Our Inner Ponies 2: A Race Against Time

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One, Welcome Back!
Chapter Two, The Experience
Chapter Three, My Inner Pony!
Chapter Four, Sugarcube Corner Does Things...
Chapter Five, Sweet Apple (Head) Acres
Chapter Six, Heeere's Pinkamena!
Chapter Eight, It's Action Time!
Chapter Nine, I Knew We Weren't the Only Ones
Chapter Ten, Operation: Escape & Kick Butt!
Chapter Eleven, Defeating Discord
Chapter Twelve, Extra Elements?
Chapter Seven, Chaos With a Capital "C"
Chapter Thirteen, An Ending's an Ending

Prologue

"I'm really sorry I couldn't make it to your Winter Break Party Kayleigh," I apologized for the trillionth time to my new friend, Kayleigh F. Morris. "It's just that Zaria wasn't coming 'cause she had an eye doctor appointment today, and my mom had to work an extra shift and take Max to the vet, and—"

"Whoa, Maya! Relax!" Kayleigh cried, laughing. "It's okay! I can never throw a good party, anyways. Only five people came, and already two people left after eating the cake and playing my Wii!" I had to laugh.

"You know who can throw an awesome party, K?" I asked deviously.

"No, who? Do I know him or her? Is he cute? Is she friendly?"

"No, you don't know 'em. But I'll tell you this: It's a she, she very cute and friendly, and her name's Pinkie Pie. She's a professional party planner."

"Who the hell is she? Is that her nickname or somethin'?"

"Never mind, Kayleigh. Um, I gotta go edit my YouTube page and check for messages. My inbox is beyond full. Save me some cake, okay? Hasta la vista!" I quickly hung up before Kayleigh could say goodbye.

I tossed my cell phone on my carpet and flopped face-first on my canopy bed. If only Kayleigh knew who Pinkie Pie was. Even though I didn't have that good of a memory, I remembered every single detail that had happened to Zaria and me two years ago. But every time I thought of that memory, I got depressed and always shook the thought off. If only we had stayed a little longer!

I opened my laptop and replied to some YouTube messages, but a particular memory floated around in my head. It was how Zaria and I got to Ponyville in the first place. Without thinking, I typed in MLP:FIM, Which Character Are You? in the search engine. The same quiz popped up at the top of the results highlighted in purple, indicating that I had already clicked it. I ran my finger along the link below the results and, slowly, closed the tab and went to Cool Math instead. After a long difficult game of Papa's Pancakeria, I headed toward my bathroom and splashed some water on my face. When I turned the faucet on for more, nothing came out. My eyes wide in confusion, I dried my face and tried the second faucet for water. Nothing. Not a single drop!

"Oh man," I murmured. "Not water problems!" Suddenly, I heard faint music blasting out of nowhere. I rushed to my phone and grinned. Zaria!

"Hey, what's up?" I greeted happily. "Didn't expect to get a call from you this evening—"

"Maya, my TV completely froze and I didn't even pause it!" Zaria cried. "My remote's on my dresser, and I'm on my bed!"

I got a little scared.

"Yeah, well, my water isn't working. I was washing my face and it just froze. Maybe it's some appliance and electrical glitch."

"Maybe, but...I just don't get how we both—" Zaria paused.

"Zaria, you okay?" I asked. No reply. "Zaria?"

Still nothing!

"Zaria, stop trying to scaring me! What's wrong? Why'd you stop talking?" I looked at my phone. The call was still in process, but the time to let you know how long you were talking just stopped!

"Zaria?" I whispered. I dropped my phone and looked around my room. Was this a cruel prank? A real electronic problem? Or was this one seriously messed up dream/nightmare?

I snatched my phone up and hit the red button. The call didn't disappear. I got all panicky inside, breathing hard and sweating a bit. We need you! a ghostly voice cried. I jumped and whirled around, putting my hands in self defense. My phone slammed on my toe, but I didn't mind the pain.

"Don't mess with me!" I warned. "I know taekwondo, and I ain't afraid to use it!" Not really... I thought. "I know Chuck Norris, too! Okay, I don't...but he'll kick your—"

The mirror! the voice beckoned. Come! Now! I let out a scared whimper. Suddenly, my feet started moving toward my bathroom!

"A-AAH!" I screamed, holding out my arms. It felt as if I didn't have a bottom half of my body. When I got in the doorway of my bathroom, I held onto the hinges.

"No way some ghost is gonna possess me!" I shrieked, trying to control my feet.

Then, with no warning whatsoever...my body just rose up and pointed straight toward the mirror! I screamed so loud I thought my cry would send glass flying. I slowly levitated toward my long mirror, my heart beating like mad. As my skin slid past it, I felt like a part of me was passing out but another part was being born. Strange combination, huh?

The process was extremely cold, and my body went dead numb. My neck was finally up next. I took a deep breath and said my last words I could ponder up:

"I love you, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson! Marry me, baby!"

Then everything went black as I slipped into unconsciousness.

Chapter One, Welcome Back!

I felt as if my eyes were Krazy Glued shut. They were burning nonstop and my body was still cold to the bone. Using the best of my energy, I pried my eyes open and willed myself to take in a nice, long breath. I was staring at a white ceiling that had a golden chandelier connected to it. Around me, voices were spitting out questions.

"She made it! Hooray!"

"Do you think she's okay? She still looks a bit dazed."

"I hope she had an enjoyable trip, 'cause the next one won't be so fun..."

"Shh! Everypony! She's waking up!"

"Are her eyes supposed to be the way?"

I blinked hard and let out a startled scream when my vision was clear. Five eyes were staring down at me. Wait a minute...

I covered my mouth, but couldn't hide my humongous smile.

"Oh, my God! Long time no see!" I cried, happy tears dancing in my eyes. "I missed you all so much!"

"Huh?! What?" A startled voice screamed. I looked over my shoulder. Oh crap. I didn't even see Zaria lying on the floor! I laughed.

"Zaria, we're back!" I cheered, smiling so wide my cheeks were killing my face.

"Wait, what?" My friend asked, baffled.

"Hey now! Less talking, more hugging!" Pinkie exclaimed suddenly.

And so me and Zaria did just that. We hugged two ponies at a time, laughing cheerily. Zaria just patted Spike's little head, but I squeezed him in a super-tight hug to make up for that one missed hug—and because I just couldn't resist his pudgy, little face! After the Hug Celebration, Zaria and I stretched our legs, and we both kinda jumped when we heard a voice say:

"Ah, so my spell worked. Hope I didn't frighten you girls too much." I smiled as we both turned around.

"Princess Celestia, hi!" I said, bowing my head. Zaria did the same. "I'm so glad to see you again!"

"As am I," the princess responded. "Though I didn't contact you girls to socialize. I contacted you so you both could save us." Zaria and I looked at each other.

"Save you how?" Zaria asked. Celestia nodded her head toward a long hallway.

"Come with me."

Hesitantly, we all followed the princess down the hall, which never seemed to end. As we walked, we listened to the princess's words.

"I'm not sure what's happening, but a great threat has greeted Ponyville," she explained sternly. "I've been researching quite a bit, and it turns out that the fabrics of time are being shredded every few minutes between Equestria and your world, girls."

I glanced a worried look at Zaria, who looked back at me flatly. I could tell she was frightened, too by the look in her eyes.

"For some unknown reason, my magic cannot prevent this situation from turning from bad to worse," the princess continued. "So, I used all of my energy and magic to send a portal to your world, girls."

"So, time is being shredded, and we're the only ones to save everyone?" Zaria tried to clear up. "Is that why our time stopped? You made it freeze so no one would get curious?" Celestia looked confused.

"I never stopped your time. I just delivered a portal," she replied. My heart jumped.

"You never stopped our time?" I cried. Celestia shook her head.

"Uh oh," Zaria said, turning to face me. "I guess that must mean our world is experiencing the shredding of time already." I covered my mouth with a hand.

"This is bad!" I screamed. "What should we do, Princess?"

"Well, until I ponder up a successful plan, you girls will have to adjust to Ponyville while it's still in one piece," Celestia answered.

"WOO!" Zaria suddenly exclaimed. Oddly enough, Pinkie said the same thing, which made me and Zaria laugh together.

"Princess Celestia? I think you're leaving out an important detail," Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"Oh? And what's that, Rainbow Dash?"

"Well, these two can't just go waltzing out in the neighborhood looking like that! No offense."

"None taken," Zaria and I said at the same time.

"Hmm. Good point," Celestia agreed. She was silent for a moment, tapping her hoof on her chin. Then her face suddenly grew dead serious.

"Alright, here's what we'll do," she began. "I know that Maya and Zaria did get merged with Twilight and Fluttershy's bodies, but this time we'll need to perform the process again. One of you must volunteer yourself to be merged with these two ladies, and I'll perform a very difficult spell." The whole room was silent again, which was getting flippin' creepy! Finally, two ponies raised their hooves: Pinkie and Applejack.

I didn't have time to smile or even thank them; Celestia got right to work. I immediately chose Pinkie, and Zaria (obviously) chose Applejack. After that, the princess's horn began glowing a bright, goldish yellow. Like last time, I felt like I was flying through something solid. About five or seven seconds later, I opened my eyes again and looked down to find that I had a bright pink body and fluffy pink hair.

"Awesome! The spell worked, Zaria!" I cried in my Andrea Libman Pinkie Pie voice.

"Sweet," Zaria, who now had the unmistakable Applejack accent, said, looking me up and down. I grinned in reply.

"Thank you so much, Princess Celestia!" I cried excitedly, smiling widely at my new high-pitched voice. The princess nodded and smiled.

"You're very welcome, Maya," she called back, returning my smile with a small one. "I'll send you all a letter once I've thought of a plan." We all made our way toward the exiting doors. I turned around and waved at Celestia. She slowly waved back.

"Goodbye everypony! And good luck girls!"

Chapter Two, The Experience

Thanks For The Group Separation Idea FeinesFabi. :)

"I do hope that the princess's plan works out well," Rarity was saying as we all walked down the Town Square. "Otherwise, we'll all probably get in trouble with Twilight and Fluttershy."

"Oh, speaking of that," Dash chimed in, "Spike, how's Twilight doing?"

"Yeah, and what about Fluttershy?" Zaria added. "Is she doin' okay, too?" I snickered a bit. Even though she was clearly Applejack now, Zaria still sounded different with that Southern accent.

"Well, Twilight's doing fine, and so is Fluttershy," Spike answered. "They both returned home after a long while, but they're recovering fast."

"Oh, that's good," I said in relief. "I was seriously worried that we hurt them or something. And that would be so bad, right? I couldn't even live with myself if we hurt those two poor p—"

"Yeah, we get it," Rainbow interrupted. "Geez. I think Pinkie's taking over you instead of the other way around." I laughed.

"Well, at least I'm sort of like her back home," I explained.

"Trust me on that. I'm the witness, and we both act random, Rainbow," Zaria agreed. I rolled my eyes playfully, blushing a bit.

"Now wait just a minute," Rarity said suddenly, pausing in her tracks. "It wouldn't be too big of a trouble if we all visited poor Twilight and Fluttershy, now would it?" Everyone seemed to be thinking about the idea.

"I think that sounds cool," Zaria finally said.

"Yeah, what's the harm?" Rainbow agreed.

"That sounds like fun!" I added. "Ooh! How about Spike and I visit Twilight, while the rest of you visit Fluttershy? Then we can meet up at Twilight's and switch!"

"Hmm, that sounds like a good plan," Rarity said, smiling. "I say we do it!"

"Sounds nice," Spike announced, suddenly climbing on my back. Whoa. I forgot that my back would be under a little pressure. Geez, this guy was getting heavier!

