Author's Notes:

By the title you can already guess what this chapter is based around, eh? Told you I was not teasing you all hahaha, everything in the story has a reason, either it would be to build up to something, or for the next event. Now, remember these words, what happens with the Crystal Heart will thoroughly be explained in the next chapter, I will not leave you hanging hahaha! Prepare for Pinkamena's endless rants, some sister rivalry, and some intense moments! Hope you enjoy this new chapter, sorry I took forever to post I had no wifi… whoops

Pinkamena sat in a circle with her sisters, sipping on a drink that Maud made herself along with snacks. Chrysalis had revealed herself, and they didn't have much of a reaction since Pinkamena had introduced her as a friend. The changeling seemed to fit right in, even cracking jokes and sharing a laugh with them as they all rekindled their family bond. It had been such a long time since she had talked to her sisters, almost too long, and she missed how easy it was to speak to them. Limestone always gave the truth even if it was hard, and was not afraid to express her opinions, while Marble was gentle and would always go the extra mile to help her sisters feel better. Maud was the one who was the deep thinker, processing everything and figuring out a solution, while Limestone practically exploded over everything like Pinkamena herself.

"So when I created Pinkie Pie, erased your memories and added ones that had her in them and when she took over, you regained them again?" Pinkamena asked as Chrysalis raided her bag of chips.

"Yeah as soon as your powers were given up, and Pinkie Pie took over your spell was broken... which I am still pissed about! How dare you sneak off without even saying goodbye, and then have the nerve to mess with our brains like that!" Limestone hissed, slapping Chrysalis away from her delicious pile of treasures.

The changeling arched her back and hissed like a feral cat, before plopping down next to Pinkamena while chewing on a salty potato chip. She didn't care that the group had stopped talking to look strangely at the queen, as the mare with no emotion broke the intense scowl on Limestone's face.

"Easy sis, Pinkamena did it to protect us. She told us from the beginning it was her fight, and she didn't want any pony she cared about to get damaged by the war." Maud said easily displaying her tone of calmness while blinking lazily and not even remotely showing any signs of expression.

"I could go to WAR, what, did you not think I was tough enough or something?" Limestone barked, pressing her angry hoof into Pinkamena's chest prodding her over, and over again like a little filly would do to anger their sibling.

Pinkamena's ear twitched, as Limestone laughed teasingly now bringing her hoof to her resting stomach. She yelped when her sister's hoof poked in-between her ribs, making a burst of Black Magic shoot from her hooves and slap her sister aside. Her muzzle was dragged through the dirt until her tail rested on her risen rump and a singed spot darkened on her bluish gray pelt.

"Limestone you know better than to poke Pinkamena in-between her ribs, remember last time you did it.." Marble said quietly trailing off while helping her dirt munching sister up.

Marble knew Limestone and Pinkamena were both hotheads, and usually fought often. Her sister that ran the farm often lost when it came to scuffling with the mare with Black Magic, but like the hardhead she was, it didn't stop her from butting-heads with her. Like any group of siblings, there was always two or even three that often fought more than the others, in this case, it was her angry sister Limestone and her stubborn older sister Pinkamena.

Pinkamena was laughing at all the dirt collected in Limestone's mouth before she was tackled by the brute. Of course, the one that had thousands of years of fighting experience ended up on top. Her left hoof was pressed into Limestone's stomach, while her back hooves stood against her sides. Pinkamena gave a childish grin, mischievously hanging over her sister as she struggled against her strength.

"You are just as annoying from eleven years ago, do you just always have to show off, Pinkamena?" Limestone said with her famous crabby tone.

"You know you love me," Pinkamena said touching Limestone's nose with a purr.

Limestone hit under the lingering stomach overtop of her own, as Pinkamena made a gut-wrenching grunt before being flipped over. Her sister was on top with a snarl before responding, "I know I love beating you... so I guess in a way I do."

Pinkamena laughed as she threw Limestone off of her softly, before pouncing on her and laying on top of her back while using her weight to pin her down. She struggled, but Pinkamena held her under her as she rested her entire body on the poor earth pony struggling to breathe before Pinkamena rested her head in her hooves. Limestone was a tough cookie, and she was not surprised she was the reason this place was still running, even though they got into many fights she still loved her sister and enjoyed them.

"Say isn't Rainbow Dash going to be back soon? Shouldn't I switch to being Pinkie Pie?" Pinkamena asked as Limestone started to whine and pound her hooves against the dirt from under her.

"There are no oats anywhere near her, I knew you might have wanted to talk so I sent her on a mission that she would never complete." Maud said with a straight face, looking at her sisters who seemed shocked.

"That's actually really smart, Maud." Chrysalis complemented, patting the mare on the back.

"It was Boulder's idea," Maud replied.

"Hey Pinkamena," Limestone giggled. She turned her head to where she could gaze into her pinned sister's eyes, as she flicked her tail so it would slap Limestone playfully in the mouth, which made her furious as she coughed and sputtered while continuing, "Have you hooked up with Shadowbound yet?"

Maud hid Marble's eyes reactively as Limestone started to laugh hysterically before a bright light enveloped just about the whole farm. With a giant boom the light died down, exposing a smoking Limestone sizzling on the dirt with a dazed expression and almost guaranteed to be seeing some stars at this moment. Her pelt seemed to be a different color making Maud slap Mable's mouth, it was the color of...

"That's a little dark even for you," Chrysalis said as her nose wrinkled in disgust.

Marble was intensely trying to stop herself from laughing as Maud shook her head with shame, while Limestone recovered. "What? Why are you all staring at me like that?"

Pinkamena stuck her nose up in the air as Limestone stuck out her hoof to examine herself. Her entire body was light brown, making a statement that even Derpy could understand. She was mortified, as she waved her hooves in the air angrily before glaring at a snickering Pinkamena who seemed to be very satisfied.

"Change my fur back at once! I swear to Celestia Pinkamena, I will glue your mane to your headboard!" Limestone threatened.

"Why? It seems very fitting for your personality." Pinkamena responded before they got into another quick scuffle. Maud put her head into her hoof, as Marble laughed with that sweet little giggle of hers.

