"And so the princesses recommend that the citizens stay in their homes," Mayor Mare finished reading off the national decree. "That is all. Return to your homes now."
"Wait, Mayor!" a small voice cried out. It was a young purple dragon, noticably grown over the past seven years. "Did the Princesses ever mention what happened to the holders of Elements in Fillydelphia?"
"Yes, but I believe you should hear about that in private. Spike, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Big MacIntosh, Mr. and Mrs. Cake. If you could all come with me, I can tell you exactly what happened," Mayor Mare said.
"What about Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake?' Mrs. Cake asked.
"I think it's better that if they're told, you do it," the mayor said. "Let's go to my office and I'll tell you everything."
"... Why am I being invited, again?" Scootaloo asked.
"You are the closest thing to a family member that is known to Rainbow Dash. Yes, I know that you are not technically related in any way, shape, or form, but I'm settling for it because you would likely wish to hear this. Plus, your friends would end up telling you, anyway," the mayor answered. The other Cutie Mark Crusaders eagerly nodded. Scootaloo shrugged.
As the group walked off to the mayor's office, Diamond Tiara approached Silver Spoon.
"So, the princesses have no idea what they're doing?" Silver Spoon asked.
"From the wording of the letter, it would seem that, yes, the princessses are actually lost as to what they're doing. We'll know for sure if we can find out what happened to the Element bearers," Diamond Tiara said.
"So... eavesdrop?" Silver Spoon asked.
"Yes. I know a window we can listen through. It has some bushes we can hide in," Diamond Tiara answered. "Now, let's hurry. We don't want to miss anything important."
{~X~}
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon popped out of their hiding place as the meeting concluded. The family members walked out with a variety of expressions. The Cakes seemed absolutely traumatized, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking out in unusually solemn silence, Big MacIntosh showed no emotion (as usual), and Spike was nervously breathing small jets of fire.
"Well, now it seems for sure that the princesses have no clue what they're doing and are trying to maintain order as they try to figure out what to do," Diamond Tiara said. "The mayor said that the Elements of Harmony were outside of Equestria and that the princesses were going to send out search parties, right?"
"Right," Silver Spoon said.
"But, the princesses can no longer use the Elements and only two Element holders' locations are known. And their location is in a hospital. Therefore, even if they find the Elements of Harmony, it'll be completely useless, right?"
"Right."
"And since nopony will be buying jewelry, we have no reason to stay and make it, right?"
"... Right," Silver Spoon agreed with a questioning tone.
"And if six ponies were found who fit the six Elements, they could become the new Element holders and save Equestria, right?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Okay, now I'm just getting confused."
"Let's go look for new Element holders."
Silver Spoon started laughing, which attracted attention since they hadn't left the bushes yet.
"That's a a good one, Diamond Tiara. 'Let's go look for new Element holders.' Hilarious," Silver Spoon said. Diamond Tiara just glared at her. "Oh my Celestia, you're serious."
"What the hay are ya'll goofballs doin' in those bushes?" a familiar voice asked. They looked up to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders glaring at them. "Ya'll weren't spyin' on us, were ya'?"
"Yes," Diamond Tiara answered.
"Wait... was that a yes to spyin', or a no to spyin?" Applebloom asked. She looked up in confusion for a moment to meet her friends' gazes. When they looked back down, the two mares were gone. "What the hay?"
{~X~}
The two slowed down after they got a certain distance away.
"So... if we were to actually enact this crazy plan of yours, who would we ask to come with us?" Silver Spoon asked.
"We'd need to gather up a good number of potential users. We don't know who exactly embodies the Elements of Harmony," Diamond Tiara answered. "And who do we know better than anypony else? Our own classmates."
"So... you're not seriously considering Queen Lisp?" Silver Spoon asked. "'Oh, thith wouldth be tho perthecth!'"
"Umm... no, not Twist," Diamond Tiara answered. "Maybe some of the others, though. I think the drunk mare's daughter is a good choice. What was her name again?"
