialised once more by Pinkie, hovering alongside as she walked, purple skirt waving in a breeze that wasn't there. "I believe I am the only one of me." she spoke lowly, more dejected than usual. Pinkie understood why. However childish she might have acted usually, she was a social creature by nature. Social cues, therefore, were easy. Slightly harder with no facial expression to read, but the meaning was understood all the same. Being the only one of your kind, locked away in an arrow for who knows how long...That sounded like the worst kind of punishment. Even Luna had her sister to think of all the way up on the moon. "Be wary, mistress. The wooden wolves approach." Pinkie was brought back to reality by the stern words of her companion.

All of a sudden, pairs of yellow lights made themselves known in the foliage, dead leaves crunching beneath their prowling paws. Or was that perhaps their teeth snapping together? Pinkie was certainly not keen to find out, and her fight or flight instinct took over, a burst of adrenaline running through her sugar-ridden veins as she leapt into a sprint, hooves scrambling for purchase on the damp moss that clung to the many tree roots jutting out sideways. The Timberwolves were not far behind, their snarls driving Pinkie to push herself even harder, muscles burning as dark, towering trees whizzed past her vision. No matter how quickly she ran, the wooden canines never got quieter; they were keeping perfect pace, toying with their prey.

A sudden shriek of pain pierced the otherwise quiet forest, a set of splintered teeth digging into Pinkie's hind leg, sending the pink mare spiralling to the ground with an 'oomph', the wind driven out of her lungs by the impact. Pinkie attempted to struggle to her feet, the Timberwolf holding fast, opening its jaw in preparation for another hard bite until a single spindly arm draped in purple cloth slammed forward, cracking the log that made up the wolf's cheek and forcing it to release the mare's leg with a pained whimper, launched into a tree where it collapsed into a heap of twigs and sticks. Knowing Timberwolves, however, it wouldn't be long before it reformed, angrier than before.

Taking a deep breath, Pinkie clambered upwards, knowing that her new friend had protected her. She wilfully did not look back at her injury, knowing that seeing the punctured holes would only make her feel the effects of pain that much more. Whilst earlier she could shrug off the small cut made by the arrow, her comedic abilities would no longer work now that the situation was serious. She'd come to realise that at an early age, she could do almost anything so long as it was in a funny situation, or would create a funny situation for ponies other than herself. Because she was alone, however, she was powerless. Well, aside from her companion, who even with a featureless expression managed to give off an aura of extreme menace towards the gathering Timberwolves, suddenly wary that the pink horse had managed to break one of their pack. Their eyes seemed to completely ignore the doll that had committed the act though, to Pinkie's confusion. Surely they'd be more worried about the giant unknown creature? Unless... She willed「Dancing Queen」to swing her arm forward but not to hit any of them as an experiment. No response from the Timberwolves. Not even a wary glance. They couldn't see the doll! They must have thought that Pinkie had used some kind of magic, and were now being much more careful than before.

As she had been experimenting, the broken wolf had reformed, a crack still running through the side of his gnashing muzzle as he circled the pony along with the rest of his back, closing the circle a miniscule amount with each pass. Its primitive mind had no idea what the small horse had done, but it wouldn't let her do it again. With his whole pack by his side, nothing would...Why was his muzzle detaching itself?

Indeed, as they watched, the cracked log rolled free of the Timberwolf by itself, glowing with a faint lilac aura as it floated upwards until it was head height with the confused, mouthless wolf. Without warning, the log swung sideways, bowling the Timberwolf over as the rest of the pack, plus Pinkie, gazed on in confusion. 

The pink mare glanced at her friend, who seemed to be staring at its own arm for a solid five seconds before turning back to Pinkie. "I get it now. I understand what I can do. The things I touch...I can control inanimate objects if I touch them. I do not believe it works on anything too big, however." the doll spoke telepathically, transmitting her findings to her mistress.

Pinkie, on the other hoof, processed this information with some level of glee, ideas for new party favours already coursing through her mind. But before that, she had to get away from these wolves first. The one that was broken yet again had yet to reform and she knew that now was her time to strike back. Commanding Politely asking her companion to act, the doll struck the shattered pieces of the Timberwolf, until every piece of the creature was floating separately, the magic making up the wolf apparently dissipated as they made no attempt to reform. The rest of the creatures in question snarled angrily, charging at the pony to avenge their fallen packmate. Thinking fast, Pinkie had the chunks of wood spin rapidly around her, a vortex of splinters and logs to act as a deterrent as「Dancing Queen」set to work on dismantling the rest of the creatures. Though one or two slipped past her guardian, they were stopped in their tracks by a flying log, usually shattering their wooden bodies as they flew, which the doll was quick to deal with, taking control and adding them to the protective hurricane of wood surrounding her master.

Eventually, the only remaining threats decided to cut their losses, unable to comprehend the invisible force that was batting them aside with ease, as their pack was slowly taken apart and used as a shield. With a parting angry snarl or two, they turned tail and fled, scurrying off into the forest. The pony and her doll stood there for a few minutes, ensuring that the Timberwolves had fully retreated as the vortex came to a slow halt, dropping lifelessly to the ground as「Dancing Queen」let her control drop. Pinkie was much the same; falling to the floor feeling suddenly very drained. "That should be enough, mistress Pinkie. We must vacate the woods at once." the doll's somehow concerned voice said.

Pinkie stirred on the ground, reaching a hoof up that her companion gladly took, helping the mare to stand. "W-what about the arrow? I think we left it be...hind." she trailed off, seeing that her friend had it grasped in one hand. Looking up at the doll with a quirked brow, Pinkie decided to disregard it. She did weirder stuff all the time, far be it from her to question the ghost doll that could punch things and control wood. "Y-yeah, I need to get outta here, but I don't think I can walk right now." she said, taking the risk of looking back at her haunch, the bleeding wound closed now, but trails of blood caked her fur, and dried flaky mud clung to her skin thanks to her brief fall earlier.

Silent, thinking for a moment,「Dancing Queen」scooped Pinkie Pie up in her spindly arms without much warning, able to easily hold the small mare as she started to float away, quickly finding the footpath that most ponies stuck to whenever they entered the Everfree Forest. It had definitely not been there a few moments ago. Perhaps the Forest had gotten tired of having its wildlife punched in the face. Deciding not to look the gift horse in the mouth, Pinkie and her newfound guardian began trailing along the path, unknowing of the new reality they were bringing home with them.
> 「Weird Science」(Act 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The strange duo emerged from the treeline to be greeted by the glaring midday sun. Wasn't it night time in the forest just a moment ago? Pinkie shook her head, her usually bouncy mane laying flat over her muzzle as「Dancing Queen」cradled her towards the town. On her way past Fluttershy's house, she thought about calling out to her sensitive friend before noticing the shut curtains, which either meant that she wasn't home or she didn't want to be disturbed. After several... Heated complaints about Pinkie's occasional home invasions (all in the spirit of laughter, she assured them) she had taken to being very cautious about matters involving houses. Yes, this put a dent in her party planning, but a true master always found a way. Pinkie considered herself to be a level above master.

"We are going to Twilight Sparkle's tree, correct?" the porcelain ghost said, staring down at her mistress in her arms. Speaking of whom, the pink mare spent a solid minute nestling into a more comfortable nook in the lacking bosom of「Dancing Queen」, as the feeling of resting against china, cloth-laden though it may be, was hard to make functional.

"Yup yup! Wait, how'd ya know about Twilight? Do you know her?! Ooh goodie, you already have a friend, that's so great!" Pinkie said excitedly, forehooves gesticulating wildly in the air to accentuate her enthusiasm. After a moment of further thought, she realised that didn't make sense, which was swiftly confirmed by a shaking of the doll's head. Stiff, like any movement that wasn't punching, where Pinkie noticed she really became animated.

"In a certain manner of thinking. I am literally part of you. Your desires, emotions, thoughts. I'm privy to all of them; it's how you were able to make me act the way I did during the encounter with the Timberwolves. Your anger, and fear, while hard to bring forth, made me furious in turn." The china lady explained calmly, just beginning to enter the boundaries of Ponyville. The few ponies that glanced their way just raised an eyebrow or two at the seemingly floating mare, but were so used to dealing with Pinkie's oddities that they disregarded her in exchange for getting on with their day as normally as possible.

Pinkie, meanwhile, was uncharacteristically deep in thought. She wasn't sure how to feel about someone she just met being so intrinsically linked to her thoughts, even if she had just saved her life. It was a distinct pride of hers that she was hard to read, and harder to comprehend. Queenie just bypassed all of the work she'd put into her personality, and she wasn't yet sure what to make of that. Either way, the fact remained that she did just save Pinkie's life, so she let it go for the time being.

As they drew ever closer to the town's centre, they first came upon the market in full swing, the sound of bartering and murmuring customers who felt they'd been ripped off emanated like a chorus through the square. There was Berry Punch, manning her stall of adult beverages; Doctor Whooves engaged in a heated conversation with another stallion seemingly pertaining to the merits of clockwork versus the newly emerging digital technology; and most happily of all, Applejack was stationed in her usual spot, cart already half-emptied of fruit as her little sister bounced up and down, pointing Pinkie out to her somewhat distracted older sibling.

"Well howdy there Pink- golly! What 'n Equestria's happened t'yer leg?!" The farmer cried, circling her cart to examine closer, gesturing for Applebloom to remain seated. It was a testament to how long they'd been friends that the hovering wasn't even questioned. "Teeth marks. Were y'all snoopin' around the Everfree again? I told ya b'fore, that place is bad news! How'd ya get away, anyhow?" the questions came in rapid succession, the mare's protective nature coming out in full force.

"Hey, hey! Calm down frowny-face, i'm fine! Queenie here got me away just fine! Right, Queenie?" Pinkie defended, briefly turning her head to look up at the blank expression of her tall companion. Applejack for her part stood, mouth in a straight line, eyebrow arched as she examined the air that her pink friend was looking at, too polite and knowing of her antics to call her out on it. Applebloom was not quite so indoctrinated.

"Aint nopony there, Pinkie. Ya sure yer ok?" the small voice spoke up, concerned as to the mental health of the older mare, much like anyone who had ever come into contact with the party master.

"Huh? But she's right there! Come on, wave at 'em, Queenie!" the now slightly frowning pony asked of her friend, the doll doing as told to seemingly no effect. When the two in front of her didn't react except with even more raised eyebrows, Pinkie decided that it was time to keep going onwards, as Twilight's massive crystal castle was just a short walk away. Hopping off of「Dancing Queen's」arms feeling a lot less fatigued than before, Pinkie trotted away, leaving behind two very bemused apple farmers. It wasn't surprising that they, like the Timberwolves, couldn't see Queenie, but it was a little upsetting. She was so polite and caring, Rarity would love her! Maybe Applejack would have found her a bit weird, though. A little too mechanical. Twilight would hopefully love her, but now she'd never know. Although maybe it was a good thing. Fluttershy would be completely horrified at the huge china doll, especially at what it did to the Timberwolves.

