The Chaotic Three: A Zany Story

by LunaJack


A Zany Rescue

“One for the blackbird

One for the crow

That will leave

Just two to grow.”

Applespike chanted to himself as he dropped four corn kernels into the hole his Uncle Big Mac had just dug. Cinnamon Stick followed behind with a hoe, quickly covering the seeds with earth. His wife, Dinky, and Big Mac’s daughter, Apple Blossom, worked the next row over. Apple Blossom had returned to Ponyville that morning to help with the planting.

“Too bad Thunder Dash couldn’t come help,” Dinky lamented, as she levitated the seeds. “I bet we’d be done in no time.”

Apple Blossom snorted. “Don’t kid yourself. The last time my husband helped Daddy with the plowing, he took out a split rail fence, a wind mill, and almost knocked over the silo. Believe me, he’s better off with the Wonderbolts right now.”

“Faster is definitely not better,” Cinnamon Stick agreed. “Like instant grits or oatmeal.”

“Oooh, yuck!” said Apple Blossom and Applespike with a shudder.

“Besides, planting corn’s not that hard, just kinda repetitious. I can’t say the view is inspiring,” Cinnamon Stick added, indicating his baby brother’s tail wagging a few paces ahead of him.

“Well, if you ain’t the lead pony, the view never changes,” said Applespike, quoting their mother.

"Nope," agreed Big Mac.

The ponies laughed and continued with their work. They had been at it since sunup and the field was close to being completely planted. They were working on the last four rows when Granny rang the bell for dinner. They washed their dirty hooves at the pump then quickly filed in around the kitchen table. The boards were literally groaning under the weight of the food. There was butterbeans, rice with mushroom gravy, fried green tomatoes, fried veggie sausage, and crispy hoe cake.

“Ya’ll dig in, now,” Granny ordered. “Ya need to keep up your strength!”

“Eeyup,” agreed Big Mac, sitting at the head of the table.

All the ponies dug in with relish. Despite having known the Apples all her life, Dinky was always amazed at how much food the Earth ponies put away. After a helping of beans, sausage, and hoe cake, she was full; but the others loaded their plates several times.

“Have some more, Dinky darlin’,” said Granny filling her plate with more beans and a helping of rice and gravy.

“Thank you,” the little unicorn sighed, knowing it was useless to protest. She forced down a few more beans and some of the rice before pushing away her plate. “Goodness, I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

“I hope Thunder is eating well without me there,” Apple Blossom fretted. “He and his sister get so caught up in their routines and such, they forget to refuel. I asked Aqua Fresh to keep an eye on ‘em for me.”

“I’m sure they’re in good hooves,” said Cinnamon Stick reassuringly. He applied some extra gravy to his rice. “Aqua Fresh is a tad flighty, but she’s pretty reliable.”

“Bet her cookin’ isn’t as good as yours, though,” said Applespike, putting in his two bits. “I love your sour dough bis—BEEEELCH!”

The Apple family quickly ducked as a flume of green fire erupted from the dragon-pony’s mouth.

Applespike slapped a hoof to his mouth, his cheeks flaming red with embarrassment.

“Excuse me.”

“Tarnation, boy!” cried Granny. “Cover your mouth when you do that!”

“Sorry, I-I didn’t know I was gonna—”

“Oooh, what’s that?” asked Dinky.

Everyone looked where she was pointing. Lying on the table, right in front of Applespike’s plate, was a scroll tied with a red ribbon.

“Wow, little bro,” murmured Cinnamon Stick. “You’ve never burped up a scroll before. Who’s it for?”

Applespike picked up the scroll and read the address.

“It-it’s for me,” he said in surprise. Quickly he untied the ribbon and unrolled the parchment. “It’s from Twinkle Sparkle!
Why in Celestia’s name is she writing me?”

“Maybe she’s sweet on ya’,” said Granny, with a wink. “You are a fine catch, you know.”

“Granny!” Applespike blushed.

“Don’t tease him, now,” Big Mac gently admonished. “Let him read.”

