//------------------------------//
// Shaun and Alba Save the Elements of Harmony 
// Story: Rebirth of Harmony 
// by WanderingPhysicist 
//------------------------------//

        Alba stares back at Shaun incredulously. ‘Really?’ She pulls her hoof free. ‘Thank you, but whatever “psychic vision” led you here is unneeded and obviously false. Please leave before I call the security.’
        ‘This is the truth!’ Shaun shouts. ‘Mordred killed the King Uther and his sons, and he is trying to kill you too!’
        ‘I find that kind of hard to believe.’
        Shaun takes Alba’s hoof again. ‘Please, Alba. I am telling you the honest truth. You have to believe me. Your life is in danger.’
        Alba glances away. ‘Shaun… After everything you have done, pretending to have fake powers, I don’t know if I can believe you. I don’t think there is anything you can say or do to convince me.’
        A bright glow surrounds Shaun’s neck. He and Alba back away from each other as the glow materializes into a golden necklace with a jewel feather in the center. Alba stares at the newly-formed Element of Honesty, gaping.
        ‘Well, I didn’t see that coming,’ Shaun comments.
        Alba faints.

        Mordred meets with Morgan in her laboratory. The unicorn has a shoulder-mounted rifle on her back. The weapon uses a backpack power source for an odd-looking laser.
        ‘As you can see, I had a hard time adapting a power supply for these alien weapons,’ Morgan explains. ‘The bulk of the weapon is the power cell and energy converter. Due to the energy requirements, you can only get a dozen shots at low power or a single shot at full power before having to replace the power cell.’
        ‘Seems like a bit of a waste,’ Mordred complains. ‘Especially with all the resources I have given you.’
        ‘Did I mention the lowest setting was enough to kill every of the subjects you provided me in one shot?’
        ‘Every of the subjects?’
        Morgan aims the rifle at the griffin. ‘Care to test it out?’
        ‘’Don’t joke about such things,’ Mordred scoffs. ‘What was this higher setting you mentioned?’
        ‘Should be enough to destroy a house.’ Morgan grins evilly. ‘You should see what the big guns can do.’
        ‘Big guns?’
        ‘Did you think hooking one of these alien toys to a backpack was my first thought? Ha! The first successful prototype was attaching it to an airship reactor. That was the closest thing to getting max energy output from one of these things.’
        Mordred thinks. ‘The question then becomes whether we should start issuing them for personal or airship deployment. I only stole so many before the NLR closed off the Ponyville site to us.’
        ‘Questions for another time.’ Morgen levitates the weapon from her back. She trots over and runs a hoof down Mordred’s cheek. ‘I believe a celebration is in order.’
        ‘Maybe soon.’ Mordred turns away. ‘First, we must deal with the Elements.’
        ‘Give them to me. They’ll make great target practice. Bonus points for hitting the little one.’
        The emperor smiles. ‘That would make a fun game. I’ll think about that for our after-dinner entertainment.’
        Mordred starts to leave, but a magical band catches his hind leg. ‘You will honor our deal once they are eliminated, right?’ Morgan asks.
        ‘Of course. Once I am assured your end is fully delivered, meaning once we have a pile of royal corpses.’
        Morgan releases the emperor, and he leaves. The unicorn growls, and her eyes flash green for a second. ‘I’ll give you a royal corpse to think about...’

        ‘Alba? Alba? Are you okay?’
        The princess moans and opens her eyes. Shaun is staring down at her. His new Element of Honesty gleams in the light.
        ‘Nope. Still a nightmare,’ Alba groans.
        Shaun extends a talon. ‘Nightmare or not, I will get you out of here. I swear as Crown Prince of the Griffin Empire.’
        Alba bats away the talon and stands. ‘Geez. Making up stories again.’
        ‘I think you can believe me.’
        ‘Why in the world would I believe you?’
        Shaun taps his Element.
        ‘Oh yeah. … So you’re a prince and the Element of Honesty?’
        The griffin nods. ‘That looks like the size of it.’
        ‘Oh. Okay.’ Alba faints again.
        Shaun groans and tries waking the princess.

