Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Spike looked up at the full moon, and it sent a shiver down his spine.
It wasn't like he hadn't seen it before. But without the mare's head marring it, it almost seemed like an eye. A piercing, silver, unblinking eye watching from above. Given who was loose now, it didn't seem like an unrealistic fear.
He tried to ignore the moon, putting his gaze back on the road ahead. With the princess gone and the sun no longer coming the sky had darkened again. The world was locked at midnight, and with nopony else on the street Spike felt even more nervous.
Something shifted on his back. Looking toward it only compounded his worry. Twilight was gently running a claw over the side of the filly they had found. The orange pegasus moaned in her sleep as Spike walked on. His eyes turned ahead again, locking on the building highlighted by moonlight at the end of the street.
"Well," Spike said, finally breaking the silence. "That must be the hospital."
"Yeah," Twilight agreed, keeping a grip on the foal. "So, why are you slowing down?"
Spike didn't answer, his hooves suddenly feeling like they were slogging through cement. Just ahead stood the hospital, almost looking as though it could double as a ski lodge or some other vacation home.
A vacation home that was filled with numerous ponies that hated him.
"Spike," Twilight tried to encourage him. "Look, I know you're scared but—"
"Scared? Who says I'm scared?" Spike tried to laugh off the observation. "It's just a bunch of ponies... that hate me... and might think I took this filly hostage or something..."
Even though he'd admonished Twilight less than an hour ago for such worrying he could no longer stop his mind. Spike halted in his tracks just a few yards from the front doors. Images of the angry mob from earlier flooded his vision. Surrounding him, shouting at him, demanding the safety of his "prisoner..."
The door started to open. Spike gasped and suddenly his hooves felt lighter than ever. In an instant the unicorn had darted aside and dove into a clump of bushes, Twilight and the filly still hanging off his back. He clapped a hoof over the dragon's mouth before she protest, both their eyes locking on the door.
"Oh come on, Time Turner!" Rainbow Dash's now-familiar voice complained as she stormed out of the building. "We live next to the Everfree Forest! We've gotta have some sort of plan!"
"Miss Dash, the town council has plans for all manner of disasters," Time Turner stated, calmly trotting after her. "Unfortunately the escape of an ages-old ruler of the night isn't one of them."
Spike resisted the urge to gasp as the rainbow mare spun around. Thankfully Dash's frustration seemed focused solely on the earth pony behind her. It didn't prevent the unicorn from locking up, praying the pegasus didn't spot him.
"Rainbow Dash, please," Time Turner said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. "You're the fastest flier in town. Somepony has to reach Canterlot and inform the Royal Guard—"
"Yeah, I get it, I get it," Dash responded, her glare relaxing. "I still don't like running away, but I can't leave the town hanging. You need the guards? I'll go get the whole army!"
Time Turner smiled as the pegasus snapped a quick salute. Spike's eyes could barely follow her as she took off. Only a fading, rainbow contrail was left behind, with its owner already a speck in the starry sky.
As Spike watched Rainbow Dash fly off though, something began to bother him. For a moment he considered it was the way Time Turner's shoulders were slumping as he turned toward the front door. After another half-second, the unicorn traced it to the sticky warmth he felt on the hoof covering Twilight's mouth. He yanked it away with a grimace while Twilight withdrew her tongue.
"Gross, Twi!" Spike berated her in a hushed voice.
"Look who's talking," she responded, gagging slightly. "When's the last time you washed that hoof?"
The unicorn tried to bring up a witty retort, but the sound of hooves drawing closer stopped him.
"Hello?" Time Turner's voice asked as he drew closer to the bush. "Is somepony there?"
Spike bit down on his lip and looked at Twilight. She jabbed a claw toward the foal on his back, then pointed out to Time Turner. The purple stallion nodded, but failed to move.
"Come on, Spike," Twilight whispered. "At least this way it's only one other pony."
Time Turner stopped just a few steps from the bush, eyes narrowing as he peered closer. Spike couldn't help but notice that he was still close enough to run for the door and get others.
Then a sharp pain then shot up his flank, courtesy of Twilight's claw again.
"Yeowch!" he shouted, jumping away from the dragon.
Somehow the sleeping filly on his back didn't fall off. Spike landed well outside the bush though. Time Turner stumbled back a few steps at the unicorn's sudden appearance.
