The fluttering of pages filled the air of the wood-filled library as Twilight Sparkle bit the bottom of her lip, her purple eyes narrowed in determination. Yesterday’s birthday party proved to be a good distraction from her studies…she was thankful for Spike constantly looking out for her well-being – thinking of her number one assistant brought a small smile to the lavender unicorn’s muzzle. She danced with her friends on a number of occasions, but the unique style of music chosen truly made it an experience worth remembering for a long time to come.

…Diamond Tiara looked so happy to receive such a wonderful day, too. But that was yesterday. She couldn’t be wasting any more time for here on out. She had her investigations to continue regarding the ‘missing ponies’ case.

Running a hoof through her dark and pink-striped mane, the studious unicorn let out a groan as she looked down at her desk. Thanks to her research suddenly disappearing without a trace, she had to waste an entire day working to retrieve all the demographic and newspaper resources she received from Princess Celestia…and now that she had it all in front of her once more, it still made as little sense as the last time she looked things over. There were still the two different groups of ponies being targeted, and she had no hint as to what the ponynapper’s motives were at this point.

…Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia’s prized pupil and student of the Magic of Friendship, had hit a dead end.

“…Argh, no!” She slammed her head into the desk. “No, no, no, no! There’s gotta be something else here! Maybe I could run some calculations, or create a hypothesis…? I can’t be hitting a dead end now!” She gritted her teeth in frustration. She hoped to find at least a little bit more before she resorted to contacting Princess Celestia for her opinion…that’d be proving that she wasn’t having any progress!

…What if she couldn’t solve this? Oh, no, would Princess Celestia send her to Magic Kindergarten?! She couldn’t have that! She had to find a way!

The door creaked open as a smaller dragon-scaled figure walked in, his green eyes narrowed into a deadpanned expression. “…Oh, boy…” Today was going to be one of those days… “…Twilight, maybe you should take a small break. Get some rest, it’s approaching midnight.” He advised his mentor.

“…There’s gotta be something…” The lavender unicorn mumbled under her breath. “…Something out of the ordinary…”

…Wait a minute. Applejack – her behavior just before Diamond Tiara’s birthday party…was extremely out of the ordinary. She avoided explaining to her just how she knew Princess Celestia assigned her to secretly research the cause behind the missing ponies…but she knew her friend was being honest when she said she didn’t take her research. If it wasn’t Applejack, then who did? Who else knows about her private research? Could she label Applejack to be a suspect behind the cases?

…But, to suspect one of her best friends…? The thought felt like she was about to inhale poison. Her friends would never be like that – how could she ever even think of suspecting Applejack like that?

…But something Applejack said before was starting to bother her. Yesterday before the party, she said she was going to investigate something tomorrow night…or as of now, tonight. Only after this…investigation, did she say she would tell Twilight why she knew about her research. She didn’t say what she was going to check out…or where she was going to be…but maybe she could go out and find her? They could try to investigate together.

Without another thought, her eyes turned towards her window, the vast blackness of midnight hiding what could be the mystery of the century. “…Spike, I’m going to head out for a bit. Can you watch the library for me?”

Spike frowned as he raised a claw. “…Twilight, I don’t know about this. It’s close to midnight, and you’ve been working hard all this time – you gotta get some rest!”

“…Somewhere out there, Applejack is looking into something, and I have to know what it is. Please, Spike. I’ll take the time to rest as soon as I get back – I promise.” She kept her gaze towards the window before turning to walk towards the door.

The young dragon kept silent as he watched his companion leave into the night.

‘…I highly doubt it, especially if you DO find something big. Twilight…just don’t kill yourself over your research.’

“…You’re sure about this, Pinks? Do you really think Rarity’s gonna fall for THAT?” A raspy voice whispered as the murderous duo stood in the misty alleyways of Canterlot. “She’s the type to pay serious attention to detail, y’know.”

