Harmony Returns to Equestria Once Again

by PioneerofImagination

First published 25th of August, 2021

Equestria, the land we love has lost all sense of harmony but a young unicorn just might be able to get it all back.

The monster Witchcraft has ruled over the land in cruelty and tyranny for nearly 2 decades, and none have been able to stop him. But a young stallion may have found a way to do just that and sets out to do it on his 1st and perhaps last adventure.

Prelude

Equestria, the land of harmony and friendship, or at least it was once known as that, until one dark day when it was all but destroyed by a being known as Witchcraft. He took control of everything. He started by taking the capital of Canterlot for himself, forcing nearly everypony who lived there out, except for those whose lives he took, such as the royal pony sisters among others.

Thereafter, he spread his evil across the land, stopping others who tried to protect their land and even taking the greatest defense the ponies had, the Elements of Harmony. While he found he couldn't destroy them, he did the next best thing and scattered them to the farthest corners of the continent and a little beyond. With him in power many long and sad years passed for the ponies, some were even so depressed they left the land vowing to never return to the place they once called home.

But no matter how bad things got, some ponies never gave up hope, one was a young stallion that was known as Miracle Maker.

A 16 year old stallion that's rather big for his age and while he lived in times of misery he would try to bring joy to others such as playing games with other ponies his age. "Come on everypony let's play another game."

"Sorry Miracle, it's about time we went in," one of the ponies that lived near him said.

"Ah come on, I'm getting into the zone," Miracle replied.

"It's going to have to wait, the sun is going down and you know what that means," another pony said.

"Ah come on, it's not dark yet," Miracle replied.

"All right that's enough Miracle," an elderly stallion called out to him as he was standing by the door of a cottage. "It's time for you to come inside."

"All right, coming Uncle Blueblood," Miracle said as he reluctantly went back inside the house. "I wanted to play more."

"Don't worry, your friends will be there in the morning, I hope," Blueblood answered, whispering the last part to himself.

"But who knows how long it will be until the next morning comes," Miracle replied in a bit of a whiny voice like he was still a rather young colt.

Suddenly, his uncle started to cough rather violently so Miracle grabbed him and helped him get to a rocking chair that was by the fireplace. As he got his uncle onto the chair, he started to cough less. "Are you alright Uncle Blueblood?"

"I'm alright I think, I just need to stay here for a while, maybe you should go to your room."

"Okay uncle."

"By the way," Blueblood said before Miracle Maker even made his way upstairs. "One of those ponies you were playing with, was a mare right?"

"Yeah," Miracle answered.

"Have you 2 become close?"

"What?! No, she's just a friend," Miracle answered with a bit of a blush.

"Okay, if you say so, I just wish you'd settle down with a special somepony."

"I'm still just a teenager, Uncle Blueblood."

"That shouldn't stop you from keeping your eyes open, '' I remember when I met possibly the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria at the Grand Galloping Gala. But I blew it," Blueblood said as he let out a grief filled sigh. "I acted like a spoiled brat and in the end she couldn't stand the sight of me."

"Was Twilight Sparkle at the Gala?"

"Yes she was," Blueblood answered Miracle.

"Why didn't you just ask her to help you with that mare?"

"You think she could have?"

"Of course! Twilight Sparkle could do anything!"

"Perhaps she could have helped me, but now it's too late.” Blueblood then paused as he looked down with a look of despair then looked out a nearby window, thinking of happier days long past. “Now I'm just a lonely old stallion," Blueblood stopped, afraid he might make Miracle feel depressed as well. "I think it's time you went off to bed now."

"Okay," Miracle answered and then proceeded to go upstairs to his room, leaving Blueblood alone with his thoughts. While he was sad about what has become of his life, he was still grateful for the little spark of good still in it. He had been a spoiled prince in his youth but now had to make due with living in a small little cottage as he slowly but surely abandoned all hope of his life returning to what it was. Despite that, he made sure to take good care of Miracle Maker and in no time at all, came to love him as his own son. As Blueblood continued to sit by the fire and think, Miracle was doing some thinking of his own about Twilight Sparkle and her grand accomplishments.

"If only she was still alive," Miracle said to himself as he looked through a scrapbook he made. Most of them drawings of his hero's accomplishments, such as her defeat of Nightmare Moon, the reimprisonment of Discord, and the defeat of Tirek just to name a few. "If she was alive today, she could defeat Witchcraft." Miracle said as he looked at the drawing of the mare he considered his hero ever since he could remember, he wished so much that he could have met her and talked to her. But he would soon get off that train of thought.

"AAAAA!" a scream from outside was made out of nowhere, it nearly made Miracle jump right out of his chair. He looked out of his window that was right next to his bed to see just what made the noise. As he did he saw a a small group of shadow ponies that were standing within the woods, not too far away from his house.

"It's them again," Miracle whispered to himself as he continued to look. There had been several sightings of the shadow ponies not too far away from the village, but this was definitely the closest any of them had gotten to the village. Nopony knew what they were or where they came from but many believed that they were servants of Witchcraft, and that they were looking for something that he wanted.

"Is she all right?" One of the ponies outside asked as he was standing next to an injured mare, who looked like she got into a fight with the shadow ponies. Next to her were several other ponies who also lived in the village that were holding special lanterns that kept the shadow ponies at bay. On top of several bruises, she was in serious pain because of a highly painful bite mark on one of her back legs. The other ponies had to act quickly to bandage the injury in order to stop the bleeding. 1 pony ran behind a tree to vomit because he thought he saw part of her bone, the bite was quite deep.

"No she isn't, we need to find a doctor and fast," one of the ponies around the mare said while holding the lantern very closely.

What was known about these creatures is that light from the lanterns forced them back, but after all this time their light was starting to fade. Even Miracle knew about this. As a result, the shadow ponies were able to get closer and attack the village, each time they were harder and harder to fight off. Miracle was young but he was smart and knew things would only get worse and worse as time went on, he knew he had to do something. Miracle opened his door and made his way downstairs to see if his Uncle Blueblood heard the scream, but he had already fallen asleep by the fireplace.

"Charmed I'm sure," Blueblood said in his sleep as he was once again remembering happier times.

"He's asleep, I'm doing it tonight," Miracle said to himself. He then made his way upstairs and got his saddlebag. He filled it with books and food, things he would need for the journey he was about to make. After filling up the saddlebag he got out a piece of paper and quill. Then he used his horn to give him some light. He then made his way out of the cottage and out of the village. He looked back at the village 1 last time before running off, vanishing into the night.

Morning came and when Blueblood went to wake up his nephew, all he found was a letter on his desk.

Dear Uncle Blueblood, by the time you read this I'll be gone. I'm sorry to have to sneak off like this, but I knew if I told you to your face you wouldn't let me go. I've barely set a hoof outside of our village, but even I know how large and great the suffering is for all ponies and I'm going off to put a stop to all of it. I've been thinking about this for a while now and the more I put it off the worse things will get, if I don't try to stop this suffering, who will?

I fully understand if this upsets/scares you but please don't look for me. There's no point in both of us putting ourselves in danger. Please trust that I'll be okay and will return to you after my journey is complete and I won't be the only thing. I believe in my heart that I can do what I have set out to do and when it's over, harmony will return to Equestria once again.

Honesty

Miracle had always wanted to travel across Equestria, but his Uncle Blueblood had forbade him from leaving the village. It was too dangerous. So Blueblood gave him maps so he could pretend to travel around. Miracle did this quite a lot. As a result he practically knew all of Equestria like the back of his hoof, which was helpful for him when he set out on his adventure, but still took a map just in case. He knew exactly where he was going despite traveling at night, it took him quite a while to get where he was going but he refused to give up, especially since he had only just started.

With his destination being quite a way from home, he paced himself while traveling and when he came across a few dangerous creatures he either fought them off or used an invisibility spell. While also making sure to ration his food. It took him longer than he thought, but Miracle managed to make it to where he wanted to go, Ponyville. "Finally I'm here," Miracle said relieved as it felt like his legs were going to fall off, but even that didn't stop him from admiring where he had finally arrived. "This is it, this is where the magic happened. This is where Twilight Sparkle defeated Nightmare Moon and hopefully where I can find what I'm looking for."

Suddenly Miracle fell to the ground as his exhaustion finally got the best of him. "Though maybe I should find a place to rest before I get to that," Miracle said as he managed to pick himself up. "Come on body just a little longer," he said to himself as he started walking again to look around for a safe place to sleep. Before long he came across the abandon School of Friendship. "Wow the School of Friendship, it really exists, the stories this place could tell," he said all to himself as he heard a bit of his own echo and made his way to the student's quarters to settle down for a well needed sleep.

***

Morning came and Miracle fully rested, awoke. "Wow morning already, how long was I asleep? Then again it did take me quite a while to get all the way over here, for all I know I just woke up after a few minutes, though I kind of doubt it." Miracle made his way out of the school and since it was day was able to get a better look at Ponyville, such as the crystal castle that his hero once called home. "Wow! The Castle of Friendship, it's so beautiful. I'll have to remember to come back here later, after I save Equestria," he said to himself as he started to walk away but stopped and walked backwards a bit.

"Then again," he paused, "Equestria has been suffering since the day I was born, a few more minutes couldn't hurt," Miracle said before heading inside. "Wow, first the school now here, I should have ran away from home a long time ago," Miracle said as he explored the castle filled with joy to once again be walking in the footsteps of his hero. But he wouldn't have much time to do that. As not too long after he entered, he came across a group of 4 mares who were quite surprised to see a teenage stallion they never saw before in the castle. "Hi," Miracle said to break the silence when he came across the group.

"Uh, hi," Moondancer said not sure what else to say.

"What are you all doing here?"

"What are we doing here? What are you doing here kid?" Moondancer asked. "We live here."

"Sorry," Miracle said as he laughed while rubbing the back of his head with his right hoof. "I didn't know other ponies lived here, I just wanted to see the place where Twilight Sparkle lived."

"Wait did you know Twilight?" Minuette asked.

"Oh I wish," Miracle answered. "What I wouldn't give to have met her in equine."

"A big fan of her work I see," Moondancer said.

"Oh yeah when I was just a colt I heard all about the amazing things she did as bedtime stories."

"Oh yeah this kid is definitely a fan, by the way my name is Minuette this is Lemon Hearts, Twinkle Shine, and Moondancer."

"My name is Miracle Maker, so since we know each other is it okay if I look around the castle?"

"Well I guess it's okay," Minuette said.

"Minuette! Are you serious? We don't even know this colt."

"Oh come on Moondancer what harm could it do?" Lemon Hearts asked.

"Yeah, he seems like a nice kid," Twinkle Shine added.

"All right fine," Moondancer said with a huff. "But I'm checking your saddlebag when you're done," Moondancer added.

"I guess that's fair," Miracle said as he continued to explore the castle, but this time with the mares who were showed him around. As he finished exploring he worked up quite an appetite, which his stomach made clear with a rumble.

"Hungry huh?" Lemon Hearts asked. "How about we take you to Sugarcube Corner?"

"What's that?"

"It's a nice place in town where you can get all sorts of sweets," Twinkle Shine answered.

"Oh you mean like dessert?"

"The best kind of dessert you can find here," Minuette answered. "And while we're there we can tell you stuff about Twilight when she was with our little group," she added with a wink.

"YOU KNEW TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" Miracle yelled as he made the biggest smile he could and his eyes seemed to have doubled in size.

"Yeah," Moondancer said. "Before she moved to Ponyville she was a friend of ours." Even though she didn't always act like one. Soon after that the 4 mares made it to the sweet shop where they introduced Miracle Maker to the Cakes.

"You just found him wondering around the castle?" Mr. Cake said.

"Oh my, didn't your parents ever teach you that it's not nice to go into other pony's homes without asking?" Mrs. Cake asked and then noticed a rather depressed look appear on Miracle's face.

"I never knew my parents," he said. "They both died when I was a baby," he answered which made the other ponies look depressed as well.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry dear I didn't know," Mrs. Cake said as she walked over to him and gave him a hug.

"We know how you feel," Mr. Cake said. "We lost somepony special to us too," he added as he and his wife looked over to a picture of them together with a pink pony with a large puffy mane. Mrs. Cake then led Miracle to a table and gave him a small cheesecake.

"Here you go sweetie, on the house," she said.

"No it's not, it's on the table."

"No silly I mean it's free," Mrs. Cake said to Miracle.

"Free?"

"Yeah, you know you don't need to pay for it."

"Pay?"

"You know," Mrs. Cake said starting to wonder if the young stallion was messing with her. "With bits."

"Bits? What are bits?" Miracle asked confusing everypony else there.

"You've never heard of bits?" Lemon Hearts asked.

"No," Miracle answered.

"So how do your parents pay for all your, oh right sorry," Twinkle Shine said feeling like she put her hoof in her mouth.

"You've never bought anything?" Mr. Cake asked.

"No, don't you all just do favors for each other?"

"Favors?" Moondancer asked.

"Yeah, you know like cleaning the windows or sweeping the floor, that's not what ponies do here?"

"Oh my gosh!" Moondancer said getting everypony's attention. "I can't believe I didn't figure this out earlier," she said as she approached Miracle Maker. "You don't live in Ponyville do you?"

"No," he answered to everypony's shock.

"Where did you come from?" Minuette asked as she along with all the other ponies approached Miracle. Miracle then got out his map and pointed to the village he grew up in.

"You came all the way to Ponyville from there?!" Mr. Cake asked. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to travel that far all by yourself? What if those shadow ponies got you?"

"Yeah your parents must be worried, darn it, I did it again sorry," Twinkle Shine said this time putting her hoof to her face.

"It's okay," Miracle said.

"Do you live all alone or something?" Minuette asked.

"No I live with my uncle, but I don't think he's too worried about me, I left him a note."

"Kid you should go home right now," Mr. Cake said.

"I can't do that, I'm on a mission."

"What kind of mission?" Moondancer said.

"I'm on a mission to save Equestria!" Miracle answered and once he did the other ponies were silent, none of them knew what to say.

"So how are you going to do that exactly?" Lemon Hearts asked.

"I'm going to find the Elements of Harmony and then use them to defeat Witchcraft!" He answered once again leaving everypony else at a loss for words.

"Sweetie, I think you should just go home," Mrs. Cake said.

"What?"

"It's a nice thought but that's not going to happen," Mrs. Cake said.

"What?" Mrs. Cake then walked over to Miracle Maker and gave him a gentle hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"I know it's horrible what that monster has done, but there's nothing any of us can do about it."

"She's right," Mr. Cake said as he walked over to his wife and gently put his leg around her neck. "In times like this we need to stay with whatever loved ones we have left."

"That's your plan?" Miracle said as he put his front legs on the table. "Just give up, nopony got anything done by giving up."

"It's not that we want to give up," Moondancer said. "But if the royal ponies, one of those being the pony you looked up to so much, couldn't stop him what can we do, what can you do?"

"I have a plan I'm setting into action," Miracle answered as he got his hooves off the table.

"You think the royal ponies that tried to stop him didn't have a plan or 2? You think the ponies that tried to help the royal ponies didn't have a plan? Pinkie probably," Mr. Cake stopped himself as he once again looked over to the picture. "Oh Pinkie, I miss you so much," he said as he hung his head.

"Pinkie? Is that your friend's name?" Miracle asked.

"Yes she was the sweetest pony you could ever meet," Mrs. Cake said. "That might have been because she ate just about every kind of dessert that we made here," she continued with a smile.

"She use to always throw party after party none stop, it was hard work but she loved to make other ponies smile that much."

"Yeah, she even helped Twilight throw a party for me," Moondancer said.

"She even helped around the shop as well as foalsit the twins for us," Mrs. Cake said.

"Twins?" Miracle said as he looked around.

"Our children, Pound and Pumpkin," Mr. Cake answered. "She was so close to them and took great care of them, we try not to mention her in front of them because she died when they were very young." Suddenly as if on cue Pound and Pumpkin Cake returned with a few other ponies as well.

"We're back Mom and Dad," Pumpkin Cake said.

"And we brought back some company as well," Pound Cake said as he lifted up his front leg to gesture towards the said ponies.

"We see son," Mr. Cake said with a smile trying to hide the sadness he had just a minute ago.

"And look what I see," one of the ponies that came to Sugarcube Corner with the Cake twins said as he approached Miracle. "We have a new face here, what's your name kid?"

"Miracle Maker," he answered and then shook the hoof and the stallion that offered it to him.

"Well it's nice to meet y'all my name is Bright Mac and this here is mah wife Pear Butter."

"It's so nice to see somepony new, we haven't had visitors in a long time," Pear Butter said as she walked over to Miracle and gave him an apple. "Here you look hungry."

"Thank you I am," Miracle said as he started to eat the apple as well as the cake given to him. After that the mares he met and even the Apples sat down to eat.

"Uh oh," Moondancer said after she finished eating.

"What's the matter Moondancer?"

"I don't have enough bits to cover my meal Minuette," she answered.

"Oh that's okay I can cover for you, oh whoops I forgot my bit bag. Can we get a little help here?"

"I don't really have any, I thought Moondancer was treating," Lemon Hearts said.

"Same here," Twinkle Shine added.

"Not to worry I'll take care of it," Miracle said once again getting everypony's attention. "Their food is on me."

"But you don't have any bits," Mrs. Cake said.

"Don't need them, I'll work off their food, I'll clean your dishes, mop the floors, and if that's not enough I'll clear out your whole attic. You'd be surprised how many ponies don't clear out their attics."

"You, you don't have to do all that," Moondancer said surprised but also very touched.

"Nonsense you showed me around the castle this is the least I can do."

"My my such work ethic for somepony so young," Pear Butter said.

"I know," Bright Mac replied and the 2 suddenly started to whisper to one another. "Hey Miracle, we have an idea."

"What about?" He asked.

"If we cover your food as well as theirs would you be willing to work on our farm for a while to work it off there?"

"Fine with me Bright Mac," Miracle answered. "You got yourself a deal."

"All right then," Pear Butter said. With the deal made the couple paid for all the food and Miracle followed them to their farm.

***

Before long the 3 made it to the Apple family farm. Bright Mac and Pear Butter wasted no time in putting Miracle Maker to work as they had a lot to do. They showed him how to apple buck which he took to almost like a fish to water, as he worked around the farm he came across other members of the Apple family such as Apple Bloom. "Well hello there," Miracle said with a wave. "My name is Miracle Maker what's yours?"

"Hi I'm Apple Bloom," she replied not bothering to wave back for some reason. "Are you hired help or something?"

"No I'm just working off some sweets some new friends ate."

"Okay, can you get to all of those trees over there?"

"No problem," Miracle replied.

"Well actually, it might be a slight problem," another member of the Apple family said.

"That many trees might be too much for just 1 pony," he continued. "Let me help out sis?"

"Okay," Apple Bloom said with a small yet gentle smile. "Just don't overdo it."

"I'll be okay," he said. After that Apple Bloom went to a different part of the farm and the other pony walked over to Miracle. "Nice to meet ya mah name is Apple Core."

"I'm Miracle Maker," he said as they shook hooves. They then got to work bucking the trees and became fast friends while seeing who can get the most apples from the trees. Before they knew it the sun was setting and Miracle was invited to stay the night at the house, but not before seeing who bucked the most apples between him and Apple Core. Apple Core won, but not by a whole lot.

"I'm impressed," Apple Core said. "You're rather strong for ah unicorn."

"Maybe you're just rather weak for an earth pony."

"Oh yeah," Apple Core said pretending to get mad. The 2 young stallions then playfully wrestled with one another for a bit until they were called in for supper.

"You did a great job kid," Bright Mac said as he prepared a big plate for Miracle.

"Does that mean I worked off my debt?"

"Not quite," Pear Butter answered. "Those friends of yours have quite the stomachs. It may take you another day or 2."

"That's fine," Miracle said. "Gives me another chance to beat somepony at getting more apples," Miracle added as he looked over to Apple Core.

"I'll beat ya every time!"

"We'll see about that!"

"Well if you 2 are gonna go at it you're gonna have to eat up," Pear Butter said as she gave Miracle quite a lot to chow down on.

"This is all for me?"

"You betcha sweetie," Pear Butter answered as she passed out the food for the others as well. "You more than earned it."

"Ah bet ah can finish faster than you," Apple Core said.

"You're on!"

"All right that's enough," Bright Mac said before either of could start eating. "Save it for the farm work."

"Sorry pa," Apple Core said.

"It's all right, you just get to eating."

"In fact you can have most of my food," Apple Bloom said as she placed her plate between Apple Core and Miracle Maker.

"But sis," Apple Core said.

"It's fine I ain't very hungry." Apple Bloom left the room but Apple Core quickly followed to talk to her a bit.

"It sure is nice to see Apple Core getting along with you so much, you 2 already act like brothers, you're practically part of the family."

"Yeah the other ponies back where I live don't want to play much. It's nice to know somepony my own age with almost as much energy as me. Apple Bloom seems nice too. But she doesn't talk much."

"Right," Bright Mac said as he looked over to Pear Butter. "She wasn't always like that."

"She used to be a such a sweet little filly until," Pear Butter added but stopped herself as Bright Mac walked over and hugged her.

"Until?"

"All the way back when Witchcraft took over Canterlot he did more damage than you might have thought," Bright Mac said.

"Tall order," Miracle said.

"Yes, but he delivered," Bright Mac continued. "When he took the lives of the royal ponies quite a few other ponies were caught in the middle of his carnage, such as 2 of our own, Big Macintosh and Applejack, Apple Bloom and Apple Core's older sister and brother."

"It was around that time that Apple Core was born so he never even knew them," Pear Butter said. "I know that he almost never shows it but he really wishes he knew them. Apple Bloom has never been the same since, on top of that her 2 best friends left Ponyville not too long after that which didn't really help her out, she almost took it as bad as losing her siblings. On top of that her grandmother Granny Smith recently passed away. I was actually starting to think your mother was immortal," Pear Butter whispered the last part to her husband.

"So was I," Bright Mac whispered back.

"I know how they feel, partly anyway. My parents died when I was a baby too, I don't even know their names."

"Do you just live by yourself?"

"No my uncle looks after me, I've asked him about my parents several times but he said it would just depress me." Miracle answered as he finished his food already then put the plate in the sink. After that he went over to Bright Mac and Pear Butter and gave both of them a hug that they returned. "Thank you both so much for inviting me into your home and making me feel like I'm part of your little family."

"Actually there are Apples that live all over Equestria," Bright Mac said. "But when Witchcraft took over all those shadow ponies have been running around making it dangerous for ponies to leave populated areas. We haven't talk to them ever since."

"For some of us even longer," Pear Butter said as she left the room to be by herself. When she left Miracle didn't feel like talking anymore and so he was about to head over to the sink to clean his dish but Bright Mac put his hoof on his shoulder.

"I'll get it," Bright Mac said.

"It's my plate, I don't mind."

"It's all right you've done enough for now why don't you go relax. You've earned a brake." After that Miracle left the kitchen and after a while went to bed as working on the farm tired him out quite a bit. When he woke up he was once again shocked to see that it was morning something the Apples decided to not look a gift pony in the muzzle about and used the daylight to get back to work. Most of all Miracle Maker and Apple Core who once again saw who could get the most apples, this time Miracle Maker won with the help of his magic.

"No fair using magic to pick the apples for you," Apple Core said.

"Oh yeah, well no fair using your earth pony strength to force them off the tree," Miracle replied once again getting the 2 young stallions to playfully fight. As they finished their work for the day and saw there was still daylight left they decided to run off and play. Apple Core even showed Miracle around Ponyville a bit after asking his parents if it was all right. Who didn't have any problem with it.

"I think it's wonderful Apple Core made such a good friend," Pear Butter said.

"Yeah I kind of feel the same way," Bright Mac said.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but I feel a strong connection to that colt." After a while of exploring the town and a bit more of the farm Miracle was invited to spend another night with the Apple family.

"Was I able to work off my debt today?" Miracle asked.

"And more," Bright Mac answered when everypony was at the dinner table yet again.

"Yeah nice work," Apple Bloom said with a big smile nopony saw on her for quite awhile. Apparently even she had grown rather fond of the young unicorn, just like the rest of her family. After dinner Bright Mac said he would do the dishes once again and everypony left. Everypony except Miracle Maker.

"Are you sure I can't do that?"

"It's fine Miracle you're a guest, don't feel the need to work yourself to the bone," Bright Mac answered.

"Okay, maybe I'm just feeling a little guilty over making you all feel bad yesterday."

"Oh no," Bright Mac said as he placed his hoof on Miracle's shoulder. "You didn't upset any of us, we just brought up some emotional subjects is all, but we're better now, really."

"Okay then," Miracle said as he left the kitchen. "It won't be long until you and your family will be feeling a lot better," Miracle said to himself after leaving the kitchen.

After a while everypony settled down for a good night sleep, except Miracle Maker who was grateful to Apple Core for showing him the way around Ponyville, because now he knew exactly where to go next. The Everfree Forest. He would make his way through there to get to the place that was the reason he came to Ponyville, the Castle of the 2 Sisters. That was where Twilight Sparkle found the Elements of Harmony and Miracle figured he would at the very least find a clue to the location of their new hiding place.

Just like when he left his village, Miracle snuck out of the farm in the quiet of the night and made his way into town. He quickly and quietly made his way through the town and was standing just outside the Everfree Forest, just as the mare he calls his hero did so long ago. "Well here I go," he said to himself as he was just about to enter the dangerous and mysterious forest when suddenly.

"What in Equestria are you doing?" Apple Core asked which shocked Miracle Maker and nearly made him jump out of his coat.

"What am I doing? What are you doing? Besides trying to give me a heart attack?!"

"Sorry didn't mean to scare ya. Ah was just about to fall asleep but ah saw you sneaking out and ah followed you. What are ya doing here and in the middle of the night of all times? We aren't supposed to be out here in the middle of the night the shadow ponies might get us."

"I'm not afraid of the shadow ponies."

"Well that makes 1 of us."

"And I came out here to put a stop to all of this shadow pony stuff by finding the Elements of Harmony."

"What are you talking about?"

"Go back to the farm and I'll explain when I get back."

"No way! You can't expect me to let you go in there all by yourself. I'm your friend after all and friends stick together most of all when one of them is going to do something like this. We Apples pride ourselves on sticking together and you're practically part of the family, and that's the honest truth."

"Well," Miracle said a bit heart warmed. "I guess it couldn't hurt to have you watch my back in there, but stay close to me all right?"

"You don't have to tell me twice, or once really. How are you not scared Miracle?"

"I just think what would Twilight Sparkle do," Miracle answered. "This is where she started her many great accomplishments. She made her way to the castle where she found what she needed to defeat Nightmare Moon. Now I'm doing something similar and have I chance to be like her. So I guess that's the real answer, I'm too excited to be scared."

"Ah see." The 2 young stallions entered the Everfree Forest and while many of the creatures that lived there were quite dangerous, none of them really popped out to bother them. In fact, they came across a group of deer that lived in the forest and were kind enough to guide the 2 young stallions to where they were going. Along the way Miracle explained to Apple Core as well as the deer that he plans on taking down Witchcraft by using the very items used by his hero.

"And with Witchcraft defeated, ponies will no longer have to live in fear and things can be like when the royal ponies ran our land," Miracle said.

"My such a tall order you have put upon yourself," one of the deer said.

"But it would be so nice if he managed to pull it off," Apple Core said. "Day and night might go back to normal, nopony would have to live in fear, and ah can finally visit other places. Ah can finally go to Manehatten!"

"Manehatten?" Miracle asked.

"My big sister Apple Bloom talks about her favorite cousin Babs Seed who lives there and Apple Bloom hasn't talked to her ever since Witchcraft took over."

"Do you truly believe you can restore this land to what it used to be young one?" King Aspen asked.

"Of course! I wouldn't have left home if I didn't," he answered. "Besides magic can be very helpful if you know how to use it, this isn't something I decided to do on the spur of the moment. When I was young I found a very powerful and very useful locater spell."

"Locater spell?" Apple Core asked when suddenly he saw they were already at the castle.

"We shall wait out here while you search the castle to find what you're looking for," King Aspen said to the 2 stallions. "When you are finished we will guide you back outside the forest."

"All right, thanks for helping." Miracle said as he and Apple Core headed inside the castle.

"Do you think that stallion can do what he's setting out to do King Aspen?" One of his guards asked.

"It would be nice if we were near the end of Witchcraft's tyranny," the king answered. "I sense something about that stallion. Something, special."

As Miracle Maker and Apple Core entered the castle Miracle couldn't help but feel that he was walking inside a page of history.

"This is just amazing," Miracle said. "I'm here in the Castle of the 2 Sisters just like Twilight Sparkle did when she defeated Nightmare Moon."

"Were you always this fearless?" Apple Core asked as Miracle Maker suddenly noticed that he was shaking.

"Probably, but relax Apple Core you don't have anything to be afraid of, it's just an old castle after all. Well, more like half of one really."

"Ah don't know ah have this horrible feeling in my bones that ah monster is going to pop out and attack us or something."

"Well then all the more reason for us to look around and get out of here fast," Miracle said and then got back to looking around with Apple Core not too far behind.

"If you let him get too close to you, you're making it all the more easier for him to stab you in the back."

"What?"

"Ah didn't say anything," Apple Core answered.

"He doesn't care about you, he only cares about his quest. If he had to choose between you and his quest he'd choose the latter, no contest."

"Did y'all hear that?" Apple Core asked.

"Hear what?" Miracle asked to Apple Core's ever growing fright. Which grew even more when suddenly one of the walls moved all on it's own and pushed Apple Core into a different part of the castle. "APPLE CORE!" Miracle made his way over to the wall and tried to make it move but nothing happened. Meanwhile on the other side Apple Core was freaking out using just about all of his will power to not have a heart attack, especially when the sound of an old organ filled the hallways.

"What in the wide world of Equestria is going on here?!?!" Apple Core then saw a sudden flash of light at the end of 1 of the nearby hallways. When he looked at it even though it was for a split second, Apple Core knew exactly what he saw. More or less. "The Elements of Harmony?" He asked himself, while he had never saw them before his parents told him stories about them and how his older sister Applejack wore 1. His parents took a picture of her wearing her element that Apple Core somehow saw well enough to recognize it.

"Ah don't know what's going on, but if ah grab all the elements ah can find Miracle and get out of this here creepy castle." Apple Core then ran down the hallway, but was so focused on getting to the end he didn't noticed a semi open trapdoor and fell in. "Ah trapdoor, y'all have got to be kidding me what is with this place?"

"You're telling me," Miracle said as he was above the trapdoor.

"Miracle, thank goodness! Get me out of here!"

"Sorry, but I need to grab the Elements of Harmony," he answered.

"What?"

"I can't just help somepony I barely even know, not when the things that can help me with my adventure are within my reach."

"But ah need help."

"Then you'll have to help yourself." With that Miracle left leaving Apple Core all alone.

While that was going on Miracle was making his way around the wall to try and find out where Apple Core is and what happened to him. He could have simply blasted through the wall, but figured that might not have been the best idea, since the castle was already falling apart.

"All right he's got to be around here somewhere," Miracle said to himself. He made it to the other part of the wall as he recognized the large tapestry that the moving wall had. "I guess he decided not to stick around, probably figured if he did something else was going to move all on it's own. But it's going to make finding him all the more difficult. Now if I was him, where would I have run off to?" After thinking about it for a little while Miracle just decided to run down a hallway and look for him hoping he'd get lucky. To his surprise he came across Apple Core in no time at all.

"Hi Miracle Maker," Apple Core said as he was just standing in the hallway.

"Apple Core, what are you doing just standing around in the dark?"

"I was waiting for you, hope you still want to save Equestria."

"Of course I do, nothing is going to stop me!"

"Good lead the way."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Miracle said as he made his horn light up so the 2 of them could see even better as they walked through the hallway. As they did Miracle saw the shadow of Apple Core move and saw what looked like a knife. Miracle's instincts took over and he jumped out of the way dodging the knife. "What are you doing?!"

"You actually think I wanted to help you with all this? Have you ever considered that other ponies actually like Equestria the way it is?"

"No because that's just plain stupid," Miracle said as he tried to blast the knife out of Apple Core's hoof, but he was too quick and avoided the beam.

"You barely even know me and you just expected me to go along with this quest of yours."

"You were the one that decided to come with me," Miracle replied and dodged Apple Core when he came at him with the knife and this time hit him with a magic beam. Suddenly Miracle Maker was surrounded by shadows that he took care of when he used his horn to cast the darkness away, and when he did Apple Core was gone. "What the heck was that all about?" Miracle then made his way down the hallway not knowing that Apple Core who managed to climb out of the trapdoor was also making his way down the hallway.

"When ah get my hooves on Miracle Maker he is gonna get it and get it good!" Before long the 2 young stallions ran into each other and were about to throw down.

"YOU!" They said at the same time and wrestled each other a bit.

"What's the big idea leaving me down there?!" Apple Core asked as they continued to fight a bit.

"Down where? Did you drop your knife somewhere?"

"Knife? What knife? What are you talking about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah fell down the trapdoor and yah left me there instead of helping me."

"What? That doesn't make any sense I could have teleported you out, it would have taken a literal second." Miracle then demonstrated by teleporting out of Apple Core's grip.

"Now where's the knife?"

"What knife?"

"The knife you tried to stab me with!"

"Ah didn't try to stab you, ah swear." Miracle looked into his eyes and could tell he was telling the truth. "How could ah? Ah just got out of the hole in the floor?" After that the 2 calmed down a bit and simply sat down trying to figure out what to do and say next.

