Supremacy

Chapters

Chapter 1: Inexplicable Dawn
Chapter 2: First Impressions
Chapter 3: Mama Fluttershy
Chapter 4: Suspicions and Agony
Chapter 5: Dashing, Devious, and Dangerous
Chapter 6: Havoc on the Horizon
Chapter 7.5: Silver Lining of the Storm Cloud
Chapter 7: May the Better Lunatic Win

Chapter 1: Inexplicable Dawn

Well, where do I begin? I suppose I can begin by saying that I am of the opinion that documenting one's thoughts and feelings is seldom useful, especially for a rather simple stallion like myself. Yet, it is also seldom that Gorgeous Verity is ever so adamant as she is regarding this. Why she would insist that I keep a journal is beyond me. Although, it may be related to her other insistence. The one that I am among the wisest of our tribe, and the ponies of the future will regard me as an individual of historical significance. In truth, this is only flattery. I may be rather versed in academics and magic, but that doesn't make me a particularly wise stallion. Besides, no matter how many hours I've whittled away studying in a library or perfecting spells, I'm not a unicorn that future generations will look back upon and rave to study and understand. That's a role more fitted for unicorns of actual importance, like Star Swirl, or Princess Platinum. Those are two unicorns who should be keeping records of their day to day lives. Not me. Alas, I suppose there is no harm in a little daily writing, so keep a journal I shall. Who knows? Maybe somepony will find this piece of rubbish useful in days to come?

The dawn shown bright as it cleared the horizon, shining the brilliant first light of day upon Sweet Apple Acres. The orchards were rich with green, the trees thick and brimming with bounties of shiny apples. Naturally, the first ponies to greet the new dawn were the members of the ever industrious Apple family. However, the lively enthusiasm of Applejack and Big Macintosh wasn't as apparent among anypony else, as the two would have hoped.

Applejack, always eager to start the day's work on a high note, greeted her older brother with an amiable, "Mornin', Big Mac! Grannie awake yet?"

With a tired shake of the head, the crimson stallion answered, "Nope."

Applejack loosed a quiet sigh, then smiled lightly. "Tha's alright. Grannie needs 'er rest anyway. Ah'll see if Applebloom's awake yet." She said, trotting over to the stairwell. "Although, ah'm purdy sure she'll still be a snoozin', what with the ruckus she an' 'er friends made las' night." Big Mac nodded his agreement, proceeding to the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast. Applejack peeked into Applebloom's room, only to find her prediction to be completely accurate. In the young filly's bed lay the trio of Cutie Mark Crusaders, all still and content to remain quietly sleeping, with the exception of one orange pegasus that would occasionally snort or mumble unintelligibly. Applejack chuckled at the sight, thinking it rather adorable, then silently shut the door and returned downstairs, entering the kitchen with a slight grin on her lips.

"We should give 'er a few more minutes. Fillies 'er age need their sleep, too." Applejack said, standing next to Big Mac as the two browsed the contents of the pantry.

Big Mac nodded once more, adding a completely necessary, "E'yup."

On the outskirts of Ponyville, mere wing beats away from the menacing Everfree Forest, lay a cozy little cottage that housed another pony who had been known for greeting the dawn at its first light. From out of the humble abode stepped a creamy yellow pegasus with a flowing pink mane and soft blue green eyes. Fluttershy yawned quietly, a twinkle in her eye as she smiled meekly, her faithful rabbit Angel joining her side. "Oh! Good morning, Angel." Fluttershy whispered to the furry little creature. "How did you sleep?" He answered by showing a sour expression and a shrug, then proceeded to bury his head in his paws as he rubbed the sleep from his little bunny eyes. Fluttershy, oblivious to Angel's typical ill tempered response, nodded, trotting out of her home as she said, "That's nice."

In the aerial city of Cloudsdale, the dawn bathed the structures of clouds in smooth sunlight, starting the bustle of pegasi as they fluttered and dashed about their business, joyful as can be. But, if there was anypony that knew how to ignore a picture perfect sunrise, it was Rainbow Dash, who lived nowhere near the "bright and early" pegasi of Cloudsdale. True, she admired the sun on the horizon as much as the next pony, but why get up that early for a few minutes of somewhat pretty scenery? Or anything, for that matter? Her secluded home in the skies above Ponyville was far too serene to simply cast off and abandon for the day. So, on she slept in her bed crafted of clouds, blissfully snoring away as she curled up tighter, instinctively pulling the sheet over her head to block out the gleam of sunshine as it poured into her room.

The first light of dawn was short lived, however, and the particularly beautiful sunrise rose onward, clearing the horizon and bringing the full light of day to the lovely little town of Ponyville. From the top floor bedroom of the Carousel Boutique rose a majestic white unicorn from her slumber, releasing a yawn as graceful as a yawn can possibly be. Removing her night mask and setting it aside, the purple-maned mare stretched and stepped out from her luxurious bed, quickly replacing the sheets and making neat the furrowed blankets. She hummed as her horn glowed, a blue aura rearranging and matting down the bed sheets. Satisfied, she began toward the bathroom, ready to begin her morning grooming. "Oh, I can just feel it. Today is going to be a marvelous day!" Rarity exclaimed, fully aware that not a single ear caught wind of her excitement.

As the first beams of sunshine crept into Ponyville's ligneous library, Twilight Sparkle practically leapt from her slumber, a grand smile on her face. She stepped onto the balcony, inhaling the morning air and sighing happily. She trotted back inside, shutting the doors behind her, and didn't bother to wake the peacefully sleeping Spike as she cantered down the stairs. She glanced to him with a gentle smile, saying, "A little extra sleep will do you some good. Besides, I'm not going to disrupt the peace on such a great morning!" Twilight pranced into the kitchen with energy in her hooves. She couldn't quite place what was so great about this morning, but something about it livened her mood and put a grin on her face.

What a spectacular fantastic wonderful wonderland of spectacles and fantasies! Thought Pinkie Pie as she bounced about her unusually fantastic, wonderful, and spectacular dream. Chocolate rivers! Gingerbread buildings! Cotton candy clouds! Ooh, and the trees grow cupcakes instead of apples! She jumped at an especially large and ripe white-frosted cupcake, fitting her mouth over it and swallowing it whole before touching down. She smacked her lips as she continued hopping along, now noticing five accompanying ponies bouncing alongside her. Alright! Even my friends are here! They never ever bounce like I do! Probably because I'm always full of sugar and sweets, and they just don't have the energy to- Suddenly, however, the dream Rainbow Dash disappeared, a small poof of black smoke briefly enveloping her before she ceased to exist. Pinkie gasped at the occurrence, halting and staring at the space that the rainbow pegasus had just occupied moments before. Her conjured friends copied her actions, all of them deeply confused and somewhat afraid.

"What happened?" Pinkie asked, glancing about the whimsical landscape. "Where'd she go?"

Dream Twilight took a step toward the site, seeming to scan the ground where Dream Dash had disappeared. "I don't know. Maybe she-"

In another sudden burst of black smoke, Dream Twilight ceased to exist as well, drawing a startled shriek from the quartet of friends.

"Okay, this is getting weird. I never have black smoke in my dreams! Why would-" Pinkie was cut off by three nearly simultaneous explosions, her three remaining friends consumed in plumes of dark smoke. Pinkie frantically scanned her surroundings, which, to her horror, were quickly being consumed by a similar haze. The trees, buildings, and even delightfully pink skies were all dyed black. Pinkie couldn't help but whimper a little when she saw everything around her quake and melt into a massive black plain. She now found herself in nothing but endless empty space, boundless darkness making the black ground feel all the more absolute. She nervously paced about, asking the empty space, "Hello? Anypony there?"

She shrunk as she was answered with a voluminous cackle, which seemed to resonate from all directions at once.

Shyly, she asked the menacing voice, "Who's there? What's so funny?" Her eyes darted about, unsure how to fight evil while she was dreaming.

She gasped weakly as she was answered by another, more malicious cackle, and the sudden appearance of a pair of golden eyes in the dark. The figure they belonged to stood only a few hoofsteps away from Pinkie, which caused her to apprehensively back away from them.

"H-hello...were you the pony with the scary laugh?" Pinkie asked, her voice quavering.

"Scary? I thought you enjoyed laughter, dearest Pinkie Pie." The voice, now clearly masculine, was richly alluring and dreadfully malevolent at the same time. "Perhaps I'm just a scary pony who also enjoys laughter?" His eyes seemed to ripple with eerie yellow light as he cackled once more, moving closer to the now trembling Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie, both mesmerized and terrified by the glow of the stranger's eyes, blinked at the light, only to scream as she opened her eyes once more. The stranger's muzzle was now pressed against her's, his eyes even brighter and more ghastly at this distance.

"But, you know just how to deal with terror and fright, don't you? Just laugh in the face of danger." He narrowed his eyes, saying in a mocking tone, "Ha. Ha," He began pushing her back a little with each exclamation, as if to punctuate his scornful laugh, "Ha! Ha! HA!" By now, Pinkie had been driven to the floor, forced into an awkward sitting position. She could feel tears forming at the corners of her eyes as she gazed into the evil golden disks that had frozen her in fear. Any further pushing, and she would be laying on the black ground, which wouldn't have been any less demeaning or frightening than this hunched sitting position she'd been forced into.

After the final mock laugh, the figure chuckled in amusement, the eyes burrowing deeper into the terrified Pinkie Pie. "Well? Aren't you going to laugh? Make the entire hopeless situation all better with a little carefree laughter?" His voice alone was enough to choke any high spirits out of the poor filly, but Pinkie Pie began to sniffle and quietly sob at his words. The shadowy stallion backed away, the eyes teeming with triumphant satisfaction. "What a shame. And here I thought the Element of Laughter would actually refrain from tears in my presence." The eyes seemed to once again ripple with light, then the figure suddenly pivoted and delivered a cruel kick to Pinkie's poor head. She was sent sprawling backward, her dream perception hazed and distorted, her pain now replacing her fear. She curled up on the black floor, sobbing pitifully, as the figure pranced away with another gruesome cackle.

With a feeling akin to escaping the depths of frigid water, Pinkie sprang out of from under the covers, gasping for air. She glanced about her room, relieved to find that she was safe and sound. Not to mention free of that evil stranger in the dark. With a sigh, Pinkie stepped down from her bed and solemnly walked to the door. Nightmares were so infrequent for the pink party pony that they always rattled her fiercely when she did experience them. Mumbling to herself, Pinkie whispered, "Just a dream, Pinkie. Just a dream."

Only a few steps out the door of the library, Twilight paused as Spike inhaled sharply. She looked back at him, seeing what was the matter. He crinkled his nose and gasped lightly, then lurched forward with a sneeze befitting a dragon (quite the analogy, ain't it?)

"Spike!" Twilight said crossly, giving an embarrassed smile to the pair of panting ponies that only barely stepped out of the way of Spike's flurry of flames. "Be careful where you sneeze!"

Spike rubbed at his nose, then clacked his claws together, innocently responding, "Sorry, Twilight. That one caught me off guard. Won't happen again."

Twilight's scornful expression softened as she gained an apologetic smile. "Don't be sorry. Just be careful, alright?"
He nodded, readjusting himself on the mare's back as she continued forward. Twilight trotted through Ponyville with lithe, airy steps, content to take as long as possible to accomplish everything on her schedule. On any normal day, Twilight Sparkle would have cursed herself for being lazy and inefficient, but today she felt too happy with the peace of lethargy to buckle down and give a serious effort. Today was probably the first day of her life that she actually felt up to doing nothing at all. However, no amount of inner peace would ever change the core Twilight. Even if she was willing to loosen her schedule and slack off on efficiency, Twilight would never forgive herself for disregarding a plan. So, on she trotted to the marketplace, ready for a grocery shopping session that would probably take hours longer than timely practical.

With a relaxed sigh, Rarity lowered herself onto the wooden bench within the sauna, nodding to Fluttershy as she asked, "Has your morning been as divine as mine?"

Fluttershy grinned cutely at Rarity, answering, "Oh, I wouldn't call it divine...but, it has been a really pleasant morning for me." She paused as another ladle of water hissed upon the coal beds, then continued, "All the animals have seemingly had a good morning, too."

Rarity raised an eyebrow, asking, "All of them? Even Angel?"

Fluttershy giggled, answering, "Yes, even Angel. He might have been a bit grumpier than the others, but he's a lot happier than he looks."

Rarity rolled her neck, smiling lightly. "That's good. I, for one, think today is an absolutely perfect day to relax and recuperate." She turned her gaze upward, her expression one of remembrance. "After all, there's been a great deal of excitement around Ponyville lately."

Fluttershy nodded, adding, "I'm glad we're getting a chance to relax. Everything that's been going on is just exhausting."

The two sat in silence as another ladle full of water drenched the coals, a plume of steam flooding the already steamy room. They shared a quick glance, then resumed gazing into space, smiling blissfully.

Back at the Apple home, Applejack stepped out the door, breathing in the fresh air with a contented sigh, then shouted back, "See ya', Big Mac! If Applebloom evr' wakes up, tell 'er to get to 'er chores!"

"E'yup!" Shouted back Big Mac, who was now sweeping the kitchen floor.

Applejack trotted over to the family apple cart, then hitched herself in and started for Ponyville. She found herself quietly humming a tune to herself. The song Twilight performed for Cadance and Shining Armor's reception had been stuck in her head ever since that exciting night, and today was too pleasant a day to travel without a good tune. So, the earth pony hummed as she pulled her cart in the best of spirits.

Meanwhile, in Applebloom's bedroom, the young earth pony awoke with a yawn and a stretch. She looked to her two friends and smiled, gently nudging Sweetie Belle with her hoof.

"Sweetie! Sweetie Belle!" She whispered, nudging her a bit more forcefully. "Wake up, Sweetie Belle!"

Sweetie groaned, putting a hoof to her head, mumbling, "What is it, Applebloom? Why can't I just sleep a little longer? We don't even have school today."

Applebloom rolled her eyes at her friend's annoyed response, but answered, "Ah just wanted to talk. Ah had this amazing dream las' night! Ah-"

Sweetie Belle put her hoof to Applebloom's shoulder, cutting her off, then opened one eye, its gaze fixed on the yellow earth pony. "Hold it. Let me wake up a little before you tell me."

Applebloom nodded, saying, "Oh, alright." She turned and hopped down from her bed, circling it as Sweetie Belle yawned and rubbed at her eyes.

Nudging Scootaloo, who was bundled tightly in her share of sheet, Applebloom said, "Scootaloo! Wake up, Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo stirred a bit, quietly mumbling, "Don't...no...."

Applebloom chuckled, nudging her friend once more. "C'mon, Scootaloo! You can't sleep forev'r."

Scootaloo groaned, tensing up. "Please....no...."

Sweetie Belle had now more fully woken up, and was now sitting up, giving the distraught Scootaloo a perplexed look. "I think she's still asleep. She sounds more scared than tired."

Applebloom glanced to Sweetie Belle, then gave Scootaloo a similar look. She prodded her once more, drawing a shiver from the pegasus. "Ya think she's havin' a nightmare, 'r somethin'?"

Sweetie Belle frowned, putting her lips to Scootaloo's ear as she whispered, "Scootaloo? Scootalooooo?"

Scootaloo jolted suddenly, jerking her head and promptly smacking Sweetie Belle's poor snout. The startled unicorn withdrew with a pained shriek, putting her hooves to her nose, indignantly mumbling, "That hurt, Scootaloo..."

Scootaloo frantically shook her head, her face contorted with fear. "No! Please, don't!"

Applebloom shook her head, muttering, "For Celestia's sake..." She cleared her throat, then drew in a sharp breath before shouting, "Scootaloo! Wake up!"

Scootaloo shot up with a scream, breathing heavily as she glanced between a concerned Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, who was still holding a hoof to her nose as she raised an eyebrow at Scootaloo.

Applebloom put a hoof to Scootaloo's side, gently asking, "Scoots, you okay? Ya' sounded awful frightened of-"

Scootaloo swatted away Applebloom's hoof, causing the stunned filly to gasp. She hastily removed the sheet, then strode forward on the bed, hopping to the ground, a few rapid wing beats softening her landing.

Sweetie Belle dropped her hooves, frowning at Scootaloo as she walked to the door. "Scootaloo! That was really rude! Applebloom was just asking what-"

The orange pegasus starkly interrupted with, "She should mind her own business!"

Sweetie's Belle frown turned to a scowl as she hurriedly moved in front of Scootaloo, the somewhat confused Applebloom at her side. "Now wait just a minute! You don't get to just push around and yell at your friends!"

Scootaloo returned Sweetie's scowl, blinking as she glanced between her and Applebloom, who was now scorning Scootaloo with a look of her own. Scootaloo turned her glare back to Sweetie Belle as she whispered, "Move."

Sweetie lowered her head slightly, narrowing her eyes as she responded, "No."

Scootaloo's bloodshot eyes narrowed as well as she hissed, "Move...."

Sweetie smirked slightly, saying in a mocking tone, "Make me."

Scootaloo roared as she shot at Sweetie, only to be shoved back by Applebloom, who had quickly moved between the two with outstretched hooves.

"Y'all got apples fer brains?" She shouted, casting each of them a quick look of disappointment. "Ah know you two. Ah know that both y'all won't let no pony tell ya what fer. But listen here when I tell ya that y'all have no good reason fer fightin'." She turned to Scootaloo, her expression softening. "Scoots, ah know it's none o' mah business, but I have t' ask. What's eatin' ya?"

Scootaloo pawed the floor, gazing down with an embarrassed expression. "It's....I....I don't want to talk about it..."

Applebloom nodded, respectfully saying, "Very well. You're free t' go, thanks fer comin'."

Scootaloo looked up, an unusual apologetic look on her face. "Thanks for having me, Applebloom....and sorry about your nose, Sweetie Belle."

Sweetie Belle waved a dismissive hoof at the apology, but put a ginger hoof to her nose nonetheless. Scootaloo walked through the door, glancing back ruefully, then dashed down the hall. Sweetie Belle sighed as the pegasus took off, smiling at Applebloom. "Thanks, Applebloom. I didn't mean to start up a fight with her."

Applebloom watched Scootaloo as she left, then put a hoof to her chin, asking, "What ya' reckon she's so upset o'er?"

Sweetie shrugged, answering, "Don't know. I've never seen anypony get that riled up by a bad dream. No telling what it could have been about."

Applebloom furrowed her brow, walking out into the hall. "Yeah, ah guess." She seemed to think for a moment longer, then shook her head, a tired smile on her lips. "Well, ah'm famished. Let's get somethin' t' eat!"

Sweetie Belle nodded, her smile broadening as she followed behind Applebloom, her mood now a bit cheerier with the promise of food in her belly.

This oddly pleasant morning seems to be putting a bright and shining smile on just about everypony's face, as if to match the radiance of dawn. It can't be explained, but today is just a day to love life and be happy. No reason to question bliss, right? Reasoned a light magenta unicorn that stood atop a hill, her horn held to the sky and crackling with an electric blue aura. Waves of magical energy pulsed from its tip, dissipating quickly as they shot from the horn.

She held the spell for a moment longer, until an impatient unicorn of faded lavender stomped his hoof, shouting up at her, "We need only relax the residents! There's no need to send them all into euphoria!"

The magenta unicorn halted her spell, sighing and dropping her head. It was exhausting to cover such a radius with an Emotion Spell, but she still had enough vigor left to shout back, "Calm yourself, Opulent. Wouldn't want to blow another blood vessel, would you?"

The stallion growled, shouting back at her, "You know such a thing is a flaw of my heredity!"

The magenta unicorn raised her head, glancing to the already fuming stallion with a wry smile. "What? Your short temper? Yeah, I knew that."

The now red-faced stallion snorted, his horn glowing with a glimmering verdant aura, then inhaled shakily, exhaling to calm himself. The emerald aura surrounded the mare atop the hill as she was yanked off her hooves and began hovering back toward a tall, luxurious carriage that awaited their return.

With a significant lack of gentleness, Opulent Majesty set the magenta mare on her seat within the vehicle, muttering under his breath, "If it wouldn't provoke a fuss out of Silver, I'd skewer her!" He trotted back to the open carriage door, stepping inside hurriedly and slamming it with a quick motion of magic. He took his seat, shooting the magenta unicorn a fiery golden glare, then tapped a hoof against the carriage wall behind him, sending the group down the bumpy road once more.

Another unicorn stallion, his coat a lustrous gray, grinned at Opulent, saying, "Now, Opulent Majesty, you must learn to be patient. Patsy Craft needed generous time in order to properly execute her spell. Was it really right to rush her like that?"

Opulent Majesty glanced spitefully to Patsy Craft, the magenta mare tossing about her medium length electric blue mane with a flick of the head. Opulent blinked, scowling, and turned his attention back to the silver stallion. He sighed, horn now glowing, his monocle hovering before him as he rubbed his eyes with his hooves. "Silver, you must understand that time is money. And I don't appreciate wasting either." He lowered his hooves, a previously pocketed handkerchief, now surrounded by his emerald aura, moving to meet and polish the eyepiece.

"Oh, Opulent Majesty, you think so much like your father!" Silver Gleam chimed, earning him a cross look from the golden eyed unicorn. "So impatient, always working to keep up a schedule! After last year's banquet, I can honestly say I feel like I've known him all my life."

Opulent rolled his eyes, saying in a slightly annoyed tone, "He's thirty-six years your senior, Silver. It's one thing that your own father is so chummy with... him." He seemed to utter the concluding word with a touch of venom. "But, it's a little odd for you to be socializing and becoming friendly with anyone that much older than you." He replaced the handkerchief and monocle, glancing back to Patsy Craft, who sat gazing out of the open window tiredly.

Silver waved a dismissive hoof, still smiling warmly. "Nonsense! Age is irrelevant to friendship!" Opulent Majesty absently blew away a tuft of mane that had fallen to his face, then cleared his throat and turned to his own window, shouting, "Pick up the pace! I'd like to arrive before nightfall!" The carriage picked up speed at his command, Opulent's sour expression becoming neutral. "....better." He said, more to himself than the pair of earth ponies that towed their carriage.

Patsy Craft, still lazily scanning the horizon, quietly said, "Just because those two aren't going to disobey you doesn't mean you need to work them harder. Can't you just enjoy the view and relax a little?"

Opulent Majesty glanced inquisitively to the two mares to his right; Patsy, and one of a cerulean coat and aqua blue mane. The latter had her hooves perched on the window seal, her mane dancing in the wind as she gazed down the road, an excited beam on her usually meek and innocent face. Opulent turned his gaze back to his own window, his expression now sour again. "No. I enjoy nothing while on the job. And I don't relax. Ever." The rhythm of trembles that Opulent had accustomed himself to was suddenly broken as the four were given a brief second of unexpected airtime. Silver and Patsy giggled at the sudden shock, the cerulean pony didn't seem to notice as she kept her focus on the road ahead, and Opulent groaned at the sudden start. I knew I should have come alone. I don't care what strength we have as a team. These imbeciles will clearly get in the way of me, the only one who seems to be taking this mission seriously! He kept his thoughts to himself, however, as their carriage rolled on toward Ponyville, the last stop on their lengthy and arduous journey.

Chapter 2: First Impressions

There's nothing quite like the pride of us unicorns. We hold high our noses while the earth ponies slowly cut back on their offerings and the pegasi create increasingly harsh storms to plague us. I can't be certain whether the problems our tribe suffers elude those who should be addressing them, or whether we are too proud to acknowledge them. It can only be said that the situation is bad, and is quickly becoming worse. The three tribes are slowly growing weaker, as they refuse to openly assist one another. The tense agreements that have held us in something resembling peace are beginning to fall apart. What our leaders can't recognize is that every rash decision they make to torment the other tribes into submission will affect them just the same. I've overheard the King's council discuss whether or not we should withhold the light of day from the land until the earth ponies and pegasi bow before us. Such tactics are a step away from outright warfare. If we created eternal night, we would have mass revolt on our hooves. Far be it for me to question the wisdom of a monarch, but how will underhoofed sabotage and blatant combat solve any of our problems? I fear that if we can't all swallow our pride and learn to work together, we'll all be frozen by the ice in our hearts.

Applejack unhitched her load and scanned the surrounding stands, noticing many a smile and friendly conversation. She began to arrange the stall, putting on display the various apple treats and apple sweets. "Seems e'erpony is just havin' a nice day today." She said, sliding a large basket of apples into view. "Here's hopin' that means they're in a buyin' mood." After speedily putting on display every last apple ware, Applejack moved to man the stand. Sure enough, many apple-loving patrons were soon browsing the stand, some offering ridiculous sums for the items, others starting idle chat with Applejack, and others standing in line, waiting for their apples. Ponies came and went at a remarkable pace, eager to stock up on apples simply because Applejack sought to sell as many as possible. In a short business hour, Applejack counted out a whopping 200 bits in profits, with crowds still pouring in. Seems it only requires a little brainwashing to get rich quick.

Above the happily busy village slept a rainbow-maned pegasus, who was content to remain in her slumber for the rest of the day. That is, until a low rumble sounded from the mare's stomach, causing her to stir and come to a groggy awakening. She stretched and yawned deeply, only to cease and listen to a second, more impressive grumble. Annoyed, Rainbow Dash glared at her stomach, saying, "I don't care how hungry you are. You don't need to wake up all of Equestria! Or, more importantly, me!" The mare's stomach growled lightly, almost apologetically in response. She rolled her eyes, pointing a hoof to her stomach and saying, "Quiet down, or no food at all!" For a long moment, she waited, finding the rumbling to have halted. Feeling a bit smug with her "triumph," Rainbow Dash stepped down from her bed, but paused as a tangle of mane fell to her face, obstructing her view. She pushed it back up with a hoof, only for the rainbow locks to fall into her eyes again. She scoffed at the stubborn mane, tossing her head to one side in an attempt to clear her face, but to no avail. The strands of mane blocked her view once more, drawing a frustrated snort from Rainbow Dash. "Okay. I'll deal with you first, then get something to eat." She glanced to her window, squinting to see past the stubborn tangle of mane, then positioned herself to dash at the window. She outstretched her wings, flexing them, then folded them, exhaling slowly. In a burst of speed that few pegasi could ever hope to achieve at takeoff, Rainbow Dash shot forward, leaping through the narrow window and spreading her wings, taking flight. Rainbow Dash dove slightly to build speed, then pointed upward, wings propelling her into the sky. She gained monumental altitude, then tucked her wings and stretched her front hooves to her sides, forming a T as she plummeted downward. The air resistance pushed against her face, her teeth bared and eyes pressed open wide. Her mane was flattened against her neck as she dropped, accelerating to the grassy fields below. Just one more second. She thought, vision blurred as the resistance was now stinging her eyes. Just one more second.....Now! Rainbow Dash suddenly spread her wings once more, catching her at the last moment and allowing her to turn upward a mere ten feet from a rather painful crash. She whooped with glee as she banked at high speeds, then looped backward as she went in for a landing. She planted her hooves on the ground with a satisfied sigh, flashing her wings proudly as she began a casual trot back to Ponyville. "Nothing like a bit of free falling to get the blood pumping!" She mused, not admitting that catching herself from such a fall was actually rather strenuous. She glanced up to her mane, which was now shaped in Rainbow's signature style. "Ha! And I even fixed my mane, to boot!"

She walked along without a care, until a rather familiar voice in the distance shouted, "Rainbow Dash! Hey! Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow Dash turned to where the voice had come from, finding Scootaloo barreling down the meadow on her scooter. She rolled her eyes, mumbling to herself, "Great. It's my number one fan." She began to trot toward Scootaloo with as much cool as possible, but Rainbow Dash was surprised to see the young filly visibly weaken, then veer off course and fall into the grass. "Scootaloo!" Rainbow exclaimed, running to the filly, not thinking to use her wings. When she arrived to the fallen Scootaloo, she shook the filly, asking in a worried tone, "You alright, kid?"

She was only able to weakly respond with, "Head.....hurts...."

Rainbow Dash glanced about, seeing if anypony else was nearby to help, but found that she and Scootaloo were alone. A bit panicked, Rainbow Dash lowered her wing and crouched slightly, then picked up Scootaloo in something of a shoveling motion, lifting her wing and sliding the filly onto her back. "Don't worry kid! I'm gonna...I'm gonna get somepony to help you out!" She took off running, not bothering to explain that her wings were just sore enough that she didn't care to carry anypony while airborne.

Rarity exited the salon first, her mane ravishing and her features flashy. Fluttershy stepped beside her, not quite so bedazzling as her friend, but still quite beautiful.

"Why, look at this." Rarity said, scanning the energetic crowds that traversed the streets. "Ponyville is just teeming with friendly faces today!"

Fluttershy nodded, inching a bit closer to Rarity as she chuckled nervously. "Yeah...lot's of ponies are gathered around here..."

Rarity looked to Fluttershy, smiling gently. "Dear, you have nothing to be worried over. I know you don't like large crowds, but today isn't a day to shy away. Today is a day to show the world what you're made of!" She extended a hoof to the skies, shouting, "For today is no ordinary day! Today is," She took a deep breath.

"Please. No." Fluttershy muttered, putting a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. "No singing, i-if that's okay..."

Rarity, mouth still open, hoof still pointed skyward, glanced to Fluttershy with a puzzled expression, then dropped her hoof, looking slightly embarrassed as she pursed her lips and cleared her throat. "Fine. No singing."

Fluttershy gave a petite smile of gratitude. "Thank you."

Rarity began to trot off, Fluttershy keeping close to her side as the two moved into the cheery traffic. "Nonetheless, you really should try to be a bit more outgoing today. Everypony is just so radiant and friendly!"

Fluttershy nodded, but remained huddled against Rarity as she walked. "Yes...they are. B-but, I'm just not the most outgoing pony...oh, why do I have to be so timid?"

Rarity sighed, glancing to Fluttershy with a curt smile. "Fluttershy, you don't have to change who you are. Your shy nature is actually a good thing."

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, confused. "It is?"

Rarity nodded, turning her focus forward again. "Certainly. It's something that proves, no matter how frightened you are by new faces, that you can still be courageous. Despite being so timid, you still have many friends to call your own."

Fluttershy watched her hooves as she trotted, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I....I guess I do. But, so many of my friends are just....the animals that I take care of. That means I'm still a fraidey-cat...."

Rarity shook her head, responding, "You're no cat, darling. You're more akin to a panther. Yes, a panther! A majestic, elusive beast of the jungle. You prowl about, silent and mysterious, ever vigilant, ever careful!"

Fluttershy looked back up at Rarity, baring a skeptical look. "Actually, I don't think I'm like that.....I'm just Fluttershy."

Rarity spun to face the yellow pegasus, startling her, then (very melodramatically) shouted, "Dear, you are no more just Fluttershy than I am just a tailor!" She raised her hoof skyward, drawing a few eyes, much to Fluttershy's apparent dismay. "For I am not just a tailor! I am an artiste! A creator of splendor!" Her horn now glowed as she shouted to the sky. "I am a fashionista!" She pointed her skyward hoof at Fluttershy, whose face was now almost as pink as her mane. "With that said, I can assure you. You are not just Fluttershy! You are the Fluttershy! Now, proclaim it to these ponies! Neigh, proclaim it to the world! You. Are! Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy didn't immediately respond. By now, her face resembled a cherry and the pressure of the large crowd, which had stopped to be enriched by Rarity's "inspiring" speech, was now causing her to tremble. She ultimately turned her gaze to the ground, then whispered in a voice that not even she could hear, "I'm Fluttershy....."

Rarity, her passionate expression now one of confusion, dropped her pointing hoof and allowed her horn's energy to dissipate. "Fluttershy, was that....was that a bit much for you?"

She nodded, weakly answering, "Uh-huh." This drew a synchronized "Awww...." from the crowd of surrounding ponies.

Rarity stepped a bit closer to her friend, whispering, "Sorry about that."

Fluttershy quelled her trembling for a moment, then sniffled, saying, "It's okay...." The crowd began applauding, causing Rarity to cast them a scornful look.

"Alright, show's over! Return to your lollygagging!" She shouted, stepping defensively in front of the quietly weeping Fluttershy. "Go on! Get out of here!"

The crowd began to disperse, many of the spectators quickly starting up chats, others laughing at Rarity's attempt at crowd control. The flow of traffic picked up again, and Rarity had quickly ushered her friend out of the bustle. Fluttershy still sniffled meekly, her head hanging.

"Deary, I am so sorry about that!" Rarity said, turning to face her friend once more. "I didn't think we would attract so much attention to ourselves! How can I ever make it up to you?"

Fluttershy responded in a hushed, almost whispering voice, "There is one thing..."

Rarity stepped closer, a pleading look in her eyes. "Oh, anything! Anything to earn your forgiveness!"

Fluttershy looked up at her, a smug smile on her face, and giggled, saying, "Try to make a few more dramatic speeches in the future, okay?"

Rarity's expression turned from concern to bewilderment. "Whaaa?"

Fluttershy shook her head, saying, "I may not be the most hooves-on pony, but that doesn't mean I can't be outgoing. In my own way, that is."

Rarity sputtered a minute before asking, "Y-you were just acting? The whole time?"

Fluttershy put a hoof to her chin, considering what to say, then answered, "Not completely. It's always scary when there are lots of eyes on you. I know that from experience." She giggled, the memories of her days with Photo Finish still fresh in her mind. "But me acting so shut off and helpless was just an act. And you certainly know how to put on a good show, Rarity."

Rarity shook her head, then sternly eyed Fluttershy. She bore her gaze into the yellow pegasus for long enough to make Fluttershy glance away uncomfortably. Suddenly, however, Rarity burst into hysterical laughter, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. After a moment, Fluttershy laughed along with her. The two laughed and laughed for a good while, earning them confused glances by many a passerby. After a minute, Rarity quelled her laughter, then panted lightly. Between breathes, she said, "Fluttershy.....you amaze me, darling....you...really do." She wiped a tear from her eye with a hoof, then smiled at the yellow pegasus, who returned the acute grin with a bright beam. "Truly, you are just filled with surprises."

Fluttershy sighed, brushing aside her mane, nuzzling Rarity. "Thanks, Rarity. I think today really is a special day." She turned, beginning to trot off, then paused, saying to Rarity, "I'll...uh...see you later, Rarity."

The white unicorn nodded, saying, "Fare thee well, Fluttershy." She brought a quick hoof to her face, correcting herself with, "I mean...see you around."

Fluttershy giggled, galloping off and taking flight toward her cottage. Rarity chuckled lightly, then turned toward the Carousel Boutique, happily trotting back to her home.

"Pound Cake!" Shouted the frantic Mr. Cake as he ran about the twins' bedroom. "Pound Cake, where'd you go?" He tore apart the small room, checking every container, nook, cranny, and what have you. To his dismay, he found that only Pumpkin Cake, who lay napping in her crib, still remained in the room. "Oh no. This is not good. Not good!" He shouted, quickly putting a hoof to his mouth as he glanced to Pumpkin Cake, who only yawned and stirred lightly in response. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief, then quietly exited the room, shutting the door ever so slightly. With a quiet click of the knob, he turned, finding Pinkie Pie to have been standing there the whole time.

"Hey, whatcha doin'?" She asked, giving him a start as he suddenly realized she was there.

He shook his head, then whispered, "It's Pound Cake! He's gone missing!"

Pinkie gasped, whispering back, "Oh no! That's not good! Not good at all!"

He nodded, motioning for Pinkie to follow as he walked away from the twins' bedroom and the sleeping Pumpkin Cake. "The worst part is that Mrs. Cake knows nothing about this! I can't tell her, or go looking for him myself! She's already so stressed, running the shop, I didn't want to worry her with this." He sighed, putting a hoof to his forehead. "I feel like such a bad parent for letting him sneak away like this! A bad parent, and an idiot!" He emphasized his latter statement with a stomp.

Pinkie patted his shoulder with a hoof, reassuring him with, "Don't sweat it, Mr. Cake. Just because something bad happens doesn't mean you're a bad parent! And I know for sure that you are not an idiot." She concluded with a quick nod.

Mr. Cake smiled at her reassurance, saying, "Thanks Pinkie. But right now, it doesn't matter what I am! All that matters is that Pound Cake gets returned here safe and sound! So, Pinkie, I have an important mission for you. I-"

She interrupted him with, "One step ahead of you, Mr. Cake." With a flick of her hoof, she held up a minuscule beige feather. "We have clue number one! One of Pound Cake's little feathers!" With a reverse of the previous motion, she made the feather disappear once more, then saluted Mr. Cake. "Never fear! For Pinkie Pie is here! And she's here to find that rambunctious run-off of your's!"

Mr. Cake brightened up at Pinkie's acceptance of the task at hoof, and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off once more by a bellowing voice coming from the sweet shop. "Oh sweetieee! I need your help down here!"

Mr. Cake nodded to Pinkie as he rushed by her, departing with, "Duty calls! Good luck!"

She waved as he left, shouting, "I won't let you down, Mr. Cake!" She made her way back to the twins' bedroom, then gingerly stepped inside, donning her detective's cap and placing a bubble-emitting pipe in her lips. "Now, where to begin?" She took out and examined her first clue, the beige feather Pound Cake had discarded. "Okay....with this, I can determine....he's molting? Which means....he's growing up....oh! His birthday's right around the corner!" She hurried over to the twins' crib, dropping the feather. She leaned over the rails as if to speak with Pumpkin Cake, saying, "Which means your birthday is right around the corner! What kind of present should I get you two?"

Pinkie was answered by a quiet snore, and nothing more.

"....right." She withdrew from the rails, promptly clonking herself in the head with her hoof as she retrieved the feather, more closely examining it. "Okay, focus Pinkie....you were on the right track. You just need to think on this...." She stared more intently at the feather, as if doing so would make it present the answer. "Hmm.....think....think.....think....." She puffed a single bubble from her pipe, then growled at her clue. "I need an expert here! Somepony who does a lot of thinking! Wait....Twilight Sparkle does a lot of thinking.....and a lot of reading.....and a lot of magic!" She stopped herself, sending another smack to the side of her head. "Focus, Pinkie! Now, what would Twilight say?" She puffed at the pipe for a moment, sending upward a cascade of bubbles. She glanced about, then picked up a nearby rattle. She then proceeded to stuff the bulbous end containing the beads into her fluffy pink mane, the handle awkwardly extending to very loosely resemble a unicorn horn. She began to explain the dilemma to herself in a poor impression of Twilight Sparkle, saying, "Well Pinkie, if Pound Cake is in fact molting, then we can conclude that he will continue to discard feathers. If we search for these scattered beige feathers, they should form a trail. This trail, if I'm correct, should lead us right to the missing Pound Cake." She breathed an exhausted sigh, then tossed her head, the rattling flying loose and colliding with the wall. "I even bored myself with that....but, you're right, Twilight Pie!" She said, pointing upward to add emphasis, but her expression quickly became one of confusion. "Wait...would it be Twilight Pie?" She put her pointed hoof to her chin. "Or Pinkie Sparkle? I think Pinkie Sparkle sounds so much better...." She returned the hoof to its pointing position, continuing, "But you're right, Pinkie Sparkle! Our clue has put us on a trail! A trail that should lead us right to Pound Cake! So, the search is on!" She exploded from the room, causing Pumpkin Cake to blink awake, then, after a quiet whimper, she proceeded to burst into tears. That is, she would have, if not for Pinkie returning at the last second and rattling the rattle in front of her face. She brightened at the toy, telepathically yanking it away and fitting her mouth around the bulb. She chewed at it energetically, but was quickly tired out by it, and soon enough, her head plopped to one side of the tiny pillow, her quiet snoring resuming. Pinkie gingerly removed the rattle from the crib then tip-hooved to the door, shutting it quietly behind her. "Okay." She whispered to herself. "Now the search is on!" She turned down the hall, eyes on the lookout for the tiny beige feathers of a runaway Pound Cake.

Scootaloo sped away from Sweet Apple Acres, anxious to get away from others for a while. She felt especially bad for behaving like she did toward Applebloom and Sweetie Bell, not only because Applebloom had hosted the sleepover, but because it always pained her to snap at her friends. But, her guilt would have to remain in her mind for now. At the moment, her only concern was finding a quiet, peaceful place to sit down and think. More or less, she sought to forget her entire nightmare. That would require a great deal of mental processing, and for Scootaloo, that required being completely undisturbed. She arrived at a riverbank just outside of town, then removed her helmet with a frustrated sigh. She plopped down at the river's edge, watching the flowing water, then commenced purging her brain of dark thoughts....well, she tried to. In truth, Scootaloo knew not the slightest thing about cleansing the mind through meditative techniques. She pouted, realizing that this had been a waste of time, then glared angrily at the river. Even if it didn't accomplish anything, Scootaloo, by nature, focused anger on anything and everything. Whether it was picking fights, lashing out with insults, or just sitting and glaring with rage at something, Scootaloo was good at being angry, and expressing her anger. However, when she was secluded, and her surroundings were nothing but serene, she tired out rather quickly. She softened her glare, yawning, then became bored, looking to the skies. However, she quickly perked up when she found her idol, the dare devil Rainbow Dash, climbing to unbelievable heights, then dropping like a rock. Scootaloo watched in awe as her hero fell, fell, and halted her descent at the last moment, catching herself and flying about for a bit before landing not too far from where Scootaloo was now. She ran back to her scooter and helmet, quickly geared herself up, then took off at full speed. The river that separated the two of them was no obstacle to the determined young filly as she bumped and skidded off of the stones beneath the currents, water flying every which way as the scooter sliced through the drink. Now onto the opposite bank, Scootaloo took a quick breath before shooting off once more. Nearing the casually trotting rainbow mare, Scootaloo shouted, "Rainbow Dash! Hey! Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash turned at the sound of her name, much to Scootaloo's joy. She was about to shout something else, but was interrupted by a curious tint of purple to her vision and a quick pulse of pain in her head. She blinked, thinking, That was weird. Felt like a head rush, or- Suddenly, her vision was overpowered by a wall of opaque violet and her head seared with pain, causing her to swerve off course and fall from her scooter. The pain of impact went unnoticed, however, as the flare of agony in the poor filly's mind overpowered any other sense. The wall of violet seemed to linger for a moment, before it slightly disappeared, allowing her to see through a wall of transparent purple. Even if the intense flame within her skull made focusing difficult, she could see Rainbow Dash running toward her. She couldn't move, or try to shout something to her, but she could think. Why is she running? She should be flying.... The wall of violet suddenly thickened once more, the pain burning in her mind clotting out all other thoughts and feelings. She would have cried, honestly, if she could remember what tears were. What eyes were. What anything besides pain was. Her sufferous state was shaken away, however, as the wall thinned and the pain briefly alleviated. The voice that questioned her sounded as if it came from a distance when it asked, "You alright, kid?"

Scootaloo was barely able to stammer the answer, "Head.....hurts...." She could feel herself being lifted, then another black-out, or violet-out (if you will), set in. She could barely organize her muddled thoughts with the crippling pain that perforated her mind, but she was able to piece together, Something is very wrong....but Rainbow Dash is helping me....I'm going to be just fine.... She would have smiled. If she could remember what smiling was.

"And here we are," Mrs. Cake chimed, pushing a large blue box toward Twilight Sparkle over the counter. "Two dozen pink-frosted cupcakes. That'll be 40 bits, dear."

Twilight nodded, magically opening her saddlebag and removing a cluster of coins. She dropped them next to the box, then glanced back to her bag. She rearranged its contents, then levitated the box of cupcakes, gently placing it inside.

"Thank you, dear!" Mrs. Cake said, scooping up the coins. "See you later!" Twilight closed the saddlebag and gave another quick nod to Mrs. Cake, then exited the shop, the massive line behind her continuing forward.

Spike, who was now only barely awake, yawned lightly, asking Twilight, "Any reason we bought two dozen pink-frosted cupcakes?"

Twilight paused, considering an answer, then shrugged, saying, "We didn't have any, so we got some. I can't really place why."

Spike readjusted himself, glancing to the saddlebag the cupcakes had been placed in. "I'm not complaining. Just curious, is all."