We all broke apart in separate ways; Fluttershy's group heading northeast, and my group heading just plain north. It was a very easy travel since all I had to do was walk straight. But there was also a disadvantage that I probably didn't have to worry about for a while: Pinkie was an extreme social butterfly and knew everyone. So how was I supposed to greet some random side character if one came rushing up to me with some kind of request or something? Shuddering, I pushed the thought aside and came across the big library in a matter of minutes. I grinned happily, memories rushing inside my head, then I slowly frowned and backed away from the tree.

"Uh, why don't you go in there Spike?" I suggested nervously, turning around to face him. "In the meantime, I'll be out here...practicing what I wanna say when I greet Twilight!" My lips stretched into a smile.

"Pssh. No you don't!" Spike objected, looking at me slyly. "Just a couple of years ago, you were Twilight, Maya!"

"Yeah. Two years," I whispered, gazing up at the tree sadly. Now I was starting to wish some random pony rushed up to me with a special request. I swallowed a small amount of shyness.

"Still. Do I have to go in there?"

"Well, you did agree to Rarity's idea, so...yeah," Spike answered.

"Ah, but I never said I promised anything, did I?" I pointed out. "I agreed, but I never promised. Beat that, Mr. Dragon." I regret talking sometimes. I soon felt a small amount of pain on my hair, and after screaming in agony, I found myself sprawled on the wooden floor of the library. That dang dragon!

"Spike, I'm gonna kill you," I growled through clenched teeth, standing up and glaring down at the baby dragon.

"Yeah, like I'm scared of a hyper pink pony," Spike replied, closing the door loudly.

"Have you ever seen Cupcakes?" I muttered to myself, grinning deviously.

"Spike, is that you?" A voice suddenly called. I froze in place. Looks like I'd be having a pretty uncomfortable chat for a few minutes. Or at least half an hour.

"Yeah, I'm back!" Spike responded. "And I brought back a friend."

I watched as the little dragon made his way up the stairs, asking if Twilight was feeling any better. Sucker, I thought as I quietly made my way outside. Once I was a few inches away from the door, I took off running. I didn't think I'd get far since I felt like I was crawling on my hands and knees at a rapid speed, but luckily I was Pinkie Pie. So I don't think I had to worry about anything for a while. About possibly a half an hour later, I was lying under a shady tree, thinking of who and what could possibly be behind this whole shredding of time.

"It has to be someone evil. Obviously," I said to myself, watching as a cloud floated across the sky. "Or maybe it's someone who's nice, but is partially evil who's doing this. Or perhaps it's an evil person who used to be good, but has trouble being nice and takes the anger out on ponies and—" I blinked.

Why was I talking to myself, and why was I doing it this fast?

Duh! You're Pinkie! A voice in my head pointed out. I had to laugh at my stupidity. I had forgotten about the little merge spell Princess Celestia had performed. Maybe I should've chosen another pony.

"Whoever's doing this, I hope they stop," I whispered to myself, turning on my left side. I noticed the breeze had picked up into a long wind. When it flowed past me, both my scalp and hooves felt tingly.

"Well that's weird," I announced loudly, slowly standing up. I nearly fell back down. Was this some new version of a Pinkie Sense, or was this wind doing all of the tingles? I felt the now strong wind lift my poofy pink hair and tail, and my back hurt like hell!

Maybe you should get out of this wind, a voice advised in my ear. I didn't know if it was Pinkie's subconscious or an actual ghost, but I listened to the advice and scurried away from the wind. But it seemed to follow me nonstop!

"Quit it!" I shrieked, feeling silly for yelling at the air. I heard shrill laughter behind me. I turned to see two fillies laughing and pointing at me. Gee, I never saw those side characters before. How did that one with the yellow mane earn a pogo-stick cutie mark?

"Wait till I tell Rosebud about this!" The one with the lilac mane cried, falling on the ground giggling. Rosebud? I thought in confusion. This isn't Citizen Kane!

"I know!" The filly with the pogo-stick cutie mark agreed. "What a freaky loon!" I glared at both of them, cheeks burning.

"Shut up!" I screamed at them. They abruptly stopped laughing and stared at me in shock. I gave them a look.

"Don't mess with Pinkie Pie, got it?" I snapped in a sassy voice, forcing back a laugh at how I sounded. They were still staring at me. I blinked and walked toward them.

"Hello?" I asked slowly, raising an eyebrow. "Earth to annoying fillies?" The two little ponies didn't respond to me. They looked...frozen! I backed away until I was scurrying backwards and hit the tree. My left eye started twitching and I noticed that my tail was slowly moving in circles all on its own.

"Freaky with a capital F!" I cried, looking around nervously. "Maybe I shouldn't have left Spike..." The wind began tickling my neck until I heard some ghostly voice whisper Free me...!

I covered my eyes and tried to relax, but the voice continued to speak.

Please...help...me...! I slowly opened my eyes, shaking like mad.

I can see you, Maya! Oh crap! That did it! I took off running like a chicken avoiding getting its head chopped off. (Don't ask. I'm in Pinkie's body, remember?) I kept sprinting until I felt tired. When I had my energy back, I took off running again. I didn't stop until I ran into something. Something hard. I could hear it say, "Aww, Pinkie! Really?" My eyes snapped into focus and my head shot up. Uh oh!

Chapter Three, My Inner Pony!

I watched nervously as unicorn Twilight Sparkle slowly stood up, rubbing her nose. Out of all the ponies I didn't want to run into, did I seriously have to run into this unicorn? I could've run into Carrot Top and be like, "Oh, hey Carrot Top! Sorry I ran into ya!" But noooo! I had to run into my former "inner pony." I cleared my head of all those thoughts (thanks a lot Pinkie!) and tried to smile. I could tell it felt fake, but who cares?

"H-hi Twilight," I squeaked, then cleared my throat. "Uh, sorry about running into you like that. I was in a hurry and, well, you know how it goes. Do you need some help standing up? 'Cause I could—" Twilight held up her hoof, and I bit my lip to keep from asking anymore questions.

"No worries Pinkie, I'm fine," she responded sweetly, smiling. "But why were you running in the first place?"

"Running? I wasn't running! Why would I be running? I wouldn't be running in the first place for no reason!" I blurted out quickly, my eyes wide. A confused look spread across Twilight's face.

"But I saw you running a few feet away while I was walking with Spike," she continued. "You looked really scared. What happened?" She's on to you! That high-pitched voice in my head sang.

"Oh, I was just...racing somepony!" I explained a little too nervously. "But, I lost sight of them! I got so worried and thought they had gotten lost, so I was calling for them. I'm still sorry I bumped into you, Twilight." Twilight laughed.

"Pinkie, I said I'm fine," she said. " No need to apologize a million times! I'm not hurt." I grinned in relief. So far, so good! I thought triumphantly.

"Hey, where is Spike anyways?" I asked, looking around.

"Hm, I'm not sure," the unicorn replied, turning around. "I could've sworn he was on my back before you crashed into us....Oh! There he is!" My mouth gawked open when I saw the baby dragon lying motionless on his back near a fountain.

"Oh my God, I killed him!" I screeched under my breath as Twilight trotted over to him. I followed her at a distance, afraid I'd hurt him some more. I watched as Twilight levitated poor Spike onto her back. She turned to face me.

"Don't worry. He's fine," she assured me, probably noticing the worried expression on my face.

"Okay," I whispered, my throat suddenly dry. I cleared it once more. "Uh, anyways, I heard you weren't feeling so good. Everything okay?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine now," Twilight said. "Lots of bed rest can do wonders to ponies!" She chuckled a bit.

"Well that's great!" I cried, relieved and happy. "I thought you were really hurt or something. But enough of the depression here. Wanna do something fun? I don't have any ideas at the moment."

"Oh sure," Twilight replied. "I'm in the mood for some fun. Let's see...Oh, how about we—"

And that's when the most embarrassing thing for me happened. Picture a drunk, dying whale swimming along the ocean. That sounds extremely and dangerously strange, right? Well, that noise sounded especially strange to my own ears, for that was the sound of my stomach. I thought rumbling stomachs were supposed to sound like the ones in cartoons in Equestria! Short yet funny sounding. Either Pinkie was seriously starving, or she had swallowed something inedible that morning. I put a hoof on this monster once it was quiet, my eyes wide. Jesus, I thought in horror. I heard Twilight laugh a bit.

"Wow Pinkie," she said between laughs. "You won't have to worry about being lonely since you have a little friend inside." Spike, who was now sitting upright, snickered.

"Did you swallow some kind of cat with a disease or somethin'?" He joked. I looked at both of them in disbelief. Ya'll suck as comedians, I thought bitterly. You obviously don't know the definition of hungry—or seriously embarrassed. Finally they stopped laughing, though that didn't help my burning face and eyes.

"Aw, don't give me that look Pinkie," I heard Twilight say, nudging me playfully with her shoulder blade. "It's not that bad to be hungry. Want me to treat you to something at Sugarcube Corner?"

"Don't I already live at—never mind."

I began following Twilight down a concrete road, passing shops, houses, and ponies. I forget how colorful this place was. I was glad my eyes had adjusted to the bright colors two years ago. A few side characters walked past us, and I made up a game called Guess The Side Character. I guessed Golden Harvest, Berry Punch, Lyra, Cloud Kicker, BonBon, and Derpy! I got extremely happy when I saw her walk by me that I barely noticed I was bouncing—or hungry, for that matter. It was like I was already half full, but a side of my brain kept trying to convince me I needed something to eat. I'm guessing that that half was Pinkie's mind, and she was trying to encourage me to consume something edible.

"So Pinkie, are you sure you were looking for somepony back there in the field?" I heard Twilight ask. My face dropped at that question. "I mean, you looked incredibly terrified! I don't think I've ever seen you so scared."

"Uh, no need to worry Twilight," I tried to persuade her. "I'm feeling fine, honest! I'm sure that pony I was racing is somewhere safe."

"Alright. Do you Pinkie Promise you're alright?" Twilight went on, looking at me questioningly. I stopped bouncing and nearly tripped. I couldn't promise something like that, but if I didn't say anything, Twilight would keep badgering me about the subject all day.

"Well Pinkie?" I was so tempted to change the subject, but the look on Twilight's face meant that she meant all business.

"I...cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," I sighed, crossing my chest and placing my left hoof in front of my eye.

As soon as Twilight turned back around, I looked at Spike who was also staring at me. Tell you later, okay? I mouthed silently. I stared at the ground and focused on the teeny tiny designs merged into the cream cement until I bumped into Twilight, who had stopped walking minutes ago. I gazed up and smiled at the tall, pink building planted in front of the three of us. Sugarcube Corner! At last!

Chapter Four, Sugarcube Corner Does Things...

I felt a little more relaxed as Twilight, Spike, and I stepped inside the sweet smelling bakery. I smiled as the familiar sightings filled my vision, but that was also a bad thing for me since I felt a leftover growl inside of me about to leap out. I sucked in my stomach and sighed in relief when it vanished. I never thought I'd say/think this, but being Pinkie was exhausting and hard!

"This place never gets old," I announced to Twilight, who returned my sunniness with a small smile.

"Well, this is where you live Pinkie," she pointed out. Duh, I thought, feeling stupid.

I was just glad I was in the cozy bakery so I could summon my energy back from running from that freaky wind. Crap. I wish I hadn't thought of that! I'd have to tell Rainbow, Rarity, and Zaria about what happened. Ugh! Double crap! I forgot all about them! I hoped they were doing well with Fluttershy.

"Well hello there Twilight," a man's voice greeted cheerily. "Feeling any better?"

"Better than ever Mr. Cake. Thanks," Twilight answered. Geez! How many ponies knew about this whole "put under medical care thing," anyway? Did Celestia tell everyone, or did Pinkie? Whoever did, they sure did a wonderful job since everyone kept stopping to ask Twilight how she was feeling.

"I see you're up as well, Pinkie Pie," Mr. Cake continued, staring at me. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm just fine Mr. Cake!" I told him. "I was out for a little walk when I bumped into Twilight and Spike." Mr Cake nodded.