"Mr. Prose?" he gasped out, one eyebrow raising as Twilight followed. "Miss Twilight? What—"
He didn't get any further before Spike's magic ignited. The journalist's hat clamped itself firmly over Time Turner's muzzle before he could say another word. The earth pony let out a muffled grunt of surprise and started working the covering off his mouth.
"Please, just listen!" Spike begged, speaking very quickly in his panic. "I know this looks bad and you all think I'm working for Nightmare Moon—"
"I don't think that," Time Turner gasped out, finally managing to remove the hat.
"—she grabbed me and forced... wait." Spike stopped his frantic pace as the other stallion's words registered. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me," Time Turner answered, walking over and putting Spike's hat back on his head. "I don't believe you're working for Nightmare Moon."
Spike remained in a stunned silence, simply turning to Twilight. The dragon looked back at him, equal surprise on her face.
"Why not?" she finally voiced the question they were both thinking. "Everypony else in town practically jumped right on top of him!"
"Well yes." Time Turner seemed slightly ashamed and his eyes lowered as he admitted that. "I'll confess, I agreed with them at first. I mean, it really doesn't look very good for you."
"Gee, thanks," Spike sarcastically responded, eyes scanning for a place to run to.
"But I thought about it a little more," Time Turner went on, letting slip a smile. "You seemed to have trouble staying awake through a simple history lecture. I just couldn't picture you masterminding some tremendous coup."
Spike wasn't sure whether he was relieved or insulted. He settled for letting out an embarrassed chuckle while Twilight sighed. The brown stallion stepped forward and tilted his head, curiosity flooding his features.
"So, just where did your new friend come from?" he asked, gently tapping the filly.
"One of the tables at Town Hall," Spike answered. "Do you know her?"
"Not personally," Time Turner responded, stepping back. "There was a rather distraught pegasus couple looking for a filly that matches her description. I believe they're still inside."
Spike looked to the hospital entrance and shuddered again. Time Turner looked from him to the hospital, his frown returning.
"There is a side entrance," he offered, nodding toward the corner of the building. "I'm pretty sure there's an empty office near it we can use. I'd... I'd like a chance to ask you what happened while we're there. If that's alright?"
The earth pony offered a hoof to Spike. He looked to the tan limb, then up to the anxious smile its owner wore. The unicorn extended his leg, accepting the hoof shake.
"I think I could use somepony that'll listen to me," he admitted with a relieved smile.
The office seemed to belong to one of the chief doctors. Spike took in the wall full of degrees and a white board before setting himself down by the desk. He chuckled a bit as he saw Twilight head straight for a bookshelf full of anatomy text books.
"Alright," Time Turner said, peeking out in the hallway before closing the door. "We should have some time alone here."
"I'm not usually on this side of an interview," Spike confessed, his magic gently rolling the filly from his back to the soft carpet. "What did you want me to start with?"
Time Turner looked back to the door to the hall. A soft crying could still be heard, probably carrying from another room down the hall.
"I think we'd better tend to her first," he said, stepping over to the foal. "It should only take me a minute to find her parents. You should just rest here in the meantime."
Spike nodded, his magic once more floating the little pony until she rested on Time Turner's back. The earth stallion smiled and headed for the door.
"Hey, Time Turner!" Spike spoke up, drawing the other pony's attention. "Thanks."
"Everypony deserves the benefit of the doubt once in a while," Time Turner responded with a smile.
With that he left, the door clicking shut behind him. Spike released a heavy sigh as he started pacing the office. Twilight seemed quite content, curled up with a copy of " Equine Ailments, Abridged Edition."
"There's one pony on our side," she pointed out, flipping the page of her book.
"That's something at least," Spike agreed with a nod. "I just don't know what he thinks I can tell him."
"Well, Spike, maybe—" Twilight was cut off by the sound of the door opening.
"That was fast," Spike commented, turning to the door.
The color drained from his face when he saw who was there. Rather than Time Turner, Spike found himself locked in the golden eyes of Thunderlane. The pegasus stallion snorted, one hoof scraping against the ground as he glared right at the unicorn.
"I thought I saw you skulking outside," Thunderlane growled, stalking closer.
