"The night shall last forever!" We all stood there in stunned silence as she said those words, the night would last forever; this is definitely not good! I pulled out my practice sword and jumped at her using my wings to reach her and took a swing; as I swung she turned to mist and I fell forward into the stage, she reformed right in front of me and laughed loudly at my attempt before breaking my practice sword in half as she shot a beam of magic at me knocking me off the stage and onto the floor.
"Soren!" I heard Alice shout as she came over with Gareth and Lily who helped me up.
"Thanks." Nightmare Moon chuckled and then turned to a blue mist flying out the window and leaving us all to feel the despair of this situation.
"…what now?" Lily said looking scared, as we worried about what to do next Twilight left the town hall building in a rush as Rarity, AJ, Pinkie and Fluttershy followed with Rainbow leading.
"I guess we follow them." I said starting to walk.
"Wait." Alice said stopping us as she raised my broken blade with her magic and concentrated trying to put it back together; she shut her eyes tightly trying to pour her magic into mending it but to no avail, "(Pant)…(Wheeze) Sorry…I can't fix it. I'm great with enchantments but when it comes to basic magic I fall pretty flat." Suddenly Sukia picked it up and wrapped the broken area in duct tape and handed it to me.
"Go ahead, you are a Royal knight after all, we can't send you off without your weapon." Sukia said as I put the sword in my coat.
"Thanks, I gotta go." As I left I bumped into Gareth stopping before I even began.
"You mean we gotta go!" He said with a determined look in his eyes.
"That's right!" Alice added in, "He took our Princess; I'm not going to let her get away with it!"
"I…I'm not going to let her go either!" Lily added trying to be brave.
"Guys I appreciate the support but I'm a knight, this is my duty." I said trying to stop them from putting themselves in danger.
"That doesn't stop us from coming along!" Alice said getting in my face, "And she hurt you, if you think we're going to let you go alone you've got another thing coming you idiot!" I felt myself start to laugh and she backed up, "What's so funny?"
"It's just…you're really worried about me aren't you?" She went wide eyed and looked away slightly embarrassed.
"I-Idiot, of course I'm worried…you're our friend now."
"She's right." Lily added, "So we're coming with you!" I felt a hoof over my shoulder and looked to see it was Gareth.
"You aren't getting out of this one, were sticking to you like glue." I looked over at Sukia who pointed over to the twins who were passed out.
"I'd love to join but I'd better keep an eye on those two; good luck though, I'm with you in spirit."
"Okay then, let's go!"
Alice, Gareth and Lily followed me as we headed to the library catching up with Twilight and the gang; we entered the building to see Pinkie with a book in her hoof.
"It was under E!" Pinkie said bouncing up and down as she handed Twilight the book; she put it down and flipped through page after page until she stopped on one and gave a cheerful look.
"Here it is, the Elements of Harmony." I looked over her shoulder to see five different gems each labeled with a different essence. The orange was honesty, the purple one was generosity, the blue one was laughter, the red one was loyalty and the pink one was kindness, "There is a sixth element but is currently unknown. Only when the five elements are present does the spark reveal the sixth element."
"Where were they last seen?" I asked as she closed the book.
"Apparently at the Castle of the Two Sisters." Twilight responded…Castle of the Two Sisters?
"Isn't that in the Everfree Forest?" I asked and she nodded.
"The Everfree Forest!?" Lily and Fluttershy said shivering, "Why there? Why the forest of evil?"
"Forest of evil?" I asked confused, the only thing I heard is that it was a peculiar forest with its own rules…nothing about it being evil.
"No pony lives there for a good reason." Alice began.
"There are creatures native to the forest that could be the end of any pony." Gareth added, "Timber wolves, Ursa, and Manticores to say the least. It's not the ideal place to live or even visit." So it's home to dangerous creature...only an idiot would go in there.
"Then it looks like that's where we're headed." I said with determination.
"Are you stupid!?" Alice said knocking me on the noggin with her hoof.
"It's the only way to defeat Nightmare Moon. We don't have much of a choice." I said rubbing my fresh bump.
"He's right, the only way were going to get to the Elements of Harmony is to go into the Everfree Forest." Twilight said agreeing with me, "So let's head out everypony!"