"So you think I left when you fell threw a trapdoor, but I didn't and I think you tried to stab me but you didn't," Miracle said and Apple Core nodded in agreement. "Changelings."

"Huh?"

"Creatures that can take the form of others, I remember my Uncle Blueblood told me how they tried to invade during a royal wedding, but Twilight Sparkle stopped them."

"So we didn't turn on each other? It was a changeling?"

"Yeah and there might be more around here."

"But what are they doing at the castle?"

"I don't know Apple Core but stay close, we're going to get to the bottom of this." The 2 of them then made their way back to the wall that moved and after moving the tapestry found the switch that brought them right back to where they started. Miracle wanted to start searching there believing it best to go back to square one, when they did they came across the room where Twilight and her friends discovered the Elements of Harmony.

"Hey look at that!" Apple Core said as he pointed to what looked like a crystal apple. "That's the Element of Honesty."

"Yes it is," a voice said.

"Hey that's the voice ah heard before when you said you didn't say anything," Apple Core said.

"I heard that earlier too."

"Yes that was a rather helpful spell for me, my voice is heard by 1 pony at a time, makes it easier to put thoughts of distrust in the group."

"Show yourself!" Miracle said and then suddenly a shadow came from the ceiling and took the form of what appeared to be Nightmare Moon, only she had blue cracks across her body as if she had many battle scars that have yet to heal.

"Sweet Apple Acres!" Apple Core nearly yelled. "It's Nightmare Moon. Ah recognize her from stories my parents told me."

"But that's impossible," Miracle said. "Twilight Sparkle defeated you. Are you Nightmare Moon?"

"I am Deception, the guardian of the Element of Honestly."

"Guardian?" Apple Core asked. "Why are you guarding it?"

"Because that is the role I was created for?"

"What are you talking about?" Miracle Maker asked.

"I could answer that, but it's not exactly fitting for a creature named Deception to honestly answer all of your questions now is it?"

"Well you answered our first questions," Miracle said.

"I figured you should at the very least know my name," Deception answered. Miracle then let out a series of powerful spells while Deception did the same, each one hitting the other several times. Miracle got smacked around a little, but that didn't stop him from delivering a fatal blow. When Apple Core tried to get in an attack Deception turn into shadows to avoid that attack then returned to her original form.

"You can shapeshift," Miracle said. "You turned into both of us and tried to turn us against each other didn't you?"

"Do you honestly expect me to tell you anything?"

"And ah suppose you won't just let us have the Element of Honesty," Apple Core said hoping to solve the problem in a peaceful manner.

"Oh of course you can have it," Deception answered as she grabbed the Element of Honesty and seemed to offer it to Apple Core who was about to grab for it, but Miracle pushed him out of the way to avoid a spell from Deception that went through the floor.

"Did you actually think that wasn't a trick?" Miracle said as he helped get Apple Core back up.

"Of course ah did but she deserved ah chance all the same," Apple Core answered. "We Apples believe in believing in ponies."

"What?" Miracle asked who to his surprise Deception asked as well.

"It means if you don't put yer faith in ponies, y'all will never know their whole worth."

"How noble for one so young," Deception said as she looked over to the hole she had just recently made. "But look at where that almost got you."

"Oh please you think ah couldn't have dodged that attack all by myself?"

"No," Deception answered Apple Core as she charged up another attack. "But if you want a chance to prove me wrong, here it is." Deception then fired her spell straight at Apple Core who dodged it on his own this time and this time the spell went through the wall. Apple Core tried to buck the guardian, but he only grazed her as she dodged.

"See, what did I tell you, don't put your faith in ponies and you'll never know their full worth," Apple Core said with a rather cocky smile as he was proud to make such a good point.

"Well how about you stand still and we'll see the full worth of your endurance?" Deception then cast a spell that made ice appear on the ground that spread to Apple Core's legs literally freezing him in his tracks as Deception charged her horn for an attack.

"Better idea," Miracle said who dodged the ice and stepped in front of Apple Core. "Why don't we see the full force of my stamina instead," Miracle said as he charged his horn then bent down a bit and stomped his hoof.

"You're kidding. You're kidding right?" Miracle then met Deception head on in a clash of magic beams. "Do you think you can actually match me in power?" Deception asked as it looked like her beam was going to push Miracle into Apple Core.

"Well if I'm being completely honest, YES!" Miracle said as he expanded then pushed his beam back and Deception's entirety was hit dead on by the spell and was then slammed into the wall.

"My my," Deception said as her body started to fall apart. "You actually managed to beat me, such raw power for one so young. Though I have a feeling that if I was my whole self this would have ended differently."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Miracle asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know," she answered before she fell apart leaving only shards and leaving the 2 stallions shocked to say the least.

"Uh, little help." Apple Core said still stuck in the ice.

"Oh right, sorry." Miracle then used his magic to get his friend out of the ice. Afterwards Miracle made his way to the Element of Honesty and picked it up. "Wow the Element of Honesty, it's like I'm holding part of a legend."

"But it's only 1, don't you need all of them?"

"And since I have 1, I'll be able to get to the others. But for now let's get out of here and out of this forest, we've earned a good night sleep and I don't want to keep our deer friends waiting." After that the 2 stallions left the castle and were escorted out of the forest.

"Thank you for your help King Aspen," Miracle Maker said as he and Apple Core bowed in respect.

"No problem, I have a feeling it's the least we could have done," King Aspen replied. After that Miracle Maker and Apple Core made their way back to the farm and feel asleep almost the second they got into bed. While it came later than it did before, morning came and when it did Miracle prepared to head out in order to continue his adventure. Before he left Ponyville the friends he made came to tell him goodbye, such as Mr. and Mrs. Cake who along with Bright Mac and Pear Butter gave him some snacks to give him energy on his journey.

"Wow this is a lot," Miracle said as he had to carry the food with his magic. "Good thing you gave me this carriage Moondancer." Miracle then placed the food he was giving into the said carriage. "This thing is really going to take me wherever I want to go?"

"Yes it will. I reworked it to move all on it's own so you don't have to pull it, I figured doing this would really help you out and I guess I wanted to help you out for covering our fee. You really have your heart set on this don't you kid?" Moondancer said.

"Yes I do and I'm gonna bring harmony back just you wait."

"But it's going to be so dangerous," Minuette said with Lemon Hearts and Twinkle Shines backing her up.

"Well you can come with me if you want."

"Sorry Miracle," Moondancer said. "We need to stay here to fight off any shadow ponies that manage to sneak into Ponyville and cause trouble," Moondancer added with her friends agreeing.

"We'd love to help you but we can't leave our farm," Bright Mac said.

"And as sure as I am that we can handle ourselves, if something happened to us who knows what that will do to our children, especially Apple Bloom," Pear Butter added.

"Speaking of your kids where is Apple Core?"

"We don't know, I went to his room but he wasn't there. I guess he didn't have the heart to say goodbye," Pear Butter answered having no idea how right she was. "Listen, is there anyway we can talk you out of this? I know we haven't known you long, but it feels like you're already part of our family."

"Yeah," Bright Mac agreed. "You can stay with us, maybe head back to your village and bring your uncle here to live with us the more the merrier."

"Tempting, but I can't."

"But Miracle what you're planning-"

"I know Pear Butter," Miracle interrupted. "But don't you want to see other members of your family in other parts of Equestria? Moondancer aren't you and your friends tired of fighting off shadow ponies? Mr. and Mrs. Cake don't you want a safe home for your children? I can't stand all the suffering that monster Witchcraft is causing, I have to put a stop to it all, if I don't, who will?"

"You're not doing it for you you're doing it for everypony else," Pear Butter said after a few moments of silence. "If you're parents were still alive they would be so proud of you," Pear added then kissed Miracle on his head.

"By the way Moondancer," Miracle said. "In all the excitement of exploring the castle, eating dessert, and the farm work. I forgot to ask, what was Twilight Sparkle like?"

"Well," Moondancer paused. "It's hard to say, she spent more time reading her books than hanging out with us. But she was smart and talented I can tell you that much. She also may have had more heart than anypony else, except maybe you. Maybe you'll find somepony else that can tell you more about her." After that everypony said goodbye to Miracle as he got in his carriage and set off to the next part of his adventure.

"I really like those ponies," Miracle said to himself as he was in the carriage. "It feels like I'm leaving home again."

"Ah know just how you feel," Apple Core said to the shock of Miracle Maker as he got out from under the seat cushions of the carriage, also to Miracle's shock.

"What the heck are you doing here!?!"

"Ah wasn't going to let you go into the creepy castle all alone and I'm not going to let you head off on yer own as you head off who knows where. I'm yer friend."

"You're parents are going to flip their lids when they figure out you're gone."

"They won't be too worried, ah left them a note."

"You're crazy you know that?" Miracle asked.

"So are you if you think you can do what you're gonna do all by yourself," Apple Core replied. Miracle then sighed and figured it was too late to send him back, plus it would be rather hypocritical to tell him that he shouldn't run away from home.

"All right, I guess it couldn't hurt to have somepony watch my back."

***

With the Element of Honesty in his possession Miracle was able to get his spell to work making his adventure all the more easier. Plus the carriage given to him by Moondancer would make traveling all the more easier, with the help of the locater spell and the carriage Miracle and Apple Core got through White Tail Woods. Afterwards Miracle got out to double check his locater spell and the map.

"Why are we getting out again?"

"Because it was enough of a bumpy trail to get through those woods and according to my map we're going to have to go into the Undiscovered West."

"The Undiscovered West?" Apple Core asked as he got out of the carriage after eating the last of the apple pie.

"It's a non-pony populated area of Equestria, a good place for Witchcraft to hide an element or several really if we're lucky. Was that the last of the apple pie?"

"Maybe, yes," Apple Core answered.

"Whatever, let's just get going." Miracle then made his way into the Undiscovered West with Apple Core not too far behind. The 2 made their way up a cliff to get a better view to make it easier for Miracle to see where he's going.

"Are we far from the next element?"

"I don't think so, I just hope we can handle whatever is out here."

"Oh come on nothing's going to stop the 2 of us," Apple Core said when suddenly the cliff gave out causing the 2 young stallions to fall.

They had quite the adventure ahead of them.

Author's Notes:

Apple Core's design was inspired a bit by Applejack dad from Magpie Pony's video Applejack They Miss You Too. She also has this great fanfic Princess Trixie Sparkle you might want to check that out too.
I decided to have Bright Mac and Pear Butter still be alive in this universe because otherwise it would just be Apple Bloom and her OC brother, that would probably all but destroy the poor filly.

Kindness

As the 2 young stallions fell from the cliff, Miracle tried to use a levitation spell on not just Apple Core but also himself. However, self levitation is a rather tricky spell. He still needed to work on it and it's hard to lift another pony when you're bumping and rolling. The stallions quickly and rather painfully made their way to the bottom where they were able to pick themselves up. "Oh my gosh that sucked!" Apple Core said as he was trying to brush all of the newly acquired dirt off his coat.

"You're telling me," Miracle said as he was doing the same thing. "Good thing that wasn't a taller cliff or that would have been a lot less fun."

"Yeah."

"Hopefully that fall will be the biggest problem we're going to face while we're here," Miracle said as he couldn't help but doubt his own words.

"Are we going to have to climb all the way back up there?"

"No, I can just work the locater spell from here and figure out which way we need to go."

"When we do figure out where we need to go, do you think we'll come across any wild animals?"

"Oh I think it's a safe bet, this is the Undiscovered West. Nopony has settled here, it's all nature. We're probably the only ponies that have set hoof in here in who knows how long."

"Wow so it's kind of like we're boldly going where nopony has ever gone before," Apple Core said feeling this adventure of there's was becoming more and more of one.

"Yeah it kind of is like that," Miracle agreed. "When we do find the next element maybe we can explore this place a little more and make some kind of map."

"By the way, how exactly did that spell thing work?" Apple Core asked but before Miracle Maker could answer a large and violent manticore popped out of nowhere and attacked. Thankfully both of the young stallions were able to get out of it's way, but that didn't stop it from trying again. "What's this thing's problem?"

"Maybe it's angry because it got a thorn stuck in it's paw, no that's stupid." The manticore then suddenly lunged at Miracle but he was able to dodge it by teleporting behind the manticore. Then followed by blasting it with a spell. In response the manticore swung it's tail which hit Miracle right in the head knocking him onto the ground. Miracle was able to get back up and jumped out of the way right before the manticore could sting him and suddenly it was hit in the chest by a rather big rock.

"Yeah how do ya like that!?" Apple Core asked who bucked the said rock. "Plenty more where that came from!" Apple Core then bucked some smaller rocks while Miracle hit it with more spells which caused the manticore to roar in absolute rage. It then charged at Apple Core who ran out of rocks. Apple Core wanted to get out of the way but seeing the anger and fury in the eyes of the manticore froze his legs in place.

"Apple Core!" Miracle called out when he saw that his friend was in danger. Then he teleported in front of him to protect him, however, as a result his chest was hit dead on by the scorpion tail of the manticore. Miracle despite the painful sting not only stood his ground, but since the beast was so close to him Miracle knew it couldn't dodge a close range attack. So he charged his horn and hit the deadly creature dead on. Which knocked it back and on to the ground, while it was able to get up it finally cut it's losses and run off, disappearing into the wilderness. "Yeah, that's what you get," Miracle said as he started wobbling because he started having trouble standing.

"Uh Miracle are you okay?" Apple Core asked noticing his friend was acting strange.

"Yeah Corely App we got nothing to worry about."

"What?" Apple Core asked when suddenly Miracle Maker threw up and fell to the ground.

"Maybe, maybe not so good, borderline horrible actually," Miracle answered before he suddenly blacked out.

***

Miracle suddenly woke up and puked not nearly as much as before, but a series of coughs followed. "Oh gosh," a voice Miracle didn't recognize said. The pony then offered him a cup. "Here drink this, it cures manticore poison," the pony said and Miracle did as he was asked taking the cup with his forelegs and sat up on his own feeling better already. "Oh, wow manticore poison. You're lucky I found you," the pony said and Miracle Maker was able to get a much better look at his helper.

"I should say so," Miracle replied before taking another slip from the cup recently offered to him. "You know for medicine this really isn't all that bad."

"Oh thank you," the pony said. "It's just a little something that I learned how to put together and give it my own twist with some herbs and spices."

"I'm the one that should be thanking you, if it weren't for you I might be in real trouble. Thank you."

"Yeah thank you," Apple Core said.

"Oh it was nothing, really. I just heard what I thought was a manticore attacking somepony so I flew over to where the sound was coming from and I found you. When your friend explained what happened I brought you over here while carrying you on my back and made my poison cure. The cure itself was pretty easy too because like I said it was something I learned to make which is pretty easy with my knowledge of plant life. So, oh gosh I'm starting to ramble aren't I?"

"No not really, well maybe a little but it's no big deal. By the way I didn't get your name. I'm Miracle Maker and this is my friend Apple Core."

"Oh I'm Cryme, Cryme A. River." Apple Core then shook his hoof and Miracle tried to get up to do the same but had a little trouble.

"Yeah I wouldn't get up just yet. You still need time for the poison to get it's way out of your system."

"How long will that take?" Miracle asked.

"Well not too long, maybe a day or so."

"A day or so," Miracle said in almost a whiny tone.

"Well, I mean you could get up if you really wanted," Cryme replied. "But it's gonna be hard to stand or walk or not throw up, but whatever you want to do."

"(sigh) Well I guess it can't be helped," Miracle said.

"I have a cottage that's not too far away from here where you can rest until you're better."

"Thank you that's so kind," Apple Core said. The 3 ponies quickly went to the said cottage and this time Apple Core was the one that carried Miracle on his back. When they got to the cottage Miracle was placed in the bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

"Okay so it should only take a day or 2 for the poison to get out of his system, oh wait I already said that didn't I?" Cryme said as he put his hoof on his muzzle.

"Thanks again for doing this for him," Apple Core said.

"It's no problem, I mean I couldn't just leave you and your friend out all alone and by yourselves, oh that was a bit redundant isn't it?"

"Well not a whole lot," Apple Core said. "Are you sure that he's going to be okay?"

"Positive," Cryme answered with a smile. "The poison isn't that strong. He's past the worst of it. It looked like he got stung right in the chest though, that had to be insanely painful." Suddenly Apple Core left the cottage and sat by a river not too far from it, he wanted to storm out but restrained himself from doing that as Miracle was still asleep. Cryme then left the cottage as well and saw that Apple Core was very upset. "I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"You ran out because I was talking way too much, I'm sorry I didn't mean to annoy you, please don't be mad at me."

"No that's not the reason ah left," Apple Core said as Cryme noticed he wiped a small tear from his eye. "I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself."

"Yourself? Why?"

"Because it should have been me?"

"Huh?"

"Miracle got in the way to protect me and got stung. When we fought the manticore it came at me and I couldn't move because ah was frozen with fear, again." After that Apple Core told Cryme about how he met Miracle Maker when he came to his town and his plan to stop all the misery in Equestria and stop Witchcraft.

"Wow that's a pretty tall order for a pair of colts, not that I don't think you can't do it."

"Well ah can't," Apple Core said more upset at himself, he then told Cryme about how they entered the Castle of the 2 sisters and got the Element of Honestly, and Deception.

"Wow, that must have been really scary."

"It was, and just like the manticore Miracle pretty much did all the work because ah was too afraid. When he left Ponyville ah came with him not just because ah didn't want my only friend to leave me, but because ah wanted to help him out. While also doing a better job then ah did at the castle to make up for it, but ah froze again!" Apple Core then raised his forelegs and repeatedly hit himself on the head. "That was so dumb stupid stupid stupid!"

"Hey hey now," Cryme said as he grabbed Apple Core's forelegs with his own. "Don't be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes."

"But my mistake could have gotten my friend killed, he's the only friend I've ever had," Apple Core said as he started to cry a little more. Suddenly, rivers of tears came out of Cryme's eyes which rather surprised Apple Core.

"That's so horrible," Cryme said while crying and Apple Core placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Apple Core said a little worried. "Ah didn't mean to upset y'all."

"Oh no you didn't," Cryme said as he stopped. "It's just so sad and sometimes when I get sad I can't help myself. Would you like to know what cheers me up when I feel sad?"

"What?"

A hug, would you like one?" Cryme asked and Apple Core nodded his head. So Cryme pulled him into a warm embrace which made Apple Core feel a lot better. "Would you like to help me get some food for supper, if I had somepony else helping me it wouldn't take as long?"

"I'd like to but, ah don't want to leave Miracle all by himself."

"Oh don't worry this is a remote area. I almost never see animals at my cottage, he'll be okay."

"All right then," Apple Core said before taking off with Cryme to find something to eat. Thankfully Cryme was able to find food easily. Before leaving Cryme grabbed a basket that Apple Core carried on his back, which in what seemed like no time at all filled up. While collecting food the 2 had a few close encounters with other wild animals but Cryme knew how to avoid them, or at the very least get them to not attack.

"I think this should do it for now," Cryme said noticing the basket was so full of food, it was almost about to fall out. "We should head back, unless you don't want to."

"It's fine ah want to see if Miracle is okay," Apple Core said as they started heading back to the cottage. "You really know yer way around here, don't yah Cryme?"

"Well I don't want to brag but yeah, it's nothing really when you stay somewhere for so long you know where to go."

"How long have you been out here in the Undiscovered West?"

"Oh not all that long, 8 years."

"8 years!? You've been here for almost a decade!?"

"It's not so bad once you get used to it," Cryme replied.

"But don't you ever get lonely?"

"No I have friends out here, oh look there are a few of them right now." Cryme then pointed to a small bundle of flowers beneath an old oak tree. "This is actually why I went down this path, so I could meet up with some old friends of mime, you want to meet them?"

"Um, all right." Apple Core then followed Cryme, who talked with the flowers and a few more of them on their way back to the cottage. "Right where we left it," Apple Core said as they returned to the cottage and found Miracle still asleep. "And right where we left you."

"He actually looks a lot better," Cryme said as he took the basket off and placed it on a nearby table. "We're gonna eat like pigs tonight."

"Pigs huh? I like the sound of that," Miracle said as he woke up and got out of bed.

"Should he be out of bed?" Apple Core asked.

"Don't worry I feel much better," Miracle answered as he walked over to Apple Core and Cryme.

"I think he should be fine," Cryme said as he got started on dinner with Apple Core and Miracle helping. Not too long after dinner Cryme thought it was time to call it a night, despite the sun still being up.

"I just woke up and you think I should go back to sleep."

"Well I mean the more you sleep the less time you'll have to be awake with the poison in your system," Cryme answered Miracle.

"Huh, good point," Miracle said as he was about to get back in bed, then realized it was the only one in the tiny cottage. "Wait where are you and Apple Core going to sleep?"

"Oh you're right," Cryme said. "I was so focused on getting dinner and helping make the cure for your sting I forgot all about that."

"Well you should have the bed," Miracle said. "This is your cottage after all."

"No no, it's all right," Cryme replied. "You still need to rest and get the poison out of your system. I can deal with it. I have a hammock that I made out of large leaves out back in case I ever got visitors, this is the first time I've ever needed it. You can sleep on that Apple Core."

"What no ah can't do that, you're giving up you're own bed and now this."

"It's fine I'm a pegasus I can just grab a piece of cloud to sleep on."

"Oh yeah, ah forgot pegasus can do that," Apple Core said before he made his way outside and Cryme did the same. Apple Core found the hammock behind the cottage between 2 large trees which provided shade that would keep the sun out of his eyes. Cryme then flew up to grab a cloud which he found right away since it was quite the cloudy day, after taking off a piece of a large cloud he flew down with it and brought it inside the cottage.

"Thought I'd sleep in here in case you needed help," Cryme said to Miracle already in bed.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Miracle said. "It's funny I just woke up but I still feel really sleepy, must be a side effect of the poison. I can barely keep my eyes open."

"You think you're tired," Cryme replied. "Me and your friend Apple Core traveled all over getting some food, I think I might be even more tired than-" Cryme stopped himself when he saw that Miracle had already fallen asleep. So he went over to the bed and pulled the blanket more over him before he flew onto the cloud and fell asleep himself.

When they all woke up it was still the middle of the day. Ever since Witchcraft took over Equestria the nights and days didn't always go as scheduled. Sometimes one or the other would last far too long or barely. Despite this the ponies found a way to adapt and keep up by use of clocks and calendars. That was how Cryme knew how long he'd been in the Undiscovered West, something he explained to Miracle Maker when the 3 of them were having breakfast.

"8 YEARS!" Miracle said.

"Ah kind of had the same response," Apple Core said.

"It's just so shocking I mean 8 years, doesn't your family worry about you? Though I guess I'm one to talk," Miracle said kind of whispering the last part to himself.

"No," Cryme answered as it looked like he was fighting the urge to cry like crazy again. "They aren't."

"Huh?" Apple Core and Miracle Maker asked at the same time. Cryme then looked even sadder, but once again looked like he was really trying not to cry.

"It was so long ago but I remember it like it was yesterday, I was born and raised in a town located in a rather remote part of Equestria. But even our lives got affected when Witchcraft took over. I was about 8 or 9 when the royal ponies no longer ruled, and I was around your ages when it happened. My town used this special crystal to protect us, but 1 day it's power just died out. That was when the shadow ponies attacked. We tried to defend ourselves but we hardly stood a chance. Before long, the shadow ponies were tearing the entire place apart. When I tried to talk a shadow pony out of breaking open the water tower, it threw me into the woods and I hit my head on a tree. When I woke up I was all alone."

"Wait you mean your parents and your friends and neighbors-"

"All gone," Cryme finished for Apple Core. "I looked around but there was nopony else, there was barely even a town. After that I knew I couldn't stay there anymore, so I packed up and I got as far away as I could. I figured the shadow ponies would never come out here, then I built a small cottage and the rest as they say is history."

"Oh my gosh," Miracle said as at the moment it was all he could say. "I'm so sorry that I brought it up."

"You don't have to be sorry you didn't know, and honestly it was nice to talk about my old home. It's nice to talk about anything really." Cryme then started to cry once again letting out a river of tears. "It's been so long since I've had somepony to talk to. It's been so long since I've had a friend. A pony friend anyway."

"Hey I don't blame you one bit who wouldn't be lonely after being out here for so long," Miracle said. "I somewhat know how you feel."

"You do?" Cryme asked as he stopped crying.

"Yeah I do, my parents died when I was just a baby I never knew them."

"And mah older brother and sister passed away little after ah was born, so ah never knew them either," Apple Core added.

"Oh that's so horrible," Cryme said as he shot rivers of tears yet again causing Miracle and Apple Core to run over to him.

"Hey easy you don't have to cry," Apple Core said.

"Yeah if you keep it up you might get dehydrated," Miracle added.

"Sorry, sometimes I just can't help myself."

"You don't have to say your sorry," Miracle said. "I understand perfectly, there's so much misery so much suffering. But we are going to put a stop to all of it."

"We are?" Cryme asked confused as he stopped crying again.

"Yes we are," Miracle answered as he got into his own saddle bag and took out the Element of Honesty then gave it to Cryme.

"Wow that's so cool, what is it?"

"It's an Element of Harmony," Apple Core answered. "Ah just realized ah left that part out of my little story."

"An Element of Harmony?! Are you serious?!" Miracle and Apple Core nodded at the same time. "Oh my gosh it's like I'm holding part of a legend in my hoof, but that still doesn't explain why you 2 are all the way out here. I wanted to ask earlier but I thought it might have been personal, if it is never mind."

"I know a spell that can help us find the rest of the elements. When we do, we can use them to defeat Witchcraft and have harmony return to Equestria once again."

"A spell what kind of spell?" Cryme asked.

"Oh yeah, ah kind of asked you about that or was about to when that manticore got in the way."

"Well," Miracle said as he took the Element of Honesty back. "Basically it works like a compass pointing you to what you want to find, but you need a part of what you're looking for first."

"What do you mean?" Cryme asked.

"Well let's say you're trying to find the entire Daring Do book collection, but for the spell to work you need one of the books from the said collection."

"Kind of a weird rule," Apple Core noted.

"Yeah, but that's how magic works sometimes, it has rules and limitations. Anyway if you find one of the books that will let the spell help you find the others."

"Well I don't think I need to tell you this place can be quite dangerous. Maybe you and Apple Core should get the others first and find some other ponies that might be able to help you out."

"Well unfortunately Cryme, the other condition of the spell is that it can only lead me to the other "books" 1 at a time. We need to find the element here before the spell will point us to another."

"Oh, that is unfortunately, I mean unfortunate," Cryme said.

"So we're going to have to head out and look for it. If we split up we should be able to cover more ground, but that would be more dangerous," Miracle said.

"Uh, are you sure yer okay to head out?" Apple Core asked.

"Yeah I feel much better, good as new even."

"He does seem like the poison has managed to work it's way completely out of his system," Cryme said.

"I always was a fast healer, so Cryme I know you've already helped us out a lot, but do you think you could help us search for the element?"

"Oh I don't mind, I'd love to help in fact I bet I can help you out a lot," Cryme me answered as he went over to a book shelf and grabbed a scroll. Cryme then placed the scroll on the kitchen table and opened it up revealing a map that he had drawn. "There are advantages to living here for almost a decade. I've done quite a bit of exploring and have discovered quite a lot in the Undiscovered West. Mostly rare and exotic plant life, I really like plants."

"We can tell," Apple Core said as he and Miracle Maker looked over the map Cryme made. "Wow you've really been all over."

"Yeah, I have, but that might be a problem. See if your spell says that the element your looking for is somewhere here I haven't found it."

"Well that won't be that much of a problem, we just need to use the process of elimination," Miracle said. "Where exactly have you been?"

"Well, like I said I've kind of been all over," Cryme answered as he tapped his hoof on various places on the map. "Though I've made sure to avoid highly populated areas, some of the animals here aren't all that friendly, but a few are that's important to know. You know, don't let the one or several give you a bad opinion of the whole and all that."

"What about this 1 part?" Apple Core asked as he tapped on the center part of the map.

"Oh I've never gone there before," Cryme answered to the surprise of the Apple Core and Miracle Maker.

"You haven't?" Asked the former.

"How come?" Asked the latter.

"Well every time I came near that place I noticed that there were no animals in that area at all, the ones that do get near it don't stay there for long. It's like there's something in that area none of them want to get close to."

"Which means that the element is most likely there," Miracle said.

"Of course it is," Apple Core added.

"You really think so?" Cryme asked, and when he did Miracle then got out the Element of Honesty.

"Where's the cottage located at the map?" Miracle asked. Cryme answered by tapping it's location on the map which was around the bottom right corner of the map. Miracle then activated the spell, making a red triangle appear around the element and it pointed to the upper left towards the center. "Yeah, I think so."

"Oh dear oh my," Cryme said as he started to shake wondering what they were going to run into when they reached the center of the Undiscovered West.

"Don't worry between my magic, Apple Core's strength and you're.....supportive nature we should be able to handle it."

"Well, alright if you think so," Cryme said as he stopped shaking.

"Yeah whatever's there let's take it down," Apple Core said. It's probably another guardian, Apple Core thought to himself. Ah am not going to let my fear get the best of me again and force Miracle to do all of the work.

***

"Wow I don't even think these types of flowers can be found here in the Undiscovered West," Cryme said as he along with Apple Core and Miracle Maker had already nearly reached the center.

"Well I'm glad to see he's doing all right," Apple Core said to Miracle.

"Yeah, he looked pretty scared for a minute back at the cottage," Miracle Maker said back.

"We should be getting pretty close to the next element right?" Apple Core asked.

"Yeah I think we're right on top of it," Miracle Maker said as he checked his spell. "But that means we should keep our guard up for whatever everything around here is trying to stay away from."

"Right, you watch my back ah got your front," Apple Core said as he walked in front of of Miracle Maker before he suddenly stopped. "Actually, maybe it should be the other way around since you know, you're the one with the locater spell."

"Right, probably a good idea," Miracle said as he walked in front of Apple Core before stopping all of a sudden like Apple Core. "Uh, Cryme," Miracle called out to get his attention.

"Huh? Oh sorry," Cryme said as he flew to help him catch up with Apple Core and Miracle sooner. "I'll look at the plants later." Before long the trio came to a rather large rock that kind of looked like a throne and sitting on it was a tiny crystal butterfly.

"There it is!" Miracle said as he jumped up and down like a little colt at Hearts Warming.

"Wow this was easy," Cryme said. "Maybe there wasn't anything dangerous in here that kept all the animals away after all."

"Oh how wrong you are," a female voice said that put all 3 of the stallions on edge. The source of the voice then flew down from the sky revealing a large black changeling with long green hair.

"What is that thing?" Apple Core asked.

"Now that has got to be a changeling," Miracle answered.

"A changeling? I didn't know they lived out here," Cryme said.

"I was a changeling a lifetime ago, but now I am Cruelty, guardian of the Element of Kindness."

"Another guardian," Miracle said.

Called it,, Apple Core thought to himself.

"Another?" Cruelty asked as she noticed the Element of Honesty Miracle put back in his saddlebag. "I see you managed to defeat Deception, but don't let that go to your head. She was the weakest of us, I can promise you the rest of us guardians are much more powerful. In fact, 1 guardian is more powerful than all of us combined."

"Uh is she you?" Cryme asked.

"I wish I could say yes but no she isn't me," Cruelty answered.

"Well I don't care if you're as strong as Witchcraft," Apple Core said as he approached Cruelty. "We came all this way to get that element and we're not leaving until we get it."

"Well I love to disappoint you but you won't leaving at all."

"Uh don't you mean-"

"I know what I said," Cruelty answered cutting off Cryme before she flew up and fired beams of magic at them. Cryme ducked behind several trees while Miracle put a force field around him to block them. Apple Core simply dodged them while running over to where a pile of rocks were, then bucked the rocks right at Cruelty. While she dodged several, one managed to get her right between the eyes which forced her to the ground. When she landed Miracle dispelled his shield and fired a spell of his own similar to the one that he used to defeat Deception. However, as Cruelty said herself she was much more powerful than Deception was and fired a spell of her own causing them to clash.

"She's right," Miracle said. "Deception wasn't this strong."

"My my," Cruelty said as the 2 continued to clash their beams. "Such raw power for a pony so young, but it's not quite enough." Suddenly Cruelty pushed her beam forward and it managed to get all the way to his horn and forced him back. Miracle then fell to the ground with a bit of black now on his horn.

"MIRACLE!" Apple Core said as he saw what happened to his friend. "HANG ON I'M COMING!" Apple Core then made his way over to Miracle, but before he could, Cruelty teleported behind him and bucked the earth pony all the way over to Miracle. Cruelty then teleported over to them and stomped on both of them with her forelegs making each of them scream out in pain.

"Now that's what I like to hear, let's see if I can make you scream even louder."

"L-Leave them alone!" Cryme called out to Cruelty trying to yell out to her, but was too nervous to do that.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Cryme said once again trying to sound tough and once again not doing a very good job of that.

"No, I don't think I did," Cruelty replied. "Why don't you repeat it."

"I said leave them alone," Cryme replied as he took a bold stand with his chest out. "Please," he added with a sheepish smile as he lowered his head which made Cruelty laugh out loud.

"You are so pathetic," Cruelty said as she laughed out loud once again. But she was laughing so much she didn't notice that Miracle had been charging up his horn and didn't know until she was blasted point blank. Like Miracle she was forced to the ground but she was able to get right back up. However Apple Core who also managed to get back up ran over and bucked her so hard she was slammed into the nearby boulder.

"Turn about is fair play!" Apple Core said happy to have dealt the guardian a painful blow.