Once Limestone had gripped Pinkamena's mane with her hoof, while tugging it hard and pulling at her skin, she had yielded and changed her fur back. Once the insults and rage calmed down, and every pony was eating their snacks again, they all returned back to their conversation, with both Maud and Chrysalis sitting in between them to avoid another squabble. That didn't stop the sisters from glaring at each other, wanting so badly to roll around in the dirt with each other to see who ended up the champion, but they calmed down eventually.

"Anyways I was ONLY asking, because being the helpful sister I am I was GOING to tell you how to nab the Crystal Heart. Now that I see how much of a jerk you are, I might have to get back at you later to even the score." Limestone said icily, poking her hoof in Pinkamena's direction.

Pinkamena grinned before her hoof lit up with more magic until Maud placed her hoof over hers and spoke, "No Pinkamena, be the bigger pony."

She pouted but obeyed before sighing, "Just tell me what I have to do to steal it."

Limestone seemed excited as she pouted maliciously to try and taunt Pinkamena, before continuing. "Alright, but I am not sure you can handle it. You may be one of the strongest mares around, but this sort of stuff is something you aren't strong with... you can't go around smashing things this time, and actually I am ecstatic to see your reaction to this."

Maud squinted, "Limestone you need to just tell us."

She shrugged, her lime green eyes locking deep within Pinkamena's with a provoking grin, "Don't say I didn't warn you Pinkamena! Also, if you zap me with your crack magic-"

"Black Magic!" Pinkamena shouted, giving into her taunt.

"-Whatever it is, you'll be sorry. Anyways, as you all know the Crystal Heart is powered by love right?"

"I am well aware," Chrysalis said grudgingly, remembering Shining Armor and Cadance.

Limestone smirked, "Do you all have any idea how to deactivate the Crystal Heart? No? Pinkamena put your hoof down, I just said you couldn't solve this by smashing THINGS!"

Pinkamena slapped her hoof on the ground in disappointment, before Maud spoke up, "I am assuming some special magic has to be used to remove it from its pedestal?"

Limestone laughed, "Nope WRONG! Shining Armor and Princess Cadance put a combined spell on the Crystal Heart so it could only be removed by them... do you know why?"

"To keep her away from the baby, and Sombra from his kingdom," Pinkamena said pointing towards Chrysalis who fluttered her wings in surprise.

"Sort of, it is so that no mere pony, or any powerful deity, can remove the Crystal Heart. Only the rulers Shining Armor and his wife can remove it. They put a spell on it that made it so...." Limestone trailed off, staring dead straight at Pinkamena who put her hoof up in confusion. Limestone let the dramatic pause sink in, until she continued, "So that only soulmates could possibly remove it... and the only soulmates proven to be connected are Princess Cadance and Shining Armor."

Limestone watched as the steam boiled out of Pinkamena's ears while Maud shook her head and spoke, "Here we go again."

Chrysalis cowered beneath the rage building fast from her friend, "Oh dear."

Marble hid behind Limestone who's grin was growing bigger before the shy mare spoke, "Now you've done it."

Pinkamena shot out what seemed to be green lighting as she poked a hoof at Limestone with a shrieking and cracking voice, "Soulmates don't exist, and YOU know it!"

Limestone was eating this entire thing up, as she waved her hoof with a yawn, "Yes they do."

"I have scientific evidence that this is NOT possible, they don't exist and they NEVER WILL! Love is just a stupid feeling in which stupid ponies go all crazy over a hormone that is just used to create sexual desire, between two ponies that don't understand their emotions!"

Maud shook her head, "Look what you did Limestone, you know how she feels about this."

Limestone laughed as Pinkamena continued to rant over her words, "Yeah I know, and it's never not funny to watch."

"Look here, if we were to count up all the mares and stallions in Equestria we would have a few billion. Now according to actual lore, soulmates are selected at birth and said to have a connection that cannot be tied to any other pony and I call Minotaur CRAP! I have seen ponies CALL many others their soulmates, but they break up and marry some pony else... how could you EVEN begin to recognize your soulmate, when there are billions of ponies out there, how can you prove one certain one is your soulmate? Let's just say they are real hypothetically speaking, the probability of meeting them is way too low because of the millions of ponies wandering the crust of the EARTH."

"Okay Pinkamena take a deep breath-" Marble was cut off.

"Let's just say some random mare falls in love, their estrogen skyrockets giving them what seems to be a 'drunken' influence to where they feel sick over the one they fell for. THIS sisters, is what causes the false accusation of this stupid 'soulmate' business, they feel like they have that 'connection' that they will never feel this way towards any pony else but it's just hormones children, they mess with your head! Stallions have this same effect and when both of them feel this way BOOM disaster! Also, another scientific reason why this is inaccurate is because look at nature, rarely any animals show signs of monogamy! Even though ninety percent of birds have this, only three percent of mammals practice the same mating ritual! Last time I checked we are mammals, not BIRDS!"

Limestone continued laughing at Pinkamena's rant, as Chrysalis gently stroked the back of Pinkamena's head to soothe her, "Pinkamena dear, just relax you are wheezing from talking so much, and veins are popping out of your-"

"I AM NOT DONE!" Pinkamena screamed, before continuing, "love is a chemical reaction, and it only takes a fifth of a second for the mind to decide the body is head over heels. This can be repeated dozens of times over the lifespan of ponies, giving them the impression that they are in love, or soulmates, repeating this process until they just settle with some pony eventually. The brain releases dopamine, adrenaline, oxytocin, and vasopressin to name a few when this process takes place but can easily be stopped when they don't like the pony they are with anymore. Love is overrated, soulmates don't exist, it's the brain that activates these feelings, not the dumb muscle that you ALL think runs this love show, aka the HEART."

The enraged mare took a deep breath, panting heavily as her body shook with fury. Maud was calmly chewing on a potato chip, watching the entire show go down for the hundredth time in their lifetime. Limestone was still cracking up, rolling on the ground and banging her hooves on the dirt, while Marble hid behind Chrysalis. The queen bit her lip while looking at Pinkamena's wild eyes, and her bulging veins, as her hooves cracked the ground underneath her.

"In conclusion," Pinkamena said, as Marble groaned before she continued, "Love is stupid, and you're stupid!"

Limestone was producing tears, as she hugged her ribcage in an attempt to stop her laughing fits. She finally calmed down and was able to speak a little clearer as she gasped for air, "Wow Pinkamena that was hilarious, but they still exist regardless of your massive temper tantrum while ranting."

