//------------------------------//
// Loyalty 
// Story: Harmony Returns to Equestria Once Again 
// by PioneerofImagination 
//------------------------------//

“We should have it finished by tomorrow,” Party Cannon said when he showed the others the boat. “Or whenever the sun comes back up.”

“I don’t know, it looks fine to me,” Miracle said. “Can’t we just patch it up a bit and get going?”

“We're not going anywhere until every detail is complete,” Picture said. “You can’t rush Picture’s perfection. That’s sort of my catchphrase.”

“Nice,” Party Cannon said. “I’m still trying to figure out what my catchphrase is.” The group did a work on the boat, along with quite a few other ponies that came to help.

“Before we head out y’all, this is Babs Seed. She’s my cousin.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Babs, who was one of the ponies that came to help said, as she blew on her mane a little bit. “Thanks a bunch for the whole thing with the barrier.”

“No problem,” Miracle said. 

“We’re gonna join the party for ah little longer,” Apple Core said.

“Actually Apple Core can you come with me please, there’s somepony I want you to meet.”

“Really? Uh, all right see ya later Babs,” Apple Core then left with Picture Perfect and Miracle wasn’t far behind.

“So uh, you’re kinda cute. You wanna dance?” Party Cannon asked. 

“Okay,” Babs answered after blowing on her mane again.      


***


Picture led Apple Core upstairs when they got to his house to a closed door that Picture knocked on.

“Come in,” a faint elderly voice said.  

“I’m glad you aren’t asleep yet I have somepony for you to meet.” Picture then gestured to Apple Core to go inside. Apple Core walked forward and saw an elderly stallion that was getting out of his bed who became quite shocked.

“Pear Butter?!”

“Huh?” Apple Core asked confused.

“Pear Butter is that you?” 

“No, mah name is Apple Core.” 

“Oh I see,” the stallion said as he stood up and got closer. “I’m sorry my eyes sometimes play tricks on me, your coat looks a lot like hers.”

“Did you know her?” 

“Of course, do you?”

“Pear Butter is mah mother,” Apple Core replied which rather surprised the stallion. “How do yah know her?” The stallion then sat down on his bed.

“My name is Grand Pear, she’s my daughter.” Apple Core then sat down next to the old stallion who gave a warm smile to the colt.

“If mah ma is yer daughter then that means yer mah grandpa. HA!”

“What?” 

“I just realized that yer mah grandpa and yer name is Grand Pear. You’re my Grandpa Pear, no wait, Grand Pear Pear.” Grand Pear couldn’t help but laugh. “Can ah call you that?” 

“Of course.” 

“So Grand Pear Pear, what happened between you and my mother? Why aren’t you at Ponyville?” 

“Before I tell you,” Grand Pear answered after a pause. “Can you help me outside? I want to see the sunset.”

“Okay,” Apple Core then carried Grand Pear outside to a small patio where the others were hanging out as well. “Grand Pear Pear wanted to see the sunset.”

“Grand Pear Pear?” Picture Perfect asked.

“Yeah, he’s my grandfather,” Apple Core answered before he introduced the others to Grand Pear.

“Ah, so you’re Miracle Maker.”  

“You know me?”

“Yes, Picture told me all about you and how you not only defeated a giant centaur, but got the crystal working again. Those are some pretty big accomplishments.”

“Well I didn’t do everything on my own, my friends helped out as well.”

“I see, but you still have accomplished much. Tell me what drives you to face such adversity?” 

“Simple, I grew up with stories of the great Twilight Sparkle. I’ve always wanted to be just like her.” 

“Twilight Sparkle, I never met her, but she was a great pony.”

“So Grandpa, why in the hey are you here instead of Ponyville?” Apple Core asked.

“Uh maybe we should do something somewhere else,” Cryme said.

“No it’s alright,” Grand Pear said. “It’s nice to be around quite a few ponies. Long ago the Pears were rivals to the Apples. Then my own daughter ended up marrying one and when the rest of the family moved, she didn’t. I wanted to go back to Ponyville to finally make peace with her, but that was when the shadow ponies arrived,” Grand Pear paused as a tear came down his face. “I never saw my daughter again.” Cryme then gave the old stallion a hug who returned it. “Thank you.”

“I figured you really needed that.”

“He came into Manehattan not too long after I did and Picture Perfect let him stay in his guest bedroom upstairs,” High Red said.  

“And now I’m stuck here,” Grand Pear said. “I’ll never see my daughter again.”

“OH YES YOU WILL!” Miracle screamed which caught everypony’s attention. “We’re on our way to restore harmony and when we do, we’re coming back here to bring you back to Ponyville. So you just focus on staying alive and we’ll take care of the rest.”

“You would do that for me?” Grand Pear said as his heart warmed up more than it had in years.

“You bet, we’re heading out first thing in the morning, whenever that is.” Miracle then told Grand Pear that the group was heading across the sea to find the next Element of Harmony.

“So you and High Red are going too?” Grand Pear asked Picture Perfect.

“Yes but don’t worry, I talked to some of my friends while they helped build the ship. They’re gonna keep an eye on you.”

“Oh you don’t have to worry too much about me, but could you help me find the right spot to watch the sunset?” Miracle placed Grand Pear in the perfect spot to watch the sun, which was setting under the mountains where the group would be going next. “You know Miracle, you and Apple Core remind me a bit of my daughter.”

“We do?” Miracle and Apple asked at the same time.

“Passionate, not afraid to follow your heart, but also kind,” Grand Pear answered but then started to cough rather hard. Picture Perfect acted quickly and got some medicine to help it stop.

“Is he okay?” Cryme asked. 

“Sort of,” Picture Perfect answered. “Grand Pear is very old and when you get to a certain age your body well-”

“Shuts down,” Grand Pear finished. “I’m surprised it hasn’t done that entirely yet. It’s probably going to be any day now.”  

“Come on,” Party Cannon said. “I’m sure you have lots of days left.”

“No, I’ve probably lived too long enough as is.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Miracle said. “Have you forgotten what I said?”

“Heh, perhaps a little. You also get a few memory lapses, and it might be perhaps because of all the misery around here lately. It makes me forget the good stuff,” Grand Pear said as he continued to watch the sun go down. 

