//------------------------------// // Drocsid Part 1. Everything Goes. // Story: Comet The Colt of Steel // by Stallion of Steel //------------------------------// For a time after the comet hysteria life was peaceful for the most part. The only excitement was Applejack mentioning at the last minute that she agreed to let her friends throw Pinkie Pie a surprise birthday party in the barn. I ended up volunteering to help set it up so that I could make sure the trapdoor remained sufficiently well hidden. Between being on edge the entire time, and hearing Spike recant his story of being interrogated by Pinkie Pie, It ended up being the most awkward birthday party I've ever been to. As I watched Pinkie Pie lead the girls in a conga line, I imagined her mane going flat and her eyes twitching while Applejack and her friends turned into a bucket of turnips, a rockpile, a ball of lint, and a sack of flour. I concluded that Pinkamena Diane Pie was one really bad day away from complete insanity. And today was merely a close call. Then came the night of the Grand Galloping Gala. I and the rest of the family wished Applejack well before she left. We had all pitched in to help her whip up a cartful of pastries to sell at the gala. When she left I snuck up to my room to catch a glimpse of Twilight in her gala dress. The way the starry earrings shimmered like her eyes. The way her shoes tapped with every step she took. The way her long dark blue dress rolled across her back down to her...umm...well you get the idea, she was beautiful. Then again when wasn't she? Even so, I'm glad I didn't get to go to the Gala. Because it ended up being a total disaster. Between flying cakes, falling columns, and stampeding animals, the last thing it needed was a comet flying around. Still, despite all the insanity, I was happy Applejack and her friends had a good time. Little did I know that the chaos of that night was just the calm before the storm. A few weeks later, our class went on a field trip to Canterlot. I was a little hesitant at first when Ms. Cheerilee announced it. But after she informed us that Princess Celestia would likely be too busy to meet our class, I was on board. "Alright, Ms. Cheerilee's class?" The conductor asked as we walked onto the platform. "That's us," Ms. Cheerilee confirmed reaching into her saddlebags. "I've got the tickets right here." The conductor took them and counted them up. He looked down at us counting quietly to himself. "Alright, everything seems to be in order," He said reaching for his trusty hole-puncher. "You're in car number four, down there. Watch your step... Whoosh! Faster than he could finish his sentence, three filly-sized blurs rushed past him. "Come on let's go!" "Dibs on the window seat!" "Hey wait for me!" The Conductor spun around on his hind legs about three times as the tickets and hole-puncher went flying from his hooves. "...And have a safe trip," He said dazedly as the hole-puncher landed on his hat. The train ride up to Canterlot was about as pleasant as one could be. When you were sharing the car with the rest of your class. I tuned out most of the chaos around me with the help of the new issue of Star-Stallion. Stopping occasionally to peek out the window. Seeing the spires of the palace drawing closer filled me with a sense of uncertainty. After all, my last visit there had been as a trespasser. "It sssure is beautiful issn't it?" A lispy voice asked me. I looked away from the window at the square-framed glasses of Peppermint Twist. "Yeah, breathtaking." I concurred. "What's wrong? You sssound nervousness?" She asked. "I'm just anxious with excitement like everyone else," I assured her. "I want to start our field trip here, in the world-famous Canterlot Sculpture Garden," Ms. Cheerilee said as she led us down the freshly swept path. On one side stood sculptures of ponies in various poses. Some sat atop pedestals, while others had been deemed worthy of their own base. On the other, a wall belonging to the garden's hedge maze. "That one over there represents friendship," Ms. Cheerilee said pointing to a statue of three foals jumping atop one another. As we stopped to admire it, the Cutie Mark Crusaders crashed head into butt with each other. I let out a chuckle as their pupils spun around their sockets like tops. They shook their heads and glared at me angrily. "I'm so sorry Sis, it was just...so..." I couldn't control myself and fell on my back laughing. Apple Bloom and her friends snorted at me one by one and continued with the tour. Their heads held up with disgust. "This one over here represents victory," Ms. Cheerilee pointed to a statue of a mare dressed in a cape holding a flag. Flanked by two stars zooming forward. "How cool would it be to have that for a cutie mark?" Scootaloo said excitedly to her friends. "Cool if you were actually victoryful at somethin'." Said, Apple Bloom uncharacteristically rude. "That's not a word!" Scootaloo argued. "What are you a dictionary?" Apple Bloom shot back. "No," I interrupted. "But as somepony who has read a dictionary cover to cover, I can confidently say that 'victoryful' was not in it." "Aw put a sock in it, Apple Comet," I was dumbstruck. Apple Bloom never talked to me like that. Fortunately, Ms. Cheerilee was there to quickly reestablish order. "Girls!