"Take cover," Maud said emotionlessly as Marble hit behind her fearfully.

"Okay FINE, name one source... just ONE that proves that soulmates exist! There are none, haha! NONE! You can search high and low all throughout Equestria, but not one scroll, book, or stupid glass stain window in Canterlot will prove it!" Pinkamena yelled, wind from her rising magic blowing back the manes of her sisters.

Limestone wiggled her eyebrows, before calmly answering, "The Crystal Heart proves it."

"I am going to STRANGLE you, come HERE!" Pinkamena yelled as Maud jumped up to stop the enraged mare from wringing out the laughing Limestone's throat. Marble and Maud held her back, as she reached her hoof out to her mocking sister that bounded out of reach, while Chrysalis took this moment to steal every pony's snacks and taking advantage of the chaos.

"Even if you decide to go over there and rant to the Crystal Heart about how it's protection against thieves is lame, it still won't change the fact that you cannot steal it, right?" Limestone said as Pinkamena was finally being repelled because of her sisters gently stroking her mane and whispering things like, she's not worth it, into her ear.

"I will just go there and rip it straight out of its place, I dare the Crystal Empire to try and stop me!" Pinkamena said, apparently not aware her rage was making her not think correctly.

Limestone sat on a rock, as she tisked, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Your whole point of disguising yourself as Pinkie Pie was so you didn't get caught, right? If you try and steal the Crystal Heart in any other way than what the spell allowed, you will get trapped in crystals that repel magic, before alerting everyone in the empire of your actions. I would assume they would tell Celestia as well, and your whole plan would be ruined."

Her sister's warning made her calm down a little, she was right after all. Her entire plan was to make sure Celestia didn't find out who she was and what the plan entailed. The crystals making up the Crystal Empire were very powerful, some able to disable magic for a period of time, and if that were to happen not only would her disguise be destroyed, she would be helpless!

"What can we do?" Marble asked worriedly, as Limestone approached Pinkamena and the others.

"Simple, we find soulmates to break the spell and switch out the Crystal Heart to where the empire doesn't even know it's missing."

Maud blinked slowly, "I don't know if you heard Pinkamena's rant or not, but wouldn't finding soulmates be... I don't know.. really hard, since there are billions of ponies out there. She also stated there was no possible way to not know if the connection was true or not, and a lot of ponies would argue their partner is their soulmate.. so we have no way of knowing if it is true."

"They aren't REAAAAL," Pinkamena hissed, slowly dragging her voice to emphasize her point.

Limestone took Pinkamena's face in her hooves before pressing her nose against hers, "It will be easy because I already found a pair of soulmates... it was like obvious from the start."

"If you say Shadowbound and me, I will personally feed you to Lucifer."

Limestone dropped Pinkamena, making her fall flat on her face before she responded, "Nah I know your feelings Pinkamena, you are definitely not who I had in mind. You may not feel like soulmates are real, but I know one pony who could fit the description per se."

"Umm... who?" Marble asked with a little blush.

"Not you and Big Mac," Limestone snapped, as Marble frowned and pawed at the ground. Limestone quickly resumed staring at the group, "What if Rainbow Dash had a soulmate."

There was silence.

Pinkamena burst out laughing along with the rest of the group, as Chrysalis spoke with tears streaming from her eyes. "That was probably the funniest joke I have ever heard, Rainbow Dash... having a soulmate? Never!"

Maud's laughter was dry as she spoke, "She seems a little too proud to even have feelings let alone have a soulmate."

"I am sorry Limestone, but that is ridiculous... I mean, I still love you... and I am sorry, but I just can't see that happening." Marble said while hanging onto Pinkamena with little snorts of laughter.

"Ugh you guys are as clueless as ever, didn't you see the signs?" Limestone said, walking around and slapping the heads of the laughing mares, hard.

They all yelled out in pain as Pinkamena dried her eyes, "What signs? You mean all the signs of Rainbow Dash being an arrogant, shallow mare with an ego as big as Cloudsdale, that prides herself in doing things alone? She wouldn't notice any other pony other than her own reflection, oh wait! Her soulmate could be herself!"

Even Maud laughed a little harder, as Limestone growled. She was blushing angrily before yelling at her sisters, "No, no, no! Listen, there is a pony that could possibly be her soulmate!"

"Who? Soarin?" Chrysalis wheezed as the entire group fell into hysterical laughter once more.

"QUIT IT!" Limestone yelled, so loudly her voice echoed over the rock farm. They silenced themselves, as the annoyed sister perched herself on her rock overlooking the mares below her. "Listen, it may seem like a stretch, but we all know of one mare who is totally obsessed with Rainbow Dash."

"Please don't say Scootaloo, that would make Rainbow a filly predator..." Marble said in a low whisper.

"Wait, what? No Marble, I am talking about Pinkie Pie!" Limestone said, throwing her hoof in Pinkamena's direction.

Pinkamena was scratching her ear, not paying any attention before lifting up her eyes to meet every other mare's expressions. "What? Sorry, I was thinking of what Limestone would look like with her brown fur again."

Limestone ignored her, "Think about it! Pinkie Pie has always been obsessed with Rainbow Dash, and she has never missed a Wonderbolt performance, even got her key to defeat Tirek because of Rainbow Dash, and Dash chose her over Gilda, her closet most relatable friend from Junior Speedsters Flight Camp!"

"Yes, but those things don't exactly prove anything Limestone," Chrysalis said.

"Plus Pinkie Pie goes to every pony's events, Twilight's meetings, Applejack's family reunions, Fluttershy's animal shenanigans, Rarity's fashion shows, doesn't matter... Pinkie Pie is always there." Pinkamena stated as Limestone slapped her forehead.

"You don't see it guys, how come Pinkie Pie got so upset when Rainbow Dash didn't like her pies? Huh? Huh? I can name several ponies that don't like her pies, she was upset for a little bit but then got over it... and even I don't even like her pies! But she lost it when her Dashie didn't like them!"

Maud put up her hoof, "In her defense, Rainbow Dash was lying. It was not necessarily her not liking the pies that made her upset, it was the lies and the cover-up of it all."

