> Chronicles of the Spectrum
>  by Blue_Thunder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Trial Run
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rainbow, what are you doing?" Fluttershy asked. She was sitting in a lovely white and yellow gown with her light green capeline on the table beside her. She and Rainbow were enjoying some lunch at a restaurant in town. Rainbow's treat, she insisted.

"Recording," Rainbow replied. She was sitting beside a recording device aimed at Fluttershy. "But not for the reason you might think." She moved the recorder to face herself. "That's right. Who loves you best?"

"You're recording right now?" Rainbow nodded and set her device down to face herself while she ate. "Why though?"

"See, I bought this thing, like, a week ago. And I spent that whole week thinking about what I want to do with it. And now I know. 'Chronicles of the Spectrum'! Y'know. 'Day in the life of me' sort of stuff. It's also going to be a trial run for the camera to make sure it meets my standards." Rainbow took a bite of her burger. "That's actually a good name for the first video."

"So... Like a video blog?" Again, Rainbow nodded. "That sounds ... fun." She gave a smile, though noticeably weak.

"I'm glad you think so, Fluttershy, because I need your help for opening day. I have an idea, and I need a second pair of hands. A steady pair of hands that aren't holding a needle and fabric. And, since this is your day off, I figured why not today?"

"What do you need me to do?" She ate a fry after her words. "Hold it?"

"Yeah! Well, and talk a little bit. And show yourself. Basically, you're going to set it up somewhere and get everything ready."

"Steady hand, huh?" Fluttershy propped up an eyebrow.

"It's not- alright, no. I don't need a steady hand, I need a co-host. Every video is going to have a co-host, and it's only this one time that I'm asking you to be co-host." Rainbow clapped her hands together, lowered her head and shut her eyes. "Please, Fluttershy? I'm practically begging you here."

Fluttershy ate in silence while Rainbow held her pleading stature. "Alright. I'll help you."

"Awesome! Thanks a million Fluttershy!"


~~~~~~~~~


"Alright, tell me again the plan? For the camera." Rainbow held open the recorder and aimed it at Fluttershy. Clearly, it was at the track field behind Canterlot High. Fluttershy was gripping her capeline in nervousness. "Nice and loud, too."

""U-um... W-we're gonna t-talk about y-you for a minute... Then you're going to run a mile."

Rainbow turned the recorder toward herself. "Okay, but what are you going to say somewhere in there?" Then again back to Fluttershy.

"Uhh... 'Pay attention... this is important..." right?" Rainbow nodded off-screen. Fluttershy sighed in relief.

"But with a bit more seriousness."

Fluttershy tilted her head down toward the camera and stared through it. "Pay attention. This, is important."

Rainbow closed the recorder. "Wow, that was really scary. Alright. You got it down?" Fluttershy nodded and relaxed. "Good. I brought along a tripod. See if you can find the best spot to film this from."

After a good twenty minutes of trying, Fluttershy found the perfect spot just a feet from the outer ring of the track. "Perfect. Sound coming in clear." Fluttershy walked toward Rainbow who was already in wait on the track doing some stretches. "When do we start?"

"Oh, uh... Walk off screen, ask me what I'm doing and we'll roll with it from there. Say that line just after I get into running position." Fluttershy walked off screen, looking at the camera all the while. "And don't look at the audience until that line either."

"Alright." Fluttershy took a deep breath, and shook her head.


~~~~~~~~~


"Hey Rainbow." Fluttershy walked toward Rainbow, who was doing some stretches. " What are you up to out here?"

"Heya Fluttershy. Not much, just getting in some afternoon running. You?"

"Uhm..." She twiddled her thumbs a moment.

"Wait, lemme guess: Twilight wants to use me for her science project, right? Something about Artificial Intelligence testing?"

"I- I ... She's doing that?" Rainbow nodded. "Really?"

"Sure is. Got Sunset to help her with it too. But I was all, 'I don't need artificial intelligence. I have enough synthetic intelligence." She sat down and reached for her shoes.

Fluttershy laughed a bit. "You do indeed. So... What's your best time?"

"On the mile?" Fluttershy nodded. "I don't know... A few seconds?"

Fluttershy waved her hand like a dog at Rainbow. "No seriously."

"Yeah, seriously. I'll prove it, too. Right here and now. Been meaning to see how fast I've gotten." Rainbow stood and loosened up a bit with a few shakes. "Call this a trial run." She got into her running position.

Fluttershy looked straight at the camera and recited, "Pay attention. This, is important." Then, she turned to Rainbow.

In a shorter time than Fluttershy thought possible, Rainbow took off like lightning around the track, adding a new hole in the ground with each pass. When she finished, Rainbow slid to a stop just in front of Fluttershy. "Well? How'd I do?"

"Alright, so you're fast. Never thought I'd see the day."


~~~~~~~~~


At school the next day, she showed her friends what the two of them had done. Rainbow pulled up the video on her phone's web browser at lunch and sat in front of the others who watched over her shoulder. When it ended, they looked at each other in confusion. "What? Too much effects?"

"'Many', Rainbow. And yes. Too many effects. If you can make a rainbow trail when you run without editing software, why would you edit your video to have a ... much stranger looking color trail?"

"For effect. And because I can get away with it now. Now, whenever I run in my videos, I add the fake trail over the real one, so it looks edited. Poorly edited. It's all part of my plan. Trust me."

"So, you did one with yourself as the focus." Sunset started. "Which of us is next?"

Rainbow pointed at Fluttershy. "M-Me? B-but you said-"

"That I wouldn't ask you to be a co-host. This time, you'll be the host, and one of us will co-host. And go in a circle like that until we've all had a turn." Rainbow relaxed and ate a bit. "Besides, I figured we'd all want to show off sometime. What better way than when they wouldn't believe it? You get the satisfaction of doing it, and they are none the wiser."

Twilight pushed up her glasses and sat down. "Alright. So, you run very fast. That is your geode-given talent. Fluttershy's is talking to animals. If you need, I can set some time aside to assist in your next video."

"That'd be awesome, Twilight. But I'm keeping it to one video a week. Give this one a chance to be out there a while and get some feedback. Sundays cool with you?" Twilight nodded. "Fluttershy?" Another nod, much slower. "Great. I'll pick up Fluttershy and come over to your... lab. I think that's where you spend most of your time, right?"

"Yes. Principal Celestia gave me my own science area outside the main building. She's so accommodating." Twilight smiled.

"So, next week's video is going to be starring Fluttershy showing off her power, with Twilight's help," Pinkie summed. "Then Twilight's turn in the spotlight after that, right?"

"That's right. I'll be holding the camera each time. Couldn't do it this time because it was about me." Rainbow leaned back in her chair and looked at her friends. "This is going to be awesome!"
> Natural Psychic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the course of the school week, Rainbow, Twilight and Fluttershy all talked about what event they should set up for the lattermost's video debut.

Then... That sunday...


~~~~~~~~~


"-to record now?"

"I'll get everything." Rainbow knocked a few times on Twilight's lab door. "Twilight? You awake in there?" Rainbow laughed a little.

A sharp metal ring came from behind the door, followed by a quiet "I'm alright" from Twilight. A few seconds later, the door opened.

"Morning, sleepyhead. How's tricks?"

Rainbow walked herself inside and -


~~~~~~~~~


"-didn't have to close it so hard, Twilight."

"My lab is not to be recorded for any reason by anyone other than myself." Twilight sat at a picnic table with her bag on the seat beside her. "The screen is okay though, right?"

"Yeah, screen's fine. No harm. Warn me next time, though, so I can close it myself."

"Warn me if you're coming in with a camera that's already on next time." Twilight ate a bite of her sandwich.

Fluttershy asked, "Hey, where's Spike? I thought he'd be here with you."

"And he would be, but since he can talk actual english, it might skew the results."

"Results?"

"Yes. Results." Twilight got into an open pouch on her bag and pulled out a piece of cardboard and a baggied stack of cards. "Not only will your test be recorded, but I am also making a note of your growth as a powered person. Graphing the differences between your skill then, and comparing it to your skill now."

"It's talking to animals. I don't think it's a skill that evolves; you either can or can't." Flutttershy looked to a tree behind Twilight and saw a squirrel on one of the branches. "How many cards are there?"

"150. Since anything less could come across as staged, or memorized beforehand, 150 will convince the viewers that this is no act."

Rainbow laughed. "Then they see the edge of a mirror in the video and believe it is."

"What?"

"Yeah." Rainbow aimed the recorder at the tree behind Twilight. "Right behind there is a bathroom mirror. During the video I'm going to take a few shots of the tree to show "there isn't anything there helping her", but my "bad recording skills" will show the mirror we've "been using to cheat". Of course I'm not actually going to use the mirror, that's all Fluttershy's skill."

"There's a squirrel in the tree. He's going to tell me what's on the cards, and I'll tell you. So long as the shapes are normal shapes."

"And colors. The shapes have colors." Twilight unbagged the cards and set them in front of her, face down. Then she set the cardboard flat at her side. "Every 15 cards, I'll add a barrier. So like, the bag, then the cardboard, you'll cover your eyes or turn around, then add things together. Bag and turned, bag and closed, bag and board, board and closed, board and turned, turned and closed," Twilight took a breath, "THEN-"

"Alright, we get it. Lots of things to make it that much clearer it's the real deal." Rainbow looked at the camera that pointed at her. "She's an egghead." She pointed it at the other two. Twilight gave an unamused expression. "A-Anyway. Twilight. Just before you hold up your first card, you have to say, "Pay attention. This is important." Alright? And Fluttershy? Could you approach the table from somewhere? I want to get you walking in from somewhere."

Fluttershy stood and asked, "From where?"

"Uhh, beyond the tree or something. Or maybe the parking lot? Just- somewhere."


~~~~~~~~~


Fluttershy started walking from a set of doors leading to the school's inner walls. She adjusted her hair, and made sure her hat stayed in place. Along the way, she admired the weather, and waved at someone beyond the screen. 

The camera turned to show Twilight shuffling several piles of white backed cards. Her backpack sat on the table beside them, and a long folded piece of cardboard leaned against the bench.

Fluttershy came to the other side of the table and sat down. "Hey Twilight."

"Fluttershy. Thanks for coming out here on the weekend. I know we're both busy with our daily lives, but I'm so glad we both found a day to relax."

"It was no problem. Volunteers are coming every day at the shelter now. It's almost at the point where there are more people than animals." She took off her hat, set it aside and fixed her hair. "What are we doing today?"

"Psychic testing. Or predictive reasoning. I have with me over 100 cards. If you can get more than 100 right, I'll buy you lunch sometime."

"Alright." Fluttershy watched as Twilight stacked the piles together. She reached into her bag and retrieved a notebook and pen.

"For recording your accuracy, I will be keeping track of your results in this log. Is that alright?" Fluttershy nodded. "Great." She held a card face down above the deck with her left hand. Twilight turned to the camera, which was beside Twilight. "Pay attention. This is important." She held the card up with the image facing Twilight. "Ready when you a-"

"Red square," Fluttershy said. Twilight blinked a few times. Rainbow moved the camera to see the card was indeed a red square.

"Uhh..." Twilight put a check mark under 1-1 of her table. "Next?"

"Yellow triangle." Another mark on Twilight's page.

The test continued until all the cards were used. Twilight held up her table and adjusted her glasses. "Every single card was right. How'd you do that?"

Rainbow held the camera behind Fluttershy in perfect view of the tree. True as she said, the edge of the mirror was clearly seen in the video.

"Hmm." She put a finger to her cheek and looked up at the tree. Rainbow circled around and looked at Fluttershy. "A little squirrel told me."

"Really? Maybe you're just a natural psychic." The two shared a laugh before it ended.


~~~~~~~~~


The next day at lunch...

"So girls. What do you think?" Rainbow asked.

"Fluttershy really got help from the animals?" Rarity asked. Rainbow nodded. " Then... Why is there a mirror's edge in plain view behind the tree?"

"Like I said before, it's showing off our talent while still giving the illusion we're lying about it. That way, if any of us are approached by the government or anyone, we can say it was editing magic. Look, I even added frame cuts to make them think we took a breath and rehearsed the next fifteen cards. We didn't of course, but I had to do that."

"Ingenious," Twilight admitted. "So, I'm next. And I levitate things."

"I can help with that, I believe." Rarity said. "See, I have an order for the drama club that I've been expecting for the last month. Their stand-in designer is... less than adequate. So, if I could get you to help me lift something down from a high shelf, would that do as required?"

Rainbow snapped her fingers and pointed at Rarity. "Yeah! That's a great idea! Alright. So, filming's on sunday. Does that work for you, Rarity?" She nodded. "Great. Twilight?" Thumbs up. "Awesome! Now, we need to borrow a ladder. Gotta make it look fake. I'll toss some ideas around during the week and work out the details. Good plan? Good plan."

"The janitor's closet has a ladder," Applejack said. "Ah seen him use it from time to time changin' the lights or some such. Maybe he'll let me borrow it for the day. Or Ah could bring mah own."

"I think a metal ladder would fit the scene better, don't you think?" Rarity asked. "Surely the one in your barn is made of wood. And handmade by one of your family members."

"How'd you know that?" Aj asked.

"Because everything on your farm was handmade by someone in your family, Applejack."
> Physics Major
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As with Fluttershy's video, Rainbow went between Twilight's lab and Rarity's design room in Canterlot High. Several good details were agreed upon, while most others were trivial.

That sunday...


~~~~~~~~~


"-is several times, Twilight." Rarity pointed at Twilight. "You come in, we talk, I say that specific line, you help me with your skill. Dash gets a clear shot of the ladder, adds a frame cut or something, and viola~ the scene ends."

"Relax, Twilight. You didn't pull this stuff when you were co-host. What's gotten into you now?"

"I saw the comments! Everyone loved Fluttershy! What if I don't compare?" Twilight had a seat in one of Rarity's swivels. "What if I'm too good and take the spotlight away from her? What if-"

"Twilight!" Rarity and Rainbow yelled simultaneously.

She fell quiet.

"Re-" Rainbow inhaled. "-lax." Then exhaled. "It's just a three minute video. It's not Broadway."

Rarity patted Twilight on the shoulder. "Even if I am wearing something original. After all, life is a runway."

Rainbow turned the camera to the window. "Not helping, Rarity. Look, let's just run this through, and see how it looks after, alright?" The two nodded. "And Twilight? Don't look at the camera. Only one who should is Rarity when she says the line that everyone seems to like so much. Also, Twilight. You'll need to come in from the hall. After you walk out, count to 15 seconds, then come in. Start the convo like you normally would and let's roll with the flow."


~~~~~~~~~


Rarity was organizing her desk area. She had neglected to do so before, as she just got work from the drama club. She pushed her hair from in front of her face, sat back in her chair and sighed. The door opened, and Twilight walked in. "Hey Rarity. I-"

"Twilight, darling. That was an awful lot of sound for your entry."

"Oh. Should I do it again?" She started to close the door with her outside.

"No, you're in here now, and full glad I am that you are. I need your help, as explained in the text." She turned and faced Twilight. "You did get it, right? That's why you're here?"

"O-oh. OH! Right, the text. Message. I get those..." She opened her phone with a shaky hand. She glanced just to the side of the camera, then slowly took a breath. She fell more relaxed. "Right. "Twilight. I just got word from the drama club that their stand-in designer failed to produce quality outfits for their upcoming play "I Want to be your Bluebird". I should think this is an emergency situation. But, why not ask Fluttershy? She's more handy with quiltwork." Twilight stowed her phone and walked further into the room, closing the door behind her.

"True, she is..." Rarity swiveled and faced Twilight. The camera moved to see her expression. "But, you are far more organized. And an excellent planner besides. I thought we could set up a work plan. One where I get everything I need done in a reasonable amount of time. Optimize my work space."

"Then you called the right girl." Twilight opened her bag and set out a notepad and pen. "First off, what materials do you need in total, which do you have, and which do you still need to obtain?"

Rarity listed off several items. Some of which were fired off so fast it forced Twilight to messy-write. "I see. So, all of the starred items you already have." She looked behind her to the shelving unit against the wall. "Hope you know where everything is..."

"I do. But, I'm afraid that some of what I need is up too high for me to reach. I asked for Bulk Biceps to assist me when I got the materials, but he's at work on the weekends either managing a food cart in the city or at the spa."

"Bulk goes to the spa?" Twilight asked, tilting her head at Rarity. "That's... bold..."

"No no, darling. He works at the spa. Deep Muscle Massage. Never getting one myself, but I hear he's got soft hands, considering." Rarity coughed, then deterred the conversation. "But, anyway... I got his help to put up the materials."

"Well, he is very tall. But, maybe I can help?" Twilight turned back to Rarity.

"I don't see how; you're only half as tall as he is. And he has to really reach to get up there." Rarity looked up at the gold cloth bolt. "But, suppose you could. I would need that gold one down first." She turned to the camera. "Pay attention. This is important."

The camera zoomed in on the gold cloth. It lit up in a purple field and moved down to eye level. As it zoomed out, Twilight was seen pointing at it, The camera moved to see Rarity's expression of shock. The next few minutes were spent getting top shelf items down with Twilight's power.

"Thank you for all your help, Twilight."

"It was no trouble, really. I'll leave the time table here with you." She stood, hugged Rarity, and started for the door.

"I do have... one question: How did you do that?"

Twilight turned and faced Rarity. "Well, I'm planning to be a physics major in college. Defying it seemed like the first logical step."


