A Splinter of Discontent

Discord was having a bad day.

It wasn't anything specific at first; he just didn't feel like himself when he woke up that morning. Everything was so… constrained. Pull a little prank here, make a little mess there. There just seemed to be something spontaneous missing from his life of chaos since reforming.

Not that the chaotic being felt this way every day. It was really nice having friends and being — somewhat — respectable. Barely. Upside-down tea with Fluttershy was always nice, though the poor girl was frequently distracted staring up at the ground. He had fun discreetly sending oddball creations across Berry Punch's path when she took to drinking, observing how she interacted with the prancing platypus, fretting flamingo, and other characters of his imagination. Although, the cactus kangaroo was admittedly not one of his finer achievements; he got quite the lecture from the Princesses after he lost track of it. Luckily, the spines were a snap to take care of.

Regardless, today he had woken on the wrong side of the hammock and found himself bemoaning the lost times when he could really let loose: transforming streams into Nacho Cheese, growing piranha plants all along the roads, twisting the hills into caricatures of himself… he’d always had a fondness for the old Mount Discord. It was now re-chiseled to look like ponies and called Rushmare, those barbarians….

The draconequus sighed.

He observed Celestia's sun hover over Ponyville, gazing from his spot on a large hill a third of the way to Canterlot. There were a few trees around, but it was an otherwise open area. It was not quite suited to his mood, but he couldn't see anything from the Everfree and just about any other place that could be thought dark and dreary had its own issues.

Discord swung his legs back and forth a bit. The mismatched creature was perched on one side of a seesaw, with Tom the rock holding down the other end. Bored, he flicked a finger and watched the lump of rock disappear, leaving him to fall flat to the ground. With a lazy tap on the metal handle he was leaning on, he brought it back into existence at the top of the other end. His upward arc lasted until Tom hit the ground, but Discord’s blank expression never changed.

The silence was interrupted with a popping sound some distance away, which only his ears could detect. He knew that sound, and found himself wondering what could bring her to see him.

Anticipating her next teleport, Discord snapped his fingers. When Twilight arrived, instead of the usual popping sound, there was a bamf and sulfuric smoke filled the area where she appeared.

"*cough* *cough* Dis- *cough* -cord!" Twilight Sparkle's voice snapped from where she stumbled out of the smelly haze. After a moment of catching her breath, she glared daggers at him. "Why did you do that?!"

Discord shrugged, using the bare minimum movement to get his point across. His expression never changed.

Twilight growled, but stood straight. "I've come because we need your," the unicorn rolled her eyes, "assistance. Princess Celestia thinks it's time you help out around here and there's a mad pony that's giving us grief."

Discord frowned at the curt dismissal of what he'd already done for the ponies. Floods don't stop themselves, you know, and it wasn't his fault those Diamond Dog mines were where he redirected it. You'd think the Princess would thank him for giving them a bath. There was also that earthquake he patched up with super glue; again, not his fault that all those ponies weren't looking where they were going and got stuck. He got them out, didn't he? And that fur would grow back eventually.

However, a mad pony was something worth giving attention to, so he settled his thoughts as Twilight continued.

"His name's All-Star Smite. He used to live in Manehatten, until he created Equestria's first magic-powered robot: the Cider Sprayer. He was laughed out of the magic society for some of his ideas regarding their use. I'm sure you'd be a fan." Twilight gave him a petulant look, having never gotten over her dislike of him. She viewed even his current, completely harmless pranks as dangerous to pony society.

Discord's frown deepened, but he rolled his arm in indication for her to keep going.

Twilight grimaced as she realized she was being childish, then coughed before continuing. "After that, a series of unfortunate events turned him raving mad and he swore revenge against Equestria. He's made a number of attacks already, and he doesn't seem specifically focused on any city or town in particular. Citizens all over the country are covered in poorly produced cider and homes are being ruined by the small floods. That robot is fairly capable."

Finally, Discord couldn't take it any more. "That's it? Cider? You need my help for a one-trick pony?"

Twilight glared at him again. "The Elements of Harmony are perfectly capable of handling this ourselves!" She jabbed a hoof at him. "You need to lend a hand to prove you’re worth something of value!"

This stirred something, and Discord found himself flaring at her unsaid accusation. "I need to prove my value?"

Twilight nodded a quick, precise jerk of her head. "Yes. You've been lazing about too long and it's about time you show you're capable of being an honorable member of society.”

The draconequus gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. After a momentary stare-down, an idea flickered into his head. An awful idea. A wonderful, awful idea that sent a hidden chuckle reverberating across his body, like a shiver.

Relaxing himself, Discord fell into a thinker's pose, crossing his arms and then reaching up to stroke his beard. He nodded, like he was agreeing with the mare in front of him. "Very well, Twilight Sparkle. I shall give you your assistance… in my own way. Please meet me in front of your library with your friends in one hour. I shall be bringing company with me, so do please provide some guest rooms for them." He crookedly angled his body to lean forward and sideways, almost coiling around the small pony, then hooked an arm around her neck as she tried to back up, pulling her head next to his and speaking low, as if divulging a secret. "Friendly hospitality makes such good first impressions, you know."

Twilight, caught off guard, merely stutterd, "U-uhhh… uh, I guess so?"

Pleased, Discord stood back up. "Good, good, I look forward to introducing you! Although you might find these ponies awfully familiar as it is. Now run along and get ready; retrieving them will be exhausting for me."

Twilight narrowed her eyes. "Why's that?"

The spirit of chaos smiled darkly as he faded away. "You'll see…."

Left alone, Twilight was still for a few moments before feeling comfortable enough to turn around and teleport away. *bamf*

"*cough* Discord!"

___________

"So… what are we doing here, again?" Rainbow Dash pawed at a flower sprouting out of the ground, watching in apathy as it bounced back and forth.

Several ponies groaned at the repeated question. They had all been out here for the past hour, at Twilight's request, and each had something better to do than wait around for a tardy creature of chaos. Rarity had even brought some stationery supplies and was busy designing a dress, although Twilight had no idea who for or for what occasion it was meant. The fashionista continued to study a drawing she'd been working on for the past hour, before erasing a portion and remaking it again.

At least Applejack was content to recline against a stump with her hat pulled low. She had work to do on the farm, but there was no reason not to rest since she couldn't be there, anyway. Fluttershy was also happy enough, nuzzling a family of chipmunks that had come to rest next to her after dashing about the field around them.

Pinkie Pie was… vibrating, or something like that. Twilight watched in confusion as the popping pink party pony was either really excited or trying to pack the dirt beneath her hooves really tight; it was difficult to tell her intentions. There was a very big smile on her face, however; so whatever it was, she seemed happy.

Twilight let out an exasperated sigh. It was easy getting the girls together, but harder keeping them there and still. The chaos-loving animal conglomerate seemed to be in no rush and was running half an hour late. Much longer and AJ would have to return to the farm and Rarity to her shop. She doubted Dash or Pinkie would last even that long.

Deciding to answer her friend's impatience, Twilight repeated, "Discord's going to help fight Smite, and he told us to meet him here so he could introduce some ponies he's bringing with him."

"Uh-huh." Rainbow Dash bounced the tulip again, watching it sway. "And why do we need either of them?"

"Any of them," Twilight corrected. A perplexed look flashed across her face as she sat back and raised a hoof to her chin in thought. "Or either set of them could work… and if one were to consider the set would be implied due to—"

"Twilight," Rainbow interrupted, "I'm fine waiting. Keep your grammar lessons to yourself, ok?"

The purple unicorn stared blankly at her friend for a moment before falling back to thinking aloud. "I wonder if colloquialism plays an effect in this situation? I've never been very good at that concept. And would that even validate your use of—"

Before Rainbow Dash could let out a wail of despair, the universe cracked open a few feet away.

The gathered ponies leapt to their hooves and covered their eyes as brilliant light busted through the hole in reality and filled the area. As their pupils somewhat adjusted, the six of them could make out another six pony figures approaching from the source of the blinding white, as well as a tall, familiar, disfigured form behind them. With another flash, the bright light disappeared with the closing of the rift.

Before anypony's eyes could readjust and make out what the newcomers looked like, the elegant and dramatic voice of Discord rang out in triumph. "My delectably quaint equine friends, let me now introduce you to some disturbingly familiar faces: my gift to you, the Elements… of... Disharmony!"

As he finished speaking, Twilight was able to make out the new ponies. At first, she wondered why her friends were across from her and looking in her direction, until she realized she herself was among them. It was like looking in a mirror, except the positions were all wrong. For one thing, none of them looked like they were recovering from being blinded. Then there was the small stack of luggage behind them.

Several of the ponies on both sides moved forward to examine their counterparts. The Fluttershys stayed still, watching each other shyly, while the Pinkie Pies bounced their way to each other and hopped around in a circle, laughing. The others had varying states of interest, with the Twilights studying each other in a way that was nearly forensic.

Finally, the normal Twilight looked at Discord in confusion. "What's going on here, Discord? Who are they?"

Discord chuckled, somewhat maliciously, before becoming jubilant again. "Why, they're you, of course! You from other universes! Each one of these awfully unique ponies was taken from a different parallel universe, an Equestria exactly like this one, with maybe one or two little differences." He emphasized this with his fingers, spacing the thumb and forefinger minutely apart. Then he shrugged and added, "You did say the Elements of Harmony could take care of the problem by yourselves, so I simply extended yourselves to… double the fun, you could say."

Twilight looked back at her double, who simultaneously looked back at her. They cocked their head at each other identically, before the first turned back to Discord. "But why did you call them the—"

In an instant, Discord vanished. A puff of smoke was left behind, but no other trace of him remained. After a moment or two of searching for him, Twilight realized he wasn't coming back.

An air of chatter started to fill the area as the surprised ponies started acquainting themselves with their guests. Twilight couldn’t make out what was being said, but everypony seemed fascinated by their alternate selves. Turning to her own counterpart, the scholar was surprised to see a hoof held out in greeting.

"Well, Twilight, nice to meet you, I guess." The other Twilight's smile was stretched nervously, her eyes searching. Celestia’s student imagined her double was looking for the same things she wanted to see: familiarity, camaraderie, studiousness… friendship.

Twilight smiled and accepted the shake. "Likewise, Twilight. I think we’ll get along great!" She frowned. "Although, this is quickly going to become confusing."

The other Twilight nodded. "I agree." After a moment where both were stuck in deep thought, she added, "I could be Other Twilight... or perhaps Sparkle?"

A frown crossed the local Twilight's face as she considered the ramifications for the others. "But what about Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy? We can't call one Rarity Rare and the other Itty."

The two Twilights stared at each other for a moment before bursting into a quick snicker at their friend's expense.

Looking up in thought, the local Twilight put forth a possible solution, something that could keep things simple. "How about, instead of Other Twilight, I could be First Twilight and you could be Second."

Second Twilight slowly nodded. "That makes sense. Naturally, you'd be first because it's your universe. And we only need to specify when we have to differentiate. I don't expect we'll have too much trouble, especially if we later break into smaller groups."

First Twilight nodded. "I agree." She smiled. "I think we're going to get through this pretty well, after all!"

Backing up, she called for everypony's attention. "All right, girls! We're going to convene in the library for snacks. We will discuss sleeping arrangements and our plan for dealing with a mad pony that's been attacking Equestria. Please follow me, and Spike should have glasses of lemonade ready for us."

One of the Rainbow Dashes rolled her eyes. "Discord already filled us in about Smite, why not just go bust him and get it over with?"

First Dash threw her foreleg around her double, grinning. "I knew I liked this pony as soon as I saw her! What are we waiting for?"

Second Twilight stepped forward, shaking her head. "It's true, Discord filled us in on the circumstances regarding your cider troubles, although I don't see the point in making it a multidimensional incident." The purple unicorn scrunched her face in confusion, before moving on. "However, we need to take time to learn to work together if we're going to take advantage of our being here. We simply don't know what kind of effect meshing our two teams together will have. It's too dangerous to hunt a criminal with such an unknown variable."

Both speedster pegasi took a few seconds trying to piece together exactly what she was saying, only recognizing it as a "No." Realizing she was being talked down to by a stranger, Second Rainbow Dash lowered her head in a somewhat aggressive stance. She didn't know either of these Twilight Sparkles; the one she did know was on a whole other world. "Hey, you're not my Twilight. Why do you get to tell me what to do?"

"Calm down, Dash. Er, both of you." First Twilight moved a bit between her other self and the two rainbow-maned ponies glaring at her. "I don't know why Discord brought you from individual worlds. We need to work together, though, and everything I've seen so far shows we're at least similar, if not identical, to each of our counterparts. Do you not agree?"

Blinking, the two Dashes looked at each other. After a moment, they both stuck their tongues out and made a face, before leaping into the air and doing a twisting backflip and then landing. Looking back at Twilight, they both shrugged and said in stereo, "I guess so."

"Good." Twilight started walking toward the library, grasping their guests’ luggage in a telekinetic grip as she went. "Now, if you would all follow me…."

As she passed the group, the local Twilight got the first hint of coming irritations; the type of frustration only close friends can bring about. Friends that were now doubled.

"Why does she smell like rotten eggs?"

She froze, then continued forward at a less enthusiastic pace, grumbling. The baggage behind her sagged but still followed dutifully as she passed the orange mares.

First Applejack leaned toward her double that had spoken. "Discord did something to her teleporting that makes her smell that way." At the other's sympathetic acknowledgement, the two got up and followed their sulky friend.

The rest of the group also slowly fell in line behind her, making their way to the promise of snacks. It was a short journey, so Twilight moved a bit ahead of the group to give Spike a warning. It could be a shock to see everyone's doubles entering their home; especially with two Raritys.

Feeling better after shouting her announcement at Spike, making sure he'd have the preparations covered, Twilight held the door open for the twice-familiar faces entering her home. It was starting to occur to her how nice it would be to study the reactions of everypony to their guests. She smiled at her now-larger group of friends and nodded in satisfaction. This would actually be fun. After it was over, she may even have to thank Discord.

This is going to work out just fine!

________

As the group moved toward the library, Second Twilight lagged behind a bit. Nopony noticed her whispering, "Quiet, Byuk. I know what I'm doing. As long as we're careful, this is going to work out just fine."

The Representatives of Irony

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As the Second group of Elements retired to their rooms in The Prancing Ponyville Inn, graciously provided to them for the duration of their stay, Second Twilight felt relief to finally be alone. It had been a long day, and her fascination at being in another universe had somewhat ebbed.

A look around the room proved satisfying. Most notably, it held a decent-sized bed and fluffy sheets and pillows. The dresser and other odds and ends were also pleasant, but not nearly as inviting. Truth be told, she was glad to have a break from the questions she had been subjected to by First Twilight.

Not that she blamed her — it was hardly unlike herself — but the unicorn was weary and had secrets to hide. That was never a safe combination.

-----------

"So, you have parents, right?"

"Um… yes."

"Right, right, and what are they like? Are they the same as mine?"

"How should I know—"

"Right, of course. Heh, silly me. What about Spike? Did you hatch him in an entrance exam for the judges at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns immediately after Rainbow Dash set off her sonic rainboom and turn your parents into a potted cactus and agave while-"

Second Twilight sat very still and quiet at the large table in the library’s dining area, partially thankful for the amount of info her mirror self was divulging, but also regretting the insight into what others might consider her more annoying tendencies. The dedicated student wondered if she always sounded this... exuberant.

"—thus becoming Celestia's personal protege?"

The guest Twilight blinked, having faded out for a moment. She attributed that to the lack of sleep over the past few nights, having been prepared for… a very different day than expected. Cursed draconequus. Luckily, she caught the gist of the question pretty well.

"Yes. That sounds very much like how that night went. How did your first trip to Ponyville go?" The more she could keep the other one doing the talking, the less likely she could say something incriminating. Plus, she was learning about several differences between this world and hers, such as the low crime rate and lack of crystalvision and stratoscreen technology.

Pausing, she spent a moment wondering about a possible correlation. It was something to investigate when she returned home.

"—do you think?"

Second Twilight looked at the first blankly, who was waiting expectantly. Unfortunately, she had tuned out for a moment, again, and had no idea what the other was waiting on. Panicked, she just nodded. "Right."

A frown slowly formed on First Twilight's face. "Did you tune me out?"

"Uh…" Why couldn’t she have been more skilled in lying? It was bad enough under normal circumstances. Now, she had to deal with sleep deprivation, alternate universes, Discord, two chattering Pinkies, and an eye-twitch that blinded her right eye every seven seconds! All of that was while hiding who she was from herself. It was no wonder she was starting to get flustered as the mirror image stared hard at her.

Luckily, she still managed to be calm. Relatively. She could fake it, in any case. There was that much going for her, at least.

Having grown impatient with her doppelganger's non-responsiveness, First Twilight groaned and covered her head with her hooves. "Oh, I should have known I'd get overexcited! I'm even scaring off myself!"

"Hey, it’s no big deal! I'm listening; I just zoned out for a moment when a thought distracted me." Had she always been like this, herself? It was almost starting to wear on her how rambunctious the other Twilight was acting.

First pulled herself back up, sheepishly. Her face grew half grateful, half mock-glare at the other. "Why are you so calm?"

