Pinkie Pie, Flash and their teams sit in the front row of the auditorium where the students had their orientation just a couple of days earlier. However, unlike last time, it is now completely packed with other students and more guards and cameras have taken position in various locations. On the stage is Celestia and Luna, both wearing their usual attire with the former holding a microphone and the latter staying back. Not too far from them is a group of four girls. One has a lot of curly, orange and yellow hair with a spiked headband and orange eye shadow; the other is a pale girl with purple sunglasses and spiked, electric blue hair; the next one has her purple and teal striped hair fixed into pigtails with silver stars holding them in place, and she has thick bangs and purple eye shadow; and the last one has her blue and dark blue hair tied into a ponytail with her bangs cut like an arrow, and she has blue eye shadow and an excited, childlike grin.

“Adagio Dazzle, Vinyl Scratch, Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, the four of you retrieved the Black Queen,” says Celestia, her voice echoing from the speakers and the photos of the girls sliding into view on larger screens with their names below them. Once the pictures are locked in place the names fade except for the first letter of their names, and they expand to a great size. “From this day forward, you shall work together as Team AVAS. Led by Adagio Dazzle.”

The auditorium is quickly filled with applause and cheers, and Pinkie Pie claps with the other students, smiling brightly, even though her whole body feels like it is going to rip open at any moment. Like every other female student, Pinkie Pie is wearing a white blouse with a red bolo tie, a green blazer and the seal of the Academy on the right side of her chest. Her uniform also consists of a light green, pleated skirt, white knee length stockings, and black loafers.

Next to her, Flash wears something similar, only he has pants instead of a skirt and a necktie instead of a bolo tie, and dress shoes instead of loafer, just like the rest of the male students. He, too, is clapping enthusiastically and shares a smile with Pinkie Pie, and they look back at the stage to see the ponytail girl, Sonata, giggling gleefully and hugging the pigtail girl, Aria, who looks less than thrilled by the attention.

Team AVAS walks off of the stage seconds later, and another team takes the stand. Like before, their pictures float up and lock in place. This team consists of all men, with the first having dark blue hair, somewhat messy, the second having blonde hair in a comb-over, the third having light brown skin and dark brown hair, and the last one having dark hair cut like a spiked mohawk. He also has a large grin and is barely able to stay still, unlike his more disciplined teammates.

“Noteworthy Parchment, Octavius Oppenheimer, Burnt Oak, Lucky Clover, the four of you retrieved the White Rook,” says Celestia. “From this day forward, you shall work together as Team NOBL. Led by Noteworthy Parchment.”

Noteworthy's team all nod approvingly, but the mohawk one, Lucky, screams with an inappropriate amount of enthusiasm, runs up to the dark blue haired one, Noteworthy, and slaps him on the back hard enough to knock him off balance. Lucky then points at the crowd with a crazed smile and laughter.

“Yeah! We're a freaking team now! Suck it losers!” says Lucky.

The students and staff exchange confused looks and shrugs, and Luna frowns and steps forward, but Celestia puts her hand on her shoulder, microphone still in her hand.

“Yes, we're all proud of you. Get off the stage, please,” says Celestia.

Team NOBL leaves the stage, and despite Noteworthy quietly scolding Lucky, the new team is still getting cross looks. Once they are out of the way, Luna steps back and Celestia clears her throat and brings up the next team, which is Drake, Astro, Thorn, and a frail girl with long pink hair and timid steps. They stand in their appropriate spots and the frail girl keeps her head down, hiding behind her hair.

“Drake Firewall, Astro Neptunio, Fluttershy Breeze, Thorn Shoot, the four of you retrieved the Black Knight. From this day forward you shall work together as Team DAFT. Led by Drake Firewall,” says Celestia.

The students and staff applaud, but Drake's smile is painfully forced as he waves to the crowd, and Thorn in particular has developed a bright shade of red on his face, like a cooked lobster. Still, they leave the stage without protest, and in the seats, Flash snorts a laugh as he claps.

“Wow, that is terrible,” he says, grinning.

“They'll get used to it,” says Pinkie Pie, also smiling.

A buzzer in Flash's lap turns red and vibrates, and he quickly shuts it off and stands up, motioning his team to follow. The girls walk by him while he takes a breath and straightens out his blazer, smiling nervously at Pinkie.

“Well, it looks like we're up. Fingers crossed that we don't get a dumb name,” says Flash.

“Can't get much worse than DAFT,” says Pinkie Pie.

“Good point.”

Flash then hurries up to the stage and takes a spot next to Twilight, nodding coolly at her with his hands clamped in front of him. She, in turn, smiles and looks at the screen, watching everything fall in place.

“Flash Sentry, Octavia Melody, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, you have recovered the White King. From this day forward, you shall work together as Team FORT. Led by Flash Sentry,” says Celestia.