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders stopped and turned their attention to her. "Now this is a really interesting statue. What do you notice about it?" Interesting would not have been the word I'd use to describe the amalgamation of animal parts sculpted together into the hideous hodge-podge standing before us. "It's got an eagle claw," said Apple Bloom. "And a lion's paw," Scootaloo said in awe. "And a snake tail," Sweetie Belle said jumping into the air. "Meh, I don't get modern art," I said. "This creature is called Draconequus," Ms. Cheerilee explained. "He has the head of a pony and a body made up of all sorts of things. What do you suppose that represents?" "Confusion," guessed Apple Bloom. "Evil," said Sweetie Belle. "Chaos," said Scootaloo. It's not chaos you dodo!" Sweetie Belle suddenly snapped at her. "Don't call me things I don't know the meaning of!" Scootaloo shouted back. "And it is too chaos." "Is not!" Sweetie Belle whined. The two glared at each other. "You're both wrong!" Apple Bloom said jumping on both their heads. Without warning, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle jumped up and tackled her. They tussled and tumbled, kicking, biting, and grabbing at each other. "Enough!" I shouted. The Cutie Mark Crusaders paused and stared at me. I stepped in between them, pushing them back with a nudge of my hooves. "I don't know what's gotten into you three, but I'm putting a stop to it." "You aren't the boss of us!" Scootaloo argued holding onto Sweetie's hock. "No, but I am," Ms. Cheerilee spoke up. "Thank you Apple Comet. This statue represents 'Discord' which represents a lack of harmony between ponies. You three have demonstrated discord so well that you're each going to write me an essay explaining it." The rest of the class laughed at their misfortune. "Now let's go, and I don't want any more fighting." As the rest of the class continued, the CMC continued to argue about what the statue represented. "It's confusion!" "Evil!" "Chaos!" My ears picked up the sound of cracking stone. I looked up to see cracks spreading up and down the statue. "Umm...girls? I think we really should get back to the others." I suggested. "Aw, can it Pointdexter!" Sweetie Belle said. The sound of laughter filled the air as the statue began to shake back and forth. The CMC looked up to see light pouring from the ever-growing cracks. "Okay, we see your point Apple Comet," Apple Bloom said nervously. The four of us ran to rejoin the rest of the class. However as we turned the corner, I ducked the hedge and reached into my saddlebag. It had been a while since I needed to use my matrix. With the change complete, I took to the skies just as the statue exploded in a shower of stone and light. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" From the light emerged a long hairy serpentine form. It swirled and curled higher and higher. "Free at last!" Standing on his pedestal, the Draconequus now flesh, fur, and an assortment of animal parts stretched up like a cat waking up from a nap. "Ugh, two thousand years can give you such a crick in the neck." He twisted his neck around a full 360 degrees. Ah, much better. "Now where was I?" He looked around the garden. "Oh, Celestia what have you done to the place? Everything is so neat and orderly. Oh, well I suppose it'll make for a good warm-up." He laced his claws together and cracked his knuckles. "Let's get started with an old favorite shall we?" With a snap of his claws, the Statue of Victory leaped from her pedestal carrying her flag along with her. Followed by the Statues of Friendship who leaped down one after another. One by one the statues jumped down and lined up in front of the Draconequus. With another snap of his claws, he changed his appearance to resemble that of a military general. Complete with a swagger stick and glasses. "Alright, you maggots listen up!" He said in an authoritative tone. "I am your Supreme Commander General Discord and my orders for you are simple. Go out there and cause some chaos!" He emphasized the last word with a clench of his paw. I'd seen enough. As the statues saluted him, I swooped down smashing through them like a minotaur in a pottery store. SWOOP! *SMASH!*" *CRASH!* *CRA-ASH!* *POW!* *CRACK!* *KRA-KOW!* *CRRACKKKK!