Mind of Pie

by Sun Dial

Rating: teen
Tags: Random, Adventure, Pinkie Pie, Wonderbolts, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Comedy
Length: 16720

Pinkie's friends have to enter her mind in order to save her from her own nightmare.

Unknown to all but herself and Celestia, Pinkie has an unknown past linking her to the wonderbolts. However when that past catches up with her, Pinkie shuts her mind down to protect her friends. Her friends, unaware of the danger, dive into her mind in order to save her but the past is moving quick and her friends aren't quite ready to understand exactly what makes Pinkie Pie Pinkie Pie.

Published 2012-12-18 07:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-01-25 01:45:01 UTC

Prologue

Prologue

Essence of Pie  Prologue First you Take a cup of Flour

Rarity hummed to herself as she trotted over to Pinkie with her newest creation.  Despite the somber attitude that permeated the room, she took the opportunity to admire her work. It was a hoof-stitched pillow covered with all of Pinkie’s favourite things, mostly balloons and baked goods. Setting her head down on it, Rarity sighed as Pinkie’s glazed look returned her to the seriousness of the situation.

It was to her relief as much as that of her friends as Luna silently opened the door, sliding inside and taking in her surroundings. A slight nod came from the immortal as she eyed the resting pony and the strange creature resting on top of her. It was much reminiscent to the ferocious leviathans of a thousand years past but smaller, and slightly adorable.

“Pray tell, the green lizard, doth it also calm the pink one?”

“It's Pinkie’s pet, your highness,” Twilight spoke, tension etched in her voice. “We had hoped that his presence would comfort her. She has a...” she paused, searching for the right word, “...A way of knowing when Gummy is around.”  Twilight was unsure how to explain the Pinkie Sense to the Princess. She couldn’t even explain it to herself and even if she wanted to, other things were on her mind.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin had rushed into the library but a few hours before with Pinkie on Soarin's back.  Gasping upon seeing Pinkie’s condition Twilight rushed to the pony’s aid. She was lifeless and limp, with nothing but a torn strip of Soarin’s uniform holding her to the male Wonderbolt.  Pinkie’s eyes looked as if she was staring at something far away, twitching.

Rainbow grabbed her pink friend and Twilight instructed her to set her on the couch.  Twilight’s horn glowed as Soarin explained the situation. Pinkie was visiting them during their flight training as she often did, when she stopped peddling her Seuss-a-copter. Her eyes rolled back and she slumped over, falling out of her seat.

As Soarin told his story Twilight was impressed how in sync the two pegasi were.  Soarin being the stronger of the two had dived to snatch the copter while Rainbow grabbed Pinkie.

Setting the copter on the ground Soarin moved to Pinkie.  “She doesn’t have narcolepsy, does she?” He asked, going through a quick series of first aid checks.

Dash scratched her head.“Ummm?”

“Does she fall asleep randomly?” Soarin clarified, carefully flipping Pinkie over so she was on her stomach.

“I’m pretty sure she has issues getting to sleep.” Rainbow replied, wanting to help but unsure how.

Soarin frowned.  “I don’t get it.  She appears to be fine.”  He put his hoof along Pinkie’s sternum and started to rub.  Pinkie spasmed, but became limp after that.  “Dash.  Run through the field injury procedure with me. Did I miss anything?”

Dash scratched her the back of her mane and inwardly cursed.  “Well.... there was step 1, check for broken bones...”

Soarin looked up from Pinkie to stare directly into her eyes.  “You fell asleep that day, didn’t you?” he asked accusingly.

“Hey.  Maybe if the classes weren’t so boring I’d be able to pay attention.” Dash retorted defensively. Had it been a different moment, Soarin probably would have teased her a bit.  Dash herself was feeling awful.  Soarin ignored his partner and started to take off his suit.  Dash gulped as she saw him  start to make a harness out of his suit.  She had slept through that day too.

Rainbow Dash, one trick pony as her stage name stated.  She had been working hard to prove not only to herself but others that she wasn’t, yet here she was unable to do a thing when her friend needed her the most.  Every other Wonderbolt knew what to do in these situations and she’d go to Tartarus if she couldn’t find something in that brain of hers that couldn’t help Pinkie right now.

“We should probably get her to the hospital.  How long of a flight is it at half speed?” Soarin asked rhetorically. “Take the wind, extra weight” he muttered, calculating the numbers in his head.“If I increase output on my back legs. 13 minutes and 22 seconds, if the wind doesn’t shift.”

Soarin was ignored by Dash as she focused on the one egghead aspect she knew of ponies, magic.  She shifted her magic flow from its natural position and extended it out to touch Pinkie’s own.  “Uhh, Soarin?” she asked cautiously, “There’s something off about her magic.”

“Huh? I already checked her magic.  It’s flowing right, there’s no vacuums or bubbles to speak of.  There’s an unusually large amount, like you,  but I imagine that’s pretty normal for her.” Soarin extended his own magic over Pinkie, prodding and probing.  “You sure?”

Dash nodded her head. “I’m telling you there's something off.” She racked her mind for what was different.  The magic just didn’t feel like Pinkie, but that was crazy wasn’t it?  She had only actually felt Pinkie’s magic a few times before and that had always been when they used the Elements of Harmony.

“We have to get her to Twilight’s now!” Dash growled, shoving Soarin to the side and lifting Pinkie up.

“Ummmm....” Soarin hesitated as Dash threw Pinkie on his back. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Shouldn’t we get her to hospital? They’ll know a bit more about her condition then Twilight will.”

Dash pulled hard on the knot in Soarin’s suit, strapping Pinkie on. Looking up her gaze slashed daggers into any defiance he previously held and all confidence he held in knowing how to deal with the situation withered.  “That’s classified.”

“Twilight’s it is then.” He whispered before taking off.

Twilight listened to Soarin, running her own medical scan of Pinkie and confirming what he told her.  Medically, Pinkie was fine. Her magic was normal (well... normal for an earth pony who was an Element of Harmony and constantly warping the universe to her liking).  Her flow patterns  held no irregular movements. A lack of magical residue meant that she wasn’t under the influence of a spell.

For all intents and purposes, Pinkie was just sleeping. That left only one realm untouched. Twilight she was still smarting a headache from the backlash.  Dream walking was never her forte.

Having nothing more to go on then Pinkie’s lack of Elemental Magic, she sent a letter to Princess Celestia. The princess replied swiftly with a list of instructions from Princess Luna.

Twilight followed the instructions perfectly and now everyone had gathered, worried and confused.  It was strange to see the most hyperactive pony they knew hardly moving with an empty expression.

At times it seemed as if the Pinkie was merely in deep thought and others it seemed like she wanted to tear herself apart.  It disturbed Twilight that she wasn’t able tell if Pinkie had actually changed expression, or if she was just seeing the same one in a different light.

Now that Luna was here, hope reemerged within Twilight and her friends. The room felt safer, protected by the implied authority of the Princess.

“Sooo...  you gonna help her or what?” Rainbow Dash asked Luna with a hint of agitation.

Twilight face hoofed.  All that time under Spitfire hadn’t done a thing for the hot headed pesgasus’ regal courtesy. It might have just been her nerves, but Twilight still saw no excuse for such disrespect.

Dash went on. “I mean, you know all that crazy dream magic right?”

Luna smiled warmly  at the spectrum maned Pegasus. “Yes... Rainbow. I am most skillful in assisting those lost in the dreaming fancy, as thou knowest.” Luna gaze shifted to the stallion sitting next to the flying pegasus. “ I am pleased that one of thine’s is hast come true.”

Rainbow furrowed her brow at the princess, trying to decide if she should be offended or not.

“Umm, Princess do you know what happened? I mean to make Pinkie like this?” Fluttershy asked, her soft voice filled with worry and frustration.  “She, she’s going to wake up, right? I just can’t bare to look at her like this.”

Luna looked to the element of Kindness and instantly her heart softened.  She wanted so badly to say yes, to do anything to comfort the yellow pegasus.  Still, she wasn't sure what was wrong with the Element of Laughter, much less able to promise to.... what was the phrase these days?  Snap her out of it?

Avoiding the question, she turned towards Soarin and Dash. “I have reviewed what Twilight sent in her letter, but tell me. How did she enterest into this state?” Luna asked, turning away from Fluttershy's pleading gaze.  The yellow Pegasus looked down in worry.  Luna's lack of an answer made all of the ponies shift uncomfortable.

Soarin replied quickly to Luna’s inquiry.  “I was on my weekly training session with Dash, your Highness.” His tone unwavering, but Luna could still hear concern mixed in with it.  “We had just finished going through a routine when Pinkie appeared .”

Luna turned to Twilight, interrupting Soarin.  “Hast thou checkest the area for magical influx?”

“I checked myself.” Soarin spoke up before Twilight could reply, “And while I know Twilight could do a better job.  Pinkie was on her flying machine.”

Luna stared at Soarin as if he had sprouted a horn and asked if she would marry him.  “Flying Machine?”  Luna face was one of pure confoundment.  She knew that many things had advanced in the past millennium, but flying machines was not one that she was aware of.

“Pinkie is quite the inventor, your majesty.  Her flying machine is one of her many engineering feats along with her party cannon.” Twilight explained, her face was filled with relief, a relief that came from feeling like she was being of help to her friend.

“There is more to this little one then I imagined,” Luna spoke.

“Whoa Nelly... you haven't even started picking through the barrel yet.” Applejack’s voice was comforting to Luna as it didn't hold such worry like all the others had up to this point. “Why I just learned the other day that she has one of those fancy shmancy degrees.  Psychology if  I remember correctly.”

Rarity nodded her head in agreement. “Yes it was most entertaining to hear about it.  She achieved it when she was 17.  Can you imagine having been through the horrors of college schooling at that age?  Being all cooped up having time for only eating, sleeping and studying. What poor teenager would ever force themselves to do such a horrible thing?” Rarity swooned dramatically and plopped upon the couch elegantly.  “Oh the horror!”

Rarity's antics cut through the tension of the room most of the ponies laughed.  Twilight just rolled her eyes.  “Yes, it must have been horrifying to have not been doing that since she was eight,” Twilight remarked casually.

“Really, Twilight?” Soarin asked curiously. “I know you acceled in your studies. I was unaware you received it so early. I thought I was doing well when I got it when I was fifteen, then again Spitfire always complained how I never wanted to go out and do anything, so I suppose that Rarity might have an ounce of truth to her statement, tell me Twilight would you say that getting your degree so early was detrimental to your social health or actually improved your ability to meet ponies later in life?”

