I backed up and Nightmare did an evil laugh
“Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!” said the mayor to the guards, suddenly I could feel magic about to be used, I had to act, NOW!
“Stand back, you foals!“ exclaimed Nightmare and blasted lightening in, not even controlled lightening!
I bucked a vase, which fell onto a seesaw, which catapulted it into destroying a chandelier’s counterweight, the one in the center of the room fell, I had purposely put a wet floor sign there, and luckily ponies avoided the area, then the chandelier by the entrance was unbalanced, it fell, but before it even skimmed a pony it stopped from its counterweight, Barkspawn jumped and growled, warning them away, ponies got the idea and moved as it fell, just in case It fell again, and it did, Barkspawn moved and got away just in time.
This unbalanced the last one, above me and Nightmare, but it didn’t play out as she expected, this unbalanced the whole ceiling, and chandelier’s weight made the ceiling collapse on her as I had backed up a fair bit, she looked up, gasped and it collapsed on her, she turned back into mist, I had destroyed her physical form temporarily, Applejack couldn’t hold Rainbow and she flew after Nightmare.
“Twilight, time to move!” I said as I leapt from the balcony, Barkspawn nudged her as she snapped back and nodded determinedly, we ran out and to the library.
“Come back here!” yelled Dash and she panted.
“Nighttime? Forever? Where're they going?”
We got in and I slammed the door with my magic.
“That was amazing!” exclaimed Twilight.
“Yeah, that was… awesome…” said Spike and he yawned, Twilight picked him up and took him upstairs.
Meanwhile I updated my codex with something about each of the girls and Equestria itself and Ponyville and the mare in the moon tale.
“Uh... We gotta stop Nightmare!...” he tried before succumbing to sleep, Barkspawn also laid down.
“You've been up all night, Spike. You are a baby dragon after all.”
“Oh no, you are not sleeping.” I said to Barkspawn, he huffed and got up.
“You can lie down, but no sleeping.” I said and he pretty much nodded.
“That was so genius! And the way you knew she’d turn into mist and survive so you took out her physical form where she can do the most damage!” said
Twilight as she levitated some books over, I froze…
Knew she’d turn to mist? Hang on… I just realized something, I hadn’t seen a single mugging, a single weapon, a single soldier with a weapon, no deadly spells except Nightmare… the serenity and peace I felt… was this… did these ponies not understand violence? violent death? They were oblivious to war and death, all they know is peace and love…
“Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?” said Twilight, snapping me out of my stupor.
I shook my head and started the search for Elements, suddenly the door was barged and I prepared to fight, suddenly Rainbow flew right up to me and Twilight, she tried to be intimidating and make us back off but I stayed my ground, she was right in my face and I stared her down.
“And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you spies? Whoa, calm down Bar- woah!” exclaimed Rainbow as Barkspawn warned her not to invade my personal space before Applejack reigned her in.
“Simmer down, Sally. They ain't no spies. But they sure know what's going on. Don't you, Twilight, Warden?” I glanced at Twilight and nodded, I silently walked past the group, their eyes followed me and I went upstairs for a second, I came back down with a book and placed it before Twilight.
“I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!” exclaimed Twilight, I had an idea.
"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide." Said Pinkie, I was impressed.
“How did you find that?!” asked Twilight.
“It was under ‘E’!” sang Pinkie, chuckled and sighed… of course it was that simple.
“Oh. There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. Hold on… there’s a footnote… it says that there is seventh?” asked Twilight and became confused.
“Hmm…” I said as I noticed a blue mist moving away from a window above us.
“It is said the Seventh represents... Well, it's not clear, but there are two parts, two sides of the same coin, one rarely speaks and the other not at all they keep each other company in the darkest of times and they represent balance in the world between ponies and much much more, but it doesn't state what it is exactly. It is said, the last known location of the first five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now—“ said Twilight, I blinked and suddenly we were in front of-
“The Everfree Forest!” said the 5 locals.
“What? I’ve been in worse forests.” I said, I remember the Bracilian Forest… that was not the best time, I was put asleep by a demon, I had to fight through werewolves and... magic trees, I fought a Makerdamn dragon! and then the Dalish Keeper, that is pretty much an average walk in the woods for me.
“See? With Warden with us we’re set! whee! Let's go!” exclaimed Pinkie.
“Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.” Said Twilight.
