Zaps Apple
Chapter 20: The Fall of Harmony
“Where are we?” Twilight asked. After I had cast the spell, the canterlot castle had disappeared and we had reemerged together within a land of fog, walking towards the place where they would witness the events that my sister Luna and I had, for so long, tried to forget. “Princess...”
Eventually we approached some steps leading to an ancient, stone tower. We walked under the archway that formed the entrance into a large, circular room housing a grand, ornate fountain. The walls of the room were lined with five mirrors.
Finally I addressed Twilight. “We are between dreams, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Luna has brought our consciousness to these plains, your bodies are still where they were, just asleep like us, when we awake morning shall come.”
“I don't understand though, why are we here?” Twilight asked, pacing around the room.
Big Macintosh, meanwhile, was stood in front of one of the mirrors, staring in shock at what he saw in the glass screen. “Why am ah seein' mahself with a black mane and tail? And what’s happened to mah cutie mark? It’s turned into a shield star and zap apple.”
Luna stood behind him; her own reflection remained unchanged in the mirror. “That, Big Macintosh is what you’re going to look like when experiencing the events. This spell doesn’t simply allow you to observe the events, but places you into the memory, allowing you to be a part of it. You will all be playing the roles of three ponies in the town. You, Big Macintosh will be playing the role of Armour McApple.”
Big Macintosh gulped at that and nervously glanced up at me. “But wasn't he yer...”
“Yes he was. You will be playing the role of my husband.” I answered, calmly. “As you can see in this mirror, I looked very different then. I spent seven years without my wings in this kingdom, and I grew to love it as my own home.” In the mirror behind me was the reflection of the white unicorn with soft pink mane and tail.
Twilight looked at the mirror reflections of both of us. “Amazing, so we get to roleplay the events of the past, just like in the Hearth’s Warming Eve play, but instead of just pretending we will actually living out this last day as if we really were them.” Twilight was virtually jumping up with excitement as she looked up at me. “Celestia, I’ve never seen magic like this. I’ve never read about it either...”
Luna stood before her mirror, looking at the unicorn filly. “Starswirl created the spell. He insisted that we were the only ones to know about it. The improper actions of those who take part in a memory could alter the outcome of an event, potentially changing the memories of the pony to whom they belong. For this reason, the spellcaster has an incredible amount of power over the dreamer.”
“I see...” Twilight replied thoughtfully, before gasping loudly as she noticed her own reflection in the mirror. “No way! I'm Clover the Clever!” She shrieked. “Are you telling me that she and Starswirl were both was with you when you were escaping Discord!?”
“Yes she was. And you’ll be with Starswirl quite a bit on this final day. Just remember to try and keep to the role of his apprentice Clover.” I warned her, looking the reflection in Vinyl’s mirror.
Vinyl stared at her with a frown. “Liking the crazy mane and tail style she’s got going there but what’s with the glasses? They’re dreadful. They make her look, well, nerdier and far too serious...”
“Oh.” Luna giggled. “That’s Treasured Note, she’s a piano player and music writer, just to warn you though, she was a perfectionist to the extreme, as well as a terrible joker. The dreamscape will help you adopt the personalities of your roles to an extent, but you will all have to remember to stay in character.”
“I'll take that as warning...” Vinyl muttered, looking at the brown unicorn with the blonde mane and tail with blue highlights running through it and a cutie mark of two musical notes.
“Ah don't like the idea of bein' Armour, Princess. No disrespect, but ah don't see why ah have to be him.” Big Macintosh turned to me.
I put a hoof under his snout, looking at him in the eyes. “I know how you feel, Big Macintosh. But Zaps will be there and so will Harmony Rose. We want to ensure that his true name remains hidden so he will be called Zaps in dreamscape. Will you do this, at least to understand why we don't want Zaps to know his true past?”
“Very well Princess, ah will do it.” Big Macintosh stepped back. “For mah family at least.”
“Thank you, that is all I ask of you.” I turned to everypony in the room. “Now are you all ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Vinyl grimaced.
“I think so.” Twilight nodded in reply. “Now what happens?”
Luna smirked. “Simply step through the mirrors,” she instructed before stepping through the shimmering glass pan herself. The others followed soon afterwards, until I stood alone in the ancient room. I turned to face my mirror and sighed.
“The pain I felt that day will be felt again...” A few tears fell from my face as I stepped through my mirror and the sequence events started to play out from dawn...
Clover the Clever
“Clover...” I heard an elderly voice gasp. I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a little stiff and groaned. “Were you working all night again, Clover?” I gazed at the pony whose voice I could hear speaking to me, I couldn't believe my eyes.
“S-Starswirl?” I whispered, rubbing my eyes a little.
He chuckled softly, using his magic to pick up some of the books. “My dear Clover, good morning to you.” Starswirl wasn't wearing his famous attire, but he was just as impressive as I had always imagined. “I see you managed to get almost everything packed. It’s a good thing you did too, my young apprentice...”
“Starswirl, what’s the matter?” I got up. “Did something happen?”
“No.” He slowly moved over to the stone window overlooking the small town and the colourful glow from the zap apples ready for harvest. “I should have told you the truth about why we are packing all of my books, my scrolls, my robe... Everything...” He put his hooves on the window edge. “Last week Harmony Rose received a disturbing message from... herself.”
I gasped. “She used your one use time travelling spell!?” I shrieked.
He turned to me with an amused smile on his face, rubbing his hoof gently through his bread. “It seems somepony has been looking through my spells again.”
“Hehe sorry. I just got curious, that’s all.” I stood by him, looking out the window. “Was it really that bad?”
