//------------------------------//
// Rebirth of Harmony 
// Story: Rebirth of Harmony 
// by WanderingPhysicist 
//------------------------------//

        Apple Pie stands outside of the farm house. His hair is tied back. He wears his Element of Harmony and saddlebags in preparation for a trip. Apple Bloom loads his saddlebags with apples.
        ‘There. Now ya have plenty o’ supplies fer yer big adventure.’
        ‘Thank you, Apple Bloom,’ Apple Pie bows. ‘I don’t really know what my dad wants, but I am sure I’ll be back before we know it.’
        Apple Pie leans in to get one last kiss from his fillyfriend before his trip, but Apple Bloom backs away.
        ‘Hold on! Ya almost fergot somethin’ very important!’
        Apple Bloom gallops back into the house. Apple Pie huffs over the lost opportunity. Apple Bloom gallops back to Apple Pie. She carries Applejack’s hat in her mouth, and she has saddlebags of her own. She leans up and fits the hat on Apple Pie’s head.
        ‘There. Now yer really ready.’
        Apple Pie adjusts the hat. ‘Uh, thanks. What are your...’
        Apple Bloom blushes. ‘Oh. Well, that’s the important thin’ ya were fergettin’.’ She leans against Apple Pie and gives him a kiss. ‘Ah ain’t about t’ let ya go alone. Ah’m with ya every step of the way!’
        Apple Pie smiles. ‘Thank you, Apple Bloom. I love you.’
        ‘Ah love ya too, ya goofball.’ Apple Bloom starts galloping down the road. ‘Now let’s get t’ the capital and start havin’ us an adventure.’
        Apple Pie gallops after his fillyfriend. He notes that she has a gold-lined cape slightly sticking out of her pack.

        Luna and James greet the ambassadors as they arrive at the palace. Both bow at each arriving visitor. After the last arrival, James groans and looks down.
        ‘Why so ear...’
        ‘Don’t start.’ Luna growls. ‘You know we have to go all day with this. We meet with the ambassadors first, then the Elements in the afternoon after Silver gets in. We may even have to miss dinner if our special meeting goes long.’
        ‘... Can’t we bump the Elements to later? I want to be at the train station this afternoon.’
        ‘You and Pinkie both,’ Luna sighs then laughs. ‘Three out of four known magic surges. I knew we should have had more kids. We could have had all of the Elements.’
        Luna yelps in surprise as she is pushed away from her husband.
        ‘See! We could have had more! I’m ready!’
        James looks down to see a slightly faded pink pony grinning up at him. He leans down and kisses Pinkie.
        ‘Good to see you, Pinkie. Did you have a nice trip?’
        ‘I had a great trip! Thanks for asking.’
        ‘Actually, I was talking to the wife.’
        Luna picks herself up and glares down at Pinkie. She is overflowing with magical energies. ‘PINKIE!’
        ‘Oh. Hi, Luna. Didn’t see you there.’
        Luna pushes past. ‘If you’ll excuse us, we have a meeting to attend to. Come along, James.’
        James shrugs. ‘Sorry. Duty calls.’ He covers his mouth with his hoof. ‘Trixie should be distracted with a lesson if you hurry.’
        ‘Come along, James!’
        James and Pinkie giggle. James catches up to Luna, and they head to their meeting. Pinkie thinks for a moment before disappearing to have some fun.

        Trixie casts an illusion that awes a number of unicorn foals gathered in the palace gardens. Alba cheers the loudest of the group. Trixie bows and gets the group to settle.
        ‘Thank you. And for my next trick, I am going to summon a giant dragon.’
        Alba raises a hoof and waves it.
        Trixie laughs. ‘No, I don’t mean Ambassador Spike. He is busy right now.’ The foals groan. ‘But this one could even scare him.’
        Trixie charges a spell. She stands on her hind legs for effect. A five-meter-tall green dragon forms in the middle of the gardens. The foals cheer and gasp at the illusion. Trixie directs the dragon down and has it advance on the foals. The foals shriek and flee, except Alba. The dragon lunges forward and chomps her in it mouth. Alba screams at the top of her lungs. Trixie quickly drops the illusion and rushes to help, thinking she actually hurt the child. She stops and shrieks when she sees Alba in the jaws of a giant alligator.