“Nope, you need my expertise, I’ve survived in forests before you were born.” I said.
“He’s right, no can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”
Said Applejack and they all went on ahead as they agreed.
“Barkspawn, take up our 6... no pun intended.” I said and he hung back.
“Especially if there's candy apples in there. What? Those things are good.” Said Pinkie.
Twilight sighed.
“Sometimes, it’s better to have a group, then to be alone, I miss my old travelling companions, come on, let’s go.” I said and we moved on.
“So, none of you have been in here before?” asked Twilight as we walked.
“Ugh, Heavens no! Just look at it - it's dreadful.”
“And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria.” Said Applejack.
“Like I said, worse forests exist.” I stated as I kept vigilant.
“What's that supposed to mean?” asked Twilight.
“A forest back in my country, I had to travel there for a good while, there were wolves, dragons, old hermits, talking trees, violent trees, like I said, I’ve had worse.” I said.
“And why isn’t it natural?” asked Twilight.
“Nopony knows. You know why?”
“Rainbow, quit it.” Said Applejack as Rainbow crawled towards Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity.
“ 'cause everypony who's ever come in has never come out!” finished Rainbow.
Suddenly I felt the ground collapse beneath me.
“Oh… shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttt!!!” I yelled as we fell, suddenly my wings flared to life and I pictured myself with two extra appendages, it didn’t seem to work too much, so I pictured myself as a dragon, it worked and I flew down after the girls, Barkspawn managed to balance himself on the slide and was sliding like a pro.
“Fluttershy! Warden! Quick!” exclaimed Rainbow.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.” Muttered Fluttershy.
I tried to catch Twilight but Nightmare Moon’s mist came out of nowhere and clipped my wings.
I fell with them and landed on the slope, I managed to control my slide, I landed by Twilight, and out of nowhere a vine attached itself to my hind leg, I tried to walk but fell and almost went down the gorge, I held on luckily, I heard Twilight scream.
“Hold on! I'm a-comin'!” said Applejack.
“Applejack! What do I do?” asked Twilight.
“Let go! Heh, joke, don’t…” I said as I gulped as the drop.
“He’s right, let go.” Said Applejack.
“Are you crazy?” asked Twilight.
“No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe.” Said Applejack.
“Don’t make promises… you can’t keep.” I breathed as I held on, I saw Barkspawn waiting for us at the bottom.
“That's not true!”
“Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.” Said Applejack, I saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy waiting to catch her.
Twilight let go and fell, then she was caught by our two pegasi.
“Sorry girls. I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two.” Said Fluttershy as Twilight slipped from her grasp slightly.
“So… he’s still up there.” Said Rainbow and pointed a hoof at me.
“Well… yeah, hang on.” I said, I hauled myself slightly up, I pushed myself off of the ledge and backflipped onto a branch and I climbed down the tree.
“And that is dexterity.” I said and as we were about to move on, I looked back and saw a beast in the distance.
“And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, whoosh... Me and Fluttershy loop-de-loop around and WHAM! Caught you right in the nick of time.” Said Rainbow, I chuckled at her ego, she reminded me of a less boisterous Oghren, telling of his tales in the Deep.
“Yes, Rainbow, I was there, and I'm very grateful, but we gotta-[gasps] A manticore!” exclaimed Twilight and I turned to see a half lion half scorpion.
Pretty sure I saw Nightmare Moon do something to him.
“We've gotta get past him!” said Twilight.
He went right next to Rarity who bucked him in the face.
“Take that, you ruffian!” exclaimed Rarity.
“My hair!“ said Rarity as the Manticore roared in her face.
“Wait.” Mumbled Fluttershy.
The manticore roared and Applejack was on top of him.
“YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie.” She exclaimed.
“Wait.” Said Fluttershy again.
I decided to sit it out.
“Whoa! All yours, partner.” Said Applejack to Rainbow as she was thrown off.
“I'm on it.” Said Rainbow Dash who encircled him quickly.
“Wait!” said Fluttershy getting louder.
“Rainbow!” exclaimed everypony as Rainbow was thrown as he hit her.
Suddenly the 6 girls were about to face off with him.
“WAIT!” yelled Fluttershy.
They all stopped, Fluttershy approached.
“Shhh... It's okay. Oh, you poor, poor little baby.” Said Fluttershy.