Twilight nodded, continuing her trot to the fruit stands. "Right. By the way, you didn't happen to spot Pinkie Pie while we were in there, did you?"

Spike put a claw to his chin, thinking, then shook his head. "Nope. Didn't see her anywhere in there. Why?"

Twilight giggled, turning her gaze to the traffic of ponies to her left, answering, "On a day filled with this strange excitement and energy, I'm just curious as to what Pinkie will be up to."

Spike chuckled, nodding slowly. "Yeah. I'm sure she's planning some big bash to celebrate just being alive. Probably keeping it real secret, too."

Twilight smiled, always amused by Pinkie's shenanigans. Today, a party sounded absolutely wonderful, especially if she could count on so many smiling faces. She halted her trot, however, when something in the skies caught her eye. She squinted to see what is was, and smirked when she saw Rainbow Dash, climbing to the high heavens on her powerful wings. "Well, looks like Rainbow Dash finally decided to wake up. And look," Twilight pointed to the rainbow pegasus, "she's already doing something unnecessarily dangerous."

Spike glanced up at Rainbow Dash as she plummeted, then added, "That's Rainbow Dash, alright."

Twilight watched her friend drop, then chuckled when she caught herself at the last moment, landing outside of town. She continued her trot, saying, "You can say that again." After a minute, however, she halted suddenly, her smile fading. Spike waved a claw in front her face, attempting to catch her attention.

"Twilight? Twilight, what's up?" He asked, sounding confused and a bit scared.

Twilight answered with her horn, which suddenly flared with magical energy. "Something is wrong. Terribly wrong." Her tone was dire as she dashed off in the direction that Rainbow Dash had landed, nearly throwing off the startled Spike.

"Twilight!" Spike shouted, holding on for dear life. "What's wrong? Where are we going?"

She shook her head, answering with, "I don't know. I only know that I have to help."

Spike raised an inquisitive eyebrow at her answer, but said nothing else as the lavender unicorn rushed onward.

Just outside of town, Twilight was now converging on Rainbow Dash, who was galloping toward Ponyville with a filly on her back. The young pegasus tossed about as if asleep, but her eyes were clearly opened. Despite this, the pegasus didn't seem to look at anything. In fact, they didn't even appear to acknowledge that she was in motion. They seemed lifeless....Twilight, fearing the worst, flared her magic for a moment, closing the gap between her and Rainbow Dash with teleportation. The cyan pegasus halted suddenly, her expression as fearful as Twilight's.

"Twilight! We have to help Scootaloo!" She turned, giving Twilight full view of the limp pegasus as she glanced back at her. Twilight's horn seemed to brighten, the violet aura now blazing around it. She glanced to Rainbow Dash's worried face, then to the lifeless pegasus, saying, "I don't know what this will do, but I'm going to try something..." She leaned in close, a bit disturbed by how dead-faced the young pegasus looked, then gently tapped the tip of her horn to Scootaloo's forehead.

Scootaloo's revival was signaled by a blindingly brilliant light. In surprise, she flailed about, sending her off the flank of one equally startled cyan pegasus. Hitting the ground, and finding that her searing pain had been suddenly washed away, she allowed herself an annoyed groan as she lay there. After a moment, she jumped to her hooves, glancing between a beaming Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, who wore a relieved smile.

Scootaloo put a hoof to her head, more from confusion than from pain. "What happened? Last thing I remember, I was speeding away from the river, trying to get to Rainbow Dash..."

Rainbow Dash ruffled the filly's mane, saying, "You just blacked-out for a bit, kid. Twilight here brought you back." She gestured to Twilight, who was now eyeing Scootaloo with a curious look.

"Have you, by chance, been exposed to high levels of PK energy in the past month?" She asked, her scrutinizing eye causing the young pegasus to become a bit discomforted.

"No. Not that I know of." Scootaloo answered, not sure what PK meant.

Twilight's eyes narrowed, her face moving closer to Scootaloo's, which drew a slight scowl from the filly. "Interesting. It's rare to ever experience Magic Flashes in the first place, but to suffer from them without any magical exposure is unheard of."

Scootaloo's scowl softened as she gained an expression of curiosity. "Magic Flashes? Is that what was wrong with me?"

Twilight nodded, clearing her throat before beginning with, "Magic Flashes are a symptom of Magic Poisoning, a condition that affects earth ponies and pegasi. It's only ever caused by direct exposure to massive amounts of unrestrained PKE, with no other recorded origin."

Scootaloo paled slightly, asking, "Magic Poisoning? What....what does that do? What else is gonna happen to me?"

Twilight smiled at the young pegasus, then answered, "No need to worry! Magic Poisoning's more benign side effects are typically the only things you'll suffer from, with Magic Flashes being the worst."

Scootaloo hopped slightly, shouting, "Typically?! What else could happen?!"

Twilight frowned, her intention not to have worried the already frightened filly. "Well...aside from a few flares of Magic Flash, the occasional nightmare, and short term memory loss, there is-"

"Short term memory loss?!" Scootaloo shrieked, seizing Twilight's shoulders. "I can't live with memory loss!"

Twilight patted the frantic filly's mane, saying, "It's going to be okay, Scootaloo. Magic Poisoning doesn't last that long. Don't expect to have it for more than a week. I'm sure nothing that requires you to be at your hundred percent will come up within one week."

Scootaloo dropped her hooves, still looking worried. "Okay....what was that last thing you were going to say?"

Twilight's expression darkened a bit as she answered, saying, "Well....aside from Magic Poisoning's typical signs, it does have one extremely rare side effect...."

Scootaloo fearfully asked, "What extremely rare side effect might that be?"

Twilight shook her head, saying, "It's probably best you don't know. You'd worry yourself silly over it."

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes, her tone hushed as she said, "Tell me...I can take it."

Twilight exhaled nervously, then mumbled, "Well....it sometimes causes an absolute bodily shut down. It spurs the individual into a fit of violent convulsions, rupturing blood vessels, self-destructive brains, and..." She trailed off, pitying the now horrified Scootaloo.

"Wh-wh-what? What can it do to me?" She asked disbelievingly.

"Scootaloo, the only cases that have ever become that severe are when the individual came within proximity of the unicorn that caused the Poisoning. Even then, the chances are slim." Twilight frowned as the orange pegasus began to shake with fear, her eyes glistening. Twilight put a comforting hoof to the filly's cheek, whispering, "Don't worry about it, Scootaloo. Just get home, rest until you're healed up, and have your parents take you to visit Doctor Twilight if you have any more Magic Flashes." She patted Scootaloo's shoulder, then turned and began trotting back into town. Scootaloo, now sick with worry (as well as sick with Magic Poisoning), glanced to Rainbow Dash, who had been quiet for their entire discussion. She looked half asleep, standing there. Scootaloo prodded her leg, causing her to jolt back to full consciousness.

"Who? What?" The cyan pegasus stammered, looking to Scootaloo.

Scootaloo kept herself from scowling at Rainbow Dash as she asked, "Would you mind....if I, sorta, hung out with you?"

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, returning the question with one of her own. "Aside from the obvious reasons, why would you want to hang out with me?"

Scootaloo pawed at the ground, staring at her hooves. "Um....Twilight said to have my parents bring me to her if I had another one of those 'Magic Flashes,' but I kinda doubt.....I-I kinda doubt they would do that for me."

Rainbow's expression was still of puzzlement, but she frowned sympathetically as she asked, "Why wouldn't they? They are your parents, after all."

Scootaloo's tone was that of a whimper as she responded, "Well, technically, they aren't....they're foster parents....and not very good ones, at that." She wiped at her eyes with a hoof as tears threatened to form. "They're neglectful and abusive. If I dropped to the floor while they were looking after me, they'd probably ship me off to the morgue and be glad that I was out of their manes..."

Rainbow Dash's expression softened, and she smiled as she put a hoof to Scootaloo's shoulder. "Sure, kid. You can hang out with me for the day."

Scootaloo looked up, a grateful smile on her face. "Thanks, Dash."

Rainbow Dash ruffled the young pegasus's mane once more, then turned to the town and began trotting. "C'mon! Let's go get something to eat!" The two happily began toward Ponyville, Scootaloo's worries melting away.

Arriving at the plethora of fruit and vegetable stands, Twilight glanced to Spike, who gazed into the distance without any acknowledgement of the energetic crowds that surrounded them.

"Spike?" Twilight asked the mesmerized dragon. "Spike, you haven't said a word since I helped out Scootaloo. You okay?"

He blinked, not deviating from his focus. "Yep. Just....listening."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, perking up an ear to listen past the buzz of the crowds. "To what, exactly?"

He blinked again, slowly shaking his head. "I can't place what it is....but it keeps grabbing my attention."

Twilight faced the direction that Spike's iron gaze had been fixed on, asking, "If this demands your attention, why not go check it out? I may not be able to hear whatever it is that you are, but it's probably important if it's got you hooked."

He nodded, about to say something when he was interrupted by a familiar, "Howdy, Twilight!" In unison, Spike and Twilight turned to face Applejack, who was waving them over to a barren, apple-less stand. Twilight, perplexed, trotted over to the stand, eyeing the empty containers with suspicion.

"Twilight, ya notice anything out of th' ordinary with this here cart?" Applejack asked, a smug smile on her face.

Twilight glanced about the stand for a moment longer, then answered, "Well, it would appear to be completely empty. Not a single apple at this apple cart."

Applejack nodded, knocking on the wooden counter with a hoof. "Ah sold e'ery last apple and apple treat this here cart had stocked."

Twilight blinked, her expression that of amazement. "Wow....really?"

Applejack tapped the same hoof against a bucket overflowing with golden bits, chuckling. "Reckon ah made one, maybe two thousand bits in just a short three hours! Ah've never seen more eager buyers in a workin' day than ah have today!"

Twilight smiled, admiring the bucketful of coins. "That's great, Applejack!"

Applejack trotted from around the stand, saying, "Well, ah 'spose ah can turn in early t'day. Nothin' left to sell."

Twilight nodded, beginning to turn away from the stand. "I'll see you later, then, because Spike and I have-" She halted, however, when she spotted a grandiose white carriage now rolling into town. She was enticed to move to meet it as it entered Ponyville, along with Applejack and a large portion of the ponies who crowded the streets.

Patsy Craft shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the sense of somepony's misery gnawing at the back of her mind. Opulent Majesty gave her a perplexed look, then continued looking at his window. He despised the scenery, however, and was more intently focused on the glass itself than the view on the other side. The mare who sat to his right, however, was soaking up everything. The road, the trees, the rivers, and just about anything else that caught her pink rose-colored eyes. She smiled brightly at everything, was excited by everything, and she simply loved everything. I loathe her... Thought Opulent Majesty. She doesn't speak a word, yet everypony loves her! I hate it! He proceeded to express his boundless inner rage with a slight cough. He adjusted his monocle, saying to the cerulean pony, "Aqua Grace! Are we close?"

Aqua Grace ducked inside briefly, nodding a quick yes, then stood outside once again. She behaves like a foal... Thought Opulent Majesty, who glanced back to Patsy Craft. Patsy had resumed her enigmatic expression, staring out the window with unreadable eyes. I hate her too. Not nearly as much as Grace, but I still hate her....can't quite remember why.... He cleared his throat, asking, "Something the matter, Patsy?"

Patsy seemed to awake from a trance, answering with a slow shake of the head, "Oh, nothing. Nothing's wrong."

Opulent meant to say something else, but was interrupted by Silver, who turned to Patsy with a concerned expression. "Are you sure, Patsy Craft? You seem awfully distraught."

Patsy giggled, tilting her head to one side. "Well, now that you mention it....I did get a bit of a shiver."

Silver raised an eyebrow, saying, "Oh? I didn't think it was especially cold today." He looked to the ceiling, saying, "Nonetheless, I insist that you bundle up." His horn glowed with a pure white aura, one that stung to look at directly. From outside the open window floated in a scarf, retrieved from the baggage atop the carriage. It moved to Patsy's neck and gently wrapped itself around, the white aura manipulating it disappearing once the article had been wrapped tightly around the mare's neck.

"There we are!" Silver chimed, satisfied.

Patsy brushed the scarf with a hoof, saying, "Oh, how thoughtful of you."

Opulent Majesty's eye twitched. Now I remember. It's not just Patsy, it's Silver and Patsy! 'Ooh, Silver and I did this! Oh, Silver and I did that! Dearest me, I think I'm in love with Silver Gleam!' Yes. That's it. I've now decided that I hate her a substantially greater amount more than Aqua Grace....but I still don't like Grace! He scornfully eyed Patsy's scarf, or rather Silver's scarf, then looked to his own window. With a quick magical motion, he opened it and peered outside. "Ah. We'll be arriving shortly. Game faces, team. This will be one of our most difficult missions to date." Silver and Patsy nodded, but Aqua Grace ignored his words, her expression only brightening when she saw how near they were to their destination. Opulent glanced to her once more, thinking, Oh, but of course. The mute requires no preparation. Everypony just smothers the poor thing with their pity. As of now, Patsy and Grace are tied on my list of disdain! The carriage continued along, now entering the happily bustling Ponyville.

The carriage came to a halt, its exit now surrounded by a vast crowd of curious onlookers. Despite many inquisitive individuals pestering the two earth ponies that hauled the vehicle, the pair stood solemnly, not saying a word. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack both struggled to gain a clear view of the door, their attempts to move closer often vain.

"Can you see what's going on?" Twilight asked, stretching her neck and shuffling from side to side as she tried to gain a better view.

"Nope." Applejack answered, hopping up and down in an attempt to see the carriage. "Can't see nothin' with this many ponies gathered 'round!" The first passenger to greet the curious crowd was Aqua Grace, who exploded through the carriage door, drawing a gasp from the crowds. She glanced about with an open-mouthed beam, her rosy eyes glittering with excitement. Her horn glowed pink as she leapt at the crowd, and was suddenly trotting in midair, sounds of awe escaping the spectators as she climbed an invisible set of stairs. Twilight and Applejack's jaws seemed to drop in unison at the sight, but Spike only gave a skeptical frown.

"Twilight, doesn't this seem a bit familiar?" Spike reasoned as Aqua reached the top of her invisible stairs, then turned to trot down a nonexistent walkway, moving toward the carriage. "A newcomer unicorn arrives in town, gathers a huge audience, then shows off her talent with spells. Doesn't that ring a bell?"

Twilight's awe faded as she frowned, nodding. "Good point. But, this unicorn has yet to exclaim the words 'great' or 'powerful' to her audience. That already makes her a bit less boastful than Trixie."

The cerulean unicorn stopped above the carriage, turning to the now excited crowd with a nervous smile, then made a slow sweeping motion with her horn, then slashed upward with it, causing the air around her to glow with a rose-pink liquid and burst, the glowing substance now falling to the ground as droplets of water. This trick earned her a round of applause as she bowed and hopped from her non-existent pedestal, landing atop the carriage roof.

Twilight squinted to look at the mare's cutie mark, which she found to be a simple teardrop of water. So, she uses water-based spells. She thought. But, how is she able to use that to walk on thin air like she just did? I'll have to hit her up on that question.

Seeming to have materialized from nothing, like the spray of water that Aqua Grace had summoned, Rarity stepped to Twilight's side as she asked, "Have I gone mad, or did that unicorn just walk on nothing?"

Twilight started at Rarity's sudden appearance, but quickly calmed herself, saying, "It's quite the trick. I already have some theories worked out as to how-"

Rarity placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder, cutting her off with, "Dear, I only asked if I'd gone mad. I didn't ask for your magical analysis."

Twilight pouted at Rarity's interruption, but said nothing else. Sometimes, it was lonely being talented in the academic side of magic.

As Aqua bowed to the crowds once more, her three companions stepped from out of the carriage as well.

Opulent Majesty rolled his neck, muttering, "Great. She's already warmed up the audience for me."

Patsy Craft adjusted her scarf, nudging Opulent slightly. "Lighten up, stiff. A little pep will do you some good."

He shot her a glare, then turned to the crowds with a congenial smile. Patsy just went from tying to exclusive first place. Congratulations to her... He stepped forward, gesturing to Silver Gleam. Silver nodded, then placed his horn to the ground. It blazed white, the tip releasing a beam of glowing energy that shot from Silver Gleam's horn to underneath Opulent Majesty. The energy seemed to pool under his hooves, then the ground rumbled momentarily. Much to the amazement of the spectators, a pillar of glimmering silver rose from the ground, elevating Opulent Majesty. Many eyes now darting from the smiling Silver Gleam to the now centralized Opulent Majesty, the lavender-gray unicorn tossed his somewhat messy emerald green mane about, then cleared his throat.

Opulent's horn glowed as he put a hoof to his monocle. He shouted with a volume that put to shame the Royal Canterlot Voice, saying, "Hello to everypony in Ponyville!" He paused to allow the crowd to recover from the shock of his magically enhanced voice, then continued, "We offer you greetings from our home country of New Unicornia!" This caused many confused looks to appear among the faces of the audience, several ponies quietly inquiring about this country they had never heard of. "We have traveled here, to this fair nation of Equestria, in search of many things." He lowered his hoof, glancing to the heavens with a serious expression as he began listing, "Knowledge. Understanding. Promising magicians." Twilight brightened at that item, a large grin on her lips. "Peace. Alliances. Dare I say friendship?" He looked back to the crowds with a friendly smile, saying, "We are honored to seek these things in the home of some of Equestria's most legendary heroes. I only hope that we aren't imposing by arriving so suddenly and declaring our goals with such forthright formality."

Applejack chuckled at Opulent's words, saying, "Aw, shucks. We're not legends, right Twi'?"

Twilight shook her head, saying, "I don't think we are. But, this stallion claims that we're legendary heroes. So, our names have obviously shown up somewhere outside of Ponyville." She nudged Rarity, asking, "What do you think, Rarity?"

Rarity only answered with an absent babble, then resumed staring in wonderment at the speaker. Or rather, at the speaker's solid silver stand. She couldn't halt the drool that began to drip from her chin.

Opulent Majesty glanced about the crowds, then nodded, continuing, "Allow me to introduce the embassy." He gestured to Aqua Grace. "This is a mare of particular talent, named Aqua Grace. I'm certain that she requires no further introduction." As if to concur with his certainty, Aqua Grace raised her head with a smile, the tip of her horn briefly flaring, a small burst of rosy red water exploding from it. This caused the crowds to cheer for the cerulean unicorn as she took another bow. Opulent Majesty gestured to Silver Gleam, who stepped forward, his outward machismo far outweighing Opulent's own. "This is Silver Gleam. Aside from his own impressive talent," He stomped on his perch to reiterate, "Silver Gleam is a rather outgoing and friendly pony. Believe me when I tell you that he's just too nice for his own good." Opulent Majesty's normal tone would have caused his words to sound spiteful, but the sarcasm he had utilized drew a round of laughter from the crowd and another cheer for the embassy. Silver Gleam waved a dismissive hoof, a sheepish look on his face. Opulent Majesty now gestured to Patsy Craft, who looked especially nervous when the audience turned their attention to her. "Here we have Patsy Craft. Don't let that cowardly look on her face fool you. She has potential to be more shrewd and friendly than Silver. She may be a quiet one, and she might invest all her time in reading and spell casting, but Patsy is the kind of mare that I believe everypony should work to befriend." She's also the unicorn who knows how to make a puppet out of anypony. But that wouldn't be something to include in a positive introduction, now would it? Thought Opulent Majesty as a short round of cheering passed for Patsy Craft. He then put a hoof to his chest, saying, "And last, but not least, we have your's truly. Opulent Majesty's the name. Crowd pleasing is my game." He flashed a toothy charismatic smile, his pearly whites glinting in the sunlight, causing the crowd to erupt in applause. He bowed lightly, concluding with, "Thank you all, for such a warm welcome. I only hope we don't disturb the peace any further than we already have." He ceased his Booming Voice spell, then sighed with satisfaction at the ensuing applause. The cheers were cut off, however, by another booming voice that nearly equaled the volume of Opulent Majesty's own enhanced voice.

"POUND CAKE, YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!" Bellowed Pinkie Pie as she pursued the airborne Pound Cake, leaping from rooftop to rooftop in an attempt to catch up with him. Pound Cake, however, flew upwards, abandoning the rooftops, and circled tightly above Opulent Majesty. The crowd watched as he spun faster and faster, until he spiraled downward, landing lightly at Opulent's feet. His head bobbed back and forth as his dizziness overcame him, but he managed to give the smiling Opulent Majesty a puzzled glance.

Horn glowing, Opulent levitated the foal to meet his eyes, gently asking, "Are you on the run, little fella?" This caused the crowds to laugh. Opulent glanced from the spectators back to the deeply confused pegasus baby, then said to him, "We should probably keep you here, so you're mother doesn't have to chase you, you cute little colt."

Pinkie Pie, now just arriving at the edge of the building nearest to the crowd, panted heavily, her head hanging, then drew in a deep breath, looking up to see where Pound Cake had flown off to. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw the bright expression that Opulent Majesty cast her. Those....evil....golden....eyes.... She thought, lips quivering. After a moment of panic, however, Pinkie Pie shook away her fear, then allowed it be replaced by anger. She leapt to the streets below, the crowd clearing away as she dashed at the silver pedestal.

Opulent turned Pound Cake to face Pinkie Pie and levitated him slightly higher before shouting to her, "Good! You must be this adorable colt's-"

"Leave him alone!" She barked, slicing through the crowd. Opulent Majesty looked flabbergasted by her command as she sped toward the stand. She leapt a remarkable distance and height to land on the platform, then pivoted on her front hooves to bring forward her back ones, using her momentum to send a devastating kick to the stallion's head. He was knocked off his perch with a sickening crack, a yelp of pain, a cracked monocle flying from the unicorn's eye, and a shocked gasp from the crowd. Magic no longer sustaining his levitation, Pound Cake dropped, landing on Pinkie's back. She jumped down from the platform, galloping down the path that still lingered from the parting crowd. She disappeared around a corner, Opulent slowly getting back on his hooves with a groan.

"Crazy mare...." He glanced to his fractured eyepiece with disdain. "And she broke my monocle, as well!" He snatched up the eyepiece with his magic, examining it.

"Oh, quit your griping." Patsy said, much to Opulent's annoyance. "You know how to fix it."

Opulent furrowed his brow, his horn growing slightly brighter as he focused. The monocle trembled for a moment, then the crack slowly reversed itself, disappearing completely after a moment. "It's not a matter of how easily repaired it is." He turned to Patsy Craft, lowering his voice as he hissed, "This is a matter of your spell failing in some form or another!"

Patsy shrugged, walking away without a word.

Opulent Majesty replaced his monocle with a scoff, glaring at Patsy as she so casually trotted away. Definitely at the top of the list. No questions there.

Chapter 3: Mama Fluttershy

Curse my younger brothers....the two of them can't seem to make a single good decision on their own. Word has just arrived of the events dubbed "The Hearth's Warming." The tales surrounding this remarkable "Hearth's Warming" are unreal, but, exaggerated or not, the end result is what has our tribe in uproar. Apparently, the three pairs of explorers from the three respective tribes actually befriended one another, and decided to share the magnificent land they had all taken claim too, calling their mutual territory Equestria. I, for one, am glad to see that the unrelenting winter is dying down, the windigoes now somewhat subdued by this courageous group of unlikely friends. I even look forward to visiting this new nation in due time, but, as always, my idiot brothers have spoiled my good mood with another one of their half-brained plots. They insist on preserving our tribe's "proud legacy" by refusing to journey to this new land, and instead are gathering unicorns for something they call an "exodus." Why they can't accept that something good has happened and simply go along with it, I can't understand, but I know that this rash, poorly thought out decision of their's will inevitably lead to disaster. However, other, less sensible members of our tribe actually seem to agree with the nitwits, and are readying themselves for this great "exodus." I'd ignore my brothers, and let them get lost at sea by themselves, but now they're involving dozens, even hundreds of naive innocents....and any harm that befalls them will ultimately be my responsibility. I suppose, if I can't stop those fools, that I'll have to guide this ill-prepared expedition personally. But, once those numskulls are satisfied, and their followers are out of harm's way, I will travel to Equestria, and indulge in the much needed peace that Gorgeous Verity and I have been seeking for so long.

The spectators only stared blankly as Pinkie Pie fled, unsure why she would do such a thing. After a moment, however, they converged on Opulent Majesty, who they simply had to comfort and care for. Opulent now bore a nervous, somewhat crazed smile as dozens upon dozens of ponies worriedly tended to him. Okay, now they're invading my personal space. Seems I came off as a bit too friendly for such a 'touchy' crowd. He wanted to protest against the suffocating mobs that prodded him and asked him stupid questions, but a sideways glance from Silver told him not to fight the crowds. With a sigh, he allowed the concerned ponies to make their "observations," and did his best not to yell at those who asked him ridiculous questions. Against his will, the crowd began to usher him in the direction of the doctor's office. Of all the things I don't have time for, this is something I absolutely do not have time for! He thought, forcing himself to move with the crowd and retain a relaxed smile.

As the carriage was abandoned by the audience, Patsy Craft giggled, watching the horde of ponies as they escorted Opulent Majesty to the clinic.

"Maybe I overdid my modified Joy Spell just a bit." She observed, trotting back to the carriage. "After all, Opulent Majesty could never earn that much attention on his own." Her horn glowed as she began retrieving her luggage from atop their vehicle, levitating down one item at a time as she examined it and set it aside. "No matter how prestigious he thinks he is."

Silver stepped next to her, doing the same. "Seems you've made the poor stallion into something of a local celebrity. You know he's not especially comfortable with any of his admirers coming into physical contact."

Patsy shrugged, adjusting her glasses as she glanced at a small suitcase, then set it aside. "He's the best at speaking to large crowds out of the four of us. Not my fault that he does such a good job at it." She snickered quietly, snorting as she laughed.

Silver gave a good-natured chuckle, then turned and began walking toward the silver stand he had conjured. He readied magical energy in his horn, then gave the pillar a quick tap. The metallic pedestal glowed the same white it had been created from, then shook as it sank into the ground. The remaining circle of white light quickly faded, disappearing without a trace. Silver raised an eyebrow, however, when he saw a purple-maned mare staring in disbelief, her object of worship now gone as quickly as it had appeared. Rarity's expression was that of shock, horror, and utter devastation as she placed a hoof upon the ground where the silver had once stood.

"It was so beautiful...now...it's gone." She sounded choked up, ready to burst into tears.

Silver laughed at Rarity's melodramatic anguish, saying, "Milady, I assure you, that was nothing compared to the quantities of silver I've transmuted in the past."

Rarity's expression suddenly snapped from sullen to hopeful as she jumped at Silver Gleam, her hooves propped on his fairly muscular shoulders. "You've created silver in the past?" She asked, pressing her nose against his, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Does that mean you can make more?" She glanced to his cutie mark, a trio of silver bars stacked in a pyramid, then smiled brightly as she returned her nose to his.

Silver chuckled at Rarity's sudden interest, then nodded, answering, "I can transmute any amount of just about anything into pure silver." He backed away from her as her bright smile widened. "The only thing that can interfere with such transformation is my own magic. Otherwise, the silver is permanent."

Rarity squealed with joy, then paused for a moment, putting a hoof to her mouth as her face reddened slightly.

Silver shook his head, then offered an outstretched hoof to the embarrassed white unicorn. "I can guess that you probably know my name already, but I'd like to introduce myself anyway. The name's Silver Gleam. Might I ask yours?"

Rarity giggled nervously as she accepted the hoofshake, answering, "Rarity. Owner of the Carousel Boutique. Admirer of all things fashionable...." She seemed to think briefly as she dropped her hoof, adding, "Bearer of the Element of Generosity..."

Silver gasped, bowing his head as he said, "What an honor it is to meet one of the six heroes of Equestria!"

Rarity waved a dismissive hoof at Silver Gleam, but couldn't help but smile smugly as she said, "Why, the honor is all mine, Mr. Gleam."

Silver raised his head, grinning as he said, "Please, call me Silver."

Rarity batted her eyelashes without thinking as she responded, "Oh, if you say so, Silver."

Patsy Craft, who had seemed to materialize from thin air, was glaring bitterly at Rarity, interrupting with, "I see you're already making friends, Silver."

Silver smiled awkwardly, about to say something to Patsy when Rarity offered a hoof to her, saying, "And you must be Patsy Craft. Judging by Opulent Majesty's introduction, you sound like a mare that a friend of mine would be pleased to meet."

Patsy accepted the hoofshake, retaining her venomous glare as she asked, "Are you referring to the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle?"

Rarity nodded, answering, "I most certainly am. She's big on reading about and practicing magic also."

Patsy's expression turned from contentious to slightly interested as she said, "Sounds like the kind of pony I can get along with."

Rarity dropped her hoof, saying, "Oh, she loves new friends. Would you care to meet her?"

Silver casually inched away, unnoticed, as the two conversed. Patsy smiled lightly, her hostility stemmed. "I'd love to."

Rarity turned to where she had been standing, but frowned when she saw that Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had disappeared. "Hmm. Twilight was here." She turned back to Patsy, smiling apologetically. "Sorry that you couldn't see her sooner. But, I'm sure you can find her at the local library within the day."

Patsy nodded, returning to the carriage to continue unloading her luggage. "I'll see if I can't find time to visit her later, but we're terribly busy right now."

Rarity nodded, already headed in the direction of the Carousel Boutique. "Of course. Ta ta for now, Miss Craft."

Shortly after Rarity was out of sight, Silver gave Patsy a questioning look. "We are?"

Patsy pointed to a pile of assorted bags and containers, answering, "We not only have to unpack our own things, but Opulent isn't here to unload his possessions. There's plenty of items to sort through and separate, Silver."

Silver frowned, always a bit disconcerted by Patsy's excessive neatness. "We could always just bring everything to the inn, then determine what belongs to whom once we're there."

Patsy shook her head, laughing lightly at the suggestion. "Silly Silver. One does not simply transport first and sort out later."

Silver breathed a sigh, then glanced upward. "Well, if Opulent's absence is a problem, then you're not going to like this."

Patsy looked to him, then to the top of the carriage. She scoffed when she saw that Aqua Grace had disappeared as well. "Curse her! She's so quiet!"

Silver grinned at Patsy's frustration. "She's a mute unicorn who's practiced lithe steps across the heavens. What do you expect?"

She growled, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath, then gained a tired expression as she said, "Well, now it's down to two ponies unloading the luggage of four." She levitated down a small briefcase, then set it aside, grouped with other cases that belonged to Opulent Majesty.

Silver rolled his eyes, wanting to say something, but only continued unloading the carriage. The majority of this we could do without. We're carrying so few essentials. Yet, Patsy is treating the unpacking like a crucial component of the mission. He examined a small blue purse, then set it with Patsy's items. I suppose taking everything seriously does make her a top-notch agent....But it also makes her a lousy friend. At least when we're working.

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had removed themselves from the crowd, watching Pinkie Pie as she fled. Twilight scowled as Pinkie and the bewildered Pound Cake rounded a corner.

"Of all the bizarre impressions Pinkie Pie has made before, this one is unacceptable!" Twilight exclaimed, stomping after her friend.

"Darn tootin'!" Applejack agreed, walking alongside Twilight. "She's been quirky, peculiar, and just plain out weird before. But violent? We need to catch up with 'er, set 'er straight, and find out why she'd do that."

Twilight glanced back to the carriage behind them, adding, "And she needs to apologize to Opulent Majesty. He's done nothing wrong. He was only holding Pound Cake."

Applejack nodded, looking back as well. "Ah've ne'er seen Pinkie hit an' run before. Opulent's gonna have 'imself a right good shiner after a kick like that." Twilight grimaced as the two quickened their pace, trying to make up lost ground as they pursued Pinkie Pie.

"One Grass Sandwich Deluxe for the lady." A waiter said as he sat a plate in front of Rainbow Dash, one that held a sandwich that could only be called staggering. "And one Hayburger for the filly." He sat another plate on Scootaloo's side of the table, the burger that rested upon it substantially smaller than Rainbow Dash's meal, but still scrumptious for the eyes. "Is there anything else I can get for you two mares?" The waiter asked the two ponies, who were eyeing their food with anticipation.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, absently answering, "No, we're good."

The waiter glanced between the two, then turned and walked to the next table without a word.

Scootaloo licked her lips as she leaned closer to her burger, whispering, "Ready..."

Rainbow Dash put her hooves on either side of her plate, following up with, "Set..."

They paused, then shouted in unison, "Go!" The two snatched up their respective sandwiches then proceeded to tear into them, hardly chewing with each bite before swallowing. Condiments, sauces, and crumbs flew every which way as the barbarous feast continued. Several other diners shot the pair looks of confusion, disapproval, and disgust. After about a minute of the inelegant eating, the two mirrored each other as they took their respective last bites, gulped hard, stomped one hoof on the table, pointed across to each other, and belched loudly before shouting, "I win!" They're synchronized actions continued as they both stomped their pointed hooves on the table and stood, leaned closer to one another, and shouted, "No, I did!" The two plopped back to their seats with a scowl, then burst into laughter. Many of the eyes they had attracted turned back to their meals with a few quiet chuckles, along with a few annoyed grumbles.

Rainbow Dash sighed, cocking her head as she said, "It's hardly fair that you only had to finish that wimpy Hayburger. It was half the size of my awesome sandwich!"

Scootaloo shook her head, responding, "Yeah. And my mouth is half the size of yours. It was fair and square!"

Rainbow Dash sputtered, pushing forward her empty plate with a couple bits as tip. "Whatever." She winked at the young pegasus. "Squirt."

Scootaloo laughed as she did the same, standing. "It was a tie, Dash. Neither of us won."

Rainbow Dash stepped next to her and ruffled her mane, saying, "I know. Which means you've just earned yourself a rematch with me, the fastest pegasus in Equestria."

Scootaloo nodded, a confident smirk on her face. "Challenge accepted. I look forward to it."

The two strode away from the restaurant, laughing merrily as they went.

From high above the pair of happily chatting pegasi watched one cerulean unicorn, her silken mane flowing with the breeze, like the mists of the sea. She walked along her pathway of condensed aquatic steps, grinning happily as she listened carefully to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Odd. Thought Aqua Grace. No family resemblance. Perhaps they share a mother, but not a father? Maybe one was adopted? Oh, it doesn't matter. Two sisters, even being so many years apart, with that much love for one another is splendid! Aqua Grace smiled as the two embraced for a moment, but frowned when the older pegasus took off suddenly, the young Scootaloo left alone with a sullen expression. Aqua Grace glared at Rainbow Dash as she flew into the clouds, oblivious to the unicorn that stood in the sky behind her, then glanced back to Scootaloo, who looked exceptionally depressed as she walked the other direction. Aqua's heart sank at Scootaloo's distress, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Why don't you fly with her, young pegasus? She can't just abandon you! Fly away, little pegasus! Her thoughts, however, did nothing to send Scootaloo skyward. Aqua Grace turned back to where Rainbow Dash had flown off, then bolted forward without hesitation. She began trotting up her conjured stairs, determined to follow the cyan pegasus to wherever she'd gone. Nopony should just leave their little sister in the dust!

Pinkie Pie, breathing hard and heart thumping, finally came to an uneasy halt at Sugarcube Corner. Pound Cake, surprisingly, had not even attempted to fly off, sitting reverently on Pinkie's back the entire rushed way there. She leaned forward and panted for a moment, then straightened herself, her heavy breathing now quieted as she entered the bakery. Many customers greeted her with a friendly smile, which she returned as she trotted past them, walking behind the counter.

Mrs. Cake, who was busy at the register, asked Pinkie without turning to her, "Isn't Pound Cake supposed to be napping? Why is he with you?"

Pinkie answered happily, "Poor little colt woke up screaming. I decided to take him for a ride. You know, see if I could calm him down."

Mrs. Cake glanced warily to Pound Cake, then smiled when she saw a quiet little pegasus who looked ready to quietly doze off. "How thoughtful, Pinkie. Thank you very much." She nuzzled Pound Cake, drawing a giggle out of the pegasus. "If you don't mind, could you put him back down for a nap, now that he's calmed down?"

Pinkie Pie nodded, continuing forward. "Will do, Mrs. Cake." She passed Mr. Cake as he carried a tray of cupcakes, exchanging a congratulatory wink with a "you're welcome" wink. Pinkie trotted up the stairs, then quietly entered the twins' bedroom. She approached the crib, then picked up Pound Cake and gently set him inside. She turned to walk, but the foal made a sound of protest, moving to the rails with a quivering lip. Pinkie Pie sighed, then hoisted him out of the crib.

She held him, cradled in her leg, then thought for a moment, before smiling and beginning to rock him back and forth, singing quietly, "Rock-a bye, Pound Cake, in the sweet shop. When the bell dings, the cupcakes will rock. When the yeast puffs, the bread will be done. Relax, little Pound Cake, enjoy all the fun! Pound Cake is sleepy, lovely and fair. Pinkie sits near him, watching with care. Keeping him quiet, she tells him these things. And though he may doze off, to him still she sings. Pound Cake snored quietly in Pinkie's cradle, a happy smile on his cute little face. Pinkie sighed, sitting him gently in the cradle. She inched out of the room, then silently shut the door. She hummed her lullaby's tune to herself as she trotted down the hall, moving downstairs once more.

Arriving at her quaint cottage outside of Ponyville, Fluttershy landed at her doorstep and was about to enter, when suddenly a stray sound caught her ear. She paused, listening carefully to where it had come from.

"What could that have been?" She asked herself. "It was so faint...but I could have sworn it sounded like-"

A similar noise, one loud enough to startle her, resounded from the same direction. She worriedly stared in the direction the noises were coming from, whispering to herself, "No...not good."

A third noise pierced the air. A bestial roar, one that seemed to shake the earth, deafened the poor pegasus for a moment. She groaned at the noise, then shook her head frantically, her worried expression becoming fearful.

"Dragons! Dragons don't come this close to Ponyville!" Fluttershy shouted at the nearby Everfree Forest, only for it to retort with another feral bellow and localized earthquake. Fluttershy cringed at the noise, but donned a serious expression as she spread her wings and took off toward the Everfree. "I sent away a pestering dragon once, I can do it again!" She wasn't sure why she was so brave at the moment, but she decided that it wasn't important. All that was important was that this uproarious beast be sent away before he or she did any more harm (Fluttershy never calls any animal or mythical beast 'it'). She halted however, when another roar erupted from the dark woods. This roar, however, was deeper, more penetrating, and far more paralyzing than the three that had come first. Fluttershy dropped to the ground, a bit rattled, then tried to put in order her muddled thoughts. Okay....that roar wasn't the same as the first three....that means that there isn't one dragon in the Everfree....there's actually two..... She shivered at the thought, but recoiled in fear when the bellows overlapped each other, one distinctly higher pitched than the rumble of the fourth roar. Fluttershy ran toward the forest as fast as her trembling legs could carry her, but almost stopped and turned back when a gargantuan bout of sapphire-blue flame shot from the treetops, another roar of the higher pitch joining it. Fluttershy, however, quickly went from cowardly to observant. Wait a minute. She thought. That sounded different from those first three....the first three sounded pained....agonized, even....this one sounded aggressive....that means these two dragons are.....fighting.... Her eyes grew wide as she stared into the maw of the forest, whispering, "Which is very, very, very bad...." A thunderous baritone bellow and the lurching of the ground, which knocked over poor Fluttershy, seemed to confirm this. She stood shakily, gulping hard as she meekly commanded herself, "Go Fluttershy....split up the fighting dragons....it won't be that hard...." This command was immediately challenged by an earsplitting screech of rage, but she pressed forward nonetheless, all the while wanting to flee back to the safety of her cottage.

Stepping out of the clinic, ice pack held to his black eye, Opulent Majesty greeted his eager horde of escorts with a tired smile. Patsy, what have you done? He thought as a barrage of questions was directed at him.

"Want a tour of Ponyville? I can show you around!"

"Is there bad blood between you and Pinkie? What'd you do?"

"I've never heard of New Unicornia! What's it like there?"

"Your cutie mark looks just like Twilight Sparkle's! Is your special talent magic, too?"

Opulent Majesty sighed at the bombardment of questions, but suddenly perked up. He activated his Booming Voice spell with glowing horn, then shouted, "HEY!"

The crowd was shocked into silence, allowing Opulent Majesty to speak regularly as he said, "I'd be happy to answer some of your questions, but first, I have a few of my own to ask." He glanced about the crowd, which had brightened up again, and said, "Forgive my ignorance, but I have to ask. Are dragons plentiful in Equestria?"

Many answered all at once, much to Opulent's frustration, but he could glean the occasional "yes" or "you bet they are" from the torrent of replies. He raised a hoof to quiet the crowd, then nodded, saying, "Okay. So, with that in mind, I also ask. Are draconic conflicts common near Ponyville?"

Many pondered the question for a moment, then an answer sounded from a pony further away from Opulent Majesty. "They're really rare, but Ponyville's seen a couple of dragon-related squabbles recently."

Opulent seemed to consider this, then said, "One more question. Is there any location nearby that is known for the unknown, and is considered unusual, frightening, or even dangerous?"

The answer came in unison from every member of the horde. "Everfree Forest."

"Ah. Would anypony care to show me where this forest is?" Opulent asked, his escorts quickly motioning for him to follow as they trotted off. He removed his ice pack and carelessly discarded it, then gingerly replaced his monocle, which had been floating nearby. Good. Now I have room to breathe. He trailed behind the group, secretly hoping they were all burned to a crisp by the dragon he could so clearly hear in the Everfree Forest.

After waiting for a mass of peppy ponies to pass, and shooting the smug unicorn that strode behind them a curious glance, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle continued forward, on the lookout for one orange pegasus.

"Applebloom, do you really think we should go after Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked, glancing back at the huge crowd that paraded down the street. "She seemed really upset. Maybe we should just give her some space for now?"

Applebloom sighed, answering, "Ah don't know. On one hoof, she did seem like she needed to jus' be alone. On the other, she might jus' be in need of 'er friends, but she doesn't know how t' tell us."

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, saying, "Pfft. If she needed us, then why did she leave?"

Applebloom shook her head, saying, "Ah don't know....but if Scootaloo's actin' strange, then maybe she's jus' confused, 'cause she's upset." Her answer sounded more like a question.

Sweetie Belle considered this as she silently stared ahead, then said, "Well, we won't know until we find her." Applebloom nodded, quickening her pace. The two trotted along, occasionally shouting for the pegasus as they went. They asked around, hitting up anypony that hadn't gone to Everfree on Opulent's whim. After a good hour of diligent searching, however, their luck proved to be rotten.

"Well, no Scootaloo." Applebloom mumbled, hanging her head. "Maybe she's tryin' to avoid us?"

Sweetie Belle frowned at the notion, saying, "She's never this good at hiding from us. Maybe she's just not in town at the moment?"

Applebloom looked up again, putting a hoof to her chin. "Ah reckon that she ain't got that many places to go outside o' Ponyville....'cept the tree house, o' course."

Sweetie perked up at the suggestion, but quickly hesitated. "She might go to the tree house. However, if she's trying to avoid us, then what are the chances she would go to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' base of operations?"

Applebloom stomped, holding her head high. "It can't hurt t' check. 'Sides, who else is gonna help poor Scoots in 'er time o' need?"

Sweetie Belle nodded, responding, "Fair enough. Let's go see if she's there." The two broke into a gallop, heading toward their trusted base in search of Scootaloo.

"Alright. That should do it." Rainbow Dash said as she examined the monstrous black cloud she had just assembled. "Evening is an awful time to start a storm. But, I'm not complaining." She shrugged, gliding away from her work. "I don't have to set it up or set it off, so I think I'll just enjoy the rest of my awesome day with a little stunt practice." She jerked, ready to dart upward, but stopped suddenly, remembering her severed engagement with Scootaloo. I did just leave her hanging on short notice. Probably need to find her now. She glanced to the ground, but her attention was captured by a plume of sapphire-blue flames in the distance. Rainbow gasped at the sight, then took off toward Everfree forest. Scootaloo can wait! No dragon will get near Ponyville on my watch! Despite Rainbow Dash's encounters with dragons never actually ending in her favor, she was brimming with confidence as she sped toward the pair of terrifying beasts that fought in the Everfree.