"Ruby Pinch," Silver Spoon reminded.
"Right, her. And then there's... well, Dinky isn't too bad of a choice. She's way less stupid than her mom," Diamond Tiara said.
"Yeah, plus she has that amazing ability to recover from practically anything. Remember that time she got deathly ill, and then was better just two days later?" Silver Spoon asked excitedly.
"Yeah, not a bad point. Some of the younger ones from the school might work, too. Have you ever seen Pumpkin Cake use magic? It's amazing, and you know I don't say that often," Diamond Tiara said.
"Pound is also super strong. A bit on the clumsy side, maybe, and a bit stupid when it comes to stuff outside of baking, but not bad in all," Silver Spoon added.
"And what about the kid from Trottingham, one year above them? Blank flank?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"I think his name is..." Silver Spoon snorted before continuing. "Pipsqueak."
"Oh, that's... discouraging," Diamond Tiara responded. "Well, uh, names don't always have to do with what they're like, I suppose. But between all of us, that's still only seven. If at least two of us don't embody an Element, they won't work. We need more extras."
"Well... I guess we could bring Twist..." Silver Spoon said, though her face scrunched up in disgust.
"No. I personally refuse to travel with her across any distance," Diamond Tiara said firmly. "I mean, even the Crusaders would be better than her." She paused as Silver Spoon raised an eyebrow. "What? No! I didn't mean that I'd travel with them, either! They're all stupid!"
"But they do have connections to the current Element holders. If anypony has a good chance to embody an Element, it's them," Silver Spoon replied.
"But I- WE hate them! Why would you even suggest that!" Diamond Tiara shouted.
"You were the one who-" Silver Spoon began.
"What's that ya'll are sayin' about hatin' us?"a voice asked behind them. Diamond Tiara sent a cautious glance over her shoulder.
"... Ok, I hate 'ya'll' even more now," she growled, seeing the Crusaders. They had once again caught up to the two.
"Oh, big surprise," Scootaloo said sarcastically. "Now, i heard something about the Elements, so... spill."
"I've got a better idea!" Silver Spoon interrupted. "You meet us at the old schoolhouse in exactly 5 hours, and we'll tell you everything."
"Silver Spoon!" Diamond Tiara shouted.
"We can trust ya' because...?" Applebloom asked.
"Well, you can trust us because... uh... well, you really can't, but what better ideas have you got?" Silver Spoon asked, ignoring her friend's outrage.
"She's got a point, surprisingly enough," Sweetie Belle said, shrugging.
"... Fine, we'll be there," Scootaloo said, narrowing her eyes. "But you pull any tricks, and we'll be ready."
"Fine, you can trust us," Silver Spoon said.
"But you just said-"
"Oh, shut up, Sweetie," Silver Spoon said.
{~X~}
Dinky and Sparkler sat in the house with closed blinds and all the lights shut, due to Sparkler's paranoia acting up. Dinky just stared at her sister as they sat on the couch doing nothing, since Sparkler also refused to let Dinky out of her sight.
"I doubt the terrorists are going to attack Ponyville any time soon. Even if they did, I've seen worse things on my adventures with Dad. So have you," Dinky said.
"Why do you think I'm so paranoid?" Sparkler asked. "There's a constant message in my mind telling me not to blink."
"They have nothing to do with Weeping Pegasi," Dinky pointed out.
"That's how firmly implanted the message is," Sparkler said.
"Even if they were related, you're not gonna see any Weeping Pegasi by staring at the wall," Dinky said. She remained silent for a few seconds. "EXTERMINATE!"
Sparkler leaped with a yell, holding Dinky in her hooves and setting her horn alight. All of the windows and doors opened, revealing a surprising lack of Daleks. Sparkler paused for a second, before glaring at Dinky. Dinky was grinning like a maniac.
"DON'T DO THAT!" Sparkler screamed at the top of her lungs.
Before Dinky could respond, she heard a familiar sound coming from down the hall.
