//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Surprise Attack // Story: An Upgrade in Harmony // by Moon-Chan //------------------------------// "What are humans?" Pinkie Pie had asked the same question to Twilight Sparkle at least fifty times in the past five minutes. The unicorn stayed silent, staring out the window. The other five Elements of Harmony suspected she was in the trance the Glimpse window provided, trying to quench her thirst for more knowledge. "Pinkie, Ah don' think Twilight's gonna answer," Applejack told the party pony. The pink mare sighed. "I know, but it's just so suspenseful!" "I feel ya, Pinks," Rainbow Dash agreed. "I hate suspense between my friends like this." "Have faith, everypony," Fluttershy spoke up. "I'm sure Twilight will explain everything to us once she receives more information. She would never keep something like this from her best friends." "Pinkie Pie is right," Rarity chimed in. "Twilight has always trusted us. There is no reason she would think us untrustworthy now." The five mares exchanged hopeful nods and glances. The rest of the trip was ridden in a silence almost as heavy as the outside, which was beginning to glow gradually brighter in a golden light. They arrived at the Ponyville train station just as the sun's full shape was rising over the horizon. "Twi, we're here," Rainbow Dash said, shaking her friend's shoulder. Twilight awoke from the magical daze with a jump, then a yawn. Her eyes drooped tiredly, and her pink-and-purple-streaked indigo mane was in a ruffle, as if she had just woken up from a deep, dreamless sleep. The unicorn also looked confused. "Wha? Huh?" she muttered drowsily. "We're back to Ponyville, darling," Rarity explained. "When we get to the library, you can get some sleep." "Eeyup, it sure has been a long day," Applejack agreed, nodding. "Sleep?! No time to waste, then!" Twilight stood up on the train booth that made up the seats. "Um... Twilight? What are you..." Fluttershy's words were cut off as the violet unicorn teleported herself out of the train. "..Doing..." the pegasus finished pointlessly. The remaining five exchanged glances, then trotted out of the train onto the station. They shared one thought: I hope Twilight got home alright. Twilight Sparkle reappeared in an unknown town. Although it was too early for anypony to be up, all the lights in each house down the dull cobblestone roads was on. They reflected off each other, making it look like a bright summer day. The streets were completely deserted. Where am I? Twilight thought, looking around the area. Then she realized what must have happened. She wasn't concentrating enough when attempting to teleport into the Ponyville library, the place she called home. She had been very drowsy, but now, she was wide awake and aware of everything around her. Suddenly, and without warning, all sources of light went out like a candle. The violet unicorn was also partly blinded; her eyes hadn't adjusted to the lack of light yet. She lit up her horn with her magic-that was something she had learned when she was just a little filly, and it had proved useful in many cases. This was one of those times. Unfortunately, she couldn't do much about what was happening. Twilight was completely vulnerable to the ghostly black forms that seemed to float just above the ground. If she had lit up her horn even a second later, she wouldn't have heard the silent figures approach. But she doubted that if she hadn't lit her horn at all, the figures wouldn't have spotted her. That was why it came as no surprise to her when they surrounded her and moved like ninjas into an attack formation. Twilight had no idea what they were planning to do, so she could only do one thing: brace herself. She did just that. Then, the dark figures attacked. They came from all directions. Some even came from above. It all threw Twilight off-guard, allowing the figures to push her to the ground. Pain shot through one of her ears, and blood ran down her face. These weren't any ponies... these were shadow ponies, known to kill their victims slowly only to capture their souls and keep their organs. It was a sick thought that made bile rise in Twilight's throat, and she swallowed it, trying to keep her nerves and sanity. Buck no! the knowledge-seeking unicorn thought frantically, as if her small worry would be enough to save her. As if by coincidence, it was enough. As if her friends could hear her desperate thoughts, the other five Elements of Harmony charged head-on with the shadow ponies, their hooves echoing off the dull cobblestone streets. Unfortunately, Twilight's strike of luck didn't last long. The shadow figures had the six surrounded in a group in under a minute. Twilight blinked open the amethyst eyes she had shut tightly, looking at her friends one by one. "How did you know...?" she asked them curiously. "We received a reply from the Princess, saying she would do all she could to prepare for these 'humans' that are coming," Pinkie responded, laying on the ground in a pink heap next to her, but sounding not at all burdened by the shadow ponies. "She also told us we should all start investigating Coltland. And luckily, we've all happened to have experienced what happens when a sleepy Twilight and magic mix." She giggled softly at this, trying to light up the dark mood Coltland was bringing them. "Are we gonna die here?" Rainbow Dash whispered. She sounded worried, scared even. That wasn't like Dash at all. The cyan blue pegasus was always known as fearless, so it came as a surprise to Twilight that she would be afraid of a bunch of shadow ponies. As they were about to get attacked again, Twilight Sparkle remembered the silver bracelets; they were still attached to each of the six's forelegs. It was as if she had known what to do for all her life. The violet unicorn stood up, pride in her posture. She knew what to do, and she was risking everything trying it. "Ultimate Friendship Harmony!" she shouted. Her friends looked at her. Surprisingly, their eyes were all understanding. They stood up beside her, Twilight in the middle of the group. "Ultimate Friendship Harmony!" they echoed. The mist-like gems on the silver bracelets began to change color. The Elements of Harmony exchanged knowing glances. Then they shouted different things at the same time. "Element of Magic!" "Element of Loyalty!" "Element of Laughter!" "Element of Generosity!" "Element of Kindness!" "Element of Honesty!" The color in the gems started to swirl. They swirled faster and faster, until all six gemstones were a blinding white light that lit up the dark town of Coltland. Then everything was still.