~~~~~~~~~


The next day at lunch, the others stood behind Rainbow watching the video on her phone. "Did you have to title it that?"

"Of course I did. You said it yourself. I said Trial Run, you said Natural Psychic, and for yours you said Physics Major. Movies almost always have the title of the movie in the movie itself. Roll credits, ding."

Twilight was the first to sit back down in her chair. "I see. By that logic, what would you do if no one said anything during the video?"

"That wouldn't make any sense, because a recurring phrase is "Pay attention. This is important."

"Let's talk about that, actually." Sunset sat beside Twilight and leaned on the table. "Why that phrase?"

Rainbow thought for a moment. "It sounds cool. Could be cooler, but it's what I came up with on the spot. And it was used already, so it stuck. All I need from the audience is to focus on the editing "errors" I'm making obvious. Cast themselves into disbelief. I have a plan. Trust me."

"But what is your plan? You haven't so much as hinted at its contents," Rarity argued.

"Because, it'll be a surprise! I'll be fine, you guys. Don't worry about it." She ate several big mouthfuls of her food all at once. "Beshidesh, it'sh not likhe there'sh any dangjer of getting dishcovered, or anything."

"But there could be. Are you absolutely sure your editing is "bad" enough to cover up how great we are with our skills?" Sunset pressured.

Rainbow drank the rest of her milk and leaned in. "Yes. It is. Can we leave it at that?"

"Sure. Given that Rarity co-hosted the last one, who will co-host for her?"

Rainbow pointed at Sunset. In that movement, Sunset reached out and caught Rainbow's wrist and peered into her memories. She had gotten so fluent in her power that she could see Rainbow's entire week in a fraction of a second. Easily, she went back the few weeks since she got the camera and found nothing that hinted at Rainbow's true motive. So instead of calling her out, she simply said, "It's rude to point, Rainbow. Could have just said my name."

"Ah, well. You're up next, Sunset. Was going for the dramatic flair, but I guess it doesn't suit me." Rainbow pulled her hand back and rubbed it a little. "Strong grip you got there, Sunset. Anyway, sundays again?" Both nodded.

"But, my power lets me create barriers of crystal. What, am I going to be under attack or something?"

"I'll work out the details over the week. If anyone's got some ideas, toss 'em my way, and I'll work something out."
> Fine Crystal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With nothing to go on, as Rainbow didn't know the full extent of Rarity's gift, she was well and truly stumped. Until something during the week caught her eye...

In the food line, the friends were getting their lunches. On their way back to the table, they laughed about one of the more recent comments to the video Rainbow made about Twilight's debut.

When they sat down, Rarity slipped and knocked over her plasticware, sending it hurtling to the floor. No one noticed until it already hit. Surprised, Rarity looked at it, then at her food. "Hey girls..." she started. "I dropped my fork."

"Want me to get you a new one?" Sunset offered.

"No no, that's quite alright." Her hand lit a bright blue as a shiny object materialized in her grasp. It was a new fork made from Rarity's gift. "I have extra."

"Hold up," Rainbow said. "What... What was that just there?" She pointed at the new utensil. "You can just... make things now?"

"But of course. I've been making thimbles with my talent since I got back from Camp Everfree. Turns out, the creations are very durable. And they only go away if they somehow break, or I stop focusing. And having a lot on my plate at any given time means I can split my focus an impressive number of ways."

Sunset looked at Rarity. "That is impressive."

"Oh, but don't get me wrong. I do have limits."

"Want to find out what they are?" Rainbow asked. "I think I just figured out what your debut's gonna be." The others looked at her in suspense. "Rarity's going to make as many things as she can, until she can't any more. All for a dinner date for Twilight and Timber."

"We have plans to go out on sunday, since I'm not in a video this week," Twilight offered.

"Then we'll just act like it's a set up for your dinner date. We won't even use names. Just "Our friend and her boyfriend". No one really needs to know the names of people off camera, anyway." Rainbow waved her hand before her.

"Fine." Rarity accepted. "But where?"

"That's... a good question. We can't rent a restaurant, can we?"

Pinkie spoke up from her lunch. "I could see if the Cakes are willing to offer theirs sunday night. Maybe they'll call in a favor later?"

"Excellent! Thank you, Pinkie! I'll even help clean up afterward. Won't take but a few seconds anyway." Rainbow nearly speed-ate her lunch.

"Calm down there, speedster. Are ya even chewin'?" Aj asked.

"At least a dozen times. Gotta go. Later!" She stood up and booked it out of the cafeteria.

Sunset shook her head. "That girl needs more chill."


~~~~~~~~~


At her house...

"Alright." Rainbow went and sat down in front of her camera on a tripod. "The day is wednesday, and it's after school. I'm at home. I think my friends don't trust in my plan. Despite me telling them it'll be fine. And..." She leaned in to the lens. "Stay out of my head, Sunset!" Rainbow reached up and turned off the camera.


~~~~~~~~~


The week progressed as normal as it could. They did a rehearsal dinner at Rarity's request. And they nailed it first try.

On recording night...

"-lready turning it on?" Sunset asked.

"Because, I don't want to miss anything cool. Rarity gets to make things with her magic. Her power's the only one that allows for total creativity."

"Thank you, darling," Rarity said. "Though... between the two plates, the 6 utensils, both cups, two bowls and the chandelier above, I'm just thankful it's only for a few minutes. That said, I could keep these going for hours, but I like to be conservative."

"No prob, Rarity. It'll be completed soon." Rainbow thumbs upped her camera.

"Still... All this effort for a few minutes' worth of footage. What is that really worth?" Sunset tried.

"I told you plenty of times already. We get to show off. Is there an echo in here? We are doing this to show off and get away with it. Just wait until yours. You'll have fun with it. Promise."

Sunset was quiet, and looked at the table. "Alright, Rarity. Rainbow. You two ready?"


~~~~~~~~~


Sunset was already at the table, in serious thought. It was an uncovered table, and rather plain, besides. "Sunset walked around the table, and the camera circled the other way, keeping an eye on her. She stopped at a chair and sat down. "I'm going to die of old age if she makes me wait any longer."

The bell to the restaurant rang, and a familiar, "Sunset darling~" echoed into the room. "Sorry I'm late, I had a lot of last minute stitching to do on the drama club's new outfits."

"Oh, that's alright, really. I'm just glad you came." Sunset stood and walked to Rarity. She took some pieces of cloth from Rarity's armload and set them on the counter. "I didn't explain why, so thanks again."

"Of course, my dear. If you need a table cloth, you need only ask." She looked at the empty table. "Why are we here again?"

"Timber asked us to set up a secret dinner for him and Twilight. He wants to make it special. But, since literally everyone else is busy with their own lives, it's just you and me."

"Glad to help where I can." She tossed the pair of cloths in her arms to the table beside her. "This one is lightly decorated with red sequins with a white base, but I imagine they want green and purple." Rarity dug through the pile and pulled out one that matched her requirements. "And oh look. It even has little stars on it. Perfect."

"Perfect is right." Sunset helped to dress the table. "Oh, almost forgot." She went to the counter and got a box of various effects. Then, she placed it on the table.

"What... is that?"

"A box of plates and cups and such. What, you expect them to eat with their fingers?"

"Well, no. But... plasticware?"

"They don't have metal here. Even the plates are made of hard paper." Sunset set some stuff on the tablecloth. "It's all they had."

"Well, I'm sorry. But it's not good enough." Rarity grabbed the cloth and gave it a solid pull. Easily... she knocked everything off, including the red solo cups. "That... went differently in my mind... All the same, I won't have my friend and her... other friend, have dinner with plasticware." She reset the cloth after Sunset cleared it off.

Sunset looked dead at the camera and gave a smile. "Pay attention. This is important."

With her hand raised, she created crystal plates and cups. 2 of each. "Much better."

"How'd you do that?" Sunset asked, dropping the box of stuff to the floor. She examined the plate and tested it. "It's a solid piece. No cracks, divots or dips. Perfectly balanced, too. Good thickness for a plate. That's incredible, Rarity!"

"Oh, please. I'm just getting started. Instead of eating with their fingers, they will eat with these." Another wave of her hand created crystal forks, spoons, and knives beside the plates. "Eating with fine crystal is far better than eating with breakable plasticware. It just looks tacky, too."

Sunset set the plate down and looked close at the utensils. "Each one's got a gem in the handle."

"Still crystal though. I can make them whatever color I please. Just, light blue is the easiest to make." Rarity held up the knife. "The knife has a red crystal." She pointed to the spoon. "Deep blue for the spoon," then the fork, "and wild green for the fork."

"That's ama-"

"Oh, but I'm not done. Let's set the mood, shall we?" Rarity held up both hands and created a crystal chandelier with dozens of individual crystals over the hanging light fixture. She wiped her brow and placed her hands on her hips. "Now that's a setting worthy."

Sunset stood there with an open maw. "That's fantastic! How did you- where did you- How are you doing that?"

"Is that why your face is like that?" Rarity chuckled. "Magic, my dear. Magic."

Sunset tossed up both hands. "Alright, you don't have to tell me. I'm just glad that however you did it, you did it."


~~~~~~~~~


The next day...

"You told me you weren't using names!" Twilight said.

"I know! I forgot, alright?" Rainbow tried to apologize. "On the brighter side, clean up took less time than I expected. Didn't even need to do the dishes because Rarity just... made them disappear." Rainbow put her phone to sleep and placed it in her jacket pocket.

"A wave of the hand is a simple task." Rarity ate with her new crystal fork.

"And you felt no strain at all?" Sunset asked. Rarity shook her head. "That's good to hear." She turned to Rainbow. "You said I'd have fun with my video. What's it about?"

"You. Your power. And a doubting farmer." Rainbow looked at Aj.

"Ah'm up then, huh?" Rainbow nodded. "Hope y'all can get to the farm lickety split, 'cause Ah got little time otherwise."

"Not a problem. I'm the fastest girl alive. And tons of energy to spare."

Pinkie looked at Rainbow. "That means that I'm after Aj, right? And that you get to help me with my talent, right?"

"That's right. But, we're a couple weeks before you get your turn. Sorry Pinkie."

"Not a problem."
> Reverse Psychic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much like previous videos, Rainbow spent the entire week running ideas back and forth between Sunset's home and the Apple family farm Sweet Apple Acres just outside of town, as well as tossing some ideas out the window along the way.

When it came time to practice, Rainbow had supervised rehearsals at the lunch table to make sure Aj's acting was better than it's been in the past. And it was.

Finally, on recording day...


~~~~~~~~~


Rainbow had set up a tableclothed table by a booth in the wide walkway of the inside of the outlet mall. On it, sat a holder for a glass ball, and the ball itself; both of which were graciously volunteered by Pinkie, who seemed to have plenty to spare. On the table sat a paper card. It read "Madame Shimmer tells you your past memories. $2 for the last week, $5 for the last month, $10 for the last year and $20 for anything beyond that. Money back if I'm wrong." Rainbow's handwriting was surprisingly neat. Beside the note was a jar to hold the payments.

Aj walked over and saw the card. "Fancy set up."

"You ain't seen fancy yet, Aj. Just wait until Sunset comes out of the bathroom. She went in to change a little while ago into the outfit we prepared for her."

"Oh really? Will I be shocked?"

"Only if you touch it. Sunny's worn less to more formal gatherings than this." Rainbow tilted back in one of the prepared seats. "Got the tablecloth on sale from the two-bit shop down the way there. And the table... I moved from the eatery."

"Stolen?" Aj asked.

"No. Borrowed without permission. But, with every intention of giving it back." Rainbow winked at Aj. "Have a seat."

Aj sat down opposite Rainbow. "Just so Ah ain't missin' nothin', what's the ball for?"

"Show. She has one just because. The real thing will be more like palm reading. Or look like it anyway. You all set for your part?" Aj nodded. "Good. Because here she comes." Rainbow pointed to Sunset, who walked from the restroom wearing a red and gold outfit. It had lace, chains, beads, a veil, a ribbon for her hair, gold pants that looked baggy and red and gold babouches.

"Sweet Cider at Hearths Warming that is one fancy get up ya got, Sunset."

"Blame Rarity. She insisted I look the part." She folded her arms and looked at Rainbow. "Only once. All of this is waaaaay too restricting."

"Don't look too bad to me," Aj argued.

"You didn't spend the first 20 years of your life not being required to wear clothes," Sunset countered. Then, she blushed and turned away.

"Wait, really?" Aj and Dash asked in unison.

"Well, clothes were more reserved for the high society life than normal commonfolk. When I went to Equestria to steal the crown, I wasn't wearing anything but my saddlebags. I had to find a cloak in the closet the mirror was in. And I bet you when Princess Twilight came after me, she was wearing the same as me."

"But why, though?"

"Do you put clothes on your horses Aj?"

"Uhh, blankets, saddles, bags, an' the like."

"Right. That's about as dressed up as horses get." Sunset got into one of the free seats. "It was uncommon for a pony to wear anything. Some were actually vehemently against it, save for balls and galas and such."

Aj stood and stretched. "Huh. The more ya know Ah guess. Ahmma go get some snacks. Gimme a holler when y'all're ready to film."

"Actually," Rainbow started, "have you got any ones and fives? Gotta make it look like we have people biting this."

With a sigh, Aj deposited her bills into the jar on the table. "Better?"

"Don't worry Aj. You'll get it all back. Promise." Sunset smiled and took her rightful seat. "Oh, before you go..." She reached in and handed back a five and two ones. "Start with the two, then gimme the five when you're more interested during the video."

Aj retrieved the money, waved, and walked off.

Rainbow looked at Sunset. "Well, it's just us here now."

"Not quite..." Sunset said, pointing down the hall. A dark skinned guy with black hair, jacket, pants and shirt beneath walked over to the table. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, hold on." Rainbow took out her camera. "Mind if I record this?"

"Not at all," he replied. He watched as Rainbow set up her camera.

"And can I get a name?" Sunset asked.

"Shade," he answered. "Shade Walker."

"Alright, Shade. Tell me what you'd like to remember."

Shade looked at the paper in front of him. "Hmm..." He put two dollars on the table. "Where was I friday morning? Around ten."

Sunset held out her hand. "I need to read your hand for that one." He put out his own palm up. "No, the back of your hand." He, confused, turned his hand over. She took it and held it with both of hers, feeling his veins as she moved about the back of his hand. "Friday morning... Ten... You were... Writing a ... a letter. "Dear Aurora". You left it on the counter beside an apple and half drank glass of milk."

"How do you know that happened at ten?" Shade inquired.

"After you signed it, you looked at the owl wall clock above and beside the fireplace. I believe you were running late." Sunset released his hand. "So? How close was I?"

"Remarkable..." he replied. "Your words were accurate. 100% accurate. Color me impressed, Sunset." He stood. "Well, thank you for this experience. I look forward to your future endeavors." With that, he walked off.

Rainbow closed the camera. "He was... weird."

"Oh, he's just a customer. I honestly didn't expect to have those doing this."

"Right? Should probably call Aj over now." Rainbow found Applejack by the pretzel rotary.


~~~~~~~~~


Sunset was behind her table with her hands and eyes fixed on the ball atop the bright red and gold cloth that adorned the furniture. Beyond it sat two chairs. Applejack walked up and had a seat. "Howdy Sunset. What was that guy about earlier?"

"Shade Walker? Oh, just a customer. One of ... " She paused to glance at her jar of bills. "Many this morning."

"Customers?" Aj asked, tilting her head. She noticed the card and held it up. ""Madame Shimmer tells you your past memories." You're a psychic now?"

"No. Psychics tell you the future. I tell you the past. If you once had the memory, then I can see it with my maaaagical pooower. Or something."

"So.. you're a reverse psychic. That's a neat angle, Sunset. But how accurate are you?"

Sunset sat back in her chair. "Tell you what. Half price for best friends. Drop a dollar and let me try your hand."

