SiE Chapter 16: And ｢JUSTICE｣ For All!

>With all the suddenness of somepony jumping out of a cake your eyes shoot open, and you find yourself awake.
>A slight twinge in your left hoof tells you to keep your head still, forcing you to take in as much of your room as you can while only moving your eyes.
>The soft morning sunlight filters in through your window, carving glittering motes of dust out of thin air.
>It takes a moment for your sleep heavy eyes to notice, but then it hits you just how still everything is.
>The bundle of balloons on the end of your bed stands ramrod stiff. No breeze disturbs your curtains and even the flecks of dust in the sunlight hang with stillness usually reserved for the moments before the surprise part of a surprise party.
>Your ear flicks, your stomach growls and your knee pinches as you Pinkie Sense tells you one very important thing;
>There’s somepony else in your room.
>You throw yourself to your hooves, your all but forgotten blanket creating eddies of dust in the morning sunlight as it sails through the air.
>Though their form is obscured by a wide hat and a poncho, you spot the intruder instantly, and the name of your stand springs to your lips as you level a hoof at them.
“｢ＯＵＲ  ＬＡＷＹＥＲ-”
>”Wait Pinkie, stop.”
>The intruder’s voice stops you in your tracks, and as you look at the figure slumped in your favourite armchair you realize that it’s none other than;
“Cheese Sandwich?”
>The (2nd best) Super Duper Party Pony lifts his gaze, a grin stretched across his face as he stares out from under the wide brim of his hat.
>”The one and only.”
“What are you doing in my bedroom?”
>You fall to all four of your hooves and narrow your eyes, as if squinting will somehow let you discern his motivations.
”And why didn’t you want me to summon my stand?”
>”Because, your stand’s abilities are dependant on those of other stands, correct?”
>Your shocked expression is all the answer he needs, and uses it as an opening to continue.
>”Then it's as I thought. You and me, Pinkie, we possess the ｢SAME TYPE OF STAND｣!”
“W-what?!”
>”That’s why I didn’t want you to summon your stand. I have no idea what the result of our two stands attempting to ｢PARODY｣ each other would be, but who knows what could happen?”
>Cheese coughs, and you gasp as you see flecks of red mark the front of his poncho.
>”Cheese! What happened to you?!”
>”Well, that’s actually the reason I’m here.”
>Cheese adjusts himself, every movement he makes stiff, and wincing as he does so.
>”I’m on the trail of a particularly potent party pooper that crossed my path in Fillydelphia. I tracked him here to Ponyville but-”
>Another hacking cough racks Cheese’s body, and you pass him a hoof-ful of napkins for the blood.
>”He knew I was coming, and he had a friend. That’s why I’m here Pinkie. I need your hel-.”
>Cheese’s right eyebrow wiggles, his cheeks puff up and he’s thrown to his feet as his tail goes ramrod stiff, forcing you to take a step back.
>”｢ＰＯＬＫＡ  ＰＡＲ-”
>Your window explodes inwards, peppering your room with glass.
>One particularly nasty looking shard flies straight at Cheese’s throat, and he drops unceremoniously to the ground.
“Cheese! No!”

Chapter 16: And ｢ＪＵＳＴＩＣＥ｣ For All!

>”｢ＳＵＲＰＲＩＳＥ！  ＹＯＵ＇ＲＥ  ＤＥＡＤ！｣”
>”｢ＥＶＥＲＹ  ＬＩＴＴＬＥ  ＴＨＩＮＧ｣!”
>For a moment, time itself seems to take pause to watch Starlight’s and Angel Dust’s stands swing at each other.
>You brace yourself for the etherial crack of stand on stand combat, only it never comes.
>Their stands fly past each other, leaving Starlight’s to strike in vain at the sky and for Angel Dust’s to make a neat depression where it strikes the ground.
>”W-what happened?”
“They didn’t even hit each other.”
>Angel Dust and Starlight’s stands retreat to their user’s sides, and the pair start to circle each other.
>”That was a sloppy punch Angel Dust. You must have known I would block it.”
>”I wanted to see if you’d accept the punishment for your actions.”
>”No. You want to ‘punish’ me too much to hold back like that.”
>Starlight stops, prompting Angel Dust to do the same.
