//------------------------------// // A Royal Assignment: Part 2 // Story: A Guards Tale // by Sentinel Shield //------------------------------// Nightmare Moon laughed as her mane made itself into a storm, thunder and lighting cracked. Sentinel looked around at the panicked faces, ponies young and old in fear of her. "Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" Mayor Mare shouted, as Royal Guard Pegasus flew towards Nightmare Moon. "Stand back, you fools!" Nightmare Moon shouted as her eyes glowed, she laughed as lightning struck the Pegasus Guards. "Sentinel, do something!" Twilight yelled, looking at him. "Me? What am I going to do? You said yourself, I'm useless in this situation!" Sentinel reminded her. "The Princess is in danger! Do something!" Twilight told him. Sentinel looked up at Nightmare Moon, his body was frozen in fear as he looked at her, she was a real nightmare. Nightmare Moon noticed the look of pure fear, and laughed. "What's wrong "Royal Guard?'' Aren't you going to try and stop me?" "Ha-how did you-" He was cut off by thunder. "I know a lot of things.." She said, turning into a cloud of smoke that floated down in front of him. She reformed from the cloud and now towered above him. "Go on, stop me. Save your precious princess, defend Twilight. Go ahead" Sentinel shook like a scared colt, he slowly backed up, tripping and falling on his butt. Nightmare Moon laughed at this "Brave" guard and then looked at Twilight. "Maybe I should take her prisoner?" She said, looking at Twilight. "N-no!" Sentinel said, standing up. His horn glowed. "I won't let-" He spoke before thunder struck in front of him, throwing him backwards. As he crashed to the ground, Nightmare Moon laughed and flew away in a cloud of smoke. "Get back here!" Rainbow Dash shouted, flying after her. "Sentinel!" Twilight ran over and helped him to stand, his head still spinning from being knocked back. "I-I couldn't stop her!" He said, in a nervous and panicked tone. "I-I froze, she could have-" "Hey, it's alright" Twilight tried to calm him. "You did what you could, it's Nightmare Moon after all" "You don't understand Twilight! I failed, I had the chance to prove myself and I failed!" He stamped a hoof down angrily. "What kind of Royal Guard am I?" "The Guard who was ready to fight Nightmare Moon when she threatened me, you haven't failed yet. We can still stop her!" Twilight informed him. "How?" He asked. She took him by the hoof. "Follow me!" She said, picking up Spike and placing him on her back. She then began running with Sentinel out of city hall and back to Golden Oaks Library. After putting Spike to sleep she and Sentinel began looking through books. "Elements, elements, elements.." She repeated, looking through books quickly. "Sentinel, please tell me you have something?" Sentinel looked through books. "Nope, nothing about these "Elements of Harmony" you speak of.." Twilight let out a frustrated groan. "How can we stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?!" Just then, out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash was in her face. "And what are the Elements of Harmony?" She spoke, pushing Twilight to back up. "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon? Are you a-" Sentinel quickly jumped in front of Rainbow Dash. "Do not dare threaten Twilight!" Sentinel said, angrily glaring at her and now doing what she did to Twilight. "You bust in here, get in her face and try to accuse her of things? Why I outta-" Twilight quickly pulled Sentinel back by the tail, as Rainbow was pulled back by Applejack. "Simmer down you two! Bigger problems!" Applejack said, soon being joined by Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "Twilight, you know what's going on?" She asked. "I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon" Twilight began to explain. "Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them. I don't even know what they do!" She finally finished as Pinkie Pie walked over to a bookshelf. "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide" She said, as Twilight pushed her out of the way. "How did you find this?!" She asked, as Pinkie Pie hopped around. "It was under "E"!" She said, jumping around. Twilight face-hoofed before she opened the book and began reading. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now..The Everfree Forest.." "THE EVERFREE FOREST?" Every other pony but Sentinel shouted in horror. "The what?" Sentinel questioned. "The Everfree forest is the creepiest, nastiest, most terrifying place in all of Equestria!" Pinkie Pie told him. "Well, the fate of Equestria is in the balance. Let's go Twilight!" Sentinel said before pausing. "Uhhh, where exactly is it?" After being led to the forest, Twilight stood at the front of the group as they all looked into the forest. Each of them wore varying degrees of fear on their faces, all except Pinkie who seemed eager for an adventure. "Whee! Let's go!" She said before hopping forward. "Not so fast" Twilight said, causing her to stop. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own" "Are you nuts?" Sentinel was the first to speak. "Mission or not, I'm not letting you go alone" "Sentinel's right, we sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple'' Applejack affirmed. As she led Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow into the forest. "Especially if there's candy apples in there!" Pinkie said, getting no reaction out of Twilight or Sentinel. "What? Those things are good!" She said as she hopped into the forest. "Let's go Twilight, we got a job to do.." Sentinel said as he began to walk. Twilight sighed and followed in, soon taking the lead of the group and walking ahead of everyone. After a while of walking, Twilight turned to ask. "So, none of you have been in here before?" "Heavens no!" Rarity said, a terror in her tone. "Just look at it! It's dreadful!" She pointed to the scenery around them. "And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria" Applejack added on. "Uh, wanna explain a bit?" Sentinel asked. "Nopony knows. You know why?" Rainbow said, staking towards Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity. "Rainbow, knock it off" Sentinel said, annoyed. "Because everypony who's ever come in has never come out!" Rainbow said, as the ground began to shake and soon gave away. Everyone screamed in horror as they rolled down the rocky hill. "Fluttershy! Quick!" Rainbow shouted as they flew and managed to grab Pinkie and Rarity, Applejack managed to grab onto a stray root. However, Sentinel and Twilight continued to slide towards a cliff. Sentinel looked around for anything as they reached closer to the cliff's edge, seeing no other option he turned to Twilight. "Promise me you'll stop this!" He shouted to her, as the edge came closer every second. "Sentinel, what do you-" Suddenly, she jolted to a stop as a gold-magical aura surrounded her. She looked at Sentinel as he continued sliding towards the edge, his horn now glowing. She watched as he slid over the side and was left hanging on for dear life. "Sentinel, hold on!" Applejack said as she slid down, grabbing Twilight along the way. She reached down and grabbed Sentinel by the hooves and tried to pull him up. Twilight attempted to use her magic to pull him up, but it wasn't working. "I-I can't pull you up!" Applejack looked around, then looked at Sentinel. "Sentinel...let go.." "ARE YOU INSANE?" Twilight and Sentinel said. "Trust me, I promise you'll be fine" Applejack assured him. "I'm sorry, are we looking at the same deadly drop of doom?" Sentinel replied. "Sentinel, I know it sounds crazy. But I am telling you the honest and only truth..trust me.." Sentinel took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let go. He screamed as he fell through the air until he stopped. He opened his eyes and saw that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had caught him, lowering him to the ground safely. As they did so, Applejack helped Twilight descend from the cliff side safely. "I don't understand.." Sentinel said, as his hooves finally touched solid ground once more. "How did you know they'd save me?" He asked as Applejack finished climbing down, Twilight on her back. "I told ya, you just gotta have a bit more faith" Applejack said, as Twilight got off of her. "You're welcome" Rainbow Dash said, giving Sentinel a mocking smile. Sentinel rolled his eyes as they continued on their way, Rainbow proceeding to tell them exactly what just happened a minute ago. "And then you were all like "AAAAH!" and I was like "ZOOM!" and me and Fluttershy caught you and-" Rainbow Dash said as she landed next to Sentinel. "Yes, yes, you saved me from certain doom..Can we just-" A loud stomp cut Sentinel off, as the entire group looked ahead. In front of them stood a massive beast, the head and body of a lion, the wings of a dragon and a scorpion tail. Twilight gasped in shock. "A Manticore!" She said, as it bellowed a mighty roar. Sentinel immediately took point, moving to stand between the group and the beast. "Everypony stand back! I'll handle this!" He said, facing down the beast. The Manticore roared once more as it charged Sentinel, picking up speed as it ran towards him. Sentinel stood his ground, waiting for the perfect moment and.. BOOM Sentinel let out a burst of magic from his horn, knocking the Manticore to it's back. He turned back and looked at the group. "What did I tell ya? I got-" He was interrupted by the feeling of something breathing down his neck, turning around, he saw the Manticore standing behind him. "Uh...Nice kitty?" GROAR! The beast once more let out a roar, causing Sentinel to run in fear. "wait" Fluttershy said softly. Following Sentinel's failed attempt, Applejack