* Discord's jaw fell to the ground. He looked up to see me streaking through the sky. "Hey! Do you mind? I'm trying to cause chaos around here and I would appreciate you not smashing my minions!" He shook his paw angrily at me as I circled toward him. "Are you listening to me? Right, that's it!" He snapped his claw and... *SMACK!" I opened my eyes to find myself staring into my reflection on a glass floor. Beyond it, I could see Discord looking up with a triumphant smirk. "What the?" He snapped his claws and in an instant, I was pulled towards him. "Well, well, well. I've heard of catching lightning in a bottle. But never a comet." Discord's enormous face stood in front of me, as large as a billboard. I stood up to find the walls were made of glass and the ceiling was just a hole sealed by a cork. I was inside a giant bottle. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a comet turn into a pony before either. Haha haha, oh today is turning out to be full of surprises." Alright, enough was enough. I thought as I jumped into the air, socking the cork with a solid uppercut. It flew from the bottle like a cannonball allowing me to fly out. "Oh, no you don't!" Discord snapped his claw again and in an instant, gravity caught up with me. "Whoooaaah!" "Nice try little one but I'm not letting you go so easily." He sneered as another cork bound by chains plugged the hole. "You'll find I'm full of surprises," I said as I cocked back my foreleg and hit the glass with all my might. *Clink!* Discord chuckled as I focused my heat vision on the glass. "Haha haha hahaha ow, ow oh hot! hot! hot! Hot!" He yelped in pain dropping the bottle to the ground where it shattered releasing me. "You little brat! I am the Spirit of Chaos and I will not be made a fool of by....whoa!" *SMASH!* *BASH!* *CRASH!* *SLAM!* *SUBALUWA!* I couldn't help but smile out of the corners of my face as I thrashed Discord around like a chew toy. When I was done, I left him sprawled painfully inside an outline-shaped hole in the path. "Of...course you know...this...means...war." He declared weakly raising his claw. "Oh, no you don't!" anticipating his next act, I pinned his claw to the ground with my hoof. *Snap!* "Psych!" He said snapping his paw. *Pop!* In an instant he vanished, leaving me high and dry. "Hahahahahahaha!" "Drat!" I pounded the ground in disappointment. Well, he wasn't going to get far. "Ah'm telling you Ms. Cheerilee, the Discord statue just started cracking and glowing all by itself." "Oh, no Apple Bloom." I spotted her sister and her friends leading the class back towards me. I galloped over to my saddlebag, changed out of my costume, hid it in my saddlebag, and put it back on. "Apple Comet!" I looked to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Ms. Cheerilee looking at me with concern. "Goodness!" Our teacher exclaimed. "What in Equestria happened here?" I looked over the shattered remnants of the statuary that had previously filled the garden. Now just a trail of broken body parts. Thinking quickly, I formulated an alibi. "Ow, my pastern, I think I twisted it when I was running away with you." I held my hind leg clutching it in mock pain. "Let me take a look at that." Ms. Cheerilee looked down to examine it. "Does it hurt when I move it?" I hissed noddingly in approval. "Okay, stay calm, we're going to get you help. In the meantime try not to put too much weight on it." "Okay...Ms.Cheerilee...I'll...ugh...try." Apple Bloom could tell I was faking it but came to the right conclusion that I was doing it to hide my powers. While Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle just looked at each other and smiled. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Hoof Doctors Yay!" My eyes widened with horror. But before I could protest both fillies vanished in a *pop* of light. "What the?" Apple Bloom said before she too vanished. "What jusst happened?" Twist asked in horror. "Now, now stay calm my little ponies," Ms. Cheerilee said trying to remain composed before she too disappeared. One by one the rest of the class disappeared leaving me alone in the garden. "There that's better, just the two of us now." Discord's voice echoed around me. "Where are you? Show yourself!" I demanded. "What, so you throw me around like a rag doll again? I think not." "What have you done with them?" "Tsk tsk tsk, Is that any way to ask for something?" He said condescendingly. "I'm not playing games here!" "Oh, well that's too bad because I am. And if you want to save your friends, you will play with me." So that's how it was going to be. "And what sort of game would you have me play?" "I'm so glad you asked. Look in the mirror." *Pop* With a flash of light a mirror appeared in front of me. In it, I saw the reflections of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Ms. Cheerilee, and the