1My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro, The Hub and of course Lauren Faust who seems to have gone out of her way to make a show about pastel colored ponies with names like "Twilight Sparkle" completely awesome. This story is just for fun and no profit shall be made so please above mentioned people don't sue me. You're not gonna get much. Any OCs that pop up in this fic belong to me and can be used with permission. Please don't steal from me. Now with that out of the way, on with the show.
The Elements of Discord
Chapter 11: High Stakes
Luna stood still in shocked silence. She was paralyzed by surprise and conflicting emotions. On the one hoof she was happy to see her friend Dark Sky alive and well after 1,000 years but on the other hoof if she was still under Discord's corrupting influence than this reunion might not be so happy after all. It would also require to her imprison her and she wasn't ready to do that to her friend just yet. So she would have to tread this situation very carefully.
"Sky," she repeated, much more calmly this time. "It's good to see you again after..."
"1,000 years?" Dark Sky finished a bit bitterly.
"I was going to say 'after all this time' but I suppose that works as well. Tell me, when did you get free?"
"Oh just a few hours ago," the unicorn responded as she nonchalantly checked the bottom of her right front hoof. "Sorry I didn't stop by sooner but I've been a bit...busy."
Luna's pleasant, and somewhat hopeful, expression fell at the tone of Sky's voice from that statement. There was something...sinister about it that made her think she knew exactly what her friend had been up to this last few hours.
"So...you are collecting the Elements of Discord again," she stated, not asked.
"Oh Luna don't be silly," Dark Sky practically giggled. "I'm not collecting them."
For a brief second, the princess allowed her hope to return, but it was quickly dashed by the next remark.
"I've already collected them!" she finished excitedly. "And you won't believe this, but their powers have been transferred to a group of ponies! Weird, huh? But I've got them all rounded up at the old castle and I should be able to adjust the spell to work with them instead of the original Elements. It might take some time but I'm sure I can do it. Which means you can be Nightmare Moon again and this time with the help of these other ponies we can succeed in taking down your sister and ruling the kingdom for eternity! Isn't that great?!"
Now it wasn't only Luna's expression that fell but her heart as well. The outburst confirmed her fears that this was indeed not her friend that had returned to her, but rather the twisted abomination of her that Discord had created. It almost made her want to weep but she had to remain strong for herself and especially her friend. Despite her resolve, however, she couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes and sighing before she spoke.
"No," she said softly, turning her head away even after she opened her eyes. "It is not."
This time it was Dark Sky's turn to be surprised and disappointed.
"W-what do you mean?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow in disbelief. "I-I thought that's what you wanted? Remember how they treated you? How they treated us?!"
"Of course I remember!" Luna snapped, almost slipping into the Royal Voice. She took a moment to stop and regain her composure. "How could I forgot? It was all I had to think about for 1,000 years. All the anger, the hatred, the betrayal. It all festered during my time trapped in the moon where it only grew stronger until the day I was finally freed. I swore I would have my revenge on my sister and all the other ponies who had mistreated me. And then..."
"And then?" the unicorn asked expectedly.
"Then I was saved. Freed from all those negative emotions and the horror that was Nightmare Moon," she concluded in an almost thankful tone. "It was then I realized what a mistake I had made. Giving into those emotions. Letting Discord corrupt me. Using his elements. They were all mistakes. Horrible mistakes that I am not sure I can ever take back. Becoming Nightmare Moon didn't help me at all. If anything it made things much worse. It confirmed my status as a monster in the eyes of the public. It cost my sister's friends their lives and very nearly cost me my relationship with her. And..." she paused to look Dark Sky directly in the eyes. "It very nearly cost me my only friend in the world."
Sky's expression softened and she looked honestly surprised, if not touched, by the comment. Her angered resolve seemed to waver as she tried to come up with a response.
"Luna..." she said softly, "I...I..."
She then held a hoof to her forehead as if it hurt and stumbled a bit. She shook her head as if to clear it and she was about to speak again but stopped short when she caught sight of Luna's reflection in the mirror behind her. Or rather what was in place of Luna's reflection. Instead of the demure, dark blue princess was the dominating, black form of Nightmare Moon. The armored Alicorn grinned, her serpentine eyes focus squarely on Dark Sky. The unicorn's own eyes widened in shock for just a second before they flashed then narrowed as she mimicked the dark goddess's smirk.
"Oh. Ooooh. I get it now," she remarked as she stepped closer to Luna. "That sister of yours, she did something to you. She and her Elements of Harmony," she spit out the words bitterly. She then raised a hoof gently to Luna's cheek. "But I can help you. I can bring you back to your former glory. And then, then we can show them all just how powerful we can be!"
By now Luna couldn't hide her disappointment and sadness. She raised her own hoof to Dark Sky's and carefully pushed it away as she shook her head.
"No Sky," she began softly. "I cannot, will not, go back to being that...monster. You cannot help me, but perhaps I can help you. Your mind is still clouded by Discord's curse. Come with me and I'll free you from his influence. Then...then we can be friends again," she finished a friendly smile and a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
Unfortunately, it was quickly dashed when Dark Sky's expression became very grim and angered.
"No, it's you who are confused. I'm thinking clearer than ever!" she snarled. "In fact, I'm thinking so clearly I prepared for this situation in case it came up."
Her horn then suddenly glowed brightly as she mentally chanted a new spell she had learned. Within seconds a magical field lashed out from her horn and ensnared Luna. The princess screamed out in surprise and struggled against the aura but surprisingly found that she was powerless against it. Even her own magic couldn't disrupt the spell. After a bit more struggling she finally gave in and merely stared desperately at her former friend. Much to her surprise, Dark Sky actually looked rather sad and regretful.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this Luna," she said apologetically. "But I promise it'll all be better soon..."
