Full Friendship's Magic #3 (The Inner monster)

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After her time with Twilight, Pizza Pie made her way to Sweet Apple Acres, expecting to enjoy some fun activities. She entered the barn, but there was no sign of Applejack. Puzzled, she wandered around the farm, searching for her. Eventually, she spotted Applejack in the distance, pulling a wagon loaded with empty baskets and setting them beneath the apple trees. Pizza Pie descended the hill to meet up with Applejack.

"Hey, Applejack," Pizza Pie called.

"Howdy, Pizza Pie! You're early. How’d your time with Twilight go?" Applejack asked, smiling.

"Eh, it could be worse. She talks about her books nonstop. Seriously, she bores me to tears," Pizza Pie muttered, rolling her eyes.

Applejack chuckled knowingly. "Guessin' you ain't the readin' type."

"Obviously not. I still can't believe somepony like her gets to be a princess," Pizza Pie grumbled.

"Well, Sugar Cube, that’s the funny thing about destiny. You just can’t always tell what you’re meant to be someday."

"Right, destiny . . ." Pizza Pie muttered thoughtfully, almost to herself.

After a moment of silence, Applejack gave her a friendly nudge. "Say, since you’re here, mind lendin' a hoof bunkin' these apples?"

Pizza Pie looked over her shoulder and saw the sprawling orchard, with rows of apple trees brimming with ripe fruit, ready to be harvested. "That’s a lot of apples. You really want me to help pick all these?"

Applejack shrugged, laughing. "Well, I was plannin' on bunkin' a good bunch while you were still with Twilight, but now that you’re here, how about we tackle it together? And afterward, we’ll get some of Granny Smith’s famous apple cider."

Pizza Pie's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Apple cider, you say?" She licked her lips. "I mean, I’m definitely thirsty after all that ‘reading.’ I’ll give it a shot–"

"Whoa there!" Applejack chuckled, waving her off. "We haven’t started yet! Those ciders are for after we finish the work."

Grinning mischievously, Pizza Pie teleported closer to the apple trees, surveying the orchard with a determined gleam in her eyes. Applejack, catching up to her side and slightly winded, watched in alarm.

"Hold on there, Sugarcube," Applejack warned. "These apples take the better part of a day to bunk, especially since I usually work with Big Mac."

"Oh, why do that when we can bunk ‘em all right now? After all, I have magic," Pizza Pie boasted, puffing out her chest proudly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm all for enthusiasm, but it took me and my friends just to get through half in a day."

"Well, I’ve got news for you: I’m not your friends," Pizza Pie retorted with a confident smirk.

Pizza Pie stepped forward, planting her hooves firmly into the ground as she began to channel her magic. The earth trembled beneath her as she focused, and Applejack stumbled back in surprise. The rows of apple trees shook as a magical glow surrounded them, lifting them slightly above the ground. Applejack’s jaw dropped as the impossible happened before her eyes.

"I-I don't believe it. . ." Applejack stammered.

"Might wanna step back, Applejack," Pizza Pie warned.

"Oh, right. . ." Applejack backed away, wide-eyed, until she was safely beside Pizza Pie. "What exactly are you plannin' to do–WHOA!"

With a final surge of concentration, Pizza Pie levitated baskets under the trees. She then released her spell, and the trees dropped neatly back into place, their apples falling perfectly into the waiting baskets and filling each one to the brim.

"See? All done," Pizza Pie said triumphantly.

Applejack scratched her head, her voice filled with awe. "Well now. . . I don’t know how you did it, but I sure ain’t complainin'."

"Yup, just like you doubted," Pizza Pie replied with a grin.

"Didn’t mean to sound doubtful at first, but seein' as you proved me wrong, I guess I owe you an apology," Applejack admitted.

"You should be. I did all that just to show you that when you’ve got magic, you get the job done," Pizza Pie said, a little smugly.

Applejack shook her head, laughing. "Well, if you recall, I’m not the one who magically made herself a unicorn."

"Pfft," Pizza Pie scoffed, stretching her legs and leaning against the wagon. "Whatever. So, what about that apple cider you mentioned?"

"Alright, alright. I guess a deal’s a deal," Applejack said, leading her toward the barn. "I’d say you earned it."

"Bet it tastes better than Rarity’s fancy leaf juice," Pizza Pie quipped.

The two made their way back to the barn, with Pizza Pie levitating all the baskets along, much to Applejack’s mild exasperation. As they walked, she noticed Pizza Pie’s cutie mark glowing, sparking a bit of suspicion in her mind. Pizza Pie set off to meet Rainbow Dash by the riverside. As she approached, she saw Rainbow Dash tossing boulders across the river with ease, each splash echoing along the shore. Pizza Pie trotted up to her, wondering what kind of activity she had plan.

"Hey, RD. What's with all these rocks?"

"Pizza! You're just in time." Rainbow Dash flew atop a boulder, grinning. "I was just working on my rock-tossing skills."

"Rock. . . tossing?"

"Yep! My first plan was just chilling all day, but then I saw these boulders lying around and thought, why not a contest?"

