A copy of one of the many magic books contained in the Ponyville library floated down to its current owner. Swiftly looking through the book Logic confirmed it as the one she was seeking and went to sit on the nearby couch. Carefully studying its contents Logic looked as if she didn’t know of the rest of the world existed. Unfortunately for Spike, she did know, and she caught him staring at her with a depressed look.

“Is something wrong Spike? You seem distressed. More distressed than usual I might add.” Logic cocked an eyebrow at the dragon.

“What? Oh, sorry Logic I was just thinking about… well about that fragment you guys found: Creativity.” The dragon spoke cautiously, unaware if this was a touchy subject.

“I see. What about her? She has proven herself our enemy and we must stop her from completing her plans. Were she not so reckless she would already be captured.” Logic replied, showing no inclination towards hatred for Creativity.

“Well it’s just…” Spike thought about how to phrase it. “Why is she so evil? I mean she tried to kill you and the others, something Twilight would never do.”

“Well the Twilight in this universe anyway.” Logic muttered to herself.

“What?” Spike asked, clearly having heard Logic’s comment.

“Nothing. As to your question Spike I believe Creativity is not evil, just uncaring.” Logic explained.

“Uncaring? I think trying to kill her best friends and planning to steal the real Twilight’s body is pretty evil!” Spike retorted.

“Her actions may seem malevolent, but she herself is neutral. If being nice and kind was the only way to obtain her goal she would play that part. Sadly it is not and she now stands against us.” Logic sighed; Creativity’s scheme had certainly thrown a wrench in Logic’s own plan.

“I still don’t really get it.” Spike shrugged.

Logic inhaled deeply and sighed. “Understandable. Trying to make sense of a creature like Creativity is difficult but I will try to explain the best I can.” Logic looked out the window towards some nearby clouds. “The one main thing you must know about Creativity is that she will find a way to her goals… and may fate be kind to the unprepared who get in her way…”

Creativity walked causally down the streets of Canterlot. The sun shined brightly over the capitol of Equestria and its high-class, well-dressed occupants. As for Creativity, she dressed simple, wearing a bright blue dress with yellow frills on the neck, shoulders, and bottom opening. She had ‘acquired’ this clothing from a tailor shop the night before and she believed the yellow frills were an excellent match for her eyes (not only that but it helped her to blend in, nude ponies being in the minority in Canterlot).

She past by many ponies, greeting those who didn’t believe themselves too high-class to say hi to one so simply dressed, and gazed in wonder at the shops and all the other wondrous things the nation’s capitol had to offer. It amazes me that Twilight never came here when she lived in Canterlot, Creativity thought, how could she disregard all this wonder as foolish and unneeded? Her eyes then set upon a group of young foals playing. One unicorn filly had a doll she carried around with her magic, laughing with the others. Her fun was cut short when two of the group’s colts used their own magic to tear the doll away from her. She began crying and uselessly ran after them, screaming at them to return her doll. The foals laughed cruelly at her attempts before they were surrounded by a yellow aura. They were soon face to face with Creativity, whose angry glare frightened them.

“Now is that any way to treat a young lady?” Creativity stated coldly. The colts shook their needs no. “Good to see you noticed, now give the doll back to her.” The doll levitated back to the filly’s grasp, Creativity looked down to her. “Never let anyone stand in your way of your happiness, ever. And if someone thinks they can put you down,” She snickered as she turned to the two colts. “Think of a creative way to defeat them!” She yelled as she tossed the two colts into a nearby fountain. The water broke their fall and ensured they landed safety, but they ran off as soon as they got out of the fountain to avoid the other children’s laughter.

The young filly turned to Creativity. “Thank you so much miss.”

Creativity smiled. “Think nothing of it! The end justifies the means my dear girl, never forget that!” Creativity walked off, leaving the filly in thought. I’ve probably just created the next iron-willed dictator of a neighboring country, Creativity predicted.

Passing by all the shops soon brought a concern to Creativity’s mind: she had no money in which to purchase goods like food. She would need money to survive and it would hurt her plans and secrecy if she continued to ‘acquire’ things like she had her dress. Creativity had been walking a good five minutes, pondering different ways that she could obtain the money she desperately needed, when she saw a figure in a nearby alleyway, but she thought nothing of it. Suddenly a stallion hopped forth and held a knife, taped to his hoof, up to Creativity’s neck and slowly backed her into the alleyway.

