//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: June 21, The Elements of Harmony // Story: Yet Another Human In Equestria Story // by Bardic_Knowledge //------------------------------// Yet Another Human in Equestria Story By: Bardic Knowledge Chapter 2: June 21, The Elements of Harmony As Nightmare Moon laughed, the Mayor took control of the situation, and ordered the Royal Guards to attack. And, as per canon, they were knocked away by the bolts of magical lightning. She then turned into starry mist and flew out the door, ponies scattering to get out of the way. Immediately after, Applejack lost her grip on Dash's tail, and she flew after the corrupted princess, while Twilight picked up Spike and ran out as well. The ponies remaining kept panicking, so I stepped in front of everyone and did my best impression of the Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice. “ATTENTION EVERYPONY! PLEASE, CALM DOWN!” Most would call it shouting. I just considered myself to be talking loud. Most of them looked up at me. I relaxed the voice a bit. “Okay. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. You four are needed at the library with Rainbow Dash and Twilight, who are already on their way.” The four of them nodded and left. “Now, everypony, I wish to assure you that all of this has been planned for by Princess Celestia.” The crowd murmured to each other. “What do you mean?” Asked the Mayor. I looked around to make sure Nightmare Moon wasn't listening in here, like I knew she would be at the library. “It's really quite simple. Princess Celestia's protege, Twilight Sparkle, was sent to Ponyville with the intent of making friends with the five other ponies who exemplified the Elements of Harmony. Together, the six of them will travel through the Everfree Forest and find the material incarnations of the Elements. Not long after, they will purify Nightmare Moon and restore her to her true form: Celestia's younger sister, Princess Luna.” The murmuring increased in volume. The Mayor joined me in front. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, if what this fellow is saying is true, then we have nothing to worry about. Please return to your homes and we should see the dawn in a few hours.” The crowd nodded and started filtering out. “Thank you, Madam Mayor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some catching up to do.” “What do you mean?” “I plan on catching up with the Elements not long after they purify Princess Luna so I can explain some things to them. And then, Celestia willing, I'll explain it to Ponyville as well.” She held out her hoof and I shook it firmly. And with that, I headed out the door, just in time to catch the Mane Six galloping for the Everfree. Looks like I'll be lagging behind them a bit. My first stop was the library, where I hoped to find a lantern. My night vision was good, but if it really got as black as it seemed in the show, I might need a bit of help seeing. Fortunately, there was one I could grab on the first floor, so there wasn't any chance of waking up Spike. Knowing the way from Fluttershy's to Ponyville proper helped me find the way to Everfree. I hung back when I spotted the Mane Six having paused at the entrance, where Twilight attempted (and failed miserably) to convince the others to stay back and let her handle it. After they entered, I waited a minute to give them a head start, hoping that that way I wouldn't have to deal with Nightmare Moon's traps. I started in on the path, careful to keep watch of the hoofprints that had been left behind. This was a good idea because the path split. Even then, it was fairly obvious that they hadn't gone down the path with the blue leaves. Poison Joke was distinctive, even in the light of the moon. As I slowly traveled behind them, I heard a loud rumble and cracking noise, followed by screams. The Proof of Honesty. I crept forward and looked over the edge of the new cliff just as Twilight screamed again, only to be caught by Dash and Fluttershy. I watched them go before I slung the lantern over my arm and started my attempt to climb down. I am very poor at rock climbing, and, about half-way down, I lost my grip and slammed into the ground. I lay there groaning for a while, even as I heard the roar of the Manticore and the beginning of the Proof of Kindness. I may have even blacked out for a while, because when I rolled over, I saw the Manticore wandering away, purring loud enough for me to feel it. I stood up, back cracking, and looked at the lantern. Thankfully it was intact, the fireflies within still fluttering around. I moved forward and slid the lantern back into my hand as I entered into the dark forest. It wasn't long before I heard more screams, and laughing. The Proof of Laughter. As Pinkie started singing, I sang along, albeit