“Yes, I can't lie to you Clover. I wish there was better news. Today darkness will fall upon the kingdom and the only chance of getting out of this is for you and the others to go without me.” Starswirl pushed her off, walking down the corridor. “I am glad you did all the work.”
“Starswirl you can't be serious!? What darkness? What do you mean ‘go without you’!?” I demanded, running after him down the stairs.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to me with that soft, knowing, look in his eyes. “You’ve been my apprentice for so long, Clover. It’s time for you to take what I have and make it into something that is yours. I only wish we had more time... I have almost completed my masterpiece spell. It’s just missing something but I couldn't quite figure it out. If I had time I would be able to perfect it. But I don't.”
“Starswirl, please tell me. What are you going to do?” I rushed past him and blocked off the corridor, stopping him in his tracks.
Starswirl sighed and laboriously removed a carefully bound scroll from one of his bags. It contained an assortment of magical letters, but I couldn’t make out their meaning. “This is the last spell I will ever create, it can only be used once before it burns up. I intend cast it on you, Zaps, Celestia and Luna to take you to safety along with all my spells and books. I need to know they are safe when you all escape her...”
“Escape who?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes...”
“Then trust me when I say this, I am not going to give the Pony of Fear a chance to get her hooves on the only family I knew. I will use every last inch of my magic to defend you and the others. That is why I created this spell. It is the only way to save you and the others.” He put his hooves on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes.
“Now let’s enjoy the last day of this beautiful kingdom and make the most of it. We owe it to them all. I might be old but this land has given me so much life, I cannot allow even the most terrible of evils to taint these ponies’ festival. Will you do that for me?” I nodded slowly and He hugged me tightly, his white beard brushed softly against my cheek and I hugged him back. I couldn't believe it! I was hugging him! This was so awesome! SO...
I saw his eyes close and tears run over a grateful smile. This old unicorn knew his time was numbered by the hours.
“Yes Starswirl. Yes I will.”
“Thank you Clover...” This was so unreal. He knew what was going to happen and knew he was powerless to stop it. All he could do was make this day mean something.
I put my hoof out towards the stone stairs. “Shall we go and help with the harvest?”
“Yes let’s.”
I smiled and made my way down with Starswirl.
Armour McApple
Last thin' ah remember was walkin' through the mirror of the reflection of the stallion and next thin’ ah knew, I woke up in a strange bed in a room with a tall, white unicorn mare looking out of the window. “Morning Armour, it’s really beautiful today isn't it?”
Ah got up out of bed, a strange stallion looked back at me in the mirror. Out of the window the zap apples sprin' was comin' to life. “Eeyup. It sure is P...”
“Sunny Day.” She whispered to me. “Re...”
“Hey no fair! We got you breakfast!” We both turned and ah saw him. Zaps had run in with Nighty who was her usin' her magic to hold up a metal tray of hot tea and sliced zap apples and carrots. “Come on! Why did you two have to be up early for once!” Zaps complained, makin’ me laugh a little.
“Yeah we even picked some of the zap apples and cut them up!” Nighty chimed in.
They place it on the table and ah look at the zap apple with some concern, ah’d never been able to eat them as they are, ah tried once, but never again. “Big brother, are you ok? You never look at food that long without eating it.”
“Of course. Ah just woke up, that’s all.” Ah took one with my hoof and took a bite it. Instantly my eyes lit up with all the flavour, it was amazin'. “This is the best ah’ve ever tasted!”
“Yay! I told you picking from the tree I helped water was a good idea!” Zaps turned to Nighty and grinned.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, you were right.” She looked at Sunny Day. “Are we helping with the harvest, sister?”
“Of course we are, Nighty. We’ve been family for two years and I think today marks a special day, don't you, Armour?” Ah turn to her with a smile and nodded. “Well, go and eat your own breakfast kids, I am sure Har... I mean mother will have it all ready for you.”
“That’s right! Race you!” Zaps ran out of the room.
“Hey, no fair!” Nighty chased after Zaps.
Ah drunk some of the tea and found it strangely refreshin' too. “Ah have to say, this food and drink is the best ah ever had.”
“It would be” Sunny Day raised one of the zap apple slices with her magic and ate it.
“I see you two got the royal breakfast.” We turned and mah eyes met Harmony Rose's ah felt mah heart skip. The orange unicorn had a red and yellow mane and tail, if she had her horn removed and the cutie mark of... “Son are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
Ah shook my head a little and got mah senses back. “Ah'm ok m-mother. Just feelin'...”
“I knew I shouldn't of told you what was going to happen...” Harmony Rose muttered as ah watched her step into the room. “Son, you haven't told Zaps have you?”
“Nnope.”
She smiled with relief. “That is graceful of you Armour McApple, I know how hard it has been to keep quiet for this week but today will be the last day we are all together as a family and I want it to be the best...” She turned to Sunny Day. “You are still keeping your promise to make sure Zaps gets what he needs?”
“Yes, we are his brother after all. Both my sister and I will do all we can to give him the best life possible.” Sunny Day put a hoof to Harmony Rose. “You have my word.”
“That all I needed to hear. Thank you” Harmony Rose smiled. “Now why don't we join the children and have a nice family breakfast?” She picked up our tray of food and led us away from the bedroom.
We soon found ourselves, not entirely willingly, sat at a large wooden table. A small vase of brightly coloured flowers sat in the middle of the table, on top of the white, frilly tablecloth. However, the one thin' that stuck out for me was the paintin' of Zaps hangin' over the fireplace, between the paintin's of Armour McApple with Sunny Day on their weddin' day and the whole family sat together.
