“Cozy Glow? Ain’t she locked up in Tartarus?” AJ asked.

“We’ll need to find out, Spike!” Twilight turned and called to her assistant who was nearby chatting with Smolder and when he heard he walked over.

“Yeah, Twilight?” Spike asked.

“I need you to send word to Celestia, we may have a criminal filly on the loose,” Twilight said.

“Ok,” Spike nodded and he pulled out a paper and quill and wrote on it.

“Hmm? This young whelp works for you?” Firestar asked.

“Yes, he’s my number one assistant, and my adopted brother,” Twilight said.

“...A pony and a dragon being siblings?... odd,” Stone said scratching his head.

“The explanation will take time we don’t have, come on,” Twilight said as she led them back to the castle.

“We’ll handle Rainbow, let us know if anything happens!” Rarity called after them and Twilight nodded as she trotted away.

“Ok, RD, come with us,” AJ said.

“N-no! What if we get mugged on the way?” Rainbow shivered.

“She’s more jumpy than Shy, no offense,” AJ sighed.

“It’s fine,” Fluttershy said.

“By the way,” Spike asked running beside Firestar.

“Hmm?” Firestar looked at Spike.

“What’s with that spear? It’s different looking from a royal guard's spear,” Spike said.

“This? I made it,” Firestar said.

“You made this spear?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, it uses a marka crystal to harness heat and focus it into a condensed sphere of fire,” Firestar explained.

“What?” Spike didn’t understand.

“A marka crystal? To create combustion attacks… Amazing, I’ve used a few back in the day but never thought of that,” Twilight said.

“You did?” Firestar asked surprised.

“Of course, I was trying to apply it to my thaumic sensors in hopes of creating a proper magic sensing machine, but it didn’t work,” Twilight said.

“Did… you check the age of the crystal? How old the crystal is usually determines its effect and output,” Firestar said.

“Really? I never thought about that,” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“And do you make sure to send the electrodes through at an even magic current instead of an odd magical one?” Firestar asked.

“....I need to retry the experiment later, you seem quite knowledgeable about this stuff,” Twilight said with a smile.

“I am an inventor, I make all kinds of things,” Firestar said with a slight blush.

A blush that wasn’t missed by Stone who grinned.

“A dragon inventor?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, he’s a total nerd,” Stone said.

“Shut up Stone,” Firestar sighed.

As the group made it to the castle Twilight and Firestar were still chatting about inventions they made.

“Heh, Firestar you sly dog,” Stone said.

“Man, never thought I’d meet somedragon with similar thought processes to Twilight,” Spike said.

“Never thought I’d meet a pony with similar thought processes to Firestar,” Stone said.

“Huh…” Spike said not sure what to make of this.

“And in conclusion, I think electric theory-” Firestar said before Spike coughed and got their attention.

“Sorry to interrupt but, we still have a mad filly on the loose,” Spike said.

“Indeed, not like you to get distracted,” Stone said with a cocky smirk.

“Fine, we’ll continue this later,” Firestar said as they followed Twilight up to the map room.

Upon entering Twilight approached the cutie map and turned it on.

“Whoa!” Stone said jumping as the holographic map came up.

“What kind of magic is this?” Firestar asked.

“A special kind from a magic tree,” Twilight said.

“...Really?” Stone asked.

“Ok, so we find that the mysterious power that turned Rainbow into a frightened pony seems to be in the hoofs of a criminal filly and it is in the process of inflicting magical issues on various ponies in the form of emotional magic being stolen, what was its use originally?” Twilight asked.

“It was to be used in the event the dragonlands faces danger, it could be used to pacify potential dangers to dragons,” Firestar said.

“Only it never saw use until today, because who’d be stupid enough to attack the dragonlands?” Stone said.

“Makes sense,” Spike said.

“Ok, if we’re dealing with mind magic then we need to be prepared, Spike can I have your help in locating the right books?” Twilight asked.

“Ok!” Spike as he followed her.

“You two stay here, if you see any pings, let me know,” Twilight said before the two left.

The two drakes shrugged and sat down.

Some time passed and Stone decided to break the ice.

“So… Fire,” Stone said.

“What?” Firestar replied.

“What do you think about Twilight?” Stone asked.

Firestar raised an eyebrow.