We were standing at the entrance to the Everfree forest as multiple creatures chirped and made other noises that just heightened the immense fear we were all feeling staring into the belly of a monster filled beast.
"Well we saw it let's go home." Fluttershy said turning around but Rainbow Dash grabbed her tail stopping her, "Right…" We all entered crossing the threshold of the border between normal and strange feeling a shift in the rules as we walked; when you looked at the forest you wouldn't find anything different but from the inside you could feel the difference. The air was very different from the air of Equestria, it wasn't clean and filled with a sense of prosperity and hope; rather the forest had a heavy air that gave you a feeling of tension and danger that kept you on your guard as you walked on the dirt path.
"Hold up everypony." Twilight said stopping us, "The path splits here." I looked to see she was right, one headed up the right while the other went up the left; if I had to guess I'd say they both headed to the castle of the two sisters but one could be faster than the other.
"We should split up here." I said taking to the head of the group, "One group will head to the left while the other will head right."
"All right then let's hurry, we don't have much time." Applejack said as she headed down the right path; the groups were split up with Alice, Gareth, Lily and I heading down the left path while the others headed down the right path.
"I wonder what type of power the elements have? If they can defeat Nightmare Moon than maybe they can make you stronger to." Gareth said as we walked.
"Doubt it, my guess is that the elements are a last ditch effort when nothing works." Alice said, "You ever heard of the term Deus Ex Machina? It's kind of like that in my mind."
"It could be both." Lily said trying to make middle ground, "But we better find it quick…I don't like the looks of those eyes in the shadows." I looked to the thickets to see red eyes looking at us with a menacing feeling running over me as we moved.
"Be careful everypony! Stay in a group and we'll all be fine." I pulled out my blade and kept my stance ready for battle; suddenly a group of timber wolves ambushed us surrounding us in one group, "Can you guys fight?"
"I'm strong enough to hold 'em back." Gareth said standing at my back.
"I don't think my magic can do anything to them." Alice said backing into us.
"I don't know any fighting moves." Lily said shivering as she was ready to take off.
"Lily, grab Alice and stay away from the timber wolves, we've got this!" I ordered and Lily picked up Alice flying into the sky as the timber wolves closed in on us; they clawed and swiped at us as we dodged and retaliated, I swung my sword knocking them around as Gareth bucked them backwards keeping them at a safe distance so we didn't end up overwhelmed…but something was wrong…they seemed to be dispersing from us for some reason. I looked around to see they were going after Lily and Alice; oh no! They snapped at Lily who was having trouble holding Alice and dodging the wolves; suddenly they snapped startling her and she dropped Alice in the center of a group of timber wolves. Jumping out of the group I rushed towards Alice only to be stopped by a wall of wolves; I didn't have time for this, I had to save my friend, "Don't worry Alice, you'll be alright!" She looked over at me worried and then gave me a smile.
"Okay Soren, I trust you." Good, now out of the way wolves, she needs me…what the heck? I looked down at my flank to see my cutie mark start to glow and suddenly a strange aura lifted from my body and flew at Alice enveloping her in its light. As I watched it felt like there was a strange hole in my memory as I looked at my wooden sword…I couldn't remember my training! My sword was enveloped in magic and flew at Alice who held it and began to fight back…she was using my skills and technique with every swing. It was as though she had absorbed my skills when she was wrapped in that aura that came off me; she still seemed to be struggling as they closed in, it was a group versus one after all…wait she could do something now!
"Alice, enchant the blade!" She looked over and gave me a quizzical look before she gave a look of realization and focused on the blade; as she focused fire began to dance on the blade scaring the timber wolves, those still brave enough to attack were hit and began to catch fire making them run to put out the fire. They soon ran away leaving our group unharmed and safe; with the danger past us the aura flew off Alice and returned to me, as it did I felt all my knowledge of my sword skills return to me in a quick flash of memories.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Alice, I didn't mean to drop you!" Lily said hastily apologizing to her.
"It's okay; I couldn't expect you to keep me safe on your own. After all, you were dodging wolves and holding me. If you hadn't dropped me you might have been hurt." Alice said assuring Lily.
"How did you do that?" Gareth asked amazed at what just happened.