Her distraction caused her to bump her muzzle into the door of her intended target. Rubbing her nose for a moment, Pinkie got Queenie to hold the arrow out, ready to show Twilight, and knocked once on the door. No response. Two knocks. Nil. Pinkie, reasonable as always, decided that non-stop knocking would work where she'd previously failed. Knock knock knock knock knock. Twilight's face appeared, only for a pink forehoof to plant itself directly into her face. Knock. "HEY Twilight!" Pinkie chirped loudly, still holding her hoof against Twilight's forehead.

"Pft! P-Pinkie!" The Librarian spluttered, batting the hoof away with one of her own. Sighing and obviously bedraggled, her wings curled and unfurled several times, as though just waking up from a year of being unused. "W-what," a heavy yawn passed the Princess' lips, "What do you want, Pinkie? It's too early."

"Uh, Twilight, it's... About one in the afternoon." Pinkie spoke, covering her ears in an instant as Twilight immediately seemed to straighten bolt upright, eyes widening as her pupils dilated. Oh dear. Pinkie already knew what a tired Twilight meant this late in the day. She'd overslept, or not slept enough, thanks to a project, and would now...

"ONE O'CLOCK!? B-BUT, B-BUT...I...I went to bed at a perfectly reasonable time last night, I made sure!" The Alicorn cried, hooves tangling in her mane, pulling uncomfortably hard as she panicked. Pinkie was quick to rush to her aid, pulling her hooves away and holding the sides of Twilight's face, staring into her eyes.

"Nope! I can tell, yooooou slept for exactly three point one four hours!" The pink pony exclaimed, pointing a dramatic hoof at her friend. "I can't belieeeeeve it! We had an intervention! We talked about this! And to hear you've gone back to your...Your...addiction!" she sobbed heavily, collapsing against her awake and very confused friend.「Dancing Queen」knew better than to intervene.

"Pinkie it's not an addiction! And how'd you even know how long I was sleeping? And why did the digits correlate to pi?! And why did- how did you?! I...Ugh, forget it. What do you want, Pinkie?" The sensible mare gave up swiftly, knowing that to question the madness was to be drawn into it. At her words, the pink mare stood up straight, previous sadness one hundred percent wiped from her expression.

"Oh, well, I found this weird magic arrow in the Everfree Forest with my super duper magical arrow sensing power, I have that now by the way, and accidentally cut myself on it which didn't actually hurt that much you know and then when I looked around there was this ghost doll thing which called itself Dancing Queen but I thought that was too long so I call her Queenie and-" The tirade of insanity was cut off by Twilight's own hoof mirroring Pinkie's earlier motion, the latter mare still mumbling for a second or two before realising she'd been cut off.

"Well it sounds like you've had an...Experience. Come inside and we'll get it sorted out, hm?" The lavender Alicorn spoke calmingly, having not paid attention to any of what Pinkie had just said. As she reached out to hold Pinkie's side in order to gesture her inside her castle, the arrow currently being held by the china apparition seemed to hum, shaking wildly in the ghost's grip before seeming to shoot outwards, burying into Twilight's outstretched fetlock before「Dancing Queen」could even hope to react.
> 「Weird Science」(Act 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ow! What the hay is that, Pinkie!?" came the startled yelp as the arrow made its mark, dropping to the floor harmlessly after its work was done with a clatter. Twilight's horn lit up as she checked the injury for anything unclean and to seal the cut as best she could, resolving to go to the doctor later anyway. Even though nothing hurt, a sudden feverish heat seemed to course through her body, skin tingling. Pinkie, meanwhile, had no idea what just happened. Queenie had been holding the arrow firmly until it shot out of her grasp, and weirdly Pinkie could sense her companion's surprise as if it were her own, but didn't have the time to call out. Biting her lower lip, the pink pony led Twilight inside her castle, taking her into the throne room. Or as Pinkie called it, 'the-room-which-totally-has-like-seven-thrones-in-it'. One title was definitely more popular than the other.

"Oh gee, Twilight, I just don't know what happened. Queenie was holding it really tight, I don't understand how..." she said, forcefully taking the lavender forehoof and examining it closely. Closely enough that her eye was only a few millimetres away before Twilight pushed her away a small bit for some breathing room. Upon being satisfied that Twilight had suffered no real injury, Pinkie set about finding the arrow again, and she guessed that Queenie had it. Materialising the doll beside her, Pinkie heard a heavy gasp come from the table, and looked up to see Twilight scrambling away, horn lighting up as her wings unfurled, ready to flee if need be.

"P-Pinkie! Run! There's something there!" the bookish mare shrieked, firing a bolt of energy that arced through the air like lightning, causing Pinkie to emit a gasp of her own as the attack flew straight towards Queenie, the porcelain lady having no time to react as the bolt...Passed through her harmlessly. The pink mare deflated in relief, exhaling deeply before turning to her friend with an upset frown.

"Twilight, why'd you shoot at Queenie?" she pouted, before perking up within an instant. "Wait, you can see her now?!" Pinkie gasped, willing the suddenly hesitant doll forward to approach Twilight, who continued to back away slowly, though held off on firing any more magic as the previous attempt proved fruitless. "Hey, hey now, Twily, there's nothing to be worried about." she said, approaching slowly so as to not intimidate her friend.

"Pinkie Pie...Explain. What...What is that t-thing! Why couldn't I see it before, what is that arrow, why are you not scared, why did my magic not work, why, why why why-" Pinkie cut her off before she fainted, yet again shoving her hoof in Twilight's mouth, slightly regretting having to do it so often.

"It's like I was telling you Twilight! I found the arrow with my super duper new Pinkie Sense, and I accidentally got cut by it, and then poof! Queenie appeared. Say hi Queenie!" she called, waiting for the doll to give a hesitant polite wave before holding up a hoof, preventing the lavender mare from interrupting, "And then I was attacked by Timberwolves and Queenie totally saved my flank with a super awesome power and then I came to Ponyville and said hi to Applejack and Applebloom, and neither of them could see Queenie so I went to see you and now i'm saying hi to you and you fired at Queenie. Now i'm explaining all this to you. Simple, right?!" she grinned widely, a squeaking noise emitting from nowhere in particular. To give Twilight credit, she at least processed the full story first before collapsing onto the floor, twitching violently and muttering something about 'impossible', 'anomaly', 'hot', and other such things which Pinkie could never quite wrap her head around. She knew better than to stop this fit, though. It was far better for Twilight to get over things before moving on.

Once Twilight had ceased the worst of her spasms, she stumbled shakily to her hooves, staring warily at「Dancing Queen」through reading glasses that she'd not removed from last night. "O-ok, let me sum up what you just told me. You!" she pointed accusingly at Pinkie, "Managed to develop a new Pinkie Sense, which let you find the arrow, which cut you, which gave you...That...Thing." she shook the hoof now at the china lady, who seemed to frown even though her lips did not move.

Pinkie frowned as well. "That sums it up, yep, but...She's not a 'thing', Twily."

"Well what IS she then?"

Pinkie pondered. Thinking all the way back to what「Dancing Queen」had said to her when they first met. About how she'd never leave her side, and always stand by her. That's when the gears clicked into place in Pinkie's mind. She couldn't keep calling Queenie a doll forever, so this seemed like the next best thing. "Simple! She's a 「Stand!」" she exclaimed triumphantly, quite proud of herself for coining the term, not that Twilight knew she had just made it up on the spot.

Twilight, meanwhile, switched into investigation mode, deciding to view this situation from a logical, scientific point of view above all else. "Alright. What is a Stand? My magic didn't affect her, and I couldn't see her bef...ore...Oh my gosh. Oh. My. GOSH!" she exclaimed, suddenly standing nose to nose with the surprised Pinkie Pie. "I got cut by the arrow! That means i'm getting one of her too! Wait, you claim that nobody else could see her either? " Pinkie nodded, somewhat taken aback by her new enthusiasm, and the odd thing on top of Twilight's head. "So that means that you need to be cut be the arrow before you can see, what did you call them? Stands. You can't see them unless you get cut too. So how did you make her appear afterwards?"

Pinkie, realising she had a turn to talk, eagerly pointed a hoof at Twilight's face. "You've already made yours appear, silly! It's on your head."

Twilight considered that as she reached upwards, humouring Pinkie even though it didn't make sense. "Pinkie, don't be ridiculous. How could a huge porcelain thing fit on my hea- OH CELESTIA WHAT IS THAT!?" she screamed, reflexively tossing the thing in her hooves  away from her, sending the convulsing grey cube flying until it splattered on the wall about five meters away, pooling on the floor before taking the shape of a cube once more, resting dormant as the mares stared at it.

Pinkie shrugged, looking back up at Twilight. "I think that's your Stand."

The latter pony cringed away slightly, unwilling to draw closer. As if responding to this demand, the cube lost form, turning into a pool of liquid and attempting to flow away, yet unable to pass through the wall. "But...But it's nothing like yours!" 

"Well maybe they aren't all the same, Twilight. I guess they can all do different things. Like Queenie here can take control of inan...Inanum..." she glanced over to her Stand helplessly. Staring silently at each other for a few seconds, Pinkie seemed to nod along with some quiet syllables before returning her attention to Twilight. "In-an-i-mate. Inanimate objects. She can control those. That's how she beat those meanie Timberwolves, by taking control of the sticks and twigs that they're made of." the pink mare recalled, a faint grin crossing her lips at the memory of「Dancing Queen」socking the wooden wolves right in the face. Getting bitten was very much worth it.

The Alicorn gulped slowly drawing closer under the assumption that her own...Stand...Couldn't hurt her. She couldn't comprehend the insanity of this situation. Pinkie was crazy enough on her own, now she'd gained another of the Pinkie Senses that drove Twilight insane, but found a magic arrow that gave her some crazy new ability and gave herself...A rather more underwhelming one. A grey pool of silvery, reflective liquid. Honestly, Pinkie was absolutely ridiculous. Twilight only wished she could understand that silly mare. Reaching out slowly, the tip of her hoof made contact with the strange liquid, and to Pinkie's horror, Twilight, one of her best friends, melted away into the puddle, which grew bigger as she seemed to be absorbed into it. "Ah! It's got Twilight! Quick, Queenie, hit it!" she said, her Stand obliging at once, winding up a punch with launched forward at high speed only for the goo to reform into a ring, Queenie's fist passing right through the target. The liquid then constricted itself around Queenie's arm, the convulsing liquid feeling very strange on Pinkie's fore...hoof. That was strange. It felt like she could feel what Queenie felt.