“Well...” Twilight pushed her hoof around in a circle on the floor

Luna, catching her sister’s students uncomfortableness with situation intervened.  “As much as I enjoy learning of Twilight’s private life.” Soarin eyes widened in his inquiry.  He cursed his curiosity as Luna continued. “We must get back to the matter at hand.  Soarin High, do continue thine’s story and do include the part about how thou checked for magic.”

Soarin cleared his throat and took a quick a glance around the room.  The room seemed lighter than it did before.  Twilight now sat up with poise and Rarity levitated a pillow over to herself before plopping her flank on it.  Fluttershy sat up  and her tears were drying, hope glimmering.

Luna kept her regal stance in front of the doorway.  She nodded politely and motioned for Soarin to continue his account. Soarin took a deep breath, steadied by the cool air from Rainbow’s wingbeats next to him. He smiled as he recounted the tale.

Luna listened with interest but her face fell the more Soarin told.  Her eyes furrowed and she walked cautiously to Pinkie’s body, placing her horn to the top of Pinkie's head.  It glowed the dark blue before she lifted it.  “Hath Pinkie acted differently at all lately?”

The mares and colt took a moment to ponder. Rarity was the speak.  “She has been throwing more parties lately, even for her. She's had a positively dreadful amount of energy.  I don't know how she's been able to sleep at night.”

Pinkie hardly ever slept, this Luna knew.  She got normally four hours of sleep, using the nighttime to work on her inventions.  Dash was the next to speak up. “She has been pretty needy for attention.  She's been at every one of my flight sessions with Soarin.  Then she tends to want to hang afterwards.”

“That's right.” Twilight spoke reflectively. “Not only has she been looking for more attention from her friends but she also has been throwing 2.3 times the number of parties. Comparatively to the six months previous that is.  It’s been hectic to try and plan around them.  I've had to rewrite my schedule twelve different times this month.”

“Don't remind me.” Spike bemoaned, holding his claw as if ached from hours and hours of writing.

Luna shook her head. “I do not know how this connects with the Element of Laughter but she is not sleeping.  She is as awake and alert as thou or I.”

Most of the group looked around in confusion.  Soarin racked his brain for something that could be of use, trying to remember the classes he took on psychology. Pinkie Pie, that name seemed to ring a bell that he couldn’t quite hear.  Something about confirming theories or something like that. “Her thesis.”  He realized

Twilight’s face light up like a sonic rainboom. “Of course.  Soarin you're brilliant.  Pinkie Pie's psychology thesis.”  All eyes turned to Twilight, expecting more of an explanation.  “I only read it once but she said found a way to prove what actually went on in the mind.  Whether or not there actually existed an Id, Ego and SuperEgo, how emotions were manifest or even how to recall any memory you’ve ever had.  The paper was interesting but was rejected because she was the only pony who could perform the technique.  Without any other pony being able to back her up most ponies thought she just made it all up.

“I never read past the intro.” Twilight hung her head in shame. “I didn’t think anything so logically flawed would be worth my time.  Pinkie starts her thesis explaining how she learned the technique from a book about Zebra magic.  Zebra’s are said to hone their magic by controlling their inner self.  Using this technique she was able to explore her own mind and meet her ego and id among other identities of herself.  She wasn’t a hundred percent sure if she met those identities she thought she would.”

“The placebo effect.” Soarin muttered. “You see, hear, taste or feel what you want too.”

Dash gave a puzzled look. “What?”

Twilight levitated a book off a shelf flipping through the pages. “It why Berry gets drunk when she’s drinking normal punch. She assumes its alcoholic and her mind responds in kind.  It’s partly why encouragement and discouragement affect us.”

“So Pinkie saw her Id because that’s what she expected to find?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah.” Twilight huffed as she put the book away. “Princess Celestia kept a copy of Pinkie’s thesis in this book.  Looks like it fell out on the way over.”

“Soooo... Pinkie’s meditating?” Spike asked trying to put understand the situation.

“That depends on what you mean by meditating.” Soarin spoke zoning out. “It would make sense as to why she is sleeping, yet awake.”

Soarin was startled out of the beginnings of a rant when Applejack stomped her right forhoof on the ground and let out an angry huff.  “I just can’t believe y’all.  Pinkie may be a prankster but she's about as dependable as Rainbow here. No way no how would she have let us go through all this worry if she wasn't in some form of danger. Even with this here Zebra whooie, Pinkie Pie just ain't one to do that.”

Fluttershy's small voice was barely heard but everyone turned towards the shy Pegasus. “Um... what if Pinkie is doing this to protect us?”

“Is... Is that true, Princess?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

“It.” Luna pawed the ground and her wings drooped.  “I have only seen such a thing occur once in all my years.”

The silence held as the Princess stared at the ground.  Rainbow Dash was the first one to break it, not being able to stand the unasked question.  “So are you gonna tell us what happened or what?

Luna glanced through all of them.  “It was when I became Nightmare Moon.”

The mares and Spike let in a small gasp and Fluttershy even let out a whimper.

“Whoa Nelly.” Applejack's thoughts came out as she pictured a Nightmare Pinkie.

Soarin looked from one Element to the other.  “Wait.  What does a holiday have anything to do with Pinkie?”

/)^3^(\ 

Philomena flew circles around the princess as she walked through the Royal Garden to an area that had become known as the Untrimmed Hedge.  In reality it was quite well taken care of  but it definitely had its own unique flare.  Celestia had appointed a somewhat quirky earth pony by the name of Rat's Nest to take care of the garden, and she had done a marvelous job.  Flowers of different varieties were spread around in a random fashion. Odd looking ornaments set out in what appeared to be the strangest of spots to place them, and while hardly any pony could call her work organized, neither could they say that it didn't somehow seem to flow together. In the middle of this floral masterpiece stood none other than Discord.

Philomena took off from the princess's back and sat on top of the Dracqonous, giving out a squawk. Rat’s Nest happened to be transplanting a set of blue flowers into the dandelions by the statue and noticed the bird tickling the Avatar of Chaos’s nose.  “Philomena, you know how much Discord gets annoyed when you do that.”  Philomena merely let out what could only be called a snicker before squawking once more as the Princess arrived.

Rat’s Nest dipped her head. “Oh. Princess. I was unaware you'd be visiting.  Forgive me for the poison Joke, but Discord’s birthday is in but a few days and he asked if I would let it grow.”

Princess Celestia looked Rat's Nest over. She was a very well groomed pony.  The grey mare had a light green mane that shone in the moonlight and on her flank was an assortment of rocks intermixed in the most peculiar way.  Still, the cutie mark was quite pleasant to look at.

“Worry not my little pony.  Even in his failures, Discord has always had a certain amount of pride in his creations.” Celestia’s regal voice was soft and calming. “He has always been a most foalish creature.”

“Oh, of course your highness, but he is quite the entertainer, even if he's worse than the most incorrigible colt.” Rat's nest looked at the princess. “Do you mean to talk with him?”

Celestia smiled. “I do.  There has been something that has come up that I must speak with him about.”

Rat's Nest laughed. “Well then, I'll be going.  Dealing with one immortal can be quite the hooffull.  Two would be just disastrous.”  Celestia watched as the green maned pony left, before turning back to Discord.  Philomena was doing a little dance on his nose.  Celestia's horn glowed as she closed her eyes.

“Quite honestly Celestia, I thought that you enjoyed my poison joke.  If I must say it was the perfect engagement gift.  The wedding would have been disorganized, the best mare missing, the best stallion a chicken or maybe a dictionary.  You, me, chaos all around.  Just think of the kids....” Discord relayed an image of him thinking. “Actually, scratch the kids that's a bad idea.  They'd just grow up and overthrow us like I did to my parents. You'd be a terrible mother anyways.”

Celestia didn't feel like Discord’s games today and her voice showed it. “What did you do to Pinkie Pie.” It wasn’t a question.

“Oh? You know, just the usual.” Discord sent an image of him scratching his nails looking disinterested. “Corrupted her, brainwashed her to be the opposite of her element, quite a shame though I so do love the Element of Laughter.”

Celestia was unsure of what to make of Discord’s comment.  She had been expecting him to gloat.  She held back a moment before projecting her thoughts.  “Enlighten me as to how you did that while you've been turned to stone.”

Discord grinned mentally. “Rule number one when dealing with an Alicorn Princess.  Celestia lies, and she's also pretty dishonest as well, but I digress.  You know as well as I do that I've been locked up here without any ability to cause chaos outside.  Other than what I can convince my adorable little caretaker to create.  So tell me Princess, what is this all about?”

“You really didn't do anything then?” Celestia asked.

“My dear dear Celestia.   I'll take credit for any chaos caused out there of course.  Not only do I get to stroke my ego, but you'll stop looking for the problem, letting even more Chaos happen.  So please, blame me with anything you like.” Discord heard nothing from the mental wavelength being projected at him and frowned for a second.  Wasn't she going to at least tell him the delectable details of the incident he was being blamed for?

He started to send random images through the wavelength.  One of him cuddling Twilight.  One of Princess Celestia fighting Nightmare Moon as well as several others. Another of the Elements of Harmony as long, thin, hairless apes trying to use their bizarrely shaped hooves to pick up forks. It took several minutes before she replied.  He laughed to himself noting that the picture she landed on was him being sexy on the beach with a pair of shades.

Celestia had ignored most of the images Discord sent her while getting together her thoughts.  What Twilight described definitely sounded like it had to deal with Chaotic magic, and Discord made up 93% of all of the loose chaos in Equestria. “You really know nothing then, Discord.  I'm not sure if I'm glad or worried, but thank you for your cooperation.”

Discord rolled his mental eyes. Although he couldn't see, the farmer, Rat's Nest, had sent him more than a few images of the garden he was in and he imagined Celestia standing in all her Oh so much better than thee regalness trying to decide what to say.  He had a smug smile, which was quickly removed when he felt her annoying bird poop on his left arm.  “Is this about the Pink one?  I really thought that you would have expected this Celestia.  Are you so high minded that you forget the dangers of your own ingeniousness?”

Discord could practically hear Celestia turn around.  “Expect what?”

Discord laughed, not that Celestia could hear that, but it felt good. “Oh... this is too rich.  Really, you blamed this on me?  Tsk Tsk princess.  This monster is yours Celestia.”

“What do you mean!” Celestia shouted into his mind.

