//------------------------------// // Elements of Harmony: The Next Generation // Story: Elements of Harmony: The Next Generation // by LunaJack //------------------------------// "And Nightmare Moon was defeated. Twilight then discovered that the monster was really Princess Luna. The princess apologized for her behavior and was forgiven by her sister, Princess Celestia. Luna joined the other ponies in the Summer Sun Celebration and a wonderful time was had by all. And all thanks to the Elements of Harmony. The End." The teacher, Cheerilee, closed the book. A picture of Nightmare Moon rearing up on her back legs graced the cover. Screwball, the daughter of Discord and Fluttershy, smiled. "The Elements of Harmony," she sighed. "I just love that book!" "Screwy, are you nuts?" cried her friend, Dinky-Doo, trembling. The story about Nightmare Moon always frightened her. "For the One Hundredth time, I am not Nuts!" Screwy snapped. "Who is Nuts, anyway?" "Oh, Dink's just scared again," said a blue-haired Pegasus colt. "She's afraid of ...Nightmare Moon!" "So are you," said a yellow-haired Pegasus filly, punching him on the arm. "I am not!" "Are, too!" "There she is!" cried a voice. Both Pegasi looked up to see a dark shadow rearing over them. "Aaaaaaaah!" they screamed, hugging each other. Screwy giggled and let her shadow shrink back to normal size. Applejack's son, Cinnamon Stick, and his cousin, Apple Blossom, joined in the laughter. The twins blushed in embarrassment. "Okay, you got us," said Thunder Dash. "Yeah," said his sister, Lightning Dash. The bell rang, dismissing school. The twins zoomed off into the sky. Apple Blossom stayed in the classroom with her mother. Cinnamon Stick, Dinky, and Screwy walked to Sugarcube Corners for a cupcake apiece. "You don't think Nightmare Moon will ever come back, do you?" asked Dinky. Her mind was still on the story. "Not as long as there are the Elements of Harmony," answered Cinnamon Stick. "But where are the Elements of Harmony?" asked Screwy. "The Mane Six used them to defeat Nightmare Moon...and my dad. I wonder what happened to them." "I don't know," said Cinnamon Stick. "I don't think Mom has hers." "I'm don't think my Mom has hers either," said Screwy, thoughtfully. "I'll ask her tonight. And don't worry Dinks," she added, patting her friend on the shoulder. "Nightmare Moon won't be bothering Equestria anytime soon. I promise." "Time for bed, my little abomination," said Discord, tucking his daughter into bed. "Do you want a story or hear me sing badly off key?" Screwball sat up. "Daddy, where are the Elements of Harmony, now?" she asked. Discord shuddered. "Please, dear, are you trying to give me nightmares?" "But what happened to them?" Screwy insisted. "I just want to know." "They went back to the Tree of Harmony," said Discord, kissing her on the head. "Honestly, I thought you knew all about that." "Where is the Tree of Harmony?" asked Screwy. "Look it up," he father growled. Screwball crossed her hooves and blinked. A book appeared in her lap. She flipped through the pages rapidly then closed the book. "Nothing in there about it," she grumbled. "Bummer." Discord rolled his eyes. "Where would you normally find a tree?" he asked pointedly. "In the forest. OH!" Screwy's face brightened. "The Everfree Forest!" "Very good, Grasshopper," said Discord, turning off the lights. "Now go to sleep!" Mothball, the son of Queen Chrysalis, secretly slipped out of the hive and zoomed to visit his friend, Screwball. Sometimes they would talk at her bedroom window. Other times, Screwy would leave a bar of chocolate on the window sill for him. Either way, he was anxious to see her. As he flew over the Everfree Forest, a bright glimmer caught his eye. He flew lower and saw it was coming from a cave in a ravine. Curious, he landed and walked into the cave. "Wow!" he gasped in awe. Standing before him was the most beautiful, shimmering tree he had ever seen. Six jewels hung on it like fruit. Mothball reached out and touched the closest one. He gasped again as the jewel glowed brightly. Suddenly all six jewels floated from the tree and took off into the night sky. "Wait! Come back!" called Mothy, but the jewels had disappeared. "Oh, no." he groaned. "I hope I'm not in trouble." "Wow, your home is more chaotic than I thought," said Cinnamon Stick. He, Apple Blossom, Dinky, and the Dash twins had just come over to Screwy's for a morning play date. "You really have doors on the ceiling and stairs that go no where!" "It's more normal upstairs," said Screwball. She led the group to her room where she had a game of Twister laid out. Dinky spun the color wheel while everyone tried to follow her directions. "Left hoof, Red. Right hoof, Blue." The twins were nose to nose and snarling into each others faces. "I'm gonna beat you, brother!" "You're going down, sis!" "Oof!" Apple Blossom lost her balance and fell over Cinnamon Stick. Both of them were out. Screwball and the Twins kept on. "Back left hoof, Yellow. Back right hoof, Green." All three were stretched over the mat. Only Screwy, who had cast a spell to make her legs