//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Harmony's Light // by iml1994 //------------------------------// "And then Twilight and I went back to the present, and the spell was destroyed. And, I guess you know the story from there." Starlight held her head in shame. Sure, her friends had already heard the story, but now the Princess are hearing. The judges, juries, and executioners for Everypony in Equestria. She broke a natural law of the universe when traveling to the past so many times. "I see. Well then, I guess we cannot blame you for this mess. After all, you did not intend for these villains to come here." said Princess Celestia. "However, I do expect you will help us in these stressful times?" Celestia placed a hoof under Starlight's face, raising both it and her spirits. "It's the least I can do!" "I still would like to know, though. Why have they come here?" asked Princess Luna, who was being bandaged up by Fluttershy. "Oh come on. I thought you Princesses knew everything." Discord created an open window, and pointed upward. Green and black portals were opening in the skies. There were only open for about a second at a time, but is was just enough time to let everypony know just what was going on. "So, those portals are connected to all the other timelines Twilight and Starlight created?" said Spike. "It looks like it. And if it's true that's where Discord and the other villains came from, then that must mean there's a Tirek coming here too. With the powers of all of Equestria." said Twilight. The room became much more somber after that. "Great, so now..." Pinkie took out her board of villains again. "Nightmare Moon is back, another Discord is here, Queen Chrysalis has all her Changelings, King Sombra has his shadowy powers, AND Tirek has ALL his power." She drew the faces of the villains over the x's, very crudely at that. "This is what happens when you mess with time." Discord stood menacingly above Starlight Glimmer, getting closer and closer to her face. "Did you REALLY think you could mess with reality, and face NO consequences? "I...uh..." "Just Kidding!" Discord patted Starlight on the back. "I love this kind of chaos! Never know what's gonna happen next!" "How are we suppos' ta beat these guys?" asked Applejack. "You think the Tree of Harmony will let us borrow the Elements for just one tiny second? That's probably all we'll need." asked Rainbow Dash. "That would not be wise." said Celestia. "When my sister and I took the Elements a thousand years ago, the tree had enough energy to sustain itself, before it began to die." "It has only been a few months since the Elements were returned. We fear that taking the Elements away from the tree again would yield the same results, even quicker than last time." "Well, I guess there out of the question. What about those, err, unique, rainbow forms? They helped us beat Tirek last time." said Rarity. "Those may be the best bet we have." "Um, just one thing." Fluttershy had finished Princess Luna's bandages. "How can we get them? Didn't the chest turn into a castle?" The room had gone silent. All eyes were on Twilight now. "I...uh...I don't know." Everypony let out a disappointed sigh. "Princess?" "I'm afraid even I know nothing of your new powers. I suggest you all head home and meditate. Perhaps that magic is still inside of all of you. Luna and I must prepare for any future attack." "We shall gather our allies from Yakyakistan and the Dragon Lands. We will need all the help we can get." The two Princesses turned, with Luna even walking with a slight limp. "Come on!" yelled Rainbow Dash. She flew in front of the Princesses. "You really expect us to just nap, when Equestria is in danger?" "I agree with Rainbow. If we jus' meditate, we'd be in danger of attack! At least out there in the fron' lines, we have a fightin chance." said Applejack. She walked over, and stood beside the Pegasus. Pinkie had hopped over as well. "Yeah, and plus, naps are for night time, and look! Sun!" Twilight stood next to the Princesses. "We need all of us together for to use that power to work. It's the only way." "No, it's not. We can fight!" "If you guys go out there, Tirek will just absorb your magic. Or the Changelings will get to you. Or Discord will corrupt you." said Rarity. "Heyyyy." "They didn't mean you Discord." said Fluttershy, patting her friend on the back. "Hmm, I guess y'all are right." "But what if that rainbow magic is gone?" "We're getting no where with this! Starlight, you're the deciding vote. What should we do?" The six ponies looked for Starlight for any kind of suggestion. Unfortunately, she was just as lost as any of them. "Umm, I don't know. After all, I don't have an Element." Starlight remembered her lesson that a leader must choose what's best. "But, if I have to, I think you guys should meditate on it. That rainbow power you guys have could stop all of those bad guys. No war needed, no casualties." "Okay then." The three detractors went with their friends. "But how is meditating suppose to help anyway?" "Oh, I can give you guys some advice!" "YOU know a lot about meditating, Discord?" "Why, of course! Can't you tell?" Discord donned a white gi, and took the lotus position. "Ooouuummm...ooouuummmm..." The mane six looked at Discord with confused looks, even Fluttershy. "You never mentioned meditating before." "Look, you guys can either go and loose you battle, or you can come with me and get cool powers. Which is it?" "You're not coming along with us, Discord?" asked Luna. "Oh heavens to betsy no! I've had enough of Tirek for one lifetime. I don't know about you two, but having your magic drained from you once is enough!" "Well, I guess its settled then. Discord, lead the way!" said Twilight. - "Did you send out all the letters?" asked Tirek. He and Discord, who was wearing a mailman's uniform, was in the latter's dimension, standing on the one still piece of floating debris. "Just did now. All four letters to the leaders from the four remaining timelines. We'll all be together soon..." The two monsters began to laugh menacingly.