//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Dashing, Devious, and Dangerous // Story: Supremacy // by Doom Trot //------------------------------// Well, one week into our journey, and I can say that everything is going swimmingly. That is, Geo Gleam has already tossed overboard several of the passengers of the Beta Typhoon. I swear, if you considered the two of my brothers, Valorous Vanity is a comparative genius to Geo Gleam. Geo can prove to be dumber than a bag of rocks. Ironic, considering he's so fond of rocks, stones, gems, and other things of a geological nature. He's been playing in the dirt his whole life.....All contentious mayhem aside, however, I think that this voyage will be a successful one. A miserable and arduous one, but a successful one. Oh, and a note regarding Gorgeous Verity. My earlier apprehensions were in vain. As it would turn out, she's a productive member of the crew. How she's so knowledgeable with boats is beyond me, but her help is welcome. After all, none of these pompous unicorn passengers are especially good at hoisting or lowering a sail. Oh, how tragic! They made a stupid decision, and have consequences to suffer. To anypony reading this, I implore you; educate unicorns in the mundane arts, in any way you can! They'll never make it through life if they can't do the most basic things for themselves. Are you about finished? "Shift" prodded at Aqua Grace's mind, frustrated with her endless stream of tears. You have work to do, teardrop. Aqua Grace heaved a sigh, then wiped at her eyes. Shift, I'm just not cut out for this kind of work. I can be stealthy, silent, and even invisible. But, when I have to see innocent foals suffer because of what our team has done.... She sniffled, already losing the fight against her returning sobbing. In our defense, we're only partially responsible for what ails the filly. Shift argued. The mental trauma and convulsions were Patsy's fault, but her mangled legs and burned face are the work of that momentous dragon. Aqua Grace glanced back through the window, then turned away, trotting toward the ground as if on an invisible staircase. What do you think you're doing?! "Shift" hissed within Aqua's mind. Four of the Elements of Harmony reside within that room! You have to trail them! Study them! Shift...I can't do this. I can't bear to spy on those four if I have to be in the presence of that poor little filly. "Shift" became enraged, shouting, If you aren't going to keep watch on them, then I'll do it myself! ...very well. Just....don't do anything too evil while you're in charge, okay? Aqua whimpered. You don't tell me what to do! I tell you what to do! You never command me again! Understand? "Shift" hissed within the mare's mind. Aqua sniffled again, blinking away her tears, then meekly answered, Okay....I understand. Aqua arrived at the ground and began to circle around the building, feeling a bit distraught as magic aura surrounded her. It wasn't her own aura, however. It was the aura of her true self in action. After a flare of magical flames, a new pony emerged from the place Aqua Grace had just stood in. The nurse that was helping to tend to Scootaloo was now exiting the filly's room and entering the hospital at the same time. "Ah! There he is!" Patsy Craft shouted as she spotted Silver Gleam meandering in the distance. "Silver! Hey, Silver!" The stallion blinked at hearing Patsy's voice, then looked to where he had heard it. In the distance, he saw a happy unicorn mare, her magenta coat bright and glistening, her stiff blue mane bouncing with every step she took. Then he blinked once more, and opened his eyes to the exact same thing.....fourteen years ago. He could clearly see Patsy Craft as the filly she once was, her ill fitting glasses nearly falling off with each bound she took. Patsy shouted again, her voice now far more foalish and innocent as she cried, "Silver! Where have you been? We've been worried sick!" Silver sighed as his memories overlapped the present, then blinked once more to snap him back to reality. Patsy halted her gallop, panting briefly before smiling at Silver. She adjusted her scarf, then asked, "Well? Where did you disappear off too?" Silver returned her smile with his own, answering, "Just taking a look around.....say, do any of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony have younger siblings?" Patsy frowned, putting a hoof to her chin. "Uh....I can't quite remember. I think their records showed-" "The Element of Honesty and the Element of Generosity both have a single younger sister." Opulent Majesty interrupted, stepping next to Patsy. "They are otherwise all younger siblings or only foals. Why do you ask?" Silver rolled his eyes, yet still retained his smile. "Just curious, is all. I think I've made a pretty good impression, if my hunch is correct." Opulent blinked, adjusting his monocle with a hoof. "What do you mean?" Silver Gleam turned away from them, then pointed in the direction he had come from. "Wait for it...." "Silver Gleam!" A young unicorn filly shouted in the distance. "You never finished your story!" Opulent scowled at Silver for a moment, then turned away with a sigh, his expression annoyed, but not spiteful. "I see you've established yourself as a storyteller, Silver. What ludicrous tale have you captured their attention with?" Silver shrugged, answering with, "Oh, just some personal recollections is all. Stories from when the three of us were just foals." He turned a thoughtful expression to Opulent, asking, "You remember our old clubhouse, don't you?" Opulent growled quietly, then turned back to Silver with a glare. "Lovely." He hissed. "You're recounting that bloody waste of our time, and telling curious little foals about it. Do try to keep your mind in the present, Silver, lest you be lost in your silly memories." He glanced to Patsy, who wore an outraged expression, then harrumphed as he turned to trot back to the inn. Patsy released a shaky sigh, then looked back to Silver as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom approached him. Sweetie, not noticing the mare that awkwardly smiled at her and Applebloom, grinned up at Silver. "What kind of adventures did you and your friends have? Did all three of you earn your cutie marks together?" Silver Gleam chuckled, motioning for Patsy to step