- [narration]
- Princess Celestia: Tirek and his brother Scorpan came here from a distant land, intent on stealing Equestrian magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, even befriending a young unicorn wizard.
- Princess Luna: Scorpan urged his brother to abandon their plans. When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted us to Tirek's intentions.
- Princess Celestia: Scorpan returned to his own land, and Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes. But it appears he has found a way to escape.
- Lord Tirek: You're not saying you're friends with ponies?
- Discord: Surprise!
- Lord Tirek: I am surprised that someone with your intellect does not see this 'friendship' is but a new form of imprisonment. Clearly you've had to abandon your true nature to stay in their good graces.
- Discord: I have done nothing of the sort!
- Lord Tirek: Oh, please, I've seen this before. But HE was always weak minded. You are Discord, you are legend, you cannot fall into the same trap that claimed my brother! Help me to grow strong, and be rewarded with something far greater than friendship. FREEDOM. Once I've stripped these ponies of their magic, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see their world turned upside down. Who better to do so than the master of chaos himself? Join me, Discord, and reclaim your greatness. Unless, of course, 'Pony Errand Boy' is the role you've always wanted to play in this world.
- [All the ponies get their keys... nearly all of them]
- Twilight Sparkle: There's still one key missing. The key that represents the Element of Magic. My element.
- Fluttershy: Oh, but I'm sure that if we've gotten our keys, you have too, Twilight.
- Rarity: Think, Twilight. When have you completed a difficult magical task, and in doing so encouraged another pony to do the same?
- Twilight Sparkle: I haven't. If I had, I would have written about it in the journal.
- Spike: Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure you'll get your key eventually.
- Twilight Sparkle: I guess I just don't really understand why I'm here. Couldn't one of the royal guard have unfurled the banner?
- Princess Celestia: Having all four of us in the Empire to greet them lets the dignitaries know that their visit is considered an important one.
- Princess Cadance: Plus, it gives me an opportunity to see my favorite sister-in-law.
- Twilight Sparkle: And I'm happy to see you. All of you.
- Princess Cadance: But...?
- Twilight Sparkle: But I... well, it's just that Princess Luna raises the moon, Princess Celestia raises the sun, you protect the Crystal Empire, and all I seem to do is... smile and wave.
- [Celestia has a vision of Tirek]
- Princess Luna: Sister, are you alright?
- Princess Celestia: I've just had the most terrible dream!
- Princess Luna: Why do you think I'm here? You know as well as I that this was not a dream, but a vision.
- Princess Celestia: Then we haven't much time. The stronger he becomes, the more we are all in danger.
- Twilight Sparkle: I'm glad you all wanted to come, but I don't think it's gonna be that exciting. I pretty much just have to smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive.
- Rarity: Yes, but you get to smile and wave like a princess.
- Applejack: How exactly is that different than smilin' and wavin' like NOT a princess?
- Twilight Sparkle: It isn't.
- Twilight Sparkle: I think I found something! I've been reading our journal, and there's something interesting about the sections that Discord bookmarked. Applejack, do you remember when you had to tell everypony that the tonic Granny bought from the Flim Flam brothers didn't really work?
- Applejack: How could I forget? It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. But what's that got to do with openin' the chest?
- Twilight Sparkle: I've found that each of you has had to face a situation where living up to the Element of Harmony you represent wasn't easy. Fluttershy, it was when you realized that the way to show kindness to the Breezies was by forcing them to leave your home.
- Fluttershy: Oh, the looks on their poor little faces! But I knew that, as difficult as it was, pushing them away was the kindest thing I could do.
- Twilight Sparkle: Rarity, even after Suri took advantage of your generosity at Fashion Week in Manehattan, you didn't let it cause you to abandon your generous spirit.
- Rarity: I simply couldn't have lived with myself if I didn't do something special for the friends who have always been so generous to me!
- Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow Dash, you had the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts at the Equestria Games, but instead you chose to compete with your friends.
- Rainbow Dash: Sure! But being loyal to my friends was way...
- Pinkie Pie: Ooh, my turn, my turn!
- Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie Pie, you realized that seeing your friend laugh was more important than proving you were a better party planner than Cheese Sandwich.
- Pinkie Pie: Best party I've ever had.
- Rarity: It's clear we've all had our moments to shine, Twilight, but I'm with Applejack. What does any of this have to do with the opening of the chest?
- Twilight Sparkle: All of you had tough choices to make. But when you made the right one and embraced your element, it helped somepony else make the right choice too. Each of you received something from the pony whose life you helped change. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe there's something special about those objects that could lead us to the location of the keys. The chest is connected to the Tree of Harmony, the Tree is connected to the Elements, and the Elements are connected to all of us. There must be a connection! I hate to admit it, but maybe Discord was trying to be a good friend after all.
- Lord Tirek: 'Is he friend, or is he foe?', the pony wonders. I can assure you... I am no friend. I am Lord Tirek, and I will take what should have been mine long ago!
- [sucks up all the unicorn's magic, then grows an inch, chuckling sinisterly]