> The Element of Laughter
>  by The-rogue-shadow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
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Pinkie Pie was awoken by Twilight, and Pinkie looked at her, still thinking she was dreaming. Even in her armour, Twilight was one of the most beautiful ponies in Equestria, but Pinkie was much too afraid to tell her. She had grown up being lectured about the evils of Fillyfooling, and was ostracised from her family when she had come out to them. She got out of bed, the tension in the air was thick, and everypony was scared. The first day of war with the griffins. Pinkie took a deep breath, clearing her mind as doubts and fears flooded her consciousness. She armoured up, and marvelled at the metal, the way that it bent light, making her harder to see. The girls left their tent, and Pinkie was intimidated by the rows and rows of ponies, all covered in armour and weapons ready. Pinkie and the other elements, as well as Princess Celestia marched onto the battlefield to meet the griffin emperor. She was disgusted as she looked at the horrible mess that was Gregor, no smile, just a consistent scowl on his face. Before she knew it, the griffins turned and left and Celestia teleported the ponies back to their camp, instructing them all to get ready for attack. Pinkie and the Doctor were part of the special ops team, assigned to do work that fell outside the normal ways of warfare. But since the fight had just started, Pinkie was required to go through some training to gauge her abilities. As Fluttershy's archers rained down arrows on the Minotaur that the griffins had sent out, Pinkie walked to the back of the camp, a small training field so the warriors could keep in shape. Pinkie's commander, Duskheart, was waiting for her, one of the teeth still missing from the day before. She stood at attention in front of him; he waved his hoof in an irritated way.

"Take it off." He said, the dislike on his voice was unmistakeable. Pinkie was shocked.
"What?" she said, giving Duskheart a look.
"Your armour, take it off. You won't need it for this training." He explained, and Pinkie complied, removing her armour. Duskheart did the same. He stood face to face with her and Pinkie almost gagged at the smell of his breath.
"Firstly. I'm going to test your combat ability." He said, before punching Pinkie in the face, who fell down. "Now defend yourself." Pinkie stood, staring down Duskheart, before leaping at him. Duskheart saw her coming and grabbed her, throwing her onto the ground hard. Pinkie recovered quickly, throwing punches and kicks, all of which were blocked by Duskheart. She kicked out with her back legs, but they were grabbed by Duskheart and she was dragged along the ground and physically thrown into some mud. The rage burned in Pinkie's eyes, and Duskheart smirked as he looked down his nose at the Pink earth pony.
"Fine, if that's how you want to party, then I'll show you how I party, Pinkie Pie style." She yelled, jumping out of the mud and suddenly producing a small cannon, seemingly out of nowhere. Duskheart's eyes went wide, as Pinkie fired. Duskheart was forced backwards into a small climbing wall on the training grounds. He was covered in streamers and his face was covered by a large cake with pink frosting. Duskheart wiped it off his face with his hoof.
"Pie! Just what in the hay is that thing?" He boomed, as he blew pink frosting out of his nose. Pinkie smirked.
"Oh I never leave home without my party cannon." She said, gloating. Duskheart sighed, angry at her.
"Let's move on." He said, picking up a wooden training sword and throwing it to Pinkie. She picked it up, trying to get used to the weight and feel of it. She looked up as Duskheart swung his sword, it hit Pinkie in the side and she coughed as the air rushed out of her lungs. 
"Learn to keep your guard up Pink. Otherwise you won't last long, of course, I'm okay with that. I don't want you here." He said, kicking Pinkie in the ribs as she lay on the ground, gasping for air. 
"You think life is all fun and games, that responsibility is something everypony else needs but you don't. You just want to sit back and let ponies do everything for you. You don't care what happens to anypony, as long as you get what you want. You are a pathetic bimbo." Duskheart shouted, kicking Pinkie again as she tried to get up. She screamed as she felt one of her ribs break, and held her chest, crying as the pain took hold of her whole body. Duskheart spat on her before turning and putting his armour back on. She lay on the ground shaking with pain. Duskheart walked back to her, rolling her over with his hoof, which he then used to press down on Pinkie's broken rib, and smiled as she screamed again.

"See? Look at you, weak, if you were a real warrior, you would have gotten up and broke one of my ribs by now.  But no, that's not you. That will never be you. I honestly cannot believe that you are an element of harmony. You have two options right now; Go home, or work in the kitchen; you are not welcome on my battlefield. Oh and just so you know, I won't be calling a medic, have fun crawling to the medical tent." He said, releasing the pressure on Pinkie's rib. He walked away, leaving Pinkie quivering on the ground. Pinkie eventually managed to drag herself to the medical tent, every movement a huge effort. The doctors wrapped up her chest in bandages and gave her something for the pain. She went back to the main tent, looking over at the battlefield as Duskheart gave the order for the earth ponies to charge. Pinkie lay down in her bed, popping one of the pills and waiting for it to take effect. She soon felt drowsy and fell asleep, awakening when she heard the sounds of the others. For some reason, Fluttershy was crying and Rarity was comforting her, Twilight walked over, a tiny glint of guilt in her eyes. 
"I'm glad to see that one of us had a good day." Twilight said, looking at Pinkie. Pinkie had the sudden urge to blurt out her feelings, but repressed that, instead telling her about Duskheart. Twilight shook her head in disbelief, before telling Pinkie that he can't have been that bad. Pinkie nodded repeatedly.
"But it's true, do you not see the broken rib?' she said sarcastically. 
"Pinkie, I know you dislike war, but that is no excuse for you to make up wild stories about ponies, especially if that pony is your superior officer. Now stop making things up." Twilight said, frustrated. Pinkie gave her a look, before turning over in bed and shunning Twilight, who sighed and walked away. Pinkie was fed up with ponies not believing in her. She vowed to herself to prove them all wrong, especially Duskheart. The next day, she went back to the training grounds, her chest still wrapped in bandages. Duskheart was there waiting, but still looked surprised to see her.

"You don't know when to quit, do you pink." He said, scowling. Pinkie shook her head, before removing her armour. The training began and ended similar to the first, except that this time, Pinkie walked away, albeit with a black eye. It went on like this for about a week, Pinkie adding a new wound to her body with every session. Duskheart even admitted that she had some skill, but lacked the instinct or the will to use it properly. Pinkie kept pushing herself, not giving the satisfaction of letting Duskheart see her cry anymore. Finally one day, Pinkie managed to get some punches past Duskheart, they connected and sent him sprawling. The same day, during the sword session, Pinkie hit him in the head, and a small amount of blood trickled down his face. Duskheart got angry, he grabbed Pinkie's mane and dragged her over to a water trough. He dunked her head and held it as Pinkie struggled, fearing for her life. Duskheart lifted her head, and Pinkie took an enormous gasp of air.
"You still don't understand, do you? I am the sun and moon here. If I want you broken, You WILL be broken." He said, before forcing Pinkie's head into the water again. He let go and Pinkie removed her head, falling on the ground, panting as she tried to get her breath back.
"Why do you do this to me?" she asked. Duskheart narrowed his eyes at her.
"Because I've had recruits like you, they end up either dying, or betraying us because they are weak. And I have no faith in your ability to do anything. And from what I heard, during the saga with Discord, you were willing to let him continue." He explained. Pinkie shook her head angrily.
"That is not true; I fought my hardest to stop Discord." She said, standing up.
"Exactly, and Discord still managed to wreak havoc on Equestria didn't he?" said Duskheart. Pinkie couldn't take it anymore, her mane deflated halfway and she pounced on him, beating him furiously as she let all of her pent up rage out on her commander.
"I AM NOT WEAK!! I AM PINKAMINA DIANE PIE!! AND NOPONY WILL BREAK ME!!" She yelled, as Duskheart lay underneath her, unconscious, his face torn and bloody. Pinkie calmed down and her mane returned to its original state. She looked at him, and suddenly panicked, worried that she had killed him, then she noticed that he was breathing. She ran to get a medic, tears in her eyes. Duskheart was rushed to the hospital, and Pinkie followed, guilty over what she had done. Celestia walked in and admonished her for her actions. Pinkie didn't say anything, just looked at the ground. She slept outside on her own that night, unable to face the others. 

Pinkie was called into Duskheart's room the day later when he had woken up. She entered thinking he was just going to stab her with a knife. Instead, he handed her a dossier, entitled, confidential.
"Your first mission. Don't screw it up." Said Duskheart.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie read the dossier by Duskheart's bed, the Black earth pony scowling the entire time. Her mission was to simply gather intelligence regarding some enemy supply runs. All that Pinkie had to do was sneak over to the enemy camp, find out when and where the supplies were and then to hijack the supplies for the ponies. Pinkie looked at Duskheart cautiously, unsure about his true intentions.
"What changed your mind?" She asked. Duskheart raised an eyebrow, the scowl never leaving his face.
"Somepony with greater authority than me saw our last training session and thinks that you are perfect for this mission." He explained.
"Who was the pony?" Pinkie asked, wanting to thank them for the chance to prove herself. Duskheart shook his head.
"That's classified information, and even if it wasn't, I wouldn't tell you anyway." He replied. Pinkie shot him a dirty look and left, heading to the special ops tent to meet some ponies that would be accompanying her. She walked in to just find the Doctor, huddled over a secret project. She sat down, waiting for her team to arrive. Slowly she got bored and began to harass the Doctor, trying to look at what he was building, throwing balled up paper at him, but the Doctor didn't react at all. She went rummaging through some storage crates and found a megaphone. Smiling maliciously she walked over to the Doctor, held it up to his ear and said "Hello." The Doctor jumped out of his seat and landed on the floor, holding his hooves over his ears to protect them from any more sonic assaults. Upon realising that Pinkie was not going to perforate his eardrums further, he stood and glared at her.

"That was completely unnecessary Pinkie." He said, not impressed. Pinkie stared at him for a moment, smiles slowly spreading on both of their mouths. They eventually gave up resisting and laughed at the silliness. Pinkie liked the Doctor a lot, her Pinkie sense told her to trust him and she always listened to her Pinkie sense.
"So I hear that you are about to go on your first mission. Excited?" asked the Doctor. Pinkie nodded, still laughing.
"I have some advice for you Pinkie, about this war, about life in general. Be careful when you fight monsters, lest you become one." Said the Doctor, his voice suddenly serious. Pinkie stopped laughing, and remembered how she had felt when beating up Duskheart, the uncontrollable rage, the feeling of letting something dark out. She felt sick as she thought about it. She turned when she heard somepony entering, three ponies to be exact. A scarlet coloured unicorn mare, a white earth pony stallion and a mint green Pegasus mare. They stood at attention in front of Pinkie, quickly saluting. Pinkie, still giggling, saluted back. 
"Hi there! I'm Pinkie Pie, are you the ponies coming with me on my mission?" she asked, the scarlet unicorn stepped forward.
"Yes ma'am, Rosethorn is my name, and this here is Swift and the Pegasus is Heartstrings." Said Rosethorn, and Pinkie couldn't help but be absorbed in the beauty of the unicorn, her dark green mane, that had thin lines of light green through it, her melodic voice, and her eyes, a deep magenta that reminded Pinkie so much of Rainbow Dash.
"It's nice to meet you all. Hey you look remarkably similar to a unicorn I know in Ponyville." Pinkie said to Heartstrings, who just rolled her eyes.
"Oh yeah, that's my sister Lyra, everypony always gets us mixed up because we are twins, regardless of the fact that I'm a Pegasus and she's a unicorn." Said Heartstrings, groaning. Pinkie smiled, already liking these ponies. She turned to Swift, who smiled.
"So what about you, do you have anything to say?" she asked, and then realised it was the wrong thing to do as Swift looked at the ground, ashamed. 
"He… uh can't talk, he doesn't have a tongue. It was cut out when he was a young colt by some dogs that had broken into his house. He screamed and they shut him up forever. But his story has a happy ending, he got his cutie mark the same night when he saved his parents and realised his calling was to protect ponies." Explained Rosethorn. Swift looked up and smiled, before showing Pinkie his cutie mark of a shield. Pinkie was shocked and embarrassed, but managed to hide it from the assembled ponies. 
"So… uh… how do you want to do this? Do we just sneak in, sneak out, get the stuff and run?" asked Heartstrings. Pinkie smiled awkwardly, not having any clue what to do.
"I have no idea. Let's just wing it." She said and the other ponies looked at her strangely.
"You're kidding right? You want us to 'wing' a mission like this?" said Rosethorn, and facehooved when Pinkie nodded.  "This is your first mission, isn't it?" Rosethorn facehooved once again at Pinkie's nod. Pinkie now felt even more embarrassed. She looked at the Doctor, who shrugged as if to say 'You're on your own.' 
"I think that if we wing it we have the element of surprise. And that will make it easier to adapt if the situation changes." Pinkie said weakly. Heartstrings sighed.
"I swear to Celestia, if you get me killed, I am going to haunt you." She said, making Pinkie nervous. Pinkie looked as Rosethorn, and smiled, but did not receive one back. 
"Well then how about if Rosethorn thinks up a plan and then we can use that if it would make you more comfortable." Pinkie said and the three ponies nodded and gathered around the table. Pinkie just blankly listened to them speaking, feeling a bit worthless and uncertain. 

As soon as it had gotten dark, the four ponies made their way across the darkened battlefield to the Griffin camp. Swift lived up to his name as he quickly dispatched three guards silently. Pinkie cringed as he killed them and bile rised into her throat. She swallowed and kept going, searching for either the main tent or one that kept records. Pinkie found the main tent first, and peered in to see a sleeping Gregor, gurgling snores coming from his foul beak. Heartstrings was sent in to search while the others kept watch. Using her wing to keep herself off the ground, she looked everywhere, and the others were beginning to get anxious when Heartstrings came rushing out, carrying a scroll in her mouth.  The others took off after her, wanting to get out before any griffins found them or the bodies. Suddenly an alarm sounded, within seconds, griffins came rushing out of tents, weapons in hands. The ponies galloped as fast as they could, zigzagging through the maze of tents. They were blocked by a group of Minotaur. The group stopped, trapped.
"Isn't this where your 'Winging it' strategy comes in handy?" asked Rosethorn sarcastically.
"Exactly the time. Who's ready for a party?" said Pinkie, once again pulling her party cannon out from seemingly nowhere. She fired, making a loud 'boom' and knocking the Minotaur out of the way, now covered in cake and streamers. The other ponies looked at Pinkie, shocked. Pinkie just smiled.
"Okay, path's clear, let's go." She said, bouncing away. The others followed, reaching their top speed and making their way for the tree line at the edge of the camp. Behind them, they could hear the angry war cries of Griffins and Minotaur, all calling out for blood. The four ponies disappeared into the darkness of the trees. They kept galloping, wanting to put as much distance between them and the griffins as possible. They eventually found a cave to rest in and settled down. Rosethorn lit up the cave with her magic, allowing them to see the supply orders. 

