Despite all that has happened to her, Pinkie Pie's trademark mane slowly restores itself.

"You know Pinkie, I have to hand it to you," Rarity says, "You're pretty brave to come back here after everything that happened."

Pinkie just shrugs. "Well I'm learning to make my peace with it little bit by little bit." She smiles. If I was killed and brought back to life, if you think about it, I've been given a second chance, a chance to make things right, so we can't give up hope."

Fluttershy nods in agreement.

"You're pretty brave, yourself, Fluttershy," Pinkie says.

"Oh I don't know about that," she shrinks.

"Don't sell yourself short." says Rarity. "You are returning to the Everfree Forest even after knowing what happened to Winona and Pinkie there."

"Well," Fluttershy shrugs. "I figure it's just a visit to Zecora, I'm not going back there," She shudders. "Besides, you may need my help if we encounter any unusual animals. It's not that brave really."

"You're still coming along," Rarity says. "At least give yourself some credit."

"I guess you're right."

The route to Zecora's house was mostly unencumbered, aside from the usual disquiet and odd noises emnating from the forest. Fluttershy had thought she spotted timberwolves on more than one occasion, but if the three of them were being stalked, their presence had definitely dispersed once the ponies reached Zecora's house. Whether through her magic or some other means, the timberwolves tended to leave Zecora alone.

Pinkie was the first to knock. When the door opened, they were met with a warm smile from the zebra.

"A surprise visit from ponies three! To what do I owe this company?"

Pinkie jumps in place with her usual vigor. "Hiya, Zecora! We need your help. I died and then came back to life and need to know why."

Zecora snorts and raises a puzzled eyebrow. "A most unusual thing you ask of me. Please, tell me how this came to be?"

"Well," Fluttershy says, "It's kind of a long story."

Rarity jumps in. "Weird things have been happening all over Ponyville. Applejack's dog killed itself. We found a body in the forest and believe it to be Pinkie's. She remembers dieing around 6 months ago, but she just came back a few days ago with no memory of anything after that. Several ponies have been haunted with very awful nightmares, including Twilight. Even Princess Luna is in a coma."

"Don't forget the serial killer!" Pinkie says.

Fluttershy shudders.

"Yes, there's also a serial killer on the loose, but we don't believe he's causing any of the other things, at least I don't."

Up until this point, Zecora had been busy mixing tea in her pot. After hearing the news, she abandons everything.

"How could I not hear of this? We have a killer in our midst?"

Rarity nods. "Zecora, he killed Spike, and he may have Scootaloo."

Zecora looks back to Rarity. "This is dire news. I'm sorry to hear this. You have my condolences.

"No rhyme?" Rarity asks?

"A zebra shaman rhymes as often as they must, but for such a deep statement, would be unjust."

Rarity nods and sniffles. "I understand. Thank you"

"I see how vital your need is for knowledge. On the topic of the killer, I can bring no solace. On the supernatural , perhaps I can assist. Find your friend, Twilight, and deliver her this."

Zecora hands Pinkie a book. Pinkie looks at the title. "The Book of Spirits?" Zecora nods as Pinkie opens the book. "Hey what gives? Everything in here is gibberish. Even I can't understand it!"

Zecora laughs lightly and hands Fluttershy a small, unlit candle that gives off its own greenish aura. "Some alicorn magic combined with this candle, should help her unravel that riddle."

"Where in that book should we look? What should we be looking for?" Fluttershy asks.

"I know not myself the contents of that book, but if the problem is supernatural, she had better take a look. Only alicorn magic will unlock the book to be used. At that time, she can then peruse."

"I hope it helps," Rarity says.

"Me too," Pinkie shrugs. "Thank you Zecora, for everything." Pinkie hugs Zecora before walking out the door.

The three mares walk back the way they came. It appears that this time the timberwolves have elected to leave them alone entirely.

"Well, that was mostly painless," Rarity says.

"Agreed," Fluttershy nods.

"But I suppose we're not out of the woods yet, so I suppose we should still be on guard."

"Pinkie, you okay dear? You seem to be quiet."

"Oh, yes Rarity. Sorry. It's just...does it seem really quiet here to you guys?"

Fluttershy looks around. "No more than normal. What do you mean?"

"Well...it's just, usually the Everfree Forest is really noisy with various, odd sounds, birds chirping, animals in the distance. I just don't hear any of that."

Fluttershy shudders. "You're right, Pinkie. It was like that when Winona...well you know."

"We need to be on our guard then. Be ready for anything," Rarity says.

Pinkie walks a little behind the others, apparently lost in thought. Suddenly, she starts.

"Did you guys just hear that?"

"Hear what, darling?"

"That sound...it sounded like a giggle."

"It must be the forest, darling, just playing tricks on your mind."

Pinkie hears it again. "There! There! Plain as day, you had to have heard it that time!"

The buzzing. Pinkie begins to hear the static. "No...no...not again. no!"

In front of her appears her mirror image, twitching grotesquely, walking straight at her with a smile far longer than it should be.

"You! Who are you and why are you impersonating me?"

The doppelganger giggles again. "Soon Pinkie. Soon you will know what you have to do."

Pinkie looks confused at the apparition. "What do you mean?"

"Don't forget to smile, Pinkie." The being giggles once more, then twitches suddenly right at her. Pinkie falls backward.

"Pinkie! Are you okay?" Fluttershy is the first to try helping her up.

"Pinkie, who were you talking to?" Rarity asks.

Pinkie looks around confused. "You didn't see anything? Didn't hear anything?"

Rarity and Fluttershy look at each other and back at Pinkie Pie.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie," Fluttershy haunches. "But I didn't see anything. Was I supposed to?"

"It was me, Rarity. Evil me. It told me that soon I was going to know what I have to do. I don't know why, but I'm scared Rarity. What do you think it means?"

Rarity and Fluttershy hug her. "I...don't know dear. I don't know. Let's get you home."

Author's Note

This chapter was a struggle because it seems so short. There really wasn't a whole lot going on there, other than, "get book, walk back," so I ended up cutting unnecessary fluff. I figured a short chapter was better than a chapter with a whole lot of extra stuff that's not needed. I wanted to keep the story moving.