My Little Pony: Nine Elements Book 1

by BlueBioWolf

Chapter 2: The Elements of Harmony (S1:E2)

Twilight Sparkle had just finished wrapping her head around everything that had happened within the last two days. On the first day, she’d come across mention of something known as the Elements of Harmony and learned that they were used to vanquish a demonic alicorn named Nightmare Moon. On the second day, she’d been sent to Ponyville to check on preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and make friends (the latter assignment, she planned to put off to find evidence of Nightmare Moon). Since arriving in Ponyville, she’d encountered several ponies who all treated her and Spike like equals. She only bothered to remember the names of five of the ponies: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. However, she didn’t really make an effort to bond with them since she felt that doing so would be pointless since she’d be back in Canterlot once the celebration was over and would never see them again. After a sleepless night, Twilight began hoping that the legend of Nightmare Moon was just that, a legend. Sadly, as the morning hours approached, she quickly learned that fate had other plans. Now, she was in the same room as the very demonic alicorn banished to the moon 1000 years ago. Twilight had never hoped she was wrong anymore than she did at that moment.

“Seize her!" demanded Mayor Mare to the royal guards. “Only she knows where the Princess is!”

The royal guards launched at Nightmare Moon. The alicorn didn’t even cringe. “Let’s see if Celestia’s guards are actually competent after these 1000 years,” she said.

The pegasus guards managed to kick Nightmare Moon's back and the unicorn guards held tight with telekinesis. But, with a single bolt of lightning created by the alicorn, the guards were all knocked back. “What in Tartarus is this?!” demanded the alicorn. “My sister’s guards from 1000 years ago were defeated by me, but, they still put up a better fight than THAT!”

“To be fair,” said Shining Armor, “none of the current guard’s foes were an alicorn demon from 1000 years ago!”

“Excuses!” yelled the demonic mare before turning into a cloud of mist. She rushed through the door with Rainbow in pursuit.

“Come back here!” she cried, flying out into the dark. “Nighttime… forever?” In the corner of her eye, she saw Twilight and Spike headed back to the library. “Where’s she going?” 

“Big Mac,” called Applejack over her shoulder, “y’all walk Apple Bloom home. Ah have somethin’ ah need to do.” 

The big red stallion nodded while Shining Armor tended to the wounded guards. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, exchanging confused looks, decided to see what was happening.

At the library, Spike started looking for a book on the Elements of Harmony, struggling to stay awake.

“We’ve got to stop… nightmare…”

“You’ve been up all night, Spike,” whispered Twilight. “You are a baby dragon after all.”

Spike woke up with a start. “I don’t care!” he said. “I’m going to help those ponies if it’s the last thing I do!”

Twilight grew concerned. Oh, Spike, that bad habit of yours is kicking in at full force, she thought to herself.

“I’m going to find a book on the Elements of Harmony even if I have to do it myself,” Spike declared. At that moment, a suspicious Rainbow Dash decided to make herself known.

“And just what ARE the Elements of Harmony?!” demanded Rainbow. “And how did you know about Nightmare Moon? Are you a spy?!” Applejack grabbed Rainbow’s tail to reign her in again.

“Simmer down, Sally.” drawled Applejack. “She ain’t no spy. But, she sure seems to know what’s going on. Doncha, Twilight?”

The others looked at her with concern and Twilight knew that it was best if she was upfront with them. “I read about Nightmare Moon from a story called the Legend of the Two Sisters.”

“I thought that was just an old breezie’s tale,” Rarity said.

“I thought that, too,” admitted Spike. “But, Twilight pointed out that one of the sisters raised the sun and moon, just like Princess Celestia.”

“I see,” said Rarity. “Anyway, Twilight, please continue.”

“The Elements of Harmony were objects used to send Nightmare Moon to the moon in the first place,” Twilight explained. “Since they did so once, it stands to reason that they could do so again. Celestia sent me and Spike here to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and make friends. I was more concerned with finding a way to stop Nightmare Moon than do the latter.”

“No wonder you seemed so impatient,” Fluttershy said. “Why didn’t you tell any of us?”

“Would you have believed me, though?" Twilight glumly commented as her lips quivered. "Even I began to doubt myself. I began to hope that I was wrong even though everything told me I was right. Besides, even if I had told you, it wouldn't have mattered. There's nothing any of you could've done to prevent this. Princess Celestia is the one who defeated Nightmare Moon all those years ago, not me. I'm but her student and as gifted as I am, I'm not strong enough to take on an alicorn on my own," She then sought to change the subject. "The only lead I have are these Elements of Harmony. They're what Princess Celestia used to defeat Nightmare Moon. Maybe finding them could send Nightmare back to the moon."

“Uh, I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Twilight,” said Spike. “If we send her back to the moon, she’ll just escape again in 1000 years.”

“Hmm,” Twilight said. “That’s true. Though, I don’t exactly know how Princess Celestia used them before. I don’t know what the Elements of Harmony are, where to find them, or what they do.”

“Maybe this book will help,” said Pinkie. “‘The Elements of Harmony: A reference guide by Clover the Clever.’”

“What?!” Twilight asked in shocked splendor. “Where did you find this?!”

“It was under ‘E,’” the pink pony stated plainly.

“Oh.” Twilight said in an embarrassed tone. She then opened the reference guide to a particular page within. Little did she know that Nightmare Moon was listening. “‘There are six Elements of Harmony, but, only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. The last known location of the five Elements of Harmony is in the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. This is located in what is now…’” Twilight’s eyes went wide as she dropped the book. The others grew concerned.

“Where?” said Rainbow.

“The Everfree Forest,” Twilight answered.

“The Everfree Forest?!” Exclaimed the five Ponyville residents.

Spike stood with a look of determination. “Well, what are we waiting for,” he said. “Let’s go!”

Twilight wasn’t hearing any of it. “Please, Spike. I have enough on my plate as it is without your bad habit kicking in.” The other five mares overheard this.

“Twilight,” Applejack said in a firm voice. “Given that we’re about ta venture into a dark n’ scary forest at night, it wouldn’t be a good idea ta leave Spike here on his lonesome. It’d be better if ya took him along ta keep an eye out fer him.”

Spike nodded. “These ponies have shown me more respect in a single day than I usually get in a week,” he reaffirmed. “It just wouldn’t feel right if I just sat on my claws without trying to help them. I’ve made up my mind.”

Twilight knew that once Spike made up his mind on something, there was no changing it. She’d tried many times with no success. So, she relented. “Fine. But, you’re staying by my side,” she stated.

