Everyone at the table stared at Celestia in shocked silence.

Rarity was the first to process what she heard. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Celestia remained silent.

"Your highness, I..." Applejack swallowed. "I don't think I heard you right."

Celestia stared straight across the table.

Pinkie giggled mirthlessly. "You're joking, right? There's no way one of us-"

Celestia pulled out a knife.

"WOAH! OKAY!" Fluttershy covered her head. "YOU'RE BEING SERIOUS!"

Celestia raised the knife just over her shoulder.

Twilight squeezed Spike. "Celestia, please think about what you're-"

The knife went flying towards its target. It stopped less than a centimeter away from Rainbow's eye.

Rainbow smirked. "Let me guess. You knew because of how fast my Stand was."

Celestia nodded. "I knew his Stand had to be fast, so the only one that could logically hit him was another Stand that was fast. And since the other Wonderbolts were absent this year, that only left one possible pony."

Rainbow nodded. "My Stand, Rainbow Connection, is at least twice as fast as I am, and I have yet to determine its range. I know it's able to at least reach from Cloudsdale to Ponyville with ease, but that's as far as I've been able to test. It's not like I can just fling it from The Crystal Empire to Mt. Aris without attracting unwanted attention."

Celestia leaned forward. "That looks less like a serpent and more like a Regal Dragon1. It's quite colorful, but what did I expect."

Twilight's ears perked up. "Celestia, did you just admit to having a Stand?"

Celestia's eyes widened. "... Indirectly, but yes. I just started evaluating her Stand without thinking about it."

Applejack rubbed her eyes. "So only Stand Users can see Stands? Cus I can see something."

Rainbow's head snapped to Applejack. "What?"

Rarity rubbed her head. "So can I."

Pinkie was resting her head on her hoof. "It's just an outline, but it's there."

Fluttershy looked around. "Am I the only one that doesn't see it?"

"Yeah." Twilight stared at the Stand. I'm not about to say it, but I can see Rainbow Connection in full. The six colored mane around its neck, the square muzzle, the colors running down its back. It's... esoterically beautiful. No. Not esoterically. It's just beautiful.

"I should be going." Celestia stood up. "With a murder in the castle, there's no way the guards won't be wondering about my location. Rainbow Dash. I will make sure the guards never learn it was you, but try not to make a habit out of killing others. I expect you to tell the others about the finer details of Stands, as well as the 'curse' we all have."

Applejack's eyes dilated. "Curse?"

"See you all later." With that, Celestia left the building.

"You already prevented an investigation. There's no need for you to help with cleaning up the body or disposing of the explosives."

Celestia looked at the creature standing in the shadows nearby.

"You didn't want them prying into your stand or other powers, did you? Boss?"

Author's Note

Stand: Rainbow Connection
Master: Rainbow Dash
Destructive Power: C
Speed: A (Technically higher)
Range: A (Technically higher)
Persistence: B
Precision: B
Developmental Potential: D

1 In-universe equivalent of an Eastern Dragon.