With that her horn lit up again and another field washed over Luna but this time it also covered Dark Sky as well in a way that was remarkably similar to Nightmare Moon's teleportation spell.
"No! Sky! Wait!" Luna cried out desperately but her cries were quickly silenced when they both disappeared in bright flash of light.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
As quick as it was, Luna's scream did not go unnoticed as one of the pegasi guards in the hallway happened to pick it up.
"Huh?" he asked as he stopped in his tracks and looked back towards the Princess' door. "Hey did you hear that?"
"Probably just the sound of you being an idiot," the other one grumbled.
"No I swear I just hear the Princess screaming," the teal one said.
The slightly darker blue one looked at his companion skeptically. "Are you sure you heard something? Because if you did we need to do something right away. But if you didn't I don't want to take the chance of annoying the Princess even more."
"Trust me, I heard it. I'm very good at picking up the various screams of mares," the teal one informed him with a slightly knowing smirk.
"Ugh. I don't want to hear that!"
"Well then hear this, that was definitely a scream of danger."
The blue pegasus still looked rather unconvinced but after a moment he finally let out a sigh as he gave a reluctant nod.
"Fine. We'll go check it out. But if you're wrong, you're explaining to the princess why we're bugging her again."
"And if I'm right I totally get to be the hero who saved the princess!" the other retorted as he sped off down the hallway.
His companion rolled his eyes then ran after him. In no time at all they were back at the door to Luna's bedroom but instead of breaking it down hero style like one would assume, the teal pegasus merely brought a forehoof up and knocked gently.
"Hey Princess. It's me again! You okay in there?!" he called out.
"What are you doing?!" the astonished blue guard demanded.
"Well she's probably still mad at me and I've learned from experience that when a mare is still mad you gotta take things slow. Plus she could be indecent in there. Not that that's a bad thing but again she's probably not in the mood for me to see her like that right now."
The other pegasus' mouth hung open in irritated shock. It took him a few tries before he could he properly vocalize what he was feeling.
"Indecent?! Indecent?! We don't usually wear clothes! This armor is just protective!" he screamed, slamming a hoof against his chest plate which resulted in a fairly loud "clang" sound. "And the princess' armor is ceremonial! I don't think she's going to care if we catch her out of it! Especially if it saves her life like you claimed we needed to do!"
"Well...still..."
"Just stand back!" he screamed then spun on his front hooves to buck the door open with his rear ones.
Unfortunately, he missed by a good five inches and ended up falling flat on his stomach and face. The teal guard could barely suppress his chuckle behind a hoof.
"Wow dude, I think that was a record," he scoffed.
The blue one growled and slammed his hooves on the floor before he used his wings to lift him off the ground, flew a few feet away from the door then raced towards it with a frustrated scream. This time he connected perfectly, slamming his shoulder into the wood obstruction and throwing the doors wide open. Sadly this also had the added benefit of sending him stumbling into the room and despite his earlier protests, he still covered his eyes when he realized where he was.
"Uh sorry princess, but we thought we heard a scream and just wanted to make sure you were alright," he quickly explained himself.
He prepared himself for an angry, and rather loud, answer back but was surprised when none came.
"Princess?" he tried again.
"Dude, she's not here," his partner informed him.
"WHAT?!" he shouted as he uncovered his eyes.
True enough the room before him lie completely bare of one Princess of the Night.
"Well...buck," he muttered.
"Told you it was a scream of danger," the teal pegasus said a bit smugly.
"Yeah and now you get to tell Princess Celestia that we let her sister get abducted right under our noses."
"What?! Me?! Why?!"
"Cause you're the idiot who started this whole mess in the first place!"
The other guard paused. "So?!"
"So get your flank in there and tell her!"
"No way dude! You are not getting me to tell her! No way, no how, not at all!
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
"...and when we got inside the room was empty," the teal pegasus guard explained himself sheepishly and quickly adding, "Uh, Your Highness."
Celestia glared down at the two cowering guards she had assigned to watch over her sister. It was a look shared by Shining Armor who stood to her right. Both looked at their subordinates in frustration and disappointment, Shining Armor even more so since, as Captain of the Guard, their poor performance reflected back on him. The two continued to glare at them for a few more seconds, letting the tension in the air grow as thick as it could for maximum effect. Just when it seemed like the two guards were about to snap, Celestia finally spoke up in a surprisingly calm and quiet voice.
"I...see..." she said evenly. "Farewell then. You two are dismissed."
The duo looked at each other in surprise and confusion.
"Uhhh..." the blue one started to say but was stopped by Shining Armor himself.
"Privates Misfire and Double Speak. The Princess said you are dismissed!" he barked, snapping them to attention.
"Yes sir!" they both replied with a quick salute then started to shuffle out of the room.
"And," Shining Armor spoke up again, drawing their attention, "after all this is resolved I'm going to talk to you about this little...incident, personally."
The two gulped nervously before they flew out of the room as quickly as their wings would let them. When the doors closed behind them, Shining Armor let out a sorrowful sigh and slowly slipped off his helmet.
"I'm sorry your highness. This is all my fault," he apologized. "I should have known better than to let them watch over Princess Luna."
"No, the fault lies with me," Celestia reassured him as she stepped down from the throne and started to walk towards the other end of the room. "I should never have let Luna out of my sight. I should have gone with her. Or she at least stay here where I could watch over her. I should have done...something!"
She slammed her hoof down at the last word to emphasis her frustration. She then let out a small sigh as she hung her head and closed her eyes, unsure of what else to do at the moment.
"Well..." Shining Armor said softly and hopefully. "You did send Twilight to get her friends and the Elements of Harmony. So that's something. Knowing my lil' sis she's probably already working on the case."
