“With this amulet, I shall now rule all of Equestria! Witness my subjects! Gaze upon an ever-greater and powerfuller Trrrrixie!!”

Lightning crackled in the distance, lancing across the darkened sky as the Great and Powerful Trixie stood confidently in Ponyville Square, wielding her new amulet from beyond the Everfree forest around her neck. The mystical Alicorn Amulet was held not-so-firmly in her grasp as she boasted her new power. With this new amulet, Trixie was determined to once and for all be the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria!

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rainbow Dash seized the moment and quickly dove towards Trixie, snatching the Alicorn Amulet right out of her hooves in a brilliant rainbow-colored flyby.  

“Hey!” Trixie cried out as the Amulet was swept away. Realizing that she had a more powerful amulet, Trixie nonchalantly shrugged off the rainbow-maned pegasus’s assault. “I don’t need that old Alicorn Amulet. I have...THIS!!”

With that fearless proclamation, Trixie launched her terrifying assault on the rapidly fleeing jewelry thief. Or at least, what should have been a terrifying assault. One that would have surely stopped the annoying pegasus mid-flight. This indeed occurred, although not quite in the manner she had anticipated.

“Stop it!” Rainbow guffawed as the pink lightning struck her, sending her into a fit of giggles. “That...t-that tickles!!”

“Tickles?” Trixie asked, clearly agitated at her spell’s failure to induce the desired effect. “That was supposed to make you writhe in agony! This amulet is defective!” she complained loudly as she fired yet another pink beam of energy at the aggravating pegasus, who managed to dodge the attack with frustrating agility.

“Give mine back!”

“Sorry!” Rainbow Dash jeered as she zipped over to Zecora’s side and neatly dropped the troublesome amulet into a wooden casket for safe-keeping. “This is going back into hiding where it belongs!”

Trixie couldn’t believe this was happening! How was her magic no longer effective? How did Twilight suddenly become so powerful? Was this all a trick? A ruse? Twilight strode over, and Trixie had every intention of giving her a piece of her mind. However, Twilight was the first to speak.

“By the way, Trixie. The amulet around your neck?” Twilight said, tapping the aforementioned object. “It’s one of Zecora’s doorstops.” Trixie’s mouth fell open just as the trinket around her neck fell to the ground, shattering into a multitude of tiny pieces.

She...she had been defeated. How could this be so? How did Twilight perform those spells? The answers to such questions didn’t matter, though. The end result was the same. The ponies gathered in the square took up a loud cheer as the dark clouds in the sky began to dissipate. Trixie slowly backed away, intending to hide in the nearest convenient alley or box until this whole situation blew over.

However, there was another pony present whose mind was occupied with hiding, though it wasn’t themselves they were concerned about...

(\/);,;(\/)

Twilight and Zecora sat together in her hut, deep in the Everfree forest. The Alicorn Amulet was still resting safely in its casket, locked and magically sealed by Twilight herself. The two mares were busy contemplating the wheres and hows of safely stowing away the powerful artifact. Twilight suggested that she send a letter to the Princess requesting that she lock it away in the castle vaults.

“I’m sure the Princess would be willing to hold on to it for safe-keeping. After all, preventing hostile takeovers of Ponyville does tend to be a priority of hers.”

“Giving the Amulet to the Princess would be most wise. We must not allow other ponies to obtain this prize,” Zecora heartily agreed, nodding her head.

“It’s settled, then. I’ll go back to the library to get Spike and send the letter. You keep the Amulet here and make sure nopony else gets their hooves on it.”

“Do not worry, young Twilight, I will take the utmost care. In the past, much greater burdens have I had to bear. Go now, and do so with great speed. Time is short, and dire is our need.”

Twilight nodded and exited the hut, leaving Zecora to keep a watchful eye on the Amulet’s chest. The zebra shaman turned a baleful eye to the box on the floor. Stooping, she ever so carefully picked up the chest, holding it uncertainly as if the Amulet would attack her at any moment. Placing the box on a nearby shelf, she spoke to herself.

“Oh, tiny thing of so much doom. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with your gloom. You work your evil; it spreads so fast. Hopefully this time will be the last...”