Pinkamina rolled her eyes as she slipped into a masterful disguise – the party pony was now covered by a finely muscled white coat, and polished curly blue mane with a mustache and spectacles. Covering the white coat was a black tuxedo donned with a red rose, a similar fashion to the pony lying further inside the alleyway, fast asleep. “…Relax, Dr. Dashie. I can handle this.” She grinned, her high-pitched voice seeming rather outstanding considering the attire she was wearing.

Rainbow Dash gave a small snicker. “…I highly doubt Fancy Pants sounds THAT feminine. Are you sure you can pull this off? He’s kinda got a fancy accent and sounds all smooth usually, and Rarity’s gonna be here any minute.”

The pink earth pony cleared her throat as she lowered her tone to sound more suave, adding an accent to go with it. “Ahem,” She glanced towards the blue pegasus. “…How is this, Miss Rainbow Dash? Do I sound refined enough?” She raised a white hoof, her fake unicorn horn remaining still on her head.

“Pfft! Okay, okay, you could win an award with that kind of acting.” She put a hoof to her muzzle to silence herself before releasing a sharp breath. “…Alright – we stick to the plan. You’re going to be Fancy Pants while I follow you both down to her ‘hole in the floor’.” She lifted a black bodysuit out of a bag and started to slip into it, hiding her blue coat with a flexible material, inspired by her factory equipment.

Pinkamina nodded. “…Of course, Miss Rainbow Dash. Now, I must head for the Canterlot Square to be ponynapped. This surrounding mist is just perfect for the job, isn’t it?”

The Superior Supervisor rolled her eyes before stopping short, noticing a figure slowly approaching in the distance. “…It’s time – get into position, ‘Fancy Pants’.”

Once they knew to look into Rarity, it didn’t take them long to find out who her next victim was going to be. Since they knew she was targeting the fancy ponies, it was Pinkamina’s idea to eavesdrop on her phone conversations after Sweetie Belle left to stay with her parents – the best time to arrange for a ‘date’ was certainly after the young ones were no longer present, after all.

Rainbow Dash took the job – she hung just above her friend’s window, right beside the phone she used for business calls. While there were some dress orders, one call stood out from the rest.

A call for Fancy Pants including if he would like to secretly meet with her that very night precisely at midnight in Canterlot Square. It was the perfect set-up in order to bring a pony home – probably the first thing people would think it would be was a love affair if it ever got out.

And now here they were, posing as Fancy Pants after putting the real Fancy Pants to sleep.

Rainbow Dash kept a still breath as she slipped into the shadows, her eyes focused on the approaching pony with beautiful purple curls and a pristine white coat. As promised, Rarity had come to meet with Fancy Pants at midnight – and now they had a chance to see exactly what she was up to. Hopefully, Pinkamina’s acting skills could fool the fashionista.

Pinkamina kept a gentle smile as she watched her friend drawing closer and emerging from the mist. “…Ah, Miss Rarity. You’re right on time, my dear.” She spoke in a gentle yet classy tone. To be honest, she didn’t know too much about Fancy Pants except what she saw at the Grand Galloping Gala and Twilight’s birthday party in Canterlot, but hopefully she could pull this off.

Dashie would never let her get away with failure, after all.

Rarity parted her lips as she stood in front of the gentlecolt, her sapphire eyes gleaming in the misty evening. “…Hello, Fancy Pants – it’s a pleasure to see you again, darling. Please, let us be going. I wish to show you some new developments I have been working on as of late.” Her voice was melodic and charming as she batted her eyelashes. Clearly she didn’t know who was under the white coat.

The disguised earth pony gave a light chuckle. “…A rather interesting meeting place and time to just be talking about business. Will we be heading to your home then, Miss Rarity? If so, please – lead the way.” She raised a hoof in what she figured was gentlecolt manners, or something akin to it.

The fashionista let out a small chuckle of her own as she stood by ‘Fancy Pants’, her eyes glittering. “…Of course, darling,” She started back into the mist. “Shall we take the midnight train to Ponyville, then?”

The prismatic pegasus narrowed her eyes as she frowned. Great, they’d be taking the train. It was probably best she remain outside of the train during the whole ride back, although she’d feel a little sore in the morning due to work beforehand and the amount she was flying tonight. But, it wasn’t like she hadn’t pushed herself like this before, so…no biggie.

