Start as a Silver Dragon and travel to Equestria

Applejack relied on her stronger body now, and watching Granny Smith drifting farther and farther away, she actually jumped off the riverbank, which was about 2 to 3 meters away from the river surface!

The orange figure passed over Granny Smith's head, forcing Granny Smith, who had just been at ease, to open her eyes to see what it was. However, just as she was about to use her old eyes to see clearly, she felt as if her body was lifted up from the river by something.

It turned out that Applejack had carried her on her back in the river!

"Hey! Applejack, you can't float like this. It's hard for a pony to float two ponies in the water, unless you are a strong man." Granny Smith saw who it was and pointed out the mistake of Applejack's behavior. Then she rolled off Applejack's back and began to swim to the shore at a normal speed and standard posture...

Applejack frowned as she saw Granny Smith swimming even faster than she did. She seemed to not understand the fantastic scene before her. Didn't Granny Smith say that she didn't even dare to go into the river? How could she swim so fast just now? !

"Young ponies are always impatient." Granny Smith, wearing a swimsuit and a swimming cap, seemed to think that Applejack and the others were in a hurry to get home...

"Granny Smith?! Were you swimming just now?! This is incredible! You are such a good swimmer? I thought you were afraid of water so you didn't dare to swim! Is your butt okay?" Apple Bloom hurriedly ran to Granny Smith who had just come ashore, with worry and joy coexisting on her face.

After Applejack swam back to the shore, she took off the wet cowboy hat and wrung it out with her hooves and teeth. She raised her hoof and the cowboy hat flipped in the air to shake off the excess water droplets, and successfully landed on Applejack's head.

"Mrs. Smith, your behavior just now was really too dangerous. Why do you suddenly want to go swimming?"

"I think... before I drink the slick and eternal youth magic water... I dare not touch the water again."

"I don't think the so-called magic water will work..." Applejack showed an incredible expression on her face. How could that thing be so magical? If it was so magical, the two brothers Slippery Tongue would have been famous in Equestria long ago!

"It may not work? How do you explain this?" Granny Smith saw that Applejack was unwilling to believe that this was the effect of the magic water. She frowned and planned to demonstrate it on the spot. After drinking the opened bottle of magic water, she immediately stood up and tap danced with her four flexible hooves to show that her legs and feet were in good condition.

"I'm glad to see you like this, but how do you explain this phenomenon and its connection with the magic water?"

"This morning when I saw the water, I felt the same terrible pain as before, but after drinking a sip of the magical water, the feeling was gone! Oh, maybe it will be different when I do farm work! What do you think, Mattos? How about going to kick some apple trees this afternoon!"

Granny Smith excitedly talked about the feeling and effect of the magic water, and even her tone sounded a little younger. She also dodged to the side of Mattos and poked him with her elbow. She looked really younger.

Mattos looked at Granny Smith's hind hoof that almost kicked him in the face, and hesitantly rejected the request to let the old lady do heavy physical work.

"Uh..no"

"Oh... don't spoil the fun! Don't pretend to have a stomachache!" Granny Smith even wanted to pull Mattos away to prove that she was indeed younger and stronger now.

"Oh, Applejack, it seems that magic water really works." Apple Bloom looked at Granny Smith and even dragged McTos, and expressed her opinion happily.

"Maybe it's time for us to find out what's going on." Applejack still didn't believe in the magic water and planned to ask what was going on...

......

When all the farm work in Sweet Apple Acres was done, the blue-purple moonlight had already enveloped Equestria. Stars appeared one by one in the sky, emitting soft light, like gems inlaid in the sky. The silver light of the moon leaked through the gauze-like clouds, and appeared in front of the people of Equestria with the softest light...

But at this time before, almost nopony would be awake, but now, in the brightly lit tent of the Slippery Circus, it was obviously not the case... The fluent singing and laughter inside showed that Slippery was still promoting their magic water and using injured ponies as demonstrations...