rest of the class. "I've sent your school chums and your teacher to the far-flung corners of Equestria. All you need to do is find them and bring them back here." "What's the catch?" I asked. "You're nopony's fool kid, I respect that. The first catch is that to find them, you'll have to solve a riddle. And second, they won't be quite themselves when you find them." "Alright, what's the first riddle?" The mirror shone revealing the riddle written in glowing letters. Where the sun and stars shine from the ground is where the first of your friends will be found. Beneath the rolling hills so vain, their peaks proudly proclaim their name. But pride goeth before the fall. Hurry if you wish to save them all. With a snap of his claw, my body felt lighter once again. "I'd shake a leg if I were you. The show is about to start." The mirror vanished and I felt alone once again. Throwing my matrix on once again, I took off in search of my destination. Third Pony POV. Discord chuckled to himself as he watched the young colt take to the skies in a ball of fire. "That should keep the little rascal busy while I work on my schemes." He said with a snap of his claw. Instantly he teleported next to a pair of large doors with a horn-shaped keyhole. Humming a jaunty little tune to himself, he placed one claw inside the hole and felt around. With a click, he withdrew his claw which was now the shape of a certain alicorn's horn, and the doors aside. Sitting on a pedestal was an overly jeweled jewel box. "We....have a winner!" Comet's POV. "A place where the sun and stars shine from the ground?" None of my classmates nor Ms. Cheerilee were to be found anywhere near the princesses' private chambers. Nor anywhere else on the castle grounds. Of course not wanting a repeat of last time, I didn't stay long. "Beneath the rolling hills so vain, they proudly proclaim their name." Since hills didn't usually talk, I deduced that proclamations would be written rather than oral. And If they're vain then they'd want as many ponies as possible to see it. Therefore they'd want to make the letters as big as possible. "There's only one place in all of Equestria where you'd find letters that big. I headed west, certain I would find my answer. Applewood Coltifornia, Home of Equestria's film industry. Home to famous stars and landmarks, including the world-famous Applewood Hills sign. "Beneath the rolling hills so vain they proudly proclaim their name. If I'm right, this is where I'll find one of my classmates. Below it seemed like any other sunny Southern Coltifornia day. The streets were filled with traffic. Ponies to and from every which way. Even with my eyesight, finding my classmate would be like trying to find a drop of water in the ocean. Then suddenly without warning... "TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AND WE'VE OFTEN REWOUND THE CLOCK! SINCE THE PURITANS GOT THE SHOCK! WHEN THEY LANDED ON FRIENDSHIP ROCK!" ...The entire city began to shake violently! Ponies scattered for shelter, while carriages spun out of control. The buildings swayed and shook, the ponies inside trying desperately to stand on their feet. "IF TODAY, ANY SHOCK THEY SHOULD TRY TO STEM! INSTEAD OF LANDING ON FRIENDSHIP ROCK, FRIENDSHIP ROCK WOULD LAND ON THEM!" "Wait, a second I recognize that voice!" I realized. "Sweetie Belle!" Her voice was still the high-pitched nasally one that occasionally cracked on the higher notes. But it echoed across the city like a sonic boom! High-rise windows shattered raining glass down on the streets below. Cracks spread across the streets, and fire hydrants erupted. "I have to find her and fast. Before she decides to do an encore. Unfortunately for my hearing, that meant following the disturbance to its source. "IN OLDEN DAYS A GLIMPSE OF DRESSAGE WAS LOOKED UPON AS SOMETHING TRANSGRESSIVE BUT NOW WHO KNOWS! ANYTHING GOES!" The assault on my eardrums led me straight to the Applewood Bowl amphitheater. "There she is." Sweetie Belle stood center stage dressed in a sailor outfit. She was practically putting on a one-filly show, the amphitheater shaking with every note she sang. "Okay, well I'd found her." I winced. "Now to put a stop to her performance before she sings the city into a chasm." "IF RIDING IN FAST CARTS YOU LIKE IF LOW BARS YOU LIKE IF OLD HYMNS YOU LIKE OR MARE WEST YOU LIKE OR FANCY DRESS YOU LIKE WHY NOPONY WILL OPPPOOOOSE!" A piece of dome broke loose falling dangerously close to her. SWOOSH! CRUSH! I quickly snatched her up and muzzled her performance with my hoof. She squirmed and protested but I kept my grip on her. The shaking stopped replaced by the sounds of the chaotic aftermath left in its wake. I looked down at Sweetie Belle, I noticed something else was off about her. Besides her tremor-inducing singing voice. The colors of her coat, mane, and