Despite the other’s expectations, Rarity had chosen something rather simple to wear for the night – maybe it was to avoid drawing attention to herself and her companion for the night? The fashionista had insisted on engaging in more conversation regarding upcoming fashion shows in Manehatten, and the latest gossip she heard regarding Canterlot society. One of the things Pinkamina knew about Rarity was that her friend had a lot of charisma – she could keep on talking even if the other is just smiling and nodding. After all, how much would the earth pony who came from a rock farm know about Canterlot high society and nobility? Well, other than what she learned from being in different ceremonies and parties due to being an Element of Harmony, but still.

Luckily, Rarity hadn’t realized that Fancy Pants was actually her yet. As Pinkamina felt like she was going to fall asleep from all the rumbling of the train and Rarity’s melodic voice, a voice could be heard from the top of their private compartment. “…Attention all passengers, we will be arriving for Ponyville shortly. Please gather all of your children and belongings before disembarking the train. This is the last train for today. Please, gather all children and belongings before you get off the train. Thank you.”

Rarity glanced up for a bit before looking back at her partner. “…Well, the time just seemed to fly by, darling! Shall we be going?” She batted her eyelashes for a moment as the train slowly came to a stop – the mist covering the whole of Ponyville like a blanket of mystery. As the fashionista got up from her seat, Pinkamina nodded “Of course, my dear,” and started to follow her friend out of the train. She figured Dashie was already right behind her, hiding in the shadows.

The Superior Supervisor moved swiftly as she watched the two leave the Ponyville train station, her eyes sharp and focused. They were close – they just needed her to lead them to her ‘hole in the ground’ that Sweetie Belle was talking about, and then they could figure out exactly what’s been endangering her factory. ‘…Any minute now – I gotta be prepared to slip in when they open the door.’

The lavender unicorn gave a small shiver as she exposed herself to the misty night. It hadn’t been long since she stepped out, but she still had miniscule clues to work with. For one thing, she needed to find Applejack. “…If I was Applejack…where would I find something strange?” She mused to herself as she looked down a cobblestone path leading towards Sugar Cube Corner, which was currently closed for the night. It was strange how something so friendly and appealing could look almost foreboding in the middle of the night.

“Hmm…” She frowned, her shoulders slumping. Applejack was going to investigate…something. She didn’t know if this something was out of the ordinary itself or not, but Applejack’s behavior alone warranted some form of suspicion. Something was going on in Ponyville…but she didn’t know what that something was. It was actually really, really frustrating; Nauseating, almost.

Although, maybe it was time to take this a different direction. Instead of focusing on if something’s ordinary or not, just…it was time to make a hypothesis. If Applejack is investigating something in the middle of the night…then that something can be found…in the Everfree Forest!
It was bad form to take action on assumptions alone, but previous experiences showed her that strange things happen in the Everfree Forest, and that was certainly enough for her to start her search over there! Besides, at this point it was better than nothing, and she was willing to go through anything to get out of her slump! If this proved to be successful, she should be ready to report her findings to Princess Celestia by morning! Keeping that thought in mind, Twilight turned to run towards the direction of Fluttershy’s house, where she knew the entrance to the Everfree Forest was nearby. If Applejack really was there…then it was her duty as a friend to help her in any way she could!

She didn’t care about the train whistle that was slowly approaching Ponyville.

While Fluttershy’s house was usually surrounded by adorable animals and pretty flowers, everything looked a little more menacing in the evening – or was that just the mist simulating how her mind portrays things? The lavender pony bit her lip as her hooves clopped along the cobblestone path through the sleeping town, keeping her thoughts at bay as much as she could. Of all things, she couldn’t be afraid of the dark, after all. Things were just…it…

…Ugh. The ‘missing ponies’ case was messing with everything – parents always had to look after their young ones before sending them to school and picking them up right after, and everypony was paranoid about every little thing, some more than others. Ponies were scared, and it was her job to ease them from their pain, as the Element of Magic.

