The Crass Menagerie

by Coyotek4

Rating: everyone
Tags: Starlight Glimmer, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Main 6, Young Six
Length: 14942

The 'School Six' become possessed by the spirits of Chrysalis's creations.

Chrysalis's 'Mean Six' creations were no match for the Tree of Harmony, which struck them down and rendered them as harmless inert logs … but their spirits had not been completely extinguished. When Gallus and the rest of the 'School Six' stumble upon the logs, they unwittingly release the spirits within. It's up to Twilight and her friends, and perhaps others, to purge the demons from the students.

Published 2018-11-16 03:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-12-09 15:04:10 UTC

Field Trip

“STAIRS!!! SO MANY STAIRS!”

Starlight glances back at her field-trip attendees, confused as to why everyone else is getting a chuckle over Silverstream’s observation. She shrugs and continues leading Sandbar and Yona down the long flight of stairs towards the valley below, with the rest of the party fluttering down at a similar pace.

“How come seapony not make big deal over stairs in Friendship School?”

“Oh I do, but there’s just so much other stuff to get excited about at the school, like walls and floors and ceilings, and everything just being all warm and dry!” Silverstream’s response elicits a satisfied ‘hm’ from Yona.

“I still can’t believe we missed these stairs the last time we were here,” Smolder admits. “The Castle of the Two Sisters is right there, for Torch’s sake.”

“It’s easy to miss this valley if you’re not looking for it,” Ocellus replies. “We were more focused on the castle, and didn’t even know about the importance of this place.” She smiles sheepishly before adding, “… also, I hadn’t read far enough ahead yet.”

“After what we just went through, I’m sold on the importance now,” Gallus wryly comments. “I still find it hard to believe that a tree could do all that.”

“It’s not just any tree,” Starlight points out as she and the flightless students reach ground level. “It’s the Tree of Harmony. The very tree sowed by the Pillars themselves.”

“And it contains the Elements of Harmony, right?” Sandbar asks.

“Indeed … the very elements that your professors wielded to defeat both Nightmare Moon and Discord.”

“And counselor pony, right?” Yona’s quip causes Starlight to frown briefly, but she quickly brushes off the comment as a smile returns.

“Actually, the Elements had nothing to do with my, *ahem*, reclamation. But either way, I do have your headmare to thank for helping me become the pony I am today.”

Smolder adds to the conversation: “Is it ponykind’s goal to make friends out of every enemy to Equestria?”

Starlight chuckles. “It would be nice if that were true. I did make a pitch to Chrysalis not too long ago, but to no avail. And we still have a number of powerful foes now locked away in Tartarus … including your former classmate.” Her comment causes the others to pause in reflection over what they knew of Cozy Glow.

“To think, someone that young and innocent could become allied with someone as evil as Tirek,” Sandbar muses. “If she could end up in Tartarus, anyone could.”

“Even Yona?” the yak innocently asks.

“If Chancellor Neighsay had his way,” Gallus plainly responds. “Or at least, before we ended up saving Equestria.”

“Funny how saving the world gets everyone to think differently of you,” Smolder replies, causing the others to laugh.

“We won’t be long,” Starlight states as the laughter dies down, “but I want you all to enter the cave and take in the sight of the Tree of Harmony. Let it inspire you to push beyond your perceived limits. Let it remind you of what we are all capable of, regardless of preconceived notions.”

Halfway across the field, the students soon make out a cave in the distance. Silverstream’s wings flutter in anticipation; she turns to Starlight, who closes her eyes and nods. The hippogriff turns back and takes off towards the cave entrance, the others instinctively giving chase.

“Enjoy!” Starlight calls out.

The lush green of the grassy field abruptly gives way to the cold, grey cavern floor. “There it is!” Silverstream exclaims upon entering.

Moments later, the six stand in awe of the well-regarded Tree of Harmony. Each stares up in stunned silence at the majesty of the tree, eyeing each of the Elements embedded within its branches.

“We have to be the first non-ponies to ever get this close,” Ocellus remarks, her focus on the tree as unwavering as that of her friends.

“It’s remarkable,” Smolder adds simply.

“Yona awed.”

“You and me both,” Sandbar replies.

“I’m …” Silverstream’s voice trails off.

“… speechless?” Gallus asks. Silverstream utters a brief ‘uh-huh’ in response.

…

After sufficient time for quiet reflection, the six begin to shift their focus from the tree to each other.

“Anyone ever told me a year ago that I’d wake up early one morning just to stare in amazement at a tree, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Gallus admits.

“I’m still having a hard time believing it,” Smolder adds. “I mean, I could have seen staring at a large hoard of gemstones as something important, but not a tree.”

“Just part of the wonder of the world we live in, I guess,” Sandbar states. “We should probably head back soon.”

The others nod and turn toward the cave’s entrance. As they turn, something catches Gallus’s eye. “Waitaminute … what’s that?”

“What’s what?” Ocellus asks as she follows the griffin’s gaze toward something lying on the ground. “What is that?”

The students all close in on what appear to them to be brightly-colored miniature logs. As they get closer, they discern six pieces of wood, each bearing a color identical to that of their headmare or one of their professors.

Smolder turns to Ocellus. “Do our textbooks mention anything about the Tree of Harmony shedding wood?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” the changeling replies. “And even so, the bark isn’t colored like that. I don’t think these logs came from the Tree.”

“Well there aren’t any other trees in here,” Gallus points out as he reaches down and picks up the purple-colored piece to inspect it. “Anyone else starting to think Counselor Starlight brought us here to discover these? You think this belongs to Headmare Twilight?”

Ocellus follows suit, grabbing the white piece. “If it does, then this piece must belong to Rarity.”

“Ooh, I want Pinkie Pie’s log!” Silverstream eagerly asserts as she grabs the pink piece.

“Yona want log related to Rockhoof.” The yak ponders for a moment. “That mean Yona want log related to Applejack,” she concludes as she picks up the orange piece.

Sandbar turns to Smolder. “Dragon’s choice.” Smolder shrugs and opts for the blue piece, leaving the yellow piece for the lone pony among them.

Each student peruses the minilog taken from the pile, their minds searching for a rational explanation. An instant later, each student freezes in place, their eyes wide open and vacant. A dim glow begins to emanate from each piece as the colors quickly fade to a dull grey. Moments later, the logs wither within the hooves and claws of the six, each quickly crumbling apart and turning to dust. As the last shard disappears to nothingness, the six come out of their induced trance.

“What just happened?” Ocellus asks the group.

The students turn to one another, each seeking answers from another only to be met with shared looks of confusion. “We’re wasting time just standing around,” Gallus finally declares as he turns towards the cave’s entrance and trudges out, the rest of the party in tow.

Regression to the Mean

Starlight observes the valley, taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding area in the mid-morning as her thoughts return to her camping trip with Twilight and the others not too long ago. The sound of rustling grass causes her to turn around, where she eyes the six students exiting the cave. A broad smiles comes over her face as she addresses the group. “So, how was it.”

“It was incredible,” Ocellus states to break the ice. “I don’t think any of us have experienced anything like it before.”

“Yona not impressed.”

The yak’s stark response causes the others to turn to her in curiosity. “How can you say that,” Gallus asks.

Yona looks around the area, as if searching for an answer in the valley. “I … Yona not know. Yona very impressed.” The young yak quickly regains her composure. “Yona take back previous comment.”

“Probably still caught up in the moment,” Sandbar reasons. “I know I’ve never experienced anything like it before.”

“Well that’s wonderful to hear,” Starlight concludes as she turns towards the staircase and begins leading the group out of the valley. “We can discuss your experience on the way back, but I have a special surprise for you once we return.”

“Please don’t be an essay on the Tree of Harmony,” Gallus pleads, causing Starlight to laugh.

“No, no, nothing like that … in fact, you won’t have any more classes today; instead, there’ll be a special presentation just for the six of you.” The counselor’s comments elicit murmurs of excitement as to what awaits them upon return.

As the group reaches the stairs leading out from the valley, Smolder spreads her wings and quickly soars upward, leaving the rest of the group behind. “What’s the hurry?” Starlight calls out, causing the dragon to halt and hover in place for a moment before returning.

“Sorry, just had the urge to get away for some reason,” she halfheartedly explains, holding a claw to the back of her neck.

“Looks like someone really wants to get back to the classroom,” Ocellus points out, “and for a change, it isn’t me.” Her comment draws laughter from Starlight, Gallus, Yona, and Sandbar … but not Silverstream. Ocellus turns to the hippogriff. “Well I thought that was humorous.”

“Ehh, Silverstream’s probably just caught up admiring the stairs again,” Gallus states.

“Why should I care about those?” the hippogriff asks, causing everyone to turn and face her. “Wait … I do care about those. Don’t I? I think I do. They are cool … right?”

“Is seapony finally over stairs?” Yona asks.

“Maybe,” she replies. “I mean, we have been attending the school for a while now. That’s probably it. ‘Yeay’ things besides stairs,” she concludes with modest enthusiasm.

Accepting her explanation, the others refocus on exiting the valley. Starlight and the flightless creatures begin their ascent as the rest gently fly upwards at a slow, steady speed. Several steps up, Yona stumbles, loses her balance, and tumbles back down to the valley floor. As Starlight and Silverstream quickly tend to the young yak to check for injuries, a persistent chuckle causes everyone to turn to Sandbar. The young pony suddenly realizes he’s being glared at by the others.

“Why Sandbar laugh at Yona?” she asks pointedly.

Sandbar blushes. “I, I don’t know. I just suddenly had the urge to … Yona, I am so sorry for that. Totally inexcusable behavior on my part.”

“Are you hurt?” Starlight asks, refocusing everyone’s attention to the yak.

“Yona okay, but maybe Yona not take big staircase back up.”

“We can get you out of here,” Ocellus points out … as she watches Smolder fly up on her own to the plateau above. “That is, Gallus and I can get you out of here.” She turns to see Gallus standing alone, silently looking out over the valley. “Gallus?”

