The giant dragon Applejack stomped about, her sharp, orange scales gleaming in the setting sun. Twilight dove away as Applejack thrashed about, a small burst of fire shooting from her mouth, Spike tumbling away off her back. Fluttershy cried in shock, barely ducking under a sweep of the dragon's spiked tail, Pinkie Pie jumping into a bail of hay. Rainbow Dash spread her wings and shot up Applejack's long neck.
“Applejack! Calm down, please!” she called desperately. She clung to Applejack's face, her eyes shut tight. “Please! STOP!” she cried, Applejack flinging her scaly head, Rainbow Dash flying off, barely catching herself in midair. “Twilight...” she said, her voice quivering. “I don't think she can hear me.”
“You mean... she's not even in there anymore?” Twilight said, her heart pounding as Applejack roared loudly, causing everypony to clasp their hooves around their ears.
“Twilight!” called Spike over the the cries of the townsponies and the roar of the dragon, jumping up and down from afar, waving his arms. “Use your memory spell! Hurry!” Twilight nodded. Narrowing her eyes, she knew she had to be quick if she were going to get close enough to Applejack to preform her memory spell. Just then, a lasso slung around the dragon's neck. Turning, Twilight saw Shining Armor clinging to a long rope, trying to hold Applejack back.
“Everypony, help hold her down for Twilight!” he called, magically pulling five more ropes from his rucksack and sending it for the other ponies. Catching them, Rainbow Dash quickly slung the other lassos around Applejack and quickly passed them to everypony. Their teeth clenched tight on the ropes, they were all putting up a great struggle to hold her down, Twilight unsure of how long they'd be able to keep her tied up. She quickly flew for Applejack's giant, frilled head and placed her glowing horn between the dragon's. Fighting as hard as she could, Twilight could barely see Applejack's memories flowing through her mind, but she could grasp them like before. She was unable to make Applejack remember who she even was!
“It's not working!” Twilight called, her eyes welling with tears. Just as Rainbow Dash was about tell her to try again, Applejack broke free of the ropes, roaring and storming off out of Ponyville and straight into the Everfree Forest. Everypony stared in disbelief. Applejack was nowhere to be seen.
=====
Twilight looked around Ponyville. It looked ragged and there were very few ponies left around town. According to the Mayor, it was vacated when Tirek began to attack, just after Shining Armor came to Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres had been vacated, also, when a dragon attacked it, much to Twilight's relief, although she was unsure if they could find or even restore Applejack before Granny Smith and the others returned. She felt horrid. Applejack was gone and Twilight was powerless to restore her to normal. What could they possibly do?
“We've sent a letter to the princess, sis.”
Turning, Twilight saw Shining Armor, dressed in a light cloak with his rucksack repacked and slung over his back. Twilight only hung her head. She wasn't sure she could even speak. Casting a spell, Shining Armor lay a blanket over his younger sister. He couldn't think of anything to say to comfort her. They just sat there, watching the sun set. Just then, they saw Rainbow Dash flying for them, a scowl on her face.
“Shining Armor!” she said sharply. “Where are the Elements of Harmony?” Both Twilight and Shining Armor looked at each other. Why would she want the Elements of Harmony? “If we can get Applejack to wear her Element, maybe we can do something about her memory.” Twilight's heart leaped at this. Standing up quickly, Twilight nodded.
“The Elements are a part of who we are.” Twilight said. “They're a bond we all share.” Rainbow Dash added with a small smile, her eyes welling. Shining Armor stood up as well and turned to the Everfree Forest.
“I gave them to Zecora when Tirek attacked.” he explained. “I needed to make sure they would be safe.” Smiling, Twilight started off with Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash for the Everfree Forest. Coming to the edge of Ponyville, however, Fluttershy zoomed in front of them, panting heavily.
“Guys -huff- where -huff- are you -huff- going?” she breathed, sinking to her knees.
“We're going to the Everfree Forest.” Rainbow Dash explained. “We're going to get the Elements of Harmony from Zecora.” Fluttershy shuddered the moment Rainbow Dash said 'Everfree'.
“You... you shouldn't go unprepared.” Fluttershy said nervously. “The critters have told me things aren't the same... a lot of animals are beginning to behave hostilely, some of them even disappearing...” Shining Armor turned back to town, his mane whipping slightly as he did.
“No,” he began “we're fine. Thank you Flutter-”
“Please! Don't go!” Fluttershy breathed. “They seemed really scared when they talked to me.” Her eyes welled with tears as she went on. “I don't want you to be put in danger... not after what happened to Applejack.”
Twilight walked over and nuzzled Fluttershy. “I know you're worried, Fluttershy. We'll be fine, I promise-”
“What happened while I was gone!?” came a familiar voice. Turning, everypony saw that Rarity had arrived, rushing down the path leading out of Ponyville.