“You know Miracle, they say one pony’s sunset is another pony’s dawn. I don't know what's out there beyond the horizon, but if you let your heart guide your way, I’m sure you’ll be the pony you’ve always wanted to be. But until then, Apple Core, you make sure that you stick by your friend no matter what.”

“I will Grand Pear Pear. And if anything tries to hurt him I’ll clobber them!” Hearing that made Grand Pear laugh a bit.

“You have your mother’s beautiful spirit.”

“Grand Pear Pear, what was my mother like when she was young?”

“Oh do I have a story or 2 for you.”


***


Morning came not too long after it left and the group said their goodbyes to Grand Pear, mostly Apple Core and set out. A great many ponies from Manehattan came to the shore to see the group off, waving goodbye and even setting off a few fireworks. High Red got in the stern on the ship and pushed forward making it set off all the more quicker and before long Manehattan was out of sight. As that happened Miracle couldn’t help but notice that Picture Perfect looked quite sad. 

“What’s the matter Picture?” Miracle asked as the others joined in, even High Red.

“Well it’s just, did you all feel sad when you left your homes too?”

“Yes,” Miracle answered.

“Of course, partner,” Apple Core answered.

“It was hard both times,” Cryme answered.

“No way, I’m not sad,” Party Cannon answered, which surprised the others. “We’re going on an adventure, what’s sad about that?”

“I guess, but it’s still really hard for me to leave Manehattan and especially Grand Pear.”

“He’ll be alright,” High Red said. “We’ll be back before you know it.” 
 
“Until then ah think I’m gonna turn in. Ah was up all night talking with my grandpa. Goodnight y’all.” Apple Core then made his way below deck to get some well needed rest. 

“Maybe you should rest up too, Miracle,” Picture said. “You can have the pillowcase and blanket I made.” 

“Don’t you mean pillow?” 

“No, I made a pillowcase then put it on some random pillow, but it’s not some random pillow anymore. You can rest your head and admire the fabulous colors while doing it.” 

“Maybe later, I’m more hungry than I am tired.”

“How in Equestria are you still hungry? You ate an entire cake for breakfast.”

“I’m going to make sure that my stomach is full while we’re looking for the next element. It’s gonna make it all the more easier to beat the next guardian if I have a full stomach. Plus I cannot get enough of those little chocolate balls you brought.” Miracle then made his way to where the food was kept and eventually got some rest. Before long, the ship was arriving at a certain Isle.

“Throttingham off the starboard bow!” Party Cannon said.

“Wow, that was fast,” Miracle added.

“You can thank me for that,” High Red replied. 

“I would say you were pushing yourself quite a bit, but it does mean we got here sooner,” Picture Perfect said. Picture Perfect was the first to jump off the ship and ran off the beach with the others not far behind. “Sweet Celestia it’s so good to be-” Picture suddenly stopped when he saw that the Isle he once called home was covered in snow. 

“Alright! Snow, I love snow!” Miracle said as he ran right into it with Party Cannon not far behind.

“What in Equestria is going on?” Picture Perfect asked. 

“I think they’re making snow angels,” High Red answered.  

“No,” Picture Perfect said. “It never snows in Throttingham.”

“Well I guess it’s a good thing that nopony told that to Miracle and Party Cannon,” Cryme said as he saw them making a snowpony.

“I think I’m gonna join them,” High Red said and flew right over. 

“So ah guess it was lucky for those 3 it finally decided to snow here,” Apple Core said.       

“No I have a bad feeling about that, and High Red stop swimming in the snow! You’re going to catch a cold.”

“Ah,” High Red moaned as he stood up. After that the group journeyed further into the Isle where the snow got more dense. 

“If I remember correctly,” Picture Perfect as he was leading the group. “My old home should be right over-” Picture stopped once again when he saw numerous houses almost buried in the snow. 

“Wow,” Party Cannon said. “I mean I love snow as much as the next pony, unless that pony is Miracle, but this seems to be rather extreme. These ponies need to clean up all of this snow.”  

“I-I don’t think there’s anypony here to clean up the snow,” Cryme said.   
     
“Are you sure?” Apple Core asked.

“Trust me I know a thing about completely vacant towns.” The group then decided to spread out and look for anypony there, but Cryme was right. 

Somewhat. 

“There’s got to be somepony around here,” Apple Core said. “Ah mean besides us.” 

“Maybe they’re all on the other side of the Isle or something,” Party Cannon said.

“Uh, what would they all be doing over there?” Cryme asked.

“I don’t know I just have this feeling that we aren’t the only ponies around he-” Party Cannon was cut off when all of a sudden he hit his head on a big block of ice. 

“Oh my gosh, Party Cannon are you okay?”  

“Yeah Cryme, but I think I got a rather big bump, I think I might need some…” Party Cannon then leaned his head on the ice he hit. “Convenient.” 

“I don’t understand, how could all this have happened?” Picture Perfect asked.

“I wish I knew,” High Red answered. 

“I can’t believe how heartbroken I feel inside,” Picture Perfect said as he got down on his knees. “What happened to my home?”

“At least you still have a home to come back to,” High Red said. 

“Oh, High Red I’m so sorry,” Picture said as he got back up. 

“It’s no big deal.”

“Yes it is a big deal,” Picture said as he sat and put his forelegs on Red’s shoulders. “Here I am going on about my problems while not seeing how talking about it makes you feel.” Picture then pulled Red into a rather warm hug despite them both being in the snow. “I’m sorry.” 

“Well, let’s not get too emotional,” High Red said as he wiggled out of the hug. “And it’s fine.” Suddenly Cryme burst into tears surprising the others. 

“That was just so sweet,” Cryme said as he continued crying.

“And he was doing so well before,” Miracle said to Apple Core who laughed a bit.    

“Come on Cryme don’t cry,” Party Cannon said. “Come on, look at me.” Party Cannon then did a backflip. This caused Cryme to stop simply out of confusion.

“Uh, how is that supposed to cheer me up? Not that I don’t think you’re funny it’s just-”

“Yeah not my best effort, I just kind of did instead of thought,” Party Cannon answered.    

