Operation: FLTTERDSH

“Okay girls, are we going to do this?” Twilight asked.

Surrounded by Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, the only light in the room was a small candle. It flickered with warm weak light, which shone on all those present.

Rarity nodded ever so slightly in the dark environment. “But of course, dear!” she whispered excitedly, “With Hearts and Hooves Day just around the corner, there’s no better time than now!”

“I agree,” Applejack piped up, “I might even be able to get the Crusaders in on our little notion here.”

“And I can throw a big party when they’re finally-!” Pinkie was silenced by Twilight’s magic, but she continued to speak through her muffled mouth. “Mmmhmm mmph!”

“Pinkie, not so loud!” Twilight hissed before sighing, “And I don’t know how effective adding the Crusaders into this mix will be. It’s already convoluted as it is, we don’t need anymore chaos.”

“Well, who knows?” Applejack whispered back, “They might be able to-”

“Did somepony say ‘chaos’?” Discord jibed, suddenly popping out of a bookshelf beside them.

“Gah!” Applejack jumped, reacting first. “Consarnit, Discord!”

“Hiya Discor-! Mmmmmph!” Pinkie nearly shouted but Twilight silenced her once again.

“Pinkie! Applejack!” Twilight’s voice rose, “We can’t risk either of them to hear any of this!” Turning to Discord, Twilight huffed. “And you, what do you want?”

“Is it bad that I wanted to check on how my other friends are doing?” Discord asked, “That and the fact that I’m being used as an involuntary plot device.”

“Involuntary what?” Twilight inquired before shaking her head. “Nevermind. Just go, we need to get this done before tomorrow and-”

“Wait a moment, Twilight,” Rarity paused, “ Maybe Discord can help!”

“I can?”

“He could very well distract Fluttershy long enough before leading her to the same place as Rainbow, while the Cutie Mark Crusaders could distract Rainbow and lead her to the same place as Fluttershy!”

“That… that could actually work…” Twilight uttered, thinking the process over.

“Thank you, Rarity,” Discord said while Twilight was mulling over, “I appreciate the fact that you think I’m useful!”

“Don’t push it, Discord,” Applejack grumbled, “Rarity’s only saying that so you can help.”

“Quite right,” Rarity agreed.

“Now I feel like a valued member of the team!” Discord cheered dramatically, contradicting their statements.

“Everypony, quiet!” Twilight gritted her teeth. “Shh!”

Immediately, there was a deafening silence. As everypony looked at each other uncertainly, they could hear hoofsteps echoing across the castle. Just outside the door to their secret meeting place, they could see the shadow of a pair of hooves pause for a moment.

“Pinkie? Twilight?” a scratchy voice called, echoing across the halls of the crystal castle. “Where the hay are they?” Rainbow could be heard muttering, before she finally left. Everypony stood stock still, until Pinkie wiped a hoof across her forehead.

“Phew!” Pinkie muttered happily, “That could’ve foiled our dastardly evil plan!”

“It’s not evil in the slightest, Pinkie,” Rarity chided as she glanced nervously at the door, “Though it most certainly could’ve hindered our progress.”

“I say we’re ready,” Applejack began once more, “Now that we’re all set, we can begin to set up, and by the time Discord’s got Fluttershy and the CMC’s got Rainbow, we’ll be all set.”

“Good work taking the lead, AJ,” Twilight smiled, “Okay girls, we’ve got this!”

“This isn’t exclusively females now, you know,” Discord reminded them and Twilight rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Alright!... girls and draconequus. Let’s go!”

“I’ll round up our sisters for their bit, Rares. Celestia knows how much they’d love to do something like this again,” Applejack told Rarity. Rarity nodded before shivering.

“I just hope they don’t resort to potions again.”