The Story Begins: Harmony and Flurry

Once upon a time, in the land of Equestria, there lived six ponies, who shared a strong and powerful bond between each other. The Bond of Friendship. It was because of this bond, that they were able to wield the most powerful magic known to ponydom, the Elements of Harmony. Together they faced many a foe, using the elements to help retain the peace and tranquility of Equestria. And even when they had to relinquish the elements, their bond still remained, and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony were still able to nobly and valiantly protect the ponies, and ensured an era of peace in which all of Equestria could live in. However, that was then, and now a new story and a new adventure was about to unfold…

Morning dawned upon the capital city of Canterlot in a flood of buttery sunshine that peaked out from over the horizon. Its brilliant rays hitting the towers and turrets that protruded out from the grand, white and gold-capped structures that were nestled on the tall mountainside, giving them a soft glow as they touched the light. One by one, the residents of Canterlot looked out of their homes and businesses and gazed up into the sky, watching as it lit up with shades of bright yellow and soft pink. It looked like the beginning of another bright and beautiful day for all of Equestria. However, not everypony stopped to notice what a nice morning it was, or to admire the sunrise. Especially one pony in particular.

Harmony, a willowy cream-colored Pegasus with a long black mane, had been too preoccupied with cleaning up the Rose Cafe to pay much attention to anything else. The Rose Cafe was a quaint little establishment in the grand city of Canterlot, and as both its owner and only other employee, Harmony saw it as her responsibility to keep her business running smoothly and in order. And today, she'd arrived even earlier than usual to the cafe to give it a little spring cleaning before she had to open. By the time she was done, she stood up, and wiped her brow with the back of her hoof.

“Phew! Finished.” said Harmony with a proud grin, as she surveyed her work.

The wood-paneled floors were swept and mopped clean, to the point where you could see your reflection in them. The two large windows, and the glass cafe door had been washed so that they gleamed and sparkled as the sunlight shined through them. And the tables had been set with crisp tablecloths, and vases with fresh roses of different colors and shades. Everything looked and smelt as fresh as spring itself. Harmony glanced up at the wall clock to check the time, and saw that it was only 7:30, meaning she still had a half hour left before the cafe had to open.

“Looks like I've still got some time to kill.” she said. “More than enough to enjoy some well-deserved breakfast.”

Ducking behind the counter, Harmony turned on an old record player, and put on some nice, soothing music, as she got to work making herself breakfast. She hummed along with the song, while setting out a small plate of apple cinnamon muffin tops, and pouring herself a cup of warm Lady Grey tea. With her plate and cup in hoof, Harmony flew over to one of the many vacant tables, and took a seat. Just as she bit into her muffin top, Harmony heard a startling sound from behind her that drew her attention. She whirled around in her chair toward the cafe door to see who it was that had caused the noise. Harmony saw that it was none other than one of her best friends, Razzaroo, rapidly knocking on the door. Seeing that she had gotten Harmony's attention, Razzaroo grinned and waved animatedly at her and called out cheerfully, “Hey, Harmony!”

Harmony couldn't help but smile and wave back. Razzaroo was an Earth Pony with an orchid pink coat, a present cutie mark, and a white, aquamarine, and pink streaked mane placed into two thick braids, and she was easily one of the most excitable and cheerful ponies that Harmony had ever known. Getting up from the table, Harmony trotted over to the door and let her friend inside.

“Morning, Razz.” she said warmly. “What brings you here so early?”

“Why, I came here to see you of course.” answered Razzaroo brightly. Razzaroo giddily skipped into the cafe, looking this way and that at the whole interior. “Wow! You really went all out on the place, didn't you?” Razzaroo froze, stopping in her tracks. “Is that...” She sniffed the air and couple of times, another smile appearing on her face. “...cinnamon rolls I smell?”

Harmony laughed. “Yes, I made a fresh batch before I started cleaning. They should be cool about now.”

“Um, do you think, I could maybe have one?” asked Razzaroo innocently, as she gave Harmony a wide-eyed look.

Harmony rolled her eyes and smiled. “I don't see why not. But just one! The rest are for the customers.”

“Okay.” Razzaroo gave Harmony a little salute that made her chuckle a little under her breath.

Once again going back behind the counter, Harmony headed into the back room, which served as both a kitchen and a storage room, and returned after a few moments with a delectable-looking cinnamon roll for Razzaroo. She slid it over to the counter to her friend's eager hooves.

“Here you go.” she said. Razzaroo closed her eyes and took a large bite out of the cinnamon roll, and made pleased sounds as she savored its flavor.

“Mmm, this is soooo good!” moaned Razzaroo.

“Thanks, Razz. That means a lot to me.” After she finished off the cinnamon roll, Razzaroo turned to Harmony and said, “Oh, I almost forgot, there's something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What is it?” asked Harmony.

“Well, Kimono and I are going to have lunch over by the waterfall today, and I was wondering if you'd like to join us.”

“I don't know. I might be a bit busy today.”

“Come on, it'll be great! Kimono's already made the food and everything, and it wouldn't be the same without you there.” Harmony quickly thought about it. Lunch with her friends would be nice, especially after all the work she'd been doing around the cafe lately.

Harmony grinned. “Alright, I don't see why not.”

“Yes!” cried Razzaroo happily. She reached over the counter and wrapped her arms around Harmony, pulling her into a tight hug.

“O-okay Razz, you can let go now.” Said Harmony. Razzaroo pulled away and gave an embarrassed smile.

“Heh! Heh! Sorry, Harmony.” she said.

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Razzaroo craned her head toward the wall clock. “I should probably get going, I gotta a lot of things to do before lunch.” Turning on her hoof Razzaroo headed out the cafe door, waving goodbye to Harmony. “See you later Harmony, and thanks for the cinnamon roll!”

“Bye, Razz.” said Harmony, waving back at Razzaroo as she disappeared out of sight to who knew where.

Harmony went back to her table and finished eating her apple cinnamon muffin tops and drank the rest of her tea, then she cleared off the table. It was now 8:00, time to open up shop to the public. Harmony flew up to the window and flipped over the sign to show that she was officially open, and went behind the counter, ready to welcome the day's customers that she was about to receive.

Sometime around mid-morning or so, a crystal train pulled into the Canterlot train station. And from the train, a young Alicorn with a light pink coat, sparkling blue eyes, and a long light purple and blue streaked mane, stepped onto the platform with a travel suitcase in tow. She was none other than Princess Flurry Heart, Princess of the Crystal Empire and heir to its throne, and she was very excited to be in Canterlot.

"I'm so excited!" Flurry Heart exclaimed, practically jumping up and down. "I still can't believe I'm gonna be here for two whole weeks. This is going to be so much fun!"

A Crystal Pony guard who had accompanied her on the way over stood in the train's doorway, and asked, "Shall I accompany you to the castle, your highness?"

Flurry Heart shook her head. "No thank you, I can manage just fine on my own."

"Very well, I shall return to the empire and inform the prince and princess of your safe arrival." The guard bowed to her and went back inside the Crystal Train, the door closing behind him.

The train slowly started back up again, and began its journey back to the Crystal Empire. Flurry Heart waved and said her goodbyes to it, until it pulled out of sight. A light breeze then blew by Flurry Heart that ruffled her feathers and made her shiver.

"Brr! It's still a little chilly out." Using her magic, Flurry Heart pulled out a comfortable and stylish cloak from her suitcase. "Good thing I brought my cloak with me." She folded her wings close to her sides as she draped the cloak over herself. "Ah! Much better. Now that that's taken care of." Flurry Heart turned on her hoof toward Canterlot and grinned with anticipation. "It's time for a little sightseeing."

And with that, Flurry Heart headed down the cobblestone streets, eager to take in all that the great city had to offer before going to the castle. The princess had been to the castle plenty of times before, being flown there in a gleaming chariot pulled by two Pegasus stallions in royal armor, but she'd never really had much of a chance to explore the city itself, until now that is.

Everywhere she looked, there were all sorts of new things that beckoned Flurry Heart to come near. From the dazzling storefronts and their eye-catching window displays, to the different smells that emanated out of the restaurants, there was so much to see and to do that Flurry Heart felt like she could just burst from all the excitement that bounced around inside her. And she'd have two weeks to enjoy it all. The trip to Canterlot had been arranged a month or so ago by Flurry Heart's parents, to have her stay at the castle and visit her great-aunts Celestia and Luna, as a special treat for the big event that was happening at the end of the two weeks. And that event was her sixteenth birthday party, set to be held in the castle ballroom, it seemed like the perfect birthday gift to Flurry Heart.

Down the street she trotted, smiling and waving to all the posh ponies she passed by. "This is place is even better than I imagined!" she gushed. "Where do I even start?" As if answering her question, Flurry Heart's stomach let out a soft grumble. Flurry Heart stopped and let out a little chuckle. "Guess that answers my question." Flurry Heart quickly scanned either side of the street til she spotted a cute little cafe with a sign that read: The Rose Cafe.

Flurry Heart smiled. "Perfect!"

She wasted no time in making her way toward the cafe and stepping through its gleaming glass door. Upon entering, Flurry Heart was met with the mixed scent of coffee, baked goods, and fresh roses that hung in the air. Flurry inhaled this scent deeply as she approached the counter, where a lovey cream-colored Pegasus stood on the other side with a bright, welcoming smile.

"Hello, and welcome to the Rose Cafe. How can I help you?" said the Pegasus.

Flurry Heart eyed the menu that sat on the counter, purveying its large list of goodies, each one sounding more delicious than the last.

"Let's see," she mused. "The scones sound pretty tasty, but then again, chocolate croissants sound even better."

"Take your time." said the Pegasus. "There's no need to rush."

She looked over the menu once more. "I just can't decide." sighed Flurry Heart. She looked to the Pegasus and asked, "What do you suggest?"

The Pegasus blinked in surprise. "M-me?"

Flurry Heart nodded.

The Pegasus tapped her chin as she thought it over, "Well..." Her silver eyes then lit up as she got an idea. "How about some cranola cookies?"

Flurry Heart gave her a befuddled look and tilted her head to the side. "What are cranola cookies?" she asked.

"Oh, they're just a little thing a friend of mine helped me whip up a while back," said the Pegasus modestly. "They're made with dried cranberries, granola, cinnamon, and the usual farm grown ingredients I use. So they're both delicious and nutritious."

"Then in that case, I'll have some cranola cookies, please."

"Coming right up." The Pegasus bent down and pulled out a little, white paper bag, and proceeded to fill it with some of the cookies. "So, is this your first time in Canterlot?" she asked.

Flurry Heart cracked an embarrassed smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, the suitcase was a big clue." said the Pegasus with a slight smile, pointing a hoof toward the suitcase that sat at Flurry Heart's side.

Flurry Heart let out a laugh. "Yes, well, I guess you could say it's my first time. I heard all sorts of great things about this city from my aunt and her friends, so I can't wait to enjoy it for myself."

"I hope your trip goes well."

"Thanks, I hope so too."

The Pegasus rolled up the top of the bag and slid it across the counter to Flurry Heart. "Here you go, some cranola cookies, as ordered. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No thanks, I'm good." said Flurry Heart.

"Then that'll be five bits, please." said the Pegasus.

Flurry Heart pulled out her coin purse from her suitcase and put the amount of bits onto the counter's surface and turned to leave.

"Thanks." she said.

"You're welcome, have a good day." said the Pegasus.

"I will." replied Flurry Heart, going back through the door and into the streets. "What a nice pony." she said to herself. "I'm gonna have to stop by that place again sometime."

Flurry Heart lifted the paper bag in front of her with her magic, and pulled out one of the cookies. It looked not unlike an oatmeal raisin cookie, except it was a light brown with pieces of dried cranberry and granola poking through. She took a bite from it to see if it was as good as the Pegasus had made it out to be. To her surprise, it was even better. Flurry Heart placed the whole cookie into her mouth and munched on it happily. After swallowing it, she popped in another cookie, and another, and another, until she went through the entire bag. She turned it upside down and shook out the crumbs.

She then let out another little chuckle and said, "Looks like I might need to go back sooner than I thought." Flurry Heart looked up from the paper bag, toward Canterlot Castle, which loomed just up ahead of her. "But first, I should probably go to the castle now." she said. "Or else great-aunt Celestia will be wondering what's kept me." Crumpling up the bag and tossing it into a nearby bin, Flurry Heart trotted toward the castle, all the while she giddily thought of all the fun things she couldn't wait to do in Canterlot.

This is going to be the best trip ever!

At about noon, just outside the drawbridge of city walls, on the bank of the nearby lake, there sat two Earth Ponies, sitting on a checkered picnic blanket, awaiting for their friend to arrive. One of the ponies, Razzaroo, pointed a hoof up at the sky.

"There she is." she said. Flying in the sky above them, was Harmony, who descended down to the picnic blanket with incredible speed.

“I'm here!” gasped Harmony, a touch out of breath. She'd been attending to another customer and had almost lost track of the time, and so she'd flown as fast as she could in order to get to the lake without being late another minute. “Sorry I'm a little late, I hope I haven't kept you girls waiting long.”

Razzaroo shook her head and batted a hoof. “Not at all, we're just glad you managed to show up at all.”

“Yes,” agreed Kimono, “Otherwise Razzaroo here would've helped herself to your lunch and end up stuffing herself full.”

“Hey!” cried Razzaroo.

Kimono gave a light laugh, “I'm just teasing.” she said. Kimono was a Neighponese Earth Pony, with a purple coat, two round, paper lanterns for her cutie mark, and a straight, indigo mane that fell to her shoulders with straight bangs that framed her face. She, and the other two girls, had been the best of friends ever since they were fillies, and they were still just as close now as they were then.

“Anyhoo,” said Razzaroo, rubbing her hooves and licking her lips. “Now that Harmony's here, how about we dig into some of that lunch that Kimono made.”

“Good to know you still like my cooking.” giggled Kimono, as she reached over from her side and pulled out three bento boxes. She passed each one out among them. “I made sure to take good care in preparing these lunches for us.”

Harmony pulled off the box's lid, inside there was a rice ball with a pickled plum in its center, some cherry tomatoes, two triangle cut sandwiches, strips of dried seaweed, and strawberry daifuku.

“Wow, you did a pretty good job, Kimono.” complemented Harmony, as she pulled out one of the sandwiches and took a bite from it. Kimono smiled proudly and bowed her head lightly in Harmony's direction and said, “Thank you, Harmony.”

Razzaroo took a large bite out of her rice ball, causing her cheeks to bulge and some of the bits of rice to fall and stick to her cheeks. “Mmm! It's great to be friends with two great cooks.” She took another large bite from the rice ball. Kimono giggled while Harmony rolled her eyes playfully.

“So, how are things?” Harmony asked Kimono.

Kimono looked like she was about to say something, when Razzaroo jumped in and said, “Glad you asked. You two won't believe what happened earlier today.” She then began to recount her story to the girls.

“You see, as I was walking around looking for word on any interesting events that might be coming up, I happened to be passing by the castle, and I happened to have some cake with me that happened to be the exact favorite of one of the guards who happened to be out on post at the time.” Harmony and Kimono gave each other a look as Razzaroo continued. “So anyway, I let him have some of the cake, and in exchange, he told me an awesome bit of news about a special event that's going to be happening in the castle.” The girls' curiosity was piqued, and they leaned in with anticipation to hear what Razzaroo had to say about this event. “In two weeks, there's going to be a birthday party for Princess Flurry Heart!”

“How wonderful.” cooed Kimono.

“I know, right?” Razzaroo was brimming with enthusiasm. “This isn't just any birthday party, it's the sweet sixteenth birthday of a princess. Sigh! Just think of how awesome it would be to go to a party like that, or to plan it even?”

Razzaroo was one of Canterlot's top event planners, and loved to help organize any and all parties, shindigs, weddings, auctions, festivals, celebrations, you name it. She'd do everything she could, putting lots of time and effort into making the events she planned as memorable as possible for the ponies who sought her help. And if there was one thing she loved more than planning an event, it was attending it.

“Too bad we can't go.” said Harmony, not meaning to burst her friend's bubble.

“Yeah, I know, but still. It's fun to imagine what it'd be like to be part of it.”

Harmony arched a skeptic eyebrow. “I guess so.”

“What do you suppose she's like, Princess Flurry Heart?” wondered Kimono aloud.

Harmony shrugged her shoulders. “Dunno, I've never really met her, so I can't really say.” she said.

“I heard she's a very beautiful mare.” added Razzaroo. “And if she's anything like the other princesses, then I'm sure she's just as nice.”

Harmony was still not too sure. “Maybe.” she said. She then decided to change the subject and turned to Kimono and said, “So, how about you Kimono? How have you been?”

“Oh, just fine, thank you.” Kimono nibbled on a strip of dried seaweed as she gently spoke. “I've been helping out mama and papa out in the shop, and my big sister Katana has been practicing really hard on her sword skills.”

“That sounds great.” said Harmony.

Kimono nodded. “There's a big match she's preparing for that'll take place next month, and I'm thinking about doing something extra special for her for afterward. To congratulate her on all her hard work.”

“Ooh, do you need any help?” Razzaroo scooted closer to Kimono, eager to be of some help. “I can come up with a cool victory party if you want.”

“That's kind of you to offer Razzaroo, but no.” said Kimono politely. “I want to do it by myself, if that's alright. That way, it'll be even more special for when I present my gift to big sis.”

Harmony nodded in agreement. “I'm sure that Katana will love whatever you decide to do for her.”

“I hope she will.” said Kimono nervously.

The rest of the picnic lunch continued peacefully, with the girls talking, eating, and cracking jokes with one another, it was almost a shame that they had leave when it was over. But each of them helped clean up, said their good byes, and headed off on their separate ways. Harmony took to the sky, enjoying the leisurely flight, and the feeling of the wind beneath her wings, as she went back to the cafe to finish up her work. She'd enjoyed herself very much, being with her friends. She made a mental note to do something fun like that again real soon. But for now, it was time to get back to work. Harmony smiled fondly to herself, feeling quite happy about how the day had turned out.

Inside of Canterlot Castle, in the throne room, Princess Celestia was sitting upon her throne, filling out some important documents and discussing the details of the next royal summit. One of the large, double doors of the throne room opened, and in stepped one of the royal guards. He bowed to Princess Celestia and said, "Your highness, Princess Flurry Heart has arrived and is waiting just outside."

"Send her in." said Celestia with a kind smile.

The guard gave a nod and went back outside the throne room. A moment later, both the double doors opened to reveal Princess Flurry Heart, who gleefully rushed toward Princess Celestia and gave her a big hug.

"Great-aunt Celestia!" she cried happily. "It's good to see you again."

Princess Celestia quickly recovered from the momentary surprise of the sudden hug and replied sweetly, "It's good to see you too, Flurry Heart. How was your journey here?"

Flurry Heart pulled out of the hug and stood at the foot of the throne. "It was great! I'd never been on a train before, so it was very exciting. Oh, and also loved the part when we rode up the mountainside. I couldn't believe how high up we were going when I looked out the window."

Celestia smiled. "It sounds like you really enjoyed yourself." she said.

Flurry Heart nodded. "I did, and the best part is, there's still tons of more stuff to do, and I can't wait to get started."

"I'm glad." said Celestia. "Just don't forget to be careful when you're out in town."

"I know." said Flurry Heart, rolling her eyes and waving a hoof. "I'll be careful. You don't have to worry about me."

"Your highness," piped up the Unicorn Celestia had been talking to before Flurry Heart came in. "Not to be rude, but you still have more forms to go through."

Celestia gave a nod to the Unicorn. "I understand." She then motioned for a guard to come closer to the throne. "Would you please show Princess Flurry Heart to her room?"

The guard bowed. "Of course, princess."

Princess Celestia then turned to Flurry Heart and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to our conversation short for now. Perhaps we can continue it later."

"Okay." said Flurry Heart, turning on her hoof and leaving with the guard. She gave a little wave to her great-aunt and said, "I'll see you later."

Celestia waved back, when something made her freeze. The Unicorn beside her took notice of this and asked, "Princess, is everything alright?"

The princess put a hoof to her forehead and gave the Unicorn a weak smile. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"It's nothing. Why don't we continue with the paperwork?"

"As you wish, princess."

Princess Celestia resumed her royal duties, trying to act like nothing was wrong, but, when she froze, she could feel something. Sense something. But she couldn't quite place her hoof on what it was.

It's probably nothing. I'm sure it was all just in my imagination. Celestia told herself. And did her best to focus more on the task at hoof.

Of Things to Come

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Of Things to Come

“Phew! What a day.” remarked Harmony.

After it was time to lock up the cafe for the night, Harmony was ready to head back home and enjoy a little rest. She flew high up into the air, and headed one her way to her cottage, which rested a little ways just outside of Canterlot. Her friends had tried to convince her a few times to move into town, but Harmony was perfectly happy living where she was. After all, she preferred the quaint and quiet confines of a cottage to an apartment in town any day. It wasn't long until the moss-covered roof of her cottage came into view, Harmony swooped down and landed upon the doormat, and stepped inside.

The inside of Harmony's cottage was very lovely, with its wood-paneled floors (the same kind like in her cafe), the green striped wallpaper, and the many personal and prized possessions that took up most of the space. Harmony set her saddlebag on a hook by the door and called out, “I'm home!” The pattering sound of paws reached Harmony's ears, as her pet jacklope, Tempo, bounded down the stairs to greet her.

“Hello, Tempo.” Tempo leaped up high and landed in Harmony's arms. He nuzzled her her chest affectionately, being careful not to accidentally scratch her with his antlers. “Okay Tempo, that's enough.” laughed Harmony. She set the butterscotch-colored jackalope onto the floor and headed in the direction of the kitchen. “I need to get dinner ready.” Tempo gave a nodded understandingly and hopped over to the spring green loveseat, to wait until dinner was ready.

Harmony couldn't help but smile a little to herself. Tempo had always been such a loving, well-mannered jackalope, especially toward her.

Maybe I'll give him a little something extra for dinner tonight, for being so well-behaved. She thought.

As she entered the kitchen, Harmony got out the lettuce, alfalfa, rampion, and arugula, and washed them off before putting them onto the cutting board. She chopped them up, tossed them into a bowl, tossed it some more, adding a few tomatoes she had, and split the salad into two bowls. She set hers onto the table, and set Tempo's on the floor, but not before adding some croutons to it (which he loved to have with his salad).

Harmony then called out, “Alright Tempo, dinner's ready.”

In less than a second, Tempo went for his food bowl, and began to happily eat up the leafy greens. Harmony chuckled a little, and proceeded to eat her salad too. She then recounted her day to her jackalope. “It was fairly quiet today.” she said. “Mrs. Charm placed in an order she wants me to deliver to her tomorrow, and there was this one pony who just came into town.”

Tempo looked up at her and cocked his head to the side, wanting to know more.

“I didn't catch her name, but she certainly seemed like a nice enough pony. But I don't think I'll be running into her anytime soon. She seemed very occupied with her trip.” Harmony then decided to change the subject, and went on to tell Tempo about her lunch with Razzaroo and Kimono, and how both of them were doing well. By the time she was almost done, she and Tempo had finished off both their dinners. “So all in all, I'd have to say it was a pretty good day.” Harmony concluded.

She took the two bowls and placed them into the sink to wash later. She trotted into the living room where Tempo was waiting for her, holding up a book for her. The cover sported the book's title, Robin Hoof and His Merry Stallions. Lately Tempo had taken an interest in hero stories, and insisted on having Harmony read them to him every night. Harmony sat on the loveseat beside Tempo and cracked open the book.

“No, where were we? Ah, yes, we were on the part with Robin going off to see Mare Mareion.” Harmony cleared her throat, and read the book in a clear voice to Tempo. After a couple of chapters or so, Tempo nodded off and now slept in a curled ball. Harmony closed the book and smiled lovingly at the jackalope, petting his fur. She let out a long yawn, and decided it wouldn't hurt if she rested her eyes for a little while. She laid down, and curled up with Tempo, and closed her eyes, and soon, she was fast asleep.

"Hello?! Is anyone there?! Anypony?!" Harmony couldn't tell where she was, only that it was a void of darkness, as far as she could see. Her own voice echoed back to her, and so far there were no indications that any other ponies were around. Panic began to rise inside of Harmony, she didn't know what was happening or what she was doing in this strange place. Then, a voice from behind her spoke up, a familiar sort of voice.

"Do not be afraid, Harmony." it said. Harmony spun around, and saw her cutie mark, a butterfly with frilled iridescent wings, floating before her. Harmony could feel like it was calling to her. Her cutie mark then started to fly away from her, deeper into the darkness.

"Wait, don't go!" shouted Harmony, as she chased after it. She wasn't sure exactly where it was leading her or why, but she felt somehow like it was important that she did. After awhile, another light came into view. Harmony's cutie mark disappeared, and a new image floated before her. An image of little crystal heart inside a delicate snowflake. "What is this? What are you trying to tell me?" demanded Harmony. Nopony answered at first, but then the familiar voice whispered into her ear.

