My Little Mages: Harmonic Turbulence

Chapters

Prologue: A New Attraction
First Move
At The Park
"YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL!"
Welcome to The Parade
Epilogue: An Invite

Prologue: A New Attraction

Approximately two weeks after the Summer Sun Celebration that fell in line with Princess Flurry Heart's Crystalling, on the outskirts of Magiville, farthest from both The Everfree Forest and the Castle of Friendship, a pair of mages, a man and a woman, were conversing in front of the site of a large area of construction. The man was dressed in a blue three-piece business suit and grey tie. The woman had light blue eyes with grayish crimson hair with white streaks. She wore a short sleeve shoulderless white shirt, a pair of blue shorts, a long leather sleeveless vest, a necklace with a pink gem and a headband with a set of three leaves with a set of what looked like small oranges. As the two looked at the sight, the woman turned to the man, “So Mr. Rich, this is your newest idea for a cash cow, is it?” She asked. “A theme park?”

Filthy nodded as he took the sides of his jacket. He smiled and nodded. “Indeed it is Ms. Vignette. Equestria Land, ‘the most magical place on earth.’ What do you think of the slogan?” he couldn't help but grin with eyes closed, proud with himself.

“It’s already trademarked.” She stated as if bored as she took out a small device from her vest’s pocket. “Alright Filthy hunie, can I call you that.” Vignette started. However, she didn't let Filthy answer. “First, if you’re gonna call me ‘miss’ it’s ‘Ms. Valencia’. Second, the name. Equestria Land, ugh, is this place know for its horses? No. This place is most noted in most of Mystica as the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She said as seemed to use the device to look at something.

“So are suggesting ‘The friendliest place on earth’?” Filthy asked confused.

“We’ll cross the slogan bridge later, no we’re still focusing on the name. Now what is Mystica is known for?” she asked.

Filthy scratched the side of his head as he tried to think of an answer, “Um…”

Vignette raised her finger, cutting him off. “As of last week having five princesses...” she informed him, her gaze never leaving her device.

“So… I should call this ‘The Five Princesses Theme Park?” He asked.

Vignette laughed. “Oh, that’s cute, no. People can’t get the idea that this place needed the actual blessings of the princesses. It will lead people to think it’s owned by the state and some tinfoil hatters will go around saying that this place is set up to be a money sink to fund some black book program that Princess Celestia can’t let people know due to tax recording laws. Or some other out there conspiracy theory. No, you need to refer to something else.”

She brought up her finger and began to tap her chin in thought. She snapped her fingers trying to regain Filthy’s attention, which she already had. “Where do the princesses live?” She asked almost out of the blue.

Filthy shot his gaze back and forth in confusion. “Umm… Chantalot, Magiville…Krystalopolies?”

“Not the locations, what do they live in?” The distracted woman asked more perturbed.

Filthy blinked. “Castles…?”

“That’s it. That’s what I was was looking for. Castles… The Four Castles Amusement Park. One to represent each of princesses in all their glory. Polls show after Princess Flurry Heart was born, princess love and popularity has skyrocketed to near ludicrous degrees of trending.” She showed Filthy her device, presenting to him the evidence supporting her claim. Filthy whistled at what he saw, there more people that had voted against the princesses then the population of Magiville and that was about half a percent of the people who were polled. Vignette pulled her device back and threw her arms open looked at the sight. “I can see it now. Rides themed after the princesses and their champions, whimsical character meet-and-greets, parades, shows…”

Filthy seemed to followed Vignette’s train and smirked, “Yes, overpriced carnival food and vendors, merchandise, and fireworks… gigantic firework spectaculars at the end of every night!” he declared as he tried to get on the image.

Vignette shock her head, “Hold your horses, first, the prices. No, you want people to come in and come back, so they have to be fair. As for the fireworks, by all means, we should have them, but every night?” she asked, “Look, you’re not that far from Magiville, which is a small town and everyone knows where you live…” she trailed off as she waved her right-hand palm-up to Filthy.

Filthy rubbed his chin and then his eyes widen as he realized what his console was pointing out. He then gave a nervous laugh as he conceded the point. “Maybe once a week.” he offered as another idea.

Vignette nodded, “Good call.” she then looked back at her device and seemed to be looking at something. “Although to catch the widest demographic range, we're also gonna need to do something for the baddies they face, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra and Tirek,” she said before she held the screen of the device so that Filthy could see villains and their popularity and nodded in agreement. As Vignette took her device back, "Now, Nightmare Moon being the edgy dark half of Princess Luna is obvious, a Nightmare Night haunted house theme ride. As for Discord, I am thinking funhouse built using Euclidean geometry.”

“What?”

“Euclidean geometry, that’s what your daughter is taught when she draws triangles. It's a flat surface.” Vignette pointed out.

“And that works for a Discord themed funhouse because…” Filthy asked as he didn’t quite understand where Vignette was going.

“We live and interact on a curved surface, thus real-world geometry is non-euclidean. Focus,” she said as she walked with Filthy walking behind her in the site. “Now what is Chrysalis known for?” she asked.

“Um crashing Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’s wedding through an invasion?” Filthy answered in more of a question.

Vignette nodded, “So I am thinking something like a walking arcade shooting gallery. Now Sombra?” she asked.

Filthy rubbed his chin in thought, “Didn’t he try to retake Krystalopolies and he’s some sort of shadow and has a big thing of fear.”

“So let’s go with an interactive ghost train.” Vignette said as she continued to walk and talk. “Now Tirek is known for draining everyone’s inherent magic, so thinking either a drop tower or pendulum ride.” She mused. “We’ll cross that bridge as the park gets flushed out.” She then started to tab on the device she had. “I sent a message to your fax machine in your, it’s the invoice for this consultation, also a list of few more suggestions to better flush out this park.” She then started to leave the construction site. “Now you can always call me up as this progresses. Ta ta.” she waved goodbye leaving Filthy with a few ideas.

Over a year later, more accurately three days after Cozy’s attempt to drain Mystica of magic was thwarted, at the theme park was just about to be completed, the main thing that remained was the parade for the night of the opening day. Filthy and Vignette were standing up and were watching a test run of the opening night’s parade. Vignette raised a megaphone and spoke into it.
“Experience the world like you've never seen it before, at the one, the only, The Four Castles!” she declared as the first platform came out with four people dressed in white jumpsuits each suit had the theme of a basic shape. Vignette stood up and shouted, “Stop! Cut! Cut!” she then walked to the group on the platform, “Why is everyone dressed like they're not dressed?!” she asked as she looked around.

From backstage came a woman in a white long sleeve jacket and pants with glasses with gray lenses, “Because you keep changing your mind about the costumes, Ms. Valencia.” she stated as she crossed her arms.

Filthy got up and tried to get in between the two to prevent a possible volatile exchange, “Now, I hired Ms. Valencia to manage the park’s public relations and affairs. She must be under a lot of pressure to pull this off because there are gonna be…” he trailed off as he turned to Vignette.

“At least fifty thousand people,” she informed as she looked at her device from her pocket. She then turned to both, “and the last thing they’ll see before they leave at night will be this light parade.” she said as she pointed to the platform. She then more specifically to the people on the platform, “And, by extension, your costumes,” she then lowered hands and turned her sole focus to the costume designer, “which apparently do not exist as of this moment!” she then sighed in frustration as she crossed her arms. After a second she regained her composure. “Fortunately we can make this work because I have the perfect philosophy; B.Y.B.B. Be yourself, but better.” she declared. “Do you even have a philosophy?” she asked.

The designer raised her left hand, “G.W.I.Q.” she said as she raised a finger per letter. She then crossed her arms, “Guess vhat. I qvit.” she then turned and left.

Vignette sighed and then inhaled in exhaustion, “Where am I gonna find a new costume designer for the parade with only days left?” she asked to really no one before she let out another sigh.

“There is Ms. Rarity,” Filthy pointed out after a second of thought, “She’s local and available.”

“Looks like we know how you do live up to your name,” Vignette said as she left Filthy. After a short while and she was alone she took a breath and a lime-green fire came from her chest revealing the deposed queen, Chrysalis. “All according to plan.” she mused and laughed.

First Move

Applejack was walking through town heading to Rarity’s boutique. She hummed to herself until she actually reached the boutique when she heard the wailing of Rarity from inside. Applejack sighed. “Another date must have been a bust.” She commented to herself before heading in.

On the main floor in the living quarters of the building was Sweetie Belle working on her school work as well as, what seemed to be, some musical sheets. The young bard looked to Applejack with a sad frown. Applejack nodded and went to the stairs, ascended them and arrived at Rarity’s room. The door did little to muffle Rarity’s crying. Applejack took a breath and entered the room. “Hey Sugarcube, it’s me. What did that ass do?” Applejack asked as she leaned against the wall.

“First that troglodyte forced a kiss from me!” Rarity said as she raised her head from her pillow. “And when I left to collect myself, citing that I needed to powder my nose.” Rarity said as she sat up and still hugged her pillow. “I came back to see he was making out with the busboy on our table!” Applejack handed Rarity a box of tissues. Rarity accepted it with her left hand and blew her nose.

“So you slapped him with the back of your left hand,” Applejack mused as she sat down. “Ah wish Ah could have seen him fly across the room from that.” she laughed.

Rarity sniffed. “Well, I also levitated all the beverages, including bottles of wines, and said, ‘Waiter, get everyone another round, Drinks are on him!’” Rarity then blushed in modesty. “And I dumped them all on him.” She couldn’t help but laugh slightly.

“Ha, ha,” Applejack laughed, “Ah so wish Ah could have seen that wet dog try to save face after that.”

“I slapped him with the back of my left hand a second time as soon as he got to his feet and kneed him right below the belt.” There was a slight giggle in Rarity’s voice. She then signed looked down slightly forlorn, “What’s wrong with me? Why do I keep setting myself up for dates with men that are just scum?”

Applejack stood up, “Do you really want an answer? And if you do, do you want the long one or the short one?” The paladin asked as she leaned against the wall.

Rarity was about to protest but her counter died in her throat as she opened her mouth. “You might as well give the long answer, Darling.” she accepted.

Applejack cleared her throat. “Well, the thing is your relationship with all men is based on your relationship with your father.” Rarity was about to speak up, but Applejack held out her hand. “Ah know you love him, that’s not the issue. The issue is that you haven’t accepted him for who and what he is and because of that you can’t accept other men for who and what they are and that’s why you always end up picking men that will never give you what you need out of your relationships.” Applejack stopped to let it sink in. As Rarity looked towards the floor unsure of what to say. Applejack noticed this and quickly decided to change the subject. “Say, Ah think Ah need a new dress, something that set Soarin’s marrow on fire for my date this weekend.” Applejack said as she looked at Rarity’s personal dresses, “Maybe something based off of one of these.”

“With your physique? No, no, no, Darling. You can’t be serious, Soarin has fallen for you due to….” Rarity paused as she looked at Applejack. “Well, this,” she said as she gestured to Applejack’s body. “A dress based on one of my personal dresses would restrict you and make you look… well, pump by pressing your muscles too tightly. No, I’m thinking something more Areian, I am going need measurements.” Rarity said as she went to her desk took out a measuring tape, pencil, and paper. Applejack took off her hat and started to take off her boots. “Oh, thank you for letting me do this.” Rarity whispered as she prepared the tape.

“What are friends for?” Applejack asked as she took off her gloves and shrugged her shoulders.

“You know Rainbow would bolt out of here the second I’d go for the measuring tape; Fluttershy wouldn’t have gotten me to think beyond what the ass did; Pinkie would try to make it all too much like a joke; and Twilight, God bless her heart, but she needs to get her nose out of her books more often.” Rarity replied as she started taking measurements.

A couple of hours later in Twilight’s office in her school, Applejack and Rarity joined the rest including Starlight and Flash for a staff meeting. “And with today being the last day of finals for the term,” Twilight was saying before she heard a snore. Everyone turned to see Rainbow Dash sleeping in her chair. Twilight groaned, “She can fall asleep anywhere!” Twilight bemoaned as she handed out earplugs and other hearing protection to everyone else as she readied an air horn.

She pressed the horn shocking Rainbow awake, “No ma’am I made sure the showers were clean!” the elementalist shouted as she jumped to her feet and stood at attention. She then looked around and saw everyone shake their head.

Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned, “Rainbow if you can’t make the time to be a part of this and a Wonderbolt, then perhaps you need to cut one off.” she said as she turned her gaze back to Rainbow.

“It wasn’t the Wonderbolts this time, she wanted to go to Las Magus to catch a certain ride that was shutting down. Ah covered her class because she agreed to chaperone the Gold Shoe Gals for me, so Ah was the one who proctored her final exams thus far.” Applejack informed. “Don’t tell me, Granny and the gals went out of their way to not follow the list Ah had.” Applejack somewhat asked with a raised eyebrow. Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and gave a weak smile. Applejack sighed, “Well, Rarity and Ah got to proctor the exams today.” Applejack said as she and Rarity got up.

“Wait, there’s still the photographer from the Chantalot Historical Society. She’ll arrive to take our photos for the society’s article on our school in about…” Twilight trailed as she looked at the clock, “fifteen minutes and it's too late for us to reschedule!” Twilight then started to panic.

“Don’t blame us, Darling. We told you to reschedule after Cozy Glow’s hostile takeover attempt last week.” Rarity said as she and Applejack left the office, leaving Twilight to fret and moan at the others while they dealt with their own business. Rarity turned to Applejack, “You do know exams don’t start for another hour.” the enchantress whispered a smile on her face like the two managed to pull a fast one a teacher and got out of class.

Applejack smirked, “Ah know, but while you don’t mind getting your photo taken most days, you ain't at your best after a bad date. Although yah could have easily pointed the whole hour thing back there.” Applejack nodded back to Twilight's office.

Rarity gave a slightly forced huff as she brushed her hair back, “A teacher must put her best face on for her students first, besides everyone who subscribes to the Society's articles where my boutiques are and where I am scoping out and most importantly are likely to do business with, already know my face. Besides can't have a paladin be called a liar now can we?” Rarity asked with a wink before the two shared a hearty laugh.

“I’m laattteeee!!!!!!” cried a young woman about their age as she came running in their direction. She was a Magicborn with green eyes and hair that had two shades of brown. On her dress was a pin of a ladybug, “Sorry, where is Headmistress Princess Twilight Sparkle’s office, I am the Chantalot Historical Society-”

Applejack pointed behind her, “Down the hall, take the second left, it’s the door with the school’s insignia with Twi’s Aura Mark in the center.” the paladin inform. “Yah can’t miss it,” she added as she shut her eyes and nodded.

“Oh, god bless you.” the photographer said as she bolted in the direction the paladin pointed out. Applejack and Rarity had a slight laugh in relief that they were not part of photography shot.

Inside Twilight’s office, the photographer arrived. “I am sorry I’m late,” she said as she entered. “Can you forgive me?” she asked with pleading eyes. She looked down in guilt. “I don't expect you to forgive me…” she raised her head toward Twilight, “Forgive me?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, and groaned, “ Don’t worry about that, but thanks for coming. I kind of have to say I’m sorry too. You see we still have a couple of the term’s final exams and Applejack and Rarity are the proctors… so…” Twilight trailed.

“They won’t be here for the shot,” Starlight state bluntly. “So let’s get this show started.” Starlight said.

The photographer nodded and then went up to Twilight and each of her closest friends there. The photographer proceeded to adjust the woman’s hair, removing a loose strand and then taking their photo. “One for the history books!” the photographer exclaimed and started to leave, “I suppose we can site Applejack and Rarity was not available for photos.”

Just as the photographer was about to open the door, “Waaaait!” Pinkie shouted as she teleported in front of the photographer, “You forgot Starlight and Flash! They need a picture, too!” Pinkie pointed to the other two.

The photographer rolled her eyes and took the two photos. “Now I'll get out of your hair. I know how busy you are.” The photographer then left the school and ended up in the Everfree Forest. She looked around and smiled as she looked at the photos she had and the hairs she collected. “It’s not everything I need…” she trailed off as a green fire seemed to originate from her chest and revealed herself to be Chrysalis. “But it will suffice,” she smiled.

About an hour later, the bell rang, which marked the end of the second to last exam, “Alright yall, pencils down.” Applejack ordered. Every one of the students then placed their pencils down. “So what are you all up to during the term break?” Applejack asked as she and Rarity collected the exams.

Sandbar then spoke up, “Well Professor Apple, you’ve heard about the amusement park on the other side of Magiville?” he asked.

“Yah, The Four Castles,” Applejack answered. “What about it?” the paladin asked.

“It opens this weekend,” Smolder answered, “And it is gonna be awesome!” the drakaina cheered. Everyone else then started to chatter among themselves excited about the amusement park.

“Now, now everyone.” Rarity said getting everyone’s attention. “While it is exciting to go and try new things…” Rarity trailed off as she heard something from one of the pockets of her teacher’s dress. “Hold on,” she said and pulled out a small device. She then cheered, “I GOT A NEW COMMISSION!” she shouted, “You’re are all looking at the newest costume designer for the Four Castle Amusement Park.” She then collected herself. “Sorry about that, but as you know I make my living mostly by commissions,” she informed. “Now then I must go. Applejack can you…”

“Knock their socks off, Sugarcube.” Applejack said as she nodded to the door. Rarity smiled, hugged her friend and left. Once Rarity had left. “Alright everyone, you got one hour before your last exam.” All the students groaned and moaned. “Now, now, everyone.” the paladin said as she sat on the teacher’s desk. “You’re on the home stretch.” Everyone reluctantly accepted that fact, more so looking forward to what they were going to do after the exam.

Deep in the Everfree, Chrysalis had drawn a circle with four trees. On each of them was a photo of either Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie with their respective strain of hair. “I’ve been planning this for quite some time.” she laughed as she snapped each of the trees with each the four’s Aura Marks. “Oh Rainbow, You see with this spell allows me to make a copy of anybody I desire.” She said as she rubbed the tree with Rainbow’s picture. “All I need is an image and a piece of the person,” she informed. She then turned to the circle, “Oh and this.” She then turned to the tree with Fluttershy’s picture, “I am sure you want to know why little Fluttershy. Well, it’s because you four and your friends; Rarity and Applejack control the Elements of Harmony. Mystica’s powerful weapon.” She said as she turned towards the tree that had Pinkie’s picture.

The deposed queen skipped towards the Pinkie photo. “Which means you - will - be - able - to - use - them - too!” She said as she skipped to the tree. She then turned to the tree with Twilight’s photo. “And serve me!” She then turned to the two pictures she had set aside. Chrysalis turned from the tree and looked to the sky, “Together, we will destroy Twilight Sparkle and her meddlesome friends!” She then sent magic into the circle in the ground. She smiled as the circle started to glow. She then looked at the picture of Starlight. She took a couple of breath in rage, mostly to calm down. “Of course I haven't forgotten Starlight Glimmer!” she said as she looked in the direction of her old domain. “She stole my hive,” she said with a scowl. “Turned my subjects against me! So I'll take her friends away while she watches! And then, I'll destroy her!” She then started to laugh, maniacally, as she hovered in the air slightly. She looked in the direction of the Everfree, “With the Elements under my control, I'll build a new swarm, composed of Earthborn, Magicborn, and Skyborn, and I will rule as Queen once again!” she declared. She then sent another beam of magic into the circle.

She then took a breath and transformed in the guise of Vignette. “It will take a bit for they are ready.” She then left the forest and allowed the spell to do its job.

Author's Note

Areian is based on the epithet Aphrodite Areia, which is one of the oldest forms of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Drakaina the female form of the Greek word drakon, from which we get the word dragon.

At The Park

Within an hour after leaving Twilight's school, Rarity arrived at the entrance of the Four Princess amusement park. Right there were both Filthy Rich and Vignette, “Ah Ms. Rarity,” Filthy said as he greeted Rarity. “Thank you for coming so quickly.” The three then went into the park. Got the first glimpse of the park’s rides and such. There was a haunted house themed ride which looked like the ruined Castle of the Two Sisters it was titled Nightmare Moon's Haunted Castle. There was a building that looked like a fun house but was utterly off. It was titled Discord’s Pandemonium.

There were several roller coasters and other rides. A tunnel ride with the opening looking like the open maw of the shade king Sombra title, ‘Sombra’s Dark Crystal Express’. Rarity also spotted a fairly large Ferris wheel designed like Celestia’s aura mark, a pendulum ride that swung in a circle, much like the waxing and waning moon. Rarity swiftly concluded that it was based on Princess Luna. Next Rarity spied was what seemed to be a storybook ride ‘The Crystal Wedding’ which she rightfully assumed was a romanticization of Cadance and Shining wedding and the crystalling of Flurry. One of the most outlandish roller coasters was called The Sonic Rainboom and was clearly designed off of Rainbow Dash achieving a Sonic Rainboom during the Young Flyers Competition a couple of years back. There were several others based on the Pillars and Founders.

Also in the park, Rarity spotted a restaurant that based on Sweet Apple Temple called Apple Clan Cafe, a small bakery called Pinkie Pie’s Quick Bake Pastries, a small petting zoo call Fluttershy’s Animal Shelter and a structure much like her own boutique which was most likely for children to dress up as their favorite Mystican heroes, including the princesses, the Six key founders, Shining Armor, the Elements of Harmony (which included Spike costumes) and the Pillars of Virtue (which included Stygian), even Discord, King Thorax, Trixie and Starlight and Tempest Shadow and should they chose villains, Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis, Sombra, Tirek, and The Storm King, were some of more noted people.

Another thing that stood out was an arcade, inside were several games, a shooting gallery based around Chrysalis’ invasion of Chanterlot during Cadance’s and Shining’s wedding, an escape room based around Twilight’s Library and a strength test competing against an animatronic copy of the late Storm King.

“Oh Filthy,” Rarity dismissed as she hugged him. “So what exactly are you looking for?”

Vignette then walked up to Rarity, “Rarity Crumbles-Flank, the queen of fashion.” the two then hugged and faked kiss each other's checks. “It’s a pleasure.” Rarity blushed a small in slight embarrassment when she heard her surname, but it faded quickly it something she would have to accept until she got around to legally changing her surname.

Faster than light, Rarity regained her composer, “And the mistress of personality herself, Vignette Valencia.” Rarity said as the two broke so that she could properly greet Vignette. “Darling, it is so exciting to finally meet you.”

“Yes, I'm that ‘Vignette’,” Vignette said as she gave a slight laugh of clearly feigned modesty and a slight smile. “But no, I do not think I'm better than you just because I have three million followers on Chat-Limn alone.” She said as she took out her device, “But that’s nothing compared to your true following.” She tabbed on the screen. “Your Royal Regalia line is still a top seller even with the canceling of the ‘Reign in Stain’ aka ‘Princess Dress’ near the start of the line, and your inner strength line is going strong.” She said as she seemed to be looking for the information. “And your boutiques in both Manahatten and Chantalot have the most sales of all clothing stores even after the novelty bump has faded.” Vignette elaborated. She then back to Rarity, “So here’s the thing, Rares, can I call you ‘Rares’, well there’s the stitch, we…”

Filthy cleared his throat getting the two’s attention, “Ahem, if I may?” Filthy asked. Vignette rolled her eyes and conceded. “The main thing we need is the costumes for the parade for the night of opening day. It is one of the most important events in the park,” he stated.

“Yes, yes, cast count over a hundred and they must perfect.” Rarity countered. “You should have called me in sooner, but everything will be ready for the parade,” she said with a nod.

“You do know we need this done for sunset tomorrow?” Filthy asked.

“This is Rarity.” Vignette countered, “If anyone can do it’s her.”

Later that night as Rarity had thrown another design away, she felt a vibration in one of her pockets followed by a ring. She reached into it and pulled out the device she received the message from earlier that day. The information it projected was the contact information of Sweet Apple Temple. She smiled and answered the call. “Good Evening, Rarity speaking.”

“Glad this went through, Sugarcube, these … what are they called again?”

“Far-voices are their actual names, but most that have them use the name of the band SonTan.” Rarity informed her least technologically savvy friend.

“Ah must be such a Luddite,” Applejack groaned to herself.

“Well you are, but should everything go to hell in a handbasket, you’re the only one with their head on straight. So what are you up to?”

“Well the students, the CMC, Spike, and the girls, and I mean all of them, are ridiculously excited to go to this park for the opening. Heck even Big Mac’s taking Sugar Belle.”

“You youngin’ ain't the only ones gonna have a howling good time” came Granny Smith’s voice.