forward. With a good measure of hesitance, Patsy stepped into view, looking especially nervous. Silver nodded to Patsy, saying, "Meet Patsy Craft. The first of our trio to earn her cutie mark." Patsy gulped, laughing weakly as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom turned their attention to her. "Hello..." Applebloom glanced to Patsy's flank, looking perplexed by what she saw. "Yer cutie mark 's a puppet. What's yer special talent, then?" Patsy adjusted her glasses with a hoof, glancing away from the expectant earth pony as she considered what to say. I can't tell her that I control other ponies like puppets! What do I say? Silver, quickly sensing Patsy's distress, gestured to the mare's cutie mark, answering, "Patsy Craft here is the most skilled puppet maker and puppeteer in New Unicornia. Her shows are top notch!" Patsy cast Silver a quick glare, then regained her awkward smile as she nodded. "That's right! I'm the best of the best when it comes to puppet shows!" Sweetie Belle smiled at Patsy, saying, "That's cool! Would you mind doing a show here, in Ponyville?" Patsy's smile twitched as she blinked at the question. "H-here? Oh, but I'm far too busy, what with the...uh...." She trailed off as Sweetie shot her a purely adorable pleading expression. "Um....I'll see what I can do." Sweetie Belle perked up, shouting, "Alright! We get to see a puppet show put on by a famous puppeteer!" Patsy sighed as the two fillies turned their attention back to Silver, already dreading how difficult keeping her cover would be in a town like Ponyville. She nudged Silver as she turned, saying, "Well, we had best be going. Lot's to do, and-" "Wait!" Cried Sweetie, putting a hoof to Silver's leg. "What about your story? Can we hear the rest of it?" Silver smirked at the filly, rubbing his bearded chin with a hoof. "Tell you what. I'll give you the rest of my story in exchange for a tour of Ponyville. How's that sound?" Applebloom inched closer to Sweetie Belle, whispering, "Stranger danger, Sweetie Belle...." Sweetie frowned at her friend, pushing her away. "Well, they're not strangers if we get to know them, right?" Applebloom put a hoof to her forehead, mumbling, "Yeah, cause that makes perfect sense." Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, then turned a grin back to Silver. "We'd be happy to give you a tour!" Silver chuckled, turning away to walk alongside Patsy. "Great! Just allow me a few minutes at the Hay And Stay Hotel, and I'll be right with you." Sweetie waved to the two as they departed, shouting, "We'll see you then!" Sweetie dropped her hoof after a moment, then turned a wry smile to Applebloom. "You're worried over nothing, Applebloom. There's nothing shady about this guy! Not in the slightest!" Applebloom groaned in annoyance, beginning to lazily walk away. "Looks can be deceivin', Sweetie Belle. Ya just remember that." Sweetie Belle frowned, hurrying to her friend's side. "You need to lighten up a bit, Applebloom. There's really nothing to worry over." Applebloom clicked her tongue, only answering with, "Whatever...." "So, you're sure you can handle another one of those fits?" The doctor asked Twilight Sparkle as he stepped away from Scootaloo's bedside once more. Twilight nodded, glancing to Scootaloo. The young filly turned her head to rest her unharmed cheek on the pillow, taking in a shaky breath. "I know just how to snap her out of those Magic Flashes. Plus, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay here for the purpose of researching Magic Poisoning." She nodded to Scootaloo, her voice turning to a whisper as she inched closer to the doctor. "Her sudden illness is a tragedy, but I believe I can gather valuable information on this rare condition. If I'm permitted to stay past visiting hours, that is." The doctor breathed a frustrated sigh, bringing a hoof to his temple. "I see no harm in a little studying, what with you being the only resident of Ponyville who can directly treat Magic Poisoning. Just don't keep her awake through the night, Miss Sparkle. She needs her rest more than you need your information." Twilight nodded, stepping aside to allow the doctor to exit the room. "I promise, I won't inhibit Scootaloo's healing in the slightest. This is just the perfect opportunity to learn more about such a rare illness." The doctor glanced back to Scootaloo once more, then wordlessly stepped from the room, proceeding down the hall. Twilight smiled tiredly as she returned to Scootaloo's bedside, the room empty aside from Rainbow Dash, herself, and the morose little pegasus that lay in the hospital bed. "So....those painkillers kicking in yet?" Twilight asked, sounding awkward. Scootaloo brushed back her ear with her good hoof, answering sullenly, "No. Still hurts." Twilight frowned slightly, eyeing the pegasus with pity. "Oh....that's no fun. Yet, you took them about ten minutes ago....I guess-" "I didn't need them. Painkillers are for wimpy foals, anyway. I don't care if they don't work...." Her tone was blank as she adjusted her head, refusing to meet Twilight's gaze. Twilight hovered a hoof near the filly, glancing to Rainbow Dash with concern. She said nothing, but her expression clearly pleaded for Rainbow to say something. Rainbow Dash blinked at Twilight's look, then lowered her head, mumbling, "Twilight. Could you please excuse us for a minute?" Twilight looked back to Scootaloo, then lowered her hoof, shuffling away from the two and toward the exit. She smiled momentarily, then gently shut the door with her magic. Rainbow Dash stood in silence for a long while, Scootaloo not once turning to look at her. The bustle of voices and commotion that came from the hall outside only seemed to make the quiet within the room all the more tense. Neither of the two pegasi showed it, but they both hoped desperately that the other would start a conversation. They both had something to say, but neither wanted to be the first to say it. After a sudden sigh from both ponies, however, Rainbow Dash raised her gaze to look at Scootaloo. "Scootaloo....I....I just wanted to say-" "That you're disappointed in me?" Scootaloo interrupted, causing the cyan pegasus standing over her to frown. "I already know. I ran into the forest to fight dragons. And what actually happened," she gestured to her suspended legs with a