“Give me all your money bitch, I’ve got places to be and I don’t wanna be held up.” He threatened, moving the knife closer to his captive’s neck.

“You’re not from around here are you?” Creativity questioned, rather calmly for one being mugged.

“Hehe yeah, how’d ja know?” The assailant replied.

“You see I can tell you’re just a self servicing cesspool of filth who cares only for himself and how to satisfy his base needs and doesn’t care who he hurts to achieve those needs. I then noticed you’re not wearing any clothes once so ever so that means you can’t possibly be from Canterlot.” Creativity smugly stated. “As for money? Sorry good sir I am dead broke, so broke in fact that I’ve decided to come up with a new word to explain that brokenness. I haven’t thought of anything clever enough yet so do you have any ideas, I’m always open to new things.” She smirked. The mugger became distraught.

“What?! No money at all!” He quickly looked at Creativity’s dress and tugged at it. “Well I suppose this will get me something at least.” He then looked down all of Creativity’s body: it’s smooth curves, soft fur and almost perfectly rounded rump, no longer hidden by the dress as he held it up. “Not only that but there are… other ways for you to pay me.” He chuckled and gave a sadistic smirk.

“I see… Well,” Creativity replied. “Before you eviscerate my marehood with your…” She looked down and her eyes noticeably widen. “Hmmm… Surprisingly large stallion cock, I have an inquiry.”

The stallion blinked at her and laughed, knowing that she could never use a spell fast enough to stop him from slitting her throat. “Alright sure, I’ll humor you. What’s the question?”

Creativity’s grin became wider. “Do they accept organ donations here in Equestria?”

“And here’s the last of it Miss Ebony Spring.” The nurse at Canterlot’s Luna Memorial Hospital said as she pasted the last couple bits over to Creativity.

“Thank you very much!” Creativity smiled. “I’d no idea that organ donation was such a profitable market.” The nurse frowned at this remark.

“Yes well we always need more organs to help with operations here. But ummm… if you don’t mind keeping that to yourself please? The last thing we want are ponies removing organs for a quick bit.” She asked quietly.

Creativity chuckled. “Oh but of course! Such a secret is save with me. To tell you the truth I wish I wasn’t here, but my brother said if he died that he wanted his organs donated to help others.” Creativity feinted sadness.

“I’m so sorry for your loss Miss Spring.” The nurse replied, trying to comfort the ‘poor’ mare in front of her.

“Oh it’s quite alright. The dastardly fiend that committed the act is behind bars now and that is all I can hope for. Goodbye and have a nice day.” Creativity bowed her head a little and left the hospital, much richer than when she had arrived, when the sound of tiny fireworks filled the air.

“Come one, come all! Come and see the Great and Powerful Trixie perform for your entertainment!” The blue showmare announced as more fireworks sparked out as she leapt up onto her hind legs and spread her front legs upward. Creativity walked into the watching crowd, curious to see the pony she certainly doomed to a world of pain but a few days ago.

“Who among you thinks they can best Trixie, the most powerful unicorn of all time!” She boasted.

A yellow unicorn mare lifted up her hoof and volunteered. Trixie nodded at her and she came up on stage. Her horn lit up with magic as she shot forth a variety of colors and twisted them about, creating quite the impressive light show. The crowd oohed and aahed at the spectacle, Trixie was unfazed. After the mare completed her show Trixie laughed.

“Ha! Is that all you can do?! See now as the Great and Powerful Trixie amazes everypony here and surpasses you!” Trixie pulled up her hat to reveal her horn as magic charged up inside of it. Once fully charged Trixie let out a rainbow of dozens upon dozens of colors. She swerved them into different shapes and created a light show ten times better than the other mare’s. When Trixie had completed her show, however, she sent the colors raining down on the other mare, knocking her over and dying her mane and fur a variety of colors. The audience laughed at this turn of events and Trixie reveled in it. The victim of this treatment was less than elated at this and it appeared as though she might cry. How… nice to see the embarrassment back in Ponyville has not soiled her attitude, Creativity thought while she gritted her teeth.

