To the casual observer, Sweet Apple Acres in the early morning looked peaceful, pastoral. But even at this early hour, the ponies there were hard at work. Applejack and Big Macintosh were in the barn, tending to a wagon and plow, respectively. Applebloom was inside getting ready for school and Granny Smith was in the kitchen, getting breakfast ready.
Applejack hitched herself up to her wagon and pulled it out, the interior loaded with empty apple baskets. She looked to Big Mac as he pulled out the plow. “Well, ahll be in tha south field,” Applejack drawled out. She pointed to a patch of ground. “Gettin' thar ready for planting?”
Big Macintosh's massive head bobbed up and down. “Eyup.” He tugged the plow along, the blade set as to not scrape the ground and it could roll along on its two big wheels. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Applebloom, git out here! School's startin' soon!” He looked to his younger sister and sighed. “Love tha girl, but she can be so flighty.
Flim and Flam sat in the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy's front compartment, the suction hose extended out and sucking up apples from trees. The internal press had been disabled, the apples being stored in several barrels. “I don't like this,” Flim said as he drove along, steering the cumbersome vehicle through the copse as best he could. “We could all gang up on the Apples and take them out, but we're all separated?”
Flam shrugged as he telekinetically directed the hose. He looked back at the storage barrel and a gauge sticking out. “We're full.” He looked to his brother, his muzzle twitching and thick mustache along with it. “Trixie's got a point, though. We can divide them up for easy pickings and catch them all by surprise.” He slapped a hoof against the dashboard. “By gum, we'll show this family who the real kings of the apples are!”
Flim nodded as he kicked the gearshift lever and the Cider Squeezy lurched forward, clearing the apple trees. Within minutes, the Apple family house came into view. The brothers observed the youngest member galloping off, Applejack and Big Macintosh standing off and waving goodbye to her. “Drat!” Flim exclaimed. “We missed that little brat.”
“No matter,” Flam muttered. The jewel attached to his coat brightened, along with his eyes. “We'll catch her after we take care of the three left behind.”
The Flimflam Brothers' horns glowed and the hose extended, the vehicle lurching forward...
Applejack's ears twitched. She stomped on the ground and frowned. “Big Mac, is that yer stomach rumblin' or–” She suddenly ducked as three apples flew by, hitting the porch right behind her. “What in tarnation!” she cried out.
Big Mac shrugged, quickly disengaging himself from the plow. His mouth turned down as the Cider Squeezy and the Flimflam Brothers came into view. He spread his legs apart and stomped the ground, snorting. “We got trouble,” he said. “Flimflams, back.” He turned around as the front door opened. “Git back inside, Granny Smith! Now!”
Granny Smith poked her head out. “What?” She held a hoof up to her ear. “Whadja say–“ An apple hit the screen door, jostling her and sending her back inside. “Ah!” she cried out.
Applejack wheeled around. “Granny!” she cried out. She suddenly ducked again as the Cider Squeezy spat out more apples. She tucked and rolled. “What do yah varmints want?” she cried out, getting back to all four hooves and facing the brothers. She shook a hoof at them. “We ran yah outta town last time, and we'll do it again!”
Flam barked a laugh as he directed the hose. “It took you and your friends to match us last time,” he announced. His eyes flashed red. “But with our new sponsor, we'll drive you low-tech losers back to the Paleo Pony Period!” He moved the hose, tracking Applejack and firing off another barrage.
Big Mac snorted. “Check on Granny,” he said, lowering his head and pawing at the ground. “Time fer me to get physical,” he said before galloping off. He reached the Cider Squeezy, apples hitting him but barely phasing or slowing him down. He skidded to a halt right next to the vehicle and spun around, powerful hind legs raising and rearing back for a kick that could shatter stone. He bucked... and bounced forward, his hooves striking one a shield from the castle. He tumbled head over hooves and landed in the dirt a few meters away.
Flam chuckled as he floated the shield up and next to him. “Like it?” he asked, waving a foreleg around it. “Enchanted to absorb kinetic energy and dissipate it for the ultimate in blunt-force protection.” He looked to Big Mac and sneered even as he steered the hose in his direction. “I'd make an offer on it, but considering how my brother and I were treated last time we were here, no deal.”
Applejack was by her brother's side in an instant. “Granny Smith's fine, just a little shaken up. Big Mac, you all right?” At his nod she trotted forward, an evil gleam in her eyes. She danced around the Cider Squeezy as Flam kept a shield right in front of her. “Let's see how brave yah are iffn' yah don't have that fancy-schmancy shield o' yours!” she shouted.
Flim rolled his eyes. “Did you hear that brother? She wants us to lose our advantage.” He looked to Applejack from the driver's seat and shook his head. “Sorry, young filly, but we're not so overconfident this time!” He held a foreleg up to his forehead and looked around. “Nope, none of your meddling friends to help you this time!”