Celestia smiled faintly. "While I do appreciate the thought Shining, I doubt that she's quite at Ponyville yet." The Alicorn suddenly gasped as she raised her head in inspiration. "Which means there still might be time to catch her and let her know of the situation which could quicken her progress!"
"I'll have my fastest pegasus rely the message right away ma'am!" the white unicorn announced urgently.
"No need for I have someone here who's much faster than any pegasus in your ranks," the Princess smiled as she moved over to her pet phoenix's cage. "Philomena, wake up. I need you."
At the sound of her master's voice, the sleeping phoenix's eyes snapped open and she immediately gave her her attention. Celestia flashed a brief smile before her expression grew grim again and she levitated a small scroll and quill in front of her. She quickly jotted down a note then brought a canister that she rolled the scroll into then tied around Philomena's right leg.
"Take this to Twilight Sparkle at once," the princess instructed as she opened the birdcage. "She should be on her way to Ponyville right now."
Philomena gave a quick salute before she zoomed out of the cage and through a window Celestia opened for her. The elder princess watched her pet go with a hopeful heart but a troubled mind.
"Princess, is there anything else I can do to help?" Shining Armor offered.
Celestia sighed and closed her eyes for a second as she thought his words over.
"Yes there is," she said as she opened her eyes and looked towards him. "Take Princess Cadence and your Prestige Class guards out of Canterlot and to a safe location. Just to be on the safe side."
"Shouldn't I leave some of those guards with you?" he asked.
"I believe there will be plenty of guards left," she assured him then smiled. "Besides, like you said, your sister is already on the job. That should be good enough."
She then turned back towards the window just as her smile faded once again.
At least I hope it will, she thought.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
Unbeknownst to her, Twilight wore the same expression her mentor wore as her own thoughts swirled with what she had learned that day and what she was going to tell her friends when she returned to Ponyville.
Well obviously I'm going to tell them to truth but how I do even start off? 'Hey girls, remember when we used the Elements of Harmony to save Princess Luna from being Nightmare Moon? Well it turns out that could have killed us and we might have to do it again so be ready for it!' No, that's not going to work. And where do we even start looking for Dark Sky? She can't still be in Ponyville. I suppose the old Castle Canterlot in the Everfree Forest would be the best place to start since that's what she knew before. But if she's not there? Or she's already assembled her own 'Elements of Discord' ponies? I guess we'd have to fight them but would they be under spells too or just jerks? And if they are acting under their own will what do we do then?!
"ARGH! This is all just too much to handle!" she screamed aloud.
"Is there a problem Twilight?" one of the pegasus guards pulling the flying coach asked.
"Um? Problem? Me? No! No not at all!" she laughed nervously. Note to self: have quieter freak-outs.
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and try to gather her thoughts in a much more organized manner to fully explain the situation to everypony else. Right when she was starting to make her mental bullet points, however, Philomena landed on the coach right in front of her and broke her concentration. She was about to let out the usual frustrated scream she did when her thinking was interrupted but stopped short when she finally saw who had interrupted her.
"Oh Philomena, it's you," she remarked before her eyes grew wide in shock. "Wait! Philomena?! What are you doing here?!"
In response the phoenix merely held out her right leg with the canister tied around it. Twilight levitated the lid off then pulled out the scroll. After a quick read, her eyes shot wide again and her face contorted in horror.
"Guys! We need to get to Ponyville NOW!" she shrieked.
Surprised, the two pegasi jumped a bit before they flew as fast as their wings would carry them and the coach. Despite being the one that called for it, the sudden burst of speed caught Twilight unprepared and she let out a small yelp as she tumbled backwards on the coach. Thankfully she caught herself before she fell off and she quickly staggered back up to her hooves. She then looked down at the phoenix again.
"Thank you Philomena. Please tell the princess that I received her message and I'll do all I can to save Princess Luna," she informed the firebird.
Again Philomena gave out a salute before she flew back off towards the palace. Twilight watched her fly off for a bit before she doubled her concentration and added this new bit of information to mental check list which now seemed more daunting than ever.
No. I can't doubt myself or my friends. We saved Luna once before and we can do it again, she resolved before her expression fell again. I hope.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
When Twilight returned to the library she was, as always, greeted by Spike who was rather enthusiastic about her return.
"So how did it go? What did the Princess tell you?" he asked excitedly but it quickly faded when he saw Twilight's rather grim expression. "It's bad isn't it?"
She just nodded slowly.
"Twilight, what happened?"
"Spike, can you go round up the girls?" she requested. "I just want to explain this once and honestly I still need to get my thoughts together on it."
"Oh. Alright. I'll..uh...I'll be back with the others," he said unsurely before he left the library.
As soon as the door closed, Twilight sat down on the floor and had to keep herself from completely collapsing under the weight of everything she had learned today. Normally she loved learning new facts but all this was a bit overwhelming. All she really wanted to do was lay down and try to process it all but there was no time for that. She had to save Princess Luna and all of Equestria from the possible return of Nightmare Moon. And in doing so she and her friends might have to sacrifice their lives. It was all too much for one mare to handle.
But it wasn't just one mare that had to handle it. She had her friends by her side. She knew she would. All she would have to do was ask and they would be there for her. But how could she ask them to do something like this? They had family. Friends. What she was asking was bigger than anything else she had ever asked them for. Did she have the right to ask them for that?
It was a question she wrestled with right up 'til she heard the door open and saw Spike leading them all into the library. Their idle chitchat stopped and their questioning looks turned to ones of concern when they saw her in such a worried state.
"Twilight? Is everything alright sugarcube?" Applejack asked cautiously.
Twilight tried to put on a cheery face for them but she quickly failed. Instead she merely shook her head slowly.