"It doesn't appear to be anything vital, just the usual food, blankets and weapons." Said Heartstrings, sounding a little disappointed. 
"What's your problem?" asked Rosethorn. Heartstrings just mumbled inaudibly, although Pinkie heard something about wanting cake. Pinkie looked at the scroll, and saw that the orders had the supplies being flown in by griffins for half, then Minotaur would be escorting it the rest of the way.
"It looks like our only chance will be just after the Griffins hand over the supplies to the Minotaur." Said Pinkie, and Swift nodded, before raising his arm for a brohoof, which Pinkie happily returned. The decided to follow Pinkie's lead on this one, and Pinkie smiled, super pleased to be given the chance. The rested for a few hours longer, as the supplies wouldn't be arriving til nearly dawn. Swift and Heartstrings fell asleep as Pinkie and Rosethorn kept watch. Pinkie couldn't take her eyes off of her. Pinkie thought Twilight was beautiful, but this pony was stunning. Rosethorn caught her staring.
"What?" she asked and Pinkie looked away quickly. "You keep looking at me, is there something on my face? Just tell me.
"I'm sorry, it's nothing. I just know that you don't think much of me and I just want to be friends." Said Pinkie, Rosethorn sighed, looking at her.
"It's not that I don't like you or anything, it's just that I want this to go smoothly. If we do this right, I have been promised a promotion to corporal. And I'm anxious." She explained and Pinkie moved a little closer. 
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will get it. And I will help you." Pinkie said. Rosethorn smiled;
"You promise?" she asked.
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Said Pinkie, sealing the bond. Rosethorn smiled even more and gave Pinkie a hug.
"So tell me about yourself." Said Pinkie, interested to know more about the beautiful unicorn.
"Oh well, there isn't much to tell. I grew up in Fillydelphia and my parents were florists, hence the name Rosethorn. My father got really sick when I was still a filly, so I had to leave school to look after the store while my parents stayed at the hospital. He ended up passing and I cared for my Mum, as she just shunned the world for a while. A few years later, she contracted the same disease and died. I was left on my own and nopony was willing to help me. My home was repossessed when I couldn't make payments and I had to live on the streets. It all turned around for me one day when I rescued another homeless pony from some thugs. Princess Luna happened to be passing and saw me. For what she called my heroic actions, she gave me a job here in the military, I'm fed, housed and I'm helping people. I grew up in the middle of battle and I couldn't ask for anything better." Rosethorn told Pinkie, who was saddened to hear about her parents. Pinkie couldn't imagine losing her Mum and Dad, even if they never wanted to speak to her. Pinkie looked down at her flank and noticed her cutie mark for the first time. Like many ponies in the military it featured a shield, but the image on Rosethorn's shield was a rose with thorns sticking out of the stem. Rosethorn noticed her and explained;
"The shield represents my ability as a warrior and the rose is for my other talent, which is gardening. Strange mix I know but there is just something about it that I love, it's calming." Pinkie told her about her life up until now and Rosethorn was surprised to learn that her commanding officer was a fillyfooler. Pinkie noticed her blush, but didn't say anything. 

It was nearly dawn when the ponies set out for the meeting point, far beyond the griffins borders. They arrived just in time to see the transfer occur, the griffins that had flew the crates of supplies were loading them into a cart that was to be used for carrying them the rest of the way. They chatted for a few moments before the griffins left. As soon as they were out of sight, Pinkie motioned for her team to move out. They made their way over, silently and quickly. The Minotaur were standing around, getting ready to leave. Rosethorn whispered to Pinkie;
"So what do we do now?" and Pinkie smiled playfully. 
"CHARGE!" she yelled and sprung from her hiding place. Both the three ponies and the Minotaur were so stunned that none of them moved. Pinkie dashed forward and punched the closest Minotaur, who fell to the ground unconscious. The other Minotaur came to their senses and attacked running at Pinkie. One was taken down by Heartstrings as it pounced on Pinkie and the others were dispatched quickly by Rosethorn and Swift. When all of the Minotaur were down, Pinkie jumped up onto one of the crates and pulled a triumphant pose, much to the amusement of the other ponies. Rosethorn used her magic to open one of the crates, so they could check for damage and when they saw what was inside, Pinkie and Heartstrings cheered together.
"CAKE!!" they yelled and proceeded to stuff their faces happily. Swift and Rosethorn soon joined in before they realised that the supplies were meant to be shared with the other ponies. They closed the crate and Swift pulled the cart back to the Pony camp in a long and twisty route that took them all day.  As the Crates were unloaded, Duskheart walked up to Pinkie, the scowl a little less noticeable than before.

"Well done Pink. Maybe there is hope for you." He said, walking away. Rosethorn was given her promotion and assigned to Pinkie's squad, as were Swift and Heartstrings. Pinkie felt accepted, as if she had finally proven herself. Pinkie looked over at the Doctor, who smiled and Pinkie felt a sense of pride.  She began to think that she was ready for the war.
> Chapter 3
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Pinkie watched as Heartstrings preened her feathers, a rare moment for earth ponies; as Pegasi are usually very shy when it comes to that. Her mint green feathers fell to the ground, but they had already been replaced by newer and better feathers. Heartstrings finished, stretching her wings out fully, and Pinkie was surprised to see her full wingspan, which was the largest of any Pegasus that Pinkie had ever seen.  Heartstrings noticed her look of amazement and smiled.

"Checking out my wings huh? Yeah I pride myself on my wingspan. hehe its actually funny, during summer flight camp, a fair few of us started puberty, myself included and we held competitions to see whose wings were the biggest. I always won of course, but there was this one pony I remember, her wings were so close but I won by a good half inch. We were rivals, me and her, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't beat her during races. I can't remember her name now; it was something, uh Dash." She said and Pinkie's ears pricked up.
"Rainbow Dash?" she asked, and Heartstrings smiled and nodded.
"That's it, do you know her?" she said, and Pinkie nodded slowly, and then regaled her with the story of Rainbow Dash, as well as her current condition. Heartstrings' ears dropped as Pinkie told her what happened in detail. When she had finished, the two ponies sat quietly for a moment.
"And that's why we are fighting this war isn't it?" Heartstrings said finally. Pinkie nodded, taking a deep breath to hold back the tears. Heartstrings gritted her teeth.
"Then at least I know that we are fighting for a good cause." She said. They both turned as Swift and Rosethorn entered the special ops tent. Pinkie was happy to have gotten so close to the ponies in such a short time, although getting to know a pony that couldn't talk was a challenge for Pinkie. Swift had learnt to communicate through pony sign language, which involved movements of the ears, but unfortunately, Pinkie wasn't versed in pony sign language, but she was learning it from a book that Twilight had given her. So instead, swift wrote down anything he wanted to say to Pinkie, and had started to carry a notepad and pen around his neck for such a reason. He waved, not wanting to waste paper on simply "hello". Rosethorn placed a dossier on the table, which contained their next mission. Pinkie opened it, reading aloud to the group;

"Good work on your last mission, those supplies will come in handy. Your next mission will be a quick snatch and grab from a griffin gulag on the coast of the sea of Luna. Your target is a Pegasus pony that goes by the name of I.Q; he specialises in tactics and would be vital to our mission. His reasons for being in the gulag are unknown but we do know that we need him. Also, try not to draw too much attention to yourselves, we want this kept quiet. Signed P.C." Pinkie looked up from the document at her team. Rosethorn was already deep in thought, thinking about what they might need, Swift wrote something and handed it to Pinkie, it said; 'What kind of approach do you want to take? Land, Sea or air?' 
"Good question Swift. How are we going to enter? Land, sea or air? Well I think that land would be the obvious choice considering we only have one Pegasus on the team, and besides, it is a griffin gulag, so their air defence is probably going to be strong." Pinkie reasoned, she looked at the others, hoping they had some ideas.
"Well that just leaves us with a sea entrance." Said Rosethorn, but Heartstrings shook her head.
"If we use the water, I'm going to be useless inside until my wings dry out. Water makes them too heavy for me to use." She explained. Pinkie smiled, as did Swift.
"Well then, I guess you will get a taste of what it's like to be an earth pony." She said, giggling. Swift held out his arm for a brohoof, and Pinkie shook her head, holding out both arms. Swift returned the double brohoof with enthusiasm. Heartstrings shot them a dirty look, and Rosethorn smirked. 
"The point, Heartstrings, is that it is really the only option, the air will be swarming with griffins, the main entrance is just plain suicide, but the griffins would stay away from the water for the same reason as you." She said, hoping to convince her. Heartstrings sighed, before relenting and nodding. 

"Okay then, as the sea of Luna runs into New Grifburg, many merchant ponies will be passing, so I suggest  we get a ship at the nearest port and get them to take us as close as possible, then we just jump ship and get inside anyway we can." Said Rosethorn. The other ponies nodded, before all turning to pack up some things for the mission. Pinkie grabbed her book on sign language, some candy, and a dagger that the Doctor had given her, saying it was given to him by an old friend. Pinkie looked at it; the blade was made of a metal that refracted light, giving it a rainbow colour. The blade had a message carved into it, which read;
'The war won't keep us apart- Romana.' When Pinkie had asked about who Romana was, the Doctor had just said;
"She is a Dentist in Ponyville now, but she used to be more. I wish she could remember who she was." He refused to say anymore on the subject so Pinkie had left him alone. An hour passed before they were all ready, saddlebags on they made their war to a cart being pulled by two muscly earth ponies, their ride to the seaside town of Maneflow springs. 
They arrived in the small town to find it bustling with activity, as one of the major tourist spots in Equestria. The four ponies' pushed their way through the torrent of bodies, Swift having to discipline some greedy teenagers that tried to pickpocket him along the way. They eventually found themselves at the docks, much to the mares' displeasure. It seemed that every sailor pony thought themselves to be ladies men and continually tried to proposition them. Each stallion was politely turned away, until one unlucky sailor mistook Rosethorn for a lady of the evening, and was violently rejected. They soon found themselves given a wide berth after that, and even sooner found a ship that was headed to New Grifburg. After explaining their mission, the captain agreed to take them as close as possible, but they would still have quite a swim to do, as the gulag was known for firing on ships that got too close to the cliffs. The boat ride was going to take at least four hours, so the ponies set themselves up near the bow of the ship, and waited. Pinkie took out the book and began to practice on Swift, who encouraged her greatly. Heartstrings and Rosethorn, who were fluent in sign language as they had been working with Swift for a while, just giggled when Pinkie made a mistake or moved her ear in the wrong direction, meaning that she had signed a swear word. They tried to enjoy themselves while they could, laughing and smiling before the violence started. 

Pinkie could see the gulag as they approached; a giant eyesore on the side of a cliff, a soulless structure of stone and steel. The ship captain walked over, telling them to get ready to jump ship and swim. Pinkie put the book back into her waterproof saddlebags, and Heartstrings strapped her wings down, limiting their exposure to the water. The captain waved his hoof and the ponies dived off the boat into the cold salty water. They began to swim towards the gulag, struggling against the current as it threatened to drag them into open sea. After what seemed like forever they exhaustedly pulled themselves out of the water and onto the beach at the bottom of the cliff. They just lay there for a while, catching their breath. Pinkie eventually stood, taking a water bottle out of her bag and taking a long drink to get the salty taste of swallowed sea water out of her mouth. She then noticed a staircase carved into the side of the cliff, directly below the gulag. 
"That's for when somepony dies; they would take them down the stairs and dump the carcass into the ocean." Said Rosethorn, Pinkie shivered, the look of the place sent her Pinkie sense wild.  They all started to head towards the stairs, hoping that nopony had died today because there was nowhere to hide as they climbed. At the top of the stairs was a trap door, luckily unlocked. Pinkie went first, slowly advancing along the dank corridors towards the cells that were marked on their stolen map. Pinkie looked around a corner and saw two guards approaching, she motioned to swift with sign language, and Swift just gave her a bemused look. She grabbed his head and stuck it around the corner. He nodded, understanding what she meant. Swift gripped his short sword, but didn't remove it from its sheath. The guards passed them, and Swift moved, shadowing them as they entered a room. Pinkie heard the dripping sound of spilled blood and the muffled groaning of a griffin. Swift walked back, sheathing his sword again and smiling at Pinkie, as if what he had just done was nothing but a walk in the park for him. They continued onwards, looking in every cell they passed along the way. The description they had been given was vague, all they knew was that he would be a Pegasus and he would respond to the code word sunbeam, with the word lunacy. Luckily for them, there were not many pegasi in the gulag. They found him on the fourth floor, in a cell all to his own.
"Sunbeam." Said Pinkie, the Pegasus stood walking up to the door and pressing his face against it.
"Shhh, not so loud. Lunacy." He said with a raised eyebrow. "You're pink."
"Yes I am." Said Pinkie smiling at the pony.
"You can't be very stealthy." Said I.Q rudely. Pinkie glared at him, and he backed away a bit.
"Look, can we talk later, right now I just want to get out of here." Said Heartstrings. I.Q nodded.
"If we get to the roof, me and the other Pegasus should be able to get you all down." He said, but Rosethorn nodded.
"We can't we had to come in using the sea entrance, so Heartstrings' wings are too soaked to fly." She said and Pinkie heard I.Q curse under his breath. 
"Well then, what are our options?" he asked, the ponies all shrugged and I.Q facehooved. "Fine, we will head for the side gate, it is less heavily guarded and leads straight into some low hills that should cover our escape." The ponies all agreed to this plan and started to make their way down to the gate, in a similar manner as before.
This seems to be going too easily." Said Rosethorn. They rounded the last corner to find a group of about twenty griffins.

'It must be time for the guard change over.' Thought Pinkie as they turned towards the ponies. Heartstrings punched Rosethorn in the shoulder.
"You just had to say it didn't you, haven't you ever read a Daring Doo book, this always happens when somepony says that." She said mockingly, before drawing her sword. The others did so as well. Pinkie handed hers to I.Q, taking out her dagger instead. The ponies charged at the griffins, slashing and stabbing as the griffins fumbled with their weapons, unprepared for an attack from within. Pinkie had too slow down as she felt the same darkness she had felt while beating Duskheart rising into her heart. Within no time, Pinkie was finishing the last guard, she was now covered from head to toe in griffin blood, and it scared her that she liked it. They galloped out of the gate, making their way towards the low hills that I.Q had mentioned. The found themselves a cave, settling in for some rest. Pinkie remarked how they had spent their first mission in a cave as well and the team laughed. Pinkie went in search of a stream so she could wash the blood of her body, and found a small oasis, complete with waterfall and pool. She stepped in, surprised to find the water to be warm, and made her way over to the waterfall. Pinkie closed her eyes and let it cascade over her, washing the blood and the darkness away. Pinkie felt movement through the water and opened her eyes to see Rosethorn making her way over, she smiled, and the smile was returned. Pinkie stepped out from under the waterfall and lay down on her back, floating in the warm water, as Rosethorn cleaned herself.
"You did great today Rosethorn." Said Pinkie, Rosethorn blushed.
"You did pretty well yourself." She replied, swimming over to Pinkie. "I'm proud to have you working alongside me." Now it was Pinkie's turn to blush. She straightened up, no longer floating on her back and swam next to Rosethorn. She got closer and noticed that Rosethorn was starting to breath heavily, and in a move that even shocked Pinkie, she pulled her close and tenderly kissed her. Pinkie returned the kiss, noticing that Rosethorn tasted sweet, and remarkably similar to rose petal tea. Rosethorn pulled away, still breathing heavily.
"I… I'm sorry; I just don't know what came over me." She stammered. Pinkie shook her head and took Rosethorn's hoof in her own.
"It's okay, believe me its okay." Pinkie said, smiling. Rosethorn blushed an even deeper red. Now it was Pinkie's turn to pull her close and kiss her. Pinkie could feel the last remnants of the darkness fading as she kissed Rosethorn. She was experiencing a bliss and peace she had not known since the war began, and wanted to savour it for as long as possible.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Pinkie and Rosethorn walked side by side, escorting the Pegasus I.Q to Princess Celestia. During their mission to rescue him from a griffin gulag, they had become close, and their team mates couldn't have been happier for them. Pinkie caught a glimpse of her friend Twilight, and felt a bit guilty. Twilight was once the object of her affections and while Pinkie still had strong feeling for her, she had found love in Rosethorn. Celestia was waiting for them in the special ops tent, as was the Doctor. 
"I.Q I presume, it is good to finally see you." Said Celestia. I.Q gave her a quick bow, and only shook his head when the Doctor tried to shake his hoof. Pinkie giggled at the Doctor's awkward smile. 
"It is nice to meet you as well Princess, but I would ask that we speak in private." He said respectfully, and the other ponies in the room left the tent.  The Doctor walked beside Pinkie and Rosethorn, smiling at the two.
"So Rosethorn, when did you realise that you were a fillyfooler?" asked the Doctor, Rosethorn paled, as did Pinkie. Neither of them had told anypony except for their team mates. 