Spike backed away, but quickly found his flank pressing against the wall.
"You leave him alone!" Twilight protested, her book dropping to the ground as she grabbed hold of Thunderlane's tail.
Before she could do anything else, a massive hoof with an apple-red coat descended on her. Twilight shouted in surprise as she was suddenly crushed to the chest of Big Macintosh. The giant stallion was quiet as ever, but his green eyes were focused on Spike like lasers.
"H-hey guys, you don't really wanna hurt me, right?" Spike begged, his heart hammering in his chest. "This... this is a huge misunder—"
WHAM
Spike felt the air rush from his lungs as Thunderlane pinned him against the wall. He coughed, struggling to draw breath while Twilight let out a muffled cry. Even Big Mac winced at the sound as the pegasus pressed harder on Spike's chest.
"Maybe we oughta git the others," Big Mac suggested, ignoring Twilight's attempts to lick her way free. "Let th' town know we caught him."
"That can wait," Thunderlane snapped back, his free forehoof lifting. "I want to put my two bits in first."
Spike squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for pain. He was vaguely aware of the door opening again...
"Thunderlane! Big Mac!"
He could feel Thunderlane freeze up. The voice that had shouted was familiar, but rang with something extra. Like some unquestionable authority that no pony in their right mind would dare oppose. An authority Spike had dealt with before.
Opening his eyes, Spike saw Cheerilee standing in the doorway. The school teacher was livid as she stared at the scene before her.
"Put them down," she ordered, her eyes flicking between the two stallions. "Now."
Thunderlane nearly tripped over himself as he backed away from Spike. The unicorn gasped for breath as he slumped against the wall. In a flash, Twilight was by his side, claws gently rubbing his new bruise.
"Spike!" she gasped out, trying to help him up. "Are you okay?"
"Been better," he managed to admit, coughing as his lungs expanded freely once more.
"I am very disappointed in the both of you!" Cheerilee was clearly just getting into her stride as she paced in front of the two stallions. "I never would have expected either of you to behave like a couple of brutes!"
"But—" Big Mac and Thunderlane both tried to speak up.
"Just what would Rumble or Applebloom think if they saw you acting like this?" she cut them off, her mane frazzled slightly as she rounded on them. "You two are supposed to know better!"
As the purple mare's tirade continued, something gray slipped into the room. A gray pegasus with a blond mane. Her eyes were both lined up for once, though they both looked straight at the floor. Spike instinctively cringed as she drew close and her gaze moved up to him.
"Mr. Prose," Ditzy whimpered out.
Spike peeked out from behind his hooves, confused by the lack of shouting. Ditzy was sniffling, her eyes brimming with tears. Twilight moved aside just in time as the mare fell against Spike's chest, sobbing openly. Cheerilee's scolding suddenly fell silent, while Spike laid in place growing steadily wetter.
"Oh, Ditzy," Cheerilee gasped, hurrying to her side and helping her up. "There, there, I shouldn't have left you alone. I heard the racket these two were making—"
Spike could see Thunderlane and Big Mac both cringe at the accusation. For some reason he felt more sympathetic toward them than anything else. Even if they had just tried to beat the stuffing out of him. Ditzy just sniffled as she got back to her hooves, leaving Spike bruised and soaked. Somepony near the door cleared their throat, and Spike looked up to see Time Turner.
"Well, so much for this being a private meeting," Time Turner's said as he stepped inside. "I hadn't thought anypony saw us."
The tan stallion swung the door shut behind him as he looked over the other four ponies that had entered. Spike remained where he stood, shuffling a bit to keep Ditzy and Cheerilee between him and Thunderlane.
"Hey, what's going on Time Turner?" Thunderlane asked, storming toward the stallion. "This guy might be working for Nightmare Moon and you just let him in?"
"He found a missing foal," Time Turner responded. "What else was I supposed to do?"
"We don't know we can trust him!" Thunderlane countered, wings flaring. "I mean he... well..."
He looked to Big Mac, but the larger stallion gave him a blank stare in return and shrugged. They both looked back to Spike, who gave them a nervous smile.
"He helped settle your argument with Rumble," Cheerilee pointed out. "Not to mention all my students loved him."
"So did Dinky," Ditzy Doo added with a sniffle. "She liked Twilight too."
