My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
The Fairy Pony's Secret
During a sunny day in Ponyville, inside the Castle of Friendship's library Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, was reading an old book. Not unusual but the amount of concentration she had on her face drew the interest of Spike and Starlight Glimmer who had entered.
"Hey Twilight, what are you reading?" Spike the dragon asked.
Twilight jumped a little before turning, "Oh, hey guys." She lifted the book for them to see, "It's a journal from Star Swirl Celestia sent me."
"I hope it doesn't lead to another shadow monster," Starlight pointed out.
"No, nothing like that, I was wondering where the seed came from and Celestia sent this and another book for me."
Starlight and Spike shared a look. "Seed?" The small dragon asked.
"The seed the Pillars used to grow the Tree of Harmony."
Spike just gave her a confused look, "It was a seed, what about it?"
"I thought so to but something Stygian said before the Pillars left made me think otherwise."
"What?" Starlight asked.
"A Crystal seedling."
Spike and Starlight shared another look. "What's that?" The pink unicorn asked.
"That's what I'm trying to find out, in Star Swirl's journal it mentions some of his time with the Pillars, before they sent themselves to limbo."
"But we know all that," Starlight said.
"True, but Star Swirl mentions someone that helped them."
"Stygian?" Spike pointed out board.
"No," Twilight answered, "This was someone else that had helped Stygian and the Pillars, but there never named. I wish I could contact Star Swirl or the others to ask."
"What about the other book Princess Celestia sent you," Starlight Glimmer asked.
Twilight levitated another ancient book for them to see. "Legend of the Fairy Ponies?" Spike read. He and Glimmer shared a look, "Isn't that just an old Pony tale?"
"Everyone thought the Element's of Harmony and Nightmare Moon were just legends to, remember," Twilight stated. "I've learned not to be so doubtful right away."
"Still," Spike said, "Fairy Ponies, no one's ever seen one. There just a myth."
"But why would Celestia have sent it?" Starlight pointed out.
"True," Twilight agreed, "In her letter she said this was a book of hers and it's very important." The purple Alicorn flipped through the pages, "But I've read these stories before and nothing seems different."
"Well-," Spike began.
"Wait!" Twilight startled them. "There's two pages stuck together."
"Is there something there?" Starlight was by Twilight's side.
"There might be," Twilight carefully separated the pages and gazed at them."
"Well, what is it" Spike was running out of patient.
"It's a map!" Twilight exclaimed.
"To what?" Starlight asked.
Rainbow Dash zipped through the clouds as fast as she could, soon the Castle of Friendship soon came into sight. Without stopping the blue Pegasus zoomed through the doors. . . and straight into Applejack.
"Tarnation Rainbow!" Applejack snapped as the two ended up in a pile on the floor, "You should look where ya' going!"
"Sorry," was the simple reply.
"Oh dear," Rarity exclaimed seeing the mess. With her were Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
"Well, looks like we're all here," Applejack noted as she untangled herself from the blue Pegasus.
"What do you think Twilight called us here for?" Rainbow asked.
"Maybe it's a friendship problem," Fluttershy voiced.
Just then Twilight, Spike and Starlight appeared. "Good, you all made it."
"Yep," Pinkie Pie exclaimed jumping up and down, "Were here to. . . Do whatever it was we need to do."
"Good, because were going on a mission girls!" Twilight announced.
"What is it?" Rarity asked.
"Is it the Friendship Map?" Applejack put in.
"We're going to find the Fairy Pony's!" Twilight declared.
"GREAT!" Pinkie Pie cheered.
Only for everyone to pause and share a look before Rainbow asked what they were all thinking. "The what?"
A few days later the Mane Six, Starlight Glimmer and Spike were struggling through a heavily wooded forest.
"This is doing horrors for my mane," Rarity exclaimed as she got snagged on another branch.
"How much further?" Rainbow Dash complained, all the trees meant she couldn't fly and it wasn't improving her mood.
Twilight glanced at the map again, "I'm not exactly sure, this area is huge and a lot is unexplored."