With a shrug, Second looked away and tried to bypass the question as quickly as possible. "I guess I've just matured a bit more than you have, so far. Maybe our worlds are out of temporal sync or some other semi-logical, fully theoretical explanation?"

Her look-alike's eyes widened. "You think? That could be the case… and I think I read something similar in a book before. Something about foals and a wardrobe?"

She shrugged again. All that mattered was that she had deflected attention away from herself.

"Shouldn't you be worried about your friends aging rapidly while you're away, in case it's more than just out of sync?"

Grimacing, Second's eyes started shifting about. The other scholar wasn't supposed to ask that! She should be concerned about temporal physics right now! In all honesty, she couldn't find it in her to care about anyone back there, just her duties.

Should I act confused? Should I act surprised? I can't force myself to care, but can I fake it on short notice? I hadn't thought about that question, so what kind of horror should my face contort to show? Should I make a run for it? No, that's stupid, stop-

"Twilight?"

She jerked, realizing she had again fallen into her thoughts. Panicking, she-

Panic! Shock! Of course!

Suddenly remembering how to act, Second Twilight took advantage of her own freakout. "I- I hadn't thought about that." Putting a hoof to her chin, as if in thought, she let her eyes jump around and focus on various objects for a split second, faking a continuing panic. "I've been so tired over the last few days, it never occurred to me. I hope they're all okay."

First bit her lip in guilt for bringing up the tragic idea. "Uh… heh, um… I know! Why don't we discuss how we'll separate the group when we reach Smite's hideout, presuming its big enough to warrant such a tactic? I've got a graph with all of our strengths and weaknesses, we could all go over that and see if there are any other differences between us and our doubles!"

Feeling deeply relieved at her stalling technique pulling through, Second put on her distracted face and allowed herself to look forgetful in light of this new suggestion.

First Twilight got up and left to retrieve her research material from the basement, breathing a sigh of relief at the subject change.

Second Twilight watched her twin sharply, withholding a sigh of relief at the subject change.

-----------

It had been a close one. Not a big deal in the small scale, but a detail like a lack of genuine care for her friends could set the seeds for distrust. If anypony decided to snoop into Twilight's affairs, it would not end well… for them. She would have to be very careful.

Especially with such an unusual friend accompanying her.

As Second Twilight continued unpacking her things, she pulled an apple out of her knapsack and tossed it into the air behind her. It stopped in midair and floated around a bit, before a bite was suddenly taken from it and disappeared.

"Mmmm… apples."

Twilight turned around and, from her perspective, looked upon a frightful creature. Pale and misshapen, he had yellow eyes and a spiked black mane. There were wings, but they were nothing like those of a pegasus; far too short and with a sickly texture. His mouth stretched across his face with wickedly sharp teeth. His breath smelled of fruit. "Byuk," Twilight started quietly, catching the strange being's attention, "enjoy that apple. We don't know what kind of observation we'll be under, nor how much time we'll have to spend around the others. I don't want you garnering any attention while we're here."

Byuk's face didn't change, but his flight drooped a little. "Why does it matter? We're not here to stay, right?"

Twilight glared at him. "I want this trip to go smooth and simple. I have a few tests I want to attempt while here, because being in another universe is too good an opportunity to pass up. Aside from that, we're going to behave and keep things under control. There's too many variables about this place… and those ponies that came with us." As she said this, she gave a hard stare at the door of her room, as if she could see beyond it to the other alternate ponies.

Byuk gave her a look. "You don't trust them?"

Twilight didn't visually dignify that with even a glance, eyes still fixed on the doorway. After a moment, however, she did respond, "I don't think we can trust anyone. Discord chose us for a reason. Why would he have brought six different mares from six different universes if we're all friends and already working together in each?"

Raising a talon, Byuk pointed out, "Well, except yours. You killed Rarity and Pinkie Pie, remember?"

Her eyes widened and she jerked towards him in a snarl. "That… that's not the point!"

Byuk shrugged.

Twilight turned back toward the door, almost challenging it to bring forth one of her 'friends.' "Discord brought me here, and I'm dangerous. I wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it, but how can I know the same about them? I won't believe that whatever he had in mind for me, he doesn't have a similar plan about the others. I can't trust any of them."

_________

Second Applejack set the picture of Applebloom, Big Mac, Granny, and herself on the dresser provided by the hotel room. She adjusted the frame's position a few times before nodding satisfactorily to herself.

The farm pony smiled sadly, thinking about her family. She could almost smell her granny's apple pie. It occurred to her that she could visit their doubles on this world and treat them as her own family, but… that felt like it wouldn't be proper.

This odd visit to another universe wasn't exactly her cup of tea. Neither was trusting Discord, although he was a bit more than she could handle by herself. He had cornered her while she was away from her friends and family, offering her this opportunity rather forcefully. Without much of a choice in the matter she relented, especially after hearing these alternate friends of hers could use her help. There wasn't anything special about her, she knew. Just one of the team: Applejack, the Honest.

Although, if everypony in this group was untrusting of each other, Applejack wasn't sure what kind of a team there was to be had. She frowned while thinking about earlier, when her other self was watching her strangely.

--------

As First Twilight finished handing out the snacks, First Applejack pulled her aside. She brought her out of earshot of the rest of the room, though still in sight of the others.

"Twilight, I got somethin' I need to talk to you about." The cowpony nervously rubbed her left foreleg with her right, obviously uncomfortable with the topic she was bringing up. She glanced at her counterpart before focusing back at the floor in front of herself.

Curious, the unicorn waited. "Yes?"

Applejack stole another glance at Second Applejack, who didn't seem to notice, before turning back to Twilight. "I think the other me is hiding something."

Her friend raised an eyebrow. "Ooookay. Any reason why?"

Biting her lip and looking down, Applejack took a moment to answer. "I… ah just do! Something about her eyes… it's sitting wrong with me."

Twilight blinked, unsure how to respond. "Umm…."

Applejack let out a snort of frustration at her own inability to communicate. "Look, ah know that sounds silly. But I'm telling ya, she's lying to us about something."

A grimace showed itself on her friend's face. "I'm sorry, Applejack, I just can't acce-"

"Ah ain't making it up, and it ain't my imagination! Ah don't trust a word coming out of her mouth. She's lying about something, and I won't stand for it!" The honest mare stomped a hoof on the ground in determination. Afterwards, she took a deep breath and calmed down, looking into her friend's eyes for a reaction.

Twilight stared at her blankly. "AJ, I've seen you lie."

The cowpony narrowed her eyes in thought. "Are you talking about when Discord did that personality-changing chaos mojo with us? I don't think that should count against me-"

The unicorn shook her head, interrupting. "No, Applejack, you're missing what I'm saying. I've seen you lie. You're a terrible liar." Applejack blinked in surprise. "It's not a bad thing," Twilight continued, "because you're the Element of Honesty, but I don't think you could successfully deceive somepony to save your life!"

Applejack stared at her friend, temporarily speechless. Nopony had told her she was a bad liar before, especially so strongly. Of course, she strived to be truthful in the first place, so it made sense. After a moment, the pony frowned and shook her head. Leaning towards Twilight in her frustration, she growled out, "She ain't me, Twi! There's something about her ah don't like."

Twilight again glanced at the other Applejack, who seemed to have noticed their conversation and was watching them, curiously. She turned back to her friend. "Well, you won't have to deal with her much longer. We're splitting into groups and I don't want anypony being with themselves; that way we can minimize confusion." Twilight shrugged as she added, "In the meantime, you can always just avoid her."

The orange earth pony looked warily at her double again. "I think now you're the one missing my point, Twi. Be careful around her."

---------------

The Second Applejack wasn't sure what they had been talking about, but she got the distinct impression that her counterpart didn't trust her. It wasn't hard to notice; the other Applejack was as easy to read as Winona at the dinner table. It was still a little insulting.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, the farm pony let go of the frustration and continued unpacking. She didn't have much; she wasn't Rarity, that frilly filly.

Applejack snorted to herself at the nickname, deciding to call her that at a later date to see her reaction. She didn't tease ponies much, but Rarity was an exception who could give as good as she got. The fashionista was a little annoying at times, but they could get along.

Was this other Rarity the same? How much alike were these alternate ponies to her friends? Should she trust them?

Applejack frowned. She shouldn't be thinking like that. These ponies invited her in and here she was doubting their character. She could handle working with them; earn their trust.

It would be best if she could start by gaining the trust of her other self. Something like that would sound easy, but the other Applejack might take some convincing. Regardless, it was a necessary task if they were going to work together to stop Smite.

Besides, she was in a town full of ponies. If she met any bad apples among them, she'd need some late-night access to the Apple Orchard.

And a shovel.

____________

Although they were discouraged from leaving the inn — something about confusing the rest of Ponyville — Rainbow Dash was anxious to get outside and fly. In a new world, how could somepony just sit inside when there was exploration to be done?

After unpacking, Rainbow Dash began some simple exercises to warm up her muscles. She had a quick and simple routine, put together from different interview pieces of the members of the Wonderbolts. If it worked for them, Dash didn't see any reason not to follow in their hoofsteps; and she'd made it twenty percent more effective, too, as far as she was concerned.

In the middle of one-hooved push-ups, the pegasus heard a noise outside the window of her temporary room. Peeking out, she saw a couple of pegasi children, nearly old enough for the flight school's final exam, playing with a soccer ball.

Dash smirked, watching the light yellow filly kick towards the gray-blue colt. The speedster wondered how much longer their time together would last where she was from, considering the girl was in excellent health and the boy had a slight defect in his right wing. She had learned to tell that sort of thing over the years.

In her world, once the day of the test came, they would have been separated forever.

Sometimes Dash wondered why they didn't deal with the obvious ones early, instead of waiting for the exam. It would save their friends from the pain of a longer attachment. They could just quietly set up a transfer to a new school, or something, and after the few sad farewells… ship them to the Factory.

Rainbow Dash snorted at her own musings, turning away from the window. It wasn't her place to manage the system of choosing the foals. She just had her job to do. A duty, actually; one that she'd grown to love.

Maybe she could even help out her look-alike some while visiting this world?

After all, she had basically gotten confirmation from her other self about how the process worked on this side of the universal divide. From what was said, it sounded like they used an even more efficient system.

-----------

During a lull where their friends were preoccupied, First Rainbow Dash noticed her counterpart turn toward her to strike up a conversation. She was obviously trying — and failing — to look casual, so Dash wondered what she had on her mind.

"So…" the other drawled, "any notable ponies fail the exam recently?"

Dash blinked at her for a moment, before recalling that stupid test young pegasi used to take. "Oh, we stopped doing that exam thing awhile back."

Her double's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah, it was just slowing us down." Dash snorted. "Sorting out the pack became a lot easier when we didn't have to bother doing it."

It was true enough; although, she left out the part about the protests. A lot of ponies didn't like having fillies and colts assigned to cities for work, instead of letting them choose their own route. The exam had been a way to select the best ponies for the right cities. Obviously, the other Dash's world was still going by that method.

Second Dash slowly nodded, like she was working out the pros and cons of letting all the young ponies choose their own way. Suddenly, she frowned and asked, "You don't just send them all to… uh, you know… the same place, do you?"

The local pegasus frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, there are still fillies and colts in Cloudsdale, right?"

Rainbow Dash laughed. "Well, yeah! It wouldn't be much of a city if there were none left!"

Second Dash laughed as well, realizing her own silliness. "Right. Of course."

Rainbow winked. "We've got to keep some of them for ourselves, am I right? Cloudsdale wouldn't make a good ghost town, even with rainbows everywhere." After all, what were they going to do? Send them all to Fillydelphia? This Rainbow Dash had a funny idea of how to handle young ponies.

The visitor grinned widely and lifted her drink in a toast. "To Cloudsdale!"

Her double mirrored her expression. "To the pegasi!"

The two comrades downed their drinks and slapped each other on the back as they relived some racing stories in front of their friends.

-----------

It was rather heartwarming to be accepted so easily by another universe's version of herself. It just went to show how awesome she really was. If only there were a way to pay it back, something she could do for her host.

Dash smirked. Now that she thought about it, she could help out with something. She was an expert in weeding out the weak, she knew. She could help Cloudsdale in whatever selecting process they'd created to provide fuel for the Factory.

Although… it was not her Cloudsdale.

Rainbow Dash frowned and contemplated whether there was a conflict in interest in serving two different Rainbow Factories. Was it disloyal to serve another Flock of Pegasi, even if it was just an alternate version of her own?

It was only a momentary dilemma for Dash before she shrugged off the thought. It didn't really matter which Cloudsdale it was for, nor what world she was on. This was a job which could serve either community. She was loyal to whomever needed her, whichever side would accept her help in doing what she'd come to consider her duty.

Elimination of the weak.

_________

Keep it calm.

It had become a mantra.

Keep it calm. You can do this.

The Rarity of yet another universe took a deep breath and tried to relax. She was laying on her back atop the bed, staring at the ceiling and hoping to cope with the situation.

She had been fine at first, the dimension hop hardly too much for her to handle. She and her friends had been through enough at this point. That was, she had been fine until it occurred to her what wasn't here. What place wasn't here, to be precise.

The basement. Her basement.

If this other Rarity had been like her, then it may have been there, under Carousel Boutique. Her counterpart wasn't a killer, though; at least not the same as herself. She had carefully tested for that.

-----------

"Are you a serial killer?"

The words were fast and blurred, but clear enough to just be understood by the identical unicorn next to her. That Rarity choked on the water she had been drinking, spitting out part of it and coughing up the rest. "I'm sorry, what?"

Watching the honest confusion on her double's face, the Rarity from another world lifted from her purse a baggie of tiny marshmallows, her face completely blank. "I asked if you wanted some cereal filler?"

The other Rarity blinked before shaking her head. "It's the strangest thing, but I could have sworn you said something else." After a moment of staring in space, she frowned. "I'm sorry, why 'cereal filler'? I'm not even eating any cereal."

The visiting Rarity shrugged, stuffing the bag away. "No reason."

-----------

Upon the memory, the killer grimaced. Perhaps she could have used a touch more subtlety.

Honestly, she didn't know why she was feeling so panicked. It would only be three more days until she could go back home, and she'd certainly gone longer without… indulging.

Looking down, she noticed her rear legs jittering about. Jumping up from the bed, Rarity paced for a moment or two, before deciding it was tiring. She lay back down with a groan, on her stomach this time, crossing her forehooves and dropping her chin on top.

It wouldn't be right to act against somepony in this world, anyway. It wasn't hers. These weren't her streets to clean up. Her special area out in the forest would belong to somepony else. Nopony's body had been torn open by her hooves, and with so little time, it would be unwise to start.

This inability to act, though… it made it all the harder to stop herself. It was especially difficult when the thought would occur to her that whoever she would kill, if she could keep it hidden for only a few days, there would be no consequences. Nopony from her world would know, and none from this world could come and arrest her. The situation made for an all-too-tempting fantasy.

Rarity smiled and relaxed. She could enjoy herself here. Sitting back, making plans for after returning to her world, imagining new methods of… studying her victims. Of course, anything she tried would have to remain in the small basement, away from prying eyes and ears. Especially her little sister.

Sweetie Belle.

The thought froze her in place. Her little sister, who lived with her and counted on her, was all alone. Discord said very little time would pass while here, but any time at all could be enough for something horrendous to happen. It's a scary world back there!

She would know, as one of the monsters in the shadows.

Rarity shook that thought from her mind. She couldn't help herself. Who she was… it couldn't be helped. It wasn't her fault.

It was their fault. Sweetie Belle was stuck in a world of filth, and her big sister wasn't there to protect her. Rarity had promised her she wouldn't let anything happen to her; she’d sworn to protect her sister!

What about all the ponies she’d killed that had family? Friends? Debt collectors? She wasn't there to keep a lid on her secret, so what if their friends, family, anyone found out about her? They could want revenge! Sweetie Belle could be in danger right now!

Rarity started hyperventilating, sitting up on her haunches. She had to get home. She had to get back to Sweetie Belle! She had to clear this world of that scumbag, Smite, so she could get back to her own. For Sweetie Belle!

Rarity realized she was panicking and took some deep breaths. It would be fine. She could get this done, she just needed to keep a clear head.

Keep it calm.

_________

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear-" the other-dimensional Fluttershy chanted, pacing back and forth on the hardwood floor. Her eyes were wide and movements jittery, as she traced a path not quite a line but too crooked for an oval.

Thumping a forehoof against the nearest of her bed's posts, she gasped out a whimper and jerked into a sitting position, wringing her hooves.

"My poor little baby! She's all alone. She must be so scared! She won't be able to take care of herself! Oh, if only I could find a foalsitter who would understand!" Her worried face immediately jolted into a snarl. "That Discord! He did this!"

The yellow pegasus realized how mean she had just sounded, gasping and rearing back. Her shocked face quickly fell back into concern.

He put me in such a bad position. He wouldn't let me say no without giving a good reason! I can't risk anyone finding my baby! What would they do to her?

Taking in a deep breath, Fluttershy tried to recover some semblance of calm. It would not be long that they would stay here. She tried thinking back to Twilight's estimate.

-----------

"Another three days."

A few voices in the room whined or groaned. The Rainbow Dashes whined while the other world's Applejack groaned. The local Applejack and most everypony else mostly frowned or grimaced, although Second Rarity looked pale.