"Mistress Pie, this is very uncomfortable. Permission to dematerialise requested." the Stand spoke hesitantly, a very disturbed undertone to its voice as her mistress nodded, allowing the doll to fade away into nothingness as the puddle flopped to the ground with a splash. It didn't take long to start shifting, moving towards Pinkie herself. The aforementioned mare let out a squeak of fright as she jumped away, running away from the pool that ate her friend by leaping over the table, getting「Dancing Queen」to strike a chunk out of the crystal table, taking control of the gems quickly enough to deflect a piece of the puddle that had detached itself from the rest of its mass, launching itself at Pinkie. The pink mare kept the chunk of precious table floating next to her as she played avoidance, soon requiring the aid of two more bits of crystal to keep the liquid from touching her.

Pinkie was absolutely distraught. Twilight...She'd been so scared at first, and then she got super duper excited, only to be...Be eaten by her own Stand! That wasn't fair! Queenie was so awesome and cool and caring, why did Twilight have to...To...Pinkie couldn't bring herself to think the 'D' word, she would not give up on a friend so easily! She'd find a way to get Twilight out of that puddle, if it was the last thing she did! "Alright you stupid little puddle, me and Queenie are gonna get Twily outta you, and then punch you! A whole lot! Wait that might not be a good idea because if I can feel what Queenie feels then maybe Twilight will too!" Pinkie frowned, leaping away from another attempted lunge, blocking the following attack with one of the floating chunks. The puddle was fast, really fast! It definitely moved quicker than Queenie did, but didn't look like it had too much power behind it. Obviously if you could devour whatever you touched, then that point seemed a little moot.

The liquid continued its chase around the room for a good few minutes, but something had to give eventually. The puddle split into 5 smaller versions of itself without warning, launching themselves at the running Pinkie Pie. The three chunks plus Queenie herself came out to defend her, but before she knew what was happening the silvery liquid changed, flowing over the crystal until the puddle had completely covered Pinkie herself. 'Sorry Twily, I let you down...' she thought, clenching her eyes shut as she prepared to be devoured by the grey fluid.

When nothing happened right away, Pinkie cracked one eye open. Then the other. The liquid was just sitting on her, feeling very odd as it undulated on her fur, spreading over her skin as though examining her fully. Queenie stood a short distance away, looking on in confusion. Pinkie could only shrug at her Stand. A minute passes before the Puddle was satisfied, flowing off of her body leaving no traces of its presence before pooling on the floor a meter away. A shape started to take form, and then colour, and then life. Twilight lay on the floor, gasping for breath, staring at Pinkie with a dazed expression. "Twiliiiiiiiiiight! You're OK!" the pink mare squealed happily, hugging the lavender pony, who flinched at her touch, causing Pinkie to back away quickly, slightly concerned. "...Twilight?"

Coming to a sitting position, the grey puddle materialised again, forming a ring around the Alicorn. "I was always OK... Pinkie... I get what it does now!" she shouted, a wide smile on her face, like a filly opening the biggest book she could ever dream of for her birthday. "It's all about information! When I touched it, the last thing I wished for was to understand you! So it did just that! When I touched the crystal table chunks, it filled me with information about its chemical makeup, the particle model, everything down to the magical signature within!" Twilight jumped up, shaking Pinkie's face in excitement. "My Stand examines things! It's a real scientist! When I was in that puddle, I was scared at first, I admit, but it still did what I asked of it and nothing more. It gave me information about your DNA, your date of birth, date of conception, the date you got your cutie mark, everything!"

Pinkie stood, completely astounded at her friend's happiness at being sucked into a puddle of formless liquid, but...As long as she was pleased with the end result, Pinkie could appreciate it all the same. It really did seem like the kind of thing Twilight would enjoy having, anyway. "Sooo...Did it talk to you? What's it called?"

Twilight frowned briefly before waving the thought away. "Nah, no talking, but don't you see! This power is a huge discovery, just think of the possibilities! It gives ponies superpowers! These Stands are absolutely bizarre, but they could be a huge benefit to society! And...And to recognise it's strange nature..." she cleared her throat, pausing for dramatic effect as Pinkie awaited her words with bated breath. "I hereby dub my Stand:「Weird Science!」"

...
"So did you figure out how I work?"
"... ... No."
> Ghost of the Past (Act 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As far as sinking into a puddle of liquid went, Twilight appeared to have come out all the better for it. The fatigue that previously clung to her eyes was gone, banished to a far distant corner of her mind as she set about poking and prodding「Weird Science」now that she no longer had to fear melting into it. Unless she wanted to, of course. "Amazing! It appears to be some form of liquid metal compound, yet due to its nature as a Stand it cannot be seen by non-Stand users. I wonder if it can be felt or used on those without Stands though? Oh, this is so exciting! I need parchment, ink, quills, but most of all I need Spike! Where on Equestria is he? He must have gotten a normal night's sleep, so where could he be?"

Pinkie was content to let Twilight work as she got stuck in to examining her Stand, which no longer seemed to disgust her. Enjoying the camaraderie of someone else who had a Stand, the pink party expert turned to her own companion, who regarded her fellow Stand with a silent stare of contempt. "You ok there, Queenie? You've got a bit of a frowny face there!" she chirped, and as impossible as it was for the doll's face to change, there was certainly an aura of misery around her.

The porcelain lady stood silent for a good while, clasping and unclasping its hands in an uncannily realistic impression of nervousness. "Mistress Pie...When I came into this world, I was alone except for you. I thought I was the only one of my kind. Now I discover that more Stands can exist, and...And it cannot even communicate. I simply wish that the next few examples don't follow that trend." she said, watching as Twilight experimented with coercing her Stand to take the forms that she wanted it to. Simple things at first, like a sphere, a pyramid, until moving on to more complex structures such as a house, laughing with delight every time she managed to get it right, completely unaware of the sombre tones on the side.

Pinkie shrugged, jumping up to wrap both forehooves around「Dancing Queen's」neck. "Don't you worry about a thing, silly-filly! Pinkie's not gonna ever ever let you be lonely!" she exclaimed, her position not allowing her to see the slight inexplicable upwards curl that manifested itself on her Stand's lips, but she felt it all the same. Sliding off of her tall companion, Pinkie had to turn and give a curious glance towards the china lady. "Uh, whaddaya mean by 'the next few examples'? Who says we're letting anyone else get cut? Look at what nearly happened to Twily!"

「Dancing Queen」inclined her head slightly, bowing towards her mistress. "So you say, but I can't help but wonder... Both times somepony has come into contact with the arrow, it has not been by choice. I'm beginning to think that it's out of your control."

"Hey, no discussing Stand mechanics without me!" Twilight reprimanded, coming over to join the two of them in their talk, "I don't want to miss any of this! Everything I learn just has to get written into my paper." She seemed so happy to be studying, but the look that Pinkie shared with her Stand put her off somewhat. "Look, I can give you full credit as a co-author if you want..."

The laugh that escaped Pinkie Pie was genuine enough to convince Twilight that nothing was wrong. "No, we're just gonna mosey on outta here now. Haven't seen Pound and Pumpkin in like, at least six hours. That's like at least five point five hours too long."  

"Ohh! Sure thing Pinkie. Oh, but if you don't mind, could you leave that arrow here? I need to study it some more." The lavender mare certainly didn't miss the guilty wince that crossed Pinkie's face as she said as such. "...Pinkie, you can't keep it."

"Why not, Twilight? Why do you get to keep it?" Pinkie said in a rather more grumpy tone than usual. Coming from the cheerful pink pony, that was enough to get Twilight feeling slightly guilty. Not enough for her to drop the matter, though.

"Pinkie that is an important scientific discovery, and way too dangerous to just be carried through Ponyville! What happens if you accidentally touch Pumpkin or Pound with it? They're trouble enough on their own."

"Right, right, Twilight. You've made your point. But, and hear me out on this, what would you do if I were to not be here anymore?"

"Pinkie what are you sayi- PINKIE PIE YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!" Twilight shrieked, already casting the spell required to repair her windows. It was a talent she'd practiced often due to a certain prismatic friend of hers. Sighing deeply as the broken shards refitted themselves to the rest of the glass, the Alicorn sank into her throne, poring over the extensive notes she'd been able to write on the analysis ability of her Stand alone. If her hypothesis was true, and each pony's Stand was entirely unique, literally anything could happen. Yes, the winds of change were here, and they came under the guise of one Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Now trotting happily along the floor with「Dancing Queen」easily keeping pace beside her, Pinkie started to think that maybe taking the arrow hadn't been such a good idea. Someone could easily get hurt, or worse; somepony who wasn't very nice could get hold of a Stand and do really evil things with it. What on Equestria possessed her to get annoyed at Twilight? And why was there a faint voice telling her to get out of the way? Hold on, why was it getting closer? Suddenly, her gaze snapped to the side, a smile across her face. "HEY RAINBOW DA-"

It was an odd feeling, being standing one instant and having your face buried into the ground the next, but one that was easily adapted to when you lived with a friend like Rainbow Dash. As she thought this, the aforementioned mare tumbled out from the rock she'd crashed into, laying flat on her back as she caught her breath. "Pinkie Pie! Why the hay didn't you move!? I told you I was crashi- landing here!"

"Teehee! Sorry Dashie! I was just thinking super hard. Y'know, like I always do!" Pinkie laughed, muffling her giggle with a hoof as Rainbow righted herself, shaking off the dirt clinging to her Wonderbolts uniform like a wet dog. If she'd found Dash before she'd had the experience with Twilight's Stand, she'd have tried to introduce Rainbow to the world of Stands in order to meet「Dancing Queen」, but now she wasn't so sure it was a good idea. Better to wave her on her way.

"...Riiiiiiight. Aaaaanyway, I've gotta perfect this one aileron roll before the next practice run, so i'll see ya 'round, Pinkie!" the cyan mare spoke, not giving Pinkie any time to react before barrelling away, going from nought to way above sixty in a single instant. That was Dashie for you. In any event, The party master and her Stand made their way back through the street, waving and smiling at any pony they thought needed it.



The air was Rainbow Dash's life and soul, the one place she never felt off, was always at her prime, and never, ever lost. Unless it was one of the Wonderbolts in which case losing was fine. More than fine, it was absolutely awesome. Something felt off right now, though. She felt hot, and not in the sense that she usually was. This was the kind of feverish heat that'd put any lesser pony out of commission, but Rainbow 'Danger' Dash was absolutely no lesser pony! Although...Maybe it wouldn't hurt to act like one for a little bit. Just a small nap. I mean, if the heat was this bad even when flying through the air at speeds just under the speed of sound, it must have been a heck of a lot worse.