"It is close to the Everfree Forest," Fluttershy mention.
"And the map just points to the general area, not a pacific point," Starlight Glimmer added as she looked over other maps the group had brought.
"Then maybe we should concentrate on something else," Applejack added.
"Like what?" Spike asked.
"How about this," Twilight said holding up the book for everyone to see, on the page was an image of a Fairy Pony. A Pony-like creature with colorful transparent butterfly wings, a curved horn and a lion-like tail.
Most of the group stared at it still unsure until Rainbow spoke up, "I'm just saying how do we know any of this is true?"
"This map has to lead to something."
"Yeah, or it's just part of some old story?"
"True," Rarity added, "I remember hearing stories about Fairy Ponies when I was a little filly. And no one has ever see one."
"I usually might agree," Twilight said, "But then I realized something as I reread the book."
"What?" Fluttershy asked.
"This isn't a book. . . it's a journal!"
"Huh?" Everyone said.
Twilight spoke excitedly, "This is Celestia's journal, like the one we found in their old castle. I recognized her writing."
"Okay, but even if that is true where are we even suppose to look?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"How about over there," Pinkie Pie pointed.
Everyone turned to see a small group of Fairy Ponies in a clearing unaware of the ponies and dragon watching them. Like the pictures they were Pony-like expect they were smaller and slighter with longer ears, curved horns and lion-like tails. They all had colorful transparent wings, the mares were butterfly shaped while the stallions were more dragonfly-like.
"Oh wow," Spike said shocked.
"What now?" Applejack asked.
"Well, the legends do say their shy so we should approach carefully," Twilight glanced at the book again.
"Well then, maybe Fluttershy should go first," Rarity offered.
"Me!" Fluttershy said nervously.
"Wait," Rainbow Dash suddenly said, "Where's Pinkie?"
Everyone turned to see her approaching the Fairies. "Hi, my name's Pinkie Pie. I'm a Pony and me and my friends have been looking for you." She then gave them one of her overly bright smiles.
The Fairy Ponies stared at her for a full minute before, "RUN!" One shouted. Suddenly there was a flash of bright dazzling light that forced everyone to cover their eyes. By the time they could see again the Fairy Ponies were gone.
"WAIT! We didn't mean to scare you," Twilight called as she leaped after them.
"What did I do?" Pinkie asked the others.
"Where do we start," Starlight said as she raced to follow Twilight with the others behind her.
"I didn't see where they went," Fluttershy spoke up as they continued running.
"Me neither," Spike added as he held onto Twilight.
"The stories should of said how fast they are," Applejack said.
"Didn't the stories say they could disappear?" Spike asked.
Not knowing where to go the group finally stopped. "Great, they could be anywhere," Rainbow said as they tried to figure out what to do next.
"Your here!"
Surprised by the voice, everyone looked around confused before looking up to find two Fairy Ponies in the trees looking down at them, one was blue with a pink mane and tail, her eyes were green and her hooves were white. Her wings were light pink with darker outlines and gold spots.
Her companion was dark purple with golden eyes and black hooves, her mane and tail were two shades of pink and her wings were light yellow, outlined in purple and had blue spots.
The blue one flew to the ground and ran up to them excitedly stopping just short of running into Twilight. "I can't believe you're actually here!"
"I thought Fairy Ponies were suppose to be shy," Applejack whispered.
"We may be shy but were also curious." The blue Fairy said surprising Applejack. "And your finally here." The blue Fairy was jumping up and down excitedly.
"Um, yes were here. . ." Twilight trailed off.
The purple one had finally flown down and nudged her friend getting her attention. "Oh, my apologies." The two Fairies bowed and the blue one continued, "I am known as Brana. My companion is known as Keela."
"Hello,' the purple Fairy said a little more timidly.
"Hello," Twilight Sparkle offered.
Before she could continue Brana jumped in again, "I can't believe it! I mean she always said you'd come and here you are, she always said you would but-"
"She?" Twilight asked trying to get some answers from the rather excited Fairy. "She who?"
"Why Queen Aisling, of course."