But still…why didn’t Applejack ask for her help to begin with? Why didn’t she talk to any of the others? If she came to her in the first place, she would’ve gladly helped with this night investigation! But nope, all of her friends seemed to be telling her absolutely NOTHING right now, except when she passed by them on occasion. True, everypony has been busy as of late, but they could’ve at least involved her a little…

…Then again, she was also excluding them from her own research, despite Applejack already knowing for some mysterious reason. Maybe it was about time that she DID involve them all, instead of complaining about why they didn’t include her.

Some friend she was turning out to be.

“…GAH!!!” Her eyes perked up at the sound. That voice…! That was…!

Without a second thought, Twilight sped up into a gallop down to the Everfree – she was right! Applejack DID go to the Everfree Forest, and now she needs help! “…Applejack!” She cried out as she passed by Fluttershy’s cottage. “…Applejack!”

When she reached the forest entrance, she stopped short. “…Oh no…”

Lying just in front of the forest’s edge was an orange coated earth pony, her brown Stetson lying in the grass just nearby, all ripped up in a couple of spots. As the lavender unicorn slowly approached the scene, her stance grew stiff as she saw what looked like red sticky liquid spilling from her friend’s leg, as well as a lot more of it surrounding…a…a…

…There was a dead pony, limbs ripped apart and surrounding it, right in front of the forest.

Fighting the sensation to throw up right then and there, Twilight rushed towards her farm pony friend. “…Applejack! Applejack, are you okay?! What happened here?! Who hurt you like this?!”

Letting out a strained cough, Applejack winced as she looked up at her friend. “…Hi, Twilight… How’d ya know where Ah was gonna be…?” She breathed out, her breath haggard and strained. Now that the lavender unicorn had gotten a closer look, her friend looked like she had been in a battle.

“…N-Never mind how I found you right now! We need to get you some medical attention, quick!” Twilight shook her head rapidly. “Your hind leg is badly injured…was this done by an animal?!”

The orange-coated pony shook her head. “…Ah ain’t sure – but it sure wasn’t no timberwolf. It was small, like a pony…but it was dressed in all black, Ah couldn’t get a good look at it. This ain’t the first time a pony’s been found dead right in the Everfree, just…” She winced as she shifted her body a bit. “…First time Ah actually caught them in the act. These wounds weren’t caused by a claw or nothin’…but by a big flat knife…”

Twilight frowned as her horn started to glow, the magic flowing through her and forming around Applejack as she was levitated into the air. “…We’re going to get you to the Ponyville Hospital – and then you have got some explaining to do. You told me back at the party that you would tell me why you know about my research, and why you went to investigate the Everfree Forest tonight.” She kept her voice as calm as she could, but honestly…she was panicking inside. Somehow, one of her friends managed to get hurt because of this case.

The earth pony chuckled as she felt her body leaving the ground. “…Sure. Ah’ll come clean with ya. You’ve certainly deserved it, in mah opinion.” She pointed a bloody hoof towards the grass. “…Do me a favor, can ya grab mah hat, too?”

She nodded, a pink glow surrounding the battered Stetson and raising it into the air until it merged with Applejack’s own surrounding glow. “…We can’t waste any more time – I don’t know how much blood you’ve lost.” She started off into a gallop, her mind focused only on getting her friend to safety. It wasn’t fair – why did something like this have to happen?

As the lavender pony ran towards the direction of Ponyville, she didn’t notice a shadow watching from the security of the Everfree trees.

“…I didn’t mean to hurt you…but I have to do this.” The shadow collected the dead pony’s remains in a black bag before it sped back into the Everfree, creating greater distance between it and the town just beside the deadly forest. As it passed by several trees, a lonely stone with flowers on top was ignored as it disappeared into the misty forest night.

Staying as Fancy Pants was starting to get pretty stuffy – Pinkamina kept an empty smile as the two ponies reached the front of Rarity’s boutique, the mist making it look a bit more like a haunted theater than a clothing store. To be honest, she rather liked the effect – it was perfect for somepony who was supposedly going to die by the fashionista’s hooves tonight, or whatever she did with the fancy ponies. As she unlocked the door and opened it, the earth pony raised a hoof. “…After you, my dear.” It was a pain keeping up the suave voice, but they were just about in, so it was no use complaining from here.

