The Tale of KyuubiDash

by TheLunarArmy

Chapter 1: The Element of Loyalty

Chapter 1 – The Element of Loyalty
Written by TheLunarArmy
Edited by Ezn

It is eve of the one thousandth Summer Sun Celebration and Nigthmare Moon was on the loose. Inside the forgotten castle ruins in the Everfree forest we find Twilight Sparkle and the twisted Princess Luna facing off against one another, both deadlocked in a death-defying stare.

The young purple-maned unicorn clopped her hoof on the smooth stone floor, readied to charge straight at the dark mare.

Nightmare, surprised at the young filly’s enthusiasm, lifted her hoof in disgust and sarcastically murmured: “You’re kidding, right?”

The mere thought of a feeble unicorn charging at her malevolent beauty made Nightmare's wings cringe. However, this was not nearly enough to make her back down from a challenge. Just as Twilight started to charge, so too did the mighty alicorn. Mere seconds before the two would have collided, the crafty Twilight unleashed her spell and teleported herself right next to the five stone spheres. A deceiving move that stunned Nightmare, how cannot she lose to a mere filly! She quickly reacted by using her own telemorphing spell in an attempt to intercept the unicorn from reactivating the Elements.

But the dark mare was too late. The spheres had started to glow, and even though the unicorn suffered recoil from her spell, Nightmare could not do anything to stop the reaction.

“No. NO!” she yelled. But, luckily for her, the spheres turned back into their original stone states.

Twilight gasped: “But where is the sixth Element?”

Nightmare’s maniacal laugh filled the room with a terrifyingly dark atmosphere. She slowly raised her front hooves up into the chilled evening air. Her goal was clear: destroying the Elements would seal her victory. With a mighty stomp the alicorn shattered the stone spheres. Twilight sat in shock as she saw the fragments of the orbs tumbling all around Nightmare’s hooves. The mare gloated unconditionally.

It would only be after Twilight heard her friends approaching that she realized what the Elements of harmony actually meant. The spark of magic infused itself within in her. Twilight Sparkle now knew what to do.

"You think you can destroy the Elements of harmony just like that?” she proclaimed. “Well you’re wrong, because the spirit of the Elements of harmony are right here!”

All six ponies stood poised against the mare’s aggressive stance, ready to support one another. The shattered orb fragments also started to levitate, much to Nightmare Moon’s dismay.

As Twilight explained what each Element meant and how each of her friends had helped her along the way, the shattered orbs flew to each representative’s side, each having a different effect on the ponies as they bonded with their Element.

Applejack, the Element of Honesty, was given a vision of her friends together running through a field of wheat and enjoying the sun.

Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness, saw a reflection of herself in the future holding onto a friend’s hoof.

Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, also saw a vision of the future: not surprisingly a party scene with many types of cakes and confetti.

Rarity, the Element of Generosity, felt as if she was deeply in love with a mysterious dark stranger.

All four of the ponies were in bliss for a few seconds due to the bonding’s seemingly soothing effect, all of them smiled uncontrollably.

Noticing her friends in such states of euphoria, Rainbow Dash eagerly awaited bonding with her own Element.

“And Rainbow Dash,” Twilight continued, “who could not abandon her friends for her own heart’s desire represents the spirit of… Loyalty.”

With that the red fragments lifted into position and Dash could feel the Element bonding with her soul. It felt like she had just pulled off a Sonic Rainboom, like she did as a foal. She felt strong. She felt omnipotent. She felt ready to crush Nightmare Moon on her own. But the feeling soon subsided and she too smiled alongside her friends.

With the power of all the known Elements complete, Twilight Sparkle called upon the final Element, Magic, and together they ended Nightmare’s evil plans. The combined powers of the Elements utterly destroyed the alicorn’s defense. No-pony could withstand the power of the six most ancient Elements known to pony kind.

Nightmare Moon’s armor shattered and a purple filly fell to the ground. The room was filled with an ominous white glow. Everything became quiet as the mysterious Elements of Harmony continued to bond with their hosts, creating beautiful jewelry that resonated with each pony’s inner strength.

<>--<>

The ponies started to awaken, each utterly confused and in disarray. Rainbow Dash stood up, massaging her temple with a hoof.

“Ugh, my head,” she scorned.

Applejack made sure everypony was okay before Fluttershy and Rarity noticed all the new jewellery they were sporting. Each pony was excited at their new attire. Even Dash, who disliked wearing frilly, girly... things, expressed her opinion over the ruby lightning bolt. She felt even stronger now. An overwhelming light caught the group's attention. Princess Celestia had stepped into the castle to see if Twilight had followed her instructions. Victory was attained and the princess was happy to have received her sister back. Now it was time to return to Ponyville.

<>-<>

A short distance into the journey, Princess Celestia stopped and turned to the ponies. They froze in place as the white alicorn looked at their new jewelry. She knew that if they revealed their mystic powers to the rest of Ponyville, it would only be a matter of time before any number of dark forces would be after them. A worried look dawned upon her face.

“What’s the matter, Princess? You seemed worried,” inquired her faithful student.

Everypony glanced at Twilight and then looked anxiously at Celestia, who was still pondering about their current situation.