>”You’re smarter than that. You wanted me to catch that punch.”
>Starlight levels an accusatory hoof at her attacker.
>”Your stands abilities are focused on its hooves. You need to touch me for them to take effect.”
>”WHY DON’T YOU FIND OUT!”
>Angel Dust’ launches forward again, his stand leading the charge.
>Starlight dodges as he punches, moving backwards as she goes.
>The assembled crowd inches forward, swallowing you as they vie for a view of the battle.
>Her retreat backs her against a market stall, and as Angel Dust’s stand winds up another punch Starlight swipes up the tablecloth sitting on the table, dragging it through the air to intercept the punch.
>Instead of balking under the force of the strike, the cloth goes stiff as a board and Angel Dust takes a step back as he yelps in pain.
>Starlight lets go of the cloth, and it flops to the ground, quivering like jelly as it rolls forward.
>Angel Dust growls, and attacks with his stand, only for Starlight to dodge away once again.
>As he goes to step forward his leg jerks in place, and he stops, confused.
>He attempts to pull his right foreleg up again, but it remains stubbornly stuck, encased in the cloth that Starlight dropped to the ground.
>”The key to beating an opponent's stand is to know your opponent's abilities, and to know how to use yours to its full potential."
>Starlight sighs, confident that Angel Dust is stuck in place.
>”I don’t want to fight you Angel Dust. I’m a different pony now. A better p-”
>”No.”
>Angel Dust stares daggers at Starlight, not wasting a moment to continue his interjection.
>”You think with an apology you can hide from the the victims, the law and the consequences of you actions?”
>His stand lashes out, and Starlight dodges its punch only to be caught as his stand kicks out with its leg, catching her in the side and sending her tumbling.
>Starlight smartly moves with the direction of the kick, and goes to roll to her feet but stumbles in the process.
>She moves a hoof to her side, to the site of the kick, and instead of meeting bruised flesh and fur her hoof knocks against the pale, off white crust forming across the spot.
>”Bone?”
>”That’s why I’m here Starlight!”
>Angel Dust strikes the cloth at his hooves, causing a crust of bone to spread from the point of impact.
>”To judge you myself!”
>Angel Dust finally jerks his hoof free, sending shards of bone flying.
>Starlight covers her face, wincing as she feels shards nick her forelegs.
>And as she lowers her legs she discovers that each of these nicks forms a smaller patch of bone.
“That’s it. She needs our help.”
>”Agreed.”
>The two of you push through the crowd, brushing aside ponies as you move forward.
>You reach the edge of the crowd and Dash makes it two steps before an earsplitting crack splits the air, and she falls to the ground.
>The wall of ponies retreats back in surprise as the two of you stare in disbelief at Dash’s back leg, which lays limp, occasionally twitching limply as Dash attempts to coax it into movement.
>Starlight’s horn flashes, and in an instant she’s teleported to Dash’s side.
>”What did you do to her?”
>”This is solely between the two of us.”
>”And where’s the justice in that?”
>For once Angel Dust doesn't bark back a retort, and he can’t even muster up the courage to glare at Starlight.
>”Starlight.”
>The two of you help Rainbow Dash to a more dignified sitting position as she talks.
>”Don’t worry about me. Kick his flank.”
>Starlight casts a look over her shoulder at Angel Dust, tensing and then untensing as she takes a deep breath and turns around to face him fully.
>With confident strides she closes the distance between the two of them, and as soon as she’s out of earshot Dash inclines her head towards you.
>”Anon, I need you to throw me.”
“What?!”
>”I need you to throw me straight at Angel Dust. It should give Starlight an opening.”
“You have one wing and I’ve seen fresh pasta with more stiffness than your leg. I’m not throwing you Dash.”
>”Come on, I’ll manage. Trust me.”
"Trust Starlight.”
>Dash pouts, but realizes it's useless to argue and sighs.

>It pains you to put the Cakes in danger, but you ask them to get Cheese to the hospital while you track down the stand user that attacked him.
>Between them being used to your pinkie-isms and the shock of Cheese bleeding out over Sugarcube Corner, they don’t even ask any questions as they head out the door, a fact that you’re thankful for.
>You follow them out, stepping into the morning sun and onto the street.