“Little?” said Rainbow as the manticore showed Fluttershy a spike in his paw.
“Now this might hurt for just a second.” Said Fluttershy and pulled the spike out.
“Fluttershy!” yelled the girls as the manticore grabbed her and…
Licked her.
“Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are.” Said Fluttershy and he walked away.
“How did you know about the thorn?” asked Twilight
“I didn't. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.” Said Fluttershy, we moved on.
As we walked through the forest, I looked all around us, darting my eyes everywhere, the others noticed.
“Why ‘re ya lookin’ everywhere?” asked Applejack.
“Habit, the forests are a dangerous place, dangers behind every corner.” I said, never stopping my eye movement, I had to keep vigilant.
“Calm down, you don’t need to be so protective.” Said Twilight.
“Well, it’s sort of ingrained into my brain, years on the move have taught me to be vigilant, always watching, always listening.” I said and cocked my ear, an advantage of being a pony.
We kept walking and I eased up on the vigilance, I had to remember: this isn’t Ferelden, there aren’t werewolves in the woods, no giant deadly bears, sure there are Manticores and such, but with Fluttershy here, we should be fine.
I eased up and took a breath, removing my concentration, it was a Grey Warden ability you acquire after a few years, immersing yourself in your surroundings, becoming attuned with nature, hearing it’s cried, it’s moans, and it’s grunts as the trees sway in the wind, you can feel a single thing out of place with that concentration.
I have kinda been a grump since I got here, I need to stop being such a misery ass.
“No. My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck.” Said Rarity as we were plunged into complete darkness.
“Well, there ya go.” I said.
“Well, I didn't mean that literally.” She said.
“That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it.” Said Twilight, I could see perfectly, after all I’m a Grey Warden, we need to be able to see in the darkness, because the Deep Roads are… well, deep! and dark.
“I didn't see you there, my apologies.” Said Rarity, and everypony was bumping into one another, while I was still walking, I stopped dead. Another shiver. Something wrong…
“Oh wait, I think I stepped in somethin'.” Said Applejack.
I looked back slightly and Fluttershy screamed, I spun around and looked at her.
“It's just mud.” Said Applejack, suddenly I saw trees with faces.
“Not again…” I sat down and fake cried.
All the things that could've happened and they give me Sylvans.
Suddenly, I started laughing.
And Pinkie joined in, why was I laughing? I think it's the fact I realised that trees were trying to kill me, on top of all the other things, demons, Dragons and Darkspawn, hell, now trees, nature itself is trying to kill me, I'm honored!
It's really funny if you think about it.
Everypony else was confused.
"Bleh, Ooo!" said Pinkie as we laughed.
"Warden, Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!" said Twilight.
"Oh Maker! this is too funny!" I was in hysterics
"Oh girls, don't you see?" asked Pinkie.
"When I was a little filly and the sun was going down..." she sang.
“Tell me she's not...” said Twilight.
“The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...” sang Pinkie
“She is.” Affirmed Rarity.
“I'd hide under my pillow. From what I thought I saw. But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way. To deal with fears at all.” She sang again.
“Then what is?” asked Rainbow, I usually use my greatsword to sort my fears out.
“She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall. Learn to face your fears. You'll see that they can't hurt you just laugh to make them disappear, ha! ha! ha!" me and Pinkie laughed, turning the trees normal and everypony gasped.
“So, giggle at the ghostly. Guffaw at the grossly. Crack up at the creepy. Whoop it up with the weepy. Chortle at the kooky. Snortle at the spooky. And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh... Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!" all the girls laughed on the floor and I leaned on a tree watching them, it was the last tree with a face, I looked at it, gestured to them and chuckled, making the last face disappear, even Barkspawn was laughing in his own way.
We carried on walking and moving along, suddenly I stopped and spun around, I backflipped, dodging an arrow speeding toward me, I looked ahead and saw a fallen tree, there was only one way...
I entered the brush with the girls, I saw two feral ponies, obviously hungry and fighting over a scrap of food, and willing to kill anypony who gets in the way, I grumbled and stepped in, Applejack grabbed me and held me back.
"What do you think yer doin' pardner?!" she whispered harshly.
"Helping, it isn't right for two starving sentients to fight over food, they'll just end up killing somepony, they almost killed me! plus they're in the way" I whispered back and stepped in.
"Hey, lads, think we can stop this petty squabble? what happened?" I asked.