Applespike gave his uncle a grateful smile, then turned his attention to the letter. Everypony continued to eat. They were all curious, but too well bred to ask what it said. They watched his face as he read, his green reptilian eyes following the words on the paper. Suddenly, his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. The Apple family looked at each other worriedly.

“What is it, bro?” asked Cinnamon Stick, touching his arm. “What’s wrong?”

Applespike sat frozen, his eyes big as soup bowls, his breath coming in quick staccato gasps.

“APPLESPIKE!”

The dragon-pony jumped as Big Mac thundered his name. He looked at his uncle then at the frightened faces around him.

“S-sorry,” he said. “I was just so… so…” The corners of his mouth twitched upwards into an awkward smile. “May—may I be excused?” he asked, looking desperately at Granny. “I--I have to go.”

“Of course, young’un,” Granny replied kindly. Applespike rolled up the scroll and ran for the door. He paused just long enough to throw on a saddlebag and stuff the parchment down inside it.

“Where are you going?” asked Dinky.

“I’m goin’ to see a pony about a dog,” Applespike replied, then darted out the kitchen door.

Dinky looked confused. “He’s going to the animal shelter?”

Cinnamon Stick sighed and shook his head. “I’ll explain later, dear,” he murmured. “Want some dessert?”


“Hey! How’d you git in thar? Git out!”

A large Earth pony stallion wearing a railroad detective uniform pointed his nightstick at a small gray-cloaked figure peeking out from one of the boxcars. The figure gave a little squeak and ducked back inside.

“Oh, no you don’t!” The stallion rushed forward and blocked the boxcar’s door from sliding closed. The cloaked figure sat, cringing in the shadows. “Git out of thar, right now!”

“Y-yes, sir,” said a small frightened voice. A pale, pretty face emerged from the cloak’s hood and two beautiful blue eyes regarded him fearfully. The stallion raised an eyebrow.

“You sure don’t look much like a hobo,” he grunted as the little filly gracefully alighted from the car. “What are ya, a runaway?”

“You could say that,” the filly replied meekly.

“Thought so,” the stallion turned his head and spat on the gray gravel. “We get all kinds out here, but you’re the first unicorn runaway I’ve ever met. Don’t look so surprised,” he snorted when the filly gasped. “I’ve seen plenty of them high-falutin’ unicorn mares wearin’ them hooded cloaks. The horn always makes a lump under the hood.”

He jerked his head towards the boxcar. “You got company in thar?” he asked.

“No, sir. Just me.”

“Better be just you.” He poked his head inside the car and glanced around. “The Railroad’s got a strict policy about ponies stowin’ away—what is this?

The filly blushed guiltily as the Railroad pony raked out three apple cores and five carrot tops. He glared down at her angrily.

“Bad enough that you’re runnin’ away, but you got to steal from hard workin’ ponies, too? Do you know how much this stuff could fetch at the Market in Canterlot?”

“Yes, sir. And I am very sorry,” said the unicorn filly in a gracious voice, very unlike her earlier cringing tone. “I’m afraid I didn’t have a proper meal last night, and I was quite hungry. Will this cover it?”

Five bits levitated from under the cloak and landed on the boxcar floor near the stallion. The pony looked from the coins to the ruined produce then pushed two of the coins back.

“It ain’t worth that much,” he muttered.

The filly smiled as she pocketed the two bits. “You must be related to the Apple family,” she said.

“Distantly,” he admitted with a flush of pride. His eyes narrowed. “What does a fine talkin’ little unicorn like you know about the Apples? Whar are you from?”

“Ponyville. It’s a long story, but I desperately need to get to Canterlot. I have a friend there who can help me reunite with my family. Do you know how far it is from here?”

“An hour by train. Three if you go by wagon,” the stallion grunted. “You can check with the ticket office. But no more ridin’ in boxcars! It ain’t safe fer a little filly like you.”

“Yes, sir. And thank you!”