“Do you do that a lot?” High Red asked.

“Yes actually.” 

"Wait I have an idea," Picture said. "Miracle I found lanterns while we were searching, the design suggested that a crystal like the one you have goes in it. Maybe if you put it there it can help my home."

"...Ye-ah," Miracle said. "About that."


***


"Will you quit pouting over there," Apple Core said as the 6 got back onto boat and sailed to the next element.

"Yeah," Party Cannon said. "He was just trying to save his village that was on the verge of being overrun." 

Picture Perfect huffed. "You're right. I just wanted to help my home too. I really hoped we could do something to help Throttingham get better."

"Well it's not like it can get worse," High Red said, resulting in Apple Core smacking the back of his head. "Fair enough." 

"I might not be the smartest pony in Equestria," Miracle said. "But it just felt right."

"Well if Miracle thinks so then ah agree," Apple Core said.

"But what if the shadow ponies come after us?" Cryme asked. "Plus the crystal was how we defeated Greed." 

"Only because those other ponies got in the way and he took their magic," Party Cannon said.

"That's true," Cryme said. "But it could still be harder without it."

"Well I suppose all the more reason for us to finish this adventure sooner," Picture Perfect said. 

"Yeah that's the spirit," Miracle said. "And besides, the crystal didn't beat Greed we did.”

Not too long after that Party Cannon decided the group should have a party and even decorated with one of his cannons. 

“Ah don’t recall seeing him putting any of those in the ship,” Apple Core said.

“Yeah me neither,” Cryme said. “Seriously, where is he keeping them?” Cryme asked, but answers and the party would have to wait. As the ship was attacked by a rather large group of shadow ponies who rammed the ship on both sides knocking it back and forth. But that didn’t stop the group from fighting back. Party Cannon used his namesake, Picture and Miracle fired spells, and Apple Core managed to grab the neck of one and bite on it before getting shaken off. The shadow ponies got more violent and one in particular made it worse by diving straight through the poop deck creating a giant hole.  
  
“I got a sinking feeling these guys don’t like us,” Miracle said which caused Party Cannon to burst into laughter. This rather distracted the shadow ponies as they weren’t used to ponies laughing around them. This gave Miracle the split second he needed in order to use a rather powerful light spell and once again forced the shadow ponies away.

“Nice work Miracle,” Cryme said.

“Thanks but now we have another problem on our hooves,” Miracle said as he looked at the hole which was allowing water to spring out of it. “Picture can you fix it?”

“Not at the moment.” Miracle then looked out and saw the mountains were not all that far away and got a rather crazy idea, but it was the only one he had. “Everypony grab onto something and hold on tight!” The others did just that and Miracle ran towards the bow and blasted the water with the strongest spell he could muster. This launched the ship forward so quickly that they got near the shore in no time. The ship however took on too much water and began to sink.

“Swim for shore swim for shore,” Apple Core called out and the others did just that.

“Uh Cryme,” High Red said as he was flying just above the water.

“Yes? Oh, right,” he said with a chuckle as he flew out of the water getting to shore with the others. 

"Nice work with that spell of yours," Picture Perfect said to Miracle who was the first to shore.

“Thanks, it's not a crystal but it's a good substitute," Miracle said as saw the ship sink into the watery depths. “Well, no turning back now.”

“Yeah,” Party Cannon said. “Unless we want to try and swim all the way back to Manehattan. Am I right?” Party Cannon asked as he expected the others to laugh, but instead of laughter he got a very awkward silence. Recent events didn’t do much for their sense of humor.  

“So Miracle,” Apple Core said to break the silence. “How about that there spell.”  

“Right.” Miracle then used the spell and to his surprise they were very close. “Wow, we're actually on the verge of it.” Hearing that brought a smile to the others. “But we’re gonna have to climb that mountain.” 

“Don’t worry I know a shortcut,” High Red said as he grabbed Cryme and they flew straight up. Before long they came down with a rather large cloud. “Miracle you seem to be quite talented with magic, I think it might be safe to assume that you know a spell that can allow non-pegasi ponies to walk on clouds." 

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Miracle then used the said spell allowing the entire group to get on the cloud. High Red and Cryme then pushed the cloud up providing them with the shortcut to the 5th element. 

“Wow we’re walking on cloud 9 now,” Party Cannon said. “Or something like that.”

“He’s starting to get annoying,” High Red whispered to Cryme, who decided not to say anything out of concern that Party Cannon might hear. Soon the cloud made it over the mountain allowing the group to see a rather hazardous wasteland that seemed to fill the ground with a feeling of dread.     

“I got a bad feeling about this place,” Picture Perfect said.               

“I gotta tell you, I wouldn’t want to live here,” Party Cannon said.

“On that we can agree, let’s get the element and get out of here,” Miracle said. The cloud made its way to a lone mountain. The cloud landed on the top and the element was right there in plain sight. As they got off the cloud a shining light blinded them and when it cleared a small alicorn filly was in front of them.

“Well hello there,” the filly said in a rather adorable voice. “ I am Selfishness the guardian-” Selfishness was cut off when suddenly Party Cannon put her in a rather tight hug.

“Oh my gosh, you are the cutest thing I've ever seen,” Party Cannon said as he rather put the squeeze on the guardian. Who forced him off with a rather powerful burst of magic that nearly forced him off the mountain. 

“As I was saying, I am Selfishness the guardian of the Element of Loyalty.”

“Uh, isn’t she kinda young to be ah guardian?” Apple Core asked.

“Is there an age requirement for that kind of thing?” Cryme asked. “How do you even become a guardian?” 

“Does it come with days off or pay?” Party Cannon asked.

“The former is very unlikely since you can’t guard something if you leave,” Miracle said.

“Unless yah can find ah substitute guardian,” Apple Core said.

“You could get another guardian to fill in for you,” Party Cannon said. “But then they would need a substitute.”

“Or the substitute guardian could bring the element they’re guarding with them,” Picture Perfect.

“What the heck are you weirdos even talking about?” Selfishness asked. 

“We, don’t know,” Miracle answered as he realized that they started quite the unusual conversation. 