“Some blue mist came through while we were walking and suddenly, I got very hungy but when we looked in our basket, nothing bar one thing was there, we continued on, getting even hungrier, as though the thing sapped our energy." he said, I knew how to get these two to share... I nodded to Barkspawn and he nodded back, we always shared some kind of telepathic connection, much more than an average Mabari and owner.
"Well, maybe I should remove the middle man to stop you two fighting..." I said and approached the apple.
"No! it’s our food!" said one and jumped in front of it.
"Yeah our food! not yours!" suddenly Barkspawn grabbed it quietly and clambered up a tree, when I backed off and they turned around to continue fighting to find the apple gone, they saw it up a tree and both tried for it, one tried to climb and the other pulled them down, and so the cycle repeated, until they looked at each other in understanding.
One climbed while the other supported him, and they got the apple, then they smiled, the one who had the apple placed it down.
"Share?" he asked.
"Share." smiled the other and they split it, suddenly when they ate the apple they both returned to a healthy state and bounded off with their newfound energy.
"And that is how you keep order without getting involved." I said and walked past the girls and continued on the trail, me and Barkspawn looking smug.
Eventually we came across a bridge.
“How are we gonna cross this?” asked Pinkie.
I looked at the bridge and turned to the girls with a smile.
“Swim?” I asked and they looked at me funny.
“What?” I asked, even Barkspawn shook his head.
Suddenly we heard a cry, but like actual crying…
“Huh?” asked Pinkie, I glanced at the girls and approached the bush, I burst through and saw a huge sea serpent crying rivers… literally.
“Is it too much to ask for one day of peace? One day without anyone going ‘Hey Warden! Will you help me with this menial task that I apparently can't do myself because Grey Wardens clearly have nothing better to do!'? Maker's breath!” I exclaimed before taking a breath and nodding to the perplexed girls, who just shrugged as we approached.
"What a world, what a world."
"Don't have to tell me twice." I mumbled.
"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" asked Twilight.
"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore
half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid." he started to bawl.
"Hmm, I suppose I don't blame him, my chin strap is my life!"(Oh btw here is my Warden in human form)
"Oh, give me a break." said Rainbow Dash.
"You're preachin' to the choir." I said.
"That's what all the fuss is about?" asked Applejack.
"Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales." she said, no sly hint in her voice, she was entirely genuine.
"I know." he sniffed sadly.
"And your expertly coiffed mane." she complimented him.
"Oh, I know, I know." he said, well he certainly didn't lack self-confidence...
"Your fabulous manicure." she said and he held his claw out and gasped.
"It's so true!" he said.
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache." concluded Rarity.
"It's true, I'm hideous!" he said.
"Who knows? maybe 'uneven' will be the next 'big thing' as the Orlesians say." I quipped.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected." said Rarity and plucked(?) a scale from him.
"What did you do that for?" he asked.
"Rarity, what are you-" started Twilight before a slice was heard and Rarity's tail vanished onto the serpent's face.
"Oh-hohohoho! My mustache. How wonderful." he said.
"You look smashing." smiled Rarity sincerely yet sadly.
"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." said Twilight.
"Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back." she said.
"So would the mustache." whispered Rainbow Dash, prompting some chuckles.
"I'm sure somepony, somewhere has ointment for that, whether it works..." I said.
"We can cross now. Let's go. Ah!" said Twilight as we started to go before suddenly scales appeared beneath us to lift us up/
"Allow me." he said.
I bowed down by Barkspawn.
"Making friends with giant scaled beasts is far better than killing them, and makes for a nice change of pace." I said and he seemed to agree.
"There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" said Twilight as we came over a hill to reveal it.
Suddenly Twilight took off, I backed up and jumped from the hill.
"Twilight, wait for us!"
"We're almost there. Whoa!" as she slid to stop herself falling I landed side-on in front of her and she hit into me.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" asked Rainbow as Twilight rubbed her nose.
"That was like hitting into a brick wall! youch!" said Twilight nasally as she rubbed her sore nose.
"Having a sore nose is better than having a flat body." I pointed out.
"He's got a point." said Applejack.
"Now what?" asked Pinkie in defeat.
"Duh." said Rainbow and flared her wings.
"Oh yeah." smild Pinkie as Rainbow Dash flew over, I cocked my ears and concentrated so I could hear what was going on.