"Soon Harmony. Soon, you will be needed, and you must be ready for when that happens."

"Ready? Ready for what?"

The voice just let out a melodious laugh, and the image began to disappear.

"Wait! Don't leave yet!" Harmony lunged forward, trying to grasp at the image, her eyes opening wide. "DON'T LEAVE!"

Tempo let out a surprised cry and fell backward on the loveseat. Harmony breathed heavily, finding herself back on the loveseat in her cottage, safe and sound. "It was just a dream." she sighed in relief.

She looked over at Tempo, who dusted himself off and hopped toward her, resting a paw on her hoof and giving her a concerned look. Harmony smiled sweetly at him and said, "It's alright Tempo, I'm fine. I just had a really crazy dream, that's all." But Tempo didn't look entirely convinced, so Harmony picked him up, and began to carry him upstairs. "Come on, let's get to bed and try to get some more sleep."

Harmony entered her bedroom, and set Tempo on one side of her bed, while she slipped under the covers on the other side. "Good night Tempo." she cooed, kissing his forehead lightly. "See you in the morning." Harmony closed her eyes, and pretty soon, she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

It wasn't just Harmony however, who was having strange dreams. In her royal bedchamber inside Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia was having another one of her visions. As the Princess of the Day, Celestia had the gifted of visions, which allow her to glimpse into the future or to see signs of things to come. However, there were limits to this gift. Like how she had no control over when the visions come to her or how much of the future is shown to her. They simply come and go of their own volition. And tonight's was no different.

In her vision, Celestia saw a place unlike any she'd ever seen before. It was wide open and hazy, and yet, it was also warm and it gave a sense of safety and security, like being wrapped in a mother's arms. But there was something else. Or rather, somepony else, in the midst of this strange place. The image of the pony shifted in and out, like a mirage, making it nearly impossible to make the pony out. Celestia concentrated, trying to see the pony before the vision ended. Then, her eyes widened in shock.

No. she thought. No, it can't be. It's not possible!

The vision ended, and Celestia awoke, she sat bolt upright in her bed. "That vision." she muttered. "It couldn't have been real, and yet, my visions haven't failed me before." She turned her head toward the window, and saw that the moon hung high in the sky. She let out a sigh. "I'll have to wait until morning to tell Luna. But, if what I saw was indeed true, then it must be looked into further." And, with great difficulty, Celestia went back to sleep, her thoughts filled with the vision and what it could mean for all of Equestria.

A Friendship is Formed

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A Friendship is Formed

The next morning, after a peaceful night's sleep, Flurry Heart arose from her canopy bed and pranced toward the dining hall. Gleefully thinking of all the fun she planned on having that day. But first, she needed to start with some breakfast.

"Morning!" chirped Flurry Heart, entering the dining hall.

At the end of the long dining table, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had already finished most of their food, and appeared to have been discussing something, until Flurry Heart had arrived. Celestia smiled at Flurry Heart and said, "Good morning, Flurry Heart. Did you sleep well?"

Flurry Heart nodded. "Yes. I feel rested and ready to start the day." She sat herself down at the table, and used her magic to fill her plate with toast, eggs, fruit, and pancakes. "There's still a boat load of stuff I want to do in town, so I want to get started as soon as possible."

"Would you like a guard to accompany you?" asked Luna, biting onto a piece of toast slathered with blueberry jam.

"I'll be fine great-aunt Luna." sighed Flurry Heart, rolling her eyes. "I'm almost sixteen, I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure you can." said Celestia. "But, you must still be careful nonetheless. try not to stray too far from the castle. Alright?"

Flurry Heart let out another sigh. She knew her great-aunts were just trying to make sure that she'd be safe, and were only worrying about her because they cared about her. But sometimes it could get a little tiresome to be treated like she was still a foul. Still, she looked to her great-aunts and answered with a small smile, "Alright great-aunt Celestia. I'll be sure to stay close by."

"Good. I'll look forward to hearing about how your day went when I return." said Celestia.

Flurry Heart paused at these words, and gave Celestia a befuddled look. "When you return?"

Princess Celestia nodded. "There's something I need to look into. I should be back in a day or two."

"Where are you going? Is it some kind of monster or something?" asked Flurry Heart, curious to know what it could be that called her great-aunt attention on such short notice.

Celestia waved a hoof and said, "It's nothing you need to worry about." She pushed her empty plate away and stood up from her seat. "Now, if you'll please excuse me, I must get ready to leave. Good day, Flurry Heart."

Luna also got up and followed close behind her elder sister, both leaving through the dining hall door. "Bye." said Flurry Heart, as the door closed, it's sound echoing through the almost empty room. "Guess I'm having breakfast by myself." Flurry Heart drizzled syrup onto her pancakes, and began taking large bites from it. She felt a little pang of homesickness in her chest, wishing that her parents or her best friend were here, or rather, that anypony was there with her. At least then she'd have somepony to talk to. Flurry Heart shook her head. She wasn't going to let a little homesickness get her down and ruin a potentially good day. She was going to go out and enjoy herself. That way, she'd have all sorts of great stories to tell her parents and her friend, stories about all the new and fun experiences she had while in Canterlot. (And maybe then they'd stop worrying about her and would finally start treating her like a grown up.)

"Today is going to be a good--no--a great day! I'll make sure that the next two weeks will be the best two weeks ever!" declared Flurry Heart to herself. "After all, there's no telling when I'll get another chance like this again." She speared a piece of her pancake and munched on it for emphasis. Fully determined to follow through on what she'd said, and make this the best two weeks ever. Or, that's what she planned to try and do anyway.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you, sister?" asked Luna.

Celestia shook her head. "No. It'd be best for you to stay here and keep and eye on things while I'm gone."

"It's still hard to believe." remarked Luna. "That you saw--"

"I know. I couldn't believe it myself at first." admitted Celestia.

"And, you're sure that this is somehow connected to the strange feeling you had the other day."

"Well, I'm not entirely sure. I have reason to believe that the feeling I had was part of my vision. Like a warning of some sort. But other than that, I can't really say."

"Don't worry, Celestia. I'm sure that whatever it is, we'll be able to handle it." assured Luna.

"Thank you, Luna." Celestia and Luna stepped outside, where a magnificent chariot pulled by two white Pegasus stallions with gold armor awaited. Celestia stepped into the chariot and turned to her sister. "Farewell Luna, I leave everything to you." she said.

"Take care, sister." said Luna.

The Pegasus stallions flapped their mighty wings, and soon took off into the sky. "Good luck." she whispered. Turning on her hoof, Luna went back inside the castle, to carry on her sister's duties for her.

Once again, it was a chilly morning, so Flurry Heart put on her cloak as she headed back out into town. And like she promised her great-aunts, she made sure to stay fairly close to the castle.

"Now, what should I do today?" she murmured to herself. Flurry Heart recalled how her aunt Twilight's friend, Rarity, used to talk about all the wonderful shops and boutiques that Canterlot had. "Hmm, maybe I could do a little window shopping and work my way from there."

The first shop Flurry Heart stopped in front of, was a jewelry store. In the window, there sat dozens of displays of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hornaments, and other bedazzling jewels. The gemstones reminded Flurry Heart of home. How the crystalline structures sparkled when the light hit it just right. The way the Crystal Ponies' coats glittered with a similar luster. And how the Crystal Heart, the centerpiece of the empire, glowed with such incredible radiance, as it felt the light and love of its citizens. She thought about her loving parents and her best friend. How they were probably wondering how she was doing. Flurry Heart focused on her reflection in the shop's window, a glum frown falling upon her lips.

"No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. "I can't let myself get so depressed so easily. I've only just got here after all. I promised myself to have a great time, and that's exactly what I intend to do."

"My, my, how lovely." purred a voice.

Flurry Heart yelped and jumped back in surprise by the sudden appearance of a young Unicorn stallion. She took a few deep breaths and said, "Sorry, I didn't see you there."

The stallion flashed her a large, blinding white grin. He was tall, and quite handsome, wearing a pristine suit with a crest embroidered on the collar of his shirt. "Not at all, dear lady." he said. "The fault is all mine." He swept his arm in a grand gesture as he bowed to Flurry Heart and introduced himself. "I am Auspicious Charm, of the reputable Charm Family, perhaps you've heard of me?"

"Uh, no." said Flurry Heart, cracking a nervous smile. "I'm afraid not."

Auspicious waved a hoof. "Ah no matter. Though I do hope that we can change that."

"What do you--"

Flurry Heart was cut off as Auspicious drew closer to her and took her right hoof. "It can be quite overwhelming for such a sweet, lovely young mare such as yourself roaming the streets out on her own. You never know when some ruffian may try to take advantage of such a mare."

Flurry Heart was starting to get a little uncomfortable, and tried to pull her hoof away, but Auspicious' grip was pretty strong. He then continued, his voice smooth as he spoke, "You need somepony, older, wiser, and stronger to take care of you. Somepony say, like me."

"Um, that's very nice of you to offer, but--" Just as Flurry Heart tried to slip away, Auspicious pulled her in closer, and didn't seem to have any intention in letting her go. She struggled to get some distance from him, but his hold on her only got tighter.

"Oh come now! Why don't just--"

Just then, without any warning, a sudden downpour of water fell upon Auspicious, drenching him from horn to hoof. Flurry Heart stumbled back in surprise, finally free from the stallion. Auspicious' face contorted into a mix of shock and anger. He glared up above him, as did Flurry Heart. Floating above him, was the Pegasus Flurry Heart had seen the other day, the one from the cafe, wearing a saddlebag and standing on a little rain cloud that poofed into bits of cloud fluff. She landed down in front of Flurry Heart, narrowing her eyes at Auspicious and giving him a disapproving frown.

Auspicious thrust a hoof toward the Pegasus. "YOU!" he screeched. "How DARE you humiliate me, a member of the Charm Family, in such a vulgar manner!!"

The Pegasus' frown deepened. "Like you're not one to talk, Auspicious. She was clearly not interested in going with you, if you were a real gentlecolt, you'd respect her wishes. But then again, you're not exactly a gentlecolt, now are you?"

The stallion was seething, grinding his teeth. "You. Will. Pay for that!" he bellowed. A beam shot out of his horn and struck the Pegasus' wings. The Pegasus tried to open her wings but found that they were glued to her sides. Auspicious scraped his hoof, preparing the charge.

"What do we do?" asked Flurry Heart, her eyes widening. Things had taken a sudden and surprising turn. The Pegasus gave her a look.

"Run!" she shouted. And so, both Flurry Heart and the Pegasus galloped as fast as they could, with Auspicious chasing after them. Flurry Heart could've used her magic to stop him in his tracks, or use her own powerful wings to fly the Pegasus to safety, but she was so caught up in the moment, that she was more focused on the chase than anything else. Flurry Heart looked over her shoulder, to see Auspicious gaining on their tails.

"He's still after us! What do we do now?" she asked the Pegasus. The Pegasus turned her head to Flurry Heart.

"I've got an idea. Follow me." The Pegasus made a sharp turn down an alleyway, Flurry Heart followed her, wondering what exactly the Pegasus had planned. After slipping out of the alley, they passed by several houses and veered down another alley next to an especially grand house with a picket fence, and came to a dead end.

"We're trapped!" cried Flurry Heart in a panic. She expected to see the Pegasus in a panic too, but instead, she wore a smirk on her face.

"Don't worry." she assured Flurry Heart. "Just trust me." The girls turned, as Auspicious, panting and looking a little frazzled, stalked down the alley toward them.

"There's nowhere for you to run or hide now." he sneered. "Nopony gets away with making a fool of Auspicious Charm, and you are no exception."

The Pegasus stood stood in front of Flurry Heart, who was both amazed and concerned by the young mare's boldness. "Hmph! You only have yourself to blame for that."

Auspicious narrowed his eyes, his horn charging up with magic. "I've heard just about enough out of you, wench!"

Flurry Heart found herself frozen, unable to look away from the Pegasus or Auspicious. And then, an elderly voice rang out through the alley, making Auspicious freeze with fear, and the Pegasus smile a pleased smile.

"Ausie!" Auspicious' eyes shrunk, as he slowly turned to look over his shoulder. Flurry Heart leaned to the side to look over the Pegasus, and saw an old yet elegant Unicorn mare trotting toward Auspicious, a deep frown formed upon her wrinkled face.

"M-m-mother!" squeaked. "W-what are you--" But Auspicious was silenced as his mother whacked him upside the head. "Ow!" he cried. Rubbing the back of his head.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Ausie! There I am, having my morning tea, waiting for my order to arrive, and what do I see outside my window? I see you, chasing two poor mares down the alleyway next to our house. And to top it off, you threaten one of them."

"B-b-but mother, I--"

Mrs. Charm whacked him upside the head again. "Quiet, Ausie! This is the third time this month that you've went and disturbed another young mare. Well, I'm putting my hoof down. You are hereby grounded for a month, you are to stay at home and help me with my errands, and are not allowed to go to any parties of any sort."

"Mother--"

"And," added Mrs. Charm, "If I you bother one more mare, I'll cut you off and you'll have to go out and get yourself a job. Do you understand?"

"Mother, please, reconsider--"

"Do you understand?" repeated Mrs. Charm sternly.

Auspicious lowered his head, looking down at his hooves and mumbled, "Yes, mother."

This seemed to satisfy Mrs. Charm, and she turned to face the girls. A sweet smile and warm light coming into her eyes as she saw the Pegasus. "Ah, Harmony! How nice to see you again dearie. I'm terribly sorry for any trouble that my son has caused you."

"Not at all." said Harmony simply. She then reached into her saddlebag, and pulled out a white box and handed it to her. "Here are the tea cakes you ordered."

Mrs. Charm took the box. "Oh thank you dearie. My tea parties are never quite the same without your cakes."

"I'm just glad to help." replied Harmony.

Mrs Charm nodded approvingly to Harmony. "I must be going. I do apologize again for my son's behavior."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Charms. Goodbye, Ausie." said Harmony, waving to the two Unicorns as the left the alley. Auspicious still shot her pointed looks, until his mother's magic grabbed him by the ear, and dragged him the rest of the way out.

Flurry Heart almost felt sorry for Auspicious, then again, he did deserve it. The girls also soon left the alley, and stopped to watch Mrs. Charm continuing to scold her son as they went inside the grand house with the picket fence.

"Well, that takes care of that." said Harmony, turning to Flurry Heart. "I'm sorry you had to get caught up in that. But thankfully, I don't think Auspicious will be causing too much trouble anytime soon."

It was then that Flurry Heart found her voice. "Thanks for helping me out back there. I don't know what might've happened if--"

Harmony waved a hoof. "Think nothing of it. I just happened to be on my way here when I noticed that guy harassing you. That's all."

"Still, there's gotta be some way for me to repay you."

"I'm good, really." insisted Harmony. "Now, I need to get back to the cafe. The day's still young and there's still a lot of potential customers to serve."

"Do you mind if I walk with you?" asked Flurry Heart. "That is, if it's okay."

"Sure." said Harmony. "Why not?"

And so, the two of them were walking side by side down the sidewalk. Both were quiet for a while, before Flurry Heart decided to break the silence and try to make some small talk. "So, your name's Harmony, huh?" she said.

"Yeah." said Harmony embarrassed. A wistful smile then appeared on her face. "My mom picked it out, she thought it bring me good luck or something. It's silly, I know."

Flurry Heart could relate a little. After all, her own parents had named her after a freak event that almost brought ruin to the Crystal Empire (an event she accidentally helped caused). "I think it's a nice name." said Flurry Heart truthfully. "It suits you well."

"You think so?" asked Harmony.

Flurry Heart nodded. "Absolutely. Besides, there are worse names you could've been saddled with."

"Like what?" Harmony appeared to be a little intrigued, so Flurry Heart went on.

"Well, there's my best friend Sparks back home. Her full name is Sparkle Shine, but she thought it sounded a little silly, so she shortened it. And there's this one filly I grew up with named Morning Star. Ponies used to tease her all the time and say 'Morning, Morning' to her at her school."

Harmony snickered in spite of herself. "I guess that is pretty bad, but I wouldn't call them the worst names."

"I know, but you get the picture." Flurry Heart and Harmony laughed a little before Harmony continued. "Back in the alley there, it seemed like you knew Mrs. Charms pretty well."

"Only a little. She and my mom knew each other, and she's been a long running customer at the cafe. She's very nice, unlike her son, as you just saw."

Flurry Heart nodded in agreement. "You can say that again." She glanced over her shoulder, a worrying expression falling over her face. "I hope he doesn't get punished too harshly." she said.

"Trust me, he'll be fine." said Harmony. "That stallion could do with being taught a lesson. Perhaps it'll finally teach him to show more respect and manners to other mares."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." said Flurry Heart. She then stopped in her tracks, and rubbed her right arm anxiously. "hey um, Harmony?"

"Yeah? What is it?" Harmony also stopped walking, and turned to Flurry Heart.

"I was just thinking, I'm still getting used to Canterlot, and I don't really have anypony else besides my great-aunts to talk to or hang out with while I'm here. So, I was wondering..."

"Yeah, gone on." pressed Harmony.

Flurry Heart looked up into Harmony's silvery eyes. "If you and I could be friends?"

Harmony blinked in surprise. "Friends?"

"I know we only just met the other day, but, you seem really nice, and I'd like to get to know you better." Flurry Heart then added, "You don't have to if you don't want to of course. I'd completely understand, what with a stranger suddenly asking to be your friend."

Flurry Heart then braced herself for Harmony's answer. She really did want to be her friend, and to have some fun with somepony else during her trip. But, if Harmony said no, then that would be okay too.

Harmony then said her answer. "Alright."

Flurry Heart sighed. "Okay, if you don't want to then I'll--wait! What?" Flurry Heart wasn't sure if she heard correctly.

"I said, alright." Harmony gave her a friendly smile.

"R-really? You don't mind?"

"Of course not. I'd be happy to be your friend." A little smirk then danced upon Harmony's lips. "After all, somepony's gotta help keep you out of trouble." she teased.

"Hey!" cried Flurry Heart.

Harmony laughed. And soon, Flurry Heart laughed along with her. The girls continued to walk back to the cafe. Flurry Heart fanned herself with her hoof.

"Phew! All that galloping and walking has really warmed me up." she said. She took off her cloak to allow some cold air to cool her down a little. She opened up her wings wide, and let the air circulate around them. "Ah! Much better." She glanced over at Harmony, who gaped at her with wide eyes. "What?" she asked innocently.

Harmony's hoof shook as she pointed it at Flurry Heart. "Y-your an A-alicorn!" she managed to stutter out.

Flurry Heart looked to her wings and then back at Harmony, smiling sheepishly. "I guess it's time for me to properly introduce myself." she said. Flurry Heart went into a perfectly graceful bow toward Harmony, and said in a clear, regal voice, "It is a humble pleasure. I am Princess Flurry Heart, daughter of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, and crown princess of the Crystal Empire. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

She stood up tall, and rubbed the back of her neck. "I probably should've started with that first." Harmony still couldn't stop staring at her. She looked At Flurry Heart's great wings, and then, she noticed Flurry Heart's cutie mark. A little crystal heart inside of a delicate snowflake. "Are you okay?" asked Flurry. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine." Harmony said quietly. "I, I just...I need a moment." She dashed for the doors of the cafe, and quickly went inside. Saying, "Sorry," as the door slammed shut.

Now it was Flurry Heart's turn to stand and stare.

What was that all about? She wondered.

She looked at her reflection in the glass when it suddenly hit her. Sometimes ponies could could get a little overwhelmed when meeting royalty for the first time. And the fact that she was also an Alicorn probably made things even worse. Flurry Heart groaned and face-palmed herself. "Ugh! Way to go Flurry Heart. You make friends with a nice pony in Canterlot and end up scaring her away." She took one more glance at the cafe window and then, putting back on her cloak, she went back up in the direction of the castle. But somewhere half way, she stopped and looked back.

"Maybe I should wait a couple days, and then I can try talking to her again." said Flurry Heart. A small smile then curved on her face. "In the meantime, I can try and think up a way of thanking her for what she did." And with that, Flurry Heart galloped off. Her head already swimming with ideas for what she could do to thank Harmony. Even though she said that there was no thanks necessary, that didn't stop Flurry Heart from wanting to do something special, and to show her new friend how grateful she was.

Cupcake Calamity

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Cupcake Calamity

High in the sky, from the seat of her chariot, Celestia looked down upon the old, dilapidated ruins of the once great castle that she and her sister had shared, the Castle of the Two Sisters. Located deep in the Everfree Forest, it had been left undisturbed for countless years, falling prey to neglect and the elements, it was no nothing more than ruins. And it was here, that the princess hoped would bring some clarity to her vision.

"Land down there, please." she commanded. The Pegasi pulling the chariot did as she said, and landed onto the ground, near the edge of a large ravine near the castle ruins. "Thank you, please wait for me here, until I return."

"As you wish, princess." said the stallions in unison.

Princess Celestia went to the edge of the ravine and found the stone steps that led down to its bottom. As she descended down these stairs, she felt a looming anxiety inside of her. She wasn't exactly sure what she hoped to find, but she knew that if anything could provide her with the answers she sought, it was the Tree of Harmony. Concealed at the bottom of the ravine by a hidden, cavernous grove, the Tree of Harmony had long been a relic of great power and mystery, dating back even before the founding of Equestria. Celestia approached the tree with tentative steps, and lowered her head in respect before lifting it back up again.

The tree itself was made of glowing crystal, its bark bearing the cutie marks of Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, and in its branches were the legendary Elements of Harmony. Celestia stepped closer to the tree, her horn glowing as she enacted an old spell that had been given to her long ago. She touched her horn to the tree and whispered the spell, "Spiritus concordiae et pacis, audite me, et te gubernante praebueris."

The golden glow of her horn started to encase over the tree. Celestia closed her eyes and focused all her concentration on the tree. After a few minutes, the spell ended, and glowing light died down. Celestia backed away from the Tree of Harmony and regarded it thoughtfully.

"Curious." she muttered under her breath. "Very curious."

The princess opened her wings, and flew up and out of the ravine. She landed back into the seat of her chariot, the two Pegasi stood at attention.

"Shall we return to Canterlot, princess?" asked the Pegasus on the right.

"No." said Celestia. "There's still one more place I need to go to. Take me to Mythica, there's not a moment to lose."

"Yes, princess." said the Pegasi. In no time, the chariot was airborne once more, now heading on a course toward Mythica.

Looking down below at the ravine, Celestia whispered under her breath, "So, it really was you, after all."

In order to come up with a good idea for what to give Harmony, Flurry Heart went along with original plan to continue her sightseeing around Canterlot, hoping that she find something that could inspire her with a great idea. And so she wandered the streets (once again trying to stay relatively close to the castle in order to keep her promise to her great-aunts), stopping by at an art gallery, a park, the library, and a restaurant to grab some lunch. After which, she saw that she was close by Canterlot Carousel, and thought she'd take a peek inside to see what sort of fashions her aunt Twilight's friend, Rarity, had designed.

A little golden bell rang out as Flurry Heart opened the door and stepped inside. The manager of the boutique, an elegant blue Unicorn with an orange and pink mane and wearing a stylish dress, named Sassy Saddles, came out to greet Flurry Heart with a dazzling smile.

"Welcome to Canterlot Carousel!" trilled Sassy Saddles. "How can I help you?"

"I just came in to browse a little." replied Flurry Heart. "That's all."

"Of course. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Flurry Heart walked along the line of ponnequins on display, each one wearing a unique and glamorous outfit, each one lovelier than the last. She let her hoof trail along the fabric, wanting to try each dress on and see how it looked on her. But she was on an important mission, and she had to stay focused. Nothing would distract her from--

"Ooh! What's that?" asked Flurry Heart, distracted by an absolutely bedazzling gown.

It consisted of two layers, the main layer was creamy chiffon fabric with a scalloped trim, and the second layer was made of silvery netting. Dotting the netted layer were various gems, from rubies, to topazes, to opals, to amethysts. And to top it off, it was dusted in multi-colored glitter. From whichever angle the light hit the gown, rainbow hues reflected off it. Sassy Saddles walked up with a proud smile.

"I see that you have your eye on our latest gown. It's part of our upcoming Bejewel and Beguile line. Each dress is inspired from different gems and can even be custom made to match your favorite pieces of jewelry."

"It's so pretty." Flurry Heart complemented.

Sassy Saddles looked her up and down. "Hmm, it would look marvelous on you, but you'd look really breathtaking with something in sapphire blue or amethyst purple, it would help bring out your eyes." she said.

Flurry Heart nodded in agreement. Everypony back home would tell her how she looked best in sapphires and amethysts. Her thoughts turned to Harmony, as she wondered what sort of gemstone would looked best on her. She had such a lovely pale complexion, which perfectly contrasted with her black mane. And of course, there were those silver eyes of hers, which, for only a moment, almost seemed to shine when last Flurry Heart saw them. She then thought about what Sassy Saddles had just said. "It would help bring out your eyes."