"You sneaky little brats!"

"That was your own fault for lowering your guard," Miracle said.

"How can you even still fight after I overpowered you?"

"It's like I told my friends earlier, I always was a fast healer."

"Well if I were you I wouldn't let it go to your head," Cruelty said as she flew on top of the boulder to take the high ground. "I have plenty of fight left in me, and you only got a shot at me because that pathetic pony distracted me."

"Oh yeah," Cryme replied. "If I'm so pathetic why do I have this?" Cryme then reached into his saddle bag and pulled out the Element of Kindness. Cruelty looked below at the boulder and saw where the element used to be, her jaw nearly hit the ground.

"But how did-"

"There are advantages to being a wall flower, you were so focused on my friends that you didn't even notice me grabbing this little trinket."

"GIVE IT BACK!" Cruelty ordered as she flew right at Cryme with death in her eyes. Despite the look of hers that nearly made Cryme void his bowels, he reacted right away and grabbed one of her forelegs then flipped her making her land on her back despite having wings.

"Wow, nice move," Miracle said.

"Yeah, you really let her have it," Apple Core added.

"She looked like a shadow pony when she charged at me," Cryme said as he flew over to Miracle Maker and Apple Core. "I wanted to dodge but I flipped her instead, I have no idea where that came from. I doubt I could do that again."

"Good to know," Cruelty said as she got back up. "You 3 are more capable than I thought, but I won't let you leave with that element."

"Come on we need it, or rather they need it I'm just trying to help," Cryme said surprisingly trying to be reasonable. "What do you even need this element for all the way out here?"

"I'm guarding it, or did you not here me earlier?"

"No I heard, but if he has it you don't need to guard it, so you can do whatever you want."

"Well I want to kill you!" Cruelty then once again charged at Cryme. Miracle created a large barrier around them that blocked her path or rather literally forced her into a complete stop. Before she could break the wall, Miracle expanded the barrier forcing her back.

"All right you overgrown stinkbug round 2," Miracle said ready for a fight. "If you want that element back you'll have to take it from us."

"Seems you haven't learned from the first time," Cruelty said as she made a smile that matched her name.

"I learned plenty, like that a direct attack won't work, but there are other ways." Miracle then teleported directly below Cruelty. Blasting her point blank, forcing her into the air. Only to teleport directly above her to blast her once again point blank back to the ground. Miracle then teleported himself back to the ground before gravity did it for him.

"Wow that was amazing, I've seen talented unicorns before but that was something else," Cryme said as he watched Miracle continue to fight Cruelty who tried to blast him but couldn't land a single blow.

"Well come on, let's back him up," Apple Core said as he was about to run over to the fight and back up his friend. But just as he started to run Cryme got in his way. "Huh? What the hey are you doing?"

"I understand you want to help but those spells are getting wild," Cryme said as he pointed over to Cruelty now angrier and her spells started making rather large holes in the ground after missing Miracle. "Neither of us are unicorns if we get in the middle of that we'll just be in the way, Miracle will worry about us and make mistakes, then who knows what Cruelty will do to him."

"I have an idea!" Cruelty said as she teleported to Cryme then grabbed the Element of Kindness from him. Cruelty then flew right up and charged her magic to the fullest and blasted at them.

"NOO!" Miracle yelled out in shock wanting to stop it but it happened too fast and when the smoke quickly cleared there was a hole the size of a small crater. "Apple Core, Cryme, no," Miracle said as he teleported inside the hole his shock replaced with sadness.

"Now all that's left is to send you to join them," Cruelty said standing just outside the hole she made. Cruelty was about to charge her magic once again, but didn't have the chance. Miracle teleported right in front of her and decked her right in the muzzle, while also grabbing the Element of Kindness in the process.

"How about I send you to meet Deception instead," Miracle replied his sadness now replaced with rage. He then charged his magic while Cruelty did the same and once again their magic beams clashed, but this time Miracle's magic was on the winning side.

"What the?" Cruelty said shocked that she was going to be on the losing side this time around. "No this doesn't make any sense, I beat him last time," Cruelty said before she got blasted, similar to Deception. Afterwards she started to fall apart when she once again was forced to the ground.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," Miracle said.

"But how?" Cruelty asked she was on the ground. "How did he get stronger all of a sudden or did I somehow get weaker?"

"Both," Miracle answered. "My magic is stronger now I can feel it, but it also helped that you took a beating earlier. Making it harder to attack at full power, especially since you did that just a minute ago. You may be powerful, but you used up your energy too much in battle."

"Well, nice plan there kid," Cruelty said with a surprisingly sincere tone. "Too bad for you it's a shallow victory, because now you're all alone, like me."

"Not quite," Cryme said as he flew down holding Apple Core with his forelegs.

"Cryme! Apple Core! You're okay! Thank goodness!"

"Don't thank goodness thank Cryme, he grabbed me and got us out of the way just in time," Apple Core said.

"I wanted to come down earlier, but I saw you 2 still fighting and didn't want us to get in the middle."

"Well that's just great," Cruelty said as she could tell her end was close. "You couldn't even have stayed up in the air a little longer and let me at least believe in my somewhat victory, now that really is, cruel."

"Oh, I didn't think of it that way I'm sorry," Cryme said lowering his head as he felt pretty bad, but it was too late as Cruelty disappeared without a trace. Not even shards like Deception were left behind, which Cryme noticed when he lifted his head. "Oh you vanished, nevermind," Cryme said as he rubbed the back of his head while trying to think of something else to talk about. "Uh, nice work Miracle you beat Cruelty."

No thanks to me, Apple Core thought feeling bad about not pulling as much weight as he wanted to, but not showing it to bring down his friend's victory. Miracle then reached into his saddle bag to bring out the Element of Honesty and held it with the Element of Kindness.

"All right, 2 down 4 to go," Miracle said to himself as he used the spell once again and the triangle now bigger pointed somewhere else at last. "Thanks for all the help you gave us Cryme."

"Oh it's no big deal, I just did what I could, but, I would like to do more."

"Well now that we don't have to stay here any longer, can you show us the quickest way out?"

"Can't you just teleport us out Miracle?"

"I would Apple Core but I'm kind of tired, borderline exhausted actually from beating Cruelty."

"I know where to go just follow me okay," Cryme said. The 3 ponies took off with Apple Core carrying his friend once again. "Are you sure you want to carry him, I can do it for you it's no problem."

"Ah got him, ah live on a farm so I'm strong and have a lot of stamina," Apple Core answered. At least I'm good for something, he thought to himself still disappointed in himself. Eventually they made it back to Cryme's cottage where he grabbed a few things to put in his saddle bag. Such as some of the things he had when he came to the Undiscovered West, as well as a few things he collected when he came to it.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Miracle asked.

"I'm packing," Cryme answered.

"Packing? For what?" Apple Core asked.

"I, want to come with you guys."

"What?" They asked at the same time.

"I know it's strange to ask since we just met, but it's like I said I would like to do more. You guys are doing something dangerous, but it's for just about the most noble reason there is. I can't just stay here if I could go with you and help you out, even if it's just a little bit." Miracle then got off of Apple Core and they looked at one another for second or 2.

"Well he did help me with the manticore poison," Miracle said.

"And he is a pegasus," Apple Core added. "He can fly and maybe scout ahead or something like that."

"Yeah I could definitely do that," Cryme said.

"All right you can come," Miracle said and Cryme almost literally jumped for joy. "Grab on I think I can teleport us out of here."

"Actually do you mind if we take the scenic route?" Cryme asked.

"Um all right, I guess that's okay." The 3 ponies then left the cottage and Miracle and Apple Core both couldn't help but notice that Cryme looked back at his cottage several times. When the cottage was out of his sight Cryme focused much more on what was ahead which Apple Core and Miracle Maker liked, because he was the one leading and picked up the pace.

"I'm sorry guys, I didn't think it would take this long," Cryme said as the sun was setting.

"It's all right none of us can really tell when the sun is going to set these days," Miracle said.

"Besides, we already should be out of the Undiscovered West soon, right?" Apple Core asked.

"Oh we already left the Undiscovered West," Cryme answered. "We're in the Whitetail Woods."

"We are?" Apple Core asked as he and Miracle looked around neither one noticing they left 1 place and entered the other. "How can you tell?"

"The plant life is different."

"Was there a reason you wanted to come through here?" Miracle asked.

"Yeah," Cryme answered as he saw what he wanted to find was just up ahead and flew towards it with Apple Core and Miracle Maker not too far behind. "I wanted to see this place again." Suddenly the trio were in the middle of a completely abandon town, while several of the buildings were still standing, plants were growing all over them with several animals running around.

"Is this, is this yer home town?" Apple Core asked.

"Yeah," Cryme replied while sounding rather somber which made Apple Core and Miracle worry he would cry like crazy again. They tried to think of something that might cheer him up but were drawing a blank. "It's beautiful," Cryme said to their surprise.

"Huh?" Apple Core and Miracle asked at the same time.

"I've always wanted to work up the courage to come back here and now that I have, there's so much plant life, so much new plant life."

"Uh, look I like plants as much as the next pony, unless that next pony is you. But shouldn't you be sad about what's become of this place?" Miracle asked.

"Miracle's right, we were worried you were going to cry again, but if you want to, now's probably ah good time. Ah wouldn't like to see my home turn out like this. Nopony would."

"Don't worry about me I am sad," Cryme replied. "I've been sad for 8 years. But even though I'm sad, I won't cry because I understand."

"Understand what?" Apple Core asked.

"Everything in the forest has it's season, and not just the forest or the Undiscovered West but all over. Where one thing falls another grows, maybe not what was there before but something beautiful all the same."

"I think I understand," Miracle said as he would think more on what Cryme said later.

"It's going to be dark soon, do you 2 mind if we stay here until the sun comes back up?"

"Ah think that would be fine," Apple Core said.

"It's fine with me," Miracle said. "But first Cryme would you mind flying up and looking for our carriage. I don't want to leave it alone longer than we already have?" Cryme then flew up and spotted the carriage close by his old home just outside the woods, in fact it was conveniently right next to a trail that led right into Cryme's old town. After getting the carriage in the town just as it was getting dark the 3 settled down for some well needed rest, all in different places. Miracle went to a small house similar to his and would think about not only what Cryme said, but also how he got strong enough to beat Cruelty.

"How did I get stronger?" He asked himself. "It could have been adrenaline in the heat of the moment, no it was something else. Something pushed me to go beyond my limits, I just can't figure it out. Maybe an answer will come to me in my sleep, I hope you're all sleeping well too. Uncle Blueblood, Moondancer and her friends, the Cakes, and Apple Core's family."

Apple Core decided to stay in a barn since he's a farm pony, also with all the space in there he had plenty of room to practice fighting. "Take that and that and some this too with a whole bunch of this as well," he said to himself pretending to fight something. "Ah will pull my weight better, Ah have to. Ah refuse to be a burden to Cryme and especially Miracle."

Lastly Cryme stayed at a rather large 2 story house that he used to call home with his parents. "It's so nice to be back home," Cryme said to himself as he already got back in bed and would soon drift off to sleep.

Author's Notes:

How am I doing on this story so far? Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Laughter

After conquering the Undiscovered West and resting in the neighboring woods, the trio continued their adventure. They made their way south and had no trouble at all from the shadow ponies once again. "How much longer until we get to the next element Miracle?" Cryme asked. "But if you can't tell, I understand."

"I think we're getting pretty close," Miracle answered rather seriously as he looked out the carriage window, something he had been doing quite often recently.

"Are you all right?" Apple Core asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, I just think it's strange that we haven't run into any shadow ponies ever since we left White Tail Woods."

"Well what's wrong with wat, I mean that?" Cryme said a little embarrassed at his grammar mistake. "If we don't run into them that means we won't have to fight them."

"Well ah don't know about you Cryme, but I'm more than ready for another rumble," Apple Core said as he punched the air several times with his forelegs. "Besides we still have 4 more elements to find and if they're anything like the first 2, they're gonna have a guardian we will need to deal with."

"True," Miracle agreed.

"So the more fighting experience we get the better it'll help us prepare, who knows how tough the others are going to be," Apple Core finished.

"I really wish we could just talk things out with the guardians, and maybe even Witchcraft. But something tells me that's not going to work."

"If it would, harmony would be back already," Miracle said. "But back to what I was saying, I think it's weird that we haven't run into the shadow ponies because according to the map we're getting close to Las Pegasus. That's a rather large area, so I can't help but wonder why we haven't seen a bunch of shadow ponies." Right after he said that a sense of gloom suddenly filled the carriage. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, I need to be more hopeful."

"It's okay," Cryme said with a gentle smile. "You're just thinking out loud. I do it all the time."

"Yeah, maybe there really are shadow ponies just outside the carriage," Apple Core said. "Maybe there's even a whole bunch of them just waiting for the right moment to attack us," Apple Core finished, which once again filled the carriage with gloom.

"Let's change the subject," Miracle said. They talked about their old homes, leading Apple Core to talk about the family farm and joked about how he learned to buck before he learned to walk. That got Miracle to talk about when he was born, he learned to cast several spells before he learned to walk. Though it didn't sound like he was joking. Cryme talked about his love of plant life and how when everything is over, he'd like to go back to the Undiscovered West and explore the part of it where Cruelty was.

"Why do y'all like plants so much?" Apple Core asked. "Ah mean ah figure they’re probably how you got your cutie mark, but ah can't help but feel like there's another reason."

"I just think they're really cool," Cryme answered. "They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they don't judge you if you're different. I wasn't exactly a very popular pony in my old home, though 1 time an earth pony came along who really understood where I was coming from, granted she liked rocks not plants but still," Cryme ranted. Having spent 8 years alone with plants he has a lot to say now that he can talk to ponies again.

"Back to Cruelty Miracle," Apple Core said. "You said something about how she might have been something called, ah changeling? What exactly is ah changeling again?"

"A creature that can take the form of somepony you love and feed off of it," Miracle answered.

"Did you ever meet one before we fought Cruelty?" Apple Core asked.

"No, but I heard about them. My Uncle Blueblood told me how a changeling queen took the form of a princess to invade during a royal wedding."

"Wow that sounds intense," Cryme said.

"Yeah, but Twilight Sparkle saw right through her and put a stop to her wicked plans."

"I actually heard about that when I still lived in my old village," Cryme said. "Twilight Sparkle was quite a legend in her time wasn't she?"

"Yes she was," Miracle answered. "She didn't just defeat the changeling army, but all sorts of threats that came to Equestria."

"But, and forgive me if I missed something obvious here but, if Twilight Sparkle is so great at stopping threats and monsters how come she hasn't stopped Witchcraft?" When Cryme asked Miracle was rather silent for a moment, he knew the answer he just didn't like saying it.

"That would be nice, when I was a colt I asked my Uncle Blueblood that exact same question. He told me that she died a long time ago, I don't know how but I suspect my uncle does. Though I never questioned him about it as I could tell just telling me that she was gone made him very sad."

"Oh," Cryme said now regretting asking. "I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me for asking."

"It's alright you didn't know," Miracle said as he smiled but kind of looked like he was forcing himself to do it.

"Ah think it's time to change the subject again," Apple Core said.

"Actually if it's alright with you 2 I think I'll take a little nap," Miracle said.

"Uh it's fine with me," Cryme said. "But if we talk it might wake you up I mean I guess I could not talk and Apple Core could just talk to me, that would be easier to-" Cryme stopped himself when Miracle surrounded his seat with a bubble of silence then laid down on his seat to sleep. "Oh, that could also work, some sort of noise canceling barrier but if it is then that means you can't hear me and you can't answer me and I'm just going on and on and on again."

"It's what you do best," Apple Core said.

"Oh sorry," Cryme said.

"No, ah was just teasing."

"Oh sorry."

"No it was just ah joke, you don't need to be sorry."

"Sorry."

***

Not too long after Miracle woke up from his nap the carriage stopped just outside the city of Las Pegasus. The trio exited the carriage and were surprised or rather utterly shocked at what they saw. A city once known as a wild vacation spot for ponies all over to come and join the party, was now nothing but an utter ghost town.

Many buildings while still standing had large chunks of them broken off. Most likely from attacking shadow ponies, a once colorful part of Equestria was covered with dirt and debris with not a soul in sight. "Sheesh," Miracle said at long last, breaking the silence that started when they entered the city.

"Ah know this place just looks depressing," Apple Core said. "Kind of makes me want to head right back to the Undiscovered West."

"It's not so bad once you get used to it," Cryme said. "Granted there are quite a few things to get used to. Such as, lack of civilization, on top of the many ways to get lost in it without a map, and the dangerous creatures that live there, and the complete and utter lack of ponies of any kind." The trio then continued to travel, walking deeper and deeper into the seemingly empty city. Miracle then got out the 2 elements he acquired to once again use the locator spell to make sure they were going the right way.

"I think we're getting really close," Miracle said. "Which means we're not only getting near the next element, but also the next guardian."

"Fine with me I'm ready for another rumble," Apple Core said as he sat down for a split second to pretend to punch a guardian with his forelegs. "Plus it means that we can get out of here sooner, seriously the further and further we get in here the more depressing it looks."

"Seriously though it's not so bad," Cryme said.

"There's no pony around, there's dirt and debris everywhere, and it's ah complete and utter ghost town. Why do you keep saying it's not so bad?" Apple Core asked.

"It reminds me of home," Cryme answered.

"Oh, right, sorry," Apple Core said. "Seriously more and more depressing," Apple Core whispered to Miracle Maker who simply nodded.

"All the more reason for us to get the element and get going," Miracle whispered back and this time Apple Core nodded. "Cryme may think this place "isn't so bad" but I agree with you it's depressing, and considering the state of where we all come from that's kind of saying a lot."

"Yeah, maybe when we get all of the elements we can clean this place up," Apple Core said.

"That would be really nice of you. I would definitely appreciate that."

"Thanks," Apple Core said before he and Miracle Maker stopped in their tracks. "Uh Cryme, did your voice change?"

"No," Cryme answered, who also stopped in his tracks. "Well actually it did but that was quite a while ago and probably won't change for a long time, assuming I live that long." The trio then looked at where the voice came from.

"Hi, I'm Party Cannon."

"PARTY CANNON!" A white unicorn with a light purple and pink mane and tail yelled out. As she, like the earth pony before her, appeared out of nowhere.

"Is there an echo out here?" Party Cannon asked. "One way to find out ECHO!"

"Stop yelling Party Cannon!"

"You yelled too," Party Cannon pointed out.

"That's true," Miracle said. "You did yell." The unicorn got clearly frustrated as she grumbled while trying to make a counterpoint, but was having no luck whatsoever. As she was doing that, Apple Core slowly approached the unicorn who was calming down and noticed that Apple Core had walked behind her and was staring at her.

"Uh, excuse me. It's very rude to just stare at a lady's butt like that." After she said that she heard Party Cannon giggle to her annoyance. He was 20 but sometimes acted like he was 2. "It's not funny Party Cannon."

"Oh, but it is, HA HA HA HA HA! That wasn't even on purpose, maybe a little. I'm Party Cannon by the way," he said as offered his hoof that Miracle shook.

"I'm Miracle Maker and that's Cryme A. River."

"And I'm Apple Core and ah wasn't looking at yer butt, ah was looking at yer flank. You're cutie mark looks exactly like my sister's. Except hers was an apple."

"AN APPLE!?!"

"Yeah it's like an orange, but redder," Party Cannon said.

"They can also be green," Cryme said.

"One time when I was 10 I made an apple purple," Miracle said.

"Why did you do that?" Apple Core asked.

"I was bored. Not a whole lot to do when the nights are as long as a week."

"So wait," the unicorn asked. "You said that your sister has a cutie mark just like mine, or almost just like mine. You're Apple Bloom's little brother?"

"Yes," Apple Core answered, a little shocked. "How did you know? How could you have known?"

"I knew your sister when she and I were just fillies, we were the best of friends along with our other friend Scootaloo. We even helped each other get our cutie marks, I'm so happy to know she's still alive," the unicorn said as tears poured down her eyes. "But it's not that much of a surprise, she always was a tough earth pony wasn't she?"

"Yeah she is," Apple Core said with a smile.

"Did Apple Bloom come with you?"

"No, she's still at the farm in Ponyville," Apple Core answered.

"Ponyville," the unicorn said with a somber tone. "It's been so long since the 3 of us, oh I haven't told you my name. I'm Sweetie Belle, you're sister and I used to be the Cutie Mark Crusaders, again along with our friend Scootaloo."

"Well it sure is nice to meet you Sweetie Belle," Cryme said.

"It's nice to meet you all too," Sweetie Belle said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Miracle then got closer to Sweetie Belle, but she suddenly she used a powerful light spell that blinded the others for a few seconds before the light vanished.

"So I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and guess there was a good reason that you did that," Miracle said.

"Yeah I was just making sure," Sweetie Belle answered. "IT'S ALRIGHT EVERYPONY, THEY AREN'T SHADOW PONIES!" As Sweetie Belle yelled that out, numerous ponies came out of the rubble and half destroyed buildings.

"Uh, it seems we're not so alone here after all," Cryme said.

"Oh no there are a bunch of ponies here in Las Pegasus," Party Cannon.

"And what was that part about us not being shadow ponies?" Cryme asked.

"You mean you didn't know about shadow ponies?" Party Cannon asked.

"What no, I knew but how do you know what we already knew now?"

"Nice tongue twister," Party Cannon. "Here's one I like, oh wait I don't know any tongue twisters."

"I used that spell to make sure you 3 weren't shadow ponies in disguise," Sweetie Belle answered.

"Wait, the shadow ponies can change their forms to look like regular ponies?" Miracle asked.

"I haven't seen them do it, but I wouldn't put it past them. The shadow ponies are capable of all kinds of deadly tricks," Sweetie Belle answered.

"Like making a huge mess," Apple Core said as he pointed out the debris and rubble.

"Oh no, we did that," Sweetie Belle answered.

"What?" Cryme asked as he, Apple Core, and Miracle were quite shocked. "Why would you do that?"

"I'll explain but perhaps we should head back to my home. I don't like to be out in the open for long." The trio and Party Cannon followed Sweetie Belle home. When they arrived Sweetie Belle explained that Las Pegasus had faced many attacks against the shadow ponies, but they were never able to do much damage. Thanks to the protection that similar large cities in Equestria have used as well. Sweetie Belle stopped as she went to get the trio a few more things to eat, causing the group to worry when she hadn't returned after a few minutes.

"I'm sure she's all right," Apple Core said.

"Maybe we should go see just to be sure," Cryme said.

"Yeah that's a good idea," Miracle said as he got up and the others followed, including Party Cannon.

"I'll come too, the more the merrier," Party Cannon said. When the 4 went upstairs they saw Sweetie Belle was indeed all right. She was just sitting by a rather large mirror in the hallway looking down on her own flank.

"Are you alright Sweetie Belle?" Cryme asked.

"Yeah," she said with a somber tone. "When I went to get some food, I passed the mirror and saw my cutie mark, it reminded me of the time me and the other Crusaders all got our cutie marks at the same time."

"The same time?" Miracle asked.

"That's quite the coincidence," Apple Core said.

"Not quite," Sweetie Belle said. "It turned out our special talent was helping other ponies find their special talent."

"Oh, so that's how you were able to help me figure out my special talent and help me get my cutie mark," Party Cannon said.

"Yes Party Cannon that's how I was able to do it," Sweetie Belle answered then looked out a nearby window as if it was a portal to the past. "I remember all the great times we had together at our clubhouse. We thought of all sorts of ideas that might help us get our cutie marks. When we finally did we were so excited because it connected us in a way and we could still be crusaders, just for other ponies. We got so many other ponies that came to us for help, we had to make a day camp just to help them all, those were such happy happy times." Sweetie Belle then started to cry again or would have if Cryme didn't beat her to it.

"That's so sa-ad," Cryme said as the river of tears kept going. "I wish you could go back to the past, I wish we all could."

"Hey, hey Cryme," Party Cannon said, getting Cryme's attention as he was still crying. Party Cannon then grabbed a pie Sweetie Belle put on a tray then hit himself in the face with. "Pie face!" Seeing that Cryme stopped his river of tears and started to laugh.

"We were gonna eat that Party Cannon," Sweetie Belle said.

"We still can," Party Cannon replied as he offered it to Sweetie Belle.

"No thanks my sister," Sweetie Belle stopped for some reason. "My sister always said that a lady has to keep her figure."

"I would still like some," Cryme said. "Unless somepony else wants to eat it, I don't want to take their share."

"I'll have some too," Miracle said. "It's kind of gross but I'll take as much dessert as I can get."

"I'll wait until we get back to the family farm," Apple Core said. When the ponies sat back down after going back downstairs Sweetie Belle continued her story. While the shadow ponies weren't able to do much damage the protection wasn't going to last for long.

"What protection are you talking about exactly?" Cryme asked.

"You don't know?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused.

"Oh that's right," Miracle said. "You've been living in the Undiscovered West, you don't know about the crystals."

"Wait, he was in the Undiscovered West?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yeah and we can explain that if you want later."

"Uh yes, very much please," Sweetie Belle answered.

"So back in my village, we have these lanterns that kind of work like that spell Sweetie Belle used earlier, they keep the shadow ponies away but their power is starting to fade."

"Interesting," Apple Core. "In Ponyville it's ah little different, we have ah crystal in the mayor's office that is sort of like the Crystal Heart."

"You mean that thing that Twilight Sparkle used to defeat King Sombra and save the Crystal Empire?" Miracle asked.

"From what ah was told, yeah," Apple Core answered. "And you remember Moondancer?" Miracle nodded. "She and ah few other unicorns are always checking the crystal to make sure it's working. Every once in ah while though, ah shadow pony makes it through and they have to force it out of Ponyville."

"Oh okay," Cryme said. "So you have or had something similar?"

"Well actually we still have it, we just don't use it anymore," Sweetie Belle answered.

"Huh?" Miracle, Apple Core, and Cryme said at the same time.

"During my travels I came across quite a few places, one of which was Appleoosa, which also had a crystal protecting it. But one day the crystal's power gave out, the ponies there weren't able to do anything as the town was all but utterly destroyed by the shadow ponies. I was barely able to escape with my life and made my way here."

"And then you met me," Party Cannon said.

"Yes I did," Sweetie Belle continued. "When I got here, me as well as several unicorns started to notice that the protective crystal's power was starting to fade."

"Wait," Miracle said. "Let me guess you knew the crystal's power was going to run out and so Las Pegasus wasn't attacked by the shadow ponies. You just made it look like that so they wouldn't."

"Exactly," Sweetie Belle said, impressed that Miracle was able to figure it out.

"Nice work you won the prize," Party Cannon said.

"What prize?" Miracle asked.

"I don't know yet but you won it," Party Cannon answered.

"Uh, okay," Miracle replied, just deciding to roll with it.

"Everypony worked together to make this whole place look like the shadow ponies did indeed attack. They didn't like the idea right away but when they saw the crystal's power starting to fade, they got on it."

"How were you able to make this whole place look like it is now?" Cryme asked.

"Oh that was easy," Party Cannon answered. "a few spells here, a team or 2 to spread around the mess there."

"And since the place looks the way it does, the shadow ponies don't bother coming here at all," Miracle said to which Sweetie Belle nodded.

"Right again," Party Cannon said. "You're really earning the prize that you're going to get."

"So this is why we didn't come across any shadow ponies on our way here," Apple Core said.

"Yeah we can't really stay outside long at least in the day or use anything here that made this place so popular, but we make it work," Sweetie Belle said then saw Party Cannon finishing what was left of the pie and placing the tin on his head making her laugh a bit. "Party Cannon helps with that part."

"By the way Sweetie Belle," Miracle said. "You said that you traveled Equestria in the past, what were you doing? Were you looking for something?"

"I think that's enough stories for now," Sweetie Belle answered clearly wishing not to answer Miracle's question. "Well actually maybe 1 more, what were you doing in the Undiscovered West?"

"When my home was torn apart by the shadow ponies I traveled there because I was sure the shadow ponies wouldn't go there," Cryme answered.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Sweetie Belle said.

"It's okay I actually did like living there."

"Did you explore there?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Quite a bit actually," Cryme answered.

"Did you find anything cool?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yes actually," Cryme answered as he looked over to Miracle who knew what he wanted to do and gave him his saddle bag. "It's funny you mentioned it, because that's the reason why we came here." Cryme then pulled out the 2 elements they had which nearly made Sweetie Belle's eyes pop out of her head.

"Are those, Elements of Harmony?"

"2 of em," Apple Core answered. "And the third one is somewhere here."

"What's an Element of Harmony?" Party Cannon asked.

"Powerful artifacts that will bring harmony back after we find the other 4," Miracle answered.

"Really?" Party Cannon asked. "You'd think we'd notice something like that around here."

"I heard that they weren't destroyed, but seeing 2 of them right in front of me and knowing another is right under our muzzles, it's shocking," Sweetie Belle said.

"It is?" Party Cannon said as he looked down.

"Not quite Party Cannon," Miracle said as he used the spell making it point left. "My spell says it's that way."

"It looks like that spell of yours is pointing towards Applewood," Sweetie Belle said.

"Applewood?"

"Yeah Miracle, it's not too far away from here," Sweetie Belle answered. "It's the part of Las Pegasus where they used to make movies, but it's kind of abandoned now."

"Abandon why?" Cryme asked.

"It's kind of hard to explain," Sweetie Belle answered. "But from what I heard from the ponies that used to live there, or tried living there, there was just something about that place that was, depressing."

"What's a movie?" Miracle asked.

"Yeah ah was curious about that too," Apple Core added.

"Oh well," Sweetie Belle said before stopping as she was having trouble figuring out just how to describe it. "It's kind of like a book, but with a lot more pictures.

"I like pictures," Party Cannon said.

"Sweetie Belle," Miracle said. "Could you lead us to Applewood?"

"Well I suppose I could, but could you wait until dark? We try not to go out in daylight too much."

"Well, I guess that's okay."

"And in the meantime we can play," Party Cannon said as he got out several board games.

"What are those?" Miracle asked.

"You've never played a board game before?" Party Cannon asked.

"No, never even seen one."

"Wow, your village must have been a very miserable place," Apple Core said.

"It's kind of like that all over," Miracle replied. "That's the reason why we're doing this."

"Good point," Apple Core replied.

"So, wanna play?" Party Cannon asked. Miracle was curious how the board games worked so he decided to play. He had a little trouble understanding, but after a while took to it like a duck to water. After seeing how fun it looked Apple Core wanted to play as well. Cryme wanted in too, having remembered several of the games when he was a colt.

"Sheesh," Apple Core said as he looked at the window. "We played all of the games and the sun is still up."

"Well then I guess that means we can go over a battle plan while we wait," Miracle said.

"Ah battle plan, that sounds interesting," Apple Core said.

"You have a plan?" Cryme said. "Why didn't you mention it before?"

"I wanted to, but I kept focusing on those games and just kept forgetting," Miracle answered.

"Oh," Cryme replied. "I guess that makes sense," he added, remembering that Miracle was still just a teenager.

"So the way I figure it, we should just do what we did last time."

"Oh okay, what did we do last time?" Party Cannon asked.

"Uh, you weren't there," Apple Core said.

"Oh, right."

"As I was saying. Apple Core and I will fight the guardian while Cryme you being the wallflower that you are, will grab the element without the guardian even knowing it."

"Oh okay," Cryme said. "That is what happened last time and it worked so it makes sense for us to do that again."

"And I like ah plan where ah can kick some flank! Ah was practicing at Cryme's old home so I'm more than ready for a rumble," Apple Core said as he took a fighting stance.

"Good to know," Miracle said. "I did a little training there myself. Between the 3 of us, I don't think whatever guardian we are going to come across stands a chance."

"That's good because I'd hate to get hurt, but I'd hate for either of you to get hurt even more," Cryme said. "I probably should have said that first, sorry."

"No reason to say you're sorry," Miracle said. "I rather like that you care about us that much," Miracle replied.

"Thank you," Cryme replied as a few tears fell down which rather worried the others. "No need to be alarmed, these are tears of joy." After a little training, a nap, and a few more board games the sun finally set. And Sweetie Belle who gave each member of the trio a saddle bag was ready to take them to Applewood.

"What are these?" Apple Core asked.

"Just a few necessities," Sweetie Belle said. "Applewood is a rather large place; it could take a while to find the Element of Harmony that's there. Plus if the sun comes back up we'll need something to entertain ourselves while we wait for it to go back down."

"You don't have to worry about that," Party Cannon said as he finished packing the last few things he wanted to bring into his saddle bag. "I'm all the entertainment that you're going to need, but just in case I brought a few board games," he finished as a few of the said board games were sticking out of his saddlebag.

"Uh Party Cannon?"

"Yes Sweetie Belle?"

"Why are you packing?"

"Well I want to come too, I like these guys and want to help them out."

"Oh thanks," Cryme said. "I like you too."

"Party Cannon, it could be dangerous," Sweetie Belle said, clearly worried about what could happen to him.

"All the more reason to come, the more help the better. In fact maybe we could get everypony here to help."

"Well that would make it pretty easy to fight the guardian," Cryme said.

"True, but that's actually a bad idea," Miracle said. "If so many ponies are fighting, the guardian could jump around making them attack each other by mistake. Plus if too many ponies fight, it could attract the attention of the shadow ponies."

"Plus I don't think a lot of the ponies here are really fighters," Sweetie Belle said.

"Oh," Party Cannon said. "Can I still come?"

"I don't think you should, but it's not like I can tell you what to do."

"True," Party Cannon agreed.