"Rainbow..." I heard a slightly raspy voice say.
"Who's there?" asked Rainbow.
"Rainbow..." repeated the voice.
"I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" exclaimed Rainbow.
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria." said the same voice, by Rainbow's reaction it was obviously a physical voice.
"Who?" asked Rainbow.
"Why, you, of course." said the voice.
"Really?! I mean... Oh yeah, me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group
for like, ever." said Rainbow.
"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-" started the voice, here come the compliments, like a fucking Desire Demon, they compliment you and work their magic, making you see them as the perfect man or woman, of course, I am immune to such things since it has already happened to me.
"Yep." said Rainbow, accepting the compliment
"Swiftest-" the Shadowbolt continued.
"Yes." said Rainbow.
"Bravest flyer in all the land." concluded the leaders compliments.
"Yes, it's all true." Rainbow chuckled.
"We need... You." finished the leader.
"WOOHOO! Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal." said Rainbow.
"No! It's them or us." said the Shadowbolt, exactly like a demon, you must make a choice, of course if this was the Fade, Rainbow would already be possessed simply for saying 'yes'"
"Rainbow, what's taking so long? Oh no. Rainbow! Don't listen to them." said Twilight as she saw me listening, a fog descended and I couldn't see a thing.
"Well?" asked the Shadowbolt.
"You... Thank you! For the offer, I mean, but I'm afraid I have to say no." said Rainbow and tied the bridge.
We all cheered as she did.
"See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'." said Rainbow Dash.
"Good job, else half of us would be splat at the bottom of the cliff back there." I said as we approached the castle.
"Hang on a second..." I said and the girls stopped, damn I wish there was a rogue with us to spot any traps, or maybe pick some locks if this castle has any chests... What can I say? I'm still an adventurer at heart!
After deeming it safe, I nodded and we entered, Barkspawn and I looking wary.
"Whoa. Come on, Twilight. Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?" said Applejack
"The Elements of Harmony, we've found them. Careful, careful!" said Twilight and me, Fluttershy and Rainbow brought them down.
"One, two, three, four... There's only five!" said Pinkie.
"Really? I could've sworn there were 35, but you just cleared that up, thanks Pinkie." I said and she laughed.
"Where's the sixth? and seventh?"
"The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed, and the seventh... they will appear when needed." said Twilight.
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" asked Applejack
"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen because if the seventh appears when the others are threatened and prefers to harm rather than listen to the pony who did it, this could get messy." said Twilight.
"I'll stay, I have some abilities which can dispel your magic if things go wrong."
"Come on now, y'all. they need to concentrate." said Applejack, Barkspawn nuzzled me and walked out with the others as I lay by Twilight and nodded to her.
She stated up her magic and concentrated on the Elements, and I closed my eyes and meditated, nullifying harmful magic in the area, making sure not to affect Twilight, but ready to at the slightest hint-
Suddenly I felt dark magic approaching, I was confused at first but by the time I realised...
"Nightmare Moon..." I said as my eyes snapped open and the Elements were vanishing in a portal, and I shook Twilight and she gasped.
"Twilight!" yelled everypony.
"The Elements!" she said and we dived after them.
:Barkspawn POV:
"Twilight, where are you?" asked Applejack as I tried to bark and tell them where they were, I siddenly Barked really loudly and ran and bounded and barked in the direction.
"Look!" said Rarity.
"Come on!" said Applejack as they followed me.
:Regnier's POV:
Twilight coughed and gasped, I was used to being teleported to strange places though.
Nightmare Moon laughed as she held the Elements.
"Hmph!" Twilight gasped as I helped her up again, and she prepared to strike, by her horn slightly flaring, I could tell she had a plan.
"Stay close." she mumbled.
"Mmm hmm." I said as I also prepared to charge.
"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" asked Nightmare and I smiled slightly as we charged.
Just before we hit, we teleported to the Elements, as Nightmare tried to approach I blocked her path.
"No, you don't love." I said.
"Just one spark. Come on, come on. Aah!" said Twilight, as the spark ignited an explosion and we went flying.
"No, no!" said Nightmare.
But here was nothing.
"But... where's the sixth Element?! and the seventh? we need it now!" exclaimed Twilight.
"You little foals! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!" laughed Nightmare Moon, I remembered I left my sword in the treehouse...
Then we hear the ponies talking over each other and Barkspawn barking.