lazy wave of her good hoof, "isn't nearly as bad as what could have happened. I'm lucky to be alive. But that doesn't change the fact that I put my life in danger." Rainbow Dash stared at Scootaloo's injured legs, then looked to the bandaged half of the filly's face. The way her ear drooped and sagged gave the pegasus an outward appearance of sorrow, but her tone had been stern. Like she was angry with herself. "Scootaloo, I'm not disappointed that you ran into the forest." Scootaloo scoffed indignantly, already retorting with, "Why aren't you? I did something stupid and dangerous! As you put it, I could have been killed! Isn't that reason enough to-" "Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash sharply interrupted. "I'm not disappointed with you for running headlong into the Everfree.....what I can't get over is why you would." Scootaloo paused, then turned her head to meet Rainbow Dash's gaze. "What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash's frown deepened as she stared into Scootaloo's one uncovered eye, her own eyes quivering as she saw the melancholy in the poor filly's expression. "I mean....that you did something like that because you thought it was brave. Stupid decisions aren't acts of bravery, Scootaloo....no matter what I claim I can do, I don't always tackle every challenge. Some things just aren't worth the risk." Scootaloo blinked, her one-eyed gaze seeming to wander, then turned her head to look away from Rainbow Dash again. "There's no risk for you, Dash. You're the fastest, strongest, and bravest pony in Equestria. You can do anything.....but I can't. I can't hope to accomplish anything as cool as you. You're Rainbow Dash! The Element of Loyalty! And then there's me.....just Scootaloo...." Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh, placing a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder, which the young filly reflexively attempted to shrug off. Rainbow began in a firm, but gentle tone, "Kid, you can't see yourself as being a failure just because you aren't like me. No matter how many races I've won or how heroic I've been, I'm still just a pony. In the end, we're all just ponies, trying to make our way in the world." She rubbed at Scootaloo's shoulder, smiling as she said, "What you have now is just as important as what I have now. Maybe even more important." Scootaloo's voice quavered as she asked, "W-what are you talking about?" Rainbow put her head beside the young pegasus, nuzzling her gently before answering, "Your little club. The Cutie Mark Crusaders....just three spunky fillies trying to find their lot in life. To me, that's more special than all the first prizes in the world." Scootaloo found herself wrapping her good leg around Rainbow's neck as she looked back, tears threatening to spill from her eye. "You...you can't possibly mean that..." Rainbow Dash gingerly moved her own hoof to cradle Scootaloo's head, her own eyes now moistening. "I do, Scootaloo. You three are all on a journey to find what you're meant for. There's nothing quite like discovering who you are and what you're meant to be.....but sharing this experience with two of your best friends? Taking life by the horns, and trying something new everyday? I gotta say, kid. I envy you a little." Scootaloo made a small noise, one that could have been interpreted as a loss for words. Or, maybe, as the sound one makes when they're ready to cry. "Dash....that....that means more than you know, Dash." Rainbow Dash sniffled, then placed her nose to Scootaloo's, squeezing the filly gently. "Don't mention it, kid. You're gonna go far in life.....I just know it." The two both allowed themselves to cry in their silent embrace, their tears quietly falling down their cheeks. They remained motionless, until a knock could be heard at the door. Rainbow Dash hesitated to move away from Scootaloo, but stepped away after a moment, wiping at her eyes. "Wh-who is it?" Rainbow asked, her composure not completely regained yet. "It's Nurse Mend! I'm just here to give the patient further medication before her expected company arrives." A mare on the other side answered. "Wait. Expected company?" Rainbow Dash asked, walking over to and opening the door. "What expected company?" The nurse glanced from Rainbow to the tray she was now holding on her hoof, answering, "If I recall, Miss Rarity and Miss Applejack went to inform their younger sisters of Scootaloo's injuries. I'm sure they're on their way as we speak." Rainbow Dash grinned, glancing back to Scootaloo. "Here that, kid? The rest of the crusaders are on their way. Bet you'll be glad to see them." Scootaloo smiled at Rainbow Dash, rubbing at her eye with her good hoof. "I most certainly will." Rainbow Dash nodded as she exited the room, departing with, "I'll be seeing you, squirt." Nurse Mend smiled at Rainbow Dash as she left, then stepped inside, grabbing the knob with her mouth as she closed the door behind her. When the nurse turned to Scootaloo, however, she bore an annoyed scowl. Scootaloo was puzzled by this, but said not a word. What's got her in a bad mood? Thought Scootaloo. She seemed perfectly fine just a second ago. Oh, how glad I am I didn't vomit while listening in on these saps! Thought the "nurse." These two aren't supposed to be the talkative ones! Yet, in here they remained, chatting up a storm. A rather boring and long-winded storm, at that. Opulent Majesty continued walking along, his face twisted into a scowl. The subject of his anger wasn't immediately apparent, but it became clearer once he began angrily mumbling to himself, "Silver, Silver, Silver....if he wasn't a personal favorite of the King, I would have taken over the team long ago! He's always dwelling on what was! He's so unfocused, so undisciplined.....so undeserving of the King's praise!" Opulent continued forward, his murmuring becoming unintelligible as the unicorn glanced back to see Patsy Craft and Silver Gleam trailing behind in the distance. He sighed in frustration, then quickened his pace. Unbeknownst to Opulent Majesty, however, was that every word he'd said had been caught by the ears of one impressively stealthy pink party pony, who watched him from behind a nearby rock. "So, tension among the team, eh Opulent?" Pinkie Pie whispered to herself, glaring at the glowering unicorn as he stomped