//------------------------------// // 9. You'll Never Be Alone // Story: Flurry Heart's Story: Elements Assemble! // by AleximusPrime //------------------------------// The next morning, repairs began in Ponyville after last night’s skirmish. Some of Twilight’s guards stayed overnight to help the residents repair any damages caused by the Red Beast and to spread the news that he had been defeated by the Elements of Harmony and was revealed to be a changeling the whole time. Of course this also meant they had to tell everypony that Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis had all escaped their stone prison and could be lurking anywhere, so they must all be alert. Many ponies worried over this news, but they were also relieved to know that the Elements had found new wielders. Meanwhile, in the crystal castle, Princess Twilight met with Flurry, Spike, Starlight, and Sunburst about the events that had just transpired. Despite the teachers’ victory, there were still details that concerned them all. They gathered around the cutie map to discuss these matters. “So the statue was broken right before I sent you the letter?” Starlight asked Twilight. “Yes. I got the letter while I was outside with all the guards, inspecting the garden where we kept the statue,” Twilight replied. “As soon as I read it, I thought what was happening in Ponyville might have had something to do with those three, but thank goodness it was just a rogue changeling. I sensed danger over by the Tree of Harmony, and as soon as I got there, I saw what had happened with the Elements. You can imagine my surprise.” “And General Scutellum didn’t say he was aware that Queen Chrysalis broke free?” Sunburst asked. “No, though I am quite certain they’ve already found each other and are planning something. Every outpost in Equestria is aware of this and will report any suspicious activity to me.” “And what about Cozy Glow?” Starlight asked. “We still don’t know who her parents are yet?” “Not yet, Starlight. I’m still looking for them.” “I still feel bad for her, Twilight,” Flurry said, sullenly. “What if she’s an orphan and doesn’t even know who her parents are?” “That might be the case. If she does have parents, I’m hoping they aren’t as bad as she is and enabling her in all of this.” “And how about Tirek? We gonna send that guy back to Tartarus or what?” Spike asked with his arms crossed. “I’m not sure, Spike. Scorpan still has him bannd from the Midnight Kingdom in order to protect his people. Scorpan misses his brother, but I think we can all find a way to talk to Tirek.” “Yeah, fat chance that’ll work,” he replied, sarcastically. “I think we can find a way to convince them,” Flurry chimed in. “It worked with Starlight, Trixie, Discord and Sunset Shimmer after all.” Starlight blushed and put her hoof behind her head while Sunburst patted her on the back. “Well Flurry, I’m really glad this stay started off this well for you,” Twilight said, turning to her niece. “It may have gotten a bit crazy last night, but you worked admirably to solve the issue. The Spirit of Harmony chose you for a reason and maybe it wants you to help solve these mysteries more in the future.” “I think so too. I just wish I could stay a little longer. I’ve only got a week or two to be here and then it’s back to the Crystal Empire,” she sighed. “Actually, about that…,” Twilight said, turning to the door and calling to someone behind it. “Come on in, guys.” The doors opened and in walked Shining Armor and Cadance. They both had big smiles on their faces. “MOM!! DAD!!” she said as she rushed over to hug them both. “There’s our little problem-solving daughter!” said Shining. “Flurry, we’re so proud of you!” Cadance added. “So I’m guessing you’ve heard about what happened last night?!” “Twilight sent us a letter telling us the whole thing," Cadance responded. "We came to congratulate you, but there’s something else we wanted to say.” Flurry stepped back as they both exchanged glances and then turned back to their daughter. Shining spoke first. “Flurry, we’re sorry if we’ve treated you a bit too much like a princess,” he said. “I admit we’ve kinda gone overboard and we shouldn’t have made you go to that ball.” “But we’ve both seen how well you’ve done in Ponyville so far,” Cadance continued. “Like Twilight said: the Spirit called upon you because She knew you could do it. Your father and I have both decided that just a few weeks in Ponyville won’t be enough, so we’ve cancelled your summer magic courses and we’re going to let you stay here for the entire summer.” “WHAAAAT?!” Flurry said with her jaw hanging open. “If it’s alright with you, that is,” Shining said. Flurry looked over to Twilight as she nodded her head up and down and Spike gave her thumbs-up. “YES!!! YES, I’D LOVE TO!!” Flurry hugged her parents again, even tighter than before. Twilight and Spike came over to join them. “Thank you so much!” Flurry continued. “Now I’m guessing Starswirl is okay with me not attending the courses this year?” “Oh he’s more than okay with it,” Shining answered. “He said it would be way better for you to spend this summer learning about another kind of magic: the magic of friendship.” “You’re going to do great here, Flurry,” Twilight said, putting her wing around the little filly. “Much like I did with Celestia, you can send me some friendship reports whenever you learn something new. Oh, and I’ve arranged for Spike to stay the whole summer with you too. He may be my number-one assistant, but for now, he’ll be your number-one bodyguard.” Spike had his hands on his hips and looked very proud. Flurry then flew up and hugged him as he giggled. Twilight opened the doors and Flurry noticed a new stained glass window had appeared right in front of the entrance to the map room. It showed the teachers, shining brightly from the power of the Elements as they hovered over Scutellum in his red beast form. Twilight looked at the empty glass next to it. She used her magic to display animated stained glass characters, depicting the events in her life when she first came to Ponyville. She and Cadance began to sing along. Verse 1 Twilight: I used to think my life was perfect When I was all alone My books and studies to keep me occupied No friends to call my own But then a pony of wisdom said to me Friendship is waiting for you I found out that day that friendship is magic And I think you will too Chorus 1 Twilight: With friends by your side Helping you to stride You’ll never be alone Cadance: You’ve got all you need right here Friends to hold you dear Watching you as you grow Twilight and Cadance: You’ve got the chance of