“Two years ago. Where has all the time gone?” Harmony smiled, lookin' at us all. “Here, with a family whom I love to my very core and my wonderful children.” She said warmly, raisin' her cup. “To family and to forever be together, no matter what happens.”
“To family!” We all said together.
Zaps was drinkin' his juice when he put the cup down, lookin' at me. “Big brother, is everypony going to be helping today?”
“Ah believe so, it is Harmony Harvest today afterall.”
Hmm? How did ah know that? Celestia said ah would have some help in playin' Armour McApple's role in this dream. I suppose that must have told me.
“Eeyup. Everypony’ll be helpin’ today.”
“Cool!” Zaps looked very happy and could understand why. This kingdom maybe small but, like the Apple family, it had a big heart, and ah knew they were very close, even if they weren’t related.
“Indeed, it’s an extra special day.” Harmony picked Zaps up with her magic and hugged him. “Since it’s also your birthday.” She announced and started nuzzlin' him.
“Hehe stop mother! That tickles! Hhahaha!”
She lowered him back into his chair and ah stared at the reflection in the tea. “Feels almost like home...” Ah whispered.
As ah drunk a little of the tea, Harmony Rose leaned down and whispered to me, “Indeed, Big Macintosh Apple.” Shocked, ah spat out mah tea into Sunny... Celestia's face. Harmony Rose was laughin' and so was every other pony part from erm...
“Erm... Sunny, why are ya grinnin' like that?” Ah watched her raise a jug of water, starin' right at me. “AH!” Ah leaped away as a sudden jet of water was fired at me.
I scrambled under the table as Sunny Day fired more water at me. “Get back here and fight like a guard!” She screamed as she chased after me. Ah dodged and tried to run from her relentless spray of water. The others didn't help one bit, they just continued to laugh at mah demise from the onslaught from Celestia!
Treasured Note
I woke up to the sound of something very loud dropping. I opened my eyes to find myself resting on a desk with a sharp pain in my head and a strange brown hoof in front of my eyes. It soon became apparent that this hoof was mine and I remembered what had happened.
Why did I have to be this unicorn? She was so nerdy and uncool, her messy blond hair fell over my right eye; with a blow it moved out of my view and I noticed my vision wasn't perfect too. Great, this mare Treasured Note didn't have good eyesight either.
Eventually, I found the glasses and placed them over my eyes. I blinked as the vision cleared to see three ponies standing around me. “Working all night again, Treasured?” The pink unicorn mare said. Her mane and tail were completely green apart from a red stripe running down the right side and her cutie mark was a spinning line with two musical notes twisted into it.
The other two ponies, one mare and one stallion, were exactly the same colour, a shade of purple. The stallion was a Pegasus and his sister was a smaller Earth Pony. They had similar red, blue and white manes and their cutie marks were four musical notes, each with half a shield behind which, when placed together, looked completed. Somehow I knew each of their names though.
Looty Lute was the one that had spoken to me first and the other two were the twins Keen Sway and Shimmer Echo. “Yep I was Looty Lute.” I smirked. “What can I say dude? Got to make this music awesome, right?”
“Always...” Keen Sway began.
“The same.” His twin, Shimmer Echo, finished.
Looty raised a glass up to her snout and suspiciously sniffed the contents, before taking a small sip. “Gah! Treasured! More of this gross stuff!” I watched her try desperately to get the taste off her tongue, even going so far as to use her front hooves to physically rub the taste off.
I couldn't help but laugh how silly she looked. “Not my problem, Looty. I like the stuff.” I took the glass off her with my magic and downed the contents in one. “Hmm not bad. Man, this stuff is sweet.”
Keen Sway rolled his eyes. “Only you like that stuff TN. Have you finished the lyrics yet?”
“Were playing for the harvest today. You’d better have finished it.” Shimmer Echo threatened, frantically sorting through the mess of sheets on the table, looking at them in her hooves. “It’s not finished! Treasured Note! You always finish it!”
“Let me see!” Keen Sway took them from his sister. “TN! This isn't like you at all, you always make it perfect!”
I smirked crossing my forelegs. “You know what?”
“What?” They all asked in unison.
“Let’s wing it!”
Looty Lute tilted her head, looking at what had been done so far and used her magic to lift the sheets up as I watched with a smirk still on my snout. “You know what, Treasured Note? I think we might just about manage that. We’ve got enough to start it off and get into the rhythm, we should be alright from there.”
“Now you’re getting it dude.” I slapped my hoof against her foreleg.
“But first...” Looty Lute turned to the other two ponies. With a nod from her they took me by the forelegs, dragging me away.
I was struggling and next thing I knew Looty Lute was standing by a rope. I felt a cold droplet hit my snout and I looked up and gasped. Directly over my head was hung a bucket of cold water over some sort of shower head funnel. “Oh buck!”
“Let go!” I ordered and they let go of me. Unfortunately Looty Lute also let go of the rope and I yelped as the freezing cold water rushed over me. If it weren’t for the promise I made to the Princesses that i would stay in my role I would have left those crazy ponies right there.
“Ahhh! That’s bucking freezing!” I leap away, dripping with freezing cold water as they laughed at my expense. “What the heck!? Man, that is so uncool!”
“It was just your wake up call, that sugar refreshment thing you drink always leaves you cranky and we need our lead pianist at top form today for Harmony Harvest!” Looty Lute nudged me.
I scowled and shook off the water over them. “Now I feel better.” I smirked and we laughed again.
A shimmer of light caught our eyes and the twins were at the window. “It’s time!” Keen Sway declared.
Once again, his sister Shimmer Echo spoke after him. “And we need to get ready for our performance!”
“Come on!”
“Let’s go!”