"Wha… What do you mean Doctor?" Rosethorn stammered, the Doctor winked at her.
"You don't have to worry, it's not an issue for me, I'm just glad that Pinkie found herself somepony special." He said. Pinkie hugged him, glad that she had a father figure that accepted her. They relaxed and continued their walk around the camp. They passed the medical tent and Pinkie saw Big Mac walking out, just having been released after a serious injury on the first day of battle two weeks beforehand. She waved, but was ignored, as Big Mac cuddled up to and kissed a yellow Pegasus with a short pink mane cut. They entered the main tent where they were staying. Pinkie and her team had been given a few days off for recovery. She lay down on her bunk and sighed happily. Rosethorn sat next to her and stroked her mane, and the Doctor went back to work on his secret project. Pinkie was glad to be there relaxing, the gentle stroking of her mane felt like bliss and since being with Rosethorn, Pinkie had not felt the darkness inside of herself. Pinkie jumped, her peace broken by the shouting of Duskheart as he entered the tent.
"What is the meaning of this?" he boomed and Rosethorn stood, embarrassed. "What in the hay was that soldier?"
"I was just finishing up a massage for Pinkie sir, she pulled a shoulder muscle on the last mission and I was helping to alleviate the pain." Rosethorn lied, blushing. Her lie seemed to placate Duskheart for the moment, and he sent her back to her own tent. 
"Pink, I need you to report to the training grounds immediately, the higher-ups have requested you go through some special training." He said, waving Pinkie out of the door.  Pinkie stood with a groan and walked out, following Duskheart to the training ground. She was ushered inside a small tent to find I.Q standing there, as well as a unicorn she knew all too well.
"Trixie? What are you doing here?" she asked the blue unicorn. Trixie looked down her nose at Pinkie.
"I was hired to test your ability to stand up to telepathic assaults." She explained, as Duskheart sat Pinkie down in a chair. 
"What do you mean, why would I need training like that?" Pinkie asked, and I.Q walked around to face her.
"When I was in the gulag, I discovered that certain griffins have an innate telepathic ability, activated during puberty. These griffins are secreted away by the government and trained to use their abilities for interrogation purposes. The Princess and I decided that it would be prudent to have you trained in resisting those assaults, since you are working behind enemy lines so often." I.Q explained. His voice sounded trustworthy, but Pinkie's Pinkie sense said otherwise. She suddenly became nervous as Duskheart strapped her arms to the chair.

"What are those for, what are you going to do to me?" she asked panicking. I.Q reassured her that they were to stop her from hurting herself. Trixie closed the tent door, and the lights were dimmed. Duskheart left, telling them to get the job done as fast as possible. Trixie stood in front of Pinkie, who was struggling against the leather bonds. Trixie's horn glowed and a light blue aura appeared around her head. Pinkie closed her eyes as she could feel Trixie worming her way into her mind, invading her thoughts. Pinkie tried to resist, but failed. She screamed, full of fear, as Trixie went deeper into her subconscious. Pinkie could barely make out I.Q's voice in the background.
"You have to fight it Pinkie, resist her, think of something strong and steady." He said, offering what Pinkie though to be useless advice. She tried again to resist, putting up mental barriers, but Trixie just destroyed them on the way deeper into her mind. Pinkie suddenly felt it; the darkness seeping into her heart, infecting her. It was the darkness that fought back, pushing Trixie out with all the might of a fully grown dragon. Pinkie opened her eyes to see Trixie pushed out of the tent by some invisible force. The darkness receded, and Pinkie vomited, never feeling the darkness in that concentration before. Trixie walked back in, her mane now dishevelled and with anger in her eyes.
"What happened?" asked I.Q, Pinkie noticed that it wasn't sympathy in his voice, but curiosity and fascination. Trixie brushed some dirt off of herself.
"There was something in there with her. I couldn't see it but it didn't want me there. It forced me out in such a way that I couldn't get any information. "Trixie said, angrily. Pinkie laughed weakly, suddenly really exhausted. 

"So can I go now?" Pinkie asked, and I.Q untied her straps. 
"Is there need for further testing?" he asked Trixie, who shook her head and Pinkie shot out of the tent as fast as she could. Not giving them the chance to change their minds. She galloped across the entire camp, finally stopping near archer's stage; she bent over, vomiting uncontrollably. Rosethorn found her curled up behind some rocks and crying.
"What's the matter Pinkie?" She asked, holding Pinkie in her arms. Pinkie looked at her, tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong with me?" Pinkie asked, nuzzling her head into Rosethorn's chest. She began to calm down after a while, the smell of fresh roses forcing the lingering darkness back down. She kissed Rosethorn, allowing her to lose her fears in the kiss. Pinkie broke it off when she could no longer feel the darkness. She smiled at Rosethorn, before asking her to take her to the Doctor. 
They found the Doctor in the main tent, still working on his project. Pinkie hugged him from behind and he turned to see her tear stained face. He hugged her back, as though he could sense what was wrong. Pinkie tried to tell him what had happened and ask for his help, but she was interrupted by Duskheart.

"Pink! Gather your team, we have an urgent mission for you." He said, turning and leaving once again. Pinkie sighed, hugging the Doctor again before gathering her equipment and following Rosethorn out of the tent. The collected Swift and Heartstrings from the maze of tents that made up the pony camp and made their way to the special ops tent. Inside stood Duskheart and I.Q.
"What's this I hear about a mission? Isn't it our week off?" said Heartstrings irritably, Swift nodded in support, slamming his hoof on the table.
"Stow your tongues and uh…. Lack of such." Said Duskheart, and Pinkie saw Swift sign a swear word at him. "Anyway, we lost contact with team beta, a few weeks ago. We sent them to destroy a griffin stronghold about a week and a half ago, and there has been no word from them since. Your team's mission is to find them and help them complete their mission."
"How many of them should we be expecting?" asked Rosethorn. 
"Their team consisted of eight ponies, all seasoned soldiers. So 'alpha team' are you ready to go? I'll continue the briefing as we walk. Princess Celestia has offered to teleport you to their last known location." He said, walking out of the tent.  The ponies followed him to the Princess' throne that looked out over the battlefield. Celestia sat there, giving orders to the commander of the unicorns; Twilight Sparkle.
"Twilight, get some destruction specialists to shoot some fireballs into the air to assist the Pegasi." She ordered, and Twilight nodded, heading down the small incline towards her troops. Celestia turned to Duskheart and said;

"Hello, commander, is your team ready?" Duskheart nodded and the ponies gathered in front of her. Celestia bowed her head and in a flash of white light, they suddenly found themselves at the edge of a thick forest. Pinkie felt a bit disoriented but recovered quickly. Swift began to search the area for any signs of the other team. It took him a while but he managed to find some hoofprints. They spent the next few hours following them, and as the sun started to set, they set up camp in a clearing. Heartstrings was on first watch that night, so Pinkie and Rosethorn cuddled up together, Pinkie closed her eyes, and just as she was about to fall asleep Rosethorn said;
"By the way Pinkie, I should have said this earlier but… There is nothing wrong with you." Pinkie smiled, cuddling up closer to Rosethorn.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you too Pinkie." She said, and they fell asleep together.
The next day was uneventful, except for a tense moment when Swift seemed to lose the trail, before finding a tuft of pony hair caught on a shrub. A thought suddenly occurred to Pinkie.
"You know, I never thought to ask this before, but where did Swift learn to do all this sort of stuff?" she asked, Heartstrings smiled.
"Oh Swift has a great and harrowing tale of heroics, taking place in the distant land of Canterlot. Young Swift was a royal guard, assigned to guard Princess Luna upon her return. But the poor stallion fell in love with the princess and had to leave her service so as to not compromise his honour." She said dramatically. Pinkie and Rosethorn laughed as she acted out the scenes. While Swift looked back and gave her a dirty look, as well as signing something that Pinkie couldn't translate, but only made Heartstrings laugh harder. Swift stopped in his tracks, his hoof telling the others to stop. All was silent for a moment, before Pinkie felt something;

'Twitcha Twitch' she thought as her tail quivered, she leapt onto swift, knocking him down, she felt the arrow  brush the top of her poofy mane as it sailed through the air on its lethal course. Rosethorn and Heartstrings dived for the ground, and for a moment, nothing happened, then Pinkie heard a voice.
"Sunbeam." It said, and Pinkie couldn't determine where it had come from.
"Lunacy" shouted Rosethorn. The four ponies waited with bated breath, unsure whether to expect the hoof of friendship or a volley of arrows. A bright red pony walked out of from behind some bushes and the ponies relaxed. He didn't smile but the sheer fact that it was a pony gave Pinkie comfort.
"I am Redmond of the Equestrian special forces, squad beta. Identify yourselves." He said sternly. Pinkie looked around at the others, and they looked back at her expectantly, due to the fact that she was technically their leader.
"My name is Pinkie Pie of those ponies as well, but we are squad alpha." She said smiling. Redmond looked at her with narrow eyes. "We are your backup." Redmond smiled, his mouth trembled and he lunged at Pinkie, hugging her.
"Oh thank Celestia you've arrived, we were so worried." He said, and Pinkie patted him on the back nervously. Other ponies started to emerge from the trees as well, with five in total, and six including Redmond. 
"What happened? We were told that there were eight of you." Asked Heartstrings. Redmond looked at the ground, as did the others in his team.
"The other three were the Pegasi on our team, we sent them over the top of the stronghold for recon and they were shot down before we knew what happened, Hundreds of Minotaur came charging out of the gate, and we ran, seeing no other choice." Pinkie hugged him, understanding his pain. 
"Great, now we have three less ponies on this mission and we still have to destroy that stronghold. What are they even doing in there anyway?" asked Heartstrings. 
"It's where they are making their weapons. If we do this, we cripple their war effort." Said Redmond. 
"Show us." Said Rosethorn, Redmond and his team lead the through a twisted trail, filled with rocks and thorny shrubs. Redmond pointed down as they reached the top of a large hill and Pinkie was astounded. The place was enormous; Pinkie surmised that you could fit Ponyville inside the place. A wall of immense size surrounded it, unclimbable. From the distance, Pinkie could just barely make out guards patrolling the top of the wall and at its base.  
"Okay, and I will see you all back at the base." Said Heartstrings, turning, but Rosethorn stopped her.
"Come on everypony, we can do this, we have an element of harmony on our side, what could possibly go wrong." She said and Heartstrings facehooved;
"Why do you keep saying these things?!Read Daring Doo!" she yelled at her.

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Pinkie sidled closer to Rosethorn as the two stared down at the seemingly impenetrable fortress below them. Heartstrings was complaining, but everypony was ignoring her. Pinkie noticed the leader of the beta team, Redmond, was hyperventilating. 
"What's wrong?" Pinkie asked, and Redmond turned to her, and he smiled a weak smile.
"I'm fine, really, it's just I have absolutely no clue how we are meant to do this." He said. Pinkie smiled at him, trying to comfort him.
"Trust us, we are the best at this." Said Rosethorn. Redmond nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself down. He turned to his troops, telling them to head back to where they had set up camp and gather all the supplies they would need. Swift tapped Rosethorn on the shoulder, signing something to her.
"Swift wants to know just how we plan to destroy this place." Rosethorn said to Redmond. 
"Rarity in the research department made up these explosives that are activated by a magical fuse. A unicorn arms them with her magic and then they can be set off with a timer or the unicorn can use her magic to detonate them." He explained, Swift nodded, satisfied with the answer. The other ponies from beta team arrived with their equipment some time afterwards. Alpha team started to plan their attack, eventually deciding to wait until nightfall and sneak in in groups of five. The first team would consist of Pinkie, Swift, Rosethorn, Heartstrings and Redmond and the other team was made up of the rest of Beta team. Nightfall came pretty swiftly and the ponies made their way down the hill to the stronghold. Pinkie's team of five heading towards the gate, Swift had been given some throwing knives and used them skilfully to take down the guards on top of the wall. Heartstrings and Redmond took down the guards at the gate silently. They entered, hearing sounds of sleeping griffins and Minotaur echo through the hallways. Pinkie looked back to see the second team enter and head down a different path. Pinkie followed Rosethorn up some stairs, hiding in dark corners and waiting for guards to pass. They found some sort of office, housing hundreds of folders filled with order sheets, Heartstrings found one of particular interest,
"Hey everypony, check this out. I found these reports by somepony named Tinker, they seem to be, well telling the griffins our secrets." She said, Pinkie's eyes widened, she couldn't believe that anypony could sell out their own species. Rosethorn got angry all of a sudden. 
"That pony is going to get what he deserves if it's the last thing I do. And I think we found the spot for the first charge." She said, grabbing a charge out of her saddlebag and arming it with her magic, she then placed it in the middle of the room, under a large pile of folders. Heartstrings put the folder she was reading into her saddlebag, wanting to use it as evidence. Swift, who had been standing guard at the door, suddenly turned to the group and signed to them to hide. The ponies dived behind whatever they could find, plants, chairs, cabinets. Swift hid behind the door. A griffin entered, followed by a Minotaur guard. The griffin wore square glasses and a lab coat, indicating that he was a scientist.

"You can leave now; I'm going to be here for a while, just filling out paperwork." The griffin said to the Minotaur, who shook his head.
"New rules state that scientists are to be escorted at all times." Said the Minotaur, until it had its head twisted around by Swift. Bile rose in Pinkie's throat as she heard the snapping of its neck. Swift tackled the griffin, who was too scared to scream. The other ponies came out of hiding, surrounding the griffin. Rosethorn drew her sword, holding it up to the griffin's throat.
"Scream and I kill you, now I'm going to ask some questions, and you had better give me some good answers." She said, and Pinkie was surprised to see the griffin start to cry.
"Please don't kill me; I have a wife and two kids. I'll do whatever you want. I don't even like working here, all I do is make wire, don't hurt me please." The Griffin pleaded, and Pinkie couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Shut up! I won't hurt you if you answer my questions. Firstly, how do I get to the main production section of this place, and secondly what is the quickest way out?" she asked, the griffin took a deep breath, calming himself, although Pinkie could still hear the fear in his voice.
"The Main production area is up one floor, take the stairs and follow the signs, it's easy. As for a way out, the easiest way would be the back gate, there is less guards because it faces straight into a mountain, but if you cross through a waterfall there, it leads you into a tunnel that runs straight to New Grifburg." The griffin told them, Rosethorn kept her promise and let him up.
"I want you to leave, go back home to your family and if the alarm is raised, I will know it was you and I will hunt you down and make you pay." She threatened. 
"I won't say anything, I swear. Thank you, thank you." The griffin wiped the tears away and let him leave. Rosethorn turned to swift;
"Follow him, and make sure he keeps his promise." She ordered. Swift nodded, and left, following the griffin. Pinkie turned to Rosethorn, she was shaking. Pinkie gave her a quick hug and the ponies left, heading for the main production area. 
"I can't help but wonder how my team is doing." Said Redmond. 
"I'm sure that they're fine." Said Pinkie smiling. They rounded a corner and found the main production centre. A really long room filled with giant smelters and vats filled to the brim with molten metal. Sparks flew through the air as hundreds of Minotaur and griffin hammered away at swords and axes for their troops. It was the biggest blacksmith's Pinkie had ever seen.
"I wonder if they make horseshoes, I need a new set." Joked Heartstrings. The others shot her a look.
"I think that will be the best place to put the next charge." Said Rosethorn, pointing to one of the large smelters. "If we destroy that, it should start a chain reaction and destroy the rest."
"How?" asked Pinkie, "Coal isn't explosive."
"I know, but look, those smelters use oil for heat, which is very explosive." Rosethorn replied. Pinkie nodded, and was about to walk away to plant the charge, when Redmond pulled her back.
"Stop! Look, guards." He said, and sure enough, Pinkie noticed hundreds of guards making their way through the room in a seemingly random pattern. She looked around for anything that could help and her eyes rested on an empty box. Pinkie picked it up and put it over her head, then laid down, so her legs were hidden.
"This will never work." Said Rosethorn cynically as she handed Pinkie the charge which she had just armed. Pinkie held it in her mouth and made her way across the room, her Pinkie sense helping her to avoid the guards as well as the workers. She finally found the smelter and set the charge. Making her way back, she threw the box off herself and struck a triumphant pose.