“Judging from what you said, your group has fought with other guardians.” 

“You got that right and you’re the last one,” Apple Core answered. 

“Oh you don’t say. Well sorry not sorry to say that all your hard work has been for nothing. Because there is no way you’re taking me down,” Selfishness said as she grinned a rather sinister smile.

“Oh you think so?” Miracle said as he charged his horn.

“If you think you can prove me wrong, then bring it on.” Miracle then fired a spell and Selfishness did the exact same thing causing their beams to clash. But Selfishness managed to push hers forward forcing Miracle back.

“Wow, she may be young but she is powerful,” Miracle said as he was able to push his spell back, but not by much. Suddenly the clash came to an end with Miracle forced to the ground and the tip of his horn rather burnt. 

“MIRACLE!” Apple Core yelled as he as well as the others ran over to him. “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, but I need a minute,” Miracle answered as he tried to stand but couldn’t.

“Like I said there’s no way you’re taking me down.”

“Oh, you are in for ah massive whoopin,” Apple Core said as he stomped his forelegs. 

“Don’t bet on it,” Selfishness said as she blasted the group causing them to scatter. 

“Oh my gosh that hurt,” Miracle said, now having more trouble standing up. 

“You’re gonna pay for that you little brat,” High Red said as he flew up and straight at her. Selfishness tried to blast Red, but he was too quick. However when he tried to punch her right in the gut she summoned a barrier to protect her. 

“Don’t worry Red I got your back,” Picture Perfect said as he fired a spell at the barrier but couldn’t even crack it. 

“You wanna get rid of my barrier so badly, fine.” Selfishness then expanded the barrier forcing the 2 ponies back. Apple Core jumped up trying to grab her but she blasted him to the ground. 

“What was that you said about giving me a, what did you call it? A whooping?”

“Laugh now brat,” Apple Core said as he got back up. “But we defeated all the other guardians and we’re gonna beat you too.” Selfishness then charged her horn but was cut off when she was blasted by one of Party Cannon’s namesakes. 

“Seriously,” Cryme almost shouted. “Where the hay is he keeping all of those?!” 

“Surprise attack!” Party Cannon said as he fired more. 

“Ugh not again,” Selfishness said as she spat several pieces of confetti out of her mouth. 

“Come on, we got her on the run!” Party Cannon said as he kept firing.

“No you don’t,” Selfishness said as she got hit with even more party supplies. “STOP IT! CUT IT OUT!” Selfishness yelled out, getting more and more frustrated with each hit. “I’M GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND STUFF INTO THAT CANNON!”

“Great idea,” Party Cannon said as he stuffed himself into the cannon and fired himself straight at the guardian. She simply summoned a barrier once again that Party Cannon hit dead on. “It seemed like such a great idea in my head.”

“I’m guessing you're not the brains of the team.”

“No,” Party Cannon said as he slid off the barrier and fell. “That would be Cryme.”

“What?” Cryme said in shock. “Well I wouldn’t say that I’m the brain exactly, maybe the heart or rather the backbone. Or that bone that’s at the bottom of the spine, whatever it’s called.”

“The pelves,” Party Cannon said as he got back up. 

“Thank you,” Cryme said as he faced the guardian. “You know, Selfishness we don’t have to fight.” 

“Oh really?”

“How about you just give us the element?” Selfishness then suddenly laughed so hard she rolled over on her back. 

“Yeah, you’ll have a better chance at actually beating me.” 

“Come on we don’t have to be enemies, wouldn’t you rather be friends?” 

“Unfortunately Witchcraft didn’t exactly give us much of a choice on that.” Before the others could ask what she meant, High Red flew past Selfishness and grabbed the element.

“HEY PUT THAT DOWN!” 

“All right we have the element,” Party Cannon said. 

“But we still need to beat the guardian,” Picture Perfect said. 

“Yeah, but we’re still like half done right?” Party Cannon asked as Selfishness tried to blast High Red but he dodge every spell.

“You may be stronger, but I’m faster,” High Red said as he was in the air with Selfishness not too far away. Red then flew around in a circle with Selfishness who was trying to blast him in the middle. But as she was spinning around it didn’t take long for her to get dizzy. Seeing that High Red pounced on top of her causing her to drop and seeing an opportunity Apple Core stomped right on her head. After that Party Cannon blasted her again with a set of his namesakes and Picture Perfect hit her dead on with a rather powerful spell. 

“OU-CH!” 

“Gonna cry little filly?” Red asked.

“No, but you will.” Selfishness then charged her horn but suddenly a purple barrier surrounded her. 

“Took me a while but I’m back,” Miracle said. “Get out of that if you can.”

“Challenge accepted,” Selfishness replied as she fired a beam but it bounced off the inside of the barrier several times before hitting her. “This overgrown bubble is tougher than it looks. But that doesn’t mean I can’t pop it.” Selfishness then powered up her horn and released a powerful burst of magic all around her causing the barrier Miracle made to pop.  

This in turn, caused the group to be separated as well as the burst was so powerful it broke the surface of the mountain top scattering them. 

“Hello? Somepony? Anypony?” Apple Core cried out as he looked around.

“Apple Core, where are you?” High Red called out. 

“Follow my voice.” High Red did just that and managed to catch up with him. “Where are the others?”

“Ah thought they were with you.”

“We’ll let’s find them,” Apple Core said as he started to run off in one direction. 

“Uh, why are we going this way?” Red asked as he flew over to Apple Core’s side. 

“Because we have to find the others, remember?”

“But what makes you so sure they’re this way?”

“Ah. Don’t. But if we run we can find them faster. Do you still have the element?” 

“Right here,” High Red said as he showed he was holding it in his foreleg. “And if this guardian is anything like the last one, she won’t be far behind.”

“All the more reason to find the others and take that guardian down,” Apple Core said as he stomped on the ground again. “Ma and Pa always told me not to hit mares but in this case I’ll make an exception.” Apple Core then pretended to fight Selfishness by throwing several punches and even pretending to put her in a headlock. 

“Did a guardian burn down the barn you were raised in or something?” High Red asked as he was sitting to take a breather. 