Flurry Heart's own eyes lit up, as she was suddenly struck with an idea. "That's it!" she exclaimed.

Sassy Saddles was slightly taken aback by Flurry Heart's outburst and arched an eyebrow in confusion. "Pardon?" she asked.

Flurry Heart turned to Sassy Saddles with a large smile. "I gotta go, thanks for your help." Flurry Heart rushed out of the boutique, leaving an even more confused Sassy Saddles behind.

"Your welcome?" said Sassy Saddles unsure.

Galloping as fast as she could, Flurry Heart went back to castle, and raced back up to her room. She was so focused on this that she didn't stop to greet the servants as she usually did. And all the servants she passed by scratched their manes in confusion, wondering what had sent the princess in such a rush. When Flurry Heart got back to her room, she closed the door, and got out her suitcase from under the canopy bed, and dug through it.

"I know it's around here somewhere." she told herself. "Aha!" She pulled from her suitcase, a medium-sized box that contained her gem collection (which was an easy hobby when you live in the Crystal Empire). She'd planned to show her great-aunts the new and fascinating stones she'd acquired, but for now, she needed it for something else. She opened the box and rummaged around through its contents, eying each gem until she spotted the one she had in mind. She held it up to the light and grinned to herself. "Perfect."

A couple days passed, and Harmony had managed to get over the initial shock she had from Flurry Heart's surprising introduction. And yet, she could still hardly believe it, even though it happened right in front of her. The pony who'd bought some of her cranola cookies, who she rescued from that creep Auspicious, who asked if she could be her friend, was a princess. A princess! And oddly enough, the thing that shocked Harmony the most hadn't been finding out that Flurry Heart was an Alicorn or a princess. It had been seeing her cutie mark, which looked exactly like the image she'd seen in that weird dream of hers. Harmony wondered if maybe it was all just some big coincidence or something. Did she really see the princess' cutie mark in her dream or did she just imagine it? And if she did, then why? What did it mean? Harmony had went over it in her head, trying to sort through her thoughts and to try and make sense of it. Eventually, she decided that her dream was probably nothing, that it was nothing more than a weird coincidence.

And with that matter settled, Harmony was able to relax a little and continue on with her work as usual. Though, she couldn't help but think back to Flurry Heart, and how she'd rudely rushed into the cafe after saying she'd be her friend. She scolded herself, and hoped that she hadn't hurt the princess' feelings. Harmony decided that she would apologize to her the next time she saw her, which would be happening much sooner than she'd thought.

At about 11:50 that day, Harmony had been arranging a small display of blueberry muffins, when Flurry Heart stepped through the door, wearing her cloak. There was an awkward silence, as both just stood there and stared at each other. Until finally, Flurry Heart spoke.

"Hey." she said meekly.

"Hey." replied Harmony.

Flurry Heart looked down at the floor and anxiously rubbed her right arm. "I... came by to apologize, for what happened the other day."

"You want to...apologize?" asked Harmony, perplexed.

Flurry Heart nodded. "I'm sorry for the shock I gave you, I should've explained who I was first, or built up to it, or something. Instead of scaring you by suddenly showing you that I was an Alicorn and telling you that I'm a princess."

"You didn't scare me." said Harmony. "I mean, sure I was shocked and all, but I wasn't scared. And besides, you've got nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. After the way I ran away like that."

"But you wouldn't have ran if I hadn't startled you."

"But I should've stayed and tried to hear you out."

The girls looked at one another, and then busted out laughing. "Why don't we agree that we're both sorry and leave it at that?" said Harmony.

"Sounds good to me." Flurry Heart stepped toward the counter and extended her right hoof to Harmony. "Let's try that introduction again. I'm Flurry Heart."

"Harmony," said Harmony, taking Flurry Heart's hoof and shaking it. "It's nice to meet you, princess."

"Please, just call me Flurry Heart, or Flurry."

"Really?"

"Sure, we're friends now. Right?"

"Okay, Flurry."

The girls laughed some more, glad to have gotten all that all that awkwardness out of the way. Now they could start their new friendship off on the right hoof.

"I'm going to be a bit busy here, but if you want to later, maybe we could go out and--"

Before Harmony had a chance to finish what she was going to say, the cafe door was thrust open, and in galloped Razzaroo in a panic.

"Harmony! I need your help!" she cried, frazzled and out of breath.

"Whoa Razz, slow down." Harmony held up her hooves and tried to calm down her friend. "Tell me what's wrong?"

Razzaroo took a very deep breath, and began to explain her problem to Harmony. "Okay, so it's like this, you know how I was hired to organize the grand opening of that new theater?"

Harmony nodded, recalling Razzaroo talking about it a little during their picnic. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Well, I'd finished talking to Mr Maestro, the stallion who hired me, telling him how everything was coming along great. Which it was. Until right when I got back home to go over the details of the grand opening, when I got a letter from the caterer I'd hired saying that he had to cancel at the last minute and that he would be out of town! The grand opening is supposed to happen this Friday, which is in two days, and I don't have any food to serve during the grand opening party, after I told Mr Maestro that everything would go exactly as he planned." Razzaroo Buried her face in her hooves and slumped over the counter top.

It pained Harmony to see her best friend like this, so she patted her on the back and did her best to comfort her. "There, there. I'm sure it'll all work out."

"You don't understand!" sniffed Razzaroo. "Mr Maestro is very particular. The grand opening of his theater is also supposed to be the premiere night of his new, original play. He made it quite clear that he wanted everything to exactly as he'd planned. And I gave him my word that I'd do just that."

Harmony wasn't used to seeing her normally cheerful and energetic friend act so stressed and depressed. A determined look appeared in her eyes as she asked. "What is it you need, Razz? Whatever it is, you can count on me to help you out."

Razzaroo looked up, rubbing her eyes and sniffling. "I need somepony to take over the catering and to make all the food."

"Is that all? Pfft! I can do that easily."

"R-really?"

Harmony beamed as Razzaroo looked at her with hopeful eyes. "Piece of cake." she replied.

Razzaroo's face cleared up, and a huge, relieved grin appeared on her face. "Oh thank you Harmony!"

"Don't thank me yet, first I need to now what exactly it is I'm making first."

"Right. Mr Maestro asked that there be a large assortment of cupcakes served at the party."

"Okay, how many are we talking about? Twenty? Fifty?"

"A thousand."

Harmony did a double take, not sure if she heard her right. "A-a thousand?"

Razzaroo nodded. "He asked specifically for one thousand cupcakes to be served at the grand opening party. He wants to make sure that the ponies coming have plenty of options to choose from."

"Still, a thousand? I mean, I could easily do that if I had more time, but it two days..."

The smile on Razzaroo's face slowly started to fade. "Oh. I see. I guess it was a little too much to ask of you on such short notice."

Harmony knew how important event planning was to Razzaroo. It was her favorite hobby in the whole world (next to scrap booking), and she always took it so seriously, putting as much effort into her work as possible. Harmony didn't want to disappoint her friend, so she declared, "I'll do it!"

Razzaroo blinked in surprise at her. "Y-you will? Are you sure?"

"What are friends for?" said Harmony. "What time do the cupcakes need to be delivered?"

"7:30 PM, sharp." answered Razzaroo. "Can you really do it in time."

"Like I said, piece of cake."

"Your a life saver, Harmony." said Razzaroo. "I need to get going. I'll swing by tomorrow to check on how your doing." With that Razzaroo, turned and exited the cafe. "Bye!"

"Bye." Harmony said with a weak smile. She let out a sigh. Then, remembering that Flurry Heart was still there, she turned to her and said apologetically, "I'm afraid we'll have to hang out some other time. Right now, I gotta get everything ready so I can start making those cupcakes."

"Wait. You don't intend to do them all on your own, do you?" questioned Flurry.

"That's what I told Razz I'd do, so yes, I do intend to." answered Harmony, walking over to the open sign in the window and flipping it over to closed.

"But that's crazy! You can't make a thousand cupcakes on your own."

"I can try." Harmony got her saddlebag from behind the counter and went out the door, closely followed by Flurry Heart.

"Then at least let me help you." she offered.

Harmony shook her head. "I told Razz I'd do it. There's no need for you to get involved."

"I don't need any help."

"Come on Harmony. Everypony needs a little help now and then, it wouldn't hurt if--"

"I said no! I can do it on my own." Flurry Heart was slightly taken aback by the sharpness in Harmony's tone.

"But--"

"Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'll fine." she gave Flurry Heart a small smile and said, "You go on and have fun, I'll...catch up with you later, when I'm done and I'll tell you how everything went."

"Harmony..."

And with that, Harmony went off toward the market, to get all the ingredients she'd need for the cupcakes.

I can't let Razz down. Harmony thought. No matter what, I will get these cupcakes done on time, and make sure that all of Razz's hard work doesn't go to waste.

After Harmony turned down her offer to help, Flurry Heart didn't feel in the mood to have fun while her new friend was working away on what seemed like an impossible task. So, she returned to the castle, went up to her room, and flopped over onto the bed.

Flurry Heart let out a moan. "Oh Harmony, why won't you let me help?" She rolled onto her side and looked out toward the window. "I can't just sit here and do nothing." she sighed. "There's gotta be something I can do."

There was then a loud knock on the door. "Come in!" called Flurry Heart.

A Unicorn servant entered the room and cleared his throat. "Your highness, Princess Luna requests your presence in the castle gardens, she wishes to have lunch with you."

Flurry Heart sighed again. "I'll be there." she said.

"Very good." the Unicorn bowed and left the room.

Flurry Heart got off her bed and slowly walked out to the castle gardens. When she stepped outside, she found her great-aunt Luna waiting for her at a little table that had been set up for the two of them, and laid out with an array of different sweet and savory foods.

"Good day, Flurry Heart." said Luna.

"Good day." Flurry Heart replied dully, taking her seat across from her.

Luna looked at her with concern. "Is something wrong?" asked Luna.

"I'm fine," Flurry Heart fibbed. "Just hungry, that's all."

"Alright." said Luna. "If you say so."

As she looked over the choices of food laid out before her, Flurry Heart noticed a small stack of creamy cupcakes sitting on a plate. Her stomach sunk, and she looked away.

Luna set down her fork. "What's wrong?" she asked once more.

"Nothing's wrong."

"You can't fool me, Flurry Heart. You're clearly upset by something, and I want to know what. Now, what is it that seems to be troubling you?"

Flurry Heart looked up at her great-aunt, and then back down at her empty plate. She exhaled and told her about Harmony and how she'd agreed to make the one thousand cupcakes in two days for a friend, and how she'd offered to help but Harmony had refused."

"I just don't know why she won't let me help." finished Flurry Heart. "I mean, if I were in her place, I'd ask for somepony's help in a heartbeat."

"I see," replied Luna, who'd been listening carefully to what Flurry Heart had to say.

"So, what should I do?" Flurry Heart asked.

"I recall reading about a similar problem to this from one of my sister's letters from Twilight Sparkle."

"One of aunt Twilight's letter's? What did it say?"

"It was about how one of her friends, Applejack, was given the tremendous task of harvesting all the apples in her farm's orchards. Because she refused to ask for help, it resulted in her becoming worn out and exhausted, unable to go on much further with the harvest alone."

"So what happened then?"

"Twilight didn't give up, she saw that her friend needed her help despite her stubborn refusals, and eventually, she finally accepted Twilight's help. And with the rest of their friends, they were able to complete the harvest successfully and on time." concluded Luna. "Hopefully that story might be of some help to you."

Flurry Heart thought about it, her eyes brightening as a plan began to formulate in her head. "I think it just did." she said. "Thanks, great-aunt Luna, you really helped a lot."

Luna smiled. "Anytime." she said.

Feeling much better, Flurry Heart reached over to some of the food and began piling a little bit of everything onto her plate. As she took a bite out of one of the sandwiches, she said, "Great-aunt Luna?"

"Yes?"

"Do you mind if I, stay over with Harmony for a while? Just until I've finished helping her."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Oh about...two days."

Flurry Heart waited expectantly for Luna's answer. She nodded and said, "Very well then, you may."

"Yes!" cheered Flurry Heart, pumping a hoof up the air. She then glanced at Princess Luna and then meekly lowered hoof and said, "I mean, thank you again, great-aunt Luna. I promise you won't regret it."

"I know I won't." said Luna, smiling warmly.

After acquiring all the necessary ingredients, and taking care of a few things at home (like making sure Tempo would be well-fed and explaining to him that she'd be away for a while), Harmony went to the cafe and began to get to work on her friend's special order. She worked for many hours, toiling over the oven, mixing up bowls, and dashing out frosting. She worked well past midnight, having finished baking roughly a hundred cupcakes or so. She placed them all in her delivery boxes and curled up on the cafe floor to nap for an hour or two before she would continue on with her baking.

When she woke up, she found that it was already the next morning. She rubbed her bleary eyes, and went toward the backroom kitchen to heat up the oven. Until she was stopped by a sound.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Harmony turned to the door, her eyes widening at seeing Flurry Heart standing there, waving at her through the window.

"What in the--" Harmony went over to the door and opened it. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came to help." said Flurry Heart. Sure enough she wasn't wearing her cloak anymore, and instead was wearing a cute apron with pockets an frills on it.

"But I already told you, I---"

"Don need my help," interrupted Flurry Heart, holding up a hoof to stop her from saying any more. "I know, but hear me out. I know you're probably doing all this because you want to help your friend, but if you really wanted to help her, then you'd let me give you a hoof and help to actually finish the cupcakes in time."

Harmony stood there. Flurry Heart seemed pretty determined to help her, and she had come all this way to try and re-convince her. "Your not going to leave until I say yes, are you?" she asked.

"Yep!" chirped Flurry Heart.

Harmony looked away. "I don't know, it's just that, I'm used to working on my own. I've never really worked with anypony else before."

"And I understand that." said Flurry Heart. "Really. My aunt Twilight had trouble working with others too, she used to be a bit of recluse, but then she learned that she didn't have to do things alone. It's okay to just admit you need a little help when you need it."

Harmony looked up at Flurry Heart, a thin smile tugging on her lips. "Well then, what are we waiting for? We've got an order to fill."

"Yes!" Flurry Heart pumped her hoof, and hurried inside the cafe.

"There's just one little thing I need to ask you." added Harmony, closing the door.

"What's that?"

"Have you ever baked before?"

Flurry Heart froze and looked a little embarrassed. "Er, well, no. But that's why I've come up with a solution to help speed things along!"

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"This!" Flurry Heart pointed a hoof at her horn. "I can cast a spell on the cupcakes so that they'll be cooked in no time flat. It would be better if we had uncle Spike around to help, but you make do."

Harmony looked at Flurry Heart's horn warily. She'd never used magic in her baking before, preferring to do it by hoof. But seeing as how she was had a bit of deadline, she knew this wasn't the time to be picky. "Alright then, let's get baking."

* * *

Harmony worked at full speed, mixing the batter in her large bowls, and pouring the contents into the dozens of cupcake tins. Some of the pans she placed in the oven, while the others she passed to Flurry Heart, who would use her magic to heat them up to a nice golden-brown, and then would proceed to frost and box them. While using magic was new to her, Harmony had to admit, it had produced great results so far. They were getting close to the halfway point of five hundred cupcakes.

Just as Harmony was in the middle of preparing a new batch, the cafe door opened. She looked up in surprise, wondering who would be coming in when the sign in the window clearly showed they were closed. Her eyes widened as she saw Kimono and Razzaroo walking toward her, wearing aprons and chef hats.

"Girls!" Harmony cried joyfully. She went over to them, as they pulled her into a big hug. After all the baking she'd been doing, it felt good to see her friends. But then a question popped into her head, and she pulled out of the hug. "What are you guys doing here? And why are you dressed like that?" She gestured to the aprons and hats her best friends were wearing.

"We came to help." explained Kimono.

Razzaroo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we knew you couldn't do it on your own, so we decided to pitch in and help." she said.

"You...you came to help me?" asked Harmony.

"Of course. What are friends for?" said Razzaroo matter-of-factly.

Harmony beamed at her friends, her eyes wet as she hugged them once more. "Thanks girls, you're the best."

Flurry Heart stepped out of the back room kitchen to see what all the commotion was. "What's going on here?" she asked.

Kimono and Razzaroo saw Flurry Heart and their mouths dropped in surprise. Razzaroo was the first to find her voice, "I-is that...?" she pointed a hoof at Flurry Heart.

"Girls, I'd like you to meet Flurry Heart." said Harmony, motioning in Flurry's direction. "She's...a new friend of mine."

"Flurry Heart...as in...the princess?" asked Kimono.

Flurry Heart laughed and nodded. "Yes, that's me."

Kimono instantly became flustered. "Oh my! It's an honor to meet you your highness." she bowed low to Flurry Heart. "My name's Kimono, and this is my friend Razzaroo."

"It's nice to meet you both." said Flurry Heart, nodding politely in Kimono's direction before turning to Razzaroo, who still stood frozen to the spot. "I'm not sure if you remember, but--"

"Omigosh!" squealed Razzaroo, as she zipped up to Flurry Heart. "You're that pony I saw yesterday when I asked Harmony for help!"

"Uh, yes, that was me." laughed Flurry Heart nervously.

"Are you here to help Harmony too? How do you know Harmony? And how did she even get you to help her?" asked Razzaroo, launching a barrage of questions at her.

"Well, that's actually a funny story, see--"

"No time!" Interrupted Harmony. "We've got work to do if we're ever going to finish these cupcakes in time."

The girls nodded in agreement. "Just tell us what to do, Harmony, and we'll do it." said Kimono.

"Alright, Flurry, you'll keep on heating up the cupcakes. Kimono, you and I will handle making the batter and icing."

"And what do I do?" piped up Razzaroo, trying to contain her enthusiasm.

"You Razz, get to help with decorating and boxing the cupcakes."

"You can count on me." Razzaroo gave Harmony a salute, and the girls all headed into the kitchen.

With the extra help of Kimono and Razzaroo, things were starting to pick up, as the girls filled more and more boxes full of cupcakes.

"I think we're going to make it!" said Flurry Heart.

"Don't jinx it." warned Kimono. "We still have a long way to go."

Harmony and Kimono mixed up batches of batter and poured them into the pans, and Flurry Heart would cook them to perfection before passing them to Razzaroo, who came up with all sorts of creative ways of decorating them. Like adding fillings or adding garnish. Just as she was frosting a chocolate cupcake, she looked around to see if anypony was looking, and made a move to try and sneak a taste of some of the frosting. But before she could, a wooden spoon fell down and gave her hoof a light whack.

"Ow!" cried Razzaroo.

"No nibbling." said Harmony firmly, waving the spoon. "You'll have to wait until we're done first."

"Okay." groaned Razzaroo in disappointment.

"Psst!" whispered Flurry Heart, covertly passing a butter roll to Razzaroo. "Here, eat up so you won't try to gobble all the cupcakes we need."

Razzaroo smiled. "Thanks." she scarfed down the roll in less than a minute.

Kimono and Harmony chuckled under their breath at seeing the surprised look on Flurry's face after seeing Razzaroo down that roll so fast.

"I'm glad you've made a new friend." Kimono whispered to Harmony.

Harmony smiled fondly. "Yeah, I'm glad too."

"I'm also glad that she got you to let her help you." a little smirk then formed on Kimono's face. "Especially considering how stubborn you are." she teased.

Harmony's face grew warm. "I am not!" she said defensively.

"Not what?" asked Razzaroo, popping in between Kimono and Harmony. "What are you two talking about?"

"How Harmony can be stubborn when it comes to accepting help from other ponies."

"I'm not stubborn." Harmony argued.

"Oh yeah you are." said Razzaroo. "You always insist on doing everything yourself."

"That's because I want to be able to do it on my own. I don't want to have to trouble you girls with things I should be able to do by myself."

"It's never any trouble." said Kimono.

"You know what I think?" said Razzaroo. "I think you're actually afraid to ask for help."

Harmony could feel her face flush with color.

"You are aren't you?"

"No, I'm not afraid, I just--"

"Oh really?" asked Flurry, joining into the conversation. "Then how come it took me threatening not to leave the cafe until you said yes in order to convince you?"

"No way, you actually said that?" asked Razzaroo.

Flurry Heart shrugged. "More or less."

"Oh what I would give to see that." laughed Razzaroo. She turned to Harmony and grinned. "Looks like you've found another pony who's willing to put up with your stubbornness."

Flurry Heart and Kimono joined in with Razzaroo and started to laugh. Harmony also ended up laughing too, but only a little before she said clearly, "Enough! We need to get back to work. Those cupcakes aren't going to make themselves."

"Yes, ma'am!" said the other girls in unison, giving her a little salute, and resumed their tasks.

The girls worked feverishly, all day long and well into the next morning, stopping only on occasion for a little rest before getting back to work. Until finally, after many long and grueling hours, they finally finished making all one thousand cupcakes.

"We did it!" cheered an exhausted Flurry Heart.

Kimono looked at the calendar that hung on the wall next to the cupboards. "And we managed to get it done before Friday." she said, pointing a hoof to the day.

"I say this calls for a celebratory nap." said Razzaroo, as she passed out onto the floor and began to snore sweetly.

Harmony looked out the window, it had gotten pretty late, and a nap did sound good right about now. "We can take care of the cupcakes in the morning." she yawned. "Right now, let's get some rest."

"I second that." yawned Kimono. The girls curled up together and all fell asleep on the floor, glad to have finally finished their task together.

The Play's the Thing: Celestia's Suspicions

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The Play's the Thing: Celestia's Suspicions

It was well late into the night, when Dewey Decimal, a librarian at Mythica University, was summoned from his room to the principal's office.

"What in Celestia's name could be so important that they had to wake me up in the middle of the night?" The Earth Pony stallion wondered aloud. He soon got his answer as he entered the office and saw Princess Celestia standing beside the principal's desk. He immediately dropped into a bow. "Your highness." he said respectfully.

"Stand up Decimal," said the principal in a groggy voice. "The princess has come here on important business, and she needs your assistance."

Dewey Decimal stood at attention. "O-of course, whatever you need princess."

Celestia smiled politely and lowered her head in his direction before speaking. "Thank you. I came to inquire about a book I donated her long ago. Do you know if it's still here?"

Dewey Decimal tapped his chin and thought. "Perhaps. What is the book called?"

"A Compendium of Spiritual and Celestial Phenomena." answered Celestia.

The stallion nodded. "Ah yes, now I remember, we keep that book in the restricted section of the library. Only certain teachers and well-privileged students are aloud to leaf through its pages."

"I need to go over it if you don't mind, and if possible, maybe borrow it." said Celestia. "That is, if you'll allow it." she said to the principal.

The principal nodded. "Not at all. Anything we can do to help you, princess."

"Thank you again. I also want to know if you have any spare rooms I could use. My guards and I are tired from our journey and we'll need someplace to rest for the night before we can make the journey back."

"I believe that can easily be arranged." The principal then turned to Dewey Decimal and said, "Show the princess to the restricted section, and after that, take her and her guards to the vacant dorm rooms in the east wing."

"Yes sir. Right away sir." he motioned for the princess to follow him. "This way, your highness."

* * *

The library of Mythica University, while not as vast as the library of the Canterlot Archives or the Crystal Empire, was still a veritable well spring of information. Dozens upon dozens of books on every known subject lined close together on the large bookshelves. The restricted section of the library was clearly marked by a sign that read: Restricted. Do Not Enter. And was closed off by some velvet rope.

Dewey Decimal unhooked the rope and let the princess step through first before following her. "Please forgive the dust." he said. "I try to keep these shelves clean, but it's so rarely visited that I end up only doing once or twice a month."

"That's quite alright." said Celestia.

At the very end of the restricted section was an old door, bolted shut. Dewey Decimal pulled out a ring of keys and fit the largest one into the door's lock. With a turn to the right and the sound of a click, the door opened, and Dewey ushered the princess inside. The room itself was fairly small, only big enough for two ponies, and in its center, rested an old, cracked book upon a stone pedestal.

"There it is." said Dewey Decimal. "A Compendium of Spiritual and Celestial Phenomena"

Princess Celestia stepped toward the book, carefully lifting the cover and opening up to the yellowed pages. On each page, there were elaborate and detailed illustration of fantastical and legendary beings and occurrences that had long been extinct or forgotten. And next to the illustrations were descriptions pertaining to what the illustration was exactly and the mythos surrounding it. She flipped through the book until she landed on H. Celestia steadied her breath as her eyes fell upon a full-page picture of the pony she'd seen in her vision.

"Just as I thought," she murmured, after skimming over the description next to the picture. She closed the book and levitated it with her magic, turning to Dewey Decimal, she smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you for your kind assistance." she said.

"Anytime, princess." Dewey Decimal bowed to her as she left the room.

Celestia looked down at the book's cover as she walked, feeling quite certain that all would soon become clear, regarding not just her vision, but of her growing suspicions as well.