along. "Let's just see how well you play with others when the going gets tough." Pinkie's laugh was somewhat hollow and slightly malicious as she chuckled, keeping low to the ground as she tailed Opulent. Opulent, oblivious to his stalker, continued his trot toward the inn, still muttering spite too quietly to hear from where Pinkie prowled. "Oh, I just hope that we don't scare the poor darlings." Rarity muttered as she trotted alongside Applejack. "How are we even supposed to approach them? I mean, we can't very well say, 'your friend has two broken legs, half a burned face, and has just suffered a violent seizure before our eyes!'" Applejack sputtered, slowly shaking her head. "We gotta be gentle with 'em. It ain't gonna be easy to break it to 'em, but they need t' know." Rarity glanced sorrowfully to Applejack, then curtly nodded, hanging her head as they continued forward. "Yes, I know....but what do we say?" Applejack paused for a moment, then answered, "Well, ah 'spose we just tell 'em that Scootaloo's a little banged up." Rarity huffed, mumbling, "That sounds a tad understated, don't you think?" Applejack sighed, glancing back to Rarity. "Well, what do ya think we should tell 'em? Like ya said, we can't jus' say that the poor filly is bruised an' battered somethin' awful!" Rarity looked up to Applejack, frowning slightly. "Well, let's just....take them to the hospital. We won't tell them anything." Applejack was about to speak in protest, but hesitated, groaning in annoyance. "Well, so much fer easin' 'em into it." Rarity turned her attention forward again, then brightened when she spotted Opulent Majesty just a short distance away. She rushed over to him, shouting, "Mr. Majesty! Yoo-hoo!" Opulent glared at Rarity as she galloped toward him, but his spite quickly faded after a sudden realization. Excellent! The Element of Generosity! I was hoping to meet one of the six sooner than later. His thoughts, however, didn't take into consideration Pinkie Pie, who had already given him her own unique greeting. Opulent exhaled sharply, his lips curling into one of his charismatic (fake) smiles as he inhaled, greeting Rarity with, "Why, hello there. What can I do for the Element of Generosity?" Rarity laughed, waving a hoof as she blushed slightly. "Oh, you know about that?" Opulent nodded, putting a hoof to his chin as he eyed Rarity. "I've heard a great many things about you, Miss Generosity. I must say, you sound like a hero in your own right." Rarity smiled, embarrassed, as she pawed at the ground. "Hero? Well, I'm not all that heroic." Opulent raised an eyebrow, saying, "Really? You wouldn't consider breathing life into the lifeless world of Equestrian fashion heroism? Well, if you won't consider your feats praiseworthy, then I shall. Your works are inspiring, Miss Generosity, to say the very least." Rarity blushed, giggling like a school filly. "Oh, please, you're too kind." She cleared her throat, exhaling to calm herself. "All flattery aside, I had a question for you." Opulent held out a hoof to her, saying, "By all means, ask away." Rarity, glancing in the direction Opulent had just arrived from, asked, "Would you, perhaps, know where Silver Gleam has gone?" At the question, Opulent's monocle promptly split in the very location that had been repaired earlier. His eyes and corners of his smile twitched lightly for a moment. Rarity suddenly looked puzzled by this, but didn't address the matter. Instead, she repeated her question. "Do you know where Silver is?" Opulent sighed, lowering his hoof. "He should be on his way here at the moment.....what do you need from him?" Rarity looked to her saddlebag, levitating out a bolt of teal fabric. "I was curious as to what he was capable of with his magical talent. If I liked what I saw, I considered a more official business offer." Opulent disdainfully examined the material, mumbling, "You want silver fabric?" Rarity nodded, gesturing to her saddlebag. "If possible, I'd like to buy in bulk." Opulent glanced to the bag filled with fabrics, then back to the one that hovered before him. "Knowing Silver, he'd probably make the transmutations for free." That isn't all he would give to somepony like you free of charge. Rarity drew in a dramatic gasp, replacing the bolt and turning a hopeful grin to Opulent, who quickly regained his forced smile. "For free? All of this material?" Opulent glanced behind him, then turned back to Rarity with a slightly more genuine smile. "Why not go ask him yourself?" Rarity beamed as she looked past Opulent, taking off toward the distant unicorns that approached Ponyville. Opulent stared blankly at her for a moment, then levitated his eyepiece to examine it. With an annoyed grunt, he focused his magic, repairing the crack the way he had earlier. He looked over the monocle once more, then replaced it, turning to continue toward the Hay and Stay. "'Scuse me." Applejack greeted Opulent, causing the startled stallion to jump away a short distance. "Oh, sorry. Didn't mean t' scare ya none." Opulent brushed back his mane with his hoof, forcing himself to smile once again as he said, "Not a problem. Not a problem at all. I've just been a little.....jumpy. On account of earlier, that is." Applejack chuckled warily, mumbling, "Ya ain't mad 'bout that, are ya?" Opulent rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Not in the slightest. If anything, I should be apologizing to that mare for holding her foal without her permission." Applejack adjusted her hat, becoming visibly more relaxed. "Oh, ya don't owe 'er no apology. Plus, that little pegasus foal ain't 'er's." Opulent cocked his head, putting a hoof to his chin. "He isn't? Yet she seemed so protective of him." Applejack nodded, saying, "Pinkie Pie's jus' a right good employee. That little foal's ma and pa are also Pinkie's bosses." Opulent's smile faded as he blinked a few times in bewilderment. "Pinkie Pie? As in.....the Element of Laughter?" Applejack nodded once more, saying, "That's 'er, alright." Opulent's blank stare was now focused on Applejack as he mumbled, "Oh, I see. So, you must be...." His gaze drifted about Applejack's features. As he spied her cutie mark, he smiled once more, saying in a more lively tone, "Applejack, the Element of Honesty!" Applejack seemed to stand a little more proudly as she affirmed