I quickly gathered the papers together, putting them into order and frowned a little as they all left ahead of me. There was a zap apple on the table side that they must have brought in;curious, I picked it up to me and took a bite. “Not bad, I guess the ponies in the kingdom could eat them.”
Around the room was a selection of sheet music, neatly piled up. “Tavi. Now I know how you feel being in your band and you know what? It’s awesome!”
I darted out the door, running after the other three ponies. I was going to have to play that piano. I just hoped Celestia had given me some of TN’s knowledge to fit my role in this crazy dream!
Sunny Day
The stage was set for the event after the harvest and Treasured Note and the other musical ponies of this town had gathered with their instruments. Harmony Rose stood with them on stage as she used her magic to speak to us all.
“Hello everypony! I am happy to see you out and ready for the harvest. Most of you already know what I have been telling you each and everyday. We are going to make this the best day we have ever had! We will have fun, sing and enjoy being friends and family! We are the ponies of the Kingdom of Harmony!” A huge cheer erupted from the crowd with hooves beating on the ground. Harmony Rose paused to let the cheers die down.
“We are the Ponies of Harmony! And we today we shall prove this more than ever before! Together we are strong and today we will show that!” The other two ponies stood with her and using the magic shot a beam of rainbow energy into the sky which exploded into fireworks of light as the whole kingdom of ponies cheered with delight at the display.
It was just as I had remembered. My mother, Harmony Rose, cheering everypony up those last hours to come. Of course they knew the truth, that most of this harvest would go to waste, that this was their last day in their little kingdom. At least, they all knew except for Zaps, Harmony Rose wanted to keep him smiling and happy as long as possible. She just couldn’t face seeing him sad.
“Alright everypony let’s get this harvest on the road! Make this day perfect!” She turned to Treasured and said two words. “Hit it!”
The music started to play as she hit the keys on the piano, Harmony Rose and I used the magic to increase the sound and bellow it out throughout the whole kingdom as Looty Lute playing strumming her lute, Keen Sway played the violin and Shimmer Echo sung over her harp. The four performers playing signalled the beginning of the best part of my life, I turned to Armour McApple with a mischievous smile.
“You know? They need a soft and deep voice to sing this, care to sing with me?” I put my hoof out.
He took one look at Zaps and then at me. “Eeyup!” He placed his hoof on mine.
Together we marched down the path to the first set of zap apple trees and in a clear bass voice, Big Mac began to sing.
For five days we wait
We wait for the fruit
The fruit that brought the kingdom together
On this day we harvest together
Harvest the fruit, not divided
But as one united in harmony
Armour McApple stood in front of the old forest, holding a hoof out as he sung to the crowd of ponies.
Together we march for a common course
Harvest the apples of Harmony
With one day to pick
We must work together
Before they vanish on setting sun
Working together as he continued, they started to buck, pick and pull the zap apples down one by one with others catching them in their magic or with baskets set below.
Pick, buck and pull
Together we united
The Ponies of Harmony
Together we work as friends and family.
A few ponies stood together, singing out together about their three kinds of pony. With others joining as they continued their work harvesting the zap apples from each tree. Others took it the carts filled with baskets, three types of ponies pulling along together.
Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns
united together, one and the same
Together and forever
We are the ponies of harmony
Kingdom of Harmony
We are united, harvest together
We are one and the same
We are ponies to the core
Holding up a zap apple, I began to sing with a soft smile, looking at the kingdom around her, it was her home and everypony working together made her feel happy.
This day fills us with cheer
The day we are together
Fun and happiness fills our hearts
As I watch and help these amazing ponies
For seven years I’ve called this home
And become part of their family
In the apple harvest
I tread my hooves alongside them
I went down to the orchard to help some of the ponies with picking the fruit and aiding them in carrying it back to the small town where the festival was busily being set up as the band continued to play the music.
Together we pick
Together we Carry
Together we celebrate
Together in the Kingdom Harmony.
I walked back up to the stage. The band was playing and everypony joined in the singing as they worked to harvest the apples and prepare the festival. Star Swirl and Clover were working with those at the festival, setting up tables, ribbons, games and brightly coloured flags.
Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns
united together, one and the same
Together and forever
We are the ponies of harmony
Pick, buck and carry
We help each other
No pony alone on this day
Together in the Kingdom of Harmony
Armour McApple returned from the harvesting and stood by me. Our younger brother and sister sung below us on the ground in front of the stage. The harvest was moving fast, smoothly and everypony was enjoying themselves as they worked on each tree.
Side by side we are together
We enjoy each passing day
None more so then this day
The harvest harmony
Harmony harvest side by side
We work together on this day
We pick the fruit and carry it
Together forever at the home we call
The kingdom of Harmony
The kingdom maybe small
But we all enjoy our days and nights
Everypony together at the Kingdom of Harmony
The Kingdom of Harmony
With the final harvesting completed in record time everypony made their way back to the town, singing together as they carried their loads. Some of the the apples were put away for storage, others were taken to be used for baking goods for the annual Harvest Feast that took place on this day.
We are the of ponies of Harmony!
Today is the harmony harvest
We together can do anything!
We are the ponies of Harmony!
Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns
united together as one and the same
We together and forever
We are the ponies of harmony
Together and forever
We are the ponies of harmony
Together and forever
In the Kingdom of harmony!
The ponies of the town sung by the stage as the last of the notes were played by Treasured Note and her friends as unicorns let loose fireworks with their magic and in the air pegasi performed spectacular flips and twists in the air, much to the enjoyment of the crowd who stamped their hooves in appreciation.
