Tiziano looked at the water as he slowly approached it. Just wait for my signal. She'll be completely distracted. "Are you okay, miss Applejack?"

Applejack nodded.

"That's good." He looked at the water. Thirty meters. Just thirty more meters and she's ours to take.

They continued to move towards the water.

The image of an apple shaped gem flashed through Tiziano's mind, followed swiftly by pain. "GAHHHHH!" He clutched his head and fell to the ground.

"I knew it." Applejack stopped in her tracks. "Right after I talked to Apple Bloom, I felt something strange happen. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the Element of Honesty. And your Stand. Your Stand doesn't work on me, does it? In fact..."

Tiziano screamed again.

"I can use it against you." Applejack placed her hoof on Tiziano's head. "You realized it too, didn't you? That's why you walked up to me. I recognized you as the one who was serving us at the agricultural meeting, particularly right before I started lying. So why are you targeting me?"

Tiziano was heaving. Squalo! Think of something! Even if it is abandoning me! "You're worth a lot. If I had caught you, I could have gotten millions, no, billions from the throne."

"Who told you that?"

"It was a girl. I didn't get a good look at her, but she had proof."

As Applejack continued her interrogation, Squalo stared in shock. Were we too obvious? Is she smarter than we thought? I can't leave Tiziano behind! I have to get him!

*Tssssss*

Squalo turned around. Is that... Talk about lucky. That's exactly what I need!

Tears streamed down Pinkie's cheeks as Rover continued to rub various parts of Skystar's body. I'm almost there! I just need to finish this circle... BUT WHY? WHY AM I SO FOCUSED ON THIS? SKYSTAR IS IN TROUBLE AND I'M FOCUSING ON WALKING AROUND? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

"No one here but us. You belong to Rover."

Pinkie looked at her next hiding spot. The first one she hid behind. What's going to happen? What will come to me when I finish this circle? There's only one way to find out. Pinkie darted over to the next hiding spot.

She was halfway between spots when a leash shot out from behind the next spot. She didn't have time to react before it latched onto her neck.

No!

"You think you sneaky?" Rover stood up. "You think Rover not notice paper thing spread around?"

I was so close... wait. What paper? Pinkie looked behind herself, finally seeing the confetti she was leaving behind. Where did that come from? How long has it been dropping from me?

"Pony attempt at rescue lame. You belong to Rover now, too!" Rover yanked on the leash.

Pinkie shot forward, confetti dropping from her tail. Her body flew around the tree.

"Get over here! Big Dog Daddy wants new servants!"

Pinkie didn't hear him. She was too focused on the confetti, which had started to glow.

*BOOM!*

In spite of the sound, no explosions happened.

Unless you call the sudden appearance of a circus tent around them an explosion.

Author's Note

Pinkie's Stand bio will come once it's named, which should be two or three chapters from now.