“Yeah, the park is the talk of the town.” Applejack corrected after Granny’s interruption. The paladin then paused for a second. “Rarity are you sure taking this commission was a good idea?” she asked cutting to the heart of the matter. “You don’t have a lot of time, Sugarcube.”

Rarity smiled, “Thanks for your concern, Darling, but last I can manage minute designs, done it before, will do so again.” Rarity paused as she looked at the piece of paper in front of her. She smiled as finally, an idea came. “Thanks for calling. You just gave me the inspiration I needed.”

“Don’t strain yourself, See ya tomorrow, Sugarcube.”

“Good night, darling.” The two ended their call as Rarity penciled her designs.

At the same time in the Everfree Forest, Vignette arrived at the trees with the photos, aura marks, and hair of Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. She smiled as she saw the four trees had completed their transformation into the copies of the four. Vignette was then consumed by a green fire and showed herself to be Chrysalis. She couldn't help but give a sigh of bliss, her cheeks slightly flushed as if she had a little too much Sweet Apple Temple hard cider, “So much admiration.” She swiftly snapped her focus back to the copies. “Welcome to the world my creations. I have a task for you. Find and bring to me the Elements of Harmony.”

“Whatever loser,” the copy of Rainbow said as she went to a tree hopped onto a branch and fell asleep.

“This is boring.” the fake Pinkie said. “Even breaking the fourth wall is no fun. Hey Foxhelm, You suck! You're a third rate copy paste hack!” she said as she turned to look straight at someone or something but everyone else saw her looking into a void.

The Fluttershy copy then shoved the fake Rainbow out of the tree, “Wakie-wakie Dashie-washie.”

Chrysalis was about to raise her voice when the copy of Twilight wrapped the other three in a bubble and pulled them towards her. “Listen up you three morons. The spell that made us will turn us into planks in seventy-two hour, that’s three days! We can only become permanent with the Elements of Harmony. Now unlike you trio of suicidal fools, I don’t want to die. So shut up and help me find them.” she ordered as she turned and to look into the forest.

Chrysalis smiled, “Very good, now find the Elements!” she ordered as she pointed deeper into the forest.

“Question, where are the Elements?” the fake Rainbow asked as she raised her hand.

Chrysalis groaned and covered her face, “If I knew that I would be leading you to it right now!” she shouted. “They are in this forest and that’s all I know.”

“It’s a pretty big forest.” the fake Fluttershy pointed out. Both Chrysalis and the fake Twilight groaned.

“Come on,” the copy Twilight said as she went into the forest levitating the other three copies behind her. She stopped when she saw Chrysalis was not following, “Aren’t you gonna look too?” she asked.

Chrysalis shook her head, “Sorry,” she then allowed herself to be consumed by green fire to be Vignette again.

“Big plans tomorrow, can’t stay, got to run. Bau-bye.” Vignette said as she turned and left the four to their mission.

The next day, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were within in the park not far from the entrance as people were entering and going to the various rides. “Can you believe it, the Four Castles opening day!” Pinkie cheered as she jumped and landed on Applejack’s shoulders much like a young child would on the shoulders of their father. “What do we do first?” She asked as she hopped off of Applejack’s shoulders and started to skip around the others. “Appleloosa Wild West Stunt Show?” she asked as she pointed towards a stage that was set up to be much like Appleloosa. “Nightmare Moon's Haunted Castle?” she then pointed to the Nightmare Moon haunted house themed ride.

Before she could list a possible third option, “Now hold on Sugarcube,” Applejack said as the paladin took Pinkie’s shoulder. “Having fun is fine and dandy, but first and foremost, we’re here to help Rarity. Yah all know how Rarity gets at the last minute.” The paladin said as she let go of Pinkie, “She’s all alone here without any of her friends.” Everyone else stared at Applejack as the paladin seemed to get lost in thought. Applejack cleared her throat, “Sorry, my point is we’re here for Rarity.” The paladin then spotted some people, mostly girls, gathered around Vignette and taking pictures with her. Applejack turned to her friends and pointed to Vignette, “Um who is that character?”

Everyone sighed in slight frustration at their friend. “She’s not a character, silly!” Pinkie informed. “She's Vignette Valencia!” she elaborated as she pulled out a pocket-size mobile SonTan with a screen. “She's famous on all the platforms, Chat-Limn being her go to, which you'd know if you actually logged in once in a while,” she added with a pout.

Twilight then stepped up in the paladin’s defense, “Now Pinkie, portable telephones were only invented a little over a year ago, and Magiville is such a small town, most people don’t need them as every house has a basic telephone and/or scrying crystal.” But apparently, the universe was addicted to showing people were wrong because Twilight’s own pocket suddenly began to ring. She pulled her own mobile phone out of a pocket. She saw that it was Flash calling her, “Hey, Flash.” She greeted. She smiled instinctually as her boyfriend spoke to her. “Where am I? At the new Four Castles theme park, why do you ask?” Twilight cocked her eyebrow upon hearing his reply. “No, I don’t think I require a bodyguard today.” A pregnant silence filled the air as a blush covered Twilight’s face. Her friends began to smile knowingly. “I’m actually here to help out Rarity, so I don’t think I’ll have time for-”

Rainbow yanked Twilight’s phone out of her hand before she could finish that thought. “Hey?!” Twilight shouted.

Rainbow Dash ignored her. “Hey Crash, it’s Crash.” she held her open hand out so to block Twilight from getting her phone back, “Listen, forget about all that Twilight just said and get down her,” she smirked at her use of pronouns. “This place is actually really dangerous, and she could use all the protection she can get.” she compounded with a wink at Twilight which caused the demigod to blush. There was a distinctive laugh from the other end of the line, followed by what could be assumed was a request for Rainbow to Twilight that he’d be there. “Gotcha Crash.” Rainbow then hung up just before Twilight reclaimed her phone.

Twilight scowled at Rainbow, “Rainbow… just who in the Tartarus do you think you are?!” Twilight growled as she questioned her friend. “You can’t just set me and Flash up on a surprise date now!” she continued to berate the elementalist, her wings flapping in her anger, “We’re here to help Rarity.” she finished as she tried to calm down by breathing through her flaring nostrils.

“It’s okay, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie explained as she stepped to be on Twilight’s right and reached her “We can’t even find Rarity right now. So having an extra pair of eyes would be super helpful in finding her in this ginormous park. Besides, I’ve been looking at this pamphlet map since we got in here and I found that there's a tunnel of love ride dedicated to Princess Cadence. What self-respecting couple wouldn’t want to ride something like that together?”

“Excuse me?” Applejack coughed and got the others’ attention, “Vignette, Ah don’t know who she is but apparently, Pinkie does. Am I the only one in the dark?”

Fluttershy gave a small nervous laugh, “Sorry AJ, but I know about her,” the druid informs. “While she actually really active in environmental and animal concerns like us druids are, she is big, I think the term is signal boosters on it and other topics.” As the paladin turned to face the druid, Fluttershy could tell by the slight scowl on AJ’s face that the paladin sense that there was more. “She also posts a lot of pictures of her corgi, Yas Queen.” she gave another weak laugh.

Applejack rolled her eyes and turned to the others. Rainbow was the next to speak up as she rubbed the back of her head, “She also knows pretty much every awesome athlete, even the WonderBolts, all over Mystica! And our allied nations! Heck even at Midnight Castle, and has helped them set up their own presence on Chat-Limn, Vid-U, and more!” The elementalist informed the paladin with an amount of enthusiasm that actually surprised Applejack.

Applejack then turned towards Twilight. There was a solid second of silence before the demigod spoke, “Don't look at me! I don’t follow her.”

“Follow?” Applejack asked as stretched her head.

Everyone sighed in slight frustration, “Ask Apple Bloom when you get home.” the four said together.

Pinkie then showed Applejack her phone and showed Vignette’s Chat-Limn page as Applejack looked at what was shown, “These are her pictures?” she asked. She showed an image of Vignette on a sandy beach reclining in on beach blanket, "’ Chillin sandy style’? ‘U no how I do’?” She read the text under the photo as a set of question, clearly not understanding. She then went to another picture of Vignette on a desk, "’ I came I saw I vintaged’?” she asked about it but it seemed that the image and the words meaning were ubiquitous to the rest. She rolled her eyes as she looked to another image. “Okay, can somebody tell me why this picture has twenty thousand likes.” she requested as she showed it to Pinkie. On the phone was a short video of Vignette on a bed dressed with her hair covering her eyes slightly, like bangs. ‘#Bangs.’ the Vignette in the video said. Applejack then just gave up and returned the phone to Pinkie. She shook her head, “Uh, I don't know. Spendin' all that time just to look good in a picture ain't my idea of fun.”

“It’s not about fun, it’s a business model, darling.” came Rarity’s voice as she walked up to the group from behind them. They all turned to see the enchantress. They all smiled as they greeted their friend. Applejack was the most intimate as she hugged Rarity first. “I am so glad you came.” Rarity said while the two remained in their hug.

“Ah don’t get yah more times than Ah do, but this is a big thing far yah, Sugarcube.” The paladin said as the two ended the hug.

“Thank you for doing this, but I don’t need your help.” Rarity informed. This didn’t seem to surprise most of the group, however, this did take Applejack off guard. Upon seeing the confusion on Applejack’s face, “You see the staff for the parade’s backstage has been more than helpful, even Vignette.” Rarity then spotted Vignette, “Oh,” she said and then started to wave to get Vignette’s attention, “Vignette, darling!”Vignette turned her attention to Rarity and waved before she walked towards Rarity and her friend.

Applejack looked to Rarity and pointed to Vignette, “You know her?” she asked the enchantress.

Rarity brushed it aside, “Pfft. Do I know her?” she asked rhetorically before she and Vignette greeted with a hug and a ‘Mwah! Mwah!’ one each of their cheeks. Rarity then turned back to the others, “Why she's my best friend here!” she answered her rhetorical question and Applejack’s own question. This didn’t seem to phase most of the group, but Applejack couldn’t help but blink at first before she felt something in her heart, like someone stabbed her.

Vignette then pulled Rarity close to her, “Selfie!” she said as she took out her phone and took a picture of the two check to check. As the two separate as Vignette posted the picture that was taken, “Thanks. You're the best!” Applejack didn’t know why, but something was off about Vignette. She wanted to speak up, but without something more to support her claim, everyone would think she was overreacting. All she could do was growl in annoyance.

Rarity then turned back to her friends, “Everyone, allow me to introduce you to Vignette Valencia,” she said as she waved towards Vignette. Rarity then turned to Vignette and waved towards her friends as “Vignette, these are my friends, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack.” she introduced her friends to Vignette. She then turned back to look at her friends. “Vignette was hired by Filthy to run the P.R. for the park,” she informed as she enlightened her friends to Vignette’s role at the park and why she was there. “and she's my boss,” she added describing the relationship of the two.

Vignette laughed as she stepped to the side, “Rarity, Rarity, Rarity, I told you not to use the "B" word.” she said as shook her head a couple of times. “I'm your friend,” the woman wanted to correct the enchantress on their relationship, "who just gets to boss you around!” she finished as if she was trying to tell a joke. There was a solid second of silence before everyone but Applejack, who just remained silent, then gave a nervous laugh.

Pinkie turned to her right as if looking at someone, “I don't get it.” she stated.

Rarity coughed before she turned back to Vignette, “Now about my friends, they are here to help.” she informed. “Since what remains are a handful of costumes, I was thinking that we could perform a few songs in the parade.” As Vignette seemed to lose interest, “ We play as a band called the Rainbooms.” Rarity quickly added which caused a spark in Vignette’s eyes.

“Rainbooms?” Vignette asked as her interest was peaked. “Why is that familiar?” she then started to look up them on her device.

“Technically the band’s name is ‘Sparkle and The Rainbooms’,” Applejack pointed out. “and we’re short a member unless Twilight here wants to teleport Sunset Shimmer here all the way from Midnight Castle.” the paladin compounded.

“We got plenty of songs that don’t include Sunset.” Rainbow pointed out as she crossed her arms and smirked.

At that time, Vignette found what she was looking for, “Millions of followers across Mystica! Focused consumer-centric demographic, too!” she declared in shock. She then raised her head to the group as she questioned them how they got so well known, “Does your curated content consistently aggregate across multiple platforms?” she asked.

There was another moment of solid silence. “We sing songs together!” Pinkie answered.