"That would never work again in a million years." Said Rosethorn, amazed. Pinkie smiled and kissed her.
"Yes it would, because I'm Pinkie Pie." She said. "So what do we do now, we have one charge left."
"Well when this room blows it will be enough to destroy the whole stronghold. I think we should put it at the entrance, and seal them in first." Said Redmond. Heartstrings and Rosethorn agreed. They picked up the pace on their way out, hoping that the charges weren't found. Swift met them along the way, and they told him the plan. They decided to go for the main entrance, seeing as how the other led to the griffin capitol, which was not the place to be for ponies. Just as they reached the door, it was blocked by a particularly large Minotaur. Pinkie turned when she heard a voice behind her.
"Well look at this. We have some intruders in our midst." Said a griffin, he was covered in gold armour, indicating possible status as a general. More griffins and Minotaur started to surround them and the ponies huddled in a circle, facing outwards. Pinkie was facing the general.
"I'm sorry to say that we found your friends. And I, personally, do not like intruders, so if you would be so kind as to give the names of their families so I know where to send the bones to, I would appreciate it." Said the general, smiling as manic smile. Pinkie felt the darkness crawling up towards her heart.
"Monster." She said. The general laughed.
"Monster, Me? Well I suppose there are worse things to be… a pony for example. Now I know you planted explosives all around the stronghold. Tell me where they are and I will let some of you go free." He said. Pinkie shook her head, as did the others.
"You will know where they are soon enough." Said Rosethorn. The general's eye twitched, he walked up to Pinkie.
"No matter, I have ways of getting the information anyway." He said, He grabbed Pinkie, and put his hand on her forehead. Pinkie screamed as he felt her invade her mind.
"Please stop! You don't know what you're doing." Pinkie screamed at him, and the griffin laughed again. He pushed deeper into Pinkie's mind, and she was unable to resist. She felt it then, the darkness, rushing to meet the invading presence.  The general was thrown off of Pinkie, slamming into a wall. And Pinkie collapsed, throwing up a bit. She could hear a voice in her head.

'Let me out Pinkie, I can help; I only want what's best for you.' It said, and Pinkie forced it back down with sheer force of will. The griffin stood up, dazed and angry.
"Just kill them, we will find the explosives on our own." He said to the assembled hordes. Pinkie stood, drawing her sword as the Minotaur and griffins charged. Even with seemingly no chance, the ponies fought with all of their might. Griffins fell before Pinkie; Swift was brutal, never staying in one spot for very long. Heartstrings took the aerial battlefield, ruthless in her attacks, Redmond hacked away, jumping around with agility nopony would have suspected him of, and Rosethorn blasted a bloody path through them with magic. Pinkie killed the Minotaur that was blocking the door and the ponies backed outside, giving them more space to hold off the griffins. The ponies started to become overwhelmed by the uncountable amount of enemies; Pinkie looked at Rosethorn, who looked back with a worried expression. Pinkie smiled as Rosethorn mouthed 'I love you' to Pinkie. Pinkie's eyes opened wide and she screamed;
"Behind you." She yelled, as a Minotaur's blade pierced Rosethorn's side. For Pinkie time slowed as she made her way over. Rosethorn's expression was a mix of surprise and pain. The sword was pulled out and Rosethorn fell, her eyes beginning to close as she did so. Pinkie screamed and leapt onto the Minotaur, driving her sword into its chest and twisting. Pinkie looked at Rosethorn, and suddenly everything else was forgotten, there was only her and Pinkie in the whole world. Tears ran down Pinkie's face as she hugged her lover. She felt a tiny heartbeat, as Rosethorn lifted her head slightly.

"I love you Pinkie." She whispered, and Pinkie felt Rosethorn's last breath upon her face. Pinkie lowered Rosethorn to the ground and stood up. She could feel the darkness rising, faster than ever before, it tried to take over, and Pinkie let it. She closed her eyes, her mane straightened out and her coat darkened. She took a deep breath, picking up her sword as well as Rosethorn's. Pinkie pushed at her ground with her front legs, raising herself up onto her hind legs. She balanced there for a moment, before arching her back and feeling her vertebrae crack and shift.

Pinkie had awoken in complete darkness, and found nothing solid under her hooves. She was just floating in nothingness. 
"Hello." She said, and her voice echoed out from her. 
"Hello Pinkie." Said a voice, Pinkie turned to see herself, but different, she had flat hair and her coat was darker. 
"Who are you?" asked Pinkie, as the other one floated toward her, and caressed her face.
"My name is Pinkamina. I'm that dark part of you that you have been trying to resist for so long." Said Pinkamina. 
"What do you want?" asked Pinkie, nervously.
"I just want what's best for us, and if that means killing a whole lot of griffins or beating the hay out of an abusive twit like Duskheart, well so be it." Replied Pinkamina. 
"So are you in control at the moment." Asked Pinkie and Pinkamina nodded. "When can I have control again?"
"When I'm finished, I promise. I may be scary Pinkie, but I love you and won't ever harm you." She said. Pinkamina waved her arm and a square of light appeared.
"I thought you might like to watch me in action." She said, disappearing. Pinkie positioned herself in front of the window and looked out into the world.
Pinkamina opened her eyes, and started walking, unsteadily at first and then with more confidence as she made a bee line straight for the nearest griffin. She swung the two swords with expert ease, opening up the stomach of the griffin as it swung an axe downwards toward her. Heartstrings noticed her and landed, walking up to her, Pinkamina pushed her down.
"Pinkie, what's wrong? What are you doing?" she said, picking herself off the ground. Pinkamina turned to her, a twisted smile spread across her face.
"I'm sorry, Pinkie isn't in right now, my name is Pinkamina Diane Pie, can I help you?" she said. Heartstrings shook her head, confused.  Pinkamina turned, and started running towards more griffins, her swords became a blur of red and glistening silver and like clockwork, every time she swung the sword, a griffin or Minotaur fell. Some charged at her from behind, but couldn't hit her, no matter how fast they were, Pinkamina's Pinkie sense had gone into overdrive, she was moving on pure reflex, faster than a thought. It didn't take long for the area to be completely clear of enemies. The other ponies had been so frightened of Pinkamina that they had retreated to Rosethorn's body. Pinkamina took a deep breath, savouring the smell of fresh blood. She closed her eyes. 

Pinkie regained control abruptly, her mane puffed up back to its usual state and her coat regained its light colour. Pinkie became unbalanced and fell down, not knowing how to walk on two legs. She got up and looked around at the carnage she had wrought, not a single griffin or Minotaur was alive, but then Pinkie saw one moving, she galloped over to find the griffin general, a sword wound in his belly and a scowl on his face. He looked up at Pinkie.
"And you called me the monster." He said, coughing on his own blood and dying. Pinkie looked over at her team mates, all huddled around Rosethorn. Pinkie joined them, ignoring the looks from Heartstrings and Swift. They sat there for a while, crying over their fallen friend. Pinkie stood, lifting Rosethorn onto her back, and vowed to carry her to the camp for a proper burial. 
"What about blowing up the stronghold?" asked Redmond, the others just kept walking, they just didn't care anymore. 
"I set the last one on a timer, just in case." Said Pinkie finally. Redmond turned, before following them at a gallop. They reached the top of the hill when it exploded, stone and steel erupted from the stronghold as cascading explosions brought it crumbling down. The ponies watched it burn for a while, and Pinkie cried as her lover lay dead across her back.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie kept the wrapped up body of Rosethorn steady as the cart they had commissioned in a nearby town trundled down the road. Nopony was speaking, nor looking each other in the eye. Redmond and Swift pulled the cart, and Heartstrings sat across from Pinkie in the back. Pinkie noticed Heartstrings looking anxious, but said nothing, Finally, Heartstrings spoke;
"Okay, I've had enough! Pinkie, what the hay WAS that back there?" she yelled, Pinkie shook her head.
"Not now Please." 
"Now is a good a time as any, What was THAT?" Yelled Heartstrings louder. The stallions thought it best not to get involved. 
I don't want to talk about it ok?" said Pinkie forcefully. Heartstrings lifted herself into the air, hovering above Pinkie's face.
"Well too bad, I do want to talk about it. What happened with you?" She yelled. Pinkie couldn't take it anymore
"I don't know?!" she yelled into Heartstrings' face. "I saw her die and something clicked, like a defence mechanism."
"Then why did it call itself Pinkamina?" asked Heartstrings.
"Because that's her name! She isn't me, we are separate, but together." Said Pinkie, trying to explain without sounding crazy. Heartstring stared at her, before landing back into her seat.
"I… I'm sorry Pinkie, I don't mean to yell, it's just that you scared us all back there, like, a lot." Said Heartstrings. Pinkie nodded, accepting the apology. "And I especially sorry about Rosethorn, I know how close you both were."
"So do I." said Pinkie quietly. She turned at the sound of Redmond's voice.
"We're almost there; I can see Maneflow Springs in the distance." He said. Pinkie squinted and could just barely make out the shape of a town. 
"Hey, what's that?" said Heartstrings, looking up into the sky. Pinkie looked up and saw what seemed to be a hundred black dots, all coming towards them.
"Griffins?" Pinkie asked. Heartstrings shook her head.
"They are too small to be griffins, they must be Pegasi." She replied.
"Oh good, they must have got the report I sent." Said Redmond. Pinkie turned.
"What report?" she asked, starting to get worried.
"I sent a report telling them that the mission was successful, like protocol dictates." He told her and Pinkie looked at Heartstrings and shrugged, having no clue about doing their own. A thought suddenly popped into Pinkie's head.
"Did you tell them about Pinkamina?" she asked hurriedly. Redmond nodded nervously, and Swift smacked him over the back of the head. The black dots had become clearer now, and were recognisable as Pegasi. They descended on the cart, some had their swords drawn and Pinkie recognised the armour of the royal guard. A particularly large one landed on the cart and addressed Pinkie.
"Pinkamina Pie? You are ordered to come with us immediately." He said, holding out his hoof to help her up.
"For what reason?" asked Pinkie, as the cart stopped.
"I'm sorry, but that is classified information." Replied the Pegasus. Pinkie shook her head.
"Can it wait until I bury my friend?" she asked, gesturing to Rosethorn's body.
"Look, our orders are just to take you, we didn't have to ask. Take them." He said to the other Pegasi, who quickly advanced on the ponies, grabbing them and tying them up if they resisted. Pinkie screamed, struggling and biting the pegasi as they tied ropes around her legs. One of them said to the leader;
"What do you want to do with the corpse?" and the leader replied;
"Leave it, the buzzards can pick it clean." Pinkie yelled louder, and tried to will the darkness back, but it wouldn't come, as though she had used up its energy.
"You can't please, she deserves a proper burial, I'll go quietly if you give her a proper military funeral." Pinkie pleaded, and the leader looked at her and sighed.
"Have two rookies take her back to the front lines for burial." He said, and Pinkie thanked him, stopping her struggling. The leader turned back to her;
"I'm sorry about this, but we aren't allowed to let you see where we are going." He said and punched Pinkie in the side of the head and knocking her out.

Once again, Pinkie found herself in the empty blackness, no solidity under her hooves, just floating.
"Are you in control again Pinkamina?" she asked as her voice echoed in the abyss.
"No Pinkie, you were knocked out." Said Pinkamina, appearing beside her. She hugged Pinkie, as though she hadn't seen her in a long time.
"I'm sorry about Rosethorn, I know how much you loved her." Said Pinkamina. Pinkie looked at her, puzzled.
"Don't you mean how much WE loved her?" she asked, trying to get used to the split consciousness concept. Pinkamina shook her head.
"No, just you, personally, I was more into Heartstrings, but I'm really just here to help when you can't handle the situation, not give you love advice." She said. Pinkie nodded, still confused.
"Where are we, I imagined my dream world to be a lot more colourful." Said Pinkie, looking around at the nothingness. Pinkamina laughed.
"This isn't your dream world, this is where I live. The easiest way to explain it would be if I said that it is the place where you are just about to sleep, but not quite there. The transition point in your mind between dreams and reality." She explained, and Pinkie rubbed her eyes in a mix of confusion and frustration.
"And what does that make you?" Pinkie asked. Pinkamina said nothing for a moment, as though contemplating the best answer.
"I suppose I am… Your polar opposite, the other side of your coin, the antithesis of Pinkie Pie. I am what everypony has; a dark side. But lucky you get me, the only one that can actually interact with you. And I have a theory about why; ever wonder what the Pinkie sense is? It is some kind of mental ability, like precognition, meaning that you are psychic. And because of that, I am somehow bonded with that part of you. I don't really know how or why, but at least it lets me help you." Said Pinkamina, smiling. Pinkie took a deep breath, absorbing all of the new information slowly. 
"I think I'm going to be sick." Said Pinkie and Pinkamina's eyes widened.
"Oh! Well in that case it's time to wake up." She said, touching Pinkie on the forehead.
Pinkie opened her eyes, tasting blood. She vomited, realising that she was tied to something, standing upright with her front legs at her sides. The room she was in was white, and consisted only of what she was tied to, a table and a chair. On the wall that Pinkie was facing was a large mirror. Pinkie tried to wiggle loose from her bonds but it was no use. The door opened and Pinkie was surprised to see Trixie enter, followed by I.Q and Duskheart.
"What's going on here; let me go." Pinkie demanded, as Duskheart sat down at the only chair. Trixie walked up to Pinkie, a malicious smile on her face.
"Hello Pinkie, or are you Pinkamina now?" said I.Q and Pinkie paled. I.Q smiled when he noticed this. "Oh yes, it seems that you have some demons inside you. And I want to know more about Pinkamina." Scared out of her wits, Pinkie told them everything she knew about Pinkamina. When she had finished, Duskheart rose, whispering something into I.Q's ear. I.Q nodded, and Duskheart walked over to Pinkie. He pulled himself close to her ear and whispered;
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry Pink. I'm only doing my duty." He pulled away, and turned to Trixie.
"You're up, and remember what I said, she isn't to be hurt." He told her, and Trixie's smile widened.
"Yes father, I understand." She said, and Duskheart kissed her forehead, before walking out of the room, followed by I.Q. Pinkie looked at Trixie.
"So he's your father, huh. Explains a lot." Said Pinkie, using bravado to mask her fear. Trixie shot her a look.
"Oh ha ha, make the jokes now Pink, but you are not going to enjoy yourself here. I will make sure of that. When I'm finished, I think Celestia will give me a medal, hay, she may even make the leader of the griffin empire after she kills Gregor's fat flank." Trixie said, the venom in her voice was like fire, burning through to Pinkie's core.
"And what are you going to do to me?" asked Pinkie, as her voice cracked. Trixie caressed Pinkie's face, and leant in close.

"I'm going to do one of two things; Kill you and leave only Pinkamina, or have you so mentally broken that Pinkamina will have to stay in control just to survive." She whispered. Pinkie's eyes welled with tears.
"Please don't, you have no idea what you could unleash." She pleaded, and only received mocking laughter in response. Trixie stood back, and stretched. She took a deep breath, before bowing her head and gathering power in her horn. Trixie's head glowed with light blue energy, the same energy that surrounded Pinkie's head.  She closed her eyes against the pain as Trixie forced herself in. Pinkie screamed having no way to stop the intrusion on her own, waiting for Pinkamina to take control and help, but she never came, for hours Pinkie suffered as Trixie invaded her every memory, every happy moment in her life and mocked them with her very presence. At last Pinkie couldn't take it anymore, she called out to the one thing that could save her.
"Pinkamina, help me!" she yelled, and felt the darkness rushing up, fighting back against Trixie, who was thrown against the mirror, which shattered. Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief. Trixie stood, as blood trickled down her face from her mane line and out of her nose. She walked up to Pinkie and punched her.
"How dare you! I am the great and powerful Trixie. You do NOT make me bleed, I make YOU bleed you mental case." She yelled in Pinkie's face. Trixie made her way out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Pinkie closed her eyes, wanting some rest from the mental torture she had just been put through.
Once again in the dark place, Pinkie found Pinkamina staring at her with an angry expression.
'How could you be so stupid as to call for me!" she yelled, much to Pinkie's surprise. "Don't you understand, if you call for me, I am going to show up and help, but they are LOOKING for me Pinkie, they want to use me as a weapon, and every time I have to come out, they WILL get closer to their goal."
"So what am I meant to do? Put up with it, let them kill me?" Pinkie argued, Pinkamina's expression changed from anger to concern.
"No Pinkie, you just have to be strong for both of us, don't give in to them. And I promise, if the mental attacks get so bad that it threatens your wellbeing. I will be there to stop them. Now get some real sleep, I have a feeling that it is going to be a horrible time for us both." Pinkamina told her. Pinkie nodded, as Pinkamina touched her forehead. 
Pinkie realised that Pinkamina had been right, it was horrible for her. Pinkie lost track of the days as she was subjected to the same mental torture by Trixie again and again. As time went on Pinkie learned a weak defence against her, enough to alleviate the pain slightly. Unfortunately, Trixie was ruthless, and Pinkie found herself getting rescued by Pinkamina more and more. After one particularly bad session, and one where Trixie had been thrown completely through the mirror, which was revealed to be a two way mirror, Pinkie closed her eyes to converse with Pinkamina.