Aqua Grace stepped from out of the billowing black storm cloud, not a drop of stray water staining her coat from the moisture within. She watched Rainbow as she halted her ascent, then glared when the pegasus took off toward the Everfree. So much for sisterly love. Thought Aqua. Where is she going? Is there some urgent matter in- Her train of thought was lost, however, when she spotted the target of Rainbow Dash's concern. By the seas! What a grand flame! No wonder that pegasus is worried! She broke into a gallop as she pursued Rainbow Dash through the heavens. I may not be much of a fighter....but, I know there's something I can do to subdue that dragon! Her horn glowed brighter, and the air rippled as nearby clouds unraveled themselves, the water surging to and clinging to Aqua's mane and tail. The soft rose-red sparkle of the flowing water made Aqua Grace's now comet-like mane and tail dance with the wind as she sped along. I just hope this isn't too flashy...

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, who had just arrived at Sugarcube Corner, watched Rainbow Dash speed toward Everfree forest with her tail of rainbows flowing behind her. The pony they saw pursuing Rainbow, however, did not fly toward the Everfree. She galloped, her mane and tail literally rippling with a pale rose-red light.

"Well, gah-lee! And ah thought she was showy 'fore!" Applejack exclaimed.

Twilight's look of awe, although not as awed as Applejack's, was quickly replaced by an observant expression. "Probably just some illusion. She wants attention, so she runs across the sky and gives herself a flowing mane and tail. Pretty basic magic, if you ask me."

Applejack rolled her eyes, then glanced to Rainbow Dash, seeing she had disappeared into the Everfree Forest. "What ya reckon Rainbow Dash is headed t' Everfree fer?"

Spike, who was staring in the direction of the Everfree, answered in a monotonous tone, "Fire."

Twilight squinted in the same direction that Spike was looking, saying, "What fire, Spike?"

Spike answered blankly with, "Dragon fire. I saw it just a second ago. And I can still hear those two...."

Applejack's eyes widened as she asked, "Two? As in two dragons? Both of 'em over yonder, in the Everfree Forest?"

Spike nodded, his expression still mesmerized. "Yep. Sounds to me like they're fighting...."

Twilight gained a fearful look for a moment, but quickly shook it off. "We'll talk with Pinkie later. Right now, we have to deal with these rampaging dragons!"

Applejack took a deep, nervous breath, then nodded. "Well, no time like th' present, right?"

Twilight's horn glowed, and in a flash of violet light, the three of them vanished, reappearing just outside of the Everfree Forest, only to find themselves surrounded by the same crowd that had greeted the embassy. Now, however, they were panicked and skittish, none of them daring to enter Everfree.

"What in tarnation?" Shouted Applejack. "This ain't no place for these spectators t' be spectatin'!"

Twilight glanced about, confused as to why a crowd had gathered here, but shouted, "Everypony! Go back to Ponyville! We'll handle this!" Her words, however, were heard by few, and heeded by less. That is, not a single pony left the horde, every last one of them content to nervously shuffle about until the sounds of combat halted. She groaned, but blinked suddenly when something caught her eye. She hadn't seen it clearly, but it had looked like a small explosion of black smoke. Twilight stared at where she had thought she'd seen it, asking Applejack, "Did you see-" Her question was cut short by an earthshaking roar from within the forest. The crowd shrieked and hollered in fear, but refused to flee. They simply had to see Opulent Majesty's safe entrance into the forest. Twilight turned and stared at the forest, Applejack doing the same.

"Have ah seen Spike? Not since he done leapt off yer back and high-tailed into the forest." Applejack said, not answering the correct question.

Twilight glanced to her back, then put a hoof to her face. "He went in alone! What was he thinking?!"

Applejack shook her head, suggesting, "Ah'm thinkin' he was thinkin' that he could actually do it alone. He's real confident, but ah've got mah doubts on whether're not he'll do any good without us."

Twilight gave a frustrated growl, then began shoving through the crowds toward the entrance, Applejack following closely behind.

Patsy Craft eyed the skittish horde of ponies that stood at the entrance to the Everfree with disdain. "What fools! They actually believe they can do something to quell those rampaging dragons!"

Silver stepped next to her, sighing. "They were made fools by your horn, Patsy Craft. They were led here by Opulent Majesty, and they remain because he has yet to direct them otherwise."

"Hmph. You'd think they would have a little more mental willpower than that. Following Opulent about as if he's to be trusted or believed is simply-" Patsy's scorn was interrupted by an explosion of black smoke from the nothingness that resided next to her, Opulent Majesty materializing in the plume. She yelped at his appearance, but was soon shooting a glare his way.

He grinned at the masses as they reacted to the quake of the roar, then dropped his grin when he looked to Patsy. "Why so spiteful, Patsy?"

Patsy answered earnestly, saying, "You're here. Why else?"

Opulent Majesty scoffed, turning away. "I approach one of my colleagues, presenting her a request, and she only scorns me? How dismal."

Patsy raised an eyebrow, asking, "Request? What request?"

Opulent turned back to Patsy, grinning deviously, then answered, "Oh, only a little test for you. How skillful are you at crowd control spells?"

Patsy tossed aside her mane, which only shuddered stiffly, and said, "Is that a joke? I could make the entire lot of them drop their panic and commence dancing!"

Opulent considered this with a hoof to his lip, then shook his head. "As amusing as that would be, why not do something a bit simpler? Just have them all ignore the crisis. Blot out the roars, flames, and quakes of this cataclysmic-" There came another high-pitched screech and heaving of the land, which drew a larger smile from the lavender-gray unicorn. "-clash of titans. Surely, you can do that?"

Patsy snorted, returning her glare to Opulent's sinister face. "In my sleep." She turned to the crowds, then focused her magic, her magenta horn crackling with electric-blue energy. The worried murmurs and discomforted stirring in the horde halted suddenly, as each of its members gained a relaxed smile and began walking away from the forest. The two who had been headed to the Everfree entrance, however, were not so quick. They halted their advancement, certainly, but seemed to hesitate, not turning back.

Opulent smirked at the resistance by the two, saying to Patsy as snidely as possible, "In your sleep, eh? You must be much better at magic while you slumber."

Patsy snorted indignantly, the light of her horn intensifying. "Shut it, Opulent...." Her cutie mark, bizarrely enough, actually began glowing as she cast this new spell. The pony marionette that rested on Patsy's flank would signal when the magenta mare was utilizing her signature spell.

Opulent chuckled as the two resisting ponies, which he hadn't recognized as the Bearers of the Elements of Honesty and Magic at the time, shuddered, and suddenly turned, walking with blank faces back toward Ponyville. "Well, well, Miss Puppeteer. I see you haven't lost your touch, after all."

After the two mares had been guided out of sight and back into the town, Patsy dropped the spell with a gasp, her horn and cutie mark losing their glow simultaneously. She panted for a moment, then cleared her throat, holding high her head. "Nothing to it....although, those two ponies did seem out of the ordinary when I seized their minds...."

Opulent was about to speak when a glorious eruption of ruby-red flames shot from the forest, causing him to turn his gaze to the skies and stare in awe. "Well....no matter. They're gone now, and should effectively ignore this chaos. At least, they will long enough for those beasts to do a little damage to Ponyville." Opulent Majesty chuckled in a satisfied tone, then turned, walking back into town.

Silver sighed, watching the stream of flame as it continued for a moment, then glanced to Opulent when it had died out. "It's a bit spontaneous, don't you think?"

Opulent glanced back with a smile, then looked forward again, saying, "Perhaps. But, opportunities are opportunities. Can't let mayhem go to waste, now can we?"

Patsy gave the forest an indifferent glance, then quickly pursued Opulent Majesty with a scowl. "While you were parading around with your horde of lame-brained subordinates, Silver and I had to unpack everything and take it all to the inn!"

Opulent laughed, shaking his head. "You poor things. I'm oh so very sorry that you had to lug around a few parcels more."

Patsy growled at him, but didn't pursue the matter further. Silver glanced ruefully to the forest, feeling that it would be burned to the ground because of them, then trailed behind Patsy Craft and Opulent Majesty.

Rainbow Dash, undeterred by the glow of flame or the thunderous roars, dashed about through the forest, ready to strike at the battling dragons with surprise on her side. She flew from tree to tree, nearing the two warring beasts, but stopped when she heard a pained shriek echo through the growth. This shriek, however, had not come from either of the dragons. Rainbow Dash, recognizing the pony in need, rushed toward the source of the noise, then gasped in horror when she found a young orange pegasus, with two legs on her left side bent out of place and half of her frightened little face burned and gnarled. Rainbow Dash landed next to her, examining the filly's mangled legs with a revolted look.

"Scootaloo....what happened?" Rainbow asked, even if she already knew just what Scootaloo was about to say.

Scootaloo sniffled, the charred half of her face twitching as she weakly answered, "I...tried to help. I tried to stop those dragons...."

Rainbow Dash now bore a scowl as she shouted, "What were you thinking!? Dragons are serious business, Scootaloo! You could have been killed!"

Scootaloo whimpered at Rainbow's scorn, sniffling again. "I-I....I was just...."

"You were just what, Scootaloo? Huh?" Rainbow asked furiously.

Scootaloo shrunk at Rainbow's fury, but answered meekly, "....trying to be brave." She began sobbing lightly. "Like you...."

Rainbow Dash sighed, releasing her anger, then eyed Scootaloo's injuries again, saying, "Now, don't cry...just, uh, tough it out, I guess..."

Scootaloo hopped on her two good legs toward Rainbow Dash, using her wings to keep balanced. She buried her head in Rainbow's leg, sobbing more violently as she whimpered, "Oh, Rainbow Dash! I was so scared! I-I thought I could stand a chance against those dragons! But, I got caught, in the c-crossfire...." She sobbed for a moment longer before continuing, "They didn't even notice me....I was burned by one of them....th-then one of those monsters swatted me with its tail, like a bug...." She looked up to Rainbow Dash, who was now sorrowfully staring down at the little pegasus.

"Celestia's mane..." Muttered Rainbow Dash. "And you just....walked away from that?"

Scootaloo glanced to her gruesomely twisted out of place legs, nodding slowly. "It wasn't easy....but yes. I'm just glad to be alive after...." She sniffled, sounding ready to begin her sobbing again, but concluded, "After losing so miserably to those dragons...."

Rainbow Dash backed away from the filly, then circled around her, hovering just above the ground as she reached down and gently scooped up Scootaloo in her front legs. "Don't sweat it, kid. I'll get you to a doctor, then come back and deal with these dragons. Just hang tight, and-" Rainbow Dash was swamped by an unearthly roar of agony, one that caused even her to cringe. It was followed by a quick series of tremors, then the sound of mighty wings carrying away one of the two ferocious beasts.

Rainbow shook her head, lifting Scootaloo. "Well, one of them lost. Let's hope that means they won't cause any more trouble..." She flew off with Scootaloo held tight, careful not to move too quickly, lest the suffering pegasus suffer further.

Spike sighed as he uncovered his ears, his pulse thudding as he looked to the treetops. "Geez....never heard anything that loud in my life..." He continued forward, nonetheless, running full speed toward the source of the earlier commotion. He wasn't sure why, but he had to get to the dragon that remained as quickly as possible. Call it instinct, but I just know that I have to be there, and fast. He thought as he sprinted down the gloomy forest path. As he neared the site of the aftermath, and the lone dragon that had remained, for whatever reason, he could begin to hear labored breathing, defensive snarling, and something that sounded far too meek to come from a dragon. Almost like a voice....oh no.... Spike put just a bit more effort into his run, desperate to aid Fluttershy and, if necessary, defend her. I'll at least be a decent fire shield. After that, I just hope she can fly out of here fast enough.

Fluttershy took a cautious step toward the glowering behemoth, provoking her to tense and curl her tail. The freshly bloodied tip seemed to twitch about as the dragoness uneasily set her tail on the ground. The dragoness's fuchsia scales rippled with every hesitant motion she took; every adjustment to her posture, the heaving of her chest with every pained breath, the shuddering of her brutally mauled wings, and the half-curious, half-hateful neck movements she made as she examined Fluttershy. Her partial glare was fixed on Fluttershy, who was scared beyond words by not only the semi-hostile titan that stood before her, but by the gruesome gashes and rips that riddled the dragoness's skin, which oozed blood. The dragoness didn't move to attack Fluttershy, but refused to relax. So, the two stood in silence, one sneering, the other quivering. The tense silence, however, was broken as Spike, breathing raggedly, exploded from the undergrowth. The dragoness turned her drilling sapphire eyes to Spike, hissing at him.

Fluttershy smiled nervously as the young dragon caught his breath, then whispered, "Hi Spike. I don't know if you can help here, but thanks for coming."

Spike glanced to Fluttershy, then looked to the tense dragoness. He frowned, seeing how badly injured she was, then said, "If you don't like us being here, then why stay? Just fly off. Go somewhere else."

The dragoness furrowed her brow, wings twitching as she rumbled, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? So you and your pegasus cohort can make off with my egg!" Her voice was perfectly commanding, and her tone bellowed with the intimidation that was to be expected of a dragoness full-grown, but Spike could detect the slightest hint of fear in her voice.

"Egg?" Spike asked, trying to glance behind the dragoness. "I didn't know you were protecting an egg..."

The dragoness scoffed, shifting slightly to further obstruct Spike's view. "What does it matter to you, hatchling? My egg is under my protection, and no living thing shall dare lay their greedy little eyes upon it!"

Spike gained a thoughtful expression, then quietly asked, "Is that why you were fighting that other dragon? To protect your egg?"

The dragoness opened her maw and released a bestial roar, but it sounded weaker and more subdued than the cries she had given during her battle. She glared at Spike, who hadn't been phased in the slightest by her roar, puffing a small pair of smoke plumes from her nostrils.

Spike laced his claws, his expression still soft. "Fluttershy and I mean no harm to you or to your egg. We only want to help you."

The dragoness cackled briefly at Spike's words, then shouted, "Help me? More like strike down the weakened mother and steal her precious child!"

Spike took a step toward her, causing the dragoness to bare her fangs and raise a massive foot slightly off the ground. "If you don't trust us, then at least listen to reason. Even if you won't allow Fluttershy and me to help mend you and tend to your egg, you can't expect to stay here and defend your offspring all alone. At least, not in your condition."

The dragon mother snarled at him, but looked to one of the particularly large and painful cuts on her foreleg warily. "I may not have a lot of fight left in me....but that doesn't mean I will surrender my child to anyone! Especially you two!"

Spike glanced to the same wound, then gave a mournful shake of the head. "We don't ask you to surrender. We ask you to allow us to help you. Can you not allow the Element of Kindness to be kind to you?"

The dragoness's eyes widened as she glanced to Fluttershy, then back to Spike. "She is the Element of Kindness?"

Fluttershy grinned sheepishly as Spike confirmed this with a nod.

The dragoness gave Fluttershy a dubious look, then mumbled, "Last I heard, the legend that was the Element of Kindness could banish the mightiest of dragons by ferocious command alone, and could paralyze in fear the foulest creatures of Tartarus....."

Fluttershy shrugged, laughing weakly, which caused the dragoness to sigh. "Are you sure this is the same individual?" She asked.

Spike nodded once more, saying, "She only ever shows her forceful side when she has to. Otherwise, she's nothing but compassion and kindness."

Fluttershy pawed the ground, looking embarrassed, as she said, "Really, I'm not that special....I'm just....Fluttershy."

The dragoness raised an eyebrow at her, Spike adding, "And nopony in Equestria is as good with animals as she is. Dragons included."

The dragoness shifted about, grimacing as she accidentally agitated a few of her more severe wounds. "If what you say is true....then....perhaps...." She exhaled, exhausted, then said, "I could ask a small favor of you?"

Fluttershy trotted forward, a relieved smile on her expression. "Oh, of course! Whatever you need!"

The dragoness turned, groaning in pain, to face the thicket that surrounded them. She lowered her head, sniffing about the bushes, then seized a seemingly random shrub with her teeth, plucking it from the ground as if it were as weak as a single blade of grass. She set it aside, then reached a serpentine tongue into the hole it had been concealing. Gently, she retrieved an egg with an onyx base color, which was ringed with stripes of fuchsia that exactly matched the color of its mother's scales. Holding the egg with as much care as a genteel dragon could muster between her teeth, the dragoness turned back to Fluttershy, setting the egg in front of her with a sigh.

"I would request...." She drew in a deep breath, the simple task of retrieving her egg proving to have been more draining than she would have first thought. "....that you examine this egg, and ensure that the poor thing was not harmed when I brought it here, or during my....conflict."

Spike stepped next to Fluttershy as she stared in wonderment at the black egg that lay quietly before her. "It's so beautiful...." Fluttershy whispered as she hovered a hoof just above it.

The dragoness interrupted Fluttershy's blissful reverie with a pained cough, mumbling, "Please, just make your examination, Miss Kindness."

Fluttershy looked to the dragoness with worry, flying up past the egg to rush toward her. "We have to tend to you, too, mama-"

The dragoness brought up a massive set of claws to block her, coughing more violently. "No...." She coughed again, sounding drained. "No....care for the egg first....I've lived a long and fulfilled life....see that my child will have the opportunity to do the same...."

Fluttershy put a pair of hooves to her mouth, then turned back and fluttered down to the egg. "O-okay....I'm not completely sure what to do, but..."

Spike tapped her shoulder, catching her attention, then said, "Dragon eggs are healthy and well if they have a sturdy, firm shell, and are radiating the right amount of heat."

Fluttershy glanced to the egg, then back to Spike. "What's the right amount?"

Spike held out a hand, saying, "Give me your hoof." She hesitated, then set her hoof in his palm. "The shell should feel about this hot." He held up a pointed claw on his free hand, then blew a small stream of his green flame on it. He held the stream for a moment, then touched his heated claw to Fluttershy's hoof, causing the pony to yelp in surprise. "If the entire egg is about that temperature, then we have nothing to worry about."

Fluttershy looked back to the egg, glancing to the dragoness, who looked as if simply standing required tremendous effort. Fluttershy blinked, looking over the egg once more, then put a shaky hoof to the black surface. She nearly pulled away as she was met with the small sear of energy that surged into her hoof. She ran her hoof across the shell, feeling for cracks or faults, then smiled as she laid her head on the onyx egg, much to the dragoness's surprise.

"This little egg is right as rain, mama dragon. I'm sure that this little guy or girl will hatch to be a strong and healthy baby dragon." Fluttershy said, rubbing her cheek against the tepid shell.

The dragoness nodded, then stirred lightly for a moment. Suddenly, however, she fell to her left, landing with a heavy thud. Fluttershy and Spike both gasped, rushing to her side. Her eyes fluttered, and she weakly said, "Miss Kindness....I...would ask....another favor of you...one.....a little more....tasking."

Fluttershy scanned the dragoness, sputtering, "You aren't that badly hurt! Y-you can't be-"

Spike jabbed at her leg, saying, "Fluttershy. This mother has another favor to ask you."

Fluttershy's expression grew fearful as she asked, "What is it, m-mama dragon?"

The dragoness coughed, answering, "If....you are truly....without rival, in regard to caring for....animals....then I would ask....that you care for my child."

Fluttershy bit her lip, whispering, "You can't be serious....I....I....can't even....I don't know how to care for a dragon baby...."

The dragoness sighed weakly, then mumbled, "Neither do I....you're just as qualified as I am.....or rather, as I will have been."

Fluttershy put a hoof to the dragoness's snout, whimpering, "No....don't...."

The dragoness smiled ever so slightly at Fluttershy's touch, saying in a tone that was barely audible, "Just....teach the little one....how to be kind.....like you." She spoke not another word. Fluttershy, eyes gleaming, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, reverently stepped away from the deceased mother.

"She.....she's....." Fluttershy stuttered, her voice already cracking.

"She's gone, Fluttershy." Spike said, his tone morose as he offered the egg to Fluttershy. "And her last words were that you care for this egg." He offered it to Fluttershy, whose lip quivered as she looked it over. "Are you going to ignore the last words of a caring mother?"

Fluttershy lifted up off the ground, her wings suspending her trembling form, then gently seized the egg, wrapping her front legs around it and nuzzling the onyx shell. A tear trickled down her cheek as she whispered, more to the egg than to Spike or herself, "Don't worry....your real mommy is going away for a while....but, I'll take care of you...." She sniffled, then smiled down at Spike with eyes shining. "I'll take care of this little dragon, Spike...." She sobbed quietly as she glanced to the smile on the mother's lips, then buried her face on the warm black surface of the egg. Her egg.

Chapter 4: Suspicions and Agony

Tomorrow, we cast off. Are we prepared? Prepared for the untold trials and dangers that may lie in wait? Not in the slightest. A true testament to how mentally apt those nitwits are. They've stubbornly gathered a group of like-minded individuals, which boasts at least three thousand, but have neglected to prep their followers, our poorly built ships, or themselves. And they are just now coming to grips with how bad of an idea this is on the night before our scheduled departure. If those two don't kill each other, then their blood will be on my hooves. I certainly hope it doesn't come to that....But, two foolish younger brothers about to lead a group of three thousand to their doom is currently the least of my problems, believe it or not. As of now, Gorgeous Verity is convinced that she is coming aboard the Alpha Gale, along with me and a third of our expedition. Regrettably, I've neglected to tell her that she must stay here. Under normal circumstances, I'd gladly have her along. But a voyage across the sea is simply not safe for a laden mare....Despite this, I seriously doubt I can convince her to stay behind. I suppose it is both a blessing and a curse that I'd have a wife that will never leave my side. Still, this only makes my dilemma all the more complicated. I only hope that our foal remains safe as we make this treacherous journey...

Hooray! Thought Aqua Grace as she watched Rainbow Dash carry away the direly injured Scootaloo. She came back for her little sister! Aqua smiled at the scene, but paled suddenly, shivering quietly.

Aqua's thoughts were pervaded by the darkest corner of her mind, the one that she tried to keep stowed away. A vile, malevolent snarl sounded, You know they aren't actually sisters, you twit.

Aqua physically whimpered at the voice in her thoughts, replying with, Can't you allow me my wishful thinking, Shift? Is that too much to ask?

The voice cackled slightly, answering, If wishes were fishes, we'd all have a fry. But you wouldn't like that, would you, little teardrop?

Aqua Grace felt a little hurt by the name, thinking, No....and must you really intimidate yourself like this?

The voice harshly answered, You are not me! You and I may share thoughts, but you don't exist! You never have, and never will! Without me, you wouldn't even be able to dream those pathetic frilly dreams that you do.

Aqua Grace sighed, thinking, Okay, Shift. I see what you're getting at. I'm not into the game. Just...let me have control for a bit longer? At least until tonight?

"Shift" seemed to pause, then answered with scorn, ...fine. But, you have to be more focused! You're only allowed to pursue the Element of Loyalty and her bug-eyed sidekick because you're practically invisible!

Aqua Grace rolled her eyes, thinking, Her eyes aren't really-

Yes they are! "Shift" interrupted. Now get back to work!

Aqua Grace frowned, galloping after Rainbow Dash. Yes boss....

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, the horde of magically manipulated ponies began to break apart, going about their business with careless smiles on their faces. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, however, stood somberly at Sugarcube Corner, then suddenly glanced every which way, stumbling about in confusion.

"What just happened?" Twilight mumbled, struggling to keep her balance.

"Ah.....Ah don't know." Applejack answered with a shake of the head. "Weren't we....here t' talk with Pinkie?"

Twilight rubbed at her head with a hoof, then nodded slowly. "Yeah...we need to get her to apologize for what she did to Opulent."

Applejack nodded, straightening herself. "Right. Let's see 'f she's here." She took a step toward the entrance of the bakery, only to have Pinkie spontaneously appear from nothing (because she's so good at that) behind them.

"Hi Applejack! Hi Twilight! Did you see that big black dragon flying out of the Everfree Forest? He looked real grumpy! I bet he's-"

Twilight spun around, cutting her off with a stomp and a fiery, "PINKIE!"

Pinkie's smile diminished at Twilight's interruption, but she calmly asked, "Yes, Twilight?"

Applejack, now facing Pinkie Pie as well, scowled at Twilight, causing the unicorn to clear her throat and answer in a more level tone, "Pinkie, we've come here to talk about what you did earlier."

Pinkie's standard "larger than life" smile quickly returned as she said, "Oh, you mean when I went looking for Pound Cake, and got to where my neat detective getup again? It's okay now, because I-"

Applejack, sounding more annoyed that she had intended, cut her off with, "We know, Pinkie. We was there when ya knocked that colt off o' his stand."

Pinkie's giddy expression seemed dampened by Applejack's words, but she responded with her typical high spirited tone, saying, "Oh yeah! Now I remember that...pony." She giggled, sounding somewhat nervous.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, saying, "And I'm sure he remembers you, too, considering how you greeted him."

Pinkie's smile faded as she looked at her hooves, bearing an ashamed look. "I guess he will. That probably wasn't the nicest thing to do."

Twilight and Applejack's looks of scorn softened. Applejack put a hoof to Pinkie's shoulder, saying, "Now, we ain't come here to pummel yer partyin'. We jus' wanna know why ya'd do somethin' like that."

Pinkie glanced up at them, an apologetic smile on her lips. "Well...it's sorta kinda hard to explain."

Twilight chuckled, shaking her head. "It's sort of kind of hard to understand you in any way, Pinkie. Just tell us what was going through your head when you did that."

Pinkie inhaled deeply, sighing a distressed sigh. "Okay. Believe it or not...." She ran a hoof through her mane, its puffy (very cotton candy like) shape returning in the manner of gelatin. "I had this really weird nightmare. And in it, there was this really scary colt, with these freaky golden eyes." She pulled down one of her own eyelids, her exposed eye quivering briefly before she released it, the skin making a curious snapping elastic noise as it met the upper eyelid. "When I saw that unicorn holding Pound Cake with his magic, I guess I just..." She trailed off, a guilty expression on her face as she glanced between Applejack and Twilight.

Twilight smiled lightly, waving a dismissive hoof. "Pinkie, Opulent Majesty had no intention of hurting Pound Cake. The little colt just happened to land at Opulent's hooves, and he kept him from flying off while you caught up."

Pinkie laughed with a tinge of uncertainty, looking sheepish. "Yeah. I guess he was. Now I feel silly for overreacting like that."

Applejack nodded, her tone friendly as she said, "Don't worry yerself none, Pinkie. Ah'm sure, if ya go say yer sorry, that it'll be alright."

Pinkie pursed her lips, but still smiled tersely. Her eyes seemed to nervously wander for a moment before she mumbled, "Okay, but, do I have to?"

Twilight and Applejack both blinked at her question, asking in unison, "What?"

Pinkie squirmed under their questioning gazes, saying, "I, uh, don't want to talk to him. Is there a problem with that?"

Twilight put a hoof to her chin, eyeing Pinkie with suspicion. "Pinkie, you love to meet new ponies...I know you got spooked by him, but there's nothing wrong with Opulent Majesty."

Pinkie paused, then shook her head, quipping, "My Pinkie Sense begs to differ..."

Twilight scoffed, about to speak when Applejack worriedly asked, "Yer Pinkie Sense is actin' up 'round 'im?"

Pinkie nodded, casting a smug grin at Twilight.

Twilight groaned in annoyance as she pointed an accusing hoof at Pinkie Pie, saying, "Pinkie, I don't care if you have predicted things to come with those weird spasms. There's no way your Sense can tell you that something is wrong with Opulent."

Pinkie shifted her jaw, considering what to say, then shrugged, responding, "The Pinkie Sense doesn't lie, Twilight. And it hasn't been wrong yet."

Applejack nodded, putting a hoof to Twilight's shoulder. "She's right, Twi. We've got a problem on our hooves 'f Pinkie doesn't feel right 'bout 'im."

Twilight shot Pinkie a quick glare, then politely brushed off Applejack's hoof. "I know what she says is true. She hasn't been wrong, as of yet. But, there's still no scientific evidence to support-"

Applejack and Pinkie both gave Twilight accusing glares, causing her to halt and glance between them. She wore a defensive expression, but offered, "Well, I don't have total faith in the Pinkie Sense. No matter what she's done to prove that she can predict the future," She paused, looking thoughtful as she eyed Pinkie, "or, that her body can somehow predict the future, I still can't fully believe in something that can't be scientifically measured and analyzed."

Pinkie sputtered, saying, "That's kinda flip-floppey, Twilight. After we saved Fluttershy from that nasty hydra, you said you believed in my Pinkie Sense, even if you couldn't be all scientifical in understanding it." She giggled, pointing a hoof to the now pouting unicorn. "You know, after that whole flaming mane thing. That was pretty cool."

Twilight furrowed her brow, weighing her responses, when Applejack suddenly approached her with, "Ya ain't no fickle pony, Twi. Ah reckon that ya don't jus' change yer mind on a whim." She raised an eyebrow, asking, "So, why are ya changin' yer mind now?"

Twilight looked taken aback by the question, shouting, "I'm not fickle! I'm just saying that the Pinkie Sense might not be the most dependable warning system."

Applejack and Pinkie exchanged glances, suspicious of Twilight's outburst. Applejack, looking a bit snide, asked, "So, ya don't have total faith 'n Pinkie's Pinkie Sense?"

Twilight breathed a sigh, shaking her head in annoyance. Pinkie, however, blinked rapidly for a moment, then glanced to her tail, which was suddenly trembling and twitching uncontrollably. Twilight saw this and nervously glanced about, then spotted a stallion pulling an empty cart nearby. She turned to it, and with a glowing horn and flare of magic, she pulled free the cart and levitated it just above the three of them. She kept a worried eye turned to the skies, but became more puzzled than fearful when she heard laughter from her two friends. She turned to them, scowling somewhat, then asked, "What's so funny?"

Applejack cleared her throat, pointing to the airborne cart that acted as their umbrella with a grin. Twilight glanced up, then said, "So what? If something is going to fall, then we should-"

"Oops!" Shouted Pinkie, her tail halting its spasm. "False alarm!" Her tail dropped and hung limp, showing no signs of the spastic warning signal that foretold of falling objects. Twilight glared at Pinkie, who wore a completely innocent smile on her expression.

Applejack glanced up at the cart, then pointed to the stallion who had been towing it, who was now standing next to Twilight, a look of confusion and anger on his face. Twilight giggled, gently setting the cart where she had originally taken it from, then pouted as she turned her attention back to Applejack.

The farm filly adjusted her hat, clicking her tongue. "Twi, yer smart. Yer one o' the smartest ponies ah know. Even with that said, it's kinda stupid to think ya could get a lie past me." She put a gentle hoof to Twilight's shoulder, then set her iron gaze deeper as she looked into Twilight's eyes. "So why are ya really chastisin' Pinkie and defendin' Opulent Majesty like ya are?"

Twilight's lips pursed as she thought of an answer. She became noticeably more nervous under Applejack's gaze, but managed to mumble, "What are you talking about? I'm not defending him..."

Applejack furrowed her eyebrows, lowering her hoof. "Sugar cube, 'f ya ain't gonna be honest with me, then at least be honest with yerself. Ya ain't really mad with Pinkie Pie. So, why are ya chewin' 'er out?"

Twilight seemed to sag as she lowered her head, breathing a defeated sigh. "Okay, you got me Applejack. I am being a little unreasonable with this. I guess...I'm just getting a bit defensive."

Applejack smiled, asking gently, "Twi, is that because..." Twilight's answer was immediate as she gave Applejack a pleading look, her cheeks rosy. Applejack nodded, turning to Pinkie. "Well, it don't matter none. So, Pinkie, considerin' yer Pinkie Sense, ah'm gonna guess that ya aren't that willin' to apologize t' Opulent."

Pinkie stared in puzzlement at Twilight for a brief moment, then smiled apologetically at Applejack. "Well, I'm sorry, but I think it would be best if I stayed away from him."

Twilight rolled her eyes, still itching to protest further, but Applejack shrugged, nodding respectfully. "Alright. Twilight and ah will go an' apologize fer ya. In the meantime, try not to go buckin' anymore strangers." She winked at Pinkie, drawing a giggle from her, then turned to trot away. Twilight gave Pinkie one more annoyed glance, then followed behind Applejack. Well, Applejack is certainly herself. Honest and decisive, as always. But what's wrong with Pinkie? She never declines the opportunity to meet new ponies. And she definitely never bucks strange ponies without valid reason.....This can't just be Pinkie being Pinkie. There's something else going on here. Twilight's mind wandered as she glanced back to Pinkie, who was now merrily bouncing away.

Rarity trailed her gaze on a spool of teal fabric, studying the cloth with a perplexed expression. I wonder, she thought, if basic fabrics could be made into something more dazzling? Rarity's horn glowed as she levitated closer a stretch of the fabric, as if studying it would reveal the answer. "Well, if it remains this malleable after a 'transmutation,'" she seemed to linger on the word, as if the concept of transmuting matter wasn't possible, despite Silver's earlier demonstration, "then perhaps it can function as a unique fabric all its own." Rarity ran a hoof across the teal cloth, then smiled, wrapping it around its spool. She trotted away, then quickly returned with a saddlebag. She randomly selected a few spools of fabric, then packed them away. She put a hoof to her chin as she closed the bag, however, and considered bringing along anything else she would care to see turned to solid silver. "Jewelry? Decor? Hmm..." She thought aloud. "Perhaps....oh! Silly me." She searched about for a moment, then added a good sum of bits to her pack. "Can't expect him to offer his magical services without proper payment." She glanced about, then nodded, satisfied with the materials she had chosen to be transmuted into silver. Rarity trotted downstairs, a spring in her step as she exited the Carousel Boutique. She hummed as she began toward the location she had last seen the embassy's carriage.

"Who's this stallion?" Whispered Sweetie Belle, cautiously peering through her concealing shrubbery. "And why is he here, at our tree house?"

Applebloom glared at the silver-gray unicorn who stood there, admiring the base of operations for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Whoe'er he is, he needs to find 'imself somewhere else to be gawkin'."

Silver Gleam smiled thoughtfully as he examined the tree house, circling it with something of a reverent gait. He laughed lightly to himself, then stopped once more, trailing his gaze on the rooftop.

Sweetie Belle frowned, whispering in an annoyed tone, "What do we do? Just wait for him to leave?"

Applebloom glanced from Sweetie back to Silver, then answered, "Ah don't reckon we can do much else. Unless....ya think the two o' us could take 'im?"

Sweetie Belle shot Applebloom a disbelieving look, saying, "Are you crazy? Look at him! He'd tear us to pieces!"

Applebloom gave a frustrated grunt, saying, "Ah was only askin'."

"She's right to be apprehensive, young filly." Silver chimed, his focus still trailed on the tree house.

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom both shrieked in surprise, withdrawing into their respective cover. Sweetie, although frightened, managed to timidly ask, "Have you known we were here the whole time?"

Silver gave an amused chuckle, nodding slowly. "Let's just say you two won't earn your cutie marks for stealth. Of that, I'm sure."

Applebloom shot from her cover, landing out in the open in a defensive stance. "How do ya know about the Cutie Mark Crusaders?! Are ya spyin' on us?!"

Silver Gleam sighed, laughing once more, then turned to Applebloom, raising an eyebrow. "Cutie Mark Crusaders? I know not a thing about such an order. I only noticed two ambitious little fillies with no symbol upon their flanks."

Applebloom seemed to relax slightly, but held her glare as she eyed Silver. Sweetie Belle, however, looked to Silver with more curiosity than spite as she stepped from her hiding spot. The young unicorn blinked slightly as she glanced to Silver's own cutie mark, then asked, "Where'd you get yours?"

Applebloom spun to face Sweetie Belle, snapping, "Sweetie! Don't be askin' 'im questions! Ah'm doin' the questionin'!"

Silver gestured to his flank with a hoof, unperturbed by Applebloom's disapproval, then answered, "The story is a unique one. An anticlimactic one, but unique nonetheless." Sweetie Belle, also ignoring Applebloom, stepped around her friend, listening intently. Silver cleared his throat, saying, "When I was a little younger than the two of you, my two best friends and I were....wishful thinkers. We sought to brave the most perilous and adventurous of ordeals, to throw ourselves headlong into danger, and, ultimately, we sought to unveil what we were all destined for."

Sweetie Belle beamed at his recollection, but Applebloom only raised a suspicious eyebrow as the two of them stepped closer. Sweetie, gesturing to Applebloom, said, "That's what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are! We go on crusades, looking for our special talents!"

Silver chuckled, putting a hoof to his black bearded chin. "Adorable. And I assume that the friend you were searching for was a fellow 'crusader.'"

Sweetie nodded, glancing past Silver to look at the tree house. "Oh yeah! You didn't happen to see an orange pegasus leave here, did you?"

Silver shook his head, still smiling while he answered, "I'm afraid not. I haven't the slightest idea where your friend has gone."

Sweetie frowned, stamping a hoof in frustration. "Scootaloo, where did you go?"

Applebloom glanced to Sweetie, then turned her suspicious gaze back to Silver, asking, "Why are ya here, anyway?"

Silver rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "Oh, no reason. I was just taking a stroll, and happened to stumble upon this place." He lowered his hoof, nodding to Applebloom. "Apologies if I'm trespassing, ma'am."

Applebloom blinked, then laughed awkwardly, waving away Silver's apology. "No harm done. Ah was just a bit worried, 's all."

Silver turned back to the tree house, smiling with a wistful look about him. "That's good. I only stopped here because.....well, it's been a while since I've strolled down memory lane. This place reminded me of days gone by..." Silver sighed, turning away and trotting off. "Well, I suppose I best be on my way. Good luck, young crusaders, in both finding your friend and finding your cutie marks."

Sweetie Belle dashed into the path of the stallion, stopping him in his tracks. "Wait! We, uh, never got your name."

Silver put a hoof to his forehead, mumbling, "Oh, how impolite of me. Starting a conversation with two foals and not bothering to introduce myself." He dropped his hoof, smiling apologetically. "My name is Silver Gleam. A pleasure to meet you, Miss...?" He extended a hoof, awaiting Sweetie's response.

Sweetie Belle accepted the hoof, grinning brightly as she said, "I'm Sweetie Belle! And that's one of my best friends, Applebloom." Silver glanced to the earth pony, Applebloom only waved shyly at the unicorn. He nodded as he looked back at Sweetie Belle, stepping around the filly. "Good day, young Miss Belle. May your crusades be fruitful."

Sweetie Belle watched as he trotted out of sight, then turned to Applebloom, saying, "Well, no Scootaloo, but this Silver Gleam seems pretty nice."

Applebloom put a hoof to her chin, her expression thoughtful. "Ah guess....but don't it seem a little suspicious that he would jus' wander on o'er to our tree house?"

Sweetie shrugged, glancing in the direction Silver had gone. "A little. He doesn't seem like a pony that means us any harm, though."

Applebloom gave Sweetie a skeptic look, reasoning, "Don't ya remember that lecture Miss Cherilee gave us on 'stranger danger?' She said don't talk t' strange ponies that we don't know, or our parents don't know."

Sweetie rolled her eyes, muttering, "You need to lighten up, Applebloom. How does she expect us to learn how to be grown up if we're not allowed to talk to any grown ups?"

Applebloom shook her head, answering, "It's not grown ups she warned us about. She said to stay away from strangers, and this Silver Gleam character don't seem all that normal t' me."

Sweetie Belle harrumphed at Applebloom's reasoning, turning and trotting back toward town. "I didn't see anything wrong with him. Just a friendly old stallion that stopped and took a look at our tree house."

Applebloom trailed behind her, mulling over Sweetie's opinion. It don't matter if he's a good pony 'r not. All ah know is that ah don't like 'im. Better keep mah eyes peeled, in case we meet 'im again.

Sweetie, however, gasped, then took off toward Silver. "He never finished his story about how he got his cutie mark!"

Applebloom rolled her eyes, breaking into a run to catch the wayward unicorn.

"What? What do you mean they aren't here?" Rarity asked the receptionist, her tone becoming impatient.

"Like I said, ma'am. The two of them hurried to check in, brought up their luggage, then left. Haven't seen them since." The receptionist muttered, examining a hoof with a bored expression.

"But, I was told I could find them here!" Rarity pouted, glancing to her saddlebag. "Did they say when they were going to be back?"

The receptionist sniffed, levitating a file to meet her hoof. As she began filing, she dully answered, "Nope. They checked in, stored their things, and left. Not a word of where they were headed or when they'd be back."

Rarity shifted her jaw, glancing about the reception desk. She gave a frustrated groan, asking, "So you have no idea when they'll be back?"

The receptionist gave Rarity a brief glance, then returned her focus to her hoof, breathing an exasperated sigh. "Lady, you need to have some patience. I'm sure they'll be back soon enough."

Rarity pouted, whimpering, "But I want my silver now...." She cleared her throat, quickly adding, "B-because I am very busy, and do not have time to wait around!"

The receptionist rolled her eyes, grumbling, "You think that's my problem? You need to see them so badly, go find them yourself."

Rarity scowled, shaking her hoof as she shouted, "Well, I can't very well find them if I don't know where they were headed, now can I?"

The receptionist's file moved back and forth at a noticeably faster pace as she growled lightly, grumbling, "Once again, not my problem..."

Rarity furiously stamped a hoof on the counter, shouting, "It most certainly is your problem! If you can't be a decent receptionist, then your ignorance is your own fault!"

The receptionist, her file now a blur across her hoof, turned a flustered glare to Rarity. "Excuse me?"

Rarity nodded in a very matter-of-fact manner, then returned the mare's scowl with her own. "Indubitably! If you can't be bothered to ask where your guests are planning to go to, or at the very least learn of how long they'll be gone, then the blame can be pinned on you, completely and entirely!"

The receptionist's eyebrow twitched slightly as her file halted suddenly, the hoof it had been filing now rather unsightly. "It's not in my job description to keep tabs on all the guests, lady."

Rarity brushed back her mane, placing her front hooves on the counter. "If not a component of your job, then it should at least be your duty as a friendly resident of Ponyville to care about other ponies. Is it really so difficult to ask a few new ponies how long they'll be leaving their room full of luggage unattended? Is it really-"

Rarity paused, however, when the receptionist's file snapped in half, the mare blinking furiously. "Lady. I know you must love, love, love harassing ponies that don't have anything to do with your 'problems,' but I've been having a bad morning. And your relentless drivel is making my bad mood worse. So," she levitated up a key, setting it on the counter, "you go investigate their room, find out where they've gone to, and follow them, while I stay here, calming myself down enough to not pop a blood vessel. Sound good?"

Rarity stared warily at the key for a moment, then smiled at the receptionist, plucking it off the counter with her own magic. "I suppose it can't hurt to take a quick peek. Thank you." She proceeded to the stairs, her earlier pep restored.

The receptionist nodded, leaning back in her chair. "Don't mention it." She breathed a relieved sigh and sat, motionless, for a brief moment. After that brief moment, she put a hoof to her chin. "I wonder if I'll get fired for that....meh. If I do, I don't care. I shouldn't have to deal with crazy mares like her, anyway."

"Hmm. Fortunately, there appears to be no severe breakage. However, the joints may require substantial time to heal properly." Observed a doctoring stallion as he examined a group of x-rays. "And as for those burns, they should heal up with time and a little ointment. However, there will be a little scarring." Scootaloo's expression remained neutral as the doctor explained everything, from the long term effects of the dislocation, to the severity of the burns on her face. The casts her legs had been wrapped up in were suspended rather awkwardly as Scootaloo lay in her hospital bed, but she didn't say a word of how uncomfortable it was. She didn't like that she couldn't see out of her left eye because of the tight, itchy bandages she wore, but she didn't complain. After all, she had to look tough for Rainbow Dash, who was worriedly conversing with the doctor at this point.

"What do you mean I should refrain from calling her parents?" The doctor asked, glancing to Scootaloo, who only rubbed at her bandages.

"I don't know how else to put this," Rainbow Dash answered, "but I kind of doubt they'll even care."