Vignette then turned to Rarity, “Brilliant Idea Rarity.” she said as “Just one small tweak, The Rainbooms as the centerpiece of tonight's light parade!” The six looked at each other slightly unsure save Rarity who very much liked the idea. “Don’t fret, you six have saved Mystica at the drop of the hat. Besides, B.Y.B.B. Be yourself, but better!” she said as she walked amongst the six. “That's been my power phrase since I started my first company and look at me now, one of if not the most well-known person around the world. My folks said I couldn’t sell artisanal handmade mascara as a school girl, but I proved them wrong. B.Y.B.B.” she informed.

Fluttershy raised her hand, “Um, how many people will be watching us?” she asked somewhat nervously.

Vignette threw her arms in the air, “Everyone!” Vignette declared, “So what do you say?” she asked as she gave a big toothy smile with dilated pupils.

The six looked to each other inquisitively as they silently debated if they should perform in the parade. Twilight then spoke, “Well, it looks like it will help, Rarity.” the princess stated. Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy gave various agreements.

They all turned to Applejack, who was still giving Vignette a scowl. “Fine,” the paladin said with a huff as she crossed her arms.

Rarity turned back to Vignette, “We’re in. I certain I can get us fitting costumes in time.”

Vignette smiled, “Fantastic,” she then turned to her device and pulled up the profiles of the Rainbooms and the members, included the absent Sunset Shimmer. “Like, follow, like, follow, like, follow, like, follow, like, follow, like, follow,” she said liked and followed the girls, not seeming to note or care about Applejack not having her own presence. She then typed up something. “Upload and post, ladies,” she said, as she posted her comment. “This'll trend fer sure! I'll @ you later with the exact deets, don’t worry about the instruments, I gotcha.” she winked at the six and started to leave. She turned to Rarity, “B.Y.B.B, Rare. V, out.” before she left blowing a chaste kiss to Rarity.

Rarity couldn’t help but blush and giggle slightly. After a second she collected herself, “I know. She's amazing, right?” she asked her friends.

Everyone seemed to nod in agreement, while Applejack just scowled and crossed her arms, “She sure is... somethin'.” she stated with a clear case of bitterness. She took a breath in an attempt to calm herself. However there was still something that she had to get off of her chest, “Question when you said she's your "best friend here", did you mean "best friend, comma, here"?” she asked.

Rarity was taken aback at the question as it didn’t seem to make much sense to her, “I am … sorry.” she said weakly as she didn’t seem to get why Applejack seemed to be abrasive at the moment. She then turned to the rest, “Listen, tonight's a huge opportunity. And not just for me now, but for all of us!” She smiled at them.

“Okay, this conversation is now lame, LET’S GO SEE THE PARK!” Rainbow shouted as she was about to leave.

As the rest started to leave as well, Rarity spotted Applejack still standing there with her arms with a scowl and frown. “Honestly, I don't know why you're giving me your frowny eyebrows,” she said as she noted that the paladin’s abrasiveness was towards her.

Applejack sighed as she turned her head to her right and away Rarity, “It's nothin'.”

Rarity was not sure how to react to that. Rarity then turned to walk away in slight pain, “Uhhh, well, uh... enjoy the park. I'm gonna be super-busy preparing for tonight. So let's meet in the staging area for sound check and run-throughs.” she said and checked her phone for her schedule of the day, “I have three minutes' break at four o'clock, and I can give you two of them. B.Y.B.B.!” she said with a laugh. “Rare, out!” she then bid them all goodbye.

Applejack sighed in frustration at that. Rainbow doubled back to be next to Applejack, “Well, looks like Rares doesn’t need us.” She then turned to Fluttershy, “And we know every one of our songs by heart. So let’s have fun!” Everyone but Applejack cheered in agreement as Rainbow and Fluttershy went off together, Pinkie skipped off on her own and Twilight also headed off as she spotted someone and went to them. All of them leaving Applejack. The paladin sighed and elected to follow Rarity and still see if she could help her friend. Besides, amusement parks weren’t her thing.

After leaving the others, Rainbow and Fluttershy found themselves at the ride based off of the Sonic Rainboom. The two could hear the patrons scream as the ride went down one of the taller ridges. As the two watched, Fluttershy shuddered at the sight. Rainbow grinned as she turned to the druid, “Pretty great, right?!” she yelled as she tried to be heard over the screaming.

Fluttershy continued to shudder as she yelled back to Rainbow, “What?!” she asked.

Rainbow turned to face Fluttershy and yelled “Can you hear me over all the screaming?!” to see if Fluttershy was listening but saw that Fluttershy had her right hand next to her ear.

Fluttershy also turned to face Rainbow and cupped her hands around her mouth, “What?! I can't hear you over all the screaming!” she yelled answering the elementalist’s question while not seeming to know what it was.

Rainbow rolled her eyes before she took Fluttershy’s hand and pulled the two back so that they could speak and hear each other without trying to yell over the screaming. Rainbow turned to Fluttershy, “Look at it this way. It's the perfect opportunity to conquer your fear.” she stated

Fluttershy looked back to the ride and gulped before she turned to answer Rainbow, “Can't I conquer something a little smaller first?”

Rainbow smiled, "Hey, good idea! A warm-up before the big game! Ooh! What did you have in mind? Dragon Lands Drag Racing? Ooh, the Appleloosa Runaway Train! Ooh, Magagara Falls Barrel Flume?!” Rainbow listed off the rides she wanted to go in she was saving the Sonic Rainboom. Fluttershy really wanted to have none of it as she started to step away.

Fluttershy was about to say something, fortunately, her phone rang. She took it out of her pocket and saw it was a message from Vignette. She rubbed her chin in thought and decided to respond.

As Fluttershy left with Rainbow, Applejack had elected to follow Rarity and caught up with the enchantress in the backstage and setup area for the parade. Rarity smiled as she rejoined her friend and hugged her. “Ah don’t get all this, but Ah’m here for you. So this is the parade,” she said as looked at everything.

Rarity smirked, “Applejack, this parade is a living, breathing dance of light and sound!” she informed as twirled around clearly proud of herself. Several assistants then came up with various fabrics, clothes, and costumes. Rarity looked at what was presented to her, “Love it, lock it, stitch it. Beautiful, perfect, I just threw up, love it.” she said as she pointed to each to the things presented and the assistants went off to follow Rarity’s plans using what she pointed to that was good and set aside what Rarity pretty much say ‘no’ to. “Now hurry up! I need these done yesterday!” she ordered.

Applejack smiled seeing that Rarity pretty much did have this in the bag. She patted Rarity on the shoulder, “Vignette was smart to hire you, Rares.” The two turned to actually face each other and the two shared a smile. “Anythin' I can do to help?” Applejack asked.

Rarity gave another smile, “Play a great show tonight?” she asked. Applejack nodded with a smirk.

Rarity then turned away from the paladin and groaned at someone she spotted, “Excuse me! I know I am not seeing a lapped zipper on that faux fur! A lapped zipper is simply a stuck zipper waiting to happen! Ugh!” she scolded the person and groaned before she looked back to Applejack, “This is what I'm up against.” she gestured to the person off to the side.

Applejack looked around nervously and tried to find something to help destress the enchantress, “Say, yall wanna take a break and go get a caramel apple?” she asked.

Rarity smiled but shook her head as she saw a few more assistants step towards the two. “I'd love to, darling, but I am a tad super-insanely busy.”

Applejack shook her head, “Of course. I-I just thought…” she tried to find the right words, but after a few seconds, she realized she had nothing. “Uh, never mind. You're right.” she conceded. “I wouldn't wanna rain on your parade.”

Rarity’s eyes shoot wide open, “Rain?!” she shouted. “I didn't plan for rain!” she started to panic. She turned to the assistants as she was about to run off, “Get me one hundred ponchos, stat!” Applejack shook her head as she covered her face and sighed as her friend seemed to forget that’s a euphemism.

As Rainbow went off to ride, saving the roller coaster based off of her Sonic Rainboom for last, Fluttershy had met up with Vignette, “Oh Fluttershy, thanks for meeting me.” Vignette greeted the druid.

“You’re welcomed,” Fluttershy said very much unsure what was Vignette had in mind. “What exactly are you thanking me for?” the druid elected to get to the heart of the matter.

Vignette smirked, “Theme for your part of the parade.” she said as she pulled out a small picture of the band and each of the girls in get-up very different from their normal attire. “I am thinking let’s mix things up with the get-up. Something beyond the timid little butterfly. No, we need a BOLD, NEW VISION!” She paused as she took notes on her device. “That would be all caps, in Helvetica, sixty-five,” she said as she describing how the letters would look. She then pointed to the rendering of Fluttershy, “I am thinking vampire-themed bad girl, fangs, spiked hair, bat broach ripped tights, the whole package, maybe make your ethereal wings look like bat wings.” Vignette started to describe what she envisioned Fluttershy could not help but look with her eyes around utterly befuddled and confused as what to do. “Also no tambourine,” Vignette said brought Fluttershy back to the present. The idea of her not playing her tambourine was abominable. “I am thinking a custom guitar, I've already commissioned an A-list graffiti/sneaker artist to tag up one for you. How do you feel about skulls?” she asked as she finally looked at Fluttershy with her full focus.

Fluttershy took a step back, “It’s not a bad idea, per se, but I don’t think, uh, maybe I, um... shouldn't do it. At all.” she nearly squeaked in a tiny panic.

Vignette signed at that information she then looked at her hand and a small grin formed, “You're right.” she said with a degree of calm that sent a chill up and down Fluttershy’s spine. “If collab-ing isn't your thing, that's your life decision to make,” she said as she walked up to Fluttershy. “But I have a way for us both to get exactly what we want,” she said with a slight sing in her voice.

Fluttershy turned to Vignette in confusion, “You did?” she asked. As she asked she saw that a small magic circle of lime green color. Her eyes widened in horror as saw the circle started to glow faintly.

Vignette grin turned much more sinister, “Of course! Getting what I want is what I do best, sweetie.” she said as circle activated. Fluttershy vanished in a flash of light. Vignette shook her head, “Sorry, Fluttershy. You'll thank me later.” she said to herself.

Fluttershy blinked as she came to from the teleportation. She saw that she was in a cave she had no idea existed. “Where am I?” she asked as she started to look around and spotted a wide array of exposed traps. Clearly, the person who set them up wanted anyone they had trapped there to feel utterly hopeless.

“With us.” Fluttershy heard Vignette’s voice come from behind her. She turned around her to see Vignette again and the photographer who took the pictures for the Chantalot Historical Society, both looking like they have been there for at least two days and seemed to only have water to drink.

Fluttershy looked back to the traps, “Oh dear,” she whispered. She opened her mouth but stopped, “No, I already used my free requests from Discord. So did Rarity and Applejack.” She then kicked a rock, “Shoot.”

Back where ‘Vignette’ was. ‘Vignette’ sighed, “Okay change of plans. Let’s see. Looks like I’m gonna have to summon the copies. I knew I should have made more than one of just those four.” Vignette signed again as she rubbed the side of her head. She then spotted a few of her followers that seemed to have spotted her and smiled, “Maybe after a few pics.” she said to herself as she walked towards them.

Elsewhere, deep in Everfree Forest, the copy of Twilight held in her magic the other three copies as they traveled. “Oh come on, why are holding us?” the fake Rainbow bemoaned. “Chrysalis doesn’t care about us.”

“Imbecile!” the fake Twilight shouted as she brought the orb to be right in front of her. “I am not doing this for Chrysalis!” she continued. “With the elements of harmony, We will be more powerful than her! Now come on we’re almost there.”

“I thought you didn’t know where they are?” the Pinkie copy asked. The copy Twilight smirked as she pointed to behind the three. The three turned around in the bubble that they were in to see the Castle of the Two Sisters.

"YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL!"

Near the Castle of the Two Sisters, the four copies arrived at the cave where the Tree of Harmony grew. “Soon, we will have the very ability that makes our originals so powerful. The one thing our maker cannot control, and with their full lives will come freedom and might!” The copy of Twilight boomed with laughter as she continued towards the tree with the other three copies still in the bubble she conjured.

“Shouldn’t you let us out?” The fake Pinkie asked.

