The next morning, everypony prepared for their missions. After six of the biological Canterlot sisters and most of their husbands left on the train to Maris, three carriages parked just in front of the dais. One was Gladmane’s glittering and extravagant carriage and the other two were crystal carriages Cadance and her husband had in storage.
As the attendants put the royals’ baggage onto the carriages, Gladmane told Starling, “I’m really glad you decided to come to Las Pegasus for your parents.” His smile then drooped into a sad frown as he said, “I am truly sorry about what happened to your sweet daughter. Quite a tragedy, it is.”
She then clarified, “Well, it may not be if the kids can be found, and I sincerely believe that they will all return.”
Gladmane nodded with a suave smile, “Oh, of course, of course. Far be it from me to doubt a lovin’ mama. Her instincts are usually 100% on the mark. Just keep hopin’, princess, and maybe by some miracle, the young ones will pop up soon.”
Starling confidently said, “Oh, I don’t hope they’ll return. I know they will, and it’ll be all thanks to the Guardians of Equestria.”
In a sudden flash, Discord appeared on a grassy field with the Guardians and Zealot, who were all carrying saddlebags on their backs.
He told the ponies, “Well, here we are. The same empty plain where I tried to find Oddball.”
Flurry said, “And if you were trying to take us to him, then that proves he’s on Paraddock with the others.”
Zealot looked up in amazement and breathed, “Wow…It’s so ginormous!”
The others looked up and saw a blanket of clouds hanging over them.
Discord flew up to the clouds and laughed, “This isn’t Paraddock!” When he waved his hands in opposite directions, some of the tightly-spaced clouds parted to create a hole through which the ponies could see a gigantic cloud high in the sky. He pointed to it and said, “That’s Paraddock.”
The ponies gasped in amazement as they stared up at the cloud land they had only dreamed of until now.
Nova then remembered something and mentioned, “Of course! Even if Paraddock could pass for just a big cloud, it still produces a cloud cover close to the ground for protection.”
Blaze pointed up to the cloud cover, “Which is closing up soon.”
Discord said as goggles flashed onto his head, “Then I better make some quick calculations!” Blackboards, whiteboards, calculators, and notepads all appeared in a flash and floated in mid-air. He wrote and typed equations down and conjured up some other tools to help with his calculations. He said as he established a pattern of writing, typing, and examining, “Let’s see…If the square root is…Carry the one…No, no, no…”
Roller said as the cloud cover almost reached its closing point, “Uh, Discord…?”
The draconequus replied in mild annoyance, “Don’t rush me…I’m getting there…” His face then lit up with excitement, “Ah! I’ve got it! Plant the magic beans right here!”
The pencil he tossed to mark the spot pierced the ground just as the opening in the clouds closed completely.
Mischief said, “Then let’s start digging!”
Before anypony could start digging around the pencil, Discord held a stop sign and blew a whistle.
He said, “This may surprise you, but when I was growing up, the draconequui grew beanstalks in a certain way.”
Skater said in confusion, “Wait, I thought the draconequui were all chaotic and such.”
“Oh, they were, but there were certain *ahem* activities that required calculation and forethought. Growing a beanstalk was one of them.”
Roller suggested, “Why not just throw the beans into a hole in the ground and let them grow?”
Discord answered, “Believe me, there were some who thought just like you. They just threw in the beans without thinking it through at all.” He gave a chuckle as he recalled, “Of course, their beanstalks ended up looking like messy balls of yarn.”
Mischief slyly smirked, “Why does something tell me you were one of those draconequui?”
Discord blushed and sheepishly chuckled, “Well, I may have done so when I was a young lad. After my…unfortunate incident, I took to learning about planting beanstalks from a gardener who was famous for his green thumb…a literal green thumb.” He chuckled at that.
Blaze said, “Then tell us, Mr. Apprentice Gardener, how are we supposed to plant the beans?”
His uncle explained, “I’ve already done the calculations for the perfect planting spot. I don’t think I need to bore you with an explanation of how that works. The next step, luckily, is much simpler…” He then gave a devilish grin, “…unless you’re afraid to get your hooves dirty.”
Skater remarked, “Ha! As if!”
“Excellent! Then you need to dig a 2-inch hole no wider than the palm of my paw.”
Mischief conjured up a spade as he said, “On it!”