"Alright fine, tell me with a straight face that she is more touchy-feely with any other pony expect Rainbow Dash." Limestone challenged, and that seemed to get the group.

Pinkamena thought and thought, but nothing seemed to come up. She was definitely the huggable type, but she seemed to have an obsession with throwing herself onto Rainbow Dash at the most bizarre times. Hanging from her neck, climbing on her back, messing with her face, going out of her way to keep up with her even though Rainbow tried to outrun her.

"Yeah, looks like I got you there! Also, who was the ONLY one to see Pinkie Pie snap for the first time ever? Who did she allow to see her break?" Limestone said.

"She does have a point, she only shows that side to Pinkamena. She likes to keep that part of her contained, not wanting any pony to see her even though she couldn't hold it back during that musical instrument faze." Maud said as Limestone nodded in her direction.

"Exactly, there is a connection between them, and I can bet it's soulmate material you just WATCH!" Limestone said, dramatically holding her head up high as Pinkamena scoffed.

"Well, I can BET otherwise, even go so far as to say there is NOTHING between them at all. No romantic feelings, zero, zip, nada!" The mare with the grudge against love said.

"Really now?" Limestone asked, hopping down from her rock and approaching Pinkamena who gave her an un-amused look. "Are you willing to make a Rock Bet?"

"Guys come on..." Marble said softly.

"What's a Rock Bet?" Chrysalis asked.

"Like Pinkie has Pinkie Promises, Limestone makes bets with others called Rock Bets. It is a metaphor saying what they agree on is set in stone and cannot be changed, no returns, no backouts, it has really ruined a lot of good nights." Maud said with her flat voice, as the changeling brought her gaze back to the two mares.

"Alright then Pinkamena, if you can prove that Rainbow Dash has NO feelings at all.. you win, and I have to shave off my mane." Limestone said immaturely, as Pinkamena's eyes sparkled with interest before continuing. "But if she shows any signs of romantic feelings, that are clearer then daylight you lose. I mean it, she has to have no feelings and interact with only friendship actions, and when you lose-"

"When YOU lose," Pinkamena corrected.

"-If you lose, you have to listen to me and go with my plan to steal the Crystal Heart. You also have to let us in on whatever war you are wanting to fight."

"She's not going to agree to that-" Marble was cut off again.

"Deal." Pinkamena said mockingly, as they shook.

"I stand corrected.." Marble whispered.

"Pffft, you are going to lose so bad! You might want to just go ahead and get started shaving that mane off Limebone!" Pinkamena said with a childish snort, as Limestone stepped on her hoof angrily.

"Don't call me LIMEBONE! You-"

Pinkamena wagged her tail like Applejack's pet, while pressing her hoof against her sister's mouth. "Why? I see you chasing down those bones like a dog! Woof, woof! Explains why you are such a love believer even though you've never actually had a stallion or any lover at all!"

"Actually Maud was the only one out of all of us to get a coltfriend," Marble squeaked, as her two sisters fought once more clawing at each other in an attempt to make the other wave the white flag.

"I'll go get Rainbow Dash," Maud said slowly, as she gently got up and walked away from her screaming sisters.

While Pinkamena was kicking Limestone off of her, she started to think. How would she prove Rainbow Dash had no feelings with Pinkie Pie anyway? Perhaps she could just ask right on out, and get the answer from her that way? No, if she really had feelings, which she didn't, but theoretically if she did, her personality would quickly try to deny it. If she did deny it Limestone would jump on the wagon and say that was proof she did like her so she would lose either way. Especially since Rainbow was known for stammering and thinking up of weird excuses to get out of embarrassing situations, which Limestone would milk for all it was worth.

Perhaps if she were to.... you know..

Flirt a little, bat her eyelashes, be playful but distant to where it was not enough to seem like flirting but enough of a hook to where if it were Rainbow Dash would catch on. She meant catch on as like wanting to play back, and if Rainbow Dash did like Pinkie Pie even a little... she would show at least some signs of being attracted, or in some fantasy with a miracle, respond positively. Limestone was sitting on her spine, as she tapped her hoof ignoring her sister's hoof pressing into her skull, she didn't know much about flirting... but she knew enough to pass with at least an A- at least.

Pinkamena bucked Limestone off before speaking, "Alright. I am going to be a little flirtatious, and you will see how selfish and self-absorbed she is. I doubt she will even pick up on my signals, she will either notice them and completely throw me into the dirt or be so oblivious she will just barrel right past them. Either way, she's a jerk, and she would never in one world or another, ever have feelings for a pony! Because love is stupid and it sure as heck isn't a trait Rainbow could ever possess!"

Limestone burst out laughing, "You? Flirt? Aha, I wouldn't miss this for the world!"

Pinkamena rolled her eyes, "I can flirt, it isn't that hard!"

"Oooh, flirting you say? I can give you some tips Pinkamena!" Chrysalis yelled, trotting over to her friend and putting a hoof around her shoulders.

"Chrysalis I am fine, thanks though for the-"

She was interrupted as the queen lowered her voice, "When you are unsure remember this quote: When in doubt whip it out."

"What does that even mean?" Pinkamena laughed, as the changeling gave her a serious look.

Chrysalis leaned close, her nose inches away from Pinkamena's with a dead serious tone. "Throw her down, show the crown, fun all around."

Marble was blushing furiously as Pinkamena cocked her head, "I don't... really know what you are talking about."

She pushed passed the changeling who seemed to be winking at her, which bothered the mare immensely. Pinkamena shook her head, what the heck was Chrysalis getting at? She didn't have a crown on her head like her, how could she show a crown if she didn't have one? Pinkamena dragged her hoof in the ground, whip it out what did that even mean? How was that relevant to any of this? The confused pony was trailing out towards where Maud would enter with Rainbow Dash and away from the group, while she tried to piece together Chrysalis's puzzle. When in doubt... whip it out? Push her down, show the crown... wait a MINUTE!

"Oh my God, that is disgusting!" Pinkamena yelled, so loudly that apparently, it reached the queen's ears. She heard Chrysalis and Limestone laughing so hard she could almost swear their voices would blow out.

What animals, that was not what she meant by flirting!