Aj laughed a little. "Ye're kiddin' me. No way can you do that. Heck, Ah'll drop ya the dollar on the case of it bein' impossible." She dug in her wallet and put in the required bill. Then, she held out her right hand palm up.

"Left hand. And the back of it." Aj chuckled and obeyed. Sunset closed her eyes and took a breath. Carefully, she grabbed Aj's hand and felt its every line. She turned it over and traced Aj's hand with her fingertips. "You know? I kinda need something to look for here."

"Oh, uh... Breakfast. Yesterday mornin'."

Sunset placed Aj's hand on the table. "Blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and two butter squares. Big Mac only has one butter square because he doesn't like butter. And Applebloom has three because she really does."

Aj's mouth hung open. "How do you know all that?"

"I was invited to your house a few saturday mornings, Aj."

"Oh right. Uhh..." She paced a hand on her chin. "Alright, then how about ... tuesday night last week? Say... 5 pm." She held her hand out as before.

Sunset took it in her own and looked between the fingers. "Let's see... You were... feeding the horses some hay. Applebloom asks you if she can ride one with you and you deny her on the count of they're being fed right now. She later gets distracted with her friend Scootaloo coming over to help plan their next movie outing. After the horses are fed, you go into the house to check up on her."

"A-Amazin'! How long are ya gonna be in the mall?"

"Until 5 or so."

"Alright. Ah wanna test your accuracy here." She stood up and walked away.

The video jump-cut to another time of day. Aj came and sat back down. The jar on the table was much fuller than before.

"Welcome back, Aj. What's this test you have?"

"Ah went an' wrote a few numbers down. Ah want you to tell me what they are." She placed another bill in the jar and put her hand on the table.

"Okay... but you're really wasting your money here..." Sunset held Aj's index and thumb of the right hand and narrowed her eyes. "The first number you wrote was... 12... Simple... Then you went and wrote down the number ... heh. one hundred twenty three million four hundred fifty six thousand seven hundred eighty nine. Took a while, and you also were really tempted to write the number short hand. And third number is... Are you really going to make me say this?" Aj nodded wit a smile. "Alright..." Sunset took a deep breath. "3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105-" She took a second breath. "-82097494459230781640628620899862803482-" A third breath. "-5342117067." Sunset finished with a sigh and dropped her hand. "There. All done. But why would you make me recite the first 100 digits of pi?!"

"Because there's no way you'd have it memorized." Aj folded her arms.

"I see... Are you satisfied yet?"

"Nope. One more test. If ya pass this one, Ah'll believe ya." She stood and walked off, leaving Sunset shaking her head.

Another jump-cut. This time, to Sunset's clean up. She was in her casuals with her fancy clothes in a bag with the table cloth. The jar was so full of money it was surprising.

Aj came back with a lack of breath. "Alright, you. Last one."

"Sorry, Aj. I have to go. Maybe tomorrow at school?"

"No. Now. Ah bought something today. What was it and how much?"

"Are you serious?" Aj nodded once. "Fine." Sunset put a finger against Aj's forehead. "You bought a yellow two-piece swimsuit, immediately returned it, bought a green two-piece in its place, went to try it on, found it a bit too tight, but kept it anyway because it makes you feel good. The yellow one charged you fifteen ninety nine plus tax, the green one costed you twelve ninety nine plus tax. The clerk asked if you wanted it gift-wrapped and you said no. You also kept the receipt in your front right pocket and you are still wearing the swimsuit under your clothes. Can I go home yet?"

Aj paused and took a step back. "Yeah, sure. Just try not to follow me around. There's no other way you could know all that."

"Believe what you will, Aj. See you at school." Sunset walked off screen.


~~~~~~~~~


Everyone crowded around Rainbow's phone at the lunch table on the following day. Aj and Sunset stood the closest. When it finished, the two sighed and sat beside each other. "Well done on your acting part Applejack," Rarity complimented.

"Thanks. Had Big mac an' Applebloom help at home on their spare time." She took a drink of her apple juice.

"You guys nailed it!" Rainbow added. "You two seriously did. I almost didn't want to edit out stuff, but you had to go and write the first hundred digits of pi. With her shorter breaths, I took out a couple frames so it'd jump a little to the next one. That guy showing up was a nice surprise though."

"Sure was. Think I made a believer out of him, too."

"What guy?" Fluttershy asked.

"There was some dude dressed up all in black and had some serious curiosity. Sunset divined his past and he was satisfied." Rainbow took a small bite of her apple slice. "And, we donated the money we got from everyone other than Aj to Fluttershy's wildlife center. All to a good cause, huh."

"That's nice of you to do that," Twilight said. "Maybe there's a way to monetize our powers like that as well. I'll try and look into it."

"Alright, so we knocked out mine, then Flutters'. Then Twilight's and Rarity's. Sunset got Aj's help. So, Aj is getting Pinkie's help. I have a small plan in the works for you guys. Won't be anywhere near as elaborate as this one. You two got any ideas?"

"Do you know how hard it is to move a cannon without wheels?" Pinkie asked.

"I do!" Twilight interrupted. "You had me help you get some of those things to liven up the party during the Friendship Games. In boxes, but wheel-less all the same."

"And they were heavy, right?" Aj asked. Twilight nodded.

"I got it!" Rainbow nearly shouted. "I'll give Pinkie the starting details and see if she can work with them. Aj, you're alright to push, pull, lift, carry and bear 50+ pounds right?"

"Like it ain't nothin'."

"Good. We'll need that for this."
> Brute Force
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow had ran back and forth between Sweet Apple Acres and Sugarcube Corner the after hours of the first couple days. After wednesday, she felt the script was just fine how they figured it. With all that spare time, Rainbow nearly lost her patience waiting for sunday to come around.

Finally, it did...


~~~~~~~~~


"-et me see if Ah got this right," Aj said, looking at the camera. "You think Sunset read your mind?"

"I know she did." Rainbow wiped off the lens with the provided cloth. "She wouldn't have grabbed my wrist otherwise. She didn't find anything though."

"Oh?"

"Wasn't anything to find."

"Ah see... Still... Ain't lookin' into someone's past an invasion o' privacy?" Aj continued.

"It is. That's why I'm showing you this video right here."

Rainbow turned the screen and played the video she took a week and a half ago.

""Stay out of my head!"? You've known since it happened, an' you're just now tellin' someone about it?"

"Well, yeah. Gotta pick my friends wisely you know?" Dash put an arm around Aj's shoulders and looked at the opposite seat in their booth. "Besides, she doesn't suspect I know anything. I tell you what though, it helps to be a fast reader. Even if my comprehension is s-"

"Salutations!" Pinkie sat down quickly wearing her work uniform. "I only have ten minutes right now, so talk fast."

"Pinkie. What time are you off work today?" Dash asked her, removing her arm.

"Off at 4 today. You guys still have an hour and a half to kill. Why not spend it at the arcade down the road?"

"Nah, got stuff to talk about here. We can wait, right Dash?" Rainbow nodded.

"Okey-dokey-lokey. Oh! Before I forget: did you get your money back from your video?"

"Sure did. Sunset's a peach."

"More like an apricot, but to each their own. Oop! Gotta go! See ya girls!" She stood and took off behind the counter.

"You think working in a sweets shop with Pinkie's power is a good idea?" Rainbow looked at Pinkie disappear.

"She probably has really good control over her power. Just like the rest of us do." She thought a moment. "Well, maybe except Twilight. What with her breathin' exercise."

Rainbow stood and stretched. "Hey. Walk with me? I'm getting restless... Again." Soon as she opened the door, she bumped into the same guy who sat down for Sunset's test. "Hey buddy. Why don't you-"

"Watch where you're going?" Shade Walker took a step back. "Fancy meeting you here, Rainbow. Applejack. Come to sample the local cuisine?"

"Nope. Just ... Just visiting a friend. We'll be shooting tomorrow around here, so feel free to stop by."

"I'll put it in my phone." He took out his device and punched in a few things. "All set. See you then." He walked by them into the restaurant.

As they started heading away from the doors, Aj asked, "What was all that about?"

"He's on to us. I can feel it. If we can get Sunset to read his mind and history, we can prove it. But that means using our powers the wrong way."

Aj stopped. "He knows?"

"He was there, just before you came up to Sunset's table. I got it on camera." She opened up her own device and played the video. "See? Sunset didn't even hesitate. And, she wasn't wrong. So, he knows her power is real. Since he goes to our school, he's probably been following us around. In the darkness and hidden."

"You really think that?"

"Of course I do. I know a spy when I see one." Rainbow looked at Sugarcube Corner. "He's in there now. Probably keeping an eye on Pinkie. And she probably already knows it, too. Gotta warn the others. I'll be back by film-time. Promise." Rainbow  walked out of sight from the building and took off down the road.


~~~~~~~~~


When she returned, it was already 4:30. Pinkie and Aj were all set up and ready to start. Around the back of Sugarcube Corner was the living space for the Cakes. Pinkie lived upstairs, and got permission to film in their home. Rainbow gave the good news to the two of them, then they got into position. "Don't forget Pinkie. You gotta say the line. You know the one." Pinkie nodded.


~~~~~~~~~


Pinkie was standing beside a big box with a clipboard in her hands and a pencil behind her ear. The box was open and some small pieces were set off to the side. "Howdy Pinkie. Sorry for the wait, traffic was a nightmare."

"No problem. I wasn't going anywhere anyway."

"I'd imagine not. So, ya said ya needed mah help?"

"Right!" Pinkie snapped her fingers and looked at her. "I just got a shipment of parts to build another party cannon, and once again, Bulk Biceps is busy at work. So, I called you to help instead. Hope that's alright."

"Ah'm here, ain't Ah?" Aj walked to the open box and peered inside. "Lotsa metal in there. Gonna build it down here?"

"Nah. I would like to at least make sure all the parts are there before taking it upstairs."

"No sweat." Aj leaned into the box and paused.

Pinkie turned to the camera and waved a little before saying, "Pay attention. This is important!" She looked at Aj and said, "You want some help there?"

"Nope. Ah'm fine." She hefted the biggest piece out and set it carefully on the floor. "Looks like half the barrel." Then, she pulled out the other half and set it beside the first. "There's the other half."

"Quarter. The barrel is four pieces." Pinkie checked a couple things off the sheet on the clipboard.

Together, the two of them took out and cataloged the pieces. Then, Aj put them all back in the box and carried the whole thing up the stairs, with the camera following their every move. At the top...

"Thanks for all your help, Aj. But I have to ask... How do you have such brute strength?"

"Ah can throw a transmission like a softball an' bench press a one-ton. This? This ain't nothin'. If ya ever need help like this again, give me a holler." Aj tipped her hat and headed downstairs. When the door shut, the video ended.


~~~~~~~~~


"So girls?"

"Can you really bench a one-ton?" Sunset asked.

"Sure can. If Ah tried anyway. Big Mac an' Ah worked on the truck over the week an' Ah played the role of jack. Kinda fittin' if ya ask me."

"Your physical strength has increased since the Camp Everfree incident. You are definitely getting stronger." Twilight looked at Sunset. "You are getting better at picking what memory you want to look at." Then to Rainbow. "You are faster than ever." Over to Rarity. "And your control is amazing." She turned to Fluttershy. "It's only a matter of time before you develop a special skill that enhances your own ability, Fluttershy."

"I look forward to it."

"That means I'm next, right?" Pinkie asked, taking a bite of salad.

"That's right, Pinkie. And I'm also going to need Fluttershy's help for this one."

"Why me?" she asked. "Not that I mind helping, just curious is all."

"I'll tell you more about it when we get to the docks. you're gonna have so much fun in this one, Pinkie." Rainbow finished the rest of her food quickly.

"I'll hold you to it. Do I get to bring candy?"

"Of course! To share, eat, and... Well, spoiler alert." She winked at Pinkie, who chuckled.
> Unconventional Method
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As with previous installments to her channel, so with her latest endeavor. Rainbow spent the week planning her own co-hosting of Pinkie's debut. Which was easy, since it was Rainbow who was in it.

Come sunday...


~~~~~~~~~


"Thanks for coming out here Fluttershy." Rainbow sat on a bench on the pier over the water. Pinkie sat beside her, and Fluttershy on the other side of Rainbow. "Now I know no animals will be harmed in the making of this video. ... Maybe I'll put up a disclaimer for that."

"Probably a good idea. I don't want to see any fish go belly up because of this." Fluttershy stood and knelt at the edge, looking into the water. "I'm not even sure they'll listen to me."

"They're gonna have to. And if they don't, then they'll be scared away by loud noises." Pinkie tossed up a skittle and caught it between her teeth. "I've gotten really good at making duds."

"That's just you not using your power," Fluttershy said, turning back. "It's when they do go boom that I get uneasy."

"Relax, Fluttershy. You'll be out of range from both the sound and sight. In other words, back on the beach. ... Or behind the camera watching if you want." Rainbow reached out and caught Pinkie's skittle lightning quick. "Mine." She ate the candy.

"That was mine!"

"You have, like, three whole bags of candy. What's one little skittle?" Rainbow asked.

"That's precious ammunition, I'll have you know."

"You aren't going to try to hit the fish, are you?" Fluttershy interrupted.

"No, of course not. I just want to see some big splashes." Pinkie held a piece in her open palm, and gave it a mighty flick into the deep blue. Moments later, there was a resulting explosion of powder that created a bubble beneath the surface. "See?"

"Little splash. Little candy." Rainbow reached into her bag and got a fist sized jawbreaker ball. "What can you do with this?"

"If that thing goes boom, it'll send sharp shards of shrapnel shooting all sorts of ways. In other words, a grenade." Pinkie looked at it. "Are you going to eat that? Or can I save it for later?"

"It's yours." Rainbow gave up her jawbreaker. "Anyway. Fluttershy? Status of the salmon?"

"They're well out of range from the blasts. Though, I will warn you: the shockwave underwater will still scare them."

"Noted." Rainbow got up and set up her tripod facing the end of the pier. "We can start whenever you're ready, Pinks."


~~~~~~~~~


Pinkie tossed a yellow skittle high into the air and caught it between her teeth. The light breeze made little changes to the candy's trajectory. With a sigh, Pinkie leaned back and looked at the sky. "It's so calming today."

Rainbow walked down the pier and sat beside Pinkie. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. It's a real boring day when the fish aren't biting." Pinkie tossed another one in the air and caught it. "Kinda why I wanted some company, because I sure don't have any in the water."

"Hard to catch a fish without bait. Without a pole, even." Rainbow looked around. "What are you even fishing with, if not a pole and bait?"

"I'm glad you asked. See, long time ago, before man tied line to wood, they stabbed with the wood the fish that got too close."

"Like a harpoon?"

"Yeah. Later, they used a bow and arrows to go fishing, pulling back their catch." Pinkie tossed another in the air and caught it.

"Alright, but I don't see any archery equipment."

"And you shouldn't. My point is, everyone fishes in a different way. My method is unique to me." She flicked a candy into the water.

" ... you're using candy as bait?" Pinkie nodded. "I don't think fish like the taste of sugar, Pinkie." Rainbow shook her head.

"I know that, silly. They aren't eating it, they just have to get close."

"You're confusing me. Why would you throw candy-"

"Flick."

"Flick candy into the water knowing you won't catch anything?"

"Because... because I'm using the candy as teeny tiny explosive charges." Rainbow looked confused. "Don't believe me?"

Rainbow turned to the camera. "Pay attention. This is important." She turned back to face Pinkie. "No, I don't. It's a candy."

"Not in my hand, it's not." She gave another one a flick, and just after it hit the water, it exploded in a bright red flash of powder. "See what I mean?"

"Wha- You're bomb-fishing?"

"That's right."

"With candy?" Pinkie nodded. "That's such an unconventional method, even for you." Rainbow glanced at her. "But hey. There's gotta be some trick here, right? Like... Oh, you set up mines under water and someone else is setting them off with timing."

"Nope."

"Hmm... You're using mind powers to make the candies detonate?"

"Sort of." Pinkie tossed another one in, and watched it make a green mist upon explosion.

"Then what is it, really?"

"Magic hands."

Rainbow shook her head, then chuckled at the notion. "No really. Tiny specks of c4, itty bitty grenades, at least those are within the realm of likelihood. Not... "Magic hands.""

"Believe me or not. Doesn't change the fact that I can do it." She tossed another one out and waited. No explosion. "Okay, that one was a dud."

The two shared a laugh.


~~~~~~~~~


"Did you dud on purpose?" Twilight asked.

"Of course I did. Humor goes a long way when executed properly. Gotta just make sure the guillotine is sharp enough for a clean cut."

"At any rate most of the comments are about Pinkie's strange power. They really don't know how you did all those skittle bombs. Hate to say it but there wasn't much I could do to edit that idea out of their heads."