After he dug the hole where the pencil had been, Discord measured it carefully and then said, “A little crooked, but it’ll do. And now, for the piece de resistance, the beans! If you please, Mischief.”
The antlered colt dug into his mane and pulled out his precious box. He used his magic to levitate the item while opening it at the same time. The beans then floated out of the box in a green aura and settled into the ground close together.
Discord abruptly said, “Ah-ah-ah! They’re too close together!” He separated the beans carefully with his claw as he mentioned, “The magic is very delicate, and having the beans on top of each other can have disastrous effects.” He withdrew his claw and smiled, “There! Now we add a layer of dirt on top of them…” He snapped his fingers and the pile of dirt that sat on the ground now filled the hole with the beans. “…and some water.” He conjured up a watering can and poured the droplets of water onto the dirt patch.
Roller asked, “So how long do we have to wait for the beans to -“
Suddenly, a bean shoot emerged from the dirt as if in reply to his question.
Skater commented, “Guess we won’t have to wait long.”
Two more bean sprouts popped through at that instant, and all three tiny shoots began growing before the group’s eyes.
Nova asked, “So when do we get on?”
Discord answered, “Usually, when beanstalks get thick, they sprout lots of leaves and vines, so I suggest getting on a leaf or vine that’s big enough to carry you when it appears.”
Flurry said, “So we just wait until the beanstalk reaches your height?”
“Preferably a little higher than that, but yes.”
By that time, the three shoots had already thickened like tree trunks and intertwined together into a single stalk. They were not yet Discord’s height, but the first leaf was sprouting from the green trunk.
Mischief bowed and gestured to Flurry, “After you, milady.”
Flurry chuckled as she walked up to the growing beanstalk, “Thank you, kind sir.”
She jumped onto the leaf as soon as it grew big enough to support her. Soon, other leaves sprouted from the beanstalk and vines started to weave around the plant. Whenever a leaf or vine grew large enough to carry a pony to the heavens, each member of the group took the opportunity to jump on. When Nova was the last to jump on, she – like the others – slowly rose into the air and neared the cloud cover.
Discord waved them off and said, “Farewell, brave travelers! Don’t forget to hold your breath!” He then disappeared in a flash.
After a moment’s confusion, the ponies realized he had meant when they would get nearer to Paraddock. When the tip of the beanstalk pierced through the cloud cover, they braced themselves for the moment they would break through as well. Somewhat to their surprise, the clouds felt soft and similar to pillows full of air. After they broke through the cloud cover, they looked up to see Paraddock inching closer towards them as if it was slowly descending towards the earth. The ponies tried not to look down and kept their sights on either each other or Paraddock. Some of the group slipped and slid a short distance down the beanstalk until either a leaf or a curl of a vine caught them.
When the group was almost to Paraddock, Apple Butter remarked, “When the legend said that the draconequui’s beanstalks grew to extraordinary height, they weren’t kidding.”
Zealot pointed out, “The air’s getting a bit thin, so we must be close.”
Mischief told his friends and fiancée, “Hold your breath, everyone!”
Everypony took a big inhale and immediately closed their mouths to keep their precious amounts of oxygen in their bodies. As Paraddock grew larger above the beanstalk, the ponies felt somewhat dizzy and found themselves clinging onto a leaf or vine to keep from falling off. They braced themselves for the moment they would either crash into the barrier or break through. In a few seconds, they would find out…
SPLASH!
They opened their eyes and to their astonishment, they were underwater! Some of their held-in breaths escaped from both the shock of coming into the water and the revelation that they were submerged somewhere. Their lungs felt as if they were caving in from the pressure of the water and having no fresh oxygen. They had to swim up to the surface and fast. They looked up to where the ripples and bits of light danced and quickly paddled upwards. The moment they broke through the surface, they gulped and gasped for much-needed air. Their lungs seemed relieved to have fresh oxygen instead of the stale air that had occupied the vital organs moments before.
Zealot asked once he regained his breath, “Is everypony okay?”
Skater coughed, “Yeah. We’re fine.”
Flurry said as she continued to paddle to keep afloat, “We need to get to shore before we come up with a plan to find the kids.”
Mischief responded, “Way ahead of you!”
When his antlers glowed green, the whole group was teleported to the dry land that surrounded the lake.
Nova said in gratitude, “Thanks, Mischief.”