Harmony had another strange dream, once more taking place in darkness, except this time she was fall. She didn't bother to save herself or flap her wings in order to stop herself from plunging any further, instead, she allowed herself to fall deeper and deeper into the darkness. She couldn't explain it, but something told her that there was no reason to be afraid, that made her feel...oddly at peace.

"Harmony..."

Gazing up, Harmony could see six glimmering lights, five of which circled around the brightest of the six.

"Harmony...!"

The lights...were they...calling to her? She reached her hoof out toward the stars, feeling somehow drawn to them.

It's strange. She thought, They seem...familiar somehow...

"HARMONY!!"

Harmony felt somepony shaking her wildly, her eyes shot open, and saw the pony shouting at her and shaking her was Flurry Heart.

"Finally, you're up!" cried Flurry Heart in relief. "Come on, we have to get going."

"Why, what's going on?" asked Harmony, rubbing her eyes.

"We slept through most of the day." explained Flurry. "We have only fifteen minutes to get to the theater.

Hearing this got Harmony's attention, she jumped to her hooves, now fully awake. She looked wildly around, Kimono and Razzaroo were nowhere in sight. "Where are Kimono and Razz?"

"They're waiting outside for us in the cart, now let's get going."

"Right!" Harmony followed close behind Flurry Heart, as the two galloped out of the cafe, where Kimono and Razzaroo were waiting, hooked up to the cart.

"Hurry, climb on!" said Razzaroo.

"You don't need to tell me twice." said Harmony.

Flurry Heart and Harmony sat up front in the cart, while in the back sat the many boxes filled with cupcakes.

"Now that everypony is present and accounted for." said Razzaroo. "It's time to get a move on. To the theater!"

Kimono and Razzaroo began to walk forward to get the cart moving, but were quickly stopped. They tried to pull the cart, but no matter how much they pulled the cart didn't seem to budge.

"What's wrong?" asked Flurry Heart.

"The cart's too heavy!" cried Kimono. "It won't budge."

"Looks like we're not going to make it after all." said Razzaroo, starting to droop.

Harmony frowned, a determined look coming into her eyes. "Oh yes we are." she said. She whipped her head to Flurry Heart. "Flurry, can you enchant the cart so that it can move on it's own?"

Flurry Heart nodded slowly, "Yes, aunt Twilight showed me how when I was a filly."

"And can you make it go at any speed you want?"

"I guess, but I've never really tried before."

"Well today's the day you try." Harmony got off the cart and helped unhook Kimono and Razzaroo from it. "Come on girls."

"What are you going to do?" asked Kimono.

"I have a plan, Flurry Heart, start up the spell." said Harmony.

Flurry Heart gave a nod and her horn lit up.

"Are you sure it's going to work?" asked Kimono.

Harmony shrugged. "We'll have to see."

The golden aura of Flurry's horn enveloped the cart, and it started to move on its own. Soon, the cart began to pick up speed, as it whooshed through the streets.

"Alright, make a left at the next corner." instructed Harmony. Flurry's horn glew brighter, and the cart veered left. "Now, we go straight and make a right at the next corner." The cart followed Harmony's direction, soon, they were zipping by surprised ponies who narrowly dodged out of the way of the cart.

"Whoo-hoo!" cried Razzaroo with her hooves in the air. The wind blowing back her braids.

"How close are we to the theater?" asked Flurry Heart.

"Not much farther now, we should be there any moment now."

"Uhhh, guys?" said Razzaroo, a hint of panic in her voice. "Not to worry anypony, but, are the wheels supposed to be smoking like that?" She pointed a hoof at the wheels. The girls' eyes widened as the saw wisps of smoke coming off them.

"Uh oh, I think we're going too fast." said Flurry Heart. The friction is causing the wheels to heat up."

"We'll have to stop soon or they'll catch fire." said Kimono.

"No, not yet, we can still make it." insisted Harmony. "I promised Razzaroo I'd help her deliver these cupcakes, and I never go back on a promise."

"Aw! Thanks Harmony!" said Razzaroo with a smile.

"Ahem! The wheels!" Kimono reminded Razzaroo.

"Oh, right."

"I've got it!" said Harmony. "Flurry, speed this cart as fast as you can."

"WHAT?!" Flurry screamed.

"Trust me, and when I give the word, that's when you stop the cart."

"Okay, but, I hope you know what you're doing." There was an intense glow from Flurry's horn, and the cart sped faster than a rocket, blowing back the girls' manes wildly behind them.

Meanwhile, at the theater, Mr Maestro, a tall Unicorn with a mustache curled and neatly trimmed and a thinning mane, looked down at his antique pocket watch to check the time. "Hmm, 7:26. Miss Razzaoo should be here with the food at any moment, I do hope she won't be late."

"AHHHHHH!" screamed Razzaroo, along with the rest of the girls, except Harmony, as they barrled down the street.

"Look! I see the theater!" cried Kimono, pointing a hoof at the building.

"The wheels are smoking like crazy!" shouted Razzaroo.

"Anytime now would be good, Harmony." said Flurry Heart.

"Wait for it." she said.

Mr Maestro looked down at his watch again. 7:28. He head toward the wooden double doors to step out and have some fresh air while he waited for Razzaroo to come.

"Wait for it." said Harmony, her eyes narrowed on the theater, counting down to the exact second for when they needed to stop.

Mr Maestro was partway to the door when he was stopped by the janitor.

"Evening Mr Maestro. This place sure looks great." he said, referring to the decorations that were hung and the floral arrangements.

"Yes, Miss Razzaroo set them up a couple days ago, said she had urgent business to attend to regarding the food."

"Well, I hope that whatever it is, doesn't affect the taste. I've been waiting all week to have a crack at the buffet you've set up."

"Indeed, well, good night."

"Night."

Harmony then gave the word, "Now!"

Flurry Heart concentrated hard, using as much magic as she could to stop the cart, as it screeched to a halt.

Mr Maestro reached his hoof out and grabbed onto one of the handles, and began to pull.

With a skid and a slight bounce, the cart finally came to a stop, even the wheels stopped smoking, right in front of the doors as Mr Maestro opened them and stepped outside. He was momentarily surprised and looked down at his watch.

"Ah! Miss Razzaroo, 7:30 exactly! Right on time." he said. He circled the back of the cart, counting out the boxes and opening a few to inspect them. When he finished, he beamed at Razzaroo.

"You've truly out done yourself, better than I could've expected."

"Thanks." said Razzaroo, stepping down from the cart. "But I didn't do it alone. My friends were a big help to me getting it all ready."

"Indeed." said Mr Maestro, giving a nod of agreement. "Here, let's get these inside and I'll have the valet take care of your cart for you."

"Thank you very much sir." said Flurry Heart gratefully. She levitated the boxes off the cart and she and the rest of the girls were led into the theater.

A valet pony walked up to the cart, about to take care of it, when the wheels suddenly burst into flames and fizzled out into ashes. The cart came down with a thud, now completely wheel-less. The valet jumped back in surprise, and then scratched his mane in confusion.

The girls worked together to unbox all the cupcakes and arrange them out on the long food tables. All had gone well for the most part. Ponies started to file into the theater, handing in their tickets and going over to the table to taste the cupcakes the girls had made.

There were all kinds of cupcakes, from chocolate, to vanilla, to rose water, to poppy seed, to chai and honey. The ponies all seemed very pleased by the cupcakes, happily taking second and third helpings. Even the girls let themselves enjoy the fruits of their hard labor.

"Hmm! This is so yummy!" gushed Flurry Heart.

"You have Kimono and Harmony to thank for that. Those two sure can bake." complemented Razzaroo.

The two smiled in embarrassment. "Oh stop." said Harmony.

Mr Maestro strode up to the girls, smiling proudly. "I can't thank you girls enough. Thanks to you, my opening party has gone off without a hitch."

"Aw, it was nothing." said Razzaroo modestly.

"I don't know how I can ever repay you." a gleam then came into his eye. "Actually, I do! How would you all like to see tonight's show, free of charge?"

The girls all looked at one another and then back at Mr maestro.

"Y-you mean it?" asked Kimono.

"Of course, for all your hard work, I'd be glad to have you all here tonight to see my show." he said.

The girls smiled.

"In that case, we'd be honored to see your show." said Flurry Heart.

"Splendid! I have seats in the top balcony all set up. I hope you all enjoy the show."

The girls all waved goodbye as they watched Mr Maestro leave to talk to the other ponies who'd gathered in the theater, wishing them a good evening.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Harmony. "Let's get to our seats before the play starts!"

The entire theater was packed, everypony who was anypony had shown up to see that night's play. Written and directed by Mr Maestro himself, titled: On Whims of Love. The girls all sat together in their seats in the high balcony, waiting with anticipation to see the play. The lights dimmed, the orchestra began to play the overture, and the heavy curtains began to rise. The audience watched with rapt attention as the play unfolded before their eyes.

The story focused on two characters, a pretty noblemare who loved to express herself through writing, singing, and dancing, believing it to be the true way to show one's true heartfelt feelings. And the other character was a servant of the noblemare, an Earth Pony stallion who was unable to speak, but still found a way to express himself through the arts. He'd fallen in love with his mistress and took to writing her beautiful, anonymous letters that conveyed how he felt. The two wrote back and forth, until the noblemare found that she had fallen in love with the mysterious letter sender. Wanting to unmask him, she decides to throw a party, inviting any and all stallions in and around her town, declaring that there would be a contest to see which stallion would have the honor of being her husband.

At the party, the noblemare revealed that the contest would be to see which pony could best express themselves musically. Many of the stallions did their best, singing love ballads to the noblemare, but she was clearly not impressed by them and made remarks to how unoriginal they were. Finally, when it seemed like she would never find her anonymous lover, the mute servant steps up. The other stallions laugh at him, wondering how a stallion who can't speak, much less sing, could possibly compete in the contest. The mute stallion handed a sheet music he'd composed long ago for the noblemare to the musician's playing at the party, and offered his hoof to the noblemare, asking for a dance. She accepts, and the two dance with such grace, such passion, that they soon forgot about the world around them as they danced in each other's arms. When the song ended, the mute stallion made the ballet mime for 'I love you', and the noblemare saw that she'd found her letter writer. She declared that the mute stallion was the winner, and explained to the baffled stallions that she said they had to perform through music, which meant they didn't necessarily have to sing.

The orchestra cued up the final song, as the noblemare and mute stallion embraced one another, and the curtain fell on their happy ending. The audience stood up and filled the theater with thunderous applause. The curtain raised up again to give the actors a curtain call. The actors waved to the crowd and bowed, bouquets of roses flew through the air and landed onto the stage, or were caught by the actors.

With the show over, the ponies filed out of the theater in throngs, talking to one another about the play, including the girls, who were walking close together as they chatted.

"That was the best play I've seen yet!" exclaimed Razzaroo, jumping up and down.

Flurry Heart smiled dreamily and sighed. "And so romantic." she added. Being the daughter of the Princess of Love, Flurry couldn't help but be a hopeless romantic at heart, for her, a good romance was her bread and butter, even though she'd never been in love herself. "I absolutely loved the part where the stallion made the mime for 'I love you', it was so heart warming!" gushed Flurry.

Harmony arched an eyebrow as she looked at Flurry Heart. "It was sweet I guess, but I liked the idea of the anonymous letters and the contest more than the actual love story." she said.

"But that's the best part of the whole thing!" said Flurry.

Harmony shrugged, "Sorry, I've just never really been all that big on romance, that's all."

"Sigh! To each his own I suppose." said Flurry Heart.

"It was still a good play nonetheless." said Kimono. "And after all our hard work I think it was well-earned."

"I'll say." said Razzaroo, wrapping her arms around Harmony and Kimono's necks. "I can't thank you girls enough for all your help." She craned her neck to look over at Flurry Heart. "And you especially, princess."

Flurry Heart smiled and waved a hoof. "Please, just Flurry will do."

"It's getting late." said Kimono, looking up at the night sky. "We should all probably head home."

Harmony nodded. "I agree, I need to do some more shopping tomorrow for the cafe. Not to mention Tempo's probably eaten through all the food I've left for him at home."

"Yeah, I should get back to the castle too." said Flurry. "It was nice to meet you all and to have such a good time. I hope we can go out again sometime."

"Same here." said Razzaroo.

Kimono and Razzaroo were the first to say their goodbyes and head on off on their way home, leaving Harmony and Flurry to say their own farewells.

"Guess I'll be seeing you around." said Flurry.

"Yeah." said Harmony. "Take care, Flurry Heart."

And so, the two went home, each going in their own separate directions.

Princess Celestia was glad to be back home in Canterlot, after her two-day journey. She'd dismissed the Pegasi stallions to their quarters and was heading inside to greet her sister and tell her of her progress, when she spotted Flurry Heart running toward the castle.

"Good evening, Flurry Heart." said Celestia.

Flurry Heart stopped and looked toward where she'd heard the pony calling out to her, a smile springing to her face. "Oh, great-aunt Celestia, you're back." she said.

"Yes, but, if you don't mind my asking, what are you doing out here so late?"

"Well, I was just hanging out with some friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes, I made a few while you were away, they were really nice."

"I'm sure they are, but maybe you should wait until tomorrow to tell me. It's late and you should get your rest."

Flurry Heart nodded. "I will." she said. She turned and resumed heading into the castle. "Goodnight, great-aunt Celestia!"

"Goodnight!" said Celestia.

* * *

Princess Celestia entered the throne room, where her sister was waiting for her. "Sister!" Luna cried joyfully, rushing toward her side. "How was your journey? Did everything go well?"

Celestia nodded. "The pieces are starting to come together." She levitated the compendium she'd brought back from the university and showed it to Luna. "This will no doubt be of great help."

Luna took the book and opened it up to the section that Celestia had bookmarked. Her eyes widened. "So, what you saw, it really was--"

"Yes, without a doubt. After checking on the Tree of Harmony, my vision started to become much clearer. I have reason to believe that it's trying to tell me about her return."

Luna tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I wonder, but...no, never mind."

"What is it, Luna?" asked Celestia.

"Well, it's probably just a coincidence, but...it could be that I've found a possible connection with your vision. It's a pretty flimsy connection, so it's probably nothing."

"Tell me." pressed Celestia. "It might be of more help to us than you think."

Friends of a Feather Have Fun Together

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Friends of a Feather Have Fun Together

A few days later...

At the breakfast table, all three of the princesses were sitting down to a nice, wholesome, and tasty breakfast.

"So Flurry Heart, how have you enjoyed your stay in Canterlot?" asked Princess Celestia, making some small talk with her great-niece.

"Great!" replied Flurry Heart, gulping down some orange juice. "You and great-aunt Luna have been so nice to me, and I've had so much fun going around town and exploring the shops. Not to mention the new friends that I've made here."

Princess Celestia smiled at Flurry Heart. "I'm glad to hear that." she said.

"Um, speaking of my new friends," said Flurry Heart, looking down at her plate and poking at a slice of peach. "I was wondering if I could invite them to my birthday party. I mean, since I'm going back to the empire after the party, and I want to be able to say a proper goodbye to them."

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and gave a nod. "I think it'd be wonderful." said Celestia. "I'm eager to finally meet these new friends of yours."

"I am too, I know you're going to love them." Flurry Heart cleared her plate and excused herself from the table.

"And where are you off to in such a hurry?" asked Luna.

"There's a new airship that's going to be launched today, I'm hoping to ride it with Harmony today." said Flurry Heart. "I'll be back soon, bye!" Without another word, Flurry Heart was gone.

* * *

On her way to the cafe, Flurry Heart made a quick little stop at the jewelry shop she'd been in front of when Harmony had come to her rescue. There was something here she had to pick up, for her new friend. A little bell rang above the door as Flurry Heart opened it and trotted up to the counter. A stunning Unicorn mare spotted her coming in and bowed to her.

"Ah! Your highness, welcome back." said the Unicorn.

"Is it finished?" asked Flurry Heart.

The Unicorn nodded, and pulled out a small box out from under the counter. "It's such a splendid gem! I made sure that the chain was exactly as you specified." She lifted the box up and opened it for Flurry Heart to see inside.

"It's perfect." said Flurry Heart. "You've done an excellent job."

"Thank you, princess. It's an honor to have somepony such as yourself in need of my services."

Flurry Heart paid the Unicorn and took the box, giddily prancing out of the shop with her head held high. Everything was going perfectly for her.

Harmony was wiping down the counter, enjoying how quite and pleasant things had been since Friday night. After those last few hectic days, it felt good to take a breather and get back to some nice, soothing work. Cafe door swung open, and in came Flurry Heart, an excited grin on er face.

"Oh, hey Flurry." said Harmony. "I haven't seen you around here for a while, been busy?"

Flurry Heart nodded. "Uh-huh, after Friday I wanted to catch up on seeing all of Canterlot before the end of my trip, which is why I'm here?"

Harmony blinked at her in confusion. "Huh?"

"There's an airship that's going to be taking off today, and I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me on it's first voyage." Flurry Heart waited expectantly.

Harmony looked away, unsure. "I don't know. I mean, don't get me wrong, it sounds nice and all. But I've kept the cafe closed for three whole days that I need to make up for."

"Please? Just for an hour or two. It starts around noon, so you could go during your lunch break." Flurry Heart batted her eyelashes and pouted.

Harmony gave her a straight-faced look. "Laying it on there a little thick, don't you think?"

Flurry Heart dropped the pout.

"Look, I maybe be able to spare an hour with you during my break, only if you let me get on with my work." said Harmony with a sigh. And secretly she thought to herself, Besides, I've never been on an airship before, and it sounds really great! She did her best to hide her enthusiasm about going on the ship by maintaining a calm, rational composure. "But I don't guarantee any promises." she added.

"Great!" said Flurry Heart smiling. I'll see you at the launching dock."

"I said maybe!" called Harmony, but Flurry Heart was already out the door before she could actually hear what Harmony had said.

A little ways down the mountainside from Canterlot, there rest the great airship, docked beside a golden platform and dock, waiting to be released into the air. The airship itself was quite remarkable. The lower part looked like a sailing vessel, painted with the Canterlot colors of white, gold, and purple, and had little flaps at the sides and in the rudder to help it glide properly through the air. And there was of course, the key attachment that kept the whole vessel afloat, a large blimp balloon that was tied to the ship by many strong, thick cords. Standing on the docks were the ponies eager to either board the airship for its first flight, or to merely watch the takeoff. Flurry Heart was waiting in line at the gangplank, holding a ticket for herself and for Harmony, in case she did come. She kept an eye out, searching over the crowds for any sign of her with little success.

Flurry Heart sighed in disappointment. "Guess she isn't coming after all." Just as she set her hoof onto the gangplank, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

"Flurry, wait!" She whirled her head around and saw Harmony flying over the crowd toward her.

"Finally, you made it." she said as Harmony landed down in front of her. "I knew you would."

"Yeah, well, I'm only going to be here for a little while, at least until my break's over." she looked up toward the airship, an ecstatic smile creeping its way up on her face. "It sure is a nice-looking ship." she said.

"Well, let's hurry up and get on it before they take off without us."

"Right."

The line surge forward as ponies boarded upon the airship. Once everypony who was going on the voyage was on the ship, the captain said a speech he'd prepared. A glass bottle of champagne was hit against the ship's hull, and the airship left the the dock. Ponies on the ground cheered and waved to the ponies on the ship. Flurry Heart smiled and waved back at them, while Harmony stood off to the side, admiring the work of the ship and looking out at the breathtaking view ahead of them. The captain went behind the wheel, and steered the airship on its course.

It sailed out through the sky, soaring higher and higher until it was above the cloud line. Harmony looked out over the railing, a light breeze blowing through her mane, as she looked at the rolling greenery, and the clear winding rivers below. Flurry Heart joined Harmony and looked out over the landscape with her.

"This view is amazing!" she commented. "I can almost see the Crystal Castle from here."

"It is pretty impressive." admitted Harmony. "I've never really flown this high before."

Flurry Heart arched an eyebrow at her. "Really? But you're a Pegasus. Don't they usually fly super high?"

"I may be a Pegasus, but I grew up in a cottage on the ground and in Canterlot my entire life, the highest I've ever flown is just over the rooftops."

"Oh. Sorry. I just thought--"

"No, it's okay, you didn't know." Harmony returned her gaze out toward the horizon, a far away gaze and a wistful smile appeared on her face. "The very thought of flying terrified me when I was little, my mom had a rough time trying to get me to face my fear. But after a while, I got used to it."

Flurry Heart giggled. "Sorry." she said when Harmony looked at her curiously. "It's just that, when I was a baby, I was flying all over the place! My parents told me that I was a really strong flier for somepony so young, and how I was even able to lift aunt Twilight's friend Pinkie Pie off the ground."

Harmony chuckled. "You must've had some interesting flying lessons then while growing up."

"Yeah." said Flurry Heart, her cheeks turning pink. "They certainly were interesting."

Harmony cast her eyes downward, and pawed at the deck a little with her right hoof. "My mom used to sing a song when she taught me how to fly, to calm my nerve and keep me from worrying about falling."

"A song?" asked Flurry Heart.

"It was an old song, it was one of my favorite songs, along with the others mom sang to me."

"Could you sing it?" Harmony looked at Flurry Heart, who was intrigued to hear it.

"I don't know, it's been years." said Harmony, a little unsure.

"Please?"

"Well...okay." Harmony took in a deep breath and began to sing the song, the words flowing into her as she remembered how her mom used to sing them.

"We leave the ground so easily, float along so breezily. Here we are; you and I, two for the sky!"

As Harmony sang the next verse, the ship passed through some puffs of cloud that grazed against the hull.

"Above the clouds we're hovering, having fun discovering. What it's like way up high, two for the sky! Could any road be airier, anypony feel merrier? Gosh I'm glad we can fly, two for...two for the sky."

A strong gust of wind blew, raising the ship higher and whipping the girls' manes in their faces, causing them to laugh.

"We see the earth grow tinier, every star seems brighter. And we sigh; you and I, two for the sky!"

As the wind died down, a few song birds flew past them and around the balloon.

"Zip and zoom so snappily; greet the birds so happily, proud that we too can fly, two for...two for the sky. Two for...two for the sky!"

When Harmony had finished, Flurry Heart applauded wildly. "That was great!" she exclaimed. "You've got a really amazing voice."

Harmony blushed. "I-it's nothing. I've...just had a lot of practice, from my mom I mean. It's just something the two of us used to do together."

"Well, I think it sounds lovely." said Flurry. "Your mom must've had some voice."

Harmony smiled fondly as she looked up into the endless blue sky. "Yeah, she did."

The rest of the voyage went smoothly, with the girls oohing and ahing at the scenery and looked out at the clouds, imagining them in different shapes. Flurry Heart felt very pleased. Everything was going as well as she planned, and it would soon build up to the big finish that she had for Harmony, where she'd finally give her the special surprise she'd made for her. As thanks for becoming her friend, and all that she'd done the past few days during her stay.

Flurry Heart's Gift: A Symbol of Friendship

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Flurry Heart's Gift: A Symbol of Friendship

As the airship landed into the dock, and the passengers began to leave, Flurry Heart rested a hoof on Harmony's shoulder before she had a chance to fly away. "Hey, do you mind walking back to Canterlot with me?" she asked. "There's something I want to tell you."

Harmony folded her wings and said, "Okay." She wondered what it was that Flurry Heart could possibly want to talk about. The twosome walked side by side along the dirt path that led upward back to town. Harmony then asked, "So, what's this about?"

"Last week, after you rescued me and agreed to be my friend, I wanted to do something special for you. You know, to show my thanks." said Flurry.

"You don't have to do that." said Harmony. "After the way you help me and the girls, I think that'd be thanks enough."

"Still, I wanted to show my thanks to you somehow, so, I had this made." Flurry Heart reached into a little purse she'd brought with her, and presented Harmony with a little box. "Here, open it."

Harmony looked at the box and reluctantly took it. She opened it and gasped at what was inside. It was a necklace with a rainbow quartz gem cut into a diamond tear-drop shape, a delicate golden chain was attached to the the tip of the gem. "It's beautiful." she breathed.

Flurry Heart grinned. "I knew you'd like it."

"I don't know if I can accept this." said Harmony, trying to hand the necklace back to Flurry Heart.

"Nonsense!" declared Flurry Heart, pushing the box back into Harmony's hooves. "I had it made for you, so you can keep it."

"But it seems so precious." said Harmony, looking back down at the necklace. "Like something you'd give to a special pony instead of one you've just met."

"But you are." insisted Flurry Heart, rest a hoof on Harmony. "You're my new friend, and that's enough to make you special."

Harmony stared into Flurry's sparkling blue eyes, at a loss for words. "Flurry..."

"Now hurry up and try it on so I can see how it looks on you."

Lifting the necklace out of its box, Harmony gently placed it on her neck, the rainbow quartz resting just below her throat. She touched the gem lightly, liking the way it felt to wear it.

Flurry Heart clapped her hooves together. "It's perfect!" she cooed. "And it goes so well with your eyes."

Harmony blushed a little. "Thank you." she mumbled quietly. "It's a lovely gift."