This time was different however, Pinkie didn't fell the freedom she usually did, and instead she felt suffocated. She called out to Pinkamina, and she showed up, her face was covered by her hair and she looked limp.
"Pinkamina, are you okay?" she asked, worried about her only support. Pinkamina looked up, and Pinkie was horrified to see her eyes, wide and bloodshot, and her ears were flat against her head. She disappeared, and then Pinkie felt breathing down her neck.
"Oh Pinkie, I discovered something wonderful while playing with your psychic abilities today. Did you know that you can see into other universes? Uh huh that's right. So, curious, I went exploring, I found some of particular interest, for example. There is one universe where you and your friends are all stallions, yes, and Bubble berry was very nice. And there was another, where you and Twilight are traveling through time and space with the Doctor, oh so much fun. My favourite, however, was the universe where the war started ten years ago, and I was free and having the time of my life with these griffins." She revealed to Pinkie, who was beginning to get very nervous.
"That would have been great fun." Said Pinkie nervously, and she tried to float away from Pinkamina, who suddenly appeared in front of her.
"You didn't do what I asked Pinkie." She said, suddenly serious. "I asked you to be strong for us, and you failed. I had to keep saving your useless hide and now look, I'm almost dead!" 
"I..I'm sorry, I tried I-"Pinkie stammered.
"YOU DIDN'T TRY HARD ENOUGH!" screamed Pinkamina, attacking Pinkie. She punched and kicked and created walls out of nothing just so she could slam Pinkie's head into them. Pinkamina whispered into Pinkie's ear, as blood flowed down her face.
"It's my turn at the helm now." And with that, Pinkamina disappeared, and Pinkie found herself alone in the dark.
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkamina opened her eyes and looked around, blowing some stray hair out of her eyes. She looked down at her bonds; she struggled against them, taking deep breaths before each movement. She stopped when Duskheart opened the door and entered. He pulled the chair over and sat in front of her. Pinkamina tilted her head to the side, looking at him as he produced a cigarette, lit it and sat back on the chair.
"Pinkie, I just want to say that I respect your resolve, not many ponies could stand up to what you are going through." He said, sounding genuinely impressed. Pinkamina smiled, her wide, bloodshot eyes stared directly into Duskheart's.
"Thank you Duskheart, I'll be sure to pass along the message to Pinkie when I see her next." She said. Duskheart's mouth dropped open and the cigarette fell to the ground.
"Wait, are you…?" he started. Pinkamina nodded.
"Yes, my name is Pinkamina Diane Pie, at your service. Although I do have one question for you. What did you do with my friends?" asked Pinkamina, Duskheart stammered looking deep into Pinkamina's eyes.
"They…uh they are locked in some cells a few floors below us." He told her. "Why do you want to know?" 
"Because they're my FRIENDS!" she shouted, whereas her voice was soft and calm before, it was now like a raging fire, powerful and dangerous. "I promised them that I would keep them all safe, and Pinkamina does not break her promises." Pinkamina threw her chest forward, dislocating both shoulders, with arms like wet string; she pulled them out of the bindings. Stepping down off the platform she was tied to, Pinkamina flicked her arms and they popped back into place. She stretched, rotating her shoulders as Duskheart stayed glued to his chair. She tilted her head again, and with a manic smile spreading across her mouth she said;
"What's wrong Duskheart, I thought you wanted the ultimate weapon." She walked over and lifted Duskheart by the throat. He didn't even try to struggle.
"I…I'm sorry." He choked out. Pinkamina squeezed tighter.
"I know you are." She said, and threw him through the destroyed mirror into the secret room.  Pinkamina kicked down the door, and made her way fearlessly towards the cells. Guards tried to stop her, but could not even lay a hoof on her, dying before they got close. Pinkamina noticed Trixie coming out of a room; Trixie looked at her and paled.
"What's wrong Trixie, I thought this was WHAT YOU WANTED!" yelled Pinkamina, running straight for Trixie, who fled and while Pinkamina was slower on two legs, she soon caught up to Trixie. Pinkamina looked at Trixie, cowering, she bent down and caressed her face.
"I thought you were going to make ME bleed." Said Pinkamina, smiling as she started to deliver a beating that was what she considered equal to months of psychological abuse. When she had finished, Trixie was unrecognisable, but still breathing. Pinkamina, now covered in unicorn blood, continued her rescue mission. Pinkamina counted one hundred and twelve dead ponies and thirty two incapacitated as she made her way down to the basement where her friends were kept. A guard tried stop her getting the keys by swallowing them, Pinkamina got them anyway.
Heartstrings cheered when she saw Pinkamina, as she unlocked Redmond's and Swift's cage first.  Pinkamina turned to unlock Heartstrings' cage and that was when Heartstrings noticed.
"You are not Pinkie, are you?" she asked, and Pinkamina shook her head. "Then why are you helping us." She walked out of the cage and Pinkamina grabbed and kissed her, pulling away, Heartstrings said;
"What the hay? Did you forget about Rosethorn?" 
"Pinkie had the unicorn fetish; I'm more of a Pegasus mare myself." Laughed Pinkamina. "Now leave, get out of here and hide, don't show your faces until the end of the war, otherwise you put yourselves and your families in danger."
"What about you?" asked Redmond. Pinkamina shot him a look.
"They want me to be a weapon against the griffins, I can live with that, but it will be on my terms." She said and the ponies ran for the exit, and Pinkamina watched them leave. A voice behind her made her turn.
"And what are your terms?" asked I.Q, Pinkamina narrowed her eyes at him.
"I want to kill griffins, Minotaur too. But I will not go through anymore brainwashing, and furthermore, I want Duskheart to think that I'm doing this against my will." She told him.
"Why would you want that? Asked I.Q with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Because he already feels guilt, and he needs to feel more." She explained. I.Q nodded, and gestured for her to walk on front of him, which she did and he escorted her back to the same room she had started in. 
"We will be ready for you in a couple of days, until then, relax and take a load off, you deserve it after being here so long." Said I.Q.
"And just how long HAVE I been here?" she asked, sitting down on the chair. I.Q thought about it for a moment.
"About six months." He said finally, before turning and leaving. Pinkamina smiled, closing her eyes.

She arrived in the black to see Pinkie closing a window, much like the one she had conjured for Pinkie when she first took control. Pinkamina giggled and snorted.
"I see that you have figured out a few things while you have been in here." She said, and Pinkie turned, one of her eyes had swollen shut.
"Yeah, and I must say, I understand what the doctor meant by becoming a monster." Said Pinkie, floating towards her. "Are you really going to go back on everything you said to me about being there to help, just so you can kill griffins? Pinkamina nodded.
"Well you gave up on me first; I'm just trying to have some fun before you die." 
"I didn't give up, I tried my hardest, and I just couldn't beat them." Said Pinkie quietly.
"What, you mean the great and powerful Pinkie gave up, after a measly six months? Maybe that's why I was created, because you are too weak to do anything on your own. Whatever, I'm leaving for the front lines, I hope you enjoy the show." Said Pinkamina, leaving Pinkie to herself, just barely hearing her start crying.
Pinkamina spent the next day practicing, getting ready for her finest moment, and when the time came, she couldn't be more excited. She was escorted in chains to an open area, filled with a large metal egg. Pinkamina was led to it and unchained. I.Q walked up and handed her two swords, a gift, he called them. Pinkamina was strapped into the egg, which was relatively comfortable, although she disliked the plan of being dropped from the sky onto a battlefield. She could feel the egg being lifted off the ground, the weightlessness was intoxicating. Pinkamina closed her eyes, deciding to get some sleep during the four hour flight to the front lines.

Pinkie was waiting in the black for her, not moving, just staring at her with pure hatred in her eyes. Pinkamina smiled.
"Oh Pinkie, there's no need to be worried, you will be fine. I on the other hoof, am going to have so much fun." She laughed, having a little dance to celebrate. Pinkie just kept staring.
"When I am back in control, I am going to make everypony who made you like this die." She said seriously. Pinkamina stopped, suddenly curious to see who she was talking about.
"Like who, my dear?" asked Pinkamina.
"I.Q, Trixie, Duskheart and Celestia most of all." Said Pinkie, taking a deep breath. Pinkamina was puzzled.
"Why Celestia Pinkie, what did she do?" 
"She let I.Q start this. She is the one who hasn't lifted a hoof to find me." Pinkie explained. Pinkamina smiled.
"I'll tell you what, I will even give you back control for that." Said Pinkamina happily. Pinkie smiled. Pinkamina's ears pricked up.
"Oh, well look at how time flies in here, I think it is time for me to shine." She said, disappearing. 

She opened her eyes as the egg slammed into the ground, feeling the shockwave through her bones. The egg opened and the warm sunlight hit her face. She stepped out slowly, keeping her head down, feeling the need for a challenge. She drew her swords from behind her back as a group of Minotaur charged. Pinkamina took a deep breath, allowing her Pinkie sense to do most of the work, as she ducked, jumped, hacked and slashed. She jumped onto the chest of one Minotaur, and looked it straight in the eye, and it looked back. Pinkamina smiled at the fear she saw, she back flipped off, managing to decapitate the Minotaur at the same time. Pinkamina loved the feeling of being covered in blood, the warmness of it. She was having the time of her life, and then she heard somepony calling out her name. She stuck both of her swords into the last griffin and pulled them back. She turned as The Doctor slid in to her, grabbing her head with his hooves and stated to push his mind into hers, on a complete reflex, she responded to the mental invasion and pushed one of the swords into the Doctor's stomach. Pinkamina heard Pinkie scream 'No' inside her head, and her eyes opened wide, shocked at what she had done. She pulled the sword back, and the Doctor fell, just as Pinkamina was about to help, she was tackled and raised into the air, dropping her swords. It was Derpy.
"How could you?" Derpy yelled, and started to spin Pinkamina around faster and faster. She felt a tremendous pressure build up in the back of her head and then Derpy let go and Pinkamina fell. The second she hit the ground, she was knocked out, and back in the dark.

Pinkie was so fast that Pinkamina didn't have a chance to move, she punched Pinkamina, sending her sailing into the abyss. 
"How COULD YOU? That was the Doctor." Pinkie cried. Pinkamina appeared next to her.
"I know, it was an accident." She cried, and Pinkie punched her again.
"NO, you do NOT get to cry, this was your doing. He was like a father to me and now he's gone." Yelled Pinkie. Pinkamina hung her head low. 
"I'm sorry." Said Pinkamina. Pinkie shook her head.
"You know what? Forget killing any of the others, I'm going to kill you." She threatened. Pinkamina suddenly got angry.
"Kill me? Do you really think you can?" asked Pinkamina, staring down Pinkie.
"YES." Said Pinkie, flicking her arm. A sword made up of pink energy was suddenly on her grasp. Pinkamina did the same, only her blade was yellow. They lunged at each other, light exploding from the swords whenever they touched. The fight was getting intense, as due to the fact that in the darkness there was no vertical or horizontal plane, the two pink ponies were fighting in a complete three hundred and sixty degree circle in every conceivable direction. Pinkie could feel herself being overwhelmed by Pinkamina, and for some reason, her mind turned to Rosethorn. The thoughts of her fallen lover strengthened her resolve, urging Pinkie to fight harder, and she did, as with a mighty yell, Pinkie disarmed Pinkamina. She brought the sword up to her face. Pinkamina's ears pricked up again and she smiled.
"No!" yelled Pinkie thrusting the sword as Pinkamina vanished. She looked around, making sure that it wasn't a trick, but Pinkamina was nowhere to be seen. Pinkie took a deep breath.
'As much as I hate to admit it, I'm going to need some help.' Thought Pinkie.

> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkamina awoke to find herself tied to a chair, her whole body ached and her vision was blurry. In front of her, she could see a large white shape, and as her vision slowly cleared, she discovered that it was Celestia. Behind Celestia, Pinkamina could make out the rough shapes of her other friends. Celestia bent down to look her right in the eye.
"Pinkie, can you hear me?" she asked, and Pinkamina nodded. "Good, now I'm going to try and bring you back to us Pinkie, I'm going to undo what Duskheart did." Pinkamina looked up at her and smiled.
"Hello Princess, are we going to have some fun together? You know that Pinkie and I love to have fun." Said Pinkamina, laughing. Celestia's eyes were full of fear, and Pinkamina knew it.
"What's wrong Celestia? What are you afraid of? It's just me, Pinkamina." She said. Celestia took a deep breath, and bowed her head. Magic swirled around her horn and into Pinkamina, as Celestia tried to force her way in. Pinkamina forced her out, sending Celestia sprawling along the ground.
"NO! This is my space, you are not allowed in." said Pinkamina angrily. Celestia tried again and again, but the result was always the same. Exhausted and hurting, Celestia gave up, leaving the task to Twilight. Pinkamina smiled at Twilight and played with her, allowing her to think she had gotten in, before throwing her down. She looked into Twilight's eye, now black and featuring a white iris.
"I thought you should know Twilight, that your eye is super creepy. I like it, gives me a warm feeling deep down." She said; her smile and bloodshot eyes unnerving Twilight. 
"Why did you kill the Doctor?" asked Twilight, and Pinkamina faltered, unsure of whether to tell the truth and admit that it was an accident, or lie and break her heart. She looked down at the ground.
"I don't like it when people are in my mind." She said, thinking of nothing better to say. Twilight tried again, and Pinkamina allowed her to touch the darkness where Pinkie was being kept, then, with all of her psychic might, pushed back at Twilight and sent her flying out of the tent she was being held in. Twilight walked back in, crying.
"I'm sorry Pinkie; I'm just not strong enough for you. I… I" Twilight couldn't finish, running out of the tent crying. A guard locked Pinkamina's cage and left. Leaving her all alone. Pinkamina refused to close her eyes, lest she have to deal with Pinkie again, and so she meditated to rest her body, rejuvenating it while never having to enter the darkness. Every day, both Celestia and Twilight tried and failed to get into Pinkamina's head. After one session, Twilight sat down in front of her.
"Pinkamina, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" asked Twilight. Pinkamina was puzzled, both that Twilight had used her real name and that she just wanted to talk. She nodded once, and Twilight smiled.
"So tell me, is Pinkie in there with you or are you her, just changed?" she asked, and Pinkamina frowned, not wanting to think about Pinkie.
"We are separate, so yes, she is in here with me; I just don't want to give up control." Pinkamina replied. 
"How come?" Twilight asked. Pinkamina's eye twitched.
"Because I am sick and tired of having to deal with that weakling. Her constant parties, always being happy, and now I get what I want." She said loudly and Twilight jumped at the outburst.
"And what is it you want?" Twilight asked her. 
"I want to kill griffins, I want to disembowel Minotaur. I want every single one of my enemies to know who I am and that there is nothing they can do to stop me." Replied Pinkamina. Twilight stood, turning away from her.
"Then it's a good thing that you aren't staying Pinkamina. We are going to get Pinkie back, and there will be nothing YOU can do about it." Said Twilight, he voice filled with such determination that for the first time, Pinkamina felt fear. 

Pinkamina was meditating when it happened, the psychic presence of somepony very familiar entered, she looked up to see the Doctor, alive, much to her surprise. The Doctor smiled.
"Hello Pinkie, it's good to see you again." He said. Pinkamina smiled.
"Hello Doctor. It is good to see you to. But I must ask that you call me Pinkamina" she replied, truly meaning that it was good to see him again.
"And why is that?" Asked the Doctor. Pinkamina had to come up with something; otherwise he would send her into the darkness.
"Because Pinkie is no longer around, just me" she said, trying to sound malicious and menacing.
"Oh really? Well that's a shame. Because it's my birthday tomorrow and I was going to have a party." Said the Doctor, and try as she might, Pinkamina couldn't help but prick up her ears at the word 'Party'.
"Well then, happy birthday to you Doctor. Enjoy the party." Said Pinkamina nervously.
"That's just it. It needs to be planned, put together, and I just don't have the time. I really need a pony that knows all about parties, do you know one?" He said. Pinkamina couldn't help it, her ears rose a bit further, excited. 
"Yes, as a matter of fact. But she isn't in right now. Can I take a message?" Pinkamina said in desperation, hoping that her smile purveyed confidence. 
"Actually, I was hoping to speak to her myself." Said the Doctor as he opened the cage. Pinkamina panicked, not wanting to go back to the darkness and face Pinkie.
"No! You can't. You need me! I can win this war for us! Don't you understand! I'm your only hope!" She screamed desperately, as the Doctor placed his hooves on either side of her head. She felt him enter, easily blasting his way through her defences and finding the darkness, finding Pinkie.