"Mom and Dad are home. And it sounds like they've parked in my bedroom," Dinky said.
"And don't ever scare me like that again!" Derpy's voice echoed down the hallway.
Doctor Whooves and Derpy walked into the living room. Fortunately, it seemed that he had been wrong about being beyond the reach of healing, as he was exactly the same as they had last seen him (minus the glowing).
"I'm thoroughly surprised it even worked," Doctor Whooves said. "Though not nearly as surprised as finding the doors unlocked and a nice breeze coming through the windows. Did she finally get past her fears, Dinky?"
"No!" Dinky said cheerfully. "I just scared her into thinking there was a Dalek outside the house!" She was met with a stern stare from her father. "... That's not funny, is it?"
"No," the Doctor answered.
"Oh, come on, she has a constant message to not blink when staring at a wall. I have to have some fun with this," Dinky complained.
"You can have fun with it when you cry wolf and she doesn't answer," the Doctor said.
"She's responded every time so far," Dinky pointed out. "I've done it, like, five hundred times."
"Then stop at five hundred," the Doctor warned.
"Yes, Dad..." Dinky said, pouting and hanging her head.
"Did you guys hear the decree?" Sparkler asked, having finally caught her breath.
"What decree?" Derpy asked.
"The princesses sent out a national decree that there are some dangerous ponies on the loose. They were last seen fighting the bearers of the Elements of Harmony in Fillydelphia. They warned citizens to avoid leaving their homes," Sparkler said as she magically closed all the doors and windows again.
"Yeah, but they never said we had to sit in the dark with all the blinds closed. What are the chances of the terrorists attacking Ponyville, let alone our house specifically?" Dinky asked.
"Dinky's right about that at least. There's not much chance of terrorists attacking us," Derpy agreed.
"Right. So if we're supposed to stay in our homes, why are Dinky's classmates walking down the street?" Doctor Whooves asked.
"Wait, what?" Dinky asked before rushing to the window. "It's Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. And they appear to be heading for our house."
At this last comment, Sparkler dove behind the couch, peeking up just enough to watch. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked up to their house and knocked on the door, to be answered by the Doctor.
"Hello," he greeted. "Why are you out in broad daylight after being told to stay in your homes?"
"Is Dinky here?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"I'm right here!" Dinky exclaimed, skipping to the front door. "Why do you two of all ponies wanna see me?"
"We... look, just meet us at the old schoolhouse at six o'clock, okay?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Why?" Dinky asked in response.
"Just... be there. if it makes you feel any better, the Cutie Mark Crusaders will be there, too."
"Okay!"
"Dinky! You're just agreeing to go!" they heard from down the hall.
"Shut it, Sparkler!" Dinky declared.
{~X~}
The group of ten fillies and colts arrived at the old schoolhouse at six. Pipsqueak, Ruby Pinch, Dinky, the Cake twins, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon all arrived. After getting the door open, they all stepped inside and turned on the lights.
"Everypony, please take a seat," Diamond Tiara said.
"What are we? Your students?" Scootaloo asked.
"No, I just thought you would like sitting down more. I see no reason for you to stand while I tell you why I gathered you all here," Diamond Tiara responded. "However, we are missing two people. Silver Spoon, did you contact the others?"
"Um, yeah. I told them to come a few minutes later than everypony else," Silver Spoon answered.
"Oh, good. Sit down, everypony, we'll be starting shortly."
Everypony sat down in response, surprised by Diamond Tiara's good will so far. Well, actually, Scootaloo remained standing in defiance, earning an eyeroll from the two heads. A few minutes later, two familiar figures entered. First was a large pink Earth-pony mare, and the other was a young dragon.
"Why are Spike and Miss Cheerilee here?" Ruby asked. "This is one of the weirdest groups I've ever seen."
"I don't deny that," Diamond Tiara answered. "Miss Cheerilee, could you please sit down? You can have Scootaloo's seat. Spike, stay here and take notes on the meeting."
