With Viscera and company holed up in Pinkie Pie’s Secret Lair, the next item on the group's agenda was food.

Though it seemed like an eternity had passed by from their hectic chase through northern Ponyville, it turned out that Cori was right about the altered ponies’ metabolism. Rappid’s rumbling stomach caused every single pony around her to take notice. Most prominently, Pinkie was part of the rush downstairs to tell everyone to maybe proceed to panic upstairs at the earthquake that was clearly rippling through the town at this very moment. In single file lines, of course. Hallways were narrow, after all, no need to get cluttered.

After this was settled (“Oh! My bad! I didn’t know! Oooh, maybe we can get some cakes in the Mayor’s tummy then!”), it was decided that Rappid would frequent the upstairs tables while Mr. and Mrs. Cake would ferry food downstairs. The trip through the narrow – and surprisingly well-lit – hallways of the basement gave the white pegasus time to talk with Dr. Hooves and Mrs. Cake some more.

This had just come off of one of the most chaotic rescues in the town’s history – “And that’s coming from the time this city one had chocolate raining from the sky before the Elements handled it!” cried Carrot Cake, to which Cori had busied herself with studying every window with intense fervor. So surely, the topic these business owners had with Rappid could only have been of the most pressing importance.

“I’m surprised! An entire cake during the last time Celestia visited this store?” Rappid’s jaw was agape at this.

“You bet!” Mrs. Cake replied. “And we’ve only had crazier stuff hit our shores since! The blasted parasprites, two rounds of showboating by that showmare… who was she?”

“Trixie…” Mr. Cake shuddered. “… I still remember the time she sent Pinkie to us without a mouth; it was enough to make a stallion faint!”

“Um… you did, dear.”

“Right. Sorry about that. But still…”

Mrs. Cake was at the top of the stairs leading to the main level of Sugarcube Corner at this point. Looking back, concern shot its way across her face. “Yes, our dear Pinkie has gone through the wringer – especially with this whole drama over Blueblood…”

Rappid could hear the temperature in the confectionary drop fifty degrees below. “Y-yeah… We all remember where we were then, I reckon.”

“And the days following… ” Mr. Cake’s voice almost came as a sob.

Cori’s attention was finally away from the window at that point. “Yeah – I mean, at that point I was just working toward some... little promo with Minuette.” Cori started fiddling with the horseshoes on her hooves, the white leather creasing almost at the same time her brow was. “She thought a sparkling grin on an already sparkling pony could work wonders for her hygienist practice. We were, like… only two minutes away from Blueblood’s house. I-I don’t even think I heard anything.”

Mrs. Cake almost stopped midway to the tray resting on their counter, heaped high with cookies and a chocolate pie. Even Rappid’s eyes were stuck to it for a second – which made Mrs. Cake’s words all the more dissonant to the delicacy in her hooves. “It was… it was terrible. Not just for our little mare, but… all her friends who’d stayed here.”

“Don’t think I’ve seen Fluttershy cry that much… and then after we’d heard of those poor pegasi…”

“I… I can understand if you don’t want to talk about that.” Rappid did indeed try to change the subject for Mr. Cake, sweeping up a cookie in her hoof as she fluttered her wings to the back rooms. “Perhaps something different. If there’s space up here, I’m wondering why we don’t have the others come up. Viscera… seemed okay, at least.”

“I think it’s because of us.”

Four pairs of eyes turned to the large banquet table laid out in the center of the room beyond the kitchen. Glittering jade banners draped the walls, possibly from a party previous, and in the center of them were two people – a fuchsia unicorn nuzzling a grey pegasus, one Viscera realized as…

“Miss Hooves!” Apparently, Dr. Hooves knew too, as he galloped toward Derpy.

“Who’s the new mare?” followed Cori, eyes still locked on the accompanying pony. “I don’t think I’ve seen he-“

“Hold it!”

Both Dr. Hooves and Cori froze mid-move. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were only held for a second before a wave by the mystery mare afforded them the chance to move closer. “It took three hours of counseling just to get my beloved into this house; I’m not going to have you ruin this progress by mobbing her!” “And the name of this ‘new mare’ is Amethyst Star!”

“… Whoa. Intense.” Rappid’s head peeked around the corner slowly, chocolate cookie crumbs still decorating her snout.

Amethyst Star’s hardened expression crumbled almost immediately after seeing the white pegasus, however, letting out a piercing “Ohmigosh!” as she rose to full height. The yellow flower tucked in her left ear almost bounced off her head as she leaped the room’s length to hug Rappid. “Oh, Rappid! I didn’t think we’d meet again!”

“…again?” Mr. Cake raised an eyebrow, slice of carrot cake already offered to the still-silent but grateful Derpy.

“Yeah! Um, Rappid, she was the one who helped make sure the house I was at wasn’t robbed! She’s… she’s amazing! And I think she said she was mayor!” Amethyst babbled as she backed off from Rappid. “I…" And then the brightness in her eyes cut off. “If… I hadn’t been so focused on making sure my house was okay, I could have known about Derpy before she was… was nearly…”

Cori was close to saying something, but Rappid slammed a hand over her hoof, the words “We weren’t there when that happened, remember?” a low whisper to her that Amethyst was too busy being hugged by Mrs. Cake to notice.

One nod by the ambassador finally put Rappid’s mind at ease. “Well then. We’ve… got to be out of your hair. ”

“You’re right, Rappid.” And with one last mournful look shot toward Derpy, Cori and Rappid retreated into the room.

“Actually, arrangements are something I’d hoped to discuss.” The brown-haired earth pony was back in the threshold, the colored scarf and green jacket he was sporting oddly fitting in the brightly lit and decorated kitchen. “I’ll be happy to pay whatever Viscera goes with for ensuring Berryshine and Powder’s… ”

As if summoned by this call, the pegasus filly Powder Puff was back at the entrance to the basement, poofy pink pigtails askew and shiny eyes darting between Rappid and Cori. “Um… I was wondering. I… I still have the book of names Miss Berry had. From the people who took drinks yesterday.” From the crook of one of her silver wings, a small ledger was pushed to Dr. Hooves, who took it with confusion.

“Not sure what it’s about, sport, but congrats on keeping that with you through this whole… ordeal…” It was then that Cori realized the dreadful state she was in. Dirt caked her shining coat, her black hair was swabbed brownish-black with dust, and even her flowing dress-some of which was in a raised veil that ran over her snout was blackened with soot – likely from the slide into Sugarcube Corner’s underground. “O-oh my! Hold on, Mrs. Cake, do you have a bathroom?!” Her gallop into the room almost had her tripping over her clambering hooves.

Dr. Hooves would end up having to continue Powder Puff’s curiosity. “Well… yes, this is great missy, but...what is it that you think we can do with it?”

Powder Puff gulped. “J-just to make sure you’ve got some people to ask to where Big Sis is?”

‘Big Sis?” Then it lit the doctor like a full-speed Friendship Express. “Cotton Sky…” Just as quickly, he started pulling at his striped scarf, sweat collecting on his brow. “Um… well, Berry was about to tell you – in fact, I would have if I’d seen you before Ambassador Cori did-”

“Junior Ambassador…” came a pleading whine that was migrated up the stairs, Cori still shielding her damaged attire from the sightlines of Amethyst and Derpy.

“-Yes, that… but – well, look, Puff, what I’m trying to say is-”

“Your mother is resting.”

Rappid’s words to the filly brought and interest-heavy expression to Dr. Hooves' face and surprise to Powder Puff’s. “I… know this might be a bit hard to comprehend, but the tough time she likely faced during the Ponyville fires yesterday…” Goodness gracious, that was yesterday?! Rappid’s inner pony almost slumped into the chair she instead carried Puff into. “… it had her resting. And if I know Ponyville Hospital, they’ll likely have a new place for her to rest in due time – when the chaos around the city settles down.” Rappid then flipped up the ledger before Puff’s eyes. “But don’t you worry – Dr. Hooves can find you someone to hunker down with while she rests, away from those…”

Bastards… the mayor’s mind started.

“… sick royals… ” Rappid actually said. “… Until you’re better. And I’ll make sure that as many people in this book as possible are there to accommodate your big sis when she’s moved to that… new resting place.”

A beat of silence ensued. Then Powder Puff let a cautious smile cross her face. “Wow! Thanks, Miss Mayor, you’re the best! I’ll be sure to be there! Big Sis would want it that way…”

“Nice work. I’ll have to work on smoothing out some of those cryptic edges there, but… you’ve had experience breaking the news?” Dr. Hoovers started, after Powder Puff’s bounds vanished into the main party room to enjoy the Cakes’ cookies.

Rappid shook her head. “Both… more and less than I’d expected.” As Rappid stood up, the wear in her eyes almost seemed to stretch years instead of minutes. “A lot of the more severe notifications have already been handled by Mayor Mare, and despite my… investment in this list, I don’t qualify enough to see any part of it. Much as it pains me not to know…” Rappid’s head shook, sending crystalline tears and orange locks flying to and fro. “… Subverting a safety measure for a mayor of a town suffering like this would hurt more.”

“I... see,” Dr. Hooves leaned against the kitchen counter. “Then it really pains me to tell you that you’re… likely not the only one with accommodations currently on the mind.”

“Don’t see much of an issue, good doctor.”

“In my case, it’s more terms of… living accommodations.” Dr. Hooves turned to her. Between them, water tinkled in the empty sink, tapping a beat that nearly matched Dr. Hooves’ blinking eyes and the steady chews of Derpy a room away. “I was hoping I would have time enough to oversee the moves myself, but with Amethyst demanding a place in my home to watch over Derpy, and who I’ll be allowing in over the next few days…”

“I mean, it’ll be a tight fit with us and the mystery mare, but…” Rappid finally realized what it was the doctor was hedging toward. “And we won’t be there, will we.”

“Don’t consider this a goodbye – far from it.” Dr. Hooves reassured her. “In fact, part of what I need the house clearer for might keep you from having to make that painful call to al lot more Ponyville citizens.” His eyes shot downward. “But we’ve got to keep the… well, whatever counterbalance against the Queen we’ve got here… from being taken down in one swoop. I’ve secured more fitting living space for you, and with Viscera’s permission, I’d like to offer her the chance to visit the pony she saved, if not move her to Ponyville General.”

“We’ll take it.” Both Rappid and Dr. Hooves whirled to face Cori, suddenly a lot cleaner and with freshly washed black tresses collapsed behind her head. “You’ve been more of a host than I could ever imagine as it is. Thank you so much, doctor.”

Dr. Hooves nodded. “You’re welcome, ambassador. It was wonderful to have you.” His brow furrowed, however, at the mention of the word doctor. “That does remind me of one final thing.” Dr. Hooves said. “Redheart will be accommodating visits to my house for Derpy and your rescuee’s sakes, but another specialist is waiting to see Viscera at your new abode.”

Rappid nodded. “And the new abode would be…”

“A flower shop. You agreed to have us moved from a bakery… to a flower shop.” Viscera’s eyes could have cut holes into the back of Dr. Hooves’ head from the intensity. “Did this outfit become Greenprance while I was out?”

“Considering you were out until nearly midnight,” came the light tone from the brown-coated – and scrub-covered - earth pony next to Viscera. "I’d say there’s a lot you’ve taken in the last few days – whichever outfit you’ve been in!”

A grid of glass wrapped around the area currently around Viscera, Rappid, Gympis and the earth pony next to them. “Doc Top, and it’s a wonder Hooves could get him on retainer, every hospital here’s packed to capacity!” chirped Cori as she’d taken Powder Puff toward the back. Thankfully, the store was brightly lit against the cold stars and cerulean curtain of the night.

Persimmons and magnolias sat in dust-brown pans clustered around the ceiling, while the tables next to them contained more fragrant blooms, roses chief among them. The white clusters of them nearest the entrance got Viscera’s nose wrinkling. However, it was not only the plants in that room that shared the namesake.

“Guess Hooves was right about the prickly personality,” said Rose, a crescent of raspberry locks bobbing as she handed the bouquet of roses between her hooves on the counter toward the waiting arms of Piña Colada. “But given every other part of you is who I’ve gotta thank for Berryshine and Puff breathing today, I’ll manage.”

“The little one. It seems she has taken to this flora.” Gympis’ eyes were aflutter, between her study of the filly Colada, the doctor Doc Top and the thief Viscera, her focus back at work on the table opposite the rose-holding stand. Four sharp diamonds were currently being nestled into a bed of black wrappings, then fashioned into a shoe-like shape with trained ease by the thief.

“Indeed, the caretaking of plants is a sound way of dealing with trauma.” Doc Top added, turning to Viscera. “But since the pony next to her and Rose somehow recovered from losing an entire hoof, I’m not sure putting constraints on it is too helpful. Especially ones that…”

“Say macabre if you’ve gotta; it’s not like a new occurrence in this town,” grumbled Viscera, stepping the leg of hers that was once in Gympis’s mouth ion to the construction and flexing it. Immediately, the sharp protrusions on her bindings curved into the soft timber of the table like claws, allowing the thief to move it within its grasp. Roughly a foot above her head, to Doc Top’s continued dismay.

“Actually… ” Gympis had returned her focus toward the lilacs in a crate beside Rose’s desk, the attendant still unaware of Viscera’s stunt. “It seems that many ponies are taken in by this type of life. The love here is quite vivid.”

“Gotta say, though – the changeling you’ve brought with you might take getting used to,” Rose muttered, leaning over the counter. “I do like that you like these, Miss…”

“Gympis is fine. But I am not the one for whom receiving these would be interesting.” Gympis fluttered back to the ground. “It is for Octavia.”

“Wait- you’re still on that mare?” With a heavy thud, the table Viscera was dead-lifting crashed to earth, sending Rose tipping over the counter in shock and Doc Top to her side in seconds. “Wasn’t this morning’s horndog-and-pony show enough for her?”

“It seems that this Melody is blocked off from the chip of ages.”

Viscera’s left eyebrow could have disappeared into her hood. “Come again, Gymps?”

“Think… she means…. ‘chip off of the old block’…” moaned the pile of pale-yellow fur and raspberry mane being looked over by Doc Top. “Speaking of, it feels like I just landed on blocks!”

Doc Top helped her to her haunches. “Thankfully, no fractures.”

“The Melody’s relations would imply otherwise.” Gympis continued. “She has had her DJ friend attempt to visit Canterlot to attempt to work for the Shores of Sapphire. Strange, however; her tone of voice around that attempt seemed to have evoked a conflict between them, yet when I approached her today; she was overjoyed to see me. Called her words between us a ‘mistake’. Even though I had not spoken to her that day.”

