Earthquakes are happening all over the world. The Clippings book is freaking out. Then Flynn returns to the Annex and declares that the dragons are the ones causing the earthquakes by awakening. Apparently, the Western and Eastern dragons have been quarreling for millennia. He claims that Mr. Drake, a representative of the Fei Lung, the Eastern dragons, is about to arrive to present a list of grievances. Ezekiel mistakes Mr. Drake ringing the doorbell for his pizza delivery and opens it. Unfortunately, the first person to speak to Mr. Drake on behalf of the Library is considered the Arbiter and must serve in that role. With some hinting by Flynn and Eve, Ezekiel chooses Jenkins as his Counselor. According to Mr. Drake, a valuable pearl has gone missing from a Fei Lung vault, making them extremely upset. If the pearl is not returned by the end of the day, then the Fei Lung will go to war with the Western dragons, devastating the world. Flynn, Eve, Jacob, and Cassandra leave to look for the pearl, while Ezekiel and Jenkins try to use diplomacy to save the world.
The Librarians (and Eve) arrive to Vatican, where Flynn believes the Western dragons' lair is. They find it underneath the city and manage to find the pearl (which is pretty large), after defeating some traps. Jacob grabs the pearl, his eyes glow, and he leaves the rest trapped, going off to an art exhibition nearby. They awaken a dragon and ask for help getting out of the vault. At the museum, Jacob is complaining to the curator that the paintings are positioned all wrong and starts a scuffle. Eve arrives and uses her NATO ID to calm down the security guards. Meanwhile, Jacob drops the pearl, which breaks open to reveal a golden apple. Cassandra picks it up, her eyes go black, and she leaves the team. Flynn figures out that she's holding the Apple of Discord, which turns the person holding it into the worst version of him/herself. On the way out, Cassandra is confronted by Lamia, but Cassandra disarms her with a few precise strikes (thanks to her knowledge of physics) and leaves.
Meanwhile, at the Annex, Ezekiel and Jenkins find out that Mr. Drake has called a Conclave there, followed by the arrival of representatives from various magical groups. Despite Jenkins's reservations, Ezekiel turns out to be not a bad Arbiter. Then Dulaque shows up and tries to call for a vote of no confidence on the Library, claiming that it's no longer necessary. Jenkins tries to leave because of some history between him and Dulaque, but Ezekiel shames him into staying. Jenkins uses Conclave rules to stall the vote.
Cassandra tries to destroy (or, at least, ruin) Europe by blowing up a power plant, but she's stopped. Flynn and Eve struggle for the Apple, with Flynn eventually ending up with it, turning into a megalomaniacal Large Ham tyrant. He returns to the Annex, insults the dignitaries there, and threatens to use the Library to rule the world. Despite everyone's reservations, Ezekiel and Jenkins steal the Apple. Ezekiel is unaffected at all, due to already being the worst version of himself. Flynn convinces the dignitaries that the Library (and the Librarians) is still necessary. Mr. Drake complains that the pearl hasn't yet been found and threatens war, but Ezekiel reveals that he has already figures out that Drake was the one who stole the pearl in the first place. Confronted with the truth, Mr. Drake smiles, bows, and leaves. The rest of the dignitaries leave. Outside, Jenkins confronts Dulaque, telling him that he knows it was Dulaque who got Drake to steal the pearl and start the whole mess. Dulaque was perfectly willing to let 60% of the world (65% tops) to be burned to ash by the dragon war. They talk about Jenkins choosing a side 1000 years ago, probably resulting in a rift between the two. Dulaque embraces him and leaves. Eve convinces Flynn that he needs to keep searching for the Library, while she holds down the fort at the Annex with the LITs.
Tropes:
- Amoral Attorney: When first meeting Mr. Drake, Cassandra asks if he's a dragon in a man costume. Jenkins simply replies that he's a lawyer, implying that the two aren't dissimilar. Considering that Drake ends up being the one who took the pearl in the first place...
- Apple of Discord: The titular item causes half the problems in the episode. It causes any person holding it to become the worst version of him- or herself. Except Ezekiel, who already is the worst he can possibly be.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: Cassandra uses math and physics to disarm and nearly kill Lamia with a few precise strikes, while she's holding the Apple.
- Big "NO!": Flynn lets one out when he realizes that Ezekiel is about to answer the door before he can, making Ezekiel the Arbiter.
- Black Eyes of Evil: Unlike the others, Cassandra's eyes turn completely black under the Apple's influence.
- Call-Back: To the third film. Flynn mentions his vampire girlfriend. He's also wearing the same suit as in the film.
- Confusion Fu: This is how Ezekiel gets by, and he sees no problem with it.Ezekiel: I never know what I'm doing. That's my superpower, mate.
- Evil Is Petty: Dulaque rubs his presence to Ezekiel by eating his pizza in front of him.
- From Bad to Worse: First the lawyer for the Eastern Dragons. Then half a dozen other super powerful dignitaries show up. Then that bastard from the Serpent Brotherhood. Then the Apple of Discord...
- Glowing Eyes: When Jacob, Flynn, and Eve pick up the Apple, their eyes glow purple, yellow, and green, respectively, for a second.
- Large Ham: Flynn and Eve become this when holding the Apple. Dobra the Djinn constantly threatens to "drown the world in blood". Flynn thinks it's because Dobra is insecure.
- Logic Bomb: Double subverted - Eve tries to logic-bomb the Apple-influenced Cassandra by asking her the last digit of pi. Cassandra scoffs at the attempt, but Stone gets her with Euler's number
. - Man Hug: Dulaque gives an awkward one to Jenkins, who is surprised.
- Man in a Kilt: Cuchlann of the Iron Kingdom shows up to the Conclave wearing one.
- My Rule Fu Is Stronger than Yours: Both Dulaque and Jenkins try to use the rules of the Conclave to their advantage. Unfortunately, Ezekiel doesn't know the rules and nearly tanks Jenkins's effort by breaking them, thus proving Dulaque's point that the Library has outlived its usefulness.
- No-Sell: The Apple has no effect on Ezekiel at all (his eyes don't even glow), as he's already the worst version of himself.
- Sensible Heroes, Skimpy Villains: As soon as Cassandra grabs the Apple, she no longer likes her modest dress, taking it off to show off a sports bra and a bare stomach. After losing the Apple, she covers up and asks for her clothes back.
- Serious Business: The positioning of paintings at an art exhibition in Rome is this to Jacob, who's influenced by the Apple.Jacob: You people... DON'T APPRECIATE ART!