Tears formed in the victim mare’s eye and she was about to let go all her embarrassment and sadness, until a hoof was placed on her shoulder. Her tears stopped as she looked up to see a purple mare in a simple blue dress smiling at her. The mare stooped her mouth next to the surprised one’s ear.

“No need to cry. I’ll take it from here.” The purple mare’s smile continued as she helped the other one up off the floor and sent her on her way. When the rainbow mare got to the bottom the purple stranger called to her. “I’d stick around if I were you. You may find yourself amusingly surprised and avenged.”

Trixie noticed the dressed mare on stage. “And who are you supposed to be?” Trixie asked snobbishly.

Creativity laughed. “I am the Modest and Average Ebony Spring!” She shouted, throwing her hooves into the air just as Trixie did.

The crowd laughed at this blatant mockery of Trixie’s own style of speaking, a fact Trixie’s ego could not stand. Trixie’ll wipe the floor with this ignorant fool and Trixie will relish in her defeat! Trixie laughed as these thoughts filled her head.

“Alright, show Trixie and the crowd what you’ve got.” Trixie snickered, already planning a worthy humiliation for this mare.

“Ok. If you insist.” Creativity said. She looked around and saw some juggling balls lying in Trixie’s wagon. Using her magic she grabbed the balls and began juggling. It was nothing impressive, just simple juggling that any unicorn with basic concentration skills could do. The crowd laughed at this simple routine, which definitely lived up to Creativity’s stage name. When ‘Ebony’ finished she gracefully bowed.

“HA! That was it?! That was all you could muster to challenge Trixie?!” She laughed. “Let the Great and Powerful Trixie show you real juggling!” Trixie picked up several large objects from her wagon and began to juggle them effortlessly above her head in intricate patterns, wowing the crowds watching from below. Creativity watched this act for a few seconds, waiting for the right moment. Soon Trixie attempted to create a fountain out of the floating objects and she brought them hovering some feet above her to begin. Creativity took her chance and using her magic she pulled Trixie’s showmare hat over her horn and eyes, making her lose her concentration. Trixie pulled her hat off just in time to look up and see the objects where mere centimeters away from her.

The crowd was on the ground laughing, especially the rainbow mare. Trixie had been completely covered in fallen objects as one by one they fell on her. Trixie tried to dig herself out but it was to no avail, she was able to poke her head out however to look around. To her surprise the pony who had shown her up was nowhere to be seen. Trixie looked at the still laughing crowd and she took on an annoyed look, puffing some hair out of her face.

Creativity snickered to herself. It was quite fun showing up that boastful twit of a mare Trixie and it elated the fragment’s mood tenfold. Her face became serious, as she knew it was time to stop playing around and get something done, so she trotted off towards the royal palace. As she approached the main gate Creativity frowned. Two very large Pegasus stallions, wearing the traditional golden royal guard armor, stood between the outside city and the palace. Creativity pondered how she would be able to sneak through them without being noticed. The thought dawned on her: just walk right through! While she couldn’t impersonate Twilight and casually stroll through, thus alerting the Princess to her arrival, she could have the guards removed. Creativity trotted off to set her plan in motion. Creativity went behind a stallion, who was busy browsing a nearby shop, and stealthily nabbed his coin pouch. She then proceeded to walk over to yet another stallion siting on a bench.

“Excuse me sir, but it’s my first time in Canterlot and I’ve lost my way. Do you by any chance know how to get to the Pegasus Perch Hotel from here?” Creativity asked as she batted her eyelashes and tried to sound as innocent as possible.

“Why yes I do know!” The stallion smiled. “You just turn down the main road here, make a left turn once you make it to the second intersection, and it should be on your left after… oh, three blocks down.”

“Thank you so much! It’s been so hard trying to find my way around since arriving here; I’m bad with directions you see. Here’s a little something for your troubles, go on take it, I won’t take no for an answer you deserve it.” She handed him the stolen coin pouch and trotted off. The stallion looked at the coin pouch and smiled, what a nice mare, he thought. His thoughts were cut short when the pouch’s real owner spotted him holding the bag and he rushed over, shouting at the sitting stallion. The two argued a bit over the pouch’s ownership until the real owner finally threw a punch at the unsuspecting stallion. The hit stallion recomposed himself and angrily jumped onto his attacker and the two rolled around fighting.