jumped on top of the Manticore to try and wrangle it. However, it soon flung her off and Rainbow took a shot. After she was flung away by its tail, the whole group charged at the Manticore. But before they could all brawl, Fluttershy jumped between them. "WAIT!" She shouted, causing everyone to come to a halt. Fluttershy then began walking towards the Manticore. "Shhh... It's okay" She assured him, nuzzling his paw. This caused the Manticore to pull it back for a second, before it showed her a rather large splinter sticking out of his paw. "Oh, you poor, poor little baby" "Little?" Rainbow blurted out. "Now this might hurt for just a second" Fluttershy said, pulling the splinter out of his paw. This caused the Manticore to pick her up and roar, everypony was ready to jump in and save her. However, it then started licking Fluttershy. "Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are" Fluttershy cooed at it, as everyone else took the chance to walk past it. Twilight lagged behind a bit so she could talk to Fluttershy. "How did you know about the thorn?" "I didn't, sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness" She responded, walking past Twilight. They continued on their way, going deeper into the forest. They noticed how the scenery got even stranger the deeper they went, even here the ground was getting more muddy. As they walked, the brush of the trees got so thick that it blocked out the moon light. "Ah-anyone else getting a little creeped out?" Sentinel asked. "Pfft, co-course not!" Rainbow Dash replied, as Fluttershy screamed. "It's just mud.." Applejack replied to her, as she walked into a tree. She looked up and saw the strangely horrifying face on it. Applejack let out a yelp of fear as she hopped back. Soon, everypony began noticing the creepy faces on the trees around them and the creepy light they gave off, everypony gave off whimpers and shrieks of fear as they ran around panicked. At least, until they heard someone laughing. They turned and saw Pinkie Pie laughing at one of the trees, making her own faces at it. "Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!" Twilight spoke up, causing Pinkie to look back at her and the group as a whole. "Oh girls and our oh so trusty guard, don't you see?" She began tapping her hooves on the ground. 🎵When I was a little filly and the sun was going down!🎵 "Is she singing?" Sentinel spoke up, as Pinkie danced around them. 🎵The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...🎵 Pinkie continued. "She is.." Rarity answered him. 🎵I'd hide under my pillow🎵 🎵From what I thought I saw🎵 🎵But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way🎵 🎵To deal with fears at all🎵 "Then what is?" Rainbow Dash asked. 🎵She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall🎵 🎵Learn to face your fears🎵 🎵You'll see that they can't hurt you🎵 🎵Just laugh to make them disappear.🎵 "Ha! Ha! Ha!" Pinkie Pie said, causing the face on the tree she was facing to disappear. Everyone gasped. 🎵 So, giggle at the ghostly🎵 🎵Guffaw at the grossly🎵 🎵Crack up at the creepy🎵 🎵Whoop it up with the weepy🎵 🎵Chortle at the kooky🎵 🎵Snortle at the spooky🎵 Pinkie Pie sang, as everypony else started laughing. As they did, the faces on the trees began vanishing. 🎵And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...🎵 🎵Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!🎵 As the last of the trees disappeared, everyone rolled on the ground laughing. Well, everyone but Sentinel who was laughing awkwardly to the side.  "Oh what's wrong? C’mon, we're having fun!" Twilight said, getting up and wiping away a joyful tear. "N-nothing..It's fine.." Sentinel replied, nervously. "Is everything alright?" Twilight asked, as the rest of the group continued. "Well, it's just..Everything!" Sentinel spoke, confusing Twilight. "Everything?" "Yes..I mean, don't get me wrong. Pinkie's song was fun, the way Fluttershy handled the Manticore was creative and amazing, Applejack's honesty that saved my life is something I'll always be thankful for but.." Sentinel sighed. "None of that stuff should have happened, I'm a Royal Guard. I shouldn't need others to save me, I should be saving everypony else!" Twilight put a hoof on him. "Hey, don't worry about it. I don't think you were trained to handle Nightmare Moon returning and navigating a haunted forest" She said, before turning. "Now come on, we still have a world to save!" They soon caught up to the group, and they began running and laughing. Although Sentinel stayed at the back, he still kept pace and it was hard to stay sour when everypony else was so joyous. However, he soon found them coming to a stop as they reached a raging river.  "How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie asked, as they began hearing distant sobs. Moving towards it, they found a massive serpent-like creature crying with half a mustache. "What a world, what a world!" He cried. "Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" Twilight asked. "Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid." They explained, doing exaggerated expressions while they did. Falling back and splashing into the water, soaking the entire group.  "That's it?" Sentinel questioned. "Oh, give me a break" Rainbow added. "That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack also asked as Rarity jumped between her and Rainbow. "Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales" Rarity said, as she walked toward and sat in front of him. "I know!" He replied with a sniff. "And your expertly coiffed mane" Rarity pointed at his mane. "Oh, I know, I know" He stroked his mane. "Your fabulous manicure!" He gasped. "It's so true!" "All ruined without your beautiful mustache" Rarity Spoke. "It's true, I'm hideous!" He hid his face. "I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity proclaimed before ripping off one of the serpent's scales. The serpent let out a yelp. "What did you do that for?" "Rarity what are you-" Twilight asked, before she saw Rarity slash off her tail. This caused the serpent to fall to the ground as if he was fainting. She then used magic to attack the cut off tail to the where the serpent's mustache used to be. "Oh-ho ho ho! My mustache. How wonderful" They excitedly exclaimed. "Rarity, your tail!" Sentinel pointed at the smaller stub of a tail she now had. "Oh, It's fine. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back!" Rarity assured him. "So would the mustache" Rainbow casually said. Twilight jumped in the now calm water. "Look! We can cross now!" She began walking before the serpent lifted her out of the water. "Please, allow me!" They said, allowing the group to hop across his body to avoid walking in the mucky water. They continued to walk, they had high hopes as they continued towards their destination, and finally they saw it over the horizon. Twilight let out a gasp of excitement. "There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" She said, as she began running towards it. "Twilight, wait for us!" Applejack said as Twilight continued running. "We're almost there" She said, before falling forward. "Whoa!" She hadn't noticed the bridge had seemingly collapsed and she was now hanging over the edge. Sentinel quickly rushed over and pulled her back up. "What's with cliffs today?" "What do we do now?" Pinkie questioned. Rainbow flapped her wings. "Duh!" "Oh yeah!" Pinkie realized. Rainbow Dash flew over, as the others waited. They waited for way longer than they should have to and Sentinel made it known. "What's taking her so long? Can't be that hard to fix" "Rainbow! What's taking so long?" Twilight yelled across, as the fog cleared to show Rainbow Dash talking to a group of darkly dressed Pegasus. "Oh no..RAINBOW!" Twilight shouted, getting the attention of one of them who's eyes flashed and the fog became denser. "Don't listen to them!" Twilight shouted. "I knew we couldn't trust her! All she cares about is herself, even when I first met her all she asked was if I could get her to meet the Wonderbolts!" Sentinel spoke out in anger. "I bet she's-" He was going to continue until Rainbow flew out of the fog and back towards them. "-going to come back.." Rainbow Dash landed. "Did you really think I'd leave ya hanging?" She said, as the group cheered and began crossing the bridge. However, before Sentinel could cross, Rainbow landed in front of him. "Y'know, I heard what you said.." Sentinel sighed. "Yes I know.." "I'm sorry-wait what? You're sorry?" They both said in unison. "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who didn't give you the benefit of the doubt" Sentinel spoke. "Well, I haven't been the nicest to you. Sure, I've meant any teasing and stuff as just that, harmless teasing. But I guess I should have thought about your feelings too" Rainbow Dash offered a hoof. "Friends?" Sentinel shook it. "Friends.." They then rejoined the rest of the group as they entered the ruins. In the middle of the room, they found them. Placed upon what looked like a stone structure built to hold them, they found the Elements. "The Elements of Harmony, we've found them!" Twilight exclaimed, as Fluttershy and Rainbow lowered them to ground level. "Careful! Caaareful!" As they were placed on the ground, the group looked at them. "I only count five.." Sentinel said. "One...Two...Three..Four.....Yep! Only five!" Pinkie Confirmed. "Where's the sixth?" Rainbow asked. "The book said, when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed" Twilight informed them. "What the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked. "I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen" Twilight said, as her horn began to glow. "Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate" Applejack