"So... your method is to ask them directly? They definitely won't tell you." Apple Bloom didn't understand the method Applejack was about to take. She would never tell Applejack about such a life skill and secret.

"That's right. If this magic water is really that magical, they wouldn't be so kind as to tell me the formula. But how can I know if I don't try it..."

Applejack had no other choice, but when she saw the singing and dancing pony coming out from behind the circus curtain, her expression suddenly changed. This was clearly the pony that had appeared at noon today!

This is obviously a scam!

"Hey! Applejack! That's the pony that was there at noon today!"

The pony was also very quick and ran away immediately. Applejack and Apple Bloom followed closely... But Applejack stopped the horse when passing the tent, and also grabbed Apple Bloom's tail.

"Hey! Applejack, what are you doing? He's running away!?" Apple Bloom obviously couldn't understand Applejack's behavior.

"Apple Lili, since he appears here dancing and singing, it means he is in the same group with the two brothers, Slippery Tongue..."

"you mean..."

"I mean, this whole thing could be an elaborate hoax." Applejack's eyes sharpened, and she whispered to Apple Bloom.

"Look, the pony looked badly injured and in urgent need of medical treatment at noon, but it was healed by the so-called magic water and was singing and dancing. Now it is singing and dancing here, full of energy. Is this normal? It's too unusual! Unless..."

"Unless he is not injured at all, or his 'injury' was deliberately created to demonstrate the magical effect of the so-called 'magic water'!" Apple Bloom suddenly realized, with surprise and anger in her voice, "This is so cunning! They use the pony's trust and sympathy to deceive!"

"That's right. And I guess that 'magic water' is probably just an ordinary drink. It doesn't have any special effects at all." Applejack analyzed.

"The reason why Granny Smith felt her legs and feet were healed might be due to her previous fear of water, plus a little coincidence. We can't be fooled by such superficial phenomena."

"So what should we do? Just watch them continue to deceive other ponies?" Apple Bloom asked anxiously, her tail tapping the ground nervously.

"No, of course not," Applejack said firmly.

"We need to expose their true colors and let everypony know that this is a scam. But we can't just rush in and question them, because that will only make them defensive. We need a plan, a plan that they won't be able to defend themselves against."

......

"Pah" There was a slight sound. Sparkling Red Crystal slapped his cheek helplessly, trying to free himself from his chaotic thoughts. He hid under the dense shadow of a big tree, his eyes were like torches, tightly locked on Applejack and Apple Bloom's every move, and waves of emotions surged in his heart.

"How come the development of this plot is completely different from the script designed by Teacher Luo Shu?" He whispered to himself, his tone full of confusion and puzzlement. Originally, according to Teacher Luo Shu's exquisite layout, the Slippery Tongue Circus should have successfully promoted their "magic water"

Then, at the climax of the diving competition, Applejack cleverly revealed her true identity. However, the current situation seems to have fallen into unpredictable chaos due to the early intervention of Applejack and Apple Bloom.

"Could this be the possible variable that Teacher Luo Shu mentioned?" Shining Chijing frowned, his eyes flashing with hesitation and determination. He began to seriously weigh the pros and cons, considering whether he should step forward and intervene in this sudden change.

He knew that if Applejack and Apple Bloom revealed Slippery Tongue's scam in advance, the carefully designed plot would be completely changed, and Mr. Luoshu's plan would be in vain. More importantly, he was worried that his image in Mr. Luoshu's heart would be greatly reduced due to the failure of this mission.

Teacher Luoshu has always had high hopes for him, not only imparting him a lot of valuable knowledge, but also giving him many rare opportunities. If he can't even complete such a seemingly simple task, how should he face the disappointment of Teacher Luoshu?

These thoughts intertwined into a complex web in Shimmering Red Crystal's mind, making him feel unprecedented pressure and confusion. He even unconsciously showed some facial expressions, the self-questioning and slightly distorted expression, without much contact with Twilight Sparkle, he was inexplicably infected with her unique style.