Rarity grinned. “Of course,” She made her way inside and trotted towards the living room. “Please, come right in, darling.” A touch of colors slipped her vision, and she shook her head to blink a bit. Strange, it was no longer there. As she turned to face her companion, she gave a sweet smile as her melodic voice filled the room. “…Would you care for a beverage to drink, before we busy ourselves with business?”

‘Fancy Pants’ took a bit of time before she settled down on the couch. “…I am rather parched – this ghastly mist is not pleasant for my throat.” Actually, having to alter her voice like this was the real challenge. Mist had nothing to do with it. “Some tea would be lovely.”

Rarity blinked. Fancy Pants preferred a touch of wine over tea, didn’t he? Perhaps he was in the mood, just like he was in the mood to wear contacts that gave him blue eyes instead of the gorgeous teal eyes he usually had. Blue and teal were quite the difference, after all. It puzzled her why he would do such a thing – it wasn’t like the gentlecolt to change his image like that. “…I do also have some wine available, if you wish to have that instead?” If he truly was in the mood for tea, he would stay with tea. However, if he changed his mind, then…this pony wasn’t really Fancy Pants. He was the type of gentlecolt who stayed true to his decisions.

‘…Wine?! Nuh-uh, I don’t wanna get drunk!’ Pinkamina mused over the thought outwardly for a bit before giving a gentle smile. “...Perhaps it’d be wise to stick with tea for tonight, if ever I am to get home eventually.” She joked. Of course, is Fancy Pants the type to joke like that? How was SHE supposed to know?

Rarity smiled. Wise choice, Fancy Pants – although it doesn’t explain why you decided to change your eye color to blue instead of teal. “…Of course, darling, I’ll be right with you in a moment.” She nodded before heading into the kitchen and out of Pinkamina’s view.

As soon as Rarity left the roof, the earth pony lifted a hoof to her forehead. ‘Phew…that was a close one. I feel like I may have picked the wrong beverage at first…but I don’t wanna get drunk…’ Blue eyes glanced up towards the ceiling in the shadows where she saw a dark figure staying in position. ‘…After I get out of this stuffy thing, I’m going to kill her. You don’t have a problem with that, right Dr. Dashie?’ She gave a un-gentlecoltly smirk at the shadows, causing the other to roll her eyes underneath the dark flexible suit she wore.

Rarity frowned as she levitated a package filled with tea bags of the finest quality. That eye color difference was still bothering her, since Fancy wasn’t usually the type to change his eyes like that…

…But he also chose the tea over the wine…

So, perhaps it was time to experiment a little. She’d give him both – and if he wasn’t acting like himself…Fancy could easily hold his liquor just fine, so if this pony couldn’t…

…Then it wasn’t him. Either way, a drunken pony wouldn’t be able to fight back.

Putting the kettle on, she walked over towards a door that lead to the cellar, where she levitated one of her finest wines available, aged and ripe for drinking. It also had a scent of apples, but it was different from the alcohol-free cider the Apple Family always served during cider season. Surely Fancy Pants would enjoy the taste.

…But what tea to put with it? What would go well with apple-flavored wine? The combination had to be perfect, or Fancy Pants wouldn’t enjoy it. Taste was key – she didn’t want the gentlecolt to catch on to her plans, after all.

Rainbow Dash frowned as she looked towards the kitchen entrance. At this point, they were both flying blind, and personally, that wasn’t cool with her. Slipping from the ceiling down to the carpeted floor, she stood in front of her disguised partner. “…It’s probably best you don’t drink whatever she gives you. Considering your own tactics, it’s probably laced with something to hinder you in some way.” She whispered softly to the earth pony.