“Well, it’s good to hear that you’re a comforting force here.” Doc Top beamed. “Speaking of which, since Viscera’s stunt certainly doesn’t hint at the threat of…” A din lowered over the room. “Phantom Pain!” “I’d like to check on Berryshine and Puff, see if the bandaging I’ve given them needs replacements.”

“Go for it,” Rappid admitted, the orange-maned doctor finally shuttling into the back area. “And I do not think we’re mean to stay here, Viscera. Rose?”

“R-right…” Rose wobbled a little on her full four hooves. “It’s just downstairs. I’d used it to hold the day's earnings, but after Lily Valley left and Dais… Daisy…” Suddenly the unease Rose had remaining on all fours had little to do with vertigo, if her reddening face were any indication. “Nevermind, just remind me to thank Miss Cori for suggesting closed-casket. This way.”

The trip down the far-darker flight of stars from Sugarcube’s was almost silent this time, save for Rappid’s snarl at the whispered suggest Gympis made to her. At Viscera’s raised eyebrow, Rappid continued. “Turning into ponies to make other ponies feel better works more often when said first ponies are alive, don’t you think?”

A swung-open wooden door below led to a large rectangular room with several squashy futons laid against the east and back walls, a small overhead projector, and a table on the opposite corner. “Yeah, could never find a reason for half the stuff in here before: the project's an old gift from the Doctor and I usually sleep on ground floor anyway. While I’m talking of the doctor…”

And Rose finally presented a metallic mask to Viscera, the goggles sandwiched between the layers of metal all too familiar to the thief. “Doc Hooves said you left this in his lab; didn’t peg you as the ‘shaded glasses indoors’ type though.”

“Well... thanks, luv.” Viscera related the headwear around her head again, revealing a shock of sharp pink petals of a mane before the sharp silver slid over them. “We’ve… got a lot to cover now, though, so I’d like to see Cori if possible.”

“Neat, so do I,” said the aforementioned ambassador, a rolled-up poster in her hand. “Berry and Piña are playing in the backyard now, so I thought we’d have time to settle some stuff.

“Like…” Viscera trailed off.

“Why this ad was on the barrel I slapped Berry in this morning…”

Cori unrolled the length of laminated parchment, revealing the raised rivets and curling pose of a mechanical pegasus stamped in its center. Below it was the words Iron Pony: Cants vs. Cunts.

“…and why the rules on this says the participant ponies have to be age twenty or younger.”

It would prove to be a long night and following morning. At the center was Viscera and Cori, one-off a near eleven-hour nap from nearly losing a limb as a magic-rebuffing hybrid pony, the other on adrenaline and a careful regimen of cleaning herself with wipes and combs at almost every other hour’s end. Theories rebounded over this competition, and the widespread notices about it, but that age limit stuck in both Viscera and Cori’s craw. “So, besides the… colorful name of this event, I’m trying to understand what the sudden shifts in the new regime’s priorities are about.” Cori tucked a hoof under her chin. “First they’re going medieval and robbing the place blind – no offense.”

“Some taken.” Viscera snapped.

“Sorry – and now, they’re trying to grouse it all away with a… friendly competition? I heard about this event’s previous go-around from Bon-Bon, but… wasn’t this just between two ponies before?”

“Yeah, well – apparently, this is what’ll be driving their attention, so we can probably beat the heat that we’ve got on us.”

Cori shot a withering look at the pulsing sun above Ponyville, the garden around them wavering in the mirages its rays threw across them. “If only.”

“What? I’m not saying stuff like this doesn’t deserve stopping, but… seems like there’ll be huge Guard presence. And we just barely escaped a thrashing by the princes with 2-to-1 odds in our favor.” Viscera swiped another layer of sweat from her brow. “Count the blessings here, luv.”

“Issue’s less the blessings and more who they’re going to,” Cori replied, threading a comb through her hair. “And I still can’t believe you’re wearing a hood that thick in temperatures like this.”

“Yeah, the fewer details I can give to this town about who I really am, the better.” Viscera tossed back her head – and the fifth shot of cider that Rose had been so gracious to provide them with an hour ago.

“Viscera – Rappid runs the same risk and she was gracious enough to confirm Gympis’ form blocker theory before leaving too! Identity shouldn’t be that big a deal.” Indeed, the pitted ground between the pier of concrete and the lanes of grass of outdoors was filled with markers in the dirt of cloven hooves, the one farthest away with them re-outlined with gold chalk instead of white. FARTHEST TO T-FORM was scribbled to its side.

“Those roses are staying put! Have you not robbed me of enough, Clover?!”

“Highway robbery seems more a Rich family thing, Spoiled!”

“Speaking of of high temperatures and the oppressively thick,” Back onto all fours again, Viscera started trotting back into the flower shop's main floor, Cori a step behind her.

The thin hall connecting the front and back of the store provided a short trip to the scene at the counter. Two couples were bickering while Piña Colada’s head swung between each pair, a bouquet of white flowers with thin, scythe-like petals collected in the basket between her teeth. Rose was at the counter and looked like she’d rather be in a burning building than between the two bickering couples.

“We didn’t steal anything either! Admit that not everything in this town belongs to you – so Lucky Clover can hear it!” came the cry of the brown-maned cream-coated pegasus to the right of the silver Earth Pony (apparently, Lucky Clover, with his shamrock-spread namesake upon his flank. Hers sported a burning tire, almost hidden beneath her flared wings.

“What we continue to possess is not the issue here, Wild,” came the measured tone of the pony to the left of Spoiled Rich, a slicked-back black mane and tail between an amber coat. His piercing blue eyes cut into the floor in a deliberate gesture, and his collar and tie, perfect as they were, were being adjusted rapidly by his front hooves. “But these are ghost orchids we sought here, and considering their price, respecting the pre-order we had for them seems fitting, yes?”

“A pre-order that expired three hours ago, check the sign!” Wild yelled. “And I’m tired of Spoiled here saying we’ve taken something from her. Land like that’s never supposed to be in short supply, to begin with!”

“Neither are the flowers, but you’ve seen fit to deprive us of that too! And not just us, all of Ponyville!”

“Was this about the money from the last meeting we had? I knew we shouldn’t have told them of this, Lucky!” Wild shouted to Lucky’s direction.

Lucky was more adamant. “They’d have found out anyway, and considering what we had to let go for it – and what we both lost before it – I’d have thought the gesture would be appreciated.” Lucky looked back toward Rose. “But if this is how every exchange between us is considered…”

“Wait! Lucky!” Filthy Rich took a step forward. “At least let us talk of this at the next meeting! We’ve already had enough of an issue getting Miss Holiday to attend, and so much has afflicted our city…”

Wild looked ready to go up another octave in talking, but Lucky Clover was faster. “Alright, Rich. Fine. But we’re gonna need more than Amethyst there, then. I’m getting tired myself of holding so many meetings next to… that place.”

“You’re not the only one – and I have to arrange them,” Spoiled’s voice could almost qualify as a growl. “But Wild Clover’s not sitting in this time. Not after what she’s taking from our departed little Tiara.” Turning on her heel, she almost stumbled on the way to the door, only for her husband Filthy to ease her up and rush her out the rest of the way.

Rose, at this point, sighed wearily and turned to Wild Clover. “Not that I’m not sympathetic, Wild. But, I’m not blind to who’s missing from here since the Ponyville Massacre. Don’t you think the Rich family’s gone through some hardship to-?”

“Don’t, Rose…” Wild was out the door, the flowers remained untaken and unpaid by either couple as Lucky gave a short bow and followed her. “It’s… just don’t.”

As they disappeared, the returning clipclipclips through the tinkling shop door were held open by another passing pair of ponies, Amethyst Star and Dr. Hooves. Amethyst looked upbeat, holding another pair of roses in her maw and a yellow skirted saddle Dr. Hooves only had his scarf, looped around his long neck and shoulder, and a stern frown just over it.

And both were strolling down to meet Viscera.

“I swear, didn’t say a word over that last spat,” Viscera raised her hooves in surrender.

“Surprised as I am at how surprising as that is…” Dr. Hooves began. “I’ve got news for you. So does Star – in fact, about a situation centered on what you just saw.”

Cori grinned. “Sounds like a shining oversight, then – perfect for a Top-Class.”

Viscera grimaced. “If this is about the pet name thing, Cori, I’m working on it; cut down on the jargon-”

“From a book. I’ll explain later. What is it, Star?” Cori turned to Amethyst. Dr. Hooves only gave the fuchsia unicorn a curt nod, allowing her to continue.

“It… it’s the school board. I’m one of them; the organizer. Things were a hot mess even before the Massacre, but now…”

“Co-signed: the Rich and Clover families used to wait ‘til behind store doors to argue,” piped in Rose.

“And, as an ambassador, we were hoping you could help bring… some stability to the next meeting. Wouldn’t ask, but it’s important for progressing a critical part of Ponyville infrastructure and Rappid turned it down.”

“Did she say why?” Cori asked.

“Muttered something about a Protocol, and that two-thirds of our rank being victims would be too… risky to maintaining it for her.” Amethyst shook her head. “It’s this afternoon. Please? As a favor?”

“Certainly. Feel a bit too much like the good tableware lately anyways.” Cori stood up.

“My part involves you both as well – the changeling and mayor, too.” Dr. Hooves pulled out a sheaf of papers from the crook of his scarf, then laid them at the table Viscera had affixed her new pair of claws on a moon ago. “It’s the other reason for the new arrangements.”

Viscera took one look at it, and almost choked on her saliva. “Y-you’re hiring us?”

“Not out loud! Look…” Dr. Hooves began. “This… scoundrel at the helm of government doesn’t know what she’s doing, and how much ponies might die, or worse, buy into her methods to get power. Good alicorns are kind of a party of one right now.“ Dr. Hooves sighed, looking at the glinting light from the grid of glass above them. “So we need some time to think of a better plan to handle this, and make sure the town is still standing when we carry it out.”

“No pressure, but continue.” Viscera pointed out.

“To that end, we’ve got only four ponies that have gotten away from any of them by their power; you two, Rappid and Gympis. And some would like to see that magic-immunity put to use since they can’t. To that point… we’ve got tasks, and I’ll be happy to cover the costs for it and any payment you need for the risk in executing it.”

Dr. Hooves pointed to the paper before them.

“Rappid and Gympis agreed to it when we proposed it to them in the center. We’d like to offer it to you as well – no strings, we can work with how many of you decide to agree, but the best results come from a full quartet, and the bits will grow to accommodate the results.”

“I… I’m okay with it if Rappid is, but… are you sure? Viscera was right, we’ve been struggling ourselves.” Cori pointed out. “We’ve got obligations ourselves, and…”

“Oh I’m aware of that from your time with us, Viscera’s especially. Which is why I’d like to announce, sign or decline, we’ll be happy to continue taking care of your rescue patient – don’t let that hang over your decision. But… well, even you have to agree here isn’t the best spot for that pony. Not for a lot of them, and Cloudsdale’s sending no convoys unless the city can reliably secure them. So either Queen Twilight has to relent on the lock…”

“… which she won’t, since that’ll make our movements harder to track…” Viscera drawled.

“Or we’ll have to show the enforcers of her will are too incompetent to enforce it.”

“…which is possible, but suicide to repeat for any, except… us four in Ponyville.” Cori finished. “Wait a minute, you said ‘will’. Does that mean…?”

“Yes, the new Iron Pony contest is the first step. One of our intermediaries will provide a briefing and a safe house to work from, but we’ve got full details on the event. And I have the intermediary to thank for the specific incentive I have for you, Viscera.”

“No offense, but it’s gonna have to be something big this time, Hooves.” Viscera leaped into the plush chair next to the table, slapping her left forehoof onto the wooden surface seconds later. “I… I lost part of my mobility, and from what Gympis told me, nearly my… to one of those Princes yesterday.” Viscera’s inner pony scolded the quiver in her voice. “No way they’re not in future engagements.”

“Which is why, if you agree, your main objective in the field will be to steal something for the intermediary.”

Viscera’s ears shot to full mast. “Continue.”

“That’s for signers’ ears only, and so is the funding for the tools to get it.” Dr. Hooves tapped the parchment with a quill produced from his feathery brown mane. “What say you, prizefighter?”

Suddenly, Viscera was back on that catwalk in the Ponyville mini-theatre, and those two royal guards were below. The ones crooning, while Shroud was ready to publicly…

“Look. I… I’m aware of the risks. And I still don’t know why I haven’t am-scrayed from this place days ago. But… well, a being I encouraged to come along with me signed, and I’m not too big a fan of skipping out on the new blood.” Viscera nursed her chin with one of her hooves, careful to not let the claws on it anywhere near the sensitive fur. “And, well…”

<“…when d’ya think that little shit Powder Puff bites it?”>

“This isn’t right. I’m a thief, we all know this. But of valuable gems, treasure, art. Not lives. Not…”

<“Bout the same time Prince Shroud does – necks are a fine delicacy to a Shadow Pony….”>

“… the things within a pony that actually makes life worth living.” Viscera’s hooves hit the table edge, her body shaking slightly as Rose walked up to them. The basketful of ghost orchids was nestled snugly on her back, just behind Piña Colada. “No fun or honor in that. And if anything I can do can bring back the Equestria I knew before that Twilight became queen… whatever it takes, I’m game.”

A craning of her neck brought the quill to a rigid point from her maw, and with a few quick strokes, a scarlet V joined the Rappid and Gympis inlaid on that paper. “Cori, you in?” she asked the ambassador.

“Well… I have to make sure Cadance gives blessing – a member of the Crystal Empire’s government openly and actively resisting the Equestrian government, I mean… wow.” Cori slapped a shoe-covered hoof on the paper. “But I can help Ponyville, and I want to help the Mayors. I’ll do what I can.”

“It’ll work. We’ll try and set up a line with Cadance to help the process along.” Dr. Hooves said. “For the rest, however… we’ll need Gympis and Rappid on site. And one other you may have met before, if Rappid’s talk of you cutting through the Chapel is true, Viscera.”

At that moment, those two ponies arrived. Gympis was the first in, taking a hooful of the lilacs she observed earlier. Rappid was behind her, slowly moving to close the door. “It is successful. The Melody is joyous.”

“So, guess you saw what Hooves had to offer to?”

“And it seems like we really are in this together now.”

“Yes. I still must know what has happened to Dash to force her into this, but… Queen Twilight is an unavoidable obstacle to the safety of Cloudsdale. I’m in – as long as my alias is maintained.”