"No. It's not," she sighed before she looked at them again. "Girls, I have something really important to tell you..."
She then recounted to them the tale Luna and Celestia told her of the birth of Nightmare Moon and the death of the original Elements of Harmony and the latest news she received of Princess Luna's foalnapping. As predicted, the others didn't take the news that well. They reacted with a mixture of sadness for the original Harmony ponies and shock for what that could mean for them. Naturally, Fluttershy was taking it the hardest as she was now curled up in a trembling ball near the corner.
"...and so that's the whole story," Twilight finished solemnly.
The others were silent for a moment as they found themselves trying to process everything they had been told, just as Twilight had done earlier. It didn't last long, though, as Rainbow Dash was quick to speak up.
"So you're telling us the first time we used the Elements of Harmony could have also been the last time we used them?" she asked, sounding a bit indignant.
"It seems to be that way, yes," Twilight nodded.
"Well why didn't somepony tell us that?!" she snapped.
"Well how was I supposed to know?!" the unicorn snapped back. "And I'm sure Princess Celestia didn't tell us because she was afraid of how we'd react and because it would bring up too many painful memories."
"She still should have told us," Applejack interjected.
"Exactly," Dash nodded enthusiastically. "That way we can tell everypony how even more awesome we are for surviving something like that!"
Twilight, Rarity and Applejack all groaned at the pegasus' boast while Fluttershy continued to tremble and whimper while Pinkie Pie, as always, seemed to be in her own little world.
"Well, anyway, despite Rainbow Dash's...enthusiasm, I understand that this is a huge burden I'm putting on you girls and I can't force you to come with me," Twilight told them before her face took on another somber expression before she continued, "but I can't do it without you."
"And none of us here would even dream of asking yah to," Applejack said encouragingly.
"Quite. While adventuring may not be the most ladylike of activities, I am more than willing to get my hooves dirty to help a good friend," Rarity added.
"Exactly! Helping each other out is what friends do you silly filly!" Pinkie remarked with her usual cheerful giggle.
"And if you think you're going without me then you're crazier than that whacked out unicorn that caused this mess!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly. "So you got all us, but I think there's just one pony here that might be a problem..."
With that, all eyes turned towards Fluttershy who was still curled into a shivering ball. When she noticed the others looking at her she let out a tiny squeak but still forced herself to stand upright. She then walked over to her friends with a surprisingly determined look on her face.
"I'm going too," she stated, her voice only wavering a little.
"Seriously? You're not scared?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well...yes. Very," she confessed and shriveled back a bit but quickly took up again with an even more serious look on her face. "But I also know real friends stick by each other no matter how scary things get."
"Thank you Fluttershy," Twilight said softly with an approving nod. She then looked at the others. "Thanks to all you girls. I really couldn't do this without you."
"Ah shucks like Ah said, tain't nothing sugarcube," Applejack responded.
"Yeah! You know we're always ready to put up a good fight!" Rainbow Dash chimed in as she hovered in the air and made boxing motions with her forehooves.
"Well with luck there won't be a fight," the purple unicorn said hopefully. "But just to be prepared for the worst I need you girls to go get your Element of Harmony necklaces that way we can-"
"Ooh! Ooh! Twilight!" Pinkie Pie cried out, waving her hoof frantically.
Twilight let out a slight irritated sigh at being interpreted during her informative speech but nonetheless gave the pink Earth pony her attention.
"Yes Pinkie?" she asked, barely hiding her annoyance.
"I don't know where my necklace is," the other pony confessed.
The unicorn stared in disbelief for a moment but her features quickly warped into an angry expression.
"You...LOST IT?!" she shrieked.
Despite the outburst pointed her way, Pinkie still giggled happily. "No silly, I don't lose it I just don't know where it is right now!"
"That's the same as losing it!"
"Really? Cause I thought that was just misplacing it?" Pinkie asked quizzically.
"I...you...just..." Twilight stammered irritably for a moment before she let out a calming breath and closed her eyes. Once she was a little more rational she opened her eyes to look at her friends again. "Okay, the rest of you go get your necklaces while I go help Pinkie look for hers."
The others all nodded enthusiastically then hurriedly made their way out of the library, which had less to do with the urgency of the situation at hoof and more to do with getting away from an angry Twilight Sparkle.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
Upon returning to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack made a beeline for her room to get her Element of Honesty necklace. While she didn't exactly hide it, since that was never her strong point, she did put it somewhere that was out of the reach of little hooves trying any hair-brained scheme to get her Cutie Mark. At least it she hoped so anyway. She gave a few conspiratorial glances over her shoulders before she pulled open her closet door to reveal the few very good clothes she had. Which, all things told, wasn't really that impressive a collection. In fact her "fancy" collection consisted of exactly two pieces; the Gala dresses Rarity made for her. Granted the one Rarity herself made for her was better than the one she had instructed her to make but they were both so well crafted that she couldn't toss either of them out. Not after all the care that had gone into making them. Granted one was forced but it was still an amazingly well made dress. And the boots were the perfect place to stash a very valuable piece of jewelry.
She reached down to pick up one of the boots with her forehoof and turned it over to shake out her Element of Honesty necklace. As she clasped it around her neck she thought about the Element she represented and realized she hadn't been very honest lately. At least as far as her feelings for a certain white unicorn went. It's not that she didn't want to tell her, she just didn't know how. But if this mission was really as dangerous as Twilight said it would be, she needed to figure out the how in a hurry. Maybe if she-
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom's voice called out and tore her from her thoughts.
She looked down to see her younger sister looking up at her with her usual cheery, hopeful expression.