It was. Sweet Celestia was it worse. Rainbow tossed and turned on the cloud she'd picked out to rest on, back arching in discomfort. It was like trying to scratch an itch that wasn't centred anywhere, but instead made every pinprick of skin burn with discomfort. Horseapples; what the hay did she eat that could be doing this to her?  Wait, it can't have been that. It probably had something to do with when she crashed into Pinkie Pie. She must have been holding a knife or something. Sharp, too; she barely even felt that gash on her thigh when it happened.
> Ghost of the Past (Act 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie, all things considered, greatly enjoyed having someone to talk to who fully understood her. Her earlier qualms about having somepony know everything about her were solved by the knowledge that, since her Stand had to obey her command (even though Pinkie hated wording it like that) then it wasn't like anyone else could learn of it. And besides, it was refreshing to know that even with all that knowledge, the china doll was still visibly taken aback whenever she surprised her with a hug tight enough to start hurting normal ponies. For Pinkie knew that while her companion seemed more stoic than Big Mac, she felt completely alone in the world aside from her mistress. Sadly, Twilight hadn't even tried to talk to her yet, which baffled the duo as one would assume she'd try to grill the doll for information about Stands. 

Speaking of whom; "So I wanted to introduce you to everyone but that's not gonna work anymore, and it's my day off at Sugarcube Corner, and I don't think you can eat, and I also don't think that Cranky wants me to visit today, and...I'm booooored!" The pink mare finally wailed dramatically. One would think that discovering a new superpower-granting object would keep her entertained, but the novelty wore off quickly once her friend got eaten by her own power. Well, not technically, but even knowing Twilight was unharmed, watching her get absorbed into the icky puddle was quite the eye-opening experience.

"What of your other friends, mistress Pie?" the doll offered, a hand idly going to rest on her mistress' back as the duo paused in the middle of the dirt road. 

"Hmm, you make an excellent point, Queenie. But please, call me Pinkie Pie. Or Pienkie; remember? Oh! I should go change my name! Where would I even do that though. Oh, you think there's a Stand that can change names? What would that look like? I think it'd have a funny hat, what do you think?"

"I wouldn't know, mistress Pie," the lady spoke with a definite tinge of humour to her tone, fully aware of her word choice and how it affected Pinkie, "however I would suggest that your friends could quite easily alleviate your boredom. Perhaps Fluttershy is not too busy?"

The mare hummed, shaking her head. "Naw, she's not being introduced to the plot just yet, silly." 「Dancing Queen」sounded oddly as though she choked on something.

"What was that, mistress?"

"Nothiiiiing~" Pinkie trilled innocently, already starting to canter in another direction towards somepony that hopefully wouldn't be too irritated to see her in the middle of the day.



"Pinkie Pie, I am distinctly irritated with seeing you in the middle of my working day!" the fashionista groaned, resting her head against the fabric she'd been sewing to muffle the annoyed noise. Pinkie merely stood in the doorway, aghast at the sheer amount of materials floating through the air; several long racks full of strange looking costumes hung to the side, and even as she rested her face in a pile of denim, Rarity was still working, another completed costume that looked like a stereotypical skeleton do, with a popped collar and everything, being levitated to hang on the rack. Taking a pause in her work, Rarity looked over to her disruptive friend, the latter noting the bags under the former's eyes. A deep sigh passed her lips as she took her working glasses off, rubbing them with a cloth. "That was perhaps a smidge rude of me, but honestly! You know better than to distract me while i'm working."

"Nevermind that, Rarity, you are in dire need of a nap! Naps solve every problem, but especially tiredness, which you're obviously suffering.!" Pinkie said. Even as she said this, Rarity's eyes started to droop, ready to collapse into the pile of unsorted fabric.

"P-Perish the t-thought, dear! I simply must get all of this done, the deadline is t-t-tonight! Tonight!" The mare suddenly shouted, leaping from her desk with wild eyes as she stood before Pinkie, "Did they have any idea how long it would take to make their orders? No! Did they stop to consider that maybe fifty costumes was a bit too much to ask for a SINGLE DAY?!"

Pinkie shrunk away from the very loud and very angry mare, hesitant to speak. "N-No?"

"NO! No. They. Didn't. Look, i'm...I'm sorry, Pinkie Pie, but this really isn't a good time. I'd need some kind of miracle to get all of this done on time, I really can't afford any distractions right now." Rarity trailed off pitifully, her anger being replaced by the same weariness she'd started with, a deadpan stare directed at the clothes she still had yet to make.

Pinkie, meanwhile, was locked in a fierce telepathic conversation with「Dancing Queen」. "Queenie! Do you think we could...?"

The scowl that Pinkie could visualise on the doll's face was quite surprising. "Oh we certainly could. The problem is whether or not we should. We can't just go around giving people Stands because they're in a little bit of trouble."

Pinkie gestured simply to Rarity's distraught form in response. "I...I don't like seeing my friends like this, Queenie. I have something that could help, and I don't wanna leave her hanging."

"That is a slippery slope to take, mistress. You shouldn't rely on Stands to fix all of your problems. What if you have a moment of weakness towards every pony with a small issue?"

"And what if she fails the order, Queenie?! She's going to lock herself away again, thinking that she's the one who failed, and not the silly customers! I don't want to see that ever again!"

For better or worse, 「Dancing Queen」was a part of Pinkie Pie, and could feel every raw emotion as it passed. She believed her mistress on this front. The silent conversation had taken place in the span of about five seconds, and the decision was made. Doing something that seemed like a noncommittal shrug, the doll faded away into invisibility. "Do what you will, mistress, I cannot stop you. I want it known, however, that I think this is a big mistake." And out of the thin air the lady once stood dropped the arrow into Pinkie's outstretched hoof. The question now was how to go about it... One couldn't exactly ask to stab their friend with an arrow, after all. Though, thinking about it...So far, if the arrow wanted to give someone a Stand, it did so of its own accord. Lightbulbs flashed in Pinkie's mind. 

"Hey Rarity, can I use your bathroom?" 

"Wh-? Oh, certainly. You know where it is."

"Thanks Rares~! I'll just leave this here if ya don't mind!" The party mare called, placing the arrow on a very obvious countertop as she vanished through the door, truthfully needing to use the facilities.



That strange pony; Rarity would never understand her. From the day they'd met, the pink pony had been a source of utter confusion for everypony involved, and that never faded over time. Ponies just got conditioned to deal with her better.

The fashionista shrugged before moving to turn back to her work, a glint of reflected light catching her eye. Odd. She hadn't left any gems over there, so what was...? 

An ornate silver and gold arrow lay on the table. Was that the thing that Pinkie had left behind? It was honestly quite beautiful, if a little odd. Why was Pinkie carrying around an arrow? A sharp looking one, at that. Was it a decoration? It could certainly pass as one. Nobles often hung weaponry from the walls in a contemptible attempt to seem more brave and heroic. Rarity resisted the urge to make a distinctly uncouth noise with her mouth. The only nobles  she'd ever met deserving of even the slightest respect had to be Fancy Pants and his near-silent companion Fleur. Even so, this arrow was very striking. She'd very much like to ask Pinkie Pie where she could have found or purchased such a thing. Rarity was halfway through reaching out to touch the shaft of the arrow before shaking her head, turning back to her work. "No, Rarity, don't let  yourself be distracted! Work, work, work."

The arrow did not seem fond of the indecision. Sliding forward just a little, it clattered to the floor, the minor noise startling Rarity enough to make her jump out of her chair, one forehoof to her chest as she breathed deeply. "Goodness gracious, I really am tired." she muttered under her breath, stepping out of her seat to pick up the arrow with her magic. It floated slowly upwards, until it was about chest height, where something peculiar happened. Her magic control, usually perfect, slipped in her tired state. The ornate arrow shot forward quite fast, the fashionista only having time to turn her body to prevent a head-on collision. Even so, as the arrow slid past, it made a clean stinging cut along her side

"What on Equestria?!" cried Rarity, quickly applying pressure to the wounded area. Using one of the strips of cloth to wrap around her barrel, covering the wide cut as best she could. "Goodness, I must be so much worse off than I thought. Perhaps Pinkie's idea had some...Some merit. If I'm managing to injure myself with levitation, I'm certainly in no condition to work." she sighed, rubbing her temples as she lay her head down on the pile of fabric she had yet to work on. In a few scant moments, the mare was snoring in a manner that she'd vehemently deny at any future occasion.

It was this sight that Pinkie came back to a few minutes later, with a slight twist. All of the spare material was gone, and in their place lay what Pinkie Pie could only assume were the completed costumes that Rarity needed. Sea monsters, Zombies, Mummies, Frankenpony's Monster...They were all there. Pinkie briefly considered trying to find where this costume party was taking place, as she'd seen neither hide nor hair of anything related to it. At closer inspection, the costumes were all very good, as expected of Rarity, but they were almost uncannily good. Where Rarity crafted beautiful works of art for both mares and stallions, these seemed...Realistic, she supposed, but lacked the usual Rarity flair. 

There was one in particular that caught Pinkie's eye. A brown waistcoat to fit around the barrel, red and white undershirts included to go beneath it, where the long white would spread past the red to make up the sleeves for each hoof. Speaking of which; it came with two boots for the hind legs, each tall and brown with two downward-facing purple arrows on them. The waistcoat had two vertical lines of golden buttons, and the red garment came with a similar set of purple arrows as the boots, except facing upwards. To complete the set was a scarf the same shade of purple as the arrows. The whole thing looked pretty old fashioned, like a Granny Smith's idea of what a fancy colt would wear to a ball. Pinkie grinned from ear to ear at the sight. Rarity was good; but not that good. This must have been the work of her Stand! Though, that outfit did look really neat. Somewhat archaic as it seemed, Pinkie had worn an outfit of about the same time period for her part in the Hearth's Warming play, though she doubted a pudding hat would fit the new outfit before her nearly as well. It did look a decent size fit for Pinkie, though. 

"Mistress, I know what you're thinking. Do not do it. We know nothing about Rarity's Stand or what it does. It could eat you, just like「Weird Science」and I would rather not see that happen to you." The voice of the doll said, even as Queenie herself did not materialise. Pinkie didn't react, eyes locked on the garment as though in a trance.

"C'mon Queenie, don't be a spoilsport! I just wanna try it on for a sec..." And despite any words that「Dancing Queen」fired off at her, the pink pony reached out and touched the garment. Nothing. "See, completely normal. Her Stand probably just helps with her speed or something." Pinkie spoke quietly, a little smug that she'd been proven right. 

Although it was awkward, Pinkie Pie eventually managed to get the clothes on in the correct order. From a cursory glance at a long vanity mirror on the wall, she could safely say that she looked...Hm, what was that word that Rarity used a bunch? Oh, 'dapper'. That was it. There were a few touches missing, though. With「Dancing Queen's」aid, Pinkie managed to slip the boots onto her hind hooves, the articles reaching all the way up until they stopped just shy of the very top of her leg. They were surprisingly comfortable, and designed with a ridge at the back of where the knees were to make the boots bend as she walked. 