"Hey," Rarity said, "scroll back up." Rainbow did so and watched Rarity point at a comment in particular. ""Since the person from the first video is assisting in this one, does that mean you've closed the loop?" Closed the loop?"

"Yeah. I hosted the first one, and every time after that, someone else has been the focus. That person, in the previous video, assisted. So, when I assisted this one, the "next" video would be about me, but we already did that one. So yeah. Closed loop." Rainbow scrolled down again and stopped at a comment. "Uhh... This one's new... "Speed. Psychic. Telekinetic. Conjury. Reverse Premonition and Empath. Strong. Explosive. Fine qualities in all of you, and wonderful displays of power besides." Uh oh..."

""Uh oh"? What's the uh oh?" Pinkie asked.

"This guy is... He's the same guy that we saw during Sunny's video. And we bumped into him just before Aj's video too."

"Is this the same guy that you said was stalkin' us?" Aj asked. Rainbow nodded. "Have y'all been real careful about showin' yer powers?" she whispered.

"I know I have," Fluttershy admitted. Various hums and nods came from the others. "Rainbow?"

"Speed's my game. I can move just fast enough to not be seen, and to not have a color trail. There's a sweet spot there somewhere. Maybe if I had a black outfit, I could make the trail go away completely."

"Are you asking me to make you something? Because I totally... won't." Rainbow looked at her. "You with a black suit doesn't suit you at all."

"That's the idea though. If I wear something that isn't me, I have a better chance of getting away with my grand idea."

Sunset hit the table hard. "You're going to tell me what that is, now!" She reached over and grabbed Rainbow's wrist.

Rainbow immediately began thinking of her video she made in secret. "Stay out of my head, Sunset!" That alone forced Sunny to let go.

"What's the matter with you?" Rainbow asked.

"Why can't I see what your plan is?!" Sunset asked with rising anger.

"Because you can't read minds from the memories you see. All of the details are in my head, and unless you catch me thinking about them when I don't know, you'll never see them." She stood up. "And, since you won't make me an outfit, then I'll just have to go buy a rainbow-colored track suit from the outlet malls." She walked off. The others watched her.

"Sorry girls. I shouldn't have lashed out like that. I just wanted to know what's been going through her head." Sunset put her head on the table. Aj gave her some back pats.

"It's alright, Sunset. She didn't even tell me what's goin' on with her. But she makes a good point. This guy that's tailin' us needs to stop. Who wants to confront him?"

"No need." Pinkie said. Soon as she said that, Shade himself sat where Rainbow stood up.

"Happy lunch to you six." He took a bite of apple. "So tell me: what went on with you and-"

"You don't get to sit with us and start asking questions like that. Who are you and why have you been following us?" Twilight asked.

"Hmm... If you want answers, you'll have to beat them out of me. I'll be in the track field after school every day this week until 6. You have until I leave on the final day to come at me with everything you've got." He stood and left his tray. "Don't disappoint me. Oh, and be sure to tell your Spectrum Speedster those little details." Shade walked off and seemed to dissolve from sight.

Silence reigned for a few minutes. "Magic from Equestria?" Sunset asked. Everyone nodded.
> Interlude I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hmm... If you want answers, you'll have to beat them out of me. I'll be in the track field after school every day this week until 6. You have until I leave on the final day to come at me with everything you've got." He stood and left his tray. "Don't disappoint me. Oh, and be sure to tell your Spectrum Speedster those little details." Shade walked off and seemed to dissolve from sight.

Silence reigned for a few minutes. "Magic from Equestria?" Sunset asked. Everyone nodded.


~~~~~~~~~


Sunset looked at his forgotten tray. "Hmm..." She touched it and got a flash of memory.

"This is for the memory reader. I have a clue, though you already know what it is by now. Having dissolved before your very eyes, you no doubt believe I have magic from another world, much like you 7. The question becomes, 'What magic does he have that lets him disappear like that?' Better do some research."

"Girls... This guy is on a whole other level from the ones we fought against before. He's already thought ahead and told his tray a message meant for me. He knew I'd try and see its memory."

"How could he know you'd do that?" Twilight asked. "Has he been keeping tabs on us for that long?"

"I think so..." They all looked around for any sight of the guy, and they found nothing. "Well, he's gone now, so..."

"I guess the main question is... Who wants to go first? It's monday now, and there are seven of-"

"Hold that thought. It's true we are seven-strong, but how many of us can actually fight with our power?" Rarity asked.

Sunset thought for a few moments. "You make a good point... I know Rainbow would fight. I will too. Just to see how far I can go."

"Ah want a round for mahself." Aj held up her arms. "Ah got some strong hits, surely one o' them's gonna connect."

Rarity and Fluttershy shook their heads. Twilight also waved her hand in rejection. "Anyone else? Pinkie?"

"I could try. Remind me to bring extra hard candy to the party."

"Then it's you, me, Aj, and Rainbow. And for the last day, let's all gang up on him. That'll give us the time to learn his style and come up with a counter measure. Twilight and Rarity, can you two make it anyway? Your eyes are the most perceptive in the group and you might see something that gets away from us."

"Absolutely," Rarity said. "I look forward to the venture."

"Great. I'll see about getting Rainbow to bring her camcorder," Sunset said. She stood up from the table and walked off with her and the newcomer's tray.

"Alright, Twi. Odds of success?"

"What makes you think I've been calculating odds?" The others look at her. "Okay, I have, but it's tough to discern. We know he can make illusions of himself, and we should assume he can do it to other things as well. He was able to sit on the chair, so the illusion still has a solid form. He'll still have to put the effort into his illusion to make it fight-worthy. Sadly, we don't know his ability in combat yet, but I'll do some digging. See what I can find in his background."

"We have a name, too. Shade Walker. Told us what it was before Sunny's video."

"Alright. As for realistic odds... slim to none. He can manipulate reality. We might not even be up against him at all, and just swinging at air. Optimistically, though, we have a shot. If we can discern what's giving him this power and neutralize it, we stand a chance."

"What are the odds of it being Equestria magic, like Sunset said?" Fluttershy asked.

"Pretty high up there, considering no one can dematerialize like that on their own." Twilight stood. "I'll go get started. See you all after school."

The others waved. "Ah guess Ah'll be goin' too. Gotta get focused on the match for today." Aj stood and departed as well.

One by one, the remaining people left the table. Fluttershy walked by the garbage and looked at the stack of trays. One of them disappeared right in front of her. Shade's tray was an illusion as well.
> Heaviest Hitter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The remainder of that monday, Aj was worrying over her match with Shade. She had bitten the end of her pencil hard enough to bite clean through it, pushed hard enough on the lead that it broke an inch off, and nearly walked into the wall with her shoulder. When it came to the last bell, she was relieved. That whole time, she was working out her attack plan in her head and on paper, but without a source of reference, she would be fighting blind.

Finally, at the track field, Shade stood there alone in its center. Rainbow and the others showed up at different times, while Sunset walked with Aj, trying to ease her troubled mind. After all, Sunset was in full empath mode, and hearing Aj's every thought.

"Alright. Ah'm here. An' your first match is with me."

"I know. Which is why..." He raised both his hands to his side. "Which is why..." The stands became full of people, a boxing ring came up from the ground, and stadium lights shone down on the canvas. "Everyone has come to watch."

Everyone looked around them at the marvel of his power. The stands cheered for Aj and Shade. Some even sported orange or black shirts to show their favorite to win. When they looked back at Shade, he was in the middle of the ring. A mic was wired to speakers in the stands. "Ladies and Gentlemen... Today at Canterlot Hall, we bring you today's main event! Aj, the Heaviest Hitter, versus Shade the Champion! Will the challenger give him a run for his money, or will she be just another star on his trunks?"

Shade, the one off stage, looked at Aj. "Cool, huh? Don't worry. Your room is just behind you. There's trunks, wraps, shoes and gloves. 8 ounce. I'll go prepare and meet you in the ring in say... ten minutes?" He smiled and walked off toward the red corner's hallway.

Aj and her friends retreated to the blue hall, and got to the changing room. "Aj, I don't like this at all. He's baiting you, you know that?" Sunset asked.

"He wants to box. He wants to challenge me at my strongest sport."

"Ever ask why? He knows you're strong, so why fight you in a test of strength?" Rainbow set up her recorder. "While I'm at it..." She cleared her throat. "We're here with the challenger Applejack, minutes before her debut match in Canterlot Hall. Any words for the champ?"

Aj also cleared her throat. "Shade. Ah'm gonna hang your belt on the wall after I rip it off your waist. You wanna test these guns?" She held up her arms. "Ain't enough kevlar in the world to protect you from these!"

"Powerful words from the challenger! Back to you, Ace." She closed the camcorder and laughed. "That was awesome!"

Outside the hall, she heard a response. "Those were bold words from the challenger. Champ, your reply?"

"Well, I've defended my title a couple times now, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of power this one has. If you ask me, she's the most threatening fighter at this school."

"Are you saying that you're scared, Champ?"

"No Ace. Not scared. Just purely excited, is all."

Rainbow looked at her camcorder. "Huh... how 'bout that. He can do some amazing things... Make no mistake, he's still a force we have to stop, but if he can do all this, then what chance do we have?"

"Thanks for the confidence, Dash. Can't wait to see your face when he beats you in a race." Aj folded her arms.

"Girls. If Aj doesn't prepare, she won't be in form enough to win this match." Twilight held out the pair of red boxing gloves.

Rainbow took them from her grip and moved her hands over Aj's, covering them in wraps first. "Alright, Aj. Boxing. Looks like he gave you a sports bra to wear." Aj took it and went to the curtain. After she changed, she looked at the trunks Dash had set over the curtain. "He's got style." When Aj stepped out, she was wearing deep orange trunks with a similar colored sports bra. Her hair was tied back into the ponytail she always wore. Shoes were set up and Dash helped with speed lacing them before equipping the gloves. "I almost envy you, Aj," she said, putting in the mouth guard. "You get to go toe to toe with the guy."

"You can have your bout tomorrow if you want.. Twilight, what did you find?"

"He's a ghost. There's no record of him anywhere. Not even in the school's registry. I looked in last year's yearbook, and he's there, but there's no record of him ever enrolling. Maybe he's a case like mine?"

"Well, he's real, an' he's here. Pickin' fights with us out in the open like that." Aj hit her gloves together. "But Ah can do this. Right? Tell me Ah can do this..."

The others were quiet, except for Fluttershy. "Watch him in the first round..." The others looked at her in curiosity. "I mean... that's how you can learn to beat your opponent with no prior knowledge, right?"

Rainbow patted Aj on the shoulder. "Stand up. Lemme see your six attacks." She picked up a pair of pads and put them on and up. "Jab." Aj delivered a hard left to the mitt, blowing back Dash's hand. "Nice one! Cross." The right was more powerful,  sending her hand up and behind her. "Don't forget to put your hips into your rights, and return to their position when you throw lefts." Holy cow, she's got power. She could stand to be faster though... "Hooks." With each hit, Dash's hands got blown sideways. "Uppers." Again, her mitt-covered hands went up and back. "Dig your feet in when you throw a serious one. Your power should come from the feet, then travel all the way through your punch." Dash took off the mitts and put some bags of ice on them. "You hit like a truck, you know that?"

"Yeah. Ah know... But can Ah tag him's the question..."

"Let him wear himself out. Title matches are 12 rounds at three minutes each, with a minute of rest in between each round. Which reminds me... Fluttershy, how'd you like to be a cornerman with me?"

"What's that?" Fluttershy responded.

"Cornermen are there to provide advice in the rest periods, clean up wounds, and throw in the towel if things get unwinnable." Applejack adjusted her gloves. "You knew to just watch in the first round, so Ah'd like you there."

"Alright... I'll do it..." she replied slowly.

"Don't worry, we'll be watching from the stands. At the giant tv he has set up." Twilight pushed up her glasses. "And we'll also be watching for any funny business."

Aj headed for the door. "Alright. Ah'm counting on you all to have my back."

A version of Shade knocked on the door. "Challenger, you're on in just under a minute."

"Alright. Here I go. Dash, Flutters, don't forget the spit bucket, the towel, and the tube, and the water bottle, and the bowl for my mouth guard." After collecting the items, she headed out.

Announcer Shade, dressed in a suit and tie, stood in the middle of the ring. Cheers erupted from the stands as Aj made her way to the ring, doing some warm-up swings to get in the groove. Dash held the ropes apart for her and stood in front of the seated Aj beside Fluttershy.

Music began playing as Shade entered the arena. Up on the screen, it played various fights he'd been in, showcasing a handful of his attacks that resulted in K.O.'s. Shade walked in with his black robe and red gloves. Beside him were two others: an old man, and a middle-aged man. 

When he entered the ring, the music stopped and the announcer began his intros. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Your main event. In the red corner, the Champion, weighing in at 150 pounds, Shade "The Archer" Walker!" Thunderous applause from the stands. "And in the blue corner, the Challenger. Weighing in at-" Aj gave the announcer man a sharp glare. "Uhh, undisclosed weight in pounds, hailing from Canterlot High... Applejack!" More cheering.

The referee walked to the middle of the ring. "Boxers, to me." Both fighters approached. "I want a clean match. Nothing below the belt, no biting, no kicking, no head-butting. Punches and clinches only."

Shade asked, "Oh, before we start, I should ask: do you want to use your stone? If you do, then I'll use my power as well. If not, then neither will I."

Aj turned back to Rainbow. "Uhh... Can Ah ask mah coach?" Shade nodded. She walked to Rainbow and asked her the same question.

"Honestly, you shouldn't use your geode. If he's asking you, he's probably got some nasty trick up his sleeve if you do use it. After all, he is an illusionist. He could make many of himself and hit you from anywhere. Don't worry, I'll hold onto it." Aj removed it and handed it over. "You still feeling strong?"

"You bet." She walked back to Shade. "No charms, no nothin'. Jus ' me an' mah guns. You?"

Shade walked to his corner and took off his robe. "No charms, no nothing. Just me and my guns."

"Both combatants are set," The announcer said as he left the canvas.

The ref took over the wireless mic. "Touch gloves." Shade held out his glove for Aj, who gave it a forceful thrust with her own. "Back to your corners."

Aj retreated to her corner and removed the stool. Dash and Fluttershy left the ring and stood by the corner on the floor. "remember to watch him in the first round. See what he's all about. And don't forget to guard."

Shade went to his own as well. The ref crossed his hands as the bell rang. "Now box!"

Aj put up her guard and advanced, as did the champion.

The first round went as well as expected. Aj kept her guard and didn't attack. Shade broke himself over her strong defending arms, and only got a couple body shots in. When the bell rang, Aj sighed in relief as she walked back to her corner. Dash had the stool ready and Aj took the seat.

"Nice work out there, Aj. It might have looked like you took a beating, but you're doing well. And you know what? He's leaving himself open in a couple places. Every once in a while, he'll throw his right out there. When he does, and means it, duck left and drill him in the side. Don't forget to reset your position afterward. If you see he's open on his left after the first shot, hit him again. Body shots slow him down over time, but the real effective method is getting him to drop his guard and nailing him in the jaw with an upper. Remember: power from the ground is your best strength.

"He's moving pretty fast out there... If you decide to stay up and dodge outside, throw out a counter to his face. Only do that with his right though. If his right hits you in the exchange, your right trumps his and it'll set the pace for your follow up."

Aj nodded her head and heard the bell. "Seconds out!" Dash and Fluttershy left the canvas.

"Remember: watch his waist for the strong rights!"

"Box!" the ref called.

Round two went just as planned. Aj took a few hits to her guard before Shade threw his hip into his right. Seeing it come at her, she ducked to the side and threw her right into his gut, making contact. Shade stumbled back and swung down with his left, missing Aj completely. The stands cheered for her first successful punch. Shade shook it off and upped his guard. He hit her with a jab and cross before throwing a left hook. Easily, Aj slipped under and gave him a one-two to his unguarded face, sending him back a ways. Aj didn't let up as she advanced on him and gave him a few combos of her own. Before she knew it, the bell rang for the end of the round.

"Break! To your corners," the ref called.

The two split and went to their own corners. Shade had to spit out his mouth piece and have it cleaned real quick. Aj was still in good shape, considering. "Alright," Dash said," you're working him. That's good. We'll keep it going in this round. Guard up, watch for openings, and strike fast this time. Don't worry about your hips. You're strong enough to do damage with a love tap, and he knows it. Odds are he's gonna fight like an out-boxer this round, so try your darndest to get in close. Don't let him get away or he'll just tap at you from a distance."

"Out-boxer?" Fluttershy asked.

"He's gonna keep his distance from me an' use his reach," Aj clarified. "It's strange... He's not even trying to hit me hard at all."

"As your cornerman, I'm telling you to be careful. This guy's an illusionist; he'll use whatever tricks he wants, power or no. Your strong game is in-fighting. Remember that." Dash hit Aj's shoulder. "Go get 'im."

"Seconds out!" Dash and Fluttershy got out of the ring. "Box!" Shade put his mouthguard back in and upped his guard, stepping carefully to the middle.

Aj dashed in and hit his guard with a strong right. Shade backed up and used footwork to make his way around Aj's reach. Every step he took he threw a left, connecting with her guard. When she finally threw one of her own, Shade got in close and got her right in the stomach. She bent over forward and opened her chin. With his right, Shade lay into her, sending her hurtling to the canvas.

"Down! Go to your neutral corner!" Shade walked to the white corner and breathed. "One!" the ref started counting.

"Stay down, Aj. Wait for the 8th count. Get some energy back, and think. I was wrong to say he'd stay outside."

"Four!" Aj sat upright and fixed her mouthguard. "Five!"

"On your feet, Aj! And guard up!"

"Six!" ... "Seven!" Aj finally stood and upped her guard. "Can you continue?"

"Sure can, ref. Lemme at 'im."

"Alright." He backed away and crossed his forearms. "Box!"

Aj took another breath and waited. So, he's a counterer. Alright... Let's try this... Aj walked toward him and stopped mid-ring. Shade advanced and tried his strategy again, getting her guard with each left. Again, Aj threw out her left, and just as before, Shade ducked in. This time, she was ready for it. She brought her left foot around behind her and brought her right glove down over Shade's face, sending him down.

"Down! Go to your neutral corner!" Aj took a few breaths and walked to a white corner.

"Nice job, Aj! You got him good!"

Shade heard the count start. Slowly, he moved and stood up by the fifth count. When asked if he could continue, he nodded and put up his fists. "Box!" Soon as the two got close to each other, they each threw out their lefts, each connecting with the other's face as the bell rang. "Break! To your corners!"

Aj and Shade retreated to their own territory. Fluttershy held up the bowl for Aj's guard and got to work cleaning it. "Good work out there. You learned after just one counter. Fast fighters are usually counterers. Strong ones are aggressors. But that's where the good news ends. Counterers are usually more skilled than aggressors, in-fights aside. You put him down, yeah, and I was hoping that'd be it. But he's caught on to your speed. Watch for openings, and when they show up, don't take them. He'll try and bait you into attacking, which he'll just counter anyway. "

"If ah could jus' take the hit an' give him one, Ah'd win the exchange, but Ah don't think he's that dumb to try it."

"He might be..." Fluttershy said. "If you do something he's not ready for, you could just win."

"Good idea, flutters. But think about his actions in this next round, and just watch him this time. Guard up, learn what he's doing. If you feel like it, test the waters, but don't get pulled in. Got it?"

Aj nodded as the ref called, "Seconds out!"

The others backed off and watched as round four started. As instructed, Aj watched his movements and remembered them, putting them in her visual memory. She didn't have the time to attack, so she just ended up guarding the whole round.

Back in the corner after the break, Aj started showing signs of exhaustion. Dash offered water. "Just gargle, don't swallow. Trust me." She did as she was told, and spat it out in the bowl, along with her mouth guard. How's your arms doing?"

"They hurt, that's for sure. Never used these muscles for punchin' like this."

"What did you learn? Don't actually tell me, you think faster than you talk. Just run through what you remember, and work it in to your flow. It's his fight for now, but you'll take it back."

"Be honest... what are my odds?"

Dash was quiet. Then, she replied. "I believe in you."

"Seconds out!" the ref called.

Thanks for your input, Dash...

The two fighters squared up and countered each other, neither of them getting any heavy punches in at all. Fifth round came to a close with both fighters showing tiredness. At the end of the sixth round, Aj's hits got lighter, and Dash gave her some advice on not clenching until just before contact. The seventh round went in her favor, and the look on Shade's face was priceless at having an opponent last this long.

Then, the eighth round started. Shade got up from his seat and put his arms up in the air The crowd went wild. "What's that mean?" Aj asked.

"He's looking to K.O. you this round. Watch yourself out there. It's gonna be a big swing."

The round began and Aj swung first. Shade dodged to the side and kept moving his upper body. Aj just kept throwing her lefts out there, hitting nothing but air. When she returned to her guard, Shade threw out a left hook powered by his weaving. It hit her guard and blew it sideways. On his return trip, he launched a right hook, sending it the other way. After 7 more of these power hooks, her defense fell and opened her face. "Get off the ropes!" With his right hook at the end, he flattened her, connecting with the side of her face and knocking her clean off her feet toward the corner.

Aj stayed very still, not moving a muscle. What... what was that move just then? she thought. After the seventh count, she stood up, a little unbalanced, and got her mitts up. That was scary....

"Unbelieveable!" the announcer called. "After getting pummeled with his signature combo, the challenger is still willing to go on! This is truly a title match with two very capable fighters!"

"Can you fight?" the ref asked her.

"Y-yeah. Ah'm good." She looked at Shade. What was it... what was that combo...

"Box!"

Shade dashed in and got real close, delivering body hook after body hook. Through her guard, he launched an upper that sent her flying backward. "And again, the champ lays into her! Not relenting after her down just a few moments ago!"

On her back, she breathed heavily. Still conscious, the count began from the ref who stood over her. "Get up, Aj! We're not beaten yet! Show the crowd you can win!"

Meanwhile, Shade was in the neutral corner watching in shock as Aj started to move her legs. How is she still willing to go on?! I have to put her down again. Applejack, her strength returning to her arms after Shade's first combo, pushed herself up and on her feet before the count of nine.

"One more down and I'm calling the match. Are you able to continue?" Aj nodded. The ref backed up and said, "Box!"

Just as before, Shade ran in and struck her stomach, unguarded. His fist was stuck there for a moment too long as Aj brought her heavy glove down over his head. Reeling from the attack, he stumbled, allowing her to advance. She put her all into the shots she gave, only for them to miss. After all that effort, Shade still managed to get in his hits before the bell rang.

"After declaring a K.O., the champ fails to deliver. Not for lack of trying; he really seemed to give his all in that round. And the challenger had enough raw stamina to get up, and push back as well."

Rainbow stood in front of Aj and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Scared. That combination he hit me with is a powerful thing."

"How do you think he feels?" Aj tilted her head as Fluttershy helped her with her mouthguard and water. "He's scared too. Desperate almost. You took both beatings, and you're still standing. Ask me? You're the scary one."

Fluttershy gave he mouthguard back. "Your mouth is bleeding a lot..."

"Ah know. Ah can taste it."

"Well, ninth round. Easier said than done, but knock him down. Down-town, up-town." Rainbow pointed to Aj's liver, then her face. "Go down-town until he drops his guard. And don't give him time to counter. When he finally does, your punch should land for sure. Legs, hips, shoulder, arm. That's gonna be your knock out punch. Doesn't matter if it's a hook, upper or cross, just make sure to hit his face."

"Seconds out!"

"As we go into the last third of the title match, the crowd can barely contain themselves! Both fighters have taken damage, but it looks like the challenger comes out ahead in stamina."

Dash stood in the ring a few moments longer. "Aj... I will throw in the towel if you get knock down twice again..."

"Seconds out!" the ref called again. She did as she was told.

"Ah trust you to have my back." Aj stood up and stared at Shade. "Ah'mma go finish this match in this round."

"Round nine. Box!"

Aj put her hands up to guard as she stepped forward. Soon as Shade threw his left jab, Aj slipped under and aimed for his ribs. Shade saw it coming and used his right fist to push the punch away from himself. Surprised, Aj stumbled forward and got hit with another left before dodging the following right. No rib shots from you.

Shade lowered his right arm in wait. Aj's punch came out far more compact than it had previously, and with more power than usual. When he blocked it, his left fist went up and behind him. In a panic, he threw out his right without much force, and missed entirely due to Aj's step-in. With that, she put her weight into a rib shot, connecting easily. And again with her right, then another left before Shade dropped his arms to his sides. With one more push, she wound up and aimed for his face, allowing the strength to come from her stance as she delivered a huge straight right to Shade's face. He flew back and fell to the mat.

The crowd went nuts with cheers and shouting. "Down goes the champion! What a massive punch from the challenger!"

As the count started, Shade didn't move at all. He waited until the fifth count before getting to his feet. That one hurt...

"Can you continue?"

"You bet I can. The challenger goes down for good this round."

"Box!"

Shade got his guard up and walked in. Eager to finish things, he punched weakly at her, and watched her duck under again. Wrong move. When she punched like before, he stepped back, then dashed in after the punch and delivered a quick one-two to her crouched form. Soon as she stood up, he got her with an upper left, then a right hook sending her down to the mat herself.

"Down! To your corner!" Shade backed off and went to his corner.

That's one down... Rainbow thought, taking the towel from around her neck. I know this is only an illusion, but the whole atmosphere makes it feel real. Rainbow looked at Applejack, clearly running out of energy. "C'mon... Stand up... just one more time. Don't give up."

Aj just lay there, breathing quickly looking at the sky. Ah'm done... He's jus' too good. Too strong...

"Four!"

Stay down, Applejack... I don't want to knock you out for real. Let the count hit ten...

"Six!"

"Giving up already?" a voice called to Applejack alone. "Come on, Applejack. I thought you were stronger than that."

"Eight!"

"This might be it for the challenger, folks!"

Aj suddenly got to her feet and raised her fists, a strange glow about her. "Can you continue?" Wordlessly, she nodded. "Box!"

Shade charged forward and stopped just short of her. Aj didn't move at all. Slowly, he put his fist on Aj's forehead and watched as she didn't respond, aside from scowling. Easily, Shade put his weight behind the right he threw, and knocked her down again. Rainbow didn't hesitate and threw in the towel before running in and picking up Aj's shoulders.

The bell sounded multiple times. "And that's the match! And what a match it turned out to be!" The ref held up Shade's right arm. "The winner, and still your title holder... Shade "The Archer" Walker!"  His theme music played while up on the tv replayed his knock out punch.

Dash glared at Shade, who went and put on his boxing robe and hood. "Oh, don't give me that look. She knew what she was getting into when she put her gloves on." Shade raised his arms and slowly lowered them, dissolving the arena and the stands and the TV and everything else. "On the bright side, you did make me worry. I thought for sure I was going to lose." He dug into his pocket and tossed Rainbow a flash drive. "This is yours. A video of the match and pre-fight interviews. Put that up on your channel."

She caught it and looked at it. "I don't understand... If you're this strong, why let us come to you?" She looked back up at him and saw he was gone. Rainbow helped Aj to her feet and watched as the others ran over to her. "Wasn't this a bit much?"

Sunset nodded. "Actually, yeah. He's not your run-of-the-mill guy. He has power outside of what Equestria gave him. Which I will be looking into tonight. Rainbow, you better be fueled up for tomorrow; I have a feeling he's coming after you next."

"Thanks for your prediction. I gotta get her inside and to the nurse. She's still here, right?" The others nodded. "Good. Soon as you know what he's got, let me know Sunset."

"You got it."
> Spectrum Speedster
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aj was beaten badly in the boxing match at Canterlot High's track field. Rainbow and Fluttershy stayed at her side in the nurse's office as she diagnosed her injuries. She had walked away from an assault that left her with 3 fractured ribs, bruised arms and broken pride.

"Applejack... You know there's no fighting at this school," the nurse warned. "But... if you came out like this... What's the other guy got?"

"We don't know, but he's strong," Dash replied. "He's got power."

"I can see that. Alright, the best I can do for you here is to tell you that you can't work on your farm until your ribs are fully healed. You took a lot of damage. And also, you'll be needing-" She stood up and went to her closet, retrieving a pair of crutches, "-these."

"Crutches?" Aj asked, holding her side. "Three ribs an' Ah need crutches?" She took them and stood. "When Ah see him again, A'mma wallop him on the head with these things. Pay him back for the fight."

A ringer tone went off. Dash looked at her phone. "Hold up. Sunny's got something." She looked at the message and read aloud. "She says, 'I'm sorry, but Twilight hasn't gotten back to me with solid news yet.' ... Well, that sucks."

Fluttershy looked at Aj. "We'll get him... We have to."

"And he's got me in his sights for tomorrow, I just know it." Rainbow squeezed her hands together.

"Ah know ya can do it, Rainbow."

"How? We have no idea how he's doing it. We have nothing to go on."

Both Aj and Fluttershy looked at her. The nurse looked out the window. "Well, if you ask me, you know more than you think you know."

Dash looked at the nurse. "You may be on to something... Fluttershy, can you help Aj for a bit? Gotta track down Twilight and get some info outta this flash drive." Before Fluttershy could respond, Dash was out the door.

"O-oh... okay..."