"Ah think Ah finally figured out a way to get mah Cutie Mark!" she proclaimed excitedly. "But Ah'm gonna need your help. Ya see..." she paused when she finally noticed the new accessory her sister was sporting. "Say..ain't that your Element of Harmony necklace?"
"Yes. Yes it is," Applejack replied with a nod then started to move out of the room.
"Are you going on another mission for the Princess?" the younger pony asked as she started to follow her sister. "Hey! Maybe Ah can go with you! If Ah help out with a super important mission for the Princess I'm certain to get mah Cutie Mark!"
"No!" the elder sister snapped as she turned to glare at her.
Apple Bloom shrank back a bit in surprise and fear, feeling like she had just gotten in trouble and not knowing why.
"Ah just wanted to help," she said sheepishly.
Applejack's expression softened and she reached out to embraced her sister in a loving hug.
"Ah know sweetie, Ah know. It's just that this is too dangerous for a filly like you," she said in a hushed, comforting tune. "But Ah'll tell ya what, when Ah get back Ah'll help you in anyway you want to get your Cutie Mark. And you know what? Ah bet it'll work this time and you'll have the greatest Cutie Mark of all."
"Applejack?" Apple Bloom asked, hugging her sister back as a sense of dread overcame her for some reason. "What's going on?"
"It's...it's just something Ah have to do," the older Apple sister replied. "Just be good for Granny and Big Mac, alright?
"O-okay."
"Good," Applejack smiled before she gave her a light kiss on the forehead then walked out of the room.
As she made her way into the living room she spotted Granny Smith fast asleep in her rocking chair as usual. She smiled lovingly and shook her head with a slight chuckle as she moved over to her and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Take care Granny. Love you," she whispered.
She fought back a tear as she walked outside where she ran into the last member of her immediate family. They stared at each other silently for a moment before Applejack moved towards Big Macintosh on her way to leave Sweet Apple Acres.
"Leaving?" he simply asked.
"Eeeyup," she replied with just a hint of a smile.
"When you gonna come back?"
"Don't rightly know."
"Are you gonna come back?"
She let out a deep, sorrowful sigh.
"Ah hope so."
She suddenly found herself wrapped up in her big brother's forehooves as he pulled her into a surprisingly gentle hug. Once she got over her initial surprise, she hugged him back as best she could while nuzzling his neck slightly.
"Be careful, okay?" he requested.
"Ah'll do my best. Take care of the others," she request back.
"Always."
The siblings then pulled a part and with one last tearful wave, Applejack set off to rejoin her friends and start off on another adventure that she hoped wasn't going to be a dangerous as she seemed to think was.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
When Rarity returned home to Carousal Boutique, her mind was already racing with everything she would need to bring along for the latest adventure with her friends. If they were going to go through the Everfree Forest then she would at least need to bring some bug spray to keep the nasty insects there off her. Perhaps a long jacket as well. Or just a coat. But nothing too fashionable as she didn't want to get her best ensembles ruined in that awful place. Of course her friends have told her not to pack so much for "simple adventures" so maybe she should cut back this time. Just her Element of Harmony necklace and maybe a nice hat. And scarf to go with it.
As she tried to settle on which garments would go well together to create a "cut back" adventuring outfit, she absent-mindedly used her magic to open the door and was taken aback to find her little sister sitting in the middle of the main room cheerfully working on some project or another.
"Oh hi Rarity!" Sweetie Belle greeted cheerfully.
"Sweetie Bell!" Rarity cried out in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"
"Oh mom and dad said it was okay for me to stay here for a bit while they're off visiting Neighagra Falls," she explained.
"Of course they did," the elder sister muttered as she shook her head. "Heaven forbid they ask me if it was okay that you stay here."
"You...you mean you don't want me here?" Sweetie Belle asked pitifully, her lower lip trembling a bit.
"No! No! Of course not! I simply love to spend time with my darling little sister," Rarity quickly explained herself. "It's just that this isn't the best of times for you to be here."
"Why not? Are you going to be busy? Do you have a big order coming in?" Sweetie Belle asked, getting more excited by the second. "Oh! Oh! Maybe I can help you! I could paint designs on your dresses!"
"No!" Rarity screamed in horror but then quickly composed herself. "I mean, Sweetie, dear, one does not paint the patterns on dresses. One sews them in carefully and delicately. It takes a very talented eye and hoof and I don't think you're there...just...quite...yet."
"Oh," the tiny unicorn replied, feeling a bit disappointed. "So what can I help with?"
"Nothing right now as this isn't that kind of work," the older sister replied as she walked towards bedroom.
"Then what kind of work is it?" Sweetie Belle asked, falling in step with her.
"Royal, protecting the kingdom, work I'm afraid," Rarity replied rather seriously.
"Oh so you're helping the Princesses?!"
"More like helping Twilight help them, but yes," she replied with a nod.
"Sooo...what can I do then?" Sweetie Belle asked helpfully.
Rarity sighed half out of frustration and half out of amusement of her persistence.
"You can go to Sweet Apple Acres and stay with them while I'm gone," she instructed.
"But if you and your friends are all going, doesn't that mean Applejack will be going as well?"
"Yes but I'm sure Big Macintosh and Granny Smith will be there. Plus you can keep Apple Bloom company while Applejack, the others and I are all busy."
"Oh," Sweetie Belle replied disappointedly. "Okay. Yeah I can do that."
She hung her head and slowly turned around to leave Rarity's bedroom.
"Sweetie Belle wait," Rarity said softly.
"Yeah?!" the filly asked excitedly.
She was then surprised when a gold necklace snapped itself around her neck thanks to Rarity's magic. When she glanced down to get a better look at the rather large jewel attached to the chain she was shocked to see it was a heart shaped Fire Ruby.
"Wait...isn't this..." she whispered.