“And risk her flying off to do who knows what?” She said as she pointed to the copy of Rainbow Dash. She then pointed to Fluttershy, “Meanwhile Fluttershy mocks me for letting her go, and all the while having to drag you along the way?” The copy of Twilight asked. Just as the fake Pinkie was about to raise her hand, “That was a rhetorical question!” She then turned back to the tree and started to close the distance to the crystalline tree. She took a breath and sighed in near ecstasy as she placed her hand on its trunk. “Tree of Harmony, we are the bearers of the Elements, give on to us the fruits of your power!” She ordered the tree.

For a solid second, nothing happened as the four waited. Each of the Elements then flashed black for a second and then from the tree came a faint whisper that sounded like it was made from fourteen voices, three of the voices were men and the rest were women all of them of various ages, “Liar.”

The elements each flashed a solid black, “That can’t be good,” the fake Pinkie commented before the tree sent a beam at the four and sent them the entrance of the cave. However, the four had been transformed. The copy of Fluttershy’s canines transformed into fangs, her ethereal wings changed from butterfly wings to leathery bat wings and her broach became a stylized bat. The fake Rainbow’s hair turned snow white with only six strains that were rainbows that went from red at the base to violet at the tips. The fake Pinkie’s hair went flat and her skin dulled a few shades of gray. The copy of Twilight’s irises became solid red with cat-like pupils, some of her hair changed to be another set of streaks that made her hair look balanced and her metallic wings changed to be feathery ones.

The copy of Twilight was the first to regain her bearings, but as she looked the world had a noticeable red shift in the coloration. She growled not dissimilar only seemed able to get up to her knees and beat the ground with her right fist in frustration. The fake Fluttershy was next to recover and preceded to mock the leader, “Looks like your plan to claim the Elements didn’t work and usurp Chrysalis didn’t work. Haha” she laughed.

The copy of Twilight turned around and conjured a small ring of magic and sent it to wrap around the Fluttershy’s copy’s neck and began to choke her, “Do you have a better idea, Flutterbat?” she asked as the recently named Flutterbat squirmed and kicked and struggled as she tried to breathe. However just before Flutterbat passed out, the copy of Twilight ended her spell and allowed Flutterbat to regain her breath.

“I thought her name was Fluttershy,” the copy of Pinkie commented.

The copy of Twilight sighed, “You imbecile, Ashen Pie,” she dubbed the clone of Pinkie. “Do you think anyone will believe that we are the people we were copies of now with our new forms?” she asked rhetorically. “We cannot stick to the old names so we need new names. Thus she’s Flutterbat,” the pseudo-demigod said as she pointed to Flutterbat, she then pointed back to the recently dubbed Ashen Pie, “you’re Ashen Pie” she then pointed to the fake Rainbow Dash and gave her a new name, “she’s Bleached Dash,” she then pointed to herself, “and I am Midnight Sparkle.” she dubbed herself.

“What’s the plan now, Midnight?” the recently dubbed Bleached Dash questioned Midnight as she leaned against the cave wall asked. “We can’t get the elements, we can’t go to Chrysalis empty handed and we’re not long for this world.”

Just as Midnight was about to answer there was a set of lime-green circles appeared around the four copies and they were gone in a flash of lime-green light.

In front of the tunnel of love, Twilight spotted Flash Sentry standing, waiting for her. Twilight noted that Flash was the only one person armed with his sword in its scabbard. She swiftly brushed that aside, “Hey,” she said as she waved to get his attention. The two then greeted each other with a hug and a soft kiss. “So why did you come here of all the rides?” She asked as she turned to look into the tunnel.

Flash shrugged, “Pinkie Pie directed me here. Gonna be honest, never figured you’d want to meet at this place.” Flash then looked away from the tunnel of love. “Really I’m surprised you’d want to come to this park at all. You’ve always struck me as a girl who defines a good time as reading a well-written tale from an old book, possibly one checked out from the Chantalot Library.” Twilight blushed at that, her man knew her so well. “You do know that the cause of their…” Flash trailed as he tried to find the best word, “unique scent is their patented text and paper preservation technique.”

Twilight looked at Flash with an inquisitive look as she always pondered how the books in the Chantalot Library had their particular scent, “How do you know?”

Flash gave a weak laugh as he rubbed the back of his head and closed his eyes, “I almost got a book destroyed and because I didn’t want my library card revoked I elected to go through their entire process of maintaining, repairing, restoring books.” He then gave another weak laugh.

“You almost killed a book!” Twilight shouted as if she was berating a misbehaved child and hit Flash’s arm thrice.

Flash rubbed his arm, “Ouch.” he said as he rubbed his arm. “So do you want to?” he asked as he pointed back to the ride. Twilight looked back at the tunnel and then back to Flash with a hesitant look. Flash swiftly put two and two together, “There’s an escape room based off of your library.” he suggested. Twilight’s smile was almost impossibly big. He gave himself a small smile.

Meanwhile, as Twilight and Flash headed to the escape room, the four copies were teleported from the cave that housed the Tree of Harmony, and Fluttershy was teleported, Applejack spent most her time seeing how the parade was coming together. She couldn’t help but smile at how everything seemed to be fitting into place for the parade. However, something still nagged at her. She traveled among the floats and such until she spied Rarity in the final stages of setting up the float that was themed off of the area of Dodge Junction.

Rarity was finishing a costume of one of the cast as a cowboy with small lights as part of his getup. “Finished!” Rarity declared with a sigh of relief. She then went to the small cord that went from the right boot. “Let there be light!” she declared as plugged the cord into another one. There was a faint buzz as the small lights on the costume. Rarity sighed in relief, “Maybe tonight won't be a disaster after all.” However, the universe often proves people how wrong they are as there was a crackle and then circuits shorted out and the bulbs went off of. Fortunately, nothing more happened. Rarity’s eyes twitched before she took a breath, “Will you excuse me for a moment?” she asked as she left them and walked over to a pile of clothes and after taking a breath flopped onto the clothes and screamed into the clothes, while muffled, “Of all the outlandish circumstances in the universe, why are all the wretched things happening to me?!”

Applejack shook her head. “Typical Rarity,” she whispered as she walked up to Rarity as the enchantress was flailing in the pile. “How's—?” she started to ask.

Rarity then jumped to her feet and turned to Applejack, “I am not having a meltdown!” She declared with the frustration plastered on her face.

Applejack took a step back in an attempt to defuse and disarm the situation, “Listen, Ah know you’re under a lot of pressure and there’s not much Ah can do to help, but Rainbow sent a message that Fluttershy went off with Vignette…” she started to ask.

Rarity groaned as she rubbed her head to clearly show her annoyance, “Are you honestly asking me this right now?” she asked cutting the paladin asked.
Applejack waved her hands as if to make a barrier, “Oh, it's not that I don't trust Vignette if that's what you're thinkin'.” the paladin tried to throw off.

Rarity rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Listen, Applejack, we're in a giant fun park with at least fifty thousand people.” she stated as a matter of fact. “'Course you can't find her in like ten minutes.” the enchantress explained. She then gasped as her eyes shoot wide open, “Fifty thousand people!” she declared and then gasped again at the fullness of the what her work was going to see, “All looking at my costumes!”

As Rarity started to panic, Applejack was about question the enchantress’ priorities but she knew better at this point. “Can someone make this pile of clothes bigger!” the paladin requested and a handful of assistants dropped some clothes onto the pile. Applejack nodded in gratitude before she gave Rarity a pat that made the enchantress fall into the clothes and started to scream into it. Applejack sighed and left the area to find her friend.

About an hour or so later, Twilight and Flash exited the escape room. The demigod couldn’t help but skip with a big grin and closed eyes, “That was so much fun,” she stopped and looked at Flash and saw a tired and frustrated expression on his face. Twilight’s smile slightly saddened as she placed her hand on his shoulder, “I know escape rooms and antiquing aren’t your things but thank you.”

Flash finally gave a smile, “You’re welcome, so what do you want to do next?” he asked.

Before Twilight could answer, “Excuse me,” came the voice of Applejack. The two turned to face the paladin. “Sorry for interrupting yahr date, but have either of you seen Fluttershy? Rainbow said she left her to met with Vignette but that was over an hour ago”

“Sorry, AJ, we just got out of the Princess Twilight Library escape room,” Flash said as he pointed to the arcade.

Applejack sighed, “Thanks anyway.” the paladin then turned, “Any idea where Pinkie could be?” she asked. The couple questioned pointed to ‘Pinkie Pie’s Quick Bake Pastries’ and there was a line, not so much to go in but for children to get their pictures taken with their created pastries and Pinkie who also gave a few pointers to on how to improve their work and or get the Pinkie Pie Patent Pastry Praise. “Thanks.” Applejack then left the two.

After the paladin left, “I never got an answer to my question.” Flash said as he took Twilight’s hand.

Twilight looked around, “Maybe one time through the tunnel of love won’t kill me.” Twilight then pulled Flash towards the tunnel of love. Flash’s face could not hide a grin of success.

A few minutes later Rainbow arrived back at the Sonic Rainboom roller coaster. She couldn’t help but jump a little in excitement. She had been building to this and couldn’t help but feel as giddy as a child. The admiration of the children that spotted her and wanted to meet her did help boost her enthusiasm. Just as she was about to get in line she spotted Applejack, “Hey, AJ!” she shouted as she waved to the paladin. Applejack walked over to the elementalist. “I was just about to ride this thing!” she said as she pointed to the ride.

Applejack looked at the ride and couldn’t stop herself from blinking and gulping at the sight. “Ah knew you like tah dive off the deep end, but this?” she asked as she turned back to her friend. Upon seeing the smirk of determination on Rainbow’s face answered Applejack’s question. “So have you seen Fluttershy, after she left you to met Vignette?” she elected to get to the heart of the matter.

“Sorry, I haven’t. Been building up to this ride.” the elementalist answered as she was about to get in the line. Applejack was about to say something, but after a second of thought, she knew it would go nowhere. She gave a soft sigh and turned to leave Rainbow. This was not unnoticed by the elementalist. “Hey, if you do bump into her, remind her she still owes me a ride!” Applejack rolled her eyes and gave another sigh as she left Rainbow in search for Fluttershy. Rainbow then received a message from Vignette. “That’s odd,” she said an after a shrug of her shoulders turned to met with Vignette. Applejack spotted Rainbow leaving the ride and elected to follow her, knowing that if Rainbow was not going on the ride, then something was up.

Half an hour later Rainbow arrived at where she was to met with Vignette. “Rainbow. Thanks for coming.” Vignette said as she reached her hand out and the two shook hands. The two then turned and walked to what seemed to be a secluded spot. Unbeknownst to them, Applejack followed just out of their vision. “Rarity told me you're the coolest, smartest friend who knows what's the opposite of down.” she complimented Rainbow.

Rainbow could help but give a closed-eye smirk as her ego was stroke by Vignette, “True, I know everything that’s up! So what’s this about?” she asked as she allowed some of her ego to deflate.

“I have a bold new vision for the Rainbooms!” Vignette declared as she took a step to be in front of Rainbow. “The Throwbacks! Capital T, #TBT, Throwback Today. Or for short, T.C.T.H.T.B.T.[T.B.T.], pronounced "ta-ca-ta-ca-ba-ta"! “She declared as she pulled up the rendering of the band she had shown Fluttershy. “You are going to represent the touchstones of cool throughout the ages!” she said as she presented it to Rainbow.

Rainbow had not yet seen the image, but she nodded at the idea, “So far you got me, V. a retro-approach is something we’ve done before, it would be cool to do it again.” She then opened her eyes and saw the picture. The 990 AC’s gothic Flutterbat get up was striking, but was cool. However, the next thing that caught her eye left her stupefied. “Is that…” she started to question.

Vignette pulled her device back, “That’s right, ‘Rainbow Dash: 950 ACs Sock Hop Sweetheart"! Poodle skirt, adorable hair with a bow…’” she started to trail off.

Rainbow took a step back and waved her hand to dismiss the whole thing, “Woah, Woah, woah, I am nobody's’ sweetheart, sock hop or otherwise.” she finished as she crossed her arms in defiance.

Vignette gave a small pout for a second. However, it passed as a smirk formed, one that Rainbow didn’t notice. She gave a sigh, “Well, if you insist on just, being yourself, I sure I can find a way to work around this hiccup.” she said as she placed Rainbow’s shoulder. Just as Vignette’s hand left Rainbow a circle appeared at Rainbow’s feet and before the elementalist could react she was teleported away.