        Razzly works in the kitchen with the cooking staff, making all her treats. Trixie stands to one side watching. Octavia slips into the room and joins her friend.
        ‘You can take the pony from the bakery...’ Octavia comments.
        ‘Let’s just hope her final product is as sweet as her,’ Trixie adds. She pauses a beat. ‘Did you get a call from Lyra as well?’
        ‘It confirmed one of my suspicions. Now, I really want to get into the military side of the castle.’
        ‘Yeah. Because that won’t end in death.’
        Octavia snorts. ‘We have to find out who this “Morgan” is. If she doesn’t exist in any pony records, especially Lyra’s, her very presence is disturbing.’
        ‘Well, given how we aren’t friends with changeling hives and the laws they have against them here...’
        ‘It would be suicide to have a changeling in the castle.’ Octavia rolls her eyes. ‘I’m going to check on the others. Be ready for anything.’
        ‘Aren’t I always?’
        ‘Trixie!’ Razzly calls from across the kitchen.
        The older unicorn crosses the room while Octavia disappears. ‘What is it, Razzly?’
        The filly levitates a heart-shaped tart. ‘Here! I made this one special for you!’
        Trixie smiles and tries a bite. ‘Thank you, dear. It is lovely.’
        Razzly smiles happily and goes back to work.

        Helios, Apple Pie, Apple Bloom and Raindrops sit in a lounge sharing stories about their day.
        Apple Pie laughs. ‘That’s Rainbow for us. Always starting a random game of cloudball.’
        ‘I bet I could take her,’ Helios states.
        ‘Geez,’ his older brother moans. ‘Just ‘cause you have wings it doesn’t mean you can keep up with her.’
        ‘She only won Iron Pony because I quit.’
        ‘That’s a matter of opin-’ Apple Pie’s back legs twitch, causing him to kick the couch from under himself and Apple Bloom. ‘Uh, oh.’
        ‘What was that?’ Raindrops asks.
        ‘It was my Pie Sense,’ the earth pony replies, standing.
        ‘What does that one mean?’ Apple Bloom follows up.
        Before Apple Pie can answer, a door opens and somepony comes in.
        Rainbow yawns. ‘Which one of you is delivering earth-shattering news that caused me kick my bed into pieces?’
        Apple Bloom’s eye twitches. ‘Seriously. Kickin’ legs means earth-shatterin’ news? Glad we still have a home aftet the night ya get yer Element and we confessed to each other.’
        ‘To be fair, I did beat up those timberwolves pretty badly. Doesn’t that count?’
        ‘Then yer concussion could be blamed on yer brother gettin’ his Element too.’
        Apple Pie puts a hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder and seriously states, ‘A lot of things can be blamed on my brother.’
        ‘I hate you,’ Helios grumbles.
        Another door opens. The lounge occupants gasp in shock when Shaun enters carrying Alba.
        ‘Okay. Maybe you guys will listen to me,’ the griffin huffs.
        Rainbow reaches out and taps Shaun’s Element. ‘It is real!’
        Apple Pie’s and Rainbow’s tails shake. Helios faints.
        Shaun facetalons. ‘I definitely saw that one coming.’
…
        The ponies listen as Shaun explains himself. Helios and Alba are revived and listen incredulously. The princess glares at the Element of Honesty, as if trying to will it to somepony else.
        Raindrops holds a hoof up, stopping Shaun. ‘Wait. You’re saying Emperor Mordred killed the previous king and his sons when he came to power?’
        Shaun nods. ‘Not to sound insulting, but you are old enough to have heard the news of their deaths.’
        ‘He does have a point,’ Octavia says, entering the room. ‘All the older griffins and guards I have talked with believe the king and princes were murdered as well.’ She glances at Shaun’s Element. ‘Not to mention, that makes a good argument on his behalf.’
        ‘Okay. Fine,’ Alba snorts. ‘Say we believe you. How do we get out without alerting the guards?’
        ‘Same way I got out the first time.’ Shaun crosses the room and presses in a stone into the wall. A door slides open. ‘Secret passageway.’
        ‘Makes sense, but won’t they notice we are gone?’
        ‘Not if you are still here.’
        ‘Huh?’
        Shaun looks into the passage and motions to somepony. A changeling wearing a crystal necklace steps out of the darkness. Helios and Alba charge spells. Octavia goes on guard. Apple Pie shields Apple Bloom.
        Rainbow looks around confused. ‘Are we supposed to be scared?’
        Apple Pie shouts. ‘Sis, I know you’re an idiot, but...’
        The pegasus kicks her brother in the head. ‘You’re the dummy if you think changelings are scary.’ She smiles at the changeling. ‘I met one once when my cloud drifted too far off course. He traded directions home for candy. … Actually, I gave him the candy before asking for directions. He was very nice.’
        The changeling smiles back at the pegasus, showing his fangs.
        Helios drops his spell. ‘Sorry. I was just caught off guard.’
        Alba looks at her brother and nods. ‘I’ll trust you too.’ She turns her attention to Shaun. ‘But you are still on thin ice with me.’
        Octavia rolls her eyes. ‘That’s our Princess of Friendship. Trust the changeling, not the griffin.’
        ‘I trust griffins. I don’t trust Shaun.’
        The griffin prince groans. ‘Good enough for me. Come on.’
        ‘Wait. What about..?’
        ‘Who want’s fresh cookies?’ Razzly asks, entering the room with Trixie.
        The new arrivals notice the crowded room. Razzly takes one look at the changeling and screams at the top of her lungs.
        Trixie magically covers the filly’s mouth. ‘Let me guess: run?’
        The others nod. Shaun motions them into the secret passage. The ponies and griffin file past the changelings exiting the wall. Each are wearing crystal necklaces.
        ‘Get out at the first sign of trouble,’ Shaun advises.
        A changeling takes the griffin’s form. ‘This isn’t our first rodeo.’
        ‘You mean “ro-day-o”.’
        ‘I’ve heard it both ways.’
        Both Shauns laugh. The changeling shifts form to become Helios. The passage is closed. Guards fly into the room. They see Razzly sitting on the floor sobbing with Trixie and Alba comforting her. Rainbow naps on a couch next to Raindrops. Helios and Apple Pie hoof wrestle while Apple Bloom watches.
        ‘Is everything okay in here?’ a guard asks.
        ‘It is okay,’ “Trixie” answers. ‘Razzly saw a large bug and spilled her cookies.’
        The guard sighs. ‘Okay. Sorry for intruding.’ He looks around nervously. ‘Is it okay if I have one?’
        Trixie levitates a cookie to the guard. The griffins leave the ‘ponies’ to their business.