"Let's not forget him crediting you for clearing the sky," Time Turner helpfully added.
A sense of relief flooded the young unicorn as he heard the praise. Spike could see the anger draining from the other two stallions. Big Mac hung his head in shame, shaking under the weight of his yoke.
"Maybe we were a bit hasty..." he admitted, nudging Thunderlane.
"Yeah, but..." Thunderlane's eyes darted around before settling on Twilight. "He lied about his name!"
Everypony, Spike included gave Thunderlane a confused look.
"I heard his little dragon friend," Thunderlane went on. "She called him 'Spike' twice already!"
Twilight covered her mouth, her cheeks darkening in a blush. Spike shook his head, trying to remember just when she had slipped back to her old habit.
"Well, that does seem a little odd," Time Turner admitted, looking to the unicorn.
Spike just raised his brow in disbelief. He could see Thunderlane seemed happy to have found some sort of point as everypony looked to the unicorn.
"Hey, have you ever heard of any great reporters named 'Spike Flail?'" Spike challenged, his voice scratchy from the earlier attack. "I just use my pen name. It's easier for ponies to take me seriously."
The other five ponies looked at each other for a moment before Time Turner burst out laughing. Cheerilee quickly covered her own mouth with one hoof, and Thunderlane's smile quickly faded. Ditzy and Big Mac just exchanged confused looks.
"Umm, what's so funny?" Spike asked, looking at the tan stallion.
"W-well..." Time Turner spoke, trying to contain his laughter. "Aside from you completely missing the point of a pen name... I suppose not that much..."
He burst into chuckles again. Thunderlane let out a groan and rubbed his head with one hoof.
"Alright, I changed my mind," he grunted, eyes squeezed tight as though resisting a migraine. "Now I believe he's innocent."
For the second time that night, Spike wasn't sure how insulted to feel. Still, the laughter seemed to have eased the tension in the room somewhat. Thunderlane still looked like he was fighting off a headache though.
"So he's not working for Nightmare Moon," Thunderlane sighed, turning to the Mayor's Aide. "If that's the case, what was he doing up on stage?"
Spike bit down on his lip. In his mind the reason seemed so silly it was almost unbelievable. Twilight's claws once more patted him on the side, and he turned to see her smiling and nodding. He returned the gesture before turning to the others.
"I was trying to get an interview," he confessed, one hoof rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought if I could get Princess Celestia to give a few comments it would look good in my article."
He sighed and lowered his gaze. He could still picture the backstage hallway, the clouds, and the image of the princess as she vanished.
"Nightmare Moon was already there by the time I went back," he said, nervously biting his lip. "I couldn't do anything! Princess Celestia was gone, just like that..."
"Nightmare Moon grabbed Spike, and he sent me to try and find help," Twilight added. "Then I ran into Time Turner and Cheerilee and... well you know the rest."
Silence hung in the room as Spike's words sank in. All Spike could do was look at his hooves as he shuffled them nervously.
"That's all?" Time Turner asked, his uncertainty clear.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "That's all I know, really."
"It's just... the way Nightmare Moon spoke it was like we should have expected this," Time Turner said, shaking his head in disbelief. "And Celestia asked me to send the guards away. Putting it all together it's like at least she knew what was coming."
"Nightmare Moon mentioned a 'legend,'" Cheerilee recalled, patting down her mane with one hoof. "Spi-Er, Mr. Prose? You were back there. Did one of them say anything more about it?"
"Like what?" Thunderlane scoffed with a sarcastic roll of his eyes. "Nightmare Moon just happening to announce the one thing that can beat her?"
If it were anypony else going through this, Spike might have laughed. He did notice a spark in Ditzy's eyes at Thunderlane's words though.
"Hey, Thunderlane's on to something!" Ditzy said, pointing to the stallion and missing as he face-hoofed. "Just try and remember, Spike!"
Spike opened his mouth to reply, but hesitated at Ditzy's gaze. He closed his eyes, trying to recall as much as he could. He could picture Celestia and Nightmare Moon, talking about something for nearly an eternity. In his mind their mouths moved... but the words just wouldn't come as he trembled behind the door frame.
"I'm sorry," Spike swallowed hard, shaking his head. "Even if she did... I... I can't remember a thing..."