Her hooves suddenly stamped the ground in a little temper tantrum, as her green magic seeped under her legs and into the dirt. There was no reason to get upset, she knew she was right, and Limestone was completely wrong! She was going to win, and even though flirting was not her strong suit, and it was degrading... a lot, she would still brush it off so she could shove her victory in her sister's face! A bald Limestone would make a happy Pinkamena, and she couldn't wait to take pictures, prance throughout Ponyville, and perhaps even throw a Pinkie Pie party about it.

Speaking of Pinkie Pie.. she should probably change back.

In seconds Pinkie Pie's frilly pink mane bounced along her neck, as her legs picked up a prance that only Pinkie Pie could pull off. Her eyes reflected the sunniest and most clear skies, as her coat brought an unlikely color to this boring farm to help cure the eyesore. She twitched her tail, and the soft collection of fur hit her flank while she took deep breaths to calm her rapid heartbeat. Why was she nervous? Rainbow Dash didn't like Pinkie Pie, she pretty much would bet her life on it, and she wouldn't lose... she never loses!

She was prideful and opinionated, probably because she seemed to have a thing for showing ponies up. It was just so satisfying seeing Limestone get utterly destroyed with facts, or beating down Tirek who was a cocky moron, or really knocking any pony off their high pedestal. That was precisely why Rainbow Dash wouldn't like any pony, she was bumptious, and it was irritating, always strutting around like she owned everything. Ugh, and then Limestone had been daring enough to say Pinkie Pie fit the bill to be her lover. HA, even thinking about it just rubbed her the wrong way and burned like some pony had lit a fire under her rump!

Pinkie Pie was kind, and selfless whereas Rainbow Dash was conceited and only looked after herself... even going so far as to cheat when she didn't get her way. Sure she represented loyalty, but really if Pinkamena were to be honest, she seemed like she would trample other ponies in order to come out on top. If any pony had a high pedestal, it was definitely Rainbow Dash, and one day Pinkamena would knock her right off of it and onto her plot!

Oooh, if she could just get her hooves on that lazy little-

"Hey Pinkie Pie," a familiar scratchy voice greeted.

Son of a gun!

Rainbow Dash landed gently onto the ground in front of Pinkamena, so softly, in fact, she hardly even heard her hooves touch the ground. Why did she land so... quietly? Her wings folded back, as her mane ruffled in the distant breeze that seemed to only flow around the farm. Her eyes were bright, with a friendly smile pulling at her lips as Pinkamena grumbled mentally preparing for the most insulting thing she would ever do.

Just to make it clear to Limestone, Pinkamena never did this, and it will not happen again! She was a strong independent mare, and she was flirting to make a point. It seemed a little wrong to be messing with Rainbow's feelings like this, even though she didn't have any romantic thoughts towards Pinkie. She was sure it felt just as awkward for Pinkamena to be disguised as a different pony trying to reveal a mare's love interest, as much as Rainbow going through this.

"Hey, Dashie!" Pinkamena greeted, but instead of throwing herself into a hug she resisted. The surprised look in Rainbow Dash's eyes was enough to understand she was questioning as to why she didn't do it. "I have some super duper fun things planned during our stay here on the rock farm! Wanna go exploring?"

"Sure Pinks, whatever you want to do sounds good to me!" The Pegasus replied while Pinkamena turned around quickly to hide her devious grin.

Rainbow trailed behind, as Pinkamena flicked her tail to where it gently brushed against the stunned and confused friend of hers. She seemed confused with the sudden movement, but Pinkamena didn't give her a chance to question it as she lead the way making sure to be in front.

Pinkamena felt almost static from Rainbow Dash since she was following so close behind, alright, guess she needed to throw in a little more diva. A little bit of a swing in her step, just a little, following the guidance of Rarity and adding some grace to her walk. Her tail perked itself up, showing some confidence as her hips swayed just enough to where her figure could be seen a little more... clearly.

She could hear a little bit of a stumble behind her, oh yeah, Rainbow Dash notices it. It was not enough to where it was obvious, but she felt her gaze making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She knew that the Pegasus was sneaking a peek, how could you not? Pinkamena was the master, and she has now hooked her prey easily making her walk hypnotic as she felt Rainbow's breath pick up, and her hot breath tickling her from behind. Ha, she was so lost and didn't know what to do... just had to reel her in, just a little more, and then Dash would reject her affections just like the ruthless pony she was OUCH!

Pinkamena broke character for just a split minute, as a rock lodged itself in her injured hoof. Celestia's PLOT, oh this hurt so bad! Her grace and elegance were shattered, as she tumbled to the ground crying out in severe agony. Her screams caused Rainbow Dash to run to her aid, as Pinkamena kicked and pried out the little pebble that separated the large cracks in her injured hoof. Once the little stone was freed, her breaths became calm once more as she ignored Rainbow trying to ask her what was wrong.

"I'm fine Dashie," Pinkamena said in ragged breaths, as she prevented tears from gathering. Wow, the pain she just felt was like she had touched a hot oven, pain radiating throughout her entire body. Flesh burning needles seemed to be still poking around her exposed skin, as her poor throbbing hoof almost made her black out. Stupid lightning, it completely split her hoof in half, racking jolts of immeasurable torture nearly every time she walked.

"I knew something was wrong with your hoof, you are still hiding something!" Rainbow Dash accused, standing over Pinkamena and clutching her ribcage with the sides of her hooves.

Pinkamena squinted, giving Rainbow a roguish smile. It seemed to catch her off guard, as Pinkamena wiggled herself free of Dash's grip. "You've gotta catch me first Dashie, I am not that easy."

Pinkie Pie's beloved Dashie staggered but soon realized Pinkamena was serious. The recently injured mare's opponent picked up speed, but Pinkamena honestly was not trying to outrun her. Rainbow Dash tried to tackle her, but she merely dodged her grasp playfully winking at her before the Pegasus crashed into a bush unable to sharply turn. Pinkamena bounced happily, while she heard a growl of frustration, she decided to stay in one spot just as Rainbow Dash came shooting out from the leaves while ramming into her.

They both rolled on the ground before Pinkamena was pinned rather fiercely to the dirt. Her enemy seemed a little flustered, as she clenched her teeth angrily, "Stop playing games with me Pinkie Pie, I know you stopped the lightning! You can't overpower me, and I will just hold you here all day until you tell me the truth!"

