Cobalt the griffon, a dangerous amalgam of eagle and lion, knelt down by the washbasin next to Violet, the timid, white-furred earth pony.

Violet, who lacked dexterity, was washing dishes using a sponge on a stick and a basin of hot soapy water.

Cobalt spoke quietly, “Here little one, let me help,” and took over the dishes for her. While Cobalt's talons were better equipped for seizing prey and defending herself, she was able to manage the dishes well enough.

Uncertain whether to flee in terror or be helpful and stack dishes to dry, Violet stood staring at the griffon in shock. Lighting walked over and placed her remaining right wing over Violet's back.

Lightning spoke, “Violet, we live in a strange and scary world. Cobalt is a strange and scary creature, but she wants to be our friend. It's okay if you're scared of her. Right, Cobalt?”

“Yeah, I don't mind,” said Cobalt.

Violet gulped, and spoke to the griffon in a shaky voice, “I'm sorry, don't mean to be rude ma'am... but you seem so much like a monster, just a nice and helpful one I reckon.”

Cobalt laughed softly, and held back the usual sarcasm in her voice, “I get that a lot. Hey, you know something? With a monster like me around, your big brother is safe!”

Now Violet had a bit of fire in her voice, “Say now, I may be the runt but I'm still a few years older than Sky! He's my little bro.”

Cobalt smirked and replied, “Is he now? I'll remember to remind him of that all the time. Okay?”

Now Violet smiled broadly and sidled up right next to the griffon to help with dishes.

It was time for rest. Lightning made sure Cobalt and Sky got a hot bath first, and she replaced the dirty bandages around Cobalt's side. All of their armor and packs and weapons were neatly stacked in the living room.

Lightning told Cobalt, “For any flying creature, a broken bone is serious. You have to avoid flight at all cost until it heals. The stress involved can make it even worse.”

The small farm house had one guest room, which Sky took.

Cobalt spoke with a yawn, “Eh, the couch is fine,” and walked downstairs.

Sky was nearly asleep when he heard a light tap on the door.

It was Cobalt, and she said, “Um, Sky... I was thinking, well, I had something I want to tell you... dammit, I'm so tough but I can't even say it. Here,” her ring began glowing and suffusing the room in deep blue light.

She used telepathy to communicate with Sky, who seemed surprised. Sky nodded, and moved over so Cobalt could get on the bed.

Another morning arose upon Equestria. All was at peace and nothing seemed amiss.

On the North slope of Canterlot Mountain, a wagon pulled by two unicorns reached the base of the meandering cobblestone trail.

A magic glow in blue and white encompassed the cart. When they reached level ground, the glow faded and the two unicorns paused to rest. The blue one seemed winded from the exertion.

She wore a cloak and a pointy wizard's hat. This was the popular style for powerful wizards centuries ago, and it helped the 'Great and Powerful Trixie' maintain more confidence.

Her companion, a light pink unicorn named Starlight Glimmer, observed the gradual rise of the sun and spoke, “It's odd, I can't quite place a hoof on it. Something is very wrong, but only Celestia or Luna could move the entire sun and moon, right?”

Trixie nodded as she paged open a 'borrowed' book and struggled with translating the Old Ponish runes, “My translation spell isn't very strong... like everything else I do but, it looks like the sun-moving spell came from a dream, and at first it took a whole town of unicorns working together to do it.”

Starlight spoke in quiet wonder, “After that vivid memory, perhaps that stag creature provided mortals with the spell. But now, only Celestia and Luna know of it, correct?”

Trixie answered in a hushed whisper, “Um, I might have accidentally overheard Twilight with a fun little spell called distant listening...”

Starlight glared at her.

“This was years ago but I think she said she had the power to use the spell by herself, or maybe she was given it, I don't know.”

This gave Starlight pause. She had a drink of water before speaking, “Hmm, so maybe other alicorns have sufficient power. It would be prudent of Celestia to keep a fallback.”

“Everything seems fine, Starlight. You're worrying about nothing. Let's go to Ponyville.”

They checked the condition of the wagon and their equipage, observed a sign, and followed a dirt trail lined with fallen leaves off to the West.

It was a bit of a detour going by hoof. The train and flight had more of a direct route, but the trail was built to be as gentle as possible despite the terrain.

This allowed supplies and construction materials to be hauled up to Canterlot, but also made the trek longer. It took a few days for them to reach Ponyville, while the train took one day to make its winding passage through the foothills.

