Night had fallen over the Everfree Forest. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo crept through the trees to Zecora's empty house.

"Remind me again what we're doing out here," Scootaloo yawned.

"We're goin' ta find the other three pearls fer Twilight!" said Apple Bloom.

"Zecora's the one who hid 'em, so her house is the best place to start looking," said Sweetie Belle. "And when we find the pearls, we can get my sister back."

When they got inside the house, Scootaloo asked, "Where do you think the pearls are hidden?"

"How am Ah s'posed ta know?" said Apple Bloom.

"You don't know? What did you drag me out here for then?" Scootaloo demanded.

"Let's check inside that wardrobe," Sweetie Belle said.

Apple Bloom looked at it. "Ah don't remember that bein' there las' time Ah was here."

"Why would she need a wardrobe? She doesn't wear clothes!" Scootaloo said.

Apple Bloom rubbed her front hooves together excitedly. "Maybe it's a secret entrance to another world!"

"Or the perfect place to hide something," said Sweetie Belle. She opened it up and climbed inside. A minute later she yelled, "I found another pearl!"

Instead of waiting for her to come out, the other two climbed in there with her to see the pearl. Then a thing happened that was bad and not good. The door blew shut, trapping them inside!

Scootaloo pushed on the door. "I can't move it! We're stuck!"

"Don't worry," Apple Bloom said confidently. "When Applejack sees Ah ain't in mah bed tomorrow mornin', she'll come lookin' for us. Sweetie Belle, did ya find anythang like a little balled up piece o' paper in here?"

The young unicorn felt around on the floor. "This might be it, but it's too dark to read it in here."

"Well, we kin read it in the mornin' after we get rescued." Apple Bloom lay down and shut her eyes. The other two followed suit.

Next morning, they were awakened by banging on the door. "Open up in there!" shouted Applejack's voice.

"We cain't git the door open!" Apple Bloom called back.

In the end, Applejack had to pry the door open with a crowbar. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stepped out to find Applejack and Twilight standing before them.

Applejack lectured them soundly. "Ya coulda been suffocated in there, d'ya realize that? An' when Ah saw yew wuz gone, Ah thought you'd been kidnapped too!"

"But we found the next pearl," said Sweetie Belle. She held it up for the adults to see.

"Did you find another clue, too?" Twilight asked.

"We found a paper, but we haven't looked at it yet." Sweetie Belle handed the paper to Twilight.

Twilight read it.

"Keep it clean and keep it dry.

Can you guess? Come on, just try!"

"Well, this is an easy one," she said. "It's obviously a washing machine. Let's go to the laundromat."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Romsca ushered Rarity and Fluttershy into her own private cabin. She released them from their rope shackles. She gave them each a beaker of seaweed grog and some hard ship's biscuit.

"Why are you helping us like this?" Rarity asked.

"I ain't doin' dis to help you. I don't trust dat Lask Frildur no more. He's got a crazy look in his eyes. I'm afraid he's gonna hoit you, an' while I don't care a whoop what becomes of ya, I'm worried dat if youse guys die, Emperor Mad Eyes will kill me in retaliation. Also, we're sailin' inta bad cold weather, youse guys wouldn't last a day out on deck. Sit tight in here an' keep da door locked, ya dig?"

Fluttershy smiled warmly at the wild looking corsair. "You're a good creature, Romsca. What a pity you chose the life of a corsair."

Romsca stood with one paw on the doorlatch. "It ain't none o' your business what I chose ta be," she said harshly. "I like bein' a corsair an' I ain't ashamed o' my life. Now youse guys stay put, an' don't open dis door to none but me."

Slamming the cabin door, Romsca went aft. The weather was cold and the seas a slate gray. She faced forward and peered anxiously; the wind was dropping, a deep fogbank was looming up, and ice was beginning to form on the rigging. A slithering sound behind Romsca caused her to turn swiftly. Lask Frildur was standing there watching her. Though he looked cold and seasick, there was a crafty glimmer in the monitor general's eyes.

"Where have you hidden the poniez, Romzca?" he hissed.

Romsca drew her switchblade and pointed it at him. "Never you mind about da ponies, I'm takin' charge o' dem. Keep your distance, Lask, or I'll stick ya like a hog, dig? Stay outta my way an' don't start any trouble dat y'can't finish."

Lask smiled slyly. "When I ztart trouble, Romzca, you will be the firzt to know!"