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Somewhere along the winding road home, two unicorns and one Draconequus rode along, their wagon filled with bouquets, gifts, and trails of confetti from their magic tour in Manehattan. With smiles on their faces, it was clear their latest performance had been a success.

"That was our best show so far!" Starlight said proudly. "I think we outdid ourselves!"

Trixie tilted her hat with a smirk. "Of course, Trixie knew you'd love it. Only a grand genius like me could plan a performance so spectacular!"

"I’ll give you that," Starlight chuckled. "Who knew the 'leap into a glass of water' trick would wow the audience so much? It’s a classic."

Discord slithered into the conversation, a mischievous grin on his face. "Ah, but with a touch of chaos, I made sure you actually fit in that glass and without shattering it in your face."

"My hooves are still numb from the impact," Trixie huffed, rubbing them. "Next time, warn me about your… ‘creative enhancements,’ Discord."

"Oh, I’m sorry," Discord drawled, rolling his eyes. "I thought you enjoyed my ‘delusional tricks’? You seem to perform your fair share of illusions."

"I am a magician! A magician!" Trixie retorted, puffing herself up.

Starlight chuckled, trying to keep the peace. "Alright, alright, settle down, you two. We pulled off a great show together. Maybe a thank-you is in order, Trixie?"

Trixie sighed, looking reluctantly at Discord. "Fiiiine. . .I suppose it’s only fair," she muttered, turning to him with an annoyed look. "Thank you. . ."

Discord chuckled, cleaning his ear with one of Trixie’s wands. "I’m sorry, dear, could you repeat that?"

"Thank. . .you." Trixie repeated through gritted teeth.

"Oh, you’re very welcome, Trixie," Discord grinned, pinching her cheeks. "Anything for my friends!"

Trixie slapped his claws away. "Don’t get used to it. Trixie rarely gives compliments."

"Come on, Trixie, lighten up," Starlight teased. "You two make a great team. Imagine the shows we could pull off if you two got along."

"Oh, I completely agree," Discord chimed in. "Why, I'd even say I enjoy these little road trips together. Of course, nothing compares to my time with dear Fluttershy."

"See, Trixie? You two should cooperate more. Think of all the magical possibilities!"

Discord extended his claw with a smile. "Partners?"

After glancing at Discord’s claw, then at Starlight’s encouraging smile, Trixie gave in with a dramatic sigh. "Fiiine. . .partners," she muttered, giving his claw a reluctant shake.

"Oh, excellent!" Discord cheered.

She yanked him close. "But only with my permission. No improvising unless I say so."

"Why, of course," Discord replied smoothly. "I would never upstage you." He phased through her grip, adding under his breath, "That would be far too easy."

"What was that?" Trixie glared.

"Nothing," Discord replied with a halo over his head.

"Great," Starlight said, rolling her eyes with a smile. "Now let’s head back to Ponyville and tell Twilight all about-"

Suddenly, an explosion echoed in the distance, startling them. A flock of birds shot across the sky as a thick column of smoke rose from the mountains ahead.

"What in Equestria was that?" Trixie gasped, stepping out of the wagon to get a better look.

"I don’t know," Starlight replied, squinting toward the smoke. "But it’s coming from the direction of Ponyville. I hope it’s not as bad as it looks. . ."

"Ponyville?! Fluttershy might be in trouble!" Discord snapped his fingers, conjuring a chariot hitched to seven rainbow-colored jelly bean bears. He grabbed Starlight and Trixie, setting them in the back. "Seat belts, everypony! We’re off to save Fluttershy!"

"Uh. . .wouldn’t it be faster to just teleport?" Starlight asked, buckling in while Trixie fumbled with her belt.

"Teleport?" Discord scoffed. "And risk announcing ourselves to whatever danger’s there? Oh no, we’ll do this stealthily just like our last little adventure."

"Stealthy?" Trixie grumbled, finally buckling in. "You whined the entire way through the changeling hive."

"He’s right, Trixie," Starlight reasoned. "It’s best to be careful. Who knows what’s attacking Ponyville?"