“I’ll help you help Yona,” Silverstream responds coolly. Ocellus nods, and the twosome grab Yona and fly her upwards.

Starlight turns to Gallus, who sighs and flies upwards on his own. She then turns to Sandbar. “What happened back there?”

“It was weird, Counselor … I saw Yona trip and fall, and I just had a sudden urge to laugh. That’s wrong, and I know it.”

“Well, you did apologize. And, you recognize that what you did was wrong.” Starlight smiles at Sandbar, who responds in kind. “Now let’s get out of here and head back to …”

Starlight pauses her thought as the sound of arguing catches her ears. What now, she thinks to herself as she instructs Sandbar to close his eyes. One *flash* later, and the two of them suddenly stand at the top of the staircase. She looks around and sees Yona staring daggers at Ocellus, who is now wearing Yona’s pink bows.

“Give bows back to Yona!”

“They’re mine now!”

Starlight quickly rushes between the two and faces Ocellus. “Ocellus, what are you doing with Yona’s bows?”

“I’m …” Ocellus shakes her head. “Wait, why am I wearing these?” she asks.

“That what Yona ask!” the yak responds angrily.

Hurriedly, Ocellus removes the bows from her head; Starlight’s horn lights up as they reaffix themselves to Yona’s braids.

Starlight’s focus returns to the changeling. “Okay, I want to hear what happened … from you first.”

“I don’t know what happened,” Ocellus states in earnest. “Silverstream and I were flying Yona up here, we set her down, and … I guess the bows came off in my hooves along the way.”

“Fair enough,” Starlight replies, “but then how did they end up on your head.”

“I put them there,” she snidely responds, before catching herself. “Whoa! Sorry, I mean I’m really sorry, that is not who I am!” Ocellus then walks over to Yona. “Yona, you know I’m not like that. Please forgive me. I know those bows are yours.”

“Of course bows are mine! Bows are family heirloom! Been in yak possession for many moons!”

“You didn’t have those until after we met,” Silverstream points out. Starlight’s focus turns to the yak.

“Yona, why would you say that?” Starlight asks.

“She’s just scatterbrained, like all yaks.” Sandbar callously replies.

“Sandbar!” Starlight shouts. She then turns to Smolder. “And why didn’t you try to break up the fight?”

“Why should I care?” the dragon responds. “Their fight didn’t have anything to do with me.”

“Okay, that’s it: EVERYONE TURN AND FACE ME RIGHT NOW!!!” Yona, Ocellus, Sandbar, Smolder, and Silverstream quickly turn to face Starlight. “YOU TOO, GALLUS!” she demands, causing the griffin to roll his eyes and do as instructed.

“NOW, EVERYONE CLOSE THEIR EYES!” The six do as instructed, Starlight focuses intently as her horn illuminates, and the group disappears with a loud *POP*, reappearing at the entrance to the students’ quarters.

Starlight takes a deep breath before addressing the group. “In case you’ve all forgotten, you’re all friends now! You’ve all been through so much together, and you’ve come out of it all as close as any group I’ve ever experienced.” Her tone softens as she continues. “Now I speak from personal experience when I say that friends know better than anyone how to get on the nerves of other friends, so I’m not angry with any of you. But perhaps a break is what you all need … take the rest of today off, give yourself time to unwind. It’s been a long day for all of us.”

“STARLIGHT!” The counselor catches Trixie’s voice and turns to face her fellow unicorn. “You’re back early, but The Great and Powerful Trrrixie is always ready to put on a show! … Uhh, I just need about fifteen minutes to prepare.”

“Actually, Trixie, we should probably postpone your special presentation today.”

“Oh, no-no-no-no-no, Trixie will have none of that defeatist attitude. Trixie felt powerless without her innate magical talents, and Trixie has your students to thank for this … and not Twilight, for a change. Besides, Trixie remembers the last presentation given at this school and would greatly prefer a different memory to take with her for her next tour.”

“But Trixie—”

“I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes; see you soon!” Trixie turns and trots back to the main entrance as Starlight turns to re-address the group.

“All right then … head inside, take a few minutes to reflect on that past half-hour, and meet me in the auditorium.” Starlight turns and follows Trixie’s path towards the school proper.

“You guys better not get me in trouble again,” Smolder warns as she enters the community room. “I’m not getting detention because of you five.”

“Wait up,” Ocellus calls after her as she follows, “I’d like to take a look at your gem collection.”

“You’re all just crazy nutcases,” Sandbar asserts as he follows the others.

“And you’re just a bore,” Silverstream counters.

“Yep … nothing wrong with our friendship,” Yona says.

Gallus observes the others filing in to their quarters, lets out another sigh, and trudges in after them.

What the Heck(le)?

For a few moments, it was a brief respite from the disconcerting, abbreviated field trip for the school’s counselor.

Alone in the auditorium, the stage empty save for a tray and an inconspicuous top hat, Starlight processes the behavior of the ‘School Six’ after their visit to the Tree of Harmony. Was it too much to take in? Did the experience literally blow their collective minds? Maybe all they need is a few minutes to regroup, and they’ll be perfectly fine for Trixie’s performance.

Her last thought is quickly discarded upon Smolder’s entrance … alone.

“Smolder, where’re the others?”

“Meh,” the dragon dismissively responds. “Not my problem.”

Seconds later, the others silently enter the room ... save one.

“Where’s Gallus,” Starlight asks.

“Griffin has rare griffin disease,” Yona says. “Covered in orange dots and green stripes. Say he’ll be better later.”

“I … see …” Starlight turns to Smolder, noticing the she was seated further away from the others. “Can you confirm Yona’s story?”

“What am I, my griffin’s keeper?” was all the counselor could get from the young dragon.

“I could tell you,” Sandbar offers, “… but I won’t.”

“ ‘Ha-ha’. See that? That’s me pretending to think you’re funny, which you’re not,” Silverstream retorts.

Starlight puts a hoof to her face. Maybe I can still convince Trixie to put this off for a bit. If only I knew where she—”

*POOF*

A puff of smoke fills the front of the stage, its dissipation revealing Trixie to the audience. “BEHOLD! THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRIXIE ARRIVES TO AMAZE AND ASTOUND YOU!!!”

“Boo!”

…

So soon? Trixie thinks to herself as her eyes focus on Sandbar. Undaunted, Trixie’s horn glows as the top hat levitates towards the students. “Observe, an ordinary hat, with nothing insi—HEY!”

As the hat floats in front of Ocellus, she grabs at it and tightly clutches it. “My hat now!”

“Showpony did offer hat to changeling,” Yona remarks.

“I most certainly did not,” Trixie snaps back as she refocuses her energy. The hat slowly floats back towards her, with Ocellus in tow. The hat shakes violently, causing the changeling to lose her grip just as she feels the aura of Starlight’s holding spell surround her; the counselor proceeds to place her back in her spot on the benches.

The hat comes back to rest on the tray and Trixie continues. “Yes, well … as you have now clearly seen, the hat is completely empty … or is it …” Trixie closes her eyes and taps the hat with her horn; seconds later, a visibly dizzy bunny crawls out from inside the hat and falls from the rim down onto the tray, his eyes still spiraling.

“Yona seen this before. In Yakyakistan, trick done with child goats instead.”

“Yeah, next time use those,” Sandbar calls out to Trixie. He then stares at Angel. “Silly rabbit: tricks are for kids!”

Silverstream groans. “NO ONE thinks that’s funny! That’s not funny! That’s lame! You’re lame!”

“And you’re boring!”

“And you already called me that! You’re not even original!”

“Sandbar and seapony both make valid points,” Yona states as the two stare each other down with daggers.

Trixie cautiously walks over to Starlight. “Your students don’t seem themselves today. Something you’d like to tell me?”

“I tried to warn you, but … oh, Sweet Celestia!” Starlight’s exclamation causes Trixie to turn around and gasp as Ocellus pulls various items from the top hat.

“This is mine, and this is mine, and this, and this …” the changeling says as she pulls playing cards, flowers, handkerchiefs, and smoke bombs from the hat and tosses them to the ground. As the smoke bombs strike the floor, they go off in large puffs, enveloping the stage in a smoky haze.

“YOU STINK!” Sandbar calls out, causing Silverstream to groan yet again.

“Sandbar one who stink; yaks always smell like wildflowers.”

Smolder turns briefly towards her fellow students, then turns back and closes her eyes. “Just wake me after you all get in trouble.”

“That. Is. IT!!!”

Fuming, Starlight addresses all the students. “All of you, Twilight’s office, NOW!”

“Hey, don’t lump me in with these losers,” Smolder states. “I don’t even know them.”

“ALL of you!!!”

“ ‘All of you!’ ” Sandbar mimics before laughing to himself.

“You think you’re so special, but you’re not,” Silverstream says.

“Are we being rewarded for our behavior?” Yona asks as she passes Starlight.

“You’re not funny either,” Silverstream adds as she follows Yona.

Starlight turns to the stage, where she sees Ocellus again clutching the top hat as Trixie’s magic attempts to pull it back. “The hat’s MINE!” she asserts before Starlight again pulls Ocellus away.

“Go to Twilight’s office right now.”

“But that hat’s mine!” the changeling responds, causing Starlight to roll her eyes.

“Twilight’s office has stuff, too,” she drolly replies. Hearing those words causes Ocellus to elicit an ‘Oh!’ and fly out of the auditorium. Starlight inspects the mess left on the stage floor as she addresses Trixie. “I am so sorry for that!”

“Not the worst performance I’ve ever given,” the stage magician replies as she forces a smile. “You probably want to follow them before they cause any more damage.”

Starlight nods and runs out of the auditorium, leaving Trixie to clean up her props. As she begins, a ringing sound catches her attention. Her horn lights up as a banana levitates out of the top hat; she holds it against her ear and mouth as she speaks.

“Hello? … For the last time, I’m not interested in taking your stupid survey!”

Trixie hurls the banana to the ground and stomps on it … and promptly slips and falls onto her flank. She groans as she muses to the bunny: “I’ve had better days.”