tail were strangely faded. And her expression was one of anger and frustration. Almost as if she was upset at me for interrupting her performance. No doubt Discord's doing. My ears twitched picking up the sound of cracking marble in the distance. Turning my head sharply, I spotted a large dam in the distance, with large cracks spreading across it in every direction. "Aw dam, it!" I exclaimed as I flew towards it with all haste. Water was already beginning to spray through the cracks spreading them further. The workers who had figured out what was happening galloped or flew to safety. But for those downstream, there would be nowhere to go, except below sea level. FWOOOOOSH!!!! With a deep breath, I exhaled freezing one of the leaks in its tracks. Hopefully, the dam would hold until I finished the job. CRRRAAACK! A large section of the dam broke loose turning the spray into a torrent. It became clear that the dam wasn't going to hold. I was going to have to come up with a different solution. I scanned my eyes along the walls of the canyon. I saw several sections where the rocks seemed pretty loose. It wouldn't take much effort to send them tumbling down. The only problem was my hooves were already full. "Mmm...Mmph!" I gazed down at the struggling filly squirming in my hooves. I couldn't set her down or else she'd start singing again. But I couldn't move those rocks without letting her go. I was at an impasse. CRRRRUMMMBLE! Just then the top of the dam gave way. The water no longer held back washed over it in a tidal wave of certain destruction. I glanced over at the hillside rock formations and the buildings in the path of the raging deluge. I had an idea, I reckless idea but I was out of options. I flew over to the closest rock formation and released Sweetie Belle's muzzle. "THE WORLD HAS GONE MADE TODAY AND GOOD'S BAD TODAY AND BLACK'S WHITE TODAY AND DAY'S NIGHT TODAY AND THAT GENT TODAY YOU GAVE A BIT TODAY ONCE HAD SEVERAL CHATEAAAAAAAAUUUUUUX." The canyon walls shook and quaked sending thousands of tons of loose rock plummeting into the canyon. Dodging falling rocks, I flew in closer to the weak points. By now some of the rocks had reached the bottom of the valley and were piling up in the river below. But I would need more if I was to stop that flood. Spotting another loose section on the other side of the canyon, I flew Sweetie in closer. "JUST THINK OF THOSE SHOCKS YOU GOT! FROM THOSE SHAKES YOU GOT! FROM THOSE QUAKES YOU GOT! THE DAM BREAKS YOU GOT! AND ANY ACHES YOU GOT! IF ANY ACHES YOU GOT FROM THOSE HIIIIIGH NOOOOTES!" With that high note, the wall gave way sending an avalanche of boulders rolling down the hill. Some were as big as buildings. With a thundering crash, the floodwaters met the avalanche sending waves high into the air. The water poured over the top and cascaded down the other side. "CAUSE CELESTIA KNOWS! ANYTHING GOOOOOOOOOOES!!!!" With a final fanfare from unseen trumpets, Sweetie took a bow to the heavily shaken audience below. The floodwaters began to calm as the tidal wave receded to a waterfall. I decided then and there that was not a fan of show tunes. At least everypony downstream managed to evacuate. *POP* In a flash of light, Sweetie Belle suddenly disappeared from my hooves. In her place was a small hoof mirror. "Using my tricks against me. You're cleverer than I thought." Discord's reflection said staring back at me. "Still I suppose even a blind pig finds a truffle occasionally." "Where's Sweetie Belle? What have you done with her?" I demanded. "Ah ah ah, that would be telling. And you wouldn't want to ruin the game so early would you?" "I dunno, I rather enjoyed playing pinata with you!" He paused a moment, then quickly composed himself. "Yes well, enjoy your moment of triumph while you can. Here is your next riddle. *FLASH* Within canyons of steel beneath skies of blue, the next of your friends are waiting for you. The tired, the poor, and wretched refuse they see, as only fit to bend at their knee. Beware their touch, beware their gaze, or else you will join their garish soiree. *Pop* I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach about who the riddle was talking about. As for where there were many cities in Equestria with extensive skylines. Luckily my steel-trap memory recalled a story Applejack told me about her time staying with Aunt and Uncle Orange. One that involved a poem referenced in the riddle. Third Pony POV Discord grinned with satisfaction as he snapped the mirror away. Everything was going according to plan. The Elements of Harmony were in his possession. The Element Bearers would soon be on their way to Canterlot. And by the time that caped colt figured out what he was up to, it would be too late. Comet's POV The salty breeze of the sea air flowed through my mane as I approached