"Your welcome." said Flurry Heart. "I hope you can wear it to my party."

Harmony blinked. "Party? What party?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot." Flurry's horn glowed with golden light, as she pulled out three invitations and gave them to Harmony. "You and the girls are cordially invited to my sixteenth birthday party this Sunday at 10:00 AM."

Harmony looked at the invitations, speechless. Each one was made of thick white paper, with looping, florid script that glittered in the light, and at the top was the Canterlot Royal Crest embossed into the paper. "I...I don't know what to say!"

"Just say that you'll be there. And Kimono and Razzaroo too of course." said Flurry Heart.

"Yes, we'll be there." Harmony started to fill with excitement. "I can't believe this, Razz and Kimono are going to be so excited when I tell them!" She then gave Flurry a beautiful and joyful smile, "Thank you so much Flurry, I can't thank you enough."

"What are friends for?" she said with a shrug. The two laugh, and continued walking on their way to town.

After walking a little ways, Harmony's ears perked up. She stopped in her tracks. "Did you hear that?" she asked, straining her ears to try and catch the sound.

"Hear what?"

"I don't know, I thought I heard something."

"It's probably nothing. Now come on, let's go."

Harmony was about to when she heard the sound again, this time a little louder. She looked up toward the top the cliff, where the sound had come from, squinting her eyes to try and see what had caused it.

"Harmony, hurry up!" called Flurry Heart, who had now gone ahead of her.

"Coming!" Harmony called back, warily eying the cliff before picking up the pace.

Little did they know, hidden from the top of the cliff, they were being closely watched, by many pairs of glowing blue eyes.

That night, Celestia had another vision. This one was different from the last. She saw a cavernous place that was dark and damp, and she saw Flurry Heart, desperately crying out for help. Malicious laughter echoed off the cave walls, becoming louder and louder, until a swarm of shadows appeared and engulfed Flurry Heart. The young Alicorn screamed in pure terror, as she began to disappear completely.

"Flurry Heart!" cried Celestia.

The vision drastically shifted, showing Celestia flashes of the Tree of Harmony, the pony from her previous vision, and returning to Flurry Heart's face, pleading for help.

Celestia gasped as she awoke in a cold sweat. The doors of her bedchamber swung open. "Celestia, are you alright?"

"I'm...I'm fine Luna." said Celestia shakily.

"It was another vision, wasn't it?"

Celestia nodded. "Flurry Heart is in grave danger, we must take every precaution to ensure her safety until after party. Once she's back in the Crystal Empire, the Crystal Heart will be able to protect her until the danger passes."

"Should we tell Cadence and Shining Armor?" asked Luna.

"No." said Celestia, shaking her head. "We can't give them any reason to panic before we know what exactly we're up against."

"But sister, they have a right to know! They are her parents, after all."

"I know, which is why I will tell them once they arrive this Sunday. I shall also alert Twilight Sparkle, and perhaps together we can keep my vision from coming to pass."

Luna sighed. "Very well, Celestia. I'll assemble some of my night guards to help keep an eye out for anything or anypony who might try to come after Flurry Heart."

"Thank you, Luna."

Luna was almost out the door when she stopped and said quietly enough for Celestia to be able to hear. "Do you think that she is somehow involved?"

Celestia paused and then answered, "Quite possibly, yes. But first we must wait and see, before we can know for sure."

The Big Birthday Bash

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The Big Birthday Bash

When morning dawned upon her long awaited birthday, Flurry Heart sprang out of bed, and immediately began to get herself ready for the party. She been so excited to celebrate her special day that she barely got any sleep, and instead, laid in bed, waiting till she could finally get up. That time was now. And Flurry Heart was just bursting with enthusiasm over her special day. She went up to the large wardrobe and flung open its doors. At the bottom, there sat a box done up in curling bows and ribbons. The package had come to the castle from Carousel Boutique in Ponyville, with a note from Rarity.

It read:

Dear Flurry Heart,

The girls and I are delighted to be attending your sixteenth birthday party (especially Pinkie Pie who helped with most of the setup), and look forward to seeing you again. Here's and early birthday present from yours truly. Sincerely,

-Rarity

Flurry Heart smiled as she reread the note. Knowing Rarity, she had a pretty good idea that the present inside was lovely outfit that she designed. She set the box onto the vanity table, undid the ribbons, and lifted off the lid. She gasped as she lifted out the outfit inside.

It was a beautiful birthday ballgown, fit for any princess, made with shimmering jewel-tone fabrics. The gown had twos layers, first layer of the dress was made of a rich sapphire blue chiffon, and the second layer was shorter, made out of amethyst purple netting with silver patterns of delicate snowflakes. The bodice was also amethyst purple, with sapphire blue curlicues wrapping all around it, forming into little hearts and more snowflakes.

Flurry Heart pressed the dress up against her chest. "Thank you, Rarity." she whispered to herself. She put on the gown and studied her reflection in a full-length mirror. The gown was beyond perfect on her. She picked up the skirts, and twirled them around from side to side, laughing as she watched the fabric swish. But she wasn't done yet, there was still more left to do. At the vanity, Flurry Heart brushed out her mane and styled it into a large, beautiful bun high atop her head. Then, she lightly dusted her eyes with some white eye shadow and her lashes with a touch of mascara. And for the finishing touch, she placed her crown on, having it carefully nestled in front of her bun.

She grinned widely. Now, Flurry Heart was ready to kickoff her birthday on a good start.

* * *

After breakfast, Flurry Heart peeked into the kitchens to get a glimpse at the preparations for her birthday dinner, and finished packing up her suitcase, as she waited for the guests to arrive. And at long last, after what seemed like forever, one of the servants announced that Princess Twilight her friends had arrived. Flurry Heart immediately rushed out of the castle and saw her aunt and her friends, riding in a deep purple carriage with golden wheels, that pulled up a few feet away from where she was standing.

"Aunt Twilight!!" she cried joyfully. Flurry Heart jumped into her aunt's open arms and the two hugged each other tightly.

"Oh Flurry, I missed you so much." said Twilight. "Now let's have a look at you." The purple Alicorn pulled away and rested a hoof on Flurry's cheek, smiling warmly. "You've grown so much! It seems like only yesterday you were only a baby."

Flurry Heart smiled, her cheeks turning a light pink.

"Hey! Don't I get a hug too?" asked a low, teen-aged voice teasingly.

Flurry Heart and Twilight turned back to the carriage, where Spike had stepped off, grinning at the them.

"Of course, I would never forget you. uncle Spike!" said Flurry, hugging him as well.

Now that he was a teenager, Spike had entered a bit of a growth spurt, becoming a little taller and longer, but other than that, he was still the same old Spike that everypony knew and loved. "It's good to see you, Flurry." he said.

"Same here, I hope aunt Twilight hasn't been keeping you too busy back in Ponyville."

Spike scoffed. "Please, there's nothing a number one assistant like me can't handle." He folded his arms and puffed out his chest to show off, which couldn't help but make Twilight and Flurry giggle.

The rest of Twilight's friends stepped out of the carriage and went over to greet Flurry Heart.

"Oh,my!" said Fluttershy softly. "You look lovely, Flurry."

"She does, doesn't she?" said Rarity, looking Flurry Heart up and down approvingly. "I just knew that that dress would look simply ravishing on her! The perfect thing to wear to one's sixteenth birthday, whether a princess or not."

"You did a wonderful job, Rarity." said Flurry graciously.

Rarity smiled at her praise and batted a hoof. "It's a gift."

"Pfft! You think that dress is good, wait till you see what else we got you for your birthday." said Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped out seemingly from out of nowhere and added, "Yeah! And wait until you see all the super funtastic things that I've got lined up for today." She pulled out her trademark party cannon and showered everypony with a blast of confetti for emphasis.

Everypony couldn't help but laugh.

"Easy there, sugar cube." said Applejack to Pinkie. "There'll be plenty of time for all that, but first, do you mind helping me with some of these bags?"

"Okiee dokie!' sing-songed Pinkie Pie, as she went to help Applejack carry their bags and the presents they'd brought.

"Spike," said Rarity, fluttering her thick lashes at him. "Would you be a dear and kindly take my things inside?"

"Sure, no problem, Rarity." Spike reached inside the carriage and lifted out a trunk that Rarity had brought.

Twilight shook her head. "I still don't know why you had to bring that here." she said.

"Why, for emergency outfit changes, of course." said Rarity matter-of-factly. "One may never know when they'll need to change their attire. And I for one like to come prepared."

Some of the girls rolled their eyes while Flurry giggled. It was good to see some friendly and familiar faces again, and she couldn't wait to introduce them later to her new friends.

"Almost...got it...and, there!" cried Razzaroo victoriously. She'd been hard at work putting the finishing touches on her present to Flurry Heart, and now, it was complete. All that was left now was to wrap it. She'd gone through all her wrapping paper to pick out the right one to use, and had settled on light blue paper with a navy blue bow. As she finished tying off the bow on top, a knock sounded on the door.

"It's open!" she called.

The door opened, and in came Harmony and Kimono.

"Hey Razz, are you ready to--" Harmony paused as she and Kimono looked into Razzaroo's living room with wide eyes. The floor was littered with scraps of paper and glitter, the coffee table was covered in various art supplies, and the couch were Razzaroo was sitting was full of tape, ribbons, and wrapping paper. It was a big artsy mess.

"What happened here?" Harmony finally said.

Razzaroo grinned sheepishly. "Nothing, I was just...doing a bit of extra work on my present for Flurry." She lifted up the now wrapped present for the girls to see. "Do you think she'll like it?" she asked.

"I'm sure she will." assured Kimono. "Now, are you all set to go?"

"Yep!"

"Then let's get a move on." said Harmony. "We don't want to end up late to our new friend's party."

The girls nodded in agreement, and followed Harmony out and into the street, galloping toward Canterlot Castle. It seemed like they were going to make it as the girls approached the castle gates, until they were immediately halted by a pair of white Pegasus guards.

"Halt! Who goes there?" asked the guard on the left.

Harmony stepped forward and said, "My name's Harmony, these are my friends Kimono and Razzaroo." Kimono and Razzaroo gave friendly little waves to the guards as Harmony said their names.

"What business do you have here?" asked the guard on the right.

"We were invited to Princess Flurry Heart's birthday party."

"Oh really? Then show us the invitations."

The girls all pulled out their invites and handed them to the guards. The guards squinted at them, scrutinizing every detail on it.

"They appear to be authentic." said the left guard.

"But how did you come by these invitations?" asked the right guard.

"Flurry Heart herself gave them to us." said Razzaroo.

"Is that so? A likely story, how do we know you're not lying?"

"Um, well...the invitations! Doesn't that prove something?"

The right guard scoffed. "It proves that you're either good forgerers, or good thieves."

"Or that we're telling the truth." said Harmony pointedly.

"Then how come the guest doesn't mention you three?" questioned the left guard.

"Uh...last minute change?" said Razzaroo with a shrug.

The guards remained firm, not looking like they were going to let the girls in anytime soon. Harmony was starting to get a little annoyed.

"Look, Flurry herself invited us here, so why not go and ask her yourself if she invited us?" said Harmony.

"Now see here miss--"

"What's going on here?" All heads turned, as Princess Celestia began approached the guards.

"N-nothing, your highness." said the right guard bowing. "There girls here claim to have been invited to Princess Flurry Heart's birthday."

Celestia stepped closer to the gate, she looked at the girls intently, then asked politely, "What are your names?"

Harmony went through introductions again and explained how they'd given their invitations to the guards but they still wouldn't let them in.

"I see." said Celestia. She turned to the guards. "It's alright, let them in."

"Are you sure, princess?" asked the left guard.

Celestia nodded. "Yes, Flurry Heart told me that she invited her three new friends. They may enter."

The guards bowed once more and said to her, "As you wish, princess." The opened up the gates, and let the girls come through.

"Told you so!" said Razzaroo as she passed by the guards.

Celestia smiled graciously at them. "Welcome, to Canterlot Castle. It's a pleasure to meet you all." she said politely. Her eyes fell on Harmony, and there was a look in her eye that Harmony couldn't quite place. She shrugged it off. It was probably nothing. "Here, let me show you inside, everypony is assembled in the ball room. The party will take place there and outside in the garden."

And so, the three friends followed Princess Celestia, as she led them into the castle, not noticing her eyes occasionally flicking back to them.

The castle ballroom had been splendidly decorated for the party. High up near the ceiling, golden ribbons and streamers interwove with one another to form a canopy. Groups of pale pink, purple, and blue balloons had been tied to the backs of chairs, or set up as the centerpieces of the table that had been laid out. And on a separate table, there was a stack of presents wrapped in colorful paper and tied with big bows on top. Flurry Heart felt her heart bursting with happiness as she took in every detail of the room.

"It's...it's..."

"Super spectacular?" finished Pinkie Pie.

Flurry Heart nodded. "Yes." she said. "The only thing that would make this is even better is--"

The ballroom doors opened, Flurry Heart whirled around, and saw her parents, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor enter. Flurry Heart ran to them, crying out ecstatically, "Mom! Dad!" Cadence and Shining Armor opened their arms wide, and took Flurry Heart into a tight and loving embrace." Cadence laid a kiss on Flurry's head, while Shining Armor did his best to hold back joyful tears.

"How's my little princess?" he asked.

"I'm fine, dad." said Flurry. "I had a great time in Canterlot!"

Her mother let out a melodious laugh. "We can't wait to hear all about it. But first, there's a little something we brought you from home."

"Really? What is it?"

Her parents stepped aside to reveal their surprise. Flurry Heart let out a joyful and surprised gasp, as she saw her best friend standing there before her.

"Sparks!" she cried. The two hugged each other. "I missed you so much!"

Same here." said Sparks.

Sparkle Shine, or Sparks as she was mostly called, was a red-violet Unicorn, with an explosion of glitter for her cutie mark, and a flaming orange mane cut into an edgy pixie cut style, with her bangs brushing just over the top of her eyes. Even her tail had been cropped short.

"You didn't get too lonely without me, did ya?" asked Sparks.

"Well...maybe a little." admitted Flurry Heart. "Canterlot was fun and all, but it wasn't the same without you here."

Sparks smiled. "Aw, thanks Flurry."

"Hey, you're not starting the party without us, are you?"

Also entering the ballroom was a Unicorn family of three. Flurry Heart's crystaler, Sunburst, his wife and foalhood friend Starlight Glimmer, and their daughter, Morning Star. Morning Star had a light amber coat, a wavy crimson mane that parted around her horn, Prussian blue eyes, and a cutie mark of a golden six-pointed star (not unlike Twilight's) with a red circle in its center. She was younger than Flurry Heart by only a couple of years, but the two had known each other for as long as they could both remember.

Twilight chuckled at her old pupil, and said, "Of course not. We're glad that you could make it."

"Hey, Morning!" Flurry Heart greeted cheerfully. "How've you been?"

Morning didn't answer, she didn't even smile. Instead, she just walked right past Flurry as if she wasn't even there. But then again, it wasn't anything new. For some reason, Morning seemed a little "apprehensive" when Flurry was around. She assumed it must have something to do with the teasing at her school or something like that.

Twilight called upon eveyponys' attention and said clearly. "Now that it looks like everypony is here, let's get started on the festivities, shall we?" Spike took out a long to do list scroll and handed it to Twilight. "Flurry Heart and the girls will begin by playing some of the games Pinkie Pie has set up while--"

"Wait!" cried Flurry, interrupting her aunt.

"What is it, Flurry?" asked her mother with concern. "Is something wrong?"

"We can't start the party yet, my friends aren't--"

"Friends?" asked Shining Armor, looking a little confused.

"I made some new friends during my stay here." explained Flurry. "They've been so nice to me, and we've had a lot of fun together, I decided to invite them to my party. I wonder where they could be now."

"I think I mat be able to help answer that." said Princess Celestia, stepping into the ballroom, and with her were Harmony, Kimono, and Razzaroo.

"Girls!" cried Flurry relieved.

"We're not too late, are we?" asked Kimono.

"No, you all made it just in time." Flurry Heart ushered the girls inside and introduced them to everypony in the ballroom.

They bowed to the royal family and said politely, "It's good to meet you, your highnesses."

"The pleasure is all ours." replied Cadence.

Twilight cleared her throat. "Alright, now that everypony is here and accounted for," she gave and acknowledging nod in the threesome's direction. "Let's--"

"Let's get this party started!" shouted Pinkie Pie. Her party cannon let out an explosion of confetti that littered onto the ballroom floor, providing further decoration.

"I gotta get me on of those." Razzaroo whispered to Harmony and Kimono, who giggled when she told them.

"Come on girls, follow me." Pinkie Pie ushered the girls to follow her outside into the garden.

Twilight let out a groan and tossed her list aside. "Better luck next time, Twilight." said Spike, giving Twilight a pat on the back.

"Thanks Spike." sighed Twilight.

"Twilight," said Princess Celestia, stepping toward her, looking quite serious.

"Yes?" asked Twilight. "What is it, Celestia?"

"There's something I'd like to talk to you, Cadence, and Shining Armor about, in private."

Twilight gave a nod. "I understand, princess." Twilight excused herself from the ballroom, and went with her old mentor, her brother, and sister-in-law.

The castle garden had also been decorated with a few streamers and balloons here and there, but the girls were focusing most of their attention on Pinkie Pie than on them. The perky pink pony popped up in different places as she pointed to the plethora of party games she'd set up throughout the garden. Games like musical chairs, limbo, pin the tail on the pony, a pinata shaped like the Crystal Heart, balloon toss, and dozens of board games. Harmony chuckled to herself as she saw Razzaroo taking in every detail, no doubt formulating her own ideas to use for future parties.

"And since Flurry is the birthday filly," said Pinkie, winking at Flurry Heart. "She gets to pick the first game."

"Let's see..." mused Flurry. She looked from one game to the next, till she finally picked one. "How about we start with musical chairs?"

"Sounds good to me." said Sparks.

The rest of the girls, except Morning Star, clamored in agreement. They all went to stand around the chairs while Pinkie Pie manned the record player.

"Everypony ready?" The girls nodded. "Then...GO!" She fired up the record player, and the girls ran around the chairs. When the music stopped, Kimono was the first one out. She shrugged and went to sit on the sidelines. After a few more rounds, the winner ended up being Sparks.

"Great game, Sparks." said Flurry, shaking her best friend's hoof.

"Ah, it was nothing." replied Sparks.

"As the winner of musical chairs." said Pinkie cheerfully. "You get to pick the next game."

Sparks picked whack the pinata, which was won by Kimono, who used some very impressive stick-weilding skills.

"I learned a thing or two from big sis." Kimono had said shyly.

The next game that she chose was pin the tail on the pony, and it was won by Razzaroo. The game she picked was balloon toss, where you have to keep a balloon from touching the ground and passing it back and forth to the other players. The only other rule besides not letting the balloon fall to the ground, was that you couldn't use your hooves, only your head or muzzle. Harmony was about to join the girls when she stopped and looked over at Morning Star. The young mare was sitting on the sidelines, looking down at the ground and looking a little left out and lonely.

"Are you coming Harmony?" asked Razzaroo.

"I think I'm gonna sit this one out." said Harmony, turning and heading toward Morning.

"Suit yourself." And the new game began.

"Hey." said Harmony, crouching down beside Morning. "Are you okay."

Morning looked up in surprise. She then glanced back down at the ground and muttered, "I'm fine."

Harmony arched an eyebrow, not really convinced. "It must be pretty boring just sitting here by yourself, why don't you join us?"

Morning looked Harmony in the eye, she could tell that the Unicorn wanted to accept her offer, but when she gazed over Harmony's shoulder at Flurry Heart laughing and having fun, she frowned and said, "No thank you, I'm perfectly fine without needing to hang out with her."

"Then, do you mind if you and I play something?" asked Harmony.

Morning's frown faltered. "You want to play...with me?"

"Sure." said Harmony. "You can even pick out the game."

Slowly, a smile began to work its way onto Morning's face. "O-okay. How about, Magic and Monsters?"

"What's that?"

"It's this really great board game that my dad and I play sometimes."

"Sounds interesting."

From the pile of board games, Morning pulled out Magic and Monsters and explained how the game worked to Harmony before they began playing. Morning rolled the dice and moved her piece five spaces, and picked up a card. "You give a kindly hag a loaf of bread, earn 100 points." she read.

Harmony rolled and moved her piece. She picked up a card and read, "Lost in the enchanted forest, lose one turn."

"Better luck next time." said Morning, now on her turn. As they played, the girls began to laugh and enjoy themselves, making jokes about the different fates the cards gave them. Like when Morning's card read that a wood nymph cast a hex on her piece and that she had to move back three spaces, she said, "Pfft! Like I'd ever actually let a wood nymph hex me. It'd be foal play to just use a simple shied spell to deflect it, and a paralysis spell to keep the nymph busy."

"You sound pretty confident." remarked Harmony, moving her piece.

"Of course I'm confident. I'm at the top of my class in both practical and oral magic use, so it'd be easy to know how to subdue a mischievous wood nymph."

"Wow. That sounds pretty impressive."

Morning smiled smugly. "It is, you should see how impressed my teachers are whenever I ace my exams. The tell me that I've got a lot of potential in the field of magic."

"Your parents must be very proud."

Morning's smile dropped and she let out a sigh. "They would," she said. "If they ever bothered to notice."

"What do you mean?" asked Harmony.

Morning Star shot a hardened look at Flurry Heart, who was playing mouse trap with the girls. "That's what I mean." she said sharply, pointing a hoof at her.

"Flurry? What about her?"

"My dad was her crystaler, so he helped out in raising Flurry Heart, until I came along. Since then, we grew up together, she even tried to become friends with me...but that didn't work out well for me." Morning's voice took on a hardened tone. "You have no idea what it was like growing up with her! Everypony would fawn over her and talk about how wonderful she was. Ponies even tried to pretend to be my friend just so that I could introduce them to Flurry! Whenever she's around, everypony forgets about me, like I'm not even there." she sniffed and then looked away. "Even my own parents don't even notice me."

Harmony stared at Morning Star, taking in every word she said. "I'm sure that's not true." she said. "You're their daughter, and I'm sure that they love you more than anything."

"Sure, when you say it like that it sounds obvious." scoffed Morning. "Flurry Heart still tries to be my friend and is nice to me, but it's all out of sympathy. She knows that I can't compete with a princess like her and that being her friend will make everything okay."

"You mean, you don't have any friends?" asked Harmony.

"What's the point? For all I know, they'd probably just be pretending because they want something."

Harmony couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew that she had to fix this, that she had to do something. "Then why not let me be your friend?"

Morning's head shot up and she looked at Harmony, wondering if she heard right.

"Huh?"

"You look like you could use one, so how about it?"

Morning eyed her skeptically. "I don't know." she said. "How do I know you're not joking or something?"

"Well, for one thing I'm already friends with Flurry, I don't really have much of an interest in magic, and you seem like a nice enough pony."

Morning was silent, not able to think of what else to say. Harmony extended her hoof and said, "So what do you say?"

Reaching her hoof out slowly, Morning took Harmony's hoof and the two shook hooves.

"Harmony, you gotta come over here!" Razzaroo called out from the other end of the garden. "Flurry Heart's gonna tell us about some of the things she did during her trip!"

"I'll be there in a minute!" Harmony called back. She turned to Morning Star. "You wanna come?"

Morning Star blinked in surprise. "Well...okay...I guess."

"Then come on."

Harmony and Morning Star went over to where the girls were sitting around in a circle, and listened as Flurry Heart began to tell them about everything that happened to her in Canterlot, pausing here and there to answer questions or to let the girls add their own comments about the story. Soon, the garden was filled with laughter and friendly chatting, as the girls relaxed and enjoyed each others company. And this time, Morning Star joined in.

Meanwhile, the Mane 6 (minus Twilight and Pinkie Pie), were having there own conversation, chatting and catching up on all that was going on in their lives back in Ponyville.

"One of my younger relatives is going to be coming to stay with me." said Applejack. "I can't remember if she's my cousin once removed or my niece twice removed."

"How wonderful!" cooed Fluttershy. "What's her name?"

"Apple Dumpling." answered Applejack. "Her parents thought it'd be a good idea to have her come to Sweet Apple Acres to learn the tricks of the trade, seeing how the farm's been mighty successful lately."

"Well, she's certainly going to be taught by the right pony." said Rarity.

"That's nothing." said Rainbow Dash. "I've been coaching this Pegasus colt, Lightning Blitz. He wants to become a Wonderbolt when he's older, so I've been helping him with his training."

"You mean the one Scootaloo introduced you to?" asked Fluttershy.

Rainbow nodded. "Yep! The kid's nice, and he's got a lot of potential. Pretty soon, he'll be wowing everypony in no time."

"What about you, Fluttershy? What have you been up to?" asked Rarity.

"Well--"

Fluttershy was cut off as the ballroom doors opened, and in came Twilight, Cadence, and Shining Armor.

"Twilight, you're back." said Spike. "What did Princess Celestia want?"