~~~~~~~~~


"What good will looking at Aj's fight do us?" Twilight adjusted her glasses staring at her laptop screen outside her lab. "Besides, if he can make an entire arena like that from nothing, then don't you think he could show us whatever he wanted on that?"

"Still, there's gotta be something we can do!" Dash hit the wall with her fist.

"Abusing the walls won't help any."

"Neither will doing nothing!"

Twilight was quiet. "Alright, fine." She took the flash drive from Rainbow and put it into her laptop. There was a pinging sound as the files were brought up on screen. "If it will satisfy you, then here you go." Twilight turned her screen to show Dash.

"You don't want to watch?"

"No. I don't want to see my friend get beaten. Again. Once was enough."

"Then don't watch the fight. Watch everything else. The nurse said we know more than we think, and I think she's right." Rainbow picked up the laptop and sat beside Twilight, making her watch the screen.

"Okay, okay... But what do I look for?"

"Anything suspicious."

The entire video went by with no new information. Rainbow was upset with herself for thinking he'd play by the rules. Meanwhile, Twilight didn't give up on the idea that something was afoot.

"Well... He certainly has power... But it's strange... I'll need to keep an eye on him, just in case."

"What have you got?" Dash asked.

"Just a theory, but all the times he used his power, he had to wear something over his upper body. We saw his chest, arms, neck, and head were covered when he used his power. To make it and to make it go away. I'll look into it. Go home, get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."

"Stop by Aj's place when you can. See how her ribs are doing." Dash saw Twilight's face turn to a look of concern. "Three fractured ribs and bruised arms." She paused to let that sink in. "And she's the strong one."

"I chose right to not get involved."

"'Not get involved'?! You're one of us, Twilight. That makes you involved by default!" Rainbow stood up and looked to the school. "What if he's not here at all? Like, what if him being at our school is just another illusion?"

Twilight looked at her computer. "Then there's a chance he'd be somewhere else. I imagine he'd have to be somewhere nearby, if that's not really him. He's one big uncertainty."

"Then here's an easy one: why is he doing this, do you think?" Rainbow turned to her friend.

"Why? Because he's a bad guy."

"C'mon, go deeper than that. No one is inherently evil."

"I don't have the answer, but I'll definitely put some thought into it while I'm tending to Aj's bandages. Anything else?" Twilight closed her laptop and returned the flash drive. "No?"

"No. I'm good. See ya later." Dash zipped away into town.

