Ill Advised Plans
After Twilight left the apple cellar her friends began to talk among themselves. While they knew that the Tree of Harmony was located in East Equestria and knew what the repercussions of crossing the border without permission were, they also realized that the Elements were the only things that could aid them in defeating Tirek.
Applejack asked, "I know Twilight said that she could find one way or another to defeat Tirek, but I honestly don't think she could do it on her own. What do you guys think?"
Rainbow replied, "Well I think she's nuts if she thinks she can do it on her own and I don't trust that Sunset Shimmer she is talking about one bit. Just because she was reformed in the human world doesn't mean that she will come here and be good like Twilight thinks she will."
Fluttershy added, "What if she were to come here and try to overthrow Twilight?"
Pinkie replied, "Fluttershy does make a good point. I don't trust her, I don't trust her one bit."
Rarity asked, "None of us trust her but how are we supposed to get the Elements. You heard Twilight, the Tree is in East Equestria, that area is heavily guarded by their military and if anypony from West Equestria crosses the border, Starlight will declare war."
Rainbow replied, "Well there has to be one way." She stopped and then suggested, "I've got it! How about we go there at night. I have a feeling that they will all be asleep. If we can go there at night, we can hurry up and get the elements and then get back home. We can take the Elements to Twilight and then we can stand up to our enemy like we did in the old days and defeat him."
Pinkie got excited and continued, "And after we beat that meanie we can go after Starlight."
Rarity suggested, "Well I think all five of us are going to have to go. After all, it will require unicorn magic to retrieve them from the tree."
Rainbow asked, "What are we going to do with Marble? I don't think it would be a good idea to take her with us."
Pinkie replied, "Well Marble thinks it would be best if she stayed here with Granny Smith and Big Mac."
Marble said, "Mhmm."
Rainbow suggested, "Alright, a couple hours after the sun sets we will head out and retrieve those elements."
Everypony started cheering realizing that they could get the only things that could help them defeat Tirek. While they knew that they would be taking a risk by crossing the border, they realized that the benefits of taking the risk would be worth it.
Quest for the Elements
Two hours after sunset Twilight's friends headed emerged from the cellar and headed towards the border, in the direction of the Tree of Harmony. Suddenly something struck the five. While Rainbow and Fluttershy would be able to fly, Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity would have to climb the wall, which would make a decent amount of noise. Rarity asked, "Rainbow, how are the three of us supposed to get across the border without making a lot of noise?"
Rainbow sighed, "Well Fluttershy and I are going to have to carry you over the border."
Rarity sighed but realized that was their only option. About an hour after leaving Ponyville they could see the wall off in the distance. Applejack asked, "So how far is it from the border to the Tree?"
Rainbow replied, "It is immediately on the other side of the border so we won't have to go very far into their territory."
Applejack said, "Alright then, let's get going."
When they arrived at the border they stared up at the wall, which was much taller than they had anticipated. Fluttershy sighed, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to carry anypony over it. It is really tall."
Rainbow grunted, "Well you're going to have to try Fluttershy. It will make it a lot easier if you can at least carry one of them over."
Rarity interrupted, "Well I am the lightest out of us. Fluttershy, you carry me."
Applejack said, "Shh.....we need to be quiet. We don't want to get caught."
They finally began the most difficult and dangerous part of their quest. Fluttershy grabbed Rarity in her hooves and began to fly up and over the wall. This was very difficult for her, so much so that Rainbow was able to get both Applejack and Pinkie carried over and set down by the time Fluttershy did the same with Rarity. When they landed they saw approximately a dozen East Equestrian soldiers resting peacefully. Rainbow whispered, "They're asleep! Let's go get those elements."
They headed into the cave and before them stood the Tree of Harmony. A flood of memories came rushing back to them. They remembered surrendering the elements to the tree to save it and they remembered how they defeated Tirek by unlocking the chest with their keys. Rarity said, "There are so many memories associated with this place, memories that are simply divine!"
Applejack scolded, "Shhh....look Rarity, we can't have them hearing us or another memory we'll have of this place will be getting captured."
Fluttershy interrupted, "Uhm, if it is ok with you, don't you think we should retrieve the elements and get home. If we get caught we might start a war."
Everypony agreed and Rarity began to try to retrieve the elements. Unfortunately for her, her magic simply was not strong enough to dislodge the Elements from the Tree's hold. She began grunting louder and shouted, "Come on you tree, we need the Elements!"
Rainbow shouted, "Rarity, would you keep it down! You'll wind up waking them up."
"FREEZE!"
Rarity stopped trying to take the elements and they turned around towards the source of the voice. They had twelve guards with spears surrounding them. One of the guards said, "It's a bit late for that. Both of you woke us up."
Another guard asked, "Who are you, where are you from and what are you doing here."
Rarity replied, "Well, I am Rarity. These other ponies are Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and we are all from Ponyville."
The guard asked, "You didn't answer the other part of our question. What are you doing here?"
Rarity replied, "Well we were trying to get the Elements of Harmony so we can help Twilight defeat....."
The guard poked Rarity with the spear and interrupted, "You five are coming with us. We are going to contact Premier Starlight and see what she wants us to do with you."
The guards led the five to a holding cell while the main guard headed to the main barracks to contact Starlight. As Rarity and her friends were being locked up, they couldn't help but worry that something very bad was going to happen. Applejack grunted, "Ah knew this was going to be a bad idea. Chances are Starlight is going to declare war."
Rainbow shouted, "You were just as ready to do this as the rest of us Applejack."
Rarity shouted, "Would you two stop it? Arguing is not going to get us out of this mess."
A guard yelled, "Would you three shut up? You're driving me up the wall and if you keep this up, I might punish you before Starlight gets the chance!"
They knew now that if Starlight decided to declare war, that they would be the reason. What really scared them was the prospects of being hauled off to Starlight, having their marks taken and being locked up the same way Twilight had been for over a year.