//------------------------------// // 146. The Bonds of Harmony - Ending // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// The eleven ponies and one dragon gazed up sadly at the tree, still ensnared by the vines, dripping with poison, every visible part of it dulled gray and virtually lifeless. It was a dreary sight and although everypony wanted to act now and so something to save the tree, it was Twilight who said what everypony was thinking. “Well, Midnight? What do we do?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know,” Midnight sighed sadly, “the last time I saw the tree, it was just a sapling! I tried to get rid of the vines but they grow back faster than I can whack `em! I don’t think even that spell I used to help you all earlier could stop it!” “Hmm,” Twilight flapped up for a closer look, Midnight joining her. Twilight went in for a closer look when a tendril lashed out at her, making Twilight yipe in fright, Midnight shooting it down with a laser of mana. They felt their hearts sink more as the vines tightened their choking embrace around the center-point. Then Twilight recalled something she’d heard Celestia say while she was under the effects of Zecora’s potion. Even without these Elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here. “That’s it!” Twilight whispered, Midnight giving her a questioning look. Twilight and Midnight alighted onto the ground as she announced, “I know how we can save the Tree… We have to give it the Elements of Harmony.” “Now wait just a minute!” Thunderlane protested. “Yeah! How are we supposed to protect Equestria?” agreed Rainbow Dash. “How are we meant to rein in Eris if we can’t use the Elements to revert her back to stone?” Rarity added. “Twilight, th’ Elements o’ Harmony…” Applejack stepped up as she placed her hoof over the Element of Honesty. “They’re wha’ keep us connected no matter what.” “…You’re right about one thing, Applejack,” Twilight stated before giving Midnight a determined look. “The Elements of Harmony did bring us together…” Midnight understood and clarified, “But it is not nor has it ever been the Elements that connect us. It’s our friendship – A magic far greater and more important than any. Our new roles as a prince and princess may mean we must take up new obligations…” “And our friendships may be tested,” Twilight agreed before assuring, “but it will never, ever be broken.” Everypony smiled at the wisdom of the prince and princess before them, for they understood now. That the Magic of Friendship connected them all, not the Elements, and it made Blueblood and Soarin realize they never needed Elements to be a part of something great. Spike smiled proudly at his Twilight, his long-time caretaker, the sister he never had, as she stated, “There’s no time to lose!” She and Midnight flapped into the air as he asked, “Everypony ready?” “Ready!” they all replied. The two alicorns’ horns flared as Twilight took the elemental jewels from their owners’ necklaces while Midnight cast his power onto the vines, willing for them to pull away, not stopping when he felt the elemental jewel of Faith tug off from his crown. Seeing their leader needed help, Big Mac and Thunderlane hurried over, the three of them forming their triad formation. They concentrated, conjuring walls of golden light between them, forming the barrier that weakens malevolent magicks, causing the vines to shrivel just enough for Midnight to pull them out of the way from the elements’ places on the tree. First Kindness and Laughter, then Loyalty, Honesty and Generosity! In the center of the tree, a hole widened for the Element of Magic! The Tree accepted the fruits it bore so long ago but just as Twilight was about to add the Element of Faith alongside Magic, the opening closed onto Magic, preventing her from inserting Faith! “What?!” Twilight didn’t understand and she didn’t get a chance to as the Tree was revitalized and shined a blinding light of shifting colors, like a rainbow! The rainbow light spread along the vines surrounding the tree, making them disappear, before the Tree released a pulse of power! This kaleidoscopic pulse spread all throughout the Everfree Forest, spreading its healing magic to Ponyville, causing each and every vine to vanish in to thin air. Including the one Eris was lying on as she soaked up some rays. *THUD* “Oh… poo!” The friends shielded their eyes, Twilight still holding the Element of Faith, and as the light died down, revealing the sacred splendor of the Tree of Harmony in all its glory! It appeared as living