Twilight opened her door and went inside. "Yeah... I'll see ya..." She walked to her desk and set her laptop aside. "Hmm... If he needs to wear something over his upper body when he uses his power, then his artifact must be something he conceals..." She whipped out her phone and shot Sunset a text.


~~~~~~~~~


Sunset Shimmer was tapping on her leather book she used to message Princess Twilight in Equestria. While waiting for some reply, she felt her phone shake. No noise in a library and all that. "Hm?" She read it aloud in a whisper to herself. "'Specify search parameters: patch, necklace, belt, sigil or hairclip. Something that can be removed with clothing.' Hmm. Alright..." She wrote down the parameters in Twilight's book and waited.

Soon, there came a reply. "'Will search more on those. Need to take a break soon to keep the mind fresh and active. I'll get back to you when I find anything.' Alright. So nothing's changed..." Sunset packed her stuff up and went home.

Fluttershy had driven Aj home, and then gone home herself. Aj explained to the Apples what had happened, and thanked their stars it wasn't anything more serious than a school fight. She felt around her pockets and realized her geode was gone. Then, she remembered she gave it to Rainbow for safe keeping. Several hours of bed rest flew by and Twilight stopped over as requested. She changed the bandages and showed Aj how to do it herself so she could tell Applebloom how next time.

Rainbow went and stopped at the cafe down the street and ordered herself a soda. She drank it really fast and payed quickly before zipping out of the place. Just as she rounded a corner, she bumped into Shade, because- "Of course it'd be you. What do you want?"

Shade dusted himself off. "Well, look who it is." He massaged his jaw. "Aj hits pretty hard. Not gonna lie." Shade lifted up his black shirt and showed his wounds. "She left plenty of marks."

She looked close at the bruising, and sores on his chest. She also noticed there were faint traces of scarring all over. "We know. But why you wanted to fight her in a boxing ring is beyond me."

"Most things are, but that's not your fault. You have your strengths in other areas. Like footwork, and speed." He lowered his shirt. Rainbow looked up at him, barely glancing at his chin. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

"I'm not." She huffed and crossed her arms. "So what are you doing here?"

"I've come to challenge you. For tomorrow's event. After school, the track. Bring your best kickers." He paused with a smile. "By kickers, I mean your shoes."

"I know what kickers are!" She stomped her foot at him. "I'm not dense." Hang on... maybe if I test him here... I might be able to figure out what gives him power... "Why'd you call them kickers?"

Shade tilted his head. "That is what you do with your feet, right?"

Dash nodded and took a back stance. "I do kick with my feet. But-" She lashed out with a high round house. Shade brought up his arm and blocked the impact, barely moving a muscle outside of his arm. The shockwave destroyed the sidewalk as she connected. Slowly, she returned her foot to the ground, watching his response. "Okay, so you're good."

"I'm better than good." He threw up a front kick and barely missed Rainbow's chin. She back flipped out of the way and landed squarely. "I'm just as fast as you, Spectrum Speedster."

"We'll see about that." She dashed forward and swept his leg. He raised his foot and dropped it back. Rainbow stopped with her right foot behind her, still crouched, and pushed off, launching a flying knee at him. Shade blocked it with his arm, not his hand, and pushed it down, then caught a punch.

"Come on. Stop trying to hit me and hit me." The two spent seconds fighting at high speed, which to them felt like minutes. Shade stood calmly, while Rainbow was tired and kneeling.

Rainbow got to her feet and looked out toward Shade. "You're really something, you know that?"

"I do know. But the challenge is for tomorrow. And as you might have guessed, I want to race you. I hope you do not disappoint me as your friend did." He held up the geode that was given to Dash from Aj. "Oh, right. One more rule I forgot to mention: The loser gives the victor their artifact. If it's not given freely, it is taken by force. If you ever do beat me, you can have them back."

He turned and walked away. Rainbow watched him, then took out her phone. She sent a message to Sunset.


~~~~~~~~~


When Sunset got home, she got her text from Rainbow. Her eyes went wide as she saw the message. She tossed her jacket aside and quickly sent a message to Twilight in her book. Then, she showered and changed into pajamas before reading the princess' reply. Favorable, she hugged the book and looked up at the ceiling. "Best news we've had all day."


~~~~~~~~~


The following day, Rainbow and the others met Shade in the track field. Just as before, he wore his black clothes. Everyone wore their familiar clothes, with the addition of Aj's crutches; the handles of which were signed by her friends.

"And so the second day is upon us. Rainbow, I trust you took my advice to heart?"

Rainbow smirked and pointed at her running shoes. "I won't go easy on you. You can believe that."

"Then will you race me with or without your special powers?" he asked her.

Dash thought it over a moment. "I think I'll give it to Twilight to hold on to." She leisurely walked over, removed her necklace, and gave it to Twilight. She also added, "I don't care who comes knocking, do not open your door."

"Understood." Twilight put the necklace over hers on her neck.

Rainbow returned to the center of the field. "Your turn." She watched as Shade took off his shirt. He tossed it aside. "I told you he was ripped, girls.

Rarity fawned a moment. "It's a shame you're on the wrong side of this war."

"Am I though?" He walked to the starting line with Rainbow at his side. "You'll see there's more to me than what's in last year's yearbook."

When they got to the starting line, Twilight asked, "What? No spectacle? No spectators?"

"Nope. This is just between her and me." He set his stance low. "Fastest mile wins."

Fluttershy held up a small checkered flag at the starting line. "I almost can't watch this..." She dropped the flag with force and said, "Go." Shade and Dash took off like pro runners leaving very little room for improvement. They were neck and neck for the entire race.

Sunset waited until they were halfway across the track. "Girls. I looked into persons of interest on the internet and I found this guy. Looks just like Shade. He's got a lot of student awards at his other schools. Track was one of them. Mile time of 6:12. And that was years ago. Celestia knows he's only gotten faster since then. What he's training for might be unknown still, but I'm slowly putting it together."

"And you let Rainbow race him?" Fluttershy asked.

"What choice did I have? You all got the message, right? We win, we get his artifact. Rainbow might be our best bet." She held out a page of his accomplishments. "On top of track, he also won awards for chess, fencing, martial arts, gymnastics, drama and swimming. How he found the time to do all of that, I don't know. But, I suspect it's another illusion. He must know one of us would try to get info on him. Bet he used that thing to make all that stuff up."

"Maybe not made up... But definitely out of place..." Twilight raised a hand to her chin. "I mean... Most of those activities run the same time as some of the other things. And one's attention can only be divided so far while still maintaining efficiency. That he could do all of that in the few years of school is near impossible to believe. What if... he is an illusion? Rather... His age is the illusion? What if he's really a middle aged guy made to look as old as us?"

"That would make sense. His punches came with a heap o' experience, and a ton more strength than an average highschooler."

Fluttershy added, "I do feel an energy about him. Some familiar, some not..."

"If he really is older, then he's got a very clear advantage on us."


~~~~~~~~~


Rainbow took off from the starting line, and she could see Shade at her side the whole time. One lap went by under a minute and a half. He sure is fast. I never doubted that...

Shade kept pace like it was nothing. I can't believe I get to race the Rainbow Dash! he thought.

Second lap. Rainbow breathed a little harder, trying to keep ahead of him. It wasn't working so well, as she saw him creeping up on her slowly.

Third, he was right beside her, and holding position. Then, at the last corner, he turned his head, and said, "You're faster than this. Don't think you are. Know you are." With that, he pushed forward and crossed mere inches ahead of Rainbow. He kneeled over to catch his rugged breath. "I win..."

Rainbow fell to her knees and hit the ground. "But I'm the fastest in the school! No one can beat me! How did you-"

"Slipstreaming," he replied, standing. "Or drafting, if you're using racing terminology." He picked up his shirt and put it on. "Oh, and you can add this to your channel. The flash drive I gave you should be updated with the new video."

Aj crutched over and swung at his head with one of her tools. He ducked it and giggled. "Sorry, guy. Had to try it once."

"Forgiven." He started walking for the exit. "I'll be by for my prize later, Twilight. Do keep it safe until I come to collect, won't you?"

Twilight muttered, "Don't count on it..."
> Boss Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight watched him leave the track before walking to help Rainbow to her feet. "I'm sorry you couldn't beat him..."

"It's not your fault, Twi," she replied, accepting her hand and getting upright. "I just wasn't fast enough. I don't know how... He's just a person."

Aj crutched over and patted Dash on the shoulder. "We'll get 'im. We have to."

Fluttershy watched Shade leave as well, and stayed quiet. Rainbow looked between Aj and Twi. "So, Twilight. You have the geode I gave you. What are you gonna do to keep it safe?"

"I can't tell you," she responded. The others looked shocked at her affirmation. "If I tell you, Shade has a way of knowing. We've been sharing all the information with each other, and he somehow knows what we're planning. By keeping this to myself, I keep him in the dark, even if you're there too. It's not fair to you, I know. And I'm sorry."

"Will that work?" Rarity asked.

"It will."


~~~~~~~~~


Rainbow took Aj to the nurse for a check up. She's doing well, and recovering on schedule. Rainbow uploaded the new video to social media. Fluttershy went with Rarity to the crafting room the latter usually goes to for reflection. Twilight and Sunset went back to the former's lab with the geode and talked about what they saw. Pinkie went off on her own to do... something secretive.

Sunset was twiddling with a metal rod no larger than a pen in Twilight's lab. Twilight was sitting in her chair and looking at a computer screen. Spike was eating his dinner. "So what's your plan for keeping Shade out?"

"I told you, I can't tell you. If I told you, I'd be saying it out loud. And he could be in the room right now. We'd never know. The only way to keep him surprised is to be unpredictable." Twilight typed up a sequence of letters, almost at random.

"That's a good idea. Unpredictable... You know, I almost want to try my hand at taking him on..." Sunset set down the metal rod and tilted her head. "If he's picking the challenges based on the strengths we have... What would be his challenge for me?"

"Is that a serious question?" Twilight asked, looking over for a moment. "Because I'm afraid I don't know... You're a psychic. How do psychics compete?"

Sunset shrugged. "I don't know? Like-" She was interrupted by a definitive jab at Twilight's keyboard. "Uhh... Like... testing the accuracy of the mind-reading?"

Twilight closed her laptop and looked at her. "Is that right?" She picked up a piece of metal and held it firm. "So what would be his challenge for me, you think?" Carefully, she turned around and leaned against her desk, glancing down at the metal in her grasp.

"That all depends on whether or not you use your geode. If you do, it'll probably be something that tests your magical limits. If not, then probably a math exam or some other smart person stuff." She twiddled her thumbs. "You have at least gave some thought into thwarting Shade, right? He's gonna come for you soon. We both know it."

"And I broke the rules by letting you in my lab in the first place." She looked from side to side and sighed. "You really wanna know?" Sunset nodded. "Alright. But not a word of this to anyone." Twilight opened a drawer and pulled out Rainbow's geode. "See this? It looks like an everyday geode." She pulled out a duplicate. "So does this. If he decides to come by, I'll be sure to let him take the fake-" Twilight shakes the right handed one, "and hide the real one-" then the left, "out of sight. If only I know where it is, then not even he can get it, right?"

"How accurate is it?" Twilight handed both geodes to Sunset, one at a time and made sure to say which one was the real deal. "Wow, they're so alike." Sunset looked up at Twilight. "And just like that, you'd have lost it." She handed both geodes back to Twilight. "What would you have done if I was Shade?"

"Worried, but I know you're not him." Twilight pushed up her glasses. "There's a certain ... feel about your friends that just can't be copied, you know? I'd know if someone's impersonating one of you."

"If you say so..." Sunset walked to the door and opened it. "Stay on your toes, Twilight." She walked out and closed it behind her.

Twilight placed the real one high on a shelf away and out of sight. The fake one was placed in a safe under the desk. Safely locked, a laugh echoed throughout the room. Shade stepped through the wall of the room and through all of her equipment. He came to a stop in front of Twilight, who looked surprised. "Come now... You knew I was coming."

"I did. And you're not getting it. I won't open the safe for you or anyone!"

"I'm not here for that one. I'm here for that one!" He reached his hand out and watched as the geode necklace from the shelf zipped into his hand. "That makes two. And just a few days to go." He stowed it and started walking. Twilight swung at him and watched in horror as her hand went through his head. "Good effort. I hope you show some promise in the coming match." Shade left the room.

"She warned me... Dash told me to not let anyone in... And that's exactly what I did..." She hit the wall in frustration, just as Dash had done yesterday. "In comes Sunset... Then Shade... I wonder if this Sunset was even real... And I lost Dash's geode, like I said I wouldn't..." She pulled out her phone and sent a text to the group.


~~~~~~~~~


Wednesday came sooner than she hoped. The group arrived at the field where they were to meet Shade once more, only they all moved at Aj's pace and made sure she was well taken care of. They all got to the field around 4:30 in the afternoon. Twilight made sure to formally apologize to her friends about how she failed to keep the geode safe. Sunset had her arms crossed in slight disappointment. Aj was walking with her crutches as usual for her recent self.

Rarity was sitting with Fluttershy braiding her hair while Rainbow was tapping her foot waiting for Shade to finally show up. "C'mon! Where is he?"

"Calm down, Rainbow. He'll be here. Hasn't failed to show yet..." Twilight said.

"You hopin' he starts?" Aj asked, to which Twilight nodded. "Me too."

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked up at Twilight. "Do you plan on using your geode to fight him?" Her attention snapped to the empty spot in the field in front of them.

A black portal appeared and out stepped Shade, wearing some sort of black hooded cloak. The only discerning color were his deep blue eyes. "Back for more?"

Twilight stepped forward and shifted her glasses. "You are my opponent today." The others looked at Twilight in surprise. "What?"

"I always expected you to be an active duty non-combatant. All the tech, no reason to use it yourself." Shade stepped away from the portal and closed it behind him. He adjusted his gloves. "But, far be it from me to turn down a challenge." He looked up a little. "Let's see here... We're about mid-game... So how about this? You win when you deplete this health bar." He pointed above his head and there appeared a green bar, overlapped with a dark yellow, then again with orange. "Three bars should be enough, right? I am a boss after all."

Rainbow looked at Shade with a bit of anger. "Three health bars? Even for one opponent, three's outrageous!"

"You have a point... Do two of you want to help her out here? Or is she entering this one solo?"

"We need at least 5 minutes discussing this," Rarity said.

"Granted." Shade turned his back.

"What do we do?" Twilight asked. "Aj's still unfit for battle, and Dash doesn't have her speed anymore... Sunset's not the fighting type..."

"Excuse me? I'm a martial artist. Black belt in at least one style," Dash bragged. She looked at Fluttershy. "Are you gonna join us?"

"Not this time... Maybe another day?"

Dash and the others sighed. "Pinkie?"

"I guess... I was hoping to go tomorrow..." she replied. "I didn't bring any extra today."

Alone, Dash sighed. "Okay, so that's Twilight, myself... and... Cmon... Just one more of you and it's a closer to fair fight."

The others looked between themselves for a few seconds. "I can't fight up close... It's just not my strong suit..." Rarity admitted.

Shade turned around. "Time's up, ladies. Who's it going to be?"

Twilight stepped forward. "What's your weapon?"

"I plan to use the arsenal I've been gifted. Weaponry from all across time and space."

"Then shouldn't we also have access to the same arsenal?" Twilight asked. "In the spirit of fairness."

Shade tapped his chin. "I suppose you're right." He summoned a wooden weapon rack. Empty. "I will need a few minutes myself. Continue your discussion." He set about his task.

Twilight turned back to the group. "Alright. It sound like we bought some time. He's I guess going to make some weaponry for us."

Dash grinned. "Did you know he'd do that?" Twilight nodded with a smile of her own. "Clever. Think he'll play fair?"

"He has so far, hate t' admit it..." Aj said. "Whether he's the real deal or just an illusion himself, he's got talent. Think Ah'm startin' t' root for this guy."

Rarity finished Fluttershy's hair, stood and fixed the wrinkles in the blanket she was sitting on. "Depending on the weapons he gives... I may end up electing to participate."

"Same here, actually. It might not play to my strengths, but I've seen enough guards train with their weapons to know how to handle one," Sunset added. "I'd take my chance with something like an arcane book."

"I'd take wearable gauntlets and shins. Punches and kicks would be way more damaging," Dash admitted.

"I wouldn't need a weapon; my candy's enough for me."

"Heck, Ah'd take just the gauntlets, but Ah'm out o' commission over here."

"None of you would take up sword and shield?" A lot of nopes came from the others. "No love for the traditional..." Twilight admitted.

"What about you then?" Fluttershy asked, also standing. "What would you choose?"

"Well, my ability is telekinesis, so I guess something that enhances that power."

"Weapons are ready," Shade said, stepping around the back of the weapon rack. "I took the liberty of choosing the very best over a wide spectrum of those available to me."

"It's empty..." Pinkie said. "You do know it's empty, right..."

"I do, just give me some time. You may want to tell me who your team is."

"Twilight is fightin', so is Dash here." Aj looked and pointed at the two. "Sunny's a maybe. Ya got any books in there?" Shade nodded. "Well alright then. Sunny's in the party."

Shade clapped his hands. "Alright. Party, step forth. The rest of you... Go away." He brought up portals behind the others and force-pushed them through. They disappeared and came out in the stands, front row. "Oh right. I'm sorry Aj! I know you're still in pain," he shouted. "I keep forgetting how frail you girls are." Shade turned his attention to the three before him. "Okay, so these three are the party members, yes?" Twilight nodded. "Alright then. Step forward." The three did so. Shade looked down at the rack. One by one, the weapons appeared as he described them. He walked along the back as they appeared.

"Sword and shield wielded by a knight in service to the throne of a lost kingdom, a massive single-edged blade used by a man with anger issues, a labrys taken as a trophy from a minotaur on a moon incredibly far away, a blade with a gun built in used by a student at a fighting school, a pair of armwraps and leg wraps used in the training of taijutsu, a polearm belonging to the Allfather himself, a pair of kunai used by elite assassins from a foreign land," he had to pause to take a breath. "A single-edged katana taken from a wandering swordsman from an ancient time, a very powerful bow with a dual quiver that holds at least thirty arrows each taken from a guy with dozens just like it, a pistol that fires magic blasts used by a mercenary who also used a sword in tandem, chakrams ripped from the cold dead hands of a soulless nobody, a staff of unimaginable magical power, the arcane tome used as a medium for all sorts of debilitating effects..." Another breath, "You're really making me work for this one, eh? A rapier-crystal combo used to cast both white and black magic, a cane from an island summoner, another book used to apply barriers and regeneration effects on top of healing, and finally, a deck of 6 cards and two thrones with which to apply buffs to your allies. Shall I make a second list, or will these suffice?"