        Shaun leads the ponies through the hidden passages. The griffin explains his plans to Trixie and Octavia. Razzly has calmed down after hearing the situation. Alba grumbles to herself.
        Trixie sighs. ‘This is an unfortunate turn of events. I prefer not fleeing a country in the middle of the night.’
        ‘Technically, it is twilight,’ Shaun points out. ‘So, you’re not fleeing in the middle of the night.’
        ‘True-che.’
        ‘This is bull crap!’ Alba snorts. ‘We have no proof that Emperor Mordred has done anything wrong. For all we know, this is another of Shaun’s tricks.’
        ‘Alba, Shaun has helped us out before,’ Razzly argues. ‘He saved me when I was foalnaped.’
        ‘And he helped you when you got yourself taken hostage,’ Helios adds.
        ‘But, but, he lies about having powers!’ Alba counters.
        ‘Alba, hush,’ Trixie scolds. ‘Shaun, how do you know about these passages?’
        ‘I used them last time I fled the castle.’
        ‘Why did you do that?’
        The griffin takes a deep breath. ‘My parents were low-level royals. When I was young, they disappeared on a business trip to Deerope. Mordred took me in and said he would raise me as if I were his own son.’ He snorts. ‘As you probably know, a little money can uncover any secret. I bribed enough of my tutors to uncover the truth. I found enough soldiers still loyal to King Uther to help me get the right contacts, and I used the old switcheroo to make it out of the castle and to the Republic.’
        ‘Do you still have a list of your old contacts?’ Octavia asks. ‘Our spies could really use the boost.’
        ‘Probably a trick to uncover...’ Alba mumbles.
        Octavia stops and turns back to the filly. ‘Alba, shut it. He’s the Element of Honesty. You’re currently the Element of Irrational Distrust.’
        ‘But!’ The princess forces down her urge to argue. ‘Sorry. … Can I ask a serious question?’
        ‘Go ahead,’ Trixie sighs.
        ‘What about our stuff? Are we just going to leave it here?’
        ‘She does have a point,’ Apple Pie agrees. ‘Assuming the changelings eventually escape themselves, it would be weird if our stuff stayed behind or got stolen.’
        ‘You want to turn back now? In the middle of our escape?’ Helios questions.
        ‘It makes sense,’ Trixie admits. ‘I doubt the Queen would want to wire us money to get home before we explain why we fled the Griffin Empire in the middle of the night with their prince.’
        ‘Again, it is barely dusk,’ Shaun corrects. ‘Anyway,’ he huffs, ‘these passages connect to all the guest rooms. It shouldn’t take too long to go back.’
        ‘I’ll handle it,’ Octavia volunteers. ‘Just tell me where the meeting point is.’
        Shaun thinks. ‘We’ll wait in the marketplace near the docks.’
        ‘A little public, don’t you think?’
        ‘We should be safe. The changelings should buy us enough time.’
        Octavia nods and pulls her hood up. ‘Be safe. And if anything happens to the Elements, I’ll kill you.’
        Shaun salutes. ‘Roger. Five of the six Elements dies, you’ll kill the last one.’
        ‘Don’t get smart with me.’
        ‘Good to have somepony on my side now...’ Alba mumbles.
        Octavia snorts as she forces her way through the group to head back to their rooms. Shaun motions and continues leading them out.