my destination. The towering spires of Manhattan's skyline crested over the rolling hills. Immediately I noticed something was off when I spotted the Statue of Friendship. The once oxidized copper statue had been turned into sterling silver and her crown had been replaced with a diamond tiara. "I was afraid it would be them." The city beyond had been transformed as well. Once steel skyscrapers were now towering silver monoliths. And the streets and sidewalks below had been turned into solid diamonds as had many of the abandoned carts that had been left strewn about. The sounds of terrified screams echoed through the walls of the steel canyons as ponies some turned diamond or silver themselves scattered to find shelter. "Let's see if I were a self-centered spoiled brat that had been corrupted by the Spirit of Chaos, where would I be? Someplace where I could be the center of attention naturally." I streaked forward in the direction of the screams. Bridleway, known throughout Equestria as the Great Galloping Way had been transformed into a garish parody of its former self. Like the rest of the city, the buildings had been turned into a garish display of luxury. BZZZT! Out of nowhere a blast of shimmering light struck a billboard. Instantly the lettering changed from Marecy's to Diamond's "And that's the last one," a familiar voice said. Diamond Tiara dressed in a strange outfit stood triumphantly at her work. She was dressed in diamond regalia complete with a diamond cuirass, matching slippers, and a decorative mask that resembled her tiara. "Ah, what a beautiful sight. Nothing but diamonds, flawless brilliant diamonds." Pirouetting on one leg, she took in the sight around her. Soon, all of Equestria will be nothing but diamonds." Several police paddy wagons pulled up. The officers dressed in riot gear jumped out and surrounded her. "Attention, Attention!" A mauve police mare with an orange mane said through a bullhorn. "You are surrounded! Take off your mask and surrender!" "Ahahahaha!" Diamond Tiara cackled. "That is no way to address your future queen!" BZZZT! She fired a beam from her tiara. The officers quickly ducked behind their shields as the beam changed them into diamonds. "What are we supposed to do? I heard one of them ask the mare with the bullhorn. "Give her a time-out?" Spotting me up in the sky, another one pointed up and shouted, "Look up in the sky! It's the comet!" "Hey your right," another said. "And it looks like it's writing something. Diamond Tiara scowled with rage when she saw what I had written. HEY QUEEN FAT FLANK! UP HERE! "Rarrrrrgh!" BZZT BZZT BZZT BZZT. She fired several angry blasts at me. With a mischievous grin on my face, I easily dodged them all. "Urrrrgh! You're not gonna get away from me this time!" To my surprise, she lifted off the ground and flew after me. "Oh boy!" I quickly turned tail around down the nearest street, with Diamond following after. "Get back here! As your queen, I order you to get back here!" "Well she's certainly being more of a royal pain than usual today," I muttered to myself as I turned down the next street. To be honest I was enjoying this quite thoroughly. After putting up with Discord's antics it felt cathartic to be the one driving someone else up the wall for a change. We twisted and turned over the streets of Manehattan, climbing higher with every turn. "You will be the most beautiful jewel in my collection!" Diamond howled as she doggedly pursued me. She fired several blasts, none of which came close to hitting me. Although a few sections of my trail did fall back to earth as fiery red gems. "Sorry to disappoint you, your royal pain in the flank, but I've no plans of becoming another bauble for you to show off," I muttered in disgust. Unfortunately, I was having so much fun riling up Diamond Tiara that I forgot about the other thing the city was covered in. ZZZZAP! A second beam shot towards me. It struck the end of my cape turning it into solid silver. Turning around, I saw Silver Spoon dressed in ornately decorated silver regalia flying towards me. Her glasses had been replaced by a matching ornate eyemask. "Of course how could I forget there were two of them," I scolded as she fired another beam from her eyes. I went into a dive, and the best bullies followed right on my tail. "You can run but you can't hide!" Diamond declared. "Wherever you go we can follow!" Added Silver Spoon. And follow me they did. Following me through every dive, every turn, every maneuver I pulled. And while they weren't able to match me move for move, they used their numerical superiority to keep me on my toes. One of them would fire their beam at me and when I moved to evade the other one would fire at me. The only advantage I had was that I had months of flight experience, whereas they were clearly