longer, looked comfortable. "Hey! No fair!" cried Thunder Dash. "Right," said Screwy. She blinked and the Twin's legs grew longer also. "Whoa!" cried Lightning Dash. "My legs are like rubber!" "Right hoof, Yellow." "Whoa!" the Twins' rubbery legs stretched and twisted around each other. Soon both were laid out on the mat, their legs tangled like yarn. "Screwball wins," said Dinky, laughing. Screwy untangled the Twins and turned their legs back to normal. "I didn't really win," she said. "Next time, I won't use magic." "Don't you want to play, Dinky?" asked Cinnamon Stick. "I can spin the wheel for you." Dinky blushed. "No. I'm not coordinated enough to play this game. I like watching you all get tied in knots though!" "Uh, Screwy?" said Apple Blossom, looking out the bedroom window. "I see somethin' coming this way and it's not a bird." Screwball looked worried. Mothball had not visited her that night. She hoped he wasn't coming in broad daylight! "What is it that-- Whoa!" The ponies gasped as six jewels flew through the window and circled above their heads. "It's them!" cried Screwball. "The Elements of Harmony!" "But what are they doing here?" asked Cinnamon Stick. As if in answer, the six jewels transformed into five necklaces and a crown. The crown settled on Screwball's head. The jewel was a shaped like a baseball with a screw through it. Cinnamon Stick's necklace had a jewel shaped like two sticks of cinnamon. Apple Blossom's was shaped like a flower. Thunder Dash's jewel was a thunder cloud, while Lightning Dash's was a lightning bolt. Dinky's was shaped like a muffin. "Well, this is awkward," muttered Thunder Dash to Cinnamon Stick. "Guys wearing jewels?" Suddenly, the sky grew dark. Lightning flashed bright outside. Then they all hear laughter. Not the fun kind of laughter, but the evil, make your mane stand on end laughter. Screwy gasped in shock. "Guys, put on your Elements! Nightmare Moon is back!" Dinky shivered and covered her eyes. "I knew it!" she whispered. In the living room below, a bright flash blinded Discord. "What the..." he started to say. "Hello, Discord," said a tall lavender-colored alicorn wearing a moon helmet and chest guard. "What do you want?" Discord shouted. His voice echoed off the walls. Discord glared at the sound. "Knock it off, will you!" he shouted again. The echo stopped. "Works every time. Now, what do you want?" he asked turning to Nightmare Moon. "Oh, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back," she grinned at him. "And this time, they can't stop me because I've infected one of the Mane Six. The most powerful one." "Pinkie Pie?" Discord guessed. "No," Nightmare Moon scowled. "Rainbow Dash? Rarity? Pinkie Pie?" "You've already said Pinkie Pie," she snarled. "For crying out loud! It's Twilight Sparkle!" Discord shrugged. "That was my fifth guess." Nightmare rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I would like you to join me. I could always use someone with your chaotic powers by my side." "Sorry, I already have a sidekick," Discord replied. "Her name is Fluttershy." "Very well," said Nightmare. She touched Discord's head with her horn. His eyes glowed. The irises turned from red to black. "How about now? Will you go back to being evil?" Discord grinned wickedly. "Oh, yes. When do we start?" Mothball was exhausted. He had been hunting for the missing jewels most of the night and had seen them fly towards Discord's castle. He landed in Fluttershy's garden. "Hey, Screwy," he called. "Are you out here?" SPLAT! A pie hit him in the back of his head. "Hey! Who threw that?" he demanded. "Oops! Hold your fire!" Screwball stepped out of the bushes, followed by her friends. Cinnamon Stick held another pie, ready to throw. "Sorry about that," said Screwy, summoning a tub of water, a sponge, and a bar of soap. She quickly washed the pie away. "We thought you were someone else." Dinky stepped forward, her mouth wide open. "My...friend...likes...a...changeling?" she murmured. "What are you doing here?" asked Screwy once she had toweled him dry. "You know my Dad will have a fit if he sees you!" "I know," he said. "But, I've got a problem. I found some jewels in a cave near the Everfree Forest, but they floated away when I touched them. Have you seen them?" "Jewels?" said Lightning Dash, glancing at her brother. "Yes. Six of them. And I need to get them back before something bad happens!" Lightning flashed over the garden. Chocolate rained down. "Too late." "Very funny, Dad," said Screwball, looking up to the cloud that had suddenly appeared over them. "Yes, very funny, indeed," Discord's voice cackled. He appeared in another flash of lightning. "And I have a friend for you to meet." He snapped his fingers and Nightmare Moon appeared next to him. "No!" cried Screwball. "Daddy, you can't be friends with her!" "Oh, but he is," Nightmare gloated. "And he is going to help me take over Equestria!" "Not if we can help it!" cried Screwy. "Come on, guys!" Her friends stood behind her. The Elements began to glow and a rainbow arced toward the villains. Discord laughed. "You think you can beat us? I