"Well that's good. Nevertheless, what brings you here to Sugarcube Corner, Twilight?" He went on.

"Oh, well there's some sort of monster inside Pinkie," Spike began, "and she needs somethin' sweet to conquer it." I can't even explain the look I gave this dragon. I felt my ears burning in embarrassment.

"Please stop talking before I glue your mouth shut with super glue," I growled through gritted teeth, my eye twitching a bit. Spike just shrugged.

"Now don't you worry, Pinkie," Mr. Cake replied, totally oblivious to my threat. "That's the main reason here in Sugarcube Corner: to fulfill our customers' hunger." iHop reference much? I thought sickly, forcing a thin smile.

I watched as the stallion headed into the kitchen, whistling happily. Then I felt something suddenly nudge my shoulder.

"Pinkie, look!" Twilight hissed, pointing a hoof toward a nearby table.

I looked in her direction and let out a happy yet dry squeak. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were sitting behind a light pink table that was piled with different pastries. And in the middle of the two ponies was none other than Fluttershy! My face dropped suddenly. Triple crap! I thought. It's Zaria's former inner pony. I hope she's doing alright. I made my way over to the three mares with Twilight and Spike.

"Hey girls!" Twilight chirped. The three ponies looked up and smiled.

"Hey Twilight," Rainbow said. She smiled wider when she looked at me.

"Cool. You found Pinkie," she added.

"Actually, she found me," Twilight explained.

"Well that's a relief," Rarity replied. "We were going to visit you after Fluttershy tagged along with us, but we couldn't find you anywhere!" She said "anywhere" really dramatic. That's Rarity for you. Then I realized someone was missing.

"Hey, where's Z...er, Applejack?" I questioned. "Wasn't she with you girls when you visited Fluttershy?" Rainbow and Rarity gazed at each other nervously.

"Oh, well we ran into Applebloom and she said she needed Applejack's help on the farm for a few hours," Fluttershy explained.

"And she agreed?" I practically screeched. Fluttershy nodded.

"They don't call her the Element of Honesty for nothing," Twilight joked.

Pssh. More like the Element of Doing Things Without a Certain Pony's Permission! Sometimes I wondered why we were friends. She drove me crazy when she couldn't get her way and tried to conquer it, but I knew that past that we were still BFFLs. And another thing: I didn't wanna turn crazy again and hurt her like I did being Twilight two years ago. I was gonna enjoy myself this time. No stress, no drama, no arguments!

"Good for AJ!" I said happily with a high-pitched laugh. "If she wants to work, she can work until she's exhausted to the bone. I won't mind at all."

"Uh, you sure about that Pinkie?" Rainbow asked, giving me a look. Dang, they were better at these names then me! I could've sworn she was about to call me Maya and stop in the middle of it by saying I mean Pinkie!

"Of course Dashie!" I responded, smiling at Pinkie's little nickname for Rainbow. "It wouldn't be good for a pony like me to get stressed anyways." I gave the two ponies and Spike a quick look before I smiled again.

"Anyways, what'cha got there?" I asked, pointing to a plateful of treats. "It looks really good."

"Strawberry cupcakes," Fluttershy answered. I just blinked and my face froze. Strawberry cupcakes? Couldn't it have been strawberry...muffins or something?! I didn't wanna think of that sick and twisted fan fiction—mostly because I didn't know if it would also affect the real Pinkie's mind—so I just grinned. I had a feeling I'd be faking smiles left and right.

"Sounds very...interesting," I replied, telling the truth. I've never tasted strawberry-flavored cupcakes before. With whipped cream on the top, it would've tasted awesome.

"Well of course they're good," Fluttershy continued. "After all, you made them."

"Ew! From who?!" I blurted out, feeling like I'd throw up. Oh crap. Now everyone, including ponies who were outside for cryin' out loud, were looking at me strangely.

"Uh, what're you talking about?" Rainbow asked me. My eyes widened.

"You would ask me that, wouldn't you?" I breathed, taking a step back. Then I started giggling like crazy. Please! The thought of Pinkie actually...HA!

"Um, is she alright?" I heard Fluttershy whisper to Rarity.

"Oh, she's just being Pinkie. She's just hungry," Twilight reasoned. As a result, I heard my stomach growl loudly. I grinned nervously.

"Uh, I'm gonna go check on Gummy," I stated quickly, scurrying over to a staircase. I put my left hoof on one of the carpeted steps and felt my tail twitch furiously. A second later, a little green blob pounced on my nose. I gazed crosseyed at the animal and sighed.

"Well, looks like Gummy found you," Spike teased. I rolled my eyes and trudged up the stairs.

I nearly jumped when I saw Pinkie's bedroom. It was just like the animators created it; except smaller. Her fluffy bed was there, so was her light wooden dresser. Her mirror was also there, and so were a few windows. That was it? It was nice, but I expected just a teeny weeny bit more furniture and decorations. I did notice something was stuffed in a corner hidden under a yellow lid. It was settled on a small table that was clothed in a silky table cloth. I looked down at Gummy, who was now gnawing on my leg. Thank God he didn't have any teeth.

"What the heck is that?" I asked him. He blinked one eye and then another at me.

Of course he didn't know what this "thing" was. He was an alligator, for Pete's sake! I slowly made my way over to the table and took the lid off with my teeth. My eyes widened when I saw what the treat was. A big, three layer chocolate cake. It was topped with three strawberries and a sprinkle of sugar. Should I be confused or delighted? I thought. Well, I (or in this case Pinkie) was really hungry, but I couldn't just—

"Pinkie, is everything okay up there?" Asked a voice. A female voice. A Rainbow Dash voice! I could hear hooves thumping up the stairs, followed by another. Oh God. I was in big trouble now! Well, not with Rainbow, but who was that other pony? Twilight? Maybe Fluttershy? I was soon encountered by Rainbow (of course) and Rarity. Thank God!

"Oh, that's a relief!" I exclaimed, smiling. "I have to tell you girls something. Oh, and can you let Spike know this, too?"

"Sure, what happened?" Rainbow asked calmly. So I told them what had happened earlier; the wind, the frozen fillies, my hooves, tail, and mane tingling...all that good stuff. My hopes got kinda crushed when they both gave me doubtful looks. I'm guessing when I said "And my hooves started tingling, too!" they thought I was being the actual Pinkie.

"Are you sure this wasn't one of your Pinkie Senses?" Rainbow questioned slyly. I nodded.

"Of course it wasn't. And you make it sound like I'm Pinkie Pie or something," I replied. Rarity gave me a look.

"Darling, you are Pinkie Pie," she pointed out. Oh, I thought, my face burning once again.

"But I'm telling you the truth, though!" I said. "I wouldn't lie at a time like this, would I?"

"True, but you are known to, how do I put this...exaggerate," Dash explained. "And sometimes it's hard to believe stories from you. No offense, Maya. You are in Pinkie, after all." Unbelievable! They thought I was lying?! Oh, what nerve!

"You know what? I should throw this cake at you and watch you melt in agony!" I screamed. Rainbow's eyes widened and she backed away from me.

"Now now, let's not get violent," Rarity spoke up. "How about we all go see if we can find Zaria. It won't be too hard." I watched as the two ponies made their way downstairs. I could feel my heart fall. I always got sad like this when no one believed me. But I understood why believing me would take a long time.

"Well, gotta go see how Zaria's doing," I muttered to myself. I was about to leave when I looked back at the cake. I grinned deviously and sidled towards it. A quick snack won't hurt, right? I thought.

"Pinkie, hurry up!" Rainbow called impatiently. "Or we'll leave without you!"

"Coming!" I yelled back. "But before that, I'm gonna have a little—" My tongue suddenly leapt out and snatched the whole cake inside my mouth. My eyes widened when it hit the center of my belly. Then I broke into a fit of laughter. Scared laughter, that is. I didn't want to scream or pass out, so I substituted it with laughter. I slowly made my way toward the stairs, kissing Gummy's head when I passed him.

"Here I come!" I announced.

Chapter Five, Sweet Apple (Head) Acres

I felt a surge of excited energy flow through my bloodstream as I followed the four ponies (yes four, because Twilight and Fluttershy insisted they visit Applejack as well) to Sweet Apple Acres. I've seen the place a thousand times on the show, but to see it in person was kind of a big deal to me. I mean, I know it was just a farm, but the good thing is that I could see a part of the Apple family. They were always cracking me up! About a few minutes later, a giant red-and-purple barn appeared up ahead followed by a large wired arch with an apple symbol. Over to the right were tons of apple trees as far as the eye could see, though there were no ponies.

"Hey, where's AJ?" I wondered aloud. "I thought she was here."

"We'll just have to spread out and find her, then," Twilight suggested.

Eh. Worth a shot. So we all split up in different directions. I searched east, Rarity searched north, Twilight and Spike searched northeast, and Rainbow and Fluttershy searched south. I searched behind and above the trees, behind stacks of hay, behind and inside the barn, and even in a barrel full of apples! But no Zaria. I was even tempted to whisper-scream her name a few times, but that didn't seem to help at all.

Sighing, I dragged myself under an apple tree and let the sun's rays warm my face. I hope I found her soon. We still had to save the world from this whole "shredding of time" problem before anymore damage could take place! Hey, get up! Some voice urged me. I knew that voice wasn't in my head. It sounded oddly familiar, but I didn't know who it belonged to. I decided to ignore it, and miraculously it went away. But as soon as it went away, my scalp was itching like crazy and my tail was moving in not slow, but rapid circles this time.

"I seriously have to see a doctor about this," I muttered to myself.

"Tell me about it," a voice agreed. I screeched and jumped up, my tail pointing upwards in alarm. I took in a deep breath of sweet, sweet relief.

"Zaria, it's you!" I whispered, smiling widely. "I finally found you!" Zaria, laughing her contagious laugh, hugged me tightly.

"Hey," she said. "I thought I'd never find ya after I finished workin' here." I still couldn't help but laugh at her accent.

"Yeah...Uh, anyway, how's life on the farm for you?" I asked curiously.

"Terrible!"

"Cool, glad—wait, what?" Zaria sighed and nodded.

"I really should've chosen another pony today," she began, rubbing her sweaty head. "How was I supposed to know pickin' apples would be that exhaustin'? I mean, it seemed easy on the show! Can we go home now?"

"Wow. I've never seen you this tired before," I replied, hardly any emotion in my voice. Don't get me wrong, I felt bad for my friend. It's just that it sounded like she was complaining instead of expressing how she felt.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm bursting it anyways," I said, which caused a groan to slip out of Zaria's mouth. "We can't go home until we save Equestria, remember? Oh, and that reminds me! Earlier, I had this weird—"

"Oh, you found Applejack!" A voice interrupted. I turned around and saw a set of violet eyes in my face. I backed away so I wouldn't be standing directly in front of Twilight.

"Uh, yeah," I said slowly. "I found her, alright. Um, where's Rainbow Dash and Rarity?"

"I saw them over by the barn, why?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell them something. Thanks Twilight." I headed over to the barn (Zaria could deal with Twilight on her own!) and, sure enough, I spotted Rarity and Dash deep in conversation. I could've sworn I heard my name and the words "going nuts" from one of them. Whatever. I cleared my throat loudly.

"Girls? Can I talk to you?" I asked, getting closer to them. "It's about what I said at Sugarcube Corner."

"Oh, you mean about your tingly hooves and those frozen fillies?" Dash wisecracked. I glared at her.

"Don't get smart with me," I warned. "And yes, this is about what happened earlier today. I swear you guys! My whole body was shaking! And - and those two fillies were dead frozen! And this weird voice just—" Rarity put her hoof on my mouth.

"Darling, take a breath!" She advised. "Look, I know you're paranoid about this whole thing, but I guarantee things will get better. Alright?" I sighed.

"What do I have to do to make you believe me?" I asked sadly. "Get down on my hooves and beg?"