Soon, the group was standing outside the entrance of the forest. Its trees were tall and had rather dismal looking foliage. It was clear that the forest wasn’t like any other forest. “Whee!” cried Pinkie. “Let’s go!”

“This will be a risky operation,” Twilight said. “I would rather if Spike and I just did this on our own.”

“Look here,” Rainbow interjected. “I do stupid stuff for kicks and giggles, but, even I’M smart enough to not go in there alone.”

“Yeah,” Applejack smirked. “We’re stickin’ ta y’all like caramel on a candy apple.”

She and the other Ponyville mares trotted into the forest. “Especially if we find some in there,” Pinkie added.

Twilight and Spike look at Pinkie in confusion. “You expect to find candy apples in a forest where ponies usually AVOID going into?” Spike questioned.

“Well,” Pinkie said. “nopony’s ever tried. You never know.” She trotted off.

“I have some concerns about what goes on in that mare’s head,” Spike whispered to Twilight.

Twilight nods to herself at Spike’s remark. She had him on her back and cautiously entered the forest with the other ponies. “So, have ANY of you been in here before?” the lavender unicorn asked.

“Absolutely not.” Rarity said, a slight shiver in her voice. “It’s dreadful. I’m not the woodsy type anyway, but, still.”

Spike looked around. “It looks like a bunch of trees to me,” he said.

“They ain’t like the trees we grow in Sweet Apple Acres, though,” Applejack said. “This forest don’t work the same as Equestria.” Unknown to the ponies and dragon, Nightmare Moon’s mist burrows into the soil of the cliff they’re on.

“What does that mean?” Spike asked with growing concern. “Are there whomping willows in this forest?”

“Whomping willows?” asked Fluttershy curiously.

“Twilight’s studied a LOT of things in Canterlot,” Spike said. “One thing she came across was a valuable, violent species of magical plants known as the whomping willows. They’ll attack anypony and anyTHING that gets within range of their branches.”

“Well,” Fluttershy said. “They certainly sound dangerous, but, I hadn’t heard of any instances of them being in the Everfree Forest.”

The group suddenly found themselves walking by a tree with fewer others around it than most.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Twilight said. Her misgivings turned out to be true when an unsuspecting little bird flew by the tree and a branch as thick as a python smashed into the bird, slamming it against the ground.

“EEK!,” Fluttershy squeaked in a frightened way. “Now, I HAVE heard of an instance of one in the Everfree Forest!”

“I think we should keep our distance from that tree,” Spike said, trying to hide his own fears.

The others quietly confirmed and carefully made their way by the tree. Soon, they were near a cliff.

“That was close.” Twilight sighed. “Hopefully, the worst is over now.”

“Right,” said Spike. “We should keep looking for the ruins.”

Just at that moment, the ground they’re on sagged a bit.

“Be careful, y’all.” Applejack said. “If things get too loud ‘round here, it’ll trigger a collapse.”

Poor timing seemed to hit Pinkie at that moment because some pollen got up her nose and made her sneeze confetti. Suddenly, the ground crumbled beneath the group and Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight, and Spike fell down the cliffside. Rainbow and Fluttershy, being pegasus ponies, managed to avoid falling down.

"Fluttershy, come on!" cried Rainbow Dash, zipping downwards.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" Fluttershy followed after the more athletic pegasus.

Spike dug his claws into the dirt to save himself while Rainbow grabbed Pinkie and Fluttershy grabbed Rarity.

"Where's Applejack and Twilight?" Gasped Spike.

Rainbow set Pinkie down before flying back up to check. She went to help Fluttershy with Rarity. "There!"

Applejack had grabbed Twilight, who was dangling over the cliff. “Twilight!” cried Spike as he began racing straight for the lavender unicorn.

Twilight saw Spike scurrying towards her. Oh no, she thought. Even now, his habit’s taking over at full force!

Spike made it to Twilight and tried helping Applejack lift Twilight up.

"Spike, Applejack!" cried Twilight. "What should we do?!"

"I don't know!" cried Spike as he struggled.

Applejack saw Rarity and Pinkie safely on the ground and heard the soft beat of wing flaps down below.

"Let go."

Twilight and Spike couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “Are you crazy?!” they blurted.

"No ah ain't," said Applejack calmly. “Rainbow n’ Fluttershy’ll catch ya, Twilight. Ah’ll bring Spike down safely mahself. Would ah lie in this situation?”

“I barely know you!” Twilight protested. “How should I know if I can trust you?!”

“We barely know ya n’ we trust ya on the Elements o’ Harmony," Applejack replied sharply.

“She’s got us there,” Spike admitted.

“I… guess… Okay,” Twilight conceded. “Make sure Spike at least gets down safe.”

“Ah promise he’ll be safe,” Applejack said in a soft motherly voice.

Twilight let go and screamed as she fell. Fortunately, Rainbow and Fluttershy were able to catch her before she hit the ground. Spike grew excited. “Way to go, girrrr…” he trailed off and began leaning forward over the edge.

“Whoa, nelly!” Applejack exclaimed as she quickly wrapped a hoof around Spike’s chest and pulled him close to her. “Y’all really need ta be careful, sugarcube.”

Spike didn’t respond as Applejack saw that he was sleeping. She put him on her back and made her way down.

Meanwhile, Rainbow and Fluttershy brought Twilight down safely. “Thanks for the assist, girls,” Twilight said.

Applejack made her way down with the unconscious Spike on her back. “Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Is Spike okay?”

“The little feller passed out n’ nearly fell off the cliff,” Applejack said.

“Oh, I was afraid of this,” Twilight said as she levitated Spike onto her back. “His bad habit will get him in big trouble.”

“You mentioned that habit earlier,” Rarity said. “What exactly does this habit entail?”

Twilight saw that the other mares were concerned. She decided to confess. “I’m sure by now, Spike’s told you he’s not very popular in Canterlot.”

“He has, yeah,” Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight steeled herself. “That’s a gross understatement,” she said. “He’s not even given the same rights as other ponies. At best, he’s not even addressed by name.”

“That’s downright horrible!” Applejack gasped.

“I’ve kept him in my room all day for the better part of six years to spare him from such mistreatment,” Twilight continued, tears welling up in her eyes.

“So,” Fluttershy said. “Spike doesn’t have any friends besides you, Twilight?”

“And my brother, parents, foalsitter, and four of my classmates,” Twilight admitted. “Spike softens up when he’s shown even the tiniest bit of compassion.”

“So, that’s why he was so eager to help out,” Applejack said.

“It’s also part of the problem,” Twilight continued. “He goes out of his way to help anypony who treats him with respect, often pushing himself to the point of exhaustion, endangering himself.”