Discord sent back an image of him picking through his ear.  “What do I mean?  I mean my caretaker Princess.  I thought it was rather nice of you to send me a previous Rock farmer.  So laden with Chaos that she's actually been able to grow me Poison Joke!  You truly are the best princess ever.” Discord laughed heartily.

“What are you getting at?” Celestia demanded.

“You still don't get it?  Come now Celestia, even if you lack the brains of  a colt, this can't be that hard to figure out.  I knew this day was coming the moment I manipulated her poor little mind.  It’s just so dreadful that she'd have to be an Element of Harmony, don't you think?  Having all that chaos in her conflicting with the Element of Laughter.

“She must be quite the pony to have lasted so long.  I dare say that you should bring her by and let her farm my rock.  I'd enjoy it quite a lot.  We could party all day and go all night.  It would truly be a magical wedding, something far more special than our little fling.  I should create a new flower and call it the Pinkie Pie.  It will give people an undeniable urge for laughter and chaos!  Just think of all the fun we could have.”

His laugh struck a chord in Celestia, an old wound that ran deep through her.

Discord’s voice rolled with mirth. “Funny how this has finally come back to haunt you, Princess.  Your infallible plan has just backfired.  You broke an element of Harmony!  Oh this is too rich!  I should have just let you be and you would have destroyed an Element all on your own. ”

Discord continued to ramble, but Celestia had already cut off her communication with the immortal and was moving swiftly away from the garden, a firm determination in her face.

Chapter 1 Reflections

Essence of PinkieChapter 1Reflections

Twilight held her hoof up to the mirror in front of her as her reflection copied her. She pressed it to the mirror, its surface rippling like water.  Retracting her hoof, the mirror returned to its solid appearance.

Did she really want to do this?  Did she want to see herself as Pinkie saw her? What if Pinkie saw her as this crazy book obsessed mare who always had to mess up before she managed to do things correctly?  Would she be able to accept that view of her? Was that how she viewed herself and she didn’t want to face the idea that somebody else viewed her like that?

Twilight was uncertain and her thoughts drifted to the others.  Rainbow would have gone through in a flash.  Her unwavering Loyalty wouldn't care about what Pinkie thought about her.  Rarity already knew what Pinkie thought of her.  Applejack?  Applejack was the nearest thing outside Princess Celestia that Twilight could describe as perfect.  She was strong, loyal, honest, hard working and despite her own financial problems was always looking to help everypony else.

Then there was Fluttershy, the kindest sweetest pony Twilight had ever known.  How could anybody think bad of her?  Finally, there was Soarin.  Actually, Twilight wasn't surewhat Pinkie thought of the stallion.  She wasn't sure that Pinkie knew him well enough to see him as anything other than a Wonderbolt and maybe a goofball.  Then again, Pinkie practically defined the definition of goofy.

Twilight was different. She had always been a little, well, condescending of Pinkie. Whenever her friend had come seeking advice Twilight never once trusted her to understand the situation completely. She always assumed that Pinkie was being immature.  The time with Gilda she considered Pinkie's concerns about Gilda to be jealousy. With Cranky Doodle she tried to prevent Pinkie from connecting the poor donkey with his loved one, thinking that she knew better.

Worst still was when Pinkie created clones of herself, Twilight was too stupid to realize that Pinkie herself was depressed, unable to have fun with any of her friends.  She should have known the minute that Pinkie started talking existentially exactly who the real Pinkie was.  No, she hadn't even trusted her knowledge of her own friend, even when that friend gave her the answer to solve the riddle of the true Pinkie.

As atrocious as that was, it didn't match up to when Pinkie was babysitting the cake twins for the first time. Twilight in her brilliance and understanding of how friendships worked berated Pinkie for how irresponsible she was.  Pinkie had forgiven her without qualms of course but something in Twilight was scared.  How many times had she complained about “somepony” being a harebrained nut case?  If she went through that mirror, she'd see exactly the kind of stuck up snob she was.

Her reflection glared at her, daring her to take a step back. To not do whatever she could, to fail in her friendship.  To do the one thing that Rainbow Dash said she never did.

Her purple hoof slid slowly through the liquid glass.

/)^3^(\

Fluttershy was lying down in fright, frozen stiff staring at her own reflection in the mirror.  Almost on instinct she could feel the thumping of Angel telling her to be brave and to not run and hide.  Fluttershy covered her eyes, unable to stare at herself any longer while letting out a small squeal.  Her reflection, however, did not.

“You will stare into Pinkie's very soul.  There is no secret she'll be able to deny you accessto.  She will not be capable of lying.”

Fluttershy’s reflection stood up.

“I'm not sure I follow you Princess.” Applejack spoke up.

Fluttershy carefully opened her eyes and gasped in horror to see her reflection standing.  She back-shuffled further into the rock silo.

“She means that Pinkie won't be able to hide anything she feels from us.  She won't be able to laugh away pain and tell us that there’s nothing wrong.  She can’t tell us that she’s perfectly fine because the hurt will take its own form,” Twilight clarified.  “Everything we encounter will be a representation of her in some way.”

Fluttershy gasped and frantically looked for somewhere to hide as her reflection started to step thru the mirror.

“Twilight Sparkle is correct, but you must be careful my little ponies,” Luna warned.  “Even Pinkie has nightmares.  These nightmares know how to emotionally destroy a pony until they can consume them.”

“If it isn't Old. Weak. Fluttershy,” Her reflection scorned with a snarl.  “Why did you even come, did you possibly think that you could help me? Or where you too weak to tell Rainbow no?”

“But I'm not old Fluttershy anymore.” Fluttershy managed to eek out, desperately wishing that Rainbow or Angel was there to protect her.

“That's right. Now it’s New Fluttershy.” Fluttershy let out a meep as her reflection had somehow gained a viking hat complete with long curved horns. Horrible memories surfaced in Fluttershy's mind. “New Fluttershy thinks things like parties are lame.  New Fluttershy thinks streamers and cake are things for foals.  New Fluttershy knows that Pinkie just throws parties so that everypony will like her!” The scorning tone drove mental daggers into Fluttershy’s delicate mind.

“Maybe I shouldn't go.  You know I can help Rarity take care of everypony.” Fluttershy said very quickly.

“As much as I thank you for youroffer, Spikey-wikey and I can handle it quite well,” Rarity replied calmly.

“Well then, you know I do have a lot of animals to take care of.  You guys can go on without me.”

“Come on Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash groaned.  “Pinkie needs our help so stop making excuses.  Aren’t you the Element of Kindness? Now are you in or not?”

Fluttershy's reflection stood above her.  “New Fluttershy knows that you doesn't deserve … ”

Fluttershy had begun to sob knowing what the next few words were and she was right.  She really didn't deserve the Element of Kindness. She was the worst pony ever.

There is no secret she'll be able to deny you access to.

The words never came and Fluttershy cautiously looked up into the glaring face of her counterpart.  “It must be horrible having all the built up rage inside of you and never being able to let out. To be eaten from the inside out, but New Fluttershy doesn't have that problem. She knows exactly what she deserves!” Her mirror sneered at her.

She will not be capable of lying.

Something clicked in her mind as it buzzed with activity that led to understanding. Fluttershy stood up. “Umm.  Excuse me, but why didn't you tell me that I didn't deserve Kindness?”

“However to enter into Pinkie's essence, you will have to see yourself as she sees you.” Luna's voice held just a small amount of sorrow. “Whether that be as family, friend, rival.  Perhaps even as an enemy.  Until you can accept how she sees you, you'll never be able to dive further into Pinkie.”

The reflection stood still, unable to answer the question.

Fluttershy knew that she understood something that New Fluttershy didn't. “You can't say it because you don't believe it.  You think that I deserve my element.  You don't really think any of those things.  I don't think any of those things about you and neither should you.”

Fluttershy reached up and hugged her counterpart.  “You don't have to be new Fluttershy, Pinkie.” The room was silent.

“I” Pinkie couldn’t find the words to say.  The silence permeated until there was a quiet unzipping sound.

“You can just be Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy stated as she helped the pink pony out of the Fluttershy costume.

“Fluttershy.” Pinkie choked out. “I, I don't deserve a friend like you.”

“Now now, shhhhh.” Fluttershy said quietly while stroking her friend down the back.  She could feel the tension flowing out of Pinkie.  “You're one of the best friends a pony could have.”

“We all carry nightmares and you will come across Pinkie's. As you help her overcome her nightmares her condition will stabilize.  I would tell thee a word of caution.  My sister left my mind very bare of secrets, every nightmare overcome, every concern whittled away.  All but one. A single nightmare that I hid even from myself.  The nightmare that I refused to face.”

Fluttershy fell over onto the ground, face planting into dirt and bits of loose gravel and a small ruby.  She tried to find where Pinkie had disappeared off to, but saw no trace of her.  She looked at the mirror on the other side of the silo.  Fluttershy was confused, not fully comprehending what just happened.  Why did a nightmare show up already?

Fluttershy giggled to herself, glad to know that she helped her friend. After all, even Pinkie just needed a little Kindness sometimes.

The Pegasus strode merrily towards the mirror, garbed in crystal jousting gear..

/)^3^(\

'The tan pony pressed herself tightly against the wall as she glared down at the snakes crawling towards her eerily.  Their creepy little black eyes and annoying little round (actually somewhat oval if you put a square inside an oval) noses stared our hero down.'  “Snakes.... I hate Snakes.” Daring Dash muttered.

“Pinkie, I do not hate snakes.” Rainbow said calmly, stepping on the head of the nearest one.  “Besides these are garden snakes.” Dash smashed a charging snake with her hoof, flicking it into some its friends. “Even Twilight wouldn't be scared of these things.” Dash leaped into the air, flying a few hoof lengths above the snakes.“Can we move on?”

Okie Dokie Lokie! Now let’s see. Dash could hear ruffling.A FeatherBrain's guide to how to write a Daring Do story.  Create undeniably suspenseful opening.  Check.  Introduce Daring to the Handsome Stallion of the day.

“Uhh... Loyalty here Pinkie.  I'm not just going to run around with any old stallion just to make your story follow the advice of some dumb book.” Dash said, bored.

I know that, silly.  Now let’s see, stallion check.

Dash rolled her eyes. She assumed the weird old zebra she met at the beginning was supposed to be this fabled stallion.

Trap Daring in an old ancient temple. Check.  Daring fights snakes, Check.  Oh that’s right. Daring goes through dangerous death defying traps and fights bad guys pawns to reach ancient artifact.   Alright here we go.