Harmony Rose stood back on stage and addressed the town with a warm smile. “Everypony, you have done a great job! The harvest was completed in record time and the festival looks more magnificent than ever before. I congratulate you all on a supreme job! Once again, we succeed by standing together as we have done for generations since the founding of our kingdom.”
She strode left and right across the stage as she continued to speak to all the ponies before her. “As is our tradition we harvest the apples given to us by this beloved kingdom, over the coming months we will consume the fruits of our labour and shall be closer than ever before. This is the Kingdom of Harmony, our home, the home of all united ponies: Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies alike. We are all ponies to the core and together our kingdom is precious.”
Harmony Rose stood on centre stage with a big warm smile. A bright glow lit up the stage as she used her magic to raise the kingdom's iconic symbol over the heads everypony and place it on top of the fountain.
“This symbol, this mark of our harmonious nation, represents what we can accomplish when we work together as a united kingdom! Now everypony enjoy yourselves! It is time for the festival to begin!” The ponies exploded with cheer as more fireworks shot into the air and the band started playing, signaling the start of the Harmony Harvest Festival celebrations.
Luna
I looked to the sun as the ponies enjoyed the festival, I was playing my role with delight, enjoying every moment that I had with my brother once more, but I stared at him as the ponies around celebrated his birthday during the Harmony Harvest Festival.
“Why today... The day my brother got the gift from me and my sister. It was a perfect day, we were full of joy for him, the last foal of the Kingdom of Harmony. A question that I still ask myself to this day. Why was he the last foal? Why did they stop having children after him?”
“Nighty, thank you for the present! It’s really amazing!” Zaps broke me out of my thoughts and I looked into his eyes. We were the same size, more or less, so I was already at his eye level. Around his neck was the gift we had given him, the crescent and sun pendant. It shimmered with a rainbow crystal forged from the mountains around the castle.
I smiled hugging. “All for my brother.” I whispered with tears falling. “I am so happy that you like it.” I pulled back, wiping the tears away.
“Are you crying? But you’re happy?”
“Yes, I am. We even put a little bit of magic in the crystal for you.” I tapped it with my hoof. “It’s a really special birthday gift from us.”
Zaps turned to Sunny Day, walking up to us. “What sort of magic has it got inside, Sunny?”
Sunny Day glanced over at me before answering him. “Very special magic. The magic of the friendship that bound us together on the first day we arrived, welcomed open hoofed.” Sunny Day told him.
“Magic of friendship huh? That's pretty neat! I like that!” Zaps was bouncing up and down with excitement, making us laugh. The crystal was shimmering with a magical rainbow aura from his joy. We were not only family to him, but also his friend, all around him were his friends, they made him feel so special and...
Me, they made me feel special too...
A guard pony came running up to Harmony Rose. Breathing heavily he wore a worried look on his face. No! It couldn't be that point already. I looked at the Mist of Misdirection, another guard was backing away from a mare with a dark black robe covering her completely. A thick black cloud of magical mist was seeping from her figure with each step. Under her hood were two pale, piercing eyes, eyes that even the Princess of the Night as myself feared...
Those cold sapphire eyes flashed and under her cloak I could even make out a cruel smirk. Harmony Rose was using her magic to call out to all of us. “Everypony run for the castle, now! Get inside!!!!” The ponies quickly turned to flee. “Get our children in there! Protect them!” I felt myself get whipped up by magic from Clover and Starswirl as they ran, Sunny Day and Armour McApple taking Zaps as they rushed for the castle.
We were rushed back to the castle. One of the guards fired a magic beam at the pony but she shielded it with a black shield of mist creating a transparent shield around her and countered with a blast of her own magic sending the guard flying to the ground. The other unicorn with Harmony Rose helped him up onto his hooves and together created a barrier around the town and castle, sealing us off from her.
The darkness finally arrived...
I blinked and found the five of us standing together as our normal selves, not to far from the guard ponies and Harmony Rose. The other two leaders, Steadfast Blitz and Root Goodness, were standing by her as the cloaked pony stepped up to the magical barrier. “This is the beginning...” Celestia spoke.
Twilight clearly felt uneasy, from the look of her, and I couldn't blame her. Even in the dream, the mare was frightening. “Those eyes... They’re filled with so much coldness...” Twilight whispered shuddering at the sight before her.
“Is this how you treat a guest in your lands?” Triskaide spoke with an icy voice as her black clouds of magical energy tried to find a way through the magical barrier.
Harmony Rose was stood calmly on the other side of the barrier. “I was prepared for you Triskaide.” The voice caused many ponies to gulp and shudder at the name when spoken. I know how that felt and why it was forbidden to say it. “I will not let you harm any of my ponies.”
“Not that you have a choice.” Triskaide’s cloak flew away revealing a pure black earth pony, the tendrils of dark magic shrouding her form combined into the shape of a great throne below her. She sat on it and chuckled. “Now let’s see.” She put a hoof out to the magical barrier and a beam of black energy smashed into it, causing the whole thing to ripple outwards from the impact.
Vinyl jumped back as a tree fell over by us. “Whoa, that is some magical blast!” Vinyl dodged another, which fell right on top of me, cutting through my astral form. I stepped through it, walking up to her.
“We’re not really interacting in the dream role at the moment, we’re only watching.” I explained to her calmly.
“Right. That pretty neat.” Vinyl swipe a hoof through a tree. I coughed. “Oh, right!” She turned and we continue to watch.
Harmony Rose stepped back, feeling the pain from the blow. “What’s the matter?” Triskaide mocked. “Is my magic too strong for the great omnipotent Harmony Rose? Let’s increase it, shall we?” Triskaide fired three beams of magical energy at the barrier this time, causing the whole thing to ripple and crack. The whole ground shook from the impact.