"I'll tell you later, Spike." said Twilight, seeming a bit anxious.

"Are you okay, Twilight?" asked Spike, concerned.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just fine."

Spike knew that something was obviously bothering Twilight, but before he could keep pressing the subject, Pinkie Pie, Flurry Heart, and the girls all came in, excitedly talking to one another.

"Time to move onto the presents!" Pinkie Pie trilled.

Flurry Heart sat down at the table that held all her presents, with everypony else gathered around her. She picked up present after present, admiring each gift she received and thanking the pony who'd given it to her. After a while, there were only two gifts left on the table. Flurry picked up the smallest present, which was from Kimono, and tore off the paper. Inside there sat a silvery hair pin shaped like a snowflake, with two white tassels attached to it.

"Oh Kimono, you shouldn't have!" she squealed. "It's beautiful."

Kimono lowered her head respectfully in Flurry's direction. "I am honored you think so." she said.

Flurry set the hairpin gently aside, and opened up the last present, from Razzaroo. It was a thick book, when Flurry Heart opened it, she saw that it was a scrap book, filled with all kinds of pictures, from the girls baking together, to them hanging out at the theater, and even of them barreling down the street.

"This is amazing, Razzaroo." complemented Flurry. Then a thought hit her and she looked at the pony. "When and how'd you get all these pictures?"

Instead of answering, Razzaroo pointed a hoof down at the scrap book, and showed how it had a ton of blank pages for her to fill. "I make scraps books for all my friends, and for all the memories we make together."

"Thank you very much." said Flurry Heart politely. Her eyes scanned over the table and down to the floor. "But, where's Harmony's present?"

"My gift, is a little different." said Harmony, smiling at her. "After you complemented on my singing the other day, I thought it'd be nice to give you a song for your birthday."

"Ooh, a song!" squealed Pinkie Pie, clapping her hooves excitedly.

"Go on." urged Sparks. "Let's hear it!"

Harmony cleared her throat. And then, began to sing out in a clear, mellifluous voice. "Waves crashing down, splashes and ripples resound. Oh-whoa-oh. Where the flow ends what shall there be? A present is found down by the shore of the sea. Unlock the dooooor, you have the key. Oh nami oh! Oh nami oh! Nami oh! Que! Que! Que! Oh nami oh mi oh mi oh! Oh nami oh! Oh nami oh! Mi que que. Oh nami oh naaaa! Mi mi oh que que!"

Everypony began to sway in time to Harmony's singing, lost in its soothing sound. "Out past the door, opposite side, thrills are in store. Worthwhile and engaging, in that same way, the happiness which, just maybe, exactly what you are creating!"

Harmony's voice gained more volume as she began to sing the last verse. "Waves crashing down, splashes and ripples resound. Oh-whoa-oh. When the flow ends what shall there be? A present is found down by the shore of the sea, it's calling ouuuut! It's time to go see."

There was a moment of silence before everypony broke out into wild, enthusiastic applause.

"That was awesome!" declared Sparks.

Harmony smiled and blushed. "Thanks, it's my favorite song. I used to sing it all the time when I was little."

Flurry Heart was practically bursting at the seams, as she looked at her friends and family and smiled at them. "Everypony's gifts were so wonderful!" she said. "I can't thank you all enough. So far, this has been the best birthday ever!"

The party guests all clamored in agreement, the day truly felt like it was the best. And Flurry Heart felt like she couldn't be any happier than she was now.

However, unbeknownst to the party guests, they were being watched by two royal guards. "Looks like they're having a good time." said one of them."

The other nodded. "Yes, a shame we have to ruin such a festive occasion."

They both grinned wickedly at one another. "Oh well."

I'm What?!: Harmony's Shock and Celestia's Tale

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I'm What?!: Harmony's Shock and Celestia's Tale

The party began to whirl by in no time, until soon, it was time to sit down and have some birthday cake. One of the cooks wheeled the three tier cake into the ballroom and placed it onto the center of the table. Each tier was a different flavor, the bottom being angel food cake, the middle strawberry, and the top blueberry. And it was all covered in light purple and light blue icing, with pink frosting flowers dotting it and sixteen candles shaped like crystals on top. The cook also placed a gem cake in front of Spike, which had been especially made to suit his tastes. Cadence lit up the candles with her magic and smiled at Flurry Heart.

"Make a wish, dear." she said.

Flurry gently flew up to the cake and thought over what to possibly wish for. Then, she thought of a good one. She closed her eyes and said her wish in her thoughts.

I wish that it'll always be like this, with, my family and friends all together and happy.

She took a deep breath and blew out all the candles. Everypony clapped lightly as Flurry sat back down. Shining Armor cut out the first slice of cake and passed it to Flurry Heart.

"So, what'd you wish for?" asked Sparks, curious to know.

Flurry smirked at her. "You know I can't tell you." she said. "Otherwise, it won't come true!"

"She's right!" chimed Pinkie Pie and Razzaroo in unison, both trying to get a good slice of cake for themselves from each tier.

Sparks rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, well, let me know if it ever comes true. Okay?"

"I'll be sure to do that." giggled Flurry.

"So Morning, how's the cake?" asked Harmony, trying to establish some friendly conversation.

"It's okay, I guess." she replied with a shrug. "I prefer red velvet honestly."

"Red velvet is pretty tasty." said Razzaroo, butting into the conversation. "But I've always had a soft spot for confetti cake!"

Harmony arched an eyebrow and smirked. "I thought you always had a soft spot for all kinds of cake." she joked.

Razzaroo shrugged and gave an embarrassed smile. "Can I help it if they're all so delicious?" she licked her lips thinking about it, and took a large bite from one of the three cake slices on her plate.

"That's quite a bit of cake you have there." remarked Morning Star, eying her plate. "Are you sure you'll be able to eat it all?"

"Please, this is nothing." said Razzaroo proudly. "When it comes to food, my stomach is like a bottomless pit, I eat and eat and eat and I never seem to get full. Well, most of the time anyway."

Harmony and Morning laughed along with Razzaroo. This caught Kimono's attention.

"What are you guys talking about?" she asked.

"Razzaroo here was talking about how she has a bottomless pit for a stomach." said Morning Star.

Kimono chuckled. "It's true! You should see the way she wolfs down my rice cakes and dangos."

Morning Star speared a large bit of cake onto her fork and lifted it with her magic. "Even still, I can't believe you've never gotten sick from eating all those sweets." She then glanced over at Pinkie Pie, who was stuffing her cheeks with an entire slice of cake. "Well, almost. But seriously, if you keep eating like that, it'll end up causing nothing but trouble." Morning was waving her cake-filled fork around as she lectured, and accidentally ended up flicking off the cake, which landed right on Harmony's chest.

"I'm so sorry!" cried Morning Star, a hoof flying to her mouth.

Harmony waved a hoof. "It's fine. I'll just go and wash it off." She got herself up from the table and went toward the doors. "I'll be right back."

"Don't be too long!" Razzaroo called after her.

"Well, it's official." said Harmony with a frown. "I have no idea where I am."

After wandering around the castle, Harmony had managed to find the bathroom, but in the process, she ended up lost with no idea how to get back to the ballroom.

"I swear, this place is like a maze." she muttered. She stopped in front of a tall, thin door. "Maybe this will lead me somewhere familiar enough to find my way back."

Harmony opened the door, and stepped into a what felt like the millionth hallway she'd come across. As she walked down it, she couldn't help but notice the tall stained glass windows that lined along the walls. There was one that depicted Flurry Heart's aunt Twilight, another that showed a younger version of Spike and a Crystal Heart, and one of both Flurry's parents surrounded by an aura as they formed a giant heart.

"What is this place?" Harmony wondered aloud.

"It is the hall that leads to Canterlot Tower." answered a voice.

Harmony let out a startled shriek as she turned to see who was talking to her. She then breathed a relieved sigh when she saw that it was only Princess Celestia.

"Oh, princess, it's you." said Harmony. "Forgive me, I got a little lost on my way back to the ballroom."

"That's quite alright." said Celestia, walking past Harmony and standing in front of the windows.

"Princess, if I may ask, what exactly is all this?" she asked, gesturing to the various windows and their images.

"These are important moments that have happened in Equestria." answered Celestia. "From the reign of Discord to the coronation of Princess Twilight."

Harmony looked over the windows, stopping in front of the one that showed Discord, the Master of Chaos in all his terrific might.

Celestia noticed her interest and asked, "Tell me, Harmony, what do you know about Discord?"

"Well, not a lot." Harmony admitted. "I mean, I know that he caused all lot of trouble in the past and how he's pretty powerful, but other than that, I don't really know." She turned her head to look at the princess. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." answered Celestia simply. "What would you say if I told you that there was another spirit, similar to Discord?"

"You mean, another Spirit of Chaos?"

Celestia shook her head. "No, as far as I can tell, there's only one Spirit of Chaos. What I'm talking about, is the Spirit of Peace and Harmony."

Harmony blinked. "The Spirit of Peace and Harmony? I've never heard of it before."

"That's not surprising, so few ponies know her or remember her."

"Her?"

Celestia turned back to the window. "Let me tell you a little story." she said.

Harmony wasn't sure exactly where Princess Celestia was going with this, but decided it was best to just listen. She was the princess after all, and she seemed like she wanted to talk with her (for whatever reason). Princess Celestia exhaled and began to tell Harmony her story.

"Many eons ago, before Equestria was founded, there lived a benevolent Spirit of Peace and Harmony, who protected the ponies and creatures alike from great danger and brought light and love to all. She believed that as long as there was friendship, light, and harmony in the hearts of the ponies, then the land would remain in peaceful balance. And then, one day, it happened. A dark and powerful entity appeared, threatening to consume and corrupt the world for his own gain, the spirit took a stand against him and fought with every ounce of her power. In the end, she managed to defeat him and save the land that would one day be Equestria, but it came with a high price."

"What happened?" asked Harmony curiously.

"Because she used so much of her power, the spirit was greatly weakened, and she knew that she wouldn't last much longer. So, in order to preserve herself and her magic, she mustered just enough strength to transform herself into a tree."

"A...a tree?!"

Celestia nodded slowly. "Yes, the legendary Tree of Harmony, which contained the magic, the very essence of the spirit inside. And the most powerful essence of her magic was stored inside the Elements of Harmony."

"Why?" asked Harmony. "Why'd she do that?"

"Because," Celestia answered wisely. "She knew that the ponies and creatures of the land needed protection, they needed her magic, without her, there'd be nopony to stop others like the entity from laying waste to the land and destroying everything that she'd strived to protect. She'd turned herself into a tree, so that others could still call upon her help, and created the elements, for the chosen few who would truly be able to wield them. It is because of her, that we now live today in this era of peace."

"It's certainly a nice story, princess." said Harmony politely. "By why are you telling me all this?"

"I've been having visions recently. Visions in which I see the Spirit of Peace and Harmony. I wondered what it could mean, so I went to the Tree of Harmony, seeking answers to what my vision could mean. And it is there, that I discovered that the power and consciousness that had slept deep within the tree, had disappeared."

"Disappeared? Where did it disappear to?"

Celestia looked Harmony in the eye. "That, is where you come in." she said.

"Huh?" Harmony said, looking perplexed. "What do you mean? What does any of this have to do with me?"

"I have reason to believe that you, Harmony, now hold inside you, the soul and the power of the Spirit of Peace and Harmony."

"Wait, what?!"

The princess went on. "I can sense it inside you. You are the reincarnation of the spirit, Harmonia, and the new Spirit od Peace and Harmony."

* * *

".........I'm WHAT?!!!" Shouted Harmony.

Celestia repeated herself calmly. "You are Harmonia's reincarnation, and as such, you hold all of her powers as the new Spirit of Harmony."

Harmony wildly shook her head. "Forgive me for saying this princess, but you're nuts!!" She frantically began pacing. "I mean, do really expect me to immediately buy all this stuff you're dumping onto me? Let's say that even for a moment that I am this supposed "Spirit of Harmony", where's your proof? Is it my name or something? Not to mention, I'm a Pegasus, I don't even have magic!" Harmony tried to calm herself down after her hysterical rant.

"It's not becuase of your name." said Celestia, "Although it is quite coincidental. No, when I first went to the Tree of Harmony, all I knew that the Spirit of Harmony had returned, but I didn't know where she was or what had happened to her. All that was left in the tree was an enchantment to help continue to keep all that grows in the Everfree Forest contained. When I came back, Luna mentioned you to me and wondered if there might be some connection. I thought nothing of it, until I saw you earlier today."

"Earlier today? What do you?" asked Harmony, demanding some answers to all these questions swarming around in her head.

In a glittering flash of magic, Celestia produced an old thick book, and opened up to the bookmarked page. "This, is a picture of Harmonia, the spirit you are reincarnated from."

Harmony gasped, her eyes widening in shock. The picture...it was her. And yet, it wasn't her. The illustration looked like an older, stronger, more elegant version of Harmony, as tall as Princess Celestia, as well as an Alicorn.

"But...that can't be." said Harmony in denial. "There must be some mistake. I...I can't be--"

"But you are." said Celestia.

"This all too complicated, and confusing." groaned Harmony, rubbing her head. "You must have me confused with somepony else or...or something!"

Celestia shook her head. "Despite what you may think now, Harmony, you are Harmonia's reincarnation."

"But I don't even know or remember any of the stuff you just told me! If I am Harmonia, shouldn't I--"

"Tell me," said Celestia. "Have you been having strange dreams lately?"

Harmony froze. She recalled the strange dream's she'd been having, how they all seemed vaguely familiar.

"H-how did you know?" asked Harmony shakily.

"It is a sign that your powers, Harmonia's powers, will awaken within you, and you will become the Spirit of Harmony." said Celestia.

Harmony shook her head, this was all too much. "No, it...it's not true. You're wrong!" she shouted.

"Harmony--"

"I'm not Harmonia, I'm not the Spirit of Peace and Harmony, all you told me is nothing but crazy talk! I'm just Harmony...I'm, I'm just a Pegasus. I'm not...I'm not..." Her eyes began to water, she sharply turned her head away from Celestia.

"Harmony, I--"

"Leave me alone! I don't want to hear it!!" Harmony sniffed. "I know you're the princess, and that you're Flurry's great-aunt, but I'm afraid you're wrong. I'm just a regular old Pegasus and nothing more. I hang out and joke with my friends, I work at a cafe...I'm not what you think I am."

Celestia softened and took a few careful steps toward Harmony. "If that is truly how you feel, then I will not press the matter any further. If you still don't believe me, then you can continue on with your life as it is. But, should you change your mind, I will be here to help you with any questions and to offer you guidance."

Harmony rubbed her eyes. "Thank you, princess, but I don't think I'll be needing it. Now if you'll pardon me, my friends are waiting for me back in the ballroom."

She stalked past Princess Celestia, and closed the door loudly behind her.

"Well, that certainly could've gone better." said Princess Luna, stepping from her hiding place.

"She's in denial." said Celestia. "Maybe after she's calmed down, she'll be able to think things over more clearly."

"Sister, are you absolutely sure that she's Harmonia's reincarnation?"

"Yes, I'm sure of it."

"Then why did you let her go? Shouldn't we explain to her how important it is once she awakens?"

"I've already explained to her what she must know. Harmony needs to find out and see for herself what she is capable of."

Luna sighed. "I hope you're right Celestia. I hope you're right."

Flurry Heart was looking worriedly toward the ballroom doors. "Harmony's been gone for a while." she said. "I hope she's okay."

"I'm sure she's fine." said Sparks assuredly.

"I think I'm gonna go check on her, just to be on the safe side."

Flurry Heart hurried out of the ballroom and began to search for Harmony, and calling out to her. "Where could she be?" she wondered.

"Your highness." Flurry Heart jumped by the sudden voice, until she saw it was only a couple of royal guards. "Oh, you startled me! Is there something I can help you with?"

"The princess requests your presence at once in the throne room, and has asked us to accompany you." said one of the guards.

"She said it was urgent."

Flurry Heart wondered what her great-aunt could possibly want, so she followed the guards as the led her to the throne room doors.

"The princess is in there."

Flurry Heart opened the door and took a step through the doorway. It was completely empty. She slowly turned her head. "I don't see--"

She let out a cry, as a flash of green light hit her, rendering her unconscious.Her body dropped to the floor, as the two royal guards stood over her body and sneered.

"Well, that was easy."

Harmony trudged down the hall, thinking over her very weird conversation with the princess.

"She must be crazy!" she said. "Okay, crazy is a bit of a strong word, but I mean, come on! Me, a spirit? It's nuts!" Harmony heaved a sigh. "I probably shouldn't have snapped at the princess though, but...she can't be right. I just...I just can't be the Spirit of Harmony. Can I?"

Harmony stopped walking and looked back over her shoulder. That entire story Celestia had told her was so strange, and to suddenly declare that she was some reincarnation of a spirit...it sounded insane! Was reincarnation even possible? She put a hoof to her forehead. All of this was giving her a headache.

"I'll have to apologize to her later for how I yelled at her." she said. "But if she still thinks that I'm supposed to believe all this confusing spirit nonsense--"

"Harmony!"

"Harmony's attention snapped to Razzaroo, Kimono, Morning, and Sparks, who were all rushing toward her in a panic.

"There you are!" cried Razzaroo.

"Where have you been?" demanded Sparks.

"I got a little lost. What's going on?"

"It's Flurry Heart." said Kimono. "She's gone."

"Gone? What do you mean gone?!"

"She stepped out to look for you and then....and then..."

"Then what?"

Morning Star spoke up. "They found a note left behind, Flurry Heart's been...kidnapped."

Chrysalis' Revenge: Bring Back Flurry Heart!

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Chrysalis' Revenge: Bring Back Flurry Heart!

The castle was placed under lock down, as the Celestia's guards and Luna's night guards searched the entire place from top to bottom, searching for clues as to the identity of the kidnappers, how they got in, and where they went. The party guests were all gathered together in the ballroom. Cadence and Shining Armor were beside themselves with grief, wondering what had happened to their poor little filly. Twilight held up the ransom note with her magic and read it aloud for the others to hear.

We have Princess Flurry Heart in our possession,

If you ever wish to see her again, do not look for us. Await for further instructions soon, and your princess shall be returned once all demands are met.

"Who could've done this?" Wondered Spike.

Twilight sadly shook her head. "I'm afraid nopony knows."

"We should have taken extra precaution!" said Shining Armor.

Cadence tried to comfort him. "Dear--"

"Celestia warned us about this, we should've taken action as soon as she told us."

"Celestia?" Harmony looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Yeah." interjected Spike. "What's he talking about, Twilight?"

Twilight sighed. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about Spike. Princess Celestia had a vision, a vision of Flurry Heart in great danger. She believed that whatever the danger was, it was going to take place." The purple Alicorn hung her head, and her wings drooped. "We'd hoped to avoid the danger and to get Flurry home as soon as possible, but instead we ended up too late."

Harmony frowned.

Great, more of these visions.

"Why are we just standing around here then?" asked Sparks. "We should be out there looking for her!"

"Yeah!" shouted Rainbow. "Come on, let's go!"

"We can't." said Twilight, pulling back Rainbow Dash by her tail.

"Why not?" she complained. "We're not actually going to listen to that letter, are we?"

"We may not have a choice." said Princess Celestia, as she entered the room, at her side was Princess Luna. "We don't know who we're up against or where Flurry Heart is, the best course of action we can take is to wait here until we receive further instructions."

"But--!" Celestia stopped Sparks there with a sympathetic look.

"We're all worried about Flurry, and we all want her to come back safe and sound, if we can find some other alternative, then we shall use it."

Sparks looked like she wanted to say more, but she kept her mouth closed and lowered her head.

"It's best if we all get some rest." said Luna. "It's been a long day for all of us."

Celestia and Luna wished everypony goodnight, slipping out of the ballroom. Harmony also followed close behind, wanting a word with the princesses.

"Princess!" she called out. Celestia stopped and turned to Harmony. "Princess, you gotta help Flurry Heart."

"I'm afraid the situation is out of my hooves." said Celestia sadly. "There is very little that I can do."

"But you're Princess Celestia, you're a powerful Alicorn, surely you can do something!"

"And risk Flurry Heart's well being? I cannot allow that to happen."

Harmony couldn't believe what she was hearing, without thinking she blurted out, "Then let me do something. After all, I'm--!" SHe closed her mouth and looked away.

"You're what?" pressed Celestia.

"I'm...her friend! She left the ballroom because she went out looking for me, I should be the one to go out and bring her back." Harmony looked up into Celestia's eyes. "Please princess, let me help."

"How can you help?" inquired Celestia. "After all, you say that you're just a regular old Pegasus, if so, then how can you bring back Flurry Heart and stop her captors?"

Harmony said nothing and lowered her head. What else could she say? She still wasn't entirely sure what to make of the whole spirit business, part of which was due to the fact that she had no magic or remarkable abilities to say otherwise. She was just a regular Pegasus. What could she possibly do?

"For now, you and your friends are welcome to stay the night here, we'll let you know as soon as possible when Flurry Heart has been rescued and her captors brought to justice." said Celestia, turning to continue on her way. "Goodnight, Harmony."

Harmony stood there, watching the princesses disappear out of sight. She sighed and muttered under her own breath, "Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hooves."

Flurry Heart was starting to come to. She eyes slowly cracked open, the first thing she saw was bright green. When they fully adjusted to her surroundings, she found herself trapped in a slime green cocoon, hanging upside down. She let out a shriek and tried to push her way out, but the cocoon didn't so much as crack. She began to hyperventilate, trying to make sense of what was going on.

"W-what's going on? Where am I?" she asked, frightened.

She peered through the see-through part of the cocoon, she was hanging from the ceiling of a cave. Her ears pricked as she heard the sound of buzzing and cold malicious laughter echoing off the cave walls. Flurry's pupils dilated. "Who's there? Show yourself." she demanded.

Flurry Heart stared into the shadows, watching as a figure stepped from the shadows. She let out a squeak, too scared to so much as scream. The figure was tall with holed legs, a black body, insect wings and cobweb hair, and green eyes with slits. She smiled wickedly, showing two sharp fangs. Flurry Heart knew at once who the figure before her was, having seen and heard about her from a picture book her aunt Twilight had made for her when she was a filly.

She said the name of the figure in a deathly whisper. "Queen Chrysalis."

Chrysalis chuckled. "It seems you do know me, little princess."

Close behind the queen, were swarms of changelings, each one laughing in a horrible hissing tone. It sent shivers down her spine.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment." said Chrysalis, pacing around, looking up at Flurry Heart with those chilling eyes. "For when I finally get my revenge on Cadence and Shining Armor, for foiling my plans. And I shall do so, by using their darling little daughter."

Flurry then found her voice. "Whatever you're planning, it won't work! My family has stopped you before and they'll stop you again!"

Chrysalis sneered. "Oh, I can assure you, little princess, that your family will do nothing of the sort, not if it means endangering you."

The changelings jeered in uproarious agreement. Queen Chrysalis flew up to the cocoon, sending terror through Flurry Heart. She ran her hoof over the cocoon, making a grating, unpleasant sound. "I suggest you get yourself comfortable, little princess, you're going to be here for quite a while." She let out a wicked laugh.

Flurry Heart was shivering, wishing her parents, her aunts, anypony, was here with.

Somepony, please, help me!

Morning Star laid awake in bed, unable to get any sleep. She and her parents had been given one of the castle guest rooms to stay in for the night. She glanced over at the grandfather clock, and saw that it was a little after midnight. Morning let out a sigh. As much as she hated to admit it, she was worried about Flurry Heart, and was even starting to feel a little guilty for being so distant and cold toward her. Despite the times she was annoyed or jealous of her, Morning knew that Flurry didn't deserve to be kidnapped and held for ransom.

Knock. knock.

Morning's ear twitch. She sat herself up in bed and looked to the door. Another soft knock sounded on the door.

Who could the be at this hour? thought Morning.

Oh so quietly, she tip-toed out of bed, being careful so as not to wake up her parents, and opened the door a crack to see who it was. Her eyes widened when she saw Harmony standing in front of the door.

"Harmony?" she whispered. "What are you doing here?"

"I need you're help, come out and let's find a place to talk." said Harmony quietly.

Morning Star took another glance at her parent, who were both sound asleep. Silently, she slipped through the door and went down the hall with Harmony to guest room Flurry Heart had been staying in. Harmony checked to make sure that the coast was clear before closing the door.

"Alright, now what's this all about?" asked Morning.

"I'll tell you, but don't freak out. I don't want to wake anypony else up." said Harmony.

"I promise, I won't freak out. Now what is it?"

Harmony took a deep breath. "I'm going to go and rescue Flurry Heart."

"What?!"

"Shhh!" shushed Harmony.

Morning Star placed both hooves over her mouth and then whispered, "You can't be serious. Do you have any idea how dangerous it'll be?"

"I don't care." hissed Harmony. "I can't just sit by and do nothing while one of my friends is out there, no doubt scared to death. She's my friend, and friends help each other when they're in need, and that's precisely what I'm gonna do."