Then again, when didn't she?

Second Fluttershy hesitantly raised a hoof. "Couldn't we- um… do it sooner?" She smiled widely in hope, a small squeak escaping. It was a somewhat alarming false smile, and the Rarity next to her shifted away a little.

First Twilight shook her head. "Sorry, Fluttershy." The purple pony's eyes narrowed, as if trying to distinguish to which version she was speaking. "Uh… Second, right?"

Oddly, one of the Pinkies nodded for her and answered, "And straight on 'til morning!"

Nopony paid the nonsense any mind. Whatever the universe, the pink pony was eternally random.

Second Twilight continued where the first let off. "My counterpart and I have worked out the optimal schedule, taking into account variables such as guard shift duty of Smite's lair, number of robotic minions, lair navigation, finding its location…"

As she waved a hoof around, trying to think of what her sleep-lacking brain was missing, First Rainbow realized what was just said and leaped up, hovering while she blurted out, "Whoa, wait! We don't even know where it is?!"

Both Twilights looked at her strangely and shook their heads, identically timed.

Rainbow blinked. "Okay, that's creepy. But aside from that, how do we know all that other stuff about his lair if we don't even know where it is?"

First Twilight smiled. "Well, that's where you two Dashes come in!"

Both Rainbow Dashes blinked now, replying as one, "Say what now?"

Second Twilight nodded her head. "Tomorrow, you're both going to the general area Smite is known to have escaped to, then find his lair and collect data for us!"

Her twin agreed. "We estimate that we'll have the necessary data tomorrow night, and can then use the third day to interpret the exact time we should confront him!"

Both colorful pegasi had open mouths, though nothing was coming out.

The guest Fluttershy raised her hoof once more. Her voice came out soft and meek, but forceful as she asked. "Could I vote that the Dashes quickly take care of Smite while there? Um… if they think they can, that is?"

First Dash grinned and did a quick flip. "Yeah! Totally with my girl Flutters on that one! Thanks for sticking up for me!"

While the sky blue pegasi were thanking her, everypony else was looking at her in shock. Eventually, First Fluttershy leaned over and asked, "Uh… pardon me? Um… wouldn't that be- uh… kind of…" her voice started drifting down into nearly inaudible tones, "you know… not very… nice?" She almost flinched back as she said the last word, already afraid she might have insulted her other self.

Although the yellow-coated guest could see her point, and would normally agree, she couldn't let anyone know there was a reason she needed to get back now! "What do you mean?"

"What she means," First Applejack almost bit out, "is that you just suggested sending both Rainbow Dashes into a dangerous pit with a rattlesnake that may have friends in the dark corners. Ignoring the fact that the Dashes would be more likely to have to hurt Smite to get out of there without the rest of us backing them, they'd be in a mite of danger themselves in the best of circumstances!"

Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow Dash. Suddenly, she saw a different rainbow-maned pony looking down to her from a crib. She was so different, and yet so very alike.

Resisting the urge to whimper, Second Fluttershy looked down sadly and, with real regret in her voice, muttered in a partial lie, "Oh. I hadn't thought of that."

Applejack looked a little chagrined with herself at hurting the sensitive pegasus. "Right. We know you didn't mean no harm, sugarcube. Sorry for being so short with ya."

Fluttershy nodded and smiled back, to show no harm was done. She faded out as the discussion got back on track, too focused on her thoughts to listen.

-----------

Four days. That included today.

Somewhere out there, beyond her reach, was a mind-warped blue pegasus who just needed somepony to watch out for her. What if somepony found her? What if they hurt her? Even worse than that, what if they took her?

What if her little Dashie went back to being an adult again, and Fluttershy would be left all alone?

Unacceptable. Rainbow Dash needed Fluttershy. Even if she had to break her baby's wings and legs, Dash belonged with her. Forever.

If she could only get back.

The yellow pegasus sighed and lay down, trying to keep her worry from pressing down on her. "Oh, dear."

_________

Pinkie was buzzing around her room in excitement. It was so fascinating being in another world! The dresser looked just like it would where she was from! The bed had a similar mattress to what she slept on back home! Even the mirror showed the same reflection!

She giggled and started bouncing on her tail for a moment before grabbing her bag from the doorway. She found a nice, open area in the room and set it in the center, opening it up. Pinkie pulled out a plate with a slice of cake on it and gobbled it up, before tossing the plate aside and pulling out a kitchen knife which she set on the bed. Then she dropped a rolling pin, butter, and a candy apple next to it.

After a moment's hesitation, she bit off half the candy apple and stuck the rest on the dresser for later consumption. The sugar would help the pretty pink party popper pony prepare the room for her stay. It might not be a long stay, but she had to make the best of it while she was here! There's no telling what fun could be had on a whole other world!

Pinkie gasped happily and began setting up her room. As she pulled her favorite six-foot lamp out of her two-foot bag — setting it next to the oven that she'd had to remove to get to it — she wondered what all that fuss had been about earlier regarding everypony's look-alike. Did her friends seriously have such a hard time distinguishing themselves from each other?

-----------

"Raspberry!"

"Blueberry!"

"Strawberry!"

"Cherry!"

"Spicy gumdrops!"

One of the Applejacks leaned away and whispered, "What are they doing?"

The Rainbow Dash next to her shrugged, then started scratching her head while trying to make out what game, or interrogation, the two Pinkies were engaged in.

"Soccer balls!"

"Lampshades!"

Rainbow Dash shook her head; there was still no sense. "To be honest, I can't even tell which one's which."

Applejack looked at her curiously. "Uh, no offense, sugarcube, but which one were you, again?"

Dash looked at her in mock suspicion. "You first."

Twilight had been watching them and spoke up, knowing whom was who. "Applejack."

"Yes, Twi?"

The purple unicorn jerked forward and nearly tripped over herself. That Applejack's voice had come from behind her, right over her shoulder. Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose with a hoof. "Don't do that, AJ!"

"Do what, Twi?" the previous Applejack chimed in, her attention having been caught that time.

Twilight groaned. "Not you, AJ. I was talking to her."

She pointed her hoof in the other direction at the same time she turned, but the Applejack behind her had already moved on.

"Oh? You were?" Fluttershy shrunk back a little at the hoof that now pointed at her. "I'm sorry."

Twilight blinked. "What? No, Fluttershy!" Her voice was exasperated.

"Oh, my, I'm sorry." The other Fluttershy. "I didn't mean to make you upset."

Twilight didn't bother responding, just sat down at the table. Now she really had lost track of who everypony was. And there was one set of ponies that were pushing that nerve the extra mile. "Pinkie!"

"Yes, Twilight?" Stereo. Great.

"Just… both of you, calm down for a few minutes. Okay?"

Both pink ponies nodded their heads vigorously, perfectly synchronized in opposite directions; when one head was up, the other was down.

"Thank you." Twilight took in a deep breath. "I just need to concentrate."

She caught First Rarity passing her from the kitchen in the corner of her eye. "Rarity."

The fashion mare stopped and turned around, giving her attention.

"Listen, Rarity, you know that book you borrowed from me? The Etymology of Equestrian Names? The cover had that picture of an ancient headdress you were interested in?"

Rarity stared at her for a moment. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. However, I suppose it shouldn't be surprising, since I've never known you, specifically, before today." She smirked and continued on her way to the seat at the other end of the table.

Twilight frowned. She took another deep breath, then slumped over the table. Everypony had stopped talking and stared at her, but she didn't care.

Finally, she said, "This is going to get more confusing visually than audibly, I think. Would anypony happen to have an idea on how to fix that?"

One of the Pinkies widened her eyes and started waving her hoof in the air, drawing attention as she began making excited noises. "Oh! Oh! I know! I have just the solution!"

Twilight, without care, waved her hoof lazily as a signal for Pinkie to share her idea.

The rest of the room watched as Pinkie Pie reached down and searched for something — though nopony could see from where — before turning around and messing with her face. When she faced the group again, and settled into a relaxed pose, puzzled glances were exchanged regarding the goatee now decorating the pink pony's face.

After a long moment, Twilight asked, "Pinkie? Why is there hair on your face?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Where else would you put a beard, huh?"

"That's… not what I meant."

One of the Raritys coughed, though it was a polite, attention-seeking sound. Twilight thought she recognized her as her own Rarity, but couldn't be sure. Everypony looked her way as she stood and put forth her solution. "Perhaps I could offer assistance in this area, as well as my other self, if she is up to the task?" She turned to said self and waited as she stood as well, giving a look that the first knew to mean she had figured out what was being offered and was in agreement.

The other Rarity put in, "Yes, we would be delighted to offer our services to subtly differentiate everypony from… themselves, so to speak. A hat here, an earring there, perhaps even a scarf in Rainbow Dash's case."

The first nodded. "It would really do wonders for our identities while working together, if I may be so bold. We'll give everypony a look exclusively spiffy in no time at all!"

Twilight smiled. "That would be wonderful, thank you… both!" The two fashionistas smiled and sat down again.

As the ponies were nodding and agreeing, with the Applejacks already trying to come up with an idea regarding their hats, the Pinkies turned to each other. The one with no facial hair was unhappy.

"Hey, I'm the evil mirror version, so I should get the beard, right?"

The first Pinkie stuck her tongue out in good fun, while the other pouted.

Twilight hadn't missed out on the comment, though. "Wait, what do you mean evil, Pinkie?"

Both Pinkies looked at her, blinking in confusion. The bearded one responded, "Duh! Any time there's a mirror version of somepony, one of them has to be evil!"

The other nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah, it's like a law or a trope, or some other kind of official rule."

The first one nodded as well. "Yeah, you don't want to break a trope, Twilight!"

The double pinged right back, "Definitely not!"

With both of them nodding sagely at her, the purple unicorn turned to her own "twin" in the hope of finding understanding, but her other self was just as lost and shrugged back. Frowning again, Twilight dropped her head to her hoof and moaned, "Ugh! There's two of them!"

-----------

The killer pink party pony pranced up to a board with dozens of sheets tacked in, set up in one corner of the room across from a pony-sized table with straps. The sheets were of various materials and showed graphs, equations, formulas, pony-flavored pastry recipes, her portrayal of a turnip granted superpowers, census records, and a mailing list stolen from Derpy, all of which she planned to use to remake her numbering system; except for the turnip.

With this type of inter-dimensional event, it was like the world was refreshed. More ponies that she couldn't get to before! Maybe after this, they could have more adventures in other worlds! Dealing with this type of stuff was complicated, of course, so the new system would be necessary. The only question was what it would be based on.

Pinkie frowned and held a hoof to her chin, trying to think. Unfortunately, all she could concentrate on was a song her other self had been humming earlier, which she recognized but couldn't recall the lyrics. It was on the tip of her memory, if she could just… reach it.

Sighing in frustration, she pulled a banana out of a notebook, peeled it, and started munching on it while thinking. It helped to pull her focus back to the numbers.

As she thought about it, she grew excited. She loved taking ponies into her care and transforming them into delicious pastries. Her little cakes were an especially delectable complement to the tangy taste of a usual pony. Pinkie could barely contain her joy as she thought about the possible difference of taste an alternate universe pony would have! What would be the best sugary confection to make them into? What if she tried dabbling in something a little different for her special recipe? She knew one pony that would love to try a brand new set of muffins, after all.

Feeling her hooves leave the ground, Pinkie realized she had started bouncing. She smiled and laughed, before rushing to take down notes and put together her number system. The sooner she could pull a new number, the better.

She could almost hear the screams in her head now. The begging for mercy. The pleading for a swift end. The curious tone they first had, which shifted into fearful stuttering when they realized what was around them in the basement… and what it meant for them.

It was laughter to her ears.

She giggled, recalling the chopping of wings. She chuckled at the memory of sawing off horns. She chortled at that one joke with the orangutan, giraffe, and zebra in the bar. Zebras couldn't fly!

Then Pinkie smiled real wide as she thought about what it was all about; the purpose for dragging ponies away from their lives. Who could forget the end result, the part nopony could resist?

Cupcakes!

Ponies Plot Proper Peril

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Second Twilight had a target.

She watched the mare closely, measuring every movement and determining when to strike. She had the only weapon she needed in her hoof. Not a normal weapon, of course. It seemed rather harmless to the casual observer. But on the face of her paper-thin tool lay the instrument of her target's demise.

It had taken some work to narrow it down to First Rainbow Dash and Second Fluttershy, but then Dash made a mistake. After her slip-up, there was no question that, friend or not, it would be her that Twilight would have to take down.

That's what it would take to win.

"First Rainbow Dash," Twilight began, still saying the added portion of the name somewhat clunkily, unused to the need for it. Waiting for a dramatic moment, with Dash watching warily, the unicorn struck without warning. "Do you have any queens?"

"Agh!" The pegasus threw her card down, face up. It was a queen. "Dang it, I was so close!"

It was nighttime of the same day that Discord had brought the group together, and they were playing a variation of Go Fish which was of a more tournament style and popular among competitive ponies. It was basically the same as the standard game, but used multiple decks — dependant on how many were playing — and encouraged eliminating ponies from the game by capturing their cards quickly. If a pony lost all their cards before the deck in the center was empty, they lost the game regardless of how many matches they made. Once the deck was finished, ponies played out their hands. Of those ponies, the one ending with the most matches won the game.

First Twilight smiled, having watched her counterpart win the last few matches. "Sorry, Rainbow, you're just too easy to read."

Second Twilight grinned at her. "Look who's talking. I beat you, too, you know."

First put her nose up in mock haughtiness. "I have been distracted with some geographical calculations for the trip both Rainbow Dashes will be taking tomorrow. It doesn't count since I wasn't really trying."

"She's got you there, Sugarcube," one of the Applejacks spoke up. It was Second, judging by the hat. The Rarities had stitched some red string into a design under the front flap, which was the easiest place to see it. It portrayed a plump apple with a stem and leaf on top.

Nopony else had been able to go as simple as just a stitching, considering they didn't often wear anything to begin with. Second Rarity had settled for a small necklace that, surprisingly, was not flamboyant or overdone. It was just the lightest touch to separate her from her double. Another light touch had been Rainbow Dash, the Second of whom now wore goggles on her head. It was one of the few accessories either of them had found acceptable.

Fluttershy wore a scarf, a small one that she still somehow managed to hide her face behind when she felt noticeably shy. Pinkie Pie had been given some large, gaudy clip-on earrings in the shape of balloons. It was her choice; Rarity had been moving stuff aside in a search for a party hat when Pinkie had spotted and claimed them. It had gone well at first, until everypony realized the two were switching which one wore them. Eventually, they settled on one apiece. First Pinkie wore it on her right ear, Second on her left.

Sometimes.

Lastly, Second Twilight had decided on a saddle. It was simple, effective, and would serve well when they left Ponyville in a two days. The other Twilight would probably wear one then, as well, but it could easily be styled differently to avoid confusion.

Responding to Applejack's agreement with First Twilight, Second shrugged. "I suppose she does. The question is," Twilight smirked, "does she want to put away the homework and prove I wouldn't beat her so easily?"

First Twilight glanced up from a map in surprise at the challenge, but smirked back. "I think I could take a few minutes off, if you really want to lose that badly. Deal 'em out, AJ."

First Applejack grinned as she stopped lightly shuffling and started tossing cards out. "My pleasure!"

During the game that transpired, both Twilights studiously avoided each other. Even knowing when First Twilight had a two she needed, Second went after a jack that she wasn't as sure Fluttershy had. It wasn't until most of the others had been eliminated from the game that the two turned against each other.

They watched their mirror selves carefully, like poker champions that both suspected the other as bluffing. Picking at each other's hand, they slowly increased their own piles of captures. Neither paid attention to their friends still in the game, just concentrated on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face off against someone who was in almost every way their equal.

Though, for one Twilight, it went a little beyond simple competition.

Second smiled on the inside. The unicorn was getting into her opponent's head, she could feel it. This other Twilight had not been through what she had, had not accomplished the deeds she had. That lavender face was giving away so much more than she herself was, she knew. With all of her own Equestria hunting the killer she had become, Second Twilight had learned a poker face far better than that of her twin.

She felt proud of the fact that they had the same amount of captured piles because she had held back, lulling the other into a false sense of security. She didn't want to dominate her opponent; it might cause her to ask questions, again. However, the moves were figured out in her head. Three more, and she knew exactly who would choose which cards, and then she'd strike and win with that one extra pile over her double. It was inevitable.

She would always be the better pony.

Second smirked as the time came. Looking her sweating opponent right in the eyes, she said, "Do you have any threes?"

Eyes wide, First Twilight gave a frustrated grunt and threw the cards harshly onto the table.

"Ha! I win!" A grinning Second Twilight stood up and threw her hooves into the air in victory.

It was short-lived.

"Um… actually, I win."

Both Twilights, and everypony else in the room, looked at First Fluttershy. Then they looked down at Fluttershy's winning piles. Second Twilight felt her cheeks grow hot as she fell to the ground in disbelief.

One of the Dashes laughed, followed by the other. "Way to go, Fluttershy! Show those brainiacs what a real fisherpony can do!"

Second Twilight rolled her eyes, but smiled. She was about to, in good sport, acknowledge the defeat to her friend, when the party was brought down by a loud interruption.