"What? That can't be right." He lightly stamped his hoof twice in succession. "They're her parents!"

Rainbow Dash frowned, leaning closer to the doctor as she whispered, "Actually, she's....in foster care. And the couple she's with right now....um....they're not the most caring."

The doctor glanced to Scootaloo once more, then sighed, giving Rainbow Dash a sorrowful look. "And she doesn't have any other family I could contact? No other ponies to inform?"

Rainbow shook her head, answering, "None. None at all."

The doctor frowned, running a hoof through his mane. "Sheesh. Poor kid. Does she even have a home to return to after she's done resting here?"

Rainbow Dash cast Scootaloo a pitying look, much to the filly's confusion, then answered, "She has a house.....but not a home."

The doctor clicked his tongue as he turned to exit, but was halted as Scootaloo caught his attention with, "Hey, doc!"

The doctor walked over to her bedside, asking, "Yes?"

Scootaloo gestured to her suspended legs, asking, "How long am I going to be stuck here?"

The doctor examined the casts, humming a long note as he thought. "I estimate....about four to five weeks for this kind of damage."

Scootaloo pouted at his answer, but nodded, saying, "Alright. Any way I can get out of here sooner?"

The doctor furrowed his brow in thought, answering, "It's probably best that you don't walk on those legs while they're healing, but we might have some means to accommodate you. However, no leaving this room for two weeks. That's the bare minimum."

Scootaloo nodded, smiling ever so slightly. "Understood. Thanks, doc."

The doctor offered, "No problem, kid. You just rest up." He turned, walking to the exit.

Scootaloo blinked rapidly for a moment, then stopped him with, "Hey, doc!"

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as the doctor halted and returned to Scootaloo's bedside once more. Sounding a bit confused, he asked, "Need something else?"

Scootaloo gestured to her suspended legs once more, asking, "How long am I going to be stuck here?"

The doctor eyed her, perplexed, answering, "Like I said, four to five weeks."

Scootaloo looked a bit embarrassed as she mumbled, "Oh, sorry, I guess I didn't hear you the first time. Any way I can get out of here sooner?"

The doctor looked to Rainbow Dash, who only gave an absent shrug, then looked back to Scootaloo with a concerned expression. "Dear, are you perhaps suffering from short term memory loss?"

Scootaloo blinked at the question, sheepishly answering, "Yeah. Have I...already asked you how long I'll be here?"

The doctor nodded, turning and rushing out into the hall. "I'll be right back. I've got a specialist for this."

Rainbow and Scootaloo both watched him go, Scootaloo frowning as she muttered, "Ah, he left already. I had a question for him."

Rainbow Dash shook her head, mumbling, "Oh, have you got it bad."

Scootaloo scoffed, shouting, "Don't I know it!" She angrily gestured to her suspended legs. "I need to know how long I'm gonna be cooped up here!"

Rainbow Dash sighed, putting a hoof to her forehead.

Rarity glanced about as she faced one of the two rooms that the embassy was currently renting. She spotted nopony else in the halls, so she decided to use her key and take a quick look inside. I wonder why she would just give me this key. Maybe she just needed a way of getting me out of her mane? Rarity pondered this as she inserted the key. She stared at it for a moment, then exhaled nervously as she magically turned it. She pressed at the handle with her hoof, the door opening with a quiet click and creek of hinges. She stepped inside, gingerly shutting the door behind her. Piled high on each bed was a large cluster of assorted bags, cases, and other unpacked luggage items. She glanced between them, considering where to start her search, then randomly selected a large saddlebag and carefully opened it with her magic. She sifted through the contents, finding a good number of scarves, blankets, and winter hats. "Why so much gear for the cold? Ponyville is never cold enough that all of these would be necessary, especially this time of year...." She replaced everything, repacking it flawlessly. She repeated the process, finding nothing particularly out of the ordinary, then sighed, placing everything where she had found it without a trace. "Well....no clues." She put a hoof to her chin, when suddenly her eye was caught by a small lock box. She studied it for a moment, then levitated it to examine it more closely. She hummed a note in thought, then squinted at the lock as her horn glowed brighter. The blue aura that surrounded the box now brilliantly glowed from within the mechanism, the components shifting about as Rarity worked her magic (no pun intended). After a brief minute, the keyhole twisted, and the box opened with a click. Rarity giggled gleefully as she peered inside, but frowned at what she'd found. Resting in the padded interior was, what appeared to be, a basic lump of coal. She removed the coal from the box, staring blankly at it as it hovered. Rarity was honestly more intrigued by the elegantly stitched pads within the container than the item that had rested on them. She studied the rock, puzzled, then set it back in the box, closing it and replacing it exactly as she'd found it. "Why keep a lump of coal in a strong box? For that matter, why keep a lump of coal as a travel item at all?" She scanned the pile of luggage once more, magically shifting the items to find anything interesting. Finding nothing, she turned to the other pile, finding there to be a great number of briefcases and other unconventional containers. She picked up a case at random, then spotted another keyhole locking it. Smiling when she spotted this, she focused her magic once more, only for the mechanism to make a crackling noise and belch a small stream of blue sparks. Puzzled, Rarity attempted to magically pick the lock again, only to be met with the same result. "Has he somehow....magic-proofed these cases?" She asked herself, setting the case back where she had found it. She rifled through the rest of the items, finding many of them to be similarly protected. With a frustrated grunt, she rearranged everything as she'd found it, then exited the room. She locked the door, then paused as she allowed the key to hover. She considered what would be best for it, then hastily deposited the key in her saddlebag. "Surely, they won't miss one little spare." She reasoned, trotting back down the hall.

Arriving at the inn at which the embassy was staying, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack stepped inside.

Applejack first approached the counter, saying to the receptionist, "We're here t' see the New Unicornia ambassadors."

The receptionist ground her hooves together, saying through clenched teeth, "They aren't here at the moment. Please, come back later."

Applejack and Twilight both gave the receptionist confused looks, but they turned to depart all the same. "Alright. Not a problem." Applejack said. She paused however, when a gleam of white could be spotted out of the corner of her eye. Twilight turned her attention as well, smiling as she dashed over to Rarity.

"Hey Rarity!" Twilight greeted her. "What are you up to?"

Applejack joined Twilight's side, greeting the white unicorn with a nod. Rarity returned the nod, then answered Twilight's question with, "I was here to speak with Silver Gleam, but it would seem he, along with his fellow ambassadors, aren't here."

Applejack gestured to the reception desk, saying, "Ya couldn't have jus' asked that there reception mare if they was here 'r not, like we did?"

Rarity rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "If you haven't noticed, that mare is a bit....unfriendly today."

The receptionist shot a glare at Rarity as she shuddered, her eyes twitching. Twilight glanced to the receptionist with concern, but quickly turned her attention back to Rarity. "I can see what you mean. We'd better not stick around, in that case."

Rarity was already beginning toward the door. "Agreed." The three of them stepped outside, aimlessly wandering the streets.

"Well, shoot. We ain't ne'er gonna get that apology to Opulent Majesty, what with them up and disappearing like they do!" Applejack shouted, drawing an agreeing nod from Twilight.

"Well, I still think it should be Pinkie apologizing to him." Twilight mumbled, earning her an annoyed glance from Applejack.

Rarity, however, added, "Pinkie's actions were absolutely outrageous! She should march up to that poor colt and apologize for behaving so violently! She never hurts ponies, and loves to greet Ponyville's newcomers! I can't fathom why she would have hurt him like that."

Twilight gained a smug smile as she said, "Well, at least somepony agrees with me. Pinkie did something stupid and foalish, and should have to answer for it."

Applejack rolled her eyes, but didn't press the matter. Instead, she rolled her neck, giving a tired sigh. "Where 'n tarnation could they be, anyway?"

Twilight thought for a moment, then opened her mouth to speak, but froze before she could utter a word. She blinked, then stared into the distance with a dire expression. "Not again..." She whispered, then sped off toward the hospital. Applejack and Rarity exchanged confused glances, then took off as well, keeping pace with Twilight.

"What's the matter?" Applejack asked, glancing forward and back to Twilight several times.

"Don't worry Scootaloo!" Twilight shouted, her horn glowing. "I'm on my way!"

"Scootaloo?" Panted Rarity, struggling to stay beside the frantic lavender mare. "What...what's wrong with....Scoot-" In a flash of violet light, the trio disappeared.

Now halfway back to the inn, the procession of ambassadors halted suddenly when Patsy Craft gasped in horror, falling to her knees. She panted heavily as Opulent Majesty turned to her. As was his nature, he responded to her sudden distress with his absolute favorite of all responses. Scorn.

"Oh, what pitiful creature has gone and died to spur you into another of these 'episodes?'" He asked, his tone more annoyed than curious.

Patsy scowled at him, drawing in a frustrated breath as she got back on her hooves, still noticeably shaken. "I know you don't have a soul, Opulent, but can't you take death a bit more seriously? I was monitoring an entity that displayed a flurry of vehement emotions, but when she suddenly gave out..." She shuddered, furiously shaking her head. "Imagine that one of your legs disappeared while you were running a race. That's a good analog to my connection being severed by death."

Opulent scoffed, tossing his head, causing his verdant mane to lazily swing to one side and fall back into its semi-unkempt style. "I don't run races, Patsy. Although, I do recall one I hosted bearing some similarity to your analogy. If I remember correctly, a misplaced landmine took a leg clean off of one of the earth pony racers." He grinned slightly, chuckling a slow, malicious laugh. "Now who would put a land mine on a race track?"

Patsy glared at the darkly smug Opulent, always uncomfortable when he reminisced on his violent entertainment. "Yeah, if you had a soul, you'd have been damned a thousand times over."

Opulent's expression became more serious as he returned her glare, responding in a level tone, "Perhaps. Or, perhaps there would be nothing after death. No divine prize or punishment for me, or anypony for that matter." He brushed aside his mane with a hoof, turning forward again. "I'd think that somepony as intelligent as you would understand that damnation is hardly a realistic fate."

Patsy, now recovered from her lapse, trotted behind Opulent, glaring at him spitefully, her sights particularly set on his Magic cutie mark. And I would think someone as privileged as you wouldn't believe that the world owes you everything. You're too pompous for your own good, Opulent. She said nothing of these thoughts, however, and said instead, "Silver, what are your thoughts on afterlife?"

She waited for a response, but stopped once more after she received none. She glanced behind her, and found that Silver Gleam was nowhere to be seen. "Silver?" She asked the empty space, turning around to investigate. Opulent stopped as well, glancing around to see if Silver was still nearby.

"Well, look at that." Opulent said with a good touch of boredom. "Silver is as good as Aqua Grace at disappearing. Our team is just so unorganized."

Patsy worriedly scanned the area, saying, "I don't care about Aqua. She'll find her way back to us with some tidbit of useful information. But I never know what Silver does when he just wanders off like this."

Opulent smiled deviously, slowly shaking his head as he mused, "I'll give you three guesses."

Patsy, paying no heed to his wise crack, turned a serious face to Opulent, asking, "You've analyzed Silver's PKE signature before, right?"

Opulent rolled his eyes, answering, "His transmutations reek of it. I couldn't ignore the PKE signature if I tried."

Patsy stomped a hoof, saying, "And you have that one tracking spell, right?"

Opulent nodded, saying, "Tracking isn't exactly the word I would use for it. It functions more like....radar. I designate a familiar source of PKE, send a pulse of magic to reverberate off of other unicorns, and I find just the individual I've been searching for."

Patsy frowned, saying, "Alright then. Track Silver and find out where he is."

Opulent put a hoof to his chest, asking, as if offended, "What am I? A blood hound?"

Patsy smirked, answering, "No. As you put it, you're more akin to a blood bat. Now get screeching, batsy."

Opulent gave her an animal-like hiss, then cleared his throat, sharply saying, "Silver is a responsible colt. He'll find his way back. I'm sure that whatever he's doing is a constructive use of his time." And a bloody waste of mine.

Patsy pouted, her horn now glowing slightly. "Opulent, do you really want to do this the hard way?"

Opulent glared at her horn, snapping, "I could do any number of vicious things to you for this kind of nonsense, Patsy!"

She shrugged, her horn's electric blue light intensifying. "You could. But you won't. If you're under my command, there's nothing you can do. And I can effectively make you forget why you would possibly want to hurt poor little me." She put a hoof to her chest, tilting her head and innocently batting her eyelashes.

Opulent gave a half groan, half sigh, then activated his own magic, causing Patsy to shut off her own magic and smile appreciatively. "Do I really have to foalsit the entire team on every single mission?" He mumbled, more to himself than to Patsy.

Patsy giggled, holding her head a bit higher as she said, "Hit the nail on the head there."

Opulent growled, then pointed his horn skyward. It glowed its emerald green glow for a moment, then a small wave of the aura burst from the tip, quickly dissipating as it spread. Opulent paused for a moment, then looked in a seemingly random direction. "That way. He's gone that way."

Patsy nodded, beginning to canter in the direction she'd been pointed, but she froze for a moment, a dire expression on her face. She blinked, then looked sickened, lowering her head and groaning quietly.

Opulent walked past her, asking in a richly indifferent tone, "What's wrong this time?"

Patsy panted for a moment, then looked up, staring in a different direction. In the direction of her gaze lay the hospital. "The little one is in pain.....terrible, terrible pain."

Opulent continued forward, grumbling, "Even if your magic connects you to the emotions and sensations of other ponies, you are far too empathetic, Patsy Craft."

Patsy said nothing in retort, instead choosing to continue towards Silver Gleam. This...this is something far worse than conventional Magic Poisoning. The poor foal....she doesn't deserve this. Nothing this cruel.

"Doctor! Doctor, what's happening?!" A nurse shouted as she joined Rainbow Dash in restraining the violently convulsing Scootaloo. Even two adult mares struggled to keep Scootaloo bound as she thrashed and flailed, shrieking in pain as her limbs collided with anything nearby. The doctor, in a panic, only did the same as the two mares, seizing one of the filly's legs, attempting to keep her from throwing herself off the bed or striking anypony that came near. Scootaloo craned her neck, bits of foam oozing from the corners of her lips, then very distinctly shouted, "Make it stop!" Rainbow Dash, motioning for the doctor to take hold of the limbs she had been holding down, flew to the door, jetting out into the hall.

"Twilight! Twilight, you have to get here now!" She shouted as she burst through the main exit of the hospital. Surely enough, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Applejack all materialized at a full sprint, running through the doors. Rainbow Dash joined them, speeding back into Scootaloo's room. When she arrived, she found the young pegasus tearing at the holds on her hooves, thin streams of blood running from her nostrils as she flailed her head about.

"Rainbow! T-Twilight! Somepony! Help!" Scootaloo half yelled, half screeched. Rainbow nearly cringed at the bestial screeches of torment that erupted from the young pegasus, but Twilight Sparkle had now arrived, her horn glowing as she ran at Scootaloo. The unicorn savior touched her horn to Scootaloo's forehead, and the filly's frightening fit came to an end. She drew in a few breaths through gasps, then opened her eyes. For a moment, the whites of the young filly's eyes glowed an ever so slight violet. The light quickly faded, however, as she looked about the room, seeing that everypony was staring at her with fear.

"What....what....what happened? And why do my legs hurt so badly..." She looked to her injured legs, finding the casts to still be intact, but Scootaloo couldn't help but pant shallowly, sounding ready to cry. She was in excruciating pain, and all she could remember from the last five minutes was that something had overpowered the rest of her thoughts. She tried to fight it, but this ended more negatively than she had expected. It had thrown her into a violent seizure, and now she felt like bursting into tears again. Partly because of the pain, partly because she had just had a seizure in front of her hero.

Twilight Sparkle squinted as she studied Scootaloo's ragged features, mumbling, "I'm so sorry, Scootaloo....I never would have guessed-"

Scootaloo held up one of her good hooves, cutting her off with, "Please, Twilight....just....leave it alone. If I'm not meant to make it through this, then I'm not going to. I have to be strong on my own."

Every one of the onlookers seemed to become that much closer to tears. Except for Aqua Grace, who was watching through the window without anypony noticing. She wasn't closer to tears. She was already there. It's just so sad! She gets injured by that nasty dragon! Then she suffers from that dreadful Magic Poisoning... Aqua Grace's tears flowed quietly, nopony catching wind of her.

Oh, suck it up, teardrop! Screamed "Shift" within Aqua's mind. She's not the first to suffer by our hooves, or the hooves of our teammates. Nor will she be the last.

Why, Shift? Why must the innocent suffer? What have they done to deserve this? Aqua pleaded to her other self.

It is our charge, weakling. And besides. They don't deserve what they haven't earned. Until they've all suffered as much I have, they won't have earned the luxurious lives they have here. "Shift's" words struck at Aqua's heart, but she made no further protest as she stood there, watching this young pegasus wipe the foam and blood from her face while her idol stared solemnly at her, along with the rest of the sorrowful ponies.

Chapter 5: Dashing, Devious, and Dangerous

Well, one week into our journey, and I can say that everything is going swimmingly. That is, Geo Gleam has already tossed overboard several of the passengers of the Beta Typhoon. I swear, if you considered the two of my brothers, Valorous Vanity is a comparative genius to Geo Gleam. Geo can prove to be dumber than a bag of rocks. Ironic, considering he's so fond of rocks, stones, gems, and other things of a geological nature. He's been playing in the dirt his whole life.....All contentious mayhem aside, however, I think that this voyage will be a successful one. A miserable and arduous one, but a successful one. Oh, and a note regarding Gorgeous Verity. My earlier apprehensions were in vain. As it would turn out, she's a productive member of the crew. How she's so knowledgeable with boats is beyond me, but her help is welcome. After all, none of these pompous unicorn passengers are especially good at hoisting or lowering a sail. Oh, how tragic! They made a stupid decision, and have consequences to suffer. To anypony reading this, I implore you; educate unicorns in the mundane arts, in any way you can! They'll never make it through life if they can't do the most basic things for themselves.

Are you about finished? "Shift" prodded at Aqua Grace's mind, frustrated with her endless stream of tears. You have work to do, teardrop.

Aqua Grace heaved a sigh, then wiped at her eyes. Shift, I'm just not cut out for this kind of work. I can be stealthy, silent, and even invisible. But, when I have to see innocent foals suffer because of what our team has done.... She sniffled, already losing the fight against her returning sobbing.

In our defense, we're only partially responsible for what ails the filly. Shift argued. The mental trauma and convulsions were Patsy's fault, but her mangled legs and burned face are the work of that momentous dragon.

Aqua Grace glanced back through the window, then turned away, trotting toward the ground as if on an invisible staircase.

What do you think you're doing?! "Shift" hissed within Aqua's mind. Four of the Elements of Harmony reside within that room! You have to trail them! Study them!

Shift...I can't do this. I can't bear to spy on those four if I have to be in the presence of that poor little filly.

"Shift" became enraged, shouting, If you aren't going to keep watch on them, then I'll do it myself!

...very well. Just....don't do anything too evil while you're in charge, okay? Aqua whimpered.

You don't tell me what to do! I tell you what to do! You never command me again! Understand? "Shift" hissed within the mare's mind.

Aqua sniffled again, blinking away her tears, then meekly answered, Okay....I understand. Aqua arrived at the ground and began to circle around the building, feeling a bit distraught as magic aura surrounded her. It wasn't her own aura, however. It was the aura of her true self in action. After a flare of magical flames, a new pony emerged from the place Aqua Grace had just stood in. The nurse that was helping to tend to Scootaloo was now exiting the filly's room and entering the hospital at the same time.

"Ah! There he is!" Patsy Craft shouted as she spotted Silver Gleam meandering in the distance. "Silver! Hey, Silver!"

The stallion blinked at hearing Patsy's voice, then looked to where he had heard it. In the distance, he saw a happy unicorn mare, her magenta coat bright and glistening, her stiff blue mane bouncing with every step she took. Then he blinked once more, and opened his eyes to the exact same thing.....fourteen years ago. He could clearly see Patsy Craft as the filly she once was, her ill fitting glasses nearly falling off with each bound she took. Patsy shouted again, her voice now far more foalish and innocent as she cried, "Silver! Where have you been? We've been worried sick!" Silver sighed as his memories overlapped the present, then blinked once more to snap him back to reality. Patsy halted her gallop, panting briefly before smiling at Silver. She adjusted her scarf, then asked, "Well? Where did you disappear off too?"

Silver returned her smile with his own, answering, "Just taking a look around.....say, do any of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony have younger siblings?"

Patsy frowned, putting a hoof to her chin. "Uh....I can't quite remember. I think their records showed-"

"The Element of Honesty and the Element of Generosity both have a single younger sister." Opulent Majesty interrupted, stepping next to Patsy. "They are otherwise all younger siblings or only foals. Why do you ask?"

Silver rolled his eyes, yet still retained his smile. "Just curious, is all. I think I've made a pretty good impression, if my hunch is correct."

Opulent blinked, adjusting his monocle with a hoof. "What do you mean?"

Silver Gleam turned away from them, then pointed in the direction he had come from. "Wait for it...."

"Silver Gleam!" A young unicorn filly shouted in the distance. "You never finished your story!"

Opulent scowled at Silver for a moment, then turned away with a sigh, his expression annoyed, but not spiteful. "I see you've established yourself as a storyteller, Silver. What ludicrous tale have you captured their attention with?"

Silver shrugged, answering with, "Oh, just some personal recollections is all. Stories from when the three of us were just foals." He turned a thoughtful expression to Opulent, asking, "You remember our old clubhouse, don't you?"

Opulent growled quietly, then turned back to Silver with a glare. "Lovely." He hissed. "You're recounting that bloody waste of our time, and telling curious little foals about it. Do try to keep your mind in the present, Silver, lest you be lost in your silly memories." He glanced to Patsy, who wore an outraged expression, then harrumphed as he turned to trot back to the inn. Patsy released a shaky sigh, then looked back to Silver as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom approached him.

Sweetie, not noticing the mare that awkwardly smiled at her and Applebloom, grinned up at Silver. "What kind of adventures did you and your friends have? Did all three of you earn your cutie marks together?"

Silver Gleam chuckled, motioning for Patsy to step forward. With a good measure of hesitance, Patsy stepped into view, looking especially nervous. Silver nodded to Patsy, saying, "Meet Patsy Craft. The first of our trio to earn her cutie mark."

Patsy gulped, laughing weakly as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom turned their attention to her. "Hello..."

Applebloom glanced to Patsy's flank, looking perplexed by what she saw. "Yer cutie mark 's a puppet. What's yer special talent, then?"

Patsy adjusted her glasses with a hoof, glancing away from the expectant earth pony as she considered what to say. I can't tell her that I control other ponies like puppets! What do I say?

Silver, quickly sensing Patsy's distress, gestured to the mare's cutie mark, answering, "Patsy Craft here is the most skilled puppet maker and puppeteer in New Unicornia. Her shows are top notch!"

Patsy cast Silver a quick glare, then regained her awkward smile as she nodded. "That's right! I'm the best of the best when it comes to puppet shows!"

Sweetie Belle smiled at Patsy, saying, "That's cool! Would you mind doing a show here, in Ponyville?"

Patsy's smile twitched as she blinked at the question. "H-here? Oh, but I'm far too busy, what with the...uh...." She trailed off as Sweetie shot her a purely adorable pleading expression. "Um....I'll see what I can do."

Sweetie Belle perked up, shouting, "Alright! We get to see a puppet show put on by a famous puppeteer!"

Patsy sighed as the two fillies turned their attention back to Silver, already dreading how difficult keeping her cover would be in a town like Ponyville. She nudged Silver as she turned, saying, "Well, we had best be going. Lot's to do, and-"

"Wait!" Cried Sweetie, putting a hoof to Silver's leg. "What about your story? Can we hear the rest of it?"

Silver smirked at the filly, rubbing his bearded chin with a hoof. "Tell you what. I'll give you the rest of my story in exchange for a tour of Ponyville. How's that sound?"

Applebloom inched closer to Sweetie Belle, whispering, "Stranger danger, Sweetie Belle...."

Sweetie frowned at her friend, pushing her away. "Well, they're not strangers if we get to know them, right?"

Applebloom put a hoof to her forehead, mumbling, "Yeah, cause that makes perfect sense."

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, then turned a grin back to Silver. "We'd be happy to give you a tour!"

Silver chuckled, turning away to walk alongside Patsy. "Great! Just allow me a few minutes at the Hay And Stay Hotel, and I'll be right with you."

Sweetie waved to the two as they departed, shouting, "We'll see you then!" Sweetie dropped her hoof after a moment, then turned a wry smile to Applebloom. "You're worried over nothing, Applebloom. There's nothing shady about this guy! Not in the slightest!"

Applebloom groaned in annoyance, beginning to lazily walk away. "Looks can be deceivin', Sweetie Belle. Ya just remember that."

Sweetie Belle frowned, hurrying to her friend's side. "You need to lighten up a bit, Applebloom. There's really nothing to worry over."

Applebloom clicked her tongue, only answering with, "Whatever...."

"So, you're sure you can handle another one of those fits?" The doctor asked Twilight Sparkle as he stepped away from Scootaloo's bedside once more.

Twilight nodded, glancing to Scootaloo. The young filly turned her head to rest her unharmed cheek on the pillow, taking in a shaky breath. "I know just how to snap her out of those Magic Flashes. Plus, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay here for the purpose of researching Magic Poisoning." She nodded to Scootaloo, her voice turning to a whisper as she inched closer to the doctor. "Her sudden illness is a tragedy, but I believe I can gather valuable information on this rare condition. If I'm permitted to stay past visiting hours, that is."

The doctor breathed a frustrated sigh, bringing a hoof to his temple. "I see no harm in a little studying, what with you being the only resident of Ponyville who can directly treat Magic Poisoning. Just don't keep her awake through the night, Miss Sparkle. She needs her rest more than you need your information."

Twilight nodded, stepping aside to allow the doctor to exit the room. "I promise, I won't inhibit Scootaloo's healing in the slightest. This is just the perfect opportunity to learn more about such a rare illness."

The doctor glanced back to Scootaloo once more, then wordlessly stepped from the room, proceeding down the hall. Twilight smiled tiredly as she returned to Scootaloo's bedside, the room empty aside from Rainbow Dash, herself, and the morose little pegasus that lay in the hospital bed.

"So....those painkillers kicking in yet?" Twilight asked, sounding awkward.

Scootaloo brushed back her ear with her good hoof, answering sullenly, "No. Still hurts."

Twilight frowned slightly, eyeing the pegasus with pity. "Oh....that's no fun. Yet, you took them about ten minutes ago....I guess-"

"I didn't need them. Painkillers are for wimpy foals, anyway. I don't care if they don't work...." Her tone was blank as she adjusted her head, refusing to meet Twilight's gaze.

Twilight hovered a hoof near the filly, glancing to Rainbow Dash with concern. She said nothing, but her expression clearly pleaded for Rainbow to say something. Rainbow Dash blinked at Twilight's look, then lowered her head, mumbling, "Twilight. Could you please excuse us for a minute?" Twilight looked back to Scootaloo, then lowered her hoof, shuffling away from the two and toward the exit. She smiled momentarily, then gently shut the door with her magic. Rainbow Dash stood in silence for a long while, Scootaloo not once turning to look at her. The bustle of voices and commotion that came from the hall outside only seemed to make the quiet within the room all the more tense. Neither of the two pegasi showed it, but they both hoped desperately that the other would start a conversation. They both had something to say, but neither wanted to be the first to say it.

After a sudden sigh from both ponies, however, Rainbow Dash raised her gaze to look at Scootaloo. "Scootaloo....I....I just wanted to say-"

"That you're disappointed in me?" Scootaloo interrupted, causing the cyan pegasus standing over her to frown. "I already know. I ran into the forest to fight dragons. And what actually happened," she gestured to her suspended legs with a lazy wave of her good hoof, "isn't nearly as bad as what could have happened. I'm lucky to be alive. But that doesn't change the fact that I put my life in danger."

Rainbow Dash stared at Scootaloo's injured legs, then looked to the bandaged half of the filly's face. The way her ear drooped and sagged gave the pegasus an outward appearance of sorrow, but her tone had been stern. Like she was angry with herself. "Scootaloo, I'm not disappointed that you ran into the forest."

Scootaloo scoffed indignantly, already retorting with, "Why aren't you? I did something stupid and dangerous! As you put it, I could have been killed! Isn't that reason enough to-"

"Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash sharply interrupted. "I'm not disappointed with you for running headlong into the Everfree.....what I can't get over is why you would."

Scootaloo paused, then turned her head to meet Rainbow Dash's gaze. "What do you mean?"

Rainbow Dash's frown deepened as she stared into Scootaloo's one uncovered eye, her own eyes quivering as she saw the melancholy in the poor filly's expression. "I mean....that you did something like that because you thought it was brave. Stupid decisions aren't acts of bravery, Scootaloo....no matter what I claim I can do, I don't always tackle every challenge. Some things just aren't worth the risk."

Scootaloo blinked, her one-eyed gaze seeming to wander, then turned her head to look away from Rainbow Dash again. "There's no risk for you, Dash. You're the fastest, strongest, and bravest pony in Equestria. You can do anything.....but I can't. I can't hope to accomplish anything as cool as you. You're Rainbow Dash! The Element of Loyalty! And then there's me.....just Scootaloo...."

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh, placing a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder, which the young filly reflexively attempted to shrug off. Rainbow began in a firm, but gentle tone, "Kid, you can't see yourself as being a failure just because you aren't like me. No matter how many races I've won or how heroic I've been, I'm still just a pony. In the end, we're all just ponies, trying to make our way in the world." She rubbed at Scootaloo's shoulder, smiling as she said, "What you have now is just as important as what I have now. Maybe even more important."

Scootaloo's voice quavered as she asked, "W-what are you talking about?"

Rainbow put her head beside the young pegasus, nuzzling her gently before answering, "Your little club. The Cutie Mark Crusaders....just three spunky fillies trying to find their lot in life. To me, that's more special than all the first prizes in the world."

Scootaloo found herself wrapping her good leg around Rainbow's neck as she looked back, tears threatening to spill from her eye. "You...you can't possibly mean that..."

Rainbow Dash gingerly moved her own hoof to cradle Scootaloo's head, her own eyes now moistening. "I do, Scootaloo. You three are all on a journey to find what you're meant for. There's nothing quite like discovering who you are and what you're meant to be.....but sharing this experience with two of your best friends? Taking life by the horns, and trying something new everyday? I gotta say, kid. I envy you a little."

Scootaloo made a small noise, one that could have been interpreted as a loss for words. Or, maybe, as the sound one makes when they're ready to cry. "Dash....that....that means more than you know, Dash."

Rainbow Dash sniffled, then placed her nose to Scootaloo's, squeezing the filly gently. "Don't mention it, kid. You're gonna go far in life.....I just know it." The two both allowed themselves to cry in their silent embrace, their tears quietly falling down their cheeks. They remained motionless, until a knock could be heard at the door. Rainbow Dash hesitated to move away from Scootaloo, but stepped away after a moment, wiping at her eyes.

"Wh-who is it?" Rainbow asked, her composure not completely regained yet.

"It's Nurse Mend! I'm just here to give the patient further medication before her expected company arrives." A mare on the other side answered.

"Wait. Expected company?" Rainbow Dash asked, walking over to and opening the door. "What expected company?"

The nurse glanced from Rainbow to the tray she was now holding on her hoof, answering, "If I recall, Miss Rarity and Miss Applejack went to inform their younger sisters of Scootaloo's injuries. I'm sure they're on their way as we speak."

Rainbow Dash grinned, glancing back to Scootaloo. "Here that, kid? The rest of the crusaders are on their way. Bet you'll be glad to see them."

Scootaloo smiled at Rainbow Dash, rubbing at her eye with her good hoof. "I most certainly will."

Rainbow Dash nodded as she exited the room, departing with, "I'll be seeing you, squirt."

Nurse Mend smiled at Rainbow Dash as she left, then stepped inside, grabbing the knob with her mouth as she closed the door behind her. When the nurse turned to Scootaloo, however, she bore an annoyed scowl. Scootaloo was puzzled by this, but said not a word.

What's got her in a bad mood? Thought Scootaloo. She seemed perfectly fine just a second ago.

Oh, how glad I am I didn't vomit while listening in on these saps! Thought the "nurse." These two aren't supposed to be the talkative ones! Yet, in here they remained, chatting up a storm. A rather boring and long-winded storm, at that.

Opulent Majesty continued walking along, his face twisted into a scowl. The subject of his anger wasn't immediately apparent, but it became clearer once he began angrily mumbling to himself, "Silver, Silver, Silver....if he wasn't a personal favorite of the King, I would have taken over the team long ago! He's always dwelling on what was! He's so unfocused, so undisciplined.....so undeserving of the King's praise!" Opulent continued forward, his murmuring becoming unintelligible as the unicorn glanced back to see Patsy Craft and Silver Gleam trailing behind in the distance. He sighed in frustration, then quickened his pace. Unbeknownst to Opulent Majesty, however, was that every word he'd said had been caught by the ears of one impressively stealthy pink party pony, who watched him from behind a nearby rock.

"So, tension among the team, eh Opulent?" Pinkie Pie whispered to herself, glaring at the glowering unicorn as he stomped along. "Let's just see how well you play with others when the going gets tough." Pinkie's laugh was somewhat hollow and slightly malicious as she chuckled, keeping low to the ground as she tailed Opulent. Opulent, oblivious to his stalker, continued his trot toward the inn, still muttering spite too quietly to hear from where Pinkie prowled.

"Oh, I just hope that we don't scare the poor darlings." Rarity muttered as she trotted alongside Applejack. "How are we even supposed to approach them? I mean, we can't very well say, 'your friend has two broken legs, half a burned face, and has just suffered a violent seizure before our eyes!'"

Applejack sputtered, slowly shaking her head. "We gotta be gentle with 'em. It ain't gonna be easy to break it to 'em, but they need t' know."

Rarity glanced sorrowfully to Applejack, then curtly nodded, hanging her head as they continued forward. "Yes, I know....but what do we say?"

Applejack paused for a moment, then answered, "Well, ah 'spose we just tell 'em that Scootaloo's a little banged up."

Rarity huffed, mumbling, "That sounds a tad understated, don't you think?"

Applejack sighed, glancing back to Rarity. "Well, what do ya think we should tell 'em? Like ya said, we can't jus' say that the poor filly is bruised an' battered somethin' awful!"

Rarity looked up to Applejack, frowning slightly. "Well, let's just....take them to the hospital. We won't tell them anything."

Applejack was about to speak in protest, but hesitated, groaning in annoyance. "Well, so much fer easin' 'em into it."

Rarity turned her attention forward again, then brightened when she spotted Opulent Majesty just a short distance away. She rushed over to him, shouting, "Mr. Majesty! Yoo-hoo!"

Opulent glared at Rarity as she galloped toward him, but his spite quickly faded after a sudden realization. Excellent! The Element of Generosity! I was hoping to meet one of the six sooner than later. His thoughts, however, didn't take into consideration Pinkie Pie, who had already given him her own unique greeting.

Opulent exhaled sharply, his lips curling into one of his charismatic (fake) smiles as he inhaled, greeting Rarity with, "Why, hello there. What can I do for the Element of Generosity?"

Rarity laughed, waving a hoof as she blushed slightly. "Oh, you know about that?"

Opulent nodded, putting a hoof to his chin as he eyed Rarity. "I've heard a great many things about you, Miss Generosity. I must say, you sound like a hero in your own right."

Rarity smiled, embarrassed, as she pawed at the ground. "Hero? Well, I'm not all that heroic."

Opulent raised an eyebrow, saying, "Really? You wouldn't consider breathing life into the lifeless world of Equestrian fashion heroism? Well, if you won't consider your feats praiseworthy, then I shall. Your works are inspiring, Miss Generosity, to say the very least."

Rarity blushed, giggling like a school filly. "Oh, please, you're too kind." She cleared her throat, exhaling to calm herself. "All flattery aside, I had a question for you."

Opulent held out a hoof to her, saying, "By all means, ask away."

Rarity, glancing in the direction Opulent had just arrived from, asked, "Would you, perhaps, know where Silver Gleam has gone?"

At the question, Opulent's monocle promptly split in the very location that had been repaired earlier. His eyes and corners of his smile twitched lightly for a moment. Rarity suddenly looked puzzled by this, but didn't address the matter. Instead, she repeated her question. "Do you know where Silver is?"

Opulent sighed, lowering his hoof. "He should be on his way here at the moment.....what do you need from him?"

Rarity looked to her saddlebag, levitating out a bolt of teal fabric. "I was curious as to what he was capable of with his magical talent. If I liked what I saw, I considered a more official business offer."

Opulent disdainfully examined the material, mumbling, "You want silver fabric?"

Rarity nodded, gesturing to her saddlebag. "If possible, I'd like to buy in bulk."

Opulent glanced to the bag filled with fabrics, then back to the one that hovered before him. "Knowing Silver, he'd probably make the transmutations for free." That isn't all he would give to somepony like you free of charge.

Rarity drew in a dramatic gasp, replacing the bolt and turning a hopeful grin to Opulent, who quickly regained his forced smile. "For free? All of this material?"

Opulent glanced behind him, then turned back to Rarity with a slightly more genuine smile. "Why not go ask him yourself?"

Rarity beamed as she looked past Opulent, taking off toward the distant unicorns that approached Ponyville.

Opulent stared blankly at her for a moment, then levitated his eyepiece to examine it. With an annoyed grunt, he focused his magic, repairing the crack the way he had earlier. He looked over the monocle once more, then replaced it, turning to continue toward the Hay and Stay.

"'Scuse me." Applejack greeted Opulent, causing the startled stallion to jump away a short distance. "Oh, sorry. Didn't mean t' scare ya none."

Opulent brushed back his mane with his hoof, forcing himself to smile once again as he said, "Not a problem. Not a problem at all. I've just been a little.....jumpy. On account of earlier, that is."

Applejack chuckled warily, mumbling, "Ya ain't mad 'bout that, are ya?"

Opulent rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Not in the slightest. If anything, I should be apologizing to that mare for holding her foal without her permission."

Applejack adjusted her hat, becoming visibly more relaxed. "Oh, ya don't owe 'er no apology. Plus, that little pegasus foal ain't 'er's."

Opulent cocked his head, putting a hoof to his chin. "He isn't? Yet she seemed so protective of him."

Applejack nodded, saying, "Pinkie Pie's jus' a right good employee. That little foal's ma and pa are also Pinkie's bosses."

Opulent's smile faded as he blinked a few times in bewilderment. "Pinkie Pie? As in.....the Element of Laughter?"

Applejack nodded once more, saying, "That's 'er, alright."

Opulent's blank stare was now focused on Applejack as he mumbled, "Oh, I see. So, you must be...." His gaze drifted about Applejack's features. As he spied her cutie mark, he smiled once more, saying in a more lively tone, "Applejack, the Element of Honesty!"

Applejack seemed to stand a little more proudly as she affirmed with, "Ah sure as sugar am! Applejack, proud owner o' Sweet Apple Acres," she took a somewhat prestigious bow, "at yer service."

Opulent chuckled lightly, returning the bow with his own. "Honest. Charming. Outgoing. I must say, Miss Honesty, you are everything I expected and more."

Applejack blushed, glancing away shyly as she rubbed at the back of her neck. "Aw, shucks. Ah ain't nopony special."

Opulent grinned with amusement, putting a hoof to his chin. Charming indeed. Your self introduction just doesn't quite match up with your reaction to my 'flattery.' Indecisive humility isn't good for one's character, Miss Honesty. "Well, a pleasure to meet you, but I must be on my way." He said as he began stepping around Applejack.

Applejack, however, quickly stepped in front of him, saying, "Wait! Did ya happen to see an earth pony filly with a yella' coat and red mane? Ah was told she was at 'er tree house with 'er friend."

Opulent shrugged, gesturing with a flick of the head to Silver. "I haven't seen her, but Silver mentioned seeing two fillies on his stroll."

Applejack brightened up at this, stepping aside and allowing Opulent to pass. "Thank ya kindly, Mr. Majesty. Ah'll be seein' ya!"

Opulent hurried forward, muttering, "Have a nice day, Miss Honesty." Well, I've certainly made a good impression when meeting the Elements of Generosity and Honesty, but Pinkie Pie might prove to be a problem. I'd best keep my eye on her, lest she ruin everything.

Scootaloo stared wordlessly at the glaring "nurse," perplexed as to why she hadn't moved a muscle for the past ten minutes. If I've done something wrong, why doesn't she say something? Scootaloo thought, running her gaze from the "nurse's" white coat to her light orange mane, all the while trying not to meet her furious emerald eyes. After a while, it's gotta hurt to just stand and glare like that. Scootaloo blinked as she looked to the tray, which held two plastic cups; one filled with water, the other a variety of colorful capsules.

Clearing her throat, Scootaloo mumbled, "So....am I supposed to take those, or....what?"

The "nurse" walked to Scootaloo's side, keeping her glare fixed on the wary pegasus, then held the tray out to her. "Go ahead. Bottom's up."

Scootaloo glanced nervously between the "nurse" and the cup filled with medicine. "Um....do I just...take all of those?"

"Yeah." The "nurse" said bluntly, shoving the tray in Scootaloo's face.

Scootaloo groaned at the "nurse's" impatience, but grabbed the container filled with the capsules nonetheless. She eyed the colorful medication with suspicion as she held the cup between her teeth, but quickly shrugged off her fear and tipped up the cup with her hoof. The pills tumbled and fell to the back of the filly's throat, and, with a hard gulp, Scootaloo swallowed every last one. She coughed for a moment, then set the plastic cup back on the tray.

The "nurse" now wore a somewhat confused expression, her outward malice now subdued. "Wow. There were fourteen pills in that cup. And you just swallowed them all. Without a drop of water."

Scootaloo shrugged, mumbling, "Yeah. I doubt that these will do anything, either."

The "nurse" blinked, then took the tray by her teeth, turning to exit. "Okay...uh, see you later." The "nurse's" expression became thoughtful as she casually walked away. Unbelievable. Not only did she fall for it, but she just swallowed every last pill in a single gulp.

Within her thoughts emerged a meek, quiet voice, that said, Shift....um....if you don't mind me asking, how does feeding this little pegasus a hooful of random medication you swiped from random rooms accomplish anything?

Relax. I'm only conducting a sort of experiment. "Shift" replied, glancing about nervously as her deceitful form paced the halls.

Experiment? What kind of abominable, sadistic experiment could you possibly be conducting? Aqua asked, sounding slightly less timid than usual.

Calm yourself, teardrop. Part of this is merely confirming a few suspicions I have. "Shift" answered, nearly colliding with another nurse who had hurriedly rounded a corner.

Oh? Let me guess. You think she's different from all the other pegasi you've met before. Different from the ones that you've remorselessly mangled, poisoned, and otherwise brutally murdered over the years! Aqua said within the stream of thoughts, sounding surprisingly commanding. Just as you thought they were different from all the pegasi before them.

The "nurse" that wandered the halls grinned devilishly. "Shift" paused before responding with, You have a good point, Aqua Grace. And you're correct. Something just tells me that this little filly....little Scootaloo.....is something extraordinary.

Curiosity Shift! Bellowed Aqua Grace within the unicorn's mind. You're an intelligent being! A remarkably intelligent unicorn! Yet, you strive for malignancy and anguish! How can anypony as smart as you only seek to hurt innocents?

Curiosity Shift directed her disguise to set down the tray as she passed a nearby table. With a good measure of spite, Shift answered, My intellect and ability means nothing! Intellect and ability has never meant anything, to anypony! They are nothing more than means by which we achieve our deepest desires! Shift calmed herself, her physical disguise halting her aimless walking. And my only desire would be to learn, my dear Aqua Grace. Is that so wrong?

Aqua hesitated in her answer, but said strongly, If others should die in the pursuit of knowledge, then it is pure evil!