"You're really going to go through with this?"

Harmony nodded. "But I need your help first."

"What sort of help?"

"You know all kinds of magic, right?"

"Yes."

"Then do you know a spell that could help track down somepony, like say, the pony who wrote the ransom note?"

"Sure, it's as easy as--" Morning Star stopped, seeing where Harmony was going with this. "Oh, I see, if you can track the kidnappers, then you'll find Flurry Heart."

"Exactly." said Harmony. "So can you do it?"

"Of course I can, all I need is the letter."

Harmony pulled out a slip of paper, and opened it to show the ransom letter. "I swiped it when nopony was looking, thinking maybe you could use it somehow."

Morning Star inspected the note. "I think I can use a long distance tracking spell on it."

"Good." said Harmony. "You can cast it and I'll just be on my way."

"You don't intend to go on your own, do you?" asked Morning.

"Yes. Why?"

"It's just that, you don't know what kind of unpredictable or dangerous things you'll face, and how do you expect to defend yourself against them?"

Harmony drooped a little. She hadn't really given that part much thought. "I, I guess you're right."

Morning then smiled. "That's why, you'll be needing somepony like me to accompany you."

"Really? A-are you sure?"

"You said so yourself, friends help each other when they're in need, and as your friend, you'll definitely be in need of my help."

Before Harmony could say anymore, the two heard a soft scuffling sound behind the door. Harmony motioned for Morning to stay quiet, as she flew to the door and placed a hoof gently onto the doorknob. She pulled open the door, and in tumbled Razzaroo, Kimono, and Sparks to the floor.

"Girls?! What are you doing here?" asked Harmony.

The girls got up and dusted themselves off. Razzaroo smiled sheepishly and let out a nervous laugh. "Well, we couldn't sleep, and we saw you and Morning Star coming in here, and we got a little curious about what you two were up to."

"You're planning to go bring back Flurry Heart?" asked Sparks. Morning and Harmony nodded. "Then in that case, I'm coming along. There's no way I'm letting anypony get away with kidnapping my best friend."

"Us too." said Kimono. "To help Harmony."

"Those kidnappers won't know what hit em with us going after them." said Razzaroo.

Harmony looked from each face of the ponies surrounding her, all eager to go with her and to help her find Flurry Heart. A grin came to her face. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get ready and bring back Flurry Heart."

"Yeah!"

"Shhh." shushed Harmony. "Ponies are still asleep.

"Yeah." whisper cheered the girls.

The next morning, Starlight woke up to the panicked screams of her husband. She immediately shot up out of bed. "Sunburst, what's wrong?" she asked concerned.

Sunburst nervously adjusted his glasses as he pointed at the second bed. "Morning Star, she's...she's gone!"

"What?!" cried Starlight. She trotted up to the bed and let out a gasp.

"Where could she have gone?"

Starlight tried to remain calm, searching for anything that could give a lead as to their daughter's whereabouts. "I'm not sure, but she can't be too far. Right?"

The door to their room suddenly burst open, and in came Twilight. "Sunburst! Starlight! Something's happened."

"What is it?" asked Sunburst.

"I went to check on Sparks and Flurry's new friends to tell them that breakfast was ready, but they were gone!"

"Morning Star's gone too." said Starlight.

"What could've caused this to happen?" asked Sunburst, becoming frazzled.

Then, realization dawned on all their faces.

"You don't think--" Sunburst began.

"--That they all went to find Flurry Heart--" continued Twilight.

"--And left on their own without telling anypony?" finished Starlight.

Sunburst gulped. "It appears as though...they have."

All three became even more anxious and worried than they had been before. Six young mares were now out there somewhere, on a quest to rescue Flurry Heart from some mysterious kidnappers. What else could go wrong?

Great Peril: Enter the Changeling Forest

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Great Peril: Enter the Changeling Forest

Earlier...

All was quiet in Harmony's cottage, Tempo was contently napping on the loveseat, when all of a sudden, he was awoken by the sudden arrival of five ponies, one of whom was his owner.

"So that's what teleportation feels like." said Razzaroo.

"We can load up on further supplies here before we head out with the tracking spell." said Harmony.

"And we should probably get a move on quickly." added Morning Star. "Before anypony realizes that we're gone and they try to stop us."

"Got it." said Sparks.

Everypony went about Harmony's cottage, loading up their saddlebags with food, water, and anything else that may be useful on their journey. Tempo bounded over to Harmony, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

"Don't mind us, Tempo." said Harmony. "We're just grabbing a few things before we head out on a little journey. We're gonna be gone for a while, do you think you can keep an eye on the cottage until I get back?"

Tempo smiled and nodded.

"Good jackalope." said Harmony, petting his little head. His brown eyes then lit up with an idea, and he motioned for her to follow him. Harmony wondered what it could be that Tempo wanted to show her, so she went with him upstairs to her bedroom. The jackalope hopped onto the bed, and then onto the bedside table, and lifted up the necklace that Flurry Heart had given to her.

"Flurry's necklace." murmured Harmony, picking it up out of Tempo's paws and looking at it. She remembered that Flurry wanted her to wear it to the party, but Harmony thought it'd be best to leave it home, where it'd be safe and not end up lost. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked Tempo.

He lifted up his foot and pointed at it. Then, he pointed to a horseshoe on the floor, then pointed back to the necklace.

"You want me to take it as a good luck charm?"

Tempo nodded and placed his paw on the side of his nose to show that she had it right.

Harmony eyed the necklace. "I don't know." she said unsure. "Where we're going, I might end up losing it, or worse."

Tempo however, would hear none of that. He took hold of the necklace, and slipped it onto Harmony's neck. He then looked her in the eye with his arms folded over his furry little chest. Harmony sighed and touched the pendant that rested on her neck.

"I guess she would want me to wear it, wouldn't she?"

Tempo rested a paw on Harmony's hoof and gave her a sweet smile, wishing her luck.

"Thanks Tempo." she said.

"Hey Harmony!" called Sparks from the bottom of the stairs. "We're going to be heading out, are you all set?!"

"I'll be down in a sec!" Harmony called back. She made sure that her necklace was securely on and gave Tempo a quick hug goodbye before heading down the stairs.

"You all set?" asked Razzaroo.

"Yep."

"Then let's go." said Sparks.

The girls all stepped outside of the cottage, and stood around Morning Star, who pulled out the ransom note, and began to cast the tracking spell on it. In a whirl of glittering magic, the ransom note folded up into a paper bird and began to flap in the direction of the forest.

"Come on, follow that bird." said Morning Star.

And so they went on their way, to find and save Princess Flurry Heart, from her dastardly captors.

Now...

"Are we there yet?" moaned Razzaroo boredly.

"We'll get there when we get there." answered Morning Star, trying not to lose sight of the paper bird.

The five mares had been traveling for hours nonstop, down the mountainside, over fields, and now, through a forest.

"Whoever kidnapped Flurry Heart must've been well-built in order to make the trek all the way out here." said Kimono, gazing up at the trees, which looked sicker and sicker the deeper they went into the forest.

"Or they used a powerful transportation spell, or they could fly." suggested Morning.

"However they did it doesn't matter." said Sparks. "What does matter is how we're going to them and keep them distracted so we can get Flurry."

"Do you have a plan?" asked Harmony.

"Pfft! Of course I've gotta plan. Me and Morning Star will fight off the kidnappers while you three free Flurry. Get in, get out, and be home in time for dinner."

"Mmm, dinner sounds good." said Razzaroo, licking her lips.

"Stay focused, Razzaroo." said Kimono. "Don't forget, we're on a mission."

"Right! Focused!"

"Uh...girls?" asked Harmony, eyeing their surroundings. "Any idea where we are?

The forest was becoming darker and creepier, with all sorts of eerie cries echoing from within it.

"No clue." said Sparks.

"It reminds me of something." mused Morning Star. "I remember reading about a forest similar to this, but I can't remember what it was called."

"I'm sure you'll remember it eventually." said Razzaroo. "For now, how about we stop for a quick lunch break?"

"A lunch break?" said Sparks, giving Razzaroo a look.

"It would be best to stop and rest for a little while." said Harmony. "We'll need to keep up our strength after all."

Sparks groaned. "Fine. But make it quick! We can't waste anymore time."

Morning Star removed the tracking spell on the ransom note, and set it down beside her as the girls sat down and reached for the food in their saddlebags. They pulled out apples and sandwiches and began to dig into them.

Harmony's ear twitched. She lifted her head up as she heard a strange rustling sound. "Did you girls hear that?"

"Here what?" asked Kimono.

"Never mind, it was probably nothing." said Harmony, her eyes lingering on the nearby bushes. She heard another rustling sound, this time closer. She set down her half-eaten apple and trotted toward the bushes, where the sound seemed to becoming from.

Morning Star paused and noticed Harmony. "What are --"

"Shh!" said Harmony. "I think I hear something." She carefully went up to the bushes and carefully peered over them to see what kind of creature it was. Harmony breathed out a relived sigh as she saw that it was nothing more than a pack of jackalopes, looking up at her and twitching their noses. "Don't worry!" she called out to the others. "It's just some jackalopes!"

The jackalopes then let out a hiss, revealing sharp, pointed little fangs.

"What the--?!" cried Harmony, falling backward onto the ground. The fanged jackalopes sprang out from their hiding spot and surrounded the girls.

"Vampire jackalopes!" cried Morning Star, recognizing them. "I've only read about them. How fascinating!"

"Uh, Morning, now's not a good time to be talking about books." said Sparks, taking a fighting stance in front of the hissing vampire jackalopes.

"What do we do?" asked Kimono.

Harmony turned to Morning Star as the fanged and furry fiends began closing in. "Do you know how to stop vampire jackalopes?" she asked.

"I could use a stun spell on them." suggested Morning.

"I have a better idea." said Sparks. "Run!" She leaped over the heads of the vampire jackalopes and galloped into the forest. The rest of the girls followed after her, with the beastly bouncers hot on their tails. Morning Star craned her head as she galloped, shooting bursts of magic at the vampire jackalopes. Those she hit froze and fell to the ground. But most of them were smart enough to dodge the blasts.

Morning let out a frustrated groan. "I can't seem to hit them, it's hard to concentrate while running."

One of the vampire jackalopes leaped onto Kimono's back and bit her hard. Kimono let out a pained cry and swatted the jackalope off.

"Kimono!" cried Harmony. "Are you okay?!"

Kimono winced. "I'll be fine!"

"We need to find some cover!" shouted Sparks, who was in the lead.

"But where?!" asked Razzaroo.

Harmony had an idea. "Morning, how bright can you make your horn?!"

"Fairly bright, why do you want to know?!"

Aim it at the vampire jackalopes and flare it as bright as you can!"

Morning Star did as Harmony said, jointing her horn and flashing a blinding light at the jackalopes, causing them to stop and stumble around in a daze, and giving the girls enough time to duck behind a large rock and some bushes. They watched as the vampire jackalopes turned their heads this way and that, looking for the girls, until they gave up and hopped away.

"Phew! I think we're safe." said Harmony. She turned to Kimono, who was laying on the ground, her breathing becoming ragged. "Kimono!" She knelt down to her best friend, laying a hoof on Kimono's forehead.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Razzaroo worriedly.

"She's probably feeling the effects of the venom from the bite." said Morning Star. "There's nothing much we can do without an anti-venom."

Kimono lifted her head slowly. "Don't worry about me." she said softly. "Just go on ahead, I don't want to slow you girls down."

"We're not leaving you!" said Harmony. She rested a hoof on the site where Kimono had been bitten. Another one of her friends was in trouble, and there was nothing she could do about it!

I won't leave Kimono behind! she thought. Not while she's like this. I wish...I wish there was something I could do!

Then, something weird happened to Harmony, an odd sort of feeling deep inside her. For a moment, it went out of Harmony to Kimono, and then disappeared, as though it had never happened. Kimono blinked and looked down at the bite mark. Harmony lifted her hoof up and they both gasped.

"The bite...it's gone!" cried Razzaroo, pointing at where the mark had been.

Kimono started to stand up. "I don't feel woozy anymore!" she exclaimed.

Morning Star inspected it with narrowed eyes and shook her head. "It doesn't make sense!" she said. "How could that bite and the venom just disappear?"

"It's like magic!" said Razzaroo.

Harmony felt her throat tighten.

Magic? She recalled what Celestia had said, about having Harmonia's powers sleeping deep inside. I wanted to help Kimono, and now...she's healed from the bite and the venom! Did...did I do that? Harmony shook her head. No, I couldn't have! Could I?

"Well however it happened, it seems that Kimono's alright enough to keep going." said Sparks.

Razzaroo looked over her shoulder nervously. "I've never seen or heard of vampire jackalopes before." she said. "They're surprisingly vicious for such little critters."

"Of course!" cried Morning Star, putting a hoof to her head. "Why didn't I realize it sooner?!"

"What is it, Morning?" asked Harmony.

"I know where we are!"

"Where?" asked Sparks.

"We're near the edge of the changeling forest!"

The girls' eyes widened. "The changeling forest?!"

Morning Star nodded. "Vampire jackalopes are known to live in the changeling forest, which means we're in the territory of the changelings."

"Then...that also means that the changelings were the ones who kidnapped Flurry Heart." said Harmony, piecing it together.

"It makes sense." said Sparks. "Her family were the ones who stopped the changelings when they tried to invade Equestria. Kidnapping Flurry would be a good way for them to get their revenge."

"So, we'll have to face against the changelings?" asked Razzaroo.

"I'm afraid so." said Kimono with a nod.

"This is just great!" moaned Sparks. "One or two kidnappers would've been bad enough, but an entire swarm of changelings..." Her head got a little dizzy at the thought of it.

"I'm not sure if my magic alone can hold off all those changelings." said Morning Star.

Harmony stood up. "We can't just get up!" she cried. "Not after we've come so far. Think about Flurry, who knows what those changelings are probably doing to her right now." She looked down at her necklace, the rainbow-colored sides reflecting in Harmony's eyes. "I'm sure, if we all work together, then maybe we'll be able to save her. Even if there are changelings."

Razzaroo and Kimono both put on brave faces and rested their hooves on Harmony's shoulders. "You can count on us, Harmony." said Kimono.

Harmony smiled at them. "Thanks guys." she said.

Sparks got a glint of determination in her eye and smirked. "Don't forget me! Those changelings will regret ever kidnapping Flurry with me there to teach them a lesson."

Morning Star sighed and then gave a small smile. "This could be an ample opportunity to use some attack spells I've been meaning to try out."

"It's settled then." said Harmony. SHe put out her hoof. "For Flurry Heart?"

All the girls smiled widely and placed their hooves in. "For Flurry Heart!" they cried.

"Is it finished yet?" demanded Queen Chrysalis to one of her changeling lackeys.

"Yes, my queen. Just as you've ordered." he held out a piece of paper. The changeling queen swiped it and read over it aloud.

If you wish for the safe return of Princess Flurry Heart, you will hereby surrender all your power and relinquish Equestria to Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings. Fail to do so, and the princess shall suffer the consequences of your actions.

Queen Chrysalis let out a sinister chuckle. "Yes, this will do perfectly."

"My family will never give in to your demands!" shouted Flurry Heart, glaring narrowly at her.

"Oh won't they?" Queen Chrysalis let out a laugh that rang throughout the cave as she stalked away with her lackeys.

When the queen was gone, Flurry silently cried in her cocoon, feeling so scared and alone. She wished more than anything, that she was back at home with her family and friends. She sniffed. Crying would do her no good. She had to be brave, no matter how afraid she was.

Infiltration: Battle the Hive

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Infiltration: Battle the Hive

Twilight paced around in circles, her mind plagued with worry over her dear niece and her friends. Where were they? What was happening to them? Would they be alright?! Of course, she wasn't the only one who was sick with worry. Her brother and Cadence were holed up in their room, left utterly helpless to do anything to help their poor daughter. Not to mention Sunburst and Starlight, who were scouring the entire Canterlot Archives, searching for a method to bring back Morning Star, or in the very least, see how she was fairing. Then, Twilight stopped her pacing, when in ran Spike, holding a note in his claw.

"Twilight! Another note has arrived, from the kidnappers!"

"Let me see it, Spike." Twilight took the note and scanned over it, her eyes narrowing. "Spike, alert the princesses, and tell everypony to meet up in the throne room. Tell them it's urgent."

"Roger that." said Spike, and off her ran to follow Twilight's instructions.

* * *

"That evil WITCH!!" screamed Shining Armor in fury. Twilight had reread the ransom note to everypony, now knowing the identity of the kidnappers and their demands.

Cadence futilely did her best to calm down her husband. "Please Shining, I know you're upset--"

"Upset doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling!" Shining Armor gritted down his teeth. "The nerve of Queen Chrysalis, not only has she kidnapped Flurry, but she stoops to using her as a means to an end!"

"What are we waiting for?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Why don't we get out there and stop those changelings?"

"We can't just rush in there, Rainbow." said Starlight. "We need to come up with a plan so that we can not only stop the changelings, but also safely rescue Flurry Heart."

"So long as we get her back, I don't care what we have to do." said Shining Armor. He then hung his head and said lowly. "I can't even imagine, what those creatures are doing to her."

Cadence embraced her husband and kissed the top of his head. "Don't worry dear, we'll get her back, you'll see."

Shining Armor managed a weak smile as he looked at his wife. "Thank you Cadence, I needed that."

"Alright y'all, what's the plan?" asked Applejack.

Before anypony could offer up any suggestions, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stepped into the throne room. "That won't be necessary." said Celestia.

"What do you mean?" asked Shining Armor.

"Help is already on the way to Flurry Heart, I'm sure that very soon, she will return to us."

"How do you know that, princess?" asked Sunburst. "Who is it that is rescuing Flurry Heart?"

Celestia gave everypony a knowing smile and answered, "A very special pony, and her friends."

After many hours of treking later, under the cover of night, the girls scurried toward the heart of the changeling forest, where their dreaded fortress is said to be. They weren't entirely sure yet what they were going to do once they got there, but now, they were more focused on actually getting there first.

"We should be getting close." whispered Morning Star.

"Finally, I was wondering how much longer we'd have to wait." said Razzaroo. "So far, this rescue has been easy."

Sparks narrowed her eyes. "Too easy."

"I agree." said Kimono. "Something doesn't seem quite right."

As soon as she said that, a buzzing sound filled the air around them. A group of changelings appeared and surrounded the girls.

"It's a trap!" cried Razzaroo.

"Of course it's a trap!" sneered one of the changelings.

Morning Star and Sparks lit up their horns and shot them at the changelings, while the rest of the girls ducked for cover. They watched as Sparks stunned them, while Morning bound and gagged them with chains that she conjured with her magic.

"That was great!" said Razzaroo.

Sparks and Morning Star grinned at each other. "We do make a pretty good team." said Sparks.

"What should we do about these guys?" asked Kimono. "Just leave them here?"

"Probably for the best." said Harmony. "We don't want them running back to the hive and warning them that we're coming."

"She makes a good point." said Morning Star.

Razzaroo harrumphed. "Those rotten changelings, going around, attacking ponies. Not to mention shape shifting into other ponies just to fool you! How'd they like it if we did that to them?"

Morning Star beamed. "Razzaroo, that's brilliant!" she declared.

Razzaroo and the other looked at her in confusion. "It is? Er, I mean, of course it is." said Razzaroo. "How is it brilliant exactly?"

"If we disguise ourselves as changelings, we can sneak into the hive, grab Flurry, and get out before anypony notices!" explained Morning.

Harmony nodded. "That might actually work." she said. "But can you actually do it?"

"Only one way to find out." said Morning Star, firing up her horn. "Stand still, this'll only take a second."

The light enveloped the girls, forming the outline of a changeling's form before disappearing. The girls blinked and looked down at their forms.

"It didn't work." said Kimono.

And that is exactly as it appeared, for the girls seemed to look exactly the same as they had before. They looked to Morning for answers, who grinned proudly at them.

"Oh it worked alright." she said. "Everypony except the five of us will see us as changelings. I thought it might help, so we wouldn't lose track of who is who while in the hive."

"I've gotta admit, you're pretty good with magic, Morning." said Sparks.

"Now, onward to the changeling hive!" said Razzaroo in her best battle cry.

The girls walked close together as they neared hive. They stopped behind some large, dark bushes, and spotted the entrance to the hive. The entrance was the mouth of a giant cave, guarded by two changeling guards.

"I hope this works." whispered Kimono.

Harmony touched the gem that lay on her neck, cloaked by the spell, but visible to her and the girls.

If there was ever a time we'd need some good luck, it would be now.

"Everypony, follow my lead." whispered Sparks.

Sparks took the lead, while the rest of the girls flanked her on either side, heading toward the entrance. They were stopped by the changeling guards.

"Hey, what are you all doing back here? Shouldn't you be out on patrol?" hissed one of the guards.

Sparks spoke in a gruff voice and said, "We came to change shifts."

"You can't just come back and expect to switch shifts! What would the queen say?"

"And what would she say if the changeling she sent on patrol fell asleep on the job?" snapped Sparks. "It's late, we're tired, and we can either stand here and debate this, or we can go in and switch off for the rest of the night. So what's it going to be?"

Harmony stared at Sparks, impressed by how convincing she was being with her performance. She eyed the changeling guards, wondering how they'd act. After a moment of thinking it over, the guards stood at attention, and moved out of the way for the guards.

"Very well, you may enter." said one of the guards.

"Finally." muttered Sparks. Togther, she and the girls entered the cave, making slight glances behind them at the guards. The cave began to slope downward and opened up to a series of tunnels covered in green slime and moss on the floor, ceiling, and certain parts of the walls.

"We made it inside." said Sparks.

The girls allowed themselves to breath a sigh of relief.

"That was quite a performance." complemented Kimono.

"Yeah, even I was almost fooled." said Razzaroo.

Sparks smirked. "Yeah well, it wasn't really that hard." she said. "Now, were do we go from here?"

"Why don't we split up?" suggested Harmony. "That way, we'll be able to better find where they're keeping Flurry."

"Sounds good." said Sparks. "I'll take Harmony. Morning, you can take Kimono and Razzaroo."

"Okay." said Morning.

"You going to be okay?" Kimono asked Harmony.

Harmony nodded. "I'll be fine, you don't have to worry." she looked to Morning Star and said seriously, "Please keep them safe."

"I will." said Morning.

"See you guys later." said Razzaroo.

Harmony waved goodbye as she watched her friends disappear down one of the tunnels before turning to Sparks. "Ready?"

Sparks nodded.

"Then let's go."

And off they went, in their own separate direction.

Sparks and Harmony searched each tunnel and chamber they came across, passing by several changelings in the process. They tried to maintain the act of being members of the hive, and the changelings all seemed to buy it.

"So far so good." whispered Harmony.

"Yeah, but don't jinx it yet. We're still walking inside the hive, and I sure as heck don't wan us to end up kicking the proverbial "hornet's nest"." Sparks whispered back.

"Fair enough. So, which of these tunnels do you think has Flurry Heart?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere close to the queen, that way she can keep and eye on her herself and have a chance to gloat."

"But where is the queen?"

Sparks shrugged. "I don't know, maybe at the center of all these tunnels?"

"Why don't we ask?" Harmony went toward one of the changeling.

"No, get back here!" hissed Sparks.

"Hey you!" Harmony called out to the changeling in her gruffest voice possible. "The queen wants to see us, any idea where she is?"

The changeling cocked his head. "Why would the queen want to see you two?"

Harmony narrowed her eyes and gave the changeling a look. "Do you really want to question the queen's orders?" she asked coldly.

A look of fear crossed the changeling's face and he shook his head.

"Then tell us where she is!"

The changeling gulped and pointed a gnarled hoof behind him. "S-she's in the main chamber with the prisoner, straight down, an two rights."

"There. Now was that so hard?" said Harmony, moving past the changeling.

As the soon as the two felt that they were out of sight and earshot, they made silent cheers.

"You really killed it back there." said Sparks.

"And now we know where Flurry is." said Harmony.

Things were starting to look up for them, until the changeling realized something and chased after them.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" it called, making the girls stop in their tracks and turning slowly to the changeling. "How come you didn't know where the queen was?"

Sparks and Harmony froze. "We, got lost." said Sparks. "I mean, this place is nothing but tunnels, tunnels, and more tunnels! How can one not get lost?"

"Every changeling knows these tunnel systems like the back of their hooves, there's no way they'd just forget or get lost." The changeling narrowed his eyes and bared his fangs. "Just who are you two anyway?"

Sparks took up a defensive stance. "Your worst nightmare." she said, and in a sudden leap, she pounced in the changeling, wrestling him to the ground, and using her magic to keep him pinned.

"Ha! Ha! Not so tough now, huh?" she asked.

The changeling managed to throw his head back and let out an ear-splitting screech. Sparks and Harmony covered their ears, wincing at the loud, sharp sound that reverberated through their eardrums and bounced off the tunnel walls. Mustering as much concentration as she could, Sparks fired a stun spell on the changeling, ending the screeching.