Big Mac rose to his hooves and swung around, snorting. “Git ta Ponyville,” he said, casting a glance to Applejack. He held up a hoof even as she opened her mouth. “Yer faster and I can take more damage from-look out!” He shoved Applejack to the side as the hose fired again, peppering the dirt with apples and scoring the ground with indentations. “Apple's aren't that hard!”
Flam chuckled and patted the side of the tank. “Candied apple coating, my dear stallion.” He fired once more, hitting Big Mac in the barrel and staggering him slightly.
Big Mac grunted. He moved forward, but stopped as another shield swung into view. “Go, now,” he said. “Ahll keep 'em occupied.” He looked to Applejack as she hesitated. “Now!”
Applejack spun around on her hind hooves and galloped off, leaving Big Mac alone to face the Cider Squeezy. He planted his hooves apart and leaned down low, eyeing the vehicle. “Not getting' past,” he declared.
Flim revved the engine. “Afraid that's where you're wrong, my dear boy.” The gem on his coat flared for an instant. “Dead wrong, to be precise.”
Gilda soared through the sky, beak twitching and nostrils sniffing as she homed in on her prey-that pink loser, and her former friend. Her senses were hyper alert, taking in everything and missing nothing. Is it the jewel? Am I simply focused? Bah, who cares? So long as I can get my revenge on those who wronged me and destroyed my friendship!
She dove down to the lake where she could smell Dash and that loser Pinkie Pie. She saw them at the water's edge, the loser knee-deep in water and splashing some at Dash. Her claws unfurled as she spread her wings out, readying for the kill...
Rainbow Dash flew down, skimming the water and throwing up a large spray in her wake. She pulled up into a triple-loop before throwing her hooves out and slowing down, landing at the shore next to Pinkie Pie. She turned to her friend and tossed her mane back. “How was that?”
Pinkie Pie hopped up and down in the water, splashing Dash a bit. “Ooh, ooh! That was great, Dashie!” She stood up on her hind legs and waved her forelegs around, head twisting in seemingly impossible contortions. “It was like all swoosh and swish and other words that end in -ish!” She dropped back down. Her grin suddenly fell away as her ears flopped down. “Dashie, something's falling!” she yelled before jumping forward, hitting Rainbow Dash and shoving her out of the way... right before Gilda swooped down.
Gilda pulled up, twisting around and landing. She snorted as Rainbow Dash and Pinkie got to their hooves. “Hey, old friend,” she growled, claws digging into the wet sand.
The pegasus was on her hooves in a second, jaw open in shock. “Gilda?”
Gilda swallowed. “Hey, Dash.” She held a claw up to her beak and blew on it. “Kinda surprised you remember me.” She locked eyes with the pegasus. “After you blew me off last time, I was wondering if you'd simply put me out of your mind but good.”
Dash took a few steps forward, but stopped when Pinkie held a foreleg out in front of her. “Hey! What gives, Pinkie?”
Pinkie looked to her, eyes narrow. “Be careful, Dashie!” she exclaimed. She swung her foreleg away from Dash and pointed at the jewel attached to Gilda's feathers. “I don't know where she's been accessorizing, but something tells me it's not Carousel Boutique!”
Gilda rolled her eyes. “Okay, got me!” She held a claw up to her forehead. “The 'great' Pinkie Pie has spotted the glowing Element of Discord on me!” She put her claw back down and leaned forward, sneering. “So, Dash, wanna get out of the way so I can gut the loser there and we can get back to being friends?” She motioned to the jewel and it brightened. “I got in on the ground floor of something big. And I think I got enough pull to spare you. So, what do you say?”
Dash stared at Gilda, jaw slack. “Element of Discord? Gilda I-” She stopped and shook her head. “No, Gilda, please whatever you're doing, you need to stop it.” She held up a foreleg. “If the Discord I think you're talking about is the same Discord we sealed into stone, he is bad news. I don't know what he told you or... how he told you this, but he's a rotten, no-good liar.” She paused. “Please, Gilda. Let me help you.”
Gilda's features softened. The sneer fell away and she swallowed. She looked away. “Dash, I...” The jewel suddenly flared and her eyes turned red. “I am gonna kill you, you loser!” she screamed before jumping up. Her wings stretched out and she flew right at the pair of ponies, spittle flying from her beak. “DIE!”
The Diamond Dogs waited for the Shrill One to leave her shop. They squatted across the empty street in an alley between a bowling alley and a clock shop. None of the three spoke, none of them moved much beyond breathing. They simply sat and waited for her to appear...