"Well whoever is coming or not let's get going already," Miracle said, starting to get rather impatient. "We're burning daylight, or nightlight, whatever, let's just get going."

"Yeah let's get going," Apple Core agreed. "I'm ready to rumble."

"I'm not," Cryme said. "But I still want to help."

"It's time for Party!" Party Cannon said which rather confused the others. "I was thinking of making a catchphrase for myself. What do you think?"

"I like it," Miracle said.

"Me too, kinda catchy," Apple Core added.

"I get it, it's a play on its party time and you have the word party in your name. So it's kind of like you're introducing yourself. That's pretty clever."

"Ah thank you," Party Cannon said as he blushed.

***

Sweetie Belle led the way and they made their way right into Applewood. Miracle was close to Sweetie Belle nearly side by side using his spell to show where they needed to get to.

"Are we there yet?" Apple Core asked.

"We're almost there," Sweetie Belle answered. "Which means we'll be running into this "guardian" you've mentioned."

"No problem," Apple Core said.

"I’m sure we can handle whatever happens," Cryme said.

"We'll find the element and bring back harmony!" Party Cannon sang once again surprising the group, except for Sweetie Belle.

"He likes to sing," Sweetie Belle said. "Not entire songs, just a sentence or 2."

"Yeah," Party Cannon added. "I know it's not really a normal thing, but I like to do it." Suddenly Miracle jumped on top of a rather big boulder getting the other pony's attention.

"I will fight in the name of Twilight Sparkle, and everything she believed." Miracle sang and then jumped down. "That's a little something I'm working on but I couldn't get past that. But maybe that's not so bad."

"Yeah it's not that long, but it gets the point across," Party Cannon said.

"I suppose just because something is short doesn't mean it can't be memorable," Miracle said.

"Exactly," Party Cannon said as he put a foreleg around Miracle's neck. "You really get me Miracle. And that's not something I say very often."

"I don't doubt that," Apple Core whispered to Sweetie Belle who giggled a little bit.

"Yeah I can relate," Cryme said. "I have trouble meeting ponies that get me too, oh wait you were making a joke weren't you?"

"Jokes? You were telling a joke. I love jokes." Party Cannon said. "Can I hear it?"

"Here we are," Sweetie Belle said.

"I don't get it," Party Cannon said.

"I mean we've arrived in Applewood, so the Element of Harmony you're looking for should be close," Sweetie Belle finished.

"Yeah real close," Miracle said as he was still using his spell. The group then made their way through Applewood and couldn't help but notice quite a few abandoned movie sets, such as one for a Daring Do adaptation. Something Miracle figured out right away as he read every book in the franchise. Another thing the group noticed is that the entire place had a strange cold fog that seemed to somewhat wrap around the area.

"That fog isn't normal," Cryme said.

"Do you think it might be a problem?" Apple Core said.

"I don't know, I just have a really bad feeling. It’s like all my happiness gets sucked in when I get near that."

“I remember this fog,” Party Cannon said.

“You do?” Miracle asked.

“Yeah, I lived here when I was young. It was a rather sad place to live in when Witchcraft came along, but I was even sadder when we moved. I loved being around places where they make movies, I even helped out a little bit. It made me feel like I was jumping to different worlds. I feel so nostalgic being back after all these years.”

"I got a feeling too, or more like an intuition." Miracle then jumped to the top of a nearby building and was quite surprised at what he saw. "Everypony get up here." The others came up and saw that the fog was seemingly crawling all over the place and was all coming from 1 spot. "It's like some sort of fog nexus."

"Do you think a cloud fell down and it's stuck there or something?" Party Cannon asked.

"That's not quite how clouds work," Cryme said. "But who knows you might be right, this is just weird."

"Miracle do you kind of want to go over there and see just what the hay that thing is?" Apple Core asked.

"Yes I do," Miracle answered. "Mostly because according to my spell that's exactly where the next element is."

"Of course it is," Cryme said as his bad feeling got worse.

"Well we won't get it by standing here," Miracle said as he made a magical bridge that would lead the group to the fog nexus.

"Uh Miracle?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Couldn't you just teleport us all over there or something?"

"Yeah, but where's the fun in that?"

"Fun? Are you kidding me?! This bridge of your's is bright, what if the shadow ponies see?"

"What if the sky lights on fire and your muzzle falls off?" Miracle asked. "I get you don't want to be spotted, Sweetie Belle but you can't let fear make your choices for you. If I did that I never would have left my village. Just because we're on a mission to save Equestria doesn't mean we can't have fun along the way."

"I really like your brother," Party Cannon said to Apple Core.

"Ah like him too, but he's not my brother."

"He's not? Weird I'm usually good at guessing that, well I'm not spot on, but I can still tell there's some sort of connection with you 2."

"You can?" Apple Core asked as the group came right next to the fog nexus. "Questions for later." The group made their way down and Cryme couldn't help but chitter his teeth.

"Uh you know Cryme, if you're scared you can just stay here for a minute."

"T-Thank you M-Miracle, but no. I'm scared but I said I wanted to help you and Apple Core and I can't do it if I stay behind."

"Thank you Cryme." Miracle said as he admired his decision.

"So what are we looking for again?" Party Cannon asked.

"An Element of Harmony," Miracle answered.

"Right, but what do they look like?"

"So far they all seem to look different," Miracle once again answered. "But they're small and crystal like."

"Like that?" Party Cannon said as he pointed to a small crystal balloon.

"That's exactly it, good eye Party Cannon," Miracle said when suddenly parts of the fog took form and out came a mysterious creature. "Heads up everypony."

"What are you?" Party Cannon asked.

"In another life I was a great and mighty conqueror known as the Storm King, but now I am Depression, a being cursed to guard the Element of Laughter."

"What are you?" Party Cannon asked to everypony's surprise as well as Depression.

"I literally just told you," Depression answered, annoyed he had to repeat himself.

"No you said who you are not what."

"Actually he's right," Cryme pointed out. "He's not a pony and he's not whatever Cruelty was."

"A changeling," Miracle answered.

"Right, that. So what is he?"

"I'm honestly not sure," Miracle answered. "Maybe some sort of Simian. He kinda looks like an albino monkey."

"Because everypony loves a call back," Party Cannon said out of nowhere.

"What?" Miracle asked.

"No idea why I said that."

"WILL YOU ALL STOP ACTING LIKE I'M NOT EVEN HERE!" Depression yelled out.

"Oh sorry," Cryme said.

"Don't say you're sorry to the albino monkey, he's a bad guy," Miracle said.

"I'M NOT AN ALBINO MONKEY!"

"Well Apple Core what do you think he, Apple Core?" Miracle looked around for his friend. When suddenly Depression was bucked through a wall because during the conversation, Apple Core took advantage of it by making his way over to Depression who dropped his guard.

"Found him," Party Cannon said.

"Yeah that's what you get! Did you all see that?" Apple Core said feeling really good about himself, when suddenly Depression came out of the hole.

"Sneaky little colt, I should probably be upset, but honestly I admire a dirty sneak attack like that."

"Oh you like dirty?" Apple Core asked as he lowered his head and beat his hoof at the ground aggressively. "I was born and raised on ah farm, I'll show you dirty!"

"Wow that was a great line," Miracle said who had winked to Cryme who understood why right away.

"Yeah I was just about to say just that," Party Cannon said. Apple Core charged at Depression who grabbed him by the sides of his stomach. He was about to throw him, but Apple Core jumped up escaping his grip then stomped on his head before jumping right behind him. Apple Core was about to buck him again when suddenly the mist wrapped around him lifting him up and stopping him in his place.

"You aren't the only one who can fight dirty," Depression said as he pummeled Apple Core, or at least he would have if Miracle hadn't made a magical wall appear between the 2 of them.

"Sorry you aren't hurting my best friend, Sweetie Belle, get Apple Core free," Miracle said.

"Uh okay I can do that but can't you do that?"

"No, it's my turn to pound the guardian."

"Epic," Party Cannon said. Sweetie Belle cut the fog with magic beams getting Apple Core down while Miracle blasted at Depression forcing him back. Depression tried to use the fog to help him but Miracle pushed that back as well.

"So you can control fog, that's a new one for a guardian."

"Oh yeah, you mentioned something about fighting other guardians."

"Not just fought them, I've defeated 2 guardians and you're going to be number 3."

"Cocky, I like that. Perhaps if I had followers like you, I wouldn't have gotten myself in this situation. Honestly it wasn't bad enough that I died, now I'm stuck here."

"Did he just say died?" Cryme asked who was flying up in the air above Depression who looked up to see where his voice was coming from.

"Oh trying to attack me from above huh?"

"No I was just stealing your element," Cryme answered which caused Depression to look over to where the Element of Laughter used to be. "I probably shouldn't have said that, me and my big mouth." Depression then turned some of the fog into a large claw to grab Cryme. It would have, but then suddenly Party Cannon attacked it with what else, a party cannon.

"What the?" Depression said when suddenly the fog claw was hit more by the cannon and fell apart.

"And there's plenty more where that came from!" Party Cannon said as he fired it right at Depression.

"What the heck is that?!" Depression asked.

"That's one of his party cannons," Sweetie Belle answered.

"Where was he keeping it?" Apple Core asked.

"I have no idea, trust me with him it's just best not to ask questions." Party Cannon then fired more at Depression who got more and more angry with every shot.

"I'm gonna break you, but first I'm gonna break that annoying cannon!" Depression then summoned another claw from the fog but bigger. He then made several more just as big to attack the others. "Divide and pummel." The claws then attacked the group Sweetie Belle summoned a force field that protected her and Apple Core while Cryme flew away and Miracle blasted a beam right through the claw that attacked him. But Party Cannon along with his name sake were punched at the same time and then knocked to the ground.

"Ah gosh," Party Cannon said as he got himself back up, but barely. "I've heard of thick fog but this is just ridiculous." Miracle couldn't help but laugh at Party Cannon's comment.

"That was a good one," Miracle said as he made his way over to Party Cannon while laughing quite a bit.

"Thanks, that just came to me right now if you can believe it." Depression and a few more claws he made charged at Miracle but he blasted all of them away.

"I believe it, how's your cannon?" Party Cannon tried to pick it up but the wheels broke off and the cannon fell.

"It took an even worse hit than I did, don't worry I have plenty more where that came from."

"Seriously where did it come from?" Apple Core asked while still in the force field with Sweetie Belle as it started to crack.

"I know somecreature else that's going to take a worse hit." Miracle then charged up his horn and blasted away the fog claws saving Depression for last. He was knocked to the ground and saw that Sweetie Belle removed the force field allowing Apple Core to jump and stomped on Depression once again.

"Was that worse enough for you?" Apple Core said filled with pride.

"Not quite, but we're getting there," Miracle answered.

"Yeah I feel like we're doing pretty good," Cryme said as he flew down to Apple Core and Sweetie Belle to see if they were all right. Depression then formed monsters from the fog taking the shapes of storm creatures. Cryme picked up Apple Core when half a dozen or so of the creatures tried to attack him. Cryme dropped Apple Core next to Miracle while Sweetie Belle teleported to the other side so the whole group would be together.

"All right Miracle you take the fog monsters on the left, I'll take the ones on the right," Apple Core said.

"No," Miracle said, rather surprising Apple Core. "If we beat them, Depression will just make more. It'll just be a waste of energy."

"That's right," Depression said as he slowly approached with the fog monsters close behind. "It's why you can't win. You can defeat my constructs, but I'll just make more again and again. Eventually you'll all get tired and not be able to put up any sort of fight, and that's where the true hopelessness will sink in."

"Or we could just defeat you," Miracle said, being one of 2 ponies in the group who didn't let what Depression said make them start to feel like the situation was hopeless. "If we beat you, then you can't make the fog monsters anymore," Miracle finished and snapped the others out of their recent mind sets.

"Huh?" Depression asked before Miracle blasted him through the fog and a wall.

"Wow, look how far he went," Cryme said.

"I'm not out of this fight yet you ponies!" Depression said as he got back up and came through the fog ready for a fight. But as he was about to charge at the group, Party Cannon blasted him with 3 more of his namesakes.

"I told you there was plenty more where that came from!" Party Cannon said who was the other pony that didn't give in to Depression's mind games. Party Cannon then blasted Depression some more and Miracle joined him. "We will never surrender," Party Cannon sang as he kept firing.

"For I will fight in the name of Twilight Sparkle, and everything she believed," Miracle sang as well and dealt Depression rather painful spells. He tried to use the fog to block them, but they just went through.

"For there is nothing that we fear," Sweetie Belle sang as well. She along with Apple Core and Cryme were inspired by Miracle and Party Cannon to join in and also hit Depression with a rather powerful spell dead on. Apple Core then told Cryme to pick him up once again and drop him on Depression to give him another good stomp. After getting it he tried to entangle them all with tentacles made out of the fog, but Miracle and Sweetie Belle pushed them back with magic walls.

"Hey everypony I got an idea," Miracle called out. "Surround him!" Everypony decided to do just that and the group formed a star shape.

"Now what?" Party Cannon asked.

"Attack him!"

"Works for me!" Apple Core said. Miracle and Sweetie Belle fired spells while Party Cannon fired his 3 name sakes like crazy. Apple Core got in close and dealt some hard bucks and punches and Cryme used his wings to keep the fog away from the others. Before long Depression collapsed to the ground.

"Wow he's really taking a beating," Party Cannon said.

"It's just as I figured," Miracle said. "It's your weakness isn't it, if you're getting attacked from all around you can't focus on using the fog can you?"

"Powerful and smart, forget minion you would have made a great second in command. But I won’t lose to you!" Depression then jumped up and used the fog to catch him forming a giant version of himself with the fog’s entirety. The fog giant then formed a fist and threw it right at Miracle.

“Yes you will!” Miracle then charged up his horn and fired the strongest beam he could which broke through not just the fist, but the whole arm. Since it was still firing from his horn Miracle moved his stance to redirect the beam to hit Depression dead on. The fog giant faded away causing Depression to fall and hit the ground. “Maybe Sweetie Belle had a point about teleporting,” Miracle said as he fell to the ground tired from his last attack.

"Time to finish him off," Apple Core said as he jumped on Depression and bucked him through a wall once again. Depression crawled out but the group saw cracks starting to form on his body.

"Wow, ironic," Depression said as he finished crawling through the hole. "I cleared out this whole place only to get defeated by the next few ponies that came here."

"What are you talking about?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"When I became a guardian I got the power to control the fog, for some reason the fog could also make the ponies as miserable as I feel for having gotten this fate. I used it to spread the sadness as far as I could, driving the ponies away so I could be all alone. That way they'd never come here and try to take the element. Honestly, I did much better than I thought I would, I made everypony here leave." Depression had a bit more to say but stopped when he heard Party Cannon laughing.

"You want to know something funny?" Party Cannon asked. "I was one of the ponies that left this place when I was young, but that was what motivated me to work so hard to look on the bright side of things and smile. I saw how miserable everypony was and wanted to help others do that as well. All of your sadness taught me how to smile." When Party Cannon finished, Depression started to laugh.

"You know what?" Depression asked as he continued to laugh. "That actually is, pretty funny." And with that Depression vanished.

"All right!" Apple Core said as he jumped up. "We defeated another guardian!" And this time I really helped out, Apple Core thought to himself feeling so proud that he finally pulled his weight. Cryme then shot out the rivers of tears.

"We did it! We did it! I was so scared! But we did it!" Cryme then flew over to Miracle Maker and holding out the element of Laughter.

"Hey Cryme," Party Cannon said. "Can I see that for a minute?"

Uh okay," Cryme said as he gave it to Party Cannon who then presented Miracle with the Element of Laughter. Miracle was more than happy to put in his saddle bag. "Here you go Miracle, it's the prize that I said you earned even though I didn't know what it was at first but now I do and gave it to you."

"And now we're halfway to a complete set, I think anyway. I can't remember how many there are, ever since I met you seeing these little things was the first time I ever saw them," Cryme said.

"Yeah we're halfway there," Miracle answered as he was getting his energy back from his victory.

"Well why stop here?" Apple Core said filled with testosterone. "Let's get on to the next one, I'm ready for another fight!" Apple Core then started to flex his muscles a bit which got the others to laugh.

"Well let's not be too eager to fight," Cryme said.

"Oh come on, I'm ready to fight a whole bunch of shadow ponies!" Apple Core said.

"Oh really?" An eerie voice echoed, catching the attention of the entire group. They turned around to see a dozen or so shadow ponies flying around or on roofs.

"Quite a band of misfits we have here," another shadow pony said.

"Begs the question, what are you doing here?" A third shadow pony asked.

"What are we doing here?" Party Cannon asked. "What are you doing here? There's nothing left to destroy here, well actually there's still a lot, but it's abandoned so what's the point?"

"If it's abandoned, why are you here?"

"Yes, why?"

"Why are you here?!" Party Cannon asked.

"They must have seen the fog giant," Miracle answered.

"Yes," a shadow pony answered with a voice more eerie than the others, so much in fact it sent a chill down the spines of the group. "Now what are you doing here? If this place is abandoned, why come?"

"Can you talk differently?" Cryme asked. "No offense, but your voice is really creeping me out."

"That's the point," the shadow pony answered as he flew straight over to Cryme who looked like he was going to have a heart attack. He most likely would have if Miracle hadn't lit up his horn for a light spell. That spell made the shadow pony cry out in pain and fall back. He was so focused on the shadow pony he didn't see a look of rage that appeared on Cryme's face for a split second.

"Thanks," Cryme said, who saw Miracle fall to the ground so he went over to help him stand up again.

"You're welcome," Miracle said while breathing heavily and Cryme still had a hoof over his back to help him stand. "But I need time to recharge, fighting Depression took a lot out of me."

"Yeah that'll happen," Party Cannon said.

"Meddlesome ponies," the shadow pony Miracle forced back who looked like he was still in pain said. Suddenly they all began to swarm around the group.

"RUN!" Apple Core said as he went under Miracle and stood up in order to carry him. The others followed close behind him as the shadow ponies took off after them and soon got on their tails.

"Sweetie Belle! Do you know any more light spells?" Apple Core asked as they kept running.

"1 or 2," Sweetie Belle answered, trying not to look back. "But it's not strong enough for all of them." Suddenly Sweetie Belle's face lit up. "But I know something that can." Sweetie Belle then teleported away.

"Where did she go?" Miracle asked who got some strength back, but still not enough to stand up and use his magic.

"Hard to say, you know mares," Party Cannon answered. "Always teleporting for no apparent reason to do Celestia knows what."

"Who knows what?" Miracle asked.

"I'm not sure, it's an old saying." Before long the group made it to where they started, back into Las Pegasus.

"Uh guys, I don't mean to be rude and interrupt or anything but do we have a plan or some form of a plan or anything that could be a plan," Cryme said as he kept looking back and forth between the others and the shadow ponies still hot on their tails. "Because I don't think running or in my case flying is going to help us out."

"If I could just rest a spell I could use my magic to fight back." Miracle then turned his head to Party Cannon who was laughing a bit. "What's so funny?"

"Rest a spell," Party Cannon answered before laughing again and Miracle even joined in a bit.

"That wasn't even on purpose, well maybe a little," Miracle replied before falling off Apple Core when he was knocked from the side by a shadow pony. Suddenly the group was surrounded by them as they not only circled them but flew over and around them showing just how many there were. "This is not good, this is really not good."

"We gotta do something," Apple Core said.

"I was thinking of pleading for mercy, but that's probably not going to help," Cryme said.

"Where are the others?" One of the shadow ponies asked.

"What are you talking about?" Apple Core asked.

"There must be others, a group this small wouldn't be here all alone."

"Why, are we not enough fun?!" Miracle asked.

"I should be enough fun," Party Cannon said.

"Haven't you done enough damage and hurt enough ponies?" Miracle continued. "How miserable does everypony have to be until it's enough." Suddenly the shadow ponies started to swirl around the group looking rather mad.

"Uh okay seriously we need a plan," Cryme said clearly sounding like he was on the verge of panicking, but was trying not to.

"I have a plan, we can hide somewhere special to me," Party Cannon said, but before he could put it into action Sweetie Belle reappeared holding up a crystal.

"This will take care of you shadow ponies!" Sweetie Belle said, but when she tried to get the crystal to work nothing happened. Causing her to panic as she tried to shake it and lightly tap it, but that didn't help either.

"It seems your secret weapon has failed, like you ponies have failed." Another shadow pony said as they got closer.

"No we haven't failed!" Miracle said as he struggled to stand, but had the willpower to stay up. He then used his magic to grab the crystal and held it up tight. "We're just getting started, you shadow ponies have been running things long enough! My name is Miracle Maker and I'm going to bring back harmony or I'm going to die trying, because," Miracle then cleared his throat while still trying to stay up. His friends then came to him as they saw how much he was in trouble. "I will fight in the name of Twilight Sparkle, and everything she believed!" Miracle sang and suddenly the crystal glowed a pure light that alarmed all of the shadow ponies.

"What's happening?" Cryme asked. "Something good I hope." Suddenly the light from the crystal spread out all around the group and expanded. The shadow ponies were all pushed back and driven away by the crystal light vanishing into the night. With that Miracle collapsed to the ground nearly blacking out.

"ALL RIGHT MIRACLE!" Party Cannon yelled as he pulled Sweetie Belle into a kiss which surprised her to say the least. The others cheered as well and made sure that Miracle was all right. He was okay but exhausted they lifted him up and carried him back to Sweetie Belle's house.

***

Miracle practically blacked out when they got to the house and when he woke up in Sweetie Belle's bed it was day. After resting Miracle got all his energy back and made his way downstairs where Cryme and Apple Core were. After having some breakfast Miracle wanted to get his stuff into the cart, but Cryme and Apple Core already did.

"I'm already ready for the next part of this adventure," Apple Core said.

"And I just want to go, I'm afraid those shadow ponies are gonna come back."

"After what I did I doubt we're going to see them again," Miracle said.

"Maybe, but I don't want to take any chances," Cryme said and when the trio headed outside a lot of other ponies agreed. They ran into Sweetie Belle who was helping quite a few ponies getting ready to move, but were waiting until night to do it.

"With that guardian defeated there's a lot more room and a lot more places to hide, those shadow ponies might come back and we want to spread out. That'll make it harder for the shadow ponies to find us if they come back."

"Speaking of which," Miracle said as he got into the cart and pulled out the crystal. "Here you can have this back." Miracle then extended his hoof to Sweetie Belle who simply pushed it back to him.

"No, it's okay. You can keep it. If you manage to find all the elements and defeat Witchcraft, we won't have much of a need will we?"

"Oh thank you," Miracle said. "And don't worry, harmony will be back before you know it." Miracle then made his way to the cart, but stopped all of a sudden. "Hey where's Party Cannon?"

"Honestly I have no idea, I thought he might be with you. Or at the very least show up to see you off. He does this quite a bit, he disappears and I don't see him for Celestia knows how long?"

"Who?"

"Long story, tell you what when you finish your adventure come back here and I'll tell you all about her."

"Sounds good to me," Miracle then surprised Sweetie Belle with a hug that she returned and Miracle joined his friends in the cart. The cart took off as Sweetie Belle waved goodbye when suddenly something else caught her attention, several pieces of snow that somehow made their way to Las Pegasus. As she looked up she just barely made out what appeared to be a massive storm cloud far off in the same direction that the cart was going.

"Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Twilight. Wherever you are, look after Miracle and his friends, a storm is coming.”

Generosity

Not too long after leaving Las Pegasus, the trio made their way to an abandoned rock farm. They decided to stay for a little while to get some rest and search for a few supplies.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Apple Core said. "How the heck does a rock farm even work? Ah mean," Apple Core asked. "Ah just have so many questions. How do they even make money?"

"What do you mean?" Cryme asked.

"Well ah grew up on an apple farm, there it's kind of ah no brainer, we sell apples and stuff you make with apples. What the heck would they sell, rocks? Why would anypony want to buy a rock?"

"Pet rocks?" Miracle answered.

"You gotta be kidding," Apple Core said.

"Actually I think he's onto something," Cryme said. "That pony I told you I met who had a thing for rocks, well actually it was more like a passion, had a pet rock named Boulder. I always assumed that was some sort of joke."

"Find any food Miracle?" Apple Core asked.

"Aside from the ones covered in moss, not much. We really should have asked some of the ponies in Las Pegasus for some more supplies."

"Well maybe the next element will also be around a large populated area and we can get a ton to eat there," Cryme said.

“Well until getting there, we should rest," Miracle said. "Besides I have a feeling after what happened in Las Pegasus the shadow ponies will be on the hunt for us."

"They did look kind of mad as they were forced entirely out of Las Pegasus," Cryme said.

"Ah don’t like this place, but at least it’s a good place to hide. Who would look for us here?" Apple Core said. After that they went to the bedrooms to settle down.

"Wow, cool! Bunk Beds!" Miracle said when he saw them. "I call top bunk!"

"Wait ah wanted-" Apple Core tried to say but Miracle teleported to the top bunk before he could finish.

"Sorry I can't hear you, I'm asleep," Miracle said, laying down and pretending to snore. Apple Core wanted to be a little mad at Miracle, but he rather enjoyed the playful rivalry.

"I'll get ya next time," Apple Core said with a smirk.

***

When they woke up the sun was up and the trio felt like they had slept for a whole week, and for all they knew, they had.

"I know we just woke up, but are you ready to hit the road?" Miracle asked after putting canned food he found in the carriage.

"Fine with me," Apple Core. "The sooner the better if you ask me."

"I don't like to complain or insult or criticize, but I'm not too fond of this place either. Little too few plants for my tastes," Cryme rambled. The trio then entered the carriage and as it left Miracle got out the crystal he got from Sweetie Belle.

“What did you get that out for?” Cryme asked.

“Ever since I did what I did in Las Pegasus I’ve been trying to figure out just how I did what I did.”

“I was kind of wondering that too,” Cryme said. “But I hardly know anything about magic or spells so I can’t help.”

“Ah wouldn’t worry too much about it,” Apple Core said. “If you figured out how to use it once, you can do it again.” Before long the trio spotted a rather large town. They decided to stop to look for food. When they arrived they saw that it was a ghost town, much like Las Pegasus, but much more in ruin. Hardly anything standing leaving little to no place for a pony to hide.

"Wow, the shadow ponies sure tore this place up," Apple Core said.

"Yeah, they never seem to get tired of doing that," Cryme said as he couldn't help but think of his old home. Miracle made his way over to the outskirts of the town. The others followed him and saw an entire orchard of apple trees.

"Wow," Apple Core said, amazed. "Those are apple trees. What ah wouldn't give for a nice juicy apple right about now."

"Well maybe we can find a few, let's go check it out," Miracle said.

"Hey Miracle I'll race you!" Apple Core said before running down the orchard. Miracle was hot on his tail. Cryme decided to take the short cut by flying and met them down by the trees.

"Beat yah," Cryme said when the colts came down neck and neck.

"Ah no fair you used your wings," Apple Core said. "Ah had him eating mah dust."

"HA! In your dreams!"

"Well either way, that race worked up an appetite. So now ah really hope ah find some fresh apples."

"I found them," Cryme said.

"Really?" Miracle asked. "Where?"

"All over, the town may be deserted, but these trees have been taken care of quite well."

"Are you sure Cryme?"

"Trust me Miracle, I know my plants."

"So is this place abandoned or not?" Apple Core asked.

"Yes and no," a voice said from behind the group. They turned around and to their surprise saw a large orange female buffalo. "Greetings, my name is Little Strongheart," she said as she picked half a dozen apples. "Would you like some apples?"

"You're darn tootin!" Apple Core said as he ate 3 of them as quick as a flash to the surprise of the others. "What?" Apple Core asked when he turned to his friends. "Ah told y’all ah was hungry."

"Could I have something to eat too please?" Miracle asked.

"Certainly," Little Strongheart answered. "But before that please allow me to take you to Chief Thunderhooves." The trio then made their way out of the orchard into the desert where the buffalo roamed. There they were treated to not only apples, but apple pie and some mushy stuff in a bowl that Miracle found quite delicious.

"Wow this is good, seriously Apple Core you got to try this mushy stuff," Miracle said as he started licking the bowl for the tiny remains.

"No thanks, I'm saving the room I have left for more apple pie," Apple Core replied. Cryme helped himself to a few other apple based foods as Chief Thunderhooves approached them.

"Chief Thunderhooves I presume," Miracle said.

"Yes, which brings the question, what are you ponies doing way out here?" Chief Thunderhooves asked. Miracle then showed the chief the 3 Elements of Harmony before putting them back in his saddle bag.

"My friends and I are looking for the Elements of Harmony. Powerful magical artifacts that can defeat Witchcraft so harmony can return to Equestria once again.” Hearing Miracle's answer caused quite a bit of muttering among the buffalo.

"I see. You have chosen quite the tall order. Do you really think you can accomplish something so massive?"

"Somepony has to stop all this suffering. I lived in a small village all my life, always being told never to leave because of the shadow ponies. When I finally left I saw and heard about the damage they’ve done, the damage Witchcraft did. I hate Witchcraft and I haven't even met the guy, that says quite a lot.”

“He’s actually quite gifted,” Cryme said. “He defeated an entire army of shadow ponies all by himself.” Hearing that quite shocked the buffalo who couldn’t believe their ears.

“It’s true, ah was there when it happened,” Apple Core.

“Though because of that I imagine they’re on the lookout for us,” Miracle said. “And we still have a long way to go, I think the next element might be way up north.”

"I see, you were wise to come to the remains of Appleloosa then, the shadow ponies wouldn't think to look for those they wish to destroy at a place they already destroyed. To find what you seek while avoiding the watchful eyes of the shadow ponies, follow the train tracks on the outskirts of Appleloosa. There you can follow them through Dodge Junction into Hayseed Swamp. The swamp will have a trail that will lead you right through it and bring you that much closer to what you seek, with the shadow ponies being none the wiser."

"Wow, just like that?" Miracle asked.

"Just like that," Chief Thunderhooves replied.

"Sweet! Thanks," Miracle said as he jumped up with excitement.

***

After getting a little more to eat the buffalo led the group to the train tracks and saw them off on their journey to return harmony to a land that truly needed it.

"Chief Thunderhooves," Little Strongheart said. "Why were you quick to show them where to go? They could be heading to real danger."

"I know," the chief answered. "But there's just something about that colt. What he said and the passion behind it. I think that colt was born under a special star. Besides," the chief continued as he looked up to the sky. "I've been seeing the winds of change slowly blowing, perhaps that colt can make them into a mighty storm."

"Hey Apple Core," Miracle said as he looked at the map in the carriage.

"Yeah."

"We're pretty close to Ponyville, if you want, we could stop there real quick and resupply. You could even see your family, I bet they'd be really happy to see you."

"They would, but no thanks," Apple Core replied.

"No?" Miracle said. "I thought you'd welcome a chance to see your home and family again."

"Ah would love to see them again," Apple Core said. "But if ah did they'd probably force me to stay in Ponyville, that would make leaving again even harder."

"I guess he was a point," Cryme said. "But if you have a counterpoint I'm sure it's good too."

"No, I understand," Miracle said. Soon the carriage made its way to Dodge Junction. Which also hardly had anything left standing. "Another town wiped off the map from the shadow ponies," Miracle Maker said after a sigh.

"And not a drop or a crump to be found," Apple Core said. "Let's just head into the swamp, this place is depressing.”

"I think that's a great idea," Cryme said. "I always feel much better when I'm surrounded by nature, the desert doesn't do much for me." The trio made their way into the swamp as the sun was setting and came across an abandoned village within the bayou.

"You gotta be kidding me," Miracle said as he looked around the village for any sign of life. But aside from some flash bees Miracle had no luck. After that he decided to look at the map and use the spell to figure out where to go next. "Okay so going by the map and the spell the next element will either be in Baltimare, Fillydelphia, or Manehatten."

"Uh Miracle," Cryme said. "Before we head out can we stay here for a little bit? That way we can rest up and we'll be ready to search all 3 of those areas. Also, I really really want to stay here for a little longer."

"I'll have to ask Apple Core but I guess we could use a break, we are going from one end of Equestria to the other."

"Oh thanks Miracle," Cryme said as he couldn't help but literally jump for joy. "I'm gonna go watch plants grow."

"Are, are you kidding?" Miracle asked.

"No, of course not," Cryme said as he walked off. Miracle then went to find Apple Core who was okay with the idea of staying there the night.

"If we wait until day it'll be easier to go wherever we need to," Apple Core added.

"True, I really owe Moondancer for making that carriage for me. I hope she's okay."

"I'm sure she's as fine as apple pie," Apple Core said as he approached his friend. "Be honest, you wanted to go back to Ponyville too, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Miracle answered. "I've only known them for a little bit, but I really care about them. I only had my Uncle Blueblood to raise me, I never really had a family, or a big one anyway. Do you think the way I feel about them is similar to members of my own family?"

"Ah think that's more than ah safe bet, when you first came to the farm it felt like you were part of the family already."

"Thank you," Miracle said as he pulled Apple Core into a hug that he more than happily returned.

"No problem, listen I'm gonna explore this place ah little bit. You wanna come?"

"No thanks, I'm gonna turn in."

"All right then, goodnight," Apple Core said before he walked off to explore.

Miracle found a bed that hadn't yet been too torn up by the passage of time and settled in. While the bed was still intact, the house was another story. Half of it was gone and it had a rather large hole on the ceiling, but that allowed him to look out into the night sky.

"Twilight Sparkle, are you watching over me right now?" Miracle said to himself as he looked out into the stars. "This is turning out to be quite the adventure, but it's only half over and the toughest challenges might still be ahead. But no matter what I won't fail, I'll get all the elements and use them to bring harmony back. I'm going to be just like you, Twilight Sparkle."