"What was that?" asked Sparks, rubbing her ears.

A buzzing sound filled the air, and it was heading right toward them.

"I think that's our cue to run." said Harmony. The girls took haste, and galloped down the tunnel, a swarm of changeling, who'd been alerted to the cry, chased after them.

"Who sounded the emergency cry?" demanded Queen Chrysalis. She'd been gazing up at the cocooned Flurry Heart, debating what cruel and horrible thing she should do to her, when the cry sounded.

A changeling guard bowed. "My queen, it seems that there are intruders in the tunnel system."

"Hmph. No doubt they're here to rescue the princess." she said.

Flurry's ears went up. Somepony was here to save her? Who?! Her parents? Her aunt and the element bearers? Flurry's chest began to fill with hope, the fear slowly melting away.

Queen Chrysalis scowled. "I cannot allow this, not when we're so close to victory, and finally crushing the royal family once and for all." A plan immediately formulated in her head.

She then addressed the guards in the chamber and ordered harshly, "Go, and deal with the intruder. And should they somehow get past you and end up here." A devious smile cracking onto her face. "Then I shall give them a warm welcome to our hive."

The guards did as she said, leaving the chamber quickly.

"You're in for it now Chrysalis!" shouted Flurry Heart bravely. "Looks like you won't be getting your revenge after all."

"Oh shut up!" snapped Queen Chrysalis. A green beam shot from her horn and hit the cocoon. While it didn't crack or even scratch it, it was enough to scare Flurry Heart a little. The changeling queen flew up to the cocoon and lit up her horn again. Flurry Heart shivered as Chrysalis said, "I think it's time you take a little nap, little princess."

Sparks and Harmony had gotten about halfway to the chamber where Flurry was, when they ended up face to face with a swarm of changelings, all ready and eager to fight them.

"What do we do now?" asked Harmony.

"The only other thing we can do." said Sparks. "We fight!" Sparks immediately shot stun spells at the changelings that flew close to them. It seemed to work, until one changeling through a glob of green slime onto her horn.

"Gak! What is this?!" she cried. She tried to use her magic, but the goo seemed to block it from getting through. "No matter." she said calmly. Sparks head butted and punched a few changelings to the ground. "I don't need magic in order to take you guys down!"

Though Harmony wasn't much of a fighter and wasn't super athletic, she could still throw some decent punches, and some powerful kicks from her hind legs. The girls stood back to back, grinning at one another as they took on the swarm.

Sparks put her horn to use, using it to poke the changelings whenever she charged or butted them with her head.

"Ooh!"

"OW!!"

"Stop that!"

"Huh, this thing's more useful than I thought." said Sparks, looking up at her horn with a smile.

Harmony took advantage of her wings, flying as she grabbed onto the arms of some of the changelings, spinning them around and tossing them into the swarm. The more they thought, the more they began to weaken the force of the swarm. Soon, a path opened up that continued down to the chamber.

"Sparks, there's an opening!" cried Harmony.

"I see it!"

But more changelings were starting to come from the left.

"We can't keep fighting these things forever!" said Harmony.

Sparks had a thought, she looked over her shoulder at Harmony. "Go on ahead of me, while I hold them off!"

"But Sparks--"

"Just go! Flurry needs us. Just get to her no matter what." Harmony briefly looked into Sparks' eyes, seeing how determined they were. She could tell how much Sparks cared about Flurry Heart. Harmony gave a nod, and went down the tunnel alone, going off to rescue Flurry.

Sparks faced the changelings. "Alright you parasites, who else is hungry for a clobbering?!" and thus, the fight continued.

The Bond of Friendship: Harmony's Awakening

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The Bond of Friendship: Harmony's Awakening

Morning Star, Kimono, and Razzaroo had been fruitlessly searching for Flurry Heart, when all of a sudden, a loud screeching sound rang out through the tunnels.

"What in Equestria was that?!" asked Razzaroo.

"Whatever it is, it must be trouble." said Morning Star. "Follow me!"

The three of them galloped in the direction the screech seemed to be coming from. They gasped when they finally reached the spot. Sparks was fighting off the changelings with all her might, but no matter how many she took down, more seemed to come up in their place.

"Sparks!" cried Morning Star.

"We have to do something." said Razzaroo.

"My thoughts exactly." said Kimono. She leaped into the air and did a spin kick, taking out some of the changelings as she landed down beside Sparks.

"Kimono? What are you--?"

"No time." said Kimono. She took on a meditative pose as she chopped and kicked at the changelings.

"Whoa." said Morning Star impressed.

"You can say that again." said Razzaroo. She put on a determined look. "Now it's my turn." She charged into the swarm, screaming like a maniac and wildly hit and kicked at them. This confused the changelings so much that not many of them knew what to do against Razzaroo's crazy attack strategy.

"Might as well get in on the action." said Morning Star. She teleported to the girls' side, and used a wide array of attack spells on the swarm, being careful not to get her horn hit by the globs of goo they through at her.

"Where's Harmony?" asked Kimono, hitting on a changeling's pressure point and rendering it unconscious.

"I sent her up ahead to get Flurry." said Sparks, slamming two changelings' heads together. "Down the rest of this tunnel to the right."

"Any idea how to end this fight faster?" asked Razzaroo. "My arms are getting tired!"

"Leave that to me." said Morning, an excited and almost crazed gleam entering her eye. "I always wanted to use this one." she said ecstatically. Her horn charged up into a big ball of magic, with she sent out as a shock wave to the the remaining changelings. It sent them all flying against the wall, pinned and unable to move.

"There, that should help." said Morning Star. A faint glow radiated off of the girls. "Looks like my disguise spell's worn off, we should hurry and get to Harmony."

"Let's go." said Kimono.

Together, the foursome hurried down the tunnel, feeling that victory was theirs.

Harmony cautiously entered the chamber, it appeared to be completely empty. She eyes gazed all around at the massive chamber, which was also filled with oozing green slime. When she looked up, her eyes fell upon the giant cocoon, and inside she saw Flurry Heart, lying unconscious.

Her eyes widened. "Flurry!" Harmony flew up to the cocoon. "Flurry! Wake up! Can you hear me?!" Flurry Heart didn't respond. "Hold on, I'm gonna get you out of there!"

Harmony hit and kicked the hard and smooth outside of the cocoon, unable to break through it. Unbeknownst to her, she was being watched from below. Queen Chrysalis, hiding behind a large stony column, eyed the Pegasus. Her gnarled horn lit up as she looked into the pony's heart, to see who it was that she loved more than anything. A cruel smile took up her face when she saw. Her body erupted into green flames, changeling her form into that of the one she saw in Harmony's heart.

Harmony panted a little and lowered herself back down to the ground. She looked back up at the cocoon and said, "Dang! Not so much a scratch!" she groaned in frustration. "How am I ever going to free Flurry?" Harmony's ear twitched as she heard a scuffling sound. "Who's there? Show yourself!" she demanded, turning toward the stone pillar.

A figure slowly stepped out from behind it, a figure Harmony never thought she would see again. She gasped, her eyes widening. The figure was an adult Pegasus mare with a sea-green mane braided over her shoulder, and a pastel green hide. Her eyes were filled with warmth as she smiled at Harmony.

Harmony managed to find her voice. "Mom...?"

The Pegasus nodded. "Yes dear, it's me." she said.

"B-but you can't--it's not possible! You're...you're..."

"Dead?" finished the Pegasus.

Harmony nodded grimly.

The Pegasus lowered her head and looked away sadly. "Yes, I was. But I came back, because I knew you needed me." Her eyes looked deep into Harmony's. "You must've been so heartbroken, can you ever forgive me for leaving you?"

"It's not your fault!" said Harmony. "It was just an accident."

The memories began flooding in, just as sharp as they ever were. Her mother, Medley, had died in an accident, while trying to make a delivery for the cafe. It changed Harmony's life so dramatically, that Harmony could hardly stand it. Her mom, dead. All because of a stupid accident, leaving her all alone. It just wasn't fair. And now, here she was, right in front of her, asking for forgiveness.

Chrysalis bit back a smile, seeing her spell starting to take effect. Harmony began to remember all the precious memories she had with her mother, convincing her more and more that the pony in front of her was her.

"How do I know you truly forgive me?" asked the disguised Chrysalis.

"I do, mom." insisted Harmony.

"Then, does that mean, you still love me?"

Harmony nodded her head. "Yes! I love you more than anything in the world."

"Then prove it." said Chrysalis. She opened her arms wide to Harmony. "Come to me, my little filly."

Harmony flew into her arms, hugging her tightly. Tears flowed out of her eyes as Chrysalis lovingly stroked her, whispering to her in a maternal manner.

"There, there, everything is alright now." she soothed.

Harmony's eyes glazed over with a sickly green light. "I missed you so much!" she said.

"I missed you too, my brave little darling." The spell became complete, meaning Chrysalis could freely shed her disguise and she would still be seen as Medley in Harmony's eyes.

Then, voice called out for Harmony, the voices of her friends.

"Harmony!"

Queen Chrysalis cursed under her breath, when she had a brilliant idea. She lifted Harmony's chin up and smiled sweetly at her. "You want me to stay with you, don't you?"

Harmony nodded in a robotic manner.

"There are ponies coming here." said Chrysalis. "Ponies who want to take you away from me. Fight them, and don't let them succeed."

It was then that the girls entered and saw Harmony with Chrysalis.

"Harmony, get away from her!" cried Kimono.

Harmony turned, unable to recognize her own friends under the influence of Chrysalis' spell. Harmony narrowed her eyes and shouted,"Leave us alone!" She charged at her friends and started attacking them.

"Harmony, it's us!" cried Razzaroo, dodging her friend's punches.

"She's under a spell." said Morning Star.

"We can see that for ourselves thank you." said Sparks, trying to hold off Harmony.

"What are we supposed to do?" asked Kimono.

Morning Star began to light her horn. "Hold on, maybe I can--" A blast of green light shot out at Morning Star, knocking her to the ground.

"Morning!" cried Razzaroo worriedly. Another blast was fired, covering her in green goo.

The girls glanced over at Queen Chrysalis, who was chuckling darkly. "This is the end of the line for your little rescue." she said.

In the cocoon, Flurry Heart was starting to come to. She blinked a few times before she saw what was going on on the other side of her prison. Her eyes widened. Her friends were all there. Morning Star was encased in green goo, Kimono and Razzaroo were hit by Chrysalis, encased in similar slime, and Harmony was fighting against Sparks.

"Harmony!" called out Flurry as loud as she could.

But she didn't respond. Only Sparks looked up at her. "Flurry, are you alright?!"

"I'm fine! What's going on?!"

"Chrysalis has Harmony under some kind of spell!"

"That's right." said Chrysalis, smirking. "The little fool will do whatever I tell her to."

Flurry Heart glared at Chrysalis. "You monster!" she shouted. Her horn lit up. She tried to use it on the cocoon, but her magic didn't seem to affect it.

Queen Chrysalis laughed. "It's no use! Face it, little princess, I've won and you've lost. And soon, I'll have all of Equestria within my power."

There was only one thing left to do. Flurry Heart called out to Harmony, as best as she could, to try and get through to her.

"Harmony, snap out of it! Don't you realize what you're doing?!"

"Don't waste your breath, she can't hear you." mocked Chrysalis.

Sparks gritted her teeth. "I don't think I can put her off for much longer, Flurry!"

Kimono and Razzaroo, struggled to break out of the slime, as they did so, they called out to Harmony as well.

"Harmony, it's us! We're your friends!" cried Kimono.

"Don't you remember us?!" asked Razzaroo.

Morning Star also called out to her. "You've got to listen to us Harmony, you've got to break the spell!"

Harmony's mind felt foggy, she could just barely hear the voices calling out to her, but she paid them no mind. She had to fight. She had to fight, other wise she'd lose her mom all over again.

"That's right," whispered Chrysalis' voice in her mind. "You don't want to be alone, do you?"

"I don't want to be alone." muttered Harmony. "I don't want to be alone!" She pinned Sparks to the ground hard. Sparks let out a groan, her muscles ached from all the fighting. She was too tired to keep it up.

Just as Harmony was about to go on, Flurry Heart shouted to Harmony with all the volume and feeling she had. Loud enough to penetrate the spell, so that Harmony could hear her.

"YOU'RE NOT ALONE!!"

Harmony froze, the green glaze on her eyes flickered. She turned and looked up at Flurry Heart.

"You're not alone." she repeated. "You were never alone. You had your friends, Kimono and Razzaroo, who loved and cared about you so much. I care about you too, Harmony. Because you're my friend, and as long as you have ponies who love and care about you...you are never alone."

Flurry's words made something inside Harmony flicker. She began to remember, her two best friends. How they played together. How they laughed together. How they cried and comforted her when her mom passed away, helping her mourn and come to grips with her loss. They'd stayed by her side through thick and thin, always supporting her. A glimmer of multi-colored light caught her eye. She looked down at the necklace Flurry Heart had given her. The rainbow quartz shined with many different hues. A gift, from a friend.

Kimono...Razz...Morning....Sparks....Flurry....my dear and special friends.

"I've just about heard enough out of you!" shouted Chrysalis. She shot a powerful beam at the cocoon, making Chrysalis scream with fear.

"Flurry!" the girls cried.

Harmony's eyes cleared. She was no longer under the spell. "Leave her alone!" she shouted.

Chrysalis snapped her attention to her and let out a laugh. "So, you broke the spell, a lot of good it'll do you. You and your friends have lost."

"No,"said Harmony. "It's not over yet."

"Please." scoffed Queen Chrysalis. "How do you expect to defeat me? You're nothing more than a pathetic little Pegasus."

Harmony looked at each one of her friends. They'd come out all this way and endured so much in order to help her. The thought of them all supporting her, gave her strength. She felt something deep down inside her awaken. She looked at Chrysalis unblinkingly. At that moment, a prismatic spark flashed within Harmony's eyes. The queen was confused by this.

Harmony smiled warmly at her friends and said, "You girls have done so much for me, thank you. Now it's time, I returned the favor." She snapped her attention back to Chrysalis.

"What are you--"

"Chrysalis, you are going to pay for what you've done." said Harmony boldly. She stood up tall and walked without fear toward the changeling queen. Chrysalis' eyes began to widen. She could sense an immense power starting to well up within the Pegasus. Where was it all coming from? "I won't ever let hurt me, my friends, or anypony else again." Bright shocks of white, almost like electricity shot out of Harmony, wrapping around her. The girls stared in shock.

Some of the changelings who'd managed to free themselves from the wall went into the chamber, stopping in their tracks and staring in shock and amazement at the Pegasus.

"Stay back!" warned Chrysalis, her voice betraying her fear. "If you come any closer, I'll hurt your friend."

Harmony stopped but she looked Chrysalis in the eye, sending fear down through her body.

"W-who...what are you?!" demanded Queen Chrysalis.

Harmony knew she could deny it no more, and declared herself out loudly for everypony to hear. "My name is Harmony, the Spirit of Peace and Harmony, and I won't let you hurt my friends!" Her eyes filled with rainbow light, a surge of powerful magic poured out of Harmony, shooting upward and breaking through the cave ceiling. The light became blinding in the cave, as she unleashed her magic on Queen Chrysalis and the changeling.

"Nooooooooooo!" cried Queen Chrysalis, turning away as the light hit her.

From the high balcony of Canterlot Castle, Princesses Celestia and Luna looked out into the distance, and saw the shining beacon of light.

Celestia smiled to herself. "The Spirit of Harmony, has finally returned."

Friendship is Magical

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Friendship is Magical

As the radiant light began to die down, the girls found themselves free of Chrysalis' goo and healed of their injuries. Flurry Heart let out a startled gasp as she was freed from the cocoon and gently lowered down to the ground.

"Flurry!" cried the girls, all running toward her.

The light that emanated from Harmony disappeared and she too floated down to the ground, and went over to join her friends.

"Are you girls all okay?" she asked.

"We're better than okay, thanks to you." said Flurry Heart.

"You got that right!" exclaimed Razzaroo. "You looked so awesome, the way you stood up to Queen Chrysalis and shined that light on her!"

"What did you do to her?" asked Kimono. Harmony looked up at the ceiling and pointed a hoof. The queen and the rest of the changelings were trapped in cocoons of their own, struggling to break free with little avail.

"I don't think they'll be bothering anypony for a while." said Harmony with a smirk. "At least until Princess Celestia comes up with a proper punishment for them."

Morning Star shook her head incredulously. "I still can't believe that even happened." She looked up at Harmony. "What even was that?"

Harmony laughed. "I'll tell you guys all about it, but do you mind if we wait until we get back home first?"

"I might be able to help with that." said Flurry Heart. Her horn glittered with a golden aura. "Hold on everypony." The girls were all enveloped in the flash, disappearing without another trace. And leaving the changelings, imprisoned upon the cavernous ceiling.

One of the changeling guards from outside who was near the queen tried to speak. "Uh--"

"Not another word." Chrysalis growled.

Back in Canterlot Castle, in the throne room, Shining Armor was getting tired from all this tense waiting. His wife, sister, and his sister's friends, were also feeling just as anxious as he was. After pacing the room for the thousandth time, he finally stopped.

"That's it!" he said. "I can't wait a moment longer, I'm going out there and I'm gonna find Flurry Heart myself." He headed for the double doors.

"Shining Armor, wait up!" called Twilight, followed by the rest of her friends.

Shining Armor reached out a hoof, when the doors started to open. Everypony stepped back, watching as they opened to reveal Flurry Heart, her eyes wet as she smiled at them.

"Mom! Dad!" she cried.

"Flurry Heart!" Her parents cried in unison. They pulled her tightly into a hug, tears running down their faces.

"Mom! Daddy!" cried Morning Star, rushing to Starlight and Sunburst.

"Morning Star, thank Celestia you're alright!" cried Sunburst.

"Where have you been?" asked her mother. "You had us worried sick!"

"My friends and I went to rescue Flurry."

"We thought as much." said her parents, giving each other a look.

Harmony, Kimono, Razzaroo, and Sparks also entered the room, where Twilight began to fire a bombardment of questions at them.

"What happened? Where did you girls go? How did you rescue Flurry Heart?"

"Uh, Twilight. I think you might want to slow down there." said Spike.

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, right." she cleared her throat. "Now then, what exactly happened?"

Harmony and the girls gave each other a look, before Harmony said, "You all might want to get comfy, cause it's a pretty long story."

* * *

The girls took turns reciting different parts of what had happened to them on their journey. How Harmony asked for Morning Star's help in tracking down where Flurry Heart was and the rest of the girls decided to tag along. How they were led to the changeling forest and escaped vampire jackalopes, fought off changelings, and used disguises to blend into the hive. All leading up to the end, where Harmony stood up to Queen Chrysalis and used some kind magic to trap her and the changelings in cocoons, and freed the girls.

"But...how is that possible?" asked Applejack. "You're just a Pegasus, how were able to use magic?"

Harmony took a deep breath as she explained what Celestia had told her, how she was the reincarnation of the Spirit of Peace and Harmony, Harmonia, and how she didn't believe the princess at first. "It all just seemed so crazy! But after a while, it began to make sense. My dreams, the strange feeling I had. And when I saw that my friends were in trouble, how they needed me after I needed them, something just sorta...sparked inside me. I began to feel magic that I didn't even know I had flow through me."

She looked down at one of her hooves. "I can still feel it, coursing through me." said Harmony. "It feels a weird...but also, kind good too."

"This is amazing." said Twilight. "Who knew there was a Spirit of Harmony?! This is all so fascinating!"

Shining Armor and Cadence stepped up to Harmony. "We can't thank you enough for saving our daughter." said Shining Armor.

Cadence nodded. "We're eternally grateful for what you did."

Harmony bowed to them. "Thank you, your highnesses, but it wasn't just me who saved her. We all did."

Harmony's friends nodded.

"Then thank you all, for everything." said Shining Armor.

"So, what happens now?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"I don't know about you." said Sparks. "But after all that, I'm in the mood for a long break."

"I second that!" said Razzaroo.

"Me too." said Kimono.

"A break does sound good right about now." said Morning Star.

"I think we all could use a break." said Fluttershy softly. Everypony smiled and burst into laughter. After all that worrying, things had at last taken a turn for the better.

Harmony stared up at the stained glass windows once more. Princess Celestia stepped beside Harmony, looking up at the same window she was eyeing, the one of Discord, her chaotic counterpart.

"So, do you believe me now?" asked Celestia with a smile.

Harmony nodded. "I really am the Spirit of Harmony." she said. She turned to face Celestia and cracked a smile. "I'm still a little unsure of how this whole thing works."

Celestia chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of ponies to help you out along the way." She rested a hoof gently on Harmony's shoulder. "I know you'll make a wonderful spirit."

Harmony smiled and looked away. "Thank you, princess." Then a thought entered her head. "Princess...you mentioned having a vision of me and of Flurry in danger, did you know that I would rescue her too?"

"My visions aren't always absolute, Harmony. I only see bits and pieces, but...I had a feeling that you'd do something to help her, especially when I told you that there was nothing I could do."

"So basically you just guessed that I would do." said Harmony.

"Well, if you want to put it that way, then yes."

"But...but what if you were wrong? What if I didn't save Flurry? She'd still be trapped, and held for ransom by Queen Chrysalis."

"But she isn't." said Celestia. "Thanks to you and your friends, you were able to rescue Flurry Heart, and awaken your power."

"That reminds me, I never got a chance to say it before but, I want to apologize for how I reacted to you before."

Celestia waved a hoof. "There's no need to apologize, Harmony. It was a lot to take in, I understood that perfectly. But now that you've awakened and have come to grips with what I've told you, now begins your training, to hone in on your powers and better control them."

A look of concern crossed Harmony's face as she asked Celestia, "Nothing will change too much, will it? I'll still be able to work at the cafe, and hang out with my friends, right?"

Celestia laughed and nodded. "Of course! After all, it's because of your friends, that you were able to discover your true potential."

Harmony let out a relieved sigh.

"There will however, still be many changes that will occur, and that you'll have to face."

"As long as I have my friends with me, I'm willing to face whatever changes head my way." said Harmony confidently.

"I'm sure you will."

The door to the hallway opened, Kimono stuck her head in. "There you are Harmony!" she said. "We're going down to the train station to see Flurry and Sparks off, you coming?"

"I'll be there in a second." said Harmony.

"Alright, but try to hurry, the train will be arriving soon." Kimono closed the door.

"Looks like I gotta go." said Harmony. "I'll talk to you later, princess."

"I understand." said Celestia. "Take care."

"I will!"

And with that, Harmony was gone.

Harmony, Kimono,Morning, and Razzaroo stood on the platform of Canterlot Train Station, ready to see Flurry Heart, her family, and their new friends off.

"You'll still come to visit us, right?" asked Razzaroo.

"Of course!" said Flurry Heart. "Right, Sparks?"

"Right!" agreed Sparks. "And don't forget to write." she winked at them.

"Keep up the good work at magic school." said Starlight to Morning Star.

"But don't forget to take it easy every once in a while." added Sunburst.

Morning Star. "Don't worry daddy, I'll remember."

"And if you need any help or have any questions, be sure to stop by Ponyville, and I'll be happy to answer them." said Twilight to Harmony.

Harmony grinned. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind." she said.

The Friendship Express pulled into the station, letting out a puff and a whistle at it came to a stop.

"All aboard!" called the conductor.

"we gotta go, see you soon!" said Flurry. The four mares waved goodbye to everypony as they boarded onto the train.

"Bye!"

"Take care!"

"Thank you again for everything!"

Harmony smiled and waved. When the train was out of sight, she rested a hoof on the rainbow quartz gem around her necklace. "See you soon, Flurry."

And indeed, she would see her again soon, because for Harmony, there was much more to come in her future, as the Spirit of Harmony, and as her new friend.

"I think this calls for a little celebration!" declared Razzaroo. She suddenly pulled out a party cannon and shot it off, covering the girls in confetti.

"Where'd you get that?" asked Harmony, bending over and inspecting it.

"Pinkie Pie let me borrow it." answered Razzaroo. She rubbed her hoof on it and grinned excitedly. "I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this baby!"

The girls all laughed.

"Why don't we all head down to the Rose Cafe and have some celebratory pastries?" suggested Harmony.

The girls all cheered in agreement. Together, they trotted off, to enjoy each others company as well as some delicious and well-deserved pastries.

The Power of Friends

by kurusagi16

The Story Begins: Harmony and Flurry

Of Things to Come

A Friendship is Formed

Cupcake Calamity

The Play's the Thing: Celestia's Suspicions

Friends of a Feather Have Fun Together

Flurry Heart's Gift: A Symbol of Friendship

The Big Birthday Bash

I'm What?!: Harmony's Shock and Celestia's Tale

Chrysalis' Revenge: Bring Back Flurry Heart!

Great Peril: Enter the Changeling Forest

Infiltration: Battle the Hive

The Bond of Friendship: Harmony's Awakening

Friendship is Magical