A silky vein of dark stabbed into the ground, summoning unicorns out of the black mist magic energy, each of them firing more beams of energy into the shield. More and more appeared with every blast and more magic slammed against the shield. Harmony Rose saw more cracks forming fast and looked to her fellow leaders. “Pull back to the castle!” They nodded, and so did the unicorn guards. They slowly started to step back, using their magic to keep the rapidly shrinking barrier up as long as possible.
The relentless attack by Triskaide showed no sign of stopping as more spectral unicorns were summoned from the black magical cloud. The beams from hundreds of ghostly magical beings crossed, creating a magical blast that tore through the ponies shield. They had no choice by to fall back giving her more and more land.
Triskaide watched with amusement as her black unicorns pushed the barrier back. I wanted to intervene, I wanted to fight back but all I could do was watch this happen. In the castle I could see myself standing at the window Zaps, my sister and Armour McApple, watching with many others as the dark clouds formed, casting shadows over the lands Triskaide took over in mere minutes.
Everything it touched seem to react in fear. Animals panicked and tried to escape it’s influence, hiding in trees and under bushes. Ponies who had failed to get into the castle were frozen in their homes in fear, immobilized by sheer terror of Triskaide.
“I could end this now, Rose, but seeing you struggle is just so much more fun! I love everything about this!” Triskaide chuckled, stepping up to the barrier. “Boys, ease up a little.” The blasts weakened a little. “Now, how long will this barrier last? Minutes? Hours? Shall we find out?”
Harmony Rose glared at her. “You’re cruel, Triskaide.”
Triskaide was floating on a cloud of black magic. “I travel to kingdom to kingdom, I let them grow then bring them down in fear and anger, every kingdom must fall eventually, Rose, whether it is the greatest empire or a quaint little nation like yours. Eventually I will come and tear you to the ground. Harmony can never prevail amongst pony kind.”
She made a crystal ball appear and it showed the fear, anger and hate that long ago manifested itself in the winter storms that divided and starved the three pony kingdoms. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“You’re sick...” Steadfast Blitz stated, staring at it with anger.
Harmony Rose looked over to the castle. “Please hurry Starswirl, get them behind her...” She turned back to the barrier using her magic with the unicorns to hold it up, the other two leaders stood by her, placing their hoof on her’s sharing their strength with her magic, they were all shimmering with magical energy and the shield increased in strength.
“Impressive...” Triskaide leaned forwards, watching them. “Full power!” All the black unicorns stored up their magical energy and fired. The beams smashed into the barrier but it held fast.
“Now I am interested.” She turned into the black magical cloud and engulfed the barrier at every corner trying to break through. “Hahahahaha!”
I was looking around. It was pitch black, I couldn't see a thing, Clover's horn lit up and with help from Starswirl lit up the candles and torches in the castle. It took about ten or so minutes to do so. The barrier still held but everything outside was almost impossible to see. It was completely dark, darker even than my night. Even in my dream I felt very scared looking at that pitch blackness out that windows.
Celestia
I stood by the window with Armour McApple. Zaps was hanging on the window ledge looking out at Harmony Rose. “Is mother going to be ok?”
“I wish I knew, Zaps. The magic she and the others using are quite remarkable, what exactly is it?” I already knew, of course, but I had to keep in role.
Zaps turned to me, letting go and landing on his hooves. “The Magic of Harmony from a tree, I think. Mother calls it the Tree of Harmony, the stories say that the three founders were blessed by the tree and that helped them find this land. They were the ones that created the mist too,” Zaps explained to me. “It’s in the books here in the castle, Nighty and I read them all the time.”
I looked at my sister. “I always believed they were simply tales, I didn't know there was any truth behind the stories.” Nighty shrugged at me.
“That’s it!” Zaps exclaimed. “The Elements of Harmony reside in them! Mother told me last night that I was to tell you that as well! She said that we going on a trip to get the elements and save Equestria!” Zaps beamed and ran off down the hallway. We looked at each other nervously and followed the young colt, I picked up my sister, putting her on my back and galloped after him.
We arrived at a chamber I had never seen before. Three wooden tables had been put together to make up a triangle. I guess this was where they held meetings for the kingdom. Zaps was at the far end of the room, pulling a book out from a hidden panel behind one of the paintings. I took it off him and read the title. “The Tree of Harmony.” Opening the pages, I began reading through the book.
Several hours passed as I poured over the yellowed pages. Finally, I found what I was look for, the Elements of Harmony. “The Elements of Harmony are powerful mythic gems supposedly held within the Tree of Harmony,” I read. “Each element represents one of the various manifestations of the magic of Friendship: Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Loyalty. The combined presence of these five elements, along with a presently unknown enchantment, results in the formation of the final, most powerful element of them all: The element of Magic, which takes the form of a six pointed star.”
“Although the actual effects of the elements are purely speculation, it is assumed that their magic could be used the protect the greater realm of Equestria from any foreseeable threat. The symbols of the sun and moon carved into the tree add to the mystery that has surrounded the elements since their existence was first theorised (figure 5).” Included next to the text was a drawing of mine and Luna’s cutie marks.
“It even has the location, sister, we could find them and use them to save Equestria from Discord.” Nighty said with delight.
I looked up at the blackened skies through the windows in the chambers. “If we can get pass that Pony of Fear...”
We could hear music being played and stepped out of the chambers. The band was playing their music in the mane hall, trying to keep everypony relaxed under the stressful conditions we were all under.
Starswirl ran up to us, “There you all are. The spell is ready and so is the wagon, Celestia, Luna? It’s time.”