She seems serious, Pinkamena thought. She met the angry and huffing Pegasus's gaze above her with one that confused her. Pinkamena lowered her eyelids, with a slight smile tugging at her lips, before carefully placing her hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder gently. The Wonderbolt seemed really confused at this point before she started to raise her head towards Dash to where her lips met her ear.

Rainbow Dash seemed to think she was about to tell her what was going on, but that was not what was happening. With one solid movement, Rainbow Dash was flipped as she watched bewildered while her best friend Pinkie Pie overpowered her and now stood grinning on top. She didn't even have the strength to fight back for her pride, as she was completely and utterly shocked that she was so easily swept off her hooves!

Pinkamena lightly placed her injured hoof on Rainbow Dash's chest, as her stomach hovered over the blue pony's exposed body. She gave Rainbow a hinted flirtatious smile, hidden just enough to pass as a natural smile of mischief, as her friend made an expression as if she was heavily taken aback.

"You seem surprised Dashie, did you not think I could flip you over?" Pinkamena giggled, as Rainbow Dash struggled to find words.

"How... what? This can't be real, I couldn't ever be..."

"Hee-hee I am full of surprises, that's why it's so fun to be around me!" Pinkamena said sportively while putting a little pressure on her prisoner's chest.

"Your... strength, I can't even move! Seriously Pinkie Pie, what is going on!" Rainbow Dash said, as her wings flopped on the ground uselessly. Pinkamena kept her pinned, as she locked eyes with her foe intensely staring her down and making every muscle in her body freeze.

"Well.." Pinkamena hummed, gently bringing her hoof down Rainbow's chest. She could feel the poor Pegasus swallow very, very hard, as her hoof kept inching down until it started to run over her soft stomach. "It would be very boring if you were to learn all my secrets wouldn't it? Silly, I have to have some or our time together wouldn't be as... exciting."

Before her hoof could go any lower, she stopped her torment allowing her body to back off of the sprawled pony under her. Rainbow Dash's face was really, really... red. She didn't even get up, just stared off into space her chest rising and falling, making Pinkamena a bit nervous. Suddenly she seemed to shake herself out of whatever spell she was under, and picked herself up before glaring a bit harshly at Pinkamena.

"No, it wouldn't be exciting Pinkie Pie! I want to know what is going on right now, or I will..." Rainbow Dash trailed off as she thought of something she could do.

Her wings were ruffled from stress, as sweat started to trickle down her forehead. Pinkamena swopped in with an opportunity for some physical contact, since this was the last phase. Rainbow Dash had no reactions that proved she was into Pinkie Pie, just results that showed she was uncomfortable. One thing a pony could not deny, was sensations if the one they were into were to touch them, and that was exactly what she was going to do to drive her point home.

Rainbow Dash didn't have feelings, and this would one hundred percent prove it!

Rainbow was looking towards the ground, seemingly scolding herself, as Pinkamena snuck behind her. She pressed her hoof against Dash's back, and with a gentle push, she fell right on her chin. She made a cry of alarm and surprise, but before she could come up, Pinkamena was laying on her back.

"Jee-whizz Dashie, when was the last time you preened yourself? You've got some dead feathers, bent feathers, and ones that aren't even blue, after that whole thingie with the lighting you'd think you would be taking better care of them!"

Rainbow Dash seemed really uncomfortable, as she tried to desperately slither out from under Pinkamena, "I-I am fine, please don't touch them... I am serious Pinkie Pie!"

"Relax, I know how to take care of wings! I used to help Fluttershy all the time, and her little baby birds! Even Pound Cake needs to be preened at some point!"

The Pegasus squirmed, almost in fear as Pinkamena continued to trap her against the ground. Rainbow's face was out of her vision as she started to bring her mouth down towards the mess of feathers, she found one that was dead at the root and plucked it right on out. She felt her partner relax, but hold her breath, as she gently ran her hoof along the sensitive feathers that made up her powerful wings. She saw Rainbow Dash's hoof slide under her stomach, almost as if clutching the dirt as she continued to preen her friend.

At some points just for kicks, she let her tongue skim the feather before pulling it out. That usually made Rainbow Dash jerk, which almost made Pinkamena's heart stop, but she just assumed it was because it felt weird. Ha ha, Limestone was going to eat her words, this was an extremely intimate business, and she has not shown anything so far! Once this was over, she couldn't wait to eat some snacks and watch her sister's mane fall to the ground. Her warm breath coming from her nose blew the feathers apart, as she searched for another one to get rid of.

She was making it as intimate as she could, which was completely wrong of her... but she had to win the bet! She brought her nose down to where her tendons sprouted new feathers, brushing her muzzle against the soft skin as she felt Rainbow Dash stiffen under her. She held her down firmly when she started to get a little antsy making her wings flap furiously as if she were trying to zip right on off into the sky!

"Dashie, hold still! I am trying to get this one feather-"

"Pinkie Pie, let me go! I am not kidding, I seriously need you to stop!"

Pinkamena cocked her head. "Alright.. if they hurt that bad, next time let your wings heal a little before flying. After what you went through, they will need way more preening then usual. Hope you get better Dashie." With one final farewell, just to seal the victory without a shadow of a doubt, she leaned in and gave a little angel kiss right on the edge of her humerus bone.

Rainbow Dash made a squeal of fear, and suddenly her wings just jerked upwards with a swoop. Pinkamena's mouth dropped open, noticing her straightened feathers, her posture, and the stiffness in her muscles. They were as solid as a board, unmovable, unable to bend, as the pegasus tried to bury her face in the dirt. Pinkamena nudged one of them in shock, powerless to hide her expression while the wing didn't budge. They were as sturdy as a cave wall, the feathers almost able to poke through just about anything, as Pinkamena fell back.

Rainbow Dash ran off, fleeing the scene without saying a word once Pinkamena's weight was lifted. She was dazed, her mind drawing a blank... she... she..! Laughter soon filled her head, as a bush nearby morphed into the shape of her friend Chrysalis, as Limestone stumbled out behind her. Her sister was cackling, pointing a hoof at poor Pinkamena who was sitting on her rump with her ears flattened in horror. She... lost... completely! Her entire theory just went up in smoke, all of it, poof gone!

"Well that just about clears up suspicion doesn't it Mena?" Limestone said, nudging the stiff and unmoving body of her sister as she stared off into nothing.