"Whatever it is, I’m sure Twilight and the others have it handled," Trixie said, waving a hoof. "They’re pros at friendship magic."

"It's called the Elements of Harmony," Starlight corrected. "And they’ve saved Equestria plenty of times."

"True," Discord said with a smirk. "Though I nearly turned them against each other once-"

Trixie and Starlight turned, eyeing him with raised eyebrows.

"What?" Discord shrugged innocently. "I’m reformed now. Besides, they’re used to my tricks by now."

"Riiight. . ." Starlight said slowly. "Well, let’s head back and see what they’re up against."

"To Fluttershy and beyond!" Discord bellowed, snapping the reins dramatically. The chariot lurched forward as Discord continued, "And so, our brave heroes, led by the devilishly handsome Discord, charge forth to-"

"Would you stop monologuing?" Trixie interrupted, rolling her eyes. "And what’s with the ‘plus one’ bit?"

"Oh, lighten up," Discord teased. "It’s no wonder you’ve only got Starlight as a friend."

"Excuse me," Trixie huffed, "I have plenty of friends, thank you very much."

Starlight sighed, facehoofing as she zipped Trixie’s mouth shut with her magic. "Can we just focus on getting there quietly, please?" she muttered.

As the chariot sped toward Ponyville, tension filled the air back in the town, where Twilight and her friends regrouped after unleashing their full magic on Pizza Pie. To their shock, she now stood unfazed, her aura of dark energy stronger than ever.

"What now, Twilight? Twilight?" Applejack waved her hoof in front of Twilight’s frozen face, worry creasing her brow. "Uh. . . Sugarcube? You do have a backup plan, right?"

Twilight knelt, trembling as she stared at the menacing form of Pizza Pie in front of her. "I. . . I. . . I don’t-" she stammered, her voice faltering.

"C'mon, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash tried to shake her friend out of her stupor. "Think of something. We can't give up now!"

"We. . . uh. . . we. . ." Twilight’s voice quivered as her thoughts raced, but the fear in her heart made her hooves tremble.

"Darling, what should we do?" Rarity asked, her voice soft yet filled with concern. "We can’t do anything without you."

Twilight tried to think of a plan, but her thoughts felt tangled, weighed down by the sight of their friend turned enemy. Her gaze dropped as she felt their magical connection the Elements fading as their energy was absorbed into Pizza Pie, now shrouded in a dark, eerie glow.

Meanwhile, Pizza Pie took a slow, deliberate step toward them, her flail-like tail rising and morphing into a massive weapon, towering ominously above the ponies. She seemed almost mechanical, as if under the influence of some otherworldly force, her usually lively eyes now cold and distant.

From a distance, Spike observed the terrifying scene through a telescope, his heart pounding as he watched his friends stand frozen before Pizza Pie. "Don’t just stand there, Twilight! Get out of there!" he muttered, his voice barely containing his panic.

"She’s. . . she’s getting closer. . ." Fluttershy squeaked, pulling Rainbow Dash close in a tight, protective embrace.

"Fluttershy, you’re crushing my lungs!" Rainbow Dash managed to say, trying to push her friend off. Then, her voice raised as she looked toward Twilight. "Hey, Twilight! Are you listening? We need a plan!"

Nearby, Applejack tried to drag Pinkie Pie to safety. "C'mon, Pinkie! We gotta stay together. It ain’t safe here yet, Sugarcube-"

"No! I want to talk to my cousin!" Pinkie Pie shouted, digging her hooves stubbornly into the ground. "Let go! I said, let GO!"

A thunderous stomp from Pizza Pie's hoof silenced them all, drawing their attention as her dark shadow loomed over them. The tail-flail blocked out the sun, casting an ominous shadow, and without hesitation, Pizza Pie swung it down with a menacing force.

Rainbow Dash leaped forward, wings spread wide as she faced the oncoming flail. "Bring it, Pizza!" she yelled defiantly. "I’m not scared! Whatever you’ve got, I can take it-"

In a moment of panic, Twilight's horn flared as she enveloped her friends in a magical aura, pulling them close. With a flash, they disappeared just as the flail crashed down, splintering the ground into a deep crater where they’d been standing a second before. The sheer force blew chunks of earth into the air, dust clouding the battlefield. When Pizza Pie raised her tail and surveyed the scene, she found nothing but empty ground.