        ‘Gummy!’ Alba cheers as she hugs the toothless reptile.
        ‘Pinkie!’ Trixie shouts
        From behind Trixie, Pinkie laughs and snorts. Trixie turns and glares at the pink troublemaker.
        ‘I got you good!’ Pinkie laughs. ‘You totally didn’t see that one coming.’
        ‘I thought the princess was it danger!’ Trixie shouts back.
        ‘Aw! It is just Gummy,’ Alba complains. She gently taps Gummy on the snout and the alligator lets her free. She turns to the other foals. ‘Come on! He’s safe!’
        ‘Stop!’ Trixie commands. ‘They aren’t as used to him as you are.’
        ‘AWWWW!’ Alba and Pinkie complain.
        Trixie sighs then smiles. ‘It is great to see you again, Pinkie.’
        Pinkie grabs Trixie in a hug. ‘I am so glad to see the (second) cutest, smartest, all-around best pony.’
        ‘Please don’t get sappy around the kids,’ Trixie whispers. ‘We have an image to maintain.’
        ‘Right.’ Pinkie breaks the hug and shakes Trixie’s hoof like a professional.
        ‘Aunt Pinkie Pie, you’re so crazy,’ Alba giggles.

        The meeting with the ambassadors are over. Luna sighs to herself as she straightens her papers. James lets out a groan as he stares at the ceiling. A silver unicorn taps James on the shoulder from behind.
        ‘Boss, remember your position,’ Lucas sighs.
        ‘That was the Royal Canterlot Groan,’ James explains. ‘It is something you mere mortals cannot fathom.’
        ‘It also means “no means I have a headache” when somepony else is in the mood,’ Luna grumbles.
        ‘I really did have a headache!’ James complains. ‘It was if an annoying unicorn and his incessant pestering wouldn’t stop for one moment.’ He pauses. ‘Now I know how Derpy must feel.’
        Lucas growls. ‘I will not have you talk about my wife like that.’
        ‘At least you don’t deny that you’re annoying.’
        ‘Well, I was going to say that you finished early and the train from Ponyville would be arriving in...’
        There is a bright blue flash as James teleports himself away.
…
        Pinkie paces beside a train platform. She keeps checking a watch as she looks down the tracks. A train finally pulls into the station. Pinkie runs from car to car, looking for a certain passenger. Then she sees something she was not expecting. An orange earth pony with a yellow ponytail and wearing a stetson steps off of the train. Pinkie’s eyes fill with tears as she dives through the crowds and tackles the pony is a hug.
        ‘Applejack!’
        ‘Not quite, but close,’ Apple Pie says as he returns the hug.
        ‘What?’ Pinkie stops for a moment to take her son in. She gives a shocked gasp. ‘You look just like her! You even have the same hat. I don’t know if I should be mad at the impression or happy to see you.’
        Apple Pie blushes and looks away. ‘It was Apple Bloom’s idea.’
        Apple Bloom steps forward. ‘Ah thought it’d be appropriate since he saved mah life and all. Ah am sure AJ would be proud o’ him.’
        Pinkie smiles up at her son. ‘Yes, I am sure she would be too.’
        There is a bright blue flash, and James is suddenly standing in the middle of the platform.
        ‘Is this the right place? I am more used to teleporting to the comic shop...’
        ‘Dad!’
        ‘Jimmy!’
        James gets tackled by both Apples as they simultaneously hug him.
        ‘It is great seeing both of you again. We have so much to catch up on. And not just your new... Is that what kids call “swag” these days?’
        ‘Are y’all sayin’ Ah’m jus’ arm candy t’ him?’ Apple Bloom glares.
        ‘More like the other way around.’
        Apple Pie huffs at the joke.
        ‘Hmm.... Is it too late to change your name? I think Arm Candy Pie sounds nice.’
        ‘Mom!’
        James laughs. ‘Okay. No more time to joke around. Pinkie and I have a meeting to get to.’