"Actually, I was gonna say don't threaten me with chocolate cake, but your way works too," Rainbow teased, smirking. Don't...start, I coached myself. Don't get upset, Maya. Don't! I grinned.

"Sure," I replied finally. "As long as we cut the lame jokes, okay Dashie?" Rainbow nodded.

"Good. We're all getting along," Rarity said, clearly pleased. "Sooner or later, Princess Celestia will have a plan all figured out, and you and your little friend will be back home safely." I watched as the unicorn made her way over to a very close Zaria and Twilight. Rainbow slowly followed her. I watched them go, sadness filling inside me once again.

"I wish you'd believe me," I mumbled to myself, running my hoof in a circle along the ground.

Then I had a second thought: They had to believe me sooner or later, right? Right! So I didn't have to go left and right trying to persuade these two to believe me. The last time I tried that, I ended up turning into Psycho Twilight and almost losing a close friend and a reputation. I didn't want that to happen again—especially not with my favorite pony.

"Well, until we get this whole time thing straightened out," I announced to myself, "I'm going to enjoy myself this time. I Pinkie Promise!" I crossed my heart with my hoof and placed it over my right eye.

Then I merrily made my way over to the rest of the group, humming Pinkie's Smile song. You can't break a Pinkie Promise, I thought in a sing-songy voice. And I wasn't going to. Not this pony!

Chapter Six, Heeere's Pinkamena!

!CUPCAKE REFERENCE; JUST SO YOU KNOW :)!

So, long story short, after Zaria and I had a way-too-long chat with a quarter of the mane six, we all spent the rest of the time we had basically chatting some more and "touring" Ponyville. And by touring, I just meant we all took a long and boring nature walk. Of course Fluttershy had a blast, pointing out different birds and plants along the way. You're probably wondering if Zaria and I ever got a chance to talk. Well, is Pinkie Pie my favorite pony? Me and my BFFL were now separated a few feet from the group, whispering quietly to one another.

"Has the princess sent a letter yet?" Zaria questioned me softly.

"No," I answered. "I feel bad for her. She has to think of who's causing this, why they're doing it, what we can do to stop it, and she has to keep it a secret from all the other ponies."

"Geez, can you say 'hard as hell'?" Zaria said. "I feel extremely bad for her. I wish we could help, too."

"Hey, who said we couldn't?" I asked. "I mean, there's no reason we can't help. Oh! I almost forgot something!"

"What?" So, I told Zaria about what happened much, much earlier, and what happened at Sweet Apple Acres. I had to cover her mouth to keep from drawing attention with her loud laughter when I mentioned my strange body movements.

"So you see?" I hissed when I was done. "All of those could be clues to who's doing all this! You believe me, don't you?"

"Of course," Zaria answered, putting her arm around my pink shoulder. "Do you think your, uh, let's say little abilities, will occur again?" I shrugged. Hopefully not, I thought as I stood up.

"Where're ya goin'?" My friend wondered.

"I'm gonna go stretch my legs," I replied. "If the group starts leaving, tell them Pinkie went for a little walk, okay? Or if they wanna look for me, that's fine, too."

I gave Zaria one last hug and disbanded from everyone. Now that I was alone, the nature did look kinda pretty. There were hummingbirds, roses and daises, and best of all: warm sunlight! If I had a hammock, some Kool-Aid, and a good book, this would be paradise! I began bouncing for, what, the third time, when I heard a twig snap. I froze literally mid-bounce and quickly plopped back on the grass. I looked around slowly, a terrified feeling washing over me. My heart started beating faster and my stomach dropped.

"H-hello?" I whispered, swallowing the urge to scream. "Who's there?" Silence. Deadly silence. And you know what? Enough was enough!

"Okay, listen Mr. Tough and Scary!" I screamed, turning around in circles. "This is like the third time you've gotten to me! And I'm really sick of it! So if you think you're so frightening, come out at me! Or, if you're a wimp, give me a sign that you're so 'scary'."

There was a rustling in the bushes. I expected it to be a complete cliche; I thought a bunny was going to jump out and get me all scared for nothing, only to make me turn around and realize my biggest nightmare was just beginning. Oh no. This dude meant serious business. I didn't know if he was doing this, but my head started aching, my hooves went numb, and my tail was spinning in the air slowly. But that wasn't the freaky part. Out of the corner of my eye, a black-violet ghostly shape whizzed past me. I started running out of fear, hoping I could find the others quickly.

I suddenly tripped face-first into the ground. I couldn't find the energy to stand back up and keep running. Instead, I got a good look of this ghostly figure. It was dull, yet sparkly. The center was all violet, but the aura around it was all black. The blackness turned to a crimson red, and I watched as it faded into my face. I felt like I couldn't breathe as I felt the air rush down inside me. All at once, I found the energy to stand back up, and in a matter of milliseconds, I had found the girls.

"Oh, there she is!" Fluttershy exclaimed, pointing a hoof at me.

"Oh thank Celestia!" Twilight breathed, running over to me. She used her magic to pull me into a death grip, otherwise known as a hug. "Where were you, Pinkie? Why'd you wander off like that?" I opened my mouth to say something, but then it closed. This had been my third or fourth experience today, and neither was good. I had no choice but to spill everything.

"Listen, if you're all my friends, you'll help me," I began shakily, "and you won't doubt me." And again, I told them what happened, where I was, all that good stuff. Er, bad stuff. Good bad stuff. And, as you guessed, they didn't look like they believed me (except Zaria, and by the looks of it, Spike).

"Pinkie, I thought we talked about this earlier," Rarity reminded me, giving me a look.

"I know, I know," I sighed. "But this time it was really freaky! This huge cloud popped out of nowhere, and it faded into my face and—"

"MAYA!" Dash interrupted rudely, her voice echoing throughout the forest. "Please! Enough with the exaggerations already!" My eyes widened. If she called me Maya on purpose, then things were just getting started. Screw the Pinkie Promise! I wasn't afraid to get my way now!

"Okay, ya know what Dashie?" I growled. "All this time you've been doubting me over and over again when I needed help. Heck, Rarity and Spike sound like they're believing me! But this has got to stop!" No, please don't! A voice warned me. I ignored it. Whether it was Pinkie's thoughts or not, I kept going.

"I thought a friend was supposed to be understanding and trustworthy!" I went on, my hair feeling like it was falling out. But it wasn't. Both my mane and tail were slowly deflating from its puffiness to a straw-straight darkish pink. "But HA! Noooo! I was W-R-O-N-G! And I would expect it from a stubborn friend like you! UGH, I just wanna...!"

I gritted my teeth and my breathing got shallow as I glared fiercely at the freaked out Pegasus. Something cracked in my brain as my mane and tail popped into a straight form. Then I did the unthinkable: I attacked her. Yes, I jumped on Rainbow and starting rolling around in the grass, pulling her wings, scratching her face, and biting her hooves. Of course Spike was clapping, and the others were shocked and tried to pull us off each other. Fortunately, I didn't strangle the poor Pegasus to death and was pulled off by Twilight's magic.

"Pinkie, what has gotten into you?" She cried, holding me in place. I glared at her, trying to break free of the magical force.

"Let me go!" I demanded in a strangled voice. "Let me go now!"

"Not if you're going to attack Rainbow Dash again!" Rarity said, standing in front of the coughing Pegasus.

"I've never seen you like this before Pinkie," Fluttershy chimed in, staring at me wide-eyed. "Maybe you should see a doctor...That is, if you want to."

"Yeah, you've never gone this crazy," Zaria added, keeping her distance.

"Déjà vu all over again," Spike muttered, shaking his head in confusion. I wish he hadn't said that. I know I went psycho two years ago as Twilight, but I didn't want to be...Pinkamena! And that got me even madder! I made a Pinkie Promise that there'd be no drama, no stress, and no arguments, and...Rainbow went and broke it!

"RAINBOW, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" I screeched, fidgeting like a person that had waaay too much coffee. "YOU PINKIE PROMISE BREAKER!"

"W-what?" The Pegasus sputtered between coughs. "What...are you talking about? I didn't...break a promise!" Why was she coughing? I didn't choke her! That much, anyway.

"Ugh, let me go!" I commanded Twilight, my energy draining. "Let me go right...now!" It felt like I was dissolving into air trapped in this sparkly force field. When the feeling of drowsiness washed over me, Twilight released me from her trap and lowered me to the ground.

"Thank you," I mumbled breathlessly, rubbing my aching head. I slowly ran my hoof under my straight mane. Different flashbacks of the episode Party of One flooded into my eyes. Pinkie had gone crazy, talking to inanimate objects, but she hadn't gone this crazy! As Spike had said: Déjà vu! I slowly got to my feet and looked back at my motionless straight tail. I let out a small sigh. Oh don't worry; I wasn't going to break down again like I had two years ago.

"Rarity, Spike, AJ," I began. "And Rainbow Dash," I added with a groan, "come on. We have to accomplish something important, remember?"

"No way!" Zaria objected. "I'm not goin' with Cupcake Girl!"

"Shut...up!" I grouched through gritted teeth. "Not another word out of you. Now lets go." Without another word, I stomped off with Rarity, Rainbow, Zaria, and Spike trailing behind me slowly.

Chapter Eight, It's Action Time!

I blinked once the light evaporated and held back a gasp at what was in front of me.

"Eww, what the heck is that thing?" Zaria cried, taking a step back. I coughed to hold back a laugh but let it slip out anyway.

"It's Discord!" I exclaimed, a little to peachy. The others were looking as if I were hugging the dragon or...whatever creature he was. I had forgotten Zaria hadn't seen The Return of Harmony, so her not knowing who/what Discord was completely understandable. "Finally, some real action to this story! Woo!"

"Uh...What're you talking about, Maya?" Dash asked me, looking back and forth between Discord and me.

"Oh, never mind," I replied, rubbing my neck nervously. "I have a strange feeling I broke the fourth wall when I said that. Oh cool, the first time I've broken it! Pinkie's gonna be so proud!"

"You broke the what now?" Zaria wanted to know.

"Never mind!" I shot back.

"Oh for badness sake, can we just continue on with this?" Discord asked impatiently. Ha...badness sake instead of goodness sake. That was funny!

"Discord, I thought we all defeated you a long time ago with the Elements of Harmony!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Yes, I remember that as well," the princess said sternly.

"You really think those ridiculous necklaces could hold back the God of chaos?" Discord cried, erupting in laughter. "Please! Something extremely powerful has to hold me back for a long time! And that goes vice versa for freeing me."

"Well the Elements must've worked because you were turned to stone," I reasoned thoughtfully, thinking back to part two of that episode. "But if that's the case, then what freed you must've been extremely powerful—wait a minute!" My breathing got a teeny bit shallow when I saw Discord's mouth curl into an evil smirk.

"Ah, so the pink one's catching on fast," he said, walking over to me. "Or should I say, 'The human one is catching on fast.'" My eyes widened.

"H-how do you even know?" I sputtered. "I-I'm not a human! I'm Pinkie Pie!"

"Do you think I was born yesterday sweetie?" Discord asked smugly.

"Not with that body," Zaria remarked, fighting back laughter. Eh, he did have a jacked up body. I felt bad...for his parents.

"Before we get too deep into insults," Discord began, glaring at Zaria before he turned back to me, "you my dear are absolutely correct. You and your friend have released my spirit with your past 'transportations,' and I'd like to thank you kindly. But I wouldn't do that, of course." He laughed again.

"Listen Discord," Dash snapped, flapping her wings angrily. "You better leave Ponyville alone before you wish you were still a statue!"

"Hello! What about our world?" Zaria cried. "Your world isn't the only one that needs savin'!"

"Alright, leave both worlds alone," Rainbow moaned. "Better?"

"Sure, I'll return your peace and love after I skip down to the market," Discord replied with more than enough sarcasm. "I'm evil, am I not? Yet before I do my business, I'd like to unfortunately thank this pink freak over here." Unfortunately? Freak?!