A few frustrated sighs sounded right before Spike felt something dive into his saddlebags. He pulled away on instinct as Twilight yanked out a few of his notepads.
"Twi, what are you doing?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow as she feverishly flipped through the pages.
"I can't believe I didn't think of this before!" she answered, dropping the pad to the floor and moving to the next. "Spike, you weren't listening but something else was, remember? Before you went backstage!"
Spike scrunched his brow up. He could recall meeting Ditzy, spotting the backstage door, and then casting a spell on his quill—
"My quill!" he gasped out, magic pulling out more of his notepads. "Twi, you're a genius!"
The others all looked to one another as several paper pads began to float around.
"Um... Spike?" Time Turner asked, ducking under one of the pads. "Could you maybe tell us what you're thinking?"
"My 'Come-to-Life' spell," Spike answered, flipping through another pad. "I cast it on my stuff to record the interview before I went backstage!"
"So if one of them did say something—" Time Turner said, his eyes widening in realization.
"Then you'd have it written down!" Cheerilee spoke up, grabbing a passing notepad.
The room's occupants were soon caught up in their new goal. Each of them turning through pages of interviews and notes on the town. Suddenly Spike found himself wishing even harder that he'd skipped Pinkie Pie's party. Most of the pads were filled with conversations from what felt like an eternity ago.
"I suppose that shouldn't surprise me," Twilight's voice suddenly spoke up. "But really? Nothing at all?"
Spike let the remaining notes fall to the ground as he looked at his assistant. She clutched a half-used pad in her trembling talons as she quoted the writing on its pages.
"No army? No champion to stand for you?" she read, looking at the others. "You didn't even try to bring the Elements of Harmony?"
"Elements of Harmony?" Spike muttered, rubbing his chin. "Well that sounds pretty specific."
"So," Time Turner set down his papers with a questioning look. "Does anypony know what those are?"
Big Mac had his face screwed up in concentration before shaking his head with a disappointed, "Nope."
Ditzy and Thunderlane looked to one another shrugged. A gasp suddenly brought attention to Cheerilee as her eyes went wide.
"I remember!" she said, a smile coming to her face. "Of course, that's the legend! Why didn't I—"
She stopped as she saw the others all leaning in close. The school teacher cleared her throat and got to her hooves. Spike watched in confusion as she crossed the room over to the white board. Cheerilee picked up a marker in her mouth, before motioning for the others to sit.
Spike looked to the others, only to find Ditzy and Twilight were both already seated and watching. The other stallions seemed just as confused as him, but slowly lowered the ground. The reporter rolled his eyes before lifting up a fresh paper and quill to take notes for "class."
"Now then, I'm sure everypony has heard the story of Nightmare Moon," Cheerilee said, spitting out the marker as she finished her drawing. "How one-thousand years ago she attempt to shroud Equestria in eternal night. However, her older sister managed to defeat her and save all of pony-kind... yes, Ditzy?"
Spike could hear Thunderlane facehoof again at the sight of the gray mare raising her hoof like a student. Ditzy lowered it with a smile, her eyes shining.
"The older sister used the Elements of Harmony to defeat her, right?" Ditzy asked, wings fluttering a bit. "I remember now. That's one of Dinky's favorite bed time stories!"
"Very good, Ditzy! You're absolutely right," Cheerilee said with a broad smile, stepping aside to reveal six odd shapes she'd drawn on the board. "The six Elements of Harmony were unleashed in order to stop Nightmare Moon. With their magic, she was imprisoned within the moon itself."
Cheerilee picked up the marker again and quickly wrote a label below each of the symbols she had drawn. Spike raised an eyebrow as she spat out the marker to continue the lesson.
"Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, Honesty, and Loyalty," Cheerilee said, pointing to each symbol in turn. "Those are the Elements of Harmony."
"Hang on," Spike interrupted, raising his hoof as Cheerilee looked to him. "That's only five. What about the last one?"
Big Mac and Thunderlane also lowered their hooves. Spike could only guess they were about to ask the same thing.
"An excellent question. The last element is, simply put, a mystery," Cheerilee explained, pointing to the question mark she'd drawn under the last symbol. "It doesn't appear without the other five elements. Then they make a spark that ignites its power. Time Turner?"