"She... got a wi… wing... a wing..."

"Yep, guess she feels a little something there after all! Gotta say, your acting was pretty spot on! Enough to make you crash and burn, thanks for my easy win!" Limestone laughed, slapping the dirt as she hung onto Pinkamena's shoulder while cheering and yelling to declare her victory.

"I... I..." Pinkamena stuttered, as her vision started to become doubled. She wobbled, her head swaying as her body suddenly dropped onto the ground. Her eyes slowly closed leaving the last thing to pass through her hearing only but a dull thump.

"Dearest Pinkamena, it is time for you to awaken. Our mission cannot go on without your assistance."

Pinkamena groaned, her legs twitching as she felt something moving beneath her. A steady vibration humming under her resting stomach, along with a soft whistle and rolling wheels could be picked up from her recovering senses as she came through. Her eyes slowly opened, as her vision became unblurred to where she could see a smiling blue face beaming at her and gently patting her cheek.

"There you go, easy now. I assume your emotions caused your Black Magic to overtake your body, forcing you into an unconscious state where you were unaware quite some time."

"She means you fainted if you could catch it dipstick."

Limestone...? Ugh, and Luna...? Pinkamena groaned, sitting herself up before her vision finally cleared to where she could see Maud, Marble, and Limestone all peering down at her. Maud seemed to be stroking a very well chiseled rock, in the shape of what looked to be a heart, while Marble brought over some water. Limestone was grinning as Luna used her magic to steady the wobbling Pinkamena, to where she could sit without falling over.

"Ugh, my head!" Pinkamena mumbled as the Alicorn snuggled her against her side. Her large wings caressed her side gently, as she rested her head on the princess's shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell us you had a princess ally? You also managed to befriend Tirek, and Chrysalis too? Wow, this is going to be very fun!" Limestone smirked, as Luna patted Pinkamena's mane affectionately.

"Chrysalis was kind enough to inform me on the situation, stealing the Crystal Heart will be very difficult indeed." Luna said, as she nodded towards Gummy who grinned with a wink.

"How long was I out? Ten minutes?" Pinkamena said rubbing her eyes tiredly, as Marble giggled.

"Four hours," she responded.

"Fantastic, anything else I need to know? Like why we are on a train!" Pinkamena shouted, before her head stung with the reminder of her throbbing headache.

"Because idiot, we are going with my plan. Remember you promised to let me lead if I won the bet, no matter how ridiculous it sounds to you." Limestone said.

"Limestone asked me to carve a fake Crystal Heart to replace the real one," Maud added, as she tapped the hard surface with her hoof. Pinkamena had to admit, she did a great job! The crystal was polished, not an inch of it seemed out of place, while it reflected everything around it. The smoothness was professional, hoof-made with chiseled dents all around to where Pinkamena could admit that she would be fooled into thinking it was the real deal!

"Then what's the plan?" Pinkamena asked, rubbing her face to wake up her groggy body.

"Well at this moment we are arriving into the Crystal Empire, I have risen the moon and will cast a spell to lull the guards into a heavy slumber. I am afraid that not all of them will submit to it, a few still remain at their post and have resisted my magic." Luna reported, as her wing balanced Pinkamena while the train jerked.

Limestone side-hugged Marble, "That's the easy part, getting rid of the guards. Luna can put the entire kingdom to sleep without them knowing it, but the ones who resist we will have to get rid of. The plan goes as followed, Marble and Maud will sneak the fake Crystal Heart into the empire with Chrysalis using her magic to conceal them. Rainbow Dash and Pinkamena will head to the center of the Crystal Empire where the heart is displayed, and all they have to do is simply touch it. The hard part will be replacing it, and sneaking it out."

"Wait, you told Rainbow Dash about this?" Pinkamena asked.

"No of course not, Rainbow Dash thinks this is another adventure. We found her staring at her reflection by a lake, and told her you knocked yourself out by running into a boulder... she seemed to have believed it. She is in another train car, and she was very upset she was not invited to sit by us." The hissing but friendly voice of Pinkie Pie's pet alligator spoke, as he nuzzled his way by Pinkamena's side.

"So I am assuming I have to lead her to the heart of the empire, without bringing attention to ourselves?" Pinkamena asked with a bit of a cringe.

"Yep, but I would just challenge her to be quiet or something... make fun of her, something to get her wanting to prove you wrong. Try not to let her catch on-" Limestone stopped as the train started to slow down, making the group stare at the train station, "That's all we have for you right now Pinkamena, we basically had four hours to discuss this plan."

"But... but I was unconscious! This isn't enough information!"

The group started to split, as Maud and Marble went with Chrysalis suddenly disappearing into thin air. Luna flew out of the train probably the prepare the spell to put the entire empire to sleep, as Limestone followed her. Pinkamena watched as her sister gave her a reassuring smile, before bounding after Luna with them both sharing a mischievous giggle.

Pinkamena walked out of the train car, flattening her ears and thinking up of a plan. How would she get Rainbow Dash to touch the heart without making it seem suspicious? She didn't get an answer, before she felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned around to see Rainbow Dash offering her a soft offering of cotton candy.

"I thought this might make you feel a little better, are you okay Pinkie?" she said strangely in a whisper. Rainbow Dash looked like she was hiding behind her offering, as Pinkamena took it and broke the awkwardness.

"Yeah, I tried to run around with my eyes closed and use my Pinkie Sense to find you. Apparently, that's not how my shaky shakes work!" Pinkamena responded, digging into the dessert with a delighted smile.

"You are so random Pinks," Rainbow Dash said. She gently rubbed the back of her head with her hoof, while looking like she was coming out a little from her shell. "Hey Pinkie Pie can we talk about what went down earlier?"

Pinkamena's tail straightened, as her eyes grew wide... but luckily she didn't catch it. "Sure Dashie, it's the perfect night to take a stroll so let's walk and talk."

Rainbow Dash nodded as she trotted next to her friend, while Pinkamena slurped up the cotton candy. She would just be oblivious, that would work, after all... perhaps she just got a little hot and bothered. It happened to a lot of ponies, it didn't mean they were necessarily into each other, just the situation, the timing, all of it might have made Dash's body react a little more then she expected. Yeah, she didn't have feelings, that was just an instinctual reaction to getting her feathers handled, yet, her wings wouldn't have reacted that way unless she was thinking of certain things...