"Who you callin' a pink freak?" I grouched. "I happen to have a name: Maya."

"Yeah, don't care," Discord said. "But I'm surprised you all didn't believe her when she was one hundred percent correct with her little abilities. You know, tingly hooves for example. I believe a certain rainbow-maned Pegasus is highly familiar with that one." He was patting my head hard while he was talking, which I didn't enjoy.

"Well, it's time to spread misery and hopelessness in another world other than Ponyville," Discord stated merrily. "Bye ladies." Before any of us could stop him, he vanished in thin air leaving a cloud of smoke swirling upwards. Ooh, maybe he could teach me that move! I thought excitedly.

"Alright girls, we don't have much time," I heard Celestia announce.She barely said a thing when Discord arrived! This was just like A Canterlot Wedding, except the dang princess didn't produce any action like she did with Queen Chrysalis! I was expecting her to kick some Discord butt while possibly failing at the same time, but apparently not moving a muscle was how this princess rolled.

"If this spell works, then everypony will be safe in Equestria and in the girls' world. Everypony form a tight circle now." We did as we were told. Celestia's horn began glowing different colors until the colors escaped from the princess's horn and wrapped around everyone's body.

"Now, once you arrive at your destination," Celestia began, "you must find Discord and put a stop to his chaotic behavior." The colors wrapped around us tighter.

"Oh!" the princess cried suddenly. "And take these, too!" Her voice was really faint as my vision got blurry. My eyes were about to close when I felt something weighing my hand down. I didn't have time to wonder as I slipped into unconscious once again. Sigh...

* * *

I'll be honest: My body felt extremely weird when I had the energy to wake up. I felt longer and broader. I guess that's what you'd expect when you realized you were back in your original human form. Yet aside from this happiness, I noticed two and a half disadvantages. First Disadvantage: Me and Zaria had the right skin tone, but our hair and clothes weren't exactly the clothes we'd decide to wear. I looked a lot like my avatar designed by shinta-girl from deviantArt. Ahh! Fourth wall's breaking! Zaria looked like the Applejack in the cover, except a little thinner. UGH! Double the breaking of the fourth wall! It's bad enough Discord's behind all of this chaos! Second Disadvantage: Rainbow and Rarity were humans as well; their clothes had a design of their cutie mark on either side of their clothing. The half disadvantage part: Spike was still a baby dragon. Thank goodness. No offense, but I kinda didn't want to see Spike as a human.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked, then immediately clutched my throat. Looks like the princess's spell hadn't switched me back to my regular voice. I still had Pinkie's! I looked to my side to see a bag with a beaming sun imprinted on the front. I slowly opened it and smiled. The Elements of Harmony were settled inside the felt bag, in the exact order Twilight had said in the first episode.

"What's that?" Zaria asked, pointing to the bag. Just as I suspected: she had Applejack's voice, too.

"The Elements of Harmony," I answered simply, picking up the necklace with the crystal blue balloon.

It must've weighed, like, five or six pounds? It seemed to warm up a bit when I made contact with it. I looked over at the others. Rarity and Rainbow looked about the size of fifteen year olds, and Spike looked like a midget compared to the size of the rest of us. The good thing was Zaria and I were about half the size of the PHs (Pony-Humans), and the "R Sisters" and Spike were waking up.

"Is this what humans look like?" Spike asked me, looking back and forth between Rainbow and Rarity. I nodded, my curly pink hair whipping against my ears.

"Alright, enough chit-chat," Rainbow said sternly, staggering as she tried to stand up. Zaria rushed over to help her. "We need to find Discord and teach him a thing or two about messing with us."

"Then we'll need a plan," Rarity pointed out as Spike and I helped her stand. "A brilliant, strong plan."

"Uh, guys?" Zaria began, looking around. "Where are we?" I looked around as well. It was nearly pitch-black, and I could make out a tall sturdy figure over to my right. Wait a second. I slowly made my way over to the structure and ran my finger against it. Soft, smooth, woody...Woody?! I flipped on a nearby light switch.

"Why are we in my bedroom?" I asked, opening my door.

"Never mind that!" Rainbow cried impatiently. "Let's go people!" Without thinking, she bolted out of my room and thumped down the stairs. Rarity followed her slowly, and Zaria joined in. I looked down at Spike and shrugged.

"Ready for some action, dragon boy?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow. He grinned slyly.

"I'm beyond ready!" he replied. I slung the heavy bag over my shoulder and picked the baby dragon up. I felt like a mother about to run out to do some errands with a toddler. I made my way out in the hall, but stopped shortly. Did I hear a quiet...sneeze? Followed by a super quiet "Shh"? I turned around, fear creeping inside me.

"Who's there?" I called. No reply.

"M, hurry up!" Dash hollered. "We have a world to save here!" I sighed at her grouchiness and slowly made my way down the stairs.

"Do you think someone was watching us back there?" Spike asked nervously, looking at the thirteen carpeted steps leading toward my room. I unlocked the door and whisked it open.

"I hope not Spike," I whispered softly. "But I have a strange feeling we're not the only 'special ones' here." Taking a deep breath, I followed my friends into the teeth-chattering, clear night, bracing myself for any impact headed our way.

Chapter Nine, I Knew We Weren't the Only Ones

It seemed to grow colder every time I took in a breath. The night sky was darkening to a pale-ish green color. Hope we're not in for a tornado, I thought worriedly.

"Whoa, wait up!" I cried, shrugging the bag's strap over my shoulder and thundering down the three brick steps. "You guys! Wait!"

"We don't have time to wait!" Rainbow insisted. "We have to stop Discord!" I noticed she was catching on to her new body quickly while Rarity looked like she was starting to get used to her human form. How could she jog in those purple heels? I've never tried that before, and I never will.

"I'd better go help her," I heard Spike say as he wriggled out of my grasp.

I knew "her" meant Rarity, so I let him have his way. Feeling a little lighter, I started sprinting toward the four ahead of me. And thus the hated cliche was born: I tripped over my left foot and went flying toward one of those low built sewers that you see rain slither in if it's storming. The bag also flew out of my hand, but I used my not-so-quick reflexes to retrieve it. I looked inside. Two, four, five...FIVE?! I looked around in horror. Out of all the necklaces, did it have to be mine? Er, Pinkie's? Luckily, the necklace was inches in front of the sewer, and I grabbed it immediately before anything worse could occur. About six minutes later (which felt like hours since we were all zigzagging through the empty neighborhood), we came across the local church. It looked dangerously deserted.

"Uh, where's the church building?" I heard Zaria ask.

"Church?" Spike replied, confused.

"I have no idea," I answered, gazing at the empty space where the church should've been. "I'll bet Discord had something to do with it, though. I knew he was an atheist."

"Alright everypony," Rarity spoke up. "Now can we think of a plan?" Rainbow groaned.

"Fine," she grumbled. "We'll waste our time thinking of something to do when we could already do it." I rolled my eyes and flexed my fingers. Lord knows what I'd do if this impatient Pegasus wouldn't shut the heck up.

"I think I've got one," Zaria began, smiling. "Okay, so once we find Discord, maybe one of us can distract him or somethin'."

"Okay...then what?" said Spike. Zaria shrugged.

"I dunno, that's all I've got," she stated flatly. This caused a chorus of groans.

"We can just use these," I suggested, pointing at the bag. "I mean, if me and Zaria know how to use 'em."

"Maya, we can't just go waltzing up to Discord wearing the Elements," Rainbow said. "He'll just use his powers to stop us. If we're going to do just that, we need something sneaky. Like Zaria's plan. Maybe we can add to it."

Everyone began crowding around Zaria, coming up with possible plans to add to her main one. Even though I could've joined in, I still felt a teeny weeny bit left out. I mean, why couldn't we just pop the Elements out and turn Discord to stone again? But, whatever. I silently made my way away from the whispering group and toward the church sign that was a few feet away.

"Why aren't there any cars?" I whispered to myself, squinting at the bare street. "Why aren't the street lights on, either?" I turned my head to the east just in time to see a faint yellow light burning miles away. I could also hear faint screams of terror and an evil laugh. Well, found Discord, I thought flatly, feeling excited and scared. I turned to the group.

"Guys?" I called. They didn't answer. "Guys! I found Discord!" Still no reply. Oh well. If they couldn't hear me, that meant it was up to me to (partially) stop this God of chaos.

"Bye!" I screamed, making my way toward the light.

I went from walking to jogging to sprinting in a matter of seconds. I seriously had to thank Pinkie for helping me with the running. I could run pretty fast, but not like Sonic the Hedgehog. I think in about fifteen minutes I caught sight of the, well, chaos! And when I mean chaos, I mean there were screaming people who were running left and right, nearly burning buildings, ferocious winds accompanied by lightning and thunder, and a seriously tall Discord (by at least twenty feet). If that's not what you'd call chaos, call it whatever you want. Suck it up, come on! a voice coached me. I took in a deep breath and marched over to Discord's pointy claws.

"DISCORD!" I screeched in my angriest, loudest voice. "GET DOWN HERE!" I think Discord heard me, because he was slowly shrinking back to his former size.

"Ah, my guest has arrived," he said, wrapping his arm around my neck. "I was wondering when you'd come. What do you think? Too much people enslaved or not enough fire and bad weather?" I slapped his arm off.

"Shut up, you jacked up bastard!" I cried. "You better fix my home and turn back to stone before I—" I stopped short. Why was he giggling?

"T-this is no laughing matter!" I continued uncertainly. "I want you out of here!"

"Yeah, about that...I can't," Discord replied. "Actually, I won't. You think this is some game sweetheart? Well you're wrong. I control things now. I'm your permanent leader, and you?" He shoved me to the ground.

"You're just an unworthy citizen," he finished. I ground my teeth together, already feeling like I should snap his neck and dance on his tombstone. Thank goodness I was away from the church!

"Anyway, I have some chaos to take care of," Discord went on. He clapped his hands twice. "Minion!" Minion? I thought. Someone from behind suddenly forced me to stand up, their arms holding onto my wrists handcuffed style. I struggled to look behind me.

"K-Kayleigh?" I shrieked. "No! You're my friend, not Discord's minion!"

"Take her away," Discord commanded. "Bye, my dear." With a fake wave, he stalked off.

"Let's go peasant," Kayleigh snapped in a robotic voice, her pupils producing a red glow.

"In your dreams," I replied in a strangled voice, biting her finger until it turned red. Oh, but she didn't let me go. She just trapped me on the concrete.

"I mustn't disobey my master," she said, nearly choking me. "You're powerless. What can you do, human?"

I struggled to grab one of the elements and, when I had it firmly grasped in my hand, I clanged it against Kayleigh's head. As soon as she stumbled backwards, I scrambled up and took off running. When I thought I was safe behind a gratified building, I searched for Pinkie's necklace and clasped it around my neck.

"This is so awesome," I muttered to myself, running my finger along the shimmering gem. "No, focus! I've gotta find the others!"

I carefully made my way out from the building's protective shadow and retraced my steps. I was careful not to run into Kayleigh or Discord and acted like one of the enslaved people this dragon-creature hypnotized. I didn't want to leave Discord's current place, but I wanted to go back to the church and search for everyone. I spent a half hour searching for them, and I finally found them! Yes! I'll give you the summary: We hugged, we got worried, we tried to think of a plan...stuff like that. And then the nightmare came.

"So you've found the rest of your posse," Discord said, eying the five of us. "Love the peasant look, though I prefer ponies myself."

"Wow, this guy's a jerk," Zaria pointed out, crossing her arms.

"Oh, well I don't think I'd be calling my friends jerks," Discord said, raising an eyebrow.

"What friends?" Rainbow sneered.

"You barely have a life!" I added.

"Well, I do have one thing," Discord went on, snapping his figures. In an instant, two girls walked in lock-step toward us. My eyes widened. One looked like the one on the cover of this story who was sitting down with a white bunny rabbit, the other looked like the one who was holding the book. Except she had purple hair instead of black. I'm not even gonna hesitate with these fourth wall breaking powers. I'll just embrace 'em! But anyway, back do being shocked.