"One of the most precious gifts ever given to me?" Rarity finished for her as she wrapped her littler sister into a loving hug. "Yes. Just like you. I know I'm not always the best at showing it and I can get quite...cross with you at times but I hope you know I really do love you."
"Of course I do!" Sweetie Belle replied as she eagerly returned the hug. "And I love you back. But you could be a little nicer you know?"
"Yes, yes I know," she replied as she pulled back. "And I promise we'll work on that...when I get back. But for now I need to get ready so if you wouldn't mind..."
"Okay, okay I'm going," the filly sighed and walked out of the room.
Rarity sighed as well as soon as Sweetie Belle was gone. She didn't like having to be so rude to her right after such a heart warming moment but there was business to be done. Twilight needed her. Her friends needed her. The Princess needed her! All of Equestria needed her!
And for that, she needed her Element of Generosity necklace. That thought in mind, she moved over to a beautiful painting of Canterlot she had hanging on her wall. Despite knowing she was alone, she still looked around her to see if any conspirators were spying on her to learn her secrets. Satisfied there weren't any, she used her magic to levitate the painting off the wall to reveal a safe hidden behind it. She used her magic again to work the combination that undid the lock then pulled the door open. Along with her Element of Harmony necklace there were also a few of her rarest and most precious gems that she intended to use on a garment for her special somepony. For the longest time she thought that was going to be Prince Blueblood until actually meeting that uncouth stallion threw that idea right out the window. After that she wasn't sure if they were ever going to be used. But lately...she felt there just might be some pony worthy of those gems. If only she could find the words to tell her. And if the danger was as great as Twilight made it out to be she had better find them soon or she might not get a chance to later.
"No!" Rarity shouted dramatically as she shook her head. "I can't think like that! We will make it back and then I can confess my feelings in a truly romantic setting as it should be!"
With a determined smile her shook her head then slipped on her necklace and put everything back as it was before she headed off to meet the others for their latest, but not last, adventure.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
Once the meeting was over, Rainbow Dash zoomed back to her home in Cloudsdale where unsurprisingly she found her Element of Loyalty necklace fairly quickly. She was on her way back to the library when she heard somepony calling out to her.
"Rainbow Dash! Hey Rainbow Dash!"
The blue Pegasus spread her wings wide to slow herself down then hovered so she could see which one of her adoring fans was trying to get her attention. Somehow she wasn't shocked to see Scootaloo waving to her on her scooter. Dash refrained from rolling her eyes. The kid meant well, she was just a bit too enthusiastic with her fangirlness. Which was something Dash thought she would never say. Still she always had time for her biggest fan. Usually.
"Sorry Scoots, I can't stop to talk I gotta do something really important," she told her as she flew down a little lower.
"Oh," the young Pegasus muttered, her joyful expression quickly falling. "Well...that's okay. I was gonna show you an awesome new trick with my scooter I've been working on but I guess this means I can perfect it until you have time."
Dash winced, feeling like she had just broken the kid's heart or something. She scratched the back of her neck nervously as she tried to think of something to say to make her feel better.
"Look normally I would like to see it and give you some pointers on making it the best, most awesome trick you could do, but I really do need to get going. It's an Elements of Harmony kind of thing," she explained, pulling on her necklace for emphasis.
"Does that mean you're on a mission to save Equestria?!" Scootaloo asked excitedly.
"Something like that, yeah," Dash said a bit smugly. "I'm sure it'll come down to me to save the day. As usual."
"Wow," the filly gaped in awe. "Will you tell me all about it when you get back?!"
Something about the youthful optimism of the question made Rainbow Dash think back to what Twilight had told her and what might happen to her and the others should things go wrong. She was so caught up in her usual bravado headstrongness that she never really thought of the implications. But for some reason seeing the excited, expectant look on Scootaloo's face really brought her down to earth. Quite literally as she was now standing right in front of the filly instead of hovering over her. She didn't want her to worry though, so she put her usual brave face on as she spoke up again.
"Of course I will!" she exclaimed. "But only if you promise to do two things for me."
"Anything! Anything!" Scootaloo shouted as she bounced up and down excitedly.
"First, prefect that trick of yours cause I really want to see it when I get back," she started.
"Okay! And the other thing?!"
"Well...that one's a bit trickier. You sure you gonna be up for it?" Dash teased her.
"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! Just tell me what it is!"
"It's real simple," the blue Pegasus remarked as she placed a hoof on top of the filly's head. "You just keep being the awesomest kid you can be! Think you can handle that?"
"Oh I can totally handle that!" Scootaloo declared.
"Attagirl!" Dash cheered as she ruffled the girl's mane. "Now just keep up with that and the trick and I'll see ya later!"
She then took off again with Scootaloo looking on in awe as usual.
"See ya Rainbow Dash! I'll be ready when you get back and you'll see the biggest, greatest, most awesome scooter stunt ever!"
You got it kiddo. Cause we're all coming back from this and becoming even bigger heroes after we save the Princess again, Dash thought confidently, making sure to push back any lingering doubts she had.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
Much like Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy found her necklace rather quickly. Unlike Rainbow Dash though, she was in no hurry to begin the possibly life threatening adventure awaiting her. It was one thing to tell her friends she'd be brave for them it was quite another to actually be brave! But it wasn't like she was just abandoning them or chickening out. She just had so much she had to do around her cottage. So many animals that needed to be tended to.
"Okay so I've fed the gophers, walked the ducks, cooped the chickens, polished the tortoise, fluffed the toucans and sweatered the cats. What else do I need to do...?" she pondered as she poked her chin with a hoof.
That wasn't the only thing that poked her, however, as Angel rather aggressively jabbed her left hind leg to try to get her attention. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be working as she was blatantly ignoring his efforts. Feeling more and more frustrated, he finally gave up on being gentle and just kicked her leg as hard as he could.