“What do ya mean?” 

“It’s just, I notice you kind of get intense when you fight."  

“Ah guess you have a point actually,” Apple Core said as he gestured High Red to follow him and he did. “Ah guess it all started when ah first met Miracle. Ah just met the guy but it felt like ah found a long lost member of the family.”

“Kind of a bit too far don’t you think?”

“It was how ah felt,” Apple Core continued. “Ah helped him get the first Element of Harmony, or at least ah tried.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Ah was there but Miracle did all the work, ah couldn’t do anything to help him and it made me feel so worthless. So when ah left with him ah wanted to help him more to make up for it. But the fight with the next guardian was even worse. Cryme pulled more weight than ah did.”

“Wow really?”  

“Yeah, ah was determined to get stronger and pull my weight as much as ah could.”

 “Was that when we met you guys?” 

“Nah, that was right before we met you guys. That time ah really helped out Miracle. Ah guess even after that ah wanted to push myself more to prove ah can help and not be ah burden to Miracle.”

“I know how you feel.” 

“You do?” 

“Yeah, when Picture Perfect took me in I wanted to pay him back somehow. So I started delivering various things he wanted to give to others, it wasn’t much but I could do it well because I’m so fast. At first ponies didn’t take me seriously because I was just a colt. But Picture Perfect convinced them to give me a chance and before long I was the “go to” pony for getting almost anything across Manehattan.”           
 
“That was really nice of him. Ah guess he thinks he’s family to you like how Miracle is family to me.” Hearing that made High Red sit down again right out of nowhere which caught the attention of Apple Core. 

“Family is kind of going too far don’t you think?” 

“There’s something I’ve noticed about you too. Why does it bother you so much when ponies talk about family?”    

“Well, I mean. It’s not all that important, we should get going.” High Red then tried to fly past Apple Core but he stuck his foreleg out to somewhat block him. 

“Is it because of your family? Picture Perfect said he found you in Manehattan, did you even know your parents?”

“YES!” High Red said defensively before he lowered his head. “Barely.” 

“Huh?” Apple Core asked.

“My parents,” High Red paused then raised his head “I don’t even know their names. Do you know how I got my name?”

“No.”

“My father named me High Red because he always wanted a son that would fly high above the clouds and I’m red. He and mom were great fliers who were going to fight the shadow ponies and they didn’t have time to think up another name. They were so focused on fighting againt them, they didn’t name me until I was 4.”

“Wow.” 

“One day they left to help a bunch of ponies and, and,”

“It was the last time you ever saw them.”

“Yeah,” High Red said as he wiped a tear from his face. “I came to Manehattan because I thought they might be there and the rest is history.” 

“And the reason you don’t like to think of others as family is because y’all is scared of getting close to them and losing them.” 

“Yeah,” High Red said after an awkward silence. Apple Core then pulled High Red into a hug which he accepted. 

“Ah understand what it’s like to lose members of the family that yah hardly ever knew,” Apple Core said as they pulled away from each other. “Or at all, but pushing other ponies out of yer heart ain’t gonna help you either. Maybe that’s one of the reasons ah got so close to Miracle.”

“Speaking of Miracle, that stuff you said about wanting to help him, It kind of reminded me of a team of pegasi Picture told me about when I was younger. Have you ever heard of the Wonderbolts?”

“No.”

“They were a team of highly skilled fliers. The reason they were so great was because they all worked together instead of one trying to fly better than the others. Part of being a team isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing your part.”

“Thanks, that’s actually some sound advice.”

“No problem, listen I want to talk about this more but for now we should focus on getting back with the others.”

“Right,” Apple Core said as he ran off and High Red flew close behind. 

“Uh Apple Core, do you mind if I scout ahead?”

“Lead the way little bro,” Apple Core said which led to a little more awkward silence. “Too much?”

“Little bit.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”


***


Elsewhere Cryme and Party Cannon, who Cryme grabbed and lowered to the ground when the group got separated. “They gotta be around here somewhere,” Cryme began to ramble once again as he was looking around rather rapidly. “They fell through the mountain just like us so they have to be somewhere, unless they somehow fell out of the mountain when they fell in or they somehow fell into the, the, the-”

“Lava?” 

“Yeah,” Cryme said as he started to avoid looking at the lava. “You don’t think that happened do you?” 

“Nah you and High Red can just fly away from it, Miracle and Picture can just teleport away from it, and Apple and I can....well I didn’t fall in so maybe he didn’t either.”

“Yeah, I mean he can be a real resourceful pony if wants to, or is that more Miracle’s thing?”

“I just hope we find them before that adorable and deadly guardian finds us.”

“That’s true, she may be super huggable but she might be the toughest guardian of them all, though I feel like we were doing really well near the end. I mean, until we fell through the volcano.”

“So, do you think we should make our way back to the top of the volcano?”

“Well there’s not much of a top to go back to.”

“Yeah that’s a pretty good point.”

“Hey by the way, why did you say that I was the brains of the group?”

“You don’t think you're smart?”

“Well no uh I mean yes, well I’m at least of average intelligence. But why do you think I’m above average?”

“In all honesty I have no idea, sometimes I just blurt things out without thinking.”

“Oh, I see, I guess I’ve noticed that from time to time.”

“Yeah I guess we all have our silly little habits, kind of like how you ramble a lot.”

“Oh I do, sorry, it’s just that for so long I didn’t have anypony to talk to. I guess when you don’t talk to anypony you start doing it more than usual.”

“That’s pretty insightful, maybe you are above average intelligence after all.” 

“You think so? Thank you,” Cryme said with a blush. “Listen I think we should pick up the pace a bit, this place looks like there’s something bad that will pop out any minute.”

“Well you don’t know that, there could also be a clown around here somewhere.”
 
“A clown?”              

“Yeah, you never know.” 

“That’s something I noticed about you, whenever somepony gets sad or is about to get sad, you try to cheer them up right away.”

“Well what’s wrong with that?” 

“I mean there’s nothing wrong with it, it's just that, well I mean to say is, how do I put it? Ponies need to be sad sometimes.”

“Huh?”