Zaps looked at us with confusion, so did Armour McApple. “Celestia, Luna? Sunny Day, what’s goin' on?” Armour McApple asked. Big Mac was playing his role well.
I sighed as we all walked with Starswirl. “Armour, my real name is Celestia and Nighty's is Luna. We came here to escape Discord seven years ago with our fellow friends from Equestria. We changed our names to protect ourselves, and you as well.In reality I am an Alicorn, I only became a unicorn when I arrived here, although I could not say why.”
“I can answer that, Celestia. The magical effects of the Mists of Misdirection cause time to move at a different rate to the outside world to us. Seven years in this kingdom could pass as only one or two weeks to the outside world,” Starswirl explained. “In the time we have spent here I discovered that the magic in this pocket of kingdom works differently to that of other kingdoms. It explains how eight generations could have already passed in this kingdom since the founding of Equestria.”
Zaps was rubbing his head a little as we walked. “I don't get it, how can time work differently here to the outside world?”
Starswirl shrugged. “No idea Zaps. I’m only speculating at the moment but when we return, I believe they revert back to their normal age and appearance, as for you Zaps, I do not know what will happen.”
“What do you mean?” Zaps look at us then to him. “Why would that be a problem?”
“You’re going with them, Harmony Rose and Armour McApple won't be able to come, they have to hold her back long enough for you all to escape,” Starswirl explained as we arrived at the hall with the wagon and ponies ready to go.
Zaps look at Armour. “I don't want to go without you brother!”
“Ah know Zaps but this is for the best. Ah’ve got to hold the fort here in the castle, protect everypony from her.” Armour McApple hugged him tightly. “Be safe, ok?”
“Ok big brother...” Zaps wiped his eyes as tears formed and fell. “Please be safe.”
“Ah will.”
Clover step up to us. “We are ready here Starswirl. You’re sure about this?”
Starswirl took the spell. “As I can ever be, I am too old now, it’s time for you all to move on and make a better life.” He put a hoof to her shoulder. “Take care of everything, ok?
“Of course, Starswirl.”
I heard a large thunderous crash, we all turned to the window. The rainbow shield was failing fast. The cracks through it surface were clear to see, even as far away as we were, and with each thunderous crash the barrier weakened even more. “We’re out of time, she’s stepping up her attacks against the barrier, it can’t hold much longer. I knew this Pony of Fear would be strong, but this strong...”
Another bang and we were knocked to the ground by a powerful tremor as the barrier collapsed from the attack. The doors burst open and our worst nightmares stood on the other side. The Pony of Fear strode into the castle, surrounded by a cloud of black magical energy around her, shrouding her features.
“Isn't this a sweet little place? You’re kingdom might be small but it certainly knows how to build a fort. I am impressed.” Ponies backed away in fear as she walked through the door. Only Treasured Note and the other musicians seemed unaffected, continuing to play. “I will enjoy sucking the fear out of every single one of you.” She chuckled.
Starswirl turned to us. “Goodbye and good luck.” He started to cast the spell.
“What do you think you’re doing, old pony?” She launched a beam of magic at him but Armour McApple stepped in the way, taking the hit and flying into the armour displays, causing them to crash to the floor.
“Big brother!” Zaps cried out, trying to get to him but I held him tight. “Let go! He’s hurt!”
“Stupid stallion trying to be the hero. Well, no pony’s going to block me this...” She was cut off by a piano flying through her and smashing into the wall. The cloud of black magic reformed back into her and her sapphire eyes locked on Treasured Note. “That wasn't very nice.”
“Well if I had another I would use that too! You freak!”
Triskaide stepped up to her with a smirk. “Very well, so be it, I don't mind.” The arms of the cloud reached out to Treasured.
“Dude one thing, I was a distraction.”
Her head snapped back to us as the spell was completed. “NO!”
“Goodbye, my friends...” Starswirl spoke out to us and used the spell to teleport us and the wagon right across to the edge of the Mist of Misdirection.
The guard ponies took hold of the wagon and together we all made a break for the Mist of Misdirection. The sound of Triskaide screaming out in rage could be heard in the distance and we could see her black cloud explode out of the castle and charge towards us, those big sapphire eyes shining brightly.
We were just short of the Mist of Misdirection by an orchard. We galloped through the Zap Apple orchard as fast as we could with a wagon full of spells, items and other things that we had to take with us and keep away from her hooves.
I turn and fired a beam of magic at the rapidly approaching cloud but once again it was stopped by a shield. I turned and fired more beams at her, trying to give us more time but it wasn't working. She gained ground on us and aimed a cloud of that black magical aura right for my sister as we had almost reached the border of the Mists of Misdirection. Unfortunately Zaps saw this too. He stopped running and looked at me with a warm smile. “Goodbye sis.” He leapt right into the cloud, shielding Luna from the impact.
We stopped and turned to see him get caught, Luna took his hoof with hers and tried to pull him back, using her magic too. “No Zaps!! Please hold on!” She cried out as she fought against the magic.
“Nighty... I'm sorry! I am sorry! I can't! It’s too strong!”
I was in tears. I grabbed him as well, pulling with all my might. Clover tried to help as well, but to no avail. Harmony Rose stood directly behind the cloud that was Triskaide. “Mother help us!”
“I can-can't...” She said in pain, I saw her horn was cracked. “I summoned everythi-eveything I ha-had left into this sp-spell... ”
“Hahaha! Of course! I can feel their fear building as I take this colt from them. I can feel their magic, feeding me with its futility. It is wonderful! I am simply delighted at having found this place! In all the years I have travelled and feasted upon the fear of kingdoms, I have never fed upon anything more glorious than this little kingdom. It fell so fast that the fear is ten fold! I will keep you all alive and feed off you forever!” Triskaide’s magic reached out for Harmony Rose but it missed her, instead extending towards Zaps. “What is this!? Why can't I focus on anything but him!? What’s going on!?”