said, leading everypony out. She turned and saw Sentinel, still standing next to Twilight. "Now Sentinel-" "I have a job to do, I will not leave her side" Sentinel said, looking at Applejack who just sighed and left. Twilight's horn glowed, as a magic aura surrounded them. However, as Twilight focused, Sentinel noticed a purple mist float towards the elements. It then turned into a twister, sucking up the elements. Twilight and Sentinel stood and watched. "The Elements!" Twilight shouted, leaping at the purple mist. She jumped into it. "Twilight!" Sentinel quickly followed as the storm vanished, it teleported them and they landed on a cold stone floor. Coughing from the mist. As they recovered and looked around, both noticed Nightmare Moon who now had the five elements. Nightmare Moon began laughing. "Well, look who it is. I must thank you both for leading me here" "Nightmare Moon" Twilight said as she stood up, Sentinel stood next to her as she turned and looked at him. "Got any ideas?" "Just one.." Sentinel walked forward and planted a hoof into the ground, he huffed and faced down Nightmare Moon. "You're joking? You've been running in fear all night, you couldn't stop a simple Manticore. What gives you any inkling of an idea you can beat me?" Nightmare Moon laughed. "I will not fail.." He dragged a hoof on the ground, signaling he was going to charge. Nightmare Moon smiled. "You shall fall braver than most.." Sentinel's horn glowed as he charged Nightmare Moon, who in turn charged him as well. The two rammed into each other, using magic to create barriers that clashed. Nightmare Moon laughed. As this happened, Twilight ran past them and towards the Elements. Nightmare Moon began pushing Sentinel back, he wasn't a match for her. "You fool! Twilight was right, you are useless!" Her horn glowed brightly as she blasted him back into a wall, he fell to the ground dazed and confused. Nightmare Moon then turned to see Twilight attempting to ignite the "spark" needed and turned to stop her. She went to move but she was stopped by a rock hitting the back of her helmet, turning around she saw Sentinel still on his hooves. "I'm not done yet!" He said, his horn glowing once more. Once again Nightmare Moon Charged at him, he waited, his horn glowing brighter. When she was close enough, he teleported out of the way and she crashed into the wall. Sentinel appeared next to Twilight, recovering from the daze of teleportation he began encouraging her. "You can do it Twilight, just focus!" He said, as Nightmare Moon teleported in the middle of the elements as they glowed. However, Twilight was flung back by them. "No!" Nightmare Moon said, standing in the middle of the glowing elements. However, soon they stopped glowing. "Where's the sixth element?!" Twilight asked in a panic, as Nightmare Moon raised up her hooves and slammed them down. Shattering the elements. "No!" Sentinel shouted, as he went to attack but Nightmare Moon casually fling him away. "You foolish foals! Thinking you could defeat me?" She asked, as Sentinel stood up again. Wobbling as he raised one leg up so as to not walk on it, he had hurt something bad. "Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!" Nightmare Moon finished with an evil land ferocious laugh. As Sentinel and Twilight looked up at her in fear and defeat. "Twilight, Sentinel!" They heard a voice call out, it sounded like Applejack. "We're coming, don't worry!" That was Pinkie. They then heard Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, even Fluttershy squeaked out a call of assurance that they were coming. As Twilight heard the calls of these ponies who she had grown rather attached to over this adventure, a spark was lit inside her and she turned confidently to Nightmare Moon. "You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!" She shouted, as she was joined by Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. "What?" Nightmare Moon questioned, as the shards of the shattered elements floated up and towards the group. "Applejack, who reassured Sentinel and I when we were in doubt, represents the spirit of...honesty!" Shards flew around Applejack. "Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of...kindness!" Shards flew around Fluttershy as well. "Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of...laughter!" Same as with Pinkie. "Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of...generosity!" The shards began glowing as they orbited the ponies. "And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of...loyalty!" She said, as her friends stood around her with the shards glowing brightly. "The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!" "You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon spoke up, a nervousness in her voice. "But it did! A different kind of spark" Twilight turned to face her friends. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you-" She looked at Sentinel, standing to the side and staring in awe. "Even when Sentinel did things that he may claim are just "His Job" I could still feel what I felt from all of you-" She looked back to her other friends. "The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...are my friends!" She said, teary eyed. She then looked back at Nightmare Moon. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of...magic!" She said as a magic aura engulfed her and all her friends. The shards formed into necklaces around their necks, as they moved closer together. Then, a massive rainbow beamed from them and towards Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon tried to escape, but found herself being held down. She turned and saw Sentinel grabbing onto her. "What are you doing you fool!" She shouted in scared anger. "My duty! Protecting my friends!" Sentinel said, holding her down. "YOU IDIOT! WE'LL BOTH BE HIT BY IT!" She panicked even more. "If that's what it takes, I'll do it for them!" "No! NOOOOO!" Nightmare Moon shouted, as the rainbow began surrounding both of them. It became a twister, engulfing them both as Twilight's eyes glowed and everything was taken up by a massive flash. "Ugh, my head..." Rainbow Dash, said as she stood up in a daze. Soon being joined by her other friends. "Is everypony okay?" Applejack asked. "Oh, thank goodness" Rarity said, looking at her now restored tail. "Why Rarity, it's so lovely" Fluttershy said. "I know, I'll never part with it again!" Rarity replied. "No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark!" Fluttershy pointed at the necklace around her neck. "What? Ooh" Rarity admired her newest piece of jewelry before she noticed Fluttershy had one as well. "So does yours" She pointed out. Soon, they all noticed they had a necklace on. Twilight was the only exception, she had a tiara instead.  "Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship" Applejack said. "Indeed you do" A voice spoke out, as the sun began to rise. Then, as if from the Sun itself. An orb of light descended towards the group, and with a flash. Celestia appeared in front of them. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight said, as the others bowed. Twilight ran up and embraced with Celestia briefly. "Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it" Celestia said happily. "But... you told me it was all an old pony tale" Twilight asked, confused. "I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well....." Celestia began walking towards the now much brighter looking alicorn once known as Nightmare Moon "Princess Luna!" She spoke as she approached, and knelt down. Luna let out a gasp as she came closer, but Celestia simply stayed calm and spoke softly. "It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." "Sister?" Twilight and Rainbow both blurted out. "Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked. Luna was silent for a moment, but then she sprung up, "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!" She said, embracing her. Pinkie comically sobbed, before stopping suddenly. "Hey, you know what this calls for?" She took out a party horn and blew it. "A party!" She said, as everyone else nodded and went to leave. Twilight then stopped for a moment. "Wait a second!" She shouted out, causing everyone to stop and turn to her. "Is everything alright Twilight?" Celestia asked. "Let's see...Five because of the elements...Six because of me...You and Luna make Seven..." She looked around and panicked. "Where's Sentinel?" "Sentinel?" Celestia asked, confused. "He went along with you on this?" "Yes, that's why you sent him. Isn't it?" Twilight asked, giving Celestia a confused look. "I sent him so he'd get a shock to his system to make him a better guard, he was supposed to stay in Ponyville while you and your friends defeated Nightmare Moon. What happened?" Celestia answered and asked a question of her own. "Sister I-" Luna began. "When the Elements struck me, I tried to flee. However, Sentinel stopped me and took the spell as well. I have no clue what happened to him!" Everyone in the room looked around, trying to find him. "Y'all don't think he..." Applejack added on nervously, causing everypony to lower their head in solidarity. Just then, they heard the sound of tumbling rocks. Looking over they saw a hoof sticking out of a pile of rubble. "Sentinel?!" Twilight called out, running over along with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They began pulling rubble aside and soon pulled him out. Sentinel shook his head, dust and small bits of rocks falling out of his mane. "What happened? Did we win?" He began looking around. "Sentinel Shield.." Celestia said, approaching him. "Princess Celestia!" He quickly bowed. She smiled as she stood over him. "When I sent you here, my intention was to