"One minute I'm surrounded by timber wolves and the next my mind is flooded with knowledge of how to use a sword and after it was over it was gone." Alice said making crazy hoof gestures, "What was that magic?"
"I…I don't know." I answered honestly, "My cutie mark just lit up in an instance sending my skills to Alice and blanking my memory of those skills until they came back. It was like in that moment of worry I sent what I know to Alice to save her giving up my own skill in the process."
"So she borrowed your ability?" Lily said trying to explain what happened, "That's never happened before."
"I've never heard of any type of magic that can do that either." Alice said examining my cutie mark, "You're also a Pegasus making this an even stranger occurrence." She pushed at my flank making me jump back and laugh.
"Careful, I'm ticklish there." I said putting my coat back over my flank embarrassed, "Let's keep moving, we can discuss this later."
We moved further into the forest coming across a few obstacles until we came across a roaring river that seemed impossible to cross on foot; the current was unnaturally fierce with water whipping all over the place making anypony who got close soaked from head to toe.
"We'll just fly over then." Lily said grabbing Gareth and attempting to lift him off the ground with no luck, "Or…not."
"I'm just too big for you to lift Lily." Gareth said trying to cheer her up; I looked over the roaring river up and down looking for some sign of a bridge or lull in the waves with no luck.
"The only way is over from the looks of it." I said with a sigh.
"Why not try that ability from the timber wolf attack." Gareth said looking at me with a smile, "I could lift any of you with ease so it would work if you loaned me your wings Soren." That would work…hopefully I could control it. I closed my eyes and concentrated fiercely trying to force my wings to transfer over to Gareth…come on…I can do it…now! I fell to the ground as I felt exhausted trying to stretch the impossible, "A little trouble there?"
"I can't do it…I don't know why it worked last time."
"Oh well." Alice said, "Let's just look for a way around it." We started walking down the side of the river looking for a way across that wouldn't involve tumbling down the river at high speeds; why couldn't I use what I used during the timber wolf attack? It was like…I saw Alice in trouble and then it just happened…but why was I able to give my combat ability to her? As I thought deeply I heard a loud splash.
"AHHHH!" That was Lily's voice! I turned my head to see Lily start to tumble down the river as she flailed and yelled, "Help!" We started to run to catch her as she kept going down stream with the roaring tide.
"Soren, fly and get her!" Alice ordered as we ran; I stretched out my wings and…and…and, "Soren go!"
"I can't fly!"
"What!?"
"Fine then!" Gareth jumped into the river without hesitation and wrapped his hooves around Lily trying to get back to land.
"Gareth! We'll save you!" Alice said as she bent down to jump in.
"No, stop!" He yelled stopping us in our tracks, "Trust me, I've got this!" He kept trying to swim to the side and grab the land but kept getting sucked back in the center and hit with waves of water; he wasn't strong enough to beat the tides he had to get out soon or else, come on Gareth! My cutie mark flashed again and it happened again; as the aura from me enveloped him he flew out of the water on Pegasus wings and landed on our side. Once everyone was fully recovered Gareth and Lily carried us over to the other side and once Gareth landed the wings transferred back to me folding onto my side with ease.
"Glad that happened when it did." Lily said with a sigh.
"Yeah…but on another note." Alice began looking at me, "You can't fly?"
"But you're a Pegasus." Gareth said, "Flying is kind of your thing."
"Is there something about flying you don't like?" Lily asked hovering above me…this was going to be embarrassing.
"I…I…I-"
"Get on with it!" Alice yelled getting impatient.
"I'm afraid of height." I quickly said looking away embarrassed. Everypony was speechless as they took in what I said.
"You're afraid of heights?" Alice said trying to comprehend what I just said, "Pegasus ponies can't be afraid of height!"
"I have to agree with that." Gareth said nodding his head.
"Hey, you don't know what it's like for me. I look down and suddenly my vision spins and blurs and I lose control of my wings." I responded with a huff.
"Well everyone has their fears I guess." Lily said pulling out a book and writing something down, I looked over her shoulder to see my name and a column labeled fears with one after it, heights.
"You have a record on me?" I asked surprised.
"Yep, I have one on everyone I know, even Alice and Gareth." She said flipping through page after page till she showed me a page marked Alice; before I could read it Alice slammed the book shut and stuffed it back in Lily's satchel with enough force to knock Lily over.