"These are impressive..." Twilight admitted.

"Whichever one you choose will imbue your mind with the full knowledge on how to use it effectively. So you're not limited by what you already know. Which brings me to my next question: geodes or not?"

"With," Twilight said. The other two looked at her. "We'd stand a better chance with."

"Then you'll also be needing these." He pointed above each of their heads. There appeared a health bar in the form of a circle. "It'll become more of a slice the more damage you take. The weapon you choose will also affect how much damage you can get out, and how much you can take. Choose wisely. Oh, and see this clock right here?" He pointed to the side. "That's a timer set for 6 pm. You have until then."

"What if it reaches 6 and we still aren't done fighting?"

"Hard enrage," Shade decided. "I end the battle with your losses and take the geodes from your necks. Except for you, Dash. I already have yours."

Rainbow shot Twilight a glare. "And who's fault is that?"

Shade answered in Twilight's place. "It's no one but yours for losing in the first place." Dash hung her head.

Twilight was the first to step forward. "If I don't like the one I take, can I grab a different one?"

"Take as many times as you like. The timer will still go down."

She sighed and approached the katana. Taking it up, she assumed a stance she then knew from "years of training". A flood of memories entered her mind. Skills and techniques and stances and finesse all rolled into one. "This is amazing! Girls, come try one!"

Rainbow approached the armwraps and grabbed them. They wrapped themselves around her forearms and hands and the shin covers put themselves on over a pair of leg weights. Attacks of incredible strength were shown to her along with the right weight distributions to pull them off. "Oh wow! That is impressive! I'll take these!" She stood in a passive pose, but one of such composure and confidence one could almost swear she's been doing it for years on end.

Sunset approached and eyed all of the different weapons. "I did say I wanted a arcane book... What does this one do?" She pointed at the book meant to debilitate.

"Poisons, infects, festers... Oh, and it comes complete with some minion helps," Shade replied.

"How about this one?" She gestured to the lance.

"The Allfather's lance, Gungnir possesses unparalleled power and aim, allowing the user to throw with such velocity and stopping power, that none can hope to sur-"

"This one?" Again, to the daggers.

"... A wayward student of the arts of ninjutsu traveled from his homel-"

"These?" Sunset pointed at the chakrams.

"Pulled from a dead-"

"This one?" Then at the cane.

"Are you going to choose a weapon or WHAT?!" Shade shouted.

Sunset recoiled a little and looked over her options. "Sorry, I like history. Okay okay, last one. Promise." She wandered down the rack and looked closely at the greatsword. "Tell me about this one..."

"You want me to tell you about that one? Really? Last one, are you sure?" Sunset nodded. "Okay. Are you going to let me finish this time?" Another nod. "Good." He took a short breath. "That sword was given to a first class SOLDIER from another first class SOLDIER. Both possessed incredible strength, so swinging it was never an issue. The recipient however, was much more prone to aggravation, and used his anger to fuel his attacks, making them hit harder, come out sooner and made him faster."

Sunset reached out and took the greatsword. it was a heavy weapon to look at, but in her hands it felt light as a claw hammer. The wealth of knowledge almost made her smile. It only didn't, because she also adopted the original user's calm demeanor. She gave the blade a twirl and affixed it to her back through unseen methods. "Guess working with others can't hurt."

Twilight added, "What happens if we win?"

"You get your geodes back."

"What will happen to the one you have with you? Though it may not be a geode, you cannot tell us you are without a power of your own," Rainbow enunciated.

"I will keep it, and I never denied having a power of my own. You lot never though to ask it. That is the purpose of this week, remember? To beat answers out of me?" He swiped right his hand and sent the weapons rack away into darkness. "If that's all the banter, you have a video to make." With a second swipe, he summoned two swords, one black, one white. "I should tell you that your weapons have names."

"Zanmato," Twilight said calmly.

"Buster Sword," Sunset added.

"I do not need weapons for my fists are deadly enough!" Rainbow barked at him. She spent no time with idle chatter.

Rainbow was the first to strike, dashing forward with incredible speed she'd only shown with her geode. She punched at him with a solid right, connecting with his two swords crossed in front of him making a ringing sound. Rainbow evaded a counter swing and ducked, sweeping his leg from under him. Shade got hit and went off balance. Twilight and Sunset went in from the sides to keep the pressure on. Shade blocked both swings with his swords, though Sunset had more power behind her, forcing Shade to divert the flow of power. Rainbow got to her feet and unleashed a flurry of attacks on him, straight twice, then an upper followed by a hard kick to his chest, sending him backward. Twilight advanced, clanging swords with him with such precision and grace. Though she managed to cut him, neither his clothes nor skin showed any signs of it.

Sunset came up behind him and swung down, causing Shade to roll sideways. Twilight brought up her sword to block, and was forced to a knee because of it. "We're on the same side!"

"Don't get in my way then." Sunset looked over at Shade and started her own 1v1. Most of her swings were deflected or dodged. What few got through dealt a fair bit of damage to him. Dash worked around Sunset, staying out of her way and making contact where she could. Twilight waited for a solid opening.

Shade fought back, cutting Sunset on her shoulder and dropping her health bar a little. Rainbow was still untouched and all up in his face with punches and kicks. Twilight sheathed her katana and quick-drew it, sending a wave of compressed air at him, between the two. It hit him and forced him back. Sunset dashed forward and quick slashed three times, creating what looked like a kanji in midair. Shade took the full damage of that attack and fell to a knee with one sword in the ground.

"Fighting the three of you is harder than I thought. Truly a testament to the souls you carry. If one of me is not enough... Then one for the each of you should suffice." He stood and divided himself into three, each with the health bar he had, which was depleted by about 75% of the first color. "How about this?"

Each version wielded the two swords the original did, and pursued one opponent each.

Twilight fared extremely well against hers and took down the last of the orange bar in just a couple minute's time taking just a few cuts to her body. Sunset overwhelmed her opponent through brute force rather than skill, taking hers out faster, though taking more damage. Dash was too quick to be hit solidly, but she also took more time to take hers down.

Shade rejoined the three into just one of himself. "Okay, so three on three won't do... How about I try this..." He waved his hand and whisked each of them down the field with the fastest one closest. Rainbow was dropped about ten feet away, Twilight was put forty feet down the field, and Sunset was placed in the endzone. "One at a time."

Dash burst forth and engaged in martial combat with Shade doing his best to keep up. Over time, he had created delay swings that do the actual damage after he made the swing, confusing Rainbow and dropping her health by a quarter before Twilight showed up to assist. Together, they got his health down 20% of the yellow before Sunset showed up with a ranged attack. It was a crescent wave of blue energy that broke apart on contact which dealt another 10%.

Shade shook his head and fought through it, hitting them each enough times that Twilight rolled along the ground with 25% of her health remaining. Sunset was next to fall, though with 50% left, getting blown back. Rainbow was the only one fast enough to keep up with him. But Sunset wasn't done yet. She aimed her sword at him and launched herself forward, blade edge aimed up. It got through his guard and was surprised to see that she could use these special attacks as fast as she could. Sunset jumped high into the air, opening his guard for Rainbow to get a few hits in before she had to back off. The return stroke of Sunset's attack cratered the ground beneath Shade's feet. The attack still did damage, pushing the health bar further down showing more of the green.

Occupied by both Sunset and Rainbow, Shade almost forgot about Twilight. When she started her final attack, Shade booted Sunset away and tossed Dash to the side. He made a clone of himself dash forward and cleave Twilight in half, depleting the last of her health bar and forcing her to drop to her knees. The katana in front of her disappeared and her health circle vanished. She was done.

Enraged, Dash backflipped away, and sat by Twilight. "Hang in there..."

"We were doing so well... Please... Finish this fight for me..." Twilight said, holding where she felt injured. She fell to the ground in laying position.

Dash looked and saw no wounds, then turned and glared. "The condition has been met..." She pulled down the leg warmers and removed a set of leg weights, letting them hit the ground. "Just you watch me..." Rainbow stood and disappeared. She reappeared just under Shade and kicked up at him, connecting with his chin. Sunset did well to not follow them into the air. Rainbow launched herself up at him, kicking at him in quick succession in the chest. Shade, with no footing to make a counter, took it all at face value. Dash was already in pain from getting thrown about and winced from it. Sunset watched closely at a blur she noticed leave Shade's body. When Dash opened her eyes, she wrapped Shade in her armwrap bandage and grabbed on, turning them both to the ground. "Here we go!"

The two plummeted to the ground in a spiral of blue and black, impacting the ground so hard it made a huge dent in the field. Rainbow hopped out of the impact center and skidded to a stop by Sunset. "It is over..."

"Not yet. He still has a health bar left..." Sunset replied, readying her sword. "And you only did half the damage."

The Shade that was attacked disappeared into mist and was absorbed into the real Shade. He looked up at his health bar and saw it was almost fully green. "I didn't think to be pressed this far." Shade looked over at the clock. "Just a bit longer, huh?"

"How you feeling?" Sunset asked.

"I have been better. Hold him off a little while I recover." Dash managed to have a seat and regulate her breathing while Sunset charged full steam at Shade.

They went at it for a while before Dash could get up. Though at that point, Sunset's sword had shown cracks in it and one of Shade's had been broken completely. Rainbow pushed herself up and tried to help, but she was more in the way. Shade was able to grab her and throw her into Sunset a good number of times before she stopped trying. So, she spent the next few seconds making a decision.

A few seconds was all Shade needed to deplete the rest of Sunset's health bar. As before, the weapon she used disappeared and Sunset dropped to her knees unable to move before falling forward the rest of the way.

Rainbow stood up with courage and readied herself. She looked up at his health bar and saw it only had 75% green to go. "It's just you and me left, Rainbow. This match is already over."

"You are right. It is over. One way or another..." She crossed her arms in an "X" in front of her. "I am not going to be the only one to lose here..." The air around Rainbow condensed and shifted. Her body emitted what almost could be described as steam. Even the ground started to shake from the effort she was exerting. "Holy Mother... Please let this work... It is now, or never!" She broke the "X" and expelled the energy into the air around her, lighting her body up in an array of color. "Third release!"

Shade covered his face and braced himself. Then Rainbow bent forward and shouted again. "The fourth release!!" A bigger surge of power emanated from her. The pupils in her eyes disappeared into the whites. Dash's muscles began to strain from the sheer power they had to withstand. Barely, she tilted her head up to look at him.

Then, she dashed forward with all her strength, kicking him so hard into the air, they were about 50 feet up. She jumped up after him and did not relent in her assault, punching him with her unrestrained strength, batting him all around the airspace over the field. Nearing the end of her assault, she had a bandage wrapped around him after she struck downward at him.

In one move, she pulled up on the bandage and both punched and kicked downward onto his chest, plummeting him alone into the ground. A massive shockwave went through the ground and shook the stands the others were in. Rainbow tumbled to a stop several feet away, all that power gone from her body. With no strength to stand, she looked up at her health circle and saw it had the smallest sliver remaining.

However... There was a sharp ringing through the air coming from the timer. Shade stood up and dusted himself off, glancing up at the health bar, which still had about 20% left. "And you were so close too. There's a reason it's called a desperation move..." He resummoned a sword and threw it at Rainbow, cutting her barely, but just enough to get that last slice to disappear. "Hard enrage." Dash's armwraps and leg warmers and leg weights all disappeared as well. Twilight, Sunset and Dash all stood up. "And that's time. I won't lie, you all pushed me so hard, I think another 5 minutes I'd have actually lost." He took a knee. "I really need to breathe here..."

Rainbow walked over to him and kicked at his face. The kick went clean through him, not even making any sort of contact. "Is anything about you real?"

"Yes. I am real. But the rule in play was 6 pm time limit. I'm intangible after that." He stood up and waved his hand at the three fighters, then walked over to Sunset. Shade reached into her shirt and removed the geode by force. "Sorry for the invasion. Not that you can move anyway." After that, he approached Twilight. "Honestly, I think I'd rather come by your lab again and get it from you personally. But, there's a chance you'll try to hide it, and I can't have that." Shade reached into her shirt and removed her geode as well. "Really would have preferred a more personal setting... Maybe after all this is over?"

"Not on your life!" Twilight replied. Shade disappeared with a smile.

"We'll see about that..."

The others finally got to them. The ground was fixed, the injuries were gone, the weapons vanished and the enemy retreated.

Dash hit her palm. "That was a fair fight, sure, but we still lost. That's 4 of our geodes gone. Only Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy remain. I hate to say it girls, but I don't like our chances..."

Sunset looked to the side. "I'll have to see if the princess has come up with anything..." She looked down. "I don't know what'll happen if we lose it all..."

Twilight looked at Sunset. "If he has a limit, we must have gotten closer to reaching it."

Aj hobbled over and grinned. "Jus' wait 'til Ah'm better. Ah'll-"

"Do what? You tried and failed. We all might as well face it: he's too strong for us... As we are now." Dash said. "But I'm working on that."

Sunset walked over to her and asked, "Is that what you've been working on behind our backs?"

"Actually yeah... Meet up at Aj's house tonight. I'll go over it all with you."
> Decision Making
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dash and Fluttershy arrived at almost the same time as each other. Aj had welcomed Rarity first and Twilight last. Sunset was right there with Pinkie being after the first two. Granny and Big Mac helped with dinner while the girls met up in Aj's room.

"So, any word from the princess version of me?" Twilight asked, setting Spike down beside her.

Sunset opened her book and nodded. "Yeah. 'Dear Sun-"

"Wait," Fluttershy asked. "The weather isn't clear enough yet."

Aj looked out the window. "Ah mean... Looks a little cloudy..."

Twilight waited before asking. "When do you think it'll pass?"

"I don't know..." Fluttershy replied. "Best to be careful."

"I hear you," Sunset replied. "So, as I was saying, Princess Twilight messaged back with no information at all." She closed the book quickly. Sunset tracked Fluttershy's watchful gaze by the door. "So, since we're still up a creek without a paddle, how do you wanna handle this? I mean, we've only got three of us left, and neither Rarity nor Fluttershy are the fighting type."

Fluttershy looked toward the bed beside Sunset. "Fighting is violent... Pinkie?"

"I could try, but... exploding candy isn't really a good way of fighting someone. He could just... suck away the explosion," Pinkie argued. "No matter how big."

"Even if I were to try," Rarity said, "I'm afraid I wouldn't get far beyond a slap."

"So, what do we do, y'all?" Aj asked, leaning against the wall with her crutches. "We tried, an' we lost. Do we just face the music, or..."

"Hate to say it... But we should... We ca always try later, if we come up with something. Let's go tomorrow and forfeit while we still have three of us left," Sunset offered.

The others nodded her head in agreement.

"Well, since we all came here, I can tell you what I've been working on. Hey Fluttershy, the weather clear up yet?" Rainbow asked.

"Nope. Still cloudy out there," she affirmed.

"Hmm. Well, in short, it's a new series. We may not have our geodes anymore, but we can still make some magic with editing. Like... Showcasing some of our other talents. And we'll probably need help from Rarity, since she's the only real magic user left of us."

Rarity nodded in silence. Sunset looked at Twilight. "Even though yours would be better."

"Yeah, but hey, that's life, right?" Twilight admitted. The others nodded.

Fluttershy sighed in relief. "Looks like the clouds disappeared now. We should be fine."

"Good!" Rainbow nearly shouted. "Now, Sunset. Is that really what Twilight said?"

"Of course not." Sunset reopened her book and saw Aj's confusion. "We'll explain after this." She looked at the book and read aloud, "'Dear Sunset, I believe you're up against the Lunar Locket. It has the power to create illusions from thin air at an equal cost to the complexity of the illusion. Powerful, but limited. Every full moon, the Locket becomes fully charged by the glow. It reflects how full its reservoir is by the phase of the moon on its front. If ever it becomes a New Moon - the magic within is drained entirely - all of the illusions thus far will vanish. Maintaining an illusion costs next to nothing, but every change will deplete the Locket, however slightly. Princess Luna crafted this item several decades before her banishment.

It's unlikely the Lunar Locket has left your opponent's person the entire time you've had contact with him. His self-imposed time limit must be to ensure he has enough magic for the next encounter. If he's being careful, it must mean that the Locket is nearing empty. If you can, I advise pushing harder to get it there. If that is not an option, then... Use what you have left. I have confidence that both you and Twilight can come up with a solid plan for either.' So yeah, we know what it is now, but we don't know how empty the Locket is."