"Queen?" All the Ponies and Spike asked.
Keela nudged her hyper companion, "They probably don't know who you're talking about."
"Oh, of course," Brana realized, she turned and started running only to stop when she realized the others hadn't followed.
Keela sighed and turned to the Ponies, "Please follow us," and started walking after her friend.
"Great the Fairy version of Pinkie Pie," Rainbow Dash muttered.
Pinkie Pie who was right behind her said, "Thanks. . . Hey!"
"How much further?" Rainbow Dash asked. The group had been traveling for hours, and the whole time Brana had pelted them with nonstop questions. Not surprising she and Pinkie Pie had become fast friends, the pink Pony answering the questions the best she could even if some of her answers were a little exaggerated.
"Not much further," Keela answered. While Brana and Pinkie were distracted the others were able to get a few more answers from the quieter Fairy. They learned the ancient forest they were in was much larger then they believed and they were closer to the kingdom then they knew. But when the questions turned to the journal and Celestia Keela told them those would be answered when they got to her home.
"Yeah but how much longer?" Rainbow asked again.
"Here we are!" Brana suddenly shouted startling everyone. The group found themselves before several tall ancient trees with moss between their branches like curtains, Brana and Keela pulled some moss aside and the group found themselves in a clearing full of flowers and gemstones of different sizes that appeared to grow out of the ground. And there were Fairy Ponies everywhere.
"Ohhh, it's so beautiful," Rarity exclaimed.
The Fairy Ponies stopped what they were doing to stare at their visitors but at least they didn't panic this time. But what caught the Ponies and Spike's attention was in the center of the meadow, seated on a throne made from polish stone was a white Fairy Pony with a crown and collar of flowers and gemstones. A silver-blue fox was sleeping by her side and several Fairy fillies were playing near her throne. The white Fairy had a light blonde mane and tail with streaks of light purple, blue and pink. She had purple eyes and yellow hooves. But what caught everyone's attention was her wings, they were different from the other Fairy Ponies. They were much larger and more colorful with rainbow streaks.
"Allow me to introduce Queen Aisling," Brana announced.
"She's beautiful," Spike said. Then realizing he had said that out loud the young dragon took a quick nervous look at Rarity, "You know. . . for a Fairy Pony." Rarity was too distracted by everything around her to notice what he had said.
"Nice save," Rainbow Dash said with a roll of her eyes.
Twilight stepped forward with a bow, "Greetings your highness I'm-"
"Twilight Sparkle." Everyone gaped at her. "Yes child, I'm well aware of who you are." She gave them a gentle smile, "All of you."
"Do you know who I am?" Spike asked.
"Of course young Spike." The small dragon blushed.
Aisling stood and with a gentle flap of her wings she landed in front of them, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"You were expecting us?" Twilight asked.
"But of course, and there's so much to discuss."
Brana was right, after getting over their shyness the Fairy Ponies were very curious, Starlight Glimmer, Spike and the mane six, excluding Twilight were surrounded by Fairy Ponies who were busy braiding flowers and gems into their manes or making wreathes for them. Again they were pelted by questions.
Meanwhile Twilight stood with Aisling. The purple Alicorn was nervous now that she was here, not sure what to ask first. Finally she turned to the regal Fairy but before Twilight could speak she noticed a teal filly with a pink and yellow man and tail, blue eyes and white hooves peeking at her from behind the Fairy Queen's legs.
Following her line of sight Aisling smiled at the hiding filly, "Come dear Vesna, no need to be shy."
The little filly finally emerged and stared at the Alicorn Princess. "Hello little one," Twilight offered with a smile.
"Greetings Princess," Vesna said with a bow, "Welcome to Flower Grove."
"Is that your kingdoms name?"
Vesna looked at Aisling who answered Twilight's question, "This is the kingdom of Annwn, the Flower Grove is where we live during the time you know as spring and summer." The white Fairy then turned her attention to the filly, "Why don't you join your friends while I speak with Princess Twilight." Vesna nodded and took off in the direction of a group of Fairy foals that had surrounded Fluttershy.