A loud banging sound, followed by a few other crashing noises and a yelp, had the girls all gathering at a window to see what was causing the ruckus outside. They saw an overturned garbage bin with its contents strewn about, a broken bottle of reddish liquid which was now spreading and staining the grass, a scooter, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and a familiar purple earth pony with grapes and a strawberry on her flank.

It quickly became apparent she had crashed into the garbage bin and scooter while the CMC were a few feet away. The crusaders were now inspecting the damage to their transportation and fussing at the bewildered pony, who didn't take kindly to being berated by fillies. Waving her hoof, she started shouting loudly at the girls to not leave their stuff lying around, despite the fact that it probably had little to do with her crash. She had obviously stumbled into the garbage can herself and smashed it on top of the scooter, judging by where it lay.

The possibly drunk pony turned around and left the scene, still shouting as if to wake the whole area. The young ponies began to grumpily push the garbage back inside the container in an effort to clean up. Both Rarities and Applejacks suddenly showed up to help out and tend to their sisters.

Their sisters did not know to be expecting doubles.

Second Twilight and the others watched the scene unfold as if it were a drama, munching on popcorn provided by the Pinkie Pies. There was a lot of shouting, accusations, hysterics, hugging, and bouncing as the situation was dealt with and the fillies went their way, heartily waving goodbye.

With no more show to watch, the mares inside trickled away from the window. However, Second Rainbow was oddly focused on continuing to stare through it. Twilight thought she may have been looking at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but wasn't sure. It was with wide eyes that she stared, though, so the unicorn decided to file it away and leave her alone.

Turning to rejoin the others, she heard a voice identical to her own directing the group.

"All right, everypony. It's time we called it a night, anyway."

Several of the group groaned before starting to head out. It was late, though, and they’d had a very long day. Many of them had a busy day the next morning.

A very busy day.

___________

"The vagrant!"

Second Applejack paced like a caged lion. Her thoughts were consumed by the purple pony who had loudly interrupted their evening.

She remembered that drunkard from her world. That pony was trouble, always going where she wasn't wanted and causing a ruckus. She rubbed Applejack the wrong way by nature of her very existence. The farmer hated her so much, one would have to wonder why she could not resist the smile spreading on her face at the thought of that troublesome pony.

It was probably because she knew how to deal with bad apples.

___________

*crunch*

Rainbow Dash snarled.

*thump*

She backed away from the wall, before jerking forward and kicking out with a back hoof. It was hardly the ideal position for a kick, but the pegasus didn't care.

It was her!

The traitorous whelp! The ungrateful brat Rainbow Dash had worked so hard to help pass the exam, only to see her in the Factory on that awful day. Her failure was an unwashable stain on Rainbow Dash's reputation.

The look in her eyes at the end never left her memory, either.

Dash shook her head of the stray thought. She had let emotion get the better of her for a moment, something she'd thought had been dealt with long ago. It was no use dwelling on the past.

Except she's here! Dash seethed to herself.

Taking several long, deep breaths, the pegasus brought her anxiety back down. This wasn't her world. It was the other Dash's place to deal the filly when the time came.

But what if I could save her the pain? What if I could save her the betrayal of watching that filly fail her despite all the hard work? The question rumbled around in Rainbow's head. The more she thought about it, the more perfect it fit. She had already wondered about what she could do for her other self; this would be the gift she'd never know she needed.

With… that filly out of the way, this world's Rainbow Dash would be spared having to do it herself.

She let a sickening grin slide across her face at the thought of taking that failure, crushing her to the point of death, and dropping her off in front of the back door to the Rainbow Factory. It would be so easy; so perfect.

It was just a shame the machine didn't work with a corpse.

Putting a hoof to her chin, the pegasus considered how she should take down the filly. It would have to be after she and her other self scouted out Smite's place. Perhaps on the return from there, before rejoining the others, she could come up with some excuse to separate for an hour or so.

She had once learned how to take a pony down in only a few hits, but that was a long time ago. She could mostly remember how, and it should only take a few simple jabs to knock that weakling unconscious. Then, anything she wanted to do would be open to her.

Dash huffed. A maneuver like that, with how long ago she had been taught, would have to be practiced. She needed to know she could still strike fast and sure. The last thing she wanted was the filly getting away and telling others what had happened.

Having a pony to practice on would be perfect. She needed somepony who wouldn't be believed; preferably wouldn't even remember. Dead drunk would be even more helpful.

The speedster pegasus smiled. She knew just the mare to try it on.

___________

Rarity twiddled her hooves.

She glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. Its near-imperceptible ticking may as well have been chimes. It persistently smacked into the next position.

Rarity looked down at her twiddling hooves. A moment passed. She looked back up at the clock; then down again.

It was doing no good.

She could feel it creeping up on her; the need. It was going to overtake her if she didn't do something about it. She'd be no good to anyone, distracted like that. It would be best to satisfy it, just once, and be done with it. Just one little scratch on a troublesome itch.

She could almost believe it, too.

There was a prime candidate. That nuisance that interrupted their night earlier, as well as the rest of Ponyville, so far as she knew. Rarity was sure no one would miss her. They could walk to her special place, or this world's version of it, carrying a picnic basket. She could claim a… business proposal. Yes. She could claim to want to discuss wine-tasting for a coming event. Surely there was something acceptable scheduled soon. Then, upon reaching her special creek, the unicorn would distract her unsuspecting companion before stabbing with a syringe.

Then she would reveal the true contents of her picnic basket.

Rarity shook her head. No! I cannot! I must not!

Taking deep breath in and slowly letting it out, Rarity forced herself to stand up and stare herself down in the mirror across the room.

I can control the urges!

While looking into the mirror, she suddenly noticed that, at some point, she'd pulled something from her luggage. It was twitching in her grip. She didn't remember grabbing it.

It was her favorite chef's knife.

___________

She had to do it.

It wasn't her choice. She needed to save Rainbow Dash.

In a few days, they would be headed into trouble. It was bad enough she herself would be going, but the innocent Dashie would be in danger. She was ashamed for not thinking about that before; for suggesting something even more dangerous.

Fluttershy sat at the desk in her room, working on something she’d happened to bring ingredients for, but hadn't thought she'd be using: the foalmula. It was a serum that would regress the mind of its afflicted into that of a toddler. It would help her save Rainbow Dash. Then, she could take care of her. Both of her.

Just like she was supposed to do.

Fluttershy finished the formula, mixing it in with flavored drink that she knew was a favorite of her rainbow-maned friend. She had made plenty of extra; there were two of those pegasi now, and she needed to get at least one of them. As soon as one was alone, she could strike in love with her mind-warping serum.

The only problem was that she wasn't one hundred percent sure it would work. She needed a test subject of this world to be sure the foalmula would affect ponies of other worlds the same way. That, and the drink Dashie likes was purchased from this world and smelled a little different than normal. It might change the effect, which would be very bad.

Fluttershy just needed someone to try it on; someone no one would miss for the few days before the formula would start to wear off.

She needed someone like that rude pony out on the street earlier that night.

___________

Byuk was a few yards outside the room, hovering in the air. Twilight wasn't particularly worried he would get them noticed somehow — he was invisible and had promised not to touch anything — but she kept an occasional eye on him, anyway. He made for a strange pony, that one; or whatever he was.

Second Twilight went over her notes once more. It looked like they had accounted for anything obvious. The only question was how protected they would be if something unexpected happened during their quest. Were they prepared enough for something to go wrong? Could a misjudgment throw them off enough to allow Smite to escape?

If worse came to worst, Twilight did have a hidden ace. More than that, it was a weapon of such magnitude, she could almost fix this whole situation from right here. If only she knew his face!

Twilight glanced around out of paranoia, despite having thoroughly cleared the room of any way to spy on her. She then pulled out the saddlebag she had brought with her to this world. Opening the flap, she undid a camouflaged pocket and pulled aside the innards designed to look like it belonged as part of the pack. There were ways a unicorn could conceal items more easily, with magic, but she hadn't trusted the ponies of this other world to not detect such an attempt. The last thing she wanted was to draw undue attention.

Reaching back into the pocket, Twilight withdrew a notebook. It looked fairly ordinary, except for the dramatic title on the front: Death Note.

She quietly, reverently set it upon the desk she was using, opening it up and flipping through all the names of the deceased she had written inside. They had each been alive when she wrote their name.

Twilight reached the last name she had written and stared at the mostly blank page for awhile. It would be so simple, and she could plan it to be so. It wouldn't be difficult to confront Smite, then sneak away to quietly set up his death. All she needed was to write the name while keeping his face in her mind, and she would be able to kill him in any way she pleased, from a standard heart attack, to a complex force of action for him to accomplish before committing suicide, masking that anypony had been involved at all. That was assuming, of course, that the deadly notebook even worked.

Any and all her calculations could be at fault if the Death Note didn't work in this universe, or on these ponies, or even with two of the same pony in the same place. Not that she would be testing for that last question; she was not anxious to kill any of her friends again. She did need a test for those other factors, though.

Twilight quickly set about outlining the details of the experiment she needed to perform, and what exact information was to be obtained from it. She slowed to a stop as she realized that in order to perform the test, there would have to be a subject.

Somepony would have to die. It was not ideal circumstances. This wasn't her world, these weren't her ponies, and she had no clue who to go after. It was a much nicer place than her home, which had too many killers for a pony to care about some silly cider sprayer.

There was one pony, though. One pony she knew of on this world that may make an acceptable subject for her test.

The pony that had thrown their night off balance earlier had committed no serious crimes, to Twilight's knowledge. Under the circumstances, though, with the need for information looming and so few options, she was more than willing to make a public nuisance disappear.

Twilight nodded to herself in satisfaction. She had the experiment's outlines, the tools, and now the subject. If everything worked as expected, all she would need is Smite's face. It's a shame nopony had snagged a picture of it so far; though, even then, they would still need to find his body for confirmation. Causing him to just run up to them and admit everything before suffering a heart attack could bring about suspicion.

The unicorn shrugged off the thought. It was no use pondering over the possibilities of if she knew his face. Right now, she merely had to make sure the Death Note worked. Twilight pictured her target in her mind, name and physical features coming to mind. She let a little smile curl the side of her lip; it was so easy.

Of course, it would do little good to put her name in right now, during the night. The test results would be skewed if the death wasn't immediately noticed. This was not an experiment the scholar wanted to feel the need to run again.

She realized it was bad enough, already.

Twilight sighed. I know your crimes are hardly as atrocious as those of my usual targets. However, this is for the betterment of society. You're going to have to die tomorrow, to make way for justice.

___________

Pinkie was so excited she bounced off the walls of her small room, having graduated from simply jumping on the bed. Twisting in the air, she landed on her tail and used it as a spring to shoot her across to the strange machine covering one side of the room. The object was more like a large conglomerate of arts and craft, junkyard parts, and children's building blocks.

It was ready!

Her system was complete, and she could pull the next number and get to work making the greatest cupcakes ever! All of Ponyville would show up to try her very special "otherworldly" pastries, and they would love it! Almost all of Ponyville, anyways. One would be missing.

Now she just needed to find out which one it would be.

She pranced up to the operations panel of the cobbled-together machine. It was rickety and didn't look too stable, but that was what bubble gum was for, right? That, and chewing, of course, because that stuff tasted really good, especially the watermelon-flavored.

Reaching toward the console, Pinkie flipped the starting domino. It then knocked the next domino down, which did the same to the next, and the process repeated itself down the line. They split and one side started a marble rolling along a track and the other disappeared into a cardboard box which stored more of the machine's components hidden from view.

As Pinkie waited, watching her machine work on producing the next number, she hummed a little jingle. With a screech, a plop, a whine, and a gurgle, a piece of paper slid out of a slot in the box. The digital screen above the slot flashed "Thank you!" then "Have a nice day!"

Pinkie yanked out the number in excitement, then matched it with the correlating name. She grinned, then giggled at the coincidence of having watched this pony pass by earlier that night.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Berry Punch."

The Terrible Fate of Berry Punch

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Berry Punch woke up with a minor headache. She remembered taking a bit of a tumble the previous night and figured the ground must have hit harder than she realized.

Crawling out of bed and looking outside her bedroom window, the purple earth pony sighed. It was a nice day outside, at least. Some fresh air would do her good. Walking around town might put a spring in her step, as it often did.

Berry smiled and ate a quick breakfast, finally trotting out the door to face the day. Already, her spirit was brightening. She could easily see this day going very well for her, and couldn't wait to enjoy it to the end.

___________

Less than an hour later, things weren't quite turning out as much in her favor as Berry would have liked. She had a problem in the form of Fluttershy, who had somehow seemed fit to follow her on the way to the market.

It wouldn't have been that bad had it just been a matter of being followed. Rather, Fluttershy was oddly determined to have her sample some sort of a drink; one that was homemade, apparently. The problem was that Berry was not thirsty and she didn't like drinking anything but water this early in the day. Anything else upset her stomach, especially unknown substances.

Berry admitted to herself that Fluttershy was good with animals and probably knew what sort of liquids would be healthy for pony physiology. This mare had a rule, however, that she would not trust anypony more than herself when it came to her body; that included her doctor. Anything not water would have to wait until the afternoon, and that was final.

The yellow pegasus didn't quite see it that way, though, and her insistence became more determined. "It's just a taste, really," she went on. "It's oh so delicious, and you know it will make you feel as energetic as a foal. Nopony knows better than me."

Glancing quickly away from Fluttershy's frightening smile, Berry grimaced. This had moved past awkward and into creepy territory. The Element of Kindness sounded like a sinister whisper that seduced young ponies into bad lifestyles. Phrases came to mind such as, "You know you want to try it," or "It won't hurt you, your parents just don't understand." The next thing the town knows, it's been invaded by jazz music and Snickers bars.

She probably wouldn't be so against the Snickers if not for her peanut allergy. As far as she was concerned, they were death sticks.

The mare sighed as her kinda-sorta-friend clung to her hind hooves, wearing her down in more ways than one. Berry finally shook her off and relented. "Okay, okay, I'll try a little taste, all right?"

Fluttershy jumped up in excitement, practically bouncing in joy. "Oh, yes! Oh, my, yes!" Her shouts of enthusiasm were only just audible a foot away, but that was expected from the socially inexperienced mare. She had always been very quiet, that Berry could recall.

Berry took the bottle with the drink inside and held it up to take a sip.

"Be sure to take a nice, big one, so you can get the full flavor!"

The earth pony nodded and returned it to her lips, tilting it back. Her eyes widened as she stared ahead, strangely.

Fluttershy stared intently, still waiting for Berry to finish… or start; the liquid was kind of hovering just balanced on the tip.

Berry suddenly pointed in the direction she had been staring. "What's that?"

While the obsessed pegasus turned to search out the distraction, Berry dumped a mouthful of drink into the grass behind her. She brought it right back where it had been in time for the other mare to turn around, then dropped it back down to her side. She wiped her mouth, as if to rid it of remaining drink. "Ahhh! That was somewhat refreshing!"

Fluttershy blinked and stared at the bottle for a moment. Satisfied it was missing an appropriate amount of fluid, she smiled and returned her attention to the pony that had finally drank it.

Berry grinned and tossed her the bottle, which she clumsily caught. "Well, Fluttershy, that's decent stuff you've got there, but I've got places to go." With that said, Berry felt confident the problem was over. She turned around and continued trotting off to the market.

After a few minutes, she was cantering, then full out galloping to get away from the crazy pegasus still stalking her with a strangely expectant stare.

___________

Panting from her mad maneuvering, Berry Punch peeked out from behind a bush to confirm whether she had lost her tail; the crazy pony tailing her, not her actual tail.

She sighed and rubbed her temples with her hooves. She didn't know what was wrong with the other mare, but it now had her a bit stressed and was wrecking her good day.

Stepping out from cover, Berry still felt eyes following her. She didn't see Fluttershy anywhere, and that was not a pony that knew how to sneak, as quiet as she was. Yet, she still held the firm belief that somepony was watching her. The area was out of the way of normal equine traffic and had few places to hide, and there was no indication of anypony aside from herself within half a mile, so it did not seem like a rational thought for somepony to be observing her without her notice.

She walked cautiously back toward the path to the market, keeping her glances fleeting and in every direction. Berry watched in front of her and saw the path ahead. She glanced behind her and saw the bushes she had left. Looking to her left, she saw a small waste bin. To the right, there was nothing.

She stared upwards and counted five medium-sized clouds. Berry even glanced down and saw the ground beneath her feet. Starting over, she looked forward and saw a blue hoof. Looking back, the mare saw the bushes she had left.

She had not willingly initiated that last glance.

The hoof had connected with a spot under her jaw, close to her neck. It hadn't been hard enough to force her head back that much, but there must have been a pressure point somewhere because her body's resistance had been almost limp. Somepony was attacking her and knew what they were doing.

Berry felt panic as another hoof connected, this time on the left side of her chest, near her shoulder. She felt her body dip a bit in that direction and tried to call out in surprise. She found her mouth could make no noise, however, and instead felt a slight pain in her chest when she tried.

Another punch connected, this one on the back of her shoulder blade. It felt different, and she imagined her attacker using their elbow for it. Her body spasmed before she started to sway forward, towards collapsing on her face.

