Courage
Princess Celestia stepped out of her palace and into the royal Canterlot gardens. Her elite guards were already present and in formation. Stout unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike stood at attention. They had been called from their homes, away from their families, without warning and in the middle of the night. Many of them looked nervous. The last time such action was required, a malevolent chaos spirit had broken free of his prison.
As the Princess walked to the front of her guards, they all bowed their heads low.
“My dearest and most loyal protectors,” she began. “I look upon all of you with great pride. Now is the time for courage, my friends. Below in Ponyville, Princess Luna is already battling an ancient and terrible enemy of Equestria. This enemy is like none you've ever prepared for. They do not know fear or pain. They are powerful and cannot be defeated by traditional means. They are creatures from the stars, and follow no reasoning we can comprehend.”
The soldiers stood resolute. They knew they must stay strong for the Princess.
“When we arrive in Ponyville, I am trusting you with the most important of all tasks. You must defend Luna, as well as the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, from the creatures. I will not lie, they are both brutal and unmerciful. I can provide you with some means of protection, but this will not be a battle we can win through strength of arms.”
Celestia tilted her horn towards the crowd, as a yellow aura washed over them. It was a shielding spell, one that would protect them from the fiery bodies of the enemy.
“Soldiers of Equestria, what say you?" shouted Celestia to the guards. "The enemy seeks to destroy everything you hold dear. Will you allow this?”
“No!” resounded the royal guards.
“Today, legends are born that will last through the ages. Shall they speak of our finest hour?”
“Yes!” roared the guards.
“Then go, my faithful protectors! To Ponyville and to victory! For Equestria!”
“For Equestria! For Equestria!”
The pegasi took off first, with Commanders Spitfire and Soarin' leading the charge down to Ponyville. The earth ponies and unicorns would have to board the train, which was magically enhanced in this state of emergency to travel at incredible speeds.
Celestia knew she would soon join her guards in battle. First, however, she would have to make a detour. Beside her lay a jewel encrusted chest. She lifted it with her magic, raised her great white wings, and took off into the sky.
It broke Applejack's heart to see all of these downtrodden refugee ponies. When they had heard about the terrible fires and strange creatures up in Ponyville, she and the rest of the Apples were immediately willing to offer up their home to the displaced ponies. But far more had come than she had anticipated. It seemed that all of Ponyville had shown up. And now there was that huge fiery thing in the sky getting bigger by the moment. Whatever was happening up in the town, it must have been something terrible.
Applejack noticed her rainbow maned friend approaching from the orchard. She hoped she had news from Ponyville.
“Howdy, Rainbow,” said Applejack. “What's the word up in Ponyville?”
“Everything's a mess,” replied Rainbow Dash flatly. “Those light creatures are working to level the entire town, and they've got a pretty good start. I think Twilight and Princess Luna were trying to fight them, but they just won't stay down.”
“That's awful bad news then,” said Applejack sadly. “We can't just let this happen, not without tryin' to do somethin'!”
“What can we do?” asked Rainbow Dash pleadingly. “We can't even touch them without being burned!”
“This is real bad,” said Applejack. “I think it's Elements of Harmony bad.”
“Yeah, but they're all the way up in Canterlot at the castle!” said Rainbow Dash. “By the time we got there and back, whatever's up in the sky is going to have flattened all of Ponyville!”
“I think we gotta try!” said Applejack. “Otherwise this'll all just happen in the next town, and then again 'til there's nothing left in all Equestria!”
“I see you point,” admitted Rainbow Dash.
“Um, excuse me.”
Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked over to see Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie had joined them.
“We've got to get the Elements, guys!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “Those creeps tore up Sugarcube Corner! Nopony gets away with destroying the coolest thing in Ponyville! Also, it's my home!”
“I agree with Pinkie Pie,” said Rainbow Dash. “I simply cannot stand to see such creatures running amok and hurting so many ponies. Whatever the cost, we must find a way to help everypony.”
“Yes,” agreed Fluttershy. “After what they did to poor angel...”
“What happened to Angel?” asked Applejack worriedly.
“It's just so... look for yourself,” said Fluttershy, nodding her head towards the rabbit.
Angel had an annoyed expression on his face as he looked down at his bandaged foot.
“Um...” said Applejack. “Right. Okay girls, we've got to get to Canterlot. Big Macintosh and Granny should be able to take care of the ponies here. We'll have to go without Twilight, as she's up in Ponyville with Princess Luna, but she's tough, and we'll find her when we get back. Are you ready?”
“Of course!” said Rarity.
“Always!” said Rainbow Dash.
“Yippee!” said Pinkie Pie.
“Yes, I think so,” said Fluttershy.
“I think I can save you the trip.”
The ponies turned around to see Princess Celestia herself, right here in Sweet Apple Acres. All five of them immediately bowed.
“I believe you were looking for these?” said the Princess, producing the chest of the Elements of Harmony.
“Yes!” cried Applejack. “Thank you Princess!”
“Come girls,” said Celestia. “I'll teleport all of us up to Ponyville. Have courage, for the battle will not be an easy one.”
“We'll take whatever they can throw at us,” said Rainbow Dash proudly.
Art Used: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=Elements+of+harmony#/d45y074