October 31^st, 2019
Wednesday
Sunny

Morning

As soon as Starlight got up, she tracked down Rainbow Dash to talk to her about what Twilight told her about why Celestia was so adamant about waiting to rescue Pinkie Pie. The two of them spoke downstairs in the living room, as Pinkie Pie and Trixie wanted to surprise them with their costumes.

“So that’s why she wants us to wait till after midterms,” Starlight explained to Dash, currently dressed in a red and black dress that hugged her body and showed off her legs and breasts a bit, along with a witch’s hat and high heels. Again, basic and predictable, but it seemed right to her. No one in school knew she was an actual witch save for a few, so this gave her an excuse to just be her true self.

Rainbow Dash sighed and folded her arms and grumbled a bit. She was wearing what looked like a blue and white Japanese school uniform with pieces of knight’s armor: shoulder pads, leg and arm guards, and a belt with a sword’s sheath at the side. She seemed to be going for more of a standard anime protagonist. Like a school girl mixed with a knight.

“I know this is frustrating,” Starlight continued.

“Yeah it is.”

“But try to see it from Miss Tia’s point of view.”

“Starlight, I sleep next to Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow Dash said, finally looking at her, “She was crying in her sleep, and based on the way she was moaning at times…”

Starlight closed her eyes. She, didn’t want to think about Pinkie Pie suffering through that, but based on what they saw in Rarity’s Dungeon…

“Okay, so then where is she in the Dungeon?” Starlight asked Rainbow Dash, “How deep in that prison is she? Can you safely say that you can get her out of there right away? Without running into any trouble along the way?”

“I… well,” Rainbow averted her eyes.

“Remember, anything that happens in the Dungeon we feel in the Real World,” Starlight cited, “We’re not going to be able to focus much on anything after an intense run inside the Dungeon. We barely managed yesterday. I know I did.”

“What about Pinkie Pie though?” Rainbow Dash argued, “She went through hell last night, and could barely get out of bed afterward. How do you think she’s going to do, dealing with midterms during the day and then getting tortured at night?”

“Honestly, not well,” Starlight sighed, “But that’s all the more reason we have to do well. Worst case scenario, we all do poorly on midterms. Miss Tia gets harassed by the school board, and they investigate her activities. Then they find out about the super computer upstairs, Twilight living here period, and decide that Miss Tia’s not fit to be a dorm mistress. Now we either get a new one that isn’t a member of the Kirijo Group, so now all of our operations have to be done in secret, without mission control or we get put in separate dorms, and can’t coordinate, on top of needing to hide our nightly rituals from whoever our new dorm mates are.”

Rainbow Dash growled in frustration, “Goddamn it…”

“I hate this, okay? The timing of this is terrible, but we have to work with the cards that we’ve been dealt,” Starlight put a hand on Dash’s leg, “We can help Pinkie Pie out here in the real world too, by giving her something to look forward to today.”

“But will that be enough?” Rainbow Dash asked, visibly worried.

“Until this Friday, it’ll have to be. Just, please apologize to Miss Tia when you get the chance, Dashie. She’s on our side, and she has a lot she’s dealing with too.”

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, “Right. When she comes downstairs I’ll apologize to her for snapping. Thanks, Leader.”

Starlight smiled in return, not having the heart to tell Rainbow how worried she was about her leadership skills. This problem was beginning to feel too big for her.

Let's Girl Talk! - Blue Reflection: Second Light

“Alright, I’m ready~” Trixie called out, coming downstairs. Starlight and Rainbow Dash turned and saw Trixie wearing a black strapless tutu dress that accentuated her breasts enticingly and was super short, showing her legs fully, black high heels, black gloves, and black cat ears and a matching tail. Starlight noticed that she was in fact wearing her collar, too, along with the deep red lipstick Trixie knew drove Starlight insane.

So much for focusing in class today.

“So, how do I look?” Trixie purred, holding her hands up like paws and lifting a leg cutely, “Am I a vision of purrfection~?”