give you a simple shock to your system. Something that would motivate you.." She looked around the room. "What I did not expect was that you'd not only brave the Everfree Forest. But also attempt to fight Nightmare Moon yourself, you even took a spell from the most powerful objects in all of Equestria" "We-well, I was just doing what you told me too. I escorted Twilight and kept her safe." He stood up straight, noticing his foreleg had healed. "Indeed you did, not only meeting my expectations but far surpassing them" Celestia told him, she then gestured towards the Elements of Harmony. "You also seemed to have made a few friends along the way, though not all of them easy" She looked at Rainbow Dash as she said this. "I was right, this is just what you needed. I hope you can continue to learn from this experience, and use it to continue to motivate yourself as a Royal Guard" Pinkie Pie bounced in place. "Are we done? Because I reeeeeaaaaally want to throw this party!" Ponies from all around, young and old. They all gathered around and celebrated the return of Princess Luna, they waited in the streets as Luna arrived with Celestia. They all cheered for her, two Pegasus fillies even gave her a necklace of flowers. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. All except Twilight who wore a rather sad face. "Why so glum, my faithful student?" Celestia asked, walking up to Twilight. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" She asked. "That's just it" Twilight responded, turning to look at her friends. "Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them" She said, somberly. Celestia simply smiled. "Spike, take a note please" She said, Spike quickly took out a quill and paper. "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville" She finished, as Twilight and her friends cheered. "Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!" Twilight said happily, as everypony cheered. All except one. Sentinel stood off to the side, watching as everyone celebrated. He had his saddlebag on, and was ready to leave. Taking a deep breath he walked up to the group of friends. "Well everypony, it's sure been a fun day and a half" He said, getting a confused look from them. "Wherever are you going darling?" Rarity asked. "Yeah? Where?" Pinkie asked as well. "Did you forget why I'm here?" He asked them. "I was only to guard Twilight during the Summer Sun Celebration. Now that it's done, I'll be heading back to Canterlot" "What?" Rainbow Dash said, zooming over to him. "After all that, you're just going to go back to Canterlot?" "Well, I have to." He replied. "Besides, it's not like Twilight needs me as a guard. She has all of you, a whole lot of new friends" "Yeah, including you" Applejack said. "Me?" Sentinel pointed at himself, confused. "Of course sugar cube!" Applejack reassured him. "But, I haven't done anything" Sentinel said, not knowing why they'd think of him as a friend. "Uh, hello!" Twilight said, walking up to him. "You've been by my side this whole time. Heck, you've encouraged me to do things that made some of these friends! Not to mention how good of a friend you've been yourself!" "I've been a good friend?" He was really confused. "Well yeah! You might say you were "Doing your duty" but I'd say you did a bit more than that" She smiled. "Stopping me from sliding off a cliff, risking your own life. Then you stood up to Nightmare Moon!" She walked over and put a hoof on him. "The best part, I knew it wasn't because of your job. You did it because you did care about my safety, about everypony’s safety!" She then laughed. "Though, I guess that is your job" Sentinel let out a weak smile. "Thanks Twilight, that really means a lot to me" He then sighed. "But, I have my orders.." He turned to walk away. "Not so fast" Celestia said, causing Sentinel to turn. "Wha-what is it your highness?" He asked. "After much deliberation, I have decided to alter your orders" She smiled, looking at Spike. "Spike?" "Already on it!" Spike got out a new piece of paper and a quill. "Sentinel Shield, as Princess of Equestria and supreme commander of the Royal Guard. I hereby order you to remain in Ponyville, with your new task being to guard the Elements of Harmony and those who bear them" She finished with a smile. "Me? Protect the Elements of Harmony? But, there are-" Sentinel began, before Celestia shushed him "And please, enough of the negativity. You've proven yourself a worthy guard, now keep up the good work" Sentinel smiled and nodded. "I promise" He then felt a sudden weight on his back. "Group hug!" Pinkie Pie said, as every one of his new friends hugged him. As they did, Celestia and Luna said their goodbyes, and left for Canterlot. Leaving the group of friends to whatever adventures they'd find themselves on. Who know's what is in store for this unlikely group of 7 ponies, only time will tell.