From his vantage point, Spike exhaled shakily, watching the dust settle. His claws gripped the edge of his lookout as he glanced nervously at the ponies gathered nearby, who had only heard the echo of the terrifying impact.

"What was that?" a pony in the crowd murmured, anxiety creeping into their voice. "Did something happen?"

Bon Bon, who had been standing close by, tapped Spike’s shoulder. "Spike?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Huh?! What? Oh-" Spike jumped, nearly dropping his telescope as he looked at Bon Bon. "Phew... Don’t startle me like that, Bon Bon!"

"Never mind that. What’s happening down there?" Bon Bon’s voice was insistent. "How are Princess Twilight and the others holding up?"

Spike swallowed hard, glancing nervously at the crowd. "Don’t worry," he assured, trying to keep his voice steady. "They’re doing everything they can to handle it."

But Spoiled Rich stepped forward, her expression as sour as ever. "‘Handling it’ he says," she scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "We’ve been standing here, listening to all this destruction, waiting for so-called ‘help.’ The Princess of Friendship should have dealt with this monstrous unicorn by now."

Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd, ponies casting uneasy glances toward the smoky horizon. Spike held up his claws, trying to calm them.

"Everypony, please," he said, voice pleading. "Twilight and the others are doing their best-"

"Their best?" Spoiled Rich interrupted with a cold chuckle. She stepped closer, casting a disparaging look at Spike. "Her ‘best’ seems to involve wrecking half of Ponyville in the process. And who invited this foreign pony in the first place? Bringing with her some strange magic, and now look what’s happened."

Spike remained silent, holding his breath as her words weighed heavily on the crowd.

"It’s quite clear," Spoiled Rich continued, "that our Princess Celestia made a hasty choice in handing leadership to a pony who relies on magical gimmicks over a real plan. This town needs a leader, not a hero."

Diamond Tiara stepped forward, tugging at her mother’s tail. "That’s enough, Mother," she said, her voice wavering but determined. "Princess Twilight and her friends have always protected us, and here you are, criticizing them for it-"

Spoiled Rich yanked her tail from her daughter’s grip, her face twisted in disdain. "How dare you speak to me like that! Disregard my teachings if you will, but you will not defy my authority as your mother!"

"Stop it! Just. . . stop it!" Spike stepped between them, his voice firm. "This isn’t the time to lecture your daughter or insult Twilight. The Princess of Friendship and soon, maybe all of Equestria is out there risking her life for us. So maybe show some respect."

A tense silence settled over the crowd as Spoiled Rich huffed, then turned on her heels, storming off. But not before throwing a glance over her shoulder. "When this is over, Diamond Tiara, we’ll be having a very long talk."

Diamond Tiara watched her mother walk away, eyes filled with a mix of shame and defiance. The Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered around her.

"Don’t let her words get to ya, Diamond," Apple Bloom said encouragingly. "She doesn’t know what she’s saying."

"Yeah," Scootaloo agreed, nodding. "Princess Twilight and her friends always try their best to save the day, like they’re doing now."

Diamond Tiara managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, I’m fine," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

"That was brave, standing up to her like that," Spike added, giving her an approving nod. "I think these three taught you well."

A loud explosion echoed from Ponyville, and everypony turned, watching smoke rise. Spike squared his shoulders, looking at the crowd. "Alright, everypony. Let’s keep moving we’ll meet help halfway down the road."

Diamond Tiara, the Crusaders, and the rest followed Spike, casting one last glance back toward their village. And in the thick of it all, hidden away, Twilight and her friends prepared for their next move, hoping to find a way to reach the real Pizza Pie within the dark magic's grasp.

"What the hay was that? I could’ve distracted her back there!" Rainbow Dash yelled, frustration clear in her voice.

Applejack placed a steadying hoof on her friend’s shoulder. "Hold on, Rainbow Dash. Take it easy now. This ain’t the perfect time to show off-"

"Sh-show off?!" Rainbow pulled her shoulder away, turning to Applejack with a glare. "Oh no, this is far from showing off. Our town is turning into a dump, and our only shot at stopping it just tanked! How was that even possible, huh? Twilight?"