Pinkie was ecstatic to see the Doctor, both alive and in the darkness with her. She floated over to him and gave him a massive hug. Pinkie looked behind him, and saw that he towed Pinkamina behind him in a cage of green energy.
"Doctor! It is so good to see you, are you here to get me out?" she asked, and was heartbroken when he shook his head,
"It's great to see you too Pinkie, I'm really here to help you destroy Pinkamina, that way you will be free again when you take control." He told her. Pinkie smiled, leaned close and told him; 
"That's already been put into motion." She replied, whispering her plan into his ear as Pinkamina tried desperately to listen. The Doctor smiled, looking Pinkie straight in the eye.
"That's my girl." He said, kissing her on the forehead. "Are you one hundred per cent certain that you can do this?" Pinkie nodded. 
"Okay then Pinkie, I will see you when you wake up." The Doctor said, and the cage dissipated, leaving Pinkamina free. The Doctor disappeared, and Pinkie stared intensely at Pinkamina.
"Are you ready?" asked Pinkie, flicking her arm and producing the blade of Pink energy again. Pinkamina shook her head.
"You still haven't fully learnt, I'm stronger than you, I have full control over everything here, and you have no hope." She said, closing her eyes and concentrating. Pinkie gasped and Pinkamina, split into two, then four, then six, all completely identical.
"Are YOU ready?" they all asked as one. Pinkie smiled, floating backwards a bit.
"Do you remember when you took control? What you told me? Well I decided to go exploring, and I made some friends that are just dying to meet you Pinkamina." Said Pinkie, she waved her arms and five ponies materialised. The Pinkamina's were taken aback at the sight.
"How?" asked the original Pinkamina. 
"I'm Pinkie Pie." Said Pinkie. "guys, would you like to say hello?" The first, a pink earth pony stallion, smiled.
"Hi, I'm Bubble Berry." The second, a white Pegasus mare with a blonde mane.
"Howdy, I'm Surprise." The third, a Pink unicorn with her hair tied in a bun.
"Greetings, I'm Diane Pie." The forth was covered from head to hoof in a red and black costume.
"Are you ready for the power of Pinkiepool."  And the last, a pink earth pony, covered in armour.
"Hail, I am Pinkie of the clan Pie, hailing from Ponyville.  Be warned, I am the dovakiin." 
Pinkamina looked at them, the Pinkie's from different universes all brought together by Pinkie.
"Do you want to know why they all decided to help me? They all had the distinction of having a version of you. And it was because of you that they all lost someone they loved. This is their revenge." Said Pinkie, as her counterparts produced their own swords. Pinkamina stared daggers at Pinkie.

"If it's revenge you want, then TAKE IT!" she yelled, producing two swords, as did her clones. The two groups clashed, light flashed everywhere. The Pinkamina's looked like they had the upper hand at first, but the Pinkie's were fierce. DovaPinkie was a slayer of dragons, and knew magic that unicorns did not. Diane Pie seemed to be a master of every martial art known to ponykind; she was the first to kill a Pinkamina. The original Pinkamina got worried.
"Time to change the rules!" she yelled, clapping her hooves together, creating a large flash of light. The light dissipated, and Pinkie was amazed to find that they were in Ponyville and that they now had gravity. It didn't matter to Pinkie; she attacked with greater intensity, as did her counterparts. Pinkiepool was chaotic, bouncing around and throwing bladed pie tins. Surprise took to the air, speeding through the group of Pinkamina's and decapitating one. Bubble Berry was skinny, but he had the strength of Big Mac, picking a Pinkamina up by the throat and slamming her into the ground, which cracked from the impact. The Pinkie's pushed the Pinkamina's back, as the three remaining Pinkamina's struggled to defend themselves. Pinkiepool threw her sword onto one of the Pinkamina's, who dropped. The last of the clones dropped their sword, putting their hooves up in surrender. The original looked at it, disgusted that it would do such a thing. Pinkamina killed her own clone, before looking at the assembled Pinkie's.
"None of you understood, I was what made you great." She yelled, still holding her sword at the ready. The Pinkie's shook their heads.
"No, what made us great was our ability to overcome you." Said Bubble Berry. 
"And I'm glad we could help out our counterpart in destroying her Pinkamina." Said Diane Pie.
"But you haven't destroyed me yet, any second now, the body is going to wake up and I will never come back here." She screamed, desperate, not knowing she was defeated. Pinkie looked over at DovaPinkie.
"What was that thing again?" she asked. DovaPinkie whispered something into her ear and Pinkie smiled. She turned back to Pinkamina.
"Oh that's right, FUS RO DAH!" she yelled and Pinkamina was blasted off her feet, and straight through sugarcube corner. They all galloped over and to Pinkie's dismay, found Pinkamina still alive. She was crawling away, her back legs looked as though they were broken. Pinkie walked over and kicked Pinkamina onto her back.
"I thought you were 'all powerful' in here. But it looks like I'm the one that is powerful." She had, putting pressure on Pinkamina's chest.
"If you kill me, you will be weak, unable to do anything. Nopony will love you." Said Pinkamina weakly. Pinkie shook her head;
"It doesn't matter, at least I know that I won't be a monster anymore." Said Pinkie. She buried her sword into Pinkamina's chest, and Pinkamina screamed a high pitched scream that made Pinkie's head want to explode, she twisted the sword and the screaming stopped.  She looked around as the Ponyville around her melted, and instead of darkness, it was white. Pinkie smiled, knowing she had finally killed her demon. She looked at her counterparts and laughed, they all hugged her, proud to have a strong Pinkie in another universe.
"You realise that nopony in our universes are going to believe us if we tell them about this." Said Diane Pie. 
"The ponies in my universe will, in the Mareval universe, this is pretty common." Said Pinkiepool. Pinkie laughed, just happy it was over.
"Goodbye everypony, and thank you." She said, waving her hoof. Her counterparts all faded away, leaving Pinkie to herself. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.

Pinkie snapped awake with a deep gasp of air. She tried to get up, but found that she couldn't move. She looked down to find herself strapped to a bed. She screamed, hoping she hadn't been recaptured by I.Q and Duskheart. The Doctor galloped to her bed side and she smiled.
"It worked Doctor, she's gone." She cried happily. The Doctor cheered, undoing the straps and hugging Pinkie. 
"I'm so proud of you Pinkie." He said, and Pinkie hugged him tighter. She got out of the bed and took her first shaky steps after not being in control for so long. She walked out of the tent, closing her eyes as the warm sunlight caressed her face. 
"It's a brand new day for you Pinkie." Said the Doctor. Pinkie nodded; just glad she was back in control of herself. 
"What have I missed since I've been gone?" she asked. The Doctor's smile faded;
"Nothing that is hugely important now." He said. "Just enjoy the freedom." Pinkie heard voices next to her and laughed when she saw Fluttershy, Twilight and Derpy. Pinkie's smile grew wider when she saw Derpy. She looked back at the Doctor, who winked slyly. She hugged her friends, and they hugged back, Pinkie was ecstatic, but one thing bugged her.
"Where's Rarity?" she asked, and the downtrodden looks on their faces made her frown. They told her what happened, ignoring the Doctor's protests. Pinkie collapsed on the ground, shocked. 
"Things have changed so much… I… think I need to be alone." She said, walking away. She found her way to archer's stage and sat up there, thinking. Fluttershy found her, sitting next to her and saying nothing. Finally, Pinkie spoke;
"I remember everything Fluttershy, absolutely everything about what happened to me. And I don't know if I can cope in this new world." She told her. Fluttershy put her arm around Pinkie.
"I can't even begin to understand what you went through Pinkie, but what I DO know is that you are strong enough to get through anything, and maybe you just need somepony to talk to." Said Fluttershy. Pinkie looked at her, and a small smile appeared on her face.
"Actually, there is one pony I want to talk to, can you give me some directions?" she said. 
Pinkie soon found Rosethorn's grave, her cutie mark had been carved into the tombstone, and Pinkie noticed that roses had grown over the top of her grave, something that hadn't happened to any of the other graves.  Pinkie sat there all night, just talking to Rosethorn, expressing all of her love and sorrows, her painful memories and her dark secrets. As dawn broke the next morning, Pinkie was exhausted from a night full of tears and hard memories. She stood, taking one last look at Rosethorn's grave.
"Thank you. And I promise to make up for everything I've done." She said, before turning and walking back to the camp.
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie walked around the pony camp, seeing how much had changed in her absence. Ponies she had talked to and laughed with were now either dead or didn't feel like laughing anymore. Twilight's eye was a source of endless discomfort and guilt, and Rarity, Pinkie cried for Rarity. Pinkie liked to talk to her, hoping that she would be able to take her mind off what had happened. She hoped Rarity appreciated it. Pinkie had great fun catching up with the Doctor and Derpy, overjoyed for the couple. A pony galloped toward her, holding a scroll in his mouth. He gave it to her, giving her a cautious look. Pinkie smiled, starting to get used to the looks. The scroll was a message from Princess Celestia, wanting to see her in the main tent. Pinkie nodded to the messenger, who turned and galloped off. Pinkie made her way towards the main tent, remembering how pleased she was to sleep in her own bed, and even more pleased to find that her friends hadn't touched it since her disappearance, wanting something to remind them of her. When Pinkie entered the tent, Princess Celestia looked up from a book she was writing in. She closed it quickly, hiding it under her pillow. Pinkie was embarrassed, not meaning to interrupt anything important.

"Oh, I'm sorry Princess, I didn't mean to-"she started, and Celestia shook her head, smiling.
"It perfectly fine Pinkie, even Princesses need time to write in their diaries. Come over here and sit down, I'd like to talk to you." She said, and Pinkie sat next to her. Celestia said nothing for a while and Pinkie knew it was because she didn't know how to say what she wanted to.
"Pinkie, I… wanted to check in and see how you are coping, and also to ask if you had been feeling…. Strange… at all?" said Celestia. Pinkie knew what she meant, but understood that it was better not to say anything.
"I'm doing great Princess, couldn't be better. And as for feeling strange, I don't think so." Said Pinkie, and she heard Celestia breathe a sigh of relief. The Doctor had told her about the future in which she kills Celestia and Pinkie could understand her fear. She gave Celestia a quick hug, not caring if it was improper.
"I know that you are scared of me Celestia, but don't worry, I'm scared of myself." She said, looking up at Celestia, who smiled
"Thank you Pinkie. Is there anything YOU wish to talk to me about?" asked Celestia. Pinkie nodded, looking at the ground.
"Yes Princess, you see I cannot seem to sleep through a whole night. I have been having nightmares." Pinkie told her, and the look of concern on Celestia's face gave her comfort.
"What are the nightmares about?" asked Celestia. Pinkie took a deep breath;
"They are about my time as Pinkamina." She said, and Celestia draped a wing around her.
"Do you feel guilty about that time?" she asked and Pinkie nodded. "Then the nightmares will pass in time, until then, there is not much I can do. Now I'm sorry Pinkie, but I must go and see the Doctor." Celestia rose and left, and Pinkie couldn't help but pray that Celestia was right. Pinkie jumped up and smiled when Twilight entered. She bounced over as Twilight lay down on her bunk and opened a book. Pinkie produced an apple, handing it to Twilight as she bit down on one of her own.

"I'm sorry I lost the sign language book Twilight." Said Pinkie and Twilight smiled, having a giggle to herself.
"Pinkie it's okay, that book was the least of your problems at the time." Said Twilight, before stopping herself and realising what she had said. Pinkie giggled, not caring. Twilight looked down at her book and began to read and Pinkie lay down and watched her, and couldn't help but think about how beautiful she was. Pinkie hadn't forgotten Rosethorn, she had just promised her and herself that she would try and move on. Pinkie's eye was drawn to Twilight's disfigured one and Pinkie lost herself in it a bit. It was if her new eye looked directly into Pinkie's soul, making her want to blurt out her darkest secrets.
"Pinkie, stop staring at my eye." Said Twilight, and Pinkie jumped a bit, startled.
"I'm not staring at your eye Twilight." She lied, and Twilight raised an eyebrow at her.
"Then what are you staring at?" asked Twilight, calling her bluff. 
"I'm… uh staring at your horn." She said quickly. She smiled awkwardly, hoping Twilight didn't notice.
"Then please stop staring at my horn." Twilight told her. Still embarrassed, Pinkie blurted out;
"Oh I'm not staring at your horn; I'm staring at your creepy eye… Oh wait." She said, and shot out of the tent. She galloped away as fast as she could, not wanting to start a confrontation. She eventually found herself hiding behind the special ops tent. She could hear voices inside, and as soon as her name was said, she got curious. Pinkie stuck her head under the wall of the tent, so she could eavesdrop on the conversation. She could make out the voices of Celestia and the Doctor.

"Tia, do you really think that this is the best thing to do?" said the Doctor angrily.
"Yes I do Doctor and I will remind you that I am a Princess and you are under my command here." Said Celestia defensively. Pinkie got frightened as the Doctor's voice turned cold.
"Don't threaten me Tia, you know what I am capable of, and no matter how much I care for you, I will not be intimidated." The arguing stopped when somepony walked into the tent and Pinkie heard Twilight's voice. As Pinkie listened to Twilight being told of her mission, she was horrified that Celestia would ask that of her, knowing full well that I could lead to another Pinkamina. Twilight walked out to the tent and Pinkie removed her head and sat back, shocked and worried. She stood and followed Twilight to Rarity's tent. She waited for Twilight to come out, and she did, now clothed in a white and red hood and cloak. She moved back, waiting for Twilight to pass, and as she did Pinkie pulled her in between two tents and pinned her up against some crates of supplies.
"Twilight, please don't go on this mission." Pinkie begged. Twilight looked shocked.
"Pinkie? How did you even hear about the mission?" she asked. Pinkie gave her a look.
"Twilight, really, you expect me to NOT know about something like that. But the point is that you can't do this mission." Pinkie told her. Twilight pushed Pinkie away, angry.
"You honestly believe that I want to do this?" Twilight yelled. "Do you really think that I want to kill in cold blood? On the battlefield, it's different, it's hot and fast and I'm doing it to protect myself. But… This time… I'm only going to kill because I am ordered to." Pinkie looked at her with concern.
"I know Twilight, but I don't want to lose my friends. And if you do this, I will lose you." She said, her voice quiet.
"Pinkie, I promise that you will not lose me. None of you will ever lose me." Said Twilight. Pinkie realised it may be her last chance to tell Twilight how she felt, and in a moment of indecision, grabbed Twilight, pulled her close and kissed her. Twilight didn't resist, and Pinkie felt that she had got her message across. Pinkie broke it off and looked at the stunned face of Twilight.

"Pinkie…" Twilight started, but Pinkie put her hoof up to Twilight's mouth, not wanting to ruin the moment. Instead, she decided to give Twilight some advice that had helped her overcome Pinkamina.
"Be careful when you fight monsters, lest you become one Twilight." She told her, before turning and walking away. Pinkie found a spot to hide and cried for a while, hoping that Twilight didn't hate her, and praying to Celestia that she returned safely. A tremendous bellow caused Pinkie to emerge from her hiding place as a dragon flew overhead. It curled and twisted in the air and Pinkie galloped through the camp to find her friends. She looked in the sky as Princess Celestia attacked the creature. Pinkie jumped up onto archer's stage to find Fluttershy, arrow cocked, lining up a shot.
"What are you waiting for Fluttershy! Fire!" she yelled at her.
"I can't get a clear shot." She said, the worry in her voice clearly noticeable.
"When has that ever stopped you Fluttershy?" asked Pinkie, and looked down as an arrow flew from the assembled troops and hit the dragon in the eye. It bellowed louder, enraged. Fluttershy lowered her bow.
"What are you doing? It's going to kill Celestia." Yelled Pinkie. 
"I can't do it Pinkie! It's up to Celestia now." Said Fluttershy, heartbroken. They watched as Celestia fought the dragon, dodging and weaving between its attacks, countering with her own and doing massive damage. Pinkie gasped as Celestia was engulfed in the white hot fire that the dragon belched forth from its mouth. Celestia looked fine when the fire dissipated, but even Pinkie noticed she was having difficulties. Both Pinkie and Fluttershy screamed as Celestia was grabbed in the dragon's jaws. It shook her violently, and Pinkie wanted to jump down and help, but knew it would make no difference. The dragon suddenly stopped and collapsed, and Pinkie could make of the shape of the Doctor running towards her. She sat down and more tears flowed down her face. Fluttershy hugged her, burying her head into Pinkie's chest.