***

Morning came once again and the group headed to Baltimare. "Yet another place nearly wiped off the map," Miracle said as they entered the city.

"Ah know," Apple Core agreed. "Ah can't believe all the ruin and destruction we've seen."

"I know," Cryme also agreed. "This is just getting depressing." Apple Core and Miracle stood back a bit expecting rivers of tears, but nothing happened. "What?" Cryme asked when he noticed his friends were backing up for some reason. Before long the trio headed for Fillydelphia after finding nothing.

"You know, the funny thing is, well not funny ha ha but strange funny," Cryme said. "I always wanted to visit this place someday, I guess today was the someday that I thought for the longest time would never come."

"Why did you want to visit here?" Apple Core asked.

"Fillydelphia had a community of dragons that actually lived right next to the ponies," Cryme answered.

"Wow, that's actually really cool," Miracle said. "Fun fact, Twilight Sparkle had a pet dragon. Well he wasn't really a pet he was a, well I'm not quite sure."

"I always wanted to see how the 2 races got along so well. I wasn't all that curious but I was still a little curious. It's kind of like seeing how a rose and violet would grow right next to each other in a pot. Sheesh I'm actually missing the Undiscovered West. Is that weird?"

"Well you were there for a long time," Miracle answered. "It's hard to leave someplace that you called home for so long," Miracle suddenly paused. "Or all your life."

"Miracle," Cryme said as he approached Miracle putting his hoof on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," Miracle said as he raised his head. "I'm just homesick."

"I really know how that feels," Cryme answered as he pulled the young unicorn into a hug and Apple Core jumped right in. Miracle was still feeling rather bad, but Apple Core and Cryme helped melt away some of the sorrow.

"Thank you, I first planned to go out and find the Elements of Harmony all on my own. But I'm really glad that I have ponies to join me along the way."

"No problem, Miracle ah got yer back no matter what," Apple Core said.

"I feel the same," Cryme said. "I really wanted to join you 2. Maybe I was just looking for an excuse to finally leave, but you and Apple Core, I know we haven't known each other long, but you guys are like family to me."

"Wow, that means a lot Cryme." Miracle then returned the hug causing more of the sorrow to be washed away.

"Ah actually feel the same way about both of y’all."

"It's no problem, just how I feel inside. And I've always been really good with my feelings, I mean when it isn't anger, or some form of malice, which I don't think I've ever felt, but I imagine it's a lot like anger.”

“All right, enough of this,” Miracle said, breaking the hug. “We have an element to find.”

"Yeah and ah guardian to pound!" Apple Core said as he stomped the ground pretending it was the head of a guardian.

"Though what are the odds that we can convince the next guardian to just hoof it over peacefully?"

"Judging from the way the previous guardians behaved, slim," Miracle answered.

"Rats," Cryme said as he kicked the ground, but then placed the dirt back where it was. After that they looked around but once again the spell continued to point in the same direction, north. So the trio headed for Manehatten.

"All right, Manehatten, here we come!" Apple Core said. "We've hit a lot of dead ends, but it's going to be there for sure."

"Unless it's even further north and out in the wilderness somewhere," Cryme said. "Not that I'm trying to be negative or anything, but that's a possibility." As he said that Miracle thought perhaps the next element would be in his village somewhere. His old home wasn't all that far away from Manehatten and he thought that it would be nice to see his uncle again. But alas the arrow finally turned pointing towards the other way, to the large city of Manehatten.

So Miracle's reunion with his uncle would have to wait.

***

"Wow the city of Manehatten," Cryme said as they entered the city. "This place had quite the reputation in the good old days. I always wanted to visit here too."

"I've heard about this place too," Apple Core said as he recalled his family mentioning it here and there. "Ah just hope that this place isn't like the others."

"Yeah," Miracle agreed. "Though if there's no ponies here, then nopony is gonna get mad if I pick up what's left of the buildings and throw them at the guardian.”

"You could probably also throw this carriage at him for a really mean punch," Cryme said.

"I suppose, but we kind of need the carriage," Miracle said.

"Yeah that's true," Cryme agreed. As they made it further into the city they spotted numerous ponies who were quite shocked to see a carriage moving on its own.

Then the trio was surprised when several of the wheels were blasted off by a spell forcing Miracle to do a rather uncomfortable stop to prevent a crash.

"Come out of that ghost carriage thing you shadow ponies!" A pony from outside yelled.

"Wait," another pony called out. "We don't know that there are shadow ponies inside that thing."

"Oh please," the first pony said. "What else could be in there?" Miracle then decided to kick open the door and jumped out rather shocking the ponies around the carriage.

"Does that answer your question?" Miracle asked rather boldly. "So far this is the least friendly place we've been to." After that Apple Core and Cryme came out of the carriage as well.

"So I know I've been in the wild for almost a decade but, is attacking a carriage out of nowhere a new form of greeting or something?" Cryme asked.

"More like they're sending a request for us to kick some flank," Apple Core said as he stomped his front legs ready for a fight. Several of the unicorns panicked and fired spells straight at the trio, but Miracle summoned a barrier that blocked the spells easily.

"My turn," Miracle said as he lowered the barrier and fired a barrage of counterattack spells, each one taking down the unicorns that attacked. Earth ponies and pegasi attacked next, but Apple Core gave anypony that got too close a nice hard buck. Cryme simply flew away from the ones that went after him, and they were so focused on him; none of them saw Miracle or Apple Core coming their way. Before long the trio had dealt with all the attacking ponies.

"Well looks like we took care of these guys," Apple Core said after the defeated ponies were piled up on top of one another. "These guys were hardly even ah warm up."

"How the tartarus could this have happened," one of the ponies said as he looked at Apple Core, who was the one that beat him. "You're so young, how did you get so strong?"

"Ah grew up on ah farm," Apple Core answered.

"What's all the noise going on?" A pony asked in an accent the trio didn’t recognize.

"My oh me oh my. It seems we have some new faces here, My name is Picture Perfect."

"Do you want to fight too?!" Apple Core asked as he bent down as if he was ready to pounce. Doing this rather shocked Picture Perfect, as well as Cryme and Miracle. It seemed Apple Core had a bit more aggression to get out of his system.

"Uh, certainly not. Why in the wide world of Equestria would you think that I-" Picture Perfect stopped all of a sudden when he saw the ponies that Apple Core and Miracle had beaten up and let out a huff. "Let me guess you were walking minding your own business and this lot attacked you out of nowhere."

"You got most of it down," Miracle answered. "They attacked and broke our carriage.”

"Well listen, I think I can help repair that carriage of yours. Why don't you take it back to my place? Of course that's going to be a little trouble getting something so big all the way to-" Miracle cut the unicorn off when he lifted the entire carriage all by himself with just his magic.

"Okay that's impressive," one of the unicorns he defeated said.

"Yes, it most certainly is," Picture Perfect said.

***

After dropping off the carriage Miracle had to sit down because it was quite the haul that he did all at once. Picture Perfect who saw this invited him in to lay on his couch. "Thank you for inviting us in," Miracle said while breathing rather heavily.

"It's no problem, though you could have paced yourself," Picture Perfect replied.

"Yeah," Miracle said. "I guess I wanted the carriage to get fixed as soon as possible. By the way something I forgot to ask this earlier, why is your voice different?"

"Yeah I kind of wondered about that," Cryme said. "You have some sort of accent like Apple Core, but it's not like his, it's more, I don't know what."

"I was born in Trottingham, it’s located in the Griffish Isles east of Equestria," Picture Perfect answered as he approached the couch that Miracle was on and offered him a cold soda. "It's not too far away from here actually, just across the sea."

"Thank you," Miracle said. He drank the soda and could feel his energy slowly returning, he liked the flavor too. "This is delicious."

"It's no problem my dear colt, and you're welcome," Picture Perfect answered. "I myself don't care much for the flavor but the colors are wonder and blend together. Like putting a rainbow in my fridge."

"So Trottingham is on an isle?" Apple Core asked. "What's an isle?"

"It's kind of like an island, I haven't been home in so long. I wonder if it's okay."

"Well if it's not so far away why don't you just go visit?" Cryme asked.

"Several ponies have tried, but whenever somepony tries to go there they get attacked by the Umbrum."

"The what?" Miracle asked as he sat up feeling better.

"The shadow ponies," Picture Perfect answered. After Picture Perfect answered that there was a knock at his door cutting him off from going into further detail. "Come in," Picture Perfect said and suddenly a red blur bursted into the house.

"I thought that might have been you," Picture Perfect said.

"Did you get it all ready?" The young pegasus asked.

"No hello High Red? Honestly you're 14 isn't it about time that you grew some manners?"

"I'm in a hurry. Can you please just hoof it over." Picture Perfect let out a huff then lifted a small basket filled with supplies and floated it over to High Red. High Red then took the basket and flew off before the others could even say anything.

"Who was that?" Apple Core asked.

"That was High Red, he's sort of the delivery colt around here. Always going back and forth, getting ponies the things they need so they'll be ready for when the Umbrum come back."

"What do you mean?" Cryme asked.

"Oh that's right you're new here. Manehatten struggles to stay active and aware because the Umbrum are on the offensive quite a bit. I was first brought here on my sixth birthday, it was only to be for a little while but then Witchcraft took over Equestria. The shadow ponies started running free all over the place. Manehatten however, has stood its ground ever since that day and the Umbrum don't like that one bit."

"Wow, that's amazing," Miracle said.

"Yes it is, oh my, in all the excitement I didn't ask any of you your names. I'm so sorry."

"It's all right, I'm Miracle Maker and this is Apple Core and Cryme A. River."

"Howdy."

"Please to make your acquaintance."

"I feel the same. Anywho, Manehatten has stood its ground ever since Witchcraft took over. Ponies from all over came here for safety. I imagine that's why you 3 came here as well."

"Not quite," Miracle answered as he stood up from the couch. "We're-" Miracle was cut off when a loud cough came from the upstairs of Picture Perfect's house.

"Oh dear, sounds like he needs help, and my medicine. Listen, you're more than welcome to stay here in the guest rooms on your left. You're probably exhausted from your trip and after that I'll get my tools and help you repair your carriage. Which has an incredible design by the way." Picture Perfect then grabbed a few things with his horn floating them up in the air and went upstairs making the items follow him.

"Uh okay," Miracle said.

"I actually am rather tired," Cryme said. "I mean not as tired as you Miracle but still rather tired." The 3 then headed to where Picture said the guest rooms would be. Much like the rock farm the trio found bunk beds one on each side of the room.

"All right bunk beds!" Apple Core said and before Miracle could do anything Apple Core jumped right onto the top bunk and got comfy right away.

"That's some lightning fast reflexes right there," Miracle said after laughing a bit. His way of congratulating Apple Core for his victory.

"It's really amazing how you 2 can find happiness in such dark times over such little things," Cryme said to Miracle as well as to Apple Core. He was pretty sure he was still awake.

"Wow Cryme that was rather deep," Miracle said, rather heartwarmed. "Thank you."

"Oh it's no problem, just speaking my mind. A habit I developed a long time ago."

***

After getting some rest Picture Perfect led Miracle, Cryme, and Apple Core on the project to repair the damages done to the carriage in the garage. "Wow, I thought it would take a while to get this done, but I think we can finish this in no time," Miracle said as he was working on one corner of the carriage while the others had the other corners covered.

"Yeah, I usually get stuff finished in no time at all," Picture Perfect said. "My talents are in clothing and putting great colors together to make something beautiful, but my overall talent is putting things together in general."

"Well that's lucky for us," Apple Core said.

"Thank you again for allowing us to stay in your guest room," Cryme said.

"It's quite alright, but you don't have to keep thanking me. You've already done it 10 times."

"Oh, I lost count after 5."

"Well either way we should hurry up and finish this carriage of yours," Picture Perfect said as he finished repairing his corner and made it over to Miracle's corner. "I'm expecting company."

"Who?"

"High Red, he says he just comes here for the supplies, but I can tell that he likes to come for the company as well."

"Was he born in Manehatten or Trottingham like you, probably Manehatten because he doesn't really have an accent like you?"

"Actually Cryme, we aren't really sure," Picture answered. "One day I found him wandering around the street and helped him out. I don't think he ever really had a home, so many ponies here are suffering in one way or another. I want to help them out, it's hard work for just 1 pony, but I do what I can.

"Well at least y’all help each other, kind of like ah big family," Apple Core said. But saying that made quite the somber aura appear around Picture Perfect.

"At first it was like that, all of Manehatten united to fight against the Umbrum. But as the attacks on Manehatten came more and more, little by little the morale faded away."

“Doesn’t Manehatten have a crystal to help keep the shadow ponies away?” Cryme asked.

“Yeah, but it broke.”

"What do you mean?" Miracle asked.

"One day it just stopped working and it just made things worse. So many ponies became so obsessed with making sure the Umbrum never got in, that it became more or less the only thing that they cared about. Some always try to stay on the lookout, rarely pausing to eat or sleep. Others like the ones you ran into get so gung ho and tense that they attack anything out of the ordinary. Ponies here used to be so close, but the constant need to keep the Umbrum away has divided us and stopped the entire city from having the great unity that it had."

Unity? Miracle thought as he looked into his bag and stared at the crystal for a bit.

"Wow, that's really sad."

"I agree with Party Cannon-" Miracle then stopped out of sheer shock. "Party Cannon?!"

"Hi Miracle."

"What are you doing here?!"

"And what are you doing in my house?" Picture Perfect asked.

"But could you answer Miracle’s question first, I'm more curious about that, because it's a lot harder to figure out," Cryme said.

"Well after the whole thing with the guardian and the shadow ponies I wanted to join you on your adventure. So I went home to get a few of my things but by the time I came back, you were gone."

"So wait did ya follow us all the way from Las Pegasus to here?" Apple Core asked.

"What?" Picture Perfect asked.

"It wasn't easy," Party Cannon answered. "I lost your trail somewhere in the desert, but luckily these nice buffaloes told me where you were going. So I followed the train tracks and here I am."

"Well that's quite a riveting tale," Picture Perfect said, who like the others were quite surprised by Party's answer. "So that just leaves the question of what are you doing in my house?"

"I let him in," High Red answered as he came into the garage.

"Yeah your son let me in," Party Cannon added which nearly made High Red drop his jaw to the floor.

"I AM NOT, HE'S NOT, WE AREN'T RELATED!" High Red screamed to hide his embarrassment. After that Party Cannon and High Red helped with the last few repairs to the carriage, the former because he wanted to help and the latter because he's always ready to help Picture Perfect.

"So you lot came all the way from Las Pegasus?" High Red asked after they finished repairing the cart.

"Yes," Picture added, completely understanding how High Red feels. "Manehatten must have gotten quite the reputation for you to come all the way from the other side of Equestria."

"Actually that wasn't the reason why we came here," Miracle answered to the surprise of Picture Perfect and High Red. Miracle then got into his saddle bag and showed them the Elements of Harmony he had.

"My gosh, such gorgeous craftsmanship," Picture said amazed. "What are these?"

"Elements of Harmony," Apple Core answered, once again surprising the others.

"No way," High Red said. "They were destroyed by Witchcraft when he took over Equestria. Right?"

"You came here because there's another element here as well," Picture Perfect said, putting the pieces together.

"Yes," Cryme answered. "And when we get it we'll be that much closer to bringing back harmony."

"Bringing back harmony?" High Red repeated. He was a young colt at the age of 14, he never knew what a great land Equestria was before the shadow ponies. Now he learned a part of the solution had been right under his muzzle the whole time.

It was quite the shock to say the least.

***

Not too long after that the 6 ponies made their way to the next Element of Harmony. Picture Perfect came along because he wanted to see if the element here was as beautiful as the others. High Red came along because he knew just about every shortcut in Manehatten and could get them to where they wanted as fast as possible. "Judging by your spell Miracle, the Element of Harmony should be somewhere around the statue just outside of Manehatten,” Picture said. “All though it might be rather difficult."

"How come?" Apple Core asked.

"The ponies near there are so gung ho, they make the ones who attacked this carriage look laid back," Picture answered.

"That might be a problem," Apple Core said.

"Don't worry," High Red said as he was flying just outside the carriage. "The ponies there know me quite well. They shouldn't attack as long as I'm around."

"Well if not we can show them a thing or 2," Apple Core said ready for a fight.

"Yeah like all of my party cannons," Party Cannon added.

"Right," Apple Core said, deciding to let that go as the group made it to the edge of Manehatten. Miracle then used his magic to lift the whole carriage and carry it to the island which caught the attention of quite a few ponies. When there Miracle let out a huff.

"Something tells me I'm gonna be using a lot of magic today," Miracle said once again having no idea how right he was.

"Your magic is really impressive," Picture Perfect said. "Especially for somepony so young, I'm impressed Miracle."

"Thanks, but I'm not so young I'm gonna be 17 real soon." The group then exited the carriage and located the element at the front of the statue.

"Well this was too easy," High Red said.

"Trust me it's not," Cryme said and almost as if on cue a centaur appeared. "Yeah, there it is."

"I am Greed, the guardian of the Element of Generosity, I must admit that-" Greed was cut off when Apple Core made his way over to him and bucked him right in the chin. Making him flip over as a result.

"Yeah! That's what you get!"

"What the? Apple Core what are you doing?" Miracle asked.

"Kicking Flank!" He answered with gusto.

"I like this stallion," High Red said as he flew in and gave Greed a few painful hits from his forelegs as he was trying to stand back up.

"Well if it means getting the element faster, fine with me," Miracle said. "Gang way!" Apple Core and High Red then cleared the way and Miracle shot a powerful beam of magic straight at Greed. But Greed opened his mouth and managed to shallow the whole thing and somehow grew. "What the?!"

"How did he do that?" Party Cannon asked.

"My my," Greed said as he managed to get back up and admired his new muscles. Apple Core tried to attack but Greed used a back punch and knocked him to the ground. "Quite a power boost from just 1 attack, you have power for one so young."

"That again? Seriously I'm not that young," Miracle said, kind of offended this time.

"I see, then perhaps I'm just better at taking magic from you ponies. Speaking of which." Greed then faced Apple Core but before he could take his magic, Miracle teleported Apple Core to his side.

"Thanks," Apple Core said as he got up.

“No problem.”

"But what do we do about this guy?" High Red asked.

"He's somehow able to absorb magic," Picture Perfect said. "Fighting him is going to be a problem."

"Not if we all stick together," Miracle said.

"Right," Party Cannon said as he figured out Miracle's plan. "If he tries to take the magic from one of us, the others can stop him."

"Right!" Miracle said. The others got together ready to fight when suddenly a dozen other ponies from the mainland arrived on the island.

"What in Equestria are you doing here?" One of the ponies asked. "You're making a racket."

"He's right," another pony said. "If you don't stop, the shadow ponies might hear you."

"Can we talk about this later we're in the middle of-"

"Don't you talk back to your elders young colt," another pony interrupted, annoying Miracle as that was getting real old. "Now whatever's going on, knock it off. We're on the lookout for the shadow ponies and we don't need any reason for them to come here more than usual."

"Yeah we push ourselves to our limit unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies alike to make sure we're always at our prime in case of a fight," a third pony said.

"Prime you say?" Greed asked and before the ponies that arrived could turn Greed stole all their magic. They all fell to the ground and Greed's size increased dramatically.

"Oh that is so not good," Party Cannon said.

"Now that's more like it," Greed said as he walked over to the water to admire himself a little bit. "From the look of things I've absorbed enough magic to grow into my "third form" as he put it."

"He?" Cryme asked.

"Now, where were we?" Greed then fired a blast from between his horns but Miracle was able to block it with a shield that covered his entire group.

"You'll have to do better than that," Miracle said.

"Don't worry I will." Greed then fired another beam and this time a few cracks appeared on the barrier, but it was still able to endure.

"That is truly some impressive magic you have, I can't wait to gobble it all up."

"What does it taste like?" Party Cannon asked.

"What?" Greed asked, confused.

"What does magic taste like?" Party Cannon rephrased.

"You know I was actually kind of wondering about that too," Cryme said.

"Well, it's not, it doesn't, I'm eating raw energy it doesn't have a flavor."

"Oh I was kind of thinking maybe it tasted like chocolate, so that way you get bigger and stronger and it tastes good too."

"Well it doesn't, do you mind I'm in the middle of something here?"

"Well it's not like I'm stopping you," Party Cannon replied.

"No I suppose not, and I doubt you can stop me from doing this." Greed then used his magic to break off the head of the statue and forced it down. Miracle thought quickly and blasted the head breaking it into pieces and catching them in midair. "Impressive, but now you won't be able to stop me from taking your-" Greed was cut off when Miracle forced all the other pieces to come together hitting Greed at the same time all over. The impact of which caused him to fall.

"Nice work Miracle!" Apple Core said proud of his friend. Greed then suddenly stood up engulfed with rage.

"Now I'm mad!"

"Hi mad, I'm Party Cannon." Greed then fired at Party Cannon who dodged it. Greed then tried to blast the others but they managed to avoid his blasts as well, the other ponies who got their magic taken however, could barely move. So Miracle's group had to get them out of the way.

This isn't going to work, Miracle thought to himself while carrying several ponies with his magic. We can't fight Greed with all these ponies who can't even stand. We gotta do something. Miracle then ran around some more trying to think of a way for him to defeat Greed, until suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Miracle?" Apple Core said who noticed his friend stopping. Then suddenly he and all the others were surrounded by Miracle's magic and were pulled towards him.

"We'll call this a draw Greed, but next time you're going down," Miracle said after bringing everypony around him.

"What?" Greed asked then suddenly Miracle teleported everypony away.

***

Miracle teleported everypony off of the island and put the ponies that lost their magic in the carriage thanks to a shrink spell. Miracle then got the carriage to head off to hopefully find a place where the ponies who lost their magic could recover. Picture and Party entered the carriage and sat inside the carriage to make sure the dozen ponies were all right, or at least as all right as they could be. Cryme and High Red flew above opposite sides of the carriage while Apple Core and Miracle Maker rode on the top of the carriage.

"Are you okay?" Apple Core asked as he noticed that Miracle was rather out of breath.

"I'm fine, I just need a minute."

"You did have to do quite a lot," Apple Core said as he looked back at the island. "We never had to run away from a guardian before."

"Yeah. But once we drop off these ponies, we're gonna put a plan in action to stop that centaur."

"Now that's what ah like to hear." Soon the group got the dozen ponies to a rather large hospital Picture said was nearby where Miracle undid the shrink spell.

"Thank you," one of the ponies said as he became his regular size again.

"No problem," Miracle said as he and the others were helping them into the hospital.

"I have to say," a female earth pony said. "You're really talented for one so young." Hearing that made Miracle close his eyes and huff out of frustration.

Let it go, Miracle, you have enough on your plate already.

"Okay so explain it all to me again," a doctor said when the dozen ponies were all brought in.

"Miracle is trying to find the Elements of Harmony to bring back harmony but they each have a guardian and the one here has the power to steal magic right out of ponies and he did that to these ponies resulting in him becoming bigger and stronger and Miracle decided we should get all of them out of danger before we defeat the guardian so we brought them all here," Party Cannon explained.

"Ri-ght," the doctor said. "I'll just see what I can do." As the doctor looked over all of his new patients Miracle tried to put a plan into action.

"Okay so we're going to need a definite strategy before we go back to fighting Greed."

"I have a, well it's not a strategy but it's an idea," Cryme said. "Why don't we just go to the next guardian?"

"What?" Miracle asked, confused. "We can't just leave, we still need to get the-" Cryme stopped Miracle mid-sentence when he showed a purple gem.

"I grabbed it when Greed wasn't looking." Cryme was then surprised as Party Cannon wrapped around him.

"Way to go Cryme!"

Oh thank you Party Cannon, it was no problem. But now I'm having a little trouble breathing." Hearing that Party Cannon let go of Cryme. "Thank you."

"But putting that aside," Picture Perfect said. "That centaur could still be quite the problem, especially if he eats more magic."

"But he said he was the guardian of that," High Red said. "Maybe taking it away from him destroys the guardians somehow." Suddenly the very ground started to shake and just as they put the pieces together a large red arm broke the front doors of the hospital.

"Pretty clever, managing to take the element from under my nose," Greed said. "But Witchcraft was one step ahead of you, he connected us to the elements. If you take it far away I'll know, no matter where you take it I will always know where it is." Greed then prepared to attack, but thinking quickly Miracle fired a blast of his own that hit Greed who was so caught off guard he fell again. Miracle then grabbed the element and gave it to High Red.

"No time to explain! Fly around Manehatten and meet us back at Picture's house!" High Red nodded his head and flew off just as Greed stood back up.

"You want this element? Come and get it," High Red said while flying off and Greed chased after him as Miracle ran outside.

"Follow me!" Miracle called out and the others did just that, following him into the carriage that would go back to Picture's house.

"So what's the plan?" Party Cannon said.

"What little of a plan I had we just did," Miracle answered. "I'm not sure when High Red is gonna be back so we need to think of a way to defeat Greed as soon as possible."

"If only those other ponies didn't get in the way we would have defeated him by now," Apple Core said.

"True," Picture agreed. "Between you, Red, and Miracle attacking him that might have been enough before, but now we might need to get a couple more ponies to help us out."

"Oh I'm sure we can still take him," Party Cannon said.

"What makes you say that, not that I think you're wrong or anything, I just don't get how you can say that."

"I don't get how I can say that either really Cryme, I just have this feeling when we're together we can do anything."

"Together?" Miracle said as he reached into his saddle bag and got out the crystal Sweetie Belle gave him.

"Is something wrong, Miracle?" Cryme asked.

"I think I may have an idea, but we should think up a couple other backup plans. Any ideas?"

"We could ask him to give up really nicely," Cryme said which resulted in the others staring at him rather strangely. "I'm just spitballing."

***

High Red while young was quite a talented and experienced flier. But no matter how fast he flew or how far Greed never lost sight of him. Red made his way back to Picture’s house and left Greed out in the dust in the process. "Almost did a sonic rainboom," High Red said as he flew off. Having made his way back he saw the others just outside. Red High landed right next to them and gave the Element of Harmony he had back to Miracle. "I believe this belongs to you."

"Thanks," Miracle said as he grabbed the element and put it into his saddle bag. "But it's not mine just yet, I gotta earn it. We gotta earn it."

"I don't suppose he just gave up?" Cryme asked.

"Okay seriously, there's a difference between being optimistic and being delusional," Picture Perfect said.

"I'm sorry. I know we have to fight but I'm just not the fighting type, all this guardian business makes me wish I was, but I'm not. I wish I could help more but I don't, it makes me so sad sometimes." Hearing that Miracle and Apple Core once again expected Cryme's tears to shoot out, only to be once again surprised that he didn't.

"What?" Cryme said once again.

"Well he may not be a fighter by nature, but ya seem to be toughening up a bit," Apple Core said as he laughed and Miracle joined in.

"What's so funny?" Cryme asked.

"Apparently you," Party Cannon answered. After that the ground started to shake again and Greed made his way towards the house.

"So I see you decided to finally stop flying away."

"Uh, is it me or did he get bigger?" Party Cannon asked.

"Oh right, I forgot to say this earlier. As he was chasing me around he stole more magic from other ponies that tried to help, or just got in the way."

"That's all right," Miracle said as he got the crystal out. "If you want to make up for it, touch this and tell me what you love."

"What?"

"Trust me, I love following in the footsteps of the great Twilight Sparkle," Miracle said as the others joined in touching the crystal.

"Ah love working on ma family farm and making delicious apple pie."

"I love plants and the fact that I actually have ponies to talk to again and that we're so close, not to mention-"

"I love laughing and being able to make others laugh. Sorry for interrupting Cryme."

"It's okay I love that you said you were sorry."

"What the heck are these stupid ponies even talking about?" Greed asked so distracted that he didn't notice how the crystal was lighting up.

"I love fashion and putting things together and pretty much everything beautiful." Seeing Picture doing it High Red shrugged and did the same.

"I love flying and being fast and being fast while flying," High Red said and as he finished the crystal glowed even more before it released a magical energy bubble that quickly made contact with Greed and caused him to shrink down quite a bit.

"It worked, he shrunk!" Apple Core said.

"And it gave him a haircut too," Party Cannon said.

"Which honestly is an improvement, that beard was not doing much for him," Picture Perfect said.

"That and he'll be easier to defeat," High Red said.

"Oh right that too."

"I don't know what's going on but let's blast him again," High Red said.

"I don't think so." Greed said as he blasted the ground causing a bit of an explosion and the group to scatter.

"Where's the crystal?" Miracle said as he got up and looked around. But wouldn't have much time as Greed approached them.

"So much for your little plan," Greed said in a rather cocky tone and a smile to match.

"Oh we're not too worried," Miracle said, which made Greed's smile disappear. "What? You thought that risky gambit was our only plan, we made backups." Suddenly Greed was bombarded by party supplies of all things as Party Cannon got out 3 of his namesakes.

"You think you can beat me with useless trinkets?"

"Well if they do manage to beat you then they aren't useless are they?" As Greed was rather stumped by Party's question Cryme placed a rather large cloud around Greed.

"What the? I can't see." Greed was then suddenly blasted by Party's cannons again along with spells from Miracle and Picture and even direct assaults from High Red, who kept flying in and out of the cloud. Apple Core even helped out as he bucked Greed's legs which combined with the spells forced him down yet again.

“Ugh, I am so sick of falling down,” Greed said.

"Nice work Cryme, now try to find the crystal," Miracle said as he cast more spells.

"Will do." As Cryme tried to find the crystal the others kept up their attack, but only until Greed forced the cloud away and the others away as well.

"That actually was a decent plan," Greed said as he approached Miracle. "If I was weaker, it might have worked. But now you're only going to make taking your magic all the more better."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to cut it you foolish colt."

"I wasn't saying sorry to you," Miracle said, who lit up his horn. Before Greed arrived, Miracle placed the carriage on top of a nearby hotel with his magic, he pushed it off and made extra sure it landed right on Greed's head. "I'm sorry Moondancer."

"Wow that had to hurt even him," Picture Perfect said seeing how hard the carriage hit Greed who fell to the ground once again. "It really was a shame though, that carriage had such a wonderful design and attention to detail. Funtional and fashionable." Greed fought the urge to pass out as he tried to get back up but the group with the exception of Cryme continued their attack.

"Miracle I found it," Cryme said with joy as he flew over to Miracle. But before he could reach him Greed forced himself up and pushed the group back with his magic forcing him to drop the crystal. In the confusion Greed trapped the group in bubbles.

"Finally!" Greed said as he made his way over to the bubble Miracle was in. Thinking quickly, Miracle broke the bubble with sheer magical energy alone.

"You're not the only one who can make explosions," Miracle said as he landed on his feet. Miracle then picked up the crystal Cryme dropped but Greed raised the bubbles.

"Good luck using that without your friends. Who by the way were the only reason you've lasted this long."

"I'm not ashamed to ask for help when I need it, especially when it comes to beating up guardians. But you look so beat up, I could probably beat you all by myself now."

"Don't underestimate me colt, I'm more powerful than you could ever hope to be."

"Only because you stole magic from others! And don't call me a colt. I mean seriously I'm getting so sick of that."

"Well too bad because you are, let me guess you want the Elements of Harmony because you want to use them to defeat Witchcraft."

"Yeah, of course."

"He led the attack on Canterlot. The princesses couldn't stop him and they were alicorns. What makes you think you can stop him?"

"Because I promised when I was younger that one day I would bring harmony back because that's what Twilight Sparkle would do. And I'm not giving up after coming this far, especially with all the new friends I made that are counting on me." Suddenly Greed burst into laughter once again not noticing the crystal lighting up.

"You really are a colt," Greed said while still laughing. "You promised?"

"Yes. I PROMISED!" Miracle screamed at the top of his lungs as suddenly the crystal glowed much more than it did last time. Miracle then focused the magic coming from the crystal straight at Greed creating a beam that caused him to shrink much more than last time. He didn't revert back to his original form as he still had some muscle left, but he lost enough magic for the bubbles to touch the ground and pop.

"Now's our chance he's weakened!" Apple Core said who charged right at him and bucked him so hard he flew into the air for a bit and High Red hit him with his forelegs 2 dozen times before he hit the ground. Party Cannon blasted him point blank, Picture used a binding spell to stun him, and Cryme, slapped him.

"Uh take that," Cryme said. Miracle then lifted Greed up in the air until he was right above him but making sure his face was facing away from him.

"You want my magic so bad? HERE HAVE IT!" Miracle screamed once again then blasted Greed point blank with nearly all of the magic he had. He then dropped Greed to the ground who had cracks spreading and was finally back to his original form. "Looks like you finally reached your limit."

"Yes, even I have to admit defeat, I can't even stand up. You may have won now, but your adventure is far from over. Even if you manage to find the other elements, they all have guardians. All ready for a-"

"Way ahead of you," Miracle interrupted as he used what little magic he had left to show the elements he already collected.

"You already have 4, It seems I underestimated you," Greed said as the cracks spread. "Tell you what, since you won I'll reward you with some useful information." Greed then used the last of his energy to point to a mountain range beyond the sea. "When Witchcraft made us into guardians he sealed us within the elements before scattering them. I was the last to be scattered, the guardian you've yet to face is located beyond those mountains, but she's a real handful."

"Well if she's anything like the rest of you, I think we'll manage. I may have started this adventure as a colt, but I'm going to finish it as a stallion." After that Greed disappeared and Miracle sat down to get his energy back.