“Okay, first off, you did that too well,” Rainbow Dash said, Starlight nodding vigorously, “Second off, hot damn! I was NOT expecting your costume to be so…”

“Fantastic? Beautiful? Sexy? Awesome?” Trixie asked, going to sit beside Starlight, “Yes, I know. Dunno why, but felt like being a cat today would be appropriate.* So I figured since Mistress is going as a Witch, I’ll be her familiar~” she leaned in and nuzzled Starlight, “Do you like it, Mistress?”

“I love it!” Starlight beamed. This was definitely going to lift her spirits today, along with Pinkie Pie’s hopefully.

“Have you seen Pinkie Pie or Miss Tia yet?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Pinkie Pie said she’s almost ready, and I think Miss Tia was in Twilight’s room discussing something with her,” Trixie said, now laying on the couch and resting her head and arms on Starlight's lap (was her tail moving...?) “Probably related to the Dungeon.”

“Just a minor update,” Celestia said, walking downstairs to join everyone in the living room, "Apparently the Shadows on the other side of the Dungeon are beginning to stir." She was wearing a white and gold loincloth dress that looked like something straight out of ancient Greece, large red and golden belt her usual high heeled sandals, a fancy headpiece like a tiara, and her colorful hair tied up into a high ponytail. The dress itself was super sexy, showing the sides of her legs perfectly and while it covered her breasts completely, it looked like they’d spill out at any moment. Also, due to how it was parted in the middle, it was very obvious that she was NOT wearing a bra. Somehow, she seemed to almost be glowing, and wore it all with such grace one could easily mistake her for a real Greek Goddess.

“Meow…” Trixie muttered.

“You look, magnificent Miss Tia…” Starlight said softly, Rainbow Dash nodding in approval.

“Oh, thank you, girls,” Celestia smiled, “Decided that since I’m a history teacher, I’d go as Helen of Troy.”

“She was the cause of the Trojan War, right?” Starlight asked.

“Allegedly, though it’s more like she was caught in the middle of it,” Celestia said, “We’ll be going over that some more in November though.”

“Hey, um, Miss Tia?” Rainbow Dash got up and walked over to Celestia, “I’m, sorry about last night. I said some pretty shitty things to you, but I know you’re just as worried about Pinkie Pie.”

Celestia sighed, “Apology accepted, and I’m sorry too. I wish I could send you girls right into Rarity’s Dungeon again to rescue Pinkie Pie…”

“But, you need us to do well in Midterms to keep your mission going,” Rainbow Dash said, “I get it. Starlight explained everything to me.”

“Sucks you have to play the role of a teacher along with your real job,” Trixie said, somehow making her ears fold back. Okay seriously, how was she...

“Really, I consider anything I do to help my children to be my real job,” Celestia smiled softly, “But, I will admit, it’s times like these I wish I could just focus on the Dungeons. Between Rarity’s Dungeon being so intense, Pinkie Pie being a prisoner now too, and Cinch’s shadow…”

Rainbow Dash looked down darkly, “Yeah, that’s a thing. We’ll deal with her, after we avoid flunking Midterms. So… we’re cool now, right Miss Tia?”

Celestia smiled, and hugged Rainbow Dash, “Yes, Rainbow. We’re cool now.”

Starlight and Trixie both sighed in relief, but then noticed someone else walking downstairs. All eyes were on the stairs as Pinkie Pie stepped down into the living room.

And what an entrance it was.

I Shall Go On - Blue Reflection: Second Light

She was dressed in a pink and white Victorian inspired gown, the skirt coming up high in the front to show off her legs, and flowing down to her ankles behind her, similar to Starlight’s witch gown in the Phase actually. She wore white fishnet stockings, pink high heels, and white gloves. The dress hugged and accentuated her breasts sensually but tastefully, and the sleeves opened wide around her wrists. To complete the look she wore platinum colored earrings, a platinum necklace with a pink gem in the middle, and a platinum colored tiara. For makeup, she wore pink lipstick and light purple eye shadow.

“Sorry I took so long,” Pinkie Pie said in a soft voice, giving everyone a smile that Starlight could tell was peppered with sadness, “I just, needed some time to mentally prepare myself for my debut.”