“No prob,” he replied.
They shook their coats and manes before they looked back out towards the lake – which was dotted with lily pads of various sizes - and saw the tip of the beanstalk standing in the water. They peeked over the edge and saw that the pool had no bottom! There was only water and the middle of the beanstalk below the submerged dirt walls of the lake.
Mischief remarked, “I have a feeling we’re not in Equestria anymore.”
The group then noticed that the mist covering the land was lifting. They turned their attention to their earthy surroundings and were gradually filled with awe as many flowers came into view. They drew in amazed breaths as the mist completely vanished, revealing a wondrous field filled with flowers that were tall, short, beautiful, and exotic.
Blaze agreed, “Yep. Definitely not in Equestria anymore.”
Nova breathed with wide eyes and a smile, “It’s all so magnificent.”
Zealot said, “Well, if the kids were here, they wouldn’t have felt scared at all.”
“Why would they?” a voice asked.
The ponies twisted their heads in all directions and then asked one another if they had spoken. Everyone replied that they didn’t.
Roller began to ask, “Then who -”
Before he could finish his sentence, a flock of strange creatures flittered past them. When the creatures came to rest on a large leaf, the ponies saw that they had buttered slices of bread for butterfly wings.
Skater remarked, “Those are strange butterflies.”
The voice spoke once again, “You mean bread-and-butterflies.”
The ponies returned their attention to finding the source of the voice. All they could see were flowers covering the entire field, save for the patches of grass that made walking easier. At that moment, another strange insect flew towards them. It did not make a buzzing sound as one would expect; rather, it made a whinny that was much like the sound ponies sometimes made.
Flurry exclaimed, “It’s a horsefly!”
Apple Butter inspected it closer and saw that the insect had curved bars of wood attached to its hooves like they were skis.
AB chuckled, “I think it’s a rocking-horsefly!”
The rocking-horsefly flittered away when the voice said, “Naturally.”
Mischief said, “Okay, I think it has to be one of those flowers.” He pointed to a group of tall flowers that slightly towered over the ponies.
Nova smiled, “Oh, Mischief, flowers can’t talk.”
Suddenly, the rose sprung to life and tilted towards the ponies. She gently corrected Nova, “But of course we can talk, my dear.”
Before the ponies could register the surprise, the iris spoke haughtily, “If there’s anyone worth talking to.”
The daisy then chortled, “Or about.”
The pansies all grouped together in a single bed added, “And we sing, too.”
Zealot remarked, “Wow, Paraddock really is a mixture of paradise and…oddness.”
Flurry sweetly said to the flowers, “I’m sure singing is nice, but I’m afraid we can’t stay for long.”
The sweetpeas asked in surprise, “Why not?!”
Blaze answered, “We need to find our cousins’ kids. They were taken up to Paraddock a few nights ago. Have you seen them?”
Abruptly, the flowers burst into laughter.
The calla lily then responded cheerfully, “Have we seen them? Of course we’ve seen them!”
The daisy cooed, “They were the most precious things! They got all so excited about being here. Most of the children who come here are.”
The lilac added, “Not many adults, though.”
The iris harrumphed, “Though they probably want to cause more trouble for the children than it’s worth.”
Flurry explained, “Oh, we’re not here to cause trouble. We’re here to find the kids.”
The iris asked with a sneer, “So you can ruin their fun?”
“No, that’s not it. We were called by the Cutie Map and it led us here. We think they might be in trouble.”
The rose said calmly, “I see. Well, you need not worry about the children. Paraddock is a very safe yet exciting place for them. I doubt they’ll find much trouble here.”
The calla lily pointed to something behind the flowers, “Not if you count that.”
The ponies directed their attention towards a group of flowers that were either closed up or shriveled.
The calla lily continued, “That’s been happening for a while now. And it’s not just right here. It’s all over the field. Thankfully, not too many flowers have been affected, but it’s still worrisome.”
The rose solemnly agreed, “Yes, Calla Lily is right. It has never happened before, not in the long time we’ve existed.”
Nova asked in concern, “What do you think could be causing it?”
“We don’t know. There are times when more children than usual come to Paraddock, but when that happens, the flowers are perfectly fine. For this to happen now, there must be a greater danger at hand here.”
A lily of the valley then gasped, “Oh my! You don’t suppose it could be the Crystal Heart, do you?”