an octave or so lower. With the lantern light likely to be more visible than the glow of the possessed trees, I stood my ground until the laughter faded. The tough part for me was going to be convincing Steven Magnet to let me cross. Although, if the water is as shallow as I think it's going to be, I could maybe make it by with just the bottom of my pants getting wet. I must admit to some mild confusion at this point. Somehow, it seemed that no matter how far I fell behind them, I was always managed to be just about to catch up. Either the Everfree Forest is even more unnatural than just being dissimilar to the rest of Equestria, or there was something else helping me stay one step behind them. As if to prove my point, I wound up just out of sight behind them as Rarity fused her tail to the sliced off part of the Sea Serpent's mustache. I smiled. Oh, Death the Kid would have a fit. I waited as the Mane Six moved across, and Steven waved good bye to them before I made myself known. “Excuse me?” “Oh!” gasped the serpent. “And just who might you be?” “My name is Joe McCord. Thanks for helping them across.” “Oh, you know those delightful ponies?” “Somewhat. I'm hoping we can become greater friends after this crisis with Nightmare Moon has passed.” “Nightmare Moon?” “The, uh, 'tacky cloud of purple smoke?' She's the corrupted form of Princess Luna, and those six are going to help her be herself again.” “Oh, my. And why are you here?” “I'm hoping to catch up to them right after they purify the Princess. I have a few things to explain to them all.” “Any chance you can tell me?” “I suppose.” And I proceeded to give the serpent an abbreviated version of the history of Friendship is Magic, including his very minor role in it. As it turns out, his name wasn't actually Steven Magnet, but something unpronounceable to the human/pony tongue. The closest I got to it would best be spelled without vowels and plenty of apostrophes. He accepted my explanation, then picked me up and set me on the opposite bank. I promised to stop by and visit him from time to time if I could, and directed him to also visit Zecora if he could. I figured she could use the friendly company until Bridle Gossip occurred. I made it to the fallen bridge just as the ponies crossed into the castle proper. This place has to be some kind of Eldritch Location. The tough part for this would be figuring out when the proper time to follow them into the “Boss Room” would be. I had to get there after Celestia and Luna reconcile. It would be difficult to time things with how the fog in the ravine covered the view of the castle. Hopefully, the Forest, or whatever it was that was helping me keep up, would get me in there at the right time, but I shouldn't rely on- “TWILIGHT!” cried the Mane Six other than Twilight. Hmm, need to come up with a better moniker- What am I thinking?! I started across the bridge as I heard galloping, hoping to stay those few steps behind them. I ducked behind the castle doors as Rarity spotted the lights flashing from one of the towers, and promptly tripped as I attempted to stealth my way through the room behind them. As I lay on the stone, I remembered a bit of advice to myself: the best way to be sneaky is to act like nothing's wrong. Also, step lightly. I stood back up and brushed myself off, quickly re-tying my ponytail and making sure I looked at least somewhat presentable for the Princesses. I then closed my eyes for a few moments and walked forward. At the stairs, I heard the echo of the girl's encouraging shouts to Twilight and started my way up after them. I reached the top of the stairs just in time for the epic speech, making sure to be around the corner and just out of sight. “Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right... Here!” announced Twilight. I sat down, one eye at the crack of the door. The shards of stone flew up to around Nightmare Moon. “Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the Spirit of... Honesty!” The Element formed as a ring of stone shards as Twilight continued. “Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the Spirit of... Kindness!” I smiled at her blush as her Element encircled her. “Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the Spirit of... Laughter!” Pinkie looked ecstatic and hopped in place a bit. “Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the Spirit of... Generosity!” Despite the praise, Rarity looked almost as humble as Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the Spirit of... Loyalty!” Well, the Shadowbolts aren't her heart's desire, it's the Wonderbolts. But still. “The Spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!” “You still don't have the sixth Element! The Spark didn't work!” Nightmare Moon retorted. “But it did,” Twilight asserted calmly, turning