Applejack gasped as she ducked behind a barrier, “I knew something was up with that Vignette and that she was up to somethin'!” the paladin said as she brought down her clenched right hand into the open palm of her left hand. She then rubbed the back of her head and neck, “Just wasn't expectin' somethin' so magic and evil.” she had to admit. “Ah gotta find Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie and stop Vignette.” As she was about to sneak away, “But where did she send Rainbow?” she asked herself.

Rainbow blinked around as she regained her sight from the teleportation and saw that she was with Fluttershy and what seemed to be another Vignette but was clearly disheveled and what looked like the photographer from the Chantalot Historical Society, along with all the traps that were set up. Rainbow groaned, “Aw, man!”

About fifteen minutes later back in the backstage for the parade, as Rarity was walking among the floats, “Two hours until wheels up, everyone!” she shouted to the staff there. “Tonight’s parade waits for no one!” she continued to order as a couple of the staff came to her with clipboards for her to look on, “Tick-tock! Tick-tock!” she finished as the parade seemed to be completed.

Rarity smiled at her work, just as Vignette walked up behind her, “Big night tonight, Rare.” Vignette said as she got Rarity’s attention, “Perhaps the biggest of all time.”

Rarity laughed, “I’ve had quite a few fashion shows,” however she knew that this was by far the biggest one thing she has ever done. Her laugh died after a second, “But this is definitely the biggest solo commission of my works thus far in my life.” She said had to confess as she dipped her head and sighed in slight exhaustion.

Vignette smiled as she placed her arm around Rarity’s shoulder, “I'm excited for you, Rare.” she said as turned to Rarity’s work, “So don’t be worried about it, you are RARITY!” she said in praise. She then let go of Rarity, “Thus there's no room for self-doubt.” she said as she turned to face Rarity, “You've gotta get rid of it faster than a pleated cargo skort.” the two then shuddered at the idea of such an article of clothing existing. Vignette looked around and then at her device to check the time. “You got about half an hour before you have to practice with the rest of the Rainbooms.” Vignette informed. “So get yourself something to eat and met up with your friends.” She then pretty much pushed Rarity to leave. Almost reluctantly Rarity left.

Half an hour later, still in the staging area for the parade but outside of the where the floats were staged, Pinkie and Twilight were at the float that their band would play on. With them was Flash, who was making sure the instruments were tuned. The three were joined by Rarity as they were getting the last measurements for their costumes. Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle. Rarity, on the other hand, sighed in annoyance as she looked around, “I suppose Applejack has better things to do than be here for the final fittings and sound check!” She moaned as the absence of the paladin was unmistakable.

Twilight walked to Rarity and placed her hand on the enchantress’ shoulder. “Take it easy, Rarity, I think she’s trying to find Rainbow and Fluttershy. So you really shouldn’t be mad at her.” She tried to defend the paladin.

Rarity turned and scowled at the demigod, “Do not tell me who to be annoyed with!” She commanded the princess. Twilight took a step back in shock.

Nervously, Twilight, Flash and Pinkie shared shaken expressions on their faces. Pinkie then hopped over to Rarity, “I know you're stressed, Rarity,” she said as she started to rub Rarity’s shoulders in an attempt to calm the enchantress. This did not have the desired outcome as Rarity glared at Pinkie. Pinkie gave a repentant smile as she went back to her drumset.

Rarity groaned, however just as she was about to get on the float when they all heard, “Stop!” shouted the voice of a very familiar paladin. Everyone stopped and turned to see Applejack. The assistants gasped at the command as they obeyed. Applejack rubbed the back of her head in trepidation. “Sorry, ya’ll. Ah didn’t mean everyone, just my friends.” She gave a tense laugh as she walked to the float with Rarity et al.

Rarity took a breath in vain attempt to calm herself, “Where have you been?” She asked getting to the heart of the matter.

The paladin seemed to have ignored the question, “None of you met with Vignette, right?” She asked. Twilight and Pinkie shock their heads not following their farm friend. They turned to Flash who just shrugged his shoulders in a rather dismissive manner as if to say, ‘She’s your friend.’

Rarity sigh and placed her head in her hands. “We don’t have time for this Applejack.” she groaned. After a second she took a breath and looked up at the paladin. “Whatever it is that’s bothering you, you can explain it after the parade.” She took another breath in an attempt to calm herself, “I’m sure—” she started.

Applejack took Rarity by both arms, “There’s no time Rarity! Vignette is evil!” Unbeknownst to the paladin, Vignette had seen the paladin meet her friends. She tapped her chin in thought for a second. In her thought, a memory popped in.

Hours ago, Midnight, Bleached, Flutterbat and Ashen had teleported to an empty warehouse. “Well so much for independence.” Bleached groaned.

“You honestly thought, I’d make it so easy for you four to betray me?” came the voice of Vignette as she walked up to the four. She dropped her guise and revealed herself to be Chrysalis.

“I see you failed to get the Elements of Harmony. Forutarly I have other uses for you four.” She said as she sent four beams that manifested four collars, one for each of their necks. Chrysalis then returned to her guise as Vignette. “Love the new hairdos.” She winked and turned to leave the clones.

Midnight roared and dove at Vignette, but was forced to her knees by an electric surge from the collar. This caused the other three to laugh before they too were shocked.

As the memory passed, Vignette’s expression changed to a sinister smirk as she pulled out her phone and tapped a few buttons. Almost instantly after Vignette finished tapping the buttons on her device, back at the warehouse, Bleached and Flutterbat were teleported into Vignette’s office. Which left Midnight and Ashen, “So how about a game of twenty questions?” Ashen asked. Midnight rolled her eyes and facepalmed herself. Back in Vignette's office, Bleached and Flutterbat appeared. Vignette smiled and walked out and then couched to get everyone's attention.

Back at the float, everyone turned to face Vignette. Applejack scowled as she continued to argue her case. “She’s done somethin' to Fluttershy. And I saw her teleport Rainbow somewhere!” she levied the accusation.

Vignette shook her head, “Oh, honey, delusional isn't your color.” She dismissed the paladin’s accusation and pointed to Applejack’s hair, “You're clearly an autumn.”

“I was born shortly after the Spring Equinox.” Applejack countered as she gritted her teeth. This caused Rarity to groan as she covered her face in embarrassment. Vignette only rolled her eyes. “I know you teleported Rainbow and Fluttershy somewhere. Now confess!” The paladin shouted as she pointed at Vignette.

Vignette shock her head as she pointed to her office with the window with the blinds and shades open. In her office were Rainbow and Fluttershy, both of whom were trying on their costumes. No one questioned that Fluttershy was trying on a 990’s AC gothic punk and seemed to embrace acting like Flutterbat. However, even Rarity raised one eyebrow as they saw that Rainbow was dressed like a 950’s AC Sock Hop Sweetheart with her hair was dyed white and broken-up by a handful of streaks of her normal hair color but perpendicular. However, they all pretty much accepted it as a one-time thing, besides Rainbow needed to ‘girl-up’ every once in a while.

Well, all but Applejack. The paladin remembered that Fluttershy never liked to dress up like ‘Flutterbat’, especially after last Nightmare Night. As for Rainbow, sure Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie might believe that Rainbow would doll herself up, but Applejack knew that Rainbow would never perform in such a get-up. Unfortunately, the only people who would side with her on either on the issue were the ones currently getting dressed.

“They look good by the way,” Vignette added with a massive smirk. She then turned her focus to Rarity, “Sorry for the last minute tweak, but your work is fantastic.” She praised the enchantress.

Rarity placed her hand on Applejack’s shoulder, “Applejack, the parade starts in about an hour, and—” she started in an attempt to reason with the paladin.

Applejack exhaled thrice through her flaring nostrils as she brushed the enchantress’ hand from her shoulder, “This is bigger than the parade, Rarity!” She shouted.

Rarity frowned and leaned in to challenge the paladin, “Nothing's bigger than this parade, Applejack!” She retorted with mounting ire.

Applejack eyes constricted as her lips curved in her own bubbling fury, “Are you stupid?! You can’t believe that those two are Rainbow and Fluttershy!” She shouted as she pointed to the two she knew to be imposters. “Our real friends are missing!”

Both women growled at that each other and seemed to ready to tear each other apart. Vignette, who happened to be in the center of the two, took a couple of steps back and walked around them. “I'm gonna let you two sort this out amongst yourselves.” She said with a slight hint of fear as she left the scene.

Rarity clenched her fists before she crossed her arms, “Admit it! You don't care about my parade!” She accused the paladin.

Applejack’s mouth went agape at what the enchantress said. “Your parade?!” She repeated in shock of her friend's blatant obtuseness. “ This isn't about you!” She countered before she pointed in the direction the Vignette left in. “She's done somethin' to our friends!” She added.

Rarity rolled her eyes at the claim, “Is this about our friends?” She asked, “or about you and Vignette?”. Rarity countered. This took Applejack aback. “Don’t play stupid, ever since you saw her earlier today you’ve been casting judgment on her. Is it because that only after about a day, she and I get along so well? Some could argue better than you and I ever have.” Rarity then paused as something dawned on her, “You’re jealous of how close we are! Admit it!”
Twilight was about to speak up to be some sort of mediator between the two before things got worse. However, before she said anything, both Pinkie and Flash pulled her back. The two shook their heads, indicating that at this point, all they can do is duck and cover.

Back between the enchantress and the paladin, Applejack had just had enough of her friend's obtuseness. She tried to calm herself with a few breaths through her nostrils, but if it did anything, it only bellowed the fire just under the skin. “You're so blind, you can't even see she's usin' you!” The paladin almost shouted back. “You only like her because she's always blowin' smoke up your chimney!” the paladin continued as she pointed out the one-sidedness of the perceived relationship between Vignette and Rarity. “But that's what she does to everyone!” she pointed out how fickle Vignette is and how meaningless her flattery of Rarity is. “YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL!” she shouted as she tried to convey the point. However just as she heard those words she paused in horror of her words. Everyone else was left in utter shock about what the paladin said. Applejack then looked away from Rarity and started to walk away. “I should...go,” she said in a weak and apologetic voice.

Rarity crossed her arms and scowled at the paladin, “I have to agree,” she said in cold bitterness. However, everyone could tell that she was feigning not being hurt. Before anyone could say anything Applejack walked away. The three other saw Rarity’s shell break as she covered her face and sobbed as she ran in the other direction.

Author's Note

Bleached Dash's design id off of Jon Fawkes' Lunar Rainbow from his/her Nightmare War artwork series. So go support Jon Fawkes . As for her name, bleached is an antonym of 'rainbow' and hints to her mostly white her.
Ashen Pie- While the fan base likes to use 'Pinkamena' as the name of the 'dark' Pinkie, but if we think about it, as Yakity-Sax, shows that the 'Pinkamena' persona of Pinkie while she's depressed. Ashen, also, is a synonym for gray.
Flutterbat and Midnight Sparkle... pretty straight forward, I think. :applejackunsure:

Welcome to The Parade

“Rarity, Applejack wait!” Twilight called in an ultimately futile attempt to get the two come back and talk. As both the enchantress and paladin made clear that they weren’t going to return, Twilight sighed, “What do we now? We can’t let things end like this between them.”

“Um, Twily, you know I love you…” Flash started.

“Uh-oh, pet name and ‘you know I love you’,’” Pinkie whispered as she seemed to teleport to be at Twilight’s side. “That means he’s about to tell you something he knows you don’t want to hear.” The jester commented. Twilight rolled her eyes as she turned to her boyfriend.

Flash took a breath and then continued what he intended to say, “It might be best to let Applejack and Rarity figure things out for themselves.” He suggested. He then placed his hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “Trying to make them talk to each other is only going to push them farther away from the issue.” Twilight raised her hand and opened her mouth to protest, but in less than a second, she shut her mouth and reluctantly nodded.

Vignette then stepped back into the area. "Sorry ladies, but waiting is for waiters.” the PR expert informed the group. “Besides’ we're better off without her.”

Flash raised his hand, “Excuse me, ‘We?’” He asked as he pointed to Vignette and then himself. “Yeah, the last I checked, I was not part of the Rainbooms and wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest if you were to take the stage with them.”