The wagon was a mobile home on wheels, and formerly held everything needed for flashy stage magic. However, through the danger and insanity of their world both Starlight and Trixie had been humbled by the heroism and self-sacrifice they had seen.

No more stage shows, smoke and mirrors, fake magic. Trixie still felt awful about being born with very weak unicorn magic, but her new friend Starlight had shown her just how devastating the opposite could be.

Starlight had been born with exceptionally powerful magic and a desire to change everything that was wrong in the world. This led to some serious problems.

Now, they took a middle ground. Both had spent a few moons in the company of a zebra named Zecora, who was willing to hear them out and consider their request.

Trixie and Starlight traveled Equestria together now, as potion-makers and traders. Their heavy wagon was full of sundry goods, with the only clear space being beds at each side.

They had a rare break in the crazy events that had transpired lately. All was at peace, and this would be a good time to try and earn some bits in Ponyville. While ponies there didn't quite trust the pair, they could at least hope to trade some goods.

Starlight and Trixie each wore a bracelet clasped over a front leg. Gems glowed and flickered on these. Somewhere in Canterlot, probably in the blocky guard's citadel that towered over the North slope, a magic map would keep track of their location.

This was far better than spending time in the dungeons for their crimes.

They finally made it to Ponyville after several more days. The sun rose and set and the moon took its place as it properly should. Again, all seemed well.

And yet Starlight couldn't help but feel that nothing was well.

Something was... off about the Ponyville residents. More than the usual disgust and distrust which Starlight and Trixie had earned.

The other five 'heroes of Equestria', all friends of Twilight, were here. They were in the crystal castle, and seemed abnormally standoffish.

A bit of stealthy magic revealed the truth. To their horror, Starlight and Trixie discovered that none of it was real. All of them were changelings.

Back outside the castle, the cart was hauled to a quiet hiding place behind the school. Starlight sat in thought while Trixie breathed hard on the verge of panic.

Trixie spoke in an alarmed voice, “We can't handle something like this! This is princess level stuff! Anything could be fake, this is too crazy Starlight.”

Starlight called to something hiding in the bushes. A changeling walked out quietly, prompting Trixie to yell. Starlight swiftly placed a magic bubble around her, and informed her that this particular changeling was on their side.

When at last Trixie had settled down and the changeling named Thorax had proven he had good intentions, they all considered just what to do now.

“So,” began Starlight, “so, all the elements of harmony are gone now. We can't even trust any of the other powerful alicorns or guards or nopony... but Celestia and Luna must be safe, right? It's not night still.”

“Yeah,” said Trixie, “Let's get back to Canterlot. We can ditch the wagon and get there faster.”

The changeling named Thorax spoke in a hissing, raspy voice, “That's no good. My queen already captured the princesses.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow, “Then how...”

Thorax answered, “Maybe they're being forced to move the sun?”

“I don't want to think about that,” said Starlight, “But what can we do? A stage magician, the only reasonable changeling, and then you have me, the power-hungry failure.”

“Don't say that!” exclaimed Trixie, “I'm sure we can figure something out. What if we rescue the princesses, they should be able to help, right?”

Starlight stared at the ground with an annoyed look. She spoke, “I may know somepony who can help, or rather, someone... I really don't want to do this. Dammit all. Hey, Discord. If you can hear me, we could really use some help.”

There was a brilliant flash of magic followed by a burst of confetti.

Suddenly, a most bizarre creature appeared from thin air.

Discord was a creature of pure asymmetry. Everything about his chosen physical form was chaotic, but overall he seemed like a skinny dragon crossed with a goat. Not one aspect of his appearance was the same as any other part.

This... thing spoke in a voice which rivaled Starlight in mocking sarcasm, “You rang?”

Starlight had her ears down and gave a squinting glare at this creature. She spoke with some agitation, “Look, I know you don't care, but everypony is in danger and Twilight's special friends can't save the day this time. Even the princesses have been caught up in this.”

“Oh, is that so?” Discord, “And how is it you two managed to elude such a threat as that, hmm? Please, let me... oh, what's the word,”

He reached his mismatched hands into the air above him, and with one talon cut a hole through reality. He pulled something through this hole with the sound of a snapping branch.

He now held a word, 'inquired'. With some frustration he smacked it on a rock until the 'd' fell off the end and landed on the ground. Now, he gestured at the word, and then tossed the whole thing on the ground where it made a clattering noise.