Creativity rushed over to the palace guards with a terrified face. “Help! Two stallions are fighting in the courtyard over there! I-I think one of them might kill the other if they aren’t stopped! You have to help, please!” Creativity begged.

The two guards looked at each other. “Step aside ma’am, we’ll handle this.” And with that they rushed off to stop the fighting. Creativity simply grinned as she walked into the palace grounds undisturbed.

The palace gardens were just as magnificent in person as they had been in Twilight’s memories. Creativity pleasantly strolled through them, enjoying the sights as she trotted about. Her pleasant stroll was cut short, she started to notice this little trend, when she noticed a patrol of guards coming towards her. If that wasn’t bad enough, behind them walked Princess Celestia and her Guard Captain Shining Armor. Creativity trotted in place trying to think: she couldn’t go back the way she came because that was the way they were going and there was no effective place to hide in her current location. Creativity nervously looked about, positive that she could not impersonate Twilight well enough to fool the Princess or Twilight’s brother. As the group got even closer Creativity looked up and saw the palaces high walls and an idea popped into her head. She ran back the way she came to be less visible and teleported to the high walls. When she was safely on top of the wall she looked down and watched as the group passed. She let out a relieved sigh and proceeded to walk along the walls, determining that this was a safer route for now. Before she reached the first wall tower however she jumped as a voice came from behind.

“Hey! You by the tower! Wait just a second!”

Creativity didn’t hesitate as she spun around and shot magic from her horn, impaling the unfortunate guard patrolling the wall in the chest, lifting him over the side of the wall and holding him there. Instead of dropping him to his death as Creativity had planned however, she looked at the dangling royal guard in front of her. Unlike most guards, whose faces would be stone cold and unregretful that they had died in service to their princess, this guard was terrified and had tears streaming down his face. Creativity assumed that this guard was a new recruit, fresh meat that didn’t have the unshakable loyalty of a seasoned veteran. Creativity smiled, this could come in handy.

“I can see you don’t want to die.” She yelled over to the recruit. “That’s good because I don’t want to kill you. So here’s an idea, and please do try to be open-minded about this: you revoke all your loyalties to Celestia and Equestria and instead pledge yourself to me! I assure you serving me will have many benefits, join in the next five minutes and I can guarantee you won’t fall to your untimely and painful demise. So how about it?” Creativity smiled, knowing this was a win-win for her no matter what.

The guard looked about, first at Creativity, then down to the fall that would spell his death. Fear and a want of survival made the guard nervously nod a yes, prompting Creativity to pull him to safety. Dropping him on the floor she preceded to envelope the guard in a yellow aura, which sealed the gaping hole in his chest and created an intricate pattern around his neck. The guard’s frantic breathing steadied and he shakily sat up, turning his gaze to Creativity.

“Well, now that you’re not bleeding out it’s time for introductions! I am Creativity, a fragment of the psyche of Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic and Princess Celestia’s personal student, that was blown into consciousness by an experiment gone haywire. In public however you will refer to me as Ebony Spring, for obvious reasons. So, who are you my new assistant?” Creativity gave a reassuring smile to the still shaking guard, who found it oddly comforting.

“I-I’m Steadfast, one of Princess Celestia’s newest royal guards. T-thank you for not killing me…” He stumbled a bit, still afraid of the mare in front of him.

“Well I do need help in order for my plan to come to fruition so I thought, why the hell not?” Creativity laughed.

“Your-your plan?” Steadfast asked.

“Yes! You see I plan on having my dear sister fragment Logic gather up all the other fragments for me. Then I’ll defeat her and take over Twilight’s body when they try to repair her, it’ll be so fun.” Creativity began to daydream about her victory; Steadfast on the other hand was even more confused.

“You told me that rather quickly.” He questioned.

Creativity looked at him with half closed eyes. “Yeah, so?”

Steadfast shook his head. “It’s just I’m wondering why. You don’t know me and I work for the Princess, who will certainly not allow you to complete that plan of yours.”