“I’m… not too sure on how unwilling the Princess was…” Rappid visibly winced at this. “But regardless, welcome aboard. We’ll have the main details of the events and ‘participants’ later – honestly, twenty and younger! – but we’ll give you the main body now. Rose, take Piña into the back, this isn’t for her ears.” Amethyst Star unrolled another slab of paper as Rose nodded and backed into the basement of the flower shop with Piña. “So, short story: Canterlot’s Guard and elite apparently want a crack at Ponyville’s young that the Queen and her court got.”

“WHAT?!” four bellows rang through the store. The sign – Roseluck’s Botanicals, a wooden edifice of curling white and red on the rightmost panel of windows – shook a little under the vocal force.

“Celestia only knows how they plan to make them – or their family – stand for this madness, but it’s nothing like it was before. Only three events, featuring four ponies each – winner of each reaches the final round, winner of that passes the whole thing for the grand prize – a rather priceless book.”

“Which is the target of your larceny for this task, Viscera,” Dr. Hooves pointed out.

“… and a meeting with Princess Dash, the day after that event.”

“Dash is coming back?!” Rappid was bolt upright. “Then we must know how this event ends!”

“For this task, you’ll gonna ensure only one ending happens – one with no winners.” Dr. Hooves’ tone turned icy. “Because your task is to sabotage the proceedings so there are no winners.”

“Pony who hired the intermediary – it’s a she, by the way – also had some provisions in this request.” Amethyst Star tapped the bottom of the list. “Rappid was right when we talked over the signing. Property and personal damage is a pressing matter for this city, especially with no air imports and exports at a crawl – so for this task, you can’t be noticed by the guards during the preliminaries.”

Hooves took it further from there. “The second it does boil down to that final event, however, all bets are off – get whatever Ponyville residents are left there out ASAP and to a safe place. Discretion’s on you for whatever building in Ponyville suits your purpose and the plan for the race, considering ours center around making sure it never happens.”

“What isn’t up for debate is the second and final condition.” Amethyst pointed out. “Should the Royal Guard be up and about when you rescue the Ponyville participants during the final leg, they’ll likely scour the town for them – and the second part of this is to defame them so much that they’re pulled back and the Ponyville-to-Cloudsdale skies are open again. So by the end of the final leg, should it go through, all of the Royal Guard immediately present at the event grounds needs to be incapacitated.”

“Non-lethally, too; we’d like to not inspire another Massacre from Sparkle if possible.” Dr. Hooves again adjusted his scarf nervously.

“Think we can… do that. They’ve got thick enough helmets that I reckon rattling them enough could put them down.”Rappid pointed out.

Viscera said. The rescues, however… we’ll need as fast a getaway as possible. Which means I’ll need to repair my wings again.”

“And for the rest, we’ve got some provisions that might help with the incapacitation.” Dr. Hooves continued. “Don’t know who from Canterlot’s gonna be there, however – any little bit might help.”

“I can give that some thought,” Cori placed out. “Right now, however; I’ve gotta get to that board meeting. Amethyst?”

“Right! Let’s do it.”

As Cori and Amethyst shuffled out of Rose’s store, Rappid turned to him again. “Absconding ponies from a public event. I know what happened yesterday was a clear exception, but this might be more than we can handle.”

“That we can handle it at all… mayor,” Gympis pointed out. “Maybe why we’ve been employed to do it. And I must have more ground for my investigation into our Queen’s death; this will provide us with insight into the co-conspirators.”

“If you want them, Gympis, Canterlot’s a train ride over,” groused Rappid. “But I refuse to believe anyone raised in Ponyville would ever willingly assist the Queen’s depravities.”

“The classes are not stopping!”

“Over my dead body, Cloud Kicker!”

“Think Ponyville’s suffered fourteen too many already, Holiday!”

The back-and-forth argument going on in front of Cori – swathed in a thick enough cloak to hide her features, but not the comb running through her mane like a nervous tic – was being commenced by Mrs. Holiday and Cloud Kicker. Both were seated at a large hexagonal table, the polished oak between it glinting red-orange with the reflection of the afternoon sun overhead. Only two thinks intruded its rays’ path into the room –the drawn curtains and the silhouette of the Ponyville Schoolhouse only twenty meters from the School Admin building they were in, Town Guard tape still encircling the schoolhouse and its many windows.

No such obstruction existed in the room especially not between the mouths of the six quadrupeds in the room (except Cori.) Between the plump earth pony and the thin purple pegasus, the charged air between them might have been from their contrast. “This is why we should be devoting resources to opening the cities’ sky, not stacking our children together for some zealous predator to come crashing on them!” Mrs. Holiday protested.

“The first and only time that happened, nothing short of a literal disaster would have stopped it! I’m not going to let Twilight be why progress in this town screeches to a halt!” the lavender pegasus shot back.

“And where would that new classroom be? I won’t let another filly in that schoolhouse, and neither will Mayor Mare!” Holiday’s hooves pounded on the table. Cori swore she heard a crack, likely in the table since Holiday’s frustrated expression – or thickly accented voice - didn’t relax in the slightest. “And I hesitate to add this, but can we leave the arguments around the welfare of sons and daughters to those on the board who’ve lost them?”

“My sister Erroria is Scootaloo’s age, Holiday! Only a cold kept her from that classroom on the day of the Massacre! And if this is about those who’ve lost daughters, Amethyst came up with the idea of having the other children be taught by Miss Play Write in Apple Acres’ barn, and Spoiled’s signed on! Isn’t that right, Amethyst?”

“Well… yes, I did, but-” Amethyst’s sudden squeak of a voice sent Cori’s eyebrows up.

“If the money we’ve got should be going toward anything, it should be towards getting ponies out of the belly of the beast – Canterlot!” Lucky piped up. Once again, the grey earth pony was present, his blue eyes shooting between Holiday and Spoiled Rich with suspicion. “We’re not the only city suffering under Sparkle, and more ponies here means we’ve got more hooves on board to help with its upkeep! Especially with the budget getting tight!”

“We wouldn’t have to worry about the budget if we’d have the cashflow we’ve collected going into this city, Treasurer Lucky Clover!” Spoiled Rich spat out the word treasurer like it was a fly in her soup.

“Look, Spoiled, no one is complaining that the number of bits you placed into this town following… the event… is appreciated!” Holiday pointed out. “But surely, the money should be put toward making the Royal Guards from aiming spears and spells at any pegasi that flap a wing near here!”

“That blockade is not important; we’ve got enough supplies coming from other cities to repair the buildings!”

“Even though that blockade’s the reason why Cloud Kicker’s filling in for Thunderlane?”

“Thunderlane-!? He quit the Wonderbolts over it being taken over by one of those foal-fiddling lowlifes! And you want to give another of those monsters’ new outfits more bits!?“ Spoiled’s purple hair was falling over her eyes, but neither she nor the orange-maned Holiday seemed to care.

“Absolutely not - but what else are we going to do? Fighting them's suicide! Our Town Guard’s stretched to the limit between fixing the Town Center and retrieving bodies! And we’ve still got fourteen foals wondering what tomorrow’s going to bring since the schoolhouse is closed!”

“Which is why this Board should be assuaging those fears! Progress does not stop because our Queen decided to crash a class!” Spoiled Rich retorted. “Apparently living in a mansion’s the only way one can see such an obvious point without help!”

“And again, Spoiled, this new donation drive from you to help set up the remaining students in a new location is great; but you can’t expect everyone in here to follow that generosity!” The donkey to Spoiled’s left finally spoke. Her brown hair was

“Generosity, Matilda?! Spoiled is doing this to spite Sparkle for killing her daughter!” Lucky finally yelled.

Spoiled Rich was quick to respond. “And you’re snapping up all the buildings with your new windfall to spite the town for letting your daughter die!”

“Silver Spoon has nothing to do with this!”

“Oh, so this is being done for another of your wife’s hooficures with Upper Crust?!” Spoiled yelled. “That her husband’s funding the Knights that are polluting this town’s skyline should have been enough for you to cut all ties!”

“G-goodness Spoiled, we shouldn’t be debating what we should do!” came the whinnies of an elderly donkey to Spoiled’s right. “We’ve got the golden ponies in Ponyville! We should have them help us!”

Cori paled. Besides her, Amethyst, between Matilda and Aunt Holiday, shrank further into her seat.

“Matilda, it’s already enough of a stretch that you said they saved you during the Riots, but getting those ponies risks causing more damage than we’ll fix!” Cloud Kicker said. “But saving you from one of Octavia’s quartet assaulting you!? I talked to Octavia and the DJ; she’d never stand for it!”

“I know what I saw, and so did Cranky!”

“Cranky was cowering in the store! And what could Beauty Brass and Caramel want with you anyway?”

“An argument over supplies! They were both convinced I had enough for them to split… then Cranky told them to leave, they rushed me out to eke out a better deal! When I told them I couldn’t they tried to take the key off me! If it weren’t for-“

“Matilda, it must have been a mishap from the riot happening outside! Both of them are model citizens, and they’ve got no reason to try and overpower you!”

“… I, um… I heard Brass and Octavia had a falling out, and… and Caramel and Sassaflash lost their savings in a truck when… when Celestia was taken down… ”

“Oh Celestia, don’t encourage Matilda! We’re not looking for that wrecking crew, and that’s final! We don’t even know where they are!” Holiday huffed. “Which I could also say for you, Cloud Kicker!”

“Me?!” spluttered the lavender pegasus.

“Up until now, both you and Thunderlane have had all the presence here as a ‘Have You Seen Me?’ sign on a milk jug!” Holiday started. “Now the second we start talking budget concerns, you’re all too happy to sub for Thunderlane… to do what? Entertain Amethyst and Spoiled’s delusions?!”

“I beg your PARDON?!” came the howl from Spoiled Rich.

Cloud Kicker’s face flared so vividly, the contrast with her fur nearly turned it black. “How dare you call Amethyst deluded! She’s why you knew where to send Lofty, to find out what became of your niece!”

“That was Rappid, actually.” Amethyst Star, both from visible parts of her above the table’s lip and her voice, could have been mistaken for a mouse. “I just… told her either the mayor or Rappid would kn-”

“And on the subject of rapid, it’s time this meeting adjourned. “ Lucky Clover was up and trotting to the door before Holiday could stop him. “Good day to you all, hard as that is for with Spoiled in it to have.”

“Adjourned, Clover – and we wouldn’t even know when a happy day came, your wife’s swollen head would block out the sun!” Spoiled was stomping out and taking the opposite direction from the waiting room to a side exit, Cori right behind her. Amethyst was whispering to Matilda as they left, and Cloud Kicker and Mrs. Holiday were studying the cracks in the table from Holiday’s rapping blow upon it.

This meant Cori’s next words were almost as sharp as the door slam between her and Spoiled Rich, forcefully shut in their faces. “Well… didn’t expect a school meeting to be this hectic.”

“Any meeting between high-up ponies will be, dear.” Matilda pointed out. “With the Mayor’s hooves being tied tighter by that dreadful Queen every other hour, it feels like its everypony for themselves.”

“But… none of what we saw made sense!” Cori said, her comb flying through the hair at almost light speed. “I’ve heard horror stories about Spoiled’s conduct as head of the school board but here… she’s made some good points! Lucky was just inside Rose’s shop, what did he ‘steal’ from Spoiled that’d get her worked up like this? And Amethyst…!” The Crystal Pony finally turned to Amethyst Star. “You were about ready to set up cones around Derpy yesterday – what’s with the hide-and-seek you were playing here? You’re the organizer!”

“I… well, Cori, it’s complicated…”

A sharp yet stifled sob shot out from around the corner of the shop, startling them all. “Matilda, what was that?”

The donkey moved closer to the glass of the door, stealing the faintest of glances. When she turned back, her eyes were wide. “I knew it! I knew it was Spoiled that last time too, she’s a terrible liar! Goodness, she’s fallen apart!”

“Wait, Spoiled Rich’s cr-”

“Ever since the Massacre, and I think it’s obvious why, dears.” The donkey turned to the main front doors. “If you don’t mind, I’ve got to make sure Cranky’s okay. He worries so much over me… and I don’t want him to worry like he did when… that golden pony saved me.”

As the front door whistled shut, Cori was stood for a minute, looking at the space and Amethyst. Finally, a thought struck her. “I’m going to head back – we got a briefing to look over. But I’ll need some things to work through this group’s issues.”

“L-like what?” Suddenly, volume was returning to the purple unicorn’s voice.

“Exactly what money deal’s got the Rich and Clover families jawing at each other in a flower shop, a copy of these ‘protocols’ that Mayor Mare’s enforced, and a copy of the last three meetings you had – think it was Thunderlane that had the minutes, and if so, Cloud Kicker should have them now.” A tinkle of the bell at the front door rang out again. “Oh, Matilda, I-”

But it was not Matilda – it was two ponies Cori didn’t recognize. “Miss Star, you’ve told them of the meeting we’d like to have with them tomorrow?” The chirpy tone of Beauty Brass filled the room. A stallion was next to the blue-coated mane, feathered hair just as brown as hers, his cutie mark a collection of three horseshoes.

“Sure, Brass. Um, but I’m not sure you and Caramel will be as welcome as you think. Matilda still thinks you two…”

“A misunderstanding, nothing more.” Caramel dismissed, his voice as slick as his namesake. “I’ll bring over Sassaflash; we’ll get that mess straightened out. Who’s the mare you’re with?”

“Oh, she’s…”

“Making her exit. Thanks for having me, Star.” And Cori was out to the door, the words of Matilda still tumbling in her mind. As she left, she couldn’t help but overhear Brass’s last words as she passed out from the School Admin building.

“… bring the other three we agreed on as well, Star! I promise you, our proposal to them for the Iron Pony event will root them to their seats.”

By the time Cori was busy returning to Roseluck’s Botanicals, it was afternoon once again. Viscera had disappeared to collect supplies for her wings, and Rappid was busy eating dinner with Berryshine and Piña, leaving her and Gympis to head down to the basement.

“You’re still got an eye on those lilacs?” asked Cori, seconds after the door was shut between them.

Gympis tilted her head. “It appears to be a favorite of Octavia’s – like that comb of yours seems to be your favorite, since you have it in your hair all the time.”

“What? Oh no, that’s been a bit of a habit of mine from the Empire – see, Crystal Ponies have the same coats and mane from birth, and losing it – to disrepair or cutting off – it’s seen as a travesty, so I alw-” Cori shook her head. “Nevermind, I can focus on that later! Gympis, you’ve been lucky so far, but…”

“Yes?”

“Well… I’m a bit hard-pressed to say, but if you want to stay Octavia’s friend, you might want to learn to talk to her. Right now, you’ve been her shoulder to cry on. It’s nice – but she’ll ask you to speak, and I don’t want you to freak her out.” A thought of Matilda’s words flashed through Cori’s mind again. “Especially since she might be going through personal problems right now.”