Jewel trotted daintily away, thankful the stallion had not turned her over to the authorities. It seemed everything had been going right for her. Her escape had been surprisingly easy. The train had stopped at a small country station to take on some late-night travelers. A freight train heading towards Canterlot sat the next track over. Luckily, the protective spell Picture Perfect had on her private car only prevented anyone from entering. It didn’t stop anyone from leaving. The window proved to be just the right size for a little, starved filly to squeeze through.

Jewel stepped up to the ticket window. “Excuse me!”

A brown mare with a black mane, looked down at her curiously. “Yes? How kin I help ya?”

“I was wondering, how much is a ticket to Canterlot? I understand it’s only an hour away.”

“Yes’m,” said the mare. “From here to Canterlot is ten bits.”

“Thank you,” Jewel pulled out her little purse and carefully counted the coins. There were three whole bits, four half-bits, and some silver. Not enough to equal ten bits. Drat! She thought wryly about her bank account in Manehattan, and what a great lot of good it was doing her right then.

“Well, I suppose I shall have to walk,” said Jewel with a sigh. She levitated the coins back into her purse. “Which road leads to Canterlot?” she asked the ticket seller.

“That road over yonder,” said the mare pointing to a brown dirt path that meandered into the green hills. “It ain’t a bad road, but it’s a pretty long walk for a little filly, like yourself.”

“Oh, I’ll manage,” said Jewel, primly. The mare raised an eyebrow and looked doubtfully at Jewel’s dainty, well-manicured, little hooves.

“You know,” she said, slowly. “A friend of mine, Big Bart, is takin’ some produce up to Canterlot today. Maybe you kin travel with him.”

The ticket seller stepped from behind the counter and escorted Jewel to a grass covered lot behind the station. There stood a large wagon filled with baskets upon baskets of pears, cantaloupes, and assorted vegetables. Standing next to it was a large light-green stallion with a yellow mane, wearing a battered straw hat. He looked at them curiously as they walked up.

“Mornin’, Bart,” said the ticket seller. “This here filly needs to get to Canterlot. Kin she ride with you?”

The big stallion regarded Jewel with big kind eyes and slowly nodded. “Eyup!”

Jewel couldn’t help but smile at that. Big Bart reminded her so much of Big Mac that she felt she could trust him.

“Hop in,” he told her, pointing to the wagon seat. Jewel did as he said while the stallion hitched himself up.

“Thanks, Bart,” said the ticket mare. “I gotta get back to work, now. Good bye, young’un! And good luck to ya!”

“Goodbye, ma’am. And thank you!”

The big stallion turned his head towards Jewel. “Ready?” he asked.

She nodded and held on tight as Big Bart turned the wagon onto the road. Soon he broke into a steady trot and the two of them were headed to Canterlot.


Applespike raced down the path through the Everfree Forest. It was a good thing, Discord had a protective spell on the road or the dragon-pony would have ended up as a snack for some creature. His mind was far away, thinking about the letter.

Dear Applespike,

This is very important! I need you to get word to Aunt Rarity and Uncle Fancy Pants to come to Canterlot immediately!
Jewel is running away from Picture Perfect, and she will need her family as soon as possible. I don’t know where she is now or if she was able to get away, but she told me last night that she was leaving. Go to my Mom and ask her to use a locator spell to find her. After she locates her, Discord could use his powers to teleport her to Canterlot. Tell him to send her to Twilight’s Tower on the School for Gifted Unicorn’s campus. I’ll take care of it from there.

Thanks,

Twinkle Sparkle

PS: Jewel said to tell you that she loves you and she’s coming home.

That last line was enough to make him grin and bounce like Pinkie Pie at a surprise party. She loved him! Jewel loved him! Squeeee! Some of the forest creatures hiding in the shadows watched him, shaking their heads at his antics. It wasn’t long before Discord’s castle was looming in front of him. He rang the doorbell which made a loud thrupping sound, like a whoopie cushion being sat on.

The door swung open in an instant, revealing Zany wearing a red smoking jacket and sipping chocolate milk from a fancy balloon-shaped glass.