And now, for the piece de resistance! Grasping the purple neck-scarf between her forehooves, Pinkie slipped the fabric over her head, dragging it past her poofed up mane until it sat comfortably around her neck. The mare stood stock still for a few moments, completely silent. The porcelain lady looked on from behind, shadows seeming to grow outwards even though It had been daylight hours a few moments before. "Mistress? Is something wrong?" she spoke hesitantly. The mare in question looked a little to the left. Then to the right, and then audible sniffing could be heard, as though tasting the air. Finally, after an eternity of tense waiting, a noise punctured the silence, a sound unlike anything the Stand could have thought her mistress capable of making. It was made just as Pinkie turned her head further to the left, revealing one wide eye to her Stand. Where a shining turquoise once lay, there was now a tinge of violent red. Pinkie seemed to lick her lips, opening her mouth as she did so to reveal a fang that seemed to glisten in the lamplight. And that same noise, louder this time but still menacingly, chillingly quiet.

"Wryyyy...."
> Ghost of the Past (Act 3)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The strange hissing cry would have sent shivers down the doll's spine, if she had one. Her mistress...This must have been the work of Rarity's Stand, but to think that anything could have turned the embodiment laughter into something like...Whatever she currently was. It was unthinkable! The same mouth which could usually be seen locked into an almost omnipresent smile was now marred with a cruel smirk, a sharp fang glinting in the light. The sunlight streaming through the window stopped just short of where Pinkie was standing, and the scene only grew tenser as the once-mare took a single step towards the Stand.

"It's been a good few millennia since I've been given the opportunity to revel in existence. How kind of your master to serve as a host for me after all these years of waiting.「Dancing Queen」, was it?" The being who looked like Pinkie Pie said, still as the grave as she stared straight at the china lady, who seemed frozen in place. The voice that came out of her sounded distinctly male. Deep, yet silky smooth in its pronunciation, charming like a snake in the moments before it struck. It didn't make any sense; just what was this creature? Compelled to obey, if only for her own mistress' safety, the Stand nodded once. "Hm. I should really be thanking your idiotic master, above all else. Without her bumbling around with my arrow, dear Rarity would never have been given her ability. And what luck that she needed to make costumes for a horror-themed party, hrm? Such a set of coincidences; all leading to my glorious return!" The vampire laughed uproariously, standing on Pinkie's hind legs and spreading her forehooves wide apart, letting loose that same sound from before, much louder this time. 

The noise caused Rarity to stir from her spot, blinking with bleary eyes as she woke up. Before she was given even a single moment to take in the sight of a strange china doll staring at Pinkie in a fancy costume, the pink mare moved faster than she could see, cupping the alabaster pony's cheek with one forehoof, mouth opening wide to reveal a set of fangs like she used to see in those awful horror films that Rainbow adored so much, only now she could feel an incomprehensible menace behind those glistening teeth. Her own mouth widening to utter a scream of terror, Pinkie slammed her other hoof over her mouth, stifling the panicked shriek. The pink mare tutted. "None of that infernal squealing, you ungrateful wench! Not many nowadays are given the chance to be feasted upon by me, D-" she stopped short, thinking for a moment, "Hm... I really shouldn't give away that little tidbit. That harlot Celestia might take notice if the pathetic ponies down here started saying my name after centuries of it being lost. Don't you agree, 'Queenie'? I truly don't appreciate being snuck up on, especially by worthless, weak Stands such as yourself." The monster using Pinkie's body reprimanded, turning to fix a terrifying stare on the doll that had indeed been approaching silently, a fist winding up which soon dropped in terror. How had he/she known? 

"Release Rarity at once, vampire! I will not hesitate to knock you down, even if you do wear my mistress' skin!" the doll seethed, visibly becoming less stiff and mechanical as she prepared for combat, desperately ignoring the way the monster seemed more amused by her threat than anything. Letting out a humourless chuckle, Pinkie casually grabbed Rarity's neck, tossing her into a wall and bowling over one of the fitting mannequins with a pained scream from the fashionista. At this, all「Dancing Queen」could do was tense, ready to fight at a moment's notice. 

"I do so hate repeating myself, so let me say this one last time; you are nothing. What is a donkey to a stallion? You are nothing but a mere donkey to me, 'Queenie'! My power, my speed, my strength, my intelligence; all of them surpass yours by a landslide! Though it must not be hard to outsmart someone as pathetic as yourself; my body is still your master's. If by some measure of the imagination you actually manage to lay your filthy hands upon me, you'd just be hurting yourself and your mistress more than me, you fool!"

「Dancing Queen」realised that he was right. For her to still be manifested, her mistress must still exist within that body. And the way he'd moved, crossing the room in what seemed like an instant, he clearly outclassed her speed.The situation grew worse every moment. "Miss Rarity, are you damaged?" she called out as the mare in question rose from a crumpled heap on the floor, groaning and clutching her head.

Rarity, meanwhile, had absolutely no idea what was going on. Why had Pinkie attacked her, and why did she sound male now? Who or what was that china doll creature that was now talking to her? Without time to answer these questions, she could only rely on the instincts she'd gained from taking part in more battles than were befitting of a lady such as herself. Pinkie had hit her, the doll had not, and was inquiring as to her safety. Hence; the doll was friendly. Pinkie was not. "I believe so, dear. What in Equestira is happening to Pinkie Pie?"

The doll winced. "I am unsure. She appears to be possessed by your Stand, are you able to take it away?"

A blank look of confusion crossed Rarity's face. "Stand? What is that? Those clothes she's wearing?"

"Yes, the ones you made. Can you remove them?"

"I don't believe those are mine."

The vampire simply stood listening to their conversation, cruel smirk still etched on her lips as they fruitlessly searched for a way out. She would enjoy this. It had been forever since he'd had a drink, and that Rarity tart seemed simply delicious. And every victim tasted a lot better if given hope for escape, a way out. Much like that one fool from many millennia ago who tried to save her filly by surrendering to his will, only to turn around and feed upon her own child. The thought of such an ironic kill brought a sadistic glint to his eye, her grin widening even further, until it suddenly dropped altogether as he felt a wave of magic wash over him harmlessly. "You thought to use magic on your Stand? Fool! Only a Stand can interact with another Stand! And I wouldn't count on your pathetic toy doll, either, given how worthless she's proven to be. Can't even keep her mistress out of trouble." he taunted, waving a forehoof as though teaching a child that what they were doing was naughty.

It was a horrifying feeling, listening to this creature speak. Every word dripped with charisma and intelligence, and every taunt rang true.「Dancing Queen」had allowed this to happen to her mistress, had let Pinkie run off with the arrow, had failed to talk her down from giving a stand to Rarity. Maybe she really was worthless. Maybe it'd be better if she stopped trying. Shoulders drooping, the doll's gaze locked onto the floor, thoroughly cowed by the monster's presence. "Miss Rarity. You should run, get Twilight. She's the only other one who stands a chance at saving mistress Pie." she droned, prepared to cover the pony as she escaped. She did not expect the comforting hoof against her dress.

"Thank you for the offer, miss, but no. I haven't the slightest idea who you are, but you're trying to save Pinkie Pie, and that makes you a friend by any measure; and I never abandon a friend." Rarity smiled kindly up at the doll, inexplicably discerning gratitude from the stoic china lady, when the air is suddenly rent asunder by an angry growl, the floor cracking and chipping under the vampire's hoof as her face twitched in irritation.

"Friendship! Blasted friendship! The very concept is more disgusting than frog urine! What help will friendship provide you against the glory that is me? Friendship cannot protect you, friendship cannot save you, friendship cannot possibly stand up to my majesty! It's useless, useless useless useless useless useless USELESS USELEEEEESS!!!" Pinkie screamed, louder than ever before, the two other occupants of the room subconsciously quivering, backing away from the vampire until they met the wall. Frozen in fear, the duo could only watch as the creature of darkness stepped towards them, one hoof in front of the other, a manic gleam in his eye, "And for even daring to speak of that pathetic drivel in front of me, I shall tear you apart, limb from limb, drinking your blood like the finest wine!" the vampire snarled, launching himself at Rarity, jaw opening wide as he dashed straight for her neck, only for a long arm to crash into him from the side, beating his face aside and making him skid across the floor, already grinning at the perpetrator sadistically. "Does it hurt to attack yourself? To bear arms against your precious mistress?"

Yes. More than he could possibly imagine. And she couldn't afford to attack him too hard, either. That blow alone made the doll's face whip to the side, the impact reflected back upon her. The vampire seemed unaffected, merely amused once more. "I will free my mistress, make no mistake, monster." she uttered coldly, fists wreathed in a lilac aura as the air grew a few degrees colder. Internally, the gears were turning in her brain. She could not attack this monster, and she couldn't flee due to her range. One way or another, this atrocity ended here.

The creature laughed, shaking her head. "I don't make mistakes, but you've already made one by thinking you could ever hope to challenge me!"



Ponies parted in the streets as Twilight sprinted down the pathway, desperately searching for the lost arrow, and the silly mare that had taken it before they got into any more trouble. 

Just this morning, she'd woken up as she always did, but now she'd been forcefully thrusted into a world of infinite possibility. Stands! Unique abilities for every pony! It could change the entire world, and it was all thanks to Pinkie Pie!「Weird Science」alone could revolutionise the way scientific research was carried out forever, learning anything and everything she wanted about the world around her, what a fantastic ability to have! The grey liquid was currently in a ring shape, hanging off of her neck as she ran, looking left and right for any sign of the pink mare. Previously, however, she'd spent a little bit of time eagerly testing her Stand on random objects around the castle. She could now figure out precisely who kept on sitting on the map when she wasn't around! Oddly, she'd found out it was Fluttershy.

She came to a slow stop under a tree as she heard somepony faintly calling her name, getting closer and closer each moment. Realising immediately what was happening, Twilight didn't have any time to get out of the way, so instead decided to free her stand into it's puddle form, sinking away inside the fluid right as Rainbow Dash crashed down into the dirt a meter away from where the Alicorn was just standing. Once the impact had finished shaking the ground, Twilight rose up from the pool, taking shape and colour yet again to the astonished, open-mouthed gaze of her prismatic friend.

"T-Twilight? What the hay was...Nah, forget that, check out this awesome thing following me around!" her scratchy voice shouted excitedly, gesturing behind her with one hoof. The Alicorn looked up behind the Pegasus, and gasped, eyes widening.

Floating behind Rainbow Dash was an ethereal pony-shaped figure, a luminous green glow lighting up the grass that she hovered above. Her eyes were a bright, almost blinding white, but her body seemed to emit a distinct violet light, before fading into a  stark red, then orange, then yellow, the whole rainbow spectrum radiating soothingly off of the ghostly creature. It had wings, evidently large and powerful even in their tucked-away state, and a mane of vibrant black.  Each hoof had a thin strip of cloth tied to it, hanging off and flowing in the non-existent breeze. No mistaking it for what it was.

"Rainbow Dash, when did you get a Stand?" Twilight asked, still shocked at the astounding form before her. With every new Stand that the Alicorn saw, the more she came to a state of awe at how unique they were. From a towering china doll, to an amorphous pool of metal, to a ghostly mare so striking that she almost seemed like a deity of some kind.