One more punch, this time in her side and just below the ribcage. Now, Berry collapsed sideways and felt herself crash into the dirt. She didn't know what was happening and was so stunned she honestly hadn't figured out how to feel about it. Especially when she caught the form of her opponent.

Rainbow Dash.

What was her beef with me? First Fluttershy and now Rainbow Dash? Did I do something to irritate all those six?

Suddenly, she remembered last night and yelling at the Crusaders. Were they getting some kind of sick revenge on her for that? It hadn't been that bad!

As she lay on the ground, unable to move her body, Dash reached above her and chopped downward with a foreleg. Berry felt it bash the side of her head, directly in front of her ear. Suddenly, she felt herself quickly losing consciousness.

As the darkness claimed her, she watched Rainbow Dash trot away, saying something along the lines of, "Well, I'm glad that worked! If I hurry, I can just make it in time to join other me without anypony being the wiser. Then it's off to find Smite!"

Berry's mind faded away as she lost consciousness, wondering why Dash had taken off after leaving her alone and defenseless.

___________

Waking up from the craziest dream, Berry Punch reached over to grab her water glass from her nightstand.

Frowning at the fact her hoof wouldn't move, she blearily opened her eyes to see what was restraining her. As the mare realized she was, in fact, not in her bedroom, she also concluded that this room was not one she wanted to be in for long.

The table below her was cold metal, and she was fastened to it with thick straps that held her in place. The only light in the room was directly over her, and somehow did not go far. Visibilitiy practically died past a few feet beyond her in any direction. There was a table at one side that she could see, partially. It held a large bag on it, though she could not guess what might be inside.

As she pondered the situation, the only answer she could reach was that some nutjob had gotten ahold of her. This was confirmed as the town nutjob entered the radius of the light. "Hiya, Berry!"

Berry sighed. Last night must have been worse than she remembered, if even Pinkie was getting in on the revenge. This seemed a bit excessive, but that was hardly unexpected from the popping pink party pony. "What do you want, Pinkie?"

Pinkie laughed. "I just wanted you, silly! And wouldn't you know it, you were just laying there, out in the field, like you were waiting for me! That was so thoughtful!"

Berry grumbled, "You're welcome."

Pinkie giggled as she happily trotted to the bag on the table. "Oh, don't be such a sourpuss! I promise I'm going to turn your frown upside-down!" She opened it and started to pull stuff out and lay them on the table, but Berry couldn't see what anything was with Pinkie in the way. Pinkie pulled something else out and giggled, but there was something weird about the sound that made Berry a little nervous. Pinkie continued her apparently unfinished sentence, "Quite forcibly."

The purple earth pony frowned. How could she forcibly make her smile, unless she physically pulled the sides of her mouth upwards? Even Pinkie would know the difference between that and actually smiling, though.

Shrugging, Berry sighed again. "All right, Pinkie. Whatever's going on, let's get it over with. I have errands I need to run today."

Pinkie laughed. "Don't be a silly billy! You're not going to be running errands, today!"

The trapped mare raised an eyebrow. "I'm not?"

"Nope!" Pinkie turned around with a hacksaw and icepick. "You're not going to be doing any running again! Not after I'm through with you!"

Berry started blinking rapidly now, trying to come to terms with the image in front of her. Pinkie looked absolutely normal, but at the same time, she had never seen anyone scarier than the pink pony with the poofy mane in front of her. She got the feeling that Pinkie wasn't teasing her. This was something that could actually be serious.

Pinkie laughed again, but Berry felt nothing uplifting from the sound. "We're going to have so much fun!"

___________

Second Twilight had watched as Berry Punch and Fluttershy walked to the market together. Although she felt bad for subjecting her kind friend to watching the death that was to come, it was too perfect a chance to miss. Everypony would be talking about what they saw during her heart attack throughout the day, and Twilight would have all the data she was looking for without even needing to be there to witness it.

Currently, Second Twilight was in her room at the inn, sitting at her desk. She had the Death Note in front of her, though it was closed. She was taking her time in this, giving it the appropriate reverence for the occasion. The first Death Note attempt in a parallel universe was about to begin, and she felt a deep level of excitement and foreboding at the thought.

She pulled the cover open with her magic and flipped to the last page she had used. Tracing a hoof over the last few names, Twilight felt a smirk grow on her face. There was a rush of power from the knowledge that she’d taken the lives of these ponies. They had broken the law, and she had brought justice down on them. With just a face and a name, she had ultimate power.

Now it was time to use it once more.

___________

Berry pushed against her restraints again, but found no give to them. They were sturdy, despite being made of some form of taffy. Luckily, there was enough stretch to them that they weren't uncomfortable.

The situation, however, more than made up for that.

Berry watched as Pinkie Pie sharpened a kitchen knife with a grinding wheel. The noise was loud and grating, but the little sparks that popped off served as a distraction to her own fear.

"Sorry about having to take care of preparations, first." Pinkie looked back at her with a little apologetic smile. "The noise would've bothered other ponies if I had done it in my room. I didn't want to be a nuisance, after all."

Berry shrugged and looked away. Her hopes of this being a joke were passing slowly with every minute. Already, her captor had several tools sharpened and available. She was not looking forward to finding out what they were for.

"So, I was thinking we'd start with the cutie marks." At the sound of her voice and the halting of her grinding, Berry couldn't help but look back at her. Pinkie was gathering her tools up in a little carpenter’s tool belt. The grinding wheel was oddly nowhere in sight. "I have a use for them, you see, and I like to collect them before your coat starts staining from all the other work I'll be doing."

Berry tried not to concentrate on the implications, but felt sick anyway.

"After that," Pinkie went on, "I think the forelegs would be a great place to start. Tell me, what's the furthest you've filed your hooves?"

The earth pony turned her head as far as it would go, determined not to cry or show fear, but unable to look at the pink terror approaching her.

After a moment, she heard Pinkie speaking right next to her, and felt a light punch on the shoulder.

"Oh! Don't be like that! It's pretty rude to ignore your friends when they're talking to you, right?"

Berry turned and tried to give her the most hateful glare she could gather. "You are no friend of mine."

Pinkie frowned, but shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. But you're my friend, like it or not!" Pinkie wrapped a hoof around Berry's shoulders in a half-hug. "110%!"

Berry stared blankly at her, mind boggled by the mixed signals this crazed pony gave her. "So… you're not going to kill me?"

"Pshh." Pinkie waved a hoof in a "don't be silly" motion. "Whoever gave you that idea?" She picked up a chainsaw she hadn't had a moment ago and flipped it on. The roaring filled the air and hurt Berry's unprepared ears, and suddenly she felt every suppressed tremor of panic wash over her all at once.

"Wait! Wait! I thought you were going for my flank before making a mess?!"

Pinkie paused, the lowered blades mere inches away from the other pony’s stomach. "Oh." She made a giggle-snort. "Right!"

Throwing away the machine, she pulled out a scalpel. "Thanks, Berry! You really have been a great friend so far!"

Berry gritted her teeth, heart thrumming fast from the unexpected chainsaw and not slowing at the prospect of what was about to happen to her. "Wait! Just wait! Whatever you want! We can do it! I'll get you anything! Anything!"

Pinkie smiled, but waved a hoof. "Oh, silly! This is what I want!" She rinsed the scalpel in some cleansing solution from a bowl. Berry had given up trying to figure out where these things came from and went. "Thanks for the offer, though!"

"Why?" Berry Punch was not one to give up on something, and talking a madpony out of cutting into her was at the top of the list on when not to give up. "Why are you doing this?!"

Pinkie blinked before pondering the question seriously. "I suppose there is a reason." Then she smiled and leaned over to look at Berry from above her purple tummy. "I'm just not sure what it is right now."

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie's eyes widened and she gasped. "I forgot the most important part!"

As the random pony ran over to the table and grabbed a hammer, basin, and umbrella, Berry breathed a quick, gasping sigh of relief. It was getting to be too much, and she felt tears starting to brim around her eyes.

Her ears flicked as she heard Pinkie singing, "Hey, we're Pinkie Pie and Berry Puuuuunch, aaaaand together we'll make great luuuunch!

Berry grimaced at the song, and something else that just made this whole experience all that worse. It had only bothered her a little before, but now, with the singing, it was suddenly all she could think about.

"Beeeerry! Beeerry! Life's all good candy and veeeerrry shoooooort." Loud banging punctuated Pinkie's suddenly deep voice at that last word in the song and Berry watched her pound the edge of the basin with the hammer. "Let's get some drinks and things to munch." Pinkie brought the hammer up once more, readying for the crescendo.

"It's all for a pony named Berry Punch!" The last word was punctuated very loudly.

Berry couldn't take it any more. As horrible as being sliced up and baked into cupcakes would be, as frightened as the chainsaw had made her, that song was what finally snapped the doomed pony. She lost control of her emotions and burst into tears while simultaneously snarling, "Stop it! Just stop it! Let me go, you freak! And would you quit calling me that?!"

With the heavy hammer again raised up high in the air, Pinkie stopped. Slowly, she lowered the tool and turned to her captive with a puzzled look. "Huh?"

___________

Second Twilight dipped her quill in ink and hovered it over the page. She could almost feel the power radiating from the surface. It was the most powerful weapon, now spanning multiple universes.

She thought about all she could do once she mastered her own world. There was so much she could accomplish if she convinced Discord to work with her a little; at least until she discovered how to cross the dimensional rift herself. She would be the master of reality.

It had a catchy ring to it.

Giggling, Twilight realized she was going overboard. With as many times as she had written ponies' names in here, this should be no different.

Abruptly dropping the dramatics, Twilight finally set the quill to paper, and penned the name of Berry Punch.

It would not be long, now.

___________

Pinkie Pie was just about finished shaping the basin. It was almost ready, just a few more hits, and she'd be able to move on to the best part.

Still, there was something bothering her. "What did you mean by asking me to quit calling you that?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Well, you said it, silly. I just wanna know what you meant."

Berry sniffled, then drew some breaths to at least finally be able to correct something that had been bothering her for awhile. If nothing else, she could do that much before being slaughtered by the mad pony. "My name. Everypony always calls me Berry Punch. Ever since I was a filly, that's all anypony ever remembered."

Pinky slowed what she was doing and watched her in confusion. "But… that's your name. Isn't it?"

Berry shook her head, then looked down. It was easier to relive the story told to her when she wasn't looking at all the sharp instruments in front of her. "It was the other name my parents considered. But they changed their minds during the last hour before I was born." She shrugged. "Or, at least, that's what I'm told. I wasn't exactly aware of what they were saying or doing at that time in my life, obviously."

Berry looked up and saw that Pinkie had dropped the hammer onto the table and was staring at her. It was as if the pink monster was intensely hanging off her every word. She continued, "When they first told me that story, I was a little filly and thought it was the funniest thing. I had everyone in school call me Berry Punch. I thought it was cool at first, like I was a different pony for a little while."

She grimaced at the memory. "But then they got used to it. I could never get them to go back to my original name, and eventually I gave up. Even my friends ended up forgetting my real name, and that sort of thing just depressed me to think about it. So I stopped."

Falling into quiet, she noticed Pinkie was unmoving. Her eyes were wide and mouth ajar, gaping. Eventually, she managed to ask, "What… what is your name?"

"Fruity Flavors."

Pinkie fell on her knees and lifted her forehooves high into the air, screaming, "NOOOOOOOO!"

___________

With a final flick, Twilight finished writing the name of her victim and closed the Death Note.

Now that she had done the deed, she felt what she believed to be the appropriate level of remorse. She had just killed another pony, one that she had no guarantee had done anything wrong. Though, it was likely.

It had to be done, of course; for science. This was much-needed data, and she had a responsibility to collect it, for the future. Berry would be missed, and Twilight was sure an appropriate funeral would be placed for her, regardless of whether she earned it. It was as consolation that Twilight told herself that everypony died, and this was for a good cause. There were worse ways to go.

Glad that she had gotten through her mourning of her duties, Twilight grinned as she set the Death Note away and laid back on her bed. "Now all I have to do is wait!"

She giggled, anxious to hear the frightened townsponies react to the sudden death of one of their own.

It would be a strangely long wait.

___________

"I am so sorry!"

Fruity was a little shocked that Pinkie was unbinding her straps. She was actually more than a little shocked, especially with the insane pony apologizing for her actions so far. The other mare seemed genuinely sorry for almost torturing and killing her, to say nothing of baking her into cupcakes.

Pinkie was halfway through undoing the last strap when she jerked back and started slamming her head into the table. "Stupid, stupid, stupid Pinkie Pie! It never even occurred to me somepony might use a false name!"

Fruity undid the last strap herself, eager to get away. Though, she couldn't help but pause. Biting her lip, she hesitated before asking, "What, exactly, is wrong?"

Pinkie's head was currently flattened against the table, literally, and then it sprang back up and formed into its natural state. She then returned it once more to the hard surface before the question seemed to reach her. Shooting herself upright, though with her nose still flat against her face, she started exclaiming loudly and with animated hooves.

"I'll tell you what's wrong! My entire numbering system is based on pony names! It's the way I do business! I set up a machine that gives me a number, I use my special Dewey Deckemall system to interpret that number into a relevant name, and then I use that pony to make my special brand of cupcakes! If the number's wrong, the whole system breaks down! I've messed up everythiiiiing!"

It was at this point that the murdering psycho broke into tears, sobbing at her miserable failure to select the correct random pony. For a moment, Fruity honestly didn't know whether to feel bad for her.

"Um… if it's pretty much random ponies, does it really matter?"

Pinkie tried to stop crying so she could answer properly. It took a minute, and Fruity kept having to hold herself from running away. Full of sniffles, Pinkie gathered her breath and finally explained. "I don't wanna."

It was another moment of complete silence, aside from Pinkie's sniffles, before Fruity finally shook her head and started to leave.

With her near-victim calmly escaping, Pinkie gasped. "I'm going to have to make a whole new system!"

Fruity's eyes widened and she froze. It had probably been too much to hope for that to be the end of the crazy pony's apparent rampage that she had never known about.

Pinkie suddenly got excited, grabbing a hacksaw and hammer and looking at them as if they were inspiration. "Yeah! A brand new system! And no silly pony names, either! They're so stupid!" Pinkie stuck her tongue out in contempt.

"It's so easy to fake a name, so I'm going to go with something totally different: mane colors!" Pinkie Pie threw her hooves into the air and waved her instruments of baking wildly to emphasize her proclamation.

Deciding not to mention that mane colors were often dyed, and not wanting her own to be found particularly appealing, Fruity decided to take the chance and split. However, she did catch a bit more from Pinkie before being long gone.

"Oh, but wait! Some manes have more than one color! That means… I would have to bake Rainbow Dash into cupcakes a whole bunch of times!"

___________

Fruity trudged along the path she was on, not sure where she was going, exactly. Looking up, she realized she was on the outskirts of the town. Wondering if that was perhaps a sign, she turned to go home and considered moving. Manehatten was nice this time of year.

The purple pony known to most as Berry was shaken by her experience of everything that morning, and it had only just passed noon. She realized she might have to start trying to figure out how one should file a report against the Elements of Harmony. It probably wouldn't go over well with the Princess.

Her stomach growling diverted Fruity's attention. It was past lunchtime, and she could really use sustenance. It was still a bit of a walk to the market, but that didn't really concern her at the moment.

Rarity did.

The pale unicorn was standing on her path back into town, holding a picnic basket. She had a friendly smile on, and waved enthusiastically at Fruity. Rarity seemed genuinely happy to see Berry Punch approaching her.

Fruity turned around.

Applejack.

Right there, in the opposite direction of this two-way path, was the familiar orange pony, smiling happily. There was something sinister in her smile, though, and it was enough to send Fruity toward Rarity.

Head drooping low, Fruity didn't freak out or run away. She calmly trudged past the dressmaker on the way for some food. Her stomach growled to accentuate those thoughts.

Rarity heard the sound. "Oh, my! Berry, dear, you look positively famished! Have you had anything to eat?"

Fruity stopped and looked at the basket that the unicorn was lightly waving for her attention. As tempting as it was, she ignored it and moved on. With her luck that morning, it probably contained a large kitchen knife and nothing else.

Rarity was not dissuaded by the brush off, and quickly fell into pace beside her. "Oh! Why as it just so happens, I was on my way to a picnic with… Fluttershy! And wouldn't you know it, she had to cancel last minute!"

Probably to stalk me, Fruity thought bitterly.

"You know," Rarity rubbed her chin in thought, "you could join me instead! I know we'd just have the most delightful time, and I've got the perfect spot for a quiet day like this!"

Fruity wanted to pick up her pace, but couldn't really work up the energy to do so. She had a feeling nopony would do something to her in the open, so she felt safe for the moment. All the same, when she reached a split in the road and saw Applejack waiting on one path, Fruity turned and took the other.

Rarity huffed. "You know, it's really rude not to acknowledge a pony when they're talking to you!"

Fruity felt her lip curl into a small snarl as she turned to look at her unwanted companion. She took a moment to stare into her eyes and properly get a message across. It was, after all, a comment that deserved a response, considering the situation. "I have nothing to say to you or your crazy friends!"

A dark shadow passed over Rarity's face as she set down her basket. She had dropped her friendly disposition like a mask. Fruity watched a hoof slip into the basket, and for a moment, she wondered if she may have been right about that knife, after all.