“I think she's a good leader and a very caring friend. Not to mention she is knowledgeable,” said Firestar.

“Aha don't you think she would be a great mate for you,” Stone said with a slight grin which stopped Firestar with wide eyes.

“What brought this on?” yelled Firestar.

“Oh come on man you both like to talk about nerd stuff. Both of you like to take responsibility. Not to mention she finds your inventions very interesting, not like our dragonesses back at home. Not one could handle your long lectures about your inventions. Even the new dragon lord Ember tries to avoid you because you were trying to show her your new inventions.” Stone said matter of factly which only irritated Firestar.

“What makes you think that I want to have a pony as a mate? Not to mention she's a princess meaning she has a lot of responsibility as a leader. Granted she is beautiful and kind. Not to mention the only female that ever finds my inventions interesting without me getting tail slapped or fire breath in the face, not to mention she’s not saying anything bad about my intelligence or my inventions or how I'm boring,” Firestar said.

“See that's my point she's perfect for you!” Stone said with a cocky grin.

“Why are you so interested in me finding a mate?” Questioned Firestar.

“Because dude you're my cave buddy and I'm your dragon wing man. I got to look for a girlfriend for my buddy. Otherwise, do I have to remind you of your old flame?” These words only got him a tackle onto the ground from an angry Firestar.

“We agreed that we’d never ever speak of her again,” Firestar growled.

“Noted!” said Stone defensively as Firestar got off of him “Also how can I not help find my best Drake without finding him a date for my wedding?” Stone said.

“I've been meaning to ask why do you decided to marry that pink pony Pinkie Pie just so you can eat all her cupcakes? Doesn’t that seem superfic-” Firestar said and it was now Stones turned to tackle.

“Don't you ever ever just say that only marry her just for cupcakes. Okay only a little but Those cupcakes are something made with love. Something you don't ever find in the Dragon Lands gem cave. When I tasted her cupcakes I found happiness. Happiness that I have never felt in a very long time. Not to mention it is a family tradition,” Said Stone.

“What?” Firestar asked.

“Yeah! My mom gave a delicious gem to my dad. Same thing happened to my my grandpa and my great-great-grandfather too. My family only finds mates if one of them gives them a delicious gem. Which Pinkie Pie did. And I love her for that,” Stone said getting off of him.

“...But aren't you moving too fast it's a marriage without getting her to know her first. Also on case you had to notice I don't think you don't have the qualifications of a good mate. How are you going to support her?” questioned Firestar.

“Look I know I can be lazy and not have of responsibility but whatever comes with my mate I would do it with all my power to make her happy and to protect her. Because my dad said to me ‘son whenever you find a mate that ever gives you something delicious to eat. You must do in every way and your power to make that mate happy and promise to love her for the rest of your life and to never let her go.’ That was the one thing that I ever learned that I kept in My Heart!” Said Stone with a determined look.

This surprised Fire Star “But are you sure you want to marry a pony?”

“Look I don't care what you say to anyone else but whenever a female ever offered me a delicious gem I must claim her as my mate and to make sure she has a happy life,” Stone said.

“But what if she doesn't want to not marry you? You do realize ponies have different relationship practices right,” Questioned Firestar

“Then I would learn these relationship practices to win her over. I made up my mind and I'm never going back,” Stone said.

For the first time ever Firestar finds Stone's determination surprising and he nodded in acknowledgment,”

Well, I wish you good luck and hope you succeed,” Said Firestar with a proud look.

“Same to you and I hope you went over Twilight Princess,” Said Stone with that slight smirk. Which only made Firestar blush with anger.

“Can we please go back to taking back that gem from Cozy Glow?” Which made Stone chuckle at his face.

“Sure sure,” Stone laughed a little as Twilight came back.

“Sorry I took so long, Spike had to use the bathroom,” Twilight said.

“Gee announce it to everypony why don’t you?” Spike sighed.

“Any signs?” Twilight said.

“No, but I assure you we’ll find her,” Firestar said.

“Alright, then let’s get to work!” Twilight said eagerly.

“I’ll help,” Firestar said.

Rainbow was still under her blanket shaking in fear as Fluttershy and Rarity were carting her into her cottage on a wheelbarrow.

“Slow down!” Rainbow said.