crystal, prismatic and colored a shifting gradient between lavender, magenta, sapphire, and turquoise while the branches were strong and held the other Elements up as though with pride, and the trunk curiously bore two familiar marks, one of a sun, the other a moon. But then they noticed, on each side of the base of the Tree’s trunk, was a bundle of coiled weeds that were burned away into ashes by the rainbow light from which did appear…! The Royal Sisters! Everypony smiled as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna approached them, smiling proudly. Twilight and Blueblood both ran up to them, throwing their arms around the princesses, who gladly returned the embrace. “We know how difficult it must have been to surrender the Elements,” Celestia spoke in gentle understanding. “It took great courage and no small amount of selflessness to relinquish them.” Everypony smiled when Midnight approached the Sisters and bowed. “Your Majesties, it is good to see you safe, but there is something left.” He levitated the Element of Faith. “Why didn’t the Tree accept my Element?” “Hmm,” Celestia gave it a closer look but before she could say anything… A beam of light shot from the Element of Magic now ingrained into the Tree and struck the Element of Faith. They all gasped and watched as it floated out the cave, all of them following, to watch from the mouth of the cave as the Element of Faith rose up and then fired a beam of bluish-white light towards a moss-covered cliff-face. For some reason, Midnight was feeling a sense of déjà vu. “What’s it doing…?” Twilight whispered to him in awe. "I don't know!" answered Midnight with a hushed voice. Their question was answered when a harsh crack of rock got their attention and there was a small explosion of rubble and dust and they saw a shining orb of light rise out of the dust and float towards the Element of Faith. “Of course!” exclaimed Midnight, everypony looking at him as he continued to gape at this new development. “Over a thousand years ago, when I met Star Swirl the Bearded, we sensed a great power fall from the sky into the Everfree Forest. When we found it, it had buried itself deep into the cliff face. I tried to release it, and succeeded in getting loose seven strange orbs. They all rolled into this cave and sprouted into the Tree of Harmony as a sapling! Star Swirl believed the object that fell into the cliff face was a star!” “A Star of Harmony…” Celestia mused aloud as they watched. They watched as the Element of Faith shot a stream of light into the blinding star and it split apart into five new pieces. To their bewilderment, four of the pieces, as well as the Element of Faith floated down, Faith returning to Midnight while the other four floated down to Big Macintosh, Thunderlane, Blueblood, and Soarin. The lights they radiated dimmed, revealing them to be gems clear like glass yet reflecting light in prismatic sparkles, but appearing as the original Elements did so long ago. Although they were clear, Midnight sensed it! “These… They’re also Elements of Harmony!” Midnight realized aloud. “And I think they’re meant for you guys!” “Us?!” Big Mac was blown. “No way…!” Thunderlane was bewildered “Incredible…” Blueblood was intrigued. “Awesome…!” Soarin was excited. “But wait!” Spike pointed up, “There’s still one more up there!” Everypony looked up and saw Spike was right! The sixth new Element remained in the air. “Why doesn’t it come down?” Twilight queried and as if responding, they watched as the new element rose higher and higher before suddenly… it zoomed off! “Where’d it go?!” Midnight flew upwards to look in the direction the element had flown, Rainbow Dash, Soarin, and Thunderlane flying up to join him. But even with their enhanced vision, the Element was nowhere in sight. They landed in worry with Midnight looking to Princess Celestia for answers, except the Princess of the Sun could only shrug. “I can only guess, everypony, that perhaps… the one destined to wield that Element is not among us.” “Aw man…!” Spike huffed, spurring a few understanding chuckles from everypony. “But… if the one who is destined for that Element isn’t here, does that mean it went to look for the one it’s meant for?” Twilight asked. “As I stated, Twilight, it is only a guess,” shrugged Celestia. “But you’ve always had a knack for making correct guesses, my sister,” Luna pointed out with a shrewd look and smirk Celestia smiled impishly before adding, “That is true, but for now, all we can do is… have faith that the last new Element and the one meant to