Then Rarity was all smiles again as she yanked her hoof out of the basket and started fluffing her hair, innocently. "Applejack."

Fruity's eyes widened as she spun around to see that Applejack had decided against waiting for her. She had one on either side of her now and was starting to wonder about her previous assessment of safety outdoors.

If I have ever been ungrateful for a dull life before, I take it all back.

Fruity's thoughts were ignored as Rarity and Applejack glared at each other through smiles. She had the distinct feeling of being a worm on a hook between two different fish.

"Hey, Rarity," Applejack greeted. "What'cha got there? A picnic basket?"

Rarity nodded, but shoved said container behind her.

"Seems like a great idea! Great day for a picnic." Applejack looked up and around at the sky for a moment, before focusing again on the unicorn. "Say! You know, I think I saw Fluttershy wandering around a minute ago. I bet'cha she'd just love a picnic!"

Rarity lost her smile for a moment. She seethed for a split second at the smashing of her excuse, before regaining her smile. "What about you, Applejack? Shouldn't you be helping at the orchard or something while we wait? Spending time with your siblings, perhaps?"

Applejack's look darkened at the mention of siblings, before waving Rarity's suggestion aside. "Naw, I don't wanna bother nopony. It might be awkward and all."

Fruity didn't know what they were talking about, but she had spent the last minute slowly moving away so that the two were fully facing each other and not watching her. She gradually increased her speed as she went further along the path into town.

"All the same," Rarity began, "I really think you should- agh! Berry! Wait- wait for me, dear!"

Fruity galloped hard and fast.

___________

Fruity Flavors was seriously considering leaving town. These ponies were every bit as crazy as she’d always believed, and then some. Pinkie Pie alone was reason enough to get out of town, but creepy Fluttershy and violent Rainbow Dash were the icing on the cake. Rarity and Applejack were simply cherries on top, or whatever analogy was appropriate.

She didn’t know what they wanted, but Fruity knew she had to get rid of them.

She turned to look at the two ponies who were following her but watching each other. They seemed content to leave things be if there was a witness to whatever they were planning, and Fruity was more than happy to leave it at that. Now she just had to get away from the both of them without stranding herself with either.

Coming up with a plan, Fruity stopped in her tracks. After a second or two of staring at each other, her stalkers realized she'd stopped moving and did so as well. Fruity turned to confront them with a pleasant smile. "You know, I'm feeling rather hungry. Who's up for lunch?"

Rarity smiled, practically glowing. "Oh, yes, dear! We could have a lovely picnic! I have some beautiful cutlery I'd love to show you. Er, plastic, of course, heheh." Her nervous chuckle did nothing to ease Fruity's distrust of her, but she kept her smile unchanged.

Applejack snorted. "Who needs a fancy picnic? I've got the best apples in the county, and ya'll know it. Come on over to the orchard, Berry, you know we'll treat ya right."

"Well, my professionally styled picnic blanket won't go well amongst the closely grown trees, so you'll have to forgive us for bailing on you Applejack."

"Well, Rarity, you can go enjoy your fancy tablecloth by yourself, because Berry knows the Apple family makes the best apple pie she's ever tasted. Isn't that right, Berry?"

Fruity's face hadn't changed, but she let out a forced chuckle. "You sure do both want to spend time with me, don't you? Well, how about a little contest to choose whose idea to follow?"

Both ponies blinked at her before breaking out into grins.

"Sounds reasonable," Applejack mused aloud. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Well…" Fruity pretended to consider it. "You both want me to join you for lunch. So, over there in the market are several items I would like to make an excellent sandwich." She pointed to the market they had almost reached when she had stopped. "First to get me the ingredients gets to choose the location for us to eat!"

Rarity shot a hoof forward to add an amendment. "Oh, and the loser cannot join the picnic!"

"Agreed! But it's the orchard, instead!" Applejack's response was quick and borderline desperate. They had both found a point in common, and Fruity was willing to let it go at that. She didn't plan on being stuck with either of them.

"Okay, then!” Fruity started speaking really fast as she listed the necessary items. “I would like pretzel bread, tomatoes, lettuce, daisies, a garlic clove, two pickles, exactly forty-two hay fries, and a seven-layer caramel cake filled with mint ice cream topped with an ice sculpture of both Princesses playing Hungry Hungry Griffons. On your marks!"

Rarity and Applejack looked at each other in surprise at the abruptness, before scrambling for readying positions.

"Get set! …Go!"

The race was on, and both ponies were completely focused on their tasks. It was exactly as planned, and Fruity watched and waited for them to get to the first stall before making a stealthy getaway.

Spinning about, she took a step forward before freezing. Her forward momentum nearly toppled her onto her face. She jerked herself back in an attempt to steady herself, and barely stayed upright.

There, in front of her, was an upset Fluttershy with a bottle full of a familiar unknown substance. Her left eye was twitching and her mane was a fuzzy mess. She was breathing rapidly, like she'd been hyperventilating.

Fruity's jaw dropped in shock, and the butter-yellow pegasus took advantage by shoving the bottle into her mouth.

"Drink it!" Fluttershy shrieked.

Some of the liquid entered her mouth, but Fruity reacted harshly and managed to break her mouth free. Fluttershy's foreleg that had been shoving it at her was abruptly deflected and the other mare ended up with her face in the dirt.

Fruity coughed out the drink, trying to be sure to empty her oral cavity of every drop. When she felt she'd come close enough, Fruity looked up to find Rarity and Applejack mere feet away. Only half the ingredients were present, which meant Fluttershy's attack had caught their attention.

Eyes twitching, throat burning, and mind warped by the day, Fruity Flavors sat on her haunches and let loose with a desperate, frustrated cry that stopped the ponies in their tracks and gathered the attention of dozens of nearby pedestrians. Her entire body started spasming as she glanced about her in paranoia before settling on screeching again to the sky.

"I've had it! This is it!" Everypony watched as a wild-eyed Berry Punch went mad, spit flying out of her mouth like a sprinkler as she practically foamed with outrage. "I am done with this town! I have been attacked, tortured, stalked, and abused in the past six hours, and I won't take it anymore!"

With all the spit flying out of her mouth, nearby ponies only heard angry garbles with the occasional intelligible word thrown in. The tone of the message was clear, but nopony had a clue what was actually wrong. This didn't bother Fruity very much.

The demented pony shook her hoof and let out a few more words no one could understand before heading away from the direction of the market, straight for the edge of town. Fruity no longer cared if anypony followed her, and didn't even notice that her stalkers were currently struck silent by her freakout. With some more shouting, she angrily pushed past any ponies in her way, advancing on some imaginary exit to her troubles.

While storming away, Fruity paused for a moment before turning around and shouting at the top of her lungs, "And my name's not Berry Punch!"

Still fuming, she turned around and stomped right past a befuddled Twilight Sparkle.

___________

Byuk snickered. It was close enough, anyways, if one were lenient with the term.

Second Twilight ignored him, regardless of the correct name of the sound. "It's fine, really," she groused. "I have plenty of other chances for experimentation. Just because I don't know one pony's real name, that’s no reason for discouragement."

Byuk shrugged and picked up Twilight's bag, rooting around for an apple. After a few moments of not finding one, he dumped it on the bed, behind her, contents spraying out onto the mattress.

Twilight was lying halfway on the bed, perpendicular to it, with her hind legs hanging off the side. She chewed her lip before shrugging, admitting defeat for now. "While I could try to learn more about her, I think Berry, or whatever her name is, can take a pass."

She sat up and pounded her hooves together. "Next time, though, I won't miss!"

___________

As Fruity Flavors reached the border of the town, she stopped for a moment and looked back. She had lived here most her life and would miss it. She may even return one day. She’d have to come back at least long enough to get the rest of her stuff... in a month or two. For now, she had family in Fillydelphia.

Of course, it was still hard to just leave.

As Fruity stood there debating, an old friend spotted her while walking past. “Berry! What brings you out here?”

Fruity looked over to her teacher friend, Cheerilee, and smiled. “Oh, Cheerilee! I’ve had the lousiest day!”

“Oh?” Cheerilee looked interested, but hesitant. “I’m terribly sorry, Berry, but there’s a school play I have to set up for, so I don’t have much time.”

The little ray of hope Fruity had faded, as did her smile. “Oh. It’s no problem. I just wanted to tell you I’ll be leaving town for awhile, maybe even forever.”

Shocked, the teacher’s jaw dropped. “Oh, my! I hope you took your time making a huge decision like that.”

Fruity shook her head. “It was that bad of a day.”

“Oh... well...” Cheerilee obviously had no idea what to say. “If it’s a matter of you leaving for good, why don’t you join me, first?”

She considered it. “Help put together your play?”

Cheerilee slowly nodded. “Something like that. Maybe I can find some way to convince you to stay.”

“I doubt it.”

The teacher smiled and tilted her head inquiringly, her experience with children showing in her persistence. “Would you give me the chance?”

Fruity looked back and forth between the way she had come and where she was going, then looked in the direction her friend had been heading. “Sure. I’ll go with you.”

A wide grin went across Cheerilee’s face as Fruity joined her and the two trotted off together. “Good. We’ll have some fun together setting up the scenery. It’s going to be a lovely garden.”

A Dash of Victory

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First Rainbow Dash flicked her hoof, bouncing a ball back against the face of the boulder in front of her. After a moment, it returned for another go. She turned her head to look sideways at her other self, groaning. "I'm bored."

Second Dash didn't show any sign of acknowledgement. She had been intensely studying the cave opening against the wall ahead of and below where they were hiding. Both Dashes had spotted a Cider-Sprayer, or at least a large machine spraying cider, and followed it back here. It had met with another and the two went inside. The pegasi just needed confirmation that Smite was in there and to know any guarding patterns, and then they could go home.

That had been hours ago.

First Rainbow Dash had already decided that after another hour, they'd pack it up and go so they could make it home just before sunrise. They were instructed not to go inside anywhere dangerous, and nopony was coming out or guarding the place, so there really wasn't much else they could do.

"Hey, do you think we should hop down, take a quick peek inside from around the corner, then head back before anyone can catch us?"

No response.

Rainbow looked at her companion with suspicion. "You're concentrating pretty hard over there." She flapped and hovered over to the other’s side.

Second Dash's head was resting on the rock she'd been hiding behind while taking her turn with the watching. Some binoculars were resting in front of her, with the front sitting on her nose, pressing the eyepieces into place. One could almost be fooled into thinking she was focused on what they were showing her, if not for the snoring.

"Hey!" Dash smacked her shoulder with a hoof. "It's my turn to rest!"

Second's eyes drowsily opened and she turned to stare dumbly at her other self. "Whuzzat?"

Rolling her eyes, First Dash took the binoculars from her and took a look down at the opening. There was still nothing going on.

"Sorry. Guess I fell asleep there for a moment." Second Dash yawned loudly. "Did I miss anything?"

The other Rainbow frowned. "How should I know? I was over there, taking my turn with the hoofball."

"Right, right." Second nodded, waving a foreleg in the air dismissively. She yawned and stretched, then crouched and shook herself vigorously, like a dog coming out of the rain. Looking more refreshed, the pegasus turned and enjoyed a quick breeze that floated by. Her eyes widened as she saw that it was not long until sunset.

First backed up in surprise as Second reeled in a more active response, wings flapping wildly and body almost darting about.

"Whoa! Why didn't you tell me it was so late! We've got to be heading back soon!" She looked unexpectedly worried about that.

The other Dash shrugged. "It's not like we can't fly in the dark."

Second looked at her and started babbling incoherently. "I need to- well- we should- I've gotta- Twilight wan- there's an errand I gotta run, and I don't want to talk about it!" She smiled, but it was almost threatening in a "don't ask" sort of way.

First rubbed her chin. "Well, okay. We still need to wait a little while longer, just in case, but then we can go before it gets dark."

It did not appear to be enough comfort for the other speedster, because after a quick frown and a leap, she was in the air and headed toward the cave entrance.

First Dash recovered quickly from her shock and jumped behind the rock in case her other self drew attention, then peeked over and watched. It didn't take long for her to get angry at the other's foolishness, though.

Second Dash landed, oddly somewhat clumsily, and just stood there for a moment, staring. She glanced up toward First and had a strange look on her face as she mouthed something, though the other could not tell what.

Looking a little nervous, she crept forward to peer around the corner. After a few minutes of staring, she crept back and made her way several yards before taking off into the air.

First Dash watched as she made her way toward their hiding area, noting that something had shaken her a little. First already had plenty of ideas floating about in her head as to what could do that. Most of them revolved around a hideous monster inside, making horrifying sounds. She felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement at the prospect.

Once Second settled onto the ground, she didn't give First the chance to ask about what had unsettled her. "I couldn't fly!"

First's face twisted in surprise. "Huh?"

Voice panicking, Second described how she had been unable to fly once she got within a few yards of the cave and had almost crashed on her landing. When she had been in that area, she couldn't even feel the magic in her wings; it was like it wasn't even there. As soon as she passed a certain point, though, it all just popped back as if nothing were wrong.

"Well, did you see Smite, at least? Was he in there?"

Second nodded. "Yeah, he was ordering a few of the Sprayers around, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. There must have been a half dozen of those things roaming around in there."

"We've got to tell the Twilights, ASAP! This sounds big!"

After Second agreed, the two shot off into the air and made their way back to Ponyville.

___________

“I’m sure Rainbow Dash won’t mind if I pop in her room for just a minute.”

Second Twilight received no reply as she needlessly justified her intrusion to Byuk. “I am dropping off a cupcake for her from Sugercube Corner, after all. It would be irresponsible for me to leave it where Pinkie could see.”

“A cupcake you bought solely for such an excuse.”

She waved him off. “Details.”

Setting the cupcake on a dresser, Twilight began rifling through the pegasus’s belongings. There wasn’t much, but it was enough to take several minutes in being thorough, not to mention careful. She almost thought herself caught when the latch on the back of a bag gave her a big shock, causing her to yelp.

“Stupid weatherponies and their static electricity!”

It was worth it, though. In the pouch was a notebook, one which detailed Rainbow Dash’s private thoughts and emotions… and the number of times she dyed her Twilight’s hair puke-green and got away with it. The prank portion of the diary would be memorized and have retribution planned later. For now, Twilight was more interested in how this other Dash thought. She turned to the last entry and started reading.

Her eyes got bigger and she felt her breathing become harsher as she finished reading it, and the very specific, even graphic plans laid out. Twilight thought she heard a sound and jerked her head up, but saw nothing except the open door. She briefly wondered why she hadn’t closed it when sneaking in, but focused again on the shocking revelation in front of her.

When it finally caught up with her, without realizing it, she jumped up and almost shouted in surprise, “Rainbow Dash murders fillies and is planning to kill Scootaloo?!”

She barely caught another sound, this time definitely coming from the doorway, but was too stunned to move. That was not where rainbows came from!

Twilight knew to expect the unexpected, but… what?

___________

A few minutes earlier, Second Rarity stepped out of her room just in time to spy one of the Twilights suspiciously ducking into Rainbow Dash’s room.

Carefully creeping to where she was just peeking around the corner, she watched Second Twilight comb through Dash’s luggage, muttering to herself in what sounded like a one-sided argument.

Rarity narrowed her eyes at the other unicorn’s strange, and quite unmannerly, behavior. She considered whether or not to inform the others about this. She was about to creep back, away from the door, when a voice made her jolt in a panic.

“What’cha doin’?”

Although Second Applejack had little more than whispered, Rarity immediately checked to see if the obsessive pony prowling around inside had heard. She hadn’t.

As Applejack opened her mouth to say something else, Rarity shushed her. “Twilight,” she whispered emphatically to the farmer, “is rifling through Rainbow Dash’s things!”

Applejack, on the other side of the doorway, leaned over and cautiously peered inside. “Don’t look like she’s taken anything. What do ya reckon she’s looking for?”

“I don’t know!” Rarity almost hissed. “Do I look like someone who sticks her nose into other ponies’ business?”

There was a slight eyebrow raise and quiet chuckling. “You sure got your nose pretty far in that doorway, there.”

Turning red, Rarity prepared to give her friend a piece of her mind, before a gasp inside caught both sets of attention.

They both peered inside as Twilight read and reread what looked like it might have been a journal entry. Their curiosity was finally answered when she blurted out something that made everypony’s mouth drop in shock.

After a moment, the two looked back at each other, trying to think of an excuse to return to their rooms. Almost unanimously, they said, “I’ve, uh… I’ve got to go!”

A few minutes after both doors slammed shut, Twilight’s did as well.

___________

“A filly!”

Second Rarity paced, practically spasming as her mind raced. “She would kill a little filly! One that looks up to her, even! Like a sister!”

Realizing she was beginning to lose herself, Rarity began taking deep breaths.

Admittedly, it was fascinating to know this other Rainbow Dash was a killer like herself. What did it mean? Did Discord intend to bring them together for a reason? What about the others, did they have criminal interests, as well?

Rarity shook her head. It didn’t matter; not in this case. Fillies were off-limits. The idea that Rainbow Dash would kill Scootaloo was… sickening. She was a blemish in their group of friends.

Luckily, Rarity knew how to fix blemishes.