with, "Ah sure as sugar am! Applejack, proud owner o' Sweet Apple Acres," she took a somewhat prestigious bow, "at yer service." Opulent chuckled lightly, returning the bow with his own. "Honest. Charming. Outgoing. I must say, Miss Honesty, you are everything I expected and more." Applejack blushed, glancing away shyly as she rubbed at the back of her neck. "Aw, shucks. Ah ain't nopony special." Opulent grinned with amusement, putting a hoof to his chin. Charming indeed. Your self introduction just doesn't quite match up with your reaction to my 'flattery.' Indecisive humility isn't good for one's character, Miss Honesty. "Well, a pleasure to meet you, but I must be on my way." He said as he began stepping around Applejack. Applejack, however, quickly stepped in front of him, saying, "Wait! Did ya happen to see an earth pony filly with a yella' coat and red mane? Ah was told she was at 'er tree house with 'er friend." Opulent shrugged, gesturing with a flick of the head to Silver. "I haven't seen her, but Silver mentioned seeing two fillies on his stroll." Applejack brightened up at this, stepping aside and allowing Opulent to pass. "Thank ya kindly, Mr. Majesty. Ah'll be seein' ya!" Opulent hurried forward, muttering, "Have a nice day, Miss Honesty." Well, I've certainly made a good impression when meeting the Elements of Generosity and Honesty, but Pinkie Pie might prove to be a problem. I'd best keep my eye on her, lest she ruin everything. Scootaloo stared wordlessly at the glaring "nurse," perplexed as to why she hadn't moved a muscle for the past ten minutes. If I've done something wrong, why doesn't she say something? Scootaloo thought, running her gaze from the "nurse's" white coat to her light orange mane, all the while trying not to meet her furious emerald eyes. After a while, it's gotta hurt to just stand and glare like that. Scootaloo blinked as she looked to the tray, which held two plastic cups; one filled with water, the other a variety of colorful capsules. Clearing her throat, Scootaloo mumbled, "So....am I supposed to take those, or....what?" The "nurse" walked to Scootaloo's side, keeping her glare fixed on the wary pegasus, then held the tray out to her. "Go ahead. Bottom's up." Scootaloo glanced nervously between the "nurse" and the cup filled with medicine. "Um....do I just...take all of those?" "Yeah." The "nurse" said bluntly, shoving the tray in Scootaloo's face. Scootaloo groaned at the "nurse's" impatience, but grabbed the container filled with the capsules nonetheless. She eyed the colorful medication with suspicion as she held the cup between her teeth, but quickly shrugged off her fear and tipped up the cup with her hoof. The pills tumbled and fell to the back of the filly's throat, and, with a hard gulp, Scootaloo swallowed every last one. She coughed for a moment, then set the plastic cup back on the tray. The "nurse" now wore a somewhat confused expression, her outward malice now subdued. "Wow. There were fourteen pills in that cup. And you just swallowed them all. Without a drop of water." Scootaloo shrugged, mumbling, "Yeah. I doubt that these will do anything, either." The "nurse" blinked, then took the tray by her teeth, turning to exit. "Okay...uh, see you later." The "nurse's" expression became thoughtful as she casually walked away. Unbelievable. Not only did she fall for it, but she just swallowed every last pill in a single gulp. Within her thoughts emerged a meek, quiet voice, that said, Shift....um....if you don't mind me asking, how does feeding this little pegasus a hooful of random medication you swiped from random rooms accomplish anything? Relax. I'm only conducting a sort of experiment. "Shift" replied, glancing about nervously as her deceitful form paced the halls. Experiment? What kind of abominable, sadistic experiment could you possibly be conducting? Aqua asked, sounding slightly less timid than usual. Calm yourself, teardrop. Part of this is merely confirming a few suspicions I have. "Shift" answered, nearly colliding with another nurse who had hurriedly rounded a corner. Oh? Let me guess. You think she's different from all the other pegasi you've met before. Different from the ones that you've remorselessly mangled, poisoned, and otherwise brutally murdered over the years! Aqua said within the stream of thoughts, sounding surprisingly commanding. Just as you thought they were different from all the pegasi before them. The "nurse" that wandered the halls grinned devilishly. "Shift" paused before responding with, You have a good point, Aqua Grace. And you're correct. Something just tells me that this little filly....little Scootaloo.....is something extraordinary. Curiosity Shift! Bellowed Aqua Grace within the unicorn's mind. You're an intelligent being! A remarkably intelligent unicorn! Yet, you strive for malignancy and anguish! How can anypony as smart as you only seek to hurt innocents? Curiosity Shift directed her disguise to set down the tray as she passed a nearby table. With a good measure of spite, Shift answered, My intellect and ability means nothing! Intellect and ability has never meant anything, to anypony! They are nothing more than means by which we achieve our deepest desires! Shift calmed herself, her physical disguise halting her aimless walking. And my only desire would be to learn, my dear Aqua Grace. Is that so wrong? Aqua hesitated in her answer, but said strongly, If others should die in the pursuit of knowledge, then it is pure evil! The "nurse" who stood in the halls giggled maliciously, drawing a few puzzled looks. I guess that makes my life's work pure evil, then. Curiosity Shift continued walking forward, a belligerent grin on the "nurse's" face as she proceeded doing somepony else's job. What harm is there in a little honest curiosity, teardrop? "Oh, you're good at putting on an act, aren't you, Opulent Majesty?" Pinkie Pie whispered venomously to herself as she glared at the unicorn from afar. "You can't fool them forever. Applejack can sniff out a lie from a mile away! And Rarity.....um..." Pinkie put a hoof to her chin, no longer focused on Opulent. "She's.....very......persnickety?" Pinkie frowned in thought, unsatisfied with any of Rarity's traits that would support her point. "She's....well, she's not that easily fooled! She'll catch on eventually!" Pinkie