Twilight sits at her desk reviewing her plans for the upcoming semester. The door to her office bursts open, surprising her as Smolder flies in. “Well hello there, Smolder,” she cheerfully greets. “What brings you here?”

“Got in trouble thanks to those idiots,” the dragon replies as she flutters to a far corner and sits on the ground. Before Twilight can follow up with another question, Sandbar and Silverstream barge into the office, still sniping at each other.

“Get a sense of humor, you starched shirt.”

“No one even wears shirts, your comment is just stupid, you’re stupid.”

Twilight quickly rises from her desk. “Whoa-whoa-whoa, that is not appropriate friendship behavior! What is going on with you two?”

“Seapony and nonseapony having rational argument,” Yona explains as she follows the others in. “All perfectly normal behavior, just like last several months.”

Twilight turns to Yona. “Wait, what?”

“Creatures secretly hating each other ever since coming to school. Friendship overrated anyhow,” Yona declares with a smile as she trots over to the back wall and plops down on the floor, taking in the scene.

Crestfallen, Twilight turns from the lone dragon to the bickering pair to the stoic yak. “You’re joking, right?” she asks with great sincerity. “You can’t truly believe—”

Before completing her thought, Twilight notices Ocellus fly into the room. She watches as the changeling peruses the numerous tomes before grabbing one and declaring ‘mine’ while clutching it tightly. Twilight again looks from one student to the next, unsure what to make of anyone, as Starlight rushes in.

“Starlight, please tell me what’s going on with these guys.”

“I wish I knew,” Starlight begins as the other professors enter the office to observe the spectacle.

“What’s with all the commotion,” Applejack asks. “Why’re these fellas tearin’ through the hallways like a bat outta Tartarus?”

Starlight turns to the professors. “Believe me, Applejack … everypony … I wish I had an explanation.”

“Maybe professors just bad at teaching,” Yona states, causing the professors to turn to her.

“Maybe you’re just a jerk,” Sandbar retorts, drawing attention away from the yak.

Yona shrugs. “All yaks are jerks.”

Silverstream utters a ‘bleh’ to the group while maintaining a steady frown.

By this point, all the teachers eye each student over, searching for explanations. “We can rule out ‘typical behavior’ for this, right?” Rainbow Dash asks the group.

Twilight turns to her counselor. “Starlight, you were taking them on a trip to see the Tree of Harmony. Can you describe how that went?”

“Everything was going fine. The students were upbeat about seeing the Tree of Harmony the whole trip there. We got there, they went in … and when they came back, they started acting funny.”

Pinkie quickly interrupts: “Believe me, this isn’t funny behavior.” Reaching into her mane, she pulls out a cream pie and smashes it into her face. “Now this is funny behavior,” she cheerfully declares. A forced yawn causes her to turn to Silverstream. “What?”

“Seriously? Pies in the face? Like, there is nothing entertaining about that.”

Silverstream’s acerbic comment causes Pinkie’s mane and tail to unpoof for a moment, as she reaches into her mane a second time to pull out a towel and wipe her face. “Okay, now I’m concerned.”

As Twilight and the others ponder a possible explanation, Spike enter the office, his head buried in a comic. “OK, I ordered a fresh palette of scrolls for the upcoming semester and … oh, didn’t know you had a conference scheduled,” he says as he looks up from the comic and takes in the scene. “So how’d the magic act go over?”

Ocellus turns from the bookshelves towards Spike, spots the comic, and quickly swoops in to grab it from his claws. “Mine!”

“Hey, I just bought that!” he shouts as he makes a grab for the comic, quickly engaging in a tug-of-war. “C’mon, you’re gonna rip it!” he pleads.

Ocellus grunts and strains as she refuses to back off. Spike bears down in kind.

A flash of light causes Spike to let go and fall backwards, as Ocellus changes form. “It’s mine!” she states as everyone gazes at her new appearance. “Everything in here is MINE!”

Spike turns to Rarity, then turns back to … the other Rarity, now laughing maniacally as she triumphantly holds his comic up for all to see.

You Can Have It All!

Spike rubs his eyes as his focus shifts from one Rarity to the other. “Tell me I’m not seeing things.”

“Okay, ‘you’re not seeing things’,” Pinkie cheerfully states, before adding “but seriously, you’re not seeing things.”

“What are we seeing?” Fluttershy asks the others.

Twilight responds: “I don’t know … I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“Yeah, well Ah’ve seen this version of Rarity before. Back when we all went campin’ ‘n Rarity took all mah gear.” Applejack turns to the true Rarity. “Huh … guess we were both right about what we saw.”

“Then this could be related to Starlight’s field trip to the Tree of Harmony,” Twilight reasons, “but we still need more details, preferably from the students themselves.”

“I don’t think we’re gonna get a straight answer from any of them right now,” Rainbow comments, turning from one student to the next.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t try,” Starlight points out as she trots over to the changeling-turned-pony. “Ocellus, what happened when you and the others went in the cave?”

“That cave is mine! I claimed it! No one else can go in there now!” the false Rarity defiantly states.

“Ocellus, please, this isn’t you,” Starlight pleads. The changeling ignores her and turns back to the bookshelf, eyeing the various tomes upon the shelves.

“Nice effort, counselor!” Sandbar calls out … “NOT!” Silverstream lets out another groan as she shakes her head, causing him to glare back at her.

“Starlight, allow me a turn,” Rarity requests as she steps to the forefront. “So … you want it all, do you not?”

The doppleganger turns back around to face the unicorn. “It’s all mine!”

“Oh, it’s not all yours,” she replies with a sly grin, “but it can be.” Rarity’s comment draws the attention of the changeling. “You see, I have that which you desire: I do have ‘everything’. I have a thriving business, numerous possessions, power, prestige … I have what you want.”

“I WANT!” the false Rarity gleefully shouts out.

“Ah, but do you really have that desire? Many before you have wanted it all as well, but they were unwilling to do what it took to achieve that goal. Are you willing to do anything to have it all?”

“IT’S ALL MINE! I’LL DO ANYTHING!!!”

“You really want the secret to having it all?”

“TELL ME!!!”

“Very well. I have it all, because I give it all away.”

…

The false Rarity blinks. A slight twitch forms in her eye.

“Way back before Twilight became the Princess of Friendship, she came to me as a humble newcomer to Ponyville, asking me to mend a simple dress. I decided then and there to create brand new gala dresses, for her and all my friends. Not because I had loftier goals. Not because I had ulterior motives. No, I did so because I wanted to. Because my friends mean that much to me. Because giving of my time and effort gave me a joy far beyond what you feel by clutching a simple rag.”

The false Rarity looks down at Spike’s comic, which falls from her clutches and drops to the floor.

“Now did I know I would catch the attention of a renowned fashion designer? Did I know that gesture would buckstart my pathway towards success? Did I know I would now have locations in Canterlot and Manehattan? NO. But that’s the thing about generosity; it pays back in ways you cannot possibly comprehend.”

The false Rarity squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head in an effort to disbelieve, as the true Rarity continues to bear down upon her copycat wannabe.

“And you know someone quite well who failed to heed this lesson … your former changeling queen, Chrysalis. All she wanted was to want, to have, to take. Forcing all your kind to scavenge the world for her own gain. And how was she defeated? By another, willing to give her exactly what she wanted, until it utterly broke her. And that’s the cloth you’re cut from, Ocellus. That’s who you are now. You’ve demonstrated time and again while at this school what you and all changelings are now capable of. So fight this pettiness and greed within you … come back to us …”

The false Rarity strains and groans against her own body. In a flash, Ocellus reverts to her usual self, her eyelids squeezed tight as she struggles with the unseen force. Another flash, and the false Rarity reappears. More flashes occur as she reverts from one form to the other and back. She cries out in anguish as one final flash reverts her back to her old self, collapsing to the floor as a misty image floats above the changeling’s body … an image of the false Rarity, staring daggers at the true Rarity and her friends.

“Curse You! Curse you all! It could have all been mine … everything could have been mine …”

Her voice dissipates as the image breaks up into cloudy fragments before disappearing into nothingness.

The professors all crowd around Ocellus. Moments later, the changeling opens her eyes, lifts her head, and looks around the room, still in a daze. “How did I get here?” she sheepishly asks.

“It’s a long story, dearie,” Rarity comments.

“And you tell it brilliantly,” Twilight adds as she embraces Rarity in thanks, before turning back to the changeling. “Ocellus, can you remember anything?”

Ocellus nods. “I was on a field trip … all of us … we saw the Tree of Harmony. It was incredible,” she continues dreamily.

“Yona still not impressed.” The yak’s comment causes Ocellus to look quizzically at her friend.

“Something’s happened to your friends,” Twilight explains. “The same thing that happened to you. Now, can you recall any other details about your trip.”

“We … we were all about to leave the cave, when Gallus spotted some colorful logs not far from the tree.”

Applejack cocks her head. “Did you say ‘colorful logs’?”

“Yeah, they were all sorts of bright colors … actually, they matched all your colors,” Ocellus says. “One was bright purple, just like headmare Twilight. And one was sky blue. And one was—”

“If I may hazard a guess,” Rarity interrupts, “did you happen to pick up a white log?”

“… I did. We all picked up a different log, and mine was white.”

“What happened next?” Twilight asks.

“I remember leaving the cave with the others. We started heading back to the stairs leading out of the valley … and then …” Ocellus looks up at the ceiling and back down to the floor. “And after that, I started to feel like I was in a dream. Like, I started losing control over my actions; I was like a doll with strings attached.”

“A mareionette,” Rarity suggests.

“I tried fighting back, but I just kept getting pushed further and further away, until all I could do was go along for the ride. But then I … we heard your story, and it seemed to break her. It gave me a chance to fight back, and then … then I woke up, and …” She again looks around the room. “And … here I am.”

Refocused and resolute, Twilight turns to face her friends. “Spike, go down to the student quarters and bring Gallus back. The rest of you … we have some demons to purge.”