Harmony Rose allowed herself a small smirk as her magic crackled and increased in power, bursting out through her cracked horn. “My son is special, he is an Earth Pony but his internal magic is unlike anything I ever felt in anypony. You see the trees around you?”
Triskaide looked around, the zap apples were sparking with magic, I saw this too as we tried to save him from her grip. “Wh-what kind of magic is this!? It’s holding me in place! I can't move!”
“Now you know what fear feels like...” Harmony Rose said coldly to her. “I am sorry for what I am about to do, I never thought casting this spell would be required.”
Triskaide was trying to break free from the rainbow lightning sparking around the cloud. It surrounded her, encasing the pure black earth pony, tearing her cloak away and revealing her bare flank. The last determined strands of dark magic held defiantly onto Zaps.
“I will not be defeated like this! I am Triskaide, the Pony of Fear! I am the darkness!” She screamed out fighting with all her might to break free from the prison that held her. “It will not hold!”
Harmony Rose collapsed, breathing heavily. I turn to her and extended my hoof to aid her but she batted it away. “Sunny Day... Celestia don't... My... Daughters... Be strong, you have married my son and joined our family... To the end of days you always be my little... Sunny Day...” She got up slowly with her magic growing stronger and rainbow colour swirling around her horn. “Sunny Day...”
“Yes Mother...”
“Run and don't look back!” I looked at her startled as she spoke to me. “Run you fools! RUN!”
I closed my eyes, letting him slip away from my magical grip. “Sister, what are you doing!?” Luna cried out as she lost her grip on Zaps. “Zaps! Please fight it!”
Zaps’s eyes widened in fear but he smiled at Luna, putting a hoof to her side of the snout. “I can't... Goodbye Nighty...” She took hold of his pendant and it ripped off his neck as he was pulled towards the fading Pony of Fear.
“NOOOOOOOO!!! ZAPS!!!” She screamed out and ran for him but I grabbed hold of her, pulling her back with Clover to the Mist of Misdirection. “Zaps! ZAPS! WE’VE GOT TO SAVE HIM! PLEASE NO!! PLEASE!!!!!” She was struggling against us with everything she had, even as a filly she was very strong.
Harmony Rose raised her head, looking at Triskaide as she pulled in Zaps. “You’re thinking I won't do it because you’ve got my son, Triskaide?
Triskaide looked in terror at Harmony Rose as the crackling beam of energy fully engulfed her, ripping and tearing apart her cursed form. We were about to enter the mists, the magic was so bright and powerful as we heard her scream her final words. “I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! I WILL CRUSH YOUR EQUESTRIA! I WILL MAKE YOU ALL SUFFER!!!!!!!” Those words rang out throughout the kingdom as the blast wave hit us and sent us all flying out of the Mist of Misdirection.
We landed outside as the clouds leading to the kingdom reshaped and changed. Soon the whole mist covering the vast land vanished completely. I gasped as an entire kingdom disappeared in seconds before my own eyes as an explosion like no other caused a wave of energy to spread out through the forest, the magical energy covering every inch of the land and skies.
Irradiated with strong magical energy, the forest became alive, became sentient. Trees grew and twisted across the ground. Storms formed on their own. Strange looking creatures emerged from their rotting nests and dens, bearing sharp teeth and poisonous fangs against the natural disorder that had overcome the Everfree.
I saw I was normal again, I had my wings and my mane and long tail, waving with magical energy. It felt unnatural, unknown and full of doubt.
I felt my Alicorn magic flow through my horn once more. My sister wept quietly, holding the last thing she took from Zaps, the pendant, she hugged it tightly, crying even more as I comforted her against the loss of our family… my love, Armour McApple... The Kingdom of Harmony...
Vinyl
Seeing that last scene left a bitter taste in my mouth, I wasn't sure how Harmony Rose and Zaps had got out of there, seeing it all happen had made me realise how impossible this all seemed. Stepping out of the dream, I stood back in the room filled with mirrors. We were still dreaming for sure as I stood there looking at my shades, although I pinched myself just to make sure. “The truth is hard to accept isn't it?”
I raised my head and right there was Harmony Rose, sitting on the fountain ledge. “Harmony Rose!?”
“Hello Vinyl. It is difficult to understand what happened back then and how much time past when I cast the spell of Last Resort. Come with me Vinyl.” Harmony Rose got up off the fountain and with a flash of her horn a tear in the dream appeared.
“What about the others? Twilight, Big Macintosh and your daughters?”
Harmony Rose smiled, looking to the mirrors. “They will be redirected to where we are going. I do have some skill in connecting dreams together. It is rather simple in this form, if a little taxing.” Harmony Rose stepped through the tear, I look for the mirrors but they were all gone, every single one of them.
I smirked and ran through after Harmony Rose. In a flash I was back in the kingdom with the others. “What’s going on? The dream was finished.” Luna demanded, looking around for answers.
“Indeed this is unusual...” Celestia seemed unsure as well.
Twilight looked around and saw me. “What exactly is going on here, Vinyl?”
“Beats me, one minute I was in that funky chamber with the mirrors when all of a sudden Harmony Rose was there and opened a portal in the dream which took me here,” I answered.
Big Macintosh walked by me and glanced ahead. “Zaps?” We all turned and saw him playing a game of tag with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, running after Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. “What in tarnation is goin' on around here?”
“My dear son, I can answer that.” Harmony Rose was standing before us with a warm smile. “Welcome to the Dream of Harmony.”