"Let's just keep moving we still have a bit to go before we reach the castle." Alice said taking lead as we followed behind; looks like someone is embarrassed about their record…eh, give it time and I'll be the same.
Soon enough we came upon the Castle of the Two Sisters in the distance, the only thing between us was a rickety bridge that looked recently mended, someone must have been through here already…maybe it was the girls. As we crossed the bridge I suddenly heard cracking and snapping sounds and looked to see the bridge falling apart at the edges.
"Everyone hurry!" We started to rush across the bridge as it fell apart piece by piece; we dived at the edge and landed in the rough ground with relief, I looked back to see Lily was still in the center of the bridge shivering scared as the wood around her fell into the bottomless abys- okay stop looking down Soren, "Lily hurry, before that one breaks under you, fly across!" She opened her wings to take off but couldn't stop shivering making it impossible for her to fly.
"She's too afraid, she can't fly!" Alice said with worry drenching across her and Gareth's face, if I could fly to her this wouldn't be so hard but my courage was drained in the sky, any other time and I would be golden. As the wood under her broke apart slowly I felt my heart skip and do jumps with worry.
"Don't worry Lily, we'll figure something out." I yelled trying to calm her.
"I-I'm st-st-still scared…but I know you'll think of something…I trust you." As she said that the wood split in two and as she started to drop I felt my brain tell me to jump and save her but before I could even start my mark shinned again and another aura flew off me and the courage I felt in that moment seemed to disappear instantly as I backed up and curled into a ball feeling fear overwhelm me. As I sat there shivering Lily flew out of the canyon and landed on the ground with a glint of courage in her eyes that seemed familiar…it was my normal glint! Shinning Armor always said I had a certain shine in my eye that showed my courage and it looked like he always described it. As they all looked at me shivering and curled up I felt even more terrified; as the aura seeped back to me I felt my courage return and I stood up embarrassed at my fearful actions literally seconds ago.
"You know I've noticed something." Alice began, "Seems that power only activates during moment of danger. Very finicky on how it acts to."
"Yeah, first it took your sword training and then your wings and this time your courage." Gareth pointed out.
"It saved us all those time though." Lily said, "I'm thankful for it."
"True, we should get moving though, we're almost to the castle." I pointed over to the castle and we heard a loud stomping sound…something was happening in there!
We busted in to see the other group make their way up the tower stairs quickly, we followed behind ascending the tower stairs to the top to see Nightmare Moon and Twilight Sparkle facing off against each other. As we approached them Twilight began to speak triumphantly against Nightmare Moon.
"You may think you destroyed the Elements of Harmony but the real elements are right here!" As she said that the fragments left behind swirled around Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy taking the form of necklaces of their cutie marks, then another element surrounded Twilight taking the form of a crown, "The final element, the Element of Magic!" They all rose and shinned as a rainbow of magic swirled off of them and shot at Nightmare Moon consuming her.
"NOOOOOO!" When the light cleared…Nightmare Moon was still standing there!? We all looked confused, Nightmare included at what had just happened or in this case what didn't happen.
"Sorry but I can't let that happen." Where was that voice coming from!? We all looked around franticly and then back at Nightmare Moon noticing a strange figure of a pony form in front of her; as it formed it looked…like me!? Who was this, "I knew you would show up…you always seem to get in the way don't you four?" He looked at us and we were honestly confused; had we seen him before and the four of us? We only met a few hours ago, "Wait…this is it? Six Element bearers and four noponies? This makes my job a lot easier!" He morphed and formed again this time changing into a full alicorn before our eyes; he could do that!? He then shot a blast of energy at the four of us knocking us back.
"Come on girls, one more time!" Twilight said as they built up their blast again.
"Just a moment dear." The alicorn said and a blast of magic froze them and Nightmare Moon in place, "I want to deal with these four first." We stood back up and I looked him dead in the eye as he glared at us with a disturbing smile, "I don't like to take chances…especially with that one there." He pointed to me and I took a small step back as he shot another blast but Alice put up a small barrier that took most of the force of the blast. I looked behind to see Alice looking exhausted from that one spell.
"What do you know…I did a non-enchantment spell for once." As she said that she fell down exhausted.