“Well,” Applejack said. “Ah hope we can help him overcome this habit.”

“It’s not that simple,” Twilight said. “I should know. I’ve been raising him these past ten years.” Twilight realized what she said and covered her mouth.

“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked with concern. “Are you alright?”

Twilight sighed again. “Fluttershy, I told you that me and my whole family was tasked with raising Spike,” she said. “That wasn’t entirely true.”

“What do you mean?” asked Pinkie. “Is he a foundling found in a basket left on your doorstep?”

“No,” Twilight said. “I hatched his egg as part of an entrance exam. I alone was tasked with raising him. My parents helped, but, it was ultimately my task to perform.”

“Oh, Twilight, that is so sweet.” Fluttershy said. “I mean, it must not have been easy, but, knowing that Spike is growing up into such a healthy young dragon, it really is a wonderful thing you're doing.”

Twilight was taken aback. “You don’t think any less of me?”

“Why would we?” asked Pinkie.

“When I was a filly, strangers judged me for raising a dragon,” Twilight confessed. “That made it hard for me to make friends, so, I began getting more into my studies as a coping mechanism.”

“Why didn’t you tell us, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Because I was afraid that you’d judge me for it, too,” Twilight explained as tears welled up.

“Are you kidding?” Rainbow said. “You’re a stronger mare than any of us!”

“Yeah,” Applejack said comfortingly. “Ya remind me o’ mah Granny Smith. She’s had to look after me, mah brother, n’ mah sister. Ah think yer amazin’, Twi.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What about your mom and dad?”

Applejack put her hat to her heart. “They died three years ago,” she confessed.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Twilight said sympathetically. “I didn’t know.”

“Ya didn’t ask, neither,” Applejack said. “It ain’t somethin’ ah like ta talk about.”

“I understand.” Twilight said.

At that moment, Spike stirred. “So do I,” he said.

“Spike!” Twilight gasped.

“How much did ya hear?” Applejack asked.

“The whole thing,” Spike admitted. “I have keen hearing thanks to Twilight pulling all-nighters.”

“Still,” Rarity said. “We may have only just met today, but, hearing your story doesn’t make us think any less of you than we do, Twilight.”

“Well, uh-!” Rainbow said, wiping a tear from her eye. “We better carry on and find these Elements before things get too sappy.”

Unknown to the group, the mist of Nightmare Moon was observing the situation from afar.

"Blast that puny apple farmer!" A voice hissed to itself. "She had to go and ruin everything!"

"Please!" Another voice desperately protested. "We do not wish to bring harm to other ponies! What we want is respect."

The first voice then replied, "The only way to get respect is to be feared. And I'll teach those ponies to fear me if it's the last thing I do! This forest is filled with dangers, it's time I took advantage of them!" And then without being noticed, the mist raced ahead of the ponies, striking a creature far ahead on the path.

The ponies and Spike continued to chat amongst each other as they walked. Rainbow in particular was recounting the rescue she and Fluttershy made to Spike.

“As soon as Pinkie and Rarity were saved,” Rainbow said. “Me and Fluttershy loop de looped around and Wham! Caught Twilight in the nick of time.”

Spike nodded. “I saw part of that before I passed out.”

“Oh, right,” Rainbow said sheepishly.

“And Spike and I are both very grateful,” said Twilight. “But, we have to keep going until-”

Her speech was interrupted by a large creature making itself known. This creature looked like a lion with a scorpion tail and bat-like wings. The ponies and dragon knew at once what it was.

“A manticore!” Spike gasped. The monster roared with a voice like a trumpet.

“We have to get past him!” Twilight said. However, Fluttershy noticed something wrong when the manticore kept one paw off the ground, something Rarity either didn’t notice or simply ignored. She bucked the manticore in the face.

“Take that, you ruffian!” She said in a determined way. The monster responded by making another trumpet-like roar in her face. The force from the manticore’s breath steamed Rarity’s mane and tail into an afro-like style. “My hair!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Would you rather it be your neck?”

The manticore was about to slash at Rarity, who jumped backwards to avoid getting hurt.

“Wait!” Fluttershy said softly. Unfortunately, only Spike heard her.

“Uh, gir-” he started before being cut off.

“Not now, Spike,” Rainbow interrupted.

Applejack jumped onto the manticore’s back and she started to ride it like how a rodeo star would ride on a bucking bull.

“I really think you should–” Spike tried to say.

“Get past that manticore, yes. We already figured that out, Spike!” Rainbow interrupted again.

“Yee haw!” exclaimed Applejack. “Get along, little doggy!”

“Wait!” Fluttershy said again. Just like last time, only Spike heard.

“It sounds like Fluttershy’s–” Spike once again tried to say.

“Not doing anything useful right now, we know!” Rainbow interrupted as Applejack got thrown off.

“All yours, partner,” she said as she flew past Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow smirked. “Gladly!”

Rainbow Dash charged towards the manticore.

“Wait!” Fluttershy said quietly again. Too late, Rainbow was flying circles around the manticore.

“Ya giving up?” Rainbow remarked to the beast, who replied by striking her with his tail.

“Rainbow!” Twilight shouted in concern. Rainbow got up despite a bit of pain. Five of the mares quickly gathered their composure and summed what courage they could muster on short notice. Then they all ran towards the manticore together, prepared to take it on all at once and hopefully prevail.

But, before they could attack, Spike jumped in front of them and shouted at the top of his lungs, “STOOOOOOP!!!” His shout was like a small gale that stopped the mares in their tracks. Fluttershy, seeing her chance, then calmly walked up to the manticore.

“Fluttershy, what are you–” Rainbow started before Spike cut her off.

“Fluttershy’s been trying to tell you all something!” he declared. “So, maybe instead of charging head-first at a creature that could easily kill you in seconds like a bunch of idiots with a death wish, maybe you should listen to the only one of us that’s a critter whisperer!”

“Who’s that?” Pinkie said obliviously. The others, minus Fluttershy, looked at her with a look of, “Are you kidding me?” “Oh, yeah. Fluttershy.”

“You’ve been holding back, haven’t you?” Fluttershy asked the manticore.

The manticore made low soft noises. Somehow, these noises seemed to come from a different creature: a more mildly-tempered one.

“I could tell because you were only putting one paw on the ground,” Fluttershy soothed. Spike and the other mares then noticed that the manticore had his left front paw curled up.

“Well, ah’ll be…” said Applejack.

Spike then looked to Rarity. “You have the Mystic Eyes of Detail,” he pointed out. “How did you NOT notice that?”

“I wasn’t looking at its feet,” Rarity protested. “I was a bit preoccupied with its upper body.”