“But the investigation,” pointed out the changeling. “How will I know of this DJ’s presence in Canterlot otherwise? It could be a window into what influence has affected this… hiveless one stuck in Twilight’s thrall.”

“Wait, Prince Haze is hiveless – again, for another time. Gympis… I’ll teach you some lessons. On how to… better associate with others. You do realize how many times your… unique rhetoric has nearly let Ponyville know you’re a changeling?”

“The… problems with maintaining a transformed state have been persistent.” Gympis said. “Alright then, Ambassador Junior Ambassador Cori, I accept.”

“Ambassador Junior...” It clicked for Cori. “Stars above, do I correct ponies that often?”

Gympis stood up straighter, looming over the Crystal Pony. “I would hope so, for that is what you will do for me.”

“Oh. Right.” Cori flashed a large grin. “And I will, with the same tricks of the trade that made me a Top-”

“After all, being able to blend in with the ponies of this village will be invaluable in allowing me to gain the information I desire.”

Cori’s grin fell. “Gracious, I’m giving changeling ways to more easily assimilate into pony society. This could backfire in so many ways.” Cori swallowed thickly. “But it can help us too. Gympis, first up…”

The first lesson took all night, but eventually, Cori got the changeling to agree on proper naming (“Ah, the Cori Ambassador then?” said the changeling, to which Cori shrugged and continued, hour arguably well spent), a long way towards reacting to confusing situations that didn’t involve bombarding the other pony with questions or fists (“But Viscera said that was a good quality of mine!” replied Gympis, to which Cori slapped a hoof down her face) and that scouring the place every nine minutes looking for clues in the middle of a conversation could play havoc with her investigation.

“Perhaps I could continue it in Octavia’s case – she gets all red-faced and eager to talk when I do so near her hooves.” Gympis tentatively suggested.

“Do they involve the same subject you were talking about at the time?”

“No. But she has not asked me to cease the activity either.”

“… fine, play it by ear.” Cori’s face hit her futon in exhaustion, the exhalation of “It’s her first day… it’s her first day… ” pulsing through the pillows.

At noon the next day, the four – Viscera, Rappid, Cori, and Gympis – were set up in the main room. Finally, that projector in the center of the room was being put to use, the flickering of reflected light and hum of gears relaying an imprint of the Iron Pony poster on the wall before them. To their side were Dr. Hooves and Rose, the fillies and Lily Valley manning the counter for the day.

However, only Hooves, Viscera Rappid and Gympis were sitting. Rose and Cori were at the front. “Take-charge, are we?” Viscera mused as Cori dropped a large stack of papers on the counter before them.

“Can sleep before tomorrow. Besides, my talk with Gympis on phonics took all this morning to sink in. How’re we doing, Gympis?” The unicorn Crystal Pony asked of the changeling.

“Quite alright. But what do hooks have to do with that topic?”

“Hook was a metaphor, Gym-Right, to the matter at hand.” Cori slapped up the first slide –a copy of the Ponyville Express’ front page, this time of a desiccated mini-stage and the yawning chasm it opened into the half-burnt Chapel. “With collateral damage in the town a bit of a sticky issue, for now, I decided that this operation we’re on deserved a more personal touch from me… y’know, considering I’m still debating my role in the field.”

“Certainly, Cori, but why are you heading it?” Rappid asked. “You’ve never volunteered for much beyond your duties to the Crystal Empire.”

“Well, the task we’ve got before us kinda… changed my mind on what I should be open to.” Cori tossed back her hair, knotted into a braid beehive this time. “And adjusting oneself to the situation at hand is one of the main skills of a ‘Top –Class Ambass’.”

“Top Class…?” began Gympis.

Cori quickly whipped her head to a spot on her tail and fired off a thin beam. A poster, apparently miniaturized inside her tail’s depths, exploded to sheet-size and Cori displayed it to them: a golden-sun-framed silhouette of Shining Armor painted on it. Below it was the block-like words:

“Bit dated, yes, but I’ve got a copy of the manuscript in my room in the Crystal Empire as a reward for getting Ambassador rank!” Cori bubbled. “And one of those very segments gave me the inspiration to overcome my previous station: the ways to become an Equestria-wide respected ambassador, or as I call it, a ‘Top-Class Ambass’! Step One’s to have a plan for everything if you’ve got the time to make it!”

Next up on Cori’s apparent slideshow was the expanse of Ponyville, eclipsed by the last three words she’d soon utter. “So here’s my first of hopefully many successful plans, ‘Operation: Pocketful of Ponies’!”

“Amended, of course, by me,” Dr. Hooves calmly added, waving a hoof forward. “Cori is… quite enthusiastic about this, though. Continue.”

“Right then!” Cori’s next slide showed the picture of the Ponyville forest to the east, only a river away from connecting with Everfree. “Cloud Kicker, on her latest shift for Cinnamon Chai - gotta remember not to mention that to her, Amethyst said she gets furniture-kicky about the name these days – snapped these photos of the grounds. It’s the staging place for the prelims of Iron Pony: Cants versus… well, the new Iron Pony contests! And from what I’ve gathered together from Amethyst Star’s notes, there was a building crowd at the first event, so it’ll be hard to operate directly without being spotted!”

A curt smile graced Cori’s lips.

“And that’s why we’re not going to be on site when we interrupt the proceedings – because we’re going to use the environment against them!”

“That sounds interesting, but how?” Gympis asked.

“Well, the three events are as follows: We’ve got the Blue Ball Bouncer event; six of the Ponyville contestants will each be paired with a stallion from the Canterlot Royal Guard, and they’ve gotta balance balls on their tails and backs while…” Cori looked at the slide, realizing the black lines on the description of the event. “Wait, why is this part redacted?”

“This is from the Mayor’s briefing on the event – suffice it to say you don’t want to know specifically what else they’ve gotta do, Miss Junior Ambassador.“ Dr. Hooves’ head was down and he was heaving slightly at these words. “It involves… other balls – and the last pony/Guard to keep theirs aloft wins. That event must be disrupted before it begins.”

“Well… alright then,” Cori looked a little green now as she changed slides. “The second event’s the Extreme Hoof Wrestling event –which sounds like what it says on the tin. We’ve got four of the Ponyville competitors squaring off with four of Flash’s Royal Guard contingent, the first team to pin any member of the other for a count of three wins it.”

“Probably what happens to ‘em after that’s the issue.” Rappid looked closer at the blueprints for the event. “Seems they’ve put up a full wrestling ring, though – that looks like we can do work underneath it and not be caught.”

“Definitely! And the rings wooden too, so there’s a great possibility for sabotage.” Cori’s next slide placed up a silhouette of two ponies between a… well, a collection of twigs. “Finally, there’s the Bronco Buck Passer event. Four teams – seems the Canterlot guards have to escape and the Ponyville fighters gotta buck off… ” The ambassador’s eyes bugged out. “Recently matured Timberwolves?!”

“No way this won’t end with one of them trampled into paste!” Viscera studied the chart furiously. “Okay, apparently, if a guard is caught or the Ponyville pony on each wolf is bucked off, the team is eliminated, victory’s ensued when either all the Guards are caught or all the Ponyville contestants are bucked off. Think I know which one I’m game for seeing, luves.”

“And I’ve got plans for each. We’ve gotta ensure the final event doesn’t happen, and for that to happen, we need three no-contests. So here’s how the plan goes down.” Cori stopped the projector and braced her hooves on the table containing it. “Viscera was nice enough to retain several things from the joke shop she raided during the Ponyville Riots, one of them being itching powder. I was planning on using them during the wrestling event, but we’ve got limited supply, joke shop’s still closed for repair and you said that the Blue Ball Bouncer event needed nixing immediately, so…“

“We use it on those participating Guards?” Rappid asked.

“Close, but no – we use it on the Ponyville players, no way they’ll be able to hold a single ball aloft then!” Dr. Hooves’ cheeks ballooned with nausea, but he managed to force it down. Cori noticed. “Oh wow, and I thought Gympis needed phrasing advice. Apologies, doc.”

“Continue, Cori.” Rose was busy massaging Dr. Hooves’ back, allowing the ambassador her out.

“Sure. For the Royal Guard participants, however, we’re gonna need something hardier to put them out of action, I’ll get it since it’ll likely keep me from being in the way and its deep in Everfree – have Viscera to thank for its location. It’ll give Goldilock enough time to knock ‘em out quick.”

Cori then produced a map of the Ponyville Dam. “Next up is stopping the Extreme Hoof Wrestling with Iron Standard’s ceremonial Royal Guardsponies. If I’ve got the measurements right – and I ALWAYS get my measurements right – these explosives I’ve rigged together should be enough to rush Bucephalus Brook’s river flows onto the ring’s location, knocking out everyone there. Be sure to recover the chunk of dam these explosives jar out; I’ll need to floss out a replacement piece to wedge in for the third event.”

“Superb strategy, Cori,” whistled Dr. Hooves, finally recovered from his unease.

“I try. The problem is, the Brook’s on too low a flow normally, and after I compromise the dam, it’ll be too raging to redirect onto the ring without additional force. Plus, these were the only explosives I could get. So Viscera, I need you to find a way to re-focus that river.”

“No problem, Cori.” The crimson pony waved a hoof. “Think I’ve got a way to amplify my Blood Stones from the last rescue we did. But it’ll be close.”

Cori then finally turned on the projector again, then flipped the slide to show a picture of Town Hall. “This leads to event number three. It’s the trickiest since it’ll be Hel’s troops – which I think is the point, they’ve got batwings, they could evade the Timberwolves all day and leave the danger to the Ponyville participants alone to suffer…”

Cori turned to Rappid and flicked the projector to a crudely drawn image of a four-sided metal tower lined with golden bells.

“… which is why I need you, Rappid, to grab the weathervane on this store's roof, then get several cowbells from Sweet Apple Acres. Fix them in the configuration shown here; then bring it to the end of the stage opposite from the tree line. When I plaster those Guards, give the contraption as much wing power as you can get and bail!”

“What will happen?”

“Quite a bit, if Hooves’ talk on the habits of Timberwolves is correct. But we need a specific type of plaster for this to work, so I’m gonna need to bum a jar of Zap Apple Jam from the Rich family since it’s too out of season to ask the Apples.”

"And when this is all complete, the drop-off will be at the Sweet Apple Acres barn, at an hour before midnight," finish Dr. Hooves.

Cori stood up. "Now, I've gotta catch up to Spoiled Rich for the Jam - right now, she's probably at that emergency meeting with Brass and Caramel. I’ll be back soon.”

And with that, Cori was out of the door, only to be intercepted again by Gympis. “Miss Octavia has talked of that meeting: I shall follow you, under the guise of the DJ.”

“Well… I supposed. You said your forms were a bit unstable, yes?” Cori asked.

Gympis would only give a shake of her head in response. “The Melody is different – the affection she shares for this form can… help with my issues.” And with a flash of green flames, the white unicorn was before them all again. “We shall implement your lessons together.”

Cori’s first destination took her inside the Ponyville Theater. Mostly, it was because she ended up following the doppelganger D.J., nearly stumbling as the changeling turned away from the Ponyville School Admin Building. Regardless, the main room of the Ponyville Theater was empty, save for five-sixths of the Admin Board, Amethyst Star not available.

However, Golden Harvest – Cori realized her from the fracas at the Ponyville Market due to power – was to Matilda’s left, keeping her even further away from Beauty Brass. “… I knew it, Caramel nipping stuff from my carrot garden happened last week, and I know I saw Written…” emitting from her as Coir got closer. Passing Cloud Kicker and Lucky Clover, Cori noticed another pair of ponies they were in hushed conversation with – a pink earth pony with magenta waves of hair, and Octavia Melody, black hair pushed into its familiar sweep over her head. ‘DJ Pon-3’ was at her side in an instant, and she was all too quick to nuzzle her, allowing the pink pony before them to shoot a nervous grin to her.

“Oh, don’t mind Winter Lotus; poor doll has her daughter mixed up in this god-awful Iron Pony event.” Coir nearly jumped a foot in the air, travel cloak almost becoming a parachute as she landed in front of the matronly Mrs. Holiday. “And so’s Noi – little sister of that carrot-flanked pony over there. Think her name’s Carrot Top?”

Before Cori could respond, a slight nudge had her eyes shooting towards the arriving Matilda. “You’re Amethyst Star’s friend from yesterday, yes?”

“Sure am,” Cori replied, still rattled.

“Oh goodness, poor mare’s been cooped up in the doc’s house all day! Only had time to give me this, she said she couldn’t make the meetin’, but knew you would.” Matilda pulled a small stack of cue cards out of her saddlebag and gave them to the ambassador. “Do be quick about it though – I know that blasted Brass and Caramel are coming soon!”

Cori gratefully nodded as she took the cards, rifled through the first few, and slowly let a somber expression grace her face. With almost pinpoint precision, her hooves took her back to Mrs. Holiday.

“A moment in private please?” Holiday only took a moment to excuse herself from talking with Winter Lotus, and she was suddenly with Cori at the side of the large stage they were gathered under. “Yes?”

“Well… it’s about the meeting yesterday.”

“Oh. Well, little one, I’m sorry I got a bit heated –tables are hard to repair, after all – but I still stand by every word. After what happened in that schoolhouse, it’d be suicide to re-establish lessons now."

“But…” and suddenly, Cori’s voice took on new life. “Wouldn’t it be just as dangerous to the children to not know crucial information? If it’s all in one place, with a new teacher, it could prove a nice, controlled way to impart lessons from this… new Equestria. So they’re not vulnerable to the same mistakes.”

“Yes, but…” Holiday stammered. “It’s still too risky – placing them so far from all they’ve known and loved, all they can feel comfortable about, and not knowing if they’ll come back?”

“Do you… mean like Miss Lofty in Shire Lanka?” Cori recognized the slight error in.

The air between Holiday and Cori grew ten degrees colder. “How do you know that, missy?” Holiday asked.

Confess to something intimate now! Came the bellow from Cori’s inner pony.

“I’m… well, I’m an ambassador from the Crystal Empire. We tend to travel a lot – and know a lot about handling tragic moments.”

Okay, doing well, continue.

“And I may not have known the late Scootaloo, but the Mayor can’t not disclose where the victim’s closest parents are – the Donneigh Protocols don’t prevent that, as you probably knew. I… was planning to visit some of them, to help get them through their loss and trauma myself.”