Spike could hardly believe how quickly everypony had fallen into the class room routine. Time Turner lowered his hoof, his brow furrowed.
"I hope I'm not being too forward," he said, apologetically. "It's just... well, how do you know all this?"
"One of my students found a misfiled book in the library this morning," Cheerilee answered with a smile. "'Elements of Harmony: a Reference Guide.' Somepony had left it under 'E' and it looked like it would be an interesting legend to read to the foals."
"Right, remind me to hire a new librarian someday soon," Time Turner said with a sigh. "The volunteers just can't keep that place the way Dusty Tomes could."
"Thunderlane?" Cheerilee asked, pointing to the dark stallion. "Did you have a question too?"
"Look, I'd hate to get everypony down," Thunderlane said, lowering his hoof. "But this is all just some old story, right? We don't know if it's real."
"So was Nightmare Moon," Spike pointed out. "At least until a little while ago."
Thunderlane tilted his head before nodding slowly. Twilight raised her claw, and Cheerilee nodded to her.
"I guess there's just one more question," Twilight said, standing up as she spoke. "Just where can we find the Elements of Harmony?"
Cheerilee's smile faded. Spike leaned in closer along with the others. The school teacher nervously tapped her hooves before letting slip a sigh.
"Well, Twilight, according to the story they were left in the Old Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters," Cheerilee answered, her eyes moving away from the others. "That way they could be found if they were ever needed again."
"Great!" Time Turner cheered, a smile coming up. "Rainbow Dash is already on her way to Canterlot for help! They'll be able to—"
"The old castle isn't in Canterlot," Cheerilee cut him off.
Time Turner's smile faded. Spike could feel the uneasiness coming off of the teacher. The others all seemed to notice it as well, shifting uncomfortably as she continued.
"The Old Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters isn't in Canterlot," Cheerilee repeated, looking at the others with worry. "It's located in what we know today as... the Everfree Forest."
Spike felt his heart grow cold, fear and despair gripping it. If he hadn't already been sitting he would have slumped to the ground. Cheerilee simply started erasing the marks she'd made on the board.
"Well then," Big Mac's voice broke through the heavy silence. "That's where Ah'm going."
There was a thumping of giant hooves. By the time Spike looked up the door was already swung open again. For a second, he tried to figure out how such a large pony could be so fast. Then he exchange glances with the others, spotting the terror in Time Turner and Cheerilee's eyes.
Twilight jumped onto his back and Spike felt his heart leap to his throat. Before he was even sure what he was doing, Spike and the remaining four ponies took off after Big Mac.
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The new season has begun! A celebration I say!
Let's party by posting my new chapter early! For such a long one, this one came pretty easy. Probably because it's primarily exposition, but there you go.
Enjoy everypony, and let's all have fun together with Season 3!
Well, I can see who is gonna be the new elements of harmony, I had noticed before, but the 6 meeting in the same room sorta helped my theory.
SWEET! New season and new update! can this day get any better!
Okay, I feel like Spike by saying this, but what's the joke with the pen name thing?
And so the quest to find the Elements of Harmony begin's little do these six ponies and one dragon know this is the begining of many adventures that will make them legends.
great chapter, and with it we have the new elements of harmony. Hope to read more of this story soon, keep goin and stay golden^^
YES!!!!!
You got it perfect! nice job.
Elements Assemble!
1596197
A pen name is supposed to keep you seperated from the work it's attached to, like a secret identity. For example, Stephen King wrote under the penname of Richard Bachman for years as he thought no one would want to read something written by a man with his name.
I really like that you balanced out three males and three females.
1596197 An author uses a pen name so that people who read his stuff don't know who he is. So, going around calling yourself by your pen name sorta defeats the purpose.
Good chapter bro
Twilight isn't going to be one of the new elements...
Specist!
So the Element holders are Big Mac, Thunderlane, Spike, Time Turner, Ditzy and Cherilee. Nice. Now let's see what challenges these six face and who will represent what.
1596700
...um, there's 4 males, Spike, Big Mac, Thunderlane, and Time Turner, and 2 females, Ditzy and Cheerilee.
1597970
Oops.
Well, Twilight makes three.