        The Elements dine at a small cafe. Trixie, Shaun and Raindrops watch the other patrons. They see a pair of soldiers walk in front of the cafe, but they do not stop to search. Those on watch breathe a sigh of relief and return to their meals.
        ‘Somethin’s been buggin’ me since we left the castle,’ Apple Bloom states. ‘If ya knew we were in danger, why didn’ ya try savin’ us sooner?’
        ‘The changelings needed time to study your mannerisms in order to better replace you,’ Shaun explains. ‘Any sooner and Mordred would have known something was up.’
        ‘So wait… You studied us for three days, and the conclusion was that I’m a whiny crybaby!?’ Razzly exclaims.
        ‘Shh! It was just how they saw you.’ Shaun looks away while drinking. ‘But if the horseshoe fits...’
        The filly snorts at the griffin before turning away. The soldiers cross back in front of the cafe. They stop and put a talon to the side of their helmet. They stop a passing griffin for questioning. A number of saddlebags are dropped on the group’s tables.
        ‘Time to go,’ Octavia states.
        The ponies retrieve their gear as Octavia clears a path out the back of the cafe.
        ‘Did something happen?’ Trixie asks.
        ‘Nothing too bad,’ Octavia answers. ‘I hope you weren’t close friends with all the changelings.’
        ‘What happened?’ Shaun grunts.

        Mordred wipes blood from his sword before placing it back in its scabbard. Soldiers replace their weapons as well. Morgan calmly eats her dinner despite three changeling corpses on the table. Servants watch in horror at the scene before them.
        ‘Where are they!’ Mordred bellows. ‘Where are those damn ponies! Why are these monsters here!’
        ‘Perhaps the changelings ate them,’ Morgan offers.
        ‘That is not funny!’ The emperor grabs a soldier. ‘Search the palace! Find the ponies and the changelings! I want them brought to me in irons!’
        ‘That might not work,’ the unicorn sighs.
        ‘Then what do you suggest?’
        ‘For starters, the changelings took the form of famous Wonderbolts. I doubt you could catch them if they can even match half of Rainbow Dash’s speed,’ Morgen notes. ‘As for the ponies, what would it say to the international community if they are pulled from a nice dinner on the town and paraded around the kingdom as prisoners? I suggest kindly escorting them back to the castle and dealing with them privately.’
        Mordred think, growling slightly. ‘Well! You heard her!’ he roars at the soldiers. ‘Bring them to me! … Politely!’
        The soldiers salute and fly away with the orders. Mordred roars again and storms away. The servants nervously start cleaning up the dining hall.
        Morgan holds up her dish. ‘May I have seconds?’