“My dear Applespike,” he said, imitating a high-society accent. “Welcome. What brings you to Casa de Discord this fine afternoon?”

“I need to see your Dad, right away," Applespike panted. "It’s important.”

“Really?” replied Zany, leaning lazily against the doorframe. “Well, I’m afraid Dad and Mom are out of the castle at this time. Until such time as they return, I will be the In-House Grand Master of Chaos.”

“Rats!” Applespike stomped his hoof in frustration. “When do you expect them back?”

“How should I know?” Zany shrugged. “They went on a shopping trip to Whinnypeg with Screwy and Mothy to buy some fancy Bittenberg Lace for the new baby.”

“Already?” Applespike wrinkled his muzzle. “The baby’s not due for another eight months and we don’t even know what sex it is. Not that it makes any difference. Aunt Dashie would have a conniption before she’d let any kid of hers wear lace.”

“Oh, it’s not for Aunt Rainbow Dash,” said Zany, swirling the milk in his glass then taking a quick sip. “It’s for Screwy.”

The draconequess colt grinned as he watched his friend’s eyes widen in surprise. He conjured a wooden box of pink and blue cigars and offered them to Applespike.

“Congratulate me,” he said proudly. “I am going to be an uncle.”

Applespike eyed the cigars distastefully. “I don’t smoke.”

“Neither do I,” replied Zany, taking a blue cigar and biting the end off. “It’s bubble-gum.”

The dragon-pony took a bite from one of the pink cigars. It tasted like strawberries.

“So, when did you find out your sister was expecting?” he asked.

“Last night. She and Mothball came up to the castle with us and dropped that little bombshell. My parents went crazy.
Dad got so excited he blew himself into another dimension and came back with a red wagon and a stuffed tiger. Mom danced all over the place, insisting they get the kid a gown of Bittenberg Lace. Have you ever heard of that?”

“Yeah. It’s some fancy, expensive clothes brand. I think Rarity bought some for her girls once.”

Zany snorted. “If the kid is anything like Mothy or Screwy, that gown won’t last long. Anyway, Dad teleported everyone, except me, to Whinnypeg this morning and I have no idea when they’ll be back.” Zany paused and blew a heart-shaped bubble. “So, what’s so important that you need to see Dad?”

“I got a message from Twinkle Sparkle.”

POP! Blue bubblegum coated Zany’s muzzle. He looked sharply at his friend, a green wave of jealousy rising in his chest. He quickly tamped it down and tried to look unimpressed.

“Well, that’s nice,” he drawled. “And what did old Twinkle Toes have to say to you?”

“It’s Jewel. She’s needs help.”

Zany suddenly became serious. “What kind of help?”

“Here’s the letter,” Applespike hoofed over the scroll. “Twinkle thinks Jewel may have run away from Picture Perfect, but she’s not sure. She asked me to get Twilight to use a locator spell to find her, then your Dad could transport her to Canterlot.”

“But, why to Canterlot?” asked Zany, looking up from the letter.“Wouldn’t she be better off here, where we can protect her?”

Applespike thought about that for a moment then shook his head. “I don’t think so. Picture Perfect’s got her under that contract. Even if we kept him from taking her back, he could still hurt her by ruining Uncle Fancy Pants and Aunt Rarity.”

“Not if Dad kicked him and his goons to the dark side of the moon,” Zany grinned, showing his fang.

“Yeah, and have all them fancy ponies in Manehattan yelling at Princess Celestia to turn your Dad back into stone. No, Zany. Twinkle’s got a plan and I think we need to follow it.”

“Oh, all right,” Zany sighed. He poofed away his jacket and chocolate milk. “We’ll do it Twinkie’s way. But there’s no need to go to Twilight’s. We can just use my Mom’s magic mirror. It’s a lot faster than a locator spell and it’ll save us a trip to town.”

“I guess that’s okay,” Applespike considered. “As long as your Dad won’t mind.He wasn’t too happy the last time you used it.”