Starlight raised an eyebrow and said, “I'd be freaked out if we hadn't already seen things even crazier and weirder than you.”

Discord wasn't happy about that. He asked, “What could possibly be more chaotic than chaos itself?”

He snapped his fingers, and their wagon became a large cake. With a clap, it became a wagon again, but still smelled of cake.

“Changelings,” said Starlight, “and with that display we can be pretty certain you aren't one.”

“Oh please, as though any petty mortal race could capture me.”

Starlight said simply, “Twilight and her friends did.”

“Shut up! Never mind about that. Hmmph, what do you want from me?”

“Well,” began Starlight, “somehow, these things have even captured the princesses.”

Discord walked over towards where Thorax was standing. Suddenly, he had an easel and a paintbrush, and started to paint a portrait of the changeling. He spoke,

“Ah yes, the changeling race. You lot certainly caused trouble for Celestia and Luna fifteen hundred years ago. A bit before your time I would say, you seem to be a young adult changeling.”

Thorax was utterly flummoxed by this being, and he spoke, “Please sir, I don't know why our queen is doing this. We don't have to conquer lands like the ponies do, there has to be a way to live in peace.”

“Ahh the young idealist, how I admire those,” said Discord, “Why, other civilizations have a word for you, let's see... yes, 'hippy' is what you are. A very poor choice in times of war I might add.”

Starlight spoke up loudly now, “If you could stop messing with our heads and with reality for one moment please,”

Discord summoned not only a chair, but a full set of living room furniture into being and had a seat. The others reluctantly did so too, and Starlight continued,

“Thank you, I guess. These changelings managed to capture two powerful beings who are every bit as ancient and skillful as you, Discord. I'm well aware of how Luna and Celestia once faced you alone and imprisoned you in stone.”

Discord frowned and said, “That doesn't exactly give me motivation to help them. Why should I care?”

Thorax answered this, “They also have Fluttershy.”

There was a long pause as Discord sat with his mouth open, not saying anything.

Suddenly, the air around them began to shimmer and a teleportation spell brought them far, far from Ponyville.

Starlight asked, “Okay, where the hell did you take us? Are we still in Equestria... what am I saying, are we still in reality?”

“Oh you ponies still hold me is such low regard,” complained Discord, “Please notice the following,” he pointed at the sky, where shaped clouds read 'I am chaos incarnate, not petty evil incarnate'.

“Impressive...” whispered Trixie.

Starlight was not so easily impressed. She looked at their surroundings. It was an arid desert where cold autumn winds blasted through the sands. Some manner of strange stone object was in the distance.

Discord spoke, “Do I need to spell it out for you?”

He then used a series of magic spells to write 'Home of Changelings' in glittering magic letters, thus literally spelling it out.

Starlight put one ear down and said, “More like bad puns incarnate.”

Discord walked to the edge of the hill and said, “Now I don't usually interfere in the affairs of your cute little mortal lives. However, Twilight's friends have shown me that this thing called 'friendship' is a very nice delicacy. Stand back now, and let me rend reality itself and put everything back in order.”

The sky darkened as a miniature storm cloud formed right over them and began raining. This did not amuse Starlight or Trixie, who were now cold and soaked.

Discord made a show of speaking some echoing ancient language and waving his arms in the direction of the changeling hive. Rainbow colors of magic shot towards it. A mockery of the Elements of Harmony.

The magic suddenly fizzled into smoke.

“Well excuse me!” exclaimed Discord in frustration.

He seemed agitated now. He glowed blazing white and transformed himself into a massive dragon. With a roar, he launched over the edge as his scales and wings began to smoke.

In a poof of smoke, he became his regular self and fell towards the sand. With a bored expression, he waved a hand to summon a lovely king bed to land on.

Nothing happened, and he smacked into the sand.

Starlight and Trixie ran over, and found their magic failed to work as well.

However, Thorax could still use his magic to change his form.

“Well then,” announced Discord, “It is lovely weather for a walk.”

The four of them continued on towards the hive and put together a rough plan, with no idea how they were going to deal with things now.

On the Haycart's Farm, a rooster crowed several times as the first rays of morning sun lit the fields in silhouette. Barley Haycart was awake before the others, as a habit from his long life of farming.

He woke Violet up first. She made her bed and then went about her morning routine. The wood stove in the kitchen and the one in the living room were restocked with kindling, and the house began to warm up.

Violet started making breakfast. Barley trotted to the living room, and noticed the damn griffon was gone. Probably off hunting her own breakfast early enough not to bother anypony.