nodded, then looked to where she had seen Opulent last. However, she found that he had already moved out of sight. She glanced about feverishly, amazed that he had disappeared so quickly. "Where is he? Ponies don't just vanish into thin air." Pinkie mumbled, stepping out from behind her cover. In direct contrast to what Pinkie had said, Opulent appeared behind the puzzled earth pony in a plume of black smoke. He smiled deviously, asking, "Who's not so easily fooled?" Pinkie spun around with a small shriek, tensing as she spotted Opulent. "Were you eavesdropping?" She hissed, a glare fixed on the smug unicorn. Opulent rolled his eyes, laughing with amusement. "Oh, shame on me. I happened to overhear the ramblings of a deranged mare." Pinkie sneered at him, stamping a hoof aggressively. "Deranged?! You're the deranged one!" Opulent grinned wryly, putting a hoof to his chin. "I am, am I? Would you care to elaborate?" Pinkie scoffed with disdain, pointing an accusing hoof at Opulent. "You're evil, and you're a liar! You can't hope to keep up this act for very long!" Opulent chuckled in a drawn-out rhythm, his laugh seeped in malice. Closing one eye, he stared at Pinkie through his monocle, musing, "Why, I have no idea what you're talking about, dearest Pinkie Pie. In fact, I could call your accusations insulting. Hurtful even!" He bore a mock frown, taunting the now fuming pink party pony with, "But, really, where's the validity in the words of the insane? So, this entire conversation is ultimately pointless." Pinkie Pie, face contorted into a fearsome glare and eyes dead set on the slightly crazed golden disks that Opulent gazed back with, muttered, "I may be a lot of things....unpredictable, quirky, and sometimes an oddball...........but I am not insane." Opulent raised an eyebrow, both eyes now casually scanning Pinkie. "Right. Because stalking suspicious individuals is completely orthodox and acceptable." Pinkie Pie snorted, looking ready to charge the stallion. "Take it back! I'm not insane!" Opulent grinned his signature malevolent smile, saying, "Tell yourself what you'd like, but I can be certain of what I say, as birds of a feather flock together." He put a hoof to his chest, cocking his head. "Tweet tweet, dearest." Pinkie Pie shook her head, shouting, "What?! That doesn't even make any sense!" Opulent shrugged, his horn suddenly beginning to glow. "Perhaps it doesn't. All the same, I think I'll enjoy the game to come, Pinkie Pie. Best of luck to you, dearest." With a brief chuckle, he vanished in a plume of dark smoke. Pinkie Pie shook with rage as she glared at the empty space that Opulent Majesty had just occupied. "G-game?" She mumbled, putting a hoof to her forehead. "He th-thinks he can call me deranged? Call me insane?" She inhaled sharply, a wry grin donning on her lips. "Fine. Let's hope that he's prepared to play rough." Pinkie spun to face a new direction, a mischievous smile on the earth pony's face as she hopped to her next destination. Patsy Craft blinked in surprise, turning a disbelieving stare to the approaching Rarity. Oh, how nice. The Element of Generosity is back. I wonder what she's here for. "Silver! Excuse me, Silver!" Rarity called, now halting in front of Silver Gleam. "I'm so glad I could catch up with you, Silver!" Splendid. She's just another of Silver's 'fans.' Patsy thought as she frowned slightly, adjusting her glasses. Silver Gleam, however, smiled congenially at Rarity, greeting her with, "Nice to see you as well, Miss Generosity." He nodded to her saddlebag, asking, "What can I do for you?" Rarity opened the bag with a quiet giggle, about to speak when Applejack appeared from behind, asking, "Ya ain't happened t' seen two fillies runnin' around over yonder, have ya?" Patsy's eyes widened as she looked at Applejack. In a stern voice, she quickly said, "'You haven't happened to have seen two fillies running around outside of town, have you?'" Her face was blank for a moment, but she quickly shook her head, clearing her throat. She smiled warily at the confused Applejack, mumbling, "Sorry. I didn't mean to correct you. It was just....second-nature." Applejack blinked, bearing a slight scowl. "'Correct?' Ya sayin' there's somethin' wrong with the way ah talk?" Patsy giggled nervously, waving a dismissive hoof. "Don't be silly! There's nothing wrong with the way you speak!" Applejack held her minor scowl for a moment longer, then looked back to Silver, much to Patsy's relief. Have you heard yourself?! For the King's sake, it's an atrocity! Equestrian is a second language to me, and I can still speak it more fluently than you! Silver, after glancing to Patsy with a frown, turned a thoughtful smile to Applejack. "If you'd please pardon Patsy Craft here, I can tell you that I did in fact see two fillies. They were headed this way, if I recall." Applejack nodded appreciatively as she went around Patsy and Silver, saying, "Thank ya kindly!" Patsy watched her go, smiling awkwardly as Applejack trotted along. Judging by the accent, she's related to that yellow filly. Which means....oh no. Patsy bit her lip, shooting Silver a wary glance before looking back to Rarity, whose patience had just worn thin. "Well, perhaps we can get down to business now?" Rarity asked, levitating out the spool of teal fabric. "I have a small request to make. You see, I-" "Say no more." Silver interrupted, gesturing to the bolt. "Simply present all the material you'd like to be transmuted, and I would be happy to magically alter it, free of charge." Rarity beamed at his offer, hurriedly producing the other three bolts of fabric she had brought along. "How generous of you! Yet, changing that much material free of charge makes me feel like I'm stealing it...." "Nonsense!" Silver chimed, his horn already aglow and his attention turned to the bolts of fabric before him. "Consider this a small favor. I'm sure that you already give so much to so many. Frankly, I would feel that I was the thief if I accepted payment for such a trivial task." He touched the tip of his horn to the foremost bolt of teal fabric, the bright white aura surrounding the cloth. In the blink of an eye, the soft teal coloring had become gleaming and lustrous, the spool now wrapped entirely by a layer of malleable silver. Rarity (unintentionally) squealed with joy at the