“If ponies were happy all the time, what's the point? Life is about taking the good with the bad. And it’s great that you want to make others smile but sometimes ponies need to be angry or scared or angry or confused or angry or, well you get it right?”

“Actually no I don’t get it. Aren’t you worried that if you cry enough you won’t be able to stop?” Party Cannon asked, resulting in an awkward silence.

“What do you mean?” Cryme asked, resulting in another one.

“Cryme, can I tell you something serious?”

“Of course, I’m a really good listener.”

“A long time ago after I left Applewood but before I met you, I fell into a depression. I could barely eat and I almost never got out of bed.”

“Wow, that is serious. But wait, when Depression was defeated, you said his actions led you to look on the bright side." 

"It did, but not right away. I left this part out of that story because it's rather personal."

"How did you get out of it?”      

“These kids around my age that lived nearby heard about what I was going through, so they came by my house to cheer me up. They barely even knew me, but they tried so hard to make me happy, that alone was enough to warm my heart. After that I saw others starting to fall into what I just got out of, so ever since then I tried to be like them and try to make other ponies happy. And when Miracle came along saying he could stop all the misery, you better believe I wanted to help.”

“I kind of feel the same way, that colt is very special, I can tell. He makes me wish I was tougher and I can understand not wanting to get depressed after getting rid of it, but aren’t you scared it’ll stick around if you don’t let it out.”

“What do you mean?” 

“If you are sad but you try to make yourself happy, the sadness doesn’t really go away. But if you are sad and you let it out you can let it go. Other emotions can or rather should be used that way as well, like anger.”

“Wow, I never thought of it that way, though to be fair I kind of have a habit of not thinking. Thanks Cryme, you know you just might be the brains of the group after all.”

“Ah thanks,” Cryme said as he blushed again. “If you want to talk about this more we can, but let’s try to find the others first. I'm still worried about them.” 

“Yeah me too. Race you to wherever they are!” Party Cannon then ran off which took Cryme by surprise.

“Uh all right,” Cryme replied as they ran off.

"For the record Cryme, I think you're tough in your own way. But if you want to be tougher that's great too."

"Thank you," Cryme replied as he would take those words to heart and try to be a tougher pony indeed. 


***


“Sweet Celestia I didn’t think the inside of a volcano would be this hot,” Picture Perfect said as he and Miracle were walking along a path inside the volcano.

Seriously, who is Celestia? Miracle thought. 

“If we don’t find the others and get out of here soon I think I’m going to melt.”

“Kind of makes you wish we were back in Throttingham huh?” Miracle asked. “Sorry.”

“It’s all right, honestly I actually was kind of thinking that, being in extreme cold rather than extreme heat. When you’re in extreme cold you can just sit by the fire and watch one of nature’s many beauties. A gentle yet powerful blanket covering nature allowing it to be born anew.”

“Yeah and you make snowponies too,” Miracle said. “Now I kind of wish we stayed at Trottingham a little longer.”

“Yeah, me too, for better or worse I’m glad that I finally decided to go back home.”

“Out of curiosity, what made you go back there after all this time?”

“You did Miracle.”

“Me?”

“Yes, when you fought Greed and told him about that promise you made, it reminded me of a similar promise I made when I was young. I promised myself one day I'd return to Throttingham but I kept putting it off. I wanted to help Manehattan more but it didn't seem like I could. So I hoped doing a series of little things would add up to a lot."

"I suppose that might of work, but you could have also tried to do something big." 

Yeah I could have. When you defeated Greed, hearing you talk like that and the passion behind your words inspired me to finally go through with my promise and do something big. I made that promise because I loved that Isle and didn’t want anything to stop me from going back. What made you make your promise?”

“It felt like something Twilight Sparkle would do?”

“Is that all?”

“Pretty much.”  

“Huh you’re pretty easy to motivate aren't you?”

“Maybe a little, hey Picture, do you think Twilight Sparkle loved to play in the snow too?”

“Hard to say, I never met her,” Picture answered. “Why do you look up to Twilight Sparkle so much?” 

“Well, I guess it all started when I was just a colt. My uncle told me stories all about her as far back as I can remember. Hearing the amazing things she did I knew right away that I wanted to be somepony like that. I gonna be just like her one day." 

"I see. Listen Miracle, I understand wanting to be like your hero, but you shouldn't sell yourself short either. You're pretty great on your own too. Grand Pear may have said it best, if you let your heart guide your way, I’m sure you’ll be the pony you’ve always wanted to be."

"You might be onto something. It's just I know this sounds weird but even though I never really knew her, I've always felt like she and I had some sort of powerful connection. Like a long lost sister or something.” 

“You think so?”
      
“I know it doesn’t make much sense, but that’s how I feel.”

“Well, you probably won’t figure this out until you’re older but feelings don’t always make sense.”

“I think I might already know that now.” 

“I guess it might be a safe bet, you are a pretty smart kid.” 

“Ah knock it off, you’re going to make my head swell up like a balloon.”

“All right, why don’t you use that spell of yours to help us. If High Red still has the element it can tell us exactly where he is.”

“Actually, it won’t tell us exactly where he is, just a direction.” 

“I see. I may not be as good as you with magic but I know a spell that might help. But we need a map or something. It may be one small thing but perhaps that can become something big.”
 
“You mean a map of Equestria because I have-” Miracle stopped when he and Picture came across a fork in the road with High Red and Apple Core on the left side and Party Cannon and Cryme A. River on the right. “Nevermind.”  
     
“Wow this was sure convenient,” Party Cannon said. Suddenly Apple Core and High Red made their way to Picture Perfect and Miracle Maker, Apple Core hugging the latter and High Red hugging the former, quite to his shock. “All right, a group hug,” Party Cannon then got in the middle of the hugging and Cryme joined in after a shrug. 

“The gang's all here again,” Miracle said, happy that all of his friends were okay.  

“Yeah,” Selfishness said as she was flying above the others. “Now I can get rid of you all at once.” 

“Don’t bet on it brat,” Miracle said who noticed that Selfishness was quite scarred from the explosion. Such as several burn marks on her left foreleg, stomach, and right cheek. “Come on, round 2.” 