' Daring soared through the ruins of the ancient floating castle. Nobody had been here for years.  The foreboding city awed our super duper spectacular adventurer as she took in the sight of the ancient floating city of Trot.  To the east she could see the giant Trot pegasus in all of its traitorous glory.  It stood as a monument to the  ancient city’s grace and its fall into ruin.

However, despite the gloriousness and effort that the author put into making the city the most amazing thing ever for her little Dashie, our Hero merely flew towards the impending leaning tower of peas, duh.

Dash mostly tuned Pinkie out as she soared and enjoyed the scenery. Its general design looked much like the pictures in the books but it seemed to have its own unique Pinkie flare, such as Dragon roosting nests and gem golems and even a balloon stand or two.

Pinkie’s imagination proved to be most interesting in the engineering of this cloud city.  The Daring Do costume was pretty snazzy too.  The tan hide and awesome adventure outfit all fit perfectly. She had kept her Rainbow Lightning cutie mark and mane color, making her distinctly different from the adventurer.

She was glad that Pinkie saw her like this, an awesome adventurer, able to take on any situation.  Pinkie had once explained to her the psychological standpoint of Daring Do and why she was such a great character and the most amazing hero.  She was flattered that the way Pinkie had described Daring Do was actually what she thought of Dash.  It was pretty radical to know that her friend viewed her this way.

Daring's ear picked up the sound of ancient machinery as the mechanical defense Golems began to whir, ready to defend their territory.  Daring barrel rolled to the right, no, the left as crossbow bolts whizzed by her.  She tore through the sky desperate to get away from the flesh rending bolts.  Fear coursed through her system as this proved  to be fatal mistake, the Golems above letting loose their own deadly weapons catching our Hero in the crossfire.

Dash barely managed to maneuver out of the way nearest cross bolt, fast realizing that the air was far from the safest route to her objective. She watched as the golems reloaded their crossbows.  “Too easy.” Dash smirked herI'm awesome smile as she saw her opening.  Corkscrewing around a bolt she dove directly for a tower where two of the golems were attacking.  Using the speed from the corkscrew Dash slammed through the chest of left golem, tearing out its enchanted gemstone.

Daring spun as the second golem leveled its crossbow, but this devilish doer was quicker and slammed her hoof into the crossbow. Catching the fallen weapon with ease, Daring pierced the golem’s gem with its own bolt before tossing it aside and letting out a “Whew.”  Just then all exits leading to the outside magically vanished and the roof began to cave in, but Daring was always one step ahead.  She had already dashed into the Hall of Randomly Flung Sharp Things.

Dash leaped over a spear that was shot from a hole in the wall.  She grabbed onto the now thoroughly stuck spear and used it to change her direction. She launched herself upwards far faster than she could have done on her own. The quick change in direction allowed her to avoid touching the dust that had settled over the magic trigger wires. Taking a quick dive, Dash managed to just barely avoid a barrage of arrows set specifically in case somepony managed to avoid the other traps.

Rolling through the exit left Daring with a thrill of exhilaration and she smirked. Didn't these silly traps ever learn? She was Daring Do, the most dazzling adventurous adventurer ever! Her rejoicing was quieted as she entered into what appeared to be the bottom of a long shaft with a radius of 16.10101042Gummy6_9* pony lengths.  Staring down at her was hundreds of golems with crossbows aimed at her head.  At the top of the shaft stood the Mirror!  The artifact that Daring so desperately sought.

Dash was thrilled, she could take on any challenge Pinkie threw at her.  Dash was already in the air by the time the first bolt was loosed.  The wind rushed past her ears as she propelled her magic out and her body forward the protective White Shield encircling the front of her.  Her veins pulsed and her fur flowed back, pushed by both the wind and magic force she exerted.  Every leyline pumping magic into the atmosphere, accelerating her thrust.  The White Shield sharpened, overloaded with Pegasus magic.

The golem's bolts did nothing as they bounced off of Daring's shield. Then, in an instant all went quiet.  Time seemed to slow as the magic couldn't hold the most amazing pegasus ever back.  The explosion  rocketed every golem like it was giving them a giant magical hug as they all exploded with joy of seeing something so awesome as the SonicRainboom.  Daring slowed herself as she landed next to the mirror.

“Hey Pinkie, that was pretty awesome.  Did you make this all yourself? I mean the story and city and everything?”

Of course I made it. This isn't Fluttershy's magical essence, Dashie, or did you enter the wrong pony? Oh that would be horrible that means I'm not me. I'm just somepony else's imagination of me and if I'm not me then who am I? Will I have to stop liking parties since I'm not me? Wait, that would be just silly.  Even if I am somepony else everypony loves parties.  You know we could have the greatest party ever here! The Daring Adventure party. Isn't this the most perfect place for that?

“Well it is pretty radical.  Once we save you and everything, we'll definitely have the coolest party ever.” Rainbow slipped through the mirror before Pinkie got even more random.

Daring goes through dangerous death defying traps and fights bad guys to reach the ancient artifact.  Check.  Now let’s see, what's next.  Oh, that's right.  Best friend gets Daring and Stallion together.

Check!

/)^3^(\

Rarity hummed to herself as she stitched together a light blue pillow with a thunderbolt down the middle.  She had chosen to start on Soarin's first since she had never created anything for a wonderbolt before. The prospect of making something for a celebrity was always tantalizing.  Studying her work, Rarity frowned for a second.  She'd have to ask Twilight to enchant it so that Soarin could use it in Cloudsdale.

“You seem to be disappointed.” Luna said from across the room, sitting and watching the fashionista with interest. “I think you are doing a wonderful job.”

“Oh yes.  The pillow itself is coming along quite nicely.  My disappointment comes from a different source.” Rarity flipped the pillow around to inspect it from the a different angle. “I fear that my work shall go to waste after this ordeal is through.”

“Could you not enchant the pillow? I’m sure Soarin would love to  keep it with him.” Luna was perplexed that this could be the reason for disappointment.

“Well yes,” Rarity started, “But you see that's always been more of Twilight's thing. Knowing all the fancy magic.”

Luna was still befuddled.  “It is not a hard spell and I could teach it to you.”

“I couldn't ask you to spend more magic than you already are,” Rarity declined politely.

Luna laughed and let out a small smile. “I raise the moon and then protect ponies from nightmares.  It would be of no consequence to show you such a spell.”

Rarity huffed and her face contorted in anger as Luna was blatantly ignoring her attempts to not learn the spell. Twilight had always noticed her attempts of moving the conversation away from her magic, so why couldn't Luna? Really, as a Princess she should know how to read ponies and conversations better.

Rarity turned around and let her face and mind work through her irritation before turning back to Luna as graceful as she always was.  “You see, I'm not very good with magic.  Its been years since I've learned a new spell and I hardly passed basic spell casting in school.”

Luna frowned, unsure of how to process this information.  Rarity was a bearer of an Element of Harmony. She naturally had a higher amount of magic stored within her.  Why then was she so inept? “That is peculiar.” Luna’s gaze went around the room to see each of the Elements sleeping what seemed to be peacefully around Pinkie, the dark glow of her magic covering each just slightly.

“Rarity really is the most amazing magic user.” Spike said carrying some apple strudels, “I mean nothing like Twilight.  She's unbeatable you know.” Rarity politely levitated a strudel off of the plate Spike held. “But Rarity can out duel Twilight.” Spike's feet pittered as he walked the other two strudels to Luna.

“Spike, that's not a proper thing for a lady to boast about and Twilight is quite embarrassed about it too.” Rarity scolded Spike giving the dragon a glare from behind her sewing machine.

Luna stretched her wings before cracking her neck.  “What is thy secret? My sister’s prodigy is most skilled.”

Rarity put the finishing touches on Soarin's pillow and smoothed it out.  “Oh it is a talent that I've managed through all my sewing.  Simply find the right thread to pull and it will quickly fall apart.  Do you think I should do Rainbow Dash's or Fluttershy next?”

“Twilight.  Pegasi are superior at roughing it,” Luna replied. She watched as Rarity levitated the pillow over to Soarin and lifted his head with her magic.  Soarin shifted as the unicorn set his head down so that he held the pillow between his head and hooves. He let out a half snort in his sleep.

“As much as I'm inclined to agree, Fluttershy is hardly a camping pony either..  What do you think Spike?”

Spike let out a burp while setting his Sassparilla on the shelf next to him. “I don't know.  Twilight has her own bedding upstairs. I'll go up and grab that so you can work on Fluttershy's pillow.”

“A wonderful idea, oh, and look for some other bedding as well. No reason they should be uncomfortable while waiting on me.” Rarity picked up some yellow cloth and stretched it, testing its durability.

Luna watched as the young dragon went up the stairs.  “Dost thou know what Pinkie thinks of thee, Rarity?” Luna hadn't turned her head to look at Rarity, attempting to make the conversation casual.

Rarity put her hoof to her mouth and chuckled politely. “That is a question better asked to Sweetie Bell then myself, your Highness.”

/)^3^(\

Soarin yawned as he rolled out of bed, startled to find himself in his bedroom. Not remembering how he got there he brushed it off as a weird night. Surprise probably spiked his drink or something. Glancing at Celestia's sun he set his time bearings, 10:48 A.M., give or take two minutes.  The sun immortal varied the time which she raised the sun each day.

Soarin stretched out his hooves and went through his daily ritual of preparing for a hard day of flying.  “Peculiar.” The stallion found something wrong with the clouds he was standing on.. “My floor density is 1.4, not 1.1” He pushed his hoof through the cloud to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. “Even with dehydration the clouds shouldn't be this thin for another eight years.”

Soarin glanced over to his bed. “Oh. The bed is queen size.  Bizarre, I don't remember getting married.” His eyes lit up in glee like a foal on Hearths and Hooves. “Oh, so a queen size must mean that she's small otherwise we'd need a bigger bed.” He scanned the room for any clues as to who his mystery wife might be. He ran to the closet. “Closet has almost nothing in clothes.  Few dresses.  No stains but heavy stress marks around the wings.” he rummaged through the clothes in his closet to search for more clues, finding nothing he could only come to one conclusion. “She's obviously pretty awesome if she doesn't like to wear dresses beyond formal occasions.”