___________

Second Applejack pulled her essentials out of her carrying case. She had her trusty lasso, a six-inch hunting knife she’d taken from griffon drifter, trusty duct tape, a towel, and a brand new shovel.

After finishing her inventory check, the farm pony sat back and sighed.

All in all, she felt pretty bad about what had to be done. One of her best friends was planning to kill a filly, which left no choice in the matter. Rainbow Dash just so happened to be a secret bad apple.

As hard as it was, there was only one thing that could be done.

___________

Second Twilight sat on her bed and stared at her wall for several minutes.

Sure, she had been suspicious. Yes, she’d killed ponies herself, even innocent ones. A little filly, though….

She had not been prepared to find out Dash was a monster.

After some time of thinking, Twilight took a deep breath and let it out slowly, relaxing. This was not her Dash. This was a creature from another dimension. A monster far worse than she could ever be. That pony wore the face of Rainbow Dash, but it didn’t mean anything. She was a criminal. There was only one punishment for criminals.

Twilight reached for the Death Note.

___________

As the Dashes made their way back, Second turned to the other and shouted, "I've got to take care of something real quick! You get that info to the Twilights and I'll join you later!"

Receiving an affirmative, Second Dash broke off course and made her way to where she knew the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be today. Rarity had been blabbing about how they were going to earn cutie marks in birdwatching by studying what birds do when they go to sleep at night, or something like that. It was a small window to know where they would be and that they would be alone. She couldn’t miss that opportunity. It would bring up too many questions for her to go around the town looking for them, or especially just Scootaloo.

Plotting in her mind how to best separate the group without being noticed, Rainbow Dash almost didn’t notice a certain white unicorn flagging her down. She hesitated only a moment before setting down to see what Rarity wanted. It was Second Rarity, by the looks of her necklace.

Rarity stared at her as she landed, focused on her head. She seemed pleased at something once close enough, and Dash realized she had been searching for the goggles that differentiated her from her twin. Whatever this was about, involved her specifically.

Rainbow Dash looked once more at the lowering sun. “I don’t have much time-“

“Oh, it will only take a moment!” There was something wrong with Rarity. She was… jittery. She seemed both excited and nervous, but looked like she would burst regardless of which. She was also carrying a picnic basket, and holding it like it was her best friend in the world. “I need you to come with me! Quickly!”

Dash frowned and looked at the sun once more. She had a little bit of time, and this sounded important. “Okay, but this better be fast, or I’m bailing!”

Rarity nodded, rapidly jerking her head up and down enough to make a pony dizzy from watching. “Oh, yes, yes, of course! Come with me, darling!”

Rarity started walking — almost prancing — along, constantly darting her head to see if Rainbow was really following her. It was hardly necessary, they were close enough to hear each other’s breathing. Rarity’s was considerably erratic. Dash still couldn’t place a hoof on what would cause her to act like this. She was some sort of happy, obviously, but also nervous. There was no hint as to what this was about.

“What’s going on, Rarity? Why are you acting so… giddy?”

“Giddy?” The unicorn’s face jumped between a fake smile, a fake look of confusion, and back again. “Whatever do you mean?”

Rainbow Dash frowned, feeling something was very wrong with her. “Where are we going?”

Rarity faced forward and pointed straight ahead, her hoof shaking violently. “Oh, oh, it’s just ahead! Come on, now!”

As they approached an empty area next to a creek, Rainbow Dash stopped following. “Rarity, why am I here?”

Without warning, her prissy fashionista friend swung around with some sort of large kitchen knife, the type one might expect to see in a horror movie. The picnic basket went flying as its biggest knife was withdrawn, revealing a number of other sharp instruments flashing. Neither paid much attention to them.

Second Dash had barely twisted out of the way from the initial plunge, and had to dive back another few feet to avoid a follow-up swipe. Rarity’s second attempt had combined with her momentum from the first to trip her up and send her crashing. Catching a moment to breath and try to process what just happened, Dash felt something on her chest. Touching it, she then brought her hoof in front of her face and saw blood.

Her blood.

Rarity was trying to kill her.

As she was trying to comprehend this, Rarity struck again. This time, Rainbow Dash more smoothly avoided her and got a good look at her face. It was full of rage… and glee.

Dash saw red, but this time, it wasn’t blood. When Rarity dove again, the pegasus spun out of the way and smacked her friend’s forelegs while tripping her hindlegs below. The maneuver sent her sprawling, and the knife went flying. Dash would always be the better fighter. She just couldn’t figure out why this was happening in the first place.

Rarity shot up like a bolt and backed up. Now her eyes showed fear, having finally realized it was a mistake to go up against Rainbow Dash in fight. She saw the basket next to her, and frantically threw a hoof inside and pulled the first thing she could grab. Wielding the spatula in front of her, her eyes widened and she gulped in fear.

Fortunately for her, there was no time to take vengeance, and Scootaloo still took a higher priority. Rarity was simply next on the list.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” Dash seethed, “but I’ve got somewhere I need to be. I assure you, this isn’t over!”

Rarity, still afraid for her own neck, just watched with wide eyes as Rainbow Dash took off over the ground, leaving the unicorn in her dust.

Dash was practically growling as she left, still trying to come to terms with what just happened, whatever it was. It didn’t make any sense. It was a completely unprovoked attack. Who would do such a—

Her neck clenched and the air left her lungs as her direction turned to point her straight at the ground. She almost couldn’t pull up in time to not go out like a light, but managed. She did, however, tumble along the ground a ways, making a rough landing right past an orange blur. Immediately rolling to the side and lashing out, Rainbow Dash felt her hooves connect with what felt like the belly of another pony.

Gasping and sitting up to try and bring in some air, Dash saw Applejack getting back to her hooves a few feet away, facing the opposite direction. Thinking quickly, the pegasus grabbed the rope now connected to her neck and yanked it so the slack went in the air over Applejack. Twisting it, she used a maneuver her own Applejack had showed her to create a loop that landed over the other’s neck. She repeated it and then yanked again, this time towards herself, and Applejack was spun to face her with a noose around her own neck.

She had an apple sewn into her hat. It was the second one, again, the one not native to this world. What was wrong with them? Was she the only sane pony from another world?

Applejack grabbed the rope and pulled, almost forcing Rainbow Dash to her knees. Dash got her footing and yanked, almost dropping the farmer. Back and forth, they played tug-of-war with each other’s necks. It was lucky for them that ponies had such strong necks. Eventually, they simply started going in the opposite direction, pulling as hard as they could, choking themselves.

“Give *hack* it *hack u- ugh!”

“I *cough* cou- *hack* do this *cough* *cough* all day!”

As they continued to pull, equally harming themselves as each other, Rainbow Dash realized she really didn’t have all day, as she was almost out of time. She wouldn’t be able to win if she was going to get away before sundown, but a draw would have to be good enough for now.

She spun around and flew straight at Applejack, swinging a hoof with all her might as she aimed for her head.

Unfortunately, the sudden slack in the rope caught the farmer off-guard, and she fell forward into the dirt. Rainbow Dash flew overhead and crashed a few feet away.

Getting up and dusting herself off, she sneered at Applejack and promised revenge before continuing on her way.

At least for a few feet, before Applejack’s considerable weight yanked her back.

The farm pony, meanwhile, had been lifted from the strength of Dash’s takeoff, and found herself swinging like a pendulum for a few yards before her weight pulled them both down, smacking her into the dirt again. Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, landed and started freaking out that she couldn’t get the lasso off her neck. When she panicked and again tried to take to the skies, she got even higher, as did her anchor. Together, the two kept going up and down, Applejack jerking off the ground and then swinging hard into the dirt each time.

In her panic, Rainbow Dash was completely unaware she was giving her opponent the beatdown of a lifetime. She was simply scrambling her hooves at the rope around her neck and trying to get to the sky where she’d be safe. Her mind was stuck jumping between getting to her destination before it was too late, and getting the blasted noose off.

Finally, something loosened on Applejack’s side and she landed in a pile of cow pies.

Rainbow Dash straightened her path and flew off, ignoring her chain and fully intent on her destination.

___________

The Death Note was in front of her, her quill hovering in her magic.

Second Twilight had every tool she needed ready for her.

This wasn’t the first time she’d killed a friend. The others hadn’t even deserved it. It had been necessary; for the cause.

Somehow, though, she had thought it would be different on another world. A peaceful world, where the worst criminals soaked others with cider, rather than… but this wasn’t the time to think on that.

There was no cause to fight for, but justice was still needed. She had been right. Discord brought something nasty when he let the six of them into this world. The other four would need close examination as well.

One thing at a time.

___________

Diving through the clouds, Second Rainbow Dash paid them no mind. Her usual, impulsive theatrics would slow her down, and in truth, she didn’t feel like any kind of performance, anyway.

She was mad.

‘How dare they!’ she seethed to herself. ‘How could they?! Traitors, the lot of them!’

A tear escaped her eye, but she convinced herself it was from the bruised neck. Her friends had turned on her, tried to have her killed. Killed!

What kind of monsters were they?

They masqueraded as her friends, and then tried to murder her at the first chance. What sort of world was this?

She realized this line of thought was slowing her down, and decided to drop the subject for the moment, hard as it was. Dash needed to get to Scootaloo now, so she could follow her and end her miserable little life without anypony noticing.

It was for the best, after all.

___________

Twilight once more put quill to paper, this time perfectly aware of the real name of her target.

She hesitated. It wasn’t that she no longer wished to kill this Rainbow Dash, as she had hardened her will and resolve to do so. Rather, what would writing the name produce? Would the specific pony she wrote the name for die? Would both on this world? Would only the one native to this world die?

What if it killed her Rainbow Dash back home, instead?

Second Twilight bit her lip and let the inked quill hover inches over the paper.

This was it. Her chance. So many questions answered, so many planned tests fulfilled with the result of this next writing. She had to take the risk. She had to know.

For justice.

Twilight wrote the name, whispering it in sorrow at the same time. “Rainbow Dash.”

___________

Rainbow Dash felt oddly short of breath. She didn't know what was wrong. Something strange played across her mind, and she had a bad feeling shiver down her spine.

Suddenly, her body jerked and her eyes widened as she suffered a massive—

___________

"Hey, wait a minute!" Pinkie Pie stopped in her tracks, walking through town, as a realization hit her. "I just remembered something!"

___________

Upon entering the hotel after the Berry Punch/Fruity Flavors debacle, Pinkie Pie decided to borrow one of Second Twilight’s quills, just for a minute.

She entered her friend’s room and went through some of her stuff before coming across a perfect quill to use, right next to a hidden pouch.

It was a very well hidden pouch, actually. She wouldn’t have even noticed if not for her front left knee stiffening, signaling that a pouch was hidden nearby.

Pinkie looked inside and found a notebook. “Hey! This would be perfect to balance that nominally smaller leg on my bed!”

Quickly glancing around to make sure nopony was watching, she took an identical notebook, which was three pages too long and would simply unbalance her bed the other direction, and speedily duplicated the information on the Death Note before switching the two.

Saying goodbye to the creepy, floating pony that suddenly appeared, Pinkie Pie hopped along on her way.

___________

At the memory, Pinkie grimaced, embarrassed with herself. "Gosh! I could have just taken out the three pages of the other book and left hers alone! I really need to return this notebook to Twilight! She might need it for something!"

She turned around and bounced her way back to the inn, grinning at having trolled the bronies reading.

___________

—realization that she had gone to the wrong side of town. Rainbow Dash cursed herself and made a U-turn.

By the time she got to her destination, the sun had set. She landed and searched frantically for any sign of the three fillies.

She found a sign: a clump of Sweetie Belle’s mane. There’d probably be a big bald spot on Rarity’s little sister next time she saw her, however that happened. With them, who could know? Regardless, it meant they had been here, but not anymore.

That was it. She’d missed her opportunity. Now they would take care of the business with Smite, and she’d go home as a failure. She jerked at the horrific thought that sent a shiver down her neck.

Then Dash realized it wasn’t the thought that made her jerk. It was a small dart that landed just above her shoulder. She briefly wondered about its abrupt appearance before slumping forward into the dirt.

___________

Twilight shakily put her quill down.

It was done.

It had been one of the hardest things she had ever accomplished. The unicorn couldn’t even say she felt joy at the fact she had done it.

Twilight pleaded with everything good that she hadn’t made a mistake.

It was just so… much… work.

“Spike!” she shouted, “I finished redrawing the maps on a 1:4 ratio, stitching the faded right edge of map 26 to the stained left edge of map 27. Did you get those colors I asked for?”

Spike came bouncing down the stairs with a handful of crayons. “Yep! Found each one! I didn’t even know they had colors with these funny names!”

First Twilight happily picked up the color Macaroni and Cheese from Spike’s claws and started swiping it over a small portion of her new map. She had put a lot of work into drawing the stupid thing, and she deserved to color it!

___________

Second Twilight put down her quill, letting out a shaky breath.

It was done. She could only hope she hadn’t made a mistake.

___________

As Second Rainbow Dash lay there, groaning, a shadow fell over her.

“Oh, Dashie. I’m so happy I found you!” The pegasus felt herself being dragged away while falling asleep, but noticed that she was being carefully maneuvered to avoid the sight of others.

“I could just eat you right up!”

To Smite a Villain

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Pinkie Pie woke up, gasping for breath.

It had been a dream. A crazy nightmare, even stranger than the regular ones. The usual heffalumps, woozles, and dancing pink elephants were gone, replaced with a dark basement and a familiar pink pony. There were two of them, actually, as well as a lot of very sharp objects. Completely unrealistic and ridiculous, it was enough to put her into a cold sweat.

Grabbing a drink of water from a nightstand, Pinkie pinched her nose and drowned it to calm her nerves. Then she remembered that she was performing the cure for hiccups and started laughing, making herself feel better.

Just as planned.

Pinkie sighed and lay down again, her mind on the dream. She rubbed a hoof along her chin in thought as she puzzled over whether it held any significance.

Could the dream have been trying to tell her something? She usually had a twitchy left cheek if someone was planning to make pastry out of her. It was the right cheek if she spelled pickle with two “c”s.

Maybe the dream was telling her the other Pinkie liked to bake so much, she wanted her help making a super amount of awesome pastries for everypony? Her unwilling and disturbingly graphic help.

On the other hoof, it could have been some sort of warning. The dream may have been trying to tell her that there was danger and she should be aware of evil, crazy ponies that looked identical to her.

Or it was the bean burritos with the extra helping of onion.

It was impossible, of course. Those never messed with her dreams. The "evil, crazy pony" idea was impossible, too. The other Pinkie Pie would never really do something like that. Pinkie Pie of the other universe was sweet and kind and didn't have a single evil bone in her body.

Fighting the unease, Pinkie pulled out an old something that always comforted her from under her pillow and snuggled it. It would be embarrassing to be caught snuggling with it, so she usually tried to keep it hidden. Right now, she needed the reassurance.

She had a sense for ponies, though, and knew, deep down, that her counterpart would never hurt her. She knew that she didn't have to worry about being chopped up into cupcakes and served to her friends, and certainly not from the other Element of Laughter. She knew if a pony was crazy enough to do all that, they wouldn't be able to hide it from her.

She would know better than anypony, after all.

Putting away the butcher's knife, Pinkie went back to sleep.

___________

Early the next morning brought about the fourth day of the alternate six ponies’ visit, two days after Second Rainbow Dash disappeared.

First Twilight trotted down the stairs in the library, yawning from a good night’s sleep. She went to the kitchen to make some breakfast for herself. She passed and ignored Spike, because nobody cares about him and he’s irrelevant to the story.

Sorry, Spike.

Spike shrugged, walking back to bed. “Eh, I’m used to it.”

As Twilight finished her cereal, the first of her friends started showing up for the planned meeting. She and First Rainbow Dash exchanged morning pleasantries as they made their way out into the main room.

“Good Morning!”

Dash, who was still sleepy-eyed, yawned before replying with a smile. “Morning.”

“Did you sleep well last night? I slept better than in ages!”

The pegasus nodded, then grinned. “That was sure a crazy day, yesterday, wasn’t it?”

“It sure was!” Twilight’s nostalgic smile fell into a frown. “I think. Actually, I don’t remember what happened.”

Dash started rubbing her chin in thought. “Me neither. Just that it was crazy.”

“Me, as well.” Rarity came through the door and joined them. Soon, everypony had gathered in the library, muttering about the crazy day they couldn’t remember.

Giggling, one of the Pinkies cried out, “Wow! It’s the same for me!”

The other Pinkie grinned. “Me, too! Except…” She trailed off, staring distantly.

Everypony stared at her, wondering if she would remember something the rest could not.

“What is it, Pinkie?”

Pinkie rubbed her head, thinking hard. “Well, I almost seem to recall…”

___________

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” Discord, dressed in a british colonel’s uniform, had appeared in the middle of the war-torn spa room.

Twilight’s hoof stilled, halfway through writing her name. She had mixed feelings about the interruption.

“This chapter has become too silly for public consumption!”

Applejack finally managed to pull the arrow from her leg, but paused before restringing it for another shot.

“This whole place has become a ridiculous assortment of contrived and improbable situations, of which I had no part, and its chaotic overtone has broken the barrier of believability. Quite frankly, it was just too silly.”

“You’re just jealous!” Ghost Pinkie yelled.