"Can I have an idea of why I'm here, first?" Spike asked.
"I'm going to get to that. I'm just organizing everypony," Diamond Tiara said, with a hint of annoyance. Spike shrugged, and stood at the desk with a quill and parchment. "Good. Now, then, to begin...
"I have gathered you all here because it has come to my attention that Equestria is in great danger. The mayor did not tell you everything she knew about the dangerous ponies. They are, in fact, wielders of the Elements of Harmony's opposing force, the Elements of Chaos. These ponies have taken the Elements of Harmony and hidden them outside Equestria. They then attacked the Element bearers in Fillydelphia. They aimed to kill, but so far all we have are two hospitalizations and four ponies gone MIA. It is clear that if we wait too long, these six ponies will be able to defeat the princesses themeselves and thrust Equestria into an age of despair. Therefore, I have decided to find new ponies who embody the Elements, so that we may save Equestria from the coming apocalypse."
Her speech received various reactions.
"So yah WERE spyin' on us," Applebloom declared, with the other Crusaders nodding in agreement.
"You want us to save Equestria?" Ruby Pinch asked.
"If this plan succeeds, can I use it on my application to the Princess's School for Gifted Unicorns?" Pumpkin Cake asked.
"Okay, Applebloom, yes, Ruby Pinch, yes, and, Pumpkin Cake, I'm sure that you can, but why are you thinking about that of all things?" Diamond Tiara answered to their respective questions. "May I continue? Good.
"I have gathered you all because I feel that you all may represent an Element. Minus Spike and Miss Cheerilee. They're here for different reasons. I'm not saying that you have to, but I ask that you come with us to find the Elements and help save Equestria."
Ruby Pinch raised her hoof before declaring, "My mom's a drunk and I'm afraid of what will happen if I leave her home alone too long. She would worry, she would drink more than usual, and bad stuff would happen."
"You... raise an excellent point, Ruby," Diamond Tiara said. "But, c'mon, is she really more important than the whole of Equestria?" Diamond Tiara felt an invisible force punch her cheek in retaliation, as Ruby's horn glowed. "Ok, answer received," Diamond said, rubbing her cheek with her hoof tenderly.
"And what do you two care about this, anyway?" Applebloom asked. "Seems a bit out of character for you two of all ponies to be looking out for Equestria."
"Do you want us to stop?" Silver Spoon asked. "We can totally stop any time and let Equestria die, if that's what you want."
"But why should we listen to you? Do the Princesses even know about this?" Scootaloo asked.
"Uh... no, not yet," Diamond Tiara said, blushing. Spike let out a cough of smoke behind her. "I was going to tell you to send a letter later, I promise. We just had to organize an actual, commited workforce first. I mean, before you tell somepony about a mission, you should find out if you can pull off the mission in the first place."
"So, if they're not embodying Elements, what are those two doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked, pointing at Spike and Cheerilee.
"Ah, yes, them. We need somepony back at home base: in this case, Ponyville. Cheerilee, you are the only character that all of us have in common. Would you be willing to watch us go into inevitable danger and watch us defy death on multiple occasions, with no chance of any of us coming back?" Diamond asked.
"... You just gave me every single reason that I shouldn't do that," Cheerilee pointed out. "You really could've worded that better."
"I did that on purpose. Now that I've given every argument you could have against it, there's no reason to fight about it. Yes, or no?" Diamond asked again.
"Well, I suppose that-"
"Good! Spike will be used to send letters, either to the Princesses or to us on the battlefield," Diamond said.
"But we never agreed to-"
"Meanwhile, anypony who IS willing to go on the mission, raise your hooves," Diamond continued. Pipsqueak raised his hoof almost instantly. "Um, are you asking a question, or volunteering?"
"Both! Will I get to pull off awesome Daring Doo stunts?" Pipsqueak asked.
"Um... isn't Daring Doo a pegasus? And fictional?" Silver Spoon asked.
"Your point being...?" Pipsqueak implored.