Suddenly me and Twilight both realised at the same time.
"You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here." said Twilight.
"You can't just destroy something so powerful, just like that, it takes a lot more than that." I said and helped Twilight up.
"What?" asked Nightmare Moon.
"You see, when I heard about the Elements, and that they’re supposed to be rocks, I thought it strange... Than I came across these 5 mares, and when I thought about it, it made sense." I said.
"What made sense?!" asked Nightmare
"For one, Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... Honesty!" she said.
"I mean, telling somepony to let go of a cliff?! not even bothering to lie saying to just hold on until she fell? that is honesty."
"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... Kindness!" said Twilight.
"I like to think everything deserves a second chance, it gives me more hope." I said.
"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... Laughter!" said Twilight.
"I'm glad I share this, when you realize, hey, a face on a tree os a face on a tree, trees can't move, so why be scared?" I asked.
"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... Generosity!" said Twilight.
"I have had to give many things for the life I now lead, but to give a piece of yourself simply for another's happiness? that is true generosity." I said.
"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... Loyalty!" said Twilight.
"I always wanted to be a great warrior when I was a child, if I was approached as a child to leave my parents and become a warrior, despite my duties I would've said yes in a heartbeat, to say no to something like that when offered, that is unwavering loyalty."
"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us." said Twilight
"You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work! or the seventh! even when you need it!" exclaimed Nightmare Moon
"I think, the seventh element is both Order and Patience, you can't have one without the other, although Order is more appropriate, Grey Warden and Barkspawn both worked in tandem to make those two ponies work together and realise their friendship, they are not each Order and Patience, they are one and the same, they are each Order and Patience, or just Order." said Twilight
"Hmm, I see that." I said.
"But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you.
The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... Magic!" said Twilight, suddenly I felt a famailiar sensation as me and Barkspawn were blasted with the Elements, I became a true Maker's Warrior, I pulled out a greatsword made of rainbows, but before I could strike nightmare, Barkspawn stopped me, then I saw something... Inside her, a goodness? it was faint but I concentrated in it and pointed the sword at Nightmare and blasted her with a beam of Rainbows, using the powers given to me to bring Order to Nightmare Moon.
"Nooo! Nooo!" yelled Nightmare Moon, as the light engulfed me there was an explosion of light and I went flying into the next room.
:5 minutes later:
"Ugh, my head." said Rainbow.
"That felt like a good Friday night, except it wasn't..."I mumbled from the other room.
"Everypony okay?" asked Applejack
"Yo! Warden! where are you?" asked Rainbow and I stumbled out of the room with Barkspawn.
"You both look awesome!" said Rainbow.
"Thanks." I said and noticed my new crown.
I also noticed Barkspawn had black kaddis with the Grey Warden symbol.
"Oh, thank goodness." said Rarity.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely." complimented Fluttershy.
"I know! I'll never part with it again." said Rarity, looking at her tail.
"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark." said Fluttershy, I noticed all the girls had one, when I looked down, I saw my Joining amulet which got lost in a fight years ago! it was the Grey Warden double eagle with some Joining blood in it, I put a hoof to it and shut my eyes in slight memory.
"What? Ooh. So does yours." said Rarity and Fluttershy noticed and gasped.
"Look at mine! Look at mine!" exclaimed Pinkie.
:Third Person POV:
"Aw yeah." said Rainbow.
"Gee, Twilight! I thought you and Warden were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but... Say where is Warden?" asked Applejack, all 6 mares looked around until Twilight spotted him walking away with Barkspawn just outside the building.
"Wait!" shouted Twilight and he looked back as she ran full sprint, it was a short distance but she wasn't used to this much running, he raised an eyebrow at her as she reached him and she panted and looked at him nervously.
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"Aren't you staying?" asked Twilight.
"Staying? you want me to stay? usually I just leave after I do something in a town the residents usually feel uncomfortable, although they would never show it." I said.
"Well, just stay a little longer... At least." said Twilight, and Barkspawn gave me puppy eyes.
"Sure." I said with a smile, I may have finally found some friends, maybe I don't have to be so lonely anymore.
We walked back up the castle and saw the other girls waiting.
"I convinced them to stay for now." said Twilight and the girls cheered.
"We apparently represent these Elements of friendship, so we should stick together." said Applejack
"Indeed you do." came another voice, I flinched slightly, but the tone was so calming and motherly... It was amazing.