>The quiet, abandoned street.
>It’s two and a half hours past the time when Ponyville’s streets are supposed to be quiet and abandoned.
“This must be the enemy stand user.”
>It takes a moment, but you realize that the street isn’t entirely quiet.
>In the distance, towards the center of town, is the low din of a crowd.
>With no other clues to go on you head that way, rolling into the shadow of a nearby alley and then dashing from cover to cover as you discreetly head towards the noise.
>As the buildings thin out you spot the assembled crowd (not that it’s hard that is) gathered around…
>Starlight Glimmer and a pegasus with a stand!
>“That’s it. She needs our help.”
>”Agreed.”
>Anonymous’ and Rainbow Dash’s voices draw your attention, and you spot them move through the mass of ponies to try and get to the fight.
>You go to yell to get their attention, only to stop in your tracks as you spot a ghostly figure manifest behind the two of them as they clear the crowd, only to dissipate a moment later.
>And after that moment Rainbow Dash’s back leg gives out on her, a fact that you know isn’t a coincidence.
>You put your Premier Ponyville Party Planner Peepers to work and spot who you take to be the stand’s user almost immediately.
>Not only do you not recognize them as one of the town’s regular residents, but their silvery main makes them stick out like a sore thumb from the sea of pastel hairdoos.
>”｢ＳＵＲＰＲＩＳＥ！  ＹＯＵ＇ＲＥ  ＤＥＡＤ！｣”
>”｢ＥＶＥＲＹ  ＬＩＴＴＬＥ  ＴＨＩＮＧ｣”
>You make no attempt to look away as he looks around, boredom etched on his features until he spots you, at which point they twist into a grin.
>He inclines his head, then beckons you as he begins to walk through the crowd, heading away from the fight towards the nearest cluster of buildings, and you do the same.
>The din of the battle and the crowd falls away, soon replaced the pony’s low, smooth voice as you two draw within earshot.
>”My my, to think my allure would be enough to draw a mare’s attention away from the circus going on back there.”
>He chuckles to himself, and makes an exaggerated bow.
>”Midnight Silver, the Moonstone Mustang. You may of hea-”
“What did you do to my friends?”
>Your interruption trips him up, confusion flashing across his face before it settles on something more suitably suave.
>”Why what ever do you mean?”
“Cut the act, jack. I know you’re a stand user.”
>Silver's expression seems to melt away into a sneer as you talk.
>”Oh do you? Then you should know how much of a mistake you’ve made, little pony.”
>You don’t know where he was hiding the extra inches, but the next thing you know he’s staring down at you, skin stretched gaunt as he stretches to full height.
>You take a nervous step backwards as he rolls his shoulders and cranes his neck before leveling his gaze square at you.
>”I can’t allow anypony that knows my secret to live.”
>He closes his eyes, and the menacing aura surrounding him intensifies as the ethereal shape of his stand manifests.
>”｢ＳＵＲＰＲＩＳＥ！  ＹＯＵ＇ＲＥ  ＤＥＡＤ！｣”
>That’s not right. That was the name of the stand that Starlight Glimmer was fighting!
>Midnight Silver opens his eyes, and his whirly smile returns after he spots your confused expression.
>”｢ＱＵＡＤ  ＣＩＴＹ  ＤＪ'Ｓ  ＲＥＭＩＸ｣!”
>His stand blinks into existence, the depressed ribs covering its body glowing softly as it observes you with its eyeless face.
>Cheese Sandwich’s words ring in you ears as Silver’s stand starts to slink through the air towards you.
>”...your stand’s abilities are dependant on those of other stands, correct?”
>Midnight Silver’s must work the same way!
>You dodge backwards as his stand attacks you, and decide it’s time to summon your own stand.
“｢ＯＵＲ  ＬＡＷＹＥＲ  ＭＡＤＥ  ＵＳ  ＣＨＡＮＧＥ  ＴＨＥ  ＮＡＭＥ  ＯＦ  ＴＨＩＳ  ＳＴＡＮＤ  ＳＯ  ＷＥ  ＷＯＵＬＤＮ＇Ｔ  ＧＥＴ  ＳＵＥＤ｣!”
>The moment the words leave your lips you know something’s wrong. You stand manifests itself, but it feels… wrong.