"You mean, like, seeing who can throw one the farthest?"

"Not quite," Rainbow Dash said, smirking. "It’s who can toss it the farthest and make the deepest crater."

"Oh. . ." Pizza Pie replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Come on, it’ll be awesome!" Rainbow Dash’s enthusiasm was palpable. "Each of us will take turns tossing a boulder across the river and making a crater. The winner gets to sit on the ‘cool lawn chair’ over there."

"The cool lawn chair?"

"Oh yeah!" Rainbow Dash gestured to a well-placed lawn chair beneath a large oak tree. "It’s got perfect shade from the tree, just enough space for snacks on that flat stump, and it faces the best sunset view ever. So, it’s not just a cool chair it’s the Perfect cool lawn chair."

"I guess that does sound. . . pretty cool," Pizza Pie mused.

"Pretty cool? Try pretty awesome! And only one of us gets to sit there, so… I challenge you, Pizza Pie! Whoever wins claims it till sunset."

"Hmmm. . ." Pizza Pie rubbed her chin thoughtfully before grinning. "Alright, Rainbow Dash, you’re on!"

They shook hooves and took positions by two separate piles of boulders. Rainbow Dash stretched her limbs, glancing at Pizza Pie, who was limbering up as well.

"I’ll go first and show you how it’s done," Rainbow Dash said, grabbing the lightest boulder from her stack and heaving it over her shoulders. "And just to keep it fair no magic, alright? Just willpower and strength."

"Fine," Pizza Pie replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

Rainbow Dash prepared herself, then gave a mighty yell, "Eeeeee- RAAAAAAHHHHGGG!!!" She hurled the boulder with full force, watching it soar across the river and land just shy of the opposite shore, sending up a cloud of dust.

Turning back to Pizza Pie with a confident smirk, Rainbow Dash panted, "Nailed it. Try to beat that!"

"Ok, I will," Pizza Pie said, clapping her hooves before choosing a similar-sized boulder from her pile. She was about to use her magic when Rainbow Dash’s reminder stopped her short.

"Remember, Pizza Pie: no magic," Rainbow Dash warned.

"I heard you the first time," Pizza Pie grumbled. She strained to lift the boulder but struggled to even budge it, her frustration building with each failed attempt. After several tries, she managed only to flip it over with a loud grunt. "Ugh! This is impossible!"

"Aw, that’s too bad," Rainbow Dash teased. "I didn’t say we had to toss the same size boulder. You could try a smaller one."

"You set me up!" Pizza Pie accused, glaring at Rainbow.

"Hey, nopony likes a sore loser, Pizza. Just pick a lighter one for the next round-"

"Let me try again!" Pizza Pie snapped, her voice unexpectedly harsh. She took a deep breath and steadied herself, attempting once more.

As she strained, Rainbow Dash noticed a strange red vapor rising from Pizza Pie, and the air around them grew hotter. Nervous, Rainbow Dash stepped back slightly.

"Uhh, Pizza Pie? It’s just a game-no need to push yourself so hard-"

"Zip it!" Pizza Pie’s gaze sharpened, and she gritted her teeth. "I don't need magic to win." Her tail lengthened, splitting into five claw-like appendages that wrapped around the boulder. In one swift motion, she lifted it effortlessly, then hurled it across the river, where it crashed into the forest with an explosive impact, scattering birds into the sky.

Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped. "Wha- ho-how did you do that?!"

"How’s that for no magic?" Pizza Pie replied smugly.

"I didn’t even know you could do that!" Rainbow Dash stammered, still in shock.

"Nopony likes a sore loser, Dashie." With a sly smile, Pizza Pie teleported over to the lawn chair, reclining comfortably. "Just admit I beat you."

"Y-You just caught me by surprise!" Rainbow Dash spluttered. "And did you just call me a loser?!"

"From that look on your face? Definitely a look of defeat," Pizza Pie said, summoning a can of soda with a smirk. "Sad to see."

Rainbow Dash shook her head, frustration rising. "What’s with you today, Pizza? You’re acting. . . different. You weren't like this before you got that-"

"Before I got what?" Pizza Pie interrupted, teleporting right in Rainbow Dash’s face, her eyes glowing red. "This?" She pointed to her horn. "This changes everything. The old Pizza Pie is gone. I’m more than just some Pinkie look-alike now. I’m better."

"Better at what? What are you even talking about?!"

"Forget it," Pizza Pie muttered. "Here I am, wasting my time with Pinkie’s friends, and none of you even understand what I’ve been through."

Rainbow Dash stepped back, her face a mix of confusion and frustration. "Pinkie already told us what you went through! You’re just ranting out of nowhere-"

"I AM NOT RANTING!" Pizza Pie snapped, then took a deep breath, calming herself. "Look, I agreed to spend time with each of you, so let’s keep this simple. I won’t bother any of you if you promise not to mention anything I did today to Pinkie. Deal?"

Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves, looking away. "Fine. But we’re only doing this for Pinkie anyway."

"Aw, thanks, Dash. That’s really sweet," Pizza Pie sneered. "Anyway, it’s getting late, so I’ll be going."