Exorcise Session

Twilight surveys the room … Smolder continuing to hover alone in a corner, Sandbar and Silverstream exchanging angry looks, and Yona observing everyone around her, muttering inconsequentially to herself. “Anypony want to go next?”

“Allow me,” Rainbow Dash states as she floats over towards the lone dragon.

“What do you want?” Smolder asks.

“Nothin’. Just want to hear what you have to say.”

Smolder snorts. “I shouldn’t even be here. Only forced to come because they carried on like idiots,” she says as she waves a claw towards her fellow students.

Ocellus flies over in response. “I only have vague recollections about the past hour, but I’m sorry if any actions I took caused you distress.”

“Fat lot of good that does me,” the dragon replies with a huff. “Still stuck here anyway. This is why I’d be better off without any of you.”

The changeling’s eyes begin to well, before a magical aura gently pulls her back towards Starlight.

“I get it,” Rainbow states. “ ‘It’s hard to soar when you’re tied down’; that’s what you’re thinking right now, isn’t it.” Her comment elicits a nod from the dragon. “Would it surprise you to know that I was once that way?”

“That’s great, MORE saccharine!”

Silverstream smacks Sandbar in the back of his head for the latter’s remark, causing the pony to glare back at the hippogriff as Rainbow continues.

“Back when I was a filly just staring flying school, I had one goal: to be the fastest pegasus of all time. I put in a lot of effort in those days, honing my skills, increasing my stamina … doing it all on my own, because I felt like anyone else would be in my way. That sound natural to you?”

“Yeah.”

“NO!”

Rainbow’s blunt rejection causes Smolder to hesitate as she falls to the ground, the pegasus floating down to join her and continue.

“You know what really propelled me to new heights? A challenge, brought upon me for honoring a fellow classmate,” she says as she turns to Fluttershy. “Racing for myself did little, but racing with a purpose, standing up for someone else … THAT’S what leads to total success. I’ve never forgotten that lesson, just like I know you haven’t forgotten our lessons over the past several months.”

Smolder begins to seize up.

“Smolder, we’re all here for you … your professors and your classmates. And we’ll be here for you no matter what; you can be certain of that. Fight back against whatever’s got you, and I know you’ll win …” Rainbow’s eyes glare into Smolder’s. “… because whoever else is in there, NOBODY is there for you! So GET OUT!!!”

Smolder grabs her head and cries out in anguish, trembling considerably as she falls to all fours. Mist rises from her back and begins to form an ethereal image of a scowling blue pegasus.

“WHATEVER! I don’t need you … I don’t need anyone but myself … I’m …”

The mist dissipates to nothingness and all goes quiet for a moment. Soon, Smolder begins to stir; she lifts herself up and rubs the back of her neck.

“You’re back!” Ocellus squeals as she rushes over to embrace her friend.

“Heh-hey, yeah, that’s great, with all the touchy-feely and all.” Smolder raises her claws temporarily, but soon reciprocates the gesture with an embrace of her own. “I guess hugging can be OK, in small doses anyway.”

Silverstream gags. “Just get to me last, whatever you saps want to do.” She walks over to another corner of the room and lies down.

“Okie-dokey!” Pinkie Pie answers the gruff hippogriff, as the remaining professors turn to each other and shrug.

“Ah guess Ah can go next, then,” Applejack states. “And Ah think Ah know who grabbed the orange log.”

“Yona not take orange log. Yona’s log green, with red stripes and zigzagging lightning bolts.”

Applejack trots over towards Yona. “Ah’m sure it was. So, what can you tell me ‘bout this mornin’?”

“Yona see pile of logs. Yona spring into action. Take most dangerous log so others safe to grab lesser threats. That what make Yona special,” she concludes with an air of superiority.

Applejack nods. “Ah understand completely, Yona. So, Ah reckon that makes you the most special.”

“Yona greatest pony!”

“Ah see. And how strong do you believe yerself to be?”

“Yona strongest pony too!”

“Uh huh. And Ah also suppose you’re the most trustworthy of everyone here.”

Yona nods, maintaining a look bordering confidence and confusion.

“Fine … then let’s just all put that to the test, then.” Applejack pulls out a length of rope and begins tying one end to herself.

The other ponies turn to each other with strange looks. “Uh, Applejack,” Rainbow starts, “what are you doing? Shouldn’t you be giving some speech about how honesty made you the pony you are today, or something like that?”

“You do things your way,” Applejack replies as she ties the other end of the rope to Yona’s foreleg, “and Ah do things mah way.” Having secured both ends of the rope, she turns back to Yona. “Just so Ah got everything in order: you are both the strongest and most trustworthy creature in this room, correct?”

“Yona everything,” the yak replies.

“Okay, then, here’s what’s gonna happen: Ah’m gonna jump out that window, and you’re gonna pull me back in b’fore Ah hit the ground. Ah can trust you to not let anything happen to me, right?”

The other ponies look at each other in confusion. “Applejack, you can’t be serious!” Twilight remarks.

“Ah got nothin’ to worry ‘bout; Ah got Yona here to make sure Ah’m A-OK … ain’t that right?”

A shiver runs along Yona’s back. “Uh, Professor Applejack?”

“Yer not lyin’ to me when you say you can handle this, are yeh?”

Yona’s eyes dart from left to right. A moment later, she regains her self-confidence. “Absolutely … Yona totally strong and trustworthy; professor farmer pony have nothing to worry about.” A bead of sweat forms above her eye as she strains to maintain her composure.

“Well alright then. Now no one here help her, unless she asks …”

Applejack turns to the window, opens the panes, and leaps out. The rope quickly tightens, tugging hard at Yona. The yak grunts and strains to keep from edging towards the window, but the exertion proves difficult. Seconds pass as she desperately tries to pull Applejack back up, to no avail. Sweat pours down from her forehead.

Seconds later …

“AAAGH!!! YONA NOT STRONG ENOUGH! YONA NEED HELP!”

As Yona screams for assistance, a fog begins to envelop her body. Ocellus and Smolder quickly swoop in and grab at the rope; with their combined strength, the three students successfully pull Applejack back into the room. Yona falls to the ground exhausted, as the fog separates from her body and forms an image hovering over the yak … that of a confused orange pony, who looks down to see her legs already dissipating into nothingness.

“Nope … this don’t scare me in the slightest … not at all … Ah don’t think, anyway …”

Satisfied that her plan worked, Applejack trots over to Yona. “How ya feelin’, sugarcube?”

“Yona so sorry! Yona know Yona not that strong! Yona not special!”

“Calm down, now,” Applejack reassures. “First off, you are special. Everything you’ve accomplished since we all met you, that’s a whole lot of special there. And second …”

“Uh, professor?” Ocellus timidly interrupts, causing the earth pony to turn to her. “Aren’t we at ground level?”

Applejack breaks out a small grin. “Well, Ah’ve learned over the years that one don’t always think straight when under some duress. Sometimes it just takes a quick lapse of reason.”

The others process Applejack’s comment, before giggling at the absurdity of the situation. The room quickly becomes a place of great mirth, causing Silverstream to groan again.

“What is with you crazy ponies?” she calls out, getting Pinkie Pie’s attention.

The energetic pony pronks over to Silverstream and gives her a knowing look and sly grin. “Remember how I said we’d get to you last?” she asks, before reaching into her mane. “I lied.”

“Enough with the forced references, already!”

“Oh, enough is enough.” Pinkie states as she pulls from her mane two solitary feathers.

“What are you—” *OOF*

Pinkie lunges at Silverstream, pinning her to the ground as she mercilessly unleashes the power of twin-feathers, tickling the hippogriff beyond reason.

“HEY, STOP THAT ‘tee-hee’ WHAT’S WRONG WITH ‘ha-ha-ha’ WRONG WITH YOU, YOU CRAZY NAG ‘hee-hee-hee … CUT IT OUT ‘pfff … ah … aaah … bwah-hah-hah-hah”

Flipping over, Silverstream seizes control of the battle, pinning Pinkie Pie to the ground and proceeding to tickle Pinkie Pie back. The two go after each other relentlessly, tears forming in each one’s eyes from all the laughter. In the midst of the chaos, smoke rises from Silverstream’s body; it soon forms into an angry, bitter image.

*AAAUGH!!!* “YOU ARE SO ANNOYING! FINE, Have it your way! BE some stupid, crazy creature. See if I care …”

Another pony cloud dissipates to nothingness as both Pinkie Pie and Silverstream sprawl themselves onto the ground, each one catching her breath.

“Professor … Professor Pinkie Pie,” Silverstream asks between breaths. “Is that … going to be … part of … an upcoming quiz?”

“Maybe … it’ll just be … an independent study …” Pinkie replies in kind.

“Seapony back!” Yona announces as she rushes to Silverstream and embraces her. Ocellus joins the group, while Smolder simply smiles at the spectacle.

“Wow, am I the only one here who can taste the bile?”

The group collectively turn to the sour Sandbar, who rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Bunch of weak-willed nobodies!”

“Oh, dear.” Fluttershy trots over to Sandbar, looking the young pony right in the eyes. “Sandbar, I know you’re still in there … the first pony at this school to fully embrace the meaning of kindness towards all others. All your friends are back now, and they want you back too. You just have to fight this evil, and I know you can do it.”

Yona and Ocellus come over and stand at Fluttershy’s left, as Silverstream and Smolder take a spot to her right. All four smile broadly at their friend, who turns from one to the other.

He then razzes Fluttershy, who shuts her eyes to avoid the spittle.

Smiles fade as the students shake their heads. Fluttershy urges them to be resolute: “You’ve all been through a lot now, and we know this won’t be easy.” She turns back towards the pony. “Sandbar, we all know this isn’t the real you. We all act out of frustration at times, but the love and compassion for our friends is always within us, just like it’s still within you, waiting to return to the surface.”

Sandbar yawns. “You’re really terrible at giving speeches.”

Fluttershy’s ears droop.

“Now why don’t you just go back to your mindless, stupid animal friends. And get a manecut.”