"Huh? Is that what this is? Wait, is that what that weird puddle is? And, uhh, I don't know. I got real sick for a little bit after crashing into Pinkie Pie, but I got better pretty quick. And when I did: POW! This thing appeared. Kinda creepy." Rainbow rattled off, eyes locked on the pool of liquid that seemed to cling to Twilight's hooves. "So what the heck's a 'Stand', anyway?"

The very moment that Twilight gathered herself up, holding up a hoof as she breathed in deeply, Rainbow knew that she would regret ever having asked.
> Ghost of the Past (Act 4)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So...This thing is some kinda ghost with magic powers...That obeys everything I tell it to do?" Rainbow said, cutting Twilight off when she'd run out of interesting things to say and had started on the chemical composition of Pinkie's mane. She didn't know why the Alicorn knew that, and nor did she particularly care. Her friend scowled childishly at the interruption before sighing with a nod. Rainbow perked up. "Awesome!  Hey, Ghost-thingy! Make me lunch!" she said, waiting for a second or two with an eager grin. Both Twilight and the ethereal mare seemed to gaze at her in disappointment.

"T-that's not how it works, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow blew a raspberry, waving off her 'Stand' with a forehoof. "Why not?"

And again, Rainbow realised the mistake she'd made when Twilight launched yet again into lecture-mode. "Well, for one, every Stand that I've met so far has had a certain range in which it can stray from its user. 「Weird Science」here can only go about ten or so meters from me, and Pinkie Pie's has never gone more than five meters away to my knowledge. And not only that, but a pony's Stand seems to have something to do with their personality, or who they are. Take mine; it researches any object it touches down to the DNA level. Could you imagine Pinkie with a power like that? And speaking of whom, while I didn't spend much time with Pinkie Pie's Stand, I can tell it exists to balance out her manic nature and acts as a guardian. Has your Stand done anything strange yet, or has it just been following you?"

Rainbow rubbed the back of her mane. "Yeah, you lost me at 'Weird Science'. Really, Twilight? That's the name you gave it? Can you get any more uncool?  Why not something like, I dunno... 'Heavy Metal' or something?"

To her surprise, the Alicorn actually considered that question seriously. "When it was made, while it couldn't talk like Pinkie Pie's, I just had this...Feeling in my mind, that the name fit. Do you have something like that with yours?"

Rainbow shrugged, the glowing spirit absently performing front and backflips in the air slowly. "Well yeah, but it's not cool enough for a pony like me to give her, uh, ghost."

"Really? What is it?" Twilight hummed curiously, examining the apparition from a short distance.

"------" Rainbow whispered, scuffing a hoof on the dirt as she refused to meet Twilight's inquisitive gaze. Knowing that the mare was staring at her, and would continue to do so until she got what she wanted, Rainbow Dash sighed. "It's called...「Colours of the Wind」. B-But don't tell anyone that! I'm thinkin' up a better one as we speak!"

Twilight nodded. It seemed about right. "It's really not too bad, Rainbow. I like it."

The prismatic pony scoffed. "Well no duh, of course you like it."

"What's that supposed to mean, exactly?" Twilight said, affronted.

"It means that your idea of cool is only rivalled by Rarity on the lameness scale!"

Twilight took a deep breath through her nose, and exhaled explosively through her mouth. Dealing with Rainbow Dash was always an exercise in trying to remain calm; and the mare knew what she was doing when she dug at ponies. Better to just change the subject and get on track again. "Look, Rainbow Dash. Pinkie was carrying an important magical artefact with her when you crashed into her, which cut you and gave you that Stand! I need to find her before she gets into any more trouble. When did you see her?"

The rainbow mare tapped her chin with a hoof, looking up to the sky. "Hmm...Dunno. I went off to go practice this super cool sextuple aileron roll. Last I saw when I looked down, she was headin' to Rarity's house. Or, somewhere in that direction."

Twilight nodded. "Ok, and if her current track record is anything to go by, we need to go find her before something goes wrong with the Stand that Pinkie gives Rarity. She's on the other side of town, so we'll have to move quickly."

"Ok, you have fun with th- wait, 'we'? C'mooooon, Twilight, I gotta practice!" Rainbow groaned, pleading with the mare, a sinking feeling in her gut. When Twilight got like this about something, there really wasn't any arguing.

"Rainbow, this is serious! You're good enough to miss one practice session!"

"Well you're right about that, I am pretty good...Fine, let's go save Pinkie's flank, I guess!" Rainbow announced, rising into the air just above the ground and turning, starting to fly off as the Alicorn similarly took to the skies.

Twilight smiled. Hidden under all that bluster was genuine concern for her friend. Not that this was surprising, but it was always nice to reaffirm. Even with her busy schedule of training, eating, then subsequently sleeping, Rainbow could still take the time to help "Stop smilin' at me before I change my mind!" Well. It was the thought that counted.



Things were looking grim. 

The part pony under the possession of an insane vampire, Rarity still reeling from being thrown against a wall, and 「Dancing Queen」effectively unable to act without damaging both herself and her mistress. The light barely entered the window, the two o'clock sun not at the correct angle just yet, which In turn bathed everything in front of Pinkie with darkness that only grew longer and more sinister as she approached slowly, knowing that she had them in a serious bind and thus not needing to hurry. It wasn't as if the doll could flee to contact Twilight herself, given that she was bound to remain near Pinkie Pie's physical body. Rarity could only thank Celestia that Sweetie Belle was sleeping over with the other Crusaders at Applejack's tonight; it was one less avenue for the monster to exploit.

Meanwhile, the vampire himself was growing increasingly irritated as his host continued to struggle, flashes of emotions not his own running through his mind. The pink one must had a strong will, to not be completely covered by his own personality. It was not enough to fight back, but the presence alone was enough to irk him. Externally, the monster merely adjusted his scarf. "Hm? No more words? No more struggling? A shame. I had hoped to play with you both for a while, but it appears there's no more fun to be had here." and then, seeming to revert to Pinkie's usual upbeat voice, "Because that's what i'm aaaall about, right Rarity?"

The blatant mockery brought forth an anger that the alabaster fashionista liked to keep buried deep, locked away never to be seen by anypony. The vampire even took an unconscious step back as Rarity fixed him with a glare fiercer than he'd seen in a long while. The anger, unrestrained fury hidden in that gaze...Memories of a foolish nobleman's child flashed through his mind, and a slightly different smirk flitted across his expression, to which Rarity bit back a growl through clenched teeth. "My, my, Rarity. Such a temper. In your line of work, that's highly dangerous. Imagine your reputation if the nobles ever caught wind of your emotional outbursts!" the monster tutted, waggling another condescending hoof in her direction, only to widen his eyes in surprise as a sewing needle shot forward wrapped in a blue aura, stopping just short of his crimson eye. Instead of being cowed, instead he laughed uproariously once more. "You see! This is the difference between you pathetic whelps and I. You think that I will be scared off by the threat of violence, whereas I am more than willing to put it into practice!" he finished with a shout, batting the needle aside with the back of a forehoof and sprinting forward at high speed, the same hoof outstretched towards Rarity's jaw. A glimmering wall of turquoise impeded his progress. Blinking once, taken aback, Pinkie rolled her eyes, winding up another hit.

Rarity held fast, pumping more magic into her shield as Pinkie prepared to strike again. It didn't matter if she couldn't directly influence the clothes themselves due to their nature as 'Stands' or whatever they were if the vampire still had to rely on a physical form, which could be blocked by a magic barrier like so.  'Yes,' she thought, quite proud of herself, 'All I need to do is keep her away until help arrives. The noises have got to have caught somepony's attention outside. Just a little bit l-' she was cut off with a pained shout as her shield cracked and shattered, the remnants falling to pieces in thin air as Pinkie brushed her hoof on her chest. 

"Come now, you're no combat mage. In fact, as the pink one's memories are telling me, you're possibly worse in a battle than Fluttershy! Now, that is pathetic! How fitting; the worthless Stand and the worst of the Elements working together to extend their lives for just a second or two more."

It was hard listening to the creature speak so casually as he broke Rarity's last line of defence with as much effort as swatting a fly, as if he truly wasn't paying any real attention to the 'battle', if one could even call it that at this point. As Pinkie stepped forward once more, smirk widening further to reveal her fangs once more, she suddenly froze on the spot, sniffing deeply in mid-step. "Oh! It seems your friends are here to rescue you. How precious; they must think that their presence will actually change the hopelessness of trying to face me in battle. Hear that? They knock on your door right now. If you make even a single noise, I shall kill you immediately." the vampire warned, turning to face the door that lead downstairs. "We're up here, Twily! Come upstairs quick, something's happened to Rarity!" he called out, using Pinkie Pie's voice once more.

Rarity gasped and「Dancing Queen」flinched, understanding his plan immediately. She went to call out, but stopped herself with a wince. His taunts did not seem empty. At least this way the other two would have a chance to help before she was attacked again.



"Something's happened to Rarity?! Rainbow, c'mon!" Twilight yelled, grabbing her less-than-invested friend by the hoof and swinging the front door open. The lights were off, and something felt different about the shop's atmosphere. Cold, menacing. Like entering meant never returning to the outside world. Then again, the Everfree Forest brought precisely the same feeling, and they'd survived that plenty of times. "Pinkie said they were upstairs!" she said, sprinting over to the door that led to the stairway.

Both mares crashed out of the upstairs doorway, busting through, ready for any danger that would present itself. They came upon the sight of Rarity and the porcelain lady, the latter covering the former with her arms, glaring at a patch of darkness to the right side of the room. "Miss Twilight, move! Pinkie is not herself, get away from the door!" fruitlessly called「Dancing Queen」as the monster stepped out of the shadows, an unstable smirk on her lips.

Twilight immediately saw what was wrong. The old-fashioned clothes, the fang that stuck out of the grin plastered on her face, the chuckle that came from her mouth sounding nothing like Pinkie Pie; but most of all, it was the eyes. Cruel and scarlet, her eyes seemed to stare deep into her soul even as they widened slightly in surprise. "I didn't believe her memories when they showed a new Alicorn, but it seems dear Celestia has actually gone through with it! Well, after what happened to Luna, it makes sense that she'd need a replacement. Tell me; how is the harlot doing?" the monster in Pinkie's body laughed deeply.

Rainbow wasn't a smart pony, but she knew when something was off about her friends, and this couldn't have been a more obvious problem If it was wearing one of those flashing signs from Manehatten that advertised the latest musical. When the cyan mare boasted about her lack of fear, she wasn't entirely joking. It was much easier for her to get angry instead of scared, and this was one of those times. "You! What the hay did'ja do to Pinkie Pie?!" she growled, scuffing her hoof on the ground as a sign of aggression. 