Vignette smirked, “A few things studmuffin,” she started, “One I wasn’t including you, two, my job is to make sure this parade goes off without a hitch and three it won’t be the Rainbooms playing tonight,” the two girls looked at each other in confusion at Vignette’s proclamation. “but The Throwbacks!” she declared as she threw her arms up in the air as they were joined by the Sock Hop Sweet Rainbow and the Gothic punk Fluttershy. Vignette then turned her attention to Twilight, “You I’m seeing 980 AC’s tomboy with a baseball hat,” Vignette then turned to Pinkie, “And you 960-970 AC’s College Liberal Arts student, maybe flatten your hair,” she then stopped as she saw Pinkie jumping up and down and waving her extended right-hand. Vignette rolled her eyes and gave a silent closed-eyes nod.

Everyone’s attention turned to the jester “First,” she then pointed to Twilight before she started to laugh, not that she found a joke itself funny, but how bad the joke was, “tomgirl, her?” she asked as she continued to laugh at what she believed to be a joke. She then pointed to herself, “and me, a college student?” she then covered her mouth and snickered. Once she finished her laugh. “That was so bad it was funny.” She then sighed and returned her true focus to Vignette. After a solid second of silence, then it dawned on her, “Oh wait. You’re serious?” she asked. Vignette nodded. Pinkie couldn’t help but chuckle, “Let me laugh harder.”

Before she could continue her laugh, Twilight spoke up. “Listen, Vignette, we agreed to play as the Rainbooms. We aren’t playing without Applejack and Rarity. And we aren’t playing with you. Or in those costumes…” Twilight trailed off as she looked at ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Fluttershy’. Something felt… off about the two.

Just as she was about to question them, “Well looks like we’re gonna have to go to plan d,” Vignette sighed as she took out her phone and tapped on it. “I had hoped you’d actually play your part, but if you insist on being difficult…” she trailed off as two magical circles of lime green fire. One appeared around the feet of Twilight, Flash, and Pinkie and another appeared just to their left. The one to their left brought a copy of Pinkie dressed in gray with gray flat hair and a copy of Twilight with feathery wings, red irises with cat-like pupils and another set of her streaks in her hair that made it appear balanced. “I can work around it.” Vignette smiled as just as the magic circle at the three’s feet.

Twilight then saw Vignette’s eyes change to be a very similar set of eyes. “It’s-” Twilight was cut short as the magic circle activated and teleported the three away before she could finish.

With Twilight, et al, gone Vignette turned to Midnight and Ashen, “Okay girls, time to get dress we got a gig.” Vignette said as she sent from her left hand a beam of lime green magic to Midnight and Ashen which transmuted their clothes to what Vignette described. “Fantastic, now let’s get ready for the show,” she sing-sang as she picked up what was to be Rarity’s keytar and gave it to Midnight. Midnight was about to protest, but she felt a small electric charge from the collar and was silenced before she could do anything. Bleached, Flutterbat and Ashen took a small look at their collars and didn’t challenge Vignette as they grabbed their instruments and got on to the float. “Now that’s what I call teamwork!” Vignette declared. She then gave a blissful sigh, “I wish I'd had this thing years ago.”

Just then, Rarity returned after seeming to have had a good cry. However, she still looked down at the ground forlorn about the fallout between her and Applejack. Vignette turned and spotted Rarity. She squealed as she took under her arm. “Rare, you're not gonna believe this!” she said she pointed to the group.

Rarity’s gaze rose to see Vignette’s alterations to her friends. “Wha…” she tried to ask, but her mouth fell open. She knew that her friends would be willing to take a through the back, but this was far from what they would have done, but Twilight was one for more of a classical look, Rainbow a 980 AC’s Metal Rock, Fluttershy a 960 AC’s musical and Pinkie a 990 AC’s techno. But what she was looking at. Applejack was right, these weren’t her friends. “What have you done with my friends?” Rarity asked as she turned to face Vignette, still in horror of what she saw.

“They were dragging things down, so I got a few upgrades.” Vignette stated as if what she did was replace a cracked wagon with one of the recent models. Vignette continued to smile at her work. “Now we can make the parade exactly how I want it!” she declared.

Rarity took a step back, “How you want it?” she asked utterly taken aback at what Vignette said.

She placed her hand on her chest, just above her heart. “You said you hired me for my vision!”

Vignette smiled as she shifted her gaze back to the float, “Well, I needed your vision to bring out my vision.” Vignette pointed out before she turned back to Rarity. “That’s kind of how commissions work.”

Rarity’s mouth then closed as she started to scowl, “Where are my friends?!”Vignette shrugged her shoulders an ‘Mmmm,’ she tried to feign ignorance. Rarity was not convinced at that. “Bring them back right this instant!” Rarity ordered as she felt her blood starting to boil.

Vignette tapped her chin for a second in what was clearly fake thought, “Bring back four people who promised to help but not willing to do what I need for this to work as I see, or send a fifth person who just doesn’t seem to get the picture.” she looked to Rarity and then to her hands, “decisions, decisions,” she then sighed. “I wish there was an app for this.” She then took her phone out and saw a coin toss app. A sinister smirk grew on her face, “Well what do you know there is an app for that.” She then looked to Rarity, “Tell you what, Rares, heads I win, tails you lose.”

Rarity scowled, “You won’t dare!”

Vignette then rolled her eyes in boredom, “Okay decision made. Since you wanna be with them so bad, I'll do you one last favor. You're welcome.” Her eyes flashed. Rarity gasped as she raised her hands to block something.

“Chrysalis!” Twilight finished as the teleportation spell ended. She was the first of herself, Pinkie and Flash, to regain her vision as they arrived in the spot that Rainbow, Fluttershy, the real Vignette and the real photographer were sent. “Damn it! I should have taken AJ’s concern about Fluttershy more seriously. And now we’ve been trapped by Chrysalis and she’s replaced us all with copies.” Twilight then slammed her fist against the floor.

“You too,” Rainbow said as she was first to greet the new arrivals. She then focused on Flash, “Why are you hear Crash?” she asked.

“Long story or short, Crash?” he asked as he looked around. “Because we can’t stay here.”

“He was helping us tune our instruments,” Pinkie said as she seemed to teleport to Rainbow’s right. She then leaned into Rainbow’s ear, “Maybe Twilight let him tune yours,” she whispered and gave Rainbow a playful wink. This left the elementalist with checks beet red.

“Question, how are we gonna get out?” the photographer asked. “Vignette and I have been here for days,” she informed.

Twilight looked around for a second before she went to the floor and started to draw a circle. “Well, while Egghead crunches numbers, anyone got any ideas?” Rainbow asked almost belligerently.

“Well on the bright side, Rarity and Applejack aren’t here.” Pinkie chimed in as she tried to show that there is some hope. However, this was short-lived, “But only if they stop fighting first.” she added.

Flash face palmed himself, “So much for that silver lining,” he said into his hand while he brought it down and away, the apparent bemoaning of Pinkie's word choice.

Back between Vignette and Rarity, “So sorry Rare, guess you're not so "rare" after all.” she then conjured a lime green circle at Rarity’s feet. Only for it to fizzle out before it could activate. Vignette’s mouth dropped in confusion.

Rarity smirked, “Sorry, darling,” she then stepped to the side, and tapped her tiara, “Never underestimate a good accessory!” she said as she took out a small gem. She took a breath as her tiara’s focus gems flashed and then her hand as she shattered the gem and then threw it down at her feet making a large cloud of smoke that allowed her to vanish.

Once it cleared Vignette and the four fakes noticed Rarity’s absence. “I’ll go…” Bleached started.

“No!” Vignette said as she held up her hand. “Wheels are up in fifteen minutes. We don’t need her. Besides what can she do all alone, not even the hick is gonna help her. Now I need to get my costume.” She turned to the office, but before she entered it. “Don’t screw this job up,” she told the four.

As the sun was setting and people were heading to catch the parade, Applejack was heading towards the park’s exit. She stopped near one of the benches, sat down and sighed as she leaned forward with her elbows on her thighs and her jaw in the palms of her hand.

“Yah really know how to make the situation better, don’t cha, Applejack?” She asked her. The sardonicism in her voice was unmistakable. She turned her head to her right in the direction everyone was going to catch the parade.

She sighed, “It’s gonna start soon, and I might have just let loose a hailstorm in a hurricane on it.” She verbalized. “Maybe if Ah said or done somethin' or said somethin' different?” She asked herself. “Maybe none of this woulda happened.” she tried to think it, but she could only sigh knowing that it really didn’t answer anything. She covered her face, “I really screwed things up with Rarity.” She cried.

However, just as the first tears started to fall, “APPLEJACK!” The paladin heard her name being called out to her. She raised her head to see Rarity running towards her.

As the paladin stood up, the enchantress was able to get to within three feet before she started to pant, “Don't go!” She said as she attempted to collect her breath. Applejack remained silent, she knew this was Rarity’s time to speak.

Once Rarity finally collected her breath, “You were right.” She acknowledged. “I know what you meant. Vignette only wanted the results of my labors, she didn’t value me as a person, not like you.” The enchantress reached a hand out to the paladin. “I got carried away with Vignette’s flattery and I let this stupid parade become the only thing that mattered! I forgot what’s really matters – my friends.” She said as she lowered her hand, not sure if Applejack would accept it.

The paladin smiled as she took a step forward and pulled Rarity into a hug, “Oh, Sugarcube, Ah forgive you.” she said softly. Rarity then returned the hug, “Ah tah confess, you were right, I was jealous of how friendly you and Vignette were. I’m sorry. I thought I was bein' honest with you about not likin' Vignette, but in the end, I wasn't bein' honest with myself.” Applejack started and then pulled Rarity as close as she could, “I felt like I was losin' my best friend.” she admitted.

Rarity returned the embrace, “You didn't.” she whispered in turn. The two closed their eyes and smiled for a solid second. Just then Rarity’s eyes shoot wide open as she recalled the other reason why she was seeking Applejack. She gasped, “Our friends!” she said in shock as she ended the hug and pushed Applejack back. "You were right about Vignette! She confessed that she’s teleported our friends and replaced them with some botched doppelgangers! We have to find and save them!”

Applejack’s shot wide open in shock, “What?!” she asked. She then took Rarity’s shoulders. “We've been wastin' all this time chin-waggin' about feelin's?! We need to get crackin' on a rescue plan!”

Applejack stopped as she felt something in her mind, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight's voice was heard in Rarity’s and Applejack’s minds. Can you two hear me?

“Is that…” Rarity started to question.

Yes, it’s me. I know it’s been a while since we used or psychic link, but listen, the Vignette we met is not the real Vignette. She’s Chrysalis! She managed to kidnap and replace the real Vignette and the photographer from the Chantalot Historical Society. She even made copies of Rainbow and Fluttershy.

Rarity cleared her throat, “She also made copies of you, Twilight, and Pinkie.” the enchantress informed.

Why am I not surprised? Twilight’s mind asked rhetorically. I don’t know what Chrysalis had planned with the copies, or why she’s masquerading as Vignette.

“Power,” Applejack answered in a gasp. “Chrysalis must have swapped places with Vignette to gain power from the affection people feel for her.” the paladin concluded, “That whore must be starving.”

“That might explain why whatever plan she has seems so… haphazard.” Rarity commented as she held her chin as thought back on what she learned in the last run-in with ‘Vignette’.

We can deal with that later. Do you both know, detect magic? The demigod asked.

“Yes.” both answered.

Good. I’m about to cast both a shielding spell and a dispel magic spell. We’re where you will sense an area with a sudden drop in magic in the area surrounding another area of magic. In three, two, one… Applejack and Rarity closed their eyes and waited.

Back where Twilight, et al were teleported to, everyone was inside a rune circle. “And…” Twilight said as focus gem glowed, “Dies ist verboten!” the demigod declared. Everyone covered the face and ducked hoping that the casting of Twilight’s spell wouldn’t trigger the traps. Twilight instantaneously swiftly placed her hand on the rune circle. “Aegis,” she said as she conjured a shielding bubble. Once a solid second past everyone opened their eyes and saw that they were in a warehouse.

“SERIOUSLY!” Rainbow shouted, “We’ve been in a plain warehouse under an illusion spell the whole time?!” Her face went red as her blood started to boil.

Pinkie leaned against one of the walls, “Looks like Chry picked up a few tricks. But don’t you all think all the obvious traps pretty much screamed thas wasn’t real?” she asked innocently as if she figured that everyone already could tell that. Rainbow clenched her fist and then a primal scream that resonated throughout the entire warehouse.