        Octavia and Shaun lead the others through the back alleys. Trixie and Alba use illusions to mask their presence. The group reaches a harbor. Soldiers patrol the docks.
        ‘Hope you can swim,’ Shaun jokes.
        ‘Funny,’ Alba huffs. ‘What’s the real plan?’
        ‘Make it to the boat I rented and get far enough out to sea to meet up with my sea pony contact.’
        ‘Sea ponies?!’ the princess happily exclaims.
        ‘Wait. Do we really have to know how to swim?’ Rainbow asks.
        ‘How do we get to the boat?’ Trixie follows up.
        ‘Who’s your contact?’ Alba begs.
        Shaun answers. ‘Not unless you know how already. I have no idea. And, Princess Tempest.’
        ‘Tempest is so fun!’ the princess squeals.
        ‘Do you know her?’ Razzly asks.
        Alba nods. ‘She used to serve as an ambassador to Canterlot. When I wanted singing lessons, she volunteered to teach me. It was so fun!’
        ‘You haven’t been reunited yet,’ Trixie warns. She turns to Octavia. ‘Any plans?’
        ‘Depends on how high a body count you want?’
        ‘Zero, preferably,’ Shaun replies.
        ‘If we can maintain the illusions you have be casting, we could make it,’ Helios says.
        Trixie shakes her head. ‘Not likely, even with this much light.’
        ‘Wait, where’s AP?’ Apple Bloom speaks up.
        ‘Rainbow is missing too,’ Raindrops reports.
        Octavia looks and growls when she sees Apple Pie approaching the soldiers.
        ‘Excuse me. We’re looking for a way out of the empire,’ the young stallion tells the soldiers. ‘Can you help us?’
        The guards level their weapons on Apple Pie. The young stallion stomps the ground causing a quake. The docks around him collapse, leaving him standing on a pillar. The griffins take to the air as they face their target. A rainbow streak darts past, slamming the soldiers in the head. Rainbow lifts her brother back to solid ground. Both Pies’ tails shake right before the soldiers fall into the ocean.
        ‘Got them!’ Rainbow cheers.
        Octavia holds her head. Trixie shakes hers. Their younger siblings and Razzly laugh at their older siblings.
        Shaun rolls his eyes. ‘Wonderful. This way.’
        The griffin leads the others down the dock.
        Raindrops flies alongside Rainbow, taking a moment to smack the younger pegasus in the back of the head. ‘Good job. It shouldn’t be too long before they find us.’
        ‘Don’t blame me. It was idiot’s idea.’
        Apple Pie nods. ‘You heard her. It was her idea.’
        The older mare groans as the siblings start fighting.

        Mordred paces in his throne room. Morgan lounges on the throne. A soldier enters and salutes.
        ‘Just spit it out,’ the emperor hisses.
        ‘R-right. There was a disturbance in the harbor. When a patrol reached the area, they found another patrol in the water and saw a bubbled craft disappear under the water.’
        ‘Damn sea ponies,’ Mordred growls. ‘They are always a thorn in my side.’
        ‘Only because of what we dump in the oceans,’ Morgan states. ‘Bunch of whiners, if you ask me.’
        ‘I didn’t.’
        ‘Um, sire,’ the soldier speaks up.
        ‘What now?’
        ‘Th-ther patrol said they saw a griffin on the escaping boat. A griffin with red-spotted feathers.’
        ‘The prince! He aided those miserable ponies!’ The emperor lets out a roar that shakes the room. ‘I should never have arranged for his adoption! He is the greatest pest this nation has ever seen. I’ll have him strung up with those damn Elements.’
        ‘That sort of fatherly love is exactly why he cares so much for you and your plans,’ Morgan comments.
        ‘And you are being such a big help right now. Take her away and force her to do something useful. I believe the latrines are in need of attention.’
        Before the guard can take a step, Morgen gets up. Her eyes flash green for a second. ‘You don’t want to do that.’
        Mordred holds his head as a headache sets in. ‘No. I don’t. Let her stay.’
        ‘Good. Now, are you thinking what I am thinking?’
        ‘Tell me.’
        ‘The prince aiding the Elements helps us. The Elements “kidnaped” the prince, right?’
        ‘It… It does seem that way,’ Mordred agrees. ‘We can say they did that, no matter the truth.’
        ‘Right. What else?’
        ‘Release a statement: The Elements of Harmony kidnaped the prince and unleashed a horde of changelings within the palace with the express intent of my murder.’
        ‘Maybe not that far. The changelings were no threat to us, but those dastardly Elements...’
        Mordred nods, wincing at his headache. ‘That will give our useless ambassador something to do. We demand the return of our beloved prince. Failure to comply will be considered an act of war.’
        ‘Good.’ Morgan nods and looks at the soldier. ‘You heard him. The Elements kidnaped the prince and wish to start a war. I think a press conference is in order. I think our “ally” should be released from his prison as well. Teach those meddling sea ponies a thing or two as well.’
        ‘Right…’ the emperor moans. ‘Inform the navy of their orders.’ He glares at the soldier. ‘Go!’
        The soldier squawks and flies off. Mordred groans and holds his head. A bit of blood drops from his beak.
        ‘Another headache, dear king?’
        The emperor nods.
        Morgan smiles and a green glow surrounds her horn. ‘Good… Just leave everything to me...’