"Is she your daughter?" Twilight asked.
"Not by blood, but I care for her since her parents sadly left us."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Twilight tried to think of something to say.
"You may ask whatever is on your mind," Ailsing assured her.
"Well, then I guess. . . why did Celestia send me here?"
"Probably because the next part of your journey is beginning." The way she said that had Twilight glance at her, before she could ask Aisling then leaned closer and playfully whispered, "And you did ask about the seed did you not?"
Twilight looked at her surprised, she hadn't mention that yet. Then she remembered something else she had been wondering about, "If I may ask how do you know so much about us? Brana said you were expecting us but she also said Fairy Ponies never leave the kingdom."
"Your mostly correct on that observation." Aisling turned, "Please follow me."
With a flap of her wings she was in the air, Twilight quickly followed. As they flew the Alicorn Princess looked over the kingdom below, it was mostly meadows and orchards with Fairy Ponies everywhere.
Soon the queen started to descend and Twilight followed landing before a ring of trees, Aisling walked between the trunks leading Twilight into a meadow and the purple Alicorn gasped at the sight. Brilliant crystal shoots were everywhere, they seemed to reflect so many colors and Twilight could feel great power coming from them. "This-this is amazing," Twilight walked among them trying to see everything, "What are these?"
"These are special crystal shoots, you won't find them anywhere else in our world," Aisling said joining Twilight who had wondered into the center. The queen lifted a sprout with her hoof and smiled fondly at it, "Their powerful now but only on love and harmony will they truly bloom."
Twilight glanced at her, "Only on love an-," she trailed off and Aisling turned to her with a knowing smile. "You-you created the Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Heart didn't you?"
"I helped, but many assisted." Aisling got a faraway look in her eyes like she was reliving something from long ago which Twilight realized was probably happening. Finally Aisling spoke, "Long before this land was known as Equestria, before the Pillars came together and the two Alicorn sisters raised the Sun and Moon when I was young I was traveling with others when we were suddenly caught in a blizzard and I got separated. I was forced to land and while wandering looking for shelter I bore witness to something amazing, the power of Friendship."
"Wait," Twilight realized something, "You don't mean. . ."
"Clover the Clever, Private Pansy and Smart Cookie defeating the Windigos by creating a Fire of Friendship. I had never seen anything like it before, after witnessing this marvelous event I was able to gather some of the energy and placed it into a crystal seedling.
Long I cared for it till it sprouted into many crystal shoots, word about them reached some and I was approached by Queen Amore. She had found a particularly strong magical ley line she hoped to use to spread love throughout Equestria. But she needed something not only to helped channel this powerful energy but to protect her fledgling kingdom, so I nurtured one of the two most powerful seedlings with Amore's love and it sprouted into what you know as the Crystal Heart.
Not long after I was then approached by Stygian who wanted help in finding ponies representing elements he believed could save their new world. After much research we had narrowed it down to six powerful Ponies who helped others, Stygian left to find them and after their first victory he introduced me to who he called the Pillars of Equestria. I could sense powerful magic in them, strength and integrity, hope and optimism, bravery and devotion, beauty and charity, healing and compassion and sorcery and leadership. Elements to bring harmony to all.
We became friends though I admit Star Swirl and I often butted heads but I began to notice Stygian becoming depressed. I could feel his inner turmoil, feeling like he wasn't helping enough and I admit to my eternal regret I could of done more to help him and yet didn't."
"The Pillars could of to," Twilight offered softly.
"That may be true," Aisling reluctantly agreed. She was quiet a moment before continuing, "After Stygian became the Pony of Shadows the Pillars revealed their plan to me, I didn't agree with their decision but in the end I complied and gave the Pillars a crystal seed that they each placed a bit of their magic in. The Alicorn sisters had proven themselves by defeating Tirek but they were still too young and the Pillars wanted to leave something to guard their world.
Soon after they carried through with their plan and all I could do was watch, afterwards I planted the seed in a safe place and continued looking after the Alicorn sisters till I felt they didn't need my guidance anymore, before I left I showed Celestia the tree and explained it's importance's to Harmony."