>It is, quite literally, a shadow of its former self. Half formed and insubstantial.
>Its appearance gives Midnight Silver pause, and you decide to press the advantage and not let him ponder your stand.
>You leap into the air, drawing his attention as your stand remains on the ground, closing the distance and catching him in the jaw.
>If not for the situation you would have giggled at the expression your hit leaves on his face. One of disbelief, shock and surprise.
>One that an instant later turns to one so sour you’re sure that any milk in the immediate area curdles instantly.
>”You will regret that.”
>His tone frames his comment less like a threat and more like a sheer unwavering fact, and you steel yourself as his stand goes back on the attack.
>”ＳＬＡＭ!ＳＬＡＭ!ＳＬＡＭ!ＳＬＡＭ!”
>At first his blows look sporadic, but each one comes dangerously close to colliding and you realize he’s only making it look like he’s attacking in blind rage.
>You feel the echo of one particularly savage strike caught at the last moment by your stand, and wince as you feel something start to drip from the end of your hoof.
>Morbid curiosity draws your gaze, and you stiffen as you see not blood dripping from you hoof but water as it runs from the neatly worn pit in the surface of your hoof.
>While normally not one to cut and run, you realize without your stand at full power you don’t stand much of a chance against Midnight Silver.
>You’re going to need help.
>You turn tail and go to run back towards the market only to falter as you take a hammer blow to the ribs, knocking you on your side.
>You watch in horror as the fur and skin at the impact site turns to droplets of water and roll away.
>By the time it subsides you’re greeted with the highly disconcerting feeling a stiff breeze blowing into your rib cage, chilling you to your core.
>”Try to maintain some dignity in death, and don’t struggle.”
>His stand looms over you and grabs either side of your head.
>”｢ＯＵＲ  ＬＡＷＹＥＲ  ＭＡＤＥ  ＵＳ  ＣＨＡＮＧＥ  ＴＨＥ  ＮＡＭＥ  ＯＦ  ＴＨＩＳ  ＳＴＡＮＤ  ＳＯ  ＷＥ  ＷＯＵＬＤＮ＇Ｔ  ＧＥＴ  ＳＵＥＤ｣. Stand ability…”
>His stand’s speech terminates abruptly as Midnight yelps in pain and jumps backwards.
>”You’re like that other one. Cheese Sandwich!”
>You take the opportunity to leap to your hooves and take off, going as fast as the injury in your side will allow you.

>Starlight charges, and Angel Dust does the same, filling the air with the thundering sound of hoofbeats.
>At the last moment Starlight teleports forwards, past Angel Dust, and continues her charge un-interrupted towards the markets.
>Starlight vaults over the low, fruit laden table of a stall and wraps it in her magic before flinging it at Angel Dust.
>With a bold yell his stand punches the offending furniture in two only for both halves to lose their cohesion and droop as they fall to the ground.
>Liquid table splatters all over Angel Dust and his pace slows to a crawl as he struggles to free himself from the viscous substance.
>”You can’t be judge jury and executioner Angel Dust! I know what I did was wrong but you have to see this isn’t the way.”
>”If you accept the guilt then face up to the consequences!”
>Angel Dust pulls himself from the table puddle and spreads his wings as he takes to the air.
>Starlight does the same, her magic embracing her as she uses it to rise off the ground.
>Angel Dust swoops towards her, and with grace usually reserved for pegasi Starlight dodges out of the way.
>Though initially surprised at the ease of her flight, Angel Dust quickly adapts.
>With a flap of his wings he shoots upwards, then dives straight at Starlight.
>As she moves out of the way his wings shoot out, and his trajectory slingshots into Starlight.
>With the thundering crack of blows their stands collide, and Starlight is forced to kill her magic to focus her attention on deflecting Angel’s blows.
>She unceremoniously lands back on the well worn street, and Angel Dust presses the advantage, catching her with a blow to the chest that carries such force Starlight’s sent tumbling.
>A ragged caught punctuates the air as a slow growing crust of white bone grows across Starlight’s chest.
>With shaking limbs she starts to rise to her feet, and Angel Dust dives again, eager to hit her when she’s down.
>”｢ＥＶＥＲＹＴＨＩＮＧ ＳＨＥ ＤＯ｣!”