"Alice!" As I said that he shot another blast, Gareth jumped in front of me taking the force and falling over, "Gareth!" As he shot another blast I jumped in front of Gareth and Lily picked me up trying to get me to dodge the blast; suddenly the shot split and hit both of us knocking Lily to the ground as I stood trying to stay strong, "Li…ly!" I staggered trying to stay up, "Why did you guys take those shots?"
"I…diot…your our friend." Alice said.
"We're not going to let you get hurt for us." Gareth added.
"Besides." Lily started, "We trust that you'll be able to stop him." They…trust me…like all those times before…that's it! I turned back to the alicorn with a look of determination in my eyes and he laughed.
"You really think you can beat me on your own?"
"No I don't because I'm not facing you on my own!" As a spoke my cutie mark gave off a blinding light that seemed to dazzle, "My friends trust me to take you out and I'm not going to let them down, and with that trust I can borrow their power and take you out!" I turned back to my friends, "Do you guys mind?" They all shook their heads and suddenly they all disappeared turning into a shimmering aura that was absorbed into me and I felt an overwhelming power change me. My legs extended, my wings grew and I gained a horn as well as every piece of knowledge and strength from my trusted friends. When the light went away I was a full grown alicorn and I could feel a burning in my heart, this was the strength and will to defeat this pony for my friends who gave me this strength!
"This got interesting, now show me what you've got, you will not defeat me!" I don't know who this was but he sure knew me but I wouldn't let him beat me no matter what! I shot a blast of magic at him which he retaliated with his own, they collided, exploding in a blast of magic; using the smoke to my advantage I pulled out my now steel blade and rushed him as he shot smaller blasts of magic at me. Gliding across the area I swerved to the left and right dodging each blast with ease as I came upon him, when I was close enough I thrusted striking him across the center and knocking him backwards, "So this is what the elements have done? Even when I think I have the upper hand they always have…the other!" He teleported in front of me and bucked me backwards, I put up a barrier in front of me blocking the buck but still sending me backwards.
"I don't know who you're talking about but you messed with those I care about and I won't let you hurt them, I'm going to protect those I care about and protect them with everything I've got!" With a scatter shot of magic I swarmed him as he panicked to block with no luck, every shot hit somewhere where he couldn't block; Alice's magic was actually pretty powerful, her enchantments must be top notch. He shot another blast at me and as I tried to dodge it seemed to home in on me and my brain clicked telling me to side step at the last second; as I did the blast hit the wall completely missing me; seems Lily's recorded memory goes through magic spells as well as pony profiles.
"Yet you seem ignorant to everything around you…you don't have the knowledge I possess!" He rushed me in an attempt to knock me over; I met his match and rushed at him as we knocked into each other battling for ground; I managed to push him back with ease shocking even him; looks like Gareth's strength was more than he could handle! With everything I had I pushed him back struck him with my sword and blasted him with powerful magic knocking him down; he tried getting up but was unable to even move, he had no strength left to fight, I…no, WE had won.
His spell broke as the others began to move around in confusion.
"Twilight, now!" She nodded and shot another blast at Nightmare Moon enveloping her in a rainbow of power that blinded me; when it died out everyone was back on the ground completely back to normal…except me, I was still an alicorn. I looked down to see the alicorn from before was gone, nothing was left of him leaving only the experience fresh in my mind; as I thought about it I felt my body morph and change as I shrunk back down to my size and my horn disappeared along with a chunk of knowledge in my brain. When it faded I looked around to see Alice, Gareth and Lily standing there looking confused; they were okay! With a sigh I grabbed them all into a hug, "Thanks for trusting me you guys, without that I would have never been able to do this."
"WE never would have been able to do this." Gareth said correcting me.
"Right, we."
"I'm not sure what it was that gave me the confidence to trust you." Alice said with a quizzical look on her face, "But something deep inside said that I should trust you."
"Same here."
"Me to." They all gave me a smile and I gave a big grin back.
"I guess that's just what helps us accomplish our goals."