"That's how Celestria knew about the tree!" Twilight said excitedly.
Asling gave an amused smile, "True but there is more."
"Oh, sorry," Twilight blushed.
Aisling gave her a pat on the hoof, "No harm done." She sighed and continued, "Not long after Sombra rose to power and took over the Crystal Empire, the sisters tried to save it but Sombra cursed it before his defeat. Soon Discord appeared and spread pure chaos, the eldest sister decided to use the Elements against their new foe despite the risk the Elements might not be ready. But with them they succeeded and for a while ruled in harmony." Aisling then looked at Twilight with great sadness, "And the rest you know."
"Yes," Twilight agreed, "Luna became Nightmare Moon . . . but there's something I've always wondered, why did it take a thousand years to save Luna?"
"The hate and envy was to strong and with the sisters unity broken the bond with the Elements was breaking, all Celestia could do was harness the remaining magic she was still bonded with and imprisoned Nightmare Moon in the moon knowing it would be a long time before her sister could be saved, by waiting for the next who could not only bond with the Elements but are the Elements."
Twilight gave her a shocked look, "Are the Elements? What do you mean?"
"It's was not by chance the Tree of Harmony bears your cutie mare."
Twilight thought about that for a moment, "But still how could Celestia have know all that?"
"Dear Twilight, what do you see when you look at the crystal shoots?" Aislng suddenly asked with a slightly mischievous smirk.
Confused by the request the purple Alicorn turned to the crystallized plants and gazed at them intently, she was about to say how colorful they were when she felt something. Like she couldn't turn away even if she wanted to, everything then went white and there was a slight buzzing sound. Then a form came into focus, it-it looked like an Alicorn but made out of some kind of magical energy and-"
Twilight blinked and shook her head not quite sure what she had just seen. "I-I. . . what happened?"
"What do you mean dear?" Aisling asked innocently.
"I. . . I don't know," Twilight wasn't sure what to say.
Aisling then stood, "Come, let us return to your friends before my dear Fairies drive them up a tree."
"Oh, I'm sure their fine." A sonic rainboom then appeared in the skies. "Yep, everything's fine. But we should get back."
The two took to the air again but Aisling noticed Twilight was very quiet and flew so they were side by side, "Dear Twilight, what troubles you?"
"Well I was wondering, you said you look after Celestia and Luna."
"I did," a grin came to the Fairy queen's face, "Celestia was quite the mischievous filly, and dear little Luna always felt she had something to prove." Aisling went quiet for a moment, "I take comfort that their together again, and I have you and your friends to thank for that."
"I'm glad their together to. . . and this might seem strange but I'm glad to hear these things about them. When they were young." When Aisling turned to her she continued, "It's just I always knew Celestia as the ruler of Equestria and my mentor. I haven't known Luna as long but after restoring her from Nightmare Moon we didn't see her for awhile as she adjusted to returning to a land very changed, it wasn't till Nightmare Night got to see her again."
"Yes, after all that time it would be hard to adjust," Aisling agreed.
"Oh yeah," Twilight grinned, "You wouldn't believe the problems that arose, Rainbow Dash with her pranking spree hadn't helped at all, and Pinkie Pie with her pretend panic attacks just cause problems at first. But in the end Luna was accepted."
"You are a very helpful person Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight looked down with a slight frown, "I'm glad to help but sometimes it's hard, especially being a princess now."
"Ah, and that is where the problem is," Aisling asked.
"Well. . . yeah. Being a princess, especially the princess of Friendship, it can be so daunting sometimes. Celestia, Luna and Cadance they make it look so easy. I just feel sometimes I make more mistakes then help. Sometimes it just seems like things were easier when I was just a student."
"I have a feeling many would disagree with that," the fairy queen pointed out.
"Well. . . I don't know."
"Dear Twilight, you should not fear, many might look to you to be perfect but others need to know that it's okay to fail as long as you don't let it stop you."
"What do you mean?"