“That’s because I was spying on Twinkle.” The draconequess colt blinked and, in a flash, the two of them were standing in front of Fluttershy’s vanity. The enchanted mirror lay face-down next to a butterfly-shaped brush. “He won’t mind me using it to locate Jewel.”

Zany lifted the mirror with his magic and turned the shiny surface to face them.

“Show us our friend, Jewel,” he commanded.

The two watched the mirror’s surface as it blurred then showed the little unicorn wearing a gray cloak and sitting on a wagon seat. Applespike gasped in delight, one of his hooves reaching for the image. Zany quickly smacked it away.

“No touching. It messes up reception,” he warned.

The two continued to look at the image. Jewel appeared to be talking to someone, but they couldn’t hear anything.

“Audio, please,” said Zany.

“Really, Mr. Bart, I appreciate you letting me ride with you to Canterlot, but I must insist on paying you for your fruit. I know how hard you must have worked to harvest it.”

“Nope,” a deep voice responded.

“Goodness, you are stubborn,” Jewel huffed. “Very well.” The colts watched as she levitated a large yellow fruit onto the wagon seat beside her, then, glancing around furtively, slipped a golden bit into the basket. Giving the fruit a quick polish, she levitated it to her mouth and took a juicy bite.

“Is that what I think it is?” asked Applespike, his eyes narrowing. “Is Jewel eating a…PEAR!”

“Naw! There’s only one,” said Zany, grinning.

“Very funny,” the dragon-pony muttered. “She and I will definitely have to have a talk about this.” He studied the image for a moment then shook his head. “I can’t make out any landmarks. Is there any way the mirror could show us more?”

“Yeah. Show us more,” Zany ordered.

Slowly, the mirror pulled back, showing more of the scene. They could see the wagon and the large yellow-green stallion pulling it. (Sure enough, he had a pear for a cutie mark.) The road was just a regular dirt brown road going over regular green grass-covered hills. There were some bushes and some buttercups in a field and a tall pine tree…

“Whoa! Stop!” cried Applespike. The mirror paused. The half-pony squinted at the image then jumped back with a cry.
“I know that place!”

“Really? Where is it?”

“It’s a farm-to-market road north of Canterlot. It goes to this little farming town called Rocky Ford. Uncle Big Mac and I went there last summer to deliver some apples and pick up some cantaloupes.” He pointed at the scene in the mirror. “I remember us passing that big pine tree! It had a big crooked branch that hung over the road.”

“How far is that from Canterlot?”

“Hour. Hour and a half. Depends on how fast they’re going.” Applespike shook his head in wonder. “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe she managed to get so far on her own!”

“She’s a member of the Chaotic Three,” Zany said grinning wickedly .“Wily as a chimera but gentle as a dove.”

Applespike chuckled at the description. “Bet she gets that from her Mom. Remember that story about Aunt Rarity and the Diamond Dogs? Now, I know Diamond Dogs ain’t too smart to begin with, but the way she managed to convince them to—”

“What’s that?”

Applespike paused and looked to where Zany was pointing. Squinting, he saw what looked like a very fine brownish cloud rising from the hills far behind the wagon.

“That’s a dust cloud,” he muttered. “Somepony pulling a wagon or going mighty fast.”

The two half-ponies shared a look.

“Show us that dust cloud,” murmured Zany.

The image blurred then cleared, showing the brown cloud and the ponies who were making it. It was two unicorn stallions, both unusually big and powerful looking. The muscles bulged and rippled under their black fur as they ran. One had a green mane, the other had silver.

“Aw, manure pile!” cried Applespike, using his uncle’s favorite cuss word. “It’s that varmint, Goodnight and one of his pals!” Smoke wafted from his nostrils. “I’ve about had enough of him.”

Zany, for once, was more focused than his friend. He had the image give them an aerial view so they could see the distance between the cart and the two pursuers.

“They’re still a good way behind them,” he said. “The cart’s moving at a steady pace, but at the rate they’re running, they may catch them soon.” He looked worriedly at Applespike. “I don’t think she’s gonna make it to Canterlot.”