Bring it home, Cori… wait, that’s it! Home! Because it brings the most important thing of all to a filly and a parent alike…

“Because that’s what everyone connected to Ponyville needs most right now: comfort. Enough to get out of bed and face a new day, no matter how bleak yesterday looks. If we let the Queen take that away from us like she did two Princesses… then we’re as lost as they are.”

Mrs. Holiday was silent for a minute. “Y… you’re right. Heavens, my little Scootaloo, she’d never let danger keep her from a great experience, and here I am denying it to fourteen fillies and the parents lucky enough to have them!” Holiday wiped a tear from my eye. “It’d be their Crusader way. I’ll… see what I can do about talking with Miss Play Write – find a new area to teach in. Perhaps teleport-proof.”

Score! Cori could almost hear the energetic taps of her inner pony’s victory dance. But her focus here had another goal in mind, and here it came, purple hair in a perfect bob and disdainful scowl set in place on her pink face. “I understand, Miss Holiday. Do you mind if I speak with Spoiled Rich for a minute? I’ve taken you away from Lucky for too long as is.”

With Holiday back on board –and a surge of restructured harmony back in Cori’s hear, she was at the front of Spoiled Rich within seconds. “Miss Rich…”

“Yes?” The barely-concealed ire in the aristocrat’s voice came back full force. Goodness, Spoiled’s eyes could cut through the stage right now. Cori thought.

“I…” well, I’m aware of the fact your husband may have some Zap Apple jam in stock. I was wondering-”

“Not going to ask who you’d know of either this or that I’ve had one on me to show Clover what real effort puts forth in this town… but yes.” And Spoiled Rich shook loose a clear jar of rainbow-colored paste from one of her diamond embroidered saddlebags. “Feel free to have it after this meeting ends, the less I have to worry about carrying home to my mansion, the better.”

“Oh-well, certainly, I suppose I could-”

“If you can fork in the hundred bits such a jar as this costs.”

Cori’s jaw could have been halfway to the Macintosh Hills at this point. “Done and done – the second I get the DJ over to help pool up the bits.” A quick pardon to Octavia and toward the bathrooms the two ponies went.

“Right then DJ Gympis – gonna need you to help me ask Octavia for…” Even now, Cori hesitated. “… a loan. Just enough to get this jam.”

“I am unsure. You have given me great options to converse with Melody.” Gympis pushed forward. “But I still find myself short on ways to drive conversion toward preferred topics, instead of away from the un-preferred.”

“Like how?”

“I tried to steer our conversation into how she had managed to keep herself occupied the time the DJ had left – to gain a better appreciation of her habits. She again got quiet and tried to talk of anything but it. But when I attempted that, she then interrupted me, talked of how risky it was to do something or other with all these other ponies nearby and instead simply asked me to come here and wait several minutes. She said I would recognize what I saw, for how often I’ve I’d helped her relax with it.”

“Seems ok.” Cori brushed back her hair. “So what did you say?”

“I did not have a chance to say anything – you pulled me toward the bathroom before I could inquire further about this activity.” Was that a deadpan? Cori thought, utterly unsure of what the fledgling form-shifter could utilize now in the vocal arena.

“Well, I think I have a way to help you out in there. Tell her you’ve got little insight into her skillful that act of hers is, and that you might need someone to witness it – someone like Spoiled Rich.”

And when they’re all in the same area, I can get Octavia and Spoiled to possibly reach a deal on that Zap Jam jar! The jig in the inner pony’s step was back for Cori.

“I shall relay the message.” Gympis-as-DJ-Pon-3 left the room, and Cori quickly washed over her hair, rearranging it into the new looping ponytail she’d seen sported on an empress in Mistmane’s legend. What was her name? Sable Spir- Regardless, the process took several minutes, and just as she was setting the last layer in – the one that would make it look like a butterfly – voices sprang up from the main room.

“What the hell – Royal Guards!?” This Cori recognized as Golden Harvest’s voice – a lot louder than she thought possible.

‘Look, everyone, calm down, they mean no –hey?” That voice was recognized as Brass.

“Leave Spoiled alone, you brutes! This is a place of art!”

“Octavia, I do not think they’re listen-!”

DJ Pon-3’s voice was cut off, and the door to Cori’s position in the bathroom swung open. It took several seconds – and a crash of wood in the opposite end of the hallway – for Cori to realize it was because the white unicorn had been flung several dozen feet into the wall.

“You said none of them would be hurt!” Was that Caramel?

“And you said no unicorns would be here, quilldick. Guess somepony’s leaving disappointed.”

Cori’s heart could have burrowed its way into the tiled floor. It’d be hard to forget that voice, even when it was originally screamed not five seconds after Viscera’s first flashbang attack. IT’S COMMANDER HEL, her inner pony blared into her eardrums.

“Damn it; get your hooves off of us! The second my husband hears of this, we’ll have all your crests!”

“Sorry ma’am!” Spoiled Rich’s grunts and struggles did not hint at her taking the apology from the Guard seriously. “Security precautions for the Iron Pony contest must be maintained – and they’d be easier to do if you stopped resisting!” A cry rang out that was not Spoiled’s. Cori only barely recognized the squeak of a voice as Cloud Kicker’s.

“We shouldn’t be the only ones! Brass, Caramel, do something!” Octavia’s desperate voice was back.

“My goodness, I knew it! I knew it was them during the Riots! Holiday, help!” Clearly Matilda.

Holiday’s voice was next. “Brass, at least stop them! Don’t just look at the ground, for cripes’ sake!”

“Caramel, did you know about this?! We shared rooms near the Carousel – don’t tell me you couldn’t have told me and Wild about th-!” Lucky Clover’s voice was cut off by another painful thwack of horseshoe-assisted hoof against cheekbone.

“And don’t you ever mention that mud-thick, glue-factory-destined whorse in my presence again! Night Guard, take them away!” Hel’s thunderous cackle of a voice was already drifting farther away, and so was the parade of hoof steps. Cori was already out of the room and moving toward DJ Pon-3, already stirring from the cavity her body had left in the soft wooden wall.

“I… I do not think I will find out about Octavia’s newest relaxant trick today.”

“Nevermind, we’ve gotta get out of here!” Cori paced back to the stage, idly taking up Matilda’s saddlebags… and Spoiled Rich’s scattered necklace, pearls dotting the wooden floor of the orchestra pit. “Matilda was right – Brass and Caramel are working with the Guard! And if the School Board is being targeted, we’ve gotta warn Dr. Hooves about Amethyst!”

“Indeed. I could fly us through the back entrance.” Gympis was right-side-up and trotting back to Cori again. “But if Hel and the Night Guard are here, the skies may be unsafe. I will have to fly low.”

“Well, we could wait them out too. It isn’t like they’re coming back fo-”

Suddenly, another Night Guard’s voice broke through the din, muffled by the closed front door. “What shall we do about the unicorn you bucked into the back?”

Hel’s tone was next, and the words sent a spike of ice into Cori’s heart. That, if one recalled, was spelunking its way to Tartarus in her shoes. “Break the news to her. Then break her fucking neck.”

“Ma’am, but she-”

“It’s exact my will or explains to Twilight. Either way, I’ll have another bleating head to decorate my new office’s wall. Get to it – that brat’s a trespasser anyhow.”

“… nevermind, hi-ho Silver,” gulped the ambassador, too stunned to curse her fleeting luck.

“I believe my chitin is black.” But despite her protest, the de-formed Gympis was already nestling Cori within her hooves, zipping out of the back entrance and through the alleyways before the Night Guard had even gotten back into Ponyville Theater. One of Spoiled Rich’s beads still rested in Cori’s hoof, and both saddlebags flapped from between her teeth.

“Got the brew that was asked, but I didn’t know whether or not it was for Rose or – the Gold Pony!”

The tea-shop pony had only just gotten past Roseluck’s Botanicals front door before running into a transformed Viscera, behind the counter with the aforementioned Rose. “It’s Vis, and thanks a lot.”

“Wait…” Rose looked between the transformed thief and tea shop pony. “You know each other? I thought that story you shared was a brag, Jasmine Leaf!”

“Oh boy, the full name.” Jasmine sheepishly grinned, tossing the bag of ground coffee towards Vis. “Yea, this was the dame that got me up, up and away from that home-wrecker Prince Shroud. Shoulda told me you’d found a way to get up housing dibs on one of ‘em!” Jasmine’s smile grew. “Tell ya what, that bag of crystals are free of charge – your bet worked, Vis, I’m already halfway to a new store’s funding.”

“Speaking of that…” Rose rubbed a hand behind her hoof. “Just finished hashing out Lily Valley’s last paycheck, so I might need a delay on my paying up.”

BANG!

Both glass doors flew open and Gympis and Cori were through, Jasmine only getting out a “Whoa, is that a chang-” before Cori was over the counter and in Vis’ face.

Viscera only had a second between Cori’s catching of breath. “Sure you didn’t let Cori into your stores before you came here, Leaf?”

And the second was gone. “VIS! Hel and the Night Guard crashed the School Board meeting – they took everyone! I think Beauty Brass and Caramel are working with them!”

“The Board?!” Viscera almost choked on her saliva. “But that’s impossible, I just got back from a visit from Amethyst, she’s right as rain!”

“Believe me, Vis! Gympis and I just barely escaped!” Cori was close to hyperventilating. “And no, I don’t know why they haven’t got Star yet!”

“Perhaps it is because she is a unicorn. This Commander Hel did mention that none were supposed to be at the meeting.” Gympis offered a look back at the still-gaping Jasmine Leaf. “As her kicking me into the back halls proved.”

“And you were the DJ…” Viscera’s eyes shot open. “Cori! Tell me everything! You said Hel was there! What was she-”

But Viscera’s shaking of the ambassador caused the gem bead of Spoiled’s to fall from Cori’s hoof into hers. And the world fell away, piece-by-piece, for the formerly-crimson pony.

“-the fuck? Keep your hooves off my jewelry!”

Viscera could barely identify most of the ponies before her, but if Cori’s description held, the yeller was likely Spoiled Rich. Regardless, her vision shimmered almost every other second, and her keen eyes realized it happened each time the purple-maned pony’s broken pearl necklace skittered across the floor.

“Don’t let them do this… Caramel, we’re friends-”

THUD!

And the pink Earth pony who had spoken was face down in the sage floor, her teal mane fluttering down around her bruised face. “Winter, don’t make me regret letting you and Stix enter Iron Pony – it's already enough that I’m allowing what’s gonna happen to you all to finally catch those golden ponies, I don’t need you whining about that blabbermouth Jasmine Leaf being ‘safe’.”

“Where are you even taking us?” That came from a light purple pegasus to Viscera’s right – goodness was it hard for Viscera to take command of the scene! IT was already a miracle none of the bat-ponies surrounding her had gone for her, especially y that one with the frizzled crest and green eye-

Viscera froze stock-still.

“That’s Hel!” Her lips moved but no sound came out. What was with this vision? Thought the thief, the aforementioned Commander Hel stalking that pegasus from before.

“Oh save your breath, Cloud Kicker. We know who’s been naughty and nice in this town. And there have been four ponies here that have been particularly naughty. So, you’ll be our insurance policy for this event.” A cruel smirk crossed her face, almost crammed into Cloud Kicker’s side and pinning down one of her wings. “For every one of them that ruin one of our Guard’s fun, I hop back in and kill one of you.”

“N-no!” came the muffled cry of a donkey to Hel’s right. Unlike the others, moving every which way to get past or away from a Guard, this one was seemingly obsessed with getting away from two ponies in the front row of seats, eyes glued to the carpeted ground.” We’ve done nothing to you! Why are you letting them do this, Brass?”

A flick of Hel’s tail sent one of the crystal beads formerly around Spoiled Rich’s neck dinging into the donkey’s temple. “Don’t make this harder for me, jackass. I’m participating in this too, and I expect some fight left in the finalist.”

“You bitch!” erupted the orange-maned, butter-yellow earth pony between Viscera and the orchestra pit. “Stay away from my sister!”

“Will as long as she doesn’t make it to the finals, Carrot Top.” Hel trotted to face her. “I have anybody mess with my fun while the finals are going on… well, there’ll be plenty of losers to take it out on.”

“Ma’am…” came the whisper of a Night Guard that sprang from the curtain, running back to the commander’s side. “No one but the unicorn you kicked is in the hall. I wish to ask personally; what will we do if the Town Guard notices we’re keeping these ponies in their hall?”

“Nothing, since by the time they semi-finals are over, their purpose is served. Cut the gas lines in the barracks and blame it on ‘em. Spearhead’s being a megacunt about crowd control; he can walk on home to his new reward.”

“Ma’am, that’ could start a Guard war! That’s suicide!”

“That’s a Prince Haze order – Town Guard here’s posing too much of a threat to our Guard’s blockade and Spearhead’s too beloved to kill right now.” Hel’s hiss couldn’t even be heard by the struggling Cloud Kicker and Winter, the forced procession already halfway to the door as Viscera looked on.

“Now haul that rich bitch out by the plot hole if you must – we have one other pony pair to secure for tomorrow that should have been here! Goddess, can’t even trust Jet Set to get the notices right, can I?!”

Spoiled Rich, almost upside down at this point due her struggling between the hooves of two Night Guards as they hauled her through the front door in midair. Hel followed them out, only for a familiar blue Crystal Pony to finally grace the empty stage. She scanned the area and grabbing one of the beads left there, as well as both embroidered saddlebags. Viscera was about to call for them to run vision started shimmering away, only for a distant voice to cut off her already-silent cry.

“What shall we do about the unicorn you bucked into the back?”

Viscera was back in the flower shop, Cori still silently staring at her. “Vis? Vis!”

Shaking her head, Viscera’s voice returned. “Cori! The Night Guard isn’t going to stop with just the School Board; they’ve got another pony they’re prowling the streets for!”

Rose slammed the register shut. “Then this lit-up store is a target – Berryshine, get the door, we’re closing early!”

The magenta earth pony was hustling to the door, but it ended up opening to reveal two more people. Dr. Hooves and Wild Clover. “Rose, close the shop, hurry!”

“Already on it – what’s the rush?”

“We tried to catch up to Viscera but she left way too long before us! Flash and the Royal Guards were at the house next to ours; they took Rainbow Stars from there!”

“We’ll tail it back there right away – where’s Amethyst?”

“The second she saw the Guards, she panicked and locked herself in my lab! Not even Miss Hooves can get through to her, she told us to make sure Rose was safe instead! Everyone downstairs!”

The journey into the increasingly filled room almost felt like a stampede – to all ponies except one. “Oh goodness, the Cloudsdale Mayor’s here too!” squawked Jasmine Leaf.