        ‘Right. About this.’ Apple Pie taps the Element of Harmony hanging around his neck.
        The group starts trotting out of the train station. An earth pony with a dark grey mane gallops past the group.
        ‘Take that to your little sister. She’ll tell you which it is,’ James suggests.
        Apple Pie laughs. ‘Alba really is trying to learn everything, isn’t she?’
        Apple Bloom laughs. ‘Take it t’ yer other sister and she might try eatin’ the apple.’
        Apple Pie groans. ‘Remembering Full Moon, I have to ask which other sister?’
        ‘Apple! Be nice.’ Pinkie scolds. ‘Full Moon is still missing, and Rainbow is not that... Well, maybe she is, but...’ She turns and glares at James. ‘You need to do something about your kids.’
        James gives his second Royal Canterlot Groan of the day.

        Back at the palace, the meeting of the former Elements of Harmony is underway.
        ‘We don’t think there is anything to be alarmed about,’ Luna says. ‘Several times throughout history, the Elements have appeared or realigned without incident.’
        ‘But they always appeared with a group of six friends,’ a white unicorn stallion says. ‘So far, this current batch seems like nepotism.’
        ‘Score one for Blueblood,’ James says as he and Blueblood air high hoof.
        A silver-maned pegasus snorts. ‘No offense to anypony else, but I am glad to be rid of mine. All of the attention was very unnerving.’
        ‘Says the pony who posed for Playcolt,’ A cream-colored earth pony snorts.
        ‘Like Lyra doesn’t have a copy,’ Silver Fox shoots back.
        Bon Bon looks away. ‘Actually, it is my copy...’
        Luna clears her throat. ‘I think we are getting off topic.’
        ‘Agree to disag... OUCH!’ James shouts as Luna kicks him.
        ‘Out of curiosity, who still has theirs?’ Trixie asks. ‘We know where three are, so who was the fourth?’
        Pinkie and Bon Bon put their necklaces on the table in front of them. Instead of looking at the necklaces, all eyes turn to Blueblood.
        Blueblood shrugs. ‘Mine disappeared months ago. I didn’t want to say anything to alarm anypony.’
        ‘But there are photos of you with your Element from just last week,’ Derpy says.
        ‘I had several replicas made. I figured between theft and “loaning” them to various groups in need of donations that I would need copies. The original always stayed back here.’
        ‘So the other one out there is Generosity,’ Luna says. ‘That just leaves Laughter and Honesty to go.’
        The group sits in silence.
        ‘Do we just wait for Lyra to tell us where the next one manifests?’ Bon Bon asks.
        ‘Actually, Trixie had a good idea the other night,’ James says.
        ‘I actually agree this time,’ Luna grumbles.
        James and Trixie air high hoof.
        Luna snorts. ‘After meeting with the ambassadors, they seemed to think it was a good idea to introduce the public of all nations to the new Elements., to assure them that they are just children and nothing sinister is at work.’
        ‘Do the other nations actually think we are trying to use the Elements as a weapon?’ Derpy asks.
        ‘The griffins always believed the Elements to be a weapon,’ a new voice states. ‘The dragons dislike the idea regular ponies, let alone alicorns, possessing magics that would rival their own. The sea ponies are worried that the tensions the realignment has caused will harm their oceans. Each nation has a reason to be uneasy.’
        Everypony looks around the room for the speaker. An earth pony dressed in white robes walks out of the shadows on its hind legs. The other ponies ease when they see who it is.
        ‘You always liked making an entrance, didn’t you?’ Luna sighs.
        Octavia throws the hood of her robe back. She takes off her purple sunglasses and looks around the room. ‘Sorry to alarm everypony. I know Lyra’s reports on the subject are thorough, but I thought you would like a hooves-on report of the situation.’ She turns to James. ‘It looks bad, but it can be reversed.’
        ‘I guess the idea for a goodwill tour is a go.’ James states.
        ‘Wonderful!’ Trixie cheers. ‘Would you mind watching Gordon for me while I am away?’
        ‘Wait. Why are you going?’ Bon Bon asks.