"Didn't he show up shirtless for that boxin' match?" Aj asked, confused.

"That wasn't him. He was actually the referee. You fought a solid clone. It was slight, but he was also getting slightly bigger every match." Fluttershy replied. "And for his race against Rainbow, he split between himself and and his copy again. I could see his real body was standing near the finish line after the copy took off. Recall at the end how he keeled over? He wasn't out of breath, he was just faking. He wasn't even sweating from having run a mile. As for the boss fight, that was actually him. He just moved with certain... protocols. He rigged it so he would barely win. In all of these fights, he barely won. So he wouldn't use more magic from the locket he needed to."

The others just listened to her explanation. Aj was the first to ask, "and how is it ya know all that?"

"I can sense his magic. I noticed when his tray disappeared, I could feel him before he showed up in the fields and tonight, I've been letting the others know if he was around by saying what the weather was like."

"You're welcome for that. I came up with it before Sunset came to my lab. Thankfully, Sunset came and distracted Shade while she sent the message around to both Dash and Rarity. After Sunset left, Shade came in and took the geode Dash had me hold on to. So he thinks..." Twilight dipped her hand into her purse and took out Dash's geode. "This is the real one."

"Wait... But... you..." Sunset started.

"Sorry, Sunset. The two I showed you were fakes." Twilight tossed it over to Dash. "Keep it out of sight until tomorrow."

Dash put it around her neck. "Awesome!" she nearly shouted.

"So, we still have Dash's power as well. And that should be enough to start something. Sunset?" Twilight looked over.

Sunset put a hand to her chin. "Hmm... If we can convince him to at least show he's serious about returning the ones he stole, we'll need to confirm he's actually holding on to them. The real ones, not some convincing fakes."

"That'll be easy. If he holds them up, we already know Dash's one that he has is a fake. If Fluttershy can determine their authenticity, Dash runs up and takes them back. That might be all you have time for before he casts another illusion." Twilight looked over at Aj. "With your geode back, your healing should kick in right away, since your power is strength of body." Twilight pushed up her glasses. "What comes next is what we do after..."

Sunset and the others looked confused. "What do you mean? I mean... Princess Twilight said something about a plan, but...

Twilight nodded. "I might have to take that over, if I may. With all of our geodes in our rightful possession, we might be enough to take him down, since he won't be ready for all of us. If he runs, Fluttershy will be able to track him."

Sunset shook her head. "And if he's ready? Unlikely, but if he is..."

"Then we negotiate. Give him the fight he wants and taking the next weeks to prepare. I don't like that plan, but if it comes down to decision making on the spot, it is still a choice I'm willing to consider." Twilight zipped her bag closed and gave Spike a pat on the head. "We don't really have any other option."

"I say we take our training time," Dash said, punching her palm. "That's what I've been doing this entire time. I know the other me's a winged pony and all, so I've got the same kind of 'feeling' thing that Flutters' got. Not as strong, sure, but I got it. We get our training in, increase what we can do, and hey, if we convince him to give us that month, we post fake videos where it just shows us doing more of the same."

"If that works, we'll have the advantage. He may just underestimate how far we can progress in a month," Sunset agreed. "But it won't be all of us fighting." She starts fidgeting with her thumbs.

"I know, but at least you can train. I can come up with what you can do to do exactly that. Put her second video," Twilight said. "You will be posting round two, right?"

Dash gave a thumb's up. "You bet I will. The fakes, not the real ones. Although, our training hinges on him leaving us alone that whole month."

"If he goes for it, then good. If not, we may have to just train in a week. Less advantageous, but we still have the ability to tell if he's watching or not," Sunset supported.

"What about me?" Pinkie asked. "What can I do?"

"That... is a good question. You explode candy, right?" Pinkie nodded. "Work on remote detonation. Pick up some gummy candy, set it down and try to explode it after a minute. Train to hold off the explosion for at least two hours. Should be a snap to hold it longer after that."

"We're gonna be mixing up our partners for these videos, by the way. I went to Fluttershy first, and that was more of a solo act. I wanna go first, but..." Dash paused, looking at Aj. "She might want first takers on that."

"Provided we get our geodes back. If we can't get him to reveal them, then we take our losses and deny him the satisfaction of having beaten us all. He wants the fight, otherwise he wouldn't show up." Twilight smiled. "He was right. This is mid-game. Endgame is coming. Soon."

Rarity asked Rainbow, "So you have ideas for our training, is that right?" Dash nodded. "What about me? So I know for the future, when it gets to be my turn."

"You'll know when we get to it. Yours should be way easier than the rest of ours," Dash revealed. "So, if we get our geodes back, and if we get our month, Aj goes first. If we don't get our month, then Rarity goes first. If we don't get any time, and we just bum rush him, then it's a non-issue. And if we don't get them back at all, then we walk away and that's that. Not that it'll come to that, but still."

"Then we're in agreement?" Twilight asked. The others gave their various affirmations. "Good. The field tomorrow. Oh, and Rainbow? Do. Not. Run. You'll give up our first strike opportunity."

"Got it. No running. Anywhere." Dash gave another thumb's up.


~~~~~~~~~


First to the field this time was Twilight. She was calm and collected, for being the one to lose not only hers, but Dash's fake geode. Sunset was second, feeling uneasy, having gone her first day with a naked neck since the day she got hers. Aj and Rainbow showed up near the same time, walking the former's speed. She was still recovering from the pummeling Shade had given her, going the longest without her super strength. Fluttershy and Rarity showed up at the same time. Both had just come from the latter's workshop. Work had gotten more difficult now that Rarity had no magic to help her. Pinkie showed up last with a dozen cupcakes for her friends to share.

When the school bell struck four, Shade stepped out from the veil of darkness they had grown accustomed to seeing him appear out of. He crossed his arms, ruffling the tee he wore, bearing some shiny swirl on the chest pocket. He wore jean shorts cut off at the knee and a pair of running shoes. "Thursday. You have today and tomorrow, and only three of you remain. Who will be sitting out the final day, I wonder?"

"That depends," Twilight started, stepping forward. "You say the fights have been fair, and we'd like to believe you. But how can we trust you?"

"You just have to. that easy."

"No, you have to give us more than that. Or, we'll just go home and settle with our losses." Twilight looked to her friends, who appeared to be content with her choice. "Yeah?"

"Nah, it ain't gonna be that easy, Twilight. I will have your geodes and the collection will be complete. I just need three more."

"But that's provided you beat the rest of us, right? Trophies don't mean anything if you don't earn them," Dash argued.

"That is true."

"And we still have the opportunity to beat you and take yours," Rarity added.

"Now hold on. That's getting ahead of yourself," Shade countered. "If you beat me at all, you'll be earning your geodes back first. You would have to beat me twice to be considered the victors."

"Twice? Because we're supposed to take your word you'd give us our geodes back should we win? How can we even be sure you'll keep your word?" Sunset asked. "So far as we can tell, you're a cheater. Using cheap tricks and gimmicks to get us to part with our geodes."

"You parted with them yourselves. I just made it easier on me and you by taking them myself." He paused. "But, if you need proof, then here." He reached into his side pocket and pulled out the four he's collected so far. "See? Happy now?"

Fluttershy looked them over from her distance. "It's easy to make fakes though. Twilight did it, in less than a day, right?"

"That's right," Twilight admitted. "It didn't work, but it sure looks convincing."

"Sure does. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he has four genuine articles, not just three." That was Fluttershy's cue.

Dash picked up on it and flashed a grin, disappearing in a burst of color before appearing again at Twilight's side.

"Wait... What?" Shade asked. He looked at his hand and saw there was just the fake geode he took from Twilight's shelf. "Hang on..."

"No hanging on. We can do this one of two ways." Twilight accepted the geode Dash retrieved for her. "You can either leave us alone, or we can come back to this another time."

Rainbow handed out the rest of the geodes. Aj dropped her crutches and hobbled as she put hers on. Soon, she felt invigorated. She stomped the ground and picked up her crutches. "What do ya say, girls?"

"Back in business!" Sunset triumphed.

"Now hold on..." Shade tried. "Okay, okay... Ball's in your court. What do you want?"

"Leave us alone," Twilight ordered.

"Can't do that," Shade argued.

"Then give us your artifact," Twilight tried again.

"Can't do that either. I give it up, then all of the spells I've cast will go away." Shade folded his arms again.

"Then give us time to train and then ou can have your beloved fight," Dash interrupted. "We need ten weeks."

"You get no more than two," Shade countered.

"Then if that's your limit, we will save us both valuable time and cut it down the middle. 40 days. That's five and a half weeks." Twilight inputted.

Shade was quiet. He thought a few moments. "Fine."

"You are to act as though we have a restraining order against you. During school hours, you can go about your daily school life all you want. But after hours, you do not come within two miles of us. Any of us. We will know." Twilight continued, "Further, because we have our geodes, we are tied. If any of us get any funny business, we will withdraw our deal and bear down on you with our entire ability, and rest assured, not even you will walk away unscathed."

Shade nodded. "You have your 40 days. We will meet back here after that time. And don't think I will go easy on you this time around. Facing all of you at once will test my abilities to their max."

"Then we are in agreement." Twilight walked forward. Shade followed suit and held out his hand. The two shook on their newly forged contract. "Starting tomorrow, since we're still here."

"Sounds fine to me." Shade made the motion he would if he were tipping his hat. He disappeared into his black portal. Fluttershy confirmed he was gone.

"Well, we got our month and some. That means Aj's up first," Dash solidified.

"With 40 days, and seven of us, we would still need a rest period, so how about every 5 days, we work on another of our abilities," twilight calculated.

"Aj? How are you feeling?" Dash asked.

"Better than ever."

"Good. I'll be by tomorrow to work some things out with you. And I'll bring Rarity since she's second. Rarity?" Dash looked over at her.

"What is it?" she replied.

"I know you're not all that strong, so this'll work nicely. I am gonna need you to show up in some work clothes. Remember: function over fashion. We want you to at least look like you're strong."

"I'll see what I can do."
> Immovable Object
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The group bid their farewells to each other and departed to their various homes. Dash went to hers and dusted off the camera she'd been using. "Alright, you. Time to get to work." She quite literally wiped off the dust it had accumulated in the time she'd set it down, since Shade seemed to record the encounters himself. She made sure to check the comments of the last video that went up. "'Best fake fight I've seen all year.' 'Hey @RainbowDash20, what are your cam's specs? I wanna get into something like this for myself.' Meh, good luck. 'totally fake who this guy think he is?' Heh. You and me both. Let's see... 'Too powerful! Whats his power level at this point?'" Rainbow could barely hold herself back from laughing. "We know what his source is now, it's only a matter of time before we take him down."

She closed her laptop and stretched. "If I want to pull my stunt off, I'm gonna need some peace and quiet..." Rainbow wandered to her balcony and stared out at the dimming sky. "Just a few more hours. Better bundle up..."


~~~~~~~~~

Day 1


The following day, Rainbow abducted Rarity and traveled to Sweet Apple Acres after school. Aj was already doing stretches to warm up. "Hey y'all."

"Heya Aj. Feeling better, eh?"

"You bet Ah am." Aj threw out several punches and kicks. "Feelin' great, now Ah got mah geode back." She patted her chest where she wore her necklace. "What've ya got planned for mah video next week?"

"You're actually going to be taking your video today, then we'll work on your actual video later. For the fake one, Rarity's going to hit you with pieces of wood, and you're going to block."

"I'm what?" Rarity asked. "No no no, I did not sign up for that."

"I picked you because you had the least strength of all of us. Tied with Twilight, but still. At least she can draw a bow. Besides, we'll be using some older wood for this. Aj?"

"Prepped a pile out back like you asked me to during lunch," Aj confirmed.

"Sweet!" Dash said, readying her camera and tripod. "Let's go get set up."


~~~~~~~~~


"Alright, Applejack. I'm here as you requested of me. What is it you wanted?"

Aj motioned to the scraps of wood. "That big pile o' wood there. Ah need ya to hit me with it. One piece at a time."

Rarity glanced down at the pile. "And... What purpose would that serve?"

"Well, Ah can't hit mahself with it, Ah need help. An' Appleboom's too young, an' Big Mac's too busy."

"That wasn't my question, darling."

Applejack waited, taking a slow breath. "Ah lost mah boxin' match. Not because Ah couldn't hit as hard, but because Ah just couldn't take it. This is gonna help to fix that. An' Ah aim ta be the most immovable object this side o' Canterlot."

Dash gave an off-camera thumb's up.

Rarity sighed, reaching down for one of the boards. A lengthy 2 by 4 with a few holes eaten away. "And, you're sure about this?" Aj nodded. "Alright, then." She stepped to Aj's side and held it firmly. Before she swung, Rarity looked at the camera dead on. "Pay attention, this is important." Rarity looked at Aj's belly and swung.

The board broke cleanly over Aj's hardened abs. "Thatta swing, Rarity." Chunks of board flew every which way. Aj wiped off some wood bits from her shirt. "Got any more, or was that all ya had?"

"Oh, darling. I'm just warming up." One by one, and with weakening strength, Rarity bashed the boards into Aj's body, each one just about shattering on impact. "My word, Applejack. Do you need a change of shirt? Because I brought one just in case."

"Nah, Ah'm good. Ah'm at home, remember. Just gotta go get one. Ah'll be back in just a minute to help clean up." Aj walked off camera as Rainbow followed it for a bit before centering it on Rarity.

"That girl's a tough customer, for sure," Rarity admitted, resting her hands on her hips with a smirk.

Dash clicked it off.


~~~~~~~~~


"Excellent work, Applejack. But did any of that really hurt?" Rarity questioned.

"Not one little bit." Aj looked at Rainbow. "So, if that's the fake, then what's the real deal?"

"Well... We know you're strong. Really strong. But I want to find out your limits. Really test what you're capable of. You wanna find out if you're really immovable?

Aj tilted her head. "What'd'ya have in mind?"

Dash pointed to the hill nearby. "I can run that in just a few seconds, putting me at a real fast speed. I want to know if you can stop me if I ran into you."

Applejack nodded. The two practiced their stopping method. After they agreed on a method, Dash ran off for the hills. "You two are crazy, you know that?"

"Yeah, well... We're just crazy then." Aj put her leg back and braced against the ground, putting her hands out solid in front of her. "Any second now..." A faint blur of color appeared on the hillside through the trees. The next moment, Dash slammed against Aj's guard with all the power she could generate. A colorful shockwave erupted from the block as Aj's legs tensed and broke the ground beneath them.

Rarity flew back and rather far away due to the shockwave.

As Rainbow's momentum halted all at once, Aj relaxed, letting Dash return her feet to the ground. "Now that was something else!" Rainbow commended. "I'll come by over the next few weeks and keep up your ability. No slacking off, you hear?"

"Not on your life, RD. You best give your all." Aj walked over and helped Rarity to her feet, making sure she was alright.

Rarity regained her composure and gave Aj a look over. "Your clothes are absolutely torn to shreds! Inside at once!"

Obliging, never really caring for her outward appearance, Aj disregarded how bad her clothes took the full speed tackle from Rainbow.


~~~~~~~~~

Day 5


That tuesday lunch break, Rainbow brought her laptop to school and made sure to upload the video of Rarity breaking boards over Aj's abs.

"I tell ya, she was really swingin', even for her," Aj admitted. "Felt all o' them."

"Oh, don't give me so much credit. Strength is your power, not mine. Speaking of, what will I be doing for my video?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow took a moment to make sure the video was online. "Huh? Oh right. Rarity's next. Hmm... Well, you already made a lot of crystal stuff... And looking back at the comments, it was taken pretty good."

"Received well," Twilight corrected.

"Whatever," Rainbow scoffed. She sipped her drink and added, "If I were to have you do more... I'd ask you to make something... big. Like... Real big... Maybe... Decorate the gym with as much crystal stuff as you can? I knw it's more of the same and all, but I mean... Where do you go from making crystal things?"

"I did say I could make them any color... Hmm..." Rarity thought. "But... What if I could change their hardness? Back at camp, those vines nearly broke through my shield, and it was crystal."

Twilight mentioned, "Yeah, and those were just vines, right? Density should absolutely be your next step. For the real video, though. Definitely do the decorating thing for the fake one."

Rainbow inquired, "Now, since Pinkie's the usual party planner, I'd want her to have a say in what goes where. Pinkie? Can you be in the gym next sunday? She's gonna need this week to train on getting the colors right first try."

"No problem~" Pinkie replied. "Ooh, that means I'm after her, right? Who's gonna be my partner?"