Sandbar sniggers to himself as Fluttershy blinks once, void of all expression.

“Sandbar,” she says in a low voice, “I know you can hear me. Just be ready to push back.”

Sandbar snorts. “What’s that supposed to—”

“NOW LOOK HERE YOU BIG MEANIE …”

Sandbar recoils in fear, his eyes fixated by the pegasus’s gaze.

“I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOUR INSULTS, AND I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOUR CONDESCENSION! ALL YOU ARE IS A SICK, TWISTED, HORRIBLE EXCUSE FOR A SPIRIT THAT NOPONY WANTS TO KNOW. NOW GIVE BACK OUR FRIEND AND GET THE HAY OUT OF HERE!!!”

As Fluttershy punctuates her final sentiment, a mist forms from Sandbar’s back. The gaseous entity forms into a recognizable image.

“Oh, boo hoo. Some precious little snowflake got her feelings hurt. Want someone to kiss it and make it feel better? …”

Sandbar looks around the room, then turns to his Kindness professor as she takes several deep breaths. “Whoa … pretty gnarly there.”

“Sandbar,” Ocellus says. “How’re you feeling?”

“Better,” he replies simply. “Anyone else remembering what happened to us?”

“Last thing I remember was grabbing that blue log near the Tree of Harmony,” Smolder states. “After that, it was all like playing a role in someone else’s life.”

“Yona not like someone else in control of Yona’s life.”

“Well what’s important is it seems you’re all back to normal,” Twilight points out to the group. “Once Gallus gets here, we can rid him of whatever curse befell you and—”

A knocking interrupts Twilight’s address. Her horn glows as the door opens. “Spike, you’re just in time,” she starts, before noticing the concerned look on her assistant’s face. “Where’s Gallus?”

“Gone.”

Unexpected Company

“Gone?” Twilight repeats. “Spike, what do you mean ‘gone’?”

“I mean, I went to the students’ quarters, called out for Gallus, looked around the area, and didn’t see him anywhere. He’s just … gone.”

The group of thirteen ponies and non-ponies collectively turn to each other, unsure what to make of the griffin’s departure.

Ocellus is the first to speak up: “Did we … push Gallus away?”

“You can’t blame yourselves,” Twilight reassures.

“Sure we can,” Smolder retorts. “We acted like jerks, and he had enough of us doing so.”

“You were all under control of darker forces,” Starlight states before pausing, “… and it’s safe to assume that Gallus is as well.”

“Ya know, that image of Rarity reminded me not only of how she appeared during our camping trip, but also way back when we first ran into Discord,” Applejack muses before turning to Twilight. “When you were, well, ‘Discorded’, what did that feel like to you?”

Twilight ponders for a moment. “Emptiness. A feeling like I had nopony to turn to, during my darkest period. A sense of just giving up.” She shakes her head. “I wouldn’t wish such feelings on anyone.”

“That sounds awful,” Fluttershy admits.”

“So what do we do about it?” Rainbow Dash asks.

“Well we won’t get anywhere just standing around here,” Twilight finally declares. “I’ll craft a letter to Grandpa Gruff, informing him of Gallus’s disappearance and that I’ll be coming to Griffinstone so we can discuss the situation face-to-face. Rainbow Dash, organize a search party; he couldn’t have gotten too far. The rest of you start spreading the word; maybe somepony saw him leave the area and has an idea of where he … where he … …”

Twilight ceases giving orders as she and the other professors observe a strange sensation coming over the five students: Sandbar’s cutie mark begins to pulsate, as do Yona’s horns, Ocellus’s wings, Smolder’s spikes, and Silverstream’s beak.

“What happening to Yona? What happening to all of us?”

Ocellus glances at Sandbar’s cutie mark. “I know what that means; Sandbar’s being called by the Tree of Harmony!” Her focus shifts to her other friends. “But … does that mean …”

“We’re being summoned by the Tree of Harmony as well?” Smolder continues.

“Omygosh, omygosh … WE’RE going on a friendship quest!!!” Silverstream excitedly announces as she darts around the room.”

“I guess that means we’re gonna find Gallus,” Sandbar reasons.

“Looks like you’re not going alone,” Rainbow Dash points out, turning her attention to Starlight. “Look!”
Amidst the din of excitement upon recognizing the students being summoned, no one had noticed that their counselor’s cutie mark was also pulsating. “Oh,” Starlight notes. “I guess I’m coming along for the ride,” she sheepishly continues.

“But exactly where are we supposed to be going?” Smolder asks.

“The cutie map will tell us,” Ocellus answers.

Twilight smiles. “Indeed. Follow me, everyone.”

After an extended solo flight, Gallus touches down at the entrance to Griffinstone. He observes the relatively empty streets, save for an isolated griffin or two wandering about, before proceeding to head towards the center of town. A number of griffins pop their heads out of windows; they spot Gallus trudging along the main thoroughfare, then pop their heads back inside, deciding that he’s of no concern to their own lives.

“Scone for two bits?”

Pausing, Gallus turns in the direction of a fellow griffin selling baked goods. Brushing her off, he continues his journey.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

He pauses and turns back as the purveyor flies up to him. “What?” he callously asks.

“I recognize you. You’re the griffin who went to that ‘friendship’ school thing, right?”

Gallus sighs. “So what?”

“So what? So what’re you doing back here?”

“And who are you to even care what I do?” Gallus’s question takes the vendor aback, but she quickly regains her composure.

“My name’s Gilda, and I’m friends with one of your professors; Rainbow Dash. We’ve been exchanging letters for some time now.”

“OK, Gilda, then you can tell your little pen-pal that I quit.” He turns away, but Gilda continues to harass him.

“That’s impossible. I’ve been hearing from Rainbow that you’ve been thriving. Heck, I heard you helped save their whole kingdom because of what you learned. To a lot of us here, you’re becoming an inspiration. You can’t be just throwing all that away now!”

Gallus turns in disgust to face Gilda. “Strange, I don’t see any difference made around here.”

Gilda shrugs. “Well, yeah, it’s a slow process … but I do see changes around here.”

“Where, exactly.” Gallus points out the desolation around them. “Face it, ‘Gilda’: I’m a griffin now, and griffins don’t do friendship.”

Gilda gives Gallus a strange look. “What do you mean ‘now’?”

“The point is, I’m done caring. Now IF you’ll excuse me …”

Gallus brusquely pushes past Gilda and moves along. Gilda ponders the conversation for a moment before calling back out.

“You still want a scone? Free of charge!”

Gallus turns one last time to face Gilda. “Save your pity for someone who’s inspired to care.” He turns back and continues along his path.

For several seconds, Twilight, Starlight, the other professors and all the students, all stare in silent disbelief at the cutie map.

“No way!”

“It can’t be.”

“Impossible!”

“Must be a mistake.”

Denials come from all in the room as the various marks circle above a destination.

Applejack turns to Twilight. “Ya think the cutie map’s got apple rot again?”

“It’s never steered us wrong before,” Twilight replies.

“What about when Discord got us going on that wild goose chase?” Rainbow Dash counters.

“That was his own weird way of proving a point,” Starlight retorts. “But this … this doesn’t seem like him.”

As the elder ponies argue about the true nature of the cutie map, the students continue to stare at their miniaturized heads, along with Starlight’s cutie mark, circling around the area of Griffinstone. “Are we really going to travel all the way to Gallus’s home?” Silverstream asks.

“Sure looks like it,” Sandbar responds, his eyes as focused on the map as the others.

“Yeah … but we’re supposed to be going with her?” Smolder asks incredulously.

“Yona confused.”

“We’re all confused,” Ocellus adds.

Catching the tail end of their conversation, Twilight addresses the students. “I think we can all agree on a few things. Gallus is back in Griffinstone, and the cutie map is sending you five along with Starlight to find him. There’s certainly no real surprise in that.”

“But what about—”

“I don’t know … maybe there really is a malfunction with the cutie map,” she admits.

* * *

An explosion blasts the doors to the room off their hinges, causing Twilight to instinctively create a force shield around the group. She and the others turn to the source.

“TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME???”

The group gape at the appearance of the former changeling queen, her hole-marked wings now pulsating brightly. “ANSWER ME!” she angrily demands.

Twilight takes another look back at the map, then back at the changeling. “Or, maybe the cutie map really did summon Chrysalis.”

Reunion, Part I

For a period, the cutie map room lay silent as the professors and their students digest Chrysalis’s appearance and sudden exit. Fluttershy eventually breaks the silence: “Does anyone else think Chrysalis knows more about this than she let on?”

Applejack stomps her forehooves in disgust. “Dangit, Twilight, Ah thought the map went plum haywire on us! Now what do we do?”

“I could chase her down,” Rainbow asserts.

“No,” Twilight responds. “Even weakened, Chrysalis still wields great power. We need to help Gallus, plain and simple.” She turns to Starlight. “Can you teleport yourself and the students to Griffinstone?”

Starlight’s eyes roll. “Well, I’ve never been to the home of the griffins,” she admits, “but it can’t be much different than when Trixie and I visited the changeling hive.”

“Trixie told us the two of you bounced all around Equestria before finally finding the hive,” Ocellus points out.

Starlight blushes at the comment. “Yeeah,” she says with a forced chuckle, “that might’ve taken a couple more stops than originally intended. But the scenery was pleasant throughout our trip.”

Smolder eyes Starlight as she addresses the group. “Yeah, that’s inspiring confidence. Maybe Silverstream, Ocellus and I should just fly out and meet up with the rest of you later.”

“NO!” Yona forcefully retorts. “We do this together.”

“I’m with Yona,” Sandbar adds. “It’s what the Tree of Harmony would expect from us.”

“The same Tree that invited Queen Psycho to tag along?” Smolder counters, causing another pause in the conversation.

“The cutie map has sent us on a number of friendship quests,” Twilight states, “and it’s never led us astray. I agree with Yona; you should stay together on this. I have full confidence that Starlight will get you to Griffinstone so you can help Gallus.”