1597732 My guess,
Magic - Spike (obviously)
Kindness - Cheerlie
Laughter - Ditzy
Honesty - Big Mac
Generosity - Thunderlane(?)
Loyalty - Time Turner(?)
1598189 That seems about right, though something's making me think that you should switch the last two for some reason.
1599330 Hmmmm... They actually fit both.
Okay, so, Spike's real name is "Spike Flail?" I thought "Purple Prose" was his real name, and "Spike" was just a nickname. I must have gotten confused at some point...
I guess Honesty does run in the Apple family.
And thus, a new team was formed.
Nice update and all, Please do keep up the good work upon such a great storyline as I cannot wait to see what happens in the next chapter.
1599330 I say Time Turner is Loyalty because he was the first to believe Spike, And generosity was the only one left for Thunderlane.
Ok so Cherilee is pretty obviously Kindness at this point, and it seems that instead of "The Stare", she has "The Voice of Command."
New Elements?
There's only one unicorn...
The new mane 6 assembling in the office made me think of this scene SO HARD, I had to work hard to not squee.
Spike has now gathered his party, now he can venture forth.
Into history!
1599330
Thunderlane is generosity in my opinion because he always lets others have the credit. Not enough info to guide off of for now, but I like that idea.
1616207 Actually, that makes sense. There may also be something else that occurs which pins down his element even further, but who (except the writer) knows at this point?
Derpy AND the Doctor as elements? Too OP, brah. Simply too OP...
Let's see, Spike, Time Turner, Ditzy, Cherilee, Big Mac and Thunderlane, 6 ponies, 6 elements, not very species balanced, what with 3 Earth Ponies, 2 pegasi and only 1 unicorn, I'm thinking Big Mac is Honesty, Cherilee is Laughter, Ditzy is Kindness, Spike is Magic, Time Turner is Generosity and Thunderlane is Loyalty.
Gotta say, I'm really digging this AU so far.
Having a new set of Element bearers breaths new life into the story. I'm just hoping Cheerilee doesn't turn out to be Laughter and Ditzy Kindness. Also, Spike doesn't really seem to be showing any signs of being the Element of Magic. I suppose the 6th element is only referred to as a spark in the legend. Perhaps it can change form according to it's bearer. Truth would fit Spike well, being a reporter and all (and yes, Truth and Honesty are totally different things. Don't make me go all philosophical on you
)
Celestia's actions and motivations are kind of confusing to me. It seems like she's resigned herself to her fate, as opposed to setting up the elements to meet. Of course she might have put in a word with the Canterlot Sun to get Spike his assignment, but the whole setup seems a bit far fetched to be plausible.
Well, Time to see which pony is which element. The only one I know for sure is Cheerilee being kindness. Don't want to guess on the others.
It actually makes a slightly twisted sort of sense, when you think about it. He's still protecting the identity of his real name this way, after all.
And what pony would read his article a day after their interview with him and think: "Gee, I sure wonder who this Purple Prose fella is and how he got all that information."
And now its time for everypony's favorite game when it comes to an alternate verse...GUESS THE ELEMENT!!! Yes, its time where I pretend to not have read this story before and guess who is who. Of course Spike is magic, so I am going to say: Cheerilee-kindness, Ditzy laughter, Time Turner generosity, Big mac honesty, and Thunderlane loyalty. LEts see how right I am.
Anyway, The set up here brings to mind Cadence and Lunaverse stories, what with ponies hating the protagonist before hand. I think Spike is somewhere in the middle of those two, while not having it as bad as Tavi he isn't as lucky as Trixie. I love how Cheerilee is the one tohelp calm things down, espically when it looks like Spike is gonna die.
Also interesting to note is that it big Mac who decides to start the quest. While in Luna and Cadence it wither took a group effort or Octavia feeling lie she needed to redeem herself, Spike needed the motivation of another to help push him into hero mode. Does this make him any less of an hero, no, This is just an interesting thing I noticed
7119432 I was actually thinking Spike for Honesty. He's a reporter, his entire job involves finding out truth and spreading it to the masses.
4444073 I know its late but a "Come-To-Life" spell that others seem to be amazed by is pretty magic. We only see Luna do it in a bout of excitement, so it may be a special spell.
*Claps* Congrats on making Thunderlane and Big Mac just as annoying as Rainbow Dash and AppleJack