Mayor Rappid nodded. “Yeah, so you’ve noticed. Cori, you realize this means -”

Cori’s face turned white as chalk. “Yeah, the plan’s toast! Hel’s here and so is Flash… which means the Princes might be coming too!”

“No! The plan… it’s not squashed but we have to know where the School Board’s been taken to!” Dr. Hooves declared.

“The Town Guard Hall!” Viscera yelled out. “The Town Guard’s gonna be too busy chaperoning Iron Pony to notice, and when they get back it’ll be too late!”

“How do you even know this?” Rappid shot back.

“The same way I figured out how to get to Sugarcube!” Viscera replied. “The visions – and both times that I got them, it was holding a gem somepony else already had!”

Rappid was about to shout back about Viscera’s susceptibility to superstition, only for Cori to interrupt. “No… wait that could make sense! It’d be large, heavily fortified, and runs off gas supplies so it can be isolated and still hold out!”

“This also means when their lines are cut, the Town Guard will have another mass murder on their hooves!” Further realization struck for Viscera. “Well, if it’s even regarded as that and not the Town Guard buying into the Queen’s depravities!”

Jasmine was getting more hysterical by the second. “Gas what? What’s going on?”

“Wait, you’re still here!” Dr. Hooves’ shout was not a question. “Look, Jasmine-”

“No! We can have her help!” Berryshine finally spoke, her voice a sharp cut across the room. “Look Jasmine, we’ve all had problems with the Royal Guard. But if what happens here continues, we’ll all have a lot more! Can you keep a secret?”

“Besides the one about being saved by a gold pony?” Jasmine nodded. “Sure. Should’ve been the Prince who fucked my shop up that’s paying for it anyway! What do you need?”

Cori finally righted herself. “Right. Fine. This can still be salvaged. Alright, here’s what we have to do now.

“Since I’ll have to work with Dr. Hooves to find the School Board and company, secrecy is utterly crucial now. Get a good look at the grounds, without being caught.”

Both Cori’s words previous on today and the vision she’d seen yesterday flitted through Viscera’s mind. Almost a quarter-mile from the spot, the residents of Ponyville filing into several bleachers ringing the woods. It certainly seemed like a nice area for the event.

But the wicked six-sided star over the entire event, fashioned from three curved hooks, hung over the main area like a harvesting scythe. It also served as the “O” in the Purple glass that made up the “IRON PONY” logo hanging over the stages. But it was not the only object over the gathering ponies’ heads.

“Up there. A balloon.” Gympis’ acknowledgment of the purple balloon carrying the IRON PONY logo. Below the balloon was a wide metal stage, housing three unicorns: one Maya blue unicorn with a blue-and-white striped mane, one with a fluffy tuft of teal hair breath a bright yellow coat, and one white-coat with a beautiful curling pink mane.

Above all of them in the balloon was a fourth unicorn. She had a frazzled red cut of mane, light-and-dark streaks of purple threading through its center, over a cream-colored coat and a thick pair of glasses. She almost looked like she’d shake herself out of her black turtleneck sweater in fear.

“Got the roster list from the Mayor today.” Rappid pointed out, now transformed into her golden form, as alias Goldilock. “Ones in the balloon are the judges Minuette, the blue one: Twinkleshine, the white one: and Lemon Hearts, the yellow one. The one in the balloon is the announcer, Moon Dancer. Claims they’re Twilight's former friends from Canterlot, and this is apparently their ‘get-together trip’ since they’re reporting back to the Queen on any developments. Even Mayor Mare doubts any of them are doing this of their own free will, and after that stunt with the School Board yesterday, I don’t blame her.”

Goldilock then produced a pair of notes tucked between her golden wings. “And… Mare’s confirmed the losing semifinalists are to be detained at her house, as Viscera said.” Her snout wrinkled. “Still think whatever ability you’re getting this info from is a crapshoot, but we work with it ‘til it’s proven wrong.”

“Think we can carry off the platform with the first three unicorns in a pinch, and the balloon’s as easy to take care of with a well-placed claw in the hull.” Then, to Viscera’s dismay, an all-too-familiar peach-coated Royal Guard settled into the basket with Moon Dancer. “Flash there, on the other hand…”

“Just means the distractions will have to get the panel’s attention too.” Cori pointed out. “Speaking of which, Jasmine, you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” Jasmine was up with three platforms balanced on her back with help from a wide saddle, the jar of musk in her hooves. “Still, don’t know if I’m lucky Fluttershy was willing to part with this so quick or unlucky that I’m holding this bottle of rank.”

“We need it to smell like what it looks like.” Cori was there too. “And remember, cheese it the second you get on the musk – we don’t need this getting on you and getting you tracked down.”

“Got it.”

“Also have a life preserver for you when you start your work, Vis, but it’ll be Jasmine who catches you – which is another reason you’ve gotta move, Jasmine,” added Cori. “The replacement piece for the dam can wait; after the third event, I’m gonna assist Gympis with finding and freeing the School Board.”

“And the third event?” Gympis asked, turning to prepare for her journey into the woods.

“Still goes on as planned. But Goldilock? You’ll be using a different way to get out the noise this time.”

“All ears.” Goldilock offered.

One explanation later, and the group was off, only barely being the cloud of balloons raised to begin the new Iron Pony competition.

The first event’s sabotage went off without a hitch, with Jasmine Leaf’s setup of the three hollow squares deep in the woods surrounding the stage. With a dash of the new musk and a rush into the distance, three things happened at once.

Thanks to the timely intervention of the spring-loaded mechanisms, the contained inflatable sprang to life over the field, reveal three dust-orange serpentine necks leading up to three dragon-like heads. Or, as Bon-Bon was so courteous to point out in max decibel…

“A HYDRAAAA!”

Everypony’s eyes locked to the titan – all Goldilock needed to sneak powder on the Ponyville participants and Poison Joke on the Guards. Chaos followed instantly, as the itching Winter Lotus and Rainbow Stars started pushing their backs against each other to ease their prickling torment. Lilac Links and Sunshine were already bolting for the trees to use the bark as backscratchers, even as the 'hydra' looming above drove Commander Spearhead into the forest, the crowd only barely kept in their seats by the Town Guard. And Sugar Stix and Noi were racing into the stream, the placid Bucephalus Brook a desperate reprieve for the two fillies.

Their ordeal would end in several minutes. The Poison Joke, however, would send several of Flash Sentry’s Unicorn Royal Guard toward Ponyville Hospital, all of them belching up voluminous amounts of thick white pasty liquid. Goldilock’s scowl as she moved to the dam to relay with Viscera resembled a crescent moon.

“Sentry’s either thick or sick for his Guard to do this under his snout,” Goldilock hissed.

“Think their relief pitch coming out of the wrong holes should be enough for you, luv,” winced Viscera. Regardless, the thief had almost completed her work at the dam, with crystallized coffee poking out of three incisions into the dam. A Blood Stone of hers was soon tucked into each, the sabotage was set, while Viscera strapped on her lifebuoy. By the time Goldilock had gotten her several meters downstream, the explosives had blown a small chunk out of the dam – enough to turn Bucephalus Brook into raging rapids.

Viscera could only shake her hooded head. “Whaddya know, Cori’s measurements were right.”

“Told you.” Cori was studying the stream. “I’ve been checking the posters too – apparently Moon Dancer wasn’t originally the announcer – there was something else here, but it just says it’s… garbled.” She ended up shrugging at the news. “Would like to know any new threats coming our way, but we’re still on track. Vis, you got the tools for the splashdown?”

“Hard to make one work in a raging stream, but yeah: you weren’t the only one thinking of sneaking stuff under the ring. Heard from Mare that Ponyville’s residents are chained to the ring during Extreme Hoof Wrestling, and their side’s rigged to blow if they try to move anywhere but into the ring.“

Cori gasped. Goldilock’s gritted teeth looked ready to crack.

“Slight good news is: they’re pegasi and my tunnel underneath got me close to the bombs. Can’t defuse em, but I can move them – to redirect the river as you said.”

“Go for it, the event’s about to start!” Indeed by Cori’s warning, the opening bell was starting.

This task proved trickier. The tunnels Viscera had to dig earlier stretched into the tree-line, but it meant that she and Cori had to move around the woods, and then into the entrance. And with only Spur, White Lightning, Sprinkle Medley, Flitter, and Prim Posy against four of Iron Standard’s Royal Guard, the odds were grim.

Thankfully, Viscera’s handiwork with the explosives got Cori to the point with the explosives, and quick setup on the bank of the stream gave Viscera enough time to make it into the frothing Brook - and away from the new lightshow. This time, the explosives sent up a massive tidal wave onto the ring, knocking out all present in the ring.

Flash Sentry was out of the balloon and toward the bulging riverbed this time – in time for Cori to see the smirk on Viscera’s face as her visage faded under the current and the second batch of explosives knocked Flash Sentry into the stream. Immediately after, Cori leapt into the stream, swimming with the crushing current to catch Flash Sentry.

Jasmine Leaf was able to catch Viscera on the bridge connecting Carousel Boutique to mainland Ponyville, but Cori had to fight her way to that same position with the unconscious Royal Guard's collar clenched in her teeth. Needless to say, Goldilock was surprised with Cori’s cargo when she met them, the Crystal Pony’s form thankfully still shrouded by her waterlogged traveling cloak.

Cori’s hoof to the chest helped Flash up, and he was spluttering up water within seconds. “Holy crap, I thought I was going to-waitasec who are you guys?!”

Goldilock hauled him up in the air. “Fishermen – but scum like you who were willing to let six ponies get raped in front of a crowd barely qualifies as bait.”

“Wait, what?” Flash was stammering – that was mentioned nowhere in the planning! Those are my Guards; they’d never do something like this!”

“Hel coulda threatened ‘em, not like it’s beyond her.” pointed out Viscera.

Flash’s look darkened. “Hel?! I knew her being brought back was a mistake! Detained School Board, my foot – even that fight I was watching was as one-sided as it could get!”

“Yeah, this doesn’t matter. Flash is going back in the stream.” Goldilock hissed.

“Not like this – the current’s too strong and my armor’s too heavy, I’ll drown!” To lend credit to his words, Flash’s soaked wings were even flapping impotently.

A buoy was soon slapped over his form, Cori finally taking action.

“What in Tartarus-? You’re helping him!?” Goldilock yelled at Cori. “This is compassion the Guards will not return to you.”

“Compassion’s only wasted when it’s withheld.” Cori’s glare back at Goldilock could have frozen a cockatrice. "And Flash’ll still be on the other side of town.”

“Thanks… whoever you are.” Flash Sentry gratefully nodded.

“No pro-” Viscera finally slapped a hoof over Cori’s mouth, then kicked Flash back into the raging river, the buoy keeping the flailing pony aloft this time, and turned to Cori. “Bad enough you gave him my floats, don’t give yourself away too, Madam Blueberry.”

“Sorry about that. L-let's get Jasmine; we’ve got a third event to stop.”

The last event, after the short run back to the main area, was Bronco Bark Buck, and this had the most moving parts to disrupt. Indeed, Hel’s Night Guards took point in this event, and the lavender-armored bat-ponies were flying too high in the air for the Timberwolves to catch. The braces on the Ponyville participant’s horns did not help matters. “Think I saw one of them on Luna, bet you it’s why they didn’t magic out and bail.” pointed out Viscera, her grimace growing.

“Well, set up the noisemaker –we’ve got Guards to tag.” Immediately, Cori rifled through one of the saddlebags Jasmine had been nice enough to get her from the flower shop – Spoiled Rich’s, as she said, with a fervent vow to return this to the purple-maned mare - and enlarged the jar of Zap Apple Jam before tossing its contents past the tree line. Immediately, the Night Guards were drenched, sap clinging to their wings. They were sent running from the Timberwolves soon after due to their attraction to the Jam seeping on them. Hel flitting after them in shock.

It was during this time that Goldilock struck, letting the phone from the Mayor’s office to ringing, which sent the Timberwolves hurtling back from the wood into the surging Brook with Lemony Gem, Cherry Spices, Diamond Mint, and Bloo still on them. Well, the unicorns would have stayed on Cori hadn’t shrunk the chains enough to let snap them from the whiplash and tumble to the ground. With the phone hung up, and all three events now successfully sabotaged, the three made their way back to the rendezvous – a perch above Rainbow Star’s still-vacant house, where Dr. Hooves was quick to meet them.

“Nice work we did, huh? Viscera said, didn’t even need but for two of us to go gold, and all three vents got disru-“

“We’ve got problems, folks!” His voice got all three of them down. “Final event’s still happening – apparently the judges were real spooked by the Queen, they ended up picking three anyways!”

Goldilocks spluttered in surprise, Cori’s hooves went up to her maw. Viscera’s curse, however, spoke volumes.

“Luna screw us all with Daring Do’s daring dildo!”

“VISCERA!” Goldilock snapped at her.

“What? Find a bigger prick than Daring and I’ll switch quotes!”

Gympis was also quite a busy drone during this time.

She and Rose were galloping right to where Viscera’s latest vision had said the sequestered School Board was at, prepared to re-scout the city should the School Board not be present at the Town Guard building. Upon reaching the fort-like brown brick building, however, it only took Rose seconds to hear arguing.

“That’s Clover and Rich!” Rose whispered. “Musta been there a while too; usually they’re only that hushed if their voices are failing.”

“I see. Then let us go,” the changeling whispered back. “We should make our jailbreak now then. Stay back, I may trigger alarms.”

“Wait. There might be a better way to handle this.” Rose offered. “Vis was right about this – was she also right about Spearhead being too high-value to kill off immediately?”

“She… may.”

Three seconds later, Commander Spearhead was rapping on the door to the Town Guard building. A voice soon answered her. “Damnit, we said this abode was closed during Iron Pony - Celestia’s plot, Spearhead?!”

“Yes, it is me,” came the un-armored Iron Pony, brown coat, and spiky blue mane helping him loom even more over the Night Guard. “The prelim’s ended early – accompany Hel for the final event, I’ll finish up here.”

“R-right sir.” After whispering in the back, the door opened again. “Sorry, Commander – just make sure the ponies in the cell block are taken care of… and if they start asking, it was all on Prince Haze’s orders. Had to be careful with the security.”

“Certainly.” When the last Royal Guard left the barracks, Spearhead walked in- a flash of green flames revealed Gympis beneath. Another golden glow brought forth her more durable golden form. Bt the time she reached the cell containing nine ponies, her jaw was working.

“Greetings. I am Gympis, and I shall see you free from this cage.”

“A gold pony!” Matilda was the first to the bars, tears streaming down her face. “I knew they could be trusted.”