Meanwhile, Twilight was running through the forest as quickly as her hooves could carry her. She had to make sure that nopony would take the Amulet, and once again force her to go through the whole fiasco of dealing with a corrupted unicorn. Trixie had been a pain to deal with, and had managed to cause enough trouble despite her lack of magical prowess. The lavender mare wouldn’t know what to do if she had to go through that again, particularly if the unicorn in question was more skilled in the magical arts. Twilight shuddered at the very thought.

At least she knew that within a few more moments, the Amulet would be safely guarded by the royal hooves of Princess Celestia and her Royal Guard.  With this powerful Amulet under high security, there would be no more risk of overpowered unicorns with calamitous intent running rampant across Equestria.

Unfortunately, Twilight was so preoccupied with getting to Ponyville she failed to hear a nearby trio of cheerful voices...

(\/);,;(\/)

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Scootaloo?” the nervous voice of a certain white unicorn filly petulantly inquired.

“Of course it is! Since when have any of my ideas ever been bad?”

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, making it completely obvious to the orange pegasus filly that she wasn’t being taken seriously. Scootaloo scoffed and continued. “Well, most of my ideas have been good!”

This time, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shot a glare at Scootaloo. “Ok some! The point is, this will be the most awesome idea I ever came up with!”

Sweetie Belle stared off into the depths of the Everfree forest. “I’m just not so sure that ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders Apothecaries’ will be...safe.”

“Apothecaries?” Scootaloo asked. “I thought we were going to make potions!”

“Scootaloo...that’s what apothecaries do.”

“Oh. I knew that. Totally.”

“Would ya’ll just quit’cha bickerin’?” Apple Bloom said exasperatedly, cutting them off. “I’m tryin’ ta remember which way it was ta Zecora’s place.”

“We’re not bickering!” both fillies exclaimed simultaneously. Apple Bloom simply rolled her eyes but said nothing. Looking about, she suddenly straightened and pointed with her hoof. “Oh! It’s that-a way! Follow me, girls!”

The three fillies took off in a seemingly random direction, Apple Bloom leading the way.

(\/);,;(\/)

Zecora felt a sudden disturbance. She shuddered outwardly and shifted closer to the roaring fire in her hearth. Falling into a deep meditation, she attempted to discern the nature of her previous discomfort. In a few moments the answer came to her, but not in the form she was expecting. Floating on the wind, three distant, youthful voices could be heard. Zecora’s eyes shot open.

She inwardly braced herself for what was about to arrive.

(\/);,;(\/)

“Zecora! Zecoraaa!” three voices called out in unison as their owners galloped happily up to the hut. Soon enough, the zebra in question heard a series of rapid bangs on her door. She gulped, sucked in a deep breath, and slowly opened it.  

“Who comes knocking at this time of day? Is it three little fillies, wishing to play?” she cheerfully greeted, her eyes twinkling with an ancient wisdom. Although the energetic little fillies could be quite the bother, she still genuinely enjoyed their youthful company.

“Heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom said. “Can we ask ya a favor?”

“Can we mix up some of your totally awesome potions to earn our Cutie Marks in apo...apofa...” The orange filly looked to Sweetie Belle for help.

“Being apothecaries,” the unicorn supplied.

“Hmmm...” the older zebra hummed thoughtfully, her gaze searching the room. “Although it can be dangerous to mix a potent brew, I suppose I have a simple recipe or two.  Follow me, and we shall see about a simple remedy for you three.”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS APOTHECARIES!! YAY!!”

As it always did when the trio of fillies belted out their traditional slogan, the walls of the hut shook and several objects dislodged themselves from the walls, flailing helplessly against the iron grip of gravity as they plummeted to the ground.

Zecora flinched as several objects hit the ground but she maintained her smile. However, what she didn’t notice was that one of the objects in question just so happened to be a certain casket containing a certain all powerful artifact of certain destructive tendencies. “Do not mind the mess, little fillies, we’ll clean up in a bit. Right now there are ingredients for us to get.”

Zecora stepped out the back door and into the deep, dark woods. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cheerfully followed, ready for another attempt to get their Cutie Marks. Sweetie Belle was about to follow as well when a mysterious glint of light caught her eye. Turning her gaze to the corner, she saw a small, wooden chest with a metallic lock that glowed slightly with a purple aura. Sweetie Belle took a cautious step forward, eager to analyze this new and curious object.

“Sweetie Belle! Come on, already!” The impatient voice of Scootaloo startled her out of her investigation.