Back where Rarity at Applejack for Twilight to cast her spell. Once they heard ‘one’. “Magicae invenire.” the two said and open their eyes. They scanned until they saw the warehouses where the parade was staged. There they saw one of the warehouses and one looked in their eyes to be black with a pocket of white.
“There!” Rarity declared as she started towards it.

Applejack held back for a second, “Really, not even on a different block.” she complained before she covered his face and groaned. She took a breath and dashed after Rarity as the two ran to the warehouse.

Back inside the warehouse, Twilight dropped her shield spell.

“Well, that was anticlimactic,” Flash commented. He turned back to Twilight, however before Twilight could scowl at that remark “But on the bright side, we can now get out.” Flash then walked over to the door and started to turn it, however, the door was locked. “Okay plan b.” Flash then walked all the way to the farthest side of the mostly empty warehouse. “Everyone stay clear!” He shouted. He took a breath as he took the stance for a start to a race. “Star Burst,” he whispered before he started to run at the door.

Little did he know, Rarity and Applejack arrived outside of the warehouse just as he was getting ready to run. “Alright, they’re in there.” Rarity said.

Applejack took a breath as she grabbed the door’s handle, “Fortitudo bovis.” The paladin said as her hands glowed red delicious red before she pulled the door off. Just as she and the door were clear, Flash ran by only to bump into the wall of the next building and bounced from it and then land on the ground. The two cringed at the sight of the impact. Applejack turned to Rarity, “Sugarcube, I’ll check on him,” Applejack said as she pointed to the down sentry.

“I’ll check on everyone else, darling.” Rarity stepped into the warehouse with a nod of understanding. However, before Rarity could enter, the other captives came out. Twilight in front.

“Flash!” The princess shouted as she flew past Applejack. Flash groaned as he got up and waved Twilight away.

“Thanks for coming to help us.” Pinkie said as skipped and hugged both Applejack and Rarity. “So what do we do now? With Chrysalis disguised as Vignette and the copies she’s made of us.” Pinkie pointed out.

Applejack scratched her chin before an idea suddenly came to her. “I think it’s time that phony diva and her pack of fakers get a show for what they really are,” Applejack smirked, “and Chrysalis has given us the perfect stage to make this her final performance.” Applejack then turned to Rarity, “It will mean that we’re gonna disrupt the parade and a lot of people won’t see all your hard work.”

Rarity gave a small, understanding smile to the paladin, “Someone reminded me that none of that matters without my friends.” she said as she took Applejack’s hand. “So what’s your plan?”

“Do you know the spell 'dispel magic'?” Applejack asked the enchantress. Rarity smirked and batted her eyes as if to say ‘Really, darling.” Applejack smiled. “Huddle up, yall.”

Down the main rode of the park, almost everyone was watching the parade. Among the crowd were the CMC, the Student Six, most of the Pillars, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Spike, Starlight, Sugar Belle, and Trixie.

All cheered as each floats passed. Some of the floats were short staged plays of the events of Mystica's history, from Bullion's forging of the uneasy peace of the three tribes, to the banishment of Nightmare Moon and more recent events such as the restoration of Princess Luna to the coronation of Twilight, even to the defeat of the Storm King.

Some of the floats gave a snapshot of the many cities of Mystica and another handful or two were dedicated to Mystica's allies and their history such as when the famed ork hero Yksler stopped a massive battle by stepping into the field, the day King Grover discovering the Idol of Boreas, the first Changeling/elf queen Mirage's discovery of Caer Sith, to list a few.

At last, the float with 'Vignette' and the Throwbacks came into view. Vignette started her song, causing everyone to swiftly everyone covered their ears due to how off-key ‘Vignette’ was singing, “Be yourself, but better.
Or don't be yourself at all
Follow Vignette
That's V-I-G-N-E-T-T-EEEEEEE!” Before she could continue the song was (thankfully) cut short due to feedback from the microphone. Which lead to pretty much everyone jeering at her. This was compounded by the Throwbacks playing terrible renditions of Rainbooms own music.

Vignette scowled at the reception she had received. “This crowd isn't cheering enough for my taste.” Her eyes flashed as she prepared to cast a spell. The float came to a creaking halt which caused all five of them to lose their balance.

Vignette was the first to get back to her feet. “What the…” She asked with her ire bubbling to the surface.
Vignette then looked down the road to see Rarity about three feet in front of the float and Applejack holding it in the air. “Sorry to rain on your parade,” Rarity said as she pointed to the sky showing that there were some storm clouds on the horizon.

Applejack then lowered the float with a thud, “Nice one.” The paladin replied with a wink.

Rarity smiled in turn before she turned her full focus back to Vignette. “But I'm afraid this evening is canceled, Chrysalis!” The enchantress declared as her face hardened and her focus gem started to glow, “Dies ist verboten!” Rarity’s focus gem caused the float to be washed in sapphire light. Once the light faded, the four Throwbacks were transmuted into four planks and they landed on the float with several light thuds. Vignette was bathed in both Rarity’s sapphire light and a lime-green flame and as the faded, she was revealed to be Chrysalis. Everyone in the crowd gasped at the revelation.

Chrysalis chuckled, “You think you are a match for me, Rarity, Applejack?” She continued to snicker, “Even with my facade dropped, I’ve absorbed the admiration that all these people have for Vignette Valencia. Shining’s undying unconditional love for Mi Amore Cadenza was powerful, but that was one person’s feeling for another. Lo and Behold the power I have from just small amounts from millions of people from all over the world.” Chrysalis began to pool her magic into an orb in the center of her hand.

“Hey, bitch!” This caused Chrysalis’ smirk to vanish as she and everyone heard those words. They all turned to see Vignette, Twilight, et al. “Stealing someone’s identity, fans, and life just to make yourself feel ‘empowered'... and people call me vain.” Vignette then turned to Twilight, her face now paler than a sheet. “Hey Princess Twilight, so as you can tell I’m not much for combat…” she tried to remain confident in her tone, but since Twilight and her friends were the only ones that could see her face her dishearten state was on full display.

Flash smiled as he walked in front of the rest and patted Vignette on the shoulder. “I got this.” he said, “I’ll try to make sure that all your phone’s data is salvageable.” He then whispered so she couldn’t hear him, “But no guarantees.”

Flash continued to walk towards the float while he drew his sword, “Chrysalis, for the crimes of identity theft and attempted usurpation, I hereby place you under arrest.” he finished as he pointed the tip of his blade at the changeling.

Chrysalis looked at Flash and then to Twilight, with an amused smirk on her lips, “Your boy-toy is cute standing up to me," she then turned her focus back down to Flash as she pooled more of her magic into her attack, "but the fool is sorely outclassed!”

“I’m not the one who’s going to be doing the fighting.” Flash smirked as he brought the flat side of his blade to his mouth before he whispered "Star Sabre." He turned his focus to Applejack. He tossed it to Applejack, who Chrysalis just realized had stepped onto the float and now stood a few feet in front of her. "She is," Flash stated as the paladin caught the sword by its handle.

“Oh-no.” Chrysalis stepped back as she put the pieces together. Flash’s boon plus the paladin’s strength and her ability to smite evil meant very bad things for her.

The paladin looked to the glowing blade and then back to Chrysalis, "Ah ain't gonna lie, Ah'm gonna enjoy smiting you." She took the hilt with both hands, "Go to Hell and stay there!" She shouted as she charged towards and swung the blade at the deposed changeling queen while the blade also glowed golden in tandem with the blue.

Chrysalis knew that should that blade touch her, she would be split in two. As quickly as she could she diverted her prepared attack into a shielding spell. As the empowered blade clashed with Chrysalis' shield, the blade failed to cleave through it, but the impact sent the changeling soaring into the air. While Chrysalis flew, "I'LL BE BACK!!!" She screamed. As everyone followed the trajectory it looked as though Chrysalis was going to land, and land hard, somewhere deep in the Everfree.

In the process the stolen phone was dropped by Chrysalis but before it could land on anything and break it was caught by Rarity. "I got it," the enchantress exclaimed. She then looked it over and gave a thumbs up in the direction of the real Vignette, "And not a scratch." Everyone in the crowd cheered and applauded the feat. Rarity gave a giggle and slight blush in feigned modesty, “Oh darlings, it was nothing.” she declared as she returned the device to Vignette.

“LET’S HEAR IT FOR RARITY AND APPLE JUICE!” Vignette shouted and everyone cheered again.

“It’s Appleja…” the paladin started, “Oh screw it.” she finished under her breath as she returned the sword to Flash. All the while the applause and cheers continued. Applejack took a second to look around and smiled. She picked the base and keytar held the keytar to Rarity. “Looks like the parade ain't ruined after all!” she added with a smile.

Rarity accepted the keytar from her friend, “If you're up for it.” she said.

Applejack smiled, “Ah know just the song,” the paladin suggested as she played a few notes on it.

“Always wanted to play that one,” Rarity said as she stepped on, followed by the others and each took their instruments. “Sorry for the delay, everyone. Now for what you’ve been waiting for.” Rarity took a breath and started to sing, “A blemish on the surface
Of a perfect happy pic
Just add a fancy filter
And that's an easy fix
But behind that perfect snapshot
Are the people who you love
Don't forget those happy moments
Are because of.” as Rarity sang, the others started to play the music for the song and float started moving again.

“Our memories together.” Applejack sang the next line of the song as Rarity took a step back from the main microphone while the paladin leaned forward.

Applejack then leaned back so that Rarity could lean into the microphone and sing the next line of the song, “They can last forever.”

Rarity then leaned away from the microphone so that Applejack could sing the left line, “We won't let this break us,”

Both the paladin and the enchantress stopped as the rest of the band sing, “We'll get through whatever
Side by side on this adventure
Our friendship will never, ever end
Side by side, besties forever
We know that it's more than just a trend.” the four other sang as the float continued along the parade.

As Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy finished, Applejack leaned into the main microphone and sang the next line, “'Cause it's you,” she then leaned back so that Rarity could sing the next line.

“And me,” Rarity sang after she leaned in and sang before she leaned back to let all the others join.

“This is how it should be,” all six sang together.

The rest went silent as Applejack took over the song as she leaned into the microphone and sang the next part of the song, “The whole world stands before you
Full of things to see
Pay attention or you'll miss it
Life's best is always free
Don't lose sight of what's important
Give more than you can take
There's so much to strive for
So many friendships you can make,”

Applejack then leaned back for Rarity to sing the next line, “All those likes can't measure,” the enchantress sang before she too leaned back from the microphone for Applejack.

“The fun we have together,” Applejack sang as she leaned into the microphone. She then took a small step to the side for Rarity to join her.

“When we're in the moment.” the two sang as they stood next to each other check to check.

The two were joined by the other four, “Everything is better
Side by side on this adventure
Our friendship will never, ever end
Side by side, besties forever
We know that it's more than just a trend.”

“This is how it should be,” Applejack and Rarity sang, as they finished the song.

Author's Note

Song used Photo Booth

Epilogue: An Invite

About two hours later, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, the CMC, and Rarity arrived at Rarity’s boutique. “Hoo-wee, that was quite a day,” Applejack the paladin said with a stretch and a yawn.

“Thanks for letting us crash for the night, Rares,” Rainbow said as she however over to the couch on the main floor. Everyone, even Scootaloo groaned at the antics of the elementalist.

“No problem,” Rarity said as she levitated Rainbow off of the couch. “You all know where the showers are…” Rarity was then cut off by a knock at her door. “Oh for Heaven’s sake, who’s knocking at this hour.” Rarity groaned as she walked to the door and opened it, “Good evening, while I appreciate your want of business, but we’re closed.” Rarity said with her eyes closed. She then opened them and saw it was Brighteyes in her uniform. “Oh Brighteyes, what are you doing here so late in the day?”

Brighteyes then reached into her bag, “Special delivery, all the way from Midnight Castle,” she then pulled out an envelope. “Just came in.”

Rarity sighed as she accepted the envelope, “By chance are there similar letters to this for Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Princess Twilight Sparkle?” the enchantress asked. Brighteyes nodded as the five others joined Rarity at the door, “They are all here. So let me take them off your hands and you can head home to get some sleep.” Brighteyes pulled out the other letters, handed them and waved goodnight to them.

“They’re from Sci-Twi.” Pinkie said as she opened her letter. She gasped, “We’ve been invited to a cruise to celebrate Sunset’s Birthday!”