"Ow!" she cried out and flinched at the pain. She then turned to glare down at him. "Angel that wasn't very nice!"
His reply was to merely point at her Element of Kindness necklace and then point to the door as he thumped his now sore foot on the floor impatiently. Fluttershy's irritated expression became one of complete timidness and she shrank back a bit.
"Oh I know Angel. I know I promised to be brave for my friends and I really, really want to but every time I think about it..." she let out a tiny squeak and her legs started trembling. "My legs just don't seem to want to move. Maybe...maybe if I just do one more task, then I'll be ready to go."
Angel smacked his forehead then pointed to a group of birds on a large perch behind Fluttershy's back. They perked up when they noticed him pointing at them and watched as he gestured towards the yellow Pegasus and the door. They nodded towards each other and then him before they all flew off the perch then moved towards Fluttershy in unison. They forcefully, yet carefully, latched onto parts of her mane, tail, and coat then lifted her into the air. She let out a panicked screech and kicked her legs futilely as they started to carry her out of the cottage.
"No! No! Put me down!" she cried out helplessly.
Surprised they didn't seem to be listening to her, she was about to try bribing them but stopped herself. Deep down she knew what they were doing was right and that she needed to go. Her friends needed her to go. That was much more important than whatever crazy fears and reservations she might have. But given what they were all told, this time her fears and reservations are all well founded. So if she couldn't face fake fears how could she face real fears?!
With the help of my friends, she rationalized. It's not like I have to do this all alone. I'll have all my friends there to help give me strength and support me and to push me when I don't want to move. But maybe they won't have to. Maybe this will finally give me a chance to get over all my fears and be the strong, assertive pony that I should be.
The surprisingly confident expression she had quickly switched to the rather mopey one she always had when she was feeling down on herself.
Yeah right. And maybe I'll run into a flying monkey too.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
While the others had found their necklaces rather quickly thanks to knowing where exactly they had put them, over in Sugarcube Corner Twilight and Pinkie Pie were practically tearing her room apart trying to find her Element of Laughter necklace. At least Twilight was, Pinkie seemed more interested in just bouncing all over the place like she usually did. Well that wasn't exactly true, there was one moment where she asked Gummy if he had seen her necklace but that went about as well as expected.
Twilight let out a frustrated growl as she levitated another candy bowl to see if the necklace was either inside of it or under it. Not surprisingly, it was in neither of those locations.
"ARGH! This is taking forever!" she snapped. "And the more time it takes the further away Princess Luna could be moved!"
"I thought you said she was in the castle ruins in the Everfree Forest?" Pinkie asked absently as she pulled a drawer open to inspect it.
"I said she could be there! Just like she could be gone by the time we get there if we don't find you necklace soon!" the purple unicorn growled as she picked up a lamp to look under it out of desperation. "Pinkie do you have any idea where you could have put it?"
Pinkie stopped in her searching then dove into the closet. She appeared a second later wearing a red robe, blue ascot, and for some reason glasses as she held a bubble pipe up to her mouth.
"That's a very good question," she remarked in a mock sophisticated tone. "I remember seeing it last on a Tuesday. I know it was a Tuesday because the sky smelled especially blue that day. I was sitting at my tea table enjoying a very lovely spot of hay tea with Gummy when the table wobbled a bit so I...ohmygosh!"
She suddenly jumped up out of the clothes she had been wearing then dashed forward in midair towards the other room. She came back a few seconds later proudly wearing her necklace and beaming happily.
"Silly me, I totally forgot I used the thing to prop the table up so Gummy and I could have our tea party in peace!" she explained and gave herself a slight knock on the head.
Twilight stood still with her mouth agape in complete shock and disbelief.
"You used one of the most valuable and powerful artifacts in all of Equestrian history to prop up a TEA TABLE?!" she shouted incredulously.
"What's your point?" the pink Earth pony asked in confused.
The unicorn looked like she was about to explode into a fit of rage but then just sighed in exhaustion and hung her head.
"Nevermind. Let's...let's just go back to the library," she muttered.
"Okie Dokie Loki!"
They made their way downstairs with Twilight slowly recovering from the overwhelmingness that can come from dealing with Pinkie while Pinkie herself just bounced down the stairs in her usual cheerful mood. When they reached the front of the store they found the Cakes tending to the counter and restocking a few items.
"Oh hi girls! Did you find what you were looking for?" Mrs. Cake asked.
"Sure did!" Pinkie remarked, stretching her neck out to show off her refound necklace.
"Isn't that your Element of Harmony necklace thing?" Mr. Cake added.
"Sure is!"
"Does that mean you're on a mission from the Princess again?"
"Yes we are," Twilight stated proudly. "In fact it's an extremely important mission that we need to get back to right away. Although before we go, Pinkie don't you have something you want to tell the Cakes?"
"I dunno, do I?" Pinkie asked back playfully.
Twilight rolled her eyes then nudged the pink party pony in the side before pointing to the Cakes again. Still met with a blank stare she silently pointed to Pinkie's necklace then made a slashing motion across her neck. She could almost see the gears turning in her friend's head as she tried to understand what she meant. In fact she was sure she heard a distinct "Ding" when it finally did seem to click in Pinkie's head, but that could have been a coincidence. They were in a bakery after all.
"Oh yeah!" Pinkie exclaimed then rushed over to the couple and pulled them into a big hug. "You two are the bestest, sweetest, funest, awesomest, greatest bosses and landlords a mare could ever ask for! Keep up the good work on all those yummy cakes and pastries and give the twins an extra goodnight kiss from their Aunt Pinkie, okay?!"