to her friends. “A different kind of Spark. I felt it the moment I realized how happy I was to hear you. To see you. How much I cared about you... The Spark ignited within me when I realized that you all... Are my Friends!” She turned back to Nightmare Moon as the stone orb of Magic appeared over her head. “You see, Nightmare Moon. When those Elements are united by the... the Spark that resides in us all, it creates the sixth Element. The Element of... MAGIC!” With a flash of light that forced me to look away, the Elements transformed from their stone forms into their jewel states. I watched the light play across the wall as I whispered a joke older than this scene: “Taste the rainbow, motherbucker.” “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” cried Nightmare Moon. I then heard a sound reminiscent to the Classic Trek transporter sound effect and the light intensified, forcing me to close my eyes as even the reflected light off the wall became more than I could handle without my sunglasses. As the light faded, I was tempted to move forward, but I stayed put. I needed to wait for Celestia. I heard voices as the Mane Six awoke from their first use of the Elements, Rarity's happiness at the return of her tail sticking out the most. I inched forward just in time to hear Celestia's voice echo through the room. “Indeed you do.” I put on my sunglasses as the sun rose and Celestia appeared in a flash of light. I heard more voices that didn't quite make it into the hall, until Celestia said “Princess Luna” followed by more muffled voices and a chorus of “sister?” Here we go. With everyone's focus on the Princesses, I stepped into the room in time for Pinkie to over balance and fall. “I'm so sorry, big sister! I missed you so much.” Luna, or to differentiate her from her Season Two self, Woona, hugged Celestia as best she could. “I missed you, too,” Celestia said. Pinkie pulled out a hanky and blew her nose, which was followed by a stream of tears that defied physics, and, in fact, reminded me of that bizarre gif of that Japanese actor with a waterfall of tears that I'd seen on the Ponibooru and Derpibooru. “Hey!” she exclaimed. “You know what this calls for?” “A party?” I said, finally announcing my presence. Everyone, even the hugging Princesses, turned towards me. “Joe? What are you doing here?” Rarity asked. “It's time for my exposition, now that the Elements are assembled, and the Princesses are both present.” Applejack tapped her chin, “Ya did say somethin' 'bout Princesses at Twi's party last night.” I nodded. “Bear with me, this may get confusing. First, and introduction to those who I've just met. My name is Joseph Glenn McCord, a human from another reality. In this reality, in Anno Domini 2010, sometime around October or November, the first episode of a series written by a brilliant woman by the name of Lauren Faust aired on television, a form of entertainment. The series was named 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' and initially targeted at young girls. “Not long after, an article was released that decried the 'death of the creative spirit,' citing that television shows were now simply tools for merchandizing, rather than actually telling stories. This caused a group known as the 'Cartoons and Comics board of 4chan' to look into the show mentioned within, the aforementioned 'Friendship is Magic.' They loved it, and thus the Brony Herd was born. “Almost a year later, I had been seeing things pertaining to the show in various places, enough to make me curious, and, eventually, I managed to find every single episode from season one, as season two had just started not long before. The show was about a group of six friends, who represented the very foundation of friendship itself. I'd list them all off, but you already did that, Twilight.” I smiled at Rainbow Dash. “As I said to you a couple days ago, I know the future. But only parts of it. The parts shown by the show. For instance...” I looked up at Celestia. Wow, she's, like, two feet taller than I am. “I know your plans with that notebook, Your Highness.” Her eyes widened. “And that's all I'll say on that subject.” “If you know so much, why are you here?” Celestia asked. “I don't know. Two days ago, I was found by Fluttershy at the edge of the Everfree Forest, which I'm now convinced is some sort of Eldritch Location, and explained part of this to Pinkie and Fluttershy. I also explained some of it to Rarity when she was creating this wonderful outfit for me. “Home has been lost to me, and I don't know why. Looking at things from my point of view, I've been thrust into a world both familiar and strange.” I blinked. Isn't that part of the Twilight Zone narration? I shook my head. “Most of your customs are similar to ours. From my point of view, they were based