“No, no, me being left out has nothing to do with it. I’m not petty. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Both Rainbow Dashes cooed and giggled while the Fluttershys continued their battle for ownership, completely ignoring Discord.

“So, as of this moment, this day never occurred. All dead ponies won’t have died…”

Rarity dropped her knife and sighed in relief, the guilt having weighed on her. Although her guilt was not as significant, Second Rarity was also relieved.

Ghost Pinkie groaned in disappointment.

“…All revelations will be undone, all banners taken down, all toast unmade, and Byuk will be a shinigami again.”

“But I’m a real boy!”

“That is all!” And with that, Discord and the entire day disappeared.

___________

“And that’s how carriages were invented!”

There were several moment’s worth of silence. Pinkie beamed as everypony tried to take in her explanation of their amnesia. Eventually, First Applejack broke the silence.

“What’s a Byuk?”

Second Twilight coughed. “Pinkie!” Her voice was a little high, so she paused a moment to try and calm it back to a reasonable level. “This isn’t the time for your silliness. First Twilight and I have real matters to discuss with all of you, regarding the plan today.”

“Yes, but I don’t get why writing my name—” Feeling a hoof on her shoulder, First Twilight turned to see a very serious mirror image.

“Do we really have time to puzzle over Pinkie Pie? Now?”

Twilight shook her head in agreement. They had a long day ahead of them, and she needed to be ignoring Pinkie Pie, for her own sake.

With that out of the way, the Twilights slowly corralled everypony around a map in the center of the room. First Twilight held up a marker and gathered her friends’ attention.

“All right, girls,” she pointed at a spot on the map, circling it. “First and Second Rainbow Dash did indeed find Smite’s hideout, up in this area.”

First Rarity lifted a hoof. “Um, forgive me Twilight, but… where is Second Rainbow Dash?”

Twilight blinked and looked around, before centering on the Dash that was present.

First Dash shrugged. “Heck if I know. She said there was something she needed to take care of last night, and I haven’t seen her since.”

Second Applejack chipped in, “She wasn’t in her room this morning.”

Second Fluttershy added thoughtfully, “I thought I saw her flying northwest last. Isn’t that the direction of Cloudsdale?”

Twilight frowned and started fidgeting. “This isn’t the time for visiting family, or whatever business she might have there. That’s not good, our plan is already falling apart.”

“No, it isn’t.” Second Twilight said with a calming voice, placing a hoof on her double’s shoulder again. “Rainbow Dash knows where the hideout is. She’s sure to be back before long. If we leave a note, she’ll even beat us there. We can’t delay this.”

“Delay what?”

One of the Applejacks had spoken, although Twilight didn’t catch which. She did need to continue, though. “Smite has built more Cider-Sprayers than we initially expected. He has at least half a dozen, although we have to count on the possibility of more. We have to stop him before he finishes an army, because that would quickly become a complication we don’t need.”

Second Twilight stepped in, adding the more worrisome news. “Aside from that, there’s a bigger problem. We’re going to have trouble once we’re inside, because the entire place, as near as we can tell, has been magic-proofed.”

“Magic-proofed?”

First Twilight shrugged. “It’s a working term. We’ve never heard of anything like this before.”

Second Rarity grimaced. “So, unicorns can’t use their magic inside?”

“Presumably, but it’s worse than that. Pegasi can’t even fly in there, and we have no idea what it would do to an Earth pony.”

Second Twilight rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so melodramatic. Applejack’s natural strength and athleticism, for instance, will be fine. Her talents are focused on growing things, and we’re not going to be in there long enough to test if that’s even affected.”

Both Applejacks took a keen interest at that, quickly asking something that came out along the vein of, “But is it a lasting effect?”

Twilight shook her head. “Dash was fine after leaving the mouth of the cave, so magic is more likely suppressed rather than removed.”

After a look from Applejack, she amended, “No, there shouldn’t be lasting effects.”

Second Twilight glanced at the clock and then caught everypony’s attention. “So, are there any questions?”

After a bunch of unsure looks but no comments, she nodded. “Good. We need to move before Smite can build even more machines. The sooner, the better. Once there, we’ll take out the robots and then bring Smite in. Between the eleven of us, it should be easy.”

First Twilight tapped her. “You mean twelve?”

She grimaced. “Yes, of course. I’m sure Dash will be here soon. Thank you.”

While nopony looked particularly pleased, the meeting was quickly wrapped up and preparations began in earnest.

___________

“That was close.”

Second Twilight passed the time left in her room, despite having already packed. It gave her a chance to contemplate a decision on Smite’s fate, although there was now something else on her mind.

“What’s that?” Byuk, casually curious as always.

Twilight groaned. “My other self. She’s understandably concerned about Second Rainbow Dash missing. She might not have even let it go so easily, except that… she trusts me.”

“Does that make you uncomfortable?”

Frowning, Twilight answered, “Only that I’ve never lied to myself.”

A snort was her only reply.

“But it’s not like I can trust her with the truth!” Her voice turned defensive as she rounded on her ghostly companion, purposefully misinterpreting his unspoken comment. “She wouldn’t understand the truth! My world was just like this one, not long ago. Now it’s full of crime. Ponies don’t change that fast! Those terrible, monstrous ponies are still out there, even if they’re not acting out, yet. It’s only a matter of time before-”

Twilight blinked, realizing that Byuk was playing with a paddle ball. “Where did you get that?”

Byuk shrugged. “Pinkie’s room. You were ranting and I was bored.”

After a long moment of watching Byuk try to hit the ball, Twilight shook her head. “Whatever. I suppose I might as well be talking to myself, anyway. However, I do need something from you…”

He stopped and looked at her, curious.

Twilight grew deadly serious, wanting to convey the importance of what she was about to say. “I am about to enter a particularly dangerous area, with no access to magic, and no idea what I’ll be finding inside. What I need… is a backup plan. Specifically, a partner who is not affected by magic… or lack thereof.”

Byuk’s face was neutral, uncaring. “We are not partners.”

“No…” Twilight admitted, “but there’s a reason you stay with me. You’re interested. You want to see what I do next. Am I right?”

Very slowly, Byuk nodded, eyes narrowing. He left it unsaid that he could only help if it didn’t affect a mortal’s natural lifespan. She was far from unaware of the rules of the Death Note.

Twilight smiled at the small victory. “Good. If you want to see what I do next in my world, you’re going to have to help me survive this one. Can you do that?”

He nodded again, but lost the care he had shown before and went back to playing with his new toy.

With a sigh of relief, the unicorn smiled. “Good enough. I feel much better about this already.”

___________

As the ponies gathered for their trek, the Twilights going over checklists, there were two absent ponies. Rainbow Dash had still not returned, and there was only one Pinkie Pie bouncing around.

First Twilight was getting frustrated. “Where are they?!”

Just as the words left her mouth, the other Pinkie Pie came around the corner with a tray in each of her front hooves. “Hey, everypony! I brought something special for the trip!”

The other Pinkie Pie grinned. “Cupcakes!”

She helped her other self pass them out to the group. They all seemed delighted, although curious about an unusual taste.

“What’d ya put in these, anyhow?” Second Applejack asked around a mouthful.

Pinkie smiled. “Do you like them?”

“Yeah, they’re pretty darn good.”

Pinkie shrugged. “I usually make them better, with a special, secret ingredient, but I had to make a substitute out of sodium and iron-enriched flour because somepony won’t share.” She sent a pouty glare at Second Fluttershy, who looked confused at the attention.

First Rarity started looking around while frowning. “I can’t believe there’s still no sign of Second Rainbow Dash.”

Nearly half the ponies present stiffened at the mention. Pinkie just mumbled to herself, sore about not getting to the pegasus in time but taking solace in the fact that Dash’s name hadn’t come up, anyway. It had not been her time.

Second Fluttershy, on the other hoof, looked nervous and stared hard at the ground while pawing at it. “Oh, well… there’s probably nothing to worry about.”

___________

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle’s voice was thick with apprehension. “This is really weirding me out, right now.”

Scootaloo waved both her and Applebloom’s concerns off. “You want to earn our babysitting cutie marks or not? Besides, twenty bits is twenty bits.”

They all three watched Rainbow Dash crawling around the other Fluttershy’s hotel room, propelling herself with her hind legs while dragging over her front two. She was suckling a baby bottle full of milk the entire time. Every once in a while she’d stop and stare at them with wide eyes and the blankest face for several seconds, before returning to her exploration.

Scootaloo shivered a little. “But you’re right. This is the strangest job we’ve ever tried.”

___________

“All right, girls, let’s get going!” Second Twilight was leading the charge as the eleven mares, each with saddlebags, began walking in the direction of Smite’s hideout. It wasn’t more than a few hours of a walk, and they didn’t want to draw attention with other means of travel.

Hot-air balloons really weren’t made for stealth, despite First Twilight’s initial plan.

Each of the original mares packed up their Element of Harmony, as well, just in case. Both Twilights wanted to see if they’d work in the magic-proofed cave, and if they might destroy the effect if it came down to it.

First Twilight hung back an extra minute, keeping an eye out for the missing Rainbow Dash. She looked over and noticed her fellow native friends doing the same. It was odd that none of their doubles seemed concerned.

She shook it off, and they caught up to the others.

___________

A couple of hours later, they were halfway there. It was mostly grassy hills at this point, although they were approaching a tree line.

The group had slowly divided into several smaller groups to chat along the way, and time passed swiftly as they exchanged stories. There were many differences between the worlds, despite so many similarities, and it was interesting to learn about them.

It was notable that First Applejack kept away from her mirror self, preferring to chat with Second Rarity, who seemed a bit sad all the time, and both of the Fluttershys. Second Twilight similarly stayed away from First, as well as both Raritys, and ended up talking with Rainbow Dash and one of the Pinkie Pies, who had butted in.

At some point, Twilight realized what those groups didn’t have. Hers, with Second Applejack and First Rarity, also seemed to be missing somepony: the other Pinkie Pie. She didn’t seem to be anywhere.

“Everypony, stop!” The group did as instructed, looking amongst themselves in confusion as to what was wrong. “We lost one of the Pinkies!”

The remaining pink equine gasped. “Oh, no!” Her head darted around in every direction, lifting each hoof one by one when looking downward. She faced Twilight as her expression reached even greater heights of shock. “But where’s the other one?”

Twilight opened her mouth to calm Pinkie down, then froze as she realized that Pinkie was referring to herself. She was stuck for a moment as she tried to formulate an appropriate response, forgetting her self-made promise to ignore her eccentric friend.

Luckily, Rainbow Dash stepped in, voice dripping with exasperation. “You are the other one, Pinkie.”

Pinkie blinked for a moment before settling back into a normal stance and grinning sheepishly. “Oh, yeah, right.” Suddenly, she burst into hyperactive mode again with a grin. “That’s right! I am me!” She shot a hoof into the air to emphasize her point.

Dash clopped herself in the head and rolled her eyes.

“No, no, no! I am me, and me are we, and she is we, which means we are I!”

The explanation did not help her audience.

“All I have to do is deduce what I would do if I were me and me were free in a familiar place to sightsee.”

Still nothing.

Pinkie Pie sat back and pressed her forehooves to the sides of her head, closing her eyes and focusing her entire mind on solving the inner mysteries of herself.

A little over two minutes later, without opening her eyes, she gasped. “I know where I am! I know where I am! I’ve solved the mysteries of the Pinkieverse and figured out that I am…” Pinkie dramatically raised a hoof slowly, “right…” then shot it out to point in a direction, “there!”

She opened her eyes and saw herself sitting right where she pointed, two feet away, and munching on an apple, loudly.

Twilight facehooved and groaned. “Pinkie, she’s been back for about half a minute, obnoxiously eating an apple, and we’ve already greeted her. Loudly. In front of you!”

The party pony looked stunned, then offended. “I tell you right now, Twilight, I had to unlock the secrets of the Pinkieverse to find out where I was! And they told me the direction through loud crunching noises that sounded just like… oh.”

Second Applejack rolled her eyes and walked up to the previously missing Pinkie. “Well, what I want to know is what in tarnation you were doing in the first place?”

The pony, whom Twilight was convinced was Second Pinkie, swallowed her current bite of food and replied, spitting minimal amounts of Applejack’s apples in her face. “My new invisible friend wanted apples, and since we were passing other AJ’s farmland, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and grab a couple for the road.” She glanced around before frowning. “I guess he got lost when it was time to leave, ‘cause I haven’t seen him since.”

Twilight heaved a sigh and looked to her new best friend, herself, for help. Oddly, Second Twilight was focused very acutely on Pinkie, and looked like she had seen a ghost. Looking back, First Twilight didn’t notice anything stranger than usual on their friend, aside from the fake goatee.

It probably wasn’t that, since the expression didn’t change when the other Pinkie chose that moment to march up, yank the facial hair off her double’s face, and plaster it on her own.

Leaning over, First Twilight asked, “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Second jerked back and looked like she’d woken from a bad dream. “No,” she practically whispered. “No ghosts here.”

After a quick bit of fussing, mostly about staying together as a group, the ponies were off once more.

___________

It was mid-afternoon when they got there. They’d stopped for a picnic a little earlier, making sure to be well-rested. Pinkie Pie ran out of the cupcakes she had made earlier, but promised to make more at the first opportunity.

Better ones.

As the group gathered before the mouth of the cave, they took a long moment to watch the inside. There wasn’t much to see. It got dark not far in, although there were hints of more light through a distant hallway.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out to relax herself, Rainbow Dash gently flew at the mouth of the cave, falling down a few feet short.

“This is it,” she said, turning around to look at her friends. “Past this point, there is no magic. No flying, either.” Dash seemed dejected at the thought, and somewhat worried, but she held her chin up and waited, ready to go in.

The Twilights looked at each other and nodded, then trotted inside as if nothing were wrong. The others followed, Fluttershy the only one dragging behind.

“Are you sure we have to be here?” They both had places they would rather be.

Rainbow Dash frowned. “We can’t use the Elements without you, Fluttershy. You know that. And… other Fluttershy, you wouldn’t leave us alone, would you?” Her eyes were pleading.

Second Fluttershy could never resist those eyes, and she longed to see them with more innocence in them. With Dash unable to fly, there would never be a better opportunity than now. “I won’t leave you, Dashie.”

Dash smiled and the three caught up with the rest.

___________

“Hello?!”

Twilight’s echoing voice went unanswered, except by itself.

The Elements of Harmony, and identical twins, were standing in a large, cavernous room with poor lighting from a few torches along the walls. There were stalactites and stalagmites, some quite large, throughout the place. It was otherwise empty.

Pinkie chirped, “Well, looks like nopony’s home!”

Shaking her head, First Twilight responded, “We’re not leaving that easily. If Smite wants to hide, we’re just going to have to go get him.”

“But which way do we go?” First Applejack kept glancing between the different passageways available. “Should we split up, or stick together?”

“Split up,” Second Twilight immediately answered. “We can’t allow him to go around us and escape.”

First Twilight looked at her in surprise. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. The last thing we should do is risk our safety. We stick together, and if he does escape, we’ll at least be able to use magic against him.”

Her double reluctantly nodded. “Okay. Then which passageway?”

Twilight closed her eyes and thought for a minute. “It’s impossible to choose. There’s too many variables, and not enough information. At this point, our best chance at picking the right one would be-”

Her eyes snapped open. “-random! Pinkie!”

Both pink ponies perked up.

“Do you have a twitch for a passageway leading to a villain?”

Both of them laughed. “No, silly!”

Twilight’s elation dropped.

“But I do have an itch on my bottom third tooth!”

“Me, too!”

At Twilight’s perplexed look, both ponies walked to the middle of the room. They each put a hoof in the air, readying to point. “And the villain is hiding…”

Suddenly, the hooves in the air jerked, and both ponies glanced at each other in surprise. In stereo, they said, “Uh oh.”

“Good evening, ladies!”

The group turned as one to take in the newest arrival to the party: All-Star Smite.

With brown fur and blonde mane, Smite seemed to have a fairly average build. He wore a labcoat, but had nothing else on him. However, he was not alone.

“I’m sure you know of me, but allow me to introduce you to my Cider-Sprayers!”

No less than nine Sprayers surrounded him, and all eleven ponies felt a collective need to back up into a tighter group. Those machines looked meaner in person, and it occurred to them that without the guarantee of the Elements of Harmony, much less their own magic, they might have finally found a situation where they were in over their heads.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the wait!

I have been SO busy recently! I still am, but I promise to try to have another chapter next month. I know, that's still a long time. I hope you do still enjoy this story, though!

Things are going to start getting a little darker, by the way. I'll give warning before anything bad, but just letting you know! Also, this second half of the story will lean a bit away from the attempted comedy of the first half and more toward action, to push my boundaries a little. I'm still new to writing, after all.

Oh, and just as an aside, I did have another chapter in mind before this one, but I just couldn't get anything written for it when I had time to try. Considering how long it was taking me, I thought it would be best to just skip the chapter and move on. Thus, the day that never was!

I hope you enjoyed it!

Inverted Harmony

by AmazingBluie

A Splinter of Discontent

The Representatives of Irony

Ponies Plot Proper Peril

The Terrible Fate of Berry Punch

A Dash of Victory

To Smite a Villain