Applespike paced back and forth, growling in red-faced rage. Smoke billowed thickly as green flames flickered between his clenched teeth. He stopped and looked sharply at his friend. “Think you could teleport her to Canterlot from here?”

Zany shook his head. “No. Dad could do it if he was here, he’s always been good at teleporting others. I can’t. Not unless I’m actually with the person when they teleport. And, well... you know how great I am at that.”

“Well, we have to do SOMETHING!” Applespike bellowed. Flames shot from his mouth. Zany quickly threw up a heat shield to keep himself and his parents’ bedroom from going up in smoke.

“Okay! Okay! Calm down, already!”

The dragon-pony stopped the flames, and stood gasping for breath. Zany dropped the shield and brushed a few scorched hairs from his mane.

“So, are you saying that you actually want me to go to Jewel and try to teleport her to Canterlot?” he asked.

“No,” Applespike answered hoarsely. “I want US to go to Jewel and teleport her to Canterlot!”

A wicked grin scrawled across the young draconequess’ face. He threw his hoof over his friend’s shoulder and gave him a hearty shake.

“Your wish is my command!”

POOF!


Jewel sat on the wagon seat, enjoying the peaceful day and the warm sun on her fur. Such a blessed quiet! No constant clacking of steel wheels, no screech of brakes, no shouts, no dull clunk of hooves on wood. Just the steady clop, clop, clop of Big Bart’s feet and the sound of the wooden wheels turning on their axle. She regarded the big stallion fondly. He didn’t talk much, but he was kind and very generous. Very unlike the stallions she had left far behind.

Big Bart glanced back at the pretty unicorn filly. Good thing the ticket mare had brought her to him, he thought. It wasn’t a good idea for a little thing like her to be traveling alone. He knew thieves often watched the road, waiting for the chance to rob somepony. He personally hadn’t had any problems. His sheer size was enough to scare off any would-be robbers.

The cloud of dust he saw rising in the distance behind them concerned him. It couldn’t be another cart. Whoever it was, they were coming hard and fast. He picked up the pace and hoped for the best.


POOF!

Applespike looked around. They were not on the farm-to- market road they had seen in the mirror. They appeared to be on top of a low mountain, overlooking a flat land of brown grass and sparse pines.

“Hey! What are you doing up there?” a deep gruff voice shouted.

The dragon-pony looked down and found himself looking into the broad outraged face of a bull buffalo.

“No one is allowed to climb on top of the Crazy Pony monument! Of all the disrespectful things!”

“Sorry, my bad,” said Zany, smiling sheepishly. “And we weren’t climbing. We were teleporting.”

“Really? Where’s your horn, then?” the buffalo ranger snorted.

“Uh, no time to explain. Bye!”

POOF!

An intensely cold wind hit both ponies as they materialized again. Applespike, shaking, looked around him. They were standing on a vast frozen lake with no sign of land in sight.

“Wrong again!” he shouted.

“S-s-sorry!” Zany apologized. He was starting to turn a little blue.

Applespike grabbed his friend and gave him shake. “Come on, Zany!” he cried. “Try again! For Jewel’s sake, try again!”

Zany nodded. “Th-third time’s the ch-charm!”

POOF!


“Hang on, young’un!”

Jewel tucked herself down in the wagon bed, hanging on for dear life as Big Bart broke into a run. The wagon bounced and swayed, sending pears and cantaloupes careening from their baskets. The little unicorn used her magic to put everything back, hoping nothing was too damaged for him to sell at the market.

She had seen them! Goodnight and Mountain Mist chasing after them!

Big Bart ran as fast as he could. Glancing back at his pursuers, he had to admit they didn’t look much like robbers, but, he had seen the look of fear on the little filly’s face and that had been enough for him. If he could get her to Canterlot, maybe somepony in law enforcement could help.

“STOP!” one of the unicorns bellowed.

The big Earth stallion responded by putting on an extra burst of speed.