"Mistakes and success help you to inspire others."
"I don't really see how those two go together," Twilight said confused.
Like the ripples in a stream what we do effects others
We are both students and teachers and everything in life is a lesson
Always learning are experiences shape us into who we are both the good and the bad
New things are always happening while others stay the same
The path is long to find who we are and there are many roads to travel
But even when we stumble we need to keep going or will never learn who we can be
Are greatest lessons are from those mistakes will make
There will be many but you can't let it stop you
Mistakes are lessons for later
No diamond is truly flawless but they shine all the same
If we didn't have them nothing would never change
Never let others tell you mistakes are an end
We always keep learning and no one knows everything
We are both students and teachers and everything in life is a lesson
In the end its worth it because it's what makes us who we are
And it's our job to pass it on
No book really closes nothing is an ending it's just another beginning
And others are starting their own journeys they will need help along the way
And they need to know nothing is flawless
That mistakes are not the end
The stars are still shining and the trees are still growing
And the truest failure would be not to keep trying
Will discover new things along the way but only if we keep going
And we need to make sure others know this
The path will be long and hard and you will stumble along the way
but even when things seem at their worse even when it seems hopeless it takes courage to keep going
And you need to show them the inspiration to keep going
You inspire others by just being you
By just being you . . .
"Never let failures, regrets or mistakes hold you down, and always make sure others learn this," Aisling finished.
Twilight was quiet for a few moments, "What is your biggest regret, if I may ask?"
Aisling gave her another gentle smile, "You may." She looked into the sky with great sadness before she answered, "I have many regrets but two of my biggest is not being firmer in my belief that Stygian could be saved and not being able to help Celestia and Luna." They were both quiet for a few moments before Aisling gave a gentle laugh, "Now I believe it's time for you and your friends to head home."
"Could we visit again?" Twilight asked, she like talking to the Fairy queen. It reminded her of the time she was still Celestia's student.
"I'd like that very much."
They soon returned to find the others surrounded by Fairy Ponies, Rainbow Dash showing off her flying skills, Rarity talking about fashion and helping to make flower crowns. Fluttershy was holding the silver-blue fox who's name she learned was Glas and was talking about animals to a group of fairy foals. Applejack spoke about her farm and family while Pinkie Pie was trying to show the fairies how to throw a 'Discovering Fairies' Party. Starlight explained about her past and time as Twilight's student while Spike boasted of his rescue of the Crystal Empire. The Fairy Ponies were disappointed that the mane six, Spike and Starlight Glimmer had to go but they promised to return soon.
"It was a joy being welcome to you lovely kingdom," Rarity told Aisling.
"And it was a joy having you all here," Aisling replied.
"It was fun," Keela agreed with a soft smile.
"Yeah!" Brana was by her side, "Pinkie Pie, you need to return as soon as possible!"
"Don't worry, I will. And next time I'll remember to bring my Party Cannon."
"Oh boy," Applejack muttered.
Aisling stepped forward looking each member in the eye with a gentle smile, "Remember the lessons you learned for the trials ahead my little Ponies."
"We will," Twilight said.
After a few more goodbyes the Ponies and Dragon began the journey home. They weren't very far when the group was startled by Rainbow Dash as she started laughing."
"What's so funny?" Applejack asked.
"It's just. . . come on. We've face Nightmare Moon, Discord, King Sombra, Changelings; twice, Tirek and the Pony of Shadows. What could possibly happen next?"
"I quite agree," Rarity said. The others nodded in agreement.
"Well. . . maybe," Twilight said. But she felt something was coming.
No one noticed Aisling watching them leave before she looked into the sky worriedly.
In a forest near the town of Oat's Dale a purple unicorn filly with a mane of red and purple shades was running through the forest, her saddlebags full of the things she had collected today when something in the center of the path made her stop.
It looked like a smooth red and gray stone, shaped almost like a unicorn horn. After a moment of hesitation she placed it in her bag and continued on her way home before her big sister worried. Unknown to the filly purple smoke trailed from the stone and there was evil laughter on the wind.