//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14 
// Story: Equestria's Imperfections 
// by fluttercordlover232 
//------------------------------//

After what felt like many hours, Fluttershy finally heard a loud knock at the door. She hopped off the bed and trotted down the stairs to the front door. She opened the door and was relieved to see all her friends standing there, with Twilight at the front. It calmed most of Fluttershy's fears to see all six Elements of Harmony stacked neatly as they levitated beside Twilight. Fluttershy put her hoof to her chest and let out a breath of relief.

Without needing permission, they hurried inside and turned to face Fluttershy, who shut the door after they all entered.

"What did Princess Celestia say? Please tell me it was something good, I don't think I could take any more bad news."

Twilight and the rest of the ponies looked down guiltily. Fluttershy's frown deepened. 

"Oh dear...w-w-what did she tell you?" Fluttershy voice quivered a bit as she tried desperately not to burst into tears again.

Twilight's ears flattened as she thought about how to break the news. She took a deep breath and began to explain everything to her, not leaving out a single detail.

Fluttershy wiped the tears that were starting to form in her eyes, and looked to her friends. Her eyes were now shinning with a newfound determination as she looked at her best friends.

"Let's do it!" She said with confidence.

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They ran up the stairs as fast as their hooves could carry them. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof, was already in the bedroom waiting for them, thanks to her speedy flying.

When the rest of them got to said room, they all gathered in a small circle at the base of the bed. Before Fluttershy joined in the circle however, she walked slowly to her husband's bedside. She nuzzled the side of his face and whispered into his ear.

"It will be all over soon honey, just hang in there. I love you." She gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Even though he was incoherent, she still hoped he had heard her. She turned back to rejoin the circle.

Everypony watched as Fluttershy found her place amongst the newly formed circle and stood tall with newly found confidence.

"Is every pony ready?" Twilight said softly as she gazed around the group, in which everypony slowly nodded. Twilight then turned her gaze to Fluttershy alone.

"Are you ready?"

Fluttershy gulped and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She looked to Twilight and nodded.

Everypony silently watched as Twilight levitated all six Elements of Harmony and gently placed them on the floor in front of their designated bearers. She placed her own Element in front of herself last.

Everypony stood still for a moment. Until Rarity broke the silence.

"Is there a certain protocol we have to take? I mean..these are the Elements of Harmony we're dealing with...maybe there's a certain step we have to take?" Rarity 
asked hesitantly. 

"That doesn't matter Rarity. You don't need to take steps to destroy somethin'. You just do what you must until you can't use it no more." Applejack said. 

Rarity felt stupid, just realizing now that her question had an obvious answer.

Twilight ignored them and looked down at the Element at her hooves. Even after years of being encased in necklaces and a crown, and defeating numerous villains; including Nightmare Moon, from whom they originally recovered them from, they still shone with as much shininess as they were when Twilight and her friends first rediscovered them after defeating Nightmare Moon. It was one thing to visit the Tree of Harmony and see the Elements resting in it's branches...but having them suddenly gone altogether? That was a new thing in it's entirety...

Twilight sighed sadly as she glanced at the star shaped gem at her hoofs..

"Goodbye faithful old friend." She whispered to it, before suddenly bringing her hoof down hard on top of it..breaking it to pieces...