"I. . ." Twilight looked away from her friends, gazing out the window at the smoke rising from the destruction outside. "I don’t know what happened. Why. . . why didn’t our elements work? I. . . I don’t understand."

"So you're telling me she was right? That we’re just a replacement for some stronger magic?" Rainbow Dash shot back, frustration boiling over. "You’ve got all the books, how can you not see-"

"Darling, that’s enough," Rarity stepped forward, her tone firm. "Twilight did everything she could, even saving you from your own reckless act of a Sonic Rainboom. You should be a bit more supportive."

"I am, Rarity," Rainbow insisted, though her tone softened. "But with everything that’s been happening, we don’t even know who to blame."

"Stop your whining already," Pinkie Pie’s voice came from across the room, unusually sharp. She sat with her back to her friends, her expression hidden. "Don’t pretend you’ve got no one to blame when it’s written all over your face."

Rainbow turned on her heel, marching up to Pinkie. "Oh really, Pinkie? You’re calling me out for whining when your cousin’s out there wrecking the place-"

Pinkie Pie jumped up, pressing her hoof against Rainbow’s chest. "SEE? You do blame my cousin for this! You’ve been worked up ever since she changed. No, you’ve been worked up ever since Pizza Pie moved here!"

"Now, girls, don’t escalate this any further—" Applejack tried to intervene, but Rainbow kept pushing.

"Why shouldn’t I?" Rainbow slapped Pinkie’s hoof away. "She copies your look, she lied about your promise, and she’s keeping secrets. If anything, you should be more worked up about it!"

"Well, I don’t," Pinkie shot back, standing firm. "And I felt bad when I did. So you’ve got no right blaming my relatives for being different from me!"

"All your relatives are the complete opposite of you! You just don’t get it you only care about making us all get along—"

"No, you just don’t get it because you don’t have relatives of your own!"

The room fell silent. Shock registered on every pony’s face. Rainbow took a step back, eyes wide, then turned away from Pinkie and headed for the door.

"I’m out of here," she said coldly.

Applejack quickly followed, gesturing for the others to stay. "Y'all stay here; I’ll go after her," she said, leaving the others in stunned silence.

"Oh my goodness, I can’t believe Pinkie Pie said that. . ." Fluttershy whispered, still processing the scene.

"Pinkie Pie, how could you-" Twilight started, but Pinkie interrupted with a glare as she brushed past her.

"What? You gonna say something too?" she challenged before walking to the corner of the room and sitting down, facing the wall. "You still promised to bring my cousin back, so you’d better think of something."

"We will, Pinkie," Twilight said, sighing. "As soon as Applejack brings Rainbow Dash back, you’ll need to apologize."

Meanwhile, Applejack followed Rainbow Dash down the hall as Rainbow stormed through Pinkie’s party cave door and down the slide. Applejack slid after her, landing to find Rainbow frantically tossing aside balloons and decorations.

"Rainbow, listen," Applejack said, trying to calm her friend. "Pinkie didn’t mean what she said. You went a bit over the line back there, too-"

"So what if I did? That doesn’t change anything," Rainbow snapped, shoving more decorations aside. "And I don’t care that I have no siblings or relatives my age. Less competition for attention."

Applejack sighed. "C’mon now, you don’t mean that."

"Why’d you even follow me down here, Applejack? Twilight needs your help to stop Pinkie’s deranged cousin," Rainbow muttered.

"She needs all of us, Sugarcube," Applejack replied, her tone gentle but firm. "I don’t know what’s going on, but we can’t give up yet. Pizza Pie needs our help. Rainbow, you know how much Pinkie cares about her cousin. You should understand that."

". . . ."

"For Pinkie’s sake, let’s go back," Applejack said, smiling softly.

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~ End of chapter 17

Author's Note

The stunning realization shook the minds as their relevant solution of stopping the Pizza mare had failed and forcing the six ponies to a corner. Questioning their element's capabilities and themselves.