The manticore glared at Rarity with a snarl. “Manny Roar doesn’t like being called ‘it,’ Rarity,” Fluttershy said.

“He has a name?” Rainbow Dash asked. “And it’s Manny Roar?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Yes. And he’s not really trying to hurt any of us.”

Manny then timidly showed Fluttershy the thorn that’s in his paw. “Whoa,” said Spike. “No wonder he was acting that way. A thorn in the foot would make ANYPONY miserable.”

“Now,” Fluttershy gently said to Manny. “This might hurt for just a second.” She yanked the thorn out with her teeth. Manny winced in pain for a second, but, after the soreness subsided, he gave Fluttershy affectionate licks on her face.

“You’re just a big baby kitty, aren’t you, Manny?” cooed Fluttershy.

“Hey, Flutters?” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly. “We’re sorry we were caught up in the fight to notice you.”

“It’s okay,” Fluttershy said. “In your defense, I was being a bit too quiet.”

“But, how did you know he wouldn’t attack you after the thorn was out?” Twilight asked. “He could’ve ripped you to pieces.”

“Easy,” Fluttershy said softly. “Sometimes we all just need to show a little kindness. And that little kindness can go a long way."

Had any of them looked back, they might have seen the thorn dematerialize and turn into dark blue mist. "Why didn't that work?!" The first voice complained.

"You underestimate these ponies," the second voice replied. "Please, let us go. Thou hast already done enough to taint our reputation!"

But, the first voice only hissed anew. "Never, it's too late for that now! I think it's time I showed these ponies why they call me Nightmare Moon!"

Deeper and deeper into the Everfree Forest, the ponies and Spike walked. Rarity was soon starting to feel uneasy. “My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck,” she complained. The foliage on top of the trees covered the sky, darkening the path the ponies and Spike were walking on. “I didn’t mean that literally.”

“Why don’t you two cast illumination spells?” Spike asked Twilight and Rarity. “You ARE unicorns after all.”

The two unicorns did so, only for a mysterious force to short out their magic. “It doesn’t look like that’ll work, Spike,” Twilight said. “Something’s jamming our magic.”

“Well, looks like I’ll have to help out,” Spike said. He took a deep breath before gently breathing a tiny green flame like a torch.

“Thank you, Spike.” Said Fluttershy. Spike gave the okay sign.

“What’s that mean?” Rainbow asked.

“Spike can’t talk and use his fire breath at the same time,” Twilight explained. “That sign means, ‘okay.’”

As they continued on, the purple-blue wisp of magic seeped into the roots of the trees in the forest. One tree poured some collected dew over Spike, extinguishing his flame.

“Oh, no!” sputtered Spike. “My fire went out! It’ll take hours before my dragon flame is reignited.”

“Can’t you just relight it now?” Rainbow asked.

“No, I can’t,” said Spike. “Don’t you know anything about dragon fire?”

“I never met one until yesterday,” Rainbow said. “So, no.”

“Oh, right,” Spike said in an embarrassed tone. “Well, you see, my stomach works kind of like a furnace. When I use my fire breath, I’m expelling extra fire from my body so I don’t get too hot. If water gets in my stomach, it gets cooled down and it takes a while to heat back up again.”

“As fascinating as this lecture on dragon biology is,” Twilight interjected. “We still have a 1000+ year old alicorn causing eternal night to deal with here!”

“Oh, shoot!” exclaimed Applejack. “Ah think ah stepped in somethin’.” Fluttershy screamed. “It’s just mud.”

Applejack went to wipe her muddied hoof on a nearby tree trunk, when she was caught off-guard by a rather scary face on the tree. Five of the mares backed up in fear as they saw the faces. “Really?” questioned Spike. “They’re just trees. None of them look like Whomping Willows.” Unfortunately, the mares were too frightened to listen. That is, except Pinkie Pie, who could be heard… laughing?

The other mares looked to see Pinkie was indeed laughing at a tree. She was even making silly noises and funny faces at the trees. “Pinkie, what are you doing?” Twilight cried. “Run!”

“From some clearly NON-Whomping Willow trees?” Spike pointed out.

“Well,” Fluttershy said. “These trees could have also been dangerous.”

“Oh, girls, don’t you see?” Pinkie said cheerily. It was at that moment, she began to sing. “When I was a little filly and the sun was going down~”

“Tell me she’s not…” Twilight said in disbelief.

“The darkness and the shadows,” Pinkie continued, somehow defying gravity. “They would always make me frown~”

“She is,” confirmed Rarity.

“I’d hide under my pillow from what I thought I saw~” Pinkie sang, bouncing around the group. “But, Granny Pie said that wasn’t the way to deal with fears at all~”

"Then what is?" Rainbow Dash asked. With the way she spoke, it was hard to tell if she sincerely wanted to know or just wanted the singing to stop.

“She said, ‘Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fears~’” Continued Pinkie, getting ridiculously close to Rainbow Dash’s face. “‘You’ll see that they can’t hurt you, just laugh to make them disappear~!’”

She bounced up to one particular tree and she throatily laughed.

“Ha! Ha! Ha!” She laughed. As if by magic, the scary face on the tree disappeared. The others gasped in surprise. “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~” She then picked up speed. “And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you, he’s got another thing coming, and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna-” She’s interrupted by a sudden burst of laughter. “LAU~UGH~!”

Soon, all the mares and Spike find themselves in a state of laughter. The foliage even parted, making the forest easy to see through again. “See,” said Spike. “They were just trees. Nothing dangerous about them.”

“Yes, Spike,” said Twilight. “You were right.”

“A little laughter can go a long way,” Pinkie said.

“It did help to make everything less scary,” Fluttershy said, a giggle still present in her voice.

Then, Pinkie stood up. "Come on, girls! We're not going to let this spooky forest get the best of us, now are we?!" And without waiting for a reply she bounced away, prompting Spike and the other ponies to follow her until slowly but surely, more natural light began to illuminate the forest again.

Meanwhile, back in the darkened part of the forest, the dark blue mist was appearing once again. The scary faces had failed to phase the ponies like one of the voices had hoped.

The voice of Nightmare Moon again complained to herself. "Curses! Why is nothing working?! Everything I throw at these ponies, they just throw it right back at me like it's nothing!"

The other voice once again pleaded. "Stop this, now! We shalt never regain the trust of our subjects like this. We art to protect them from what frightens them, not make them fear us even more!"

But, the voice of Nightmare Moon only growled. "This is why I'm in charge and you are not. You're too weak to do what needs to be done!" And she then vowed. "One way or another, I will stop them from reaching the castle! All will bow to us eventually, or would you rather I cast you off and find a more worthy host?"