“Pinkie Pie…” Rainbow Dash walked over to Pinkie Pie, gently placing her hands on her sides, “You look, magnificent.”

“I’ll say,” Trixie rubbed the back of her neck, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a real live Princess.”

“Is this, Princess Victoria?” Starlight asked Pinkie Pie, “From the Forgotten Princess?”

Pinkie Pie nodded, “From Book 2 and onward. After she takes up arms and chooses to fight for her kingdom, she has this dress made for her. Both because it's easier to move and fight in, but also to embrace how being kidnapped changed her.”

“How appropriate for you,” Celestia said, placing a hand on her cheek with a worried look, “Speaking of, how are you holding up, dear? Last night wasn’t too rough, was it?”

Pinkie Pie shook her head, “It was bad, but I managed for the most part. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to talk to Rarity, but I did get to experience what that potion does.”

“They, used it on you?” Starlight asked slowly. God, this was painful...

“They said they wanted to test it on a witch,” Pinkie Pie rubbed her arm, “I could still think, but just barely. Mostly, I was just so horny that nothing could fulfill me beyond the most debased things you could think of.”

“Oh my God,” Trixie went to hug Pinkie Pie, “Will you be okay? Like, seriously okay?”

“I, think so,” Pinkie Pie returned the hug, “Um, I think Serenity wanted to help me throughout the day though. So if throughout the day I seem a bit more bubbly and kinda like Usagi…”

“Gotcha,” Rainbow Dash looked down at her ring, “Didn’t realize we could use them in the Real World too. Our Personas, I mean.”

“A Persona is really a mask that you put on around others,” Celestia explained, “Since you’re all Witches who use the power of Persona, it makes sense you’d be able to draw them into the real world in a more mundane manner.”

“This is good,” Starlight put a hand on Pinkie Pie’s shoulder, “Whatever you have to do to make it through the day, alright?”

Pinkie Pie nodded smiling, “Thanks, Starlight. And hey, this is still Halloween, and we’re all looking hella sexy. So, let’s try and have a good time, alright?”

Celestia smiled, “In that case, let’s all eat breakfast and then make our way to school, shall we?”

Everyone agreed to this, and went inside to eat breakfast and try to enjoy their morning. This time, breakfast was a lot more lively than yesterday.

Daytime

School Days - Persona

Midterms, along with many of the exams, were handled very much like how they’d be handled in college. As such, each day was dedicated to one or two exams, with the final day being more of a wrap up day.

Honestly, it didn’t make sense why Cinch would cancel Halloween then. They’d only be in class for part of the day anyway, so there was literally no excuse not to just take the test and then have the party.

Well, joke was on her, because just about everyone was in costume. The costumes ranged from really cool looking and detailed to absolutely sexy. Cinch was going to have a field day with this. She even ran into Sunburst, who dressed as Harry Potter, complete with Lightning Bolt Scar. She could tell he really liked her costume, which she played up.

All of her Coven were getting great reception for their costumes. Trixie embodied a cat perfectly, letting people pet her and scratch behind her ears, only to then at the drop of a hat walk off and do her own thing. Starlight still didn't know how she got her costume to look so realistic, and Trixie refused to say. Rainbow Dash got a lot of positive reception too for her creativity. She called herself the "Hero of the school", which everyone loved and played along with. She even had a mock battle against some of the ghoulish costumed students.

But if anyone could have been said to "win" in the costume department, it was Pinkie Pie. She carried herself with the grace, poise, and subtle sensuality of her namesake perfectly, with many claiming she even managed to capture Princess Victoria's more tragic energy. If only they knew the whole truth...

A few times, Starlight tried to touch Pinkie Pie in order to gauge her emotions, but was pushed back by an image of Serenity, holding her arms out and shaking her head. Was Pinkie Pie using her Persona to block out Starlight's Empathic Touch? She didn't even know that was possible.

For her midterms today, Starlight got a double dose of Bulk Biceps, who claimed he came as Shakespeare. Though it was officially English, Starlight noticed there were a number of Questions on physical health there.