“Tough guy huh? Well let’s see how tough you are.” Selfishness then charged and fired a beam that destroyed the nexus of the paths. But Miracle thought ahead and teleported everypony away from the center. Selfishness saw that the ponies were placed on the edge of the paths. 

Except for Miracle Maker.  

“Wait? Where’s the loudmouth one?” Selfishness then got her answer when she was blasted from behind into a stalactite. Miracle teleported himself to a higher path that was behind Selfishness and the perfect place to blast her. Miracle then teleported back to where Picture Perfect was. 

“Nice work Miracle,” Picture said. 

“Yeah, it looks like you may have hit her in her weak spot,” Party Cannon said as Selfishness pull herself off of the stalactite. 

“No, I just figured out her weakness,” Miracle said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about? I don’t have a weakness.”

“Yes you do.”

“I don’t suppose it’s that she’s too cute?” Party Cannon asked.

“No,” Miracle answered. “She may be incredibly powerful, but she’s still just a filly. Power is one thing, endurance is another. You’ve only taken several hits and you look like you could barely even stand. Heck you can barely even fly can’t you?” 

“Think you’re so smart, well let’s see how smart you are when you and your friends are full of holes.” Selfishness then used her magic to pick up not only the stalactites but also the stalagmites in the general area. “I’m gonna turn you all into swiss cheese.”

“That’s no gouda,” Party Cannon replied as he couldn’t help but tremble a bit. When Selfishness fired the large stone spikes the group sprang into action. Miracle blasted them at a rapid pace while Picture put up a barrier to protect everypony. Apple Core bucked pieces of the stalactites and stalagmites at the ones that were still coming while Party Cannon fired his namesake at them to try and break them, or at the very least make them miss their target. High Red jumped and pushed on them to also make them miss with Cryme helping to his surprise. 

Seeing his pegasi friends gave Miracle an idea and he teleported from one stone pillar to another getting closer and closer to Selfishness, until he was close enough to blast her at point blank. She tried to charge her horn to counter attack but Miracle was too quick and was blasted into the ceiling before teleporting back to the others. 

“Nice work Miracle!” Apple Core cheered.

“Yeah I think I felt that,” Party Cannon added. 

“Woo hoo,” Cryme cheered, but not too loudly. As the group cheered, Selfishness pulled herself out of the ceiling looking like she had 1 or 2 hooves in the grave.   

“This isn’t over,” Selfishness said. “You may have defeated me for now but I’ll recover. And when I do I’m gonna finish you and your minions off once and for all.” And with that Selfishness teleported away.

"Minions?" Party Cannon said.

“So, does this count as a victory?” High Red asked.

“I guess,” Picture Perfect answered. 

“And since you have the fifth element yah can point us in the direction of the last one,” Apple Core said. 

“I could,” Miracle paused. “But with the ship gone, I don’t know how we’re going to get out of here.” 

“I guess High Red and I could fly back to Manehattan and ask the ponies there to build another ship,” Cryme said.

“I’m faster,” High Red said. “I can make the flight all by myself and be back in no time.”

“Not happening,” Picture Perfect said. “I’m not letting you take such a long journey all the way by yourself.”

“And we’re not letting any of you leave,” a voice said that caught the attention of the group. They turned around and saw a group of dragons that gathered behind them. “Well well, it sure has been a while since I’ve seen ponies,” the dragon from before mentioned. Who the group would later learn went by the name of Smolder. 

“Wow dragons,” Miracle said somewhat in awe.    
   
“What are you doing here?” Party Cannon asked.

“What are we doing here, what are you doing here? This is dragon territory,” another dragon that the group would learn later went by the name of Smug.

“Well it’s kind of a long story,” Cryme said. “You see-”

“Well if it’s a long story,” Smug interrupted. “Then perhaps you should tell that to the Dragon Lord.”

“Dragon Lord? That sounds cool,” Party Cannon said. 

“What’s a Dragon Lord exactly?” High Red asked which made Smolder pause.

“He’s a dragon that's our lord,” Smolder said as she snaped her claws several times. “Come on kid context clues. And he’s given us orders to bring any ponies we find directly to him.” 

“All right,” Miracle agreed, which rather surprised the others who pulled him into a circle for a talk. 

“Can we really trust dragons?” High Red asked. 
           
“Red may have ah point,” Apple Core said. “We just met these ponies er dragons.”

“True, but I just have a feeling about these guys,” Miracle said. “Call it an intuition. Like maybe one of them will give us a ride to wherever the last element is if we ask real nice.”

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to see what the Dragon Lord wants,” Cryme said. “Give him the benefit of the doubt.” 

“I suppose, maybe Miracle is on to something,” Party Cannon said.

“Well if you think it’s the thing to do Miracle then ah got yer back,” Apple Core said. With the matter settled the group made their way with the dragons while getting to know them a bit. 

“So you actually went to the School of Friendship?” Miracle asked.

“Yeah,” Smolder replied. “It was great, until that horrible day when the shadow ponies came along.” 

“Yeah, that wasn’t really pleasant for us either,” Cryme said. Soon the group made their way into the core of the mountain.

“Dragon Lord Spike, we found these ponies in the volcano,” Smolder said.

“My my, half a dozen of them even, what in the wide world of Equestria, or rather the land beyond are you doing here?”

“We came for the Element of Harmony,” Party Cannon answered, which shocked the dragon.     

“What? An Element of Harmony, here?” Miracle then reached into his saddle bag and pulled out the Element of Harmony that he and his friends got. Spike then approached the young unicorn and was still shocked, only now over what he saw instead of what he heard. “I can’t believe it, an Element of Harmony right under my nose this whole time.”

“You know about the Elements of Harmony?” Cryme asked. 

“Yes, how were you able to find one all the way over here?”

“I had just the spell for it,” Miracle answered as he put the element back in the bag. “And once we find the last one we’ll have all of them and then I can finally use them to bring, you know what, never mind.”   

“Never mind?!” Apple Core said in shock.

“Well it’s just that I’ve been saying I’d bring harmony back over and over, is that getting annoying?”  

“No no no no no,” the rest of the group said while they also waved their forelegs a little bit. 