a lifetime You’ll see it’s worth the while Cadance: With friends you’ll be just fine Keep this song in mind And you’ll never be alone Twilight: (You’ll never be alone) Cadance and Twilight walked towards the front entrance as Flurry and the others followed her behind. They opened the doors to take her out into Ponyville. Some ponies were helping to repair the damage from last night, but they were very happy to see Flurry and the others and waved as they walked by. Just around the corner, the teachers were all waiting for her and started singing too. Verse 2 Silverstream: Ponyville is full of fun and laughter You’ll have a real great stay Smolder: The coolest games and shops and restaurants Ocellus: You’ll stay busy all day Gallus: And not a day will go by that you’ll be bored We’ll all make sure of that Yona: Cause you’ve got friends that will keep you company Sandbar: And that is a fact Chorus 2 All Teachers: With friends by your side Helping you to stride You’ll never be alone You’ve got all you need right here Friends to hold you dear Watching you as you grow Ocellus: You’ve got the chance of a lifetime Sandbar: You’ll see it’s worth the while Smolder: With friends you’ll be just fine Yona: Keep this song in mind Gallus: And you’ll never be alone Silverstream: (You’ll never be alone) While singing, the teachers took Flurry to the top of the town hall to show her a higher view of Ponyville as some ponies watched. After the second chorus, they took Flurry back down to the ground where Twilight and the others were waiting there for her. “See Flurry?” Spike told her. “The whole town’s gonna pitch in to make sure you have the best time here!” “I know! I can’t wait to get started!” she happily replied. “And Flurry, me and the others might not always be here since we have our families to visit during vacation, but we’re all going to do the best we possibly can to find you some friends,” Gallus said. “We’ve all got quite a few good ones in mind.” “Thanks Gallus,” Flurry replied. “Just remember, Flurry: friendship will always be here for you. There’s no power quite like it,” Twilight said. “I foresee great things in store for you, my little pony.” Twilight marched forward to a water fountain with a statue in the center. The others circled around the statue and Twilight flew up in the air while continuing to sing. Bridge: Twilight: And when the deed is finally said and done The fruits of your labor grown The path ahead will make it clear to you Everyone: That you are never alone! Final Chorus: Flurry: With friends by my side Helping me to stride I’ll never be alone I’ve got all I need right here Friends to hold me dear Watching me as I grow Everyone: You’ve got the chance of a lifetime Cadance: (A LIFETIME!) Everyone: You’ll see it’s worth the while Cadance (OH YEAH!) Everyone With friends you’ll be just fine Keep this song in mind And you’ll never be alone Flurry (I’ll never be alone) Outro Twilight: With friends by your side Helping you to stride You’ll never be alone Flurry (I’ll never be alone) As they ended their song, Flurry flew high in the air, spinning as she went. Twilight flew next to her and they joined hooves, singing the outro. Everyone below them cheered loudly and other ponies in town joined in. Cadance flew up to meet Flurry in the air and used her magic to bring Shining Armor with her and they embraced their daughter. Spike flew next to Twilight and gave her a hoof-bump. Twilight closed her eyes and sighed contently. Her niece was about to go on a grand adventure and she couldn’t be prouder. In her mind, she heard the voice of the Spirit of Harmony speak to her. “Well done, my little pony,” the Spirit said. “Thank you,” Twilight responded, looking to the heavens. Epilogue Later that night, in the Canterlot Gardens just outside of the city, several royal guards guided a mysterious cloaked figure. He stood very tall on two legs and behind him were two large, bat-like wings and a prehensile tail. “Right this way, King Scorpan,” one of the guards said. “It happened last night without any warning. We had guards present in every corner. I don’t know who could have possibly done this, but we were already too late once we arrived on the scene.” “It’s alright, Lieutenant. We all knew this day would come,” replied Scorpan. “There it is,” the guard said, pointing forward. Before them was a large pedestal surrounded by flakes of dried concrete on the ground. This was the same pedestal that was created and put beneath Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis, when they were turned to stone over eight years ago. There were barely any signs of ingress or egress, just a few cloven hoof-prints on the ground that belonged to Tirek. They led off the dirt into the grass where he could not be tracked. It was hard to tell if the other two even joined him when they escaped. Standing next to the pedestal was the changeling king, Thorax. Thorax had grown slightly taller and had taken to wearing a small greenish crown to represent his leadership. He too looked very downtrodden. “Thorax?” Scorpan said as he removed his hood to reveal his gargoyle face, surrounded by a lion-like mane. Scorpan was also wearing a crown, which had been passed down to him by his father, Vorak. “Scorpan? I wasn’t expecting to see you here this soon,” Thorax replied. “As soon as I heard what had happened, I had to come. Guards, would you mind giving us a moment alone?” “Absolutely, your highness.” The guards bowed politely and walked away to give the two concerned kings a chance to speak together. “I had a feeling this would happen someday. The question is, how?” Thorax said. “They couldn’t have done it themselves. Tirek had all his power drained and your queen would not have had enough to break free from inside. Obviously some black magic is at work here.” “But who? Who could have done this?” “I wish I knew. If I know my brother, when we meet him next time, he will not have changed at all.” “At least he still has you. The other changelings and I are still family to Chrysalis, but Cozy Glow has no one. I’m almost more worried about her.” “I just hope it’s not too late for them.” Scorpan put his hand on top of the pedestal and closed his eyes, which began to fill with tears. “Tirek, when will you come to see the error of your ways?” Out beyond the garden, in the shadows of the forest, a cloud of dark smoke with two yellow eyes could be seen, peering out of the darkness. Above its eyes were two large, curly horns. This frightening apparition moved slowly through the forest and a wicked smile appeared on its face. “Fools,” the apparition said, laughing. THE END