Something nagged at the back of Soarin's mind as he rummaged around the room looking for evidence as to who his mare was.  Soarin however brushed the feeling off, he had a mystery to solve and that wasfar more interesting than some nagging feeling.  “Alright, so the bed is worn pretty thin in the middle which means she's wild in bed.  Goggles found in dresser have branch scratches all throughout them. So either she works with trees or has a habit of crashing into them.”

That nagging feeling persisted in his mind but his eyes took notice of the walls. “She's allowed me to keep my poster of the Wonderbolts up, even the one of Spitfire, which means she loves the other Bolts as well.  Small magic burn from a cloud crib means we have a single kid, I'd say four to five.”

Soarin finally paused from his investigation into this mysterious mare.  That nagging sensation wouldn't leave him alone.  There was something wrong about this situation, something he couldn't quite put his hoof on.  “I checked in with Spitfire yesterday, went to Ponyville.  I didn't leave the condenser on.  Do I have any formal meetings today? No, Spitfire would be all over me if that was it.”

Soarin stared at the picture in front of him.  It was him and Rainbow Dash. Dash was in a rather pretty white dress while he was in military formal. Dash looked amazing with just a hint of blush on her cheek, no doubt from some comment one of her friends made about the two of them.  Soarin for a small second wished that he had the picture, she looked so pretty.

That was when reality hit him.

Hard.

In the back.

“Got you daddy!” A cheerful little colt shouted in triumph, his father sprawled out on the floor, the little colt on top of him.  “ Mommy says to get your lazy flank up and come down and have some pie!”

Soarin rolled over so that the colt fell off and he could get a good look at his kid.  The colt had the same blue fur as he did but it was quite obvious which side he got his mane from. “But I'm not hungry for pie,” Soarin whined.  His son gave him a blank stare, unable to process what his father had said. “I'm hungry for little colts!” Soarin pounced on his son, rubbing his nose into the kids belly.  “Nom nom nom nom.”

His kid shrieked with laughter as Soarin buried his nose into his belly.  “Stop that...” The kid tried to get a hold of himself but the tickling from his dads muzzle was overpowering.  “Ahhh. Stop! It Tickles! Mooom! Ahh!”

“Nom Nom Nom Nom”

Soarin looked up from his kid as he heard a cough coming from the doorway.  In it stood Rainbow Dash, albeit a much older version than the one he knew.  Soarin grinned sheepishly. He pushed their son towards her. “I left you some dear. He is a most delicious colt.”

Rainbow stepped over their son with a stern look on her face.  “More delicious than my apple pie huh?”

Soarin put his hoof to his face as if he were in deep thought.  “It would be like comparing apples to oranges,” he said profoundly, sticking his hoof into the air.  “There is only one thing that could be possibly be better.” His voice was sly as he took a step forward, rubbing her side with his wings as he nudged her cutie mark.

“And that would be my totally awesome flank.” Rainbow stated with a satisfied smirk on her face.

Soarin snickered. “Nope.”

“Oh Really?” Rainbow would have made an angry face but she was curious as to his answer.

“Yep. It’s  a baked apple colt pie!” he shouted, picking up his son by the scruff of his neck and running to the kitchen.

Rainbow rolled her eyes before following her husband and the shrieks of her son.  The next half hour was quite the blur.  It had something to do with pie smeared over all three of them, starting with Soarin trying to force their kid into the apple pie. His attempts failed, somehow getting a face full of pie wherewith he “tripped” and  smeared it all over Rainbow’s mane.

Rainbow had known her husband long enough to have already made another pie and the three of them ate their breakfast in relative peace. Well, except for the cheesy fight of father vs son for the last piece. Enjoying the show Rainbow tried to sneak it for herself.  This did not go unnoticed by the quarreling males and she was soon tackled by the two, the pie smothered in the process.

After a good laugh and Rainbow scolding Soarin about being more irresponsible than Pinkie, the three of them took a shower under a black cloud and sent their colt to school.  Soarin turned to Rainbow, or at least how Pinkie imagined Rainbow.  “So do I pass Pinkie?”

“Of course, silly.” Rainbow got down on her four legs.  “You were a super duper awesome father.” Soarin shook his head.  It was Rainbow's body and voice, but the words were so unrainbow it hurt. “You were loving, responsible, sweet and fun.  Lots and lots of fun.  I haven't had so much fun since the great cake war against Princess Celestia.”

The wonderbolt chuckled and bowed graciously. “I'm honored you think so highly of me Miss Pie.” Soarin contorted his face trying to figure out how to word his question.  He looked off into the distance at the sun in the sky, then back to the rainbow-maned mare.  The colors reflected around her face so graciously. Her mane, still soaked from the shower, glistened in beautiful prismatic aura.

Soarin turned around so Pinkie wouldn't see him blush, which was actually rather stupid seeing as he was inside of Pinkie.  After coming to this conclusion he turned back around, but the mare was gone and all that remained place was a water pool with his reflection in it.

Soarin walked over to it the pool and stared into it, noticing himself for the first time since he entered the mirror.  He looked older, more responsible.  He looked like a dad.  “A father huh.  I don't know if anybody has ever seen me like that.” He had always been Soarin the Wonderbolt, Soarin the Prodigy, Soarin High the Pegasi Archmage.  Never once had Soarin the Father ever been suggested to him, but he kind of liked it.

There was just one problem, he had to get a mare to like him first.  He let out a groan of disappointment at that thought, dipping himself into his reflection.

/)^3^(\

Twilight blinked.  She was in a large spacious marble room with a ceiling three stories high and large set of cathedral doors. Leading from the doors was a long red carpet that extended to the base of  the throne she was sitting on.  Lining the walls in a parallel fashion were stain glass windows separated by banners.  Oh, and she was an Alicorn.

On instinct she shut her eyes and opened them again, but she was still in Celestia's throne room.  She cautiously peered around.  “This makes no sense.” Twilight started. “But wasn't the mirror supposed to show us how Pinkie sees us?  Ugh, this is why I hate psychology.  Ponies aren't logical!” Huffing a little bit at the insanity of the situation, her previously flared out wings started to retract ever so slowly. Twilight looked to the left, then up in confusion trying to get some grip on what was going on.

“Of course.  Pinkie would have her own stained windows.” Twilight muttered taking in the images, then chuckled softly.  It seemed that some of Pinkie's favorite memories were engraved on the windows.  On one was Pinkie holding all of them together in a big hug and Twilight recognized the image as when they held Pinkie's surprise birthday party.

Just to the left the stained image showed Pinkie standing on her friends back singing in the parade she had put together just to sing her Smile, Smile, Smile song. Curiously, Twilight noted that Rarity wasn't there.  It took a minute but she remembered that her fellow unicorn had slipped out after showing up, having a large order to fill.

Across the room she saw a mural of Pinkie under a cloud of chocolate rain. Next to her was the contraption she had created to produce them.  Pinkie had been rather proud of it too until the Cutie Mark Crusaders tried to use to get their cloud making cutie marks.

There were other memories spread about the windows, some that Twilight recognized and others she didn't.  She walked around the room staring up at the windows, flying to look at others.  After flying around the room she settled back down at the throne.  “This isn't anything like I imagined. Pinkie doesn't think I'm the princess so why would I be in the Princess's throne room looking like an Alicorn.” Twilight took a look at her wings, taking note that they were larger and had a bigger wingspan like Soarin's verses Dash and Fluttershy's more sleek wings. Without noticing she started to pace around the throne.

“Why would Pinkie think I'm like the princess? What is it about the Princess that she sees in me?” Twilight paused putting her hoof up to face to rest on it for a second.  “No.  Pinkie knows that I'm not nearly as strong as the Princess.  Besides, this is an overarching feature of how Pinkie sees me. Not merely some small attribute. So what arch-type does the princess hold that she sees me as?”

A trail of smoke entered into the throne room making its way towards Twilight. She looked up in surprise as it formed a letter in front of her, before plopping onto the ground. Quickly she opened it up and started to read.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I hope you’re not too mad at me for trying to fix this problem myself, but I'm so grateful you guys all came.  Even Soarin!  Do you think you could help me get him and Dashie together?  I just don't know what there problem is.  It’s like they're purposely trying to sabotage all my attempts to make them special someponies.  Wait! I know if I try to break them apart then they'll try to sabotage my attempts to Not get them together and then they'll be together, oh but wait. That means I won't have accomplished my goal either!

What? I'm rambling? Silly, how can you ramble in a letter. Would that be called runonning? You know like a run on sentence but doing it nonsensically, but aren't most run on sentences nonsensical anyways, so how would that be any different.

So thank you very much for coming and I hope you don't mind me making you look like the princess. No disrespect to the princess or anything but I thought you might not like being a small genetically modified mouse with an overly large head.  Just wanted to say thank you for all the help and stuff you've taught me over the years.  You're so smart and I can't imagine would have happened if you had not shown up.  I probably would've been kicked out of town years ago without you to guide me.

Your Faithful Student,

Pinkamena Diana Pie

Twilight looked on the other side of the letter to see if it said anything else. Seeing nothing she buried her snout into the paper reading through every piece of word very carefully.  Pausing, she reread the salutations a couple times over.  Your Faithful Student. Those words had a very special meaning to Twilight being the same way she ended all her letters to Celestia. They were so special to her that they could very well be called her catch phrase.

The words with which she had endeared Celestia so many times before were now being used to describe her.  The faintest of smiles appeared on Twilight's lips.  Pinkie saw her as a teacher and a mentor.

Twilight opened her magical space next to her cutie mark and stuffed the letter inside.

Chapter 2 Blazing Spitfire

Essence of PieChapter 2Blazing Spitfire

Unreadable. That’s how Cadance often described her aunt’s face; it seemed as if you never knew what Celestia was really thinking.  Cadance had come to learn that even when she showed emotion, the only truth to any emotion was love. Celestia loved her ponies and would do anything for them, but rare was it that Celestia’s face showed what she was feeling.

Luna on the other hoof,  showed more emotion; to the point where Cadance had come to know that the moon princess overexpressed her feelings.  Celestia’s impassiveness and the rousing expressions of Luna made it difficult for anyone who wasn’t an alicorn directly connected to emotions to know how the Princesses felt.

In times like this, even she had difficulty sometimes.

The princesses had called a meeting of some of the most important ponies in all of Equestria, and neither of the princesses were giving her any clue as to why.  Celestia’s face was soft and her emotions were controlled, but there was a hint of concern and planning.

Luna’s face was calmer and gave off a peaceful glow as her ethereal mane flowed.  Seeing as Luna wasn’t actually here and was merely projecting her image, Cadance was unable to tell what the moon princess was feeling.  That Luna did not simply teleport was a cause for concern.