"Yeah, yeah. . ."

"Oh, one more thing, Rainbow Dash."

"What now?"

"Your ‘cool lawn chair’ is trash. Might as well call it the ‘trash chair.’ Later!" She teleported away, her mocking laughter echoing through the trees.

"WHY THAT LITTLE-!" Rainbow Dash fumed.

Later, the ponies gather at the park, all exhausted. They exchanged weary glances, and it was clear from their expressions that none of them seemed to have enjoyed their day with Pizza Pie.

Twilight held up her scroll, looking at her friends with a mix of concern and curiosity. “Alright, girls. How was your day with Pizza Pie?”

Rarity stepped forward, fanning herself in distress. "Well, Twilight, we did manage to make a dress together… but she looked at my draft for a split second and then. . . then she made it perfect!" She held up a stunningly crafted dress for all to see, her friends exchanging bewildered looks.

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So what?"

"So what? So what?!" Rarity pulled Rainbow Dash closer, brandishing the dress as if it were a trophy. "You see these stitches? They took me years of practice to perfect, and she. . .she made them flawless in mere seconds!"

"Seconds?" Applejack’s eyes widened in surprise. "She just learned to sew like that?"

Rarity nodded dramatically. "Yes! It’s an insult to skilled tailors everywhere! To think a beginner could master such techniques instantly!" She dramatically produced a fainting couch from nowhere and collapsed onto it with a sigh.

Applejack shook her head. "Well, that's nothing. She levitated every apple tree in the field and dropped ’em like it was no big deal! Twilight, I’ve been buckin’ apples my whole life, and what she did? It wasn’t the earth pony way. I’m tellin’ y’all, that magic ain’t natural."

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Magic? Please. You should’ve seen her toss a boulder clear over the woods!"

Twilight blinked in shock. "A boulder?"

"Yeah! We were having a boulder-tossing contest, and I told her no magic. But all of a sudden, her tail just. . . stretched out like an extra limb, grabbed a boulder, and she chucked it clear past mine, all the way to the woods!"

Applejack’s eyes widened. "Wait, that was her? So that explains the ten-foot crater in the cornfield earlier! And you’re tellin’ me she tossed it from the river?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, looking sheepish. "Uh. . . yeah. If you don’t believe me, just ask the birds that were there."

Fluttershy stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Speaking of birds. . . when we were walking in the woods, Pizza Pie did something. . . unsettling."

The others turned to her. "What happened, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked gently.

Fluttershy shivered, taking a deep breath. "Mr. Blue Jay flew over to say hello, and Pizza Pie just. . . stared at him. But then he told me. . . everything around him faded to darkness, like he was alone in some sort of a void. All he saw were these huge red eyes closing in on him." Fluttershy shuddered. "The poor thing was so scared, he flew away immediately."

An uneasy silence fell over them as they absorbed this. Twilight reached out, giving Fluttershy a reassuring pat. "It’s alright, Fluttershy. That sounds terrifying."

Applejack paced back and forth. "So let’s add it up: she learns fast, she’s super strong, has powerful magic. . . and she’s scarin’ animals? Is there anything we missed?"

Twilight cleared her throat, pulling out a book Pizza Pie had looked at earlier, showing a page with the Elements of Harmony. "There’s one more thing. I showed her this book, and she kept staring at the Elements. She mentioned they used to be three, and now there are six."

Rainbow Dash peered over Twilight’s shoulder. "So she’s a know-it-all too? Great."

Applejack interrupted with a raised hoof. "Hold on, Rainbow. What happened next, Twilight?"

Twilight looked troubled. "She started speaking in a different language. It sounded oddly familiar, but I can’t place it."

Rainbow Dash threw her hooves up. "So after all this, no one knows what’s up with her?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Rarity sighed, breaking the silence. "Pinkie Pie probably hasn’t noticed her cousin’s odd behavior yet."

“Yeah. . . Say, where is Pinkie anyway?” Rainbow looked around. “Haven’t seen her all day.”

Applejack tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I saw her after spendin' some time with Pizza Pie, She mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Cake needed her for a big order at the bakery.” She glanced back at Twilight. “So, should we tell Pinkie about what happen?”

Twilight hesitated, glancing at the faces of her concerned friends. “We promised we’d give Pizza Pie a fair chance without being suspicious, but now. . .I don’t know.” She trailed off, visibly conflicted.

After a long, confusing day, the ponies went their separate ways, still troubled by Pizza Pie’s bizarre actions. In the shadows nearby, hidden in the bushes, a figure watched as the ponies gathered and talked. After listening intently, it turned and slipped quietly back into the forest.

Meanwhile, in a secluded alley, a steady banging echoed off the walls, making passersby glance around nervously. Deeper in the shadows, Pizza Pie repeatedly slammed her head against the wall, a twisted look of frustration on her face. Her voice was a harsh, guttural whisper that escalated into a desperate scream.

"GET. . . OUT. . . OF. . . MY. . . HEEEEEAAAAD!!!"

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~ End of chapter 13