Disharmony Rises

As the train rumbled along towards Griffonstone, yet again. Dash could only think of what Luna had told her last night. 'You will get a second chance with someone very dear to you, but, at a great cost.' What could it have meant? Pinkie waved a hand in front of Dash's face. Dash blinked and looked around.

"Huh? What is it?" Dash asked.

"I said, we're here Dashie!" Pinkie yelled.

Dash looked out the window. Sure enough, the train had stopped and Griffonstone loomed high overhead. But, as Dash looked towards it, something wasn't quite right. As she exited the train, she saw a large dark cloud looming over Griffonstone.

"That must be from the high concentrations of dark magic." Twilight said.

"Then we ain't got no time ta waste." Applejack said as she began walking up the hill towards the town.

The others nodded and followed suit. They reached the town to find that all the griffons were cowering behind random pieces of rubble that used to be houses.

"Excuse me, have you seen anyone with a necklace around here? Possibly with a diamond shaped gem on it?" Twilight asked one of the cowering griffons.

He slowly pointed to a large castle at the end of the town.

"Thanks." Twilight said as she motioned for everyone to follow her.

They reached the castle and came to a stop at the entrance to the throne room. Sitting in the room, on a mountain of gold was a griffon wearing a brown leather jacket, jeans, and a black t-shirt. He was covered from head to toe in expensive jewels, but, the one that caught everyone's eye was a silver necklace that housed a green diamond shaped gemstone.

"All mine! Mine, no one will take my jewels!" The griffon was saying aloud.

"What do we do?" Dash asked.

"Well, if we can get that necklace off him, he shouldn't pose a threat anymore." Twilight said.

"How are we supposed ta do that?" Applejack asked.

"We could try reasoning with him." Rarity said.

"I don't think that'll work, Rarity." Twilight said.

Dash looked around and noticed a small pouch of gems just within reach. She quickly grabbed it.

"I have an idea. Rarity, since he's your opposite, you sneak around him and grab the necklace while I distract him." Dash said.

"Well, ok. But, I don't see why I have to be the one to do it." Rarity said.

"Because you have the softest hands and he'll most likely not feel you trying to remove it." Dash said.

Rarity thought for a minute before nodding and heading off in the opposite direction. After a few minutes, Rarity popped up from behind the mountain of gold and gave Dash a thumbs up. Dash stepped out into view.

"Hey buddy." Dash said.

The griffon jumped down and blocked the path between her and the gold.

"Who are you? What do you want? You want Bloodtalon's gold don't you?!" He shouted.

"No, I'm not here for your gold. In fact, I think you could use some fancy new gems to go with it." Dash said as she dangled the pouch in front of his face.

He looked at it with glazed eyes.

"Yes, gems are nice. Give the gems to us. Our collection needs gems." He said as if he were in a trance.

Dash looked over his shoulder and saw Rarity about to grasp the clasp on the necklace. He quickly turned around and jumped back.

"No! The necklace is ours! Leave us alone!" He screamed.

Dash grabbed a heavy gold orb that was laying on the floor and hit him with it. He crumpled to the floor and she grabbed the necklace off him.

"Ok, one down and five to go." Dash said as she threw the pouch of gems onto his chest and headed back over to Twilight.

"Where to now?" Twilight asked as she put the necklace into her bag and headed out of the castle.

"How about Cloudsdale?" Dash suggested.

"Why would we go to Cloudsdale?" Twilight asked.

"Well, most pegasi aren't trustworthy. So, maybe one of them has an element of disharmony?" Dash suggested.

Twilight looked around and everyone just shrugged.

"Well, it's better than nothing. Let's go." Twilight said as they left Griffonstone.