“… and that’s why I need your help,” Rainbow Dash finished, looking around at her five best friends. They stood in silence, staring back with mixed expressions.

“Forgiven!” Pinkie Pie shouted, breaking the silence and hugging Rainbow Dash. “I always love a good prank!” she added, giggling.

“But why Angel?” Fluttershy asked. “He’s such a cute little bunny and never did anything wrong. Why would you be so mean to him? Poor little thing was scared half to death by your bullying.”

“Oh, c’mon! Angel tied me up and put me in a stewpot once. He’s not as innocent as you think,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Dude! What about me?” Spike shouted. “Not cool!”

“Geez, you’re acting like I hurt you or something,” Rainbow Dash said, breaking eye contact and blowing a wisp of her mane out of her eyes.

“Hurt me? I…FARTED…FIRE,” Spike said, advancing closer to her with each word. Rainbow shrunk back a little.

“Well, half of those weren’t mine,” Rainbow Dash said.

“So you’re the reason why my library keeps rearranging itself?” Twilight asked angrily.

“That wasn’t me! I wouldn’t do something like… alright, alright I guess I would but still!” Rainbow Dash said. Twilight stared her in the eyes and sighed.

“Well, there’s not much we can do now, is there?” she said. “At least it’s over and we know.”

“Except it isn’t over, not for Rainbow at least,” Rarity said. “She’s turned to us for assistance with this Discord matter, remember?”

“I’m in!” Pinkie Pie cheered, bouncing up and down. “I have a ton of ideas already, too!”

“I… can’t. I’m sorry. It’s just… I’m Discord’s closest friend, and it wouldn’t feel right to side against him. Good luck though,” Fluttershy said, hanging her head in shame.

“Aw, shucks. Don’t feel bad, Fluttershy,” Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash an angry look. “It’s not your responsibility to bail Rainbow Dash out of every mess she gets herself into.” She paused for a moment. “But I guess a friend’s a friend. You can count me in, though I can’t say I have a whole lot of experience with pranking.”

“If I help you, will you at least try to think before you open your big mouth next time?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash, who smiled reassuringly, nodding. “Alright then. In that case… I’ll pair my assistance with… Spike’s decision.”

“Spike?” Rainbow Dash asked the little purple dragon. “You’re not still mad at me, are you?”

“All I wanted was to send one letter. One prank would have been enough…” he grumbled. “I might have even laughed. But no! Not once, not twice, but FIVE times in a row?” he stopped mid-rant when Rarity stepped forward.

“I will admit that it’s not fun being on the receiving end of these… pranks. But I’ll forgive you and help however I can,” she said to Rainbow Dash. Spike coughed and shifted his weight back and forth.

“Uh… I mean. I guess we’re cool. Twilight and I will help!” he announced, glancing at Rarity as Twilight slapped herself in the face with a hoof.

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash cheered, fluttering in the air. “Now I’ll win for sure!”

“Hold on, Rainbow Dash. What exactly did you bet?” Twilight asked. “I’d like to know more about what we’re getting ourselves into.”

“A… week of servitude,” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly. “Look, I thought it’d be cool to have a super powerful draconequus doing whatever I wanted for a week, alright? We can share him!”

“But if we lose, then we’ll all have to do whatever he wants,” Twilight said. “And who knows what that’ll be?”

“All of a sudden maintaining neutrality is starting to look more and more enticing,” Rarity mentioned, glancing over at Fluttershy.

“Wait! You already said you’d help me! And besides, we won’t lose! Since when has Discord ever beaten us?” Rainbow Dash asked, floating two feet in the air and folding her forelegs. Her friends turned to each other and muttered among themselves.

“Alright, I guess we can’t go back on our word, especially not in this hay of a situation you’ve gotten yourself into,” Applejack said. “Fluttershy, you sure you’re not going to help?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m staying out of this one,” she said.

“Looks like it’s just us then,” Twilight said. “I hope you have a plan, Rainbow Dash.”

Next Chapter: The Changing Changeling Estimated time remaining: 37 Minutes