Three weeks earlier, in the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse
“Fellow Crusaders,” said Applebloom, “Ah called this meeting for a very important reason.” She frowned at the other two. “As long as this 'Tirek' has all the magic in Equestria, we can't get our cutie marks. And even worse, he's taken our big sisters. We've gotta do something.”
“Yeah!” cheered Scootaloo.
“But what?” asked Sweetie Belle. “What can we do?”
“We can find out where our sisters are being held.” said Applebloom, firmly. “We can find out where the keys are. We can let them out, and they'll save the world again.”
“Yeah!” agreed Scootaloo. “No stupid Tirek is gonna be able to defeat Rainbow Dash!”
Applebloom cleared her throat. “He, um, kinda already did.” she pointed out.
“Not if Dash is ready for him!” insisted Scootaloo.
“Didn't Tirek move into Celestia's castle?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Yeah...” said Scootaloo.
“And doesn't he have the entire Royal Guard working for him?” continued Sweetie Belle.
“That's right.” nodded Applebloom. “And they're standing between us and our cutie marks!”
“So... how are we going to get into the castle?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Well,” said Applebloom, “Ah was thinking, first we get that book on medieval weaponry out of the library. Then we put together a trebuchet, and -”
“You mean the same library that Tirek wrecked?” asked Sweetie Belle.
Applebloom stopped to think about this for a minute.
“Okay,” she said after a bit, “so first we go to the Canterlot library and look for a book on medieval weaponry. Then -”
“What if Tirek's burned that library too?” asked Sweetie Belle. “What if he's going around burning libraries?”
Applebloom considered this point. “Mah plan might need a bit of work.” she said, eventually.
“Why don't we ask somepony?” suggested Scootaloo. “Do you know anypony who might know how to build a trebuchet?”
“It's got to be somepony who'd tell us,” said Sweetie Belle, “instead of just telling us to go away.”
All three Crusaders frowned as they thought about this. Applebloom suddenly jumped up, bumping the lamp and turning it on.
“Zecora!” she said.
* * *
Zecora's house, fifteen minutes later
“Your plan is lacking important detail.” the zebra pointed out. “As it is, it will certainly fail.”
Applebloom glared at Zecora. “We've gotta do something.” she insisted. “An' this is the best idea we've had so far.”
“Trebuchets are hard to aim.” said Zecora. “How many ponies will your boulders maim?”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Ah... guess Ah didn't think of that.” said Applebloom. “But we still gotta do something.”
“When all the land's bereft of hope,” said Zecora, “ponies will just sit and mope. But if a light of hope is found, then ponies will start to rally round.”
“So... as long as we're visibly doing something, we'll inspire others to launch their own rescue efforts?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“But who's gonna listen to three little fillies?” asked Scootaloo. “We're not awesome like Dash.”
Zecora nodded. “For the greatest chaos to be sown,” she said, “your faces must remain unknown.”
“Oh! Like Gabby Gums!” squealed Sweetie Belle.
“I don't get it.” said Scootaloo.
“When we were Gabby Gums,” explained Sweetie Belle, “nopony knew it was us. Well, not at first. So everypony listened. So if we call ourselves something and nopony knows who we are, they'll think we're grownups and listen to us!”
“Ohhhhhh!” said Scootaloo.
“We can still call ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” said Applebloom. “Nopony outside of Ponyville knows who that is.”
“I think your chances would be best,” continued Zecora, “if you'd let me aid your quest.” She smiled, just slightly. “Tirek took magic from ponies alone; one of the things for which he'll atone. Since for those who know how to enchant...” Zecora waved a hoof at the shelf of potions on her wall.
“Magic remains in every Everfree plant.”