        ‘Which one of us here has the ability and knowledge to handle a mission like this? I think my expertise in traveling will be a boon.’
        ‘I will escort them as well.’ Octavia states. ‘They could use the extra security if both the prince and princess are going.’
        Luna pouts. ‘I don’t like the idea of sending my children out like this. It sounds dangerous.’
        ‘Dear Luna,’ Blueblood begins, ‘it is not like they will be alone. My work takes me all over the world. We are bound to cross paths. As are any of the others with their affairs. You have nothing to worry about.’
        Luna scowls, then nods. ‘Fine. We will begin preparations immediately and announce the trip tomorrow, but their first order of business should be finding the remaining Elements.’
        ‘We will not stop until they are found,’ Trixie assures.
        Everypony stands up and starts leaving the conference room. Octavia returns the sunglasses and waits until everypony has left. James steps up to her.
        ‘Octy. Thanks. This means a lot.’
        Octavia looks away. ‘I haven’t been that name in years. Stop calling me that.’
        ‘She would want you to be happy. You know that.’
        ‘I cannot be happy. They took her from me, and she is never coming back.’ She pauses. ‘I still perform. I haven’t completely given that up... yet.’
        ‘I know. You were wonderful at your show last month.’
        Octavia blushes. ‘You were there?’
        ‘You are the only one who performs that song correctly.’
        Octavia looks away. ‘James... Given you and Luna and Pinkie... If I had the ability to... be happy once more...’
        ‘You still have that ability. You just have to realize it yourself.’ James kisses Octavia on the forehead. ‘Plus, knowing who my kids look like, you’d have fun raising a little Scratch.’
        James follows the others out. Octavia sighs, replaces the cowl over her head and joins the others.

        Helios has brought Krile up to the royal residence while their parents are working. They are sitting together on a couch while watching a program.
        ‘Krile... You heard that I’ll be heading out on that goodwill tour, right?’ the prince asks.
        ‘I know. You’ll be gone for so long.’
        ‘Right. Maybe we should... do something special since we won’t be seeing each other for a while?’
        ‘What do you have in mind, Helo?’
        Helios blushes. ‘Well, uh, we should maybe get together later and, uh, have a special time together?’
        ‘I don’t know, Helo. What would our parents think?’
        ‘They don’t mind us dating. They shouldn’t mind us having a special moment together.’
        ‘In that case,’ Krile hops off the couch, ‘I should go and get ready. I wouldn’t want our special night together to be less than perfect.’ She starts trotting away. ‘Oh! And don’t think you’re getting sex.’
        ‘But that’s what I..!’
        Krile giggles. ‘I know. Nice try, though.’
        The unicorn trots away, giggling. Helios sighs and leans back on the couch. Laughter comes from the next room. Apple Pie trots out and sits in a nearby chair.
        ‘Swing and a miss there, little bro.’
        ‘Shut up.’ Helios scowls. ‘At least it didn’t take me twenty years to confess my love.’
        ‘Duh. I am five years older than you. Of course it would take you less time if we both confessed in the same month.’
        Both brothers growl at each other. Helios backs off first.
        ‘Want me to ask Dinky for embarrassing stories about Apple Bloom?’
        ‘Just wait for the trip,’ Apple Pie laughs. ‘I am sure she’ll share some with us.’
        ‘How come your fillyfriend gets to come?’
        ‘Because she is old enough to foalsit the rest of the group except for me and Trixie. Duh.’
        ‘The rest of us don’t need foalsitting,’ Helios snorts.
        ‘Right. And how many schools did you blow up to figure that one out?’
        Helios leaps up. ‘That was an accident!’
        Apple Pie laughs. ‘I know. You are never going to catch a break from me, though.’
        The younger brother groans and sits back down.

        It is the last meeting of the day for James and Luna. They are sitting in James’ office with a well-appointed griffin. The office door opens and a three-meter-tall, purple dragon ducks into the room. He gives a slight bow to the others.
        ‘Sorry I’m late,’ Spike says. ‘I usually meet with Luna. I am not used to this part of the palace.’
        ‘You know my doors are always open to you, Spike,’ James says.