Just as he was lost in deep thought, Applejack and Apple Bloom had quietly approached the curtain at the back of the circus, preparing to sneak behind the stage of Slippery Tongue. At this critical moment, Glittering Red Crystal suddenly appeared in front of them as if from the void, and greeted them warmly.

"Hey! Applejack and Apple Bloom? What are you doing here?" He looked at them curiously, as if he had no idea what they were doing. His presence undoubtedly added an unexpected touch of relaxation to the tense atmosphere.

"Shimmering Red Crystal? You're here... You don't supervise and organize the training?" The inexplicable appearance of Shimmering Red Crystal made Applejack alert. Could it be that Slippery Tongue bribed some Changelings to cover up for him? That would be a lot more troublesome.

"No, Mr. Luoshu arranged for me to come here to carry out a mission. He heard that a fraud group appeared here, so he asked me to come and take a look..." Flashing Red Crystal felt that this word might not be appropriate... because the suspicion on Applejack's face became more and more solemn.

How could a talented young man who is one of the three high-ranking instructors come down to investigate a fraud case in person, not to mention that it was a task assigned by Luo Shu... This excuse is getting more and more outrageous.

"I remember that according to the Changeling Regulations, the first rule is... you cannot transform into an important member. This is the new regulation after Luo Shu came back. Violators will be imprisoned in Tartarus!"

"No, no, no, I'm not, I'm really Flashing Red Crystal..." Flashing Red Crystal just wanted to prove himself when he suddenly realized how he had inexplicably fallen into the trap of self-proof? This thing is the most difficult to explain. Even white can be turned into black. After getting more and more confused

"How do you prove that I am a changeling? How do you prove that Teacher Luoshu would not issue such a task? According to Teacher Luoshu's far-sighted thinking (hot-headed thinking)"

Applejack narrowed her eyes and carefully examined Shimmering Red Crystal, trying to find flaws in his every move. However, except for his slightly nervous expression and somewhat hurried words, everything seemed so natural, as if a real Shimmering Red Crystal was standing in front of her. But her vigilance in her heart did not weaken, but became stronger.

"Okay, even if you are the real Sparkling Crimson Crystal, then what is your specific mission here? Why did Teacher Luoshu choose you to carry out this mission? And not other more experienced changelings?" Applejack's series of questions caught Sparkling Crimson Crystal off guard. He didn't expect Applejack to be so sharp and direct.

Sparkling Red Crystal took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that any panic at this time would only make things worse. So he sorted out his thoughts and began to answer Applejack's questions.

"Teacher Luoshu chose me to carry out this mission because he believed that I have enough wisdom and adaptability to find clues and uncover the truth in this complex situation. As for the specific task, he did not give me detailed instructions, but just asked me to come here to observe and collect information, and then report to him." Shining Crimson Crystal tried his best to make his answer sound reasonable and logical.

However, Applejack did not completely believe his words. She remained alert, staring at the twinkling red crystal with her sharp eyes, as if she could see some clues from his eyes.

"Okay, even if what you said is true, why are you here? Did you just meet us by coincidence?" There was obvious doubt in Applejack's words.

Flashing Chijing knew that he had to give a reasonable explanation at this time, otherwise his identity and mission would be questioned. So he thought about it and made up a relatively reasonable excuse.

"Actually, I didn't come here on purpose to look for you. I just discovered your whereabouts by accident when I was investigating this circus. I was worried that you might encounter some danger, so I followed you. Unexpectedly, I actually saw you trying to sneak into the back of the circus." Flashing Red Crystal tried his best to make his tone sound more natural and fluent.

After hearing Sparkle's explanation, Applejack relaxed her guard a little. But she still didn't completely believe him, after all, the situation was too complicated and weird. So, she decided to reserve her own judgment for the time being and act with Sparkle to see what he was up to.

......