Flurry grew concerned, “The Crystal Heart? I thought it was fine when we left the Empire.”
The rose chuckled, “Oh, no, no, no. This is a different Crystal Heart, one that is guarded by the Crystal Fairies.”
The ponies’ eyes widened and their jaws dropped when they heard this.
Nova exclaimed, “The Crystal Fairies?! But we thought they were extinct for a very long time!”
The rose clarified, “Only one colony of Crystal Fairies still exists, and they live right here on Paraddock. We don’t know much about them, but we have heard that they protect a Crystal Heart that is tied to Paraddock, and some say it’s even tied to the one who created this very land and everything in it.”
The ponies grew excited at the prospect of a lead in their search for either the kids or what’s happening to the flowers.
Blaze asked, “Where can we find the Crystal Fairies or Paraddock’s creator?”
A tulip responded, “Just follow the magenta path and you’ll find your way to…whoever it is you’re trying to find.”
Flurry bowed in respect and said, “Thank you, all of you. You have been of great help to us.”
Mischief added, “And we promise to repay you by solving the mystery of what’s happening to your…kin.”
The ponies and flowers exchanged good-byes and the travelers went on their way. As they passed through more of the field, they saw more flowers that were either closed up or shriveled.
Roller cringed, “Wow, they weren’t kidding when they said it was happening all over the field.”
Zealot nodded, “Yeah, I hope we can help them and find the kids at the same time.”
Apple Butter pointed to something and said, “Look, there it is! The magenta path!”
The ponies looked to where she was facing and saw that she was right. There was the magenta path leading into a jungle!
Skater said with daring in her voice and face, “Well, we didn’t come all this way to chicken out now. Let’s follow that trail!”
As she trotted towards the path and the jungle, Roller told his friends, “Come on, everyone! Adventure is out there!”
Zealot said as the rest started following the twins, “They’re sure eager.”
Apple Butter smirked, “Even when there might be danger afoot.”
He gulped, “Please don’t mention danger.”
As the ponies traveled through the jungle in brave and high spirits, Flurry and Mischief sang, “Look out, new world…Here we come…”
Roller sang, “Brave, intrepid…”
Skater gave a smirk at her brother and sang, “And then some…”
Nova and Blaze both sang, “Pioneers of maximum audacity…whose resumes show that we are just the team…to live where others merely dream…”
Apple Butter and Zealot both sang, “Building up our head of steam…”
All eight sang together, “On the trail we blaze…”
The girls vocalized before they sang, “On the trail we blaze…”
The guys joined the girls and sang, “Changing legend into fact…we shall ride into history…Turning myth into truth…we shall surely gaze…On the sweet unfolding…of an antique mystery…all will be revealed…on the trail we blaze…”
The girls again vocalized, “On the trail…on the trail we blaze…” They vocalized some more before singing, “On the trail we blaze…”
Zealot sang, “Paradise is close at hand…”
Apple Butter sang, “Shangrit-la…”
Skater added, “The promised land…”
Roller Blade sang, “Seventh heaven on demand…”
Nova Rose sang, “Quite unusual nowadays…”
Blaze sang, “Virgin vistas undefiled…”
Mischief sang, “Minds and bodies running wild…”
Flurry Heart sang, “In the colt, behold a child…”
All sang, “On the trail we blaze…”
The girls vocalized again before they sang, “On the trail we blaze…”
Apple Butter and Zealot sang, “The trail we blaze…is road uncharted…”
Blaze and Nova sang, “Through terra incognita...to a golden shrine…”
Roller and Skater both sang, “No place for the traveler…to be fainthearted…”
Flurry and Mischief both sang, “We are part of a sumptuous grand design…”
All eight sang together, “Changing legend into fact…we shall ride into history…Turning myth into truth…we shall surely gaze…On the sweet unfolding…of an antique mystery…all will be revealed…”
They stopped short when they realized that they had walked onto a creaky, rickety log situated over a cliff.
Apple Butter suggested, “Maybe we should try to finish the song while getting off this thing.” She then sang timidly, “On the trail we blaaaaaaaze!”
The log broke when AB sang that last word. The ponies screamed as they fell down the cliff. Some of them tried to flap their wings or use their magic, but it felt as if there was a gravity pulling them down so hard they couldn’t use their magic or their wings. All they could do was fall into the mist below.