A few days later, Twilight awoke in a cold sweat during the early morning. The dream she had was disturbing, to say the least. It was a vision of her friends as twisted altered version of themselves, something she didn’t experience last time. Though, she did know that Maestro might know if such a thing was possible. She took out a piece of parchment, and headed down to her study. She sat down at the desk, and started writing.
“Dear Maestro,
I don’t want to bother you too much, but I’ve had a troubling dream. It pertains to our mutual friends, and I want your opinion on the matter. Do you think it possible for them to… become evil? I await your response.
Your friend always,
Twilight Sparkle”
Not wanting to disturb Spike’s slumber, she sent it off with her own magic. She didn’t know when he would reply, so she tried to get back to sleep. Before she had even gotten halfway back upstairs, a letter appeared in front of her. She opened it, and read carefully.
“Dear Sparks,
I understand your worries, and they are well-founded. It’s not impossible for it to happen, far from it. Though I won’t go into detail in such an insecure medium as this. We will talk more on this in person.
Sincerely,
Maestro Spectrum”
Twilight sighed. She didn’t get much out of the letter, but she supposed Maestro wanted to be careful about things. There were rumors of letters being hijacked, so his suspicions were founded in something, at least. She made her way upstairs just as the sun was starting to rise. She wasn’t exactly tired due to her nightmare, so it worked out rather well that way. She woke up Spike and got breakfast going for them. It was still kind of odd to her though. Why did everything switch in order when it cycled back? Maestro seemed to have no solid theory as to why, but he was rather unfazed by it all. She shrugged, reasoning that he probably saw it as something minor and insignificant. She focused on making the day go well- and that started with finishing her breakfast.
She and Spike were nearly finished eating when they got a knock on the door. Curious as to who was there, Twilight opened it with care. Standing on her doorstep was Applejack, and she looked quite out of sorts. Cautiously, Twilight broached the subject. “Hey AJ, are you alright? You look… stressed.”
Applejack huffed in irritation and shook her head. “It’s cider season, and some cons have come ‘round to try and stir up trouble! Ah’m so mad Ah could spit! They gots no business comin’ here to try an’ take advantage of the good ponies of Ponyville!”
Twilight hadn’t seen Applejack quite this livid last time. Sure, she was angry, but not quite to this degree. She tried to calm her down. “Listen, AJ. I know you’re mad, but there’s a simple solution. You have to prove to the townsponies that they are conning them- without evidence to backup your argument, they won’t listen.”
Applejack huffed in indignation. “An’ jus’ how d’ya s’pose Ah do that? They’s got all that fancy ‘salesponyship’ they’ve been flaunting. Maght as well go’an pack m’bags!”
Applejack jolted as Twilight gently put a hoof on her shoulder, a smile on her face. “It won’t come to that, AJ. You have us! We’ll help you out, no question. That’s what friends are for.”
Shaking her head, Applejack pulled away. “Ah ‘preciate the offer, Twi. But if’n Ah’m gonna beat ‘em, Ah’ll do it mahself.”
She stormed off, ignoring Twilight trying to call out. “Wait, AJ! Please-!” But Applejack was already gone. Concerned, she called Spike to the door. “Something’s off with Applejack. Get a parchment and quill, we might have to get a letter about this.” He did so, but she forestalled him from writing it immediately. Instead, she went to Sugar Cube corner just as she saw Rainbow enter. Curious, she and Spike went inside, and saw Pinkie change the sign on the door from Open to Closed, then she shut the blinds. Nopony else was in the shop aside from Rarity and Fluttershy.
Pinkie looked unusually serious as she looked around the room.“I presume we’re all here because we’re concerned about How Applejack has been acting recently?”
Each of them nodded, and Rarity spoke out. “While we don’t exactly see eye-to-eye all the time, I am concerned at how she acted towards those Flim Flam Brothers. Hostile, almost violent even!”
Rainbow snorted. “I get that they’re trampling on her business, but if they had more cider-”
Twilight cut her off with a glare. “That’s not what is important here, Rainbow. She’s not herself. I know who might be able to help.” She then looked over to Spike. “Take the letter, Spike. It’s urgent.”
Spike readied his paper and quill, and stood ready for Twilight. He wrote exactly as she dictated.
“Dear Maestro,
Applejack has been acting off today. Pinkie and the others have seen it as well. She’s been more vicious and active in getting the truth out of others, and I think something is wrong. The girls and I await your response.
Your friend always,
Twilight Sparkle”
With a quick glance over it, she nodded, and had Spike send it off. They didn’t have to wait long for a response, though they didn’t get a letter. Instead, a seven colored rainbow entered in from the window, and touched on the floor. The rainbow took pony shape, and the light went away as Maestro shook himself. “Bah. Not fond of teleportation, but when necessary…” He then lit his horn, and coated the building with the silence field. He turned to the others. “So, how bad is it? Has she hurt anyone?”
Fluttershy shook her head. “N-not yet, but… well it’s best to stop it before it gets out of hoof.”
Nodding, Maestro pondered for a bit. “So she hasn’t yet- but she might very soon. Not good.” He frowned, unsettled. “So her anger…”
Twilight knew that he had his suspicions, but he wasn’t voicing them- classic Maestro, as always. She decided to volunteer the information. “It’s the Flim Flam Brothers. They’re the ones that have her so wound up.”
Maestro understood that, and sighed. “Of course. They’re a troublesome duo, to be sure.” He paused, pacing a bit. He then had an idea. “If I’m right, she’s probably gone to do something rash to expose their con-artist nature-- though, her methods might be quite questionable.” He proceeded to look around the room. “Does anyone know where their camp is?” Rainbow raised her hoof. He smirked. “Well ladies, looks like we’re on a stakeout!”
To Be Continued Next Time in Part Two