>A blur of pink intercepts the blow, and Angel Dust is caught short by the sudden arrival of;
>”Pinkie Pie?”
>“Pinkie-”
“Pie?!”
>”Pinkie Pie.”
>The last velvet smooth voice slips into your ears like a whispered promise, and before you can turn to face the speaker ethereal fingers slip around your throat.
>”My my, this has become quite the assembly hasn’t it?”
>Angel Dust drops to the ground, Starlight momentarily forgotten as he faces the new arrival who’s stand has your windpipe in a vice grip.
>”M- Midnight. We agreed that there wouldn’t be any interference.”
>”And that’s exactly what I’m ensuring. It’d be a terrible shame if this battle were to continue, any NUMBER of terrible things could happen.”
>You feel those fingers constrict slightly tighter, causing Dash to gasp as she attempts to draw a breath.
>”Now hold on! Starlight may have been a meanie before, but-”
>A gentle hoof on her shoulder silences Pinkie, and Starlight steps past her.
>”If you let Dash go, unharmed, then fine.”
>She takes a deep breath and turns to Angel Dust.
>”Enact whatever punishment you have planned.”
>Angel Dust takes a half step back, surprised and glances in Midnight’s direction before swallowing and summoning his stand.
>It’s gaunt form bares down on Starlight, and she closes her eyes as it draws a fist back.
>In one fluid movement it lashes out, aiming straight at her head…
>And at the last moment diverts its course, its fist flitting through her mane as Angel Dust swears.
>His stand fades, and he turns away from Starlight as he walks towards Midnight.
>”The deal’s off.”
>”The deal is off?”
>Midnight’s venomous tone causes Angel Dust to take a step back, and you feel the fingers around your throat.
>”OUR EMPLOYER GAVE YOU THE POWER TO CARRY OUT YOUR VENGEANCE IN RETURN FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND NOW YOU SAY THE DEAL IS OFF!”
>You and Dash yell in unison as pain explodes across your senses, and you slump next to her as Midnight releases you and a robotic voice echoes out.
>”｢ＡＮＯＮＹＭＯＵＳ｣. Stand Ability: Splitting of objects or even concepts into two, and act independently of its user.”
>Through your haze vision you see Midnight’s stand steps forward and slams a fist into Angel Dust’s neck.
>”Your contract is terminated, Angel Dust.”
>Angel Dust splutters, coughing up blood as Midnight’s stand grows, inadvertently lifting him off the ground as it becomes more humanoid.
>”｢ＡＮＯＮＹＭＯＵＳ (ＱＵＡＤ ＣＩＴＹ ＤＪ'Ｓ ＲＥＭＩＸ)｣.”
>It calmly removes its hand, and Angel Dust slumps to the ground.
>”Yes. I quite like the sound of that.”
>”Hey! Get away from Rainbow Dash!”
>You turn your head, and see Scootaloo step out from the crowd, flanked by the other two cutie mark crusaders.
>”Yea! You wanna mess with the elements of harmony you’ll have to go through me!”
>A burly white pegasus that’s more muscle than anything else also steps forward, and this slowly prompts the rest of the crowd.
>As one they rush forward, straight at Midnight.
>If the silvery stallion is worried, he doesn’t show it. Instead his predatory smile just grows, and he turns to his stand.
>”Why don’t we show these fools the true power of stands.”
>”Negative.”
>Midnight’s expression drops, and then the rest of him does as he takes a hoof to the back of the head.
>”N-No. You’re my stand! Defend me!”
>”Negative.”
>Midnight screams as he’s swallowed by the crowd, and his stand just stands there, motionless.
>You feel Dash shift, and find Scootaloo helping her to her feet.
>”Rainbow Dash! Are you alright.”
>”Heh. I will be as soon as I get to the hospital squirt.”
>Scootaloo nods, and turns to the other crusaders.
>No words pass between them, but they understand exactly what to do.
>”Cutie Mark Crusaders Crowd Partners. Make way!”
>You cast a look back at Midnight’s stand, and feel it look right back at you before you turn and follow Dash through the path created in the crowd.


<=To=Be=Continued==

https://youtu.be/BVd3ldV_Sio