"No!" The other voice whined! "Please, do not abandon us! We will have no one left to protect us!"

"Excellent," Nightmare Moon smiled. "So leave everything to me from now on. Those ponies may be tough, but, they're not invincible!" And then the dark blue mist took off once more. The mist then approached a large purple serpent with an orange coiffed mane and mustache filing his nails nonchalantly in his stream and smirking to himself.

“Ah, Stephen Magnet,” said the creature. “You are simply fabulous.”

He blew the excess keratin off of his filed nails. Suddenly, the mist flew past him and ripped half his mustache off.

“Ah!” Stephen yelped in surprise. He caught sight of his reflection in the stream and saw the aftermath. This caused him to be overwhelmed with sorrow and he began to cry. As he cried, his serpentine body began to churn the waters of the stream.

Spike and the ponies arrived and saw the churning river.

“How are we going to cross this?” asked Twilight.

“Fluttershy and I could fly over,” Rainbow suggested.

“N’ what about us?” Applejack questioned.

“We could carry you,” Rainbow smiled. “I mean, it would take a few turns to get everyone across, but-”

Rainbow Dash’s train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the sound of Stephen Magnet’s nearby sobbing. They followed the noise and saw the serpent flailing about.

“Oh, what a world~!” Stephen sobbed. “What a world!”

“A serpent’s causing this?” Fluttershy observed.

“Excuse me, sir?” Twilight asked. “But, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?”

“And what’s a sea serpent doing so far from the ocean?” Spike asked innocently.

Stephen stopped his sobbing at once and looked indignant. “I’ll not be called a boorish sea serpent, thank you kindly,” he huffed. “I, Stephen Magnet, am a dignified RIVER serpent. Sea serpents are much larger than I am and live in saltwater.”

“I’m sorry,” Spike said apologetically. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“That still doesn’t really answer my questions, uh… Stephen, was it?” Twilight said.

“As for why I was crying,” Stephen said with a sniffle. “I was sitting here, minding my own business, when, WHOOSH! This tacky cloud of purple smoke just whisked by and cut half of my beloved mustache clean off… and now, I look simply HORRID!” Resuming his sobbing, Stephen flailed around again, splashing Spike and the ponies.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Rainbow Dash said, clearly annoyed. “It’ll grow back!”

“Do you even realize how long it takes to grow a mustache?” Stephen retorted.

“We don’t actually.” Pinkie said honestly. “We’re six mares and a dragon that hasn’t entered puberty yet.”

“And who knows when THAT’LL happen,” Spike said. “I’m ten pony years old and I’m still considered a baby dragon.”

“But, seriously?” Applejack said. “That’s what all the fuss is about?”

Rarity stepped up in a huff.

“Well, of course it is,” she said indignantly. “How can you be so insensitive? Why, just look at Stephen. Such lovely luminescent scales.”

Stephen seemed to perk up a bit.

“Oh, thank you,” Stephen said. “I know~”

Rarity continued her barrage of compliments.

“And such an expertly coiffed mane.” Rarity said with a flattering smile. Stephen stroked the mane in question.

“Oh, I know~” Stephen said. “I have my own formula for hair mousse.”

Rarity continued.

“And such expertly manicured claws.” Rarity said sweetly. Stephen brightened up further.

“Oh, so true~” Stephen said happily.

“All ruined with only half of your mustache,” Rarity said solemnly.

“It’s true~!” Stephen wailed. “I’m hideous!”

Rarity turned to Spike. “Spike, come over here.”

Spike came to Rarity’s beck and call and stood next to her.

“Yes, Rarity?” Spike asked with a small, eager to please smile. Suddenly, Rarity’s horn lit up and Spike’s right claw was engulfed in the same aura.

“I cannot allow such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!” Rarity declared.

“Uh, Rarity?” Spike asked. “I don’t mind helping, but, what exactly are we doing?”

“Yeah, what are you—“ Twilight started before being cut off by a slashing noise.

Stephen gasped in surprise and fainted from the shock. Spike was equally surprised that Rarity had used his claw to cut her tail off. Rarity then used her magic to weave her severed tail onto the end of Stephen’s cleaved mustache. Stephen observed the replacement. Seeing as it compliments his complexion, he feels happy again.

“Oh!” Stephen said, rejoicing. “My mustache!” The river calmed just as he did.

“You look smashing,” said Rarity with a smile.

“Rarity,” said Spike. “Your tail!”

“Oh, it’s quite alright,” Rarity said reassuringly. “Short tails are in for the summer season. I wouldn’t be able to run a boutique if I didn’t keep ahead of the trends.”

“That’s a fair point,” Twilight said. She then looked to see the waters of the stream had calmed. “Look! We can cross now. Let’s go!”

“Allow me, little ones,” Stephen said, making himself into a walk bridge. “This river is deceptively deep.”

“Oh!” Twilight said with surprise. “Thank you, Stephen!”

Stephen then plucked one of his scales off. “Take one of my scales, too,” he offered. “They not only glow in the dark, but, they’re sharp enough to cut through stone.”

“That is helpful,” Twilight said. “Thank you very much.” Spike held the scale as the mares hopped across the serpent.

But, as the ponies and dragon were reaching the other side and heading deeper into the forest, they were still unaware of the dark blue smoke that was watching them.

Nightmare Moon was fast losing all patience. "They're still going! Nothing's working!" She complained. "Do they really think they stand a chance against me?! Me?!"

The other voice responded. "Perhaps they do. Soon, we shalt be free and in control once again!"

Nightmare Moon thought otherwise as she growled. "No! I won't allow that to happen! This has gone far enough! I know how to split them up." And her mind began to scheme.

Soon, Spike and the ponies soon reached the outskirts of the Ancient Ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The area surrounding them was noticeably cloaked in fog.

“There it is,” Twilight said. “The ruins that hold the Elements of Harmony! We made it!”

Twilight was about to run to the castle, but, because of the fog, she was unaware that there was a rope bridge that had broken off at one end. Spike saw it as she approached. “Wait, Twilight!”

Twilight, having learned by that point to listen to Spike’s warnings, stopped running. And just in time as she saw that the bridge was out.

“You seem to have a thing for falling off cliffs today,” Rainbow joked. “Rushing into stuff is supposed to be my thing.”

“Now what?” asked Pinkie.

“Duh,” Rainbow commented, flapping her wings.

“Oh, yeah!” Pinkie piped in with silly realization.

Rainbow flew into the gap to get part of the bridge. Once she grabbed the still stable ropes, she flew up to the side where the ancient ruins are and was about to tether the ropes back into place. Suddenly, she thought she heard a voice calling out to her.