“I miss the Rainbow Dash that could handle anything,” Rarity said.

“Agreed,” AJ said.

“We’ll get her back to normal soon ah bet,” AJ said before sitting down on a chair.

“Well, we’ll take care of her later, for now we should rest,” Rarity said.

“Don’t worry Rainbow, we’ll fix ya soon,” Pinkie said.

“F-fix? What does that mean?” Rainbow asked.

“I hope we can soon, If you all need me, I will be out back feeding the muskrats,” Fluttershy said.

“Ok,” AJ said as Fluttershy trotted out.

“Come here darlings,” Fluttershy spread the feed and the muskrats came over to get some.

Fluttershy loves this, ensuring every pet is full and happy.

As she hovered about and spread more feed she suddenly heard a rustle in a nearby bush.

“Huh?” Fluttershy said, something in her tells her this could be bad for her.

Before seeing Angel come out of the bushes.

“Angel? What were you doing there?” Fluttershy asked.

Angel shrugged and hopped over to her.

“Very well, while you're here, could you please disperse the feed while I fill their drinking bowls,” Fluttershy asked.

Angel nodded and began working on the already spread feed while Fluttershy turned and began filling the buckets.

As she finished she looked in through a window to see how her friends were doing.

AJ was napping, Rainbow was still under her blanket, Angel was coming down the stairs, Rarity was in the bathroom doing her make-up, Pinkie was-....wait…

“Angel?” Fluttershy asked outloud seeing the rabbit in the-

THUNK

Fluttershy dropped to the ground unconscious and was dragged away by an unseen foe.

“She sure is takin her time,” AJ said having woken up recently.

“I’m a tad worried about her,” Rarity said.

“Hmm,” Pinkie was looking out the window.

“Everything good Pinkie?” AJ asked.

“No… something isn’t right,” Pinkie said.

“You… are not suggesting something happened to Fluttershy do you?” Rarity asked worriedly.

“Ah’ll check on her,” AJ said as she went towards the door.

“I’ll come with,” Rarity said and she followed AJ to the backyard and opened the door.

And a bunch of muskrats fled past their hooves.

“AH!” Rarity yelped as one of them got some dirt on her.

“Calm down Rares,” AJ rolled her eyes before looking to see what was scaring the muskrats… and she narrowly ducked a thrown chair.

“AND KEEP AWAY YOU FILTHY RATS!” Fluttershy bellowed.

“Fluttershy?” Rarity said sounding appalled.

“WHAT?!” Fluttershy growled at her making her step back a little.

“Shy, yer not actin like yerself,” AJ said knowing immediately she was robbed of a personality trait.

And based on how she’s acting, it was her kindness.

“Is your last name Sherlock, because that’s obvious!” Fluttershy said with a spiteful tone.

“Fluttershy! I demand you cease this vicious attitude this-”

“Shut your mouth, your voice is annoying!” Fluttershy said kicking dirt at Rarity before storming away.

“Eeep!” Rarity backed away from the dust cloud.

“We shouldn’t have let her go off on her own…” AJ sighed.

“We must remain vigilant then,” Rarity said before the two went back inside….

And saw Pinkie crying on the floor.

“Pinkie? What’s wrong?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t knoooow!” Pinkie cried.

“....This isn’t good, Applejack! We need to-”

“Da mihi thesaurum tuum!” The two spun just in time to see a familiar pink filly with a menacing smile as a bright light flashed on them and they screamed.

Huge stacks of books were littered around the room and it was shown that Twilight and Firestar were responsible.

“Ok, mind magic comes in various forms,” Twilight said.

“And these types are carrying specific effects similar to the gem, if we can isolate some of these effects-” Firestar said and Twilight finished.

“We can create a means to protect one from the effects of the gem,” Twilight said “I have to say, it's nice to have a complex conversation for once,” Twilight said.

“I agree, usually others look at me like I grew a second head when I speak this way,” Firestar said.

“Indeed,” Twilight giggled.

Meanwhile Stone and Spike were hanging out and watching the two click.

“I swear she’s like a female pony version of Firestar, they belong together,” Stone chuckled.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked.

“You’ll understand when you're older,” Stone waved him off.

“Alright! We can do this,” Twilight said before noticing the cutie map beeping.

“Huh? The map thing is beeping,” Stone said.