“But what about Chrysalis?” Applejack asks.

“I honestly don’t know … but I’m sure there’s a good reason for the map to have called her.” Twilight turns back to Starlight and her students. “Go … and good luck to all of you. I’m sure you’ll make things right.”

“OK everyone, close your eyes,” Starlight instructs the students. A moment later, Starlight shuts her own eyes and concentrates; in a *poof*, the group of six disappear.

Seated at a table in a distant corner, Gallus puts down his book to take a breath and a break. *Hmph* … ‘Library’ is too strong a word, he thinks to himself, observing the scant selection of text scattered along the select few shelves in the room. At least it’s quiet in here.

“GALLUS, MY BOY!”

Of course! Gallus turns in the direction of Grampa Gruff, as the latter scuffles his way towards the young griffin.

“So it’s true,” Gruff starts. “You’ve left that ‘friendship’ school and come home like the prodigal son!”

Gallus rolls his eyes and utters a low ‘yeah’.

“Aah, ‘bout time too! I knew this whole ‘friendship’ thing was pure codswallup. Was never in favor of it, but I had to placate the crazies of our kind like Gilda out there, hawkin’ her scones and tryin’ to get our kind to change who we are. So what convinced you to return, eh?”

Gallus considers a proper response. “It’s like you said … I’m a griffin, and griffins don’t do friendship.”

“Darn straight, Gallus!” Gruff scans the text on the table. “Looks like you picked up other habits while you were there. Since when do griffins bury their heads in books?”

“That really isn’t any of your concern,” Gallus curtly replies. Gruff recoils aghast, leading Gallus to wonder if he overstepped.

“That’s not a particularly polite way to address your elders, son,” he starts … before breaking out in a smile. “You’re comin’ along just fine.” Satisfied with Gallus’s progress, Gruff turns and exits the library.

Gallus breathes a sigh of relief before burying his head back into the book.

Just on the outskirts of Griffinstone, the calmness is broken by a *POP* and the sudden appearance of Starlight and five exhausted, water-logged creatures. Starlight scans the area around her and smiles upon seeing the entrance to the home of the griffins. “Guys, we made it!” she exclaims, met by half-hearted groans. “Seventeenth time's the charm, I guess,” she conceded.

“I thought teleportation came more naturally to you and Headmare Twilight,” Sandbar states.

“Well again, it’s like I said before; when one hasn’t been to the actual destination, there isn’t as much to focus on to get the spell just right.”

“Uh-huh,” Smolder adds, “and what about ending up in the middle of a lake?”

“There might have been a momentary lack of focus on my part,” Starlight admits. “Sorry again about that.”

“Yaks not like water,” Yona declares as she shakes off stray droplets and shifts her focus to the main thoroughfare of the town. “What now?”

“Now we go in, find Gallus, and bring him back,” Starlight answers as she leads the group into town. “We’ll start by asking the locals if they’ve seen him.”

“What locals?” Sandbar asks as he looks around. “The whole town looks deserted.

“Gallus wasn’t kidding when he talked about this town during Hearthswarming,” Ocellus admits. “It must have been awful for him to grow up in an environment like this.”

“Dragons tend to be independent,” Smolder states, “but we do still have group activities. Even I’m surprised about how desolate everything is around here.”

Silverstream sniffs at the air. “Hey, something smells good around here!” She flies off down the road, towards a lone griffin in the distance, as the others scramble to catch up.

…

Eyeing a figure fast approaching, Gilda begins her usual offer: “Scone for two … Whoa, you’re not a griffin!”

Silverstream giggles at the comment. “Well, ‘hippogriff’ and ‘griffin’ both have ‘griff’ in them, so maybe we’re related or something.”

Gilda briefly attempts to figure out Silverstream’s comment, before her attention turns to the group of decidedly non-griffins. “Where did you all come from?” she asks incredulously.

“Sorry,” Starlight starts, “she’s with us. My name is Starlight Glimmer, and these are some of our special students at—”

“You know Rainbow Dash!” Gilda interrupts, quickly putting the pieces together. “You guys are the other non-ponies in that ‘friendship’ school, right?”

“Wow, we’re celebrities!” Silverstream excitedly declares.

Starlight chuckles before readdressing Gilda. “Great, so maybe you can help us. Have you seen—”

“What the hay did you do to him?” the griffin asks pointedly, taking Starlight aback. “I thought he was supposed to be learning all about friendship and stuff, but he flew back here earlier worse now than when he left Griffinstone. He’s even at the library right now, and no griffin bothers to use the library anymore.”

“It’s a long story,” Starlight states. “Where’s the library?”

“Just down the road … but seriously, what’s wrong with Gallus? You owe us some sort of explanation.”

“Yes, I do.” Starlight admits before turning to her students. “Get to the library and find Gallus; I’ll catch up.”

Her students nod and rush down the main thoroughfare of Griffinstone.

…

Coming across what passes for the town’s library, the fivesome quickly file in and scan the area …

“I see him!” Silverstream exclaims as she swoops towards the griffin. She gives Gallus a tight hug, a gleeful smile upon her face … the smile fading as she realizes he doesn’t reciprocate the gesture; she releases her embrace as the others rush to their position.

“Yo, Gallus,” Sandbar asks, “you feelin’ okay?”

“What business is it of any of you?” he coldly responds, eliciting small gasps from the group.

“But … Gallus is Yona’s friend. Gallus is all our friends.”

*PAH*

Gallus spits at the notion. “What friends? The ones who cost me a chance at greatness? The one who couldn’t stop being imbeciles for five lousy minutes, before getting us all turned back into so much driftwood?”

The group turn to each other with puzzled looks. Smolder turns back to Gallus: “What are you even talking about?”

“Wait a minute,” Ocellus says, a realization hitting her. “Those pony images that got purged from us, those mean-spirited versions of our professors … they were your friends?”

“Bra-vo!” Gallus answers as he slow-claps the changeling’s conclusion. “So let me guess … they’re all gone now. As in, ‘gone’ gone.”

Ocellus and the others nod in acknowledgement.

“Figured as much. Given a second chance, and I knew they’d screw it up. It took what, five minutes before the worst of them shone through? I’m sure that magic act went over real well.”

“It wasn’t a fun performance,” Silverstream admits with a frown.

“But the way those idiots carried on … I’m sure that got someone’s attention, didn’t it? Got someone to realize that my friends were in control. But not anymore, of course. Now I’m the only one left … and I suppose you’re all here to ‘fix’ me.”

“OK,” Smolder says, “you need to back up. Exactly who or what are you?

Gallus sighs. “Fine … you came this far, I guess you have the right to know. But you keep this information to yourselves; no telling any ponies or any other creatures, got it?”

“We can’t agree to that!” Sandbar declares.

“Then we have nothing more to discuss; you can show yourselves out.”

“Wait,” Yona states. “If Yona and others promise to keep secret, will you tell us?”

“I will.”

Yona turns to the others, who reluctantly agree to Gallus’s terms. “Then we promise.”

“Very well,” Gallus starts. “I came into this world not by birth, but by curse. A spell cast by that incompetent changeling, Chrysalis.”

Gasps come from the collective group. Gallus stops and eyes each of them; they quickly regain composure as he continues.

“She had ideas about using us … me and the other five … to harness the power of the Elements of Harmony. I had other plans; being given Twilight Sparkle’s physical appearance also gave me her powers. I knew the six of us combined would be far more powerful than Chrysalis, so I played along as the good soldier, letting her ‘lead’ our group to the cave that contained the Tree of Harmony.”

“So what happened?” Ocellus asks.

“You seem brighter than your former queen; I’m guessing you already know.”

Ocellus pauses. “… the Tree of Harmony saw through your façades, didn’t it.”

“It was all their fault,” he continues with wistful regret in his voice. “They couldn’t keep their urges in check for five seconds. I had Chrysalis right where I wanted her … and I could see it in her eyes, she knew I had defeated her. Then that Tree struck us down. All of us. Petrified, turned back into bare logs. Trapped in a void for an eternity. Until …”

“Until some unwitting guests took a field trip?” Smolder asks.

“The Tree weakened us, took our physical forms, left us for dead … but it underestimated our spirit. All we needed was time … and vessels. And so, here I am, the last of Chrysalis’s creations.”

…

“Wow,” Silverstream starts, breaking the silence. “That’s incredible. So, uh … can we have our Gallus back?”

“You must be the funny one” Gallus deadpans, “… but no.”

“He was here first,” Smolder asserts.

“And I’m here now; you think I care that I wasn’t first?”

“Yona just want friend back,” the young yak glumly says.

“Well tough. I didn’t fly away from that execution chamber just to get purged into nothingness here in this dump. I may not have the powers I once wielded, but I’m still breathing … and I intend to live out this meaningless existence for as long as possible.”

“Gallus,” Sandbar calls out, “we know you’re still in there! We know you can fight this spirit!”

“Oh please! You think pleas for your friend will do any good?”

“We all fought our way back,” Ocellus points out.

“And you’re not griffins!”

“What difference does—”

“It makes ALL the difference! And I’ll admit; I hit the jackpot getting your friend to pick me. You think waxing nostalgic about friendship and good times is going to do any good? Griffins are made of stronger stuff than that. Just look around this town; friendship isn’t in their nature.”

“You’re wrong about that,” Sandbar counters. “Gallus has proven time and again that the power of friendship is within him, just like it’s within all of us.”

“And we won’t stop fighting you until you give us our friend back!” Silverstream adds. The others glare at Gallus, nodding in agreement at the hippogriff’s declaration.

“Whatever,” Gallus says as he turns his attention back to his book. The others turn to each other, puzzled over how to proceed. From the corner of her eye, Smolder sees a familiar face.

“Starlight, we’re over here,” she calls out, getting the unicorn’s attention. “Maybe you have some ideas about how we can—.”

Starlight’s horn illuminates intensely, causing Smolder to turn away. In a flash, a pulsating beam shoots from the tip and strikes Gallus full force, sending him crashing into a wall.