"Oh, nevermind. Yes, I see no reason why not, other than that you have no experience or wings," Silver Spoon said. Pipsqueak gave a hoof pump.
Dinky raised her hoof while they were talking, being familiar with dangerous adventures. Then Pumpkin Cake raised her own, followed closely by her brother.
"Hey, wait," Ruby interrupted.
"Yes? Are you volunteering after all?" Diamond asked.
"No, but I can help," Ruby said. "Can I join in the mission control with Cheerilee and Spike?"
"Certainly," Diamond answered.
"But we never-" the two began again.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle, how nice of you to volunteer," Diamond interrupted again. The other Crusaders looked with horror at their friend, who had her hoof in the air.
"Sweetie Belle, how could ya'?" Applebloom asked, hurt in her voice.
"Well, they are raising good points for once in their lives," Sweetie Belle answered. "I quite like Equestria the way it is."
"Well, if Sweetie Belle's comin', then we are, too!" Applebloom exclaimed, raising her hoof. Scootaloo joined in.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS HEROES YAY!"
The other ponies in the schoolhouse winced and fixed their manes after the outburst. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon seemed more annoyed than anypony else.
"Yes, you can be heroes... maybe. Spike, have you got the notes for this meeting?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Yes, but about the mission control-" Spike began.
"Good. Send them to Princess Celestia at once," Diamond interrupted once more.
"But I never agreed to-"
"Are you saying you don't want to help?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Then send the letter," Diamond commanded.
Spike rolled up the parchment and sent it to the Princess. It was only a minute or two before he belched out her response. Unrolling the parchment, he began to read.
"Dear Spike," he began, "I was very confused by the notes for a meeting you sent me. After I finally made sense of it, I realized what you were saying. I find it very disturbing that you would plan such a meeting behind my back." He paused, glaring at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. "I am glad you sent me the notes, but I ask that next time, you tell me first. I also find it disturbing that you immediately lost faith after Twilight Sparkle and her friends lost the battle. I ask that-" he stopped reading, to glare at Diamond and Silver Spoon some more. "It really has nothing to do with the actual meeting. It just insults me, as Diamond Tiara asked me to send notes instead of an actual letter, so now she thinks I was running the meeting."
"Hmm... Spike, ya' should probably take a letter," Applebloom said.
"Wow, you think?" Spike asked sarcastically.
He set to work on a new letter, apologizing and redirecting the blame to the actual leaders of the meeting. It then more thoroughly explained their motives. He sent it, and waited a few more minutes for a reply. He suddenly belched up a second response, and began to read again.
"Dear Spike, you should have been more clear that it was not you running the meeting in your notes. I am sorry for my last letter, but I am still disturbed, as you said the age range of the group was only seven to thirteen. Therefore, I must ask that you tell these fillies and colts to abandon their plan and-"
"You know what?" Diamond Tiara interrupted. "Screw the Princesses. Who's up for a death-defying adventure?"
Everypony raised their hooves except for Cheerilee and Spike.
"I really can't approve of-" Cheerilee began.
"Great! We leave at dawn!" Diamond Tiara announced.
"But-" Cheerilee said again.
"Get your affairs in order, we may not return! Spike, don't even mention this again to the Princesses. What they don't know can't hurt them," Diamond said.
"But it's my personal duty to-" Spike objected
"Let's go, everypony!" Diamond yelled. The fillies and colts charged out of the doors, leaving Spike and Cheerilee alone in the schoolhouse.
"... What just happened?" they asked simultaneously.
{~X~}
Dinky walked into her house to find her parents and sister waiting for her.
"So? What was that all about?" Doctor Whooves asked.
"We're going on an adventure to save Equestria!" Dinky exclaimed.
"What?" Sparkler asked.
"I said we're going-" Dinky began
"I heard you the first time. Why are the class bullies taking you to save Equestria?"
"Because if we wait too long, Equestria will fall fall into chaos and despair."