sight, dropping the other bolts as she held closer the newly transmuted spool of silver. "It's beautiful! That was magnificent! In half a second, you turned one hundred yards of cloth into one hundred yards of fabulous silver!" Silver chuckled as he levitated another bolt to meet his horn, readying his magic as he said, "Glad you like it. It's nice to know that somepony appreciates my talents, limited as they may be." With a frown, Rarity placed her object of obsession into her saddlebag, pointing a hoof to Silver as she said, "Pish posh, darling. The ability to create pure silver from nothing more than dirt or cloth with such little effort is an incredible talent!" Silver shook his head, smiling a sheepish smile. "That's very kind of you, Miss Generosity." He tapped the bolt he magically held before him, the brilliant white aura briefly surrounding the red fabric before another spool of gleaming silver fabric was produced. Rarity eyed the material with admiration, quickly placing it in her saddlebag. She turned her attention back to Silver, but paused as she spotted Patsy Craft scowling at her. She glanced to Patsy, who held firm her angered expression, and nervously waved a hoof at her. Patsy opened her mouth to speak, but paused, her angered expression fading. She turned away from Rarity, looking sullen as she gazed toward Applejack and the pair of fillies that had broken into a gallop. Rarity, although confused by this, looked back to Silver, who had just completed transmutation of the final bolt. "Here we are!" Chimed the stallion as he presented the two spools of silver fabric. "I hope it's all to your liking." Rarity giggled as she accepted the bolts, placing them in her saddlebag. "Very much so. Thank you ever so much!" She smiled warmly at Silver for a moment longer, then turned her attention to the pair of fillies that suddenly shot by. Rarity nodded solemnly to Silver, then took off after them, Applejack trailing closely behind. Patsy sighed as she watched them go, shooting Silver a morose look. "Oh, my...." Silver put a hoof to his chin, glancing from Patsy to the group that now sped toward the hospital. "Something terrible has happened, hasn't it?" Patsy adjusted her glasses with a hoof, sounding guilty as she mumbled, "Those two fillies are worried sick over their friend. The one that I hospitalized. There's no worse feeling than panic and uncertainty, Silver. They fear for the young pegasus's life....and it's my fault." She continued to look sorrowful for a moment longer, but shook away her pity, a stern expression donning on her face. "It matters little, however. It's not our concern who we've caused panic." She held high her head, calmly continuing toward the inn. Silver frowned, following behind her without a word. It concerns me just as much as it concerns you, Patsy Craft. Lie to yourself all you'd like, but I know that you never forgive yourself for all the damage you do. Peering through the slightly open door, Twilight Sparkle reentered the room saying, "So, how'd it go?" Scootaloo smiled tiredly as she looked to Twilight. Yawning briefly, she asked, "What? You mean with Rainbow Dash?" Twilight nodded as she arrived at the pegasus's bedside. "Did she have a lot to say?" Scootaloo turned her gaze to the ceiling, her eye glistening for a moment before she earnestly answered, "Nah. It was just a bit of a.....pep talk. You know.....just Dash and her awesome self...." Twilight gave a bemused chuckle, gingerly patting Scootaloo's shoulder. "Nice to know she finally got a word in with her biggest fan." Twilight glanced to a nearby end table, levitating off a notepad and pencil she had left their earlier. She turned her attention back to Scootaloo, eyeing the filly analytically. "I may not have any of my equipment here, but I can still conduct some research through simple questions. You feel up to answering a few basic questions?" Scootaloo nodded slowly, grinning at Twilight as she said, "Try to keep them short and sweet. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle should be here any minute." Twilight nodded curtly, about to speak when she was cut off by a shrill, "Scootaloo! What happened t' ya?!" Applebloom and Sweetie Belle burst through the door, rushing to Scootaloo's side. Twilight sighed, stepping aside to allow the panicked friends to see the injured filly. "Scootaloo! Are y-you okay?" Sweetie Belle mumbled as she looked over her friend with a mix of disbelief and horror. "Right as rain, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo joked, chuckling briefly. "But, seriously, I'm fine." "Fine?! Look at ya!" Applebloom interjected, gesturing to Scootaloo's suspended legs. "What? Did ya pick a fight with a dragon, or somethin'?" "Ding ding ding." Scootaloo pointed to Applebloom, which only turned the earth pony's panicked expression to one of shock. "Hit the nail on the head there." "Y-you fought with a d-dragon?" Sweetie Belle muttered, gulping as she shivered for a moment. "What 'n tarnation was ya thinkin'?!" Applebloom pointed an accusing hoof at Scootaloo, sounding a little more outraged than she'd intended. "Ya don't jus' willy-nilly butt heads with a dragon! Nopony in their right minds would ev'r go one-on-one with a dragon!" "Applebloom, calm down." Scootaloo said in a perfectly level tone. "You've got it all wrong." "Ah do, do ah?!" Applebloom stamped a hoof, snorting a (highly exaggerated) outraged snort. "What actually happened, then?" Scootaloo exhaled with frustration, brushing back her mane. "You see, there were actually two dragons in the-" "Consarn it, Scootaloo!" Applebloom shouted, startling Twilight and making Sweetie Belle grimace. "That's....that's....." She furiously shook her head, returning her accusing point to Scootaloo. "Do ya know what could have happened t' ya?! Ya...ya...." "I could have been killed?" Scootaloo mumbled, sounding surprisingly disinterested, despite her friend's fury. "I've already gotten the whole lecture, Applebloom. I admit, I seriously didn't think it through when I charged into the Everfree. Nonetheless, I didn't want to fight them. I only wanted to break them up. Didn't you hear them? They could have easily flattened Ponyville with the rampage they were on." Applebloom, face reddened by either anger or frustration, lowered her head, unsure what else to say. "I