My living Mannequin

I can't help but feel a little lost and lonely now. The girls have left to go and defeat Manne. Only Dolly remains with me and judging from the look in her eyes, I could tell that she wants to help too. The problem is, she's holding back on something but I can't tell what.

It has only been a few hours since the girls have left and the wait is making me agitated. I can't just sit here and let those that I care about, no love about go and face this on their own. Sure they have each other but something tells me that won't be enough. They fought to a draw last time and god only knows what might happen this time.

Thankfully Dolly had disclosed the location of Manne to me as a backup. I don't know any magic but I do have my heart, that and my fists. I may not be any martial artist or even a street fighter, but my conviction to help my special someponies as well as all living things should be enough to guide my fist to Manne's face.

As I left the house I was approached by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. "If I didn't know any better" Celestia began, "I'd say you're going to Poudland to help the girls fight Manne".

"Someone gotta look after the girls" I answered. "Besides, I'd never forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to help them after all, I love them". Cheesy sounding I know but that was how I felt.

Celestia smiled as she placed her hand on my shoulder, "don't worry, That's why we're here. I had a feeling that you'd want to help so I waited to see what your response would be, that and having you arrive a little later might throw a wrench into Manne's plans".

Dolly finally came out of the house, "wait" she said "I'm coming too. I know his place better than you do, if his powers have come back then he'd have changed the building he was in into his castle. With my help, I can help you blindside him by taking you the back way around".

Celestia nodded before the two sisters used a spell to teleport us to the outskirts of Poudland.

I blinked a few times. Teleportation felt a little weird to me. As I looked around, a huge castle could be seen.

Dolly took my arm, "this way" she said leading me to the castle. We didn't approach from the front, Dolly took me to the side. She pressed a few bricks in the side of the wall, once she has pressed about ten bricks, an opening appeared in the wall. Dolly took me down a few weird and winding corridors, as we progressed through the place, we could hear various sounds and voices.

It sounded like the girls and Manne were engaged in combat, but it sounded like they were slowly approaching the climax of the fight.

Dolly pointed to a door, "That will lead you to the main chamber where they'll be. Sorry but I can't join you from here, all I can do is wish you luck". she said with tears in her eyes.

I kissed her lightly on the lips before slowly opening the door. Thankfully, no-pony saw me, especially Manne whos back was practically towards me. I snuck around various tables that were strewn around the place, it seems like a few tables have either been used as weapons or been displaced by the fight. Only a few still stood. From my angle I could see the epic struggle, the girls have activated the Elements of Harmony and Sunset's Geode while Manne was holding his own with a powerful spell. All it needed was some form of interference.

Manne moved a bit as he and the girls slowly circled the room.

I too moved as I kept out of sight until I was behind his throne, this enabled me to be very close to him. Without warning, I jumped from my spot and jumped onto his back, hoping my sudden appearance as well as having to psychically deal with me might be the push the girls need.

I was wrong. He was not only able to keep the girls at bay, but he spun around a few times before he flung me to one side of the room.

I laned on one of the tables that hadn't been disturbed, pain shot through my back before a strange feeling took over my body. It was at that point I'd realised that I had several syringes in my back as I saw one full syringe on the floor. My body started to feel stiff as I struggled to crawl back to my feet. I could hear the girls calling for me as well as Manne laughing.
In my struggle to stand up, I grabbed the full syringe. If I could make it to Manne, maybe I could inject this stuff into him.
With my body getting constantly stiff, my movements slowed down drastically. "Am I turning into a living mannequin like the girls previously did?" I thought to myself, can't think about myself now, I have to inject Manne and that is assuming this syringe has the same stuff in it that is affecting me. Unfortunately, my legs stopped working.

But as things seemed to be in despair, Dolly arrived by my side. She picked me up with her Earth Pony strength, "brace yourself" she whispered to me "we've only got one shot". Dolly lunged me at Manne like I was a javelin.

I could no longer move my lower torso but my arms still worked. I grabbed Manne by the neck before stabbing him with the needle, my thumbs felt heavy as I managed to push the plunger down. All I could do now was try to hold his arms down as the stuff took effect. I could feel him getting sluggish in my grip and as an added bonus, his spell grew weaker. I felt a tear roll down my cheek as the remaining movement in my body ceased up, the Rainbow beam heading straight for me and Manne. "Well, this is it," I thought to myself, no longer able to talk. "But this is fine by me, the world is safe and my loved one are free from their curses. It has been a good life, I'm sorry girls, but I have to leave you now. Thanks for being a part of my life. I have no regrets now". The Rainbow surrounded me and Manne as my vision went white from the colours merging around us.

No I'm not dead, but I still can't move. My vision came back and I'm still Holding Manne, but unlike Manne, my appearance hasn't changed. Manne looks like an old fashion wooden Mannequin, ball joints for his articulations and such. A floaty shadow could be seen above the Mannequin, cursing at the girls. The voice faded away as the shadow too faded away, looks like they were able to put his spirit to rest.

A bright light appeared behind the girls as the two princesses arrived.

They shared a small hug, part in happiness from the win but also part sadness from what it has cost them.

Well, it was in sadness until I said out loud "damn my nose is itchy". That shocked everybody, even me. "Did I just speak?" I asked as the girls approached me. As they surrounded me, I felt my fingers starting to twitch, bit by bit my movement started coming back to me. The girls hugged me as the sister looked on. I had to break the hug as one thing was still on my mind. I looked around, "Dolly? where are you?". Walking over to Dolly previous position revealed something, a small figurine. Picking it up I realised it was wearing the same clothes I've made for dolly, in fact, the figurine was an Earth pony mare that looked like Dolly. "Should've known" I said smacking my head with my spare hand. "That's why she didn't want to fight, I'm sorry Dolly for not figuring it out sooner". The naming pun that the Ponies had come round to bite me on the butt.
Dolly equals Doll and Fig was short for Figurine.

The girls surrounded me as they showered Dolly with their praises. It didn't last long as the castle started to shake, without Manne's power it was becoming unstable.

The two sisters teleported to safety while Twilight and Sunset teleported us back to my home.

***

That was about a month ago. Not much has changed around my place, the girls still live with me, however, this time it's not to hide them from any threats. No, it's because they want to stay close to me, after all, we've grown very close and to be honest. I don't think they want to be far from their special somepony, then again, I feel the same, I want my special someponies to be close too.

Thanks to Rarity, my clothing design has started to take off. Granted my clothes are being sold from Rarity's boutique but she has given credit where it's due.

Now here I am sitting at my desk thinking of a new dress to do. I look over to the stand that is next to my desk as a smile forms on my lips. The figurine that was once Dolly stands proudly on my stand. I look at the clock to see that it was time to go and meet the girls. They were planning a picnic and they wanted to meet me at Sweet Apple Acres. I placed my pen in Dolly's arms before I headed to the door. I took a look back at Dolly before saying "goodbye".

As I closed the door behind me, a smile could be seen forming on Dolly's face.