wield it will appear in time.” Twilight and Midnight regarded each other and smiled in agreement when Twilight sensed something and looked towards the Tree of Harmony. Everypony watched as she approached it and saw the Elements set into the branches focus their energies towards the nexus, and it channeled the combined energies down the trunk, passing through the sun and moon marks, lighting them up, until it reached down into one of the roots, from which did sprout a large purple flower bud. Everypony continued to watch as Twilight approached the flower and it bloomed to reveal… a crystalline box! It was shaped like a six-sided pyramid but with a flat top! Its faceted sides bore six keyholes and below them were six slot-like openings. Twilight and Midnight and Celestia and Luna approached for a better look, all of them astonished! “What’s inside it?” “How are we supposed to open it?” “Six locks, six keys…” Celestia pointed out. “Below the keyholes six openings with distinct interiors, as though something very specific is to be inserted into them!” noted Luna. “I know not where they keys are or what is meant to-” Celestia was saying when Midnight felt something about one of the slots. Without thinking, he lifted the Element of Faith and gasped to see it zoom straight into the slot, suddenly glowing a blinding radiance! When it died down, everypony saw that the element of Faith was now inset into the slot, shaped as the pale bluish-white five-point star of Midnight’s cutie-mark, and on the panel surrounding it were five white twinkles and below it the upwards facing crescent moon, completely reflecting Midnight’s cutie-mark! “Well, that’s one mystery solved,” Midnight announced, “the new Elements must go into these slots, but…” He looked to the stallions and the Elements they held that were clear and had no distinct shape other than that of gemstones. “I don’t think it’ll be that easy.” “But I know that it is a mystery you will solve together,” Celestia declared, everypony smiling at each other. “Come, everypony,” Luna called, “we have a wedding to prepare!” As the friends all exited the Everfree Forest… banners with their faces crudely drawn onto them unfurled from out of nowhere, confetti burst into their faces and a party horn tooted loudly into their ears, and Eris flashed in front of them wearing a cheerleader outfit. “Whoo!! Well done, y’all! Ponyville’s back to normal and now I wanna hear all about how y’all saved the day again! What kinda big-bad did y’all face off with them pretty little things `round your necks?” She suddenly flashed and reappeared smaller and dressed like a cowgirl astride Applejack, looking past her hair, “Where are them lovely accessories? Y’know, the ones y’all would use to put me in a stone bodysuit?” Sighing in annoyance, Applejack answered, “Gone, Eris.” Flashing to her normal size, Eris echoed, “Gone?!” Quickly, the guys made sure to keep their elements out of sight as Eris started looking conspiratorial, musing, “Gone…?” “But our friendship remains, and if you want to remain friends” Fluttershy flapped up to Eris’ face who shrunk in size as Fluttershy lectured her, instilling the guilt, “you’ll help us clean up Ponyville.” Eris flashed to normal size and dressed like a housemaid, with a feather duster and everything. “Fine, but I do not do windows.” As they followed Eris into town, Applejack spoke to Midnight, “Ah don’ s’pose you have any idea why all this started.” “Not a clue,” Midnight shrugged. “Though I’m with you on that, why did all of this appear out of nowhere?” “It is quite baffling,” Eris spoke up, “them seeds I planted ages ago are o’er a thousand years late!” “…What was that?!” Midnight snapped with a rise of his voice, him and everypony else throwing a stink eye at Eris. “Oh well this was back when I was Discord,” Eris snapped her fingers, a window appearing out of thin air to give everypony a look into the past. They watched as a younger Celestia and Luna confronted Discord, who Eris used to be, in his merry mirth and mayhem. “Playtime is over for you, Discord!” threatened the past Celestia. “Oh I doubt that…” said the past Discord as he ate some seeds rather sloppily that they spread all around. “Well, obviously things didn’t go my way, or Discord’s way if ya wanna be technical,” Eris pointed out the seeds as they burrowed into the ground and started growing. “My plunderseeds were supposed to rob the Tree of Harmony of its Magic and capture the Royal Sisters thousands of years ago.” They watched as the plunderseed roots grew towards the