Rarity trotted down the stairs, ponykins telekinetically swinging around and showing off the previous night's work. She hummed to herself as she inspected each dress, each tie, each creation. She rubbed her muzzle at one green dress. “Hmm, I simply must do better next time!” she announced before going to the door. It swung open at her approach and the 'open' sign rose from its place on a shelf. She exited Carousel Boutique and tossed her perfectly-coiffed mane about. “Welcome, Equestria, to-”
The air was knocked from her lungs as three Diamond Dogs barrelled into her, knocking her back and into a ponykin. Rarity tumbled over it, horn snagging on the dress hanging on it and ripping it. She grunted and raised her head, seeing Spot, Fido and Rover standing there. “What, of all the impertinent acts of brutality!” She rose to her hooves and her right eye twitched. “What are you three brutes doing here? How dare you attack me, or anypony for that matter?” Her voice rose and she motioned to the toppled-over ponykin and the ripped dress. “Do you have ANY IDEA how long that took? Well speak up!” She took a step forward, horn glowing slightly.
Fido turned and slammed the door close. Rover looked up at Rarity and advanced, paws held up. “Boss pony said to take out shrill whiner, so we-” He was interrupted as Rarity launched herself at him, snapping a kick right into his jaw and sending him hurtling back into the wall.
Rarity landed on her hind legs, hooves up in a defensive stance. “Oh, really?” She cantered to the side as Spot and Fido circled around her. She backed up and her horn glowed. “Well, this boss pony doesn't know who you're dealing with, does he?” A wicked grin crossed her face. “It. Is. ON!”
Trixie and Blueblood stood at the side of the Ponyville Public Library, both with glowing horns. They hunkered down behind a bush, Trixie's head peeked around the bush and she glanced at the door. “Trixie is not sure you need to be here,” she said, ducking back. With you here, Trixie can't explain herself to Twilight!
Blueblood shook his head. “Nonsense, Trixie.” He tapped his cravat and the two jewels there. “Despite your prodigious power and skill, Twilight might still overpower you.” He shook his head. “As leader of the Elements of Discord, I cannot allow you to face against the Element of Magic alone.” He looked back, holding his head up as his mane stirred in a sudden breeze. “It wouldn't be proper.”
Trixie's brow furrowed. “Trixie... sees.” That was almost noble of him! “Trixie thanks you, Prince Blueblood.” Her ears twitched at sounds inside the library. “Wait, Trixie thinks she hears something!”
The door suddenly opened and Twilight dashed out, looking around frantically. “Okay, Spike! We'll get everypony together. No chocolate rain, at least not yet.” She looked back, snarling. “Come on, Spike! Get the lead out!”
Trixie bit her lip. She opened her mouth and used a minor voice-projecting spell. “Twilight Sparkle!” she shouted, leaping out from behind the bush.
Twilight spun around. The purple unicorn gasped. “Trixie?!” She blinked and rubbed her eyes with a foreleg. “I can't believe it!” She took a step forward, but stopped as she saw Blueblood. “Wait a-”
Trixie sneered, projecting as much emotion as she could into her voice. “Prepare to meet your doom!” she shouted. Her horn glowed and she fired off a bright-blue beam of magic from her horn.
Not five minutes before, Twilight trotted down the steps into the library's main room. She looked around at all the books, shelved properly and dust-free. “Ah, nothing like the smell of knowledge,” she said, breathing in through her nostrils.
Spike came down the stairs right after her. The baby dragon rolled his eyes. “Oh, Twilight! You've read all these books at least three times!” He threw his arms up into the air. “If you've read the book once, why read it again?”
Twilight stopped short and looked back at Spike. She rolled her eyes. “To those who get it, no explanation is required. For those who don't, no explanation can help.”
The dragon waved her off, but his cheeks suddenly puffed out. He burped out a jet of green flame, the smoke coalescing into a scroll. Twilight's horn glowed and she grabbed it with her magic, unrolling it and floating it over to her. Her eyes moved back and forth for a half-minute before the scroll suddenly fell to the wooden floor. “Oh, ohohohoh!” She hopped up and down, parts of her mane coming loose. “This is bad, very bad!”
Spike took a step back, holding his paws up. “Oh, no. Not again!” He stopped moving back, eyes narrowing. “Twilight, whatever it is it can't be-”
She wheeled about, stopping a few inches from him and peering down with wide eyes. “Discord's statue is gone!”
Spike paused a moment. “Okay, so it is that bad.”
Twilight turned and galloped for the door, opening it mere moments before colliding with it. She skidded to a halt and looked around. “Okay, Spike! We'll get everypony together. No chocolate rain, at least not yet.” She looked back, snarling. “Come on, Spike! Get the lead out!”
A voice from the past caught her attention. “Twilight Sparkle!”
Twilight spun around, gasping at the sight of the blue unicorn standing there. “Trixie?!” She blinked and rubbed her eyes with a foreleg. “I can't believe it!” She took a step forward, but stopped at the other unicorn there. “Wait a-”
Trixie's face twisted. “Prepare to meet your doom!” she shouted. Her horn glowed and a blue beam of energy erupted from it, aimed straight at Twilight's heart.