She didn’t fail this one, but she knew she wasn’t going to get an A. She nailed the English questions though, so she expected to get a good grade today at least.

end song

Afternoon

After she finished her tests for the day, Pinkie Pie left the classroom, saying she needed some time alone. Thanks to Serenity offering to handle classes throughout the day, Pinkie Pie was able to manage without much issue, at least on the surface. On the inside though, she was far from okay.

After running into the girl's restroom, Pinkie Pie carefully looked around, checking all of the stalls. Once she saw she was alone, Pinkie Pie closed her eyes and held her hand to her heart.

“We’re alone now, Pinkie Pie. You can come out now.”

In her mind’s eye, Pinkie Pie imagined Serenity stepping out of her body, and herself stepping back inside it. Immediately, Pinkie Pie fell to her knees and broke down crying.

I Shall Go On - Blue Reflection: Second Light

“Oh Pinkie Pie…”

“I, don’t know if I can do this…” Pinkie Pie sobbed, “Last night, was dreadful!”

She heard Serenity sigh, and suddenly saw her Persona wrap her arms around her, nuzzling her, “I, I know… I wish I could do more.”

When Pinkie Pie told Miss Tia and everyone that she managed, that was actually the biggest lie she had told in her life. It was brutal. She was assaulted and abused by the Shadows nonstop, and at one point was even tortured by Shadow Cinch just to get information on where the others were. She didn’t tell her anything, but still.

Rarity was present for that. She didn’t get to speak to her at all, but she did see her there.

Pinkie Pie gently wiped away her tears as to not ruin her makeup, “What am I going to do, Serenity? I’m afraid to go to sleep tonight. I feel like I'm trapped in my Dungeon all over again.”

“Let me take full control tonight in the Dungeon.”

“What?! But Serenity, that means you’ll-”

“Better me than you! Pinkie Pie, I hate seeing you suffer like this! If all I can do is act as a buffer between you and whatever happens in there, then let me do that much! Please!”

She felt Serenity tighten the embrace, and could almost picture her trembling, crying softly. Just like how Usagi was in the manga and anime, she was always willing to sacrifice herself for her friends, even if she was afraid. This was why Pinkie Pie looked up to her so much. She was so brave where it counted, so sensitive, and such a wonderful person.

She was her Persona, meaning this was an aspect of who Pinkie Pie really was. But, she didn't know if she could be that person right now. She was too afraid. Still though...

Before she could answer her Persona, the door swung open, and Rarity stormed into the bathroom, and leaned over one of the sinks, eyes closed and trembling, “That bitch…! I swear to God, one of these days, I’m gonna-”

“Rarity…?” Pinkie Pie asked, making Rarity suck in a breath. She was actually in costume as well, dressed as a pirate. Said costume consisted of a super fancy and extravagant red and black jacket that was closed but opened at the top to show her ample breasts and flowed down behind her, a black and purple frilly skirt, fishnet stockings that were torn on one leg, brown leather boots, and a large fancy pirate’s hat. The darker eye shadow and lipstick really made her look dangerous, and that combined with her energy put Pinkie Pie more in mind of how she was back when she first met her.

“Pinkie Pie,” Rarity closed her eyes, “I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s, fine Rarity,” Pinkie Pie rose to her feet, “Um, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, okay? Just Cinch on my ass like usu-” she stopped herself, “I’ll be alright. What about you though?” she turned to face Pinkie Pie, leaning back against sink, “I’d have thought you’d be enjoying the first day of Nightmare Night with Rainbow Dash and the others.”

Pinkie Pie giggled, “Nightmare Night?”

“Oh, you didn’t hear? That’s what they’re calling your little plan to stick it to Cinch,” Rarity smiled, “Some are even saying they want to do this again next year, and make it a new school ritual.”

“That’d be nice,” Pinkie Pie smiled looking down, “The idea that Cinch would just cancel the Halloween Party like that…”

“You’re basically family, so I’ll let you in on it,” Rarity looked to the side, “Cinch didn’t actually cancel it out of concern for the student’s. She's just using it as an excuse. She's been wanting to cancel it for a while now.”