"Twilight?" I cried.

"Fluttershy?" Zaria chimed in.

"Precisely," Discord said, patting the two humans on the head. "My new and special minions. Now take them away."

Twilight and Fluttershy both nodded at the same time and held their palms out. A bitter cold wind rushed from them to the five of us. Goosebumps prickled over my arms, and when it was over, I found myself staring at a black wall in the middle of the room with Zaria, Spike, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.

"Well," I began, "looks like we've reached the climax of our story."

Chapter Ten, Operation: Escape & Kick Butt!

I don't know where I got the rubber ball that was settled in my hand, but I was bouncing it against the wall anyway. What was also bouncing against the wall was Rainbow Dash. I'm guessing she was trying to break through the midnight black walls, but after ten minutes, I was starting to think she'd just bruise her shoulder blades and earn nothing in return.

"I cannot believe that Twilight and Fluttershy are working for Discord!" Rarity exclaimed. "How could they?"

"They were under Discord's control, duh," I replied, rolling the rubbery ball in my hands. No seriously, where'd it come from?

"Well how do we get those two back on our side?" Zaria asked, sitting down beside Rarity and Spike. "There's gotta be some way."

"There is!" Rainbow declared, banging against the wall the twenty-ninth time. Yeah, I counted. "We've just gotta get out of here first!" BANG!

"I don't think what you're doing is working Rainbow," Spike muttered.

"A wall like this won't be able to withstand the powerful force from an athlete like me!" Rainbow said, slamming the wall harder than ever. She ended up on her back on the floor.

I rolled my eyes and dropped the rubber ball into the bag of Elements. It clanged against a necklace, and when I looked down to see if the ball had done some damage, I noticed that the circular toy was near Zaria's Element. I sighed as I dangled it from my index finger, wondering why we couldn't have just used the Elements.

"What'cha doin'?" a voice asked. I looked over my shoulder.

"Oh, here." I adjusted the apple necklace around Zaria's neck.

"Oh cool! Wearin' this feels so awesome!" Zaria hissed. I chuckled.

"I know, right?" I said, gesturing toward my own. "I'd love to be Pinkie permanently..." My voice trailed off as I stared into space. I kept thinking about how we'd all stop Discord, and how Twilight and Fluttershy were able to come to our world as well. Were they this sneaky, or were they secretly spies working for the princess? Whatever the reason, they sure impressed me.

"Okay, I can't stand these small spaces anymore," Rarity spoke up. "We need a new plan! Now!"

"And we'll have one," Rainbow assured her friend, standing up. "As soon as we break out of here!" Bang! I rolled my eyes.

"Can't Maya just go berserk again?" I heard Spike say. "Maybe her insanity will bust us out." I smiled at him.

"One more word out of you results in a loss of a certain dragon's tail, alright?" I said sweetly. "No way am I going Pinkamena on my hometown."

"Pink-a-what?" Spike stared at me, confusion written all over his face.

"Never mind. You know too much about the dangers," I replied, making sure my hair wasn't turning straight.

"Actually, going insane isn't a bad idea," Rarity stated. "I'm already showing the signs of it!" She slammed her head on the floor, producing a high-pitched screech. I laughed into my hand. Rarity was always at her best when she was losin' it. Though now that I thought about it, Spike's plan wasn't a bad idea after all. I mean, how hard would it be to go insane and snap out of it in record time?

"Okay, girls?" I announced, "we're...bustin' out of here. But you have to Pinkie Promise me something."

"What?" Everyone's response came instantly and automatically. I gave them a sad look. I wanted to rethink this whole plan, but my mouth was already spitting out words.

"You'll have to stop me when we're all free," I finished. I reached inside and handed Rainbow and Rarity their Elements. I got nervous when they put it on without hesitation.

"What are ya doin'?" Zaria whispered to me.

"Saving our butts," I answered softly, turning to face the wall. Sorry about this Pinkie, I thought.

I squeezed my eyes shut and began thinking about...uh, something from a certain film that I had nearly parodied earlier in Ponyville. I thought how rough I had acted, how straight my hair had gone, how angry I felt at that Pegasus for not believing me...! My eyes popped open when I stopped breathing. I felt both my hair and dress deflate when I turned to face everyone else.

"You okay?" Zaria whispered, putting her arm on me. I slapped it off.

"Don't act all sweet to me," I snapped. "Sweetness is just poison." I glanced up Rainbow Dash, Spike, and Rarity.

"What're you all staring at?" I growled. Spike backed away.

"Whoa, that actually worked?" he asked, surprised. I glared at him.

"Look, all I want to do is defeat Discord," I stated angrily, clutching my necklace. "OW!" I immediately let go when it burned me. I gazed down at it and saw that it was glowing incredibly bright.

"Whoa, mine's glowin', too," Zaria said, poking her Element.

"Ours too," Rarity added. Our of the corner of my eye, I saw that the walls were peeling to reveal a white surrounding. That white surrounding suddenly thrust out of sight and another place materialized before us. Dark sky, a burning scent in the air, crying people—

"Yes, we're out!" Rainbow cried, jumping in the air for joy. Everyone practically squeezed the breath out of me when they attacked me with hugs. When they all departed, Rainbow was still holding on to me.

"You did it M! I knew you could!" she continued happily. Hm. Well this was awkward.

"Are you alright dear?" Rarity asked me carefully.

"You're not gonna attack Rainbow again like last time, are ya?" Spike added, sounding a bit hopeful. Boys and their wrestling. Jesus!

Rainbow released me. "Maya?"

"What?" I grouched, already remembering she was the reason I had gone psycho.

"You're not gonna...attack me, are you? Because I'm really sorry I didn't believe you today." I blinked at the question and the apology. Judging by the fact that she had stayed hugging me and the excitement of her voice when we escaped, I could tell she was really grateful for my little sacrifice.

"Maya?" Rainbow went on. "Are you mad at me?" I noticed my vision was darkening until the so called brightness of my surroundings looked a dark gray. She apologized, cut her some slack, a voice snapped at me. I knew Rainbow could be stubborn when it came to apologizing, and she had suffered enough from my beatings.

"Of course not, Dashie!" I cried, hugging her tightly. I felt my hair poof back to its curliness. I quickly pulled away. "But I'm not letting you off so easily, alright? Just be glad I didn't pull your hair out." Rainbow grinned at my reply and hugged me softly.

"Alright, enough of this Huggin' Festival," Zaria said. "Now that we're out, we need another plan."

"Oh, that won't be necessary," an evil voice said. Of course it was Discord. And, oh look! He brought Twilight and Fluttershy with him. How nice.

"I have a feeling I'll be ruling this town for quite a while," Discord continued. "And who knows? Maybe I'll have an extra minion plotting by my side." He poked my head sharply, and I could've slapped him.

"Enough's enough Discord!" Dashie snapped. "What else do you want from us?"

"Don't ask him that!" Zaria cried. "We can still beat him!"

"Oh, you mean with these?" Discord asked, holding up his hand. My jaw dropped.

"Where'd you get those?" I screamed, trying to grab the two leftover Elements.

"Oh, in a little bag somepony left behind," Discord answered. Ugh! Crap!

"You couldn't of had the bag in you hand?" Spike groaned, giving me a look. I hardly heard him, because I felt something forming in my hand. I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned. It was the same rubbery ball I had played with. Maya, I know you can defeat him! Pinkie's voice screamed in my head. You're lucky I have a spare ball! I grinned to myself. Thanks Pinkie, I thought back.

"What are you smiling for?" Discord snapped.

"Hee hee! Oh, nothing," I sang, smiling wider. "Just having a ball of a time!" At the word ball, I threw the toy at Discord, nailing his left eye. When he flinched and stumbled backward, I was able to grab the tiara and the last necklace.

"Rainbow, Rarity, Spike! Distract Discord," I ordered quickly. "Zaria, put this necklace on Fluttershy! Don't be afraid to use some karate!" Thank the lord Zaria took a karate class.

We all sprang into action after my demands were said. Dashie, Rarity and Spike were surrounding Discord (Rainbow didn't hesitate holding Discord down), Zaria was fidgeting with Fluttershy, and I was—well, I was terrified! Twilight sure was fast for a pony who lived in a library and who was under the influence of a chaotic demon!

"Get back here!" I screamed, running after Twilight. After pointless minutes of running, a little snap of my senses alerted me that something was wrong when Twilight vanished from my sight. If it weren't for her wrestling me to the ground, I would've never guessed she had been chasing after me.

"It's over," I heard her say. Oh not it's not! Pinkie's voice declared in my mind.

My body suddenly shifted around and Twilight collapsed right next to me. I immediately pinned her down and shoved the tiara on her head. She tried to wriggle out of my grasp, but I held her down extremely tight. The pink star implanted on the tiara created a sudden spark, and this ghostly white fog slithered out of Twilight's chest.

"W-what?!" she cried, blinking. She looked up at me. "W-who are you?!"

"Maya, I think it worked!" Zaria called. I looked over my shoulder and saw the exact same white fog escape from Fluttershy's chest. I had to laugh when I saw that Zaria had to sit upon Fluttershy in order to prevent her from escaping. I gave her a thumbs up and helped Twilight to her feet. She would've busted her head open if I weren't there to balance her.

"What in Equestria is going on?" Twilight continued to scream. "Who, no, what are you? And why are you wearing one of the Elements of Harmony?"

"Look, I'll explain everything later!" I promised, rushing over to Zaria. When I was next to her, I felt the earth beneath me tremble.

Bits of rock were dancing away from me. Lightning flashed, and I heard this deep demon scream. Either this story wasn't gonna end just yet, or Satan was visiting my world to team up with Discord.

Chapter Eleven, Defeating Discord

I watched in horror as Discord went from being the size of a midget to the size of flippin' Godzilla. Lightning flashed around him when he was done growing.

"Now do you think you can defeat me?" Discord boomed, shaking the whole town. I covered my ears. Any louder and my eardrums would burst. I did hear the unmistakable squeak from Fluttershy as she took cover behind Twilight. I was just speechless as I gasped at the giant beast before me. I didn't think Pinkamena stood a chance with him!

"Fools, all of you!" Discord continued. "Especially you!" Without a single warning, he snatched me up with his opened claws and rose me toward his face. My...heart...plunged toward my shoes! I now knew how that lady felt when King Kong snatched her against her will and climbed to the top of the Empire State Building. I could hear the faint screams of my friends shouting my name in alarm as Discord threw his head back to laugh.

"Please don't drop me," I prayed silently, starting to hyperventilate. "Or eat me." My hear skipped three beats at the thought of that.

"You'd never have the chance to conquer this God!" Discord went on. "I am victorious!"

"LET MY FRIEND GO!" I heard Zaria screech furiously. Wow. Just, wow. That was one of the loudest sentences that ever escaped her mouth. Discord reached for her too. Zaria screamed almost Bloody Murder as Discord laughed. Man, I felt totally bad for my BFFL! She shouldn't be experiencing this sheer horror! Why not someone I seriously despise? Like a cheap celebrity whose name shall not be mentioned?

"ZARIA, I'm SO sorry this happened!" I screamed to my friend, the wind stinging my face.

"IT'S OKAY!" she screamed back.

"NO, it's not!" I replied loudly. "You're my friend, and friends keep each other safe! No matter what!"

"I...I just feel BAD for you!" Zaria cried, staring at the ground beneath her. "I can tell you're WAY more scared about this as I am!"

"If you two hadn't been so foolish, everything would've been alright," Discord said, glaring at both of us.

"SHUT UP!" Zaria hollered. Discord leaned closer to her.

"Don't start with me," he threatened. That got me really boiled up inside. Nobody talked to my friend like that. Then again, nobody's ever had the nerve to speak to my friend like that.

