On the way to Applejack's house they met Rainbow Dash. "Whatcha doing?" she asked.

"We're searching for pearls," said Twilight. She showed Rainbow the two they'd already found. "These are what Mad Eyes was after. We've found two, and there are four more. We think the next one is at Applejack's house."

"Sounds exciting. I think I'll come with you."

When they got to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack led them down into the cellar. Her sister Apple Bloom, and her two friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were playing down there. "Howdy, young uns," said Applejack. The kids got up to leave but Applejack said, "Yore not botherin' us. We just need to find one barrel."

Joshy looked around in awe. He had never been down here before. "I say, what a lot of barrels!"

Applejack laughed. "They ain't all barrels. Those great giant ones standin' in the corner are called tuns. Barrels are these smaller ones. Then there's the kilderkin, a bit smaller still, an' smaller again, half the size, is the firkin."

Starlight waved her hoof around, indicating the cellar stocks. "So, we can rule out most of these, and just pay attention to the barrels, is that right?"

Applejack shrugged. "Who knows, maybe Zecora knew little of cellars an' they all looked like barrels to her."

"I think we can narrow it down farther than that," said Twilight. She recited the last two lines of the rhyme.

"If I told you the answer than you would know.

'twas made in the winter of deepest snow."

"So that prob'ly means it's in one o' the barrels o' cider we brewed last winter," said Applejack.

"What is?" said Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, what are you looking for?" said Scootaloo.

Discord winked. "We're looking for pearls, my young pony friend!"

Soon enough, Applejack discovered a tiny medicine bottle floating in one of the barrels. Its top had been sealed over. She lifted it out and opened it. The pearl was inside.

Apple Bloom whistled. "Wow, that's a real beauty!"

"Rarity would love to get her hooves on one of those," said Sweetie Belle.

"What are you gonna do with 'em, Twilight?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know yet," said Twilight. "But I guess the main thing we need to do is keep somebeast named Mad Eyes from getting them. Zecora gave her life to protect these pearls."

"Where's the next clue?" Starlight asked.

Applejack looked into the barrel. "Ah don't see nothin' else in there."

Twilight picked up the little bottle. "There's a little piece of paper folded up in the bottom here. Let me see if I can get it out."

But when she did, all it said was, "Patience pays but once this time."

"What?" Rainbow Dash yelled. "How are we supposed to find the next pearl without a clue?"

Just then Granny Smith came running down. "There's vermin outside!"

Twilight and her friends raced up the stairs and outside. Romsca and Lask Frildur were standing at the gate, surrounded by their crew of corsairs, searats, and monitor lizards. Even tough Rainbow Dash was taken aback at the sight of the huge, hideous reptiles. "Am I havin' a bad dream or are those things real?"

"It'z no dream," said Lask Frildur. "Open your gatez, I have wordz to say to you!"

Twilight showed no fear. Her voice rang out like steel striking an anvil. "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle! Say who you are and what you want, but don't try giving orders to me!"

The huge monitor puffed out his throat balefully. "I am Lask Frildur, Monitor General to the mighty Emperor Ublaz."

"Is Emperor Ublaz the same person as Mad Eyes?" Twilight asked.

Lask hissed. "None have ever called him that to hiz face and lived! I come here to collect zigz pearlz called the Tearz of all Oceanz. They were ztolen from my mazter- you will return them!"

Starlight leaned towards Twilight her voice low. "I don't like this. That reptile wouldn't turn up here demanding anything if he didn't have something up his sleeve."

Applejack's lips barely moved as she muttered, "She's right, Twilight, you'll have ta see if'n y'can bluff 'im!"

Lask's tongue was beginning to flicker impatiently. "I am waiting, horze!"

Twilight leaned carelessly against the fence. "Suppose we did have these six pearls to give you, what would we receive in return for them?"

"The livez of two of your friendz!" Lask stepped to the side to reveal the two lizards behind him, who were holding Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Fluttershy!" Discord gasped.

"Help us!" Fluttershy and Rarity cried.

Discord flew over the fence. "Let those ponies go right now!"

"Not until ya give us da pearls," said Romsca.

"You can collect the ransom on me instead," said Discord. "If you release Fluttershy and Rarity, you can take me prisoner and bring me back to your emperor until my friends have recovered the rest of the pearls. How's that?"

Romsca laughed nastily. "Nice try, Discord. I've hoid of you before. I trust you even less dan old scaley guts over here. If we took you aboard our ship, you'd woik your magic on us an' da next t'ing we knew we'd be woikin' for you. You'll get your precious Fluttershy back when we get da pearls back, an' not before!"

Having delivered her ultimatum, Romsca marched off quickly with her followers and dodged smartly into the cover of the Everfree Forest, taking Fluttershy and Rarity with them.

"We've gotta go after 'em!" cried Twilight.

She flew into the air, but Rainbow Dash flew up in front of her and blocked her path. "You've gotta find the other three pearls. Discord and I are the only ones here who can fly. We'll take care of this alone." She flew over to Discord. "Discord, I know we've never gotten along great, but we both love Fluttershy. If we want to rescue her, we've got to work together."

"Okay, it's a deal," said Discord.

"I want to come too, wot!" said Joshy. He pulled a magic broomstick out of nowhere, jumped onto it and flew into the air.

"Let's go!" said Rainbow Dash. She, Joshy, and Discord flew off.

"What do I do now?" Twilight wondered. "Two of my friends have been captured, and I haven't got a clue where the next pearl is!"