        Spike takes a long look at James, particularly the mane matching the color and style of Twilight Sparkle’s mane. ‘I... still prefer Luna. Sorry.’
        ‘Can we get this over with?’ The griffin asks. ‘My superiors have been squawking at me all day about these meetings.’
        ‘That is why we called you here, Gilda,’ Luna says. ‘We have more private messages we would like you to liaise for us.’
        ‘Why just us?’ Spike asks.
        ‘The Griffin Empire and Draconia are the two most important allies we have in the NLR. This whole situation has shaken up world relations a bit. We want to personally assure both your governments that there is no hostile intention behind what appears to be nature taking its course.’
        ‘And why do you have to tell us that?’ Gilda replies. ‘We know that and have your back.’
        ‘Right.’ Spike agrees. ‘You know the two of us would do anything in our power to keep every nation at peace.’
        ‘We are just worried...’ Luna begins.
        ‘Listen,’ Gilda interrupts, ‘when Dash first introduced me to her friends, I thought you ponies were a bunch of lame-os, like the stories we tell back home, but you turned out to be pretty cool. I took this job because I know Dash would have wanted us all to be friends, griffins and ponies. I will do my best to uphold her legacy.’
        ‘Just by my living here, pony knowledge of dragons is greater than it ever has been. Twilight would want dragons and ponies to live in peace as well,’ Spike adds.
        ‘She would be really proud of you, Spike.’ James smiles at the once-puny dragon.
        ‘Don’t worry, guys,’ Gilda assures. ‘We got your back, and nothing can break our countries apart.’

        The next day, the new Elements of Harmony have gathered at the train station to begin their search for the remaining Elements and the goodwill tour across the New Lunar Republic. All of the former Elements of Harmony have joined the parents and friends in seeing the kids off. Alba gives her mother an extra tearful hug goodbye since it will be her first time away from her parents. Helios says his goodbyes to Krile, Storm Bullet, Green Kerner and all of his friends. Instead of giving one, Apple Pie gets the tearful hug from his mother while Apple Bloom giggles at her coltfriend. Trixie gives James (read: Lucas) all the instructions for taking care of her son while she is away. A disguised Octavia groans and checks her watch. The train whistle signals the passengers to finish boarding.
        ‘Finally,’ Octavia grumbles.
        The families break their hugs and start heading to the train.
        ‘Son! Take care of your little sister.’ James commands.
        ‘Yes, dad,’ Apple Pie and Helios moan.
        Pinkie giggles at the reaction.
        ‘AB, take care of my boys. They need it.’
        ‘Hey!’ Apple Pie and Helios complain.
        ‘Will do!’ Apple Bloom salutes.
        ‘Trixie!’ Luna calls. ‘Protect my darling child, okay?’
        ‘Don’t worry, mom. I’ll be safe,’ Helios calls back.
        ‘Him too!’ Luna adds.
        Helios snorts and stomps onto the train before he can be teased more. Apple Pie laughs and follows. Apple Bloom waves and joins them on the train. Alba gives her dad one last hug and gallops after her brothers.
        ‘Have a magical day!’ Trixie cheers as doves fly out from behind her.
        The gathered crowds clap at the trick. Trixie bows and boards the train. Octavia steps over to the group. She bows to James.
        ‘I’ll keep them safe.’
        Octavia leans up and kisses James’ cheek. She slips a note under his hoof when she backs away. She looks at Krile.
        ‘I hear you are a skilled musician.’ Octavia pulls her shades down slightly and winks. ‘Good. Need more of you.’
        Octavia marches on to the train right as the last whistle blows. The gathered crowd waves while the train pulls out of the station. James lifts the note and reads it. Krile realizes something.
        ‘Was that..?’
        Lucas and Derpy cut their kid off before she can finish her thought. Luna looks over at James.
        ‘What is that?’
        ‘Remember The Doctor’s first rule?’ James asks.
        ‘Right. The one about lying,’ Luna scowls.
        ‘Well.... I might have one that will make you and Pinkie a little mad...’
        ‘James! You didn’t!’
        James holds the note out. ‘If it makes you feel better, she kept a secret from me too.’