think w-what Applebloom is trying to say," said the wary Sweetie Belle, "is that she w-was worried sick about you, b-because we could have....ahem....lost you. Forever." Scootaloo and Applebloom both shot her a perplexed look, then smiled softly as they met each other's gazes once more. "Yeah, what Sweetie said....ah....um...." Applebloom scratched at the back of her neck, the red of her cheeks now clearly caused by embarrassment. "Jus'....don't scare us like that, Scoots. Ya hear?" Scootaloo nodded, answering, "Loud and clear. From now on, I'll only do stupid and dangerous things when I have you two around, to tell me how poorly thought out my plans are." Sweetie and Applebloom both giggled, then converged on Scootaloo, wrapping the pegasus in a group hug. Twilight's eyes glistened as she watched the three of them. With a sigh, she replaced the notepad and pencil, quietly inching out of the room. "I suppose we can begin the tests tomorrow." Twilight whispered, more to herself than to Scootaloo, as she quietly shut the door, proceeding down the hall. The three remained silent for a short minute, then Applebloom backed up, a smile on her face as she asked, "Well, are ya gonna tell us 'bout these two dragons, or is 't too soon?" As Sweetie Belle backed away as well, Scootaloo laughed lightly. "Yeah, I'll tell you about them. Well..." She rubbed at her forehead, her memory a bit hazy from all the chaos. "One was black, the other purple. The black one was much bigger than the purple one, but neither of them were weak. They fought and fought. Claws and tails every which way, fire shooting everywhere....I honestly didn't think they would ever stop. Sure, they both got in some pretty good hits on each other, but neither of them seemed like they would give up." Scootaloo glanced to her suspended legs, frowning slightly. "I didn't exactly stick around to see how the fight ended, but.....I think it had something to do with Fluttershy, and maybe that one blue unicorn..." "Blue unicorn?" Sweetie Belle questioned, putting a hoof to her chin. "When did you see a blue unicorn in all of this? Fluttershy, I can understand. She's right next to the Everfree. But who was this blue unicorn?" Scootaloo shifted her jaw, responding with, "I didn't get a really good look at her, considering I was only airborne for a few seconds, but I did see that-" "Scootaloo! You actually flew?" Applebloom patted her friend's shoulder in a congratulatory fashion. "That's great!" Scootaloo laughed weakly at her friend's congratulations, mumbling, "Well, actually, I was airborne because of one of the dragons. I sort of got swatted into the sky, and I spotted Rainbow Dash flying toward the Everfree. Believe it or not, there was a blue unicorn trailing behind her...except that unicorn wasn't on the ground. Somehow, that unicorn was trotting through the sky just like a pegasus, but without any wings." Sweetie Belle and Applebloom exchanged a bewildered glance, then grinned as they looked back to Scootaloo. Applebloom nodded curtly, saying in a somewhat snide tone, "Ya sure ya wasn't seein' things, Scoots? After all, maybe ya jus' took a good bump t' the head when ya got swatted by that dragon." Scootaloo shrugged, turning her gaze to the ceiling. "Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. It doesn't matter, though. All that matters is that those dragons aren't rampaging anymore." "Well, it also matters that you got out of there alive, Scootaloo." Sweetie placed a hoof on the pegasus's shoulder, smiling warmly. Scootaloo returned the smile as she looked to Sweetie Belle, mumbling, "Yeah....that was pretty lucky on my part." She returned her gaze to the ceiling, sighing quietly. "Here's hoping that the Cutie Mark Crusaders stay as lucky as I was then for the rest of our lives." Applebloom chuckled, grinning wryly. "Luck don't last ferev'r, Scoots. Enjoy 't while 't lasts." The three shared a short laugh, then remained silent, content to simply enjoy each other's company for the time being. "My goodness, Pinkie." Said Mrs. Cake as she scanned the previously vacant bakery. "I knew you said you'd have a party prepared in a jiffy after we closed for the day, but I've only been gone for a couple minutes." She stared in awe at the expertly prepared party games, refreshment tables, and droves of balloons and streamers. "Did you set all of this up by yourself?" Pinkie Pie, who had just finished pinning to the wall her end of a rolled up banner, stepped down from the ladder she'd been perched on with a giggle. "Of course not! I had tons of help from Mr. Cake," she gestured to the other end of the banner, which Mr. Cake had just now pinned to the wall, "and tons of help from Gummy!" Upon hearing his name, the toothless alligator appeared suddenly from within Pinkie's mane, popping his head out and staring blankly at Mrs. Cake, who couldn't help but shriek at his surprise entrance. Mrs. Cake, after taking a moment to compose herself, smiled at Pinkie, then gestured to the banner. "What's the occasion?" She asked, her expression becoming visibly more nervous as she glanced to Gummy. Pinkie trotted over to a rope that dangled from the banner's center, answering, "Oh, just your run-of-the-mill welcoming party." She took hold of the rope in her mouth, pulling it down and unfurling the banner. The banner, with a soft blue base color, read in bright yellow letters, "Welcome to Ponyville, Embassy of New Unicornia!" Mrs. Cake quickly perused the flashy text, then shot Pinkie a confused glance. "You're hosting a party for the ambassadors?" She asked, glancing from Pinkie to her husband and back. "Yep!" Pinkie answered with a single energetic bounce. "They're gonna love it!" Mr. Cake, who now stood beside Mrs. Cake, nodded as he examined the newly hung banner. "I think it will be a great way for the town to get to know them better!" Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, causing Gummy to become noticeably dizzy as he shook along with Pinkie's head. "This is gonna be a blast!" She beamed, but the twinkle in her eye seemed off as she turned away from Mr. and Mrs. Cake and trotted into the kitchen. And what better way to get them to lower their guards than with a little spiked punch? She giggled silently, not wanting either of the Cakes to detect the sinister tone her laugh contained.