"Are you okay Miracle?" Cryme asked as he and the others made their way towards him. “Would you like to rest, or a snack, or to rest while having a snack?"

“I’m fine,” he said as he got the elements back in the bag. "Only 2 left to find."

"That was quite an attack," Red said.

"Yeah, I just hope it doesn't attract the shadow ponies like in Las Pegasus," Cryme said.

"We don't have to worry about that," Miracle said. " Because we're gonna throw a party."

***

Picture Perfect led the way to where the crystal for Manehatten was at Miracle’s request, who got to work setting up a party with his secret weapon, Party Cannon. Other ponies noticed in no time and wanted to know what was going on. "Why explain when you can just have fun?" Miracle asked as he made several firework spells that caught ponies attention while Party Cannon passed out some cake and streamers.

"Are you trying to fix the crystal somehow?" High Red asked.

"No, because it’s not broken. Manehattan is broken. The ponies here try so hard to fight off the Umbrum, it stopped them from living their lives. At first I didn't get how I made the crystal work, but I figured it out when I realized I didn't, we made it work."

"We did?"

"Yes we did Party Cannon, our bond with each other, the things we love or value. The crystal reacts to it."

"He's right," Picture said. "Manehattan used to be so close, we can be like that again." Soon the ponies joined in on the party and before they knew it, the crystal lit up like never before. Surrounding all of Manehatten in a protective bubble.

"The bubble is back!" Multiple ponies said who couldn't believe what they were seeing. The ponies were so grateful that they picked up Miracle and tossed him up in the air several times.

"What a mysterious power he has," Cryme said.

"I know that magic is quite something," Party Cannon said.

"No not that, it is impressive though. Miracle, there's something about him that makes you believe in him and support him in whatever way you can."

"Yeah," Picture Perfect said. As the party continued Miracle got to know quite a few of the ponies partying. Including the ones that gave him a not so warm welcome.

"Listen Miracle right? We're sorry for attacking your carriage for no reason, is there something we can do to make it up to you?"

"Well that depends, can you make a boat?"

***

As it turned out the ponies he asked actually were quite good at building things, such as a boat. Picture Perfect as well as the others would help make it too, but for now Miracle was helping gather lumber outside of Manehatten. While they were outside of Manehatten Picture assured the others, mostly Cryme, that they had nothing to worry about.

"Trust me," Picture said. "I've done this more times than I can count. As long as we’re extra sure that the coast is clear we have nothing to worry about."

"And once we have enough wood, we can take to the sea," Apple Core said.

"Speaking of that," Picture Perfect. "Before we left I checked a map of mine and saw that my old home is on the way to those mountains. Do you think it would be okay if I came with you?"

"Okay," Miracle answered.

"I know it's a lot to ask out of nowhere but, did you say okay?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Really really, you helped us so much when we got here. A lift is the least we can give you."

"Oh, thank you," Picture said gratefully.

"I wanna come too," High Red said. "This is something that comes across once in a lifetime, no way I'm gonna miss out."

"The more the merrier," Party Cannon said. "It'll be like a big family road trip."

"Well let's not go that far," Red said.

"If you want to come too, that's fine," Miracle said. "You really helped us out too." As the group got the lumber, Miracle made his way to the edge of the forest and saw an all too familiar village. It was quite tempting to travel all the way down there, but what Apple Core said before coming to Manehatten came to mind. So Miracle found a rather large plank of wood and used his horn to carve a message on it before teleporting it all the way to the village along with something a certain crystal.

***

In the village lived Blueblood, once a prince who spent his days carefree in Canterlot, now a simple parental figure. But ever since Miracle left he lost the one thing he had left that he cared about. "Double Diamond have you seen-"

"No Blueblood, I haven't seen any sign of Miracle Maker, I'm sorry."

"It's, it's, I'm gonna go sit down," Blueblood said as he did just that.

"Poor stallion," Double Diamond said before going to see what he could do about the lanterns around the village. Ponies were starting to panic as the light in them was on the verge of going out.

Blueblood sat down in front of his house and found himself sulking in despair. But just as the despair was really starting to sink in, a plank of wood appeared in front of his house. Blueblood was surprised but what he saw written on it warmed his heart.

Don't worry Uncle Blueblood, I'll be home soon.

Author's Notes:

So just so you're all caught up there are 6 members now, you probably saw this coming a new main 6. I thought it might be interesting if they were different ages instead in the same general range like on the show.
High Red-14
Apple Core-16
Miracle Maker-16 (few months or moons older)
Party Cannon-20
Picture Perfect-22
Cryme A. River-24
So how am I doing with the story so far? I'm really passionate about this story and I would appreciate any and all comments.

Loyalty

“We should have it finished by tomorrow,” Party Cannon said when he showed the others the boat. “Or whenever the sun comes back up.”

“I don’t know, it looks fine to me,” Miracle said. “Can’t we just patch it up a bit and get going?”

“We're not going anywhere until every detail is complete,” Picture said. “You can’t rush Picture’s perfection. That’s sort of my catchphrase.”

“Nice,” Party Cannon said. “I’m still trying to figure out what my catchphrase is.” The group did a work on the boat, along with quite a few other ponies that came to help.

“Before we head out y’all, this is Babs Seed. She’s my cousin.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Babs, who was one of the ponies that came to help said, as she blew on her mane a little bit. “Thanks a bunch for the whole thing with the barrier.”

“No problem,” Miracle said.

“We’re gonna join the party for ah little longer,” Apple Core said.

“Actually Apple Core can you come with me please, there’s somepony I want you to meet.”

“Really? Uh, all right see ya later Babs,” Apple Core then left with Picture Perfect and Miracle wasn’t far behind.

“So uh, you’re kinda cute. You wanna dance?” Party Cannon asked.

“Okay,” Babs answered after blowing on her mane again.

***

Picture led Apple Core upstairs when they got to his house to a closed door that Picture knocked on.

“Come in,” a faint elderly voice said.

“I’m glad you aren’t asleep yet I have somepony for you to meet.” Picture then gestured to Apple Core to go inside. Apple Core walked forward and saw an elderly stallion that was getting out of his bed who became quite shocked.

“Pear Butter?!”

“Huh?” Apple Core asked confused.

“Pear Butter is that you?”

“No, mah name is Apple Core.”

“Oh I see,” the stallion said as he stood up and got closer. “I’m sorry my eyes sometimes play tricks on me, your coat looks a lot like hers.”

“Did you know her?”

“Of course, do you?”

“Pear Butter is mah mother,” Apple Core replied which rather surprised the stallion. “How do yah know her?” The stallion then sat down on his bed.

“My name is Grand Pear, she’s my daughter.” Apple Core then sat down next to the old stallion who gave a warm smile to the colt.

“If mah ma is yer daughter then that means yer mah grandpa. HA!”

“What?”

“I just realized that yer mah grandpa and yer name is Grand Pear. You’re my Grandpa Pear, no wait, Grand Pear Pear.” Grand Pear couldn’t help but laugh. “Can ah call you that?”

“Of course.”

“So Grand Pear Pear, what happened between you and my mother? Why aren’t you at Ponyville?”

“Before I tell you,” Grand Pear answered after a pause. “Can you help me outside? I want to see the sunset.”

“Okay,” Apple Core then carried Grand Pear outside to a small patio where the others were hanging out as well. “Grand Pear Pear wanted to see the sunset.”

“Grand Pear Pear?” Picture Perfect asked.

“Yeah, he’s my grandfather,” Apple Core answered before he introduced the others to Grand Pear.

“Ah, so you’re Miracle Maker.”

“You know me?”

“Yes, Picture told me all about you and how you not only defeated a giant centaur, but got the crystal working again. Those are some pretty big accomplishments.”

“Well I didn’t do everything on my own, my friends helped out as well.”

“I see, but you still have accomplished much. Tell me what drives you to face such adversity?”

“Simple, I grew up with stories of the great Twilight Sparkle. I’ve always wanted to be just like her.”

“Twilight Sparkle, I never met her, but she was a great pony.”

“So Grandpa, why in the hey are you here instead of Ponyville?” Apple Core asked.

“Uh maybe we should do something somewhere else,” Cryme said.

“No it’s alright,” Grand Pear said. “It’s nice to be around quite a few ponies. Long ago the Pears were rivals to the Apples. Then my own daughter ended up marrying one and when the rest of the family moved, she didn’t. I wanted to go back to Ponyville to finally make peace with her, but that was when the shadow ponies arrived,” Grand Pear paused as a tear came down his face. “I never saw my daughter again.” Cryme then gave the old stallion a hug who returned it. “Thank you.”

“I figured you really needed that.”

“He came into Manehattan not too long after I did and Picture Perfect let him stay in his guest bedroom upstairs,” High Red said.

“And now I’m stuck here,” Grand Pear said. “I’ll never see my daughter again.”

“OH YES YOU WILL!” Miracle screamed which caught everypony’s attention. “We’re on our way to restore harmony and when we do, we’re coming back here to bring you back to Ponyville. So you just focus on staying alive and we’ll take care of the rest.”

“You would do that for me?” Grand Pear said as his heart warmed up more than it had in years.

“You bet, we’re heading out first thing in the morning, whenever that is.” Miracle then told Grand Pear that the group was heading across the sea to find the next Element of Harmony.

“So you and High Red are going too?” Grand Pear asked Picture Perfect.

“Yes but don’t worry, I talked to some of my friends while they helped build the ship. They’re gonna keep an eye on you.”

“Oh you don’t have to worry too much about me, but could you help me find the right spot to watch the sunset?” Miracle placed Grand Pear in the perfect spot to watch the sun, which was setting under the mountains where the group would be going next. “You know Miracle, you and Apple Core remind me a bit of my daughter.”

“We do?” Miracle and Apple asked at the same time.

“Passionate, not afraid to follow your heart, but also kind,” Grand Pear answered but then started to cough rather hard. Picture Perfect acted quickly and got some medicine to help it stop.

“Is he okay?” Cryme asked.

“Sort of,” Picture Perfect answered. “Grand Pear is very old and when you get to a certain age your body well-”

“Shuts down,” Grand Pear finished. “I’m surprised it hasn’t done that entirely yet. It’s probably going to be any day now.”

“Come on,” Party Cannon said. “I’m sure you have lots of days left.”

“No, I’ve probably lived too long enough as is.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Miracle said. “Have you forgotten what I said?”

“Heh, perhaps a little. You also get a few memory lapses, and it might be perhaps because of all the misery around here lately. It makes me forget the good stuff,” Grand Pear said as he continued to watch the sun go down.

“You know Miracle, they say one pony’s sunset is another pony’s dawn. I don't know what's out there beyond the horizon, but if you let your heart guide your way, I’m sure you’ll be the pony you’ve always wanted to be. But until then, Apple Core, you make sure that you stick by your friend no matter what.”

“I will Grand Pear Pear. And if anything tries to hurt him I’ll clobber them!” Hearing that made Grand Pear laugh a bit.

“You have your mother’s beautiful spirit.”

“Grand Pear Pear, what was my mother like when she was young?”

“Oh do I have a story or 2 for you.”

***

Morning came not too long after it left and the group said their goodbyes to Grand Pear, mostly Apple Core and set out. A great many ponies from Manehattan came to the shore to see the group off, waving goodbye and even setting off a few fireworks. High Red got in the stern on the ship and pushed forward making it set off all the more quicker and before long Manehattan was out of sight. As that happened Miracle couldn’t help but notice that Picture Perfect looked quite sad.

“What’s the matter Picture?” Miracle asked as the others joined in, even High Red.

“Well it’s just, did you all feel sad when you left your homes too?”

“Yes,” Miracle answered.

“Of course, partner,” Apple Core answered.

“It was hard both times,” Cryme answered.

“No way, I’m not sad,” Party Cannon answered, which surprised the others. “We’re going on an adventure, what’s sad about that?”

“I guess, but it’s still really hard for me to leave Manehattan and especially Grand Pear.”

“He’ll be alright,” High Red said. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

“Until then ah think I’m gonna turn in. Ah was up all night talking with my grandpa. Goodnight y’all.” Apple Core then made his way below deck to get some well needed rest.

“Maybe you should rest up too, Miracle,” Picture said. “You can have the pillowcase and blanket I made.”

“Don’t you mean pillow?”

“No, I made a pillowcase then put it on some random pillow, but it’s not some random pillow anymore. You can rest your head and admire the fabulous colors while doing it.”

“Maybe later, I’m more hungry than I am tired.”

“How in Equestria are you still hungry? You ate an entire cake for breakfast.”

“I’m going to make sure that my stomach is full while we’re looking for the next element. It’s gonna make it all the more easier to beat the next guardian if I have a full stomach. Plus I cannot get enough of those little chocolate balls you brought.” Miracle then made his way to where the food was kept and eventually got some rest. Before long, the ship was arriving at a certain Isle.

“Throttingham off the starboard bow!” Party Cannon said.

“Wow, that was fast,” Miracle added.

“You can thank me for that,” High Red replied.

“I would say you were pushing yourself quite a bit, but it does mean we got here sooner,” Picture Perfect said. Picture Perfect was the first to jump off the ship and ran off the beach with the others not far behind. “Sweet Celestia it’s so good to be-” Picture suddenly stopped when he saw that the Isle he once called home was covered in snow.

“Alright! Snow, I love snow!” Miracle said as he ran right into it with Party Cannon not far behind.

“What in Equestria is going on?” Picture Perfect asked.

“I think they’re making snow angels,” High Red answered.

“No,” Picture Perfect said. “It never snows in Throttingham.”

“Well I guess it’s a good thing that nopony told that to Miracle and Party Cannon,” Cryme said as he saw them making a snowpony.

“I think I’m gonna join them,” High Red said and flew right over.

“So ah guess it was lucky for those 3 it finally decided to snow here,” Apple Core said.

“No I have a bad feeling about that, and High Red stop swimming in the snow! You’re going to catch a cold.”

“Ah,” High Red moaned as he stood up. After that the group journeyed further into the Isle where the snow got more dense.

“If I remember correctly,” Picture Perfect as he was leading the group. “My old home should be right over-” Picture stopped once again when he saw numerous houses almost buried in the snow.

“Wow,” Party Cannon said. “I mean I love snow as much as the next pony, unless that pony is Miracle, but this seems to be rather extreme. These ponies need to clean up all of this snow.”

“I-I don’t think there’s anypony here to clean up the snow,” Cryme said.

“Are you sure?” Apple Core asked.

“Trust me I know a thing about completely vacant towns.” The group then decided to spread out and look for anypony there, but Cryme was right.

Somewhat.

“There’s got to be somepony around here,” Apple Core said. “Ah mean besides us.”

“Maybe they’re all on the other side of the Isle or something,” Party Cannon said.

“Uh, what would they all be doing over there?” Cryme asked.

“I don’t know I just have this feeling that we aren’t the only ponies around he-” Party Cannon was cut off when all of a sudden he hit his head on a big block of ice.

“Oh my gosh, Party Cannon are you okay?”

“Yeah Cryme, but I think I got a rather big bump, I think I might need some…” Party Cannon then leaned his head on the ice he hit. “Convenient.”

“I don’t understand, how could all this have happened?” Picture Perfect asked.

“I wish I knew,” High Red answered.

“I can’t believe how heartbroken I feel inside,” Picture Perfect said as he got down on his knees. “What happened to my home?”

“At least you still have a home to come back to,” High Red said.

“Oh, High Red I’m so sorry,” Picture said as he got back up.

“It’s no big deal.”

“Yes it is a big deal,” Picture said as he sat and put his forelegs on Red’s shoulders. “Here I am going on about my problems while not seeing how talking about it makes you feel.” Picture then pulled Red into a rather warm hug despite them both being in the snow. “I’m sorry.”

“Well, let’s not get too emotional,” High Red said as he wiggled out of the hug. “And it’s fine.” Suddenly Cryme burst into tears surprising the others.

“That was just so sweet,” Cryme said as he continued crying.

“And he was doing so well before,” Miracle said to Apple Core who laughed a bit.

“Come on Cryme don’t cry,” Party Cannon said. “Come on, look at me.” Party Cannon then did a backflip. This caused Cryme to stop simply out of confusion.

“Uh, how is that supposed to cheer me up? Not that I don’t think you’re funny it’s just-”

“Yeah not my best effort, I just kind of did instead of thought,” Party Cannon answered.

“Do you do that a lot?” High Red asked.

“Yes actually.”

"Wait I have an idea," Picture said. "Miracle I found lanterns while we were searching, the design suggested that a crystal like the one you have goes in it. Maybe if you put it there it can help my home."

"...Ye-ah," Miracle said. "About that."

***

"Will you quit pouting over there," Apple Core said as the 6 got back onto boat and sailed to the next element.

"Yeah," Party Cannon said. "He was just trying to save his village that was on the verge of being overrun."

Picture Perfect huffed. "You're right. I just wanted to help my home too. I really hoped we could do something to help Throttingham get better."

"Well it's not like it can get worse," High Red said, resulting in Apple Core smacking the back of his head. "Fair enough."

"I might not be the smartest pony in Equestria," Miracle said. "But it just felt right."

"Well if Miracle thinks so then ah agree," Apple Core said.

"But what if the shadow ponies come after us?" Cryme asked. "Plus the crystal was how we defeated Greed."

"Only because those other ponies got in the way and he took their magic," Party Cannon said.

"That's true," Cryme said. "But it could still be harder without it."

"Well I suppose all the more reason for us to finish this adventure sooner," Picture Perfect said.

"Yeah that's the spirit," Miracle said. "And besides, the crystal didn't beat Greed we did.”

Not too long after that Party Cannon decided the group should have a party and even decorated with one of his cannons.

“Ah don’t recall seeing him putting any of those in the ship,” Apple Core said.

“Yeah me neither,” Cryme said. “Seriously, where is he keeping them?” Cryme asked, but answers and the party would have to wait. As the ship was attacked by a rather large group of shadow ponies who rammed the ship on both sides knocking it back and forth. But that didn’t stop the group from fighting back. Party Cannon used his namesake, Picture and Miracle fired spells, and Apple Core managed to grab the neck of one and bite on it before getting shaken off. The shadow ponies got more violent and one in particular made it worse by diving straight through the poop deck creating a giant hole.

“I got a sinking feeling these guys don’t like us,” Miracle said which caused Party Cannon to burst into laughter. This rather distracted the shadow ponies as they weren’t used to ponies laughing around them. This gave Miracle the split second he needed in order to use a rather powerful light spell and once again forced the shadow ponies away.

“Nice work Miracle,” Cryme said.

“Thanks but now we have another problem on our hooves,” Miracle said as he looked at the hole which was allowing water to spring out of it. “Picture can you fix it?”

“Not at the moment.” Miracle then looked out and saw the mountains were not all that far away and got a rather crazy idea, but it was the only one he had. “Everypony grab onto something and hold on tight!” The others did just that and Miracle ran towards the bow and blasted the water with the strongest spell he could muster. This launched the ship forward so quickly that they got near the shore in no time. The ship however took on too much water and began to sink.

“Swim for shore swim for shore,” Apple Core called out and the others did just that.

“Uh Cryme,” High Red said as he was flying just above the water.

“Yes? Oh, right,” he said with a chuckle as he flew out of the water getting to shore with the others.

"Nice work with that spell of yours," Picture Perfect said to Miracle who was the first to shore.

“Thanks, it's not a crystal but it's a good substitute," Miracle said as saw the ship sink into the watery depths. “Well, no turning back now.”

“Yeah,” Party Cannon said. “Unless we want to try and swim all the way back to Manehattan. Am I right?” Party Cannon asked as he expected the others to laugh, but instead of laughter he got a very awkward silence. Recent events didn’t do much for their sense of humor.

“So Miracle,” Apple Core said to break the silence. “How about that there spell.”

“Right.” Miracle then used the spell and to his surprise they were very close. “Wow, we're actually on the verge of it.” Hearing that brought a smile to the others. “But we’re gonna have to climb that mountain.”

“Don’t worry I know a shortcut,” High Red said as he grabbed Cryme and they flew straight up. Before long they came down with a rather large cloud. “Miracle you seem to be quite talented with magic, I think it might be safe to assume that you know a spell that can allow non-pegasi ponies to walk on clouds."

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Miracle then used the said spell allowing the entire group to get on the cloud. High Red and Cryme then pushed the cloud up providing them with the shortcut to the 5th element.

“Wow we’re walking on cloud 9 now,” Party Cannon said. “Or something like that.”

“He’s starting to get annoying,” High Red whispered to Cryme, who decided not to say anything out of concern that Party Cannon might hear. Soon the cloud made it over the mountain allowing the group to see a rather hazardous wasteland that seemed to fill the ground with a feeling of dread.

“I got a bad feeling about this place,” Picture Perfect said.

“I gotta tell you, I wouldn’t want to live here,” Party Cannon said.

“On that we can agree, let’s get the element and get out of here,” Miracle said. The cloud made its way to a lone mountain. The cloud landed on the top and the element was right there in plain sight. As they got off the cloud a shining light blinded them and when it cleared a small alicorn filly was in front of them.

“Well hello there,” the filly said in a rather adorable voice. “ I am Selfishness the guardian-” Selfishness was cut off when suddenly Party Cannon put her in a rather tight hug.

“Oh my gosh, you are the cutest thing I've ever seen,” Party Cannon said as he rather put the squeeze on the guardian. Who forced him off with a rather powerful burst of magic that nearly forced him off the mountain.

“As I was saying, I am Selfishness the guardian of the Element of Loyalty.”

“Uh, isn’t she kinda young to be ah guardian?” Apple Core asked.

“Is there an age requirement for that kind of thing?” Cryme asked. “How do you even become a guardian?”

“Does it come with days off or pay?” Party Cannon asked.

“The former is very unlikely since you can’t guard something if you leave,” Miracle said.

“Unless yah can find ah substitute guardian,” Apple Core said.

“You could get another guardian to fill in for you,” Party Cannon said. “But then they would need a substitute.”

“Or the substitute guardian could bring the element they’re guarding with them,” Picture Perfect.

“What the heck are you weirdos even talking about?” Selfishness asked.

“We, don’t know,” Miracle answered as he realized that they started quite the unusual conversation.

“Judging from what you said, your group has fought with other guardians.”

“You got that right and you’re the last one,” Apple Core answered.

“Oh you don’t say. Well sorry not sorry to say that all your hard work has been for nothing. Because there is no way you’re taking me down,” Selfishness said as she grinned a rather sinister smile.

“Oh you think so?” Miracle said as he charged his horn.

“If you think you can prove me wrong, then bring it on.” Miracle then fired a spell and Selfishness did the exact same thing causing their beams to clash. But Selfishness managed to push hers forward forcing Miracle back.

“Wow, she may be young but she is powerful,” Miracle said as he was able to push his spell back, but not by much. Suddenly the clash came to an end with Miracle forced to the ground and the tip of his horn rather burnt.

“MIRACLE!” Apple Core yelled as he as well as the others ran over to him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, but I need a minute,” Miracle answered as he tried to stand but couldn’t.

“Like I said there’s no way you’re taking me down.”

“Oh, you are in for ah massive whoopin,” Apple Core said as he stomped his forelegs.

“Don’t bet on it,” Selfishness said as she blasted the group causing them to scatter.

“Oh my gosh that hurt,” Miracle said, now having more trouble standing up.

“You’re gonna pay for that you little brat,” High Red said as he flew up and straight at her. Selfishness tried to blast Red, but he was too quick. However when he tried to punch her right in the gut she summoned a barrier to protect her.

“Don’t worry Red I got your back,” Picture Perfect said as he fired a spell at the barrier but couldn’t even crack it.

“You wanna get rid of my barrier so badly, fine.” Selfishness then expanded the barrier forcing the 2 ponies back. Apple Core jumped up trying to grab her but she blasted him to the ground.

“What was that you said about giving me a, what did you call it? A whooping?”

“Laugh now brat,” Apple Core said as he got back up. “But we defeated all the other guardians and we’re gonna beat you too.” Selfishness then charged her horn but was cut off when she was blasted by one of Party Cannon’s namesakes.

“Seriously,” Cryme almost shouted. “Where the hay is he keeping all of those?!”

“Surprise attack!” Party Cannon said as he fired more.

“Ugh not again,” Selfishness said as she spat several pieces of confetti out of her mouth.

“Come on, we got her on the run!” Party Cannon said as he kept firing.

“No you don’t,” Selfishness said as she got hit with even more party supplies. “STOP IT! CUT IT OUT!” Selfishness yelled out, getting more and more frustrated with each hit. “I’M GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND STUFF INTO THAT CANNON!”

“Great idea,” Party Cannon said as he stuffed himself into the cannon and fired himself straight at the guardian. She simply summoned a barrier once again that Party Cannon hit dead on. “It seemed like such a great idea in my head.”

“I’m guessing you're not the brains of the team.”

“No,” Party Cannon said as he slid off the barrier and fell. “That would be Cryme.”

“What?” Cryme said in shock. “Well I wouldn’t say that I’m the brain exactly, maybe the heart or rather the backbone. Or that bone that’s at the bottom of the spine, whatever it’s called.”

“The pelves,” Party Cannon said as he got back up.

“Thank you,” Cryme said as he faced the guardian. “You know, Selfishness we don’t have to fight.”

“Oh really?”

“How about you just give us the element?” Selfishness then suddenly laughed so hard she rolled over on her back.

“Yeah, you’ll have a better chance at actually beating me.”

“Come on we don’t have to be enemies, wouldn’t you rather be friends?”

“Unfortunately Witchcraft didn’t exactly give us much of a choice on that.” Before the others could ask what she meant, High Red flew past Selfishness and grabbed the element.

“HEY PUT THAT DOWN!”

“All right we have the element,” Party Cannon said.

“But we still need to beat the guardian,” Picture Perfect said.

“Yeah, but we’re still like half done right?” Party Cannon asked as Selfishness tried to blast High Red but he dodge every spell.

“You may be stronger, but I’m faster,” High Red said as he was in the air with Selfishness not too far away. Red then flew around in a circle with Selfishness who was trying to blast him in the middle. But as she was spinning around it didn’t take long for her to get dizzy. Seeing that High Red pounced on top of her causing her to drop and seeing an opportunity Apple Core stomped right on her head. After that Party Cannon blasted her again with a set of his namesakes and Picture Perfect hit her dead on with a rather powerful spell.

“OU-CH!”

“Gonna cry little filly?” Red asked.

“No, but you will.” Selfishness then charged her horn but suddenly a purple barrier surrounded her.

“Took me a while but I’m back,” Miracle said. “Get out of that if you can.”

“Challenge accepted,” Selfishness replied as she fired a beam but it bounced off the inside of the barrier several times before hitting her. “This overgrown bubble is tougher than it looks. But that doesn’t mean I can’t pop it.” Selfishness then powered up her horn and released a powerful burst of magic all around her causing the barrier Miracle made to pop.

This in turn, caused the group to be separated as well as the burst was so powerful it broke the surface of the mountain top scattering them.

“Hello? Somepony? Anypony?” Apple Core cried out as he looked around.

“Apple Core, where are you?” High Red called out.

“Follow my voice.” High Red did just that and managed to catch up with him. “Where are the others?”

“Ah thought they were with you.”

“We’ll let’s find them,” Apple Core said as he started to run off in one direction.

“Uh, why are we going this way?” Red asked as he flew over to Apple Core’s side.

“Because we have to find the others, remember?”

“But what makes you so sure they’re this way?”

“Ah. Don’t. But if we run we can find them faster. Do you still have the element?”

“Right here,” High Red said as he showed he was holding it in his foreleg. “And if this guardian is anything like the last one, she won’t be far behind.”

“All the more reason to find the others and take that guardian down,” Apple Core said as he stomped on the ground again. “Ma and Pa always told me not to hit mares but in this case I’ll make an exception.” Apple Core then pretended to fight Selfishness by throwing several punches and even pretending to put her in a headlock.

“Did a guardian burn down the barn you were raised in or something?” High Red asked as he was sitting to take a breather.

“What do ya mean?”

“It’s just, I notice you kind of get intense when you fight."

“Ah guess you have a point actually,” Apple Core said as he gestured High Red to follow him and he did. “Ah guess it all started when ah first met Miracle. Ah just met the guy but it felt like ah found a long lost member of the family.”

“Kind of a bit too far don’t you think?”

“It was how ah felt,” Apple Core continued. “Ah helped him get the first Element of Harmony, or at least ah tried.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah was there but Miracle did all the work, ah couldn’t do anything to help him and it made me feel so worthless. So when ah left with him ah wanted to help him more to make up for it. But the fight with the next guardian was even worse. Cryme pulled more weight than ah did.”

“Wow really?”

“Yeah, ah was determined to get stronger and pull my weight as much as ah could.”

“Was that when we met you guys?”

“Nah, that was right before we met you guys. That time ah really helped out Miracle. Ah guess even after that ah wanted to push myself more to prove ah can help and not be ah burden to Miracle.”

“I know how you feel.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, when Picture Perfect took me in I wanted to pay him back somehow. So I started delivering various things he wanted to give to others, it wasn’t much but I could do it well because I’m so fast. At first ponies didn’t take me seriously because I was just a colt. But Picture Perfect convinced them to give me a chance and before long I was the “go to” pony for getting almost anything across Manehattan.”

“That was really nice of him. Ah guess he thinks he’s family to you like how Miracle is family to me.” Hearing that made High Red sit down again right out of nowhere which caught the attention of Apple Core.

“Family is kind of going too far don’t you think?”

“There’s something I’ve noticed about you too. Why does it bother you so much when ponies talk about family?”

“Well, I mean. It’s not all that important, we should get going.” High Red then tried to fly past Apple Core but he stuck his foreleg out to somewhat block him.

“Is it because of your family? Picture Perfect said he found you in Manehattan, did you even know your parents?”

“YES!” High Red said defensively before he lowered his head. “Barely.”

“Huh?” Apple Core asked.

“My parents,” High Red paused then raised his head “I don’t even know their names. Do you know how I got my name?”

“No.”

“My father named me High Red because he always wanted a son that would fly high above the clouds and I’m red. He and mom were great fliers who were going to fight the shadow ponies and they didn’t have time to think up another name. They were so focused on fighting againt them, they didn’t name me until I was 4.”

“Wow.”

“One day they left to help a bunch of ponies and, and,”

“It was the last time you ever saw them.”

“Yeah,” High Red said as he wiped a tear from his face. “I came to Manehattan because I thought they might be there and the rest is history.”

“And the reason you don’t like to think of others as family is because y’all is scared of getting close to them and losing them.”

“Yeah,” High Red said after an awkward silence. Apple Core then pulled High Red into a hug which he accepted.

“Ah understand what it’s like to lose members of the family that yah hardly ever knew,” Apple Core said as they pulled away from each other. “Or at all, but pushing other ponies out of yer heart ain’t gonna help you either. Maybe that’s one of the reasons ah got so close to Miracle.”

“Speaking of Miracle, that stuff you said about wanting to help him, It kind of reminded me of a team of pegasi Picture told me about when I was younger. Have you ever heard of the Wonderbolts?”

“No.”

“They were a team of highly skilled fliers. The reason they were so great was because they all worked together instead of one trying to fly better than the others. Part of being a team isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing your part.”

“Thanks, that’s actually some sound advice.”

“No problem, listen I want to talk about this more but for now we should focus on getting back with the others.”

“Right,” Apple Core said as he ran off and High Red flew close behind.

“Uh Apple Core, do you mind if I scout ahead?”

“Lead the way little bro,” Apple Core said which led to a little more awkward silence. “Too much?”

“Little bit.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

***

Elsewhere Cryme and Party Cannon, who Cryme grabbed and lowered to the ground when the group got separated. “They gotta be around here somewhere,” Cryme began to ramble once again as he was looking around rather rapidly. “They fell through the mountain just like us so they have to be somewhere, unless they somehow fell out of the mountain when they fell in or they somehow fell into the, the, the-”

“Lava?”

“Yeah,” Cryme said as he started to avoid looking at the lava. “You don’t think that happened do you?”

“Nah you and High Red can just fly away from it, Miracle and Picture can just teleport away from it, and Apple and I can....well I didn’t fall in so maybe he didn’t either.”

“Yeah, I mean he can be a real resourceful pony if wants to, or is that more Miracle’s thing?”

“I just hope we find them before that adorable and deadly guardian finds us.”

“That’s true, she may be super huggable but she might be the toughest guardian of them all, though I feel like we were doing really well near the end. I mean, until we fell through the volcano.”

“So, do you think we should make our way back to the top of the volcano?”

“Well there’s not much of a top to go back to.”

“Yeah that’s a pretty good point.”

“Hey by the way, why did you say that I was the brains of the group?”

“You don’t think you're smart?”

“Well no uh I mean yes, well I’m at least of average intelligence. But why do you think I’m above average?”

“In all honesty I have no idea, sometimes I just blurt things out without thinking.”

“Oh, I see, I guess I’ve noticed that from time to time.”

“Yeah I guess we all have our silly little habits, kind of like how you ramble a lot.”

“Oh I do, sorry, it’s just that for so long I didn’t have anypony to talk to. I guess when you don’t talk to anypony you start doing it more than usual.”

“That’s pretty insightful, maybe you are above average intelligence after all.”

“You think so? Thank you,” Cryme said with a blush. “Listen I think we should pick up the pace a bit, this place looks like there’s something bad that will pop out any minute.”

“Well you don’t know that, there could also be a clown around here somewhere.”

“A clown?”

“Yeah, you never know.”

“That’s something I noticed about you, whenever somepony gets sad or is about to get sad, you try to cheer them up right away.”