“Rarity?” Rainbow dash gasped.
“When did you get here?” Twilight added.
“Are you going with them?” breathed Fluttershy. Rarity came to a trot up beside them, looking over the sacked town.
“Princess Celestia restored the train tracks when she got Spike's message.” she explained. “Tirek attacked you... and... and... did he really...” was all she managed to say. She could by the looks on all their faces. “What are we going to do about Applejack?” she asked weakly. Twilight wrapped a wing around Rarity.
“We're going to get the Elements from Zecora so we can try to turn her back.” Twilight explained. “If there's one thing that can snap her out of it, it's her own Element.” Rarity smiled at this. “Fluttershy,” Twilight said suddenly “please, keep Spike safe while we're gone.”
“No!”
Everypony turned to look at Shining Armor.
“I'm captain of the royal guards. I'll protect Spike-”
“But the Everfree-"
“They'll be safe if they stick together, Fluttershy.” he said, turning back to Ponyville. “We know Tirek wants Spike... and I'm not about to let him take another friend away from us.” Trotting off, he gave his rucksack to Rarity. “Please, be safe everypony.” Twilight and the others watched as he strolled back to town. Fluttershy nodded to them silently and flew back to Ponyville with Shining Armor, Twilight spying a scant few tears dropping from her face as she flew off.
=====
The Everfree Forest was unnervingly silent. They trio hadn't seen a single movement in the darkness. They didn't even hear any birds. THIS was the Everfree Forest the townsponies always heard about in their stories.
“So Twilight...” Rainbow Dash said, breaking the silence. “Why did you pick me and Rarity to come with you to Canterlot?” “That's what I'd like to know.” Rarity added.
“Well,” Twilight began “you two are good friends to have around in a pinch.” The two looked bewildered at this. “You two really helped me out in the past... Rarity, you're very perceptive and supportive, and Rainbow Dash, you're so strong and protective... and you're just good friends.” Walking on, they walked through a large clearing that Applejack clearly tore when she rampaged into the forest, the trees freshly uprooted and the ground scorched and burned.
“Plus, I chose to have Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie stay behind and take care of Ponyville.” Twilight went on. “Pinkie, so she could keep everyone's spirits up, Fluttershy because of how kind and caring she is and Applejack... because of how strong she was... they really kept everypony going while we were gone.” Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash smiled. Twilight knew her friends well. No wonder Celestia had chosen her to become a princess. “I just want us to be together... like before.” Twilight said quietly. “My time in Ponyville has been the happiest of my life... I don't want to leave yet.”
Neither of the two ponies knew what to say, Rarity lighting her horn to show the way as the sun went down, both of them frowning as Twilight lead the way. They didn't want Twilight to leave them either, but as she was now a princess, they knew there was a much bigger world for her now.
After some more walking, they finally found the zebra mystic's hut, although there was no light coming from it. Entering, they saw it was empty except for a note on a crumpled piece of paper lying on the stump table in the middle of the hut. Twilight walked toward it, looking it over.
“Twilight?”
“What's it say?”
Twilight closed her eyes. “Zecora fled the Everfree Forest.” Neither of her friends said a word. “She said it was far too dangerous with how all the animals had turned hostile.” Turning the note over, Twilight saw strange runes on the back of the paper. “She told me only I could have the Elements if I came looking for them.” Casting her magic, on the runes, the paper tore to pieces, each rune engraving itself into the table in perfect synchronization, the stump coming apart and revealing the Elements of Harmony, completely safe in their case Celestia delivered them to Ponyville in.
“Excellent work, Twilight Sparkle!” the trio heard, turning to see Tirek swoop down through the forest canopy and grin at them, his eyes and teeth glowing in the pitch black night. “I knew you'd come searching for the Elements of Harmony.” he went on, drawing his blade. “It's time I destroy them!” he roared, holding his blade for the hut. Before anypony could speak, he quickly fired a blast of dark power for the hut, Twilight barely dodging it as it shot straight for the Elements. Eyes widening, they were engulfed in a bright glow that grew larger and larger until it shone around Rarity and Rainbow Dash as well, both of them thrashing silently as the light grew around them.
“Accursed... it would seem I'm still not powerful enough to destroy them...” Tirek growled.
“Just who are you, you coward!?” Twilight roared. “What do you want!?” Tirek only licked his chops as he spread his wings and flew off into the night sky. Twilight would have followed him, but she quickly turned her attention back to her two friends as they were engulfed entirely in the blinding light that shone from the Elements of Harmony. Fearing the worst, Twilight cast a spell for them, trying to see if she could quell whatever spell Tirek shot for them. Just as her spell touched the Elements, the light faded, Rainbow Dash and Rarity collapsing to the ground.