Pinkie looked down at Celestia's body in the medical tent, now cleaned and dressed in her spare armour. Her horn had broken off and The Doctor refused to let the doctor ponies reattach it, telling them that it was Celestia's last wish that he keep it. Pinkie put her hoof onto Celestia's chest; the coldness of the body sent a chill down her spine. Pinkie looked at Celestia's mane, once colourful and gravity defying; it was now dull and unmoving. 
"Goodbye Princess, I promise you that I will make up for what I did." Whispered Pinkie, before moving on and letting other mourners pay their respects. Pinkie watched Luna arrive a few days later, and the alicorns pained wails was almost too much to bear. She slept outside most night, just enjoying the cool breeze that winter had brought on. Pinkie felt that it gave her clarity, and as she looked up into the night sky and saw only the moon, and no stars, she understood the pain Luna was feeling. Pinkie was disappointed and worried when Twilight didn't return for Celestia's funeral, and as Celestia was encased in her diamond casket, she cried for Twilight as well. Suddenly Derpy cried out in pain and The Doctor moved her to the medical tent. Pinkie wasn't allowed in, despite the Doctor's assurances that she was permitted. Pinkie walked away, but could hear Derpy crying out for hours. She went back to the main tent and waited with Rarity, Black Diamond, Fluttershy and Big Mac, all with bated breath. All day they waited for news, but none came, and Pinkie was starting to get worried. Then as the sun was getting ready to set, the Doctor galloped in, a smile a mile long on his face.

"It's a unicorn Filly!" he exclaimed and the ponies all cheered. Pinkie gave the Doctor a crushing hug. They celebrated for some time, Luna eventually joining them. They all eventually fell asleep, and Pinkie went outside to find herself somewhere comfortable to rest. She looked over at the Medical tent, and saw a dark shape enter. Curious, she made her way over; she stopped at the door, listening to the voices inside. Derpy was panicked as somepony was telling her that they were taking her child. Pinkie quickly realised that the voices belonged to griffins. She could hear the crying of a scared foal, and she decided to take action. She stepped into the doorway, mustering up as much courage and bravado as she possibly could.
"Give the foal back to her mother, and leave before you get hurt." Said Pinkie. The griffins turned and laughed when they saw her. Pinkie felt the rage build inside her.
'This is where I fulfil my promises to Celestia and Rosethorn.' She vowed.
"What! Are you gunna stop us Pink?" asked one. When it called her 'Pink' flashes of Duskheart and Trixie entered the forefront of her mind, adding to her anger.
"Yes." She said, before pushing herself onto two legs and arching her back, trying to keep balanced. She tried to remember how Pinkamina had done it, but it was difficult. One of the griffins attacked, and she ducked under its claws, jumping up and punching it in the chin. The others attacked, and she fended them off, trying her hardest just to stay upright. She kicked one in the head and sent it crashing into a cabinet. The griffins drew weapons, but it only made Pinkie more determined, she jumped ducked and weaved between the sharp steel, her Pinkie sense giving her an advantage. Pinkie ducked a wild stab, punching the sword and breaking it in half, she grabbed the broken half and stabbed the griffin with it, and it fell before her. The other two attacked together. Pinkie jumped, kicking the first on in the head and sending it straight onto the sword of the other. Pinkie looked around for a weapon, and picked up a scalpel. Throwing it with all of her strength; it hit the last griffin in the eye. Pinkie panted heavily, Suddenly Derpy yelled;

"Pinkie, that one is getting away!" she turned and saw a griffin running out of the tent, still carrying the foal. She gave chase, running on two legs as if she had done it all of her life. The griffin took off and Pinkie ran up a rock, using it to get close enough to jump onto the griffin's back. It struggled, barrel rolling and bucking in an effort to dislodge Pinkie. Eventually Pinkie got her arms around its head and wrenched. The griffin's neck snapped and the head turned almost completely around. Pinkie's eyes widened as she saw it drop the foal. She dived off, catching it and curling herself into a ball to protect the child. She closed her eyes against the impact she knew was coming, and she grunted as she took the full force of the fall, rolling and bouncing along the ground, keeping herself curled up to protect the foal. She eventually came to a stop, she didn't move, the pain was unbearable. The cold snow under her bit into her skin as she waited. To her surprise the foal fell asleep in Pinkie's arms. She suddenly heard Derpy's voice, scared and weak.
"Pinkie, Where's Sparkler?" she asked, Pinkie uncurled herself, and the look on Derpy's face warmed her heart. Derpy fell as she tried to make her way over. Pinkie walked over and helped her, putting the foal in Derpy's arms. The Doctor and Luna showed up, confused and yelling. Pinkie wasn't listening; instead, she got back onto four legs again, feeling much more comfortable. Luna used her magic to lift Derpy out of the snow, intending to take her back to the Medical tent. But Derpy stopped her;
"Wait Princess. I want to say something to Pinkie. I… want to say thank you for saving my daughter, for saving me, it's a debt I cannot repay, so I have to ask if you would do me and my family the honour of becoming Sparkler's godmother." Said Derpy, and Pinkie wanted to explode with joy, but she was in too much pain, and resigned herself to a simple nod. She was patched up by the Doctor, who couldn't stop thanking her for what she had done.
"I was happy to help Doctor, I… felt like I needed to do this. For you and for myself." She told him. The Doctor smiled, putting his arms around her,
"I think Rosethorn would be proud of you." He said and Pinkie smiled, knowing that she had started to fulfil her promise to Celestia and Rosethorn.
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie was having the time of her life playing with Sparkler, the child of the Doctor and Derpy. She was babysitting for them so Derpy could have a break. But Pinkie wished that she the foal didn't have the sounds of war in the background all day. Pinkie laid Sparkler down to sleep, the light purple foal yawned, and Pinkie realised just how tired she was as well. She walked over to the door of the tent and looked out, as troops, fresh from the days fight, returned. They looked battered and bruised, and Pinkie felt sorry for them. She saw Derpy and The Doctor returning, and smiled, glad that she would be able to get some rest. Derpy went straight for the foal, looking over the edge of the cot, and the Doctor stood next to Pinkie.
"Thank you Pinkie, I think she really needed this break." Said the Doctor. "And I must ask, how is life treating you nowadays?" Pinkie looked at him, contemplating the best answer. It had been almost a month since her victory over Pinkamina and her awakening from her slumber.
"I'm still having nightmares, but they are less frequent. And I can't shake this urge to party." She said, smiling at the Doctor, who hugged her.

"I'm glad. Why don't you take a walk with me?" he said, gesturing Pinkie outside, and she followed him. They walked around the camp, not saying anything, and Pinkie was feeling a bit anxious, not knowing what to do. The Doctor led her away from the camp, to the graveyard of the ponies that hadn't survived the war. He stopped at a particular grave, and it wasn't Rosethorn's like Pinkie had predicted, it was her own. She stared at it, shocked, having no idea it was there.
"It was erected when the military announced your death. They wanted to take it down upon your return, but I asked them not to." Said the Doctor. Pinkie gave him a quizzical look;
"Why Doctor?" She asked, as the Doctor produced what seemed to be a pen.
"Because I knew that you would defeat Pinkamina, and to me, this seemed fitting." He said, pointing the pen at the tombstone it made a whirring sound and the tombstone changed. Where it once said 'Here lies; Pinkamina Diane Pie' it now just said 'Here lies Pinkamina' The Doctor somehow erasing the other parts of her name from the rock. Pinkie hugged him, understanding what he meant.
"Thank you Doctor." She said, as small tears rolled down her face. 
"You're like a daughter to me Pinkie; I would do anything for you." Said the Doctor and Pinkie giggled.
"I'm sorry I lost your dagger." Said Pinkie, and the Doctor smiled.
"It's okay Pinkie, sometimes memories are best left in the past." Replied the Doctor. He walked her back to the camp as the sun set, the orange light casting long shadows over the entire camp. Pinkie slept peacefully that night, not a single nightmare or bad thought entering her mind. She woke up the next day in high spirits, and bounced around the camp, something she had not done properly in a long time. The smile on her face seemed to be infectious, as her smile spread around the camp. Somehow, she bounced over to the training grounds and found a group of new recruits being trained by Black Diamond, Rarity's coltfriend. She stopped and watched, s the young ponies were drilled by Diamond, made to run laps around a track, climb over a wall and duel each other with wooden swords. Pinkie's mind flashed back to her own training at Duskheart's hooves. Then it flashed to when she was Pinkamina, and his apology. Pinkie shook her head to get rid of the memories, at least for a time. With Pinkie, no memory was ever lost. Black Diamond saw her and smiled, beckoning her over. She walked over nervously, as all of the young ponies turned to look at her.

"Recruits, we have a special guest today. This is Pinkie, one of the finest warriors I have ever seen." He said and Pinkie looked at him in shock. 
"What are you doing? When have you seen me fight?" she asked, whispering it into his ear. He smiled, whispering back;
"To be honest, I haven't but I read Swift's report on your first mission. Can you take them off me for five minutes, I need to do something?" he said, and Pinkie nodded, adding a slight dirty look to her face. He smiled, before walking away quickly. Pinkie looked at the recruits; all lined up in front of her, eyes all staring intently at her. She took a deep breath.
'I am not qualified for this.' She thought as she smiled awkwardly the young ponies.
"Uh, so how about we start with some… uh Duelling?" she said, saying the first thing that popped into her head. The young ponies all nodded as one, lining up in two rows facing each other. Pinkie turned to a grey earth pony mare.
"So how does Black Diamond usually have you do this?" she asked. The pony looked at her strangely.
"We, uh, usually get paired with whoever the commander wants us to, then we fight, and then he gives us feedback on our abilities." She said. Pinkie smiled, before realising that she had no idea how to pick between them.
"Um… How about you all pick a fighting partner instead, somepony that you think is better than you, then it's a challenge at least." Said Pinkie and one of the recruits down the opposite end of the line scoffed. 
"Is there something you wanted to say?" asked Pinkie, narrowing her eyes at him. He looked at her with a scowl.
"Yeah, I don't think that you have any idea what you're doing. And personally, I really don't think that some pink bimbo can teach us anything about fighting" he said. Pinkie walked over to him, her anger badly hidden on her face.
"I can't teach you if you are unwilling to learn." She said. 
"I'm only unwilling to learn from you." Said the young blue colt. Pinkie nodded, smiling sarcastically.
"Would you like to test your theories about me?" asked Pinkie, calling the ponies bluff. He stared straight into her eyes and smirked.
"With pleasure." He said. Pinkie nodded, turning away from the colt and walking to the other end of the duelling circle. The other recruits all stepped out of the circle, leaving only Pinkie and the blue colt. Out of the corner of her eye, Pinkie could see bets being placed on the fight. She picked up a wooden sword, as did the colt. Pinkie took a deep breath, clearing her mind of distractions. 
"First lesson, keep calm." Said Pinkie, as her opponent charged, swinging his sword wildly. Pinkie easily countered with her own sword and kicked her leg out, tripping the colt, who fell flat onto is face.
"Lesson two, read your opponent." She said, stepping back to let the colt get up. He charged again, a might war cry coming from his mouth. His swings were powerful, but uncoordinated, he kept leaving himself open, and tiring himself out, as Pinkie just kept moving, dodging his blows. She bounced backward, the colt panting with exertion.
"Lesson three, don't be afraid to get creative." She said finally, pulling out her party cannon and firing it. The colt was blasted out of the circle, ending the duel. The other recruits stared at her, mouths open. Pinkie dropped the sword, turned and began to walk away when she spotted Black Diamond watching her. She walked over to him and he smiled.
"Impressive, I've never seen anypony win a duel like that before." He laughed. Pinkie poked him in the chest, angry.
"Don't ever ask me to do that again." She said, and Black Diamond paled.
"Why, what's wrong?" he asked, and Pinkie looked at the ground.
"I felt like Duskheart." She told him, and walked away.
"I'm sorry." Black Diamond called after her.

Pinkie didn't look back, instead deciding to make her way back to the main tent and rest. She could hear a loud noise in the distance, and looked up to see a crown gathered around the main tent. She picked up the pace, curious about what could have created such a crowd. She pushed her way through the wall of pony bodies and grinned when she saw Twilight at the centre, alive and well. Twilight saw her and grabbed Pinkie, pulling her into a kiss and not letting go. Pinkie didn't mind, enjoying it while it lasted. The crowd cheered, and Pinkie couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. She ran her hoof through Twilight's now very short mane. Twilight eventually pulled away, giving Pinkie a sly wink.
"I've been wanting to do that for longer than I'd care to admit." Said Twilight, as they pushed their way out of the crowd and into the main tent, followed by Fluttershy and Big Mac. Inside, Twilight told the waiting Luna about her mission, and her subsequent desertion, which Luna forgave. Twilight's revelation about Gilda shocked Pinkie, she looked out of the window at the griffin camp, astonished that the cause of all the fighting was so close. The excitement died down over time and Fluttershy, Big Mac and Luna left them alone to talk.
"Twilight, I'm sorry I didn't tell you how I felt sooner, it's just that I was afraid of what you would think of me." Pinkie told her, as the cuddled up on Twilight's bed. Twilight laughed;
"Pinkie that's silly, if I was okay with Rainbow and AJ, why wouldn't I be okay with you?" reasoned Twilight.
"Because it was you I had feelings for." Said Pinkie. Twilight kissed her.
"You could have just told me and then we wouldn't have had to deal with all of this alone." Said Twilight, pulling Pinkie closer. Pinkie smiled, pushing the morning's unpleasantness into the back of her mind as she felt the warmth of Twilight's body. 

She closed her eyes, ready to take a nap, when a loud cheer erupted from outside. Pinkie sat up as the Doctor came bursting into the tent, smiling and laughing.
"Twilight, get ready, they're awake!" he cheered and Pinkie and Twilight looked at him in confusion. The Doctor must have noticed because he added;
"Applejack and Rainbow, they are awake!" Twilight jumped out of her bed, pulling on her cloak as Pinkie bounced around the tent cheering. The Doctor galloped out of the tent, looking for others to tell. Pinkie bounced over to Twilight.
"They are coming back, I can't believe it, we are going to have our best friends back!" She said, overjoyed. Twilight nodded;
"And it will be just like old times." She said. Pinkie stopped bouncing, looking at Twilight very seriously.
"It won't be like old times Twilight, too much has happened, we can try to make everything the way it was before, but it's not going to ever be the same." She said. Twilight put her arms around Pinkie.
"Trust me Pinkie, everything will be fine." Twilight said, letting go of Pinkie and flipping up her hood. Pinkie could see her horn glow underneath the hood as Twilight gathered magic, then, with a bright flash of light she vanished, teleporting back to Ponyville to retrieve their two friends.
"I hope your right Twilight." Said Pinkie
> Alternate ending
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Pinkamina smiled as she pulled the blade out of the chest of the black earth pony. His teeth littered the ground due to a vicious beating that Pinkamina had doled out onto him. She turned to the sound of muffled crying that was coming from the corner of the room that she was in. The pale blue unicorn covered her eyes with her hooves, as blood flowed down her face from her forehead, where her horn used to be. 
"What's wrong Trixie? I let you say goodbye to your father. What more could you have asked for?" She said, laughing maniacally. She walked across the room and stood over her, stretching her arms as she balanced on two legs. 
"It's okay Trixie. Stop crying. It will all be over soon." Pinkamina said, caressing Trixie's hair gently with her sword. Trixie lowered her hooves, looking Pinkamina directly in the eye, her mascara staining her cheeks black. Pinkamina's smile widened.
"You see? That's all I want. Everypony just has to smile, smile, smile." She said, raising her sword above her head and bringing it down with all of her might. The warm blood splashed onto her face and she licked it off her cheeks as she pulled the sword back. Pinkamina closed her eyes, looking to speak with her partner in revenge.