Barley stared at the polished armor and equipment in one corner. It might not be farming, but at least his son had an occupation now. Even if hunting monsters was stupid and dangerous.

He gathered six bottles of beer into a basket, and walked upstairs carrying it. From a closet, he took a few canvas cart covers and balanced them across his back.

Now he approached the guest room door. He placed a hoof on the door handle, pressed it down, and eased the door open.

Barley very nearly dropped the basket of beer in his surprise. He managed to catch it with a clink of bottles, and set it down quietly.

Sky and Cobalt were asleep under the blankets, holding each other with their front legs and with their wings over each other.

Barley sat down, the lines on his face creasing in anger. He thought to himself, Confound it, what in Tartarus is this?! When they get up I'm going to...

He sat now, and stared at them. Still simmering, he looked off to the side and thought about the previous night. He looked back at the griffon. Beneath her blue wings, bandages were taped tightly against her ribs.

Barley's thoughts wandered to what Lightning had told him last night before he drifted off to sleep. Seven magic missiles from a capable unicorn who had killed innocent ponies for money. All taken at point blank range.

An average pony shouldn't be able to walk after that but then, this was a griffon. A predator, a tougher sort.

The damn griffon had a fractured rib from protecting his son. From the looks of it, she had not acted out of self-defense, but something else entirely...

Maybe, the same motivation that had caused his first wife to protect his own life with the use of forbidden dark magic. He still couldn't bear to discuss that with anypony. Especially not after she had left him over money, after all they'd been through.

The door was quietly closed, and Barley lumbered downstairs with the heavy canvas covers balanced on his back.

He thought to himself, Long as they both help with the harvest, I didn't see nothing.

Breakfast was prepared and served. Tools and equipment were taken out for the day's work. The din woke up Sky and Cobalt.

Cobalt's ring glowed and she used her telepathy, I'm gonna fly out the window and sneak off into the woods. I have been out looking for rabbits, and having to walk made hunting more difficult. Got it?

Sky nodded, and watched the griffon hop out the second story window and flutter her wings to slow her landing. That had to hurt like hell with her injury.

Now Sky joined the others at the table downstairs.

They enjoyed a filling and hearty breakfast to give them energy for the hard work ahead. Violet was an exceptional cook.

After, everypony set off for the hay fields. Violet went to the backyard to gather vegetables and berries from the garden.

There were several acres of wheat, of hay, of alfalfa, and a half acre each of barley and corn. Several wagons had been set up by each crop.

Cobalt joined them shortly, walking back from a wooded copse. They all understood she had to eat critters, and Lightning quietly thanked her for being discreet about it.

Barley said nothing and focused on equipping a large scythe contraption. Cobalt's eyes glimmered at the gleaming, curved blade.

Built for an earth-pony, the scythe had a harness that allowed the wielder to swoop down and use their whole body to swing the blade and cut swathes of wheat.

Cobalt asked how the blade was attached. Barley showed her the points where it clasped on securely with wing nuts. She removed the blade, which had a wooden handle that ran through the harness.

With an evil smirk, she happily slashed through the wheat field while balancing on her rear legs and holding the scythe in her talons. She had to pause every now and then, clutching at her side, but she made great progress regardless.

The ponies gave the armed griffon plenty of space, and retreated to the hay field. Here, a machine was setup but in need of repair.

Barley spoke, “This thing is supposed to help cut and harvest the hay. See here, the metal wheel in front has blades on it, to cut the hay. Then it gets scooped up back into the cart. Problem is, it's too rusty. We bought it used.”

Sky considered using magic on it, and realized his father might object. He asked him if it was alright.

Barley's response was, “Go on and try it, let me get well out of the way first.”

Sky wasn't sure if any of his spells would be right for the job. He settled on simple telekinesis. This was Cobalt's specialty, he was not quite as good with it.

He focused, and his crystal necklace glowed. The entire front of the cart was hefted into the air with golden magic.

Sky panted as he spoke, “Put some hay bales under it, quick,” and his mother and Piney did so.

After catching his breath, Sky focused on the wheel. It had already been oiled in an attempt to free it. Golden energy ensconced the machinery. With a creak and groan of metal, the wheel snapped loose and began spinning.

Sky, who had been applying all the mental pressure he could to it, actually tripped and fell sideways from the sudden change.

He managed to set the cart back down again. Hayseed and Piney Haycart got hitched up to the hay cutter with the help of Lightning and Sky.