roots of the Tree of Harmony, only to be barred by its protective magic even after the Sisters had taken the Elements. “But it seemed that tree had enough magic t’ stop the growth of the seeds and keep `em wrangled in… At least until recently…” As Eris pulled the window downwards and then releasing it, causing it to roll up and disappear, Midnight growled, “You mean to tell us you could’ve given us important info on this whole mess at any time?!” “No, not at any time,” Eris sniggered shamelessly, “Only when it was funny!” Eris zipped off, laughing while Midnight growled, only to feel a hoof on his shoulder and calmed to see Twilight. She sighed and said, “Just let it go…” He sighed as well and nuzzled her before saying to all their friends, “Come on, everypony! We got a wedding to attend!” A royal fanfare sounded as all the attendees stood outside before the stage that bore the sun and moon poles where Celestia always stood to raise the sun during the Summer sun Celebration. But here beneath the moonlight, it served the site for a different occasion. Princess Luna was leading the ceremony, Prince Sombra garbed in his best royal ware, looking nervous. Dressed in the same uniform he wore at his and Twilight’s coronation and still wearing his crown with a new semi-crescent moon jewel adorning it, Midnight stood by his mentor and noticed his regalia was a little askew and straightened it for him, Sombra giving a thankful smile to his apprentice before they all looked down the wedding aisle to see the bridesmares and groomstallions come down. Eris did so as well, having shrunk down in size to be a flower-filly as she skipped merrily down the aisle, throwing petals in a haphazard way. They saw Twilight come and join them as the mare of honor, garbed in her coronation dress and wearing a new crown, as a gentle wedding march started, played on an organ by the famous pianist, Frederick Horseshoepin, and all looked to get a glimpse at the royal bride as the peacocks moved their tailfeathers to reveal her! “Wow.” “Wow…” “Wo-ow!” With an annoyed smirk, Sombra pushed a snickering Eris off the stage, much to Midnight and Twilight’s amusement and they all watched as the Royal Bride stepped up to join her Groom, and he smiled as he levitated the veil away to reveal Celestia’s face, her make-up a little run from her tears of joy as she smiled so happily at her groom, which he mirrored to her with his own as his heart calmed at the sight of the mare he had loved for so long. The bridesmaids included Cadance, an elderly mare who was once an old student of Celestia’s, and the rest were AJ, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. Sombra’s groom stallions were Shining Armor, the night guard Midnight Shift, Blueblood, Big Mac, Thunderlane, and Soarin. Finally, the ceremony began as Luna spoke. “Citizens of Equestria, we are gathered here this early morning, in the presence of Faust, to at long last unite these two souls as one. Do you, Prince Sombra and Princess Celestia, join us here of your own free will to acknowledge the eternal bond shared between you both?” “I do,” Sombra answered with a resolved smile, Celestia echoing with a joy she thought she’d never experience, “I do!” “You may face each other and join hooves,” Luna instructed, the two of them doing so, “Sombra, you may recite your vows.” Sombra took a deep breath and began. “Celestia, they day you saved my life, I know, in my heart of hearts, is the day I found the one who would mean more to me than anything else in this world. Fate has barred us long enough and despite our mistakes and trials, we have overcome them and been made stronger because of them. I swear to love you, to respect you, to protect you as your husband, as my wife, my lover, my special somepony, and promise that all I am is yours.” The attendees, even those partaking in the ceremony, were tearing up as Luna wiped her own away and addressed, “Celestia…” Celestia took a moment to calm her jubilation and wiped her tears away as she steadied her breath. “Sombra, our paths were long and winding, and for a time too long did they keep us apart. When you were returned to the world with the Crystal Empire, I dared not hope that this moment could still be, that all my mistakes made me unworthy of this second chance, that this wedding to one so pure and beautiful and loving as one as you was too good to be true. Yet, despite it all here we are, surrounded by the ponies I love and care most about and I feel so proud and blessed to finally be your wife. Sombra, I have no doubts in