“This ends now,” she states as she approaches the griffin.

Reunion, Part II

“COUNSELOR STARLIGHT, WHAT ARE YOU …”

Silverstream’s exclamation cuts off as she and the others witness the morphing of their counselor into the former changeling queen. “Try again,” Chrysalis slyly replies, her focus remaining on the stunned griffin.

“WHERE COUNSELOR PONY???” Yona angrily demands.

“Stunned, but no more … I’m not here for her,” Chrysalis states as she takes steps towards Gallus. “And this won’t take long, anyway.”

Sandbar and Smolder rush to Gallus to help him up; he brusquely brushes the two off and gets on all fours, his eyes locked in on Chrysalis’s. “Sooner than I anticipated,” he states, “but no matter.”

“So it’s true,” Chrysalis responds. “You and those mindless oafs are back.”

“Just me, now,” Gallus replies.

“How convenient.” Chrysalis’s horn brightens and fires another pulse at Gallus, sending him careening back towards the wall. He quickly regains his footing and smirks.

“That all you got?” he smugly suggests.

“It’s enough for you,” Chrysalis responds in kind.

“Let’s find out.”

Gallus’s beak begins to pulsate as he closes his eyes and opens his mouth. Chrysalis’s eyes grow wide as a beam of energy shoots from his mouth, hitting her full-force and carrying her back towards a bookshelf, smashing the shelf as a smattering of books fly off in every direction. Dazed, she looks up at Gallus in surprise.

“That’s impossible!” she cries out.

“How soon you forget,” Gallus states as he edges closer to the fallen former queen. “ ‘Alicorn princess’ ring a bell?”

“But … you’re a griffin now,” she stammers as she gets back on her hooves.

“Only on the outside,” he replies with a grin. “This dump hardly qualifies as a ‘library’, but it does have an interesting book on griffin physiology. It truly is amazing what a little knowledge about one’s body can do.”

Chrysalis’s horn and Gallus’s beak light up, and energy beams shoot from both simultaneously, meeting each other in a flurry of sparks as the students look on in disbelief. The meeting point of the beams edges closer towards Chrysalis, whose eye twitches just as the beam meets her horn; the force sends her flailing across the room, crashing over tables and chairs. She lands in a heap, gasping for breath as Gallus slowly closes in. She concentrates on creating another energy burst; tiny sparks emanate from her flickering horn before it goes dark. She looks up, a tear forming in one eye, as Gallus stands over her.

“As you said … this ends now.”

Gallus’s beak again begins to pulsate. He closes his eyes in anticipation … and is abruptly pulled away as his concentration breaks. He opens his eyes to see Silverstream pulling him back. “What do you think you’re DOING?” he angrily demands.

“Gallus would never do this!” the hippogriff replies.

“I’m not Gallus!” he counters as he pushes Silverstream away.

Yona quickly takes her friend’s place. “This not right!” she asserts as she shoves the griffin further from Chrysalis.

“You’re both crazy! I’m HELPING you morons!” he states.

“Targeting defenseless creatures is wrong,” Sandbar states as he joins Yona.

“Defenseless???” Gallus shouts incredulously, shoving both Sandbar and Yona aside. “You’re talking about one of the most evil creatures in all Equestria. Chrysalis has NO redemption in her!”

“Every creature deserves another chance,” Ocellus states as she stands between Gallus and Chrysalis; the latter can only observe in stunned silence, too exhausted and lost for words to speak.

“Get out of my way!” Gallus demands.

“You’re going to harm her, you’ll have to harm me,” the young changeling states.

“You’ll have to harm all of us,” Smolder adds as she joins Ocellus. Quickly, the others join them.

Gallus shakes his head in disbelief. “You’re all serious. You’re ALL willing to sacrifice everything for someone that would NEVER do such for you!”

“It’s all part of what friendship is,” Sandbar states.

“SO BE IT!”

For the final time, Gallus’s beak pulsates. Chrysalis closes her eyes tightly, bracing for the inevitable while the students collectively stare down Gallus. He closes his eyes and opens his mouth, as a jetstream of purple haze rushes out of his body. His eyes flicker open as the haze envelops the students, swirling around the group before settling in mid-air. An image forms of Headmare Twilight; she watches as the griffin’s body slumps to the group, then turns to the group white-hot with rage, even as her form begins to dissipate.

“NOOO!!! YOU FOOLS!!! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE! SHE DOESN’T DESERVE YOUR PITY … I don’t want to …”

…

Chrysalis opens her eyes just in time to watch the image of her creation disappear to nothingness. Still weakened by the experience, she gingerly gets on her hooves and looks on as the students rush to Gallus’s body. “Why?” she asks plainly.

Moments later, the griffin begins to stir, the others helping him to stand back up. “How’re you feeling?” Sandbar asks.

“Weird,” the griffin admits as he takes in the surroundings. “Uh, when did we come to Griffinstone … and why is Queen Chrysalis here with us?”

“It’s a long story,” Sandbar states with a chuckle. Satisfied that Gallus is none the worse for wear, the others turn towards Chrysalis, still stunned at the recent events.

“Why?” she asks again. “Why did you … did all of you …”

The students look to each other, unsure how to responds. Ocellus turns back to her former queen. “We did what we felt we had to do … for our friend.”

Chrysalis opens her mouth, but catches herself at the sound of another rushing in from the street.

“So sorry I’m late,” Starlight begins as she catches her breath, before realizing her proximity to Chrysalis. She turns her attention back to her students. “Is everything OK?”

“I think so,” Smolder asserts.

“And Gallus?”

“I’ll be OK,” he replies, still unsure how to continue, “once someone’s able to answer a few questions about the last several … how long has it been since we left the Tree of Harmony?” As he finishes, he notices several features of his fellow classmates glowing, along with Starlight’s cutie mark and …

“Now what?” Chrysalis asks, her demeanor quickly deteriorating.

“It looks like …” Starlight pauses, still unsettled at seeing her assailant sporting glowing wings. “It looks like whatever you did here worked.”

“Wonderful,” Chrysalis deadpans. She turns towards the library’s entrance to leave.

“WAIT,” Starlight calls out. “You must have taken something away from all this, right?”

“What I take away, is that your precious ‘Tree of Harmony’ is little more than a manipulative shrub!”

“WHAT???”

“Using me as bait, to lure out that treacherous nag like flies to a spider … pathetic!”

“But what about how we all saved your …” Before Silverstream can finish, Chrysalis rushes out of the building, spreads her wings and flies off. The hippogriff follows her to the library’s entrance and observes the former queen’s image as it shrinks to nothingness amid the setting sun. “YOU’RE WELCOME!” she calls out futilely.

“Seriously,” Gallus says, “someone really needs to fill me in.”

“We can explain on the way home,” Sandbar reassures.

“No more teleporting! Yona still hate water.” Yona’s comment draws a chuckle from the group.

“We won’t get back before sundown,” Starlight mentions, “but I think I’d like to hear the long version of this story myself. Follow me, everycreature.”

Urges

“… AND BEHOLD, THE RABBIT IS STILL INSIDE THE HAT!!!”

As Trixie’s horn illuminates, a bunny levitates from inside the top hat on the table. The bunny spreads his arms and flashes a big smile, as the students pay tribute with rousing applause.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you all,” she states with a bow. “You’ve all been a wonder audience … this time, anyway.” Her aside draws laughter from the group. “That concludes this evening’s festivities, and once again, I—”

A ringing sound emanates from her cap. Her horn lights up again as a banana hovers towards her ear. “Hello? … Uh huh … Okay …”

The banana returns to her cap as she again addresses the students. “Trixie is needed for another engagement. Thank you all again for coming.” She reaches into her cap and pulls out a smoke bomb, which she flings to the ground to set off a puff of smoke; the cloud dissipates to reveal an empty stage.

The students turn to Starlight. “Was that part of the act?” Ocellus asks.

Starlight forces out a chuckle. “Yeeeah, all part of the act,” she replies. “Anyway, This is when I would have given you the rest of the day off … but since it’s now getting close to midnight …”

Aware of the time, and given the day’s events, the students need no additional encouragement; in turn, each bids the counselor a good night and shuffle off to the dorms.

Alone for the first time since the morning’s field trip, Smolder addresses the group. “So, what does everyone else make of today?”

“It was incredible,” Silverstream admits. “I mean, I can’t believe the rabbit was in the hat the whole time!”
Gallus eyes the hippogriff for a moment. “I think Smolder’s talking about the rest of today.”

“Oh … yeah, that wasn’t as much fun.”

“Gallus,” Ocellus asks, “do you think Grampa Gruff will really be OK with you returning? He wasn’t too happy when you told him you were coming back.”

“I explained how I wasn’t myself when we spoke.”

“He didn’t sound satisfied with that explanation,” Sandbar mentions.

“Well, he’s one of the oldest of the ‘old-school’ griffins. He’ll come around … just like everyone else in this world, I guess.”

“Not everyone,” Ocellus solemnly states.

“Everyone can change,” Yona claims. “Even former queens. Just takes more time for some than others.”

“I suppose,” Ocellus replies. “I wish we knew more about how those evil spirits came to be. I still have so many questions about them.”

“I’m just glad to be rid of those spirits,” Smolder asserts. The others utter ‘uh huhs’ and nod in agreement, save for Gallus. “Something still troubling you?” she asks.

“No … I mean, not really, but …”

“But what?” Silverstream asks.

“Well … it’s like I said about Grampa Gruff and his ways. It’s that way for many griffins, almost as much now as before I came to this school and met all of you. It’s just not in our nature to make friends.”

“What about that test the Tree of Harmony put us through, through the grate in the school library?” Sandbar asks.

“I know about that … and I do believe I’m a different griffin than I was when I first got here. But I can’t ignore a lifetime of being raised in an environment where friendships just didn’t exist. It’s like there’s a small part of me that clings to that history, and when I picked up that purple log, that part of me seized control.” Gallus shakes his head. “I know it sounds selfish to say that.”