They walked through the empty furrows while pulling the cart through the hay. Behind them, the metal wheel chewed through hay stalks and nudged hay into the cart. Lightning helped move the hay back into the cart with small magic bursts of wind.

The harvest took several days. All the carts were filled with grains and covered against the elements.

Cobalt and Sky hauled one cart into town while Piney and Hayseed took another. Lightning and Barley took the third cart, leaving one left to haul to town.

It was a two day round trip. All the grain was brought to an old tin-sided storehouse near the train platform. Two old unicorns helped unload it into crates for transport.

Barley took a paper receipt from a unicorn who wore a straw hat. This was taken to the bank, where Barley received four hundred bits.

The last cartload would be worth another two hundred. It could be brought over within the week, long as they made it before the freight train. There would be time to preserve and pack the surplus vegetables and spices from the garden.

While Dodge Junction was still a tiny, run-down settlement, Hayseed had already put his own bits and effort into rebuilding it. Several guest cabins were available by the mines. They rested here for the night.

An ice-cold morning greeted them on their return hike to the farming valley. Skyblazer went for a fly around town while the others got packed and untangled the yokes and equipage of the carts. His breath puffed in the chill air, and he had a laugh at pretending to be a small dragon.

His amulet glowed and he sent a small puff of fire into the empty air. Somewhere down below an older mare exclaimed, “Run for the hills! There's a varmint in town!”

Sky accelerated and quickly got back to the canyons, where he joined his family. They set off into the icy wilderness.

Hayseed shared some of the poetry he had written. He seemed to have a fond love for the desert terrain. It honestly was beautiful out here, though freezing. A light dusting of snow fell from natural clouds. It coated the rolling hills and rocks like powdered sugar.

Barley chewed on a pipe and gave an unhappy stare at the early snow. At least they had most of the harvest done.

Cobalt and Sky stayed for a couple weeks while Hayseed returned to the mines with the last cart of grains and produce. It was quiet and serene on the winter farmstead. A tiller was dragged through the fields to break up the remaining stalks. Preserves and root veggies were stored in the cellar for winter. Work was done on a stone silo and a storage barn, both of which were slow going.

A pegasus messenger stopped by with the money from the last grain cart. Lightning gave him a message to return with: Unicorn builders wanted, must have experience with construction.

Barley was upset about it, but even he had to agree that it was a good use of Sky's donation. Three burly unicorns arrived at the farm, all warmly dressed against the cold.

With their help, the structures went up quickly. By the time Sky and Cobalt took their leave, the grain silo was already halfway done and the barn only needed painting and final touches.

Lightning Ridge gave both her son and the griffon a hug goodbye, and would not let them go without their packs stuffed full of food and supplies. Their saddlebags, armor and weapons were equipped.

They practiced a few new spells with their elements, which surprised and impressed the working unicorns. One of them complained,

“Now that doesn't exactly seem fair! Y'all can already fly.”

Cobalt grinned and answered, “Hey now, it ain't all a rose garden. These elements get us involved in all kinds of trouble.”

They tightened their straps and walked off the farm through a thin layer of snow, waving goodbye to the family as they went.

Nearly a moon had been spent on the Haycart farm, but Cobalt's injury would need much longer to heal. She could fly in short bursts with intense pain, but for the most part she stayed grounded. Sky walked beside her, and they held their wings over each other's backs.

Violet and Lightning together had managed to knit a sweater that fit Cobalt. She wore it under her saddlebags. Her wings fit through slits in the side, and a drawstring held it in place for when she was able to fly again.

The pegasus and griffon walked together North towards the Everfree Forest. Snowfall obscured them as they walked into the distance. The blanket of white muffled sound, and all was calm.

Author's Note

Let me tell you the hardest part of writing this.

It wasn't writing dialogue for Discord. Yes, it's difficult to balance out his sheer chaos with not being too bombastic. It's also somewhat terrifying poking a medium-aware character with a stick.

It was the dishes. Trying to consider how a race of sapient earth-ponies, who have no dexterity at all besides their mouth, go about their diurnal routine is challenging. It took me until book two to settle on how they so much as get the dishes done.

Metal dishes that can't break, a wash basin, and a sponge on a stick. This, and a lifetime of experience as an intelligent creature that can use tools but has limited dexterity.

No doubt wealthier ponies would hire unicorns and pegasi to help with chores. I could see a big market for unicorn butlers and maids in the world of Equestria.