“Well what’s wrong with that?”

“I mean there’s nothing wrong with it, it's just that, well I mean to say is, how do I put it? Ponies need to be sad sometimes.”

“Huh?”

“If ponies were happy all the time, what's the point? Life is about taking the good with the bad. And it’s great that you want to make others smile but sometimes ponies need to be angry or scared or angry or confused or angry or, well you get it right?”

“Actually no I don’t get it. Aren’t you worried that if you cry enough you won’t be able to stop?” Party Cannon asked, resulting in an awkward silence.

“What do you mean?” Cryme asked, resulting in another one.

“Cryme, can I tell you something serious?”

“Of course, I’m a really good listener.”

“A long time ago after I left Applewood but before I met you, I fell into a depression. I could barely eat and I almost never got out of bed.”

“Wow, that is serious. But wait, when Depression was defeated, you said his actions led you to look on the bright side."

"It did, but not right away. I left this part out of that story because it's rather personal."

"How did you get out of it?”

“These kids around my age that lived nearby heard about what I was going through, so they came by my house to cheer me up. They barely even knew me, but they tried so hard to make me happy, that alone was enough to warm my heart. After that I saw others starting to fall into what I just got out of, so ever since then I tried to be like them and try to make other ponies happy. And when Miracle came along saying he could stop all the misery, you better believe I wanted to help.”

“I kind of feel the same way, that colt is very special, I can tell. He makes me wish I was tougher and I can understand not wanting to get depressed after getting rid of it, but aren’t you scared it’ll stick around if you don’t let it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you are sad but you try to make yourself happy, the sadness doesn’t really go away. But if you are sad and you let it out you can let it go. Other emotions can or rather should be used that way as well, like anger.”

“Wow, I never thought of it that way, though to be fair I kind of have a habit of not thinking. Thanks Cryme, you know you just might be the brains of the group after all.”

“Ah thanks,” Cryme said as he blushed again. “If you want to talk about this more we can, but let’s try to find the others first. I'm still worried about them.”

“Yeah me too. Race you to wherever they are!” Party Cannon then ran off which took Cryme by surprise.

“Uh all right,” Cryme replied as they ran off.

"For the record Cryme, I think you're tough in your own way. But if you want to be tougher that's great too."

"Thank you," Cryme replied as he would take those words to heart and try to be a tougher pony indeed.

***

“Sweet Celestia I didn’t think the inside of a volcano would be this hot,” Picture Perfect said as he and Miracle were walking along a path inside the volcano.

Seriously, who is Celestia? Miracle thought.

“If we don’t find the others and get out of here soon I think I’m going to melt.”

“Kind of makes you wish we were back in Throttingham huh?” Miracle asked. “Sorry.”

“It’s all right, honestly I actually was kind of thinking that, being in extreme cold rather than extreme heat. When you’re in extreme cold you can just sit by the fire and watch one of nature’s many beauties. A gentle yet powerful blanket covering nature allowing it to be born anew.”

“Yeah and you make snowponies too,” Miracle said. “Now I kind of wish we stayed at Trottingham a little longer.”

“Yeah, me too, for better or worse I’m glad that I finally decided to go back home.”

“Out of curiosity, what made you go back there after all this time?”

“You did Miracle.”

“Me?”

“Yes, when you fought Greed and told him about that promise you made, it reminded me of a similar promise I made when I was young. I promised myself one day I'd return to Throttingham but I kept putting it off. I wanted to help Manehattan more but it didn't seem like I could. So I hoped doing a series of little things would add up to a lot."

"I suppose that might of work, but you could have also tried to do something big."

Yeah I could have. When you defeated Greed, hearing you talk like that and the passion behind your words inspired me to finally go through with my promise and do something big. I made that promise because I loved that Isle and didn’t want anything to stop me from going back. What made you make your promise?”

“It felt like something Twilight Sparkle would do?”

“Is that all?”

“Pretty much.”

“Huh you’re pretty easy to motivate aren't you?”

“Maybe a little, hey Picture, do you think Twilight Sparkle loved to play in the snow too?”

“Hard to say, I never met her,” Picture answered. “Why do you look up to Twilight Sparkle so much?”

“Well, I guess it all started when I was just a colt. My uncle told me stories all about her as far back as I can remember. Hearing the amazing things she did I knew right away that I wanted to be somepony like that. I gonna be just like her one day."

"I see. Listen Miracle, I understand wanting to be like your hero, but you shouldn't sell yourself short either. You're pretty great on your own too. Grand Pear may have said it best, if you let your heart guide your way, I’m sure you’ll be the pony you’ve always wanted to be."

"You might be onto something. It's just I know this sounds weird but even though I never really knew her, I've always felt like she and I had some sort of powerful connection. Like a long lost sister or something.”

“You think so?”

“I know it doesn’t make much sense, but that’s how I feel.”

“Well, you probably won’t figure this out until you’re older but feelings don’t always make sense.”

“I think I might already know that now.”

“I guess it might be a safe bet, you are a pretty smart kid.”

“Ah knock it off, you’re going to make my head swell up like a balloon.”

“All right, why don’t you use that spell of yours to help us. If High Red still has the element it can tell us exactly where he is.”

“Actually, it won’t tell us exactly where he is, just a direction.”

“I see. I may not be as good as you with magic but I know a spell that might help. But we need a map or something. It may be one small thing but perhaps that can become something big.”

“You mean a map of Equestria because I have-” Miracle stopped when he and Picture came across a fork in the road with High Red and Apple Core on the left side and Party Cannon and Cryme A. River on the right. “Nevermind.”

“Wow this was sure convenient,” Party Cannon said. Suddenly Apple Core and High Red made their way to Picture Perfect and Miracle Maker, Apple Core hugging the latter and High Red hugging the former, quite to his shock. “All right, a group hug,” Party Cannon then got in the middle of the hugging and Cryme joined in after a shrug.

“The gang's all here again,” Miracle said, happy that all of his friends were okay.

“Yeah,” Selfishness said as she was flying above the others. “Now I can get rid of you all at once.”

“Don’t bet on it brat,” Miracle said who noticed that Selfishness was quite scarred from the explosion. Such as several burn marks on her left foreleg, stomach, and right cheek. “Come on, round 2.”

“Tough guy huh? Well let’s see how tough you are.” Selfishness then charged and fired a beam that destroyed the nexus of the paths. But Miracle thought ahead and teleported everypony away from the center. Selfishness saw that the ponies were placed on the edge of the paths.

Except for Miracle Maker.

“Wait? Where’s the loudmouth one?” Selfishness then got her answer when she was blasted from behind into a stalactite. Miracle teleported himself to a higher path that was behind Selfishness and the perfect place to blast her. Miracle then teleported back to where Picture Perfect was.

“Nice work Miracle,” Picture said.

“Yeah, it looks like you may have hit her in her weak spot,” Party Cannon said as Selfishness pull herself off of the stalactite.

“No, I just figured out her weakness,” Miracle said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about? I don’t have a weakness.”

“Yes you do.”

“I don’t suppose it’s that she’s too cute?” Party Cannon asked.

“No,” Miracle answered. “She may be incredibly powerful, but she’s still just a filly. Power is one thing, endurance is another. You’ve only taken several hits and you look like you could barely even stand. Heck you can barely even fly can’t you?”

“Think you’re so smart, well let’s see how smart you are when you and your friends are full of holes.” Selfishness then used her magic to pick up not only the stalactites but also the stalagmites in the general area. “I’m gonna turn you all into swiss cheese.”

“That’s no gouda,” Party Cannon replied as he couldn’t help but tremble a bit. When Selfishness fired the large stone spikes the group sprang into action. Miracle blasted them at a rapid pace while Picture put up a barrier to protect everypony. Apple Core bucked pieces of the stalactites and stalagmites at the ones that were still coming while Party Cannon fired his namesake at them to try and break them, or at the very least make them miss their target. High Red jumped and pushed on them to also make them miss with Cryme helping to his surprise.

Seeing his pegasi friends gave Miracle an idea and he teleported from one stone pillar to another getting closer and closer to Selfishness, until he was close enough to blast her at point blank. She tried to charge her horn to counter attack but Miracle was too quick and was blasted into the ceiling before teleporting back to the others.

“Nice work Miracle!” Apple Core cheered.

“Yeah I think I felt that,” Party Cannon added.

“Woo hoo,” Cryme cheered, but not too loudly. As the group cheered, Selfishness pulled herself out of the ceiling looking like she had 1 or 2 hooves in the grave.

“This isn’t over,” Selfishness said. “You may have defeated me for now but I’ll recover. And when I do I’m gonna finish you and your minions off once and for all.” And with that Selfishness teleported away.

"Minions?" Party Cannon said.

“So, does this count as a victory?” High Red asked.

“I guess,” Picture Perfect answered.

“And since you have the fifth element yah can point us in the direction of the last one,” Apple Core said.

“I could,” Miracle paused. “But with the ship gone, I don’t know how we’re going to get out of here.”

“I guess High Red and I could fly back to Manehattan and ask the ponies there to build another ship,” Cryme said.

“I’m faster,” High Red said. “I can make the flight all by myself and be back in no time.”

“Not happening,” Picture Perfect said. “I’m not letting you take such a long journey all the way by yourself.”

“And we’re not letting any of you leave,” a voice said that caught the attention of the group. They turned around and saw a group of dragons that gathered behind them. “Well well, it sure has been a while since I’ve seen ponies,” the dragon from before mentioned. Who the group would later learn went by the name of Smolder.

“Wow dragons,” Miracle said somewhat in awe.

“What are you doing here?” Party Cannon asked.

“What are we doing here, what are you doing here? This is dragon territory,” another dragon that the group would learn later went by the name of Smug.

“Well it’s kind of a long story,” Cryme said. “You see-”

“Well if it’s a long story,” Smug interrupted. “Then perhaps you should tell that to the Dragon Lord.”

“Dragon Lord? That sounds cool,” Party Cannon said.

“What’s a Dragon Lord exactly?” High Red asked which made Smolder pause.

“He’s a dragon that's our lord,” Smolder said as she snaped her claws several times. “Come on kid context clues. And he’s given us orders to bring any ponies we find directly to him.”

“All right,” Miracle agreed, which rather surprised the others who pulled him into a circle for a talk.

“Can we really trust dragons?” High Red asked.

“Red may have ah point,” Apple Core said. “We just met these ponies er dragons.”

“True, but I just have a feeling about these guys,” Miracle said. “Call it an intuition. Like maybe one of them will give us a ride to wherever the last element is if we ask real nice.”

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to see what the Dragon Lord wants,” Cryme said. “Give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“I suppose, maybe Miracle is on to something,” Party Cannon said.

“Well if you think it’s the thing to do Miracle then ah got yer back,” Apple Core said. With the matter settled the group made their way with the dragons while getting to know them a bit.

“So you actually went to the School of Friendship?” Miracle asked.

“Yeah,” Smolder replied. “It was great, until that horrible day when the shadow ponies came along.”

“Yeah, that wasn’t really pleasant for us either,” Cryme said. Soon the group made their way into the core of the mountain.

“Dragon Lord Spike, we found these ponies in the volcano,” Smolder said.

“My my, half a dozen of them even, what in the wide world of Equestria, or rather the land beyond are you doing here?”

“We came for the Element of Harmony,” Party Cannon answered, which shocked the dragon.

“What? An Element of Harmony, here?” Miracle then reached into his saddle bag and pulled out the Element of Harmony that he and his friends got. Spike then approached the young unicorn and was still shocked, only now over what he saw instead of what he heard. “I can’t believe it, an Element of Harmony right under my nose this whole time.”

“You know about the Elements of Harmony?” Cryme asked.

“Yes, how were you able to find one all the way over here?”

“I had just the spell for it,” Miracle answered as he put the element back in the bag. “And once we find the last one we’ll have all of them and then I can finally use them to bring, you know what, never mind.”

“Never mind?!” Apple Core said in shock.

“Well it’s just that I’ve been saying I’d bring harmony back over and over, is that getting annoying?”

“No no no no no,” the rest of the group said while they also waved their forelegs a little bit.

“It’s not annoying at all, it's inspiring,” Party Cannon said.

“Yeah,” Cryme added. “It’s great how you can keep saying that despite everything that we’ve been through and all we’ve had to face.”

“Yeah, you’re quite an amazing young stallion,” Picture Perfect said. Then all of a sudden the entire volcano started to rumble and shake something fierce. Before the ponies could react the lava broke through the ground rising up and nearly spilled onto them. It would have if it weren’t for Dragon Lord Spike who put himself between the ponies and the lava.

"Oh my gosh!" Cryme said as he saw the lava pour all over Spike.

"Don't worry dragons are lava proof," Spike said. "But ponies not so much. Come on, let's get you all out of here." Spike then got out of the lava and got down on all fours making sure all the lava was off him gesturing Miracle to get on his back because he was the closest. "Help them get out of here," Spike called out to the other dragons.

"Uh yeah help us please," Party Cannon said. "I don't feel like melting today." The rest of the group except for Cryme and High Red got on the other dragon who got the group out of the volcano by flying right out, just as the volcano erupted.

"This doesn't make any sense," Spike said with Miracle still on his back. "This volcano was dormant, how could it just erupt out of nowhere like that?"

"I think I may know why," Miracle answered as he looked around and saw a certain alicorn not too far away. "Your name is Spike right?"

"Yeah."

"Well check out the alicorn filly on your far left."

"Wait what? An alicorn?"

"Long story short, every element has had a guardian. She's the guardian of the one I found here and we need to beat her if I want to keep the element."

"Well then, I don't suppose you'd mind if I lend you a friendly claw.”

“Not at all.” Spike then made his way towards Selfishness and was shocked once again when he saw just who he was about to fight.

“Cozy Glow?”

“Spike?”

“But you’re still just a filly. How is this possible?”

“You know her? But how?”

“Miracle where exactly do these guardians come from? What's the deal?”

“They just appear when we get close to an element and they protect it, though I’m not sure how making a volcano erupt is going to do that.”

“I think big,” Selfishness replied.

“They were created by some form of magic, I think they’re like golems,” Miracle said.

“I see, so they’re not technically alive?” Spike asked.

“Hard to say but maybe not.”

“The question is, after a while will you be?” Selfishness said as she charged her horn. “You may have gotten me off guard a couple times before, but this time I’m ready for your tricks.” Spike then flew directly at Selfishness who once again clashed beams with Miracle and it looked like Selfishness was going to win again, but Spike used his fire breath to give Miracle a boost and hit Selfishness dead on.

“Woah, I didn’t know dragons could do that.”

“Yeah, we’re pretty awesome.”

“But you aren’t invincible,” Selfishness said, who used her magic to lift up some large rocks on the surface of the volcano and spin them around herself and soon extended the orbit to try and get Miracle and Spike. And while one managed to get Spike, Miracle teleported the 2 of them away before Spike could fly into lava. “Huh? Where did they-” Selfishness got her answer when Spike flew into her still not getting control back from getting hit by the boulder.

But that helped.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, thick scales. Like I said, we're pretty awesome.”

“If this fight keeps up though, she’s going to make a real mess. Let’s finish this quick.”

“You have a plan?” Miracle then whispered in Spike’s ear and finished explaining just as Selfishness came back. “Oh I like that plan.” Spike then charged at Selfishness who once again tried to blast him, but Miracle teleported him out of the way so he could finish the charge from behind her. Miracle then repeated this process allowing Spike to attack Selfishness from several angles and he was so fast she couldn’t counter him in time. However Selfishness was able to figure out the pattern and was able to capture Spike in her magical aura.

“Now I got you and your, wait where did he go?” Selfishness asked before once again getting a very painful answer. Right before Selfishness caught them both in her magic, Miracle teleported above her and used a powerful stun spell right on her wings. This made Selfishness let go of Spike as Miracle landed on his back while Selfishness tried to glide away.

“Oh no you don’t!” Spike said as he chased after her. “Come back here and fight!” Selfishness tried to blast him but he dodged her spells before grabbing her by the horn of her head so she couldn’t use her magic. Spike then stared into the filly’s eyes with a look of rage who in turn looked to Spike in complete fear. “This has been a long time coming,” Spike said right before releasing his fire breath and burning the final guardian into nothing.

“Well,” Miracle said, wanting to change the subject. “With that taken care of we should find my friends.”

“Don’t worry I know where they are,” Spike said as he flew off. “I gotta admit Miracle, you are a very capable unicorn. You remind me of a pony I knew a long time ago.”

“Really who?”

“She was somepony very special to me, she actually made quite the name for herself, there’s a slim chance you may have heard of her. Her name was Twilight Sparkle.”

“You knew Twilight Sparkle!” Miracle said as he hung on Spike's neck to look at him face to face, surprising Spike.

“So you do know her, yes, before I was the Dragon Lord I was her number one assistant.”

“No way!”

“Oh yeah way. She was my absolute best friend, and the closest thing I had to a mother.”

“What was Twilight Sparkle like?!”

“Smart, kind, a true friend, and no matter how tough things were she always figured out what to do. Actually, she was a lot like you.”

***

With Selfishness defeated Spike got Miracle back to where the dragons took the other ponies so Miracle could meet up with his friends.

“Miracle!” Apple Core said as he ran over to hug his friend who returned it. “Where were you? Did you run into Selfishness again?”

“Yeah but don’t worry she’s not bothering us anymore,” Miracle answered. “Thanks to Dragon Lord Spike’s help.”

“You can just call me Spike.” After that Picture Perfect approached and asked Miracle to get out a map of Equestria for the spell he talked about earlier.

“Basically with a map and the things you’ve already collected, it will point to where the rest is in almost the exact area,” Picture Perfect said after explaining the spell.

“Well what are we standing here for?” Miracle asked. Miracle then placed his map on the ground and after explaining how it works Miracle performed the new version of the spell with no problem. He was quite excited to see where the final element and the last key for their plan was.

But the excitement quickly vanished as the reveal of where the last element was filled them all with fear.

Magic

With the help of Spike and several other dragons, the group returned to Equestria. They were dropped off where a vast desert ended and the Forbidden Jungle began. Or the other way around depending on where you’re going. There was a long trail that separated the vast green of the jungle, making it all the more easier for the 6 ponies to walk through it.

On top of the trail leading them through the Forbidden Jungle, the trail was also able to guide the ponies to the Badlands. A large and rather hazardous canyon. After camping at the edge of the jungle, they made it through the canyon during a very long night. The sun rose just as they left the canyon.

"Wow, lucky us," Party Cannon said when the sun rose. "I have a feeling if the sun was up, the canyon would be quite the hot spot."

"Well we're not done traveling just yet," High Red said as he was somewhat hovering over the others. "We're probably not even halfway there."

"Oh what are yer wings getting tired," Apple Core said rather frustrated. "What ah wouldn't give to be able to fly around."

"For your information, it's not always a picnic flying around!" High Red said as he flew up to Apple Core's face.

"All right, that's enough High Red," Picture Perfect said as he got in the middle. "Apple Core didn't mean anything by it, he's just a little tired. Right?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"It's okay," High Red said and as he got out of his face.

"Picture is right," Party Cannon said. "It's been a long walk, we're tired and getting on each others nerves, " Party Cannon then looked over at Cryme with a rather nasty face to his confusion.

"Uh, I'm sorry for whatever it is that I did to upset you. I don't remember doing anything but clearly I did do something otherwise you wouldn't be mad," Cryme rambled once again.

"Oh it's all right Cryme," Party Cannon said as he hugged Cryme who rather enjoyed it. "It takes a big stallion to admit when he's wrong." The group continued on before resting at a certain swamp.

"We still have a ways to go but let's just focus on getting to the final Element of Harmony," Miracle said.

"Yeah once we get it," Apple Core said. "Harmony, you want to say it Miracle?"

"Oh no, go right ahead."

"Harmony will return to Equestria once again. That actually feels pretty good to say."

"Harmony will return to Equestria once again," Party Cannon said. "You're right Apple Core. Now let's get to where we're going to get what we need to do the thing I just said at the start of this sentence."

"Yeah," Miracle agreed. The group relaxed more and gathered some fruit before going down the trail once again and thanks to invisibility spells from Miracle & Picture, they fell under the watch of the shadow ponies. Eventually they made it to the end of the trail at Rambling Rock Ridge, where the group once again decided to camp out.

"After this break we should be able to get up the mountain," Picture Perfect said.

"Or rather through it," Miracle added. "My uncle Blueblood told me about a series of mines beneath the mountain that can take us to where we're going." Miracle then noticed a rather sad look on Cryme's face. "Is something wrong Cryme?"

"No, well, kind of, sort of, in a way."

"What is it?" Party Cannon asked.

"I'm just a little sad that the adventure is almost over. Yeah, there have been some scary parts and tough moments, but there were also a lot of fun moments."

"Yeah," Party Cannon agreed. "Like when we made all of Manehattan into one big party."

"Yeah," Cryme said. "I liked that too. I know it's weird, but I kind of don't want the adventure to end."

"I think I get what you mean, but it's okay. When one adventure ends, another one can start."

"Are you sure Miracle?" Cryme asked.

"Of course, there's always another adventure," Miracle said.

"But it rather begs the question, what's going to be our next adventure?" Picture Perfect asked.

"When we get harmony back I'm going to do Sonic Rainbooms everyday," High Red said.

"Every day?" Apple Core asked.

"Well, maybe for the next couple moons."

"I'd rather like to start my own fashion empire," Picture Perfect said. "With a building or store in every city, town, and village in Equestria. Maybe even beyond."

"I'm going to open a party cannon factory, so ponies from all over can throw the best parties," Party Cannon said.

"I," Cryme paused. "Might go back to living in the Undiscovered West, It really is a rather nice place."

"I guess I'll be heading back to my little village."

"Not happening!" Apple Core said, surprising his friend as he grabbed Miracle's shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. "Yer coming back to Sweet Apple Acres with me."

"But what about my Uncle Blueblood?"

"He can come live on the farm with us. Y'all can stay in the barn until we make rooms for ya."

"Well," Miracle said, rather liking the idea. "I guess a barn would have a lot more room than our tiny cottage. But will your parents be okay with that?"

"If we actually managed to save all Equestria, ah doubt ma and pa are gonna have that much of a problem with it."

"You mean when we save Equestria," Miracle said as he put his foreleg around Apple Core.

"Yeah uh," Cryme said, getting the other's attention. "Could I come stay with you? I've kind of always wanted to live on a farm."

"Of course!" Apple Core said. "In fact, all of y'all can live on Sweet Apple Acres."

"Uh thanks but no thanks," Picture Perfect. "I'm not really the type for farm life."

"But we can still come visit you guys," Party Cannon said.

"Yeah," High Red agreed. "And speaking of visiting, I'd kind of like to visit the dragons again."

"Hey," Miracle agreed. "It's so amazing that we got to meet actual dragons.” As the group rested by the fireplace, they recalled a little bit of their meeting with the dragons.

***

With help from Picture Perfect, Miracle's spell was able to show the exact location of the final Element of Harmony. But it was far from a pleasant surprise.

"Canterlot?" Cryme said. "But that's where, where, where-"

"Witchcraft lives," Miracle finished. "In all honesty, we probably should have seen this coming, according to the stories the last element is magic. The guardians were all named after the opposite of whatever element they were guarding. And the opposite of magic-"

"Is witchcraft," Cryme finished.

"Yeah, it actually is kind of obvious. I suppose it makes sense as well, the hardest part of a great adventure being the last," Apple Core said.

"True, but there's a fair chance this could actually be the easiest part," Picture Perfect said. "When I was young there were all sorts of rumors going around about Witchcraft."

"Really? Like what?" Cryme asked. "Did he decide to be good from now on or something? Who am I kidding?"

"Some ponies say," Picture Perfect continued. "After he killed the princesses and took over, he could no longer find purpose. So he took his own life," Picture finished creating a rather awkward silence.

"I kind of hope that's true," High Red said.

"STALLION!" Apple Core said shocked at what he heard.

"What?" High Red asked. "So it'll be easier to get the last element."

"Still stallion," Apple Core said before realizing the dragon lord sat down and was looking intensely at where the group would be traveling.

"Is something wrong Mr. Dragon Lord Spike?" Party Cannon asked.

"No," Spike answered as he placed his claw on the capital. "Just remembering. I have so many happy memories of Canterlot. I was there."

"Huh?" The ponies asked.

"I was there when Canterlot fell, it was the last time that I ever saw my home. Or mostly anything that I ever loved." There was another awkward silence that was broken when both Cryme and Party Cannon cried rivers of tears.

"That is so sad!" Cryme said as he continued crying.

"I think so too!" Party Cannon said as he continued crying. High Red flew away as he was between the stallions before they broke into tears.

“I did not need a shower today,” High Red said and he shook around a bit. “I don’t suppose you have towels here.”

“Yes actually,” Spike answered. The Dragon Lord then took the group to a different mountain where numerous other ponies were.

When Witchcraft took over, some ponies tried to fight back. While others fled the land they once knew and came to other lands, such as the dragon lands. Once there Spike told the other ponies there about the adventures of the group and how it connected to recent rumors that made their way to the dragon lands.

"Wait, you were the one that defeated all those shadow ponies from Las Pegasus," a pegasus stallion said. "No way, I mean come on, you're just a colt."

"And we're back to that," Miracle said.

"No it's true," Party Cannon said. "I saw him do the whole thing myself."

“Unbelievable,” the pegasus said. “Such talent at such an age. I was a member of the royal guard. If I had the passion you had, maybe I could have made more of a difference, but, perhaps now is my chance.” The group got a few supplies, such as towels for High Red while Spike and the pegasus helped put a plan into action. "There's a small opening at the base of the mountain that can get you into the caves, which'll get you to Canterlot. It'll take a while, but Witchcraft will never expect it. And the shadow ponies will never expect you to take such a long route to the mountain,” the former guard said.

“I’ll get a team ready to take you 6 back to Equestria,” Spike said.

“Are you gonna come and help us?” Cryme asked.

“Yeah! A dragon can really do some damage,” High Red said.

“No,” Spike answered sadly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you fight Witchcraft. Please don’t ask why. We’ll help you get there though and I’m sure you’ll find a way to stop him.”

“Speaking of which,” Picture Perfect said. “If we get all the elements together, do we need to do something to activate them?” Picture’s question rather stunned Spike before he answered.

“I’m not sure,” Spike said. “From what I saw if you want to use them, you just use them.”

***

After resting the group at long last made it to the mountain where Canterlot stands.

"Wow," Picture Perfect said as the group finally entered the mountain and looked around the mines. "I know he said the mines go all the way from the top of the mountain to the bottom, but it's rather different to see it for yourself."

"Ah know," Apple Core agreed. "Can ya just imagine all the hard work the ponies must have gone through to make all these?"

"You think maybe we'll find ponies living here?" Party Cannon asked.

"Why would anypony live here?" High Red asked.

"Well it is kind of cozy," Party Cannon answered.

"But why live somewhere so bizarre?" Cryme asked. "Though I suppose I'm one to talk."

"There's plenty of room and it's a great place to hide from Witchcraft."

"Directly under where he lives?" Picture Perfect asked.

"The best place to hide from ponies is right under their muzzles," Party Cannon finished.

"I guess it's not that much of a crazy idea," Miracle said. Eventually the group made it through the mines and into the city of Canterlot.

"Well, no turning back now," Miracle said.

"Actually there's some time," Cryme said. "But I don't want to turn back, actually I do, but I'm not gonna. Even if I really want to."

"Well come on y'all, we ain't gonna get the last element by standing around," Apple Core said.

"Yeah," High Red agreed. "Let's get to it!" The group then made their way further into the once colorful and grand city of Canterlot. Miracle used his spell to point them in the right direction which led them to Canterlot Castle.

"Oh you gotta be kidding me!" Cryme said as he wanted to yell that, but whispered it. "Why does it have to be at the castle?"

"What's wrong with castles?" Party Cannon asked.

"Nothing, but that's gotta be where Witchcraft is," Cryme said as he started shaking.

"True," Miracle said. "But nopony said this was going to be easy." The group made their way to the entrance of the castle. Which to their surprise was not only open, but had 2 large statues on each side modeled after none other than Twilight Sparkle.

"Wonder how long those statues were always there," Miracle said.

"I was rather curious of that myself," Picture Perfect said. "Whoever did this took great care of what they were doing, it was a passion project for them to say the least."

"How can you tell that?" Apple Core asked.

"Just look at the statues themselves," Picture answered. "Smooth and carefully detailed despite rough material, they even painted them."

"Come on, we have a nation to save," High Red said. "We can admire the pretty statues later." High Red took the lead as the group made their way further into the castle.

As they did, they couldn't help but notice that the castle was all but filled with homages to the late Twilight Sparkle. All of the windows had glass frames of Twilight's accomplishments, the halls were covered in numerous statues of Twilight, even various tapestries of Twilight and her adventures were on nearly every wall of every hall that the group journeyed through.

"This is creepy," Party Cannon said.

"We're gonna die, we're gonna die," Cryme said as he shook.

"Maybe you should wait outside or be lookout or something," Miracle said as he didn't like seeing his friend so scared.

"No thank you, I'm so scared right now, probably more than I've ever been in my life, but I'm sticking with my friends no matter what."

"Wow that's actually kind of heartwarming," Apple Core said. "Ah know yer not the fighting type, but ah appreciate all that you've done for us." Hearing that made Cryme stop shaking and smile rather largely.

"You really mean that?" Cryme asked.

"Cross mah heart," Apple Core said as he crossed his chest with his hoof.

"Besides, maybe there's nothing to be afraid of," Party Cannon said. "No sign of Witchcraft, or even a shadow pony."

"Maybe the rumor was true," Miracle said. The group walked through the castle while seeing more and more versions of Twilight and eventually, Miracle was brought face to face with his hero. The group found themselves in a castle garden. Within the garden was a coffin of glass and gold and within it was none other than Twilight Sparkle.

"It's her," Miracle said as he approached the coffin overwhelmed by emotions having finally met his hero.

"She's so beautiful," Picture Perfect said. "Her mane is bold and, while not too colorful, unique. And that dress has enough velvet for me to win in."

"The flowers," Cryme commented as he looked at the various flowers placed around the base of the coffin. Doing this made the others notice them as well.

"These are quite pretty too," Picture Perfect said.

"No," Cryme said. "All the petals are still on and the stems are a fresh green." Cryme then looked at the others rather scared. "Whoever put these here, put them here recently."

Suddenly a moan echoed throughout a nearby hall.

"Miracle?"

"Yeah Cryme."

"Don't tell me your spell is pointing in the direction of that moaning."

Miracle checked. "It's pointing in the direction of the moaning."

"I asked you not to tell me that," Cryme said as the voice got louder and louder.

"O-h", the voice echoed as became more clear. "Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my dar-ling, Twilight Sparkle. You are lost and gone forever dreadful sorry, Twilight Sparkle."

"You know whoever that voice belongs to might get along well with you Miracle," Party Cannon said.

"Maybe," Miracle said. "But just to be safe," Miracle cast a pink bubble around the group and threw in an invisibility spell.

"Invisibility spell?" Picture asked when he saw the bubble vanish.

"And a bubble of silence, so whoever is coming can't see or hear us," Miracle answered.

"Really?" Party Cannon asked. "HELLO!" Party Cannon yelled at the top of his lungs, nearly making the others void their bowels in the process. "Hey, this bubble works swell," Party Cannon said as whoever was coming didn't seem to hear.

"Then I guess it's okay to do this!" High Red bonked Party Cannon right on the head. "Next time think before you want to scream your head off!"

"Okay," Party Cannon said while rubbing his head with both forelegs. As the moaning got louder the group got more tense. Chills went down their spines and their throats choked up.

"Is anypony going to mind if I wet myself?" Cryme asked.

"Yes," the others answered at the same time.

"Okay, sorry." The moaning suddenly came to a stop which somehow made the others even more uneasy. Suddenly, a figure appeared from out of the hallway.

"Is, is that Witchcraft?" High Red asked. "He looks weird, is he sick?"

"No," Picture Perfect said. "He's been hitting the bottle."

"Maybe we should fight him now," Apple Core said, causing the others to look at him. "Think about it y'all, if he's drunk he can't fight at his peak."

"That is kind of a good point," Miracle said. "Plus we also have the element of surprise."

"So kind of the seventh element," Party Cannon said.

"Yeah," Miracle agreed with a nod. "Let's do it."

"We, we're doing this?" Cryme said as he shook again.

"This does seem like our best chance, like arriving early at a clothing store having a going out of business sale," Picture Perfect said as he cracked his neck ready to fight.

"Oh. Oh, all right then, let's do this," Cryme said, still shaking but trying not to. Witchcraft, still unaware of his unwanted visitors, made his way to Twilight's coffin. Just as the group was getting ready to attack, Witchcraft finished the bottle of rum. He flipped it upside down to make sure none was left and threw it unknowingly right at the group. They instinctively ducked and the bottle went right over them, popping the bubble of silence while unaffecting the invisibility spell.

"Huh?" Witchcraft said as the bubble pop. "What was that?" Witchcraft shrugged "Ugh, must be hearing things." As Witchcraft looked back towards the coffin the group continued to stand still, none wishing to make a noise.

"Oh Twilight," Witchcraft said as he rubbed the glass of the coffin near Twilight's face. "Just wait a little longer." Suddenly Witchcraft's face went from somber to pure rage. "I will never forgive her for taking you away from me. Never. NEVER!" Witchcraft then suddenly shot a beam of magic into the sky that was twice as big as the one Miracle shot back in Manehattan. Having no idea how much stronger he had made the fear the group had for him. Witchcraft then burst into tears as he teleported away.