“Uhh...coming!” she called back. Quickly, she piled a few random objects around the casket and pushed it into the corner. She would very much like to investigate the mysterious chest later. Who knew what secrets it might hold?

Sparing only a single glance backwards, she galloped out the door and into the forest to join her friends.

(\/);,;(\/)

Two hours and five explosions later, what used to be a rather luscious and relaxing backyard grove was now a wasteland of charred undergrowth and scorched earth. Even after spending months around the young fillies, Zecora was still amazed at how they managed to produce explosions from the simplest ingredients.

And of course, her backyard was also occupied by three rather disappointed fillies. “See anythin’?” Apple Bloom glumly asked Scootaloo.

“Nope. Just leaves and...tree sap. How very predictable. How about you, Sweetie Belle?”

“Nothing. Like usual.” The trio of fillies let out a synchronized depressed sigh.

Zecora spoke up. “Cheer up, little fillies. Do not be so glum. I know that your Cutie Marks are yet to come.” She began to herd them inside. “Go on inside while I clean up this...rubble. Do, however, try to stay out of trouble.”

As the zebra stayed outside in an attempt to undo what the fillies’ little ‘chemistry project’ caused, Sweetie Belle went back to the corner where she stowed away the mysterious chest. “Hey girls, I saw this right before we headed outside. What do you think it is?”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stared quizzically at the chest. “Hay if Ah know,” Apple Bloom replied. She examined it closer, noticing the glowing padlock. “Why do you reckon it’s glowing?”

“Hmmm…” Scootaloo pondered. “It’s probably magically sealed or something.”

“Why would somepony magically seal a small chest?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Scootaloo picked up the casket and shook it slightly. “I bet you there’s something totally awesome inside! We should open it!”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “Ah betcha we’ll get our Cutie Marks in lock pickin’ or somethin’!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added excitedly. Just then, the sound of hooves striking a wooden floorboard echoed through the small hut, announcing a certain zebra’s arrival. Thinking quickly, the three fillies hid the chest behind their bodies, standing in front of it like a wall.

“Oh, uh...heya Zecora!” Apple Bloom greeted her, sweating slightly. “Ah just remembered that...uh...it’s almost time fer supper an’ we should be headin’ back now.  Thanks fer lettin’ us use your fancy potions an’ stuff!  An’ sorry fer destroyin’ yer backyard an’ everythin’...hehe...” As quickly as they could manage, the three fillies simultaneously trotted backwards out of the house, concealing the casket as best as they could.

“Thanks again, Zecora! We really appreciate it!” Sweetie Belle called as they stepped out the door.

“Do not worry little fillies, I am glad you stopped by. Now it is farewell until next time. Now go, and be quick! You must hurry home. The Everfree is no place to be caught out alone.” The fillies nodded hurriedly and scurried off, eager to get back to civilization.

Zecora released a sigh of relief as she closed the door. Ruefully, she surveyed the interior of her comfy little home. She had quite a bit of cleaning up to do. Briefly, she paused to wonder why the fillies had been so eager to leave. They must have gotten a new idea for crusading. Besides, there were much stranger questions regarding the fillies that she had yet to get answers to. There was no point in pondering the simple ones.

Sighing again, she stooped and began to pick up her things.

(\/);,;(\/)

The three little fillies didn’t stop running until they burst through the door to their clubhouse. Panting heavily, they each slumped to the wooden floor in exhaustion. Apple Bloom wearily tossed the mysterious casket into the middle of the floor. “Well...*pant*...we got it...*pant*...here without...*wheeze*...bein’ seen.”

“Yeah...*pant*...we did...” Scootaloo said, gasping for air. “So,” she continued once she caught her breath. “What do ya think’s inside? And how do we get it open?”

Sweetie Belle examined the box with a keen eye. The first thing she noticed was that the glowing aura around the padlock confirmed that it was still magically sealed. Still not able to use magic herself, Sweetie Belle sighed in defeat and slid the chest over to Scootaloo, figuring that she could think of another plan. “It’s still magically sealed. I got nothing...” she said glumly.

“Hmmm...” Scootaloo murmured thoughtfully as she examined the wooden box. “Hey Sweetie Belle, hand me that paper clip would ya?”