"Rainbow Dash..." The voice spoke.

“Huh?” Rainbow asked in confusion, looking around. “Who said that?”

Again, the voice called out. "Rainbow Dash!"

“I know you’re out there!” shouted Rainbow, sounding tough. “Show yourself!”

Suddenly, from the darkness emerged a trio of pegasi clad in navy blue flight suits. Their eyes were obscured by flight goggles, but, the one in the middle had a vivid orange mane and tail with amber stripes. Another had a dark grayish-blue mane and tail and appeared to be a stallion. And a third had a light brilliant and very pale arctic blue mane and tail. The mare with the vivid orange colored mane and tail spoke up, using the same voice that had been calling out from the darkness earlier. "We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria."

“Who’s that?” asked Rainbow, suspecting nothing.

The mare in the middle gave an ominous smile as she declared. "Why, you, of course. We've been expecting you."

“Me?” said Rainbow, caught off-guard. She suddenly regained her composure. “I mean, of course, me. Hey, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts you said that, would you? I’ve been wanting to join them for, like, ever!”

“Oh, but, we ARE the Wonderbolts,” the mare with a vivid orange mane and tail responded. “Your skills have impressed us. We want you to join us and be our new captain. Together, we'll be the greatest flying military team in all of Equestria! Maybe even beyond!"

“Wow~” gasped Rainbow Dash, stars seemed to form in her eyes.

The mare in the middle nodded. "Yes indeed. Are you interested?"

Rainbow was all too eager to accept. "You bet I am!" But, then she remembered why she'd flown across the gap and had come into the Everfree Forest to begin with. "Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal."

“No!” snapped the mare in the middle. “It’s them or us.”

Meanwhile, Twilight (along with Spike and the other four mares left on the other side of the bridge) had begun to grow impatient. And so, she chose that very moment to call out. "Hey, Rainbow! What's the hold-up?! What's taking so long?!" By chance, she happened to glance across the bridge. And when she did so her eyes fell upon the Wonderbolts, but, something about them didn't seem right. "Oh no!" she gasped, a little louder than she had intended to.

The mare in the middle gazed at Twilight’s group and she had a fiercely determined look. Her angry goggled eyes glowed and more fog surrounded the trench.

“Don’t listen to them,” Twilight cried as the fog muffled her.

“Well?” asked the mare in the middle with a cold smirk.

Rainbow, having witnessed the flashing eyes, knew immediately that something was up. "I don't know who you are, but, you're not the Wonderbolts! The Wonderbolts would never turn their back on ponies in need! Plus, they can’t make their eyes flash to move clouds. So, thanks, but, no thanks! I'm not going to betray my friends just because you want me to!" She proceeded to tie the bridge and motioned for Spike and the five other mares to hurry across. As she did so, the clouds and fog slowly lifted and the Wonderbolts disappeared in a cloud of dark blue smoke.

“That was awesome, Rainbow Dash!” Spike said. “Thanks for the assist. Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Rainbow honestly asked.

“You just turned down the Wonderbolts,” Twilight said.

“Those were fakes,” Rainbow said. “I saw Spitfire’s eyes flash and the fog moved. Fog, dust, steam, smoke, and mist are the only types of clouds pegasi CAN’T touch. Even if we COULD, we can’t move them by making our eyes flash.”

“Ah,” Spike said. “That makes sense.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted at first,” Rainbow admitted. “But, even if those fakes DIDN’T use that freaky trick, I wouldn’t leave you all hanging. You’re stuck with me.”

Twilight couldn’t help but smile at Rainbow’s remark. Soon, they walked inside the castle’s ancient ruins. They look to see a stone fountain-like structure with five stone orbs on each end.

“Think those are what we’re looking for?” asked Spike, somewhat disappointed. “I was kind of expecting something more impressive than some round rocks.”

“After they were used on Nightmare Moon,” Twilight explained. “They were encased in these stone orbs to preserve their magic. They’re clearly in a dormant state.”

“One, two, three, four…” Pinkie counted the elements. “There’s only five.”

“What about that one in the middle?” Spike pointed out. Rainbow tried moving it, but, it wouldn’t budge.

“I think this one’s part of the structure,” she said. “It won’t budge.”

“The reference guide says that when the five elements are present, a spark will reveal the location of the sixth.” Twilight explained.

“What in the hay does that mean?” Applejack asked.

“I’m not sure,” Twilight said. “But, I have an idea. Stand back, please. I don’t know what this will do and I don’t want to accidentally hurt you guys.”

Twilight began concentrating while lighting up her horn.

“Come on, y’all.” Applejack said. “She needs ta concentrate.” The other mares followed Applejack, but, Spike lagged behind.

It was fortunate that he did, though, because he noticed the mist that had been following him and his friends throughout the forest headed for Twilight.

“Twilight, look out!” Spike shouted in alarm. Before Twilight had a chance to turn her attention to Spike, the mist grabbed him and began swirling around the element stones.

“Spike!” Twilight shouted. “Let him go!”

The other five mares heard this.

“Twilight! Spike!” The mares shouted in alarm. They rushed in just in time to see Twilight disappear in a flash.

“Twilight?! Spike?!” Applejack called. “Where are ya two?”

“Look!” Rarity alerted. In a distant part of the castle, lights could be seen flashing on and off. That couldn't be a coincidence.

“Come on, y’all!” Applejack rallied. “We’re goin’ after ‘em! Twilight n’ Spike’ll need our help!”

The five ponies charged towards the distant part of the castle. Meanwhile, at said location, Twilight seemed to materialize in the purplish-blue smoke, coughing up excess that was in her throat. She looked ahead and gasped at the intimidating sight of Nightmare Moon, who was not only levitating the element stones, but, holding Spike with her mane. Twilight knew she had to do something to keep the Elements of Harmony away from Nightmare Moon, but, she also didn’t want to risk Spike potentially getting hurt. “This dragon has been most irksome to me throughout the journey here,” taunted the alicorn. “He and that party pony were the only ones to see through the tree illusions.”

Twilight gasped. She then growled and she readied her hooves to charge. Nightmare Moon was surprised by the defiance shown in the unicorn and she was anything but amused. "You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" She rolled her eyes.

Twilight then began to charge at Nightmare Moon, who charged at Twilight before throwing Spike to the ground. Twilight charged her horn. Once it was charged, she teleported behind Nightmare Moon and held Spike in a tender embrace amidst the Elements of Harmony.

“Oh, Spike.” Twilight said tenderly. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, Twilight,” Spike said. “Just worry about the elements. I’ll keep Nightmare busy.”