“Hold it!” Lucky Clover’s voice was hoarse. “How’d she even find us? And where’re the other Guards?”

“Currently on the way to Iron Pony,” Gympis explained. “We must leave now while we have the element of surprise.”

“Can’t, much as we’d love to!” Spoiled Rich was pacing the cell impatiently. “That bitch Hel was all too eager to point out that if we leave this place, she’d make sure to kill all the failed semifinalists!”

“Well, if you remain in this room, they will erupt the gas mains and poison you – they wish to defame the actual Spearhead.”

“WHAT?!” Golden Harvest was on her feet and pounding at the cell doors at this.

Gympis would have to think fast at this juncture – with leaving a fast death sentence for upwards of fifteen ponies, and staying a slow death for nine, only one avenue presented itself.

“Once the ponies leaving find the actual Spearhead, they may return. You, even if you must stay in these barracks, cannot be in this cell. And since the gas likely suffocates before it kills…”

Five minutes later, and the plan was relayed, Gympis out and catching Rose in her black-spotted hooves, before setting off for the

“So how did it go?”

“They shall endeavor to embarrass the Night Guard. The situation in Ponyville is too unstable to risk a Guard war right now – Golden Harvest assures me she has a way to break it to the Town Guard when they return.” They were almost at Rainbow Star’s house by this point the street between the Chapel and the Theater providing a great straightaway to the rendezvous.

“I could have stayed them – provided more marepower should the wrong Guard come calling!” Rose gasped.

“Making sure the Town Guard are there first will be the group’s priority. Now we must-“

“VISCERA!”

“Alas, I can hear them now.” And Gympis settled in just as the strings of “….and I’ll switch quotes!” came from Viscera’s mouth. “Hello all, we may have a complication.”

“More so than the final leg of Iron Pony plodding along?”

Gympis nearly dropped Rose in shock. Rose was more vocal. “But I thought you shot for three no contests!”

“The Queen isn’t!” Cori yelled. “Bloo, Prim Posy, and Winter Lotus are in the footrace now! We’ll need to make grabs for them and knock out the Canterlot reps!”

“Might need to handle the balloon full of judges and announcers too – they’re scared enough to pick finalists in a contest with no winners, they’ll be scared enough to point us out when we bail with ‘em!” Viscera returned to action.

“Leave it to me,” Goldilock said. “I’m the only flyer with the strength to carry them off.”

“And the second you draw everypony’s attention, Jasmine will go for the book at the finish line and swing through the forest – you should lose any Guards there, and I’ll give you my cloak so nopony knows who you are!” Cori asked the approaching tea seller.

“Righty-o!” replied Jasmine. “But I gotta tell you, gonna look forward to a nice long nap after all this is over.” She gave a sly look to Viscera. “Or someone to tuck me in, if they’ve got the time.”

“Tempting. No.” Viscera gave a sheepish grin, noticing Goldilock was glaring at her.

“Gympis: help with the subduing of the Canterlot players! Viscera will take your place in rescuing the ponies once we know where they are,” Cori added.

“We still don’t know where the semi-finalists are being held though!” bellowed Dr. Hooves. “And without that, the Board can’t leave the barracks safely.”

Cori’s ears perked up. “Think I know who does. Doc, got another way into your lab?”

Three minutes later, and Cori was being funneled in through the high side window, landing in the lab room to startle Amethyst Star. Idly, the panic room doom was ajar, two green eyes peering out from the crack in the door frighteningly at both unicorn intruders. Cori ignored it –mostly because it was the pony Viscera rescued and in a safe place, and mostly because her real target looked ready to bolt into the distance.

“Hold it, Star! Really, what got into you?”

“I… its’ everything!” screamed the unicorn. “First there was the notice from Jet Set that he’d shutter Derpy’s post office if I showed up at Iron Pony, then I heard of the Board being taken, then Rainbow Stars got yanked from the house right next to this one!” Her hooves slammed over her ears. “It’s too much! I’m not good enough, and I don’t know why Thunderlane thought I ever was!”

“Thunderlane…?” It took a second for it to click for Cori.

< “Up until now, both you and Thunderlane have had all the presence here as a ‘Have You Seen Me?’ sign on a milk jug!”>

Holiday’s words rang through Cori’s head, and she knew he’d have to guess what it meant – time was slipping from her. “Thunderlane was the one you brought out that assertiveness in you, wasn’t he?”

“He… how did you know?” Woohoo, the guess worked! Cori’s inner pony cheered. “…yeah, he did. But I could never really invoke it on my own… unless Derpy would find out. She…we’d suffered so much losing Dinky.”

“And you think being here will keep everypony safe, right?”

“It’d keep Derpy safe! All I invite are threats, and dysfunction, and disappointment! I don’t have enough power to stop the guards, or Jet Set, or anypony!” Amethyst Star was sobbing at this point. “He even taunted me with the address, because he knows I can’t do anything!”

“You might not.” Cori’s next words brought Amethyst’s hair up. “But I think I know who can. Gonna need to know where it is.”

“You… you’d do this for me? Even after seeing me act like a coward like this?”

“You’re not a coward, you’re… overwhelmed. As anypony being pushed and prodded every which way would be. But you have to stand strong, or else they’ll continue with it!” Bring it home quick, Cori. “We can’t go through all this alone – but I can make sure they’re saved! We’ve evaded death twice already!”

A weak smile graced Amethyst Star’s face. “It’s the Mayor’s house, but you have to hurry – the previous spectator’s there too, and it’s because his molting hit early!”

“Not a problem. Stay here – and let Derpy in for once, she’s worried sick about you outside.” And Cori, with three short hops, made it out of the window again to meet Dr. Hooves.

“I don’t have to worry about her barricading the door now?” asked the inventor pony.

“No, and she mentioned someone there’s who’s molting – likely a griffin. I’ll send Vis – for once, that griffin disguise she has might buy her time if she’s caught.”

“Well, we’ve got two bigger problems now.”

“Of all the… continue.”

“Canterlot’s reps in the race are Jet Set, Upper Crust… and Hel.” Dr. Hooves bowed his head. “And Prince Shroud’s been seen in the city, so if he’s not overseeing the event…”

“He’s likely guarding the finalists.” Cori’s look dropped. “The second thing?”

“Look at the river.” To Cori’s horror, it was threatening to overflow even its enlarged banks.

“Holy- the gap must have gotten wider; I need to seal it now! Vis!“ The thief was alerted by Cori’s desperate one. “Head to the Mayor’s house, and go gold – if you can get out the semi-finalists, fine, but when you do…goodness, there are no good rendezvous points now!”

“We’ve got one, courtesy of our intermediary. It’s close to where you’ll be debriefed – a small treehouse, just outside of Sweet Apple Acres. It’ll be a tight fit – was supposed to be an emergency spot – but…”

“Works for me!” Just then, Goldilock was upfront, wielding the large platform that once housed Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Minuette. “Wait wha-”

“Got the judges quick, Jasmine and Gympis are beginning their runs! I managed to lose the Night Guard in the forest, and landed the unicorns in Town Hall but I think they’re ones near Iron Pony wise to me – getting to Moon Dancer won’t be easy!”

“Well scratch that we need to – wait, is that platform metal?”

“Yeah, it is – weighs a ton, but I thought we could use it to carry the Ponyville finalists out!”

Cori grinned.

“Or to keep a city from flooding! Goldi, roll that into the dam cavity, it should be large enough to plug the hole! I’ll go to help secure the finalists! Vis…” But Viscera was already off. “Right – second you’re done; make a run for Moon Dancer! Where did you place the others?“

“Right in Town Hall, the second they said they wouldn’t try to escape if I could get Moon Dancer!”

“Then break!”

At Cori’s words, three ponies jetted out, hunting to stop two events before tragedy could strike.

Cori was first in the woods, and her immediately first encounter was with Bloo. The unicorn filly’s hooves were paddling rapidly on the ground, but regardless, the male unicorn hot on her heels was gaining. Two hooves to the jaw put Jet Set into the side of the tree, and Cori scooped up the filly with a cry of “Bloo’s half my age, Jet! What is wrong with you?!” over her shoulder.

Three trees later, Cori herself felt the pain of an incoming charge, Upper Crust slamming hooves into her face with a cry of “How-dare-you-lay-hooves-on-my-husband!”

Cori had to brace hooves into the dirt, grab on to a root, and slide her way out from Upper Crust’s frantic swings- then leap up to a branch as the Canterlot pony’s magic strike turned that very root into a ball of spikes. Needless to say, with the weight of a Crystal Pony and Unicorn on the limb, that branch snapped off.

Cori’s next bit of magic was sent to the spike ball underneath her, shrinking it to the side of a marble, and she kicked it at Upper Crust, who managed to turn her head to avoid it. It re-sizing to normal and snagging her shirt sleeve as it passed by, however, would pin her to a tree all the same.

“Seriously Upper Crust1 you too?!” Cori’s kick toward her again only ensured the pierced shirt sleeve was ripped off entirely, the makeshift collar gone as Upper Crust twirled away unharmed.

“Oh please – like a thespian like you would ever understand what it feels like to have something at your mercy!” Upper Crust’s next lariat whistled past Cori’s head, nearly hitting Bloo as well as Cori whirled around. Bloo’s flailing legs caught the yellow unicorn, however, sending her skidding back – but not silenced. “Seeing the almighty Luna get pierced by Twilight and her new friends finally freed me and Jet Set from our restraints!”

“But this is Ponyville – why prey on them?!”

“Because we know it’ll l hurt that bitch Filthy – could have dumped that hook-nosed wank-stain Spoiled ages ago and moved on up to a real city and a real mare, but nooo1”

Cori’s disgust only grew at this as she avoided two more roundhouse kicks, then vaulted Bloo into the air and rearing back as if to head-butt Crust. She held back at the last second, however, and elected to sweep out her legs from under her. Bloo falling from the sky and onto the prone unicorn’s back did the rest. “Sure Jet must be proud!”

Despite two trips into the dirt, Upper Crust remained unperturbed, blasting another hole where Cori’s hooves used to be as she plucked Bloo off Crust’s back and shot off another silver blast of her own upwards. “Why – I’m not cheating on Jet, let alone with another stallion - and he knows he married for status!” During the pause, Crust leaped back to avoid a falling branch – the thickness of the very tree Cori’s shot has snapped it off from with its altered size – and blew the branch to pieces. “And that I stayed married for access… to whoever I when, whenever I want.”

Cori’s barreling rear foot came from the cloud of dust and splinters at this –

-only to freeze three inches before reaching Upper Crust, her horn glowing and Cori struggling to get out of midair. “By the way, doll – you’re resistant to magic, not immune. Food for thought.” Her gaze turned west. “Now to find where that brat Winter Lotus whirled off t-“

TSEEEW!

And another beam sent Upper Crust hurtling into the distance headfirst. “I have recovered Winter Lotus,” remarked Gympis, horn smoking as she transformed into gold form again. “Your aim has improved from the Riots, by the way.“

“Easy to do when you don’t have fire and Shadow Ponies surrounding you,” Cori said. “Now come on, we’ve got to find –

And Cori’s diatribe would be cut off again, as Commander Hel barreled out of a bush and into Gympis. “Nice of you to stop by.“ And one of her horseshoes raised, claws set into it gleaming like opals.

Cori’s newest laser rocketed out to intercept the Night Guard, only for her to unlatch her helmet, hold it in front of the beam until it enlarged to the size of a truck, and heave it back at Cori. “That doesn’t work twice, brat.” Cori only barely dodged it before it toppled two trees in its wake.

That moment, however, was when Goldilock returned. Her first target was Hel, knocking her off the golden changeling with a flip-kick. However, before she could even ask how Gympis was doing, she saw another unicorn about to creep up on the recovering Cori and Bloo.

In an instant, Goldilock flew behind the trees, around the still-gigantic helmet of Hel, and around to catch Jet Set by surprise. And only met the confused faces of Cori and Bloo. “You’re back! Is the dam sealed?”

“Yeah, but…”

“So’s your fates,” hissed Jet Set, swinging from the crest atop the helmet – how did he get there so fast?! thought Goldilock - and smacking into the pegasus, sending her tumbling into Cori, and then the dirt. Cori tried to get out from under Goldilock, but Jet Set was upon Goldilock, compressing them both into the twigs and dirt. Gympis would have been on Jet Set within seconds if not for Hel to charge and plunge them both through another thicket of timber.

“Something’s not right…” hissed Goldilock, her breathing labored. “He’s not supposed… to be able to move this fast….”

“Cori realized it a moment before anypony else, as ‘Jet Set’s’ skin flamed away to reveal the smirking face and whip-like tail of Prince Toxic Haze. “I just love it when you refuse to learn from your fuckin’ mistakes. Like thinking you’re the only ones that can change size.”

However, Cori was already wedging out of the crevice, Bloo’s flailing deepening the rut they were in and affording her the chance…

…to move three inches before Haze’s tail whipped around her butterfly locks and started dragging her back. “Cori cut your locks and run!”

“But this is-!”

“Now! If Haze gets you again, we’re all scre-”

Haze’s perforated hoof crushed down into Goldilock’s maw, bending it slightly with every push into the ground as the tail dragged Cori closer. “So your blabbering stops now. The first thing I’m doing is sealing that mouth closed with every last inch of me.”

Cori yanked out one of the pins from her hair, then enlarged to broadsword size. But even then she hesitated. This wasn’t just hair, this was the perfect statue of a Crystal Pony – Unaltered despite all elements and forces! Her inner pony was reiterating the lessons from the Crystal Empire Embassy well. Even Sombra couldn’t force this mutilation on a Crystal Pony! If you do this, you’ll be less than-

“And then I’ll claw apart this Crystal Pony while I fill that filly.”

Cori’s hoof moved in one backward stroke.

SWIP.

And five pounds of hair was lashed away as Cori finally fell free. “YOU LITTLE-!” Cori didn’t stick around to her whatever pointed barb Toxic Haze would send her way, physically or verbally.

Ringing around the large helmet, she barely registered the incoming Commander Hel before sliding under her. The maneuver kept Hel going forward as she struggled to recover – and with her eyes on Cori, utterly ignorant of the changeling prince incoming for the same quarry.

Both quadrupeds had a meeting of the minds as their heads collided with a sick crack, and another snap of Cori’s magic brought Hel’s helmet to semi-normal size at long last. Before either Hel or Haze could respond, the helmet was wedged over both their heads, and Cori whirled her hind legs back, ready to buck them into Everfree.

KLANGKLANGKLANGKLANGKLANG

Only for a pan to smack five times into the helmet and knock them both out. Jasmine Leaf was wielding it. “Sorry about that. Just followed the sounds of crashing steel – thought I’d find you.”