"So I bet you were wondering why my wings went up like that.." Rainbow Dash said softly, as Pinkamena continued to act completely unaware of the tension around them.

"Not really, just wondered why you ran off." Pinkamena replied.

"Well, when a pegasus.." She trailed off before her hooves stopped making noise behind Pinkamena. The earth pony turned around to see Rainbow Dash looking towards the ground, her face hidden by her mane before gathering her voice. "-Doesn't fly for a certain amount of time, they get something called wing cramps which makes their wings go up all suddenly. My wings were kinda spasming out, and that's why they were so stiff and unmovable. I ran off because I had to... umm.. stretch them out because the cramping muscles were reeeaaally painful."

Good thing she wasn't the Element of Honesty Pinkamena thought. She smiled obliviously once more, as she lightly replied, "Oh duh! That must be why you get so crazy when you don't fly! Ouchy, that looked super painful I am glad you recovered."

Rainbow Dash made a slight breath of relief, as Pinkamena fed her the answer she was looking for. Pinkie Pie was unaware of most things, but Pinkamena sure wasn't! She knew what happened, almost any pony would know exactly what happened, but she must have thought Pinkie Pie would be able to go off of a big lie.

"It couldn't have been worse than running into a rock with your eyes closed," Rainbow Dash giggled nervously, trying to veer away from the entire conversation.

"Speaking of rocks, haven't you wondered why I brought you here?" Pinkamena asked as Rainbow Dash tipped her head to the side.

"A little, I just assumed you had a party you had to go to here, or something."

"Follow me and I will tell you all about it," Pinkamena replied sweetly, as she flicked her head towards the Crystal Empire's square.

Luna seemed to have already cast her spell, and many ponies were passed out asleep on top of each other. Rainbow Dash seemed to be staring at her a lot more than usual, which was good since Pinkamena had to distract her from everything around them. So she walked next to Rainbow Dash and provided small talk while they inched closer and closer to their objective. This was a crazy plan, she knew what Limestone was trying to do, she thought Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash could break the spell because they were "soulmates" pfft, the rock isn't going to do anything once they touch it! Duh, Pinkamena still didn't believe in all this nonsense, and she never would because it didn't exist!

Once their reflection could be seen on the surface of the Crystal Heart, Pinkamena stopped. She turned her head to where she could see Luna dragging a few guards into an alleyway, while Limestone held a large brick in her hoof. They both noticed Pinkamena's glare, and they stuck up their hooves as if to say "what did you want us to do?"

She ripped her gaze away from them, as Rainbow Dash stared at the Crystal Heart along with her. "If you wanted to become a crystal pony again, you could have just said so."

"Do you know the legend of the Crystal Heart?" Pinkamena asked, still gazing at the glowing crystal in front of her.

"A little, yeah." Rainbow Dash replied, sitting next to her friend as they both glanced at the light softly illuminating off of it onto their bodies along the moonlight.

"Well, there is a little legend that says if you place your hoof onto the Crystal Heart it will give you a vision of who your soulmate is... so I came here because I wanted to see if it was true." Pinkamena lied, knowing this would catch Rainbow's interest as she looked towards her friend.

"Don't tell me you believe in all that sappy stuff," Rainbow Dash laughed.

"I know you have thought about it, so what's the harm in seeing if it is true? Don't you want to have an idea of who your soulmate could be? Or if not, we can always go back home." Pinkamena said with a hint of sadness to guilt trip Rainbow Dash into agreeing.

"No, no! I didn't mean to make you feel bad over it! I... I... just, you know what, never mind. Sure we can try it out, but don't get your hopes up Pinks, it's just a silly legend."

Pinkamena took a deep breath, this was not real, nothing was going to happen. Limestone had a crazy idea, and they had broken the law just to get to this point, while it would provide fruitlessly. She was not going to back out now, her Rock Bet still controlled her, and she couldn't get out of it. Every pony here was either asleep, knocked out, or whatever Chrysalis was going to do to them, so they could interact with this heart and go home like nothing happened.

Rainbow Dash hovered her hoof with a soothing voice, "Are you ready Pinkie Pie?"

"R... Ready."

They both touched the Crystal Heart, their hooves clinking on the surface as they waited for something to happen. When nothing surfaced, she could swear she saw a little bit of a disappointment in Rainbow Dash's eyes, but before she could say something, the heart suddenly burst with a rainbow hue of color. The lights washed over the entire kingdom, glowing extremely bright, before buzzing and humming loudly while vibrating madly. Rainbow Dash pushed Pinkamena back with her wing, as the lights got even more fierce.

"W-What's happening?" Rainbow Dash yelled over the noise, as a loud thwack from a brick hitting her on the head caught Pinkamena's attention.

The pegasus collapsed to the ground, as her eyes fluttered close. Pinkamena whipped around to see Limestone tossing a brick up into the air and catching it, as Luna dragged Rainbow Dash away from the light billowing Crystal Heart. Maud and Marble suddenly were uncovered from Chrysalis's spell, as Marble kicked the heart from off of the crystal it was floating above, as Maud caught it. The changeling levitated the fake crystal, just as the lights from the real one died out as it was replaced quickly.

Pinkamena watched as Chrysalis put the imposter on the pedestal before it seemed to be accepted as it floated without any trouble. Maud grunted as she carried the real Crystal Heart on her back before she smiled at the group that silently cheered.

"What happened?" Pinkamena asked breathlessly as Limestone laughed.

"Guess Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash really are soulmates, thank God my plan worked!"

"Wait a minute? You didn't even think your plan would work?" Luna said.

The two argued as Pinkamena's ear twitched... soulmates? Her alter personality, and Rainbow Dash were... were... SOULMATES? No, this... just... no, the Crystal Heart made a mistake... this was impossible... her scientific research, did... did it mean nothing? They didn't exist, they couldn't possibly exist... this... no.. They didn't even know this information, and she couldn't believe it enough to tell them one day!

"Now that we got the Crystal Heart, Pinkamena, now would be a good time to zap us all back to the rock farm." Limestone commanded as she watched Pinkamena get cross-eyed.

"I... don't... feel well.."

"Pinkamena don't you freaking dare!"

Thump!