new at this. I didn't know how long they could last in the air and I didn't have the patience to find out. I needed to figure out how to beat them and beat them soon. "Let's see, their powers seem to be derived from their headwear. Maybe if I can get it off them it'll stop?" It was as good a guess as any. ZZZZAP! Another blast from Silver Spoon whizzed past me. "The only problem is how to get them on the... wait where'd Diamond Tiara go?" Quickly looking through the nearby skyscrapers, I saw no sign of the Princess of Pestering. BZZT!" From below the familiar twinkling blast struck me. The flames of my coma changed into solid carbon encasing me inside a diamond. My body went rigid, unable to move. I forced my eyes down to see Diamond Tiara, staring up at me with a gleam of triumph in her eyes. My limbs seized up, unable to move inside the solid mass as it plummeted back to earth. ZZZZAP! Another blast from Silver Spoon halted my momentum and sent me swinging back and forth between two buildings. Through the reflections inside the crystal, I could make out a silver chain hanging from the diamond. A pendant, those two brats had me trapped in some oversized pendant. "Well done Silver, Diamond complemented her partner in crime. "This will serve as a warning to those who dare mock my gorgeous flank." Silver Spoon giggled as the two of them did their stupid little dance. "Bump." "Bump." "Sugarlump rump. Heheheheh." "Come on let's get a closer look at it." She smirked as the two of them flew down to get a better look. I hated to admit it but the two of them had me stuck good. I couldn't move a muscle except for my eyes. Wait, my eyes. It was my last shot, otherwise, I could look forward to a future as a gaudy bauble in Queen Diamond's crown jewels. FLASH! "AAAAIEEEEEEEEEE!" Diamond and Silver shrieked as the light emanating from the diamond illuminated the entire street. Reflecting off the silver windows and diamond streets. Panicked and disoriented Diamond and Silver tried to flee only to end up crashing headfirst into each other. Diamond's tiara mask fell from her face along with Silver Spoon's glasses. In a flash of light, their regalia vanished along with my carbon prison. The instant I could move I swooped down snatching Diamond and Silver up before they could reach the street level at breakneck speed. A wave of magic swept back over the city as the silver buildings and diamond streets returned to steel and asphalt. The unfortunate ponies who'd had the misfortune of being changed also returned to normal. Cheers erupted from below us as the city returned to its vibrant normal self. I made haste for the shoreline, with the troublesome twosome tucked tight in my grasp. "What's going on, why is it so windy?" Diamond screamed against the wind rushing over her. "My glasses, I can't see without my glasses!" Silver Spoon cried out. *POP* *POP* And just like that they were gone. In their place was the familiar mirror. "And so once again the day is saved thanks to...hold on I seem to have jumped a few pages ahead in the script, my bad." I could hear the sounds of his finger flipping through pages. "Ah, here we are. Ahem...so it seems it seems you vanquished the vain vixens. But you haven't won yet." "Is this guy for real?" I rolled my eyes at the corny delivery of his monologue. "Hey, do I interrupt you when you're monologuing?" He snapped. "Sorry," I sighed. "Continue." "Thank you, I shall." Where hooves trample and branches sway the next of your friends is waiting to play. Take the red path or the white whichever you choose but one thing's for certain, you're bound to lose. With a pop, the mirror vanished once more. I quickly deduced that the riddle was referring to Whitetail Woods as Applejack had competed in the running of the leaves a couple of months back. As for the red and white paths, that part was still a mystery, but one I was certain would make sense when I got there. Third Pony POV Discord snapped the mirror away. His expression was a mixture of frustration and begrudging respect. The colt was good he had to give him that. Too good, if his luck didn't change soon, he would pose a threat to his plans. "Where did you come from little comet?" The Draconequus pondered the question. He reached down into his fur and pulled out a pocket watch on a chain. "Oh, my how time certainly flies." With a snap of his claw, the mirror reappeared showing six mares galloping through the front doors of the palace. With an evil grin, he dipped his claw into the mirror. The image rippled like water slowly changing to resemble one of the throne room stained glass windows. "SSSHOWTIME! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Pressing his mismatched hands together Discord summoned a swim cap onto his head, then dove into the mirror like it was a swimming pool.