The "nurse" who stood in the halls giggled maliciously, drawing a few puzzled looks. I guess that makes my life's work pure evil, then. Curiosity Shift continued walking forward, a belligerent grin on the "nurse's" face as she proceeded doing somepony else's job. What harm is there in a little honest curiosity, teardrop?

"Oh, you're good at putting on an act, aren't you, Opulent Majesty?" Pinkie Pie whispered venomously to herself as she glared at the unicorn from afar. "You can't fool them forever. Applejack can sniff out a lie from a mile away! And Rarity.....um..." Pinkie put a hoof to her chin, no longer focused on Opulent. "She's.....very......persnickety?" Pinkie frowned in thought, unsatisfied with any of Rarity's traits that would support her point. "She's....well, she's not that easily fooled! She'll catch on eventually!" Pinkie nodded, then looked to where she had seen Opulent last. However, she found that he had already moved out of sight. She glanced about feverishly, amazed that he had disappeared so quickly.

"Where is he? Ponies don't just vanish into thin air." Pinkie mumbled, stepping out from behind her cover.

In direct contrast to what Pinkie had said, Opulent appeared behind the puzzled earth pony in a plume of black smoke. He smiled deviously, asking, "Who's not so easily fooled?"

Pinkie spun around with a small shriek, tensing as she spotted Opulent. "Were you eavesdropping?" She hissed, a glare fixed on the smug unicorn.

Opulent rolled his eyes, laughing with amusement. "Oh, shame on me. I happened to overhear the ramblings of a deranged mare."

Pinkie sneered at him, stamping a hoof aggressively. "Deranged?! You're the deranged one!"

Opulent grinned wryly, putting a hoof to his chin. "I am, am I? Would you care to elaborate?"

Pinkie scoffed with disdain, pointing an accusing hoof at Opulent. "You're evil, and you're a liar! You can't hope to keep up this act for very long!"

Opulent chuckled in a drawn-out rhythm, his laugh seeped in malice. Closing one eye, he stared at Pinkie through his monocle, musing, "Why, I have no idea what you're talking about, dearest Pinkie Pie. In fact, I could call your accusations insulting. Hurtful even!" He bore a mock frown, taunting the now fuming pink party pony with, "But, really, where's the validity in the words of the insane? So, this entire conversation is ultimately pointless."

Pinkie Pie, face contorted into a fearsome glare and eyes dead set on the slightly crazed golden disks that Opulent gazed back with, muttered, "I may be a lot of things....unpredictable, quirky, and sometimes an oddball...........but I am not insane."

Opulent raised an eyebrow, both eyes now casually scanning Pinkie. "Right. Because stalking suspicious individuals is completely orthodox and acceptable."

Pinkie Pie snorted, looking ready to charge the stallion. "Take it back! I'm not insane!"

Opulent grinned his signature malevolent smile, saying, "Tell yourself what you'd like, but I can be certain of what I say, as birds of a feather flock together." He put a hoof to his chest, cocking his head. "Tweet tweet, dearest."

Pinkie Pie shook her head, shouting, "What?! That doesn't even make any sense!"

Opulent shrugged, his horn suddenly beginning to glow. "Perhaps it doesn't. All the same, I think I'll enjoy the game to come, Pinkie Pie. Best of luck to you, dearest." With a brief chuckle, he vanished in a plume of dark smoke. Pinkie Pie shook with rage as she glared at the empty space that Opulent Majesty had just occupied.

"G-game?" She mumbled, putting a hoof to her forehead. "He th-thinks he can call me deranged? Call me insane?" She inhaled sharply, a wry grin donning on her lips. "Fine. Let's hope that he's prepared to play rough." Pinkie spun to face a new direction, a mischievous smile on the earth pony's face as she hopped to her next destination.

Patsy Craft blinked in surprise, turning a disbelieving stare to the approaching Rarity. Oh, how nice. The Element of Generosity is back. I wonder what she's here for.

"Silver! Excuse me, Silver!" Rarity called, now halting in front of Silver Gleam. "I'm so glad I could catch up with you, Silver!"

Splendid. She's just another of Silver's 'fans.' Patsy thought as she frowned slightly, adjusting her glasses.

Silver Gleam, however, smiled congenially at Rarity, greeting her with, "Nice to see you as well, Miss Generosity." He nodded to her saddlebag, asking, "What can I do for you?"

Rarity opened the bag with a quiet giggle, about to speak when Applejack appeared from behind, asking, "Ya ain't happened t' seen two fillies runnin' around over yonder, have ya?"

Patsy's eyes widened as she looked at Applejack. In a stern voice, she quickly said, "'You haven't happened to have seen two fillies running around outside of town, have you?'" Her face was blank for a moment, but she quickly shook her head, clearing her throat. She smiled warily at the confused Applejack, mumbling, "Sorry. I didn't mean to correct you. It was just....second-nature."

Applejack blinked, bearing a slight scowl. "'Correct?' Ya sayin' there's somethin' wrong with the way ah talk?"

Patsy giggled nervously, waving a dismissive hoof. "Don't be silly! There's nothing wrong with the way you speak!" Applejack held her minor scowl for a moment longer, then looked back to Silver, much to Patsy's relief. Have you heard yourself?! For the King's sake, it's an atrocity! Equestrian is a second language to me, and I can still speak it more fluently than you!

Silver, after glancing to Patsy with a frown, turned a thoughtful smile to Applejack. "If you'd please pardon Patsy Craft here, I can tell you that I did in fact see two fillies. They were headed this way, if I recall."

Applejack nodded appreciatively as she went around Patsy and Silver, saying, "Thank ya kindly!"

Patsy watched her go, smiling awkwardly as Applejack trotted along. Judging by the accent, she's related to that yellow filly. Which means....oh no. Patsy bit her lip, shooting Silver a wary glance before looking back to Rarity, whose patience had just worn thin.

"Well, perhaps we can get down to business now?" Rarity asked, levitating out the spool of teal fabric. "I have a small request to make. You see, I-"

"Say no more." Silver interrupted, gesturing to the bolt. "Simply present all the material you'd like to be transmuted, and I would be happy to magically alter it, free of charge."

Rarity beamed at his offer, hurriedly producing the other three bolts of fabric she had brought along. "How generous of you! Yet, changing that much material free of charge makes me feel like I'm stealing it...."

"Nonsense!" Silver chimed, his horn already aglow and his attention turned to the bolts of fabric before him. "Consider this a small favor. I'm sure that you already give so much to so many. Frankly, I would feel that I was the thief if I accepted payment for such a trivial task." He touched the tip of his horn to the foremost bolt of teal fabric, the bright white aura surrounding the cloth. In the blink of an eye, the soft teal coloring had become gleaming and lustrous, the spool now wrapped entirely by a layer of malleable silver.

Rarity (unintentionally) squealed with joy at the sight, dropping the other bolts as she held closer the newly transmuted spool of silver. "It's beautiful! That was magnificent! In half a second, you turned one hundred yards of cloth into one hundred yards of fabulous silver!"

Silver chuckled as he levitated another bolt to meet his horn, readying his magic as he said, "Glad you like it. It's nice to know that somepony appreciates my talents, limited as they may be."

With a frown, Rarity placed her object of obsession into her saddlebag, pointing a hoof to Silver as she said, "Pish posh, darling. The ability to create pure silver from nothing more than dirt or cloth with such little effort is an incredible talent!"

Silver shook his head, smiling a sheepish smile. "That's very kind of you, Miss Generosity." He tapped the bolt he magically held before him, the brilliant white aura briefly surrounding the red fabric before another spool of gleaming silver fabric was produced. Rarity eyed the material with admiration, quickly placing it in her saddlebag. She turned her attention back to Silver, but paused as she spotted Patsy Craft scowling at her. She glanced to Patsy, who held firm her angered expression, and nervously waved a hoof at her. Patsy opened her mouth to speak, but paused, her angered expression fading. She turned away from Rarity, looking sullen as she gazed toward Applejack and the pair of fillies that had broken into a gallop. Rarity, although confused by this, looked back to Silver, who had just completed transmutation of the final bolt.

"Here we are!" Chimed the stallion as he presented the two spools of silver fabric. "I hope it's all to your liking."

Rarity giggled as she accepted the bolts, placing them in her saddlebag. "Very much so. Thank you ever so much!" She smiled warmly at Silver for a moment longer, then turned her attention to the pair of fillies that suddenly shot by. Rarity nodded solemnly to Silver, then took off after them, Applejack trailing closely behind. Patsy sighed as she watched them go, shooting Silver a morose look.

"Oh, my...." Silver put a hoof to his chin, glancing from Patsy to the group that now sped toward the hospital. "Something terrible has happened, hasn't it?"

Patsy adjusted her glasses with a hoof, sounding guilty as she mumbled, "Those two fillies are worried sick over their friend. The one that I hospitalized. There's no worse feeling than panic and uncertainty, Silver. They fear for the young pegasus's life....and it's my fault." She continued to look sorrowful for a moment longer, but shook away her pity, a stern expression donning on her face. "It matters little, however. It's not our concern who we've caused panic." She held high her head, calmly continuing toward the inn.

Silver frowned, following behind her without a word. It concerns me just as much as it concerns you, Patsy Craft. Lie to yourself all you'd like, but I know that you never forgive yourself for all the damage you do.

Peering through the slightly open door, Twilight Sparkle reentered the room saying, "So, how'd it go?"

Scootaloo smiled tiredly as she looked to Twilight. Yawning briefly, she asked, "What? You mean with Rainbow Dash?"

Twilight nodded as she arrived at the pegasus's bedside. "Did she have a lot to say?"

Scootaloo turned her gaze to the ceiling, her eye glistening for a moment before she earnestly answered, "Nah. It was just a bit of a.....pep talk. You know.....just Dash and her awesome self...."

Twilight gave a bemused chuckle, gingerly patting Scootaloo's shoulder. "Nice to know she finally got a word in with her biggest fan." Twilight glanced to a nearby end table, levitating off a notepad and pencil she had left their earlier. She turned her attention back to Scootaloo, eyeing the filly analytically. "I may not have any of my equipment here, but I can still conduct some research through simple questions. You feel up to answering a few basic questions?"

Scootaloo nodded slowly, grinning at Twilight as she said, "Try to keep them short and sweet. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle should be here any minute."

Twilight nodded curtly, about to speak when she was cut off by a shrill, "Scootaloo! What happened t' ya?!" Applebloom and Sweetie Belle burst through the door, rushing to Scootaloo's side. Twilight sighed, stepping aside to allow the panicked friends to see the injured filly.

"Scootaloo! Are y-you okay?" Sweetie Belle mumbled as she looked over her friend with a mix of disbelief and horror.

"Right as rain, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo joked, chuckling briefly. "But, seriously, I'm fine."

"Fine?! Look at ya!" Applebloom interjected, gesturing to Scootaloo's suspended legs. "What? Did ya pick a fight with a dragon, or somethin'?"

"Ding ding ding." Scootaloo pointed to Applebloom, which only turned the earth pony's panicked expression to one of shock. "Hit the nail on the head there."

"Y-you fought with a d-dragon?" Sweetie Belle muttered, gulping as she shivered for a moment.

"What 'n tarnation was ya thinkin'?!" Applebloom pointed an accusing hoof at Scootaloo, sounding a little more outraged than she'd intended. "Ya don't jus' willy-nilly butt heads with a dragon! Nopony in their right minds would ev'r go one-on-one with a dragon!"

"Applebloom, calm down." Scootaloo said in a perfectly level tone. "You've got it all wrong."

"Ah do, do ah?!" Applebloom stamped a hoof, snorting a (highly exaggerated) outraged snort. "What actually happened, then?"

Scootaloo exhaled with frustration, brushing back her mane. "You see, there were actually two dragons in the-"

"Consarn it, Scootaloo!" Applebloom shouted, startling Twilight and making Sweetie Belle grimace. "That's....that's....." She furiously shook her head, returning her accusing point to Scootaloo. "Do ya know what could have happened t' ya?! Ya...ya...."

"I could have been killed?" Scootaloo mumbled, sounding surprisingly disinterested, despite her friend's fury. "I've already gotten the whole lecture, Applebloom. I admit, I seriously didn't think it through when I charged into the Everfree. Nonetheless, I didn't want to fight them. I only wanted to break them up. Didn't you hear them? They could have easily flattened Ponyville with the rampage they were on." Applebloom, face reddened by either anger or frustration, lowered her head, unsure what else to say.

"I think w-what Applebloom is trying to say," said the wary Sweetie Belle, "is that she w-was worried sick about you, b-because we could have....ahem....lost you. Forever." Scootaloo and Applebloom both shot her a perplexed look, then smiled softly as they met each other's gazes once more.

"Yeah, what Sweetie said....ah....um...." Applebloom scratched at the back of her neck, the red of her cheeks now clearly caused by embarrassment. "Jus'....don't scare us like that, Scoots. Ya hear?"

Scootaloo nodded, answering, "Loud and clear. From now on, I'll only do stupid and dangerous things when I have you two around, to tell me how poorly thought out my plans are."

Sweetie and Applebloom both giggled, then converged on Scootaloo, wrapping the pegasus in a group hug. Twilight's eyes glistened as she watched the three of them. With a sigh, she replaced the notepad and pencil, quietly inching out of the room.

"I suppose we can begin the tests tomorrow." Twilight whispered, more to herself than to Scootaloo, as she quietly shut the door, proceeding down the hall.

The three remained silent for a short minute, then Applebloom backed up, a smile on her face as she asked, "Well, are ya gonna tell us 'bout these two dragons, or is 't too soon?"

As Sweetie Belle backed away as well, Scootaloo laughed lightly. "Yeah, I'll tell you about them. Well..." She rubbed at her forehead, her memory a bit hazy from all the chaos. "One was black, the other purple. The black one was much bigger than the purple one, but neither of them were weak. They fought and fought. Claws and tails every which way, fire shooting everywhere....I honestly didn't think they would ever stop. Sure, they both got in some pretty good hits on each other, but neither of them seemed like they would give up." Scootaloo glanced to her suspended legs, frowning slightly. "I didn't exactly stick around to see how the fight ended, but.....I think it had something to do with Fluttershy, and maybe that one blue unicorn..."

"Blue unicorn?" Sweetie Belle questioned, putting a hoof to her chin. "When did you see a blue unicorn in all of this? Fluttershy, I can understand. She's right next to the Everfree. But who was this blue unicorn?"

Scootaloo shifted her jaw, responding with, "I didn't get a really good look at her, considering I was only airborne for a few seconds, but I did see that-"

"Scootaloo! You actually flew?" Applebloom patted her friend's shoulder in a congratulatory fashion. "That's great!"

Scootaloo laughed weakly at her friend's congratulations, mumbling, "Well, actually, I was airborne because of one of the dragons. I sort of got swatted into the sky, and I spotted Rainbow Dash flying toward the Everfree. Believe it or not, there was a blue unicorn trailing behind her...except that unicorn wasn't on the ground. Somehow, that unicorn was trotting through the sky just like a pegasus, but without any wings."

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom exchanged a bewildered glance, then grinned as they looked back to Scootaloo. Applebloom nodded curtly, saying in a somewhat snide tone, "Ya sure ya wasn't seein' things, Scoots? After all, maybe ya jus' took a good bump t' the head when ya got swatted by that dragon."

Scootaloo shrugged, turning her gaze to the ceiling. "Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. It doesn't matter, though. All that matters is that those dragons aren't rampaging anymore."

"Well, it also matters that you got out of there alive, Scootaloo." Sweetie placed a hoof on the pegasus's shoulder, smiling warmly.

Scootaloo returned the smile as she looked to Sweetie Belle, mumbling, "Yeah....that was pretty lucky on my part." She returned her gaze to the ceiling, sighing quietly. "Here's hoping that the Cutie Mark Crusaders stay as lucky as I was then for the rest of our lives."

Applebloom chuckled, grinning wryly. "Luck don't last ferev'r, Scoots. Enjoy 't while 't lasts." The three shared a short laugh, then remained silent, content to simply enjoy each other's company for the time being.

"My goodness, Pinkie." Said Mrs. Cake as she scanned the previously vacant bakery. "I knew you said you'd have a party prepared in a jiffy after we closed for the day, but I've only been gone for a couple minutes." She stared in awe at the expertly prepared party games, refreshment tables, and droves of balloons and streamers. "Did you set all of this up by yourself?"

Pinkie Pie, who had just finished pinning to the wall her end of a rolled up banner, stepped down from the ladder she'd been perched on with a giggle. "Of course not! I had tons of help from Mr. Cake," she gestured to the other end of the banner, which Mr. Cake had just now pinned to the wall, "and tons of help from Gummy!" Upon hearing his name, the toothless alligator appeared suddenly from within Pinkie's mane, popping his head out and staring blankly at Mrs. Cake, who couldn't help but shriek at his surprise entrance. Mrs. Cake, after taking a moment to compose herself, smiled at Pinkie, then gestured to the banner.

"What's the occasion?" She asked, her expression becoming visibly more nervous as she glanced to Gummy.

Pinkie trotted over to a rope that dangled from the banner's center, answering, "Oh, just your run-of-the-mill welcoming party." She took hold of the rope in her mouth, pulling it down and unfurling the banner. The banner, with a soft blue base color, read in bright yellow letters, "Welcome to Ponyville, Embassy of New Unicornia!" Mrs. Cake quickly perused the flashy text, then shot Pinkie a confused glance.

"You're hosting a party for the ambassadors?" She asked, glancing from Pinkie to her husband and back.

"Yep!" Pinkie answered with a single energetic bounce. "They're gonna love it!"

Mr. Cake, who now stood beside Mrs. Cake, nodded as he examined the newly hung banner. "I think it will be a great way for the town to get to know them better!"

Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, causing Gummy to become noticeably dizzy as he shook along with Pinkie's head. "This is gonna be a blast!" She beamed, but the twinkle in her eye seemed off as she turned away from Mr. and Mrs. Cake and trotted into the kitchen. And what better way to get them to lower their guards than with a little spiked punch? She giggled silently, not wanting either of the Cakes to detect the sinister tone her laugh contained.

Chapter 6: Havoc on the Horizon

As to be expected, the passengers aboard the Alpha Gale are already becoming restless and slightly crazed. To think, we've only been at sea for one month, and yet so many insist that we've made a mistake trying to sail to a new continent. Some claim that the land we left behind is the only significant landmass on the face of the planet. After so much hype over this "exodus," however, I won't allow them to turn this ship around. We've already come so far! I will not tolerate those who dedicate themselves to something and then simply abandon it with a mere halfway completion. I'm so glad Gorgeous Verity stands by me in this. She has a silver tongue and a heart of gold, whilst I have a lead tongue and a heart of stone. I recognize my own faults. Still, I can see how difficult it is for her. The signs of her pregnancy are prevalent, yet she works as hard as the rest of us. I try to get her to rest, but she refuses. How blessed our foal will be to have such a strong mother.....And how cursed that foal will be to have a father like me.....

"There we are." Mused Fluttershy as she wrapped another blanket around her dragon egg. "That should be plenty warm and cozy."

Spike examined the large pile of sheets that surrounded the egg, shooting Fluttershy a skeptic look. "You've sure got a lot of blankets just lying around."

Fluttershy patted the outer layer of the wrappings, smiling at Spike. "You never know when a poor little animal will need to escape the cold and scary night."

Spike took a step away from the densely concealed egg, breathing a sigh. "Well, it isn't all that cold out. This much cover is a bit....over the top."

Fluttershy glanced worriedly to Spike and back to her egg a few times before mumbling, "I don't know what's right or wrong for this little egg....Spike, you know more about dragons than I do. So, if I'm doing something wrong, please tell me."

Spike put a hand to his chin, his expression thoughtful as he absently scratched at his scales. "Well.....I don't know a lot about caring for dragon eggs, so I would say just do what you're doing. Dragons can always take a little extra heat."

Fluttershy nodded, adjusting the blankets that lay upon the egg. "Alright. I'll just....keep the little egg safe and warm, I guess....what about after the egg hatches?"

Spike rolled his shoulders, answering, "Give the baby dragon gems. Lot's of them. That's an essential to their diets, both growing and grown. Also, try not to keep anything especially flammable out in the open." Spike chuckled, scratching at his spines in embarrassment. "Just ask Twilight. Infant dragons have no control over their fire."

Fluttershy smiled nervously, blinking rapidly as she stared at the blanket-coated egg. "Oh, fire.....that's nice...." She cleared her throat, looking back to Spike. "Is there, uh, anything else I should know?"

Spike thought for a moment, pacing about, then answered, "Just remember that dragons aren't ponies. I might not know much about parenting, but I do know that dragons who aren't raised by dragons often have a tough time living on their own." Spike turned his gaze to the ceiling as he reminisced on his (ultimately fruitless) quest for self discovery. "Or with other dragons, for that matter. We're pretty solitary, believe it or not."

Fluttershy giggled, slowly shaking her head. "Oh, Spike. You're too friendly to be called solitary. But then again, you're not like other dragons, are you Spike?"

Spike shrugged, glancing to the sheet-concealed egg, then smiled warmly at Fluttershy. "I guess I'm not. It's because I grew up under Celestia's care. But, with this new little dragon....let's just hope you'll turn out to be just as good a caretaker, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy turned her attention back to the tightly bundled egg, her voice quiet as she placed a hoof on the pile of blankets. "Thanks, Spike.....I'm sure Twilight's worried sick, what with you gone and all."

Spike blinked at this, then hurried out of the cottage, shouting, "I'll see you around, Fluttershy! You take care!"

Fluttershy sat for a moment after she heard the door close, then smiled weakly as she began removing the bundles of sheets. She uncovered the onyx egg, whose surface seemed to shine like obsidian. She stared at the now bare egg for a moment, then wrapped her forelegs around it. She rubbed her cheek against the shell, the small sear of heat feeling more comforting than anything Fluttershy could remember. She sniffled, beginning to sob quietly. "I never thought I would be a mother....I don't know whether I should be scared or....overjoyed. I just know that I'll never let you go, so long as you need a mother's love.....my little dragon....." She hugged tighter the egg, her tears quietly turning to vapor as they rolled down the black shell.

"Ow!" Shouted a young earth pony colt as he grimaced at the syringe in his flank. Nurse Mend, with an apologetic smile, injected the contents of the syringe into the nearly teary-eyed foal. She gingerly removed the needle, then quickly applied a bandage to the small wound it had left.

Nurse Mend giggled, patting the colt's shoulder. "Way to be a brave little colt! How about a lollipop?"

The boy ruefully shook his head, breathing a sigh. "I-I'm not allowed to have sugar. And besides, I'm not really hungry...." He glanced to his mother, who nodded approvingly. Nurse Mend glanced to her, then shrugged.

"Well, if you don't want one, you don't have to have one." Mend gestured to the door with a sweeping motion and a bright smile. "In that case, have a nice day!"

The colt started toward the door, but was quickly stopped by his mother. The mother, who bore into her foal with a somewhat disciplinary glare, whispered, "What do we tell the nice nurse, Jitters?"

Jitters blinked at the question, then glanced apologetically to Nurse Mend. "Oh! I-I'm sorry. I f-forgot to thank you. Thank you, Nurse Mend."

Nurse Mend nodded with a brief giggle in response. At this, Jitters' mother smiled once more, allowing her foal to exit. She grinned at Mend, quickly saying, "We really appreciate it! Thank you very much!" With that, she bolted from the room to catch up with Jitters. Nurse Mend stood in the room for a moment, staring blankly at the door.

What a depraved, piteous little thing. Thought Curiosity Shift. So physically, mentally, and self-confidently frail. He spoke with a stutter, can't focus on the most basic things, and what's with his excuse of a mother? She's hardly parenting. It seems like she's more of a bully than a mother.

Um....Shift? Mumbled a quiet voice within the mare's mind.

Aren't you supposed to be in stasis, teardrop? Shift asked her thoughts.

Hardly, Shift. I'm free to parade around your thoughts just as you are with mine. Aqua Grace answered.

Well, stop it! Shift shouted at Aqua as her physical disguise rubbed at her neck, breathing a sigh. Who would have thought that being a simple nurse would be so difficult? And the headache I'm getting from this cover is only being aggravated by you, Aqua Grace. Whatever it is you want, be quick. I'll soon need to hunt down something for this blistering pain...

Shift....I only want the honest truth from you. Are you completely sure that syringe you injected that colt with was the proper vaccination? Aqua Grace seemed slightly hostile in her approach.

Nurse "Shift" exited the room, lazily meandering down the hall. ....define completely.

Shift..... Growled Aqua Grace within the unicorn's thoughts. What was in that syringe?

Nurse "Shift" tiredly nodded to a doctor that grinned and winked at her as he passed, then looked forward again with a somewhat disgusted expression. Well, I can be sure that that syringe was filled with the proper flu vaccination....forty percent sure, anyway.

Shift.....what was in that syringe?! Aqua hissed, causing Shift's physical disguise to groan quietly.

It....may or may not have been an adrenaline injection.... Shift's thoughts weren't particularly guilty, but she feared what Aqua Grace's response would bring about.

Curiosity Shift......CURIOSITY SHIFT!!! Aqua bellowed within the mare's mind, causing her physical distress; her vision blurred, her ears rung, and the "nurse" became noticeably off balanced.

Aqua.....that hurt. I'd normally ignore such an outburst, but this physical brain can't take that sort of stress.....ow.... Nurse "Shift" moved to a wall, placing a hoof against it in an attempt to brace herself.

First the innocent pegasus filly! Then that poor elderly earth pony! Then that direly injured pegasus mare! Now this 'depraved, piteous' earth pony colt, as you so put it! Aqua Grace shouted within the stream of thoughts, causing Nurse "Shift" physical pain as she put a hoof to her forehead. This is becoming intolerable, Shift! So much violence and chaos is wholly unnecessary to the plan! You're only wasting precious time!

Nurse "Shift" took in a deep breath, then continued down the hall. Do you ever shut up? For a mute, you do an awful lot of talking. It's hard to focus on your ranting with such a pathetic brain backing my thoughts. This form is on the brink of an aneurysm, all because you aggravated an already grueling headache with your incessant nagging. Shift paused in her response, her physical mind too distressed to rage at her alter ego. And, to be clear, what I'm doing is actually pertinent to our assignment. You see-

"Excuse me." Said an earth pony garbed in scrubs as he stepped in front of Nurse "Shift." Shift started at his sudden appearance, jolted from her conversation with Aqua Grace, but quickly put on a grin as she mustered her focus, struggling to keep her balance.

"Wh-what can I do for you?" Mumbled Curiosity Shift, trying hard not to sound pained as she spoke.

The somewhat overbearing earth pony smiled at her response, seeming pleased with himself. "Oh, I was just wondering if you'd care to take a short coffee break with me." He stood a head taller than Curiosity Shift, making his expectant gaze seem somewhat intimidating. Or rather, it would have been intimidating to any other mare in such a situation.

Even in her daze, Shift was already hatching malicious schemes. With a giggle, Nurse "Shift" nodded, saying, "I'd be happy to join you..." She glanced to his name tag, smiling more brightly as she continued with, "...Bodacious Boldness...."

Bodacious Boldness inhaled with satisfaction, as if his spoken name emitted a pleasant aroma. "Excellent! Let's be on our way!" He turned, proudly prancing toward the cafeteria. Nurse "Shift" trailed behind, stumbling about as she scowled at her self-obsessed date.

Such an insolent intern! He's so clearly a self-absorbed muscle head that only seeks to please himself! I mean, just look at the symbol that adorns his flank! What, is it supposed to be a lion? What does such a thing even represent?! And that expectant gleam in his eyes! I can already tell what he hopes to gain from this petty social exchange! Nurse "Shift" bit her lip, looking ready to collapse. Alright....how can this nurse ever hope to work through a single day in this hospital with such a weak brain? It's paining me to simply hate this stallion in silence....

Hmm....this appears to be a symptom of withdrawal. Aqua Grace suggested, her presence further paining the "nurse's" mind.

From what, exactly? Shift asked, stumbling and falling into the wall before she scrambled to catch up with Boldness, who hadn't noticed how difficult it was for her to follow behind.

I can't say for sure, but it's good to see that this headache is acting as a handicap for you. You can't wreak nearly as much havoc when you can barely walk to and fro. Aqua Grace joked, drawing an annoyed groan from the "nurse."

...shut it, teardrop. You're on this assignment as well, you know. Shift meandered behind Bodacious Boldness, looking particularly dazed and confused.

Well, you certainly can't do a lot of chastising when it pains you just to hold this conversation. Aqua observed, drawing a quiet snort from Curiosity Shift, who could now only focus on following this stallion who she already hated with a passion.

Oh, I hope Twilight isn't mad with me.... Thought Spike as he rushed to the library. I'm sure she'll understand if I just calmly explain everything that happened. Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll just tell her that I helped Fluttershy bring that egg back to her cottage....but what do I tell her about that dragoness? Spike's pondering came to a halt when the library came into view. However, the unicorn that he saw enter clearly wasn't Twilight. Spike, already recognizing who this unicorn was, approached the library with caution. Despite the library being open to the public, Spike already expected only bad things to come from this visitor. As quietly as possible, Spike opened the door and peered inside. Oblivious of the young dragon's presence, Opulent Majesty stood within, browsing the various shelves with a stern expression. Spike glared at the unicorn, stepping back to shut the door with the intent of finding Twilight and informing her of Opulent's intrusion. However, before he was able to completely shut the door, the young dragon suddenly felt a slight tickle in his nose. He paused for a moment, only to allow the tickle to explode into a voluminous sneeze. As if the noise alone wasn't enough to attract Opulent's attention, the flurry of green flame that came along with the sneeze was more than enough to startle the unicorn. Opulent spun to face the door, which Spike hadn't completely disappeared through, and smiled at the young dragon.

"Well, aren't you a rare sight?" Opulent mused, taking a step toward Spike, who didn't dare run away now. "I didn't expect to see any baby dragons in Ponyville...are you, perhaps, a friend of Miss Magic?"

With a good amount of hesitance, Spike stepped into the library, shutting the door with an absent flick of the tail. Looking puzzled, he asked, "How'd you know?"

Opulent grinned at the young dragon, answering, "Oh, from what I've heard of Twilight Sparkle, I could only assume that she keeps the most extraordinary of company. After all, Twilight herself must be something extraordinary if she's a prized student of Equestria's Princess Celestia."

Spike, although feeling a bit smug from being (indirectly) called extraordinary, frowned at Opulent. "Well, somepony has been doing their research...what else do you know about Twilight?"

Opulent adjusted his monocle, his smile fading. "You ask that as if I'm prying...I assure you, all I know about Miss Magic is what I've heard from gossip, media, and the like." The two stared at one another in silence for a moment, scowling slightly. Dismissively turning to face a nearby shelf, Opulent continued, "Anyway, I'd also heard that Twilight Sparkle managed Ponyville's library. I was curious to see what sort of collections she kept..." He scanned the shelf he had turned to, a bemused grin suddenly donning on his lips. "I'm certain that it must be dreadful to only have access to such a pitifully small number of books after growing up among the Canterlot archives..."

Spike stepped in front of Opulent, glaring at the stallion. "'The like,' huh? Are you sure you haven't been studying Twilight's history, or even spying on her?"

Opulent chuckled, his horn suddenly aglow. From a high shelve hovered down a book with the title "World Geography." Spike held his glare, but seemed somewhat perplexed by his choice. Opulent proceeded to flip through pages with his magic, saying with an amused tone, "How nice. You're rather protective of Miss Magic, aren't you? Tell me, what's your name, young dragon?"

Spike crossed his arms, looking appalled by the question. "What's it to you, pal?"

Opulent halted his page flipping, now intently studying a global map. "Fine, don't answer me. I'll find out sooner or later, anyway."

Spike rolled his eyes, pointing a thumb at himself. "Spike. The name's Spike."

Opulent looked up from the map, grinning snidely. "A pleasure to meet you, Spike. Even if you've likely heard my name already, I'll introduce myself all the same." He held aside the book, offering a hoof to the young dragon. "Call me Opulent. Opulent Majesty." Spike blinked at the offer, glancing to Opulent's mischievous grin and back. After a quiet gulp, Spike shook the unicorn's hoof, but refused to drop his scrutinizing glare.

"So...Opulent, is it?" Spike began, quickly withdrawing his hand. "What are you here for, exactly?"

Resuming his scanning of the world map, Opulent absently answered, "Oh, like I said earlier. Just standard diplomatic procedures and benefits is all."

Spike shook his head, saying in a somewhat annoyed tone, "I meant what are you, Opulent Majesty, doing here, in this library?"

Opulent brushed back his mane with an embarrassed chuckle, answering, "Oh! You see, I was interested in a small evaluation of Ponyville's stock of literature. I'm also interested in personally introducing myself to all the Elements of Harmony."

Spike scratched at his chin, eyeing the unicorn with suspicion. "Really? Who have you met so far?"

Opulent paused before answering, flipping to the next page in the atlas. "If I recall, I've acquainted myself with the Elements of Honesty, Generosity, and...Laughter." He cackled quietly at the mention of Pinkie Pie's Element, then proceeded studying the page he had turned to.

Spike furrowed his glare, crossing his arms once more. "They have names, you know."

Opulent turned the page once more, nodding curtly. "I'm well aware of that. I've just never felt right about disregarding a title, though. So, I think I'll call them all by their Element names."

Spike raised an eyebrow, pointing at the atlas that Opulent was so intently reading. "You seem especially interested in that book there. What are you reading out of it?"

Opulent grinned wryly as he quickly scanned over a small paragraph. He slammed shut the book and returned it to where he had taken it from, answering with, "Oh, just bits and pieces. Nothing important, really." At this, Spike glanced up to the newly re-shelved book, then returned his glare to Opulent as he began to inch toward the nearest ladder. Opulent, however, didn't acknowledge the young dragon's suspicion, and instead wandered over to another bookshelf. Spike, seeing that Opulent was no longer paying any attention to him, rushed over to the ladder and quickly wheeled it to the shelf the atlas had been placed on. He raised a foot to begin climbing, but halted when he heard the library door open.

"Oh, hi Spike!" Greeted Twilight Sparkle as she stepped inside, magically shutting the door behind her. "Where have you been? After we found Pinkie, I...I..." She froze as she spotted Opulent, who had now turned to face her. "Um...hi there, Opulent Majesty. What brings you here?"

"Oh, I was on the hunt for a good read. However, I'd be more interested in a formal introduction." He held out his hoof to Twilight, which caused the nervous mare to bite her lip. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow magic enthusiast. And from what I've heard of you, Miss Magic, I can assume that you're just as scholarly as I am."

With a gulp and a weak giggle, Twilight shook the stallion's hoof. "Please, call me Twilight Sparkle...you say you're a bit of a scholar?"

Withdrawing his hoof, Opulent nodded, saying, "Indeed. I dedicate myself to the invention of new spells, both practical and radical. Tell me, Miss Sparkle, what sort of studies are you currently engaged in?"

Twilight smiled awkwardly, her cheeks rosy as she answered, "Oh...just a little project assigned to me by Princess Celestia."

Opulent raised an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. "You've been given an assignment from such prestigious royalty? I must say, Miss Sparkle, I'm already impressed."

Twilight giggled, waving a dismissive hoof. Spike, already sickened by their exchange, hurried over to them, pointing an accusing claw at Opulent. "Flattery isn't going to get you far, pal. Twilight's smarter than-"

"Oh!" Interrupted Twilight, her horn glowing suddenly. Spike, whose tail had been seized by Twilight's aura, shot off the ground with a yelp. He dangled in front of Opulent, who could only grin wryly at the distressed young dragon. "This is Spike! Have you met Spike? He's my scribe! I think you'll really like Spike!" She moved the young dragon closer to Opulent, who was clearly on the verge of laughter. "Say hi, Spike!"

Spike only groaned in annoyance, now thrashing about in an attempt to free himself from Twilight's magic grasp. Opulent shook his head with a bemused laugh, then prepared his own magic. He hovered his horn, which glowed emerald green, near Spike's tail for a moment, then gently tapped the glowing scales. With a small flash of violet light, the magic hold on Spike's tail vanished, causing the young dragon to drop to the floor with another yelp. Twilight blinked rapidly at her assistant, who had now scrambled to his feet and was glaring up at Opulent, then turned a disbelieving gaze to the stallion.

"How did you....do that?" She asked, putting a hoof to her chin and eyeing Opulent with intrigue.

"That? That was nothing more than a basic Negation spell. You can't tell me that Equestria's most academically versed unicorn hasn't seen such a spell before." Opulent glanced down to the glowering Spike, grinning snidely as he patted his spines with a hoof, which only served to draw a low growl from the young dragon.

"Actually...I haven't. I haven't once seen a Negation spell in action..." She scratched at the back of her neck, laughing with embarrassment. "I guess I'm not as 'academically versed' as you'd think...." She cleared her throat, her lips pursed and her cheeks red as she shyly grinned at Opulent.

"Really? Well, that just won't do." He gestured to the rows of books that surrounded them, saying, "Nopony with a passion for knowledge shall remain ignorant if I have any say. Perhaps you'd care for me to teach you a thing or two that I know?"

Spike hurriedly stepped defensively in front of Twilight, hissing, "She doesn't need to learn anything from you! Now just-"

With a quick burst of magic, a zipper materialized at the corner of Spike's mouth, quickly closing and silencing the young dragon. Stepping past Spike, Twilight cheerily answered, "That sounds great!"

Despite Spike's muffled shout of disapproval, Opulent smiled brightly at Twilight's answer. "Excellent! I've brought along a few spells detailed in text for just this purpose, but...I would ask a small favor of you in return."

Spike reached for the zipper that held shut his mouth, but a disrupting hoof from Twilight stopped him from taking hold on it. With a quick scowl directed at Spike, Twilight turned a grin to Opulent as she responded with, "Sure. What sort of favor?"

Opulent glanced to the frustrated Spike, who was still being blocked by Twilight as he struggled to unzip his mouth, then answered, "I'd very much appreciate it if you would introduce me to the two Elements that I have yet to meet. The Elements of Kindness and Loyalty, that is."

Twilight nodded, dropping her hoof and instead utilizing magic to restrain the now furious young dragon, saying, "Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash? I can understand how you'd have a hard time meeting those two. Fluttershy is as shy as it gets, and Rainbow Dash..." Twilight's friendly grin became visibly dampened as she sighed, continuing with, "Well, let's just say that Rainbow Dash is...preoccupied with something really important. I'll still introduce you to them, though."

Opulent frowned at Twilight's solemn explanation of Rainbow Dash's situation, asking in a concerned tone, "Is the Element of Loyalty in some form of predicament or crisis?"

Twilight returned the frown, sounding sorrowful as she answered, "Well...Rainbow Dash is sort of...upset...with a pegasus filly. This filly sort of...tried to fight dragons...and then sort of...met the consequences of her actions."

Opulent gasped, putting a hoof to his chest. "You don't mean...?"

Twilight quickly shook her head in response, saying, "I meant that she got seriously injured while trying to fight them."

Opulent breathed a relieved sigh, dropping his hoof. "Oh, I see. Dragons can be dangerous things." He grinned at Spike, who had given up on trying to unzip his mouth and was instead intently glaring at Opulent.

Twilight's frown deepened as she looked to the floor, her voice now quiet as she said, "On top of serious injury, Scootaloo is also suffering from a rare illness..."

Opulent turned his attention back to Twilight, his expression nearly as sorrowful as her's. "Illness? What sort of illness?"

Twilight paused for a moment, then slowly answered, "Have you ever heard of Magic Poisoning?"

Opulent's eyes widened slightly as he mumbled, "Oh dear...it's only ever caused by massive amounts of PK energy that haven't been carefully directed..." He grinned as sympathetically as he was able as Twilight turned her gaze upward. "There's no need to worry, though. Magic Poisoning is easily managed, as I'm sure you're already aware, unless...the ailment is agitated."

Twilight sighed a grievous sigh, saying, "I'm aware of that as well. If the unicorn who caused the Poisoning uses any magic near the afflicted, then the victim can be spurred into terrible convulsions and...other things..."

Opulent raised an eyebrow, his tone perplexed as he asked, "You've only heard of cases becoming more severe if the source of affliction uses magic? From what I'd heard, Magic Poisoning can be agitated by any stray pulse or wave of PK energy."

Twilight gasped, looking panicked. "Oh no! I didn't know that...poor Scootaloo..." She put a hoof to her chin, then glanced to Spike. With an apologetic smile, she magically unzipped the young dragon's mouth, the conjured metal disappearing with a small poof.

Opulent put a hoof to Twilight's shoulder, which startled the mare as she looked back to Opulent. In a reassuring tone, Opulent said, "Don't fret. There are ways to properly treat Magic Poisoning through magical means without harming the afflicted. I'll be happy to show them to you, if you'd like."

Twilight blushed as she glanced to Opulent's hoof. With a nervous nod, she mumbled, "Anything to help Scootaloo..."

Opulent withdrew his hoof, pausing for a moment before turning away from Twilight and back to the bookshelves. Twilight, cheeks still red, glanced to Spike with an embarrassed smile. The look he gave her, however, was one of cold disapproval. She blinked at the young dragon, then returned her gaze to Opulent, her interest certainly piqued. All the while, the three of them were totally oblivious to a certain earth pony who was dead set on revealing Opulent's true nature. Pinkie Pie, ever the vigilant sleuth, watched everything through the window.

"Well, aren't you the tricky one?" She grumbled, stepping from out of the shrubbery and up to the library door. "If there's one pony who you can't fool for long, it's Twilight Sparkle." She cleared her throat, then reached into her mane. After a moment of rifling through the tangle of pink locks, she pulled out a flashy invitation card that read, "Welcome, Embassy of New Unicornia, to Ponyville!" Placing the card in her mouth, she raised a hoof to knock, then inhaled sharply before rapping on the door with speed that only Pinkie Pie would ever knock with. I don't know what you're planning, you maniac, but I'll find out soon enough.

High above the road to the Everfree, Rainbow Dash lazily drifted through the skies as she glared at the forest. Even if the uproar of the two dragons had come to an end, she had only heard one of them leave the Everfree by way of wing. In her hurry to rescue Scootaloo, she hadn't been able to assess where the second dragon had gone. Seeing that the conflict hadn't lasted long, she could only assume it had started as a territorial dispute. She needed to confirm her suspicions, however, before charging headlong into the Everfree. And the only pony that could possibly be a witness was the pony that was least likely to ever get near a pair of warring dragons. Nonetheless, Rainbow Dash landed at the doorstep of Fluttershy's cottage. Considering disregarding Fluttershy's account and simply skipping ahead to the Everfree for a moment, Dash shook her multi-hued mane, then knocked on the door to Fluttershy's humble abode. She waited for a few seconds, then raised a hoof to step away and take off for the Everfree, but the meek figure that opened the door kept her there.

"Oh, hi Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy greeted, tiredly rubbing at her cheek. "What can I do for you?"

Rainbow Dash seemed a bit puzzled by Fluttershy's slightly reddened eyes and tear-stained cheeks, but answered all the same with, "I was just headed to the Everfree to check out a couple things."

"Oh...are you....going to look for one of the d-dragons?" Fluttershy questioned, shooting a wary glance in the direction of the forest.

Rainbow Dash nodded, pointing to the Everfree with a hoof. "I asked around a bit, and everypony is sure that one of the two dragons has already flown off, and headed far away from Ponyville. But where's the other one? If that dragon is still in the Everfree, then it's still a threat to Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash looked back to Fluttershy, who now wore a sorrowful expression. Rainbow Dash, confused by Fluttershy's apparent sorrow, asked, "Mind telling me where the other one went...?"

Fluttershy sniffled, rubbing at her eyes for a moment before answering, "Come inside. It's a long story..." She stepped aside to allow Rainbow Dash entrance. Even more confused by this point, Rainbow Dash stepped inside, Fluttershy shutting the door behind her. The two walked into the cottage's cozy living room, with a large pile of conspicuous blankets sitting solemnly in the center of an otherwise spotless floor.

Rainbow Dash gestured to the plethora of sheets, asking Fluttershy, "What's with all the blankets? What, are you hiding something in there?"