Another round of applause and Flash stiffens, his expression equivalent to a deer in headlights, and Celestia smiles and winks at him. Though, only Pinkie seems to notice this since the rest of Team FORT is having a mini-celebration and everybody else is focusing their praise on the new team.

“I see a bright future ahead for your team, Flash Sentry. Do not disappoint us,” says Celestia.

Flash nods and wordlessly leaves the stage with his team, and seconds later, Pinkie's buzzer goes off and she flinches, almost dropping it to the floor.

“Crap. We're up! We're up!” says Pinkie Pie. She jumps to her feet and nearly pulls Trixie off of her seat. “Let's go, lazies! We need to get up there!”

“Will you relax?” says Trixie, now standing and pulling out the wrinkles on her blazer. “We are literally in front of the stage.”

Before Pinkie Pie can counter, Trixie is already climbing the steps, and nearby Applejack is using a generic cane to help her stand. Rarity stays by her side, though, and helps her climb the stairs even though Applejack strongly insisted that she does not need help. Pinkie Pie is the last one on the stage and she steps on a glowing square with her name on it. Once in place, the glowing fades and Celestia speaks.

“Pinkamena Pie, Ashlyn Apple , Rarity Belle, Trixie Lulamoon, you have recovered the White Knight. From this day forward, you shall work together as Team PART. Led by Pinkamena Pie,” says Celestia.

The applause is loud and Pinkie Pie feels a sick pressure expand inside her, like a balloon from Hell. She manages a smile and giggles anxiously, and she looks at her new team when Applejack squeezes her shoulder. Upon looking, Applejack pulls her in for a hug, and Rarity claps without a smile while Trixie is shamelessly displaying her disappointment.

“I'm proud of you, 'cuz,” says Applejack.

“Yeah, I'm proud of me, too. I think,” says Pinkie Pie, returning the hug.

Rarity walks by Pinkie Pie. “Since you're our leader now, please try not to use me as your personal punching bag. It'll set a bad example.”

“Oh, don't worry, those days are behind me,” says Pinkie Pie.

Rarity hums skeptically, and Celestia's voice breaks through their loose celebration.

“As the highest score holders of this test in recent years, I am very proud to have you in the Academy,” says Celestia. “Enjoy your night, ladies. You earned it.”

Team PART climbs off of the stage and goes into a brightly lit hallway with polished tiles and a few doors. Not too far from them Team FORT is chatting, and Team PART bundles up in a circle, and when the heavy metal door closes behind them, the chatter and instructions being broadcast from the other side disappear.

“Now that that is done, what are we going to do?” asks Rarity.

“Well, seeing as how I am the leader, I think it is appropriate that I start things with an easy order,” says Pinkie Pie. The team looks at her, and she grins and from her breast pocket she pulls out a booklet of coupons. “We're going to party!”

After the ceremony, Celestia flops in a large, fluffy chair and her body becomes loose like a noodle, even going as far as sliding most of the way down until her outstretched legs stop her. She is barefoot, so her feet enjoy the thick carpet and her ears find comfort in the lighthearted, harmonious music playing from her phonograph. All this comfort is made all the better by how brightly lit her room is by the strong light and bright colors of her furniture and carpet. Though, that peace is short lived since Luna comes waltzing in like the room is hers.

“Another stressful day?” says Luna, her eyes having a hard time breaking free from her device as her thumbs push the buttons, creating bouncing noises and various pops.

“Very,” says Celestia, her fingers now massaging her temple.

Luna pauses her game and flips her device around, finger poised like a cobra ready to strike. “Should I call one of your escorts for relief?”

Celestia meets Luna's teasing smile with a small frown, and a second later she looks back ahead, shaking her head.

“Don't be vile, Luna,” says Celestia. She looks at Luna's boots and her frown deepens. “You forgot to take your shoes off. Again.”

Luna sighs and sits on Celestia's round bed, which is decorated with a yellow blanket and orange pillows, and she pulls off her boots and holey socks and carelessly tosses them to the floor.

“Is that better, Princess?” says Luna.

“A little bit,” says Celestia. She folds her hands on her lap and stares ahead again, focusing her attention on her wall of photos and medals. And after many long seconds of a heavy silence, Celestia sighs and speaks glumly. “We found more dead Hunters and Huntresses. They were killed just like the others. There was also a village wiped out and picked clean. Their deaths matched the Hunters and Huntresses.”

Luna's brows furrow and she leans forward, hands clamped together. “Let me guess. No recording devices recovered from our fallen brothers and sisters?”

“There was no satellite footage for the village attack, either.”

“Obviously there is a rat that needs to be exterminated. We'll just figure out who ran the satellite at the time of the attack, who has the skill to block the signal, and who had a sudden generous deposit. Then I can get them acquainted with a bullet and a ditch.”

Celestia shakes her head. “No, that will only mask the symptom, not provide a cure. Whatever is out there, whoever is pulling the strings, we need to find them and stop them, and that requires patience and tact. Something you severely lack.”

