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// Laughter Awakens 
// Story: Maze of the Elements 
// by JediShy 
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Puzzle was sure that this was a dream. Or at least he hoped that it was. Because Unicorns could do a lot with their magic but as far as he knew he could not use his to fly. As he looked at what appeared to be Whinny City below him he wondered what in Equestria could have induced such a state. It was in this moment he swore off late-night double-fried hayburgers forever.

As suddenly as he was airborne he found himself on solid ground in what he was now sure was Whinny City. He wondered if any of the friends he made as a colt visiting his grandmare here would appear in his dream. All around him dour ponies frowned and grumbled at each other. One particularly large stallion even knocked him out of the way with nothing but a sneer in way of response.

Puzzle tried, again and again, to talk to ponies around him but none would even look in his direction. Never mind talking to him. The air was heavy with an oppressive feeling he could just not put his hoof on. It felt as if the atmosphere itself was pressing down on him. It was bad enough that he just wanted to lay down. Maybe if he slept withing a dream he would just wake up in his bed. But something, some little voice in the back of his head, drove him onward.

He couldn’t take the silence any longer. He had to hear something, anything said out loud. So in a moment of desperation. He rushed up to the nearest pony he could find. Which was a grumpy, wrinkled old stallion scowling so deeply he looked like a lemon.

“ Why couldn’t the Ursa vote? Do you give up? Because it was just an Ursa Minor! “


The stallion looked at him for a few moments and then slowly a smile spread across his face. His body began to shake and wheezing cackle spilled forth as he almost doubled over in laughter.

“ Sonny that is the worst joke I have ever heard and as old as I am that is saying something. “

Soon Puzzle joined in his soft chuckle making him tremble all over. In a flash, Whinny city was gone and all around him was what appeared to be a maze. It was shaped like a spiral with different colored gems at various locations along the path. The trail in front of him was pink gems now glowing merrily. Suddenly a voice came, it was now where and yet everywhere.

You have shared the element of laughter. Bringing joy to a joyless place. In return, your own fear was dispelled. This is but one of the Element of Harmony. Do you know what the rest are?

Looking around and seeing nopony else Puzzle spoke out loud

“Everyone knows what they are. Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, and Magic. “

That is exactly right. Unite the six and you can return home. Fail to do so and all of Equestria could suffer. But remember it's not enough to have the element yourself. You must share them in such a way that you spread them to others. Just as you shared laughter.

Ahead of him were five more paths. Their gems dim. It appeared he was meant to walk each of them in turn and somehow share the elements that he only read of in storybooks. This was going to be a long night.