At this, the creature could only laugh, tilting his head back slightly at the weak attempt at intimidation. "Why, absolutely nothing! If you want her back, you'll have to defeat me. But as the other two over there found out; you are completely unable to attack! Well, unless you wish to kill dear old Pinkie Pie alongside me, that is..." he taunted, grin widening as the Princess and the Pegasus grew visibly more enraged. 

Rainbow Dash snorted, and decided that she'd spent enough time listening. The time had come for her to do what she did best, second to flying: beat the tar out of whatever problem was in her way. It would hurt to attack Pinkie, sure, but knocking her out was preferable to having that insufferable, smug creature inside her body. Time seemed to slow as Rainbow launched herself from a standing position into the air, diving downwards at the monster, who stood stock still, not having time to react to her speed. The blue mare smirked as her outstretched hooves were an inch away from making contact. She did not notice from her position the widening of his grin, or the movement of his pupils to lock onto her. As the other two would have told them; he was much faster than they could anticipate.

In the span of a millisecond, Pinkie seemed to stand on her hind hooves, holding out her forehooves as Rainbow made contact, capturing each of her outstretched limbs with one of her own. The Pegasus grunted as she was held in the air, not even having pushed the monster back. She went to pull away just as the vampire revealed a new talent.

Ice flash-formed over Pinkie's hooves, spreading rapidly up Rainbow's as well, except it kept going. Within a moment, the mare's entire body minus the head was covered in a thick coating of ice. The Pegasus called out in pain, completely unable to move. The sheer coldness stung her fur, pulling at her skin as it was fused to it. "Futile! Futile! You came here to save your friend, only to be taken down like a rampaging animal!" Pinkie mocked, lifting the pony above her head like an acrobat.

Time felt like it stopped for Twilight, as she realised the monster's intentions. She saw the tensing of her muscles as the started to apply pressure to the ice. With how strong the fiend seemed to be, and how much of Dash's body was frozen... She took flight immediately, shooting towards Pinkie much slower than the other mare had done. The other two occupants of the room also seemed to realise, a chorus of "NO!" echoing throughout the darkened room.

"And now, let me prove to you why you can never defeat me! The power I wield is much too great! See how your pathetic 'friendship' has fared against my majesty! See how it's failed you, totally and utterly! Now! Taste the oblivion of DEATH! Gooodbyyyyye RAINBOW!" he yelled, the last sentence done in a deeper version of Pinkie's voice as he slammed his hooves together.
> 「Colours of the Wind」
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash felt every small crack as it ran along the ice that was mostly her own body. It was a small mercy that the flash-freezing had dulled her nerve-endings, preventing the pain responses from ever reaching her brain. From her point of view, the scene seemed to still, Twilight's panicked cry frozen in mid air as the weird china doll and Rarity cowered in a corner, halfway towards reaching out to her. All of it suspended in a moment, just as the vampire clenched down, completely shattering the ice, and the Pegasus' being with it.

It was a strange sensation, dying. Though she could not feel any pain, that was precisely the issue. There was simply nothing. A black void stretching out into eternity, save for a warm, chiming tone just on the edge of perception, a glow beckoning forth from the distance. Was this the stereotypical 'light' that seemed to crop up whenever death was concerned in a novel? If so, Rainbow could honestly say that she didn't care for it. It was too slow, creeping forwards at a snail's pace. Not that it mattered. Speed, distance, time, space, reality. None of it mattered in this state of nonexistence. As the light drew closer, the tone increased in volume as the Pegasus could discern a shape in the light. It wasn't a beautiful Alicorn. It wasn't a giant, divine being of light. No, what came towards her was simply a ghostly green mare, comforting light of every shade and colour seeming to embrace Rainbow as it came close. Behind it lay a square gateway of much brighter, pure white radiance.

Her Stand, though it lacked a mouth, gave off an oppressive aura of despair, of apology, of excitement. Without a word, she inclined her head at Rainbow Dash, stepping forward to capture her master in an embrace. Rainbow smacked her lips. "So, uh...This is kinda it, huh?" she said. A nod. The dying mare nodded back, sighing. "I thought it'd be more, y'know? Something more like...I dunno, fighting a giant monster that was gonna eat Canterlot whole! A hero's sacrifice or whatever. Not this! What did I accomplish, huh?! Nothing! I attacked, I died, and now the others are gonna die too, and it's just...It's not fair!" Rainbow Dash sobbed, crying like she had rarely done in life. The Stand simply floated, content to remain hugging her master until she was ready to move on. "I was gonna be part of the Wonderbolts! I was gonna have a fan-club, inspire ponies around Equestria! Not...Not just die! I just got accepted in; it was my trial performance in like three weeks, and I was going to practice all day today. Then Twilight roped me into this and now i'm...No... No, it isn't Twilight's fault." She laughed bitterly, looking up at her Stand with watery magenta eyes. "I just got you, too. An awesome ghost with superpowers, and I don't even know what you do! How pathetic can I get, huh?" she said, blowing a small raspberry at the end of her sentence. 

The green ghost tilted its head curiously, and a series of images flashed through Rainbow's mind, getting the Stand's point across without words. The Pegasus cocked an eyebrow, glancing at the ghost with a bemused expression. "I mean yeah, I'd kinda like to know what you could do. I'm gonna be ticked off if it woulda saved me, though." The ghost's eyes seemed to curve as her body shook, a kind of silent laughter as more images passed between the two. Rainbow gasped. She saw an image of herself, actually connecting the punch she had been going for. She saw herself standing over Pinkie's body as the clothes disappeared. She saw everyone get up, happy and together again, before the Rainbow in the image fell, seemingly dead. Before she knew it, more tears spilled over the edges of her vision. Images of words went by, a scrolling wall of text that got a final message across. "You...Already used it? I went back in time, and won?" The Stand nodded in affirmation. "Then...Why am I dead?" To this, more text appeared. 'Fate is unalterable once it has happened a single time. To go back and fix your mistake, you still had to perish. This way, however, you at least saved your friends.' it read.

Rainbow sighed in relief, wiping the tears from her eyes and putting on a humoured, cocky grin. "Welp. At least I got to help out. Can't say i'm happy about the whole dying thing, but I guess i'm ready to go now. No point in hangin' around here anymore. Let's see if whoever created me can handle my awesomeness in the flesh, hm?" she laughed mirthfully, turning towards the gate of whiteness. Taking one last moment to think of all the lost time, all of Pinkie's parties she'd never get to visit; all the books she'd pretend to hate; every tussle with AJ; all of the lunchtimes at Fluttershy's... Gulping and straightening herself out, Rainbow blinked back the last of her tears and took one final breath before stepping bravely into the beyond, the gate closing and leaving the Stand behind, alone.

What she would never know, however, was her Stand's true ability. It was nothing so complex as turning back the clock, changing destiny, any of that. No, her ability was simple. She existed for the sole reason of making sure her master had the one thing that every creature wished to have: Peace of mind. Comfort. It broke her apart to lie to her master like that, but at least she went forth happy and content, safe in the knowledge that her death hadn't been for nothing. If only. 

In the void of night, the final light winked out, vanishing along with her fallen master and leaving the space in total darkness once more.



In Canterlot, two sisters felt something break, shattering into a million tiny pieces. Shock. Terror. Creeping dread. Cancelling any meetings or prior obligations, the two Alicorns teleported next to each other, eyes locked fearfully. Turning to face the display, they bore witness to the one event that they'd never hoped to see in their lifetime. It was much too soon to say goodbye! Surely not!?

But alas, there it lay. The Element of Loyalty had fallen from its stand, gem turned black and shattered upon the velvet lining. 

No noise, not a word needed to be said. Feeling distinctly weak in the knees, the taller of the two fell at the side of the younger, having known the mare just long enough to grow somewhat more attached to her than any of the other subjects that she oversaw, save for the rest of her friends. Such a powerful light, a great driving force...Gone.

The smaller Alicorn frowned, an attitude a millennia behind the times coming to the forefront. Her sister would no doubt demand a trial, life imprisonment in the deepest depths of the dungeon. She knew better, however. The Elements only gave themselves to the greatest among Ponykind. For something to have the gall, and power, to kill one of these chosen few, a much greater punishment would be administered.

She would find out precisely what was responsible, and end it. 



「Colours of the wind」: RETIRED
> 「House of the Rising Sun」(Act 1)
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To say that everypony was shaken was an understatement of the highest calibre. Nopony moved, even the vampire that had committed the act, which seemed odd. Surely he would be using this time to gloat, or to bring a swift end to the few that remained alive? 

No. Something much different was happening to the creature in question. His lips were twitching, but it wasn't to a smile. He seemed to be alternating between a pained grimace and a neutral expression, trying to maintain his composure. A pressure was growing in his mind, forcing him to focus in an attempt to quell the rampaging fire of grief that overwhelmed his senses. 'Damn that stupid pink pony', he thought, 'how is she still able to fight back against my control? Tch. Even Rarity's Stand is worthless if it can't keep one pathetic pony contained'. Externally, however, he forced a dull laugh from her throat. "H-how amusing. She came to her d-d-death," he seemed to choke on the word, "and all for n-nothing- ngh!" a hoof came up to his forehead as he kneeled down, doubled over in visible pain as his head throbbed.

「Dancing Queen」 was the first to break free of her reverie, drawn away by the sudden presence of her mistress' mind. She was still alive in there, fighting back! The sight of one of her friends' demise must have drawn her out, kicking and screaming as the Stand felt an emotion run through her mistress' mind that she had never felt before. Something dark and cold. She wished to hurt the vampire. Shocked by her carefree mistress' thoughts, the doll responded to them regardless, dashing forward with both arms outstretched towards the shuddering vampire, too preoccupied to respond.

The vampire caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and made to leap aside, knowing that he could not freeze a Stand as he had the rainbow mare, before a dagger of pain buried itself in his mind. In his mental eye, he saw the bound pink one, breaking free of one shackle at a time as she stared at him with a face full of fury, blue eyes set with literal fire in their pupils. He saw the corner of her lip twitch upwards at the same time as a fist met his neck, making him wince and bringing him back to the real world, just in time to feel 「Dancing Queen」 rain blow after blow upon his body, each one knocking him backwards and preventing him from acting. To his confusion, they weren't powerful hits. Each one could maybe damage a foal, but not an adult, and certainly not him. 'Her attack was much stronger before, I don't get it!' he thought, his rising hoof slapped away by another punch.

The other ponies looked up from the glittering chunks of ice that had once been their friend, broken from their stupor by the sound of multiple blows landing against skin and bone, seeing the towering doll whaling upon the vampire in Pinkie's body. He didn't seem too hurt by any of the attacks, but was annoyed enough that he seemed unable to break free.