"Yes it does." I looked behind me to see Celestia standing over us with a gentle smile on her face; everyone behind me bowed as I did the same, she had us rise and looked us all over, "Thanks to you four Twilight and the others were able to harness the Elements of Harmony and stop Nightmare Moon from imprisoning me in the moon, you have my thanks." She turned to the others who were all looking at us, "I knew Twilight would be able to stop Nightmare Moon with the help of her friends but something felt off in our world and I knew it would strike here, I sent you knowing that you could protect them and stop whatever force that would interfere with their power and you did."
"Not alone your majesty." I said motioning to my friends, "Because of them I was able to stop that force. Their trust in me gave me the strength to stop him."
"Of course it did, that's why I sent you with Twilight unaware of the force, I felt you would meet those who would help you in your hour of need and you did." She responded, "Through your bond you were able to come together as one powerful force that couldn't be stopped."
"Only because of your ability Soren." Alice said nudging me, "Without that we would have just been four ponies against an alicorn." I looked down at my cutie mark and looked back at Celestia.
"How come I was able to do that? What does it mean?"
"That's a question you're going to have to answer on your own." I t wasn't going to be an easy question to answer but I knew I could do it…but without them…I don't know if I can.
"Then I'd like to continue my training as a knight, with my friends at my side." As I looked back at my friends Lily looked touched to think I would stay, Gareth looked thrilled at the idea with a big smile plastered on his face and Alice looked away with a hint of pink in her cheeks.
"I-I don't mind if you stay." Alice responded making us all laugh.
"Then I hereby decree that Soren shall be stripped of his title of knight of Canterlot and be re-instated as knight of Equestria. No matter where you stay I will always consider you a knight of my kingdom." Celestia said with a proud look in her eyes.
"Thank you Princess." I responded. As I basked in this moment Pinkie jumped in my face with a smile on her face.
"You know what this calls for?"
We celebrated through the night as Pinkie set up a day long party with Celestia and the now freed from evil Princess Luna enjoying the festivities; with the good news train still chugging along we found out Twilight is also staying in Ponyville to continue her study in friendship meaning I either had to find a new place to stay or share a library with Twilight as a roommate…I definitely needed a new place. As I contemplated this Spike burped up a small scroll surprising not only Twilight but Celestia as well; when she opened up the scroll she giggled and handed it over to me, I examined it looking for a sign of whoever sent it…it was from Shining Armor!
Dear Soren,
I heard about the news that you're going to be staying in Ponyville to continue your training, while I'll miss having to you around to fall in the dirt when you train I understand why you want to stay in Ponyville. Make sure not to slack off, I'll know if you do. As you'll be staying there I'll go ahead and let you use the abandoned Ponyville guard house as your home, it may take a bit of work to fix up but I'm sure you can do it, after all you are my protégé. Be sure to send me an update on how you're doing every once in a while and stay out of too much trouble.
Your Mentor,
Shining Armor
P.S. Say hello to Twilie for me. Thanks!
Thanks Shining Armor, I'll take good care of it; I looked over a Twlight who was playing pin the tail on the pony and laughed at her brothers' nickname, Twilie.
"Soren!" I looked over to see Lily beckoning me over to the apple bobbing bucket; rushing over I bobbed in and grabbed a bright shining red apple, as I pulled back I heard metal stretch and looked under the apple to see a spring attached…uh oh. My face launched back into the bucket as the apple was pulled by the spring attached to the apple; I heard the familiar sound of children's giggle to see Denys and Penny behind the barrel laughing at their prank on me, I found myself laughing along with them as Pinkie and the rest joined in. This town sure was lively and I was glad to be a part of it; but that alicorn seems to know me…or someone with the same name and personality making me wonder who else was out there that was exactly like me.
"Getting lost in your head?" I looked to see Sukia talking to me, "You should enjoy the party, after all it's for you and Twilight." She leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Besides if Pinkie sees you looking glum then the party might last a few weeks."
"Really?" I asked surprised at the notion of a week-long party.
"Yep." Alice added in hearing the conversation, "One time we had a month long party when her sister Mod visited."
"It took a month for Mod to smile?"
"No." Lily said with a sigh.
"Mod doesn't smile." Gareth said, "She has a stone face and only after she told Pinkie did the party end…it was brutal." We all laughed after that enjoying the notion of a month long party as I enjoyed my first night in Ponyville and the many more days I would enjoy in this great town.