"I wish you wouldn't lick the blood Pinkamina, It makes my mouth taste terrible when I take back control." Said Pinkie happily. Pinkamina hugged her, as both ponies floated in the darkness that was Pinkie's mind. 
"Oh I'm sorry Pinkie, but you know how much I like the taste." Laughed Pinkamina, "Besides, think about it; this is what we've been waiting for. Duskheart, Trixie and I.Q are all dead, meaning that the last pony left is Celestia. Once she's dead we can put this whole scene behind us and finally get some peace." Pinkie nodded, hugging Pinkamina again.
"By the way, I love your new hair Pinkie." Said Pinkamina, referring to Pinkie's now straightened mane. 
"Thanks Pinkamina, I thought it was time for a change." Said Pinkie, blushing as she fondled her mane. Pinkamina put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder and nodded, closing her eyes and taking back control of the body. 

Pinkamina sheathed her sword and dropped down onto all fours so as to remain inconspicuous. Leaving Duskheart's house, she passed a wanted poster with her face on it, tearing it down and adding it to her already large collection. Luna's white moon guided her along the streets of Manehatten, where post war hysteria still kept ponies in the grip of fear. The war had ended eight months earlier with the return of Rainbow Dash and Applejack, and the subsequent banishment of Gilda by her father, the emperor of the griffins. And although many of her friends had died in the final battle against Gilda and a few of her loyal followers, including Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack and Big Mac, It was still a victory that Pinkamina had helped to realise.  She eventually found her way to a small shack on the outskirts of the city. Walking inside, she was surprised to find a very familiar brown stallion standing in front of a large wooden blue box. 
"Hello Pinkamina." Said The Doctor sadly, as Pinkamina laid her weapons down on a table.
"It is nice to see you again Doctor. What brings you here on this fine night?" She asked happily, motioning for a hug, but upon realising that she was covered in blood, thought better of it. Pinkamina noticed a tear running down the Doctor's face and walked over to him.
"Is everything okay Doctor?" She asked, putting her hoof on his shoulder. The Doctor shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Pinkie. I failed you. I was meant to fix everything that Duskheart had done to you…. And I couldn't. I just wish I didn't know what happens next." He said, not looking Pinkamina in the eyes. 
"Doctor you're scaring me." Said Pinkamina, lifting his chin with her hoof.
"I'm leaving Pinkie. The next time we meet, you won't recognise me. I just came to say that I am sorry that I couldn't save you." Said the Doctor. Pinkamina took a step back as the Doctor's hooves glowed with a golden light. He quickly opened the blue box and stepped inside. A moment later, a strange sound came from it, and the light on the top flashed in perfect synchronisation with the sound. Pinkamina's eyes went wide as the blue box began to vanish before her eyes. It disappeared completely, leaving only silence, and a cold wind that made Pinkamina shiver. She looked back at the table and saw a box, tied with a blue ribbon. Cautiously, Pinkamina opened it, and found a chunk of black rock, and a note that said; 'Because it must happen- D.' After a moment of inspection Pinkamina realised what the rock was. She closed her eyes and went into the darkness.

"Pinkie look! It's the adamantium that we need. The Doctor left it for us." She said, astonished. Pinkie smiled.
"That means that we have everything that we need, right?" Asked Pinkie and Pinkamina nodded, smiling.
"Well then it looks like we have to go and visit our old friend." Said Pinkie.

The next morning Pinkamina started the long and arduous walk toward her hometown; Ponyville. Every town she passed on the way there had large signs banning the entrance of discussion of Griffins, and ponies were very wary of strangers, as Pinkamina realised when she was challenged in the middle of a town by a young stallion, who asked her questions about her dealings with griffins. Pinkamina responded with the truth, that she had killed hundreds in the Great War, and never hesitated to kill more. The stallion let her past and she could see ponies lowering their weapons out of the corner of her eye. It was night time when Pinkamina finally reached Ponyville. She decided to rest inside Fluttershy's cottage, knowing that it would be empty. Pinkamina gagged at the smell of rotting animal carcasses, and it took hours to find the sources of the smell and get rid of them. She lay down on Fluttershy's bed, letting the moth eaten blanket keep her as warm as possible. She quickly fell asleep, and she and Pinkie frolicked in the darkness.

Pinkamina awoke shivering, a thin layer of frost covered the inside of the cottage and outside seemed no better. She lit a fire and warmed herself, checking her belongings. It was mid-morning when she left the cottage, but not before hurting her hoof by stepping on a rabbit skull. Pinkamina reached Ponyville to find it bustling with activity. The market was loud and fast, with ponies shunting each other out of the way to get the best deals. She walked through the centre of the market, staring down anypony that stood in her way, and found it remarkably easy. The ponies gave her a wide berth, even the ones that she knew. Pinkamina smiled at the fearful respect that she received. She stopped her destination through the crowd and headed for it, determined to get her business done and continue her mission. She opened the door to Rarity's boutique, a bell sounding, letting her old friend know of someponies arrival. Pinkamina looked around the store. It was much like it had been before the war, except that now there were no clothes for stallions, only mares, and each one was designed to make the wearer inconspicuous. Pinkamina turned as she heard the voice of the white unicorn behind her.
"Hello. Welcome to Rarity's….. Pinkie?" Said Rarity, obviously surprised to see her. She started to back away, her eyes wide and fearful. Pinkamina smiled, nodding.
"Hello Rarity. I have a request for you." She said, walking closer to the retreating pony. Rarity suddenly turned and galloped through a curtain. Pinkamina followed slowly, as Rarity entered a room and slammed the door behind her. Pinkamina knocked, calling out her name in a sweet voice. Rarity just shouted at her to leave. She sighed, reaching into her saddlebags and pulling out a piece of paper. She slid it under the door partway, and it was quickly snatched up. A moment later, the door opened to reveal Rarity holding the paper up with her magic.
"Is this what I think it is?" She asked, and Pinkamina nodded, smiling.
"Yes it is. If you go to that location, you will find Tinker and then…. Well that's up to you." Pinkamina told her, and she could see Rarity's eyes burning with rage.
"What do you want me to do?" Rarity asked. Pinkamina produced another piece of paper; this one was covered in drawings. Rarity read it and nodded.

"I have the materials right here." Pinkamina said, gesturing to her saddlebag. Rarity took a deep breath, before leading Pinkamina out the back of her store to a small shed that was coloured purple and decorated in a similar style to Rarity's boutique. Inside the shed was an entire blacksmith's workshop, complete with smelter. Pinkamina emptied the saddlebags onto the table as stood back as Rarity inspected the contents. 
"Are you sure? Is this really what you want?" Asked Rarity and Pinkamina just nodded. Rarity sighed, looking at the plans again.
"Give me three days and all the bits you can muster. I can make this." Said Rarity. Pinkamina dropped a large bag on the table, coins spreading over the top.
"How's this?" Said Pinkamina, smirking as Rarity's jaw dropped. 
"I'm not even going to ask how you got this. Now leave, I'll notify you when it's done." She said, pushing Pinkamina out of the shed and locking the door. She laughed to herself and set off to explore the now unfamiliar town. She found a monument in the town centre, and a plaque with thirty names on it, all with an 'X' next to them. Big Mac's name was at the top, and Pinkamina bowed her head in respect to the fallen. She eventually walked past the library where her friend, Twilight Sparkle had been residing before the war. She shook her head at the sight of the now rotted, dilapidated tree. Unicorn magic had kept it from being subject to the whims of nature, but now it was over-run. Pinkamina noticed a large, yellow demolition notice attached to the door. She kept walking, noticing that apples were almost non-existent in the market, instead, the fruit stalls were filled with pears. As she looked around, her eyes rested on sugarcube corner, her previous home and workplace, and try as she might, Pinkamina couldn't bring herself to enter. Leaving Ponyville in such a hurry that she surprised herself, Pinkamina went back to Fluttershy's cottage. Sitting on the couch, Pinkamina closed her eyes and went into the darkness.

"We are so close Pinkamina. I'm getting excited." Said Pinkie, a huge grin on her face, and her eyes shining with excitement. Pinkamina laughed, feeling her hooves shake as she thought of what lay ahead. A thought occurred to Pinkamina, and it suddenly troubled her.
"What do we do afterwards?" She asked, and Pinkie stopped bouncing to look her in the eye.
"I don't know, but at least I will have that satisfaction of knowing that nopony will ever have to go through what we did ever again. Pinkamina nodded, clapping her hooves together. A pink cloud appeared above them both and chocolate rain started to fall. Pinkie squealed and opened her mouth, gargling the chocolate as Pinkamina swayed and danced as she became drenched in the liquid.

Pinkamina stayed in the darkness over the next two days, leaving only to eat and relieve herself. On the night of the second day, as Pinkamina ate the last of her dinner, a purple orb of magic shot through an open window and stopped in front of her. Pinkamina took it to be a message from Rarity. She galloped into Ponyville and to Rarity's shed. She was let in by a sweaty and soot-blackened Rarity, dressed in a Blacksmith's apron. Pinkamina smiled as she looked at the creation, a shield, made with a rainbow crystal in the centre, a middle ring of a shiny black metal and an outer ring of adamantium. 
"Thank you Rarity, this is perfect." Said Pinkamina, reaching for it, until her hoof was batted away by Rarity.
"I don't think so. I told you that I would have it finished in three days, I finished it in two. I think I deserve a reward." Said Rarity. Pinkamina narrowed her eyes.
"What kind or re-" She started, before being cut off by a kiss from Rarity. She pushed away, smiling before embracing Rarity in furious passion, kissing and stroking her. 
"Good choice of reward." Said Pinkamina, before tearing the blacksmith's apron off Rarity.
Pinkamina woke up in Rarity's shed to find Rarity curled up in her arms. She carefully eased herself out, so as not to wake her up, grabbed the shield and made her way back to the cottage for the rest of her belongings. Pinkamina covered the shield in Fluttershy's blanket and tied it to her back. She walked back to Ponyville and waited for the train to arrive. An old mare sat next to her, breathing heavily.

"Off to Canterlot as well dear?" She asked, and Pinkamina nodded, smiling at her. "business or pleasure?" Pinkamina rubbed her chin as she thought of the answer.
"Both." She finally said, as the train pulled up. Pinkamina headed for the end car, sitting at the back, away from anypony. She let her mind wander as the train began its four hour journey to Canterlot. She eventually fell asleep, before being jolted awake by the sounds of the train's whistle as it pulled into Canterlot station. As soon as she got off the train, she galloped down the nearest alley and hid, pulling a map out of her saddlebags and rolling it out on the ground. Studying it for a moment, she put it back and walked toward the nearest storm water drain. Pinkamina took a deep breath and crawled through the small opening, as torrents of water assaulted her as they looked for the path of least resistance. As she crawled through the maze of tunnels, given relief only by the appearance of small service platforms, she started to think of the best way to complete her task, and decided on the full frontal assault, where she was at her best. Finally finding the correct tunnel, she picked up speed, growing more anxious and excited at the same time. Climbing out of what she assumed was the right tunnel, Pinkamina found herself in a beautiful garden, and at the bottom of the royal palace of Canterlot. Taking a minute to catch her breath, she closed her eyes and entered the darkness.

"Now remember the deal, you get me in and I kill her, okay?" Said Pinkie, and Pinkamina rolled her eyes, smirking.
"Of course I remember; you never let me forget it." Laughed Pinkamina.  She closed her eyes and woke up in the body. 

She stood up on two legs, stretching. She untied the shield and strapped it to her arm, then unsheathed her sword. Pinkamina took a deep breath, and started to run towards the nearest door. Two guards noticed her but were cut down before they could raise the alarm. She sprinted through the palace, not letting any pony, guard or otherwise, slow her down. As she turned a corner, she saw Twilight, her eyes wide. Pinkamina galloped at her, but at the last moment, hit her with the shield instead of the sword. Twilight fell to the ground, and Pinkamina kept going, not looking back. She could see the doors to the throne room ahead, as well as a platoon of soldiers guarding it. She pushed herself to go faster, cutting a vicious swath through the group and killing them all before they had time to react. Panting heavily, Pinkie opened the doors to the throne room, and stared at her target; Princess Celestia. 
"So it's time. I thought I had longer." Said Celestia as Pinkamina walked toward her. Pinkamina flicked her sword, shaking off some of the blood. 
"I had heard that you possessed visions your majesty. I would have thought that you would try and change your fate." Said Pinkamina, keeping a very watchful eye on Celestia's horn. Celestia shook her head.
"I did. But according to the Doctor, it is a fixed point in time and cannot be changed." She said monotonously.
"But who's fate is fixed, mine or yours?" Asked Pinkamina. Celestia smiled weakly.
"I don't know, but either way, one of us is not leaving the room. And I see that I am at a disadvantage. Is that a shield of Discord?" Celestia asked, gesturing to her shield. Pinkamina nodded.

"Yes it is, originally built by the agents of Discord during the time when he ruled Equestria. The only thing that can withstand the full might of your magic." Pinkamina told her, smiling. Celestia bowed her head, unsheathing a golden sword from beside her throne.
"Then we shall see if your efforts have been worth it." Said Celestia, stepping down from her throne. Her horn glowed and a beam of light shot out of it, heading toward Pinkamina. She held up the shield and braced herself; the magic hit it and was refracted, gouging a trench into the ground around Celestia. The beam stopped and Pinkamina lowered the shield, smiling as she saw Celestia's look of shock. Pinkamina attacked, swinging her sword with expert ease, as Celestia's centuries of training and experience was all that saved her. 
The battle tide of the battle swapped between the two as both ponies attacked, neither wanting to die that day. Pinkamina pushed Celestia backwards towards one of the windows and when she was close enough, she tackled Celestia and they both fell the six stories to the ground below. Pinkamina groaned as she rolled off Celestia's bony frame. Her eyes opened wide as she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her side. She turned to see a dagger stuck into her side, as Celestia's hoof fell away from the handle. Gritting her teeth at the pain, Pinkamina slowly stood, picking up her sword and stepping on Celestia's wing so that she couldn't move. It was clear to Pinkamina that a few of Celestia's ribs were broken. 
"I guess it's my fate to die today." Said Celestia, coughing up blood. Pinkamina nodded, finding herself saddened at Celestia's defeat.
"There's somepony that wants to say goodbye." Said Pinkamina, closing her eyes and letting Pinkie take over. 

"Hello Tia, it's me, Pinkie." She said, grinning. A small tear ran down Celestia's face.
"I'm so sorry Pinkie. I tried." Cried Celestia. Pinkie shook her head.
"That's just it. You didn't. I suffered, Pinkamina suffered, because you never thought to look for me. It was all your fault." Said Pinkie, starting to cry. With a yell, Pinkie plunged the sword into Celestia's chest, all the way to the hilt. She let go, leaving the sword embedded there. Celestia screamed. Her voice faltered and went quiet as her eyes started to close. Pinkie dropped to her knees, breathing hard. She was startled as a loud boom came from behind her. She turned to see Luna, tears streaming down her face and her horn glowing with magic. Pinkie dived for her shield, which had fallen off her arm when she landed. 

"TIA!!!" Screamed Luna, sending a beam of magic directly at Pinkie. She held the shield up just in time, deflecting the magic. The force of Luna's magic started to push Pinkie backwards, but she held on as best she could. She suddenly heard Pinkamina's voice in her head.
"I think it's time Pinkie. Let's have the peace we have wanted for so long." Said Pinkamina.
"I don't think I'm ready." Said Pinkie, scared.
"I will help you." Pinkamina replied. Pinkie hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. She dropped the shield and spread her arms wide. The magic latched onto her entire body, and Pinkie cried out. She closed her eyes and went into the darkness. Pinkie held onto Pinkamina as the body was destroyed. The darkness turned to white and they looked into each other's eyes as they faded away into death.