「Dancing Queen」 would have been smiling grimly if she had the capabilities to do so. Yes, her mistress' thoughts were finally reaching her once more, and they weren't pretty. Incoherent screaming was most of what she heard, punctuated by griefed wails, and each one drove the Stand to hit slightly less hard, and more slowly. Not because of fatigue; no, Stands could last forever so long as their masters were still able to fight. This was something much different. For in Pinkie's anger, she had unconciously thought up several ways of punishing the vampire. Some of which wouldn't have worked, but there was one that 「Dancing Queen」had latched on to. Something that would be sure to make the vampire regret ever coming back into existence.

The rhythm eventually grew slow enough for the creature in question to lash out, striking first at the doll's arms before going for a right hook to the face. The first blow pushed the Stand a fair distance back, and the second surprise impact to the face sent her reeling, a chip cracking off of her cheek as she went spiralling through the air until she crashed into the wall next to where Rarity was still shellshocked, frozen in place staring at the shards of ice on the ground. Across the room, the leg of the overturned mannequin jutted out from a pile of fabric. Turning her head just slightly, she reached an arm around the white mare's hoof, the pony's head whipping sideways, eyes widened. "Rarity, I need you to do just one thing for me to save Pinkie Pie..." and then she started whispering her plan. Rarity slowly nodded, shivering as she turned to face Twilight, breaking her from her stunned state as she relayed the plan. The monster paid them no heed, completely confident in his victory even as he stumbled over a step, somewhat shaken from the previous assault.

Snarling, the vampire clasped his hoof over one eye, glaring at the Stand he had just downed. "Vile, filth-sucking wretched fool! All you've done is hurt yourself and your mistress! I get it, though. I can feel her screaming in anger at me; she must be going insane. Soon she'll be gone, and then, then, THEN! Then I may take my time feeding on the rest of your pathetic friends. If I destroy you, then I will finally be rid of your whimpering master for good."  he panted, placing one hoof in front of the other, making his way over to the doll with a step at the end of each sentence. As he moved for another, he was halted, unable to move his hoof as it tugged against something, as though he'd stepped in gum. Looking down, he saw a chrome liquid pooled around his hooves, seeming to harden and constrict around his legs as he tried to move them. Through Pinkie's memories, he could tell that this was the work of Twilight's stand. His gaze shot to the right, where the trembling Alicorn stood. "And you think to intervene? I expected an Alicorn to have a much more powerful Stand than this. But I suppose you are a mere sapling among red oaks." he shrugged, flexing his leg, pulling and stretching the hardened metal with one hoof until it broke free, only for the falling liquid to shoot forward, tugging the leg back down again. His eyes seemed to glint. "I'll say it again. Cease your intervening at once. Do you truly wish to end up like, ah, what was her name again...? Oh yes, Rainbow Dash. Surely you don't desire to share her fate?" and even as he spoke, he regretted those words. 

Instead of breaking the mare further as his careful barbs had previously accomplished, her mane seemed to simmer and wave in a breeze that wasn't there. Her eyes hardened as the Stand surrounding his hooves did the same. All of a sudden, a gout of flame consumed the mare, the liquid portion of 「Weird Science」bubbling and growing ever hotter against his fur. "YOU!" she screamed in what everypony recognised as the Royal Canterlot Voice, "ARE NOT!" she willed her Stand to expand, growing to encase more of the vampire's body, "ALLOWED TO SAY!" the liquid metal ran up to the monster's neck, "HER NAME!" she finished, as the Stand hardened, constricting his body painfully tightly as a wave of magic coursed through the object; not able to damage the monster himself but making his controlled body loosen and become unresponsive to his controls. Pinkie had not broken free, so how was she able to disable him?

Twilight continued seething. Her Stand almost completely covered the creature, giving her the complete layout of Pinkie's physical anatomy, as well as information which her studious mind filed away unconciously for later. With this knowledge, she'd sent a miniscule electrical pulse down a specific part of the brain, disabling all motor functions except for the eyes. She tore her eyes away from the one who'd killed her friend and looked away. "Rarity." she said simply, nodding and getting a return nod from the fashionista.

The mannequin that had previously been knocked over was placed directly in front of him, posed in mid-canter. At this, the vampire could only laugh. "A mannequin?! This was your great 'last resort!?' Ha! Hahahah- what. What are you doing? What's happening!?" his tone grew more panicked as something seemed to tug against the metal constricting him. He growled. If he still had control, his strength would have been more than enough to shatter these bonds, and now something else was happening to him; this unknown pressure. As if in response to his mental query, the Stand of his possessed body hovered behind the wooden figurine.

"I had thought you to be somewhat intelligent, Dio Brando." the doll tutted, causing the encased vampire to freeze, blinking several times before hardening his gaze with a fierce growl.

"How do you know that name, you worthless creature!" he screamed, wanting to writhe and push away from his prison and throttle the being that dared stand before him for information. To his surprise, a humourless chuckle escaped her.

"You are not one to talk, vampire. Your sheer narcissism was audible to my mistress' thoughts from the second you took control. But now it's over."

A harsh bark of laughter, the violent crimson eyes partially lidding. "'Over'? Even though you currently have me disabled, it cannot be this way forever. You have no means of defeating I, Dio! Your physical strength is nothing compared to me! Your speed is barely evident, your durability lacking, and your ability...!" He seemed to choke, recalling as if by muscle memory the exact areas that the Stand had decided to strike him. Silence reigned for several moments as 「Dancing Queen」 seemed to smirk victoriously. The expression angered him beyond belief. "YOU BITCH!" he yelled, gaining back control by sheer willpower and pushing hard against his captor, the metal shattering, falling to the floor. It would reform in a few moments, but it wouldn't be quick enough. He leapt at blinding speed towards the tall lady, hooves outstretched. With a choking cry, he was pulled back, held hovering in the air like a puppet. The creature now identified as Dio Brando screeched in denial, thrashing even as his own garments restricted him from movement.

"You finally figured it out, it seems. I think it's high time my mistress had her body back. Your time on this planet is done, creature. You underestimated us. Underestimated me. Now, you suffer the price." 「Dancing Queen」 spoke, shockingly calm in the face of all that had transpired. As if by a unicorn's telekinesis, the old-fashioned clothes that had caused this horror started to move all at once, shifting against the mare's form as the Stand's power forced the fabric away from its master. The scarf came first, then the waistcoat, both hovering just above the ground as the boots on her hind legs dropped third. Dio Brando's voice had silenced, power cut away as Rarity's rogue Stand was separated from him. The white and red undershirts were the last to go, loosening themselves and joining the rest of the hovering bundle of clothes in midair as Pinkie's body fell in a heap; breathing, but only just.

Forcing themselves away from the shards of still-frozen ice, Rarity and Twilight dashed over to their fallen friend, sighing in relief as the fangs retreated, shrinking smaller and smaller until vanishing completely. One of her eyes opened slowly, blinking continuously as a thankfully bright blue iris revealed itself. Then the other. "Pinkie Pie! Are you ok!? Say something!" Twilight cried, a comforting hoof on her friend's side.

The pink mare blinked again with bleary eyes, as if not quite awake. "T-Twilight? Where's R...Rainbow Dash?" she said, voice no more than a whisper as the two other mares inhaled sharply, nervous eyes flickering over to the pieces of ice that seemed to taunt them. Pinkie looked over as well, head lifting from the ground to confirm her fears. Instead of an outcry of grief as they expected, Pinkie Pie seemed to deflate. "Oh..." was all she could say. None of the others exactly knew how to respond either, tears somehow not coming; it felt as though Rainbow would not have wanted them to cry. More likely she'd have desired them to feel happy about their victory. Speaking of which, Pinkie looked out of the window at the sun kissing the tops of the treeline in the horizon. She'd have to act quickly, then.

「Dancing Queen」 took that moment to come forward, shakily helping her mistress to her hooves and leading her towards the floating outfit. "Um, Pinkie, dear? What are you doing with those...Those clothes?" Rarity mumbled, unsure of her friend's state of mind at this point in time.

Her breath coming out much more regularly and with more strength now, Pinkie decided not to respond. 「Dancing Queen」 tapped the standing mannequin on the way past, and several things slid into place for the two mares standing a small distance away as the clothes started to shuffle in the air, the boots fitting themselves to the hind legs of the wooden figure.

As the final piece of the outfit slid over the mannequin's neck, everypony present flinched back in shock as Dio Brando's raging voice echoed through the room, even though he had no mouth from which to do so. "I SHALL TEAR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU LIMB FROM LIMB BEFORE I- What?! What is this...? Oh. Oh! I see!" he broke free of his rant, chuckling in a humoured manner. "Yes, just like you ponies do with all enemies you face. You cannot beat me, so you imprison me, believing me to be defeated forever. Tell me, just how has that been working for your dear Princesses? I suppose you could ask the one just there, but she doesn't even know how to keep her friends alive, let alone how to deal with threats." everyone present was silent to this as Twilight bowed her head to the side unwilling to meet the mannequin's nonexistent gaze. Nopony responded to such an accusation. Except, that is, for one Pinkamena Diane Pie.

"No, Dio. I'm not keeping you shut up in a prison." She muttered, a humourless chuckle wrenching itself from her throat as she had the mannequin move between her two friends, in front of the window. "I've seen what you can do. Would do. Have done. You're not like Discord. Or Nightmare Moon, or Chrysalis, or even King Sombra. You're a true monster, through and through. So you're not getting the same punishment. You're not getting imprisoned, or even banished. This might not hurt you, but it'll make me feel a lot better when you're not able to hurt anyone anymore." Pinkie finished darkly, her friends gasping at the normally cheerful pony's fury, her gaze set in resolute anger, much like the time Applejack had broken her Pinkie Promise, only much, much darker.

Before anypony had time to react, Pinkie Pie let out a grunt of anger as 「Dancing Queen's」 fist crashed against the mannequin's face, chipping off a large chunk from the wooden figure's muzzle. "W-What?! No, you can't do this to me!" the vampire shouted from within. Pinkie seemed to disagree. Her Stand shared her sentiments. Within moments, the towering lady's arms were moving too quickly for anypony present to track with their eyes, punch after furious punch battering and cracking the vampire's prison of wood. As her Stand pulled its slender, branchlike arms backwards into the air, the mannequin spoke for the last time. "I am Dio Brando! I AM DIO! I AM-" Dio screamed, not given time to finish his tirade as 「Dancing Queen」 threw both arms forward at full force with her mistress' shout of sheer, unrestrained anger, completely shattering the wooden mare with enough force to send the pieces flying through Rarity's window. The very instant that the tattered and torn clothes met the dying rays of the sun, Dio Brando, the monster who had killed countless in his time, cried in agony; his outfit sizzling with heat as it started to disintegrate before the eyes of the ponies who had lined up at the window to gaze upon their most terrifying enemy's demise.

"I...Am...Dio. I'm...Dioooooo..." the vampire spoke his last, narcissistic to the end; the few remaining shreds of his fancy clothing turning to dust as the sun set behind the Everfree Forest. All that remained scattered on the dirt was the broken shards of Rarity's mannequin, the vile creature well and truly dead.