“Are you two okay!? Please, talk to me! What hap-” was all she managed to get out before she let out a loud gasp, jumping back, her eyes wide as saucers.
“Nng... I'm okay... I think...”
“I'm also well, Twilight...”
Twilight didn't blink. What happened was entirely unexpected.
“It would seem the Elements are also still intact.”
“Good. That jerk should know better than to mess with... Twilight, what's up?”
Twilight couldn't even respond. Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash were beginning to grow unnerved by the look on her face. Turning to look at each other, they saw exactly why, both of them jumping back and giving a small shriek. Rarity's horn was gone, replaced by a pair of large, white wide-spread wings while Rainbow Dash had no wings, a shiny blue horn on her forehead instead.
“This doesn't feel right!” Rainbow Dash huffed, a small burst of light dancing from her newly acquired horn. “I'm not a frufruy unicorn!”
“Well pardon me!” Rarity growled, trying to fold her wings back. “I'm not an uncouth pegasi like yourself!”
“Girls, please!” Twilight called. “This isn't the time for arguing! We have to get these back to Ponyville before Tirek tries to do something again! C'mon!”
Huffing, Rarity tried to levitate the case with them, only for Rainbow Dash to snicker at her. Scowling, Rarity batted her eyes for Rainbow Dash, clearly goading her to use her horn. Turning slightly red in the face, Rainbow Dash tried to cast a levitation spell on the case only for it rise a foot off the table and crash right into Rainbow Dash's face. Twilight turned to see Rarity chortle as Rainbow Dash moved from under the case, swaying slightly. Rolling her eyes, Twilight levitated the case with her, leading the two swapped ponies back to town, both of them shooting glares at the other. Twilight, however, bowed her head. They let Tirek follow them. Even if the Elements were unharmed, they couldn't afford to be so careless in the future... Tirek was a force to be reckoned with.
=====
It was near midnight when the trio returned to Ponyville. Mercifully, Tirek had not returned while they were away. Twilight's mind was still full of questions. Why was Tirek waiting for them? Was he really not able to summon the Elements of Harmony from Zecora's message? If he hadn't followed them, he was a very patient foe if he had really beaten them to Zecora's hut and was waiting for them.
“Twilight! Rarity! Rainbow Dash!”
The three turned to see Pinkie (her mane and tail straight as could be) rushing for them, throwing her hooves around them and hugging them close.
“You're all safe!” she said, smiling weakly. The three could see in the moonlight that her eyes were red and puffy. She must have been crying her eyes out while they were gone. “Fluttershy was so worried that you were going to get into trouble in the Everfree Forest.” sniffling, she began to lead the way back to Ponyville. “S-so it looks like Zecora gave you the Elements alright.” Pinkie said cheerfully, Twilight bowing her head slightly.
“Zecora fled the forest... we don't know where she went.” Pinkie didn't say a word. “I think she's okay... Zecora is really smart.” Still no response. “She left a spell for only me to crack... it was kinda fun.” Not a word.
Nopony said anything as they continued on. Arriving at the old library, Twilight saw Fluttershy, Spike and Shining Armor talking quietly, the tree illuminated by candle light.
“Twili! You're okay.” Shining Armor threw his hooves around Twilight and hugged her close, not at all unlike Pinkie did just a few moments ago. “And you have the Elements! Great!” Shining Armor said, looking over the case.
“Oh my! What happened to You two!?” Fluttershy breathed, spotting Rainbow Dash's horn and Rarity's wings.
“Oh! Looky!” piped Pinkie. “Dashie's a unicorn an' Rarity's a pegasus!”
"Pinkie-"
"You're a real headliner, Dashie. A headmaster! A-"
"Shaddup." the blue unicorn said, scowling. Giggling, Pinkie began looking over Rarity's wings while both she and Rainbow Dash rolled their eyes.
“Tirek tried to destroy the Elements but it didn't work.” Twilight explained. “It didn't work but it somehow caused them to swap their horn and wings.” Spike looked dreamily over Rarity's neatly folded wings as Rainbow Dash scowled.
“Maybe we can see if the princess knows anything about turning-” was all Shining Armor said before Spike received another letter with a royal seal, belching it up as the ponies looked to see it. Looking at it, however, Twilight noticed the seal on it was different. It was a crescent moon. Luna must have sent them a message instead of Celestia, Twilight thought. Immediately, Shining Armor opened it and read the message.
“It's from Princess Luna.” he said, confirming his sister's suspicions. “She says she wants us to go meet with...” was all he said, his voice trailing off.
“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Who are we supposed to meet?” Pinkie added.
“... she wants us to meet with Discord, all the way in Manehatten.”