“It’s not annoying at all, it's inspiring,” Party Cannon said. 

“Yeah,” Cryme added. “It’s great how you can keep saying that despite everything that we’ve been through and all we’ve had to face.”

“Yeah, you’re quite an amazing young stallion,” Picture Perfect said. Then all of a sudden the entire volcano started to rumble and shake something fierce. Before the ponies could react the lava broke through the ground rising up and nearly spilled onto them. It would have if it weren’t for Dragon Lord Spike who put himself between the ponies and the lava.

"Oh my gosh!" Cryme said as he saw the lava pour all over Spike.

"Don't worry dragons are lava proof," Spike said. "But ponies not so much. Come on, let's get you all out of here." Spike then got out of the lava and got down on all fours making sure all the lava was off him gesturing Miracle to get on his back because he was the closest. "Help them get out of here," Spike called out to the other dragons.

"Uh yeah help us please," Party Cannon said. "I don't feel like melting today." The rest of the group except for Cryme and High Red got on the other dragon who got the group out of the volcano by flying right out, just as the volcano erupted. 

"This doesn't make any sense," Spike said with Miracle still on his back. "This volcano was dormant, how could it just erupt out of nowhere like that?"

"I think I may know why," Miracle answered as he looked around and saw a certain alicorn not too far away. "Your name is Spike right?"

"Yeah."

"Well check out the alicorn filly on your far left."

"Wait what? An alicorn?" 

"Long story short, every element has had a guardian. She's the guardian of the one I found here and we need to beat her if I want to keep the element." 

"Well then, I don't suppose you'd mind if I lend you a friendly claw.” 

“Not at all.” Spike then made his way towards Selfishness and was shocked once again when he saw just who he was about to fight. 

“Cozy Glow?”   

“Spike?” 

“But you’re still just a filly. How is this possible?” 

“You know her? But how?” 

“Miracle where exactly do these guardians come from? What's the deal?”

“They just appear when we get close to an element and they protect it, though I’m not sure how making a volcano erupt is going to do that.”

“I think big,” Selfishness replied. 

“They were created by some form of magic, I think they’re like golems,” Miracle said. 

“I see, so they’re not technically alive?” Spike asked.

“Hard to say but maybe not.”

“The question is, after a while will you be?” Selfishness said as she charged her horn. “You may have gotten me off guard a couple times before, but this time I’m ready for your tricks.” Spike then flew directly at Selfishness who once again clashed beams with Miracle and it looked like Selfishness was going to win again, but Spike used his fire breath to give Miracle a boost and hit Selfishness dead on. 

“Woah, I didn’t know dragons could do that.”

“Yeah, we’re pretty awesome.” 

“But you aren’t invincible,” Selfishness said, who used her magic to lift up some large rocks on the surface of the volcano and spin them around herself and soon extended the orbit to try and get Miracle and Spike. And while one managed to get Spike, Miracle teleported the 2 of them away before Spike could fly into lava. “Huh? Where did they-” Selfishness got her answer when Spike flew into her still not getting control back from getting hit by the boulder. 

But that helped. 

“You okay?” 

“Yeah, thick scales. Like I said, we're pretty awesome.”

“If this fight keeps up though, she’s going to make a real mess. Let’s finish this quick.”

“You have a plan?” Miracle then whispered in Spike’s ear and finished explaining just as Selfishness came back. “Oh I like that plan.” Spike then charged at Selfishness who once again tried to blast him, but Miracle teleported him out of the way so he could finish the charge from behind her. Miracle then repeated this process allowing Spike to attack Selfishness from several angles and he was so fast she couldn’t counter him in time. However Selfishness was able to figure out the pattern and was able to capture Spike in her magical aura. 

“Now I got you and your, wait where did he go?” Selfishness asked before once again getting a very painful answer. Right before Selfishness caught them both in her magic, Miracle teleported above her and used a powerful stun spell right on her wings. This made Selfishness let go of Spike as Miracle landed on his back while Selfishness tried to glide away.

“Oh no you don’t!” Spike said as he chased after her. “Come back here and fight!” Selfishness tried to blast him but he dodged her spells before grabbing her by the horn of her head so she couldn’t use her magic. Spike then stared into the filly’s eyes with a look of rage who in turn looked to Spike in complete fear. “This has been a long time coming,” Spike said right before releasing his fire breath and burning the final guardian into nothing. 

“Well,” Miracle said, wanting to change the subject. “With that taken care of we should find my friends.”  

“Don’t worry I know where they are,” Spike said as he flew off. “I gotta admit Miracle, you are a very capable unicorn. You remind me of a pony I knew a long time ago.”

“Really who?”

“She was somepony very special to me, she actually made quite the name for herself, there’s a slim chance you may have heard of her. Her name was Twilight Sparkle.”

“You knew Twilight Sparkle!” Miracle said as he hung on Spike's neck to look at him face to face, surprising Spike.

“So you do know her, yes, before I was the Dragon Lord I was her number one assistant.”

“No way!”

“Oh yeah way. She was my absolute best friend, and the closest thing I had to a mother.”

“What was Twilight Sparkle like?!”

“Smart, kind, a true friend, and no matter how tough things were she always figured out what to do. Actually, she was a lot like you.”   


*** 


With Selfishness defeated Spike got Miracle back to where the dragons took the other ponies so Miracle could meet up with his friends. 

“Miracle!” Apple Core said as he ran over to hug his friend who returned it. “Where were you? Did you run into Selfishness again?”

“Yeah but don’t worry she’s not bothering us anymore,” Miracle answered. “Thanks to Dragon Lord Spike’s help.”

“You can just call me Spike.” After that Picture Perfect approached and asked Miracle to get out a map of Equestria for the spell he talked about earlier.

“Basically with a map and the things you’ve already collected, it will point to where the rest is in almost the exact area,” Picture Perfect said after explaining the spell. 

“Well what are we standing here for?” Miracle asked. Miracle then placed his map on the ground and after explaining how it works Miracle performed the new version of the spell with no problem. He was quite excited to see where the final element and the last key for their plan was. 

But the excitement quickly vanished as the reveal of where the last element was filled them all with fear.