Pinkamina frowned as she leaned closer to the pegasus. “…Yeah, probably is right. Still, we’re inside the place now. Shouldn’t we take the time to look around? Find that ‘hole in the ground’?” She whispered back in a small voice, slipping out of her Fancy Pants accent and tone.
The Superior Supervisor shook her head. “…We shouldn’t risk her coming in to us snooping around. Stick to the plan for the time being, “Fancy Pants”.” She gave a grin before slipping back into the shadows near the ceiling, her eyes glimmering softly before she covered them with a pair of thin goggles.

The earth pony nodded silently before letting out a small yawn. Great – and she probably was going to be busy with parties in the morning, so she needed as much sleep as she could get. Hopefully, they’d get done with this business soon.

It wasn’t a long while later before Rarity came out of the kitchen with a tray holding two cups and a small tea kettle, her sweet smile as charming as when she went in. “…I apologize for the wait, darling. The kettle took a bit of time to heat up.” She placed the items on top of a table in front of the couch, in between the two and allowing them to face each other. “As per your request, I prepared an apple-pomegranate tea blend, so I hope it’s to your liking, darling.”

Pinkamina stared at the items for a bit as she processed the ingredients. ‘…Hmm, apple and pomegranate sound pretty good together. They’re both kind of powerful flavors…’ The fashionista levitated the porcelain cups and the tea kettle as the earth pony saw the magenta liquid slide into the tea cup before it was presented to her. “…Here you are, darling.”

To Rarity’s suspicion, the gentlecolt took the tea cup by his hooves. “…Are you alright, Fancy Pants?”

‘Darn not actually being able to do magic!’ The earth pony cursed inwardly while presenting a calm smile. “Actually, I feel a little exhausted. I did quite a bit of levitating with my work today, so at least for tonight, I figured I could use a small break from it. It gives me a chance to feel the warmth of your tea wholeheartedly.” She narrowed her eyes in a flirtatious manner.

The fashionista gave a chuckle. “You’re really too kind, darling.” She took a sip of her tea, before glancing towards her companion. “…So you say, darling, but you’ve yet to try it.” She teased.

‘Fancy Pants’ nodded, raising the tea to her lips and raising her head a bit. “…Quite. I suppose I shall assess how well the two flavors blend, then.” Personally, the smell was really good to the earth pony, but she wasn’t sure if it would put her to sleep, or if it would poison her. Either way, taking an actual sip was rather risky. “…Mmm, your taste is once again extraordinary, Miss Rarity.”

She beamed at the compliment. “…I thought you would like it, darling.” Now, all she had to do was wait until the pony started to slip up. Then again, she didn’t have all evening, and it was already approaching two in the morning. Placing her cup down on the table, she shifted her body a little. “…Now, shall we talk about business, darling? I know personally how much you don’t like to waste time, after all.”

Pinkamina nodded, placing her cup of mysterious origins on the table alongside Rarity’s. “I quite agree with you, Miss Rarity. Please, lead the way.” It was close – she could feel it. “…Will we be heading upstairs?”

The fashionista shook her head as she walked into the living room, and moved a rug to the side showing a wooden door. “…Actually darling, I keep my best projects in the basement. Shall we be going?” She linked her hoof with Pinkamina’s, and levitated the basement door open, pulling the earth pony in with greater force than she expected to pull on the gentlecolt. “…Please, do come in!”

A flash of colors suddenly passed her vision before it went further into the basement, causing Rarity to shake her head again. “…W-What?! What just went in here!?” Something was wrong. Something was very wrong, nopony should’ve known about her basement until now!

‘Fancy Pants’ frowned. “I say, this place is rather cramped!” She slipped past Rarity down the stairs, and stopped short at the bottom.

Rainbow Dash grinned as she threw the hood of her black suit back. “…Well, well, well, Rarity. Look at what you’ve got here!” She turned to face the fashionista at the top of the stairs. “That’s a lot of knives on display.”

The fashionista slowly walked down the stairs. “…R-Rainbow Dash…?! But, I…W-where’d you even come from…!?” Wait, the splash of colors, of course! How could she have missed such a detail?