Fluttershy stared blankly at Rainbow Dash for a moment, then nodded to the nearby couch. "Please, have a seat. I'll explain everything."

With a brief suspicious glance to the pile of blankets, Rainbow Dash trotted over to the couch and plopped down, appearing ready to listen. "I don't know why you couldn't just point me in the right direction, but whatever."

Fluttershy sat before the mound of sheets, eyeing it with an enigmatic expression, then sighed before beginning in a quiet, near-whisper voice, "After returning home from the sauna, I stood at my doorstep, about to enter when I heard a strange noise....that was one of the first ferocious roars that came from the dragons. After hearing several louder repeats of the noise, I rushed over to the Everfree. I could tell by the screeching, earth-shaking, and scary fire that a dragon was rampaging, but I could tell by a second roar, one that sounded distinctly different from the first I'd heard, that there were two dragons....I really didn't want to intervene, and I knew that there wasn't much I could do, but I flew into the Everfree all the same....." Fluttershy glanced to Rainbow Dash, who was (unsurprisingly) only partially tuned in. Fluttershy looked back to the blankets, feeling a bit downtrodden that her story was already beginning to fall on deaf ears. "The dragons weren't very deep in the forest, so I got to them quickly enough, but when I found them....there was nothing I could do. They were vicious, fighting a bloody battle that seemed to have no end." She shuddered, resting her head on the sheets. "It was so scary....when I saw Scootaloo explode from the trees and run at them, I should have stopped her....but I didn't...I just hope she's okay now."

Rainbow Dash blinked at this, now listening more intently. She frowned, but nodded nonetheless. "She's fine now. Just a little battered, is all..." She trailed off for a moment, then gestured to Fluttershy, saying, "Please, go ahead with your story."

Fluttershy drew away from the pile of blankets once more, looking it over before continuing. "After she got swatted away, I don't know where she went....I feel really guilty for not going after her, even if I was scared out of my mind. After Scootaloo disappeared from sight, I watched the dragons for a little while longer...I hated every second of their fighting, but I was just too afraid to stop them...fortunately, there was somepony else who came along to save the day."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at this, putting a hoof to her chin. "Oh? Who was this other pony?"

Fluttershy glanced to Rainbow Dash, then grinned sheepishly as she returned her gaze to the blankets. "Well, I couldn't place her name, nor did she look very familiar, but I do remember that she was a unicorn with some very....unique magic."

Rainbow Dash considered this for a moment, then said, "Well, she must have been in the Everfree already, or something. Because I didn't see anypony on my way to or out of the forest."

Fluttershy shrugged, continuing, "It's odd that you didn't see her, because she...trotted through the skies...as if she was a pegasus. And her mane and tail...they were all wavy and glowing...sort of like Princess Celestia's mane and tail..."

Rainbow Dash directed a dubious scowl at Fluttershy, cocking her head as she said, "As if she was a pegasus? Are you sure you weren't seeing things, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy shifted her jaw, pausing for a long moment before answering, "You know, I can't say for sure. Maybe I was so terrified that I was hallucinating...but, even if I was, there was something that turned the tide of the dragons' battle. This unicorn...she pointed her horn to the bigger of the two dragons and did...something." Fluttershy scratched at her head, trying hard to remember exactly what had occurred. "It had to with her mane and tail...they got really bright and started to disappear, and then shot some sort of magic at that dragon. It didn't do a lot of damage, but he, or at least I think that dragon was a he, was at least distracted by it. When he turned back to the other dragon, she drove the tip of her tail..." Fluttershy gulped, shaking her head, "...right through his eye...after that, I guess he'd lost, so he flew off..."

Rainbow Dash grimaced at this, but quickly shrugged it off. "So that means the other dragon lived through it, right?"

Fluttershy sniffled once more, blinking away tears as she continued, "After the battle was over, the dragoness that remained was terribly injured...she was bleeding badly, and was too fatigued to stay standing for long...Spike showed up shortly after the battle ended, and reasoned with her. She didn't trust me at first, but Spike introduced me...this dragoness seemed to recognize me when Spike told her that I was the Element of Kindness..." Fluttershy sniffled, more weakly than before, then placed a hoof on the blankets. "When she trusted me, she asked me to look at something...something very special of her's..." Rainbow Dash now turned her attention to the pile of sheets, looking increasingly puzzled. "After I gave it the once over, she collapsed...with her dying breath, she asked me to watch over her most precious possession..."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she rushed to Fluttershy's side, hovering just above the mound of blankets. "'Dying breath?' You mean...she's..."

"Gone...and she trusted me, somepony she had never met before, with this..." Fluttershy whispered, running her hoof across the layer of blankets.

Rainbow Dash looked the mound up and down, landing beside Fluttershy. "Are you just hiding a big diamond in there, or what?"

Fluttershy breathed a sigh, then pulled away the blanket layer, revealing the glistening onyx egg that hid beneath. Rainbow Dash stared in disbelief at the dragon egg for a long moment, then she took to the air again, hovering near the ceiling as she looked to Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy...y-you have a dragon egg? Haven't you tried to tell anypony about this?" Rainbow Dash asked, frantically glancing between the egg and the now disconcerted Fluttershy.

Fluttershy, looking particularly guilt-stricken, mumbled, "Well, Spike knows, and you know...b-but what if Celestia finds out? If the news spreads, then the P-Princess might take away the egg..."

Rainbow Dash descended until she was just above the onyx egg. She looked over the egg once more, then looked back to Fluttershy. "What's so bad about that? Then Celestia will care for it, and you won't have to."

Fluttershy threw her forelegs around the egg, protectively pulling it away from Rainbow Dash. With a quaver to her voice, Fluttershy mumbled, "But, Rainbow Dash.....th-that dying d-d-dragoness.....that dying mother.....she asked m-me to care for her egg.....and.....I d-don't want anything to take th-this unhatched dragon away from me....."

Rainbow Dash landed once more, frowning at the now sobbing Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, you have to think this through. Celestia already knows how to raise dragons. Besides, they can be really dangerous, even at a young age. Why would you insist on keeping this egg for yourself?"

Fluttershy hugged tighter the egg, her words difficult to comprehend through her sobs as she said, "Y-you don't understand....wh-what if I n-never see this little egg again? Wh-what if they take it away forever, a-and I n-never get to see my...um...this b-baby dragon grow up?"

Rainbow Dash looked puzzled by her plea, but she grinned sympathetically after a moment, offering, "Okay...so you want to stay close to this egg?" Fluttershy sniffled again, nodding slowly in response. "Well, there's no harm in raising it now, but you can't hide a dragon forever..."

Fluttershy rubbed her cheek against the onyx shell, eyes shimmering as she gazed at nothing in particular. "I guess I c-can't.....but, for now, can I know that this secret is safe?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, answering, "Alright. Your secret is safe with me."

Fluttershy sniffled once more, meekly adding, "....P-Pinkie Pie Promise?"

Rainbow Dash chuckled, acting out the binding pact as she said, "Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." She nodded to Fluttershy, saying, "I won't tell a soul, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy grinned weakly at the promise, then gently set the egg atop the scattered heap of blankets, proceeding to conceal the egg once more. "Th-thanks, Rainbow Dash..."

Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her chin, her smile suddenly fading as her expression became thoughtful. "But, don't you think we should tell somepony about that dragoness? We should really give her a proper burial."

Fluttershy inhaled deeply, then released a shaky sigh. "I g-guess we should...but who? Who are we supposed to tell something like that to?"

Rainbow Dash rubbed at her jaw, glancing to the now covered egg, then answered, "I guess we could tell Twilight Sparkle...maybe she'll know what to do."

Fluttershy looked to the egg as well, then gently slid it to sit beside the couch. "Okay...let's be quick, though. I don't want to leave this egg all alone for long."

Rainbow Dash nodded, already moving for the door. "Don't worry. Your egg will be safe here. Nopony knows about it, so it'll be just fine." Fluttershy glanced warily to her egg once more before following behind Rainbow Dash, but quickly cast off her fear and grinned as she took off, shutting the door behind her. The two pegasi took to the skies, leaving behind the quiet cottage and the little dragon egg.

Silver Gleam sighed as he shut the door to his hotel room, walking inside with a smile on his face. "Well, we're certainly off to a good start." He said to himself as he looked over the luggage piled on his bed. "Hmm...I wonder where Opulent Majesty has gone. He always has his things unpacked before the rest of us." He glanced to Opulent's excessively secure luggage, then shrugged, turning his attention to his own. He quickly scanned over his things, then began moving them to the floor one by one, not really bothering to check if anything was out of place or missing. When he came upon the lock box, however, he paused, eyeing it with suspicion. Last he recalled, the only available key for the box was one that he himself created from transmuted material. When he found the mechanism to be unlocked, with not a key to be found, he could only guess that the lock was picked. He opened it, breathing a relieved sigh to find that the item stored inside had been left alone. He shut the box, then magically snatched up a scarf from one of his bags. His horn shone brighter for a moment as he touched it to the scarf, which was consumed by the magic aura as it warped and transformed into a very peculiar key. Satisfied, Silver turned his attention to the lock box and did the same, holding the tip of his horn to the mechanism as it glowed internally. He tested the change to the lock by inserting his custom made key, and laughed triumphantly when it fit inside perfectly. He set the box on the floor, noting to himself, "I'll have to have Opulent put a few safeguards on this, but it should be fine for now." He looked back to the still massive pile of luggage that remained on his bed, but paused when he heard a knock at the door. He trotted over and opened it to find a pegasus with a blonde mane and a gray coat standing before him. He was shocked to find that her eyes didn't even remotely face the same direction, but he didn't show it.

Instead, he grinned at the pegasus as he asked, "What can I do for you?'

The mare rifled through her mail bag, which Silver was just now noticing, and pulled out a card that read in bright letters, "Welcome, Embassy of New Unicornia, to Ponyville!" The pegasus presented the card to him with a smile, shouting in a voice that rather suited her appearance, "Special delivery for the ambassadors!"

Silver accepted the card with a gracious, "Thank you very much, Miss...?"

Derpy Hooves saluted the unicorn, shouting, "Derpy Hooves, professional mailmare!"

Silver nodded, saying, "Thank you very much, Derpy Hooves. I'll be sure to show this card to Opulent Majesty once he returns."

Derpy nodded, turning to walk to the neighboring room as she said, "Okay, mister! You have a nice day!"

"You have a nice day as well, Derpy Hooves." Silver said, shutting the door and stepping inside the room once more. After quickly reading the title of the card, he opened it, finding a small explosion of confetti to greet him. He chuckled at this, shaking his head, then proceeded to read the card.

Hey, you ambassadors! Do you know what time it is? It's party time! And it's a party in your honor! Pinkie Pie (that's me!) invites you to a super fun Welcome to Ponyville Party! The big bash will be at Sugar Cube Corner, the best bakery in town, and will start at 7:00 P.M. sharp! Hope to see you there!

Pinkie Pie

Silver Gleam grinned as he read the invitation, then set it on the nearby end table. He headed for the door once more, then opened it to find Patsy Craft, who he had completely expected.

Patsy frowned, glancing past Silver as she mumbled, "I'm guessing you got the same invitation that I got."

Silver nodded, grinning brightly. "I think a little welcoming party sounds delightful! Don't you?"

Patsy shook her head, her blue mane stiffly wobbling about. "No, Silver, I don't. You know that social gatherings aren't my thing."

Silver chuckled, grinning sympathetically at the downtrodden mare. "Nonsense! You always enjoyed little gatherings back home, didn't you?"

Patsy scowled at him, sounding annoyed as she answered, "That's something completely different. My parents dragged me along, introduced me to a few nobles, and then sent me home. In this case....we're the guests of honor. You know that I crack under pressure."

Silver chuckled, saying, "Then don't feel pressured. This party is in our honor, so feel honored! You just need to relax and keep your stress in check."

Patsy snorted at Silver's instructions as she turned to walk down the hallway, angrily grumbling, "Easier said than done. I'm going to go find out where this 'Sugarcube Corner' is. Maybe I'll find a good place to hide."

Silver sighed, stepping inside once more. "Oh, Patsy. You really need to learn to be more outgoing...." He looked to his luggage once more, then pulled a comb from a small bag. "Well, I'd better spruce up a bit before I go. Can't look like a mess for the good townsponies."

"But Rarity!" Whined a certain upset unicorn filly. "Scootaloo needs us! We can't just leave her here!"

With a stern expression, Rarity shook her head. In a firm yet gentle tone, she said, "Scootaloo needs her rest, and as much as you'd care to deny it, she won't heal any faster when you stand around and gawk."

Sweetie Belle, now hopping in place as if throwing a tantrum, shouted, "You don't leave a Crusader behind! Can't I stay just a bit longer?"

Rarity frowned at her younger sister, then glanced to Scootaloo, who, frankly, looked thoroughly amused by the scene that Sweetie was making on her behalf.

With a frustrated sputter, Rarity stood aside, allowing Sweetie Belle to return to her friend's bedside. "Just a few more minutes. Visiting hours are almost up, and don't you have a school project to be working on?"

Sweetie Belle laughed warily, rushing to Scootaloo's bedside. "Yeah...that little science...thing. Don't worry, I'll get it done."

Applejack, who had gotten a little entertainment out of Sweetie's fit as well, turned to Applebloom, looking puzzled. "Science project? Ya never said a thing 'bout no science project."

Applebloom grinned up her older sister, cheerfully saying, "That's cause ah've been workin' on it mahself. In fact, ah'm almost done with 't!"

Applejack smiled proudly, slapping her younger sister on the shoulder. "Nice work, Applebloom! That's some right good get-to-it-iveness right there."

Rarity glanced to Applebloom, then to Sweetie Belle. "What is the deadline on this project, Sweetie Belle?"

Sweetie Belle, rubbing at the back of her neck and nervously chuckling, answered, "Uh....three days from now..."

Rarity put a hoof to her forehead, asking in a somewhat despairing tone, "How much of it have you completed?"

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, her voice meek as she answered, "Um....none of it. Not a thing."

Rarity pointed to the door, scowling at Sweetie. "We're going home. Right now."

Sweetie Belle frowned deeply, her eyes shimmering as she looked pleadingly back at her sister. "But Rarity! I-"

"Ah bup bup!" Rarity interrupted, stomping the hoof she'd been pointing with. "Don't you 'but Rarity' me! You have a lot of work to do, young lady! You can come back to see your friend once it's done!"

Sweetie Belle groaned in annoyance, then shot Applebloom a despairing look. Applebloom only shrugged, which caused Sweetie to sigh and trot out of the room. Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Applejack watched Rarity follow behind, shutting the door rather angrily with her magic. Scootaloo laughed lightly, shaking her head as she looked to the ceiling.

"In a way, I'm kinda glad that I'm stuck here. I don't have anything for my project done either." Scootaloo said, smiling a content smile.

Applebloom nodded to her, saying in a joking tone, "Looks like somepony lucked out, huh?"

Scootaloo looked to her with a wry smile, saying, "I wouldn't call myself lucky. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now I don't have to go to school."

Applejack adjusted her hat, gesturing to Scootaloo. "Well, ah'd consider mahself lucky to walk away from a dragon fight. Them dragons is somethin' awful."

Scootaloo nodded, scratching at her bandages. "Yeah. I don't want to tangle with another dragon for as long as I live...even around Spike, I think I'm going to be a little more careful." This drew a chuckle from the two earth ponies that stood at her bedside. Scootaloo sighed, looking to the ceiling once more. "Today's been one crazy day, that's for sure." She stared with a grin on her lips for a moment, but her grin faded suddenly. She groaned, putting a hoof to her stomach. "Oh, geez...."

Applebloom and Applejack both looked puzzled by this, the earth pony filly asking with concern, "What's the matter, Scoots?"

Scootaloo groaned once more, sounding pained, then answered, "It must be the pills...something isn't right with them..."

Applejack put a hoof to her chin, suggesting, "Maybe ya needed to take some food with 'em. Have ya eaten somethin'?"

Scootaloo shook her head, squeezing her eye shut as she tried to curl up. "No...I haven't....eaten anything."

Applebloom hopped in place, shouting, "Well, we'll rustle ya up some grub! Be back 'fore ya know 't!" She bolted from the room, practically leaving a dust silhouette where she'd been standing.

Applejack chuckled at her eagerness, trotting to the door. "Sit tight, Scootaloo. We'll get ya somethin' t' snack on." After Applejack stepped from the room, Scootaloo writhed and squirmed, breathing hard.

"Oooow....what did I take? Why is it hurting me like this..." Scootaloo mumbled aloud, her stomach searing.

Poison. Answered a masculine voice within Scootaloo's mind. It had been so distinct that she mistook it for a voice she'd heard, not thought.

"What? Wh-who's there?" Scootaloo asked, glancing about the room.

The assorted medicines you've consumed will only harm you in the amounts that they've been ingested. Essentially, you've been poisoned. The voice said, utterly ignoring Scootaloo's question. Observe.

Suddenly, Scootaloo's already strained vision took on a violet hue, just as it had earlier, causing her to panic. "Oh no! Somepony! Help! I-it's happening again!"

Don't fret. I'm simply allowing you to see the truth through a new perspective. If you would, take a look at your stomach. The voice was perfectly level and not especially commanding, but Scootaloo decided to calm herself and do as instructed. She glanced to her stomach, and gasped when she saw an eerie red glow coming from her abdominal area.

"What the?! Why is my stomach glowing?!" She asked the voice, not realizing how loudly she had shouted her question.

Don't be alarmed. This gift of sight only reveals things for what they truly are. And within your stomach lies poison, which has given it an aura of danger. Your stomach isn't really glowing. Your heightened senses are merely alerting you of the hazard within. The pain you feel, along with this indication, are merely signals that this poison doesn't belong. The voice's explanation was hard to believe, but Scootaloo saw no reason to object.

"Okay, so...what do I do?" Scootaloo asked, eyeing her abdomen with confusion.

When time is of the essence, and your options are limited, you must consider every possible way to confront and combat danger. In this case...might I suggest purging? The voice sounded perfectly serious, much to Scootaloo's disbelief.

"Purge? You can't possibly mean..." Scootaloo mumbled, now more concerned with the voice's suggestion than her pain.

It's simple. In order to clear your insides of this poison, you must manually trigger your own gag reflex. After that, your digestive system will do the rest. The voice sounded perfectly calm and collected, despite Scootaloo's new found panic.

"No way! I am not going to make myself throw up! That's just so....gross!" Scootaloo shouted, the pain she felt undiminished but utterly ignored nonetheless.

Be rational, young one. If you refuse to purge, these poisons will be lethal. Are you honestly going to kill yourself because you refuse to take drastic action? The voice's words carried a great deal of weight as Scootaloo mulled them over. After a second, she took in a deep breath, then looked to her good hoof. She didn't dare do what had to be done at first, but after a moment, she opened her mouth and reached inside. She hesitated for a long moment, then forced herself to trigger her gag reflex.

"Alrighty! Ah've found ya some puddin', a bagel, and even an apple! So, wh-" Applebloom halted what she was saying as her pegasus friend pulled her hoof out of her mouth and proceeded to vomit, the bile and pills she'd taken scattering across the floor. Scootaloo groaned as she looked to Applebloom, rather from embarrassment than pain. Applebloom stared blankly at her friend for a moment, then looked to the previous contents of Scootaloo's stomach.

"Scootaloo....um....uh...." Applebloom muttered, looking equally disgusted and confused.

Great. Thought Scootaloo, smiling warily at her friend. That worked real well! Right as she walks in, I hurl! Thanks a billion, pal!

Don't be ungrateful. It worked, didn't it? You're going to live to see another day. Sure, you now have this predicament to deal with, but you aren't going to die, either. The voice said in a rather dismissive fashion as Scootaloo's vision returned to normal.

"Well...this is probably really confusing, isn't it?" Scootaloo mumbled, glancing between Applebloom and the filth on the floor.

Applebloom looked back up at Scootaloo, putting a hoof to her chin. "Really confusin'....and really gross....Scootaloo, why....why would ya make yourself......ya know...."

Scootaloo opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated, her voice meek as she said, "Well...it's hard to explain......would you believe me if I told you that I had taken the wrong medicine, and had to get it out of me before it did anything bad?"

Applebloom glanced from Scootaloo to the mess on the floor, then mumbled, "Ah...ah'm gonna go tell somepony 'bout this." She backed out into the hallway and shut the door.

Scootaloo frowned as she looked to the ceiling, her thoughts now pervaded by rage. Whoever you are, I hate you!

The voice didn't respond. In fact, the silent presence it had had was now undetectable within Scootaloo's mind. I know I didn't just imagine you! I know you're still in there! Her thoughts simply echoed about her mind, the focus of her fury clearly unresponsive. .....what? You're just gonna show up out of no where, do something to embarrass me, then disappear? Who do you think you are?!

This time, she received a quiet, perfectly calm answer. The voice said, A friend. In the end, I'm only here to help you. So, calm yourself, if you'd so please.

Scootaloo growled out loud, but didn't know what else to think to this voice in her head. ....explain to me just what the hay is going on. I get this random disease and start seeing purple, and now you show up! It's starting to get on my nerves.

All in good time, Scootaloo. For now, rest, my weary young pegasus. I will explain as is necessary, but for now, I will leave you with this. Always search for the truth, as there is nothing stronger or more absolute. The voice said nothing after that, and seemed to disappear completely. Scootaloo sighed, glancing to the filth on the floor.

"Maybe those pills have already done a number on me..." She thought aloud.

Chapter 7.5: Silver Lining of the Storm Cloud

A miracle! A miracle has happened! Oh, bless this day, bless Gorgeous Verity, and bless our son! She might have risked everything to bring our little colt into the world, but thank heavens she was able to live through it all. It might have taken the slightest measure of magic on my part, but Gorgeous Verity has delivered our son unto the world, and is already tending to him as if the birthing had no drain on her. 'Tis a shame that Transcendence Lifeblood won't have his first glimpse of the world in someplace like Equestria, but as long as he has his mother and me, I'm sure he'll live a happy and fulfilled life. Suffice to say that morale for the entirety of the pilgrimage has been raised exponentially. New life tends to have these sorts of effects.

Pulse thudding, thoughts racing, and wings aching, Flitter Flake glanced to the officers of the law that pursued her. Seeing that they were steadfast in their chase, she breathed a weak, frustrated sigh, then beat her wings harder, resolute to keep this cloud out of their hooves. She was barely aware of a small town below as she pushed forward, but she paid it no mind. Her cloud of police pursuers was enough to keep her moving faster than she'd ever been able (or meant) to go before. The strain on her somewhat flimsy wings was enticement enough to seriously consider stopping and turning herself in, but an ominous rumble of thunder from within the cloud she'd taken was a strong reminder of why she'd taken it in the first place. Move, Flake. She thought, fighting to further increase her already painful speed and see through tear-blurred eyes. Nopony is safe until this thing is far, far away from any and all structures and buildings. Flitter Flake, although determined, found that the distance between her and the officers was rapidly shrinking. She would have flown faster, but Flitter Flake had decided that some limits weren't meant to be pushed so far. As such, she slowed herself, feeling defeated, and began to turn to the police chasing her as she lost speed. Flitter Flake opened her mouth to speak, but only a startled shriek escaped, considering she had been tackled by a blur of color and torn away from the cloud.

"So," began Applebloom as she entered Scootaloo's room, "ah had a quick chat with that nurse. Ya know. The one that ne'er even gave ya any medicine 'n the first place." She scowled at Scootaloo, causing the pegasus filly to grimace warily.

"Wh-what do you mean she never gave me any medicine? She came here twice! I swear!" Scootaloo stammered, sounding majorly panicked by her friend's discovery.

"Oh really?" Applebloom said, stomping a hoof. "Then why did she tell me different? She said that she didn't remember givin' ya any sort o' pills. Now ya really better start t' 'splain yerself."

Scootaloo bit her lip, a bead of sweat visible on her brow. What do I say? I can't defend myself if Nurse Mend was never here in the first place!

Mist Wing, his voice calming Scootaloo just enough to stop the perspiration of the young pegasus, quickly thought, Think logically. If you were sure that it was Nurse Mend here, but your friend has said that this nurse has no memory of ever being here, what can be inferred?

Uh.... Scootaloo's mind went blank for a moment, but she quickly gained a relaxed smile and thought, She's lying! If it really was her intent to hurt me, she could easily deny ever coming in here the second and third times.

Excellent! Mist thought. See if you can't reason with Applebloom. Certainly, she'll understand once you explain things in such a way.

Scootaloo cleared her throat, declaring with confidence, "Nurse Mend was obviously lying to you! She wouldn't want to reveal that she'd ever been here if she was trying to cover her tracks. If she really meant to harm me, then she'd have to deny ever giving me any medicine to make herself look innocent."

Applebloom mulled over Scootaloo's theory, scratching at her chin. "Ah 'spose that could be the case....but, somethin' tells me she didn't mean t' do ya no harm."

Scootaloo's confident smirk vanished, Scootaloo now looking unsure instead. "Wait. What?"

Applebloom harrumphed, saying, "When ah talked with Nurse Mend, she was bein' held up by this....oh, what do ah call 'im.....jerk. When ah asked t' talk with Mend, he got real angry and shouted at me. Nurse Mend hit 'im in the head fer that, and with just a few words, sent 'im away with his tail between his legs." Applebloom chuckled upon recounting this, but quickly grew serious. "She defended me because ah'm a child. Nopony who cares that much 'bout us young 'uns is gonna try to hurt one of us. Yerself included."

Scootaloo blinked at Applebloom's reasoning, suddenly looking panicked once again. How can I argue against that? Applebloom isn't going to believe me if I say she was putting on an act!

Most puzzling. Mist Wing thought. Nurse Mend, by nature, wouldn't deliberately harm children....yet, you knew for certain that the individual who attempted to drug you was doing so in full conscience. What could it all mean....

Help me! Scootaloo thought, unable to look away from Applebloom's iron gaze. I don't know what to tell Applebloom! I don't know how to prove that I'm telling the truth here.

Hold it! Thought Mist Wing, startling Scootaloo. If the pure truth cannot save you, then find a way to bend it. You may have no evidence that Nurse Mend tried to poison you, but you can always send your friend in a new direction.

So.....lie? Scootaloo thought dubiously, still being further unnerved by Applebloom's silent scolding.

Nonsense! Bluffs and lies are two different things. To state what might be possible and describing how it is can be considered bluffing. To know what you describe is false can be called lying. Mist Wing retorted. Think of what could be considered truth, but cannot be proven at this time.

Scootaloo swallowed hard, pointing a hoof at Applebloom. I hope this works....

Rainbow Dash held Flitter Flake in a brutal headlock with her forelegs, the captured cloud thief making choking noises and frantically thrashing about to escape the grip.

"Alright, let's hear it!" Barked a furious Rainbow Dash, who didn't budge at Flitter Flake's struggling. "Why'd you steal that cloud?"

Flitter Flake coughed weakly, halting her thrashing for a moment. In a (quite literally) choked voice, she answered, "It was a hazard to the good citizens of Cloudsdale. Despite my observation, however, not a soul seemed to believe that that storm cloud, made by you, might I add, was on the verge of eruption.....or something of that nature."

Rainbow Dash snorted, glancing to the cloud she'd hoof-crafted. "Well, duh! Every pegasi knows that if you don't handle storm clouds with care, they go off! And what were you just doing?"

Flitter Flake frowned indignantly, answering in an equally disdainful tone, "I told you. Saving Cloudsdale."

Rainbow Dash groaned with frustration, turning a glare to her captive. "Yeah right! This baby was sitting pretty with all the other storm clouds, and then you come along and fly it all the way over to Ponyville! There's a pretty good chance that thing is going to blow at any minute, thanks to you."

Flitter Flake ground her teeth, taking a moment to compose herself with a quiet exhale before saying, "To be clear, this thing was primed by somepony other than me. Call me the perpetrator for trying to save Cloudsdale from total thunderbolt catastrophe all you want, but I'm telling the truth. This thing was uniquely aggravated. I can't say whether it was intentional or not, but that cloud is behaving erratically because of some.....thing....or somepony. I don't really know what's causing it to act this way."

Rainbow Dash glanced to the cloud, still looking majorly outraged, but her expression hinted genuine curiosity. "....what's odd about it? Just looks like a shaken up storm cloud to me."

"The anomalies I'm referring to cannot be observed with the naked eye. If I had my equipment on hoof, though, I could show you." Flitter Flake pointed to the storm cloud as the officers tentatively circled it, careful not to further agitate it. "I first noticed that this cloud was behaving strangely when I neared it with a barometer. I noticed slight, but frequent, changes to the atmospheric pressure in the storage area. I pinpointed your cloud as the source of the phenomenon, then took to examining it with an assortment of my equipment. Get this." She cleared her throat, obviously not especially comfortable explaining herself when held by the neck. "The core of the cloud is actually cooling and heating at a rapid and unpredictable pace."

Rainbow Dash sputtered dubiously, shaking her head. "That's impossible. Clouds can't heat up and cool down on their own like that."

Flitter Flake rolled her eyes, responding, "Why do you think it was so bizarre? This cloud, despite what you would call impossible, was demonstrating erratic fluctuations in temperature. I've only ever seen theoretical scenarios that bear semblance to the situation at hoof, but I know full and well that any such behavior is a sure sign of instability. As I've said once, I shall say again. This cloud will unleash its payload, and it stands as a dire threat to any and all individuals within its vicinity."

Rainbow Dash seemed to mull this over in silence, yet she didn't ease her grip on Flitter Flake. "That's a bit hard to believe. I think we'll leave this up to the police."

Flitter Flake groaned with annoyance, resuming her frantic struggling as she yelled, "Have some sense, you fool! The police won't be able to do a thing! I'm the only expert on this stuff you'll ever meet! I could very well be the only pegasi in Equestria that specializes in the mysteries of uncommon meteorology!"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, tightening her choke hold on the mare. "Yeah, yeah. Keep talkin'."

Flitter Flake continued thrashing about as an officer approached Rainbow Dash, nodding appreciatively. "Thank you very much for apprehending this thief. She had just enough of a lead to keep out of our reach."

Rainbow Dash nodded in return, seemingly unperturbed by Flitter Flake's grumbling and thrashing. "No problem. How's the cloud looking?"

The officer turned to face the storm cloud in question, crossing his forelegs and furrowing his brow. "Our little 'scientist' has done well to shake this cloud to the point of nearly shooting off lightning. However, if we're especially gentle, we should be able to escort this cumulonimbus back to Cloudsdale without any trouble."

The raging Flitter Flake, catching what the police stallion had just said, shouted, "There's going to be trouble if you don't listen up! I'm not just an expert on this! I'm the expert on this, and the expert is telling you: find a barren, secluded location and leave that thunderstorm waiting to happen there!"

The officer turned back to Rainbow Dash and her frantic captive, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Thunderstorm waiting to happen? This cloud is scheduled for a rainstorm, along with the many other clouds it was stored alongside. If this cloud is handled properly, it shouldn't produce much lightning at all. It will only become a thunderstorm under strenuous or agitating conditions." He frowned, glancing back to the storm cloud. "Well, unless.....you didn't tamper with the thing prior to stealing it, did you?"

Flitter Flake growled in annoyance, answering with a ferocious bite on Rainbow Dash's foreleg. Rainbow Dash, more startled than hurt by the bite, released Flitter Flake with a yelp. In the second that she was freed, Flitter Flake turned to take off to escape the police. Much to her chagrin, however, the officer they had been conversing with had a firm hold on her tail. Flitter Flake flew against this new hold with all her might, but she quickly tired out her already aching wings, causing them to give out and leave her hanging by her tail, held up by the impressively strong jaw of the police officer. Two more police hurried over to the cloud thief, first binding her wings and then cuffing her hooves. The two that had cuffed Flitter Flake hooked their forelegs under her's, relieving the officer that had captured her the second time and taking her away.

Rainbow Dash hovered next to the solemn police stallion, glancing from the bite mark on her leg to the one who had left it there and back. After a moment, she sighed, rubbing carefully at her wound. "Cloudsdale's just got too many crazies these days."

The officer nodded, glaring in the direction of Flitter Flake. "I've seen enough of 'em for one lifetime."

Rainbow Dash chuckled, turning her attention to the now recovered storm cloud. "Well, at least she didn't do any damage with this cloud."

The officer cleared his throat, holding out a hoof to Rainbow Dash. "I almost forgot to thank you for catching up to her. Thank you, ma'am."

Rainbow Dash shook her head, shaking the stallion's hoof with a bemused smile. "You're welcome....again."

The officer blinked at this, then rubbed at his forehead with his free hoof, mumbling to himself, "Get it together, Bolt. You ain't old enough to be losing it yet."

Rainbow Dash chuckled once more, eyeing the officer with intrigue. "Bolt, huh? What's your full name?"

Bolt cleared his throat, quickly crossing his forelegs once again. "That would be Flash Bolt. Just call me Officer Bolt. What's your name?"

Rainbow Dash smiled and raised her eyebrow in a manner that suggested Officer Bolt asked the question as a joke. "You mean you don't know who I am? You're not serious, right?"

Officer Bolt blinked at the counter-question, answering in earnest, "I'm serious the majority of the time, ma'am. Your name, if you'd please."

Rainbow Dash sputtered, laughing with amusement for a moment before composing herself and calmly answering, "Rainbow Dash. Captain of the weather control team. Winner of the Best Young Flier competition. Soon to be honorary Wonderbolt." She put a hoof to her chest, smiling smugly as she held higher her nose.

Officer Bolt looked her over for a moment, then shook his head, his orange mane tossing about. With a firm scowl, he said, "It's a good thing you've got a pair of wings like yours. Nothing else could hold up that ego."

Rainbow Dash dropped her hoof, giving Officer Bolt a look of partial confusion and total disbelief. "Well. That's...uh...." She blinked a few times, scratching at the back of her neck as she glanced back to the now mobile storm cloud. "Um....see ya." Rainbow Dash flew off, the awkward silence enticing enough to make her pick up speed as she left Officer Bolt.

".....nice mare." Officer Bolt said to himself as he watched Rainbow Dash go. "Somewhat cocky. But nice." He took off after the storm cloud, peacefully ignoring the chattering officers that surrounded it and pushed it along.

"Ma'am....I don't know what you're so upset over. I can't recall-" Nurse Mend was interrupted by a ferocious growl, feeling belittled by the mother that stood before her.

"My poor son was injured because of you! I don't know what you did to him, but he was bouncing off the walls the second we left the hospital! Just look at him!" With a good measure of force, the mother dragged forward Jitters, who was trembling uncontrollably and staring at the ground. Nurse Mend grimaced at the ghastly welt on his head, hovering a hoof near the injury.

"I'm so sorry, little guy." She said, patting his shoulder as comfortingly as she could.

"It's okay....it isn't your fault." Jitters mumbled in reply, still staring blankly at the floor.

"It is her fault, Jitters!" Shouted the colt's mother, causing the shaky child to cringe.

Nurse Mend turned a scowl to the furious mare as Jitters meekly mumbled, "B-but, it was me who ran m-my head into that wall....not her."

His mother put a hoof to her forehead, growling with annoyance. "At least try to use your brain, child. This vile nurse is obviously-" A quick back-hoof to the mare's nose cut off what she'd been saying. She stumbled back, stunned that Nurse Mend would actually do such a thing. Putting a hoof to her nose, she asked in an appalled fashion, "How dare you?!"

Nurse Mend snorted, pointing an accusing hoof at Jitters' mother. "How dare you speak to your own son like that? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

The mare tossed her mane, turning abruptly and walking away. "Come, Jitters. We're leaving."

"But....mom, I-"

"Now!" She shouted over her shoulder, not breaking stride. Jitters sighed, hobbling after his mother.

Nurse Mend turned a pitying look to the colt, whispering after him, "I'm really sorry! Just put some ice on that bump, and you'll feel much better." The two were quickly out of sight, allowing Nurse Mend to resume her unstable back and forth wobbling. "What is wrong with this place today...."

"Who was she?" Asked a filly as she approached Nurse Mend, which snapped the nurse back into focus.

"Her?" Nurse Mend said, placing a hoof to her chin as she looked in the direction Jitters and his mother had gone. "I.....don't really know, actually." Nurse Mend giggled, sounding somewhat guilty. "I never got her name. She just stomped on up to me and started yelling....I do feel really bad about that little colt, though."

Applebloom glanced in the same direction, looking puzzled as she said, "She said somethin' 'bout that bump on 'is head bein' yer fault, right?"

Nurse Mend sighed, turning her head to look at Applebloom. "That she did. I wish I knew what she was talking about...."

Applebloom turned to face Mend, an eyebrow raised in suspicion. "Ya mean....ya don't know what she was yellin' at ya fer?"

Nurse Mend shook her head, rubbing at her temple. "Not a clue."

Applebloom put a hoof to her chin, her tone very deliberate as she asked, "So, what have ya been doin' since ya helped out Scootaloo, exactly?"

Nurse Mend's expression went blank for a moment, then she slowly answered, "If I remember right.....after Scootaloo's seizure was done and over with, I went to the break room for a little shut eye. We'd been having a really busy day, and I was running a little low on steam. I only planned to sleep for a short while; no more than an hour. Next thing I know, though, I wake up nearly three hours later, unbelievably feeling worse than I did when I dozed off."

Applebloom shifted her jaw, brow furrowed in thought. "So, ya didn't do nothin' for that whole three hours? Ya just slept?"

Nurse Mend sighed, sounding somewhat frustrated. "That's what I thought, but I've been approached with more than one complaint relating to something I did. Things I don't remember doing, but apparently did."

Applebloom put a hoof to her chin, looking deeply confused. "Maybe....ya sleep walk?"

Nurse Mend shrugged, sounding as confused as Applebloom looked. "Perhaps, but I've never done something like that before...."

Applebloom dropped her hoof, suggesting, "Is 't memory loss?"

Nurse Mend sighed a weary sigh, rubbing at her forehead. "I don't know. I really don't know what's going on. I'd tell you if I did, dear, but I'm at a loss." She grinned guiltily at Applebloom, causing the filly to sputter with frustration.

"Thank ya fer yer time, Nurse Mend." Applebloom said, her tone sounding a bit disappointed. "Ah'll be seein' ya." With that, she trotted away, Nurse Mend frowning as the filly went.

"Well, that didn't help her...." Nurse Mend mumbled aloud, sighing once more as she departed in the opposite direction.

"There you go. All snug and cozy." Fluttershy whispered as she patted the feathery head of the fledgling robin. "Just rest up, and, when you're ready-"

"Fluttershy!" Shouted an airborne Rainbow Dash, startling the pegasus she'd called for right off the branch she'd been perched on. Rainbow Dash scanned the ground, then dove to meet Fluttershy as the yellow pegasus landed in a heap. "Fluttershy? You okay?"

Fluttershy breathed a sigh, then picked herself up, wiping the dirt from her face with a hoof. "I'm fine. I was just-"

"Why are you here? You should have been helping me with that cloud thief. Why'd you stay behind?" Interrupted an impatient Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy sighed once more, seemingly somewhere between frustrated and defeated. "Well, um, I saw this poor baby robin on the ground, right here." She pointed to a patch of grass at the base of the tree she stood beside, then turned back to Rainbow Dash. "He tried to fly on his own, but he couldn't, so I....I-I...." Fluttershy gasped when she spotted the bite mark on Rainbow Dash's leg. Pointing to the wound with panic in both her eyes and her voice, Fluttershy squeaked, "What happened?"

Rainbow Dash glanced to the wound as she held up her bitten foreleg, then shrugged indifferently. "It's no big deal. The thief bit me when I had a hold on her."

Fluttershy, now airborne, rushed over to Rainbow Dash, examining the wound as she put a hoof to her friend's shoulder. "D-doesn't it hurt?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "No. Not really."

Fluttershy hovered a hoof near the bite mark, glancing up to Rainbow Dash as she said, "W-well, even if it doesn't hurt, you should probably put some disinfectant and a bandage on it."

Rainbow Dash brushed away the hoof on her shoulder with a wing, holding higher her foreleg to more closely show Fluttershy the bite. "She barely broke any skin, Fluttershy. Relax. I'm fine."

Fluttershy landed lithely, eyeing the wound with concern for a moment longer, then said, "Okay. If you say so......"

Rainbow Dash sighed, taking to the air once again. "So, I caught the thief and turned her over to the police. The cloud is still in one piece, and nopony got hurt." Fluttershy nodded to Rainbow Dash's leg, causing the airborne pegasus to shrug. "Well, nopony was seriously hurt. Now, the thief is in custody, and the rain storm will start as scheduled."

Fluttershy put a hoof to her chin, looking to the ground as her expression became that of puzzlement. "Nice work catching her and all, but, um, why would she take that cloud in the first place?"

Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her own chin, looking equally puzzled. "She did try to explain herself, but her reasons sounded sketchy at best."

Fluttershy dropped her hoof, looking intrigued. "What did she say?"

Rainbow Dash moved her hoof to rub at her temple, answering, "Well, she claimed to be an expert on 'the mysteries of uncommon meteorology.'" She spoke the title with a good measure of mockery in her tone. "She noticed something weird going on with her.....barometer? Was that what she said?" Rainbow Dash shrugged, continuing with, "Anyway, she said that the cloud was heating up and cooling down on its own. From that, she figured she should get it out of Cloudsdale, because apparently that meant it was gonna blow up."

Fluttershy seemed to run Rainbow Dash's summation through her head in silence, after which she said, "What's so hard to believe about that?"

"Are you kidding?" Asked Rainbow Dash. "You may not have met her, but I can tell you that the mare we're talking about was not right in the head. How could I believe her? How can anypony believe her?"

Fluttershy frowned at this, pawing the ground and turning her gaze to Rainbow Dash's hooves. "Well, did the police, um, check to see if what she said was true? Did you, for that matter?"

Rainbow Dash sputtered, shaking her head. "Of course not. You don't just stick your hoof into the heart of a storm cloud, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy sighed, grinning meekly as she turned her attention back to Rainbow's face. "Right. Silly me....but, isn't there some way to, um, check inside without simply sticking your hoof in there?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, clearly fed up with the discussion. "It doesn't matter, Fluttershy. That quack was obviously lying, and now the police have got her under control. As long as that cloud is safely returned to Cloudsdale, what she said isn't important."

Fluttershy nodded, her expression still troubled as her eyes wandered. "Um....okay." She seemed poised to pursue the issue further, but Fluttershy said nothing beyond her quiet assent.

Rainbow Dash sighed, absently rubbing at her bitten leg. "Well...I guess we can head to that party now."

Fluttershy glanced to the robin's nest, then nodded. "Yeah. Let's go." Fluttershy took to the air, flying alongside Rainbow Dash as the two proceeded back to Ponyville.

"Well, I can already say that Equestria seems like the ideal place to live." Silver Gleam mused, drawing a few proud smiles from those he spoke to. "I've been here for less than one day, and I can say with full confidence that Equestria's citizens are the most friendly ponies in the world." This compliment triggered chattering amongst everypony within earshot, the conversations clearly smug on the part of those who were citizens of Equestria.

"I'm guessing you're a bit of a traveler in that case?" Asked a mare behind the silver stallion.

Silver turned to see two mares, standing side by side. He nodded to the one on the left, who was clearly the inquirer, judging by the expectant look on her face. "That I am, ma'am. That I am."

"Hmm....Equestria might be a nice place to live, but it can get a little boring here." The mare put a hoof to her chin, eyeing Silver with intrigue. "Got any interesting stories to tell?"

Silver chuckled, nodding curtly. "I might just. But, before I tell you about where I've been and what I've done, I'd care to know who you are." He held out a hoof, smiling warmly. "My name's Silver Gleam. What's yours?"

The mare returned the smile and shook Silver's hoof, answering, "Lyra Heartstrings." She nodded to the pony at her side. "This is Bon Bon."

"Hi there!" Bon Bon said, nodding to Silver Gleam.

"A pleasure to meet both of you." Silver chimed, dropping his hoof. "Now, what sort of stories are you interested in hearing?"