The others in the room all gave off a sense of curiosity and purpose. Prince Blueblood also held a slight sense of annoyance.  The earth pony Stone Wall brayed a little, his emotions settling, his vast mind shifting through his memories, carefully looking through each one to divine the cause of this meeting.  High Archmage Silent Whisper glanced over at the historian, annoyed that his studying was interrupted by such a noise, before returning to his scroll.

Her own thoughts went out to her husband, one of the three missing members. She and Shining had watched over the Crystal Kingdom, but between her being the Crystal Princess and Shining Captain of the Royal Guard, they didn’t get nearly as much time with each other as she wanted. That’s not to say that he didn’t spend six months of the year in the Crystal Kingdom with her, but those other months she felt a longing for his love.

Relief spread throughout Cadance as Prince Shining Armour stepped into the room and shut the massive doors behind him.  He walked calmly to his wife and nuzzled her, and Cadance drank in his affection like a drug. “You’re a great silver lining.” she whispered to him.

“And here I have proof you're seeing somepony behind my back.  Who is this Silver Lining that I’m impersonating, and what does he have that I don’t?” He whispered back.  Cadance giggled before the two met with a brief kiss and Shining sat down on his own pillow.

Celestia cleared her throat, gathering the attention of the attendants, but before she could start, Silent Whisper spoke up. “Are we not to wait on the others?” Cadance could feel Silent’s curiosity at the oddness of this event, and she took a moment to study him over. Silent Whisper was a black unicorn with a night-blue mane that was longer than the average colt’s.  He also was 97 years old and going strong as a master in magic.

“Commander Spitfire has already been informed and sent to do her duty.  Archmage Soarin is doing what he can to deal with the situation, although I fear he understands both too little and far too much about the situation.” Celestia took a quick glance at Luna who was frowning in confusion.

“It would seem that I do not understand either, sister.  What dost thou know?  Is there something more to do with Pinkie's nightmare that I am unaware of?” Luna’s inquiry was filled with a desire to know mixed with a sense of disappointment.  Cadance was startled to find that the disappointment was mirrored in Celestia.

“Perhaps it would be better if I simply showed you all.” Celestia's horn glowed green.  The council looked from one to another as nothing happened. When they looked back Celestia was standing on thin air, a few hoofs above the ground, her horn no longer glowing.  Silent Whisper let out a gasp as Stone Wall whistled, impressed. The princess took a few steps forward before falling to the ground. The clomping snapped the onlookers out of their trance.

The room was silent except for a hum as Shining cast a magic detection spell over the princess. Celestia’s amusement rolled off her in waves and reminded Cadance of Pinkie after a prank.  Despite her Aunt’s amusement, Celestia’s face didn’t change.

“No lasting magic.” Shining said.“No focal point for an enchantment.” Shining looked up to Princess Celestia. “I have fourteen explanations, eleven of which come down to you being an alicorn or being better than me at evasion magic.  You wouldn’t call us here to show off.  So what was that?”

Cadance could feel a sense of pride ripple off Silent Whisper.

“Chaos magic.” Luna's tone was curt and Cadance felt strong waves of disapproval from the princess. “The magic that Discord uses... it can do just about anything, but its most common use is to warp reality.” Luna was mad, this Cadence felt no surprise at, but the disapproval, fear and rage Luna was boiling in was startling to the Love Princess.

“Why have I never heard of such a thing? This Chaos magic could be used to help the lives of ponies everywhere.” Blueblood’s regal tone held some displeasure about only learning about such a power now.  Stone Wall rolled his eyes.

“I too feel that such magic could be beneficial to our society.  Why has it been hidden for so long?” Silent Whisper asked, now very curious and excited. His emotions reminded Cadance of when she taught Twilight a new spell.

Shining said nothing, but his mind was a whirl of activity. Being a guard at heart he knew that if the Princesses hid something, it was dangerous. Still, it bothered him... he was the Captain of the Royal Guard, why did they not inform him of something so dangerous?

“You're all a bunch of fools.” Stone Wall's voice was hoarse and cold but Shining knew through experience that the old Archeologist had seen much, and had knowledge of Equestrian history that was only outdone by the Princesses’.  Even Twilight knew little compared to Stone.  “And if you knew a lick about what you were talking about you'd know that what you're suggesting is the very thing the Princesses are trying to prevent.”

“Speak to us with respect, you broken old colt.” Blueblood berated, “But do go on.  Exactly what is so horrible about this reality changing magic. Explain to me how it is any worse than common magic, which itself has been known to cause terrible atrocities?”

Stone Wall looked to Celestia, and the princess nodded, giving the old forest-green pony permission to continue.  “You won't find any reference to Chaos Magic in the books, not even in the oldest tomes, but there are artifacts that weren't affected in the great purge.  To be frank, without the Princess we couldn't live without Chaos magic, for that is how the unicorns of old raised the sun and moon.  Usually it took at least nine of the airheads to raise the sun.  Ah, not Clover the Clever though. That girl had a brain in her and learned how to properly use Chaos magic, and could raise the sun with as much ease as our Princess here.”

“In them olden days, most ponies didn't even know they were using Chaos magic.  The Pegasi and their great combat spells, the unicorns and their sun raising.  Even us earth ponies were using it to modify plants and animals. Some stupid ideas those were. Now why in tarnation would a dog need three heads, or a lizard the head of a chicken?  It was all just a bunch of silliness, at least it was until the Princesses came and took over raising the sun. That’s when dem unicorns started to experiment with other uses of Chaos magic.  Somehow that resulted in the creation of both Discord and Tartarus.  Can you imagine, an entire world created? Well that's what happened, somepony just got up and decided they wanted to make their own world and poof. We get Tartarus.

“All those stories we tell the young'uns to keep them in line. Creations of Chaos Magic, that's what they are.  Timberwolves made of stone, armies of manticores, the elements taking form, its all real and locked up tight. You want to change reality do you? You might as well wish for eternal war as to wish for Chaos Magic. Why do you think the Princesses purged the world of chaos knowledge?” Stone Wall's old voice held all the knowledge and understanding that Shining had come to know the old pony possessed.

Shining sat in silence, glancing over to his wife, who seemed to be in deep thought.

“I don't understand. You can't just get rid of magic.” Cadance spoke.  “Even if nopony knew about Chaos Magic, should it not have been rediscovered?”

Celestia sat back, avoiding the topic.  “Stone Wall's story is lacking, but he is correct.”

“I’m afraid that I still don’t understand why Chaos magic could not be used under supervision? Surely the ability to warp reality is a trait of value.” Blueblood noticed.  Cadance eyed him, feeling his lust, desire and greed.  She was glad when she did not need to call him out on it.

“And thou hast a thunder-rat’s spine stuck so far up thy rear end that we can see its beady little blue eyes in thine mouth!” Luna's voice projected across the room with such force that it could be seen as she slipped into the Royal Canterlot voice, then turned to Celestia. “You throw these words around like you have a right to divulge such information. We refuse to let this conversation move any farther, Avatar of the Sun!” Luna was standing, and her ethereal presence commanded all the ponies in the room to still themselves and cower before her. The moon was hers to command, the light that held off the blackness as the sun rested.  It fought when others could not, it stood when she desired. Even when Celestia’s sun blazed through the sky, her moon could still be seen, and now its bearer demanded its will to be known.

Avatar of the Sun.  The last time those words had been spoken, it had erupted into a civil war.

Cadance could feel Shining’s awe as Celestia placed one hoof on the ground, followed by the other. For all of Luna’s glory and power, both Cadance and her husband understood why Celestia’s reign was without dispute. Her hair flowed and her brilliance blinded the mortal ponies. A glorious and majestic presence showed itself, the brilliance of the sun radiated from its master, a being who commanded its life giving light.  All feared for their lives as the two noble celestial bodies clashed in immortal dominion.

It took everything Blueblood had not to sprint for the door.

Celestia lowered her eyes into the callous gaze of Luna.  “Pinkie is a rock farmer.”

The stillness held as the two sisters continued to defy the other.  The tension in the air stilled every pony there.

Luna's horn blazed and light overwhelmed the Golden Alicorn statue. “NO!” She ripped the statue in half in a blind fury.  “You're lying!” Shining covered his head with his hoofs as the Princess slammed one of the broken pieces into the wall next to him, pelting him with stone fragments.  “It can't be!” The Princess eyes started to water, her cry a desperate plea.  She dashed the statue through a column, marble sent everywhere in a shard-filled explosion. “It’s not possible!” Her wailing grew weak and the statue clattered into the ground behind Stone Wall. Luna fell to the ground and sobbed.

Cadance, being the only council member not petrified, slowly began to gather the broken fragments into a pile.  Her movement unraveled the spell of fear on the members as sighs could be heard around the room, held breaths being released.  Shining peered into the sad face of Cadance and she gave a weak smile, letting her horn's magic fade.  Cadance watched as Luna stopped projecting herself into the room.

“I'm sorry you had to see my sister’s antics.  This was a difficult time of our lives and the pain of it returning to us is not an easy one to bear.” The calm reverence of Celestia's voice invoked a sense of tranquility to those who listened. “Pinkie Pie, resident of Ponyville, is now storing enough Chaos to be able to change the world.  I have no doubt that others have felt it too.  I've put Commander Spitfire in charge of her protection for now.  I now need the council's help to protect Pinkie without letting the rest of Equestria knowing what has happened.”

Blueblood's face showed contemplation. “If our goal is to protect this commoner, then why not then use this chaos magic and disperse it?  Surely there could be some use for it that would cause little uproar?” Blueblood asked sincerely.

“Because the only way to gain access to the magic is to kill Pinkie.” Celestia paused, her answer sinking in. Shining understood perfectly and his protective instincts flared.“This is why I've ordered the Wonderbolts to watch over her and her friends. I however wish to intercept any potential enemies before they reach Ponyville, and I need to be able to know everything that goes on in Equestria by nightfall. Am I understood?”

“Patrols to the Sky, Horns on the Wind, Ears in the Dust. Eyes in the Sun.” Shining quoted, his hoof in salute. “You have my word that this will be done.” In a much calmer voice he asked with a smile: “Twily's in the middle of this isn't she?”

Celestia chuckled playfully. “Would you expect otherwise?”

The question went unanswered as Silent Whisper spoke: “Forgive me your highness.” He bowed trying to show no discourtesy at his proceeding comment. “Such a task by nightfall would surely be impossible.  The day is half gone.”

