The insect stared the serpent down. "Hehehe. You startled me at first. You don't look like a stand that will go down easily. But now that I've got a better look at you, I don't think I need to beat you at all."

The insect glared down the body of the serpent. "After all, you're connected to your master! All I have to do is rip out their tongue, and you won't be even a slight threat to me!"

The serpent's eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'll let you do that?"

"Like you could stop me! I can outspeed a bullet!" The insect took off after the mare.

It only got half-way before the serpent caught the insect in its mouth.

"Huh?"

"You compare your speed to those slow things? Please. As if you could ever out-speed me."

The serpent bit down, bifurcating the insect and transferring the damage to its master.

"Oh, sweet Celestia!"

"Oh my goodness!"

"AAAHHHH!"

Grey Fly looked at the point he split in half at. But... how? My Stand... It's supposed to be...

"Grey!" Twilight rushed over to him. "What happened?"

The stallion could only let out a pained groan as his eyes rolled back.

Celestia looked above the crowd, then turned towards Applejack and Rarity. "You two! What happened?"

Rarity looked the princess in the eye. "I-I don't know. We were talking when he... He just..."

Applejack looked at the body. "I was looking away when it happened. I'm sorry."

Celestia looked directly at the crowd. "I need everyone here to leave this room at once! Gather in front of the castle for interrogation immediately!"

The ponies started chattering but did as they were told. Well, all except one.

"Applejack! Rarity!" Rainbow Dash rushed over to her friends. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Celestia placed her hoof on Rainbow's back. "They're fine, but there are very important things we need to discuss. Where are Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?"

Applejack looked out the window. "Fluttershy should be outside, and Pinkie is at Donut Joe's with Spike."

"Rainbow, get Fluttershy and head to Pinkie. Make sure she doesn't leave. Twilight, help Applejack and Rarity get cleaned up before the three of you head over as well. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Your highness! Wait!" A guard ran over. "I know they're your friends, but-"

Celestia glanced at the guard. "I already know who killed him."

Everyone else present gasped.

"And there's something more pressing right now." Celestia lifted a device off of Grey's body.

"Is that... a switch?"

Celestia placed it on the table. "A detonator, to be precise." She turned towards the guard. "You know what to do."

The guard nodded then ran off.

"Girls? Get going."

Rainbow ran for the door outside while the other three ran through a different door.

Celestia glared at the corpse. "Those disasters were your fault, weren't they? You would make agreements that would let you take out insurance policies on other ponies and their property, then cause damage that looked natural so you would be paid. Did you think I didn't know? About your methods or your Stand? Your killer will not be punished." Energy started pulsing from her body. "You deserved it, you bastard."

Author's Note

I already hear cries of "Lazy" in regards to the insect stand. Trust me, it'll make sense later.