Celestia opened her eyes and spoke. “As grateful as I am for all of your strength in helping my sister free herself from Nightmare Moon’s grasp, but I need to ask you all to perform another task which could very well determine your future.”

“Sister?” asked Luna. “What are you saying?”

Everypony was confused by the white alicorn’s statement. What did she mean?

“I have to ask you all to hide your identities. The Elements of Harmony are a rare and powerful force, which, when combined, can create great joy or bring forth much pain. So for your own safety, I need you to hide each of your symbols in a safe place. Don’t use them unless I instruct you to. This is the path you must all take.”

The decisions was unanimous. The powers were too great and should remain hidden to the rest of Equestria. They all agreed to Celestia’s request, bringing a smile to the Princess’s concerned face. Before they move along she turned to each pony and made them swear not to abuse the power they received.

Twilight Sparkle agreed, and made an oath not to call upon the Element of Magic to further her studies.

Rarity swore not to reveal she was the Element of Generosity, but she would help all those who need it.

Applejack swore to her oath to stay honest and not to disobey the power she is entrusted to guard.

Fluttershy quietly agreed to her oath, saying she would rather lose her wings then stop being kind to others.

Pinkie Pie, swore not to tell anypony about what had happened that evening, as she did not want to lose anypony’s trust.

They all turned to Rainbow Dash who, disheartened by the thought of losing her new power, sighed and eventually agreed to her oath to “not disobey the Element of Loyalty blah blah blah...”

“Good, it seems your friends are trustworthy, Twilight,” said Celestia.

All the ponies giggled as one by one, they removed their jewellery. Rainbow Dash hesitated, and decided to keep it on while they were still in the forest. She explained that it was easier to fly while wearing it, rather than while holding it in her hooves or mouth.

But now, the rainbow-maned pony was wallowing in confusion. She had never felt this strong before – surely she could apply to the Wonderbolts if she felt this good. Then again, was it really her inner self this strong, or was this new Element of Loyalty providing a supplement?

The ruby started to heat up. It felt as if it was comforting her thoughts, resonating in perfect harmony. How weird, thought Dash, this new rock isn’t so bad once I get used to it. With the help of the ruby, the self-doubt washed away.

Dash’s friends all noticed the pegasus gleefully smiling. They were all thinking about how weird it was for a tomboy such as herself to enjoy wearing a flamboyant necklace like that. Rarity, for one, was almost impressed: she decided that Dash was finally maturing.

“You seem happier than usual dearie,” the white unicorn laughed. “Enjoying the fabulous jewellery are we, hmm?”

“Buzz off, fashion brain. Don’t ruin the moment.” Dash snapped back.

Both broke out in a laugh – they were feeling far too happy to be start throwing insults at each other.

<>-<>

Celestia greeted the fillies as they reached the edge of the forest. She said she would join them after dealing with some royal duties. In a glimmer the two alicorns disappeared.

Each pony started making their way to their respective homes. Twilight turned around and happily smiled at her new friends trotting along the different paths into Ponyville. However, she also noticed that Dash still hadn’t taken off her ruby.

“Hey Dash!” she yelled at the zooming pegasus.

“Yeah?” she replied.

”Don’t forget about the necklace!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll go drop it off at my house real quick. Be back down in ten seconds flat.”

Twilight giggled and proceeded to trot towards the library.

The rainbow pony shot straight into the sky, flying as fast as she could; fighting the planet’s gravitational force as she broke through the cloud barrier to lay eyes upon Cloudsdale, which was straight ahead.

Wow, she thought, even on a good day I would never be able to get up this high without taking a breather. Her eyes slowly glanced down at the ruby again. This thing must be helping me somehow. I don’t know why, but I like it. Her grin grew so wide that she couldn’t help but do a few barrel rolls on the way to town, just to see the ruby shine in the sunlight.

A few moments later Dash was at the door of her house. Nopony was around; they were all at the celebration, of course. She quickly slipped inside and galloped to her bed. She carefully reached behind her neck and unclipped the golden lock. As she removed the ruby from her body she could feel a hallow gap forming inside her stomach: she felt nervous. Shaking her head, she snapped out of it, thinking: A cool pony like me doesn’t get attached to frilly jewellery like this. She huffed and placed the ruby necklace underneath her pillow.

She slowly trotted to the door, but could not help looking back at the bed. It’s almost like she didn’t want to leave. All her friends were waiting at the celebration party; admiring the ruby would have to wait for another time. Dash raced outside and spread her wings. Just before taking off she stood her ground and looked back.

Why am I so fixated on their darn jewel? It’s just a red rock for goodness sake, get over it Dash! she scorned herself and took off. But try as she might, that mysterious, nervous feeling crept back into her stomach. What a day to have the butterflies.

To be continued…

Comments

[Meta Knight]

♫♥I look forward to reading what happens next in your story♥♪

[Hollyfern]

Wow! nice use of the show reference too!

It better end up being the jewel causing those feelings. Since if it isn't then Dash is extremely OoC. She's the element of loyalty for a reason, you know.

[catrianheir]

Wunderbar, wonderful pace man. I'm enjoying this story.