"Princess Celestia." gasped Twilight and all the girls bowed, I leaned against a wall in the shadows with Barkspawn as I watched events unfurl, truly, I was admiring the Princess sort of, she looked… well there was no other word… beautiful.
"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it." said the Princess.
"But... you told me it was all an old pony tale." said Twilight.
"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well. Princess Luna!" exclaimed the Princess and I saw that Nightmare had turned into a small blue mare, another Alicorn.
I heard her gasp.
“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.” Said Princess Celestia.
“Sister?” asked the girls.
“Will you accept my friendship?” asked the Princess to her sister.
“Whoa!” said Pinkie who had been leaning forward in interest and fell over.
“I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!” said Princess Luna who was crying and hugged her sister.
“I've missed you, too.” Said Princess Celestia happily
“Ahem, Princess, this is King Grey Warden, he is the ruler of land very far away.” Said Twilight and I stepped forward.
“Merely a humble citizen right now your majesty, this my faithful Mabari, Barkspawn.” I said and bowed my head slightly in recognition of her status as did Barkspawn.
Then she full on bowed to me!
“It is always a pleasure to have a visitor to our land, especially royalty, I would like you to come to the palace later where we can talk.” Said the Princess and I nodded.
“Of course Princess.” I said.
“Hey, you know what this calls for?” asked Pinkie.
“Do tell.” I smiled.
“A party!” exclaimed Pinkie and we appeared in Ponyville with music.
I simply observed, never let your guard down, the Princesses arrived by carriage and Luna was looking sad when a wreath was placed around her neck, they asked if me and Barkspawn wanted to ride in the carriage but we declined, we preferred the life of adventurers now.
I writ in my codex something on Princess Celestia and Luna, and updated the girls' and put them all in a new category: The Mare 6 & the Elements of Harmony. And created another category named: Ponies, for general information and individuals I meet and I made some notes about my new Templar powers as I saw Spike greet Twilight with a hug.
“Watching hmm?” asked the Princess from behind me as I finished writing and I nodded, I heard her coming the moment she set hoof in my direction.
“Yes.“ I replied.
“You still think about war? I know that look, you are searching for danger.” said the Princess.
“Unfortunately, don’t worry, I won’t bring harm to anypony unless they bring harm to me.” I said.
“I see, I was like that at first, when peace first reigned in Equestria. ‘where is the next threat?’ I wondered. ‘it could be around every or any corner, it could be anywhere’ but eventually I learned that the last of ponies who remembered war… died out, and so I had to forget.” She explained.
“Where I’m from… I was born into nobility, but I still saw my share of wars, hell, my dad fought to liberate us from slavers that had occupied more than 100 years.” I said.
“We had a similar problem here long ago, it was just before we were born, they fought them back and reclaimed their crowns, Luna and I’s parents, we wondered where the slavers went but our parents didn’t know, they must have retreated to your country for safety and in the commotion your parents rebelled.” Said Princess Celestia.
“Makes sense.“ I said
"I always used to watch everypony that I could see with a critical eye, wondering what threat they possessed, but luckily I got out of that habit but I never completely let my guard down." said the Princess.
"Maker knows we've been taught enough by life..." I said and she nodded, I really like the Princess, unlike the Empress, who was more concerned with the Game than her Nation's security.
"So, are you enjoying yourself?" asked the Princess
"Indubitably, but Twilight seems quite conflicted, shall we see what is wrong?" I asked and she nodded.
"Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" asked Princess Celestia.
"That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them." she said sadly.
"Spike, take a note, please. I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville. And Grey Warden shall join her, hopefully bringing news of our nation back to his own, and bringing new knowledge of magic to his nation and we can open up relations!" announced the Princess.
The girls cheered.
"Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before." said Twilight.
"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day." I said.
"Wise words." said Celestia.
"Yeah well... Now lets break out the kegs!" I exclaimed.
"Isn't this exciting? Are you excited cause I'm excited I've never been so excited, well, except for the time that I went [gasp] but I mean really-" Pinkie stopped as I held a hoof over her mouth.
"Pinkie, enjoy the party." I said.
She nodded enthusiatically and bounced away.
The rest of the night went fine, the alcohol could barely be called alcohol and was weaker than a Hurlock Grunt.
I fell asleep on the floor of the library.