“Yona understand.” The young yak’s comment draws the attention of the group. “Yaks always believe yaks best at everything … even though yaks maybe … not … best at everything. But yak pride strong; it’s what made yaks what yaks are today. And Yona very proud of being yak. But honesty about self not natural to yaks. Yona learn as much at Friendship School. Now Yona more honest with self, but when Yona pick up orange log, old feelings return.”

Sensing where the conversation is heading, Smolder speaks next. “We dragons are loners. Always have been. Once you’re of age, you’re out the cave. So the idea of being loyal to others was strange, at first … but being here, getting to know all of you, really opened my eyes. Now I can’t imagine not being there for you, or you not being there for me. But that blue log pulled at something in me, something deep, and my instincts from growing up dragon took hold.”

“When the hippogriffs fled to the sea,” Silverstream continues, “it was a really dark time. We got used to our new life, our new forms, and it was really great … but there was always a feeling underneath, of despair and doom. Maybe I just never think about that feeling, because I don’t want to remember it. But that feeling came back quickly this morning.”

“Before the Transformation,” Ocellus says, “we changelings were considered a scourge of creaturekind. We took what we needed and wanted, with little regard for how that made others feel. I suppose Chrysalis is still like that. But maybe there’s a part of that selfishness still within me, within all changelings. I honestly don’t know … I wish I did …”

The group turns to Sandbar, expecting him to share a similar story. He offers a different perspective:

“Maybe there is something within all of us that wants to lash out, do bad things for selfish reasons. We all get those urges. But what separates us from those spirits is how we choose to act on those urges.” Sandbar turns to Gallus. “You say there’s a part of you that shuns friendship, but before this morning I’ve never seen you do anything that would harm the bonds we have. Whatever that part inside of you is like, you don’t act on those urges. And that’s what separates you from that spirit.” He turns to Smolder. “And I’m sure there’s a ‘dragon’ part in you that wants to go it alone, never look back … but you don’t do that, because you believe our friendship is stronger than that.”

Gallus and Smolder both nod at Sandbar’s assertion.

“And the same for all of us. I’ve had moments of anger …”

Silverstream laughs at the comment, causing Sandbar to turn to her. “Oh, sorry,” she sheepishly replies.

Sandbar smiles. “No, I’m sure it’s funny to think that. But it’s true. When we all crashed through the floor during rehearsal of that play. Or when we all ended up in the lake because our professors kept arguing with each other. I mean, anyone would be frustrated by those things … but whatever I’m thinking, I don’t act on those feelings. There’d be nothing to gain … and a lot to lose.”

…

“Wow,” Ocellus finally speaks, “I never knew you were so profound. I’m impressed.”

“Yeah, well I had a lot of time to think about things during the trip back from Griffinstone.”

“Huh … all I could think about was the scenery,” Silverstream admits. “But it was really beautiful scenery!”

“All Yona thought about was how much Yona hate water.”

“I’m already thinking about my next trip back home,” Gallus says. “Next time, it’ll actually be my decision … but I hope you can all come with.”

“Only if you all come with me to visit the dragon lands,” Smolder replies.

“And Yakyakistan! Yona’s friends have to come to Yakyakistan!”

“And Mount Aeris!”

“And the Hive!”

Sandbar laughs. “Sounds like a lot more field trips in our future.”

The group shares one final laugh before the last of the candlelight fades.

Chrysalis' Friendship Quest

“I SAID, ANSWER ME!!!”, Chrysalis repeats to the group.

Twilight turns back towards the former changeling queen, once again struck by the site of the latter’s pock-marked wings pulsating like so many cutie marks. Cautiously, she lowers her protective shield while retaining focus.

Seizing an opportunity, Rainbow Dash flies right up to Chrysalis and stares her down as she addresses her, face-to-face: “We’re not afraid of you anymore, you know! The changelings have changed. They have a new leader; one that cares for their well-being and wants to contribute to society!”

Chrysalis takes in the pegasus’s defiant message for a second. In an instant, her horn shoots out a flash that strikes Rainbow and sends her flying into the back wall. Rainbow crashes to the ground, causing the five students to rush to her side; she brushes them off and shakes off the cobwebs. Twilight re-raises a shield over the group as the other ponies stare daggers at the former queen.

“You stupid nag,” Chrysalis declares. “You think I’m unaware of the power you ponies now possess. You honestly believe I’ve come to defeat you, knowing how little power I now have?”

Twilight turns to Rainbow, who acknowledges her lack of injury, then turns back to Chrysalis as she again lowers the shield. As she does, Starlight cocks her head in confusion. “Wait,” she starts, “then why did you come here? You couldn’t have known to come here just because your wings started flashing.”

“That is NOT of your concern!”

“We can’t answer your question if you don’t provide any further details,” Twilight calmly replies.

Chrysalis groans. “Oh, fine,” she mutters before morphing into a typical pony, her cocoon-shaped cutie mark flashing as per usual for those ponies summoned by the map. “It’s all I can do these days to live off the emotions of the occasional victim. Disguising myself in, *uggh*, this form allows me to get close enough to take what I need. And when this happened,” she continues as she indicates her flank, “every sickingly-sweet pony nearby got all excited, telling me I was being called by some map and to come here.”

One flash later, and Chrysalis reverts back to her standard form, her wings still pulsating in the company of the others. “You still haven’t answered my question … What did you DO to me?”

“But that’s just it,” Twilight quickly responds. “We didn’t call on you; the Tree of Harmony did. That’s how the Tree calls on ponies for … well …” She stumbles over her next words. “… well, for a friendship quest.”

Chrysalis mouths the phrase ‘friendship quest’ to herself, apoplectic at Twilight’s explanation. “You can’t be serious about this,” she quietly fumes.

“She ain’t lyin’ to ya,” Applejack counters. “Jus’ take a look at the map an’ see for yourself.”

Chrysalis eyes the group of ponies and nonponies, then takes several steps towards the cutie map. Her eyes focus on the group of miniature creature heads circling a particular section of the map, circling with both Starlight’s cutie mark and her own head.

In a burst of anger, she fires off a blast from her horn towards the map; it absorbs the blast as the images wave briefly before reverting to normal.

“HEY, what did that map ever do to you?” Pinkie Pie shouts.

“Oh, shut up!” Chrysalis retorts. She sighs as she attempts to process the image before her. “This cannot be happening,” she says out loud to no one in particular.

“Maybe it’s a sign,” Starlight starts, “that you really are capable of transforming who you are and—”

“Spare me your saccharine,” Chrysalis states, her eyes still focused on the map. “What if I refuse to do whatever it is this ‘map’ of your wants of me.”

“Gee,” Twilight says. “Nopony has ever refused to go on a quest before.”

The question jogs Rarity’s memory: “Oh, but it may not be in your best interest to say ‘no’, if the Tree of Harmony is anything like the syndicate in one of the Shadow Spade books I’ve read.”

Chrysalis turns to Rarity. “What are you going on about, and why should I care?”

“Well … in one mystery, Shadow Spade comes across a group of criminal ponies known as ‘the syndicate’. There’s a leader in that group, who asks ‘favors’ from those who come to him. One such pony asked the same thing you just did, and he got the reply ‘the leader never asks a second favor when refused the first.’ As if to say, you never even get a chance for redemption; your fate is already sealed.”

Chrysalis continues eyeing the unicorn. “Again, what does that have to do with anything?”

Applejack quickly intercedes: “It means the Tree of Harmony ain’t gonna give you another shot if you say ‘no’ to this. Though Ah guess you ain’t never seen what the Tree is capable of … but if it’s anythin’ like what happened to Cozy Glow …”

The changeling muses over Applejack’s words, her thoughts returning to her showdown with those backstabbing servants she created … and how the Tree of Harmony took matters into its own … branches? She begins pacing around the room, muttering to herself about how this really cannot be happening as the rest of the group continues eyeing her. She halts and turns back towards the ponies.

“You win,” she acknowledges, ire still in her eyes. “Anything to stop this ridiculous flashing. What do I need to do?”

“We,” Starlight corrects, “need to go to Griffinstone and rescue one of our students.”

“From what,” Chrysalis drolly replies, “falling down a well?”

“Our friend’s been possessed,” Smolder declares as she flies closer to Chrysalis. “Just like the rest of us,” she continues as she waves a claw in the direction of the other students. “We all got possessed by some weird-colored logs.”

Weird-colored logs??? Taking a new-found interest in the conversation, Chrysalis’s focus shifts from the other ponies to Smolder. “Tell me more,” she simply asks, careful not to reveal her own knowledge of the logs.

Sandbar walks up to accompany Smolder. “We found a pile of logs near the …” He catches himself, remembering who he’s speaking to. “… in a cave. They were colored like our professors, so we thought they belonged to them in some way. We each picked one, and some evil spirit took control of us.”

Chrysalis takes in the new information with great interest. “Go on,” she requests, as the remaining students come forward to join Smolder and Sandbar.

“Yona made to feel like Mary Net. Yona not like being pushed away from own body.”

“But thanks to our professors,” Silverstream adds, “those evil spirits were banished from our bodies.”

“But our friend Gallus left us before he could be cured,” Ocellus continues. “Now he’s back in Griffinstone, and we’re being sent there by the Tree of Harmony to rescue him from … whatever’s possessing him.”

Chrysalis suppresses a gag upon getting an up-close look at Ocellus. “This ‘Gallus’ you speak of,” she carefully asks, “what color log did he possess?”

“Purple,” Ocellus replies, “like Headmare Twilight.”

She’s still alive, that treacherous huss …

Chrysalis abruptly turns and trots towards the entranceway.

“Wait,” Starlight calls out, “where’re you going?”

Chrysalis stops in her tracks. “Where do you think I’m going?” she responds without turning back. “Griffinstone.”

“You’re not supposed to go alone; we’re supposed to do this together.”

“I know what has to be done … and I don’t need you or your little band of critters to help.”

“But the Tree—”

“Ought to be pruned!” Chrysalis answers before bolting from the chamber.