“A good point.” Creativity laughed. “But you see: you don’t work for the Princess you work for me, that was our agreement with letting you live. That brings me to my second piece of business.” She pulled out a mirror from her dress (she had actually bought this item legitimately) and showed it to Steadfast, who gasped as he saw the magic inscription on his neck. “I have placed a runic pattern on your neck and the moment I desire to activate it… well, your head will be about ten miles away from your body. Understand?” Creativity smiled. Steadfast wanted to cry but was cut off by his new master. “Well now that we have the birds and the bees of our relationship settled, how about you show me to the palace maid’s dressing room? I’ll need to look the part if I’m to act like one.”

Steadfast blinked at her. “Did you have to describe our relationship like that?”

Creativity laughed. “Oh I can tell this is gonna be fun.”

Steadfast guided Creativity through the many twists and turns of the Canterlot palace, sweat dripping down his coat like a waterfall. If they were caught he could get court-marshaled for this. Even if he didn’t, Creativity might blow his head in the fighting to cover her escape or for a final last stand. Needless to say, this poor recruit had staved off multiple heart attacks by sear will alone.

Creativity, for her part in this silent walk, looked around at the decorations scattered everywhere in a tasteful fashion. She already knew most of where she was going, but was not afraid to admit she had no clue about more populated parts of the palace. Regardless, it seemed that all was going well, until a stallion turned the corner right in front of them. Steadfast had to grind the floor with his hooves to ensure he did not hit the stallion (Creativity was not as fortunate, ramming into Steadfast’s backside).

“Whoa there private! Lets not have an intersection collision shall we?” The stallion proposed.

Creativity pulled herself out of Steadfast’s rump and looked up at the one blocking their route. The stallion was tan and had a dark shade of brown for his mane and tail, both of which where very unkempt. He was thin and tall, very tall actually. He had to be able to look Princess Luna in the eye. His hooves bore armored boots of silver and his left shoulder blade carried an armor plate of the same color, other than that he work no other armor like most guards did. Creativity tried to get a look at his cutie mark, but there was none she could see. Steadfast response broke her from her inspection.

“S-s-sorry General Duncan, I-I was just showing this new maid to the d-dressing room… Sir.” Steadfast stated; his heartbeat was so quick it could perform its own sonic rainboom if it tried.

The General blinked for a few seconds and then laughed. “I see. Well private Steadfast I have to say it is refreshing to see you kindly showing this young mare to the maid’s quarters. Such manners… are you sure you’re a royal guard? You must have had them before because we all know it’s not Shining’s influence.” He chuckled after he finished his sentenced and looked at Creativity. “Hello there miss. Head General of the Equestrian Army Quickstep at your service.” He bowed respectfully to Creativity.

“Quickstep?” Creativity asked.

“Tis’ the name given to me young lass. Duncan is a hard earned nickname you see.” Duncan said while rising from his bow.

“Oh, I see. Well it was nice to meet you general sir but we must be off. I have to start work soon.” Creativity lied, trying to move this conversation along.

“Oh of course, of course.” Duncan smiled. “I be on my way then.” He walked past them and began to trot off, but stopped and turned to Steadfast. “Oh and Private? Please give my regards to Guard-Captain Armor when you see him alright?”

“With all due respect sir, I’d rather not get hit upside the head today.” Steadfast replied grimly.

Duncan stared at him with a blank expression and then burst out laughing. “Ha-ha! True, true Private. We wouldn’t want you hurt would we?” Duncan continued his walk down the hallway.

Steadfast turned to Creativity. “C’mon, lets go.” The two then continued down their route. Creativity was occupied by a new piece of knowledge that not even Twilight had ever known. Equestria has an army? She thought.

Duncan watched the two turn the corner and began to process his own new data. Hmmm… The recruit was nervous, poorly attempting to hide his heavy breathing, tried not to look at the maid, and was clearly frightened of meeting any other living thing. He pondered some more. The new maid for her part was unbearably calm, unlike every other new servant that comes here. She was scooping out the guard strength of the area and looking for constant escape routes. That can only mean one thing. Duncan let out a heavy sigh. “That kid wants to bone her so bad it’s disturbing. I bet that new girl sees right through him and is just being cautious.” Duncan shook his head. “That or she’s an evil bitch with an intricate plan revolving around creator knows what and she’s employed that poor kid by threatening to kill him.” Duncan’s head stooped low and he kept on walking. “I really hope it’s the first one… I don’t really feel like dealing with a disaster this week.”