"Leave her alone, Discord!" I demanded. "Do you know who you're dealing with?"

"Yes. Puny little humans," Discord wisecracked. "You two will make fine minions." Minions?! Oh lord.

"Actually, I think this little pink-haired freak will do wonders to my collection of slaves," Discord considered, smirking at me. I hope he wouldn't consider Pinkamena helping him. Things would get beyond un-orderly. Wait, Pinkamena. Pinkie's full name that was introduced in Season 1.

"Zaria, concentrate on your Element!" I suddenly coached her. "You have Applejack's Element, and I have Pinkie's! Visualize defeating Discord and saving both worlds!" Discord laughed that annoying, yet epic, evil laugh of his.

"HA! You really believe you can stop me?" he taunted.

"Zaria, TRY!" I urged her. "Ignore him and try! Close your eyes and CONCENTRATE, BFFL!" Discord began saying more of his usual crap, but I covered my ears and concentrated my best.

I visualized what had happened in The Return of Harmony Part Two. How Twilight had managed to get her friends back to their senses; how Discord's lower body turned to hard cold stone and worked its way up to pause his face; how powerful the magic had been... I suddenly heard a "What in the!" when I tried to sneak a peek at Zaria. Her eyes were opened wide, but there was an orange glow sparking under Discord's fist. It got brighter by the second. I looked down to see that my own spark was brighter and bigger than Zaria's.

"No, it's not possible!" Discord cried, suddenly squeezing me tighter. My breathing stopped and I went dead numb, slowly choking into unconscious. And guess what?

Another cliche was born within me and Zaria. Both of our lights went out, but after Discord's gloating began, a brilliant burst of energy barged out of our necklaces and toward the sky. It pushed the storm clouds away, revealing a bone-white moon. But that wasn't it. Everyone who had bright red eyes slowly fell backwards and went back to their original personalities. The burning buildings fizzled out, and best of all, Discord was turning to stone! Yet there was a disadvantage to this: he was so shocked Zaria and I slipped from his grip. The ground came rushing to meet us. But, like all good cliches, Twilight and Rainbow were able to catch me before I hit the ground, and Rarity and Fluttershy were able to save Zaria in time.

"You okay Maya?" Rainbow asked me nervously.

"I think so," I answered weakly, slipping out of their hands and onto the ground. My back sure needed a good massage or something.

I gazed up at the still turning to stone Discord. I had this funny feeling that he'd just burst out of his trap and continue to terrorize us again. Though I'm guessing God didn't want this typical cliche to occur. Discord continued to turn to stone, and his last words were exactly this: "I'll return some day, you ungrateful humans! Just...you...wait...!" Then silence. Well, technically no. As soon as Discord was frozen, he toppled over and broke in half. But then he began to dissolve into the ground and was gone without a trace. I seriously had to thank God after this; that is, if the church was back.

"Well, that was scary, wasn't it?" Of course Zaria was the first to break the silence. I nodded in agreement.

"I hope we'll never have an adventure like that ever again," I said breathlessly, stretching my back.

"You won't until I figure out what's going on!" Twilight exclaimed. Whoops! Forgot that if something sketchy was going on, Twilight would try and get to the bottom of it.

"Look, I promise to explain everything later, Twilight," I assured Miss Many Questions Pants. "But right now, it's best to remain calm about what just happened, okay?" Twilight's eyes widened.

"How do you know my name, and why do you sound like Pinkie Pie?" she questioned warily.

"I am Pinkie Pie!" I cried. "Well, I'm merged with her in my human body, but I don't want to explain right now." I made my way over to the others.

"Okay, how do we get back to Ponyville?" I whispered. "Is Princess Celestia going to send some portal or what?" Rarity shrugged.

"I'm not really sure, but I hope we find our way back to Ponyville immediately," she said.

"Maybe these Elements can help us get back home," Rainbow suggested. "But we'll have to convince those two over there." Rainbow pointed toward Fluttershy and Twilight, who were staring directly at us.

"Let me handle this," I whispered, making my way toward the two. They backed away, fear covering their faces.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna hurt you," I insisted. Then I smiled warmly. "Long time no see, my inner ponies."

Chapter Twelve, Extra Elements?

Of course Twilight and Fluttershy were looking at me with weird expressions when I said the whole "hello my inner ponies" thing, but their expressions deepened in confusion when I began explaining what had happened recently (except for the whole Pinkamena segments). It took a while, and I was talking fast in case a zombie Discord emerged from the ground and began eating people's brains. After a longer explanation, only Fluttershy looked like she partially believed me. I expected Twilight to be unconvinced right away (i.e. The two parts of the first MLP:FIM episode & Feeling Pinkie Keen), but I didn't have time for that. She and Fluttershy were willing to do their part in for the transportation thing, but of course, Twilight was spitting out a bunch of questions for me and only me. When we were successful and got back to Ponyville, she was still firing questions as we made our way to Canterlot.

"Did being merged feel funny, or did it really hurt? How were you able to be so sneaky earlier today? Is that why you were acting so strange and not like Pinkie? Oh, I knew it! But how'd you know—"

"OMG, do you ever shut up?" I interrupted, stopping in my tracks. "You're making Pinkie look like a normal pony."

"But, um, you are Pinkie," Fluttershy pointed out. Now I was starting to wish I wasn't between her and Twilight. It had seemed like a good idea earlier, but now...

"I know you think I'm Pinkie, but I'm not!" I replied, beginning to walk again. "I'm a human merged with her. And Applejack's not Applejack, Zaria's a human merged with her, too."

"Zaria?" Twilight looked confused.

"Yeah, my BFFL. Best friend for life, in case you were wondering." I nodded toward the orange pony next to Rarity, who wasn't paying attention to this conversation. Something suddenly sparked in my head.

"Twilight, I have a question for you."

"Okay...what is it?"

"How did you and Fluttershy manage to come to our world in the first place? All of us were called to meet the princess, but we left you behind in the forest when I, uh...lost it." Everyone was really silent. Except for Spike who was snickering when I said the words "lost it."

"Well...uh, we kind of followed you all," Twilight stammered. "I used my magic to teleport inside the castle when Fluttershy and I found out your were heading there. The transportation part was kind of tricky, but we managed to go to your world. Then we hid somewhere until you girls woke up."

"So you practically risked your lives just to see what we were doing?" I said. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! If it weren't for Discord, believe it or not, you two would've been stuck in our world forever!"

"Yeah, and if it weren't for Cupcake Girl over here, we would've never gotten out," Zaria added.

"Zaria, shut up," I demanded. "Or I'll go Cupcakes on you next."

"What do you mean by that?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nothing dear," I answered sweetly. "It's nothing to worry about." Pssh, lies, that voice in my head joked. You better hush Pinkie, I thought back. Or YOU'LL be next!

Alright, long, LONG story short: we all eventually made it to Canterlot, but with a slight disadvantage. The guards wouldn't let us in. I don't know if they were new or were just having a bad day, but they wouldn't let us through. They even denied us when Twilight freakin' Sparkle stated herself that she was the princess's star student! Now that was just cruel.

"But we're tellin' the truth!" Zaria insisted for the sixth time. "We need to see the princess now!"

"We weren't born yesterday," the cream colored one sneered. "The princess needs some alone time and has no time to add to the building stress."

"No, we're here to console her about the stress!" Rarity explained. "You see, she sent us a letter—"

"Oh, a letter huh?" the tan colored one interrupted nastily. "Is that the best excuse? A letter?"

"O-M-Jesus!" I cried impatiently. "Just let us inside the freakin' castle so we can see the freakin' princess before freakin' Discord pops up as a zombie and destroys us all!" The guards blinked at my vocabulary. It's not like I cursed or anything.

"Please step away from us before I have you seek a doctor," Cream Guard (that's his new name now) demanded. Hm. This wasn't good.

Guess I'd have to do something extreme. What did that guy in Why Am I Pinkie Pie do? For one, he kept getting needles jammed in his keister, and second, he channeled his "inner Pinkie" when he was stuck in that mental hospital. So I guess that wasn't such a bad idea. How hard was it to form cream pies in your hooves in the first place? So, feeling really self-conscious, I sat down, placed my hooves behind my back, and thought about cheerful stuff. Chocolate sweets, my BFFL, balloons, sleepovers, Krispy Kream donuts...

"Um, what are you doing?" Tan Guard questioned me. "Are you...meditating?"

"Ma'am, this isn't a spa," Cream Guard told me. I opened my eyes and leaned my head to one side.

"I know," I replied in my most happiest and mysterious Pinkie voice. "But you know what treats would be good at this time?"

"Huh?" both guards said at the same time.

"That's right!" I replied all giggly. "Pies!"

I flung my arms at the two guards, grinning triumphantly, but they weren't covered in frosting the minute I removed my hooves from their hiding place. The guards looked at me with stern and confused expressions, and my face started burning with a now fake smile on it.

"I feel stupid now," I said through clenched teeth.

"You look pretty stupid, too," Spike agreed. Awkward with a capital A!

"Uh, whoops!" I said in a shaky voice. "Sorry fellas! No pie for you!" I reached inside my fluffy pink hair.

"Maybe this maple syrup will act as a substitute?" Without another statement, I squeezed the bottle tightly and watched as the sticky sap splattered all over the two guards, drenching them so hard they could hardly move.

"Alright, they're distracted. Now run!" Rainbow grabbed my hoof and dragged me toward the awaiting princess as the others trailed behind.

"Princess Celestia, we're back!" Rarity announced. The pacing princess (does she ever sleep?) looked up and smiled.

"Welcome back girls! How was it? Did you defeat Discord? Were you hurt?" Her questions paused abruptly as Celestia eyed Twilight and Fluttershy. Yeah, can you say busted?

"Twilight, and Fluttershy! How are you?" Dang. I had to give Celestia props. She was acting as if nothing bizarre had happened eight seconds ago!

"Princess Celestia, what's going on?" Twilight demanded. "Why is Pinkie claiming she and Applejack are not themselves, and what's this talk about Discord? Didn't we defeat him years ago with the Elements of Harmony?"

"Well Twilight, I—"

"Princess, may I explain things to them?" I asked politely. Everyone just stared at me, but the princess nodded anyway. Yeah, you better be thankful I'm saving your flank!

"Look girls, I may appear as Pinkie, and AJ may appear as, well, AJ, but we're not really them," I explained. "Two years ago, Zaria and I took this 'magical' quiz that transported me into your body Twilight, and Zaria into Fluttershy's. We all got home safely, but when the princess called for our help, Pinkie and Applejack both volunteered for our bodies to be merged with theirs. Then Discord was behind this whole shredding of time, and—" Twilight held up a hoof.

"So, you're saying that Discord somehow escaped, and you're not actually Pinkie?" I nodded.

"Precisely, my inner pony," I said. "I'm really sorry we tricked you like this, but we had to keep it all a secret from ponies like you. No offense." Twilight rolled her eyes and murmured a small "None taken" in response.

"Soooo....is everything well again?" Rainbow asked.

"Not quite," Celestia answered. "Maya, Zaria, come with me." Oh crap. Hesitantly, Zaria and I followed Celestia to a room full of stained glass windows, designed in all kinds of mystical creatures; alicorns, minotaurs, hydras, etc.

"I have to thank you girls deeply for your brave sacrifice," Celestia began. "And for that, it would be unfair for me to not reward you kindly."

"It's about time!" Zaria teased, bumping into me. I laughed, really excited to see what we were getting. The princess levitated a small box toward us, and inside were two beautiful necklaces designed to look like the actual Elements.

"You two may not be the actual Elements of Harmony," Celestia finished, "but judging by your actions today, I'd beg to differ."

The princess then used her magic to settled the necklaces around our necks. Around the golden metal brace was an exact replica of my own face, smiling widely with Pinkie's Element around my neck. Zaria's necklace was the same, except it had her face with Applejack's Element around her neck. A necklace within a necklace? Sweet!