don't think so!" Tears ran down Screwy's face. "I don't want to hurt you, Daddy," she said. "But I will hurt her!" "What is going on out here?" cried a voice. "Aunt Fluttershy!" cried Dinky, turning to face the yellow Pegasus. "Nightmare Moon is back and she's got Discord!" "Discord?" Fluttershy gasped. A stone statue of the draconequess stood in front of the children. Nightmare Moon was no where to be seen. "She got away!" cried Lightning Dash, stomping her hoof. "Sorry about your Dad, Screwy." "We've got to find her! She can't be far away." "We're not," said a voice behind them. They whirled around to find Nightmare Moon and... "Discord!" cried Fluttershy, running to him. "You're okay!" "No, Mom! Don't!" Screwy screamed. "Too late," Discord grinned, snatching up his wife and holding her tight. "Hello, my dear. Ready to be the crowned Queen of Chaos?" "What?" Fluttershy locked eyes with her husband. The black irises swirled as he worked his brainwashing magic on her. In a matter of seconds, she was utterly under his spell. "Care to join the royal family, sweetheart?" he asked, turning his gaze on Screwball. "No! Cover your eyes, guys!" All of her friends closed their eyes tight against his hypnotic gaze. All except Mothball. He stared calmly into the draconequess's swirling irises. "What's the problem?" he asked. "His eyes are just swirling like your's do." Discord glared at the changeling. "I'll exterminate you like I should have done long ago!" He raised his hand, a ball of powerful crackling magic appeared in his palm. SPLAT! A pie hit him full in the face. "Good shot, Cinnamon!" Discord pawed at his pie covered face. "You brats! I'll get you..." BLAM! The Dash Twins slammed into his chest, knocking him backwards. "All right!" they high-hoofed each other. "Enough!" cried Nightmare Moon. A flash from her horn sent the twins tumbling to the ground. "You brats think you can defeat us! You can't even use the Elements properly! Otherwise, Discord would not been able to put up that stone decoy. Give it up," she added, looking at Screwball. "Your father belongs to me now and together we will make all of Equestria bow down!" "No!" said Screwy, fighting back tears. "Whatever magic you've worked on my Dad will not stand! He loves my mother and he loves me! He knows the true value of love and friendship!" The jewel in Screwy's crown glowed brightly. A rainbow light shot from it, striking the other jewels. In an instant, Screwball knew what they needed to do. "We are the Elements of Harmony! Honesty!" she pointed to Cinnamon Stick. "Guess it runs in the family," he said grinning. "Kindness," she pointed to Lightning Dash. "What? Why am I that?" she asked. "Laughter," she pointed to Dinky. "Well, I am kind of a laughingstock," she said, grinning sheepishly. "Generosity," she pointed at Apple Blossom. "Generous?" asked Apple Blossom, wrinkling her nose. "Well, I do give away my perfumes." "Loyalty," she pointed at Thunder Dash. "Yo! Just like Mom! Awesome!" "And one more," Screwball finished, pointing to herself. "MAGIC!" At that, the six ponies floated into the air. Their eyes glowed white with magic. "No!" cried Nightmare Moon. "Not again!" The Magic of Friendship descended like a rainbow over her and Discord. In an moment, Nightmare Moon was gone. Only a very tired and very confused Twilight Sparkle remained. Fluttershy came out of her trance and turned to her husband. "Dear, are you all right?" she asked, anxiously. Discord rose up. "I think so," he answered groggily. "What happened? And why am I covered in pie? Screwy? Do you know what-- Screwy!" He looked over at the new Mane Six to see his daughter lying lifeless on the ground. The ponies made way as he scrambled to reach her. "Oh, Screwy!" he cried, holding her close. "But...but she can't be dead!" cried Mothball. "She's immortal...isn't she?" "Shut it, Cheeselegs!" Discord snapped. He turned sadly to his daughter. "Screwy, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "About what?" asked Screwball, opening her eyes and looking up at her Dad. "Did I miss anything? My eyes were glowing and I couldn't see well." "You're alive!" Discord shouted, holding her tight. "I didn't know if the Elements of Harmony had killed you, because you are a creature of chaos. I'm so happy they didn't!" "Are you all right, Twilight?" asked Fluttershy, helping her friend to stand. "I guess so," the little alicorn answered. "What happened exactly?" "Why don't you come inside for some tea, and Screwy and her friends can explain," Fluttershy replied. "Sounds like a plan to me," agreed Screwball. "Goodness, you had me scared to death," said Dinky, patting her friend on the shoulder. "If that's true, why are you still alive?" Screwball asked, giving her friend a little shove. "I'm so glad you're okay!" cried Mothball running towards her. He was about to throw his arms around her when Discord appeared between them. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It!" he growled. Mothball took off over the trees. Screwball and her friends filed inside to tell their tale to the adults. The tale that 'CHAOS IS MAGIC!"