It was only then that Gympis returned. “Hel got away from me, keep an eye-” Hers then fell upon Haze and Hel, tongues lolling on the dirt before her. “-oh.”

“We’re all here now – did you get the book, and where are the other ponies?” Cori asked, yanking Goldilock to all fours and saddling Bloo atop her again, the little filly limply lying on her back from exhaustion.

“Couldn’t – the stands started getting evacuated the second someone got to the Town Guard – apparently something went down at the barracks I’ll have to wait until the place clears or Vis returns.” Jasmine pointed out. “Met Prim Posy on the way into here, she’s taken the river route back.”

“I’ll find Winter, she couldn’t have gotten far. Then I’ll go for Moon Dancer – poor thing’s literally cowering in the balloon now.” And Goldilock was off into the forest again.

“We’ll swing by the Mayor’s house and see if they need help then - garbled commentator or not, we’ve got a job to finish.”

“Commentator?”

“Yeah, apparently one of them got held back because of molting, but a griffon’s no threat to Vis.”

“Don’t think that’s the case.” Griffons preen too often to molt, at least the ones in Ponyville.”

“Then what else could it-oh no.” Cori whipped out and re-studied the back of the Iron Pony poster, her face paled as she re-read a line. “Did this line say garbled or Garble?”

“Does it matter?” Jasmine asked as the two ponies and changeling set out for Ponyville again.

“Yes, it kinda does! Because garbled is decipherable and Garble is-”

“-a bloody dragon?!”

Viscera’s trip into the Mayor’s house had been glorious at first. The pre-lim ponies were in cages, yes, but the lock was easy to break, and after assigning Rainbow Stars and Lilac Links to drag the carriages to a safe spot, they were off. Of course, Rainbow Stars had to then mention her daughter Rainberry was still in the Mayor’s house to be delivered to Shroud which the Mayor fielded her concerns with the Prince. Of course.

Man, Viscera’s inner pony just loved this day.

That was not where things went sideways-screwy though, for the transformed Viscera took a journey through two halls, a staircase, and used the last of the Poison Joke Cori collected to send the Royal Guard about to deliver Rainberry over to certain violation-happy death into a rash.

It wasn’t even when Viscera found the letter explaining exactly what it was that Mayor Mare was pointedly shouting out to Shroud two rooms below the Poison Joke smacked, almost crumpled as if trampled by Shroud’s hoof.

Mayor Mare –

You decided not to show for my sexy boys on their visit, you can cover the bill for what my boys had to wreck that day. Do keep it from happening again.

And keep those inbred Apples away from Iron Pony this time around. This is for Canterlot’s good, not those negative-IQ-nabobs – and since my previous commentator decided to molt on me, I’ve decided to send a suitable replacement. It’s a dry run for another event of mine they’ll be announcing. Make sure their tracheas are all warmed up for me.

- Yours,

Queen Twilight Sparkle

No, it was when Viscera turned to make for the exit and got down one flight of stairs before an red dragon almost twice her height stumbled out with a “Sweet, finally got something to eat while I’m here mol-“ and his eyes locked onto Viscera.

That was where Viscera knew she fucked up.

“A dragon?!” Rainberry agreed as they took their fifth right through the streets and an increasingly dense collection of ponies. They were splitting away, however, as Garble swooped down after Viscera and Rainberry. Notably, Viscera had one problem with Garble that she hadn't with any other being in Ponyville up to this point: findability. Viscera had broken line of sight with this red dragon six times - through buildings, in food cards, among facade signs and pillars alike, and it had only taken seconds for Garble to sniff her out and nearly broil her and Rainberry.

Just as they galloped past Café Hay - and were running out of hidey-holes - two golden hooves swept up Viscera and Rainberry, Goldilock pumping her wings through the air. “Just followed the sounds of screaming, right?”

“Tell me about it.”

“Think that’s your job now, Gold – we’re cool on everypony else.”

Goldilock turned back to face Garble, possibly to try and deliver a kick to break pursuit – and ate a face-full of fire Rainberry shouted in fear, Viscera’s eyes bugged out and the train of momentum that the group had been on apparently smashed through a barricade and kept going since Goldilock showed no ill effect from the earful of embers she’d gotten.

“Gonna need to stress test these forms later,” mused Viscera. Goldilock, not willing to push Rainberry’s luck on where the next fire shot landed, turned around and rocketed for Everfree. “Want I should go for the river?”

“Not sure if Rainberry could survive the currents, Goldilock.”

“Plugged the dam already, Vis – and I more meant to get that atrocious odor off you!” “Where is it coming front?”

“Viscera looked to that large flaps and flakes of fossil-white material still flapping from her hooves. “Garble and I got into a grapple in the halls – he’s molting, I think this is his shed skin – eeeeurgh!”

“Great – I’ve only just got back from checking on the Board after dropping Winter and Moon Shower at the Hall, and now you’ve got half a dragon on your hooves, and we still don’t have the book! Oh, just give that to Rainberry, we’re going for the last thing on our list now!”

As Viscera obeyed, Goldilock made a beeline straight for the evacuated Iron Pony finish line. It would take only five minutes to go for the book, Viscera finally nabbing it on the stand and barely missing the Guard racing off en masse.

Iron Pony II was likely fully aborted now, as evidenced by the emptied stands, and the grab was easy for the thief. “I don’t get it, I’ve been trying to shake Garble loose for five blocks myself; how does he keep dogging us?”

“Worry about it later, the charge form this golden skin’s getting in my eye-that’s it!” Goldilock turned and swooped for a building at the end of the Market Row. For once, going through it did not result in Garble pursuing.

“Whoa, nice Goldi – what did you do?”

“Our coats are gold now – that’s what’s likely been attracting Garble! So I cut us through one of Ponyville’s treasury – should be more than enough gems in there for Garble to chomp through instead of us.” Setting down after a five-minute flight in a treehouse just outside the brightly painted red of the nearby Apple Acres’ barn, Goldilock finally de-formed over the roof. “Just gotta hope the Queen doesn’t find out…”

Just then, Gympis, Jasmine, and Cori touched down – the latter two on Gympis’s golden back – finally reuniting the group. Viscera’s one look at the shivering Cori’s heart line told the story. “Oh hell, Cori, don’t tell me somepony…”

“They did not get the chance. Cori was quite capable of defending herself.”

“Also, we just got back from the center of town, shit got crazy!”

“Bet our crazy outlasted yours, Leaf.”

It didn’t.

Alter Goldilock’s air run, Gympis, and Cori would soon meet with Winter and Jasmine. The four would take a route through the center of town, in hopes of catching up to Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Moon Dancer in Town Hall before they got froggy and tried to bail.

For once, however, the center of the action was two streets away from the center of Ponyville, and Jasmine checked it out, Cori too shook up by the impromptu loss of her hair to immediately respond.

As Jasmine told it, it was insane. The Town Guard had been warned of a potential changeling in the midst after most of Hel’s Night Guard returned to the Iron Pony grounds and found another Commander Spearhead still there, overseeing proceedings. Naturally, the Night Guard hustled back, and after several minutes of them not showing – and the apparent scare from someone absconding with the three judges – the Town Guard rushed back to the Barracks to suit up.

What they saw was the Night Guard, almost knocked out and all collected in the jail area. The School Board was there, fully conscious – and all too eager to point out that Caramel and Beauty Grass and nearly led them to their doom from a mismanaged gas main by the Night Guard that nearly killed the Night Guard. The Night Guard, uncharacteristically given their bombastic attitude under Hel, refused to contest this.

Jasmine almost fell out of his suit when Flash Sentry arrived, dripping with water and shaking with rage, to help Spearhead arrest both Caramel and Brass when they showed up. And then to nearly do the same to Octavia when she leaped the ranks to try and strangle Beauty Brass. Even Jasmine couldn’t reckon she’d heard the last time that many expletives leave the violinist’s mouth.

But the best part came when Upper Crust and Jet Set came to yell that there was likely a break-in by the golden ponies at both the Mayor’s house and the Iron Pony’s final racing grounds. IT only took Mayor Mare and Spearhead one look at each other for them to deduce a theory.

Since neither Jet Set or Upper Crust could confer on where the close-knit ‘gold ponies’ were – heck, Jet Set hadn’t even seen one, being in a conference with Shroud and Mayor Mare when the crash of a window gave only the slightest hint of Garble taking off - clearly both accountes were unverifiable.

Viscera chuckled the most at that, finger another gem Goldilock anxiously and repeatedly asked on whether it came from the same treasury the red dragon was likely feasting in. Answers were not forthcoming on that front.

Actions were at the barracks though, from Jasmine’s perspective, as Jet Set and Upper Crust’s disputing of the record – and attempts to try and keep the Town Guard from arresting Caramel and Beauty Brass – became physical. Not too much so, as Commander Spearhead helpfully reminded them of the fact that the Queen's deal with the Canterlot ensemble only extended toward ponies other than the Guards putting hooves on them – and that what they did effectively transpired to obstruction of justice.

Cuffs were produced for the unicorn couple as well, and with the Princes all too busy tracking down Garble to bring back to Spark for abandoning his post, nopony was available to speak up for the aristocrats during their arrest.

The scene at Town Hall for Gympis, however, was different. Apparently, the judges and announcer had had previous experience with changelings, for Gympis’ reverting to her original black chitin had them on their knees before her in seconds, begging for forgiveness.

“Please don’t hurt us!” Twinkle shine asked.

“We swear, that Queen’s insane – the looks she gave us all, I’ll still be seeing it every time I close my eyes! We agreed to everything just to get away!” Twinkleshine added.

“Swear no one’s finding out about of this spot, we promise!” Minuette’s nodding head stood in danger of falling off from her intensity. Moon Dancer could not respond, her shaking like a leaf continuing interrupted since her retrieval by a different golden pony.

Thankfully, Cori had recovered enough to give them some nice counsel about how well the Queen likely rewarded failures in such a capacity, and what likely awaited them if they returned to Canterlot. Regardless of the consequence, they agreed to leave with the Princes regardless to not cause a struggle and come to a decision in Canterlot, their promise to keep the gold ponies’ names out of their maws met with a quiet nod from the changeling. From there, it was a short trip to Mayor Mare for the four unicorns, and a trip back to the treehouse for Gympis, Cori, and Jasmine.

Y’know, after the tea-shop pony had stopped laughing out a lung at how frantic Upper Crust looked when she was being cuffed on the ground.

“You should have seen it, it was freakin’ hilarious! All ‘You can do this, I’m Upper Crust, I’m the richest unicorn living today’ and then Hel – Commander Hel! – stomped right in front of her, saying ‘oh shut it Crust before I forget your fuckin’ pardon plea to the Queen, you butter-brained ditz’, and then Flash was all ‘holy shit, might be the first time I’ve agreed with you on something, and Hel was like-”

“We get it Jasmine.” Goldilock had come down from the roof at last, de-formed, and orange-haired once more. “We’ve gotta get all our stuff to the rendezvous, now that everypony’s safe.”

“As the can be in an Equestria that lunatic Twilight’s running, yeah.” Jasmine snorted.

“Come on Cori, let’s go.” Viscera’s tugs of Cori got her moving, but not her normal pace, her hooves still flying up to her massacred hair.

Their trek up the hill had them finally stand before the gate to Sweet Apple Acres’ barn. Viscera finally fished out the book, still enclosed in a sparkling golden cover, and pushed open the door. Her envisioning of whoever had employed this grand scheme for the four of them was appropriately well-connected – the four of them only known by codenames, a series of ever-changing hideaways, and the ability to not stay down when the Queen and all her men tried to put them down. To have them rescue nearly two dozen ponies in one day without being seen until the last minute had her envisioning some grandiose galloper, a possible entry into the vaunted halls of the Royal Archives , perhaps somepony in Canterlot themselves fed up to the spurs with the stark debauchery of their malevolent monarch.

Instead, it was a face Viscera knew all too well for different reasons.

“A.K. Yearling!? Goodness, I nearly got smoked by a dragon for this chicken-scratch writer?!” Yet, despite Viscera’s utter dismay at the intermediary for this scheme, the low-brimmed hat and violet cloak did not change a bit.

“Good afternoon to you too, Viscera.” A.K. voice was far more clipped than their last interview. “I assume you have the book, since I’ve heard good reports on the ponies supposedly conscripted into Iron Pony on this city’s side.”

Viscera chucked the book toward her like it had caught fire. “Take it, A.K. I just stomped through a dragon’s molt and I still think knowing I touched something you wanted’s dirtied me more.”

Yearling’s opening of the covering revealed “Hm. Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny.” Rappid whistled. “It must be quite immaculate, considering the amount of valuable material it and the cover have. Is… is this a premiere issue?”

“The very first.” And with a cursory drop into the water barrel next to her, A.K. drew up a match in her mouth, scratched it on the side of the barrel, and dropped it in, the act shocking even Viscera. “And last.”

Viscera’s eyes shot open. “Wait, what the hell was that for? You realize how much we had to go through for that?”

“Yes. And more than that, I know who it belonged to that supposedly made it possible – Queen Twilight Sparkle.”

Realization barred into Viscera like a cloud of parasprites. “My goodness. I… but how did you know?”

Face illuminated by crackling sparks of yellow and red, A.K.’s look only hardened. “Half of them were ones she pleaded with me for. Before she had wings. Said they were wonderful thing to give to one of her friends while she was recover, some prodigal little Cloudsdale prodigy by the name of... of…”

Her voice started crackling much like the flames next to her. “It doesn’t matter. Bag here’s double the bits I got for the advance for that book. It’s… yours. Hard as it may be for me to admit, you did and honest day’s work.” As Viscera hesitantly took it, another voice rang out behind her.

“And honesty’s kinda what Ah’ve been missing out on as of late.”

Four eyes turned to face the source of that statement. A tan Stetson hat, curing brim lit up by the flames just behind them in a woven barrel she’d likely made. Blond hair tied into a tight braid. White freckles that stood out against her orange-coated face, worn with the effort of trying times as well as hard-earned satisfaction. And a cutie mark of three apples emblazoned on her flank.

Cori had finally stopped fiddling with her hair, gaping like she’d seen the face of Celestia once more – one attached to a body, in this case.

Rappid had taken several steps back, but her look still betrayed her wonder.

“The Element of Honesty herself…” was the only response from the changeling.

Viscera’s rejoinder came in two words. “No. Way.”

“Believe that’s your true employer.” A.K. smile almost looked alien on her face, but it was warm all the same. “And she doesn’t concur that there’s no way to fight the Twilight.”