Suddenly, the wagon stopped. Big Bart whinnied in shock as his body was jerked violently backwards. He sat down hard. Looking back, he saw a green aura surrounding the wagon’s wheels.

“Thank you, Mountain Mist,” said a silver-maned unicorn, moseying up to the wagon .“This will only take a moment, then we will be out of your mane,” he added, tossing a bag of bits to the Earth stallion.

Jewel cowered down under the wagon seat. She tried to cast an invisibility spell, but she was too frightened to concentrate. Goodnight’s face appeared over the side of the wagon, his lip curling in cruel triumph as he glimpsed her.

“Come out, my dear. It will be so much easier if you cooperate,” he said sweetly.

SPLAT!

An over-ripe pear smashed into his face. Jewel scrambled from her hiding spot and dove over the side of the wagon.
She looked around, but there were no bushes or trees to hide behind.

“Oh, you are going to regret that!” Goodnight shouted, wiping the pear from his face. Jewel ducked under the wagon as he chased after her. “Get out from under there!” he bellowed.

Jewel crawled towards the front of the wagon, until she was beside Big Bart. The Earth stallion stood up and placed a protective hoof around her.

“Enough of this,” Mountain Mist grumbled. He seized Jewel with his magic and started to drag her away. Big Bart tightened his grip on her.

“Nope,” he grunted.

“Let go, you stupid hick! Let go or—”

POOF!

The green-haired unicorn fell on his flanks in surprise as a pair of colts, one gray and one with a dragon tail, suddenly appeared in front of him.

“WE’RE HEEEEEEERE!” yelled the gray colt, flashing a sharp looking fang.

“Applespike! Zany!” Jewel squealed.

The chaotic colt rolled his eyes .“Honestly, do you always have to put his name first? What’s wrong with Zany then Applespike?”

“Watch out!” Applespike pushed Zany’s head down and shot flames in the direction of Goodnight, who was taking aim at Zany's back. Goodnight dodged then fired his horn at the dragon-pony. Zany blocked the shot with a shield, then cast his own chaotic spell. PLOP! A gigantic blob of gooey melted cheese landed on the unicorn, coating him horn to hoof.

“Nacho average defense spell,” the chaotic colt quipped.

His gloating was cut short by a flash of green magic from Mountain Mist’s horn. The blast knocked both colts to the ground, stunning them. The green-haired unicorn smirked as he powered up his horn for another go.

“HEEEEEAHHHH!”

Mountain Mist whinnied in pain as a stinging spell struck him right between the eyes.

“Take that!” cried Jewel, zapping him again and again. “You nasty, low-down, letter-stealing, little tattle-tail!”

She was so busy punishing the stallion, she did not see Goodnight freeing himself from his cheesy prison. The little filly squeaked in fright as his magic wrapped around her, pulling her roughly to him.

“I got her!” he shouted to Mountain Mist. “Hurry! Teleport us back to the train station!”

“NO!” cried Applespike and Zany scrambling to their feet.

THUNK!

Everypony froze as a heavy bag of bits struck the silver-haired unicorn right below his horn. Goodnight's eyes rolled up in his head as he fell into a heap on the ground. He was out cold.

“Bullseye!” Big Bart rumbled low.

Jewel quickly rushed back to her friends. “Zany! Get us out of here!” she cried.

“I’m on it!” Zany grabbed his friends in his hooves and prepared to teleport.

“Wait! We can’t leave Big Bart!”

“Don’t worry, we’re not!” Zany quickly added the big stallion to his spell then focused as hard as he could.
Canterlot! We need to get to Canterlot! He thought, bringing up every image of the royal city he could think of.

Mountain Mist, his face covered in stinging welts, furiously turned his horn on the group. A bright dangerous-looking aura gathered on the tip.

“Zany!” Applespike cried.

“I got it!”

The green-maned unicorn fired his spell. The flash was blinding. The sound was deafening. It was a powerful spell. Maybe too powerful. Mountain Mist raised his head to survey the damage, then cursed. Except for Goodnight unconscious on the ground, he was alone.

Jewel and her friends had escaped.