my heart of hearts that we are meant to be.” The crowd was getting restless, wanting to applaud those most beautiful vows, to praise this occasion where their long-beloved Princess of the Sun had at long last found her Prince, but Luna stilled them with a raise of her wings. She then announced, “Here before witnesses, I sanction this union in the name of Faust and declare these two souls wed. May we have the rings?” Sombra looked to Midnight while Celestia did to Twilight. The Best Stallion and Mare of Honor levitated the rings they’d been entrusted to the groom and bride, who accepted them and faced each other again. They smiled and presented their horns to the other, levitating the rings onto the other’s horn, and Luna finally said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife - You may kiss the Princess!” Everypony cheered, doves were released and petals white, purple, and yellow rained down as Luna lowered the moon and then rose the sun, bringing the dawn to glorify this moment. Feeling the warmth of a new beginning shining down upon them the new royal couple then faced their subjects and Celestia smiled her famous smile to her new husband before throwing the bouquet upwards. “IT’S MINE!” “NO WAY RARITY, YOU CAUGHT THE LAST ONE!” “AWAY WITH YOU, LYRA HEARTSTRINGS!” “STEP ASIDE, I’M CATCHING THIS BOUQUET!” “GET LOST MINUETTE!” “DON’T MAKE ME HURT YOU TWO!” Unfortunately, the three mares were so busy fighting the bouquet fell into the hooves of Rainbow Dash, who blushed at the look Soarin was giving her. “EESH! I’m not ready for this sappy stuff!” She threw it towards Twilight and Midnight, yelling, “Take it, take it! I don’t want the wedding curse!” Then she noticed the slightly hurt look Soarin had that she sighed and whispered to him, “Yet!” It was enough to give Soarin a hopeful smile, the two of them blushing. Though maybe not as much as the two young royals as Midnight had been the one to catch the flowers. He looked to Twilight, smiling sheepishly, that she giggled and gave him a cheek-to-cheek nuzzle. The reception started as the royal newlywed took the first dance, dancing to a soft and gentle music, and Twilight didn’t think she’d ever seen her old teacher so happy. When the music ended, they heard feedback and a tap on a microphone before they all looked to see Midnight, asking, “Is this thing on? Oh good, it’s on… Ahem! Fillies and gentlecolts, I’d like to dedicate this number to the happy couple, and I hope you two will like it.” Midnight gave a signal to the band and they started a new emotional song, with a golden earth pony with a light brown mane on lead guitar. Look into my eyes Can you see my soul? Can you see that I am losing control? Can you see the pain? Can you feel my fear? This is not what I expected, And that's why I need you here. Tell me I am moving on, Tell me I am growing up, But don't tell me I'll be all alone. I found my destiny, Now what do you make of me? Will you help me find my way? Or will I be a memory? Sombra and Celestia both shed tears and danced some more, their happy looks inviting everypony else onto the dance floor. IF I CHANGE I WILL STILL BE ME. WILL YOU REMAIN THE FRIEND YOU USED TO BE? WHEN I GROW, WOULD YOU KINDLY GROW WITH ME? WILL YOU LET ME FLY WHEN I FIND MY WINGS? The crowd applauded even though the song wasn’t over and the dancing continued, as did the music, the party, up until it was time for the happy couple to ride off to their honeymoon. Midnight and Twilight were at the carriage, holding the door open for Celestia and Sombra. They arrived and boarded but not before they spoke to their old students. “Twilight and Midnight, we can’t thank you enough for all of this!” Celestia sniffled as she took them both into a wing-hug. “Were it not for you, we might not be here,” Sombra added as he shook Midnight’s hoof and kissed Twilight’s forehead. “Thank you, thank you so much.” “You’re both very-very welcome,” Twilight smiled as she wiped her own tears away. “Not get outta here,” Midnight cracked, “and you enjoy your little getaway!” “Oh we will…” Sombra whispered slyly to Midnight, giving him a wink, as he joined his wife on the carriage. The streets were packed as everypony shouted goodbyes, good lucks, and good wishes to the happy couple as they rode off to their honeymoon. A hooded figure walked up to the Tree of Harmony, green eyes narrowing with interest at the elements but patience stayed the figure's wanting grasp as she considered, "What an interesting development..." The figure vanished in a haze of green and purple.