Pinkamina looked over the place. In the center of the room was a large metal table covered in blood stains. The walls were dressed with what looked like several different strips of fur coats…but it wasn’t a common bunny fur…she had pony coats dressing the wall in many complimenting colors, a table display of many, many sharp tools, a surgical kit, and a mannequin wearing a crimson red dress with a white petticoat with a purple ribbon at the end of it. Hey…she knew that fur…! “…You took the fur of your own cat?” She blurted out in her high pitched voice.

The purple maned pony gasped. “I know that tone anywhere! Pinkie Pie, YOU were pretending to be Fancy Pants?! I should’ve KNOWN when I saw your baby blue eyes! Fancy Pants normally has TEAL eyes!” She pointed a hoof at the gentlecolt accusingly.

Without another word, the pink earth pony ripped out of the disguise, a large grin on her face. “Whoohoo, you figured out the game! It was REALLY stuffy in there, by the way!” She kicked the remains away.

“A-ah…b-but…How…?” Rarity gaped, her eyes growing wider. “…Y-you’re…you’re not going to…turn me in, are you?” She could feel her blood starting to freeze. How could this have happened? What gave her away? How did they know?! “…Take me…to the…authorities?

The duo looked to each other in silence before turning back towards the troubled fashionista. “…Pffft – Baaaaahahahahahaha!!!!” Rainbow Dash fell to the ground, her hooves clenching her sides.

…Huh?

The pink earth pony started giggling as well. “Pfft, we’re not turning you in, silly filly! That’d be crazy!”

Rarity blinked. “…But…what…huh…?” She cocked her head to the side. “What? S-stop laughing already! That’s incredibly insulting!” Why were they acting like this? Shouldn’t they be backing in fear? Disgusted at what she had become?

This WAS Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, wasn’t it?

The prismatic pegasus eventually stopped rolling around and slowly got up. “Phew…just, I’m sorry, that…” She let out a sigh. “That was funny.”

The purple maned pony frowned. “I don’t think having one’s secrets being exposed is funny. Just whatever spurred all this laughter?” She clenched her teeth. “I DON’T appreciate being laughed at, DARLING.”

Pinkie Pie gave a smile. “What was funny is what you said: Us turning you in to the authorities. You see, we don’t wanna do that to you because WE’RE not too friendly with the law, either.” She spread her hooves apart.

Rarity blinked. “Buh…whatever do you mean by THAT, darling?” She looked at the two friends in front of her. They were breaking the law, too? What?

Rainbow Dash grinned, a different kind of glint in her eyes. This was different from the determined pegasus who represented the Element of Loyalty. “…Well, you see…I guess to start with, we’ve got a proposition for you, Rares. Looking at this room here…you kill ponies and take their fur, right? All the pony coats here are from the fancy set of missing ponies.”

She nodded, feeling a bit tenser than before. Didn’t she know her friends? “…Yes.”

The pink earth pony leaned forward. This wasn't part of the plan, but she wasn't really hating it. “Well, you can keep on doing that – taking their coats, I mean.” After all, it was so similar to her own kind of fun!

“…But, how? What kind of proposition are you offering here?” She gulped silently. They…were encouraging her sinful practice?

The prismatic pegasus smirked. “Well, maybe it’d be best just to SHOW you. If you wanna know more, follow me.” She took to the air before flying back to the living room. “But you might wanna clean up all this before Twilight catches wind of it!”

Pinkie Pie followed after the pegasus, a new look in her eyes as well. “…Right behind you, Dashie!” She ran up the stairs before peeking back towards the basement. “Rarity, are you coming?”

“Ugh…” The fashionista blanched. “…I’m starting to think I don’t have a choice in the matter.” Closing up her equipment and packing things up, she wrapped her white petticoat around herself and followed the two upstairs – wherever Rainbow Dash planned to take them.

Obviously Pinkie Pie was completely in on this, and she seemed fine…but both of them weren’t horrified by the things she had done. In fact, they pushed her to keep going, almost.

…Just WHAT was going to happen from here?

Author's Note

I've been wanting to do these events for a long time - I just needed to figure out how I wanted to do it.