“Right,” Twilight said. “But, please be careful.” She let go of Spike, who pulled out the scale Stephen gave them like a sword before charging at the alicorn.

“Charge!” Spike shouted.

“Just one spark,” Twilight said softly to herself, illuminating her horn. “Come on… come on…” She surrounded the orbs with her magic, hoping to produce the sixth element and activate The Elements of Harmony.

Nightmare Moon wasn't about to let that happen. Despite Spike managing to get a cut on the alicorn’s leg, drawing some blood, she teleported over to Twilight's location and knocked the unicorn back with ease. She soon realized the folly of her rash decision, though. The five orbs beneath her hooves began to glow and crackle with energy. "No! No!" She cried, fearing that they were about to activate.

Twilight and Spike smirked at Nightmare Moon. The glowing and crackling continued for about three seconds, but, suddenly, the glowing stopped. "What?! But... where's the sixth element?! Why didn't the spark work?!"

The evil alicorn just cackled with fiendish glee as she brought her hooves down, shattering the orbs into tiny pieces right in front of Twilight and Spike. "You pathetic little fool!" She taunted afterwards. "Thinking that you could actually defeat me? I should be impressed that somepony other than Princess Celestia could stand up to me, but, right now I only feel annoyed! You're a bothersome little pest! It's high time I made an example out of you!" She made her horn crackle as she magically grabbed Spike.

“Hey!” Spike shouted. “Let me go!”

“Now, you’ll never see your princess or your sun again!” the alicorn declared.

Spike heard the voices of the other five mares approaching and got an idea. “I’m… not… her son…” he said while struggling, catching the alicorn off-guard.

“What?” Nightmare Moon said in confusion. “No, no, no. I said ‘sun’ as in the one in the sky, not ‘son’ as in offspring!”

This distraction was enough for Twilight to hear the other voices, too.

“Don’t worry, Twilight!” said Pinkie’s voice in the distance.

“We'll be there!” said Applejack’s voice in the distance.

Twilight gasped and her eyes widened. Within her enlarged pupils, a small spark flickered in each one. At last, Twilight understood the message in the book.

“You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?” Twilight said smirking at Nightmare Moon. “Well, you’re wrong, because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!”

Surrounding Twilight were Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. They all smirked at Nightmare Moon as well. Spike swiped his claws at the mist-like mane, freeing himself. When the mares all stood together, the stone fragments of The Elements of Harmony began to reassemble themselves.

Nightmare Moon was shocked to see such a thing. "What?! What's going on?!" She stumbled back in disbelief. "This... this isn't happening!"

“Applejack,” Twilight said. “Who reassured me when I was in doubt and believed in me when nopony else would, represents the spirit of… Honesty!” Some fragments orbited Applejack.

Nightmare Moon proceeded to fire off a powerful blast of magic from her horn. But, it just bounced off a forcefield that surrounded Twilight and the other ponies. It seemed The Elements of Harmony were protecting these ponies.

Feeling a bit more confident, Spike jumped onto Nightmare’s back and began pulling on her horn. “You know, it’s rude to interrupt when somepony’s talking.”

“Fluttershy,” Twilight continued. “Who tamed the manticore with her compassion by seeing what nopony else could see, represents the spirit of… Kindness!” More fragments orbited Fluttershy. “Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by literally giggling in the face of danger, keeping our spirits up the whole time, represents the spirit of… Laughter!” More fragments orbited Pinkie. “Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, tarnishing her own beauty to do so, represents the spirit of… Generosity!” More fragments orbited Rarity. “And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends even for her own heart’s desires, represents the spirit of… Loyalty!”

"So what?" Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes. "You think your speech frightens me?"

The studious unicorn nodded in reply. "It should, because it was the spirit of these five ponies that allowed us to get past every challenge and every obstacle you threw at us! Without them, I wouldn't be standing here now to oppose you!"

“But, you still don’t have the sixth element!” Nightmare Moon acknowledged. “The spark didn’t work! Without it, none of you are a match for me! I'll crush you all!"

"Wrong again, Nightmare Moon!" Twilight retorted. "The spark did work, but, it was a different kind of spark," She then turned to the five mares who were surrounded by circling stone shards. "It was a spark that ignited inside of me. I felt it the moment I realized something: How happy I was to see you all, to hear your voices, to have you with me and how much I cared about you. When I realized that you all," She paused for a moment to boldly declare, "ARE MY FRIENDS!"

At that moment, a stone orb similar to the ones that the Elements of Harmony were encased in appeared. This one, however, had a carving of a six-pointed star, the same one Twilight had as a cutie mark. Nightmare Moon used one of her wings to shield her eyes from the light emanating from the stone orb. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those five elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth and final element: the element of... Magic!" Then she felt herself and her new friends be lifted into the air as five necklaces and a tiara appeared around them.

As Spike saw a beam of rainbow energy fly towards Nightmare, he quickly jumped out of the way.

“Whoa!” Spike exclaimed.

The beam surrounded Nightmare Moon before she could escape. "NOOOOOOO!" She cried in vain. "I... WE..." And it was the last thing she said before she was completely encircled by the rainbow beam. And soon, another blinding flash filled the entire castle.

After a few moments, the light died down and the ponies were safely on the ground. The ponies then began to stir. “Are you girls okay?” asked a concerned Spike.

“I’m okay, considering,” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing the side of her head. “My head’s killing me, though.”

“Are y’all okay, Spike?” asked Applejack.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Spike said. “Thanks for checking.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” chimed Rarity.

The magic from the Elements of Harmony helped to restore Rarity’s tail to its original length.

“Oh, Rarity,” Fluttershy said with admiration. “It’s so lovely.”

“I know,” Rarity smiled. “I’ll never part with it again!”

“I don’t think she meant your tail,” Spike said. “I think she meant your necklace, which matches your cutie mark.”

Fluttershy nods at this as Rarity looks at the intricate necklace on her own neck.

“And so does yours!” Rarity says, looking at the necklace on Fluttershy’s neck.

“Look at mine! Look at mine!” cried an excited Pinkie.

“Aww, yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“All of you have necklaces with gems matching your cutie marks,” Spike said before turning to Twilight. “Wait a minute. Twilight’s is a crown!”

“Hmm,” Twilight pondered curiously. “I wonder why that is?”

“Does anypony else think this is a sign of something important?” Pinkie asked.

“Maybe,” Fluttershy said.

“Gee, Twilight.” Applejack said. “Ah thought ya were spoutin’ a lot o’ hooey. But, ah reckon we really do embody the Elements o’ Friendship.”