"That's a little dangerous, isn't it?" Derpy asked.
"Yes. But my special talent IS going on dangerous adventures, after all," Dinky said, turning around to show them her Cutie Mark, which was an hourglass, with muffins sitting on the ends.
"What happened to your archery talent? Or your sleepover talent?" Sparkler asked.
"I don't know. Seriously, half the time you look at me, I don't even have a Cutie Mark. But I'm not as bad as Noi... I think she's had, like, a dozen," Dinky answered.
"You mean Carrot Top's little sister?" Derpy asked.
"Yes. And before we continue our fascinating conversation on magically-changing Cutie Marks, I need to say one thing. Dad, you're not coming with us."
Doctor Whooves looked away, pretending he wasn't about to ask if he could join them.
{~X~}
The Cake twins approached their house quietly, moving gently to the area beneath their bedroom window. Pumpkin used her magic to open it, before levitating herself up and through. Pound followed, using his wings. Pound shut the window and tiptoed over to their bunk bed. They slid inside and pretended to go to sleep. It was about five minutes before their mom walked in, to check on them.
"That's odd," they heard Mrs. Cake whisper. "Why is Pumpkin still wearing her bow?"
"Horse apples!" Pumpkin thought. "She's on to us!"
Thankfully, she just felt a tug as her mom pulled her bow out of her mane. As soon as her mom was out of the room, she sighed in relief.
{~X~}
The Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, where Big MacIntosh was waiting for them.
"So, apparently, Diamond Tiara wanted us to help her save Equestria, which is very un-Diamond Tiara. Using what we can only assume is witchcraft, she tricked Sweetie Belle into joining her crazy scheme. Of course, we couldn't leave Sweetie, so we leave at dawn to find the Elements of Harmony," Scootaloo said.
"Actually, unicorns are highly resistant to witchcraft. After all, we possess true magic," Sweetie Belle said.
"Are yah callin' Zecora's potions fake?" Applebloom asked.
"What? No! Why would I say that?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Somehow, I think this argument is gonna last a while," Scootaloo said, as Applebloom yelled something at Sweetie Belle.
"Eeeyup," Big Mac agreed.
{~X~}
The next morning, the nine ponies gathered at the edge of Ponyville.
"How did yout two get out without your mom noticing?" Dinky asked the Cake Twins.
"We didn't. Mom said we could come," Pound Cake said.
"She did?" Pipsqueak asked, raising an eyebrow.
Flashback:
"Hey Mom, we're going to save Equestria!" Pumpkin called.
"Okay! Have fun!" Mrs. Cake answered from the kitchen. "Oh, such vivid imaginations."
End Flashback
"Yeah, she totally said yes!" Pumpkin answered. "She muttered something afterwards, but it probably was no big deal."
"I, uh, find it hard to believe that she would two seven-year-old fillies go on a dangerous mission," Sweetie Belle said.
"Your sisters let you do crazy stuff when you were six," Pumpkin pointed out.
"That was different," Sweetie Belle said.
"She let you try for a pyrotechnics Cutie Mark. It doesn't get much more dangerous than that."
"Never. Mention. That. Again," Scootaloo said.
"Yeah, Scoot lost both her mane and tail on that little attempt. Took months to-" Applebloom aid.
"Stop talking!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"What about the rest of you? How did you guys get out?" Pound Cake asked.
"Big Mac didn't care much," Applebloom answered. "And I'm pretty sure Granny Smith didn't hear me."
"My parents? Mind that I'm going to save Equestria? Puh-leeze! My dad was ready to ask to come along!" Dinky said, cheerfully.
"I climbed out the window and jumped off the roof," Pipsqueak said with a grin.
"And how did that work out for you?" Diamond Tiara asked with a smirk. The question was answered with an awkward silence.
"So...um...that world-saving thing? How 'bout we get to it?" Silver spoon, attempting to break the silence.
"Yeah, we should probably get to that," Pound Cake answered.
"ONWARD TO ADVENTURE!"