Creativity was finally about to pull her head through the frilly maid outfit’s head opening. Looking down at her new apparel Creativity had to admit: Not as provocative as I thought it would be. She turned to the blue dress currently occupying the floor and picked it up with her magic, she’d had grown to like it a lot and decided to keep it for further use. She placed the dress next to the rest of her belongings in her locker. Creativity snapped out of her packing trance when she heard snickering from behind. She turned to see two upper-middle class mares trying to conceal laughter, rather poorly. When the two saw they had been discovered they decided to have their opinions heard.

“Nice dress newbie, where’d you get it?” The one on the left snickered.

“My guess is the garbage behind a bed sheet factory.” The right one chuckled.

Creativity leered at the two idiots in front of her. Instead of lashing out at them, however, she chuckled lightly and prepared her response. “Nice faces girls. I can tell you two take after your fathers real well.”

The maids gasped at this insult and stuck their snouts in the air, walking off. Creativity rolled her eyes and, completing her apparel requirements, walked out to meet Steadfast at the entrance to the non-commuting servant's quarters.

“Idiots.” Creativity exclaimed. “If I go bat-shit crazy one day and decide to kill everyone… they’ll be the first to go.”

Steadfast shook off this disturbing statement and began walking with his master. “So now what?” Creativity shot a look at him.

“Now? Now we sit back and go about our daily lives while Logic collects the other fragments. Between then and now however we will gather information. Steadfast, I want you to relay anything you hear about the guards to me, understood?” Steadfast nodded, not questioning whether Creativity could tell if he told somepony about her, he guessed the answer was yes.

The two stopped at a large door. “Good. Now is the time we separate. Be a good boy and act normal so no one thinks you’re crazy or a traitor. For my part I will not explode your head, fair deal?” Steadfast nodded again and the two left through the door.

Caught up in her plan as she was, Creativity was unable to notice the pony that had been watching them. She was just as oblivious when the pony disappeared into a lime green flash.

Spike had finally finished cleaning the library. He had a lot to think about since he had finished his talk with Logic. Creativity still rubbed him the wrong way, wish Rarity would rub me any way, popped into his mind and he began basking in a daydream, one that was cut short by a lime green flash. Twilight Sparkle now stood in the library. Her lime green cutie mark matched her eyes, which were moving around the room every second. It was not hard to tell she was using all her willpower to stop herself from picking up the nearest object and closely examining it. Logic came down from the second floor after seeing the bright flash and looked at her sister.

“There you are Curiosity. Have you any news for me? Any fragments in Canterlot right now?” Curiosity nodded and walked up to Logic and whispered in her ear. “I see… so that is where she went. Anything else?” Curiosity shook her head this time. “Very well. How unfortunate. Regardless, here is your payment as usual, do enjoy it.” Logic pulled some books to the table next to them. Curiosity’s tongue lolled out of her mouth in a heavy nerdgasm as she lifted the books and headed towards her room in the basement. Spike watched in worry as she left.

“Is it really wise to keep another fragment in here? I know she’s helped a lot but…” He didn’t know how to phrase it.

“It is fine Spike. Curiosity and I are about as twin sister as you can get in our situation. Besides, she will remain quite loyal as long as I provide her with enough things to sate her curious nature. Do try to have a little trust. Her information has resulted in more than half of our fourteen captures so far.” Spike nodded, Logic was right. Curiosity was an extreme help and he should be glad they have her. Logic began up the stairs again before looking down at Spike. “Oh and clear a table for me please? Rainbow Dash is coming over for me to examine her wing so I will need a clear area.”

Spike saluted and got to work clearing an area out. He began to worry for Princess Celestia and Twilight’s brother Shining Armor. He didn’t have to hear what Curiosity had to say to know what was up. His worry slightly faded as he thought about Logic and Twilight’s other friends. Watch out Creativity, one day we’ll take you down and get Twilight back. Spike smiled confidently as he worked.