on ours.” “Wh...” started Luna. “Wherefore art thou telling us this?” I blinked. Curious. She clearly said “you” to Celestia a minute ago. Never mind. “So that you know who I am, without the biggest secret I could possibly have from you aside from the future itself hanging between us. I have no place here, save for what you may give me.” I then bowed on one knee in deference to the princesses, one hand over my heart and the other on the ground. “I see,” said Celestia. “What are your intentions in the long term?” “I still want to find a way home, but barring that, I simply seek to live in peace and harmony with Equestria.” “And your foreknowledge?” “I assure you that I will only use my knowledge of the future when I can present a truly preferred alternative to the way things would normally unfold. Also, I can share whatever knowledge you may wish about major events to come.” “I believe that may be a topic for a different time. For now, let us all return to Ponyville.” We all agreed and started back through the Everfree Forest, which, as I had expected, seemed a shorter return trip than it had been a trip to enter (though that may have had something to do with the lack of Nightmare Obstacles). The entire way, Celestia and Luna were talking quietly to each other, and Twilight was basking in the feeling of having her new friends with her. I lagged slightly behind the group, content to watch and smile. Until Pinkie somehow managed to pronk her way back to me without changing speed. “Something wrong?” “Nah, I'm just glad things have turned out so well, despite my presence. Hopefully, things will get even better.” “I'm guessing from what your said about spoilers two days ago is that Luna's your second favourite, huh?” “Yeah. I'm a proud member of the Lunar Republic.” Pinkie looked quizzically at me again. “We nicknamed the state of Equestria under either Princess. Celestia's faction is the Solar Empire, since she's ruled Equestria for so long, whereas Luna has the Lunar Republic, just as a counter-point name, I guess. Though, considering the Romans were a Republican Empire...” I trailed off, looking thoughtful. “There is a faction for both, but I don't think they have a title, really. Most agree that both is better.” As I finished speaking, I noticed that the Princesses had stopped talking and were actually looking back at me. I waved with a light smile and they turned to whisper to each other again. “So, why do you like Luna so much more than Celestia? Is it just because of the light and darkness thing?” asked Rarity, surprising me. I didn't even see her approach. “Somewhat. It's actually more because Luna is adorable in her own way. She'll be recovering for a while, but when she shows up for Nightmare Night in season two, she just wants to be appreciated. Which is a bit hard when you're practically shouting in everypony's faces.” I happened to be watching Luna as I said that, but it seems she didn't hear me. By this time, we had emerged from the Everfree and had almost made it back to Ponyville, where ponies were already setting up for- “A PARTY!” Pinkie cheered, before rushing in to help with the preparations. It didn't take very long for the Summer Sun feast that the Apple Clan had cooked up to become part of Pinkie's “Princess Luna's Nice Again” party, and a lot of the other prep work was easily re-purposed as well. We feasted well, though I was kind of getting tired of all the apple products already. I'd have to talk to Fluttershy about maintaining a healthy human diet, though I'm likely to only have fish and eggs for meat product. Might have to work on my frying skills. After the celebration was over, and Luna stood with tears in her eyes and a wreath around her neck, Twilight looked at the Princesses with sadness. “Why so glum, my faithful student?” asked Celestia, turning to her. “Aren't you happy, now that your quest is over and you can return to your studies?” “That's just it. Just when I've learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them.” “Spike, take a note, please.” Spike pulled a quill and parchment out of hammerspace with a smile. How does he ink the quill? “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville. In addition, I am appointing the human, Joseph Glenn McCord, to be my royal liaison to Ponyville. He is to let me know how the town fares while he lives amongst the ponies here and will give out any decrees I, or my sister, may have.” I blinked and once again kneeled before the Princesses as the crowd cheered. My attempt at being solemnly respectful didn't last very long as I was dragged into the group hug by Pinkie. “Oh, Thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!” Twilight was starting to cry, so I offered her my sleeve to wipe her tears on. I should ask Rarity about making me a handkerchief...