"O-okay dear," Mrs. Cake replied a bit confused as she awkwardly returned the hug.
"We'll do all that," Mr. Cake added, mimicking his wife's movements.
"Alright!" Pinkie said as she pulled back and then started to bounce towards the door. "See ya later!"
The Cakes watched her go then looked over at Twilight in confusion.
"Twilight, dear, what's going on?" Mrs. Cake asked.
"It's...just...well...just know she really cares about you," she answered as best she could before she left the store as well.
When she got outside she just couldn't help but ask, "Um...Pinkie, don't you think you should have told them more?"
"Why? I told them how much I liked them and that's enough, isn't it?" she asked back.
"Well I suppose but you could have explained the situation better. You know, like what could go wrong."
"But that'd just make them worry and it's no fun to make ponies you care about worry," Pinkie waved off. "Besides why spend all your time worrying about what could go wrong when you could be thinking of all the things that could go right?"
"To be prepared for whatever situation may pop up. You never know when something unexpected could happen!" Twilight argued.
"But if it's unexpected then how do you prepare for that?" Pinkie countered.
"Ummm...well...I suppose you can't."
"Exactly! So don't spend all your time fussing about them. Plus if you think things are gonna go wrong they usually are gonna go wrong! But if you think things are gonna work out for the best they usually do! That's what I do all the time and it's always worked out so far!"
Twilight looked like she was about to offer another rebuttal but then stopped as she took in her friend's words. An amused smiled crossed her face as they actually started to make perfect sense. Pessimism really wasn't the thing to have in this situation. It wouldn't help get the princess back or make her friends feel any safer. All it was doing was making her a nervous wreck. So for once the Pinkie Pie way of thinking was actually the best way to handle the situation.
"You know Pinkie, sometimes I think you're the smartest pony I know," she mused.
"Well duh!" Pinkie giggled cheerfully before she bounced ahead of the unicorn.
( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - ) ( - )
Despite all their separate delays, the girls all seemed to return to the library at roughly the same time. The only one dragging was of course Fluttershy who was still being carried by her birds, much to the surprise of the others. Before the others could respond, however, Twilight spoke up again.
"Alright girls, the time has come," she started.
"Wait are we not going to address the fact that Fluttershy was just brought here by birds?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No time! We're on a tight deadline and we're already running late as it is! We need to get to the old Canterlot Castle in the middle of the Everfree Forest to see if Princess Luna is still there."
"We already know this part Twilight," Applejack spoke up.
"Yes and what if she isn't there? Then what?" Rarity asked.
"Then..." Twilight started but then faltered and dipped her head a bit. "I don't know. Let's just hope she's there, okay?"
The others nodded in agreement.
"Now I already explained what's at stake so if anypony wants to back out, now's your chance."
Once again all eyes fell on Fluttershy who started to shake again but then quickly shook her head and forced herself to stand up tall and proud and not shaking. The others smiled proudly at her with Rainbow Dash giving her a playful bump on the wing as a show of good faith.
"Alright then. Elements of Harmony! Let's move out!" Twilight ordered.
"Wait!" Spike suddenly called out, putting a stop to their charge.
"What is it Spike?!" Twilight asked in annoyance.
"You almost forgot this," the baby dragon explained as he held up her Element of Magic tiara.
She smacked herself on the forehead for being so stupid and forgetful then smiled down at him.
"Thank you Spike, I don't know what I'd do without you," she said as she bent down towards him.
"Well for one you'd have left your big crown thingie," he joked as he placed it gently on her head.
"I'm serious," she confessed before she wrapped him up in a tight hug. "You're the best assistant I've ever had and even though I already have a really cool big brother, it's great to know I have an equally cool little brother."
"Aww Twilight, don't get all mushy on me," Spike remarked with a blush even as he returned the hug. "Just be careful and come back soon, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered then pulled back.
She quickly wiped a stray tear from her eye before she turned back to the other girls and nodded. Without another word the six of them set off for the Everfree Forest to free Princess Luna before things got worse. If they were too late then hopefully they could once again stop Nightmare Moon's reign of terror without history repeating itself.
To Be Continued...
Author's Notes: Well holy crap is has been awhile hasn't it?! Nearly six friggin months! I did warn you guys the next few chapters would come out a bit later but even I hadn't planned on it being this long! Unfortunately, though, that's what happens when you have a weird summer schedule, an incredibly busy normal work schedule, play Patherfinder every other weekend and have a mountain of DVDs and comics to go through as well as dealing with your muse being less than cooperative. But still it shouldn't have taken me six months to finish this chapter and for that I do completely and sincerely apologize. I'll definitely try to make sure it never happens again. Just count this an early Christmas gift? Or just a Christmas gift if you don't read it before then. Hey at least it's a longer chapter for a longer wait. That counts for something, right?
So, anyway about the chapter itself, it actually took a different turn than what I was originally planning. There were supposed to be more scenes with Luna and Dark Sky and the Elements of Discord but it just felt better narratively to stay with the Mane Six throughout this chapter. Especially with all the heavy emotional stuff going on here. I'll try to work in some more lighter moments next time but honestly this is where this thing is gonna start to get more and more dramatic. So you've been warned.
Now you may notice that some of the scenes referenced stuff from season two even though this was started way before there was a season two and obviously the stuff with Discord doesn't fit in with that season at all. So what exactly from season two is "canon" in this story? Well I haven't quite figured that part out yet. It's mostly what I feel fits the scene or story over all and can be moved about to take place before the start of this fic. Fortunately this show does have its continuity light eps that can be moved around so it's not too much of a problem. Still not sure what else I'll be writing in so it'll all happen when it needs to happen.
For now, I'm going to rest and enjoy my holidays and I hope the rest of you do as well.
See ya next time!