Luna huffs. “Your caution will bring the end of us. Do you at least have an idea of where to start?”

Celestia's eyes find contact with a framed, burnt picture, but she quickly looks down, clenching her hands tight together. “I have an idea. But the problem is finding him, first.”

In the darkness of a long room, Discord sits alone with a single fancy lamp on the corner of his desk. In front of him are four small monitors, each with green shields on the bottom of their screens, and on his desk is a map of Equestria, a coffee cup full of pencils, markers and pens, and a plate of chocolate cookies with a large glass of chocolate milk. The map is marked with large portions of the nation in red, with the entire Badlands Regions completely red, and major cities such as Canterlot, Ponyville, Tall Tale, and Los Pegasus are circled in blue. The map is also covered in black dots, and next to the map is a calendar with the days X'd off.

Currently, Discord is sitting in an easy chair on wheels, listening to crackling and popping opera on a phonograph. He is in the comfort of his plush bathrobe that has a sun stitched on its back and he has carefully placed his bunny slipper covered feet on the desk, blissfully smoking an ivory pipe.

One by one, gray rings float out of his polished pipe and slowly dissipate. He watches this pattern of behavior with only the lowest of interest, for his real interest lies in the distant sound of pouring water and the blank screens in front of him.

It is after a short while that the screens flicker on, each revealing a black silhouette with gold outlines, and with their arrival, Discord grabs a headset from his desk drawer and puts it on, still careless in his attitude.

“Good evening, everybody. How is life treating you?” says Discord after activating it.

“It is well for now,” says a silhouette labeled Xolotl; their voice having a masculine, Hispanic accent.

“Things are noisy on my end, unfortunately,” says a silhouette labeled Lamia and having a feminine voice.

“I am getting better. Thank you for your concern, Belial,” says the last silhouette with a sickly voice, also masculine; this one labeled as Abaddon.

Discord giggles and averts his eyes as he waves bashfully at Abaddon's screen. “Aw, shucks, mister. You don't have to act that way around me.”

“Good. I hate acting this way.”

Discord snorts and takes a swig of his milk. “Don't we all.”

“I personally don't mind a little kindness from time to time. I actually wish there was more of it,” says Lamia.

“And I wish I ruled the world, but we can't get everything we want, now can we?” says Xolotl.

Discord snatches a cookie and speaks with his mouth full. “You just need a little more faith in yourself, or whatever those fortune cookies say.”

“Says the washout.”

“You don't need a lot of faith in yourself if your standards are low.”

“Let us resume this meeting on a more serious note,” says Abaddon. “I am recovering, and in due time we will reclaim what is rightfully ours, but I need to know what your status is. Xolotl, you are first.”

“The project is going at the predicted pace. As of now our biggest problems are those Tartarus beasts. They are costing us manpower and resources,” says Xolotl.

Discord leans over his desk and draws a line connecting Equestria to San Palomino.

“Acceptable for now,” says Abbadon. “And what do you have, Lamia?”

“Our people are moving nicely,” says Lamia. “We are gaining support from within and outside of the walls, and key targets have already been found with plans being developed on how to remove them. Naturally Canterlot has the big fish and will require... more attention.”

Now Discord grabs a notebook from his desk and flips it open to a page that consists of cities and names. On that list is Canterlot with Celestia and Luna Faustsend at the top, written in red and circled with stars around them. Below them are other other names, such as Daring Do and Rene Cabelleron, but he scribbles in a few new names: Twilight Sparkle, Trixie Lulamoon, and Fluttershy Breeze.

“They will be dealt with in due time. Belial, what is your status?” says Abaddon.

Discord closes his book and sips his chocolate milk before speaking. “Progress is putt-putting along, but I'm going to need more men if I am to meet the schedule.”

“You have an easy job, Belial. How can you be falling behind?” says Lamia.

“Working in prison is not as easy as you think, Trigger Queen,” says Discord. “Which reminds me, what is our schedule again? I would hate for us to fall behind because of unequal distribution of assistance among our amazing circle of friends.”

There is silence, and Discord is sure he hears water spilling over, but he remains seated. The floor needs cleaning anyway and last he checked all of his towels were off the floor, so no harm is being done.

“We'll send you more men, but your assignment better get done on time or there will be consequences,” says Abaddon after some tense seconds.

“Deadly or very painful?” asks Discord.

“Deadly.”

“Good to know. Now, what about you, Game Master, sir? What moves are you making?”

“You will know in due time.”

“That is just what I wanted to hear! I got a nice warm bath waiting for me, so I gotta go. We'll chat later, okay?”

“We still have things to talk about on your end.”

“You'll hear them in due time. T-T-Y-L!”

Before any more words can be spoken, Discord turns off his headset, tosses it on his desk and walks out of the room, whistling with his pip back in hand and the opera echoing eerily behind him. He knows he is in for a long few weeks, so he might as well enjoy his last comfortable bath while he still can.