"No!" Miracle said as he canceled the invisibility spell. "We missed our chance! He got away!"

"On the bright side," Cryme said, still on the ground. "I don't have to pee anymore."

"EW!" The others said as they gave Cryme a bit of a wide berth. "Yeah, figured that would happen. But I wanted to let you know all the same."

"Well thanks for sharing," High Red said.

"Come on everypony we can't waste anymore time," Miracle said. "We have to get the last element."

"That's true," Apple Core said. "If we can get it, we won't have to fight. The Elements of Harmony will fight him for us."

"Then let's get going," Party Cannon said.

"Can I find a towel or something first?" Cryme asked.

"Here,” High Red said as he gave Cryme his towel.

After a little clean up Miracle used his spell to get them to where Witchcraft teleported. They traveled through the castle when suddenly, night became day. Witchcraft had teleported himself into a sleeping chamber high in the castle.

"Oh my gosh," High Red said as they were watching Witchcraft with a see through spell on the wall. "What great luck, he's asleep. This is even better than fighting him while he's drunk. We can get in, grab the element, and get out."

"But what if he wakes up?" Cryme asked.

"Then we fight him," Miracle answered stoically.

"Fight the monster that took over Equestria?" Picture Perfect answered.

"I think you might be getting a bit too gung ho buddy," Party Cannon said.

"We beat the guardians and everything else," Miracle said as he faced the others. "I know we look like a band of misfits, but when we work together, we can do anything." As Miracle finished he filled the others with inspiration, especially Cryme.

"Miracle's right so what should we do?" Apple Core asked.

"I say we go with High Red's plan, but instead of all of us it's just 1. If I go in alone it'll be all the more easier to focus on getting the element," Miracle said.

"Wait," Cryme said. "Let me go." Hearing that shocked the others, they might have screamed if Witchcraft wasn't on the other side of the wall. "I'm the quiet one, so this is the perfect job for me."

"But what if he wakes up?" Party Cannon asked.

"Well," Cryme paused. "Maybe he won't."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Picture Perfect asked.

"Yes, no, no yes I am. I'm tired of being scared. I..I want to pull more of my weight."

"He is very sneaky when he wants to be," Miracle said. Miracle then slowly opened the door to the chambers just enough for Cryme to squeeze through.

"I must be crazy," Cryme whispered to himself. Cryme made his way towards the bed while the others watched. None of them could speak a word as Cryme made it to the edge of the bed looking like he was going to wet himself again.

"So far so good," Party Cannon said, being the one to finally break the silence.

Cryme got on all fours, still on the edge of the bed and breathing heavily. Cryme exhaled and inhaled rather quickly but also staying quiet, looking as if a thousand thoughts were flying around his head.

"Just grab it and get out," Cryme said to himself making sure not to talk above a whisper. "Simple as that, he won't wake up, he won't wake up." Cryme then lifted himself up and saw the face of the creature that drove the land into darkness. Suddenly almost instinctively, Cryme grabbed the element and broke it off the necklace that was connected to it.

"He's got it," Apple Core said.

"He's got it," Miracle said.

"I've got it," Cryme whispered. He then flew straight out of the room and the group gathered around him as he closed the door and Miracle dispelled his see through spell.

"Way to go Cryme," High Red said.

"Bold as teal yet subtle as salad green," Picture Perfect said.

"Is anypony gonna mind if I wet myself again?" Cryme then gave the Element of Magic to Miracle who got out the other elements.

"Finally," Miracle said. "Now at long last, harmony will return to Equestria once again." The others then gathered around Miracle as he lifted all of the elements with his magic making them hover just above them. All of them smiled as big as they could, but after a few seconds of nothing happening, they slowly turned into frowns.

"What's going on?" Apple Core asked.

"More like what's not going on," Party Cannon said.

"Isn't it supposed to do the thing you just said it was going to do?" Cryme asked.

"Maybe you need a password," High Red said.

"Elements of Harmony go," Miracle said. "Elements of Harmony activate, Elements of Harmony awaken, Elements of Harmony work already and beat Witchcraft so you can bring back to the thing you're the elements of.” But no matter what he said the elements would not work.

"Nothing," Party Cannon said.

"I don't understand," Miracle said as he lowered the elements and sat down holding them in his forelegs. "We have them all together, why won't they work? Twilight Sparkle used them for situations just like that."

"I don't suppose they only work when Twilight Sparkle uses them," Party Cannon said. "Cause that's going to be a problem."

"There's got to be someway to make them work," Picture Perfect said.

"Well whatever the reason they aren't working and whatever the way it is to get those elements to work can we please move away from Witchcraft’s chamber before something-"

"WITCHCRAFT!" A voice from outside called out.

"Wakes him up," Cryme finished.

"Maybe he didn't hear-"

"WITCHCRAFT!"

"Nevermind," Party Cannon finished. "We should probably get of-"

"On it," Miracle interrupted as he teleported his group back to the garden, right next to the coffin of Twilight Sparkle.

"You took everything away from me," the voice called out once again even louder because the group was now closer to whoever it belonged to. "My home, my family, my entire life." The group decided to run over to where the voice was coming from to hopefully get him to shut up.

"Come out and face me Witchcraft. I was told to hide from you for so long, but now I have nothing left to lose. So come out and fight me," the pony once again called out just as the others got a good look at him. A rather large white pegasus with surprisingly small wings and before any of them could speak to him, he was blasted by a magic beam that sent him straight through not one, but several walls.

"I don't know what I hate more," Witchcraft said as he teleported to the garden. "Getting woken up or having to fight while I'm hungover." Witchcraft then looked up to the sky and looked away almost right away because of the sun. "I take it back, I do know. The worst part is having to come out during the day." Witchcraft then held an amulet he was holding and suddenly the sun set and the moon took its place.

"Did you see that?" Apple Core asked.

"Yeah," High Red said. "That amulet can control the sun and moon."

"Now that that's taken care of, perhaps I should get back to my research. I've kept Twilight waiting long enough."

"What's he talking about?" Miracle asked himself.

"No," Witchcraft said to himself. "I need to get more rest. I can barely think when I'm like this. But don't worry Twilight, we'll be together once again and." Witchcraft suddenly stopped as his foreleg reached to grab the element, but when he realized it was no longer there, he looked as if he had suddenly been stabbed. "The element? Where's the element? WHERE IS IT?" Witchcraft screamed so loud it echoed across all of Canterlot.

"Uh Miracle," Party Cannon said. "Now would probably be a really good time to figure out how the Elements of Harmony work."

"Yeah," Miracle said. "Too bad I'm clueless."

"In a minute we're gonna be dead," Party Cannon said.

"Please don't say that please," Cryme said. "I've voided my bowels enough for 1 day."

"Okay seriously, that’s getting annoying," Party Cannon said.

"Actually he's right," High Red agreed.

"Well I'm sorry, but this is a really scary situation," Cryme said.

"Settle down y'all," Apple Core said as he played peace maker by getting between them. "This ain't no time fer ah barn raising."

"Yeah come on, let's give the tyrant king a wide berth," Picture Perfect said.

The group then ran in the other direction where Witchcraft was becoming more and more emotionally unstable.

"NO," he screamed. "WHERE IS IT?! IT'S THE LAST THING I HAVE TO REMEMBER HER BY!"

"Besides all of the statues, colored glass windows, and tapestries of her," Party Cannon said. "Not to mention her actual corpse," he added, which Miracle couldn't help but laugh at.

"Don't laugh, he might hear ya," Apple Core said. "It was pretty funny though," Apple Core added as he couldn't help but chuckle.

"I think it's time for you to do that invisibility bubble combo," Picture Perfect suggested.

"Yes please," Cryme said. "Hurry do it before-"

"No more potty humor!" Party Cannon interrupted.

"Witchcraft finds us, was going to be the rest of my sentence, and is now a major part of this one."

"Oh, sorry, at this point I'm sure even the readers were probably getting tired of it."

"Who?" High Red asked.

"No idea why I said that," Party Cannon answered as Miracle performed his combo.

Witchcraft made his way into the garden where the group was hiding once again. He then began to pound his forelegs into the ground and managed to split the ground from one end of the garden to another. Doing this resulted in the crack hitting the group before they had a chance to react causing them all to scatter. While the others fell down and were forced back Miracle somehow rolled all the way to the coffin of his fallen hero.

"NO! Are you all right?!" Wichcraft said as he came over to the coffin.

"Oh I'm all right," Miracle said a bit out of it as he was rubbing his head.

"Not you, you worthless rat, get away from her!" Witchcraft then grabbed Miracle and rolled him away from the coffin.

"Oh Twilight," Witchcraft said as placed his hooves and head on the coffin. "I failed you once again," Witchcraft added as he actually started crying.

"How did she die?" Miracle asked which shocked not only Witchcraft, but his friends as well.

"What?" Witchcraft asked as he stood up and whipped the tears off of his face.

"How did she die? Please I know you know, Twilight Sparkle has been my hero for as long as I can remember. I have to know how she died. Did she give her life for somepony else or something?"

"Something like that," Witchcraft answered. Witchcraft then closed his eyes and suddenly a shadowy figure appeared from out of the ground. The figure then took the form of a large white pony with pegasus wings and a long unicorn horn. Though what really caught Miracle's attention was her large mane and tail which seemed to move all of its own. "Long ago this land was ruled over by a wise and powerful princess," Witchcraft said as he made the large pony walk around the garden.

"How is he doing that?" High Red asked.

"I'm not quite sure," Cryme answered. "I mean I'm kinda sure, magic, but even for magic this is incredible."

Witchcraft then created another figure that turned into a Twilight Sparkle. “Beside her was a passionate student, who only wished to make the princess happy." Suddenly the small Twilight Sparkle ran over to the princess and hugged her foreleg.

"A-w," Party Cannon said.

"But then 1 day the princess, to whom the student had never shown anything but kindness and loyalty, cast the student away over what she believed to be a fault in the student's actions. But this was a costly mistake. For she learned too late that like always, the students intentions were pure. Overtime the princesses selfish and cruel nature revealed itself more and more, but the student was too blinded by her desire to serve the princess to see it."

Witchcraft then made a younger version of himself who tried to comfort the figure of Twilight.

"Despite her blind loyalty to the princess the student had many friends, one such was an umbrum that loved her with all his heart."

"Love?" Miracle asked.

"1 day the umbrum couldn't take it anymore and tried to make the student see with her own eyes the cold hearted nature of the princess. This however angered the princess and she cast a fury of spells on the umbrum, and when the student tried to defend him," Witchcraft paused as tears ran down his face. "She paid the ultimate price."

Suddenly all the figures disappeared as they became the shadows they were formed from and returned to Witchcraft.

"I vowed I would avenge Twilight Sparkle and after taking the life of the princess that took her from me, I forced everypony out of Canterlot, which begs the question. What are you doing here?”

“Uh,” Miracle said just as it dawned on him that his common sense had recentky taken a massive detour. Suddenly Witchcraft looked as if he'd been stabbed again.

"IT WAS YOU!" He screamed as his face became pure rage. "You took the element! Give it back!" Witchcraft then charged at Miracle who summoned a shield, but Witchcraft broke through with a spell beam. Miracle quickly adapted however and forced him back with a spell beam of his own.

"Looks like telling that story sobered him up," Party Cannon said.

"Guess we're doing this," High Red said as he flew over to help.

"Come on y'all," Apple Core said as he charged in with the others, even Cryme.

"Going up," High Red said as he grabbed Witchcraft by his back and managed to lift him off the ground. "You're kind of light for a full grown stallion."

"Put me down you brat!"

"If you insist." High Red then did just that, Witchcraft used a spell to soften the blow but when he landed Picture Perfect cast a powerful light spell right in his face.

"What are you doing?" Witchcraft asked with his forelegs in front of his face. "Oh I get it, cause I'm a shadow pony. You'll have to do better than that."

"Fine with us," Apple Core said as he tried to buck Witchcraft but he summoned a shadow wall to block him. "Get out of my face," Witchcraft said as he pushed them back with several magical bubbles.

"Hey everypony here's another combo," Miracle said as he lit up his horn with light then fired another beam. Witchcraft tried to block it with another shadow wall, but the spell went right through it and hit him dead on.

"But how?" Witchcraft said as he got up.

"Like I said, a combo. A light spell mixed with an attack spell," Miracle said.

"Oh I get it," Cryme said. "The light got the other spell to break through the shadow wall."

"One clever trick won't be enough to stop me," Witchcraft said as he cast several spells that hit the entire group dead on.

"That, was impressive," Party Cannon said with his back to the ground. "And also very painful."

"Can you get up?" Cryme asked.

"Yeah," Party Cannon said as he did just that but fell a bit. "But my body doesn't want me to."

"Swarm him!" High Red said and they did just that. High Red flew all around him, getting in numerous hits that Witchcraft couldn't block because of his speed. Miracle and Picture blasted him with spells and even hit him at the same time. That blasted Witchcraft into the air a bit, putting him in the perfect position for Apple Core to buck him right in the spine and he landed face first on the ground. Party Cannon blasted him with over half a dozen of his namesakes, with Cryme helping.

"Seriously, where do you keep, oh forget it," Cryme said as he helped Party Cannon fire.

"This won't stop me," Witchcraft said as he got up and all of a sudden a piece of cake flew right into his mouth. "Mmm, chocolate." Witchcraft then created a barrier around him, but not above him, this allowed him to fire a spell straight up. When it started coming back down, it spilt into a dozen beams that the group barely managed to dodge. The party cannons however, were broken into pieces.

"Don't worry I saved the cake," Party Cannon said as he ate the last of it.

"You lot have put up more of a fight than I thought you would, but you will fall like all the others," Witchcraft said after putting the barrier down.

"We beat all of the guardians and you ain't gonna be different." Apple Core said.

"The guardians?" Witchcraft asked. "So that's what you're doing here, you want to use the Elements of Harmony. But harmony vanished from this land long ago."

"Because of you," Cryme said rather upset. "Do you even have a clue how much ponies from all over suffer now because of you?"

"I don't care enough about the ponies to think about that," Witchcraft answered. Suddenly Cryme flung himself right at Witchcraft, punching him right in the face. That punch sent Witchcraft flying and nearly through a wall.

"Is that all you can say!?" Cryme said, engulfed with rage. "You're just like the guardians, a heartless shell." Cryme then flew straight at Witchcraft who tried to blast him, but Cryme dodged every spell. "I had to live in the Undiscovered West for 8 years because of you!" Cryme said as he dodged. "You hear that, 8!" Cryme made his way to Witchcraft and punched him for every year that he lived in the Undiscovered West.

"Wow," High Red said.

"Yeah," Picture added. "Cryme has a lot of pent up rage."

"Is that bad?" Apple Core said.

"It is for Witchcraft," Picture replied.

"And it's about to get a lot worse for all of you," Witchcraft said as he gave Cryme a punch of his own that forced him back. "Did you honestly think that a group of misfits like yourselves could be enough to defeat me?"

"Well it'd be stupid to say no now," Miracle said as he fired another beam but Witchcraft countered with a beam of his own and pushed his beam back. Giving Miracle a rather painful sense of deja vu.

"Miracle!" Apple Core called out. Before he could do anything about it, he and the others, were blasted by a series of vicious spells. Witchcraft then used a spell that forced the group together.

"And there's the pain again," Party Cannon said as he tried to get up.

"He looks really mad," High Red said as Witchcraft was charging for another spell.

"We gotta get out of here," Cryme said back to his gentle, easily frightened self.

"Not gonna happen," Witchcraft said as suddenly a ring of black fire surrounded the group. Witchcraft's previous attack had hit the pegasi in their wings preventing flight. Picture was knocked out and Miracle needed a moment to recover.

Another painful sense of deja vu.

"Nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide," Witchcraft said.

"If anypony has an idea," Miracle said. "Now would be a good time."

"I have one," Party Cannon said.

"Is it a good one?" Miracle asked.

"I think so," Party Cannon answered.

Witchcraft charged his spell and cast it straight at the group, but just before the spell hit, the group vanished into thin air.

***

When Picture Perfect managed to regain consciousness he, along with the others, found themselves in a large pink area with bubbles and sparkles in the air. And around them were dozens of party cannons. "Where, where are we?"

"This is where I keep all my name sakes," Party Cannon answered. "My own personal pocket dimension."

"I," Miracle paused. "Have so many questions."

"Yeah I bet," Party Cannon said. "My grandma was a talented unicorn and when I was a colt she made a pocket dimension just for me. She made it so only I can open it and open it anytime or anywhere I want."

"So this is how you were able to pop the party cannons out of nowhere all the time," Cryme said.

"Why didn't you pull us in here earlier?" Apple Core asked.

"I never tried it with other ponies so I wasn't sure it would work," Party Cannon answered.

"Well now that we're in here, we have plenty of time to think up a plan for round 2," High Red said.

"We already have a plan," Miracle said with gusto and a little bit of swagger. "The Elements of Harmony, and since we're here I'll have plenty of time," Miracle stopped when suddenly cracks appeared. "To." The cracks spread more and more. "Figure out, how to finally, make, them, work." As Miracle finished the cracks spread halfway across the pocket dimension causing it to break. This caused the group and the rest of the party cannons to fall out of what was that of said dimension.

"Welcome back," Witchcraft said with a rather sinister smile. "A pocket dimension, I have to admit, is quite unique. It would have worked with my guardians but not me, I specialized in unique magic long ago." Witchcraft charged his horn once again. "Now where were we?" Witchcraft then fired the spell at the group but just as quick as he cast it, it disappeared.

"Huh?" Witchcraft said as well as the group, with the exception of Miracle Maker.

"Oh," Miracle said with swagger. "Did you want your spell back? Alright." Miracle then opened the pocket dimension which caused the spell to be fired right back at Witchcraft.

"My own spell?" Witchcraft asked as he was forced to the other side of the castle.

"Miracle, how did you do that?" Picture asked.

"I stopped the pocket dimension just before it closed and reworked it to be able to absorb and reflect spells, with a little boost for added damage," Miracle answered.

"Wow Miracle," Apple Core said, still shocked along with the others. "I knew you were talented in magic, but even ah had no idea you could do that."

"I wasn't all that sure myself, but I had to try something," Miracle answered. "Come on, we need to get out of here before Witchcraft comes back."

"You want to run away?" High Red asked.

"Not a chance," Miracle answered. "But we need to retreat, regroup, and rethink how to really let that tyrant have it."

"I like the sound of that," Party Cannon said. And with that the group ran off higher into the castle, thinking Witchcraft wouldn't look there, at least not right away. As the group made their way to the top of the castle near Witchcraft's chambers, they came across another sleeping pony.

"Who is that?" Miracle asked as his group stared at another alicorn. One with a mane and tail of a beautiful starry night and a moon cutie mark. She was resting peacefully on a bed which was surrounded by a large golden bubble.

"Is she another shadow pony?" Apple Core asked.

"Oh my gosh," Picture Perfect said. "It's Princess Luna."

"A princess?" High Red asked.

"She was the Princess of the Night," Picture Perfect answered. "I remember when I was a colt she came into my dreams and really helped me out."

"So, she isn't a shadow pony?" Party Cannon asked.

"No," Picture answered. "But it's still a shock to see her here. I thought she died with the other princesses. What is going on here?"

"Well I know a way to find out," Miracle said as he approached the bubble and used his horn to pop it.

"Wha?" Princess Luna said when the bubble popped. "Am I, awake?" She asked as she lifted her head and slowly got up.

"Uh, yes," Party Cannon answered.

"But how?" Princess Luna asked.

"Because you aren't asleep," Party Cannon answered again.

"Who are you? What's going on?" Princess Luna asked. Miracle quickly explained things to Princess Luna rather quickly. While making sure to get all the important details across. "Wait, you found the Elements of Harmony?"

"Yes," Miracle answered. "But we can't get them to work. I don't suppose you know?"

"The power of the elements is held in the bond of the wielders," Luna answered as she tried to stand up but fell. "I'm still waking up, I've been asleep for so long. It's going to be a while before I can get my strength back."

Picture Perfect used his magic to put the princess on his back and carried her out of the room with the others.

"Thank you," Princess Luna said.

"No problem, your highness," Picture Perfect answered.

"Why were you sleeping for so long anyway?" Cryme asked.

"It wasn't my idea. Little," Luna paused. "Witchcraft forced me to stay in the dream realm. He seeks to bring Twilight Sparkle back to life." Hearing that made the entire group freeze in their tracks.

"Bringing somepony back from the dead? Witchcraft can do that?" Miracle asked, part of him actually hoping it was true.

"No, he can't," Princess Luna answered.

"Yes I can," Witchcraft answered as he appeared from a shadow that was formed from the ground in front of the group. "So now on top of collecting the elements and defeating my guardians, you woke her up," Witchcraft added. "You're really starting to get on my nerves."

"Please Witchcraft stop this," Princess Luna said. "Twilight Sparkle isn't coming back. She's gone."

"And whose fault is that!?" Witchcraft asked in rage.

"Twilight wouldn't want this," Princess Luna added.

"She didn't want to die either, but she did. But when I find a way to bring her back I can set everything right."

"What is he talking about?" High Red as he looked at Princess Luna.

"When Twilight Sparkle comes back to life, she'll be the one to restore order to this land. As the princess she was meant to be, with me standing by her side."

"And?" Party Cannon asked which somewhat stunned Witchcraft.

"And what?" Witchcraft asked.

"Is that your master plan?" Party Cannon added. "To just bring somepony back to life?"

"Yes!" Witchcraft answered. "Twilight and I will make this land far greater than the so-called royalty could."

"Twilight Sparkle would never work alongside somepony like you," Miracle said in anger.

"And what do you know about Twilight Sparkle?"

"Apparently more than you!" Witchcraft then charged in a rage, making it all the more easier for Miracle to counter it. Miracle cast a light spell that blinded him and Picture took that opportunity to blast Witchcraft. The others then joined in hitting him in various ways. From bucks to punches in the air to a party cannon that wasn't broken.

"You won't defeat me," Witchcraft said.

"Princess Luna, can you fire a spell too?" Picture Perfect asked.

"I still don't have my energy back," Princess Luna replied. "I need a little more time."

"Too bad you aren't going to get any," Witchcraft answered as he once again fired a series of spells. Miracle was the only one that managed to dodge, but barely. Miracle then fired a series of spells that Witchcraft blocked by summoning a shield around him. "That won't be enough to stop, wait. Where did he go?" Suddenly Miracle teleported in front of Witchcraft and punched him right in the face.

"Alright, Miracle!" Apple Core said as he cheered for his friend.

"I took down the royal pony sisters," Witchcraft said as he got himself up. "I took control of the entire capital," Witchcraft said as a shadow-like aura surrounded him. "So there is no way that I'm going to be defeated by a band of misfits." Witchcraft then transformed into a giant shadow that covered the room in darkness. The group tried to escape but not even light spells would work and moments later the entire room collapsed causing the group to fall. Even Cryme and High Red as the darkness somehow affected their wings.

"What happened to my wings?" High Red said after falling from one floor to another that they couldn't help notice was filled with strange crystals. Some were similar to the ones that the ponies used to keep the shadow ponies away.

"He can mess with the magic of other creatures," Princess Luna answered. "It's a specialty of his."

"Yes," Witchcraft's voice echoed throughout the room as the darkness came down through the hole in front of the group, staring them down with a look or pure dread. "It's a unique ability of mine that has served me quite well."

"You mean like when you took over Equestria?" Party Cannon asked.

"Yes, like then," Witchcraft answered. "And like how I'm going to finish you off," Witchcraft added. But suddenly a wall of blue magic separated Witchcraft from the group.

"I'll hold him off," Princess Luna said, finally getting her strength back. "You get out of here. Think of some other plan or look for others that can help."

"But what about you?" Miracle asked as Witchcraft tried to break the wall.

"Don't worry about me," Princess Luna replied. "He won't kill me."

"He won't get the chance," Miracle replied, refusing to move a muscle as the wall started to crack.

"What?" Princess Luna replied.

"We have to beat him now. If we run away we'll never get another chance," Miracle added as he lit his horn. "He'll expect another attack or lead one on us with the shadow ponies."

"He's right y'all," Apple Core said. "This here's our best chance to stop him once and for all."

"I'm not the fighting type, except for today, or tonight," Cryme said. "And normally I'd try a nicer way, but we have to fight this guy. So I speak for every pony when I say I'll lend a hoof in the fight.

"More than a hoof," Picture Perfect added. “Much more.”

"Yeah, we're sticking together no matter what," High Red said.

"What they said," Party Cannon said. "Friends stick together no matter what better than any glue. I really hope I don't go out on that joke."

"Friends," Miracle said just as the wall broke.

"Time to finish you all off," Witchcraft said as he headed straight for them but was suddenly pushed back by a strange rainbow that appeared out of nowhere and around the group.

"What's going on?" Witchcraft asked as suddenly the Elements of Harmony floated out of the saddle bag.

"I get it now," Miracle answered. "The magic that gets the elements to work. It's the same magic that's kept us going throughout this whole journey. It's what helped me defeat Cruelty, it's what helped us defeat all the guardians. The magic that will help bring harmony back to Equestria once again. It's the most powerful magic of all, the magic of friendship."

"What?" Witchcraft said as the elements glowed brighter and fired a beam straight at him. The beam not only forced him back to his normal form as all of his magic drained out of him, but also somehow got the other crystals to shine. A rather large one shaped like the symbol of love released a wave of magical energy and did some major damage to Witchcraft as well. Who took so much damage that cracks appeared all over his body before he broke apart into pieces.

The group was silent for a moment as they were in awe over what just happened. Even Miracle didn't say anything at first, until the whole thing finally set in.

"W-E DID IT!" Miracle said as he yelled as hard as he could. "WE DEFEATED WITCHCRAFT!" Cryme cried rivers of joy, Party Cannon danced with Princess Luna, Picture Perfect and High Red embraced one another, and Apple Core did the same to Miracle.

"We did it," Apple Core said. "And it's all thanks to you Miracle."

"In a manner of speaking it is," a voice said. They turned around to see none other than the ghost of Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight Sparkle," Miracle said at the same time as Witchcraft. Who to everypony's surprise was still alive, but was reduced to a small formless shadow on the floor.

"I finally brought you back," Witchcraft said in a weak whisper as his head & foreleg came out of the small black puddle, but what was left of him was slowly fading into nothing. "I knew I could do it. Now we can rule this land, make it truly great. Now, I can finally tell you, that I, have always." But as fate would have it, Witchcraft couldn't finish that sentence as what was left of him disappeared into nothing. Twilight Sparkle looked at where the tyrant disappeared with deep somberness.

"I AM A HUGE FAN!" Miracle said as he approached Twilight with a giant grin. "NOT A HUGE FAN, THE BIGGEST!"

"I know," Twilight answered. "I've been watching over you for quite some time."

"Not to spoil the moment or anything," High Red said. "But how are you here?"

"I'm not quite sure myself," Twilight answered. "When you used the Elements of Harmony they somehow connected with the crystals in this room and pulled me into the physical world."

"Works for me," Miracle said. "I have so many questions, where do I start?"

"Before you start," High Red said. "I have one, how were we able to get the Elements of Harmony to work?"

"It's as Miracle said," Twilight answered. "It's when he truly saw the value of the bond you share. Just like I did so long ago."

"What do you mean?" Cryme asked. Twilight then guided the group to a different part of the castle, the hallway with Twilight's accomplishments on the windows. As they traveled there they saw numerous ghosts flying around the castle as well. Such as a large white alicorn that Luna was very happy to see.

"Luna!" The ghost cried out.

"Celestia!" Luna cried out too as the two ponies ran over and embraced each other.

"Wow, you wouldn't think this place would look more cheerful with ghosts flying around," Party Cannon said.

When they got to the window of Twilight defeating Nightmare Moon, Twilight used her magic to change it. She started by showing an earth pony wearing an element.

"Hey, it's my sister Applejack!" Apple Core said, amazed. "Just like in the photos ma and pa showed me. She helped y'all beat Nightmare Moon?"

"She wasn't the only one," Twilight answered as she made more ponies appear, restoring the window to its original design.

"Who are they?" Miracle asked.

"My friends," Twilight answered as she looked at the group one by one. "Apple Core."

"Yes?"

"You're much like Applejack. Treats others like family, a bit stubborn at times, but also filled with integrity, and the Element of Honesty. Cryme, you would have gotten along great with Fluttershy, a gentle soul who cared deeply for animals like how you care deeply for plants. She was the element you are now, the Element of Kindness.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Party Cannon, you are the Element of Laughter like my friend Pinkie Pie, because you both love to make others smile.”

“I do like to do that.”

“Picture Perfect, you're like my friend Rarity, a fashion lover with eyes for detail and giving towards others, because you're the Element of Generosity.”

“Wow, being compared to a fashion pony like her, what an honor.”

“High Red, while young and somewhat reckless you stand by your friends no matter what, just like my fast flying friend Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty."

"Rainbow Dash?" High Red said who heard of her and her accomplishments. "That's actually really flattering."

"And Miracle, you are the Element of Magic, like me."

"Like you?!"

"Yes," Twilight answered with a giggle. "Like me."

"That's so cool. So your friends helped you defeat Nightmare Moon?" Miracle asked.

"Not just then, my greatest accomplishments were thanks to them helping me. I couldn't have done any of them without their help."

"Wow, kind of like how I couldn't have saved Equestria without my friends."

"Well," Cryme said. "Not to be a wet blanket, but we didn't save it yet."

"True," Picture Perfect said. "We still have the Umbrum to fight."

"I can help with that," A pink alicorn ghost said as she brought the Crystal Heart to the others. "Or rather this can help with that."

***

With the help of the late Princess Cadance, Miracle and his friends activated the Crystal Heart which somehow connected to similar crystals across the land, spreading precious light across all of Equestria. Forcing the shadow ponies back into the dark corners they crawled out of. Many ponies around Equestria and even the lands beyond saw this and would make their way to Canterlot to see how this happened.

"Did we save Equestria now?" Party Cannon asked.

"Not unless we have something else to fight," High Red said.

"No, you saved Equestria," Twilight Sparkle answered right before the ghost of a rather large red earth pony appeared not too far away from Twilight. "Now if you'll excuse me there's another pony that needs my affection, er attention." As Twilight made her way off, Party Cannon got the name sakes that weren't destroyed.

"You know what this calls for right?" Party Cannon asked, as if he needed to. "A PARTY!"

Soon all of Canterlot was 1 giant party. Many ponies from near and far would gather to see a once dark and dreadful place, now returned to the beacon of light it once was in days long past.

"My gosh, can this really be," Moondancer said as she and her friends made it to Canterlot. "It's a miracle."

"Yeah it is," Minuette said. "Look, it's Miracle." She pointed to the young unicorn who was greeting guests along with Apple Core. But suddenly Apple Core's family along with Blueblood made their way through the front of the crowd.

"MIRACLE!" Blueblood said as he ran over to hug his nephew as hard as he could, while Bright Mac and Pear Butter did the same for Apple Core.

"You are so grounded," Blueblood and Apple Core's parents said with a laugh. Making the 2 stallions smiles disappear, however Apple Core insisted on them stopping by Manehatten on the way back.

***

"Dad?" Pear Butter asked after making it to Manehatten in no time thanks to former royal guards that broguht them via chariot.

"Pear Butter," Grand Pear replied with tears of joy streaming down his face. "It's you, it's really you. I'm so sorry for what I did, I was just so angry-"

"It's in the past dad," Pear Butter said as she cut off her dad with a warm hug. After talking with her father for a little bit, the Apples got ready to head out, with a new family member to bring home. Pear Butter was so happy she listened to her son. "Thank you so much for this Apple Core, between that and helping Miracle, I'm so proud of you." Hearing that made Apple Core smile with sheer pride. "But you're still grounded."

***

Miracle, after returning harmony to Equestria at last, returned home.

But not for long.

"We're really moving to Canterlot?" Miracle asked his Uncle Blueblood.

"Yes. With Witchcraft no longer in control I can regain my role as prince. A title you'll be getting as well."

The 2 stallions got to work clearing out the cottage for the things they'd be taking. As they finished they took one last look at the small but cozy and now empty cottage they called home for so long.

"Wow," Blueblood said, feeling rather bittersweet. "As much as I can't wait to live in the castle again, I'm actually going to miss living here."

"Yeah," Miracle said.

The 2 stallions took their things and said goodbye to the village with several ponies, including Miracle's friends, helping them get back to the capital.

"So Miracle's going to be a prince?" Cryme asked.

"He was always a prince, besides it's the least that can be done. You and your friends saved Equestria," Luna answered.

"I suppose you’re right,” Miracle said.

"Don’t think it’s time to relax now, that was the easy part," Princess Luna replied.

"That was easy?" Miracle answered.

"Compared to what's next anyway. With Witchcraft defeated now, we'll have to start the long road to rebuilding Equestria," Blueblood answered. “But I suppose that can wait, we still have a party to attend to. But after that you're grounded.”

The ponies made their way back to Canterlot, which was party central and wouldn't be stopping anytime soon for ponies alive and dead. Ponies and other creatures from all over Equestria and the land beyond came as well. All to celebrate, as the long period and suffering and darkness faded into memory.

THE END

Author's Notes:

And now here we are at the end of the story. Sorry for such a long wait, I wanted to make the ending, or the whole story in general as best as it could be. I Re-edited all the chapters for that and also to help every member of the group go through some sort of arc. Those arcs and more as well as unanswered questions will be focused on in the sequel which I hope you'll join me on.

Until then please let me know what you think of the story.