Lyra pondered the question for a moment, then asked, "What are some of the most dangerous places you've visited in the world?"

Silver grinned at the question, casually answering, "Not a one of my destinations can compare to the jungle nation of Apegentina in terms of danger."

"Apegentina?" Lyra asked, raising an eyebrow. "I've never heard of that place before."

"That's perfectly understandable." Silver said, stroking his beard. "Despite the country's surprising political strength and physical size, its government has gone out of its way to ensure the country remains invisible. My guess is that they don't want any tourists parading around." Silver cleared his throat, continuing with, "Nonetheless, we were sent on a diplomatic mission to the capital city, Alpha's Throne. We were assigned to establish a treaty with the nation that would allow us to survey and deforest small portions of land within their borders in exchange for a large sum of precious commodities." He held a hoof to his chest, smiling smugly. "The majority of which consisted of silver. There arose a complication, however, when we discovered the barbaric nature of the citizenry." He shook his head, sounding dire as he said, "Every last male was trained to fight, and every last citizen despised the use of or potential for magic."

"Wait....what?" Interrupted Bon Bon, causing Lyra to quietly roll her eyes. "Why would ponies dislike magic? And why would they be 'barbaric?'"

Silver chuckled at this, saying, "Valid questions. Why would ponies dislike magic or behave like barbarians? However, neither of those questions relate to the country of Apegentina." Bon Bon looked utterly dumbfounded by this as Silver paused, his smile wry as he said, "The citizenry of Apegentina consists of gorillas, milady."

"Oh..." Bon Bon giggled at this, putting a hoof to her chin. "A whole country of gorillas, huh?"

"Indeed." Silver inhaled deeply, sounding less grim as he recounted the journey. "We were sent there with nary a clue of what their policies were. New Unicornia hadn't had much communication with the country, and the treaty proposal had to be hoof delivered to Alpha's Throne. As soon as our ship docked, it was clear that this wasn't going to be a normal mission. It was plain as day that we weren't welcome."

Lyra raised an eyebrow at this, asking, "Because you're unicorns, or what?"

Silver shrugged, answering, "Well, Apegentinians are skittish, superstitious individuals that often distrust outsiders. I'm sure our treatment wouldn't have been much different if we weren't magic users, but I digress. Simply put, we either terrified or infuriated every gorilla we met. They seemed to fixate on our horns, and would always either cower or behave aggressively whenever we used magic. The second we stepped off the boat, we were on our own. Every inn of every city or town we came upon would refuse to give us a night's rest. The majority of the population could only speak their native 'tongue,' and those who were able to speak to us would usually call us something like 'heretics,' or other things of that nature."

"Sheesh." Lyra said, eyeing Silver Gleam with pity. "That sounds awful. If nopony....or, if none of the gorillas liked you, then why did you stay? Why not pack up and leave?"

Silver Gleam shook his head, answering in earnest, "I asked myself that a few times while we waited out the ludicrous rainstorms that the jungles had to offer. Our mission, however, wasn't to make friends with the locals. We were to report to the nation's monarch in Alpha's Throne to discuss the treaty. According to our briefing, the king of Apegentina was supposedly remarkably intelligent. We could only assume that we wouldn't be so harshly persecuted once we reached the capital. Of course, navigating the dense rain forests that covered the nation was difficult enough, never mind the occasional mobs of gorillas that would chase and attack us. Suffice to say that getting from the port to the heart of Apegentina, where our objective lay, was not easy. After about two weeks of hard travel and dodging spears, however, we finally found ourselves in Alpha's Throne. It was there that-" Silver stopped what he was saying as somepony tapped his shoulder. He turned to find a familiar pink mare holding a cup filled with punch in her teeth.

"Would you like some punch?" She asked, transferring the cup to her hoof and offering it to Silver.

"Why, thank you very much!" He said, his horn aglow as the cup levitated out of Pinkie's hoof.

"No problem!" Pinkie nodded, beaming brightly as she asked, "So, how are you enjoying the party?"

"It's magnificent, madam!" Silver answered, bowing lightly to Pinkie Pie. "One of the best celebrations I've ever attended." He stroked his beard for a moment as he eyed Pinkie, then chuckled, saying, "Sorry to say that I never learned of your name. Sincerest apologies for so rudely forgetting to introduce myself earlier." He held out a hoof to Pinkie Pie, content not to mention what she'd done to Opulent. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for hosting this party, miss...?"

"Pinkie Pie!" She answered, grabbing Silver's hoof and shaking it at an intense (and most likely painful) speed. "You'll never meet a pony that loves to party as much as I do! I've dedicated my life to singing, dancing, joking, laughing, throwing the best parties in Equestria, and putting smiles on everyponies' faces!"

"My my!" Silver chimed as he withdrew his hoof from Pinkie's hyperactive shaking. "That's a grand introduction if I've ever heard one. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Pie."

Pinkie sputtered, giggling as she waved dismissively. "Oh, just call me Pinkie! Or Pinkie Pie! Or Madam Pinkie, if you prefer! But probably just Pinkie Pie, because I don't do a lot of fortune telling lately. You could also call me Pinkamena, but nopony outside my family calls me that! My full name is actually Pinkamena Dianne Pie, but I haven't been called that in forever! Well, not like really forever, just not in a really long time. I haven't seen my mom, my dad, or my sisters in a really long time, so it makes sense that I haven't been called by my full name in a really long time! I guess I-" She froze, blinking a few times before turning her head in the direction of a pair of unicorns that stood on either side of a downed earth pony. She grinned at this, sounding much calmer as she said, "Excuse me. I have something to take care of." Pinkie turned to the refreshment table, trotting away without another word.

"So, what do you think of Pinkie?" Lyra asked jokingly.

Silver chuckled, answering, "I think she's impressively hospitable. Very nice, full of energy, and there's something contagious about that smile of her's." At this, he took a sip of punch, cringing as he swallowed it.

Lyra looked puzzled by this, asking, "Something the matter?"

Silver coughed lightly, shaking his head. "No, not at all. This punch is just a bit....strong, is all."

Lyra looked to the punch bowl just across the room, already starting towards it as she said, "Strong or not, I'm parched. I think I'll get myself a glass."

Silver eyed his cup with suspicion, oblivious to Lyra's departure. Haven't tasted anything quite like that in a while. It couldn't possibly be....of course not! The nice hostess wouldn't allow such a thing to befoul the party's refreshments. You're being paranoid. He exhaled, paused, then took a longer draw from his punch cup, swallowing hard to keep down the alcoholic concoction. Yes, paranoia. It's all in your head.

"Well, we best be gettin' home." Applejack said as she entered Scootaloo's room. "Visitin' hours are up, and Scootaloo needs 'er rest."

Applebloom turned a despairing frown to Applejack, but made no complaint as she walked away from Scootaloo's bedside. "Ah guess ah'll see ya tomorra, Scoots. Rest easy, pardner." Applejack nodded to Scootaloo as she and her sister exited the room, leaving the young pegasus alone.

Well, (mostly alone) it would seem that Applebloom has met something of a dead end in her search. Mist Wing thought.

I guess so. I can't prove that Nurse Mend tried to poison me, but Applebloom can't prove that she didn't. Scootaloo thought, a guilty expression her face. It feels like I'm lying to her.

Do not fret, child. Your friend has met no harm through your simple misdirection. Mist Wing thought comfortingly. You did what was necessary.

But didn't you say that being truthful was best? Something about it being powerful and absolute? Scootaloo thought in confusion.

Ah, that I did. The strength of an incomplete truth unmarred, however, isn't quite so strong as an incomplete truth with the slightest alterations. After all, how can you be confident without the whole truth? Mist argued, only furthering Scootaloo's confusion.

So, what's the 'whole truth' in this case? I know that Nurse Mend intentionally forced those pills down my throat. That's completely true. Scootaloo retorted.

That it is. That fact alone, however, only stands as part of the whole truth. If we knew why she did so, it would have been more sensible to tell Applebloom that her intentions were in fact malicious. We know that she meant to poison you, but why? Without knowing this, Nurse Mend will be difficult to corner and convict. Mist Wing thought.

Well.....alright then. Scootaloo thought, unconvinced by Mist Wing's logic. She rubbed at her bandages, then listlessly glanced about the room, unsure whether she was relieved or distressed by her recently achieved solitude. She glanced to the empty bed at the far end of the room, wondering who had occupied it last. The sheets were neatly folded, the pillows were perfectly fluffed, and it seemed like a boringly plain section of the room. That is, until a flash of blue light obstructed the poor filly's vision. She squeezed shut her eye, startled by the sudden burst of light.

Where did that come from?! Scootaloo thought, rubbing at her eye.

From nowhere, child. What you saw just then was an aspect of the Eyes of Revelation. Take another look at the bed across from yours. Mist Wing instructed, his sagely voice sounding somewhat enthused. Scootaloo squinted at the bed once more, her eye still sore from the blue flash. This time, however, she could see the silhouettes of two ponies through a veil of royal blue tint. The larger stood beside the bed, the smaller wrapped in its sheets. The image lingered for a moment, but the blue tint, along with the silhouettes, quickly faded, Scootaloo's vision returning to normal.

Excellent! Mist Wing thought. You're already gaining such skill!

What the hay was that?! Scootaloo thought, frantically scanning the empty bed with her unassisted eye. There were two ponies there! Who were they? How is this freaky thing with my eyes involved?!

Calm yourself, young one. Your gift is a tool for observation. You've already seen through the Eyes during the present. And now....you've just gazed into the future! Mist Wing responded, leaving Scootaloo dumbfounded.

You can't be serious....I really just saw the future? Scootaloo thought, not able to believe such a thing.

And to think you're progressing so quickly! Why, you'll have these skills mastered by the end of the week! Mist Wing thought, sending Scootaloo into a panic.

Progressing? Mastered?! I don't even know why I've got this weird new power, let alone how I'm supposed to use it! Scootaloo thought.

Don't dwell on it, young one. Forgive my excitement. You've only proved your potential, is all. Rest now, my young pegasus. You've dealt with much this day, and you deserve the serenity of sleep. Mist Wing thought, doing little to stifle Scootaloo's panic.

Sure. Of course! I'm just supposed to forget about all this and sleep! Is that right? Scootaloo snapped.

....yes. Mist Wing thought in earnest. Scootaloo growled, putting a hoof to her temple.

Oh, okay. Just checking to make sure. Scootaloo thought bitterly, repeatedly striking herself on the temple in an attempt to drive out Mist Wing.

Sweetie Belle stepped away from her partially complete science project, yawning and rubbing at her eyes. "Rarity....I'm exhausted....can I stop for the night?"

Rarity, who looked lost in thought, blinked at the question, lightly shaking her head before saying, "Sure. Sure, Sweetie Belle. However, you'll have to work on it all day tomorrow to have any hope of finishing it on time."

Sweetie nodded appreciatively, shuffling away from her project. "Good night, Rarity..." She yawned again, looking ready to doze off as she walked.

Rarity rested a foreleg against the arm of her chair, gazing at the ceiling for a moment before yelling after Sweetie Belle, "Be sure to wash up! That mache has made you filthy!"

"Got it!" Groggily replied Sweetie Belle.

Rarity, now alone, sighed grievously, removing her foreleg from the chair's arm and resting her head there. He's so sweet, yet I would do something so heinous. Can I call myself a lady for so deviously withholding the truth from this good stallion? Rarity turned her attention to her hoof as she watched it lazily swing from side to side as it hung from the chair. But how do I tell him? I can't simply confess.....or can I? Does he even know I was there? If that's actually the case.... Rarity sputtered with frustration, stepping down from her seat and pacing about. His knowledge does not change what I did, and what I did was unacceptable! I must apologize to him posthaste! Rarity inhaled sharply, as if mustering confidence. Whatever confidence she'd gleaned from the air, however, promptly vanished as she breathed a guilty exhale. Well, maybe not posthaste.....near future, perhaps? Sometime tomorrow, for sure. Rarity furiously shook her head, stomping to both vent frustration and help accentuate the other side of the conflict. No! You've already put this off for long enough! You're going to Pinkie's party! You shall apologize to Silver Gleam! No excuses! Rarity nodded resolutely, as if given the instructions by somepony else. She hurried to the stairs, quickly arriving at the room Sweetie Belle was staying in. "Sweetie Belle! I'm going out for a little while. I'll be back shortly, darling, so don't worry while I'm gone.....Sweetie?" Rarity stepped inside, finding Sweetie's bed to be empty. Rarity stared at the bed in bewilderment, but a faint noise just down the hall grabbed her attention. She trotted over to the bathroom, finding the sound to be running water. She opened the door, this time finding the sleeping Sweetie Belle, curled up on the floor with soaking hooves. Rarity chuckled at this, shutting off the faucet and gingerly placing a hoof on Sweetie's shoulder. "Well, at least you washed up first." With her magic, Rarity used a nearby towel to dry Sweetie's hooves, then replace the towel and gently place the filly on her back. "I suppose I should move you to a proper bed before I go....Oh, how cute you are when you sleep." Sweetie Belle responded to this compliment with a rather voluminous snore, smacking her lips and mumbling something unintelligible. Rarity sighed, sounding a little less sincere as she said, "Yes....very cute indeed."

With reddened cheeks and tears forming in the corners of her eyes, Bon Bon stomped to the exit of Sugar Cube Corner. Many eyes turned to Lyra, who watched the mare storm out with confusion. A few seconds after the door of the bakery closed, however, Lyra took on a look of panic, frantically stumbling after Bon Bon. The crowds they had left in their wake looked utterly flabbergasted, many sounding stunned as they chatted amongst themselves.

"Wow...that...just wow..."

"That was a bit...rude."

"I didn't think those two were actually...you know..."

Silver Gleam stared solemnly at the bakery doors as he listened to the fervent chatter. Perhaps I was wrong. It would appear there is something wrong with this punch after all....well, I suppose this little mess is my fault. I'd best go evaluate the damage. Silver hurried to the door, peeking his head outside to look for the wayward mares.

"Why would you do that?!" Bon Bon shouted as she turned to Lyra, who bit her lip in panic.

"I...uh..." Lyra glanced away from Bon Bon, rubbing at the back of her neck. "I don't know..."

"You don't just tell ponies private stuff like that!" Bon Bon shouted as she jabbed at Lyra's shoulder, which didn't seem to affect her. "I hate it when you get like this! Don't you ever think about who you're hurting when you blurt out secrets?"

Lyra rolled her eyes, her guilt plainly turned to annoyance. "You know, it isn't really that big a deal. So what if a few ponies know about your-"

"It is a very, very big deal!" Bon Bon interrupted, turning away from Lyra as a few tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I trusted you Lyra....trusted you with such an intimate secret. Then you shout it to everypony at the party like that. How could you?" She sounded a great deal more meek and defeated as she asked this, but Lyra's irritation only became more adamant as she circled around Bon Bon to meet her face to face.

"Bon Bon, you need to stop being a foal about all this. So what if I told everypony there? Most of them already know about you and me. What difference does one little detail make?" As Lyra chastised her, Bon Bon's quiet crying grew to outward sobbing.

"Don't you care how much this means to me? I thought what you and I had meant more to you...." Bon Bon sniffled, struggling to regain any composure. "What you said in there....I would have never said the same thing about you if it were true. Why did you have to?"

Lyra sputtered, shaking her head slowly. "If such a stupid little secret is all it takes to set you off like this, then maybe I have made a mistake." She leaned closer to Bon Bon, sneering as she said, "A mistake in my choice of fillyfriend."

Bon Bon gasped at Lyra's words, her sobbing worsening as she looked to the ground. "Lyra....this isn't like you....why would you say anything so harsh....especially to me, of all ponies."

Lyra, not immediately answering, glared at her fillyfriend, then turned away with a sigh as she answered, "You've got to toughen up, Bon Bon. This relationship is gonna fall apart if you're always going to be this weak..." Bon Bon sniffled once more, turning away from Lyra as she rubbed at her eyes.

Oh dear... Silver thought as he glanced from Lyra to Bon Bon. I haven't made a mess. I've created a catastrophe.... He stepped through the door, gulping as he silently approached the two. Standing between them, he cleared his throat before saying, "Hello ladies....um....I believe I owe the two of you an apology."

"For what?" The two asked in unison.

Silver looked to Lyra, sounding unsure as he answered, "For.....Miss Heartstrings' behavior."

Bon Bon looked to Silver Gleam, her cheeks tear-stained and her expression grim. "What are you talking about?"

Silver, struggling not to grimace at the hopeless look that Bon Bon wore, answered with guilt, "The punch. I have reason to believe that it was tainted with alcohol. Your friend has likely been heavily intoxicated, and is suffering from badly impaired judgement."

Bon Bon sighed, her watery eyes drifting over to Lyra, who held high her head and refused to turn to face Silver Gleam. "Is this true, Lyra? Are you....'intoxicated?'"

Lyra shrugged, sounding snooty as she said, "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not."

Silver shot a glare at Lyra, then turned a pitying smile to Bon Bon. "I'm dreadfully sorry for not warning her when I had the chance."

Bon Bon shook her head, waving a dismissive hoof as she said, "Don't be sorry....Lyra might be acting unusual, but that doesn't change what tonight would have ended up like."

Silver raised an eyebrow at this as Lyra turned to glare at Bon Bon. The two asked in unison, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Bon Bon scowled at Lyra, but answered softly, "Lyra and I....we've been having a few problems lately. Our relationship has been a bit rocky ever since-"

"Ever since what?!" Lyra shouted, her outburst startling Silver Gleam and Bon Bon.

Bon Bon, now sounding more forceful, answered, "Ever since we took that trip to Los Pegasus, Lyra. Don't you remember?"

Lyra rolled her eyes, her tone venomous as she said, "You just can't get over anything, can you? Why can't you let that go?"

Bon Bon's frown deepened, her scowl more formidable as she said, "You know what you did, and you did it in full conscience, with no alcohol to blame!" At this, the two glared at each other in silence. After a tense moment passed, they turned away from one another once more, their disgusted harrumphs somehow synchronized.

Silver Gleam looked from Lyra to Bon Bon, unable to find the words to express his opinion of the matter. Excellent work, Silver. You've brought this conflict to a head. You very well might have ruined a relationship and a pair of lives. Outstanding. He stroked his beard, brow furrowed as he looked to the ground. "Well....uh....perhaps-"

"I know you mean well, but this just isn't the time or place to talk about this." Bon Bon interrupted. "Maybe later, but for now...." She sighed, lowering her head as she began to walk away from the two. "I'm headed home. Don't wait up, Lyra."

"Didn't plan to." Lyra responded bluntly, saying nothing else as Bon Bon departed.

Silver bit his lip as he glanced to Lyra, then broke into a run to catch up with Bon Bon. He trotted alongside the mare, feverishly saying, "Miss Bon Bon, don't go! If you leave like this, your relationship might be irreversibly damaged! Are you sure you can't talk this out with her now?"

"Look, this isn't your problem. I'm tired, frustrated, and kinda angry." Bon Bon answered without breaking stride or looking at Silver Gleam. "I don't want to try to work out anything right now. Especially if Lyra's drunk like this...." At this, she sped up, leaving Silver behind as she turned a corner.

Silver came to a halt, stamping in frustration as he glanced back to Lyra, who still stood just in front of the bakery, nose held high. "This is your problem, Silver, and you've got to make it right." He hurried back to Lyra, oblivious of the swarm of police that escorted a massive storm cloud just overhead.

"You're making a mistake!" Flitter Flake shouted as Ponyville came into sight below. "If you're going to insist on bringing back that storm cloud, being the idiots you are, you could at least steer clear of Ponyville. You know, so nopony gets vaporized."

"Can it, thief." Said one of the officers that carried her along. "You're already in pretty deep. Try not to go any deeper."

Flitter Flake glared at the officer for a moment, then glanced to the ground. Taking a deep breath, Flitter Flake mumbled, "If I'm going down, you two go down with me."

"Heh. Fat chan-" The officer was interrupted as Flitter Flake twisted suddenly, sending the heads of the two police ponies on a collision course. This was enough to muddle their smooth flight, allowing Flitter Flake to slip off their forelegs in the resulting chaos. As her cuffed hooves cleared those of her captors, she laughed triumphantly and spun to face the two as she spread her wings. Her eyes widened, however, as she suddenly remembered the binding ring that prevented her from flying. I did not think this through properly. Flitter Flake screamed in terror as she plummeted, fruitlessly reaching for the police she had escaped from as she rocketed downward. At the last second, she closed her eyes, too afraid to face impact. What she met, however, wasn't solid ground. With a startled shriek, Bon Bon was flattened by a flightless pegasus that had fallen from the sky. Flitter Flake opened her eyes, astounded to find that she hadn't been harmed. A weak groan from the pony below her, however, was clear indication of one not so lucky. Flitter Flake rolled onto her hooves, glancing from Bon Bon to the skies. The two officers she had escaped from had now regained their focus, and were diving toward her, along with all but one of the officers that had been tending to the storm cloud. Flitter Flake sighed, standing over Bon Bon as she slid the chain that connected the cuffs of her forehooves under the downed mare's chin. "I'm really, truly sorry about this....whoever you are." As the officers neared the two of them, Flitter Flake twisted her hooves and pulled at the chain. Bon Bon's daze was cleared by this as she frantically attempted to remove the chain around her neck, but to no avail. The police that had chased after Flitter Flake landed in a semicircle around the two, some looking furious, others looking fearful.

"I don't want to hurt her." Flitter Flake said. "But I will if I have to." She slightly tightened her choke hold on Bon Bon, causing her hostage to breathe in sharply through clenched teeth.

"Let her go immediately!" Barked one of the officers.

"No. That isn't how negotiation works." Flitter Flake said, holding Bon Bon's head closer to her's. "You listen to my terms. You agree to my terms. Then I release the hostage."

The police pegasi exchanged disgruntled looks, one finally asking with reluctance, "What are your terms?"

"Hmm....odd." Rarity observed as she trotted along, watching the group of Cloudsdale police dive toward Ponyville. "I wonder wh-" Rarity stopped what she was saying as she collided with a mare that had swiftly rounded a corner, a few of her grocery items falling to the ground.

With an indignant scoff, the mare that had crashed into Rarity shouted, "Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry! Terribly sorry!" Rarity said as she magically retrieved the items that had fallen and replaced them. "I was a tad preoccupied with-"

"It doesn't matter." The mare starkly interrupted, situating her groceries without saying another word. Rarity, thinking her to be rude, opened her mouth to reprimand the mare, but was silenced when she yelled over her shoulder, "Jitters! Pick up the pace!" Rarity looked in the direction she had yelled, spotting an earth pony colt struggling to run to his mother.

"S-sorry, mom. My ankle is just-"

"Try to keep up, child." Jitters' mother hissed at him, turning and continuing forward without another word. Jitters sighed, nodding to Rarity as he hobbled behind his mother.

Rarity glared at the irritable mare as she disappeared from sight, mumbling, "Well, how rude." With a dismissive shake of the head, Rarity continued toward Sugar Cube Corner. "No matter. Now, what to tell Silver Gleam....hmm...." She mulled over several variations of the same apology as she trotted along, finding none of them to be adequate. By the time Sugar Cube Corner had come into sight, along with Silver Gleam, Rarity still hadn't decided completely what to say. Come now, Rarity. She thought as she quickly ducked out of sight. You have to confront this sooner or later....no, no, no. Sooner. You have to confront this immediately! With a nervous gulp, Rarity stepped out of hiding, working to keep her expression looking guiltless as she trotted toward Sugar Cube Corner. She froze, however, when Opulent Majesty suddenly appeared from inside with Patsy Craft magically in tow. Unable to continue toward Silver Gleam, Rarity stood where she was and watched, only now noticing the pony Silver had been conversing with before Opulent captured his attention. Lyra? Why is he out here with Lyra? And where's Bon Bon? For one to attend a party without the other is rather unusual... Rarity's focus, however, was turned to the conversation between Opulent and Silver, neither of whom had spotted her yet.

"So, who's this?" Opulent asked with an indicative flick of the head.

"Just....a mare with relationship problems, is all." Silver answered, Lyra turning away from him with a frustrated scoff.

Opulent shook his head, sounding annoyed as he scolded, "Leave her be. It's imperative that we vacate the premises at once."

Silver sighed, then asked despairingly, "What have you done this time, Opulent?"

Opulent turned abruptly, already starting for the Hay and Stay as he said, "I've only dealt with that psychotic mare that so rudely assaulted me earlier today."

"'Dealt with?' Need I ask how?" Silver asked warily.

"Don't worry yourself, Silver. I haven't harmed her. I simply had a word with her, is all." Opulent said, stopping for a moment and glancing to Silver. "Now come along. You can continue your petty counseling tomorrow." He looked forward once more, continuing on his way as Patsy hovered behind, glaring at Silver as she passed by.

Silver breathed a heavy sigh, placing a hoof on Lyra's shoulder as he said, "We'll have all this straightened out before you know it. I promise."

Lyra, without looking at Silver, quietly muttered, "Sure. Whatever." Silver frowned at this, but turned to follow Opulent all the same.

Rarity watched the three depart, then looked to Lyra, hurrying over to her and asking, "What's all this about?"

Lyra shrugged, seeming to ignore Rarity as she turned and began walking away. "Hay if I know. Why don't you just-" A sudden clap of thunder from just above Ponyville silenced Lyra, stopping her in her tracks. She and Rarity turned their attention to the storm cloud that had loosed the bolt of lightning, only to witness a flurry of strikes erupt in quick succession. The two could only watch in disbelief for a moment, but Lyra quickly shook away her shock and rushed to where the first strike had occurred. Rarity, still somewhat dazed, chased after her, heading the stampede of concerned ponies that poured out of Sugar Cube Corner.

The moon shines bright, spirits are high, and the air smells of new beginnings. Camps are already being assembled on this beautiful beach, and we're all anxious to start our adventure. I must admit, I had my doubts about this journey, but we've made it far. Now truly begins the life of a fledgling nation. Now truly begins New Unicornia.

Chapter 7: May the Better Lunatic Win

At long last! After three months of miserable seafaring, the shore is near! We'll be arriving before sundown, and we're all anxious to finally have solid land beneath our hooves once again. We can already see rich forests only a few yards away from the beaches, and we're all excited to begin our settlements! I must admit, I doubted that we'd ever make it this far, but how glad I am that we did! Now begins our new nation. Now begins New Unicornia! Well, that's what I'm suggesting we call it. Knowing Vanity and Geo, they'll probably object and call it something ridiculous. The name of our nation, however, matters not! All that matters is-

With a sigh, Twilight Sparkle turned to the door, already forming a hunch as to who was knocking with such hyperactive urgency. As she opened the door, she found just who she'd expected. With a grin, Twilight said, "Hi Pinkie! What are y-" She stopped her greeting as she spotted the card that Pinkie held in her beaming mouth. "Oh! Is that an invitation?"

Pinkie nodded, speaking as clearly as possible while she held the card between her teeth, saying, "Yesh! Ish Opulent Majeshty here?"

Twilight beamed, gesturing inside. "As a matter of fact, he's right inside. Glad to see you're finally making amends!"

Pinkie rolled her eyes as she walked inside, mumbling, "Yeah. Making amendsh...." Stepping past Twilight, she found Opulent Majesty, grinning deviously as he looked to the card that Pinkie held.

"Is that for me?" He asked, nodding to the invitation.

Pinkie spit the card at the smug unicorn, which he caught with his magic. "Sure is." Her tone was blunt, and her general air of excitement had dimmed as she glared at Opulent. Opulent smirked at Pinkie for a moment, then opened the card. He chuckled at the burst of confetti, then proceeded to read the card. Pinkie had been sure to hoof deliver Opulent's card, as it held a message aside from the basic invitation.

Pinkie Pie

Game on, Opulent. You don't stand a chance.

With a small flare of magic, the card vaporized, the ashes falling to the floor as Opulent turned a crazed smirk to Pinkie Pie. "Confidence. That's good. I always like to hear that the game is going to be fun."

Twilight Sparkle glanced from Opulent to the vaporized card, then turned a nervous grin to Pinkie. "Pinkie...what's he talking about? What did that card say?"

Pinkie, ignoring Twilight's question, raised an eyebrow, saying, "Fun? I doubt you'll have fun when you're losing."

Opulent's eyes seemed to ripple with light as he broadened his smile, absently adjusting his monocle with a hoof. "Heh. See you at seven, dearest." With an explosion of black smoke, the stallion disappeared, startling Twilight and Spike.

Twilight stared at the floor where Opulent had been standing, then turned to Pinkie with a stern expression. In a somewhat dark tone, she said, "Pinkie....what did that card say?"

Pinkie shrugged, already beginning to trot to the door. "It just said that he was invited to a party at Sugar Cube Corner. I don't know why he'd react like that..." She cleared her throat, resisting the urge to giggle with satisfaction.

Twilight perked up, saying, "A party? Pinkie, that's a great way to say you're sorry!"

Pinkie froze mid step, her face contorting into a scowl. "Yeah....you could say that....but, those ambassadors aren't gonna feel all that welcome if their hostess is late. So, I'd better be off." She opened the door and hurried through, pulling it closed with her tail as she ran off.

Spike, who looked as confused as Twilight was, asked, "Do you think Pinkie is acting a bit strange? Or, stranger, at least?"

Twilight shook her head, mumbling, "I can't say for sure. But, I think it's safe to say that she isn't planning to apologize to Opulent with this party. Or at all, for that matter."

Spike rubbed at his chin, mumbling in a skeptical tone, "From the way they talked, it sounds like they've got it out for each other...but why?"

Twilight sighed, rubbing at her temple. "With Pinkie Pie, who knows....maybe I should go to this party? You know, to see if I can straighten this out."

Spike smirked, wagging a claw at Twilight. "Are you sure it's not just to see Opulent Majesty?"

Twilight blushed, scowling at Spike. "Of course not!"

Spike chuckled, shaking his head. "Right. Of course not."

Twilight cleared her throat, then pointed to the ashes that lay in a small pile on the floor. "Looks like you have a mess to clean up, Spike."

Spike rolled his eyes, beginning toward the kitchen without protest. "Sure, sure. Just don't make a fool of yourself at the party."

Twilight groaned with exasperation, then disappeared with a flare of magic and a flash of light. Spike sighed as he walked along, silently chuckling at her frustration.

"So, after I won first place, yet again, I bowed to the adoring crowds. To be in the spotlight for seven straight years in a row was an honor, but I was starting to become bored with the competitions. After all, none of my opponents ever really gave me a challenge. Winning was just far too easy, you see." Bodacious Boldness paused to take a sip of his coffee, but frowned as he set the mug down. Nurse Mend had her gaze fixed on a mare on the other side of the cafeteria, which meant that she wasn't fawning over him. "Excuse me, nurse. Who are you looking at?"

Nurse Mend blinked at the question, returning her focus to Boldness with an embarrassed smile. "Oh, nopony. Nopony at all."

Boldness scowled at her for a moment, then glanced in the direction Mend had been staring. "What? The one wearing that goofy hat?" He turned back to Mend, raising an eyebrow. "What's so fascinating about her?"

Nurse Mend's smile twitched slightly as she gritted her teeth, restraining herself from shouting her thoughts. She's the damned Element of Honesty, you bloke! But, you aren't smart enough to know that, are you? You bloody meat head! Rather than say anything resembling her thoughts, Nurse Mend sighed, putting a hoof to her temple as she answered, "She looked familiar. I thought she was somepony I knew. However, she isn't who I thought she was. Anyway, you were in the middle of a story?" She smiled innocently, picking up her own mug, sipping at her coffee.

Bodacious Boldness grinned, putting a hoof to his chest. "Well, as I was saying-" He halted what he'd been saying as he was bombarded with a spray of scalding coffee, which Nurse Mend had spit at him. "What the hay?!"

Nurse Mend sat her mug down and hurried away from the table, stammering, "Just remembered something, gotta go check on it! Thanks for the coffee!"

Shift...what was that all about? Aqua Grace asked within the "nurse's" thoughts.

I wanted to see if I could blind him in at least one eye. I'll have to check up on him later to see if I was successful. Shift giggled maliciously as she dashed down the hallway, more alert and focused after a much needed draught of espresso.

Splendid...but aren't you also headed to check up on that pegasus filly? You know...the one you poisoned. Aqua thought within Shift's mind.

That I am. I've determined that she's connected to Applejack's younger sister, Applebloom. When Applebloom came running into the cafeteria with that look of panic, I could only assume that our little pegasus had met a terrible fate. Shift skidded to a halt just outside of Scootaloo's room, grinning as she opened the door. What she found inside, however, left her with a bewildered look about her. She stared at the vomit on the floor for a moment, then looked to Scootaloo with a confused expression.

Scootaloo laughed weakly at Shift's confused gaze, mumbling, "I should probably explain this...you see, I-"

Shift held up a hoof, interrupting her with, "No need. I'll go get something to clean this up. Then I'll be right back." She smiled at the filly, then backed out of the room, snatching a discarded bagel off the floor and tossing into her mouth as she trotted down the hallway.

...did you just eat a bagel off the floor? Asked Aqua Grace as Shift swallowed.

Did you see that? The pegasus avoided any harm through regurgitation! Doesn't that seem like the strangest coincidence? Shift thought as she opened a janitor's closet and stepped inside.

Well, she is suffering from a rare sickness. Maybe it is just coincidence that she threw up after you fed her all those pills. Aqua reasoned, causing Shift to chuckle aloud.

Magic Poisoning doesn't affect the digestive system, Aqua. She must have known that the pills she'd taken would have negative effects...She made herself vomit! She saved herself from death! I just know it! Shift grabbed a rag from a nearby shelf and exited the closet, leaving the door open as she made for Scootaloo's room once more.

Um....not to call you a convoluted psychopath, Shift, but you're undeniably a convoluted psychopath. I know you think she's different, but I'm sure this doesn't correlate with your ridiculous 'experiment.' Aqua argued.

Shift chuckled quietly before stepping into Scootaloo's room, where she threw the rag to the ground and started wiping up the filth. Keep an open mind, teardrop. Since when am I wrong?

The majority of the time, Shift. I can think of more instances where your hunches have proved wrong than I can of ones that were right. Aqua answered bluntly, which only caused Shift to grin wryly.

You'll see soon enough, teardrop. Now shut up while I speak with this pegasus. Shift looked up from her cleaning, smiling at Scootaloo. "You didn't say anything about an upset stomach, dear."

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, finding herself returning Shift's smile with a frown. She seemed so bitter and grumpy earlier. Why the sudden sympathy?

Be observant, young one. Answered the masculine voice within Scootaloo's thoughts. Scootaloo scowled at his return, but mistakenly projected the expression at Shift. Perhaps we can determine what her intentions are through watching and reasoning.

We? Thought Scootaloo. There is no 'we.' There's me, and there's you. Guess which of us has first rights to this brain.

Fine. See what you can glean from the situation without me, arrogant young pegasus. The voice said as Scootaloo's vision took on a mysterious violet hue once more. Scootaloo groaned in annoyance, but quickly shook off her frustration, finally grinning at Curiosity Shift.

"Yeah. Sorry about that...and about the mess." Scootaloo mumbled, gesturing to the already majorly cleaned-up filth on the floor.

"Oh, don't worry about it, sweetie!" Shift smiled warmly at the embarrassed pegasus. What Scootaloo saw, however, was more puzzling than reassuring. Although Shift's tone had been friendly and cheery, Scootaloo had heard something of a spiteful undertone to what she'd said. And now, as the "nurse" smiled at the filly, Scootaloo saw a familiar red glow surrounding Curiosity Shift. This glow, however, took on the appearance of flames, the red aura flickering about as it surrounded the "nurse."

Okay...so this means she's dangerous? Scootaloo thought, looking Shift up and down.

Correct. Through the clarity of these eyes, it can be plainly seen that this nurse is not as innocent as she would have you believe. From what I can gather, Nurse Mend intentionally poisoned you. The voice answered.

If that's the case...why does she seem all cheery now? Scootaloo thought, blinking at the flickering red aura that indicated danger.

Shift looked about the floor, searching for any remaining filth. Satisfied, she nodded to Scootaloo as she trotted out of the room, carrying the soiled rag on her hoof as she exited into the hallway. Well, our young pegasus certainly hesitated in saying anything. Would it be too far fetched to assume that she was conflicted? She wasn't sure whether to tell the truth or fabricate a lie.

Shift, how could you possibly determine that? She's been through a really rough day. Maybe she just didn't know what to say. Aqua reasoned as Shift tossed the rag into a nearby trash can.

Well, let's think on it, shall we? She scowled at me, for one, then groaned audibly at nothing. Only after this did she speak up. Such actions must have indicated measured thinking, Aqua. Shift argued as she trotted back to Scootaloo's room.

I guess...but that doesn't prove she was lying. It only proves that she thought about what she was going to say. I know you want to believe you're right, Shift, but this has got to be coincidence. Aqua said, much to Shift's amusement.

Fine...if you aren't convinced now, perhaps another test is in order? Shift thought, her sinister grin quickly changed to a friendly one as she stepped into Scootaloo's room once more.

Shift, no! Isn't trying to kill her once enough for you? Aqua pleaded.
Shift chuckled quietly, then spoke aloud as she said, "How are you feeling now, sweetie?"

Scootaloo blinked at the question, eyeing Shift with suspicion, then answered, "I'm fine now, thanks for asking..." The red aura radiating from Shift only seemed to intensify as the "nurse" nodded with a bright grin.

"Is there anything I can get for you, dear? You might say you're fine, but I just want to be sure." Shift eyed Scootaloo with an innocent grin.

What do I say? Scootaloo thought, smiling nervously at Curiosity Shift.

Hmm...ask for something that will help with your upset stomach. I'm curious to see what she'll do to that. The voice answered.

Scootaloo cleared her throat, then shyly said, "Actually, if you don't mind, could you bring me something for my stomach? I'm still feeling a bit nauseous."

Shift nodded, spinning to face the door once more. "Sure thing, darling! Be right back!" She hurried out the door, giggling with dark satisfaction. Excellent. This little brat just gave me the perfect opportunity to poison her again!

Shift, what are you really trying to prove? That your ridiculous hunch is right? That the young pegasus is some sort of psychic? Tell me what any of this is accomplishing, Shift. Aqua Grace thought, drawing another sinister giggle from Shift.

I'm not trying to prove anything, really. In truth, this is just a way to entertain myself. After all, it isn't often that I deal with prey that won't easily die. Where's the sense in letting such a fun opportunity go to waste? Shift thought, wiping the crazed expression on her face away as Applejack and Applebloom passed her by. Besides, what harm will I do her if she's able to see the danger before it affects her?

....toying with children is crossing a line, Shift. It's something that you just shouldn't do. Aqua thought, sounding defeated. Have you no conscience?

You're the closest thing I've got, teardrop. So quit the badgering. You're ruining my fun. Shift thought, happily trotting to wherever she could find something poisonous.

Spike looked up from the dustpan as he heard a timid knock at the door. He set it, along with the broom, aside and hurried over to the door, opening it to find Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, hi Fluttershy! Hi Rainbow Dash!" Greeted the young dragon as he more fully opened the door to welcome the two inside. "What's up?"

"Hi Spike...we were....um...." Fluttershy began, only to be interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

"Where's Twilight? We need to tell her about....something." The cyan pegasus cleared her throat, glancing away from Spike as she whistled a partially off key tune.

Fluttershy shook her head, gesturing to Spike as she whispered, "Spike already knows, Rainbow Dash. Besides, we don't really need to keep the...b-b-b.....the b-b....." She coughed weakly, as if the word she was attempting to say hurt her throat. "The.....b-b-burial secret...."

Spike looked bewildered for a moment, mumbling, "Burial? Burial for...oh." He put his face to his palm, sounding irritated as he said, "Right. That. You need to see Twilight to tell her about that....dragoness." His expression remained frustrated, but he visibly shuddered at the mention of the deceased.

Rainbow Dash answered with a curt nod, but gave Spike a perplexed look as she said, "Okay, so maybe I forgot that you saw the dragons in the forest, but how could you forget what you saw?"

Spike dug his claws into his forehead, releasing an annoyed exhale accentuated with a small puff of smoke from his nostrils. "I was gonna tell her. Honest. I just sorta got....caught up. With something..."

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak, her expression indicating her intent to rebuke, but Fluttershy quickly put a foreleg between the two, gently responding with, "That's okay Spike. Can you, um, at least tell us where she went? Or maybe, um, when she'll be back?"

Spike dropped his hand, blinking at the question before guiltily answering, "Actually, I don't know where she's at right now. She stormed out on me, and-"

"Spike!" Interrupted a now airborne cyan pegasus. "What kind of assistant are you?!"

Spike crossed his arms and shrugged, earnestly answering, "Twilight's number one assistant. That's the kind of assistant I am."

Rainbow Dash put her hoof to her face, then pointed to Spike with the clear intent to accuse. Spike, however, halted her with an upheld hand as he quickly added, "I may not know where she is, but I do know where she'll be." He pointed forward his upraised hand, a single index claw protruding toward the now scowling rainbow pegasus. "Pinkie Pie is hosting a little welcoming party for the embassy at Sugar Cube Corner, starting at-"

"Embassy?!" Interrupted Rainbow Dash, who was now pressing her hooves against her temples as she glared down at Spike. "What the hay are you talking about?! How come I haven't heard of this 'embassy?!'"

Spike withdrew his pointed hand, raising an eyebrow at the flustered Rainbow Dash. "Really? They've been the talk of the town ever since they arrived. It's almost as bad as the whole 'Great and Powerful Trixie' mess. In fact, I can already see it starting to become worse."

Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs, more or less mirroring the grounded dragon that stood before her. "Worse than Trixie? There aren't a lot of things I know about that are much worse than that perfect phony pony."

Spike shook his head, muttering, "Yeah. It's like Trixie times four. And the worst part is...." Spike cleared his throat, looking irritated once more. "...Twilight can't see that."

Rainbow Dash snorted in aggravation, furrowing her brow as she asked, "What do you mean?"

Spike snorted similarly, his irritation more definitely demonstrated by the flames escaping his nostrils. "Well, Twilight....she's....uh..." He scratched at his neck, gaze drifting to the floor. "Um.......well, I think she might have some sort of 'interest' in one of them...." He crossed his arms once more, then rapped his claws against his elbow as he unintelligibly muttered a continuation to himself.

Rainbow Dash looked to be somewhere between shell-shocked and flabbergasted, but Fluttershy beamed at what Spike had said. "Oh! You mean, um, that Twilight has found her special somepony?"

Spike stomped forward a foot and dropped his left arm, his right pointed at Fluttershy as he donned a furious expression. He opened his mouth to yell at her, but faltered when he saw Fluttershy's eyes grow wide and noticed her legs already trembling. He bit his lip, drawing away from the startled pegasus with an embarrassed chuckle. "Well, I, uh, n-never said that. I just said that she.....was kinda, sorta 'interested' in one of the ambassadors...."

Rainbow Dash glanced to Fluttershy, who still looked a bit shaken by Spike's (almost an) outburst, then shook her head. "What time is Pinkie's party at? We'll let Twilight know then."

Spike sniffed, looking a bit guilt-stricken for almost yelling at Fluttershy, then said, "Seven. The party starts at seven."

Rainbow Dash nodded, already starting toward the door when Fluttershy meekly piped up, saying, "W-wait! Spike, um, who is it that Twilight is, um, 'interested' in?"

Spike scoffed, his guilty expression replaced by a disgusted one as he rolled his eyes. "What, that creep? Opulent Majesty is his name."

Rainbow Dash froze at the door, then hovered back to Spike with a smirk on her lips. "Pfft. With a name like that, I'm guessing he's a real tool!"

Spike smirked as well, shrugging as he said, "Yeah, something like that." He quickly regained a serious expression, however, and added, "Keep an eye out for him. Along with the rest of the embassy. Something just tells me they're out to cause trouble...some way or another."