“I, figured,” Pinkie Pie closed her eyes, “To answer your question, I’ll be meeting up with everyone later. I just, needed some time to myself. Going through something at the moment.”

“Oh? Nothing too bad, I hope,” Rarity said, pursing her lips and folding her arms.

“It’s, kind of stressful, I’ll admit,” Pinkie Pie admitted, “But, you’re going through a lot too, right?”

“I’ll be fine, Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said quickly, looking away, “Don’t worry about-”

“We’re basically family. You said it yourself,” Pinkie Pie said, walking over to take Rarity’s hand, “Why wouldn’t I worry about you?”

Rarity looked at Pinkie Pie intently, and then shook her head laughing, “Fuck, this is odd.”

“What is?”

“This is going to sound crazy, alright? But, you showed up in my dream recently. In it, you kept looking at me with those same eyes. Like you were worrying about me, even though you were suffering.”

She remembered. Even though she couldn’t speak to her, she was able to reach her on some level.

“I guess, that’s because I would do that,” Pinkie Pie smiled, “Even back when you still had the white highlight in your hair, I’d worry about you. You’re practically my cousin’s sister, so that makes you family to me.”

“Even though I’m a Diamond Dog?” Rarity asked carefully, “Even though I snapped at you horribly last week?”

“You did scare me, but I know you’re not a bad person. And yes, that's even knowing you were a Diamond Dog,” Pinkie Pie went to caress Rarity's cheek, noting her odd reaction. She closed her eyes gently, almost in bliss, and nuzzled her hand a bit. It was cute, and kinda did put Pinkie Pie in the mind of an animal being petted.

“You’re nice,” Rarity said softly, “You and Starlight both…”

“Starlight is really nice,” Pinkie Pie said, “She helps me a lot, and I know she just wants to help you too, if you'd open up to her.”

“I’m, sure she does,” Rarity looked down weakly, “Right now though, I just-” her phone made a noise, and she picked it up to read the message on it. Immediately she tensed, and her expression darkened, “Of all the times…”

“Rarity…?”

“Sorry. I have to go,” Rarity said, her voice soft, and distant. Pinkie Pie could feel her sadness and needing to leave this blissful moment.

“That was him, wasn’t it?” Pinkie Pie asked, “Blueblood?”

“No point in pretending,” Rarity pocketed her phone and walked to the door, “Whatever is going on, I hope you’ll be okay.”

“I…” Pinkie Pie shook her head and ran over to hug Rarity from behind, “I hope you’ll be okay, Rarity.”

Rarity didn’t say anything, but she did reach up and touch Pinkie Pie’s hand briefly before pulling out of the hug and leaving the room. Now alone, Pinkie Pie took a deep breath.

“I can’t be weak right now,” Pinkie Pie said to Serenity, “She’s suffering, so much right now. So much more than me.”

“So, you know what we have to do then?”

“I do,” Pinkie Pie nodded, “I have to have courage, which means that, even if I’m afraid, I need to face those Shadows,” she looked down at her Channeling Ring, “For now, let’s catch up with everyone, and gather our strength. The stronger we are now, the better off we’ll be for when we go back into the Dungeon.”

“Alright Pinkie Pie. What I said still stands though. If it gets too much, let me take over, alright?”

“I will. Thanks, Serenity,” Pinkie Pie smiled, and then walked out of the bathroom, looking at Rarity as she walked down another hall, “See you tonight, Rarity…”

*I pray someone gets the reference I'm making here.

Fool – Seekers of Light: 5/10
Magician – Trixie Lulamoon: 8/10
Priestess – Diamond Tiara: 10/10 Thrall
The Empress – Ms. Tia: 4/10
Hierophant - Victor: 2/10
The Lovers - Pinkamena Diane Pie: 2/10
Chariot – Rainbow Dash: 3/10
Strength - Tokugawa Fluttershy: 2/5
Hermit – Sunburst: 2/10
The Devil – Silver Spoon: 5/10
The Sun - Sweetie Belle: 2/10
Transformation - Ms. Luna: 1/10

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