-For best results, listen to 'Quaritch' in the Avatar soundtrack, mostly the last minute and 20 seconds-

Pinkie shoved back into the library, before changing her mind and walking out in reverse. Changing direction, she cantered to Carousel Boutique. She opened the door, charging over to Rarity.

"Yes, Pinkie?" Rarity asked, not looking up from her latest design.

Despite her urgency, Pinkie was surprised. "How did you know it was me?"

"Your hooves don't clop when you walk. They... 'boing'."

"Oh, I forgot again." Pinkie muttered. Suddenly, she remembered why she had come. "I need armour. Not Earth Pony, Pegasus. You know, aerodynamic and aluminum."

"There hasn't been any aluminum in my latest shipments, but I'm sure I have some downstairs. Old stores, maybe." She paused, looking up. "Who's it for? You have a colt-friend you want to get a gift for?"

"Not exactly. I'll tell you later. Here are the measurements."

Rarity scanned over the paper Pinkie has slammed down on the table. For once, the lettering wasn't large and loopy. It was small, even print. "I know these measurements from somewhere."

"Armour? ASAP?"

"Yes, sorry." Rarity calculated the amount of sheet metal she would need before trotting to the back of the store. Opening a door, she magicked the lightbulb to flickering life, illuminating the store. It was huge, and the shelves reached far beyond the lightbulb's reach. Pinkie ground her hooves together over a small candle, her new flint horseshoes lighting the wick. As Rarity searched one side, Pinkie searched the other. Thousands of bolts of fabric reflected the light, some with glittering threads, some looking like they were made of spiderwebs, some like spun gold. As they neared the back, the stacked bolts changed to sheets of metal.

"I think I found it!" Pinkie yelled.

There was no answer. Immeadiatly, Pinkie knew something was wrong. She set the light down, using her hearing to determine where the walls were. Her 'boing'ing hooves made a kind of echolocation. Pinkie spun around the corner, seeing Rarity on the ground, unconcious. Her horn was still glowing with Light magic. Something moved in the dark, and Pinkie looked up. The hilarity in her face vanished again, pushed under by pure determination. Ponies she loved were in danger.

"Show yourself, you bucking sewer rat!"

The thing moved again. Pinkie echolocated again before it vanished, making out a pony shape. A filly shape.

"Come HERE!"

It stopped, turning to face Pinkie and the unconcious Rarity. It's eyes glowed white against the shadows. As it moved forward, the pale light lanced off of the metal, casting the entire aisle in white light.

It was a Pegasus filly, looking to be no more than a few hours old. Her pale white fur was still wet, and a blue-purple fuzz made up her still-growing mane and tail. Her legs looked too long. How old was this foal? Maybe only minutes!

But something was... off. The filly was silent, her mouth opening and closing in silent breaths. Her hooves had made no noise. Pinkie echoed it again, making sure the light wasn't decieving her. This time, the echoed figure was still mid-leap. Behind the filly. It was like she... didn't exist.

The filly suddenly collapsed into a pool of liquid. It wasn't blood. It looked... it looked like she had just been born, and she had died...

Pinkie echoed for the final time. Behind the insubstantial foal, there was a mannequin. Pinkie had though it was the foal. With narrowed eyes, Pinkie leaned down over Rarity. The foal was still twitching, eyes rolling back in her head.

"Rarity, you have to get up." Pinkie's voice was calm, even. "Rarity, keep your eyes closed. Do not open them. Get up."

Pinkie had not taken her eyes off the foal. It was still jerking, legs sliding through the fluid around it. It was growing skinny, bones beginning to push up against skin. With a sound like old parchment, a seam opened along the throat. There was only blackness inside.

"I'm not strong enough to lift you, Rarity. You have to get up." The unicorn didn't wake, but groaned. "C'mon, get up." Pinkie hauled her to her feet. "Up."

"Pinkie, what's going on?" Rarity was facing down the hallway, and attempted to turn around.

"NO!" Pinkie shoved her forwards. "Walk away, don't look back." As the unicorn cantered for the stairs, Pinkie turned to the disintigrating foal. "I'll take care of this."

The skeletal beast stood up on bony legs, wobbling like any newborn. It's jaw gaped open, and it screamed in fury. Pinkie almost roared in reply, a wordless war cry. they charged at each other, teeth bared, hooves skidding.

Rarity stopped as she heard a sharp crack. That was a bone breaking. Against her better judgement, she ran back, horn sparking with energy. When she turned the corner, she found Pinkie standing still, flanks heaving as she took laboured breaths.

"Pinkie, what-"

She kicked a small object across the floor. "This was what Coronus magicked, wasn't it."

"It must have fallen down the stair when I came down yesterday. Why? What's going on, Pinkie?"

The party pony's face was hard as stone. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."