Fluttershy put a hoof to her chin, looking thoughtful for a moment before nodding slowly, saying, "Okay, Spike. If you say so." She turned to the door, suddenly looking doubtful as she trotted away.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, chuckling as she drifted through the door. "Alright, Spike. Whatever you say." She closed the door behind her with a stray kick, then landed beside Fluttershy. "Ha! Looks like Spike is a little worked up that Twilight has finally found somepony to go gaga over."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, mumbling, "Well, it makes sense that he would be a little, um, protective. Twilight is always watching out for him, so, um, Spike is always watching out for her."

Rainbow Dash chuckled, taking to the air once more. "Yeah. Well, we should probably get to Sugar Cube Corner. If it's one of Pinkie's parties, there's no way-" Rainbow Dash halted what she was saying as the immediate area suddenly darkened. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both turned their gazes skyward to find a large, somewhat ominous storm cloud darting through the skies, propelled by a lone pegasus. Tailing her was a group boasting a dozen armored pegasi, all of which were shouting unintelligibly at their target.

Rainbow Dash blinked at the pursuers, asking, "Police? Did that pegasus pushing the cloud steal it or something?"

Fluttershy glanced to the wayward storm cloud, meekly answering, "I don't know, but those officers don't look or sound very happy..."

Rainbow Dash turned a scowl to the quickly disappearing cloud thief, saying, "None of those cops are fast enough! Come on, Fluttershy! We've got a crook to catch!" With that, she dashed into the skies, the resulting wind force nearly toppling Fluttershy.

The startled pegasus, however, was quick to regain composure and follow behind, all the while mumbling, "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness...."

"Um....Applebloom?" Questioned Applejack as she glanced about the room, looking confused. "Ya said that Scootaloo lost 'er lunch....so where is it?"

As Applebloom was about to answer, Scootaloo hurriedly said, "A nurse came in and cleaned it all up. She was really quick about it, so it was completely gone before you got here." Scootaloo grinned nervously at Applejack, hoping that she wouldn't pursue the issue.

Applejack shook her head, giving Scootaloo a pitying look. "Scootaloo, why didn't ya tell us ya was nauseous?"

Scootaloo glanced to Applebloom, who wore a reproving scowl, then mumbled, "I was feeling fine, but then out of nowhere I....upchucked...." She cleared her throat, nodding curtly to conclude what she'd said.

Applejack eyed the wary young pegasus in bewilderment, but didn't press the matter, instead saying, "Well, shoot. How are ya feelin' now?"

Applebloom shot her older sister a disbelieving look, then looked back to Scootaloo, who was clearly pleading for her to keep quiet through a widened eye and a quivering smile. Applebloom sighed, glancing back to Applejack as Scootaloo answered, "Oh, a little queasy. But don't worry. That same nurse is also getting something to help with the nausea. I'm sure she'll be back any minute."

Applejack nodded, glancing to the door. "Sorry t' hear that yer so bad off, but ah know ya'll be fine. Yer a tough 'un, Scootaloo." With that, she trotted out, shutting the door behind her without looking back.

"That sure ain't what ya told me." Applebloom said in a scolding manner. "Why'd ya lie t' Applejack like that?"

Scootaloo grimaced at her friend's scowl, but nonetheless answered, "Is it really that important? Any trace of me....'losing my lunch' is gone. Does it really matter how it happened?"

Applebloom stomped a hoof, sounding rather cold as she said, "It sure as sugar does. If ya puked 'cause yer sick, that's one thing. But, if ya made yerself do it, then that's somethin' else." She inched closer to Scootaloo's bed, her glowering gaze obviously working as she'd intended it to. "Ah think ya owe me an explanation."

Scootaloo cleared her throat, clearly very discomforted by her friend's persistent drilling. "I already told you, Applebloom. I took the wrong pills. I had to get them out of me." She rubbed at her neck, looking away from Applebloom. "Somehow or another...."

Applebloom shook her head, pointing an accusing hoof at Scootaloo. "Somethin' don't seem quite right with that little excuse o' yer's. If ya knew they was bad business, then why'd ya take 'em?"

Scootaloo bit her lip, putting a hoof to her chin. "Uh....b-because the nurse made me?"

Applebloom raised an eyebrow at Scootaloo, eying her dubiously. "Made ya, huh?"

Scootaloo brightened at the question, pointing her hoof to Applebloom. "Yeah! She was really forceful, but I didn't try to resist her, because.....uh....she might have fought back!" Scootaloo nodded, but quickly paled and bit her lip again, realizing how odd that would have sounded to Applebloom.

The earth pony filly looked utterly bewildered by Scootaloo's reasoning, saying, "So, what yer sayin' is she was fixin' t' drug ya up and be on 'er way?"

Scootaloo put her hoof to her chin once more, blinking at a rapid pace. "I, uh, don't really know....I know that she more or less forced that crud down my throat, so I had to save myself. What was I supposed to do?"

Applebloom tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "Well, ah never.....yer makin' out this nurse t' be somethin' awful. Why would she do any of that stuff t' ya in 'er right mind?"

Scootaloo sighed, turning her gaze to the ceiling. "Applebloom, I know it all sounds a little ridiculous, but you've got to believe me. I only did that to save myself. Whether or not that nurse knew what she was doing, I..." Scootaloo paused, gulping quietly. "....can't say. But she's still dangerous. You need to get word out to somepony, quick."

Applebloom silently looked Scootaloo over, drawing a nervous squirm from the pegasus filly. "Scoots....um....ah don't know what yer talkin' about. If yer sayin' that Nurse Mend is a mare that ain't right in the head, ah suppose that's understandable. But....ya ain't sayin' she's a bad 'un, right?"

Scootaloo waved a dismissive hoof, quickly responding, "Of course not! Why would I think that? I'm sure she just got a little mixed up with the medicine, and she was probably just a bit impatient when I hesitated to take what she came to give me."

Applebloom took on a thoughtful expression, mulling over Scootaloo's explanation. "Hmm....this all seems a tad suspicious, wouldn't ya say?"

Scootaloo shrugged, her tone still somewhat wary as she answered, "I'm just telling it as it is. If Nurse Mend is crazy, then she shouldn't be working here."

Applebloom glanced to the door, then back to Scootaloo as she said, "Well, ah think ah'll talk with this nurse mahself. Somethin' 'bout what yer sayin' don't seem right, but ah'll check with 'er just t' be sure." With that, she trotted to the door, leaving behind a disgruntled Scootaloo who looked ready to shout after her friend. However, Applebloom left the room without another word from either of the two, leaving the pegasus to rub at her forehead in frustration.

"Could today get any worse?" She mumbled to herself.

You should really stick to telling the truth. From what I've seen, it's easy to gauge that you're a horrendously bad liar. The voice within the filly's mind thought.

"Yep. That's just how it works. It only gets worse when you don't want it to." Scootaloo mumbled despairingly.

Oh? I know you don't appreciate my company, but I sincerely doubt a day such as today can become significantly more dreadful than it already is. The voice said with copious earnest.

This is all your fault! Scootaloo thought, sending a blunt stamp to her forehead. I would have been fine! This weird disease, my broken legs, and the vomiting is all because of you!

The voice didn't respond immediately. When it did, however, there was something curiously soothing about it, something that somewhat dampened Scootaloo's anger. I know you've come upon rough times, young one. You've been pushed to the limits of your endurance, both physical and mental. I can see why you would be upset. I know my intrusion may be discomforting, and the events of today haven't been the most pleasant, but I must ask that you calm yourself. I assure you, everything will come to light with time. Your wounds will heal, your mind will recuperate, and all will be well. All with time.

Scootaloo breathed in deeply, releasing a shaky sigh. I don't know what's going on. Why is all this happening? Who are you, really?

The voice answered bluntly, I will divulge to you only a name. All else, you are capable of discovering on your own.

Scootaloo rolled her eye, but made no mental objection. You mean with that freaky sight thing?

Ha! There's hardly anything 'freaky' about the Eyes of Revelation......but yes. I believe all truths will be uncovered, as you are certainly a pegasus meant to pursue truth. The voice paused, allowing Scootaloo to look dumbfounded for a moment, then said, Call me....Mist Wing.

Oh, so you're not just a disembodied voice, but you're actually a pegasus? Scootaloo thought.

Hmph. An interesting notion. Have you ever actually met a pegasus by such a name? Mist Wing thought, which took Scootaloo aback.

No....it just sounds like a name that a pegasus would have. She rubbed at her forehead, groaning quietly. So, Mist Wing. I'm beginning to suspect that you aren't going to leave all that easily.

Ah. You are a bright one, my young pegasus. Mist Wing thought, drawing an annoyed sputter from Scootaloo.

Wonderful. I've always wanted that special somepony who I could share my thoughts with. She thought bitterly, already struggling to keep from clonking herself on the head once more.

"Ew! This paper mache is so gross!" Sweetie Belle said as she fumbled about with the strips of paper that would cover the wire frame of her volcano.

Rarity shook her head at the sight, muttering, "I should really make you do this on your own, but this is just ridiculous." With that, her horn alighted, and the sticky strips began to move toward the frame with a blue glow about them. "Of course, you had to remember you had a project due at the last minute while mother and father were out of town."

Sweetie Belle watched the paper mache strips delicately hover to and land on the wire frame for a moment, then looked to Rarity with an apologetic grin. "I'm really, really, really sorry about this, Rarity. I was going to do it myself! I just...never got around to it."

Rarity inhaled boisterously, but withheld her reprimand when she heard a rapid fit of knocking at the front door of the boutique. She exhaled sharply, nodding to the wire frame as she went to answer it. She took a moment to better compose herself when standing before the door, but scowled when a second, more impatient fit sounded on the entrance. She opened the door, and was startled to find a lavender unicorn rushing inside and grabbing her by the shoulders.

Twilight Sparkle, nose pressed against Rarity's, yelled in a somewhat crazed tone, "Rarity! I need something to make me smell pretty! Now!"

Rarity blinked at Twilight's demand, backing up slightly to alleviate her discomfort. "....what?"

Twilight blinked as well, then stepped down, backing out the door and clearing her throat. With a more level (and less insane) tone, she said, "Good evening, Rarity. I was wondering if I might be able to borrow some perfume from you."

Rarity cocked her head, looking puzzled by the request. "Perfume, darling? Whatever for?"

Twilight laughed, sounding more wary than she'd intended. "Oh, you know. Just headed to one of Pinkie Pie's parties, and I thought I should, you know, wear a nice fragrance."

Rarity raised an eyebrow, putting a hoof to her chin. "A nice fragrance, hmm? I wasn't aware that Pinkie was hosting a party today. I can't say I'm surprised, but....I've never known you to wear perfumes, Twilight. Why now?"

Twilight rubbed at the back of her neck, laughing the same nervous laugh as before. "I'm just trying to be as presentable as possible. I mean, it's always important to smell good, right?"

Rarity furrowed her brow, her gaze becoming scrutinizing. "Well, no argument there. However....you've never reasoned the same way before. Even attending the Grand Galloping Gala, or your brother's wedding, you never wore perfume. And now, you want to wear a fragrance for one of Pinkie's welcoming parties?"

Twilight grinned nervously, only able to answer with slightly reddened cheeks and a slow nod.

Rarity squinted at her for a moment, then smiled wryly. "Ah. But of course. One must smell nice for the embassy." She winked at the embarrassed unicorn, drawing another, weaker nervous chuckle from Twilight. Rarity ushered her friend inside, already cheerfully chatting away, saying, "Oh, if only this was a more formal event. Nothing quite so frivolous and silly as one of Pinkie's parties. Nonetheless, this will be an excellent opportunity to meet with the apple of your eye and get to know him better. You should probably dress up a bit. If you're trying to bedazzle him, that is."

"Oh, n-no. I think casual wear should be fine. At least with the right perfume, that is." Twilight said, her cheeks noticeably more red than when she had first stepped into the Carousel Boutique.

"Right! The subtle approach. Always a viable strategy, my good mare." Rarity nodded, stopping in front of a large cabinet. "I have many scents to choose from." She opened the cabinet with her magic, revealing a plethora of colorful vials within. "Don't be shy! Please, sample whichever you'd care to."

Twilight scanned the shelves of perfume, clearly a little bewildered. She levitated a vial filled with blue liquid down from the shelf, raising her hoof and spritzing the fragrance on her ankle. She evaluated the scent with a quiet inhale, then glanced to the vial, shaking her head as she dropped her hoof and replaced it. She repeated this process, sorting through a good dozen perfumes before finally smiling at the vial she'd selected. "Perfect!"

"Ah, good to hear, darling. Now, do be careful not to-" Rarity halted what she was saying as Twilight commenced showering herself in the fragrance, the vial already half empty by the time Rarity intervened. "Twilight! Ugh!" She covered her nose with a hoof as she magically held aside the vial that Twilight had dowsed herself with. "There's no need to overdo a good thing, Twilight. Just because this scent is good doesn't mean-"

"It's perfect! Thank you, Rarity!" Twilight, obviously oblivious to the thick stench of excessive perfume that hung over her, briefly embraced Rarity, then hurried to the door, shouting back, "I smell like a bed of roses!"

Rarity blinked as Twilight departed, then coughed lightly as she heard the door close, allowing the tears that had built up in the corners of her eyes to fall. "Roses....Right...." She replaced the vial and closed the cabinet, the lingering waft of the rose perfume stinging her nose as she trotted back to Sweetie Belle.

"What did Twilight need?" Sweetie asked, fumbling about with a strip of paper mache.

Rarity put her hoof to her chin, smiling absently. "Oh, just a small favor. I'm sure it would bore you, anyway."

Sweetie shrugged, flattening down the mache she had just put on the wire frame. "Whatever. I don't care why you gave her perfume, but I'd think you'd at least be a little mad that she used so much."

Rarity chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Sweetie. "Normally, she would have received an earful. But, I think I'll let her go. Tonight is a special night..." She trailed off, drawing a puzzled look from Sweetie Belle.

"What's so special about tonight?" She asked, standing up from her incomplete project.

Rarity looked down at Sweetie Belle, trying to sound stern as she said, "Ah bup bup! It isn't your concern, Sweetie Belle. And you have a project to finish!"

Sweetie pouted at her sister's words, but returned to plastering the volcano's frame with paper mache all the same, mumbling to herself, "Nopony ever tells me stuff..."

"There you are!" Shouted an indignant Bodacious Boldness as he stomped down the hall. "You owe me an apology, nurse!"

Nurse Mend swayed from side to side as she squinted at Boldness, slowly saying, "What are you talking about?"

Bodacious Boldness snorted at her response, stamping a hoof in frustration. "I'm talking about you damaging my perfect eye with that spray of scalding beverage!" He opened wider his 'damaged' eye, pointing at it as he scowled at Nurse Mend.

The nurse, holding a hoof to her temple, shook her head, saying, "I'm really sorry about your eye, but....uh....I don't really remember doing anything to you."

Bodacious Boldness tossed his mane about, scoffing a ridiculously dramatic scoff. "Ludicrous! You very deliberately spat that coffee into my eye! No one can do something so atrocious by accident!"

Mend blinked at his melodrama, then grinned awkwardly. "Coffee sounds really good right now. My head's killing me, and-"

"You've already had some! And don't try to change the subject!" He pointed an accusing hoof at her, ready to chastise, but he stopped suddenly, glancing behind him to find an earth pony filly jabbing him in the hind leg.

"Excuse me, mister, but ah need t' talk with this here nurse." Applebloom said, nodding to Nurse Mend.

"We're rather busy, little filly!" He shouted at her, which only enticed Applebloom to glare at him. "Be gone! Get out my-" Bodacious Boldness howled in pain as Nurse Mend delivered a jab to the side of his head. He turned back to the nurse to find her baring a fearsome scowl.

"You do not talk to children that way." She leaned toward Boldness, obviously a great deal more focused and a great deal less dazed than before as she glared at the stallion. "Ever."

Bodacious Boldness bit his lip, quietly gulping as Mend's eyes pierced his form. "Uh....w-well, we'll discuss this at a later time. But for now....I bid you farewell, nurse." With that, he shuffled away from Nurse Mend, then turned and hurried away. Nurse Mend sighed, rubbing at her head as she looked to Applebloom, grinning warmly at the filly.

"What do you need, dear?" She asked, dropping her hoof and continuing her back and forth swaying.

Applebloom glanced in the direction that Boldness had fled in, saying, "Uh....ah was here to ask ya 'bout one of yer patients. Ya know that orange pegasus filly, Scootaloo?"

Nurse Mend nodded, her smile becoming a rueful one. "If I'm correct, the poor thing has a pair of broken legs and a nasty disease, to boot. I feel so sorry for her." She sighed, but quickly brightened once more, her smile returning. "What about her?"

Applebloom turned her attention back to Nurse Mend, saying, "Ah was sorta confused by somethin' ya gave 'er. Ya know those pills ya had 'er take?"

Nurse Mend raised an eyebrow, sounding bewildered as she answered, "What pills? I don't remember giving her any sort of pills."

Applebloom cocked her head, looking even more confused than Nurse Mend. "Ya....don't remember giving 'er any?" Nurse Mend shook her head, which caused Applebloom to turn a scowl to the floor. "Alright. Thank ya, nurse. That's all ah needed t' know." She turned and started back to Scootaloo's room, muttering unintelligibly under her breath.

"No problem, sweetie!" Nurse Mend called out after her, stumbling away in a different direction.

"Well, here come the guests of honor." Pinkie whispered to herself as she glared at Silver Gleam, who was trailed by Patsy Craft and Aqua Grace. "Right on time. Wonder where their ringleader is...." She shook away her dark expression, donning her peppy smile as she trotted over to Silver Gleam. "Hiya! Glad to see you could make it!"

Silver Gleam looked about the cheery party-goers that surrounded him, looking awed. "My goodness! I didn't expect a welcoming party in the first place, let alone one with so many attending. I think I speak on behalf of the whole embassy when I say we are greatly honored to be treated to such festivities."

"Yeah. Woo....." Mumbled a despairing Patsy Craft, who fidgeted about nervously as she scanned the Ponyville citizens attending the party.

Pinkie giggled with satisfaction, gesturing to the crowd of party-goers with a sweeping motion. "Please, get to know everypony! I'm sure they'll love meeting all of you!" Aqua Grace beamed at this, darting for the nearest group.

Silver Gleam nodded, turning to find a pair of mares already standing before him, chatting away at an incomprehensible speed. "Ah, yes. Quite. Um....I see." Silver Gleam attempted to be an active part of their conversation as he was ushered away, despite not catching a word of what they'd said.

Patsy Craft was left standing alone, legs trembling as many a friendly smile turned her way. The first to approach her with words, however, was none other than Pinkie Pie. "Your name's Patsy Craft, right?"

Patsy cleared her throat, then nodded slowly. "Yes. That would be me....wait....aren't you that mare who knocked Opulent Majesty off his pedestal earlier today?"

Pinkie chuckled, sounding more embarrassed than cheery. "Oh. Sorry about that. I sorta did that without thinking. You'd be surprised what kinds of stuff ponies do when they don't think about it. Like eating sweets! They just munch and chomp away, and before they know it, they blow up like a balloon! Of course, I usually think about all the sweets I'm gonna eat. Like cookies, brownies, eclairs, donuts, pies, taffy, chocolate, and my absolute favorite, cupcakes!"

The expression on Patsy's face had gone from nervous to dumbstruck as she stood before Pinkie Pie, who was licking her lips at the thought of all that sugary goodness. She just said all that in a single breath. I think we've made a mistake in coming here if we have to deal with anything this insane.

"Oh..." Pinkie said, blinking a few times before continuing. "Speaking of Opulent Majesty...." Pinkie glanced behind Patsy Craft, her smile replaced by a stern, observant expression. "Where might he be at at this moment?"

Patsy shrugged, turning Pinkie's stern expression to a scowl. "I haven't the foggiest idea. But if he got the invite, I'm sure he'll be here soon. He's almost never late."

"Almost?" Said a unicorn from behind Pinkie Pie, who spun around and set a glare on the smug Opulent Majesty. "I'm never late, Patsy. You should know that by now." He turned his attention to Pinkie, grinning wryly. "Especially not when it comes to such amusing little soirees such as this."

Pinkie inhaled deeply, returning the snide grin with a somewhat belligerent one. "Pleasure to have you. I hope you enjoy yourself."

Opulent's grin widened, his eyes revealing a good measure of insanity behind his expression. "But of course, dearest. This is a party, after all." He looked to Patsy, flicking his head as a gesture for her to step away from Pinkie. The two stood a short distance away from the mare, Opulent whispering to Patsy, "Have you any idea who this mare is?"

Patsy stifled a laugh, coughing quietly before answering, "Yeah. She's the one who put a dent in that thick skull of yours."

Opulent snorted angrily at this, but quickly said, "Not just that. She also happens to be the Element of Laughter, and your spell didn't seem to sway her all that much."

Patsy glanced to Pinkie, who had now cocked her head and bared her teeth, smiling a more deranged smile than before. Patsy grimaced at her expression, looking back to Opulent as she said, "This might prove to be a complication. Don't worry, though. We have ways to work around this."

Opulent adjusted his monocle, scowling at Patsy. "No, you don't. I have ways to work around this. Pinkie Pie is already one of the more major threats we've had to deal with. And this time, I'll see to it that our mission isn't disrupted by such a thing." He turned back to Pinkie, donning his grin once more. "Go mingle, Patsy. I need to have a word with our hostess." Patsy shot Opulent an indignant glare, but said nothing to object as she shuffled away.

As Opulent stepped closer to Pinkie, she reflexively drew away, lowering her head. After a moment, however, she stood up straight, clearing her throat before saying, "A word? With me?"

Opulent chuckled, looking from Pinkie to where Aqua Grace stood, fumbling about with a feathered nail as she attempted to properly pin it to the tail-less pony on the wall. "Children's games for childish citizens. Ponyville is certainly old, but it's hardly mature."

Pinkie shook her head, gesturing to the "Pin the Tail on the Pony" crowd. "If it's a child's game, then why is one of your own playing it, huh?"

Opulent rubbed at his chin, his tone dark yet still amused as he said, "Aqua Grace is no more an adult than I am a pegasus. She trusts others too easily, seeks to spread merriment far too often, and is all too innocent for her line of work. A child, through and through."

Pinkie Pie looked to Opulent, now glaring as she eyed the gray-lavender unicorn. "Trust? Merriment? Innocence? Explain to me how any of these are immature."

Opulent chuckled once more, sounding especially pleased with Pinkie's demand. "It's evident, from your ignorance, that you are just as bad. Worse, even....but, no matter." He turned to meet Pinkie's glare, still smiling his smug smile. "Childish or not, you already make an interesting opponent. After all, I've never encountered an enemy who hosts a party in my honor."

Pinkie furrowed her glare, gritting her teeth at Opulent's words. "And I've never met somepony who I wished would stop smiling. Forever."

Opulent cackled at this, quietly enough as to not draw attention to himself. "Is that a threat? Good. It proves you'll actually be fun to crush. No victory is worthwhile without having to fight for it."

Pinkie sneered at the smug stallion, her teeth now clear as she ground them together. "You need to stop being full of yourself. There's no reward for thinking you're the best."

Opulent sighed, slowly shaking his head. "Perhaps not. But believe me. I've met the best. I've fooled the best." He leaned closer to Pinkie, who struggled to not uppercut him at that moment. "I've destroyed the best. If that doesn't entitle me to something, nothing does." He held his face close to her's for a moment, his malicious grin prevalent as she glared back at him. After the moment passed, he turned abruptly, quickly starting up friendly chats amongst the other party-goers.

Pinkie kept her attention on him as he stood, so casually cloaking his true self with his demeanor of friendliness. He doesn't know who he's messing with. If he wants to play this crazy game with me, the queen of crazy games, he can look forward to losing. She held her glare for a moment longer, then shook her head, putting on a bright smile as she went about greeting guests and spreading merriment in a way only Pinkie could.

"So, you can't talk?" Asked one of the mares who had gathered around Aqua Grace.

Aqua answered with a solemn shake of the head, but she retained her smile all the same.

"Well, how do you communicate with other ponies?" Asked another, tilting her head in puzzlement.

Aqua Grace beamed at the question, her horn aglow with rose red aura. The air seemed to quiver above her head, then droplets of water swirled about, quickly condensing to form eight very definite letters, spelling out, "Like this."

The small crowd gasped at the sight, already bombarding Aqua with questions. She sighed, tilting her head as the letters disappeared in a burst of water, the droplets reforming themselves. The new message read, "One at a time please."

The group chuckled at this, but a question was still quick to arise. "So, even if you're mute, you can still talk with others easily?"

Aqua turned a thoughtful expression to the text above her, then reformed it to say, "Unless those others can't read of course."

The group chuckled once more, another mare stepping forward to ask Aqua Grace, "So, how long have you been able to communicate like this? Like, how old were you when you could write fluently?"

Aqua Grace scratched behind her ear as she tilted her head, looking as if she was at a loss. "I've never been able to say anything I've heard, but I was able to learn how to spell and utilize words that I picked up very quickly."

The eyes of the group moved from side to side as they read the line of text. Many nodded their approval, and another question was quick to present itself. "How did you get that cutie mark? I've never seen magic like yours before."

Aqua Grace brushed back her mane, smiling awkwardly. "Well, I got my cutie mark when I was really young. You see, we don't have pegasi in New Unicornia, so there has to be a good amount of unicorns who specialize in weather alteration."

The two pegasi of the group gasped at this, stepping forward and saying in unison, "But unicorns can't control weather!"

Aqua blushed, drawing away from them as the text reformed to say, "It's true. Pegasi are meant to structure and control clouds and atmosphere. But, since our country lacks pegasi populace, it's up to us unicorns to do what we can. We're pretty sloppy when it comes to weather alteration, but I think we do a pretty nice job."

The pegasi turned to one another, blinking rapidly for a brief moment before looking to Aqua Grace once more, the mare asking, "Would you mind showing us what sorts of weather manipulating you can do?"

Aqua Grace shrugged, gesturing to the rest of the party-goers with a sheepish grin. "I'd be happy to show you what I can do, but can it wait? I don't get to attend all that many parties."

"Oh." The mare nodded, reflecting Aqua's sheepish grin. "Of course. I didn't mean right now, anyway."

Aqua nodded gratefully, reforming her text to say, "Tomorrow for sure. I haven't met many pegasi before, so I'm sure it would be fun to see how they work."

The mare cleared her throat, offering a hoof to Aqua. "In that case, I'd best introduce myself. Call me Sleek Sleet. Precipitation expert. I'll show you the way to Cloudsdale when you have the time."

Aqua shook Sleek's hoof, changing the text to say, "Pleasure to meet you, Sleek Sleet. I look forward to it." Sleek grinned, withdrawing her hoof. That is, if Aqua Grace hadn't curled her own hoof to hold Sleek's in place. Sleek raised an eyebrow as she examined the hold Aqua had on her hoof, then looked to Aqua's face. The unicorn's smile was terse, and one of her eyes seemed to twitch nervously. Sleek looked to her hoof once more, then tugged at the hold, breaking Aqua's grasp. She eyed the unicorn with suspicion, but Aqua only lowered her hoof to the ground and held her somewhat disturbed expression.

Aqua Grace shook her head, creating a new line of text above her head to say, "I think I want to try the refreshments. Those cookies look pretty tasty." She started toward the table the aforementioned cookies lay upon, the group agreeing with her as they went along, chatting amongst themselves. Aqua, however, quickly lost her smile, her expression seemingly pained as she shuffled forward. Shift, why did you do that? That's really impolite.

Relax, teardrop. Curiosity Shift thought, only serving to further unnerve Aqua Grace. My fun at the hospital was so rudely interrupted. I get a little on edge when I'm denied anything.

Shift, please don't do this....I'm trying to be nice to these good ponies. Can't you just leave them be for now? Aqua pleaded, absently observing the various sweets that lined the refreshments table.

Ha! Benevolence? You're funny, teardrop. I don't care what you're doing. My interests are my priorities. And those interests don't include befriending any pegasi. Shift thought, causing Aqua to glance to Sleek Sleet, who was chatting away with the pegasus stallion that accompanied her.

Well, you won't be harming them. Not if I can help it. Aqua thought, donning her smile once more.

Yeah. Good luck with that, teardrop. Thought an indifferent Curiosity Shift.

Let's see.... Thought Opulent Majesty as he smiled absently at the ponies that had surrounded him, bobbing his head on the occasion to make it seem like he was paying attention. What has she got planned? There's something about this ridiculous little gathering that is meant to catch us off guard. But what.... He scratched at his chin, nodding once more.

"Well?" Asked an expectant mare as she put a hoof to Opulent's shoulder.

Opulent blinked at the touch, lowering his hoof and glancing to the mare's hoof. "I'm sorry. What?"

She chuckled, lowering her own hoof. "I asked what you thought of Ponyville. So? What do you think so far?"

Opulent pondered the question for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "It's certainly one of the nicest places I've ever visited. Plentiful hospitality and an abundance of friendly faces." The mare who had asked the question laughed triumphantly, turning to speak with somepony else. Opulent thought to join their conversation, but out of the corner of his eye he spotted a familiar mare. He turned his head to see Twilight Sparkle standing across the room, looking too nervous to move. He harrumphed with amusement, stepping past the chatty group surrounding him, calling out to Twilight, "Miss Sparkle! I didn't expect to see you here."

Twilight turned her attention from her hooves to the approaching Opulent, gulping hard. Okay, Twilight. Just stay calm. You're good at small talk. Twilight shook away her outward fear and trotted toward Opulent, a big grin on her face as she said, "I didn't expect to see you, either!"

Opulent glanced to the bright banner that read "Welcome to Ponyville, Embassy of New Unicornia!" With am amused chuckle and a shake of the head, Opulent said, "Right. Because I have no reason whatsoever to attend this party."

Twilight glanced to the banner in turn, scratching behind her ear as her cheeks reddened. No. You're not good at small talk. Jump into your common interests. Quickly! Twilight cleared her throat, waving a dismissive hoof as she said, "Right. Silly me. So, I, uh...how...." Just start talking! He's interested in magic, you're interested in magic! That's all you need! Go! "You....say you're a spell inventor?"

Opulent sniffed the air, looking perplexed. "Hmm....do you smell roses?"

Twilight beamed at this question, quickly answering, "So you did notice my fragrance! I-I mean.....yes. I thought I would put a little perfume on for the party."

Opulent inhaled the scent, smiling warmly at Twilight. "There's something bold about it. Something robust. An appropriate scent for a mare such as yourself."

Twilight giggled at this, blushing profusely, "Th-that's very kind of you, Opulent..."

Opulent nodded earnestly, saying, "But of course. Anyway, you had a question for me regarding magic?"

Twilight blinked at the question, still smiling with a blissful look about her. "Uh....y-yeah. I was asking about what you do....you invent spells, right?"

Opulent put a hoof to his chest, responding in a tone that could only be called regal (or pompous), "That I do. I come from a long line of spell creators and magical enchanters. My family can be credited for a large portion of New Unicornia's arsenal of spells and enchanted items."

Twilight tilted her head, her embarrassment quelled and her interested piqued, "Enchantment, you say? What sorts of enchantment?"

Opulent adjusted his monocle, looking exceptionally smug (even more so than usual.) "Well, as you already know, unicorn magic is extraordinarily powerful in regards to the alteration of reality. Be that as it may, major spells of an altering nature are often temporary. Augmentations to anything, living or not, are short lived. The field of enchantment is dedicated to long lasting spells that enhance or alter objects or individuals."

"Whoa." Twilight said, looking genuinely enthused by Opulent's definition of enchantment. "So....how do you cast enchanting spells? I know about the temporary ones, but like you said, they only last so long."

Opulent rubbed at his chin, even his thoughtful expression obscenely proud. "Well, they're rather complicated. Most enchantment spells can't be defined along the same lines as conventional spells, but there are a few that can be explained in the most basic of terms. That is, they act as enhanced versions of already existing spells."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at this, asking, "Such as?"

Opulent brushed back his mane with a hoof, answering, "Very basic spells; density alteration, teleportation spells, and, if I recall, a single enchantment exists for telekinetic augmentation. Even being amongst the simplest of enchantments, they're still difficult to use, both in terms of skill and scarcity of proper resources."

Twilight pursed her lips, rubbing at her chin in thought. "Proper resources? What do you mean by proper resources?"

Opulent chuckled, tilting his head as he mused, "I can't reveal too much. I can tell you that all enchantments require very specific reagents, but you must understand that certain trade secrets must be preserved."

Twilight rolled her eyes, but nodded nonetheless, saying, "I understand that, but are there any enchantments you could teach me? Any at all?"

Opulent grinned at this, putting a hoof to his chin, "Well....from my understanding, you're perfectly capable of mastering enchanting....oh, why not?"

Twilight brightened at this, her smile broadening as she leaned closer to Opulent. "Alright! Let's hear it!"

Opulent adjusted his monocle, a stern expression on his face as he said, "Right. One of the easiest enchantments to cast is a slight differentiation of basic levitation. The skill required is actually quite close to the basic spell, but the reagent required is rather uncommon. Rare, even."

Twilight nodded, but quickly donned a puzzled expression. "Okay, so what does it do?"

Opulent gained a smug expression once more, answering, "From the simplest standpoint, it can be called the Gravity Reversal Enchantment."

Twilight's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. "No way! You mean...objects-"

"Independently levitate. The heavier the object, the more upward force delivered." Opulent interrupted, causing Twilight to change her expression from shock to awe.

"That's amazing! Wh-what's the reagent required?!" Twilight's excitement was prevalent in both her tone and in the fact that she was enthusiastically hopping in place in a fashion similar to Pinkie Pie.

Opulent sighed, his smile diminishing. "Well, that's the complicated part. The reagent required is-" Opulent was interrupted by a mare that had fallen in front of him. He looked down with puzzlement at the earth pony as she struggled to push herself up, Twilight looking equally confused.

The mare, now standing straight (mostly), wobbled from side to side as she glanced from Twilight to Opulent, smiling a somewhat dopey smile. "Hello! How'sh it goin'?" She hiccuped after saying this, clearly explaining why she had stumbled and fallen between them.

Twilight sighed, obviously annoyed that her conversation had been interrupted by a drunk. "Fine. We're sort of, uh, in the middle of a conversation. So, could you maybe-"

"I getcha!" The mare shouted, throwing her foreleg around Twilight's neck. "I'll just leave you two-" She hiccuped once more, drawing an annoyed groan from Twilight. "-to your...uh....chattin'." She winked at Twilight, then withdrew her foreleg and stumbled away.

"Is she....a friend of yours?" Opulent asked, his perplexed gaze lingering on the intoxicated mare.

Twilight shook her head, hurriedly saying, "No no no! Of course not!"

"Hmph." Opulent scanned the crowds, looking ever more intrigued by what he saw. "It would seem that she isn't the only guest with such behavior. Look around."

Twilight turned her attention to the scattered party-goers in the room, seeing that many of them had less than perfect motor skills and dumbfounded (or blissful) looks about them. "You're right....that's strange. I wonder how they all got like this..."

Opulent frowned at the sight, then turned abruptly, saying, "One moment, if you will. I need to check something." Twilight nodded, hurrying over to steady a nearby stallion about to topple.

Trotting over to the punch bowl, Opulent eyed the seemingly harmless red liquid with suspicion. He sniffed at the drink, then drew away with a disdainful expression of recognition. "Charming. Seems these simpletons have their own unique sense of celebration."

Pinkie Pie, utilizing her ability to materialize from thin air, appeared on the other side of the table, smiling snidely as she offered a glass filled with the drink to Opulent. "Care for some punch?"

Opulent dislodged the cup from Pinkie's grasp with a swat of his hoof, but Pinkie only withdrew her hoof, otherwise reacting in no way. "A clever tactic. I can't say I didn't expect it, but it's certainly something fresh. Something new."

Pinkie swirled her hoof in the punch bowl, turning her gaze and maddened smile toward it as she mused, "It's one parts punch and two parts rum." She took her hoof out of the bowl, licking at her drenched ankle before saying, "Don't tell anypony!"

Opulent chuckled, shaking his head. "I can't imagine what you hoped to accomplish through this convoluted scheme of yours."

Pinkie returned her hoof to stirring, but this time turned her attention to Opulent. "Simple. It's so much easier to get ponies to spill the beans when they don't know which way's up."

Opulent adjusted his monocle, his smile seeming to become more that of admiration than smugness. "An amusing gesture, but you can't fool us that easily. I'm fairly certain that my fellow ambassadors would catch on before it was too late."

Pinkie shrugged, shaking her head. She pointed her soaking hoof to the right, designating a merrily laughing Patsy Craft with half a cup of the spiked punch hovering beside her.

"....dammit all." Opulent mumbled under his breath as he strode toward Patsy, Pinkie Pie cackling with satisfaction as he went. Standing next to Patsy, Opulent bore a frightening scowl. "Patsy! What do you think you're doing?!"

Patsy blinked at the demanding shout, then turned to look at Opulent. Her expression was blank as she swayed from side to side, seeming to study the glowering Opulent Majesty. "Huh.....I think....I'm havin' a good time." She smiled once more, playfully jabbing Opulent's shoulder. "How 'bout you?"

Opulent flared his nostrils, putting a hoof to Patsy's shoulder. "Marvelous." He shoved the wavering mare, sending her to the floor with a muffled thud.

The (slightly) less inebriated party guests that watched this occur shot Opulent looks of mixed shock and scorn, but they quickly turned their attention back to Patsy as she burst out laughing. "You need to lighten up, Regalia! It'sh a party, after all!" Opulent growled at this, sending a sweeping kick to Patsy's jaw as he turned. This drew a startled gasp from those watching, but Opulent ignored them as he stomped back to Pinkie Pie, who had observed the whole scene with a satisfied grin on her face.

"Regalia? I thought your name was Opulent Majesty." Pinkie mused, putting her foreleg on the table and resting her chin on her hoof.

Opulent glared at Pinkie, remaining silent for a long while. He repeatedly glanced from Pinkie to the punch bowl, then donned an amused grin. "I see. A commendable first move, dearest." At this, Pinkie's grin faded, quickly being replaced by a sneer. "But, your efforts won't yield much here. You may think you've done yourself good, but Patsy won't reveal much. She's worthless when she can't focus."

Pinkie squinted at Opulent, shifting her jaw before responding with, "Right. And I'm assuming that watery mare or that silvery stallion are out of my reach as well?"

Opulent chuckled, his grin widening. "Rest assured, Silver Gleam and Aqua Grace have a great deal more endurance than Patsy Craft. I'm surprised she's still conscious. But those two..." He shook his head, laughing with satisfaction. "Watch this." He turned to where Aqua Grace stood, holding a hoof to the side of his mouth. "Aqua Grace! Come here for a moment!"

Aqua looked up from the 'conversation' she'd been having, trotting over to Opulent with a somewhat fearful expression on her face.

Opulent pointed to the punch bowl, saying, "This foul drink must be disposed of. Rid of it!"

Aqua looked to the bowl, sighed, then stepped up to the table, horn aglow. She puckered her lips, as if fitting them around a straw, then held her head above the punch bowl. Pinkie watched with a seriously doubtful look on her face as Aqua did this, but the expression was replaced by that of disbelief as the spiked punch funneled into Aqua's mouth, as if there were actually a straw there. After an incredibly short moment, the bowl had been sucked dry, Aqua exhaling as if exhausted upon finishing it all.

"B-but.....that's...." Pinkie cocked her head, blinking rapidly as she pointed a trembling hoof at Aqua Grace.

Opulent cackled with satisfaction, placing a hoof on Aqua's shoulder. "If there's one thing I can respect about you, Grace, it's your unreal capacity for drinking." He stepped away from Aqua, a malicious grin on his face as he returned his attention to Pinkie. "Well, dearest, I believe that undoes a large portion of your first plan of attack. Would you care to hear my thoughts on what you did wrong?"

Pinkie snapped back into focus, slamming her hooves onto the table as she glared at Opulent. "Ha! I haven't done anything wrong! And I don't need you telling me how to do anything!"

Opulent shook his head, shrugging as he said, "Very well. I don't often offer my opponents such input, but so be it." He grinned devilishly once more. "Even so, I can at least tell you that discretion is key in a battle of wits. The less is known of your attack, the more effective it becomes."

Pinkie paused, making a quick scan of the crowd of guests. She turned her attention back to Opulent, sputtering indignantly. "Fine then. Make your move. I'll be ready for it! Whatever it is!"

Opulent sighed, shaking his head as he chuckled a sinister chuckle. He looked away from Pinkie, making a quick scan of the other party-goers as well. "Hmph. It would seem you have more than a hooful of guests that have fallen prey to your ill-conceived plot. I would suggest getting them to the nearest medical center. Looks like alcohol poisoning abound." He pointed to Aqua Grace abruptly, startling the mare. "Aqua! Go fetch Silver! We're leaving." Aqua gained a despairing look upon being commanded, but she trotted off to find Silver Gleam nonetheless. Opulent adjusted his monocle, glancing back to Pinkie with a snide grin. "Good night, dearest. This party has been....interesting, to say the least."

Pinkie hopped onto the table, knocking the empty punch bowl to the floor with a shattering of glass. "Not so fast! You're off to do something evil! I'm not going to let you just waltz out of here!"

Opulent looked Pinkie square in the eye, his expression totally relaxed. After a moment, he cleared his throat, his horn suddenly glowing. With a burst of black smoke, Pinkie's perch vanished, reappearing a few hooves behind the mare. Pinkie, not expecting her stand to disappear from underneath her, fell to the ground with a yelp, landing in a heap. Opulent harrumphed, musing, "Interesting indeed. Best of luck, dearest Pinkie Pie. May the better lunatic win." He chuckled, swatting the furious Pinkie with his tail as he turned to depart. Pinkie sat there, fuming as she absently rubbed at the lash mark on her cheek, silently glaring at Opulent as he strode to the door, collecting Patsy Craft with his magic as he went.

"Noooooo!" Pleaded Patsy, who hiccuped before continuing with, "I don't wanna goooooo! Nooooo!" Patsy made no further objections as Opulent exited the bakery, Patsy clonking her head on the door frame as she hovered through.

Pinkie dropped her hoof, standing and breathing furiously through clenched teeth. She started after him, but was interrupted by Twilight Sparkle, who appeared in front of Pinkie with a flash of magical light. "Pinkie! Perhaps you have an explanation for why so many of these poor guests are so....'out of it?'"

Pinkie breathed an annoyed sigh, looking away from Twilight as she said, "I don't know. Maybe somepony thought it would be a funny prank to spike the punch. I may throw the parties, but that doesn't mean I'm in complete control of them."

Twilight stamped a hoof, gesturing to a nearby group of ponies doubled over and writhing in pain. "Pinkie, this is serious! Whatever was in that punch is way too much for some of these guests to tolerate! A lot of them are getting really sick because of it!"

Pinkie glanced to the door, then frowned in defeat. "Okay, okay. We should probably help them out." Pinkie donned a warm smile, trotting over to the group of downed ponies. She put a hoof to the shoulder of a random stallion, asking in a cheery tone, "How are you hanging in there?"

The stallion groaned, but managed a weak smile as he looked up at Pinkie. "Oh.....well enough....."

Pinkie giggled, rubbing the stallion's shoulder. "Don't worry. We're here to help. We'll have you in a hospital before you know-" A faint quake of the building and an explosive noise cut off Pinkie Pie. The party goers who still had their senses about them looked startled, some even appearing panicked. Pinkie glanced to the door, blinking in confusion. "What was-" Before she could ask what the noise had been, a rapid sequence of bright flashes appeared outside, the same sound as before following several times over in succession.

"Lightning strikes?!" Twilight shouted, running for the door. Many of the guests followed behind, frantic to assess the damage done.

Pinkie, however, remained in the bakery for a moment, mumbling under her breath, "Yeah. Real subtle move, Opulent. If either of us 'lunatics' is winning this, it's gonna be me." She looked to the downed stallion that she stood beside, stamping a hoof. "I have to!" Pinkie bolted through the door as well, leaving behind a bakery full of poisoned ponies poised on passing out or puking their putrid punch. (Alliterations are hard.)