Celestia smiled mischievously as she opened a window with magic.  “Is it?”

Shining smirked victoriously and Stone Wall roared with laughter.

Daybreak had just begun.

/)^3^(\

A mind was a complicated thing; Twilight had known this since she was young.  She had observed the incredible things it could do. Every day she breathed, walked, talked, ate, looked for physical indicators to allow her to interpret what another pony was saying and gave off chemical combinations that allowed her to know when she was happy, sad, confused or any other emotions.

To Twilight, the mind had always been a living organism in its own right.  Much like a tree or a flower, it was intricate and complex. To understand how it worked meant understanding the laws of nature by which it was governed by. Entering into Pinkie's mind, Twilight expected to learn and uncover the laws by which the mind operated, and was governed itself.

The spectacle before her was sight she was sure she'd never forget. Perhaps it was the spire that smoothly sloped up until it was at least 500 hoofs in the air. Perhaps it was the castle that was built into the base of the spire, and made out of cake.  It could have been the town that laid out before her, each block a different color, producing a quilt like state.

It might have even been the factory that puffed out a cheerfully pink mist, or the river of magic that flowed through the town. Perhaps it was the hundreds of Pinkies that walked around or the occasional white pegasus with

“This is quite startling, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said calmly, “But I suppose it’s not any worse than our own minds. Although, I would like to have more tree in mine.”

Dash flew up to get a better view of the town that lay before them.  “I don’t know.  That tower over there with the eye on top kind of gives me the creeps.”

Twilight flew up next to Dash to get a better view herself.  The tower was a sharp contrast to the cheerful town below them, made of a cold black metal.  It looked to be about 200 hoofs and was set outside the town, at the base of the mountains that encircled Pinkieville.  An intimidating burning green eye sat between two pillars over a platform on the top of the tower. Twilight shivered for a moment, then felt as if she was heating up as she felt its gaze fall directly upon her.

“It’s definitely suspicious.” Twilight said. “But we’ll need a proper investigation before we come any conclusions.  We need to gather any information we can before coming to any hasty judgments. If we act without thinking we might cause some real damage to Pinkie’s Psyche.”

Rainbow held a look of confusion mixed with disgust.  “I don’t care what you say, even if Pinkie decided what laws of physics we follow. It’s still weird that you know how to fly.”

“Get used to weird, we’re barely on the first page of this book.” Twilight said as she veered off towards the ground, where her friends were waiting.

“Well ain’t this place a hoot.” Applejack spoke. “Pinkie’s mind is busier than Big Mac during the harvest festival.”

Dash let out a chuckle as she looked at Applejack in her stetson and jean vest.  She was going to have so much fun teasing her about being ‘Trotter, Texas Ranger’ when this was all over.  After all, according to Pinkie, Applejack didn’t get wet... water got Applejacked. Dash’s mischievous nature dissipated rather quickly when she passed over Fluttershy in her armor, and her eyes fell on Soarin.

Soarin’s eyes were distant and he sat slumped, staring out into the distance.  “Soarin?” Dash asked, her voice low and full of concern. “You alright?”

Soarin continued to stare across the city.  “This feels...” his words trailed off.  He continued to look out across the valley.  Dash walked up to him and raised her hoof to place it on his side, but Soarin turned to face her so that he was facing her hoof.  “I’m fine, Dash.” his voice was soft and calm, but held an undercurrent of worry.

He brushed past Dash and walked up to Twilight. “What’s the plan?”

“What? Oh, yeah. Give me a second to think.” Twilight sat on the ground to think and the other ponies gathered around.  Gathering her thoughts, Twilight noticed a pointed glare from AJ at Soarin, then Dash.  “Well, if we want to help Pinkie, we need information.  We know next to nothing about what caused Pinkie to slip into a dormant state.” Twilight looked back over the city.

“I’ve got it.  We’ll split into two groups.  One group will come with me, and we’ll find where Pinkie stores her memories.  We’ll see if we can’t find anything that could have caused this.  The other group will travel around town and see if they can’t learn anything from the Pinkies in town.  Then we’ll meet back up in front of the castle in three hours. Any questions?”

“Well, um.” Fluttershy started, “Are you sure its a good idea to poke around Pinkie’s mind? What if we find something she doesn’t want us to know about, what if she hates us for that? I don’t want Pinkie to hate me... oh, I’m not sure I can do this!” Fluttershy flopped onto the ground and covered her eyes and started to bawl.

“I’m not happy about it either, Fluttershy.” Twilight’s voice was soft and comforting. “But we have to do something.  We can’t just leave Pinkie like this.”

“Digging into somepony else’s private business just ain’t right, but Pinkie would do the same for any of us.” Applejack said. “She wouldn’t worry about hurting us, and Pinkie doesn’t get offended easily...

Applejack’s words rang with truth and Fluttershy opened her eyes.  “Really?” she asked hopefully.

“Why not? This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about.” Dash leapt into the air.  “Besides, even if she doesn’t throw us a ‘thanks for saving me from some unknown being that was tormenting my brain party,’ we have to stick by her side. Even if she does hate us we can’t leave her hanging.” Dash glanced around, before moving into whisper into Fluttershy’s ear. “Besides don’t you want to learn what awesome gift Auntie Pinkie Pie is going to get you this year?”

Fluttershy giggled.  “You’re right. I should be a better friend.  Pinkie needs us, but lets try and not dig around more then we need to.”  Dash rolled her eyes at the last statement.

“Of course.” Twilight said warmly. “So who’s coming with me to check out the library?”

“I will.” Soarin spoke, flying upwards. “If I do find something out that I shouldn’t, I won’t be hurting a friendship. Just preventing one.”

“Wait a minute.” Dash spoke up suspiciously.  “How do you know she stores her memories in a library? You’re not actually a nightmare hoping to separate us one by one to defeat us, starting with Soarin, are you?”

“Not quite Dash.” Soarin spoke up. “She’s using a placebo effect.  If she says she’ll find Pinkie’s memories as a library, then Pinkie’s mind will hopefully pick up on that and actually portray her memories as a library. Kind of a moot point really as  Pinkie stated that she stored her memories in the Pinkathonian.”

Twilight hung her head.  “She really was that detailed in her thesis, and here all this time I had dismissed it as if it wasn’t good enough for me.”

“Aww, now don’t feel bad, sugarcube.”  Applejack threw her hoof around Twilight’s shoulders. “Pinkie doesn’t hold anything like that against us. She gave you those there fancy wings because she sees you as mentor.  I think we all do a little bit.”  Applejack took a glance up at Rainbow Dash, before leaning in and whispering.  “Even Dash envies your egg-headedness.”

Twilight let out a giggle. “You’re right.” She opened her wings before turning to Soarin.  “So, noble stallion.  Shall we go on a quest to find books?”

“Some quest.” Dash muttered, rolling her eyes.

Soarin smiled. “Yes, let’s.” He turned away from the rest of the group.  The two of them took off, leaving the other three behind.

Watching them go, Dash flew above Applejack. “I do not envy Twilight, Applejack.  Where did you get a stupid idea like that?”

“What? No!”

“Oh, I know I would be just a bit envious.” Fluttershy cheerfully said, as she walked beside Applejack as opposed to her pegasus counterpart, who flew next to them.  “Soarin seems like a very nice stallion.  He’s strong and kind and honest and he seems rather loyal too.  Did you know he told me once that he could never betray the Princess?”

“Now ain’t that the darndest. He’s seems just up your alley, Dash. He’s even a fancy wonderbolt and all. Why I reckon you two could be the talk of all of Equestria with a gorgeous wedding.” Applejack was getting an absolute hoot out of teasing Dash, and giving her a taste of her own medicine.

“Will you shut up?” Dash was thoroughly annoyed.

“Oh please don’t be mad at us Rainbow. We didn’t mean to make you mad.”

“I’m not mad, Fluttershy.” Rainbow huffed, now feeling slightly guilty she made Fluttershy worry.

Applejack was having too much fun to comply to Dash’s request. She was on a roll and wasn’t going to relax now. “Now Dash, its alright to be scared.  Stallions can be scary sometimes.  You just got to mare up and calm down.  You’ve practically got him in your hooves.  He didn't even think twice when Pinkie chose you as his mate, and she obviously thinks he’d make a fine father.”

“Is that so?  Well, it seems to me the stallion you want is currently hanging out with egghead Twilight.  Twilight said that you’ve been reading more lately, and I reckon that has something to do with you trying to impress a certain wonderbolt.”

“He’s a wonderbolt! Of course I want to impress him. He’s my idol! But you wouldn't understand what that means, would you?"

“Girls?”

“You want to go down that path Rainbow?” Applejack growled. “Just because my idol’s ain’t living don’t mean they ain’t a hundred times better than any of your stupid sports idols! You know it’s kind of sad that you’ve been on that team a year, and you still see them as your idols and not your friends. Just admit it Dash, you're scared of stallions and now that you finally met one who likes you, you freeze up.”

“GIRLS!” Fluttershy shouted.

“What?!” they both shouted back at her.

“Umm.... Where are we?”

The two ponies looked around to see they were no longer in the town they had been walking through. They were in a graveyard: a graveyard with headstones in every direction as far as they could see.   Looking back, they could see the same thing.  Headstones, neatly ordered and polished, covered the rolling hills that spanned in all directions.

“Oh horseapples.”

/)^3^(\

Spitfire pushed herself hard: it had been but twenty minutes since they left Cloudsdale but the urgency in Celestia's words lingered with the Wonderbolt.  Within a half an hour she had found both Surprise and Lightning Dust, and the team was now pushing hard to make it to Ponyville, fully equipped for battle.

“Spitfire!” Lightning Dust yelled, speeding up to get next to the commander.  Spitfire looked over without slowing down, her body telling Dust that whatever she had to say had better be very important.  The wingpony frantically pointed to the sun.  “What time is it, ma'am?” her voice carried in the wind with a sense of confusion.

Spitfire took notice of the sun and its position, even though it was past one.  Her brain took a second to  auto-correct her sense of direction and time.  In the corner of her eye she watched as Surprise wound her head back, setting her own sense of time back a few clicks. “Don't let a simple thing like that distract you Rookie!” Spitfire shouted. “We have a job to take care of!”