“Harmony,” Spike corrected. “Elements of Harmony.”

“Right,” Applejack said. “Though, the sixth one came when Twilight said that we were friends.”

"Indeed so, my little ponies." A gentle and warm voice called from the distance. Then, suddenly, in a brilliant display of white light, the ponies were greeted by the presence of an alicorn. This alicorn had a coat of majestic white, a long, flowing mane and tail that had shades of light blue, light green and light pink, eyes a pale, light grayish pink in color, and a cutie mark depicting the sun. Five of the ponies and Spike bowed before her. Twilight, however, gasped happily and walked up to the figure.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight gasped. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

Princess Celestia smiled. "I was never in any real danger. Nightmare Moon knew she couldn't best me in a magical showdown, so, she simply used her magic to confine me to the royal palace in Canterlot. I couldn't leave or get in touch with you at all. But I knew you would prevail in the end. This is something I'd been preparing for from the moment I took you on as my student."

“But, what about the legend?” Twilight asked curiously. “Spike and I thought it was an old breezie’s tale.”

“That’s the thing about stories, my faithful student,” the princess responded. “Whether fact or fiction, they generally have to come from SOMEWHERE.”

“That’s a good point,” Twilight said. “And you knew I could do this?”

“Only if you allowed friendship into your heart,” Celestia nodded. “I must say, you succeeded where your immediate predecessor failed.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said. But, then she realized. “Wait, my predecessor?”

“You’re not the only protege I’ve had over the years, Twilight,” Celestia explained. “The one directly before you was a similarly talented unicorn named Sunset Shimmer. Just yesterday, she fled without telling anypony.”

“Oh, I see,” Twilight said grimly. “That and the fact that she was in different age group classes would explain why I hadn’t heard of her.”

Celestia sighed. “It really is quite a shame,” she lamented. “Her skills with alchemy were a thing to behold.”

“Whoa~” Twilight said, surprised.

“But, you’ve opened your heart to friendship, Twilight,” Celestia said. “Just as I hope another pony will.”

The ponies and Spike looked to where Nightmare Moon was. In her place is a slightly smaller alicorn. She had a grayish blue coat and a very light blue mane and tail that did not flow. She had black jewelry on with a white crescent moon charm.

"Princess Luna," Princess Celestia spoke, revealing the other alicorn's true identity to all. "It has been over a thousand years since I have seen you in such a weakened state. I can only hope you can one day forgive me for failing to notice the dark path you were heading down. But, all of that is in the past," She bent down and shed a single tear before declaring. "It's time we put our differences aside and rule Equestria together as we were always meant to do. Will you accept my friendship again? Will you give me another chance?"

Tears welled in the younger alicorn’s eyes. She then leapt up to Celestia and embraced her. "We art so sorry! Of course we forgive thou, big sister! We hast missed thou so much while we were on the moon. We did not mean for things to get this out of control," Then, she blushed. "Will we... remain like this forever, dear sister?"

Princess Celestia smiled, shedding tears of her own before replying. "I don't think so. With time, you will regain all the power you lost to Nightmare Moon and The Elements of Harmony."

Princess Luna happily nuzzled Celestia more.

“Wait, you DO have a sister?” Spike asked. “How come you never told us?”

“I haven’t mentioned that?” asked Celestia. “Hmm. Must have slipped my mind. Living as long as I have can make one forgetful as well as wise.”

“Well,” Pinkie said, remembering what she said to Nightmare Moon. “I owe you an apology, Princess Luna.”

“Thou art not at fault, young pony,” Luna said. “We understood where thou was coming from addressing Nightmare Moon as a demon.”

“You knew about that?” Twilight asked.

“Nightmare Moon was a manifestation of the bitterness in our hearts with a will of her own,” Luna explained. “We knew what she did, but, we were powerless to do anything about it.”

“Now that you’re okay,” Pinkie smiled. “Do you know what this calls for?”

Later in Ponyville…

“A party!” Pinkie said happily. As the ponies celebrated, Celestia and Luna approached Spike.

“You were most brave, little Spike,” Celestia commended.

Spike blushed modestly. “Thank you, but, I really didn’t do all that much.”

“Oh, but, thou hast,” said Luna. “We saw in the shadows what thou were capable of. The skills thou learned, thine fire-breathing, and thine need to show tough love.”

Twilight and her six new friends gathered around Spike. “Your distraction helped us more than you realize,” Twilight said.

Spike couldn’t help but blush modestly. However, after he had been up for a long time, he collapsed towards the ground, completely exhausted. Twilight managed to catch him with her forehooves before he fell to the ground. Twilight then sadly sighed to herself.

Princess Celestia was quick to take note of the pronounced frown and sorrowful expression on the studious unicorn's face. "Why so glum, my faithful student?" She questioned, her tone of voice making it sound as if she already knew what the problem was. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can now return to your studies in Canterlot? Get back to your life as it was?"

Twilight shook her head with tears in her eyes. "That's just it, princess," she confessed. "Just as I've finally realized how great it is to have friends, I must leave them all behind. This was another part of the reason why I didn't want to make friends here yesterday. But," her lips quivered as she looked across to the five mares she had come to get to know over the course of her journey through the Everfree Forest. "Despite my best efforts, these five worked their way into my heart. Now, I can't imagine my life without them. It isn't fair that I have to say goodbye to them when we were just getting to know each other." She then looked sadly to Spike. “And it’s not fair to Spike, either. I’ve had to keep him confined for these past six years to spare him from being judged and it’s only given him more heartache. I just can’t put him through that anymore.”

Princess Celestia didn’t say anything until Twilight finished her speech. She considered and then knowingly smiled. “Can someone take a letter for me please?”

“Seeing as Spike is in no condition to do it himself, I suppose I’ll do it,” Rarity offered.

“Thank you, young miss.” Princess Celestia said kindly. When she saw that Rarity had a quill and a piece of paper ready, she began to make her decree. “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, and her dragon, Spike, will take on a new assignment. They both must continue to study the magic of friendship. They must both report to me their findings from their new home in Ponyville.”

Twilight smiled at this, as did the five mares she let into her heart.

“Thank you so much, Princess Celestia,” Twilight smiled. “Spike and I will study harder than ever before.”

Princess Celestia smiled. "I know you will, Twilight Sparkle. You've never disappointed me before, and I look forward to hearing about your studies."

And thus began a new chapter in the lives of Twilight Sparkle and Spike. They were to go on many adventures with their friends over the years and all of them would learn valuable life lessons as they grew closer to each other, a prospect that Spike was only too eager to enjoy upon being told once he woke up.