"Thank you," Zaria and I said at the same time. We looked at each other and grinned, then we simultaneously hugged Celestia, who hugged us right back.

"Now, before you two go home," Celestia said, "I think it's time we unmerged you, don't you think?"

"Aww," I moaned. "I really like being Pinkie. But, maybe some other time we can come back?" The princess let out a little laugh.

"Sure Maya, maybe next time."

Chapter Seven, Chaos With a Capital "C"

I kept my vision focused on the dry and leafy path, doing an amazing job not to snap again. I was thinking about happy stuff now, since I didn't want the princess to see me like this, yet that was very difficult to do. I kept thinking about time being shredded, what I had done to Dashie, how Zaria was starting to fear me, and how this was all gonna effect the actual Pinkie and Applejack. I pushed that all aside and let my gaze wander toward the trees. Finally, after a few minutes of unwanted silence, someone finally spoke.

"What was with you back there?" I let out a sad sigh.

"Rainbow, not now," I replied, trying to relax. "I'm really not in the mood for a lecture right now."

"Are you sure about that?" Rarity countered. "I mean, really, you attacked Rainbow Dash out of nowhere."

"Yeah, and for what?" Spike joined in. "For makin' you angry?" I felt my shoulders slump and I nearly collapsed out of exhaustion.

"Well, wouldn't you be angry if someone didn't believe you?" I asked calmly.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't turn psycho!" I heard Zaria say. "That was scary, and you know it!" I had to agree. Partially.

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear," I began to state. "When someone doesn't believe you, you'll feel very disappointed. If it sounds ridiculous to your own ears, that'll make you even more disappointed!" Rainbow groaned.

"Maya, you were acting—"

"AND if a certain somepony won't believe you," I interrupted, walking faster, "they can just say, 'I kinda find that hard to believe. I'll think about it, okay?' That would be the smart thing to do, wouldn't it?"

"I agree dear, but you—"

"And I know I'm Pinkie Pie and all," I interrupted once more, raising the volume of my voice, "but you forgot one important detail: I happen to be a human as well. I may be crazy sometimes, but I'm also very calm and understanding. And if someone gets me upset, you can guarantee they'll be some consequences! So take that to the bank. Now what were you two going to say?" Everyone was quiet. No, silent. I smiled triumphantly, giggling softly. I had managed to get half of my anger out, and I think my hair was starting to get frizzy! And frizzy led to curly in Pinkie's book!

"Well?" I asked again, looking over my shoulder. "Anything to add?"

"Yeah," Rainbow spoke up slowly. "I think you're a new definition of crazy. You really scared the feathers off of me back there. I have never seen a pony fight like that." I looked down at the ground in shame. I could feel the frizziness fade away immediately.

"Ugh, fine. Dashie, I'm sorry," I apologized flatly. "I couldn't control myself, mmmkay?"

"And do you wanna know why I was doubting you so much?" Rainbow continued a bit harshly. I nodded.

"Why?" I mumbled.

"Because I knew you were scared about this, but I had to calm you down first." I let those words sink in. They didn't fit in with my brain whatsoever.

"So, you thought it was okay to keep doubting me just so I could calm down?" I cried, whirling around to face the rainbow-maned Pegasus. "How does that work?!"

"First off, I didn't just say 'I don't believe you' right off the bat," Rainbow explained, "and second: I couldn't just think for a fact that what you were saying was true. I mean, think about it. You're in Pinkie and—"

"But Pinkie wouldn't joke at a time like this!" I blurted out. "And neither would I!"

"I know, relax!" Rainbow replied, settling a hoof on my shoulder. "Now look. I'll admit that I was a bit harsh on you, and I was doubting you, but...I just had to make sure you were telling the truth. Yet it was still wrong of me to doubt you like that. It's who I am, and I hope our friendship isn't broken." I gave Rainbow a look.

"That was really corny Dashie," I admitted. "Like, dangerously corny it made my ears bleed. But I will give you another chance. It's slim, but hopefully it'll expand."

"I'll take that," Dash said. She held out her hoof, and I bumped it back happily. Then Poof! My hair went back to being curly and fluffy! That was fast.

"Woo hoo!" I cried, bouncing up and down. "Everything's back to—Hey!" I was rudely interrupted when Spike spat out a piece of parchment right at my face. How does this guy not get paper cuts in his throat?! Rarity used her magic to pick it up.

"Oh thank goodness. It's from Princess Celestia," she announced. I looked over her shoulder. The letter read:

To Maya and Zaria: I may have come up with a plan to deal with this catastrophe, but you and the others must meet me in Canterlot to discuss some information I have learned. This may shock you as well girls. Time is running out. Literally!

Yours Truly,

Princess Celestia.

It took us a great amount of time, but we finally arrived back in Canterlot. I was lucky that the guards didn't question us any further; we just showed them we had a letter from the princess and they let us through. When we finally reached the palace, we were all breathless. The princess herself was pacing back and forth beside a wide table with a single circular crystal ball. Gypsy-themed much? When she saw me and Zaria, she looked the tiniest bit relieved.

"Girls, I must show you something immediately," she stated, all business. "This is very disturbing news." Celestia pointed a hoof at the crystal ball.

We all crowded around it. The center began swirling until it showed a clear blue sky. But in a second, the sky turned black and crimson red. There were cracks forming in the sidewalks as people walked by, unaware of what was happening. Though there were some panic-y people who were screaming their heads off at the sky and running around like deranged chickens. Lightning was flashing, and a ferocious wind nearly swept some little boy away from his father!

"Oh my GOD!" I screamed in horror. "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?" I turned to Zaria, who had the exact same expression as me.

"That...doesn't look too good," she muttered.

"No crap, Sherlock!" I shot back. "What are we gonna do?"

"Leave that to me," Princess Celestia spoke up. "I haven't found out what's doing this, but perhaps we can communicate with it. Other than that, I've found a portal that'll send you girls back home to save it. I'll explain the plan in a little while."

"Hey, I know how we can communicate with this thing!" Rainbow blurted out suddenly.

"How dear?" the princess wanted to know.

"Maya, of course!" the Pegasus answered, pointing at me.

"What? No I can't!" I cried quickly. "That only happened when I least expected it! If I try it now, then—"

"Dear, can't you at least try?" Rarity asked dramatically. God, I wanted to go Cupcakes on her next...

But, that's not what I did. I let out a small sigh and squeezed my eyes shut and willed my strange abilities to work again. Come on! I thought. Pinkie, help me out! I took in a sharp breath and thought harder. Then something just...snapped. Not in a crazy way, in a really silent way. When I opened my eyes, it was way too quiet. Zaria bumped me lightly and asked me something, but I didn't even hear her! Either she'd gone mute, or I was deaf now. Though I don't think that was the case. Because my whole body warmed up, and there was this bright light that shook the whole palace. Around me, I heard frightened screams. Then, as you guessed, everything went silent. What was this, a freakin' library?!

Chapter Thirteen, An Ending's an Ending

"Uh, are you sure passing out is natural for her?" I asked worriedly, referring to Miss Applejack who, after she'd been unmerged from Zaria, had immediately passed out after stating she felt "just dandy."

"Aw, don't worry Maya. AJ will be fine!" Pinkie assured me, patting my shoulder. "Nothing to worry a—ooh, pretty necklace! And look! You're face is wearing my Element! Neat!" Wow. She sure seemed chipper after being unmerged with me and nearly passing out herself.

"But don't worry. After a couple of night's sleep, she'll be back on her hooves in no time!" Pinkie added.

"I'm just glad I don't have that accent anymore," Zaria said. "It was annoyin'!"

"Oh wait, I think some of Applejack's voice is still stuck in your throat," I joked, pointing at Zaria's neck.

"Oh, shut up Maya!" Twilight cleared her throat, pretty uncomfortable with all the giggling.

"So, apparently, everything you said was true?" she asked.

"Of course. I wouldn't lie at a time like this," I answered plainly. "Though if something doesn't seem real at first, there's no point in stressin' over it, Twilight."

"I said something like that when I told her about my Pinkie Sense!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing on her hooves. Believe me, after Twilight had had some painful events happen to her, I knew one hundred percent.

"Well, are you girls ready to go home?" Princess Celestia asked, and Zaria and I nodded. We both got in a circle, but not before giving each and everyone (including our inner ponies since they were now comfortable around us) a great big hug. We had to pet Applejack due to her unconsciousness, but at least she knew she did a brave thing that day. And get this! When I hugged Pinkie Pie, she whispered, and I quote:

"Goodbye my inner human."

I swear that moment nearly made me burst into tears. Only four particular words made my heart do a backflip, made me hug Pinkie a second time, and made me whisper back,

"Goodbye my inner pony."

I really wished Zaria and I could stay in Ponyville forever, but that wouldn't be right--somehow. Getting back home had a new twist to it I might as well say. Instead of Celestia having to perform a spell, Zaria and I had to do it ourselves. (What, was Celestia getting lazy or something...?) We had to deeply visualize stepping through a portal and going back home. It wasn't easy for me since that whole Discord thing kept plaguing my mind, but we successfully opened a gateway to the human world.

"I'm really gonna miss ya'll. I mean you all!" Zaria said, which caused a bit of laughter.

"Yeah. Our lives won't ever be the same, huh?" I said sadly. "No epic adventures, no cool spells—"

"And no attacking," Rainbow chimed in. Hey, at least Pinkamena got a brief cameo! As did Psycho Twilight two years ago.

"Alright, bye everyone!" Zaria wrapped up. "Let's go before the portal breaks or something, Maya." I nodded. But before I took a step, Rainbow called my name.

"Yes?" I asked quickly.

"I just wanted to say...thanks for an awesome adventure today M," she replied, which made me grin and hug her once more.

"Anything else, Dash? Before I go?"

"Yeah. This." Without warning, I felt a small amount of pain in my lower jaw. That little piece of crap punched me!

"What the—"

"That's for making fun of me with that potion when you were Twilight," Rainbow stated.

"Wow, after two years you managed to successfully hold a grudge?" I questioned the Pegasus, who nodded proudly.

"Well played, my friend," I said, the pain fading away. "Now I'll have to find out how to get you back!"

"Maya, let's go!" Zaria urged me, tugging the sleeve of my shirt.

"Alright, alright!" I cried impatient. I gave Rainbow a smile. "Bye Dashie." Zaria and I finally made our way to the ever-waiting portal and stepped through it. I looked over my shoulder, right at my favorite pony.

"Bye my inner pony," I said in my best imitation of Andrea Libman's Pinkie Pie voice.

* * *

"I still can't believe this happened," Zaria went on as we walked side by side down the wavy green portal. "Two years later and we're stuck defending our world and risking our lives from Discord. As Applejack and Pinkie Pie using the Elements. How crazy is that?"

"Not crazy at all," I answered flatly, producing a small sigh. "I'm really gonna miss them."

"Me too," Zaria agreed, looking over her shoulder. I followed her gaze, hoping to spot a glimpse of our pony friends, but all we saw was green.

"Still Zaria," I began, turning to face her, "do you know what we had to do in order to save some stinkin' world?" Zaria giggled and nodded.

"Of course," she replied smoothly. "We just had a race against time. And Rainbow totally owned you in the face back there!" I laughed and bumped my friend lightly.

We then took off running toward the end of the portal, with a tint of our normal life greeting us with open arms. I gotta say: I was wrong. Dashie never broke my Pinkie Promise, I broke it myself. I was too stressed to see that was true (thanks a lot, Pinkamena! Arrgh!). And I'd nearly broken Cupcakes' fourth wall much earlier as well.

Yet aside from that, I actually did get to have fun. Getting to meet the ponies and Spike again; seeing a few popular side characters; getting a scrumptious cake inside my tummy; and experiencing the thrill of a lifetime: having an adventure! Zaria was 100% right! We definitely did have a race. A race against time.

THE END