“Sure thing,” she replied, picking up the paper clip in her mouth and dropping it by the chest. “But…do any of you guys feel bad about sneaking away with this thing? I mean…we kinda stole it…”

“Don’cha worry ‘bout it none, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom spoke up confidently. “We’re just borrowin’ it. If Zecora was so willin’ ta let us mess with her potions stuff fer our Cutie Marks, Ah’m sure she wouldn’t mind us messin’ with one little box. We’ll either open it or return it tomorrow.”

“Ok, I guess that makes sense,” Sweetie Belle replied, her face brightening.

“All right, here goes my attempt to get a Cutie Mark in lock-picking...” Scootaloo muttered as she picked up the paper clip and began to fidget with the lock. The other two fillies looked on encouragingly as Scootaloo worked, but said nothing. Sweat began to bead on her brow. Five minutes passed...and then ten...and then fifteen...

Apple Bloom couldn’t stand it anymore. She was about to speak up in protest but Scootaloo beat her to it. “Buck this!!” she exclaimed angrily. Much to everypony’s surprise, she suddenly grabbed the chest and chucked it out the window. There was a muffled *crunch* as the wooden box was thrown on the ground.

“Scootaloo! What th’ hay was that fer? Ya could’ve broken whatever’s inside!”

“Sorry,” Scootaloo apologized angrily. “But that thing wouldn’t budge an inch and I got frustrated.”

“Well ya can’t just solve all yer problems by throwin’ ‘em on th’ ground,” Apple Bloom intoned.

“Oh yeah? Says who? I’m not gonna be part of your lame system!!” Scootaloo protested angrily.

Sweetie Belle, however, was looking thoughtful. “I dunno...did you guys hear the sound it made? Let’s go check it out!” The other fillies exchanged a confused glance, but quickly followed their little white friend outside. “Guys!! Check this out!” she exclaimed excitedly, motioning for them to join her.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo trotted over quickly and examined the plain wooden box. “What gives, Sweetie Belle? It’s just the same old box, aura and everything,” Scootaloo said, unimpressed.

“Look closer! Right here!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, pointing to the corner of the box. Sure enough, there were several cracks in the wood. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Oh, Ah’m thinkin’,”  Apple Bloom said as she somehow now held a disproportionately sized sledgehammer in both her forehooves. “Stand back, everypony! It’s hammer time!” She brought the gargantuan hammer into an overhead smash position.

While Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dove for cover, Apple Bloom spun the hammer in the air threateningly. With a terrifying amount of strength, she brought the hammer down on the poor defenseless chest. There was an earth-shattering *SMASH!!* and a massive pile of dust and debris exploded out from the casket. Planks of wood and pieces of metal sailed through the air, and there was a muffled cry of “my leg!” from somewhere nearby. The two fillies on the sidelines waited with bated breath to see the results of their wanton destruction.

There was a coughing in the dust cloud. “Ah...*cough*...Ah think Ah got it...*cough*...Phew, sure is dusty.” Just a moment later, the figure of a yellow filly could be seen, frantically waving her forehooves in the air to clear the dust.

“Apple Bloom! Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle called as she and Scootaloo rushed forward.

“Yeah, Ah’m fine. It’s just a little dust. Nothin’ Ah can’t handle,” Apple Bloom said proudly.

Scootaloo looked her up and down, but she seemed okay. A little dirty but no worse for the wear. There did, however, seem to be something missing…

“Apple Bloom, where’s the hammer?”

Apple Bloom turned to look at Scootaloo, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. “Ah put it back where it came from, silly.”

Scootaloo stared at Apple Bloom with a deadpan expression. “And where, exactly, is that?”

Apple Bloom blinked. “Don’t ask silly questions, Scoots. What we should be wonderin’ is what exactly was hidden in this here chest Ah just smashed ta bits.”

Scootaloo was about to retort when she was interrupted by an impressed gasp from Sweetie Belle. “Woooaaah…what is that??”

The fillies dug through the pile of debris for a second or two and uncovered what appeared to be some sort of necklace. Its silvery metal finish glistened in the sunlight, somehow not tarnished by the swaths of dust surrounding it. The brilliant ruby inset reflected three amazed faces as the fillies stared at it incredulously.

“What…what is it?” Sweetie Belle tremulously asked. “Is it…a necklace?”

“It’s beautiful…” Apple Bloom murmured.

“It’s totally awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed. The three fillies continued to stare at the necklace for a moment or two more, entranced by its beauty. After a moment, they looked up and gazed around at each other. Sweetie Belle finally spoke up.

“So who wants to try it on first?”