“It means something happened… at Fluttershy’s cottage?” Twilight said getting a concerned look “We need to see if they're okay,” Twilight said.

“Ok, you go and check on them, we’ll work on the makeshift magical obsidian helmets,” Firestar said.

“Ok, I’ll be back,” Twilight said before teleporting.

“...Do we have to?” Stone whined.

“Quit your whining, we’ve got work to do,” Firestar said.

Twilight arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage and looked around.

She saw the animals hiding, why were the-

“HEY!” Twilight jumped and turned to see Fluttershy storming up to her.

“Flutt-”

“SHADDUP! How dare you come into my cottage without my permission!?” Fluttershy barked.

“Fluttershy?!” Twilight said in surprise.

“GET OUT!” Fluttershy picked up Twilight and threw her outside.

“AAH!” Twilight tumbled to the ground and looked up to see Fluttershy slamming the door.

“What was-” Twilight said before noticing the bushes rustling nearby and she turned to see Rainbow’s tail sticking out.

“Eeep!” Rainbow hid deeper in the shrubbery when she saw Twilight was looking at her.

“Can ya’ll keep it down?...” Twilight looked to see AJ lying down nearby.

“AJ! Cozy Glow got to Fluttershy! We need to-”

“Sleep… only sleep,” AJ said waving her off.

“Huh?” Twilight approached and saw AJ was sleeping “AJ, this is serious! We need to-”

“Leave me alone… sounds like too much work,” AJ said.

“...What?” Twilight said before feeling a poke on her side and she turned to see Pinkie, but her eyes were puffy and her mane was down.

“Pinkie!?” Twilight said and Pinkie immediately started crying “Huh? Pinkie? Not you too!” Twilight said.

“I’m so depressed and I don’t even know whyyyyy!” Pinkie sobbed sitting down.

“They are acting angry, lazy, depressive, cowardly… where’s Rarity?” Twilight looked around and saw a nearby shed open and she hesitantly trotted over there and saw something that made her cringe.

Prim and proper Rarity, laying amidst Fluttershy’s soil bags for her garden and she looked filthy.

“Heheh… hey there Twilight, care for a bag of chips, managed to swipe it from Fluttershy when she wasn’t looking,” Rarity then did something she’d never do and let out a loud belch before shoveling more chips into her mouth “And can you please get me some ice cream? I would but I just managed to get comfortable,” Rarity added.

“Rarity…” Twilight sighed knowing they’d all been affected and now Rarity is acting like a slob.

Twilight looked around and decided this place wasn’t safe anymore and she grabbed Rarity in her magic and fled back to the others.

“Twilight! Wait! I still had some chips back there!” Rarity cried.

Twilight scooped up Rainbow, Pinkie and AJ and she knocked on the door to Shy’s house.

Fluttershy opened the door and glared at Twilight.

“What are you still doing here!?” Fluttershy demanded.

“Sorry Shy,” Twilight used a sleep charm and hit Fluttershy knocking her out, she then picked her up and teleported them all and herself back to the castle.

Twilight landed back in the castle and dropped them down, surprising Spike.

“Whoa!” Spike jumped seeing them there.

“Everything alright?” Stone said walking over.

“No…” Twilight said.

“I can tell already they’ve been affected,” Firestar flew over.

“What?! No, Pinkie!” Stone ran over to her and picked her up.

“....” Pinkie just curled up in his arms and continued looking depressed.

“I’ll cook that brat for harming my Pinkie!” Stone growled.

“Calm yourself,” Firestar said putting his hand on Stones's shoulder.

“...Ok,” Stone said taking a breath and walking away with Pinkie.

“We need to stop her, now,” Twilight said.

“I just finished the equation needed, we can get moving as soon as the defense spell is made,” Firestar said.

“Ok, let’s move,” Twilight said.

Meanwhile Spike approached Rarity who looked at him disinterestedly.

“Hey Rarity, um… are you o-” Spike said before she belched in his face and got up before trotting away while he coughed from the smell.

“I’m gonna go raid your pantry and crash on your couch,” Rarity said trotting into the kitchen.

“.....We need to get the old Rarity back….” Spike said.

Author's Note

Gonna spend some time on my novel before writing the next chapter, hope you're enjoying it so far.