Lightning Dust gulped and fell back into position, holding back her panic. When the messenger pony had told her that she was to report to Spitfire in full combat gear, she had thought this was some sort of a training exercise.  A test to see how efficient she was at preparing in a rush, so she packed quickly and ran to Spitfire’s office, with a sense of pride with the speed she arrived as well her choice of armaments.

Her confusion started when Spitfire didn't even glance at her gear while putting together her own. When Surprise came through panting and combat equipped, Dust started to worry.  Spitfire's explanation did nothing to alleviate her feeling of foreboding.  They were on a top priority protection mission. Their target was a library in Ponyville and those that they were protecting included Princess Luna, Rainbow Dash and Soarin.

She also warned them that they were to keep an eye out for any non-ponies and were under orders to trust none of them.  Lightning wiped her goggles, trying to clear dust that wasn't there.

The action did not go unnoticed by Spitfire.  The kid was terrified, and Spitfire could hardly blame her. She herself could feel fear creeping through her own system.  As much as she refused to admit it, the fact that Celestia had rolled the sun back left a lingering sense of urgency that hadn’t existed before about this mission.  She couldn't imagine what it was doing to Lightning's system.

This mission was strange, and she was beginning to second guess herself on her team choices.  She had chosen Surprise not only due to her creative combat ability but also her friendship with Soarin.  The two of them had created gadgets of all sorts for the ‘bolts and were quite close.

Lightning Dust had been a no brainer, even if Surprise hadn’t been.  The long time rival and friend of Rainbow Dash was fast, agile and had even created her own move called the Dust Dive, which left her opponents blinded and allowed Lightning to make a quick attack before they recovered.  She had determination and drive that was rivaled by only Rainbow Dash; Spitfire had thought that, despite her lack of experience she would be able to push through any situation.  It seemed however, that her intuition had been wrong.

She would just have to make up for any mistakes Dust made; she wouldn't let a thing happen to her two best friends.

Lightning Dust gave an inaudible sigh as Ponyville came into view. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she started to enjoy the scenery.  It was mostly cloudy, proof that all her pokes about Dash being a lazy bum and not taking her job seriously were true. The thought of her friend calmed Dust even more and she began to embrace the joy of flying; the soul calming joy that all flyers experienced. Even the sun seemed to shine comfortingly over Dust, letting her know that Princess Celestia was still watching and taking care of her.

A shadow fell over the three pegasi. Spitfire and Surprise bolted in different directions, but Lightning Dust’s instincts kicked in too late as the beast descended upon the Wonderbolt, its two claws latching onto the pony’s body.

“Harpy.” Surprise hissed as she looped around and flew towards the creature, reaching into her bags.  The harpy was huge... not that Surprise had seen one outside of the books she read, but the creature was still far larger than expected, being about five ponies high with a wingspan of six ponies.  The creature’s wings were a reflective yellow, designed to enhance the glare of the sun, and the armor the harpy wore was polished to dazzling shine. It’s beak was clearly made to eat meat and its long feathered ears twitched, honing in on every sound.

Surprise channeled just a smidge of magic into her goggles, increasing their tint. “Hey Bird Brain! Why don't you pick on somepony with explosive powder!” She yelled, throwing several small multi-colored balls.

The harpy glanced back as the balls bombarded her, exploding into dust clouds. She ignored this mild annoyance and started twist her claws around her prey, her talons digging into Dust. The harpy huffed as the smoke obscured her vision.  She flapped her wings to move herself out of the smoke cloud and was surprised when she the smoke seemed to hang with her.

Spitfire had meanwhile shot up into the sky and started to dive, a white barrier forming up around her. She locked her eyes onto the multi-colored smoke cloud, seeing every detail of the blinded Harpy and aimed straight for its tail. She pushed her magic, causing the White Shield to form around her, and the barrier spiked as she slammed into her target. Time seemed to still for but a moment as Spitfire’s mind went into overdrive as the barrier dissolved  in front of her.  There was a small hiss before the magic exploded between the harpy and pegasus.

Surprise was already diving to catch Lightning when the explosion erupted, throwing each flyer in a different direction.

Spitfire landed in patch of clouds, sliding to a halt. She coughed out a bit of cloud as she wobbled up to her hooves.  Her goggles slipped off and fell to the ground.  Her Wonderbolt suit was mostly burnt off and magic wounds laced across her body. Her head hurt, her pride was wounded and her vision was only now starting to clear.  Her hearing flooded back in a roar of sound.  A few clouds away she caught the Harpy brushing herself off.

“Who’d have thought that I'd get to face off against the legendary Spitfire.” The Harpy cackled.  “Looks like old slither-tongue was right, the Sun Avatar really is putting her best on the job. Let’s see exactly how good the best of Equestria is, shall we?” The harpy cracked her neck and opened her wings, catching the light of the sun and blinding Spitfire.

“Horseapples.” Spitfire muttered, realising exactly how much of a disadvantage she was at here.  The enemy was faster, stronger, bigger, had far more endurance and was somehow immune to the White Knife, although the explosion had left some burn marks on the harpy’s wings.  On top of all that, Spitfire couldn't look directly at her opponent without her tinted goggles.

Her advantages were that she could tell exactly where her opponent was and she was quicker when diving.  She made a note to have Soarin do 24 hours of laps by the end of this.

“Of course, you seem pretty off your game after that explosion. I think I’ll go finish off that poor old wing scum off... see if you can stop me if you can keep up.” the harpy taunted, launching into the air and diving towards Surprise and Dust.  Spitfire's blood boiled and the pegasus sprinted off after the flying mutant. The wind rushed past the harpy and Spitfire as she quickly caught up.

The harpy span in midair to stare the commander down before smirking smugly and opening up her wings. The wonderbolt captain flared her wings to slow herself down as she put up her hooves to block the blinding light from the harpy’s wings.  The harpy swung her claw at the defenseless captain, slamming her into a nearby group of clouds.  Spitfire bounced a few times before rolling to a halt.

The harpy slammed a claw into Spitfire, not allowing her a moment’s rest.  “So predictable. Is this really the best Equestria has?” The harpy threw Spitfire into the air and kicked her in the back, sending the Captain into another cloud bank. “Whatever happened to the great pegasus warriors of the past? The ones that every nation feared.  You've become soft under your princess's rule.”

Spitfire gasped for air, trying to think of something as her body burned and ached.  She was thankful clouds were as soft as they were.  She was going to give a raise to Rainbow Dash for not clearing them today if she made it through this.  She gasped for air as the harpy grabbed her again by the throat, her claws piercing Spitfire’s skin.

“Cry pegasus! Cry for that Princess that has turned you into such a weak, pathetic race.  Cry for the princess that took away your combat magic and remember how she doomed all of Equestria by her actions.” The harpy began to cackle maniacally.  “Oh Spitfire, commander of the Wonderbolts, how are the others going to feel when they learn that you were beaten by me, Bloodslice  the Terrible? Their morale will be so broken that not even Soarin will be able to instill hope back into them.” The harpy leaned her head down and stared directly into Spitfire's eyes.  “Oh yes. I know all about you and him. But don’t worry, as soon as I'm done with you I'm going to rip those other two apart; leave them in so many pieces that they won't even be able to tell one from the other. Soarin will have plenty to rage over. Who knows, maybe he’ll even try to get his revenge. Think Spitfire, all this time you tried to protect him, now your death will be the end of him.  Stupid Wonderbolt.”

Soarin.  That name stuck in Spitfire's brain, the friend that she had so devoted to protecting, and Rainbow Dash, the best friend she ever had.  She and Soarin had gone through so much, from the lab to the Princess to the Wonderbolts.  Just when they finally were getting their life back and things were starting to calm down, Dash had to show up.

Dash had sparked something within Soarin, and their antics had made the last three years of Spitifire’s career more interesting than she had ever expected.  Rainbow Dash and her insanity plus Soarin and his harebrained ideas always stirred up something fresh and new.  If those two couldn't come up with a way out of this situation she'd eat her wonderbolt suit, right after the sweatiest practice she ever had.

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell your fellow corpses that you love them or some tripe like that.”

“I'll tell them myself.” Spitfire managed to gasp. Spitfire forced her magic to change its flow through her body, directing it through her cutie mark.  She could feel the change in her magic as it poured out almost imperceptibly... until the clouds started to vaporize from the heat her magic produced.

Then the air began to burn.

Bloodslice screamed in pain as fire engulfed her armor, fusing it into her skin.  She let go of the pegasus in an attempt to get away from the heat. This proved to be a mistake as Spitfire flew right in front of the harpy's face. “That I’d flay their hides if they lost to someone like you !” Spitfire spat, bucking the harpy.

The harpy was sent flying in a roaring blaze. Bloodslice screeched in pain as she pounded her wings, unable to get a proper flight pattern.  Spitfire watched, adrenaline pouring through her body, as Bloodslice left her sight, still tumbling head over claw.  Spitfire let her breaths become more regular and her heartbeat slowed. After a moment she sighed, then grinned.

“Well, well. 20% hotter in five seconds flat. That's an Equestrian Record.”

Spitfire caught Surprise approaching out of the corner of her eye.  “How's Dust?” she asked.

“She's okay, Captain.  She'll be feeling the wounds... they’re deep, but nothing was broken or ruptured.” Surprise flew over to the commander. “You need to get on the ground, Spitty.  I'd be me if you aren't as blue as Soarin tomorrow.” Surprise added before looking around for a cloud to bring her commander down on, but finding none. She was surprised considering the amount that there had been but five minutes ago.

“Speaking of Soarin, remind me to reprimand him for making me try his harebrained ideas.” Spitfire said as the two glided down to the ground.  “How is the target?”

“Library is picture perfect.  Not a soul besides the Ponyville militia. They're taking care of Dust now.”

“The Ponyville what?”

/)^3^(\

Bloodslice threw off the last piece of armor, which still had many feathers and some flesh attached.  She roared, falling  to the ground next to a spring. The enchanted spring was the only reason she was still alive; the Commander's magic had been fiercer than anything she had ever experienced.

“Where in Tartarus did that come from?” She breathed.   “That breastplate was enchanted to repel pegasus magic!” Her tone was harsh and unwelcoming.  “So what was that?”

Bloodslice picked herself off the ground and bathed herself in the stream.  It stung, and she cringed as the healing water smoothed her skin.  “Scales said that armor could stand even the old Chaos Magic of the once great pegasus empire.  Not that there's enough chaos to even use such magic.” She groaned in pain.   “So how could some inexperienced pegasus cast a spell of that level?”

The harpy closed her eyes and let the spring do its work.